Of the most Certain, Infallible, and Ʋn­resistable farther Evidences.

ANd now from Gods gracious late Dis­covery to us that the said blessed state will be the fulfilling of his declared and Covenanted Mercies then in the said se­venth Millen. unto the Fathers them­selves, and to their spiritual seed through and with that their own Divine Seed Christ, Gal. 3. and 2 Sam. 7.16 to the end, as in our two last Books on Rev. 20.5. and Rev. 21.5. is largely explained, which Christs said Revelation Key Divine­ly opens, and which we endeavour here to the best advantage we can in a business [Page 2]of this nature to communicate, so briefly, to all faithful Christians herein concern­ed; and for all others who may be such, by setting before all men, yet more strong, clear, and irresistable evidences from the word of God concerning the said Mercies, as eternally decreed by God, & after car­ryed on in the said Covenants & Prophe­sies of the Old Testament, & witnessed to through the New, to manifest how in the said 7th Milen. as Christ by his Revel also hath infallibly resolved us, that all shall answerably be done (as in good part was shewed) in our Picture of Christs most Divine Key, p. 63. of the Resur. which I doubt not but will farther make the evi­dences thereof so strong, clear, and irre­sistable, and (as I verily believe) of so great weight, as greater cannot be had to prove any Truth, (nor need to be ex­pected for these) and greater then for any other Truth in the whole book of God, this containing the summ of all, namely, Christs great work of Redemption, as the work so eternally appointed by the Father to be so carryed on by him in the time of his Mediatorship in the first six Millen. (as by and by we doubt not to prove) to redeem the souls, bodies, persons, out­ward conditions of his Saints and ser­vants then from the Power and Tyranny of their Enemies: & the World & Crea­tures in that state from the Corruption, Curse, Bondage Enmity in it since the Fall of Man, as in Restit. p 45, 46, 37, &c. Whereupon we must lay down this needful Caution by the way; viz. That we must distinguish the said General work of Redemption, from that Spiritual­ly Powerful work of Reconciliation for his Saints at Christs first coming, accor­ding to the warrant of the holy Scripture, 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Christ reconciling us unto himself, and now by his word of Reconciliation. Rom. 5.10. When Ene­mies, we were reconciled to Grd by the death of his Son: and Eph. 2.16. That he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile in one body by the Cross, &c. Christ by his death so making an Attonement in his blood by his own oblation of himself once for all his people, and thereby laid the sure foun­dation at his first coming, for his power­ful and glorious carrying on of all the parts and degrees of the other (as being made the Fathers Commissioner) during his Kingdome of the Stone (whilest he sits upon his Fathers Throne) at that glori­ous delivery of the Book with 7 Seals Rev. 5. to him the Lamb, with seven Hornes, and seven Eyes, to open, and execute the Contents thereof, unto chap 19. until his second coming at the end of the said 1666. years when he will sit upon his own Throne, Rev. 3.21. for we cannot a­scribe enough to that soul astonishing wonder, of Gods so free and gracious gi­ving his only Son so to dye for such sin­ners to reconcile them to himself, yea God was in Christ so reconciling them (as saith the Apostle) to himself; nor of Christs Love and Compassion, so to reconcile them to God the Father by his own blood-shedding, all which were also car­ried on by the powerful and glorious ope­ration of the Lord the Spirit both for Christ, at first overshaddowing the blessed Virgin at his holy Conception, and ha­ving by the eternal spirit offered himself to God without spot, Heb. 9.24. & at last by his Resurrection, declaring him with pow­er by the Spirit of Sanctification to be the Son of G [...]d, Rom. 1.4. and by his work­ing in his Saints at all times: which said work of Reconciliation was to be the sure and necessary foundation of all the follow­ing parts of the said General Work of Re­demption from Mans Fall to the end, ta­ken in the greatest extent, as it was Gods said eternal Design by Christ so to carry on the said Work in the said time, which we shall here endeavour to set before the eyes and understandings of all such se­rious Christians for their exceeding great Consolation and satisfaction (if duly pondered and improved) which will far­ther appear (as we said) by the said e­ternal Decrees, Covenants and Prophe­sies [Page 3]in the Old Testament, and the Wit­nessings of Christ and his Apostles in the New; but all most strongly determined by Christs own most Divine Revelation But because the first 6000 years appear to be also appointed by him for the carrying on of his Designe for that state in the seventh Millennium, and therefore to run paral­lel with the said decreed great work of the Redemption of the World, viz. both of Men and Creatures, (as we said) we shall upon this third Particular, respect­ing Christs carrying it on in the fix first Millenniums to the seventh, consider, what proof and evidence we find from the word of God for the same, which may double the strength of the said farther re­maining Proofs which we are to proceed to speak of; therefore we shall first mani­fest the reality thereof from Scripture warrant, before we proceed to the other proofs thereof, (which will include much also of the condition of that said state from first to last) first the Holy Ghost excellently expoundeth them by his re­sembling of them to the six dayes of Creation, before God rested the seventh day, and to the Type of the Israelites rest in Canaan under Joshua's conduct, signi­fying thereby, that after 6000 years should be Christs Sabbatisme of rest from such his great work of Redemption: as the spirit of God explains both, Heb. 3, and 4 ch. which our Saviour likewise con­firmeth by his most sure Revelation inter­pretation thereof, and none like it.

And 2dly, this is also done by God's Spirit comparing 1000 years to one day; as first from Psal. 90. where 1000 years with God are said to be as yesterday, which the Apostle Peter, 2 Epist. 3.8. sets forth with great Emphasis, and de­clares it to be a great point, which he would not have Christians ignorant of, that one day with the Lord, [Christ] (whose coming he there speaks of) is as 1000 years; and he puts it both wayes, saying, and 1000 years as one day; viz. in reference to his said coming, to be at the end of the sixth Millennium; and our Saviour also most exactly de­termineth that Sabbatisme of the se­venth Millennium accordingly, by 1000 years six times over, Rev. 20.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. of which more afterwards, &c.

3. Christs carrying on that said work of Redemption for his Universal True Church, as that work which his Father gave him to do, in that respect, in his ex­ecution of his three great Offices in the time of his Mediatorship in the World, which was first in his eminent Prophetical Office in [...]000 years to his first coming; and secondly in his eminent Priestly Of­fice in the New Testament, in the next 2000 years, before the period of his emi­nent Kingly Office for his said Univer­sal true Church will begin, in that fol­lowing state in that world to come: (as is largely proved in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15)

4. This also may appear from that fre­quent Promise of Gods shewing mercy to 1000 Generations, that is, for the 7000 years of the worlds continuance: (as we reckon in the middle state of things, three lives to be 21 years, as in page 6, and 7 of our Key is explained.)

5. From Scripture Chronologie, first of Moses his 2400 years and more, re­vealed to him for time past, with what was in Joshua, Judges, Kings and Chro­nicles, which Bishop Ʋsher, that very good man, and great Antiquary, com­putes at Solomons Temple built 3000 years, and at the Jews Captivity at Ba­bylon about An. Mund 3450 years, as Daniels Divine great Calender, ch. 8. of 2300 years of their Bondage, under the four Gentile Monarchies declares, (as we shall farther by Divine Assistance manifest.) Which, with Christs 1000 years, Rev. 20. make up 6750 years, be­sides the little space of Satans loosing, (not said what it will be.) To like pur­pose is the concinnitie of Bucolcerus in our Table of Chronology in the beginning of our Irenicon, of his 50 Jubelies to Isra­els [Page 4]coming out of Aegypt, and to Babylons Captivity 70 Jubelies, which is 3550 years, unto which, part of Daniels 2300 years 'till Christ, is to be added; and from thence he speaketh as aptly, saying, The seven Seals, and the seven Trumpets out of the seventh Seal, and the seventh Vial falling under the seventh Trumpet, brings us to the seventh Millinary, or great Sabbatisme of the Saints rest with Christ, (as it is called, Heb. 4.9)

And as God eternally appointed Christ (as after may be shewed) in that state to be Heir of all thing, Heb. 1.1, 2, 3. up­on his carrying on his three great Works in the world in the 6000 years foregoing (for they also pass through the 6000 to the 7th, wherein he with his Saints shall enjoy the same, as we shall shew) the first is his making the Worlds, that is, the [...], or his Providencial Management of the several states of things, 1. in the Old World, 2. in this present evil World, and 3dly in the world to come, Eph. 1.20. & Heb. 2.5. the word is, [...], an habitable world to come. [For as for Christs creating Heaven and Earth at first out of nothing, spoken of v. 10, 11, 12. that was his Transient act, but this his making the worlds as he carries on his said work of Redemption, through all the said [...], against the God of this pre­sent evil world, and the Children of it both said, [...], of this world, (as the Scripture decyphers them many times as 2 Cor. 4.4. and Luke 16.8.) such his making of them is his immanent, and so long continued act, so providentially di­sposing what is past, and will do so for what remains to be done, with the Father and by the operation of the Holy Spirit: and so 2dly, for his upholding of all things by the word of his power, &c. verse 3. through all those [...], or several states of thing; and 3dly by purging the sins of his Elect, 1. by his word and will reveal­ed, 2 by his blood shed or to be shed, and 3dly, by his Spirit given, through all the said [...] or Worlds, until from his Per­sonal second coming to the Judgment of the great day he perfects the said work of Redemption, and by his carrying on of these 3 things in the first 6000 years, and that so his three fold most Just Title and Right may then manifestly arise, of his inheriting all things, vers. 2, 3. which (s [...]ith he) his Saints shall also then in­herit with him, Rev. 21.7.

But here some may object, that the sixth Millen. will so want above 200 years, &c.

Answ. 1. Christ tells us of shortning evil times for the Elects sake: he may mean it of these, &c.

2. The sixth Millen. in that respect seems more like the sixth day in the Cre­ation; at the end of which (most pro­bably) the Serpent Satan tempted Eve, she seduced Adam, and God in the cool of the day Summons, Arrains, and Sen­tenceth all the three said Offenders, and cast Adam and Eve out of Paradise: (all which would require some considerable time) and we know not but that he hath designed the little space of Satans loosing to make it up, being a bad state of things with them who shall act in that wicked attempt, which yet will not reach the Saints, but only make Christ a little work to perfect his said Redemption then, by destroying the Devil and wicked men at once, when he lastly delivers his Saints in the world, as in our six Conclusions is shewed, page 17, 18. of Restitut. [also a Germane Doctor gives an account of much more than 200 years lost in several Computations which he mentions, and so the 6000 years should be much past; (but we insist not upon that) only ac­knowleding God is Sovereign Lord of all times and actings in them; and for such particularities we may not be curious, where he hath not revealed, but we see the Parallel of the sixth day, and sixth thousand year from Gods one is consider­able, and (as was shewed) we have Gods Spirits Guidance thereto, and Christs Explication thereof before the lit­tle [Page 5]space we mentioned: and by all which it may appear there is Scripture ground for Gods Millenniari me for the first 6000 years, as well as for Christs on the se­venth, &c. besides, God appointed Christ to be then Heir of all things; so the or­der, & manner, & means, with the times for the same: and those times arev ery punctually & exactly set forth by Christ himself. We shall now proceed to the fur­ther most irresistable evidence of the said neer approaching time and state.

1. From Gods eternal Decree mani­fested by his word in four particulars, all to take place in the same time and state; all which are also Divinely, Glo­riously and Graciously resolved ultimate­ly (that none may dare to contradict under a terrible Penalty, Rev. 22.18, 19.) by Christ in his Book of Revelation, to belong to the same. The first is, his eter­nal Decree of appointing Christ then to be Heir of all things, Heb. 1.1, 2, 3. from his 3 fold said right which we but now men­tioned, when the world to come, or last state of things in it shall take place; of which, more (if God will) in the in­stance of the Epistle to the Hebrews, when the Revelation also declares Christ shall have the Sovereignty and Domini­on of the world given to him, as Dan. 7.13, 14. & Rev. 20. and all things shall be made new for him and his Saints, ch. 21.5. to become a fit Inheritance for him and them, as he promiseth, (as was said) Rev. 21.7. for which purpose, when St. James speaks of raising up Davids Taber­nacle, the Spirit of God directs him to set down that great Truth foreknown to God are all his works from the Foundati­on of the world] as if he would thereby shew that the said raising of the Taberna­cle of David was a matter [foreknown to God from Eteraity Acts 15.17. when Christ will arise and judge the Earth, that he may, (as the Psalmist speaketh) inherit all Nations, Psal. 82. ult.

2. Gods Word witnesseth that God made an eternal Covenant with Christ to give to him all his Elect in the said times to be redeemed by him, until he receive his Inheritance, and when the Heathen shall be given him for his Inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession, Psal. 2. And so he declares Esa. 62.6. that he will give them for a Covenant of the people; which the Sep. very appositely and fitly renders [ [...]] of my Generation; not of Bloods, or the will of the flesh, or the will of Man; but born of God, as John 1.13. and born of the Spirit, John 3.5, 6. and of this Covenant the Holy Ghost gives an ex­cellent explication, Isa. 59 ult. As for me, this my Covenant with them (saith the Lord) my spirit which is upon thee, [Christ] and my words which I have put in thy mouth, (which includes all his Ordinances grounded upon his Word) nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed: and again he adds, [saith the Lord] (for this Scipture is full of Emphasis) from hence­forth even for ever: I do here only brief­ly touch upon these great things, refer­ring what remains to future Discourses (if God will) and all those so Heaven­born Creatures, given by Covenant to Christ from Eternity, the Apostle, Rom. 8.17. declares, (where also he speaks of other matters respecting that state of the 1000 years, verse 19, 20, 21, &c.) that they shall be Heirs, and joynt Heirs with Christ; and they are also so explained to be the New Jerusalem com­ing down from God out of Heaven, call­ed there, The Bride, the Lambs Wife, Rev. 21.2, 9. which will be the Spirits of just men made perfect, which before that time were in the Jerusalem above, Gal. 4. but then coming with Christ at his appearance and Kingdome, are called the Bride the Lambs Wife, at the Saints first bodily Resurrection, Rev. 20.4, 5. when as our Saviour prayed, John 17.23. they will be then made perfect in one, and behold his glory, &c. verse 24.

3. Gods word witnesseth that God by [Page 6]his said Eternal Decree, appointed the Creation of the World for Christ and his said Saints, to be possessed by them in the said seventh Millennium; for although he made Angels and Men at first in the perfection of their Natures, yet he was not then pleased to e [...]gage his Almighty Arm to uphold them in that state: wherefore, foreseeing they would fall, he carries on thereupon his everlastitg de­signe through Christ for his Saints to his own greatest Glory, &c. by whom both the Elect Angels were confirmed in grace and glory; and the sins of the Saints should through all times be purged away by himself; for the good of whom he hath ever since made his Elect Angels Mini­string Spirits, having from Eternity given them by his said Covenant unto Christ: Therefore the Spirit of God evidently so explains Psalm 8.4. in that excellent E­pistle to the Hebrews, chap. 2, 6, 7, 8. speaking by allusion there to the first A­dam: but in both texts Christ is said to be the Son of Man, which the first Adam was not but only by Creation the Son of God, Luke 3. the last. And this Son of Man [Christ] is he that was for a lit­tle season in the world made lower than the Angels, but after Crowned with Glo­ry and Honour; who for the suffering of death, (as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 1.3.) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; and hath all things (as he goes on, v. 8.) put in subjection under his feet; viz. Decretively and Declara­tively, not actually (as all shall then be) & so the holy Apostle speaks there [we do not yet see all things put under him, v. 8.] and now in some sort or sence the world is the Saints, as 1 Cor. 3.22. but then it shall be [not only as Christ now provi­dentially orders all for their good therein] but then it shall also be theirs in possessi­on too, at the said times of the Restitu­tion of all things (as our Saviour re­solves in that world to come, Rev. 21.5.7.) Consider well as to this Head, our Divine Theses, in pag. 3, 4, 5, 6, &c. of our first Irenic. and Abridg. p. 7, 8, &c. all (though short) yet of great weight.

4. Gods word witnesseth that by an Eeternal Decree he hath appointed to set his King Christ upon his holy Hill of Si­on, Psal 2. according to his last Cove­nant with David for his sure Mercies re­specting Christs Universal and perpetual Kingdome that he promised to him for e­ver, 2 Sam 7.16. to the end; & that after all the vain attempts in the world to the contrary, v. 1, 2, 3, which have ever been in acting since the Fall, that Enmi­ty was put by Gods Justice between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent, Gen. 3.15. and will be to that very time when he shall come with his Saints to take possession of it, which I doubt not but this Generation will short­ly see; and what a time of trouble will then be, 'till Christs said coming ends it, Dan 12.1. Rev. 16.18. experience will soon manifest; but notwithstanding all that hath been, is now in acting, or shall be, until then: yet saith God, I have set my King [Christ, the great King of the New Jerusalem, as he stiles himself, Mat 5.35.] upon my holy Hill of Si­on; when also upon his asking (as he did John 17.20.) he will give him the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the ut­termost part of the Earth for his Possessi­on; and when he will make him his First­borne (and so Heir to the Kingdome) higher than the Kings of the Earth, Psal. 89.27. and Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 1.5. and therefore when he destroyes the Beast and false Prophet at the Armageddon Battel, his Name shall be written upon his Vesture, and upon his Thigh; whose Name also is called the Word of God, v. 13. yea, he had a name written that no man knows but he him­self, v. 12. but yet, v. 16. his Name is so written King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19.11, &c. whereupon he with his raised Saints shall Reign upon Earth 1000 years, Rev. 20.4, 6. which will be Gods said setting of his King [Page 7]Christ upon his holy Hill of Sion, and his possessing of his said Davidical Kingdome for ever, 2 Sam. 7. which from our 12 Foundations of our Faith hereof is abun­dantly evident with others.

Hence also it is very observable, Acts 15.16, 17. that the Holy Spirit upon the Apostle James his speaking of the raising Davids Tabernacle, which the Prophet Am. shews, ch. 9.11. the last shall be so that the people shall never more thenceforward be pulled up out of their own Land (as also is said 2 Sam. 7) and to be when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, as Rom. 11. which he stiles all the Heathen that are called by my name, to which text of Amos S. James ha­ving spoken of the Gentils first call, which was in part (as he said by his mouth, v. 7. he then adds, after that I will returne, [which words are not in Amos 9. but Gods Spirit taught him so to explain them] and build up his Tabernacle also; and as declaring it not to belong to that first call of the Gentiles, but as Amos saith when all the Heathen shall be called by his name; and thereupon adds that great general Divine Truth, here to be especi­ally applyed to the raising of Davids Ta­bernacle, v. 18. known unto God, saith he, are all his works from the beginning of the world, as if he would thereby teach Gods people that it was Gods eternal de­signe then to raise Davids said Tabernacle in Christ according to his Covenant with David, viz. for his House, his Throne, and Kingdome for ever, as 2 Sam. 7. and that all the works of God in the world since tend to fulfil that which is his great designe in that time in the world; name­ly, for Christ to reign in the renewed state thereof with his Saints in it, where they had all been before so Conteamed, Persecuted, and Oppressed by the black Prince of this present evil world, and by ungodly men also called the children thereof; namely of this present evil world. And thus we may see in all these particu­lars, Gods eternal decrees are confirmed and explained by Christ as, they shall take place in that state in those times ac­cordingly, of which much more will be manifest from the Divine exactness, the comprehensive usefulness, and the certain determination of Christ in his said Key, which is chiefly the spirit of Prophesie, and the Testimony of Jesus, as he had be­fore spoken by his spirit in his Prophets, Rev. 19.10.

The next evidence of the said sate in the said times, is from the most ancient Declarations, Promises, and Covenants in his word unto the Fathers, as the next revealed grounds of the same. The first was Gods own Declaration upon Mans Fall, That the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head; and because he was to be only the seed of the Woman, and not of the man, therefore was neces­sarily to be the Son of God, as he was manifest to be in the in 4000 years after, & by the breaking of the Serpents head by degrees, in respect both of his head of Po­licie and Power, at last he should so make way for his own sovereignty, and the Do­minion over the Creatures, at last to be restored to him, as largely is to be seen in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15. so that in that first Declaration we may observe, first, how all evil shall by him be taken out of the world, viz. by Christs destroying the works of the Devil, as St John speaks, and that both in his Designes and actings by all his wicked Instruments in the old world, and ever since in the new world, especially in his designs of his three Babels, as in ch. 5. of our Iren. all to come to utter confusioon at his 2d coming, (having laid the firm foundation thereof by his death at his first coming) by bringing in again at last oneness of Language, peaceable and good Gvernment, and vindicated his Gospel Truth from Mystical Babylons pol­lutions: but more especially he will break his head of power by his great day of Judgment eminently at the first act there­of, Rev. 19.20. and totally, and finally at the last, v. 11.

And 2dly, this in the next place God more generally made known to Enoch, as St. Jude records it, v. 13, 14. who was a Type of Christs Ascention, having this Testimony, that he pleased God, as the Apostle witnesseth (as God was well pleased with Christ who having done all his wills, ascended into Heaven, and at his descending again begins the first act of his Judgment of his said great day, when the body of the Beast shall be given to the burning flame, Dan. 7. and the last act will totally and finally break h [...]s said head of power, which our Saviour teach­eth shall be after the 1000 years of his Reign with his Sts. Rev. 20. when Satan shall be cast into the fiery lake, wherein the Beast had been 1000 years before.

The 3d to whom God revealed those Mercies so long before was Noah, and that three wayes; First, as saving his Fa­mily by an Ark, from that destruction with wicked men by the flood, as a Type of Christs saving his Saints from the fires of Gods wrath at both those acts of Judg­ment against men and Devils. And then 2dly, on the other hand for carrying on of Good for the Saints then, God in the second place made a Covenant with No­ah for the Worlds and Creatures preser­ration, until those last times, and set the Rainbow in the clouds as a token thereof, and also for the fruitfulness thereof, for all their Accommodations till then; and that the greatest fruitfulness should be in that last state, as the Prophets afterwards both confirm and explain, as Joel 3. E­zek. 34. Amos 9.13.

And in the 3d place, God gives a Pro­phesie to Noah, that his two Sons poste­rity, viz. the Jews descending from Shem, who obtained the first interest in Gods favour then; and the Gentiles in their time descending from Japhet, should be perswaded by God to dwell in the Tents of Shem. viz. to be of the true Church, when the Jews were cast off, Acts 13 be­ing the two stems, out of whose roots the Elect should (mostly) arise, until Christs second comeing (though (haply) many Proselites might spring out of Chams race since, as before the flood out of Cains) the former Call of the Gentiles, Hos. 10. is explained Rom. 9. and the joynt Call of both to come, is explained, Rom. 15. when the Gentiles, with all Gods an­cient people, shall rejoyce together, as Deut. 32.43. but after that time all Na­tions and People shall see the sal­vation of the great God of Israel, when the Heathen (as was said) shall be gi­ven to Christ for his Inheritance, &c. and as Dan. 7.27. all the Kingdome and Dominion, and Greatness of the King­dome under the whole Heaven (N. B.) shall be given to the Saints of the most high with Christ, and all Dominion shall serve and obey him. And thus briefly of the said Predictions to the said three Fa­thers, Adam, Enoch and Noah, all ex­tending to the said time and state, (as our Saviour hath likewise by his Revela­tion resolved us, &c.)

Come we now to the Covenanted Mercies made by God to the following Fathers, and their spiritnal seed, for the Typical Canaan, and Mount Sion there­in, &c. to enjoy the benefits thereof through their Divine seed Christ; [for there are many disterences betwixt them, and their natural races interest, which was but conditional, and so broken by them, as we set down in many distinctions, pag. 10, 11, 12. of Resurect.] but their spiritual Race with themselves will enjoy their sure interest in the renewed state thereof at the first Resurrection, (as in our Key of the Covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, of which many great things are there observable, pag. 6, 7, 8, &c. and all suiting to Christs Reve­lation in the New Jerusalem state, and Kingdome of Christ, ch. 20, & 21, & 22. all holding forth the truth and faithful­ness of God, as we more largely shewed both in the Systeme of promised Mercies and Covenauts, and the Treatise follow­ing of Resur.

First, Abraham the Father of the Faith­ful had a seven fold gradation of the said Promises and Covenants for the Land of Canaan, and the chief City in it for his natural seed in the Type, but as for his own interest, he looked for a City that was then a sar of, at the first Resur. (with his spiritual seed) that hath foundations, whose Maker and Builder is God, which God (saith the Apostle) had prepared for the Fathers, who Without us also shall not there be made perfect, Heb. 11.10, 16, 40. or perfect in one, John 17. in the New Jerusalem as the Lambs Wife, Rev. 21.2, 9. for as Abraham saw Christs day, first and last by Faith; so it is not to be doubted, but he saw that City of an Heavenly excellency, (though it will be in the world then, as our fifteen Reasons approved by the learned and judicious sufficiently manifest) and so the Cove­nanted Confirmations to the like purpose made unto Isaac and Jacob: as may par­ticularly be seen in our said Key respect­ing all their three Covenants; for here we only briefly touch upon them, as af­fording us their strong evidence to these said Divine Truths.

The last is Gods Covenant with David as to his sure Mercies respecting his King­dome, gloriously to be set up in Christ, when he shall return (as Luke 19.) from his Fathers right hand, ceasing then as Mediator, to sit upon his Fathers Throne, Rev. 3.21. and coming to sit with his said Saints upon his own Throne then; for all these said Fathers natural Off-spring were cast out of the Typical Canaan with a sore destruction for their great sins, Mic. 2.10. and Davids natural Race cea­sed to succeed him over Israel and Judah, for the height of their wickedness, to the falling of his Tabernacle; for their long bondage of 2300 years, during the four Gentile Monarchies succeeding thereup­on, (as God revealed to the greatly be­loved Prophet Daniel) and after his Vi­sions is also contained in St. Johns the beloved Disciples book of Revelation, whenas the Prophet Amos speaks, ch. 9. and is explained by the Apostle James, Acts 15. that Davids Tabernacle at the end of the last Monarchy (now neer approach­ing) shall (as was said) in Christ that Son of David be set up again, when the spiritual and Divine part of the last Co­venant with David shall most surely be fulfilled, to the exceeding great glory a­mongst all his said Saints, of his Wisdome, Power, Justice and Truth against the Serpent and his seed; and of his Wis­dome, Mercy, Goodness, Faithfulness and Truth to themselves, as in our Trea­tise of Resurrection is set forth. The like Testimony now of the almost experienced time God gave by his other Divine Con­temporary Mistical Prophet Ezeekiel. ch. 21.26, 27. saying both of the fall of Davids Tabernacle in the last of his Natu­ral Race, I will overturn, overturn, over­turn; & of the raising it up again as fol­lows, &c. The fall is first redoubled there not only for certainty of its falling; as the four Monarchies were twice revealed, first to a Gentile, secondly to a Jew, &c. but it seems to be a farther confirmation of Daniels large measure of the suffering times of the Jews and Gentiles under the same four Monarchies, which by Gods Spirit seems expressly to be declared in the next words, which declare the raising it up again; viz. [until he come, whose right it is, and I will give it him] which was meant evidently of his second come­ing; for he came the first time to suffer, not to reign: neither doth God give it to him, until his second coming, at the destruction of the Beast, Dan. 7.9, 13, 14. when the Tabernacle of David is to be raised up again in him. But this three fold overturning was to be fulfilled in that long interim of their bondage 2300 years, (as since hath been found by experience neer to the end thereof.) The first o­verturn was by the Caldeans, when the Jews were led Captive to Babylon; [But under the Medo-persians, God wonder­fully reduced many of them by working [Page 10]the Spirit of Cyrus to it, to fulfil Jacobs Prophesie of the comeing of Shilo, and Daniels 70 weeks, to Christs finishing transgression by his death, and bringing in everlasting righteousness by his Resur­rection and Ascention, when God set up his Kingdome of the Stone (as was no­ted) yet secondly, under the Greek Monarchy their Land was saddly harrased and spoiled a long time, betwixt the two Wings or Branches thereof, Aegypt and Syria lying on both sides of it, until the end of Antiochus Epiphanes his outrage, when the Roman (by Scripture account) began, under which their Land hath been again greatly overturned, and turned in­to a Province until those Ruiners of that Monarchy, viz. the Mahumitans, Sari­cens and Turks both harrased it and took it, and by degrees all the Eastern Em­pire also; so that the Jews have changed only their Oppressors, but not their Bon­dage, and still in the Land of Magog, or Roman Monarchy, wherein they are to continue in that part until that Monar­chy, and their present Oppressor [the Turk] both perish (probably) together at Christs said appearance and Kingdom: and thus through all that said time; that three fold overturning will be very pro­bably fulfilled: and the Spirit of Christ hath in many things to come also witnes­sed by Ezekiel as well as Daniel (though the Series and order of them is chiefly from Daniel) But Ezekiel chap. 36. speaks of their Divine Grace as the foun­dation of all future Mercy: so Daniel 12.1, 2, 3. & ch. 37. of their Deliverance and Union: so Dan. 12.1. & chap. 38.39. he had the Vision of Gog and Magogs de­struction: so Dan. 7. & chap. 40. to the end of the Book: the Vision of the New Jerusalem, and the Temple upon the E­nemies said ruine: so Daniel at that end of their dayes shall stand up in his Lot in that state.

3. It is manifest from Gods many ex­plications of the said Predictions and promised Covenants and Mercies to the Fathers, as they are afterwards confirm­ed and explained in the following Pro­phets; all which are ultimately determi­ned by the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the said state and time, as respecting all such said Saints that shall then be raised by him to reign with him in his said Me­diatory or Davidical Kingdome in the 1000 years, and be in the New Jerusa­lem happy state then in the world, at the times of the Restit. of all things: where­fore Christs said Revelation ought ex­ceedingly to be regarded and believed, besides other Reasons for the light it gives to all such Prophetical Scriptures, & for the manifold comprehensive useful­ness of it, &c. And here we might proceed farther to shew how these Covenants were confirmed by the following Prophets which largely might be done, had it not been set forth from Acts 3. as he spake by the mouth of all his holy Prophets, in our Iren. ch. 5, 6, 7, 8. and in our 12 said Foundations, with many other parts of our said work, which is now by Divine disposal become a useful Comment upon our two last Treatises on Rev. 20.5. and Rev. 21.5. pag. 1, 2, 3, 4. of Restitut. Since Christs Spirit hath vouchsafed these great Discoveries to so weak & unworthy an Instrument of late, by the help of all our former Pieces, especially of our more late useful Key, and also our three first Convincing Arguments in the Word Written, abundantly prove the same, we need add no more, &c. and our Saviour, Rev. 21. applyed divers Texts in Esa. 60, &c. to the time and state of the New Je­rusalem, as a pattern of many more, &c.

4. The fourth Scripture evidence is of the many passages in the Gospels, and Acts, and Epistles of the Apostles, which receive no full and sure explication, but by the help of Christs said Revelation, which teacheth us also, that they have re­lation to all the former heads. 1. of Gods eternal Decree in all the said Particulars. 2. To his declared or promised Mercies and Covenants afore named; or to the [Page 11]Prophets Confirmations, Explications or Illustrations of the same, which all ex­plaining their sence in the New Testa­ments; and also is very evidently the most excellent Divine Key of all such Prophe­sies referring to that said time and state, and even the Prophesie of Jacob, and the like, and the partial deliverance of the two Tribes wonderfully by Gods working Divinely upon the spirit of Cyrus to that end, and Daniels 70 Weeks of Years, all specially and immediately respecting the Messias or Shiloe's first comeing. Yet since Gods Kingdome of the Stone began, at or about his Ascention for 1666. years from that his spiritual powerful Victory over the Powers of Darkness then, Col. 15. until his said glorious, visible & powerful victory be obtained over all his great Ene­mies, making them then (at the end there­of) his footstool: so we may thence also see the drift of that great Foundation then laid for the Saints said Reconciliation to God, was to advance the glorious and blessed ends of Christs second comeing, when they shall reign with him, which we have already given instances of, from Luke 20.35, 36. explained in Resur. by Rev. 20.5. and of Acts 3.19, 20, 21. ex­plained by Rev. 21.5. in the beginning of both our last books and shall by Gods gracious assistance do in some other of the Epistles, but especially as a pattern of all the rest in the Epistle to the Hebrews, to manifest that Revelation Interpretation of all such said Parts of Scripture is the best and most sure Interpretation of them.

5. It is manifest from the many Paral­lels in the Books of Daniel and the Reve­lation, and of the admirable connexion of both: First of the matters and things; and secondly of their times or the Series and order of them both. First from their many Parallels: as 1. The manner of wri­ting them both, Rev. 1.19. first of the things which both of them had seen. 2. of the things then in their own time, as we observed in our Summary of Daniel, pag. 3, 4, 5, &c. And 3dly, of the things that shall be afterwards, &c. where many things are set down suiting to one ano­ther: and though Daniel set forth more generally and briefly all the four Monar­chies, chap. 2. and chap. 7. yet at the end of them in both chapters, he shews the state of things to be in the 1000 years: at the end of chap. 2. he sets down the be­ginning of the Kingdome of the Stone at v. 44, &c. about Christs Ascention, to continue for 1666 years, which should break the Iron Roman Monarchy in that time, and it self become a Mountain fil­ling the whole Earth, v. 35. when the time of the ten Kings, ch. 7. and the little Hornes time, time, and halfe a time; viz. of the Beast or Antichrist, [haply the Turk also, for there are many Resemblan­ces of both, &c.] shall be extinct, and therefore in that ioyenth chapter he speaks of the first act of the Judgment of the great day to give the body of the Beast to the burning flame: when he had also the Vision of Christs comeing in the Clouds to receive his universal and per­petual Kingdome in the world, next after the Beasts Date of a time, times, and half a time are out; explained by 42 moneths, and 1260 dayes in Rev. 11. & briefly in passing over the Persian, v. 1, 2. and running through much of the Grecian Monarchy in ch. 11. to v. 36, he comes to the Roman at its height in Christs time, and after in the primative Persecutions, v. 36. and to the Popes, v. 37, 38, 39. and so by the Saracens in that time of the end, v. 40. and the Turks, v. 40. that King of the North, of whom as the second Woe-trumpet he pro­ceeds to speak v. 41, 42, 43, 44. to his end 45. about Christs appearance; and so ch. 12. setting forth the time of Christs appearance and Kingdome, he gives far­ther explications of the times of the Beast v. 5, 6, 7. and those before it, verse 4. and in reference to Christs said comeing, ch. 10. he had a Vision aforehand of his glorious person, and so had St. John, ch. 1. and as the man in white Linnen, ch. 12. as the great High-priest declares the time, viz. of that last Gentile Monarchy [Page 12]should be no longer than Christs appear­ance: so Christ the same person swears the like, Rev. 10 at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, which is the very same time: see more in our Parallels of the Roman and Christs Monarchy from both Books. And he that is able to make these and the like Parallels understandingly by Gods Mercy may soon prove very judici­ous in matters respecting the said happy state of the 1000 years, so excellently set down by Christ farther to explain these last things in the 4 last ch. of the Revel.

And 2dly, there is a wonderful connex­ion of the Misterious times of Daniel, with those of the Revelation succeeding them, first the great Calender of 2300 years in ch. 8. of Daniel, misteriously given by Palmoni, or the secret Numberer, as it is opened v. 17. by him, at the time of the end the Vision shall be, and v. 19. in the last end of the indignation, viz. a­gainst the Jews; and v. 26. as a Key of both, to be shut up for many dayes, with many other Reasons in our Summary on that text, which manifest it to be the measure of the times of the Gentiles Do­minion, and Israelites and Jews joynt Bondage, which contains Daniels three Monarchies past, and the Romans to Christ, and thence by vulgar account 1700 years to Rev. 19 ch. as in Restitut. p. 26, 27, 28. until the ruine of the Beast, and until Christs said Kingdome of the Mountain begins; likewise, in Daniels second Number of the 70 weeks, from the execution of the Command, in the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanns, about Anno Mundi 3550. to build the City Je­rusalem, to Christs putting an end to sin by his death, and bringing in everlasting Righteousness by his Resurrection and Ascention, in the middle of Daniels last week, making up 490 years, when the God of Heaven set up the Kingdome of the Stone for its 1666 years, and is also the period of Antichrists Date, Rev. 13. ult. to be found out by the Spirits Di­vine Wisdome in Daniel and St. Paul, who saith the apperance of Christs come­ing will destroy him, 1 Thes. 2.8. and this Number of Daniel proceeds i [...] con­nexion with the Revelation, from Anno Dom. by vulgar account, about 34. by adding the said Divine Number (as I e­steem it) both wayes, 1666. for the end of the Kingdome of the Stone, then be­ginning that of the Mountain, as v. 35. and also the end of the Beasts Date, and so stands in connexion with Daniel in re­spect both of the former and latter times of Daniel and Revelation, so suiting ad­mirably each to other, &c.

3. For Daniels third Mistical Numbers connexion by a mark [of taking away of Sacrifice, and setting up the abomination of desolation, chap. 12.] to be found ma­ny hundred years after; and yet when it comes after Adrians the Emperours dri­ving the Jews from sacrificing about 130 years after Christ, and Constantines about 312. that it so wonderfully should be or­dered about 365 in Julian the Apostates time, that by such an eminent hand of God, as we shewed. pag. 6. of Abridgm. of Dan. & of Parral. p. 34. it should then be taken away ultimately (as publick at least) to which 365. by adding the before revealed to Daniel 1335. (thence to the blessed times) the said Revelation number of 1700 years, to ch. 20. is so by that won­derful connexion made up by both these beloved Servants of God and Christs so strange agreement in witnessing joyntly to both Divine books from the same Holy Spirit, which is one admirable evidence of the said Truth witnessed by both.

And as to the excellent Divine Contri­vance of the Book of Revelation in two Schemes, to ch. 19. as an explication of Daniels short Hints for the Times; during 1666 years, under the King­dome of the Stone, Dan. 2.24. from Christs Ascention to his descending again, as pag. 26, 27. of Restitut. with other things observable in the order of it: all these may be observed in our Scheme of Revelation, and Summary of Daniel in [Page 13]one sheet, of excellent use, (if well per­used, and frequently.) But for the mat­ter of the four last chapters briefly hand­led, Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. after the fourth Monarchy our Saviour explains Divinely many things as referring to the other Pro­phets, from first to last, chiefly respecting the said antient Predictions & Covenants with wonderful exactness, which the latter Prophets, and New Testament confirm, as they are so explained by Christs said Revelation.

Yet many allusions to other Prophets are made in that whole book to the Old Testament Dispensations, both of the Camp of Israel in their Wilderness condi­on, and when the Temple was built, and to Rulers the 24 Elders; and to Church Guides, the four Beasts full of Eyes, Rev. 4. & to Ezekiels Vision, ch. 1. & 10. and Es. 6. to Zacharies two Olive Trees, ch. 4. the Witnesses, Rev. 11. &c. wherein we may note the passing of the handle of Christs Key (as we may fitly call it) by Promises and Incouragements (as in our seventh Convincing Argument) to their times of fulfilling in the 1000 years: as the Souls beheaded, and their fellow Ser­vants and Brethren, Rev. 6.9, 10, &c. are raised to Reign, ch. 20.4, 6. which is a very weighty and useful considerati­on therein. We only by the Abridgments [mentioned in our Account, p. 3.] passed per Saltum (as we said pag. 3. of Resur.) unto the twentieth ch. referring Christi­ans for the former part to ch. 19. (now almost fulfilled) to Mr. Medes Commen­tary, and Clavis chiefly: but the Obser­vation of Decem. 7. 1664. in the Prodr. on Mr. Durhams book do explain many things from ch. 5. to the end: but note here, that as Daniels twelfth ch. is a Key to that Book, so Rev. 17. to the times of the Beasts 1660 years, as in our useful Observations, where that and many o­ther excellent matters respecting both books are set down, Observ. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. next after the Tract upon Rev. 22.20. Thus we see the Holy Spirit so many wayes joyns Daniel and the Revolation both in times and things (as was shew­ed) in both Books through the 2300 years of the four said Gentile Monarchies from the falling of Davids said Taberna­cle, which points Unto us this consolati­on that God will be mindful of that co­venant when the time comes: as also of all the former whose Period is the same and their mercie in substance will be the same: and it is no wonder it should be so long before that peoples reducement, since their Sin was so great at first, but especially at their last and longest and sorest Captivity when they had killed the Lord of life with so great a curse upon themselves and their Children.

Upon all which said confirmations and evidences Gods Design in Christs redem­tion was at his first coming to be manifest to be the son of God in the flesh, and to have a body given him Heb 10.5. as in both respects foretold by the Prophets, when as God-man he by dying laid the foundation of all future good, Reconciling both Jews and Gentles by his death: Rom. 5.10. and meriting the salvation of all his Saints souls, about An. Mun. 4000. but towards the end of the Sixth millennium at his 2d coming he shall powerfully destroy his great Visible enemies and bind Satan the 1000. years and raise the Saints bodies from the grave freeing the persons and outward conditions of his people, and the the world and Creatures in it from the bondage of Corruptions as largly is ex­plained Restit. p. 44. 45. 46. &c. and in the 4. last ch. we shall here only farther observe Christs curious exactness that speaking of the beasts destruction at the time of his eminent breaking of the Ser­pents head at the first act of the Judgment, he only saith these are the true sayings of God c. 19.9. but when he speaks of the promised mercies to the Fathers (twice) to be then fulfilled, he saith, ch. 21.5. and chap 22.6. these words are both faithfull and true.

And also for the times in respect of the [Page 14]when he sets the mark [...], it is done, at the renovation of all things, ch. 21.6. which before he had set, Chap. 16, 17. by a like great Voice from the Throne to shew their coincidence at the same time, saying, [...], it is done, as from Ezek. 39.8. is remarkably explained. [N. B.] page 61, 62. of Restitut.

And for the quandiù how long it shall continue, Christ set it down in an unpa­rallell'd manner, six times over to be 1000 years; & 3 of them absolutely 1000 years, [...], and then three times relatively, [...], those, those, those thousand years, Rev. 20. First, of Satans binding, v. 2, 3. 2dly, of the Saints first bodily Resurrection and Reign with Christ in the world, v. 4, 5. 3dly, of the happy con­dition in that state. 1. They are blessed. 2. holy, as the reason of that blessedness. 3. Their security thereupon, they shall not be hurt of the second death. 4. Their great Priviledge, then they shall be Priests of God and of Christ. 5. In their supream Authority with Christ, then they reigned with Christ 1000 years. In such a wonderful glorious manner hath our Saviour determined the said time and state, which is the Divine Millenniarism of Christ so exactly and curiously set before us by his Scriptures of Truth.

And lastly, by the comprehensive use­fulness of this book, it refers to all parts all Holy Scriptures; for first, Christ ex­plains the last times of the four Gentile Monarchies, mistically contained in Daniel, as we shewed from the beginning of the Kingdome of the Stone, to the end thereof, at ch. 19. whose Chronology be­gin when Davids Tabernacle fell for the Sins of his natural Race; and those said Gentile Kingdomes reach through the 2300 years of their continuance, to the raising of Davids Tabernacle in Christ, as the Son of Davids Reign with his Saints, New. Davids Covenant for his said King­dome (which that state of Israel was then grown up unto) carries us back to the former Promises and Covenants to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, respecting the renewed state of the Land, and the New Jerusalem belonging to their Spiritual Seed, and Noahs Type of the Ark, sets forth the safety of the Saints in the end of the world, by Christ their true Ark; the Covenant for all Creatures signified by the Rainbow, assures the worlds con­tinuance, and the accommodations of its fruitfulness, and that chiefly for those times (as following Prophets teach us) his Prophesie of Shems and Japhets Poste­rity, set forth of what Race mostly (be­sides Proselites haply all along) should rise, as the Prophets after explain in both their double great Calls; and how the Messiah from Adam, Enoch, Noah, and all the rest should lineally descend, who should restore his Saints with himself, to a much more glorious and happy Paradise of God in that said state and Kingdome of Christ than the first Adam had, when he was the only Monarch of the world.

Yea, this most Divine Book will carry us higher than the Creation or beginning of time to Gods eternal Purpose in the four said particulars all explained and confirmed in Christs Revelation Key.

By the help of this we may judge of the several Prophesies from the Fountains of them, revealed in the Word of God, as they relate to the Revealed and Promised Mercies in their particular drift; as what relates to Adams, what to Noahs, to A­brahams, Isaacs and Jacobs for their Land, and what to Davids, as to his sure King­dome, &c. and upon these Discoveries of Gods so giving them title to that state from the said sure Promises & Covenants they will then sing their Halelujahs upon such accounts, which, the Revelation teacheth both us and them; as in our Saints Resurrection largly.

Thus we may evidently see that what God designed to be performed in the four particulars to be found in the 7th Millennium, as Christs Revelation mani­fests he carryed on in the first times by revealed Predictions and Covenants to [Page 15]the Fathers, and their Spiritual Seed through Christ; which are also explain­ed and confirmed by the following Pro­phets: all which are wit [...]ssed to by the Gospels, and Acts, and Epistles of the holy Apostles; but lastly, wonderfully, exactly, and most excellently explained and illustrated by Christs Revelation: and what greater or stronger evidence of these Divine Truths can be conceived or desired.

Now for the second head, what that state is declared to be from the word of God, (for farther we may determine no­thing) which we have so largely consi­dered in the times of Restitution of all things, both as to removing of Evils, and conferring of good upon the Saints first bodily Resurrection, which is their inlet into that happy state that we need here add no more, but that Christians should at­tentively peruse, for that reason both our said Books which plainly resolve the same.

And for the third, to shew in a fit lati­tude the time when, or the neer approach of that state, it was the main drift of the said times of Restitution with their neer approach from p. 53. to p. 71. upon Rev. 21.5. and again to the same purpose, from pag. 73. to pag. 77.

Likewise for the fourth, how or by what means Christs said Kingdome shall be set up; not by any worldly means, or any help of man, saving by Humiliation, Faith and Prayer, or the like, but only Divinely by the hand of God, only such as are only called by him, Rev 19. and Psalm, 149.9. who as he was said to set up the Kingdome of the Stone 1666 years before, Da. 2.44. which in that time hath and doth, and will in a Divine Spi­ritual way break, v. 34.35. & 44, 45. all the adverse power of the Mettle Kingdomes, which at Christs appearance shall all be­come as the Chaffe of the summer Thresh­ing-flore; so God will then give all the Kingdoms of the World unto Christ, when he comes in the Clouds of Heaven, Dan. 7.13, 14. in the glory of the Fa­ther, and his own glory, and of all his holy Angels, and his Saints shall then be­hold Christs glory in that said Kingdome which his Father hath given him, as he willed at his death, John 17.24. and tells his little little Flock that it is his Fa­thers pleasure to give them the Kingdom, Luke 12.32.

And lastly, for the manifold usefulness, exactness and excellency of Daniel and the Rvelation in cennexion together, both for their Subject, Matter, and Or­der of Times, being Divinely Delivered and ordered for such uses, (as we have shewed) and especially in respect of Christs said Key in the four last chapters of the Revelation, of which we have said so much in our last named Book, and in what we have here added to that purpose, to prove such a state shall be in the world in the seventh Millen. that it is not need­ful here to speak any thing more thereof. And for a farther example of all we have said, as to the usefulness thereof, for ex­plication of Prophetical Scriptures, we shall (as we said) now proceed to show how usefully and surely Revelation Interpretation resolves all passages of that nature: We shall consider for a pattern, what we find thereof in that excellent and Divinely perfound Epistle of the Apo­stle to the Hebrews, who were a people specially concerned in that state.

We come now to give an Instance of the great usefulness, & certain exactness of Revelation Interpretation of all the said Prophetick Scriptures, & of all such pas­sages in the New Testament as have refe­rence to any of them; and Christs Reve­lation sometimes in connexion with Da­niels Prophetick Visions, which appears to me to be an Ordinance of his own holy Spirit for that purpose, of which we doubt not but to give a good account, as God may give opportunity.

But for this most excellent Epistle to the Hebrews, a people most concerned in that Renewed State of the 1000 years, [Page 16]the Apostle Paul (most probably) though to avoid their emulation then, conceals his name; yet being chiefly to write of Christs Prophetical Office, then comeing into its eminency, under the New Testament, writing to them, takes occasion to insert much (as it were by the way) of Christs eminent Kingly Of­fice in the ensuing state; and Christ in his Revelation very Divinely opens all those, otherwise dark, and (by many much mi­staken) passages, as also he doth many of his own speeches, in the Gospels that respect that time and state, as was easie for us to shew (if occasion shall require;) and St. Paul in this Epistle evidently shews himself to be that person rapt up to Heaven to learn such Divine Mysteries in this Epistle.

He begins to Mind them of their Pri­viledge, with others succeding, that God hath spoken to all such now, by his Son, whom he first sets before them by his glo­rious Titles of being the brightness of the Fathers glory, and the express character of his person, and then what he should be in the ishue of his proceedings, as God had decreed both for the things, & times, and way, and means to fulfil them, he had appointed him eternally to be heir of all things in the world: it may be obser­ved, that he might well be so, for he had made Heaven and Earth at first, v. 10, 11, 12. yea but that was but his transient act before the fall; but he hath three great immanent and long continued act­ings to pass through in his Mediatorship; [for still the Dominion of the world is u­surped by the Prince of the Darkness of it] and so first faith the second Verse farther, he hath made the worlds, viz. the [...], the states, or several providential dispo­sals; as we opened before: 1. Of the old World. 2. Of the new World. 3. Of the World to come, which he speaks of, ch. 2.5. as we shall also farther shew by Divine Assistance: and also 2dly, he by the word of his power upholds all things through all those Worlds, viz. the said [...], or states of them; and lastly purgeth the sins of his Elect through them all (as was said before) and so v. 4. and all the chapter to the end, and throughout chapter the second, he magnifies Christs Sonship by comparing him with the Angels, shewing how far, and in how many respects the sacred Scripture sets up this Son of God above the Angels; he had said something before of his eternal glory for time past, but here he illustrates his Sonship for time present & to come: wherein we may observe from Scripture ground that di­stinction of the learned, of Christs being eternally [...], or the wisdome in the bosome of the Father, and [...], the word revealed or manifest­ed in the flesh to be the Son of God, in whose face (as being made flesh, and so God-man in one person (as saith our A­postle) all the Fathers glory is manifest, 2 Cor. 3.6. & John 1.12, and so he is the Fathers only begotten Son at his con­ception, when the Holy Ghost oversha­dowed the blessed Virgin upon her Faith of the Angels Message at his holy concep­tion, Luke 1. and when the fame spirit of holiness with power raised him from the the Dead, Rom. [...].4. Psal. 2. Acts 13. and so he is called his first begotten from the Dead, Rev. 1.5. for Scripture only speaks of his being the Son of God, only in re­ference to some Divine Manifestation to be made in time towards his humane na­ture, whereby God manifests and owns him to be his Son; as he was first eter­nally decreed, or Prophetically declared so to be, but no otherwise; and so at his Baptisme, Matthew 3. and at his Transfiguration, Mat. 17. at his Ascen­tion as he prayed, John 17. to have as the Fathers Son his former glory, which he had &c. so when the Spirit led him into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil, he brought him to that tryal, If thou be the Son of God, &c. Mat. 4. And at his Death Gods power was so ma­nifest towards him, that the very Centu­rion at that discouraging state strongly as­serts it, Truly (saith he) this was the Son of God: And our Apostle here adds [Page 17]one more to come, which is the greatest, the most glorious, and gracious accomplishment of the end of all others before in the world: when he shall be brought again into that world to come [N. B.] which shall, as he there shews, not be subject to Angels, but to the Son of God: so gloriously then above all other times before, to manifest him to be the Son of God, ad his heir of all things, as ap­pointed for that time and state, as his First­borne, higher than the Kings of the Earth, Psalm 89.27. as we shall farther shew, as Christs Revelation Explication manifests from ch. 2.5. And our Apostle from v. 4. having laid down many glorious Testimonies of holy Scripture for that great Title of Son, v. 5. and of his comeing to take his Kingdome at his second comeing, v. 6. from Dan 7.13, 14. and of his Kingly Dignity, v. 8. when Angels are his Ministring Spirits, v. 7. but then at his said comeing again, his Divine Throne which he shall then sit upon, as the Son of David will then gloriously manifest also that he is the Son of God, in that it will be to the end of the world, being then ordered by his Scepter of Righteousness, as Esa. 9. as is ex­plained v. 9. and the first Foundation he laid, for this Kingdome was his creating Heaven and Earth, v. 10. and as he made them, he will also dissolve them in his time, v. 11, 12. with Rev. 20.11. but in the last place, Gods spirit directs him, v. 13. after his Divine man­ner, to point out the time of his said Inheri­tance and Kingdome before spoken of, v. 2, 6, 8. and that from that great Oracle, Ps. 110.1. (so often repeated in the New Testament) shewing it will be at the end of his sitting there, which is at his second comeing, or when he brings him again into the world, v. 6. and in ch. 10.13. until then (as he shews) he sits expecting the same till that time his foes shall be made his footstool; and ch. 2. after he had warned them of hearing God speaking by his Son, v. 1, 2, 3, 4. as he doth again to­wards the end of the Epistle, ch. 12.25. he proceeds to shew the preheminence of Christ in the world to come, which is to begin then, when God shall bring his Son again into the world, as he proved before from Psal. 97. which Ps. foretels that time & state, and shews then will be the world he there speaks of, and tells them, it was not to be subject unto An­gels, but must be to the Son of God, ch. 2. v. 5, 6, 7, &c. and to that purpose then adds a great Testimony from Psal. 8.4. excellently here explained, v. 6, 7, 8. where he teaches that the Creation at first (since defaced by mans fall, and Satans Usurpation and wick­edness of Men) which Christ had undertaken to rescue from his Tyranny for himself and those which the Father had given him; for which cause he was made for a little time low­er than the Angels, and had made the pur­chase of the world anew, which after he was to possess; but first he must go to the high Court of Heaven to be gloriously put into possession in due time, and then to return (as Luke 19.) to take his said Inheritance, King­dom & possession, when it is made fit for him at the Renovation of all things, yea for him and his Saints in that time and state here spo­ken of, as the Apostle expressly saith, v. 8. we do not yet see all things put under him: but our Saviours Revelation Key, in the four last chapters, gives an excellent account of that time, and Gods way of performing them; and opens all those things (if men would humbly and conscientiously attend to it:) which I well (through Divine Grace still more and more find doth strongly resolve all such things above all that man can say to the contrary) and so as I am well, from his word and holy Spirit, assured, he will make good before long time pass: Now that this world to come is so be taken (besides what was before said) all fitly leading to it, as by Gods Spirit so Di­vinely ordered: note farther, v 5. it is 1. stiled [...], an habitable world: and 2dly, it is spoken of to be when God brings his Son again viz the second time into the world, v. 6. [...] the Adverb there is joyned with the Verb, and [...] points it out to be a special distinct time and matter he speaks of, though also a­nother proof of his Divine Sonship because then at his second comeing all the Angels must Worship him, and it is as was Prophesied of before, Psal. 97.7. and of that state (which largely might be made thence to appear) the Verb [...], also is of future significati­on answerable to the time and state of that Prophesie, and some Fathers, and even some Papists have so understead that time, to be [Page 18]Christs second comeing; of which, much more might be said, but this is to me above all, I am sure Christ explains all these in this sence in the Revelation, as our two last books (if rightly understood) do manifest: I thought to have spoken of many things more in this Epistle so ordered by Christs holy Spirit, as I find them to this purpose, as in ch 11. many things of the sufferers and Cove­nants to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others; but we have spoken of them partly in our Key, p. 7, 8, 9, &c and in our said last Books: and of the Communion in the New Testa­ment state then, ch. 12. which also we spoke of in the said Books, and more in our Tract on Jer. 3.17. and because we have but a short Introduction in hand to our intended short Scheme (if God will) we will be satisfied with thus much at present to our present pur­pose. The like exposition I have from Christs Revelation, of what St. Paul saith of Christs first comeing, and the first Resurrection of the Saints, 1 Cor. 15. after he had risen above 1600 years before, as their first fruits, to sanctifie and effect their Resurrection afterwards at his second comeing, v. 23. and ( [...] deinde) intends 1000 years after (as Christ teacheth) shall be the end, which will be when he shall have put down all Rule and Authority and Power, that is chiefly (as Scripture witnes­seth) Ezekiels Gog and Magog, and shut up Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years; and after that destroy the last Gog and Ma­gog, Rev. 20.8, 9. and cast the Devil into the lake of Fire, and the last Enemy, Death, will be destroyed, with the Author of it, the first Soul Murtherer, and sin the effect of his wickedness, and also the matter for death to work upon will be taken away, which are the destroying of death, (none remaining from thence in the world in the natural life) but after the said 1000 years shall be that Miste­ry of the general Rapture, which he speaks of, v. 51, 52. at the last Trump; at his descen­ding with a shout (as also the same Apostle speaks) at his last comeing (which I believe from the same warrant) he speaks of, 1 Thes. 4.15, 16, &c. as distinguishing his bringing with him all that sleep in Jesus, which he had called the appearance of Christ with all his Saints before, ch. 3. ult. from this last, when those dead in Christ (viz. all that departed in 1000 years before) shall rise first then, that is, before the wicked at the last Trump then: both which sorts are these our Saviour calls the rest of the dead that rose not till 1000 years after, or till the 1000 years were finished, v. 5. the first said Resurrection of the Saints is Rev. 20.4, 5. (as Christ there ex­actly distinguisheth both of them) and this may be observed by humble and conscientious seekers to be resolved: which Resolutions of these Texts I do upon good grounds believe shortly will be approved by Christ himself at his comeing, and how matchless a Resolver that Revelation (so called) with a witness is, (and in some things with Daniel also) such as rightly seek by it as they ought, I doubt not but may more and more by their own Experience find, and in the interim (after all present gainsayings) yet with de­clared willingness to give a Christian-like ac­count to all serious persons, &c.) I bless and magnifie the holy name of God my heavenly Father in Christ my gracious & merciful Re­deemer, & of the Lord the Spirit my Sanctifier & Teacher (to my great comfort and satis­faction) of these and many like Divine Truths (couched as he hath been pleased to lay them down in his holy Word) & for others I only here pray, saying, Blessed and Holy Tri­nity of Persons! in the Unity of the Di­vine Essence; open the eyes of thy faith­ful servants in these times, to under­stand the holy Scriptures respecting that said world to come, at Christs second comeing, as our blessed Saviour after his Resurrection o­pened his Disciples understandings, Luke 24.45. then to see the things before, and at his first comeing, and especially respecting his Death and Refurrection, then newly past, &c. Amen.

We might here note hat strong confutation might be taken against Pelagian, Arminian, Po­pish & Socinian Errours, & many others; & excite all to get true Grace as the best security of all good; & to that end lay aside worldly & wicked projects in the world, and keep close to God in the use of all good means, and that Great Persons should kiss the Sun, &c. Psal. 2. but we are forced now only to hint thus much.