Ieziratick World and being thus devested they at length grew into this Grosness Death and Stupidity which they now suffer 50. And therefore our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ after he came into the Flesh in the likeness of sinful Flesh was to be câ—uâ—ified in Golgotha which is the place of Scuâ—â—â— or Sepulchres by which is typically signifâ—â—â— this Asiatick VVorld or VVorld of Fabricationâ— that so in this place of Death he â—â—gâ—â—â—vercome Death it self who is our Saviour and Prince of Life yea Life it self which that he might do by the Ordination of divine VVisdom he was to die in a Body of Flesh and then to rise again in the same Body in which he died that he might become the first Fruits of the Resurrâ—â—tion of the Dead and his Bâ—dy being Glorified and Immortalized might at length gloriâ—ie and immortalize the Bodies of Saints in which Bodies they shall live and reign with Châ—ist for ever in the Heavens 51. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld is to be again converted and reduced into the Superiour and excellent Ieziratick VVorld that all its parts may be re-united to these antient Souls whereunto in times past they belonged that so at length the Souls and Bodies may be purified in this VVorld from all dreggs of Sin and Death as in a refining Furnace of Affliction and Suffering and lastly eternally glorified in a indissolvable incorruptible union of both Body and Soul 52. And then indeed the natural and animal Body will be changed into a Spiritual Body which is far nobler yea all this gross and material VVorld where Death and Stupidity so wonderfully reigns will be rendred full of Life and Spirit 53. And yet this great and truly wonderful change and conversion of all even the vilest things of this Asiatick VVorld may not be suddenly and altogether but by parts and in various Successions of Ages according to the predestination of divine VViâ—dom 54. Therefore the Ages of VVorlds iâ— respect of human Intellect are truly infinite and innumerable and that not only in regard of things to come but in regard of things past 5â— Moreover this Asiatick VVorld hath had its existence â—or many more Ages than we Mortals are able to number 56. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld wherein we live must be distinguished into many and various VVorlds as a Whole is distinguished into its parts beyond the reach of Mortals understanding 57. But those particular Asiatick VVorlds are most commodiously distinguished in respect of the Years whereof they consist 58. Now every particular Asiatick World consists of seven Thousand Years which make up as it were one week consisting of seven days 59. For a thousand Years with the Lord are as one Day and one Day as a thousand Years as it is in the 90th Psalm and confirmed by the Apostle Peter in hls second Epistle ver 3. 60. And the seventh Millenium or seventh Thousandth Year of each VVeek of the World is the Sabbath of this VVorld 61. Therefore this World of ours consists of Seven Thousand Years whose seventh Millenium is the Sabbath or Sabbatism of this our present World as it is in Heb. 4. 62. And indeed that Sabbath of days which God commanded the Iews to observe was a Type or Figure of this Mystery the same also was that of the Sabbath of Years Months and VVeeks which in times past God likewise command the Iews to observe 63. Now whereas every fiftieth Year comprehending seven weeks of years was a year of Iubilee wherein every Captive was to be set at liberty and every one to return to his own Family House and Possesâ—â—on this certainly signifies fifty thousand years which contain seven weeks of Worlds therefore in the fifty thousand year or end of every seventh World many Souls are to be saved and reconciled to God by Christ which as yet could not obtain Salvation in the preceding weeks or VVorlds but suffered for their Impieties by the most just Judgmnet of God the execrable torments of Hell Fire 64. Others there are whosâ— Sins God doth pardon in this World for the sake of Christ such as are Sins of Ignorance and all others of which Men sincerely repent but there are some whose Sins are nâ—iâ—her forgiven in this World nor in that which is to come and yet are forgiven in some third World and lastly there are others which are not remittâ—d till the â—ourth and so on even to a seventh according to the most just Judgment oâ— God nay far beyond a seventh even to the seventy seventh thousand year the Remission of â—ome very notorious and wicked Sins seems to be deferred that â—s not less than eleven weeks and such a kind of a Sinner that wicked Lamech seemed to be who predicted of himself his to Wives that Vengeance should be taken on him seventy seven fold that is as it seems 77000 Years But on Cain who was not so wicked Vengeance was to be taken but seventy fold which is 7000 Years to wit the whole time of this World 64. Then if one day with the Lord be as a thousand years by the same reason one year i.e. 365 days will be as 365000 years which Period of 365000 years â—eems to be some vast Age comprehending about 52142 Worlds within which space of time whatsoever is of humane kind on Earth will doubtless be converted unto God Nevertheless the Asiatick VVorld doth not cease to be upon this account because the parts of the Asiatick World are continually multiplied by reason of the continual Multiplication of other VVorlds to wit the Ieziratick and Briatick whereof we have already made mention 66. Therefore they err extreamly and conceive too unworthily of God yea do not righâ—ly know nor consider the naâ—ure of him who think the punishments oâ— the damned are to be perpetrated to all Eternity without any end or termination For the very nature of God is Love it self according to the express words of the Apostle Iohn and finally because the nature of God is unchangeable therefore he did necessarily love all his Creatures and that constantly and unchangeably too nor could he absolutely hate any thing that ever he created and because love is of the nature of God himself and whatever he operates or doth in relation to his Creatures even when he most severely punishes them for their Sins proceeds all from Love therefore God loves his Creatures in the most miserable and wretched state and condition they can exist in and therefore cannot but benefit them and so at length bring them out of misery Therefore all the punishments which the most just and truly tremenduous Justice of God inflicts on Sinners are tâ—ue effects and real tokens of his divine Love towards them the most certain end and design of all which is the Redemption and Deliverance of those Sinners â—rom all their Sins and Punishments inflicted on them for Sin and their final Glorification and Restoration to Justice and Holinesâ— which is apparently confirmed by St. Iohn
space of seven thousand years being finished the same Souls are again sent into the World for a fresh Tryal of their Obedience But those whom the space of seven thousand years wherein they shall be punish'd in Hell Fire with the most grievous and tremendous Torments will not deter from Sin these certainly are so stupid and obdurate that not any even the longest Torments that words can express can deter from it nor hath that infiniteness of Ages wherein wicked Men are to be punish'd tho' preached up by many reâ—ormâ—d Men but rather led many into despair and hardened their Hearts against the Goodness and Mercy of God 16. Now every one making his Revolulution from the first to the twelfth comes three times into the World in a carnal Body in the space of one Millenium which is like one year Consider then whether this be not that which was figured under the Law when all were to appear thrice every year before the Lord at the Temple of Ierusalem which typified the temple of the Body neither doth this seem to want a Mystery that the Temple of Ierusalem stood about a thousand years before it was utterly and totally overturn'd and demolish'd Moreover also this is worthy our animadversion viz. that all Souls whatsoever that had lived in a Body of Flesh ought to have lived once in some hour between the hours Ten Eleven and Twelve including part of the ninth and Thirteenth in Case they had finished their twelve Revolutions from the beginning of the World 18. Therefore all Souls not yet perfect lived in the compass of one hour to wit in the interval of 333 years viz. from the year of the World 3996 to the year of the World 4329. 19. And therefore all that have perform'd their twelfth Revolution within the said hour or aâ— leastwise their eleventh tenth ninth or eighth ought to hear the Gospel because all Souls who were in their twelfth Revolution were not to return as yet but othâ—rs that were to return had not suâ—â—icient opportunity of hearing the Gospel sincerely preached by reason of Antichristian Darkness 20. Others also who were making but thâ—ir sâ—vâ—nth sixth and fifth Revolution â—rom â—he Death and Resurrection of Christ if so be within the said hour they have not heard the Gospel preach'd they must hear in their succeeding Revolutions before the beginning of the Millenium to wit within the year 1700 and 1777 â—rom the birth of Christ. 21. In Revel 20. It is said the rest of the Dead lived not again till the thousand yâ—â—rs were finish'd this certainly is to be undersâ—ood of those Dead who had compleated their twelve Revolutions but those who had not as yet â—inished their twelve Revoâ—lâ—tions were to live again in the Millâ—nium â—â—t none who belonged to Babâ—lon wâ—re to live again in the Millâ—nium because they bâ—gan thâ—ir fiâ—â—t Revolution at the year 1â—â—4 and â—hereâ—ore â—inish â—heir twelâ—th Râ—â—oluâ—ion at the year oâ— the Woâ—ld 6740 The TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 000 I          000 A Bull. 333 II 1         333 A Man 6â—6 III 2 1        666 A Lyon 1000 VI 3 2 1       1000 An Eagle A Bull. 1333 V 4 3 2 1      1333 A Man 1666 VI 5 4 3 2 1     1666 A Lyon 2000 VII 6 5 4 3 2 1    2â—0â— An Eaâ—le A Bull. 2333 VIII 7 6 5 4 3 2 1   2333 A Man 2â—66 IX 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1  2666 A Lâ—on 3â—00 X 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2  3â—00 An Eagle A Bull. 3â—33 XI 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3  3333 A Mâ—â— 3â—00 XI 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4  â—6â—6 A Lyoâ— â—â—0 XIII 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5  4000 An Eagle 4333 XIV  12 11 10 9 8 7 6 1 Seal 4333 33â— 1 â— A Bul 40â—6 XV   12 11 1â— 9 8 â— 2 〈◊〉 â—6â—6 6â—6â—â— â— A Maâ—â— 5â—â— XVI    12 11 10 9 8 3 â—eal 5â—00 999 â— 3 A Lyoâ—â— 5333 xvii     12 11 10 9 4 Seal 5333 13â—2 4 3 An Eagâ—â—â— 5666 xviii      12 11 1â— 5 Seal 5666 1665 5 â— A Maâ—â— 6000 XIX       12 11 6 Seal 6000 1998 6 â— A Lyâ—â—â— 6333 XX        12  6333 Millen An Eagle â—666 â—XI          66â—6  â—â—d what 's worth our serious Consideration 〈◊〉 that these very Men which shall be at â—â—st destroyed in Spiritual Babylon were â—â—e same Men who in a litteral Sence â—â—ilt the outward Babylon 79. The foregoing Scheme exhibits to our view one great Wheel being the greaest of all then four other great Wheels â—â—stly twelve little Wheels The great â—heels containing 1000 the little Wheels â—33 and the greatest of all 4000 years The Explanation of the Figureâ— 1. In this Figure the great outward â—ircle represents the greatest Revolution â—f Humane Souls 2. The other four great Circles signifie â—he same 4000 years so as that one of them â—akes 1000 years 3. And lastly the lesser Circles signifie â—â—ch one only Revolution or Face of 333 â—â—ars 4. The chief use of the figure is to â—â—ew that there are but 12 Faces altho' â—â—ch great one contains four less ones 80. The greatest Revolution of Souls â—omprehending 4000 years is fairly shadowed out to us under the type of the six days Creation For as the first days woâ—k was finished in the fourth the work of the second day in the fifth the work of the third day in the sixth aâ—d finally all in the seventh so the Souls that begin their Revolutious in the first Millenium finish it in the fourth and so fulfill their Mystical year and are either made perfect in Goodness or have filled up their measure of Evil those which are perfect in Goodness shall be rais'd up to Life in the Body and after the Millenium is expir'd their Bodies shall be chang'd and spiritualiz'd and they shall ascend into Heaven but such who have fill'd up their Measure oâ— wickedness shall be rais'd up to live in a Body of Flesh that they may suffer God`â— Judgment in the Conflagration of the World whose Resurrection is to Death and Condemnation Morâ—over Souls that begin their Revolutions in the second Millenium compleat them in the fifth and finally those that begin their Revolutions in the third compleat them in the sixth Millenium And forasmuch as in the sixth day of the Worlds Crâ—ation Man was created perfect in the Image of God therefore in the sixth Millenium all the Saints shall be raised up to live in the Body and be born inâ—o the
excepted which is more illustrated by this Hypothesis there are sundry other places of Scripture which seem to be very much illustrated by the said Hypothesis noâ—withstanding that where Christ is said to have once appeared in the end of the World to purge away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself because indeed that Soul bore the name of Christ and Lord only in his twelfth Revolution For neither Abel nor Isaac or any other of those 12 Revolutions was called Christ nor ought any of them to bear the dignity or Character of Christ till they had performed their 12 Revolutions whereby that Soul ought to be fitted and prepared to Assume this excellent Title and Dignity Wherefore it is true that Christ was but once born in the Flesh and but once suffered for the Sins of all Mankind even according to the aforesaid Hypothesis because Christ did not assume that Soul in a personal unity as the seed of Abraham till the 12 Revolution 12. Lastly because Moses foretold that God would raise up a Prophet to the Israelitish People from amongst their Brethren like unto him The Word raise up seems to intimate that the Soul of the same Prophet had lived before in the Flesh yea was at time living in the Flesh. Moreover the aforsaid Hypothesis if it shouâ—d gain admittance would arm us with the most effectual Argument to convince the Iews that that was the very Messiah who was Born of the Virgin Mary and suffered under Pontius Pilate For he ought not to have come sooner nor later into the World than he did because if he had come sooner he could not have perform'd his Revolution oâ— 3996 years 〈◊〉 ought not to come later because 〈◊〉 some Souls would have finâ—shed all their Revolutions before the Messias was come and so would have been frustrated and disappointed of the Fruit of his coming which could not be 107. But laying aside the aforesaid Hypothesis still the Argument remains as strong as before to convince the Iews that the Messias ought not to have come later into the World then he actually did The Iews themselves deny his coming sooner because indeed if he had come later then certain Souls would have compleated their 12 Revolutions before he came and so would have reaped no benefit by the Messias coming into the World 108. This Argment will be more forcible to convince the Iews because the Iews themselves do acknowledge the Revolution of Souls to live divers times in the Flesh altho' they are ignorant of the number of those Revolutions yet they expect that all shall at last be rais'd up and restor'd to â—ife in the days of the Messias that they may enjoy the Benefits of his coming when he shall come Now if it can be made appear to them from the Old Testament which they acknowledge and believe that there are 12 Revolutions of humane Souls living in a Body of Flesh and neither more nor less even till they are at length perfected in a good or evil I think we need not doubt but may positively conclude that the Iews at leastwise all who are ingenious and covet in any Measure or Degree the knowledge of the truth will be convinced that the Messias is come and in the next place believe his coming in the Flesh that he suffered Death and rose again from the Dead and in believing be converted and become true Christians which God of his Mercy hastâ—n and accomplish Amen 109. Paul in 1 Cor. 15.51 saith We shall not all sleepâ— but we shall be all changed in which Words he plainly hints that some of the Saints shall sleep after they shall be borâ— aâ—ain in the Flesh and be again rais'd from 〈◊〉 â—â—ead this indeed is affirm'd of 〈…〉 Elâ—as â—ho are to come into the 〈…〉 Yeaâ—s before the Millenium and 〈…〉 in the Flesh who shall prophâ—â—â— three Years and an half in the Worâ—d and chiefly to the Iews and People 〈◊〉 Israel which three Years and an half being expir'd they are to be kill'd by the Beast and in three days and an half rais'd up to Life again in the same Bodies wherein they were slain and being thus rais'd up to Life they shall not remain on Earth but ascend into the Heavens and there remain with Christ till the end of the World and then indeed they shall come with him in the Clouds of Heaven 110. And that those two Witnesses Rev. 11. are those two Prophets who in a proper and litteral Sense were to be kill'd seems to me most evident which will be between the sixth and seventh Trumpet viz. in the end of the Interval of the sixth Trumpet as it is to be seen from the words of the Revelations Also the days of their Prophesie are 1260 Days not signifying so many Years but only so many common Days because there are not 1260 Years between the sixth and seventh Trumpet but only 260 and yet this admirable event will happenâ— between those Trumpets yea in the end of the sixth Trumpet for they shall be born and slain in the space of 45 Years before the beginning of the Millenium 111. That Elias shall come before the beginning of the Millenium appears from the words of Christ Elias truly shall come and restore all things 112. And lastly That Moses and Elias were to come and be slain and raised again from the Dead and then ascend into Heaven and remain with Christ the whole Millenium appears from Christ's Transfiguration in the Mount where were seen with him Moses and Elias and these are they whom God the Father hath ordain'd to sit the one at the Right Hand and the other at the Left Hand of Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven 113. Wherefore they are of an higher Order and Rank than all the Prophets and Apostles 114. Therefore diligently weigh and consider whether Abraham Isaac and Iacob that sit in the Kingdom of Heaven be not Moses Christ and Elias of whom Christ has for the greatest Dignity Consider also whether the same Moses was not Enoch and whether or no what is written oâ— Enoch and Elias that they should be translated into Heaven doth not answer truly to this Translation of Mâ—ses and Elias for in the first Translation they did not obtain the Resurrection of a glorified Body but it â—aâ—her happen'd to them in a figure for Châ—â—â—â— only was the first of all that attaiâ—â—â— the Râ—surrection of a glorified Body 〈…〉 is callâ—d in Scripture the first 〈…〉 among the Deâ—d and the first 〈…〉 the Resurrection from the Dead 〈…〉 ouâ— Loâ—d and Saviour Jesus 〈◊〉 arose â—irâ—t of all from the Dead 〈◊〉 â—ore to suffer Death then the first oâ— allâ— who sâ—â—ll arise after him is Moses and Elias and then the other Prophets and Apostles with all the Saints every one in his Orâ—er 115. And that those two Prophets and Wâ—â—nâ—â—ses in the Revelation were indeed Moses and Elias is tacitely signify'd in these Woâ—â—â— they shall have power to withhold the Rain
several orders of Scholars and Students called by the name of Monks and Friars which were received and believed on by the ignorant Multitude as so many divine Oracles Moreover also the Locusâ—â— that ascended out of the Bottomless Pit seem to belong to this Interval of time of which hereafter in its proper place Now these two last Intervals to wit the third and the fourth seem to have a very near relation and affinity one to another in respect of Ignorance Blindness Idolatry Superstition and many other abominable Evils Yet the fourth Interval was not so destitute of good Men nor so full of Ignorance and Darkness as the third for in the fourth Interval God raised up some Eminent and famous Men as were Bernardus Clarevallensis and Malachias also the Waldenses and Albigenses with whom do agree those of the Church of Thyatira Moreover also in this very Interval began the Turkish Empire when their Captains or Calaphi were constituted Emperors over them who were miraculously strong in many parts of the World and the first of these was Ottoman * Ottoman about the year 1297. about the year 1297. Quest. 35. What are those effects or events that happen when the fifth Seal is opened and what may be principally understood by them are they not the Souls of such as were slain for the word of God and the Testimony which they bore whom Iohn saw under the Altar meaning the Souls of all that were slain for their firm and constant Profession of the true Faith from the beginning of the World to the time of the fifth Interval viz. unto the year of Christâ—s Resurrection 333 And why did they desire of God so earnestly that he would revenge their Blood upon the Dwellers on Earth Was it because the Justice of God is as well glorified in revenging as his Mercy is in pitying and forgiving and was it not also because they knew that the time when the Blood of the Righteous that were slain should be revenged upon the Ungodly was to be joyned with that time in which all the Righteous were to receive an hundred fold Reward which Christ promised them in the first Resurrection when they should be restored and raised to Life again Now why it should stand with God's Justice to revenge the Blood of those that were slain for many Ages past not only three or four Generations as in Deut. but more than an hundred Generations ago upon the Inhabitants of the Earth who are not as yet born or in being upon the Earth is a question that demands a clear Explanation Quest. 36. Wherefore was it said to those Souls that they should rest viz. under the Altar and was not that Altar Christ until the number of their Brethren yet to be slain should be fulfilled And doth not this fifth Interval signifiâ— that there shall come a time of much and greaâ— Tâ—ibulation to the Servants and People of God and that many shall be put to Death within this Interval in a manner during the whole space from the year of Christ's Resurrection 1333 to the year 1666 or from the year of his Nativity 1366 to the year 1700. And hath not this happen'd so in reference to the time past of this Interval And is it probable that near the same number of good Christians were slain by the Papists Turks from the year 1366 to this present day viz. from the days of Iohn Wickliff as were heretofore slain from Christ's Resurrection to the aforesaid term of years 1366 And whereas there yet remain some odd years of the said Interval to be fulfilled some think 18 others 16 and again other some 14 viz. from the year 1366 to the true year of Christ's Nativity 1700 whether or no we are not yet to expect more Tribulations and Persecutions will come upon the Servants of God till the said year 1700 Quâ—st 37. But the fifth Interval being expired whose end draws nigh may we not expect the true Church will enjoy some serene Interval and time of Rest and Tranquility until the laâ—t and greatest but shortest Peâ—secution under the seventh Head of the Beast not as yet fully to be accomplish'd till about the year 1774 Quest. 38. What are those effects or events which must be fulfilled in the World wheâ— the sixth Seal is opened that great Earthâ—quake the Sun darkned the Moon turn'â— like Blood the Stars falling from Heavenâ— the Heavens rolled up like a Scroll thâ— Mountains and Islands passing away Dâ— not all these things clearly signifie the enâ— and downfall of every Unjust Ungodly and Tyrannical Government and Dominiâ—on whatsoever that so at last the Kingdomâ— of Holiness and Righteousness may be seâ— up and established and God and his Chriâ—â— rule and govern by the holy Ghost in thâ— Hearts of Men in every Nation of thâ— World And is not this thing plainly signiâ—â—ed by Iohn him self in his following words And will not the time of this Interval undeâ— the opening of the sixth Seal contain thâ— common space of 333 Y. froâ— the year of Christ's Resurâ—â—â—ction 1666â— to * From the year 1666 to the year 2000. the year 203â— wherein God will fully râ—â—venge the Blood of his Servants that weâ—â— slain and are now in Heaven above upoâ— the Dwellers on Earth and so the Prayeâ— and Petitions of the Souls that cried undeâ— the Altar in the former Interval will be aâ—â—swered But some reâ—err the Iâ—terval of tâ—â— sixth Seal to Constanâ—ine's time and this theâ— do without any Authority for it appeâ—â— by many weighty Reasons and Circumstances that the sixth Seal was not as yet opened in the World neither was the Interval of this Seal begun CHAP. VI. QUest 39. Do not those other events and effects which will be produc'd at the opening of the sixth Seal plainly demonstrate that the sixth Seal will reach even to the 1000 Years Sabbath of the World What are the 144000 which were sealed in their Foreheads from every Tribe of the Children of Israel Are they not the first Fruits of the Saints who attain the first Resurrection from the Dead in the future Millennium and finally are not the 144000 the same with those mentioned in the 14th Chapter Moreover are they not really Israelites as to their Race or Stock 12000 being taken from every Tribe of Israel altho' many other of the Israelitish Race together with many other of the Servants of God shall hereafter receive the same Reward and Felicity of the â—irst Resurrection And again What is that great Multitude of all Nations Tongues and People which no Man could number standing before the Throne and the â—amb which were cloath'd in white Garments and bore Palms in their Hands Are they not all the Saints raised to Life again within the sixth Interval not only those who lived in the preceding Intervals since Christ's Resurrection but even all that have ever lived since the beginning of the World who came out of great Tribulation which they suffered in their
Is not this Holy City the true Church of God purely reformed and purged from all Antichristian Pollutions which is signified by Philadelphia Moreover will not the Iews and Israelites after their conversion to the Christian Faith make up a good part of this Church of Philadelphia and who peradventure will have a great or it may be the chiefest share in these sufferings And becaâ—se the 42 Months belong unto the Interval of the sixth Trumpâ—â— as is evident from the Revelations is it not impossible for those Months to signifie so many Years as there are days contain'd in all the saâ—d Months viz 12â—0 whereas the whole Interval of the sixth Trumpet contains but 260 Years Again if those 42 Months should contain 1260 Years they would certainly make this great Persecution to be inflicted on the Church within the seventh Millâ—nnâ—um of the World which is very absurd therefore are not those 42 Months pâ—operly to be understood of common Months making up three Years and an half which indeed is a short but a sharp time in which will happen the last Persecution the Church shall ever undergo And doth not Daniel at the end of the eleventh Chapter and beginning of the eighteenth plainly touch upon the manner of this Pâ—rsecution And will not the chief Author of this Persecution be that King describ'd Daniel Tâ—â— King descrâ—bâ—d in Daniel 16.36 to the end of the Chapter whom Iohn in his Revelations calleth the seventh King yet to come and it is said of him when he comâ—th that he shall remain but a short time Quest. 58. What are those two Witnesses cloath'd in Sackcloth who shall prophesie during the whole time of the last Persecution 12â—0 Days Shâ—l they not be Moses and Elias raised up to live again in a Body upon Earth And is not this clearly enough hinted in these words of Iohn Ch. 11. viz. that they shall have Power to shut up Heaven Their Power that it shall not rain in the days of their Pâ—ophecy as they did in times past and to turn the Waters into Blood and to smite the Earth with Plagues as often as they liâ—t even as Moses did heretofore Quest. 59. And why should it be thought incredible that Moses and Elias should come again into the World when as it sufficiently appears from Scripture as well from the Book of Revelations as from other places of Scripture that all the Saints shall come again into the World within the Millennium And whereas Iohn says 144000 Israâ—â—lites were to be the firâ—â— Fruits of this Kingdom and glorious State will not Moses and Elias belong unto those first Fruits Moâ—eover as touchiâ—â— Elias did not Christ â—ay â—hat Elias should come or that he came and restored â—ll â—hings after the â—eath oâ— Iohn the Baptist â— whom he called Eâ—ias And finally why were Moses and Elias â—een with Chriâ—â— in the Mounâ— at his Transfiguration before he had suffer'd death Was it not to signifie that they should be nearest to Christ and the very next after him who should obtain the Resurrection from the Dead and in like manner ascend into Heaven unto him Quest. 60. Shall not those two Prophets be really slain and suffer a corporal Death as Christ really did and after three days and an half shall they not rise again from the Dead even as Christ arose on the third day And why should Men betake themselves to a meeâ— Allegoral Sense of the words touching the Death Resurrection of these two Witnesses when as the proper and literal Sence of the words is sound and contains no Absurdity but tends greatly to demonstrate divine Glory and Omnipotence Quest. 61. What is that great City spiritually call'd Sodom and Egâ—pt What Sodoâ— and â—gypt is where also our Lord was Crucified wherein the Bodies of the tâ—o Witnesses which were slain lay unburied thâ—ee days and an half May not thiâ— be the place where Christ was externally Crucified And may not â—ome great City be built theâ—e and stand in the â—ame place at that time And may not some great Mystery be coucht under it viz. That Moses and Elias should be slain in the same place where Châ—ist was slain and afterwards to be raiâ—ed up again tho' they were killed about 1740 years apart And it appears from History that Elias Adrian built there a City upon the Mountain to wit Golgotha where Christ was Crucified and call'd it Elias but the Chrâ—stâ—ans call'd it Ierusalem and so it is call'd to this day now under the power of the Turks And doth it not also appear from Dan. 11. v. 4. That the King who shall immediaâ—ely follow upon the Iews Conversion to the Chriâ—â—ian Faith shall inhabit Ierusalem which he calls the Holy Mountain of Beauty and Delight Situated between the Seas for this place was commonly held as an Holy place and really seated between the Seaâ— Quest. 62. To what time is the killing of the two VVitnesses and their Resurrection to be Referred Is it not to be Referred to the three last Years and an half immediatâ—ly preceediâ—g the Millennium because the Resurrection and Ascension of the two VVitnesses is joyned with the Sound of the seventh Trumpet also in Dan. 12. that time wherein Michael shall stand up for the Salvation of the Iewish People is joyned with the first Resurrection of the Dead Quest. 63. VVill not the Sound of the seventh Trumpet introduce that famous and renouned Millennium The Sound of the seventh Trumpet and the first Resurrection from the Dead in its due order viz. From the Year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 From 1740 to 2000 viz. From the Resurrection of the Dead to about the Year 2000 the Interval of the seventh and last Trumpeâ— containing the same number of Years as the rest above-cited to wit 260 and all the Intervals of the seven Trumpets together with the half hours silence do comprehend 2000 years For 260 multiplyed by 7 produces 1820 The duration of eâ—ery Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 180 the said number as it were of the half hours silence be added the Sum is 2000. And do not the words of Iohn in chap. 11. v. 15. manifestly declare that the beginning of the Millennium and the first Resurrection is to be taken from the beginning of the seventh Trumpet For he saith in the place here cited The seventh Angel sounded and there were great Voicâ—s in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever c. Read to the end of the Chaâ—ter and especially Verse 18. And the Natiâ—ns were angry and thy Wrath is câ—mâ— and the time of the Dead â—hat they should be judged and that thâ—u shâ—uldst give Reward unto thy â—ervanâ—s the Pâ—opheâ—s and to thy Saints and to them that fear thy name small and great and shâ—uld'st destroy them that dâ—stâ—â—y the Earth c. Quest. 64. Was not that Vision desâ—rib'd by
this VVorld do not descend inâ—o â—ucceeding VVorlds to be born any more in a Body of Flesh but remain to all Eternity with God and Christ in the Heavens ascending continually unto greater Glory and Dignity but those who are not perâ—ected in tâ—is VVorld nor have attained the Gloriâ—iâ—â—tion of their Bodies do descend into â—â—cceeding VVoâ—lds to be boâ—â— in their oâ—der and turn in a Body of Flesh until they 〈◊〉 at laâ—t pâ—â—fected and have obtained the 〈◊〉 of their Bodies in the Heaâ—â—â—â— 80. And it is worth our consideration â—nd diligent enquiry whether or no from â—he proportion of the holy City compared into the whole Earth may not be Mystiâ—ally and as it were abstrusely represented â—o us how great a part of Mankind of this World shall be saved in this World First â—herefore let us see what is the measure of â—his holy City in its solid content Iohn in the Revelations saith this City was equal in length breadth and depth that it was â—2000 Stadia or Furlongs in length that â—s 1500 of our Miles for eight Furlongs make a Mile therefore the â—olid content of the City is â—â—â—5â—00000 Miles as in the Mâ—rgin But as for the Meaâ—ure of the Earth we will suppose 61 Miles for every degree which is one Mile above the vulgar Computation and then the Circumâ—erence will contain 21960 Miles but the Diametre will contain 6989 Miles â…™ whereof is 1164. To find the Superficial content multiply the Circumference by the Diametre that is 21960 by â—987 the whole Sum is 153434520 Miles lastly multiply the aforesaid number by 6987â— of the Diametre and the Product will be as in the Margin 178597781280 Miles the 〈◊〉 content of the Earth which if you divide by the solid content of the Holy City the Quotient will be 52 with the remaining Fraction as in the Margin Therefore after this rate the Holy City will be in proportion to the whole Earth as 1 to 52 and â…› thence will arise that great year of 365000 Years wherein all the Souls on this Earth are to be saved for if the 1 52 part of Mankind be saved in one World then in 52 Worlds or Weeks of Worlds that is 365000 Years all Mankind will be saved 81. 'T is likewise to be considered whether or no that slow Motion of the eighth Sphere as 't is commonly call'd doth not answer to the great year of Iubilee of 50000 Years that is seven Worlds or Weeks Ex. gr Let us suppose this â—ighth Sphere to finish its Revolution in 49000 Years one degree of the said Sphere will make 138 Years which doth not much differ from the vulgar Computation of Mathematicians 82. Therefore for the clear understanding of many Mysteries of true Philosophy we must have a true and exact Chronology or Computation of times from the beginning of this World to the end thereof 83. The true Chronology from the beginning of the World to the end of it is to be â—ound in and deduced from the Scriptures for to what purpose are parts of Chronology exhibited to Men in Scripture with such care industry and diligence of Writers unless all the parts of it were exhibited also for if the Scripture fails in any part of Chronology it fails in all and if it fails in all 't is vain and unprofitable to exhibite any part which is absurd and therefore all parts of Chronology are to be had in the Scripture otherwise the Scripture were certainly very imperfect but the Scripture is perfect giving a perfect Testimony not only of â—ll the Doctrines of true Religion but â—lso of all the parts of true Chronology without which the Doctrine of true Religion is maimed and imperfect 84. Now the true Chronology of the World as it is in Scripture contains from the Worlds Creation to the â—ruciâ—iction of our Saviour Christ 3996½ Years From the Crucifixion of Christ to the eâ—d of the World 3003½ Years which in intire Years from the beginniâ—g of the World to the end thereof is 7000 Yeâ—rs 85. And that our Saviour Christ was to be Crucified and raised from Death to Life in the end of the fourth Millenium from the World's Creation may be clearly evinced for divers reasons 1. The Analogy of the six days of the Worlds Fabrication or construction of the 6000â— Years of this World for the first day by a wonderful Analogy agrees with the first Millenium the second with the second the third wiâ—h the third the fourth with the fourth the fiâ—th with the fifth the sixth with the sixth and lasâ—ly the seventh with the seventh Millenium which also is the Sabbaâ—h of this World that the Sun Moon and Stars were placed in the Firmament on the fourth day This most excellently and clearly points out that Christ the Son of Justice should come in the fourth Millenium and â—scend into the Heavens to enlighten all Men. Lastly by the Moon and Stars the Church with the Apostles and Evangelists 〈◊〉 clearly demonstrated 2. The entrance of the High Priest in the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holiest of all once a year to expiate the Sins of all the People in the end of the â—eventh Month apparently signifies that Christ by vertue of his Blood should enâ—â—r into Heaven it self in the end of the â—ourâ—h Millenium of the World which exâ—ctly agrees to the end of the seventh Month to wit the 22th day of the seventh Month which was the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles for by the Rule of Three as 7000 Years is to 3996 so is â—65 days to 208 days and in 208 days are contained the days of six Months from the Vernal Aequinox to the 22th day of the seventh Month that is 187 and 21 which together make up 208 3. This is confirmed by the division of time from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ delivered in the second Book of Esdras ch 14. And this Division is made into twelve parts where of ten and an half were elapsed when the Angel delivered those things to the Prophet Esdras which Division also Christ made into twelve hours and called the time of his Incarnation the twelfth Hour saying to the Iews Are there not twelve Hours in the day Work whilst you have the day c. clearly hinting that that very time was the twelfth Hour from the Worlds Creation Now how many Years one hour of the Day or Night doth consist of may be positively concluded from that mysterious Psalm the 90th ver the 4th A thousand Years are in thy sight but as yesterday and as a Watch in the Night but a Watch of the Night contains three Hours Therefore if a thousand Years be as a Watch of the Night or three hours one hour will be the third part of a thousand Years that is 333 â— Years and Christ arose from the Dead in the end of the twelfth hour which answers to 3996 Years from the beginning of the Worldâ— for 333 multiplied by 12
he shall quicken us and in the third Day he shall raise us up and we shall live in his Sight What can be here signified by two Days but two thousand yearsâ— as in Psal. the 90. as in 2. Pet. 3.8 And therefore by the third Day he plainly means that Sabbatick Millenium of the World wherein he and all the Saints were to be raised up to live intirely a thousand years neither to dye any more but to ascend into the celestial Country when the Millenium oâ— thousand 〈◊〉 is fiâ—iâ—hed Now Osea lived in the fourth Millenium and therefore when said after two days c. he had respect to the seventh Millenium but compare this Prophesy with that of Daniel concerning 2300 years and thou shalt plainly perceive that both extend unto the Sabbatick Millenium 9â— But because those 1335 Days Dan. 12.12 contain 1335 years to wit the whole time of the Apostacy after the Apostles to the beginning of the Millenium therefore from 2300 years 1335 years are deducted and the remainder 965 contains the time from the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity to the beginning of the Apostasie after the Apostles and therefore subtracting 556 from 965 there remains 409 years the time from the Resurrection of Christ to the beginning of the Apostasie to which add 33½ from the Nativity of Christ to his Resurrection the sum is 442 years and an half â—rom the Nativity of Christ to the begâ—nning of the Apostasie 95. Add to this Number 442 1260 years mentioned in the Revelation the sum is 1702 years from the Nativity of Christ to the end of the first Period of the Reign of Antichrist 96. The second Period of 1290 years in Daniel extends 30 years further that is from the Birth of Christ to the year 1732. 97. The third Period of the reign of Antichrist extends 45 years further which is 1335 years viz. to the year of Christ's Nativity 1777. 98. Therefore the year 1777 from the Nativity of Christ ends the reign of Antichrist and the four Monarchies and all the Kingdoms of the World and from that very year begins the reign of Christ and of the Saints over the whole Earth 99. But 't is uncertain whether this present Epocha or date from the time of Christ's Nativity in the Flesh commonly received among Christians be true or no for Usher thinks the Vulgar Epocha to fail of the true Epocha about four years 100. Also the great Coversion of the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel in its purity and efficacy must preceed this happy Millenium of the World and then will follow the Conversion of the Iews to the Christian Faith to wit from the year 1702 unto the year 1777 but 30 years from the ye 1702 unto the ye 1732 have respect to the Conversion of the Gentiles then 45 years from the year 1742 unto â—777 do in a special manner respect the Restoration Conversion and return of the Iews into their own Country 101. But from the year of Christ's Nativity 652 to the year of Christ 1702 are prepar'd and gather`d unto God and the â—amb 144000 Saints which are the first Fruits for as the Feast of the first Fruits under the Law was kept 50 days before the Feast of Autumn so also now the Feast of the first Fruits preceeds the Feast of Autumn 50 years 1. But the time of the â—uture Millenium seems to have been prefigured to Abraham in the Sacriâ—ices which God commanded him to offer Now God commanded Abraham to take a Heiâ—er of three years old a Goat of three years old a Ram of three years old with a Turtle Dove and a young Pigeon Now suppose the Turtle Dove to be one year old and the Pigeon twenty days old the days of all those years according to the prophetick Style signifie years and all being added together make up 3620. Admit also that Abraham saw this Vision when he was 83 years old which was the year of the Woâ—ld 2120 according to the aforesaid Chroâ—ology the number 3620 being added to the number 2120 makes up 5740 the year of the World when the Millenium will begin 2. In the future Millenium all the Saints that ever lived since the beginning of the Woâ—ld will be rais'd up to live a Holy and Blessed Life upon Earth for the space of a thousand years Dan. 12. Hos. 6. Revel 20. 3. This Resurrection of all the Saints to Life is the first Resurrection expresly so call'd by the Apostle Iohn Revel 20.5 4. In this first Resurrection the Saints are raised to Life in a Carnal and Terrestial Body not such as we now have but such as Adam had in Paradise before he had eaten the Foâ—bidden Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and such a Body likewise had Christ wherein he suffer'd Death for all Mankind 5. Therefore there is a twofold Resurrection of the Saints the first is in a carnal and Terrestrial Body in which they shall all live for the space of a thousand years The second is that in which that Carnal and Terrestrial Body after the expiration of a thousand years shall not dye but be changed in a moment or in the twinkling of an Eye into a Spiritual and Coelestial Body and ascend into Heaven even as Christ ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection from the Dead 6. Of which twofold Resurrection of the Saints the Apostle Paul speaks clearly in 1 Epist. to the Corinth Chap. 15. That is not first which is Spiritual but that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual as we have born the Image of the Earthly and we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly But we shall not bear the Image of the Earthly in the Body in which we now live viz. of the earâ—hly Adam as he was after the fall but in the first Resurrection we shall bear the Image of the earthly in the future Millenium living such a Blessed and Holy Life as Adam â—ould have lived if he had not sinned â—hen at the end of the Millenium we shall not dye but be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immoâ—tâ—lity and this Corruptible Incorruption 7. Yet the Body of the first Resurrection may be said in some sence to be Mortal and Corruptible not that it shall ever dye or be corrupted but because in respect of a spiritual Boâ—y it is as it were Mortal and Corruptible that is at least not beyond a possibility of dying or being slain by external violence if God were so pleased even as the Body oâ— Christ suffered Death which notwithstanding in it's own Nature cou'd not dye 8. And that the Saints shall be raised to Life in a Carnal or Natural Body appears from that which Paul said speaking of himself and others we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immortality Paul therefore expected to be raised up to Life in a Body of Flesh in the future
Millenium that shou'd not dye but be changed 9. It appears also that when the Millenium is finished Gog and Magog shall gather themselves together against the Saints to slay them which certainly they cou'd never attempt to do if they did not live in a Body of Flesh. 10. This is more largely conâ—â—â—â—'d iâ— that the Saints even until 260 years after the beginning of the Millenium shall marry and propagate Children for the State of Matrimony and procreation of Children is not beneath the dignity of the future Millenium for Adâ—m in his Paradisical State before the fall had a Wife and tho' he had not sinned wou'd have known his Wife and have begotten Children 11. But that the Saints do for some time in the aforesaid Millenium contract Matrimony and beget Sons and Daughters appears from Isaiah Chap. 65. where the Inhabitants of this of this New Heaven and new Earth are prâ—mised that they shall build Houses and inâ—â—â—ite them plant Vineyards and ear the Fâ—â—â—t of them they shall not labour in vain â—or bring forth in fear for they are thâ— Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them yea in the same Chapter 't is affirm'd of the Sinners who shall live in the Millenium that they shall live to an hundred Years nor shall any die in Infancy and the days of the Saints shall bâ— as the days of the Tree of Life for so heretoâ—ore that place was read by the Fathers that is they shall live a thousand Years and then shall not die but ascend into Heaven in a Body changed which Adam would have done if he had not sinned 12. Now that new Heaven which will be câ—eaâ—ed in the future Millenium will be only new in respect of their excellent natures 13. Ioseph's Blâ—ssing by his Faâ—her Iacob which belongs to the said Millenium clearly demonstâ—ates thâ—t they should marry and beget and bring up Children Gen. 49 2â— 26. For among â—â—her Blessings which he had he waâ— also blessed with the Blessings of the Bâ—easts â—nd the Womb which have a respect to Wives and Mothers whose Blessings also ougâ—t to reach to the utmâ—st bounds of the everlasting Hills viz. to the second Resurrection when this Body of Flesh shall be changed into a Spiritual Body and being thus changed shall ascend into the everlasting Hills that is into the highest Heavens 14. Therefore those Words of Christ that in the Resurrection of the Dead they do not marry nor are given in Marriage but are equal to the Angels are to be understood of the second Resurrection but not of the first because certainly in thâ— first Resurrection they shall not be equal to to the Angels but as Adam was in Paradise before the Fall 15. And hitherto may be referred those woâ—ds of the book of Wisdom 3.43 Blessed is the Barrâ—n and Undâ—filâ—d who hath not known the Sinful Bed for she shall have Fruit in the Visitation of Souls 16. Now all the Sons Daughteâ—s of the Saints in the future Millenium are the Souls of all the Saints that ever have liv'd in a carnal Body since the beginning of the World and finally raised up to Life in a â—ody of Flesh and boâ—n of Fathers and Mothers into the Woâ—ld for none shall enjoy the Reward and Blessedness of the â—uture Millenium but such who have lived an holy Life on Eaâ—th from the begâ—nning of the World Moreover Christ called this Resurrection of the Saints unto Life regeneration 17. And therefore all Saints that enjoy the Millenium shall then be born into the World in a carnal Body and shall have Fathers and Mothers according to the Flesh. 18. Nor will this seem strange or incredible to any one after it is clearly demonstrated from Scripture that we have all lived several times in a Body of Flesh yea for many years and Ages of years 19. This Truth being once demonstrated and granted in a manner all the Mysteries and things difâ—icult to be apprehended of the future Millenium will be most easily understood for the Ignorance of the Souls being born again and returning to Life in a body of Flesh hath mightily obscur'd the Mystery of the future Millenium and in a manner all other Mysteries of the whole Christian Religion which indeed when the said new Birth or carnal Regeneration is demonstrated will display themselves and appear with a wonderful sweetness facility and evidencâ— of Truth 20. First therefore it shall be demonstrated by certain Arguments drawn from Scripture that the same Souls after the death of the carnal Body were again raised to Life and born of Parents in a Body of Flesh. 21. First this is proved from the express Words of Christ himself who called Iohn Baptist Elias yea affirmed him to be Elias himself Matth. 11. Mark 9.12 and declared him also to be the same that was to come But that where Iohn denied that he was Elias is to be understood of the Mystery of 1045 Years couch't under the name of Eliah which also signifies the strong and mighty God for that Dispensation or Ministration of Iohn answers not to to the name of Elias but the name of Iohn which signifies Grace but when he shall be born again into the World that Dispensation will most excellently suit with the name of Eliah 22. Secondly 'T is proved from that passage of St. Paul to the Romans where discoursing of the unbelieving Iews he affirms that they shall after many Ages believe in Christ and finally be reunited to their natural Root but the force of the Argument concludes in behalf of those Souls who were unbelieving in the Aposâ—les days which after certain Ages were to believe in Christ after the fullness of the Gâ—ntiles was converted to the Christian Faith which Conversion of the Iews we yet expect 〈◊〉 Earth even of those who were unbelieving in the Apostles days for all the Iews which are natural Branches shall be saved and their Hearts shall be opened and that too before the beginning of the Millenium 23. Thirdly 'T is proved from Matth. 23.35 compared with the 2 Chron. 24.22 where Christ aâ—â—irms that those very Iews who were contemporary with him in the Flesh had kill'd Zacharias the Son of Baruch c. But this Wickedness was committed in the days of King Ioas more than eighty Years before Christ's Incarnation * See Matth. 21.35 c. compare here-witâ— 2 Chron. 24.22 But if any should affirm that this was not their own but their foâ—e-Father's Crime and imputed to them because they were led by the same Spirit of Iniquity and Impiety I answer This cannot destroy the force of the Argument because according to the Râ—ghteous Ordinance of God the Sins of the Fathers are not imputed to the Children beyond the third or fourth Generation even when the Children are led by the same Spirit and follow the same steps of their Fathers But beâ—cause many Generations have interven'd between that Wickedness and the
not that Seed of Abraham which Christ assumed when he came into the Flesh for the promise which God made to Abraham was concerning Isaac that in him all Nations should be blessed 101. And then if Isaac was that Seed it is farther to bâ— enquired whether thâ— Soul of Isaac had perform`d his twelve Revolutions from the beginning of the World as others had done if this be granted seâ— in St. Luke's Genealogy of Christ whether the twelve Revolutions of the same Soul be not describ'd in order putting Abel in the room of Adam a new Revolution of the sâ—me Souls always begins after every seventh Generation 102. And these are the names of this Soul in his 12 Revolutions 1. Abel 2. Methusela 3. Heber 4. Isaac 5. Naasâ—n 6. Mattatha 7. Simeon 8. Elmodam 9. Rhesa 10. Naggâ— 11. Melchi 12. Christ. For seven Generations do intervene in all these Revolutions except in the last only where there are not reckoned 7 but 6 which may be understood after this manner viz. the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead was the seventh and his Ascension into Heaven as it were the eighth Generation 103. Therefore there are accounted seven Generations between every Revolution because certainly in the Revolutions of other Souls the same Souls do return after every sixth and seventh Generation But the Interval of six Generations cannot agree to that Soul which Christ assum'd for two reasons first because then he would not have had only 12 but above 13 Revolutions secondly because no Revolâ—tion would have fallen on Isaac whâ—ch is absuâ—d 104. Which Hypothesis being admitted sundry portions of sacred Writ very mysterious and hard to be understood are with a wonderful Harmony unlocked And the mystery of Christ's Nativity will agree with divers other Mysteries herein delivered which will be farther insisted upon hereafter 105. Thâ— most difficult passages of Scripture hereby explain'd are 1 Gen. 3.15 that the Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpent's Head which Seed of the Woman according to the aforesaid Hypothesis is to be understood of Abel even as the Seed of the Serpent is to be understood of Cain for in these two Seeds as in two Roots the Children of God 2. and the Children of this World are comprehended When Cain was born Eve said I have received a Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iehovah or as others read it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If the former be allow`d that is badly and falsly apply'd unto Cain which was due unto Abel If the latter it intimates that together with that worldly Man she had received him likewise who in the fulness of time should bear the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Isaiah 7.14 A Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son and she shall call his Name Immanuel which Matthew applys to Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary which prophesie nevertheless ought to have been fulfilled in the days of King Ahaz Admit then that this prophesie was fulfilled in the days of King Ahaz and afterwards when Christ was born to wit that the same Soul was twice born in the Flesh of a Virgin and peradventure of the same Mother then this Prophesie will be easily understood And such a Virginian Birth answers to the eight Revolution having the name of Elmodam who was contemporary with King Ahaz Notwithstanding Ez was said to have been his Father for Christ was called the Son of Ioseph also 4. Hos. 11.1 Out of Aegypt have I called my Son this Prophesie was fulfilled long before yet the Evangelist applys it to the time when Mary returned with the Child out of Aegypt which if understood of the same Soul both accomplishments will agree together for Naasson the Prince of the Children of Iuda who departed out of Aegypt with the rest of the Israelites answers to the fifth Revolution of the same Soul 5. Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Iuda nor a Law-giver from between his Feet till Shilo come that is he who was promised to be the King and Law-giver of all the People shall not depart â—rom the Tribe of Iuda but shall perform his entire Revolutions in a direct Line of that Tribe and that notwithstanding all manner of Affliction and Persecution which should press the Iewish Nation there shall still remain the Root of Iesse which will at length bring forth the promised Branch of Salvation into the World And this Prophesie cannot be understood of the outward Scepter or Kingdom of Iuda for that was departed from Iuda above 1â—0 years before Christ's Incarnation to wit during the whole Reign of the Maccabees who were Levites Mich. 5.2 Out of thee viz. Bethelem shall come the Captain or Lâ—ader of my people Israel whose goings forth have been of old even from everlasting or as in the Original from the days of Ages For according to the aforesaid Hypothesis he had 12 out-goings or Revolutions from the beginning of the World to that time wherein he was born of the Virgin-Mary 7. Isaiah 61.1.2 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me c. to show the acceptable year oâ— the Lord and therefore that time wherein Christ came in the Flesh was call'd the acceptable year of the Lord to wit because agreeable to the said Hâ—pothesis even as the Sun runs through the 12 parts of the Zodiack and finishes his course in one year so Christ the Sun of Righteousness in the space of 4000 years which is as it were a mystical year accomplishes his 12 Reâ—volutions through the 12 parts of time And therefore St. Paul call'd that time when he was born of the Virgin Mary the fulness of time compare â—erewith that of the Nineteenth Psal. from verse 1. to verse 7. 8. That that Psalm is to be understood of Christ the Prophets and Apostles and the Church of God is evident â—rom Roman 10.18 9. See also Heb. 10. â—5 Psal. 40.46 Sacrifice and Burnt Offering â—heâ— would'st not but a Body hast thou preâ—ared me but this Body is not a meer Body but an animated Body that is a Soul with a Body to wit the very Seed of Aâ—raham which Christ assumed which seed was fitted and qualified by 12 Revolutions even as by so many preparations â—rom the â—eginning of the World to that time to â—e at last a Throne and a Tabernacle for â—he King of Glory Jesus Christ all which â—re but according to the said Hypothesis â—â—nd not possitively affirmed wherefore â—y the assistance of divine Grace we shall with Sobriety inquire farther into the Truth of the aforemention'd Hypothesis beâ—ore we absolutely and positively assert it 10. Moreover the aforesaid Hypothesis â—eems wonderfully to illustrate that Scripâ—ure where Christ is called our Fore-runner â—nd doubtless because according to it he â—an the course of his 12 Revolutions from the beginning of the World and was the first that had finished the course and period of them 11. And finally that he was made like unto us in all things Sin
the second Face is of a Man therefore the number 666 is the number of a Man to wit containing 666 Years from the Year sinâ—e Christ's Nativity 1036 to the Year 1702 for about the said Year 1036 the second Beast whose number is here computed Ascended out of the Earth vix in the time when Gregory the seventh flourish't who Exalted himself above the Emperor 2 Seeing the Intrerval of every Seal except the seventh contains 333 Years hence it appears that from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the first part of the Millenium there are about 2000 Years and therefore from Christ's Death and Resurrection to the end of the World there are about 3000 Years which confirms the aforesaid Chronology the same is also confirmed by the Intervals of the Trumpets 3. Now whereas the Interval of each Trumpet is 260 Years this doth not seem to want a mystery for so many days as it were doth the Infant remain in his Mothers Womb and in Esdras the Lodging Rooms or Chambers of the Soul are likened to the Womb of a Wâ—man because then exactly in 260 Years the Soul is recall'd to live again in a Body of Flesh as it were at the sound of the Trumpet of God himself therefore the Interval of every Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 73 Years be added for the age of Mâ—n in a Body of Flesh the sum will be 333 Years aforesaid 4. Morâ—over God out of his great Goodnâ—ss and Wisdom has so decreed that Men should not live altogether and at one time a thousand Years compleat in the corrupt â—tate of a Carnal Body and it stands with the justice of God that they shall live the said thousand Years by parts for by the frequent Death of Men Mankind is better provided for and their Benefit and Advantage consulted for thus God often cuts off Men to plant and ingraft them anew Whereas if Men should at once live a thousand Years compleatly in the State of Corruption they would so degenerate that their Repentance and Salvation woâ—ld be far more difficult 5. But if any shouâ—d demand to what purpose God should call his Saints to live in a Terrestrial and Carnal Body a thousand Years and whether it were not better for them and more desirable to them to remain with God in the Heavens I answer God knows better than we what is most conducive to our Profit and Advantage And therefore the Saints ought to live a thousand Years on Earth partly that they may receive a visible Reward from God in the sight of the Wicked and Ungodly to their greater shame confusion and Condemnation and partly and indeed chiefly that they may be prepared and qualiâ—ied in that Millenium or thousand Years of Life to obtain so much and so great Glory as they shall be invested with when they shall ascend Bodily into Heaven A FEW QUESTIONS BY Way of Exposition ON Each Chapter of the Revelations of St. Iohn Wherein little or in a manner nothing except what pertains to the History is positively concluded but all are left to the free and Impartial Iuâ—gment and Ezamination of the lovers of Truth CHAP. I. QUâ—st 1. What may we understand by the seven Churches of Asia By Churches seven States of the Vniveersal Ch. to whom Iohn wrote Whether seven Churches then in being Or rather whether they were not seven States of the Universal Church from the time of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection to that so famous and noted time of the Restoration of all things called in sundry places of Scripture a Sabbath And in the old Testament prefigured under the common Sabbath of Days and Years Which if Iohn had intended of particular Churches then in Being why did he confine himself to a septenary Numberâ— were there not in Asia more than seven Churches Again seeing he termed that which he wrote unto them a Prophesie which hath respect to the time to come this doth not seem to agree so well with certaâ—n particular Churches then in being as with the Universal Church understood by seven States or Conditions this Church was in for the space of 2000 Years and seeing a septenary number is a mystical Number whether or no this doth not seem to be adapted to the Mystery of the seven Spirits Stars or Angels Quest. 2. Who are we to understand by the seven Angels of the seven Churches Whether are they Presidents or Pastors or Angels properly so called having distinct Administrations over those Churches For it appears from Dâ—niel and other places of Scripture that they were set over Kingdoms and Nations as God`s Vicegerents Why not then over Churches Seeing they are call'd miâ—â—â—tâ—â—ng Spiâ—its sent out to minister tâ— all those who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heâ— 1.14 And Heb. 2.5 it is 〈◊〉 unto the Angels he hath not as yâ—t put in subjection the World to come Whether or no this doth not intimate that this present World is subject to Angels but the World to come only subject to God and Christ And lastly seeing the Kingdoms of this World have their Ages and periods of time the Church will likewise have her Ages and Periods And why may not peculiar Angels be understood to preside and govern in particular Ages of the Church appointed and ordained by the most high to execute that Function CHAP. II. QUest 3. Whether or no the interval of the Church * The Church of Ephesus from the year 1â— to the year â—â—â— since Christs Resuâ—rection of Ephesus according to the aâ—oresâ—id Hypothâ—sis will not contain 33â—â— years from the Resurrection of Christ and in like manner the Church of Smyrna the same and so understand oâ— the rest except the Church of Laodicâ—a concerning which it may be quâ—stioned whether it doth noâ— belong to the interval of the Church of Philadelphia For in respect of its State and Condition whereâ—of Iohn gave an excellent description it extends to the Sabbath of the World Then whether the Church of Laodicea will noâ— have the same interval of time with it thoâ— it be not the same with the said Church but widely different from it Who are to be understood by the Church of Laodicea â— but certain luke-warm professours of the Christian Religion having a great notion and profession of the truth but possessing in a manner nothing of the Life and Power of it And doth not this clearly appear from the signification of the Words Philadâ—lphia and Laodiceâ— For Philadelphia signifies the love of the Brethren including certain Christian Virtues but Laodicea imports as much as popular Justice which for the most part is in a manner none at allâ— Furthermore by the same Reason thâ— whole interval of two thousand years may be distributed into six equal partsâ— whereof each will contain 333 years and â…“ of a year Whether is it not more consentaneous to reason that those intervals of the Churches be equally divided if the Historical events of them do better agree with these
of 1000 Years after â—he â—ate of 1000 years to one Watch of the Nigâ—t as it is Pâ—al 90. v. 4. each Watch consisting of threâ— hours and 12 hours making â—p one intire Night or Day CHAP. XIX QUest 93. What is that multitude of People whom Iohn saw in â—eaven crying â—allelujah Salvation and Glory aâ—d Honor and Power to our Loâ—d God Do not these signiâ—ie that â—ast Multiâ—ude which shall be Converted as well of Iews as of Gentiles over the whole Globe of the Earth under the Interval of the sixth Seal and the seventh and last Trumpet together with the Saints raised to Life again under the seventh Trumpet Therefoâ—e in the same hour of 2â—â—½ years viz. fâ—om the year of Christ's Nativity 1â—0â— to the year 2â—33 or from the year of His Râ—â—uâ—recâ—ion 1666 to the year 2000. Will not the City Babylon be destroyed and tâ—e City or Church of God Gloriâ—â—â—â—y â—â—ilt Whether or no that very hour is not that which is â—aid Rev. â— 8.â— to be the hour oâ— Trâ—al or Temâ—taâ—ion which shâ—ll come over the whole â—arth from wâ—â—châ— viz. fâ—om the Danâ—â—r aâ—d Evil of this â—our God hath pâ—omised to preserve tâ—e Church of Pâ—â—â—adâ—â—phia aforesaid Quest. 94. What iâ— the Marriage of the Lamb which Iâ—â—n 〈◊〉 to come at tâ—e â—â—me afâ—â—â—â—aid And again what is that â—â—pper of the Lâ—mâ— to wâ—â—ch whosoâ—â—â—r were called were Blessed v. 7 9 Do not both the Marriage and Supper of the Lamb denote the first Resurrection of the Saints unto Life among whom all Matrimony with the carnal use of it shall cease among Men and Women agreeable to Christ`s saying that in the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage But the Souls of the Saints are Married to the Lamb remaining in the mean time pure and chast Virgins Quest. 95. Doth it not clearly appear from chap. 18. v. 14 15. that the Army of the Lamb was to use no carnal Weapons For their Captain whom they followed Arrayed in white Garments and on white Horses will smite their Enemies with a Sword proceeding out of his Mouth And what are those white Horses which the Saints shall have Are they not pure Bodies Bodies of the first Resurrection above-cited CHAP. XXI QVest. 96. What is that Angel which Iohn saâ— coming down from Heaven having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his Hand who lay hold of the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand Years Is not this Angel Christ But whetheâ— he shall descend corporally in his Glorified Body or only Spiritually I leave to be farther determined Quest. 97. Do not the 1000 Years six times mention'd in this Chapter signifie 1â—00 Years properly so call'd And did not that Sabbath of Days and Yâ—ars made under the Law prâ—â—igure this Sabbath of the World to be in the seven thousandth year of it even as the six preceding thousand Years of the World were figur'd out or typified undâ—r the six Work-days And do not â—hese places of Scripture Psal. 90. v. 4. 2 Pet. 3. v. 8 râ—late unto the mystery of 1000 Years put for a day And have not the Prophets prophesied of many great and glorious things toucâ—ing this â—amous time or glâ—rious day of the Lord Also doth not that of Psal. 92. wâ—ere 't is treated of the Sabbath relate also unto that renowned timâ— Moreover is not that day the same whereof Esâ—ias prophesied saying The Light of oâ—e day shall be as the Light of seven Days and the Lord alone shall be exalted and magnified in that daâ— Bâ—sides also not only the more Learned among the Iâ—ws but many also of the Fathers among the Câ—ristians in the Primitive Agâ—s of the Church have declared and asserted their Faith and Hope concerning this Glorious Sabbath and Millennium to come wherein all tâ—e Saints being recalled from Deâ—th unto Liâ—e shall lead a most Bleâ—â—ed and also a most Holy Lâ—fe upon Earth in the firm Belief and Perswasion wherâ—oâ— tâ—ey rejoyced and triumphed in the greatest Suffâ—rinâ—s and Dangâ—rs of this mortal Liâ—e Quest. â—8 Shall not all the Saints that ever lived â—rom the beginning of the World whetheâ— they wâ—re killed for the Testimony of God oâ— died â— naturaâ— Death be raised up to live a Corporâ—al Life in the fuâ—ure Millennium And is not this Resurrection somâ— part of the Saints Reward both of smaâ—l and greâ—â— according to Rev. 11. v. 13. and Eâ—â—d 20. v. 2. Quest 9â— Shall not the Saints when they shall be raisâ—d to Life have Bodies of â—lesh not indeed suâ—h as Men now have but far more excellent such as was Adam's Body whilest he lived in the Earthly Paradise before the Fall and such also as was the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ before his Death which Bodies of the Saints shall at length in the end of the seventh Millennium be changed into Spiritual Bodies in which they shall ascend into Hâ—aven to meet the Lord And did not Paul touch upon that Mystery 1 Cor. 15. saying As we have born the Imagâ— of the Earthly Adam viz. as he was before the Falâ— we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly now glorified in the Heavens And did not the Prophets prophesie of such a Resurrection and especially Hosea and Daniel Dan. 12. v. 2. Hos. 6. v. 2. and finally doth not Paul 1 Cor. 15. plainly describe the sâ—ate of a two-fold Body the first indeed natural and then after the Expiration of the Millennium and the end of the Worlds Ages is come a Spiritual Body but that is not first which is Spiritual bâ—t that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual and is not that Reward one of the Promises of Christ in that Age when he shall come in the Glory â—f his Father Quest. 100. And as the Iews Sabbath began in the end or evening of â—he sixth day will not also this most blessed Sabbath oâ— the World begin in the end of the sixth Millennium to wit bâ—fore the sixth Milennium of the World is expired And seeing the whole time of this Worlds duration seems to be a Week consistâ—ng of 7000 Yeaâ—s thâ—re woulâ— be no Remâ—inder of Years afâ—er the end of the Millennium if this hâ—ppy Age of 1â—â—0 Years did not commence bâ—â—ore the 6â—00 Years were expired And that thâ—re is some Remaindâ—r of Years after the Millennium plainly appears â—rom the Revelations which Iohn calls a little Season Rev. 20 v. 3. Now whâ—ther or no that little Season may not contain 260 Years making that most happy Age of the World to begin about tâ—e year of the World 5740 and of Christ's Resurrection 1â—4â— I leave to be determined by â—ny onâ— to wâ—om God shall vouchsafe to open these things by a purer Chronology Quest. 101. How shall the Saints be raised up again to live a Corporeal Life on Earth seeing Matrimony and carnal Conjunction of Male and Female shall cease whether all
to be the Author and Creaâ—or â—f alâ— things Page 17. ad med Expl. Lâ—â— none inferr from thâ—se words as if when God mâ—dâ—â—an Gen. 1. He did not at once endue him with 〈…〉 three degrees making up one enâ—irâ— Soul of Man and aâ—â—o what the highâ—st and most noble to wit the principle of the divine Life out of the Aziâ—utick System Page 19. ad fin Expl. Adam's Body as originally made by God was not gross and thick as it became afterwarâ—s by Sin It was originally Or Heb. i.e. Light but after his Fall it became Yâ— r i. e. a Skin but within the thick gross Body called Skin Gen. 3.21 the true lucid Parâ—disiacal Body liâ—th hid and will not appear until the Resurrection of the Dead Page 24. Expl. The Author only delivers this Hypothetically thâ—reâ—ore l 6. dele câ—rtainly and read may signifie The Fiâ—tieth year hath a respect to another great Mâ—stâ—ry which is the opening the 50 Divine Gates of Binah i. e. The Divine Intelligence which shall be fully done at the Resurrection of the Dead and beginning of the Thousand Years Page 25. at the beginning Explic. and Emend Cain was but to be avenged 7 Fold and Lamech 77 Fold all which Punishments might have been performed on them both according to the Hypothesis of the Revolutions within the Ages of this World in order to the Melloration and Restitution of them and all elect Souls belonging to them Page 25. Line 16. Expl. and Emend Dâ—le on Earth Where note that these so many Worlds viz. 5214â— do not respect humane Souls that have lived or shall live on Earth within the compasâ— of the Ages of this World but other Souls belonging to following Worlds Page 29. l. 22. for by but read but by Page 30. ad mâ—d Explic. and Emend The 42 Sojournings oâ— the People of Israel seem to have a nearer respect unto the Spiritual Travel oâ— the Souls of Men out of Satan's Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God as â—or that other it seemeth more remote and â—â—reign but if it be true what Iewish Mystick Writeâ—◠〈◊〉 that the â—aw was given in 70 Languages and in 7â— Sâ—nces it iâ— possible that may be one of them Page 36. ad med Emend Where the number of Years from Adam to Christ's Resurrection is frequently in this Treatise computâ—d to be 〈◊〉 proceâ—deth â—rom the taking the words in Daâ—â— 9.27 the midst of the Week in a strict litâ—ral Sence but the Hebrew word in Daniâ—l signifieth the dividing the Weâ—k which may be understood of the last Year of the last Week not compleaâ— buâ— current therefore it is most probable that the Years from Adam to Christ's Resurrection are 4000 â—urrent and â—rom that to the end of the World 3000 Years Page 39. l. 2. Correct 333â…“ is 1 â—â—2 of 4000 Years thereâ—â—re 333â…“ multiplyed by 12 prâ—duceth 4000 Years Page 42. l. 17. Correct as above in p. 36. Page 50. l. 12. at the Margin for 356 read 556 and for 400 read 409. Page 52 53. Correct the number 1777 it should rather be 1774½ because the middle of the last Week of Daniel as is said needs not be strictly taken but for the last Year of the Week currant according to which Chronogical Account the first Period of Anâ—ichrist's Reign will expire about the Year from Christ's Birth 1700. Page 54. l. 18. For 652 read 1650 and for 1702 read 1700. Note whether the first Fruits mention'd Revel ch 14. have not a relation to 144000 Saints that shall be raised from the Dead as a first Fruits and appear with Christ before the general Resurrection of the Saints is worthy of further enquiry Page 55. l. 15. Emend and Explic. That the Saints shall be raised up to Life in a Carnal and Terrestrial Body must not be understood such as we now have as is well said lin 16. but such as Adam had in Paradise which being compared with such Bodies as we now have may be said to be Spiritual and yet may well he allowed to be capable of a far greater degree of Spiritualityâ— after the 1000 Years are expir'd when they shall ascend together with Christ into the Heavens But it is not to be supposed that the Saints raised up in their Bodiâ—s such as Adam had shall eithâ—r need or use the Meats and Driâ—ks of this World or the Light and Iâ—fluence of the Sun Moon and Starsâ— for it is most probable that Adam neâ—ded none of these things in Paradise for that supply'd him all that he needed Page 57. l. 5. Correct That place of Scripture 1 Cor. 15.51 seemeth not proper to be understood of Paul or any of the deceased Saints but of the Saints thâ—â— shall be found living in Mortal Bodies at Christ's coming without us in his glorified Body the word we being put for they by an ordinary figure called Enallage Personae The Saints the Gog and Magog's Army shall attempt to slay shall not be the raised Saints but the other Saints that shall live in the 1000 Years and have not as yet attain'd the Resurrection and such Saints shall marry and have Children But it is improper to think that the raised Saints shall marry to wit as Men now do and have Children by Women but the manner how Adam would have propagated his Kind is best to leave to a further opening for many think it is apparent â—rom Scripture that Adam before the Fall was Male and Female in one Body and so would have encreased without Distinction of Sex Page 58 59 60. Correct That Marrying Building Planting c. shall belong to the Saints not raised within the Thousand Years ought to be granted but is no wise proper to grant it to the raised Saints whether their Resurrection be called first or second for it seemeth to contradict the words of Christ and the Divine Order of things But all the time of the Thousand Years new Converâ—s and Saints will be added to the Church daily by the preaching of the Gospel who without dying or sleeping will be changed and the mortal and corruptible Body shall put on Immortality and Incorruption Moreover that the deceased Saints shall obtain the Resurrection of the Body by being born of Women as Men are now born into the World must not be granted for not Earthly and Mortal Women whether married or Virgins but our Heavenly and Immortal Mother Ierusalem from above shall bring us all forth and the deceased Saints generally as her Children with respect to the Resurrection or Regeneration of our Bodies at the time appointed as she hath now brought us forth and all the Saints with respect to the inward Resurrection and inward Regeneration of our Souls And only Christ shall be our Heavenly Father and Ierusalem from above our Heavenly Mother with respect to the Resurrection of the Dead and therefore the Children of the Resurrection in Scripture are called the Children of God but shall not be the Children of Men
from 〈…〉 Explic. It â—â—s well th 〈…〉 tionâ—d of â—aâ—c c. is sâ—â—d â—xpreâ—l◠〈…〉 not to be 〈…〉 time the Aâ—tâ—â—r as â—â—pâ—â—r 〈◊〉 ouâ— oâ— his own Mâ—nuâ—cripâ—s â—â—d Paper◠〈…〉 stion neâ—â—â—ivâ—ly 〈◊〉 a posâ—â—ive an 〈…〉 That Isaâ—c was 〈…〉 the Woman whiâ—h Christ 〈◊〉 wâ—en â—e câ—use iâ— thâ— Flâ—sh and tâ—at â—or 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 Iâ—aaâ— â—â—s the promisâ—d 〈…〉 Châ—ist 〈◊〉 into that mos◠〈…〉 Unâ—â—â— wiâ—h himself is â—o â—ay 〈◊〉 Iâ—â—ac â—â—comâ— Chriâ—t and so wa◠〈◊〉 own Sâ—viâ—ur bâ—t that is aâ—â—uâ—â—d foâ— Isâ—ac â—o â—ll â—â—â—â—r Men needâ—d anâ—ther to â—ave them from theiâ—â—iâ—â— and tâ—aâ—â—tâ—â—r was Chrisâ— 2. It is the Tesâ—imâ—nâ— of 〈…〉 tâ—at all Mâ—n dâ—sâ—â—nded oâ— Aâ—am â—â—râ—st 〈◊〉 have sinâ—ed and tâ—â—râ—fâ—re Iâ—aac as weâ—â— as Aâ—raham and Iaâ—â—â— â—â—â—ve sinned soâ—e â—ime â—r â—theâ— but if Isaac â—â—d â—â—en Chrâ—st to wit the Man Christ thâ—n Châ—ist hâ—d dâ—â—d â—â—r his own Sinâ— but Christ died not for his 〈◊〉 that â—ver aâ— any time â—e hâ—d for he neâ—â—â—â—aâ—â—â—ny Sin Dâ—n â— 2â— compared with Isaiaâ— 53.5 1 Cor. 15.2 2 Cor. 15.21 3. Isaac was to be saved justified and pardoned by Faith in the Man Christ but Isaac was not to believe or have Faith in himself 4. That promised Seed of the Woman that descended out of the Loins of all the Fathers in a straight Line of Succession from Adam to Christ and from Eve to Mary was no part of the defiled Nature of Man tho' it was conveyed or transmitted thro' them that had been defiled with Sin as David and Solomon were great Sinners and yet their Seed was conveyed and transmiâ—tâ—d through them And this is easie to understand how an holy and undefiled Seed or Principle can pass through them that have been defiled and be no more defiled therewith than how the Sun-Beams can shine on an unclean place and not be defiled therâ—with Now that the Seed of the Woman so conveyed and transmitted from Adam to Christ was never defiled with Sin and so was no part of the fallen Nature of Man is clear because to signifie his Primitive Purity and Holiness he was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin and not after the ordinaâ—y manner of Humane Generation And it is written of him Thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity c. Psal. 45.7 5. That of our Nature which Christ assumed if it had been defiled at any time with Sin how could it have been cleansed oâ— how could it â—leanse other parts of Man's Nature that had been defiled by Sin For it is the clean that cleanseth the unclean and the cleansing must begin in that which is clean that is the Root and Original to cureâ— and cleanse that which is unclean and by â—aith in the promised Seed of the Woman all they who were saved from the beginning of the World were cleansed and sanctified But if it be enquiâ—ed was this Seed of the Woman convâ—yed from Adam to the Man Christ the Seed of Christ or only a Bodily Seed or Principle To this it is answeredâ— That the higâ—er degree of the Soul of Christ was not that Seed that was conveyed through the Loins oâ— Abraham and David to wit that degree of his Soul called the Spirt and Mind in Hebrew Ruach and Neshamah for that was in Heaven and came down from Heaven when the Child Jesus was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin as Christ himself said Ioh. 6.38 For I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This was not the Godhead of Christ but that Superiour or Higher degree of his Soul called Ruâ—ch and Neshamah but the inferiour degree or Animal part called Nâ—â—hâ—sh in Heb. may be well allowed to have been in that Seed of the Woman which Christ assumed together with the Bodily Seed and Principle of Christ's Body and tho' it was conveyed and transmitted through all these Generations from Adam to Christ mentioned in Luke ch 3. yet that is not in the common sense of the word Revolutiâ—n because Râ—â—olution in the common sense of the word used by Mâ—â—tick Writâ—râ— is used to signifie the returning of the Souls of deceasâ—d Men to live again in other Bodies of their Posterity or Kindred But when a Man begets a Son and the Soul of his Son comes out of â—is Loins as it is said the Souls of Iacob's Children came â—ut of his Loins that is not called Revâ—lution in the common sense of the Mysâ—ick Writers Beside that Souls revolved are saâ—d to suffâ—r tâ—e Bodily Pains and Afflictionâ— that the Body suffers into which it revolveth and Death also and therefore the Sâ—â—l of Christ did not after this manner revolve for then he would have often died whereas Christ died but once and having once died he dieth no more Deathâ— hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 Nor is there any cause to suppose that Isaac's Soul needed any Revolution more than the Soul of any â—f the holiâ—st Men for these holy Men being perfected in Faith Love and Holiness according to the Hâ—pothesis of the Revolutions after Death need no Revolution but rest in perfect Peace and Joy until the Resurrection of the Dead But what is the mystery of these 76 or 77 Generations from Adam to Christ described by Luke Chap. 3. iâ— best to leave to God's further opening and noâ— tâ— intrude inâ—o things not sâ—en Pâ—gâ—â— 119 120 121 122. Emend That the two Witnâ—sâ—es shall be Mâ—ses and Elias that shall be slain and risâ— again from â—he Deâ—d I find to be the opinion of some of the Aâ—cieâ—ts particularly of H. Coziâ—s â—â—t they who did not hâ—ld tâ—at Opiâ—ion did not think they sâ—â—uld be born again of Women but that they shâ—â—â—d câ—mâ— and sâ—ffer in these very Bodies wherein they â—ormerâ—y â—â—vâ—d and should rise again But these two Wiâ—nesses shâ—ll nâ—t 〈◊〉 Mâ—sâ—â— and Eliâ—s as some sâ—y or 〈◊〉 and Eâ—â—â—s as oâ—hers saâ— it is certain that they shâ—ll be â—wo excellent and eminent Servâ—ntâ— of Gâ—d enduâ—d wiâ—h such a Prophetick and wâ—ndâ—r wâ—â—â—iâ—g â—pirit as Mâ—ses and Elias had No◠〈…〉 appear that any of the deceased Saiâ—ts â—hâ—ll by 〈◊〉 be bâ—rn agâ—in of Women â—ut they shâ—â—l â—e immediately raised up by the power of God aâ—d Christ. Pagâ— 122. ad â—iâ—em â—â—â—nd aâ—◠〈◊〉 That the Sâ—inâ—s shall be raâ—sed up tâ— live and reign with Christ on â—r over the â—â—rthâ— is noâ—â—o be understood as iâ— thâ—y should nâ—ed or 〈…〉 the Meats or Drinks oâ— the Eaâ—â—h or any 〈◊〉 Eâ—râ—hly Convenienceâ— bâ—t tâ—aâ— theâ—â—hall appear â—o â—hâ— Sâ—ints not yet 〈…〉 liviâ—g 〈…〉 Animal 〈◊〉 to their great 〈◊〉 and hâ—vâ— that Rule and Government over â—â—l tâ—e Eâ—rth that the Angels now have iâ— clear from Heb. â— 5 1 Cor. 6.2 Page 125. ad â—inâ—m Emend That the Church of 〈◊〉 shall â—ollow tâ—e latter part of the Thousand Yeaâ—s is nâ—â—â—â—oâ—able but rather that it shall be contempâ—rary 〈◊〉 thâ— Church of Philadelphia for some
in the Revelations ch 5. v. 13. who saith that he saw in his prophetical Vision every Creature in Heavâ—n and Earth and under the Earth c. praising God saying Blessing Honour and Glory and Power to â—im that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever the same also the Apostle Paul openly enough declares Eph. 1.10 Phil. 2.10 Colos. 1.20 67. Now forasmuch as whâ—n any human Judge punishes a delinquent he ought to love him and direct his punishments to this end that the punished Oâ—fender may be benefitted and bettered thereby how much rather will God love those he punishes and iâ—flict such punishmâ—nts on every Offender by which at length in their due and appointed timesâ— according to the transcendant VVisdom of God every Sinner may return from a state of Sin and Misery unto a stâ—te of Righteousness and everlasting Happiness 68. Nor doth that hinder which is vulgaâ—ly objected that every Sin deserves an exceeding great and everlasting punishment because it is against God who is infinite Goodness for because God is infinite Goodneâ—s therefore God's VVill to forgive Sins is as necessary as his VVill to punish it Again this clearly appears â—s well from Scripture as from maniâ—old experience and obseâ—vation that God does not punish the smallest and greatest Sins in the same degree but is wont to punish the lesser Sins witâ— lighter and the greater with the more grievous and heavy Judgments therefore that consequence drawn from the infiniteness and greatness of the Object is weakâ—nd invali'd for otherwise a Sinâ—er would be punished for the lightest and smallest transgression with the highest and infinite punishment 69. Because therefore there are degrees of punishments according to the degrees of Sins and no Sin is in its own nature infinite therefore all the punishments of the damned as well of fallen Angels as of Menâ— will have an end after long Tracts of time according to God's Appointment â—0 The longer any one hath been a Sinner the longer will God punish him for his Sins 71. The diversiâ—y of punishments is manifestly apparent from the words of Christ some Sinners says he are worthy to bâ— punished by the Council some are worthy of thâ— Judgment others of Hell Fire And then again some Sins are remitted in this VVorld others neither in this VVorld nor that which is to come which neverthelâ—â—s may be forgiven in some third or fourthâ— c. These words of Châ—ist also ought to be wâ—ll conâ—â—â—ered that those that were cast into Prison should not depart thence till they had paid the last Faâ—thingâ— lastly where he says it shall be more tollerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of Judgment than for that unbelieving Generation of the Iews Moreover such as are to be saved in the end of this World and such as are not to be saved till the end of the next that is till thâ— Expiration of fourteen thousand Years seem to be faiâ—ly tho' Aenigmatically describ'd Exod. 12. For the Woman that brought forth a Male Child was unclean seven days and on the eighth day the Male was Circumcised â—or this eighth day plainly signiâ—ies the â—lorification of the mortal Bodies at the Expiration of 7000 Years that is in the beginning of the eighth Millenium But if she brought forth a Female Child she was unclean 14 days by the Male our spiritual Generation by Christ seems to be signified by but tâ—e Female Man's own Rigâ—teousness For those who are only Righteous by tâ—eir own Righteousness cannot be saved in this World but are committed to the next that denying their owâ— Righteousness thâ—y mâ—y be regenerateâ— in Christ and thus having put on the tâ—â—e Righteousness oâ— Christ in a sâ—iâ—iâ—tual Regeneâ—aâ—ion finally obtained 〈◊〉 Salvation 72. But the words for ever and for ever and ever when they have a relation to the punishments of the damned are not to be understood at farâ—hest than of certain Ages 73. But when they have relation to God and the blessed Life of Saints then indeed oâ—ght to signifie never ceasing and inâ—inite Ages for to punish for inâ—inite Ages is against the nature of God who is infinite Love and to do good for infinite Ages is most agreeable to the divine Nature 74. The plurality of Worlds succeeding one another â—â—ems to be evinâ—ed by the â—2 â—ilgrimages of the Children of Israel in the Wildeâ—ness till they came at last to Gilgal where by the command of Ioshua they were Girâ—nmâ—ised now Gâ—lgal seems a Wheel or Revolutionâ— And because all things happen'd to them in the Type and Figure as St. Paul had aâ—â—irmed those â—2 peregrinations seem to signifie six Worlds that is 42000 Years whâ—ch bâ—ing expired all of them will â—inally obtain the Glorification of their Souls and Bodies in the Heavensâ— What can their coming to the twelve Fountains of Water and seventy Branches of Palm Trees in theâ—r Pilgrimage signifie unless it be this that in the fifth Millenium of this World the most benign and gracious God would send them the 12 Apostles and seventy Disciples for them to hear and this place of Pilgrimage was called Elim 75. Moreover this Succession of Worlds is clearly proved from what we read in Scripture of a thousand yea of thousands of Generations and yet from the beginning of this VVorld to the end thereof consisting of 7000 Years there cannot be rekoned 400 â—enerations 76. Therefore after the end of this VVorld another VVorld will be prepared wherein the Multiplication and Propagation of Mankind will proceedâ— and be carried on as in this present VVorld and therefore also before this VVorld there did another VVorld heretofore exist in which the Propagation of Mankind was made by successive Generations But the number of all the preceeding and succeeding VVorlds is not only undeterminable by any Mortal but by any creature 77. Bâ—t as out of the conâ—â—agration of this VVorld another VVorld will arise which will be produced as it were out of the Ashes of this present VVorld â—o out of the Ashes of the past VVorld aâ—ter the burning and conflagration of it is this VVorld framed and brought forth aâ— it were de novo or a new and so indeed the Generation and Fabrication of one follows the destruction and dissolution of another in a continual order 78. But as to what pertains to the Creation of this VVorld described by Moses in Genâ—sis this certainly is not Creation in a strict Sense but Construction Fabrication or Faction which is made of Pre-existent matter therefore they err extreamly who think this VVorld was made of nothing and that too in the spâ—ce of six days for God the great Contriver and Artificer did not make or frame it out of nothing but out of the matter of the preceding VVorld which Fabrication or Structure of this World in the space of six days may be well enough understood in a Litteral Sense 79. They who have attained to the Glorification of their Bodies in the end of