The Times of Restitution of All Things, Tract (1 of 3)

The Times of Restitution of All Things · Tract (1 of 3)

p. 5Revel. 21.5.

And he that ſate upon the Throne ſaid, Behold, I make all things new: And he ſaid unto me, write, for theſe words are true and faithful.

WE now being to conſider in our preſent proceeding, that great, gracious, and glorious work of God's renovation of all things in reference to the ſaid Kingdom of Chriſt to fill up thoſe times reſerved for thoſe mercies belonging to that ſtate and world. We ſhall ſtill therefore refer the Reader to the ſerious peruſal of our ſaid Compriſal and Syſtem in reference to this alſo, as being a Subject ſtanding upon the ſame foundations (as was ſaid,) p. 6The Declaration whereof is ſo gloriouſly illuſtrated by him that is ſaid to ſit upon the Throne, as in the Text.

As our bleſſed Saviour did firſt in his life-time doctrinally teach many things concerning that ſtate and world, which the children of the Reſurrection ſhould then be counted worthy of (as we ſhewed from Luke 20.35, 36.) and afterwards very punctually explained his ſaid Doctrine in many particulars in the Revelation, reſpecting the ſame in the order of accompliſhment.

1. Even ſo the Spirit of God guided the Apoſtle Peter, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. to teach divers things concerning the times of reſtitution of all things, which our Saviour here hath as punctually in this Revelation of the renovation of all things alſo explained, concerning that time in the order of accompliſhment; when God (as in this Text) will make all things new; for all the links in the Chain of Revelation-Propheſies have their unalterable meaſures of their proportioned times, many ways through Divine wiſdom and goodneſs accommodated to the beneſit & happineſs of the Church of Chriſt in the world, until all promiſed mercies be fully performed in the iſſue: Wherefore ſo much reference is made to the Prophets to the end of that Divine Book, as is very obſervable.

2. As the Apoſtle Peter particularly teacheth, that the Heavens muſt receive Chriſt until thoſe times of reſtitution of all things. So Chriſt in the Revelation order placeth thoſe times upon his own coming from the right hand of his Father to deſtroy the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, and of the Reſurrection of the ſaid Saints to reign with him, Chap. 19. & 20.

3. As the ſame Apoſtle informs us further, that God hath ſpoken of theſe times, not things (as Beza well notes on that Text) by the mouth of all his holy Prophets ſince the world began: So here the Prophets are not only referred unto, and often mentioned upon theſe accounts, but the particulars are therefore many times aſſerted to be true and faithful, as being before foretold or promiſed in the Writings of the Prophets.

4. As the ſaid Apoſtle uſeth that expreſſion of them foreign, the times of the reſtitution of all things; and uſing that Decompound word, that fitly denotes a placing things in order out of a diſcompoſed ſtate of them: ſo pointing out the particularities to be renewed in thoſe times, wherein both the antient Propheſies & the ſaid Revelation-key do both concur & agree, the laſt giving both clearneſs and evidence to the former: only in this ſaid Key of Chriſt's, p. 7we have the laſt promiſed mercy of Chriſt's Kingdom as the Son of David. Firſt, ſet down, as being the chief thing, which all the reſt ſerve to make to make up, into the poſſeſſion whereof the Reſurrection of all his Saints which he brings with him as his Spouſe or new Jeruſalem coming down from God out of Heaven, Rev. 21.9. is the Inlet (as we noted) to bring them into a capacity to partake of in ſuch reſtitution of all things; ſo ſpeaking firſt of that reſtoring the Kingdom to Iſrael, as Acts 1.6. or raiſing up Davids Tabernacle, Acts 15. and then ſpeaking of the ſaid new Jeruſalem. Chap. 21. which contains the Marriage of the Lamb, ſpoken of Chap. 19.7. wherein will alſo be that Paradiſe of God in that ſtate, and the pure River and Tree of Life, Chap. 22. and all theſe in the times of the new Heavens and new Earth, when God will, as in this Text, make all things new.

Queſt. But here a Queſtion may ariſe, which it may be requiſite to reſolve at preſent, viz. If the ſaid Reſurrection be ſuch an Inlet to the ſaid Saints to enjoy the happineſs of that ſtate, why are only the Martyrs that ſuffered death for Chriſt here ſaid to live and reign with him the 1000 years, as ſome have conceived?

Anſ. It is true, that Ch. 20.4. ſpeaks only of two ſorts of Revelation-Martyrs, as was anſwered to the cry of thoſe Souls under the Altar, Rev. 6.10. to whom it was ſaid, that they ſhould reſt till their fellow-ſervants and brethren ſhould be killed: the Souls are there ſaid to be foreign, of ſuch as were before beheaded under the red Dragon in the Pagan Perſecutions of the Sts. but thoſe that were called foreign, the fellow-ſervants & Brethren after to be killed, were ſuch as ſuffer'd ſince under the Beaſt, as Ch. 20.4. deſcribes them; of which, though very many ſuffered death, yet not all: neither are they only Martyrs of Chriſt that ſuffer death actually, but all ſuch as have had a willingneſs and reſolution of mind to ſuffer for Chriſt, if called to it, are reckoned by him for Martyrs; and though others have ſuffered in a leſs degree than death, yet are alſo to be counted ſuch. We know Iſhmael's mocking of Iſaac, is called Perſecution by the Apoſtle; and all the Saints have ſuffered one way or other for God and Chriſt; for which cauſe they are all to be eſteemed Martyr, as they have been ſufferers under the Beaſt, or under any other Perſecutors in any times before, & that all ſuffering Sts. deceaſed before the time of the Beaſt ſhall alſo riſe at the firſt ſaid Reſurrect. of the juſt, when both the Martyrs blood will be avenged, as Deut. 33.42, 43. and they all rewarded, as may from theſe following conſiderations be made to appear.

p. 81. Becauſe when Chriſt comes he will come with all ſuch his ſaid Saints, whether they have actually ſuffered death for him, or othertherwiſe, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks expreſly 1 Theſ. 3.13. with Zech. 14.5. He comes with all his Saints. And again, ſaith he, All that then ſleep in Jeſus, will God bring with him, 1 Theſ. 4.14. namely, to raiſe their bodies from the dead: the Scripture then is clear for the reſurrection of all then.

Secondly, That parallel Text, Rev. 11.18. that reſpects the time and occaſion of judging the Saints, viz. with a Judgment of reward or recompence at Chriſts appearance, makes a full enumeration of all ſorts to be then rewarded, of Old Teſtament Saints or ſufferers, as well as of the New; yea, of all Saints in that capacity, as ſufferers; and Prophets, as well as Apoſtles, and even all that fear Gods Name, both ſinall and great, ſhall then have their peculiar reward, though in the natural life then (which I conceive is meant of the laſt ſort of all ſuch as are ſaid to fear Gods Name:) So ſaith Chriſt then, Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according to his works. But all deceaſed Saints are then made capable of their proper reward in that ſtate they riſe into, by the firſt bodily Reſurrection, viz. to reign with Chriſt the 1000 years in his Davidical Kingdom.

Thirdly, In Chapter 21.2. When the new Jeruſalem comes down from God out of Heaven; which v. 9. is called the Lambs wife, as containing all the Spirits of juſt men made perfect upon that Reſurrection to be united to their own bodies to inhabite that City which God himſelf then makes for them, when that great Voice ſaith, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, &c. Now that Jeruſalem will contain all thoſe raiſed Saints which had died before, and it will be the general priviledg of them all which God had given to Chriſt that they ſhall behold his glory which his Father hath given him in his ſaid Kingdom, John 17.24.

Fourthly, All Saints that have lived in ſuffering times, as all times, have been and will be from Abels death to the Saints ſaid Reſurrection; who as they have ſuffered with or for Chriſt from the world and Devil; ſo all ſuch ſufferers, ſaith the Apoſtle, ſhall then reign with him, 2 Tim. 2.12. and they muſt all firſt riſe bodily, before they can be capable of reigning with him in that ſtate, or of enjoying the promiſed mercies belonging thereunto.

Fifthly, All the 24 Elders, and the four living Wights which repreſent the whole Church of Chriſt, Rulers and People, exult aforehand, p. 9Revel. 5.10. that in the iſſue of Revelation-propheſie, they ſhall reign upon earth, who acknowledge themſelves to be ſuch as Chriſt hath redeemed by his blood out of every kindred, tongue and people, and Nation, who ſhall have their part with Chriſt in the ſure mercies of David, according to the promiſe Eſa. 55.3. which they muſt be made capable of by the ſaid firſt Reſurrection.

Sixthly, All Chriſts overcomers ſince the Revelation-propheſie began to take place in all that is ſaid there ſhortly to be done, that is in the due order of times to be accompliſhed: they are all encouraged by ſomething belonging, to the Jeruſalem ſtate, which only by the ſaid Reſurrection they attain to their ſhares; as is particularly manifeſt in our ſeventh convincing Argument in the Word written: now all faithful Chriſtians are Overcomers, though they ſuffer not death, as thoſe ſaid Martyrs, Rev. 6.9, 10, 11. but only by leſſer tryals.

Seventhly, Chriſt who is appointed by the Father then to be heir of all things, promiſeth in ſpecial to each Overcomer without exception, that he ſhall alſo inherit all things with him, v. 7. which priviledg belongs to all Saints, as the Spouſe of Christ, or Lambs wife; and therefore belongs to them as Saints, to which purpoſe ſaith St. Paul, If children, then heirs, and joynt-heirs wich Chriſt, which without the Reſurrection they cannot enjoy, no more than the ſeparate Spirits of good men enjoy them now.

Queſt. If Chriſt to the ſaid purpoſe bring all the Saints with him, to raiſe their dead bodies that they may reign with him the 1000 years, how are the reſt of the dead ſaid not to live again till the 1000 years are ended, ver. 5. are not ſome of thoſe called the reſt of the dead Saints, at leaſt, I ſay, ſome of them?

Anſw. All Saints that died in the ſuffering times before Chriſts coming, he then brings with him, to raiſe them to reign with him; but ſuch Saints as live or die afterwards, ſeem not to be in that rank or capacity; but at laſt when Chriſt deſcends with a ſhout, and the voice of an Archangel, will in a moment be rapt to meet him, and be changed with all other Saints raiſed before, 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. it is twice there aſſerted by the Apoſtle, and we ſhall all be changed; and the wicked then to be raiſed after them at the laſt Trump, ſeem to be ſome of thoſe called before the reſt of the dead that lived not again till the 1000 years are finiſhed: and the former raiſed ſuffering Saints are many ways diſtinguiſhed in Scriptures from the other Saints. Firſt, they are expreſly termed all ſuch as ſlept in Jeſus before p. 10that his coming, when the new Jeruſalem comes down from God out of Heaven, &c. 1 Theſ 4.14. Secondly, they are diſtinguiſhed by their ſufferings for Chriſt in the former ſuffering times, upon which account they muſt reign with him (as was ſaid.) Thirdly, the Scripture deſcribes them by the meek that have a promiſe to inherit the earth, and delight themſelves in the abundance of peace, Pſal. 37. which yet is not fulfilled, but our Saviour ſaith, ſhall be, Matth. 5.5. Meek Moſes, Abraham, Jacob, David, yea, Chriſt himſelf, and all his Martyrs ſo killed, as was ſaid, Rev. 6.10, 11. as meek Lambs were led to the ſlaughter, &c. who neither inherited the earth, but were pilgrims and ſtrangers in it; nor much leſs delighted themſelves in the abundance of peace therein, &c. But as for all other Saints that ſhall live in the following peaceable happy times, and all that die before the laſt Trump, and that live then, ſhall enjoy the benefit of that promiſe, who were not numbered with the former ſufferers in the ſuffering times; but yet as the Seed of Shem and Japhet, or of Abrahams or Davids ſpiritual Seed at leaſt, if not of their natural race alſo (as many of the converted Jews and Iſraelites will then be) ſhall all enjoy their proper portion by promiſe and Covenant: whence the Apoſtle ſeems to call redemption of the Saints bodies (eſpecially Gentiles) the receiving of the Adoption, even the redemption of their bodies, viz. by the firſt ſaid Reſurrection, Rom. 8.23. and ſuch as theſe that ſhall die in thoſe future happy peaceable times, the ſame Apoſtle ſeems to intend by thoſe dead in Chriſt, that ſhall riſe firſt, 1 Theſ. 4. though in a general ſenſe it is true likewiſe of thoſe that riſe at the ſaid firſt Reſurrection: but I conceive the particular intent of that Text reſpects the later ſort of the Saints laſt raiſed at the general rapture and change at the laſt Trump.

Object. But are not the Reſurrections of good and bad joyned together both in Old and New Teſtament, and both are ſaid to ariſe to Judgment, as that noted Text Dan. 12.2, 3. where ſome are ſaid to awake to life, and ſome to ſhame and everlaſting contempt; and our Saviour alſo joyns them both, John 5.29. They that have done good ſhall come forth of the Grave to the reſurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the reſurrection of Damnation.

Anſw. As for Dan. 12. that ſeems particularly to reſpect the reſtauration of Iſrael, as appears by the end of the former Chapter, concerning Gogs the Turks deſtruction, ſpoken of alſo Ezek 38, & 39. who then ſhall come to his end, & none ſhall help him, when Daniels people ſhall be delivered, Chap. 12.1. and ver. 2. it is only ſaid many ſhall p. 11then awake, viz. out of the duſt of their diſperſion and bondage, like the dry bones, Ezek. 37. but not ſaid all, which ſhould have been ſaid, if all, good and bad were to be raiſed as at a general Reſurrection (as ſome uſe to ſpeak) and whereas that Text ſpeaks of turning many to righteouſneſs, which will not be done at any general Reſurrection, but is to be done at ſuch Civil Reſurrection of Jews and Iſraelites to own a Righteouſneſs of Juſtification by faith in Chriſt which they did not before: and the wiſe that are there ſaid to do it, are in the Original ſaid to be Teachers, which cannot be ſuppoſed to do any ſuch thing for any upon ſuch general Reſurrection, when all time of Grace will be paſt, from the death of all that were not converted before; for, as the tree falls ſo it will lie, &c. But if it were granted that this Text, and that of John 5. and many otherlike Texts did compriſe both firſt and ſecond Reſurrection, to the firſt and ſecond acts of both ſaid Judgments of the great day (as Jude was directed by the Spirit of God to ſtyle it) and our Saviour in a general ſenſe ſpeaks there of both; for ver. 27. he ſaith, the Father had given him Authority to execute Judgment, becauſe he is the Son of man: and as the Father gave him the Son to have life in himſelf to raiſe the dead in ſin ſpiritually, ver. 26. ſo he had power alſo hereafter to raiſe both good and bad out of the graves bodily to Judgment. For anſwer whereunto and many like paſſages in Scripture, we are to conſider that many ſuch Texts deliver only ſome general truths of the whole Doctrine delivered in this Book by our Saviour more fully and particularly concerning both the ſaid Reſurrections and Judgments with what is to be known of matters to intervene betwixt both, which are always to be referred to ſuch future explications of them, as the holy Spirit hath from time to time given forth to any of Chriſts ſervants to make further known; for the Doctrines of theſe laſt things have been made known but by degrees. Of the firſt Reſurrection, Eſai. 26. ſpake darkly, ſhewing the Heathen Tyrants that oppreſſed the Jews were dead, they ſhould not live, they were deceaſed, they ſhould not riſe; ver. 14. but Gods Saints ſhould live, and with his dead body they ſhould ariſe, ver. 19. which (with other Texts in our Treatiſe on Rev. 20.5.) could not be underſtood without Chriſts Revelation of the firſt bodily Reſurrection of the Sts. there decyphered in many particulars, at what time, to what ends, how long before the reſt of the dead, as was ſhewed: and ſo for Judgment, after God had at the fall declared, the Seed of the woman [ſo to be true man, and only of the woman, and not of the man, and ſo was to p. 12be neceſſarily the Son of God;] that is, God to be manifeſt in the fleſh; which is the firſt part of that great Myſtery, which was 4000 years in carrying on, to lay the ſure foundation of breaking the Serpents head at his firſt coming: that by the Judgment of the great Day, he might break it 1. eminently at the firſt, and 2. totally and finally at the laſt Judgment: the next antient Propheſie for removing the power of Satan, &c. was given to Enoch in the old World, recorded by Jude, ver. 13, 14. concerning Chriſts coming to Judgment, which hath direct reference to Daniels Viſion of the firſt Seſſion of Judgment at the deſtruction of the Beaſt, Dan. 7. which our Saviour confirms and explains in part, Rev. 11.18. and Rev. 19. but Daniel ſpeaks not there of the laſt general Judgment, that is left for Chriſt to do, Rev. 20.11. to the end 1000 years and more after the former: and hence as Daniel of the ſaid firſt act had ſaid, The Judgment was ſet, and 2dly the books were opened: and the Apoſtle Paul who had much of theſe myſteries revealed to him, tells us, 3. Chriſt would judge the quick, viz. temporal deſtruction; and 4. the dead Saints with reward (as was ſhewed) & ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, Chriſt will judg the quick & dead at his appearance & Kingdom, in 2 Tim. 4.1. and all theſe four marks of that part of Judgment are the proper Characters of the Judgments of the ſaid great Day, which belong alſo to the laſt Judgment above 1000 years after Daniels, as Rev. 20.11. to the end, after the laſt Gog and Magog ſhall be deſtroyed: and here we finde not any of theſe marks of that Judgment at any other time when the Old World or Sodom and Gomorrah were deſtroyed, though theſe are both in ſome reſpects made patterns of the other by our Saviour, Luke 17. Sodom and Gomorrah probably of the firſt when many terrible Judgments will finde out many ſorts of wicked men, &c. and the other a pattern of the general deſtruction of the world by fire, as the other was by a Deluge of Water. Jeruſalems firſt and ſecond deſtructions are alſo patterns, and the Pagan-Idolators and Perſecutors deſtruction, which is ſet forth like a day of Judgment, Rev. 6.12. to the end; and ſo in that large deſcription of the deſolation of the Churches enemies, Eſai. 34. throughout the whole Chapter: but in none of theſe or any other do we finde theſe four Characters peculiar to the Judgments of the ſaid great Day; but only in Dan. 7. and Rev. 20. we read of many excellent points Chriſt informed ſuch as lived in the viſible Church, or ſuch as have to do with his Servants there; as by him that had not the Wedding garment, Matth. 22.11. ſhewing that nothing will ſerve p. 13Profeſſors, but being by faith inveſted with his righteouſneſs; and by three Parables together, Matth. 25. Firſt, that the fooliſh Virgins were ſhut out for want of true faith and grace, though they were formal Profeſſors; and his own Servants (whether Miniſters, Magiſtrates, or other Chriſtians in the Church) to whom the Talents were delivered to improve when he went into a far Country, viz. to Heaven as he expounds it, Luke 19. when one failed he was condemned; and in that 3d which is more general but yet reſtrained to the viſible Church likewiſe, or ſuch as had to do with his Servants, whom in their afflictions or perſecutions they ſhould have fed, clothed, viſited, which he looks as done to himſelf; but for the want of this all ſuch will be condemned: And alas! alas! how few conſider any ſuch proceeding of Chriſt in Judgment, that are deeply in ſuch caſe concerned; men are in theſe days far ſhort of the love, compaſſion and zeal of the Primitive Chriſtians, who ſold their poſſeſſions, Acts 4.37. But to omit many paſſages to like purpoſes, as ſome to be condemned by the Law, ſome without the Law by their own Conſcience, ſome by the Goſpel, &c. but above all, Chriſt hath in the ſaid Revelation made many great points known, not known before of the ſaid Judgment of the Great day; as that there is a ſecond act or general Judgment to be celebrated by Chriſt, as well as that Daniel had the Viſion of, and he had before confirmed; and ſhews what diſtance of time ſhall be betwixt them, viz. above 1000 years, and what things are to intervene betwixt them in the 1000 years, and how the laſt ſhall be brought on by Gods raining fire from Heaven upon the laſt attempt of the laſt Gog and Magog, and at his ſitting on the Throne, Heaven and Earth ſhould be diſſolved, and the Earth, the Sea, and the Grave ſhall give up their dead, that they ſhall be judged by their ſeveral diſtinct books, the elect out of the Book of life, and the Devil firſt be caſt into the lake of fire, where the Beaſt and falſe Prophet were caſt before 1000 years, and more, and ſo ſhould death and hell afterward; which in ſuch reſpects ſeems to ſhew their utter end in the world, as in Chap. 17.11. but more to them that are capable of more: theſe by Chriſt are Divinely delivered of the ſaid Judgment, no where in Scripture ſo made known before; and ſo of both Reſurrections, after Eſay, and David, then Daniel had much myſtically ſhewed him in Viſion; that they ſat on Thrones ſet for them, and Judgment or power of judging was given then to the Saints; but that the ſuffering Saints ſhould come at that time with Chriſt, coming in the Clouds of p. 14Heaven, and be raiſed by Chriſt to reign with him 1000 years before the raiſing of the reſt of the dead good or bad, and that all the promiſed mercies ſhould then be fulfilled to them, none could reveal theſe but Chriſt, who had this Book with ſeven Seals given to him by the Father in ſuch a glorious manner, when none elſe in Heaven or earth was found worthy to open it, or look into it, or much leſs to fulfil the contents of it, but only the Lamb, that had, as it were been ſlain, and lived again, but will then appear to be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, as well as the Branch: the Father only reſerved theſe things to be made known by his Son, the Wiſdom of the Father, the Eternal Word, in the boſom of the Father; and therefore theſe his Divine Oracles concerning all ſuch laſt things are chiefly to be attended to as Gods and Chriſts utmoſt infallible reſolution of all ſuch things as were not ſo fully and particularly explained concerning Reſurrections or Judgment of all ſorts before; or what is to be fulfilled upon the foundations of the Prophets in the interim of the 1000 years betwixt both: the Apoſtle Paul who was rapt into the third Heaven, reveals many things of the Reſurrection, & ſhews ſome Myſteries of that & the Judgment, 1 Cor. 15 1 Theſ. 4. and elſewhere, but much thereof cannot from thence be rightly expounded without Chriſts ſaid Revel. ch. 20. which therefore ſeems in theſe reſpects much more clearly and diſtinctly delivered than any of that Book before or after, as we hope to ſhew: and therefore theſe Revelations of all ſuch laſt things are not to be explained by other Scriptures that ſpeak not of ſuch things, but all others that either ſpeak in general of them, or not explicitly of many of the ſaid particulars, are in thoſe reſpects to be explained by our Saviours Revelation, whoſe wiſdom is infallible, his truth unerring, being the ſaithful and true witneſs, and all ſuch his Revelations are utmoſt reſolutions in the caſe, and ſure foundations therein to reſt upon: and the rather, becauſe of the Divine charge to the contrary, with the terrible penalty annexed unto theſe Doctrines, which is very evident doth reſpect the ſame eſpecially, Chap. 22.18.19. concerning willing at leaſt, or much more willful, adding to or taking away any thing from the Propheſie of this Book, which ought not ſlightly to be overlooked, beſides, many other conſiderations which might be added: that of 1 Cor. 15. ver. 23. as the Revelation explains it, Chriſt was the firſt fruits of the Saints Reſurrection above 1600 years before his coming at Antichriſts deſtruction, when the ſuffering Sts. ſhall riſe which he brings with him [ita deinde, as ſaith p. 15the Apoſtle] then cometh the end: as in Rev. 20.1000 years after and more; and a reaſon is added, all Chriſts enemies muſt firſt be put under his feet; viz. firſt, Ezekiels Gog & Magog, Turk & Pope, as we ſhewed, and all taken then out of Chriſts Kingdom that offend, and 1000 years after, when the laſt Gog and Magog, Rev 20. ſhall be deſtroyed, and the Devil that ſeduced them caſt into the lake of fire, then will the laſt enemy death alſo be deſtroyed; but in the interim all the ſaid thouſand years, ſaith the Apoſtle, he muſt reign, till that laſt enemy death be alſo deſtroyed; after which he will deliver up his Davidical Kingdom to the Father, as was ſaid ver. 24. but at ver. 51, 52. he declares certain myſteries not known before concerning the general ſudden rapture and change at the laſt Trump, and laſt Reſurrection, which ſuit with Revelation order alſo (though thoſe myſteries and Chriſts laſt deſcending with a ſhout at the ſame time, 1 Theſ. 4. ſeem to be only revealed to the Apoſtle Paul) yet the diſtinction of Chriſts bringing his ſaid Saints with him at his next coming, 1 Theſ. 3.13. and 4.14. and his ſudden rapping them up above 1000 years after, to meet him in the Air when he deſcends with the ſaid Trump of God, v. 16. at the coming of the Lord (as it is alſo called, ver. 15.) from which time they ſhall ever be with the Lord, which was not true from the former, as by Revel. 20. is manifeſt; which is alſo another evident ground of diſtinguiſhing the ſame, and by the Revelation-order, ſo to be explained; which is not to be underſtood according to any mens apprehenſions of other Scriptures: but other Scriptures to be explained by that in all ſuch matters as God hath given unto Chriſt in that moſt Divine Book to reſolve his Church of in ſuch particulars therein held out: and as for that of Peter. 2.3. upon which ſome miſtaken apprehenſions of ſome ſeem to have put ſome difficulties, by the help of the Revel. may eaſily be reſolved, if we conſider he ſpeaks both of the Scoffers of the laſt times, and to faithful Chriſtians likewiſe, and ſuits conſiderations uſeful for both: to the Scoffers he offers the conſideration of the day of the Lord; that is the great day of Judgment wherein is the morning Judgment contained; when Chriſt is ſaid to come as a thief, at the end of the 6th Vial, Rev. 16.15. about the Armageddon battle, as here he is ſaid, alſo to come as a thief in the night, then will be the conſuming of the body of the Beaſt by fire, Dan. 7. and ver. 10. a fiery ſtream iſſued from the Ancient of days at that Judgment: but this ſeems by our Saviour (beſides other conſiderations) to be a partial deſtruction, chiefly falling upon wicked men, compared p. 16Luk. 17. to Sodoms and Gomorrahs deſtruction, that will find out ſuch where they are. But then the deluge of fire, and the paſſing away of the Heavens, as Rev. 20.11. both which by Revelation-Propheſie are manifeſt to be above 1000 years after the Armageddon-battle: (when the Beaſt and ſalſe Prophet were taken, and ſaid to be caſt into the lake of fire burning with Brimſtone, Rev. 19.20.) but both theſe burnings, the firſt partial, the ſecond general and ultimate are contained in the day of the Lord, or the Judgment of the Great Day, as Chriſts Revelation alſo teacheth, without which this Text, with many others could not be ſoundly reſolved: & for his bringing in the exception of the New Heavens and New Earth, v. 13. that is, on the Saints part to comfort them againſt the Scoffers in theſe bad times, not that they will be after the laſt deſtruction of the World, but that there was ſuch an happy ſtate coming on wherein they were intereſſed (though both at the beginning and ending of the day of the Lord ſuch fiery Vengeance was in ſtore for ſuch wicked Scoffers, hardned by Gods long ſufferance in theſe laſt Days which the Apoſtle prophetically ſpake of) and this Expoſition from the warrant of this Divine Book given particularly for many ſuch purpoſes, and therefore ſtiled the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, which God gave unto him to ſhew unto his Servants, &c. is more ſatisfying to my Conſcience than all the differing apprehenſions of men whatſoever concerning the ſame.

Queſt. And whereas it may be queſtioned by ſome, whether theſe Interpretations being myſterious be according to the intent of the Writers of thoſe, or the like. ſaid portions of Scriptures.

Anſw. That is not ſo much to be reſpected, as that they be according to the minds of the Inditer of them, who taught all his Meſſengers and Amanuenſes to write and deliver what was Divine and ſacred truth whether he gave them full Interpretations of them at the ſame time or not, ſometimes it is evident he did not, as when Daniel was denied the knowledge of the times of the end; therefore he ſaid, I heard, but I underſtood not, Dan. 12. and the Diſciples could not underſtand the fulfilling of the Propheſie of Hoſea, Ch. 1. of the calling of the Gentiles then, till by Viſion to Peter, and and gifts of the Spirit, and the like he had reſolved them; and it ſeems probable, that neither Moſes in his Song for Poſterity, Deut. 32. or threatnings in order, Lev. 26. or in penning Jacobs Prophefie, or Balaams Parable, as they all reſpected the laſt times did ſo underſtand them: ſo whether the Apoſtle Paul or Peter in thoſe p. 17things, being guided by the Spirit of Chriſt to write concerning matters directly reſpecting the laſt times did know the particular meaning of them in thoſe reſpects as they are explained ſince by the Book of Revelation: I muſt ingeniouſly acknowledge that in things which were ſo by the ſame Spirit of Chriſt, further in due time to be revealed, I believe they did not: for firſt, it is probable they would then, with the ſaid things, have given the Interpretation of them if they had then known them: And ſecondly, the Holy Spirit of Chriſt would not have given particular Revelations to open and explain the particular meanings if they had not been neceſſary ſo to have been revealed in reſpect of the hidden parts of them, and eſpecially that God the Father in a glorious wonderful manner, Rev. 5. ſhould ſo give that moſt Divine Book to his beloved Son the Lamb ſo to reveal them (as he hath done) without which the Church had been in the dark, in regard of many excelent points of Heavenly Doctrines now only knowable by the help and uſe of the ſaid Book (eſpecially in what concerns the main Scope of all Revelation-Propheſie) which is therefore highly to be eſteemed and diligently to be ſtudied by all wiſe and good Chriſtians for the right underſtanding of the darkeſt portions of Scripture which are not rightly diſcovered by any other means but by theſe Divine Oracles of Jeſus Chriſt; and let it henceforth ſtand as an irrefragable Rule amongſt all ſound Chriſtians, that all thoſe Texts of holy Scriptures concerning thoſe laſt things, viz. Reſurrections and Judgment are to be explained by Chriſts Revelation and not the Revelation by them.

From the former ſaid ſure Rule, and the many foundations formerly laid down in the whole work, theſe Divine Concluſions or Chriſtian Doctrines will evidently follow:

Firſt, That Chriſts Davidical Kingdom on earth will begin with the firſt act or ſeſſion of the Judgment of the Great Day, above 1000 years before the Laſt Judgment, Eſa. 9. Luke 1.32. with Dan. 7. Rev. 11. and 19.6, 9, 11, to the end.

2. That at the firſt ſaid Seſſion the quick, namely the Beaſt & falſ Prophet with other great and ſmall enemies then living will be judged by temporal deſtruction from the earth, Dan. 7. Ezek 38.39. Dan. 11.45. Matth. 13.41. And the deceaſed Saints will then alſo be judged with a Judgment of reward or recompenſe at their holy p. 18and bleſſed bodily Reſurrection, when they ſhall riſe to reign with Chriſt, who will then ſo Judge both quick and dead at his appearing and Kingdom, Dan. 7. Rev. 11.18. 2 Tim. 4.1.

Thirdly, Chriſt will reign with his ſaid raiſed Saints on earth in his ſaid Kingdom all that ſame 1000 years, wherein (as he hath both ſtrongly and emphatically taught us) that Satan ſhall be bound from deceiving the Nations any more until the ſaid 1000 years ſhall be ſulfilled. See Treatiſe on Rev. 21.5. page 37, 38. and page 8. of this.

Fourthly, The ſaid 1000 years ſpace to be ſo fulfilled beginning from the firſt ſaid Seſſion, or Matutinum Judicium (as Mr. Mede ſpeaks, or a greater than he, Pſal. 49.14. and a greater than them both, Luke 19.18, 19. Rev. 2.26.) before the little ſpace of Satans looſing again, is that interim before the laſt Judgment wherein ſhall be the performance of Gods moſt antient promiſed Mercies and Covenants to the faithful Forefathers, and to their ſpiritual Seed [viz. the then raiſed Saints and others then converted] through their Divine promiſed Seed Chriſt, by whom they ſhall all then have their ſure Mercies of David, Eſa. 55.3. and as the Lambs wife, then inherit all things with him, Rev. 21.7.

Fifthly, The New Jeruſalem ſtate, the Marriage of the Lamb, the Paradiſe of God with the pure River and Tree of Life therein and the Nations of them that are then ſaved walking in the light of the ſaid great holy and beloved New Jeruſalem, wherein conſiſts the New Heavens and new earth, when God will make all things new, as in this Text, are the contemporaries of the ſaid happy times and ſtate in the ſaid 1000 years, and will make up that happineſs in the ſaid Davidical Kingdom of Chriſt, both to the ſaid Saints then raiſed, and to the then converted Jews and Gentiles in the natural life, when alſo the two ſecond great calls of them both will be accompliſhed, Deut. 32.43. Rom. 15.10. that Jews and Gentiles will rejoyce together.

Sixthly, Satans laſt moſt wicked attempt with his laſt Gog & Magog againſt the ſaid holy City and the Camp of the Saints after the ſaid 1000 years are ended, will occaſion fire from Heaven to conſume them, and probably the earth and the works upon it, &c. and thereupon alſo the deſtruction of the laſt enemy death, when all the Saints both raiſed before, and then living or lying in the grave (to free them (as is probable) from the deſtruction with wicked men then) ſhall be rapt up together, and all be changed in a moment or p. 19twinkling of an eye to meet Chriſt in the Air, &c. when alſo all the wicked ſhall be raiſed at the laſt Trump to the laſt general Judgment and final ſentence, &c. upon whoſe ſitting upon the great white Throne will be the utter diſſolution of the whole created world, as Rev. 20.11, &c.

And theſe (I believe) are upon the many ſaid accounts from holy Scripture, the Divine truths of Jeſus Chriſt, not contradicting any thing taught in Gods Word before, but only explaining many things formerly darkly, yet Divinely couched therein, and eſpecially things reſpecting the ſaid firſt and ſecond bodily Reſurrections, and the proceedings of the Judgment of the great day of the Lord at above a 1000 years diſtance, with the performance of the promiſed mercies in the interim (as was ſaid.)

And thus have I given an account of my faith as reſpecting theſe things for which I bleſs and magnifie the glorious Name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Perſons, and one true and everliving God, and I do believe that all Saints will do the ſame here or hereafter. Amen.

And thus for the Queſtions concerning the firſt Reſurrection, as being the Inlet to the Sts. that Chriſt brings with him when he comes into the happy ſaid approaching ſtate 1000 years before the ſaid reſt of the dead ſhall live again; and that anſwers to ſundry portions of Scripture that are by ſome otherwiſe expounded, but are only to be underſtood by the help of the moſt Divine Book of the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, as we have ſhewed.

And now before we proceed to ſpeak particularly of the words or matters of this Text of the Renovation of all things, which are to make up the happineſs of Chriſts ſaid Reign with his Saints upon the ſaid firſt Reſurrection: we ſhall conſider the preceding and following context thereof with its dependencie, to remove ſome other ſeeming difficulties, which for the greater evidence we ſhall endeavour to do by Anſwering ſome other Queſtions, and reſolving ſome doubts upon weighty reaſons concerning the ſame.

Queſt. 1. Are not the New Heavens and the New earth the renovation of all things the New Jeruſalem and Paradiſe of God, &c. Ch. 21.22. to be after the laſt Judgment, wch is ſet down before them in Ch. 20.11.

Anſw. Although the laſt Judgment is there placed in the end of the foregoing Chapter, it doth not follow that it will be in time before thoſe great things ſpoken of in the two following Chapters, but it will appear to be there placed upon other ſpecial reaſons. One p. 20Reaſon is from the reference of divers things ſpoken of Chap. 19. which are further explained in their order in the three following Chapters, and conſequently of their dependance thereupon.

A ſecond Reaſon is from the ſpecial conſideration of Chap. 20. to ver. 11. as the Table of the good times of Gods Church, as Chap. 11. to ver. 15. was the Table of the bad times, as after we hope to make manifeſt in the Divine contrivance of this ſacred Book to the good advantage of right enquirers.

But firſt, for the Reaſon of ſuch things Chap. 19. as refer to the three following Chapters:

The firſt is from ver. 6. after many great Hallelujahs for the the Whores deſtruction, ver. 1, 2. redoubled again, ver. 3. and again, they ſaid Hallelujah. Thirdly, of the repreſentative 24 Elders and four Beaſts, or four living Wights worſhipping God, and adding their Amen, to their Allelujah (for ſuch will be the high praiſes of God in the hearts and mouths of Gods people then for his deſtroying of Babylon, called here his judging of the great Whore for her great provocations) [mark that expreſſion, for then will begin Chriſts great day of Judgment] v. 2. & v. 5. there is a Divine general enforcement to the like praiſe to all Gods Servants not only for this ſaid ruine of Babylon, but for the enſuing reign of Chriſt thereupon, ſet forth in wonderful expreſſions, ver. 6. ſaying Allelujah for the Lord, God Omnipotent reigneth; which is the firſt general referring to the future Chapters, and this is further explained Ch. 20. of Chriſts reign with his Saints 1000 years, and the ſame 1000 wherein Satan was to be bound, which for its certainty is ſix times ſaid to be ſo three times abſolutely, and three times relatively.

The ſecond general, Chap. 19. ver. 7. is the coming of the Marriage of the Lamb, which is explained Chapter 21.2, 9, 10. in the New Jeruſalem ſtate, unto which matter of joy and thanksgiving there is a third addition in general, that the Lambs wife hath made her ſelf ready in the ſame verſe, which ſeems ſpecially to reſpect the calling of the Jews, then to be betrohed for ever, when the Tabernacle of God is alſo ſaid to be with men, c. 21.3, 4. at that his coming which the many Hallelujahs in the Hebrew tongue then to be ſung ſeem to point out to us, and not only Jews and Iſraelites will then be brought into Chriſts ſheepfold; but all the Nations of them that are ſaved and ſhall all walk together in the light of the Jeruſalem that came from God out of Heaven (being all to be then of one Communion of Sts. p. 21though in ſeveral capacities celebrating accordingly the Marriage of the Lamb the ſaid 1000 years, v. 2.9, 10, 22, 24, 26. and as from the Throne of God and the Lamb, then and there proceeds that pure River of the water of Life, viz. all Divine Grace, John 7.37, 38. ſo in the middeſt of the ſtreet of the City then will be the Tree of Life in that bleſſed ſtate of that Paradiſe of God, chap. 22.1, 2. as chap. 2.7. is alſo explained, which will be more gloriouſly reſtored then by and for Chriſt the ſecond Adam than the ſtate of that was which the firſt Adam loſt in many reſpects, when God, as in the Text, makes all things new.

Now concerning ſuch a neer Union of all Gods Saints and Servants at the ſaid Marriage of the Lamb according to their ſeveral capacities, we have much in the Prophets obſervable; we ſhall only name a few texts, as Hoſ. 2.19, 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever, in Righteouſneſs, in Judgment, in Loving Kindneſs, and in Mercies: the whole 45th Pſalm, and much in Eſa. 60, & 62, & 65, & 66. all reſpecting the ſame time and ſtate, and is in part applyed, Rev. 21. And thus much of the reference of theſe three laſt chap. to the ſaid general heads mentioned chap. 19. of Chriſts ſaid Reign, the Marriage of the Lamb, and his Wives making her ſelf ready, which is uſually in Scripture, and eſpecially in this book, to mention Generals, and after particularly to explain them: and beſide theſe obſerve that there is no diſtinction of order or times in the three follow-Chapters by firſt ſecond or third, or after this I ſaw, as chap. 18.1. at the Whores deſtruction, or after theſe things I heard, chap. 19.1. but from thence to the end of the book all the Viſions are of the ſame time, as we may after ſhew. But becauſe the opening of this Rereference in chap. 19. is of great uſe to the underſtanding of all the reſt of this book to the end, we ſhall endeavour according to what by Divine Grace we have received, to reſolve theſe Queſtions following.

1. Why theſe great things ſhould here be inſerted, chap. 19.5, 6, 7. after Babylons deſtruction?

2. Why the deſtruction of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet from ver. 11. to the end of the Chapter is decyphered before them?

3. What is meant by that in v. 9 where it's ſaid, Bleſsed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which is ſet forth with ſo much Divine Illuſtration? Much after the manner that Gods Renovation is ſet forth in this text. The firſt is to teach us, that Babylons ruine is the beginning of Chriſts Reign, chap. 11.17. he then p. 22takes to himſelf his great power and reigns, as here, ver. 6. which ſeems to be the that beginning of Revenges, Deut. 32.40, &c.) and when God begins then he will alſo make an end) for by this God prepares for a greater and more general revenge upon the Enemies, by provoking them to gather to the Armageddon Battel, as chap. 16. ver. 13, 14, 15. by ſending the three unclean Spirits, or Spirits of Devils afterwards to the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to it, which is here gloriouſly decyphered, ver. 11. to the end.

2. To manifeſt to the Churches Conſolation, that as the Beaſt had ſcattered the power of the holy people, Dan. 12.7. for his time, times, and half a time; ſo then his power ſhould be ſo ſcattered, that there remains no more but to prepare for the greateſt Vengeance at his laſt deſtruction: he ſhall never more hurt or moleſt them.

3. To inſtruct us how the Morning Judgment of the great day, deſcribed by Daniel, chap. 7. will be brought on: Firſt by judging the Whore. 2dly, the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, with their Followers, as is written, Deut. 32. Pſal. 149. Rev. 19. the laſt: for Chriſt, ſaith the Apoſtle, ſhall deſtroy the man of Sin at the appearance of his coming: ſo when Chriſt comes from the right hand of his Father, he makes his ſoes his footſtool, Pſal. 110.1. whom the Heavens receive till the times of Reſtitution of all things, ſaith the Apoſtle Peter, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. [for they all contemporate.]

4. To aſſure us of the beginning then alſo of that ſaid happy ſtate of Chriſts Church, chap. 11.18, 19, & 19.6, 7. for when Chriſt comes in the Clouds he brings all his Saints with him; who probably may have that honour to execute that wrath in part upon thoſe Enemies, who ſhall then alſo in that Judgment receive their reward, Dan. 7.13, 14. ver. 22. Rev. 11.18. to teach all Gods people then to lift up their heads, as our Saviour directs, Luke 21.28.31. becauſe their Redemption is neer; and that Kingdome of God alſo: and though there will be then great ſhakings of the Enemies, out of the world, as Numb. 25. Eſ. 2.17, 18, 19. yet God will ſend his Angels then to gather his Elect from the four corners of the Earth, Mat. 24.3. and two ſhall be then in the field, the one ſhall be taken the other left v. 40, &c.

To the third Queſtion we Anſwer, That theſe generals of Chriſts Kingdome are explained in the following Chapters after Antichriſts ruine, to ſhew the firſt eminent act of power Chriſt will manifeſt when he begins to reign, will be to remove that great offender out of p. 23the way, who hath ſo long obſtructed the happy communion of God and Chriſt, with all the Saints, which they ſhall enjoy upon his removal, when the ſaid Marriage of the Lamb takes place, and Gods antient people are turned to him, (as was ſaid.)

2. Becauſe that is the eminent breaking of the Serpents head by the firſt Judgment revealed to Enoch, ſeen in Viſion by Daniel, Dan. 7. explained and confirmed, and to be fulfilled by Chriſt, Rev. 11.18. & chap. 19. as may farther after appear, &c. which firſt Judgment of the wicked quick, is that removens pr…hibens, removing the hinderance, and therefore ſeems firſt neceſſary to be done, to make way for that ſaid happy enſuing ſtate, as Mat 13.41, 42. and is an eminent breaking of the Serpents head, as the deſtroying the laſt Enemy Death will be the total and final breaking thereof.

The next Queſtion is, What is meant ver. 9. by that they are ſaid to be bleſſed that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

2. Why the Apoſtle John is commanded to write it?

3. Why the Angel adds as he teſtifiedth, Theſe are the true ſayings of God?

4. Why the Angel reſiſting his attempt to worſhip him, enjoyns him to worſhip God, as in chap. 22.9.?

5. Why he tells him he is his fellow Servant, and of his Brethren, [the Prophets, chap. 22.] and here adds, That have the Teſtimony of Jeſus: and then adds, Worſhip God: giving this reaſon; For the Teſtimony of Jeſus is the Spirit of Propheſie?

To reſolve the firſt Queſtion, theſe three things are to be conſidered; Firſt, What is meant by the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

2. What is their Calling to it.

3. How they are ſaid to be bleſſed that are called to it: and theſe we deſire a little to explain, though but in our paſſage, becauſe they have been miſapplyed formerly.

1. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the enſuing deſtruction of the Beaſt, and the like wicked Enemies ſhortly after the Whore chap. 18. for which the many ſaid Halelujahs were ſung, when in ſuch a terrible, powerful and glorious manner Chriſt comes to deſtroy them with his heavenly Armies, and his Garments dipt in blood, and takes the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, and caſts them into the fiery lake for ever; and that is denoted by the great Voice of the Angel ſtanding in the Sun to call all the Fowls to the ſame Supper, ver. 18. who alſo were filled with their fleſh, ver. laſt., who were p. 24ſlain with the Sword of Chriſts mouth, that is, according to his Word: who is therefore ſaid in Righteouſneſs to Judge, and make War, ver. 11. and then to judge, becauſe it will be the firſt act of his Judgment, as chap. 11.18.

2. This ſenſe may farther appear from other like expreſſions in Scripture, of a Sacrifice God will make of his Enemies, or a Supper or Feaſt, as here; ſo Eſa. 346. a great part of that c. and v. 4. is applyed to the deſtruction of thoſe Pagan Perſecutors, Rev. 6. the like alſo Jer. 46.10. Gods day of Vengeance is called a Sacrifice: But moſt pertinent is that of Gogs the Turks deſtruction, at or about the ſame time, Ezek. 39.17, 18, 19, &c. yea and of Magog likewife, [the Pope] v. 6. briefly there mentioned, becauſe it was to be farther explained in the New Teſtament, as the Jews Enemy [the Turk] is largly in the Old [ſee our 4th Obſer.] of both which thoſe hints of Reaſons ſeem conſiderable, beſides many others both in Ezek. Dan. and the Book of Revelation.

1. Becauſe the Turk is ſtiled Gog in the Land of Magog, ver. 1. that is, in the Roman Empire, a great part whereof he ſhould ſubdue unto himſelf.

2. This is farther manifeſt in that he is deſigned by God to be the great Ruiner of that Empire, to revenge upon it the blood of the Saints ſhed before under the Red Dragon, being acknowledged by many to be the 2d Woe, or 6th Trumpet, falling chiefly on the Eaſtern Empire.

3. He is a greater Ruiner of it than the Saracens before him who did but puſh at it, and got ſcarce half ſo much as he hath ſince over-flowed in it by his multitudes, Dan. 11.40, 41, 42, &c.

4. Magog, v. 6. is deſcribed to be in the Iſles, as the Jews reckoned all remote from their own continent to live in the Iſles.

5. God ſaith there he will ſend fire on Magog, which will alſo be the means of the Beaſts deſtruction, Dan. 7.9, 10. when his body will be given to the burning flame.

6. As was hinted what was ſpoken largly of Gog the Jews enemy, that holds their Land alſo from them in the Old Teſtament; is left for Chriſt largly to explain of the ruine of Magog, the Pope, the great Enemy of Chriſtians in the New Teſtament, who hath all his 42 months trampled the holy City under foot till then.

7. Both are ſaid to be in the latter or poſtremity of dayes, Ezek. 38.8, 16. with the Revelation, and both to be ruined about the Jews Converſion to be as we ſhewed in the latter dayes, Jer. 23.20. p. 25and Jer. 30.24. for at Chriſts appearance the Jews will be delivered Dan. 12.1. and the man of Sin will be deſtroyed at the appearance of Chriſts coming, 2 Theſ. 2.8.

2. They are called to it, namely, to that Marriage Supper, who have the word of God for their ſure ground of coming to it; for Chriſt will then ſlay ſuch with the ſword of his mouth, which is the Judgment written, when all predictions of the Beaſts deſtruction ſhall take effect: 2. When by his providence he remarkably points out that work to be done by them, the Angel is ſaid then to ſtand in the Sun to call all the Fowls to that Supper, which ſeems to note the clearneſs of their call, as well as the generality; hence when that Lord of Lords, and King of Kings ſo conquers his Enemies: thoſe that are with him are ſaid to be called, and choſen, and faithful, Rev. 17.14. called as having Chriſts Commiſſion for it; choſen as being Saints; and faithful to do his ſaid work againſt all diſcouragement or oppoſition.

3. They are bleſſed as being firſt come out of Babylon, for that they partaked not of her Sins before, nor her Plagues then, Rev. 18.4.

2. They are alſo bleſſed in doing Gods work then, and executing his juſt Judgments written of before, Pſal. 149. ult. upon his and his Churches great enemies: So was Jael bleſſed, Jud. 5. ſo they ſhall be bleſſed that daſh that Babels little ones, viz. her doubly ſpurious off-ſpring againſt the ſtones, Pſal. 137. for ſo will Chriſts Church not only be freed from that Tyranny, but much happineſs will enſue thereupon to all Saints in Chriſts Kingdom, and the Marriage of the Lamb, with the happy Reſtitution of all things, &c.

Now for the other annexed Queſtions reſpecting the illuſtrations in of the Angels revealing that matter, we anſwer briefly firſt the Apo. Joh. muſt write what concerns the ſaid Marriage Supper, as a thing moſt ſure from Gods predictions, Gen. 3.15. from Enochs Propheſie, Daniels Viſion, chap. 7. and 2dly, a ſuitable reaſon is given by the Angel: Theſe are the true ſayings of God, not ſaid faithful as of the promiſed Mercies twice afterwards, which is heedfully to be obſerved: for this only reſpects the predictions (as we ſaid) of the Enemies removal, here for the expreſſions of the Holy Spirit are very curious concerning both.

3dly, he engages him to worſhip God now and afterwards, chap. 22. by reaſon varieties of ſalſe Worſhip would come up in the world by Heathens and Antichriſtians, till thoſe times he ſpake of ſhould come.

p. 264. He ſaith, he was of his Brethren, viz. the Prophets, chap. 22. and that he had alſo the teſtimony of Jeſus; for all that we are to believe of Jeſus is teſtified by the Prophets, as were all theſe myſteries here made thus known to him by the Angel: whereupon

5. he adds this reaſon of all theſe Revelations, That the Teſtimonie of Jeſus is the Spirit of Propheſie, ſo ſurely reſolving both here and in the following chapters, that we muſt look to the Prophets for the foundations of all theſe things concerning Chriſts Reign and Kingdome, and the preparations to it, and all that belongs unto it, and to all ſuch as ſhall have part with him therein: of all which the Angel Chriſt (probably) in Viſion had generally taught, chap. 10.7. when the Myſtery of God ſhould be finiſhed, as he hath declared (ſaith he) by his Servants the Prophets, ſo that all theſe Revelations muſt be underſtood concerning Chriſt, according to that Spirit of Propheſie, Nothing to be added, nothing to be taken therefrom, chap. 22.18, 19. and alſo manifeſting they muſt all be fulfilled before the end of the world, when all Propheſie will be accompliſhed: But I only touch upon theſe things to prepare for the better unfolding of the Text, being very needful to that purpoſe, and alſo give much light being rightly underſtood, not only to that text, but in a good part to much that concerns that whole ſtate of Chriſts ſaid Reign with his Saints the 1000 years.

The Second Reaſon of ſuch placing them is from the ſpecial Uſe which is here to be obſerved, namely in regard the 20th chap. to ver. 11. is firſt placed as the table of the good times of Gods Church to come, in reference whereunto the great things that follow are after conſidered; and the laſt Judgment from ver. 11. is there added as the boundary of the ſame table, according to the excellent Divine contrivance of this book, even as that former Table of the bad times, chap. 11. which contained about 1700 years under the Dragon, and others to the end of the Beaſts 42 months, to the end of thoſe ſuffering times of the Saints, which table hath alſo for its boundary from ver. 14. the happy times and ſtate following in ſome generals to the end of the chap. but not as included in the ſame Table: and as the chief meaſure of thoſe times after the Red Dragons perſecutions is the two Witneſſes 1260 dayes of years their Propheſying in Sackcloth, whom God calls, my two Witneſſes, and to whom I will give power againſt the gret a Beaſt though Propheſying in Sackcloth; ſo the chief meaſure of theſe good times is the Reign of Chriſt with his raiſed Saints in the 1000 years, whom he calls, my King upon p. 27my holy Hill of Sion, Pſalm 2. when the world hath done its worſt, yet, ſaith he, &c. I will ſet my King, &c. by which alſo all thoſe things that follow, chap. 21, & 22. are to be meaſured for their continuance, which is another reaſon of ſuch placing that Table before the laſt Judgment, which is the boundary following the times thereof, and ſo in both the ſaid Tables, Primum in utroque genere eſt menſura reliquorum: and ſo both theſe Tables have their diſtinct conſiderations, as containing in them both, all the times of Revelation Propheſie, viz. about 2700 years, beſides the little ſpace of Satans looſing, chap. 20. all to precede the laſt Judgment. The firſt Table links together the double Scheme; firſt of the Civil Roman ſtate under the ſeven Seals, in the times of ſome of which the Heathen ſtare perſecuted and killed the Saints, chap. 6. whereupon out of the 7th Seal proceed the ſeven Trumpets, bringing on the ruine of that wicked Roman ſtate; Firſt by the four firſt Trumpets that felt moſtly upon the Weſtern Roman Empire, and deadly wounded it by the incurſion of the Barbarous Nations, as Almands, Goths, Vandals, Huns, Alanes, Burgundians, Frankes, and the reſt; breaking the Empire, ruining the Government, of Emperour, City and Senate, in chap. 8. for about 200 years, and by the two following Woe Trumpets of Saracens and Turks, firſt half the Eaſtern Roman Empire was haraſed and loſt, chap. 9. to ver. 11. and after wholely overflowed by the Turks: Firſt by the Saracens till about the 1300 year of Chriſt, when the Turks day, and hour, and month, and year began, when the Ottaman Family obtained the power, for 396 years by that computation: both which are contained in chap. 9. but the 7th Trumpet, which will diſpatch them both, is added after this firſt Table, chap. 11.15. whereby is linked with this the Scheme of the Eccleſiaſtical ſtate, running again through all the ſaid times, reſpecting that alſo, as contained in the little open book, chap. 10. beginning chap. 12. with the primitive ſtate of the Church in her purity, but ſoon ſet upon by the Dragon and his Angels, fighting againſt Michael and his Angels, till God by that famous Emperour Conſtantine the great caſt down the Dragon, but after, upon the Dragons flood, the Woman entered into her Wilderneſs condition, for her time, times & half a time, contemporating therein with the twofold Beaſts 42 months, chap. 13 raiſed out of the Sea and Earth in thoſe fluctuating times of the ſaid Barbarous Nations, as alſo with the Witneſſes 1260 dayes … …ears, till the ſeven Angels have poured out their Vials to deſtroy the Beaſt; likewiſe chap. 15, 16. concerning which p. 28matters there is an explication, chap. 17. executed chap 18, 19. when the laſt head is ruined of that Eccleſiaſtick ſtate alſo: unto both which Schemes of both Civil and Eccleſiaſtick ſtate the ſame Table of the bad times hath reference, and links them ſo together as Contemporaries. But beſides the ſaid Series or order of the firſt ſaid Table, in the Divine contrivance thereof referring to the ſaid double Scheme of the times thereof, beginning with the Regular ſtate of the Church that was as was ſaid chap. 11.1. theſe things are farther to be obſerved from chap. 1.19. firſt concerning the things the beloved Apoſtle John had then ſeen, viz. how Chriſt in all thoſe times walketh in the midſt of the Candleſticks the Churches and holds the ſtars the true Miniſters thereof in his right hand, chap. 1. and 2dly the things that then were concerning the then preſent ſeven Churches of Aſia, chap. 2.3. which are alſo conceived to adumbrate or ſhaddow out ſeven Intervals contained in the ſaid firſt Table of the ſuffering times: and 3dly, the things to be hereafter, which are Epittomied in ſome ſort before the 24 Elders, and 4 living Wites, in chap. 4, and 5. firſt in chap 4. is ſet the Prologlue and Chorus of all that Tragy-Comody (as Mr. Mede ſpeaks) and in the 5th is repreſentzed the glorions manner of the Father's delivering this Book to his Son the Lamb, that had been as it were ſlain and lived again, to reveal and fulfil the contents thereof, with a glimps of the iſhue of the times of the ſaid firſt Table of Revelation Propheſie, when the Repreſentative (ſay they) ſhall Reign upon Earth, ver. 10. whereupon Angels, Saints, and all Creatures in their kindes ſhall adore and magnifie the Lamb, as worthy to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdome and Strength, ver. 8. to the end; and in chap. 7. we have the Sealing of the 144000 ſpiritually in the Eaſt, under the Tyranny of the Saracens and Turks, as chap. 9.4 in the times of the two firſt Woe Trumpets, from about Anno Dom. 600. to about 1700 [for we muſt conjecture in a Latitude perhaps of about a decad under or over the ſaid times, by reaſon of ſome defects in Chronologie] and in ch. 14. wherein with the ſame times of the Beaſts ſaid 42 months; the true Church had her 144000 Spiritually Sealed alſo, and preſerved in the Weſt: All which, with the Angels warnings there following, Chriſt hath now almoſt accompliſhed in this ſo excellent a contrivance of this Divine Book in all theſe reſpects: And therefore Faithful Chriſtians need not much trouble themſelves as to the remaining Propheſies of this Book in reſpect of the ſuffering times, ſave only they muſt watch, and keep the Garments of Juſtification p. 29and holy converſation, as Chriſt warnes, ch. 16.15. when the Whore, or Babylons end draws neer, as chap. 18. and chap. 14. only after is to be expected the gathering to the Armageddon Battel, chap. 19. before which, ſome good time (I conceive) will be the falling of the tenth part of the City, wherein the 7000 names of men as in the Original are foretold to be ſlain to the ſtrange affrightment (probably by ſome Divine appearance of that remnant that are thereupon ſaid to give glory to the God of Heaven, chap. 11. v. 13. by acknowledging his hand therein: to ſuch I would commend St. Peters counſel, Acts 17.18, 19, &c. Brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did alſo your Rulers, &c. [who were the Leaders and Guiders of the reſt, as hath been uſual, at leaſt by the Engineers of ſuch evil contrivance, who are skilful to draw into them more innocent perſons, &c.] Repent ye therefore, &c. and the rather, becauſe the remnant when affrighted, v. 13. hopefully ſhall ſo do: for the thing is to be done upon a great Earthquake [or Commotion of Nations] when the laſt finiſhing Witneſſes, decyphered from ver. 6. to ver. 13. did begin to aſcend upon their hearing of the great Voice, viz. of a perſon eminent in publick Authority, ſaying come up hither in the Plateia, or ſtreet of the City [where they were before civilly killed in the ſecond war of the Beaſt (of which Mr. Mede conceived there was only one) reſembled to Jeruſalem in Judea many ways] where our Lord was Crucified, roſe again, and aſcended, &c. being then a tenth Province or tenth part of the Dition of that great City, &c. of which many things may appear conſiderably evident, if the ſaid Plateia prove to be the ſaid tenth part of the City, which in its final falling off from Rome, ſhall utterly caſt out of it all Romiſh Idolatry, Superſtitions, and Errours, &c. which for many Reaſons may ſeem more probably (and whereof an account may (probably) be after given) And not the falling of the City Rome it ſelf, (as ſome have conjectured) becauſe it is but a tenth part now of what it was in the Heathen Emperours time, (as Mr. Mede from Lipſius declares) which latter (more probable) by ſome computations may ſeem to be about a dozen years after this falling, or more, upon which the gathering to the Armageddon Battel may be expected; for Romes ruine is like highly to provoke the Beaſt and falſe Prophet to that Battel, though to their own ruine. Rev. 19.20. although they will not believe it, which is the means to bring it on them. But upon the falling of the tenth part here the ſaid 2d Woe or ſixth Trumpet is ſaid to be ended, ver. 14. under which Mr. Mede moſt probably placeth p. 30moſt of the Vials, during the Turks 396 years, who is uſually reckoned the 2d Woe, and if this falling of the tenth part of the City was meant by the 5th Vial upon the Throne of the Beaſt (as ſome have conceived) whereby ſeems more probably to be pointed out that antient Apocryphal Epiſcopacie, as the Myſtical Throne of the Beaſt, [upon which he hath ſitten to kill Chriſts Witneſſes from firſt to laſt] viz. in reſpect of the old pretended Jus Divinum thereof, as being more ſuitable to the myſteriouſneſs of the Vials, and to experience] (as the 4th was upon his Univerſality) whereby all Popiſh Prelacie, with many Errours depending thereon have been pretendedly ſupported all along) which ſeemed much to be ſhaken by that 5th Vial, and neer to falling, &c. upon advantage whereof, the Pope afterwards as Biſhop of Rome, it being the chief City, hath ſince moſt falſely pretended to be Peters Succeſſor, who yet from Scripture is manifeſt never to have been Biſhop there; and Chriſts Vicar general on Earth [though Chriſt promiſed he would never be non-reſident from his Church there, but preſent with them to the end of the World, Mat. laſt, and laſt.] So that as he needs no ſuch, ſo he ordained no ſuch Officer, as ſhortly he will be taught to know (and all the deluded part of the world that follow him) to their coſt. But if that had been this tenth part of the City, I conceive it would have been paſt before this time.) But it ſeems there will be ſome good and peaceable times in that Plateia at the fall of this tenth part of the City in the Weſt, though, though the 2d. Woe continue longer in the Eaſt; becauſe at the end thereof, before the 7th Angel begin to ſound, it is ſaid, the 3d Woe cometh quickly (no remarkable occurrents then and there ſaid to intervene) for the word foreign quickly or ſwiftly is in this book to be underſtood in the due order of accompliſhment whereby Chriſt hath inſeparably linked together the firſt and laſt things of neer 1700 years diſtance, hence he ſaith in the beginning, Rev. 1.1. that they are things which muſt foreign ſhortly or ſwiftly come to paſs, viz. in the ſaid-determined order, (which due order [N. B.] is in this Book Doctrinal (being the Divine purpoſe of ſetting it ſo down, &c.) and likewiſe it is again ſaid, Behold I come quickly, or ſwiftly, (the ſame word foreign being uſed) about the end of 1700 years after in the end of the laſt ch. the moſt of which ſaid 1700 years from Chriſts birth is contained in the 19 firſt chap. of this moſt Divine Book before the 1000 years being chap. 20.] but is not ſaid to come preſently or immediately and the ending of the great Earthquake before the fall of the ſaid tenth part of the City with the 100 ſlain in the Weſt, and that glory then to be rendred unto God by that ſaid remnant p. 31there [all which imply the compleating of the ſaid aſcention of the finiſhing Witneſſes] and therewith ſome reſpite from former ſufferings before the 7th Trumpet, [called by ſome the Woe joy Trumpet] ſhall actually begin to ſound, (beſides the time of that coming quickly not preſently may be conſiderable there) for when that ſounded, ver. 15. great Voices of Joy were heard in Heaven, ſaying, the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, and at the beginning thereof (as we ſhewed from chap. 19.9, 11; &c.) Chriſt will deſtroy the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, the interim before which, & after the ſaid fall of the tenth part of the City, when the ſecond Woe ended, v. 14. ſeems (I ſay) to import ſome intermiſſion of the Churches trouble in the Weſt; before that time oppreſſed by the Beaſt there, though ſome of thoſe Sealed ones in the Eaſt, chap. 7. may continue that interim under the preſſures of the Turk, during the ſecond Woe there, &c. Which brings in alſo the good times of the 2d Table which we ſpake of in chap. 20. wherein is contained Satans binding, Chriſts and his Saints Reign, ſo exactly, ſtrongly, and clearly aſſerted by Chriſt to be 1000 years, with its Contemporaries; firſt, before it, chap. 19. viz. the coming of the Marriage of the Lamb, and his wifes making her ſelf ready, ver. 7. and after it alſo, chap. 21. & 22. when will be the New Heavens and the New Earth, the New Jeruſalem, with the Nations ſaved walking in the light thereof; alſo the pure River, and Tree of Life in the middeſt of the ſtreet of the City, all to continue that ſaid 1000 years in the world, until Satans looſing: which are after expounded c. 21, 22. as depending on c. 19.7 & it is agreeable as was ſaid to that Antient Propheſie, Deut. 32.41, 42. of the beginning of Revenges upon the Whore and Beaſt, before Jews and Gentiles then rejoice together, &c. when many Halelujahs will be Sung upon thoſe accounts in the beginning of chap. 19. to ver. 7. when the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.