Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession v. 8. which hath been but in a small measure fulfilled to what it shall be when there shall be given to him at his coming in the Clouds Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him as Dan. 7.13 14. and which shall not pass away as the former did into whose place his shall succeed and to avoid the shifting it from Earth then 't is said expresly all this shall be under the whole heaven v. 27. and all Dominion shall serve him which it never yet did c. and this to be fulfilled upon the destruction of the Beast c. So likewise of the same time when the third Wee came that the seventh Angel sounded There were great voices in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ c. Rev. 11.15 So also Saint Paul from Daniel joynes his judgeing quick and dead and his Kingdom together 2 Tim. 4.1 as was shewed which will be above 1000. years before the last Resurection and general Judgement That large extent thereof was also foretold Psal 72.8 11. under the Type of Solomon though many things therein are not competible to Solomon but only to Christ who shall in a most large sence have Dominion from Sea to Sea and from the River to the ends of the Earth with other illustrations that could belong only to Christs Kingdom v. 11. All Kings shall fall down before him and all Nations shall serve him with other like c. Hence he is stiled the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 11.15 And King of Kings c. 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 1.9 and else where Observe the perpetuity of this Kingdom of Christ to which purpose in the said 72. Psal â— 7 it is said concerning Christ which could not be true of Solomen that in his dayes the righteous shall flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moon endureth and v. 17. His name shall continue for ever his name or his dignity and honour shall be continued as long as the Sun or as in the Heb. shall be as a son to continue his fathers name for ever So also runs the promise under the Type of Solomon made to Davids house to be fulfilled in Christ 2 Sam. 7.13 I will establish the throne of his kingdome for ever v. 16. thy house and thy kingdome shall be established for ever before thee thy throne shall be established for ever before thee Hence with much gratitude David accepted that great mercy and said v. 25. Now O Lord God the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house establish it for ever and do as thou hast said and again v. 29. Let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord God hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever So in Christ the Prophet Esay shews it shall be fulfilled c. 9.7 Of the encrease of his government and peace there shall be none end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdome to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever And after God had manifested his gracious purpose in the parable of the two sticks Ezek. 37. he shews more especially this kingdomes perpetuity v. 25 c. saying And they viz. the twelve Tribes shall dwell in that land wherein their fathers dwelt they and their children and their childrens children for ever and then he addes and my servant David shall be their Prince for ever and that this is of Christs Davidical Kingdome to begin at the ruine of the fourth Monarchy which he will when death is destroyed deliver up again to his Father 1 Cor. 15.24 not of his spiritual which he alwayes had and will have as God see the reasons thereof in our Tract on Jer. 3.17 pag. So Rov 11.15 And he shall reign for ever and ever while the world shall continue but spiritually to all eternity as by the occasion of those words at the seventh Trumpet the same time wherein Christs said Davidical Kingdome shall begin may evidently appear Furthermore the uniting of the ten Tribes of Israel with the other two is also foretold about the beginning of the 1000 years of Christs said reign on earth that then they shall become one Kingdome under Christ as is largely set down by Ezekiel in the forementioned 37 chap. First by the dry bones explained so by God himself verse 11. Son of man these bones are the whole house of Israel and after by the two sticks one of Joseph the other of Judah from verse 15. to verse 20. where again he explains the resemblance verse 21. I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen whither they are gone and will gather them on every side which was never yet fulfilled and bring them into their own Land and I will make them one Nation in the land upon the Mountains of Israel not yet fulfilled and one King shall be King to them all c. and David my servant shall be King over them and they shall have one Shepherd v. 22. and they shall dwell in the land which I gave to Jacob my Servant wherein your Fathers have dwelt and they shall dwell therein even they and their Children and their Childrens Children for ever v. 25. Moreover I will make a Covenant of Peace with them and it shall be an everlasting Covenant with them and I will place them and multiply them and will set my Sanctuary in the midst of them for ever more c. v. 26. And how clear and large a Comment upon this and other Prophesies and Promises to like purpose concerning all Israel the Apostle Paul hath made Rom. 11. Who so runneth may read God hath not cast off his People saith he which he fore-knew it was true at that time when he spake it as he shews v. 5. and will be of the Elect at all times and though the diminishing of the Jews was for a time the riches of the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealousie yet their restoring and fulness will be a greater riches to them which he for the strangness compares as in Ezekiels Vision to a Resurrection from the dead v. 15. and shews they are the natural branches of the blessed Fore-Fathers and shall all be graffed in again into their own Olive Tree and v. 26. declares the mistery of the long continued blindness of all Israel as also saith he there is a Vail upon their hearts but that Vail shall be taken away 2 Cor. 3. and then confirms by Prophesie their general call and deliverance from Es 59.20 And so saith he v. 26. all Israel shall be saved as it is written there shall come out of Zion the deliverer and shall
Satan and shuts him up in prison for a thousand years and reigns with his Saints c. at the same time but besides that for the begining of that his Kingdom we have that divine Oracle in the Old Testament Psal 110.1 Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy foes thy footstoole which is often spoken of in the New Testament not only to shew him to be the Son of God Mat. 22.44 though of the seed of David according to the flesh Acts 2.30 yet from the time of his ascension into heaven When he is said so to begin to sit on Gods right hand v. 34 35. he saith the Apostle Peter v. 36 was made both Lord and Christ and as that Nobleman in the Parable Luk. 19. went into a far Countrey and to return when he had received his Kingdome which was the particular occasion of that Parable v. 11. because they thought the Kingdome of God should immediately appear he teacheth that he must return first from his Fathers right hand and this he maketh more evident Luk. 21 when he had spoken of the signs of the last times he tells them of his coming in a cloud with power v. 27. and v. 31. thereby shews them the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that Kingdome he said he went to receive and then returning should possess Secondly for his foes to be made his foot-stool when he comes from the right hand of the Father we have in the vision of Daniel c. 7. first how a judgment is appointed to destroy the beast the wicked horn that spoke the great words v. 8 9. and the body of the said Beast was given to the burning flame so of Magog Ezaek 38.6 at the same time he hath the vision of one like the son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven to receive the Kingdoms of the world v. 13.14 27. of such his coming St. Paul speaks 2 Thes 1 7.8 9 10. when he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance c. And in the next chap. particularly speaks of the Destruction of that wicked one v. 8. whom he will destroy with the appearance of his coming the times also reaching to that are also set down in order in the book of the Rev. to chap. 19.11 where is the Vision of the execution of the same judgement Again for another great Foe viz. the Turk then to be subdued is it large set forth by the forementioned propheâ—â— against Gag Exâ—â— 38. 39. before the setting up of the New Jerusalem c. 40.41 42. c. the same we have described in other respects Dan. 11.40 41 42 c. whose destruction is declared v. 45. that he should come to his end and none should help him and in v. 1. of the following â— Christs appearance is revealed to Daniel with his peoples deliverance like a Resurrection from the dead v. 2.3 which Redemption Luke 21. is joyned with his coming in a cloud with power and great glory when saith he to the Jews of whom he had also spoken before when ye see these things come to pass look up and lift up your heads for then your Redemption draws nigh v. 28. and again v. 31. then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that of the faid 1000 years to this purpose speaks the Apostle Heb. 10.13 after he had offered one sacrifice for our sins for ever he sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool The end likewise of which his expectation shall be saith St. Paul at his glorious appearance which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 which title at his coming is said to be written upon his vesture and upon his thigh Rev. 19.6 and Mr. Mede conceives by the reaping of the Harvest Rev. 14. may be meant the destruction of the Turkish power For the confirmation of this argument to manifest that what is spoken of things respecting the Kingdom of Christ so explained in the New Testament which to such purpose are foretold in the Old Testament and may hither be reduced are many of those Scriptures spoken of under the two first heads of those particulars applyed to the former argument besides many others I shall here only point them out as it were first what was said of Elias Mal. 4.5 is explained soe by our Saviour Mat. 17.11 long after John Baptists death truly said he Elias shall come c. see pag. 2. Of the burning of the whore of Babylon Dan. 7.8.11 explained Rev. 18. see p. 2. Soe of the Armageddon Battell Joel 3. Ezek. 38 39. explained in the New Testament Rev 16. Rev. 19. as is largely set down p. 3. Also the great national restauration and conversion of the Jews Dan 1.1 2 3 Zac. 12.10 Es 66.8 Zac. 39. so explained by our Saviour Rev. 19. v. 1. to v. 9 c. pag. 5. Again for the setting up Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 with the explication in the latter part of that chapter applyed so upon the same ruine of the beast at the same time as our parallel manifests Rev. 20.4 see p. 7.8 Likewise for the terrible coming of Christ Zach. 14. Joel 3. so explained Rev. 19. from ver 11 to the end and 1 Cor. 15.24 25 26 27. he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his seet see pag. 8. In like manner for the large extent of Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 c. to the end and Psal 2.8 which shall take place Rev. 19. from v. 1. to v. 10. when as our Saviour speaks there will be one Sheepfold and one Shepherd Jo. 10.16 And for the perpetuity of his Kingdom 2 Sam. 7.13 c. v. 25. to 29. explained and applyed Rev. 11.15 at the said Kingdom of Christ at his appearance namely his Davidicall Kingdom see the 11 particular pag. 9. The Uniting of the ten Tribes with the two set forth in two parables Ez. 37. largely commented upon by St. Paul Rom. 11. see the 10. particular pag. 10 11. Also the New Heavens and New Earth foretold Es 65.17 explained in the time of Christs Kingdom Rev. 21. and the New Jerusalem Ezek 40. to the end of the book and Es 60. and other following Chapters explained of the same time of Christs said Kingdom Rev. 21. and Esay his prophesie particularly applyed v. 24.26 and Ezekiels waters and trees applicable to Rev. 22. to v. 7. See our 15 reasons that these will be on earth on Jer. 3.17 And Israels general redemption and great Restauration Deut. 30. to v. 11. Ezek. 37. latter part of of the chap. Deut. 32.42 43. which our Saviour explains Rev. 21.28.31 and also St. Paul Rom. 11. Many other Scriptures so applyed and explained in the New Testament may be observed in what hath been already said in reference to
Grecian by the Iron the Roman Monarchies which were to continue whilst the Gentiles had the Dominion called by our Saviour the times of the Gentiles Luke 21.24 Another made to a Jew viz. the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel c. 7. by a Vision of four Beasts setting before him again with Christs Kingdom to succeed the last the times order and qualities of the said four Kingdomes and with many things of Christs from Antichrists destruction that was not expressed in the former Vision or explication of the four mettals Dan. 2. which Kingdomes by both Visions were to continue during the long bondage of Daniels own people till the wicked horn or beasts body be given to the burning flame v. 8 9 10 11. Christ come in the clouds v. 13 14. And concerning this large extent of the times of both these general Visions Daniel is taught by the Spirit of God to set his stamp and impression upon it clearly to that purpose chap. 2.28 God saith he makes known to the King what shall be in the latter dayes Heb. postremity of dayes as likewise doth the Angel again chap. 10.14 And accordingly Daniel expounds when the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that appears to be Christs spiritual kingdom from his Ascension to his coming again in person whilst he is breaking Divinely the lower parts of the great Image and especially the feet and toes of the said Image to powder like the dust of the summer threshing c. and then the said Kingdome of the Stone will become a great mountain filling the whole earth ◠35. And for the other Vision c. 7. of the 4 Beasts shewed to himself he is directly guided by the Spirit of God to set down how the beast should be destroyed as was said when the time of his date was out viz. his time times and the dividing of a time or 1260 days of years as in the Rev. is explained That then he had the Vision of Christs coming personally in the clouds of Heaven which is his second coming set before him and Gods giving all the Kingdoms of the world to him that all Nations under the whole heaven should obey him v. 27. personally during that his Davidical Kingdom in the 1000 years And as the description of the Iron Kingdom doth fitly belong to the Romane whose strength and prevailence hath been suitable thereunto so do all well approved expositors understand it and as it was in two thighs or legs since Constantine in the East and West Empires so the feet and toes in the time of the Pope and ten Kings have been as part of Iron and part of Clay under this last said head of Government the Popedom both in its Ecclesiastick and Politick capacity which as Iron and Clay cannot be mingled and though the said ten Kings have sought to mingle themselves with the seed of men that is have endeavoured by marriages to strengthen themselves yet they have not cleaved one to another Daniel foretells it shall be in vain which is so notorious That it is said to be the observation of the Grand Signior the Turk that they will never agree till his fingers are all of a length which so animates him against the Emperour and Pope to assault them The other description of the fourth beast Dan. 7. is also of the said Romane Kingdom set forth to be so terrible monstrous and cruel with the ten horns that arose on the beast and another little horn among them or behind them that spake such great words against the most high are orderly described and suitably expounded in the book of Rev. as may be observed in our abridgment and parallel and summary of Daniels visions c. And divers things are again observable in some of the visions that concern the order and times of the said Kingdoms and Beasts further applyed to the Roman Monarchy as c. 9. after the end of the 70 weeks when Christ had put an end to Typical sacrifice by his death in Tiberius his Raign Daniel speaks of the Prince viz. of the Roman people that should come to destroy the City and Sanctuary v. 26. which was fulfilled by Titus and Vespatian and in the two last verses he sets forth the very long desolation that should follow upon Jerusalem and her people in those general expressions until the consummation and that determined should be powred out upon the desolate which is also explained by our Saviour till the times of the Gentiles Dominion in the four Kingdoms and Beasts be fulfilled Luk 21 24. In chap. 8. v. 26. the same large space of time is assigned thereto of 2300 days of years for which see the reasons in our summary upon that Text c. Also in the last large prophetical vision of the general state of that people c. there are many things referr unto the Roman Monarchy first in that the Angel tells him c. 10.14 that he came to make him understand what should befall his people in the latter or postremity of days and in c. 11. he sets before him the degrees of the rise of the Roman Kingdom First he intitles him a Prince that began to act in his own behalf v. 18. as before he had done for another before v. 13. see abridgment after the Romans are set forth by the * Mr. Mede dist 48 p. 376. Ships of Chittim in v. 30. the old mark set down by Baalam to know their last oppressor Numb 24.24 who was to perish for ever but at v. 36. he intitles the Romans the K. Kings with an Emphasis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emphaticum aliquid eximium denotat said Mr. Mede and so the state of that Kingdom with several of her heads of Tyranny coming on and the enemies that restrain them to the end of the chapter Over part of whose Dominions the King of the South the Saracens and the King of the North the Turk prevail in the time of the end neer or unto the second coming of Christ See the Parallel to this purpose and summary on Daniel wherein divers other things are set down which may evidence that all things said to be shut up in Daniel and such as are referred to the times ' of the end or latter days are so explained in the Rev. both respecting the Roman Monarchy and Christs afterwards when the said Kingdome of the Stone became a great Mountain filling the whole earth but these brief hints may here suffice The seventh Argument is taken from the promises and encouragements made and given to the overcomers and sufferers in all times following both in the Asian Churches Rev. 2. 3. chap and also all along afterwards referring to the New Jerusalem state till the Roman Monarchy be utterly destroyed and ruined and then those promises and encouragements take place and are fulfilled as appears from Rev. 19. to the end of that book which state the spirit of God three times attesteth and strongly confirmeth c. 19.9 21.5.22.6
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE VVORD VVRITTEN Concerning the VVORD EVERLIVING VIZ. As touching his glorious Kingly Office on Earth to come Witnessing That Christ Jesus shall have a visible glorious Kingdome in the World consisting of the converted Jews and Gentiles in one Sheep-fold under him of the quick in this life and raised Saints in the time of his said glorious Kingdome and of the highest Angels worshipping him and of inferiour creatures bowing the knee unto him Confirmed by many Demonstrative Arguments from the holy Scriptures and many divine Reasons strongly evincing the same Truths By William Sherwin Minister of the Gospel Apoc. 3.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esa 24.33 Then the Moon shall be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall raign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously Psal 97.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Heb. 1.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.21 Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God LONDON Printed for Francis Smith and are to be sold at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar TO THE READER CHristian Sufferers either in * Affectu vel effectu will or deed to whom alone the happy interest in these things doth belong with all the ensuing happiness and glory through and with Christ Jesus the mystical head of his glorified Spouse the Church to all eternity for it is Generale Dei Statutum whatever otherwise nominal only and formal Christians may promise to themselves what the Apostle Paul declares 2 Tim. 3.12 that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and when he for a pattern was stoned almost to death Acts 14.19 he confirms the Disciples souls in this doctrine that saith he we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God yet here the Apostle Peter's Caution must be carefully observed 1 Pet. 4.19 that it must be according to the will of God or as he speaketh Verse 16. as Christians both for the cause and manner which is the condition upon which our Saviour entertains all his Disciples Mat. 10.38 for saith he he that takes not up his Cross and follows not me is not worthy of me and it is both a special gift and a special honour so to do Phil. 1.29 To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake But this will be but during the time the Bridegroom is absent in person Mat. 9.15 Mar. 2.19 and untill the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of Heaven and the Tabernacle of God be with men and he dwell with them Rev. 21.2 3. But for the comfort of all such the Apostle Paul as plainly instructs them 2 Tim. 2.12 If we die saith he with Christ we shall also live with him if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him And although the meek are here at present but strangers and pilgrims on the earth yet that time is hastening apace wherein that gracious promise shall be made good Psal 37.11 that the meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace which our Saviour also confirms declaring their blessedness in that respect saying Mat. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth and his care hath remarkably appeared in regard his Church was to pass through many sharp pangs and sufferings from his ascension in the primitive persecutions and all along her wilderness condition during until Antichrists tyranny even to his appearance to destroy that man of sin 2 Thes 2.8 before the Saints rest in this world will come Chap. 1.7 Heb. 4.9 or the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord as the Apostle Peter explains them Acts 3.19 Therefore to comfort them aforehand he hath through the whole Revelation provided words of consolation to each in the order of their sufferings drawn from the New Jerusalem state in one respect or other as from our seventh Argument in this Parcel may appear of all which encouragements his said meek sufferers shall certainly find in their due times the full accomplishment for whose further satisfactions therein according to what the Spirit of God hath set down though mystically yet surely I have endeavoured to wait upon the Dispencer of all grace in all such wayes of his own as he hath been pleased to lead me to such purpose for divers years past which I believe in much mercy he hath manifested unto me however some mens apprehensions thereof may differ yet in my own soul and spirit I am sufficiently therein satisfied and I hope also by his grace I may at least if not before published yet leave such things behind me which in due time may also I hope satisfie others when such errours pervertings and prejudices are removed as I have already endeavoured to do in my second and fourth part of those principles and foundations which I formerly laid down about 1664 unto which I have since added divers small Tracts as examples and patterns to manifest the usefulness of the former for the advantage of all such as would seriously consider them as that on Gen. 3.15 shewing in what wayes and order accordingly the seed of the woman Christ Jesus hath and doth and will hereafter more eminently and at last totally and finally when the last enemy death shall be destroyed break the Serpents Satans head Another on Jer. 3.17 being a Scriptural Evidence for the New Jerusalem state to come on earth with a brief summary of Daniel's prophetical Visions annexed to it the intendments of all which have been divers years obstructed and retarded hitherto as also of another to like purpose on Rev. 22.20 Behold I come quickly c. and as the Epistle to that on Jer. 3.17 doth point out the nature and use of the said four parts which contain the proofs that such things shall be so by these hints in reference to those said latter Tracts the better use and improvement may be made of them altogether especially since each of them refer to the other And now I hope at last if this short summary of much of these divine truths of this nature therein couched shall come to the hands of serious and judicious Christians that unjust prejudices being laid aside it may carry a strong conviction with it and consisting of evident Scripture foundations may also in Gods time make way for faith when he sets them home on the soul to believe the substance of these things upon the same ground or at least of many of them for as at divers times and in divers manners God hath been pleased to reveal his grace and truth to his Prophets and Apostles and other his messingers formerly so as the Apostle Peter shews he hath a time to come further to reveal it 1 Pet. 1.12 13. as judicious Galvm observes from the 7th verse when
have reference unto the last times as being of things which in that respect are to be observed especially The fifth Argument is taken from what hath been made manifest from Bp. 5. Arg. Vsher Mr. Mede Mr. Huit Helvicus Chronicle Mr. Swan in his Calamus mensur and others that the fourth Monarchy in Daniel is the Roman Monarchy Med. Com. in cap. 11. Daniel v. 35 36 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he v. 36. eximium quid designat that is the letter he in the word bammelec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King signifies some eminent thing as there denoting the beginning of the Roman Kingdom as by many characters thereof he declareth as that in Esa 7.14 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Virgin a Virgin shall conceive that is continving a Virgin where also by the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set forth that unparalleld conception of Christs body c. And he shall lift up himself above every God which saith Mr. Mede is the character of the 4th Monarchy or Roman Kingdome after the time Macedonia was subdued to the end of Augustus his raign and so proceeds to apply the prophesies in order to the succeeding times with much learning and judgement and according to what in experience hath been found true and as suits with the Revelation in the New Testament So Mede on Dan. 7.24 in a Letter to Dr. Meddus c. Also in explaining Dan. 11.41 42. in the time of the end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or latter times that is saith he the times of the Roman Kingdome c. So pag. 71. of the Apostafie of the latter times our times must needs be a part of the latter times of that Kingdome viz. the Roman the times whereof he had said before were the last times in general So again he expounds the King of the South Dan. 11.40 to be the Saracens who are said to push at the Roman said King as they did in the holy wars so called and the King of the North to be the Turk in the same v. and so to the end of the chap. which also by our late annotations are fitly applied to Rev. 9th chap. as being there to be understood by the two first woe trumpets there deciphered namely the fifth and sixth in order and yet they are again in the same Book of annotations on Dan. 11.40 41. incongruously misapplyed to the Greek Monarchy which are the same by their times and descriptions with the said two first woe trumpets as experience hath in great part manifested in their accomplishment hitherto Bp. Usher also in his annals reckons the 4th Monarchy to be the Roman Monarchy Mr. Swan who treads much in his steps counts the Roâ—an the 4th Monatchy Cal. mensur pag. 183. and gives divers reasons for it pag 184.5 6. 7. Also Mr. Huit upon Daniels prophesie all along expounds the 4th Monarchy in Daniel to be the Roman Monarchy In like manner Helvicus in his Chronology reckons the third to be the Greek the fourth to be the Roman Monarchy Also Carion in his Chronicle enlarged and expounded by Phil. Melancthon accounts the Roman to be the fourth Monarchy and with it begins his third Book under the title of the fourth Monarchy So Mr. Lee in his Excid Antichristi Mr. Farnworth in his Millennio also Dr. Homes Mr. Peck in his sober guess And as for that too much formerly received opinion of the Seleucidae and Laegidae their being the fourth Monarchy which hath been a great obstruction to many learned men from discerning the right time and order yea consequently the very sence intention of the Book of Revelation as might be made evident in good part and which opinion amongst many learned men of later times who have been well versed in those studies is altogether exploded as being inconfistent with Scripture History and Experience yea it would cut off the comfortable evidence of the great promise of setting up Christs spiritual kingdome in its due time namely in the dayes of one of those Kings viz. of the Romans as Mr. Mede expounds that Text Dan. 2.44 and gives an example for it in Judg. 12.7 Jeptha was buried in the Cities of Gilead so say the Translators in one of the Cities of Gilead and had not the Roman been one of the said Kings how had that prophefie been true But the holy Scriptare as was shewed reckons the Roman Monarchy from their fraying away Antiochus Epiphanes Dan. 11.30 c. and these learned Historians and Chroniclers with others of great worth in many respects agree therein and judiciously avouch it so to be and in many things evident experience in accomplishments of these latter times as respecting the fourth Monarchy which were prophetically fore-shewed doth prove the same or in the times of the end which is the same as that of the Saracens and Turks Dan. 11.40 41. the two first woe trumpets Rev. 9 c. with many like matters too evident to be reasonably withstood c. And therefore by judicious and unprejudiced persons greater evidence I conceive of this nature will not be expected than the unbyassed judgement of so many able persons versed in those studies who give their reasons for their judgement and find them made good by experimental accomplishments the utmost determination of all such historical dissents Come we then to the sixth Argument 6th Argument which is from that part of Daniels Visions that concern the Roman Monarchy since Christs first coming in the flesh together with the state of the true Church thence all along under it which is in great part the subject of the book of Revelation from chap. 3. to 20. chap. as some of the said learned persons and others have likewise cleared and as also may be seen by our abridgement and parallel on Daniel and of our fummarie thereof besides other observations to confirm the same as follow c. Even as the last part of the Rev. concerns Christs second coming and the state of things in this world afterward Rev. 19.20 21 22. And as the forenamed learned and judicious persons have owned the Roman Monarchy to be that fourth that was foretold by Daniel in sundry Visions so have some of them declared upon solid grounds that divers of Daniels Visions reach to the time of Christs second coming and set down some generals of the state of things afterwards which also may to unprejudiced persons be made evident by a brief and general view of the substance of the things considered in that book especially as respecting things after Daniels time First there are two general Decypherings of all time to come as two witnessings of the same truth one made to a Gentile Dan. 2. viz. Nebuceadnezzar in the great Image setting forth the 4 mettle-Mettle-Kingdoms succeeding each other as Mr. Mede observes namely by the Gold the Caldean by the Silver the Mede or Persian by the Brass the
as foreshewing the backwardness of men to believe it for saith our Saviour when the Son of man comes shall he find faith upon earth Luke 18. To instance in some of the promises Rev. 2. 3. c. as first that promise c. 2.7 to eat of the tree of life there recorded is to be performed in the New Jerusalem state Rev. 22.14 So Rev. 3.21 to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne c. is to be performed in the time of Christs visible Kingdom on earth Rev. 20.4 when the Saints shall live again bodily reign with Christ a 1000 years Likewise c. 3.12 promise is made to be a Pillar in the house of God and to go no more out and to have the name of God written on them so also answerably c. 22.3 4. his servants shall serve him they will make it their business and it will be their happiness so to doe and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads See more in the Appendix after the Irenicon p. 106 107. In like manner for after-times of suffering the representative 4 living wights and the 24 Elders in their new Song of praise to the Lamb for their Redemption not only that they were made spiritual Kings and Priests unto their God but in a way of great exultation add that general consolation for all sufferers afterwards who should have also the same interest therein with them And say they we shall reign upon earth and this also was to be accomplished in the time of Christs Kingdome as before said from Rev. 20.4 and there is further added v. 6. they were made Priests unto God and Christ and reigned with him a 1000. years and that all these will be upon earth See the 15 evident reasons manifesting that the New Jerusalem shall be upon earth in a small tract on Jer. 3.17 And for more particular encouragements somewhat is set down for following sufferers that hath particular relation to the New Jerusalem state and not improbably that forementioned had special reference to the primitive sufferers by the greatred Dragon under some of the seals chap. 6. Also those sealed sufferers c. 7. which seem c. 9.4 to be referred to the times of the 5t and 6t trumpet under the Saracens and Turks have many decypherings of the New Jerusalem state set before them as to be clothed in white to have Palms in their hands v. 9. and to sing praise to the Lamb v. 10. and again the Lamb shall feed them and lead them to the fountains of living waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes v. 17. which with many other like are again repeated in the order of accomplishment in the New Jerusalem state when it shall come Rev. 19. 20. 21 22. as may be seen in many particulars And so also for the sufferers in several times under Anti-christ as first for the witnesses Rev. 11. when their time is finished Christs Kingdome of power upon earth will begin v. 7. many excellent things are set before them in that state of things to the end of the chapter Also for all sufferers under Anti-Christ c 14. is set before them the Vision of the 144000. of the Lambs-followers for an encouragement them and us watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man c. But these and other improvements we only here touch upon having spoken already else where to these and the like purposes As to the misapprehensions of some not well verst in these studies I say at present that I am so far from disowning them that I reckon Gods manifesting to me those Divine though mystically set down Scripture Truths therein contained to be amongst gods greacest mercies to me in this life and an excellent part of the Gospel of Christ c. as not only that great mystery searcher learned and judicious Mr. Mede judged of them but what by his means Bishop Vsher Dr. Twisse and other eminent persons in his time were greatly affected with But as for the antient errours by some unjustly affixed thereon I utterly reject them and also our Fift Monarchy mens so called scandalous both errours and practises being not well instucted in these Truths I not only abhorre as Unchristian and confute as Antiscriptural in general but also as against relative Obligations by divine Law and particularly inconsistent with these Divine Truths of Christs eminent destruction of the man of Sin at his glorious appearance when he will set up his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 Which neither can be done by men nor will be accomplished till his set time for it shall come as page 15. of the first part the preface of the 2 d. and page 42. of the same part page 40. of the 4th is to be seen c. I judge the studies of those Divine mystical Truths well be seeming the greatest Divines in the whole World and worthy of great encouragement in the Church of God Without which I believe much in Moses the Prophets and the Psalms concerning these things and also through all the Books of the New Testament is not rightly understood and I am ready to give an account to all serious Christians both of the Principles or main foundations of those Truths in my four parts already Printed and of those Praxes of them prepared divers years past on Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head and on Jer. 3.17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the Lord c. with Rev. 22.20 and others REader note that Christ â—â—d coming on Rev. 22.20 is meant in respect of the apprehension of the Creatures then in the World being called by the Apostle 1 Thes 4.16 his descending then from Heaven c. he doth not there say out of Heaven as was said of Jerusalems coming with him before Rev. 21.2 3. where the Earth and Heaven are said to flee away c. Rev. 20.11 when the Faithful shall be changed in a moment c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52. thenceforth ever to be with the Lord. For although when Satan shall be loosed at the end of the 1000 years Christ seems to withdraw from the holy City and Camp of the Saints yet we find not warrant to say he will then personally be out of the World or any more till the finishing of the last Judgement though he is there said so to descend from Heaven then See the Epistle before Jer. 3.17 FINIS
he will again appear for such as look for him the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. the last And as in former times there have been divers degrees and measures of such dispensations of Gods grace and truth so there is and will be so still 1 Cor. 12. yet to every man to profit withall verse 7. to the riches of whose liberality true Christian Reader I now commend thee praying for a blessing for thee for the due entertainment of these as they are divine Scripture truths and no otherwise who though my self a poor shaken earthen vessel for such heavenly treasure yet do both earnestly desire and groundedly hope to be owned herein to be A faithfull servant and witness of our great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ William Sherwin Jan. 17. 1669 70. Some of those Demonstrative arguments taken out of that seven-fold foundation of the Doctrine of Christs Kingdom on Earth to come Rev. 20.4 being in good part the drift and substance of our Irenicon with its adjuncts c. which have been offered to the consideration of many judicious persons and which being duly weighed in the Balance of the Sanctuary may appear convincing THe first is taken from the many particulars which the Scripture mentions to be hereafter to be fulfilled and also allotts the begining the continuance and the end of the thousand years of Christs Reign to accomplish them in From sundry Texts of the Old Testament speaking of what concerns that Period of Christs Kingly Office which are so explained by the Spirit of God in the New Testament From that general reference of the Apostle Peter Acts 3.21 applyed also by Christ to those times Rev. 10.11 which times saith he God hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began as in some good measure is manifest in our Irenicon from page 56. to page 89. Drawn from such portions of holy Scripture as the Holy Ghost hath set some marks upon which may discover unto us that they speak somewhat that belongs to those last times From what hath been made manifest by Bishop Vsher Mr. Mede Helvicus his Chronicle Mr. Huit Mr. Swan in his Calamus mensur and Others that the fourth Monarchie in Daniel is the Roman Monarchie From that part of Daniels Visions that concerns the Roman Monarchie since Christs first coming in the Flesh together with the state of his true Church thence all along under it which is in great part the subject of the Book of the Revelation from chap. 3d. to the 20th as some of the said learned Persons and others have likewise cleared as also may be seen by our Abridgement and Parallel on Daniels Visions and in our Summarie thereof besides other observations to confirm the same as the last part of the Revelation concerns Christs second coming and the state of things in the World afterwards in chap. 20 21 22. From the promises and encouragements made and given to the Overcomers and Sufferers in all those times since Christ First in the Asiaâ— Churches Rev. 2 3 chap. and all along afterwards referring to something in the New Jerusalem state untill the Roman Monarchie shall be utterly destroyed or go into perdition and then those promises and encouragements are to take place and be fulfilled as is set forth in Rev. 19 20 21 22 chap. From the joynt witnessings unto these things by the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel and the beloved Apostle John the first in the Old Testament the second in the New and the latter more largely though mysteriously setting forth what was more briefly shut up and sealed in the former as is very observable c. From the many particulars in Scripture to be fulfilled at the beginning of the thousand years so that being by Gods word fore-told and not yet fulfilled and also that time allotted for the fulfillng of them they uppon all considerations joyntly must needs then take place and so many other great things from thence along the thousand years and afterwards to the last Resurrection and general Judgement the holy Scriptures set forth that those great things in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that world to come as it is stiled Heb. 2.5 Eph. 1.21 of which large Volumes might profitably be written But first of such things as are to be about the begining of that Period or to go before it First the fufilling of that promise Mal. 4 5. Behold I will send you Elias the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord even as John Baptist who was therefore called Elias at Christs first coming who was said then to come in the Spirit and power of Elias Luke 1.17 being also that Messenger spoken of Mal. 3.1 applyed to him Luke 1.76 by his Father and by our Saviour also Mat. 11.10 But concerning the other at the great and terrible day of the Lord after John Baptist was put to death our Saviour expresly saith to his Disciples Mat. 17.11 truly Elias shall first come concerning whom the antient Fathers differ not that another should then come but whether it should be Elias the Tishbite in Person or another like John Baptists in the spirit and power of Elias as may largely be made to appear See Dr. Homes his Resur Revived page 357 362 363 364 365 366 367 368. The terrible ruine and burning of the whore of Babylon so largely described many wayes by the Spirit of Christ Rev. 14. but especially in the 17th and 18th Chapter and probably set forth by the Title of Magog to be destroyed with fire in the latter dayes Ezek. 39.6 The gathering together to the battel of the great God described more generally by the Nations or Heatheus whether Paganish or Popish who are for their gentilizing worship reckoned Gentiles Rev. 11.2 which battel is Prophetically proclaimed by Joel chap. 32. and described ver 3. c. to be a gathering of all Nations then to the Valley of Jehoshaphat which shall be at the time of the Jews great restauration where God will plead with their enemies as he did with the Ammonites Moabites and their Confederates 2 Chron. 20.22 and again it is further and more largely described from v. 9. Proclaim this among the Gentiles prepare VVar c. v. 18 read and consider them with the Context which preparation is two fold first of the Turk Ezek. 38.8 16 c. set forth to be in the latter dayes twice under the title of Gog denoting such a great and resolute enemy of the Church whose description there fitly agrees to the Turk together with his time and the deliverance of Israel when he is to fall as Dan. 11.45 12.1 Also his coming is set down with his prevailing and progress in order by the same Prophet Dan. 11.40 Mr. Mede Diâ—c 48. page 374. 41 42 43 44. as Mr. Mede very judiciously appositly and learnedly hath explained that Scripture Being there stiled the King of the North as the Saracins
before him were stiled in the same verse the King of the South and fitly agree with the Seasons of the 5t and 6t Trumpet Rev. 9. of which more afterwards Again another part of the said battle is described in reference to the Pope for as in the Old Testament the Turk is foretold to be then the Jews great Enemy to withstand their return to Christ and their own Land so the Pope in the New Testament is set forth to be then the great Enemy of the Gentile Christians both which God will then bring down as many Scriptures declare Who also shall then be gathered with his complices to the Armageddon Battle as upon his account it is called Rev. 16.14 16. under the end of the sixth Vial or the beginning of the seventh called also the Battell of the Great day of God Almighty and it is more largely set forth how it will be accomplished Rev. 19.11 When the King of Kings with his Armies will come against the Beast and false Prophet and their Armies and take them both for ever destroy them c. And much is also set forth Dan. 7.9.10 c. concerning the time and manner or the Popes destruction because of whose great words the Judgement will then sit one the Throne and by a Fiery Sentence and Execution the Beast will then be consumed and the Body thereof given to the burning Flame and much to like purpose in that chapter and a complication of Judgements are in many parts of holy Scripture assigned for the ruine then of both those great Enemies besides what hath been named I only here point out but few of many in v. 22. of Ezek 38. God saith he will plead then with Gog the Turk with Pestilence with Bloud an over-flowing Rain great Haile-stones Fire and Brimstone Consider seriously the description of his ruine largely set down in 〈…〉 following chapter and the like of the Pope Rev. 16. 〈…〉 21. there are the horrours of Gods indignation in that 〈…〉 quake with Thunders and Lightning when Babylon shall come 〈…〉 before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the fierce 〈◊〉 of his wrath as followed in the falling of the great Haile whereupon 〈◊〉 blsphemed God as follows whereby the fierceness of his wrath 〈◊〉 be most manifest as hath been seen in the Devil since Christ came in the Flesh who finding himself without remedy since blasphemed God which till then it was thought he durst not so for in the latter part of Rev. 19. the Fowls devour their flesh and they are cast alive into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone so Rev. 14.19 those Grapes are reaped and cast into the Wine press of Gods wrath c. In the next place unto the destruction of the said great Enemies the Scriptures adjoyn the appearance and Kingdom of Christ as the Apostle Paul joynes them 2 Tim. 4.1 and he knew he had good ground for it from Daniels Prophesie chap. 7. when the Beast is destroyed he had the Vision v. 13 14. c. now the Son of Man Jesus Christ came in the Clouds of Heaven to whom all the Kingdoms and the People are given as follows all Nations under the whole Heaven are then subject to him v. 27. read those things deliberately c. So when he had destroyed the Beast and his Complices in the end of Rev. 19. then that great Angel Christ with a great Chain binds the Devil and Satan for a 1000. years and sets up his Kingdom and Reigns with his Saints then to be raised and all such as walk in the light of the new Jerusalem all the 1000. years that very clear Prophesy hath been too well vindicated from Satanicall mists and Popish delusions to be again darkened by them or such as they seduce against holy Scriptures most evident light the same Apostle joynes them also 2 Thes 2.8 shewing the glorious appearance of Christ will be the utter destruction of Anti-christ which is another fore-runner of his glorious Kingdom c. Come to a fift the great and national restauration deliverance and conversion of the Jews and Israelites for to the former the Scriptures also joyn these their temporal and spiritual deliverance the temporal before in Joel 3. Both temporal and spiritual in Dan 12.1 2 3. And so in many expressions both are annexed to Gogs destruction when he shall come with an evil thought against them Ezck. 38. and 39. Their happiness in both was deciphered chap. 37. by raising the great army from the dry bones and joyning the two sticks both which are largely and excellently set forth and explained in the whole Chapter of which more 〈…〉 And when in the two next Chapters the hinderers 〈…〉 comes the New Jerusalem called Jehovah shamma 〈…〉 end of that Book all which fully agree with the 〈…〉 â—â—velation which is the sure Key of all mystical Scripture 〈◊〉 â—â—â—pecting the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the latter times their conversion Zachâ—â—â— speaks of evidently chap. 12.10 when that Nation will be 〈…〉 born in a day Isa 66.8 and the iniquity of that Land be taken away in one day Zac. 3.9 then will that Bride make her self ready when all those Halelujahs shall be sung at the destruction of the Whore when the said Kingdome of Christ shall begin and the readiness of the Bride shall appear unto whom the abundance of the Gentiles shall joyn themselves as Rev. 19.1 to the 9th verse and Esa 60.3 4 5 c. Then also will Christs visible Kingdome of power be set up on earth First by removing out of it all things that offend viz. the Pope and Turk with their adherents with hypocrites and those that do iniquities all to be removed aforehand Mat. 13.41 42. which by the said judgement Dan. 7. are to be swept away with a temporal sudden destruction set up for to judge then such wicked quick 2 Tim. 4.1 and Rev. 11.19 and then by gathering both Jews and Gentiles into his fold when the Jews shall be honourably sent into their Land by the Gentiles and the Gentiles unconverted before shall in great abundance be brought in to Christ by means of the Jews upon the manifestation that God is with them Esa 60.2 3 c. But then thirdly That Kingdome of Christ will consist of another sort of Subjects such as Christ will bring with him when he comes and which before were said by the Apostle to sleep before in Christ in respect of their bodies 1 Thes 4.14 which shall then be raised from their graves and then be re-united unto their spirits at the first blessed and holy resurrection as it is called Rev. 20.6 who shall then live and reign with Christ 1000 years vers 4. and in the end of vers 6. which is his judging also of the dead at that time Rev. 11.19 by rewarding his servants the Prophets and his Saints and all that fear his name both small and great both then living and before dead when as for
the evil at svch time he will destroy all such as did before by their wickedness destroy the earth in both which respects as the Apostle Paul teacheth he will then so judge both the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdome 2 Tim. 4.1 And for both those parts of judgement towards good and bad it was said when Antichrist was to be destroyed Dan. 7.9 10 c. that the Judgement was set and the Books were opened as it will be above 1000 years after when all the wicked shall be raised at the last resurrection Rev. 10.11 12. When also Christ will again judge both quick and dead when all the Saints that are then alive and remain as the Apostle Paul reckons himself and the Saints in his time then will be 1 Thes 4. and he twice affirms it saying We which are alive and remain vers 15. and vers 17. shall be caught up together with such of the Saints as at that time shall rise first also that is before the wicked after to be raised when all those sorts of the Saints the living then in the bodily life and raised Saints above a thousand years before which then with the Apostle remain in the world shall altogether be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air whereas those that had their part in the first resurrection having their part therein 1000 years before were said then to be brought from heaven with him when that New Jerusalem came down from God out of heaven at Christs second coming but then they shall ever be with the Lord whereas he seemed to withdraw himself from the former before the last rapture which will be in a moment with a glorious change which mysteries the Apostle unfolds 1 Cor. 15. which he twice confirms also 51.15 Also the whole 97. Psalm which beginneth The Lord reigneth let the people rejoyce let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof containing also a Prophesie of his terrible coming to destroy his idolatrous enemies and to deliver the Jews and all his oppressed people which will cause such exultation and Halelujahs in the world and is also in the New Testament applyed by the Spirit of God to his said second coming Heb. 1.6 when he shall bring again his first begotten into the world as the Greek Text declares when all the Angels of God shall worship him so expounded by Chrysostome Ribera and others of his second coming and which also the Apostle himself clearly explaineth Chap. 2 5. calling it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world to come whereof he spake to this agrees Rev. 19.1 2 c. when the Whore of Babylon was destroyed and that Reign of Christ began and the marriage of the Lamb was come so many Halelujahs were sung First By much people vers 1 2 3. Secondly By the representative twenty four Elders and four Beasts or living wights verse 4. And thirdly By a voice out of the Throne the Church and of great multitudes saying Alleluâ—ah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth c. that is in another manner than before viz. personally and at the same time he is praised for having taken to himself his great power and to have reigned Rev. 11.17 who in his personal absence till then had left his power in the hands of others which for the most part had much abused it and probably most provokingly towards that time c. Also concerning the terrible coming of the Lord as it is described by Zachary chap. 14. very lagely how he will fight against the Nations that then come against Jerusalem when his feet shall stand on Mount Olivet and he will so terribly shake the Earth as also in Isa 1.2 several times is set forth when he will Jehoshaphatize his Enemies as before in the 3d. of Joel and the word in the Original seems to denote and at which time Zacharie saith chap. 14.5 as the Apostle Paul said from him 1 Thes 3. and last The Lord thy God shall come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Saints with thee and as chap. 4.14 all that sleep in Jesus God will then bring with him which is that Jerusalem by a Metonimie of the subject that then comes down from God out of heaven Rev. 21. and the contexts of Zac. and Joel agree to the same time and the more to difference the said coming from that descending from heaven with a shout which the Apostle speaks of v. 16. which to creatures apprehension may then seem an other coming yet he saith not out of heaven as when the said Jerusalem descended but it will be after the thousand years when he seems to have withdrawn himself from the holy City and Camp of the Saints whilst Satan and his last Gog and Magog play their last most wicked pranks which will only amount to an attempt wherewith there will he their own and the worlds ruine brought on effectually when the great white throne will be set up for Christ before whose face heaven and earth shall flee away and no place be found for them as being resolved as is probable into their first Chaos c. from which ruine all the Saints as was said before by a suddain rapture and glorious change shall be perfectly freed glorified as we shewed and shall ever be with the Lord from thence forth till the consummation of that last Judgement that then shall all ascend with him their head into Heaven without preventing each other as the Apostle also teacheth when death will be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 There is mention of a Trumpet when the Angels shall gather the Elect from the four winds and two in a Bed and two in the Field and two Women in the Mill the one taken and the other shall be left at the coming of Christ in the Clouds as Mat. 24.30 31.40 41. but that last descending from Heaven will be at the last Trump in regard one of like nature was before Again his second coming in the Clouds will be for Salvation to all the ends of the Earth in the issue of it but this descending from heaven with a shout and the voice of an Arch-Angel and the Trump of God viz. the last Trump will bring utter and final desolation to all the ends of the Earth yea then Heaven and Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 These are according to our Saviours own best exposition in the Revelation which in these matters he hath caused to be set down with very great evidence often attesting them to be faithful and true c. foreseeing men would not believe them though very consonant to the Prophets and other portions of the holy Scriptures In respect of the large extent of Christs Kingdom when God hath shewed he would set Christ his King upon his holy hill of Sion notwithstanding all the rage and tumults of the Heathen Psal 2. he also delares he would give him the
Scripture respecting the duties the dignities the priviledges and happiness both of living in the Natural life and the Saints raised from the death of the body wherein they will both be happily exercised and peacefully and securely enjoy the benefits the said thousand years of Christs reign upon Earth from his coming in the Clouds of heaven for above a thousand years space until his sitting on that great white Throne when the Heaven and the Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 and when these visible Heavens we behold shall be no more as is said Job 14.12 And so we proceed to make up the evidence of this first way of Demonstration a little to touch upon the third sort of those things that are declared by the holy Scriptures to be done at the end of the said thousand years which are so evidently set down in the latter part of the Revelation wherein as Mr. Mede observes the Holy Ghost hath set down things more clearly than before and herein observe what he declareth 1. First concerning Satans loosing again who after he had told us of his binding and shutting up at the begining of the thousand years and for what reason that he might deceive the Nations no more till the thousand years were fulfilled but then he adds after that he must be loosed for a little space v. 2 3. and when he had set forth summarily the happiness of the raised Saints raign with Christ with other divine truths of the different estate of the rest of the dead which were not to be raised till the thousand years were ended v. 4 5 6. he proceeds to shew in order how accordingly it shall fall out v. 7. as before he had fore-told that Satan should be loosed then out of his prison For what is here delivered concerning Satan and the state of the Saints raised and then of the rest not raised that are said not to live again till c. is all set out with the greatest distinct clearness in each respect that can in so short a form or frame of words probably be expressed or conceived and as most agreeing with the current of the Sacred Scripture concerning those things which Christ was so graciously pleased so to make known for the benefit of his Church in the time of the end and therefore delivers them so clearly and distinctly and so leaves them with all the rest of this book unsealed Rev. 22.10 For from the time of the giving this Revelation and Christs receiving his Commission from the Father to open the Seals and read and execute the particulars in their order chap. 5. he hath been still is and will also henceforth be in doing till they all be accomplished accordingly and therefore he saith in respect of the order of accomplishment the time is at hand chap. 1.3 2. And Secondly after the holy Spirit had so punctually set down the time of Satans loosing out of his Prison he proceeds in the next place to shew what ill use he would make of his loosing though permitted to him but for a little season at the end of the thousand years and though he be fore-told from the word of Christ that his last desperate devilish attempt will be but a vain attempt against the Camp of the Saints and the holy City and not only bring on effectually the ruine to that world wherein he would still rule but destruction also to himself with them in the said bottomless pit where the Beast and the false Prophet that he had in former times long seduced were cast above a thousand years before yet so desperately wicked notwithstanding Satan will then be and it appears to be the heavy judgement of God upon him that he will then so do viz. go out to deceive the Nations even in such a case c. as v. 8. 3. The large extent of that most horrible wicked attempt of his and where they will be found that shall thereto be seduced then by him to such a purpose namely in the four quarters of the Earth even such as were removed or far withdrawn from the Camp of the Saints by such time as the thousand years should end v. 8. 4. By the quality of such Nations which he will deceive and seduce then into that so vain and horrible an attempt who are described by the titles of Gog and Magog even as those great and implacable Enemies to the Church were described to wit the Turk and Pope Ez. 38 39 which by his long seducement were by him brought to their ruine before the thousand years when he knew he was to be shut up so long in his prison and when the Jews were to be delivered and placed in their own Land Ezek. 37. and united with the ten Tribes their Brethren into one Kingdom under Christ and the new Jerusalem set up and described by Ezekiel from chap. 40. to the end of that Book there named Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there this title or description of such wretched persons the holy Spirit is here again pleased to use to set them forth by that they will be another Gog and Magog maliciously attempting the subversion of Christs Church though so incomparably glorious in the world c. v. 8. 5. The course he takes with them he gathers them together to battell for it is the most natural design of the Devil and his most wicked agents in all times to war against the Saints and it was quarrel enough against them both for him and them that the mannaging well the power of good government is by God put into their hands for restraining evil and promoting good as doubtless in that time it will be when that attempt shall be made for the overthrow whereof that design should probably serve if it might be to get such power into their own hands that Satan by and in them might reign 6. The seeming advantage they will think probably they shall have to undertake that hellish design which Satan will provoke and tempt them to make use of therein namely their very great multitudes and hosts of evil cumbitants which are foretold shall be as the sand of the sea v. 8. 7. Their general unanimous and ready yieldance to such Satans tentation and seducement they went upon the breadth of the earth v. 9. wickedly yet confidently relying on their own multitudes even against the long and glorious manifestations of the power and kingdome of Christ in the world then after and in the destruction of the Beast above 1000 years before 8. The high degree of their seeming prevalency in such atchievement they compassed the camp of the Saints about and the beloved City v. 9. they even seemed then to obtain their end c. But then 9. Observe Gods appearing in the nick of time against them causing their horrible disappointment and bringing upon them their remediless and desperate destruction fire then came down from God out of heaven and
the second head in the thousand years and others we shall have occasion afterwards to consider which will be obvious to be applyed to this purpose we shall here at present adde no more But from hence set down the 2d Argument which will likewise strongly back the former which from what hath been said may be laid down as follows That sence and meaning of the said particulars in the Old Testament which the Spirit of God gives of them in the New Testament or of many of them is the best and truest explication But the holy Scriptures in the New Testament explain many or the most of them in the sense aforesaid Therefore that sence is the truest and best explication of them The Major proposition here is also undeniable The minor is sufficiently evident by what hath been set down of particulars before and more may be as also many arguments may be drawn from all the ensuing foundations Proceed we then to the Third argument taken from that general reference of St. Peter Acts 3.21 applyed also by Christ to those times Rev. 10. when the seventh Trumpet began to sound which times saith he God hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began The confirmation of this argument is somewhat largely set down already thovgh much more might be added if it were needful from the testimonies of the several Prophets in the Old Testament and from the Psalms as may be seen in our Irenicon from pag. 56. to pag. 89. some of which are also here named under the former heads whereunto I wholly referr the Reader in this particular c. And so we come to the fourth 4th Argument drawn from such portions of Scripture as the holy spirit hath set some marks upon which may discover unto us that they speak somewhat that belongs to those last-times As first in Moses song for posterities Deut. 32. when he had therein described prophetically the Israelites former sins and sufferings towards the end he foretells things that should be when Jews and Gentiles should be last united into one and the ruine of their enemies that then stood in the way to hinder it he then concludes with mercies in store for his people and land v. 42 43. rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people which is applyed by St. Paul with like Texts respecting those times Rom. 5. as Es 11. Ps 117. So in Dan. 8.26 as the 2300 days of years were applicable to the Jews long bondage from the beginning of the Babilonian Captivity to the end of the Roman Tyranny for that a larger and stricter sense is contained in those visions and the explications we have shewed in our summary on Dan. 11.8 but v. 26. Daniel is commanded in referrence to that larger sense to shut up the vision for it was for many days and observe the like c. 10.14 with reference to the latter days which said shutting up or sealing in Daniel is the usual note or mark of things afterwards to be revealed more specially or done in Gospel times which are the substance of Revelation visions in order as in our parallel is observable In like manner in Baalams Prophesie Numb 24.24 Where the Ships of Chiittim are spoken of which are again applyed by Daniel to the beginning of the Roman Monarchy when by the Roman Navies appearing against Antiochus Epiphanes neer Alexandria he was last vanquished by them Dan. 11.30 Which Roman Empire being to perish for ever as Baalam had foretold shewing the Roman Tyranny should be the last that should afflict Eber or Ebrewes and accordingly the last head of that Empire then is described by the feet and toes of the great image setting forth those 4 mettle-Mettle-Kingdoms upon the finishing of which Dominion of the Gentiles over the Jews called by our Saviour the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles Luk. 21. when the bondage long captivity of the Jews Israelites is to end as Dan. 12.1 2 3. So also Moses in those threatnings set in order Lev. 26. seems prophetically to include the order of Gods proceedings towards that people and therefore when he comes to speak of their deiiverance from the Babylonish Captivity he speaks of Prayer and Humiliation to be used as was then accordingly remarkably done by Daniel who understood by books c. 9.2 from Jer. 25.12 and 29.10 that God would accomplish 70 years in the desolations of Jerusalem and as Jeremiah had prophesied of such praying Jer. 29.12 13. Then ye shall call upon me and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you c. but ufterwards he promiseth a free deliverance only from himself from their last captivity for his Covenant with the fore-fathers of that people who are beloved for their fathers sake Rom. 11. as the Apostle Paul there speaketh And it is usual in the Old Testament where Prophesies or Promises have that frequent mark set upoe them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. in 〈◊〉 â—â—tremity of days or as we read it in the latter days there is something set down concerning Christ or his Kingdoms or people respecting those times as Iacob Gen. 49.1 said he would shew his sons what should befall them in the last days and then in Judahs blessing sets forth both the time of Christs first coming and then the inlargement of his Church by the gatherings of the people and the great prosperity of his own people at the last by his washing his garments in wine and his clothes in the blood of Grapes and that his eyes should be red with wine and his teeth white with milk v. 10.11 12. So Dan. 2.28 it is used to shew that the vision of Nebuchadnezzar's Image contained something that reached to those last days and the like used Dan. 10.14 in his last large vision to the end when that glorious person was seen of Daniel probably of Christ represented as to St. Iohn Rev. 1. he then told Daniel he was then come to tell him what should befall his people in the latter days for saith he yet the Vision is for many days Likewise Esay 2.2 when that great Prophesie is set down concerning those times the same with Mic. 4.1 there again repeated he saith expresly it should be in the latter days Also Jer. 23.20 after gracious prophesies of Christs reign and prospering and executing of judgement and justice in the earth c. v. 5 6. and their last great deliverance from captivity and his punishing their sins he tells them in the latter dayes they shall consider is perfectly So again when he is about to describe the horrible destruction of the Turk under the title of Gog Ezek. 38 and 39. in v. 8. and v. 16. of the former Chapter he twice informs his people it shall be in the latter dayes See Observ 14. in our 4th part Thus by both matter and manner and order and peculiar marks the Seripture pointeth out to us many things in the Old Testament that especially