of 1000 Years after â—he â—ate of 1000 years to one Watch of the Nigâ—t as it is Pâ—al 90. v. 4. each Watch consisting of threâ— hours and 12 hours making â—p one intire Night or Day CHAP. XIX QUest 93. What is that multitude of People whom Iohn saw in â—eaven crying â—allelujah Salvation and Glory aâ—d Honor and Power to our Loâ—d God Do not these signiâ—ie that â—ast Multiâ—ude which shall be Converted as well of Iews as of Gentiles over the whole Globe of the Earth under the Interval of the sixth Seal and the seventh and last Trumpet together with the Saints raised to Life again under the seventh Trumpet Therefoâ—e in the same hour of 2â—â—½ years viz. fâ—om the year of Christ's Nativity 1â—0â— to the year 2â—33 or from the year of His Râ—â—uâ—recâ—ion 1666 to the year 2000. Will not the City Babylon be destroyed and tâ—e City or Church of God Gloriâ—â—â—â—y â—â—ilt Whether or no that very hour is not that which is â—aid Rev. â— 8.â— to be the hour oâ— Trâ—al or Temâ—taâ—ion which shâ—ll come over the whole â—arth from wâ—â—châ— viz. fâ—om the Danâ—â—r aâ—d Evil of this â—our God hath pâ—omised to preserve tâ—e Church of Pâ—â—â—adâ—â—phia aforesaid Quest. 94. What iâ— the Marriage of the Lamb which Iâ—â—n 〈◊〉 to come at tâ—e â—â—me afâ—â—â—â—aid And again what is that â—â—pper of the Lâ—mâ— to wâ—â—ch whosoâ—â—â—r were called were Blessed v. 7 9 Do not both the Marriage and Supper of the Lamb denote the first Resurrection of the Saints unto Life among whom all Matrimony with the carnal use of it shall cease among Men and Women agreeable to Christ`s saying that in the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage But the Souls of the Saints are Married to the Lamb remaining in the mean time pure and chast Virgins Quest. 95. Doth it not clearly appear from chap. 18. v. 14 15. that the Army of the Lamb was to use no carnal Weapons For their Captain whom they followed Arrayed in white Garments and on white Horses will smite their Enemies with a Sword proceeding out of his Mouth And what are those white Horses which the Saints shall have Are they not pure Bodies Bodies of the first Resurrection above-cited CHAP. XXI QVest. 96. What is that Angel which Iohn saâ— coming down from Heaven having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his Hand who lay hold of the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand Years Is not this Angel Christ But whetheâ— he shall descend corporally in his Glorified Body or only Spiritually I leave to be farther determined Quest. 97. Do not the 1000 Years six times mention'd in this Chapter signifie 1â—00 Years properly so call'd And did not that Sabbath of Days and Yâ—ars made under the Law prâ—â—igure this Sabbath of the World to be in the seven thousandth year of it even as the six preceding thousand Years of the World were figur'd out or typified undâ—r the six work-Work-days And do not â—hese places of Scripture Psal. 90. v. 4. 2 Pet. 3. v. 8 râ—late unto the mystery of 1000 Years put for a day And have not the Prophets prophesied of many great and glorious things toucâ—ing this â—amous time or glâ—rious day of the Lord Also doth not that of Psal. 92. wâ—ere 't is treated of the Sabbath relate also unto that renowned timâ— Moreover is not that day the same whereof Esâ—ias prophesied saying The Light of oâ—e day shall be as the Light of seven Days and the Lord alone shall be exalted and magnified in that daâ— Bâ—sides also not only the more Learned among the Iâ—ws but many also of the Fathers among the Câ—ristians in the Primitive Agâ—s of the Church have declared and asserted their Faith and Hope concerning this Glorious Sabbath and Millennium to come wherein all tâ—e Saints being recalled from Deâ—th unto Liâ—e shall lead a most Bleâ—â—ed and also a most Holy Lâ—fe upon Earth in the firm Belief and Perswasion wherâ—oâ— tâ—ey rejoyced and triumphed in the greatest Suffâ—rinâ—s and Dangâ—rs of this mortal Liâ—e Quest. â—8 Shall not all the Saints that ever lived â—rom the beginning of the World whetheâ— they wâ—re killed for the Testimony of God oâ— died â— naturaâ— Death be raised up to live a Corporâ—al Life in the fuâ—ure Millennium And is not this Resurrection somâ— part of the Saints Reward both of smaâ—l and greâ—â— according to Rev. 11. v. 13. and Eâ—â—d 20. v. 2. Quest 9â— Shall not the Saints when they shall be raisâ—d to Life have Bodies of â—lesh not indeed suâ—h as Men now have but far more excellent such as was Adam's Body whilest he lived in the Earthly Paradise before the Fall and such also as was the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ before his Death which Bodies of the Saints shall at length in the end of the seventh Millennium be changed into Spiritual Bodies in which they shall ascend into Hâ—aven to meet the Lord And did not Paul touch upon that Mystery 1 Cor. 15. saying As we have born the Imagâ— of the Earthly Adam viz. as he was before the Falâ— we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly now glorified in the Heavens And did not the Prophets prophesie of such a Resurrection and especially Hosea and Daniel Dan. 12. v. 2. Hos. 6. v. 2. and finally doth not Paul 1 Cor. 15. plainly describe the sâ—ate of a two-fold Body the first indeed natural and then after the Expiration of the Millennium and the end of the Worlds Ages is come a Spiritual Body but that is not first which is Spiritual bâ—t that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual and is not that Reward one of the Promises of Christ in that Age when he shall come in the Glory â—f his Father Quest. 100. And as the Iews Sabbath began in the end or evening of â—he sixth day will not also this most blessed Sabbath oâ— the World begin in the end of the sixth Millennium to wit bâ—fore the sixth Milennium of the World is expired And seeing the whole time of this Worlds duration seems to be a Week consistâ—ng of 7000 Yeaâ—s thâ—re woulâ— be no Remâ—inder of Years afâ—er the end of the Millennium if this hâ—ppy Age of 1â—â—0 Years did not commence bâ—â—ore the 6â—00 Years were expired And that thâ—re is some Remaindâ—r of Years after the Millennium plainly appears â—rom the Revelations which Iohn calls a little Season Rev. 20 v. 3. Now whâ—ther or no that little Season may not contain 260 Years making that most happy Age of the World to begin about tâ—e year of the World 5740 and of Christ's Resurrection 1â—4â— I leave to be determined by â—ny onâ— to wâ—om God shall vouchsafe to open these things by a purer Chronology Quest. 101. How shall the Saints be raised up again to live a Corporeal Life on Earth seeing Matrimony and carnal Conjunction of Male and Female shall cease whether all
Ieziratick World and being thus devested they at length grew into this Grosness Death and Stupidity which they now suffer 50. And therefore our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ after he came into the Flesh in the likeness of sinful Flesh was to be câ—uâ—ified in Golgotha which is the place of Scuâ—â—â— or Sepulchres by which is typically signifâ—â—â— this Asiatick VVorld or VVorld of Fabricationâ— that so in this place of Death he â—â—gâ—â—â—vercome Death it self who is our Saviour and Prince of Life yea Life it self which that he might do by the Ordination of divine VVisdom he was to die in a Body of Flesh and then to rise again in the same Body in which he died that he might become the first Fruits of the Resurrâ—â—tion of the Dead and his Bâ—dy being Glorified and Immortalized might at length gloriâ—ie and immortalize the Bodies of Saints in which Bodies they shall live and reign with Châ—ist for ever in the Heavens 51. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld is to be again converted and reduced into the Superiour and excellent Ieziratick VVorld that all its parts may be re-united to these antient Souls whereunto in times past they belonged that so at length the Souls and Bodies may be purified in this VVorld from all dreggs of Sin and Death as in a refining Furnace of Affliction and Suffering and lastly eternally glorified in a indissolvable incorruptible union of both Body and Soul 52. And then indeed the natural and animal Body will be changed into a Spiritual Body which is far nobler yea all this gross and material VVorld where Death and Stupidity so wonderfully reigns will be rendred full of Life and Spirit 53. And yet this great and truly wonderful change and conversion of all even the vilest things of this Asiatick VVorld may not be suddenly and altogether but by parts and in various Successions of Ages according to the predestination of divine VViâ—dom 54. Therefore the Ages of VVorlds iâ— respect of human Intellect are truly infinite and innumerable and that not only in regard of things to come but in regard of things past 5â— Moreover this Asiatick VVorld hath had its existence â—or many more Ages than we Mortals are able to number 56. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld wherein we live must be distinguished into many and various VVorlds as a Whole is distinguished into its parts beyond the reach of Mortals understanding 57. But those particular Asiatick VVorlds are most commodiously distinguished in respect of the Years whereof they consist 58. Now every particular Asiatick World consists of seven Thousand Years which make up as it were one week consisting of seven days 59. For a thousand Years with the Lord are as one Day and one Day as a thousand Years as it is in the 90th Psalm and confirmed by the Apostle Peter in hls second Epistle ver 3. 60. And the seventh Millenium or seventh Thousandth Year of each VVeek of the World is the Sabbath of this VVorld 61. Therefore this World of ours consists of Seven Thousand Years whose seventh Millenium is the Sabbath or Sabbatism of this our present World as it is in Heb. 4. 62. And indeed that Sabbath of days which God commanded the Iews to observe was a Type or Figure of this Mystery the same also was that of the Sabbath of Years Months and VVeeks which in times past God likewise command the Iews to observe 63. Now whereas every fiftieth Year comprehending seven weeks of years was a year of Iubilee wherein every Captive was to be set at liberty and every one to return to his own Family House and Possesâ—â—on this certainly signifies fifty thousand years which contain seven weeks of Worlds therefore in the fifty thousand year or end of every seventh World many Souls are to be saved and reconciled to God by Christ which as yet could not obtain Salvation in the preceding weeks or VVorlds but suffered for their Impieties by the most just Judgmnet of God the execrable torments of Hell Fire 64. Others there are whosâ— Sins God doth pardon in this World for the sake of Christ such as are Sins of Ignorance and all others of which Men sincerely repent but there are some whose Sins are nâ—iâ—her forgiven in this World nor in that which is to come and yet are forgiven in some third World and lastly there are others which are not remittâ—d till the â—ourth and so on even to a seventh according to the most just Judgment oâ— God nay far beyond a seventh even to the seventy seventh thousand year the Remission of â—ome very notorious and wicked Sins seems to be deferred that â—s not less than eleven weeks and such a kind of a Sinner that wicked Lamech seemed to be who predicted of himself his to Wives that Vengeance should be taken on him seventy seven fold that is as it seems 77000 Years But on Cain who was not so wicked Vengeance was to be taken but seventy fold which is 7000 Years to wit the whole time of this World 64. Then if one day with the Lord be as a thousand years by the same reason one year i.e. 365 days will be as 365000 years which Period of 365000 years â—eems to be some vast Age comprehending about 52142 Worlds within which space of time whatsoever is of humane kind on Earth will doubtless be converted unto God Nevertheless the Asiatick VVorld doth not cease to be upon this account because the parts of the Asiatick World are continually multiplied by reason of the continual Multiplication of other VVorlds to wit the Ieziratick and Briatick whereof we have already made mention 66. Therefore they err extreamly and conceive too unworthily of God yea do not righâ—ly know nor consider the naâ—ure of him who think the punishments oâ— the damned are to be perpetrated to all Eternity without any end or termination For the very nature of God is Love it self according to the express words of the Apostle Iohn and finally because the nature of God is unchangeable therefore he did necessarily love all his Creatures and that constantly and unchangeably too nor could he absolutely hate any thing that ever he created and because love is of the nature of God himself and whatever he operates or doth in relation to his Creatures even when he most severely punishes them for their Sins proceeds all from Love therefore God loves his Creatures in the most miserable and wretched state and condition they can exist in and therefore cannot but benefit them and so at length bring them out of misery Therefore all the punishments which the most just and truly tremenduous Justice of God inflicts on Sinners are tâ—ue effects and real tokens of his divine Love towards them the most certain end and design of all which is the Redemption and Deliverance of those Sinners â—rom all their Sins and Punishments inflicted on them for Sin and their final Glorification and Restoration to Justice and Holinesâ— which is apparently confirmed by St. Iohn
this VVorld do not descend inâ—o â—ucceeding VVorlds to be born any more in a Body of Flesh but remain to all Eternity with God and Christ in the Heavens ascending continually unto greater Glory and Dignity but those who are not perâ—ected in tâ—is VVorld nor have attained the Gloriâ—iâ—â—tion of their Bodies do descend into â—â—cceeding VVoâ—lds to be boâ—â— in their oâ—der and turn in a Body of Flesh until they 〈◊〉 at laâ—t pâ—â—fected and have obtained the 〈◊〉 of their Bodies in the Heaâ—â—â—â— 80. And it is worth our consideration â—nd diligent enquiry whether or no from â—he proportion of the holy City compared into the whole Earth may not be Mystiâ—ally and as it were abstrusely represented â—o us how great a part of Mankind of this World shall be saved in this World First â—herefore let us see what is the measure of â—his holy City in its solid content Iohn in the Revelations saith this City was equal in length breadth and depth that it was â—2000 Stadia or Furlongs in length that â—s 1500 of our Miles for eight Furlongs make a Mile therefore the â—olid content of the City is â—â—â—5â—00000 Miles as in the Mâ—rgin But as for the Meaâ—ure of the Earth we will suppose 61 Miles for every degree which is one Mile above the vulgar Computation and then the Circumâ—erence will contain 21960 Miles but the Diametre will contain 6989 Miles â…™ whereof is 1164. To find the Superficial content multiply the Circumference by the Diametre that is 21960 by â—987 the whole Sum is 153434520 Miles lastly multiply the aforesaid number by 6987â— of the Diametre and the Product will be as in the Margin 178597781280 Miles the 〈◊〉 content of the Earth which if you divide by the solid content of the Holy City the Quotient will be 52 with the remaining Fraction as in the Margin Therefore after this rate the Holy City will be in proportion to the whole Earth as 1 to 52 and â…› thence will arise that great year of 365000 Years wherein all the Souls on this Earth are to be saved for if the 1 52 part of Mankind be saved in one World then in 52 Worlds or Weeks of Worlds that is 365000 Years all Mankind will be saved 81. 'T is likewise to be considered whether or no that slow Motion of the eighth Sphere as 't is commonly call'd doth not answer to the great year of Iubilee of 50000 Years that is seven Worlds or Weeks Ex. gr Let us suppose this â—ighth Sphere to finish its Revolution in 49000 Years one degree of the said Sphere will make 138 Years which doth not much differ from the vulgar Computation of Mathematicians 82. Therefore for the clear understanding of many Mysteries of true Philosophy we must have a true and exact Chronology or Computation of times from the beginning of this World to the end thereof 83. The true Chronology from the beginning of the World to the end of it is to be â—ound in and deduced from the Scriptures for to what purpose are parts of Chronology exhibited to Men in Scripture with such care industry and diligence of Writers unless all the parts of it were exhibited also for if the Scripture fails in any part of Chronology it fails in all and if it fails in all 't is vain and unprofitable to exhibite any part which is absurd and therefore all parts of Chronology are to be had in the Scripture otherwise the Scripture were certainly very imperfect but the Scripture is perfect giving a perfect Testimony not only of â—ll the Doctrines of true Religion but â—lso of all the parts of true Chronology without which the Doctrine of true Religion is maimed and imperfect 84. Now the true Chronology of the World as it is in Scripture contains from the Worlds Creation to the â—ruciâ—iction of our Saviour Christ 3996½ Years From the Crucifixion of Christ to the eâ—d of the World 3003½ Years which in intire Years from the beginniâ—g of the World to the end thereof is 7000 Yeâ—rs 85. And that our Saviour Christ was to be Crucified and raised from Death to Life in the end of the fourth Millenium from the World's Creation may be clearly evinced for divers reasons 1. The Analogy of the six days of the Worlds Fabrication or construction of the 6000â— Years of this World for the first day by a wonderful Analogy agrees with the first Millenium the second with the second the third wiâ—h the third the fourth with the fourth the fiâ—th with the fifth the sixth with the sixth and lasâ—ly the seventh with the seventh Millenium which also is the Sabbaâ—h of this World that the Sun Moon and Stars were placed in the Firmament on the fourth day This most excellently and clearly points out that Christ the Son of Justice should come in the fourth Millenium and â—scend into the Heavens to enlighten all Men. Lastly by the Moon and Stars the Church with the Apostles and Evangelists 〈◊〉 clearly demonstrated 2. The entrance of the High Priest in the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holiest of all once a year to expiate the Sins of all the People in the end of the â—eventh Month apparently signifies that Christ by vertue of his Blood should enâ—â—r into Heaven it self in the end of the â—ourâ—h Millenium of the World which exâ—ctly agrees to the end of the seventh Month to wit the 22th day of the seventh Month which was the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles for by the Rule of Three as 7000 Years is to 3996 so is â—65 days to 208 days and in 208 days are contained the days of six Months from the Vernal Aequinox to the 22th day of the seventh Month that is 187 and 21 which together make up 208 3. This is confirmed by the division of time from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ delivered in the second Book of Esdras ch 14. And this Division is made into twelve parts where of ten and an half were elapsed when the Angel delivered those things to the Prophet Esdras which Division also Christ made into twelve hours and called the time of his Incarnation the twelfth Hour saying to the Iews Are there not twelve Hours in the day Work whilst you have the day c. clearly hinting that that very time was the twelfth Hour from the Worlds Creation Now how many Years one hour of the Day or Night doth consist of may be positively concluded from that mysterious Psalm the 90th ver the 4th A thousand Years are in thy sight but as yesterday and as a Watch in the Night but a Watch of the Night contains three Hours Therefore if a thousand Years be as a Watch of the Night or three hours one hour will be the third part of a thousand Years that is 333 â— Years and Christ arose from the Dead in the end of the twelfth hour which answers to 3996 Years from the beginning of the Worldâ— for 333 multiplied by 12
King 11. Athalia reigned 6 Years 2 King 12. Ioas reigned 40 Years 2 King 14. Amazias reigned 29 Years 2 King 15. Azarias reigned 52 Years 2 King 15. Ioathan reigned 16 Years 2 King 16. Achaz reigned 16 Years 2 King 18. Ezechias reigned 29 Years 2 King 21. Manasses reigned 55 Years 2 King 21. Amon reigned 2 Years 2 King 22. Iosias reigned 31 Years 2 King 23. Ioathas reigned 00 Years 2 King 23. Ioachâ—m â—eigned 11 Years 2 Kin. 24. Zehojaâ—hin reigned 3 Mon. Years 418 Note also that the Captivity must be reckoned 70 Years from Zehojathin but not from Zedekia as appears from the Epistle of Ierâ—miah ch 29.10 But if according to others the Captivity of 70 Years be computed from the third year of the Reign of Ioachim according to that of Dan. 1â—1 the fifth Period from the foundation of the Temple unto the Babylonian Captivity will contain only 410 and therefore that the number of Years from the Creation of the World to the Captivity may be 3440 there must be 37 Years added to Cainan in the second Period So that 't is all one whether the Captivity be reckon'd from the third Year of Ioachims Reign or after the eleventh Lastly 't is to be observ'd that the truth of this Period is proved from the Fourth Chapter of Ezekiel â— for those 390 Days signifie 390 Years from the time Ieroboam erected the Golden Calf to the Destruction oâ— Ierusalem therefore 36 Years of Solomon's Reign are deducted and two of Rehoboam's Reign To which 10 Years of Zedekia`s Reign unto the Destruction of Ierusalem being added the whole amounts to the number of Years 390 Lastly the sixth Period of 556 years and an half is proved for the Captivity lasted 70 Years and from the end of 70 years viz. of Daniel's Weeks 3 years and an half being deducted there are to be accounted 486½ Years when Cyrus publish'd an Edict for the rebuilding of the Temple 556½ Observe how exceedingly they wander from the Truth who contend that the 70 Weeks of Daniel are not to be reckon'd from the Edict of Cyrus and suppose the beginning of the said Weeks to be long since Cyrus`s Time forsaking the Truth of Scripture and giving credit to heathenish Historians and so indeed they abandon the Holy Scripture as tho` it were a maim'd and imperfect thing which true Christians and such as are studious of the Scripture should not do Admit it be according to them who follow the Historical falshood of the Heathens that Daniel's 70 Weeks were long sinceâ— Cyrus that is as they will have it 70 Years after the end of the Captivity to wit by their computation in the second Year of Darius Longimanus after this rate there will be 560 Years from the end of the Babylonian Captivity to the Death of Christ but this doth in a wonderful manner contradict Esdras in that he saith ten parts and ½ of the World are elapsed from the Creation to the Death and Resurrection of Christ. For suppose that there were 560 Years 1 21 and ½ of 1 12 from Adam to the Death of Christ all the twelve parts taken together would make up 4480 Years which far exceeds the years feigned by the followers of the Heathenish History 89. Now from the foremention'd Chronology the years from the beginning of the World to the Babylonian Captivity are 3440 as it is inserted in the Margin to which if 2300 be added those Years which the Angel spoke of to Daniel Dan. 8.14 propheâ—ically signified by Days make up the number of 5740 Years which being compleaâ—ed the Sanctuary shall be purged that is that happy Millenium of the Sabbath shall begin and then adding to it the aforesaid Millenium and 260 Years more thereof comes the sum of 7000 Years which makes up the intire age of the whole World from the Creation of Adam to the End Now the said 260 Years is that little time mentioned by Iohn in the Revelations Chap. 20. which commences after the expiration of the Millenium and therefore that Sabbatick Millenium begins 260 Years before the end of the Sixth Millenium of the World 90. And â—o indeed the whole age or time of the Sabbatick Happiness comprehends 1260 Years even as much as the Kingdom of Babylon and Antichrist contained that the Day of Christ`s glorious Reign upon Earth may be equal to the Reign of Antichrist in his base and filthy Kingdom of Darkness And either Period contains three years and an half that is seven years taken together which answers to the seven last years that Iacob served Laban 91. And indeed that whole time that Iacob served Laban making about twenty years elegantly divides the whole age of the World into its distinct Pâ—riods by a marvellous Analogy for as 360 makes up one mystical and prophetical Year so 7â—00 makes up 19 Yâ—ars 5 Months and 10 Days that is in a manner 20 Years but such is the Analogy The first seven years of Iacob`s Service extend from the beginning of the World to Israel's departure out of Aegypt now the Time of Iacob`s Marriage with Leah signifies that time wherein the Lord engaged the Childrâ—n of Israel to himself by the outward Law and the â—our Sons of his Wife Leah Ruben Simeon Levi Iuda extend from the Law to Christ's Incarnation who was to spring out of Iuda Lastly the Children of the Concubines signifie the Gentiles who were to believe in Christ in the days of the Apostles even almost until the end of the Babylonian Apostacy And Rachel's Barrenness signifies the Iewish Church which during all that long space was as it were barrenâ— in the Christian Faith which Rachel was afâ—erwards to bring forth Ioseph whose time certainly reaches to the Sabbatick Millenium but the Birth oâ— Bâ—njamin being last of all apparently signifies the Apostle Paul who was of the Tribe of Benâ—amin with other Saints who were last oâ— all to come into the World to wit about the year of the World 6000 and shou`d remain in the World even till the coming of Christ from Heaven And â—inally the death of Rachel and the departure of Iacâ—b and his Sons out of Padan Aram into his own Countâ—y signifies the end of the World and the ascension of the Saints from Earth into the Heavenly Country in glorified Bodies all this is confirmed from Gen. 49. from vers 1. to the 28. 92. But that little time aforesaid of 260 years in which begins the Sabbatick Millenium within the sixth Millenium of the World to wit at the year 5740. was prefigur'd under the Law by the Sabbath which began in the Evening of the sixth Day wherefore those 260 years are as it were in the evening of the sixth day that is the sixth Millenium of the World 93. Moreover it is clearly demonstrated â—rom the Words of Osea when that most blessed and truly Golden Age of the Sabbatick Millenium shall begin Os. Ch. 6. v. 2. after two days
time of Christ's Incarnation and many more beâ—ween the Murther of Abel and that time therefore those very Iews had divers times lived in the World before that time yea Cain who killed Abel lived at that time Now That the Fathers of those Iews did kill the Prophets is true for all the Prophets which were killed were either killed by the Fathers of those Iews but in the space of four Generations or by those very Iews themselves 24. Fourthly 'T is proved in that Christ affirms that those very Iews to whom he spoke whilst in the Flesh had killed the Prophets O! Ierusalem Ierusalem said he that killest the Prophets and stonest them that were sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thee but thou would'st not 25. Fifthly it is proved in that St. Paul 1 Thess. 2.15 affirms that the same Iews killed Christ and the Prophets 26. Sixthly In that Christ in his Parable afâ—irms those Husband-men to have ill treatâ—d the Servants of the Lord and at last killed the Son himself 27. Seventhly from Christ's Parable of Laâ—ourers hired and sent into the Field some in the Morning others at the third Hour others at the sixth Hour others at the ninth Hour others were called at the eleventh Hour but they who were called at the eleventh Hoâ—r stood all the Hours of the day idle in the Markeâ— By those Labourers who were called in the eleventh Hour the Gentiles are to be understood who were called into the Church of Christ by the Minstery of the Apostles after Christ's Resurrection By those who were called in the Morning and at other Hours of the day the Iews are understood the Morning is the beginning of the Woâ—ld â—nd therefore certain Iews who lived in the Apostles days liv'd from the beginning of the World and laboured twelve Houâ—s in the Field some laboured nine others six three c. And when the Evening came thâ—y all received a Peny the Gentiles were made equal with the Iews the Iews muâ—murâ—d but without reason for the Genâ—iâ—es â—hâ—t believed in Christ and laboured in the Field had done as much and some of them more in the last hour than the Iews had done in the whole day for they had done but little before Christ's Incarnation and Passion and many of them did not labour without grudging therefore Christ said of them Many are callâ—d but few are chosâ—n 28. â—ighthly 'T is proved from the Words of Pâ—ter 1. Epist. Chap. 3. v. 18.19 For the same Souls or the same Men who lived before and perished in the Flood liv'd also in Bodies of Flesh upon the Earth when Châ—ist â—uâ—fer'd Death in the Flesh who being mortified in the Flesh was quicken'd in the Spirit and poured out upon Men a more abundant Life of Grace after he arose from the Dead and then indeed by the ministery of his Life and Grace he preached to those Souls who from the beginning of the World were detain'd in Prison and in Chains of Darkness under the Power of Satan which Souls notwithstanding werâ— restor'd to Life in a Body of Flesh to hear the Gospel Prâ—ached For the Gospel is not preach'd to Souls that live out of the Flesh but to such as live on Earth in Bodies of Flesh Iohn 1.9 Iohn 3.11.17.59 Luke 2.14 29. 9 ly 'T is proved from the Words of Peter where he affirms in his 1 Epistle Chap. 4. vers 6. that the Gospel was preached to the Dead That they might be judged as Men in the Flesh and therefore they who in time past were dead lived again in the Flesh that they might live to God in the Spirit 30. 10 ly 'T is prov'd in that Christ preached that the Hour should come and was already come in which the Dead should hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Whereby the Dead he means not only the Spiritually Dead but such as are naturally Dead also who were to live again in the days of Christ that they might hear the Gospel and in hearing might believe and in believing might have eternal Life 31. Proof 11. St. Paul in his Epistle to Romans â— 25 affirms that Redemption is made in Christ Jesus to the remission of Sins past in the patience and long suffering of God Now the aforementâ—oned Sins are all the Sins committed by all Men from the beginning of the World 32. Proof 12. Christ is said to have reconciled us to God by his Death even when we were enemies to him and to have born our Sins in his Body on the Cross which he could not have done if we had not lived some time before the Death of Christ. 33. Prof 13. Christ dyed for all Men as well for those that had been dead from the beginning of the World as for those who were then alive and therefore the Efficacy of his Sacrifice extends unto all that have ever lived from the beginning of the World that they might repent and obtain forgiveness of their Sins If they would but believe in Christ and obey his Commandments for the time to come And how absurd is that opinion that Christ should suffer Death for all that dyed since the beginning of the World and yet that the greatest part of them should be wholly ignorant of so great Grace and Favour neither should ever taste of the Fruits of the said Grace after the Death of Christ 34. Proof 14. Christ hath affirmed that all Sins should be forgiven excâ—pt the Sin against the Holy Ghost but there were no Sins committed against the Holy Ghost before the Death of Christ. 35. Proof 15. Paul said God winked at Men in the times of ignorance but then he called all to Repentance Therefore he called those also to repent whom he hath formerly winked at ever since the beginning of the World 36. Because otherwise the Patience and long Suffering of God cou'd not be explained for God forbore with much long Suffering the vessels of Wrath c. And the great long Suffering of God allowed much time for Repentance because in the sight of the Lord a thousand years are but as one day 37. Proof 17. Peter in his second Epistle Chap. 3 said God did not come on purpose to execute his tremenduous judgments in the conflagration of the World because he is long suffering and wills all to come to Repentance and therefore the long Suffering of God bears with Men almost two thousand years after the death of Christ before the beginning of the Millenium anâ— three thousand years before the last Judgment and Conflagration of the Woâ—ld which three thousand years are with the Lord but as three days Now to what purpose did God grant Men so long a time But that such as had not lived a thouâ—and years from the beginning of the World might have the same time to live in a Body of Flesh before the end of the World that they might at last repent and in case they did not repent should be justly punished
preceding Lives but then they shall never hunger nor thirst any more neither shall the Sun or the heat thereof touch them for the Lamb who is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and lead them to Fountains of Living Water and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes And doth not this State belong to that place in the Revelations ch 21 and 22 And are not both States the same both that which is here and that which is there described which will be the State of such as have attained to the Resurrection before described Quest. 40. Wherefore is that number oâ— 148000 which is the 12000 of every Tribe of Israel distinguished from that great mulâ—titude as well of Iews as of other Nations who shall hereafter obtain the same kind of Reward Is it because those 14400â— Rev. 14.4 are the â—â—rst Fruits who will have the chiefest place in the first Resurrection of the Dead and after the first Fruits will follow a great Multitude of God's Elect of all Nations every one in his order as it shall please God to ordain it according to the determination of his infinite Wisdom for doth not Paul say positively That every one shall be raised in his own order and therefore all are not to be raised up or recall'd unto life at once even as Men now do not come into the World all at once but in a successive order one after another according to their proper Generations best of all known to God Quest. 41. Will not all the Saints of God or first Fruits Prophesyed of and all others that follow aferwards attain this first Resurrection from the Dead within the sixth Interval viz. from the Year after Christ's Resurrection 1666 to the Year 2000 And so all live compleatly 1000 Years after their first Resurrection before the end of the World the whole Age of the World containing 7000 years Whereas if any of them should be raised before the sixth Interval the end of the World would come before that Age oâ— a 10â—0 years which they were to live which is contrary to the Scriptures And was not this Mystery prefigured by the Sabbath under the Law which began in the evening or in the latter part of the sixth day and which was also shadowed out by the Manna which was to be gathered on the sixth day but on the seventh day it was unlawful to gather any Manna Quest. 42 Who are those four Angels whom Iohn saw standing on the four corners of the Earth to whom power was given to hurt the Earth and the Sea which yet they could not do 'till that number 144000 was sealed Are they not Angels in a proper sence to whom power is given from God to execute his most Holy and Righteous Judgments on the Earth And may not those corners of the Earth peradventure signifie four parts of the World Ex. gr Asia Europe Africa and America whereof each may have his Angel And what are those four Winds or Spirits which the four Angels aforesaid withheld What are the Winds or Spirits by which Restriction the Earth was to be hurt Whether or no by these four Winds or Spirits good Angels may not be meant and by the 4 first evil Angels And thus doth it not appear that different parts of the World have their proper Aâ—gels as well good as evil attending them one contending against another The good to benefit Men the evil to injure them even as Men have lived either well or ill And are not these good or bad Angels sent and appointed as Guardians and Governours over them CHAP. VIII QUest 43. What is to be understood by that half Hours The half Hours silence Silence and by those seven Trumpets which the seven Angels sounded successively at the opening of the seventh Seal Moreover whether or no the seventh Seal might not begin at Christ's Resurrection for otherwise would not the seven Woes and Pâ—agues of the Trumpets happen in that most blessed Age the Sabbath of the World which is very absurd and contrary to the words of Scripture in the Revelations when as The seventh Trumpet the seventh Trumpet will bring us unto the 1000 years Reign of the Saints as is very evident from Revel chap. 11. v. 1 16 17 18 19. And will not every Trumpet have an equal and distinct Interval of time Which seven Intervals of the Trumpets and half hours silence added together do they not make up 2000 years from the Resurrection of Christ Now if it appears from the best computed Chronology that the seventh Trumpet commences at the year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 and reaches to the year 2000 after his Resurrection so as to contain the space of 260 Years and will not every one of the seven Trumpets contain the same space fo years viz 26â— and so the whole time of the Trumpets will contain 1820 years which substracted from 2000 the remainder will be 180 the number of years that ought to make up the half hours silence And it was upon a good reason that Iohn said that space of silence was as it were half an hour for he did not term it a precise or just half hour for a precise or jâ—st mystical half hour is 166â…” because an intire mystical hour is 333â…“ But this term of Year exceeds that precise half hour by 14 common Years which are of small moment viz. about two Minutes and a little more Quest. 44. Do not the Effects or Historical Events compleatly concur with the aforesaid Intervals of the Semihorary silence and the 7 Trumpet for if to that time of silence which lasted as it were half an hour we add 1â—0 Years from Chriâ—â—'s Resurrection which from his Nativity makes 214 may not all that time be call'd a time oâ— silence as to the inward State of the Church tho' she did suffer some Persecution outwardly for within that time did not the Angel offer much Incense with the Prayers of Saints as Iohn declared notwithstanding the hard Debates that arose about the year 198 between certain Bishops about the time of celebrating the Passeover for that was in a manner little or nothing in comparison of those great Calamities which afterwards invaded the very Heart of the Church And within the space of 200 Years after the Birth of Christ there was a time of great inward Peace and Tranquility among true Christians even when they were outwardly pressed with grievous Persecution and in those days there was a signal Zeal of Piety and Devotion and their Prayers flowed from the Hearâ— assisted by the Holy Ghost witness Terâ—ulliâ—n who lived at that time Therefore those dead and empty Forms of Pâ—ayer drawn from Books and appointed to be readâ— was not as yet known to the Church Quest. 45. What may we underâ—â—and by the Hail †What the Hail was and Fire mixt with Blood and sent uâ—on the Earth at the sound of the first Trumpet Doth not the Fire
we live comprehending within it all visible things from the remoâ—est Stars even to the Earths profundity which is therefore called the Woâ—ld of Fabrication because Death and Stupidity so pâ—evails in the most parts of it that all things in this World seem rather to move in a manner Mechanically than from a vital principle which nevertheless is to be understood in comparison to the superiour Worlds where indeed the vital principle is far more predominant than in this inferiour World nor is this inferiour World in any even the most stupid part of it wholly and in every degree deprived of Life 40. Nothing thâ—reâ—ore which belongs to this viâ—ible World is immediately created â—or this viâ—ible World is not properly a created World but made and composed of pre-existent principles which pre-existent principles belong to the World of Formation and the World of Formation owes its original to the Pre-existent principles of the World of Creation the World of Creation only is properly and strictly created and its production is properly called Creation for this doth not exist from any Pre-existent principles or from a Subject or parts making a whole but has only God the Father and Châ—ist his only begotten Son for its Author and Original 41. Therefore Men born into this World to speak properly are not immediately created neither in respect of Soul nor Body the external or oâ—â—ward Body with the Life thereof is that which belongs to this World of Fabricaâ—â—on but the Soul which is called Neshama pertains to the World of Creation Lastly the Spirit pertains to the World of Formation which possesseth the middle place between the Soul and outward Body and this Spirit by the Hebrews is called Ruâ—ch but the Life and Spirits of the external Body are termed by the same Nepâ—esh therâ— are therefore three vital principles in every Man Neshaâ—a Ruach and Nepâ—esh Neshama of the World of Creation Ruach of the World of Formation and Nâ—phesh of the World of Fabrication moreover Nephesh is the Cloathing or Vehicle of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ruach and Ruach is the Vehicle and Garment of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neshama 42. First of all therefore Men are created in the World of Creation secondly formed in the World of Formation where they assume their Cloathing or Vehicle which is called Ruach and this Ruach is a certain Subtile and Spiritual Body of which sort are the Bodies of Angels and just â—en made perfect thirdly they are made or fabricated in the World of Fabrication and all this is expresly confirmed by Testimony of the Scripture it self Isai. 43.7 Every one that is called in my Name have I created formed and made and consequently according to these words of Scripture the Hebrews call the World of Creation Briah the World of Formation Iezirah and the World of Fabrication Asiah which three Hebrew words are expresly to be met with in the place of Scripture above cited 43. Moreover besides this World Briah higher than which our Original doth not reach if we have respect to the parts composing humane Nature there is understood another World more noble and in the Order of Nature more antient than the rest immediately â—lowing from the Author God himself called in Hebrew Aziluth which signifies the nearest to the most high and supreme God himself and this cannot agree to any other than Christ the Saviour and Mediator bâ—tween God and Men. 44. Therefore those Hebrew Doctors do rightly and truly teach and that altogether according to Scripture Testimony that those four Worlds above-mentioned do exist to wit the Aziluthick which is of Christ the Briatick which is of Souls the Ieziratick which is of Angels not yet consummated and the Asiatick which is of Men cloathed with an external Body But as the Aâ—ziluthick as it is the noblest of all so it is the greatest and but only one altho' the Hebrews distinguish it into ten Emanations the distinction of which Emanation nevertheless is only modal and not essential But the Briatick Ieziriatick and Asiatick Worlds â—s to their number and multitude in respect of us are infinite and innumerable because as I have said before God is continually a Creator for the Attribute of a Creator is essential to him and therefore he doth â—nd will continually create new Worlds to all Eternity And lastly from these new created Worlds other new Ieziratick and Asiatick Worlds arise and therefore 't was truly said of Solomon we cannot search out the beginning nor the end of God's works as true also was that saying in another passage The mighty Works of God are past finding out 45. Now the Ieziratick World from whence as from its root the Asiatick World proceeded penetrates and pervades the whole Asiatick World in every part with its vital and essential Rays also the Briatick World by the difusion of its vital and essential Rays penetrates the whole Ieziratick and Asiatick World and lastly the Azilutick World not only penetrates and pervades the three inferiour Worlds by the transfusion of its essential and vital Rays but also most intrinsecally comprehends and embraces it in its Bosom as a Mother doth her Oâ—f-spring and so indeed all these four Worlds are intrinsically present one with another yet so that the â—hird is more subtile and Spiritual than the â—ourth the second than the third and the â—irst than the second and consequently more penetrative and perâ—usive 46. From what has been said it evidently appears that humane Souls did pre-exist before they came into these gross and Earthly Bodies for nothing which is properly created is of this visible Woâ—ld but the Soul is properly createdâ— therefore the Soul had not its original or first exisâ—ence in this visible World but it first existed in the World of Creation then descended from the World of Creation into the World of Formation and lastly from the World of Formation into this World of Fabrication 47. But as for this Asiatick World this hath its rise and Original from the Ieziratick World by reason of some great falls of the Souls contained therein for transgressing the Law of God And if these Souls had nevâ—r fell this Asiatick VVorld which is the VVorld of Fabrication had never existed 48. Nevertheless the Souls of the Ieziratick VVorld are not changed into the parts of the Asiatick VVorld that is to say into the Dust of the Earth Stones Plants and Trees for such a change of Souls is plainly impossible but the Bodies of those Souls distinct â—rom the Souls themselves and by the Sins of those Souls separated from them as by a certain kind of Death were subjected to such a change or conversion into the parts of the Asiatick VVorld 49. Thereâ—ore this Asiatick VVorld is truly call'd Golgotha or the place of Sculls and â—â—pâ—lchres to wit because it is nothing else in a manner but a certain mass and heap of Carcasses and dead Bodies which those Souls have put off by reason of their Sins in the
in the Revelations ch 5. v. 13. who saith that he saw in his prophetical Vision every Creature in Heavâ—n and Earth and under the Earth c. praising God saying Blessing Honour and Glory and Power to â—im that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever the same also the Apostle Paul openly enough declares Eph. 1.10 Phil. 2.10 Colos. 1.20 67. Now forasmuch as whâ—n any human Judge punishes a delinquent he ought to love him and direct his punishments to this end that the punished Oâ—fender may be benefitted and bettered thereby how much rather will God love those he punishes and iâ—flict such punishmâ—nts on every Offender by which at length in their due and appointed timesâ— according to the transcendant VVisdom of God every Sinner may return from a state of Sin and Misery unto a stâ—te of Righteousness and everlasting Happiness 68. Nor doth that hinder which is vulgaâ—ly objected that every Sin deserves an exceeding great and everlasting punishment because it is against God who is infinite Goodness for because God is infinite Goodneâ—s therefore God's VVill to forgive Sins is as necessary as his VVill to punish it Again this clearly appears â—s well from Scripture as from maniâ—old experience and obseâ—vation that God does not punish the smallest and greatest Sins in the same degree but is wont to punish the lesser Sins witâ— lighter and the greater with the more grievous and heavy Judgments therefore that consequence drawn from the infiniteness and greatness of the Object is weakâ—nd invali'd for otherwise a Sinâ—er would be punished for the lightest and smallest transgression with the highest and infinite punishment 69. Because therefore there are degrees of punishments according to the degrees of Sins and no Sin is in its own nature infinite therefore all the punishments of the damned as well of fallen Angels as of Menâ— will have an end after long Tracts of time according to God's Appointment â—0 The longer any one hath been a Sinner the longer will God punish him for his Sins 71. The diversiâ—y of punishments is manifestly apparent from the words of Christ some Sinners says he are worthy to bâ— punished by the Council some are worthy of thâ— Judgment others of Hell Fire And then again some Sins are remitted in this VVorld others neither in this VVorld nor that which is to come which neverthelâ—â—s may be forgiven in some third or fourthâ— c. These words of Châ—ist also ought to be wâ—ll conâ—â—â—ered that those that were cast into Prison should not depart thence till they had paid the last Faâ—thingâ— lastly where he says it shall be more tollerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of Judgment than for that unbelieving Generation of the Iews Moreover such as are to be saved in the end of this World and such as are not to be saved till the end of the next that is till thâ— Expiration of fourteen thousand Years seem to be faiâ—ly tho' Aenigmatically describ'd Exod. 12. For the Woman that brought forth a Male Child was unclean seven days and on the eighth day the Male was Circumcised â—or this eighth day plainly signiâ—ies the â—lorification of the mortal Bodies at the Expiration of 7000 Years that is in the beginning of the eighth Millenium But if she brought forth a Female Child she was unclean 14 days by the Male our spiritual Generation by Christ seems to be signified by but tâ—e Female Man's own Rigâ—teousness For those who are only Righteous by tâ—eir own Righteousness cannot be saved in this World but are committed to the next that denying their owâ— Righteousness thâ—y mâ—y be regenerateâ— in Christ and thus having put on the tâ—â—e Righteousness oâ— Christ in a sâ—iâ—iâ—tual Regeneâ—aâ—ion finally obtained 〈◊〉 Salvation 72. But the words for ever and for ever and ever when they have a relation to the punishments of the damned are not to be understood at farâ—hest than of certain Ages 73. But when they have relation to God and the blessed Life of Saints then indeed oâ—ght to signifie never ceasing and inâ—inite Ages for to punish for inâ—inite Ages is against the nature of God who is infinite Love and to do good for infinite Ages is most agreeable to the divine Nature 74. The plurality of Worlds succeeding one another â—â—ems to be evinâ—ed by the â—2 â—ilgrimages of the Children of Israel in the Wildeâ—ness till they came at last to Gilgal where by the command of Ioshua they were Girâ—nmâ—ised now Gâ—lgal seems a Wheel or Revolutionâ— And because all things happen'd to them in the Type and Figure as St. Paul had aâ—â—irmed those â—2 peregrinations seem to signifie six Worlds that is 42000 Years whâ—ch bâ—ing expired all of them will â—inally obtain the Glorification of their Souls and Bodies in the Heavensâ— What can their coming to the twelve Fountains of Water and seventy Branches of Palm Trees in theâ—r Pilgrimage signifie unless it be this that in the fifth Millenium of this World the most benign and gracious God would send them the 12 Apostles and seventy Disciples for them to hear and this place of Pilgrimage was called Elim 75. Moreover this Succession of Worlds is clearly proved from what we read in Scripture of a thousand yea of thousands of Generations and yet from the beginning of this VVorld to the end thereof consisting of 7000 Years there cannot be rekoned 400 â—enerations 76. Therefore after the end of this VVorld another VVorld will be prepared wherein the Multiplication and Propagation of Mankind will proceedâ— and be carried on as in this present VVorld and therefore also before this VVorld there did another VVorld heretofore exist in which the Propagation of Mankind was made by successive Generations But the number of all the preceeding and succeeding VVorlds is not only undeterminable by any Mortal but by any creature 77. Bâ—t as out of the conâ—â—agration of this VVorld another VVorld will arise which will be produced as it were out of the Ashes of this present VVorld â—o out of the Ashes of the past VVorld aâ—ter the burning and conflagration of it is this VVorld framed and brought forth aâ— it were de novo or a new and so indeed the Generation and Fabrication of one follows the destruction and dissolution of another in a continual order 78. But as to what pertains to the Creation of this VVorld described by Moses in Genâ—sis this certainly is not Creation in a strict Sense but Construction Fabrication or Faction which is made of Pre-existent matter therefore they err extreamly who think this VVorld was made of nothing and that too in the spâ—ce of six days for God the great Contriver and Artificer did not make or frame it out of nothing but out of the matter of the preceding VVorld which Fabrication or Structure of this World in the space of six days may be well enough understood in a Litteral Sense 79. They who have attained to the Glorification of their Bodies in the end of
gives the number 3996. And certainly no other Division can agree with the time of Esdras but this Division doth very well agree with it when the Angel revealed those things unto him for ten parts and an half make 3496 the time of the Angels discovery viz. 500 Years before the Death of Christ and 56 Years after the Caâ—tivity And therâ—fore that place in the second Book of Esdras ch 7. v. 28 29. concerning 400 Years from that time to the Death of Christ ought to be read 500. For without all peradventure by the mistake and inadvertency of Writers 400 was put for 500. 4. And lastly the self-same thing is very elegantly demonstrated from the Age of Abraham and the Age of the World for Abraham whom St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans calls the Father of all Men mystically represents the whole World And therefore by Abraham's Son Isaac whom he had born to him in his old age our Saviour Christ is signified who took upon him the Seed of Abraham who should come into the World be Crucified and arise from the Dead in the old Age of the World and for the clear demonstration of the said Analogy let the numbers be disposed in their due order afâ—er this manner as 175 Abraham's whole age is â—o 1â—0 when Isaac was born so is 7000 to 4000 which numbers stand in a true and accurate Analogy as will appear to any one that will but examine it by the Rule of Three But the Nativity of Christ mystically â—ypiâ—ied under Isaac rather answeâ—s to his Resurrection from the Dead than to the time that he was born of the Virgin Mary in the Flesh for â—â—ul applys the Resurrection of Christ to the words of the second Psalm Thou art my Son this day â—ave I begotten thee and Christ is called by the Apostle Paul the first Begotten in respect of his Reâ—urrection from the Dead Acts 13.33 86. Also the afoâ—esaid Analogy evidently demonstrates to us the number of Yâ—ars from the beginning of the Captivity uâ—to the Resurrection of Christ â—or the Naâ—ivity of Ishmael answers to the beginning oâ—â—he Captiviâ—y for when Isaac was born Ishmael was compleatly four Years old born in the 86th year of Abraham's Age therefore we may say by the Rule of Three as 175 is to 86 so is 7000 to a fourth proportional 3440 and then indeed was Ishmael mystically born to wit from the beginning of the Captivity And this Ishmael mystically â—ignifies the Iâ—ws themselves who mocked and persâ—cuâ—ed Christ as Ishmael in times past â—ersecuted Isaac Now Ismael persecuted Isaac when he was â—oâ—rteen Years old and therefore was with his Mother cast out of Abraham's House under the old Law which exactly answers the time wherein the Iews persecuted Christ hung him on a Cross and mocked him wherefore they were together with their Mother to wit the Law or old Testament cast out of the House of God that is 14 Years being elapsed which is 560 Years from the beginning of the Captivity for as 1â—0 Years do analogically signifie 4000 Years so do 1â— Years also signifie 560 Years which are 70 Years of Captivity and the 7â— Weeks of Dâ—niel to wit 490 Years And here indeed 560 make up those 14 Generations from the Babylonian Captivity to the Resurrection of Christ for these 14 Generations agree with the 14 Years of Ishmâ—el when he derided and scoffed at the true Heirâ— and yet in Sâ— Matthew's Genealogy of Christ there are but 1â— Generations from the Captivity to the Birth of Christ therefore the fourteenth Generation is to be computed from the Birth of Christ to his Resurrection And agreeable to this Analogy the whole time of the giving the Law to the time of the Captivity is described by the Age of Hagar the Mother of Ishmael and whereas the Law was deliver'd to the Israelites about 900 Y. before the Babylonian Captivity all that time of 900 Y. signifies the Age of Hagar when Ishmael was born which according to the aforesaid Analogy is 22½ Y. for as 14 Years answers to 560 so 2â—½ answers to 900. Therefore the Damsel Hagar brought forth Ishmael when she was 22½ Yâ— old that is the Law being 900 Ye old brought forth Ishmaelitish Iews which because of their Ishmaelitish Natures were delivered into Captivity who about 560 Ye afterwards persecuted Christ unto death even the Death of the Cross but because Christ suffered Death in the middle of the last week therefore 3½ Years are to be deducted out of the number 560 and therefore there remains 556½ Years to wit the true time from the beginning of the Captivity to the Death and Resurrection of Christ and from the beginning of the World 3996½ Years 87. Now it â—emains that we deliver a particular Chronology of every Period from the Scriptures And we shall find six Periods from the Creation of Adam to the Resurrection of Christ namely Years From Adam to the Flood 1656 From thencâ— to the Birth of Abraham 381 From thence to the Israelites departure out of Egypt 505 From thence to the Building of the Temple 480 From thence to the Babylonian Captivity 418 From thence to the Death and Resurrection of Christ 556½ 3996½ 88. The truth of these Periods is demonstrable by parts The first Period consists â—f 1656 Yeâ—rs from Gen. the 5. which computation is not disputed by Chronologers The second Period of â—ears 381 is proved from Genesis the 11. Sem begat Arphaxad after the Flood 2 Years Arphaxad begat Cainan 35 Years Cainan begat Sala 29 Years Sala begat Heber 30 Years Heber begat Peleg 34 Years Peleg begat Reu 30 Years Reu begat Sarug 32 Years Sarug begat Nahor 30 Years Nahor begat Terah 29 Years Terah begat Abraham 13â— Years 3â—â— Note That by negleâ—◠〈…〉 Cainan is omitted in the â—ebrew â—â—xt who notwithstanding is mention'd in Luke ch 3. and also by the LXX Interpreters and in right reâ—son we conclude his number to be 29 to wit that the whole Period from the Creation of Adam to the Death of Christ is 3996 Years and an half as is already prov'd Consider lastly that we rationally affirm that Abraham was born in the 130th Year of Tâ—rah`s Age as appears from Gen. 12. for when Abraham was 75 Years old Terah departed this Life aged 205 Years And that the third Period consists of 505 Years is proved For when Abraham receiâ—â—d the Promise he was aged 75 Years + 430 Years = 505 Years After this the Law was given Gen. 2.17 In the same year the Israelites departed out of Egypt The fourth Period expresly contains 480 Years 1 King 6. v. 1. The â—ifâ—h Period stands thus in Years 1 King 11. Solomon reigned after the Foundation of the Temple was laid 36 Years 1 King 14. Rehoboam reigned 17 Years 1 King 15. Abijam 8 Years 1 King 15 Asa reigned 41 Years 1 King 22. Iosaphat reigned 25 Years 2 King 8. Iehoram reigned 8 Years 2 King 8. Achazia reigned 1 Years 2
Millenium that shou'd not dye but be changed 9. It appears also that when the Millenium is finished Gog and Magog shall gather themselves together against the Saints to slay them which certainly they cou'd never attempt to do if they did not live in a Body of Flesh. 10. This is more largely conâ—â—â—â—'d iâ— that the Saints even until 260 years after the beginning of the Millenium shall marry and propagate Children for the State of Matrimony and procreation of Children is not beneath the dignity of the future Millenium for Adâ—m in his Paradisical State before the fall had a Wife and tho' he had not sinned wou'd have known his Wife and have begotten Children 11. But that the Saints do for some time in the aforesaid Millenium contract Matrimony and beget Sons and Daughters appears from Isaiah Chap. 65. where the Inhabitants of this of this New Heaven and new Earth are prâ—mised that they shall build Houses and inâ—â—â—ite them plant Vineyards and ear the Fâ—â—â—t of them they shall not labour in vain â—or bring forth in fear for they are thâ— Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them yea in the same Chapter 't is affirm'd of the Sinners who shall live in the Millenium that they shall live to an hundred Years nor shall any die in Infancy and the days of the Saints shall bâ— as the days of the Tree of Life for so heretoâ—ore that place was read by the Fathers that is they shall live a thousand Years and then shall not die but ascend into Heaven in a Body changed which Adam would have done if he had not sinned 12. Now that new Heaven which will be câ—eaâ—ed in the future Millenium will be only new in respect of their excellent natures 13. Ioseph's Blâ—ssing by his Faâ—her Iacob which belongs to the said Millenium clearly demonstâ—ates thâ—t they should marry and beget and bring up Children Gen. 49 2â— 26. For among â—â—her Blessings which he had he waâ— also blessed with the Blessings of the Bâ—easts â—nd the Womb which have a respect to Wives and Mothers whose Blessings also ougâ—t to reach to the utmâ—st bounds of the everlasting Hills viz. to the second Resurrection when this Body of Flesh shall be changed into a Spiritual Body and being thus changed shall ascend into the everlasting Hills that is into the highest Heavens 14. Therefore those Words of Christ that in the Resurrection of the Dead they do not marry nor are given in Marriage but are equal to the Angels are to be understood of the second Resurrection but not of the first because certainly in thâ— first Resurrection they shall not be equal to to the Angels but as Adam was in Paradise before the Fall 15. And hitherto may be referred those woâ—ds of the book of Wisdom 3.43 Blessed is the Barrâ—n and Undâ—filâ—d who hath not known the Sinful Bed for she shall have Fruit in the Visitation of Souls 16. Now all the Sons Daughteâ—s of the Saints in the future Millenium are the Souls of all the Saints that ever have liv'd in a carnal Body since the beginning of the World and finally raised up to Life in a â—ody of Flesh and boâ—n of Fathers and Mothers into the Woâ—ld for none shall enjoy the Reward and Blessedness of the â—uture Millenium but such who have lived an holy Life on Eaâ—th from the begâ—nning of the World Moreover Christ called this Resurrection of the Saints unto Life regeneration 17. And therefore all Saints that enjoy the Millenium shall then be born into the World in a carnal Body and shall have Fathers and Mothers according to the Flesh. 18. Nor will this seem strange or incredible to any one after it is clearly demonstrated from Scripture that we have all lived several times in a Body of Flesh yea for many years and Ages of years 19. This Truth being once demonstrated and granted in a manner all the Mysteries and things difâ—icult to be apprehended of the future Millenium will be most easily understood for the Ignorance of the Souls being born again and returning to Life in a body of Flesh hath mightily obscur'd the Mystery of the future Millenium and in a manner all other Mysteries of the whole Christian Religion which indeed when the said new Birth or carnal Regeneration is demonstrated will display themselves and appear with a wonderful sweetness facility and evidencâ— of Truth 20. First therefore it shall be demonstrated by certain Arguments drawn from Scripture that the same Souls after the death of the carnal Body were again raised to Life and born of Parents in a Body of Flesh. 21. First this is proved from the express Words of Christ himself who called Iohn Baptist Elias yea affirmed him to be Elias himself Matth. 11. Mark 9.12 and declared him also to be the same that was to come But that where Iohn denied that he was Elias is to be understood of the Mystery of 1045 Years couch't under the name of Eliah which also signifies the strong and mighty God for that Dispensation or Ministration of Iohn answers not to to the name of Elias but the name of Iohn which signifies Grace but when he shall be born again into the World that Dispensation will most excellently suit with the name of Eliah 22. Secondly 'T is proved from that passage of St. Paul to the Romans where discoursing of the unbelieving Iews he affirms that they shall after many Ages believe in Christ and finally be reunited to their natural Root but the force of the Argument concludes in behalf of those Souls who were unbelieving in the Aposâ—les days which after certain Ages were to believe in Christ after the fullness of the Gâ—ntiles was converted to the Christian Faith which Conversion of the Iews we yet expect 〈◊〉 Earth even of those who were unbelieving in the Apostles days for all the Iews which are natural Branches shall be saved and their Hearts shall be opened and that too before the beginning of the Millenium 23. Thirdly 'T is proved from Matth. 23.35 compared with the 2 Chron. 24.22 where Christ aâ—â—irms that those very Iews who were contemporary with him in the Flesh had kill'd Zacharias the Son of Baruch c. But this Wickedness was committed in the days of King Ioas more than eighty Years before Christ's Incarnation * See Matth. 21.35 c. compare here-witâ— 2 Chron. 24.22 But if any should affirm that this was not their own but their foâ—e-Father's Crime and imputed to them because they were led by the same Spirit of Iniquity and Impiety I answer This cannot destroy the force of the Argument because according to the Râ—ghteous Ordinance of God the Sins of the Fathers are not imputed to the Children beyond the third or fourth Generation even when the Children are led by the same Spirit and follow the same steps of their Fathers But beâ—cause many Generations have interven'd between that Wickedness and the
those who were afore ordain'd to Condemnation have wilfully committed Sin in their former Life when they liv'd heretofore in former Ages wherefore the most just God hath sentenced them to such a Condemnation 54. Proof 34. For the Apostle Peter 2. Epist Chap. 2. v 3â— writeth of certain false Teachers among the Christians whose Judgment then of a long time lingred not what then can be hereby intended but that they committed such Crimesâ—â—â—r a long time pasâ— or in â—oâ—mer Ages whilst they lived for which God condemned them to that punishment Besides also he does not darkly hint that the same â—alse Teachers among the Christians were heâ—etofore false Prophets among the Peopleâ— see Verse 1. which Judgments of God against them iâ— they had believed in Christ would nevertheless have been cancell'd and blotted ouâ— for Christ dyed for them also and redeem'd them with his Blood that they might believe and be savedâ— and because they did not believe in Christ under the former Sentence brought against them therefore it is confirmed de novo or a new 55. Proof 35. God speaking to Abraham of the Amorites said their Iniquity was not as yet to be fulfilled till after 400 Years but because those Amorites were not to live so many years in the Flesh no not one half of those years it evidently â—ollows that they were to be raised up again to Life in a Body of Flesh before the 400 years were compleated that they might â—ulâ—ill their Iniquity and this wonderfully agrees with the number of 33â— years within which compass for that Man's Life is so abbreviated the same Souls shall be newly raised up to Lâ—â—e as the following Table demâ—nstrates to which 3â—3 â—ears if 67 be added they make up the number of 400 or if 97 be added it makes us 430 which number of 67 or 97 was to be allotted to that People that in the succeeding Life they might 〈…〉 their Iniquiâ—y Moreover the same Amorites cou'd have liv'd twice before this since the Flood and therefore the third time of Life seem'd to have been necessary according to the order of Divine Justice before that they cou'd have fulfilled their Iniquity for which they should deservâ— to be erradicated out of the Earth 56. 'T is prov'd 36. Because Salvation and eteâ—nal Life is the Fruit of good Works which Men sow in the Earth or in an eaâ—thly Body and therefore those that dye in infancy especially if they have not lived before in a Body of Flesh to ripeness of years must be raised up to Life again that they may grow to maturity and have opportâ—â—ity to sow the Seeds of good Works in the Life of a carnal Body that they may at last rejoyce in the Fruits of their Labour for except our Happiness were the Fruits of our own Work and Labour it were not real and true Happiness nor shou'd we have true Joy therein for it would be like the Son of a strange Mother whom no Mother loves as she doth her own Son 57. 'T is proved 37. Because otherwise the Doctrine of God's Universal Grace and Love cou'd not be establish'd or defended for certainly we find not a few who from their Infancy are so harden'd and buried in Sin that all the time of this present Life they seem wholly uncapable of Repentance 58. 'T is proved 38. Because the Apostle Rom. 1â— writeth that many of the Iews were blinded according to the Prophesies of Scripture for many Ages that they cou'd not believe till the fulness of the Gentiles were gather`d unto Chriâ—t and then they who were formerly blinded were to be again illuminated when they should return again into the World 59. 'T is proved 39. Because in Christ's Parable of the Figg-Tree that bore no Fruit for three Years this very thing is clearly hinted Luke 13.6 7 8 9. For what is to be understood by those three yeaâ—s but three thousand years for every Millenium is mystically signified by one year under the Law and therefore the Seventh Millenium of the World which is the Sabbath was signified by the seventh year and by the Figg-tree that bore no Fruit for those three thousand years many of the Iews are to be undersâ—ood who had lived dâ—vers tiâ—es on Earth from the beginning 〈◊〉 the World and yet bore no Fruit but in the fourth Millenium the Husband-man inteâ—cedes for the barren Figg-Tree and applies Dung to the Roots thereof that is dieth for the Sins of the Iews and applies the abundant Grace of his holy Spirit to them that they might bring forth good Fruit And therefore the Patience and Long-suffering of God suffers all Men 4 Years that is 4000 Years whereof they live 1000 Years by parts in an Earthly Body that they might at length repent 60. 'T is proved 40. Because Iohn the Baptist provokes the Iews to Repentance by this Argument And now is the Ax laid to the Root of the Trees Matth. 3.10 Therefore every Tree that brings not forth good Fruit shall be hewen down and cast into the Fire Now why did he say and now the Ax is laid to the Root of the Trees Certainly because that time of Life was the last Revolution and the last Hour with a great many of the Iews signifying by these Words if the Iews did not then repent whilst they lived in a Body of Flesh that there was no Hope for them to be raised up to Life in the days of the Messias and to be call'd to Repentance for that was the last time wiâ—â—â— great many that they should have and none could know whether he should have any otâ—er time to live in the daâ—s of the Mâ—ssiâ—h and therefore he truly sâ—id the 〈◊〉 is laid to the Root of the Trâ—es to wit of a gâ—eat manâ— But such whose twelve Hours of Revolutions were not yet elapsed might indeed in regard they were to live again in the Flesh aâ—ter six or seven Generations as from a Root leâ—â— in the Earth not as yet cut off sprout and put â—orth as it were new Branches in the Earâ—h 61. This is proved 41. In that the rich Man who was tormented in Hell knew that he should at length depart out of the place and â—e born again into the World which is plainly hinted in theâ—e wordsâ— for he had five Brethren whom he would not have come into that place and thereâ—ore he desired some Body to be sent from the Dâ—ad to call them to Repentance To what â—urposâ— then should he take so great care of his Brethren Did he not look at his own Interest therein Yes doubtless for he kâ—ew that he himself after six or seven Gâ—nâ—rations should be born of one of the Sons of thosâ— his Brethren whom therefore he desirâ—d to be good that he himself might then have an opportunity to become so after he was born of good Parents into the World 62. 'T is prov'd 42. Because after Christ's Resurrection from the Dead and Ascension into Heaven all
not that Seed of Abraham which Christ assumed when he came into the Flesh for the promise which God made to Abraham was concerning Isaac that in him all Nations should be blessed 101. And then if Isaac was that Seed it is farther to bâ— enquired whether thâ— Soul of Isaac had perform`d his twelve Revolutions from the beginning of the World as others had done if this be granted seâ— in St. Luke's Genealogy of Christ whether the twelve Revolutions of the same Soul be not describ'd in order putting Abel in the room of Adam a new Revolution of the sâ—me Souls always begins after every seventh Generation 102. And these are the names of this Soul in his 12 Revolutions 1. Abel 2. Methusela 3. Heber 4. Isaac 5. Naasâ—n 6. Mattatha 7. Simeon 8. Elmodam 9. Rhesa 10. Naggâ— 11. Melchi 12. Christ. For seven Generations do intervene in all these Revolutions except in the last only where there are not reckoned 7 but 6 which may be understood after this manner viz. the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead was the seventh and his Ascension into Heaven as it were the eighth Generation 103. Therefore there are accounted seven Generations between every Revolution because certainly in the Revolutions of other Souls the same Souls do return after every sixth and seventh Generation But the Interval of six Generations cannot agree to that Soul which Christ assum'd for two reasons first because then he would not have had only 12 but above 13 Revolutions secondly because no Revolâ—tion would have fallen on Isaac whâ—ch is absuâ—d 104. Which Hypothesis being admitted sundry portions of sacred Writ very mysterious and hard to be understood are with a wonderful Harmony unlocked And the mystery of Christ's Nativity will agree with divers other Mysteries herein delivered which will be farther insisted upon hereafter 105. Thâ— most difficult passages of Scripture hereby explain'd are 1 Gen. 3.15 that the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpent's Head which Seed of the Woman according to the aforesaid Hypothesis is to be understood of Abel even as the Seed of the Serpent is to be understood of Cain for in these two Seeds as in two Roots the Children of God 2. and the Children of this World are comprehended When Cain was born Eve said I have received a Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iehovah or as others read it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If the former be allow`d that is badly and falsly apply'd unto Cain which was due unto Abel If the latter it intimates that together with that worldly Man she had received him likewise who in the fulness of time should bear the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Isaiah 7.14 A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son and she shall call his Name Immanuel which Matthew applys to Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary which prophesie nevertheless ought to have been fulfilled in the days of King Ahaz Admit then that this prophesie was fulfilled in the days of King Ahaz and afterwards when Christ was born to wit that the same Soul was twice born in the Flesh of a Virgin and peradventure of the same Mother then this Prophesie will be easily understood And such a Virginian Birth answers to the eight Revolution having the name of Elmodam who was contemporary with King Ahaz Notwithstanding Ez was said to have been his Father for Christ was called the Son of Ioseph also 4. Hos. 11.1 Out of Aegypt have I called my Son this Prophesie was fulfilled long before yet the Evangelist applys it to the time when Mary returned with the Child out of Aegypt which if understood of the same Soul both accomplishments will agree together for Naasson the Prince of the Children of Iuda who departed out of Aegypt with the rest of the Israelites answers to the fifth Revolution of the same Soul 5. Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Iuda nor a Law-giver from between his Feet till Shilo come that is he who was promised to be the King and Law-giver of all the People shall not depart â—rom the Tribe of Iuda but shall perform his entire Revolutions in a direct Line of that Tribe and that notwithstanding all manner of Affliction and Persecution which should press the Iewish Nation there shall still remain the Root of Iesse which will at length bring forth the promised Branch of Salvation into the World And this Prophesie cannot be understood of the outward Scepter or Kingdom of Iuda for that was departed from Iuda above 1â—0 years before Christ's Incarnation to wit during the whole Reign of the Maccabees who were Levites Mich. 5.2 Out of thee viz. Bethelem shall come the Captain or Lâ—ader of my people Israel whose goings forth have been of old even from everlasting or as in the Original from the days of Ages For according to the aforesaid Hypothesis he had 12 out-goings or Revolutions from the beginning of the World to that time wherein he was born of the Virgin-Mary 7. Isaiah 61.1.2 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me c. to show the acceptable year oâ— the Lord and therefore that time wherein Christ came in the Flesh was call'd the acceptable year of the Lord to wit because agreeable to the said Hâ—pothesis even as the Sun runs through the 12 parts of the Zodiack and finishes his course in one year so Christ the Sun of Righteousness in the space of 4000 years which is as it were a mystical year accomplishes his 12 Reâ—volutions through the 12 parts of time And therefore St. Paul call'd that time when he was born of the Virgin Mary the fulness of time compare â—erewith that of the Nineteenth Psal. from verse 1. to verse 7. 8. That that Psalm is to be understood of Christ the Prophets and Apostles and the Church of God is evident â—rom Roman 10.18 9. See also Heb. 10. â—5 Psal. 40.46 Sacrifice and Burnt Offering â—heâ— would'st not but a Body hast thou preâ—ared me but this Body is not a meer Body but an animated Body that is a Soul with a Body to wit the very Seed of Aâ—raham which Christ assumed which seed was fitted and qualified by 12 Revolutions even as by so many preparations â—rom the â—eginning of the World to that time to â—e at last a Throne and a Tabernacle for â—he King of Glory Jesus Christ all which â—re but according to the said Hypothesis â—â—nd not possitively affirmed wherefore â—y the assistance of divine Grace we shall with Sobriety inquire farther into the Truth of the aforemention'd Hypothesis beâ—ore we absolutely and positively assert it 10. Moreover the aforesaid Hypothesis â—eems wonderfully to illustrate that Scripâ—ure where Christ is called our Fore-runner â—nd doubtless because according to it he â—an the course of his 12 Revolutions from the beginning of the World and was the first that had finished the course and period of them 11. And finally that he was made like unto us in all things Sin
the second Face is of a Man therefore the number 666 is the number of a Man to wit containing 666 Years from the Year sinâ—e Christ's Nativity 1036 to the Year 1702 for about the said Year 1036 the second Beast whose number is here computed Ascended out of the Earth vix in the time when Gregory the seventh flourish't who Exalted himself above the Emperor 2 Seeing the Intrerval of every Seal except the seventh contains 333 Years hence it appears that from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the first part of the Millenium there are about 2000 Years and therefore from Christ's Death and Resurrection to the end of the World there are about 3000 Years which confirms the aforesaid Chronology the same is also confirmed by the Intervals of the Trumpets 3. Now whereas the Interval of each Trumpet is 260 Years this doth not seem to want a mystery for so many days as it were doth the Infant remain in his Mothers Womb and in Esdras the Lodging Rooms or Chambers of the Soul are likened to the Womb of a Wâ—man because then exactly in 260 Years the Soul is recall'd to live again in a Body of Flesh as it were at the sound of the Trumpet of God himself therefore the Interval of every Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 73 Years be added for the age of Mâ—n in a Body of Flesh the sum will be 333 Years aforesaid 4. Morâ—over God out of his great Goodnâ—ss and Wisdom has so decreed that Men should not live altogether and at one time a thousand Years compleat in the corrupt â—tate of a Carnal Body and it stands with the justice of God that they shall live the said thousand Years by parts for by the frequent Death of Men Mankind is better provided for and their Benefit and Advantage consulted for thus God often cuts off Men to plant and ingraft them anew Whereas if Men should at once live a thousand Years compleatly in the State of Corruption they would so degenerate that their Repentance and Salvation woâ—ld be far more difficult 5. But if any shouâ—d demand to what purpose God should call his Saints to live in a Terrestrial and Carnal Body a thousand Years and whether it were not better for them and more desirable to them to remain with God in the Heavens I answer God knows better than we what is most conducive to our Profit and Advantage And therefore the Saints ought to live a thousand Years on Earth partly that they may receive a visible Reward from God in the sight of the Wicked and Ungodly to their greater shame confusion and Condemnation and partly and indeed chiefly that they may be prepared and qualiâ—ied in that Millenium or thousand Years of Life to obtain so much and so great Glory as they shall be invested with when they shall ascend Bodily into Heaven A FEW QUESTIONS BY Way of Exposition ON Each Chapter of the Revelations of St. Iohn Wherein little or in a manner nothing except what pertains to the History is positively concluded but all are left to the free and Impartial Iuâ—gment and Ezamination of the lovers of Truth CHAP. I. QUâ—st 1. What may we understand by the seven Churches of Asia By Churches seven States of the Vniveersal Ch. to whom Iohn wrote Whether seven Churches then in being Or rather whether they were not seven States of the Universal Church from the time of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection to that so famous and noted time of the Restoration of all things called in sundry places of Scripture a Sabbath And in the old Testament prefigured under the common Sabbath of Days and Years Which if Iohn had intended of particular Churches then in Being why did he confine himself to a septenary Numberâ— were there not in Asia more than seven Churches Again seeing he termed that which he wrote unto them a Prophesie which hath respect to the time to come this doth not seem to agree so well with certaâ—n particular Churches then in being as with the Universal Church understood by seven States or Conditions this Church was in for the space of 2000 Years and seeing a septenary number is a mystical Number whether or no this doth not seem to be adapted to the Mystery of the seven Spirits Stars or Angels Quest. 2. Who are we to understand by the seven Angels of the seven Churches Whether are they Presidents or Pastors or Angels properly so called having distinct Administrations over those Churches For it appears from Dâ—niel and other places of Scripture that they were set over Kingdoms and Nations as God`s Vicegerents Why not then over Churches Seeing they are call'd miâ—â—â—tâ—â—ng Spiâ—its sent out to minister tâ— all those who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heâ— 1.14 And Heb. 2.5 it is 〈◊〉 unto the Angels he hath not as yâ—t put in subjection the World to come Whether or no this doth not intimate that this present World is subject to Angels but the World to come only subject to God and Christ And lastly seeing the Kingdoms of this World have their Ages and periods of time the Church will likewise have her Ages and Periods And why may not peculiar Angels be understood to preside and govern in particular Ages of the Church appointed and ordained by the most high to execute that Function CHAP. II. QUest 3. Whether or no the interval of the Church * The Church of Ephesus from the year 1â— to the year â—â—â— since Christs Resuâ—rection of Ephesus according to the aâ—oresâ—id Hypothâ—sis will not contain 33â—â— years from the Resurrection of Christ and in like manner the Church of Smyrna the same and so understand oâ— the rest except the Church of Laodicâ—a concerning which it may be quâ—stioned whether it doth noâ— belong to the interval of the Church of Philadelphia For in respect of its State and Condition whereâ—of Iohn gave an excellent description it extends to the Sabbath of the World Then whether the Church of Laodicea will noâ— have the same interval of time with it thoâ— it be not the same with the said Church but widely different from it Who are to be understood by the Church of Laodicea â— but certain luke-warm professours of the Christian Religion having a great notion and profession of the truth but possessing in a manner nothing of the Life and Power of it And doth not this clearly appear from the signification of the Words Philadâ—lphia and Laodiceâ— For Philadelphia signifies the love of the Brethren including certain Christian Virtues but Laodicea imports as much as popular Justice which for the most part is in a manner none at allâ— Furthermore by the same Reason thâ— whole interval of two thousand years may be distributed into six equal partsâ— whereof each will contain 333 years and â…“ of a year Whether is it not more consentaneous to reason that those intervals of the Churches be equally divided if the Historical events of them do better agree with these
equal intervals or distances than with others that are unequal Quest. 4. Do not the names of the seven Churches symbolically intimaâ—e some certain marks and properties of the said Churches and whether or no that Term or Title of Asia signifies only that part of the World so called or rather the whole Globe of the Earth or visible World which by some learned Men is call'd Asia from the Hebrew Root Gnasa that is he made as disâ—inguished from those superiour Worlds Iezirah Briah and Aziluth so call'd all which names of Woâ—lds aâ—e to be found in Scripture Quest. 5. Whether or no the Name Title or Character of the Church * The Ephesian Church of Ephesus doth not properly agree to the State of the Church from the time of Christ's Râ—sâ—rrection to the year of his Ascension 333 which is the three Hundred siâ—ty and sixth year * Anno 366. from his Nativity for some render the Word in Latin Desiderabilis desirable or Amabilis Lovely and certainly such was the primitive Church from â—he days of the Apostles or as others read it Remittens Relaxatus importing to slackâ—n and râ—lâ—nt as the Holy Ghost complains in Iohn â—aying Thâ—y haâ—e fâ—rsaken their first Love for quickly aâ—ter the Aposâ—lâ—s Days the love of many waxed cold yet in many thingâ— that Church was to be commended as in their Works Labour and Patience not giving toleration to evil Men nor such who boasted that they were Apostles but were not when they came to the Tryal Quest. 6. Was not that threat of the Lord against them clearly fulfilled in the following the Interval of 333 years and â…“ that unless they did timely repent the Lord himself would shortly come and remove their Candlestick from them For in many places where Christianity flourished heretofore in the next and succeeding Intervals there was scarce any visible Profession of it to be seen For the same places where anciently the Christian Religion flourished were afterwards under the Power and Dominion of foul and abominable Heathenism and Mahometism Quest. 7. And doth not the Name Title or Character of the Church * Smyrna of Smyrna aptly agree to the State of the Church from the year 333â…“ since Christs Resurrection unto the year †Anno 7000 from the 666â…” Now Smyrna in Latin signifies Myrrh and truly the small number of the faithful and sincere were as I may so say in comparison of the vast multitude of false and unsound Christians that swarmed in the following Interval like unto a handful of Myrrh as well retaining their own purity as serving to purifie others and keeping themselves from the height of Corruption and Uncleanness And altho' the state of this Church happened in an exceeding Bad and most corrupt Age in â—espect of the former yet was the said Châ—rch blamed in nothing but commâ—â—ded for her Works and is said to be riâ—â— notwithstanding her Poverty and Tribulation For God mightily comforted and â—upported her under her Afflictions that she was to undergo and foretells her the ten days of Tribulations which he would bring upon her and that Satan should cast some of them into Prison And here also the Lord hath plainly painted out this false Church that arose in this second interval saying ` I know their Blasphemy who said they were Jews and are not but of the Synagogue of Satan Quest. 8. What was meant by those ten days of Tribulation which this Church was to undergo Are they ten natural or common days or rather ten certain times or days of persecution For the time of persecution is commonly called a day wherein that scorching Sun of the persecutors arises And lastly what are those a The ten persecutions contiâ—ued as it were but one ten days of Persecution For indeed it is commonly affirmed that there were ten persecutions which disquieted the Church within 300 years after Christ`s Resurrection and seeing they for the most part followed one another hence it is they rather merit the name of one continued persecution than ten but in the second Interval to wit from the year 33¾ to 66 6 â— after Christ's Resurrection the Church enjoyed some bright and glorious intervals and had a time of Respit Peace and Tranquility and that too under the shelter and protection of certain pious Kings and Emperours such as were Theodosius the first and the sâ—cond and others yet this Church suffered many sharp persecutions in this second Interval pâ—rtly by Heathen Kings and partly by â—mperours infected with the Arrian and Euâ—ychian Heresies And â—inally what added most to the weight of her Afâ—liction was that she was foâ—c'd to feel a far more grievous persecution under the Christians so called than she had suffered in the former Interval under the Heathens Moreover if any hath or will take the pains to read the â—iâ—â—ory of this Ecclesiastical Interval and especially Lucas Oâ—â—andrus Alstedius or any other ancient â—cclesiaâ—tical Writer he will find that ten very considerable persecutions oâ— the Church truly happen'd in this Interval And if any more were found to have happen'd in certain particular places or to private Persons â—hey may be referred to the ten aforemenâ—ioned whereby the number â—en will be the moâ—e compleat Quest. 9 Doth not the Name and Chaâ—acter of the Church of *. Pergà mus Pergamus seem to agree well enough wiâ—h the third Interval of the Câ—urch from the Year after Chriâ—t's Resurrection 66 6 7 †. from the year 700 to 1666. to the Year 1000 For as Pergamus was â—he Metropolis or chief City of Asia abounding with lofty Towers and Magnificent Buildings so in the third Interval the outward formâ— and visible Face of the Church seemed exceeding high and stately in â—ime of Peace and the Popes of Rome became very proud and amâ—itious insomuch that it was at that time made no less than a capital Crime to â—esist their Authority yea and some werâ— put to death for it Also in the same Interval there were divers Popes who were Magicians and Necromancers and â—herefore it might be well saidâ— That Satan fixed his Seaâ— at Rome or in the Roman Ch. signified by the Church of Pergamus where Antipas was slain and is not the whole number of the faithful Witnesses of God comprâ—hended under the figure of Antipas who either in this or the succeeding Intervals were put to death for opposing the Antichristian Tyranny and Ambition of the Popes as the word Antipas seems plainly to intimate Quest. 10. And was not the Idolatry and Spiritual â—ornication of this third Interval wherein the Adoration of Images and worshipping of Saints was Insâ—ituted by the Popes of Rome but especially by the second Nicaean Council predicted in these words which were sâ—oken to the Church of Pergamus ch 2. v. 14. Thou hast there such as hold the Doctrin of Balaam who taught Balak to â—ay an offence before the People of Israel that they should â—at things offered to Idol and commit
several orders of Scholars and Students called by the name of Monks and Friars which were received and believed on by the ignorant Multitude as so many divine Oracles Moreover also the Locusâ—â— that ascended out of the Bottomless Pit seem to belong to this Interval of time of which hereafter in its proper place Now these two last Intervals to wit the third and the fourth seem to have a very near relation and affinity one to another in respect of Ignorance Blindness Idolatry Superstition and many other abominable Evils Yet the fourth Interval was not so destitute of good Men nor so full of Ignorance and Darkness as the third for in the fourth Interval God raised up some Eminent and famous Men as were Bernardus Clarevallensis and Malachias also the Waldenses and Albigenses with whom do agree those of the Church of Thyatira Moreover also in this very Interval began the Turkish Empire when their Captains or Calaphi were constituted Emperors over them who were miraculously strong in many parts of the World and the first of these was Ottoman * Ottoman about the year 1297. about the year 1297. Quest. 35. What are those effects or events that happen when the fifth Seal is opened and what may be principally understood by them are they not the Souls of such as were slain for the word of God and the Testimony which they bore whom Iohn saw under the Altar meaning the Souls of all that were slain for their firm and constant Profession of the true Faith from the beginning of the World to the time of the fifth Interval viz. unto the year of Christâ—s Resurrection 333 And why did they desire of God so earnestly that he would revenge their Blood upon the Dwellers on Earth Was it because the Justice of God is as well glorified in revenging as his Mercy is in pitying and forgiving and was it not also because they knew that the time when the Blood of the Righteous that were slain should be revenged upon the Ungodly was to be joyned with that time in which all the Righteous were to receive an hundred fold Reward which Christ promised them in the first Resurrection when they should be restored and raised to Life again Now why it should stand with God's Justice to revenge the Blood of those that were slain for many Ages past not only three or four Generations as in Deut. but more than an hundred Generations ago upon the Inhabitants of the Earth who are not as yet born or in being upon the Earth is a question that demands a clear Explanation Quest. 36. Wherefore was it said to those Souls that they should rest viz. under the Altar and was not that Altar Christ until the number of their Brethren yet to be slain should be fulfilled And doth not this fifth Interval signifiâ— that there shall come a time of much and greaâ— Tâ—ibulation to the Servants and People of God and that many shall be put to Death within this Interval in a manner during the whole space from the year of Christ's Resurrection 1333 to the year 1666 or from the year of his Nativity 1366 to the year 1700. And hath not this happen'd so in reference to the time past of this Interval And is it probable that near the same number of good Christians were slain by the Papists Turks from the year 1366 to this present day viz. from the days of Iohn Wickliff as were heretofore slain from Christ's Resurrection to the aforesaid term of years 1366 And whereas there yet remain some odd years of the said Interval to be fulfilled some think 18 others 16 and again other some 14 viz. from the year 1366 to the true year of Christ's Nativity 1700 whether or no we are not yet to expect more Tribulations and Persecutions will come upon the Servants of God till the said year 1700 Quâ—st 37. But the fifth Interval being expired whose end draws nigh may we not expect the true Church will enjoy some serene Interval and time of Rest and Tranquility until the laâ—t and greatest but shortest Peâ—secution under the seventh Head of the Beast not as yet fully to be accomplish'd till about the year 1774 Quest. 38. What are those effects or events which must be fulfilled in the World wheâ— the sixth Seal is opened that great Earthâ—quake the Sun darkned the Moon turn'â— like Blood the Stars falling from Heavenâ— the Heavens rolled up like a Scroll thâ— Mountains and Islands passing away Dâ— not all these things clearly signifie the enâ— and downfall of every Unjust Ungodly and Tyrannical Government and Dominiâ—on whatsoever that so at last the Kingdomâ— of Holiness and Righteousness may be seâ— up and established and God and his Chriâ—â— rule and govern by the holy Ghost in thâ— Hearts of Men in every Nation of thâ— World And is not this thing plainly signiâ—â—ed by Iohn him self in his following words And will not the time of this Interval undeâ— the opening of the sixth Seal contain thâ— common space of 333 Y. froâ— the year of Christ's Resurâ—â—â—ction 1666â— to * From the year 1666 to the year 2000. the year 203â— wherein God will fully râ—â—venge the Blood of his Servants that weâ—â— slain and are now in Heaven above upoâ— the Dwellers on Earth and so the Prayeâ— and Petitions of the Souls that cried undeâ— the Altar in the former Interval will be aâ—â—swered But some reâ—err the Iâ—terval of tâ—â— sixth Seal to Constanâ—ine's time and this theâ— do without any Authority for it appeâ—â— by many weighty Reasons and Circumstances that the sixth Seal was not as yet opened in the World neither was the Interval of this Seal begun CHAP. VI. QUest 39. Do not those other events and effects which will be produc'd at the opening of the sixth Seal plainly demonstrate that the sixth Seal will reach even to the 1000 Years Sabbath of the World What are the 144000 which were sealed in their Foreheads from every Tribe of the Children of Israel Are they not the first Fruits of the Saints who attain the first Resurrection from the Dead in the future Millennium and finally are not the 144000 the same with those mentioned in the 14th Chapter Moreover are they not really Israelites as to their Race or Stock 12000 being taken from every Tribe of Israel altho' many other of the Israelitish Race together with many other of the Servants of God shall hereafter receive the same Reward and Felicity of the â—irst Resurrection And again What is that great Multitude of all Nations Tongues and People which no Man could number standing before the Throne and the â—amb which were cloath'd in white Garments and bore Palms in their Hands Are they not all the Saints raised to Life again within the sixth Interval not only those who lived in the preceding Intervals since Christ's Resurrection but even all that have ever lived since the beginning of the World who came out of great Tribulation which they suffered in their
71. Now what is the seventh Head whose coming Iohn foretold Is it yet come or is it rather to come Aâ—d how is the eighth Head distinguished from the seventh And why doth Daniel number no more than four Kings and Iohn seven Doth not the seventh Head seem to be some new Monarchy which is not as yet come but is now very near under which will fall the last Persecution of the Church which will be the greatest of all and shall last but three Years and an half and therefore it is said it shall continue but a short time Lastly is not the eighth Head one of the seven and only in certain Circumstances distinâ—guished and one of the ten Hoâ—ns of the Beast which will at length prevail over thâ— other Horns according to Daniel 7. v. 20 21 And whereas Daniel numbers four Kings and Iohn reckons two was it not because Daniel looked no highâ—r than Nebuchadnezzar but Iohn to the first King of all that Peâ—secuted the Chuâ—ch of God and this was Pharaoh King of Egypt And why should these seven Monarchies be called one Beast but because tho' these Men were personally distinct in such and such Ages of the World yet were they Acted by one and the same Spirit to Pâ—rsecute the Church Quest. 72. Doth not Iohannes Sleiâ—anus in his Treatise of the four Monarchies truly distinguish and comâ—ute the number of the ten Kingdoms which Iohn call'd the Horns of the Beast into the which the Roman Monarchy was at last divided in the following order 1 Syria 2 Egypt 3 Asia 4 Greece 5 Affrica 6 Spain 7 France 8 Italy 9 Germany 10 Brittaine And why is it said that those ten Horns or Kings in Iohn's time had received no Kingdom chap 17 12. but had Power given them as Kings with the Beast for the space oâ— one hour Was it not because for the space of a Mystical hour or 333 years aâ—â—er Ioâ—n's time those Kings were not to have a distinct but a jâ—ynt Power to Reign with the Beast but after the expiration of that hour the ten Kings aforesaid arose up having their Kingdoms divided and as it were pluckt by â—orce from the Roman Monarchy â— and these indeed did more vehemently Persecute the Church of God Quest. â—3 What is to be undersâ—ood by that passage where one of the Heads of the seven Beasts is said to be smitten with a mortal wound and was made whole again May not this propeâ—ly signifiâ— that the Râ—man Emperors received this wound after the Empire was transferr'd from the Heathens to thâ— Châ—isâ—iâ—ns then that bitâ—er Spirit of Persecution that dwelt in the preceding Emperors was afflicted as it were with a mortal wound â—or some considerable time as appears in the case of Constantine the Great the first Christian Emperor who granted to all Liberty of Conscience and suddenly after Constantine his Successor under the name and profâ—ssion of Christianity as severely persecuted the true Servants of God as the Heathen Emperors had done before Aâ—d in this respect may it not be truly said that the deadly wound of the Beast was healed again when the Sâ—irit of Persecution had recovered fresh strength in new Christian Emperors so called Quest. â—4 What aâ—â— those 42 Months in which â—â—wer is given 〈◊〉 the Beast that he should continuâ— during all that time and make War wiâ—h â—hâ—â—â—iâ—ts and overcome them Is not the â—â—ore-mentioned number of 12â—0 Yâ—â—rs to be understood by those Months Mâ—reover doth not the too certain and â—â—â—â—ntable experience of the aforesaid â—â—ges as appears from History sufficiently prove that this Spirit of Antichrist flourishing in the Christian Kings and Emperorâ— so called did persecute the true Servants of God and faithful Followers of Christ almost 1â—60 Years And is not that space of 1260 Years almost come to an end And shall not he that lives to the Year of Christ 1700 or there-abouts see the total end and period oâ— iâ— Quest. 75. How are those woâ—ds to be understood chap. 13. v. 10. He that leads into Captivity shall go into Capâ—iviâ—y and he that kills with the Swâ—rd shall be killâ—d with thâ— Sword And why are those following words added which run thus Here is the Faith and Patiâ—nce of â—he Saints For did not a great many Persecutors Die a natural Dâ—ath in their Bedâ— and in their own Houses and we have not aâ— yet heâ—rd any thing oâ— their Captiviâ—y Did he not theâ—eâ—ore say this is the Patience and Faiâ—h of the Saints Because that Judgment was to be fulfilled upon the Persecutoâ—s aâ—ter some long tract of time which how it shall come to pass deserves an Explanation oâ— which in another place Quest. â—6 What is the Beast which Iohn saw arising out of the â—arth for the first Beast rose out of the Sea having two Horns like a Lamb but speâ—king like thâ— Dragon and exercising all the power of the first Beast And â—inally why is his numbâ—r â—â—id to be 666 and he that is endued with undeâ—standing was bid to compute the number Is not this sâ—cond Bâ—aâ—t the Papal power arising out oâ— the Earth For the Popes are very oâ—â—â—n of a low extraction and of an inferior Race and Descent even as the Earth is inferior to the Sea and other Elements And do not his two Horns like a Lamb plainly denote the twofold Authority which the Popes pretend is commitâ— to them to wit both Spiritual and Temporal And whereas he spoke as a Dragon doth not this eminently express the Pope's Bulls and Sentences of Excommunications which he thundred out against Men of all Ranks and Degrees that were not Obedient to his Decrees And from the Year of Christs Nativity 1034 An. 1034 which is from his Resuâ—rection 1000 did not the Popes excercise all the Power of the first Beast advancing and liâ—ting themselves above Emperors and all Kings and making them Instruments and Ministers of his Wrath and Malice against the Elect Servants of God And whereas 't is said he had power to give Life to the Image of the Beast what else can be hereby signifiedâ— but that the Popes have snatched all their power and Authority from the Emperors and settled it upon themselves leaving in a manner nothing but a kind of an Image or Shadow of an Empire For it is manifest that from the time the â—econd Beast arose the Christian Kings and Emperors derived all the Life and Power they had to Rule or Command from the â—econd Beast to witâ— the Pope For whereas anciently the Popes where dependent on the Emperors after the Popes were arrived to that greatness the Emperors became dependent on the Popes Moreover doth not this papal number 666 point out so many Years An. 666 which signifie two Mystical Hours or Revolutions beginning at the Year of Christs Resurrection 100â— and ending at the Year 1666 or at the Year of his Nativity 1700 An. 1700 And indeed within this time the Popes of Rome thus advanced