last times contained in chap. 20. leads us to the end of the thousand years and the finishing of the last Judgment of which the 2 following Chap. are an explication as is usual in that book first to set down things more generally and then more particularly to explain them as also is observable from that former Table of the times chap. 11. which also reacheth to the state of things on earth in the thousand years 3. St. John saw that holy City the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God not ascending thither or being there 4. When that general great rejoycing was at the destruction of the Enemies chap. 19. to ver 9 for these 2 reasons first that the Lord God Omnipotent then Reigned 2ly That the Marriage of the Lamb then was come and that his Wife had made her self ready which is afterwards manifest to be above a thousand years before the last Resurrection and this Wife of the Lamb is after explained to be the New Jerusalem that St. Iohn saw descending out of Heaven from God there called the Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.9 consisting of the blessed Saints then to inhabit it bodily in their order at the first Resurrection which is also in the following part of that chapt so gloriously decyphered and in Chap. 22. to v. 6. therefore it is thence evident that the said Jerusalem the Lambs Wife descended above a thousand years before the last Resurrection and Judgment and therefore all that time not to be in Heaven moreover it is said to be besieged by Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand years as follows in the next reason 5. The same holy City is said to be compassed about by Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand years Rev. 20.9 which could not be done if it was not then in the world and therefore the Vision thereof when it first descended which the Angel that had one of the 7 Vials then shewed to St. Iohn calling it the Bride the Lambs Wife and all the priviledges and excellencies thereof must needs belong to it whilst it is in the world all those many excellent things concerning it chap. 21 22. to v. 6. must needs belong to the state of Christs Church in those times on Earth as after will further appear all tending to set forth that one description of that holy City seen in the same Vision which was before said to be so encompassed with God and Magog with its priviledges and appurtenances as follow in both Chapters 6. It will be in that time when the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of the said New Jerusalem which they will not do in the state of Heavenly perfection when no Nations will be in the world but all Saints will be perfect in one Jo. 17 23. in soul and body and the whole mystical body of Christ shall be completed in the members of it and all received into perfect glory and happiness 7. In the same verse the Kings of the Earth are said to bring their own glory and honour to it and therefore it must be in the time wherein they enjoy such honour and glory upon Earth ver 26. 8. Those Kings are there said also to bring the glory and honour of the Nations unto it in the same verse and therefore it must be in the time wherein such Nations have such Kings and such glory and honour to be brought unto it and these also were foretold Es 60. in many eminent expressions in many perticulars 9 It will be in a time measured by moneths when the Nations will also need healing and therefore the use of the leaves of the Tree of Life in the street of the City that bears fruit every moneth is said to be for the healing of the Nations chap. 22.2 and so before the end of the world c. 10. The Sun Moon and Candle at the same time will be useful to other places in the world when the Lambs supereminent light will so enlighten that holy City that there will be no need of any other Rev. 22 5. and Rev. 21.23 as was also foretold of the same times by the Prophet Esay chap. 24.23 Then shall the Moon be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall Reign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously So also Es 60.19 The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory 11. Upon the coming down of this New Jerusalem the Tabernacle of God is said to be with men and he to dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Rev. 21 3. and was said before in c. 20.4 Christ should reign with his raised Sts. 1000. years and that on earth expresly say the representatives exulting greatly in it Rev. 5.10 12. Some of the former and ensuing promises are applyed by the spirit of God in this Book to the said new Jerusalem state as that of the new Heavens and the new Earth Isa 65.16 so applyed Rev. 21.5 and that the Kings and Nations of the earth shall bring their glory to it in that time Isa 60.11 and so applyed Rev. 21 24 26 c. 13. It is the place where the representatives Rev. 5.10 shall reign with Christ upon earth being that City that God prepared for the faithful Fore-Fathers Heb. 11. the last and all believers since their times to the resurrection of the just wherefore it seems to be of so great largeness as containing 12000. Furlongs which some reckon 500. Leagues and which is most wonderful as our late Annotators observe the height and length and breadth are equal as a perfect Cube who also reckon the Citie described by Ezek. to be so great as containing in compass about it 18000. measures or 4500. on each square Ezek. 48.16 14. The City that Abraham particularly looked for is said to have foundations whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11.10 and such is that that shall then come from God out of Heaven Rev. 21. having 12 foundations v. 14. of which the Psalmist seems prophetically to speak Psal 87.1 his foundation is in the holy Mountain and which Psalm is in many places applicable to those times of the new Jerusalem to come and these foundations may seem to difference it then from that which is now above where are the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. called also Paradise and Abrahams bosom c. that when the Sts. come with Christ at the said Jerusalems coming down from God out of Heaven that their bodies may be raised united to their Souls at the first blessed resurrection such foundations may be suitable to their condition then having their bodies reunited to them and to that estate of the Church in the world described in Rev.
is set forth by Christ to be square and a perfect Cube the height as much as the breadth wâ—th all the excellencies set down by him Rev. 21. 22. It being mysterious we may not be too curious to inquire nor â—ash to determine though such things are there spoken of which are not on the other hand negligently to be overlookt as spoken to mans capacity yet this may be resolved upon That since such persons have then and there such happiness assigned to them God will make it every way suitable to such a condition But yet unto this glorious and happy Mansion which God prepared for that time for the raised Saints as he did wonderfully prepare a body for Christ when he became man even to that glorious Mansion the Scripture shews the Kings and Nations of the earth shall bring their glory and honour as Rev 21.24.26 probably not so much to add to it as to shew their affâ—ction towards it and the Owner of it And such help and comfort they may then bring as may be useful to the Nations that are saved walking in the Light of the new Jerusalem being in their bodies al ve as before to them it is probable there wi l be much good use made of such bounty of Kings and munficence of Princes and others in those times and Christ the great King much honoured by their Oblations c. Wherein it is probable the goodness of God may in such ways appear eminently in those times according to his many Prophesies and Promises to such purposes and the same God that hath appointed an eternity of Happiness hath likewise prepared a suitable happiness in that state for all sorts of his Saints then which experience will manifest though we cannot in all things now be resolved particularly God hath prepared that Jerusalem now above where are the spirits of just men made perfect and God will or hath prepared that City for them and others departed since Christs first to his second coming which shall then come down from him out of Heaven when their Bodies shall be reunited to their souls to remain with Christ in happiness in his Kingdom upon Earth and after that to all Eternity in the highest Heavens Object Another Objection may seem to be taken from Ezek. 16.55 56. c. When I bring again the Captivity of Sodom and her Daughters and the Captivity of Samaria and her Daughters then will I bring again the Captivity of thy Captives in the midst of thee which may seem an utter rejection of that people c. Answ That this Text or any other of the like nature is not to be understood of an utter final rejection of any of them let them be particularly considered First not of Samaria or the Israelites whose chief City it was for that in the appointed time of Gods mercy promised to them shall be again received and owned by him may from many Texts of Holy Scripture appear abundantly for those two Sticks of Israel and Judah shall be again united into one Kingdom as Ez k 37. Then will be fulfilled what the Apostle Paul foretels Rom. 11. that then all Israel shall be saved And secondly Sodom and her Daughters as well as Egypt and Assyria Esa 19.25 when it will be said Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the works of my Hands and Israel mine Inheritance Even Sodom it self may then have a part in that general Mercy at the great Restitution of all things though for its foul-sins now a stinking Lake in the mean time since then Mercy will be extended to all Nations to see the salvation of the God of Israel Esa 52.10 For all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God Therefore also Sodom and her Daughters and appears here so to be understood because joyned with the Israelites as before Egypt and Assyria were Es 19.25 to whom belong the Adoption and the Covenant and the promises as the Apostle Paul teacheth Rom. 9.4 to which purpose also read in this Chapter and consider ver 53 54 compared with and explained by ver 61.63 for as he spake of their return at the same time so toward the end of the Chapt. upon the foundation of his own everlasting Covenant he would give them to her for Daughters and at such a time as not only she should be ashamed for her former miscarriage but when he also would be pacified towards her for all she had done c. And although no mercy was to be expected to the Land of Judea or Jerusalem by their own Covenant which they had broken as is shewed ver 59. thou hast despised the Oath in breaking the Covenant wherefore God denies such mercies to be upon that foundation ver 61. Not saith he by thy Covenant but even upon that takes occasion to renew and confirm his own Covenant and that his everlasting Covenant for the comfort of the faithful then and of all times after to come in a glorious way of free grace formerly set down in the days of her youth and now again in this Chapt. repeated and confirmed as appears manifestly ver 60 61. to the end of the Chapt. in many full and forceable expressions if those verses be duly considered wherein the mercy of God reserved for them against those times is both largely display'd and strongly confirm'd which Covenant is yet also more fully explained and clearly distinguished by the Prophet Jer. 31 31 32 33 c. which likewise the Apostle Paul applyed in a more special manner to that people in his Epistle to the Hebrews though not excluding others Heb. 8. ver 8 9 10 11. according to what he had told the Gentils as a mistery as be calls it 〈◊〉 11.25.26 27. from the words of the Prophet Es 59.20 The 〈…〉 shall come to Sion and to them that turn from transgression in Jacob a like confirmation hereof we have again from the Prophet Ezekiel largely set down chap. 20.37.40 41 42 43 44 c. let all these Texts be serâ—ously considered to this puâ—pose wherein the riches of Gods free grace to that his ancient people after all their so great and so long wanderings from him are so largely displayed Quest But is not that which you call the New Jerusalem upon Earth to be meant of the highest Heavens Answ It is true that many have so understood it but again many othâ—rs that have taken pains in searching the intent of that and othet mystical portions of Scripture have been and are of a different judgment and that for many good and we ghty reasons as these following and the like 1. Because the last part of St. Iohns Prophesie Rev. 12.26 is said to be of things shortly to come to pass namely in their due order in the world and nothing by him there seen in Vision to be extended further then the worlds end when the measure of short or long time will utterly cease c. 2. The last Table of the
21. Moreover Abraham that looked for such a City having foundations is called by the Apostle the heir of the World Rom. 4.12 through the righteousness of Faith by which Faith saith the Apostle he received Isaac from the dead in a figure Heb. 11.19 and accordingly the Apostle seems to apply the divine efficacie of his faith in some resemblance to Gods raising up the dead and calling things that are not as though they were Rom. 4.7 and proceeds to illustrate the power of his faith that neither the deadness of his own body nor the deadness of Sarah's womb did hinder it in believing that he should have that promised Seed and so of the promised inheritance often sworn by God to Abraham Isaac and Jacob Abraham had not of it to set his foot on Acts 7. and that promise was looked for a farr of by him and others Heb. 11.13 and yet believed and embraced by them yea many others set down afterwards which obtained a good report by faith yet saith the Apostle obtained not the accomplishment of the promise v. 39 40. God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect to wit at the said Resurrection from the dead and in the said City which Abraham looked for which hath foundations v. 10. and that City prepared by God himself for the rest of the faithful v. 16. and v. 40 all which seem to point out the New Jerusalem state on earth at Christs second coming with many other great things to be accomplished in those times as we have shewed more particularly in a Tract on Gen. 3.15 and in our 4th Part Obser 31. and well may that condition be called an heavenly Countrey because it will be of an heavenly nature and in an excellent state and condition when there will be indeed an heaven upon earth when Christ will bind Satan and seal him up in the bottomless Pit that he shall not deceive the Nations for that space of a thousand years Rev. 20.3 7. and many wicked men be destroyed from the earth Rev. 11.18 and he will bring all his Saints asleep in him till then with him 1 Thes 4.14 and an innumerable company of Angels to attend upon him Psal 97 and all creatures shall bow the knee Phil. 2. to do him homage which are now in heaven or earth or under the earth whose name is above every name which seems excellently decyphered before us by his own spirit Rev. 5. after he had taken the book from the right hand of him that sat upon the Throne to loose the seals thereof the fulfilling of the contents of which will cause that wonderful praise by the 24 Elders and 4 Beasts or living Wights by Angels and all Creatures from v. 10. to the end and yet of that Countrey saith one it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Countrey where their Fathers dwelt as in many Prophesies and Promises it is stiled c. And the things concerning that State seem therefore to be so strongly and often asserted by the Spirit of God Rev. 19.9 and 21.5 and 22.6 to shew that though many would be backward to believe them yet they should be not certainly fulfilled in the world in due time 15ly It is said to be measured as we have elsewhere noted and likewise many other Prophesies and Promises are applicable from the Old Testament to that said New Jerusalem State as the Spirit of Christ in respect of those forenamed hath directed and which may more largely be observed in our Prodromus Pag. 18 19 20 21. in the letter of Nov. 3 1663. 3ly And so we come to the 3d. way of confirmation of the New Jerusalem to come on earth namely from the Series and Order of the time in Scripture assigned for the setting up thereof in the world to wit upon the destruction of the Beast at Christs 2d coming whom saith the Apostle Christ will destroy with the appearance of his coming 2 Thes 2.8 unto which he also adjoyns his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 at his appearance saith he and his Kingdom And to this purpose it is very observable that when God was about to destroy the Oâ—d Jerusalem for the greatness of the wickedness prevailing in it by the same Prophets whereby he denounced the destruction of the Old to the terrour of the wicked by the same also he foretold the setting up of the New for the comfort of the faithful wherein they in due time should have their shares as Es 29.19 Jer. 31.31 32 c. Ezek. 37. and these do not only speak of the deliverance of the Jews from Babylon after 70. years but of the great restauration of all Israel and Judah which they set forth with many peculiar Marks and Characters belonging to it as we observed from this Text Jer. 3.17 and from Es 60. and many other places But the Prophet Ezekiel in c. 37. of his Prophesie doth not only describe their deliverance to be wonderful like a raising of dry bones from the Grave and making them stand up in a great Army but also largely there also shews the uniting both Kingdoms of Israel and Judah into one under Christ the Great Messiah called there David of whose Seed he was according to the flesh and in whose Throne he is to sit so long as the Sun and Moon endure from the time of the raising up the Tabernacle of David that was fallen Acts 15 c. Yea this 37 of Ezekiel seems with the remainder of that book to the end to be as a comment or exposition of the main drift of divers of Daniels Visions respecting the latter times for as he by Visions as we said set forth how wonderfully God would raise and restore them c. 37. so in the two next chapters he largely by Prophesie fore-tells the stupendious destruction of their Potent Enemy Gog and his Multitudes with Magog which he specially declares twice shall be in the latter dayes c. 38. v. 8. and v. 16. with many expressions agreeing to their great Enemy the Turk and thereby God undertakes for the comfort of the faithful to remove him which is to be the great hinderer of their freedome And from thence in 9 chapters to the end he sets down his large Vision of the New Jerusalem and in the end declares the name thereof shall be Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there which is also by Scripture order to be set up when the Enemies are destroyed as Dan. 11.45 and Dan. 12.2 3 c. But Daniel in a more special way of Mercy from God to his faithful people from his time had for their more abundant consolation in divers Visions set down in order the times to pass over the Jews in their said Dispersions and the several Oppressors of them in order to be destroyed until their full deliverance come and this both more generally in 4 wicked Monarchies before the fift came that should destroy them c. 2. by
whose name is above every name for as those in heaven do it so shall those in earth and under the earth in their due time do it Phil. 2.9 10. and so in such a glorious condition will those new Heavens and new Earth then be that his Name will be sanctifyed his Kingdom will be come and his Will then be done on earth as it was before in heaven For Christ when he was upon earth taught not his Servants to pray all along to his coming for those things which shall never be and God hath not made so many promises and given forth so many prophesies of such things as never will be performed and fulfilled But then will be that great Sabbatisme of such holy refreshment from the presence of the Lord and rest which remains saith the Apostle for the people of God Heb. 4 9. when those promised mercies to the Fathers shall be fulfilled on earth that his people may serve him without fear of their enemies in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of their Life Luke 1.73 74. and as Rev. 22.3 now these promised mercies were to Abraham Isaac and Jacob not yet fulfilled but seen a far off Heb. 11.13 c. There are also sure mercies of David not yet fully accomplished 1 Sam. 7.15 16 c. that his House and his Kingdom should be estabâ—ished for ever before him and his Throne shall be established for ever which he there largely by Faith applyed and by grateful acknowledgement praised God for as if it had been performed and then Job and Esay will find the effect and fruit of their own Faith Job 14. Esa 46. and Daniel shall then obtain his promised Lot with all the holy Prophets and faithful servants of God in those times Oh how should our Faith be exercised in these things that with faithful Abraham we may rejoyce aforehand at the day of Christs visible Dominion as he did both at that and his Incarnation Heb. 11.13 c. And so we should proceed to a second Use of thankfulness for such great mercies now manifest to the Church of Christ from his Word and chiefly from him the faithful and true witness but because we have been somwhat large to that purpose upon a like occasion towards the end of a former Treatise on Gen. 3.15 we here wave that and only touch upon some hints of further improvement by way of admonition and exhortation and so leave them to be enlarged by Christians in their private meditations c. Vse 2. For admonition to two sorts of persons First to such as own these Doctrines of Christs Kingdom of visible power to come c. so much the more to be careful to make sure their interest first in Christs spiritual Kingdom of grace here in this present life and state of things before they look or hope for any part in his Kingd of visible power on earth at his coming or in Gods eternal Kingdom of glory ensuing upon it for grace and Gods spirit here is the earnest and evidence of all blessedness hereafter only Wise Virgins will be admitted into the Bride-chamber when the Bridegroom comes and such only will he receive to himself to make them inheritors of everlasting blessedness in the Kingdom of his Father for though all divine Scripture truth is written for our learning as the Apostle Paul teacheth yet all divine knowledge not being duly improved will aggravate the sin and misery of all formal professors thereof both in the whole of Christian religion or in any remarkable branch thereof much more if such knowledge be perverted contrarie to the holy just and good laws of Christs Kingdom of grace that teacheth his people to deny ungodly and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously Godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. But for such as own these Doctrines are indeed faithful servants and subjects of their great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to look upon all Doctrine respecting Christs Kingdom on earth as a great ingagement unto duty and thankfulness not only in word and outward profession but most especially to endeavour to manifest it in heart and conversation buth before himself and in the sight of men and that they may so labour the more to act thankfulness by walking so much the more Christianly and obediently to his Laws seeing by such Doctrine a greater engagement is laid upon them thereunto for as their expectations are greater than otherwise they could be from the evidence they have of their interest in Christs glorious Kingdom of power on earth to come by the redemption of their bodies and the union of them to their souls in that blessed condition appointed to the faithful in their order besides what others shall enjoy who then remain in their natural life that upon that account they study and labour to be more ready and forward to do such acceptable service for Christ as he assignes them unto though unpleasing to flesh and blood because it will be acceptable unto him and he requires it of them and it will be found no loss as some misapprehend but occasion of great rejoycing for those spirits of just men made perfect to be brought with Christ at his appearance and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 to attain to that desired Union with their bodies there to behold Christs glorie c. in that blessed condition above a thousand years sooner than the last resurrection as was manifest by that great exultation of the Representatives Rev. 5.10 as an addition to their spiritual joy and praise to the Lamb And say they we shall reign upon earth where they knew aforehand that they should personally enjoy in body and soul the blessed vision of Christ and all such happiness as is appointed for them in his visible Mediators Kingdom of power upon earth who will then be so admired of all his Saints as the Apostle Paul teacheth and glorifyed in them that believe 2 Thes 1.10 Vse 3. For Admonition to all real and faithful Christians that as yet own not these Doctrines of the Millennium which I confess till of late years I my self have often opposed as I shewed in the Irenicon to take heed and beware of slighting and over-looking so much divine truth as the fore-named and many other texts and portions of holy Scripture hold forth evidently concerning those things and to that end consider first some truths of that nature have been antiently received though the great Deceiver then stirred up some to cast unjust reproaches and false imputations upon the owners of them yea they have been owned both by antient Fathers and modern writers and the light and evidence of them is like to break forth more and more amongst faithful Christians as prejudices are removed and more Mysteries are accomplished and by Gods mercy greater discoveries made of what concerns his true Church and if diligent and impartial search were made of those Scriptures which concern these things but especially what Daniel