Rev. 11. Witnesses in Sackcloth and slain Witnesses In their cleaving to Christ whilst so many wonder and wander after the the Beast the Lambs followers the Sealed and Marked ones Keepers of the Commandments of God and Testimony of Jesus Rev. 14. In theâ—r courageous opposition to Tyranny and Idolatry called Victors over the Beasts Image Mark Number Name In their Martial attempts against the Beast and Whore the called chosen and faithful the Lambs Army In her quiet peaceable state Kings and Priests Ascenders of Heaven and the Throne of God Reigners with Christ the Bride the Lambs Wife the new Jerusalem the beloved City the Palme-bearing multitude The false Church being represented also under various Marks Names and Characters as you may find under another Head and amongst the rest they are called the Dead that shall not live this thousand years As Antichrist and his followers dye and go off the Stage so Christ and his followers live and come on The death of the one is the life of the other Of the rest of the Dead that lived not But the rest of the Dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished IN the understanding of this death of the wicked interpreters as much differ as they do about the living of the Saints Some suppose a Corporeal death that is here intended intimating that whilst the Saints and Martyrs are raised to live and Reign with Christ the bodies of the wicked shall not be raised but are to lye in their Graves all the thousand years And others suppose it a spiritual death a death in sin an unconverted unregenerated state that the wicked will be found in during all the thousand years But it is humbly conceived there is the same good ground t' understand this as the former living of the Saints viz. in a metaphorical sense As that living of the Saints is to be taken to be a civil life so this death of the wicked is to be understood a civil death being the direct Antithesis to the former and so indeed no other then a confirmation and illustration of that happy state of the Saints for as when the Beast and Dragon and their worshipers lived viz. were found in the full exercise of power Rule and Authority in the world the Saints then civilly dyed being not only put out of all capacity of that kind but made lyable to all manner of natural deaths and distress for opposing their usurpations and refusing their Idolatrous worship so when the Saints come to take their turns to live in power and authority then shall all the Beasts and Dragons worshipers and followers take their turns in a state of death too not only thrust from all Rule and Authority but rendred lyable to give an account with their lives and liberties for all their cruelties and murders during their tyrannous usurpations When they must have retaliation and be filled in the Cup they have filled to others and be rewarded as they have rewarded the Saints during their reign and rage For how much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and soorrw she must have Object But why called the rest of the Dead that lived not again This also is a proper Character of the false Church holding out their present posture and condition sometimes termed Earth-dwellers Beast-worshipers and Wonderers Babylon Whore a Glorious Queen City of the Nations and here according to their dethroned slaughtered imprisoned captivated state The Dead that lived not But why the Rest of the Dead so read as Pareus after the manner of the Greek the Genetive for the Nomnative the rest of the dead for the rest being dead so Rev. 9.20 rest of the men that is other men The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being other as Eph. 6.10 1 Cor. 7 29. 1 Tim. 4.13 20. The Saints that were dead that would not worship formerly in the Dragons and Beasts life and reign are now alive But the other men that worshiped Beast and Dragon enter now a state of Death and Judgment who are judged to death all the thousand years no more to Rule or Reign either in Civils Militaries or Ecclesiasticks for or under the Beast during that time then they permited the Saints to exercise any such Soveraignty for and in the behalf of Christ during their day for as one goes up the other goes down They are not to live again till the thousand years be finished implying that when the Dragon is loosed there will then be a Military power and jurisdiction at least that they may live to again in opposition unto Christ and the Saints in their encompassing the Camp of the Saints and beloved City which their said raised state makes good and confirms the former interprepretation that their death is mistically and figuratively to be understood of a civil and not litterally of a Corporeal death for if the dead men must not live again till the thousand years be expired and then must be raised out of their Graves and in that Resurrection-state appear in that Military posture is such an absurdity that I presume none will own Wicked men being not raised to make opposition against Christ and his Saints but to appear to judgment being the Resurrection to them of Damnation as to the raised Saints of Life and Salvation Of Reigning with Christ And I saw Thrones and they sat upon them and Judgment was given unto them c. And they lived and Reigned with Christ a thousand years c. And they shall be Priests to God and Christ c. AFter the Saints are revived and a Spirit of Life entred into them they are called up and ascend into Heaven saith Rev. 1.1 viz. to Rule and Government as Page 39. to Kingly power to sit upon Thrones and have judgment committed to them saith this Text Ensigns of Soveraignty Psal 122.5 Psal 7.21 1. Dan. 7.22 Alluding to the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ after his Death who Ascending Heaven had all power judgment and authority given to him Mat. 28.18 John 5.22 27. So shall it be in like manner with his mistical body in their mistical Resurrection and Ascension They are to Ascend the Throne of Christ and to receive Judgment Rule and Authority from him having suffered with him during Antichrists Reign and are now as Kings to Reign with him in his Kingdom Which Kingly state of the Saints is confirmed by divers Scriptures whereof take some few Rev. 5 10. And hath made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign on the Earth Being part of the new song of the 24 Elders that are said to be about the Throne in Chap. 4.10 with white Raiment and Crowns of Gold casting them down before the Throne interpreted here in the 9. verse of 5. to be the Church of God that were redeemed by his Blood out of every Kindred Tongue people and Nation Compared with Rev. 1.5 Vnto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in
Wilderness shall waters break out and streams in the Desert Amos 9.11 In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen and close up the breaches thereof and I will raise up his ruines and I will build it as in the days of old 12. That the may possess the Remnant of Edom and of all the Heathen which are called by my name saith the Lord that doth this which is interpreted Acts 15.16 the Conversion of the Gentiles to Christ Jesus Isa 19.24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Aegypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the Land 25. Whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless saying Blessed be Aegypt my people and Assyrya the work of mine hands and Israel mine Inheritance Zechar. 8.23 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying We will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Rev. 21.24 And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of life Zech. 12.10 And I will pour upon the House of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplications and they shall look upon him whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his first born Amos 9.10 And in that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen c. Rom. 11.15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but life from the Dead So the 23. And they also if they abide not still in unbelief shall be graffed in for God is able to graff them in again 24. For if thou wert cut out of the Olive Tree which is wild by nature and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive Tree how much more shall these which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive Tree 25. For I would not Brethren that ye should be ignorant of this Mystery least you should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is hapned to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in 25. And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob. 4. The abounding of Holiness Isa 35.8 And an Highway shall be there and away and it shall be called the way of Holiness The unclean shall not pass over it but it shall be for those Joel 3.17 Then shall Jerusalem be Holy and there shall no stranger pass through her any more Zech. 14.20 In that day shall there be upon the Bells of the Horses Holiness unto the Lord and the Pots in the Lord's House shall be like the Bowls before the Altar 21. Yea every Pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be Holiness unto the Lord of Hosts and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the House of the Lord of Hosts Hos 9. Ezek. 44.9 Rev. 21.1 Isa 60.21 Thy people shall be all righteous Zeph. 3.13 The Remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lyes neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths 2 Pet. 2.13 New Heavens and new Earth wherein dwells righteousness Rev. 21.1 And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth 2. And I John saw the Holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven c. 3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men c. 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth c. but they that are written in the Lamb's Book Outward and visible acts of Worship Rev. 88. Rev. 21. Freedom from Sorrow Pain and Sickness Isa 25.8 The Lord will in that day wipe away all tears from all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the Earth for the Lord hath spoken it Isa 54.13 14. Thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy Children In righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear and from terror for it shall not come near thee Isa 60 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken I will make thee an eternal excellency violence shall be no more heard in thy Land the days of thy mourning shall be ended Isa 65.19 I will joy in my people and the voice of weeping or crying shall no more be heard in her Rev. 7.16 17. They shall hunger no more For the Lamb in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 21.4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more sorrowing nor crying nor pain Ezek. 28.24 Jer. 30.10 Superabounding pouring forth of the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophecy your old Men shall dream Dreams your Young-men shall see Visions 29. And also upon the Servants and upon the Hand-maids in those days will I pour out my Spirit Isa 32.15 Lastly The restauration of the Creature Isa 65.17 For behold I create a new Heavens and a new Earth and the former shall not be remembred no come into mind 25. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together c. Rom. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us 19. For the earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God 21. Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God c. This glorious and happy state of the Church in this your Rule Dignity and Soveraignity is called in Scripture the Kingdom of Christ and is so spoken off as if he was personally present with them in all this work before mentioned both in the conquering as well as peaceable part of the Kingdom First As to the Conquering part or as by way of distinction called the Kingdoms of the Stone it is called his Kingdom and spoke of as if he were personally present Dan. 2.44 And in the days of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people c. The interpretation of Verse 34. Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out without hands which smote the Image upon his
is to proceed the Corporeal general Resurrection Upon the Expiration of the said thousand years 7. And when the 1000. years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his Prison 8. And shall go out to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to Battle the Number of them is as the sand of the Sea 9. And they went up on the breadth of the Earth and compassed the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City And fire came down from God oâ—t of Heaven and devoured them the Nations revolt from the subjection under Christ's Rule in the hands of the Saints annoying and disturbing them all the World over for a Season though to their own utter ruine and overthrow under the figurative terms of loosing the Devil their Representative out of Prison to deceive the Nations and to gather them in an huge numberless Host called Gog and Magog to besiege a Camp and City an Allusion to Israel of old holding out the Saints politick and setled state by which Emblem of a City is represented also the Enemies setled condition all the world over and holds out their mischievous purpose to ruine the Interest of Christ and to root it up from off the Earth Upon this rebellious design of the Nations in this their treasonable and murderous attempt they are upon the personal coming of Christ to Judgment destroyed by fire who comes in flaming fire rendring Vengeance upon them foretold in the typical destruction of Sodom and Gog and Magog their perfect Types and Predecessors 10. And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and the False-pâ—ophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever And now is the time come that the Devil in a litteral sense who hath been the Mistical head of the Pagan state is to be cast into the lake of fire there to remain for ever But Mistically and Metaphorically is all Heathenish and Worldly Rule and Authorities now utterly destroyed and vacated as the Antechristian Dominion was by casting the Beast and False-prophet into the lake of fire or as when the Devil himself is thither sentenced never any more to come out thence And then in order and according to the whole current of Scripture and scope of it 11. And I saw a great white Throne and him that sat on it from whose face the Earth and the Heavens fled away and there was found no place for them 12. And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works 13. And the Sea gaxe up the Dead which were in it and Death and Hell delivered up the Dead that were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 14. And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire This is the second Death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of Fire comes the Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment in the Order and Method as here laid down to be understood in the Letter from which there is no necessity to depart or to conceive it Allegorical Wherein we have Christ the Judge appearing upon the Throne of Judgment the Heavens and Earth departing at his presence The Dead small and great standing before him the Books opened and Dead judged out of the Books according to their Works c. XXI CHAP. Of the Revelation ANd I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away and there was no more Sea 2 And I John saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband 3 And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away 5 And he that sat upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me Write for these words are true and faithfull 6 And he said unto me Is it done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end I will give unto him that is a thirst of the Fountain of the water of life freely 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son 8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and Whoremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 9 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Viols full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God 11 Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasper stone clear as Crystal 12 And had a wall great and high and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel 13 On the East three gates on the North three gates on the South three gates and on the West three gates 14 And the wall of the City had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he that talked with me had a golden Reed to measure the City and the gates thereof and the wall thereof 16 And the City lieth four square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal 17 And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and fourty and four cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel 18 And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure gold like unto clear glass 19 And the foundations of the wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was Jasper the second Saphire the third a Chalcedonie the fourth an Emerald 20 The fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacinct the twelfth an
Amethyst 21 And the twelve gates were twelve Pearls every several gate was of one Pearl and the street of the City was pure gold as it were transparent glasse 22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it 23 And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 24 And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lambs Book of life CHAP. XXII Vers 1.2 3 4 5. And he shewed mea pure River of water of life clear as crystall prodeeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the River was there the Tree of Life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yeelded her fruit every Moneth and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations 3. And there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads 5 And there shall be no night there and they need no Candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall Reign for ever and ever The City of God or Kingdom of Christ in the thousand Years Reign further asserted from the 21th and part of the 22th of the Revelations THis portion of Scripture viz. the 21. Chap. to the 6. verse of the 22 doth very elegantly hold forth the happy and Glorious condition of the Church in the thousand years upon her deliverance from her Enemies by their just ruine and destruction wherein the Angel gives John a larger and fuller discovery of that blessed state whereof he had given him some hints and glimpses in the foregoing Chapter so that what he called an enthroning verse 4. and a City state verse 9. he here declares to be no less than a new World a new Heaven and a new Earth Babylons old World her old Heavens and Earth viz. Sun Moon Stars Sea being burnt up and consumed and no other than the taking place of the New Jerusalem that holy and beloved City after the ruine and destruction of that filthy and bloody City or the coming forth of the Spouse the Lambs wife in all her beatiful array prepared for her Husband after the desolation ruine and destruction of that beastly filthy Strumpet that gaudy painted Harlot For you will find it naturally linkt to the foregoing story of the thousand Years and belonging to the State of Grace before the Judgement and not because it is put down after the Vision of the Judgement therefore it must so in order be reckoned and then consequently to belong to the State of Glory as most Interpreters judge For you will find nothing more frequent in this Book then to give brief hints of things in one Chapter and then to prosecute them more fully in the next several occurrences of after dates intervening and coming betwixt As for instance that passage in the eleventh Chapter where he mentions first the slaughter of the witnesses by the Beast then of the Witnesses Resurrection enemies Destruction and Christ's Kingdom yet afterwards in the 13th Chapter returns again to the Beast and gives an account of his rise and rage which must not therefore be supposed to be a Beast rising up after Christ's Kingdom takes place because it is mentioned after it but a further and larger account of that Beast that he had but briefly hinted at before in the eleventh Chapter And that we are not mistaken herein Let first the Prophet himself from whom the Prophecy is fetcht about these new Heavens and new Earth and new Jerusalem which are both one be the Judge For you will find the time when he foretells such a state to take place is not to be in a state of immortality and glory but in this World short of the Resurrection and Judgement because he saith in the 21 22 23. Verses of that 65. Isa It must be in a time when Building Planting and Procreating will be proper which cannot possibly be in the State of Glory and Immortality as our Saviour himself hath over ruled Luke 20.34 35. And Secondly Let it be considered that this new Jerusalem or beloved City was in the thousand Years otherwise why should it be said upon the expiring thereof in the 9th Verse of the 20th that the Gog-Magog Army encompassed the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City And Thirdly Consider that the Church is called here the Spouse the Lambs wife only prepared and made ready for her Husband and not following the Allegory yet in that full enjoyment and fruition which the state of glory brings her to And Fourthly It may be considered that in this state God is said to Tabernacle and dwell with Men which discovers it to be a state of grace here and not in that state when they shall always be with God in the state of glory And that we are not alone herein you have Mr. Forbs upon the 21. Rev. delivering himself thus viz. All the dispensation of God towards this City being committed to the Lamb the Mediatour bespeaks it to be accomplished in this World because in the World to come he gives up the Kingdom to God that he may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 And further That nothing is here so magnifickly spoke which the Prophets before have not almost in the same terms uttered of the state of the Church here in Grace we will easily perceive that no such thing is here meant as whereto most part of interpreters have drawn it But even by this amassing together of all the goodly promises in the Prophets of the Churches graceful and peaceable state to let us see that all this time shall be the full performance never any more to be disturbed and so therein the Mystery of God to be finished nothing now resting to be either expected or wished but that the Lord Jesus come quickly And the Assembly in their Annotations upon Rev. 21.1 viz. As the Church is altered so must her dwelling it may be spoken of a Glorious Church on Earih and then the day of Judgment is set before it in the former Chap. That the downfall of the Enemies of Gods Church might be set down altogether and then the Churches felicity after the destruction of the Whore Beast Dragon and
all covert and open Enemies which new state will abide till Glory come Bringing in of Eastern Kingdoms may well be called a new world And Mr Mede further very significantly to this point upon his sixth Synchronysme in his Clavis Apoc. p. 24. gives the following four substantial Arguments to enforce the same viz. First The Marriage of the Lamb and that Imperial Kingdom of the Almighty Lord God both begin after the destruction of Baâ—ylon where the seventh Trumpet beginneth this appeareth out of the Hymn of the Elders and Beasts which in the former Synchronisme we have commended out of the Nineteenth Chapter verse 6 7. Hallelujah for our Lord God Almighty Reigneth Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the Marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready Put the New Jerusalem is that Bride of the Lamb aborned and prepared for her Husband Chapter 21. verse 2. And I saw saith he the Holy City new Jerusalem coming down from the God out of Heaven as a Bride adorned for her Husband and verse 9. Come and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife c. Secondly Jerusalem is the beloved City but that beloved City forthwith after he thousand years are ended is said to be compassed about by those Troops of Satan then let loose Chapter 20. verse 9. And they compassed the Tents of the Saints and the beloved City therefore it must needs have been extant before while Satan was yet bound Thirdly The seventh Vial being poured out wherewith the Beast is dispatcht and abolished there came a loud voice from the Throne saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is done Chapter 16. verse 17. So also he that sate upon the Throne saith to John beholding new Jerusalem descending from Heaven Chapter 21. verse 5 6. Behold I make all things new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is done I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End therefore new Jerusalem the Bride of the Lamb begins at the last end of the Vials 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Whore being already dispatcht and so it contemporizeth with the space of time which ensueth the destruction of the Beast â—ourthly One of the Angels of the Vials Chapter 17. doth shew unto John the Condemnation of the Whore even while the Vials are in pouring out and at least by one of them to be executed And the same Angel of Vials Chap. 21. verse 10. sheweth to the same John the Bride of the Lamb the great City Holy Jerusalem to become Glorious even when the Vials are now ended that is the Beast and Babylon being destroyed In treating whereof we shall first give you a brief Analysis then a short Explanation of the most material and difficult things in the Vision The Analysis or Parts of the Chapter In this description of the glorious and happy state of the Church we have First A more brief and general account which is given partly by Vision partly by Voice from the first to the ninth Verse Secondly We have a more particular and larger account which is visionally expressed from the ninth of the twenty first to the sixth Verse of the twenty second In the briefer Account we have First By Vision the Churches happiness represented and that First In respect to a new World And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first Heaven and Earth was past away Secondly In respect to the evils of Commotion and trouble that are to be removed thence And there was no more Sea Thirdly In respect of the new Jerusalem Described by 1. Her Holiness in opposition to the unholy City that was removed 2 Her newness First In respect to old Jerusalem the Type Secondly In respect of her new state and happiness 3. Her Heavenliness or Divine descent 4. Her Bridelike preparedness Verse 2. And I saw the Holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband Secondly By Voice Tending to explain and confirm the former Vision which is twofold 1. From Heaven 2. From the Throne 1. The Voice from Heaven declares the Churches happiness First Respecting the enjoyment of all good consisting in the enjoyment 1. Of Gods Covenant relating to them 2. His Co-habitation by his presence with them And I heard a voice out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Verse 3. Secondly Respecting the removal of evil by the passing away of former things viz. Distresses Persecutions Slaughters as Rev. 12.2.13.7.14.13 Which shall trouble her no more And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are past away Verse 4. 2. The Voice from the Throne which is thâ—â—e-fold from God himself confirming this happy state 1. Proclaiming himself the Author of this new Fabrick And he that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new 2. Commanding John to Write and Record these words as infallible And he said unto me write for these words are true and faithful Verse 5. 3. Declaring the consummation of this happy state according to Prophecy And he said unto me It is done confirm'd from his Omnipotency I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End described by the nature and excellency of this happiness I will give unto him that is a thirst of thâ— Fountain of the water of Life freely He that over cometh shall inherit all things And I will be his God and he shall be my Son Verse 6 7. Which happy state is illustrated by the contrary miserable condition that must attend the Worshippers of the Beast and Vassals of Anti-christ who are ranked in eight several sorts describing their corruptions But the fearful and unbelieving and the Abominable and Murderers and Whoremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second Death Secondly In the larger Account by Vifion to John we have 1. The preparation of John for the Vision 2. The description of the Church and her happy estate as represented in the Vision First The Preparation of John for perceiving and beholding this Vision wherein may be observed 1. Who prepared viz. one of the seven Vial Angels 2. How prepared him partly by words And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife And partly by action And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high Mountain Verse 10. Secondly The Churches Description And she is shewed here in the height of magnificency and stateliness transcending all the glory of the Kingdoms of
like manner also doth the Glory here return to Jerusalem and that in so visible a manner that all are enlightned by it to fulfill the words of the Prophet Isa 60.1 2. Arise shine for thy light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee for behold darkness shall cover the Earth and gross darkness the people but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his Glory shall be seen upon thee c. and which will be so splendid and shine to that perfection that to follow the simile Rev. 22.5 there shall be no night there and they need no Candle neither light of the Sun 21.23 compared with Isa 60.19 And again The Gentiles shall see thy Righteousness and all the Kings of the Earth thy Glory Isa 62.2 And then shall also be accomplished what is further said Isa 52.9 10. The Lord shall make bare his holy name in the eyes of all Nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of God So that not only the Glory of his presence and the Glory of his Grace but the Glory of his power shall be manifest for his people to the fulfilling also that word Isa 4.5 And the Lord will Create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a Cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon or above all the Glory shall be a defence alluding to the presence and Glory of old the type hereof that came up with them out of Aegypt Exod. 13.21 that was with them in the Wilderness Exod. 33.9 10. which was so to be their guide that without it they must not stir Numb 9.15 Exod. 33.15 that accompanied the Tabernacle Exod. 40.34 and both the Temples 1 Kings 8.11 Hag. 2. 6 7. in the enjoyment whereof consisted their Counsel Comfort Blessing Protection Strength and therefore must the High-Priest begging that Mercy bless the people Numb 6.23 and in the loss whereof the contrary attended viz. all misery and mischief But so eminently shall this new Jerusalem be blessed herewith that her name shall be called Jehovah Shamah viz. the Lord is there Ezek. 48.35 whilst it may truly be said of her Opposite that other City that by the smoke that cometh out of the Bottomless-pit and by the indwellings of Satan whose Throne and Seat is therein that darkness incompasseth her as a Cloud and thick darkness as a covering that the height of her Glory is but in her own shame which will hasten her inevitable ruine and utter confusion and for whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever Of the Wall And had a Wall great and high and had twelve Gates and at the Gates twelve Angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel 12. On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates on the West three Gates 13. And the Wall of the City had twelve Foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 14. And he that talked with me had a Reed to measure the City and the Gates thereof and the Wall thereof 15. And he measured the Wall thereof a hundred forty four Cubits and the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper c. HAving spoken of the City in general he comes to speak of her strength and splendor being a City compact together and the first thing he begins with is the Wall A Wall is for safety security and defence as well as for Ornament and Beauty It is said The Canaanites had Walls reaching to Heaven Deut. 1.28 And that Babylon had a great broad Wall Jer. 51.58 That Jerusalem after the Captivity had a Wall with twelve Gates And so had Ezekiels City also lying four-square and upon each quarter three Gates In allusion whereto the new Jerusalem is here described to have a four-square Wall and twelve Gates therein but such a Wall that in all respects transcends all that ever was heard or read of in the world Which in its constitution several parts dimensions and proportions you have thus laid down viz. 1. In its regularity laid out by the Golden Reed in the Angels hand 2. In its materials of which it is built all of Jasper stone 3. In its foundation viz. twelve precious stones garnishing the same 4. In its figure Quadranguler four square lying upon the four Quarters East North South West 5. In its breadth 144 Cubits 6. In its heighth which if agreeing with the City is twelve thousand Furlongs or 1500. Miles 7. In the number of the Gates which according to the number of the Patriarchs and Apostles as the Gates of Jerusalem of old are twelve 8. In its Emblematical inscription twelve Tribes names upon the Gates and twelve Apostles names upon the foundation-stones 9. In its Porters assigned to keep the Gates twelve Angels 10. In the admirable and wonderfull matter of the Gates twelve entire Pearls In all which no question singular Mysteries are intended which for want of light we may come very short in the understanding of yet according to what we have attained you may upon the whole take these following general hints from whence light may be fetcht to look into the particulars viz. 1. By the exact mensuration of both Wall Gates and City it self in all their dimensions We may understand that as of old both in the Tabernacle Exod. 25.4 as in the Temple first 1 Chron. 28.19 and second Zach 2.1 2 3 c. Ezek. 43.11 12. all things relating to the worship and service of God was to be exact according to Rule even to the very Pins and Nails of the Temple c. So also in this Glorious state of the Church how large and extensive soever yet is she not it seems in an arbitrary way to order and regulate her affairs either relating to the worship and service of God or to her whole Oeconomy of Rule and Government but must in all lie truly level to the square and even to the pattern of the Golden Reed of Gods Word which must try both Members Doctrine Worship and Manners 2. By this wonderful great and high Wall that is said thus to encompass this glorious City we may conclude that the Protection Salvation and defence of the Church shall be very singular and that then that Word of the Prophet shall be fulfilled Violence shall no more be heard in thy land nor wasting and destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy Gates Praise And that when Gods encompassings and encampings shall be so visibly without as Isa 4.5 Zach. 9 8. 2 Kings 6.16 17. And his co-habitation within as Rev. 21.3.22 23. Chap. 22.3 Then may the Church safely conclude that Song may seasonably be Sung Isa 26.1 We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks 3. That the matter of the Wall being of the same glorious substance that the
Mankind shall now be restored to its primitive luster and purity when there shall be to accomplish the word of promise Judges restored as at first and Counsellours as at the beginning that the City may be called the City of Righteousness the faithful City Isa 26. When her Officers must be made Peace and Exactours Righteousness Isa 60.17 When their Nobles shall be of themselves and their Governours shall proceed from the midst of them Jer. 30.21 And Princes shall no more oppress Gods people Ezek. 45.8 Nor any oppressed shall pass through them any more then may we expect that the Lords Law will be magnified and made honourable Isa 1.42.21.23 And the Law must go forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mich. 4.2 Then Righteousness Truth and Peace shall kiss each other Psal 45. And the people shall be judged with Righteousness and the poor with judgement when there shall be a Spirit of judgement to them that sit in judgement and strength to them that turn the battle to the Gate Isa 28.56 For the Spirit of the Lord must then eminently be given to Rulers and Judges who must be annointed for the due execution of that great Ordinance as the 70 of old Numb 11 17.27 Numb 27.18.20 21. as the Joshua's Deut. 34.9 the Othniell's Jud 3.9 10. the Sampsons Jud 14.6 the Samuels 1 Sam. 3.20 the Davids 1 Sam. 16.13 14. when the feeble shall be as David and the Davids as Angels Zach. 12.8 When righteousness shall run down as a mighty stream and peace shall be extended like a River Isa 66.12 And Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of these times Isa 33.6 And this shall be the season when there shall be no more Curse as the Text saith when the Throne of the Lamb shall thus take place intimating that the abuse of the Throne has brought in a Curse which is a great truth for righteous Rulers are not more to be esteemed a blessing than evil and wicked Rulers are esteemed a Curse which are given therefore as a judgment and Curse for sin as well as to be a Curse as Lev. 26.17 Judges 2.14 Deut. 28.47 48. 2 Kin. 17.19 Isa 10.5.42.24 Isa 3.4 Eccles 10.16.4.13 14 Isa 3.4.13 Thus have we taken a view of that Throne of God and the Lamb that is to be in new Jerusalem the City of God We shall also observe to you that Babylon hath a Throne in her also but it is the Throne of the Devil Rev. 2.10 The Throne of the Beast Rev. 16. even that Seat or Throne that the Dragon gave him Rev. 13 who resigned to him his Power Seat and Authority Rev. 13.2 A throne of Violence Mischief Blood and Iniquity from whence has proceeded all manner of unrighteousness they having thereon established mischief by a Law and because it hath been in the power of their hands therefore have they exacted it with all manner of cruelty and oppression for in her is found the Blood of the Prophets and of Saints and of all that are slain upon the earth Rev. 18.24 And therefore has the holy Spirit portraied the Beast and where the Chief Rulers upon this Throne are to have their Garments all stained with Blood of a Crimson and Scarlet Colour and to be drunk with Blood Blood within and Blood without a Scarlet Whore riding upon a Crimsom Coloured Beast and therefore is that cry under the Altar How Long ere thou avenge our blood at her hand But the day is hastening when Inquisition shall be made after this Blood Psal 9.12 And when the Earth shall disclose her Blood and no more cover her slain Isa 26.21 When the Righteous Sentence shall go forth from the Throne give her Blood to drink for she is worthy Rev. 16.6 with the reason of it for they have shed the Blood of Saints and Prophets Fill her double in the Cup she hath filled when that Song shall be Sung even the Song of Moses the song of the Lamb viz. Great and Marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy holy Name for thou only art Holy for all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest And again Allelujah Salvation and Glory and Honour and power unto the Lord our God for true and Righteous are his Judgments for he hath judged the great Whore which did corrupt the Earth with her Fornication and hath avenged the Flood of his Servants at her hand And again they said Allelujah Rev. 19.1 2 3. If you desire better information into the Idolatries Hypocrisies Treasons and cruel Butcheries of the Popish Antichristian Generation if you have forgot the Amarian Cruelties the Bloody Irish and Peidmont Massacres with the burning of London read two late pieces writ one by Dr. Stillingfleet and an other giving you the History of these things out of their own writing by Mr. Foulis A Paraphrastical Exposition JOhn having seen a Vision of the Destruction of Babylons old World viz. in the passing away of her old Heaven in her Whorish Ministry or Church state and her old Earth in her Beastly Magistracy or Civil state has now a Vision of Jerusalems new World wherein all things are made new viz. In her new Heaven-Bride-like ministry or Church state and in her Lamb-like Magistracy or Civil state and which in Conjunction is discovered in the emblematical representation of a Glorious City hereafter expressed 9. And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And there was one of the seven Angels that having shewed me the destruction of the false Church by the burning of a gaudy Whorish woman Rev. 17. shews me here the exaltation of the true Church by the representation of a Beautiful comely Virgin prepared and trimed as a Bride for her Husband And then me thought I was carryed unto the top of a great Mountain and had spiritual discoveries of the new Testament Church that is built upon a Hill Mat. 5.14 10 And he carryed me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem discending out of Heaven from God And as the Angel had discovered to me Babylon the false Church in the figure of a great City was pleased by the emblem of a famous City to shew me new Jerusalem the true Church and by the situation grandeur beauty and excellent descent of the one would have me to understand the Divine original perspicuity stability greatness and holiness of the other And then by observing to me that Divine Glory 11. Having the Glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper stone clear as Chrystal Ver. 23. And the City had no need of the
the mystery of God and therefore properly applyed to them but short of them can in no sence be either pertinent or true To the second Objection as to the order of the Prophecy I think I need do little but return that Observation for the Solution viz That for the order of things to be done whereof the Revelation speaketh we must search that in the Seal-prophecy which ends with the 11th Chapter all that follows being only a more plentifull declaration of things hinted before and so the order is not so much regarded in this latter prophecy that viz the Order being to be fetcht out of the former Which is true For you will find in this latter Systeme of Prophecies from the 11th Chapter that the former part of the 12th takes place before much of the 11th and the former part of the 13th the latter part of the 12th And good part of the 11th contemporizeth with if not precedes much of the 14th The 18 19 and 20th is an explanation of the 17th or rather all from the 11th Chapter to the end is but an enlargement and exposition of what is epitomized in the 11th where under the witnesses prophecy Death Resurrection and Ascension is held forth the Beasts rise rage and ruine and the taking place of Christs Kingdom which the mind of wisdom warily observing the parallel of Synchronisms must get the distinct knowledge into each as laid down mixedly from the 11th to the end And that no such order as is suggested is to be observed nor any such distance betwixt them as imagined But that the New Jerusalem beloved City new Heaven and Earth or City of God is one with Christs Kingdom in the thousand years may appear from these following considerations viz. First Because upon the destruction of the fourth Monarchy viz. the Whore and Beast or the Magisterial and Ministerial part of Antichrist the thousand years Reign of Christ and the Saints begin or the marriage of the Lamb or new Heavens-state being both one as Rev 19.7.21.2 takes place and therefore are the Hallelujahs sung by the Church for the Salvation Glory Honour and Power that Jesus Christ takes to himself thereupon Rev. 19.6 7 8 9. Secondly Because it is fully manifest that the beloved City is in being during the thousand years For upon the Dragons release he stirs up the Nations against the City of God and accordingly is the Gog-Magog design to besiege and encompass it which is no less in circuit than the whole Earth being the Antithesis to great Babylon the City of the Nations for as one goes down the other goes up in the beginning of the thousand years by which it is undenyable that during the thousand years the beloved City had a being and for better satisfaction herein you may see Mr Mede p. 24. upon his 6th Synchronism Thirdly Because of the Harmonious marks and Characters that accord with both in their taking place in the World viz. 1. Doth the new Jerusalem enter when the seventh Trumpet Soundeth and the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 18. So doth the thousand years Rev. 20.4 6. comparde with 19.6 2. Doth the new Jerusalem take place upon the pouring out of the Vials and finishing the mystery of God Rev. 10.7 when the Angel of the Vials saith it is done Rev. 21.6 So upon the pouring out of the seventh Vial upon the destruction of the Beast when the thousand years begin as Rev. 19.21 22. Rev. 20.1 It is also said It is done Rev. 16.16 17. 3. Is one the beginning of Christs visible Kingdom upon the Earth so is the other Rev. 20.4 6.19 6. 4. Is one the time of the Marriage of the Lamb with his Church and people Rev. 21.3 9. so is the other Rev. 19 6 7. 5. Is one the time of Jacobs rest from his sorrow and from his fear and from his hard bondage wherein he was made to serve Isa 14.2 So is the other that seventh day or seventh thousand years or great Sabbatism Heb. 4.9 When all enemies Kings of the Earth and their Armies are brought down and Satan bound and Saints as Kings and Priests ascend the throne and peaceably Reign Rev. 20 4 6. 6. Is there to be building planting marrying and giving in marriage procreation enjoyment of Liberty Peace Ease plenty in the new Jerusalem new Heaven and Earth-state as is affirmed from Isai 65.21 33. So also must be the thousand years where Christs virtual presence is in that mystical Resurrection-state For neither before nor after the thousand years shall there be such a state to the Church therefore it must be in the thousand years After the thousand years is the Judgment day Corporeal Resurrection and personal coming of our Lord Jesus as I have at large proved elsewhere when all the Saints are in glorified bodyes as 1 Joh. 3.20 21. Phil. 3.20 21. 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. 1 Cor. 15.51 52. And that as well the changed as raised Saints in which state it is expresly said Luke 20.34 That they who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that World and the Resurrection from the Dead Mark that not onely the raised Saints but whoever shall be accounted worthy to obtain that World taking in the changed also neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they die any more for they are equal to the Angels and are the Children of God being the Children of the Resurrection so that this above all contradiction asserted that they which partake of the Angelical glorious state in the World to come are not capable of such sensitive enjoyments therefore of necessity must it bee before in this new Heaven new Jerusalem or 1000 years state 7. Is the new Jerusalem or City of God extensive over the whole Earth as great Babylon the City of the Nations was So is the Reign of Christ in the thousand years Rev. 20.9 8. Is this glorious City made up of living not dead stones and materialls so is the Church of Christ in an especial manner during the thousand years Rev. 20.6 Eph 2.19 The third Object against the Harmony or oneness of these two states is because of those Scriptures that so positively in their apprehensions assert Christs personal presence in the new Ierusalem-state so inconsistent with the 1000. years after which is to be the Gog. Magog attempts The Scriptures usually mentioned are Rev. 21.3.22.22.3 The Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and God himself shall be with them The Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him and they shall see his face c. To which I would say in the first place that if I have reasoned right in answer to the former Objection about the order it necessarily and undeniably follows that these Scriptures that speak of Gods Tabernacling and dwelling with men and men beholding his face must be understood of a vertual
presence and co-habitation and not personal and proper which I think will be easily granted by them especially that acknowledge the thousand years inconsistent with the personal presence the Analogy of Faith being to be kept in all our interpretations and expositions But secondly neither is there any thing exprest in these Scriptures that necessitates literal understanding so as to inforce a personal presence much of the same being exprest elsewhere relating to Gospel days of the vertual presence as 2 Cor. 6.16 for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them Rev 2.1 Christ is said to walk in the golden Candlesticks or Churches and the great priviledge of Saintship is to hold Communion with God to maintain fellowship to walk with him to enjoy the light of his Countenance and to see his face The Scriptures I need not quote being so well known Thirdly That the personal presence cannot be in the new Jerusalem state as granted it cannot be in the thousand years I refer you to those many Arguments Reasons and Scriptures given in the former part The fourth Objection is from the duration of the new Heaven or new Jerusalem which is said to be set without date and to be for ever and ever Chap. 22.5 and to remain before God as an immoveable pillar Isa 66.22 and Daniel calls it an everlasting Dominion which a Kingdom expresly bounded with a thousand years cannot be called To which I answer that there is no concluding Argument in this neither for what is more frequent in Scripture than by the terms ever yea ever and ever and everlasting to mean some space of time yea and that sometimes a term short of a thousand years too Is not the Covenant of Circumcision called a perpetual and everlasting Covenant Exod. 31.19 Gen. 17.13 The Priest-hood an everlasting Priest-hood Exod. 40.15 The Temple is said to continue for ever 1 Kings 8.13 with everlasting Gates Psal 24.7 9 The servitude of the Israelites till the Jubile for ever Exod. 21.6 Deut. 15.17 Lev. 25.39 c. The Land of Canaan was given the Children of Israel to inhabit for ever and ever Jer. 25.5 The seventy years Captivity is called perpetual Jer. 25.9 Therefore I conclude that there is no Ground or warranty at all upon such niceties to draw such singular conclusions and not only to slit separate and divide these States but to set them at such a vast distance a thousand years at least which indeed makes a wide breach in the Prophecie and run upon that Rock of setting the thousand years so far off as to be past already which I conceive is not to be reconciled either with the spirits interpretation in this Book the scope of the place or other Scriptures and necessarily runs upon a thousand inconveniences The fifth Objection is that out of the Rev 20.11 where because it is said the Earth and Heaven fled away at Christs appearance so as there was no more place for them therefore it is concluded that it is the same Heaven and Earth viz. that in the 21.1 is said to have past away as the first Heaven and Earth to make way for the new Heaven and Earth or new Jerusalem But I conceive they are as different in their Natures as they are in their times being a thousand years distant at least from each other the one Rev. 21.1 being the mistical Heaven and Earth outward visible Rule Dignity and Soveraignty such as the Dragon Beast and false-prophet have exercised in the fourth Monarchy as is before largely proved not only from the scope of the place and many Scriptures of the Prophets but from the excellent observation of Mr. Mead Assemblies Annotations Mr. Bernard c. in this place for now the old Heavens and Earth in the fourth Monarchy being past away in order to its Antithesis taking place the new Heavens and Earth or new Jerusalem Saints Reign or fifth Monarchy in the thousand years which the 65. Isa 17. c. fully demonstates evincing it to be a state wherein there is to be Building Planting Marrying and giving in Marriage enjoyment of peace and plenty by the Saints and Elect which are utterly inconsistent to the personal Reign of Christ after the erecting of the white Throne in the Judgment day The other in the 20.11 is the material old Heaven and Earth that at Christs coming and personal appearing pass away as 2 Pet. 3.10 where it is said that the day of the Lord shall come as a Thief in the night in which the Heaven shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with servent heat the Earth also and the works therein shall be burnt up and the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and that this intendeth the material Heavens and Earth beyond all dispute the seventh verse tells us that as the former Heaven and Earth viz. the old world was by Gods Word destroyed by Water so the Heaven and Earth that is now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men and this in order to those material new Heavens and Earth that in this time of restitution of all things must take place wherein Christ and all his Saints in the general Resurrection and Judgement as this Rev. 20.11 in that his misphatical Kingdom after his Davidical or Monarchical kingdom is over shall Reign and Judge Now the same Heaven and Earth that Peter saith shall at Christs presence pass away with a great noise John saith here The Earth and the Heaven fled away at his presence or from his face erecting now his white Throne where he will judge the wicked and ungodly The sixth and last Objection that is to be spoken to and indeed is significantly urged is this viz. that if this thousand years ought to be esteemed the new Heaven and Earth how then can it bring forth such Vipers and Monsters as Gog and Magog who must either be of the first or old Heaven and Earth or of the new Not of the new for they must remain Isa 65. And if of the old how then are they past away To which I reply that this new Heaven and Earth viz. the Monarchical Rule of Christ in the hands of the Saints over the Nations of the Earth hath its date and lasteth but a thousand years during also which time Satan is bound viz. all worldly Empire put down no Government in the hands of any but Saints and the Nations all in perfect subjection But it is according to the decree of Heaven that at the expiration of these thousand years Satan shall be loosed and then the Heathenish Nations instead of subjecting to Christs Rule will universally rebel and conspire against it because they are only under and in subjection to the Government of the new Heavenly state but never of it none of those that ever entred the holy City and so
GREAT BABYLON The Mother of Harlots abominations of That filthy Bloody City Rev. 17. THE CITY of GOD OR Kingdom of Christ IN The thousand years Reign before his Personal coming and appearing further asserted and cleared From the 21th Chapter of the Revelations Wherein you have the Mystery of the two Worlds Christs Anti-christs further explained Wherein you have the Mystery of the two Kingdoms Christs Anti-christs further explained Wherein you have the Mystery of the two Cities Jerusalem and Babylon further explained Wherein you have the Mystery of the two Women Bride and Whore further explained Wherein you have the Mystery of the two Creatures Lamb and Beast further explained Ps 87.3 Glorious things are spoken of thee thou City of God Ps 122.6 They shall prosper that love thee Ps 48.12 13. Walk about Zion and go round about her tell the Towers thereof mark ye well her Bulwarks consider her Pallaces that ye may tell it to the Generations following 〈◊〉 137.8 Oh Daughters of Babylon that art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us â—â—ch 8.8 So they read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading London Printed in the Year of our Lord. 1672. THEOPOLIS OR THE CITY of GOD New JERUSALEM IN Opposition to the City of the Nations Great BABYLON Comprehending The blessing and benefit of Christs Kingdom in the thousand years Reign before his personal coming and appearing after the total ruine of the Beast and his Kingdom In a Coment upon the 20th and 21st Chapters of the Revelations With An Additional Answer to these two material Questions 1. Whether the thousand years Reign is not already past as Brightman and others affirm 2. Whether the natural Jew is not most concerned in the latter day Promises and Prophecies especially in the pulling down Babylon and Building of Zion as Maton and others assert Ezek. 4.1 Son of Man take thee a Tyle and Pourtray upon it the City Jerusalem Hos 12.10 I have multiplyed Visions and used similitudes Dan. 12.4 And many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase Ps 145.11 They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power Isa 57.14 Take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people London Printed by T. Ratcliff and Nat. Thompson for Nathanie Ponder at the Peacock in Chancery-Lane 1672. THE INDEX Of the principal Heads treated of in the 20th Chapter THe Introduction Page 1 The Analasys or part of the Chapter Page 4 Rules to be observed in the exposition Page 9 Who the Dragon Page 13 Of the taking of the Dragon Page 24 Of the Angel that laid hold on the Dragon Page 28 What by Heaven Page 34 Of the Dragons binding Page 36 Of the bottomless Pit Page 40 Of the thousand years Page 43 Of the living of the Martyrs Page 47 Of the rest of the dead that lived not Page 60 Of the Reigning with Christ Page 63 Of being Priests of God Page 104 Of the the Second Death Page 107 Of the Dragons Release Page 109 Of Gog and Magog Page 110 Of the Camp of the Saints and beloved City Page 112 Of Fire from Heaven Page 113 Of the general Judgement Page 113 The Paraphrase Page 115 THE INDEX OF THE XXI CHAPTER in the second Part. THe Text of the 21th of the Revelations and part of the 22th Page 121 The Introduction Page 125 The Analysis or parts of the Chapter Page 130 Of the Angel that discovers the Vision Page 139 Of the Bride the Lambs Wife Page 139 Of the Mountain on which the City stands Page 143 Of Jerusalem that great and Holy City Page 145 Of the City's descent from Heaven Page 149 Of the glory of God upon her Page 151 Of the Wall Page 154 Of the City's four square Cubical figure Page 160 Of the precious Materials Page 162 Of the Tree and Water of Life Page 170 Of there being no Temple in it Page 172 Of the Kings of the Earth that bring their glory to it Page 176 Of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. Page 179 The Paraphrastical Exposition Page 202 The first Question necessary to be spoken to for the better clearing what hath been before asserted relating to the thousand years Reign is Page 211 The second Question Page 235 Gospel Principles to be observed concerning the Jew Page 237 XX. CHAP. Of the Revelations ANd I saw an Angel come down from Heaven having the Key of the bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his hand 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him a thousand years 3. And cast him into the bottomless Pit and shut him up and set a Seal upon him that he should deceive the Nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed a little season 4. And I saw Thrones and they sat upon them and Judgement was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God and which had not worshipped the Beast neither his Image neither had received their marks upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and Reigned with Christ a thousand years 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished This is the first Resurrection 6. Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall Reign with him a thousand years 7. And when the thousand years are expired Saton sâ—all be â—â—â—â—d 〈◊〉 of his prison 8. And shall go out to deceive the Nations which are in the quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel the number of whom is as the Land of the Sea 9. And they went up on the breadth of the Earth and compassed the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City and fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them 10. And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and false Prophet are and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 11. And I saw a great white Throne and him that sat on it from whose face the Earth and Heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works 13. And the Sea gave up their dead which were in it and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 14. And Death
Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem 2. And he shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people and they shall beat their Swords into Plow shares and their Spears into Pruning-hooks Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any mere Isa 33.20 Look upon Zion the City of our Solemnities Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Psal 7â— 3 The Mountains shall bring peace and the little hills by righteousness 4. He shall judge the poor of the people he shall save the children of the needy and shall break in pieces the oppresscur 7. In his days shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Mâ—on endureth So Ezek. 34.12 to 16.27 28. Jerem. 50 6. Heb. 4.9 There remaineth therefore a Rest or keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God This is to be the state of the new Heavens and the new Earth wherein righteousness shall dwell when Jerusalem shall be a rejoycing and her people a joy in whom shall no more be heard the voice of weeping nor crying when the Elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands c. This is the new Jerusalems state Isa 65.17 18.66.22 Rev. 21.3 The beloved City now takes place in the ruine of the great City Babilon Rev. 20.9 Now comes the Bride the Lambs wife after the destruction of the Mother of Harlots and Abominations And the Palme bearing multituâ—e now appears Rev. 21.9 10 11.79.10 c. Typed out by Canaan the Land of rest and promise by Solomons reign a time of peace all the Enemies being subdued and brought under Of the Bottomless pit that the Angel casts the Dragon into upon his binding ANd cast him into the bottomless pit The word here rendred bottomless pit is from the Latin Abissus taken from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from α and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Cover for the deep is covered with waters sometimes therefore translated the deep 2 Cor. 11.25 a night and a day in the deep So the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used for depth of the Sea Isa 51.10 Psal 42.7 Or for Chaos Gen. 1.2 and so taken herein this Book For the Beast that is said to come out of the Abyss or bottomless pit Rev. 11.7.17.8 is said to rise up out of the Sea â—3 1 compared with Dan 7.1 2 Sea is so called from the gathering together of Waters Gen. 1.10 and Waters in this book are interpreted to be multitudes of People Nations and Tongues Rev. 17.15 Metapharicolly also put for Hell Luke 8.31 Rev. 9.2 So that as the Dragon Chap. 12. was cast by Michael from Heaven viz. from the Rule Dignity and Soveraignty that he enjoyed in the Empire into the Earth as Mead well interprets Heaven here for in no other sense could the Dragon be in Heaven or cast out of Heaven being neither capable of the material Heaven nor the Spiritual Heaven the Church therefore no other but the figurative or metaphorical Heaven in which he resided and out of which upon Michaels cornbate and overthrow he is thus cast out so is he here not only deposed and dethroned but so kept down during the thousand years reign as if he was shut up a close prisoner in a Dungeon or pit And in this sence Earth Sea Deep bottemless pit are much of the same signification the Earth being founded upon the Sea In the 12 Chapt. upon the Dragons casting upon the Earth there is a Woe to the inhabitants of the Earth and of the Sea The first Beast Chapt. 13 rises from the Sea and the second two horned Beast comes from the Earth and they are the Earth dwellers that succour and support him wander after and worship him He was in the 12 Chapt. cast into the Earth though no restraint upon him for he makes reaks there deceives the nations still and by his Vicegerent the Beast to whom he gives power seat and authority casts flouds against the Church still and ingages afresh to their disturbance as Revel 16. But here being cast into the Abyss he is bound an absolute restraint is upon him for this thousand years For during the said term all Empire and Rule is taken from him and he is not onely cast into the Lump and Mass of the people the Earth dwellers from whom he came out but such a restraint laid upon him during Christs Kingdom that the Nations shall know no other Rule or Soveraignty either in Civil Military or Ecclesiastical but Christs only and to which the whole world must be subject will they nill they The mystical Dragon is cast into the Sea Abyss great Waters or into the Earth or among the Earth-dwellers that through the Devils influence he should not deceive the Nations to Idolatry and murderous slaughter and persecution by his tyrannous Rule and Government The Spiritual Dragon influencing in the mean time put into his restraint all that time as if chained in Hell Of the thousand years COncerning the thousand years so often expressed in this Chapter we shall make this three-fold enquiry First How we are to take it whether definitely or indefinitely Secondly If definitely whether only one space of time is intended where a thousand years is so expres'd six several times And Thirdly If so when those thousand years are said to begin and end First whether to take that number of years indefinitely for a great space of time as Psal 91.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand So Psal 90.4 A thousand years are in thy sight but as yestarday when it is past as a watch in the night for a great while 1 Sam. 18.7 Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands that is David many more than Saul not just so many Or definitely for the certain express time as here mentioned I conclude the latter for these Reasons First Because that when there is no necessity to take a Scripture in a figurative sense we are to receive it in the Letter but neither the scope of the place Analogy of Faith or other Scriptures lay any such necessity upon us therefore so to take it Secondly Because this same space is so often repeated by the spirit to which we should take the more earnest heed as matter of instruction and information for thrice it is said Satan was bound a thousand years and afterwards loosed 2. 3. 7. Twice it is said the Saints shall reign a thousand years verse 4.6 Once that the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years finished verse 5. There being a thousand years of Satans Captivity and the Rest of dead and a thousand years of the Saints Reigning with Christ If so then Secondly Whether these intend one and the same space of time or
the World which is displayed 1. In her self 2. In her Accessories First In her self Jerusalem is display'd according to 1. Her glorious beauty 2. Excellent Fortifications 3. Accurate Symmetry or proportion 4. Pretious Materials First Her glorious Beauty consisting 1. In her greatness 2. Holiness 3. Original or Heavenly Descent 4. Divine Glory 5. Her Orient Light And he shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the Glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper stone clear as Crystal Secondly Her strong and excellent Fortifications consisting in a Wall about the City which is described by 1. It s Constitution 2. Gates 3. Foundations First By the Constitution and Fabrick of it and had a Wall great and high Secondly By the Gates which excell 1. For the Number which is Patriarchal and Apostolical And had Twelve Gates 2. For their Keepers or Porters And at the Gates Twelve Angels 3. For their inscriptions upon them And names written thereon which are the names of the Twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel verse 12. 4. For their uniform order viz. On the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates and on the West three Gates Thirdly By the Foundations of the Wall which in Number and Name inscribed upon them relate to Christs Twelve Apostles And the Wall of the City had Twelve Foundations and in them the Names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb verse 14. 3. Her Symmetry or proportion as most exact and accurate wherein we may consider First The measurer an Angel Secondly The measuring Instrument a Golden Reed Thirdly The things measured viz. The City and Gates thereof and walls thereof verse 15. Fourthly The figure of the City And the City lyeth four-square and the length is as large as the breadth equilateral Fifthly The measure of the City and wall of the City And he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand Furlings the length and the bredth and the height are equal verse â—6 And he measured the wall thereof a hundred fourty and four Cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel 4. Her costly and precious materials First The matter of the Wall And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper Secondly The matter of the whole City And the City was pure Gold like unto clear Glass verse 18. Thirdly The matter and Garnishment of the Walls foundations all manner of precious Stones And the Foundations of the City were garnished with all manner of precious Stones The first foundation was Jasper The second Saphir The third Chalcedony The fourth an Emerald The fifth Sardonix The sixth Sardius The seventh Chrysolyte The eighth Berill The ninth a Topaz The tenth a Chrysophrasus The eleventh an Hyacinth The twelfth an Amethyst verse 19.20 Fourthly The matter of the Twelve Gates And the Twelve Gates were Twelve Pearls every several Gate was of one Pearl Fifthly The matter of the City And the street of the City was pure Gold as it was transparent Glass verse 21. Secondly In her Accessories viz. in those supplies from without her self making up her Beauty and Glory consisting 1. In that singular Spiritual presence of God in Christ in the purity Truth and Spiritualness of Gospel-worship First God and the Lamb are the Temple of it And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it verse 22. 2. God and the Lamb are the light of it And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the Glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof verse 23. 2. The Conflux and great Resort of the Nations unto this City And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the Light of it And the Kings of the Earth shall contribute to the happiness thereof And the Kings of the Earth shall bring the Glory and Honour of the Nations into it verse 26. Amplified by the security that shall be there And the Gates of it shall not at all be shut by day as well as freedom from from fraud by night for there shall be no night there As also the purity and integrity of all comers And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs Book of life verse 27. 3. The plenty of all things both for necessity and delight which abundance is comprised under the Water of Life against Thirst and the Tree of Life against Hunger both for the supply of outward and inward man both for Meat and Medicine And he shewed me a pure River of Water of Life clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the Street and of either side of the River was there the Tree of Life and yielded her fruit every Month and the Leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations Chap. 22. verse 1 2. 4. The perpetuity of this City and its happiness to compleat its Beauty and Glory which is demonstrated First By removing the Evil that might corrupt or oppose its happiness And there shall be no more Curse Secondly By continuing the Good in which its happiness doth consist viz. the blessing and presence of God and Christ viz. But the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it Thirdly By the abiding integrity of the Citizens in new obedience and habitual service as their eminent priviledge therein And his Servants shall serve him and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads and there shall be no night there and they need no Candle neither the light of the Sun for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall Reign for ever and ever verse 3 4 5. viz. Their Reign shall be begun on Earth and be continued till consummated in Heaven Having thus gone through the parts of this Scripture we shall in the next place further enquire into the Spirits meaning of these Heavenly Mysteries and shall begin at the ninth ver of the 21 Chap where the particular and larger Vision begins The Exposition of the Principal things in the Vision Of the Angel that discovereth the Vision And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues THis Angel may be supposed to be the very same that shewed John the Vision of the great Whore in her filthiness abomination and judgment Rev. 17.1 who here discovereth to him her Antithesis the Bride the Lambs wife in all her Dignity Glory and Exaltation Of the Bride the Lambs Wife And talked with me saying Come up hither I will shew the Bride the Lambs Wife verse 9. THus Bride the Lambs Wife one of the Emblematical Characters here given the Church in
and having on the white Robes the pure fine Linnen which is interpreted to be the righteousness of the Saints in allusion to the linnen Ephod of old do stand at the Altar with much incense in the Golden Censer offering it with the Prayers of all Saints Rev. 8.34 and so serve him day and night in his Temple Rev. 7.15 And this to fulfil what Christ himself affirmed to the Woman of Samaria John 4.23 24. That the hour was coming and then was that the true Worshippers should worship the Father in Spirit and Truth and that he sought to worship him and that in opposition to their going up to this or the other Consecrated and Dedicated place of worship as Samaria or Jerusalem Holding out hereby the truth purity and spirituality of Gospel worship that by the Lords Ministry according to his own order and appointment shall now be performed that will make it like the figure of Heaven it self as before The quit contrary is true concerning Babylon for there is a Temple to be seen in her yea and such a Temple too that is afteâ— the old pattern which is as great a demonstration as any of her Apostate state and that she is old Ierusalem not new the Harlot and not the Bride for have you not there the Cathedral that is just built after the figure and pattern of the Temple with the Porch the Holy and most holy Place with solemn dedication and consecration to Divine worship with all the holy ground it stands upon and is surrounded with and richly adorned with gold and silver and precious stone having also its holy Water Oyl Incense and rich Perfumes Lamps Tapors Candelsticks and Instruments of Musick c. And is their not a Priesthood belonging thereto after the pattern of Aaron to serve at the Altar for have you not a Higst-priest the Pope and chief Priests the Cardinals Bishops Deans Abbots as well as an inferiour Priest-hood like the Levits consisting of several orders and ranks distinguished by their names and Vestments as Parsons Vicars Curates Cannons petty Cannons Bural Deans Choristers Musitians singing Nuns Monks and Fryers of diverse Orders Votaries unnumerable who serve at this Alter day and night and have their tenths first Fruits Oblations to support and maintain the same with their Jubiles new Moons Feasts Fasts and Saints days and a hundred Heathenish additions and inventions to make this their Temple compleat Babylonish and for none of which is their the least sylable in Christs Gospel concerning his new Testament Temple and service Fully demonstrating and fulfilling what the Apostle Paul foretold 2 Thess 2. Concerning this mystery of iniquity and man of sin that shall thus sit in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God who by his thus changing times and Laws Dan. 7.25 Esa 24.5 shall oppose and exalte himself above all that is called God and worshipped And who hereby is truely said Rev. 13.6 To open his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and to tread the Holy City under his feet Rev. 11.2 Of the Kings of the Earth that bring their glory to it And the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it 21.24 AS it was in old Ierusalem the Type in Solomons day when it was said 2 Chron. 9 23.24 That all the Kings of the Earth sought his presence and brought every man his present Vessels of Silver and Vessels of Gold and Raiment Harness and Spices Horses Mules a rate year by year So must it be in the new Ierusalem there shall be a coming up of the Kings of the Earth with their glory and honour which are to be understood either such Kings or Rulers that are converted to the faith that being instructed become wise do kiss the son Serving the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Ps 2.11.12 Whilst others are broken to pieces in their opposition or of such that being holy and gracious are made Rulers and Governors for only such that are men of Truth and fear God are to be intrusted therewith And these Kings in the Text that come in to the City can be understood no other for we cannot suppose any wicked unconverted persons have their admission because it is said Rev. 21.27 That in no wise there shall enter into it any thing that defileth or that worketh Abomination or that maketh a lye or that are not written in the Lambs Book of Life And in such a sence that these following Scriptures be fulfilled viz. Beeause of thy Temple which is in Jerusalem shall Kings bring presents to thee the Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents to thee the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall Offer gifts yea all Kings shall fall down before him and all Nations shall serve him the Kings shall see and arise and Princes shall worship because of the Lord c. The Kings shall come to thy Light and Princes to the brightness of thy rising the Kings shall see thy Righteousness and all Kings thy Glory All the Kings of the Earth shall praise thee O Lord when they hear the words of thy mouth yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord for great is the glory of the Lord Ps 68.29 Es 49.22 23. Ps 72.10 11 12. Isa 47.6 7.60.2 3 4 5.62.2 Psa 138.44 It is true Babylon indeed hath had the Kings of the Earth bringing glory and honour into her whereby she hath gloryfied her self at that monstrous rate saying therefore she shall sit as a Queen and see no sorrow the ten Kings having to fulfil Gods words given their Power Strength and Kingdom to her Rev. 17.4.17 â—ut what Kings are they not such Kings as are before mentioned but such as being made drunk with the Whores Cup commit leudness and fornication with her Rev. 18.9 But yet thus much for her comfort let her know that the day is hastning when the Nations that have supported her shall fall off from her and the ten Kingdoms that by their Power or Horns have born her up shall by their Horns also push her down yea they shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire when those other words of Prophecy shall be fulfilled The delicates that thy soul lusted after thou shalt find them no more at all and Babylon the glory of Kingdoms shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah Isa 13.19 20. And God will be avenged of thee and will not meet thee as a man Isa 47.1 When all that knew thee amongst the people shall be astonished at thee thou shalt be a terrour and never shalt thou be any more Eze 28.12 to 20. And when thou art spoyled what wilt thou do though thou cloathest thy self with Crimson though thou deckest thee with Ornaments of Gold though thou paintest thy face with painting in vain shalt thou make thy self fair
Throne of God and of the Lamb. 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the River was their the Tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yâ—ilded her fruit every moneth and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations is the plentiful rich provision that is provided for the supply both for necessity and delight comprized under the Water and Tree of Life alluding to the Tree of Life in the Garden and Ezekiels River Ezek. 47. Intimating that the glorious presence that had so inricht the Church should by a plentiful rich supply of Spiritual grace flowing from the Throne of Grace so maintain the same continually that each shall have such store that out of their bellies shall flow Rivers of living water Jo. 7.38 Lastly 3. And there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him 4. And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their Foreheads To Crown this blessed and glorious state there is a Throne erected as well as a Temple wherein his maked servants shall see his Face that serve him Intimating that Satans Seat Rev. 21.13 And the Beasts Throne Rev. 16. That brought the curse being removed the Lambs Throne instead thereof is erected wherein his Servants that are his Sealed ones Eph. 1.13 2 Tim. 2.19 And that by a visible Holy profession bear the Lambs Name in their Foreheads and injoy his presence shall serve him therein and shall as his Substitutes and Vice-gerent manages the affairs of his Kingdom and Soveragnity to his glory and praise as Satans instruments and servants did before order and dispose in the Beasts Kingdom Amen Allelujah The First Question necessary to be spoken to for the better clearing what hath been before asserted relating to the thousand years Reign is WHether the thousand years Reign is not yet past as Brightman Napier Fox c. formerly Hamond Durham Harvey and others more lately do assert from such like reasons as these that follow which I have gathered out of their writings viz 1. Because as they suppose the Dragons casting down to the Earth in the 12th Chapter is one and the same with his being bound and cast into the bottomless pit in the 20th Chapter and therefore must the Epocha of the thousand years of the Saints Reign mentioned Rev. 20. be reckoned from the fall of Heathenism in Constantines time and so is expired many years since 2. Because of the Order of the Prophecy as exprest in the 20th and 21th Chapters the new Heaven and the new Earth and the new Jerusalem containing a visible Kingdom on Earth is so long after not contemporaneous with the thousand years 3. Because Christ is personally to appear in the new Jerusalem so inconsistent with the thousand years state 4. Because of the duration of the new Ierusalem so much beyond the thousand years one being limited the other for ever 5. Because of the agreement of the Heaven and Earth passing away viz. the matteriall Rev. 20.11 with Rev. 21.1 6. Because the Gog-Magog Host cannot come out of the new Heaven To which I reply speaking to them in Order And therefore in answer to the first Reason I say That the subduing of the Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns with the Crowns upon his Heads and casting him out of Heaven to the Earth by Michael Rev. 12.8 9. Is not nor cannot be the same with his apprehending casting into shutting up and sealing in the bottomless pit for a thousand years by the Angel that comes from Heaven which I prove from these four essential differences 1. From the point of time when each casting down was 2. From the different places where done 3. From the different actions and circumstances in each 4. From the different ends in both First From the difference of time when these two castings down were which may appear in the particulars following viz. 1. That in the 12th Chapter was before the Beasts rise that in the 20th after his ruine 2. That in the 12th was before the 42 Months or 1260 days and that in the 20th after 3. That in the 12th was upon the treading under foot the Holy City and that in the 20th upon the erecting or restoring it 4. That in the 12th takes place under the sixth Seal and that in the 20th not till the seventh Trumpet which is no less then 1260. years difference in time Now that the Dragons casting to the Earth in the 12th was according to these forementioned characteristical notes viz. before the Beasts rise or 42. Moneths taking place when the City was troden under foot and in the time of the sixth Seal is fully owned and asserted And that this binding was not till the Beasts ruine end of fourty Moneths the restoring of the City and the seventh Trumpets sounding I thus prove If the Dragon was not bound but free under the first six Trumpets of the seventh Seal it remaines he must be bound under the seventh and so consequently at the end of the 42 Moneths and Beasts ruine and restoration of the City which are all as contemporaneous as the other four But that he was not bound under the first six Trumpets I thus prove 1. Not under the six first Seals for then he wore the imperial Crown upon his head and so fought Michael under the sixth Seal Chap. 12. 3 7. Chap. 6.12 c. 2. Not under the Six first Trumpets for then was the time of the womans being in the Wilderness wherein the Dragon is so far from being bound that he casts flouds out of his mouth after her and makes War with the remnant of her seed that keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.13 15 17. 3. Neither under the Beasts Reign for they that follow the Beast worship the Dragon Rev. 13.2 3 4. The false prophet also being one of his Leiutenants and delegates works wonders and deceives the Inhabitants of the Earth And how can he be said to be bound and so bound too that he shall not deceive them at all during tha this binding as Rev. 20.3 when he all along this time aforesaid plays such Rex not only by himself but substitutes 4. That he was 〈◊〉 at liberty till the destruction of the Beast which is one and the same time with the six Trumpets appeareth for upon the pouring out of the sixth Vial there is a confederacy combination and conjunction in preparation to the great Battle by sending their Emissaries to the Kings of the Earth to gather them thereto and accordingly we have these three great Leaders with the Kings Captains c. gathered to Armageddon Rev. 16.16 and the success of the Battle Chap. 19. viz. the routing and destruction of the Armies the taking of the three Generals and the Sentence that was past and executed upon them viz. the Beast and false-prophet to
in the Arabias c. that was called the Land of Promise the Land of Rest was typical and fleshly and belonged therefore to the old Covenant and is done away and no more to be expected by the seed of Promise the Israelites the Believers though it is not denyed but that the natural Jew may according to the Letter become a Nation and dwell even in that Territory again because they now enter into and must yet enjoy another Rest Heb. 4.3 with that promised Land typt out the Believer whether Jew or Gentile being esteemed the only chosen Generation Holy Nation peculiar people in the world that either are or ever shall be 1 Pet. 2.9 therefore whether for any to assert any Doctrines to make the Verge or Bounds of any Countrey upon Earth to be now in the Gospel days to be set apart for holy Ground and entred and possessed in chief and by way of difference and distinction by any of the seed is not to keep up Moses and out Christ and to tye up Christs Kingdom to a particular Region that is to be over the whole World unbounded unlimited Fifthly That Priest-hood under the Law to which belonged the Temple Service Altar Sacrifices was typical and done away by Christ for as the Apostle reasons that Priest-hood being done away and changed and brought into another Tribe there remains of necessity a change of the Law viz. of all the appurtenances thereto Therefore is the Believer the Royal Priest-hood under Christ the high Priest 1 Pet. 2.5.9 Heb. 8.1 they are the Temple Tabernacle the Mount Zion Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. Heb. 3.6 c. Their Prayers Praises Alms Bodies Spirits are the Sacrifices that in this new Testament-ministration are to be only offered as the acceptable services upon that Altar whereof they have no right to eat that serve at the Carnal Tabernacle Heb. 13.11 Therefore whether to bring in any other Seed Tribe City Nation Priest-hood then what is established by Christ in the new Testament is not to bring in Moses again and to rebuild that partition Wall that Christ Jesus by his death pulled down is not to harden the poor Jews in their enmity and superstition and to cast a stumbling Block before the Gentile believer to the bringing back again into bondage 2. Rule THat the new Testament Church and ministtion are by the Prophets frequently repsented under the names terms state and condition that the old Testament Church was known by and found in As Jews Israelites and the seed of Abraham Jacob Jerusalem mount Zion c. Therefore doth our last new Testament Prophet in holding forth the condition of the Church so deliver himself in such phrases and terms alluding in all to the old Testament Church that we might the better understand and comprehend what the prophets under like terms and Phrases hold out concerning it as the Learned Mead Bernard and others have at large observed and whereof you may read something in the 8 and 9th foregoing pages in the beginning of this Book and to which I refer you And therefore do they most excellently unfold the fourth Chapter of Rev. by comparing it with â—he 2 of Numbers the 7th Chapter holding out â—he new Testament Church the sealed ones unâ—er the Jewish Names Tribes and Phraises Therefore whether for any to take these things 〈◊〉 the Letter when the mistery is intended to â—â—ke them in the Figure Type Allegory when the Antitype is meant will not be to invert the sence and introduce great confusion meni legis est lex not the bare words but the meaning of the Law is the Law 3. Rule THat the Israelites after their Captivity had a return and were in conjunction with the Jews under one head David their Prince to the fulfilling of many of the Prophets and that as well in a Literal as a Misterial sence As First under Hezekiah especially in the keeping of that Passover whereto many of the Tribe came viz. Ephraim Ashar Manasseh Issacher Zebulon that it is said had escaped out of the hands of the Kings of Assyria came up to Hierusalem to keep the Passover and to pay their Tithes offerings and first-fruits 2 Chron. 30. So that there was great joy in Hierusalem for since the time of Solomon there was not the like in Hierusalem 20. The separation between Israel and Judah having continued during all the Kings in Israel for the space of 250 years Secondly In the days of Iosiah a thousand years after who in his eighth year reformed all the Tribes breaking down Altars Groves Images taking away all the abominations out of all the Countreys that pertain to the children of Israel and made all that were present in Israel to serve even to serve the Lord their God And all his dayes they departed not from following the Lord God of their Fathers 2 Chron. 34.4 5 6. And kept such a Passover that there was none like to it kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the Prophet neither did all the Kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept and the Priests and the Levites and all Judah and Israel that were present and the Inhabitants of Hierusalem Thirdly In Zerubabells time under him When by the Proclamation of Cyrus whom the spirit of the Lord stirred up all the Jews or Israelites within his Territories the 130 Provinces including the place where Israel was carried all Assyria had liberty to return which was in these words That whosoever was amongst them of all his People let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judeah to build the house of the Lord And whosoever remaineth of any place where he sojourneth let the men of his place help him with Silver and with Gold and with Goods c. And who accordingly came up by degrees and did under one Prince in their own Land partake of their Legal rights and priviledges together Fourthly In the Apostles dayes it is said Acts 26.7 Unto which promise or 12 Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come and Iames directs his Epistle to the 12 Tribes and Peter 1 Pet. 1. To them also by all which is it not manifest that whatever the received opinion has been that since Israels captivity they were never heard of that there was a return in Hezekiahs time of many of the Tribes and in Iosiahs time a hundred years after many more of them inhabiting their own Land under one King and in Zerubabells and the Machabees time afterwards all of Davids Line as Math. 1. and Luke the 3. And in the Apostles time there were Jews devout men of every Nation under Heaven dwelling at Hierusalem and the 12 Tribes were then known as Paul Iames and Peter discovers Fifthly Mistically did the believing Jews and Israelites whereof there were great numbers gather under David their King the Lord Jesus in conjunction with the believing Gentile in his new Testament Rule Government and Soveraignty which in express Terms is said by the
and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire this is the second death 15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life were cast into the Lake of Fire Christ's Kingdom in the thousand years Reign before his Personal appearing asserted from the 20th of the Revelations c. THis Chapter contains the last Historical prophesie of the Dragons disaster The twelfth foretels his being subdued by Michael and cast unto the Earth This of his being taken by the Angel and cast bound into the bottomless pit c. being the Epilogue and last act of the whole warfare of the Church as it is subject to dangers and distress s he being the last of her three capital Enemies that here goes off the Stage In the 16th Chapter John hath discovered to him the consederacy and conjunction of Dragon Beast and False-prophet in their call to and combination with the Kings of the Earth and whole world to oppose Christ and his Saints in the great battle In the 19th is the issue of this great undertaking declared viz. a total overthrow and destruction of that great Army the Kings Captains and Mighty men the taking of the Beast and False-prophet and casting them alive into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone And in this 20th you have the account of the Dragons Fate in this great Catastrophe viz. of his taking and how as a wretched Captive he was bound and made close prisoner for a season then after a short Release how brought to judgment and sentenced to the lake of fire with his Companions together with the blessing and advantage that accrues hereby to the Church of Christ A Portion of Scripture worthy our most serious search and enquiry containing most seasonable and necessary truths and of such import that a late learned Author saith thus of it That it contains the Catastrophe Result and Design of all that God hath spoken before in the Old Testament and no less than a Golden Key to unlock the Bible especially the Old Testament Though expressed in such mistical Allegories and Types such Figurative and Tropical Terms as makes it very abstruse and difficult and to that degree so that Brightman saith that a man may see by the commentary of Interpreters how greatly they are puzled and toyled in the interpritation of this Chapter being like an intricate Maze and Labyrinth where there is no winding of a mans self out And Mr. Mead calls it the most abstruse of all the Prophetical Scriptures and most to be admired and so misterious that he dares not enlarge himself into that curious search of the Reasons of several Circumstances lest that of Solomon be laid to his charge Prov. 10.19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin And another thus The particulars contained herein are most abstruse and misterious and that to be too positive and definitive about them and the misteries intended in them would argue too much boldness and temerity The consideration whereof calls therefore for the greater circumspection watiness and sobriety The Method propounded in search after the misteries contained in this Chapter shall be First To lay down the Analisis and parts of the Chapter then treat of each material thing contained in the parts and that by certain known rules as helps and way-marks to steer herein with some remarks upon the same and a brief Paraphrase upon it The Parts of the Chapter THis Chapter contains the doom and judgment of the Dragon as discovered to John in three parts or periods First In his binding and consequents thereof Secondly In his loosing with the effects of it Thirdly In his final and utter judgment and what follows thereon First Of his binding wherein is considerable 1 The Agent by whom an Angel And I saw an Angel come down from Heaven having the Key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand 2. The actions of the Angel 1. In apprehending of him And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan 2. In binding of him and how long And bound him a thousand years 3. In Imprisoning of him set forth partly by the place and cast him into the bottomless pit partly by his secure way of proceeding And shut him up and set a seal upon him 3. The end of his judicial process with the Dragon viz. That he should deceive the Nations no more till the thousand years were fulfilled amplified by the Dragons release for a little moment After that he must be released a little season Then the consequents of the Dragons binding and as one main reason thereof viz. the Churches happy and glorious condition wherein is considerable First The Resurrection and Reviving state under the denomination of Martyrs And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the Word of God and which had not worshiped the Beast neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their right hands Secondly Their Enthroning or Reigning And I saw Thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given to them And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years Then their said state and condition is amplified three ways 1. By the opposite condition of their Enemies But the rest of the Dead lived not again till the thousand years were finished 2 By the denomination given to this condition of the Revived Martyrs This is the first Resurrection 3. By their happiness and holiness partly in respect to the evil they are exempted from partly the good they are called to enjoy Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second Death hath no power But they shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years Secondly Of the loosing of the Dragon out of Prison wherein is considerable 1. The time when But when the thousand years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of Prison 2. The subtile practises of the Dragon declared in the seducing and stirring up new Enemies against the Church And he shall go out to deceive the Nations described by the extent of of the places whence to be gathered From all the Quarters of the Earth 2ly By their denomination Gog and Magog 3ly By their number As the sand of the Sea 4ly The intent of the gathering For Battle against the Saints 3. The hostile acts of these seduced Enemies partly going up every way against them partly surrounding them on every side And they went up on the breadth of the Earth and encompassed the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City Then nextly The effects of this great gathering and what became of this Dragonical design and mighty Host And fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them Thirdly His final and utter judgment which is described 1. By the Cause And the Devil that deceived them 3. By the place Was cast into the lake of fire 2. By his Companions
interpretation without boubt to this end that by the benefit of the interpretation thereof as being the chiefest vision of all the rest the other Misteries contained in the Revelations hitherto indeed shut up but depending upon it with a wonderful Artifice might be revealed Here therefore give all attention and least the Angel should take this pain in vain as far forth as it concerneth thee Remember this right well right well I say And another thus This prophesie thus lively disclosed may deservedly be stiled the Divine Key of the Revelation whereby many misteries of this book may be unlocked and the Top-Tower or Turret of the Revelations whence the secrets of this Book may be peculiarly and certainly discovered on every side Rule 3. Thirdly Most diligently to observe the scope order and harmony of the Prophecies In the next place we come to consider the Phrases and Terms that call for explanation and unfolding in this Prophecy which we shall take in order as they lye in the several parts of the Chapter viz. First Who the Dragon 2ly What by his apprehending 3ly Who the Angel that thus lays hold upon him that comes from Heaven and what by Heaven 4ly What by the Dragons binding imprisoning and sealing in the pit 5ly What by the bottomless pit 6ly What the thousand years and how to be taken whether definitely and indefinitely 7ly What this living of the Martyrs or first Resurrection 8ly What this Reigning with Christ 9ly What this second Death 10ly What by the rest of the Dead that lived not again 11ly What to be Priests of God and of Christ 12ly What by the Dragons loosing or release and deceiving the Nations 13ly Who Gog and Magog 14ly What the beloved City 15ly What the fire that comes down from Heaven to destroy the Enemies 16ly What by the general judgment And of these we shall endeavour to speak distinctly with inlargement suitable to the point before us Of the Dragon THe first thing to be enquired into is the great subject of this discourse the Dragon Who and what he is The right understanding whereof will let us much into the Mistery of this Prophecy which therefore obliges to the more diligent search and greater exactness keeping close to the rules propounded Dragon or old Serpent in Scripture is taken in a two-fold sence sometimes in a litteral viz. that Creature who as said Gen. 3.1 Was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made held forth to be destructive cruel and devouring Jer. 51.34 Eccles 10.11 poisonous and murderous Deut. 52.33 Psal 58.4 Envious and malicious Gen. 3.1 2 4. And sometimes in a figurative or mistical sense viz. Great Tyrants who acting in the Dragons cruel subtile envious and destructive nature are properly so called Therefore Pharaoh that old cruel Enemy of Gods people is called Dragon Isa 51.9 Ezck. 29.3 So also Nebuchadnezzar that other cruel bloody Enemy Isa 27.1 Jer. 51.34 Also the Roman Empire whilst Heathen so murderously bloody to the Saints in distinction from the Beast called Dragon great Red Dragon Rev. 12.30 So the Whale or Leviathan that devouring tyrannous Sea-monster called Dragon Psal 74.13 14. Hence the Heathenish and Pagan Empire that bears rule in all the World as Turk Tartar c. Is called here in this place Dragon in distinction from the Beast that bore sway only in Euroep and now vanquished and put down as in the former Chapter so that as the Pagan Empire we are to notion Dragon here viz. a State or Empire as the Beast interpreted before not any particular person Object But it is said what need you go so far for an interpretation when you have one so near at hand Is it not here said that he is the Devil and Satan the old Serpent So also Rev. 12.9 the seven headed ten horned red Dragon is called the old Serpent the Devil and Satan and therefore by Dragon here is not to be understood a state or constitution of Government as you suppose but the Devil himself Answ It is true the Dragon in the 12th and here also is said to be the old Serpent Devil and Satan not that he was personally so but figuratively and representatively as it is said the Serpent beguiled Eve 2 Cor 11.3 which was not the Serpent barely considered but the Devil acting the Serpent As the Devil in Samuels shape or mantle or when a man is possessed by the Devil the man is said to speak and act when it is the Devil that speaks and acts him And so is the Heathen Empire called the Devil and Satan Rev. 2.10 Where it is said the Devil shall cast some of you into prison Not that the Devil in person was to do it But the Devil in his Imps Agents Officers Instruments Vicegerents And so Rev. 2.13 It is said Satan dwelt and had his seat there not that the Devil actually and visibly in person dwelt there But the Devil in his Spirit and old enmity acting in his substitutes the Rulers and Magistrates of that place And well might the Heathen Emperours of old be called the Devil and Satan that old Serpent First Because he as God and Prince of this World and of the Air the Abaddon and Apollyon King of the bottomless pit having by Gods permission the dispose of the worldly Governments Luke 4.6 compared Rev. 13.7 is the Head and Soveraign of the Rulers of darkness in this world And therefore are the Beastly and dragonical powers springing from him acting undeâ— him and being influenced by his Spirit as their Lord and Head are called Devils by his name Whereas Gods Rulers deriving from above influenced by his Spirit acting in his name by his Laws and in his Authority are called Gods Secondly Because they acting in that Dragonical subtile tyrannous bloody spirit even the spirit of the Devil are therefore called the Red Dragon Devil and Satan Thirdly Because they set up and impose Idolatry the Devils worship not only thereby worshiping themselves but inforcing others to do the same yea to require divine worship to be done to themselves as Nebuchadnezzar and the Heathen Emperours of old false worship being called the worship of Devils 1 Cor. 10.20 21. 2 Chron 11.15 Deut. 32.17 And that by Dragon is to be understood the Heathen Empire or Government further appears from the interpretation given by Christ himself in this Book Rev. 17.8 9 10. Where the seven headed and ten horned Beast that had the Crowns upon the horns the Image as well as substitute of the Dragon who had seven heads and ten horns also the difference only betwixt them was that the Dragon had his Crowns upon his heads which when he resigned in that part of his Dominion to the Beast the Crowns were put upon the hornes is interpreted by the spirit to be civil Empire and power The ten horns are ten Kingdoms and seven heads are seven Kings five of which were fallen before Johns time and one of the
no That one and the same space of time is hereby intended is manifest as Pareus well observes Because in verse 2. and 6. the thousand years are without an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But four times afterwards with an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these thousand years emphatically As if he should say Satans imprisonment shall continue a thousand years and during these thousand years the Martyrs shall live and reign with Christ and afterwards he shall be loosed The parts to which this number is applied are so cemented together as Cause and Effect distinction and opposition that they very much strengthen and prove that just account of a thousand years viz. Satan is bound a thousand years that he should not deceive the Nations till the same thousand years be fulfilled Then the Saints lived and reigned a thousand years with Christ that same thousand years But the rest of the dead lived not again untill these thousand years were finished whilst the holy ones as their happiness made Priests of God and of Christ Reign with Christ a thousand years And as to the third when these thousand years begin and end we have this general account That it is the space of time that is bounded with two Wars that of the great Battle of God Almighty before it begins And that of the Battle of Gog and Magog after it is ended being a time of ease peace and rest as before A space of time that hath the Beasts destruction and judgment the Dragons overthrow binding and imprisonment going before and the dragons release and final doom and judgment going after A space of time containing the sounding of the seventh Rev. 11.15 Trumpet the new Jerusalem the Bride of the Lamb 21 â—â— the new Heavens and the new Earth the Palme-bearing multitude out of all Nations Tribes People and Tongues Rev. 7.9 till the War and judgment of Gog personal coming of Christ dissolution of Heaven and Earth general Resurrection and judgment A space of time bounded with two Resurrections viz. the mistical or figurative Resurrection of the Church out of her death and slaughter called the first Resurrection and the Corporeal Resurrection at the lest day And with two deaths viz. that mistical death of the Rest of the Dead viz. the wicked that live not all the thousand years and the Eternal death which will be their doom after the thousand years with two Lifes the mistical of the Church in the thousand years and the Eternal Life and Glory to be their portion at Christs personal coming after the thousand years And with two judgments that of the Beast and False-prophet with their followers before and that of the Dragon and his followers with all the wicked after But when particularly as to precise time these thousand years shall begin is yet a secret the Lamb hath not discovered contained in the sealed Book all being as yet at a loss as to the certain Epocha of the Apocalyptick numbers either as to the forty two Months or 1260 days or years of the Beasts Reign or the Churches entring the Wilderness which God in his due time will discover Of the living of the Martyrs or first Resurrection And I saw the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the Word of God and which had not worshiped the beast neither his Image neither had received his Mark upon their fore-heads or in their hands And they lived c. IN the interpretation of this mistry of the living of the Martyrs Writers and Commentators much differ some judging this to be a Corporeal Resurrection others and they not a few conceive it to be a spiritual Resurrection a renewing and reviving of Soul the effect of Christs Spirit upon the heart of Believers and faithful Witnesses and a leaving others to a state of sin and death But it is humbly conceived the mind of the Spirit here it is a mistical Resurrection or civil life they are said to live as most consonant to Truth sound Reason and the scope of the place They lived Living and dying in Scripture is variously taken sometimes litterally for the natural spirit or Eternal life and death sometimes figuratively for a civil or mistical life and death consisting either in a freedom from misery and diâ—â—ress in this life the lying under which is called death Isa 52.2 Isa 26.19 Luke 2.34 2. Chron. 19.10 And freedom therefrom into a prosperous state Resurrection and Life Resurrection Isa 52.2 1 Sam. 2.7 8. Isa 26.14.19 Rom. 11.19 Life Job 21.7 Psal 38.19 Hosea 6.2 The not freedom therefrom an unraised state Psal 140.10 Isa 2â— 14 43.17 Amos 8.14 This therefore holds out under these terms of living or first Resurrection-state the beginning of the Churches glorious happy and peaceable condition whereof all the Prophets speak after her long sorrow and suffering her Enemios being now conquered and brought under alluding to the Corporeal Resurrection for as the Saints cannot enter into Glory and triumph till the bodies be raised out of the Dust and revived and Resurrection power passes upon them No more shall the Church enter into its promised Rest foretold to be enjoyed by her in this life till this mistical Resurrection or reviving passeth upon her before which under the Beasts Dominion they are but as so many slain and dead men Rev. 11.7 8 9 10.6.9 They are so in a natural sense because they worship not the Beast Rev. 13.15 Dan. 3.6 Being killed all the day long Rom. 8.36 viz. in purpose and decree and by sentence of the Antichristian Laws multitudes also feelâ—ng actually the force of them under the bloody Beast and Scarlet coloured Whore much-more in a civil sense thrust down from the exercise of all power dignity and Soveraignty in the behalf of Christ either in Civils or Ecclesiasticks So was it with Israel in Babylon in these respects as persons put into their Graves Ezek. 37.12 as so many dead men But now is the time come their Mortal deadly Enemies being brought down by an high hand that they shall not only have all the bloody Laws and Decrees reverst and cancelled and so be freed from all danger or damage that may come to their persons But be revived to a civil life and put now into a capacity to come into the exercise of power dignity and Soveraignty both in Church and State for as is the Death so the Resurrection Therefore is it said that when Israel were to come out of Babylon and restored to former priviledges in their own Land the Lord opened their Graves caused Bone to come to its Bone Sinew to its Sinew put a Spirit of Life into them set them upon their feet to their becoming an exceeding great Army whereby they came again to the exercise of their former Jurisdictions in Rule and Government among themselves And so a parrallel place to this Rev. 11.11 The Church having passed the State of Death Slain Slaughtered Witnesses during the Beasts reign and
order which is to be at the sounding of the last trumpet The time of the living Saints change the time that is expres'd to be the last day which is the time of his coming and appearing which is the Judgment day But this a thousand years before all Eighthly Because if Corporeal and to be understood of Martyrs only then all the dead at the last day shall be raised to the second death contrary to John 5.24.6.39 40.44 54. Dan. 12.2 And they only as Martyrs Priests to God contrary to 1 Pet. 2.5 9. Rev. 1. â— Ninthly Because if this be understood to be the Resurrection of all the Saints who in that immortal and glorified state are to live and Reign the thousand years in and over the world it necessarily infers these strange absurdities First that glorified and unglorified mortal and immortal bodies must converse together for it necessarily follows if the Saints are raised then is Christ come in Glory and their vile bodies are made like to his glorified body and that Christ and the Saints and Angels in this glorified state converse with the men of the world Ruling Governing and Ordering them in the respective policies by Zions Laws and Edicts contrary to express Scripture 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see viz. No mortal man no unglorified man for if Moses that had only a glimps of Gods back parts had such a Glory upon him that the Children of Israel could not converse with him without a vail And the Disciples were not able to stand before Christ in the Transfiguration nor Paul in the Vision how unable will wicked men be to stand before and converse with Christ who appears in transcendent Glory both in his own and the Fathers Glory the Glory of all the Holy Angels and Glory of all Saints as hereafter And it is expresly said that none can see God and live Exod. 33.20 It being impossible that any poor mortal finite Creature can see and stand before the glorious immortal and infinite Being without being consumed Secondly It holds out that some glorified and unglorified Saints shall at this time converse together viz. those that are raised from the dead with those that are then upon the Earth when the Scripture tells us 1 Cor. 15.51 52. that at the same instant that the dead Saints are raised the living Saints are changed at a Moment in the Twinkling of an Eye which must needs be so 1. Because when Christ comes he must have all the Saints come with him who are raised changed and glorified taken up in the Air to meet him and in that state are ever with him not one Saint being to be left behind 2. Because he then appears in flaming fire againt them that know him not nor obey his Gospel the day of Grace being then over and none to be converted after that And therefore are all the exhortations of making ready of getting Oyl in the Vessel and in the Lamp before he comes it being too late to do it after he cometh A third absurdity is that whereas Christ saith The last Enemy is Death here the raised Saints after death are to meet with another Enemy the Gog-Magog Army Tenthly This cannot be the Corporeal Resurrection because it is said expreslly that during this thousand years the new Jerusalem new Heaven and new Earth-state the Saints shall build plant Marry give in Marriage enjoy the works of their hands dispense Laws manage Governments in the world and be lyable to death and dessolution therein which is utterly inconsistent with the Resurrection-state Luke 20.34 The Children of this world marry and are given in marriage 35. But they which shall be accounted worthy to'btain that world and the Resurrection from the Dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they dye any more for they are equal to the Angels and are the childeren of God being the Children of the Resurrection the dispensing of Laws managing worldly policies and affairs being as utterly inconsistent with this state also Secondly Neither can this living or rising again intend the Spiritual Resurrection viz. the rising from the death of sin to the life of Grace the converted changed state though that will abundantly be manifested herein both amongst Jews and Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel 1. Because it is supposed it speaks of the Church that were converted lived a spiritual life 2. Neither was this a life their Enemies could take from them for in this sense they lived all the time of the Beasts and the Dragons rage and rule and in this respect might be said to live most when most lyable to outward death and distresses Thirdly neither can this be the Eternal Life of Glory Because this speaks of a state that precedes that a thousand years Therefore lastly it will follow that if it be neither the Corporeal Spiritual nor Eternal Life that is here meant to which the Saints are raised then must it be the mistical or civil life to which the Prophets give witness as before And the rather so because of that mistical and civil death that all Saints are lyable to and lye under during Antichrists reign because they refuse to worship the Beast or his Image or receive his Mark and Number c. As also bcause the whole Church and all Saints do at this time partake of this life because it is said in the next verse that the rest or others lived not viz. those that did worship the Beast the Character of the Antichristian Church they lived not this thousand years viz. this mistical life But are now to take their turns in the Vally of the shadow of death lyable now to the Prison-state and Gibbet to give an account for all their cruelties and murders to be kill'd all the day long to be fill'd in the Cup they have fill'd and as being thrust in the pit and bound kept from all Rule Dignity and Authority Object But why must the Church be included under these terms or characters of Souls beheaded and that would not worship the Beast Answ Because it may more emphatically and significantly held forth the state they are raised from and raised to Various are the names and Characters the Church is represented by in this Book and yet all suitable to their present posture and station viz. In her primitive purity and lusture a Woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of Twelve Stars In her persecuted afflicted state under the Dragon or Rome Heathen Souls under the Altar Rev. 6.9 10. Slain for the Word of God and Testimony they held and so here Souls of the beheaded Rev. 20. In her contests with the Dragon Rev. 12.2 A woman with Child cryed travelling in birth and pained to be delivered Under the Beast tyranny and persecution Rev. 12. A Woman flying into the Wilderness
that I may be glorified Isa 62.2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness and all Kings thy Glory Isa 11.4 With righteousness shall he Judge the Poor and reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth and he shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the wicked 5. And righteousness shall be the Girdle of his Loins and faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins 6. The Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb and c. 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 2.4 And he shall Judge among the Nations and rebuke many people and they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares and their Spears into Pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more Isa 32.16 17. Then Judgement shall dwell in the Wilderness and righteousness remain in the fruitful Field and the work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever and my people shall dwell in a peaceable Habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Isa 33.5 He hath fill'd Zion with judgement and righteousness 6. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times Isa 66.12 I will extend peace to her like a River and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream c. Joel 3.18 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Mountains shall drop down new Wine and the Hills shall flow with Milk and all the Rivers of Judah shall flow with Waters and a Fountain shall come forth of the House of the Lord and shall water the Vally of Shittim Then Egypt shall be a desolation Amos 9.13 Behold the days come saith the Lord that the Plowman shall overtake the Reaper and the treader of Grapes him that soweth Seed and the Mountains shall drop sweet Wine and all the Hills shall melt Ezek. 34.26 And I will make them and the places round about them my Hill a blessing and I will cause the Shower to come down in his season there shall be Showers of blessing 27. And the Tree of the Field shall yield her fruit and the Earth shall yield her increase and they shall be safe in their Land c. 28. And they shall no more be a prey to the Heathen neither shall the Beasts of the Land devour them but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid Isa 51.3 He will make her Wilderness like Eden and her Desert like the Garden of the Lord So Ezek. 36 35. Isa 49 10. They shall not hunger nor thirst neither shall the heat nor Sun smite them for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them even by the springs of Waters shall he guide them 12. Behold these shall come from far and lo these from the North and from the West and from the Land of Sinim Isa 65.21 And they shall build Houses and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and eat the fruit of them 22. They shall not build and another inhabit they shall not plant and another eat for as the days of a Tree are the days of my people and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands 23. They shall not labour in vain and bring forth for trouble For they are the Seed of the blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them 25. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together and the Lion shall eat Straw like the Bullock And dust shall be the Serpents meat They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain saith the Lord spoken of the New Heaven and New Earth State as Verses 17 18. Which golden Age is further described Psal 72.11.15 Isa 60.17 For Brass I will bring Gold and for Iron Silver and for Wood Brass and for Stones Iron To which peace and plenty is added the eminent protection that is vouchsafed in this day Isa 4 5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her assemblies a Cloud and smoke by day and shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the Glory shall be a defence 6. And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat and for a place of refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain Zach 2.5 For I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about and will be the glory in the midst of her The blessing also of which blessed reigning day consists much in the great Conversions that shall be effected both among the Jews and Gentiles by the publication of the Gospel Gentiles Conversion Psal 87.3 4 5. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Selah 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia This man was born there 5. And of Zion it shall be said this and that man was born in her and the highest himself shall establish her Isa 1.27 Zion shall be redeemed with Judgment and her converts with Righteousness Isa 11.10 And in that day shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an Ensign of the people to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shall be glorious 12. And he shall set up an Ensign for the Nations and shall assemble the out casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the Earth Isa 60 5. Then thou shalt see and flow together and thy heart shall fear and be inlarged because the abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee 6. The multitude of Camels shall cover thee The Dromedaries of Median and Epha all they from Sheba shall come they shall bring Gold and Incense and they shall shew forth the Praises of the Lord. 7. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee the Rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee They shall come up with acceptance on mine Altar and I will glorifie the house of my Glory 8. Who are these that fly as a Cloud and as the Doves to their Windows 9. Surely the Isles shall wait for me c. 10. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls Isa 35.1 2. The Wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoyce and blossom as a Rose 2. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing the Glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it the excellency of Carmel and Sharon They shall see the Glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God 5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstoped 6. Then shall the Lame man Leap as an Hart and tongue of the dumb sing for in the
of the Land of Magog the head of Mesheck and Tubal the enemy of Israel Gen 10.3 Ezek. 38.39 For this came out of the North parts ours from the four corners of the Earth This appeared at the beginning of Israels Restoration ours after the 1000. years of the Kingdom of the Saints following the Restoration of Jerusalem This before Christs coming in the Flesh ours before his coming to Judgement But another Gog the enemy of the Church of the Gentiles to come immediately before the Resurrection of the Dead and farther it is plain that this Gog and Magog bear not the room of a subject but a convenient Title by which those Nations of the four Quarters might be declared as if he would have said the Nations in the four Quarters Spiritually called Gog and Magog Of the Camp of the Saints and Beloved City THose terms of Camp and City are allusions to Israels twofold state under the Tabernacle and Temple dispensation Of the order of Israels Camp state we read Numb 2. Wherein the Tabernacle of God with the 24 Courses of the Priests and Levites were placed in the midst all the Tribes under their four Standards pitching their Tents round about it Which is alluded to Rev. 4. And may greatly help the explanation thereof Then the City State was under Solomon after the erecting of the Temple to which glorious and beautiful condition this alludes Rev. 21.10 c. Holds forth the excellency it being câ—lled the great City the Holy Jerusalem where it is described in all its â—lory and Dimensions called here the Beloved City In opposition to the City of the Nations the great City Babylon containing the â—nti-Christian nay whole World in their Policies and Governments So here the Extent of this City and Camp of the Saints is held forth to be no less then the whole Earth as large in extent as the City of the Nations Christ's Government extending all the World over from Sea to Sea Ps 72.8 Isa 44.6 Of the Fire from Heaven that destroyeth Gog. And Fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them THis destruction as typt out in the Gog Magog destruction Ezek. 38. Is here alluded to That as fire came down from Heaven to destroy them So is it here for now is the time that Christ shall come in flaming Fire taking vengeance of his enemies destroying the Heavens also and the Earth and all its works by fire and this in order to the next Scene to be acted viz. The Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgement Of the General Judgement AFter the Saints Reign the Gog Magog gathering and destruction Now in order comes the Lord Jesus in person in the Glory of the Father the Saints Glory and in the glory of all the Holy Angels with the sound of the Trumpet and Voice of the Archangel The Sea Grave and Death giving up their Dead that there may be a general Resurrection of the Just and Unjust And then the preparing of the Throne the sitting of the Judge the opening of the Books the producing of the Witnesses in order to the general Judgement of great and small who are to be judged according to their works by Christ who Judges the quick and dead at his appearing and Kingdom A Paraphrase upon the 20. of Revelations THe Powers and Potentates of the whole World 1. And I saw an Angel come down from Heaven having the Key of the bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his hand whether Heathen or Antichristian being thus vanquished by Christ and his followers under the terms of fighting with and overcoming a Dragon Beast and false Prophet with the Kings of the Earth and whole World in the great Battel in the former Chapter and the Authority consequently now in the hands of the Saints John here in a Vision hath represented to him the Churches Soveraignity in a figure viz. By the Emblematical Representation of a Chain and a Key ensigns of Power in the hand of their Mystical and Spirirual Head though in this Vision their Representative the Lord Jesus is called here an Angel as Rev. 10.1.12.17 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him a 1000. years And having judged and utterly razed the Antichristian state both in its Magistracy and Ministry by the figurative Representation of taking a Beast and false Prophet and casting them alive into a Lake of Fire doth here for the better securing the Churches quiet and peaceable Rule 3. And cast hâ—m into the bottomless Pit and shut him up and set a Seal upon him that he should deceive the Nâ—tions no morâ— till the 1000. years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed a little season wholy cancel and vacate the Heathen Empire also for a thousand years as in the Vision is set forth by the taking a Dragon and casting him bound into a bottemless pit and shutting him up and Sealing him therein the proper Emblem of the now ruined Pagan State the Dragon or Devil being also the Spiritual or Mystical head thereof and here in the Vision their representative As in 12. Chapter by an Angel fighting with overcoming and casting to the Earth a Dragon is held forth the Victory the Church at that day gets over the Heathen Roman Empire So here by the Angels binding him in a pit is the utter extinction of that Power a thousand years the time limited plainly discovered 4. And I saw Thrones and they sat upon them and Judgement was given to them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the Word of God and which had not worshâ—pped the Beast neither his Image neither had received his mark in their Foreheads or in their right hand and they lived and Reigned with Christs a 1000. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again till the 1000. years were finisht This is the first Resurrection 6. Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall Reign with him a 1000. years The enemies of the Church thus casheired and turned off the Stage John hath a further discovery of their setled and happy Rule and Authority by the Vision of the Resurrection of a company of dead and Martyred Saints the proper Emblem of the Church during the Antichristian Tyranny who for witnissing to Christ and not Worshipping the Beast cannot in a civil sense at least be esteemed other ascending Thrones of Judgement And as blessed and holy ones freed from the second Death Reigning with or under the Lord Jesus as Kings and Priests whilst their enemies the Worshippers of the Beast are now as so many dead men at their feet during this space of a thousand years which is called the first Resurrection viz. The mystical general Resurrection that in order of time
general name therefore in a figure to the Church of God both under the Law and under the Gospel And which famous City as considered under the Law passed a threefold state all very significant viz. 1. Her pure and primitive state in the days of Solomon 2. Her ruined desolate state in the time of the Babylonish Captivity 3. Her renewed restored state after the return of the Captivity All which were eminently Typical to the Gospel Church First Because her pure and primitive state in the days of Christ and his Apostles answered that of Solomon wherein a City state was asserted Eph. 2.19 Heb. 12.22 A greater then Solomon being there Math 12.42 Secondly Because her Apostate and ruined state in the time of Antichrist wherein her City state was defaced and ruined trode under foot Rev. 11.2 answered that of the Babylonish Captivity Thirdly Her renewed and restored state here foretold and Prophecyed of is to answer that eminent and glorious restoration in the Type wherein the glory of that latter House excelled according to Prophecy the glory of the former Hag. 2.9 Therefore called New Jerusalem because in all respects she is made so in this her Renovation and held forth in all this beauty and splendour not only to answer the Type and to fulfill the words of the Prophets that under the terms of an illusterious beautiful City foretells the Churches order peace purity pollicy gifts grace and flourishing state in the latter day but also that she might confront and utterly confound her Antithesis that great City Babylon that as the Lady and Mistress of Kingdoms a well favoured Harlot has by her counterfit glory inchanted and bewitched the Nations called Great Because as Jerusalem in the Type bore sway over the Nations and had her Inhabitants all the World over and as great Babylon extended her Territories as well as her rule and authority all the world over so must this great City Jerusalem extend â—â— her rule authority and influence all the ver become the joy of the whole Earth to whom the Kings of the Nations must bow and bring presents even all their honour and glory Ps 72.8 9 10 11.15 Rev. 21.24 Called Holy 1. Because of that purity and holiness that through the powering out of the Holy Spirit upon her shall now abound in so much that upon the very Bells of the Horses and upon the Poâ—s in the Sanctuary shall then be Holiness Zach. 14.1 Held out by this golden state the City being all of pure transparent gold as well as the streets thereof of the same implying that the constitution thereof is not only so but the whole course of the conversation is the same also 2. Because of that exact keeping to holy rule and order in the faithful observation of the form of the House and the fashion thereof the Laws Statutes and Ordinances thereof the comings in thereof and the goings out thereof c. which being the law of the House upon the top of the Mountains the whole limit thereof shall be holy Ezek. 43.11 12. Rev. 22 14. 3. Because there is no unclean person or thing to enter or abide in it as Verse 8. and 27. Isa 35.8 9. Rev. 22.15 Zach 14.21 Joel 3.17 4. Because of the abiding of holy presence therein the Tabernacle of God being now with men who himself will dwell and walk with them 21.3 The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is to be the Temple thereof and the Throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it 22.3 Babylon its true her opposite is represented to us as great and called the great City and reason good Because she is said to Reign over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.18 Yet is she not said to be holy but the quit contrary being the unclean filthy polluted and bloody City compared to Sodom and Egypt and apostate Jerusalem Rev. 11. Being the hold and receptacle not onely of every soul Spirit viz. Filthy locusts Rev. 9. Vnclean Frogs said to be the spirits of Devils Rev. 16.13 14. Zâ—im and Jim Esai 13.21 But the cage of every unclean and hateful Bird 18.2 viz. Owls and Satyrs and such like doleful Creatures Isa 13 21. Whose Inhabitants therefore we have set forth under eight Characters Rev. 21.8 viz. To be the fearful the unbelieving the abominable the Murderers the Whoremongers the Sorcerers the Idolaters and the Lyers Of the Cities descent from Heaven And descended out of Heaven from God THat the City or Church of God especially in this state did descend from Heaven may appear if we consider First That all her Members are Heaven-born viz. born of God born of the Spirit born from above John 3.7.1.13 begotten of his Will by the Word of Truth Jam. 1.18 and brought forth in Zion where it must be written that this and that man was born in her Psal 87.4 And therefore called Jerusalem from above the mother of us all Gal. 4.26 Secondly That all the Rules Orders Laws Governments are the Statute-Laws of Heaven her High-priest Prophâ—â— and King coming from thence John 3.13.31 32 33. Heb. 1.1 Thirdly That her raising out of the dust her coming up out of the Grave the return of her Captivity the advancement to this pitch of Beauty and excellency is by the special ordering of Divine power and Providence from first to last and that in such an eminent and visible manner that as the Prophet saith It shall be seen known and understood that the hand of the Lord hath done it and the Holy one of Israel hath created it Fourthly That the Glory and special presence of the Lord hath descended from Heaven resting and remaining upon her The quite contrrry is true of that other opposite City Babylon who ascends with her Head and Governours from beneath even out of the Bottomless pit and therefore hath all her affairs transactions and concerns be managed by that wisdom which cometh from below which is Earthly Sensual Devilish Of the Glory of God upon her Having the Glory of God and her light was like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Chrystal verse 11. THis is a further and fuller discovery that the Church is returned out of her Captivity because the Lord hath returned his Glory unâ—o her When she went into Captivity her Glory departed from her now she returns again she receives therewith her former Glory which begins upon the pouring out of the Vials Chap. 15.8 in allusion to Exod. 40.34 1 Kings 8.10 11. Thus it was in the type when Jerusalem went into Captivity under the King of Babylon it is said the Glory of God departed from them and went by degrees first out of the Temple to the Threshold of the house then off from the City then to the Mountain and so by degrees quite away Ezek. 10.4.18.11.22 23 c. But when their Captivity returned so did the Glory also and that in the same way it departed as Ezek. 40.1 2.3 4 5 6. In
Glory it self and chief Corner Foundation-stone is of viz. the precious Jasper as clear as Chrystal denotes that the Churches Foundation Glory and Salvation is Jesus Christ for he is the Elect and precious Corner-stone and other Foundation can no man lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ who is also their Glory 2 Cor. 3.18 4. That as the twelve Gates standing upon the four quarters within Jerusalem the Type were places through the Wall that gave entrance into the City to the twelve Tribes coming up out of all the World to worship and to partake of the Priviledges that belonged to the natural Seed of Abraham as saith the Psalmist Our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem Jerusalem is builded as a City compacted together whither the Tribes go up The Tribes of the Lord unto the Testimony of Israel to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. So here these twelve Gates serve for entrance in the new Jerusalem to all the Elect who are the Spiritual Seed of Abraham for they that are Christs whether Jew or Gentile are Abrahams Seed according to promise even those who are built upon the foundation o the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone and so entering in by Christ the door they have admission by the Angels or Ministers of Christ into the rights and priviledges of this Holy free City the Mother of us all and are to be esteemed as the true Isaacs the children of Sarah the free Woman the marked sealed number belonging to the twelve Tribes Spiritual For as the twelve Tribes of old in the Type comprehended all the natural Seed of Abraham so under the denomination of the twelve Tribes are comprehended in allusion thereto all the Seed of Abraham Spiritual as Mead well observes from the sealed Tribes the 144000 mentioned in the seventh Revelation which you may read at large in his Coment upon the Seales Page â—9 Whereas the security and strength the broad and high Wall that encompasseth Babylon the false Church and wherein she trusts for Salvation and hath boasted saying She shall sit therein as a Queen and see no sorrow Is her wisdom beauty riches and strength her Sorceries and her Witchcrafts wherein she hath laboured from her youtâ— Isa 47. To the enchanting of the Nations and the Kings thereof and whereby the Waters have been gathered about her for her security for she sits amongst the Rivers Nah. 3.8 viz. In the midst of the people Rev. 17.15 Whereby she hath been enabled to impose and establish her Idolatry by blood and cruelty incompassing her self with violence and spoil For in her is found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth Rev. 18.24 Witnesâ— her blasphemous murderous Edicts her bloody cruel Inquisition her Gibbets Halters and Stakes But her Walls will totter and fall her Sea will be dryed up her wisdom and beauty wherein she hath trusted will fail her and all her Inchantments will be ineffectual when all her violence must return upon her The ten Horns or Kingdoms that have supported her will eat her Flesh and burn it with Fire and by how much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow must be meted out to her when Plague Death Mourning Famine and Fire shall be her portion for strong is the Lord God that will judge her Of the Cities foursquare Cubical Figure And the City lyeth foursquare and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the City with the Reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal THis Cubical Figure is just answering to the form of the Holy place for as that was just twenty Cubits high and twenty Cubits long and twenty Cubits broad and the length and the breadth and the height of it equal and overlaid with pure gold 1 Kings 6.20 2 Chr 3.8 Ezek. 41.4 And which is represented to be the figure of Heaven it self Heb. 9.24 So this is just twelve thousand furlongs or fifteen hundred miles high fifteen hundred long and fifteen hundred broad the breadth and height and length being just equal not onely overlaid with gold but all of pure transparent gold which great mystery may hold out thus much to us 1. That all things relating to the City or Church of God in this glorious state will exactly hold proportion with the word and lye even every way to the golden Reed 2 That the Church in purity answering Rule is even Heaven upon Earth the very figure and pattern of Heaven where the Lord himself dwells and is enthroned Whereas Babylon is without any regularity or order of Gods appointment being a City of confusion for as is her name so is she and as she is the strong hold and habitation of Devils and unclean Spirits and the figure of Hell coming indeed out of the bottomless Pit and ordered by the wisdom from beneath So thither must she go both head and members as Rev. 19.21.22.8.20.14 Of the precious Materials And the building of the Wall of it was of Jasper and the City was pure gold like unto clear glasse And the foundations of the wall of the City were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was Jasper the second Saphire the third a Calcedonie the fourth an Emerald the fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh a Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrysophrasus the eleventh a Jacinct the twelfth an Amethyst And the twelve Gates were twelve Pearls every several gate was of one Pearl and the street of the City was pure of Gold as it were transparent glasse Rev. 21.18 19 20 21. GReat was the splendid glory of the Tabernacle whereof we read Exod. 25.26 27. Chapters And greater that of the Temple and City in Solomons days as 2 Chron. 1.2 3 4 5.9 Chapter when it was such a golden Age that silver was little regarded but was as the stones in the street 2 Chron 9 27. And both of them herein Types of this our City and Temple Great also was the riches of Tyre as Ezek. 27.28 Chapters especially in those remarkable precious stones Ezek. 28.13 Like those in the Brest plate Exod 25.15 16 17. And these mentioned here who was a Type of the man of sin or mystery Babylon And greater was the beauty and splendour of mystery Babylon its Antitype whose City was clothed in fine Linnen and Purple and Scarlet and deckt with Gold and precious Stones and Pearls c. Yet all this put together falls unspeakably short of the incomparable Riches and Glory of this famous City here delivered Whose City it self is pure Gold Whose Wall is built of the precious Jasper stone Whose street is Paved with transparent Gold Whose twelve gates are each of them of one intire Pearl Whose foundations are garnished with all manner of precious stones even with such as
in order to the fulfilling of Prophecie to the dissolution of the old material Heavens and Earth and bringing on the new and to the introducing the misphatical Kingdom All these wicked Rebels must not only by Christs appearing be destroyed by fire who cometh in flaming fire to take vengeance of all that know not God nor obey his Gospel but also with the same fire will the material old Heaven and Elements as before melt with heat and pass away the Earth also and all its works be burnt up that the new Heavens and new Earth according to promise may come on And so will the Lord Jesus and the Saints continue therein to judge the quick and dead in that his misphatical Kingdom till he deliver all up into the hands of the Father that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.24 28. The second Question WHether the natural Jew is not concerned in the latter day Promises and Prophecies and particularly in those that relate to the pulling down Babylon and building of Zion as Maton and Holmes and others affirm Because as they intimate the promises seemed chiefly to be made in their names and for their sakes viz. to Israel Judea Jacob Ephraim Benjamin and their seed and who by promise are to return to their own Land under one Head Shepherd King to enjoy their Liberty and Priviledge their enemies being all subdued and then the Nations are only to expect good and blessing in and from their happiness to whom must be the first Dominion Mica 4.8 and the Tents of Juda to be saved first Zach. 12.7 and therefore all other hopes expectations and attempts for deliverance short of theirs to be vain fruitless and ineffectual Answ It is true the Prophets do seem in express terms so to carry it in many places which therefore giveth the natural Jew yet at such a distance and enmity to Christ having the Vail before their faces so much confidence to boast of their natural Priviledges looking only at the bare Letter and not at the Gospel mystery contained therein I shall therefore for your better information into this seasonable enquiry do these two things First lay down some certain plain Rules and Principles to help us in the right reading and true understanding of the Prophets relating to the Jews and those good things promised in their names c. Secondly From them draw some sound and safe Conclusions and inferences for the better clearing of this great Question and whereby it will appear I doubt not who are most concerned in the promises the natural or spiritual Jew 1. Rule THat no promise prophesie or precept of the Scriptures be interpreted contrary to the Analogy of Faith and the plain Principles asserted in the New Testament Rom. 12.6 Gospel Principles to be observed concerning the Jews 1. Principle THat Jesus Christ by his death hath broken down the middle Wall of partition and of twain hath made one new man so that the believing Gentile hath the same priviledge with the believing Jew being both built upon the same foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ being the chief Corner stone Eph. 2.14 to the end insomuch that now under the Gospel neither Greek nor Jew Circumcised Barbarian Scythian Bond or Free but Christ is all and in all Col. 3.11 and so he puts no difference betwixt any whose hearts are purified by Faith Acts 15.9 Rom. 3.22 Rom. 10.12 The inward Christian Jew being now the only true Jew Rom. 2.28 29. Rev. 2.9.3.9 Jer. 9.25 26. 2. Principle That the Jewish priviledges of being 1. of the fleshly seed of Abraham 2. Belonging to this or the other Tribe 3. Relating to their holy City or Nation 4. Concerned in their Priest-hood Temple Altar Sacrifices were all Typical and by the Gospel esteemed Carnal and Fleshly and were all done away in Christ Col. 2.17 as may more particularly appear by the following Scripture instances First As to the Natural seed of Abraham Mat. 3.9 Say not within your selves we have Abraham to our Father but bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance and amendment of Life Compared Joh. 8.37 38. and do the works of Abraham otherwise you are of your Father the Devil ver 44. Abrahams true seed which are esteemed the seed of promise is the believer whether Jew or Gentile for if they are Christs they are Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3.16.29.4.28 Therefore whether to introduce a natural seed of Abraham to any Gospel Priviledge out of Christ doth not deny the authority of these Scriptures and thwart the new Testament is submitted to consideration Secondly The distinction of Tribes was also Fleshly and Typical Phil. 3. If any other man thinketh he hath whereof he may trust in the Flesh I more Circumcised the eighth day of the Tribe of Benjamin an Hebrew of the Hebrews which he esteemed but dung and dogs meat for the excellency and Knowledge of Christ And therefore the same Paul 2 Cor. 5. saith That henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet henceforth know we him no more The only Tribe now is the Tribe of Judah into which the Kingship Priest-hood is transferred the believers being Kings and Priests the true Jew that is only of that Tribe of Iudah being the inward Spiritual heart Circumcised Jew therefore whether to hold forth any Principles or interpret any Scriptures to uphold a distinction of Tribes in this new body and Corporation under the Gospel whereby the natural fleshly typical seed was distinguished of old is not to thwart Gospel-principles and no less than to deny Christ to be come in the flesh Thirdly The City Ierusalem which under the Law was called the holy City was typical and so reputed Carnal under the Gospel and therefore as belonging to Hagar the Bond-woman was to be done away and is therefore put in opposition to Ierusalem which is above viz. the new Ierusalem which is the mother of us all Gal. 4.25 26. Heb. 12.12 compared with Esay 54. being an explanation to each other Therefore whether now for any to interpret any Scriptures in the Prophets speaking of Jerusalem a holy City to be meant a material City that is to be rebuilt and to become a Metropolis again amongst the Nations and to be esteemed a holy City is not certainly to advance again Mount Zina above Mount Zion is not to set up Hagar above Sarah to bring in the City of Bondage again to the defacing the free City the new Jerusalem which is above all and the mother of us all from whence alone the free Denizens the Believers whether Jews or Gentiles are to fetch their freedoms and Liberties Fourthly That Territory called the Nation of Iudea whether the lesser contained betwixt Iordan and the West Sea and from Dan to Bersheba or the greater from Sea to Sea viz. Mediterranean Aegyptian and Persian and from the River viz. Euphrates to the end of the Earth taking