as at Mount Perizim or as in the Vally of Gibeon Or Secondly sometimes in an ordinary way by confounding dispiriting dividing them ingaging them one against the othet as Isa 19.2.14 Jer. 51.46 More especially by raising spiriting and ingaging his own people in the service to the fulfilling of divers promises and prophesies as Gen. 22.17 Psal 110.2 Psal 76. Jer. 51.19 to the 25. Obad. 21. Zach. 13.14.12.3 Mal. 4.4 Rev. 17.14.18.4.19.14 And the fore is the spirit promised to be poured out in the latter day to this as one end Isa 28.6.10.27 Zach. 12.6 Isa 32.15 16. And as Satan inspires and influences his Instruments in an invisible spiritual manner so the Lord Jesus directs guides governs and spirits his Saints and followers And his special presence as of old to accompany his in such great service Joshuah 5.13 14 15. Numb 10.35 36.14.42 Exod. 33.15 Psal 68.1 Isa 51.9 10 11. Mica 2.12 13.7.15 Zeph. 3.8 And why should it be thought more strange to have the work of God in the hands of his Saints in binding and keeping under their Enemies to be represented by an Angel dealing with a Dragon then to have the work in the hand of Constantine against the Pagan Roman power in the behalf of the Man-child the type hereof to be represented by a contest betwixt Michael and the Dragon It being said that Michael and his Angels fought and the Dragon and his Angels when Constantine and his followers in the behalf of Christ fought with and overcame Maxentius and his Heathen crew though both of them influenced no doubt by both the heads and principals as it may be also concluded in this place This contemporizeth with the witnesses rising and Earth-quake Vials out of the Temple the Lambs war and the retaliating of Babilon Of Heaven BY Heaven properly is to be understood either the out-spread Firmament which God called Heaven Gen. 1.8 wherein are the Birds of Heaven Mat. 13.32 the Winds of Heaven Dan. 4.12 the Clouds Rain and Dew of Heaven Or the starry Heaven Gen. 1.17 Or that Heaven of heavens the third Heaven the place of Gods principal Seat Mat. 16.9 2 Cor. 12.2 Figuratively sometimes for the heights and places above us sometimes God himself Luke 20.21 I have sin'd against Heaven Sometimes the Church is called the Kingdom of Heaven and often so represented in this Book Sometimes for Rule Dignity and Soveraignty in the world the place of the Rulers or the Gods Rev. 12.11 States and Kingdoms in the World political are as Mr. Mead observes upon the place much answerable to the condition of the world natural and accordingly represented in Scripture for as the world natural consists of Heaven and Earth and in the Heaven Sun Moon Stars so in each State and Kingdom by Nobility and Laity and Diversity of Orders and degrees in Rule and Government there is the semblance of them which interpretation Dr. Twist highly applauds convincing saith he the Reader of the sense and meaning of the Text which is delivered by him even to admiration wherein he excels greatly in his Preface upon the Key of the Revelations And therefore it is familiarly express'd in Scripture when great desolations happen to a State or Kingdom in subversion of their Rule and Government that the Sun is darkened Moon eclipsed Stars fall from Heaven As Isa 13.10 Vpon Babilons threatned destruction Ezek 32.7 Vpon Aegypts desolation And so the Catastrophe that befalls the Kings and great men of the Earth under tho sixth seal Rev. 6.12 13 14. set forth by like Metaphors by Sun being darkned Moon becoming blood Stars of Heaven falling to the Earth Heaven departing as a Scroll and Mountains removing out of their places Which I take to be the true meaning of Heaven here viz. the seat of authority that the Church was now ascended to after the Victory obtained against her Enemies who now by her Rulers that come forth in Christs name by the righteous Laws which are the cords and Chains of Christs Kingdom and by the visible power and authority in their hand bind and chain up their Enemies new Heavens Isa 65. importing the same Of the Dragons Binding Imprisoning shutting up sealing And bound him and cast him into the botiomless pit and Shut him up and set a Seal upon him that he should deceive the Nations no more THis Binding Casting into Prison shuting up and sealing are all terms of securing as Dan. 6.16 17. Mat. 27.64 65 66. And are Metaphorical expressions taken from the Nature of restraining and safe keeping some notorious desperate Villane from doing of mischief As when some cruel murderous desperate wretch is taken they use to fetter him with heavy Chains cast him into the Dungeon lock the door fast upon him not only to preserve the peace and quiet but to see him forth-coming to the Law day Which here holds out not only an absolute Conquest and subduing of Enemies as before but as much quiet and peace to the Church of God by this their close imprisonment and restraint as the neighbourhood may expect safety and quiet when the murderous Thiefs and Robbers are in Irons in the Dungeon or as the Lamb may enjoy freedom and ease while the Foxes Wolves and Dogs are in Chains As the good Dutchess said to the bloody Gardiner looking out of his prison in Edward the sixt his days that it was well for the Lambs when the Foxes were in Chains For such a righteous Rule by the Laws and Government of Christ shall take place that shall be as Chains Bonds and Cords to all the wicked tyrants and oppressors that they shall have no more liberty and power to domineer and exercise their wonted cruelty over the Saints then as so many men in Fetters and Chains And that such a state of ease peace quiet and rest is to be the portion of the Church after all their trouble disturbance and vexation they have met with from the bloody tyrants and beastly oppressours by this eminent restraint that is to be put upon them appears from the following Scriptures Isa 10 9 10. 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 Seas 10. And in that day there 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 Isa 32.17 And the work of Righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever 18. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Isa 60.17 18. I will also make thy Officers peace and thy Exactors righteousness Violence shall be no more heard in thy Land wasting and destruction within thy Borders but thou shalt call thy Walls Salvation and thy Gates praise 21. Thy people shall be all righteous Isa 2.3 4. Out of Zion shall go forth the
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
six of those heads was in Johns time and the seventh afterwards to come and they also signified seven hills interpreted to be that City that then ruled over the Kings of the Earth which was no other than Rome the seat and Metropolis of the Empire as it was then standing upon seven Mountains So that the seven headed red Dragon and seven headed scarlet coloured Beast his Image and Successour in that part of the World Europe was no other by this interpretation than the Soveraign Empire and Rule that first was exercised in Rome Heathen that drew the third part of the Stars of Heaven or powers or potentates of this world during the Dragonical state and in Rome Antichristian during the Beastly state And further it appears that by Dragon we are to understand here the heathen Empire from the extent of his power and jurisdiction For it is said Rev. 16.13 14. that the emissaries of the Dragon Beast and False-Prophet go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world to gather them to the Battle of that great day of God Almighty The Beast and False-Prophets power extend no further than the ten Kingdoms But it is the Dragon that commands the rest of the world deceiving the nations and whole world Rev. 12.9 Therefore it is said of him after he is loosed again 20.8 that he goes out again to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog which great army the number of whom is as the sand of the Sea is said to come up upon the breadth of the Earth and to compass the Camp of the Saints so that it appears plainly to be that power that influences and commands the greater part of the world And again it appears to be the Heathen Empire or State of Government because it is judged to the same ruine and destruction that the Beast and False-prophet were they who were interpreted Rev. 7. the ministerial and magisterial part of Antichrist and said to be taken and cast alive into the lake of Fire und Brimstone viz. that frame of Rule and Government as utterly to be cancelled reverst and vacated and never any more to appear in this world so is the Dragonical Satanical state being adjudged to the same lake of Fire and Brimstone with the Beast and False-prophet utterly also damned and destroyed never any more to appear in the world And again it appears to be no less if you examine thr scope of the place and order of the Prophesies The scope of the Book is to shew as the rise and rage so especially the ruine of the Enemies of Christ and his Church in order to their triumph and Glory which is excellently held forth by Mr. Thomas Goodwin in his Interest of States and Nations in that brief Epitome he gives of the Revelations Which Book saith he is a Tragi-comedy beginning with a Kingdom given to be won by conquest Rev. 6.8 and ending with a Corronation of a King and the Marriage of his Bride and all between is but the removing of all such lets and impediments as stand in the way Now the principal Enemies that Christ and his Church hath to deal with are held forth under the types and terms of a Dragon Beast and False-prophet The Dragon acts two parts one before the rise of the Beast and another presently upon and after the Beasts fall The twelfth Chapter gives an account of the victory that Michael obtained over him when he was cast out of Heaven into the Earth upon which he resigned up his power seat and authority unto the Beast viz. in those territories for 42. Months or 1260. days or years At the latter end of the Beasts or Antichrists Dominion viz. under the sixth Vial there is a confederacy and combination of Dragon Beast and False-prophet to gather the Kings of the Earth and whole world to the Battle of the great Day of God Almighty Accordingly they are assembled and ingage Battle with Christ and his followers not that we are to suppose that all the world viz. Europe Asia Africa and America are to be gathered into one place But holding out the Universal enmity and opposition that with mutual consent shall be made in the powers of the Earth against Christ his people and Government but with what success this Hostile league and confederacy is struck you have already heard Their powers are broken their Authority is dissolved The Beast and False-prophet viz. the ministerial and Magisterial part of Anti-Christ is taken and cast alive into the lake of Fire and Brimstone They are wholly gone off the Stage with a stink who have so long Lorded it in those ten Kingdoms of Europe And then also is the Dragon taken and bound and imprisoned in order to the taking place of Christs Kingdom not only in Europe but over the whole world throughout the whole Earth which was the Dragons or Devils dominions or that Heathenish Empire and Rule that extends all the world through both Asia Africa and America in distinction from the Beastly state that hath been visible in the Europian Territories Now during the time of the Dragons binding the Church hath peace rest and rule over the whole world but after he is released and that Empire permitted to perk up again fresh disturbance will be given to the Church called the Camp of the Saints or the beloved City all the world through till the Dragons total doom and judgment which then immediately follows In further confirmarion hereof take these following instances The Assemblees Annotations upon Rev. 12.3 A great red Dragon viz the Heathen Roman Emperours succeeding one another who did the Devil service as in other things so chiefly in persecuting the Church Psal 74.13 14. Isa 27.17 18.51.9 Ezek. 29.3 He is great because of his large Empire Red that is bedewed with the blood of the Saints as if dyed with it seven heads sitting on seven hills Chap. 17.9 Ten horns ten Provinces the strength of it as horns are of Beasts Dan. 8.3 4 5.6 Seven Crowns seven kinds of Governments one after another on her seven hills Rev. 17.10 on his heads not his horns for the Supreme Authority was in Rome on the seven hills not in the Provinces as after His tayl drew the third part of Heaven he subjected the third part of the Provinces of the world Did cast them to the Earth viz. Put down these Princes whom he subdued from the Royal Authorities And upon Rev. 20.2 Dragon the Pope being destroyed the Devil would bring in the Turk who seemeth yet to stand or some other Enemy like the Heathen Emperour called the Dragon before Rev. 12.3 to persecute and war against the Christians but God will not permit it till the thousand years of the Churches prosperity be done and upon the 10th verse The Devil viz. the Turk the Devils new Agent another Dragon like the Heathen Emperour or some other Enemy no Christian by Profession shall be
his own Blood And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Daniel 7.17 These great Beasts which are four are four Kings which shall arise out of the Earth viz. the four Monarchies as interpreted Chap. 2.18 But the Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever 2â— And judgment was given to the Saints of the most high 26. And the judgment shall sit and they shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it to the end 27. And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Which is the very same spoken of Dan 2.44 and in the days of these Kings viz four Monarchs typed out by the Image the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Psal 110 2. The Lord shall send the Rod of thy strength viz. his Septer or Ensign of Rule and Dignity out of Zion the new Testament Church Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies Mica 4.8 And thou O Tower of the Flock the strong hold of the Daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come even the first Dominion the Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem Rev. 2.26 27. And he that overcometh and keepeth my Works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations and he shall rule them with a Rod of Iron as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to pieces even as I have received of my Father and I will give him the Morning Star Which glorious reign is held forth to us in the particulars following viz. First In the Great Extent Secondly in the Glorious Administration which is first in dispensing Laws 2ly Administring judgment both punishing the Evil and rewarding the Good to the encrease of 1. Peace 2. Plenty and 3. Protection Sixthly the great conversions both of Jews and Gentiles Seventhly the encrease of holiness Eighthly Freedom from sorrow Ninthly Restauration of the Creature First The extent of this Kingdom is no less than the bounds of the Beasts and Dragons Territories even the whole Earth Rev. 16.14 No less than the limits of the four preceding Monarchies as Dan. 7.27 And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him So Dan. 2.34 35. The Universality whereof is confirmed also by these following Scriptures Isa 60.11 Thy Gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their Kings may be brought 12. For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish Yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted Isa 2.2 And it shall come to pass in the last deays that the Mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow thereunto Agreeable to the first promise to Abram Gen. 12.3 And I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee and in thee shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed Ratified also by an Oath Gen. 22.16 17 18. By my self have I sworn saith the Lord that in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of Heaven and as the sand which is upon the Sea Shore And thy seed shall possess the Gate of his Enemies And in thy seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Rev. 11.15 And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever So Psal 2.8 Psal 29.10 Isa 19.23 25. The glorious Administration consists First in dispensing the Righteous Laws of the Lord in opposition to the Laws of the Nations the Statutes of Omri the Lord alone being the Law-giver Mica 4.2 And many Nations shall come and say Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord and to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for the Law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Therefore it is said Isa 51.4 Hearken unto me my people and give ear unto me Oh my Nation for a Law shall proceed from me and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people 5. My Righteousness is near my Salvation is gone forth and mine Arms shall judge the people the Isles shall wait upon me and upon mine Arm shall they trust Therefore verse the 7th Hearken to me ye that know Right the People in whose heart is my Law Fear not the reproach of men c. Isa 42.2 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the Land and the Isles shall wait for his Law Verse 21 The Lord is well pleased for his Righteousness sake He will magnifie the Law and make it Honourable And further as a precept for the day Mal. 4.4 Remember ye the Law of Moses my Servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statutes and Judgments Ezek. 44.23 24. Secondly In Administring Justice and Judgment and Righteousness to the encrease of Peace and plenty and protection the blessings of good Government Isa 1.26 And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and the Councellors as at the beginning afterward thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness the faithful City Ps 72.7 In his days shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of Peace so long as the Moon endureth Verse the 2. of that Psal He shall judge thy people with Righteousness and thy poor with Judgment Verse 11. All Kings stall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him 12. For he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper 13. He shall spare the poor and needy and save the Souls of the needy 14. He shall redeem their Soul from deceit and violence c. Isa 60.17 18. I will also make thy Officers peace and thine exacters Righteousness 18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting and destruction within thy Borders But thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy Gates praise 21. Thy people also shall be all Righteous they shall inherit thy Land for ever the branch of my planting the work of my hands
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
Salvation Heb. 2.28 Acts 11 1. 1 Cor. 15.23 Thes 1.8 Secondly His spiritual coming is either when he comes by his spirit to convince call and convert a Soul as Eph. 3.17 1 Thes 2.13 Rev. 4.20 or to confirm seal and establish by his Spirit John 14 20. Acts 23.28 Eph. 1.13 Thirdly It is mistically considered either in his coming in the type in the shadowy and legal dispensations Acts 7. 1 Cor. 10. or in the Evangelical Antetype or Gospel dispensation Fourthly He cometh in his Providence either to redeem deliver and save his people Exod. 3.8 Lam. 18.8 Heb. 10.37 or to execute Vengeance in the destruction of his Enemies Isa 63. Luke 18. Hab. 2. Mal. 2. And it is the mind of wisdom that must rightly and duly apply each of these according to the scope drift and meaning of the holy spirit and not mistake the one for the other Secondly What are we to understand by Christs being with a people or a people with Christ can that be otherwise than personal for it is expresly said They Reigned with Christ Christ may be said to be with a person or people when he is so virtually by his spirit or spiritual presence or when he is so by his Word Rule Law or Precept Judah was said to rule with God Hosea 11.12 when they cleaved to Gods Word and Rule When Israel rejected the Government by Judges which was Gods Ordinance and Appointment for a King after the manner of the Nations they were said to reject God from being their King who vertually went in and out before them and sought their Battles for them 1 Sam. 8. And therefore said Jer. 8.19 Is not the Lord in Zion Is not her King in her why have they provoked me to anger with the graven Images Solomon was said to sit upon the Throne of the Lord. And Jehoshaphat in his charge to his Judges 2 Chron. 19.6 bids them take heed what they did for you judg not for man but for the Lord who he told them was with them in the judgment being called forth as verse 8. for the Judgment of the Lord and for controversies Christ is said therefore virtually and spiritually to dwell to rest to walk amongst his people 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 2.1 Isa 57.15 and they with him to live with them and they with him to suffer with them and they with him Psal 91.15 Acts 7.9 To dye be buried quickned raised with him Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.15 2 Tim. 2.12 To work with him 2 Cor 5.6.1 Sup with him and he with them Rev. 3. To war and fight together with him and he with them Rev. 17. Joshuah 5. To be Captain of the Host and General of the Army Rev. 19. When all is but virtually and spiritually so So Satan is said to be with his Servants Subjects acting and instructing when he is not personally nor visibly so Satan shall cast some of you into prison Rev. 2.10 Where Satan dwelt and Satans Seat and Throne was Rev. 2.13 When he was only so by his substitutes in his Authority not really and personally but virtually and mistically And so to Reign and Rule as God King'd it in Israel by his Word Law and Authority by his influence and spirit As the Dragons Rule is called the Devils because the Devil influences acts and spirits his principal Agents and Instruments though not personally present So may the Rule in the hands of the Saints be called Christs Kingdom or Soveraignty though he be only virtually not personally present It is no new thing so to take it in his mistical Kingdom in the Church where his Laws Statutes and Ordinances are dispensed in his name and by vertue of his spirit It was no new thing to have it so esteemed in Israel in the Typical Kingdom when the Law was his the Rulers by his choice and spiriting the policy his called therefore his Rule Government Soveraignty Throne Kingdom And why then should it be thought strange in the Antetype When his Law Rule Policy and Rulers called according to his qualifications and influenced by his spirit shall according to promise and Prophesie come forth again in the world why may they not as well be said to Reign with Christ as suffer with him If we suffer with him we shall Reign with him We do not think it any absurdity to say The King of Spain fights and Conquers in America and Rules and Reigns there though never personally present in that other world but only vertually so by his Commissions by his Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical that he hath transferred thither by his Officers and Vice Roys that he hath appointed in his name to Rule and Govern there Did not the Roman Senate of old Govern the world at Rome by their Laws and Edicts and Rulers of Provinces that they Commissioned and appointed But by this Reason you seem to exempt Christs person from any share of Rule or Soveraignty in any Kingdom here whereas it is expresly said He is to judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and Kingdom by which it is most manifest that at his appearing he hath a Kingdom and you owning that appearing to be personal what do you make that Kingdom to be And what share hath Christs person in it In answer whereto I conceive it necessary in the first place to give you the distinction of a five-fold Kingdom the Scripture takes notice of belonging to Christ viz. a Providential Spiritual Monarchical mistical or Davidical and Misphatical Kingdom and then I shall give you my understanding and conceptions of this Kingdom hinted at that he is to have at that his appearing And for a want of a right distinguishing herein proceds as I humbly apprehend all the mistaken notions and differences about the Kingdom of Christ treated of in these papers First Therefore understand there is a providential Kingdom which Christ hath and doth as God manage over all the world and that from the beginning Secondly A spiritual Kingdom which he doth and hath all along managed in the hearts of his people from the beginning of the world to this day Thirdly There is a mistical Kingdom or a Rule and Soveraignty that he as Lord and King hath exercised in the Church as well under the Law as under the Gospel Fourthly There is his Monarchical or Davidical Kingdom namely that dignity and Soveraignty that is in time according to promise and prophesie to take place in and over the Nations and to be managed by his Laws and Government by his spirit and vertual presence in his Servants and Substitutes Which hath been the special Subject of this discourse Fifthly There is that glorious Misphatical Kingdom viz. Soveraignty that Christ Jesus in person with all the Saints in their glorified bodies with him shall upon their general Resurrection and Judgment exercise here upon the Earth before all is given up into the Fathers hands which is further cleared to you in the several parts of it in the
divided into four and twenty courses whose duty and priviledge is held forth in Deut. 33.10 Levit. 10.11 Numb 16.9 Thirdly Judaical of the Tribe of Judah of which Melchizedek the Type Gen. 14.18 Hebr. 7.1 And Jesus Christ the Antetype our great High-Priest Heb. 3.1.4.14 And under him the Spiritual Royal Priesthood Exod. 19 6. Rev 1.6 2 Pet 2.5 9. Importing separation and consecration to God and a nearness and constant communion with him Numb 16.9 Ordering in special the affairs of his Church being appointed and anointed thereto Now as in the Kingdom of Israel the Type of Christ's Kingdom there was an anointed Priesthood a Ministry to manage the affairs of the Church and an anointed Kingship or Magistracy to govern and manage the State So Hath Antichrist in his â—surpations in Imitation of them the Type and as if they were this Kingdom of Christ the Antitype pretended not onely to the Kingship but the Priesthood to the Ministry as well as the Magistracy to the Government of the Church as well as the state putting their Holy Oyl upon the one and the other as most Holy and Sacred things Dedicated to the service of Christ in both Which nevertheless their glorious entitling themselves to such his peculiar service he is pleased as to foretell this horrid blasphemous usurpation so to renounce it with great detestation calling their Magistracy an unclean filthy blasphemous bloody Beast that comes not from him but out of the bottomless Pit and must go into Perdition and the other their Ministry or Priesthood a vile filthy Idolatrous Strumpet that must for her lewd Whoredoms Drunkenness and Witchcrafts have her flesh torn off and burnt with fire But his faithful Saints and Servants that will neither bow the Knee to the one nor the other as being Blasphemous Idolatrous Usurpers not only to the opposing but outing Christs Ministry and Magistracy shall be found in this his Kingdom during this thousand years to administer in both these blessed Ordinances being received in Truth Power and Purity to the advantage of his name and Glory viz. as anointed Kings to manage the Affairs of State as Rulers and Magistrates under Christ the King of Kings and as anointed Priests shall under Christ their High-Priest manage his pure Worship and Govern the Affairs of the Church as his Elders and Ministers which in happy conjunction makes up this Blessed and Glorious state of Christs Rule in this his Kingdom Of the second Death On such the second death had no power THis is another Priviledge of the Saints in this happy Estate that they shall not be lyable to the second death By second death in the Letter is to be understood Hell-fire the place of the damned as interpreted Rev. 21.9 But Mistically and Metaphorically taken for utter ruine destruction and perdition As for instance it is said in Rev. 19.20 that the Beast and False-prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone which must Metaphorically be understood because as before explained Page 2 by Beast and False-prophet we are not to understand two persons but states viz. the Magistracy and Ministry of Antichrist who being vanquished in the great Battle are now as utterly extinguished and put into perdition never ony more to do mischief as if two persons were cast into Hell fire which gives light to Dan. 7 11. Rev. 17.8 Rev. 18.8 So also Rev. 20.10 It is said the Devil or Dragon that deceived them was cast into the lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and False-prophet are c. which admits the same mistical signification viz. that now the Dragonical or Heathenish power as explained to be Page 2. that was only bound in times past for a season is after the Gog-Magog destruction as utterly ruined raised and destroyed as the Beast and false prophet the Antechristian stare before Yea and as the Devil himself will be when he is cast into the lake at the last day now never more to work mischief in the world And again the Worshippers of the Beast whose names are not in the Lambs book the Beast and Dragon being thus in utter perdition are now to share with the principals in utter ruine and destruction Rev. 14.10 11 13.8.17.8 compared with the 20.15 And lastly it is said that Death and Hell or the Grave are cast into the lake of Fire which is the seconâ— Death Rev. 20.14 viz. Now after the general Judgment there is to be no more Death Death is swallowed up in Victory a full confirmation of the former Of the Dragons Release And when the Thousand years are expired Satan shall be loosed out of his Prison UPon the expiration of the thousand years it seems Hell is to break loose again the Conquered and subdued Heathen Nations and their Authority that during that space have by the Righteous Laws and Soveraign Authority of Christ been as so many imprisoned fettered Captives yea as so many civil dead men kept down and under subjection whereby universal peace and quiet hath been managed and maintained all the world throughout do now by Gods permission and the Devils inspiration and sedition again perk up for him and in a rebellious manner standing upon their feet again do break off their subjection and Allegeance from Christs Rule and Authority and by combination and confederacy make head against him and engaging under their old Captain general the Devil do rally from the four quarters of the Earth an huge and numberless Host like to the Sand of the Sea which mighty gathering is called here by the spirit Gog and Mâ—gog with design by besieging and compassing the Camp of the Saints and beloved City to raze and destroy the Soveraign Power and Authority of Christ that he hath so long managed by the hands of his Saints in this World upon the breadth of the Earth even as the Syrian Host the Prophet in Dothan The Assyrian Jerusalem the Sodomites Lot 2 Kings 6.14 15. 2 Kings 25.1 Of Gog and Magog 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 Battel This is the Name the Holy Spirit is pleased to give this great and last enemy of the Church upon the Earth which for your better understanding take the pithy exposition given by Mr. Mead. It is saith he to be observed that the Revelation is a Book of the Future estate of the Christian Church set forth by Resemblances and Parables borrowed from the condition of affairs of the Jewish Church under the old Testament in which the Worship of the true God flourished alone the rest of the Nations serving Idols universally Hence therefore that Egypt Babylon in the Revelations are not the Babylon and Egypt of the Israelites but the enemies of the Church of the Gentiles like that Babylon and Egypt being Types and Figures of these In like manner Gog and Magog in the Revelation are not the Gog in Ezekiel
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
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
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