The Saints Rising Out of the Heap, System – Errata 1

The Saints Rising Out of the Heap · System – Errata 1

p. 6The Syſtem of Gods declared Mercy at the Fall for a thouſand Generations, or ſeven thouſand Years, as by the Divine Guidance of his Word and Spirit (which we ſhall ever humbly and thankfully deſire to acknowledg to his Praiſe) he hath diſcovered to us, from the Fall of Man, to the end of the World: Eſpecially as is further diſcloſed by a double Key.

Firſt, of Daniels Sealed hints of Propheſie to ch. 20. of Rev. Secondly, of Gods moſt antient Revealed and Promiſed Mercies to the end of the Revelation. [Hinted alſo from Daniels Lot, Dan. 12.12.]

Of the order of the latter in the firſt Millen, or thouſand years.

WHen God in the begining had finiſhed his great and good work of the Worlds Creation in ſix days, and made Man his Deputy Ruler in it: and the Devil maliciouſly, by the Serpents ſubtilty, p. 7and upon the advantage of the womans weakneſs, had brought about the womans ſin and mans fall: The Trinune Diety of his own meer grace, was mercifully pleaſed, to manifeſt his moſt glorious divine goodneſs, by a wonderful Declaration of his ſaid free, and infinite mercy towards loſt mankind, and by himſelf to publiſh that Foundation, of all future happineſs (containing in the Womb of it) all future revealed and promiſed mercies and Covenants to his Church, and People in all ſucceeding times, by declaring that the ſeed of the Woman ſhall break the Serpents head, Gen. 3.15. which Chriſt in his Mediatorſhip, from that time undertook and hath and doth, and will ſtill carry on, until he ſhall make his Foes his Footſtool, Pſal. 101.1. eminently at the beginning of the 1000 years, by deſtroying Turk and Pope, and taking out of his Kingdome all things that offend, &c. And by binding Satan for that time, and totally and finally deſtroy all his Enemies at the end, Rev. 20. which is largely conſidered in our treatiſe, upon that Text: And will not theſe things greatly concern, the raiſed & living Saints too at that time? eſpecially to ſee the laſt moſt obſtinate and deſperate Enemies, both taken of, and taken away for ever: Oh how will then the Heavens rejoyce, and the Earth be glad: What Halelujahs will then be ſung by Angels and men, &c.

Secondly, When the old world was much heightened in wickedneſs: God alſo by Enoch the 7th. Adam his bleſſed tranſlation, as a worker of Righteouſneſs, excited men to well doing by Faith, and as a type of Chriſt, upon whoſe aſcention all his Followers ſhall twice aſcend by Chriſt: Firſt, in this Souls by his powerful grace, during their natural Life: Secondly, In Soul and Body both together, at the firſt bleſſed bodily Reſurrection of the juſt, and at the general Rapture of all the Saints at the laſt Trumpet, when the ſaid 1000 years ſhall be ended: And may not real good Chriſtians, by their firſt aſcending into a ſtate of grace, by Chriſt, gueſs what degrees of joy and happineſs they ſhall riſe unto in Kingdom and Glory with Chriſt, at the Reſurrection and Rapture?

And alſo by Enochs Prophetical Viſion, of Chriſts coming to Judgement in the firſt and ſecond Act thereof; recorded by Jude v. 14. Loe he cometh with 10000 of his Saints, to execute Judgement, &c. to warn all men to avoid evil; the firſt judicial Act thereof is ſet down, Dan. 7. at the the beginning of the 1000 years, the ſecond Rev. 20.11. after the 1000 p. 8years are ended; and will not all the ſaid Saints magnifie Gods Holineſs. Power, Juſtice and Truth, in both his ſo revealed, and then executed Acts of Judgement &c.

In the 2d. millen or 1000 years.

GOd about an 1656. did alſo by Noah a Preacher of Righteouſneſs, 1. Typifie, 2. Covenant, 3. Propheſie concerning theſe times, and things after he had warned the wicked world, then by his Preaching of Repentanae to them in the time of the Arks preparation 120. years, when their wickedneſs was arrived to the height; which Ark as it was for the ſaving of his own houſe then, or all ſuch penitent or believing Sinners, that would then come into it, wherein ſafety then (as ſalvation at all times, is onelyonly to be had in the Church of Chriſt.) So Chriſt will be the true and ſafe Ark of his Church, or Family, when the the world in part, or in whole ſhall periſh by Fire, at the beginning or end of the 1000 years; and will not the remembrance of Noah; Ark, illuſtrate Chriſts glory then being the Antitype thereof, in doing ſuch works for his Saints, how will he then be admired of them, &c.

2. God alſo made a Covenant with Noah, confirmed by the Rainbow, the Token thereof for the worlds preſervation, from drowning to the end, and alſo gave his bleſſings to men, and all ſorts of Creatures upon the Earth, to make them fruitful, Gen. 8, & 9. whereby the world continues with its fruitfulneſs, ever fince by Seed time and harveſt, as the great Stage for all Gods future actings, in Mercies or Judgements, which his word teſtifieth have cheifly their fulfillings in the ſaid 1000 years, after which time it muſt continue the little ſpace of Satans looſing, And as the world will ſo long be the Stage for ſuch actings of God, until the New Heavens and the New Earth ſhall ceaſe, ſo its fruitfulneſs was to be the accommodation for all ſuch purpoſes, but eſpecially the Earth in thoſe times, muſt power out its plenty in abundance, for the Churches-accommodation in that State, then ſaith the 67th. Pſal. The Earth ſhall yeild her increaſe of thoſe times, &c. ſo Joel 3.18. And it ſhall come to paſs in that day, that the Mountains ſhall drop down with new Wine, and the Hills ſhall flow with Milk: [ſee more in our Key of Noahs Covenant.]

And as the Saints grace, and Gods goodneſs in the Earths fruitfulneſs will be inlarged (after its ſo many thouſand years bearing Fruit before) ſo it will be much more fruitful in thoſe p. 9laſt times of its being, (yet in its renewed condition) whence alſo the praiſes of the Saints will be inlarged, and their rejoycings alſo in ſuch fulfillings, of ſuch promiſed Mercies, &c.

3. For his propheſie when aftor the ſin of that curſed Cham, occaſioned by the hainous offence of his Father Noah, (for the beſt Saints have need of their Saviour) yet when he through grace was awakened, by Repentance from his drunkenneſs, God manifeſts his grace by him, in a like wonderful manner; not only to Shem at preſent, entitling him to himſelf to be the Lord his God: But alſo foreſhews his purpoſed mercy to come to the Gentiles, the poſterity of Japhet, and accordingly his word gives witneſs to a twofold call which they were after to have to dwell in the Tents of Shem, as Gen. 9.27. the firſt was foretold by Hoſ. ch. 1.10.23. and applied by the Apoſtle Paul, Rom. 9.25, 26. upon the rejection of the Jews after Chriſts firſt coming, Acts. 13. which was the riches of the Gentiles, ſaith the ſame Apoſtle, ch. 11. which time of grace continues to the Gentiles, to Chriſts 2d coming; when upon the great Reſtauration of the Jews and Iſraelites, the Gentiles will have their 2d call, when their great fulneſs will come in, which was foretold alſo by Moſes in his excellent ſong for peſterity, Deut. 32.43. Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people: applyed alſo by the ſame Apoſtle, Rom. 15. when Chriſt being the Miniſter of Circumſion, as he there ſtiles him, v. 8. for the truth of God to confirm the Promiſes made unto the fore, fathers (as he there plainly tells us with ſeveral other Propheſies there, which ſhall alſo be thenfulfilled in the ſaid 1000 years: And will not the Saints then be greatly affected in ſeeing the accompliſhment of ſuch a mercy, and greatly praiſe God for it when his glorious grace will ſhine out ſo abundantly to them therein, &c.

In the third Millen or 1000 Years.

WHen Lot about the year of the world 2440. had upon worldly allurements choſen Sodom, and after thereupon was captivated by his Enemies, but delivered by faithful. Abraham, God ſent Melchiſcdeck to bleſs him who had the Promiſes, as a Type of Chriſts prevailing, perpetual Prieſthoed to be of his order: to whom he then paid Tythes of all, as the payment of all due honor will be rendred unto Chriſt by all his Saints in the ſaid 100 years, and by all Creatures alſo, Rev 5. but eſpecially by all thoſe, whoſe great p. 10High Prieſt he ſhall then appear to be (and probably will by a preſential interceſſion appear to be then) for ſuch as ſhall be in the natural life, viz. a Prieſt upon the Throne, as Zach. 6.13. and alſo the raiſed Saints ſecurity then and for ever: And as this Melchiſedeck Prieſt of the moſt high God was alſo King of Salem; ſo alſo Chriſt will then be the great King of the New Jeruſalem, Mat. 5.35. all the ſaid 1000 years: And as Abraham was bleſſed by Melchiſedeck after the ſlaughter of thoſe Kings; ſo Abraham and his faithful Seed will appear really bleſſed, when Chriſt maketh his own and their Enemies his footſtool; ſo the Saints will then find the mercies derived to them from many currents of long conveyances, and ſtill more matter to them of praiſe and rejoycing, &c.

When Abraham that righteous man, as by Eſay he is called, was ſent on his foot by Gods Divine Call, Gen. 12. about the year of the World 2460. God was gracioufly pleaſed to make free Promiſes and Covenants, ſeven diſtinct times to and with Abrahans (as they are particularly ſet down in our Key) and after him to Iſaack and Jacob ſucceſſively, to give the Promiſed Land of Canaan perſonally to themſelves: which Promiſe the Apoſtle declares, Heb. 11. they ſaw a far off by Faith, and died, not having received the ſame; wherefore as he alſo ſhewed they did not in their lives ſeek to poſſeſs it, but as men expecting to have the ſaid Promiſe of God made good unto themſelves at the Reſurrection of the juſt, they bought burying places there to have their bodies interred (as alſo Joſephs bones after were) untill they ſhould all riſe again then to poſſeſs it in the renewed ſtate thereof: for they looked for an heavenly countrey, ſuch as then that ſtate will be, excellently fitted then by God for that their condition. At firſt alſo the ſaid Promiſe was made to all Abrahams Seed, natural and ſpiritual, through that one Divine feed Chriſt (as the Apoſtle teacheth) to ſpring in time from Abrahams Loins according to the fleſh, Gal. 3.16. by whom alſo all the ſpitual ſeed by faith ſhould obtain their lot in that bleſſed ſtate by Promiſe, v. 29. concerning which two ſorts, the Scripture ſets forth many differences. The natural Seed was to inherit the Promiſed Land after Abrahams, Iſaacks, and Jacobs death, 430 years after the Promiſe was firſt made: but the ſpiritual will be joint heirs not only with Abraham, but alſo with Chriſt in the ſaid renewed ſtate, when he ſhall ſit upon his own Throne as the Son of David. The former p. 11were to be in Bondage long after the Promiſe, the ſpiritual are made free indeed by Chriſt the Son of God ſo ſoon as they are made the Sons of God by Adoption and Grace, beſides what will after appear they ſhall be when Chriſt ſhall appear, 1 Joh. 3.2. The former were compared to the duſt of the earth for multitude, Gen. 13.16. but the ſpiritual Seed was compared to the Stars of Heaven, not only for multitude, but excellency, Gen. 15.5. explained by the Apoſtle, Pom. 4.17, 18. and Gal. 3. the whole Chapter. The natural Seed entered into a Covenant with God in their own ſtrength and brake it; but as for the other God makes a new Covenant with them, and undertakes the keeping thereof by them, that they ſhall not depart from him. The natural were delivered from an outward bondage, which they were many ways liable to fall under again; the other are not liable to be enſlaved again by their ſpiritual enemies: the natural for their provocations, wandered in a worldly Wilderneſs long before they obtained the promiſed land: The other are in a ſpiritual Wilderneſs, amongſt ſuch ſinners by whom they are perſecuted for well doing: The natural had miraculous proviſion made for their bodies, yet through unbelief, that Generation came ſhort, and they died in the Wilderneſs; but the ſpiritual are fed by the Sackcloth witneſſes, who are appointed to feed the womans Seed in her wilderneſs condition: the natural were brought into the land of Canaan long after Abraham, by Joſhua the Son of Nun: The ſpiritual will be brought into its ſaid renewed ſtate by the Antitype of Joſhua the true Jeſus and their great Meſſiah at his ſecond coming. The natural ſeed had a reſt that was afterward polluted by their ſin, and therefore God foretold them that reſt ſhould caſt them out with a ſore deſtruction, Mich. 2.10. (as after it did) but the ſpiritual ſhall be brought into that reſt that remains for the people of God, viz. the Sabbatiſm of the worlds continuance when Chriſts reſt there will be glorious all the ſaid time, and when God will ſet to his hand the ſecond time to recover his people, Iſa. 11.10, &c. with many illuſtrations there and elſe where declared: for the natural a Jeruſalem and Pemple were built by men for typical worſhip: the ſpiritual ſhall have a New Jeruſalem whoſe maker and builder is God, where the Lamb will be the Temple of it: for the ſin of the natural ſeed the Heathens entered and defiled the typical Temple, but no Canauite ſhall come into the New, or p. 12any unclean thing enter into it: And though the laſt Gog and Magog will wickedly, when Satan is looſed at the end of the 1000 years, attempt to beſiedge both the Holy City and the Camp of the Saints, yet they ſhall be deſtroyed by fire from God out of Heaven in that attempt which will bring on the utter deſtruction of them all By theſe and the like differences may be diſcerned that what the natural Seed obtained, were but dark ſhadows of thoſe excellencies which the ſpiritual Seed by Faith ſhall inherit in that world to come, as the Children of Abraham; for as the Apoſtle Paul ye are all heirs according to promiſe, Gal. 3.29. viz. of the land of Canaan renewed, or in the New Jeruſalem ſtate to come in the world, which will be perfected in eternal bleſſedneſs in Heaven: And therefore God made it his memorial through all generations, that he was the God of Abraham, Iſaack and Jacob in giving them perſonally that promiſed land in the ſaid renewed ſtate thereof, and to all their ſpiritual ſeed circumciſed and uncircumciſed, to inherit then the ſame, together with them, which Mr. Mede manifeſts to be the ſcope of our Saviours Argument againſt the Saduces, Mat. 22.32. viz, that ſince he was the God of the living; they ſhall live again to inherit that promiſed land; and I doubt not but that theſe Divine Myſteries will then be found real verities; and how will the hearts of all thoſe Saints (then) be inlarged from the ſaid Covenants and Promiſes accompliſhed to them, with praiſes and rejoycings upon that account alſo, &c.

Here alſo may be added Baalams Parable put into his mouth by God when be was hired by Balack King of Moah to Curſe Iſrael, by turning his intended Curs into an eminent … foretelling of …, of which … but a ſhadow … away (as was … …mb. 24.7, 8, 9. and v. 17. … the Star out of Jacoh and Scepter out of Iſrael that ſhall ſmite the corners of Moab, and deſtroy all the Children of Seth, v. 18, 19. and out of Jacob ſhall come he that ſhall have the Dominion, and v. 24. ſhe ſhews that the Ships of Chit, tim (the Roman Navy, Dan. 11.40, &c.) ſhould afflict Aſhur and Eber, being the Jews laſt oppreſſor, ſhould periſh for ever, or go into perdition, as Rev. 17. which will be fulfilled at Chriſts appearance in deſtroying that man of Sin, when that evil Dominion ſhall ceaſe in the world. Much more might be here added of Chriſts unwalling the Children of Seth as a prevailing King, when he ſhall be the Prince of the Kings of the p. 13Earth, Rev. 1.5. and be that Star out of Jacob, and have the Dominion, v. 17.19. which will be eminently verified in his ſaid 1000 years Reign with his Saints, with other matters agreeing to the Judgement of Jewiſh Rabbies, and pious Chriſtians reſpecting the ſame; but I ſtudy brevity, &c. This may ſuffice: Now can we think that when the living and raiſed Saints; ſhall in the ſaid ſtate ſee theſe things fulfilled, from ſuch complicated evidences happily derived unto them, that they will not make ſuitable returns to God, for ſuch in-comes of his ancient declared goodneſs, &c.

Moſes alſo appears in his bleſſing of Judah, Deut. 33.7. to be directed by the Spirit of God, cheifly to reſpect Chriſt at that time, when God will bring him to his People to convert them, about his great appearance approaching, and that his hands ſhall be ſufficient for him, then to be the Lord, mighty in Battel, Pſal. 24. with many other expreſſions elſewhere; and that God would be an help to him againſt his Enemies, as Deut. 33.7. though ſome gradually applications hereof have in ſome ſort been not unfitly made yet the cheif appearance according to the tenour of Scripture, to be when he ſhall eminently make his Foes his Footſtool, Pſal. 110.1, v. 5, 6, 7. ſubduing the Potentates of the Earth, then found to oppoſe him, and eſpecially that head over diverſe Countries for the Original foreign is ſingular, not heads, but head, fitly expounded to be the Pope, who aſſumes himſelf an univerſal headſhip over divers Countries: So that hence it may be more and more manifeſt, that all ſuch ancient predictions till Davids Kingdom, and his ſure mercies, in reference to Chriſts ſaid Kingdom; all not onelyonly refer to that time and State, but then ſhall have their cheif fulfillings, when Chriſt ſhall then come to raign his and their Enemies, and reward his faithful Servants, Rev. 11.9. and 22.12.

Come we now to conſider that which appears to be the laſt, anciently revealed or contented mercy of this nature, wherein all Saints then ſhall be interceſſed, and cheifly bears the Title of the Kingdom of Chriſt: For in the New Jeruſalem, they ſhall be interceſſed, as the faithful Spiritual Seed of Abraham, but in their Reign with Chriſt, as the meek and upright ſpiritual Children of David, whoſe Soul was as a weaned Child, Pſal. 131. And ſuch then ſhall inherit the Earth, and delight themſelves in the abundance of Peace, Pſal. 37.11. which yet they have not obtained, but ſhall ſaith our Saviour, p. 14Math. 5.5. having in that State that Portion and Lot, in this ſure mercies of David, Iſa. 55.3.

In the fourth Millen or 1000 Years.

TOwards the end of the third, and the beginning of the fourth Millen: We may place what concerns both David and Solomon, whoſe Buildings of the Temple is reckoned by Ʋſher to be about the 3000th. year of the world, and about the middle of the time of the firſt 6000 years, (though (haply) the little ſpace of Satans looſing, after the ſeventh Millen, may be allowed to make up ſome part of the ſixth before it,) yet there are ſome differences, by ſeveral learned Perſons diſcovered in Chronology, both under the Old and New Teſtament: And therefore Chronological Conjectures, ought to be in ſome probable Latitude, &c.

Come we then in the next place to Davids Kingdom, not as it was given him as the Son of Jeſſe; ſpecially appointed thereunto by Gods peculiar deſignment, to be Anointed by Samuel: But as by a new divine Character, it was by Nathans Meſſage confirmed for ever, through his one divine ſeed Chriſt, 2 Samuel 7.8, 9. to 17. and accordingly by Davids Faith, Thankfulneſs and Prayer, afterwards improved from v. 16. to the end of the Chapter: (which we largely conſidered in our ſeventh Foundation of Faith) which great and moſt excellent confirmation was, after Davids grievous fall in the matter of Ʋriah, and his Repentance, and his many Scourges ſuffered upon that account, for a long time; (for the freeneſs and ſeaſonableneſs of ſuch, Gods promiſed mercy to David, ought to be well obſerved by us) as in all the former ſaid Examples, given from time to time) for the glory of Gods divine Wiſdom, Mercy, Truth and Faithfulneſs, to be then manifeſt throughout all Ages, and Generations of the world until the Saints; eſpecially in thoſe times, when they ſhall ſee and enjoy all their greateſt accompliſhments, both praiſing Gods holy name for the ſame, and exceedingly rejoycing in them, in their ſeveral conditions, of both ſuch ſaved and newly raiſed Saints: Therefore by Nathans ſaid Meſſage to David, God took occaſion upon Davids good puopoſe, to build God an houſe (when David injoyed peace after his former troubles, which God well accepted of as to the matter p. 15intended, but yet for ſome Reaſons he aſſigned that work over to Solomon his Son; yet (I ſay) took occaſion thereupon to make to David the largeſt Charter, and to give the greateſt aſſurance of Davids ſure mercies, in reſpect of the ſeveral States of his Kingdom for ever; that was ever given to any mortal man, in many reſpects there obſervable, (as we ſhewed) the one was conditional for his immediate natural Seed, his Son Solomon (if he ſtood upright) who was to build that ſame glorious Temple at Jeruſalem, which after he did being therein a Type of Chriſt; yet afterwards did by his grievous fall, alſo cut off that long intayl of his Kingdom (otherwiſe) to his natural race, which was ſoon after divided by the loſs of ten Tribes, in his Son Rehoboams time; being then engaged in Idolatry upon politick accounts, the Cauſe of the miſery and ſpeedy captivity, which afterward was in both parts, by the ſucceeding provocations of others, taken away from Iſrael firſt, and after from Judah alſo. But the ſecond was abſolute to Davids divine ſpiritual Seed Chriſt the Son of God, that was to become man, in an extraordinary way and moſt wonderful manner, by being born of that bleſſed Virgin, that was to come of Davids Race, who as the Angel told her at his birth, ſhould ſit on the Throne of his Father David, Luke 1.32. as the Prophet Iſaiah had foretold, that there ſhould be no end of the encreaſe of his Government, and Peace upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom, to order it and to eſtabliſh it, with Judgement and with Juſtice for ever; (as he had promiſed in the ſaid Meſſage by the Prophet Nathan) to the end of the World, or as in Pſal. 89.29. That his ſaid Divine Seed ſhall continue for ever, and his Throne as the days of heaven, and that in the greateſt extent over Sea and Land, with the higheſt Exaltation many ways illuſtrated, as for Gods firſt born higher then the Kings of the Earth, ver. 25, 27, &c. and to be then the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, as he is ſtyled Rev. 1.5. And though for the ſucceſſive great provocations of others alſo of Davids natural Seed, and eſpecially of Maniſſeh and Zedekiah, from whom that Crown was then laſt taken away with a manifold Declaration of Gods heavy diſpleaſure againſt him, the laſt of Davids ſaid natural Seed, as the prophane wicked Prince of Iſrael; ſaying by Ezekiel ch. 21. Remove the Diadem, take away the Crown, this ſhall not be, and I will overturn, overturn, overturn till hethat is Chriſt the p. 16ſpiritual Seed of David) come. Whereupon was that long interim, or interruption of Davids Kingdom, in the four Monarchies following, revealed to Daniel twice, ch. 2. and ch. 7. (during the Gentiles Dominion all that time (probably) for the ſpace of 2300 years. Dan. 8.26. for which obſerve the Reaſons in our ſummary of Daniel; yet God did alſo there declare himſelf (even when the Tabernacle of David was falling) mindful of Davids ſure mercies, in and by his ſaid bleſſed Seed [Chriſt] to come, (when all the ſaid four mettle Kingdomes, at once ſhall paſs away, as the chaffe of the Summer threſhing floor, Dan. 2.35.) ſaying, further by the Prophet Ezekiel; (with whom all other Prophets, ſome wayes concur in the ſame matter,) when he whoſe right it is ſhall come, namely Chriſt, that he would give it him; who is now gone to Heaven to receive it, Luke 19. and when the … long interim, of the ſaid four Monarchies is paſſed (of which now but little remains) he will return, and the fallen Tabernacle of David, ſhall in him be raiſed up again, as the Prophet James applyed, the Propheſie of Amos, ch. 9.11. at that famous Counſel at Jeruſalem, Acts 15. with reference to the Gentiles great fulneſs under Chriſts ſaid Kingdom, then to come in alſo: By whoſe firſt coming to take mans nature in a Tabernacle of our Fleſh, for at that time, God according to his prediction, Dan. 2.28. ſet up the ſpiritual Kingdom of the Stone, cut out of the Mountain without hands in the firſt State of it, in the time and height of the Roman Dominion, being one and the laſt of the ſaid four Gentil Kingdoms, which by Daniel and Chriſts one Revelation, was thence to continue above ſixteen hundred years; wherein Gods ſaid, ſpiritually powerful and prevailing Kingdom of the Stone; ſhould Divinely (in the ſaid time of the Dragon and Beaſt, after to come and continue, to act their parts ſo long) proceed powerfully by degrees, to bring on the ruine of that ſaid laſt, of the four Monarchies, viz. the Romane and therewith all the broken parts of the three former which ſhall be certainly performed at Chriſts appearance and Kingdom, as the Apoſtle Paul plainly declares. 2 Tim. 4.1.

And then all Satans Babiloniſn deſigns in all his three Babets will come to utter confuſion, viz. the confuſion of tongues and diviſions in the firſt, will then be diſſolved by oneneſs of language and unity: Tyranny and Cruelty, by Meekneſs and Peacefulneſs: p. 17and the great Myſtery Babylon fully be diſcovered, defeated, diſſolved when the Myſtery of God ſhall be finiſhed; which we largly conſidered chap. 5. of our Irenicon of the ſaid three Babels: The foundation of all which was laid by Nimrod in Aſſyria; which Title of the Aſſyrian ſeems upon that account to be given to the Turk at his ruine, Mich. 5.5. This man [Chriſt] ſhall be our peace when the Aſſyrian ſhall come into our land, and v. 6. Thus ſhall he deliver us from the Aſſyrian, &c. To which purpoſe

In the fifth Millen or 1000 years

GOd the Father in a glorious Viſion of the ſubſtance of Revelation Propheſie both for the order and end thereof, Rev. 5. gives the book to the Lamb that had been ſlain and was alive again, to open the contents thereof under the ſeven Seals to that coming of Chriſt, and makes him alſo his Commiſſioner (as we noted) impowering him alſo to execute the ſame, as being that Lamb that hath ſeven horns, and ſeven eyes, that is, hath perfect power, and perfect wiſdom, fully, by degrees in due order, to accompliſh the ſame, according to the double Scheme of Propheſie contained in the Book of Revelation. Firſt in the Seal-propheſie, for the ruine of the Civil State, which under the firſt five Seals, after rejected the offers of Chriſt, and bloodily perſecuted his Saints in the time of the ten great Perſecutions, with others, by Satans prevailing power amongſt them: who under the ſixth Seal, as a great Red Dragon, was by Conſtantine the Great, after 320 years caſt down from his heaven of Paganiſm-worſhip to the earth: ſince which time he hath ſought upon a new deſign to pervert Chriſtian Religion, and the Worſhip of the true God: Firſt by Errours and Hereſies againſt the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, above an hundred years following: and after that to Paganize Chriſtian Religion it ſelf, by his new deſign then of two Beaſts, Rev. 13. giving thereunto his great power and authority to contrive and promote a new Paganiſm, or Idolatry, under a ſpecious Viſour of ſeeming and pretended Chriſtianity; of which in the little Book ch. 10, &c. But from under the ſeventh Seal proceed the ſeven Trumpets, ſounding out the wrath of God by degrees of Judgments againſt the Civil State of Rome; by the four firſt milder Trumpets to deſtroy it in the Weſt; in Empire, City, and Senate: And after in the Eaſt by the firſt Woe Trumpet p. 18the Saracens to take away one half thereof, Rev. 9.1. from about An 600. and forward, being that King of the South, Dan. 11.40. that in the time of the Holy Wars, ſo called, ſeemed to puſh at the Roman Armies, &c.

And in the ſixth Millen or 1000. years.

CHriſt hath ſince according to the Fathers ſaid Commiſſion by that ſecond Woe Trumpet of the Turk. [who is therefore Chriſts Servant] as Nebuchadnezzar was ſaid to be Gods] from about An. 1300. hath taken away by his overflowings with his multitudes, the other part of the Eaſtern Empire, being that King of the North, Dan. 11.40. deſcribed alſo in his actings, Rev. 3.11, &c. who is to continue his day, and hour, and month, and year, to deſtroy the third part of men in the ſame 396 years of his Date, till that Empire ceaſe to be, v. 45. probably about An. 1700. with which the Beaſt was in great part to contemporate, with the Churches time, times, and half, in her wilderneſs condition, and alſo the two ſackcloth Witneſſes to feed the Church, and conſume the Beaſt by their Propheſie 1260 years, as by the breath of Chriſts mouth, till he at the end of the Beaſts 42 months (all being of the ſame time) ſhall deſtroy the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet at the appearance of his ſaid coming and Kingdom, 2 Theſ. 2.8. 2 Tim. 4.1.

To which purpoſe upon the Jews Captivity, and ſad fall of Davids ſaid Tabernacle, God did in that time by his contemporary myſtical Prophets, Ezekiel and Daniel, reveale the time of Iſraels Reſtauration, more darkly by Ezekiel, ch. 37. alſo ſhewing Gog and Magog muſt be removed, ch. 38, & 39. before the New Jeruſalem ſhould be ſet up, called Jehova Shamma, ch. 40. to the end of the Book. But then to Daniel God was pleaſed more fully and clearly to ſet forth the [interim] or time of the four Monarchies. 1. Of Babylon. 2. Medo-Perſian. 3. Greece. 4. Rome, which were to paſs in the ſaid 2300. years before Davids Tabernacle ſhould be raiſed up again in Chriſt. But that the Kingdom of the Stone ſhould firſt be ſet up, as God foreſhewed, Dan. 2.28. which was done above 1600 years paſt, in the time and height of the laſt, or Roman Empire, utterly (as was ſaid) to beat to duſt the ſaid four Mettle Kingdoms. And God ſhewed the ſame to Daniel in Viſion of the four Beaſts deſtroying each other, until the laſt ſhould be p. 19deſtroyed by Chriſt at his firſt act of Judgment againſt the Beaſt, Dan. 7.11. Whereupon he had the Viſion of Chriſts coming in the Clouds of Heaven, when the Kingdom and Dominion of all Nations ſhould be given to him, and that under the whole Heaven, v. 13, 14, 27. which will be Davids ſure mercies for his Kingdom and Throne to continue for ever upon that raiſing again of his Tabernacle fallen above 2000 years before, and will be alſo Chriſts Davidical Kingdom of his 1000 years Reign with his Saints, revealed by himſelf, Rev. 20.4. whereby as was ſaid Gods wiſdom, power, mercy, truth and faithfulneſs, will gloriouſly ſhine out to all thoſe Saints in that reſpect (as in all the former before) both for his deſtroying the wicked then, as foretold, and ſo exalting his Saints to their great rejoycing and triumphant happineſs in that excellent ſtate of the New Jeruſalem, and reſtitution of all things by Chriſt their great King, Saviour, and Meſſiah.

In the ſeventh Millen or 1000 Years.

1. SAtan is bound for 1000 years, but to be looſed again for a little ſeaſon when the 1000 years are ended, Rev. 20.3.

2. Chriſt Reigns with his then raiſed Saints at the firſt bleſſed bodily Reſurrection the ſame 1000. years, v. 4, 5.

3. The ſaid raiſed Saints remain in the happy enjoyment of the Viſion of Chriſts glory, Joh. 17.24. in his Kingdom given to him by God the Father in the New, Holy, Great, and Beloved Jeruſalem, enjoying then happy communion with Chriſt their head, and with one another in that ſtate, being ſo made perfect in one, as Chriſt prayed, Joh. 17. and as his Spouſe or Bride one with himſelf, Rev. 19. and Rev. 21.9. and with the holy Angels, all joyning with the inferiour Creatures in their orders, to praiſe God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for his great and glorious work of Creation and Redemption (as by that glimps of the end of Revelation Propheſie ch. 4, 5. may be diſcerned) being all then in an undiſturbed, happy ſtate in their ſeveral degrees, whilſt Satan is bound and ſealed up in the bottomleſs pit; that he may not tempt the nations any more till the 1000 years be ended, v. 3. all remaining in an happy peace, ſo long without being attempted againſt by any enemies.

4. Chriſts Servants, viz. the raiſed Saints, chiefly will then ſerve him, Rev. 22.3. as their buſineſs and happineſs ſo to do, ch. 7.15,

p. 205. Chriſt will be their light to them both, ſpiritual and viſible, and both glorious, in whoſe light, his Saints will then ſee light at the Revelation of all things, (probably) as to Myſteries, Creatures and Providences, when the myſtery of God is finiſhed, and the light of the Moon ſhall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of one day, as the light of ſeven days. Iſ. 30.

6. The Nations of them that are then ſaved, will walk in the light of the ſaid great holy and beloved Jeruſalem, come down from God out of Heaven, all the ſaid 1000 years, being the Spirits of juſt men, before made perfect, to receive then from Chriſt their ſpiritual Bodies, alſo Rev. 21.24.

7. The Kings of the Earth ſhall bring their Glory and Honour to it, in the ſame v.

8. Alſo they ſhall bring the Glory and Honour of the Nations to it, v. 26.

9. God will then dwell amongſt them, and all Tears ſhall be wiped from their Eyes, ch. 21.3, 4, & 7, 16, 17.

10. All the glorious Priviledges of the Paradiſe of God, of the Tree of Life, whoſe Leaves are for the healing of the Nations, and of the pure River, clear as Chryſtal, proceeding from the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, and all the glorious excellencies aſſigned and belonging to it; which all thoſe happy raiſed Saints will then know by experience; how wonderful, great and excellent they are in their Fruition thereof, the ſaid 1000 years.

11. And though Satan when he is looſed will ſeduce his laſt Gog and Magog, to attempt to beſiedge the beloved City, and the Camp of the Saints; yet Chriſt hath afore hand reſolved them, that it ſhall onelyonly be an attempt, and the Devil and all his Agents ſhall then be conſumed by Fire from God, out of Heaven in the ſaid attempt, and the Fabrick of the world ſhall ſuddenly then be diſſolved, upon the ſounding of the laſt Trumpet, and the general rapture and change of all the Saints, to meet Chriſt in the Air, coming to ſit upon that great white Throne, at the laſt Judgement, Rev. 20.11. From whoſe Face, the Earth and the Heaven ſhall fly away, and no place ſhall be found, for them, Rev. 20.11. And hath not Chriſt himſelf revealed all theſe things in an evident manner: That may ſuffice all Chriſtians, and rational men of their reallity; and how then ſhould all ſound ſerious and conſciencious Chriſtians, from the conſideration of theſe things, now hinted to them, with many more that might from Gods word be ſet before them to ſuch purpoſe, p. 21be ſtirred up to love the appearance of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as the Apoſtle profeſſed for himſelf, with that great encouragement to all others, to partake with him of a Crown of Righteouſneſs, 2 Tim. 4.8.

2. To long for his ſaid appearance, when he cometh without ſin, having fully ſatisfied for that at his firſt coming; but then onelyonly for ſalvation to his People, to deliver them from all their Enemies, and even the inferiour Creatures with them; from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, Rom. 8.21. And to have their own bodies redeemed from the Priſon, and the corruption of the Grave, and have powerful grace, as the Angels in Heaven in their condition; and even thoſe alſo in the natural Life, ſhall ſerve Chriſt in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs before him, all the days of their life, Luke 1.74, 75.

3. And that they may love his appearance, and long for it, let them labour continually to be fitted for it, &c. and this rather, becauſe many wayes; the time thereof ſeemeth to be near approaching, not only in regard that moſt of the preceeding Predictions are fulfilled, but alſo becauſe we find the computations of years; which the Holy Ghoſt ſeems to ſet down, of the Jews great Reſtauration, and of the deſtruction of the Churches Enemies, are ſhortly to be compleated, of which two in Daniel, and two in the Book of the Revelations, appear very conſiderable to that purpoſe; which we ſhall endeavour here to ſet down, as ſome of the Grounds and Reaſons of ſuch our Conjecture: From thoſe 4. Computations of the ſaid myſtical Numbers, formerly more fully explained in our Parallel of Daniel, and the Book of the Revelation, and upon the ruine and deſolation of the Remane Monarchy as follows.

The firſt is from the 2300. days of years, in Daniel 8, 26. by Palmomi or the ſecret Numberer, ſeeming to refer to the end of the Jews Captivity referring to the time of the end, v. 17. & to the laſt end of the indignation, viz. of God againſt that captivated People: The like to the ſame purpoſe is alſo obſervable, where Daniel declares the Roman Kingdom ſhall proſper till the ſame time, viz. until the indignation ſhall be accompliſhed, for (ſaith he) that that is determined, ſhall be done, Ch. 11.36. So again upon the ſame account; The Sacrifice and Oblation ſhall ceaſe, for the over ſpreading of Abominations, he ſhall make Jeruſalem [taken by Titus and Veſpatian] deſolate, even until the Conſummation, and p. 22that determined, ſhall be powered out upon the deſolate, Dan. 9.27. See many other Reaſons upon Dan. 8.26. In our Summary of Daniels Viſions: This Computation of 2300 years, was from the deſtruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzers Army, then carrying the Jews captive to Babylon, to their great Reſtauration at Chriſts appearance, is by Scripture and Chronology thus computed: at Babylon 70. years under the Medes and Perſians, about 80. years, till Daniels 70. weeks, when the Edict went out for building the City Jeruſalem, about 3549; when is reckoned by their Kings Reigns, to be about 80 years more, and Daniels weeks, to the end of the half week; when Chriſt had finiſhed his Sacrifice of himſelf, for our ſins; which was in all 640 years more, and from thence to about that year, which we reckon will be 1700. will ſo be made up 2300. years.

Secondly, For the 2335. years, in Dan. 12. from the effectual taking away of Sacrifice, in Julian the Apoſtate Emperours time, when not only many Heathen Idolatries, were encouraged by him, but he alſo in oppoſition to Chriſtian Religion, allowed the Jews out of the publick charge, to Rebuild their Temple for Sacrifice; whereupon Hiſtorians Record that God by miraculous Tokens of his diſpleaſure, by Fire, Tempeſt, Earthquakes, &c deſtroyed ſuch as were employed in the ſaid work, and not only burnt up the very Tools they wrought with: But caſt out the very Stones which they had laid for the Foundation thereof: Whereupon an Ancient obſerved that then Chriſts words were fulfilled, that one Stone ſhould not be left upon another, which ſhould not be caſt down, which times reckoned by Biſhop Ʋſher to be Anno Dom. 363. unto which if 1335. of Daniels ſaid account be added, it is near about 1700.

The two other Numbers in the Revelation are firſt the date of the man of ſin, his forty two moneths, or 1260 years, conceived to begin before 420. when the ten Kings were up at one hour with the Beaſt, Rev. 17.12. to which ſaid 420 years or leſs; if there be added the 20 or 30 years to come, being the remainder of the 6th Vial, they will all together amount to about 1700 at the time of Anti-Chriſts deſtruction.

Laſtly, As to the Turks day and hour, and monethmonth, and year to deſtroy the third part of man, computed by Mr. Mede 396 years, who is the ſecond woe Trumpet, to deſtroy the p. 23Roman Empire in the Eaſt, Rev. 9.11. and Dan. 11.40. which being added to 1300 or ſomewhat more, when the Ottoman Family, according to Chronology, obtained the power; it will with the other 396 make up about 1700. All which computations though by Reaſon of ſome differences, in Chronology before Chriſts birth, and ſince (as Biſhop Ʋſher obſerved) we may not attempt to determine day, or hour, or year; yet within a competent Latitude; the Spirit of God ſeems in theſe particulars, to give juſt ground of conjecture, that men of the world may be admoniſhed of its fleeting ſtate, to prepare for the great ſhakings and changes, that ſeem ſhortly to draw near therein: By theſe Computations and other matters obſerveable to ſuch purpoſes, from the Book of God: Since the Jews Reſtauration is pointed out by the 2 former in Daniel, and the deſtruction of the Enemies of Chriſt, and his Church in the 2 latter; which the Holy Scripture declares will be the work of Chriſt, at his ſaid great appearance now approaching.

Whence alſo we made our Conjecture of the moſt literal ſenſe of the Number of the Beaſt, Apoc. 13. 666. [as Belſhazzers Kingdom was numbred when it ended at his death] though other obſervations of the Number 1666. may alſo be conſideder able to other purpoſes) but if we reckon the appearance of Chriſt, and his Kingdom to be about 1700. according to the the four ſaid computations, at which ſaid appearance of his preſence, 2 Theſſ. 2.8. The Apoſtle ſaith he will deſtroy the man of Sin, then reckon backward for the Epoc. of his Number of 1666. (for it is agreed by learned men, that the whole Number of a thouſand is there underſtood to be added) and it will fall out ſo to begin about Chriſts Aſcention, from whence to his deſcending again, will ſo be made up 1666 years, viz. about the ſaid time conceived to be the Period, of the ſaid four computations; and from our Saviours birth, by the common account 1700, at the ſaid Beaſts deſtruction; and his Aſcenſion, when Chriſt led Captivity captive, ſeems more ſuitable to point out by the ſaid Number, his Viſible conqueſt over the remaining Powers of the world that oppoſe him.

About which time, not only will probably appear the moſt eminent fulfillings, of Gods moſt antiently revealed mercies, in his powerful, effectual and eminent breaking of the Serpent [Satans] head, by taking away or deſtroying, ſuch his Churches Enemies, and treading p. 24down Satan himſelf under the Saints Feet, as the Apoſtle Paul foretold, ſhortly or ſwiftly, Rom 16.20. in the order of accompliſhment. Firſt, By his binding, Rev. 20.2. and after by caſting him (upon the ruine of his laſt Gog and Magog) into the Lake of Fire and Brimſtone for ever, v. 18. And then Gods Wiſdom, Power, Mercy, Truth and Faithfulneſs, will gloriouſly appear towards both the Jews and Gentiles, as the ſpiritual Seed of Abraham, by the deſtruction of the Enemies of them both: But more eſpecially then, in the raiſing up the Tabernacle of David in Chriſt his divine Seed, and in ſetting up of his ſaid Kingdom; who as we have ſhewed ſhall gloriouſly ſit upon Davids Throne, for ever to the end of the world, in a peaceful and bleſſed Eſtate: And if the word of God did not give Teſtimony, in all the ſaid particulars from the ſaid Predictions, promiſed Mercies and Covenants; it had been high preſumption ſo to have aſſerted them: But ſince as we have pointed out thus briefly, yet very evidently his word doth largly, fully and clearly hold them out; Let men henceforth upon due conſideration of theſe things, take heed of oppoſing and gainſaying theſe evident Truths, which he will ſhortly bring to paſs; and no power of Men or Devils ſhall in the in the leaſt hinder any of them; as Chriſt will manifeſt when the Myſtery of God is finiſhed, Rev. 10. and it is to be hoped when many ſerious and unprejudiced and judicious Chriſtians, have ſought God by Prayer, and due ſearch of the Holy Scripture; from theſe Foundations well pondered by them, that they may be herein ſatisfied, that ſuch a bleſſed reſt and refreſhment from the preſence of the Lord. remaineth to the People of God; whereby ſuch perſons may evidently diſcern with me, that ſuch pretious Jewels of Revelation Myſteries, are highly to be valued, and it is ignorance of theſe things, which is the great Reaſon, why many eſteem them not as they ought: and that this moſt ſacred and divine Book of the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt; by his beloved Servant and Diſciple Saint John, (which is the Diamond in the golden Ring of Holy Writ) is not duly prized by them: and particularly in this reſpect, that it affords light and Luſtre to all parts of Holy Script. without which men are not like otherwiſe rightly to diſcern the ſame; concerning the matters here rendred to them, as we by experience find more and more, to the Glory and Praiſe of that true Light, who lightneth every man that comes into the World, according p. 25to that proportion he is pleaſed, to diſpence the ſame, unto them.

And thus much of our preparative Preface and Compriſal, both of our ſaid former work and ſubſtance of the divine Myſteries contained therein, with what further diſcoveries God hath been graciouſly pleaſed to offer unto the preſent world, by the hand of ſo weak and unworthy an inſtrument by the help of the ſaid laſt Key, of moſt ancient propheſie, Rev. 20.21, 22. (as before ſaid) & to precede our intended Treatiſe on Rev. 20.5. Of the firſt bodily Reſurrection of the Saints.

The cheif improvement we ſhall by Gods aſſiſtance, endeavour here to make of what hath been ſaid, briefly is, for information of Chriſtians of the exceeding great uſefulneſs, and manifold excellencies of all ſuch ancient, revealed and promiſed Mercies and Covenants, made to and with the ſaid fore Fathers and Saints, that have their particular and moſt eminent fulfillings, from the guidance of this ſaid divine Key, and other parts of Gods word; yet remaining to be gloriouſly accompliſhed by Chriſt himſelf, in the world to come, or 1000 years of his Reigh with his Saints; There is an Heavenly Treaſure of happineſs contained in them; for all ſuch Saints at the firſt bleſſed reſurrection to be given to them thereupon; ſo that if their ſaid Promiſes and Covenants, be not by men extended to that ſaid ſtate, they exceedingly narrow the Mercy and Grace of God therein, and as much as in them is, deprive all ſuch Saints of their right then in them: And this may further appear by touching a litle upon the diverſe uſefulneſs, and manifold excellencies of the ſame.

Firſt, They are moſt ancient, for they are all virtually contained in that moſt antient one, Ge. 3.15. which was not in the beginning (as Chriſt, the word was) but in the beginning of mans need of ſuch Goſpel Grace, God ſpeedily revealed it, as the ſummary of all that followed and all the ſaid branches that ſprang out of that Root, are by the word of God manifeſt, to be of the ſame nature, having a tendency and that cheifly to thoſe ſaid laſt times.

No ſooner had Satan at the fall marred Gods work of Creation, but upon the tryal of all the Offenders, the moſt glorious Declaration proceeds from Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt of reſtoring loſt man, and the whole Creation of God in the Iſſue, as many ways ſince by Gods word is evident, which by Chriſt and the holy Spirit are in all times ſince, carrying on to the end, a work that is every way wonderful p. 26that the Son of God ſhould pay the Ranſome in mans Nature, by dying for ſin, who was perfectly Righteous, not to free man and the Creation from ruine onelyonly, but to redeem both it and him to himſelf; yea to reſtore both into a better ſtate, to make him both ſurely and perfectly bleſſed, in a way and ſtate unconceivable and unutterable; for Chriſt the Womans Seed is not a Privative only, but a poſitive Saviour, nor a partial, but every way a perfect Saviour, and this ſhort comprehenſive Goſpel contains all in it by Chriſt, to be obtained for his Saints for ever: Away with falſe Oracles and Fictions of vain Heathens, of their antiquities, here is only true antiquity, and the beſt antiquity to be found; and all the others iſſuing from this if a parte ante they be not ſo ancient, yet a parte poſt they ſhall be as laſting (as in their particulars we ſhewed from Gods word) but yet without this divine Key, we had not known where to fix them, &c. conſider them particularly with reference thereunto, as we have given Scripture Foundation, and as we ſhall, by Divine aſſiſtance, further manifeſt, &c. The ſubduing of the laſt great Enemies, the Saints injoying of the happineſs of Chriſts Davidical Kingdom, and of the New Jeruſalem State, have all their infallible Grounds from ſome or more, of the ſaid Foundations, as was particularly made to appear, &c. and that they were all as well as the firſt, freely and graciouſly given, did appear by occaſions that God uſually took to make them known, upon ſome ſailing or trobles of his Servants or both, &c.

2. They are all uniform, anſwering fitly one to another in all ſuch ways God was pleaſed to manifeſt his preſent or future Grace to all that were concerned in them, or ſhould be, &c.

3. Moſt true as proceeding from the God of truth, Satan if he ſpeak truth, it is not truth from him, becauſe he purpoſeth thereby to deceive, but it is impoſſible for truth it ſelf to lye or deceive.

4. They are alſo moſt wiſe, tending directly to the beſt end, and that in the ſureſt and moſt prevalent powerful way and means, that cannot fail.

5. Moſt certain, as coming from the unchangable God, and therfore neither the beſt of men nor the meaneſt of Saints, are not conſumed, becauſe by ſuch ways of Grace ſaved by him that is unchangeable, &c.

6. Moſt comfortable, becauſe they contain the conſolations of God, which are not ſmali; yea the greateſt for all ſaid intentions, that ſuch ſinners are capable of for good.

p. 277. Theſe antient Entails of all the ſaid Saints are very delightful and pleaſant, eſpecially being not only upon good, but upon the beſt Securities that can be. I conceive none, upon due conſideration, will be ſo bold as to ſay directly any of them is not the Word of God, nor that Chriſt by this Key hath not laid open the precious excellencies of them, if any wilfully turn away their eyes or ears: upon them will that deficience remain: the higher the points of Wiſdom, the Children of Wiſdom are exerciſed in, the more delight they ſhall find in them; the ſecret of the Lord is with ſuch as he will ſhew his Covenant unto; of which, theſe are a very great and excellent part: our Saviour gives his Key eſpecially for that end as knowing their fitneſs for it. I can ſay much of the delight of them by experience, though men often ſlight them and me for them [At mihi plaudo Domi] upon a much better account than it was ſpoken; the Teſtimony of the faithful and true Witneſs Sealed by his Spirit anſwers all objections, their mention or meditation is cordial, in them is Chriſt and all his benefits, not only as he is ſet forth, as to his firſt coming to lay the foundation of all future good, as he became the Seed of the Woman, as ſet forth to the old world, and was of the Seed of Man, as of Abraham, Iſaack, Jacob, & David, in the new world for conſolation to mankind, but ſpecially made known of what Tribe namly of Judah at what time to w…t when the Scepter was departed from it, in what place at Bethelem, of what perſon, of a pure Virgin of the lineage of David, which with other things in his Birth, Life and Death he fulfilled: But if we improve the intent of theſe promiſed antient Mercies, reſpecting his ſecond coming, and all concurrent Texts concerning both Jews and Gentiles, the holy Scriptures in ſuch reſpects much more abound. It is true, the glorious Promiſes reſpecting all theſe at Chriſts ſecond coming, hath much miſled the Jews, over-looking the humility of the firſt: and it was well if ſome Chriſtians were not a farther ſtumbling-block to them in over looking the great Promiſes at Chriſts ſecond coming, and chiefly what reſpects the Jews and Iſraelites, Chriſt became a light to lighten the Gentiles upon the Jews rejecting of him at his firſt coming: but he will at his ſecond be the glory of his people Iſrael, when all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved: the ſaid time is coming a pace that great will be the day of Jezreel, ſhe muſt lengthen her cords, and ſtrengthen her ſtakes: It is a ſnare of Satan to make men by dim-ſighted Reaſon p. 28to pore ſo much upon improbabilities as to over look ſuch large ſecurity given by God to his antient people, who are and will appear ſhortly to be beloved for their Fathers ſakes, God will make them the wonder of his merciemercy, in a wonerful way and manner (as is very probable) it is ſad, mens prayers of late concur in that no more with Gods promiſes, which ſpiritual allegorizing will not anſwer in their true intent and literal meaning; yet the beſt and moſt excellent ſpiritual ſence is carried on as the foundation of Gods antient peoples enjoyments his Covenant is when he takes away their ſin, and to them chiefly is promiſed to put his Law into their hearts, &c. with many more of the like nature, wherein we Gentiles have ſome part; but it is but a ſmall part in compariſon of them to whom they chiefly belong. God will not fail them in one of his Promiſes, and they are many and great, and proper to them in the firſt place and greateſt degree; the Childrens hearts will effectually be turned to the Fathers, and generally too: though miſtakes and prejudices with the currents of times carry many a contrary way: but there is enough in Gods Promiſes to that purpoſe to anſwer all, let our faith be exerciſed in them, and our prayer will not then be wanting for them; a joyful and pleaſant thing it is to know ſuch a confluence of mercy to Jews and Gentiles is approaching when they ſhall both rejoyce together, Deut. 33.43. and that when Chriſts days will be prolonged in the world he ſhall ſo abundantly ſee his ſeed, and the will of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand, Iſa. 53.

8. Theſe ſaid promiſed mercies ſo laid open to all his living or raiſed Saints, are of exceeding great and manifold uſefulneſs for the preſent, and for future times, they are of a very comprehenſive nature, intenſively and extenſively if rightly underſtood and applyed: in or unto any times, places or condition for true Chriſtians; they are aboundant in bleſſings, as with Iſrael at his death, he had diſtinct bleſſings for all his Poſterity: let but a believing ſoul conſider how much comfort it can draw out now by faith and prayer from them, upon Chriſts opening of them one by one as their virtue hath been derived to all Saints paſt, and may be to all now, and as certainly will be to all Saints hereafter: for they contain, upon that account, flowing ſtreams of mercy, if by our Veſſels of Faith, and exerciſe of grace, we will through Chriſt go to thoſe waters of conſolation, the Womans promiſed Seed is breaking the Serpents p. 29head continually, the Children of the Promiſe, circumciſed, and uncircumciſed, are traveling to the Promiſed Land, and New Jeruſalem. Davids ſpiritual and faithful Race ſhall have of Davids ſure mercies in his Kingdom under, and with Chriſt, Iſa. 55.3. There is preſent comfort in them all by faith, as well as ſure bleſſedneſs hereafter in fruition: but I muſt only point out theſe things at preſent, &c. others may be added upon due meditation of theſe, and the like.

Many other improvements might here be made of theſe things: As,

1. To convince of many Errours and Miſapprehenſions of many men, but this hath been done by my ſelf in many reſpects already, and likewiſe by others as we have particularly ſhewed in our Treatiſe on Gen. 3.15. as pag. 19. of the Everlasting Goſpel is to be ſeen.

2. This ſhould admoniſh Chriſtians to manifeſt, as there is great reaſon to do, a ſober and pious acknowledgment of ſuch Divine Truth and Grace herein laid open for their great advantage if duly pondered, and improved by them.

3. To ſtir them up to thankfulneſs for any degrees of ſuch Divine Diſcoveries in theſe ſaid reſpects tendered to them, that ſuch a ſtate upon ſuch ſure foundations is by the goodneſs of God, and the wonderful wiſdom of Jeſus Chriſt imparted to them, wherein all ſorts of his Saints then living or raiſed will be ſo much concerned, as alſo in our following Tract of the firſt bleſſed Reſurrection: we doubt not more fully to manifeſt to Chriſtians Conſciences by Divine Aſſiſtance.

4. To diligent Study and Meditation of the greatneſs of theſe mercies, and of every believing ſouls great concernment therein.

5. To excite them from all ſuch conſiderations of ſo great mercies ſhortly approaching in Chriſts ſaid Kingdom to be attained unto; to labour more and more to be fitted for the ſame by exerciſe of a true faith from Gods own aſſureance, and of all Godly obedience in the due exerciſe of every grace both towards God and Men: which is alſo in good part done at the concluſions of all our former Practical pieces on Subjects of like nature, as on Gen. 3.15. Rev. 22.20. Jer. 3.17. and is farther intended, if God permit, on that enſuing, on Rev. 20.5. In doing of which, although we are reſtrained at preſent from much enlarging therein, yet when Foundations thereof are once well laid, as to Doctrinal Truths; the other may much be ſupplyed by Chriſtian Communion, p. 30Admonition and Conference upon all fitting opportunities. To which good purpoſes, the ſaid unworthy Pen-man hereof, hereby declares his readineſs upon any ſuitable and ſeaſonable occaſions, to be thereunto ſubſervient.

W. S. October. 30. An. Dom. 1673.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

Title page read foreign. p. 4. r. Rev. 5.7. p. 13. col. 2. r. Ruine not Reign. and 4 lines after r. Covenaneed not Contented. and 4 lines after that, r. Intereſſed not Interceſſed twice. p. 14. col. 1. r. Biſhop Uſher. l. 40 r. Charter not Character. in col. 2. l. 26. r. unto the Saints not until the Saines. p. 15. col. 1. r. their future. p. 18. col. 1. r. Rev. 9.11.