seven eyes denoting his perfect Power and Wisdom to fulfil the same ch 5. in their due order of accomplishment for the time to come to the end of this book namely the things that shall be hereafter for we speak only here of the third head of Johns Writings ch 1.19 to wit such as began above 1600 years past and now appear to be almost fulfilled to a very little space to the end of ch 19. But the 20th ch with the two following ch are as we have many ways sufficiently proved and doubt not by the same Divine Assistance farther to manifest that they are the same Holy mans Writings of that most excellent part of the same Divine Revelation for the time to come respecting the happy estate of that world that the Children of the Resurrection namely of this first Resurrection shall be counted worthy to obtain as our Saviour himself Divinely taught Luke 20.35 36. and in this Revelation he teacheth by his Servant John what that World and Resur are and in what order they should have their being and it is observable that as there is in the Text a remarkable emphasis in the Greek by the emphatical Article there doubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Resurrection even that first Resurrection So our Saviours expressions in Luke 20. of the same matter are suitable to this Text with its dependency both of that World then to begin called the World to come Heb. 2.5 and also of the same Resurrection and of the Saints themselves and of their being counted worthy of that World setting them all four down 1. By way of Doctrine and then again makes the same thing known by Revelation to his Servant John in respect of the time and order of fulfilling in this ch which he had before taught and made known by way of Doctrine while he lived on earth 1. Saith he the Children of that World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this present world where the Children of it are Married c. but not so in the other where the Children of the Resurrection shall be which here also he teacheth shall be when he destroys Antichrist the Beast and false Prophet and binds the Devil for 1000 years ch 19 20. that is that World which will then begin 2. It is the same Resurrection spoken of here emphatically even that which our Saviour expresseth there by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Rising from amongst such dead bodies as then shall be left behind being the same the Apostle strived to attain which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 3.11 a Rising out of the heap of the Dead of which more afterwards and speaks of it as a peculiar thing belonging to such as rise out of such heaps 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle of such Saints before dead by the genitive possessive as if the Holy Ghost would inform us further it is the Resurrection only of such dead Persons to whom an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly belongs viz. a Rising out of the heaps of the dead left behind 3. Of the Saints themselves that are to Rise then they are divers ways illustrated there by Christ 1. by what they are reckoned or counted worthy of aforehand 2. By what they are stiled by our Saviour in two expressions For the former the word is very remarkable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are such as are counted worthy of that World the word is a decompound denoting them to be counted worthy as being Enrolled in antient Record for it viz. in the Lambs Book of Life and that they are consequently to obtain that World as upon Record for it the words seem very forcible in their decyphering of the Saints blessed estate then by them to be obtained so here blessed and holy are they that have part c. v. 6. Again our Saviour there gave them a twofold excellent stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Children of Gods and the Children of the Resurrection so here they are the Spouse the Lambs wife being the Children of God ch 19. 21. and this blessed Resurrection we speak of is proper only to the Saints those blessed Persons then 4. Christ sets forth a twofold excellency of that estate of the Saints they are immortal they can die no more so here on such the second death shall have no power yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are like the Angels of God in Heaven not only privatively that they need not outward worldly helps to sustain them c. or not liable to suffering but as here blessed and holy as the Angels of God in Heaven and thus Christ by his spirit guided the Apostle John to set forth a practical Comment in this Divine Revelation of his former Heavenly Doctrine Luke 20. so agreeable is all Divine Truth in what the Holy Spirit speaks any way of the same thing To like purpose when our Saviour speaks of this first Resurrection in the Text he expresseth it by these words Joh. 5.29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall come forth to the Resurrection of life they shall come out from the rest of the dead they shall come into the Resurrection of life which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Resurrection of the Just Luke 14.14 that is theirs properly and peculiarly belonging to them as before they are the Synonomous Expressions of the Holy Ghost so exact is all Divine Truth delivered by him if we consider it aright as we see all these expressions suit admirably with the text in its expressions dependency Now come we to the thing decyphered out by Christ 1. It is called a Resurrection 2. The First Resurrection 3. Demonstratively and Emphatically set down by this Resurrection we have shewed it to be properly the bodily Resurrection which is only properly so called in Scripture Regeneration as some would have it is improperly so taken only by a Metaphor neither is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Text of Mat. 19.28 to be understood of Regeneration but as learned Beza notes in five Copies it is distinguished in the Original from the preceding words you that have followed me denoting that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there was the New Genesis or Christs making all things New then as Rev. 21.5 when he the Son of Man sits upon his Throne that the Disciples that followed him shall then sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel or as it is remarkably explained Luke 22.29 30. ye are they that have continued with me in my tentations I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me c. and yet if it could have been proved to be meant of Regeneration yet so it is a Resurrection only Metaphorical not Proper which is only bodily at that first and also is peculiar to the Saints at that time only 2. It is called the first Resurrection in opposition to the other to distinguish it from that following for
the rest of the dead 1000 years after being both to be raised bodily in their due order and time both properly so called and to be actually performed by Christ in their appointed times to raise both sorts first the said Saints bodies at the first and the bodies of the rest of the dead 1000 years after viz. such as died in the said 1000 years and all the wicked at the last Trump 3. Now for farther resolution what the Demonstrative Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points out to us that as we before noted in revealing the order of that matter to be fulfilled he shews here that unto the ruin of the Beast and false Prophet succeeds the Rising of suffering Saints for Christ and his Word in that New World as he explains ch 21 5. when in that Jerusalem State he makes all things New they shall Rise to Reign with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom which hath long been Entailed upon him as we shewed in our Systeme and he went upon his Ascention to Heaven to receive it and at his Return shall possess it as Dan. 7.13 14. and wherein the said Saints shall Reign with him the said 1000 years and this is exactly set forth to be contemporary with Satans binding the said 1000 years and the times of both are so interwoven and linked together to make the said Revelation of both more evident and yet he Reveals farther v. 3. that Satan must after the 1000 years be loosed again for a little Season who in the same order will be loosed as v. 7 8 c Now in reference to the Saints St. John saw Thrones and they sate upon them for to them the Army of Heaven ch 19. in white the relative expression evidently relates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the souls of them that were beheaded which were twice described in ch 19.1 the As Bride or Wife of the Lamb v. 7.2 As of the Armies in Heaven in white Linnen white and clean after set forth by the New Jerusalem Inhabitants metonimically ch 21.9 which are those that sate on the Thrones the same Thrones in Dan. 7. which he saw set because of the great words the Horne spake v. 11. which were pitched or set as the Caldee word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies or lifted up as Arias Montanus renders it till the Beast was slain and his body given to the burning flame v. 9 11. and for whom were the Thrones set but for the Saints at the time Christ came in the Clouds of Heaven and received his universal Kingdom over all Nations under the whole Heaven often mentioned in the Gospel and v. 18. the Saints took the Kingdom then and possessed it and again v. 22. Judgment that is Potestas judicandi the power of Judging was given to the Saints of the same our Saviour tells his Disciples they shall sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel which is the same time and thing revealed in this place but here two things farther are explained by our Saviour then were seen there by Dan. First the suffering but then raised Sts. shall then have the said Kingdom power 2. That they shall have it with Christ 1000 years these are his farther Revelations here of these things namely upon the destruction of the Beast the Saints that suffered under him are raised bodily c. and power of judging is given to them and they reign with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom 1000 years and if our Systeme of Promised Mercies be considered well with its Scripture grounds none of this will seem strange c. And though some make a stir upon that the Souls were said to live we there shewed in Scripture Ideom souls were put for persons Gen. 40.20 Psal 16.10 Luke 12.19 besides how they were represented to the Holy Man in Vision as souls in taking their bodies is also considerable for such expressions at that time a like description he had Rev. 7.14 where they are said to be arrayed in white Robes so ch 6.11 and farther saith Mr. Mede Animae in sacris literis non tantum personâ—â— sed cadavera denotant Souls in Scripture are not only put for Persons but for dead bodies So Lev. 19.21 Ye shall make no cuttings in your flesh for the dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word ordinarily signifies the soul but fitly here translated for the dead the like ch 21.1 none of Aarons sons must be defiled for the dead among his people the word used for the soul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but here for a dead body But above all we may from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Souls here take notice of the exact agreement of the expressions of the Holy Ghost here and in ch 6.9 10. of the same persons first of those that had suffered before under the Dragon called souls here and others that were after to suffer under the Beast there stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their fellow servants and Brethren and here speaking of them both as rewarded the first he stiles souls for they we seperated souls then when there they were said to cry to God under the Altar as being before sacrificed for Vengeance where by the way let us take notice how that suited to Moses's Prophesie Deut. 32.41 I will render Vengeance c. and v. 42. from the beginning of Revenges upon the Enemie viz. Antichrist here destroyed Rev. 19.11 to the end who before hindred the joyful Union of Jews and Gentiles as in the very next words follows Deut. 32.43 and the beginning of revenges seems to be the doubling double unto Babylon her cup of wrath before Rev. 18.6 as also Daniel saw in his Vision ch 7. and so such antient Prophesie will be fulfilled and the same cry of the Martyrs will blood be particularly answered from under the Altar which are the same souls which John here saw in Vision so rewarded as to live to reign with Christ the said 1000 years when the body of the Beast as Daniel speaks was given to the burning flame and to these said souls the emphatical expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those souls of those men before beheaded have particular reference but then the Holy Ghost speaks as distinctly of the other by the cause of their suffering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. and those that worshipped not the Beast nor his Image c. in the masculine gender being their fellow servants and Brethren afterwards then to be killed and these also are here in the same manner rewarded as Rev. 11.19 Thou hast rewarded thy Servants the Prophets and thy Saints c. and all shortly to be fulfilled at Christs appearance And by these things we may again observe the special Divine Excellency and exact suitableness both of the words and things contained in this sacred book And now in this juncture of time it is a thing very desirable for many good reasons as much conducing to the honour of Christ and the benefit of the Bride his
Church for which end this Love-letter was sent by him almost 1600 years past to prepare for that approaching Marriage Rev. 19. 21. I say therefore it is henceforth very desirable that more than ordinary endeavours should be used in and encouragement given to those Studies by all real Friends of Christian Religion who may now expect much return from Christ thereupon And I confidently believe that every degree of obstruction unjustly cast in the way thereof upon whatsoever seeming good pretence will by himself be reckoned when he comes as an acting for Antichrist and against himself and by how much the greater degrees the worse and if young Students now begin early to apply their Studies thereunto they may likely find by the assistance of the Spirit and Grace of Christ I speak from Experience a better foundation laid for their future Studies than from many others formerly c. Now when he had thus decyphered the said Saints or Souls by their suffering before and their living and reigning then with Christ he speaks of the others dead that lived not again till the 1000 years were ended both being so distinguished the former suffered and lived and reigned with Christ but the other had no part therein but of the former only that had part in all these he speaks in the words of my Text This is the first Resurrection viz. bodily so long namely 1000 years before the other dead shall rise again bodily which is also called the time of the dead to be judged with reward and is the same time in that Parallel text Rev. 11.19 and that thou hast rewarded thy Servants the Prophets and thy Saints and all that fear thy name both small and great and all these at the same time when the last Vial was poured upon the Aire of the Beast Rev. 16. when the Prince of the power of the aire is to be dejected from his Rule at the Beasts destruction and he himself to be so securely bound and shut up and sealed c. then the Saints rose bodily and reigned with Christ this is the time order cause and end of their rising then 1000 years before the rest of the dead to whom only that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rising out of the heap of the dead doth properly belong and also our Saviours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a rising out of the state of such dead left behind speaks the same thing that the Saints rise 1000 years before the rest of the dead which is this first Resurrection And that the said time of 1000 years is not taken indefinitely but absolutely for it self 1000 year is acknowledged by the learned even among such as would understand them by way of Anticipation in the most unfit times of Satans prevalency as Paraus and others which I doubt not but a clear laying down of the Truth will here sufficiently resolve and such men also grant that that whole number of 1000 years is always used for it self in Scripture and not otherwise But our blessed Saviour hath so exactly laid that down in this Revelation so as he hath taken away all ground to pretend otherwise both in laying down the said 1000 years absolutely and relatively in regard of Satans binding and the Saints reigning and in several respects what was before what in the time and what after the said 1000 years so that no Parallel passage in holy Scripture or other Writings I believe can be produced and again so ofren repeated both absolutely what that time was namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three times 1000 years and as often relatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those those those 1000 years in reference both to Saints and Satan and shall vain men presume to pervert this sence of Christ which he hath so fastened upon them yea I may say Rivited into them all along and so by all circumstances Divinely gloriously illustrated in this most excellent part of his Revelation more plainly and clearly laid down then all the rest as Mr. Mede observes wherein is contained the sure table of the best times of his Church in the world and her Sabbatism of rest to come in it as the Apostle speaks Heb. 4.9 and thus much from the first consideration of the Text with its dependancy In the next place the Saints bodily Resurrection will appear to be the said first Resurrection from diverse considerable passages observable from the Context of which we gave divers hints long a go in our Appendix after the Irenio page 100 101 102. And the first from the Antithesis or opposing the living of these to the not living of the rest of the dead till 1000 years after so that look how these lived now the other must not live again so till that said time take it both ways the others live not bodily till then therefore these live bodily now the others shall not live spiritually then therefore these live not spiritually now for they are opposed as the one living the other not living again opposita non sunt possunt simul esse vera 2. In what respect the Saints were said to be dead being such as were beheaded in the same respect here they are said to live but they were dead only in respect of their bodies therefore they lived here onely in respect of their Bodies Again their Souls were not at all dead since they suffered therefore as to them they are not said to live at that time when Satan was bound 3. They were to live as should be suitable to Christs being the first Fruits of the Saints Resurrection at his coming again but he was so by his Bodily Resurrection therefore they as the whole Vintage rise bodily at his said coming suitable to the first Fruits of the same kind 1 Cor. 15.23 Above 1600 years after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cometh the end which our Saviour hath revealed shall be above 1000 years after his said second coming 4. The Saints are then to live as will be suitable to Christs personal Reign to behold his Glory and to behold the Vision of him as the object of their Sence then as Joh. 17.24 He willed that they should be with him to behold his Glory which the Father hath given him which many ways appears by Scripture must necessarily be then in his said Kingdom where they shall Reign with Christ c. Christ also gave a preludium or foreshewing example of the first Resurrection of the Saints at his own Resurrection Mat. 27. by the Resurrection of many dead c. And the Apostle Paul speaks to that effect 2 Cor. 4.14 That as God raised up the Lord he would so raise them and present them together But nothing of raising any wicked man till the last Trumpet Quest But is not this Resurrection meant of Regeneration because such are said to be blessed that have part in the first Resurrect c. Answer Some persons at the first view are apt to conceit so
come upon that account when Jews and Gentiles shall both rejoyce together according to Moses's Prophesie Deut. 32.43 which the Apostle Paul applies Rom. 15. with other texts respecting the same time and state pointing out the truth of God therein for the truth of God saith he to confirm the promises made to the Fathers v. 8. how will the knowledg of that foundation fitted to the top-stone of Gods performance then affect Gods Saints with joy and redownd to his own praise And was not Baalams Parable clear in many things forenamed which in part have been fulfilled as respecting the Ships of Chittim Dan. 11.30 and others namely setting forth the rise of the last Oppressor of the Jews that should perish for ever or go into Perdition Rev. 17. as we shewed and other things in the 1000 years which Gods word witnesseth shall then be fulfilled which the Saints will also rejoyce in and render unto God his due praise for them And what in Melchisedeck was shadowed as a type towards faithful Abraham that had the Promises will really and compleatly be fulfilled in Christ to faithful Abraham and all his spiritual Seed according to Gods word to the praise of the glory of his grace But especially to Abraham and all his spiritual Seed with him and also to Isaack and Jacob according to Gods Promises and Covenants made to them and their spiritual Seed through their one Divine Seed Christ But the mercy seems to be chiefly invested in Abrahams Covenant in seven Gradations as we shewed in our Key who is thereupon probably stiled the Father of the Faithful and Heir of the world Rom. 4.13 whose natural Seed failed in their first Covenant and polluted their rest in the Typical Canaan which therefore cast them out with a fore Destruction Mich. 2.10 But the spiritual Seed of Abraham by that one Divine Seed Christ whose day he saw by Faith Joh. 8. by Gods undertaking for them the conditions of this New Covenant which then will be manifest to the great glory of his so wonderful free Grace made known and the benefit from that Foundation derived to them as both his faithful Seed circumcised and uncircumcised will evidently know and find the happy experience of in the New Jerusalem state then both filling their souls with joy and making them break forth into praise unto God But for Davids Promise and Covenant upon whose interest the Title of Christs Kingdom then doth immediately depend and who must enjoy it as the days of Heaven upon earth all the 1000 years though what he promised conditionally as respecting Davids Kingdom in his natural Race was forfeited by them upon the fall of whose Tabernacle the Interim or Interruption of his Kingdom took place in the four Gentile Kingdoms for probably 2300 years yet the sure mercies of David in Christ his Divine spiritual Seed all will be performed for the the meek faithful up right spiritual Children of David who shall then have their sure mercies of David also Esa 55.3 in being then joynt heirs with Christ in that blessed Kingdom when they upon that account and foundation shall Reign with Christ in that state of the New Heavens and New Earth wherein will then dwell Righteousness to the superabundant glory of God and happiness of all those Saints who shall have their portion then therein with the representative living Wights and 24 Elders to exult as they Rev. 5.10 not only that in other respects they have been or shall be Kings and Priests unto God through the Lambs Blood but that they then will with them joyntly Reign upon earth when Davids Tabernacle before fallen for the Sin of his natural Seed shal by his Divine one Seed Christ be restored for himself and all his spiritual Seed in that so blessed state and condition to continue the said 1000 years and after remain to the Saints so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure Psal 89.36 37. though once attempted against in vain and after probably be translated into perpetual felicity and were but the spiritual eyes and understandings of men exercised in these things from the grounds of them so Divinely and graciously laid down in the Word and did they but labour by Prayer and due means to acquaint themselves with the same by degrees I doubt not but God would really teach in some good measure all rightly teachable spirits of men by Faith to believe them and apply them to themselves as finding if they walk uprightly with him their own peculiar interest therein with all his Saints that then shall have their Lots there with them both to be freed from all enemies to serve him without fear of any in holyness and righteousness before Christ then if they be in the natural life and walk in the light of the New Jerusalem or if raised Saints then such his servants will serve him Rev. 22.3 it will be found as well their happiness as their business so to do God hath not made so great provision for the marriage of the Lamb his only beloved Son that the Wedding be without Guests yea which is more that the Wedding be without the Bride the Lambs Wife What a reproach would some men by ignorance and unbelief cast upon God the Master of the Feast as if his great design to honour them who before had honoured him in the World should then be frustrate and utterly in vain which must needs be if those who are only capable of such happiness for time and blessedness in both should not then have it viz. the raised Sts. in the New Jerusalem state with those that walk shall then in the light thereof probably not fitted then to enjoy the same with them neither could the Saints departed before be capable thereof were they not in their spiritual bodies prepared for the same and how many sorts of Arguments might be drawn from every of the said Foundations particularly let serious and judicious Christians consider when I formerly found from Gods word what would be before in and after the 1000 years I was satisfied that such things should be in their due time and order fulfilled in 36 particulars in the first Argument of the Word Written But it hath pleased God by this Divine Key Rev. 20 c. to shew me that the chief drift of all his Revealed Promises pitch upon such a state so revealed by himself wherein all his Sts. interests and concernments concur for the best ends respecting God themselves all Creatures in that state in so many and great things as we have manifested from the Word of God whence I am as it were enforced to do that by Faith in my present employment that I assuredly from the same word know those raised Saints with others will then do in the fruition thereof affectionately desiring to set forth Gods special mercy like the Woman in Samaria for others use and benefit also For then the faithful Seed of Adam and Eve that had no other Promise will
for the Foundation thereof Whereupon an Ancient observed that then Christs words were fulfilled that one Stone should not be left upon another which should not be cast down which times reckoned by Bishop Vsher to be Anno Dom. 363. unto which if 1335. of Daniels said account be added it is near about 1700. The two other Numbers in the Revelation are first the date of the man of sin his forty two moneths or 1260 years conceived to begin before 420. when the ten Kings were up at one hour with the Beast Rev. 17.12 to which said 420 years or less if there be added the 20 or 30 years to come being the remainder of the 6th Vial they will all together amount to about 1700 at the time of Anti-Christs destruction Lastly As to the Turks day and hour and moneth and year to destroy the third part of man computed by Mr. Mede 396 years who is the second woe Trumpet to destroy the Roman Empire in the East Rev. 9.11 and Dan. 11.40 which being added to 1300 or somewhat more when the Ottoman Family according to Chronology obtained the power it will with the other 396 make up about 1700. All which computations though by Reason of some differences in Chronology before Christs birth and since as Bishop Vsher observed we may not attempt to determine day or hour or year yet within a competent Latitude the Spirit of God seems in these particulars to give just ground of conjecture that men of the world may be admonished of its fleeting state to prepare for the great shakings and changes that seem shortly to draw near therein By these Computations and other matters observeable to such purposes from the Book of God Since the Jews Restauration is pointed out by the 2 former in Daniel and the destruction of the Enemies of Christ and his Church in the 2 latter which the Holy Scripture declares will be the work of Christ at his said great appearance now approaching Whence also we made our Conjecture of the most literal sense of the Number of the Beast Apoc. 13. 666. as Belshazzers Kingdom was numbred when it ended at his death though other observations of the Number 1666. may also be consideder able to other purposes but if we reckon the appearance of Christ and his Kingdom to be about 1700. according to the the four said computations at which said appearance of his presence 2 Thess 2.8 The Apostle saith he will destroy the man of Sin then reckon backward for the Epoc. of his Number of 1666. for it is agreed by learned men that the whole Number of a thousand is there understood to be added and it will fall out so to begin about Christs Ascention from whence to his descending again will so be made up 1666 years viz. about the said time conceived to be the Period of the said four computations and from our Saviours birth by the common account 1700 at the said Beasts destruction and his Ascension when Christ led Captivity captive seems more suitable to point out by the said Number his Visible conquest over the remaining Powers of the world that oppose him About which time not only will probably appear the most eminent fulfillings of Gods most antiently revealed mercies in his powerful effectual and eminent breaking of the Serpent Satans head by taking away or destroying such his Churches Enemies and treading down Satan himself under the Saints Feet as the Apostle Paul foretold shortly or swiftly Rom 16.20 in the order of accomplishment First By his binding Rev. 20.2 and after by casting him upon the ruine of his last Gog and Magog into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone for ever v. 18. And then Gods Wisdom Power Mercy Truth and Faithfulness will gloriously appear towards both the Jews and Gentiles as the spiritual Seed of Abraham by the destruction of the Enemies of them both But more especially then in the raising up the Tabernacle of David in Christ his divine Seed and in setting up of his said Kingdom who as we have shewed shall gloriously sit upon Davids Throne for ever to the end of the world in a peaceful and blessed Estate And if the word of God did not give Testimony in all the said particulars from the said Predictions promised Mercies and Covenants it had been high presumption so to have asserted them But since as we have pointed out thus briefly yet very evidently his word doth largly fully and clearly hold them out Let men henceforth upon due consideration of these things take heed of opposing and gainsaying these evident Truths which he will shortly bring to pass and no power of Men or Devils shall in the in the least hinder any of them as Christ will manifest when the Mystery of God is finished Rev. 10. and it is to be hoped when many serious and unprejudiced and judicious Christians have sought God by Prayer and due search of the Holy Scripture from these Foundations well pondered by them that they may be herein satisfied that such a blessed rest and refreshment from the presence of the Lord. remaineth to the People of God whereby such persons may evidently discern with me that such pretious Jewels of Revelation Mysteries are highly to be valued and it is ignorance of these things which is the great Reason why many esteem them not as they ought and that this most sacred and divine Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ by his beloved Servant and Disciple Saint John which is the Diamond in the golden Ring of Holy Writ is not duly prized by them and particularly in this respect that it affords light and Lustre to all parts of Holy Script without which men are not like otherwise rightly to discern the same concerning the matters here rendred to them as we by experience find more and more to the Glory and Praise of that true Light who lightneth every man that comes into the World according to that proportion he is pleased to dispence the same unto them And thus much of our preparative Preface and Comprisal both of our said former work and substance of the divine Mysteries contained therein with what further discoveries God hath been graciously pleased to offer unto the present world by the hand of so weak and unworthy an instrument by the help of the said last Key of most ancient prophesie Rev. 20.21 22. as before said to precede our intended Treatise on Rev. 20.5 Of the first bodily Resurrection of the Saints The cheif improvement we shall by Gods assistance endeavour here to make of what hath been said briefly is for information of Christians of the exceeding great usefulness and manifold excellencies of all such ancient revealed and promised Mercies and Covenants made to and with the said fore Fathers and Saints that have their particular and most eminent fulfillings from the guidance of this said divine Key and other parts of Gods word yet remaining to be gloriously accomplished by Christ himself in the world to
come or 1000 years of his Reigh with his Saints There is an Heavenly Treasure of happiness contained in them for all such Saints at the first blessed resurrection to be given to them thereupon so that if their said Promises and Covenants be not by men extended to that said state they exceedingly narrow the Mercy and Grace of God therein and as much as in them is deprive all such Saints of their right then in them And this may further appear by touching a litle upon the diverse usefulness and manifold excellencies of the same First They are most ancient for they are all virtually contained in that most antient one Ge. 3.15 which was not in the beginning as Christ the word was but in the beginning of mans need of such Gospel Grace God speedily revealed it as the summary of all that followed and all the said branches that sprang out of that Root are by the word of God manifest to be of the same nature having a tendency and that cheifly to those said last times No sooner had Satan at the fall marred Gods work of Creation but upon the tryal of all the Offenders the most glorious Declaration proceeds from Father Son and Holy Ghost of restoring lost man and the whole Creation of God in the Issue as many ways since by Gods word is evident which by Christ and the holy Spirit are in all times since carrying on to the end a work that is every way wonderful that the Son of God should pay the Ransome in mans Nature by dying for sin who was perfectly Righteous not to free man and the Creation from ruine onely but to redeem both it and him to himself yea to restore both into a better state to make him both surely and perfectly blessed in a way and state unconceivable and unutterable for Christ the Womans Seed is not a Privative only but a positive Saviour nor a partial but every way a perfect Saviour and this short comprehensive Gospel contains all in it by Christ to be obtained for his Saints for ever Away with false Oracles and Fictions of vain Heathens of their antiquities here is only true antiquity and the best antiquity to be found and all the others issuing from this if a parte ante they be not so ancient yet a parte post they shall be as lasting as in their particulars we shewed from Gods word but yet without this divine Key we had not known where to fix them c. consider them particularly with reference thereunto as we have given Scripture Foundation and as we shall by Divine assistance further manifest c. The subduing of the last great Enemies the Saints injoying of the happiness of Christs Davidical Kingdom and of the New Jerusalem State have all their infallible Grounds from some or more of the said Foundations as was particularly made to appear c. and that they were all as well as the first freely and graciously given did appear by occasions that God usually took to make them known upon some sailing or trobles of his Servants or both c. 2. They are all uniform answering fitly one to another in all such ways God was pleased to manifest his present or future Grace to all that were concerned in them or should be c. 3. Most true as proceeding from the God of truth Satan if he speak truth it is not truth from him because he purposeth thereby to deceive but it is impossible for truth it self to lye or deceive 4. They are also most wise tending directly to the best end and that in the surest and most prevalent powerful way and means that cannot fail 5. Most certain as coming from the unchangable God and therfore neither the best of men nor the meanest of Saints are not consumed because by such ways of Grace saved by him that is unchangeable c. 6. Most comfortable because they contain the consolations of God which are not smali yea the greatest for all said intentions that such sinners are capable of for good 7. These antient Entails of all the said Saints are very delightful and pleasant especially being not only upon good but upon the best Securities that can be I conceive none upon due consideration will be so bold as to say directly any of them is not the Word of God nor that Christ by this Key hath not laid open the precious excellencies of them if any wilfully turn away their eyes or ears upon them will that deficience remain the higher the points of Wisdom the Children of Wisdom are exercised in the more delight they shall find in them the secret of the Lord is with such as he will shew his Covenant unto of which these are a very great and excellent part our Saviour gives his Key especially for that end as knowing their fitness for it I can say much of the delight of them by experience though men often slight them and me for them At mihi plaudo Domi upon a much better account than it was spoken the Testimony of the faithful and true Witness Sealed by his Spirit answers all objections their mention or meditation is cordial in them is Christ and all his benefits not only as he is set forth as to his first coming to lay the foundation of all future good as he became the Seed of the Woman as set forth to the old world and was of the Seed of Man as of Abraham Isaack Jacob David in the new world for consolation to mankind but specially made known of what Tribe namly of Judah at what time to wâ—t when the Scepter was departed from it in what place at Bethelem of what person of a pure Virgin of the lineage of David which with other things in his Birth Life and Death he fulfilled But if we improve the intent of these promised antient Mercies respecting his second coming and all concurrent Texts concerning both Jews and Gentiles the holy Scriptures in such respects much more abound It is true the glorious Promises respecting all these at Christs second coming hath much misled the Jews over-looking the humility of the first and it was well if some Christians were not a farther stumbling-block to them in over looking the great Promises at Christs second coming and chiefly what respects the Jews and Israelites Christ became a light to lighten the Gentiles upon the Jews rejecting of him at his first coming but he will at his second be the glory of his people Israel when all Israel shall be saved the said time is coming a pace that great will be the day of Jezreel she must lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes It is a snare of Satan to make men by dim-sighted Reason to pore so much upon improbabilities as to over look such large security given by God to his antient people who are and will appear shortly to be beloved for their Fathers sakes God will make them the wonder of his mercie in a wonerful way and manner