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

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

p. 59Thus having ſet down a ſcantling of theſe times, by which it may appear upon theſe and many other accounts that the times of the reſtitution of all things cannot be far off, which ſhould make all men be careful to prepare for them, & thereupon to be engaged the more to fight againſt their ſpiritual enemies, the fleſh, the wold, and the Devil; and as Chriſt upon that account exhorts to exerciſe Chriſtian watchfulneſs, that their hearts be not overcharged with ſurfetting and drunkenneſs, and cares of this life, leſt theſe times come upon them unawares, Luke 21.34, 35, 36. and the rather, becauſe, as he tells us, they will come as a ſnare upon them that are in the whole earth. See to this purpoſe the 9 Uſes after the Tract on Rev. 22.20.

Now as God created the world at firſt, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, by Jeſus Chriſt, the Spirit moving upon the face of the Waters, Gen. 1.2. And as God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, 2 Cor. 5.12. and alſo upon Chriſts Reſurrection from the dead, whereby he was declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of holineſs, Rom. 1.4. hath committed all power to Jeſus Chriſt, and accordingly afterwards gave him the Book with ſeven Seals, Rev. 5. to open and execute the contents thereof to the end of the world and laſt Judgment.

p. 60So at the times of this New State God creates this New World for, and gives it to his Son as a boon, or foreign, for doing all his Wills (as was ſaid of David) and to his ſpiritual Seed with him, as joynt-heirs thereof, which will alſo be their ſure Mercies of David, Eſai. 55.3 and therefore it is ſaid, at his coming in the Clouds, Dan. 7.13, 14. there was given to him, viz. by the Father, Dominion and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all Nations, People, and Languages ſhould ſerve him; and therefore he alſo ſaith, John 17.24. that the Glory he hath therein his Father hath given him; and upon this great account alſo, he bids his little flock not fear, for it is his Fathers pleaſure to give them the Kingdom; and in reference unto both, will all things then be made new; for as God hath appointed him heir of all things; ſo then he ſhall actually poſſeſs them: as alſo ver. 7. he promiſeth to his overcomers, that they ſhall inherit all things; and the Apoſtle teacheth, 2 Tim. 2.12. that thoſe that ſuffer with him, ſhall reign with him: So that New State and Kingdom then is firſt and chiefly given to Chriſt which comprehends all the reſt, and is then prepared for Chriſt, and thoſe he then brings with him as his Spouſe or Bride the Lambs Wife, as her dowry at that great ſolemnity of the 1000 years. And this the Fathers New Creation, as it is deciphered Eſai. 65. will be a greater work than the firſt (as the making of the ſpiritual New Creature is, 2 Cor. 5.17.) becauſe here is a great incapacity in the world, much reſiſtance, much depravation, much diſorder, oppoſition in men and Devils, in all the Creatures in it, ſaving that God hath given Chriſt Power and Authority by degrees aforehand to take it away; for which end our Saviour in this excellent Book (beſides other Scriptures) hath much therein ſet forth the uſefulneſs of Preaching the Crown as well as the Croſs (though that in the firſt place) but this as a motive to take up the Croſs, which was formerly of great prevalencie, as is ſtoried of the Primitive ſufferers, that deſired Martyrdom that they might reign with Chriſt in that his Kingdom on earth; ſurely they had much greater faith of theſe things than is uſually found in our days, when that world is neer approaching: and in this whole Book ſomething is propounded to all the Sufferers in their ſeveral times reſpecting the Jeruſalem-ſtate, as to the Aſian Churches to the Sealed ones, Chap. 7. &c. for their encouragements, as we have ſhewed in our ſeventh Convincing Argum. pag. 28, 29.

But we proceed to ſome other remarkable portions of Scripture that one way or other point out theſe times unto us. To which purpoſe p. 61we may in a ſpecial manner obſerve that peculiar mark in the the curious Divine contrivance of Revelation-propheſie twice ſet down therein at the pouring out of the laſt Vial, Chap. 16, 17. upon the Air of the Beaſt, probably taking away or binding the Prince of the Power of the Air. Then came a great voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne, ſaying, it is done; which appears alſo to be at the time of the ſounding of the ſeventh Trumpet; when the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11.15. (which ſhews their coincidence) about the ſame time; and likewiſe that this great work of Gods renovation concurs in truth with both; for the binding of Satan and the Reign of Chriſt with his raiſed Saints are fully contemporaries. So it is added in the words next following this Text: as being here again ſpoken by him that ſat upon the Throne. And he ſaid unto me, It is done: which declares the ſame time that Satan is bound, and Chriſt reigns this great work will be effected: and therefore is another evidence that all things contained in Chap. 21. and 22. belong to the time and ſtate of the ſaid 1000 years of Chriſts Reign with his raiſed Saints in his ſaid Davidical Kingdom upon earth.

But the Queſtion here may be moved, What is that that then will be done? Anſ. In General, many great enemies and workers of iniquity ſhall be deſtroyed, but more eſpecially it ſeems to have reſpect unto that great Divine Oracle fore-named, The Lord ſaid unto my Lord, ſit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footſtool, Pſal. 110.1. at which time likewiſe Chriſt receives his Kingdom (for his enemies ruine is the beginning of Chriſts Reign) ſo that in reſpect of both, God himſelf ſaith, It is done: viz. what he himſelf had promiſed unto David's Lord before: and this time and day ſeems to be ſet forth very emphatically upon occaſion of the deſtruction of Gog (the Turk) then likewiſe, and there alſo the Holy Ghoſt ſeems to uſe the ſame Watch-word, for the time thereof, as here was at the Beaſts ruine, and that with a great deal of Divine illuſtration: Behold it is come, and it is done, ſaith the Lord God: this is the day whereof I have ſpoken, Ezek. 39.8. the ſaid Text appears to be of great weight. N. B.

Queſt. But how doth it appear that the Turk ſhall then alſo be deſtroyed?

Anſw. By Daniels laſt great Viſion, Chap. 10.11.12. in Chap. 11. having ſpoken ſomething briefly of the Perſian, and more of the Greek Monarchy, he comes to the Roman, ver. 36. and of the Roman p. 62Antichriſt, ver. 37, 38, 39. and then he proceeds to ſpeak of the two Ruiners of the Roman Monarchy, viz. the two Woe-trumpets, Rev. 9. that is, the Saracens and Turkiſh Mahumitans: the firſt ſtiled the King of the South, the laſt the King of the North, whoſe Hiſtory is ſet down, as almoſt accompliſhed, ver. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. as Mr. Mede judiciouſly applied it, except the laſt, his ſetting his Tabernacle of his Palace in the Holy Land, when he comes to his end, and none ſhall help him: and then immediately follows [then ſtood up Michael the Prince of Daniels people] and in that troublous time delivers them at his appearance (probably) when his feet ſhall ſtand upon Mount Olivet, Zec. 14. and that mourning be, Zec. 12.10. and ruine of both the firſt Gog and Magog, as well as the laſt is propheſied very neer together, &c. And this mark of deſtruction of both, It is done, &c. ſeems the more to be obſerved, beſides divers others, both in Ezech. 38. and 39. and in the Revel. becauſe as the Apoſtle ſhews, Heb. 10.13. Chriſt had ſitten to that time above 1600 years, expecting till ſuch his foes ſhould be made his footſtool. Therefore how fitly is it by God himſelf ſo punctually declared both to the Jews and Gentiles, that he is not unmindful of his promiſe to his Son Jeſus Chriſt, but as he promiſed ſo at that ſet time: It is done: as if he ſhould ſay, my Beloved Son hath many hundred years ſitten at my right hand expecting this particular ſeaſon for my fulfilling ſuch my promiſe to him; and now that time is come, and it is done, this is the day whereof I have ſpoken. Hence alſo the Holy Spirit directed the Apoſtle Peter to aſſert the ſame thing for time: The Heavens muſt receive him (ſaith he) till the times of the reſtitution of things, Acts 3.21. as we ſhewed formerly more fully and remarkably. And ſince Chriſt hath left the Book of the Revelation to open Daniels before, ſhut up and ſealed Myſteries, until the times of the end; whilſt the Roman Monarchy ſhould continue after God had ſet up the Kingdom of the Stone from Chriſts firſt coming, in the 19 firſt Chapters of that Divine Book, unto his ſecond coming, Chap. 20. and hath alſo given the remainder of that Book as a Divine Key, or Bunch of Keys to open alſo the Myſteries of the moſt ancient promiſed Mercies and Covenants to the Fathers, as we have ſhewed, which are to have their completing from his ſaid ſecond coming in that ſtate of the 1000 years, and thoſe times of the reſtitution of all things, in my Text. What pity is it that ſuch matters of ſo great concernment to all Saints now near approaching, are no more conſidered or underſtood, or duly prized or improved: and now p. 63indeed is the proper and ſeaſonable time to publiſh them, and make them known: when Gods wonderful Grace and Goodneſs therein w^th his Truth & Faithfulneſs in the performance of them, ſhall ſhortly be beheld with admiration and adoration, as in the Text, Behold, I, &c. Another remarkable deciphering of theſe times is the finiſhing of the Myſtery of God, when the ſeventh Angel begins to ſound, Rev. 10.7. as he hath declared to his Servants the Prophets; ſo that the Prophets are here alledged as the foundation of what ever ſhould be fulfilled from the ſounding of the laſt myſtical Trumpet; and therefore I conceive this finiſhing of the Myſtery is not only applicaple to the Jews converſion, though to that in ſpecial, yet to all others then to be fulfilled in their their time; I rather conceive it includes the completing of all the parts of the great Myſtery of Godlineſs, which the Apoſtle Paul ſets forth ſo particularly in order concerning Chriſt, 1 Tim. 3.16. And without controverſie great is the Myſtery of Godlineſs, God manifeſted in the fleſh, &c. he concludes with his receiving up into Glory, as ſignifying, that when that ſtate of Chriſts ſeſſion at his Fathers right hand was ended, all ſuch Scripture. Myſteries would end, & be finiſhed, &c. the times of Revelation of all things would follow thereupon, as well as the times of the reſtitution of all things, when the Temple of God will be open in Heaven, and there ſhall be ſeen in his Temple the Ark of his Teſtament, Rev. 11.…9. and ſaith that ſame Apoſtle, We know that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is, 1 John 3.2. and it ſeems upon Chriſts ſitting there, he had the Book of Revelation, in due time to be made known by his Servant John to the Churches, containing the order and temper of all the times ever ſince to his ſecond coming, when this Myſtery of God will be finiſhed: which the ſame Apoſtle there briefly recounteth in order, which we ſhall a little touch upon particularly. Firſt, God was manifeſt in the fleſh at his firſt coming, which was 4000 years in fulfilling, ſaith Biſhop Ʋſher, from the firſt promiſe made to Adam and Eve at the fall, and carried on all along that time by many confirmations and explications thereof, by many Types, Propheſies, Promiſes, Services, and Sacraments, till that great accompliſhment of them all at his ſaid firſt coming, whereof that late many ways eminent and Reverend perſon Biſhop Brownrig ſpeaketh acurately upon that Text, as follows: All the Prophets (ſaith he) from Samuel, and thoſe that followed after, as many as have ſpoken, have foretold his coming, Acts 3.24. Of this Salvation all the Prophets have enquired p. 64and ſearched diligently. He is Abrahams promiſed Seed, Moſes his Great Prophet, Jacobs Shilo, Eſays Immanuel, Jeremie's Man compaſſed by a woman, Ezechiels Shepherd, Daniels Holy One, Zechariah's Branch, Solomons Lilly, David's Lord, Malachy's Angel; all that propheſied looked at him: he is the end, and body, and ſubſtance of all their Rites and Ceremonies: He was Abels Sacrifice, Abraham's firſt Fruits, Iſaac's Ram, Jacobs Ladder, Moſes his Paſſeover, Aarons Rod, The Iſraelites Rock, The Patriarchs Manna, Davids Tabernacle, Solomons Temple, all Types and Repreſentations of his Incarnation: all their Kings were Figures of this Great King: all their Deliverers and Judges Types of this great Saviour: all their Prieſts were Uſhers to bring in this High Prieſt of our Profeſſion: all the Myſteries in Scripture ſerviceable to this Myſtery. So the time of his coming, the place of his birth, the Tribe, the Progenitors, the Perſon of whom he was born, with all things that mainly concerned the excellencie of his Perſon, or the greatneſs of his humiliation were foretold by the Prophets; yea, and his exaltation too; though the greateſt part remains to be fulfilled in his 1000 years reign, & afterwards.

Again, 2ly. Juſtified (ſaith the Apoſtle) in the Spirit, he was powerfully with him from his birth, continued with him in his life, in his increaſing in wiſdom and favour with God and men, which was obſervably by his diſputing with the Doctors in the Temple at 12 years of age, and in the Spirits deſcending upon him in the ſhape of a Dove and ſitting upon him at his Baptiſm. In his Tentations in the wilderneſs 40 days, in his holy and gracious converſation in his whole life-time: in his Divine Doctrine which he taught, in his many wonderful Miracles that he wrought in both powerfully declaring him to be the Son of God, in fulfilling the whole Law, and Propheſies of himſelf, in ſatisfying fully by his ſufferings for mans ſin: in powerfully raiſing him from the dead: in inſtructing his Diſciples in the forty days after, in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, &c.

3ly, Seen of Angels, proclaimed by them to be the Saviour of all people at his birth: attended on by them all his life: honoured by them at his Reſurrection: teſtifying his coming again at his Aſcention, Acts 1. And ſhall alſo be worſhipped by all thoſe Elohim at at his ſecond coming again, Heb. 1.6. Pſal. 97.7.

Fourthly, Preached unto the Gentiles at their firſt calling upon the rejection of the Jews: when as ſaid the Apoſtle, the ſound thereof went into all parts of the world, &c. which hath been continued p. 65for almoſt 1700 years, and will till they that pierced him ſhall penitently behold him as is hopeful, Rev. 1.7. Zech. 12.10.

Fifthly, Believed on in that world by all Nations, none excluded, according to his Command to his Apoſtles to preach the Goſpel to every Creature capable of the Grace of God by him therein to be ſo offered unto all, Mark 16.15.

And laſtly, received up into Glory, wherein Gods ſaid great Miſtery was to be perfected at his coming again, viz. when thoſe Myſteries in the Revel. will be accompliſhed that are to precede it, and all the other ſaid revealed Mercies then to be fulfilled in their ſeaſons, as the Prophets have foretold reſpecting thoſe times (as we ſaid) which the Angel [Chriſt] there declares ſhould then be finiſhed, when the ſeventh Angel begins to ſound, &c. Chap. 10.7. accordingly the raiſing up the Tabernacle of David, alſo points out thoſe times propheſied of Amos 9.11. and applied Acts 15.16. remarkably to theſe very times, pointing out Chriſts Davidical Kingdom in due time to come, whereby the great fulneſs of the Gentiles will come in at the Jews ſecond call, when Jews & Gentiles will both rejoyce together.

Upon which we may obſerve how the Spirit of God inſpired the holy Apoſtle to deliver that greatly uſeful Divine truths, known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, as if eſpecially he would teach that glorious Kingdom of Chriſt which was to be ſet up in the end of the world, was Gods deſigne from the beginning, for then the Serpents head will be eminently broken, and that till then God fills up all times with all his foreknown works, becauſe to every purpoſe there is time and judgment, &c. as Eccleſ. 8.6, 7. whence we ſhould labour to have our thoughts, words, and actings regular; for he hath ſhewed us what is good, Mic. 6.8. then & we may be ſure the iſſues of Providence will be good to us; which will be a good improvement of that Divine truth, and of that occaſion of delivering it.

The threefold conſideration of Noah in our late Syſteme preceding the Saints Reſurrection: 1. reſpecting Noah as a Type of Chriſts ſaving his, as their true Ark, at the overflowing de uge of the wicked worlds deſtruction, at the beginning and end of the 1000 years. Secondly, in reſpect of that Covenant made with Noah, for the worlds and Creatures preſervation, till thoſe laſt times, when the Scriptures alſo teſtifie the greateſt fruitfulneſs alſo will be. And thirdly, in reſpect of his Propheſie, Gen. 9. that the Poſterity both of Shem the Jews, and of Japhet the Gentiles (as now we hinted) ſhould both in thoſe times at both their ſecond calls, ſpoken of in p. 66Scripture, Deut. 32.43. rejoyce together, applied alſo, Rom. 15. to thoſe times with other Scriptures reſpecting the ſame, &c.

The ſame times were pointed out by our four Computations of the Jews deliverance, and the great enemies deſtruction out of Daniel and Revelation, formerly explained in our Parallels.

The like may be obſerved from what we ſaid before of the Tabernacle of God, at the ſame time, being with men, and his dwelling with them, &c. ver. 3, 4. wherefore alſo the name of the City then ſeems to be called Jehovah Shamma, the Lord is there, Ezek. 48 laſt. And at the ſame time the Sun is aſhamed, and the Moon confounded, when the Lord of Hoſts ſhall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jeruſalem, and before his Antients gloriouſly, Eſa. 24.23. which all …ſpect the ſame times.

The New Covenant upon the New giving of the Law after the firſt Tables were broken, Deut. 30. to 11. eſpecially reſpects Gods People the Jews in thoſe times, which ſeems to be the antient foundation in Moſes writings, of which divers like in the following Prophets are the confirmations and explications, as Jer. 31.33 Ezek 36. more eſpecially belonging to that people after their reduction from their great diſperſions: though applicable to all Abrahams ſpiritual Seed in the times of the Gentiles alſo, Heb. 8.9, 10, 11.

Theſe times are alſo pointed out by the great ſolemnity of the Marriage of the Lamb with his Bride the 1000 years, at the New Jeruſalems coming down from God out of Heaven; which great ſolemnity was propheſied of by the holy Kingly Prophet David, Pſal. 45. when ſhe ſhall have Sons whom ſhe may make Princes in all Lands: To which purpoſe is that excellent Song of Songs by Solomon, as reſpecting the return of the Shulamite in the Book of the Canticles (probably) about the time the Bride is ſaid to make her ſelf ready, Rev. 19.7. And Solomons peaceable Kingdom of old was but a Type of that peaceful and glorious Kingdom and ſtate which Chriſt with his Saints at the ſaid times of reſtitution of all things ſhall enjoy the 1000 years.

The Scepter and Dominion propheſied of by Balaam, Numb. 24. and according to Jocobs Propheſie placed in the Tribe of Judah, ſaid by him to be a Lyons whelp, and the Enſigne thereof was alſo the Lyon: accordingly Rev. 5. Chriſt is ſtiled the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, and in Ch. 22. ſtiles himſelf ſo, when in thoſe times he ſhall be as a ſtrong Lyon to deſtroy his enemies, Pſ. 110. who alſo is both p. 67the Root and Offspring of David, Rev. 5. as will wonderfully … manifeſt in the ſame times, &c.

The firſt Adams caſting out of Paradiſe compared with Chriſts Key for the reſtoring all the ſpiritual Seed to a Paradiſe in that State, manifeſts it to be Gods deſigne from the beginning, by that Goel or Deliverer promiſed to be at his ſecond coming a more perfect Reſtorer of all things (then) than the Serpent Satan was or could be a corrupter or deſtroyer: before it was called Abrahams boſom, whether (Chriſt ſaid) the Angels carried Lazarus his Soul: but after by our Saviour was called Paradiſe at his death, when he had purchaſed it, and promiſed the Penitent Thief, as we noted, that he ſhould be with him there that day: and ſo the Apoſtle Paul ſaid, he was rapt up into the third Heaven or Paradiſe, 2 Cor. 12. called after the Paradiſe of God in the world the 1000 years of Chriſts Reign with his Saints; and ſo is coincident in the ſame times of the Reſtitution with the other.

The ſame times are alſo ſet forth by the world to come, Heb. 2.5. and 1.6. as the general Deluge ended the Old World, and began the New, ſo the ruine of that laſt wicked Roman Monarchy, in reſpect of each of thoſe long God-provoking States therein, viz. both Civil and Eccleſiaſtical, with all the broken parts of the three former Monarchies, Dan. 2. will end this world in the preſent ſtate of things; and Chriſts ſaid 1000 years Reign in thoſe times will begin that World to come: and the Apoſtle Paul, Epheſ. 1.21. uſes the ſame diſtinction which by our Saviour had been laid down before, when he taught, that the ſin againſt the Holy Ghoſt ſhould neither be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come, Matth. 12.32. which will begin foreign, when the Father brings the Son again into the world, viz. the ſecond time (as both Ancients and even Papiſts underſtand it) when all the Elohim (Angels) ſhall worſhip him, as Pſal. 97.

Likewiſe the 42 Stages in the Childrens of Iſrael their paſſing through the Wilderneſs to poſſeſs the Land of Canaan was a Type of the womans the Chriſt ans's Church paſſing in her wilderneſs condition in the times of the Beaſts 42 Moneths to attain in the iſſue to the New Jeruſalem ſtate, in the ſaid times of the reſtitution of all things, or that redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſſion, as it ſeems, Epheſ. 1.14.

The reſtoring the Dominion over the Creatures loſt by the fall of the firſt Adam was foretold by David to be obtained by Chriſt the p. 68ſecond Adam, Pſal. 8.4, 5, 6. &c. as is explained and ſo applied by the Author to the Hebrews, Chap. 2.6, 7, 8. which is another part of the Reſtitution of all things in the ſaid times (as we ſhewed) And the ſaid Creatures freedom from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.21. will be another ingredient to make up that bleſſed ſtate, and although the ſame holy man, Heb. 2.7. did acknowledge that they did not then ſee all things in ſubjection unto him; yet he declares in due time, Phil. 2.9, 10. That every knee of things in Heaven and Earth, and under the earth ſhall bow, and be ſubject unto that great King of the whole world. And can it be conceived by rational men, that theſe Divine truths are written in vain? and that Chriſt when he takes to himſelf his great power, ſhall not reign in theſe reſpects alſo unto the end of the world, and have that honour reſerved for him by Angels men, and all Creatures in the world then? It appears alſo to be the end and drift of all Revelation Propheſie, by that general Doxolog… Ch. 5.10. to the end; by Angels, men, and all Creatures upon the fulfilling of the contents of the Book given unto the Lamb. We might be … in many particular Promiſes to this purpoſe reſpecting the … in that time, with many excellenties reſpecting tha… …, as we have ſpecially ſhewed, how concerning Chriſts Dividid a Kingdom and people, then, God hath ſpoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets ſince the world began, as is manifeſt by the third of our 8 Conving Arguments in the Word written. And the great deſigne of the All knowing and All working God in giving ſuch Propheſies to his Church from the beginning, concerning ſuch great things to be fulfilled at the end of the world in that ſaid Great Day of Judgment, appears to be made manifeſt by ſuch Divine Chronology, firſt ſet down by Moſes and other Penmen thereof before the Captivities of Iſrael and Judah; but after that are in their diſcoveries chiefly carried on by thoſe Myſtical Propheſies of thoſe two beloved Servants of God and Chriſt, the Prophet Daniel and the Apoſtle John, but chiefly by the laſt, to whom theſe hidden ſecrets of God reſpecting thoſe times, wore particularly (as we ſhewed) commiſted, to open Danichs ſealed Myſteries, to Ch. 19. and from thence to the end the moſt antient Predictions and Promiſes, &c. when God would raiſe unto David that righteous Branch, that King that ſhall reign and proſper, and execute Judgment and Juſtice in the earth, in whoſe days Judah ſhall be ſaved and Iſrael ſhall dwell ſafely, Jer. 23.5, 6. when they ſhall have the Mercies promiſed to their Forefathers performed to them, as Zechary p. 69is taught Divinely to ſing out, and in ſuch a manner he would grant unto them, that being delivered from the hand of their enemies they might ſerve God without fear of them in righteouſneſs and true holineſs all the days of then lives, Luke 1.7, &c. which will be the ſtability of all the happineſs of that ſtate, when that New Kingdom of Iſrael will be reſtored, the Tabernacle of David that was fullen new raiſed up again, for that ſaid righteous Branch, which God then ſaid he would then raiſe unto David; for whom with his Bride God will then make New Heavens and a new earth in that new world to come, wherein ſhall be that New great, holy, and beloved Jeruſalem, that City that hath foundations whoſe Maker and Builder is God: for thoſe new Inhabitants that came from God out of Heaven, and came with Chriſt to receive their ſpiritual bodies at the firſt bleſſed Reſurrection of the Saints, where alſo will be the New Paradiſe of God: Alſo the converted Jews and Iſraelites ſhall then enjoy their New Jeruſalem alſo, built upon its own heaps, when ſtrangers ſhall build her Walls, as the Prophet foretels; upon the return of the Shulamite, who inſtead of Fathers ſhall have Children whom ſhe may make Princes in all the earth; being the Seed then which the Lord hath bleſſed, Eſai. 61.9. then ſhall be her new guides and watchmen upon her Walls (probably the new raiſed Saints) that ſhall not hold their peace day nor night: new diſpenſations, new peace, plenty, ſecurity, new priviledges, new pleaſures & delights in heavenly viſions, comunion, diſcoveries in the revelation of ſuch things as are appointed then to be known, & in the reſtitution of all things promiſed then to be done, as in the forenamed particulars we before ſet down, and the times of theſe things are chiefly made known in their fit latitudes by Revelation-propheſie: for when we read of the coming of Chriſt; at his appearance and Kingdom, the times thereof are ſo ſet forth (as was ſhewed) by Revelation-propheſie. We read of the Saints firſt bodily Reſurrection, but the time thereof is only deciphered by Revelation Propheſie; we heard of raiſing Davids Tabernacle which was fallen, but the time is only pointed out by Revelation propheſie, and that the Saints ſhall receive their ſure mercies of David, Eſa 55.3. but when, can only be reſolved by Revelation propheſie: we read of Gods ſetting up the Kingdom of the Stone that ſhould deſtroy all others, and it ſelf become a Mountain filling the whole earth, but the times and order of his carrying on theſe great works by Jeſus Chriſt, is in the fitteſt proportion made known to the Church by Revelation-propheſie. p. 70The Lord ſaid to Davids Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make thy foes thy footſtool, which he hath long expected, Heb. 10.13. and the Heavens muſt receive him till the times of the Reſtitution of all things: but the beſt reſolution of both is to be had from Revelation-propheſie: Glorious things are ſpoken (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) of the City of God, of the new, the holy, the great, the beloved Jeruſalem; but what, and when, and where, and for whom we are chiefly informed from Revelation-propheſie. We read of the ruine of Gog and Magog the Churches greateſt enemies before that City Jehovah Shammah ſhall be ſet up, but when it ſhall be, we chiefly learn from Daniel and Revelation-propheſie.

Object. But did not Chriſt reprehend his Diſciples, Acts 1.6. for inquiring the time of his Kingdom, &c.

Anſ. Though this and ſuch like hath been ſufficiently anſwered; yet know it is only whilſt God keeps ſuch things in his own power:and in the next Verſe he ſaid, But ye ſhall be indued with power, which was done about ten days after at the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, and all that wrote after ſpeak ſomething thereof, but chiefly the beloved John.

And though Chriſt as man, then ſaid, he knew not the day and hour of his coming; which none now pretend to, yet in a fit latitude Chriſt hath revealed the near approach thereof, with many things to be done before, very uſeful for the Church to know, and wherein all Saints are greatly concerned; which are great mercies in many reſpects to be known and believed in theſe later days, for which there is great cauſe of thanksgiving, but no reaſon of cavilling with our mercies or the goodneſs of the Author of them.

Thus for the Doctrinal part of this Text, wherein we have conſidered this moſt gracious Divine Declaration of the ſet time of ſuch its performance, with the glorious illuſtrations and confirmations thereof, and ſhewed from Scripture wherein it doth conſiſt, and the many decipherings of the times of the renovation of all things, with Scripture evidences accordingly referring thereunto, both manifeſting the thing, and ſhewing in a latitude the near approach thereof: We ſhall now by Gods gracious aſſiſtance endeavour to make ſome pertinent improvement thereof.

1. We may hence be informed of the many miſtakes that have been both of this Text and the Context thereof, as reſpecting the matter, time and place thereof; the matter, not the making new theſe viſible p. 71Heavens and earth, but the Prophetical Heavens and earth, as we have ſhewed.

For the time, not after the laſt Reſurrection and Judgment, but in the interim, betwixt the firſt and laſt, wherein the anciently declared and promiſed mercies are to be performed to the faithful Fathers and their ſpiritual Seed, through the Promiſed Seed of the Woman alone without man, the Mighty One to ſave, which God hath laid help on for that purpoſe, Pſal. 89.19.

Thirdly, for the Place, not in the higheſt Heavens, for that time (during the Judgment of the Great Day) but in the world until Chriſts Kingly Office and Buſineſs fore-propheſied of in the Word be there ſulfilled, in deſtroying or removing the cauſes of evil in the world, viz. wicked men and Devils out of it, with their evil effects by ſin; namely, the curſe, bodage, corruption, emnity brought upon the Creatures therein, under which both men and other Creatures have long … do groan; and accompliſhed all that promiſed good appo…ved for that time and ſtate in the parts of that great reſtauration and renovation, reſpecting both the raiſed Saints and thoſe in the …ural life, according to Predictions and promiſed Mercies belonging to both ſorts then, &c. which are all moſt ſurely confirmed Doctrines to be true and faithful by him that is ſaid to ſit upon the Throne in this Text, and all as belonging to the Davidical Kingdom of Chriſt; into the poſſeſſion whereof the raiſed Saints are brought by the firſt bleſſed bodily Reſurrection as their Inlet thereinto.

Secondly, This may inform Chriſtians, firſt, of the Divine excellencie of this Book. 2. Of the incomparable uſefulneſs thereof, in thoſe many great reſpects of the Saints great concernments in that time and ſtate, leading them into and ſecuring alſo unto them their eternal happineſs in the higheſt Heavens, upon the compleating thereof: and thirdly, thereupon of the great Reaſons they have to ſtir them up to the frequent reading, diligent ſtudy, and profitable improvement of the matters ſet before them by God and Chriſt therein.

Firſt, the excellencie thereof appears from the Author of it, and the manner of delivering it for the benefit and information of the Chriſtian Church; God the Father gives it to the Son, and he to the beloved Apoſtle John, when he was in the Spirit on the Lords Day in time of his baniſhment for the word of God and the Teſtimony of Jeſus to be ſent unto the Churches, being alſo for that end ſent and ſignified by his Angel, Chap. 1.1.

p. 72Secondly, It was given with wonderful great ſolemnity in reſpect of things then to come, to the end of the world, Chap. 4. and 5. God the Father as ſitting upon his Throne, the Church repreſented by the 24 Elders, and four living Wights about him, repreſenting all faithful Chriſtians and Church-guides, with whom is the Lamb and the ſeven Spirits ever preſent: and when none could be found in Heaven or earth worthy to look into that Book, or open the Seals thereof, it was given to the Lamb to open and fulfil, who by his infinite wiſdom and perfect power hath, and doth, and in due time will both perfectly open and fulfil the ſame, in the ſet order for the accompliſhment thereof, which will bring unexpreſſible rejoycing and praiſe by Angels, Saints, and all Creatures in their capacities thereupon, &c. Chap. 5.10. to the end.

Thirdly, The matter is profound and contains highly profitable Myſteries: the form is very excellent, in a wonderful Divine contrivance, as in ſome ſmall meaſure we have pointed out, as we have in Mercy received, &c.

Secondly, for the uſefulneſs; it gives encouragement in the worſt times of ſufferings, from many memorandums of Chriſts Kingdom for the ſuffering Saints, and of the New Jeruſalem-ſtate obſervable in all theſe times, as in our 7th Argum. of the Word written is ſhewed.

Secondly, Uſeful in opening the hidden Myſtical part of the Goſpel, and the great Subjects of the laſt things reſpecting the firſt and ſecond ſaid Reſurrection of the bodies of juſt and unjuſt in their orders, and of the firſt and ſecond Acts of the Judgment of the great Day, contained in general in Enochs Viſion or Propheſie, and in many things explained by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, but in many other could not be underſtood without this Book, therefore called the Book of Revelation with an Emphaſis, as the whole holy Scriptures, called the Bible, and the name of Chriſt is added to it, being the Revelation that only could be made by Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God, the eternal word, but as manifeſt in the fleſh: therefore much is to be looked for from it, not to be attained by any other Writings, nor many things in the Holy Bible underſtood aright without the explications of this moſt Divine Book, &c.

And therefore in the third place, hence may all ſerious and found Chriſtians ſee what great Reaſons there are for them to uſe all careful endeavours to underſtand the weighty matters held out and revealed therein, they are not ſecret things, forbidden, as ſome in the Old times, when men might not look into the Ark of Gods Teſtament, nor things ſhut up and ſealed, as many of Daniels Myſteries that were p. 73reſerved for Chriſt thus to open in the times of the end, or Goſpel-times, but they are of things whereunto a bleſſing is annexed to the due reading and ſearch into them; and therefore the beloved Apoſtle is commanded contrarily not to ſeal them, Chap. 22.10.

This Book with Daniels Prophetical Viſions (the hidden part whereof this in good meaſure is a Divine explication, viz. during the Revelation ſaid ſuffering-times, to the 19th Chapter, and they are both together given to regulate all Chronologie in the world for 2300 years and more, to the end of this ſacred Book: without which little truth in all times ſince in that reſpect could have been found or diſcerned by all humane Authors; ſo that all Prophetical Chronologie by the Revelation of God the Spirit is given in them both for ſo long a time, viz. from the Captivity of Babylon to the end of the world; even as Moſes had likewiſe received his Divinely revealed Chronelogy of all times paſt to and in his own time for the ſpace about 2490 years, when there was nothing but Tradition to have ſupplied that want, which was after in the Books of Joſhua, Judges, Kings, and Chronicles contiued upon record until the ſaid Prophetical Chronology of Daniel and Revelation took place, which have been ſince Divinely carried on, and ſo will be (as was ſaid) unto the end of the world, and becauſe Moſes and many of thoſe that followed had likewiſe (as the Apoſtle Peter teaches) diſtinct Propheſies of thoſe laſt times in the Book of Revelation, therefore God in wonderful wiſdom, faithfulneſs and goodneſs hath in that laſt Table of of the happy times of Chriſts Church in the world, revealed unto us thoſe ſure foundations of ſuch unſpeakable goodneſs, then to be performed and accompliſhed, not otherwiſe to be known or believed in many reſpects, which are the peculiar excellencies belonging to and beneſits accrewing to the Chriſtian Church, by this ſo Divine Book; and are not theſe great engagements to the ſtudy of the ſame?

In this Divine Book we have the revelation in a latitude of the end of two ſpecial great Myſteries, viz. the end of the great Myſtery Babylon, and of the great Myſtery of her iniquity, and the finiſhing the great Myſtery of God, bringing in the Revelation of all things, as we ſhewed, as well as the Reſtitution of all things ſpoken of in the Text; which becauſe they are both matters of great and univerſal concernment of the Saints, are earneſtly to be enquired into; and for the difficulties that may appear in ſuch endeavour, ſerious and judicious Chriſtians may by ſuch conſcientious endeavours in the uſe of good means find them much removed, eſpecially by the help p. 74of Chriſts Divine Key in our late Tract on Rev. 20.5. and in this on Chap. 21.5. and as for the bad times to Chap. 20. though things reſpecting them were at firſt much more darkly delivered, yet by the long continued endeavours of many Ages paſt, and by the experimental accompliſhments already of moſt things therein contained, much light is now given to them: But now Chriſtians ordinarily need not trouble themſelves much in reſpect of thoſe bad times of the man of ſin, becauſe upon all accounts they are now almoſt expired, whether we reſpect the Seal, Propheſie, holding out the ruine of the Roman Civil State, or the Book Propheſie, pointing out the like of the Eccleſiaſtical State, or the Table of ſuffering times, Rev. 11. relating to them both, containing about 1700 years (as was before ſhewed) and fitly in a latitude concur with the two former Myſtical Numbers in Daniel, leading in the ſame until Iſraels great Reſtauration, viz. firſt that of Dan. 8. ver. 17, 19, 26. of 2300 years, from the Captivity of Babylon to Chriſts appearance, leading to the end of 1700 years ſince Chriſts birth: the ſecond of the Jews and Gentiles bleſſed times, Dan. 12.12. to be 1335 years after the laſt taking away of Sacrifice (very probably in Julian the Apoſtate Emperors time, about Ann. Dom. 365.) unto which if we add 1335 it makes up the full number of 1700 years ending at the ſame period, only we muſt remember ſome error (as was ſaid) is found in our ordinary account from Chriſts Nativity: yet in a latitude they all concur and agree: whence the ending number of the Beaſts 666 years, to which the whole number of 1000 being added, (as is uſually underſtood by many Nations:) ſo making up 1666 years from Chriſts Aſcention, not from his Birth, to about the end of the ſaid 1700 by vulgar account, when (probably) as the Apoſtle ſaith, he will deſtroy the man of Sin with the appearance of his coming, 2 Theſ. 2.8. and that Epoca of his Aſcention which we alſo twice publiſhed Ann. Dom. 1665. firſt in our Parallels, pag. 37. Secondly in the large Note on Rev. 22.20. page 10. ſeems alſo more congruous than of Chriſts Nativity, that as he had at his aſcending powerful and glorious Victory and Triumphs over the ſpiritual powers of darkneſs, as Col. 3.15. ſo at the end of that date upon his deſcending again, he ſhould have a Viſible and glorious Conqueſt over all his viſible ſoes, by making them his footſtool: (when that man of Sin eſpecially is to be deſtroyed) when he will take to himſelf his great power and reign in the world, Rev. 19. Now by ſuch computation of the ſaid ſuffering times of the Church, to Chap. 20. an apt way is offered to apply the Table of p. 75them to both Schemes of the Civil and Eccleſiaſtical Roman-ſtate, & of the true Churches condition under the 2 laſt Heads of Government therein, namely, under Emperors and the Papacie. Now for the manifeſting that the chief intent of that number of the Beaſt 666. Ch. 13. is to decipher in a Divine myſtical way the ending term of his date we ſhall further by Gods aſſiſtance add ſome other weighty conſiderations [yet withal acknowledging the divers uſefulneſs of other conjectures upon ſeveral diſtinct accounts] as by foreign of old, wherein the ſaid number was found, may fitly be pointed out the Country of the Beaſt, whoſe Language, and Laws, and Liturgy, and even whole Religion are Latin, formerly alſo called the Latin Church, and his Country Latium, &c. which fitly agrees to him in that reſpect.

Alſo 666, for ſo many Popiſh Errors (as Mr. Durham intimates) may point out to us the groſneſs of his Myſtery of Iniquity, being a long continued ſource of multiplied hereſies, ſeducements, and errors through the courſe of many hundreds of years, againſt which Chriſts two ſackcloth witneſſes have all along born their Teſtimony, even till his meaſure is almoſt full.

And for Dr. Potters late Arithmetical obſervation, ſetting forth the oppoſition of the Root of 666, which is 25. and much obſervable in the Beaſts concerns, to the root of 144000 of Chriſts ſealed ones, being after to be the New Jeruſalem-inhabitants both in the Eaſt, Chap. 7. and in the Weſt, Chap. 14. whereof the root is 12. by which their concerns are deciphered alſo, &c.

And ſo by many other Notations of the name or number of the Beaſt in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, many obſervable things anſwerable to the diverſity of mens enquiries have been found out; as Romagnoſh, denoting the place of his Seat, at Rome; foreign, noting the glory of his ſtate, like the Sun above the Stars, &c. as his flatterers would have it; and even near blaſphemy ſpake one of them, Paulo Quinto Vice Deo, ſetting him in Gods ſtead; but to paſs by many others like mentioned by Mr. Bernard in his Key of Knowledge, and by others; let us now offer our conſiderations, whereupit may appear that the chief intent of the ſaid number 666, is to ſet forth the end of the ſaid Beaſts date. Though in reſpect of ſome of the other, the wiſdom, power and providence of God may appear in ſetting forth and fulfilling, upon ſuch conſiderable accounts what concerns ſuch a manifold Monſter in iniquity as he is deſcribed Dan. 7.24, 25. thereby not only prevailing againſt three Kings or Kingdoms, but alſo in daring to ſpeak great words againſt the moſt p. 76High, by his ſtrange Hereſies and Blaſphemies (as may be ſeen in in our Abridgment of Daniel on that Verſe) and think to change times and Laws, and perſecute the Saints of the moſt High, for his time, times, and dividing of a time, till Chriſts appearance, Dan. 12.1, 7. when he ſhall be deſtroyed, 2 Theſ. 2.8.

But (I ſay) that the chief intent of the ſaid number of the Beaſt 666. is to ſet forth the ſaid time of his end, theſe further reaſons induce me to believe, beſides what we ſaid before.

Firſt, we have the like in Dan. 5.26. at the end of the Caldean Monarchy at Belſhazzers death, God hath numbred thy Kingdom and finiſhed it, viz. for 70 years, foretold, Jer. 25, &c.

Even as Dan. 12.7. the Beaſts date was explained to be a time, times, and a dividing of a time.

2. The Epocha or beginning of his 1335 years, Chap 12.12. referring to the times of the end, when ſuch as were faithful ſhould be bleſſed, were to take their beginning from the third and laſt moſt effectual taking away of Sacrifice (moſt probably in Julian the Apoſtate Emperors time, by a remarkable hand of God, about 365 years after Chriſts birth) unto which 1335 years being added, makes up 1700, viz. all the times of Revelation propheſie, to Ch 20. (which the former 2300, Dan. 8. alſo wholly contain) but what darkneſs there hath been from Julians ſaid time and before is hard to reſolve by reaſon of like confuſions before and ſince, and what errors may be in our vulgar account may not eaſily be found; four years Biſhop Ʋſher obſerves to be loſt in it, happily more, ſince it was (as is acknowledged) 500 years after Chriſts birth, before it came in common uſe.

Thirdly, The Turks ſaid day, and hour, and month, and year, Rev. 9. or his 396 years are not ſo exact as that we can certainly reſolve whether the Ottoman family obtained the full power ſome few years before, or ſome few years after 1300, who having the lateſt Epocha of all the reſt by much, ſhould therefore ſeem more eaſie to be reſolved, but for the like reaſons ſtill ſome darkneſs remains therein; but counting his 396 years back (as was before ſaid) may ſo bring us neareſt (probably) to his trueſt Epocha. The ſaid Beaſts riſing at one hour with the ſaid ten crowned Horns, Rev. 17.9, 12. being as we ſaid, in times of great confuſions, likewiſe when the Empire in the Weſt was ſo broken by the Barbarous Nations, that the Writers of ſuch affairs then or after muſt needs ſpeak of them more uncertainly, a latitude therefore of conjecture muſt needs in p. 77reaſon be allowed, (eſpecially beſides former conſiderations, that that one hour Rev. 12. may be an opportune ſeaſon (as was ſaid) and not a Prophetical hour when the ſtories of ſuch are differently penned for ſuch times and things as often they are, &c.) but Divine wiſdom from the Scripture, ſuch as in Daniels ſaid Numbers with … Pauls Doctrine ſeem to be for that purpoſe the Divine directions, as the Holy Spirit informs us is needful as ſuch true wiſdom to direct us in an eſpecial manner in theſe above all the reſt, viz. to diſcover both the Beaſts beginning and ending; which we may only expect to find in a convenient latitude, but not to be exact therein, which God is pleaſed to keep only in his own power, as Acts 1.6. yet it is Chriſtians duty to inquire after them, and much light and benefit comes to themſelves and others by ſo doing, &c. and if by his ſaid date of his ending number about 1700, we count his 42 months backward upon the former ground and conſiderations, our conjecture may be ſo made (moſt fitly as we conceive) of his Epocha, and the ſaid Womans, &c. to be about 430, but the exact time we cannot thereby know; and ſo the Period of both (haply) may be about 20 years hence, in a fit latitude from An. Dom. 1675. upon all former ſaid conſiderations whereunto ſucceed the happy times of renovation there ſpoken of in this Text: yet Chapt. 18. and 19. declare the burning of the Whore to be ſome ſmall time before the laſt ruine of the Beaſt, which in Chapt. 16. is for his preparation (probably upon this account) to the Armageddon battle by his three unclean ſpirits like frogs (as we ſhewed) croaking in the Courts of Kings.

Ʋſe of Exhortation. We ſhall not here be large in the improvement of this Subject, becauſe of what we have formerly done upon Doctrines of this nature in our former Treatiſes, only we ſhall add ſome brief admonition and exhortation to all ſuch as the Name of Chriſt is called upon; that upon this weighty account that the great changes of the world, are ſo many ways manifeſt to be near approaching; firſt, that as the Prophet Eſai, Chapt. 1. exhorted ſinful men in his time, that they would ceaſe to do evil, and learn to do well. And therefore 2ly, to labour to be good, that they may be fit both to do good accepably & receive good infallibly. Let all prophane wicked, carnal, worldly, and unregendrate men be hence admoniſhed to forſake their evil, licentious, and ungodly practiſes, let them from the ruionous ſtate of this wicked world be think themſelves what precipices of deſtruction they walk upon, from whence they p. 79are every moment in danger to fall into an irrecoverable ruine; and if they ſhould not otherwiſe be cut off, yet who knows how ſuddenly the great Changes of the world may come upon them; let them well weigh for times paſt, what good they have gotten in the ways of ſin, whereby they have long (happly) provoked God already, and for which much guilt lies upon their Souls and Conſciences, and for which they are liable to the heavy wrath and Judgments of God continually to ſeize upon them; beſides (as we ſaid) all wickedneſs will ſhortly have an end, and what good can the ſinful profits, pleaſures, or honours of the world do them, if they had the longeſt continuance that this world can afford them (I ſay) ſinful profits, pleaſures, or honour, if either ſinfully obtained, or not rightly uſed, or wickedly abuſed to evil purpoſes, as for the moſt part they are by ſuch perſons.

But ſecondly, it is not enough for ſuch to ceaſe to do evil, which yet will be hard for them to do; for ſo long as they are evil Trees, they will bring forth evil fruits, and muſt needs be nigh to curſing whoſe end is to be burned, as Gods word plainly … alſo learn to do well, and that ſpeedily too, leſt the evil … come upon them unawares, which cannot be far … Changes in the world, although they be not … before, from which they can have no ſecurity, … their ſinful ways, have rather much reaſon continually to expect; for indignation and wrath (ſaith the Apoſtle) tribulation and anguiſh ſhall be upon every Soul of man that doth evil, Rom. 2.8, 9.

And therefore in the third place that they may rightly learn theſe two Leſſons, to ceaſe to do evil, and learn to do well, they muſt add the third, viz. labour earneſtly to be good, that they may do good, and conſequently be made capable to receive good; they muſt be made good Trees that they may bring forth good fruit, they muſt get Faith and Grace and become new Creatures, elſe all will come to no effect: men may out of ſome fear of wrath be ſometime in a pang, and ſo be reſtrained from ſome evil practiſes, and be alſo forced to do ſome good works, materially good; but they will neither continue in well-doing, nor can they do any ſuch good works as are acceptable unto God, if they be not converted unto him from their ſins, and be reconciled to him by faith in Jeſus Chriſt.

Object. But Faith and Grace are Gods gifts, it will be ſaid, and they cannot of themſelves obtain teem.

It is true they are ſo, but ſuch ſhould now, eſpecially now, even now in theſe laſt and worſt times know if they have them nor; and be convinced of the neceſſity of them; they ſhould ſeriouſly conſider that they are therefore by this exhortation ſpecially called the more earneſtly to labour to obtain them whilſt God is pleaſed to afford them a little time and opportunity for that purpoſe, ſuch ſhould conſider now God and Chriſt call them to Faith and Grace, therefore to day, whilſt it is called to day let them hear his voice, and take need they be not longer hardened through the deceitfulneſs of ſin, nor follow any longer their own ways, or the evil example of the wicked world, but wait upon Gods call, uſe his means to obtain his Grace, hear, read, meditate, pray, inquire the way to Sion, and walk therein; let ſuch give ear to no diſcouragements that might divert them, and flight not any Scripture-encouragement that God doth or may afford them. Wiſdom cryes, and utters her voice in the streets, underſtand ye ſimple, &c. This Wiſdom is Chriſt Jeſus, that came to ſave ſinners; and it is life eternal to believe in him whom the Father hath ſent: Go unto him, O ſinner, as the true and able Phyſitian of thy Soul, to cure thee: he never ſends away Souls rightly ſenſible of their miſery without help and cure if they continue to wait upon him in the uſe of due means, ſuch he will by no means caſt out, as he himſelf aſſures with a double aſſeveration, John 6.37. this time how ſhort ſoever it be, is yet a time of Grace; improve it therefore well whilſt thou haſt it, for it cannot be recalled nor any way purchaſed when it is paſt; what would loſt Souls give (if they had where withal to do it) to obtain thy preſent opportunity, &c.

But if thy luſts are more prevalent with thee that thou art like the deaf Adder to theſe Calls of God, and thou rather hearkeneſt to the Calls of Sin and Sinners, of Satan and the wicked world; if thou doſt with the ſcoffers of theſe laſt times deride all good admonitions and exhortations) as many now do, which is the ſpecial Character the Scripture gives of theſe laſt times) then take notice there is fiery indignation coming out from God againſt all ſuch ſhortly; and ſuch as have drunk deep of the Cup of the Whore of Babylon, are chiefly intoxicated with this fronzie, by deſpiſing all true Religion and ſuch as profeſs it, and caſting reproaches and ſlanders, with bitter ſcoffs and mockings upon it and them, and even on Chriſt Jeſus himſelf in ſo doing, whoſe peculiarly they both are; and ſince the Beaſt hath put ſuch a real ſcoff and mockage upon all at once, by burning by his wicked Inſtruments of late, our Chief City upon a p. 80falſly ſuppoſed 666.) though our warpings backward in places of Publique Worſhip in beſtial Superſtitions there may mind us (haply) of Gods Juſtice in permitting ſuch a thing then & there ſo to be done by them) yet let the Beaſt and his followers know, that for that very reaſon that they have made ſuch a mock of Chriſts real & moſt certain Prediction of the Beaſts ruine at the end of his number 666. (ſo miſtaken at that time by ſome from his Nativity) yet he & they ſhal moſt ſurely feel the force of that Prediction of the ſaid Beaſts ruine at Chriſt true 666. infallibly determined, and now ſhortly approaching; as alſo the Scarlet Whore of Babylon will in her viſition moſt certainly find before him, Rev. 18.6. for ſo runs Chriſts Commiſſion to his Officers then, Reward her as ſhe hath rewarded you, double her double according to her works, in the Cup which ſhe hath filled, fill to her donble, for can it be conceived that Chriſt Jeſus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of all the Kings of the earth will ſuffer ſuch an horrible affront to his Divine Majeſty to paſs unrevenged, or ſuch a blaſphemous ſcoff againſt his Divine Oracle to go ſcot-free; moſt certainly he will not, but Londons burnings will make Romes names more fierce and devouring when her day is fully come; and ſuch actings may fitly for warn men that the burning of the Scarlet-Whore draws nigh, who may then look (as was ſhewed) that her Cup which ſhe filled for others will then be doubly doubled unto her ſelf, and that by Gods own Command, who hath aforehand ingaged his All mighty power in that work, and to ſhew himſelf ſtrong in judging that Whore, Rev. 18.8. for he will in an eſpecial manner put forth his Almighty power in execution of his Sentence upon her: Read Gods Commentary of her Ruine in that whole 18th Chapter; therefore they muſt carefully avoid her ſins of ſpiritual and corporal fornication, cruelty, lying, ſlandering, reproaching, and ſcoffing at the ways of God, with all other her abominations and ſeducements, and even blaſpheming Gods Name, and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven, Ch. 13. that would eſcape her plagues; the great Judg that will give alſo the body of the Beaſt to the burning flame, hath his Throne fiery, and Wheels as burning fire, and a fiery ſtream iſſued and came from before him, to that purpoſe Dan. 7.9, 10, 11. and when the Lord will give his people reſt, 2 Theſ. 1.7. is it not chiefly againſt the Man of Sin that Chriſt will then be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking, vengeance on ſuch as obey not the Goſpel; and who is eſpecially, particularly, and exactly deciphered Chap. 214. to ſit in the Temple of God as God, &c. p. 81and the time of ſuch his deſtruction alſo is ſet down. ver. 8. to be at the appearance of Chriſts coming, which upon many Scripture grounds we have made manifeſt now to be near approaching, when God will ariſe in his Glory to ſhake terribly the earth, Eſa. 2.17, 19. & what joy will be to all Saints at that day, we ſhewed from Chap. 19. O what an excellent deſigne would it now be for Princes and People and all ſorts of Perſons in the Church to promote the Whores burning and Beaſts ruine. The Pulpit and Preſs here have long been improved by many zealous and faithful Servants of Jeſus Chriſt for many Ages paſt by preaching, praying, and printing, to detect ſuch wicked enemies, to ſearch out and foretel their ruine; and now that it is ſo near approaching, it may encourage all faithful Chriſtians prayers for the haſtening thereof, not but that Gods ſet time will ſtand, but when ſuch a ſpirit of Prayer is ſtirred up in them from ſuch encouragement that this time draws near, it is not only a good ſigne of ſuch approach of her ruine, but will prove like the battering Rams of old, or the Conſtantinopolitan Cannons of great force to batter Babylons Walls, &c. and let ſuch as look upon the filthineſs of that Mother of Abominations prepare aforehand their Songs of Triumph over her at her deſolation: Chriſt will have ſuch Songs ſung in the New Heavens, Rev. 20.18. and let the old Myſtical Heavens prepare aforehand to bear their part in thoſe Divine Halelujahs likewiſe.

And it may not be unſeaſonable even for Poets and Painters, Picture-drawers and Printers upon ſuch apprehenſions with a Chriſtian ſobriety and ſeriouſneſs to prepare materials for the ſolemnity of that approaching funerals of the infamous Harlot, great Myſtery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the whole earth, Rev. 17.5. next to take place before the Beaſts final deſtruction come upon him. Let them therefore that would be free from ſharing in their haſtening deſtruction haſten ſpeedily to flee from ſharing in their enormous ſins and great provocations.

FINIS.