1. The briefer Assertions.

1. THat the substance of these Doctrines contained in this Work, is set down [for Information of all sorts, and to remove mistakes] in the two folded leaves after the Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15.

2. That they yeild no ground of pre­judice to Magistrates; yea such preju­dice is inconsistent with the Tenour of them. See Word written page last, besides Letters, &c.

3. Their Scripture Evidence is holy, just and good, containing an excellent part of the Gospel of Christ. See the 12. Foun­dations, & the S. convincing Arguments.

4. All holy Prophets and Pen-men of Sacred Scriptures give witness to them, and chiefly, the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel, and the beloved Evangelist John the first declared, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. The 2d from the Order or Series of the Rev. in the Letter to Mr. Cal. March 20. 1664. and in the Irenicon p. 26, 27. and from the Scheme of the Rev. and Summaries and Abridgement of Daniels Prophetical Vi­sions, and the Parallels of both Monar­chies in both books.

5. That the book of the Revelation is given by Christ to his Church as an Or­derly more full Exposition of many things in Daniel, before shut up to Men and Angels; and Sealed until that time of the End wherein Christ so revealed them; Which said book of the Revelation, is a Divine mystical Comment of such hid­den part of Daniel. See thence three sorts of Learned Mens mistakes page 30. of our General Title page; as may be manifest by our said book of Parallels.

6. That there are eight several sences of Christs comings in the New Testament, two before his Ascention and six since. First, in his coming in our flesh, as in that faithful & true saying, Christ came into the world to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. 2dly, when, (as the Minister of Circumcision, Rom. 15. he came to his own, viz. the Jews, and they received him not, John 1.11.) The other six since he Ascended, are handled page 41. to page 46. of our Ireni­con, &c. See the last page of the Word writ­ten concerning the last coming.

7. That Christs said Appearance and Reign the thousand years, will both be personal, may thence be plainly evident, in that he (then) according to Scripture expressions, is said to come to Judg­ment, and then as well as at the last Gene­ral Judgment, both the Judgment is said to be set, and the Books to be opened; which are the Scriptural decypherings of both Judicial acts, and quick and dead at both said Acts are judged, as Dan. 7.10. with Rev. 20.4. and of the same time, Rev. 11.18. upon the sounding of the se­venth, Trumpet, when the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of Christ, and he is praised by the twenty four El­ders, for taking to himself his great pow­er and reigning: they praise him not only that he had so judged, that is, rewarded his servants the Prophets, and his Saints, and all that fear his name both small and great, but that he had judged them that destroyed the earth; having so judged the Whore, and (probably) the Turk also: hence saith St. Paul of the same time, who will judge the quick and dead at his Appearance and his Kingdome, 2 Tim. 4.1. and in the said table of times, chap. 20 4. to verse 11. passeth the thousand years of Christs said reign, and Satans binding, & the little space for his attempt with his last [Page 2] Gog and Magog, before the last Gene­ral Judgment, most clearly and fully set down with a great deal of distinct exact­ness of order; & at the last said Judgment, the quick (namely the last Gog and Magog) are consumed with fire, and all the Dead judged when the Jugdment was set and the Books opened, v. 11, 12, &c. to the end. So Mr. Mede, Mr. Archer, Mr. Maton and others; but especially Dr. Homes, a col­lection of whose main Texts of holy Scrip­ture I shall only here quote, referring the Readers to p. 78. of his R. R. (which here I set down for the benefit of such as may not (haply) see his book) where first he hath ten Texts for Christs personal ap­pearance in the New Testament, viz. Joh. 19.37. expounded by Zach. 12.10. unto which he addeth, Rev. 1.7. Mat. 24.30. 2 Thes 2. v. 1. to 9. Mat. 26.29. 1 Tim. 4.1. Act. 3.19, 20, 21. Mat. 23.38, 39▪ Mat. 24.3. Also sive Texts in the Old Testament, Dan. 7.11. to the end, (which Mr. Mede stiles the Mother text for it) Jer. 23.5, 6. Zac. 2 10, 11, 12. Zeph. 3.14. and besides his judicious and learned Explications of them all, a discourse is added thereof after the said texts: And after his opening of many Prophesies in their order (as they stand Recorded▪) to this and other the like purposes, respecting these said Doct­rines very largly and learnedly out of the Old Testament: He then adds, page 377. twelve texts of holy Scripture more out of the New Testament for Christs personal reign, viz. Mat. 24.13, 14. Luke 1.31, 32. & 21.24. & 22.28, 29, 30. Acts 1.6, 7. Rom. 11.25, 26, 27. 1 Cor. 15.1, to 29. 2 Cor. 15.16, 17, 18. Phil. 2.9, 10.11. Rev. 2.25, 26, 27, 28. & 3.21. & 18, 19, chap. Con­cerning all which Scriptures he saith so much, there, and else where, that I judge may satisfie all impartial and understan­ding Christians; and those Texts which prove his personal appearance, will also prove his personal reign as we said, which is the end wherefore he then appears as the Great King of Kings to sit on Davids Throne and to do his Kingly work, of de­stroying and slaying his Enemies, Rev. 11.19. Luke 19. and of rewarding his faithful servants the Prophets, and his Saints, and all that fear his name both small and great Rev. 11.18. & 22.12. So performing the mercies promised to the fore-fathers, Luke 1.72. and the Oath which he sware unto our father Abraham, &c & Luke 2.32. to be the glory of his people Israel, of which Scripture is aboundant [See Sir Henry Finch his book forenamed] but note especially the time when the Kingdoms of all Nations shall be given to him, Dan. 7.13, 14, &c. and all Kingdoms (to make it yet more e­vident) under the whole heavens shall serve and obey him, v. 27. with Ezek. 37. chap. & Esa. 24.23. also our Tract on Jer. 3.17. with our paper of Sept. 27. 1664. p. 27, 28. of our Prodrom or Forerunne.

8. That these Doctrines are summari­ly the Scriptural explications of two Ar­ticles of Faith, vix. of Christs coming to judgment, Dan. 7. & Rev. 20.4. and of his raising of the just at the first blessed and ho­ly Resurrection, v 5, 6.

9. That the Jews aversness from ow­ning Christs grace to the Gentiles before Peters Vision, Acts 11. should caution the Gentile Christians against opposing those Doctrines from Scripture, containing the Jews stronger title by far, to much more ample mercies. [See that renownedly lear­ned and religious Gentleman Sir Henry Finch his book of the calling of the Jews, and his Epistle to them;] and that will be when their glorious Messiah shall come to those who are beloved for their Fathers sakes, Rom. 11.28. to take away the Vail from their hearts, 2 Cor. 3.16.

10. The reason Mr. Mede gave of the clouding of these Doctrines when Anti­christ was to arise, viz. to make way for his coming: The like also may be given for the clearing of them (in some measure) when the Date of that Man of sin is wear­ing out, namly, to help to bring him down: I say, but in some measure, because the Scripture gives divers hints that they will not be received by many, Rev. 19.9. & 21. [Page 3] 5. & 22.6. Luke 18.8. Dan. 12.10. which now appears by prevailing iniquity, by prejudice of some and interests of others, ingagements of credit, business, shakings of the world, many distractions, tentations, contrary seducements, and the like. See the emergent conjecture of 1666. from Christs Ascention, on Rev. 22.20. p. 36, 37, &c. from four Mistical Numbes,

11. That the Dominion of Gods peo­ple the Jews will be manifest (then) to be founded in grace, and to be the Gene­ration whom the Lord hath blessed Es. 65.23. (probably) more especially the Tribe of Judah, as distinctly so known from o­ther people, Es 61.9. when they shall be borne in a day (spiritually and nationally) for the most part (probably) at Christs ap­pearance to them when his feet shall stand on mount Olivet from whence he ascended, and then will cause the cleaving of the Mountain and great Vally to Azal (as the Prophet Zachary c 14. foretels) and their iniquity be taken away in one day, Zac. 3.9. And as Justice and Judgment are now & for ever the stability of Christs Throne; so they will be then of all other Kings be­sides. See Foundat. 7.

12. That Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah expected by Faith, their particular Shares or Lots in the Land of Canaan a far of, Heb. 11. viz. at the Resurrection of the Just, and in assurance thereof they would be buried there [as also Joseph would have his bones] as it were to keep possession till that time of fulfilling Gods promise thereof to each of them. [See p. 38, 39. of the Prodr.] therefore they coun­ted themselves Pilgrims. 2dly, they sought no opportunity to return, v. 15. 3dly, they looked for that heavenly countrey of Christs Kingdom v. 16. Rom. 4.16, 17, 18, &c. Gal. 3.8, 9, &c. See our 15 Reasons in New Jeru. and Prodromus p. 38.

13. That some of the Subjects of Christs Kingdom will be raised Saints, the Chil­dren of the Resurrection in that world, Luke 20.35, 36. others converted Jews and Gentiles in their natural life in their several conditions, as follows.

14. There will be accordingly two New Jerusalems in the world, the one came down from God out of heaven Me­to-nymicolly, in respect of the Inhabitants for the time to come, being when they came down, the spirits of just men coming with Christ to receive their bodies, called the Bride the Lambs wife, Rev. 19. Rev. 21. and so to be the Inhabitants of that glori­ous City whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11.10. Rev. 20. where the said rai­sed Saints will behold Christs glory, which was by Christs last will bequeathed to them, Joh. 17.24. The other New Jeru­salem will be built by men, and partly by strangers, and their Kings for the use of such as shall walk in the light of the said New Jerusalem. See Tract. on Jer. 3.17▪ page 6, 7.

15. The great discoveries to be made to Saints and Angels in the time of Christs said Kingom respecting Scriptures, Crea­tures and Providences, &c. will (probab­ly) much more enable both sorts of them more excellently to set forth Gods praise to all eternity. G. Tit. page, and greater discoveries to be in that Millen. than in all the 6000. years before.

16. Scripture Theologie of that world to come in the time of the New Heavens and New Earth, is of very large considera­tion, in respect of the many particularities thereunto appertaining. See first Arg. of the Word Written, of things before the 1000. years, in them and after them, and our 31. Obser▪ after the Tract. on Rev. 22.20. with our 12. Foundat.

17. The knowledge of Christs executi­on of his three great Offices [as the work his Father gave him to do during the con­tinuance of his Mediatorship] in respect of his Mediatorship in the three great Peri­ods of the World; viz. as the great Pro­phet in the Old Testament by his imme­diate inspired Messengers. 2dly, As the great High Priest in the Newe: First, by his own Oblation; Secondly, by his Inter­cession during Gods Kingdom of the Stone, [Page 4] wherein Christ appears to be the Fathers Commissioner to open the Sealed Book and execute the Coments thereof, Rev. 5, &c. In the third, he begins his own King­dome of the Mountain, Dan. 2.35. which he went to Heaven to receive, and then to return, Luke 19. Dan. 7.13, 14. the know­ledge thereof (I say) is of very great con­cernment to all true Christians, viz. as it is distinct from his particular execution of his said three Offices for particular Chri­stians Souls in all times since mans fall; in respect of the particular Application of them all in their virtue and efficacie, as the Prophet, Priest and King of every be­leiving soul, by the powerful work of his holy Spirit. See 17. Thes p. 9, 10, 11, 12. of the Prod. with the addition, p. 44, 45, 46. and especially more largly handled in our Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15.

18. The last Trumpet, Rev. 11. and the last sounding Trumpet, 1 Thes. 1. & 1 Cor. 15.52, 53. differ not only in above a 1000. years distance of time, but also in their natures and uses. See the Series of Prophe­sies in the Scheme of the Revelation and the Abridgment of the Revelation and Daniel which may much help as a standard [with the Parallels] to take due proportions in such cases, &c.

19. That there are two Gogs and Ma­gogs to be destroyed, the one at the begin­ning, the other after the little space, at the end of the 1000. years. First, the Pope, Dan 7.7, 8, 9, 10▪ &c. with the latter part of the chap. the body of which Beast is to be consumed with the burning flame (pro­bably) at the Armageddon Battle. And the Turk of whom in the latter dayes, Ezek. 38.8, 16. as to his Armie, overthrow, bu­rial, saving the sixth part, &c. as at large set down in ch. 38. & 39. But of the last Gog and Magog, see Rev. 20.9, 10. about the general rapture and change of all the Saints, 1 Cor. 15, 52, 53.

20. That the General Rapture and Change of all the Saints about the last Trumpet, will be (I conceive) of them in a three-fold state or condition, first in the natural life, to be changed in stead of dy­ing, 2dly of Saints before raised, twice, said to be alive and remain, 1 Thes. 4.15, 17. 3dly, of the dead in the 1000. years, then to rise first (before the wicked as others did in the said time) v. 16. which Inter­pretation the Revelation seems to point out.

21. As Christ our Saviour should not fi­nish that work of Redempt. in the world which he is appointed to by his Fathers Commission, manifest Rev. 5. according to his former decreed and promised grace, Gen. 3.15, &c. often since renewed to the fore-fathers, when receiving (as the An­gel said, Luke 1.31, 32, 33.) his Davidical Kingdom, he shall return from his Fathers right hand in the clouds of Heaven in his own glory, and of his Father and his holy Angels, then making his great enemies e­minently his footstool, and bind Satan for the 1000. years. So taking to himself his great power to reign, and so also tempo­rally, outwardly and visibly, to deliver his people from the hands of all their enemies to serve him without fear of them, &c. Luk. 1.71, 72, 73, 74, (which seems to be the possessing of the Gate of their ene­mies, Gen. 22.27.) at his next coming; as well as he wrought their spiritual Re­demption at the first [that none of his should be lost] and to be then the glory of his people Israel, as he hath since that been a Light to Lighten the Gentiles, Luke 2.72. all which are grounds of that truth. So neither should God, without his doing of these things, perform those promised mercies to the fore-fathers to those ex­cellent purposes (in the time of his said Visible and Glorious Kingdome in the world) at several times made unto them, as in divers particulars ensuing is obser­vable; as first, that to Adam and Eve. Secondly, to Noah. Thirdly, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Fourthly, to David, will clearly manifest.

Of Gods great Promised Mercies to the Fore-Fathers made in the Old Testament through Christ, to be fulfilled by him in the World to come, in the time of his glorious Kingdom therein.

1. THat all the great Promises and Covenants of God, made to men under the Old Testament, when the first Adam had lost his own, and his natural Seeds interest, were to be fulfilled by Christ, whom (as the Apostle saith) Heb. 1. God had appointed him Heir for all things, v. 2, 3. from a three-fold Title to be compleated in the time of his Kingdom on earth. First, God having by him Crea­ted the world▪ 2dly, he hath since purged his peoples sins by his own bloud, so pro­curing to them all grace, and gracious in­terest therein. And 3dly, Upholding all things by his word of Divine power, and so disposing them, that they then with him should be Heirs, even joynt Heirs with Christ, saith that Apostle, Rom. 8.17. (who was Rapt up to Paradise to learn Divine Mysteries after Christ had gloriously ap­peared to him at his Conversion) and as Christ, by that beloved, and so Divinely taught Disciple John, more fully promi­ses to all Overcomers; that they shall sit with Christ on his Throne, viz. of his Me­diatory Kingdom even as he having over­come, is now set down with his Father on his Throne, Rev. 3.21. and that he will give him then power over the Nations to break them, &c. Rev. 2.27. but he further adds from Christs Warrant also, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son. Which will be obtained from Christ in the compleating of the Re­demption of the purchased possession of the said inheritance by our great Messiah the second Adam in the time of his said Kingdom, whereof they are now be­come with him joynt heirs, and then with him shall become possessors: in reference whereunto all the said Promises were made to the Fathers in their order and times.

1. First that made to Adam and Eve upon their fall and sentence, Gen. 3.15. The Seed of the Woman shall break the Ser­pents head. Which he hath been doing ever since (as we shewed) in due order and manner appointed by the Eather, and still doth, and will so doe; but upon his recei­ving of his Kingdom will do it more emi­nently, until he make his Foes, even the stoutest of them, his Footstool, Ps. 110.1. even till the last enemy death shall be de­stroyed, 1 Cor. 15. which will be, as Scrip­ture witnesseth, at the compleating of his said 1000. years reign, For he must reign, saith the Apostle, v. 25. until he hath put all his enemies under his feet; when death the last enemy shall be destroyed, v. 26. and when all his overcomers that reigned with him before in the 1000. years, shall be rapt up with all Saints (in their several states then) to meet him in the Aire, and thence­forth ever be with him the Lord in a glo­rious and blessed condition, upon the said compleat breaking the Serpent [Satans] head. See our Thes. Prodrom. p. 10, 11, 12, 13. and this largely handled in our Ever­lasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15. to which I refer the Reader.

2. That Promise and Covenant that God made to Noah, through him whose Type he was, in saving his own house or family in the Arke, at the drowning of the Old World, as Christ will also be his Sts. safe Arke both at his next appearance, when as our Saviour saith, The Eagles will be gathered to the Carkass, Luke 17.38. and also from the last destruction of the World by fire, at the said gener. rapture of all the Sts. above a 1000. years after. Now he giveth by that Covenant with Noah for himself, men and beasts, present and fu­ture, the largest and and strongest Assu­rance of preservation of the Earth from a­ny [Page 6] like destruction, upon Noahs offering Sacrifices of the clean beasts and fowls pre­served with him in the Arke. Whereupon the Lord smelled a sweet savour [viz. through the said Antetype of Noah] And the Lord said in his heart: I will not again any more curse the ground for mans sake. And the freeness of his grace more glori­ously appeared by his following reason, which had a contrary effect before, ch 6.5, 6. but now he will not destroy it, for the imagination, saith he, Gen. 8.21, 22. of mans heart is evil from his youth: nor will I any more smite every living thing as I have done. And all this is further inlarged and illustrated with an ample affirmative Charter. While (saith the Lord [Jehovah]) or yet all the dayes of the earth, as in Heb. Seed time and Harvest, cold and heat, sum­mer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. But what was a Being without a Bles­sing, but misery? Therefore in chap. 9. he largly distributes his Blessings to Noah, & his Sons, to the beasts, cattle and creeping thing, fish, fowls, and every plant or green herb, and subjects all to man, only forbidding cruelty; as appears by that ex­pression, Flesh with the life thereof, that is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat; and again repeats his blessing v. 7. And then God largly establisheth his Covenant with all creatures and men again, in v. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. and then confirms it with the token of the Rainbow, from v. 13. with a great deal of very gracious inlargment and im­provement when they shall see that token to v. 17▪ Hence Gods Throne is compassed with the Rainbow, Ez. 1. Rev. 4. where he gives an excellent Epephonema of his said grace (as I may say) And God said un­to Noah, this is the token of the Covenant which I have established between me and all flesh which is upon the earth. Now as the earth with its fruitfulness and varieties of creatures is made the stage and accommo­dation too, for all actings of promised and purposed grace from thence to the end of the world: so the chief and greatest perfor­mances of fruitfulness, are reserved for the time of Christs said reign, as Psal. 67. twice, Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; and God even our God shall give us his blessings. And hence so many and great promises of those kindes, upon the great Restauration of the Jews and Israe­lites, and for both Davids house and Abra­brahams, Isaacs and Jacobs then to have the Dominion. See from this Covenant a strong assurance made thereof twice toge­ther almost yet in two Visions of the Pro­phet Jeremiah, ch. 33. v. 20, 21. If, saith God, ye can break my Covenant of the day, and my Covenant of the night, &c. Then may also my Covenant be broken with Da­vid my servant, that he should not have a Son to reign upon his Throne, &c. [that is, Christ shall most certainly reign as the Son of David to the end of the world] and what man shall dare to deny this, and make any other meaning thereof? And again, v. 25, 26. If my Covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not ap­pointed the ordinances of heaven and earth. Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them. Many other places may here be produced to like purpose, but this in brief at present.

3. That all those Promises and Cove­nanted Mercies made and given, to and with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and to their spiritual seed, by that one Divine seed [Christ] for a thousand Generations; which is a frequent expression in holy Scripture, Jer. 32.18. Ezek. 34.7. Deut. 5.10. and particularly applyed to the promise and Covenant of the Land of Ca­naan, and sung out by David at the bring­ing home the Arke to his Tent provided for it, 1 Chr. 16.8. and again recorded Ps. 105.8, &c. in the last place said to be the Covenant which God remembred for ever: and the word commanded for a thousand Generations, &c. as largly there set down to all three, who in the grace [Page 7] they received resembled the Trinity: A­braham as the fountain of mercy to his seed invested in himself; Isaac as the con­veyer thereof, in thy seed alone not in thee, Jacob as the immediate dispenser to the twelve Tribes, & to Ishmael his natural seed; but in conjunction with Christ, that what was wanting in Jacob should be made up in Christ; therefore saies God to him, in thee and in thy seed [Christ] shall all the families of the earth be blessed▪ and God often stiles himself, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in reference to the Pro­mise yet to be fulfilled to them, personally in their inheriting the promise of Canaan, called the Lot of their Inheritance, Psal. 105.11, in the time of Christs Kingdom on earth: but the 1000. generations seems to contain 7000. years from the giving the first promise, Gen. 3.15. to the end of the world. Which Promise, contained in the bowels of it, all the great Promises made to the Fathers afterwards; and as from that Conduit head, God hath disposed through those water pipes of future Promises, his mercies to this or that person, family or nation as he pleased ever since; a generation being usually reckoned 7 years, as 21 years is 3 lives, suitable to Davids old age of 70 years (which few of very many attain to) in the intermediat 4000. years of the world (for the ages of the old world, and of the world to come, differ for distinct reasons) so the other seems to be the standard, and the said Promise or Covenant seems be to here said to be remembred for ever, and the o­ther drawn from that for the residue of 1000. generations, by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to their spiritual seed at the Resur­rection of the just, &c. untill, as Job saith, The heavens shall be no more, and the earth with all upon it become ve Tohu, ve Bohu, (i. e.) become again without form and void for ever, &c. or a perpetual prison. Come we first to Abraham that Pater excel­sus, the Father of the faithful, to whom the said grace was dispensed in a 7 sold grada­tion, Gen. 12.2, 3. and so forward, &c. Whereupon his ready obedience to Gods call, he made a large comprehensive Pro­mise of that land, and all other mercies, to himself alone personally, as Gen. 1 [...].18. through the Divine one seed [Christ] con­ceived then and afterwards, so by faith in Abrahams soul, that as our Saviour said, John 8.56. Abraham saw my day and was glad: yea and his future day also of injoy­ment a far of, with Isaac, Jacob and Sa­rah, Heb. 11. at the said Resurrection re­presented in the deadness of Abrahams bo­dy, and Sarahs womb, and Isaacs saving from death in a figure, &c.

2. Upon his coming to Sichem God ap­peared to him, and promised that land un­to his natural seed, v. 7. as it is expounded c. 15.13, 14. whereof Abraham in person was to have no part, v. 15. nor Isaac nor Jacob; who all died long before the 400. years ended.

3. When he was severed from Lot, God said to him c 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. View all the coasts, East, West, &c. For I will give it to thee and to thy seed for ever; namely to his one most Divine seed Christ, Gal. 3.16. who should continue for ever, and would retain his right, and maintain A­brahams Proprietie which he hath purcha­sed for him and all his: and God bids him walk through that land then, for saith he a­gain I will give it unto thee.

4. When upon Gods great incourage­ment, Abraham represents his Age and Childless estate unto God, &c. Thereupon he bids him look up to Heaven and tell the Stars, &c. c. 15.2, 3, and then said he: So shall thy seed be; (i. e.) all his spiritual seed, and probably both, for number and excellencie, being circumcised or uncircum­cised through the said one seed [Christ] & this occasioned upon that account, that fa­mous act of his faith, so often mentioned; He believed in the Lord, and it was counted unto him for Righteousness. Whereupon our so heavenly learned Apostle Paul impro­ving Gods larg Deeds so strongly, accor­ding to Abrahams strong faith, settling his interest upon him in the world, stiles him the Heir of the world by faith, Rom. 4.13. by which he was then secure, and is and will be since that time his interest therein e­ven to that very moment wherein he shall be actual possessor thereof in that world to [Page 8] come, Heb. 2.5. and this he largly explains in that c. Rom 4. from v. 8. to the end, shewing how he becomes father of the uncircumci­sion as well as of the circumcision and sets forth the excellency of his faith, which was counted to him for righteousness, in giving glory to God who quickneth the dead, when his body was dead naturally, and there was deadness in Sarahs womb, yet knew God could call things that are not as though they were, v. 11, 1 [...], 16, 17, 18, 19. So that from and by such a seed which by his faith was conceived in his soul should proceed all his promised interest, and should by him be made sure to all his spiritual seed as the stars; in respect whereof he is here stiled the heir of the world, then past by faith but will most certainly then to come by actual fruition also be possessor thereof, v, 22, 23, 24, &c. So also Gal. 3.6. upon that great act of Abrahams faith respecting such a seed to secure the real inheritance of the promi­sed land to him and all the believing world in the time of the Law or Gospel (for we must know all the Dominion of Gods peo­ple and all their then priviledges are found­ed in grace, and much greater grace than these dayes have afforded) in the last v. he concludes for the comfort of all truly be­lieving souls among the Gentiles, that they have in Christ the same priviledge in that state with the Jews which shall be the sure enterance to all Abrahams spiritual seed in­to eternal glory, for (saith he) if ye be A­brahams (spiritual) seed, then heirs accor­ding to promise, viz. that which was made to him for that restored state of Canaan which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob with all true be­lievers shall most certainly enjoy, and all the faithful till then, shall also with them in­herit; & that in the happy restored state of the New Heavens & New Earth wherein will dwell righteousness, & yet to confirm to A­braham both an assured Title and Possession in time to come (though then he saw it a far of by his faith.) Heb. 11.

5. And again God minds him c. 15. that for that end he brought him him out Ʋr of the Caldees to that land to inherit it; which Abraham revolves as desiring to have a confirmation that he should inherit it, v, 7.8. and thereupon he gives him a sign by the beasts and fowls, to be used as God ap­pointed, &c. and then first he explains the condition of his natural seed, for number as the dust, that should first be afflicted, & a stranger till after 400. years which he made a promise to, c. 12.7 as follows, v 14, 15, 16, 17. after which, Sarah from diffi­dence puts Hagar upon her husband whence came the seed of the bondwoman? as in the story, c. 16.

6. But afterwards, c. 17. when Abraham was 99. years of age, God appears again to him, and makes a Covenant and stipulation with a seal thereto, viz. Circumcision then to be first upon his own flesh with all the males in his family (and as in the Old world that Christ should be the seed of the wo­man was the comfort of that sex then first in the trangression: So henceforth he was made known to be the seed of men lineally from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and espe­cially of David, as Gods King to sit on his holy hill of Sion, Ps 2. as well as Davids son to sit on his throne, stiled the the Son of man, Ps. 80.17. that man of his right hand made strong for himself, as also seen in Vi­sion by Dan. as the son of man when he will come in glory in the clouds to take the same Kingdom, Dan. 17 13, 14, &c & v. 27. Hence he so often stiles himself the Son of man in the Gospel, which also should be a comfort for mans sex, besides other reasons) And for mans farther assurance that Seal is to be upon his flesh peculiar to his sex till Christ was indeed born of a Vir [...]as foretold Es. 9.7. and till God did a new thing in the earth▪ a woman shall compass a man, Jer. 31.22. So then (I say) c. 17. God renews his confirmation of his former promises to A­braham more fully and firmly, and adds the said seal to it, with the changes of his name and Sarahs, to ratifie the same, and relie him it should be an everlasting Cove­nant, and an everlasting Possession, and he would be the God of him and his seed, to be fulfilled at Christs coming with his Saints, Rev. 21.2.3, &c. which Covenant should be e­stablished in Isaac whom Sarah should bear at this set time in the next year, v. 21.

7. In c. 22. upon Abrahams ready obedi­ence [Page 9] to sacrifice his Son Isaac, after his long waiting for him and enjoyment of him, God expresseth his love to him passionatly, if I may so speak, (as Joseph to his bretheren) in a large and full manner, ratifying all by an oath, v. 16, 17, 18. thereby farther to confirm all the said promises and covenants to him and his seed in general, natural or spiritual, circumcised or uncircumcised; which also af­terwards he again and again confirmed to I­saac and Jacob particularly.

8. As first to Isaac, c. 26.23. both for his person and posterity twice, first when he was at Gerar, and forbids him to go into Egypt: I will, said God, be with thee and bless thee, and give into thy hand all these countreys, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be bles­sed, because that Abraham obey'd my voice and kept my charge, my comandments, my statutes & my laws. Mark these expressions, he said not to him at all [in thee] as to Abraham, c 12.2, 3. but because Abraham had kept my charge, &c. (probably) in regard Abraham the father of the faithful, or Pater excelsus as his name then signified, had by his wonderful faith spi­ritually conceived Christ in his soul then see­ing thereby Christs day and rejoyced, as our Saviour himself speaks of him, John 8.56. and was glad, yea and God also again, v. 24. confirms the same mercies to Isaac who was his great Type, both in his birth and death, and yet both of them with Jacob and Sarah Heb. 11. saw their own particular interest (as was said) in Canaan a far of, at the Resurrect­ion, where their bodies & Josephs bones lay reposed till they arise then to take their pos­session of it and reign with Christ, when at that his last day he will raise them up, Joh. 6.

9. Lastly, God confirms unto Jacob his personal interest in the land of Canan, and to his immediate natural seed the 12 Tribes, here again said to be as the dust of the earth: and hence faith God in conjunction with his Divine spiritual seed [Christ] again v. 14 in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed, in that respect (probably) with his blessings given to the several Tribes, Gen. 49. and to Esau his blessing also; being his immediate seed which went very far, but what might be wanting in him, was made up in that one seed [Christ] therefore he adds; [and in thy seed] shall all the families of the earth be blessed▪ who will at the first blessed re­surrection raise all his Saints who in their measure have suffered with him as members of his mistical body to reign (then) with him, 2 Tim. 2.12. and saith he, Rom. 8.17. We are made by Christ heirs of God, and joynt heirs Christ; viz. in his Mediators Davidical King­dom bequeathed to them by our Saviour himself in his last will a little before he died after his divinely propherical Prayer, Joh. 17.24. said he, Father I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. And lastly, c. 32. Jacob, as a Prince, wrastled with God and prevailed, whence the name of Israel was given to him, retained by all Gods people since, to shew them how to pre­vail with God for promised mercies, viz. by Faith, Prayer and New obedience, &c. [See of these covenanted mercies Prodrom or Forerun. page 37, 38.] and God was so mindful of both the everlasting Covenants which Noah and A­braham, &c. as he calls that Gen 9.16. that by the experience of the former witnessed by the Rainbow many hundred years after, he tea­ches the Prophet Esau thereby to confirm his covenanted mercies to all Israel, with the beloved City. Es. 54 9. This saith he shall be as the waters of Noah unto me, &c. as I have sworn, &c. so will I not be wroth with thee: yea all that promised grace, v. 17. is said to be the heritage of the servants of the Lord even from that time whose Righteousness is of him, &c.

4. We proceed to the promised and cove­nanted mercies of David for ever, through the whole state of Christs Davidical Kingdom, who stands in divers relations to David as his Antitype, Seed and Saviour wherein consist­ed the sure mercies of David in and by him who was the root of David, Rev. 5, as well as the branch, Zac. 3.8. who was owned to be the son of God at his Resurrection, Ps. 2.7. and returned not to corruption, whereby was manifest the sureness of his mercies, Act. 13.32 33. wherein all the faithful partake, Es 55.3. by a covenant ordered in all things and sure, 2 Sam. 23.5. though chiefly respecting Christs said Kingdom, as in Nathans message may ap­pear, 1 Chr. 17. & 2 Sam. 7.8, &c. which we [Page 10] have largly considered in our 7th Foundation of Faith: when the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth will not only be given to Christ for an inheritance, but for a possession, Ps. 2.8. when God sets his King upon his ho­ly hill of Sion, and though he is the Fathers Commissioner to execute the contents of the book which he received, Rev. 5. from his ascention to the ruine of the Roman Empire, viz. during Gods spiritually powerful King­dom of the Stone, said to be set up by the God of heaven, Dan. 2.28. yet when the Kingdom of the Mountain comes, all opposite King­doms will becom like the chaff of the summer thrashing-flore, v. 35. for at his ceasing to sit at his fathers right hand his foes will eminent­ly be made his footstoole, Ps. 110.1. and that man of his right hand will appear to be made strong for himself, Ps. 80.17. when all the Do­minions of the world will be given to him un­der the whole heavens, Dan 2.13.14, 27. and God will give him his right in Davids Dia­dem, Ez. 21.27 and all the faithful before sti­led the Sons of David, as well as the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; being the meek like David whose soul was as a weaned child, Ps. 121. shall all then inherit the renewed earth and delight themselves in abundance of peace Ps 37.11. and be blessed in that state, Mat. 5. [...]. at the first resurrection, Rev. 20.6. for then he will actually & personally (as we shewed) take to himself his great power before com­mitted or permitted to others, who had abu­sed it, and will then himself reign with his Saints upon the earth, Rev. 5 10. Rev. 20.4. Rev. 11.14, 15. when the Angels of God shall worship him, Ps. 97. Heb. 1.6. and all knees in heaven, earth or under the earth (now) shall (then) bow or be subject to him, Phil. 2.9, 10. and all creatures adore him, Rev. 5.8, 9, 10, &c. when not only as the son of David he shall have that Kingdom, but also as the son of God he will be actually Gods heirof all things: by his Triple right of creating, ordering and redeeming all things for that purpose, as Heb. 1.2, 3, & 6. when Abraham by him, and under him will be actually heir of the world, Rom. 4.13. who before was only by faith so: and this Kd. Dan▪ 7.13, 14. seems also to be setled up­on Christ as Gods obedient son and faithful servant by his own Donation; as a boon or [...], for that he had fully done all Gods wills; and so he as the captain of the Salvati­on of his suffering members, upon the like ac­count gives his Kingdom to them, 2 Tim. 2.12. making them joynt heirs with himself, Rom. 8.17. & bequeathed the beholding of his glo­ry to them as by his last will, Joh. 17.24. Father, said he, I will, &c. through whom, Da­vids seed living in the world then, will (pro­bably be blessed in a special manner, Es. 61.9. Then will kingdom, power and glory all be his from his coming in the clouds, not only in his own glory, but also of the father and his holy angels, Mat. 25. which he will resign back unto the father when the last enemy death shall be destroyed, that God may be all in all, and the son also himself be subject unto him, when perfect reconciliation is made; Christ having so conducted all his Saints from their general rapture to meet him at their glorious change to enter upon those things for ever, that eye hath not seen, &c. besides thee, O God, saith Esay, c. 64.4. and Oh what things saith David with an holy admiration, Ps. 31.19. of which an excellent improvement is made by our so divinely learned Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 2.7. to the end of that chap. which may be counted amongst his [...] that Saint Peter speaks of. See Foundat. 7th.

I shall only here, beloved Christians, adver­tise you all, of these three particulars. 1. That the 21. said brief assertions, &c. if duly weigh­ed, by Gods word, may afford you sufficient satisfaction as to these Doctrines of Christs said reign the 1000. years upon earth.

2. That both all Gods said general mercies promised to mankind, Gen. 3.15. that Christ should eminently (then) break the serpents head, as Ps. 110.1. and also all that said pro­mised and covenanted preservation and fruit­fulness to and with Noah and the New world, &c. Gen. 8, 9, c. are all (then) chiefly and final­ly to be accomplished also.

3. That those more particular and special promised and covenanted mercies to Abraham Isaac and Jacob, and to all their faithful seed both Israelites and Gentiles and also all those glorious promised and covenanted sure mer­cies of David, and his spiritual seed, shall all have their real, true, yea only future litteral, fulfillings in the said Kind▪ of Christ on earth.

But as for their larger explications being too large for the intended compass of this Key, I must at present refer them to some future opportunity.

22th. The Doctrine of Christs glorious Kingdom [or the New Jerusalem State] now shortly approaching, is exceeding comfortable and very ad­vantageous to all faithfull Christians, is manifest by the Key and this whole Work; and by the ensuing [Paraenesis] or Monitory Exhorta­tion, may further appear. Anno Dom. 1672.

ANd now dear Christian Bretheren allow me a little freedom in this office of love, you I mean who are partakers of the grace of God purchased by Jesus Christ and by the spirit of sanctification wrought in your souls, whether Episcopal (so called) Presbyterian or Independent; with sundry others upon the same foundation,First for Ʋnitie. many of which, through Gods especial mercy, have evidently obtained like precious grace; to you all I speak, as such. Why do you still stand at distance one from another? Consider, I pray you, That one Heaven (as ye all believe) shall hereafter contain you all, when ye shall be made perfect in one; yea moreouer, I am well assured, that one Glorious King­dom of Christ to come will satiate all your souls as such, a long time before you can ob­tain the other, viz. both souls and bodies; all whose degrees of blessedness is only to be ex­pected in Gods best order, and time and manner revealed in his word; whether men take cognizance of it more particularly or less:Es 64.4. Ps. 31.19. And after that great day of Judgment is finished, the expectation of all Saints to attain Those things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man to conceive, besides thee, O God, saith the Evangelical Prophet [Esa.] And, O how great things (saith holy David) hath God prepared, &c. But the state of things in Christs said Kingdom, is not altogether such, in the interim; though very glorious, and excellent, and blessed, and suitable to that con­dition (then,) when Judgment shall be given to the Saints in the world, long before the finishing of the last Judgment. And most of you, if not all, are one in the things, at pre­sent, that are counted essentially necessary [ad esse Ecclesiae] for the being of the Church of Christ: how should all sorts agreeing in the main, then also endeavour to be one in things that pertain [ad bene esse] to the well being of the same also? And I am strongly (from Gods word) assured, that it will not be long before the Lord, in that great day which he hath foretold, will be one, and his name one; even in respect of such usual dis­sentments of men in our dayes, and his people shall then serve him with one shoulder: how then should all faithful Christians (what in them is) endeavour, by all good means, for Unity with the bond of peace, as well as Truth, (though that especially) and so to meet their mercy by the way; and, if it might be, anticipate it, by so hastning its com­ing: how well would Christ (then) take it at all your hands? Whereas, if any should so be found short of this, that they will from such dissentments, be smiting their Bretheren, (though it be but with the tongue, when they can do no more;) how will they expose them­selves at that day, to Christs objurgation, before Angels and Men, &c.? Unite, there­fore, Bretheren, I say, Unite, Unite in one in these matters also, at least in your spirits, and the actings of them; that may be the way, where God may supply what you are want­ing in, to bring about the business (which you so rightly and really endeavour,) by grant­ing his Fiat in the case. Let each sort cast off their peculiar obstacles, and any-wayes-thwarting interests; Complying fully with Gods Rules, that should fully guide us all therein, and They, I humbly conceive, are very few, but sufficient; only, men must be­ware they mistake them not▪ that they pervert them not in their use and mannagment. The first is that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 14.26. Let all things be done to edifying▪ viz. of the souls of Gods people; and this is a comprehensive and forcible rule and direction, which in every constitution and counsel of men, ought much to sway the matter, is the thing pleasing or profitable or creditable, &c.? that may be somewhat in some cases, but the great Question in matters of such nature, as men may order, is: But is it so for edifying? If they will not advance that end in Gods Church, what should they do there? but if they will hinder it, why should they be suffered in it? And then a second follows, v. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order: which two rightly applyed like our [Page 2] Saviours first and second law of love, containing all the other: So may these being rightly mannaged, in all such cases, regulate the counsels and actings of men in Church affairs; but as love was the matter of both these laws (though fixt upon distinct octjects;) so edifying is the substance and the end of both, though the latter for the manner, ought often more necessarily to be applyed with the other, as being subordinate thereunto, in sundry respects of nature, matter, use and end, &c. The Apostles instances which oc­casioned this second Rule, seems to teach us the right use of it; the one case of decen­cy whether women should speak in the Church; That, by the Apostle (authoritatively) was once and for all times, ordered negatively, as being specially guided by Gods spirit: Let not your women speak, saith he, &c. The other was a profitable orderly settling the way of their prophesieing, that it might more tend to edifycation; and contrary confu­sion be avoyded, that would hinder the same: And the Apostle seems so to subordinate the latter to the first, as if no plea of order (or decencie at least) might be approveable, but as in conjunction with in its nature, use or end with edifycation of the Church of Christ; whereby natural or prudential agreements, for times or places of worship, and utensels therein, by humane and Christian qualifications, may be suitably judged of and approved by men, [pro hic & nunc,] as it is, or ought to be, with some Officers [quam diu se bene gesserint] and so Moses's Brasen Serpent, was approved to be Hezekiah's Ne­hushtan; but still by the two former rules to be examined, especially, and necessarily by that of edifycation; for prudence and decencie, and all the other▪ if not qualified for edifycation, or being contrary, are (for ought I can discern from the Apostles said ruled cases) pleas without doores, in reference to such said constitutions or counsels of men in the Church of Christ: Whereas, for Officers and Ordinances, and what else is neces­sary, the Scripture gives many, & large instructions, and Divine institutions, which Persons of prudent hearts and sanctified Spirits, will be apt to improve well (by Divine grace duly sought for, and rightly applyed) and the Christian charity of others, herein (accor­dingly) acquiesce: But one the other part, as any appear defective in the said respect of edifycation, or prejudicial thereunto, they may appear to be more dangerously enjoyn­ed or hurtfully observed, as being excentrical to the Apostle Pauls said boundaries of them: And in that men have walked so out of these paths of Unity, Piety and peace, what sad effects hath Satan upon the corruption, blindness and intersts of men, and still doth earnestly endeavour to bring about? let every mountain standing in the way of U­nion be endeavoured by you to be levelled, and every bond be broken in sunder which is not of Gods allowance: But yet may not piously, and charitably intended incourage­ments, in things seemingly only good (but mistaken) be retained? and applyed to real­ly good improvements, which (I suppose) they may well be judged so to have attained their end, with advantage; True Christian Charity, piety and prudence will regulate much in many like cases; God grant them to all sorts in these respects especially con­cerned, &c.

Secondly, for Piety.And all ye right Christianly charitable souls of all sorts, how few so ever in these key-cold, yea chilled last dayes ye seem to be, you have but a little time here to bring forth your fruits of faith and love, Let the season of your present being, first ingage you to walk closly with God; be much in private and secret communion with him your selves; wherein you have (if your hearts be upright in his sight) the greatest advantage imagi­nable with the King of Heaven and Earth, above the favorites of earthly Princes; who sometimes mistake their faithfullest servants, sometimes hear bad information against them, sometimes are remote from them, or they hindred from coming to them, some­times and in some cases and things they cannot help, (though at Gods pleasure Kings may be potent) yet only God himself is Omnipotent, many wayes beyond thought: earthly Princes may fail theirs, but God will never fail nor forsake his favourites; in all times, places and companies, a good thought, purpose, expression of heart, or word, a spiritual soliloquie, or ejaculation is very kindly taken at Gods hand from you, who will reckon such soul actings tokens of much love & sincerity, when sometime more weakness in greater solemnities may appear. 2. Be much in family duties prudently contrivied, that [Page 3] ye may continue in them; set your house in order for them; be not slight or fickle in them, judge not your selves in fit garb or posture for worldly business, without necessity, till God have his family worshipt at suitable opportunities; a frothie profession and pre­tending to Religion hath of late times, much more then formerly, thrust these duties out of doors, though they seldom have had good entertainment within, (save of some few) true piety hath been long, yea ever hitherto, [Rara avis in terris,] very scarce to be found; families were the first and usually the best plantation of fruit trees in Gods Vine­yard, keep the resolution of Joshua, especially now, against the floods of ungodlyness; fa­milies are like to be the best nurseries of such young plants, for many advantages, en­gagements, endearments; much quickning to encrease of grace in family-worship, &c. and that advantage doth wonderfully help, encourage and further the publick Ministry of the Gospel, &c. thence are instilled usually, and preserved too good principles, or patterns of wholsom words, with their improvements; the defect whereof is now lamentable, for the want both of private and publick Catechisings. Do not all wise builders look main­ly to their foundations? for want of this, so many tottering buildings soon reel aside, to one error or other, or are in continual danger of falling utterly, or mouldering to no­thing in Religion, &c.

But then, right Pious souls, see that your true Christianity,Thirdly for Charity. to help forward your good account, be outwardly manifest in your gracious works of charity, not only to supply necessities, but to prevent evil and do good; many poor souls that study faith and good conscience towards God and men, have much encountering with tentations, in a low and hard condition, by reason of the prevailing iniquities of the times, and the many ways of the practise thereof, by the licentious, who fight so against their own outward wants, by weapons of iniquity, using such unlawful ways, and means, and practises which others may not, dare not, do not; yet are straightened by others sins (in such cases) their oppressors, upon such accounts. How should the strong and able in estate, herein in Chri­stian compassion, help the infirmities of the weak, especially in reference to their soul-danger thereby; or to see to the good education of their childeren, and that their wid­dows and orphans (chiefly be relieved, &c. how by such charitable deeds (especially with the addition of instructions and encouragments) might you in so doing draw others to Christ and instrumentally save their precious souls? consider what, out of your Revenues you can with a chearful heart and ready hand, yearly, monthly, or weekly return to God, in a thanks-offering; by his now many, many receivers neer you, or known to you, for the all which you have received besides; and consider, (according to the Apostles rule) how God hath prospered you the preceding week, and let that grace of an humble, thankful, true christian charity, have its due operation in you in her proportion; and if rents and gains will not do it as you desire, then cut off sinful excesses in vain expences, more closly and barely, in too costly and curious apparel, lavishing entertainments, in inconsiderat­ly costly buildings, now the world is neer her departure, by her great shaking fits ceising upon her; yet these are the common sins of the times, and the breeders of mens future sorrow, and too late repentance, when a much better and safer improvement should have been made thereof; now you may make God your debtor, by his promise, and your selves temporally more blessed by giving than by receiving. If men did but cast in a tenth of what they receive, or but even of what many vainly consume, &c. into Gods treasury, for such charitable uses, or any other like, (for the world abounds with objects of that nature) there is no question, but they would find a better return, yea (haply) ma­ny better returns, of that tenth which they gave, or some others out of their estates vain­ly consume (and that with advantage) above all the nine parts that they or such others detained from such offerings to God; besides the prayers, praises and thanksgivings from men thereupon, which God will observe and reward. Let me only add this comprehen­sive consideration for all, at present; That your final sentence of approbation or condem­nation will, by Christ himself, be passed mainly upon that account,See Ever­last. Gos. p. 19, 20. where Mat. 25. is ex­pounded. Obs. it well. Mat. 25. as carry­ing it well or ill in that kind, to such little ones, or disciples of his, in relieving, visiting, cloathing them, (which saith Christ, is done to himself,) but if men injure and persecute [Page 4] them, how heavy will their judgment be? but if in them Christians relieve Christ? they must labour to do it, for Christs sake; in faith, in obedience, out of love, out of thank­fulness to the first giver, who made them large receivers first, whereupon they are much in his debt, & should endeavour much to come out of some part of it, (for which God may discharge in full) before death come, which cuts off further opportunitie, and imprisons all unbelievers for such debts,Dan. 4.7. [oh that men would consider it] before the time of execution come! for then all such interest is gone, and they leave [most likely] a curse to their suc­cessors, entailed on their estates to consume in sin, or give them up to serve Satans inter­est, or to make them become a prey to the devourer, or a bootie to the supplanter, one way or other, &c. And such persons should in these times lay to heart this consideration for two reasons. 1. By how much the times are more provoking of Gods wrath; so all estates are more tottering therefore it would be more wisdom to secure much, whilst ye may, by committing it to Gods safe insuring hands; it may, more likely, rescue the rest, or keep of vengeance the longer, and so more time of well doing will be allowed. Again, Satan hath great wrath, because his time is now very short, and therefore he marcheth furiously with his hosts of evil men and devils to ruin all he can; Christians should then likewise [vi & armis] with all their might give him the repulse, by laying out themselves in their persons, possession, parts, posterity, their all for Christ; whence two encourage­ments. 1. Christ will surely give them both victory, and recompence; and the devil being resisted, as the greatest coward, he will also flee, Jam. 4.7.2. As the times are very bad, so Christians help is more needful; and the rather, because we are fallen into the dregs of bad times, when upon many weighty considerations, we may expect Christs coming very shortly, and the best that live now and lawfully enjoy plentiful estates, know not whether they or theirs shall retain [then] any of the things which they now possess: yet let such take this consolation, that they and their posterity being faithful will gain by that change in this world, when one in a bed, in the field, in the mill, by the Angels will be carried [...]n the 4 quarters of the earth, to Christ as their arke, or as the Eagles to the carkass, Mat. 23.28. and planted in a better soile, and much better estate, to inherit the mercies promised to the fore-fathers,See Obs. 20. [...] Tract. on Rev. 20, 22. &c. I pray God sanctifie such as here them, by these Divine truths thus briefly hinted; and let me to that end, offer this caution to all serious Christians, to take heed lest (as Israel of old entered not into Canaan because of unbelief) that their unbelief [if not their slighting of these Divine truths] cause not Christ in dis­pleasure to bring them late into the New Jerusalem state at the first blessed Resurrect. when, as some antients conceived, there will be [mora] to some, though I doubt not but all the faithful till then, [and not only actual Martyrs] will have some part in that state longer or shorter, it is dangerous to contemn or oppose any Divine truths such as these are; [and as I from good ground know these to be.] As for meaner Christians I only say this,See Satans seven Vials. Forerunner p. 41, 42. which is much in few words, let them walk in their general and particular cal­lings, wherein they are called, with God faithfully, they then will have this strong support that he wil not fail them nor forsake any of them, and to that end consider what is said before concerning these last times, &c. Other improvements of these truths we briefly hinted in our Pract. pieces on Gen 3.15. Rev 22 20. Jer. 3.17. &c. which with this Ex­hortation I leave to Christians use and Gods blessing; praying at present, after that an­cients mode with some addition.