THe firſt is taken from the many particulars which the Scripture mentions to be, hereafter to be fulfilled, and alſo allotts the begining, the continuance, and the end of the thouſand years of Chriſts Reign to accompliſh them in.

From ſundry Texts of the Old Teſtament, ſpeaking of what concerns that Period of Chriſts Kingly Office which are ſo explained by the Spirit of God in the New Teſtament.

From that general reference of the Apoſtle Peter, Acts 3.21. (applyed alſo by Chriſt to thoſe times, Rev. 10.11.) which times (ſaith he) God hath ſpoken of by the mouth of all his holy Prophets ſince the world began: as in ſome good meaſure is manifeſt in our Irenicon, from page 56. to page 89.

Drawn from ſuch portions of holy Scripture, as the Holy Ghoſt hath ſet ſome marks upon, which may diſcover unto us, that they ſpeak ſomewhat that belongs to thoſe laſt times.

From what hath been made manifeſt by Biſhop Ʋſher, Mr. Mede, Helvicus his Chronicle, Mr. Huit, Mr. Swan in his Calamus menſur. and Others, that the fourth Monarchie in Daniel is the Roman Monarchie.

From that part of Daniels Viſions that concerns the Roman Monarchie ſince Chriſts firſt coming in the Fleſh (together with the ſtate of his true Church thence all along under it) which is in great part the ſubject of the Book of the Revelation from chap. 3d. to the 20th. as ſome of the ſaid learned Perſons, and others have likewiſe cleared, as alſo may be ſeen by our Abridgement, and Parallel on Daniels Viſions; and in our Summarie thereof, beſides other obſervations to confirm the ſame, as the laſt part of the Revelation concerns Chriſts ſecond coming, and the ſtate of things in the World afterwards, in chap. 20, 21, 22.

From the promiſes and encouragements made and given to the Overcomers, and Sufferers in all thoſe times ſince Chriſt: Firſt, in the Aſia • Churches, Rev. 2, 3, chap. and all along afterwards referring to ſomething in the New Jeruſalem ſtate, untill the Roman Monarchie ſhall be utterly deſtroyed or go into perdition, and then thoſe promiſes, and encouragements, are to take place, and be fulfilled, as is ſet forth in Rev. 19, 20, 21, 22, chap.

From the joynt witneſſings unto theſe things by the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel, and the beloved Apoſtle John, the firſt in the Old Teſtament, the ſecond in the New, and the latter more largely (though myſteriouſly) ſetting forth what was more briefly ſhut up and ſealed in the former, as is very obſervable, &c.

From the many particulars in Scripture to be fulfilled, at the beginning of the thouſand years, ſo that being by Gods word fore-told, and not yet fulfilled, and alſo that time allotted for the fulfillng of them, they uppon all conſiderations joyntly, muſt needs then take place, and ſo many other great things from thence along the thouſand years, and afterwards, to the laſt Reſurrection, and general Judgement, the holy Scriptures ſet forth that thoſe great things in that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that world to come, as it is ſtiled, Heb. 2.5. Eph. 1.21. of which, large Volumes might profitably be written.

But firſt of ſuch things as are to be about the begining of that Period, or to go before it; Firſt the fufilling of that promiſe, Mal. 4 5. Behold I will ſend you Elias the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; even as John Baptiſt who was therefore called Elias at Chriſts firſt coming, who was ſaid then to come in the Spirit and power of Elias, Luke 1.17. being alſo that Meſſenger ſpoken of, Mal. 3.1. applyed to him, Luke 1.76. by his Father and by our Saviour alſo, Mat. 11.10. But concerning the other at the great and terrible day of the Lord: after John Baptiſt was put to death, our Saviour expreſly ſaith to his Diſciples, Mat. 17.11. truly Elias ſhall firſt come: concerning whom the antient Fathers differ not that another ſhould then come, but whether it ſhould be Elias the Tiſhbite in Perſon, or another like John Baptiſts in the ſpirit and power of Elias, as may largely be made to appear. See Dr. Homes his Reſur. Revived. page, 357, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368.

The terrible ruine and burning of the whore of Babylon ſo largely deſcribed many wayes by the Spirit of Chriſt, Rev. 14. but eſpecially in the 17th. and 18th. Chapter, and probably ſet forth by the Title of Magog, to be deſtroyed with fire in the latter dayes, Ezek. 39.6.

The gathering together to the battel of the great God; deſcribed more generally by the Nations, or Heatheus, whether Paganiſh or Popiſh, (who are for their gentilizing worſhip reckoned Gentiles, Rev. 11.2.) which battel is Prophetically proclaimed by Joel, chap. 32. and deſcribed ver. 3. &c. to be a gathering of all Nations then to the Valley of Jehoſhaphat, which ſhall be at the time of the Jews great reſtauration, where God will plead with their enemies, as he did with the Ammonites, Moabites, and their Confederates, 2 Chron. 20.22. and again it is further and more largely deſcribed from v. 9. Proclaim this among the Gentiles, prepare VVar, &c. v. 18 read and conſider them with the Context: which preparation is two fold, firſt of the Turk, Ezek. 38.8, 16, &c. ſet forth to be in the latter dayes twice, under the title of Gog (denoting ſuch a great and reſolute enemy of the Church) whoſe deſcription there fitly agrees to the Turk, together with his time, and the deliverance of Iſrael, when he is to fall: as Dan. 11.45. & 12.1. Alſo his coming is ſet down with his prevailing and progreſs in order by the ſame Prophet Dan. 11.40, Mr. Mede Di • c. 48. page 374. 41, 42, 43, 44. as Mr. Mede very judiciouſly, appoſitly, and learnedly hath explained that Scripture. Being there ſtiled the King of the North, as the Saracins before him were ſtiled in the ſame verſe the King of the South, and fitly agree with the Seaſons of the 5t. and 6t. Trumpet, Rev. 9. of which, more afterwards.

Again, another part of the ſaid battle is deſcribed in reference to the Pope, for as in the Old Teſtament the Turk is foretold to be then the Jews great Enemy to withſtand their return to Chriſt and their own Land; ſo the Pope in the New Teſtament is ſet forth to be then the great Enemy of the Gentile Chriſtians, both which God will (then) bring down as many Scriptures declare. Who alſo ſhall then be gathered with his complices, to the Armageddon Battle (as upon his account it is called, Rev. 16.14, 16.) under the end of the ſixth Vial, or the beginning of the ſeventh, called alſo the Battell of the Great day of God Almighty: and it is more largely ſet forth, how it will be accompliſhed, Rev. 19.11. When the King of Kings with his Armies will come againſt the Beaſt and falſe Prophet and their Armies and take them both, & for ever deſtroy them, &c. And much is alſo ſet forth, Dan. 7.9.10, &c. concerning the time and manner or the Popes deſtruction: becauſe of whoſe great words the Judgement will then ſit one the Throne, and by a Fiery Sentence, and Execution the Beaſt will then be conſumed, and the Body thereof given to the burning Flame, and much to like purpoſe in that chapter; and a complication of Judgements are in many parts of holy Scripture aſſigned for the ruine (then) of both thoſe great Enemies, beſides what hath been named. I only here point out but few of many, in v. 22. of Ezek 38. God ſaith he will plead then with Gog [the Turk] with Peſtilence, with Bloud, an over-flowing Rain, great Haile-ſtones, Fire and Brimſtone. Conſider ſeriouſly the deſcription of his ruine largely ſet down in 〈…〉 following chapter, and the like of the Pope, Rev. 16. 〈…〉 21. there are the horrours of Gods indignation in that 〈…〉 quake with Thunders and Lightning when Babylon ſhall come 〈…〉 before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the fierce 〈◊〉 of his wrath: as followed in the falling of the great Haile, whereupon 〈◊〉 blſphemed God, as follows, whereby the fierceneſs of his wrath 〈◊〉 be moſt manifeſt as hath been ſeen in the Devil ſince Chriſt came in the Fleſh, who finding himſelf without remedy, ſince, blaſphemed God; which, till then, it was thought he durſt not ſo: for in the latter part of Rev. 19. the Fowls devour their fleſh, and they are caſt alive into the lake of fire burning with Brimſtone: ſo Rev. 14.19. thoſe Grapes are reaped, and caſt into the Wine preſs of Gods wrath, &c.

In the next place unto the deſtruction of the ſaid great Enemies, the Scriptures adjoyn the appearance and Kingdom of Chriſt as the Apoſtle Paul joynes them, 2 Tim. 4.1. and he knew he had good ground for it from Daniels Propheſie, chap. 7. when the Beaſt is deſtroyed he had the Viſion, v. 13, 14. &c. now the Son of Man Jeſus Chriſt came in the Clouds of Heaven, to whom all the Kingdoms and the People are given, as follows, & all Nations under the whole Heaven are then ſubject to him, v. 27. read thoſe things deliberately, &c. So when he had deſtroyed the Beaſt and his Complices, in the end of Rev. 19. then that great Angel [Chriſt] with a great Chain binds the Devil and Satan for a 1000. years, and ſets up his Kingdom, and Reigns with his Saints then to be raiſed, and all ſuch as walk in the light of the new Jeruſalem all the 1000. years: that very clear Propheſy hath been too well vindicated from Satanicall miſts, and Popiſh deluſions to be again darkened by them, or ſuch as they ſeduce againſt holy Scriptures, moſt evident light the ſame Apoſtle joynes them alſo, 2 Theſ. 2.8. ſhewing the glorious appearance of Chriſt will be the utter deſtruction of Anti-chriſt, which is another fore-runner of his glorious Kingdom, &c.

Come to a fift the great and national reſtauration deliverance and converſion of the Jews and Iſraelites; for to the former, the Scriptures alſo joyn theſe their temporal and ſpiritual deliverance, the temporal before in Joel 3. Both temporal and ſpiritual in Dan 12.1, 2, 3. And ſo in many expreſſions both are annexed to Gogs deſtruction, when he ſhall come with an evil thought againſt them, Ezck. 38. and 39. Their happineſs in both was deciphered, chap. 37. by raiſing the great army from the dry bones, and joyning the two ſticks, both which are largely and excellently ſet forth and explained in the whole Chapter, (of which more 〈…〉 ) And when in the two next Chapters the hinderers 〈…〉 comes the New Jeruſalem, called [Jehovah ſhamma 〈…〉 end of that Book; all which fully agree with the 〈…〉 •• velation, which is the ſure Key of all myſtical Scripture 〈◊〉 ••• pecting the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the latter times; their converſion Zach ••• ſpeaks of evidently, chap. 12.10. when that Nation will be 〈…〉 born in a day, Iſa. 66.8. and the iniquity of that Land be taken away in one day, Zac. 3.9. then will that Bride make her ſelf ready, when all thoſe Halelujahs ſhall be ſung at the deſtruction of the Whore, when the ſaid Kingdome of Chriſt ſhall begin, and the readineſs of the Bride ſhall appear, unto whom the abundance of the Gentiles ſhall joyn themſelves, as Rev. 19.1. to the 9th. verſe, and Eſa. 60.3, 4, 5, &c.

Then alſo will Chriſts viſible Kingdome of power be ſet up on earth; Firſt, by removing out of it all things that offend, viz. the Pope and Turk, (with their adherents) with hypocrites, and thoſe that do iniquities, all to be removed aforehand, Mat. 13.41, 42. which by the ſaid judgement, Dan. 7. are to be ſwept away with a temporal ſudden deſtruction, ſet up for to judge then ſuch wicked quick, 2 Tim. 4.1. and Rev. 11.19. and then by gathering both Jews and Gentiles into his fold, when the Jews ſhall be honourably ſent into their Land by the Gentiles, and the Gentiles (unconverted before) ſhall in great abundance be brought in to Chriſt by means of the Jews, upon the manifeſtation that God is with them, Eſa. 60.2, 3, &c.

But then thirdly, That Kingdome of Chriſt will conſiſt of another ſort of Subjects, ſuch as Chriſt will bring with him when he comes, and which before were ſaid by the Apoſtle to ſleep before in Chriſt, in reſpect of their bodies, 1 Theſ. 4.14. which ſhall then be raiſed from their graves, and then be re-united unto their ſpirits at the firſt bleſſed and holy reſurrection, (as it is called) Rev. 20.6. who ſhall then live and reign with Chriſt 1000 years, verſ. 4. and in the end of verſ. 6. which is his judging alſo of the dead at that time, Rev. 11.19. by rewarding his ſervants the Prophets, and his Saints, and all that fear his name, both ſmall and great, both then living and before dead; when as for the evil at ſvch time, he will deſtroy all ſuch as did before by their wickedneſs deſtroy the earth, in both which reſpects, as the Apoſtle Paul teacheth, he will then ſo judge both the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdome, 2 Tim. 4.1. And for both thoſe parts of judgement towards good and bad, it was ſaid when Antichriſt was to be deſtroyed, Dan. 7.9, 10, &c. that the Judgement was ſet, and the Books were opened; as it will be above 1000 years after when all the wicked ſhall be raiſed at the laſt reſurrection, Rev. 10.11, 12. When alſo Chriſt will again judge both quick and dead, when all the Saints that are then alive and remain, as the Apoſtle Paul reckons himſelf and the Saints in his time then will be, 1 Theſ. 4. and he twice affirms it, ſaying, We which are alive and remain, verſ. 15. and verſ. 17. ſhall be caught up together with ſuch of the Saints as at that time ſhall riſe firſt alſo, that is, before the wicked, after to be raiſed; when all thoſe ſorts of the Saints, the living then in the bodily life, and raiſed Saints above a thouſand years before, which then with the Apoſtle remain in the world, ſhall altogether be caught up in the clouds, to meet Chriſt in the air, (whereas thoſe that had their part in the firſt reſurrection, having their part therein 1000 years before, were ſaid then to be brought from heaven with him, when that New Jeruſalem came down from God out of heaven at Chriſts ſecond coming) but then they ſhall ever be with the Lord; whereas he ſeemed to withdraw himſelf from the former before the laſt rapture, which will be in a moment with a glorious change, which myſteries the Apoſtle unfolds, 1 Cor. 15. which he twice confirms alſo, 51.15.

Alſo the whole 97. Pſalm, which beginneth, The Lord reigneth, let the people rejoyce, let the multitude of the Iſles be glad thereof, containing alſo a Propheſie of his terrible coming to deſtroy his idolatrous enemies, and to deliver the Jews and all his oppreſſed people, which will cauſe ſuch exultation and Halelujahs in the world, and is alſo in the New Teſtament applyed by the Spirit of God to his ſaid ſecond coming, Heb. 1.6. when he ſhall bring again his firſt begotten into the world, (as the Greek Text declares) when all the Angels of God ſhall worſhip him, ſo expounded by Chryſoſtome, Ribera, and others, of his ſecond coming; and which alſo the Apoſtle himſelf clearly explaineth, Chap. 2 5. calling it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the world to come, whereof he ſpake; to this agrees Rev. 19.1, 2, &c. when the Whore of Babylon was deſtroyed, and that Reign of Chriſt began, and the marriage of the Lamb was come, ſo many Halelujahs were ſung, Firſt, By much people, verſ. 1, 2, 3. Secondly, By the repreſentative twenty four Elders, and four Beaſts, or living wights, verſe 4. And thirdly, By a voice out of the Throne [the Church] and of great multitudes, ſaying, Allelu • ah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, &c. that is, in another manner than before, viz. perſonally, and at the ſame time, he is praiſed for having taken to himſelf his great power and to have reigned, Rev. 11.17. who, in his perſonal abſence till then, had left his power in the hands of others, which for the moſt part had much abuſed it, and probably moſt provokingly towards that time, &c.

Alſo concerning the terrible coming of the Lord as it is deſcribed by Zachary chap. 14. very lagely how he will fight againſt the Nations that then come againſt Jeruſalem when his feet ſhall ſtand on Mount Olivet and he will ſo terribly ſhake the Earth, as alſo in Iſa. 1.2. ſeveral times is ſet forth, when he will Jehoſhaphatize his Enemies as before in the 3d. of Joel, and the word in the Original ſeems to denote, and at which time Zacharie ſaith chap. 14.5. (as the Apoſtle Paul ſaid from him, 1 Theſ. 3. and laſt.) The Lord thy God ſhall come, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 all the Saints with thee: and as chap. 4.14. all that ſleep in Jeſus, God will then bring with him, [which is that Jeruſalem by a Metonimie of the ſubject that then comes down from God out of heaven, Rev. 21.] and the contexts of Zac. and Joel agree to the ſame time, and the more to difference the ſaid coming from that deſcending from heaven with a ſhout which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, v. 16. which to creatures apprehenſion may then ſeem an other coming: [yet he ſaith not out of heaven, as when the ſaid Jeruſalem deſcended] but it will be after the thouſand years, when he ſeems to have withdrawn himſelf from the holy City and Camp of the Saints, whilſt Satan and his laſt Gog and Magog play their laſt moſt wicked pranks (which will only amount to an attempt) wherewith there will he their own, and the worlds ruine brought on effectually: when the great white throne will be ſet up for Chriſt, before whoſe face heaven and earth ſhall flee away, and no place be found for them: [as being reſolved (as is probable) into their firſt Chaos, &c.] from which ruine all the Saints (as was ſaid before) by a ſuddain rapture and glorious change ſhall be perfectly freed, & glorified as we ſhewed) and ſhall ever be with the Lord from thence forth till the conſummation of that laſt Judgement, that then ſhall all aſcend with him their head into Heaven, without preventing each other (as the Apoſtle alſo teacheth) when death will be ſwallowed up in victory, 1 Cor. 15.54.

There is mention of a Trumpet when the Angels ſhall gather the Elect from the four winds, and two in a Bed, and two in the Field, and two Women in the Mill, the one taken and the other ſhall be left, at the coming of Chriſt in the Clouds, as Mat. 24.30, 31.40, 41. but that laſt deſcending from Heaven will be at the laſt Trump (in regard one of like nature was before.) Again, his ſecond coming in the Clouds, will be for Salvation to all the ends of the Earth, in the iſſue of it: but this deſcending from heaven with a ſhout, and the voice of an Arch-Angel, and the Trump of God, viz. the laſt Trump will bring utter and final deſolation to all the ends of the Earth; yea then Heaven and Earth ſhall flee away before his face, and no place be found for them, Rev. 20.11. Theſe are according to our Saviours own beſt expoſition in the Revelation, which in theſe matters, he hath cauſed to be ſet down with very great evidence often atteſting them to be faithful and true, &c. foreſeeing men would not believe them though very conſonant to the Prophets, and other portions of the holy Scriptures.

In reſpect of the large extent of Chriſts Kingdom, when God hath ſhewed he would ſet Chriſt his King upon his holy hill of Sion notwithſtanding all the rage and tumults of the Heathen, Pſal. 2. he alſo delares he would give him the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the Earth for his poſſeſſion, v. 8. which hath been but in a ſmall meaſure fulfilled to what it ſhall be, when there ſhall be given to him at his coming in the Clouds, Dominion, and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all People Nations and Languages ſhould ſerve him, as Dan. 7.13, 14. and which ſhall not paſs away (as the former did into whoſe place his ſhall ſucceed) and to avoid the ſhifting it from Earth, then, 'tis ſaid expreſly all this ſhall be under the whole heaven, v. 27. and all Dominion ſhall ſerve him, which it never yet did, &c. and this to be fulfilled upon the deſtruction of the Beaſt, &c.

So likewiſe of the ſame time when the third Wee came, that the ſeventh Angel ſounded. There were great voices in Heaven, ſaying, the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, &c. Rev. 11.15. So alſo Saint Paul from Daniel, joynes his judgeing quick and dead, and his Kingdom, together, 2 Tim. 4.1. (as was ſhewed.) which will be above 1000. years before the laſt Reſurection, and general Judgement.

That large extent thereof was alſo foretold, Pſal, 72.8, 11. under the Type of Solomon, though many things therein are not competible to Solomon, but only to Chriſt, who ſhall in a moſt large ſence have Dominion from Sea to Sea, and from the River to the ends of the Earth, with other illuſtrations that could belong only to Chriſts Kingdom, v. 11. All Kings ſhall fall down before him, and all Nations ſhall ſerve him, with other like, &c. Hence he is ſtiled the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 11.15. And King of Kings, &c. 1 Tim. 6.15. Rev. 1.9. and elſe where.

Obſerve the perpetuity of this Kingdom of Chriſt; to which purpoſe, in the ſaid 72. Pſal. • .7. it is ſaid concerning Chriſt (which could not be true of Solomen) that in his dayes the righteous ſhall flouriſh, and abundance of peace, ſo long as the Moon endureth, and v. 17. His name ſhall continue for ever; his name, or his dignity and honour, ſhall be continued as long as the Sun, or (as in the Heb.) ſhall be as a ſon to continue his fathers name for ever. So alſo runs the promiſe under the Type of Solomon made to Davids houſe, to be fulfilled in Chriſt, 2 Sam. 7.13. I will eſtabliſh the throne of his kingdome for ever, v. 16. thy houſe and thy kingdome ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever before thee, thy throne ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever before thee. Hence with much gratitude, David accepted that great mercy, and ſaid, v. 25. Now O Lord God, the word that thou haſt spoken concerning thy ſervant, and concerning his houſe, eſtabliſh it for ever, and do as thou haſt ſaid; and again, v. 29. Let it pleaſe thee to bleſs the houſe of thy ſervant, that it may continue for ever before thee, for thou O Lord God haſt ſpoken it, and with thy bleſſing let the houſe of thy ſervant be bleſſed for ever. So, in Chriſt, the Prophet Eſay ſhews it ſhall be fulfilled, c. 9.7. Of the encreaſe of his government and peace there ſhall be none end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdome, to order it and to eſtabliſh it with judgement and with justice, from henceforth even for ever. And after God had manifeſted his gracious purpoſe in the parable of the two ſticks, Ezek. 37. he ſhews more eſpecially this kingdomes perpetuity, v. 25 &c. ſaying, And they [viz. the twelve Tribes] ſhall dwell in that land wherein their fathers dwelt, they, and their children, and their childrens children for ever; (and then he addes) and my ſervant David ſhall be their Prince for ever; and that this is of Chriſts Davidical Kingdome, to begin at the ruine of the fourth Monarchy, which he will (when death is deſtroyed) deliver up again to his Father, 1 Cor. 15.24. not of his ſpiritual, which he alwayes had and will have, as God; ſee the reaſons thereof in our Tract on Jer. 3.17. pag. So Rov. 11.15. And he ſhall reign for ever and ever, while the world ſhall continue, but ſpiritually to all eternity, as by the occaſion of thoſe words at the ſeventh Trumpet, the ſame time wherein Chriſts ſaid Davidical Kingdome ſhall begin, may evidently appear.

Furthermore, the uniting of the ten Tribes of Iſrael with the other two, is alſo foretold about the beginning of the 1000 years of Chriſts ſaid reign on earth, that then they ſhall become one Kingdome under Chriſt, as is largely ſet down by Ezekiel in the forementioned 37 chap. Firſt, by the dry bones, explained ſo by God himſelf, verſe 11. Son of man, theſe bones are the whole houſe of Iſrael; and after by the two ſticks, one of Joſeph, the other of Judah, from verſe 15. to verſe 20. where again he explains the reſemblance, verſe 21. I will take the children of Iſrael from among the heathen whither they are gone, and will gather them on every ſide (which was never yet fulfilled) and bring them into their own Land, and I will make them one Nation in the land upon the Mountains of Iſrael (not yet fulfilled) and one King ſhall be King to them all, &c. and David my ſervant ſhall be King over them, and they ſhall have one Shepherd, v. 22. and they ſhall dwell in the land which I gave to Jacob my Servant, wherein your Fathers have dwelt, and they ſhall dwell therein, even they, and their Children, and their Childrens Children for ever, v. 25. Moreover, I will make a Covenant of Peace with them, and it ſhall be an everlasting Covenant with them, and I will place them and multiply them, and will ſet my Sanctuary in the midſt of them for ever more, &c. v. 26.

And how clear and large a Comment upon this and other Propheſies and Promiſes to like purpoſe concerning all Iſrael the Apoſtle Paul hath made. Rom. 11. Who ſo runneth may read. God hath not caſt off his People (ſaith he) which he fore-knew, it was true at that time when he ſpake it (as he ſhews v. 5.) and will be of the Elect at all times, and though the diminiſhing of the Jews was for a time the riches of the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealouſie, yet their reſtoring and fulneſs will be a greater riches to them; which he for the ſtrangneſs compares (as in Ezekiels Viſion) to a Reſurrection from the dead, v. 15. and ſhews they are the natural branches of the bleſſed Fore-Fathers, and ſhall all be graffed in again into their own Olive Tree, and v. 26. declares the miſtery of the long continued blindneſs of all Iſrael; (as alſo (ſaith he) there is a Vail upon their hearts, but that Vail ſhall be taken away, 2 Cor. 3. and then confirms by Propheſie, their general call, and deliverance, from Eſ. 59.20. And ſo ſaith he, v. 26. all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved (as it is written) there ſhall come out of Zion the deliverer, and ſhall turn away ungodlineſs from Jacob; declaring further, That the ſtrength of the Promiſe conſiſted in the Covenant with their Fore-Fathers, for this (ſaid God) is my Covenant unto them (though made of old with their Fore-Fathers) yet reaching ſtill unto them, when I shall take away their ſins.

Thus we may ſee in theſe many particulars, what the holy Scripture ſpeaks of them, at, or about the begining of Chriſts Kingdom on Earth, which, though but briefly toucht, yet in this reſpect may ſufficiently demonſtrate to unprejudiced Chriſtians the truth of this Doctrine.

But yet more largely it may again appear by what will be done all the ſaid 1000. years, &c.

1. Satan will be bound, and continue ſhut up in his Priſon all the ſaid time, that he may not in all that time, deceive the Nations any more, till the 1000 years are ended, though afterwards for a little ſeaſon he will be rooſed again, Rev. 20.2, 3.

2. Chriſt with his raiſed Saints ſhall raign on the Earth all that thouſand years, Rev. 5.10. & 20.4.

3. Then will be the new Heavens and the new Earth whereind wells Righteouſneſs for the ſaid thouſand years, 1 Pet. 3.13. Eſ. 65.17. Rev. 21.1.

4. Then the New Jeruſalem that ſhall come down from God out of Heaven will be in its glory and peace, Rev. 21.10.11. and after its undoubted reſcue from Satans laſt attempt with his laſt Gog and Magog to beſiege it as before was evident, chap. 20.7, 8, 9, 10, &c. and againſt the Camp of the Saints all in vain, and to his own ruine and his followers which is the begining of a more flouriſhing and bleſſed eſtate to that Jeruſalem and all her Saints, as ch. 21. and 22. and that for all eternity after their ſaid ſudden rapture and change, thence for ever to be with the Lord, 1 Theſ. 4.16. 1 Cor. 15.51.

5. The inferiour creatures will then be freed from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the ſons of God, during the ſame time, Rom 8.21.

6. It is the time of that Adoption the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks of, which thus he explains, to wit the redemption of their bodies, namely, from the corruption and priſon of the grave, to remain alive with Chriſt in that ſaid ſtate all the 1000 years enſuing, which is the redemption of which our Saviour ſets down the ſigns, Luk. 21. and particularly makes a conſequent of his coming in a cloud, v. 27. ſaying, Then lift up your heads, for your redemption draws nigh, v. 28. But in v. 31. puts it beyond all ground of doubt, ſaying, When ye ſee theſe things, the Kingdome of God is nigh at hand, which muſt needs be that revealed, Dan. 7.13, 14. and then to begin for 1000 years, Rev. 20.4. and not of the Kingdome of the ſtone only, as ſpiritual, but of the mountain, Dan. 2.35. when it will fill the whole earth, called then alſo the Kingdome of God, Rev. 11.15. and ch 19.6.

7. Then every knee ſhall bow to Chriſt, of things (before) in heaven and in earth, and under the earth, and ſhall by their ſubjection to him acknowledge him Lord of all, of which bowing the knee amongſt men is a token, &c. Phil. 2.9, 10. So propheſied of Eſ. 45.23. and which is excellently ſet forth in a Viſion, declaring the iſſue of the revelations accompliſhments, Rev. 5.7, 8 9, 11, 12, 13. as is uſuall in that Book for all the ſufferers in order in a greater or leſs degree (as after may more appear in our 7th. Argument afterwards.) But in the ſaid Viſion, after the Church and innumerable glorious Angels had done, then all creatures alſo are ſaid to ſing their ſong of praiſe to the Lamb, by rendering bleſſing, honour, glory, power, unto him, v. 13.

8. Then the promiſes made to the faithfull forefathers, Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, concerning their having the promiſed land, and their poſterities enjoying it to the end of the world, as Ezek 77.25, 26, &c. or as that emphatical expreſſion is, Deut. 11.21. as the dayes of heaven upon earth ſhall be fulfilled, [though they in their life time only ſaw the promiſes afar off, and received not the accompliſhment of them while they lived, Heb. 11.39.] And as Stephen ſpeaks of Abraham, to whom that promiſe was firſt and often made, yet ſayes, he had not ſo much as to ſet his foot on, [by virtue of the ſaid promiſe, Act. 7. which promiſe is largely rehearſed, Pſ. 105.8, 9, 10, 11.

9. Then ſhall they enjoy that City with its wonderfull glory, which God hath provided for them, Heb. 11.16. and of which he himſelf is ſaid to be the builder and maker of, which alſo is ſaid to have foundations, v. 10. where they and all the faithfull ſufferers ſince ſhall be made perfect in one, Joh. 17.21, 23. and alſo behold Chriſts glory there, v. 24.

10. Then ſhall they all enjoy all the priviledges and benefits of the New Jeruſalem ſtate; all tears ſhall be wiped away from their eyes, they ſhall be the ſons of God, and inherit all things, Rev. 21.7. They ſhall ſee Gods face, and his name ſhall be in their forehead, they ſhall have their part in the tree of life, whoſe leaves are for the healing of the Nations, and in the pure River, Rev. 22. with many other promiſes and priviledges reſpecting that ſtate and time.

11. Then ſhall thoſe in the natural life, which ſhall then be of thoſe Nations that ſhall then be ſaved, walk in the light of the ſaid New Jeruſalem, Rev. 21. and have very much teaching, guidance, and help from thence, (in ſuch wayes as God hath appointed thereunto) when they and their Kings ſhall bring their glory and honour to it, and their Kings ſhall bring the honour of the Nations to it, Rev. 24.26. Eſ. 60.

12. Then ſhall all thoſe great promiſes made in Scripture to the poſterity of Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, to be fulfilled on earth, take their full effect, Deut. 30. v. 1. to 11. Eze. 37. to the end. Eſ. 60. & 61. & 59, &c. with multitudes of others belonging to them in this world, by virtue of Gods Covenant with their fathers, Jer. 31.32. and 32.37, 38, 39, &c.

13. Then will be that reſtitution of all things ſpoken of by the Apoſtle Peter, Act. 3.20, 21. and thoſe times of refreſhing from the preſence of the Lord, after the heavens ſhall ceaſe to contain him for that time, therefore ſaith Paul, Ye ſhall have reſt with us, when our Lord Jeſus ſhall appear with his holy Angels and render Tribulation to his Adverſaries, 2 Theſ. 1, 6. And that appears to be that Sabbatiſme or Reſt the Apoſtle Paul aſſerted, yet to remain to the People of God, Heb. 4.9.

14. Then alſo will the Tabernacle of God be with men, and he will dwell with them, and he will be their God, and they ſhall be his People— Rev. 21.3. and they his Servants ſhall ſerve him, Rev. 22.3. it will then be their joy and happineſs to do ſo.

Many other particulars are ſpoken of in Scripture, reſpecting the duties, the dignities, the priviledges and happineſs, both of living (in the Natural life) and the Saints raiſed from the death of the body, wherein they will both be happily exerciſed, and peacefully, and ſecurely enjoy the benefits, the ſaid thouſand years of Chriſts reign upon Earth, from his coming in the Clouds of heaven for above a thouſand years ſpace; until his ſitting on that great white Throne, when the Heaven and the Earth ſhall flee away before his face, and no place be found for them, Rev. 20.11. and when theſe viſible Heavens we behold ſhall be no more, as is ſaid, Job 14.12.

And ſo we proceed to make up the evidence of this firſt way of Demonſtration, a little to touch upon the third ſort of thoſe things that are declared by the holy Scriptures to be done at the end of the ſaid thouſand years, which are ſo evidently ſet down in the latter part of the Revelation; [wherein, as Mr. Mede obſerves, the Holy Ghoſt hath ſet down things more clearly than before] and herein obſerve what he declareth.

1. Firſt concerning Satans looſing again; who after he had told us of his binding, and ſhutting up at the begining of the thouſand years, and for what reaſon; (that he might deceive the Nations no more, till the thouſand years were fulfilled) but then he adds, after that he muſt be looſed for a little ſpace, v. 2, 3. and when he had ſet forth ſummarily the happineſs of the raiſed Saints raign with Chriſt, with other divine truths of the different eſtate of the reſt of the dead, which were not to be raiſed till the thouſand years were ended, v. 4, 5, 6. he proceeds to ſhew in order, how accordingly it ſhall fall out, v. 7. as before he had fore-told, that Satan ſhould be looſed then out of his priſon. For what is here delivered concerning Satan, and the ſtate of the Saints raiſed, and then of the reſt not raiſed, that are ſaid not to live again till, &c. is all ſet out with the greateſt diſtinct clearneſs, in each reſpect, that can in ſo ſhort a form or frame of words probably be expreſſed or conceived, and as moſt agreeing with the current of the Sacred Scripture concerning thoſe things; which Chriſt was ſo graciouſly pleaſed ſo to make known, for the benefit of his Church in the time of the end, and therefore delivers them ſo clearly and diſtinctly, and ſo leaves them (with all the reſt of this book) unſealed, Rev. 22.10. For from the time of the giving this Revelation, and Chriſts receiving his Commiſſion from the Father to open the Seals, and read and execute the particulars in their order, chap. 5. he hath been, ſtill is, and will alſo henceforth be in doing, till they all be accompliſhed accordingly, and therefore he ſaith, in reſpect of the order of accompliſhment, the time is at hand, chap. 1.3.

2. And Secondly, after the holy Spirit had ſo punctually ſet down the time of Satans looſing out of his Priſon, he proceeds in the next place, to ſhew what ill uſe he would make of his looſing (though permitted to him but for a little ſeaſon) at the end of the thouſand years, and though he be fore-told from the word of Chriſt, that his laſt deſperate deviliſh attempt, will be but a vain attempt, againſt the Camp of the Saints and the holy City, and not only bring on effectually the ruine to that world wherein he would ſtill rule, but deſtruction alſo to himſelf with them in the ſaid bottomleſs pit, where the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophet (that he had in former times long ſeduced) were caſt above a thouſand years before, yet ſo deſperately wicked (notwithſtanding) Satan will then be, and (it appears to be the heavy judgement of God upon him) that he will then ſo do, viz. go out to deceive the Nations, even in ſuch a caſe, &c. as v. 8.

3. The large extent of that moſt horrible wicked attempt of his, and where they will be found, that ſhall thereto be ſeduced (then) by him, to ſuch a purpoſe, namely in the four quarters of the Earth, even ſuch as were removed, or far withdrawn from the Camp of the Saints, by ſuch time as the thouſand years ſhould end, v. 8.

4. By the quality of ſuch Nations which he will deceive and ſeduce (then) into that ſo vain and horrible an attempt, who are deſcribed by the titles of Gog and Magog, even as thoſe great and implacable Enemies to the Church were deſcribed, to wit, the Turk and Pope, Ez. 38, & 39, which by his long ſeducement, were by him brought to their ruine before the thouſand years, when he knew he was to be ſhut up ſo long in his priſon, and when the Jews were to be delivered, and placed in their own Land, Ezek. 37. and united with the ten Tribes their Brethren into one Kingdom under Chriſt; and the new Jeruſalem ſet up, and deſcribed by Ezekiel, from chap. 40. to the end of that Book, there named [Jehovah Shamma] the Lord is there: this title or deſcription of ſuch wretched perſons, the holy Spirit is here again pleaſed to uſe, to ſet them forth by, that they will be another Gog and Magog, maliciouſly attempting the ſubverſion of Chriſts Church, though ſo incomparably glorious in the world, &c. v. 8.

5. The courſe he takes with them, he gathers them together to battell, [for it is the moſt natural deſign of the Devil and his moſt wicked agents in all times, to war againſt the Saints] and it was quarrel enough againſt them, both for him and them, that the mannaging well the power of good government, is by God put into their hands, for reſtraining evil and promoting good, (as doubtleſs in that time it will be) when that attempt ſhall be made, for the overthrow whereof that deſign ſhould (probably) ſerve [if it might be] to get ſuch power into their own hands, that Satan by and in them might reign.

6. The ſeeming advantage they will think probably they ſhall have, to undertake that helliſh deſign which Satan will provoke and tempt them to make uſe of therein, namely, their very great multitudes and hoſts of evil cumbitants, which are foretold, ſhall be as the ſand of the ſea, v. 8.

7. Their general, unanimous, and ready yieldance to ſuch Satans tentation and ſeducement; they went upon the breadth of the earth, v. 9. wickedly, yet confidently relying on their own multitudes, even againſt the long and glorious manifeſtations of the power and kingdome of Chriſt in the world then, after and in the deſtruction of the Beaſt above 1000 years before.

8. The high degree of their ſeeming prevalency in ſuch atchievement; they compaſſed the camp of the Saints about, and the beloved City, v. 9. they even ſeemed then to obtain their end, &c. But then.

9. Obſerve Gods appearing in the nick of time againſt them, cauſing their horrible diſappointment, and bringing upon them their remedileſs and deſperate deſtruction; fire [then] came down from God out of heaven and devoured them, v. 9. which was the temporal execution of Gods judgement on Satans laſt hoſts.

10. Whereupon follows the eternal execution of Gods wrath upon Satan himſelf, for he is then caſt into the lake of fire and brimſtone, to be tormented perpetually with the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, ſent thither above 1000 years before, by means of his ſeducement, v. 10.

11. Hereupon enſues the general Judgement, firſt manifeſted in the ſudden diſſolution of the whole frame and fabrick of nature, in that heaven and earth flee away from the face of him that the great white Throne was ſet for to ſit upon, who had upheld all things till then by the word of his power, Heb. 1.3. (who it ſeems) then will •• ſolve them into the firſt Chaos of confuſion, upon the ranture and chinge of the Saints, but from thence no place will be found for them, v. 11. but as Job ſaith, theſe material heavens ſhall be no more. But then

12. and laſtly, The general Judgement proceeds of all men good and bad, both in reſpect of declaration or ſentence, and execution accordingly, as in many particulars is ſet down to the end of the Chapter. And whereas Hell and Death are in the iſſue ſaid to be caſt into the lake of fire and brimſtone, firſt by hell there may be underſtood the grave, as [ſheol] in the old Teſtament, Pſ. 16. and Gen. 42.38. ſo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the new, 1 Cor. 15.55. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , O grave where is thy victory, in which Chapter what the Apoſtle Paul had taught of deſtroying the laſt enemy death, is here (metaphorical) deſcribed to be fulfilled; to wit, in its capacity, the ſubject matter of death and hell (in that ſence) being now for ever taken away, thenceforth no more uſe of either to be at all, whereby Chriſt is made the death of death, and death the laſt enemy to be deſtroyed, will then [as he ſpeaks] be ſwallowed up in victory.

Now as the Jews looking only at Chriſts ſecond glorious coming foretold in the old Teſtament, did uſually-overlook ſuch things as ſet forth the humility of his firſt coming, for both his firſt and ſecond coming [as Mr. Mede obſerves] are promiſcuouſly ſet down in the old Teſtament, [except in Daniel] ſo Chriſtians under the new Teſtament have been apt to overlook the firſt reſurrection, (called in Scripture, the reſurrection of the juſt) under a confuſed notion taken up of the laſt general reſurrection, which once for all (for the myſteries thereof were revealed by degrees) our Saviour hath by his beloved Diſciple John ſo fully at laſt declared, by an orderly explication of both in this 20th. Chap. of the Rev. for a ſure Key to open (otherwiſe) much myſtical Scripture, concerning the laſt times of the good world, (as part of the 11th. Chap. before to v. 15. was a Table for part of this Book, in reference to the order of the bad times of the former evil world) to chap. 19. adjoyning to it there the ſtate of the good world to follow it, with the continuance thereof, chap. 19, and 20. and proceeds further in the two laſt Chapters to explain the glorious ſtate and priviledges of it, as he is wont in this Book after things more generally delivered, to give more particular explications of them; ſo here when he had ſpoken of joy at the marriage of the Lamb, chap. 19. and that his wiſe had made her ſelf ready, v. 7. which he explains, chap. 21.9, 10. to be the New Jeruſalem, come down from God out of heaven, (which appears to be the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect) which then came with Chriſt at his ſecond coming, as Zach. had propheſied of them, &c. being by a Metonimy of the ſubject the inhabitants of the New Jeruſalem above, Gal. 4. till they came to take their bodies: wherefore that City prepared, Heb. 11.10, 16. for the faithfull, is ſaid to have foundations, and ſo is deſcribed, Rev. 21. And the Apoſtle Paul explains Zach. in 1 Theſ. 3.14. calling it the coming of Chriſt with all his Saints; and in chap. 4.14. yet more clearly [he ſaith] them alſo that ſleep in Jeſus will God bring with him, viz. to be united to their bodies, at the firſt bleſſed reſurrection, to inhabit the ſaid New Jeruſalem on earth that hath foundations, and behold Chriſts glory there, Joh. 17.24. And that this firſt reſurrection is from the death of the body, hath been cleared by many; but Mr. Farnworth in his Millenium, hath added lately divers evident reaſons, reſpecting that, and other matters of like nature, pag. 49, 50, &c. and proves that it cannot be underſtood of a ſpiritual reſurrection, to which purpoſe were divers hints given in the end of our Irenicon; ſee the Appendix.

And thus much for the grounds of our firſt demonſtration from thoſe Scriptures that concern all the ſaid particulars (to which a great deal more might be added) of which we may ſay, as our Saviour of Moſes & the Prophets, that ſuch as would not believe them, they would not believe though one roſe from the dead; ſo ſuch as would reject, or evade ſo many evidences of Scripture, would not believe, though many more of the like nature were added, ſo hardly are prepoſſeſſed opinions, and prejudices againſt ſome divine Truths of this nature removed amongſt ſome, &c. as I confeſs, I experimentally found, till God was pleaſed by many providences and helps afforded, together with remarkable guidance of his word and ſpirit, to teach me otherwiſe; as he muſt doe in ſome things, before men will rightly learn them, though by the ſtrength of Arguments conviction may be wrought, &c.

Now from all the particulats before, in, and after the ſaid thouſand years of Chriſts reign with his Saints, the Argument may thus be framed.

All ſuch particulars which the holy Scriptures declare, ſhall be accompliſhed before, in and after the ſaid thouſand years, ſhall certainly be fulfilled,

But the holy Scriptures declare moſt, or all the ſaid particulars, before, in, or after the ſaid thouſand years to be accompliſhed on earth.

Therefore then they moſt certainly ſhall be fulfilled on earth.

The Major Propoſition is undeniable to Chriſtians.

The Minor is abundantly proved from many, or all the particulars before ſpecified under the three heads.

2d. Arg. I proceed to the ſecond Argument drawn from ſundry Texts of the Old Teſtament, ſpeaking of what concerns that time of Chriſts Kingly Office in the thouſand years which are ſo explained by the ſpirit of God in the New Teſtament.

Firſt, for the begining of Chriſts Kingdom of power on earth, (when the Stone becomes a Mountain, Dan. 2.35. Anſwerable whereunto in Chriſts Kingdom of the Stone he is ſet forth by a Lamb, Rev. 5. that was ſlain, that had ſeven horns, and ſeven eyes, denoting his perfect power and wiſdom in that ſtate: but at the end of it, he comes with his heavenly Hoſts, Rev. 19.11, &c. and conquers the Beaſt and falſe Prophet, and caſts them into the Lake, chap. 20. binds Satan and ſhuts him up in priſon for a thouſand years, and reigns with his Saints, &c. at the ſame time) but beſides that, for the begining of that his Kingdom, we have that divine Oracle in the Old Teſtament, Pſal. 110.1. Sit thou on my right hand, till, I make thy foes thy footſtoole, which is often ſpoken of in the New Teſtament, not only to ſhew him to be the Son of God, Mat. 22.44. though of the ſeed of David according to the fleſh, Acts 2.30. yet from the time of his aſcenſion into heaven. When he is ſaid ſo to begin to ſit on Gods right hand, v. 34, 35. he [ſaith the Apoſtle Peter, v. 36] was made both Lord and Chriſt; and as that Nobleman in the Parable, Luk. 19. went into a far Countrey, and to return when he had received his Kingdome, which was the particular occaſion of that Parable, v. 11. [becauſe they thought the Kingdome of God ſhould immediately appear] he teacheth, that he muſt return firſt from his Fathers right hand; and this he maketh more evident, Luk. 21: when he had ſpoken of the ſigns of the laſt times, he tells them of his coming in a cloud with power, v. 27. and v. 31. thereby ſhews them the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand, namely that Kingdome he ſaid he went to receive, and then returning ſhould poſſeſs.

Secondly, for his foes to be made his foot-ſtool, when he comes from the right hand of the Father, we have in the viſion of Daniel, c. 7. firſt how a judgment is appointed to deſtroy the beaſt, the wicked horn that ſpoke the great words, v. 8, 9. and the body of the ſaid Beaſt was given to the burning flame. [ſo of Magog, Ezaek, 38.6.] at the ſame time he hath the viſion of one like the ſon of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven, to receive the Kingdoms of the world, v. 13.14. & 27. of ſuch his coming St. Paul ſpeaks, 2 Theſ. 1, 7.8, 9, 10. when he ſhall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance, &c. And in the next chap. particularly ſpeaks of the Deſtruction of that wicked one, v. 8. whom he will deſtroy with the appearance of his coming: the times alſo reaching to that, are alſo ſet down in order, in the book of the Rev. to chap. 19.11. where is the Viſion of the execution of the ſame judgement.