interpreted thus to come and worship God before thy Feet according to a parallel place of the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.25 10 Because thou hast kept and observed the word 25 or precept of my patience i. e. of the Patience which I taught and practised especially in expecting with me the coming of my Kingdom and that in a low and mean condition I also will keep thee or this Church State entire from the hour or suddain and unexpected time of 26 Temptation or general Tryal which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell on the Earth whether their Church States are pure or no and to purify some and destroy others Dan. 12.1 Malach. 3.2 3. 2 Pet. 2.9 1 Cor. 3 11.-15 25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Precept or Doctrine of Patience in the sense that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Word is taken 1 Cor. 1.18 and to keep the Word as the Phrase is frequently used in John's Gospel is to observe that Precept and that chiefly with reference to a patient Expectation of Christ's Coming as the Phrase is taken 2 Thes 3.5 and Rev. 1.9 26 This I suppose is to be understood concerning the pouring out of the Vials as shall be endeavoured to be shewn when they come to be considered 11 Behold I come to try and judg them quickly or on a sudden after this period of the Church begins to appear hold that fast which thou hast received and kept that no man take 27 thy Crown i e. rob thee of that reward thou shalt have in my Kingdom 27 No Churches so perfect but that it is possible for them if left to themselves to be perverted and no Man so nigh the Goal but he may lose the Prize if he be not by the Grace of God made watchful and careful And here we are to observe that these Promises are taken from the New Jerusalem-state in Christ's Kingdom and that they are made after the most ample and plainest manner to this Church-state because of its greatest purity and patience in expecting that Kingdom and its fitness to receive it in the near approach of it in the New Jerusalem 12 For Him that overcometh the temptations of this poor and despised Church State will I make a 28 Pillar in the Temple of my God i. e. he shall be a Member of a strong fixt and stable Church State and he shall go no more out of it for it shall not be changed And I will write 29 upon him or upon this Pillar the Name of my God Jehovah and the Name of the City of my God The Lord is there Ezek. 48.35 which is 30 new Jerusalem i. e. the prefect Gospel State in Christ's Kingdom Hebr. 12.22 which cometh down out of Heaven from my God i. e. shall be established by God's more immediate Power and by abundant Manifestations of Gifts and Graces Ezek. 43.4 5 6 7 8. Gal. 4.26 see on Rev. 21.2 3. and I will write upon him my new Name Rev. 19.16.22 4. i. e. he shall be 31 a Member of my Kingdom who am King of Kings and Lord of Lords See before on verse 8. and Isa 56.5 Rev. 19.12 28 In allusion to the Two Pillars before Solomon's Temple called Iachin and Booz from their strength and stability 1 Kings 7.15 21. The Apostles also are called Pillars Gal. 2.9 and the Church the Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 and Christians are compared to a Temple and its Stones or Pillars Eph. 2.21 1 Pet. 2.5 29 This may perhaps be an Allusion to the Inscriptions which were used to be put upon Pillars Hence the Title of the sixteenth Psalm is in the Greek rendred An Inscription upon a Pillar and Absalom's Pillar 2 Sam. 18.18 might have probably his Name graven on it 30 New is often in Scripture put for excellent or perfect And this State may be called New because the visible Glory of it did then first appear and it was a strange or new thing it being known or believed before by few 31 For to be called and to be are of the same import in the Hebrew Phrase 13 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 14 And unto the Angel of the Church of the 32 Laodiceans write these things saith the Amen 33 i. e. The God of Truth Isa 65.16 who will perform what he has promised 2 Cor. 1.20 and will in this period put a final end to all things the Faithful and True Witness who hath performed punctually what hath been hitherto promised by the Father and will go on to do so to the end although the Truths he hath delivered may seem never so incredible Chap. 1.5 the beginning 34 of the Creation of God i. e. of the First Creation of all things and of the New Creation or Constitution of things after the Resurrection of which he was the first Born from the Dead Col. 1.18 Rev. 1 5.21 1. 32 This State succeeds the Philadelphian State and therefore must be after the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ or the New Jerusalem of which Philadelphia is a Type as appears from Verse 12. It seems to be a State in which there was a great Remissness of the extraordinary Zeal which was shewn in the former Succession during Christ's Kingdom and its Name denoting as Grotius remarks The Judging of the People it may from thence be probably concluded that it is that State during which the great Judiciary Act of Judging the People or Nations is to be performed Rev. 20 8-15 where occasion will be given of discoursing more largely of this Matter It was once a most Famous and Rich City as this Church-state is described to be at the seventeenth Verse but is now only a heap of Ruines and inhabited by none but wild Beasts so that Monsieur Spoon after all his search could not find out where its Church stood Christ having spewed it utterly out of his Mouth 33 Amen signifies Truth and denotes also the End or Conclusion and being put before what follows concerning the beginning of the Creation of God implies that what concerns the End of Church-states is the chief thing typified by this Church 34 Christ is said to be the beginning of the Creation of God 1. Because he was in the beginning with God when all things were made by him John 1.1 as being the first born of every Creature that is being above and before all Creatures whatsoever and the Cause of them Col. 1 15-17 2. because he was the beginning of the New Creation or Constitution of things under the Gospel Col. 1.18 2 Cor. 5.17 and the Author of the New Heavens and New Earth or the New and Excellent State of things in his Kingdom upon Earth And 3. because he is the Beginning the First Born from the dead Colos 1.18 which Title he here takes because this Church-Period extends until the End of all Earthly Things when follows the beginning of the New Creation or Constitution of
dwell What more grateful Entertainment for an Ingenious Mind than to have a prospect of all the great Transactions of the World since Christ's Resurrection represented as in Scenes shifted by the Ministry of Angels at each great change upon the Stage of this World For this Book is a Divine Drama full of holy Art and sacred Ornaments taken from Prophetick Symbols and Eastern Hieroglyphicks into which the Holy Spirit hath transferred most of the Beauties Excellencies and Magnificence of the Old Testamens and the greatest part of the Types and Figures of the Law the Throne of God and the Kingdom of Christ being the True Tabernacle of which Moses saw the Pattern in the Mount And the Art observed in it is very admirable and much like that of a true and just Poem the design of it being one great Action viz. The Kingdom of Christ to which all the lesser Actions are Subservient as to one great End which is carried on after a delightful as well as an Instructive manner by Descriptions Narrations a Chorus of Angels and blessed Spirits and by Christ himself speaking on great occasions as by so many Episodical Ornaments And may God inspire some Pious and Devout Soul with a Poetical Spirit suitable to the greatnest of the Subject with a Spirit like that which came from him upon his Servants David and Solomon when in Divine Raptures they set forth the glories of his Kingdom for the Subject well deserves an inspired Pen and will outlive all which have been hitherto undertaken as affording the most proper matter for the Devotion and Contemplation of the New World and therefore may be justly recommended to all Ingenious Persons as worthy their most serious Thoughts and pious Meditations Ribera a learned Romanist resembles this Prophecy to a vast Ocean full of Deep Gulphs receiving and swallowing up all Human Wisdom and the Metaphor although something bold hath much of Truth in it there being few of the Liberal Arts and Scienâ—es which the Eternal Word the Wisdom of God hath not made use of in it to exercise the understanding of those who have Spiritual Wisdom and to confound the Wisdom of those who are wise in their own conceits Here the Sacred Orator may find the most Magnificent Idea's of Divine things and the most lively Images of what can most effectually raise Admiration Love and Fear the most prevailing Passions of Mankind viz. the Glory of God and of Christ's Kingdom and the horror and dread of the Punishments denounced and executed in it And all this expressed in a Style (a) Stylus five Structura Orationis qualis nunquam à Mortalibus usurpata fuit nec apud quenquam Humanum Auctorem Extat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic vides non Humanam Cotton apud Poli Syn. more than Human whereby some of the wisest and best of all Ages have been induced to search into it for the Providential Fate of God's Church and to admire and acknowledg its profound depth and Divine Authority as that great Critick (b) Euseb Hist Eccles 7.25 Dionysius Alexandrinus did even when they professed that they could not fathom the meaning of it which is no slight Argument of the peculiar Majesty and Excellen of this Book Neither let nice VVits be offended at the Paronomastical Allusions may he found in it for they are frequent in (c) Vid. Maimonid Duct Dubit 2.43 Gen 9 27.49 8 16 19. Jerem. 1.11 12. Dan. 5.25 29. Zephan 2.4 and the Notes on Chap. 2. 1 3. Scripture as they know who have skill in the Original Languages and were much in use in the Eastern Nations Those who have skill in History and Chronology may here exercise it with great Delight and Satisfaction and every mind that hath Wisdom whether it be in Numbers Geometry Architecture Colours Precious Stones Meteors or any other parts of Knowledge here hinted at or alluded to ought to contribute their skill to it For united Endeavours best promote Knowledge and God himself usually joyned (a) Exod. 31.2 3 6. 36 1 2. Eccles 4.9 Mark 6.7 1 Cor. 12.8 many together Two at least in every great and Weighty Work He gave Aholiab to Bezaleel joyned Aaron to Moses and Christ sent forth his Disciples by Two and Two and raised up Two Witnesses to testify to the Truths of this Prophecy And therefore I cannot but earnestly entreat all that are Wise-hearted in whose Hearts God hath put Wisdom and skill in Arts for they are from him and may thereby be Sanctified to stir up the Gifts which are in them and to joyn heartily and unanimously together for the service of the approaching Sanctuary and Kingdom of Christ for the work hath been long retarded by the noise of (b) 1 Kings 6.7 Axes and Hammers that is by Divisions and Contentions amongst Christians which ought not to be heard in the Building of God's House whatsoever hath been hitherto permitted under imperfect and lower Dispensations But further if the Hypothesis here advanced prove true and this Book be found to contain the great Events belonging to the Christian Church from the Reformation to the End of Time and to the Kingdoms of this World as they have a relation to it will it not afford a most cogent and most illustrious Proof for the Being of a God and a Providence and for the Divine Authority of the Scriptures and most effectually silence the little and unreasonable Cavils of Atheists and Antiscripturists For how could so long a Series and so great a variety of Events depending on rational Instruments and free Agents seemingly independent on each other and yet all tending to One End be revealed so long before their accomplishment but by One Infinite Mind or Understanding comprehending all things at one View and over-ruling and conducting them all to One End What but infinite Mind and Wisdom could foresee and so exactly describe the Orderly (a) See Chap. 6. Succession of the Roman Emperours by the very particular Countries from which they came and the great occurrences which happened under them or so exactly (b) See Chap. 2 10 6 9-17 foretell the very Period of the Persecution under Dioclesian and at so long a distance shew the Souls of the Martyrs under the Altar and the fatal overthrow of Paganism What else but the Eternal Knowledg could foretel and that so particularly in exact agreement with all History the Destruction of the Roman Empire and the (a) See Chap 8. Various Fate of Rome so often taken and retaken so often Burnt and yet not utterly Consumed What else but Wisdom it self could so livelily (b) See Chap. 9. represent the innumerable swarms of Tormenting Saracens the Locusts and Scorpions of the Earth and the mighty inroads of the Turkish Cavalry passing the River Euphrates and foretel the very manner and precise time of their taking Constantinople which cannot therefore be the Beloved City as Dr. Hammond supposes in agreement with the Opinions of the
gained a Line of Time of 430 Years from Solomon's Death to the end of the LXX Years Captivity which is the first of Cyrus which is made out also by Dr. Beverley from a distinct Enumeration of the Reigns of the Kings of Israel and Judah and the fourteen Years assigned to the Visions of Ezekiel's Temple and does not much differ from the Calculations of the latest Chronologers who make this time to amount to 437 or 439 years at furthest although they confess after all their Pains that this Line of Time is very uncertain and obscure for Reasons collected by (a) Introduct Chronol ad Hist Eccles pag. 150-159 Spanhemius And therefore amidst so much doubt and difficulty where can we find a surer rest then in Scripture whose accounts of time will after all be found the most exact and that when Profane History and Chronology is most in the Dark if we take in Prophetical Time as well as Historical And now having settled the beginning of Cyrus's Reign or the Epoch of the Medo-Persian Monarchy we have obtained the beginning of the 2300 years and withal a Line of Time from it to the Cleansing or Justifying of the Sanctuary i. e. of the Christian Church Typified thereby from all Idolatry and Antichristianism when the Holy Place which is now shut will appear open in Heaven Rev. 11.19 Which Account stands thus A. M. 5759 A.D. vulg 1772. From the beginning of the Medo Persian Empire by Cyrus to the cleansing of the Sanctuary Dan. 8.13 14. 2300 Which will end in the 5759th year from the Creation and the 1772 year after Christ according to the common Account From which if you take Daniel's 75 years you come to the end of the 42 Months and the 1260 days and so by a regressive order to the Epoch or beginning of them at A.D. 437 as hath been already shewn on Paragr 5. pag. 210. All which is deduced by particular Accounts and after a most accurate manner by Dr. Beverley in his several Treatises called Scripture Lines of Time and stand as they are proved by him in this Order  Years 1. From Cyrus to Daniel's 70 weeks 75 2. Daniel's Weeks 490 3. The time between the Weeks and the 42 Months 400 4. The 1260 days or 42 Months 1260 5. The 30 and 45 Years of Daniel 75 Which amounts to years 2300 3 And I will give Power i. e. Commission and Ability of Testimony and Prophecy unto my two 13 Witnesses raised and sent on purpose to testify to the Truth and to denounce Judgments against the Apostasy and they shall Prophesie i. e. declare and Preach 14 against it and foretel Judgments a thousand 15 two hundred and threescore days of years cloathed in Sackcloath 16 i. e. in a Despicable Afflicted and Mournful condition 13 To Witness signifies to give Testimony to the Truth against Errors and Corruptions as the word is used Is 55.4 John 18.37 Acts 26.16 and also to pronounce God's Judgments against sinners as the word signifies Malach. 3.5 And the Witnesses are Two because Two Witnesses at least were required under the Law for confirmation Deut. 17.6.19 15. and to shew that a small number but a sufficient one should be made use of to confirm the Truth But chiefly in Correspondence to the Types in the Old Testament where these Witnesses are generally Two and accordingly God here raises up Two Witnesses to Witness and denounce Judgments against the Idolatry of the Christian Church as Moses and Aaron did against the Idolatry of Pharaoh Egypt Balaam and Moab as Elijah and Elisha did against Baal Ahab Jezebel and Ahaziah and as Zerobabel and Joshua were Witnesses in Babylon during the Captivity 14 So the Word Prophesie signifies frequently in the New Testament Although the Proper import of it here seems to be the Foretelling of the Encrease and Ruin of Antichrist and of the Coming of Christ's Kingdom to destroy him which being the Future Events of this Vision the Prophesying or Foretelling here mentioned must relate unto them particularly to the Kingdom of Christ the Chief Subject of all the Prophecies of the Old Testament which being not to begin to come into Event until the Expiration of the 1260 Days it is until then under Prophecy as a Future State And the Witnesses prophesie of it not only in their Discourses and Writings but by the mournful State they are in which is also of it self a signification that Christ's Kingdom is under a Delay a Sealing or a Prophecy which are words of like import 15 These Days begin with the Forty Two Months of the Gentiles and reach to the End of Antichristian Times running parallel along with them God taking care that as soon as Gentilism came into the Church there should be Witnesses raised up to testifie against it and to instruct the people in the contrary Truth by their Preaching and their Sufferings See num 12. 16 This was the Habit of Prophets when they denounced Judgments particularly of Elias one of the Witnesses under the Old Testament 2 Kings 1.8 Zech. 13.3 4. Matth. 3.4 And thus Mattathias and his Sons put on Sackcloth when the Gentiles prophaned the Sanctuary under Antiochus 1 Maccab. 2.14 4 These two Witnesses are or are signified by what in the Anti-type is represented by the two Olive 17 Trees Zach. 4 and the two Candlesticks 18 o◠〈…〉 Rev. 1.20 19 standing before or Ministring unto the 〈…〉 the Earth Zach. 4.14 17 The Types in this Verse are plainly taken from Zech. 4. And the Witnesses are called Olive-Trees upon these Accounts 1. Because they are to be anointed ones Zech. 4.14 or Kings and Priests in Christ's Kingdom 2. Because as the Olive Branches Zech. 4.12 they empty the Golden Oyl out of themselves into the Candlesticks or Churches That is impart to them the Fruit of those Gifts and Graces which they had received from the Spirit of God and were as fully replenished with as an Olive Tree is with Oyl Whereupon Christians are said to be anointed by God and the Holy Spirit and the Effects of it are called The Vnction in Scripture 2 Cor. 1.21 1 John 2.20 27. 3. Because the Witnesses were to perform the same Offices in the Christian and against the Antichristian Church as Joshua and Zerubbabel did for the Jewish and against Babylon the Type of Antichrist who is called a Mountain Zech. 10.4 And according to the Type in Zechariah the Witnesses are two anointed or chosen Servants of God replenished with his Spirit Verse 6. who are to level the Mountain of Antichristianism Verse 7. and to finish establish and build up the pure Church Verse 9. and that out of small things Verse 10. that is small beginnings and a Sackcloth or contemptible and afflicted condition 18 From hence it plainly appears that the Two Witnesses are Two Churches which are signified by Candlesticks in this Prophecy Chap. 1.20 as Grotius hath most appositely remarked on the place And amongst the Candlesticks or Church
10 28-31 See Dr. Tho. Goodwin's Discourse of the Punishment of Sin in Hell Hell Torments is thought to consist Now this Wrath of God the Sting of his Punishments and the very Gall of them is here given to the Angels by One of the Four Living Creatures that is by the First of them as One generally signifies in this Prophecy whose Voice was as Thunder and who had the very Purity and Power of the Gospel and that in Golden Vials to signifie the Purity and Holiness of God's Judgments and that they were executed upon the Prayers of Saints of which Golden Vials and Incense are an Emblem Chap. 5. 8. 12 The Wicked with their sins are cast as Grapes of Sodom Deut. 32.32 33. into the Winepress of God's Wrath trod by Christ Chap. 19 15. as Redeemer and out of that VVine are these Vials filled Whereby is signified that the Just Vengeance and Recompence of God is executed upon them by Christ as the Demerit and Consequence of their sins for the Blood of his Servants they had shed and as the Vials of the Prayers of the Saints Chap. 5.8 are full of Odors by Vertue of Christ's Intercession so are these full of the VVrath of God upon the Intercession of Christ for his oppressed Saints 8 And the Temple was 13 filled with 14 Smoak from the Glory of God and from his Power i. e. there were setled Manifestatiâ—ns of God's powerful and Glorious Presence in a blessed State Ezek. 43 4-6 and 15 or but no man or no Creature was able to enter into the Temple i. e. God's Glorious Presence could not be enjoyed in its highest Manifestations Ezek. 48 35. Rev 21.3 23 24. till the Seven Plagues of the Seven Angels were fulfilled i. e. until the perfect Destruction of the Wicked whose Sins 16 hinder God's Presence Ezek. 43.9 13 The Constant (a) Exod. 43.34 35. Lev. 16.2 Numb 9 15-23 1 Kings 8 10-13 2 Chron. 7 1-4 Ezek. 43 1-9 Manifestations of God's Presence are signified in Scripture by a Cloud covering and filling the Tabernacle and Temple whereby God took as it were possession of them who is represented in Ezekiel as filling the House or Temple with his Glory when he came to dwell in the midst of his people for ever Ezek. 43.5 7 9. Whereby is signified that the New Jerusalem State was near its Settlement in the Blessed Milennium when God will dwell with Men and he and the Lamb shall be the Temple of the City Rev. 21.2 3 22 23. 14 Light (b) See on Chap. 3. num 36. and Bright Fire are the proper Emblems of God who is Love but when Smoak appears with it there is intimated some Darkness in the Dispensation referred to and Mixtures of VVrath and Displeasure as in this place because God's VVrath was not as yet executed the Glory of God represented by Light and Bright Clouds in the Old Testament filled the Temple with Smoak and not Light there being as yet a Contest betwixt the VVrath Jealousie and Justice of God and his Enemies to be destroyed whose Defilements represented by Smoak Chap. 9. 2. and Sins were the Cause that God's Anger smoaked against them for otherwise Fury is not in the Lord Isa 27.4 15 An Allusion to what is related concerning Moses Exod. 40.35 whereby is expressed the great Terror of this Time of Vengeance which no Created Beings not even the Angels themselves are able to bear this being the (a) Isa Chapters 24 25 26 27. Dan. 12.1 Matth. 24.21 29 30. Mark 13.19 Luke 21.23 24. Rev. 3 10.7 14.16 18. Time of such Trouble as never was called The Great Temptation The Great Tribulation and the Great Earthquake in Scripture which was to be shortned for the Elect's Sake and will be so very Terrible that they are pronounced Blessed by Daniel Chap. 12.12 who shall wait and come to the End of those Days when the Blessed Millennium shall begin Which perhaps may be prefigured by (b) Exod. 24 12-18 Mose's not being able to go up into the Mount until after six Days and his being called up into it by God on the seventh Day the (c) See the Notes on Chapt. 20.4 Type of the seventh Thousand Year or the Sabbatical Millennium And from hence it may be observed that although there shall be several Manifestations of God's Presence and Openings of the Temple after the End of the Beasts Months upon the Entrance of which the Temple was shut up and at the Expiring of which it must consequently be opened that yet nevertheless the highest State of it in which God and the Lamb are the Temple consisting in perfect Tranquillity and Serenity without any smoak of Anger from God's Glory shall not be enjoyed until the Vials are poured out which will not be if the Beast's Months end at 1697 until A. D. 1772. when the 75 Years which are added to the Times of Antichrist by Daniel Chap. 12. will be expired as hath been frequently observed 16 This was signified by the several gradual (a) Ezek. 8.4 6.9 3.10 4 15-19 11 23. Removals of the Glory of God and its departure from the Temple in Ezekiel and his not returning into it so as to fill it and inhabit in it for ever until he had consumed the wicked Idolaters and their Abominations in his Anger Ezek 39 11-29.43 1-9 CHAP. XVI The Text. AND I heard a great Voice or a powerful Command full of Authority and about a most important matter out of the Heavenly Temple of Christ's Kingdom the Original and Arche-type of his Kingdom upon Earth Chap. 15.1 8. saying to the seven Angels or Ministerial Instruments of God's Will who undertake nothing without a special Command Go your ways with all speed and swiftness and by Virtue of my Commission and pour out the very Dregs of the Vials of thr Wrath of God upon the 1 Earth Annotations on CHAP. XIV 1 This Chapter relating wholly to things Future is thereupon very obscure it being doubtful whether it is to be interpreted in a Mystical Sense as most Interpreters have done or in a Litteral one with reference to the Great Conflagration of the World plainly asserted by the Apostle (a) 2 Ep. 3. Peter and generally acknowledged as a great Truth In the former way of Interpreting Earth Sea Rivers and the other parts of the World on which the Vials are poured are to be understood only concerning the several Members of the Antichristian Kingdom signified by them but in the latter they are to be taken Litterally and the Vials are to be supposed as so many Gradual Preparations to the General Dissolution of the World by Fire To the clearing of which Question it may be observed 1. That these Vials are filled out of the Blood which came out of the Winepress of God's Wrath as appears from Chap. 14.19 20. compared with the first Verse of this Chapter Whence it will follow if that Observation be true That these Vials must
it being remarkable that Antichrist Christ's Counterfeit and Opposite has also a Coming Times and a Kingdom assigned him in Scripture in Opposition to the Coming Times and Kingdom of Christ 8. The manner of the Destruction of this Man of Sin is described by the Apostle 2 Thes 2.8 in Terms so agreeable to those made use of in Dan. 7. and the (b) Chap. 17 8 11. 19. 21. Revelations with reference to the Little Horn the Beast and the False Prophet that it cannot well be denyed but that they are the same 9. The Apostle also further expresly declares that this Man of Sin which was not to be revealed or appear openly until the taking away of the Roman Empire was yet in his Conception in the Womb at the (a) Supposed most commonly to be written about A. D. 57 or 58. See above pag. 302. Time of his writing the second Epistle to the Thessalonians aptly expressed by (b) 2 Thes 2.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it hath received its beginninng or is in preparation to enter and disclose it self to the World Hammond on the place and on Gal. 5.6 the then actual workings of the Mystery of Iniquity called so because of its Contrariety and Opposition to the Mystery of Godliness which it undermined by secret and mysterious Operations and Workings of Satan in Lying Wonders and strong Delusions by Hypocritical Pretences of promoting Christianity by departing from the Simplicity of the Gospel and Apostolical Traditions and taking pleasure in Unrighteousness for Interest 's sake as the Apostle plainly asserts 2 Thes 2.7 9 10 11 12 15. 1 Tim. 4.2 3. 2 Pet. 2.3 3. 10 It is evident from Scripture that Satan had great success in the early Times of Christianity in perverting and seduceing Men from the Purity Truth and Simplicity of the Gospel as appears from the Complaints of the Apostles and from the many Heresies and Antichrists then in being from whence the Apostle John concludes 1 Ep. 2.18 that it was then the last Time and that the Grand and Notorious Antichrist the Head of the Apostasy should take his Original from those many Heretical Autichrists which were then in being and that as hath been before observed in the latter Times of those last Times which seems plainly to be the sense of those words of the Apostle To which progress of the Mystery of Iniquity many things then contributed as hath been before observed on Chap. 2. 4. brought about by the Justice and Providence of God for the punishment of those who would willfully perish and would not receive the Love of the Truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2 10.16 To which Particulars may be added the early Ambition of some who stretched themselves beyond their own Measure Line or Rule that is beyond the particular Districts to which the Apostles had confined the Exercise of their Power which was otherwise unlimited of whom the Apostle Paul complains 2. Cor. 10.12.18 who also seems to intimate (a) 1 Cor. 15 9-11 2 Cor. 11.5 Gal. 2 1-12 as if the People thought that James Peter and John had an Authority over him because of their Gifts Age and Conversation with Christ to which Opinion also the Apostles themselves might occasionally and by accident contribute who strove for Superiority whilst their Lord was with them and were not afterwards infallible save in what they did by the immediate assistance of the Holy Ghost as appears from what the Apostle Paul blames in the Conversation of Peter Gal. 2. So early so secret so plausible and so powerful might the Temptations and Occasions be to the introducing of the great Apostasy God (b) Nec periclitor dicere ipsas quoque Scripturas sic esse ex Dei voluntate dispositas ut Haereticis materias subministrarent cum legam Oportere Haereses esse quae sine Scripturis esse non poslunt Tertull. de Prescript cap. 39. in his Just Judgments sending strong Delusions and permitting all deceiveableness of Vnrighteousness to work upon them who willfully delude themselves and take pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 11. It is evident from History that the Workings of this Mystery of Iniquity were more visible in the following Ages to which many things contributed As 1. The (a) Euseb Hist. 4.22 Chamier de Antichr 16.8 where he largely shews how Antichristianism was promoted by Heresies Heresies which soon prevailed and corrupted the Church upon the Death of the Apostles 2. The Greek (b) Col. 2. It is confessed by Learned Romanists that several Pagan Customs were introduced especially in Constantine's Time to win the Gentiles Baron ad an 312. art 94. ad an 324. art 79. Gregor M. lib. 9. ep 71. Polyd. Virgil. Proaem ed 5. ultimos libros de rerum inventor Philosophy and Customs brought into the Church by the converted Heathens and many Jewish Customs and Notions taken from the (c) Confessed frequently by Grotius in his Notes on the New Testament and by Mr. Dodwell particularly Append. ad Praelect pag. 660-671 Essens whereby the (d) Ammian Marcellin lib. 2. sub fin Testes Verit. Spanhem summa Histor Eccles sparsim Gregor M. lib. 7. Epistolorum fatetur se in rebus Liturgicis ab Apostolorum consuetudine discessiste Simplicity of the Gospel was by degrees corrupted which was at first simple and plain in its Doctrine and Worship as Protestant Authors generally shew and as appears from several Popish Authors particularly Platina in the Lives of the Popes who shews in each Life what Customs each Pope introduced 3. An early (e) This is notorious and confest frequently by Dr. Ham. in his Defence of Episcopacy modelling of the Church according to the Form of the Civil Government in the Empire which was one chief occasion of the many Quarrels amongst the Bishops about their Sees and of their aspiring to a Worldly Dignity suitable to the places of their Residence from whence came Patriarchs into the Church which are confessed to be an Vsurpation by Bishop (f) Parker of the Govern of the Ch. pag. 289. Du Pin. de Antiq. Eccles Disc Parker and the Learned Sorbonist du Pin and other Ecclesiastical Subordinations confessed by Learned Dr. (a) Of the Pope's Supremacy pag. 191 in 4◠Barrow to be only Humane and Prudential Constitutions 4. The Strifes (b) Cypr. de Lapsis pag 123 124. Origen T. 1. pag. 71. 113. 142. 246. 441-444 ex edit Huet Euseb Eccles Hist 8. 1 2 13. Socrat. 7.11 sparsim Sozom. 7.7 28 29. Sulpit. Sever. sub fin Grot. in Matth. 20.28 Ambition and the too general Degeneracy of the Manners of the Clergy much complained of by Ancient Authors although God was pleased all along to raise up Great and Good Men who were Ornaments to the Church and witnessed against and opposed the overflowing Corruptions in Doctrine and Manners 5. The Encrease of (c) See Pufendorf 's history of the Popedom Rycaut 's Preface to the Lives of
of Judgment being One of the Lord's Days called frequently the Day of the Lord in Scripture must consist of a Thousand Literal Years and a Thousand Years when spoken of with relation to some mystical Day or Time of the Lord must be accounted as One mystical Day comprehending a Thousand Years of common Account And also he further intimates that the Days of the Lord in which he perfected the Work of the Creation and rested from it being Seven there must consequently pass before the Day of Judgment six Thousand Years or six mystical Days and that the Day of Judgment must accordingly last a Thousand Years which should be a Day of Sabbatism or a Thousand Years of Rest or Peace and of Sanctification or Righteousness in correspondence to Gods resting on the Seventh Day and blessing and sanctifying it And this Interpretation of the place is not only agreeable to the Traditions (a) Mede 's Works pag. 609. Grot. in loc Ainsw on Gen. 1.31 Burnet's Theory B. 3 5.4 3 6. of the Jews to whom the Apostle wrote and to the Sentiments of the Primitive Christians but also may be stongly enforced from the Circumstances of the Text it self For if this were not the sense of the VVords and it contained only this plain Natural Truth that Time is nothing to Eternity why should so solemn an Admonition be prefixed to it VVhich is also a sense nothing proper to the scope of the Apostle who was to answer the Objection of the Scoffers and to comfort the Christians under the delay and long suffering of God and to excite them to look for it and hasten unto it to which end it was no ways proper to tell them that each Natural day of the Year was with the Lord as a Thousand Years which would but have encreased their impatient expectation and would withal not have answered the Objection of the Scoffers because there might be for all the Apostle had asserted many Thousand Years before the Promise of his coming should be fulfilled VVhereas the other Interpretation affords Hope to the Christians that things should not always continue as they were but that this wicked World should be at last destroyed and a New One succeed it wherein they should be found of Christ at his coming in peace that is in a state of rest and peace to their good and prosperity according to what the Apostle Paul had written unto them in his Epistle to the (b) Especially in the 3d and 4th Chapters Hebrews where besides the Rest from the VVorks of the Creation and that promised to the Israelites in the Land of Canaan he makes mention of another Rest which he calls a certain limited Day wherein another kind of Rest is to be expected plainly intimating the Day of Rest in the Times of the Messias or a Sabbatism as the word ought to be translated verse 9. that is a seventh Thousand Years of Peace and Righteousness after six Thousand of Labour Misery and Sin for according to the Key of Mystical Knowledge given by the Apostles Peter and John after a (a) Bp. Fell 's Sermon on 2 Pet. 3.3 Millenary Week the Everlasting Sabbath shall commence And further this Number is to be taken literally because by it is signified a State of Perfection a Year being the perfect Revolution of the Sun and a Thousand being a perfect Number and the perfection both of Time and Numbers concurring in a Thousand Years For a Thousand Years is a Cube (b) For it arises out of the multiplication of Three Tens Two Tens multiplied making 100 Years and 100 Years multiplied by the Third Ten amounting to 1000 Years which is a Cube of Time See Meursii Denar Pythagor and Dr. Moor's Cabbala Oper. Philosoph Tom. 2. pag. 500 501 530 532 557 558 559 561. of Time whose Root is Ten whereby is signified a steddy uninterrupted and permanent State of which a Cube is the Symbol and withal a perfect one to which no other State is to succeed but is to be swallowed up in the perfection of Eternity as the Number Ten is a perfect Number beyond which there is no simple Number and comprehends all simple Numbers in it Whence it is that Man being a sinful and imperfect Creature could never arrive to the Term of a Thousand Years as Jachiades a Jew has observed on Dan. 7.25 the period of a perfect State upon Earth which the First Adam could not reach for if he had he had been probably translated into an Immortal State nor any of the Sons of Adam during the Old World but is proper only to the Sons of the Resurrection in the New World of the Second Adam or the Messias 5 But the 17 rest or remnant of the dead i. e. those who weâ—e slain by the Sword of Christ's Mouth Chap. 19.21 lived 18 not again 19 until the Thousand Years were finished This living again of the Saints and Martyrs 20 is the first Resurrection of Life John 5.29 1 Thes 4.15 16. 17 It is plain from what hath been observed in the foregoing Annotation that the Day of (a) See Mr. Mede pag. 531-537 571-573 577-580 602-619 Ep. 15.2 and Book 5. And Dr. Beverley of the Universal Christian Doctrine of the Day of Judgment Matth. 25.31 34. Luke 19 12-27 Judgment mentioned in the Doctrinal parts of Scripture is the same with the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ Day (b) John 16.26 Heb. 3.8 9. See Mr. Mede in the places quoted and pag. 86. and Mr. Mather de Signo Filii Hominis often signifying in Scripture a long space af Time and not only a single Day And therefore seeing that the Wicked are to be judged as well as the Good they must be here meant by the rest of the Dead who are evidently the same with the Wicked People slain with the Sword of Christ's Mouth Chap. 19.21 the same Expressions being used in both places 18 The Wicked indeed live again when they are raised to Judgment but because they rise only to Shame and Everlasting Contempt as the Prophet Daniel speaks Chap. 12.2 and lye as dead or slain under the condemning power of Christs Gospel the Sword proceeding out of his Mouth and shall never live a Life of Happiness therefore are they represented here as dead (c) See Matth. 8.22 Luke 15.32 1 Tim. 5.6 2 Peter 3.7 Jude 12. Men which lived not again and accordingly they are seldom mentioned in the general Discourses in the (d) Neither in the 15th of the Corinthians nor 1 Thessal 4. New Testament about the Resurrection 19 They are represented during the Thousand Years as in a dead spiritless and unactive State lying under the Judiciary Sentence of Condemnation and the perdition which the day of Judgment shall bring upon ungodly men 2 Pet. 3.7 upon the expiring of which they become active gather to Battle and compass the Camp of the Saints Verse 8 9. 20 This refers to the Resurrection and living again
revealed in Flames of Fire It being very (a) Luke 17 26-31 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom c. Even thus shall it be in the Day when the Son of Man is revealed i. e. to make good the parallel in the very self same Day in which he is revealed 2 Thess 1.7 8. 2 Pet. 3.10 12. See Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 3. and 4. Mather de Signo Filii Homin 2. 5. plain from Doctrinal Scripture that the present World shall be burnt before the end of all things and probably at Christ's very first coming to his Kingdom to which Conflagration there will be many preceeding Dispositions and Preparations which are called the Signs of Christs Coming in Scripture and are probably the Vials in this Prophecy before insisted on Chap. 16. This New (b) Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 4. 3 8. Heaven and Earth which are to arise out of the Remains of the Old ones as out of a Second Chaos are no other than the Seat of the Kingdom of the Blessed Millennium in which the Saints are to Reign with Christ Chap. 20. because according to the plain words of the Apostle Peter it is that New Heaven and Earth in which Righteousness is to dwell i. e. Righteous Saints are to Reign in Holiness and Righteousness during the Day of Judgment which is a Day of the Lords consisting of a Thousand Years which is as plain a Description of the Blessed Millenium as can well be given of which Truth also the following Verses will administer many Proofs 3 The very word made use of by the Apostle Peter 2 Ep. 3.10 concerning the passing away of the Heavens of this World at the general Conflagration For it is to be observed that the Scriptures make mention of Three Worlds 1. The World before the Flood reaching from the beginning of the Creation to its perishing by Water Which the Apostle (a) 2 Ep. 2 5.3 5 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peter calls the Heavens and Earth of Old the World that then was and the Old or Original World concerning which see the (b) Burnet's Theory B. 1. and 2. and the Append to the 4th Book ingenious Theory of the Earth 2. The present World reserved for fire called in (c) 2 Pet. 3.7 Rom. 8 19-24 Gal. 1.4 John 12 31.14 30. 1 Cor. 2.6 8. 2 Cor. 4.4 Mather de Signo Fil. Homin 1. 2. Scripture the Heavens and Earth which are now this present evil World and this VVorld by way of Contempt and to distinguish it from the world to come 3. The New (d) 2 Pet. 3.13 Heb. 2.5 Eph. 1.21 Luke 20 34-38 and Chap. 17. Heavens and New Earth called in Scripture the VVorld to come that VVorld the VVorld of the Resurrection from the Dead and the Kingdom of God and of the Son of Man at his coming which is to succeed when (a) 1 Cor. 7.31 Psalm 102.26 2 Pet. 3. Psalm 104.30 Matth. 19.28 Acts 3.21 Rom. 8 19-24 Mather de Signo c. 2.5 Burnet 's Theory the Form Fashion and Disposition of the parts of this VVorld shall pass away and be changed upon its dissolution by fire and there shall be a Restitution Regeneration Delivery Redemption and Restauration of all things in the Natural as well as Moral VVorld into the Primitive State from which they had fallen by Sin 4 This is a very surprising confirmation of Doctor Burnet's Hypothesis viz. That the VVorld shall be restored to its Primitive Paradisiacal State in which there was no Sea and that the Sea shall be devoured by the Conflagration which latter is also alluded to by the Prophet Amos Chap. 7.4 where he supposes that Fire shall devour the great Deep of which it had already eaten up or devoured a part in Vision And the VVicked being separated by God from the Righteous now strictly united into one Body and living together in perfect Peace and Unity it seems to be very congruous there should be No Sea in that State which as it is the Type of unquiet multitudes so also is it an hinderance to the mutual communication of Men one with another And here it may be convenient to give a brief Account of the Series and Order of things according to Scripture from the Time of the Approach of Christ's Kingdom until the End and Delivery up of it to God 1. Antichrist will fall as soon as ever the Months of the Beast are expired and Mahometanism which was designed as a Scourge to it shall consequently afterwards cease to be a VVo to the Christian VVorld See Chapter 9 12.11 2 3 14. 2. The Jews also will be restored to their own Countrey after the fullfilling of the Times of the Gentiles i. e. at the End of Antichristian Times Matth. 21.24 3. There will be Days of Great Tribulation and immediately after them there will be many signs of Christ's coming and of the End of the VVorld and very great Preparations for the general Conflagration Matth. 24.3 29. Mather de Signo Filii Hominis Dr. Burnet's Theory B. 3. Chap. 10 11 12. 4. Then will appear some Extraordinary Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven upon which all the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn and the Son of Man shall be seen coming in the Clouds of Heaven Matth. 24.30 5. As soon as ever Christ shall appear the Dead will be raised and the Earth and Heavens of this present World will at the same time be dissolved by Fire in which the Wicked Living and Raised are punished (a) 2 Thes 1.8 9. 2 Pet. 3.7 Vengeance being to be taken on them and they suffering Perdition in and by this Conflagration of the Heavens and Earth which were kept in store and preserved by God for the perdition of ungodly men and that not only of the wicked men of that Generation which shall be then alive but of all who have died in their sins it being plain that our Saviour bids all of every Generation watch least that Day surprize them and that he supposes that Sodom and Gomorrah which were set forth for an Example of Eternal Fire should suffer again in the Day of Judgment and that all which repent not must perish (a) Luke 13.3 5. Matth. 11.24 Jude 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the like manner with the Galileans and those on whom the Tower of Siloam fell that is by sudden Bodily Judgments which can happen to all impenitents only at this General Judgment by Fire 6. The whole Antichristian State will be utterly annihilated at the first appearance of Christ Satan will be bound for a Thousand Years and the Wicked will not be consumed in the Conflagration but having Bodies capable of undergoing it will be brought thereby into a state of Confinement and that as it were in the (b) See the Opinions of the Ancients about Limbus Patrum in Bp. Usher's answer to the Jesuit Ends and Corners of the New Earth during the
side of the River was there the 5 Tree of Life i. e. this was a Paradisiacal State in which the Saints raised and changed could dye no more but were made equal to the Angels Luke 20.36 1 Cor. 15. which bare Twelve manner of Fruits i. e. afforded perfect 6 Pleasures and Consolations to this 6 Apostolical Israelitism and yeilded her Fruit every Month i. e. Variety and Fullness of Joy for 7 evermore Psalm 1. and 16 11.92 12 14. Ezek. 47.7 12. and the 8 Leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations of the saved who were to walk in the Light of the New Jerusalem State that is the Living Saints were to be preserved during the Thousand Years in Bodies changed which should afterwards be made incorruptible See on Chap. 20. and 21.24 5 Or A Tree of Life viz. one on each side at just and convenient distances for they were very many as appears from Ezek. 47.7 12. and from the Expression here used at the Bank of the River on the one side and on the other and yet they are here represented as One Tree because they were all of One Kind viz. of the same kind with the Tree of Life in the midst of Paradise by which Life was Sacramentally conveyed to our first Parents and a Symbol was given of the Immortality of the renewed Paradisiacal State of Christ's Kingdom 6 For the Number Twelve is a Symbol of Perfection of Apostolicalness and of the True Israel of God now united into one Body in this State 7 The Year being the measure of all Time bearing Fruit as oft as there be Months in the Year must needs signifie the continual constant fruitfulness of it Dr. Hammond on the place 8 The (a) Ezek. 47.12 to which place this Verse alludes Fruit of this Tree is for Meat i. e. for solid Nourishment and ordinary Food but the Leaves of it are only for medicine or healing from whence it follows that the Nations here mentioned had some Remains of Corruptibility left which required Care and needed Preservation by Medicines by which is admirably set forth the different State of the raised Saints caught up immediately to Christ into a State of Incorruptibility and that of the living Saints on Earth the very Nations mentioned Chap. 21 24 26. whose Bodies are only changed but not made incorruptible at first as hath been (b) 451 452. already frequently observed and therefore are represented as living indeed Chap. 20.6 but with some Principle of Corruptibility in them which stood in need of Healing whereas the Dead Saints being raised to a Life of Incorruptibility are very aptly represented as fed and nourished with the very Fruit of she Tree of Life that is by immediate Communications of Incorruptibility from God and Christ who is Life John 1 4.5 26. and Chap. 6. 3 And there shall be no more curse or no Effects of Sin in this New Paradise as there were in the first Gen. 3.14 c. but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in 9 it by glorious Manifestations and Communications and his 16 Servants which were sealed See Chap. 7.4 shall serve him perfectly in this State and never fall from it as our first Parents did but shall be Kings and Priests to God for ever 9 This whole City or State as well that on Earth as in the Heavens shall be replenished with Communications from the Throne of God and of the Lamb which shall be in the City on the New Earth by its Light shining on it from the New Heaven Chap. 21.24 10 This Relative Particle respects both God and the Lamb and yet is of the Singular Number to shew the Vnity of the Godhead and the Equality of the Father and the Son the Lamb as one with the Eternal Word 4 And they shall see his Face i. e. partake of the Nature and Glory of God and of Christ Matth. 5.8 1 Cor. 13.12 1 John 3.2 and his Name shall be in their Foreheads i. e. they shall be manifestly known to be his Servants who were wont to be marked on the Forehead and they shall be Holiness to the Lord according to the Inscription on the High-Priests â—râ—ntlet See the Notes on Chap. 7 3 4.14 1. 5 And there shall be 10 no night there i. e. no impuriâ—â— and 〈◊〉 interruption of Happiness and Comfort â—sâ—lâ— â—6 ◠〈◊〉 Johâ— â— 5 6 7. and they need no Candle 〈…〉 â—ither â—ighâ—â—f the Sun i. e. no Natural Light of which the Sun is the Fountain for the Lord God giveth them Light i. e. affoâ—deth them hiâ— glorious Presence and Consolations and thâ—◠〈…〉 for ever and ever i. e. after the Thousand Years Mâ—diâ—â—oâ—y Kingdom they shall reign with Christ for ever in the highest Heavens for Christ's Kingdom is an Eternal Kingdom and of it there shall be no end Luke 1.33 See Chap. 3 21.5 10.20 4 6. 10 This and the foregoing Verses contain a Repetition of what had been said before either by way of (a) Gen. 41.32 â—hil 3.1 Assurance and Confirmation as is usual in Prophecy or with reference to the Saints upon Earth upon the mention of them Verse 2. or with respect to the Persons to whom that is now accommodated which had been before spoken concerning their City or State Compare Chap. 21.23 25. with the fifth Verse of this Chapter 6 And he i. e. the first of the Seven Angels which had the Seven Vials Chap. 21.9 said unto me 11 these sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Verse 7. are faithful and true i. e. important certain and infallible Truths See on Chap. 19.9 And the Lord 12 God of the Holy Prophets i. e. Christ who spake by them and whose Spirit inspired them Acts 3.21 1 Pet. 1.10 11 12.3 19. 2 Pet. 1.21 sent or did send at first Chap 2.1 and all along in this Prophecy his Angel or Minâ—string Spirits to shew unto his Servants the things of this Prophecy which must shortly after the Day of the (b) See the Notes on Chap. â— 1â— Resurrection the time when this Vision was seen and from whence it commences begin to come to pass in order one after another See on Chap. 1.1 11 Here begins the Conclusion or Epilogue of this Sacred Drama wherein the Angel says Dr. Hammond in his Paraphrase on the place began to conclude and fold up his Discourse and to sum up what I had seen in this Vision telling me that all this as strange and as glorious as it was should certainly come to pass And the Vision ends as it began with a Declaration of the (a) Chap. 1.5 Truth and Importance of the Prophecy and of its (b) Chap 1.1 speedy issuing into Event and of the most remarkable things contained in it 12 Here is a plain Assertion of the Divinity of Christ concerning whom these words are to be understood as is manifest by comparing them with Chap. 1.1 and Verse 16. of this Chapter 7 Behold