The Saints Rising Out of the Heap, Treatise

The Saints Rising Out of the Heap · Treatise

p. 31ΕΧΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ OR The Riſing out of the Maſs of Dead Bodies, &c.

REV. 20.5.

This is the Firſt Reſurrection.

WE having by the good hand of God been directed to premiſe divers things preparative by way of Preface, tending to manifeſt the firſt bleſſed Reſurrection of the Juſt, or the Saints Bodily Reſurrection to be here, that which in this Text is by Chriſt Jeſus himſelf, entituled with this diſtinguiſhing Note from all others, namely, of the Firſt Reſurrection: that is, properly ſo called and ſo punctually and exactly decyphered here by him: which may theſe four ways following, by his Divine Aſſiſtance be made to appear to all ſerious unprejudiced and underſtanding Chriſtians.

1. From the words of the Text, compared with other expreſſions of our Saviour in the Goſpel to the ſame purpoſe.

2. From the Context, and occaſion of theſe words.

3. From the Arguments and Reaſons agreeable to both the former, &c.

4. From other portions of Scripture ſpeaking to the ſame effect, both in Old and New Teſtament.

First, From the words of the Text foreign, where the Particle foreign this is Demonſtrative: We may know what it means by putting the queſtion What is it? and it will be reſolved by what Chriſt was manifeſting by his Servant John for the uſe of his Church, by a ſpecial Revelation of Gods Divine way of graee concerning his ſecret Counſels and Purpoſes in their order to be executed p. 32according to the book with ſeven Seals delivered to himſelf, that Lamb with ſeven horns, and ſeven eyes, denoting his perfect Power and Wiſdom, to fulfil the ſame, ch. 5. in their due order of accompliſhment for the time to come to the end of this book: namely, the things that ſhall be hereafter, for we ſpeak only here of the third head of Johns Writings, ch. 1.19. to wit, ſuch as began above 1600 years paſt, and now appear to be almoſt fulfilled to a very little ſpace to the end of ch. 19. But the 20th ch. with the two following ch. are (as we have many ways ſufficiently proved) and doubt not, by the ſame Divine Aſſiſtance, farther to manifeſt, that they are the ſame Holy mans Writings of that moſt excellent part of the ſame Divine Revelation for the time to come reſpecting the happy eſtate of that world, that the Children of the Reſurrection, namely, of this firſt Reſurrection, ſhall be counted worthy to obtain, as our Saviour himſelf Divinely taught, Luke 20.35, 36. and in this Revelation he teacheth by his Servant John, what that World and Reſur. are, and in what order they ſhould have their being; and it is obſervable, that as there is in the Text a remarkable emphaſis in the Greek by the emphatical Article, there doubled, foreign, that Reſurrection, even that firſt Reſurrection. So our Saviours expreſſions in Luke 20. of the ſame matter, are ſuitable to this Text, with its dependency: both of that World then to begin, called the World to come, Heb. 2.5. and alſo of the ſame Reſurrection, and of the Saints themſelves, and of their being counted worthy of that World, ſetting them all four down; 1. By way of Doctrine, and then again makes the ſame thing known by Revelation to his Servant John in reſpect of the time and order of fulfilling in this ch. which he had before taught and made known by way of Doctrine while he lived on earth.

1. Saith he, the Children of that World, foreign, in oppoſition to foreign to this preſent world, where the Children of it are Married, &c. but not ſo in the other, where the Children of the Reſurrection ſhall be; which here alſo he teacheth ſhall be, when he deſtroys Antichriſt, the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, and binds the Devil for 1000 years, ch. 19, & 20. that is that World which will then begin.

2. It is the ſame Reſurrection ſpoken of here emphatically (even that) which our Saviour expreſſeth there by foreign, a Riſing from amongſt ſuch dead bodies as then ſhall be left behind, being the ſame the Apoſtle ſtrived to attain, which he calls foreign, Phil. 3.11. a Riſing out of the heap of the Dead (of which p. 33more afterwards) and ſpeaks of it as a peculiar thing belonging to ſuch as riſe out of ſuch heaps (foreign, ſaith the Apoſtle of ſuch Saints before dead) by the genitive poſſeſſive, as if the Holy Ghoſt would inform us further, it is the Reſurrection only of ſuch dead Perſons to whom an foreign properly belongs, viz. a Riſing out of the heaps of the dead left behind.

3. Of the Saints themſelves that are to Riſe then, they are divers ways illuſtrated there by Chriſt, 1. by what they are reckoned or counted worthy of aforehand. 2. By what they are ſtiled by our Saviour in two expreſſions: For the former, the word is very remarkable, foreign, they are ſuch as are counted worthy of that World: the word is a decompound, denoting them to be counted worthy, as being Enrolled in antient Record for it, viz. in the Lambs Book of Life; and that they are conſequently to obtain that World as upon Record for it: the words ſeem very forcible in their decyphering of the Saints bleſſed eſtate then by them to be obtained; ſo here, bleſſed and holy are they that have part, &c. v. 6. Again, our Saviour there gave them a twofold excellent ſtile, foreign, the Children of Gods and the Children of the Reſurrection; ſo here they are the Spouſe the Lambs wife, being the Children of God, ch. 19. & 21. and this bleſſed Reſurrection we ſpeak of, is proper only to the Saints, thoſe bleſſed Perſons then.

4. Chriſt ſets forth a twofold excellency of that eſtate of the Saints, they are immortal, they can die no more: ſo here, on ſuch the ſecond death ſhall have no power: yea foreign they are like the Angels of God in Heaven; not only privatively, that they need not outward worldly helps to ſuſtain them, &c. or not liable to ſuffering, but as here, bleſſed and holy, as the Angels of God in Heaven: and thus Chriſt by his ſpirit guided the Apoſtle John to ſet forth a practical Comment in this Divine Revelation of his former Heavenly Doctrine, Luke 20. ſo agreeable is all Divine Truth in what the Holy Spirit ſpeaks any way of the ſame thing.

To like purpoſe when our Saviour ſpeaks of this firſt Reſurrection in the Text, he expreſſeth it by theſe words, Joh. 5.29. foreign, they ſhall come forth to the Reſurrection of life; they ſhall come out from the reſt of the dead, they ſhall come into the Reſurrection of life, which is alſo called foreign, the Reſurrection of the Juſt, Luke 14.14. that is, theirs, properly and peculiarly belonging to them, as before: they are the Synonomous Expreſſions of the Holy Ghoſt, ſo exact is all Divine p. 34Truth delivered by him, if we conſider it aright, as we ſee all theſe expreſſions ſuit admirably with the text in its expreſſions & dependency. Now come we to the thing decyphered out by Chriſt; 1. It is called a Reſurrection. 2. The Firſt Reſurrection. 3. Demonſtratively and Emphatically ſet down by this Reſurrection: we have ſhewed it to be properly the bodily Reſurrection, which is only properly ſo called in Scripture: Regeneration (as ſome would have it) is improperly ſo taken; only by a Metaphor, neither is foreign, in that Text of Mat. 19.28. to be underſtood of Regeneration; but as learned Beza notes in five Copies, it is diſtinguiſhed in the Original from the preceding words [you that have followed me] denoting that foreign, there was the New Geneſis, or Chriſts making all things New then, as Rev. 21.5. when he the Son of Man ſits upon his Throne, that the Diſciples that followed him ſhall then ſit upon twelve Thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael: or as it is remarkably explained, Luke 22.29, 30. ye are they that have continued with me in my tentations, I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me &c. and yet if it could have been proved to be meant of Regeneration, yet ſo it is a Reſurrection, only Metaphorical, not Proper, which is only bodily at that firſt, and alſo is peculiar to the Saints at that time only.

2. It is called the firſt Reſurrection in oppoſition to the other, to diſtinguiſh it from that following, for the reſt of the dead 1000 years after being both to be raiſed bodily in their due order and time, both properly ſo called, and to be actually performed by Chriſt in their appointed times to raiſe both ſorts: firſt the ſaid Saints bodies at the firſt, and the bodies of the reſt of the dead 1000 years after: viz. ſuch as died in the ſaid 1000 years, and all the wicked at the laſt Trump.

3. Now for farther reſolution what the Demonſtrative Article foreign points out to us; that as we before noted in revealing the order of that matter to be fulfilled, he ſhews here that unto the ruin of the Beaſt and falſe Prophet ſucceeds the Riſing of ſuffering Saints; for Chriſt and his Word, in that New World, as he explains ch. 21, 5. when in that Jeruſalem State he makes all things New; they ſhall Riſe to Reign with Chriſt in his Davidical Kingdom, which hath long been Entailed upon him, as we ſhewed in our Systeme: and he went, upon his Aſcention, to Heaven to receive it; and at his Return ſhall poſſeſs it, as Dan. 7.13, 14. and wherein the ſaid Saints ſhall Reign with him the ſaid 1000 years: and this is exactly p. 35ſet forth to be contemporary with Satans binding the ſaid 1000 years; and the times of both are ſo interwoven and linked together to make the ſaid Revelation of both more evident: and yet he Reveals farther, v. 3. that Satan muſt after the 1000 years be looſed again for a little Seaſon, who in the ſame order will be looſed, as v. 7, 8, &c: Now in reference to the Saints, St. John ſaw Thrones, and they ſate upon them, for to them the Army of Heaven, ch. 19. in white, the relative expreſſion evidently relates; foreign, the ſouls of them that were beheaded, which were twice deſcribed in ch. 19.1. the As Bride or Wife of the Lamb, v. 7.2. As of the Armies in Heaven in white Linnen, white and clean, after ſet forth by the New Jeruſalem Inhabitants, metonimically, ch. 21.9. which are thoſe that ſate on the Thrones: the ſame Thrones in Dan. 7. which he ſaw ſet becauſe of the great words the Horne ſpake v. 11. which were pitched or ſet, as the Caldee word foreign ſignifies, or lifted up, as Arias Montanus renders it, till the Beaſt was ſlain, and his body given to the burning flame, v. 9, 11. and for whom were the Thrones ſet, but for the Saints at the time Chriſt came in the Clouds of Heaven, and received his univerſal Kingdom over all Nations under the whole Heaven, often mentioned in the Goſpel; and v. 18. the Saints took the Kingdom then and poſſeſſed it: and again v. 22. Judgment, that is, Poteſtas judicandi, the power of Judging was given to the Saints: of the ſame our Saviour tells his Diſciples they ſhall ſit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael which is the ſame time and thing revealed in this place; but here two things farther are explained by our Saviour then were ſeen there by Dan. Firſt the ſuffering, but then raiſed Sts. ſhall then have the ſaid Kingdom & power. 2. That they ſhall have it with Chriſt 1000 years: theſe are his farther Revelations here of theſe things; namely, upon the deſtruction of the Beaſt: the Saints that ſuffered under him are raiſed bodily, &c. and power of judging is given to them, and they reign with Chriſt in his Davidical Kingdom 1000 years, and if our Syſteme of Promiſed Mercies be conſidered well with its Scripture grounds, none of this will ſeem ſtrange, &c.

And though ſome make a ſtir upon that the Souls were ſaid to live, we there ſhewed in Scripture, Ideom ſouls were put for perſons, Gen. 40.20. Pſal. 16.10. Luke 12.19. beſides, how they were repreſented to the Holy Man in Viſion; as ſouls in taking their bodies is alſo conſiderable, for ſuch expreſſions at that time, a like deſcription he had Rev. 7.14. where they are ſaid to be arrayed p. 36in white Robes: ſo ch. 6.11. and farther ſaith Mr. Mede, Animae in ſacris literis non tantum perſon…, ſed cadavera denotant: Souls in Scripture are not only put for Perſons, but for dead bodies: So Lev. 19.21. Ye ſhall make no cuttings in your fleſh for the dead, foreign the ſame word ordinarily ſignifies the ſoul, but fitly here tranſlated for the dead: the like ch. 21.1. none of Aarons ſons muſt be defiled for the dead among his people the; word uſed for the ſoul, foreign but here for a dead body.

But above all, we may from the word foreign, Souls, here take notice of the exact agreement of the expreſſions of the Holy Ghoſt here, and in ch. 6.9, 10. of the ſame perſons, firſt of thoſe that had ſuffered before under the Dragon, called ſouls here, and others that were after to ſuffer under the Beaſt, there ſtiled, foreign, their fellow ſervants and Brethren: and here ſpeaking of them both as rewarded, the firſt he ſtiles ſouls, for they we ſeperated ſouls then, when there they were ſaid to cry to God under the Altar [as being before ſacrificed] for Vengeance: where by the way, let us take notice how that ſuited to Moſes's Propheſie, Deut. 32.41. I will render Vengeance, &c. and v. 42. from the beginning, of Revenges upon the Enemie, viz. [Antichriſt] [here deſtroyed, Rev. 19.11. to the end] who before hindred the joyful Union of Jews and Gentiles, as in the very next words follows, Deut. 32.43. and the beginning of revenges ſeems to be the doubling double unto Babylon her cup of wrath before, Rev. 18.6. as alſo Daniel ſaw in his Viſion, ch. 7. and ſo ſuch antient Propheſie will be fulfilled, and the ſame cry of the Martyrs will blood be particularly anſwered from under the Altar, which are the ſame ſouls which John here ſaw in Viſion ſo rewarded as to live to reign with Chriſt the ſaid 1000 years, when the body of the Beaſt, as Daniel ſpeaks, was given to the burning flame: and to theſe ſaid ſouls, the emphatical expreſſions foreign, thoſe ſouls of thoſe men (before) beheaded have particular reference; but then the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaks as diſtinctly of the other: by the cauſe of their ſuffering, foreign, &c. and thoſe that worſhipped not the Beaſt, nor his Image, &c. in the maſculine gender being their fellow ſervants and Brethren afterwards then to be killed: and theſe alſo are here in the ſame manner rewarded, as Rev. 11.19. Thou haſt rewarded thy Servants the Prophets, and thy Saints, &c. and all ſhortly to be fulfilled at Chriſts appearance: And by theſe things we may again obſerve the ſpecial Divine Excellency, and exact ſuitableneſs both of the words and things contained in this ſacred book. p. 37And now in this juncture of time, it is a thing very deſirable for many good reaſons, as much conducing to the honour of Chriſt, and the benefit of the Bride his Church, for which end this Love-letter was ſent by him almoſt 1600 years paſt, to prepare for that approaching Marriage, Rev. 19. & 21. I ſay therefore it is henceforth very deſirable that more than ordinary endeavours ſhould be uſed in, and encouragement given to thoſe Studies by all real Friends of Chriſtian Religion, who may now expect much return from Chriſt thereupon: And I confidently believe that every degree of obſtruction unjuſtly caſt in the way thereof (upon whatſoever ſeeming good pretence) will by himſelf be reckoned, when he comes, as an acting for Antichriſt, and againſt himſelf, and by how much the greater degrees the worſe: and if young Students now begin early to apply their Studies thereunto, they may likely find by the aſſiſtance of the Spirit and Grace of Chriſt (I ſpeak from Experience) a better foundation laid for their future Studies, than from many others formerly, &c.

Now when he had thus decyphered the ſaid Saints, or Souls, by their ſuffering before, and their living and reigning then with Chriſt; he ſpeaks of the others dead that lived not again till the 1000 years were ended, both being ſo diſtinguiſhed the former ſuffered, and lived, and reigned with Chriſt, but the other had no part therein: but of the former only that had part in all theſe he ſpeaks in the words of my Text, This is the firſt Reſurrection, viz. bodily, ſo long, namely, 1000 years before the other dead ſhall riſe again bodily, which is alſo called the time of the dead to be judged with reward: and is the ſame time in that Parallel text, Rev. 11.19. and that thou haſt rewarded thy Servants the Prophets, and thy Saints, and all that fear thy name both ſmall and great, and all theſe at the ſame time when the laſt Vial was poured upon the Aire of the Beaſt, Rev. 16. when the Prince of the power of the aire is to be dejected from his Rule at the Beaſts deſtruction, and he himſelf to be ſo ſecurely bound, and ſhut up, and ſealed, &c. then the Saints roſe bodily and reigned with Chriſt: this is the time, order, cauſe and end of their riſing then 1000 years before the reſt of the dead; to whom only that foreign or riſing out of the heap of the dead doth properly belong: and alſo our Saviours foreign a riſing out of the ſtate of ſuch dead left behind, ſpeaks the ſame thing: that the Saints riſe 1000 years before the reſt of the dead, which is this firſt Reſurrection.

And that the ſaid time of 1000 years is not taken indefinitely p. 38but abſolutely for it ſelf, 1000 year is acknowledged by the learned, even among ſuch as would underſtand them by way of Anticipation in the moſt unfit times of Satans prevalency; as Paraus and others, which I doubt not but a clear laying down of the Truth will here ſufficiently reſolve: and ſuch men alſo grant, that that whole number of 1000 years is always uſed for it ſelf in Scripture, and not otherwiſe. But our bleſſed Saviour hath ſo exactly laid that down in this Revelation, ſo as he hath taken away all ground to pretend otherwiſe; both in laying down the ſaid 1000 years abſolutely, and relatively in regard of Satans binding, and the Saints reigning, and in ſeveral reſpects what was before, what in the time, and what after the ſaid 1000 years: ſo that no Parallel paſſage in holy Scripture, or other Writings I believe can be produced; and again ſo ofren repeated both abſolutely what that time was, namely foreign three times 1000 years, and as often relatively, foreign, thoſe, thoſe, thoſe 1000 years, in reference both to Saints and Satan: and ſhall vain men preſume to pervert this ſence of Chriſt which he hath ſo faſtened upon them, yea I may ſay, Rivited into them all along, and ſo by all circumſtances, Divinely & gloriouſly illuſtrated in this moſt excellent part of his Revelation more plainly and clearly laid down then all the reſt (as Mr. Mede obſerves) wherein is contained the ſure table of the beſt times of his Church in the world, and her Sabbatiſm of reſt to come in it, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Heb. 4.9. and thus much from the firſt conſideration of the Text with its dependancy.

In the next place the Saints bodily Reſurrection will appear to be the ſaid firſt Reſurrection from diverſe conſiderable paſſages obſervable from the Context, of which we gave divers hints long a go in our Appendix after the Irenio. page 100, 101, 102.

And the firſt from the Antitheſis or oppoſing the living of theſe to the not living of the reſt of the dead till 1000 years after; ſo that look how theſe lived now, the other muſt not live again ſo, till that ſaid time take it both ways, the others live not bodily till then, therefore theſe live bodily now, the others ſhall not live ſpiritually then therefore theſe live not ſpiritually now for they are oppoſed as the one living, the other not living again: oppoſita non ſunt poſſunt ſimul eſſe vera.

2. In what reſpect the Saints were ſaid to be dead, being ſuch as were beheaded, in the ſame reſpect here they are ſaid to live, but they were dead only in reſpect of their bodies; therefore they lived here onelyonly in reſpect of their Bodies: Again, their Souls p. 39were not at all dead ſince they ſuffered; therefore as to them, they are not ſaid to live at that time when Satan was bound.

3. They were to live, as ſhould be ſuitable to Chriſts being the firſt Fruits of the Saints Reſurrection, at his coming again; but he was ſo by his Bodily Reſurrection; therefore they, as the whole Vintage, riſe bodily at his ſaid coming, ſuitable to the firſt Fruits of the ſame kind, 1 Cor. 15.23. Above 1600 years after (foreign) and then (foreign) cometh the end which our Saviour hath revealed, ſhall be above 1000 years, after his ſaid ſecond coming.

4. The Saints are then to live as will be ſuitable to Chriſts perſonal Reign, to behold his Glory, and to behold the Viſion of him, as the object of their Sence, (then) as Joh. 17.24. He willed that they ſhould be with him, to behold his Glory, which the Father hath given him, which many ways appears by Scripture, muſt neceſſarily be then in his ſaid Kingdom, where they ſhall Reign with Chriſt, &c. Chriſt alſo gave a preludium or foreſhewing example, of the firſt Reſurrection of the Saints, at his own Reſurrection, Mat. 27. by the Reſurrection of many dead, &c. And the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks to that effect, 2 Cor. 4.14. That as God raiſed up the Lord, he would ſo raiſe them and preſent them together: But nothing of raiſing any wicked man till the laſt Trumpet.

Queſt. But is not this Reſurrection meant of Regeneration, becauſe ſuch are ſaid to be bleſſed, that have part in the firſt Reſurrect. &c. Anſwer, Some perſons at the firſt view, are apt to conceit ſo of it, not conſidering the drift of our Saviour in this Revelation, nor the Order of it: Beſides all the incongruity of it, to what hath been ſaid already, and as for the bleſſedneſs here aſſigned to it, it much better proves this to be the ſaid bodily Reſurrection of the Saints, when they obtain together a greater and much more eminent bleſſedneſs, then any regenerate Saints have in this life: all Tears are then wiped away from their Eyes for ever, and their grace perfected, and Souls and Bodies united in a bleſſed and holy State, v. 6. though not in ſuch outward glory (probably) as they ſhall have at the general rapture, yet will have then bleſſed ſpiritual Bodies, ſuitable to ſuch a middle State as Chriſts Body was in after he roſe again till he aſcended, and it may be very congruous that as Chriſts body was in ſuch a ſtate wherein he appeared and diſappeared to his Diſciples and others, before his was glorified; ſo all theſe Saints ſhould firſt riſe in ſuch a ſtate, to be the p. 40more uſeful to living Saints (then) before the ſaid Rapture at the laſt Trump: Such alſo were the Saints Bodies, ſeen in the Holy City, Math. 27. And ſhould not there be a ſuitableneſs of the Members to their Head? and will not the Communion of ſuch as walk in the light of the New Jeruſalem require the ſame? How did Moſes's glympſe of glory trouble Iſrael of old, till his Face was vailed: Gods wayes to his Saints will all appear to be full of Wiſdom as well as goodneſs: But this is a condition of a new living, after men were dead or beheaded, and then no Regeneration is to be expected, that muſt be now in this Life or never: And it is alſo of ſuch as were regenerate before they died, elſe they would never have been Martyrs of Jeſus Chriſt: Again, if this living were Regeneration, then all regenerate men muſt be made ſuch in a ſhort compaſs of time, for all Saints till then that have died, ſhall then ſo live again; and if all regenerate men muſt live with Chriſt a 1000 years in Regeneration, what became of ſuch as died before Chriſt took our nature; or when ſince did all ſuch live with Chriſt 1000 years altogether in Regeneration. Again the purpoſe of this living was to be now revealed as a mercy not known before as to time, and many other things reſpecting the firſt ſaid Reſurrection, as we ſhall (God willing) ſhew in many things, but Regeneration was an ancient Doctrine well known, that onelyonly concerned the living but not the dead, the abſurdity of ſuch a pretence is ſo palpable, it would be but ſuperfluous here to write more upon it, or for the Reader to ſpend time in reading over again our ſaid hints, or others like with further inlargements.

But alſo many Scriptures ſhew a neceſſity of the ſaid Saints ſo living bodily then; for firſt, Chriſt promiſes to over-comers, that they ſhall rule over the Nations, Rev. 2.26. Theſe over-comers by Faith are his ſuffering Saints that are dead; therefore they muſt riſe again, whilſt ſuch Nations are to be rul'd over: alſo, ſaith he, they ſhall ſit on his own Throne diſtinct from his Fathers, Rev. 3.21. But Chriſt hath none ſuch yet, but he ſhall have at his return from his Fathers right hand, they ſhall therefore then ſit thereon, The meek likewiſe ſhall inherit the Earth, and delight themſelves in abundance of Peace, Pſal. 37.11. They never did ſo yet, but our Saviour ſaith they ſhall Mat. 5.5. therefore ſuch a time and ſtate, for ſuch, remains that they muſt live again, to enjoy theſe and many other like premiſes, in the time of Chriſts Mediatory Kingdom, for they cannot in any other ſtate hereafter, &c.

p. 41Many other particular promiſes reſpecting the ſaid ſtate might here be added: But I proceed to that great conſideration that contains many weighty Arguments and Reaſons in it, namely, that this part of the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt is his own Key (as we have ſufficiently proved in our ſaid Preface) fitted by himſelf to unlock that great Cabinet of pretious Jewels, concerning the revealed & promiſed Mercies to the Fore-fathers; cheifly to be performed to themſelves and their ſpiritual Seed at this firſt Reſurrection peculiar to the Saints, at the beginning of 1000 years, when they ſhall behold all the glorious Grace of Chriſt, (cloſed up till then in a great meaſure, in the Womb of thoſe promiſes) which will then have their perfect birth, and ſpeedy growth; whereupon great Halelujahs will be founded out to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by themſelves, Angels, men, and all other Creatures then living in the world, in their capacity, Rev. 5.10. &c. at the glorious reſtitution of all things, and they themſelves and all the reſt enjoy the good of them, together in the ſaid 1000 years: Without which ſtate, I may upon many good grounds aſſert the main parts of theſe great promiſes will never be performed, nor their cheif ends attaine… … want thereof, but God on the one part ſhould looſe the … of his Juſtice, Holineſs and Truth deſigned to be then manifeſt, (as by his word appears) in regard of his ſaid predictions, againſt th…ſe greateſt laſt Sinners, and Satan himſelf, &c. And alſo of his Wiſdom, Mercy, Faithfulneſs and Truth then alſo declared, to be fulfilled towards the Saints, in and about the ſame 1000 years, as by conſidering thoſe particulars before laid down, will eaſily appear to ſuch as are not reſolved to ſhut the light that God hath given them, as men, againſt the ſame: For hath God in his word ſo abundantly revealed ſuch a time and ſtate, and is there an excellent and ſuitable Harmony in theſe Revelations, from the beginning to the end of his word, ſo revealed; and do the moſt antient Promiſes and Covenants, fitly & ſpecially refer unto the ſaid ſtate and time, and that upon divers great accounts; and hath Chriſt particularly revealed how, in what ways his Saints ſhall be brought to receive the benefits therein, to be enjoyed and be fitted to perform the Service, which thereby they will be engaged unto, as well as to receive the happineſs therein reſerved for them; and ſhall not theſe things upon ſuch excellent advantages be carried on effectually? What ſhould hinder? yea they do all ſtrongly concur to advance their great ends, Gods word gives witneſs as we have ſhewed to all theſe particulars, p. 42and not one of them ſhall fail: But Chriſt with his raiſed Saints ſhall Reign the ſaid 1000 years, the bleſſed New Jeruſalem ſtate ſhall be ſet up, all Promiſes and Covenants that have their particular and cheif reference to them, ſhall be in ſuch reſpect fulfilled, Chriſt and his Saints ſhall have their juſt Rights appointed by God in that condition, whoſe good pleaſure it is to give his little little Flock that Kingdom; Truth hath ſaid it, and will not fail, the great God by his holy Spirit hath revealed them unto his Church, and our bleſſed Saviour hath at laſt ſet forth the time and place of their being in the World, in a very excellent and glorious manner, which all the ſaid antient Promiſes and Covenants have their ſpecial and cheif reference very evidently unto; and what can be more done but to work upon mens minds and Spirits, due apprehenſions of theſe things, and of the nearneſs of their approach; with true Faith to believe theſe things as revealed in the Goſpel, as well as other parts thereof? That ſo God and Chriſt may have their due praiſe and glory in reſpect thereof, and his faithful Servants may have the happineſs belonging thereunto. Now as all rational men that are of a ſound mind, when they read the Story of the Creation of the World, how God had made the Fabrick of the World, and all Creatures firſt, will acknowledge there was great divine Wiſdom and Goodneſs, manifeſt in putting man into the poſſeſſion thereof, who was made capable to diſcern and partake thereof, and to diſplay the divine wiſdom and goodneſs of God therein, whileſt he enjoyed the benefit of the ſame, which ſhould have been his Sabboths work, had he continued in that condition: So when men but of ingenious tempers ſhall come to underſtand that God promiſed ſince mans fall, not onelyonly a deliverance from that ſad condition, by the promiſed Seed of the Woman, and ſhews by degrees how it ſhould be carried on and accompliſhed, and reveals from time to time, from that Foundation, particular mercies for the advantage and good of all men in the Old and New World; and theſe Mercies and Covenants have ſeveral reſpects to men, preſent and future as in a natural Life or Spiritual Eſtate, and by his holy Spirit inſtructs his Servants more and more rightly to know them, and the Son of God the wiſdom of the Father in a wonderful divinely Myſterious way, ſets them forth, ſo as the divine Excellency falls in with the bleſſed Revelation thereof: What can ingenious Spirits do leſs but acknowledge as theſe manifeſtations of Gods divine grace and goodneſs in diſcloſing of them, and of his Faithfulneſs and Truth in their p. 43gradual actual fulfillings: But how then are beleiving Chriſtians, ingaged alſo by the word to beleive theſe, upon the aforeſaid divine Foundations; and eſpecially ſince they reſpect ſuch a ſtate as Chriſt hath ſet forth, is ſhortly approaching, and all faithful Souls and Perſons are therein greatly concerned; yea Angels, men and all Creatures are intereſſed therein, as holy Scripture therein declares, and how fitly will a Sabbatiſm of reſt, after Chriſts finiſhing the great work of his Reſtitution of all things, and his making of all things new, ſucceed to be celebrated to his glory by his Saints in the World, who by being. foreign God and man in one perſon, hath ſo reſtored all, and being the Son of David according the Fleſh, ſhall have the ſure mercies of God, long ſince promiſed to David, by the enjoyment of his ſaid Davidical Kingdom, many wayes in the word of God ſecured to him, in the ſaid thouſand years, with all the ſaid Saints in the Reſtitution of all things; theſe are no ſlight matters, though much over looked by men.

We ſhall now a little touch upon the particulars in our ſaid Syſteme of Gods Oeconomy, or ordering his houſhold the Church, in regard of his mercies ſo made known, and ſo in the ſaid thouſand years to be fulfilled for his Saints; firſt in removing or deſtroying all their Enemies, and doing for them all revealed or promiſed good; either firſt as faithful men from Adam, or as Gentiles from Japhet, as Jews and Iſraelites from Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob, as men after Gods own heart, meek and holy, &c as David, as faithful Servants and the Overcomers of the Lamb Jeſus Chriſt, as Chriſtian Martyrs to Reign with him then, and to enjoy the New Jeruſalem ſtate.

Firſt, at the beginning of the ſaid State in the eminent breaking of the Serpents Satans head as revealed to Adam and Eve; he will when he comes from the right hand of the Father eminently make his foes his foot-ſtool, when he will put down all Rule, all Authority, and Power, that ſtand in oppoſition to him, 1 Cor. 15.24. at his ſecond coming; and perfect it after the end of the 1000 years, as we ſhewed: and how will he thereby be gloryfied, and how will his Saints rejoyce at this, as was ſaid at Babylons deſtruction, Rev. 18.20. Rejoyce over her, thou Heaven, and ye holy Apoſtles and Prophets, &c. So likewiſe much more then, when root and branch and the whole body of the Beaſt will be given to the burning flame, Dan. 7.11. at the beginning, & alſo when after the end of the ſaid 100 years the laſt Geg & Mogog ſhall be conſumed by fire p. 44from God out of Heaven, Rev. 20.9. But how much more when the Saints then ſhall clearly diſcern that the Divine promiſed Seed of the Woman hath not only ſubdued the enemies, but by all his Offices hath purchaſed and procured ſo great good as will both then be enjoyed by them, and alſo provided for them to all eternity enſuing. And not here to inſiſt on what was ſaid of Enoch or his Propheſie, Jude 13.14. to encourage men in good in the world by his tranſlation upon his walking with God, &c. or to warn them againſt evil by his foreſhewing the Judgment at the ſaid times to be after manifeſted concurring with the former, Gen. 3.15. therein as the ſacred truth informs us.

We ſhall in the next place, offer the conſideration of Noah a worker of righteouſneſs in a three fold reſpect, 1. as a Type of Chriſt. 2. Of the Covenant of God made with him for the New World. 3. Of his Propheſie. 1. He ſaved his Family in the Ark, as Chriſt doth his Houſehold the Church: and will be his peoples true Ark to ſave them at the partial or total Conſumption of the World by Fire, at the beginning, and after the end of the ſaid 1000 years, of which the Saints will then have bleſſed experience in both reſpects. And 2dly. As the Saints will know that the World according to Gods free Covenant with Noah, Gen. 8. & 9. was many thouſand years preſerved till then; … that the moſt abundant fruitfulneſs of the earth was in wonderful manner according to Gods Word reſerved for that ſtate and time; in the enjoyment or ſight whereof all the ſaid Saints will pay their due Tribute of Praiſe and Thankſgiving: wherefore they muſt then live to do it.

But 3dly, and more eſpecially, when according to Noahs Propheſie of Japhets Poſterity the Gentiles, that they ſhould dwell in the Tents of Shem (though ſtrangers before ſhould become the people of God) which the Scriptures witneſs they have once fulfilled already to them (whereof at this day we have cauſe to rejoyce and bleſs Gods holy Name for the ſame) ever ſince the Jews were rejected: But we, and all Saints hereafter, will have cauſe more abundantly to rejoyce and praiſe his Name in thoſe times to come, upon that account when Jews and Gentiles ſhall both rejoyce together, according to Moſes's Propheſie, Deut. 32.43. which the Apoſtle Paul applies, Rom. 15. with other texts (reſpecting the ſame time, and ſtate) pointing out the truth of God therein, for the truth of God (ſaith he) to confirm the promiſes made to the Fathers, v. 8. how will the knowledg of that foundation, p. 45fitted to the top-ſtone of Gods performance, then affect Gods Saints with joy, and redownd to his own praiſe.

And was not Baalams Parable clear in many things forenamed, which in part have been fulfilled, as reſpecting the Ships of Chittim, Dan. 11.30. and others, namely, ſetting forth the riſe of the laſt Oppreſſor of the Jews that ſhould periſh for ever, or go into Perdition, Rev. 17. (as we ſhewed) and other things in the 1000 years which Gods word witneſſeth ſhall then be fulfilled, which the Saints will alſo rejoyce in, and render unto God his due praiſe for them.

And what in Melchiſedeck was ſhadowed as a type towards faithful Abraham that had the Promiſes, will really and compleatly be fulfilled in Chriſt to faithful Abraham and all his ſpiritual Seed according to Gods word, to the praiſe of the glory of his grace.

But eſpecially to Abraham and all his ſpiritual Seed with him, and alſo to Iſaack, and Jacob, according to Gods Promiſes and Covenants made to them and their ſpiritual Seed through their one Divine Seed Chriſt: But the mercy ſeems to be chiefly inveſted in Abrahams Covenant in ſeven Gradations, as we ſhewed in our Key: who is thereupon (probably) ſtiled the Father of the Faithful, and Heir of the world, Rom. 4.13. whoſe natural Seed failed in their firſt Covenant, and polluted their reſt in the Typical Canaan, which therefore caſt them out with a fore Deſtruction, Mich. 2.10. But the ſpiritual Seed of Abraham, by that one Divine Seed Chriſt, whoſe day he ſaw by Faith, Joh. 8. by Gods undertaking for them the conditions of this New Covenant which then will be manifeſt to the great glory of his ſo wonderful free Grace made known; and the benefit from that Foundation derived to them, as both his faithful Seed, circumciſed and uncircumciſed will evidently know and find the happy experience of in the New Jeruſalem ſtate (then) both filling their ſouls with joy, and making them break forth into praiſe unto God.

But for Davids Promiſe and Covenant upon whoſe intereſt the Title of Chriſts Kingdom (then) doth immediately depend, and who muſt enjoy it as the days of Heaven upon earth all the 1000 years, though what he promiſed conditionally as reſpecting Davids Kingdom in his natural Race was forfeited by them upon the fall of whoſe Tabernacle the Interim, or Interruption of his Kingdom took place in the four Gentile Kingdoms for (probably) 2300 years: yet the ſure mercies of David, in Chriſt his Divine ſpiritual Seed, all will be performed for the the meek, faithful, up p. 46right, ſpiritual Children of David, who ſhall then have their ſure mercies of David alſo, Eſa. 55.3. in being then joynt heirs with Chriſt in that bleſſed Kingdom, when they upon that account and foundation ſhall Reign with Chriſt in that ſtate of the New Heavens and New Earth wherein will then dwell Righteouſneſs to the ſuperabundant glory of God, and happineſs of all thoſe Saints who ſhall have their portion then therein, with the repreſentative living Wights, and 24 Elders to exult as they, Rev. 5.10. not only that in other reſpects they have been or ſhall be Kings and Prieſts unto God through the Lambs Blood; but that they then will with them joyntly Reign upon earth: when Davids Tabernacle before fallen for the Sin of his natural Seed ſhal, by his Divine one Seed Chriſt be reſtored for himſelf and all his ſpiritual Seed in that ſo bleſſed ſtate and condition to continue the ſaid 1000 years, and after remain to the Saints ſo long as the Sun and Moon ſhall endure, Pſal. 89.36, 37. (though once attempted againſt in vain) and after (probably) be tranſlated into perpetual felicity; and were but the ſpiritual eyes and underſtandings of men exerciſed in theſe things from the grounds of them, ſo Divinely and graciouſly laid down in the Word, and did they but labour by Prayer and due means to acquaint themſelves with the ſame, by degrees I doubt not, but God would really teach in ſome good meaſure, all rightly teachable ſpirits of men by Faith to believe them, and apply them to themſelves, as finding (if they walk uprightly with him) their own peculiar intereſt therein, with all his Saints that then ſhall have their Lots there with them: both to be freed from all enemies, to ſerve him without fear of any, in holyneſs and righteouſneſs before Chriſt then (if they be in the natural life, and walk in the light of the New Jeruſalem) or if raiſed Saints then ſuch his ſervants will ſerve him, Rev. 22.3. it will be found as well their happineſs as their buſineſs ſo to do: God hath not made ſo great proviſion for the marriage of the Lamb, his only beloved Son, & that the Wedding be without Gueſts; yea, which is more, that the Wedding be without the Bride the Lambs Wife: What a reproach would ſome men by ignorance and unbelief caſt upon God the Maſter of the Feaſt, as if his great deſign to honour them who before had honoured him in the World ſhould then be fruſtrate and utterly in vain? which muſt needs be, if thoſe who are only capable of ſuch happineſs for time, and bleſſedneſs in both ſhould not then have it, viz. the raiſed Sts. in the New Jeruſalem ſtate with thoſe that walk ſhall then in the light thereof (probably) not fitted p. 47then to enjoy the ſame with them, neither could the Saints departed before, be capable thereof, were they not in their ſpiritual bodies prepared for the ſame; and how many ſorts of Arguments might be drawn from every of the ſaid Foundations particularly, let ſerious and judicious Chriſtians conſider: when I formerly found from Gods word, what would be before, in, and after the 1000 years, I was ſatisfied that ſuch things ſhould be in their due time and order; fulfilled in 36 particulars in the firſt Argument of the Word Written. But it hath pleaſed God by this Divine Key, Rev. 20, &c. to ſhew me that the chief drift of all his Revealed Promiſes, pitch upon ſuch a ſtate ſo revealed by himſelf, wherein all his Sts. intereſts and concernments concur for the beſt ends reſpecting God, themſelves, & all Creatures in that ſtate, in ſo many and great things, as we have manifeſted from the Word of God, whence I am as it were enforced to do that by Faith in my preſent employment, that I aſſuredly, from the ſame word, know thoſe raiſed Saints, with others, will then do in the fruition thereof; affectionately deſiring to ſet forth Gods ſpecial mercy, like the Woman in Samaria, for others uſe and benefit alſo.

For then the faithful Seed of Adam and Eve that had no other Promiſe, will ſee and know that the bleſſed Seed of the Woman hath broken the Serpents head, and chiefly eminently at the beginning, and fully after the end of the 1000 years.

Then alſo ſuch as lived from Enoch ſhall know how both Gods acts of Judgment will be carried on: then will all ſaved Saints of Japhets Race ſee and acknowledg the grace of the laſt great call of Gentiles as well as the firſt: then all Saints from Noah, will praiſe God for the Earths preſervation and fruitfulneſs then in ſuch abundance, as before promiſed, and then performed: Then they from Baalams Prophecyed mercies then to take place, will find great matter of joy and praiſe to God: then they will from Moſes his Propheſie know Chriſts hands are ſufficient for him when he is ſo happily come to his people: Then all Abrahams faithful Seed, through that one Seed Chriſt ſhall enjoy the Promiſed Land and City in that excellent Renewed State: then ſhall all meek and upright ones, with David, poſſeſs all the happineſs of Chriſts Davidical Kingdom, containing all the reſt.

But becauſe ſome, like Thomas, though Chriſt was preſent before his eyes, had reſolved not to believe; ſo theſe, upon the neer approach of Chriſts ſaid Kingdom, Luke 21.28.31. unleſs he put his fingers in the holes of his wounds; when the Doctrine of it is p. 48become very evident, will not only not own it, but not with patience hear of the Doctrine of it; yea, think all ſuch, like the two Diſciples neer Emaus, are but idle tales that are ſaid thereof; yea, and ſay ſo too till God ſhall ſhew them their errors, that they may give due praiſe to his holy name in regard thereof: We ſhall a little expoſtulate the caſe, and reaſon with ſuch; that ſo we may convince them of their error, and leave them at leaſt inexcuſable, or rather ſatisfie them therein, if it may be. What, hath God written ſo much in his Word, and in ſo many particulars, as we have heard, all ſo fitly anſwering to each other, and all to no purpoſe, &c.?

Hath God in unſpeakable mercy and goodneſs been laying the ſoundation, and erecting a ſtately Structure, which ſhould be as the Maſter-piece of Chriſts workmanſhip, and almoſt in the 6000 years paſt hath been carrying the ſame on, that his glory in the compleating thereof, may ſhine out eminently before Angels and Men, and all Creatures, wherein that true Solomons glory may in due time appear; and that his Saints may upon the diſcovery thereof, firſt by Faith, and after by actual fruition, receive the benefit thereof: and this the better to prepare them (with the glorious Angels) for that perfect and perpetual bleſſedneſs, immeadiately to ſucceed unto it; and all upon ſo many excellent accounts, and from ſuch ſtrong foundations thereof? And ſhall it be reckoned no better than Satans three ſaid Babels, but worſe? as if it, after ſo long preparation for it by God and Chriſt, and expectation from the Faith of it in the Saints ſo long ago; it would yet never at all appear in the world? Shall mens unbelief darken the luſtre of ſo great an undertaking of Chriſt? Let God be true, and let all men of ſuch unbelieving hearts be found to be lyars. Did Chriſt pray for ſuch a ſtate, wherein all thoſe that God had given him ſhould be made perfect in one, as the Bride the Lambs Wife, Rev. 19.19. & 21. and will men go about, now the Marriage day is neer, to forbid the Banes? he willed before he died alſo, that all thoſe which God had given him ſhould behold his glory in his Kingdom, Joh. 17.24. given him by his Father; viz. his Mediatory Kingdom: and are all Divine Propheſies, of theſe things become as wind with theſe men? But let ſuch beware, leſt as the unbelief of the Iſraelites cut them ſhort of enjoying the typical Canaan, ſo leſt it be alſo found that many ſuch ſhall come ſhort of this heavenly City of Gods making through their unbelief: no obſtacle like unbelief to Divine Mercies: and according to the antient p. 49opinion of ſome Fathers, there will be mora in the Reſurrection of the juſt, if men knew but competently the excellency and worth of ſuch an eſtate they would take more pains and care to obtain it; and that early too: they would think every hour, every minute a great loſs, wherein it might be attainable. And then alſo let ſuch take notice that all Ages ftom Chriſts firſt giving of this Revelation, have in ſome degree or other witneſſed to theſe Doctrines; and Men or Devils could never ſo ſuppreſs it, but it ſtill aroſe up again; and in theſe laſt days more than ever, now the performance of that ſtate approacheth: and I doubt not as Divine Truth will more and more prevaile with many, though (as it is probable) many will reject it, as the Scripture ſeems to foreſhew (as in our 10th Aſſert of our Key is obſervable) yet Satans ſeven Vials have not, nor ſhall deſtroy it, Prod. pag. 41, 42.

It is true indeed, without a ſpetial Faith, like Abrahams, Davids, or the like, men were not like to ſee it of old, though couched in many Promiſes: neither in the New Teſtament, were men likely without an extraordinary ſpirit to conceive aright of much of theſe Doctrines; nor could ſatisfactory knowledg ordinarily be had without this Key of Chriſts making, Rev. 20. & 21. & 22. that ſo fitly opens that (before to us) much locked Treaſure; but thereby it is ſo laid open, that each Jewel may be ſeen and made good uſe of by Faith at preſent, &c. Gods works of grace are moſt beautiful in their times, &c.

And conſider in the Creation, Was not Gods Wiſdom and Goodneſs therein made glorious, at firſt by putting man in poſſeſſion of the Creatures, being made fit to glorify God in thoſe his former works by keeping a Sabbath immediately thereupon, had he ſtood upright in his eſtate: and will not this great work of Chriſts Reſtitution of all things, wherein Gods Divine Wiſdom, Power, Mercy, Truth and Faithfulneſs will appear much more glorious (as the holy Scriptures teach) which hath been almoſt 6000 years in carrying on, and a yet more perfect work of Redemption of his ſaid Saints, viz. of their Bodies, alſo Rom. 8.21, 23. with inferiour Creatures, and then living perſons from all enemies, Luke 1.74. Likewiſe, that all of them at length may enjoy that Sabatiſm of Reſt remaining to them in ſuch a bleſſed eſtate in that world of Chriſts ſaid Mediatory Kingdom, which he on casth affared his little little Flock they ſhould have of Gods good pleaſure and free gift, with that New Jeruſalem, the City of him the ſaid igreat King, Mat. 5. which God hath prepared for the Fore-fathers alſo, Heb. 11.10, 16.

p. 50Now what way ſoever the Revealed, Promiſed or Covenanted Right and Enjoyments, of the Saints in that ſtate, or upon what account ſoever they ſhall find it, (for many Reaſons may be grven, they will all clearly know it) whether as the faithful Seed of Adam and Eve, as men through the bleſſed promiſed Seed of the Woman, the great Redeemer of all men: Or as the Seed of Japhet, being Gentiles by their firſt or 2d. Calls aforeſaid: or as that ſpiritual Seed of Abrah. Iſaac or Jacob, by that one divine Seed Chriſt to come, as the natural and ſpiritual Iſrael alſo, or the ſpiritual Iſrael onelyonly, or as any wayes having a Title by and with Chriſt, in his ſaid Davidical Kingdom; they will upon all thoſe or the like accounts or intereſts, whereby ſuch divine goodneſs is conveyed to them, accordingly, magnifie his name and all together, ſound forth his praiſe for them all, (as Chriſts myſtical Members perfected) rejoycing in the happineſs one of another, and all joyntly exalt Chriſt their divine and glorious Head and Hus band, and both then, and for ever ſound forth Praiſe and Glory to God the Father, the Lamb that was ſlain, and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever; both joyntly, and as upon their ſeveral accounts they are in poſſeſſion of happineſs and glory: It is want of information, and conſequently of the Faith of theſe Truths, that is the Reaſon why many are at preſent no more affected with the hearing of them; the Reaſon whereof appears to be, becauſe God was pleaſed ſo myſteriouſly to lay them down, that unleſs few by a ſpecial Faith foreſaw them, (as we ſaid) that ſew others uſually diſcerned much of them; and though we in the New Teſtament times, might ſee much in thoſe antient promiſes contained, as ſince in Old and New Teſtament hath been further by degrees explained; yet without this laſt ſaid divine Key, given by Jeſus Chriſt himſelf; we could never have been reſolved and ſatisfied of, or concerning the time and place, and perſons to enjoy them, nor how they ſhould be fitted in ſuch a ſtate to obtain them, with many circumſtances thereunto appertaining; which from this bleſſed laſt Revelation, Chriſt hath graciouſly reſolved for his Servants preſent comfort and future happineſs in that State, and for ever.

And to lead unto the uſe of this ſaid excellent Key, all the former parts of the whole Revelation, is made to be ſubſervient through all thoſe ſad ſuffering times, to lead Gods Servants to this triumphant ſtate (in good meaſure) then next ſucceeding, as well as to teach the Sufferers before, that God had appointed them thereunto; p. 51but a Jeruſalem ſtate followed, as in the ſeven Epiſtles, and all parts following as we ſhewed, Prod. p. 39.40. and ſo to occaſion us to look unto what God revealed, of the ſtate of his Church before by Daniel and others, under the four Monarchies; and ſo by looking back to the fall of Davids Tabernacle, to conſider what is foretold of the raiſing it up again; and ſo of all the ſaid anciently revealed promiſes, one by one, to obſerve by the guidance of Gods Word and Spirit, what they all related unto, till we came backward to the firſt divinely publiſhed Grace, Gen. 3.15. The Foundation and ſhort compriſal of all the reſt, yea of the whole Book of God; from whence as the Spring head, all the other Rivolets have flowed in their ſeveral courſes, to empty themſelves into thoſe narrow Seas or Streights of the 1000 years, to paſs in their order and time from thence into the vaſt Ocean of Eternity, (as in our ſaid Reſemblance) and all in that time and manner before by God appointed.

Many Arguments may hence from our whole Syſteme be drawn for the Saints ſaid bleſſed firſt Reſurrection of their Bodies, being many wayes their peculiar intereſt, ariſing from many antient intereſts, beſides manifold reſpects unto God himſelf therein: for theſe are no new Devices or Fancies of men, but antient Foundations of Gods own laying, often confirmed, and much by degrees explained, but now by Chriſt irreſiſtably evidenced, ſo as to leave all men inexcuſable, to whom ſuch Truth ſhall be thereupon tendered; and all that hear it ought to judge themſelves greatly concerned, to inquire rightly and duly into it; that is, humbly, faithfully, diligently, earneſtly, as being a truth of the Goſpel, but now greater then at other times upon many accounts; and therefore they ought to hear, read, pray, ponder well and conſider with pains and patience, and willingneſs to be informed in theſe things; though they may be good Teachers other wayes: And in ſuch a courſe men may be Gods bleſſing, ſoon ſay as the Neighbours of the woman of Samaria, ſaid unto her, now we believe theſe things; not becauſe ſuch or ſuch told us of them, but now we find we are taught by Chriſt the ſame Truths, and rejoyce likewiſe in them, &c. But I conceive ſo much hath been ſaid upon this account, in our ſaid Preface preparatory, and in this Tract alſo, with divers ſhort intimations and hints, that conſiderate perſons will not think of any of them, without reſpects to the Saints bodily Reſurrection, revealed here by Chriſt in ſo many circumſtances, that an Infidel in Reaſon ſhall hardly p. 52deny? But onelyonly take this along, Chriſts laſt Revelation muſt be allowed to be a Revelation of ſomething, not ſo known before, or elſe it had been uſeleſs; but it is of ſuch great matters of concernment as none elſe could, and is of ſo great moment as became the Son of God, the Lamb that received the Book to open this ſeventh Seal to the uttermoſt, no other way otherwiſe to have been known: And therefore let us all give all praiſe due unto the Lamb, and bleſs the Father who gave the ſaid Book to him, and acknowledge the gracious operation of the holy Spirit, who teaches us every degree of Divine wiſdom; and ſo from our ſaid Grounds, Reaſons and Arguments, which have been alſo drawn from Scripture Foundations: We now proceed to our fourth way of proving this firſt Reſurrection, to be the Saints ſaid bodily riſing, which Chriſt will bring with him at his coming in the Clouds of Heaven, to raiſe them in their ſpiritual Bodies, to enjoy the happineſs of the New Jeruſalem ſtate, in the ſaid 1000. years of their Reign with Chriſt, &c.

But here a great Obſtacle ſeems to lye in our way, for what other Text or Texts of, Scripture, may ſome ſay, teach theſe things? And for Revelation Myſteries they are obſcure, and they may ſeem queſtionable, whether they be Argumentative or not, &c. for Anſwer to the firſt branch, That there are other Texts of Scripture, in Old and New Teſtament, that ſpeak the ſame things in ſubſtance; though more darkly we ſhall by and by ſhew; and we have before obſerved (and it ought here to be remembred) that the Doctrine of the Reſurrection was long, but darkly delivered: our Saviour therefore proves the Reſurrection by an inference from the Penteuch of Moſes, againſt the Sadduces; being that part of holy Scripture, which that Sect onelyonly owned, and little is found of it in all the old Teſtament, at leaſt that is clear and explicite; in the Goſpel we read of the Reſurrection of the juſt, and as before our Saviour ſpake of the Children of the Reſurrection in that World, but how few have taken notice of what World that was meant? So theſe remained for the moſt part ſtill obſcure; the Apoſtle Paul reveals a myſtery of it, yea many Myſteries (as we hope to manifeſt) the Jews and Iſraelites civil Reſurrection, that is near to it, and in Scripture adjoyned to it, is likewiſe called a Myſtery and riſing from the dead, for the ſtrangneſs of it Ezek. 37. with Rom. 11. & Dan. 12.1, 2, 3. and both are again joyned by our Saviour, Luke 21.28, 31. But our Saviour according to his Divine wiſdom, hath given light to thoſe and many other Texts p. 53of that nature; and ſhould we in this cavil with our Mercy, and contend with our moſt Divine Teacher, as if we were wiſer then he, or that Wiſdom it ſelf had erred therein! And indeed it is ſtrange to hear mens perverſe reaſonnings in theſe things, and the like; but we ſhall give other Scriptures that teach the ſame in ſubſtance or the like, after all (as we ſaid) both in Old and New Teſtament: OnelyOnly we would ſpeak a word or two to the other branch of the Objection, in the firſt place: That the Book of the Revelation is myſterious, and men have been much miſtaken, &c. Anſ. It hath been in ſome things a ſecret, long but yet not ſuch as were forbidden to inquire into; yea we are commanded to read it and ſearch this, as other Books of the Goſpel, viz. to underſtand it, and it is not as in Daniels hints of theſe things, when he was commanded to ſhut them up; but contrary, the Apoſtle John is commanded to leave them open, and not Seal them, Chap. 22. v. 10. Yea our Saviour pronounceth a bleſſing to ſuch as read them as they ought, and he hath bleſſed many with very Remarkable Diſcoveries by degrees, (though Objectors are injuriouſly Critical againſt them,) inſtead of being thankful to God, and to them, for what they have in ſuch kind diſco vered, and ſtumble more at a Conjecture or eaſie miſtake, then profit by many pretious and uſeful things, ſo tendered to them, all have but what meaſure they receive, to ſuch purpoſe from God, in one reſpect or other, and God hath vouchſafed a ſpecial aſſiſtance in this kind one way or other; even ſometimes by unexpected and unlikely means, and Inſtruments; ſomewhat I could ſay in that kind, but it may not be convenient, &c. did not Chriſt ſend his Spirit to lead his into all truth, and Revelation Truths are ſome of them, yea and very pretious ones too: Though ſome miſtakenly would perſwade ſome good perſons to the contrary, and Gods Spirit hath not yet laid down that Office, Chriſt promiſed to ſend him for, though we expect no new Foundation Truths, but the ſpiritual and true Explications of old, and of ſuch antient Foundations eſpecially as we have occaſion now to ſpeak of; for the Revelation is always of ſome (before) obſcure and hidden Scripture Truths, and it is a great advantage (as we before noted in our Preface) to know the ſubject, nature, time and end of ſuch Scripture Truths; ſo in this book revealed, as by this moſt precious Key that reſpects the happy eſtate fore Propheſied for Gods people in the ſaid 1000 p. 54years: it is true, it was long in thoſe reſpects, miſtaken by many and ſtrangly miſplaced, but now they are in a great meaſure made evident: it is true alſo, the times of the great Red Dragon, and the Beaſt were for a long time more dark and obſcure, till their fulfillings in many things, have given more light to ſuch things as yet remain unfulfilled; but particularly, as to theſe laſt things the ſaid Key relates unto (as Mr. Mede well obſerves) the ſpirit of God ſpeaks more clearly of theſe in ch. 20. of this Revelation, than in the times foregoing: and the two laſt chap. are in ſome meaſure an explication of the ſame matters, and times, and ſtate of things in the ſaid 1000 years; and that 20th ch. is an exact Table of ſuch times, which if a man once diſcover what things it relates unto, he is in a good way to attain the end thereof; and it being once found to be Chriſts Key of antient revealed Mercies (as Scriptures make evident in many particulars) as I have, and doubt not, by the ſame guidance, to give farther and good account of from Gods Word; which alſo I am well aſſured from Scripture, and ſatisfied, (whatever ſome may think otherwiſe) that for the ſubſtance, it will be approved by Jeſus Chriſt the faithful and true Witneſs, and our Guide into theſe Truths, by the aſſiſtance of his Holy Spirit; and I ſhall ever reſolve, with humble thankſgiving, to aſcribe the praiſe thereof to his Divine Grace, for ſuch a great mercy to ſuch a poor weak much inwardly and outwardly ſhattered and broken Earthen Veſſel: But as it is his work of Grace by a weak hand, ſo tendered, let none deſpiſe it: God ſtands in need of no mans parts, learning, eſteem, or worldly advantage or intereſt whatſoever farther than he pleaſeth.

The ſlighting of this moſt Divine excellent and ſacred Book is much in ſome mens minds and mouths; therefore I thought fit here to ſay thus much to it. Now let us proceed to the Symphony and agreement of this with other Texts of Scripture, for the Revelation (as we noted) is of ſome Divine Truth written before; yet if we know Chriſt ſpake this of the firſt Reſurrection of the Saints bodily, and ſpake it ſo plainly in a good degree, it is preſumption to ſeek a confirmation of his words; but becauſe it is a Revelation, it is of ſome Scripture before though darkly delivered, as all the other parts were of Daniels ſhort hints ſealed or ſhut up before, and ſo is this of the ſubſequent Myſteries in Daniel, in reſpect of their time (as in part we ſhewed) though much of this firſt Reſurrection, we hope to manifeſt from other Scriptures likewiſe. We will begin with the Prophet Eſay's Teſtimony, p. 55in that excellent Song, ch. 26. who having ſaid of thoſe Lords that had Dominion over the Jews, viz. the Heathen Tyrants, v. 13, 14. They are dead, they ſhall not live; they are deceaſed, they ſhall not riſe: viz. at this firſt Reſurrection, v. 19. but he declares there who ſhall live and riſe (then) thy dead men, ſaith he, namely Gods Saints, ſhall live; together with my dead body ſhall they ariſe: that is, at the ſaid firſt Reſurrection, which our Saviour hath here ſo fully explained: So David foreſeeing, by the Spirit of Propheſie, that the Juſt ſhall have Dominion at that time, over ſuch wicked men, in the morning of the Reſur. and day of Judgment; it muſt needs follow as our Saviour explains the ſame; that the juſt muſt neceſſarily firſt riſe to receive that Dominion, Pſal. 49.14. and in this Daniel concurs alſo, for when the Thrones were ſet or placed, as the words ſignifie (not caſt down, as ours read them) at Chriſts coming, then (as we ſhewed) Judgment, or power of Judging was given to the Saints: it is the ſame time, and the ſame thing which the Apoſtle is trught here by Chriſt here to explain, at the end of the Romane Monarchie, in this 20th chapt. of Rev. who expreſsly ſhews that the ſuffering Saints before, then lived to Reign with Chriſt 1000 years: to this tends alſo the Apoſtle Paul's foreign, or riſing out of the heap of the dead (then) Phil. 3.11. and our Saviours expreſſion of thoſe worthy ones to obtain that world by foreign, which we explained before to be a riſing from them that were in a ſtate of dead men in the grave: the ſame Apoſtle hath divers texts tending this way; where he, as being guided by the ſame Spirit of Chriſt, ſpeaks evidently in the ſame ſenſe, both of the times of both Reſurrections, and other things, as the perſons riſing at both. 1. Conſider 1 Cor. 15.21. where he ſhews, as Chriſt was the firſt fruits of his firſt Reſurrection, ſo they muſt riſe at his ſecond coming, before the end; which Chriſt ſhews will be above 1000 years after (as was ſaid) and before he hath put down all Rule, and Authority, and Power, to make way for his own Reign, v. 24, 25. and then, v. 51, 52. he ſhews that at the laſt Trumpet, the great chang of all Saints ſhall be, which muſt be when all have come into Chriſt in the 1000 years, not before poſſible; for not one member of Chriſt can then be wanting, beſides other Reaſons: ſo of both ſaid comings. At firſt, he brings his Saints with him, that ſlept in Jeſus, 1 Theſ. 3. ult, 1 Theſ. 4.14, 15. but (then) he ſpeaks there of his deſcending from Heaven with a ſhout, &c. not out of Heaven (as when the New Jeruſalem came from God out of Heaven) p. 56but of three forts then to be caught up to meet him in the Aire, v. …6 juſt as the Revelation tells us of the Saints raiſed in the Jeruſalem ſtate, and of the Nations of them that are ſaved, walking in the light of the ſaid New Jeruſalem, which being mortal, ſome of them die in the 1000 years, as Eſa. 65.20. and ſo lie dead till the laſt Trump; ſo here, 1 Theſ. 4.14, 15. of the two former, faith he, we that are alive and remain (viz. to the coming of the Lord to the laſt Judgment) ſo diſtinguiſhing both the living and the raſed Saints remaining from the dead, and, ſaith he, the dead then in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt, that is, before the wicked (as the raiſed Saints alſo did before in the 1000 years) and ſo again in the former text, 1 Cor. 15. concerning the living Saints, then, ſaith he, we ſhall not all ſleep, (viz. by dying before a natural death) for ſome will be found alive at the laſt Trump which he ſpeaks of; but of ſuch, and the raiſed Saints (ſaith he) we ſhall all be changed, and from both ſorts he diſtinguiſheth a third alſo; namely, ſuch as are dead in Chriſt, at that time the Trumpet ſounds, which he ſaith ſhall then be raiſed incorruptible, when both the other ſorts ſhall be changed alſo in a moment, v. 51, 52. ſo agreeably the Spirit of God ſpeaketh in all places to his own Oracles; and in the Revelation Chriſt gives us the beſt explication of all ſuch Myſteries, for in the 1000 years the raiſed Saints, and they ſaved in the natural life will be of one Communion: all to be changed, and all ſaid to live and remain till the the laſt Trump; but ſuch as ſleep, or are dead (then) are in both places diſtinguiſhed from both the other, and in both Texts called the dead; in one the dead in Chriſt then, to diſtinguiſh them from all the wicked then dead, yet both ſaid to be the reſt of the dead that roſe not till the 1000 years were ended, ch. 20.5. Now to prevent miſtaking, the Apoſtle reſolved the Theſſalonians 2 Epiſt. 2.2, 3. that the coming of the Lord was not at hand in thoſe ages; for the great falling away, and revealing the Man of Sin was to be firſt, and Chriſt would deſtroy him with the appearance of his preſence, &c. which is not yet done: but he was guided by the ſame ſpirit of Truth in theſe Texts, to ſpeak according to theſe Revelation Diſcoveries (who alſo at his rapture into the third Heaven heard unſpeakable words, of which theſe might be ſome) and I believe it was not poſſible to reſolve the riddles in them without Chriſts Revelation given for many ſuch purpoſes; and here is one coming with all his Saints, which he brings with him: this Rev. 20. & 21. ſhews to be at the beginning of the 1000 years; and there is another after 1000 years, when p. 57all the Saints are come into the Church, and when all ſhall be rapt up in the twinckling of an eye to meet Chriſt in they aire, which the Apoſtle calls a coming as well as a deſcending (which we have not till now obſerved) we that live and remain to the comeing, viz. to the laſt Judgment; ſo three ſorts ſhall then be rapt or caught to meet Chriſt that laſt time in the aire; yea, and (ſaith he) we ſhall ever be with the Lord; which it is evident will be after the end of the 1000 years, for when Satan was looſed, they were not with him perſonally preſent. Two ſorts are diſtinguiſhed from the dead Saints at the time of that rapture in both Texts: of thoſe in that to the Corinthians (ſaith he) we ſhall not all ſleep: ſome Saints then will be mortal, but not all dead, but we ſhall all, even we all, viz. all Saints raiſed before, as well as thoſe in the natural life ſhall then be changed: ſo in the Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, we that are alive and remain, foreign, we that ſo live, and we that are left for that long continuance: both the two Articles foreign, and the original word ſeem to ſpeak the like difference of two ſorts of Saints (beſides the dead Saints then) and both theſe Texts are cleared by Chriſts Revelation, that tells us of the ſpirits of juſt men coming with him, as the New Jeruſalem down from Heaven, after ſaid to be the Lambs Wife, and theſe lived having then their ſpiritual bodies from Chriſt; and alſo the Nations of them that are ſaved are then alſo ſaid to walk in the light of that Jeruſalem, from whoſe happy Communion, they will have much guidance and conſolation in that ſtate: and both theſe are by Chriſt alſo differenced from the reſt of the dead Saints that lived not till the 1000 years were ended, ch. 20.5. that then are ſaid to riſe firſt, viz. at the laſt Trump and Rapture. Now if men would produce thouſands of Expoſitors of anothers mind, I muſt only in duty humbly Anſwer, I have Chriſts Reſolution in the caſe (as of Daniels hints before) from this Divine Revelation, and otherwiſe I believe no man had ever been able fully and truly to have opened theſe Texts, as St. Peter ſaith, by reaſon of ſuch foreign contained in them, hard to be underſtood. Let all men therefore learn to praiſe God for this bleſſed Divine Book of the Revelation; and learn to have its Explications in exceeding great Veneration; for had it not been uſeful and neceſſary, it had never been ſo wonderfully adorned with ſo many glorious excellencies, which I believe the Saints in that world to come will acknowledge, to the honour and praiſe of Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe that ſacred Book is entitled to be, viz. the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt.

p. 58Now if men were not prepoſſeſſed with other groundleſs notions of the General Reſurrection, and General Judgment without reſpect unto Chriſts Revelation, and other expreſſions of Scripture, in many reſpects agreeing therewith; theſe things were eaſie and familiar to ſuch as were tolerably verſed in the way and ſtile of that ſacred Book: but it is hard to remove long ſettled miſopinions of men upon ſome eaſie miſtakes, as in this caſe the Scripture often ſpeaks of them together without explication: but then we muſt grant the Spirit of God and Chriſt himſelf may, when and how, and by whom he pleaſes, make particular explications in any reſpects, and it is the uſual manner in this Divine Book, firſt to hint generals, and after particularly to explain them: Chriſt will at the firſt act of Judgment, Judg quick and dead, 2 Tim. 4.1. viz. the wicked quick (as was ſaid) by removing them out of the world, and then with a Judgment of reward to his Servants the Prophets, and his Saints, and all that fear his name, both ſmall and great: as likewiſe at the latter act he will conſume the laſt Gog and Magog, ch. 20.9, 10. as well as rap up the Saints at the laſt Trump, and raiſe the wicked then out of the Earth and Sea to be judged: the Saints to be pronounced then openly bleſſed; the other upon Tryal to be declared curſed, &c. and the Devil will then alſo be caſt into the Fiery Lake, though he was only bound, &c. in the 1000 years. Oh that Chriſtians would humbly and diligently ſearch theſe Scriptures, and endeavour to pray themſelves into the right apprehenſions of theſe things; then they might better expect Gods Spirit would lead them into ſuch fecret things of God, which he will ſo reveal unto his faithful Servants, which otherwiſe (happly) they may not be reſolved of till the Appearance of Jeſus Chriſt, which then his raiſed Saints will find true. Which courſe, if they would take, their Language and Expreſſions would not be ſo antiſcriptural; nor their Explications of many Texts ſo hererodox to Chriſts Explications of theſe, and ſome other matters, as ſometimes they are; and ſo diſorderly of Chriſts being King, Prieſt, and Prophet (which firſt in due order is laſt.) And there is more weight in theſe things, (however any may ſlight them) than men uſually (that have not learned otherwiſe from ſacred Scripture) are (happly) aware of, whence many expoſitions are put upon ſome Texts, which I aſſuredly know, Chriſt Jeſus will not allow of, beſides their holding themſelves ſo more engaged againſt the Truth: But to paſs from this fourth way of proof of this firſt bodily Reſurrection p. 59of the Saints, by ſo many Scriptures ſpeaking to the ſame purpoſe, divers ways, with this Text and Context, whereby our Saviour here gives light and ſtrength to them all: who is only that Doctor irrefragabilis that need not ſpeak ex Cathedra (as they ſay) That great deluder of theſe latter days muſt do) or elſe he may err: But Chriſts Revelations in all ſuch kinds, are Divine Reſolutions, that Chriſtians ought not only, not to gain ſay, but to reſt in, as their ultimate Determinations in the Caſe; though any, or many men ſhould not own them. And thus much for the proof of the point in hand; namely, That this ſaid Firſt Reſurrection, is the Bodily Reſurrection of the ſuffering Saints here ſpoken of. And ſo we hope we have ſufficiently manifeſted the ſame to the Conſciences of ſerious and judicious Chriſtians: firſt from the Text, with its dependancie, and as the matter of the ſaid Divine Truth is explained Doctrinally by Chriſt himſelf, and here again ſet forth by his own Divine Revelation, in the order, time, and way of the execution of the ſame; and that by variety of expreſſions in ſeveral places to this very purpoſe, fully agreeing with the Apoſtles foreign, or riſing out of the heap (as was ſhewed before) wherein the curious exactneſs of the Spirit of God is very remarkable (if rightly conſidered.)

Secondly, From the context, by divers Reaſons therein obſervable, manifeſting this particular Revelation, to be the Explication of Daniels Viſion Chap. 7.9, 10, 13, 14. Of the Judgement ſet to deſtroy the Beaſt, and to give his Body to the burning Flame at Chriſts coming, in the Clouds of Heaven, and his receiving his univerſal Kingdom over all Nations, under the whole Heavens; when he brings with him all his Saints that ſlept in him before, and and raiſeth them in their order bodily to Reign with him; which we thirdly prove two wayes: Firſt poſitively to be a bodily Reſurrection from ſeveral Scriptures and Reaſons; and Secondly, on the Negative part, ſhewed it could not be meant of a ſpiritual Reſurrection, ſetting forth the many abſurdities of ſuch a pretenſe: whereunto we added divers particular branches in our Syſteme of Gods Oeconomy, in ordering his Houſhold the Church from the beginning, in regard of thoſe antiently revealed and promiſed Mercies and Covenants to the Fathers, remaining cheifly to be (altogether) fulfilled in that ſtate of his ſaid Davidical Kingdom, in the 1000 years Reign with his Saints, and the New Jeruſalem ſtate the ſame time; which contain that ineſtimable Treaſure of p. 60Grace, laid up therein of old for them, which now by our Saviours Divine Key is laid open for them for the preſent, to be uſed by Faith for their great conſolation, and whereby they ſhall alſo by the due improvement thereof: aſſuredly hereafter inlargedly receive the Frution of the ſame, without which Divine Key (though the ſaid promiſes in the matter of them were ſure) yet there could not have been any ſatisfactory account given, by Angels or men, unleſs from ſome other ſuch ſpecial Revelation when, or how, or where, or to whom; or how long with all ſuch circumſtances by Chriſt here decyphered thoſe ſaid revealed and promiſed mercies ſhould be ſo performed to the Saints, but by this Key they are all excellently and divinely reſolved here by the Spirit of Chriſt, in his ſetting forth the times of the Reſtitution of all things; when he makes all things new; Chap. 21.5. alſo ſpoken of by all the Holy Prophets ſince the World began, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. Which will then be manifeſt to be Gods and Chriſts moſt glorious work, whileſt the WOrld ſhall continue, and the greateſt matter of Glory and Praiſe, to the Divine Majeſty by Angels and men, and even inferiour Creatures (in their capacity) to be rendered to God the Father, to the Lamb that was ſlain, and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. And Fourthly, We have by ſundry Texts in Old and New Teſtament, ſet forth a wonderful accord and agreement of them, with this ſaid Revelation, which gives light to them all, and which could not otherwiſe have been known as was ſaid by Angels or Men.

And now I hope as Creation Atheiſts (as we may fitly call them) are generally exploded by all ſober and prudent perſons, who have unreaſonably fancied that Atoms, ſo fell in one with another to make up all things at firſt in the world: So allpious Chriſtians will more and more judge them, in ſome fort to be counted Creature-Redemption-Infidels at that time, or denyers of the Reſtitution of all things, that ſhould prophanely aſſert after ſo abundant evidence; that thoſe and all parts of Holy Scripture, reſpecting theſe Truths, fell onelyonly in by the Fancies of the Penmen of them in all parts thereof; & that Chriſts opening thusall ſuch divine Myſteries, is but a mere Chymera and Phantaſtical Fiction: Of which dangerous Error, let all Slighters and Oppoſers of theſe divine Myſteries, beware of being found guilty at Chriſts appearance, now near approaching; for it is ſtrange in this Caſe, p. 61to conſider what a bold licentiouſneſs of ſpeaking, ſome men have dared to venture upon even to amazement, now in ſuch times of Light, &c.

Some ſuch Objections we have already anſwered, which fell in our way, and ſhould here anſwer many more, if many had not in our former parcels been anſwered before, and alſo by many others of late times, as we ſhewed particularly in the everlaſting Goſpel, on Gen. 3.15. pag. 19. is to be ſeen.

But one thing we ſhall here by way of prevention, reſolve by Divine affiſtance: Leaſt ſome ſubtil Queſtioniſt, rather to obſtruct theſe Doctrines, then to diſprove them, ſhould demand of us in the Caſe, what ſpecial words of direction have we, for ſuch uſe of the ſaid Key; whereupon ſuch weight and ſtreſſe is laid?

We might briefly anſwer, the whole ſtreſs is not laid thereon; for before we had ſo well obſerved, and conſidered the uſe thereof, by the order of accompliſhment of matters in the Book of Revalation which is of exceeding great uſe with the three others, we touched in our Preface, viz. the Subject, Nature and Scope of the Book: I ſay we had obſerved thirty ſix particulars before, reſpecting thoſe times and things; but ſince upon the exactneſs of that Chap. reſpecting ſuch a change in the World, relating to the ancient Prophets; whereby all circumſtances are ſo ſet forth, and the ſacred Scriptures before had brought things to ſuch an height of ſuitableneſs, by ſearching through Gods goodneſs, we found that which we hope we ſhall never loſe again; that the 20. Chap. of Rev. &c. is the great Key of moſt ancient Propheſie: And as the whole Scripture is the intereſt of all and every Saint, and what ever benefit or comfort is therein already revealed, or hereafter ſhall be revealed, belongs to them all as ſuch: So more eſpecially thoſe Scripture Foundations, which concern ſo great a Joynt intereſt of all ſuch ſaid Saints together, are therefore more highly to be regarded, ſuch as thoſe are, which this Key evidently (upon Warrant from the word, as in good meaſure we have ſhewed) ſo evidently relates unto: If a Father give his only beloved Son all his Eſtate, and Houſe and Goods, and Treaſures contained therein; though the Heir in his Nonage knew little of his Fathers poſſeſſions, yet when he is pleaſed to ſhew him ſome of his moſt pretious Jewels, though he ſtill reſerves them; yet the Son knows thoſe particularly ſhall be his; but yet p. 62when the Father ſets down a time of ſure enjoyment of them if the Fathers ſecurity be good) the Son onelyonly waites for the appointed time: Now all Gods adopted Children, (though but adopted by him with Chriſt to be his Sons) are both Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with Chriſt in his Davidical Kingdom; yea then with him will be Heirs of all things, Rev. 21.7. All having therein one and the ſame intereſt, of which Chriſt hath ſet a time for the enjoyment, and which will not fail them; And let ſuch a Queſtioniſt know, that when God hath once laid the Foundation of ſuch antient pretious mercies, the gradual Revelation of them is onelyonly according to his own good pleaſure, and as in his infinite wiſdom and mercy to his People he ſees good: It was ſo in his firſt laying the great Corner Stone in his Houſe; Jeſus Chriſt at his firſt coming it hath been ſo in reſpect of all his Offices, and all his Benefits held forth by the Goſpel: But moſt of all in thoſe matters, reſpecting both the Myſteries of his Spiritual Kingdom, till Chriſts 2d coming; and alſo thoſe Myſtiries of his viſible glorious Davidical Kingdom; with all the excellencies of that ſtate, (both of which are the Contents of this Book) and in all Gods three chief Chronologers, Moſes, Daniel, and the beloved John, their Chronicles are both of large extent of time, (as in Chap. 7. of our Irenic. is manifeſt) and myſterious; and to be conſidered as ſuch: But above all the Divine Excellencies of this Book, which is the Revelation of both the other Chronicles as we have ſhewed) are many ways wonderful; yet full of Divine ſweetneſs to ſuch of his, as Chriſt is pleaſed to open ſuch Treaſures unto, ſhortly from hence to be enjoyed by them; but yet more particulary as to this Divine Key, we are now ſpeaking of, it is made moſt fit to open the Lock, which may largely appear by the Work in it, and the Wards fitted for it: if we conſider them particularly.