that state which largely might be made thence to appear the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also is of future signification answerable to the time and state of that Prophesie and some Fathers and even some Papists have so understead that time to be Christs second comeing of which much more might be said but this is to me above all I am sure Christ explains all these in this sence in the Revelation as our two last books if rightly understood do manifest I thought to have spoken of many things more in this Epistle so ordered by Christs holy Spirit as I find them to this purpose as in ch 11. many things of the sufferers and Covenants to Abraham Isaac Jacob and others but we have spoken of them partly in our Key p. 7 8 9 c and in our said last Books and of the Communion in the New Testament state then ch 12. which also we spoke of in the said Books and more in our Tract on Jer. 3.17 and because we have but a short Introduction in hand to our intended short Scheme if God will we will be satisfied with thus much at present to our present purpose The like exposition I have from Christs Revelation of what St. Paul saith of Christs first comeing and the first Resurrection of the Saints 1 Cor. 15. after he had risen above 1600 years before as their first fruits to sanctifie and effect their Resurrection afterwards at his second comeing v. 23. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deinde intends 1000 years after as Christ teacheth shall be the end which will be when he shall have put down all Rule and Authority and Power that is chiefly as Scripture witnesseth Ezekiels Gog and Magog and shut up Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years and after that destroy the last Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 9. and cast the Devil into the lake of Fire and the last Enemy Death will be destroyed with the Author of it the first Soul Murtherer and sin the effect of his wickedness and also the matter for death to work upon will be taken away which are the destroying of death none remaining from thence in the world in the natural life but after the said 1000 years shall be that Mistery of the general Rapture which he speaks of v. 51 52. at the last Trump at his descending with a shout as also the same Apostle speaks at his last comeing which I believe from the same warrant he speaks of 1 Thes 4.15 16 c. as distinguishing his bringing with him all that sleep in Jesus which he had called the appearance of Christ with all his Saints before ch 3. ult from this last when those dead in Christ viz. all that departed in 1000 years before shall rise first then that is before the wicked at the last Trump then both which sorts are these our Saviour calls the rest of the dead that rose not till 1000 years after or till the 1000 years were finished v. 5. the first said Resurrection of the Saints is Rev. 20.4 5. as Christ there exactly distinguisheth both of them and this may be observed by humble and conscientious seekers to be resolved which Resolutions of these Texts I do upon good grounds believe shortly will be approved by Christ himself at his comeing and how matchless a Resolver that Revelation so called with a witness is and in some things with Daniel also such as rightly seek by it as they ought I doubt not but may more and more by their own Experience find and in the interim after all present gainsayings yet with declared willingness to give a Christian-like account to all serious persons c. I bless and magnifie the holy name of God my heavenly Father in Christ my gracious merciful Redeemer of the Lord the Spirit my Sanctifier Teacher to my great comfort and satisfaction of these and many like Divine Truths couched as he hath been pleased to lay them down in his holy Word for others I only here pray saying Blessed and Holy Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Divine Essence open the eyes of thy faithful servants in these times to understand the holy Scriptures respecting that said world to come at Christs second comeing as our blessed Saviour after his Resurrection opened his Disciples understandings Luke 24.45 then to see the things before and at his first comeing and especially respecting his Death and Refurrection then newly past c. Amen We might here note hat strong confutation might be taken against Pelagian Arminian Popish Socinian Errours many others excite all to get true Grace as the best security of all good to that end lay aside worldly wicked projects in the world and keep close to God in the use of all good means and that Great Persons should kiss the Sun c. Psal 2. but we are forced now only to hint thus much FINIS
all these may be observed in our Scheme of Revelation and Summary of Daniel in one sheet of excellent use if well perused and frequently But for the matter of the four last chapters briefly handled Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. after the fourth Monarchy our Saviour explains Divinely many things as referring to the other Prophets from first to last chiefly respecting the said antient Predictions Covenants with wonderful exactness which the latter Prophets and New Testament confirm as they are so explained by Christs said Revelation Yet many allusions to other Prophets are made in that whole book to the Old Testament Dispensations both of the Camp of Israel in their Wilderness condion and when the Temple was built and to Rulers the 24 Elders and to Church Guides the four Beasts full of Eyes Rev. 4. to Ezekiels Vision ch 1. 10. and Es 6. to Zacharies two Olive Trees ch 4. the Witnesses Rev. 11. c. wherein we may note the passing of the handle of Christs Key as we may fitly call it by Promises and Incouragements as in our seventh Convincing Argument to their times of fulfilling in the 1000 years as the Souls beheaded and their fellow Servants and Brethren Rev. 6.9 10 c. are raised to Reign ch 20.4 6. which is a very weighty and useful consideration therein We only by the Abridgments mentioned in our Account p. 3. passed per Saltum as we said pag. 3. of Resur unto the twentieth ch referring Christians for the former part to ch 19. now almost fulfilled to Mr. Medes Commentary and Clavis chiefly but the Observation of Decem. 7. 1664. in the Prodr on Mr. Durhams book do explain many things from ch 5. to the end but note here that as Daniels twelfth ch is a Key to that Book so Rev. 17. to the times of the Beasts 1660 years as in our useful Observations where that and many other excellent matters respecting both books are set down Observ 7 8 9 10 11. next after the Tract upon Rev. 22.20 Thus we see the Holy Spirit so many wayes joyns Daniel and the Revolation both in times and things as was shewed in both Books through the 2300 years of the four said Gentile Monarchies from the falling of Davids said Tabernacle which points Unto us this consolation that God will be mindful of that covenant when the time comes as also of all the former whose Period is the same and their mercie in substance will be the same and it is no wonder it should be so long before that peoples reducement since their Sin was so great at first but especially at their last and longest and sorest Captivity when they had killed the Lord of life with so great a curse upon themselves and their Children Upon all which said confirmations and evidences Gods Design in Christs redemtion was at his first coming to be manifest to be the son of God in the flesh and to have a body given him Heb 10.5 as in both respects foretold by the Prophets when as God-man he by dying laid the foundation of all future good Reconciling both Jews and Gentles by his death Rom. 5.10 and meriting the salvation of all his Saints souls about An. Mun. 4000. but towards the end of the Sixth millennium at his 2d coming he shall powerfully destroy his great Visible enemies and bind Satan the 1000. years and raise the Saints bodies from the grave freeing the persons and outward conditions of his people and the the world and Creatures in it from the bondage of Corruptions as largly is explained Restit p. 44. 45. 46. c. and in the 4. last ch we shall here only farther observe Christs curious exactness that speaking of the beasts destruction at the time of his eminent breaking of the Serpents head at the first act of the Judgment he only saith these are the true sayings of God c. 19.9 but when he speaks of the promised mercies to the Fathers twice to be then fulfilled he saith ch 21.5 and chap 22.6 these words are both faithfull and true And also for the times in respect of the when he sets the mark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done at the renovation of all things ch 21.6 which before he had set Chap. 16 17. by a like great Voice from the Throne to shew their coincidence at the same time saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done as from Ezek. 39.8 is remarkably explained N. B. page 61 62. of Restitut And for the quandiù how long it shall continue Christ set it down in an unparallell'd manner six times over to be 1000 years 3 of them absolutely 1000 years 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then three times relatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those those those thousand years Rev. 20. First of Satans binding v. 2 3. 2dly of the Saints first bodily Resurrection and Reign with Christ in the world v. 4 5. 3dly of the happy condition in that state 1. They are blessed 2. holy as the reason of that blessedness 3. Their security thereupon they shall not be hurt of the second death 4. Their great Priviledge then they shall be Priests of God and of Christ 5. In their supream Authority with Christ then they reigned with Christ 1000 years In such a wonderful glorious manner hath our Saviour determined the said time and state which is the Divine Millenniarism of Christ so exactly and curiously set before us by his Scriptures of Truth And lastly by the comprehensive usefulness of this book it refers to all parts all Holy Scriptures for first Christ explains the last times of the four Gentile Monarchies mistically contained in Daniel as we shewed from the beginning of the Kingdome of the Stone to the end thereof at ch 19. whose Chronology begin when Davids Tabernacle fell for the Sins of his natural Race and those said Gentile Kingdomes reach through the 2300 years of their continuance to the raising of Davids Tabernacle in Christ as the Son of Davids Reign with his Saints New Davids Covenant for his said Kingdome which that state of Israel was then grown up unto carries us back to the former Promises and Covenants to Abraham Isaac and Jacob respecting the renewed state of the Land and the New Jerusalem belonging to their Spiritual Seed and Noahs Type of the Ark sets forth the safety of the Saints in the end of the world by Christ their true Ark the Covenant for all Creatures signified by the Rainbow assures the worlds continuance and the accommodations of its fruitfulness and that chiefly for those times as following Prophets teach us his Prophesie of Shems and Japhets Posterity set forth of what Race mostly besides Proselites haply all along should rise as the Prophets after explain in both their double great Calls and how the Messiah from Adam Enoch Noah and all the rest should lineally descend who should restore his Saints with himself to a much more glorious and happy Paradise of God in that said state
and Kingdome of Christ than the first Adam had when he was the only Monarch of the world Yea this most Divine Book will carry us higher than the Creation or beginning of time to Gods eternal Purpose in the four said particulars all explained and confirmed in Christs Revelation Key By the help of this we may judge of the several Prophesies from the Fountains of them revealed in the Word of God as they relate to the Revealed and Promised Mercies in their particular drift as what relates to Adams what to Noahs to Abrahams Isaacs and Jacobs for their Land and what to Davids as to his sure Kingdome c. and upon these Discoveries of Gods so giving them title to that state from the said sure Promises Covenants they will then sing their Halelujahs upon such accounts which the Revelation teacheth both us and them as in our Saints Resurrection largly Thus we may evidently see that what God designed to be performed in the four particulars to be found in the 7th Millennium as Christs Revelation manifests he carryed on in the first times by revealed Predictions and Covenants to the Fathers and their Spiritual Seed through Christ which are also explained and confirmed by the following Prophets all which are witâ—ssed to by the Gospels and Acts and Epistles of the holy Apostles but lastly wonderfully exactly and most excellently explained and illustrated by Christs Revelation and what greater or stronger evidence of these Divine Truths can be conceived or desired Now for the second head what that state is declared to be from the word of God for farther we may determine nothing which we have so largely considered in the times of Restitution of all things both as to removing of Evils and conferring of good upon the Saints first bodily Resurrection which is their inlet into that happy state that we need here add no more but that Christians should attentively peruse for that reason both our said Books which plainly resolve the same And for the third to shew in a fit latitude the time when or the neer approach of that state it was the main drift of the said times of Restitution with their neer approach from p. 53. to p. 71. upon Rev. 21.5 and again to the same purpose from pag. 73. to pag. 77. Likewise for the fourth how or by what means Christs said Kingdome shall be set up not by any worldly means or any help of man saving by Humiliation Faith and Prayer or the like but only Divinely by the hand of God only such as are only called by him Rev 19. and Psalm 149.9 who as he was said to set up the Kingdome of the Stone 1666 years before Da. 2.44 which in that time hath and doth and will in a Divine Spiritual way break v. 34.35 44 45. all the adverse power of the Mettle Kingdomes which at Christs appearance shall all become as the Chaffe of the summer Threshing-flore so God will then give all the Kingdoms of the World unto Christ when he comes in the Clouds of Heaven Dan. 7.13 14. in the glory of the Father and his own glory and of all his holy Angels and his Saints shall then behold Christs glory in that said Kingdome which his Father hath given him as he willed at his death John 17.24 and tells his little little Flock that it is his Fathers pleasure to give them the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And lastly for the manifold usefulness exactness and excellency of Daniel and the Rvelation in cennexion together both for their Subject Matter and Order of Times being Divinely Delivered and ordered for such uses as we have shewed and especially in respect of Christs said Key in the four last chapters of the Revelation of which we have said so much in our last named Book and in what we have here added to that purpose to prove such a state shall be in the world in the seventh Millen that it is not needful here to speak any thing more thereof And for a farther example of all we have said as to the usefulness thereof for explication of Prophetical Scriptures we shall as we said now proceed to show how usefully and surely Revelation Interpretation resolves all passages of that nature We shall consider for a pattern what we find thereof in that excellent and Divinely perfound Epistle of the Apostle to the Hebrews who were a people specially concerned in that state We come now to give an Instance of the great usefulness certain exactness of Revelation Interpretation of all the said Prophetick Scriptures of all such passages in the New Testament as have reference to any of them and Christs Revelation sometimes in connexion with Daniels Prophetick Visions which appears to me to be an Ordinance of his own holy Spirit for that purpose of which we doubt not but to give a good account as God may give opportunity But for this most excellent Epistle to the Hebrews a people most concerned in that Renewed State of the 1000 years the Apostle Paul most probably though to avoid their emulation then conceals his name yet being chiefly to write of Christs Prophetical Office then comeing into its eminency under the New Testament writing to them takes occasion to insert much as it were by the way of Christs eminent Kingly Office in the ensuing state and Christ in his Revelation very Divinely opens all those otherwise dark and by many much mistaken passages as also he doth many of his own speeches in the Gospels that respect that time and state as was easie for us to shew if occasion shall require and St. Paul in this Epistle evidently shews himself to be that person rapt up to Heaven to learn such Divine Mysteries in this Epistle He begins to Mind them of their Priviledge with others succeding that God hath spoken to all such now by his Son whom he first sets before them by his glorious Titles of being the brightness of the Fathers glory and the express character of his person and then what he should be in the ishue of his proceedings as God had decreed both for the things times and way and means to fulfil them he had appointed him eternally to be heir of all things in the world it may be observed that he might well be so for he had made Heaven and Earth at first v. 10 11 12. yea but that was but his transient act before the fall but he hath three great immanent and long continued actings to pass through in his Mediatorship for still the Dominion of the world is usurped by the Prince of the Darkness of it and so first faith the second Verse farther he hath made the worlds viz. the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the states or several providential disposals as we opened before 1. Of the old World 2. Of the new World 3. Of the World to come which he speaks of ch 2.5 as we shall also farther shew by Divine Assistance and also 2dly he by the word of
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE SAINTS FIRST REVEALED AND COVENANTED MERCIES Shortly Approaching As being the Main Scope of Revelation-Prophesie Opened and Resolved by Christ's Divine Key of Prophesie in the four last Chapters thereof In exceeding much Mercy lately Discovered to the Weak and Unworthy Pen-man of the ensuing Work and especially by the help of the more late and very Useful Key and Covenants An. Dom. 71. with Parallels of Dan. and Rev. more directly leading us to the last said great Discoveries Explained in our last Books And for the better Improvement of them all here is prefixed a Summarie of the Clearest and most Aboundant Scripture-evidence of that Blessed State of the World to come In Reference to a Scheme or short Prospective View of the Whole from God's Word By W. Sherwin Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed in the Year 1676. The Introduction to our Scheme or short Prospective View of the most strong and clear evidence of the blessed state of the 1000 Years Rev. 20. as is manifest in our late Works Shewing 1. THat such a state shall be in the World in the seventh Millen 2. What that state is declared to be from the Word of God 3. Shewing in a fit Latitude the time when or the neer approach of that said state 4. How or by what means it shall be set up 5. Unto these we shall add somewhat of the Usefulness of that excellent gracious Discovery thereof chiefly from Parallelling Dan. and Rev. both in connexion of Matters and Times as leading us to the fourth Gentile Monarchie wherein Gods Kingdome of the Stone Dan. 2.44 was to be set up An. Dom. 34. for 1666. years from Christs Ascention to his Descending again to break all adverse Kingdomes and Dominions until it self become a Mountain v. 34 41. about An. Dom. 1700. with the allowance of Bishop Vshers four years lost or more and so probable to be sooner Concerning the first three things are here to be done first to prove as in the method Iren. Chap. 1. the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 namely to shew that such a Sate or Kingdome shall be which is abundantly proved in our said work first from the seven Foundations in our Irenic mentioned in the beginning thereof â—dly From the other seven Convincing Arguments besides that Third in the Word Written all which are of very large comprehensiveness and if duly weighed will be found to be of very great force And all our Parallels of Danniel and Revelation do also very greatly establish these Truths all which we refer to the Judicious and Impartial Readers perusal together with the Twelve Foundations of our Faith thereof proved all along from Gen. 3.15 to the end of the Revelation which Faith was also much formed by our 31 Useful Observations to understand Mystical Prophesies and by the short Assertions and useful and needful Distinctions in our Key To the due consideration of all which we advise the serious reading of our Account of the whole Work first more generally of the subject p. 1 2. and 2dly of the Nature Use and Order of the Parts of the said Work in page 2 3 4. with the two first leaves of the General Title Page or of the said Twelve Foundations and in the two first leaves of the last Book on Rev. 21.5 shewing what parts serve for Explication what for Confirmation and what for Illustration and Application c. page 1 2 3 4. 2dly To shew this said state shall be in the World which is sufficiently done by our 15 well approved Reasons by the Learned in those Studies to which many more may be added See our New Jerusalem on Jer. 3.17 page 9 10 11 12. Of the most Certain Infallible and Vnresistable farther Evidences ANd now from Gods gracious late Discovery to us that the said blessed state will be the fulfilling of his declared and Covenanted Mercies then in the said seventh Millen unto the Fathers themselves and to their spiritual seed through and with that their own Divine Seed Christ Gal. 3. and 2 Sam. 7.16 to the end as in our two last Books on Rev. 20.5 and Rev. 21.5 is largely explained which Christs said Revelation Key Divinely opens and which we endeavour here to the best advantage we can in a business of this nature to communicate so briefly to all faithful Christians herein concerned and for all others who may be such by setting before all men yet more strong clear and irresistable evidences from the word of God concerning the said Mercies as eternally decreed by God after carryed on in the said Covenants Prophesies of the Old Testament witnessed to through the New to manifest how in the said 7th Milen as Christ by his Revel also hath infallibly resolved us that all shall answerably be done as in good part was shewed in our Picture of Christs most Divine Key p. 63. of the Resur which I doubt not but will farther make the evidences thereof so strong clear and irresistable and as I verily believe of so great weight as greater cannot be had to prove any Truth nor need to be expected for these and greater then for any other Truth in the whole book of God this containing the summ of all namely Christs great work of Redemption as the work so eternally appointed by the Father to be so carryed on by him in the time of his Mediatorship in the first six Millen as by and by we doubt not to prove to redeem the souls bodies persons outward conditions of his Saints and servants then from the Power and Tyranny of their Enemies the World Creatures in that state from the Corruption Curse Bondage Enmity in it since the Fall of Man as in Restit p 45 46 37 c. Whereupon we must lay down this needful Caution by the way viz. That we must distinguish the said General work of Redemption from that Spiritually Powerful work of Reconciliation for his Saints at Christs first coming according to the warrant of the holy Scripture 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling us unto himself and now by his word of Reconciliation Rom. 5.10 When Enemies we were reconciled to Grd by the death of his Son and Eph. 2.16 That he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile in one body by the Cross c. Christ by his death so making an Attonement in his blood by his own oblation of himself once for all his people and thereby laid the sure foundation at his first coming for his powerful and glorious carrying on of all the parts and degrees of the other as being made the Fathers Commissioner during his Kingdome of the Stone whilest he sits upon his Fathers Throne at that glorious delivery of the Book with 7 Seals Rev. 5. to him the Lamb with seven Hornes and seven Eyes to open and execute the Contents thereof unto chap 19. until his second coming at the end of the said 1666. years when he will sit upon his own Throne Rev.
what remains to be done with the Father and by the operation of the Holy Spirit and so 2dly for his upholding of all things by the word of his power c. verse 3. through all those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or several states of thing and 3dly by purging the sins of his Elect 1. by his word and will revealed 2 by his blood shed or to be shed and 3dly by his Spirit given through all the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Worlds until from his Personal second coming to the Judgment of the great day he perfects the said work of Redemption and by his carrying on of these 3 things in the first 6000 years and that so his three fold most Just Title and Right may then manifestly arise of his inheriting all things vers 2 3. which sâ—ith he his Saints shall also then inherit with him Rev. 21.7 But here some may object that the sixth Millen will so want above 200 years c. Answ 1. Christ tells us of shortning evil times for the Elects sake he may mean it of these c. 2. The sixth Millen in that respect seems more like the sixth day in the Creation at the end of which most probably the Serpent Satan tempted Eve she seduced Adam and God in the cool of the day Summons Arrains and Sentenceth all the three said Offenders and cast Adam and Eve out of Paradise all which would require some considerable time and we know not but that he hath designed the little space of Satans loosing to make it up being a bad state of things with them who shall act in that wicked attempt which yet will not reach the Saints but only make Christ a little work to perfect his said Redemption then by destroying the Devil and wicked men at once when he lastly delivers his Saints in the world as in our six Conclusions is shewed page 17 18. of Restitut also a Germane Doctor gives an account of much more than 200 years lost in several Computations which he mentions and so the 6000 years should be much past but we insist not upon that only acknowleding God is Sovereign Lord of all times and actings in them and for such particularities we may not be curious where he hath not revealed but we see the Parallel of the sixth day and sixth thousand year from Gods one is considerable and as was shewed we have Gods Spirits Guidance thereto and Christs Explication thereof before the little space we mentioned and by all which it may appear there is Scripture ground for Gods Millenniari me for the first 6000 years as well as for Christs on the seventh c. besides God appointed Christ to be then Heir of all things so the order manner means with the times for the same and those times arev ery punctually exactly set forth by Christ himself We shall now proceed to the further most irresistable evidence of the said neer approaching time and state 1. From Gods eternal Decree manifested by his word in four particulars all to take place in the same time and state all which are also Divinely Gloriously and Graciously resolved ultimately that none may dare to contradict under a terrible Penalty Rev. 22.18 19. by Christ in his Book of Revelation to belong to the same The first is his eternal Decree of appointing Christ then to be Heir of all things Heb. 1.1 2 3. from his 3 fold said right which we but now mentioned when the world to come or last state of things in it shall take place of which more if God will in the instance of the Epistle to the Hebrews when the Revelation also declares Christ shall have the Sovereignty and Dominion of the world given to him as Dan. 7.13 14. Rev. 20. and all things shall be made new for him and his Saints ch 21.5 to become a fit Inheritance for him and them as he promiseth as was said Rev. 21.7 for which purpose when St. James speaks of raising up Davids Tabernacle the Spirit of God directs him to set down that great Truth foreknown to God are all his works from the Foundation of the world as if he would thereby shew that the said raising of the Tabernacle of David was a matter foreknown to God from Eteraity Acts 15.17 when Christ will arise and judge the Earth that he may as the Psalmist speaketh inherit all Nations Psal 82. ult 2. Gods Word witnesseth that God made an eternal Covenant with Christ to give to him all his Elect in the said times to be redeemed by him until he receive his Inheritance and when the Heathen shall be given him for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psal 2. And so he declares Esa 62.6 that he will give them for a Covenant of the people which the Sep. very appositely and fitly renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of my Generation not of Bloods or the will of the flesh or the will of Man but born of God as John 1.13 and born of the Spirit John 3.5 6. and of this Covenant the Holy Ghost gives an excellent explication Isa 59 ult As for me this my Covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit which is upon thee Christ and my words which I have put in thy mouth which includes all his Ordinances grounded upon his Word nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed and again he adds saith the Lord for this Scipture is full of Emphasis from henceforth even for ever I do here only briefly touch upon these great things referring what remains to future Discourses if God will and all those so Heaven-born Creatures given by Covenant to Christ from Eternity the Apostle Rom. 8.17 declares where also he speaks of other matters respecting that state of the 1000 years verse 19 20 21 c. that they shall be Heirs and joynt Heirs with Christ and they are also so explained to be the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven called there The Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.2 9. which will be the Spirits of just men made perfect which before that time were in the Jerusalem above Gal. 4. but then coming with Christ at his appearance and Kingdome are called the Bride the Lambs Wife at the Saints first bodily Resurrection Rev. 20.4 5. when as our Saviour prayed John 17.23 they will be then made perfect in one and behold his glory c. verse 24. 3. Gods word witnesseth that God by his said Eternal Decree appointed the Creation of the World for Christ and his said Saints to be possessed by them in the said seventh Millennium for although he made Angels and Men at first in the perfection of their Natures yet he was not then pleased to eâ—gage his Almighty Arm to uphold them in that state wherefore foreseeing they would fall he carries on thereupon his everlastitg designe through Christ for his Saints to his own greatest Glory
c. by whom both the Elect Angels were confirmed in grace and glory and the sins of the Saints should through all times be purged away by himself for the good of whom he hath ever since made his Elect Angels Ministring Spirits having from Eternity given them by his said Covenant unto Christ Therefore the Spirit of God evidently so explains Psalm 8.4 in that excellent Epistle to the Hebrews chap. 2 6 7 8. speaking by allusion there to the first Adam but in both texts Christ is said to be the Son of Man which the first Adam was not but only by Creation the Son of God Luke 3. the last And this Son of Man Christ is he that was for a little season in the world made lower than the Angels but after Crowned with Glory and Honour who for the suffering of death as the Apostle speaks Heb. 1.3 sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high and hath all things as he goes on v. 8. put in subjection under his feet viz. Decretively and Declaratively not actually as all shall then be so the holy Apostle speaks there we do not yet see all things put under him v. 8. and now in some sort or sence the world is the Saints as 1 Cor. 3.22 but then it shall be not only as Christ now providentially orders all for their good therein but then it shall also be theirs in possession too at the said times of the Restitution of all things as our Saviour resolves in that world to come Rev. 21.5.7 Consider well as to this Head our Divine Theses in pag. 3 4 5 6 c. of our first Irenic and Abridg. p. 7 8 c. all though short yet of great weight 4. Gods word witnesseth that by an Eeternal Decree he hath appointed to set his King Christ upon his holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. according to his last Covenant with David for his sure Mercies respecting Christs Universal and perpetual Kingdome that he promised to him for ever 2 Sam 7.16 to the end that after all the vain attempts in the world to the contrary v. 1 2 3 which have ever been in acting since the Fall that Enmity was put by Gods Justice between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 and will be to that very time when he shall come with his Saints to take possession of it which I doubt not but this Generation will shortly see and what a time of trouble will then be 'till Christs said coming ends it Dan 12.1 Rev. 16.18 experience will soon manifest but notwithstanding all that hath been is now in acting or shall be until then yet saith God I have set my King Christ the great King of the New Jerusalem as he stiles himself Mat 5.35 upon my holy Hill of Sion when also upon his asking as he did John 17.20 he will give him the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost part of the Earth for his Possession and when he will make him his First-borne and so Heir to the Kingdome higher than the Kings of the Earth Psal 89.27 and Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 and therefore when he destroyes the Beast and false Prophet at the Armageddon Battel his Name shall be written upon his Vesture and upon his Thigh whose Name also is called the Word of God v. 13. yea he had a name written that no man knows but he himself v. 12. but yet v. 16. his Name is so written King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19.11 c. whereupon he with his raised Saints shall Reign upon Earth 1000 years Rev. 20.4 6. which will be Gods said setting of his King Christ upon his holy Hill of Sion and his possessing of his said Davidical Kingdome for ever 2 Sam. 7. which from our 12 Foundations of our Faith hereof is abundantly evident with others Hence also it is very observable Acts 15.16 17. that the Holy Spirit upon the Apostle James his speaking of the raising Davids Tabernacle which the Prophet Am. shews ch 9.11 the last shall be so that the people shall never more thenceforward be pulled up out of their own Land as also is said 2 Sam. 7 and to be when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in as Rom. 11. which he stiles all the Heathen that are called by my name to which text of Amos S. James having spoken of the Gentils first call which was in part as he said by his mouth v. 7. he then adds after that I will returne which words are not in Amos 9. but Gods Spirit taught him so to explain them and build up his Tabernacle also and as declaring it not to belong to that first call of the Gentiles but as Amos saith when all the Heathen shall be called by his name and thereupon adds that great general Divine Truth here to be especially applyed to the raising of Davids Tabernacle v. 18. known unto God saith he are all his works from the beginning of the world as if he would thereby teach Gods people that it was Gods eternal designe then to raise Davids said Tabernacle in Christ according to his Covenant with David viz. for his House his Throne and Kingdome for ever as 2 Sam. 7. and that all the works of God in the world since tend to fulfil that which is his great designe in that time in the world namely for Christ to reign in the renewed state thereof with his Saints in it where they had all been before so Conteamed Persecuted and Oppressed by the black Prince of this present evil world and by ungodly men also called the children thereof namely of this present evil world And thus we may see in all these particulars Gods eternal decrees are confirmed and explained by Christ as they shall take place in that state in those times accordingly of which much more will be manifest from the Divine exactness the comprehensive usefulness and the certain determination of Christ in his said Key which is chiefly the spirit of Prophesie and the Testimony of Jesus as he had before spoken by his spirit in his Prophets Rev. 19.10 The next evidence of the said sate in the said times is from the most ancient Declarations Promises and Covenants in his word unto the Fathers as the next revealed grounds of the same The first was Gods own Declaration upon Mans Fall That the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head and because he was to be only the seed of the Woman and not of the man therefore was necessarily to be the Son of God as he was manifest to be in the in 4000 years after by the breaking of the Serpents head by degrees in respect both of his head of Policie and Power at last he should so make way for his own sovereignty and the Dominion over the Creatures at last to be restored to him as largely is to be seen in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15 so that in
that first Declaration we may observe first how all evil shall by him be taken out of the world viz. by Christs destroying the works of the Devil as St John speaks and that both in his Designes and actings by all his wicked Instruments in the old world and ever since in the new world especially in his designs of his three Babels as in ch 5. of our Iren. all to come to utter confusioon at his 2d coming having laid the firm foundation thereof by his death at his first coming by bringing in again at last oneness of Language peaceable and good Gvernment and vindicated his Gospel Truth from Mystical Babylons pollutions but more especially he will break his head of power by his great day of Judgment eminently at the first act thereof Rev. 19.20 and totally and finally at the last v. 11. And 2dly this in the next place God more generally made known to Enoch as St. Jude records it v. 13 14. who was a Type of Christs Ascention having this Testimony that he pleased God as the Apostle witnesseth as God was well pleased with Christ who having done all his wills ascended into Heaven and at his descending again begins the first act of his Judgment of his said great day when the body of the Beast shall be given to the burning flame Dan. 7. and the last act will totally and finally break hâ—s said head of power which our Saviour teacheth shall be after the 1000 years of his Reign with his Sts. Rev. 20. when Satan shall be cast into the fiery lake wherein the Beast had been 1000 years before The 3d to whom God revealed those Mercies so long before was Noah and that three wayes First as saving his Family by an Ark from that destruction with wicked men by the flood as a Type of Christs saving his Saints from the fires of Gods wrath at both those acts of Judgment against men and Devils And then 2dly on the other hand for carrying on of Good for the Saints then God in the second place made a Covenant with Noah for the Worlds and Creatures preserration until those last times and set the Rainbow in the clouds as a token thereof and also for the fruitfulness thereof for all their Accommodations till then and that the greatest fruitfulness should be in that last state as the Prophets afterwards both confirm and explain as Joel 3. Ezek 34. Amos 9.13 And in the 3d place God gives a Prophesie to Noah that his two Sons posterity viz. the Jews descending from Shem who obtained the first interest in Gods favour then and the Gentiles in their time descending from Japhet should be perswaded by God to dwell in the Tents of Shem. viz. to be of the true Church when the Jews were cast off Acts 13 being the two stems out of whose roots the Elect should mostly arise until Christs second comeing though haply many Proselites might spring out of Chams race since as before the flood out of Cains the former Call of the Gentiles Hos 10. is explained Rom. 9. and the joynt Call of both to come is explained Rom. 15. when the Gentiles with all Gods ancient people shall rejoyce together as Deut. 32.43 but after that time all Nations and People shall see the salvation of the great God of Israel when the Heathen as was said shall be given to Christ for his Inheritance c. and as Dan. 7.27 all the Kingdome and Dominion and Greatness of the Kingdome under the whole Heaven N. B. shall be given to the Saints of the most high with Christ and all Dominion shall serve and obey him And thus briefly of the said Predictions to the said three Fathers Adam Enoch and Noah all extending to the said time and state as our Saviour hath likewise by his Revelation resolved us c. Come we now to the Covenanted Mercies made by God to the following Fathers and their spiritnal seed for the Typical Canaan and Mount Sion therein c. to enjoy the benefits thereof through their Divine seed Christ for there are many disterences betwixt them and their natural races interest which was but conditional and so broken by them as we set down in many distinctions pag. 10 11 12. of Resurect but their spiritual Race with themselves will enjoy their sure interest in the renewed state thereof at the first Resurrection as in our Key of the Covenants with Abraham Isaac Jacob and David of which many great things are there observable pag. 6 7 8 c. and all suiting to Christs Revelation in the New Jerusalem state and Kingdome of Christ ch 20 21 22. all holding forth the truth and faithfulness of God as we more largely shewed both in the Systeme of promised Mercies and Covenauts and the Treatise following of Resur First Abraham the Father of the Faithful had a seven fold gradation of the said Promises and Covenants for the Land of Canaan and the chief City in it for his natural seed in the Type but as for his own interest he looked for a City that was then a sar of at the first Resur with his spiritual seed that hath foundations whose Maker and Builder is God which God saith the Apostle had prepared for the Fathers who Without us also shall not there be made perfect Heb. 11.10 16 40. or perfect in one John 17. in the New Jerusalem as the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.2 9. for as Abraham saw Christs day first and last by Faith so it is not to be doubted but he saw that City of an Heavenly excellency though it will be in the world then as our fifteen Reasons approved by the learned and judicious sufficiently manifest and so the Covenanted Confirmations to the like purpose made unto Isaac and Jacob as may particularly be seen in our said Key respecting all their three Covenants for here we only briefly touch upon them as affording us their strong evidence to these said Divine Truths The last is Gods Covenant with David as to his sure Mercies respecting his Kingdome gloriously to be set up in Christ when he shall return as Luke 19. from his Fathers right hand ceasing then as Mediator to sit upon his Fathers Throne Rev. 3.21 and coming to sit with his said Saints upon his own Throne then for all these said Fathers natural Off-spring were cast out of the Typical Canaan with a sore destruction for their great sins Mic. 2.10 and Davids natural Race ceased to succeed him over Israel and Judah for the height of their wickedness to the falling of his Tabernacle for their long bondage of 2300 years during the four Gentile Monarchies succeeding thereupon as God revealed to the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel and after his Visions is also contained in St. Johns the beloved Disciples book of Revelation whenas the Prophet Amos speaks ch 9. and is explained by the Apostle James Acts 15. that Davids Tabernacle at the end of the last Monarchy now neer approaching shall as was said in
Christ that Son of David be set up again when the spiritual and Divine part of the last Covenant with David shall most surely be fulfilled to the exceeding great glory amongst all his said Saints of his Wisdome Power Justice and Truth against the Serpent and his seed and of his Wisdome Mercy Goodness Faithfulness and Truth to themselves as in our Treatise of Resurrection is set forth The like Testimony now of the almost experienced time God gave by his other Divine Contemporary Mistical Prophet Ezeekiel ch 21.26 27. saying both of the fall of Davids Tabernacle in the last of his Natural Race I will overturn overturn overturn of the raising it up again as follows c. The fall is first redoubled there not only for certainty of its falling as the four Monarchies were twice revealed first to a Gentile secondly to a Jew c. but it seems to be a farther confirmation of Daniels large measure of the suffering times of the Jews and Gentiles under the same four Monarchies which by Gods Spirit seems expressly to be declared in the next words which declare the raising it up again viz. until he come whose right it is and I will give it him which was meant evidently of his second comeing for he came the first time to suffer not to reign neither doth God give it to him until his second coming at the destruction of the Beast Dan. 7.9 13 14. when the Tabernacle of David is to be raised up again in him But this three fold overturning was to be fulfilled in that long interim of their bondage 2300 years as since hath been found by experience neer to the end thereof The first overturn was by the Caldeans when the Jews were led Captive to Babylon But under the Medo-persians God wonderfully reduced many of them by working the Spirit of Cyrus to it to fulfil Jacobs Prophesie of the comeing of Shilo and Daniels 70 weeks to Christs finishing transgression by his death and bringing in everlasting righteousness by his Resurrection and Ascention when God set up his Kingdome of the Stone as was noted yet secondly under the Greek Monarchy their Land was saddly harrased and spoiled a long time betwixt the two Wings or Branches thereof Aegypt and Syria lying on both sides of it until the end of Antiochus Epiphanes his outrage when the Roman by Scripture account began under which their Land hath been again greatly overturned and turned into a Province until those Ruiners of that Monarchy viz. the Mahumitans Saricens and Turks both harrased it and took it and by degrees all the Eastern Empire also so that the Jews have changed only their Oppressors but not their Bondage and still in the Land of Magog or Roman Monarchy wherein they are to continue in that part until that Monarchy and their present Oppressor the Turk both perish probably together at Christs said appearance and Kingdom and thus through all that said time that three fold overturning will be very probably fulfilled and the Spirit of Christ hath in many things to come also witnessed by Ezekiel as well as Daniel though the Series and order of them is chiefly from Daniel But Ezekiel chap. 36. speaks of their Divine Grace as the foundation of all future Mercy so Daniel 12.1 2 3. ch 37. of their Deliverance and Union so Dan. 12.1 chap. 38.39 he had the Vision of Gog and Magogs destruction so Dan. 7. chap. 40. to the end of the Book the Vision of the New Jerusalem and the Temple upon the Enemies said ruine so Daniel at that end of their dayes shall stand up in his Lot in that state 3. It is manifest from Gods many explications of the said Predictions and promised Covenants and Mercies to the Fathers as they are afterwards confirmed and explained in the following Prophets all which are ultimately determined by the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the said state and time as respecting all such said Saints that shall then be raised by him to reign with him in his said Mediatory or Davidical Kingdome in the 1000 years and be in the New Jerusalem happy state then in the world at the times of the Restit of all things wherefore Christs said Revelation ought exceedingly to be regarded and believed besides other Reasons for the light it gives to all such Prophetical Scriptures for the manifold comprehensive usefulness of it c. And here we might proceed farther to shew how these Covenants were confirmed by the following Prophets which largely might be done had it not been set forth from Acts 3. as he spake by the mouth of all his holy Prophets in our Iren. ch 5 6 7 8. and in our 12 said Foundations with many other parts of our said work which is now by Divine disposal become a useful Comment upon our two last Treatises on Rev. 20.5 and Rev. 21.5 pag. 1 2 3 4. of Restitut Since Christs Spirit hath vouchsafed these great Discoveries to so weak unworthy an Instrument of late by the help of all our former Pieces especially of our more late useful Key and also our three first Convincing Arguments in the Word Written abundantly prove the same we need add no more c. and our Saviour Rev. 21. applyed divers Texts in Esa 60 c. to the time and state of the New Jerusalem as a pattern of many more c. 4. The fourth Scripture evidence is of the many passages in the Gospels and Acts and Epistles of the Apostles which receive no full and sure explication but by the help of Christs said Revelation which teacheth us also that they have relation to all the former heads 1. of Gods eternal Decree in all the said Particulars 2. To his declared or promised Mercies and Covenants afore named or to the Prophets Confirmations Explications or Illustrations of the same which all explaining their sence in the New Testaments and also is very evidently the most excellent Divine Key of all such Prophesies referring to that said time and state and even the Prophesie of Jacob and the like and the partial deliverance of the two Tribes wonderfully by Gods working Divinely upon the spirit of Cyrus to that end and Daniels 70 Weeks of Years all specially and immediately respecting the Messias or Shiloe's first comeing Yet since Gods Kingdome of the Stone began at or about his Ascention for 1666. years from that his spiritual powerful Victory over the Powers of Darkness then Col. 15. until his said glorious visible powerful victory be obtained over all his great Enemies making them then at the end thereof his footstool so we may thence also see the drift of that great Foundation then laid for the Saints said Reconciliation to God was to advance the glorious and blessed ends of Christs second comeing when they shall reign with him which we have already given instances of from Luke 20.35 36. explained in Resur by Rev. 20.5 and of Acts 3.19 20 21. explained by Rev.