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
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
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
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
he shall quicken us and in the third Day he shall raise us up and we shall live in his Sight What can be here signified by two Days but two thousand yearsâ— as in Psal. the 90. as in 2. Pet. 3.8 And therefore by the third Day he plainly means that Sabbatick Millenium of the World wherein he and all the Saints were to be raised up to live intirely a thousand years neither to dye any more but to ascend into the celestial Country when the Millenium oâ— thousand 〈◊〉 is fiâ—iâ—hed Now Osea lived in the fourth Millenium and therefore when said after two days c. he had respect to the seventh Millenium but compare this Prophesy with that of Daniel concerning 2300 years and thou shalt plainly perceive that both extend unto the Sabbatick Millenium 9â— But because those 1335 Days Dan. 12.12 contain 1335 years to wit the whole time of the Apostacy after the Apostles to the beginning of the Millenium therefore from 2300 years 1335 years are deducted and the remainder 965 contains the time from the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity to the beginning of the Apostasie after the Apostles and therefore subtracting 556 from 965 there remains 409 years the time from the Resurrection of Christ to the beginning of the Apostasie to which add 33½ from the Nativity of Christ to his Resurrection the sum is 442 years and an half â—rom the Nativity of Christ to the begâ—nning of the Apostasie 95. Add to this Number 442 1260 years mentioned in the Revelation the sum is 1702 years from the Nativity of Christ to the end of the first Period of the Reign of Antichrist 96. The second Period of 1290 years in Daniel extends 30 years further that is from the Birth of Christ to the year 1732. 97. The third Period of the reign of Antichrist extends 45 years further which is 1335 years viz. to the year of Christ's Nativity 1777. 98. Therefore the year 1777 from the Nativity of Christ ends the reign of Antichrist and the four Monarchies and all the Kingdoms of the World and from that very year begins the reign of Christ and of the Saints over the whole Earth 99. But 't is uncertain whether this present Epocha or date from the time of Christ's Nativity in the Flesh commonly received among Christians be true or no for Usher thinks the Vulgar Epocha to fail of the true Epocha about four years 100. Also the great Coversion of the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel in its purity and efficacy must preceed this happy Millenium of the World and then will follow the Conversion of the Iews to the Christian Faith to wit from the year 1702 unto the year 1777 but 30 years from the ye 1702 unto the ye 1732 have respect to the Conversion of the Gentiles then 45 years from the year 1742 unto â—777 do in a special manner respect the Restoration Conversion and return of the Iews into their own Country 101. But from the year of Christ's Nativity 652 to the year of Christ 1702 are prepar'd and gather`d unto God and the â—amb 144000 Saints which are the first Fruits for as the Feast of the first Fruits under the Law was kept 50 days before the Feast of Autumn so also now the Feast of the first Fruits preceeds the Feast of Autumn 50 years 1. But the time of the â—uture Millenium seems to have been prefigured to Abraham in the Sacriâ—ices which God commanded him to offer Now God commanded Abraham to take a Heiâ—er of three years old a Goat of three years old a Ram of three years old with a Turtle Dove and a young Pigeon Now suppose the Turtle Dove to be one year old and the Pigeon twenty days old the days of all those years according to the prophetick Style signifie years and all being added together make up 3620. Admit also that Abraham saw this Vision when he was 83 years old which was the year of the Woâ—ld 2120 according to the aforesaid Chroâ—ology the number 3620 being added to the number 2120 makes up 5740 the year of the World when the Millenium will begin 2. In the future Millenium all the Saints that ever lived since the beginning of the Woâ—ld will be rais'd up to live a Holy and Blessed Life upon Earth for the space of a thousand years Dan. 12. Hos. 6. Revel 20. 3. This Resurrection of all the Saints to Life is the first Resurrection expresly so call'd by the Apostle Iohn Revel 20.5 4. In this first Resurrection the Saints are raised to Life in a Carnal and Terrestial Body not such as we now have but such as Adam had in Paradise before he had eaten the Foâ—bidden Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and such a Body likewise had Christ wherein he suffer'd Death for all Mankind 5. Therefore there is a twofold Resurrection of the Saints the first is in a carnal and Terrestrial Body in which they shall all live for the space of a thousand years The second is that in which that Carnal and Terrestrial Body after the expiration of a thousand years shall not dye but be changed in a moment or in the twinkling of an Eye into a Spiritual and Coelestial Body and ascend into Heaven even as Christ ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection from the Dead 6. Of which twofold Resurrection of the Saints the Apostle Paul speaks clearly in 1 Epist. to the Corinth Chap. 15. That is not first which is Spiritual but that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual as we have born the Image of the Earthly and we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly But we shall not bear the Image of the Earthly in the Body in which we now live viz. of the earâ—hly Adam as he was after the fall but in the first Resurrection we shall bear the Image of the earthly in the future Millenium living such a Blessed and Holy Life as Adam â—ould have lived if he had not sinned â—hen at the end of the Millenium we shall not dye but be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immoâ—tâ—lity and this Corruptible Incorruption 7. Yet the Body of the first Resurrection may be said in some sence to be Mortal and Corruptible not that it shall ever dye or be corrupted but because in respect of a spiritual Boâ—y it is as it were Mortal and Corruptible that is at least not beyond a possibility of dying or being slain by external violence if God were so pleased even as the Body oâ— Christ suffered Death which notwithstanding in it's own Nature cou'd not dye 8. And that the Saints shall be raised to Life in a Carnal or Natural Body appears from that which Paul said speaking of himself and others we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immortality Paul therefore expected to be raised up to Life in a Body of Flesh in the future
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
for the neglect of so great Grace and long Sufferance 38. Proof 18. Becausâ— the Lord will grant all Mâ—n a day of Visitation in the Flesh that they may repent and lead a better Life and that day of Visitation is a thousand years according to the Testimony of Peter 2 Pet. 38. compare herewith Hebrews 4.7 39. Proof 19. Christ affirmed the Gospel should be preached to the wholâ— World that is to all Men therefore all Men either have heard the Gospel preached which Christ suffer'd Death â—or or else shâ—ll hear it hereaâ—ter before the end of the World therefore all Men that ever have lived since the beginning of the World if they have not believed on Christ to come by the ministery of the Prophets must live again to hear of Christ and to believe in him by the Minisâ—ery of the Apostles and other Ministers of Christ. 40 Proof 20. For the promise of eternal Salvation has respect to the Faith of Men whereby they believe on Christ that God raised him from the dead and therefore all either have had or shall have before the end of the World opportunity to hear of Christs Resurrection from the Dead which they cannot have unless they are born again into the World 41. Proof 21. The Lord promised by Moses those Iews and Israelites who liv'd in Moses time that he would raise them uâ— a Pâ—ophet like unto Moses whom they should hear in all things and therefore those very Iews and Israelites were to live in a Body of Flesh in the days of the Messias And so the Mâ—ssias was to be raised to all the Iews and People of Israel both to the Fathers and the children that all the Fathers and all the Children especially those who dyed in Unbelief might have opportunity to believe in Christ and obtain remission of their Sins past for they were not to be punished with Hell-fire in the end of the World for transgressing the Law but for transgressing the Gospel See Heb. 10. 28.29 42. Proof 22. For those promises of the abundant Grace of God and the plentiful efusion of the Spirit which God promised by the Prophets had respect to those Iews and Israelites who lived in the days of the Prophets which nevertheless were not to be fulfilled till the latter days under the preaching of the Gospel after the coming of the Messias in the Flesh for the promises were made to the Iews and all their Children afar off even to those who lived from the beginning of the World Acts 2.39 For how cou'd the Iews rejoyce in hope of those promises unless they were to live again in the days when they were to be fulfilled under Christ. 43. 'T is prov'd 23. From Psal. 90. v. 3.4 Thou turnest Man to Destruction and sayst again return ye Sons of Adam for a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday when it is past and as a Watch in the Night From hence is clearly hinted the revolution of Souls from Life unto Death and from Death unto Life and that in the Space of 4000 years which are but as Night consisting of four Watches which this Mystery seem'd to signifie when it was said that Iesus went uppn the Sea to Disciples in the fourth Watch of the Night for that time in which Christ came in the Flesh was in the fourth Watch that is almost at the end of four thousand years from the beginning of the World 44. Proof 24. From the Words of Solomon in Eccleâ—iast Chap. 1. v. 4. to v. 12. for by a threeâ—old Similitude of the Sun Wind and a River is shown the various and manifold revolutions of Souls from Life unto a corporeal Death and from Death again unto Life for as the same Sun riseth that Sets the same Wind blows from tho South into the North and from the North into the South the same River that comes out of the Sea returns into the Sea so the same Generation that goes out of the World returns into the World neither is there any remembrance of former things In which Words he tacitely answers the Objection Why therefore cannot Men remember that they have lived before For that stands in the Counsel and Goodness of God but in the end of the World the Books shall bâ— opened and they shall remember all things And it was properly said of Solomon whatsoever was at that time had been before and should be again because all Souls had already been in the World before Solomon's time and perform'd their Revolutions whereof none was to be finished before the death of Christ on the Cross which will appear more plainly from the Table of the revolution of Souls heâ—eafter annexed 45. Proof 25. Is drawn from Ezekiâ—l Chap. 36. and 37. vers 12. I will open youâ— Graves and cause you to ascend out of your Sepulchres that is from the state of the Dead into your own Land 47. It is proved 27. Because they who kill'd the Marâ—yrs since the Apostle's days to wit within 300 Y. after the Death of Christ were after many Ages to be slain by Turks and other bloody and barbarous Men and this happened in the opening of thâ— fifth Seal Rev. 6.10 48. 'T is proved 28. In that they are killed in the pouring out of the third Vial who in times past killed the Saints and Prophets of God See Rev. 13.9 10. 49. Proof 29. It is the rule and general Ordinance of God's Justice That he that kills with the Sword shall be killed with the Sword and he that leads into Captivity shall be led into Captivitâ— but these things rarely happen in one Age and therefore are to be referr'd to divers Ages and Lives 50. Proof 30. For in Babylon was found the Blood oâ— all the Pâ—ophets and Saints which lived since the days of Christ and the Apostles yea also before those times even 4000 Yeaâ—s â—ackwards from the time Babylon â—â—rst began to be builded for the number of 4000 Years makes an intire Period of twelve Revolutions 51. Proof 31. For this reason the Brethren of the Deceased were to raise up Seed to their Deceaseâ— Brethren that they might as far as was possible be born again into the Woâ—ld in a proper and direct Line and that because of the Genealogy of Christ. 52. Proof 32. And for this reason the Lord in the Parable commended that unfaithful Servant who was so liberal to the Poor that they might receive him into their Houses hereaâ—ter when he should fail and therefore said he The Children of this World are wiser in their Generation to wit in their Revolution of Generation than the Children of Light 53. Proof 33. The Apostle Iude writeth concerning certain wicked persons who turned the Grace of God into wantonness c. that they were afore ordained to Condemnation but afore or of old doth not signiâ—ie from Eternity or before all Ages neither doth God ordain or sentence Men to Condemnation before they have committed Sin but for Sins committed and therefore
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
that were detain'd under the Chains of Satan from the beginning of the World were to be resâ—ored again from Death unto Liâ—e that they might hear the Gospel and have that benefit offered to them which Christ purchased for them as is manifest fâ—om Psal. 68.18 19 20 21 22 23 24. and Isaiah Chap. 26.19 63. 'T is proved 43. Because those 144000 who were sealed even before the Trumpets sounded were raised up in the Interval of the sixth Trumpet that they might become the first Fruits to God and the Lamb which thing begins already to be fulfilled and will be compleatly fulfilled in the year 1â—â—2 64. 'T is prov'd 44. because those 144000 altho they are accounted Gentiles yet they are really Iews and Israelites to wit 120â—0 from each Tribe of the Children of Iâ—rael Iâ—ws I say truly and properly and not only mystically that is have the Souls of true Iews who were in time past Iews and sâ—rang of Iâ—â—â—sâ— Parents 65â— ' â—is prov'd 45. Because God promised tâ— Siâ—n that is to the Iâ—â—â—sh Church that her Sons should be brought to her in the Gentiles Arms and upon their shoulders which plainly intimates that they should be born of gentile Parents See Isaiah 49â— 21 22. Rom. 11.30 31 32. Rom. 9.23 24 25.26 66. 'T is prov'd 46. Because from the beginning of the World a People was prepared â—or Christ both among the Iews and Gâ—ntiles Luk. 1.17 Ioh. 4.38 67. 'T is prov'd 47. From Rom. 11.30 where the Apostle Paul speaks of the Gentiles that believ'd on Christ who in times past did not believe in God and now they obtain Mercy by times past we are to understand former Ages when they liv'd heretofore in the World without either the true knowledge of God or hope in God Compare herewith those sayings of Ephes. 2.2 3 11 12 13. Gal. 3.4 68. 'T is Proved 48. From 2 Thess. 2.10.11 where Paul affirms of such whom Satan shou'd deceive in the days of Anti-Christ who were to be deliver'd up to strong delusions by the just Judgment of God that they might come into Condemnation because they did not receive the love of the Truth which clearly unveils the Reason wherefore God suffered so thick a mist and Cimmerian darkness to invade the World about 409 years after Christ's â—esurrection Also why he suffer`d that â—arkness so long to blind the Minds and â—earts of Men that Men were in a manâ—er more blinded for some Ages past in the â—eign of Antichrist than they were heretoâ—ore whilst they liv'd under Ethnicism beâ—ore the incarnation of Christ I say the â—eason of this is because they who were â—â—us blinded under Antichrist when they â—â—v'd under the clear Light of the Gospel â—id not love that Light nor believe on â—hrist that true Light enlightning every â—an that comes into the World and thereâ—ore by God's most just Judgment are blinded and darkened when they return into â—his Life in a Body of Flesh with this â—ross and obscure darkness and therefore â—â—e Light of the Gospel shone in the World â—ith so much lustre for so small a time to â—it the space of 333 years and not longer that the greatest part of Mankind might have a sufficient opportunity to embrace the said light but seeing they depised it it was not convenient that this â—ight shou'd shine any longer to them in â—ts lustrâ— for the coming of Christ in his day is 〈◊〉 the morning briâ—htness which suddenly haâ—tens 〈◊〉 â—he East to the West and â—hâ—â—eâ—ore they who love not that light nâ—r â—mbâ—ace it are worthy to be left in daâ—kneâ—sâ—â—or the negleâ—â— of so great Graceâ— but they who have not had the clear light of the Gospelâ—Truth propos'd unto them in the aforesaid space of 333 Years from Christ's Death and Resurrection shall live again 75 Years before the beginning of the Millenium and shall have the truth of the Gospel clearly shining before the Eyes of their Minds that so all that perish may be left without excuse for there shall not be a Man on Earth to whom the clear light of the Gospel shall not shine before the end of the World and that too immediately as well as by Means of the preaching of the true Servants of God even such who are truly sent and commission'd by God and Christâ— For the Gospel must be preach'd to every Creature before the end of the World 69. 'T is provedâ— 49. Because God punisâ—ed the iniquities of the Fathers upon the third and fourth Generation that the Children of the third and fourth Generation which underwent that punishment might be meliorated and reduc'd to a better State and Condition of Life that so at length from these so meliorated after the third and fourth Generation i. e. from their Children thus meliorated they may be again born into the World and become better as being born of better Parents for it is a singular Gift oâ— God to be born of good Parents 70. It is proved 50. Because for this Reason a Bastard was not admitted into the Congregation of the Lord until the tenth Generation so that when he shall be born the second time into the World in the 14 or 15 Generation the punishment which God inflicts on him and his Children shall reduce him to a better State and Condition and that defilement of Lust and Depravity shall be in some measure purged away But since by Christ every sinfull pollution is more effectually and perfectly purged away from those who believe on him therefore that severe Law concerning Bastards and a spurious issue together with all others of the like nature is repeal'd and abolish'd and hence also the Words of Paul may be understood where he speaks concerning Fornication that he that commits Fornication sins against his own Body infects and depraves his own Root and Original from whence he is to spring again and be raised unto Life with the odious stain of his own filthy Lust. 71. Lastly 't is proved because when certain of the Jews thought Christ was Elias or Ieremias or one of the Prophets which pesuppos'd the Truth of such a Doctrine in general Christ did not generally condemn the same but rather confirmed it saying that Iohn was Elias Moreover also he did the same in his Answer to his Disciples concerning him that was born Blind and so also when he conversed with Nicodemus concerning Regeneration or being born again tho' he chiefly intended Spiritual Regeneration There are other Arguments not a few which might be brought to confirm the Truth of this Doctrine which for brevity are omittedâ— 72. Moreover this Doctrine of the return of Souls to live again and be born in a Body of Flesh very easily answers to many of the most weighty objections to the â—â—opping of the Mouths of Atheists who dispute against the justice of God concerning the state of Infants dying in their Infancy and the state of Fools and such as are possess`d with unclean Spirits from their Infancy to the last
Moment of their Lives Also it wonderfully demonstrates the Justice Wisdom and goodness of God towards Mankind in all his Ways and Administrations it also evidently shews the equality of the ways oâ— God and his marvelous â—enefâ—â—s yea clearly evinces what and how great Beneâ—its did accrue to all Mankind by the death of Christ in the latter Days by the abundant Favour and Benignity of God Moreover also it doth mightily illustrate confirm and perfect in a mannâ—r the whole Doctrine of Christianity makâ—s the Salvation of Heathens possibleâ— and yet nevertheless makes the knowledgâ— oâ— Christ's coming in the Flesh and Fâ—â—â—h in him of absolute necessity to the Salvation of all and finally greatly furthers the Conviction and Conversion of the Iew. â—3 From what has been said the truth of the said Doctrine of the various returns of Humaâ—e â—ouls into a Body of Flesh is appâ—râ—nâ— but how often they shall return shall â—e somewhat more distinctly explained 74. All Souls which are not perfect in Faith Righteousness and Holiness do return twelve times until they are perfected and that Soul which was made perfect in Faith and Holiness in some former reâ—olution tho' before the death of Christ needed not to return into a Mortal Life unless it were such that were to come again in the Flesh for some publick Benefit to all Mankind as in the case of Elias and some extraordinary Men. 75. Therefore we affirm that there is no necessity for many of the Prophets and Saints to live again after they have slept in the Lord before Christ's Incarnation much less is such a Revolution to be affirmed after the coming of Christ because the faithful that dye in the Lord rest from their Labours 76. But 't is proved that some imperfect Souls must necessarily make 12 Revolutions or Returns as well from those 12 Hours the Labourers wrought in the Field as that the day of every Souls Visitation contains 12 Hours according to the words of Christ are there not 12 Hours in the Day Work whilest you have the Day then because four Watches of the Night contains 4000 Years from Psal. 90. v. 4. and eveâ—y Watch three Hours again this is proved from those 12 Faces and 4 Wheels in Ezekiâ—l Chap. 1. v. 10. 77. But because the 12 Revolutions of the Souls are not compleated in less than 4000 Years which are all to be finisht at the end of the future Millenium therefore all Souls began their Revolutions in the year of the World 274. 78. All which and much more this following Table will clearly exhibit to the Eye The Explanation of the Table 1. The first Column contains 7000 years of the World as it were devided into 21 hours whâ—â—eof each contains 333 years 2. The eight Column at the right Hand contains the Revolutions of Souls from the first â—o the twelfth â— The tenth Column contains the intervals of the siâ— Sâ—als from the Resurrection of Christ to the year about 6000. 4. The eleventh Column contains 7000 years of the World as aforesaid but something disposed in a different Order 5. The twelfth Column contains the names of Faces in each Revolution 6. The second Column contains 12 Revolutions of Souls from the beginning of the World to the year of the World 3996. 7. The third Column contains the Râ—volutions of Souls from the year of the World 3â—3 to the year of the World 4329 and so thence forward to the year of the World 6740. 8. Now because all the Souls that come into the World have 3996 or 4000 years to fulfill their twelve Revolutions in if they are not perfect in goodness therefore all Souls came into the World and begun their first Revolution between the beginning of the World and the year of the World 2744 for if 3996 be added to the number 2744 the sum will be 6740 beyond which the Revolution of Souls doth not extend 9. Those Souls which came into the World from the beginning thereof made their twelfth and last Revolution about the year of the World 3996. 10. Therefore after the year 3996 some Souls were not to come into the World any more till the beginning of the Millenium if they were holy and not till in the exact Millenium if they were Evil and not yet purged 11. And thereforâ— Christ ought to offer himâ—elf to God the Father a Sacrifice for the Sins of all Mankind about the year of the World 3996 otherwise they who had finished their 12 Revolutions would have had no benefit of his Sacrifice if he had come later 12. And finallyâ— because a great many Souls have accomplish'd their Râ—volution between the year 3996 and 432 therefore since Christ's Resurrection from the Dead no Man without some particular divine Revelation cou'd be certain whether he should come again into the World to have an opportunity of Repentanceâ— and therefore none by the aforesaid Doctrine can or ought to indulge themselves into a wicked Life in hopeâ— to come again into the World becâ—â—se he cannot certainly know whâ—â—â—er he â—hall or notâ— 13. But no Man that dy'd in utter impenitence after the year of the World 5661 is expir'd can redeem his former mispent time tho' he shou'd come into the Word within the interval of the blessed Millenium so as to enjoy the happiness of the Millenium or obtain the Resurrection of the just in this World for truly the Millenial Happiness and Resurrection of the just is ordained and appointed as a reward for such who have heretofore 〈◊〉 a Holy Life before the beginning of the Millenium which was signified by this Type that it was not lawful for the Israelites to gather Manna on the Sabbath Day therefore none may or ought to deâ—er the amendment of his Life to another time because this present time is the last tâ—at is granted to any in this World to obtain Salvation 14. But because before the death of Christ Men might abuse this Doctrine of the Souls Revolution as they may now in some measure therefore according â—o the ordination of Divine Wisdom it came to pass that the said Doctrine â—or the mosâ— paâ—t lay conceal'd as an hidden Mysâ—ery and was not to be unlock'd to any but good Men which nevertheless may now without danger and indeed ought to be revealed for it is of great use to convince the Iews and to demonstrate more clearly other Heads of the Christian Religion 15. For from the aforesaid Doctrine the justice of God in punishing the wicked and rebellious is plainly demonstrated â—or seeing all the wicked and rebellious have sinned against God a thousand years whilst they lived in a Body of Flesh therefore it is just that they shou'd be punished in Hell fire 7000 years after the end of this World for so God who made all things in number weight and measure hath also limited a number and measure to the Torments of the damned that every rebellious and incorrigible Sinner may be punished seven fold which
space of seven thousand years being finished the same Souls are again sent into the World for a fresh Tryal of their Obedience But those whom the space of seven thousand years wherein they shall be punish'd in Hell Fire with the most grievous and tremendous Torments will not deter from Sin these certainly are so stupid and obdurate that not any even the longest Torments that words can express can deter from it nor hath that infiniteness of Ages wherein wicked Men are to be punish'd tho' preached up by many reâ—ormâ—d Men but rather led many into despair and hardened their Hearts against the Goodness and Mercy of God 16. Now every one making his Revolulution from the first to the twelfth comes three times into the World in a carnal Body in the space of one Millenium which is like one year Consider then whether this be not that which was figured under the Law when all were to appear thrice every year before the Lord at the Temple of Ierusalem which typified the temple of the Body neither doth this seem to want a Mystery that the Temple of Ierusalem stood about a thousand years before it was utterly and totally overturn'd and demolish'd Moreover also this is worthy our animadversion viz. that all Souls whatsoever that had lived in a Body of Flesh ought to have lived once in some hour between the hours Ten Eleven and Twelve including part of the ninth and Thirteenth in Case they had finished their twelve Revolutions from the beginning of the World 18. Therefore all Souls not yet perfect lived in the compass of one hour to wit in the interval of 333 years viz. from the year of the World 3996 to the year of the World 4329. 19. And therefore all that have perform'd their twelfth Revolution within the said hour or aâ— leastwise their eleventh tenth ninth or eighth ought to hear the Gospel because all Souls who were in their twelfth Revolution were not to return as yet but othâ—rs that were to return had not suâ—â—icient opportunity of hearing the Gospel sincerely preached by reason of Antichristian Darkness 20. Others also who were making but thâ—ir sâ—vâ—nth sixth and fifth Revolution â—rom â—he Death and Resurrection of Christ if so be within the said hour they have not heard the Gospel preach'd they must hear in their succeeding Revolutions before the beginning of the Millenium to wit within the year 1700 and 1777 â—rom the birth of Christ. 21. In Revel 20. It is said the rest of the Dead lived not again till the thousand yâ—â—rs were finish'd this certainly is to be undersâ—ood of those Dead who had compleated their twelve Revolutions but those who had not as yet â—inished their twelve Revoâ—lâ—tions were to live again in the Millâ—nium â—â—t none who belonged to Babâ—lon wâ—re to live again in the Millâ—nium because they bâ—gan thâ—ir fiâ—â—t Revolution at the year 1â—â—4 and â—hereâ—ore â—inish â—heir twelâ—th Râ—â—oluâ—ion at the year oâ— the Woâ—ld 6740 The TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 000 I          000 A Bull. 333 II 1         333 A Man 6â—6 III 2 1        666 A Lyon 1000 VI 3 2 1       1000 An Eagle A Bull. 1333 V 4 3 2 1      1333 A Man 1666 VI 5 4 3 2 1     1666 A Lyon 2000 VII 6 5 4 3 2 1    2â—0â— An Eaâ—le A Bull. 2333 VIII 7 6 5 4 3 2 1   2333 A Man 2â—66 IX 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1  2666 A Lâ—on 3â—00 X 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2  3â—00 An Eagle A Bull. 3â—33 XI 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3  3333 A Mâ—â— 3â—00 XI 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4  â—6â—6 A Lyoâ— â—â—0 XIII 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5  4000 An Eagle 4333 XIV  12 11 10 9 8 7 6 1 Seal 4333 33â— 1 â— A Bul 40â—6 XV   12 11 1â— 9 8 â— 2 〈◊〉 â—6â—6 6â—6â—â— â— A Maâ—â— 5â—â— XVI    12 11 10 9 8 3 â—eal 5â—00 999 â— 3 A Lyoâ—â— 5333 xvii     12 11 10 9 4 Seal 5333 13â—2 4 3 An Eagâ—â—â— 5666 xviii      12 11 1â— 5 Seal 5666 1665 5 â— A Maâ—â— 6000 XIX       12 11 6 Seal 6000 1998 6 â— A Lyâ—â—â— 6333 XX        12  6333 Millen An Eagle â—666 â—XI          66â—6  â—â—d what 's worth our serious Consideration 〈◊〉 that these very Men which shall be at â—â—st destroyed in Spiritual Babylon were â—â—e same Men who in a litteral Sence â—â—ilt the outward Babylon 79. The foregoing Scheme exhibits to our view one great Wheel being the greaest of all then four other great Wheels â—â—stly twelve little Wheels The great â—heels containing 1000 the little Wheels â—33 and the greatest of all 4000 years The Explanation of the Figureâ— 1. In this Figure the great outward â—ircle represents the greatest Revolution â—f Humane Souls 2. The other four great Circles signifie â—he same 4000 years so as that one of them â—akes 1000 years 3. And lastly the lesser Circles signifie â—â—ch one only Revolution or Face of 333 â—â—ars 4. The chief use of the figure is to â—â—ew that there are but 12 Faces altho' â—â—ch great one contains four less ones 80. The greatest Revolution of Souls â—omprehending 4000 years is fairly shadowed out to us under the type of the six days Creation For as the first days woâ—k was finished in the fourth the work of the second day in the fifth the work of the third day in the sixth aâ—d finally all in the seventh so the Souls that begin their Revolutious in the first Millenium finish it in the fourth and so fulfill their Mystical year and are either made perfect in Goodness or have filled up their measure of Evil those which are perfect in Goodness shall be rais'd up to Life in the Body and after the Millenium is expir'd their Bodies shall be chang'd and spiritualiz'd and they shall ascend into Heaven but such who have fill'd up their Measure oâ— wickedness shall be rais'd up to live in a Body of Flesh that they may suffer God`â— Judgment in the Conflagration of the World whose Resurrection is to Death and Condemnation Morâ—over Souls that begin their Revolutions in the second Millenium compleat them in the fifth and finally those that begin their Revolutions in the third compleat them in the sixth Millenium And forasmuch as in the sixth day of the Worlds Crâ—ation Man was created perfect in the Image of God therefore in the sixth Millenium all the Saints shall be raised up to live in the Body and be born inâ—o the
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
excepted which is more illustrated by this Hypothesis there are sundry other places of Scripture which seem to be very much illustrated by the said Hypothesis noâ—withstanding that where Christ is said to have once appeared in the end of the World to purge away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself because indeed that Soul bore the name of Christ and Lord only in his twelfth Revolution For neither Abel nor Isaac or any other of those 12 Revolutions was called Christ nor ought any of them to bear the dignity or Character of Christ till they had performed their 12 Revolutions whereby that Soul ought to be fitted and prepared to Assume this excellent Title and Dignity Wherefore it is true that Christ was but once born in the Flesh and but once suffered for the Sins of all Mankind even according to the aforesaid Hypothesis because Christ did not assume that Soul in a personal unity as the seed of Abraham till the 12 Revolution 12. Lastly because Moses foretold that God would raise up a Prophet to the Israelitish People from amongst their Brethren like unto him The Word raise up seems to intimate that the Soul of the same Prophet had lived before in the Flesh yea was at time living in the Flesh. Moreover the aforsaid Hypothesis if it shouâ—d gain admittance would arm us with the most effectual Argument to convince the Iews that that was the very Messiah who was Born of the Virgin Mary and suffered under Pontius Pilate For he ought not to have come sooner nor later into the World than he did because if he had come sooner he could not have perform'd his Revolution oâ— 3996 years 〈◊〉 ought not to come later because 〈◊〉 some Souls would have finâ—shed all their Revolutions before the Messias was come and so would have been frustrated and disappointed of the Fruit of his coming which could not be 107. But laying aside the aforesaid Hypothesis still the Argument remains as strong as before to convince the Iews that the Messias ought not to have come later into the World then he actually did The Iews themselves deny his coming sooner because indeed if he had come later then certain Souls would have compleated their 12 Revolutions before he came and so would have reaped no benefit by the Messias coming into the World 108. This Argment will be more forcible to convince the Iews because the Iews themselves do acknowledge the Revolution of Souls to live divers times in the Flesh altho' they are ignorant of the number of those Revolutions yet they expect that all shall at last be rais'd up and restor'd to â—ife in the days of the Messias that they may enjoy the Benefits of his coming when he shall come Now if it can be made appear to them from the Old Testament which they acknowledge and believe that there are 12 Revolutions of humane Souls living in a Body of Flesh and neither more nor less even till they are at length perfected in a good or evil I think we need not doubt but may positively conclude that the Iews at leastwise all who are ingenious and covet in any Measure or Degree the knowledge of the truth will be convinced that the Messias is come and in the next place believe his coming in the Flesh that he suffered Death and rose again from the Dead and in believing be converted and become true Christians which God of his Mercy hastâ—n and accomplish Amen 109. Paul in 1 Cor. 15.51 saith We shall not all sleepâ— but we shall be all changed in which Words he plainly hints that some of the Saints shall sleep after they shall be borâ— aâ—ain in the Flesh and be again rais'd from 〈◊〉 â—â—ead this indeed is affirm'd of 〈…〉 Elâ—as â—ho are to come into the 〈…〉 Yeaâ—s before the Millenium and 〈…〉 in the Flesh who shall prophâ—â—â— three Years and an half in the Worâ—d and chiefly to the Iews and People 〈◊〉 Israel which three Years and an half being expir'd they are to be kill'd by the Beast and in three days and an half rais'd up to Life again in the same Bodies wherein they were slain and being thus rais'd up to Life they shall not remain on Earth but ascend into the Heavens and there remain with Christ till the end of the World and then indeed they shall come with him in the Clouds of Heaven 110. And that those two Witnesses Rev. 11. are those two Prophets who in a proper and litteral Sense were to be kill'd seems to me most evident which will be between the sixth and seventh Trumpet viz. in the end of the Interval of the sixth Trumpet as it is to be seen from the words of the Revelations Also the days of their Prophesie are 1260 Days not signifying so many Years but only so many common Days because there are not 1260 Years between the sixth and seventh Trumpet but only 260 and yet this admirable event will happenâ— between those Trumpets yea in the end of the sixth Trumpet for they shall be born and slain in the space of 45 Years before the beginning of the Millenium 111. That Elias shall come before the beginning of the Millenium appears from the words of Christ Elias truly shall come and restore all things 112. And lastly That Moses and Elias were to come and be slain and raised again from the Dead and then ascend into Heaven and remain with Christ the whole Millenium appears from Christ's Transfiguration in the Mount where were seen with him Moses and Elias and these are they whom God the Father hath ordain'd to sit the one at the Right Hand and the other at the Left Hand of Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven 113. Wherefore they are of an higher Order and Rank than all the Prophets and Apostles 114. Therefore diligently weigh and consider whether Abraham Isaac and Iacob that sit in the Kingdom of Heaven be not Moses Christ and Elias of whom Christ has for the greatest Dignity Consider also whether the same Moses was not Enoch and whether or no what is written oâ— Enoch and Elias that they should be translated into Heaven doth not answer truly to this Translation of Mâ—ses and Elias for in the first Translation they did not obtain the Resurrection of a glorified Body but it â—aâ—her happen'd to them in a figure for Châ—â—â—â— only was the first of all that attaiâ—â—â— the Râ—surrection of a glorified Body 〈…〉 is callâ—d in Scripture the first 〈…〉 among the Deâ—d and the first 〈…〉 the Resurrection from the Dead 〈…〉 ouâ— Loâ—d and Saviour Jesus 〈◊〉 arose â—irâ—t of all from the Dead 〈◊〉 â—ore to suffer Death then the first oâ— allâ— who sâ—â—ll arise after him is Moses and Elias and then the other Prophets and Apostles with all the Saints every one in his Orâ—er 115. And that those two Prophets and Wâ—â—nâ—â—ses in the Revelation were indeed Moses and Elias is tacitely signify'd in these Woâ—â—â— they shall have power to withhold the Rain
that it shall not rain upon the the Earth and to turn the Waters into Blood both which were in old time imputed to the said Prophets Moses turn'd the Waters into Blood and Elias had power over the Rain therefore when those Prophets shall come into the World they shall likewise produce these Signs and Miracles litterally understood 116. And indeed that Moses was not to live on Earth in the future Millenium seems to be clearly figur'd from hence that he should not entâ—r the Land of Promise but die in the Land of Moab of whom nevertheless it was said when he died that his Eye was not darkned nor his strength oâ— Nature impaired And altho ' God seem'd to exclude Moses from entring into the Land of Promise because he spake unadvisedly at the Waters of Meribah and so was thus chastised for it yet God out of his infinite Goodness and Mercy did transfer that Chastisement into a greater Favour and Blessing to him 117. Then as touching Abraham Isaac and Iacob they indeed did sâ—arce posseâ—s that Land of Promise but only conversed therein â—or a little time as Strangers and Pilgrims for that Land was rather promised to their Seed than to the Fathers themselves See Deut. 34.4 which also was a Figure of this Myâ—tery that neither Abraham Isaac nâ—r Iacob shoâ—ld dwell on Earth in the Millenium but during the Millenium should remain together in Heaven 118. It remains now that we produce certain promises and Prophesies and other Testimonies of the Holy Ghost out of the Scripâ—ures whereby may be prov'd that all the Saints shall be yet placed upon the Earth viz. in the Millenium to live together a most Holy and Blesâ—ed Life except those three extraordinary Men who instead of that reward on Earth obtain a more worthy and excellent Reward in Heaven The places of Scripture both of the Old and New Testament are these following Exod. 20.12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Which promise Paul applies to the Gospel Eph. 6.2 Numb 14.12 The whole Earth shall be fill'd with the Glory of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah Deut. 32.39 See now that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal c. v. 43. Reiâ—yce O ye Nations with his People for he will revenge the Blood of his Servants and render Vengeance to his Adversaries and will be merciful to his Land and to his People Moreover in the second Book of Samuel chap. 23. ver 3 4 5 6 7. There is extant a famous Prophesie of the Kingdom of Christ to come in the end of the World and the destruction of the Kingdom of the Ungodly Likewise Iob hath attested his Belief that he hoped he should be rais'd up in the last day to live again in the Flesh ch 19.26 He likewise affirmed that he should enter naked into his Mother's Womb as he came naked out ch 1.21 But the Book of Psalms contains many famous Prophesies of Christ's Kingdom before the end of the World See Psal. 1. 3 4 5. Psal. 2. 8 9. Psal. 8. Psal. 37. 29. Psal. 45.14 15 16 17. Psal. 46.9 10 11 12. Psal. 68.31 32 33. Psal. 72.3 4 5 â— Psal. 90.13 14 15 16 17. Psal. 110. â—aâ—a◠〈◊〉 is almost wholly taken up in the Description of this happy Age and in a manner â—ll the Prophets do abundantly testifie oâ— thâ— same And so Iesse in these following â—â—â—â—ces chap. 2. ver 10. to ver 22. c 4. v. â— â— c. 6. v. 13. c. 11. from v. 4. to v. 9. c. â—â— c. 23. v. 21 22 23. c. 24. c. 25. from v. â—â— to 12. c. 26. v. 1. c. 27. from v. 13. to 2â— c. 51â— 11. c. 52. c. 54. c. 58. v. 14. c. 60 61 62 65. from v. 17. to the end of c. 66. See also these places of Ieremiah c 12. v. 15. c. 30. v. 17 18 19. c. c. 46. v. 27. Ezekiel c. 36 37 47 48. Daniel c. â— v. 13 14 27. c. 8. v. 14â— c. 12. v. 2 13 14. Hosea c. 6. v. 2. c. 13. v. 14. c. 14. v. 7. Joel c. 3. v. 15 16 17. Amos c. 9. v. 11. to 15. Obed. v. 17. to the end Mich. c. 4. c. 5. c. 7. v. 20. Neh. c. 1. v. 15. Hab. c. â— â— 4. Zeph. câ— 3â— from v. 8. to the end Hâ—g c. 2. v. 21 22 23. Zach. c. 12. v. 8. c. 14. v. 9. Malach. c. 4. v. 1 2 3 5 Some of which Plâ—ces have been alreâ—dy fulfilled and are now a fulâ—illing in some Degree in Relation to the first Fruits but the Final and Total accomplishment of all these things appertains to the Millenium See â—â—so the following places of the New Testament Mattâ— c. 15 v. 5 c. 19. from v. 28. to v. 30. Mar. c. 10. v. 29.30 The words with Persecutions are to be transferred with the following Luc. c. 18. v. 30. Acts c. 3. v. 21. Rom. c. 13. v. 11.12 1 Cor. 15. from v. 42 to v. 52. 1 Thess. c. 5. v. 15.16.17 Heb. c. 4. v. 9 10 11. 2 Pet. c. 3. v. 13. Iud. v. 14. Revel c. 11. v. 15. to 19. c. 20. v. 4 5 6 7. c. 21. v 1 2 3. 119. Those seven Churches of Asâ—a to whom St. Iohn wrote his Revelations do most certainly signifiy the seven Intervals of the Universal Church from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the end of the World Now the Interval of Philadelphia whose Seeds is not only now in the World but her first Fruits also begins from the Year 1702 and continues to the Year of Christ's Nativity 1777. At what time the Millenium shall begin for the promise of New Ierusalem on Earth was chiefly exhibited to the Church of Philadelphia lastly the Millenium being almost expiâ—'d follows the Interval of the Church of Laodicea but this Church belongs not to the Saints of New-Ierusalem but is of another Order and of a different kind who will have the profession of the Christian Religion but without sincerity And because God hath invited them to Repentance 't is possible they may Repent and yet for all that not enjoy the Millenial Happiness nor the Resurrection of the Just in this World But their Salvation and Happiness will be deferred to the next succeding World But those that do not Repent will be cast into Hell Fire with other Wicked and ungodly Men where they shall suffer most Tremenduous and Inexpreâ—sible Torments at least for the space of 7000 Years And they are such whose Sins Christ said should neither be forgiven in this World nor that which is to come Certain Annotatiâ—ns to be Added 1 Because the number of the Beast Revel 13. is said to be 666 and is called the number of a Man this very well agrees with what has been said before for every Face contains 333 Years and because
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
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
Is not this Holy City the true Church of God purely reformed and purged from all Antichristian Pollutions which is signified by Philadelphia Moreover will not the Iews and Israelites after their conversion to the Christian Faith make up a good part of this Church of Philadelphia and who peradventure will have a great or it may be the chiefest share in these sufferings And becaâ—se the 42 Months belong unto the Interval of the sixth Trumpâ—â— as is evident from the Revelations is it not impossible for those Months to signifie so many Years as there are days contain'd in all the saâ—d Months viz 12â—0 whereas the whole Interval of the sixth Trumpet contains but 260 Years Again if those 42 Months should contain 1260 Years they would certainly make this great Persecution to be inflicted on the Church within the seventh Millâ—nnâ—um of the World which is very absurd therefore are not those 42 Months pâ—operly to be understood of common Months making up three Years and an half which indeed is a short but a sharp time in which will happen the last Persecution the Church shall ever undergo And doth not Daniel at the end of the eleventh Chapter and beginning of the eighteenth plainly touch upon the manner of this Pâ—rsecution And will not the chief Author of this Persecution be that King describ'd Daniel Tâ—â— King descrâ—bâ—d in Daniel 16.36 to the end of the Chapter whom Iohn in his Revelations calleth the seventh King yet to come and it is said of him when he comâ—th that he shall remain but a short time Quest. 58. What are those two Witnesses cloath'd in Sackcloth who shall prophesie during the whole time of the last Persecution 12â—0 Days Shâ—l they not be Moses and Elias raised up to live again in a Body upon Earth And is not this clearly enough hinted in these words of Iohn Ch. 11. viz. that they shall have Power to shut up Heaven Their Power that it shall not rain in the days of their Pâ—ophecy as they did in times past and to turn the Waters into Blood and to smite the Earth with Plagues as often as they liâ—t even as Moses did heretofore Quest. 59. And why should it be thought incredible that Moses and Elias should come again into the World when as it sufficiently appears from Scripture as well from the Book of Revelations as from other places of Scripture that all the Saints shall come again into the World within the Millennium And whereas Iohn says 144000 Israâ—â—lites were to be the firâ—â— Fruits of this Kingdom and glorious State will not Moses and Elias belong unto those first Fruits Moâ—eover as touchiâ—â— Elias did not Christ â—ay â—hat Elias should come or that he came and restored â—ll â—hings after the â—eath oâ— Iohn the Baptist â— whom he called Eâ—ias And finally why were Moses and Elias â—een with Chriâ—â— in the Mounâ— at his Transfiguration before he had suffer'd death Was it not to signifie that they should be nearest to Christ and the very next after him who should obtain the Resurrection from the Dead and in like manner ascend into Heaven unto him Quest. 60. Shall not those two Prophets be really slain and suffer a corporal Death as Christ really did and after three days and an half shall they not rise again from the Dead even as Christ arose on the third day And why should Men betake themselves to a meeâ— Allegoral Sense of the words touching the Death Resurrection of these two Witnesses when as the proper and literal Sence of the words is sound and contains no Absurdity but tends greatly to demonstrate divine Glory and Omnipotence Quest. 61. What is that great City spiritually call'd Sodom and Egâ—pt What Sodoâ— and â—gypt is where also our Lord was Crucified wherein the Bodies of the tâ—o Witnesses which were slain lay unburied thâ—ee days and an half May not thiâ— be the place where Christ was externally Crucified And may not â—ome great City be built theâ—e and stand in the â—ame place at that time And may not some great Mystery be coucht under it viz. That Moses and Elias should be slain in the same place where Châ—ist was slain and afterwards to be raiâ—ed up again tho' they were killed about 1740 years apart And it appears from History that Elias Adrian built there a City upon the Mountain to wit Golgotha where Christ was Crucified and call'd it Elias but the Chrâ—stâ—ans call'd it Ierusalem and so it is call'd to this day now under the power of the Turks And doth it not also appear from Dan. 11. v. 4. That the King who shall immediaâ—ely follow upon the Iews Conversion to the Chriâ—â—ian Faith shall inhabit Ierusalem which he calls the Holy Mountain of Beauty and Delight Situated between the Seas for this place was commonly held as an Holy place and really seated between the Seaâ— Quest. 62. To what time is the killing of the two VVitnesses and their Resurrection to be Referred Is it not to be Referred to the three last Years and an half immediatâ—ly preceediâ—g the Millennium because the Resurrection and Ascension of the two VVitnesses is joyned with the Sound of the seventh Trumpet also in Dan. 12. that time wherein Michael shall stand up for the Salvation of the Iewish People is joyned with the first Resurrection of the Dead Quest. 63. VVill not the Sound of the seventh Trumpet introduce that famous and renouned Millennium The Sound of the seventh Trumpet and the first Resurrection from the Dead in its due order viz. From the Year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 From 1740 to 2000 viz. From the Resurrection of the Dead to about the Year 2000 the Interval of the seventh and last Trumpeâ— containing the same number of Years as the rest above-cited to wit 260 and all the Intervals of the seven Trumpets together with the half hours silence do comprehend 2000 years For 260 multiplyed by 7 produces 1820 The duration of eâ—ery Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 180 the said number as it were of the half hours silence be added the Sum is 2000. And do not the words of Iohn in chap. 11. v. 15. manifestly declare that the beginning of the Millennium and the first Resurrection is to be taken from the beginning of the seventh Trumpet For he saith in the place here cited The seventh Angel sounded and there were great Voicâ—s in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever c. Read to the end of the Chaâ—ter and especially Verse 18. And the Natiâ—ns were angry and thy Wrath is câ—mâ— and the time of the Dead â—hat they should be judged and that thâ—u shâ—uldst give Reward unto thy â—ervanâ—s the Pâ—opheâ—s and to thy Saints and to them that fear thy name small and great and shâ—uld'st destroy them that dâ—stâ—â—y the Earth c. Quest. 64. Was not that Vision desâ—rib'd by
Iohn ch 12. The Vision Ch. 12. Contemporary with ch 8. Synchronical or happening at the same Interval of time with the aforesaid Vision of the half Hours silence and the seven Trumpets And is not the Woman here describ'd the Church and her Male-Child the Life of Christ or the true Spirit oâ— Christianity brought forth in the New-Birth or Spiritual Regeneration And was not this Spirit or Life of Christ most clearly revealed and brought forth in those Primitive times for the space of 300 Years and more after Christ's Resurrection and Ascensâ—on into Heaven And is not that great red Dragon the Devil And are not his seven Heads seven Monarchies or Kingdoms orderly succeeding each otherâ— whereof five were elapsed before Iâ—hn's time And finally Doth not the Tail of this Dragon signifie the false Prophets even as that true Prophet had said The Prâ—phet that teaches Lyes is the Tail Moreover this Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heavenâ— and cast them on the Earth Doth not this signifie some great number of Professors of the Christian Religion but of little Stability who did not persist or remain in the Truth or Life of what they professed Quest. 65. What is signified by the Woman â—lying into the Wilderness Is it not a ceâ—tain solitary and obscure State the Church of God shall come into wherein the true Champions and Defenders of Christianity were very much dispersed and as it were in the Wilderness or hid in a Wood and making but little outward Show or Appearance and but little obvious to the external Observation as it was in the days of Elias who thought himself to be left alone but God told him he had 7000 who had not bowed the Knee to Baal Quest. 66. How much is that time of 1260 Days wherein the Woman fled into the Wilderness Doth it not contain 1260 common Years For in Scripture a day is sometimes taken for a year in a Prophetical or a Mystical Seâ—câ— And doth not experience it selfâ— and Ecclesiastical Histories conspicuously demonstrate for some Ages back that this solitaâ—y and obscure State of the Chuâ—ch has been continued for above 120â— Years already past and that by reason of Antichristian Darkness and Tyranny And doth not that time of 1260 Years expire at the beginning of the Interval of the Philadelphian Church which falls in the year of Christ's Resuâ—rection 1â—6â— oâ— in the year of his Nativity 1700 Therefore will not the afoâ—esaid time of 1260 Years begin â—t the year of Christ's Nativity 440 Aâ—d indeed about the same time viz. 440 Years after Christ's Nativity the Wâ—stâ—rn Empire almoâ—â— totally fell together and in the Fall of it was divideâ— into ten leâ—ser Empires or Kingdoms which are called by Iohn the ten Horns of the Beast and these Horns miserably smote the Servants of God here and there dispersed Qâ—est 67. About what time shall Michael â—nd his Angels overcome the Dragon and his Angels Aâ—d when will that Dragon and his Angels be cast down to the Earth and the Saints overcome them in the Blood of the Lamb and the word of his Testimony Will not that time be about the end of the 1260 Years afore-mentioned And that the Dragon shall be cast down from Heaven unto the Earth doth not this signifie that the Church is here puâ— for Heaven and shall enjoy both outward and inward Peace and Tranquility and be fâ—ee from Calamities â—or a considerable time aâ—ter the â—erm of 1260 Years is expir'd And doth not the casting of the Dragon down unto the Earth signifie his power which he will have over Carnal Men and such only as are Earthly wise whereby he will cause horrid and detestable Wars to arise among them And finally will not the Church about this time appear going out of the Wilderness and Satan the Accuser of the Brethren be cast down that he may not accuse them of Heresie Sedition and other crimes of the like nature as he hath formerly done Moreover shall not this time during which the Church shall enjoy outward Peace remain for some time as it were about 70 Years whilest the remaining part of Mortals shall be exceedingly pressed with Wars and many and great Calamities Quest. 68. And shall not the Church after she is return'd ouâ— of the Wilderness and hath for a good season enjoy'd outward Peace and Tranquility fly the second time into the Wildernesâ— And is not this second â—light of the Church clâ—arly enough describ'd v. 14 And wherefore is it said that in her second flight â—â—e had two Wings of an Eagle given her unless it be to denote the vâ—locity or swiftness of her flight and return And therefore will noâ— the time of this second flight be of a short continuance viz. 1260 Days even as the tiâ—e of her first flight had been long and tedious to wit 1260 Years whereas iâ— both times had consisted of 1260 Years it would certainly have made the last flight of the Church to have happen'd within that most happy age of the World the future Millennium which is very absurd Moreover is not the time of this second flight viz 1260 Days the very same with that wherein the two Prophetâ— should Prophesie cloath'd in Sack cloth and the Holy City be trodden under foot Quest. 69. What is signified by that where the Earth helped the Woman and opened her Mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth Is it not thus to be understood to wit that the Flood of the Dragon's Wrath fell on some other People and those as well Heathens and professed Inâ—idels as Christians falsly so call'd that were only nominal and titular who made War one upon another that so the Church might with more ease and facility slip out of the Jaws of the Dragon CHAP. XIII QUest â—0 What is that Beast which Iohn saw arise out of the Sea having seven Heads and ten Hornâ— Doth not this Beaâ—t signifie the Body of 7 great Monarchies whereof 5 Heads weâ—e even then expired beâ—ore Iohn's time Revel 17. and two remained to come Moreover are not those which were already past before Iohn's time these â—ollowing that is to say the first the Egyptian Mâ—narchy under which the Iewish Church or Israelitish People suffer'd much in times past and therefore the Subversion and Overthrow of Pharaoh and his Army in the red Sea is call'd in Scriâ—ture the wounding of the Dragon the second the Assyrian Monarchy â— under which the ten Tâ—ibes were put â—nâ—o Exile the third the Babylonish Mâ—narchy whereof Nebuchadnezzar was Head who led the other two Tribes Captive into Babylon and destroyed the Temple and City of Ierusalem the â—ourth the Monarchy of the Medes and Persians the fifth was the Graecian Monarchy whose Head was Alexander call'd the Great which five Heads or Monarchies fell before Iohn's time Therefore is not the sixth Head the Roman Monarchy which in Iohn's time only remained The seventh Head Quest.
Number having the Harps of God and singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb Are not they the 144000 and with them all the rest of the Saints who have attained to the first Resâ—rrection before all others And is not this Sea of Glass this visible World full of perplexing Cares and Câ—lamities upon which notwithstanding shall stand the Saints as it were upon a Sea â—esembling Glass in Solidity who have gotten Victory over the Beast not only singing Mâ—ses's Song for a Testimony of deliverance â—â—t the Song of the Lamb also Questâ— 8â— â—ow are â—â—ose words to be undâ—â—â—tood Revel 15. â— And â—he Tâ—mple was â—iâ—leâ—â—ith 〈…〉 the Glory of God and no Mâ—n was a 〈◊〉 â—nter into the Temple â—ilâ— the seâ—en Plagues of the seven Angels were fulfiâ—led Doth not this signifieâ— thaâ—â—he Câ—urch of God â—â—all liâ— open duâ—ing the whole Inâ—erval of the seven Phials shining with exâ—eeding splendour and investeâ— wâ—th Divine Glory which â—hall so conâ—ouâ—d her Adâ—ersaries that none of them shall be able â—o enter there into or do her the leaâ—t injury during all that time And peradventure about the end of the seventh Phial those enemies of the Church will attempt something upon her and hitherto the Battle of Armageddon seems to be referr'd where at last they shall all perish by Fire and Hail sent from Heaven Quest. 87. Do not the seven Thunders belonging to the sixth Trumpet The seven Thunders belong to the sixth Trumpet and the seven Phials belonging to the seventh Trumpet The seven Phials belong to the seventh Trumpet The Duration of the Trumpet 260 Years 1 â— contain something analogous Quest. 88. Doth not the effuâ—ion or pouring out of the seven Phials denote the Fall of Babylon as it were by so many degrees succeeding one another every Phial's Interval including 37 Years and 1 â— which is 1 7 of the nâ—mber 260 the Interval of each Trumpet Therefore are they not mightily deceived who think that either Babylon is already fallen or else that her Fall is exceeding near Are not they also mistaken who think the four Phials are already pour'd forth when 't is more probaâ—le that not one of them is as yet pour'd out for the first Phial will begin from the year of Chrisâ—'s Resurrection 1740 â—or the opening of the Temple and the Vision of the 144000 sealed must precede the effusion or pouring forth of all the Phials as evidently appears from the very Series or Order of Prophecies in this Book Quest. 89. What is signified by the Earth upon which the first Phial was to be pour'd out Is it not the lowest order of Antichristian Hierarchy of which sort are Priests and Clerks of inferior rank with all their train And what is signified by the â—â—a Is it not some supeâ—iour degree of the same Hierarchy as the Sea is superiour to the Earth of which sort are chief Priests or Bishops with their Seats which they call Seas and whereas these Seas are to be turned into Bâ—ood doth not this signifie some mighty Slaughter and Destruction to fall upon these Men by War And then what may be understood by Fountains and Rivers whether not others again of an higher Order and Rank such as are chieâ— or Arch-Bishops commonly callâ—d Cardinals and Metropolitans of the Antichristian Hierarchy who spilt the Blood of Saints and Pâ—opheâ—s and therefore they shall then have their own Blood spilt not indeed by any Saints but by other instruments raised up agaâ—nst them by God's most just judgment But how aâ—d when those that are to be slain under the third Phial did spill the Blood of the Saints is a question well worth Explanation seeing none of the Saints were killed by any after the Interval of the sixth Trumpet Moreover doth not the pouring out oâ— the other four Phialâ— denote the Fall and utter Ruin of Babylon or the false and Antichristian Church by various degrees together with the final Period and Destruction of the Kingdoms and corrupt Dominions of Men And finally doth not this great River Euphrates subjâ—ct to the sixth Phial signifie the Turkâ— or other People inhabiting some other Countries bordering upon Euphrates to make a way for the Kings of the East And who are those Kings of thâ— East Are they not the Saints raised to Life again in the future Millennium CHAP. XVII QUest 90. Doâ—h not the Mystery Babylon so fully described in this Chapter signiâ—ie the whole and intire Body of the false and Antichristian Châ—â—ch and indeed chiefly the Church of Rome who Apostatized for many Ages back and drank of the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of God And is not thâ—â— Beast upon whom this great Whoâ—e sat the Roman Monarchy which is the sixth Head But this sixth Head falling will not a seventh â—ead aâ—ise and after that an eighth which nevertheless belongs to the seventh and is â—s it were an Appendix of it Anâ— doth not Daniel expresly describe those two Kings the one of the South and the other of the North And lastly will not these Kings or one of these Kings rise up against the Saints together with the false Prophet who is to be raised up with him with a purpose to kill them under the Interval of the seventh Phial But will not God miraculously guard and protect his Saints and destroy their Adversaries with Fire and Hail from Heaven And is not the Battle of Armageddon which seems to belong to the last Phial clearly enough described by Ezekiel and also the aforesaid Kings called by the names of Gog and Magog Chap. 38 and 39 CHAP. XVIII QUest 91. Doth not that Fall and Destruction of Babyâ—on by Fire or Bâ—rning so fully describ'd chap. 18. signiâ—ie that the false and Antichristian Church shall be totally destroyed and abolished And what are those Daughters of Babylon but Hypocrites in every Sect and Profession of Christianity altho' they may gild it over with the specious name oâ— Reâ—ormation whilst they continue Strangers to the Spirit and Life oâ— the Christian Religion Quest. 92. How are we to understand that in Babylon was found not only the Blood of the Prophets and Saints but of all that were slain upon the Earth Doâ—h not the effuâ—ion of so much Blood respect all that space of 4000 years past from Noaâ—'s Flood from which time Babylon began to be â—uilt externally comprehending the intire Revolution of one great Day or Night consisting of twelve hours Therefore will not all those Murderers and Shedders of Humane Blood even from Noahs's Flood to the Year of the World's Creation 5740 or of Christ's Resurrection from the Dead 1740 together make up one and the same City of Babylon and receive their Punishment therein in case they do not trâ—ly and sincerely Râ—pâ—nt Aâ—d how this shall come to pass is â—lso well worth an explanation Moreoverâ— will not that hour wherein Babylon shall be Lashâ—d with those Terâ—ible and Tremendous Judgments of God consist of 333 1 â— Years or â—
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-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