spake of the Children of the Resurrection in that World but how few have taken notice of what World that was meant So these remained for the most part still obscure the Apostle Paul reveals a mystery of it yea many Mysteries as we hope to manifest the Jews and Israelites civil Resurrection that is near to it and in Scripture adjoyned to it is likewise called a Mystery and rising from the dead for the strangness of it Ezek. 37. with Rom. 11. Dan. 12.1 2 3. and both are again joyned by our Saviour Luke 21.28 31. But our Saviour according to his Divine wisdom hath given light to those and many other Texts of that nature and should we in this cavil with our Mercy and contend with our most Divine Teacher as if we were wiser then he or that Wisdom it self had erred therein And indeed it is strange to hear mens perverse reasonnings in these things and the like but we shall give other Scriptures that teach the same in substance or the like after all as we said both in Old and New Testament Onely we would speak a word or two to the other branch of the Objection in the first place That the Book of the Revelation is mysterious and men have been much mistaken c. Ans It hath been in some things a secret long but yet not such as were forbidden to inquire into yea we are commanded to read it and search this as other Books of the Gospel viz. to understand it and it is not as in Daniels hints of these things when he was commanded to shut them up but contrary the Apostle John is commanded to leave them open and not Seal them Chap. 22. v. 10. Yea our Saviour pronounceth a blessing to such as read them as they ought and he hath blessed many with very Remarkable Discoveries by degrees though Objectors are injuriously Critical against them instead of being thankful to God and to them for what they have in such kind disco vered and stumble more at a Conjecture or easie mistake then profit by many pretious and useful things so tendered to them all have but what measure they receive to such purpose from God in one respect or other and God hath vouchsafed a special assistance in this kind one way or other even sometimes by unexpected and unlikely means and Instruments somewhat I could say in that kind but it may not be convenient c. did not Christ send his Spirit to lead his into all truth and Revelation Truths are some of them yea and very pretious ones too Though some mistakenly would perswade some good persons to the contrary and Gods Spirit hath not yet laid down that Office Christ promised to send him for though we expect no new Foundation Truths but the spiritual and true Explications of old and of such antient Foundations especially as we have occasion now to speak of for the Revelation is always of some before obscure and hidden Scripture Truths and it is a great advantage as we before noted in our Preface to know the subject nature time and end of such Scripture Truths so in this book revealed as by this most precious Key that respects the happy estate fore Prophesied for Gods people in the said 1000 years it is true it was long in those respects mistaken by many and strangly misplaced but now they are in a great measure made evident it is true also the times of the great Red Dragon and the Beast were for a long time more dark and obscure till their fulfillings in many things have given more light to such things as yet remain unfulfilled but particularly as to these last things the said Key relates unto as Mr. Mede well observes the spirit of God speaks more clearly of these in ch 20. of this Revelation than in the times foregoing and the two last chap. are in some measure an explication of the same matters and times and state of things in the said 1000 years and that 20th ch is an exact Table of such times which if a man once discover what things it relates unto he is in a good way to attain the end thereof and it being once found to be Christs Key of antient revealed Mercies as Scriptures make evident in many particulars as I have and doubt not by the same guidance to give farther and good account of from Gods Word which also I am well assured from Scripture and satisfied whatever some may think otherwise that for the substance it will be approved by Jesus Christ the faithful and true Witness and our Guide into these Truths by the assistance of his Holy Spirit and I shall ever resolve with humble thanksgiving to ascribe the praise thereof to his Divine Grace for such a great mercy to such a poor weak much inwardly and outwardly shattered and broken Earthen Vessel But as it is his work of Grace by a weak hand so tendered let none despise it God stands in need of no mans parts learning esteem or worldly advantage or interest whatsoever farther than he pleaseth The slighting of this most Divine excellent and sacred Book is much in some mens minds and mouths therefore I thought fit here to say thus much to it Now let us proceed to the Symphony and agreement of this with other Texts of Scripture for the Revelation as we noted is of some Divine Truth written before yet if we know Christ spake this of the first Resurrection of the Saints bodily and spake it so plainly in a good degree it is presumption to seek a confirmation of his words but because it is a Revelation it is of some Scripture before though darkly delivered as all the other parts were of Daniels short hints sealed or shut up before and so is this of the subsequent Mysteries in Daniel in respect of their time as in part we shewed though much of this first Resurrection we hope to manifest from other Scriptures likewise We will begin with the Prophet Esay's Testimony in that excellent Song ch 26. who having said of those Lords that had Dominion over the Jews viz. the Heathen Tyrants v. 13 14. They are dead they shall not live they are deceased they shall not rise viz. at this first Resurrection v. 19. but he declares there who shall live and rise then thy dead men saith he namely Gods Saints shall live together with my dead body shall they arise that is at the said first Resurrection which our Saviour hath here so fully explained So David foreseeing by the Spirit of Prophesie that the Just shall have Dominion at that time over such wicked men in the morning of the Resur and day of Judgment it must needs follow as our Saviour explains the same that the just must necessarily first rise to receive that Dominion Psal 49.14 and in this Daniel concurs also for when the Thrones were set or placed as the words signifie not cast down as ours read them at Christs coming then as we shewed
as is very probable it is sad mens prayers of late concur in that no more with Gods promises which spiritual allegorizing will not answer in their true intent and literal meaning yet the best and most excellent spiritual sence is carried on as the foundation of Gods antient peoples enjoyments his Covenant is when he takes away their sin and to them chiefly is promised to put his Law into their hearts c. with many more of the like nature wherein we Gentiles have some part but it is but a small part in comparison of them to whom they chiefly belong God will not fail them in one of his Promises and they are many and great and proper to them in the first place and greatest degree the Childrens hearts will effectually be turned to the Fathers and generally too though mistakes and prejudices with the currents of times carry many a contrary way but there is enough in Gods Promises to that purpose to answer all let our faith be exercised in them and our prayer will not then be wanting for them a joyful and pleasant thing it is to know such a confluence of mercy to Jews and Gentiles is approaching when they shall both rejoyce together Deut. 33.43 and that when Christs days will be prolonged in the world he shall so abundantly see his seed and the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Isa 53. 8. These said promised mercies so laid open to all his living or raised Saints are of exceeding great and manifold usefulness for the present and for future times they are of a very comprehensive nature intensively and extensively if rightly understood and applyed in or unto any times places or condition for true Christians they are aboundant in blessings as with Israel at his death he had distinct blessings for all his Posterity let but a believing soul consider how much comfort it can draw out now by faith and prayer from them upon Christs opening of them one by one as their virtue hath been derived to all Saints past and may be to all now and as certainly will be to all Saints hereafter for they contain upon that account flowing streams of mercy if by our Vessels of Faith and exercise of grace we will through Christ go to those waters of consolation the Womans promised Seed is breaking the Serpents head continually the Children of the Promise circumcised and uncircumcised are traveling to the Promised Land and New Jerusalem Davids spiritual and faithful Race shall have of Davids sure mercies in his Kingdom under and with Christ Isa 55.3 There is present comfort in them all by faith as well as sure blessedness hereafter in fruition but I must only point out these things at present c. others may be added upon due meditation of these and the like Many other improvements might here be made of these things As 1. To convince of many Errours and Misapprehensions of many men but this hath been done by my self in many respects already and likewise by others as we have particularly shewed in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15 as pag. 19. of the Everlasting Gospel is to be seen 2. This should admonish Christians to manifest as there is great reason to do a sober and pious acknowledgment of such Divine Truth and Grace herein laid open for their great advantage if duly pondered and improved by them 3. To stir them up to thankfulness for any degrees of such Divine Discoveries in these said respects tendered to them that such a state upon such sure foundations is by the goodness of God and the wonderful wisdom of Jesus Christ imparted to them wherein all sorts of his Saints then living or raised will be so much concerned as also in our following Tract of the first blessed Resurrection we doubt not more fully to manifest to Christians Consciences by Divine Assistance 4. To diligent Study and Meditation of the greatness of these mercies and of every believing souls great concernment therein 5. To excite them from all such considerations of so great mercies shortly approaching in Christs said Kingdom to be attained unto to labour more and more to be fitted for the same by exercise of a true faith from Gods own assureance and of all Godly obedience in the due exercise of every grace both towards God and Men which is also in good part done at the conclusions of all our former Practical pieces on Subjects of like nature as on Gen. 3.15 Rev. 22.20 Jer. 3.17 and is farther intended if God permit on that ensuing on Rev. 20.5 In doing of which although we are restrained at present from much enlarging therein yet when Foundations thereof are once well laid as to Doctrinal Truths the other may much be supplyed by Christian Communion Admonition and Conference upon all fitting opportunities To which good purposes the said unworthy Pen-man hereof hereby declares his readiness upon any suitable and seasonable occasions to be thereunto subservient W. S. October 30. An. Dom. 1673. FINIS ERRATA Title page read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 4. r. Rev. 5.7 p. 13. col 2. r. Ruine not Reign and 4 lines after r. Covenaneed not Contented and 4 lines after that r. Interessed not Intercessed twice p. 14. col 1. r. Bishop Usher l. 40 r. Charter not Character in col 2. l. 26. r. unto the Saints not until the Saines p. 15. col 1. r. their future p. 18. col 1. r. Rev. 9.11 ΕΧΑÎΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ OR The Rising out of the Mass of Dead Bodies c. REV. 20.5 This is the First Resurrection WE having by the good hand of God been directed to premise divers things preparative by way of Preface tending to manifest the first blessed Resurrection of the Just or the Saints Bodily Resurrection to be here that which in this Text is by Christ Jesus himself entituled with this distinguishing Note from all others namely of the First Resurrection that is properly so called and so punctually and exactly decyphered here by him which may these four ways following by his Divine Assistance be made to appear to all serious unprejudiced and understanding Christians 1. From the words of the Text compared with other expressions of our Saviour in the Gospel to the same purpose 2. From the Context and occasion of these words 3. From the Arguments and Reasons agreeable to both the former c. 4. From other portions of Scripture speaking to the same effect both in Old and New Testament First From the words of the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this is Demonstrative We may know what it means by putting the question What is it and it will be resolved by what Christ was manifesting by his Servant John for the use of his Church by a special Revelation of Gods Divine way of graee concerning his secret Counsels and Purposes in their order to be executed according to the book with seven Seals delivered to himself that Lamb with seven horns and
ordered as becometh Christians and then with the Spirit and Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will not linger and be lost let him now whilst it is called to day take the water of life freely chap. 22.17 For he that testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly It is Verbum Diei in die suo a word in its due season for it appears to be in its due order of accomplishment and the Links of the Revelatian Chain have been passing by above 1600 years the last Link draws neer to which Christs Kingdom will immediately succeed Come in poor Sinners get an interest therein and then you will be safe I pitty you all that prize it not I pray God give you enlightned understandings and sanctified affections now the world is vanishing with all her Vanities together suppose it should continue twenty or thirty years longer yet how soon may you die in your sins or be cut off in Gods wrathful displeasure in a moment whether you be secret sinners though nothing is secret to or hid from Gods all seeing eye or open sinners to him all things are naked and open with whom you have to do or if you be great sinners none are so great but the least stroak of his displeasure will shatter them in pieces or small sinners though none that is not a Saint can be a small sinner in the sight of God though comparatively in the sight of men he may and such as have committed great sins upon their Faith and Repentance may be pardoned as soon as the least But you that are great sinners and would fain think your selves out of Gods reach and upon worldly advantages seem to bid defiance unto God saying as they let him hasten his work that we may see it or you that think with the Fool in the Gospel you have enough for many years or you have great Interests great Alliances great Relations great Honour Wealth Authority power to execute your will and pleasure and what not if you came well by them then there is more reason you should serve God and honour him with them the more they are all Talents and you must be accountable for every one of them have you fed clothed visited Christ in his Disciples if not go ye cursed Mat. 25. but if you came ill by them and use them contrary to his will the greater Vengeance hangs over your head for that reason without Repentance Yet to conclude there is yet a time of Grace and Mercy to be had for you great sinners if you will improve it aright before it be quite past be wise therefore at last now now now whilst it is called to day be not hardned any longer by the deceitfulness of Sin then may your Souls safely and comfortably joyn with Christs Spouse in her hearty Amen for the Bridgrooms coming saying with her also verse 20. even so Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Amen Last Vse Lastly for Exhortation to Thankfulness to all that shall have part in this said blessed Resurrection of the just upon this particular account now more especially in these times That Christ Jesus hath not only given this excellent Divine Key to his Church opening the many great benefits of those ancient mercies reserved to be accomplished in the said thousand years and also so fitly agreeing with the Doctrine of the said blessed Resurrection of the Saints with all the concomitants thereof But now in these times is so graciously pleased to discover and vouchsafe unto us the comfortable Use and Benefit thereof by Faith upon such excellent Divine antient most sure Foundations as those before set down and also by holy Scriptures so explained and carried on to those intents in the said times and that the said blessed Resurrection should be the inlet to all former Saints to those happy enjoyments then for their Souls and Bodies in such a blessed Communion many wayes as the said Saints shall then attain unto The abundant strong evidence whereof is not only sufficient if duly weighed to stop the Mouths of gainsayers but to convince all soundly rational men that Gods great Provision for the marriage of the Bride and the Lamb at the time so by his word declared and published will not be in vain and lost for God is not like men to change or be deceived in or frustrated of his end But what Thankfulness in these respects do all such true Christians owe to the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that from all such said Foundations he hath wrought Faith in their Souls to foresee with faithful Abraham Christs day to come by Faith and receive such comfort in so happy news of such manifold approaching mercy wherein they have such particular interest and concernment and all this so strongly founded upon evidences throughout the whole Scripture so clearly explained by Christ and by the Holy Spirit to be words faithful and true three times over and delivered for their use by his Servant John Besides the many renewed particular promises since set down with sundry explications of them both in Old and New Testament which do evidently lead us to the use and benefit of this said divine Key so given by Christ Jesus to his Church for such excellent purposes how should the approaching reign of Christ with his said Sts. in the world in that time of the new Heavens and new Earth fill such beleiving Christians Souls with praise thanksgiving when a double advantage will redound unto them first that the great last Enemies of Christ and his Church will be removed and taken away that so long have obstructed her joy and peace but that the Church of Christ shall also enjoy the end of her hope from all the said Foundations and promised Mercies then to be performed in the foresaid state to be upon the said blessed first Resurrection of the said Saints And what stronger evidence than from that first most large comprehensive Foundation given by God himself Gen 3.15 which about 3000 years after had such a particular explication of Christs carrying on the same upon his Ascention after his actual laying the Foundation of his Churches Redemption by his sufferings at his first coming which should so eminently be carried on by making his Foes his Footstool at his second when he shall come from the right hand of the Father to judge the quick and the dead at the same time of his appearance and Kingdom according to that antient divine Oracle so often repeated illustrated and explained in the New Testament The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right Hand till I make thy Foes thy Footstool Psal 110.1 viz. at that said time as many Scriptures teach 2 Thess 2.8 2 Tim. 4.1 Rev. 19. also consider Ezek. 38. and 39. Dan. 11.45 of the Turk with many others both respecting the ruine of Pope and Turk the first Gog and Magog before the said thousand
Creatures upon the Earth to make them fruitful Gen. 8 9. whereby the world continues with its fruitfulness ever fince by Seed time and harvest as the great Stage for all Gods future actings in Mercies or Judgements which his word testifieth have cheifly their fulfillings in the said 1000 years after which time it must continue the little space of Satans loosing And as the world will so long be the Stage for such actings of God until the New Heavens and the New Earth shall cease so its fruitfulness was to be the accommodation for all such purposes but especially the Earth in those times must power out its plenty in abundance for the Churches-accommodation in that State then saith the 67th Psal The Earth shall yeild her increase of those times c. so Joel 3.18 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Mountains shall drop down with new Wine and the Hills shall flow with Milk see more in our Key of Noahs Covenant And as the Saints grace and Gods goodness in the Earths fruitfulness will be inlarged after it s so many thousand years bearing Fruit before so it will be much more fruitful in those last times of its being yet in its renewed condition whence also the praises of the Saints will be inlarged and their rejoycings also in such fulfillings of such promised Mercies c. 3. For his prophesie when aftor the sin of that cursed Cham occasioned by the hainous offence of his Father Noah for the best Saints have need of their Saviour yet when he through grace was awakened by Repentance from his drunkenness God manifests his grace by him in a like wonderful manner not only to Shem at present entitling him to himself to be the Lord his God But also foreshews his purposed mercy to come to the Gentiles the posterity of Japhet and accordingly his word gives witness to a twofold call which they were after to have to dwell in the Tents of Shem as Gen. 9.27 the first was foretold by Hos ch 1.10.23 and applied by the Apostle Paul Rom. 9.25 26. upon the rejection of the Jews after Christs first coming Acts. 13. which was the riches of the Gentiles saith the same Apostle ch 11. which time of grace continues to the Gentiles to Christs 2 d coming when upon the great Restauration of the Jews and Israelites the Gentiles will have their 2 d call when their great fulness will come in which was foretold also by Moses in his excellent song for pesterity Deut. 32.43 Rejoyce ye Gentiles with his people applyed also by the same Apostle Rom. 15. when Christ being the Minister of Circumsion as he there stiles him v. 8. for the truth of God to confirm the Promises made unto the fore fathers as he there plainly tells us with several other Prophesies there which shall also be thenfulfilled in the said 1000 years And will not the Saints then be greatly affected in seeing the accomplishment of such a mercy and greatly praise God for it when his glorious grace will shine out so abundantly to them therein c. In the third Millen or 1000 Years WHen Lot about the year of the world 2440. had upon worldly allurements chosen Sodom and after thereupon was captivated by his Enemies but delivered by faithful Abraham God sent Melchiscdeck to bless him who had the Promises as a Type of Christs prevailing perpetual Priesthoed to be of his order to whom he then paid Tythes of all as the payment of all due honor will be rendred unto Christ by all his Saints in the said 100 years and by all Creatures also Rev 5. but especially by all those whose great High Priest he shall then appear to be and probably will by a presential intercession appear to be then for such as shall be in the natural life viz. a Priest upon the Throne as Zach. 6.13 and also the raised Saints security then and for ever And as this Melchisedeck Priest of the most high God was also King of Salem so also Christ will then be the great King of the New Jerusalem Mat. 5.35 all the said 1000 years And as Abraham was blessed by Melchisedeck after the slaughter of those Kings so Abraham and his faithful Seed will appear really blessed when Christ maketh his own and their Enemies his footstool so the Saints will then find the mercies derived to them from many currents of long conveyances and still more matter to them of praise and rejoycing c. When Abraham that righteous man as by Esay he is called was sent on his foot by Gods Divine Call Gen. 12. about the year of the World 2460. God was gracioufly pleased to make free Promises and Covenants seven distinct times to and with Abrahans as they are particularly set down in our Key and after him to Isaack and Jacob successively to give the Promised Land of Canaan personally to themselves which Promise the Apostle declares Heb. 11. they saw a far off by Faith and died not having received the same wherefore as he also shewed they did not in their lives seek to possess it but as men expecting to have the said Promise of God made good unto themselves at the Resurrection of the just they bought burying places there to have their bodies interred as also Josephs bones after were untill they should all rise again then to possess it in the renewed state thereof for they looked for an heavenly countrey such as then that state will be excellently fitted then by God for that their condition At first also the said Promise was made to all Abrahams Seed natural and spiritual through that one Divine feed Christ as the Apostle teacheth to spring in time from Abrahams Loins according to the flesh Gal. 3.16 by whom also all the spitual seed by faith should obtain their lot in that blessed state by Promise v. 29. concerning which two sorts the Scripture sets forth many differences The natural Seed was to inherit the Promised Land after Abrahams Isaacks and Jacobs death 430 years after the Promise was first made but the spiritual will be joint heirs not only with Abraham but also with Christ in the said renewed state when he shall sit upon his own Throne as the Son of David The former were to be in Bondage long after the Promise the spiritual are made free indeed by Christ the Son of God so soon as they are made the Sons of God by Adoption and Grace besides what will after appear they shall be when Christ shall appear 1 Joh. 3.2 The former were compared to the dust of the earth for multitude Gen. 13.16 but the spiritual Seed was compared to the Stars of Heaven not only for multitude but excellency Gen. 15.5 explained by the Apostle Pom. 4.17 18. and Gal. 3. the whole Chapter The natural Seed entered into a Covenant with God in their own strength and brake it but as for the other God makes a new Covenant with them and undertakes the keeping
thereof by them that they shall not depart from him The natural were delivered from an outward bondage which they were many ways liable to fall under again the other are not liable to be enslaved again by their spiritual enemies the natural for their provocations wandered in a worldly Wilderness long before they obtained the promised land The other are in a spiritual Wilderness amongst such sinners by whom they are persecuted for well doing The natural had miraculous provision made for their bodies yet through unbelief that Generation came short and they died in the Wilderness but the spiritual are fed by the Sackcloth witnesses who are appointed to feed the womans Seed in her wilderness condition the natural were brought into the land of Canaan long after Abraham by Joshua the Son of Nun The spiritual will be brought into its said renewed state by the Antitype of Joshua the true Jesus and their great Messiah at his second coming The natural seed had a rest that was afterward polluted by their sin and therefore God foretold them that rest should cast them out with a sore destruction Mich. 2.10 as after it did but the spiritual shall be brought into that rest that remains for the people of God viz. the Sabbatism of the worlds continuance when Christs rest there will be glorious all the said time and when God will set to his hand the second time to recover his people Isa 11.10 c. with many illustrations there and else where declared for the natural a Jerusalem and Pemple were built by men for typical worship the spiritual shall have a New Jerusalem whose maker and builder is God where the Lamb will be the Temple of it for the sin of the natural seed the Heathens entered and defiled the typical Temple but no Canauite shall come into the New or any unclean thing enter into it And though the last Gog and Magog will wickedly when Satan is loosed at the end of the 1000 years attempt to besiedge both the Holy City and the Camp of the Saints yet they shall be destroyed by fire from God out of Heaven in that attempt which will bring on the utter destruction of them all By these and the like differences may be discerned that what the natural Seed obtained were but dark shadows of those excellencies which the spiritual Seed by Faith shall inherit in that world to come as the Children of Abraham for as the Apostle Paul ye are all heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 viz. of the land of Canaan renewed or in the New Jerusalem state to come in the world which will be perfected in eternal blessedness in Heaven And therefore God made it his memorial through all generations that he was the God of Abraham Isaack and Jacob in giving them personally that promised land in the said renewed state thereof and to all their spiritual seed circumcised and uncircumcised to inherit then the same together with them which Mr. Mede manifests to be the scope of our Saviours Argument against the Saduces Mat. 22.32 viz that since he was the God of the living they shall live again to inherit that promised land and I doubt not but that these Divine Mysteries will then be found real verities and how will the hearts of all those Saints then be inlarged from the said Covenants and Promises accomplished to them with praises and rejoycings upon that account also c. Here also may be added Baalams Parable put into his mouth by God when be was hired by Balack King of Moah to Curse Israel by turning his intended Curs into an eminent 〈…〉 foretelling of 〈…〉 of which 〈…〉 but a shadow 〈…〉 away as was 〈…〉 â—â—mb 24.7 8 9. and v. 17. 〈◊〉 the Star out of Jacoh and Scepter out of Israel that shall smite the corners of Moab and destroy all the Children of Seth v. 18 19. and out of Jacob shall come he that shall have the Dominion and v. 24. she shews that the Ships of Chit tim the Roman Navy Dan. 11.40 c. should afflict Ashur and Eber being the Jews last oppressor should perish for ever or go into perdition as Rev. 17. which will be fulfilled at Christs appearance in destroying that man of Sin when that evil Dominion shall cease in the world Much more might be here added of Christs unwalling the Children of Seth as a prevailing King when he shall be the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 and be that Star out of Jacob and have the Dominion v. 17.19 which will be eminently verified in his said 1000 years Reign with his Saints with other matters agreeing to the Judgement of Jewish Rabbies and pious Christians respecting the same but I study brevity c. This may suffice Now can we think that when the living and raised Saints shall in the said state see these things fulfilled from such complicated evidences happily derived unto them that they will not make suitable returns to God for such in-comes of his ancient declared goodness c. Moses also appears in his blessing of Judah Deut. 33.7 to be directed by the Spirit of God cheifly to respect Christ at that time when God will bring him to his People to convert them about his great appearance approaching and that his hands shall be sufficient for him then to be the Lord mighty in Battel Psal 24. with many other expressions elsewhere and that God would be an help to him against his Enemies as Deut. 33.7 though some gradually applications hereof have in some sort been not unfitly made yet the cheif appearance according to the tenour of Scripture to be when he shall eminently make his Foes his Footstool Psal 110.1 v. 5 6 7. subduing the Potentates of the Earth then found to oppose him and especially that head over diverse Countries for the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is singular not heads but head fitly expounded to be the Pope who assumes himself an universal headship over divers Countries So that hence it may be more and more manifest that all such ancient predictions till Davids Kingdom and his sure mercies in reference to Christs said Kingdom all not onely refer to that time and State but then shall have their cheif fulfillings when Christ shall then come to raign his and their Enemies and reward his faithful Servants Rev. 11.9 and 22.12 Come we now to consider that which appears to be the last anciently revealed or contented mercy of this nature wherein all Saints then shall be intercessed and cheifly bears the Title of the Kingdom of Christ For in the New Jerusalem they shall be intercessed as the faithful Spiritual Seed of Abraham but in their Reign with Christ as the meek and upright spiritual Children of David whose Soul was as a weaned Child Psal 131. And such then shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in the abundance of Peace Psal 37.11 which yet they have not obtained but shall saith our Saviour Math. 5.5 having in that
seven eyes denoting his perfect Power and Wisdom to fulfil the same ch 5. in their due order of accomplishment for the time to come to the end of this book namely the things that shall be hereafter for we speak only here of the third head of Johns Writings ch 1.19 to wit such as began above 1600 years past and now appear to be almost fulfilled to a very little space to the end of ch 19. But the 20th ch with the two following ch are as we have many ways sufficiently proved and doubt not by the same Divine Assistance farther to manifest that they are the same Holy mans Writings of that most excellent part of the same Divine Revelation for the time to come respecting the happy estate of that world that the Children of the Resurrection namely of this first Resurrection shall be counted worthy to obtain as our Saviour himself Divinely taught Luke 20.35 36. and in this Revelation he teacheth by his Servant John what that World and Resur are and in what order they should have their being and it is observable that as there is in the Text a remarkable emphasis in the Greek by the emphatical Article there doubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Resurrection even that first Resurrection So our Saviours expressions in Luke 20. of the same matter are suitable to this Text with its dependency both of that World then to begin called the World to come Heb. 2.5 and also of the same Resurrection and of the Saints themselves and of their being counted worthy of that World setting them all four down 1. By way of Doctrine and then again makes the same thing known by Revelation to his Servant John in respect of the time and order of fulfilling in this ch which he had before taught and made known by way of Doctrine while he lived on earth 1. Saith he the Children of that World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this present world where the Children of it are Married c. but not so in the other where the Children of the Resurrection shall be which here also he teacheth shall be when he destroys Antichrist the Beast and false Prophet and binds the Devil for 1000 years ch 19 20. that is that World which will then begin 2. It is the same Resurrection spoken of here emphatically even that which our Saviour expresseth there by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Rising from amongst such dead bodies as then shall be left behind being the same the Apostle strived to attain which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 3.11 a Rising out of the heap of the Dead of which more afterwards and speaks of it as a peculiar thing belonging to such as rise out of such heaps 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle of such Saints before dead by the genitive possessive as if the Holy Ghost would inform us further it is the Resurrection only of such dead Persons to whom an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly belongs viz. a Rising out of the heaps of the dead left behind 3. Of the Saints themselves that are to Rise then they are divers ways illustrated there by Christ 1. by what they are reckoned or counted worthy of aforehand 2. By what they are stiled by our Saviour in two expressions For the former the word is very remarkable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are such as are counted worthy of that World the word is a decompound denoting them to be counted worthy as being Enrolled in antient Record for it viz. in the Lambs Book of Life and that they are consequently to obtain that World as upon Record for it the words seem very forcible in their decyphering of the Saints blessed estate then by them to be obtained so here blessed and holy are they that have part c. v. 6. Again our Saviour there gave them a twofold excellent stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Children of Gods and the Children of the Resurrection so here they are the Spouse the Lambs wife being the Children of God ch 19. 21. and this blessed Resurrection we speak of is proper only to the Saints those blessed Persons then 4. Christ sets forth a twofold excellency of that estate of the Saints they are immortal they can die no more so here on such the second death shall have no power yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are like the Angels of God in Heaven not only privatively that they need not outward worldly helps to sustain them c. or not liable to suffering but as here blessed and holy as the Angels of God in Heaven and thus Christ by his spirit guided the Apostle John to set forth a practical Comment in this Divine Revelation of his former Heavenly Doctrine Luke 20. so agreeable is all Divine Truth in what the Holy Spirit speaks any way of the same thing To like purpose when our Saviour speaks of this first Resurrection in the Text he expresseth it by these words Joh. 5.29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall come forth to the Resurrection of life they shall come out from the rest of the dead they shall come into the Resurrection of life which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Resurrection of the Just Luke 14.14 that is theirs properly and peculiarly belonging to them as before they are the Synonomous Expressions of the Holy Ghost so exact is all Divine Truth delivered by him if we consider it aright as we see all these expressions suit admirably with the text in its expressions dependency Now come we to the thing decyphered out by Christ 1. It is called a Resurrection 2. The First Resurrection 3. Demonstratively and Emphatically set down by this Resurrection we have shewed it to be properly the bodily Resurrection which is only properly so called in Scripture Regeneration as some would have it is improperly so taken only by a Metaphor neither is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Text of Mat. 19.28 to be understood of Regeneration but as learned Beza notes in five Copies it is distinguished in the Original from the preceding words you that have followed me denoting that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there was the New Genesis or Christs making all things New then as Rev. 21.5 when he the Son of Man sits upon his Throne that the Disciples that followed him shall then sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel or as it is remarkably explained Luke 22.29 30. ye are they that have continued with me in my tentations I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me c. and yet if it could have been proved to be meant of Regeneration yet so it is a Resurrection only Metaphorical not Proper which is only bodily at that first and also is peculiar to the Saints at that time only 2. It is called the first Resurrection in opposition to the other to distinguish it from that following for
the rest of the dead 1000 years after being both to be raised bodily in their due order and time both properly so called and to be actually performed by Christ in their appointed times to raise both sorts first the said Saints bodies at the first and the bodies of the rest of the dead 1000 years after viz. such as died in the said 1000 years and all the wicked at the last Trump 3. Now for farther resolution what the Demonstrative Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points out to us that as we before noted in revealing the order of that matter to be fulfilled he shews here that unto the ruin of the Beast and false Prophet succeeds the Rising of suffering Saints for Christ and his Word in that New World as he explains ch 21 5. when in that Jerusalem State he makes all things New they shall Rise to Reign with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom which hath long been Entailed upon him as we shewed in our Systeme and he went upon his Ascention to Heaven to receive it and at his Return shall possess it as Dan. 7.13 14. and wherein the said Saints shall Reign with him the said 1000 years and this is exactly set forth to be contemporary with Satans binding the said 1000 years and the times of both are so interwoven and linked together to make the said Revelation of both more evident and yet he Reveals farther v. 3. that Satan must after the 1000 years be loosed again for a little Season who in the same order will be loosed as v. 7 8 c Now in reference to the Saints St. John saw Thrones and they sate upon them for to them the Army of Heaven ch 19. in white the relative expression evidently relates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the souls of them that were beheaded which were twice described in ch 19.1 the As Bride or Wife of the Lamb v. 7.2 As of the Armies in Heaven in white Linnen white and clean after set forth by the New Jerusalem Inhabitants metonimically ch 21.9 which are those that sate on the Thrones the same Thrones in Dan. 7. which he saw set because of the great words the Horne spake v. 11. which were pitched or set as the Caldee word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies or lifted up as Arias Montanus renders it till the Beast was slain and his body given to the burning flame v. 9 11. and for whom were the Thrones set but for the Saints at the time Christ came in the Clouds of Heaven and received his universal Kingdom over all Nations under the whole Heaven often mentioned in the Gospel and v. 18. the Saints took the Kingdom then and possessed it and again v. 22. Judgment that is Potestas judicandi the power of Judging was given to the Saints of the same our Saviour tells his Disciples they shall sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel which is the same time and thing revealed in this place but here two things farther are explained by our Saviour then were seen there by Dan. First the suffering but then raised Sts. shall then have the said Kingdom power 2. That they shall have it with Christ 1000 years these are his farther Revelations here of these things namely upon the destruction of the Beast the Saints that suffered under him are raised bodily c. and power of judging is given to them and they reign with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom 1000 years and if our Systeme of Promised Mercies be considered well with its Scripture grounds none of this will seem strange c. And though some make a stir upon that the Souls were said to live we there shewed in Scripture Ideom souls were put for persons Gen. 40.20 Psal 16.10 Luke 12.19 besides how they were represented to the Holy Man in Vision as souls in taking their bodies is also considerable for such expressions at that time a like description he had Rev. 7.14 where they are said to be arrayed in white Robes so ch 6.11 and farther saith Mr. Mede Animae in sacris literis non tantum personâ—â— sed cadavera denotant Souls in Scripture are not only put for Persons but for dead bodies So Lev. 19.21 Ye shall make no cuttings in your flesh for the dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word ordinarily signifies the soul but fitly here translated for the dead the like ch 21.1 none of Aarons sons must be defiled for the dead among his people the word used for the soul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but here for a dead body But above all we may from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Souls here take notice of the exact agreement of the expressions of the Holy Ghost here and in ch 6.9 10. of the same persons first of those that had suffered before under the Dragon called souls here and others that were after to suffer under the Beast there stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their fellow servants and Brethren and here speaking of them both as rewarded the first he stiles souls for they we seperated souls then when there they were said to cry to God under the Altar as being before sacrificed for Vengeance where by the way let us take notice how that suited to Moses's Prophesie Deut. 32.41 I will render Vengeance c. and v. 42. from the beginning of Revenges upon the Enemie viz. Antichrist here destroyed Rev. 19.11 to the end who before hindred the joyful Union of Jews and Gentiles as in the very next words follows Deut. 32.43 and the beginning of revenges seems to be the doubling double unto Babylon her cup of wrath before Rev. 18.6 as also Daniel saw in his Vision ch 7. and so such antient Prophesie will be fulfilled and the same cry of the Martyrs will blood be particularly answered from under the Altar which are the same souls which John here saw in Vision so rewarded as to live to reign with Christ the said 1000 years when the body of the Beast as Daniel speaks was given to the burning flame and to these said souls the emphatical expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those souls of those men before beheaded have particular reference but then the Holy Ghost speaks as distinctly of the other by the cause of their suffering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. and those that worshipped not the Beast nor his Image c. in the masculine gender being their fellow servants and Brethren afterwards then to be killed and these also are here in the same manner rewarded as Rev. 11.19 Thou hast rewarded thy Servants the Prophets and thy Saints c. and all shortly to be fulfilled at Christs appearance And by these things we may again observe the special Divine Excellency and exact suitableness both of the words and things contained in this sacred book And now in this juncture of time it is a thing very desirable for many good reasons as much conducing to the honour of Christ and the benefit of the Bride his
the time and place of their being in the World in a very excellent and glorious manner which all the said antient Promises and Covenants have their special and cheif reference very evidently unto and what can be more done but to work upon mens minds and Spirits due apprehensions of these things and of the nearness of their approach with true Faith to believe these things as revealed in the Gospel as well as other parts thereof That so God and Christ may have their due praise and glory in respect thereof and his faithful Servants may have the happiness belonging thereunto Now as all rational men that are of a sound mind when they read the Story of the Creation of the World how God had made the Fabrick of the World and all Creatures first will acknowledge there was great divine Wisdom and Goodness manifest in putting man into the possession thereof who was made capable to discern and partake thereof and to display the divine wisdom and goodness of God therein whilest he enjoyed the benefit of the same which should have been his Sabboths work had he continued in that condition So when men but of ingenious tempers shall come to understand that God promised since mans fall not onely a deliverance from that sad condition by the promised Seed of the Woman and shews by degrees how it should be carried on and accomplished and reveals from time to time from that Foundation particular mercies for the advantage and good of all men in the Old and New World and these Mercies and Covenants have several respects to men present and future as in a natural Life or Spiritual Estate and by his holy Spirit instructs his Servants more and more rightly to know them and the Son of God the wisdom of the Father in a wonderful divinely Mysterious way sets them forth so as the divine Excellency falls in with the blessed Revelation thereof What can ingenious Spirits do less but acknowledge as these manifestations of Gods divine grace and goodness in disclosing of them and of his Faithfulness and Truth in their gradual actual fulfillings But how then are beleiving Christians ingaged also by the word to beleive these upon the aforesaid divine Foundations and especially since they respect such a state as Christ hath set forth is shortly approaching and all faithful Souls and Persons are therein greatly concerned yea Angels men and all Creatures are interessed therein as holy Scripture therein declares and how fitly will a Sabbatism of rest after Christs finishing the great work of his Restitution of all things and his making of all things new succeed to be celebrated to his glory by his Saints in the World who by being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man in one person hath so restored all and being the Son of David according the Flesh shall have the sure mercies of God long since promised to David by the enjoyment of his said Davidical Kingdom many wayes in the word of God secured to him in the said thousand years with all the said Saints in the Restitution of all things these are no slight matters though much over looked by men We shall now a little touch upon the particulars in our said Systeme of Gods Oeconomy or ordering his houshold the Church in regard of his mercies so made known and so in the said thousand years to be fulfilled for his Saints first in removing or destroying all their Enemies and doing for them all revealed or promised good either first as faithful men from Adam or as Gentiles from Japhet as Jews and Israelites from Abraham Isaac and Jacob as men after Gods own heart meek and holy c as David as faithful Servants and the Overcomers of the Lamb Jesus Christ as Christian Martyrs to Reign with him then and to enjoy the New Jerusalem state First at the beginning of the said State in the eminent breaking of the Serpents Satans head as revealed to Adam and Eve he will when he comes from the right hand of the Father eminently make his foes his foot-stool when he will put down all Rule all Authority and Power that stand in opposition to him 1 Cor. 15.24 at his second coming and perfect it after the end of the 1000 years as we shewed and how will he thereby be gloryfied and how will his Saints rejoyce at this as was said at Babylons destruction Rev. 18.20 Rejoyce over her thou Heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets c. So likewise much more then when root and branch and the whole body of the Beast will be given to the burning flame Dan. 7.11 at the beginning also when after the end of the said 100 years the last Geg Mogog shall be consumed by fire from God out of Heaven Rev. 20.9 But how much more when the Saints then shall clearly discern that the Divine promised Seed of the Woman hath not only subdued the enemies but by all his Offices hath purchased and procured so great good as will both then be enjoyed by them and also provided for them to all eternity ensuing And not here to insist on what was said of Enoch or his Prophesie Jude 13.14 to encourage men in good in the world by his translation upon his walking with God c. or to warn them against evil by his foreshewing the Judgment at the said times to be after manifested concurring with the former Gen. 3.15 therein as the sacred truth informs us We shall in the next place offer the consideration of Noah a worker of righteousness in a three fold respect 1. as a Type of Christ 2. Of the Covenant of God made with him for the New World 3. Of his Prophesie 1. He saved his Family in the Ark as Christ doth his Household the Church and will be his peoples true Ark to save them at the partial or total Consumption of the World by Fire at the beginning and after the end of the said 1000 years of which the Saints will then have blessed experience in both respects And 2dly As the Saints will know that the World according to Gods free Covenant with Noah Gen. 8. 9. was many thousand years preserved till then 〈◊〉 that the most abundant fruitfulness of the earth was in wonderful manner according to Gods Word reserved for that state and time in the enjoyment or sight whereof all the said Saints will pay their due Tribute of Praise and Thanksgiving wherefore they must then live to do it But 3dly and more especially when according to Noahs Prophesie of Japhets Posterity the Gentiles that they should dwell in the Tents of Shem though strangers before should become the people of God which the Scriptures witness they have once fulfilled already to them whereof at this day we have cause to rejoyce and bless Gods holy Name for the same ever since the Jews were rejected But we and all Saints hereafter will have cause more abundantly to rejoyce and praise his Name in those times to
capacity to be rendered to God the Father to the Lamb that was slain and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever And Fourthly We have by sundry Texts in Old and New Testament set forth a wonderful accord and agreement of them with this said Revelation which gives light to them all and which could not otherwise have been known as was said by Angels or Men. And now I hope as Creation Atheists as we may fitly call them are generally exploded by all sober and prudent persons who have unreasonably fancied that Atoms so fell in one with another to make up all things at first in the world So allpious Christians will more and more judge them in some fort to be counted Creature-Redemption-Infidels at that time or denyers of the Restitution of all things that should prophanely assert after so abundant evidence that those and all parts of Holy Scripture respecting these Truths fell onely in by the Fancies of the Pen-men of them in all parts thereof that Christs opening thusall such divine Mysteries is but a mere Chymera and Phantastical Fiction Of which dangerous Error let all Slighters and Opposers of these divine Mysteries beware of being found guilty at Christs appearance now near approaching for it is strange in this Case to consider what a bold licentiousness of speaking some men have dared to venture upon even to amazement now in such times of Light c. Some such Objections we have already answered which fell in our way and should here answer many more if many had not in our former parcels been answered before and also by many others of late times as we shewed particularly in the everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15 pag. 19. is to be seen But one thing we shall here by way of prevention resolve by Divine affistance Least some subtil Questionist rather to obstruct these Doctrines then to disprove them should demand of us in the Case what special words of direction have we for such use of the said Key whereupon such weight and stresse is laid We might briefly answer the whole stress is not laid thereon for before we had so well observed and considered the use thereof by the order of accomplishment of matters in the Book of Revalation which is of exceeding great use with the three others we touched in our Preface viz. the Subject Nature and Scope of the Book I say we had observed thirty six particulars before respecting those times and things but since upon the exactness of that Chap. respecting such a change in the World relating to the ancient Prophets whereby all circumstances are so set forth and the sacred Scriptures before had brought things to such an height of suitableness by searching through Gods goodness we found that which we hope we shall never lose again that the 20. Chap. of Rev. c. is the great Key of most ancient Prophesie And as the whole Scripture is the interest of all and every Saint and what ever benefit or comfort is therein already revealed or hereafter shall be revealed belongs to them all as such So more especially those Scripture Foundations which concern so great a Joynt interest of all such said Saints together are therefore more highly to be regarded such as those are which this Key evidently upon Warrant from the word as in good measure we have shewed so evidently relates unto If a Father give his only beloved Son all his Estate and House and Goods and Treasures contained therein though the Heir in his Nonage knew little of his Fathers possessions yet when he is pleased to shew him some of his most pretious Jewels though he still reserves them yet the Son knows those particularly shall be his but yet when the Father sets down a time of sure enjoyment of them if the Fathers security be good the Son onely waites for the appointed time Now all Gods adopted Children though but adopted by him with Christ to be his Sons are both Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom yea then with him will be Heirs of all things Rev. 21.7 All having therein one and the same interest of which Christ hath set a time for the enjoyment and which will not fail them And let such a Questionist know that when God hath once laid the Foundation of such antient pretious mercies the gradual Revelation of them is onely according to his own good pleasure and as in his infinite wisdom and mercy to his People he sees good It was so in his first laying the great Corner Stone in his House Jesus Christ at his first coming it hath been so in respect of all his Offices and all his Benefits held forth by the Gospel But most of all in those matters respecting both the Mysteries of his Spiritual Kingdom till Christs 2d coming and also those Mystiries of his visible glorious Davidical Kingdom with all the excellencies of that state both of which are the Contents of this Book and in all Gods three chief Chronologers Moses Daniel and the beloved John their Chronicles are both of large extent of time as in Chap. 7. of our Irenic is manifest and mysterious and to be considered as such But above all the Divine Excellencies of this Book which is the Revelation of both the other Chronicles as we have shewed are many ways wonderful yet full of Divine sweetness to such of his as Christ is pleased to open such Treasures unto shortly from hence to be enjoyed by them but yet more particulary as to this Divine Key we are now speaking of it is made most fit to open the Lock which may largely appear by the Work in it and the Wards fitted for it if we consider them particularly The mutual suitableness of them both evidently appears by The Picture of the Divine Key here ensuing 1. In Predictions 1. IF we respect the Enemies or their Removal Ruine and Judgment as Gen. 3.15 and when Psal 110. 1. and Enoch's Vision of their Judgement Jud. 13.14 both in the said first and second acts of Judgment c. 2. If we have respect to the Spiritual Seed of Adam and Eve or the Spiritual Seed of the Divine Promised Seed of the Woman Esa 53. for whom a Paradise is to be procured by Christ and restored to them at the Restitution of all things c. 3. If we look at Noahs Covenant for the Earths Preservation and Fruitfulness 4. If we respect Shems Blessing derived to his Spiritual Race Abraham Isaack and Jacob c. with all the Repeated and Enlarged Promises of Canaan to their Spiritual Seed Christ to inherit the same through that one Divine Seed Christ of their Lineage after to come according to the Flesh 5. Or to such of Ahrahams Isaacks and Jacobs Posterity to be then in the natural Life to whom many great Promises are then to be performed and to the Gentiles likewise of Japhets Race then at their second Call to be United in one Fold with that people of God
I conceive spoken sufficiently to this purpose before I shall therefore here adde no more Now for Application We shall onely endeavour to give some breif hints thereof referring their inlargements to future opportunity if God be pleased to afford it for I cannot speak largby the Press c. 1. Vse of Inform. This may inform all Preachers of the Gospel and all wise and faithful Christians that desire to be well and surely guided in these great things of God respecting the said first Resurrection of what concernment it is to labour well to understand First the curious work of this Key given by Jesus Christ since he ascended unto the Father And Secondly the right Use and Improvement of it The curious work in it is that it is Divinely fitted for all ancient Prophesie and indeed for all Prophesie respecting the general good of Gods faithful Servants throughout all the Bible and of all times throughout the being of the World all setting forth the necessity of the Saints said Resurrection so revealed by our Saviour as we shewed c. And the excellent Improvement and Use thereof is to shew their special and peculiar interest as well as the general in all the revealed promised Mercies and Covenants in the whole Book of God viz. How or under what capacity any such special Mercy is derived to them and made effectual to their Souls in such or such a Dispensation of Grace to them particularly which hath not efficatiously reached to many others at least as yet but in Charity and thankfulness to endeavour truely that it may do so also if it may be and according to their understanding well the curious work of the said Key and the due improvement thereof All judicious Christians may find from thence an excellent sure guidance I say again an excellent sure guidance by divine assistance to judge of the true intent and meaning of all Prophetick Scripture all hangs upon that one Hindge of such said breaking the Serpent Satan head viz. both his head of Craft and Dominion and all drive to the same end of Restauration of men and Creatures in the World as in the several branches of such revealed Mercies may appear if they be rightly considered and all to be accomplished by the said promised Seed within the time of his Mediatorship Before those things shall be enjoyed that Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard nor entered into the Heart of man to conceive which will be in the highest Heavens afterwards Whereas these mercies in the interim will be much of another nature whilest Christ is redeeming and restoring Men and other Creatures from the bondage of Corruption unto that glorious liberty of the Sons of God And though there be many particular and special Prophesies many times yet they are in their drift and subserviency to be reduced thereunto and therefore the allegorizing of any sorts of Prophesies that have a direct tendencie to any branch of such reavealed ancient Promises and Covenants must needs be erroneous upon whatsoever fair pretenses such sense or senses are put upon them by any man or men whatsoever And therefore if we look unto what God declared in general to Adam and Eve and for their Spiritual off-Spring through Christ that said Divine Seed of the Woman about 4000 years after to come in the Flesh Both in respect of the evil to be removed and the good to be obtained answerable to those divers times and divers ways after declared Mercies acording to the good pleasure of God to the fore Fathers Or consider aright the Covenant which God made with Noah that Type of Christ for the preservation of the renewed Earth as the Stage whereupon God would act in all future Mercies to be known and performed in their due time and order to the end of the World and thereupon the Mercies then to his people were said to be as the Waters of Noah unto God himself that was sure and infallible and by that Covenant both all Creatures with men have their usual preservation and Provision by Seed time and Harvest c. and their greatest fruitfulness is especially reserved for those last times when the Serpents head shall be broken both eminently at Christs coming from the right hand of the Father at the begining or when his shall sully destroy all his Churches Enemies with death the last after the said thousand years Or consider the blessings of Shem and his Race to Abraham and thence especially to all Israel the twelve Tribes and so in Christs lineage and forward or the Predictions of the Calls of Japhets posterity the Gentiles since by holy Scripture explained and applied Or as Jews and Gentiles both united under that one King Christ Jesus which is that Son of David that shall sit on Davids Throne so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure according to Davids sure mercies promised respecting his said Kingdom and all other Saints interest therein through Christ for to them also belongs the sure Mercies of David Esa 55.3 whereby they are also secured for Eternity for such shall not be hurt by the second death as rise then to Reign with Christ in that Kingdom which onely will continue to the finishing of his Mediatorship but then is by him to be given up to the Father 1 Cor. 15. And is that that must be during the Worlds continuance as appears by our fifteen Reasons in the New Jerusalem pag. 9 10. when under him the said Saints glorious King Head and Husband who prayed in that sence before his death that they should be so made perfect in one as his Bride or mystical Body and willed they should behold his glory then Joh. 17.21 23 24. when there will 〈…〉 very gracious and happy performance of all such promised mercies in the 〈…〉 to the capacity of the Persons or Creatures that are to be so blened preserved or restored So that they attend to this Issue that Christ may be manifest in the world before all sorts of Creatures to be as perfect yea a much more perfect yea an infinitely more perfect Restorer and Redeemer than the Devil was or could be a dessolator and destroyer as all those said predictions in their several times and kinds with their subsequent Scripture Confirmations and explication sufficiently restifie being all opened by and accommodated unto this Divine Key of the Son of God the Wisdom of the Father by whom the worlds were made viz. the Old World the New world and the World to come shall be Heb. 1.3 with Rev. 21.5 who hath and doth and will till then uphold all things by his Divine Power as well as he hath Redeemed us by his Blood who shall then accordingly inherit all things answerably to this his said threefold right assigned by the Father unto him in his said Kingdom and by him to his suffering Saints Rev. 21.7 in the time of his said Mediatorship or of his Davidical Kindom and said New Jerusalem state upon which accounts the