The Times of Restitution of All Things, Tract (2 of 3)

The Times of Restitution of All Things · Tract (2 of 3)

p. 31So then theſe two excellent Tables have their diſtinct conſiderations in the ſaid Divine contrivance for divers excellent purpoſes, and the ſaid boundaries of the times of each are not to be taken into them as ſet in their proper order and place, ſo as what follows muſt needs therefore be after them in time: It was not ſo in the experience of the former Table, and it will not be ſo in the latter, which being well underſtood, with what we have here ſaid upon that occaſion, may accordingly be as we deſire, and endeavour whilſt time and opportunity ſerveth to give light to this part of p. 32this moſt Divine Book, and the rather, being of late very ſenſible of the Infirmities of old Age, now faſt incroaching upon us; and this more eſpecially becauſe the very Cream and Marrow of all faithful Chriſtians Intereſt included in theſe myſtical parts of the Goſpel of Chriſt may hereby be made more conſpicuous, and comfortable unto them: which alſo, we hope, by reſolving other following Queſtions may farther appear: and hereunto Mr. Medes judicious Synchroniſms are very ſubſervient, as in our Scheme of the whole Revelation may be obſerved: but the main buſineſs is there ſet down in this laſt table, viz. the reign of Chriſt with his raiſed Saints, for which Reign their ſaid bodily Reſurrection makes way (as was ſhewed) being the chief thing in reference whereunto all that are after explained, chap. 21, & 22. to belong to that ſtate, as to their time are determined by Chriſt, to be to continue 1000 years; and from thence he ſets down Satans looſing, with the laſt Gogs & Magogs deſtruction, leading in the laſt judgment, which ſeemed neceſſary to be ſo explained according to our Saviours Divine Wiſdom, as the moſt full Revelation of what ſhould be uſeful to be known by his Church for the moſt full explication of Enochs Propheſie or Viſion of the great day of Judgment, as Jude ſpeaks of which Daniel, chap. 7. ſeems only to explain the firſt act or matutinum judicium, at the deſtruction of the Beaſt above 1000 years before; but by this Divine Table we are directly brought in this order of Propheſie, to the laſt act or Veſpertinum judi…ium, of all ſorts good and bad, much more clearly than was revealed before in ſundry particulars, &c. but he then returns back to the predictions of the Prophe… concerning the ſaid 1000 years reign of Chriſt with his ſaid Saints, or times of Gods making all things New, (as the Context before and after manifeſt.) And this will appear in that which concerns the firſt particular, viz. of the New Heavens and New Earth, Eſa. 65. from ver. 20, 21, 22. where many things are nam'd reſpecting thoſe in the natural life (as is obſervable) for antient Propheſies are the Foundatiocs of them all, &c.

But 2dly, if it were ſuppoſed they were after the general Judgment, it might then be enquired what uſe in reaſon they could be conceived to ſerve for, ſince Scripture gives no ground for any ſuch matter; but contrarily reſolves us the world will then be diſſolved, chap. 20.11. all Creatures deſtroyed or removed, the Saints rapt in a moment to meet Chriſt before, and all be changed, and thenceforth ever to be with him, the Lord; the Devil caſt into the Lake of Fire, and wicked men ſent into Hell, &c. What uſe can be then of the New Heavens and New Earth after the great day of Judgment? p. 33But theſe Heavens will not be the making a new frame of the material Heavens, when the old are paſſed away (as after may be ſhewed) but will be Prophetical Heavens, grounded upon Gods Word, both for the Nature, Times, and Uſe of them: when, as follows, there will be no Sea, viz. ſuch an unſteady ſtate of things as the ſeven headed and ten horned Beaſt roſe out of, when the Barbarous Nations had broken the Weſtern Empire in pieces to make way for the ten Crowned Horns: or ſuch Waters as the Whore ſate on ever ſince unſteady rolling Wayes: No ſuch Myſtical Sea will have room then in that Kingdom of Chriſt and his Saints, that cannot be moved or ſhaken, Heb. 12.9. as the fruſtrating of Satans attempt with his laſt Gog and Magog will certainly manifeſt: But the New Heavens will be thoſe Heavenly Creatures coming with Chriſt, when he removes his Court from Heaven into this World for the time of his great day of Judgment, which were formerly the Inhabitants thereof; in which ſence our Saviour, upon the Whoren deſtruction, calls upon the Heaven of Saints to rejoyce, Rev. 18.20. Rejoyce over her thou Heaven: then to manifeſt what Heaven he meant, he adds, and ye Apoſtles and Prophets which ſhall be Inhabitants of the New Jeruſalem, chap. 21. v. 2. So alſo the Heaven of Angels that comes th…n with Chriſt to attend on him in his Davidical Kingdome, when the Tabernacle of God will be with men: (And where Chriſt will then be, there Heaven muſt needs be) And there will alſo then be ſuch a Prophetical New Earth too, wherein will dwell Righteouſneſs, as the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaks, 1 Pet. 3. for a King ſhall then Rule in Righteouſneſs, as the Prophet ſpeaks, and Princes in Judgment, Eſa. 30.1. among the Nations of them that ſhall then be ſaved, their Rulers ſhall be Peace, and their Exactors Righteouſneſs, Eſa. 60.17. which will be the ſtability of Chriſts Throne then; and ſuch Heavens and Earth appear to be the Object of this Holy Apoſtles Viſion, ver. 1. and the 2d verſe confirmes the ſame; I John ſaw the Holy City deſcending, &c. (as we may have occaſion afterwards more fully to ſhew) and the Tabernacle of God is then ſaid to be with men, and he to dwell with them, viz. for that ſaid 1000 years reign in his perſonal preſence in that body which God gave him, Heb. 10.5. which was typified by the Tabernacle of old, wherein the then acceptable ſervices of God were performed, and that body whereby at Chriſts death all acceptable Sacrifice for ſin was wholly fulfilled to which purpoſe is that expreſſion of this holy Evangeliſt, John 1.14 of Chriſts living, but foreign, a little p. 34while here lower than the Angels, as Heb. 2. that he Tabernacled amongſt us, as the words foreign do properly ſignifie: Now that Tabernacle of his body in the Type and Antitype being perfected in glory at the Fathers right hand in this ſaid ſtate and time, perſonally comes in the Clouds of Heaven in his own glory, and of the Fathers, and of all his holy Angels; and that is the bleſſed Tabernacle there ſaid to be with men, &c. as we have many wayes proved; namely, that that coming will be perſonal: his appearance to the Jews perſonal: his feet ſtanding on Mount Olivet perſonally: his bringing his Saints with him, his perſonal act: his command to ſlay his Enemies before him perſonally: his raiſing the ſaid Saints, his peculiar perſonal act: his ſitting on Davids Throne as the Son of David perſonally; and the many great things wherein he will be admired of his Saints then in all his ſaid great day of Judgment, will be all perſonal, 2 Theſ. 1.10. Se farther, Aſsert. 7. of our Key, for his Perſonal Appearance and Reign.

A ſecond Queſtion may be, Why the Reign of Chriſt in his Davidical Kingdome with his raiſed Saints being the laſt promiſed to the Poſterity of Shem, Abraham and David, is here the firſt ſpoken of, as performed in the 1000 years?

Anſw. It is the chief thing promiſed to Chriſt as the Son of David; And the Promiſe of Canaan made to Abraham and his ſpiritual Seed before (wherein the Holy City Jeruſalem is ſaid to be prepared for the Fore-fathers was alſo contained therein, as Heb. 11.16.) and hence the ſtate of his people in Canaan did by degrees grow up into a Kingdome (as the Scripture manifeſts) as the main thing intended: for after the Promiſe to Abraham, both he, Iſaac and Jacob were Pilgrims and Strangers in the world a long time, and their natural race long after in bondage in Aegypt, 400 years in their Wilderneſs condition; and when they poſſeſſed Canaan, they were under many oppreſſors above 400 years, in the times of the Judges: but at laſt they grew up into a Kingdome in Davids and Solomons time, &c. but when their Poſterity had forfeited both Land and City, &c. they have ſince remained in bondage all the times of the Gentiles Monarchies, almoſt 2300 years, and ſo muſt (probably) do till Davids Tabernacle (as the Apoſtle James ſpeaks, from Amos 9.11.) ſhall be raiſed up again: for Chriſt with his raiſed Sts. at the times of Reſtitut. of all things; that therefore being the laſt & chief thing promiſed, and the reſt ſeem to make up the glory & happineſs thereof, it is therefore here firſt ſpoken of again in the table of the good times: So that where p. 35God left off before in fulfilling Antient Promiſes to the Fathers for the ſins of their natural Race in that chief Mercy of the Kingdome there likewiſe, he here in revealing his Reſtauration for the comfort of their ſpiritual Race begins with again in that ſaid glorious Kingdome of Chriſt to come: in both which reſpects it being the chief thing promiſed, and alſo ſhortly now to be performed for Chriſt and his Saints, it may appear very meet and congruous that it ſhould here be ſet in the Table of theſe good times in the firſt place, as the meaſure of all the reſt that follow, which do all but make up the happineſs of that Kingdome; as Chriſt reckoned his Sufferers and two Witneſſes chief in the bad times, Rev. 11. which times alſo are chiefly meaſured by the 1260 dayes of years, during their Propheſying in Sackcloth: So in the Renovation God ſeems to begin chap. 20. where in their natural Race by reaſon of their ſins, he had left, and in chap. 21, and 22. proceeds backward to ſpeak of the reſt, and laſtly, of the Paradiſe of God, the firſt loſt, and laſt to be reſtored by Chriſt the ſecond Adam, in that ſtate in the world.

2. And for the bringing on of this Kingdome of Chriſt the Son of David with his raiſed Saints, God hath ever ſince the fall of that Tabernacle, overturned all the Gentiles States and Kingdoms ſucceſſively in their orders, (as in Nebuchadnezzars Image, Dan. 2. and Daniels Viſions of the four Beaſts deſtroying each other, Dan. 7. was ſignified) and will ſtill do ſo till the God of Heaven ſet up this Kingdom as the top of theſe Mercies, that ſhould never be deſtroyed; but as the Kingdome of the Stone ſhould deſtroy all others in the world, till it became a Mountain filling the whole Earth, (which Chriſt hath now almoſt fulfilled) and which will be that ſtate thereof in the 1000 years of the reign of Chriſt with his Raiſed Saints, for which the ſaid Reſtitution of all things will be accompliſhed, which was ſpiritually and powerfully begun at Chriſts firſt coming, upon his Reſurrection and Aſoention, when he led: Captivity Captive, tryumphing gloriouſly over all the powers of Darkneſs, Col. 3.15. and though ever ſince the Prince of the power of the Aire, that ruleth effectually in the Children of Diſobedience hath prevailed in all the ſuffering times under the Dragon and Beaſt, now almoſt for 1700 years to bring on Perſecutions and Sufferings of the Saints, who notwithſtanding by Chriſts Divine and Powerful Grace have been carryed on to ſuffer with him or for him; yet in that ſtate approaching, he will not only free them from all ſuch Miſeries, and Evils now in the world through Sin, but bring them into that happy p. 38ſtate of Reigning in the world with himſelf as his Spouſe, that with him ſhall then in her it all things, with their ſure Mercies of David. in this Univer ſalo and perpetual Kingdome in the world: in reſerence unto which, the Renovation of all things will then be made by God himſelf, as in the Text.

The third Queſtion: But how doth it appear that ſuch a coming and Kingdome of Christ ſhall be above 1000 years in the world, before the laſt general Judgment, when he will deſcend with a ſhout, &c. 1 Theſ. 4.16.

Anſw. It will moſt manifeſtly appear, not only from our Saviours Table of the good times, which we ſpake of but now, and from the litteral ſenſe of the 1000 years, which we ſpake ſufficiently of, pag. 38. of the Saints bodily Reſurrection, which is conſtantly granted by all ſound Expoſitors, to be litterally ſo underſtood: neither is it other viſe taken in the Beaſts 42 months: nor are the Prophetical dayes of the two Witneſſes, Rev. 11. [or Sons of Oyl, Zech. 4. ſtanding before the Lord of the whole Earth, ver. 14. to which that Propheſie ſeems chiefly to have reference, &c.] underſtood otherwiſe than for 1260 dayes of years: and there is much leſs reaſon to pervert Chriſts words of his own, and his ſaid Saints Reign from their litteral ſenſe, when he moſt plainly ſaith they are 1000 years: and where are any numbers of years in Scripture to be found, but for that individual number they are ſet for: the lives of all Antients, Patriarks and Fathers, the times of Judges, Reigns of Kings, continuance of States are ſet down by their peculiar number of years, without which nothing could be reſolved of: and in ch. 20. (as Mr. Mede obſerved) that Chriſt ſet down things more plainly there, than in all that book before: & becauſe men have been averſe to think ſo of theſe laſt parts, there have come up many miſtaken conceits of anticipating Satans binding in the primative times of Perſecution, & the Saints reigning under their greateſt ſufferings, but not in the ſence here intended, which will alſo be performed: and the taking the New Jeruſulem ſtate for the Kingdom of Heaven, and the New Heavens and New Earth to be after the laſt Judgment, and the like: which being reſolved by the Scripture Foundations to which this part of the Revel. hath particular referonce, they will upon due conſideration appear very evidently to belong to this ſet time of the 1000 years us by our 15 Reaſons why they ſhall be in the world may alſo be manifeſt, and by our firſt Convincing Arg. of 36 Particulars to be according to Scripture, before, in, & after the ſaid 1000 years; and by our p. 39many diſtinctions of Chriſts appearance or coming at Antichriſts deſtruction, and of his deſcending above 1000 years after with a ſhout, and the voice of an Arch-angel, and the Trump of God at the Saints General Rapture, and Reſurrection of the wicked: peruſe them ſeriouſly, they have Scripture warrant, &c. And as Mr. Mede obſerved it, to be the uſual Errour of the Jews to confound the firſt and ſecond coming of Chriſt; overlooking the Humility of the firſt, which was not often before clearly diſtinguiſhed, except by Daniel, and in ſome few places: ſo Chriſtians do much in theſe times over look the Mercy of the Jews at Chriſts ſecond coming little regarding Chriſts irrefragable reſolutions of many things of the laſt times, which were given to him alone by the Father to inſtruct his Church in, yea though they be founded upon many other parts of Scripture, and refer unſeaſonably to what concerns both Jews and all promiſed Mercies to the raiſed Saints to the times of the laſt General Judgment, above 1000 years moſt evidently, after their ſet times.

Object. But many Learned men have conceived that gloriouss City decyphered, Rev. 21. and the Paradiſe of God to be the Kingdome of Glory in the higheſt Heavens.

Anſw. Beſides our former ſaid approved Reaſons that it will be in the World, the Apoſtle Paul, Gal. 4. calls that the Jeruſalem that is now above, the Mother of all Saints, being the peculiar Manſion at preſent of all the Spirits of Juſt men made perfect, where they remain in happy Security, Peace and Bleſſedneſs in their preſent ſtate, expecting the time of the ſaid firſt Reſurrection of their bodies, which when Chriſt comes and brings them with him to raiſe and unite their Spiritual Bodies with them, will be the Jeruſalem here ſaid then to come down from God out of Heaven, which glorious place and City is prepared by God for the Fathers then, and all ſuch; as the Apoſtle teacheth, Heb. 11.16, 40. that without us ſhall not be made perfect, or perfect in one, as our Saviour prayed, John 17. which are called the Lambs Wife; of the ſolemnity of whoſe Marriage the Kingly Prophet David foretold, Pſal. 45. when that Bride, inſtead of Fathers, ſhall then have Children whom ſhe may make Princes in all Lands: and as Solomon in his moſt excellent Song in the book of Canticles divinely illuſtrateth it, of the return of the Shulamite, and the like; which will be the fulfilling of the Covenant to Abraham and his Spiritual Seed, by that one Divine Seed Chriſt in that ſtate and time: and for the Paradiſe of God annexed to that p. 40ſtate which Chriſt will then reſtore inſtead of that loſt before in the world by the firſt Adam; it will be part of the Reſtitution which God will then effect, as we hope in due place farther to manifeſt from this Text.

But for the clearer diſcovery of what hath been ſaid, let us a little look back again to the beginning of this Chapter, where it is ſaid this Holy Man had the Viſions of the New Heavens and the New Earth, which as to their time was not after the laſt Judgment, as was ſaid; neither is there placed before it that uſual expreſſion in this Book, when things which follow are ſpoken of: [After this I ſaw] as chap. 18.1. & chap. 19.1. but are 1000 years before it, as is very evident: neither is it any New making of the Material frame of them; but they will be Prophetical Heavens and Earth, (as was ſaid) ſuitable to that Kingdome wherein Chriſt will reign with his raiſed Saints (as the wood witneſſeth) of which Kingdom theſe are to be conſidered as the integral parts: for never came ſuch a King into the world before, that muſt not only have all Nations to do him ſervice, and the Heathen to be given to him for his Inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the Earth for his poſſeſſion: but when he comes, all the Elohim, Angels or Gods muſt Worſhip him; yea, all knees in Heaven and Earth, and under the Earth, muſt then bow and be ſubject to him, owning him to be Lord: but he muſt alſo then have thoſe New Heavens and New Earth then made for him and his Spouſe: As Satan had his Myſtical Heavens before, when the Pagans worſhipped Sun, Moon and Stars: Their Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Apollo, with the multitudes of their Heatheniſh falſe Deities. And hence it was under Chriſts ſpiritual Kingdome of the Stone, that there was in the primitive times a great Battel in Heaven betwixt Michael and his Angels, and the Dragon and his Angels, Rev. 12. but the iſſue thereof was, that the Dragon was caſt down from his Heaven to the Earth: And as God very remarkably by the Miniſtry of the Prophet Jeromiah, cauſed it to be proclaimed before the Captivity of Babylon, chap. 10.11. and that verſe is only written (as Mr. Mede well obſerves) in the Caldean Language: whither that People was ſhortly after to be led Captives: [The Gods, ſaid he, that made not the Heavens nor the Earth, even they ſhall periſh from the Earth, and from under theſe Heavens:] and accordingly, chap. 25. God ſent by him a Cup of Wrath to be drunk by thoſe many Nations that owned ſuch Gods: And afterwards, neither Bell nor Merodach of the Caldeans could ſave themſelves or their Worſhippers p. 41from their Enemies; nor the Graecian Monſters, and multitudes of feigned Gods and Goddeſſes could deliver themſelves, or thoſe that ſerved them: and when Pagan Rome had ingroſſed the Idol Gods of all Nations which they ſubdued, they were at Chriſts firſt coming ſtruck dumb, and ceaſed to deliver their Oracles, as formerly; and after by Conſtantine the Dragon was caſt out of his Heaven to the Earth; and likewiſe that Beaſt that roſe out of the Earth afterwards, with all his Paganized Chriſtianity of Popiſh Idolatry will ſhortly alſo find Jeremiahs Proclamation true, That ſuch Idol Gods ſhall periſh from the Earth, and from under theſe Heavens: for not only all ſuch, ſuppoſed Heathen Gods, but all Pagano-Chriſtian Idols alſo will be then totally and finally caſheired for ever out of the World, Pſal. 97.7. Eſa. 2. And ſuch like Heavens were aſcribed in Scripture to Kingdoms and States, according to many Oriental Notions, (as Mr. Mede obſerved) who reckoned what was Superiour in their States were their Heavens; as Monarchs, and Governours, and what was Inferiour their Earth: But theſe New Heavens and New Earth being of an Heavenly Excellency; not only foreign, according to the Opinions or Cuſtoms of the vain World, but foreign, according to Truth, are to be taken for what God hath promiſed then, and as his Word ſets them forth: the Heaven of Angels will come with Chriſt then to wait upon him and to worſhip him: and Chriſt coming perſonally with them then will make it an Heaven indeed: and then alſo he brings all his Saints that ſleep in Jeſus with him: ſo that there will alſo be then an Heaven of Saints alſo, as he ſpeaketh at the Whores Deſtruction, chap. 18.20. Rejoyce thou Heaven, ye Apoſtles and Prophets, and even that Myſtical Heaven, the New Jeruſalem ſhall then come from God out of Heaven, as is explained v. 2. which is called the Bride, the Lambs Wife, ver. 9. and for her alſo with the Lamb be made then alſo the New Earth, wherein will dwell Righteouſneſs, 2 Pet. 3. when not only the Tabernacle of God will be with men, as ver. 3. but her Officers ſhall be Peace, and her Exactors Righteouſneſs, Eſa. 60.17. and all that happineſs in that time of refreſhment from the preſence of the Lord, Acts 3. and as follows, ver. 4. that God will not only wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there ſhall be no more death nor crying, nor pain, but Chriſt will perſonally dwell with them in that Tabernacle wherein he was before [foreign] only for a little while made lower than the Angels (as we ſaid) but then he will be exalted far above all Principalities and Powers, and every p. 42Name, &c. and continue to dwell with them, and be their God, and they ſhall be his people: and for the aſſured making of theſe Integral parts of Chtiſts ſaid Kingdome, viz. the New Heavens and the New Earth is Gods great glorious and gracious undertaking at that time ſet forth in this text: and he that ſate upon the Throne, ſaid, Behold, I make all things new, &c.

Now having thus prepared the way by removing theſe former difficulties, and opening the context, we ſhall by Gods aſſiſtance proceed to conſider the Text it ſelf, both in reſpect of the words and ſence thereof; which is a farther ſtep and degree of that moſt excellent Viſion given to this beloved Apoſtle, and (ſaith he) he that ſat upon the Throne ſaid, behold, I make all things New. In which words we have a moſt excellent declaration of the compleating of Chriſts outward viſible work of Redemption in the world, with its Illuſtration and Confirmation: the Declaration is of the happy Renovation of all things in that very determined point of time, and occurrence of affairs, which the Series and order of this Viſion leads to. [I make] that is, I now make [when the great Enemies are deſtroyed, and Chriſts Davidical Kingdom is to take place, and the Saints raiſed, even in that ſtate of things, I make all things New: for Chriſts unalterable order of theſe things is a doctrinal Foundation as was ſaid] and this moſt Divine Declaration is firſt Illuſtrated from the perſon that ſpake the words, and undertakes the work, whole ſpeaking then will be doing, as at firſt, ſo ſaid the Pſalmiſt, He ſpake the word and they were made, he commanded and they were created: ſo when the period of this preſent State ſhall come, God will as by ſpeaking a word of Command make all things new.

2. Again in reſpect of the excellency of his perſon he is here ſaid to be he that ſate upon the Throne, who is Hieroglyphically and gloriouſly deſcribed in chap. 4. as God made known in his Church, as on a Throne; for in Judah is God known, and his Name is great in Iſrael: at Salem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion, Pſal. 78.1. and he is known to them in the face of Jeſus Chriſt in all his glorious Attributes, Nature and Perſons, as revealed in the Word, 2 Cor. 4.4, 6. as here compaſſed with the Rain-bow, the Token of the Covenant, made with Noah through Chriſt for all Creatures, to the end of the world, &c. and alſo hath 7 Lamps burning before the Throne, which are the 7 Spirits of God, or the Holy Ghoſt, chap. 1.4. and about the Throne 24. Seats for the 24 Elders, and within the Throne 4 living Wights, full of eyes within, p. 43continually ſaying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come: So that there God is ſet forth as very gloriouſly made known in his Church to be three in Perſons, one in Eſſence to be ever ſo worſhipped and glorified by them before and ſince, for his great and good work of Creation, ver. 11. For as at firſt he Created the world by Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 3.9. the Holy Spirit moving upon the face of the Waters, Gen. 1.2. ſo he hath, and doth, and will redeem and fully work his Renovation of the world by the Lamb that was ſlain, and hath ſince lived again, and the book with 7 Seals is delivered to him, to open and execute the Contents thereof, as in chap. 5. by the power and effectual working of the Holy Ghoſt, one God with the Father and the Son, and proceeding from the Father and the Son: So the 24 Elders, and the 4. Beaſts or living Wights worſhipped him at the Whores Deſtruction, as ſitting on the Throne, chap. 19.4, &c. and in the end of chap. 4. & 5. though this laſt was upon aſſurance of the fulfilling of all Revelation Propheſie: But in the Text he that ſits upon the Throne with a Rainbow about it, and ſeven Lamps burning before it, ſaith, Behold, I make all things new, &c.

Thus then Almighty God, Three in Perſons, and One in Eſſence, ſo manifeſt in his Church, that ſo Created the World, and alſo by his Son and Holy Spirit carrieth on his work of Redemption, and full Renovation of the World, who maketh known this Divine Declaration thereof by his Servant John for the uſe of his Church, in theſe latter times to be fulfilled moſt certainly (as will after appear) in the neer approaching times of the Reſtitution of all things, the next Illuſtration of it is that uſual note of Attention and Obſervation, Behold: but here to be more highly conſidered as a notation of Admiration & Adoration; Behold, Admire the wonderful Mercy herein contained, adore him in the Divine excellency thereof: the like is done in many like Notations ſet forth by God reſpecting his wonderful work begun, and by degrees carried on, and to be perfected by his Son Jeſus Chriſt, as firſt eſpecially in laying his great Foundation in Sion, Eſa. 28.16. Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corner Stone, Elect and Precious, as ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 2.6. which the ſaid Prophet ſets forth with a great deal of Illuſtration in the Heberew, &c. foreign and aptly rendred by Arias Montanus, Ecce ego fundo in Sion Lapidem, Lapidem munitionis anguli precioſi fundamenti fundati, &c. Behold I found in Sion a Stone, a Stone of defence, of a precious corner of a foundation, founded p. 44and to be adored and admired likewiſe therein. The like of the Womans Seed promiſed without Man, Behold a Virgin ſhall bear a Son, Eſa. 7.14. and yet a Virgin when ſhe hath a Son; but ſuch a Son as ſhould be God as well as Man, who ſhould be called Immanuel, God with us: here was likewiſe matter of Admiration, and Adoration, that he that was the Eternal Father, as well as the Prince of Peace; of the increaſe of whoſe Kingdome upon the Throne of David there ſhall be no end, ſhould yet in ſuch a time be born of a Virgin, &c. Eſa. 9. The like by the Angel is uſed to the Shepheards at the birth of that ſaid Virgins Son, Luke 2.10, 11. Behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which ſhall be to all people, &c. So when God will make the New World for his ſaid Son, Behold I make, &c. and the ſeaſon of this work is the Alpha and Omega of this book of Revelation, to be obſerved, and admired, and deſired too by the Saints, chap. 1.7. Behold he cometh with Clouds at the Jews Converſion, who are there ſaid to have pierced him: which I conceive will not only be in mercy to the Jews, as Zech. 12.10. but all Kindreds alſo of the Earth ſhall wail becauſe of him penitently alſo, when he then comes the ſecond time without ſin to Salvation, becauſe the Heathen ſhall be given then to him for an Inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the Earth for his poſſeſſion, and they ſhall alſo then ſerve him, Dan. 7.27. and as the Prophet ſaith in thoſe times, ten men ſhall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, Zech. 8.32. to joyn themſelves to them in the ſervice of the God of Iſrael; and the great ſhakings and deſſolations in the world when the glorious Majeſty of Chriſt ſhall then appear, as Eſa. 2.17, 19. ſo ſhaking terribly the Earth (probably) may much prepare all the Kindreds of the Earth that remain then ſo to wail with Contrition that they have not known Chriſt before, and then ſo wailingly mourn after him; therefore is added by the Holy Spirit, Even ſo Amen to both, Rev. 1.7. [N. B.] to teach us ever after to pray for the fulfilling of theſe ſo ſtrongly promiſed Mercies then, which is therefore the chief drift of that Petition, Thy Kingdome come; that alſo then Gods Will may be done in Earth as it is now in Heaven; for which in that ſtate there is great ground to believe: and ſo his Name will be hallowed then as now in Heaven, which is the great end of all Prayer. And then he cometh alſo with reward for his Saints, as chap. 22.12. & 11.18. The way to love Chriſts appearance, as the Apoſtle Paul perſwades all ſound Chriſtians, is to know the happy advantages that all ſuch ſhall have thereby at that time, when God will make all things New that pertain p. 45to Chriſts Davidical Kingdome, as here, &c. The next thing conſiderable reſpecting this comfortable Declaration of God, is the Confirmation of it. 1. by commanding the Holy man to record it for the comfort of his Church, Write, ſaith he. 2. He gives a twofold ground of ſuch Confirmation or Record of it, firſt in regard that the words were true as antiently delivered by the God of Truth, that cannot lye, or deceive, or be deceived: but ſecondly, they are likewiſe faithful, grounded upon many gracious promiſes and Covenants, as we hope farther to manifeſt. Come we now to conſider the main thing declared that God at ſuch a time or ſtate of things occurring in the world, makes all things new, being Emphatically called by the Apoſtle Peter, The times of Restitution of all things: which Renovation of all things is three wayes conſiderable: firſt, Negatively, what it is not. Secondly, Privatively, in reſpect of what God will then remove or take away. Thirdly, Poſitively, in reſpect of what God will do in the performance of that great and gracious work.

1. Negatively, in reſpect of what he will not do; it doth not imply that God will then bring a total deſtruction upon the Created World, by deſtroying it and the Creatures in it, with wicked men then to be deſtroyed out of it, and other Creatures to be placed in a New world, which we have no Scripture grounds for; but for the contrary: for that is to be done at Chriſts ſitting upon the great white Throne at the diſſolution of all things, Rev. 20.11. above 1000 years after; neither in reaſon can it be conceived; for what uſe Creatures ſhould ſerve when good and bad men were removed before out of it, &c.

2. Privatively, by Gods removing and taking away many evil things out of the world, which have been brought into it (ſince he firſt in 7 days Created finiſhed his great and good work of Creation) by Satan, Sin, and wicked men; ſuch as the Curſe, Corruption, Bondage, and Enmity of the Creatures ſince abiding in it, in an eminent degree with the cauſes thereof, by deſtroying many wicked men out of the Earth, Rev. 11.18. and binding Satan for the 1000 years in the bottomleſs pit, that he deceive not the Nations any more till that 1000 years ſhall be finiſhed: therefore (I ſay) with the cauſes thereof; for ſublata cauſa tollitur effectus: and contrarily; to bring the world into a capacity to be made better, and to be put into a New and better frame than when they prevailed in it, he will then alſo eminently remove and take away thoſe many evils cauſed and p. 46brought into the world by them: firſt, the curſe brought in by them will then be taken away: for ſaith Chriſt, there ſhall then be no more curſe, Rev. 21.3. the earth which was curſed by theſe means upon the Fall, ſhall be eminently reſtored unto its native fruitfulneſs, peculiar to that time and ſtate, Ezek. 34.26, 27. There ſhall then be ſhowers of bleſſing upon it, and the trees of the field ſhall yield her fruit, and the Earth ſhall yield her increaſe: and with that fruitfulneſs they ſhall then have ſafety and peace, for they ſhall be ſafe in their Land, and ſhall know that I am the Lord, being delivered from their Enemies, as there follows, &c. So alſo Ezek. 36.8. Ye Mountain of Iſrael, ye ſhall ſhoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Iſrael: and ver. 11. I will multiply upon you man and beaſt, and they ſhall increaſe and bring fruit: and ver. 29, I will call for the Corne and increaſe it, and lay no famine upon you, &c. yea their Land ſhall become for fruitfulneſs like the Garden of Eden, ver. 35. and Joel 3.18. The Mountains ſhall drop down with New Wine, and the Hills ſhall flow with Milk: which are high expreſſions of the fruitfulneſs of thoſe times: alſo Hoſ. 2.21. In that day will I hear, ſaith the Lord, I will hear the Heavens, and the they ſhall hear the Earth, and the Earth ſhall hear the Corn and the Wine and the Oyle, and they ſhall hear Jezreel. Again, the Enmity of men and other creatures will then be alſo removed, which have prevailed in the world from the fall: firſt among men there hath been (ſince the fall, Murther, & Slaughter, & Blood ſhed prevailing and ſo will ſtill untill thoſe times) amongſt them: but then Nation ſhall no more riſe againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learn War any more; yea they ſhall beat their Swords into Plowſhares, and their Spears into Pruning hooks, Eſa. 2.4. and Hoſ. 2.18. I will break the Bow, and the Sword, and the Battel out of the Earth, and will make them to lie down in ſafety: and for the peaceableneſs of other Creatures which not only Allegorically (as ſome underſtand the Promiſes to that purpoſe, but they will litterally be performed) when that Savage Cruelty in their corrupt natures ſince the fall, will then be taken away, that the Wolfe ſhall dwell with the Lamb, as the Prophet Eſa. ſpeaks, chap. 11.6. and the Leopard ſhall lie down with the Kid, &c. and they ſhall not hurt or deſtroy in all my holy Mountain: and Eſa. 65.25. The Wolfe and the Lamb ſhall feed together, and the Lyon ſhall eat ſtraw like the Bullock, &c.

So the hurtful influence of the Heavens, and the diſtempers of the 4 Elements, and the noxious qualities of the Creatures will be then wonderfully refined: that the Heavens, as God promiſeth, may hear p. 47the earth, and they hear the Corn and Wine and Oyl, &c. And the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem ſhall not then ſay, I am ſick, when the people that dwell therein ſhall be forgiven their iniquity, Eſai. 33.24.

The Creatures which ſince the Fall have been held under the bondage of corruption, under which the whole Creation ſtill groaneth, ſhall, as the Apoſtle teacheth, Rom. 8.21. in that ſtate be delivered from it, and that alſo into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God.

The bodies of all Saints (ſaving ſome few, as Enoch, Moſes, Elias) have lien rotting in the Grave, and ſo will till then, but they ſhall all in that time and ſtate receive the Adoption, Rom. 8.21. the [faithful Gentiles then receiving that with all benefits belonging to them as the ſpiritual Seed of Abraham, Gal. 3.29. as well as to his faithful natural Seed both Jews and Iſraelites] which he explains in the next words, even the redemption of our bodies [N.B.] which (as was ſhewed before) will be the inlet to all thoſe Saints into the happineſs of that time and ſtate, &c. And thus briefly of Gods removing the ſaid evils or the like, with the cauſes thereof. When Chriſt the Univerſal King of Kings, and Prince of the Kings of the earth, Rev. 19. and Rev. 1.5. will not only reſcue the great and excellent building of the World out of the power of the Prince of the Air, but repair the ruines and deſolations he and his retinue of wicked men and Devils have wrought in it, and reduce it for himſelf and his Spouſe the Saints into a far better condition than ever it was in before, which will be by Gods ſaid removal of the ſaid evils, then when he makes all things new. Thirdly, this renovation is to be conſidered Poſitively in reſpect of Gods conferring good upon them at thoſe times of reſtitution of all things, Acts 3. viz. upon Chriſt the Lamb and his Bride then, which I conceive is taken for both ſorts of Saints both then raiſed, and in the natural life (though then in their proper different ſtates) yet by gracious diſpenſation will probably be both of one Communion, which we are taught to believe according to Gods Word, ſutable to that of Chriſt and his Diſciples forty days after he roſe from the dead.

Secondly, The Poſitive part is included in the ſame declaration, Gen. 13.15. after explained by many gradual Promiſes and Covenants. We ſhall begin with the laſt at firſt in this Divine Key of our Saviours, viz. the Kingdom promiſed to David and his Seed for ever, which is the main thing here ſpoken of, that Chriſt with his p. 48Saints ſhould enjoy in that ſtate, comprehending all the reſt, which all the other tend unto and are to be conferred with it, before the enjoyment of which the raiſed Saints have their ſpiritual bodies then, whereby they are put into a capacity to enjoy all the happineſs of that time and ſtate, and the Jews, Iſraelites, and Gentiles ſhall be converted and united into one ſheepfold &c. This Kingdom was foretold by Jacob, Gen. 49. and by Balaam, Numb. 24. and often propheſied of by David, confirmed in Nathan's Meſſage, ſeen in Viſion by Daniel, at what time Chriſt ſhould receive it over all Nations under the whole Heavens, Dan. 7.27. with many other confirmations by the Prophets, and declared by Chriſt that it was his Fathers pleaſure to give it to his little little flock, Luke 12.32. that they ſuffering with Chriſt ſhould reign with him: which in the 1000 years they are ſaid to do, Rev. 20.4. of which more is ſaid in our twelve foundations of the faith thereof, and in the Word written, and elſewhere from Scripture-Authority. For this great King are the New Heavens and earth to be made, without ſuch a myſtical moveable Sea out of which the Beaſt aroſe in the times of the Barbarous Nations Cmmotions, & the Whore hath ſitten upon thoſe many troubled waters ever ſince: but this Kingdom that Chriſt with his Saints ſhall receive, is ſuch, as cannot be ſhaken or moved, Heb. 12.28. this ſaid Kingdom is the firſt and main thing here ſpoken of by Chriſt (though the laſt promiſed to David and his Divine ſpiritual Seed) which the Apoſtles expected ſhould be reſtored, Acts 1.6. and will be at that time of the raiſing up of Davids Tabernacle, which had been fallen in his natural Race 2300 years (probably) before, Acts 15.16. Amos 9.11.

The next thing belonging to this Kingdom for which the integral parts thereof the New Heavens and the New Earth are then to be be made, as Rev. 21.1. is that which is contained in the Covenant to Abraham and his Seed reſpecting the promiſed Land, as the Mother City thereof typified by that Jeruſalem of old which is now in bondage with her Children, Gal. 4. And is now above till the time of the deſcending of it from God out of Heaven, when Chriſt comes in the Clouds of Heaven, and brings all his Saints with him, till the Marriage of the Lamb ſpoken of Rev. 19. and 21. which is called the great, and holy, and beloved Jeruſalem, that City with foundations that Abraham expected, and is ſaid to be prepared for the forefathers, and all the faithful ſince, Heb. 11.16.40. whoſe Maker and Builder is God: which appears to be in great part the New p. 49Heavens, as Rev. 18.20. as we in part ſhewed before, with the Heaven of the glorious Angels coming to attend on Chriſt when his Tabernacle of his bodily preſence will be with men, not for a little time, as Heb. 2. at his firſt coming, but he will dwell with them the ſpace of the 1000 years.

Then will alſo be according to many Promiſes to the Saints in the natural life of all the Nations that ſhall then be ſaved, the New Earth wherein will dwell righteouſneſs, when Chriſt that great King ſhall reign in righteouſneſs, and Princes ſhall rule in judgment, Eſa. 32.1. whoſe Officers ſhall be peace, and whoſe Exactors ſhall be righteouſneſs, Eſa. 60.17. when Chriſt ſits upon the Throne of David, to order it, and to eſtabliſh it with Judgment and with Juſtice, from thencforth and for ever, viz. unto the end of the world, Eſa. 9.7. the Propheſies and Promiſes which reſpect that ſtate of Gods peoples mercies, benefits and Priviledges therein are exceeding great and manifold, that would require a large Volume to explain them, reſpecting Saints then in the natural life; both in being greatly freed from the evils we now ſpoke of, with the manifold enjoyments of good; but eſpecially in regard of their large meaſure of Grace then promiſed as in the New Covenant, firſt made in their Book of Deuteronomy, after the firſt Tables had been brok on, remarkably ſet down Deut. 30. to ver. 11. for circumciſing the heart of that people and their Seed after all their great diſperſions; who ſhall be ſetled in their own Land then, and remove no more, as 2 Sam. 7. and Gods Sanctuary ſhall be with them for evermore, Ezek. 37.28. when God will pour his Spirit on them generally, Joel 3. as he did upon his Diſciples and ſome few at his firſt coming, and thoſe expreſſions of the New Covenant, Jer. 31.33, 34. and 32.39, 40. and Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27, &c. do chiefly belong to that people, and ſuch as are united to them in the natural life in thoſe times that ſhall then walk in the light of the ſaid beloved Jeruſalem, Rev. 21. (though we Gentiles have now our ſhare in them) through faith in ſome degree, but they then in the times of Reſtitution much more by far, and this will then be that ſpecial great foundation of all other temporal enjoyments, as the ſtrong entail that Chriſt will make them of all promiſed good.

And to all Saints in thoſe times it is probable will ariſe that great enlargement of Joy for the inlarging Chriſts Kingdom with praiſe to God in Chriſt for it, by the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit in that, together with the inheriting of all promiſed mercies to p. 50themſelves, they will ſee and know then the great confluence of ſaved Souls then abundantly coming in upon the like foundations from the Word of God, when all Nations ſhall ſee the ſalvation of the God of Iſrael, and the Heathen ſhall be given to Chriſt [Gods King then ſet upon his holy hill of Sion] for his inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion Pſalm. 2. for if the Angels in Heaven rejoyce at one ſinners converſion now: how will both Angels and Saints then rejoyce, when ſo many thouſands and millions which will then be ſaved in the prolonging of Chriſts days, when he ſhall ſee his numerous ſeed (as promiſed to the Fathers) and the will of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand, Eſa. 53. and his City prepared will be large enough to contain all raiſed Saints being as it is deſcribed a perfect Cube of 1500 miles in length, breadth, and heighh, fitted for the motion and benefit of their ſpiritual bodies, yet ſaid then to have foundations, becauſe then they will have their bodies, who needed no foundations when they were Jeruſalem above, only the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, Gal. 4.2. and for the other in the natural life they ſhall lengthen their cords, & ſtrengthen their ſtakes, Eſa. 54.2. God hath prepared fit places for both, who fully knows the number of them all: Now many things in Scripture are ſaid to be prepared by God or Chriſt that will not have their peculiar exiſtence at preſent till the times come: So our Saviour went to prepare the beloved great Jeruſalem for his Diſciples, John 14.1, 2, 3. where they ſhall behold this his glory which his Father hath given him, John 17.24. and this is the City prepared for the Forefathers, Heb. 11.16. and for us, v. 40. ſo ſaith Chriſt, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, Matth. 25.34. and the eternal happineſs which eye hath not ſeen, ear hath not heard, & which God hath prepared, 1 Cor. 2.9. and on the contrary, Hell torment is prepared for the wicked, Matth. 25.41. and Tophet is prepared of old for the King, Eſa. 30.33. probably meant of the great Aſſyrian which will at that time be deſtroyed, viz. the [Turk] called the Aſſyrian, Mich. 5.5. when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into our Land, that is, poſſeſſing the Aſſyrians Kingdom then: now all theſe ſo ſaid to be [prepared] ſhall have their exiſtence certainly in their times; and it ſeemeth probable that this laſt Tophet with the River of Brimſtone, Eſa. 30. will be out of the matter of the earth diſſolved at laſt, &c. which will yet make for the happineſs of the Saints, that they have not only eſcaped all ſuch ſufferings, but ſhall inherit ſuch wonderful, manifold, and everlaſting happineſs.

p. 51And now we come Fourthly to the laſt great Priviledge of the ſaid New Jeruſalem ſtate, and the ſaid Kingdom of Chriſt with his Saints, namely the Paradiſe of God then likewiſe to be reſtored inſtead of that which was firſt loſt by the fall of the firſt Adam: laſt mentioned in this Divine Key, or bunch of Keys of our Saviour, of which (though from the fall intended) yet we hear nothing particularly of it until our Saviour by his death had purchaſed it, and then promiſed it to the penitent Thief upon the Croſs with him. This day thou ſhalt be with me in Paradiſe; whither Chriſts Soul then went to take poſſeſſion of it for all his Saints: before he ſaid, the Angels are ſaid to carry Lazarus into Abrahams boſome: but the Apoſtle Paul explains it afterwards to be the third Heaven, and Paradiſe where then it was, but after when the New Jeruſalem comes down with Chriſt from God out of Heaven, that Paradiſe of God is deſcribed to belong to that Holy City, where is the Tree of Life, which yieldeth fruits every Month, and whoſe Leaves are for the healing of the Nations, with the pure River flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb, Rev. 22. which are Divine expreſſions of the happineſs of the Saints then ſpoken in reſemblance unto the firſt Paradiſe, and to the living waters ſpoken of by Chriſt, John 7.37, 38. which all the Saints ſhall in that ſtate enjoy. And ſo we have given a touch of theſe ſeveral parts of Gods Renovation of all things at that time of the reſtitution of all things ſpoken of by the Apoſtle Peter, Acts 3.21. But one thing more the Scripture ſpeaks of to belong to the ſame renovation, and that is the Dominion over the Creatures to be reſtored then alſo when God ſhall put all things in ſubjection under Chriſts feet, Pſa. 8.4. and Heb. 2.8. together with the Creatures freedom from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, of which much in Scripture, when the emnity ſhall be taken away from amongſt them, as was ſaid, when Chriſts reſt ſhall be glorious, ver. 10. Now all theſe great Priviledges are founded upon the antient Promiſes and Covenants of God to the faithful Fathers, and thus Divinely unlocked by this ſaid Key of our bleſſed Saviour ſo graciouſly left for his Churches conſolation in theſe latter days, when the evil ſuffering times are almoſt at an end, and that happy ſtate of things for the Saints is near approaching, as we hope many ways to manifeſt in conſidering what thoſe times of renova…ion or reſtitution are which is next to be conſidered: And how ſhould the evidence of theſe things ſtir up all Chriſtians to believe and act as to ſecure their own intereſt in them, and to caſt off every weight p. 52that preſſeth down, that might hinder them in running their Chriſtian race to obtain the Crown with all ſuch precious Jewels wherewith it is ſo richly adorned: for theſe Scriptures for this happy ſtate cannot be broken.

We proceed to the third Head, namely, to conſider what are the the times, or in what ſtate or occurrence of affairs in the world God will work this renovation or reſtitution of all things.

Obj. But here an Objection muſt firſt be anſwered: Doth not the Apoſtle Paul tell us the times of renovation are paſt, 2 Cor. 5.17. If any man be in Chriſt he is become a new Creature, old things are paſt away, ſaith he, Behold, all things are become new: in the very words of this Text.

Anſw. The Holy Apoſtle ſpeaks there of the great ſpiritual renovation of the Souls of the faithful, the foundation whereof was laid at Chriſts firſt coming: and which will be the real ground to all Saints of obtaining their ſhares in the great renovation which God will work for them in that ſtate to come we ſpeak of, wherein all ſuch ſhall have their part; for if Chriſt had not by his Death, Reſurrection and Aſcenſion then laid the happy foundation by leading captivity captive, triumphing gloriouſly over the powers of darkneſs, there could have been no obtaining of this other, but ſince he hath, this will neceſſarily in its order and time follow thereupon, in that perfecting of the work of Redemption in the world. Again, old things were then by that means paſſed away, and all things become new then comparatively in reſpect of what they were under the Old Teſtament before he actually came in our nature, before Goſpel Grace was dark and more rare, leſs efficacious, under many types, ſhadows, and Ceremonial obſervances and Old Teſtament diſpenſations: under the New Teſtament is a new and better Covenant, new and better Promiſes, new and better Ordinances, new and better Diſpenſations, as might largely be ſet forth: So then by his firſt coming was the chief foundation laid of all following renovation of the world to come, then was indeed the inchoation and powerful beginning of all happy renovation and the foundation laid of all the other, the hopes whereof will be but building upon the ſand without that founding upon the Rock Chriſt by faith wrought in believers Souls by the powerful operation of the Holy Ghoſt: but theſe times of reſtitution of all things we ſpeak of are quite another thing to be fulfilled for Chriſt and his Saints at his ſecond coming, which the firſt made way for when the outward p. 53viſible total and final Redemption will be fulfilled as well as the inward; for Satan remains ſtill the God of the world, and Prince of the Power of the Air, and works effectually in the Children of diſobedience (foreign) which will not believe, and he & they both bring much ſuffering and perſecutions upon the Saints, but in the following renovation they will both be taken off, ſo that the Servants of Chriſt ſhall then ſerve him in righteouſneſs and true holineſs before him without fear of their enemies all the days of their lives, which is the mercy promiſed to the Fathers, as Zacharias ſweetly ſings out, Luke 1, 72, 74, 75. for then the inward and ſpiritual work of Redemption will be much more perfected in the Saints, as well as the outward and viſible for the Saints: And thus much for anſwer to that Objection.

Now to proceed to conſider what theſe times are, how ſet forth in Holy Scripture, and how it doth appear that they are now near approaching: for the reſolution whereof we muſt chiefly make uſe of this moſt Divine Book of Revelation with ſome of Daniels Viſions reſpecting the ſame times, as they are by Chriſt more fully explained in their due ſeries and order, which is a matter of very great uſe in all the ſufferings times of the Church, to Chap. 19. but after of much advantage and benefit for the Church of God in thoſe good and happy times, to which our Saviours Divine Key of theſe things hath ſpecial reference, and is graciouſly given by him to open the Myſteries of them, for the great uſe and conſolation of his people in theſe later days, to which purpoſe we ſhall conſider thoſe principal Texts of Scripture that have their reference unto thoſe latter days. The firſt is that great declaration of God upon the Fall of man, Gen. 3.15. which is the moſt comprehenſive of all others both containing removal of evil, & conferring of good in the Reſtitution of all things, upon which accounts Chriſt hath ever ſince proceeded in the execution of all his three great Offices, of the great Prophet, Prieſt, and King for his Univerſal true Church, as the work his Father gave him to do, until he make his great enemies his footſtool, eminently by deſtroying of wicked men that deſtroyed the earth, and binding of Satan, ſo to ſtill the enemy and the avenger: and finally at his caſting him into the Lake of fire, as was ſhewed from Holy Scripture, when he will be utterly ſtilled, for by reaſon of prevailing ſin he brought the old world to ſuffer the Vengeance of the Deluge by Waters, and Sodom and Gomorrah to be conſumed with fire and brimſtone from Heaven, and even Gods people to be led captive by p. 54the Aſſyrians and Caldeans with all other miſeries befalling for ſin before and ſince Chriſt ſtilled him in good meaſure at his firſt coming, when he was ſtruck dumb and his Oracles put to ſilence, and more ſtilled him under the ſixth Seal when he was caſt down from his Regencie of Heatheniſh Idolatry in his Heavens under the Pagan-Rulers unto the earth, whereupon in his great wrath he betook him to his laſt deſigne of ſetting up the twofold Beaſt to continue till the ſaid great ſtilling of him in the 1000 years; alſo that great Oracle of God, Pſal. 110.1. much ſpoken of in the New Teſtament hath alſo direct relation unto the ſaid times when Chriſt ſhall ceaſe to ſit at his Fathers right hand in Heaven, and his enemies, as was ſaid, be made his footſtool: till which times ſaith the Apoſtle Peter alſo, Acts 3.31. the Heavens muſt receive Chriſt, viz. till theſe times of reſtitution of all things deciphered in the Text by him that ſits upon the Throne, when his Church will be refreſhed with Chriſts preſence and the Tabernacle of God then be with men, and he dwell with them that ſpace of the 1000 years, &c. in the third verſe of this Chapter, till which times the Apoſtle ſaith, Heb. 10.13. Chriſt ſits there expecting till his foes be made his footſtool, when Turk and Pope who ſtand in the way to hinder Chriſts ſaid Kingdom, ſhall be deſtroyed.

Unto theſe times alſo relates that great promiſe made by God unto Abraham upon that great act of his faith and obedience, in ſacrificing his Son Iſaac, Gen. 22. that his ſeed ſhould poſſeſs the Gates of his Enemies (though it was partially and typically performed in ſubduing ſuch as would have ſtopped their paſſage, or hindred their poſſeſſion of the promiſed Land above 400 years after, when the iniquities of the Amorites were arrived to their fulneſs, but the great poſſeſſiou will be given to the Divine Seed, Chriſt at his ſecond coming, and by him to all the ſpiritual ſeed, and that ſo as never to be caſt out again, as 2 Sam. 7. when they ſhall remove no more from it: as alſo many other Scriptures manifeſt.

Then alſo ſhall be performed from the beginning of revenges upon the Whore of Babylon, and the great vengeance upon the enemy [Antichriſt] fore propheſied by Moſes in that excellent Song for Poſterity, Deut. 32.41.42. when God will whet his glittering ſword, and make his arrows drunk in blood, that Jews and Gentiles may rejoyce together, as Rom. 15. [then alſo will be fulfilled that great Promiſe Eſa. 51.20, 21, 22, &c. reſpecting thoſe times alſo, made upon occaſion of the deſtruction of old Babylon, the Type of p. 55this and much of Jeremies Propheſie there is by the Spirit of God applied in the Revelations to myſtical Babylons deſtruction; but we read not of Gods peoples being then Gods Battle-Axe and Weapons of War then, &c. for they came home then by Gods working powerfully upon the Spirit of Cyrus, and they were ever low upon that reduction; but when they ſhall be again reſtored, all that great prevalencie over all enemies will take place fully; for they, as ſaith the Prophet Malachy, ſhall then be as aſhes under the ſoles of their feet, Chap. 4.3. and all Nations that will not then be ſubject to the beloved great and holy Jeruſalem ſhall be deſtroyed, Eſa. 60.12.

And when the ſame Prophet Eſay, chap. 26.19. ſhews that Gods Saints ſhall riſe at the firſt bodily Reſurrection, explained by our Saviour Luke 20.35, 36. and Rev. 20.5. Eſay declares the contrary of ſuch as tyrannized over Gods Church before, ver. 14. they, ſaith he, are dead, they ſhall not live then, they are deceaſed, they ſhall not riſe then, &c. for the enemies ſhall be ſo taken away for ever from the Land of the living, that they ſhall ever after be uncapable of good with the Saints in the world, and to all eternity: when thoſe Children of the Reſurrection, as our Saviour ſtiles them, that ſhall then be counted worthy of that world, foreign, like the Angels of God, & be manifeſt to be the Children of God, and ſhall not only be freed from all the evil formerly brought upon them by men ſhall be made or Devils, but alſo ſhall by that bleſſed Reſurrection be made capable of all promiſed good belonging to that ſtate. It is very obſervable how the Spirit of God guided the Apoſtle Peter to ſet forth many Divine Doctrines concerning thoſe times, in that excellent portion of Scripture, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. firſt, in that apt title he gives them, foreign, that they are the times of the reſtitution of all things; when God himſelf ſaith he will make all things new, in this Text, by putting them into their due order and frame. Secondly, they will be times of refreſhing. Thirdly, that their ſins will then be blotted out, that is one great refreſhing. But fourthly, a greater will be from the preſence of the Lord, when the Tabernacle of God will be with men, and he ſhall dwell with them. Fifthly, that God hath ſpoken of theſe times by his holy Prophets. And ſixthly, by all his holy Prophets ſince the world began, as we have ſhewed largely concerning the Kingdom of Chriſt, in the ſaid 12 foundations of the faith thereof, and in the Iren, and much may be done reſpecting the Jews and all Gods peoples Priviledges and Mercies belonging to thoſe times, which we have or ſhall farther ſpeak of: ſo that wherever we may find the holy Prophets have ſpoken p. 56any thing tending to break the Serpents head by the promiſed Seed of the woman, his head of Policie or his head of Power, which ſhall in the iſſue chiefly and fully be performed by him in his execution of the Judgment of the Great Day, which was preached to the Old World by Enoch, & hath been ſince the great Tradition, through alltimes till the Apoſtle Jude recorded it in his Epiſtle, ſtiling it (as the Spirit of God then taught him) the Judgment of the Great Day; which ſince by our Saviour in this moſt excellent Divine Book is explained to have a firſt Act or the Matutinum Judicium according to what was long before revealed to Daniel, Chap. 7. confirmed alſo by himſelf, Revel. 11.18. and Rev. 19. later end, at the ruine of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet. But the other Act of the Great Day hath fince been by the Father only left to be made known by Chriſt himſelf to explain and confirm moſt fully, for the uſe of his Church, concerning the laſt finiſhing Act of the ſaid Great Day of Judgment or the Veſpertinum Judicium thereof, without which his Church had been much in the dark in reſpect of ſuch great Points of the Doctrine thereof delivered by himſelf in this moſt excellent Book, which he hath ſo ſtrongly, clearly, and exactly done beyond all Parallel, in that Divine Table, reſpecting the 1000 years, of which and the little ſpace following, his Doctrines of the laſt Act, are the boundary (as we ſhewed before) and was needful to be explained, as being included in Enoch's ſaid Viſion or Propheſie thereof: which ſaid 1000 years include all thoſe promiſed Mercies moſt antiently laid down in the Word of God reſpecting the Saints in thoſe times, either privitively, in reſpect of the evils to be removed; or poſitively, in reſpect of good things to be obtained by them in the particulars beforeſaid, ſo unlocked by our Saviours ſaid Divine Key, or rather Bunch of Keys (as they may be called) unlocking the ſeveral Cabinets wherein the ſaid Mercies are contained.

And on the other hand whatſoever of theſe Mercies for good we find the Prophets have ſpoken of as to be obtained by Gods people in thoſe times upon any ſuch notion reſpecting them, they are by the Apoſtle Peter's rule ſo to be underſtood with reſpect thereunto, and the words of my Text are a ſure Key to open the meaning of them. Now ſince from the fall of the firſt Adam, the Dominion loſt by him hath been uſurped by the Prince of the Power of the Air that hath all along ever ſince effectually worked in the Children of diſobedience, and will not according to the word be fully taken away from him, and his Vaſſels the evil Powers in the world, till thoſe two p. 57ſaid Acts of Judgment be finiſhed by the ſaid promiſed Seed the Son of God; and ſince likewiſe the Word of God gives ſo manifold evidence of the ſaid promiſed Seed the Son of God, his ſo taking to himſelf his great Power and Reigning, which Kingdom of David was the higheſt mercy promiſed formerly to the Fathers as a Type, and from whom Chriſts Title hath ever ſince been ſtrongly confirmed, and that for the ſins of Davids Poſterity and people his Tabernacle fell at the Babylonian Captivity, ſo as not to be raiſed till the time of the Anti-type of Davids ſaid Kingdom come, when the Tabernacle of David is ſaid again to be raiſed, as Amos 9.11. ſo expounded by the Apoſtle James, Acts 15.16. let us from the fall thereof conſider what diſcoveries of the ſeaſons of the raiſing thereof, we can find from the Word of God, which are theſe ſaid times of the reſtitution of all things, ſpoken of by the Apoſtle Peter, and the renovation of all things ſpoken of in the Text by God himſelf. Now from the falling of Davids ſeid Kingdom in the Type, to the raiſing of Chriſts Davidical Kingdom in the Anti-type, we have (as Mr. Mede obſerves) a two-fold Calendar in Daniel leading thereunto, the great Calendar paſſeth through all the times of the four Gentile Monarchies ſet forth by four Mettle Kingdoms, Chap. 2. in Nebuchadnezzars Image which he ſaw, and the ſame again revealed to Daniel by four Beaſts deſtroying each other, Chap. 7. ſo that by theſe two teſtimonies both to Jews & Gentiles, it might be in due time manifeſt what was there fore-ſhewed ſhall in due time enſue, both for Chriſts Kingdom of the Stone, or Kingdom of Patience, from Chriſts aſcenſion, being that which God ſet up then, Dan. 2.44. to his coming again, in which time it ſhould Divinely and powerfully deſtroy all other Kingdoms, at which ſaid ſecond coming it ſhould become the Kingdom of the Mountain, or Kingdom of Power, filling the whole earth upon Chriſts taking poſſeſſion of it, Dan. 7.13, 14. and there ſeems to be an exact Table of the times of this great Calendar, Chap. 8. of 2300 years, and that upon that account ver. 17, 19. as almoſt is now by experience explained, with the ſeries of Revelation-Propheſie in the 1700 years therein contained; the reaſons thereof we have ſet down in our ſummary of Daniels Viſions: and for the leſſer Calender of the 70 Weeks of years, Dan. 9 viz. 490 years, the Key of the Times, whereof appears to be the 1335 years, after the full taking away of Sacrifice, Chap. 12. and the ſetting up of the abomination of deſolation moſt remarkably done by Julian the Apoſtate Emperor; the Epoca whereof was about p. 58365. or as Learned Biſhop Ʋſher conceives 363. to which the ſaid 1335. being added (probably) makes up the times of the great reſtauration of Jews and Iſraelites at Chriſts appearance, when the Turk is deſtroyed, Dan. 11.45. and Chap. 12.1, 2. which is further explained by the 1700 years of Revelation-propheſie, until that time, viz. about 320 years, under the ſix firſt Seals, until Constantine the Great caſt Satan from his Heaven to the earth, by abandoning his Heatheniſh Idolatries of his Sun, Moon, and Stars, worſhipping his Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, &c. with the Pagan Worſhippers and Promoters thereof, unto which ſueceeded the other Chriſtian Emperors for their ſhort ſpace ſpoken of, Rev. 17.10. viz. about 80, or 90 years, till the Dragons flood, about the Womans, the true Churches entring into her wilderneſs condition, and from thence under the four firſt Trumpets proceeding out of the ſeventh Seal, when began the ſealed Judgments of the Trumpets, which carry on the ruine of the Roman Civil ſtate for their Perſecution of the Saints in the Primitive times, which four firſt are conceived to take up about 200 years more, wherein the barbarous Nations by degrees broke in many pieces the Weſtern Roman Empire, giving opportunity for the Crowning of the ten Horns, turning the Provinces thereof into ſo many Kingdoms, whoſe Power hath ſince been given to the Beaſt: But for the 2 firſt woe Trumpets, of the Locuſt Mahumetans, firſt under the Saracens in the Eaſt, from their beginning about An. Dom. 600. to the beginning of the Turkiſh Mahomitans in the Ottoman. family about 1300, which was 700 more, and the Turks day, and hour, and month, and year, ſince prevailing over the Eaſterm Empire, which by computation are 396 years more, altogether will make up the whole account of about 1700 years, till the ſeventh Trumpet begin to ſound, when the Kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdoms of our God and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11.15. And the ſame 1700 years of Revelation Propheſie may alſo be computed by the Table of the ſuffering times under the Dragon and the Beaſt, as they were pointed out before from Rev. 11. to ver. 13. viz. the regular Primitive times, Chap. 11.1. contained about 320. when was the Battle betwixt Michael and the Dragon and their Angels, Chap. 12. whereupon the Dragons flood was poured out, but dried up by the earth, at the womans entrance into her Wilderneſs-condition about 90 years, when with her time, times, and half a time begins the Beaſt to trample under foot the holy City for his 42 months, and alſo during the two witneſſes time of 1260 days of years for all p. 59theſe 3 are contemporaries, and end with the ſecond Woe, ver. 14. when it is ſaid, the third Woe cometh quickly, at the end of the laſt Gentile Monarchy; the firſt of which Monarchies, viz. the Caldean, by Scripture is reckoned to continue 70 years: the Mede or Perſian, computed in Chronologie about 230 years: the Grecian, about 280. until about 48 years before Chriſts birth (ſaith Helvicus) or according to our former Computations of them in our Parallel of the ruine of the Roman Empire: in the Caldean 70: about 70 or 80 more: in the Perſian Monarchies to Daniels weeks, which are 490 years more, in all, 640. to the end of the laſt week, An. Dom. 5.38 years after Chriſts birth; which laſt 38 years are to be deducted on our uſual account: in which Parallel conſider well that conjecture of 1666. to the ruine of Antichriſt from Chriſts aſcenſion; though as Biſhop Ʋſher conceives we have loſt therein four years, &c. See there alſo our four myſtical numbers, leading to the Jews deliverance, Dan. 12.1. and the great Enemies ruine at the end of the 4 Monarchie, all which have their periods about Ann. Dom. 1700. But as there were different conjectures, 1. about eleven years or more, as before ſaid, of the Jews deliverance from Babylon, ſo ſhould ſome like latitude be allowed to probable conjectures now.