raised and the dark miste of lyes being dispelled Then shall Satan be bound for a thousand years which must be expired before he scatter new errours through the world and by them seduce the Nations This this is the imprisonment this is the liberty or setting free of Satan In the same place upon vers. 2. But when began Satan to be bound In the year 1517. when the witnesses were raised From that time ALL people generally have not drunk any new poyson of heresie which might weaken or overturn their faith In the same place To 1517. adde 1000. years So you shall make 2517. at which time Satan shall again draw the Nations into abominable heresies In this Exposition of Cotterius the thousand years are rightly urged according to the letter But his Epocha or beginning of his account is not well placed in the year 1517. For then began onely the praeludium or proeme of this Millenary Iohn Piscator in his Commentary on the Revelations The happynesse of the faithfull who shall live upon earth after the downfall of the Papacy is their security from the hostile invasions of the wicked for 1000 years In the same place The singular happynesse of the Martyrs of Christ who before these thousand years indured persecution is their Resurrection which shall be before the generall Resurrection and their reign in Heaven with Christ for a thousand years before the Resurrection of the rest In this Exposition the literall interpretation is rightly urged But that he sayes the Martyrs shall reign with Christ in Heaven for those thousand years cannot be proved out of the Text Nay the contrary may thence be proved because the Resurrection of the Martyrs is part of the happinesse of the Church here on Earth Again The Kingdom which is limited by a certain number of years cannot suite well with eternall life See also Revel. 5.10 where the Saints in Heaven among other things sing thus And we shall reign upon the Earth But moreover the same Iohn Piscator maintains this opinion of the thousand years in his German translation of the Bible and a little before his death he wrote a short Treatise Of the future happinesse of the Church in this life Out of which I have made use of many things which I have transcribed into this Meditation for that Treatise of his hath not as yet seen the light Many Writers of the former and this present Age have published many things concerning Elias the Artist who is to come Of the Lion of the North who is neer at hand Of a fourth Northern Monarchy Of a great Reformation Of the Conversion of the Jews and the like See Theophrastus Paracelsus Michael Sendivogius in his Treatise of Sulphur Stephanus Pannonius Of the circle of the Works and Iudgements of God where among other things he writs thus Yet it shall come to passe that the pure Gospel of God shall be preached to the Americans before the end of the world Again Nothing is more sure then that the Reformation of the East and South drawing on some famous Emperour whose types Constantine and Theodosius both entitled Great were shall openly shew himself and granting liberty of Religion to them who professe the name of the Holy Trinity shall do some great matter in the world for the glory of God for the building up of the Church and for the downfall of Antichrist In the same place The Eastern Christians fired with the zeal of Christ shall make their way into Asia it self and provoke the Jews to jealousie Rom. 11. And the spirituall Babylon shall be a pray unto all Nations In the same place A refining of the Souldiers of God whereof there is mention Zach. 13.8 that is temptations and tryalls shall go before this Reformation that the light of God may arise out of the Crosse of Christ This Treatise was published in the year 1608. Iohn Dobricius also in the year 1612. did set forth a notable book entitled {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is The Interpreter of times wherein both out of the Holy Scripture and from the new Star which appeared in the year * DC.IV. and the great Conjunction of the Planets many things are discoursed of concerning the reformation and future happinesse of the Church Peter du Moulin in his French Book intituled Du Combat Christien that is The Chrictian Conflict pag. 256. This persecution is a cruell tempest which cannot last awayes Either it will take us out of the world or God will take it away from us Pag. 353. Every one hath but a short journey whereby he must come to God and the time is at hand that we must commit our bodies to the earth our Souls to God and to the Church peace and the blessing of God For it shall come to passe even in our times that God shall be glorified in the great Congregations Yea even in those places where are horrible ruines the Word of God shall â—ound forth and God shall afford us matter of praise and thanksgiving Pag. 450. After that God shall have shewn us his deliverances on earth he will also shew us his riches in Heaven A CONFUTATION Of the Objections I. Object IS taken out of Matth. 24.14 If after the Gospel preached in all the world the end of all things shall come that happinesse of the Church in this world shall not happen out between the end thereof and the preaching of the Gospel For the Gospel is already preached through the whole earth I answer 1. The Consequence is to be denyed for although this happynesse do come between yet it hinders not but that the end of the world should come after the Gospel preached over the whole earth Secondly The pro-syllogisme is to be denyed because the Gospel is not already preached over the whole earth II. Object Is taken from Matth. 24.29 30. If presently after the destruction of Hierusalem Christ shall come to Judgement then this happinesse of the Church shall not be before his coming to Judgement Answ. The matter it self speaks and experience witnesseth that this word Immediately or Presently is not here properly or simply to be understood but hyperbolically and according to what went before namely in relation to the foregoing Prophesie concerning the overthrow of the Iews which they were to receive by the destruction of Hierusalem So that this is the meaning that between this desolation of Hierusalem and the coming of Christ the Iews should receive no other overthrow III. Object Is out of the same Chapter vers. 37 38 39. If a little before the coming of Christ to Judgement the State and condition of the world shall be such as it was in the time of Noâ—h before the Deluge and that such a state of things is to be seen at this day It may be hence gathered that such a condition of the Church as is here described shall not happen out before the coming of
interpretation oâ— these thousanâ— yâ—ares permitting to the Revelation it's divine authority they ceased from their attempt which could by no meanes be freed from the censure of impiety Conceive thus them that the Seaventh Trumpet with the whole space of those thousand yeares and other predictions belonging thereto doth set forth that great day of judgement so much spoken of by the ancient Church as also by Christ and his Apostles and is not the short space of a few houres as commonly it is beleives but according to the manner of the Hâ—brewes using a day for a time the continued intervall of many yeares and circumsâ—ribed with two resurrections as with two set or limitted tâ—rmes I say that this day shall bee begun first with the partâ—culâ—r and tâ—mely judgement of Antichrist and othâ—r eneâ—ies of the Church then remaining alive with the glorious appearance of our Lord Christ in flames of fire and that at length after the Kingdome of a thousand yeares granted to his holy Spouse the New Ierusalâ—m here on earth and others that shall afterward be borne this great day now drawing to an end shall bee finishâ—d aftâ—r the letting loose of Satan and uâ—ter destruction of the Churches eâ—emies with the generall resurrection and judgement of all the dead which being performed the wicked shall be thrust downe iâ—to Hell to bee tormâ—nted eternally and the Saints translated into Heaven to live with Christ there for ever This indeed is the Time of the anger of God upon the Nations and avenging the cause of them who dyed for Christ for which after the blast of the seaventh Trumpet chapter eleâ—enth the Elâ—ers give thankes with triumph because therein God was to gâ—ve a reward to his servants the Prophets and Saints and to them that feared his â—ame small and great and would destroy thâ—m who destroy the earth This is that day of judgement and destruction of wicked men of which Peter 2. Ep. 3.8 having spoken prâ—sently addes But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing for before I shewed it was called a day that one day is with the Lord as a thousand yeares and a thousand yeares as one day In which very day the Apostle with his brethren and kinsfolk the Iewes to whom he writeth doth expect a new fashion of things to happen of which hee saith Presenâ—ly BVT WEE EXPECT A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH according to his Promise where in dwelleth righteousnes Take notice according to his promise Now where was this promise to be found of a new Heaven and new Earth seeing Iohn had not yet had this Revelation but Esaya 65.17 and 66.22 which promise whosoever shall reade I should wonder if he think that it is to be accomplished anywhere else but vpon Earth This is also that Kingdome which is ioyned with Christs appearance heere on Earth to Iudge the world of which Paul to Timothy 2. Ep. 4 1. I charge thee before god and the lord Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 shall Iudge the quicke and the dead at his APPEARING and HIS KINGDOME For after the last and Vniuersall Resurrection the same Paul being witnesse 1. Cor. 15.24 Christ having destroyed the last enemy death shall deliver up the Kingdome to the Father that he himselfe may be subiect to him that put all things vnder him so little can he be said to enter upon a new kingdome The Kingdome therefore which neither was before the Appâ—arance of the Lord neither shall be after the last Resurrection must necessarily be concluded to be batweene them both This is the kingdom of the son of man which Dan. saw the times of the Antichristian HORNE being finished or the times of the Gentiles Luke 21.24 being accomplished who shall appeare in the clouds when power and glory and the Kingdome shall be given to him that all people nations and languages may serve him for when as the Angel streight expoundeth it the Kingdom and Dominion and greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven mark it well shall be given to the people of the Saiâ—ts of the most high For neither as I sayd before shall this Kingdome be after the last Resurrection seeing then the Sonne of man shall not enter upon a Kingdome but as Paul saith he must lay it downe and deliver to his Father Now that the same kingdome is spoken of by Daniel and Iohn may from hence be evinced First because both Kingdomâ— begin with the ruine of the fourth or Roman Beast that of Daniel when the Beast under the last command of the Horne which had eyes was slaine and his body given to the burning flame that in thâ—Revelation when the Beast and false Prophet that wicked Horne is Daniâ—l having mouth and eyes like a head were taken and both cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone Secondly from the same sitting in judgement which went before both for that one place is borrowed from the other and both enteâ—d the same thing will appeare from the comparing of the descriptions of both DAN. Cap. VII APOC. XX 4 Ver. 9. I beheld till the Thrones were placed For so it must be rendred with the Vulgar LXX and Theodor and so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is used of a Throne in the Targum on Ier. 1.15 And I saw Thrones Ver. 10. And judgement was set That is Judges as in the great Sanbedrim or Councell of the Jewes according to the manner of which this whole description is fitted And they sate upon them Ver. 22. And judgement was given to the Saints of the most High That is Power to Judge whence is that of Paul The just shall judge the Earth And judgement was given unto them And the Saints possessed the Kingdome That is with the Sonne of man who came in the clouds of Heaven And the Saints lived reigned with Christ a thousand yeares Moreover I would advise the Reader of this whatsoever wholesome truth almost is delivered by the Iewes or by our Saviour in the Gospel or anywhere in the new Testament by the Apostles concerning the day of the Great Iudgement is taken out of this vision of Daniel namely the Judgement which shall be by fire Christs comming in the Cloudes of Heaven his comming in the glory of his Father with a multitude of Angels the judging of the world by him with his Saints the abolishing of Antichrist by the glorious appearance of his comming c. So that they goe about to take away a pillar of our Evangelicall faith who neglecting this ancient tradition of the Church goe about to carry this Prophecy another way Lastly to make an end This is that most great Kingdome which as Daniel interprets it was shewed to Nebuchadnezzar in that representative Statue of the foure Kingdomes Not that of the STONE which the succession of the IV Monarchies yet remaining was cut out of the Mountaine for this is the
here to be understood Coming down from Heaven to wit The third Heaven or the Heaven of the blessed Who had the Key of the bottomlesse pit that is Who had received power from God to open and shut up Hell We must not therefore by the Key of the bottomlesse pit understand any inward light or knowledge kindled by some famous Doctor of the Church by whose help the Scripture may be the more enlightned or the profound skill in Divinity of such a one And a great chain in his hand The great power of binding and tying up the enemy is here understood This chain therefore is falsly expounded concerning the Divine Writings of some Angel or Teacher of the Church whose coherence like a chain may be such that they may bring Heaven and Earth together and draw the hearts of the believers up unto God 2. And he caught as if he had laid hands on him The Dragon That monstrous virulent and violent enemy of Christ and Christians That old Sorpent Who by his winding and subtle kinde of Oratory in the beginning of the world seduced our first parents and who yet keeps his old skin Who is the Devill That Slanderer and Sophister that mis-interpreter of all the good sayings and deeds as well of God and Christ as holy Angels and men And Satan The adversary and everlasting enemy of God Christ and the Church And bound him By hindering his wicked enterprises and attemps A thousand yeers Solar and usuall years 3. And he threw him into the bottomlesse pit that is With mighty power he restrained the malignity of Satan thrusting him down into Hell And * shut him up as if he should say He laid him not onely fast in prison but also shut up the prison upon him with him in it And set a seal upn hiom Here are four acts of the Angel the first bindes Satan then cast him being bound into the bottomlesse pit then he shuts up the pit and sets a seal upon it being shut up That he might not seduce to wit Partly by Idolatry Superstition and the power of lyes partly by bringing War upon the Church Any more As he had formerly done The Nations {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The Nations â—oth Jews and Gentiles This word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in Scripture properly signifies the Gentiles as they were opposed to the Jews But that in this place the signification of this word is extended it doth hence appear The power of the devill is so fast bound he can no more seduce either Jews or Gentiles for the space of those thousand yeers Therefore this word is to be taken in a more large signification So that the Conversion of the Jews is described also implicitely in these words Till the thousand yeers were fulfilled to wit Untill the whole course of the Churches hapyinesse here on earth were finished And after that he must be loosed For these thousand yeers being ended the Devill by the just Judgement of God shall again recover his power and indeed a farre greater For a short time The kingdom of Satan shall not fulfill a thousand years but shall remain onely for a small time 4. And I saw Thrones Then I saw a Judiciall Processe prepared And they sate upon them that is Christ and his holy Angels And Iudgement was given unto thâ—m The power of Judgement was given by God as well to Christ as to the chief Judge as to the Angels as it were his Assessors Compare Mat. 25.31 And the souls I saw as well the Judges Christ and his Angels as also them that were to be judged that is To be absolved or freed in this Judgement And in this place souls are put for men Of them that were beheaded that is Of them that were slain by any kinde of torment And it is a description of the Martyrs For the testimony of Iesus Whereby they witnessed concerning Christ that he was the onely Iesus that is The onely Saviour both by merit and efficacy And for the Word of God that is The holy Scripture which they had learned to be the onely rule both of faith and life And which had not worshipped the Bâ—ast that is The Second Beast of which mention is in the 13 and 19 chapters which had arrogated to it self the divine Honours of Christ Nor his Image that is Those Kings and Princes which are the Image of the Beast that is which represent the Beast in their likenesse of doctrine and life Compare Revel. 13. v. 14. And had not received his mark in their foreheads By mark in this place is to be understood some characteristicall note or distinguishing signe or token which they are said to bear in their foreheads who publikely professe themselves to be addicted to such or such a master or leader Or in their hands that is In their actions Rites and Ceremonies In these words therefore is contained a concealed antithesis or opposition whereby the Martyrs are declared contrary to the slaves and servants of the Beast concerning whom there is former mention chap. 13. â—â— 14 15 16. that they worshipped the image of the Beast and received his mark on their right hand or on their foreheads From which words it is manifest that the Martyrs are here described by the distinction of their sufferings and doings And they lived that is They lived again as may be gathered from the fifth verse But the rest of the dead lived not again So formerly Revel. 2.8 Who was dead {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and is alive for hath lived again Here then is described the singular reward which the Martyrs have received for their sufferings and extraordinary performances And reignâ—d As being appointed here on earth Governours of the Church having now gained it 's most welcome Halcyonia or dayes of calmnesse With Christ Who all this while shall raign visibly in heaven invisibly upon earth his visible Kingdom being resigned to the Martyrs For those thousand yeers Of whiâ—h in the former verse For that the thousand yeers of Satans binding and of the Kingdom of the holy Martyrs with Christ are the same and not distinct or divers the Article {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} four times repeated in the 3 4 5 6 7 verses doth sufficiently declare and the term of time appointed for the loosing of Satan doth fully evince It is a forced Interpretation therefore that some do make taking the thousand yeers in the 4 and 6 verses tropically by a Synecdoche for Eternity in the other verses namely 3 5 7 according to the letter But the rest of the dead As well the godly as the ungodly * Lived not again that is Were not made partakers of that happinesse and prerogative whereby a number of some of the faithfull shall rise before the Universall and last Resurrection and shall reign with Christ here upon earth Vntill those
6. Verses IV. The troubled State of the Church Vers. 7 8 9 10. V. The Description of the last judgement From the 11. Verseâ—â— the end Of the first Part. The Angel is described 1. From the Person imployed therein who is Iohn the Evangelist whose effect illustrated by the time added is expressed in these words After that I saw 2. From the proper Person or Subject An Angel 3. From the effect which is illustrated by the place Coming down from Heaven 4. From the double adjunct illustrated by a threefold similitude Having the kâ—y of the bottomelesse pit and a great chain in his hand Of the second Part. Five effects of this Angel are recited 1. The first is illustrated by an allegoricall description of the object thus And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devill and Satan The second is illustrated by the circumstance of time And he bound him for 1000. years 3. 4. 5. The other three are set down with a manifestation of the end for which this was done And cast him into the bottomelesse pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more Of the third Part. The happy estate of this Church hereon Earth is either common or proper The common estate of the Church is that of all the godly then living in these words That he should not seduce them any more And it is discribed thus 1. From the extent of the Subject Thaâ— he might not seduce the Nations 2. From the adjunct of time Till the thousand yâ—â—rs should be fulfilled 3. From the destructive cause of their felicity And after that he must be loosed Now as well the efficient cause of the corruption of this felicity is declared namely The decree of God He must be loosed As the manner and forme Be loosed And lastly the adjunct of time For a little season The Proper estate of the Church is that of the Martyr and is consists of their Resurrection and Kingdom The Resurrection of the Martyrs is described 1. From the Person imployed Then I saw 2. From the impulsive procuring cause to wit the Judgement of those heavenly powers which is illustrated from an adjunct and effect metaphoricall thus Thrones and they sate upon them and judgement was given unto them 3. From the recipient subjects which is described from the adjunct passions as also from the its effects And the souls of them who were beheaded for c. The procuring cause also of these passions or sufferings is declared to wit Their confessing of Christ and their refusing of Idolatry 4. From the manner of their Resurrection And they lived agaiâ— The Kingdom of the Martyrs is described from the effect connâ—â— and adjunct time And thâ—y reigned with Christ for a thousand years The Resurrection of the Martyrs is again described 1. From the unlike condition of others But the rest of the dead lived not again untill c. 2. From it's Epithite This is the first Resurrection 3. From four adjunctâ— of which the first second and fourth are peculiar the third common For the Martyrs are described from their particular happynesse Blessed From their particular holinesse And holy From their holy security On such the second death hath no power From the dignity of their Priesthood But they shall be Priests Their Kingdom with the durance thereof is the second time also set down in the 6. Verse Of the fourth Part. The happy estate of the Church shall be troubled by the extreme persecution of the wicked that is to say by the warre of Gog and Magog the cause whereof and the event is described The cause is as well efficient as formal The efficient is either principall The seducing of the Devill or instrumentall The wicked Nations The seducing of the Devill is described 1. From the time When the thousand years shall be finished 2. From the permissive cause Satan shall be loosed out of his prison For he shall be let loose by the Angel God permitting and commanding it 3. From the manner and end And he shall go forth that he may deceive the Nations and gather them to battlâ— The wicked Nations are described 1. From the subject place The Nations which are in the four corners of the earth 2. From the comparison with their like Gog and Magog 3. From the adjunct That he might gather them to battle 4. From the multitude added which is set forth and illustrated by a simile whose number is as the sand of the Sea 5. From a double effect And they came up on one breadth of the earth and encompassed c. The event of this warre of Gog and Magog is in respect 1. Of the Nations But fire came down from heaven 2. Of the Devill whose action is described And the Devill who seduced them and his passion He was cast into the Lake And this punishment is described from his company Where the Beast and the false prophet are And from the durance of time added And they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Of the fifth Part. The last Judgement is described 1. From the efficient cause which is the Iudge who is described partly from the limited place to wit The Cloude Then I saw a Throne c. partly from adjunct to wit His Majestie And one sitting thereon before whom the Earth and the Heaven fled away 2. From the Object which are the guilty or the persons to be judged They are described both from their past condition The dead both small and great as also from their present state Standing in the sight of God as likewise from their future condition And they were judged From a tripartite distribution also from the distinct places And the sea gave up no dead and death and helâ—gave up their dead which were in them 3. From the Rule observed in the Judgement thereafter as their works are According to their works This rule is declared from the infallibility thereof which is signified by the books that is the Consciences of men And the books were opâ—ned And by the Book of life also And another book was opened 4. From the execution of the sentence of which one part here is onely mentioned namely the casting of the wicked into the Lake of fire Vers. 14. the other is related in the following chapter Now this casting into the Lake is described partly from what went before And Death and Hell Partly from the forme and manner of it Were cast into the lake of fire which is the second Death And partly also from the impulsive cause And whose names were not found in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire If you like better of it divide this Chapter into four particular Visions Of which the 1. Is concerning the Angel Vers. 1.2.3 2. Is concerning the State of the Church here on Earth as well In a most happy condition Verse 3 4 5 6. As in a most afflicted
is mean't of the faith in Christ without which no man's heart is cleansed The tenth place is Deut. 32. to the 44. verse Here from the first verse to the 40. divers passages occurre concerning the Conversion of the Iews as Heurnius doth learnedly expound them Then from the 40. verse to the 44. is the prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles For the Apostle Rom. 15.10 alleageth the first part of the 43. verse to this purpose Now here it is prophesied of the destruction of the enemies of the Church and of the spilling of their bloud in fight Which destruction hath not happened yet as is plain by this Syllogisme If the Destruction here prophesied of by Moses agrees with that which is prophesied of Revel. 19. vers. 20.21 it hath not yet happened out but is to come But the Antecedent is true Therefore also the Consequent The Assumption is made good by the comparing of these two places And here it shall not be amisse in brief to call into our memory how many dâ—structions of the enemies of the Church after the Babylonian captivity we meet withall in the Prophets And they are in number three The first Destruction is of the enemies of the Church of the Iews in the time of the Maccabees Dan. 11.34 35. The second Destruction is of the enemies of the Church of the Gentiles Dan. 11.34 35. Revel. 19. vers. 20 21. The third Destruction is of the enemies of the Church of both Gentiles and Iews a little before the end of the world Revel. 20.4 The eleventh place is Nehem. 1.8 9. Here the promise of God Deut. 30.3 4. a little before explained is repeated and is applyed to the bringing back of the two tribes from the Babylonian captivity which was a type of the deliverance of them all which is yet to come For God promised the twelve Tribes that he would gather them together whither soever they were scattered among divers Nations although they were driven to the utmost part of Heaven that is into the most remote Countreys Which cannot be interpreted of the Babylonian captivity alone For neither then were all the Tribes brought back neither was their bringing back from the remotest Lands The twelfth place is Psal. 22.27 28. All the ends of the earth shall remember and be converted unto the Lord And all the kindreds of the Nations shall bow down themselves before him Compare Psal. 86.9 All Nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord and shall glorifie thy name So Psal. 117.1 O praise the Lord all ye Nations praise him all ye people Let us search through the Monuments of Hictories and then let us examine whether this hath been or no We shall finde indeed in some new found Lands detested in ours and our fathers memory that the works of the Conversion of the Nations hath had some beginning and small progresse But in many parts of the East to this day we shall finde so little progresse that not so much as a beginning thereof will anywhere yet appear The thirteenth place is the whole 97. Psalm This Psalm containeth a Prophesie of the Kingdom of Christ in his Church of the New Testament as may be gathered out of the 7. verse the latter part of which the Apostle Heb. 1.6 alleageth concerning Christ Again Many Islands are bid to rejoyce which cannot be accommodated to the Church of the Old Testament Whence by the word Sion verse 8. the Church of the New Testament is to be understood as almost every where in Isaiah Moreover in the 6. verse it is said All the peâ—ple see his glory Lastly the judgements of God upon his enemies and the Ioy of the Churâ—h which both are here described have not as yet been accomplishâ—d The fourteenth place is Psal. 110. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike thorow Kings in the day of his wrath He shall judge among the hâ—athen he shall fill the places with dead bodies He shall wound the head over many Countries That these things are not yet come to passe will appear to any one that will take into his consideration History and Experience But that is especially to be taken notice of which he speaks concerning the Head over many Countreys For without douâ—t it is to be understood concerning that Great Antichrist whom many Countries acknowledge for the HEAD of the Church The fifteenth place is Isai. 2.1 2 3 4. Here is mention made of the last times and four things are prophesied of which then shall happen out 1. The Mountain of God shall be placed on the top of the Mountains 2. All Nations shall flow in unto it 3. The Law shall come out of Sion 4. They shall beat their Swords into Plough-shares c. Nation shall not lift up a sword against Nation c. Of these the first and the third are fulfilled The second will be brought to passe more and more every day The fourth is not yet accomplished as experience hath hitherto taught us and doth yet teach us The 16. place is Isai. 11.10 11 12. Two things are here prophesied of 1. The Conversion of the Gentiles a little after the first coming of Christ by the preaching of the Gospel Verse the tenth For it shall come to passe at that time of the coming of Christ of whom is the foregoing Prophesie from the beginning of the Chapter hitherto that the Nations shall seek unto the roote of Jesse 2. The Conversion of the Iews and Gentiles together Verse 11 12. See Hâ—urnius upon this place Compare this Prophesie with the sixteenth Verse of this Chapter and with the following twelfth Chapter The 17 place is Isai. 24.23 Where there is foretold that the Lord shall reign gloriously in the mount of Sion and in the City of Ierusalem and in that manner That the Moon and Sun shall be covered with shame at this glory of the Kingdom of God in his Church so great shall be the glory and splendor thereof Now this so great glory hath not as yet been seen either in the Church of the Old or New Testament Therefore in it 's due time it shall be seen The 18 place is Isai. 25. from the 1 to the 13 verse Here is contained a Prophesie concerning the Church of the New Testament as it appears by the comparing of the 8 verse with Rev. 7.17 and chap. 21.4 as also by comparing the 2 verse and the 1â— with Revel. 16.19 c. and chap. 18. ver. 2.10.18.19 Now here it is prophesied concerning the deliverance of the Church from the persecution of enemies ver. 3 4 5. concerning the destruction of the enemies thereof vers. 10 11. and namely the destruction of the City of Rome ver. 2 and 12. Lastly concerning the joy of the Church being now delivered from them that persecuted her vers. 1.6 7 8 9. And here you must take notice That by Moab or the Moabites the enemies of the Church of the New Testament are
enemies of Hierusalem were never strucken with such a plague nay on the contrary it self was overthrown by the Romans It remains therefore that by Hierusalem we understand the Church of the N. T. whose enemies shall be punished with no single plague but many as is here severally expressed Here then the destruction of the enemies of the Church of the New T. is prophesied of and moreover the illumination and enlargement thereof of which in the 6.7 and following verses The 53 place is Malach. 3.19 20 21. according to others chap. 4.1 2 3. That this prophesie speaks of the Church of the New Testament is clear out of these words The Sun of righteousnesse shall arise Now two things are promised here to the Church of the N. T which are not yet fulfilled namely the destruction of her enemies v. 19. and her own deliverance from persecution The 54. place is Mal. 4.4 5. Where the coming of Elias is spoken of Before the great and terrible day of the Lord come Which prophesie indeed hath a double fulfilling one in Iohn the Baptist another in some other great person who is yet to come This appears thus Christ teacheth us Mat. 11 17 Chapters that this Prophesie was fulfilled in Iohn the Baptist to wit in regard of his zeal and fervency But what else is spoken concerning Elias both in Malachy and Matthew doth not suit with Iohn the Baptist For Malachy saith Matth. 17.11 That Elias should restore all things which Iohn the Baptist did not Therefore we must necessarily determine That this Prophesie will have a double fulfilling Whereto belongs that also of * Augustine Elias shall restor all that is in the end he shall confirm the Saints troubled by the persecution of Antichrist And the rest of the Fathers also have thuâ— interpreted Malachy Theodoret in his Commentary writes thus of this place He speaks of his second coming and he likewise teacheth us what the great Elias shall do when he shall come And a little after Elias shall first come and he will perswade you O Jews That without doubting you would be joyned to the faithfull of the Gentiles and be brought together into my Church being become one The 55 place is Matth. 23.39 Where Christ speaks thus to the unthankfull Iews For I say unto you Ye shall not see me henceforth till ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord By which words Christ declares That at length the Iews should see him not meaning in the last Judgement but before it because at the last Judgement they shall not cry out unto him Blâ—ssâ—d c. for then they shall tremble that have not been converted unto him but at that time when he shall shew himself to them that he may convert them to the true faith The 56 place is Mat. 24.14 And this Gospâ—l of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witnesse unto all Nations and then shall the end come See now before the last Judgement the Indians themselves and others which yet acknowledge not JESUS CHRIST shall be brought unto the Church The 57 place is Luk. 21.24 And they the Jews shall fall with the edge of the sword â—nd shall be led captives into all Nations and Hierusalem shall be trampled on by the Nations untill the times of the Gentilâ—s shall be fulfilled This place shall receive light from the next following Our Saviour here teacheth us that the Jews shall be vexed along time by the Gentiles and that being ended they shall be converted to the Faith The 58 place is Rom. 11.25 26 27. The Apostle teacheth us in this place that the Jews should so long remain in their blindenesse and calamity till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should come in that is till the rest of the Nations of the world should flow in unto the Gospel For then it should come to passe that all Israel should be saved And this he calls a Mystery and that noâ— unfitly For this is that Propheticall Secret so often pressed by the Prophets of which Paul would not have the â—entiles ignorant lest they should despise the Jews as cast off for ever The 59 place is 2 Cor. 3.15 Therefore unto this very day when Moses is read the Veil is upon their heart Neverth lâ—sse when they shall turn themselves unto the Lord the Veil shall be taken away The Apostle here teacheth us two things concerning the Iews 1. That their mindes * were blinded as he speaks in the foregoing verse 2. That at length they are to be converted by the Spirit of Christ The 60 place is Revel. 22.5 And she brought forth a man-child Christ who was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron Compare Psal. 2. You may gather out of these two places that Christ shall be Lord and King of all people Jews and Gentiles when he shall gather them into his Church and there feed and rule them The 61 place is Revel. 14.8 Where the ruine of mysticall Babylon is declared which belongs to the happinesse of the Church But seeing it hath not happened it shall most surely happen The 62 place is Revel. 14.14 to the 21. Where is 〈◊〉 blown the destruction of the enemies of the Church of the N. Tâ—â— The 63 place is Revel. 18 the whole Chapter Wherein iâ— contained a glorious Prophesie concerning the destruction of the the City of Rome and the overthrow of Antichrist The 64 place is Revel. 19.1 2 3. Where in like manner is contained a prophesie of Rome's downfall and Antichrist'sâ—â—â—dition The 65 place is Revel. 19.11 to the end Where is a clear prophesie of the vanquishing of Antichrists Army And these are the testimonies of Scripture in number * Lxvi in which the happinesse of the Church whereof we took upon us to treat is prophesied of promised and set forth I make no doubt but the attentive reader rather will easily observe a notable harmony and concent in these places of Scripture and from his own private reading adde also others The third Classis of Arguments THis Classis or rank of Arguments offords certain reasons and the consent of some learned men Reasons or Consequences I. All persecutors of the Church have at length been punished by God Therefore at length the great Antichrist also shall certainly be punished The Antecedent or foregoing proposition is proved partly from the nature of God partly by Induction of examples II. After long and grievous persecutions the Church hath ever felt some rest and refreshment here on earth Therefore also she shall have some breathing time after the persecution of Antichrist and that here upon earth because God himself hath made her such a promise III. Where the ayde of man failes there the assistance of God begins as Philo the Iew said long agoe both quiently and piously This is most certainly witnessed by the examples of the Church of the Old T. miraculously delivered out of the
Egyptian bondage Exod. 12. and 14. by the deliverance of Hierusalem from the siege of Sennacheri◠2 Kin. 19. by the deliverance from the hostile invasion of the Ethiopians under King Asa. 2 Chro. 14. by deliverance from the invasion of the Moabites and Ammonites under King Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 20. And lastly by deliverance from the oppression of Antiochus Epiphanes 1 Mac. 1. and following chapters Adde unto these divers examples of the Church of the N. T. which when it's condition hath been granted as desperate and quite lost hath had deliverance by the * unexpected handy-work of God See the Ecclesiasticall History at large From hence we may very well gather that the Church at this time oppressed on every hand and left destitute of all humane assistance shall by the power of God be asserted and vindicated when Antichrist in the full course and carrére of his happynesse shall little think of any such matter IV. The downfall of Antichrist and the binding of Satan for a thousand years do without any intermission meet together It is very probable therefore That the beginning of these thousand years is at hand For Antichrist at that very time wherein he shall make the greatest boast of his victories shall suddenly fall Revel. 18.7 8. V. The severall Phaenomena or Apparitions in the Heavens namely new Starres and Cometes also Earthquakes and the like taken notice of in these latter times do without doubt portend and manifestly foretell some notable and extraordinary change VI The Period or limited time for the Kingdom of Antichrist to continue is almost expired and at an end as appears by the Revelation and History VII Daniel Chap. 12. declares an end of his prophesie when he expressely sets down that 2625. years shall be finished after the end of his Lxx. Weeks that is from the year of Christ 69. which years if they be added to the other the sum of 2694. years is made up In which current of time all things shall happen out which are foretold except the last Judgement and what follows thereon Wherefore if from 2694. years 1000 be subducted we shall come by the year of Christ 1694. In this year then or sooner our THOUSAND years shall take their beginning The consent of Godly and learned Men IN the forefront we place the fourth book of Esdras For there many passages occurre concerning the conversion of the Jews and the deliverance of the Church of the N. T. from Antichrist Especially That is a notable place Chap. 13.39 40. And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him Those are tenne Tribes which were * carried away prisoners out of their own Land in the time of Hoshea the King What the same Author writes concerning the Eagle and Lion is severally expounded by severall interpreters Out of the Sibylls also some things are brought about the downfall of Antichrist and the happy estate which the world shall enjoy after that shall come to passe Very much mention is made of that Rome shall become a street or high way All the Fathers were of this opinion that Elias should come and restore all things Some as you may see in Alfonsus Conradus in his Commentary on the Revelation between the coming of Christ in the flesh and his coming in Majesty do maintain a certain middle coming which they call his coming in the power and effiency of his Spirit to destroy the great Antichrist to reform his Church This coming they say shall be in the end of the sixth Millenary or 1000 years of which coming they make Enoch and Elias the forerunners They say that Antichrist shall be destroyed by their preaching and his Kingdom abolished After whose downfall peace shall be granted to the Church and Satan shall be bound so that he shall not be able to disturbe the tranquillity thereof Now this peace and happy progresse of the Church they say shall last for the whole seventh Millenary till the last time of her troubles by the persecution of the Nations Gog and Magog because Satan who they say shall then be set at liberty shall stirre them up against the Godly From hence it appears That our opinion concerning these 1000 years is not new and unheard of Alfonsus Conradus of Mantua in his Commentary on the Revelation published at Basil. An. 1574. writeth as followeth IN his Preface This one thing perchance will offend the ears of some because I seem to promise a more plentifull peace to the Church then that likenesse of the Crosse will allow of to which in this world it must be made conformable to Christ it's head But let them bethink themselves I entreat them that this is not so contrary to the Scripture that it should be objected against me or laid to my charge as fit to be reckoned in the number of those which are termed either impious or absurd Especially when as I cannot perceive by what means that happinesse which Iohn writes the Church shall enjoy Satan being bound can be made good except we acknowledge some rest of the Church her enemies being overthrown Which I think indeed ever happened as often as the enemies of God's people have been removed out of the way Now because the enemy which Iohn tells us shall be taken away is more dangerous then all that ever yet infested God's people it ought not to seem strange to any one if he being once overcome the Church enjoy a more plentifull peace then usually Vpon the 20. Chap. of the Revel. Vers. 1. God being about to bestow a more plentifull peace upon his Church then hitherto he had granted to it it sufficeth him not to have removed out of the way the Beast and those Kings of the Earth with a horrible slaughter who favouring the Beast had wholly disturbed his Churche's peace except also he restrain Satan the beginner of all these mischiefs So that he may not any more raise those usuall contentions and strife among men Wherefore the Angel comes down from Heaven who repressing the fury of Satan shuts him up in the bottomelesse pit and there forces him to remain so long as he pleases not to have the peace of the Church to be taken away And a little after Now he binds him and shuts him up into the bottomelesse pit for a thousand years that is for that whole time wherein God hath determined that the peace of his Church shall not be disturbed by Satan See more there to this purpose Lucas Osiander upon Daniel 12. I think the end of these years will fall in with that time in which the Popedome of Rome shall bodily be overturned although in some mens mindes it shall hiddenly remain even untill the last day Matthew Cotterius in his continued and demonstrative Exposition of the Revelation upon the 20 Chap. Satan began to be tyed in bonds when the restored Truth of the Scriptures began to take place on earth the witnesses being
no Warfare under the Banner of the Crosse yet the Spirit will have need to strive and War against the Flesh 2. The Triumph of the Church is either in part or totall particular or universall begun or consummate For oftentimes it happeneth That we triumph in this life over the flesh the world and the devill Neither are we therefore said to be in the Triumphant Church as which is so called from her totall universall and consummate Triumph So although the Church for a thousand years have some kinde of Triumph here on earth yet it shall not be sincere and perpetuall and therefore by many degrees inferiour to that Triumph from whence the Church in the life to come is called Triumphant XXVIII Object The maintainers and Patrons of this opinion do Iudaizâ— that is follow the Jewish Traditions therefore to be found fault with Answ. Therefore also the Scripture doth Iudaizâ— See the Places a little before brought out of the Scripture Moreover we generally entertain too mean a conceit of the conversion of the Iews because being over-much addicted and carried away with Scholasticall trifles we weigh not at all the Mysteries which are propounded in the Scriptures XXIX Object The Church as long as it is here on earth is under the Crosse Therefore no such happinesse thereof can be expected as may last for a thousand years Answ. The Antecedent is a vulgar Axiome or Position but not proved neither indeed is it to be proved as appears by what we have urged in severall places of this our Discourse XXX Object These thousand years begin in the year 1517. For then began Antichrist to be revealed Then also were the two Witnesses raised Finally from that time the light of the Gospel hath been spread abroad far and wide and Satan bound up more and more Answ. The Proeme or Prologue is confounded with the principall Act as it will appear if the History of that time be compared with Revel. 20 and our Exposition XXXI Object It is the common opinion of Divines That the last Judgement is even at the door That opinion then of a thousand years is dangerous because it makes people secure Answ. 1. It is not the opinion of all Divines 2. This supposition is erroneous And therefore I may use that saying * Not to enstave our selves to suppositions 3. No place of Scripture teacheth us that the last Judgement is at hand Nay some places of Scripture teach quite the contrary Hereto belongs what Cotterius saith upon the 20 chap. of the Revel. To the year of Christ 1517 adde 1000 so you shall make 2517 at which time at length Satan shall the second time draw the Nations into abominable heresies Neither is there any reason why this should trouble any ones minde as if we put off the day too long For I demand out of what place of Scripture we have search it That this day shall be within these two or three Ages Surely we have but perswaded our selves so because we would have it so But I will beleeve the Revelation which verily not in one place puts the last day off for a thousand years In the 16 chap. you have Vialls the first of which leaves behinde it the Epocha of the year 1517 as not finished And these Vialls require some Ages for their pouring out and not fewer then tenne In which words of Cotterius I do mightily approve of it that he weakens that vulgar opinion concerning the end of the world That it is at hand But what is there said concerning the Epocha or beginning of our account of 1000 years as also of the Vialls may be confuted out of what hath gone before It is an evill kinde of teaching either by way of exhorting or dehorting which is grounded upon a ruinous and false foundation as this which is drawn from the day of the last Judgement as if it were even at the door Neither indeed do we reade That the Apostles ever argued in this manner XXXII Object This Opinion of the thousand years as it is here explained doth as it were lâ—ade us by the hand to the day of the last Judgement yet notwithstanding Christ in the 13 of Mark v. 32. affirms That of that day and that hour no man knoweth 〈◊〉 not the Angels which are in Heaven neither the Son himself but the Father onely And Act. 1.7 It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Answ. 1. No man can exactly set down or define the day of the last Judgement For although by comparing Daniel and the Revelation it may appear That the last day shall not come before the 2694 yeer of Christ yet by no means or way possible can it be found out in what year after this Period or set time it shall come 2. What God hath reserved to himself alone we cannot nor ought not to search after or determine But this Period of 2694 years he hath expressed in his Word XXXIII Object It is absurd to thinke that the Martyrs shall rise again to this mortall life for this will be but an ignoble change and for the worse as it is in the Proverbe gold for brasse by reason that the souls of the Martyrs do now reign in Heaven and their bodies rest in the earth free from their labours Now if they rise again to this mortall life they must endure the enterchange or vicissitude of times as of day and night Sommer and Winter and must be made subject to the necessity of eating drinking and the like Answ. 1. Lazarus and those Saints who rose again at the time of Christ's Passion were brought again after long absence here from life eternall into this mortall life notwithstanding they lost not their happinesse hereby 2. The state of the Martyrs shall consist of a happy Kingdom in this life which shall not any way be discommodated by those things which formerly are objected as we see the like things no way hindered Adam in the state of his innocency from the full enjoying of perfect happinesse XXXIV Object Christ in the end of the world shall burn up the â—ares therefore still in the Militant Church there sâ—â—ll be the bad mingled with the good which is to be denyed in so happie a condition of the Church for these thousand years Answ. Nay rather not be denied For neither shall the men who for all that time shall live on earth be so blessed that either they themselves shall be voyd of sinnes or seperated from the company of sinners It shall not be so There shall be a great difference between the happinesse of these thousand years and that of everlasting life The godly men then except the Martyrs for the whole space of these thousand years shall be subject both to sin and death and shall have the wicked intermix't with them But there shall be no such matter in the life Eternall XXXV Object The Church is sufficiently reformed Therefore no