Iohn ch 12. The Vision Ch. 12. Contemporary with ch 8. Synchronical or happening at the same Interval of time with the aforesaid Vision of the half Hours silence and the seven Trumpets And is not the Woman here describ'd the Church and her Male-Child the Life of Christ or the true Spirit oâ— Christianity brought forth in the New-Birth or Spiritual Regeneration And was not this Spirit or Life of Christ most clearly revealed and brought forth in those Primitive times for the space of 300 Years and more after Christ's Resurrection and Ascensâ—on into Heaven And is not that great red Dragon the Devil And are not his seven Heads seven Monarchies or Kingdoms orderly succeeding each otherâ— whereof five were elapsed before Iâ—hn's time And finally Doth not the Tail of this Dragon signifie the false Prophets even as that true Prophet had said The Prâ—phet that teaches Lyes is the Tail Moreover this Tail drew the third part of the Stars of Heavenâ— and cast them on the Earth Doth not this signifie some great number of Professors of the Christian Religion but of little Stability who did not persist or remain in the Truth or Life of what they professed Quest. 65. What is signified by the Woman â—lying into the Wilderness Is it not a ceâ—tain solitary and obscure State the Church of God shall come into wherein the true Champions and Defenders of Christianity were very much dispersed and as it were in the Wilderness or hid in a Wood and making but little outward Show or Appearance and but little obvious to the external Observation as it was in the days of Elias who thought himself to be left alone but God told him he had 7000 who had not bowed the Knee to Baal Quest. 66. How much is that time of 1260 Days wherein the Woman fled into the Wilderness Doth it not contain 1260 common Years For in Scripture a day is sometimes taken for a year in a Prophetical or a Mystical Seâ—câ— And doth not experience it selfâ— and Ecclesiastical Histories conspicuously demonstrate for some Ages back that this solitaâ—y and obscure State of the Chuâ—ch has been continued for above 120â— Years already past and that by reason of Antichristian Darkness and Tyranny And doth not that time of 1260 Years expire at the beginning of the Interval of the Philadelphian Church which falls in the year of Christ's Resuâ—rection 1â—6â— oâ— in the year of his Nativity 1700 Therefore will not the afoâ—esaid time of 1260 Years begin â—t the year of Christ's Nativity 440 Aâ—d indeed about the same time viz. 440 Years after Christ's Nativity the Wâ—stâ—rn Empire almoâ—â— totally fell together and in the Fall of it was divideâ— into ten leâ—ser Empires or Kingdoms which are called by Iohn the ten Horns of the Beast and these Horns miserably smote the Servants of God here and there dispersed Qâ—est 67. About what time shall Michael â—nd his Angels overcome the Dragon and his Angels Aâ—d when will that Dragon and his Angels be cast down to the Earth and the Saints overcome them in the Blood of the Lamb and the word of his Testimony Will not that time be about the end of the 1260 Years afore-mentioned And that the Dragon shall be cast down from Heaven unto the Earth doth not this signifie that the Church is here puâ— for Heaven and shall enjoy both outward and inward Peace and Tranquility and be fâ—ee from Calamities â—or a considerable time aâ—ter the â—erm of 1260 Years is expir'd And doth not the casting of the Dragon down unto the Earth signifie his power which he will have over Carnal Men and such only as are Earthly wise whereby he will cause horrid and detestable Wars to arise among them And finally will not the Church about this time appear going out of the Wilderness and Satan the Accuser of the Brethren be cast down that he may not accuse them of Heresie Sedition and other crimes of the like nature as he hath formerly done Moreover shall not this time during which the Church shall enjoy outward Peace remain for some time as it were about 70 Years whilest the remaining part of Mortals shall be exceedingly pressed with Wars and many and great Calamities Quest. 68. And shall not the Church after she is return'd ouâ— of the Wilderness and hath for a good season enjoy'd outward Peace and Tranquility fly the second time into the Wildernesâ— And is not this second â—light of the Church clâ—arly enough describ'd v. 14 And wherefore is it said that in her second flight â—â—e had two Wings of an Eagle given her unless it be to denote the vâ—locity or swiftness of her flight and return And therefore will noâ— the time of this second flight be of a short continuance viz. 1260 Days even as the tiâ—e of her first flight had been long and tedious to wit 1260 Years whereas iâ— both times had consisted of 1260 Years it would certainly have made the last flight of the Church to have happen'd within that most happy age of the World the future Millennium which is very absurd Moreover is not the time of this second flight viz 1260 Days the very same with that wherein the two Prophetâ— should Prophesie cloath'd in Sack cloth and the Holy City be trodden under foot Quest. 69. What is signified by that where the Earth helped the Woman and opened her Mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth Is it not thus to be understood to wit that the Flood of the Dragon's Wrath fell on some other People and those as well Heathens and professed Inâ—idels as Christians falsly so call'd that were only nominal and titular who made War one upon another that so the Church might with more ease and facility slip out of the Jaws of the Dragon CHAP. XIII QUest â—0 What is that Beast which Iohn saw arise out of the Sea having seven Heads and ten Hornâ— Doth not this Beaâ—t signifie the Body of 7 great Monarchies whereof 5 Heads weâ—e even then expired beâ—ore Iohn's time Revel 17. and two remained to come Moreover are not those which were already past before Iohn's time these â—ollowing that is to say the first the Egyptian Mâ—narchy under which the Iewish Church or Israelitish People suffer'd much in times past and therefore the Subversion and Overthrow of Pharaoh and his Army in the red Sea is call'd in Scriâ—ture the wounding of the Dragon the second the Assyrian Monarchy â— under which the ten Tâ—ibes were put â—nâ—o Exile the third the Babylonish Mâ—narchy whereof Nebuchadnezzar was Head who led the other two Tribes Captive into Babylon and destroyed the Temple and City of Ierusalem the â—ourth the Monarchy of the Medes and Persians the fifth was the Graecian Monarchy whose Head was Alexander call'd the Great which five Heads or Monarchies fell before Iohn's time Therefore is not the sixth Head the Roman Monarchy which in Iohn's time only remained The seventh Head Quest.
that it shall not rain upon the the Earth and to turn the Waters into Blood both which were in old time imputed to the said Prophets Moses turn'd the Waters into Blood and Elias had power over the Rain therefore when those Prophets shall come into the World they shall likewise produce these Signs and Miracles litterally understood 116. And indeed that Moses was not to live on Earth in the future Millenium seems to be clearly figur'd from hence that he should not entâ—r the Land of Promise but die in the Land of Moab of whom nevertheless it was said when he died that his Eye was not darkned nor his strength oâ— Nature impaired And altho ' God seem'd to exclude Moses from entring into the Land of Promise because he spake unadvisedly at the Waters of Meribah and so was thus chastised for it yet God out of his infinite Goodness and Mercy did transfer that Chastisement into a greater Favour and Blessing to him 117. Then as touching Abraham Isaac and Iacob they indeed did sâ—arce posseâ—s that Land of Promise but only conversed therein â—or a little time as Strangers and Pilgrims for that Land was rather promised to their Seed than to the Fathers themselves See Deut. 34.4 which also was a Figure of this Myâ—tery that neither Abraham Isaac nâ—r Iacob shoâ—ld dwell on Earth in the Millenium but during the Millenium should remain together in Heaven 118. It remains now that we produce certain promises and Prophesies and other Testimonies of the Holy Ghost out of the Scripâ—ures whereby may be prov'd that all the Saints shall be yet placed upon the Earth viz. in the Millenium to live together a most Holy and Blesâ—ed Life except those three extraordinary Men who instead of that reward on Earth obtain a more worthy and excellent Reward in Heaven The places of Scripture both of the Old and New Testament are these following Exod. 20.12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy Days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Which promise Paul applies to the Gospel Eph. 6.2 Numb 14.12 The whole Earth shall be fill'd with the Glory of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah Deut. 32.39 See now that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal c. v. 43. Reiâ—yce O ye Nations with his People for he will revenge the Blood of his Servants and render Vengeance to his Adversaries and will be merciful to his Land and to his People Moreover in the second Book of Samuel chap. 23. ver 3 4 5 6 7. There is extant a famous Prophesie of the Kingdom of Christ to come in the end of the World and the destruction of the Kingdom of the Ungodly Likewise Iob hath attested his Belief that he hoped he should be rais'd up in the last day to live again in the Flesh ch 19.26 He likewise affirmed that he should enter naked into his Mother's Womb as he came naked out ch 1.21 But the Book of Psalms contains many famous Prophesies of Christ's Kingdom before the end of the World See Psal. 1. 3 4 5. Psal. 2. 8 9. Psal. 8. Psal. 37. 29. Psal. 45.14 15 16 17. Psal. 46.9 10 11 12. Psal. 68.31 32 33. Psal. 72.3 4 5 â— Psal. 90.13 14 15 16 17. Psal. 110. â—aâ—a◠〈◊〉 is almost wholly taken up in the Description of this happy Age and in a manner â—ll the Prophets do abundantly testifie oâ— thâ— same And so Iesse in these following â—â—â—â—ces chap. 2. ver 10. to ver 22. c 4. v. â— â— c. 6. v. 13. c. 11. from v. 4. to v. 9. c. â—â— c. 23. v. 21 22 23. c. 24. c. 25. from v. â—â— to 12. c. 26. v. 1. c. 27. from v. 13. to 2â— c. 51â— 11. c. 52. c. 54. c. 58. v. 14. c. 60 61 62 65. from v. 17. to the end of c. 66. See also these places of Ieremiah c 12. v. 15. c. 30. v. 17 18 19. c. c. 46. v. 27. Ezekiel c. 36 37 47 48. Daniel c. â— v. 13 14 27. c. 8. v. 14â— c. 12. v. 2 13 14. Hosea c. 6. v. 2. c. 13. v. 14. c. 14. v. 7. Joel c. 3. v. 15 16 17. Amos c. 9. v. 11. to 15. Obed. v. 17. to the end Mich. c. 4. c. 5. c. 7. v. 20. Neh. c. 1. v. 15. Hab. c. â— â— 4. Zeph. câ— 3â— from v. 8. to the end Hâ—g c. 2. v. 21 22 23. Zach. c. 12. v. 8. c. 14. v. 9. Malach. c. 4. v. 1 2 3 5 Some of which Plâ—ces have been alreâ—dy fulfilled and are now a fulâ—illing in some Degree in Relation to the first Fruits but the Final and Total accomplishment of all these things appertains to the Millenium See â—â—so the following places of the New Testament Mattâ— c. 15 v. 5 c. 19. from v. 28. to v. 30. Mar. c. 10. v. 29.30 The words with Persecutions are to be transferred with the following Luc. c. 18. v. 30. Acts c. 3. v. 21. Rom. c. 13. v. 11.12 1 Cor. 15. from v. 42 to v. 52. 1 Thess. c. 5. v. 15.16.17 Heb. c. 4. v. 9 10 11. 2 Pet. c. 3. v. 13. Iud. v. 14. Revel c. 11. v. 15. to 19. c. 20. v. 4 5 6 7. c. 21. v 1 2 3. 119. Those seven Churches of Asâ—a to whom St. Iohn wrote his Revelations do most certainly signifiy the seven Intervals of the Universal Church from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the end of the World Now the Interval of Philadelphia whose Seeds is not only now in the World but her first Fruits also begins from the Year 1702 and continues to the Year of Christ's Nativity 1777. At what time the Millenium shall begin for the promise of New Ierusalem on Earth was chiefly exhibited to the Church of Philadelphia lastly the Millenium being almost expiâ—'d follows the Interval of the Church of Laodicea but this Church belongs not to the Saints of New-Ierusalem but is of another Order and of a different kind who will have the profession of the Christian Religion but without sincerity And because God hath invited them to Repentance 't is possible they may Repent and yet for all that not enjoy the Millenial Happiness nor the Resurrection of the Just in this World But their Salvation and Happiness will be deferred to the next succeding World But those that do not Repent will be cast into Hell Fire with other Wicked and ungodly Men where they shall suffer most Tremenduous and Inexpreâ—sible Torments at least for the space of 7000 Years And they are such whose Sins Christ said should neither be forgiven in this World nor that which is to come Certain Annotatiâ—ns to be Added 1 Because the number of the Beast Revel 13. is said to be 666 and is called the number of a Man this very well agrees with what has been said before for every Face contains 333 Years and because
the second Face is of a Man therefore the number 666 is the number of a Man to wit containing 666 Years from the Year sinâ—e Christ's Nativity 1036 to the Year 1702 for about the said Year 1036 the second Beast whose number is here computed Ascended out of the Earth vix in the time when Gregory the seventh flourish't who Exalted himself above the Emperor 2 Seeing the Intrerval of every Seal except the seventh contains 333 Years hence it appears that from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the first part of the Millenium there are about 2000 Years and therefore from Christ's Death and Resurrection to the end of the World there are about 3000 Years which confirms the aforesaid Chronology the same is also confirmed by the Intervals of the Trumpets 3. Now whereas the Interval of each Trumpet is 260 Years this doth not seem to want a mystery for so many days as it were doth the Infant remain in his Mothers Womb and in Esdras the Lodging Rooms or Chambers of the Soul are likened to the Womb of a Wâ—man because then exactly in 260 Years the Soul is recall'd to live again in a Body of Flesh as it were at the sound of the Trumpet of God himself therefore the Interval of every Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 73 Years be added for the age of Mâ—n in a Body of Flesh the sum will be 333 Years aforesaid 4. Morâ—over God out of his great Goodnâ—ss and Wisdom has so decreed that Men should not live altogether and at one time a thousand Years compleat in the corrupt â—tate of a Carnal Body and it stands with the justice of God that they shall live the said thousand Years by parts for by the frequent Death of Men Mankind is better provided for and their Benefit and Advantage consulted for thus God often cuts off Men to plant and ingraft them anew Whereas if Men should at once live a thousand Years compleatly in the State of Corruption they would so degenerate that their Repentance and Salvation woâ—ld be far more difficult 5. But if any shouâ—d demand to what purpose God should call his Saints to live in a Terrestrial and Carnal Body a thousand Years and whether it were not better for them and more desirable to them to remain with God in the Heavens I answer God knows better than we what is most conducive to our Profit and Advantage And therefore the Saints ought to live a thousand Years on Earth partly that they may receive a visible Reward from God in the sight of the Wicked and Ungodly to their greater shame confusion and Condemnation and partly and indeed chiefly that they may be prepared and qualiâ—ied in that Millenium or thousand Years of Life to obtain so much and so great Glory as they shall be invested with when they shall ascend Bodily into Heaven A FEW QUESTIONS BY Way of Exposition ON Each Chapter of the Revelations of St. Iohn Wherein little or in a manner nothing except what pertains to the History is positively concluded but all are left to the free and Impartial Iuâ—gment and Ezamination of the lovers of Truth CHAP. I. QUâ—st 1. What may we understand by the seven Churches of Asia By Churches seven States of the Vniveersal Ch. to whom Iohn wrote Whether seven Churches then in being Or rather whether they were not seven States of the Universal Church from the time of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection to that so famous and noted time of the Restoration of all things called in sundry places of Scripture a Sabbath And in the old Testament prefigured under the common Sabbath of Days and Years Which if Iohn had intended of particular Churches then in Being why did he confine himself to a septenary Numberâ— were there not in Asia more than seven Churches Again seeing he termed that which he wrote unto them a Prophesie which hath respect to the time to come this doth not seem to agree so well with certaâ—n particular Churches then in being as with the Universal Church understood by seven States or Conditions this Church was in for the space of 2000 Years and seeing a septenary number is a mystical Number whether or no this doth not seem to be adapted to the Mystery of the seven Spirits Stars or Angels Quest. 2. Who are we to understand by the seven Angels of the seven Churches Whether are they Presidents or Pastors or Angels properly so called having distinct Administrations over those Churches For it appears from Dâ—niel and other places of Scripture that they were set over Kingdoms and Nations as God`s Vicegerents Why not then over Churches Seeing they are call'd miâ—â—â—tâ—â—ng Spiâ—its sent out to minister tâ— all those who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heâ— 1.14 And Heb. 2.5 it is 〈◊〉 unto the Angels he hath not as yâ—t put in subjection the World to come Whether or no this doth not intimate that this present World is subject to Angels but the World to come only subject to God and Christ And lastly seeing the Kingdoms of this World have their Ages and periods of time the Church will likewise have her Ages and Periods And why may not peculiar Angels be understood to preside and govern in particular Ages of the Church appointed and ordained by the most high to execute that Function CHAP. II. QUest 3. Whether or no the interval of the Church * The Church of Ephesus from the year 1â— to the year â—â—â— since Christs Resuâ—rection of Ephesus according to the aâ—oresâ—id Hypothâ—sis will not contain 33â—â— years from the Resurrection of Christ and in like manner the Church of Smyrna the same and so understand oâ— the rest except the Church of Laodicâ—a concerning which it may be quâ—stioned whether it doth noâ— belong to the interval of the Church of Philadelphia For in respect of its State and Condition whereâ—of Iohn gave an excellent description it extends to the Sabbath of the World Then whether the Church of Laodicea will noâ— have the same interval of time with it thoâ— it be not the same with the said Church but widely different from it Who are to be understood by the Church of Laodicea â— but certain luke-warm professours of the Christian Religion having a great notion and profession of the truth but possessing in a manner nothing of the Life and Power of it And doth not this clearly appear from the signification of the Words Philadâ—lphia and Laodiceâ— For Philadelphia signifies the love of the Brethren including certain Christian Virtues but Laodicea imports as much as popular Justice which for the most part is in a manner none at allâ— Furthermore by the same Reason thâ— whole interval of two thousand years may be distributed into six equal partsâ— whereof each will contain 333 years and â…“ of a year Whether is it not more consentaneous to reason that those intervals of the Churches be equally divided if the Historical events of them do better agree with these
Anno 1400. the Year 1400 followed him Iohn Huss amd Ierom of Prague Now the said Iohn Wickliffe translated the Holy Bible into the English Tongue and wrote many Books against the Pope to the number of two hundred as it is reported whose Books after they came into Germany became instrumental thro' God's Blessing to the enlightning of many so that their Hearts and Minds were more opened to enquire after and search out the truth and especially Ierome and Huss About †. Anno 1364. the Year 1364. Charles the V. called the wise King of France caused the Holy Scriptures to be Translated into the Vulgar Tongue and he also wrote against the Pope Moreover 't is affirmed that Wickliff Ierom and Huss restored the Doctrin of the Waldenses These Waldenses were so called from one Waldo of Lyons in France who began to teach the People and open the Scriptures unto them who notwithstanding was no Priest neither had received any outward Authority but was only a Lay-man and as to his manner of Life a Merchant And these Waldenses appear'd about the year 1160 who were succeeded by the Albigenses a People inhabiting near the Alpes about the *. Anno 1190. The Albigenses year 1190 professing the same Doctrin with the Waldenses and therefore these Waldenses and Albigenses belong to the chiefest to wit the fourth Interval And those among them who were of the most Sincerity were describ'd under the name of those of the Church of Thyatira to whom the Morning Star was promised Again the said Ierom and Huss were succeeded by Luther †Luther about the year 1517. about the year 1517 who began to teach and preach against the Indulgences of Pope Leo which were exposed to Sale and a little after that he disputed against many other principles of the Roman Church and Religion and many others followed and accompanied him every one in his order with a greater Evidence and Authority of Light and Truth whose true Testimonies except some certain errors which they were guilty of as Men are to be held in great esteem and principally theirs who for the Love of the Truth in England Scotland France Germany and other pâ—aces were slain and sufferâ—d Martyrdom within the said Interval Quest. 15. Doth not the Name or Character of the Philadelphian Chuâ—ch *. The Church of Philadelphia most nearly agree to the State of the Church in the â—ixth ensuing Interval viz. from the year after Christ's Resurrection 166 â— 7 to the year 2000 or from the year of Christ's Birth †. Annâ— 17â—0 to 2034. 1700 to the year 2034. Now the *. What Church of Philadelphia signifies Name Philadelphia signifies love of the Brethren comprehending all Christian Virtues whatsoever For altho' true fraternal Love did dwell in all the sincere and â—aiâ—hful Christians of the early Ages of the Church yet whether or no the Christians oâ— this Interval will not surpass one another in the strength of this Brotherly Love and Affectio◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or in a more excellent degree which Church had nothing laid to her Charge but was commended for her Works to wit for her Patience and Fidelity and to her chiefly were the promises made also a Door was opened to her that no Man could shut and doth not this plainly signifie that the Hearts of many in all Nations should be opened to receive the Testimony of this Church so that within this Interval a great Conversion of many Souls to the true Faith of Christ as well of Iews as Gentiles may be expected Quest. 16. And tho' the Interval of the Philadelphian Church ' be not as yet strictly begun yet are not the Seeds thereof already sown and sprung uâ— even as the Seed of the Church of Sardis was planted and prepared within the Interval of the Church of Thyatira which immediately went before And what are all those Sects and Professions of the Christian Religion at this day among whom the seed oâ— the Philadelphian Church greatly appears Quest. 17. Will not that happy Millennium or Age of a thousand Years begin within this Church's Interval for it seems to be clearly enough hinted in the promise made to those that overcome in this Interval viz. Thâ—t God will write upon them theâ— name of God and the name of the City of God viz. new Ierusalem which shall descend from Heaven and therefore is not the State of the Lâ—odicean Câ—urch as before was said Contemporary with this Church and happening at the same Inteâ—val of time the one describing as well the true poâ—â—esâ—ours as proâ—essoâ—rs of Christianity the other only the naked and Titular proâ—essours Qâ—estâ— 18. Are * The Church of Lâ—oâ—icea they not extremely mistaken who â—â—ink it â—oinâ—s out the degenerating state of the Chuâ—ch after the expiration of a thousand Years When it plainly appears from Scripture that after the Church shall be once restored and freed from Apostacy that it shall never fall from the Truth into Delinquency or Apostasy any more and then also the same promise is given to such as are truly Penitent and whose Hearts are kindled with the Zeal of Divine Love in the Church of Laodicea as was given to those of the Church of Philadelphia to wit that such as are Conquerors also in the Laodicean Church shall sit down with Christ upon his Throne which is equivalent in all respects to that Felicity promised to all the faithful in the Millennium CHAP. IV. QUest 19 What are we to understand by Iohn's Vision of a Throne †What the Throne in Heaven is placedâ— in Heaven Is it not the place or seat of God in the Hearts of the Faithfull living on Earth And that it was placed in Heaven doth not this signify that it is fixt and immovable so that no power of Men or Divels can ever remove or shake it Quest. 20 What are those * What the Lamps areâ— Lamps that burn before the Throne which are said to be the seven Spirits of God are they not as it were seven Effluvia or Emanations of one and the same Spirit of the Deity which some reckon ten Emanations or out goings but Iâ—hn only seven Is it because 10 may be reduced unto 7 and 7 unto 3 and 3 unto 1 Or else because only 3 of those 10 would have more fully demonstrated its force and energy and from Christ to the Millennium other seven would have discover'd themselves more fully but all the ten Vertues and Riches of the Divine Spirit will be most amply demonstrated in the Millennium Moreover the names of these ten Emanations in Hâ—brew and Latin are as followâ— 1. Kether Corona 2. Cochma Sapientia 3. Bina Prudentia 4. Gedula Magnificentia 5. Gebhurah Fortitudo 6. Tiphereth Puchritudo â— Nezack Victoria 8. Hod Glâ—ria 9. Iesod Fundamentum 10. Malcuth Regnum Which sounds thus in our English Dialect 1. A Crown 2. Wisdom 3. Prudence 4. Magnificence 5. Fortitude 6. Beauty 7. Victory
Number having the Harps of God and singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb Are not they the 144000 and with them all the rest of the Saints who have attained to the first Resâ—rrection before all others And is not this Sea of Glass this visible World full of perplexing Cares and Câ—lamities upon which notwithstanding shall stand the Saints as it were upon a Sea â—esembling Glass in Solidity who have gotten Victory over the Beast not only singing Mâ—ses's Song for a Testimony of deliverance â—â—t the Song of the Lamb also Questâ— 8â— â—ow are â—â—ose words to be undâ—â—â—tood Revel 15. â— And â—he Tâ—mple was â—iâ—leâ—â—ith 〈…〉 the Glory of God and no Mâ—n was a 〈◊〉 â—nter into the Temple â—ilâ— the seâ—en Plagues of the seven Angels were fulfiâ—led Doth not this signifieâ— thaâ—â—he Câ—urch of God â—â—all liâ— open duâ—ing the whole Inâ—erval of the seven Phials shining with exâ—eeding splendour and investeâ— wâ—th Divine Glory which â—hall so conâ—ouâ—d her Adâ—ersaries that none of them shall be able â—o enter there into or do her the leaâ—t injury during all that time And peradventure about the end of the seventh Phial those enemies of the Church will attempt something upon her and hitherto the Battle of Armageddon seems to be referr'd where at last they shall all perish by Fire and Hail sent from Heaven Quest. 87. Do not the seven Thunders belonging to the sixth Trumpet The seven Thunders belong to the sixth Trumpet and the seven Phials belonging to the seventh Trumpet The seven Phials belong to the seventh Trumpet The Duration of the Trumpet 260 Years 1 â— contain something analogous Quest. 88. Doth not the effuâ—ion or pouring out of the seven Phials denote the Fall of Babylon as it were by so many degrees succeeding one another every Phial's Interval including 37 Years and 1 â— which is 1 7 of the nâ—mber 260 the Interval of each Trumpet Therefore are they not mightily deceived who think that either Babylon is already fallen or else that her Fall is exceeding near Are not they also mistaken who think the four Phials are already pour'd forth when 't is more probaâ—le that not one of them is as yet pour'd out for the first Phial will begin from the year of Chrisâ—'s Resurrection 1740 â—or the opening of the Temple and the Vision of the 144000 sealed must precede the effusion or pouring forth of all the Phials as evidently appears from the very Series or Order of Prophecies in this Book Quest. 89. What is signified by the Earth upon which the first Phial was to be pour'd out Is it not the lowest order of Antichristian Hierarchy of which sort are Priests and Clerks of inferior rank with all their train And what is signified by the â—â—a Is it not some supeâ—iour degree of the same Hierarchy as the Sea is superiour to the Earth of which sort are chief Priests or Bishops with their Seats which they call Seas and whereas these Seas are to be turned into Bâ—ood doth not this signifie some mighty Slaughter and Destruction to fall upon these Men by War And then what may be understood by Fountains and Rivers whether not others again of an higher Order and Rank such as are chieâ— or Arch-Bishops commonly callâ—d Cardinals and Metropolitans of the Antichristian Hierarchy who spilt the Blood of Saints and Pâ—opheâ—s and therefore they shall then have their own Blood spilt not indeed by any Saints but by other instruments raised up agaâ—nst them by God's most just judgment But how aâ—d when those that are to be slain under the third Phial did spill the Blood of the Saints is a question well worth Explanation seeing none of the Saints were killed by any after the Interval of the sixth Trumpet Moreover doth not the pouring out oâ— the other four Phialâ— denote the Fall and utter Ruin of Babylon or the false and Antichristian Church by various degrees together with the final Period and Destruction of the Kingdoms and corrupt Dominions of Men And finally doth not this great River Euphrates subjâ—ct to the sixth Phial signifie the Turkâ— or other People inhabiting some other Countries bordering upon Euphrates to make a way for the Kings of the East And who are those Kings of thâ— East Are they not the Saints raised to Life again in the future Millennium CHAP. XVII QUest 90. Doâ—h not the Mystery Babylon so fully described in this Chapter signiâ—ie the whole and intire Body of the false and Antichristian Châ—â—ch and indeed chiefly the Church of Rome who Apostatized for many Ages back and drank of the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of God And is not thâ—â— Beast upon whom this great Whoâ—e sat the Roman Monarchy which is the sixth Head But this sixth Head falling will not a seventh â—ead aâ—ise and after that an eighth which nevertheless belongs to the seventh and is â—s it were an Appendix of it Anâ— doth not Daniel expresly describe those two Kings the one of the South and the other of the North And lastly will not these Kings or one of these Kings rise up against the Saints together with the false Prophet who is to be raised up with him with a purpose to kill them under the Interval of the seventh Phial But will not God miraculously guard and protect his Saints and destroy their Adversaries with Fire and Hail from Heaven And is not the Battle of Armageddon which seems to belong to the last Phial clearly enough described by Ezekiel and also the aforesaid Kings called by the names of Gog and Magog Chap. 38 and 39 CHAP. XVIII QUest 91. Doth not that Fall and Destruction of Babyâ—on by Fire or Bâ—rning so fully describ'd chap. 18. signiâ—ie that the false and Antichristian Church shall be totally destroyed and abolished And what are those Daughters of Babylon but Hypocrites in every Sect and Profession of Christianity altho' they may gild it over with the specious name oâ— Reâ—ormation whilst they continue Strangers to the Spirit and Life oâ— the Christian Religion Quest. 92. How are we to understand that in Babylon was found not only the Blood of the Prophets and Saints but of all that were slain upon the Earth Doâ—h not the effuâ—ion of so much Blood respect all that space of 4000 years past from Noaâ—'s Flood from which time Babylon began to be â—uilt externally comprehending the intire Revolution of one great Day or Night consisting of twelve hours Therefore will not all those Murderers and Shedders of Humane Blood even from Noahs's Flood to the Year of the World's Creation 5740 or of Christ's Resurrection from the Dead 1740 together make up one and the same City of Babylon and receive their Punishment therein in case they do not trâ—ly and sincerely Râ—pâ—nt Aâ—d how this shall come to pass is â—lso well worth an explanation Moreoverâ— will not that hour wherein Babylon shall be Lashâ—d with those Terâ—ible and Tremendous Judgments of God consist of 333 1 â— Years or â—
Millenium that shou'd not dye but be changed 9. It appears also that when the Millenium is finished Gog and Magog shall gather themselves together against the Saints to slay them which certainly they cou'd never attempt to do if they did not live in a Body of Flesh. 10. This is more largely conâ—â—â—â—'d iâ— that the Saints even until 260 years after the beginning of the Millenium shall marry and propagate Children for the State of Matrimony and procreation of Children is not beneath the dignity of the future Millenium for Adâ—m in his Paradisical State before the fall had a Wife and tho' he had not sinned wou'd have known his Wife and have begotten Children 11. But that the Saints do for some time in the aforesaid Millenium contract Matrimony and beget Sons and Daughters appears from Isaiah Chap. 65. where the Inhabitants of this of this New Heaven and new Earth are prâ—mised that they shall build Houses and inâ—â—â—ite them plant Vineyards and ear the Fâ—â—â—t of them they shall not labour in vain â—or bring forth in fear for they are thâ— Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them yea in the same Chapter 't is affirm'd of the Sinners who shall live in the Millenium that they shall live to an hundred Years nor shall any die in Infancy and the days of the Saints shall bâ— as the days of the Tree of Life for so heretoâ—ore that place was read by the Fathers that is they shall live a thousand Years and then shall not die but ascend into Heaven in a Body changed which Adam would have done if he had not sinned 12. Now that new Heaven which will be câ—eaâ—ed in the future Millenium will be only new in respect of their excellent natures 13. Ioseph's Blâ—ssing by his Faâ—her Iacob which belongs to the said Millenium clearly demonstâ—ates thâ—t they should marry and beget and bring up Children Gen. 49 2â— 26. For among â—â—her Blessings which he had he waâ— also blessed with the Blessings of the Bâ—easts â—nd the Womb which have a respect to Wives and Mothers whose Blessings also ougâ—t to reach to the utmâ—st bounds of the everlasting Hills viz. to the second Resurrection when this Body of Flesh shall be changed into a Spiritual Body and being thus changed shall ascend into the everlasting Hills that is into the highest Heavens 14. Therefore those Words of Christ that in the Resurrection of the Dead they do not marry nor are given in Marriage but are equal to the Angels are to be understood of the second Resurrection but not of the first because certainly in thâ— first Resurrection they shall not be equal to to the Angels but as Adam was in Paradise before the Fall 15. And hitherto may be referred those woâ—ds of the book of Wisdom 3.43 Blessed is the Barrâ—n and Undâ—filâ—d who hath not known the Sinful Bed for she shall have Fruit in the Visitation of Souls 16. Now all the Sons Daughteâ—s of the Saints in the future Millenium are the Souls of all the Saints that ever have liv'd in a carnal Body since the beginning of the World and finally raised up to Life in a â—ody of Flesh and boâ—n of Fathers and Mothers into the Woâ—ld for none shall enjoy the Reward and Blessedness of the â—uture Millenium but such who have lived an holy Life on Eaâ—th from the begâ—nning of the World Moreover Christ called this Resurrection of the Saints unto Life regeneration 17. And therefore all Saints that enjoy the Millenium shall then be born into the World in a carnal Body and shall have Fathers and Mothers according to the Flesh. 18. Nor will this seem strange or incredible to any one after it is clearly demonstrated from Scripture that we have all lived several times in a Body of Flesh yea for many years and Ages of years 19. This Truth being once demonstrated and granted in a manner all the Mysteries and things difâ—icult to be apprehended of the future Millenium will be most easily understood for the Ignorance of the Souls being born again and returning to Life in a body of Flesh hath mightily obscur'd the Mystery of the future Millenium and in a manner all other Mysteries of the whole Christian Religion which indeed when the said new Birth or carnal Regeneration is demonstrated will display themselves and appear with a wonderful sweetness facility and evidencâ— of Truth 20. First therefore it shall be demonstrated by certain Arguments drawn from Scripture that the same Souls after the death of the carnal Body were again raised to Life and born of Parents in a Body of Flesh. 21. First this is proved from the express Words of Christ himself who called Iohn Baptist Elias yea affirmed him to be Elias himself Matth. 11. Mark 9.12 and declared him also to be the same that was to come But that where Iohn denied that he was Elias is to be understood of the Mystery of 1045 Years couch't under the name of Eliah which also signifies the strong and mighty God for that Dispensation or Ministration of Iohn answers not to to the name of Elias but the name of Iohn which signifies Grace but when he shall be born again into the World that Dispensation will most excellently suit with the name of Eliah 22. Secondly 'T is proved from that passage of St. Paul to the Romans where discoursing of the unbelieving Iews he affirms that they shall after many Ages believe in Christ and finally be reunited to their natural Root but the force of the Argument concludes in behalf of those Souls who were unbelieving in the Aposâ—les days which after certain Ages were to believe in Christ after the fullness of the Gâ—ntiles was converted to the Christian Faith which Conversion of the Iews we yet expect 〈◊〉 Earth even of those who were unbelieving in the Apostles days for all the Iews which are natural Branches shall be saved and their Hearts shall be opened and that too before the beginning of the Millenium 23. Thirdly 'T is proved from Matth. 23.35 compared with the 2 Chron. 24.22 where Christ aâ—â—irms that those very Iews who were contemporary with him in the Flesh had kill'd Zacharias the Son of Baruch c. But this Wickedness was committed in the days of King Ioas more than eighty Years before Christ's Incarnation * See Matth. 21.35 c. compare here-witâ— 2 Chron. 24.22 But if any should affirm that this was not their own but their foâ—e-Father's Crime and imputed to them because they were led by the same Spirit of Iniquity and Impiety I answer This cannot destroy the force of the Argument because according to the Râ—ghteous Ordinance of God the Sins of the Fathers are not imputed to the Children beyond the third or fourth Generation even when the Children are led by the same Spirit and follow the same steps of their Fathers But beâ—cause many Generations have interven'd between that Wickedness and the
Moment of their Lives Also it wonderfully demonstrates the Justice Wisdom and goodness of God towards Mankind in all his Ways and Administrations it also evidently shews the equality of the ways oâ— God and his marvelous â—enefâ—â—s yea clearly evinces what and how great Beneâ—its did accrue to all Mankind by the death of Christ in the latter Days by the abundant Favour and Benignity of God Moreover also it doth mightily illustrate confirm and perfect in a mannâ—r the whole Doctrine of Christianity makâ—s the Salvation of Heathens possibleâ— and yet nevertheless makes the knowledgâ— oâ— Christ's coming in the Flesh and Fâ—â—â—h in him of absolute necessity to the Salvation of all and finally greatly furthers the Conviction and Conversion of the Iew. â—3 From what has been said the truth of the said Doctrine of the various returns of Humaâ—e â—ouls into a Body of Flesh is appâ—râ—nâ— but how often they shall return shall â—e somewhat more distinctly explained 74. All Souls which are not perfect in Faith Righteousness and Holiness do return twelve times until they are perfected and that Soul which was made perfect in Faith and Holiness in some former reâ—olution tho' before the death of Christ needed not to return into a Mortal Life unless it were such that were to come again in the Flesh for some publick Benefit to all Mankind as in the case of Elias and some extraordinary Men. 75. Therefore we affirm that there is no necessity for many of the Prophets and Saints to live again after they have slept in the Lord before Christ's Incarnation much less is such a Revolution to be affirmed after the coming of Christ because the faithful that dye in the Lord rest from their Labours 76. But 't is proved that some imperfect Souls must necessarily make 12 Revolutions or Returns as well from those 12 Hours the Labourers wrought in the Field as that the day of every Souls Visitation contains 12 Hours according to the words of Christ are there not 12 Hours in the Day Work whilest you have the Day then because four Watches of the Night contains 4000 Years from Psal. 90. v. 4. and eveâ—y Watch three Hours again this is proved from those 12 Faces and 4 Wheels in Ezekiâ—l Chap. 1. v. 10. 77. But because the 12 Revolutions of the Souls are not compleated in less than 4000 Years which are all to be finisht at the end of the future Millenium therefore all Souls began their Revolutions in the year of the World 274. 78. All which and much more this following Table will clearly exhibit to the Eye The Explanation of the Table 1. The first Column contains 7000 years of the World as it were devided into 21 hours whâ—â—eof each contains 333 years 2. The eight Column at the right Hand contains the Revolutions of Souls from the first â—o the twelfth â— The tenth Column contains the intervals of the siâ— Sâ—als from the Resurrection of Christ to the year about 6000. 4. The eleventh Column contains 7000 years of the World as aforesaid but something disposed in a different Order 5. The twelfth Column contains the names of Faces in each Revolution 6. The second Column contains 12 Revolutions of Souls from the beginning of the World to the year of the World 3996. 7. The third Column contains the Râ—volutions of Souls from the year of the World 3â—3 to the year of the World 4329 and so thence forward to the year of the World 6740. 8. Now because all the Souls that come into the World have 3996 or 4000 years to fulfill their twelve Revolutions in if they are not perfect in goodness therefore all Souls came into the World and begun their first Revolution between the beginning of the World and the year of the World 2744 for if 3996 be added to the number 2744 the sum will be 6740 beyond which the Revolution of Souls doth not extend 9. Those Souls which came into the World from the beginning thereof made their twelfth and last Revolution about the year of the World 3996. 10. Therefore after the year 3996 some Souls were not to come into the World any more till the beginning of the Millenium if they were holy and not till in the exact Millenium if they were Evil and not yet purged 11. And thereforâ— Christ ought to offer himâ—elf to God the Father a Sacrifice for the Sins of all Mankind about the year of the World 3996 otherwise they who had finished their 12 Revolutions would have had no benefit of his Sacrifice if he had come later 12. And finallyâ— because a great many Souls have accomplish'd their Râ—volution between the year 3996 and 432 therefore since Christ's Resurrection from the Dead no Man without some particular divine Revelation cou'd be certain whether he should come again into the World to have an opportunity of Repentanceâ— and therefore none by the aforesaid Doctrine can or ought to indulge themselves into a wicked Life in hopeâ— to come again into the World becâ—â—se he cannot certainly know whâ—â—â—er he â—hall or notâ— 13. But no Man that dy'd in utter impenitence after the year of the World 5661 is expir'd can redeem his former mispent time tho' he shou'd come into the Word within the interval of the blessed Millenium so as to enjoy the happiness of the Millenium or obtain the Resurrection of the just in this World for truly the Millenial Happiness and Resurrection of the just is ordained and appointed as a reward for such who have heretofore 〈◊〉 a Holy Life before the beginning of the Millenium which was signified by this Type that it was not lawful for the Israelites to gather Manna on the Sabbath Day therefore none may or ought to deâ—er the amendment of his Life to another time because this present time is the last tâ—at is granted to any in this World to obtain Salvation 14. But because before the death of Christ Men might abuse this Doctrine of the Souls Revolution as they may now in some measure therefore according â—o the ordination of Divine Wisdom it came to pass that the said Doctrine â—or the mosâ— paâ—t lay conceal'd as an hidden Mysâ—ery and was not to be unlock'd to any but good Men which nevertheless may now without danger and indeed ought to be revealed for it is of great use to convince the Iews and to demonstrate more clearly other Heads of the Christian Religion 15. For from the aforesaid Doctrine the justice of God in punishing the wicked and rebellious is plainly demonstrated â—or seeing all the wicked and rebellious have sinned against God a thousand years whilst they lived in a Body of Flesh therefore it is just that they shou'd be punished in Hell fire 7000 years after the end of this World for so God who made all things in number weight and measure hath also limited a number and measure to the Torments of the damned that every rebellious and incorrigible Sinner may be punished seven fold which
equal intervals or distances than with others that are unequal Quest. 4. Do not the names of the seven Churches symbolically intimaâ—e some certain marks and properties of the said Churches and whether or no that Term or Title of Asia signifies only that part of the World so called or rather the whole Globe of the Earth or visible World which by some learned Men is call'd Asia from the Hebrew Root Gnasa that is he made as disâ—inguished from those superiour Worlds Iezirah Briah and Aziluth so call'd all which names of Woâ—lds aâ—e to be found in Scripture Quest. 5. Whether or no the Name Title or Character of the Church * The Ephesian Church of Ephesus doth not properly agree to the State of the Church from the time of Christ's Râ—sâ—rrection to the year of his Ascension 333 which is the three Hundred siâ—ty and sixth year * Anno 366. from his Nativity for some render the Word in Latin Desiderabilis desirable or Amabilis Lovely and certainly such was the primitive Church from â—he days of the Apostles or as others read it Remittens Relaxatus importing to slackâ—n and râ—lâ—nt as the Holy Ghost complains in Iohn â—aying Thâ—y haâ—e fâ—rsaken their first Love for quickly aâ—ter the Aposâ—lâ—s Days the love of many waxed cold yet in many thingâ— that Church was to be commended as in their Works Labour and Patience not giving toleration to evil Men nor such who boasted that they were Apostles but were not when they came to the Tryal Quest. 6. Was not that threat of the Lord against them clearly fulfilled in the following the Interval of 333 years and â…“ that unless they did timely repent the Lord himself would shortly come and remove their Candlestick from them For in many places where Christianity flourished heretofore in the next and succeeding Intervals there was scarce any visible Profession of it to be seen For the same places where anciently the Christian Religion flourished were afterwards under the Power and Dominion of foul and abominable Heathenism and Mahometism Quest. 7. And doth not the Name Title or Character of the Church * Smyrna of Smyrna aptly agree to the State of the Church from the year 333â…“ since Christs Resurrection unto the year †Anno 7000 from the 666â…” Now Smyrna in Latin signifies Myrrh and truly the small number of the faithful and sincere were as I may so say in comparison of the vast multitude of false and unsound Christians that swarmed in the following Interval like unto a handful of Myrrh as well retaining their own purity as serving to purifie others and keeping themselves from the height of Corruption and Uncleanness And altho' the state of this Church happened in an exceeding Bad and most corrupt Age in â—espect of the former yet was the said Châ—rch blamed in nothing but commâ—â—ded for her Works and is said to be riâ—â— notwithstanding her Poverty and Tribulation For God mightily comforted and â—upported her under her Afflictions that she was to undergo and foretells her the ten days of Tribulations which he would bring upon her and that Satan should cast some of them into Prison And here also the Lord hath plainly painted out this false Church that arose in this second interval saying ` I know their Blasphemy who said they were Jews and are not but of the Synagogue of Satan Quest. 8. What was meant by those ten days of Tribulation which this Church was to undergo Are they ten natural or common days or rather ten certain times or days of persecution For the time of persecution is commonly called a day wherein that scorching Sun of the persecutors arises And lastly what are those a The ten persecutions contiâ—ued as it were but one ten days of Persecution For indeed it is commonly affirmed that there were ten persecutions which disquieted the Church within 300 years after Christ`s Resurrection and seeing they for the most part followed one another hence it is they rather merit the name of one continued persecution than ten but in the second Interval to wit from the year 33¾ to 66 6 â— after Christ's Resurrection the Church enjoyed some bright and glorious intervals and had a time of Respit Peace and Tranquility and that too under the shelter and protection of certain pious Kings and Emperours such as were Theodosius the first and the sâ—cond and others yet this Church suffered many sharp persecutions in this second Interval pâ—rtly by Heathen Kings and partly by â—mperours infected with the Arrian and Euâ—ychian Heresies And â—inally what added most to the weight of her Afâ—liction was that she was foâ—c'd to feel a far more grievous persecution under the Christians so called than she had suffered in the former Interval under the Heathens Moreover if any hath or will take the pains to read the â—iâ—â—ory of this Ecclesiastical Interval and especially Lucas Oâ—â—andrus Alstedius or any other ancient â—cclesiaâ—tical Writer he will find that ten very considerable persecutions oâ— the Church truly happen'd in this Interval And if any more were found to have happen'd in certain particular places or to private Persons â—hey may be referred to the ten aforemenâ—ioned whereby the number â—en will be the moâ—e compleat Quest. 9 Doth not the Name and Chaâ—acter of the Church of *. Pergà mus Pergamus seem to agree well enough wiâ—h the third Interval of the Câ—urch from the Year after Chriâ—t's Resurrection 66 6 7 †. from the year 700 to 1666. to the Year 1000 For as Pergamus was â—he Metropolis or chief City of Asia abounding with lofty Towers and Magnificent Buildings so in the third Interval the outward formâ— and visible Face of the Church seemed exceeding high and stately in â—ime of Peace and the Popes of Rome became very proud and amâ—itious insomuch that it was at that time made no less than a capital Crime to â—esist their Authority yea and some werâ— put to death for it Also in the same Interval there were divers Popes who were Magicians and Necromancers and â—herefore it might be well saidâ— That Satan fixed his Seaâ— at Rome or in the Roman Ch. signified by the Church of Pergamus where Antipas was slain and is not the whole number of the faithful Witnesses of God comprâ—hended under the figure of Antipas who either in this or the succeeding Intervals were put to death for opposing the Antichristian Tyranny and Ambition of the Popes as the word Antipas seems plainly to intimate Quest. 10. And was not the Idolatry and Spiritual â—ornication of this third Interval wherein the Adoration of Images and worshipping of Saints was Insâ—ituted by the Popes of Rome but especially by the second Nicaean Council predicted in these words which were sâ—oken to the Church of Pergamus ch 2. v. 14. Thou hast there such as hold the Doctrin of Balaam who taught Balak to â—ay an offence before the People of Israel that they should â—at things offered to Idol and commit