The first book, a clear and brief explanation upon the chief points of the New Testament ... by M. Marsin.

A Key found out, which the Lord had hid in his Word, until such time that he would have the Secrets therein contained, reveal'd. So as thereby Preparation for the coming of the Lord, may be made in our Hearts.

And what is here set down in this Little Book, has been attain'd by fervent desire, and self-resignation of my own Ʋnderstanding, and by Prayers, and Tears, and many a waking Night.

An Alarm to the world of the near Approach of the day of Judgment.

BY a clear Information of the certain near approach of the Coming of the Lord, that we may make Prepara∣tion for him before it be too late: That we cry not to the Rocks and Moun∣tains to fall on us to hide us from the Face of ••im that sitteth on the Throne, and from the

wrath of the Lamb. For that great Day of his Wrath, to the Wicked, is just at hand; Which Day will be a Day of Glory to the Saints, and Wrath to the Wicked Liver; Therefore let every one strive to make their Peace with the Son, before they perish from the way; for his Wrath is already kind∣led. But then it will evidently appear, that the Lord is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him. And then, as it is said, He shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that be∣lieve. Which Belief is to believe in him, and his Word, so as to become obedient unto him. And the Lord, speaking of the Signs of his Coming, saith; And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your Heads, for your Redemption draweth nigh. And unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time, without sin unto salvation. That is, looketh for him, with a true longing desire after him; For the Lover is with him accepted: For the Lord saith, He that hath my command∣ments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest my self unto him.

And God hath also promised, in Jeremi∣ah, Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And now whosoever comes to Christ by Repentance, Love, and New Obedience, he will in no wise cast out. But when he comes to Judgment, it will be too late for us Christians. But I know to them that are unwilling to leave their Old Sins, these glad Tidings will prove but unwelcome News; as Christ's first Coming was to Herod, and to the wicked Jews with him; For when they heard thereof, it is said, they were troubled; For they thinking they were well enough as they were, and their Consciences telling them, they must reform their ways, they desired him not; and so as they desired him not, so they knew him not, who he was, to their own destruction. And so whosoever now hears of the Lord's Coming, and think with themselves that they will see a little farther first, before they will amend their Lives; there remains no Hope for them but that they will be left of God to Hardness of Heart and Blindness of Mind; and so either be carried off this world by the Judg∣ments that are now sent upon the Earth just before his Coming; or otherwise reserved for those intolerable Judgments that are spoken of in the Revelations; the which all the greatest of them will be poured forth upon the Earth after the Lord comes. And then shall men desire to die, but Death shall fly from them, till such time that they

have endured the Torments, that God hath on the Earth allotted them. For upon the wicked God shall rain Snares, Fire and Brim∣stone, and an horrible Tempest; this shall be the portion of their Cup; As in Esdras; For when the Son of God shall come to rebuke the wicked Inventions of those Natious which for their wicked Life are fallen into the Tempest, and shall lay before them their evil Thoughts, and the Torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a Flame, and he shall destroy them without Labour, by the Law which is like unto Fire. For as the fire refineth the mettal from the Dross, so shall the Lord do at his Coming; as it is in Ma∣lachy: For he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts, but who may abide the day of his com∣ing, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a Refiner's Fire, and like Fullers Soap. And he shall purifie the Sons of Levi, and purge them as Gold and Silver; that they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righte∣ousness. Then shall the Offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord. This is spoken of the Natural Seed of Jacob, whom the Lord shall purifie at his Com∣ing. And St. Jude saith, The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlily committed, and of all their hard Speeches which ungodly sinners have

spoken against him. And St. Peter tells us, 2 Pet 3.3,4,5,6 That in the last days there shall come Scoffers, waking after their own Lust saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation; For he there tells us, That this they are willingly ig∣norant of; That by the word of God the Heavens were of old, and the Earth standing out of the water, and in the water; whereby the world that then was, being overflow∣ed with water, perished. But by St. Peter's words we are fully given to understand what that world was which then perished; it being neither the material Heavens, nor Earth which then perished, but the people of the world which perished. But he saith, in 2 Pet. 3.7. The Heavens and the Earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. But you may say, why doth St. Peter here make mention of the Heavens and Earth that are now, if ••e means the people? The which words do make it plainly appear, he had a figurative mea∣ning in it; for we know that there was then the same Heavens and Earth which are now; therefore there is this Reason that he here mentions the Hea∣vens and the Earth, and not the world, as he did before; for we read of no Principalities, nor Pow∣ers, no more Soveraignty than was from the Pa∣rents to their Children, and as from the Elder Bro∣ther to the Younger; the which their Sons and Daughters had as much command over their chil∣dren, as their Parents had over them. And as to what the Lord doth say in Isa. 13.13. doth enlight∣en us herein; for God there speaking of the destru∣ction of the Old Babylon, (which also hath a refe∣rence to that which now is) the Lord there saith in the 13th Verse, Therefore I will shake the Heavens, and

the Earth shall remove out of her place in the wrath of the Lord of Host, and in the day of his fierce anger. Now what was the shaking of the Heavens in this place, but the destruction of the King of Babylon by the Medes? And pray consider what was the Earth that then was removed, but the destruction of the Baby∣lonians? most of them being destroyed ••p the Sword, and the Remnant that was left made Captives. The Relation of which is set down in the same Chap∣ter, ver. 15.16,17,18,19. Every one that is found, shall be thrust through; and every one that is joyned unto them shall fall by the Sword: Their children also shall be dash'd to peices before their eyes, their Houses shall be spoi∣led, and their Wives ravished. Behold, I will stir up the Mece against them, which shall not regard silver, and as for Gold, they shall have no delight in it: Their Bows also shall dash the young men in peices and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb: their Eyes shall not spart children: And Babylon, the Glory of Kingdoms, the Beauty of the Caldeans Excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

Here you see, that God terms the Babylonians to the Heavens and Earth; and also in Isa. 1. God spea∣king of the Princes, and people of Judah, wherein he saith in v. 2. Hear, O Heavens, and give ear, O Earth, for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished, and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Can we think that God here spoke to the material hea∣vens, and earth, that has no ears, or understanding? No, it was to the Princes of Judah, and their peo∣ple, to let them understand why he was displeased with them. And again, God saith in Jer. 6.19; Hear O Earth, behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their own thoughts, because they have not hearkned unto thy words, nor to my law, but rejected it. You see here, that this Earth, is the people of the

world, which God doth hear Alarm, with his dis∣pleasure against Judah. And God saith in Jer. 22.29. O Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the word of the Lord. 30. Thus saith the Lord, write ye this Man Child∣less, a Man that shall not prosper in his days. You see here in this place, that the Earth was not only to hear the word of the Lord, but to do some thing, and what is it? But to write this man (which was the King of Judah) Childless, and that he should not prosper. Now upon consideration, none can be so stupid, as to think, that God call'd on the massy lump of Earth, which we tread on, to hear his word, and to write this Man childless. And the Lord speaking of the destruction of his people, in Isa. 5. by Nebuchadnezzer, in which he declares how the enemies should come up against Israel, saith in v. 30. And in that day they shall roar against them, like the roaring of the Sea: And if one look into the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkned in the heavens thereof. Whereas the Lord saith darkness in the land; that is, sorrow and darkness among the people of the land. And whereas the Lord saith the light is darkness in the heavens thereof; that is, the heavens of that land, which was the King, Princes, and Priests thereof.

And St. Peter saith, 2 Pet. 3.8. Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. And in v. 10 he tells us, That the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; The Earth also, and the Works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Whereas he saith in the forementioned Verse, But the Heavens and Earth which are now are re∣served unto fire; and in the 10th Verse, he saith, That the Heavens shall past away with a great noise: That

is, That the wicked Powers will so pass away with terrible shriekings thorough the fiery Indignation of the Lord. And whereas he saith, That the E∣lements shall melt with fervent heat; the which E∣lements are the Elements that the body of Mankind is made up of. For they are composed of the 4 Elements; According to this it is said in Psal. 37.20. The Enemies of the Lord shall be as the ••at of Lambs; they shall consume; into Smoke shall they consume a∣way And whereas he saith, That the Earth, and the Works that are therein, shall be burnt up; That is, with the forementioned Tempell, spoken of in Ps. 11.6. the which shall carry off all the wicked, and then the Earth and Air will be purified by Fire, as it was before by water; at which time Israel, with the rest of the Elect of God, will be secure in the Ho∣ly Land, between Mount Olivet, underneath that glorious Tabernacle, the which the Lord shall pitch and not M••n; the which I shall hereafter, prove; and then 'twill be according to the saying of the Psalmist; When the nicked are cut off, thou shalt see it; and then 'tis as in Psalm 91.4. He shall cover thee with his Feathers; under his wings shalt thou trust. And it is said in the 8th Verse, Onely with thine Eyes shalt thou behold, and see the Reward of the wicked; that which this whole Psalm treats of, is the security of his people at the time of the wickeds Overthrow.

Whereas he tells us, That One Day is with the Lord as a Thousand Years, and a Thousand Years as One Day. After which he tells us, the Day of the Lord will come; which is not the Natural Day nor the Artificial Day; the Old World was not de∣stroyed in such a Day. Neither did the Ram's Horns blow down Jericho in such a Day. But it is that Day which is spoken of in Acts 17.31. where it is said, That God hath appointed a day in which he will

judge the world in Righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

But you may say, Where will the Thousand Years Reign be when the Heavens and Earth are burnt up; as St. Peter saith in the 7th Verse of the forementioned Chapter. Pray forget not the Apo∣stles saying, wherein he tells us, The Heavens and Earth which are now, God hath reserved unto fire; For those that were in the Old World, those shall conti∣nue, as then so now the being of Heaven and Earth at the Restitution, or in the world to come, or New Jerusalem-state, only they will appear more illustrious, when the darksome Clouds are dispersed; and then the Earth will be renewed to that Perfection, as it was in the first Creation. But as to the Heavens which are now, whereof St Peter speaketh, his meaning is, the Principalities and Pow∣ers, which are carrying on the Rule of the dark∣ness of this World; and by the Earth, the meaner sort, which are filling up their measure of Iniquity, the which the Old World did admit of no such dstinction in it. And also by the Heavens is com∣prehended the Teachers, and those that should have been the Teachers of the Word; for if they are called Gods to whom the Word of God came; as in John 10.35. why not those called Heavens, to whom the Word of God was entrusted to enligh∣ten the World withal. And as our Lord saith to his Disciples, in Mat. 5.14. Ye are the Light of the world. And in the book called, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, which they spake to their Chil∣dren before their Death; wherein Levi, in his last Charge to his Sons, tells them, They be the Light of the Heavens, as the Sun and the Moon. And he said unto them, What shall all the Heathen do, if you

be over darkned with wickedness, and bring Cursedness up∣on your Countryfolk, for whose sake the Light of the world is put into you, to enlighten all men withal; This Light of the world shall you most willfully steal, and teach Command∣ments contrary to the Righteousness of God. Here, by all this you see, that those to whom the word of God is committed, are term'd the Light of the World, and the Light of the Heaven, as the Sun and Moon. And as for the Elements, we know that man's body is made up of the Four Elements. Now St. Peter in his way of speaking, doth make it a figurative Speech, as to the burning the Heavens and Earth. And when we can bring several places out of holy Writ, to prove it to be so, and places of Scripture to prove our assertion, then we go upon good grounds; but when we make figurative Speeches, or Allegories, where there is none, and where there is; for them to make an Assertion of that which they cannot bring good Proof for out of the Word, is of very dangerous consequence; and as the Apostle saith, 2 Pet. 3.16. wrest the Scripture to their own de∣struction. But this of St. Peter is easily proved a fi∣gurative Speech, not only by his own manner of speaking, but also by the Three Evangelists where∣in our Lord makes no mention of the burning of the Heavens and Earth when he comes to judge the World. Nor St. John in Rev. 6.14. mentions not any such thing as to the burning of them. Nei∣ther in any of the Epistles of St. Paul, is there any mention made of their being destroy'd at the com∣ing of the Lord; Nor doth any other place of the Bible speak of their being burnt, but St. Peter. And whereas the Apostle Peter makes mention of fire, it is to set forth the fierce Anger of the Lord against sinners: For as there is nothing so terrible to our Na∣tures as fire; so there can be nothing so insupporta∣ble

as the Anger of the Almighty Lord; and there∣fore he is said, in 2 Thes. 1.8. to come in flaming fire to take Vengeance on them that know not God, and that o∣bey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The weight of Whose Anger being more intolerable than we are able to imagine it. Therefore God saith, Jer. 23.29. Is not my Word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rocks in peices?

And therefore it is a usual Phrase in Scripture, to express the Anger of the Almighty God by Fire, Zeph. 1.18. where God himself saith, with the Fire of my Jealousie. And it is said of God, Deut. 4.24. That he is a consuming Fire: That is, he is an unresist∣able Power, Heb. 12.23. And as the Thorns cannot resist the Powerful Flames, neither can we his ireful Judgments when he doth inflict them on the sinner. And here, had St. Peter in the plain Letter of the Word, pronounc'd those Judgments against the Powers and People, the then present Age could not have born it; neither indeed the succeeding Gene∣rations. And as for the Beast, or Pope, he found so much in the Scriptures against himself, and his Crew, that he made it Death for the Laity to read them, that thereby his Falshood and Villany might remain undiscovered to the people.

Now the Pope did not rise, till several hundred years after the Apostles. And St. Paul in 2 Thes. 2,3. Declareth, that the day of the Lord shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. v. 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he is as God, sitting in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. v. 9,10,11,12. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonder. v. 10. And

with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lit. 12. That they all might be damned who believe, not the truth, but have pleasure in Ʋnrighteousness.

By which we may plainly see, that God never leaves a people, till such time as they forsake him, by taking pleasure in Unrighteousness. And there∣fore, as to what hath been said of the Beast, and the seven hill'd City, and of the Reign of the Beast, has been in a figurative way; For the Pope's Design, with his Crew, being wholly to deceive, the Will of God is, that they might be deceived. And it is said in Rev. 13.2. when the Beast arose, The Dragon gave him his power, and his Seat, and great Au∣thority. And now, as the Apostle saith, 2 Thes. 2.4. he opposeth, and exalteth himself above all that is call∣ed God, or that is worshipped. So that he is as God, sit∣ting in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. And now he sitting in the Temple of God; and takes the Power of a God to him, in that he saith, the revealed will of God is no farther to be accounted of than to what he approves of in it. And also he, with his pretended Keys, lets into Heaven those whom God by his Word shuts out, and them out of Heaven whom God by his Word permits in. Thus they are filling up their Iniqui∣ty, that they may come to their deserved end. And little better success must no Sect, or Church expect, that has used the Word of God deceitfully; nor their hypocritical Hearers. As for this Babylon, and Countries adjoyning to it, is figured our to us in the former Idumea, or Edom, For Esau looking on him∣self as the Elder brother, therefore his Envy was always towards Israel, although he sinfully and foo∣lishly

did sell his Birthright unto shis Brother, in the time he was distressed, being faint for want of Food; he then said, if I die for hunger, what good then will this birth right do me. And so not re∣garding the promises of God, and therefore in the day of tryal parted with his birthright for a mess of pottage. And almost all this world being like unto him, that in the day of tryal, either for some lust, or some profit, or to deliver themselves out of some trouble, they part with the blessing which God in Christ has promis'd, which is eternal salva∣tion, if they walk according to the rule God has set before them. And so for these uncertain, mo∣mentary injoyments, like Esau, embrace this pre∣sent world. And when the time comes for the righteous to inherit the blessing, these worldlings will then like Esau be rejected, although they may then seek the blessing earnestly with tears, as he did, yet was rejected. But as it is in our days, the more emptiness and want of knowledge, the more pride and malice. So was it with the seed of Esau, for it is said of him in Obed. 1. v. 3.4,8,10. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee: Thou that dwel∣lest in the clefts of the Rock, whose habitation is high, that saith in his heart, who shall bring me down to the ground? 4. Tho thou exalt thy self as the Eagle, and the thou set thy nest among the Stats, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. Verse 8. Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? Verse. 10. For thy Violence against the Brother Jacob, shame shall co∣ver thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. And Jer. 49. from ver. 7. to v. 23. gives us much the same account of them. And as the two forementioned Prophets did treat of the real Esau, or Idumea, so the Pro∣phet Isaiah dothof the figurative one; and also of

those wicked Powers that are carrying on the dark∣ness of this World with him. And here Isaiah, ch. 34.4,10. doth fully make out the meaning of St. Peter, where he here terms the Powers, or Rulers, to be the Host of Heaven; where in Verse 4. he saith, All the Host of Heaven shall be dissolved, and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a Scrole, and all their Hosts shall fall down as the Leaf falleth from the Vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. Now as to the Host of Heaven, his meaning here cannot be, be∣cause in the 10th Verse of the same Chapter, he makes mention of Day and Night, and many Ge∣nerations after these Heavens here spoken of were destroyed. But whereas the Prophet mentions the Host of Heaven shall be dissolved; his meaning is, without doubt, that their Power shall be taken from them, as Kings do from their Parliaments that are dissolved by them. And in the next place he saith, the Heavens shall be rolled together as a Scrole, or fastened together, till they receive their sentence of Judgment. After which they fell down, as a leaf falleth from the Vine, and a falling fig from the fig tree.

By which, methinks, there is a suitable Repre∣sentation of the Soul, as the leaf to the fire, and the body as the rotten fig to the Dunghil. And in the 5th Verse of the same Chapter, the Lord saith, My Sword shall be bathed in Heaven; behold it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my Curse to Judgment. Verse 6. The Sword of the Lord is fill'd with Blood, and is made f•…•… with fatness, and with the Blood of Lambs and Goats, with the fat of the Kidneys of Rams; for the Lord hath a Sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the Land of Idumea. Now we may easily tell where this Land of Idumea is, which is here mentioned, by the Pope's pretension to be the Elder Christian Bro∣ther;

although, like Esau, he hath forsaken God, and his Word, and as he did, lies in wait to destroy his Christian Brother.

And this Prophet, further declaring their destru∣ction, saith in the 7th Verse, And the Ʋnicorns shall come down with them, and the Bullocks with the Bulls, and their Land shall be soaked with Blood, and their dust made fat with fatness: for it is the day of the Lord's Vengeance and the year of Recompence for the Controversie of Sion. 9. The Streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into Brimstone, and the land thereof shall be∣come burning pitch. 10. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoak thereof shall go up for ever, from genera∣tion to generation it shall lie waste, none shall pass through it for ever and ever. 11. But the Cormorant and the Bit∣tern shall possess it, the Owl also and the Raven, shall dwell in it, and he shall stretch out upon the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. 14. The wild beast of the Desert shall also meet with the wild beast of the Island, and the Satyr shall cry to his fellow, and the Schriech-Owl also shall rest there, and find for her self a place of rest. 16. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read; no one of these shall fail; none shall want her mate; for my mouth it hath commanded, and his Spirit it hath gathered them. 17. And he hath cast the Lot for them, and his band hath divided it unto them by Line; they shall possess it for ever, from Generation to Generation shall they dwell therein.

This Idumea before mentioned, being the Land of the Figurative Esau, whose Land shall be thus accursed; but the Land of the Real Esau shall be inhabited, as in Obad. 1.19.

This Book of the Lord which is here menti∣oned in the sixteenth Verse, the Pope, with his Crew, has made it Death for the Inha∣bitants of those Countries to read; whereby, although they have been ex∣ceeding sinful, that would have disco∣vered to them their near approaching danger; but now it is hid from their Eyes; For those signs that God hath sent for fore-warnings of their utter De∣struction, they have banisht the Knowledge thereof from them, by excluding the Word of God, and now their Destruction will come suddenly, as a Whirlwind when it cometh. They discerning not Mount Aetna, the meaning of its violent breaking forth of Fire; and apprehend not the meaning of those violent Earth∣quakes which our Lord foretold in Mat. 24.7. should be in divers places, to give us no∣tice of his near approach, of his coming to judge the World. For although there has been several Earthquakes, and very great ones, since the world began, yet it was but one, or so, at a time, and then many years, it may be an Hundred, before we hear of another. But now there has been divers Earthquakes which have been in several places of the world, the which the World before never pro∣duc'd the like of those in Sicily; and therefore we cannot but have good Reason to believe that these are the Earthquakes spoken of in Rev. 16.18. And there were Voices, and Thunderings, and Lightnings, and there was a great Earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the Earth, so mighty an Earthquake, and so great. 19. And the great City was divided into three parts, and the Cities of the Nations fell. And by these late Earthquakes, according to the Word, the Cities of the Nations have fallen; but they apprehend

not the meaning of it. Neither that of the Moun∣tain Vesivius, which hath cast up so great a quantity of melted Sulphur and Bitumen, that both together hath form'd a kind of little River for Three Miles together. So that fearing it should diffuse it self, the Viceroy of Naples has ordered a Passage to be open∣ed for the Infernal Liquor into the Sea. And since this Mountain Vesivius. in Naples, has sent forth floods of fire, as Mount Aetna has done in Sicily, by which the Lord, with this dreadful River and fi∣ery Mountains, doth figure out to us where he in∣tends this his ireful Judgments, as part of the Land to become burning Pitch, as shall never be quench∣ed night not day, and the other part inhabited with those fearful Creatures for ever, from generation to generation.

Now when all these things shall come to pass, as to the Judgments threatned both to the Heavens and Earth. The Prophet Isaiah c. 34.8. nomi∣nates the time, and tells us, It is the day of the Lord's Vengeance, and the year of recompence for the controversy of Sion. Why is it termed the Day of the Lord's Vengeance, and year of recompence, being both one and the same time?—The Lord to inlighten our understanding, that the day in which he will come to Judg the World in, is more than a natural day, and that in that day the vengeance shall not long last upon the Earth; but as the Psalmist saith, Psal. 9.17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God; but his Mercy shall be of long continuance to his Spouse and chosen People the Jews, from which he will never withdraw his mercy from them more. And the Prophet Isaiah doth also confirm this to us again from the Lord in much the same words; for the Lord saith, Isa. ••3.4,5,6. The day of Vengeance is in mine heart, and the year

of my Redeemed is come. And I looked and there was none to help.; and I wondred that there was none to up∣hold; therefore mine own Arm brought Salvation unto me, and my fury it upheld me. 6. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the Earth. All which doth fully make out, that the day in which the Lord doth come to judge the world in, will be the day of the Restitution of all things, and then will Israel be restor'd. And God hath given us further Confir∣mation of this, in Isa. 62.6,7,8,11,12. where he saith, I have set Watchmen upon the Walls; O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night; Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. 7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth. 8. The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, by the arm of his strength, Surely, I will no more give thy Corn to be meat for thine Enemies: and the Sons of the strangers shall not drink thy Wine for which thou hast laboured. 11. Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed un∣to the end of the world, Say ye unto the Daughter of Sion, behold thy Salvation cometh, behold his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12. And they shall call them the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord; and thou shalt be call∣ed, sought out; a City not forsaken.

Now first, in the 6th Verse, the Lord tells them, That he hath set Watchmen upon thy Walls, O Jerusalem, Which shall never hold their Peace; and the Saints that are of the New Jerusalem which is a∣bove, as it is said in Rev. 6.9. They cry, Lord, haw long? In the next place that followeth, is a special Command to all that make mention of the Lord, not to keep silence, and that we should give him no rest, until he establish, and make Jerusalem a praise. A praise: Where? The Lord hath said, in the Earth. And in Verse 8. the Lord hath sworn to

them by his Right Hand, and by the Arm of his Strength: the which is, by the Greatness of his Power; That he will give no more their Corn to be meat for their Enemies; and that the Sons of Strangers shall no more drink the Wine for the which they have laboured. These Promi∣ses, we see, are not yet made good to them; and therefore doth remain to be fullfill'd to them; for that God that cannot Lie, hath sworn it.

And that this is to be perform'd on Earth, is evident, in as much as there is not Corn and Wine to be sowed and reaped in Heaven. Now when this shall be, the Lord tells us in the 11th Verse; for there the Lord hath Ordered Pro∣clamation to be made to the End of the World, thereby to let us know, that their Restoration is not to be in this our World; for it is not there said, That the Lord hath proclaimed it to the Ends of the World, but to the End of this World. Say to the Daughter of Sion, behold thy Salvation cometh, and his Reward is with him.

Now it is evident, that when the Lord did first come, that they had not salvation, and that his Reward was not with him, nor their City restored to them. And therefore the Lord tells them in Luke 21. where speaking of his Second Coming to judge the World, he telleth them in the 24th Verse, That Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the Times of the Gen∣tiles be fullfilled. That is, not till the Time of the Gentiles be accomplished. And therefore the Lord in Luke 4. read no more of Isa. 6. than

what did belong to Israel at that time. Which being the first Verse of that Chapter in Isaiah, which is the 18th Verse of the forementioned Chapter in Luke; where it is said, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliver∣ance to the Captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised: 19. And to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord. 20. And he closed the book. 21. And he said unto them, This Day this Scripture is fullfilled in your Ears.

Now the Lord at this time was sent to preach Deliverance, or to foretell the Deliverance of the Captives, and he was sent to recover the sight of the blind; and by whom the blind Gen∣tiles were enlightned; and to set at liberty those that were bruised (or bound, as Isaiah hath it); That is, bound by Satan through the darkness of Error; ••nd to preach, or proclaim, as Isaiah hath it, the Acceptable Year of the Lord. Where∣in all were invited, as it is said in Mat. 11.23. The Lord there inviteth all that were weary and heavy laden to come unto kim. So the Lord leaving the following words of Isaiah, which was concerning himself, as not belonging to them of that time.

And the last part of the Verse, which treats of the Second Coming of the Lord. 2. Where∣in it is said, The Day of Vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn. 3. To appoint unto

them that mourn in Sion, to give unto them Beauty for Ashes, and the Oyl of joy for mourning, and the Garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness, that they might be called Trees of Righteousness, the plan∣ting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Here you also see that the day of the Lord's Ven∣geance is the time of Sion's Comfort. And whereas St. Peter saith, There shall be New Hea∣vens and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteous∣ness. This hath its special Reference to the New Ruling Powers, which are the raised Saints, which are here termed the Heavens, wherein dwelleth Righteousness. And the New Earth is the Restored Jews, with the rest of the Promi∣sed Elect. In which Earth will dwell Righte∣ousness. But as to the Massy Lump of Earth, of it self is neither capable of doing right or wrong. And as for Righteousness dwelling in it, that cannot be, by reason in the Bowels, or Heart of the Earth, will be the Devils, and all the Damned. And man is now said to dwell on the Face of the Earth, and not in it, And there∣fore this New Earth, wherein is said will dwell Righteousness, is, as I have here shewed you, but as to the outward Fabrick of Heaven and Earth, they will be wholly renewed; and we know what the Word calls a New Creature, is but a Renewed Creature; So this Heaven and Earth will be renewed, except that part unto which God has denounc'd that dreadful Curse a∣gainst, the which will stand as a Remembrancer of the Ages to come; as the Lake of Sodom has been a standing Witness in this our World, of God's sore displeasure against Sin.

But the Prophet Isaiah, in the 30th Chapter, informs us how the Excellency of the Heavens and Earth will appear; in ver. 25. he saith, There shall be upon every high Mountain, and upon every high Hill, Rivers and Streams of Waters, in the Day of the great slaughter, when the Towers fall. 26. Moreover, the Light of the Moon shall be as the Light of the Sun, and the Light of the Sun shall be sevenfold, as the Light if the seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Now he here tells us again, when the Earth is to be so replenished, or renewed, that it is in the day of the great slaughter, when the Towers fall. He also tells us, That it is the Day in which the Lord will bind up the breach of his People, and heal the stroke of their wound. And then will the Light of the Moon be as the Light of the Sun, and the Light of the Sun shall be sevenfold, as the Light of Seven Days. Isa. 30.27,28,29,30,31. Behold, the Name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his Anger, and the burden thereof is heavy, his Lips are full of Indignation, and his Tongue as a devouring fire. 28. And his Breath an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the Neck, to sift the Nations with the Sive of Vani∣ty: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people causing them to err. Because they have no delight in the waies of the Lord, therefore they will be snared, that they may be taken. 29. But Israel shall have a Song in the night, as when a holy solemnity is kept, and gladness of heart, as when one

goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord to the mighty one of Israel. 30. And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indigna∣tion of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering and tempest. 31. for through the voice of the Lord shall the Assirian be beaten down which smote with a rod. By the Assirian here, is comprehended Israels enemies which now holds them in bondage, as the Assirian did formerly. And Isa. speaking of Israel in the 29 Chap. v. 5, &c. Moreover, the multitude of thy strangers shall be like the small dust, and the multitude of thy terri∣ble ones shall be as chaff that passes away: Yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. v. 6. Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with Thunder, and with Earth∣quake, and great noise, with storm and Tempest, and Flame of devouring fire. v. 7. And the multitude of all the Nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that di∣stress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. v. 8. And it shall be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth, but he awaketh, and his Soul is emp∣ty: Or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh, but he awaketh, and behold he is faint, and his Soul hath appetite: So shall the multitude of all the Nations be, that fight against mount Sion. v. 9. Stay your selves and wonder. Cry ye out, and cry, they are drunken, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink, v. 10. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the Spirit of deep Sleep, and hath closed your eyes; the Prophets and your Rulers, and Seers hath he covered. 11. v. And the Vision

of all is become unto you, as the words of a Book that is sealed, which when men deliver to one that is learn∣ed, saying, read this, I pray thee, and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed. v. 12. And the book is de∣livered to him that is not Learned, saying read this I pray thee, and he saith, I am not Learned.

Now of certain this Scripture doth in a par∣ticular manner, point to us Christians that are now in the latter day; for the beginning of the Chapter treats of the Destruction of Jerusa∣lem. And the 5. v. downward, speaks of the Destruction of the World, and Israels Enemies, with the extraordinary Stupidity that they should then lie under. And the Prophet in v. 11. hath hinted it fully to us. Wherein he tells us the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed. That is, wherein is comprehended the destruction of the world, the restoration of the Jews, and the Glory of Christs Kingdom. And Isa. Saith in the 65. Chap. v. 17. For saith the Lord, Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth: And the former shall not be remembred, nor come into mind. v. 18. But be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: For behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoycing, and her people a joy. Where∣by you may see plainly, that this new heavens and earth will be at the restoration of the Jews. And in the 19th Verse, the Lord saith, I will re∣joice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the Voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. V. 20. There shall be no more thence an Infant of Days, nor an Old Man that hath

not fill'd his Days; for the Child shall die an hun∣dred Years old, but the sinner being an hundred Years old, shall be accursed. V. 21. And they shall build Houses, and inhabit them, and they shall plant Vine∣yards, and eat the Fruit of them. V. 22. They shall not build, and another inhabit, they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a Tree, are the days of my People, and my elect shall long injoy the work of their hands. V. 23. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble: for they are the Seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their off-spring with them. v. 24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and whilest they are yet a speaking, I will hear. Now we must not take this sinner here spoken of neither to be in Jerusalem, nor one of Israel; but of some of those Nations that were saved, which afterwards their Seed may fall off. For in Jer. 31.33,34,35,36,37,38,40. There is the Covenant set down that the Lord will make with the House of Israel, in Ver. 31,33. After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. v. 34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, know ye the Lord: For they shall all know me, from the least of them, unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: For I will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sins no more. v. 35. Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the Sun for a light by day, and the Ordinances of the Moon and of the Stars for a light by night, which divideth the Sea

when the waves thereof roar, the Lord of Hosts is his Name. V. 36. If those Ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the Seed of Israel also shall cease from being a Nation before me for ever. V. 37. Thus saith the Lord, if Heaven a∣hove can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath; I will also cast off all the Seed of Israel, for all that they have done, saith the Lord. V. 38. Behold the days come, saith the Lord, and the City shall be built to the Lord; from the Tower of Hananiel, unto the gate of the Corner. V. 40. And the whole valley of the dead Bodies, and the Ashes, and all the Fields un∣to the Brook Kidron, unto the corner of the Horse-Gate toward the East, shall be holy unto the Lord, it shall not be plucks up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Now whereas the Lord saith, behold the days come that the City shall be built. Now the Lord does not here say, the day is come, but the days come by which the Lord com∣prehends the days of two thousand years, or there∣abouts; and then their City shall be built, for it is said, a thousand year is with the Lord, as one day; and therefore the Lord speaking in many places of things that are to come; as tho they were present. Of which Divine Du∣hartus, speaking of God, saith, that his mighty Voice speaks in the midst of thunder, causing the Rocks to Rock, and Hills to Tear, calling the things that are not, as tho they were. Now what is spoken of this City, of certain is not

ment of that which was built, at the return out of the Babilonian Captivity.

First, That the dimentions of it is far larger than ever Jerusalem was yet built.

Secondly, That this Jerusalem shall be called Holy unto the Lord.

Thirdly, It shall not be pluckt up, nor thrown down, any more for ever. And therefore it is to be rebuilt at the restitution of all things. At which time, all these wonderful promises shall be made good to Israel. And the Lord also saith in Jerem. 32.37. Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury and in great wrath, and I will bring them again into this place, and cause them to dwell safely. 38. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39. And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their Children after them. 40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good, but I will put my fear into their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. 41. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this Land assuredly, with my whole heart, and with my whole Soul, Jer. 33.14. Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah. 15. In those days, and at that time I will cause the branch of righteousness to grow up unto David, and he shall execute Judgment and righteousness in the Land. 16. In those days

shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely. Here you see in those forementioned verses is contained Gods everlasting covenant with Israel after they are again re-establish'd, they shall never more be cast off: Whereby we see they stand with greater security then our first parents did in paradice. And therefore the making good of these promises must be at the restitution of all things. At which time they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and his brother, but that they then shall be all taught of God, from the least of them, to the greatest of them. And God also tells them in Isa. 60.21. Thy people shall be all righteous: They shall inherit the Land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glori∣fied. 22. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one, a strong Nation: I the Lord will hasten it in its time. And it is said in v. 14. of the same Chap. The Sons also of them that afflicted thee, shall come bending unto thee, and all they that despise thee shall bow themselves down at the Soles of thy Feet, and they shall call thee the City of the Lord, the Sion of the holy one of Israel. Now whereas God saith in Isa. 4.5. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Sion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. Now by these words it does appear to have its meaning at the coming of the Lord, that those that then are found written among the living, shall there continue alive and remain in Jerusalem, the

which will be as it is inhabited with several sorts of people. And the words that are in the fol∣lowing verse makes it so out, where 'tis said. v. 4. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughter of Sion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the Spirit of Judgment, and by the Spirit of burning. v. 5. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Sion, and upon all her assemblies a cloud, and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. v. 6. And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from the storm and from the rain. By these following words you see, that Jerusalem was not then purged from her filthiness: when the Lord said they should be called holy that were written among the living in Jerusalem. And al∣so there may then be some Achan in the Camp of Judah, the which may be taken off before they come to their glorious settlement, as never to be cast out of the favour of God any more; over whom God hath promis'd there should be this glory that is before mention'd, a Tabernacle for a shadow to them in the day time from the heat, and for a covert from the storm and from the rain. Of which Tabernacle I shall speak more to hereafter.

Now whereas it is in some places of Scripture set down the first coming of the Lord with his second coming, whereby it hath made those Scri∣ptures appear more dark to the Reader; but it is

no other than as the Kingdom of Christ is inter∣mixt in several places of the Psalms, and else∣where, with the Kingdom of David and Solo∣mon; and whilst some lie poring on these places, they leave Twenty, nay, many more clear Texts of Scripture unregarded; whereas they should look in all places to the Scriptures way of speak∣ing. But I must needs own, that a false receiv'd Opinion, does mightily blind the Understand∣ing. And also in that it is the ordinary way of Scripture speaking, both in the Old and New Testament, of things that are decreed shall be done, to mention them as though they were al∣ready done; the which does something darken the meaning of it to the Reader. But the Om∣nipotent God, looking on all things that he has determined to be done in time, to be as though it were already done. But when we find it hath not been done, it remains sure and certain to us that it will be done, being promised by that God and Lord that cannot lie. Neither will he perform his promise unto us by the halves. But when I consider the Strong Promises of God to Israel, even to both the Houses of Jacob, which are scattered through the Face of the whole Earth, that he will again restore them; and that all these wonderful Blessings shall be then made good un∣to them in their own Land, and to their Children after them; and that they should have all the good things of this Life, and that in such a won∣derful manner: And also God having promised an Everlasting Covenant with them, that he

will never depart from them, nor leave them to depart from him; and that the City shall be built upon her own Heap, and that they should continue a Nation upon the Earth as long as the Sun and Moon endureth. And in that these things are set down in so many places of Scrip∣ture, when they should be made good to Israel, as at the day of the great slaughter, when the Towers fall; when a Nation shall be born at once; and at the End of this World: And when there is a New Heaven and Earth; all which will be when the Lord comes to judge the World in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Having these plain places of Scripture, it strikes me with Astonishment to think with what Darkness we have read them. But whereas St. Paul saith in 1 Cor. 15.50. That Flesh and Blood cannot in∣herit the Kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. It is true, Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom, which is in the Hea∣ven of Heavens: Neither, as it is here said, can Corruption inherit Incorruption; which is, Flesh and Blood, with its corrupt Affections and Lust, cannot inherit the Kingdom of Christ; which then will be made like to Eden, the Garden of God, as it is said in Isa. 31.3. no more than A∣dam could enjoy Paradice after he had sinned; But as for Flesh and Blood, we know he had it in the first Creation: but it was his sin made him obnoxious to God, for which he was cast out of Paradice. But Israel, when again resto∣red, will be past that danger, through the Ever∣lasting

Covenant that God will then make with them, when they are made partakers of the Glory that shall be revealed. And St. Paul, speaking of the Resurrection of the Dead, saith, in 1 Cor. 15.42,43,44. So also is the Resurrecti∣on of the Dead; It is sown in corruption, it is rai∣sed in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Now the Apostle tells us, that this great Change, in Verse 52. will be in a moment, in the twinkling of an Eye, at the last Trump, for the Trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruption must put on in∣corruption, and this mortal must put on Immortali∣ty. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on im∣mortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in Victory. 45. O Death, where is thy sting! O Grave, where is thy Victory? 56. The sting of Death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. We see there is no other rai∣sed here, but them that truly sing, O Death, where is thy Sting! O Grave, where is thy Vi∣ctory! Now whereas St. Paul saith, in 1 Thes. 4.13,14,15,16. I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14. For

if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him. 15. For this we say unto you, by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16. For the Lord himself shall de∣scend from Heaven with a Shout, with the Voice of the Archangel, and the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord.

Now whereas St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. 15.51,52. We shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an Eye, at the last Trump; for the Trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Here he saith, we shall all be changed in a mo∣ment, in the twinkling of an Eye, at the last Trump. Now in these words the wicked are not included; for they are never numbered with the righteous. And it is said, When Christ co∣meth, the wicked shall be slain by the Sword that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord; and that all Fowls were filled with their Flesh; as in Rev. 19.21. Therefore not changed, because they then knew a temporal Death, as well as a spiritual. Therefore by this word we all, the A∣postle doth only include those that were to bear their Testimony to the Truth, as the first Chur∣ches did, and as the Vaudois have remained a con∣tinual Standing Witness to the Truth.

If by this Change here spoken of, he doth in∣clude also at that moment, an Immortal Change, then it doth appear to be none but the Witnesses that are said to lie in the Street of the Great Ci∣ty: That is, they are compassed about with their Enemies; of them it is said, They ascend∣ed up in a Cloud, and their Enemies beheld them, as in Rev. 11.12. They being chose for the Glo∣rious Tabernacle, as the first Churches were. For it does appear, that all that are raised, are not rai∣sed to the Glorious Tabernacle, as I shall else∣where prove. And also when St. Paul wrote this Epistle, and that of the first of the Thessalo∣nians, they were in a continual expectation of the coming of Christ, insomuch that they thought he would return in their Day. But when St. Paul by further Revelation, found that the coming of Christ would not be so sudden, he then acquaint∣ed the Church therewith; as in 2 Thess. 2.2,3. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither by Spirit, nor by Word, nor by Letter, as from us, though the Day of Christ were at hand. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that Day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition. Now by what is here said, it is evident, that the Lord was daily expected of them, till after this time, that the Apostle acquainted them with the contrary. Now that there will be a Spiritual Change upon all the Elect, when Christ comes, is certain, by all the New Covenant Promises: And also Esdras saith, chap. 6.26. And the men

that are received, shall see it, who have not tasted Death from their birth; and the heart of the Inha∣bitants shall be changed, and turned into an other meaning.

Now whereas the Lord said in Mat. 24.40. Then shall two be in the Field, the one shall be ta∣ken and the other left; two women shall be grinding at the Mill, the one shall be taken and the other left; but he does not here tell us how. But in Verse 31. he saith, He shall send his Angels with a great Sound of a Trumpet, and they shall gather together his Elect from the Four winds. But the Lord saith nothing in the Three Evangelists, of their being caught up in the Clouds; but only, where the Car∣case is, there will the Eagles be gathered together. Now this gathering together from the Four Winds, doth comprehend all the Elect, that will be upon the Earth at Christ's coming. As the faithful Christians, whom the Lord shall so find, and the twelve Tribes of Israel, and those other promis∣ed Elect, whom the Lord will call in with them. Now into these Four Winds was Judah, Levy, and Benjamin scattered. And from these Four Winds will the Lord gather them.

As for the Ten Tribes, they will come out of one place, as in Esdras 13. where it is said, they went into a far Countrey, where never man dwelt. Verse 45. For through that Countrey there was a great way to go, namely, of a Year and an half, and the same Region is called Arsareth. Then dwelt they there until the latter time. Which in the fore part of the Chapter is when Christ

comes. Now in that Christ and his Apostles spake of these things darkly, it was because there was a Secret in it, which by this manner of spea∣king, it has remain'd veil'd to us, that the calling in of Israel should be at his second coming. At which time all the wicked Christians will be cast out; for as there was a secret under the Law, that was veiled from the Jews; so this has been a secret vail'd under the Gospel from the Chri∣stians, that Israel were comprehended under the Elect. And by the Heavens and Earth that are to be destroyed, is meant the wicked Powers and People; and then will the material Earth be restored and renewed. And whereas the Lord saith in Luke 17.31. In that day, he which shall be upon the House top, and his stuff in the House, let him not come down to take it away; and he that is in the Field, let him likewise not re∣turn back. Remember Lot's wife.

Now the will of the Lord is such, that all his should by his word, and the signs, be inlightned of his coming. And the Lord here gives warn∣ing that they should not hanker at that day after their stuff. So as to setch any thing out of the house, by which words it doth appear, they might have knowledge, they should use such things, but that they should not then regard them, but to keep on praying till they are deli∣vered out of the danger by the Angels, as Lot was out of Sodom. And that we should not be unmindful so to do, we have given us the sad remembrance of Lots wife. This warning is

only to the believers, for them that believe not, and them that have not the word, it signifies nothing to them. Therefore it is said of Israel, and the promised Elect, Isa. 66.20. Isa. 60.6. That they shall be brought to Jerusalem otherways, as upon Horses, Camels, Litters, and the like; and these are said to come in multitudes, and to bring their Silver and Gold with them. But Christ saith of the others, there shall be two in one bed, the one shall be taken, the other left, two grinding at the mill, one taken and the other left. Luke. 17.44,45. That is, the true Christians must be thus tak∣en, and the Elect being all gathered to the holy Land, but the wicked are left to par∣take of those dreadful Judgments, which the Lord will pour upon the Earth after he comes. As in Rev. 9. Chap. Now there was a necessity of a secresy in these things, as to the Heavens and Earth, and of the calling in of Israel, and Christs second coming. And the Lord foreseeing that the apprehensions of the suddenness of his again coming, would be a means to keep the Christi∣ans in obedience to him, and love and affection one to the other, and from being greedy of the lucre of this world, but that they should alwaies live, as waiting for their change; for the Lord foretold us, that when they should begin to think he delayed his coming, they would then eat and drink with the drunken, and smite their fellow Servants, which in a dreadful manner they have already done, but the Lord after his Ascension gave to St. John a certain knowledg of his return, which was comprehended under two

Heads, The time of the Witnesses Prophesying, and the Beasts Reigning. For the Lord saith, v. 11.3. I will give Power to my two witnesses, and they shall Prophecy a thousand two hundred and threescore days cloathed in sackcloth. And in Rev. 13.5. There is mention made of the Beast, to whom the Devil gave Power, and he was to continue forty and two Months.

Now by this Beast it doth not only appear to be the Pope, but also it may be meant by the first great Councils that did Afflict the Church.

Now the Witnesses Prophesying a thousand two hundred and sixty days cloathed in Sack∣cloth, is exactly the two and forty Month the Beast is to Reign. For two and forty Months Reckoning thirty days to a Month, according to the Egyptian Account, it doth just amount to one thousand two hundred and sixty days of years, at which time the Lord will come; and then the Beast shall be taken and cast alive into a Lake burning with Fire and Brimstone, and the De∣vil bound up, and then will be the first Resur∣rection, of which St. John speaks, in Rev. 20.4. And I saw Thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; and I saw the Souls of them that were beheaded for the witnesses of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thou∣sand years. 5. But the rest of the Dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished; this is the first Resurrection. V. 6. Blessed and Holy is he that hath

part in the first Resurrection, on such the second Death hath no Power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thou∣sand years, It is said in Isa. 1.26. where God telleth them, I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy Counsellors as at the beginning, afterward thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.

Pray mark the Words: Here the Lord doth not tell them, that they should have such Judges as they had at the first, and such Counsellors as they had at the beginning, but that the Lord would restore them Judges that they had at the first, and those Counsellors which were at the beginning.

Therefore the Lord said unto Daniel, in Chap. 12.13. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy Lot at the end of the days. Now the Lord, in the fore part of the Chap∣ter tells him of the end of the world, and what shall then happen; and also tells him, that he shall rest, and stand in his Lot at the End of the Days. Here the Lord doth not tell him, that he shall stand in his Lot at the End of his Days, but at the End of the Days after he has rested; which is at the Resurrection. By this of Daniel it doth further clear to us the first Resurrection, on whom the second Death shall have no Power; but that they shall be Priests of God and Christ, and reign with him a thousand years.

And Isaiah saith, Chap. 24.23. Then the Moon shall be confounded, and the Sun ashamed, when the

Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Sion, and in Jerusalem, and before his Ancients gloriously. Not that Christ and his Saints shall reign no longer than the Thousand Years; but that the Visible Glory may not so eminently appear among them after Satan is loosed, that thereby he may accom∣plish his final Overthrow, when he has deceived his Gog and Magog; of which I shall speak more to in another place.

Whereas the Angel saith, Rev. 10.6. That there should be time no longer. That is, no lon∣ger time for this wicked World to have Power and time of Repentance; for their time should be no longer: But there will be a glorious Time for the People of God, in the renewed Heavens and Earrh, when the Lord reigneth. And as there will be another World, so another Genera∣tion, and another Time. Of which times the Lord saith in Esdras 9.6. The Times also of the Highest, have plain beginnings in wonders, and pow∣erful workings, and endings in Effects and Signs. The Lord grant that we may be awakened by the Signs of the End; which End is now ap∣proaching.

And in John, Martha said to the Lord concern∣ing her brother, chap. 11.24. Martha said unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the Resurre∣ction at the last day. The which last Day is the last day of this wicked World, and when this World shall be judged. For the Saints are raised before the Wicked are condemned. Therefore by this last day must be meant the last day of their

Time. For to take it otherwise it cannot be; for it is said, when this World is past, that Day and Night lasteth for ever and for ever; as in Revelations, where the Devil receives his Last Judgment; he is there said to be cast into Hell, to be tormented day and night for ever and for e∣ver. The same is said of God, That he liveth for ever and for ever, Rev. 4.9. And as to what St. Paul saith, in 1 Thess. 1.5. VVhich is a mani∣fest Token of the Righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. Verse 6. Seeing it is a righte∣ous thing with God to recompence Tribulation to them that trouble you. 7. And to you that are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels. 8. In flaming fire, taking Vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. VVho shall be punished with everlast∣ing destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power. 10. VVhen he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.

Now whereas he saith, counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which they did also suf∣fer. In answer to which it is said, in Rev. 11.15. The Kingdoms of this world are become the King∣doms of our God, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Verse 17. Saying, we give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come, because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Verse 18.

And the Nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy Ser∣vants the Prophets, and to the Saints, and them that fear thy Name, small and great, and shouldest destroy them which destroy the Earth. Now it is at this time when the Lord cometh, that the Kingdoms of this World will become the Kingdoms of God and Christ. And it is then God will give Re∣wards to his Servants; at which time the wic∣ked Worldlings, that are dead in sin, will be jud∣ged; and then shall they be destroyed which destroyed the Earth; which Earth is their fellow brethren upon the Earth. And also by the words of St. Paul, before mentioned, it is when the Lord shall be revealed, that then to the wicked will be recompensed Tribulation, and to the Saints Rest and Consolation. And when God and Christ have taken possession of the Kingdom, then shall the Saints reign on the Earth, as in Rev. 5.10. And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the Earth. And according to this, it is said in Ephes. 2.7. And al∣so in 1 Pet. 2.9. Where he mentions those things which are to come, as if they were present, which way of speaking is often used in Scrip∣ture.

And the like is in Dan. 7.27. And in 2 Tim. 4.8. It is said, The Crowns are given in that day to all them that love his appearing. For now it is said in Rev. 6.9. The Souls are under the Altar.

Now in the next place we are to take notice, who are those that do chiefly fall under this ever∣lasting Punishment, mentioned by St. Paul in 2 Thess. 1.6,8,9, which in especial manner ap∣pears to be those rhat were the Afflictors of the the Servants of God; as in Verse 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God, to recompence Tribulati∣on to them that trouble you. By which we see these will be the great sharers of his Wrath when the Lord comes; as in verse 8. In flaming fire, ta∣king Vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. VVho shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Now altho he saith this of them that know not God. Now those are said not to know God, that in works deny him, in not obeying the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now this word was more particularly directed to them, that would not have a practical Knowledg of God, and of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as to be obedient thereunto. Now that this Condemnation did not extend to all that had not the knowledg of God; and of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, is evident, for in his words there is not all expressed; for he did not say of all them that knew not God, and all them that knew not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; but to them chiefly that knew it, and would not obey it; for the Lord saith, he that knoweth not his Masters Will, and doeth

it not, shall be beaten with fewer stripes. For St. Paul also knew that the Jews that neither did know, nor obey the Gospel, were to be called in at the coming of the Lord, is evident by what is said in Rom. 11.25,26. That when the ful∣ness of the Gentiles be come in, then all Israel should be saved. He saith, according as it is written in Isa. 59. read there from the V. 14. to the end of the Chapter; in which is contained Christ's coming to Judgment, and the Redemp∣tion of his People; and it is at that time when he comes to Mount Sion, That he will turn a∣way ungodliness from Jacob. And then will the rest of the promised Elect be gathered in.

Now when the Lord was upon the Earth, he did not in the plain Letter of the Word, either bid us pray for Jerusalem, or the Conversion of the Jews, but in the Second and Third Petiti∣ons of that Prayer that he taught us, they are both included. Where he saith, Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. For the Lord knowing that Israels time to be re∣stored, would not be until his Second Coming; at which Time should be the Restitution of all Things. And then will the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ. And then will Israel be restored, and the promised New Covenant made with them; And then will the Will of the Lord be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven (and this the Lord would have us to pray for, before we ask our daily bread); for the Time was not so abso∣lutely

determined, but that the days may be shortned. And the Lord said to Esdras, Pray for few days unto you.

And Christ, in Matth. 24.22. saith, For the Elect's sake, those days shall be shortned. And St. Peter speaking of Christ's second coming, in Acts 3.19,20,21,22,23. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the pre∣sence of the Lord. 20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21. VVhom the Heavens must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world be∣gan. 22. For Moses truly said to the Fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23. And it shall come to pass, that every Soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Here the Apostle absolutely tells us, The Lord will again come, and then will the Times of Restitution be, the which he saith hath been declared by all the Prophets, and by them I here prove the same unto you.

And in 2 Esdras 11.37. And I beheld, and lo, as it were a roaring lion chased out of the wood: And I saw that he sent out a mans voice unto the eagle, and said, V. 38. Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the highest shall say unto thee, V. 39. Art not thou it that remaineth of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of their

times might come through them? V. 46. That all the earth may be refreshed, and may return, being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her.

Now we have all of us been under a very great mistake, as to our Lord's coming to judgment, taking his coming to judg the World, for that last and final Judgment, spoken of in Rev. 20.12. wherein the Dead, both small and great, shall stand before the Throne of God: At which time the Sea, and Hell and Death, shall deliver up their Dead, which are in them. But when Christ comes to Judg the World, there is mention made of no such thing. But whereas St. Paul saith in the 2 Tim. 4.1. That the Lord Jesus Christ shall judg the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his Kingdom. Here we must not forget whom the Lord calls Dead, it is also them that are dead in sin, and it is those Dead, wirh the living Saints, and restor∣ed Jews, that he will first Judg. And whereas it is said in his Kingdom (pray take notice of the word Kingdom) which Kingdom would be but of a short continuance, were it but for a natu∣ral day; therefore it is said, that he must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his feet, which is till the last general Judgment, when the Sea, Hell and Death shall deliver up their Dead.

Now as to what our Lord saith concerning his coming, Matth. 25.31. when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with

him. Then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory. V. 32. And before him shall be gathered all Nati∣ions, and he shall seperate them one from another, as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats.

Now whereas the Lord saith, he shall fit upon the Throne of his Glory; which words argue a continuance of some considerable time upon his Throne. And the Lord here tells us, who they are that shall be gathered. It is the Na∣tions that are then upon the Earth at his coming. And the Lord in the 33. V. saith, He shall set the Sheep on his right hand, but the Goats on the left. V. 34, Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom pre∣pared for you from the Foundation of the world. Now whereas the Lord saith, come ye blessed, that is, they were blessed; because they were excepted, and also there was that found in them, that did distinguish them from the wicked of the world. Here, by these words of our Lord, we are fully informed that they are to enter into the Kingdom that was prepared for them from the foundation of the World; and we know what Kingdom that was, which was then prepared at the foundation of the World; that it was this material Heaven and Earth, and the Garden of Eden; and when Christ comes, it is this will be again restored to Israel, and the rest of the Elect with them, whom Christ will set at his right hand, as being part of his Sheep; but this set∣ting

them on the right hand and left, is but a fi∣gurative Speech, and spoken by way of Parable, as I shall prove by several places of Scripture. And whereas the Lord saith in Mat. 25.35. I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in. V. 36. Naked and ye clothed me, I was sick and ye visited me, I was in prison and ye came unto me. V. 37. Then shall the Righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee Drink? V. 38. VVhen saw we thee a Stranger and took thee in, or nake and clothed thee? V. 39. Or when saw we the sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? V. 40. And the King shall answer, and say unto them, ve∣rily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it, unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. V. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his An∣gels. V. 42. For I was an hungred and ye gave me no meat, I was a thirsty and ye gave me no drink. V. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in, nak∣ed and ye clothed me not, sick and in prison, and ye visited me not. V. 44. Then shall they also an∣swer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hun∣gred, or a thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not Minister unto thee? V. 45. Then shall he answer them, saying, verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. V. 46. And these shall go into everlasting punishment, but the Righ∣teous

in to Life Eternal. That is, the Lord then giveth them an assurance of their Eternal Salva∣tion: So as they are for ever after past the power or fear of the Second Death. Now when Christ said to them on his Right Hand, Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foun∣dation of the World; he did not then say any thing to exclude a Temporal Death: but at the conclusion of the whole matter, the Lord said, The Righteous shall go into Life Eternal. That is, then they shall have the assurance of Eternal Life; for then by the New Covenant-Promise, which will then be made with them, they are put past the power of the second death; And the Lord by his Word counts a Temporal Death not a dying, as in John 8.51. Verily, verily, I say un∣to you, if a man keep my Sayings, he shall never see death. And when they are again restored, then they will be put into a capacity never to offend any more, by the Promised New Cove∣nant that then will be made with them; of which the Christian that is now become a New Creature, will be partaker of that promis'd New Covenant with them; but how few is there of such?

And whereas it is said, in Matth. 25.32. that before him shall be gathered all Nations; and that he shall separate the one from the other; and that he shall set the Sheep on his Right Hand, and the Goats on his Left. But yet when the blessing was by the Lord pronounc'd, the Word All was not then included; And if it

had, all the innocent children, and the poor had been all excluded, because the one had no know∣ledge how to do good, upon which the blessing was pronounc'd, and the poor had it not to do withal. Nor doth the Lord include the Word All, in that Everlasting Sentence of Condem∣nation; but this Sentence was chiefly to them that knew him, but would not live in Obedi∣ence to him, nor do the good that was required of them; for they did not deny the knowledge of the Lord; but said, Lord, when saw we thee thus and thus? Whereupon the Lord saith, In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. You have not obeyed the great Commandment I left with you at my departure, which was to love one an∣other; and that you should bear one another's burdens; and you knowing most of my Re∣vealed Will, wherein my Mercy and Love is comprehended, and in that you have shewed no Mercy to the Elect, or Sheep of God, now there remains no Mercy for you, the which I left up∣on Record by my Servant James, chap. 2.13. That he shall have judgment without mercy, that have shewed no mercy.

Now if their Punishment be so great to them, that has done no good in their Generation ac∣cording to their Capacity; how much severer Punishment must those Christians expect, that are committing all those Evils, which this Na∣tion, and the rest of the Christian World doth abound in, accompanied with the Romish Cru∣elty,

to the Servants of Christ. And as St. Peter saith, 1 Pet. 4.18. If the Righteous scarce∣ly be Saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear, that are filling up their days in commit∣ing iniquity, since every sin doth augment their Punishment. And the Lord also tells us, Mat. 7.19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good Fruit, is hewen down and cast into the Fire. V. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. V. 21. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. V. 22. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not Prophesied in thy Name, and in thy name cast out Devils, and in thy name done many wonder∣ful works? V. 23. Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me ye that work ini∣quity. Here the Lord doth in a more clear man∣ner Figure out to us the Papists, with their signs and lying wonders, in that they say Lord, Lord, have we not Prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out Devils, and in thy Name done many wonderful works: All which does fully make out, it is those that makes a pro∣fession of Christ, but in their Works deny him, which are here in a more particular manner shut out. And in the Revelations it is said, The Vine is first trod in the Wine-press of God's wrath. Mat. 25.30. VVhere the Lord in the pa∣rable of the three men to whom the Talents were given; it was he that improved not his Talent, whom the Lord commanded should be cast into outer

darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth,

The Lord also saith, in Luke 19.12,14,15,27. A certain Nobleman went into a far Countrey, to receive for himself a Kingdom, and to return. 14. But his Citizens hated him, and sent a Mes∣senger after him, Saying, we will not have this man to reign over us. 14. And it came to pass when he was returned, having received the Kingdom; The Lord saith, Verse 27. But those mine Enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Now as to whom this Sentence of Condemnation is passed, it doth also in a particular manner figure out the Christians to us, in that they have the know∣ledge of the Lord, and would not have him to reign over them. And the Lord doth not here make mention of the crying sins of the Times, for the Scriptures do fully make manifest, that they shall have their part in the Lake that burn∣eth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second death, Rev. 21.8. But the Lord, to undeceive them that think they shall be happy, when in∣deed they shall be miserable. Therefore it is said, That it is not him that confesseth the Lord with his mouth, and in his works deny him, and that it is not onely the shuning the doing evil. (Which so few does now adays.) But we must also learn to do well, for if we Christians are not found ready with grace in our hearts at his coming we shall be shut out, like the foolish Virgins, from those hea∣venly

nuptials with the Lord, the Bridegroom of Souls. Now whereas the Lord saith in Mat. 13.34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them. 35. That it might be fullfilled which was spoken by the prophet, Saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. And in the 36th Verse, 'tis made mention of the Dis∣ciples coming to the Lord, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the Tares of the field. 37. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good Seed is the Son of Man. 38. The Field is the world, the good Seed are the Children of the King∣dom, but the Tares are the Children of the wicked One. 39. The Enemy that soweth them is the De∣vil, the Harvest is the end of this world, the Reap∣ers are the Angels. 40. As therefore the Tares are gathered, and burnt in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. 41. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity. 42. And cast them into a Furnace of Fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of Teeth. 43, Then shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun, in the Kingdom of their Father.

Now here we see, this is the Interpretation of the Parable, wherein we are to take notice, that the Tares are the Seed of the Wicked One, and according to the saying of St. Peter, the World that is to be burnt. Pray take notice

where this Kingdom is, from whence all things that offend, and do Iniquity, is to be pluckt out; you see it is here upon this Earth.

Now by this you may more clearly see which are the Heavens and Earth which are to be de∣stroyed by the fiery indignation of the Lord's Displeasure. And we ought to take notice of the Words of the Lord, in that he saith, he would open his Mouth in Parables, and he would utter things that have been kept secret from the Foundation of the World: Which is, That the Glory of the Righteous shall be when the Wicked World shall be destroyed: Whose Executioners are said to be the Angels. For although these things were hinted to them in Old Time, by the Prophets, yet Israel appre∣hended them not, no more than that of Christ coming to suffer; And like us that have been ig∣norant in these great matters, as to the Sayings of Christ and his Apostles. And whereas the Lord saith, The Righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of his Father; he also saith, in John 10.30. I and my Father are one. Now seeing that Christ and the Father are One, the Kingdom that is the Son's must be the Fa∣ther's also. And it is said, Rev. 11.15. The The Kingdoms of the world are become the King∣dom of our God, and of his Christ. And in Psal. 9.16. The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth, the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Verse 17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, with all the Nations that forget God.

Verse 18. For the needy shall not always be for∣gotten, the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

Now Christ by these words, Wheat, Sheep, and Elect, thereby leaves himself scope for to take in whom he pleases at his coming; the which will be those people which the Prophets have prophesied of, with the poor that are said to be fetch'd in at the coming of the Lord. But by what the Lord saith, it is evident, that there will be something found in them to distinguish them from the Wicked of the World. But as for the Christians that forget God, they must look to be turned into Hell, as it is said.

Now it is these, and the like places, that have cast a Veil over our Faces, or Apprehensions, in taking the Elect, which is to be called in at the coming of the Lord; for the Saints which at∣tend him from Heaven, and for the Witnesses that meet him in the Clouds of Glory, the which then will descend from Heaven, and is the place which the Lord said he would prepare for them; and then come again and receive them to him∣self, Joh 14.3. This being the Tabernacle which the Lord shall pitch, and not man, 1 Pet. 1.4,5. Of which I shall speak more in ano∣ther place. But as for those that were before mentioned, The Lord there saith, it is all the Nations that shall be gathered before him. And it is evident, that the Saints in Henven are not termed the Nations, neither the Damned that are in the infernal Regions. And also the Wic∣ked

is to be gathered out of this Kingdom of his. And therefore this Kingdom of his must be upon the Earth, in as much as there is no Wic∣ked in Heaven. And from the Foundation of the World, was Paradice prepared, which does appear to be destroyed by the Flood. However, the place where it was, is said to be the Land which the Lord careth for, Deut. 11.12. and which he gave to the Seed of Abraham, as in Gen. 17.8,9. I will give unto thee and thy Seed after thee, the Land wherein thou art a Stranger, all the Land of Canaan for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. Verse 9. And God said to Abraham, thou shalt keep my Commandments, therefore thou and thy Seed after thee in their genera∣tions, for an everlasting Covenant, to be a God un∣to thee, and to thy Seed after thee.

Here God, in the 8th Verse, gives the Land to Abraham, and his Seed for an everlasting In∣heritance, upon a conditional Covenant, which was in verse 9. That God said to Abraham, Thou shalt keep my Covenant, therefoee thou and thy Seed after thee, in their generations. The which they did not do, and therefore received the threatned Curse, but not the blessing. But God's promise was to Abraham, in the forementioned Chapter, Gen. 17.7, That he would establish his Cove∣nant with him; That is, with himself, and his Seed after him, in their Generations, for an e∣verlasting Covenant. But it is not to be a con∣ditional Covenant, as the former was. The which God hath so often rehearsed. that it

should be confirmed to them by the mouths of all his Prophets; and as God did promise Abra∣ham, and to his Seed, the Land, for an everlast∣ing possession, and since this Covenant is to be made with Abraham and his Seed together, then it must be at the Resurrection made good; at which time will be the Restitution of all things. Now God saith in Ezek. 5.12. That he would scatter Israel into all the Winds; and from one End of the Earth to the other. From these pla∣ces is the Lord said to gather his Elect at his co∣ming. And God himself saith, I will gather Is∣rael, and others with him. And in Isaiah 43.4,5,6,7,8. The Lord saith in verse 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honoura∣ble, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy Life. Verse 5. Fear not, for I am with thee; I will bring thy Seed from the East, and gather thee from the West. Verse 6. I will say to the North, give up; and to the South, keep not back, bring my Sons from far, and my Daughiers from the ends of the Earth. Verse 6. Every one that is called by my Name, for I have created him for my Glory; I have formed him, yea I have made him. Verse 8. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Now Israel, God saith, that he created him for his Glory, and these are the Elect in a more par∣ticular manner, for whom the Kingdom was prepared from the Foundation of the World: And as in some places the Reigns of David and Solomon are intermixt, and Christ's first and se∣cond

coming are intermixt; so is here their De∣liverance by Cyrus, with that of their final and last Deliverance by Christ, when he comes to judge the World. The which, the foregoing Words of the Lord doth make fully out. For when they returned out of the Babylonish Cap∣tivity, they were not gathered from the East, West, North and South: Neither were they ho∣nourable, because they were under another Na∣tion. Neither did they appear to the Glory of God, when they murdered the Lord of Life; for which they have been a scatter'd people ever since, throughout the Face of the whole Earth. Now God foreseeing the ignorance of his peo∣ple, as to the time to come, therefore saith, Bring the blind people that have Eyes, and the deaf that have Ears; for they apprehend not the sayings of the Most High, as to the time of their Restoration.

And the Lord saith, 2 Esdras, in the sixth chap. verse 5,6,7,8,9,10. That ere the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin, were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered Faich for a Treasure. Then did I consider these things, and they were all made through me alone, and through no other; by me al∣so they shall be ended, and by none other. Verse 7. Then answered I, and said, What shall be the parting asunder of the Times, or when shall be the first, and the beginning of it that followeth? Ver. 8. And he said unto me, From Abraham unto I∣saac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him, Ja∣cob's

hand held first the heel of Esau. Verse 9. For Esau is the end of the World. and Jacob is the beginning of it that followeth. Verse 10. The hand of Man is between the heel and the hand.

Here in the V. 7. Esdras was desirous to know what should be the parting asunder of the times, and when should be the end of the first, and the begining of that which followeth; in answer to which, God lets him understand by the following words, that Esau, and Jacob, were the figure of both worlds. And God said un∣to him, when Esau and Jacob were born, Jacobs hand held first the heel of Esau. For Esau is the end of the world, and Jacob is the begining of that which followeth, and the hand of man is now between the heel and the hand. That is, the time of man, now is signified to be, between the heel and the hand, by which is meant, labour, sorrow, and dark∣ness, for the head is excluded, as not being plac'd between the heel and the hand. There∣fore, they of this world walk in darkness, la∣bour, and mischief. But the Glory is re∣served for the other world, Jacob. Where the head is with the Body; In which is wis∣dom, Glory, excellency, and greatness. Now whereas it is said, Jacobs hand held first the heel of Esau. That is, that the Glory of the other world will come in, before this our sin∣ful world is gone off. And as I formerly shewed you by Isaiah, God figured out to us the Roman Babylon, so God here comprehends

this wicked world by Esau, and that which is to come, by Jacob. So this place in Mal. 1.2,3,4,5,6. Doth make it fully out, for God saith in. V. 2. I have loved you, saith the Lord, yet ye say, wherein hast thou loved us? was not Esau Jacobs brother, saith the Lord, yet I loved Jacob. V. 3. And I hated Esau, and laid his Mountains and his heritage wast, for the Dra∣gons of the Wilderness. V. 4. And they shall call them the border of Wickedness, a people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever. V. 5. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, the Lord will be magnified from the borders of Israel. V. 6. A Son honoureth his father, and a Servant his Master, if then I be a father, where is mine ho∣nor, and if I be a Master, where is my fear, saith the Lord of Host unto you, O Priests, that despise my name. Now what is here said, it is certain it was spoken for the time that is to come, in which, God will be magnified in Israel. For at that time, it is evident, the ways of Israel did not please the Lord, as to the capacity they were then in. And although the Seed of Jacob had the Oracles of God, and the Tem∣ple; yet they had not the promised new Co∣venant, made with them, as to be put into a Capacity not to offend; but through sin, might become as obnoxious to God, as any People. And Israel saying, wherein hast thou loved us? Now God said, was not Esau Jacob; Bro∣ther, and I loved Jacob, and hated Esau. That is, God had chosen Jacob as the figure

of the world to come, to whom the most high hath promised to establish an everlasting covenant with his Seed at that time; and it is this other world in which is compre∣hended the love of God, to Israel, here in this world; Esau was a Kingdom before Is∣rael, and remained so after Israel; as it is said in Obadiah, verse 12. Therefore this Esau here spoken of, in Malachy, could not be the real E∣sau.

And also, though the people of Esau were de∣stroyed, yet God has not curst the Land, to be an Habitation for evil creatures. For in Obadiah 19. it is said, They of the South shall inherit the Mount of Esau But the Inheritance of this figurative Esau is for ever to lie waste for the Dragons of the Wilderness; according to the saying of Isaiah, and St. John in the Revelations, to fullfil the Scriptures. Now whereas St. Paul saith, Rom. 11.25. For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this Mystery (lest ye should be wise in your own conceit) that bliwd∣ness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. Verse 26. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, Isa. 59.20. There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Verse 27. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take a∣waytheir sins. Verse 28. As conterning the Gos∣pel, they are enemies for your sake, but as touching the Election, they are beloved for the Fathers sake.

Now whereas St. Paul saith, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And the Lord himself saith, in Luke 21.28. That Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. That is, that Jerusalem shall not be restored, until the Gentile power is quite vanquished, destroyed, or extirpated. And that will not be till the Lord cometh, at which time all Gentile power will be destroyed, and laid low. And whereas it is said in Isaiah 60.10. That the Sons of strangers shall build thy walls, and their Kings shall minister unto thee. That is, those that are Kings at the coming of the Lord, which are and may be con∣verted, shall become serviceable, and minister to Israel. And whereas St. Paul saith, until the Gentiles be come in. That is, the fullness, or the greater Number of the Gentiles be come in, Rom. 11.25,26,27,28,29. So then all Is∣rael shall be saved: As it is written there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn a∣way ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my Cove∣nant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Here we see, that the Apostle did not say, that the Lord was come out of Sion, that should turn away ungodliness from Jacob, but that he would make this promise good to them when he again comes to Sion. And in Isa. 52.17. at the latter end, the Lord speaks of putting on Gar∣ments of Vengeance for cloathing, in which he will judge his Enemies; and at the same time he

will deliver Israel, as the Apostle saith. And in verse 28. he saith, concerning the Gospel, they are Enemies for your sakes, but as touching the Election, they are beloved for their fathers sakes. For he there tells us, 29. The gifts and calling of God are without Repentance. Which is as much as to say, that they cannot be forgotten of God. Here we see St. Paul bears his Witness, as to God's making good his promises to Israel; and that we are not taken in, as to disappoint them of their Inheritance, at the Restitution of all things. But that then they shall be again taken in, and the Everlasting Covenant be made with them, according as God has before promised to them, Rom. 11.30. For although through their unbelief we are taken into mercy, where∣by their Number is diminished, yet the Cove∣nant that God has by Oath promised to make with them, even with both the Houses of Jacob, at that time of Restitution, they cannot be dis∣appointed of. For we that are taken in, to be of the Seed of Abraham, in and through Christ, we must come in, as of the Lyon of the Tribe of Ju∣dah, of which Race Christ came. And St. Paul speaking of the conversion of the Jews, Rom. 11.15. saith, What shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead.

And the Patriarch Levy in his last will and Testament, foretold his Sons that they should call him Heretick that goeth about to renew the Law by the power of the highest; and in the end they should kill him out of hand,

as they think, not knowing that he shall rise again, and so shall ye receive his innocent blood wilfully upon your own heads. For his sake shall your holy place be left desolate, which you shall have defiled by utter forswear∣ing, and your dwelling shall not be clean, but you shall be curst among the Heathen, and despair shall vex you, till he visit you again. And he further saith, then will God raise up a new Priest, unto whom all the Lords words shall be opened: and he shall execute true Judgment upon the Earth many days. And his Star shall rise in Heaven, as a King shall he shew forth the light of know∣ledge in the open Sunshine of the day, and he shall be magnified over all the world, and be received and shine as the Sun upon the Earth, and drive away all darkness, and there shall be peace upon all the Earth. In his days the Heavens shall rejoyce, the Earth shall be glad, the clouds shall be merry, the know∣ledge of the Lord shall be poured out upon the Earth as the waters of the Seas, and the Angels of Glory that are in the Lords pre∣sence, shall rejoyce in him. The Heavens shall be opened, and out of the Temple of Glory shall sanctification come upon him with the fathers voice, as from Abraham the father of Isaac, and the Glory of the highest, shall be spread out upon him, and the Spirit of understanding and sanctification shall rest up∣on him, whereof he shall give abundantly

and mightily to his children in truth for ever∣more; and there shall none succeed him from Generation to Generation, World without end. In his Priesthood all sin shall come to an end, (and the Unrighteous shall cease from their Naughtiness); but the Righteous shall rest in Him, and He shall open the Gates of Paradice, and stay the Threatning Sword against Adam, and feed the Lambs with the Fruit of Life, and the Spirit of Holiness shall be in them. He shall bind up Belial, and give his own children power to tread down Hurtful Spirits, and the Lord shall rejoice in his children, and accept them as his Beloved for evermore. Then shall Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be glad; and then shall I and all Saints rejoyce. Now my children, ye have heard all; therefore chuse unto you either Light or Darkness, either the Law of the Lord, or the Works of Belial; and we answered our Father, saying, We will walk before the Lord, according to his Law. And my Father said, The Lord is Witness, and his Angels are Wit∣ness, and I am Witness, and your selves are Witnesses of the Words of my mouth: And when we answered, We will be Witnesses, Levy rested with this charge be given unto his chil∣dren.

And Daniel speaking of the time when the Kingdoms of this World should become the Kingdoms of God and Christ: And of the reign of the raised Saints, Dan. 7.9. he saith, I be∣held till the thrones were cast down, and the antient

of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his Head like the pure wooll, his Throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. V. 10. A fiery stream issued, and came forth from before him, thousand thousands ministred unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, the Judgment was set, and the Books were opened. V. 11. I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake, I beheld even till the beast was slain and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Ye see here also that Daniel makes mention of the Destruction of the Beast; and whereas he saith, he beheld till the Beast was slain, which may only signify that he received the Sentence of Condemnation, and his body destroyed, his greatness and his grandeur of his Power brok∣en. After which he is given to the burning flame, Soul and Body: And as St. John says, after Christ came, The beast was taken alive, and cast into a lake of sire burning with brimstone. And Daniel saith, V. 12. As concerning the rest of the beast, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. V. 13. I saw in the night Visions, and behold one like the Sun of man came with the Clouds of Hea∣ven, and came to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. V. 14. And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all People, Nations, and Languages should serve him, his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which

shall not pass away, and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. And whereas the Prophet saith there was given to Christ Dominion, Glory and a Kingdom, which was, that all People, Nations and Languages should serve and obey him. And in v. 18. it is said, The Saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Here it is said, That the Saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, that is, be pos∣sest with the Kingdom, or made partakers of the Kingdom, of which Christ is head. And he tells us in the 27. v. That the Kingdom, Do∣minion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the People of the Saints of the most high, whose Kingdom is an ever∣lasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

We see by these words, that it is fully clear∣ed where this Kingdom is said to be, which will be given to the People of the Saints of the most High. That it is the greatness of the King∣dom under the whole Heaven. Therefore it must be upon the Earth, at the time of the re∣stitution of all things. For Isaiah saith, c. 24. v. 4. The Earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty Peo∣ple of the Earth do languish. In these last words the Prophet tells us his meaning, in saying the Earth Mourneth, and the World Languisheth; For he saith it is the Haughty People of the Earth do Languish. V. 5. The Earth also is

defiled under the Inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the Ordinances, broken the everlasting Covenant. Whereby we see that the Earth is defiled, through the sin∣fulness of man that is upon it. Now Christ dyed to restore lost man, that he might pur∣chase to himself a Glorious Church withour spot, or wrinkle. And he will restore the Earth to be, for what it was intended in the first Creation, which was for the bringing up of a Holy Seed, and to be Israels inheritance, and the Earth was prepared for their Nour∣ishment, which as the Earth did fill. God might translate them to those Heavenly ha∣bitations.

Now in the day of the Restitution of all things, Christ has more than a ruling Power in the Hearts of his People, or with his Saints in Hea∣ven. But then will be given to him all the Kingdoms of the Earth, to serve and obey him: Then shall it be term'd but one Kingdom, as having but one Head to be the chief Ruling Power; and the raised Saints to Rule under him. And Daniel doth further assure us by the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars Dream, Dan. 2.44. That in the days of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom, which never shall be destroyed, and the Kingdom shall not be left to other People, but it shall break in pieces, and con∣sume all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever, V. 45. For as much as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the Mountain without hands, and that

it brake in pieces the Iron, the Brass, the Clay, the Silver, and the Gold, the great God hath made known to the King what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof is sure.

Now whereas the Prophet here tells us, that the Dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof is sure, that is, we may bind upon it, that the God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom∣which never will be destryed. And that the Kingdom shall not be left to other People, but it shall break in pieces, and consume all other Kingdoms, and stand for ever. For although it is said, Christ and his Raised Saints shall reign a Thousand Years; the which, as I before said, those words doth not at all signifie that the Reign of Christ, and his raised Saints shall con∣tinue no longer than the thousand years; but that the Glory may not so eminently, or visibly appear, after Satan is loosed to accomplish his wickedness in his deceiving his Gog and Magog; after which he shall receive his final Doom.

Now whereas the Lord saith in Isa. 26.19,20,21. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise: awake, and sing ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of Herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thy self, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be over-past. 21. For behold the Lord cometh out of his place, to punish the Inhabitants of the earth for their

iniquity: The earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

That it is as well those that are Spiritually Dead in Sin: wherein by the Lord's saying Men, is comprehended the whole Man, both Soul and Body: The Soul being already Dead, and the Body daily dying. Now when these dead Men shall Live, he farther tells us, it shall be when his dead body shall arise, which is in the first Resurrection, as I have proved by Scripture. And as to the Body of the Saints, you see they are not termed Men, because the better part of them is alive, and united to the Lord of Glory. Upon which the Lord terms the dead Bodies of the Saints to be his dead Body: And that this rising is at the first Re∣surrection, is further cleared, in that he then tells us, the Earth shall cast out the Dead. In the following verse, the Lord instructeth his People, that then shall be on the Earth, to hide them for a little moment, until the indignation be over past; that is, not to appear much in the World, either in pompous splendor, Action, or Labour; But in a more particular manner to secure themselves in himself, and that the more we see the day approaching. At that time when the Lord cometh to Punish the Inhabi∣tants of the Earth; he also then will punish the Leviathan, and slay the Dragon that is in the Sea. By this we see that Isaiah gives us the same account, as St. Paul and St. John does, as

concerning the destruction of the beast, and the binding of Satan. And God speaking to Ezekiel of the Restoration of Israel, and of the Resurrection, saith in the 37 c. where he shew∣ed him the Valley of dead bones, which were very many, and very dry, and they are repre∣sented to him how they came together, all in fi∣gurative way; after which the Lord opens to him the meaning thereof, as in v. 11. God said unto him, Son of Man, these bones are the whole House of Israel: Behold they say our bones are dry∣ed, and our hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts. V. 12. Therefore Prophesy and say to them, thus saith the Lord God, behold, O my people, I will open your Graves, and cause you to come up out of your Graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. V. 13. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your Graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves. V. 14. And shall put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own Land; then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. V. 15. The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying. V. 16. Moreover thou Son of Man, take thee one stick and write upon it for Ju∣dah, and for the Children of Israel his companions; then take another stick and write upon it for Joseph the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Is∣rael his companions. V. 17. And joyn them one to another into one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand. V. 21. Say unto them, thus saith

the Lord God, behold I will take the Children of Israel from among the Heathen, where they be gone, and I will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own Land.

Now here you see again by this, what was the meaning of the dry bones, the which the Lord declared to him, was the whole House of Israel; that is, the whole of them that are to be saved; for St. Paul saith, they are not all Israel, that are of Israel. But this Promise was made to them that then said, we are cast off, that they were a part of the whole Body which should arise out of their Graves, and be made parta∣kers of the Resurrection, and be united to their Head and Husband, at which time the two Fa∣milies of Israel should be gathered together from among the Heathen, and be made one People for ever. And Isa. saith in the 66. c. 8. v. Who hath heard such a thing, who hath seen such a thing, shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day, or shall a Nation be born at once? for as soon as Sion Travelled, she brought forth her Children. V. 9. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth, saith the Lord? shall I cause to bring forth, and shut up the Womb, saith thy God? v. 10. Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that Love her, rejoyce for joy with her, all y•• that Mourn for her. v. 11. That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the Breasts of her Consolations, that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abnndan•…•… of her Glory. v. 12. For thus saith the Lord behold, I will extend peace to her like a River, and

the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream, then shall ye suck; ye shall be born upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. v. 13. As one whom his Mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. v. 14. And when you see this your heart shall rejoyce, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known towards his Servants, and his indig∣nation towards his enemies. v. 15. For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebukes with flames of Fire. v. 16. For by fire and sword will the Lord plead with all Flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many,.

Here you see that a Nation shall be born at once, and at that time Israel shall rejoyce in Je∣rusalem.

When they are again re-established, they nor their Seed, shall never more be cast off: But be the inheritors of Eternal Life. Now that some will enter into this Kingdom, but not by this Everlasting Covenant is evident by what God saith, in Isa. 19.24. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt, and with Assiria, even a blessing in the midst of the Land. V. 25. Whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, bles∣sed be Egypt my people, and Syria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. And in Ezek. 16.59. Thus saith the Lord God, I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the Oath in breaking the Covenant. V. 60. Nevertheless, I will remember my Cove∣nant,

with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an Everlasting Covenant. V. 61. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed when thou shalt receive thy Sisters, thine elder and thy younger, and I will give un∣to thee for daughters, but not by thy Covenant. V. 62. And I will establish my Covenant with thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. And to prove that this was not spoken of the Jews when they first received the Gospel, is evident, for in the V. 19. Of the foremen∣tioned Chap. the Lord saith, In that day shall there be an Altar to the Lord in the midst of the Land of Egypt: And in V. 21. It is said, The Lord shall be known in Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and obligations, yea they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. V. 22. And the Lord shall smite Egypt, he shall smite and heal it, and they shall return to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. Here we see at this time when they are again call'd in, they are to do sacrifices, the which was all abolished when Christ first came; but at Christs second coming, we are to have some new instituti∣ons. Therefore the Lord bids us hold fast till he comes, Rev. 2.25. But as to what the sacrifices will be when the Lord comes, we know not, but that there will be sacrifices, I shall hereafter prove; there was sacrifices before the Law, as from Abels time to Abra∣ham,

and so forward. In the next place, it is said that Egypt shall return unto the Lord. Now, had they not been turned before, it could not have been said, they should have returned, but turned to the Lord. And when they are returned again, Israel is then to be the Lords inheritance, and to be a blessing in the midst of the Land, the which are now a people cast off of the Lord, and scat∣tered throughout the face of the whole Earth. As to what God saith by Ezek. concerning the two Sisters, doth seem to be spoken by Egypt, and Syria, under the names of Sodom, and Samaria: In that Sodom was term'd the Elder, and Samaria the younger. For Egypt was a Kingdom before Israel, but I say not this by proof, but supposition; And in. V. 61. It is said they are given to Israel for Daugh∣ters, but not the same Covenant God made with Israel. By which we may easily per∣ceive tha•• when Satan is again loosed, these may some of them again be insnared, altho for the thousand years, they and their Seed may stand secure: But whereas the Lord saith to Israel, in Ezek. 16.62. That he will establish his Covenant with them, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. Here the Lord doth not say that Israel did not know God; but that they did not know the Lord their redeemer. But when this Covenant is establisht, then shall they knew that he is the Lord. V. 3. That thou mayest remember and be confounded, and

never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified, towards thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.

And whereas the Lord saith in Joel 3.1. For behold, in those days, and in that time when I shall bring again the Captivity of Judah and Je∣rusalem. V. 2. I will also gather all Nations, and I will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people, and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the Nations, and parted my Land. Here you again see, that after Isra∣el is called in, the Lord calls them his heri∣tage, and therefore they will never more be cast off. And also it is evident they will be call'd in when the Lord comes to Judge the world, as it is said in Joel 3.9,10,11. Pro∣claim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare War, wake up ye mighty Men, let all the Men of War draw near, let them come up. V. 10. Beat your Plow-shares into Swords, and your Pruning∣hooks into Spears, let the weak say, I am strong. V. 11. Assemble your selves, and come all ye Heathen, and gather your selves together round about: Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down O Lord. These mighty ones being the Angels, which are spoken of by the Lord, in the Evangelist, and in the Revelations. And it is said in the 12th verse, Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there will I set to Judg the heathen round about. V. 13. Put ye in the Sickle, for the harvest is ripe,

come get ye down for the press is full; the fats over∣flow, for the wickedness is great. V. 14. Multi∣tudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. Ver. 15. The Sun and the Moon shall be darkned, and the Stars shall withdraw their shining. V. 16. The Lord shall roar out of Sion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth shall shake, but the Lord will be the host of his peo∣ple, and the strength of the Children of Israel. V. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Sion my holy Mountain: Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

Here you see that at, and after the Day of Judgment, the Lord will have his dwelling in Sion, his Holy Mountain; at whith time 'tis said Jerusalem shall know the Lord is their God: And then strangers shall no more pass through her. And it is said in that time, in Joel 3.18. It shall come to pass in that day, that the Mountains shall drop down new Wine, and the hills shall flow with Milk, and all the Rivers of Juda shall flow with Waters, and a Fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the Valley of Sittim. In this verse is contained the wonderful plenty that will be at that time, and in those days, accompanied with the pouring forth of the Spirit, signified to us by the Foun∣tain, which is said to come out of the House of the Lord, and water the Valley of Sittim. And whereas it is said in v. 19. Egypt shall be a

desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate Wilder∣ness, for the violence against the Children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their Land. This Egypt here spoken of, is not the real Egypt, but the Figurative, which is spoken of by St. John, where the Witnesses are said in Rev. 11.8. Their Dead Bodies shall lie in the Street of the great City which Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was Crucified. This is the Egypt which the Prophet Joel here speaks of, shall be made a desolation, but the real Egypt shall be inhabited, as I before shew∣ed you. But we may say, why is it Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, and the place where our Lord was Crucified? it is first termed So∣dom, by reason that all the abominations of So∣dom is there committed, and in that it is termed Egypt, is because Egypt was the place where the Children of Israel was so cruelly oppressed, and in that it is termed the place where the Lord was Crucified, is not only because he was Cru∣cified by the Roman Power, but their daily Cru∣cifying of him, in that they say it is the real Body and Blood of our Lord, that they continu∣ally distribute amongst themselves.

So this Edom is not the real Land of Esau, but the figurative one; for as I before shewed you, that the real Land of Esau is to be inhabited by them of the South; but these figurative ones made a desolation. And why it is said for their violence against the Children of Judah.

Now it was the real Egypt, an Idumea, which did most afflict the Natural Seed of Jacob. Now it is evident, that the true Christians that are taken in to be of the Seed of Abraham, must come in through Crist, who is of the Tribe of Judah. And it is these of Judah also that this Egypt, Idumea, and Babylon have been the Af∣flictors and Murderers of; And the Prophet Joel saith in Joel 3.10,21. But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from Generation to Generation. V. 21. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed, for the Lord dwelleth in Sion.

Then shall Jerusalem be rebuilt, and conti∣nue from Generation to Generation, by which we see in this glorious time, there will be Mar∣rying, and giving in Marriage by the continu∣ance of Generations here spoken of. And then the Lord, at that time when he comes again, will cleanse their Blood, which he hath not cleansed, at which time the Lord will dwell in Sion, which Sion may be comprehended under at wofold meaning, as the glorious Taberna∣cle where he will dwell, from which he will de∣scend to the real Mount Sion. And at that time will the Lord make the place of the Soles of his Feet glorious, as it is said Isa. 60.13. And then it is that the Promise will be made good to Abra∣ham, That in thee, and thy Seed, all the Fami∣lies of the Earth shall be called blessed. Now they are not so, but at that time it will be so. Now whereas the Lord in the same chap. of Joel,

speaketh of the Enemies of the Children of Judah, and the Children of Jerusalem, that they sold them to the Grecians, that they might remove them far from their Borders. The Lord saith of the Enemies of Judah, in V. 8. I will sell your Sons and your Daughters into the Hands of the Children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off, for the Lord hath spoken it. Now the Sabeans are of Sheba, the which People is foretold of by the Prophet from the Lord, Isa. 60.6. That they should find Mercy at that time, when Israel is again restored. Now these that have been the Oppressors of Judah, although they themselves that are left unconverted, till the coming of the Lord, are to be destroyed; yet their Children, we here see are not to be cut off with their Pa∣rents; but are said that then they should be sold to be Servants, to a People whom the Lord will then receive into Mercy. Now these are to be servants to them that are servants to Israel; for God saith in Isa. 6.12. The Nation and King∣dom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those Nations shall be utterly wasted. And the Lord saith in Zeph. 3.7. I said, surely thou wilt fear me: Thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwell∣ings should be cut off, howsoever I punished them, but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

Here we see God had not forsaken Israel, if they had not first forsaken him, and therefore now they must wait until it is his time to be gracious unto them; as in v. 8. of the before∣mentioned

Chapter, Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the Nations, that I may assemble the Kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce Anger, for all the Earth shall be devoured with the Fire of my jealousie. 9. For then will I turn to the People a pure language, that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. 10. From the Rivers of Ethiopia, my Supplicants, even the Daughters of my dispersed shall bring mine Offering. 11. In that day shalt thou not be asham∣ed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then will I take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoyce in thy pride, and thou shalt be no more haughty. And I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor People, and they shall trust in the Name of the Lord. The rem∣nant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their Mouth, for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Here the Lord telleth Israel, that he will take out from the midst of them, them that rejoyce in their Pride; that is, he would take their enemies out of their Land, and their City, which was the Glory of all Lands; and therefore termed Israel's Pride. And the Lord saith, I will leave in the midst of them an Afflicted poor People, which shall trust in the name of the Lord, and be partakers of the immediate Blessedness and Glory, as the following words make appear,

Zeph. 3.14,15, &c. Sing, O Daughter of Sion, shout O Israel, be glad and rejoice with all the Heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy Judgments, he hath cast out thine Ene∣mies, the King of Israel, even the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, fear thou not, and to Sion, let not thy hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoyce over thee with Joy, he will rest in his Love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will ga∣ther them that are sorrowful for the solemn assemb∣lies, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that Afflict thee, and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out, and I will get them praise and fame in every Land, where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you, for I will make you a name and a Praise among all the People of the Earth, when I turn back your capti∣vity before your Eyes, saith the Lord.

Here we see, that at the Time that the Lord will deliver Israel, his Determination is to ga∣ther the Nations, and assemble the Kingdoms, that he may pour upon them his fierce Anger.

Now as to what the Lord saith to the Pro∣phet Ezekiel, concerning the building of the se∣cond Temple, which is from the beginning of the 4th chapter of Ezekiel, where the Lord sheweth him how the Temple should again be

built the second time; and how every thing should be ordered, according to what it was for∣merly; vvhich is all along treated of from the 40th chapter to the 47th chapter, except the be∣ginning of the 43d chapter to the 10th verse; and there he speaks of the Glory of the Lord, and what the Lord said to him concerning his Dwelling in the midst of the Children of Israel for ever, as in Ezek. 43.7,8. And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my Throne, and the place of the Soles of my Feet, where I dwell in the midst of the Children of Israel for ever, and my Holy Name, shall the House of Israel no more defile, neither they nor their Kings, by their Whoredom, nor by the Carcases of their Kings in their high places. 8. v. In their setting their threshold by my thresh∣olds, and their posts by my posts, and the Wall be∣tween me and them; they have even defiled my Ho∣ly Name by their abominations that they have com∣mitted: wherefore I have consumed them in mine Anger. 9. v. Now let them put away their Whore∣dom, and the Carcasses of their Kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for e∣ver.

Here we see, the Lord's promising the Chil∣dren of Israel to dwell with them for ever, after the Temple was built the second time, was but ••n conditions; and the conditions was the put∣ing away their sins; which if they did, God would dwell with them for ever. That is, the Ever of this World, as well as that which is to 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

This is to shew, That there was no decree in God, for theirs, or the Temples Destruction; but that his Promise was but at that time condi∣tional with them, as it was formerly with Abra∣ham, and his seed; as in Gen. 17.9. And also Solomon saith, in 1 Kings 8.25. Therefore now, Lord God of Israel, keep with thy Servant David, my Father, that thou hast promised him, saying, there shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on•• the Throne of Israel, so that thy Children take heed to their way, that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.

So we see in the Ever of this World, the pro∣mises were all along conditional. And the ever of this World, is till the time of the Restitution of all things. Now Israel, at their Return from the Babylonian Captivity, had a fresh promise of God, of his dwelling amongst them in the Ever of this World, if they would put away their sins. Now the foreknowledge in God of their miscarriage, signifies nothing, as to a Decree in God. And when they will not obey, then it is the Lord saith, thou hast destroyed thy self, Hosea 13.9. Now the Lord therefore, in the 47th Chapter of Ezekiel, 1. v. speaks nothing of the destruction of the Temple that was then to be built, because it was not for their sins, that built it, that did occasion the destroying of it; and there∣fore no mention made of the Temple being to be rebuilt the third time. Whereupon the Pro∣phet only said (of which we are to take notice in Ezek. 47.1. Afterward he brought me again t••

the Door of the House, and behold, Waters issued out from under the Threshold of the House East∣ward: for the Fore-Front of the House stood to∣wards the East, and the Waters came down from under, from the right side of the House, at the South side of the Altar.

Now in that he saith, afterwards he brought meagain, it is to signifie to us, that it vvas not at one and the same time. That is, That the Wa∣ters issued not out from under the Threshold, at the building of the second Temple. But that this vvas spoken for time to come, because also of the Trees there mentioned, in Ezek. 47.7,12. By the Rivir, upon the Bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all Trees for meat, whose Leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed; it shall bring forth new fruits, accor∣ding to his months, because their Waters issued out of the Sanctuary, and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof shall be for medicine. And at that time these Trees do grovv, all Isra∣el is then gathered; as in the 13. v. Thus saith the Lord God, this shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the Land, according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions. At vvhich time also, vvhen all Israel is gathered, the stranger that sojourneth, shall have a portion vvith them; as in the 22. v. And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide the Land by Lot for a•• inheritance unto you, unto the strangers that so∣journ among you, which shall beget children among you, and they shall be unto you as born in the Coun∣trey

among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the Tribes of Is∣rael.

Here vve see, that vvhen this River is to be, then all the Tribes of Israel vvill be gathered, and that then the Sojourner is to have an Inhe∣ritance vvith them. And then shall the true Christian have a portion in the Land of Canaan, vvhen the Lord again comes. And then vvill be the Restitution of All Things. Novv all along the time of this World, whilst there was a Temple, the Priests and Levites had no Por∣tion of Land given them, as in Ezek. 44.27. And in the day that he goeth into the Sanctuary, un∣to the inner Court to Minister in the Sanctuary, he shall Offer his Sin-Offerings, saith the Lord God. And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their Inheritance, and ye shall give them no posses∣sion in Israel, I am their possession. 29. They shall eat the Meat-Offering, and the Sin-Offering, and the Trespass-Offering, and every Dedicated thing is Israel shall be theirs.

Here we see that the Priests then had no Land given them; but when all Israel is again gather∣ed, then the Tribe of Levy is to have a portion of Land given them, as in Ezek. 48.9. So on to the 14 v. and altho there is none of the Tribe of Dan, now said to follow the Lamb Christ; so as to be sealed for the Glorious Tabernacle, yet then when Israel is gathered, then are they not excluded, but he will have his Portion a∣mong the rest of them, as in Ezek. 48.1. From

the North End, to the Coast of the way of Heth∣lon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazorenan, the bor∣der of Damascus, Nothward, to the Coast of Ha∣math, (for these are his, beside East and West) a Portion for Dan. And Jacob did foresee that Satan would more prevail with the Seed of Dan, than the rest of them, by what he said of him at his Death, in Gen. 49.17. Dan shall be a Ser∣pent by the way, an Adder in the Path, that biteth the Horses heels, so that his Rider shall fall backward. Which signifies, they should wholly fall off. And by what Dan saith of his Children in his last Testament, is to the same effect: For he saith, I am sure in the latter days ye shall de∣part from the Lord, and walk in naughtiness, working the abominations of the Gentiles, and haunting wicked Women in all lewdness, by the Working of deceitful Spirits in you; For I have read in Enoch, that Satan is your Prince, and that all the Spirits of Fornication and Pride shall ply themselves in laying Snares for the Children of Dan, to make them sin before the Lord.

Here we may see what was the reason that none of Dan was of that Number, which was to be Sealed for the Glorious Tabernacle when the Lord again comes, which is the Sion that shall be revealed; and then shall Jerusalem a∣gain be built, having twelve Gates (as in Ezek. 48. from the 31. v. to the 35.) called after the Names of the Tribes of Israel, according to that of the New Jerusalem, which comes down

from Heaven; of which it is said, There is no Temple in it, Rev. 21.22. And I saw no Temple therein; for the Lord God almighty, and the Lamb, are the Temple of it. But as to the New Earthly Jerusalem, there is said, will be a Temple, for from under the threshold of which, shall issue forth the Waters spoken of, Ezek 47.1. Now that these Waters here spoken of, are real Waters, is certain, in that there is nothing in the whole Book of God, to prove it a figurative speech; and we are not to makefigures; and that there shall be, by these Waters, real Fruit Trees, as is said; and also abundance of Fish in the River: For the Lord hath declared that then the Earth shall abound with all good things. And then of Jerusalem it shall be said from that day, the Lord is there, as in Ezek. 48.35. It was round about eighteen thousand mea∣sures; and the name of the City from that day shall be, The Lord is there. And then it is, the say∣ing of the Apostle will be fullfilled in the Mani∣festation of the kindness of the Lord to them in the Ages to come, as in Eph. 2.6,7. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come, he might shew the exceeding Riches of his Grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.

Now in Heaven we neither read of Ages nor Generations; and were the Ages here spoken of meant of them that are in Heaven, he would have said, That the Ages that are past might

see the exceeding Riches of his Grace, in his kindness towards them; because that they being in Heaven, would sooner behold the exceeding Kindness of the Lord toward them, than those that are afterward to go to Heaven of the fol∣lowing Generations or Ages. Therefore the kindness here spoken of must be manifested here, when the New Jerusalem shall descend out of Heaven, when that Glorious Tabernacle shall be Revealed, which the Lord shall pitch, and not Man, over the Land of Canaan. And the Land that is given by the Lord, in Ezek. 47.14. appears to be far larger, than what Israel has had in Possession.

Now as to what Obadiah saith in the first part of the Chapter, where he treats of the Real Seed of Esau; and from the 15. v. downward, of the Day of the Lord, being near upon all the Heathen, by which he comprehends the Wick∣ed of the World, that their reward should then be given them. At which time, there should be deliverance on Mount Sion, as it is said in the 17. v. But upon Mount Sion shall be deliverance, and there shall be Holiness, and the House of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 20. And the Capti∣vity of the Host of the Children of Israel, shall pos∣sess that of the Canaanites, even to Zarephath, and the Captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the Cities of the South. 21. And Saviours shall come upon Mount Sion to Judg the Mount of Esau, and the Kingdoms shall be the Lords.

Here you see this Prophet, with Esdras, com∣prehends all the Wicked World, under the Name of Esau. And this Prophet also gives us to understand, when the Kingdom shall be the Lords; That is, when Saviours come upon Mount Sion, and the World is Judged. By which words we see, that now the Kingdom is not termed the Lords, not till such time, that he comes to Judg the World, and to restore Is∣rael's Inheritance to them: And then at that time the Kingdom will be the Lords. St. Paul Terms this World, as it is now, to be ruled by the Devil: Whereas he saith, 2 Cor. 4.4. The God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. And in Eph. 6.12. he saith, We wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principalities against Powers, and against the Rulers of the darkness of this World, and against Spiritual Wickedness in high places. And the De∣vil boasting to our Saviour of his Power, Luke 4.6. When he shewed him all the Kingdoms of this World in a moment of time, and the Devil said unto him, all this Power will I give thee, and the Glory of them, for that is delivered unto me.

That is, after mankind again became wilfully wicked, God left them to Satan's Delusion; And although the Devil is the Father of Lies, yet he would scarce have told them to the God of Truth, who knew how far his Power did ex∣tend. And the Lord himself saith, John 14.30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the Prince of this World cometh, and hath no part in me. But you may say, I thought God had ruled

all things in Heaven and Earth. God doth in∣visibly over-rule the Devil, or else he would de∣stroy all the Righteous from off the Earth, were not his Power limited by the most high, but the visible rule, as is declared by the Apostle, is in the Devil, who carries on the Darkness of this World, Eph. 6.12. by himself, and all his ad∣herents; for it is said, That he ruleth in the Hearts of the Children of the Disobedient; but you may say, the Lord did say to his Disciples, Mark 9.1. Verily, verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not tast of Death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with Power. Which was made out in his Transfiguration, in 2. v. Six days after, Jesus taketh Peter, James and John, and leadeth them up into an high Mountain, apart by themselves, and he was transfigured before them. 3. v. And his Raiment became shining exceeding white as Snow, so as no Fuller on Earth can white them. 4. v. And there appeared unto them Elias, with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 7. v. And there was a Cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the Cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son hear him. (Now the other Evangelists say, a bright Cloud.) Which makes it out to us, where the Heavenly Powers are, there is the Kingdom of God; which Vision was a Figure of the Glory which shall be Revealed. For there Christ ap∣peared in his Glory, accompanied with his Saints from Heaven, and with his Living Saints on Earth, and the Voice of God thereby to in∣form

us, that we might not mistake, and take mean and low things for the glorious Kingdom of God and Christ; of which our Lord is not yet in possession of. It was then within two days before he that is now in Possession, was to be turn'd out, for a Thousand years is but as one day, and one day as a Thousand years with the Lord; nor to us, a Thousand years will appear but as one day, compared with E∣ternity, Heb. 10.37. And at the appointed time, he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. But as to what the Lord said, after he arose, in Matt. 28.18. Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, all Power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth. That was, He then had compleated the Purchase thereof, and had the full assurance of it from the Father, altho he was not in the real possession of it: But it is our way of speak∣ing (and much more the Scripture way of speak∣ing) that when any thing is given us, and so confirm'd on us, that we cannot be disappoint∣ed of it, then we say, such an Estate is given us; altho the other that injoys it, is not at present put out of Possession. The which the Apostle in Hebrews 2. doth make it more plainly appear, wherein he saith in the 8. v. God hath put all things in subjection under his Feet, for in that he put all things in subjection under him, he left no∣thing that is not put under him; but now we see not yet all things put under him. That is, we see not yet the Kingdoms of this World, become the Kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ. 9. v.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the suffering of Death, crowned with Glory and Honour. And St. Paul saith much the same words, in 1 Cor. 15.27,28. And it is also said in Heb. 10.12. This man, after he had offered one Sacrifice for Sin, for ever sate down on the Right Hand of God, 13. v. From henceforth expecting, till his Enemies be made his Footstool. This ever, signifies, whilst this our World last∣eth; all which time he expecteth till his Ene∣mies be made his Footstool; but by these words it is fully Evident to us, that his Enemies are not made his Footstool.

Now David was a Type of Christ, and he was anointed King, whereby he was assured of the Kingdom, a long time before he received the Power of the Kingdom. But his Follow∣ers knowing him to be the Lord's Anointed, owned him to be their Prince and King, when he was not in the Possession of the Kingdom; but at the time God had determined, he removed his Enemies, and set him on the Throne of Is∣rael, his People. So Christ, will not have only his suffering time, with David here, where none but a few shall own him to be their Prince and King: But also his Reigning time on the Throne of his Father David; at which time all his Enemies shall be made his Footstool; and then it is, that all the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ.

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Now, that the Lord does speak of things that are to come, as tho they were already past; I will give you one more clear proof, which is in Jer. 31.15. Thus saith the Lord, a Voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping, for her Children, refused to be comforted for her Children, because they were not.

You see, that this is spoken of, as tho it were already done and past, altho it was about five hundred years, before this Prophesy was ful∣fulfil'd, as in Mat. 2.16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise Men, was ex∣ceeding wrath, and sent forth, and slew all the Chil∣dren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the Coast thereof, from two years old, and under, according to the time which he had di∣ligently inquired of the Wise men. 17. v. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the Prophet, saying, 18. v. In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourn∣ing, Rachel weeping for her Children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Now He∣rod, by Slaying these Children, did think to take off the Lord of Glory; but God disap∣pointed him: upon which remarkable thing Rachel was Prophesied of. And also these things gives us light how to read the Scriptures, as I before told you. That those Prophesies, and Sayings in Scripture, which speak as if they were already done, if we do not find they are done, it remaineth good to us, they shall be done.

Now although the Lord did say, all power was given him in Heaven and in Earth; yet the Lord, to let us understand that his time was not yet, saith in John 18.36. His Kingdom is not of this World. Therefore the Lord Instruct∣eth us in Luke 9.23. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow me. 24. v. For whosoever will save his Life, shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his Life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25. v. For what is a man Advantaged, if he gain the whole World, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26. v. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own Glory, and in his Fathers, and of the Holy Angels. By this we see, when the Lord's time will be, that is, when he comes to Judg the World, and at the time of the Restitution of all things. And the Apostle tells us, Ephes. 6.11,12,13,18. That our Life here, must be a continual Warfare. Heb. 11.13. And that the Saints are but strangers and pil∣grims upon the Earth, 1 Pet. 5.8,9. And that we have an Adversary the Devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith. Put on the whole Ar∣mour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. 12. v. For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against Principa∣lities, against Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World, and against Spiritual Wickedness in high-places. 13. v. Wherefore take

unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the Evil Day. He also ad∣viseth us, To be fervent in Prayer, serving the Lord. And to do this, let us not go out in our own strength, but with strong Crying and Prayers unto our God, that we may be able to stand in the evil Day. And St. John perswades us, 1 John 2.15,16,17. not to love the World, nei∣ther the things that are in the World. If any man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the World, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World. And the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof; but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever: Which World is the People, as I before shewed you. And the same Apostle saith, John 5.19. We know that we are of God, and the whole World lyeth in Wickedness.

Now all these Warnings and Admonitions were given us by the Apostles, in the height of Christ's Spiritual Kingdom, when there was such wonderful pourings forth of the Holy Ghost, speaking with Tongues, Healing all manner of Diseases, casting out Devils; and on whomsoever they laid their Hands, they re∣ceived the Holy Ghost. And St. Paul saith in the Collosians, The Gospel had been Preached through the World. Yet Satan was not then bound up, for he saith, He sent a Messenger of his to Buffet him. All which is to inform us, his Power will continue to the end of this

World: That is, till Christ comes to Judg the World. And then he shall be bound up, and the wicked receive their Condemnation, and all things restored to their first purity. And not that he was bound up in the Apostles time, till after the Reign of Constantine the great: For the Emperor turning Christian, had so loaded the Church with Honours and Riches, where∣by they abounded with Pride; whereupon their Contentions grew so hot one with the o∣ther, that the good Emperor could not allay their Feuds, so that he removed his Throne to Constantinople, by which removing his Court from Rome, made way for the Rise of the beast, which is made mention of by St. Paul, whereas he saith in 2 Thes 2.7. The mistery of iniquity doth already work, only he, who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. By which words we may plainly see, that the Devil was not bound; for he tells us, the Mystery of Iniqui∣ty was already working, in carrying on his de∣sign, to set the Beast upon the Throne; altho it was not fully accomplisht till about two hundred years after the Departure of the Em∣peror from Rome; and he was daily increasing in his Power, and the more by the Vacancy of the Throne; which was one cause of his getting up into that Pestilential Chair. And St. Paul saith in the forementioned Chapter, 8. v. Then shall the wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume, with the Spirit of his Mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his Coming.

9. v. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all Power, and signs, and lying won∣ders, 10. v. And with all deceivableness of un∣righteousness, in them that perish, because they re∣ceceived not the Love of the Truth, that they might be saved.

Here we are fully inform'd when the Beast shall be destroyed. That is, when the Lord cometh to Judg the World, whom he then will destroy with the Breath of his Mouth, and with the brightness of his coming. And & John saith, Rev. 19.20,21. The Beast was takes and with him the false Prophet that wrought Mira∣cles before him, with which he deceived them the had received the Mark of the Beast, and them the Worshiped his image, these were both cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone. And the Remnant were slain with the Sword of him that salt upon the Horse, which Sword proceeded out of his Mouth, and all the Fowls were filled with their Flesh. And he saith, Rev. 20.1,2,3. He saw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the Key of the Bottomless Pit, and a great Chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the Bottomless Pit, and shut him up, and set a Seal upon him, that he should not deceive the Nations no more, till the Thousand years should be fulfilled; after that, he must be loosed a little season.

The next verse treats of the Raising of the Saints, by which we see, the Prophets and A∣postles (as I before shewed) do all agree, that the destroying of the Beast, the Judgment of the World, the binding of Satan, and the rais∣ing of the Saints, to be all at one and the same time, and that time will be at the coming of the Lord: And it is said that the Beast and the False Prophet, these both were cast alive into the Lake of Fire, burning with Brimstone; whilst the others that are Slain, their Carkasses lay for the Fowls to be filled with their Flesh; all this is set down to be done when the Lord again comes. Now the Thessalonians apprehend∣ing the Day of the Lord was near; whereup∣on the Apostle informs them, 2 Thes. 2.3. That that day shall not come, except there came a falling away first. And St. Peter doth plainly speak much to the like Effect, 2 Pet. 3.3. of the Christians declining, and falling from their Purity, and not of an inlargement before the Coming of the Lord, Luke 20.21. And our Lord, being demanded of the Pharisees, when the Kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, the Kingdom of God cometh not with ob∣servation. That is, appeareth not with Gran∣deur, or Greatness. For they shall not say, lo here, or lo there, for behold, the Kingdom of God is with∣in you. As much as to say, I have no other Throne, or Kingdom here, but where I am In∣thron'd in the Heart, is all the Throne I have in this World. And in John 16.33. The Lord

saith, In the World ye shall have Tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World. And the Apostle to the Hebrews tells us, Heb. 11. what dreadful Afflictions the Church suffered in the old time, knowing here they had no continuing City, but they sought one that was to come. And the same Apostle saith, Heb. 6.7,8. Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth, and Scourgeth ever Son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastning, God dealeth with you as with Sons, for what Son is he whom the Father Chastneth not? But if ye be with∣out Chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you Bastards, and not Sons. And St. John in his Revelations tells us, what dreadful Afflicti∣ons the Church of Christ would suffer, even to the end, Rev. 12.13,14. And when the Dragon saw that he was cast into the Earth, he Persecuted the Woman. And to the Woman were given two great Wings of an Eagle, that she might fly into the Wilderness, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the Serpent. And the Serpent cast out of his Mouth waters as a Flood after the Woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the Flood. And the Earth helped the Woman, and the Earth opened her Mouth, and swallowed up the Flood, which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth. And the Dragon was wrath with the Woman, and went to make War with the remnant of her Seed, which kept the Com∣mandments of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

Now by the Wings of a great Eagle, is meant Support and Assistance; and by Waters, is comprehended Afflictions, and the Men that are the Afflictors, by what the Prophet David faith in Psal. 18.4. The Floods of ungodly men made me afraid. From these Waters the Earth helped the Woman, for the Earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up. That is, takes them away by Death; yet still the Devil Persists in his Malice, for he goes to make War with the Remnant of her Seed. By all this, it is made clearly to appear that Christ's Church was a suffering Church, is a suffering Church, and so will continue to the end of this World; and the Lord, to incourage us, tells the Church in Rev. 3.10. That if they keep the word of his Patience, he also will keep them from the hour of Temptation, which shall come upon all the World, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Here we see is a general Tryal, and the Lord to comfort us, saith, in the 11. v. Behold I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy Crown.

Here we may plainly see that the Glory will be prepared for them that Love him, when he comes the second time; for the Glory is not now in this our World, for Christ's Church. And when we Pray for Christ to have here in this World a Glorious Church, we Pray against the determined will of God. But whereas St. Paul saith, Ephes. 5.25. Christ loved his Church, and gave himself for it. 26. That he might Sancti∣fy it, and cleanse it with the washing of Water 〈◊〉〈◊〉

the Word. This part is to be perform'd in this sinful World. But whereas he saith in the 27. v. That he might present it to himself a Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be Holy, and without ble∣mish.

Now we must take notice of the words of the Apostle, which tells us, that he might pre∣sent it to himself a Glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: Not that he hath so presented it, or that it is so presented, but the word is, That he may present it a glori∣ous Church, without having spot or wrinkle: Then the question is here, when it shall be? to which I Answer, it will be at the great Wed∣ing Supper of the Lamb, the which will be when the Lord comes. Now as to his coming, that we might not be mistaken therein, the Lord saith, Matt. 24.25. Behold I have told you before. 26. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, behold, he is in the desert, go not forth. Behold, he is in the secret Chambers, believe it not. 27. v. For as the Lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the West, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 28. For wheresoever the Carcass is, there will the Eagles begathered together. By which we see, the Lord did not tell them, they should be gathered into Heaven at the time of his com∣ing: But the Lord, after he arose, expounded to them the Scriptures, Luk. 24.27. Begining at Moses, and all the Prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Now the

Scriptures do not only speak of his Sufferings, but also of his Reigning on Mount Sion, & in Jerusalem, Gloriously. And then, as to what the New Heavens and Earth will be, will then be made manifest. Whereas the Lord saith in Mat. 24.29. Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the Sun be darkned, and the Moon shall not give her light, and the Stars shall fall from Hea∣ven, and the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken. By these, that is, the Sun, Moon and Stars; and the Powers of Heaven being shaken, hath its refer∣ence of certain, as to what I before shewed you: But these words may admit of a two fold meaning, and not only comprehend the Popish Ministery, and others, that have been negligent in their places, and the wicked powers, but also when the Lord cometh, there may be a great Eclipse, of the Sun, and the Moon may change her Colour, and those wandring Stars fall from Heaven, which Satan has influence on, as to car∣ry on the darkness of this World by. And as St. Jude saith in the 13. v. Where he compareth the wicked to the raging Waves of the Sea, foaming ••ut their own shame. And likewise he compares them to wandring Stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Now as there is the real Waves of the Sea, we see here that the Wicked are the Figurative Waves of the Sea. And as there is real wandring Stars that Satan has Influence on, to help him, in the car∣rying on the darkness of this World: So there is Figurative Wandering Stars, the which do

darken the light of the Word; and so the World, that is, the people is darkned thereby. For which, both the real and figurative Stars, are reserved, the blackness of darkness for ever. For by these words we see, that in the Restora∣tion, the Stars will not be left to influence man to Iniquity.

Now, whereas St. John saith, John. 2.8. The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. Which was the true Light then broke forth in the Church, as to Knowledg and Love; but as to the latter, it hath a more particular reference; for he so explains himself in the 9. v. in that he saith, He that hateth his Brother is in darkness. And in the 10. v. he saith, He that loveth his Bro∣ther abideth in the Light. 〈…〉〈…〉 St. Paul saith, 〈…〉〈…〉, Rom. 13.12,13. The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of Darkness, and let us put on the Armour of Light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting & drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envy. Here the Apostle fully declares, that it was then night, but that he would have them walk as the Children

of the day, in which day there will be no such thing committed, at which time, according to the saying of the Psalmist, That all the Fami∣lies of the Earth shall be blessed of the Lord; and also in Ezek. 48.31. Zach. 14.11. Jer. 31.40.

Now as to what the Lord saith in Luke 21. c. 24. That Israel shall fall by the edge of the Sword, and shall be led away captive into all Nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fullfilled. Which is, as I before told you, not until the Gentile Power is quite vanquished; the which will be when the Lord comes; and then will Jerusalem be gloriously built, never more to be destroyed, as it is written, 25. v. And there shall be signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, and up∣on the Earth distress of Nations, with perplexity, the Sea and the Waves roaring. 26. v. Mens Hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the Earth: for the pow∣ers of Heaven shall be shaken. 27. v. Then shall they see the son of man coming in a Cloud with pow∣er and great glory. 28. v. And when these things begin to come to pass, then loob up, and lift up your heads, for your Redemption draweth uigh.

These Words of our Lord admit of wonder∣ful Comfort to the Saints. And in all these fore∣mentioned places, the Lord makes no mention of the damned being raised at his coming. And the Lord saith, Luke 21.31,32. When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32. v. Verily, verily, I say

unto you, this Generation shall not pass away till all these things be fullfilled.

Now we see by these Words, that the Lord doth assure us, that he will come in this Genera∣tion, which words of the Lord is confirmed to us by the Evangelists. But you may say, I de∣sire to know the meaning of the Lord, in his say∣ing, that he would come, before this Generation shall pass away; and since that, there has been so many Generations, and the Lord is not yet come. As to the meaning of this Generation, the Psalmist himself makes it fully out to us in Psalm 12.7. v. wherein he saith, Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Which is as much as to say, such a wicked sort of people as is now, shall continue ever: That is, the ever of this World, or as long as that lasteth. In which, all the Wicked God looks upon as one generation, being guilty of one and the same sins; as I∣dolatry, Adultery, Fornication, False Swearing, Prophanation of the Sabbath, Druokenness, De∣bate, Deceit, making a man an Offender for a Word, and upon all Occasions their flight is un∣to the Refuge of Lies. That wheresoever ye hear any almost run down, so as though they were not fit to live upon the Earth, it is com∣monly they are the Innocent Party; for they that are in the Wrong, think to carry off all be∣fore them with their Lies; whilst the Innocent and Righteous, are loth to speak the worst they know of their Adversaries; taking Example by their Lord and Master. And like the Angel in

St. Jude, durst not bring a Railing Accusation against the Devil; but said, The Lord rebuke thee; Whilst the Wicked are raising all their Instru∣ments, to broach their Clamour of their own Inventions, through Town and Countrey. But the Lord saith in Isa. 28.17. Judgment will I lay to the Line, and Righteousness to the Plummet; and the Hail shall sweep away the Refuge of Lies. The which being the storm that at last shall car∣ry them all away. This Scripture hath its spe∣cial reference to the time when the Lord cometh, by the Hail that is here mentioned.

Now it is just with us Christians, as it was with the Jews when the Lord first came; that was, they thought themselves secure enough, they being of the Seed of Abraham. So the ge∣nerality of the Christians think themselves safe enough, in that they are baptized, and go by the Name of Christians, and are of the Outward Church; They rest there, and think they need not concern themselves any farther. Not consi∣dering, that also they must put on Christ, and thereby become New Creatures; or else it will avail them nothing. And another sort there are, that think, that if they get but themselves into a separate Congregation, and fancy themselves e∣lected, they then think themselves past all dan∣ger. The which will prove but self-deceiving. And like that of the Jews, who fancied them∣selves safe, because they were of the Seed of A∣braham.

But as to the sure Rule, the which is War∣rantable

by Scripture, to bring us to Eternal Hap∣piness, is, That God requires of us our true Love to himself, above all other; with a filial Fear of his Majesty continually before our Eyes, and in a holy Resignation of our Wills to his Law; and so to walk in sincere Obedience unto him. The which, if we so do, and so continue to do, the Lord will give us, 2 Tim. 4.8 at his appearing (as it is written) a Crown rf Righte∣ousness; for the Lord died not to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins; that sin might not reign in our mortal bodies, to fulfil it in the Lust thereof. That is, not to give liberty to a∣ny known sin, let it be never so near, or dear to us.

Now, as I before shewed you, God looks up∣on all the Wicked of this World as One Genera∣tion. And again, the Prophet David makes it out, in Psalm 22.28,29. There speaking of Christs glorious Kingdom, he saith in the 30. v. A Seed shall serve him, and it shall be accounted to him for a Generation. Although to our way of reckoning, and the Scriptures common way of reckoning, are many Generations. But being made partakers of one Blessedness, therefore ac∣counted of the Lord but as One Genera∣tion.

And David again speaking of the time to come, saith, in Psalm 24.5,6. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6. This is the Genera∣tion of them that seek him: that seek thy Face, O

Jacob. Selah. And the Lord again terms all the Wicked of this World as One Generation, Luke 16.8. For the Children of this World are in their Generation wiser than the Children of Light. And the Lord saith to the like effect, Luke 17.24,25. For as the lightning that lightneth out of the one part under Heaven, shineth unto the other part under Heaven, so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25. v. But he must suffer many things, and be rejected of this Generation.

Here the Lord tells us of the visible Glory that he shall have in his day, which is the day in which he shall Judge the World, which is the day of the Thousand Years. But first, he faith, he must suffer many things, and be rejected of this Generation. Wherein, by this Generation, he includes the Wicked of this World, which will continue till he again comes.

And having further proof of this in Tob. 14.5. where he declared to his Son, before his Death, That again God would have mercy on them, and bring them again into their own Land, where they should build a Temple, but not like the first, until the time of that Age he fullfilled. That is, that Generation, or that Age, or such a sort of Peo∣ple, their time be accomplisht. After which he saith, They should return from all places of their Captivity, and build up Jerusalem glori∣ously. The Lord foreseeing what Darkness we were like to fall under, and in especial manner as to that concerning his coming; and therefore the Lord doth assure us, he will come in this

Generation. After which he saith, Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but his word shall not pass a∣way. That is, the Wicked Powers and People shall pass away. Of which the Lord, for our better inlightning, tells us, in Mat. 13.52. That every Scribe that is well instructed, bringeth out of his Treasury, things New and Old. That is, for the better understanding of the New Te∣stament, we must search the Old. For indeed, they both give light, the one to the other. And as to the meaning of the Lord, in his saying this generation, I was ignorant of, how to apprehend it. And being formerly asked by a Gentleman, that had no belief of the Bible, how I could, since my Lord had so falfyfied his word in his promise, as concerning his coming in that gene∣ration; and since there has been so many gene∣rations, and the Lord is not yet come. At which time, I could not give him a satisfactory answer, neither any that could prove so to my self. At which I was much troubled, altho it did no way shake my belief in the Lord; as not to be∣lieve him to be the Son of God; and as being so he had made satisfaction for all them that truly love and fear him, for through Mercy I had had those Experiences of the Lord unto me, that I was not staggered therein, notwithstanding my trouble was very great, that my Lord should be termed a Deceiver, in being worse than his word. After which a considerable time, I hear∣ing of the Earth-quakes, and the Cities of the Nations falling, I thought it my best way to

take the Lords Advice, and search the Scriptures with more diligence than ever, and I earnestly be∣sought the Lord with Prayers, that he would inlighten my Understanding therein. And blessed be God, he hath granted my request; and not only so, but having found out these se∣veral places, the which are, and will be, stand∣ing witnesses to my Lord, to prove that he hath not falsified his word to us, in the Promise of his Coming, but that he will certainly come in this Generation, whose coming is just at hand, which will be the day in which Christ will Judg the World, and give rewards to his Servants, at which time there will be none of these Corrup∣tions; for St. Paul and Esaras saith, they shall be changed, 2 Esd. 6.26,27. The men that are re∣ceived shall see it, who have not tasted Death from their Birth, and the Hearts of the Inhabitants shall be changed, and turned into another meaning; for evil shall be put out, deceit shall be quenched, as for faith it shall flourish, and corruption shall be over∣come, and truth, which hath been so long without fruit, shall be declared. Then will the saying of the Angel, to the Blessed Virgin, be made good, concerning Christ, as in Luke 1.32,33. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David. And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end. Now the Throne of his Father David was on Mount Sion, and Jerusalem. And Christ saith to Nathanael, in John 1.51.

Hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the An∣gels of God ascending, and descending upon the Son of Man. When this eminent Glory of Christ shall be Revealed, then also will come to pass the saying of the Apostle, as in Ephes. 2.7. That in the Ages to come he might shew the exceed∣ing Riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus. This exceeding Riches of the Grace of Christ, will be manifested toward them in the World to come: Of which World to come, shall proceed Ages and Generations, And God saith of Israel, in Isa. 45.17,18. Israel shall be saved in the Lord, with an everlasting Sal∣vation, ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded World without end. For thus saith the Lord that Created the Heavens, God himself that formed the Earth and made it, he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited, I am the Lord, and there is none else. And St. Paul in∣structing the Church by Timothy, saith, 1 Tim. 6.19. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, Laying up in store for themselves, a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on Eternal Life.

We see here is another time spoken of, and if it's time, it is then before Eternity, and so before the final Judgment, wherein 'tis said, the Sea, Hell and Death shall deliver up their Dead. And whereas there is spoken of three Generati∣ons, and three Worlds, and three Times, the which three ways of expressing, includes one

and the same thing; and that there will be a time wherein the Glory of the Righteous shall be reveal'd, as there has been times wherein they have been despised; and therefore St. Paul saith, Rom. 8.18,19,20,21,22. But I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19. For the earnest expectation of the Crea∣ture waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God. 20. For the Creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. 21. Because the crea∣ture it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the chil∣dren of God. 22. For we know that the whole cre∣ation groaneth, and travelleth in pain together un∣til now.

Here the Apostle speaketh in the usual Scrip∣ture way, in that he mentions that which is to come, as tho it were then present, the which by his following words he doth so explain him∣self, as in the 23. v. where he saith, And not on∣ly they, but our selves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we our selves, groan within our selves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our Body. 24. For we are saved by hope; but hope that is seen, is not hope; for what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with pa∣tience wait for it.

As concerning this Hope, the Lord puts forth the Parable in Luke 19.12,16,17. He said there∣fore,

a certain noble man went out into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. By this we see the Lord was to return again, when he had received the Power of the King∣dom; and then he will give here rewards to his Servants, according to their diligence, im∣ployed in his Service, as in the 16. and 17. v. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, well, thou good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou Authority over ten Cites.

And here we see, according to the improve∣ment of the Talent he gives us, so will his re∣wards be, for the God of Judgment will not be such a partial Judg, as some has thought him: But the Judg of all the World will do right. Now by the Parable that the Lord put forth, concerning the Wedding Supper, I find therein is Comfort for the Poor; for when those that were bidden, were not found worthy, through their own neglect, and so was detain'd from coming, through the Love they had to this present World, as in Matt. 22.8. Then said the King to his Servants, the Wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy. 9. Go ye therefore into the High-ways, and as many as ye shall find bid to the Marriage. 10. So those Ser∣vants went into the high-ways, and gathered toge∣ther all, as many as they could find, both good and bad, and the Wedding was furnished with guests. 11. And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man, which had not a Wedding Garment. 12. And

he said unto him, friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding Garment, and he was speech∣less. 13. Then said the King to the Servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnash∣ing of Teeth. We see, that although the poor in great number at the last day, will be called in to be made partakers of that blessedness which then shall be revealed; yet we see by this one that has been mentioned, that some of them will be cast out, and that there will be something found in them, which will unfit them for mercy. That is, their Lives more estrang∣ed from God, and their tempers more united to Satan; like to this Man in the Parable, which might, like the Glory of the Saints, yet not their Sanctity, or they sound guilty of some of those crying sins unrepented of. And whereas the Lord saith in the 14. v. For many are called but few are chosen. That is, they are called, so as to be brought into the knowledg of God and his ways, as to know what he requires of us: But by reason they will not use their utmost en∣deavour to make their Calling and Election sure, therefore they will not be chosen in the great day of the Lord; the which the foregoing words doth make it so out, that they did neglect the tender and offer of mercy by his Messengers, in, or of the Gospel; being not willing to forego this present World, and therefore are not sound ready when the Lord comes, so as then to be chosen by him. And also if we neglect the

tender of mercy all our Life time, I can find no hopes that such should be chosen upon a Death-Bed. As for the Thief upon the Cross, he was not brought into the knowledg of the Lord be∣fore that time. And the Lord saith in Luke 14.21,22,23. When those that were bidden came not, then the Master of the House being angry, said to his Servants, go out quickly into the Streets and Lanes of the City, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said to the servant, go out into the high-ways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. Now as to the meaning of these Para∣bles of the Lord, in which they are bidden to Supper, is his Invitation to us by the Gospel, which remains good from the time of his being on Earth, till his second coming; at which time, he not finding those that were bidden, prepared for his coming; therefore in the 24. v. saith, That none of those men that were bidden, shall tast of my Supper. That is, those that are not found prepared. And in Luke 18.8. Where the Lord saith, When he cometh, shall he find faith on Earth. That is, the generality of the Chri∣stians will be more prophane and wicked than ever they were; and therefore none of them that are so, shall have any part of his Supper when he cometh.

Now, that the justice and mercy of God might be both evident, as the Psalmist, and

St. Paul saith, in Rom. 3.4. Where he speak∣ing of God saith, in Ps. 51.4. That thou might∣est be justified in thy sayings, and mightest over∣come when thou art judged. Therefore God looking on the poor, that here have known nothing but misery, and thereby made unca∣pable of shewing mercy, in giving relief to others; and also through poverty had not the due education, as to bring them up in the knowledge of the Lord, of which some of them which will be brought in at the coming of the Lord, is said to be lame, halt, and blind. To be sure, some of them will not be only outwardly so, but also, there will be those that are inwardly so. The first that were brought in are said to be fetcht out of the streets, and lanes of the City: And the Ser∣vants of the Lord, said, yet there is room. Then were they Commanded to go into the high waies, and hedges, and to compel them to come in. Here by all this, we have no reason to believe that these were all sound rea∣dy at his coming, but that they then are cal∣led in to sill up their places that have neg∣lected his mercy. And Isaiah Prophesieth of the time to come, in which the Lord shall be judge, that the lame also shall take the prey. Whereas he saith, in Chap. 33.22. v. The Lord is our Judge, the Lord ic our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, he will save us. 23. v. Thy tackling are loosed, they could not well streng∣then their Mast, they could not spread the Sail

then is the prey of a great spoile divided, the lame take the prey. You may plainly see by these words, that they have only reference to the time, when the Lord again comes. And in the 14 Chap. 1. v. For the Lord will have mer∣cy on Jacob, and will yet chuse Israel, and set them in their own Land, and strangers shall be joyned with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. By which we see that there will be strangers called in at that time when Israel is. And the Psalmist, where he saith, Psal. 9.17,18,19. The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God. Then it is in the following verse, The needy shall not al∣way be forgotten, the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail, let the Heathen be judged in thy sight. We see here when it is that the Poor and Needy is thus to be remembred: It is when the Lord riseth to judgment, at which time he renders punishments to the Wicked, and Comfort to the Afflicted. And it is said in Psal. 37.7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him; fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devises to pass. 8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thy self in any wise to do evil. 9. For evil doers shall be cut off, but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the Earth, 10. For yet a little while, and the wick∣ed shall not be. 11. But the meek shall inherit the Earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12. The wicked plotteth against the just,

and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth. 13. The Lord shall laugh at him, for he seeth that his day is coming. 22. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the Earth, and they that are cursed of him shall be cut off. Therefore it is said, He that giv∣eth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord. And the Lord calleth the Poor his Brethren. And the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 1.27. God hath chosen the foolish things of the World, to confound the Wise, and God hath chosen the weak things af the world, to confound the things that are mighty. 28. And the base things of the World, and the things that are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. You see, in these last words of the verse, that St. Paul had a reference for the time to come. And as the Lord, at his first coming, did chuse the mean and low things of the Earth: So at the Lord's second coming it does appear that he will then chuse them also, as part of his Elect, when he again comes. 29. That no flesh should glory in his presence. That is, It is not their Wisdom, Gran∣deur, or Greatness that made them acceptable with God. Of which Hanath Prophesieth in 1 Sam. 2.8. He raised up the Poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghil, to set them among Princes, and to make them inherit the Throne of Glory; for the Pillars of the Earth are the Lords, and he hath set the World upon them. 9. He will keep the feet of his Saints, and the wick∣ed shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall n•• man prevail. 10. The Adversaries of the Lord

shall be broken to pieces; out of Heaven shall he thunder upon them; the Lord shall judg the ends of the Earth, and he shall give strength unto his King, and exalt the Horn of his Anointed. And there∣fore he saith in 1 Cor. 1.30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness, and Sanctification and Redemp∣tion. 31. That, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. And Jere∣miah saith, Jer. 9.23,24. Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving Kindness, Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth, for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. This Chap∣ter, as well as the forementioned, to the Corin∣thians, has a reference to the second Coming of Christ; at which time he will exercise Loving Kindness, Judgment, and Righteousness in the Earth. Now it does fully appear by Scripture, who are the Elect that will be received into mer∣cy, when the Lord again comes. That it is the Antient People of God, the Jews, with part of those people or nations which Isaiah makes mention of in the 60. c. 6. 7. v. And the poor which have not uncapacitated themselves for Mercy. There is also then a Blessing promised to the Meek, Psal. 37.11. They shall inherit the Earth, and shall delight themselves in the abun∣dance of Peace, which cannot be till the Lord a∣gain

comes. That is, those meek that have not had the Opportunity of more knowledg. And the Merciful, that have shewed mercy to Gods Elect, if they have not been guilty of the evils against which the Lord hath pronounc'd that dreadful sentence, Rev. 21.8. That they shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brim∣stone, which is the second Death.

But I hope God, of his infinite mercy, hath here caused the true meaning of his Word to break forth, to be the means of saving of thou∣sands of poor Papists and Turks. And I hope it will awaken thousands of our Nations, that are asleep in security, before they sleep that sleep of Eternal Death. But as for them that are willfully ignorant, there remains for them no hopes of Mercy. For God saith, Prov. 1.24,25,26,27,28. Because I have called, and ye refu∣sed, I have stretched out my hand, and no man re∣garded. 25. v. But ye have set at nought all my Counsel, and would none of my Reproof. 26. v. I will also laugh at your Calamity, I will mock when your Fear cometh. 27. v. When your Fear cometh as Desolation, and your destruction cometh as a Whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28. v. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer: they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. According to the saying of the Lord, in St. Luke, That they shall then strive to enter in, but shall not be able. That is, as soon as the Lord appeareth, they will be seeking to

him for Mercy (for this Scripture doth particu∣larly relate to the latter Day), but then it will be too late; Prov. 1.29. For that they hated Knowledge, and did not chuse the Fear of the Lord. Whilst the door of Mercy is open to us, where∣by to make our Calling and Election sure: For when the Lord comes to Judgment, we must then give an account of our Stewardship; and as we are found, so will our Sentence be, whe∣ther for Blessedness or Misery. Now the Lord Christ, with the Apostles, speaks in the same method, as God aforetime spake by his Pro∣phets, in that they do mention those things which are to come, as though they were alrea∣dy done. And also in that they mention, or joyn those things together, which are done, or shortly to be done, with those things which are of a long continuance, before they will be ac∣complisht. And having proved it in several places before, I shall here make mention but of Two.

The first is the foregoing words of the Apostle, wherein he makes mention of those call'd in at Christs first coming, with the pro∣mised Elect, which shall be received into mercy at his second coming. And also Christ himself mentioneth the destruction of Jerusalem, with that of the destruction of the world, as tho they were to have been at one and the same time. That thereby we might the better understand the writings of the Prophets, and Moses, as to their joyning things

together, which admits of great distance of time between. For as to the Covenant that God made with Israel, the Christians were included therein also: As being Ahrahams seed by Christ. And therefore when Moses speaks of Israels Land, he there speaks of what will become of the Christians Land. That is, the Land where the pretended head of the Church is, who walk with Israel, according to the imagination of their own hearts: Which woe is pronounced to that Land, that it shall be∣come brimstone, and salt, and burning. Also those Prophesies of Christs first coming are joyn'd with his second coming, and many more, as I before shewed you. And that in those Prophe∣sies there are great distances of time between their accomplishment, although it is set down, as though they were so near together.

Now Christ having left it clear to us by the Event, that the World was not destroyed when Jerusalem was; whereby it makes it plain to our apprehensions, that those Prophesies had a far∣ther meaning than what the first part made out: and what has not been made good, it remains to be made good.

2 Esdras 13.29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37. Behold, the days come, when the most High will be∣gin to deliver them that are upon the Earth. 30. v. He shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the Earth. 31. And one shall undertake to fight against another, one City against another, one place against another, one people against ano∣ther,

one Realm against another. 32. v. And the time shall be, and the Signs shall happen, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending. 33. v. And when all the people hear his Voice, every man shall in their own Land leave the Battle they have one against another. 34. v. And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and over∣come him by fighting. 36. v. But he shall stand upon the top of Mount Sion, and Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded like as thou sawest the Hill graven without hands. 37. v. And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked Inventions of those Nations, which for their wicked Life are fallen into the Tempest.

Now without all doubt, this fighting is so term'd, as Jacobs Prayers were Wrestling, when he prevail'd with the Angel; but these will not have such success: But when they see the glory, they will immediately leave the Battle they have one against the other, thinking to over∣come the Lord by their Prayers; but then it will be too late for them; for then they must be judged according to their Deeds done in their body. For then he will lay before them all their wicked Inventions. Now it does certain∣ly appear that this is the Battle that was to be fought, by every particular. And also this War that is now, is produced by those that are set down in Rev. 16 13. And I saw three unclean Spirits like Frogs, come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out

of the mouth of the False Prophet. 14. v. For they are the Spirits of Devils working Miracles, which goeth forth unto the Kings of the Earth, and the whole World, to gather them to the Battle of that great Day of God Almighty. 15. v. Behold I come as a Thief; blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his Garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Now this War proceedeth from the Devil, the Beast, and false Prophet; who have drawn in the Kings and Princes of the Earth with them; so as the Devil by his Unclean Spirits hath set all the World in an Uproar; as in Esdras.

Now we are to take notice of the words of the Lord in Joel, where he saith, Joel 3.2. I will also gather all Nations, and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there, for my People and for my Heritage Is∣rael, whom they have scattered among the Nations, and parted my Land. Now in Scripture, as I have proved to you, all does not signify the whole; and so the word here makes out, in that the Lord saith, He will plead with them there, for his People and for his Heritage Israel, whom they have scattered, and parted his Land. Now we know, that it was but part of the Nations that was guilty of so doing, therefore just at that time there may be but that part Judged. And the words in the 12. v. makes it further so appear, for the Lord there saith, Let the Hea∣then be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Je∣hoshaphat, for there will I sit to Judg all the Heathen

round about. That is, thus, All the Heathen round about, that has Israel's Land in possession, and doth Lord it over them: For those of the Heathen, that are here Judged, are all con∣demned; as it is clear in the two following ver∣ses. And it is Evident by other places of Scrip∣ture, they shall have a time of Torment here, before they are cast into Hell. Now in that they are all here termed Heathens, is according to that of the saying of St Paul, He is not a Jew, that is one outwardly; so they are not Christi∣stians that only outwardly bear the Name of Christ, as Papists do; neither do they know God, which the Turks pretend to do; yet in works deny him, and Worship Mahomet. Therefore these, in the sight of God, appear as the worst of Heathens. Neither could th••se 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be expressed so well under any other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be∣ing a multitude of incorrigible sinners, but some times comprehended under the title of Esau.

Now by these Heathens, there is none of those Nations comprehended, which the Lord will call in at his coming, because that they are all condemned; but I hope the Almighty God hath at this time set our King amongst them, that he might be the awakener of ten thousand times ten thousand of them. And I hope every thinking Soul will consider what God is going about to do, so as to prepare for his coming. And since we have been all in great mistakes, we may the better pity and pray the one for the o∣ther, now the Time is just at hand. For this

being the Exact Battle that is described, with the Earthquakes that have been in divers places, and the Cities of the Nations falling, with the continual Whirlwinds mentioned in Jeremiah 30.23,24. At the time that Israel is to be resto∣red, God saith in the 23. v. Behold the Whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with Fury, a continuing Whirlwind; it shall fall with pain upon the head of the Wicked. 24. The fierce Anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart; in the lat∣ter days ye shall consider it.

And now it is these Whirlwinds of the Lord are gone forth; for War and Afflictious are by the Lord termed Winds, as in Jer. 51.1. And also the great stupidity that is at this day upon the People, according to the Word of the Lord in Isa. 29. the which is wholly directed unto the Christians, as all the following part of the Chapter, from the 4th ver. makes appear. And the Lord at this time, by weak means, making good that Promise in Daniel 12.4. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the Words, and seal the Book, even till the time of the End. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Now the Lord having opened his Word, whereby Knowledge may be increased; and this he hath done by weak means, that his glo∣ry might the more eminently appear, and the Work to be his own.

And as for most of the great Judgments spo∣ken of in the Revelations, they will be upon the

Earth after the Lord comes. And as for the drying up the River Euphrates, it was never gi∣ven us by Christ, or his Apostles, as a sign be∣fore his coming. Neither was the Fall of Ba∣bylon given us as a sign before the coming of the Lord. But if Babylon does fall before the com∣ing of the Lord, it will be upon the Discove∣ry of the great Delusions that is now made ma∣nifest; being accompanied with the Angry Face of Heaven, in the Earthquakes, and fiery Moun∣tains that have been amongst them. But if the City, as well as the Beast, do remain till the Lord come, at which time, Dan. 7.11,12. The Beast will be destroyed, and given to the burning flame, and then the rest of the Beast, or Kings, will have their Dominion taken away; Yet their Lives will be prolonged for a Season and a Time. Then may the Kings that gave their Power to the Beast, when they become sensible of the intolerable Vengeance that they are fallen under; then may they make good that which is said in Rev. 17.16. And the Ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, these shall hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Now in the destruction of this City, there is no other mentioned, but them that had given their Power to the Beast. And what is faid here, and in Daniel, and what the Lord in Matth. 22.8. where he speaks concerning his Invitation to us by the Gospel, it doth not appear to be after the

Lord comes, for it is said in the 5. v. They made light of it, and went their ways, one to his Farm, another to his Merchandise. 6. v. And the remnant took his Servants, and intreated them despightfully, and slew them. 7. v. But when the King hear'd thereof he was wrath, and sent forth his Armies, and destroyed those Murderers, and burnt up their City. Now we here have had the Call of the Gospel, and neglected it. But it has, and is the Roman Power, that does take the Servants of Christ, and use them despightfully, and slay them; for which it is said, that the King sent his Armies, and destroyed those Murderers, and burnt up their City. Now the Murderers being said to be destroyed when the City is burnt up, where∣by it doth more clearly appear to be after the Lord comes. And the Lord hath inform'd us of this City by St. John, in Rev. 17. That it is mistical Babylon, as in the 5. v. And upon her fore∣head was a Name written, Mistery, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots, and abominations of the Earth. Here the Lord mentions this City under the Name of a Woman. And in the following verse it is said. And I saw the Woman Drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and when I saw her I wondred with great ad∣miration. And in Rev. 18.1. I saw an angel come down from Heaven. 2. And he cryed mightily with a strong Voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of De∣vils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a cage of

every unclean and hateful bird. This being the same, as Isaiah saith in Isa. 34.10. and so to the end. And in the forementioned Chapter of the Reve∣lations. 3. v. For all Nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her Fornication, and the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication with her. And in the 4. v. And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, come out of her my People, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye re∣ceive not of her plagues. 5. v. For her sins have reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembred her iniquity. 6. v. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double, ac∣cording to her works, in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. 7. v. How much she hath glori∣fied her self, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her, for she saith in her heart, I sit a Queen, and am no Widow, and shall see no sor∣row. 8. v. Therefore shall her Plagues come in one day, Death, and Mourning, and Famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Now that we might not be mistaken, as to the City, her Merchan∣dise makes it clearly out, where it is said in Rev. 18.13,17,18. She makes Merchandise of the Souls of men. And in the 17. c. by the Angels words we are fully assured which this City is. For in the 18. v. he saith, The Woman which thou sawest, is the great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth.

Now by this demonstration here, it is fully made evident, that this City here mentioned is Rome, in that no City under the face of the whole Heavens, can be said to Reign over the Kings of the Earth, but Rome, and she doth, by her Pope and Cardinals, and the rest of her Crew, which are there situated. And also of this City or Woman it is said in Rev. 17.4. She was arrayed in Purple, and Scarlet Colour, and deck∣ed with Gold and Precious Stones and Pearls, having a Golden Cup in her Hand, full of Abominations, and the filth of her Fornications. This Cup be∣ing another clear proof that it is Rome that is here ment; for it is said, in the Cup is the abo∣mination, and the filth of her Fornications: The which she sets up as a God, and Worships, and with which she commits Spiritual Fornica∣tion. And now having shewed you who this City is, I leave her to her near approaching Judg.

Now as to what is said in Zachariah, chap. 12.7. v. The Lord also shall save the Tents of Ju∣dah first, that the Glory of the House of David, and the Glory of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, do not magnifie themselves against Judah. Now the house of David came of the Tribe of Judah, and they were the Chief of that Tribe; and yet here 'tis said, that they should not magnifie them∣selves against Judah: and therefore underneath these Words, appears there's something veil'd; and the true Christians come in by the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah; and therefore it does ap∣pear

to be these of Judah that will de saved first, of whom Christ saith, Two shall be in one Bed, the one shall be taken and the other left; two Women grinding at the Mill, the one shall be taken and the other left; whilst Israel, and the promised Elect, come in Multitudes. And in Zach. 12.8,9,10. verses, it is said, In that day shall the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the An∣gel of the Lord before them. 9. v. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to de∣stroy all the Nations that come against Jerusa∣lem. 10. v. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of Grace and Supplications, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his onely Son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first born. Here in these verses the Lord tells us, that at the restoration of Jerusalem, the weak Saint shall be as the house of David, and the house of David shall be as God. That is, as David was King over them, so will Christ the Lord, who is as God. And then shall they see him whom they have pierced. As also it is said in Rev. 1.7. Behold he cometh with the Clouds, and every eye shall see him; and they also which pierced him, and all the Kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of him. Now it will be when the Lord comes in the Clouds of Hea∣ven,

that they shall see him whom they have pierced. And the people shall mourn apart, as in Zach. 12.12. The land shall mourn, eve∣ry Family apart, the Family of the house of Da∣vid apart, and their wives apart, the Family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart. 13. v. The Family of the house of Levy apart, and their wives apart, the Family of Shinei apart, and their wives apart, all the Families that re∣main, every Family apart, and their wives apart. Here we see there is no mention made of the Mourning of them of Juda, which is spoken of in the 7. v. by which it does more plainly appear to be the true Christians, they coming in by the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah.

And it is said in Esdras 5.8. There shall be a con∣fusion also in many places, and fire shall be oft sent out again. Which Word of the Lord is made good, by the often repeated fires that he has lately sent out of Mount Etna, and Vesivius. And it is now according to what is said in Esdras 5.12. At the same time shall men hope, and no∣thing obtain; they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper. And also it is said in Esdras 6.24. At that time shall Friends fight one against ano∣ther like Enemies, and the Earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein; the Springs of the Fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run.

Now whereas it is said the Earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein. Which Earth, is the Earth of people, which stands

in fear of those Armies which are amongst them. And as for the Springs of the Foun∣tains standing still, they did so at Taur∣mins, and thereabouts, in the year 1694. And also the Springs of Water were stopt for some time in Jamaica, in the great Earthquake.

This Book of Esdras has been laid aside, be∣cause they apprehended not the Restoration of the Jews should be at the Judgment of this World, and their Glory to be in the Renewed Heaven and Earth, at Christ's Second Coming. Although it is all along declared to be so, both in the Old and New Testament; but in some places more veil'd. Now this Esdras is the same which is called Ezra, in that Book set down in the Bible before Nehemiah. For in Ezra 10th chap. the 9, 16, and 17. verses, is exactly the same with that in the first Book of Esdras, the 9th chap. 5, 6, 16, and 17. verses. As to the difference of the Name, the Prophets are not in the New Testament named as they are in the Old Testament.

Now since the Signs are come which the Lord hath given us to prepare our Hearts for him, that thereby we may be continually upon our Watch, longing and waiting for his coming, and that we may be found of him in peace, and not of the Tares that are said in the Parible to be bound in bundles, and cast into the Fire of Hell. I shall now here speak of the new Jeru∣salem, which is spoken of in Rev. 21.1. where∣in St. John saith, He saw a new Heaven, and a

new Earth: For he tells us, that the first Hea∣ven, and the first Earth were passed away: And in the 6. c. from the 13. v. to the 17. he tells us there of Stars falling, the Heavens be∣ing rolled together; and also every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places; and the Kings of the Earth, and the great men; the Rich Men, the chief Captains, the mighty men, every bound man, and every free man hid themselves in Dens and Rocks of the Moun∣tains; and said to the Rocks and Mountains, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wra••h is come, and who shall be able to stand. I shall not here inlarge upon it, because I have already proved it unto you, what are the Heavens that will be rolled together, whilst the Kings of the Earth, for some time remain upon the Earth, to be ruled with a rod of Iron, till dashed to pieces like a Potters Vessel. That is, those wicked Kings that have been the Afflictors of the Servants of Christ, and so continue with∣out repentance until the Lord comes. Here we may see that the writings of this Book by this place and others, has been very much misplaced, in that they have set down the great day of the Wrath of the Lamb, and the destruction of the World, before the rice of the Beast. And in the 14. chap. from the 15. v. to the 20. it treats of the Earth being Reaped, and also the Vine of the Earth being reaped, was cast into

the Wine-press of the wrath of God, which Wine-press was trod without the City. Thus the Earth, with the Vine of the Earth being reaped, are the Heavens and Earth, which are said to pass away. And in the 20. v. it is said, the Wine-press is trod without the City. And in Rev. 22.14,15. it is said, Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of Life, and may enter in through the Gates in∣to the City. For without are Dogs, and sorcerers, and Whoremongers, and Murderers, and Idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

This City here mentioned, being the City spoken of in the 14. c. at the 20. v. Where the Wine-press is said to be trod without the City. And the 14. chap. is much misplaced, by rea∣son it is set before the Fall of Babilon. And also the two last Chapters are misplaced, which treats of the New Jerusalem, in that they have placed them beyond the final and last Judgment. For this New Jerusalem being the City, without which the Wine-press was trod. And without which were Dogs, and Sorcerers. Now had this City been after the final Judgment; it would not have been said, without were whoremon∣gers, and Idolaters, Sorcerers, and the like; for such being in Hell, have then no such term; for then they are put out of a Capacity of being such any longer. And had this City been in Heaven, as some would have it, when the Wine-press is trod, it must have taken up the whole confine of the Heavens, or otherwise the

Wine-press of God's wrath would appear to be trod in the Heavens without the City: But this being too great an absurdity, St. John, to end all Controversy, saith in Rev. 2. He saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven. And in the first verse he saith, I saw a New Hea∣ven, and a New Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away, and there was no more Sea. The New Heavens, and the New Earth, is as I before shewed you. The New Powers and New People, in whom dwelleth Righteousness. As Christ and his raised Saints, the New Heaven, and his Elect, the New Earth. Now whereas he saith there was no more Sea. And St. Jude terms the wicked, The Raging Waves of the Sea, foaming out their own shame. And where the Destruction of Babilon is spoken of the Multitude that came against her, is said to be the Sea, Jer. 51.42. The Sea is come up upon Babilon, she is covered with the multitude of the Waves thereof. Now the Sea has a prevailing Power; therefore the Sea spoken of in Revelations, which shall be no more, is, that the wicked shall then have no more pre∣vailing Power. For altho the Devil does ga∣ther together, after the thousand Years, his Gog and Magog; yet it will be to their utter De∣struction. And the Lord spenking in Isa. 57.20,21. of Israel's Peace and Healing, and of the Wicked Worlds Destruction, as in the 20. v. But the wicked are like the troubled Sea, when it can∣not rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There

is no Peace, saith my God, to the Wicked. Here the wicked are said, in the day of their De∣struction, to be like the troubled Sea. And at the time when Israel shall be delivered from un∣der the Power of all his Enemies, it is said, Psal. 68.22. The Lord saith, I will bring again from Basham, I will bring my People again from the depths of the Sea. Here we see that the wicked are the depths of the Sea; from which God will bring his People from under their Power. And the wicked as a Sea shall never more pre∣vail. And it is said, Jer. 33.23,24. Thy tack∣lings are losed, they could not well strengthen their Mast, they could not spread the Sail. Then is the Prey of a great spoil divided, the lame take the prey. The Inhabitants shall not say, I am sick, the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their Iniquity. When the Lord comes, then the wicked can neither spread their Sail, nor strengthen their Mast. Then will the prey of a great spoil be divided, then will the lame take the prey. That is, the Afflicted People of Israel. And at that time the Inhabitants shall not say, I am sick.

And whereas St. John saith, Rev. 21.2,3,4. And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared, as a Bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven, saying, behold the Ta∣bernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his People, and God him∣self shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes, and

there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor cry∣ing, neither shall there be any more pain, for the for∣mer things are past away.

And the Lord saith, Rev. 3.12. Him that o∣vercometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God; and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the Name of the City of my God, which is the New Je∣rusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my New Name.

Here the Lord, as well as St. John, saith, the New Jerusalem comes down out of Heaven from God. Now as to what this City is, that comes down out of Heaven from God, it does plainly appear to be the whole Church triumphant; for St. John saith, it is this City, the New Jerdsalem, which he saw prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband. Then it cannot be any outward glorious Fabrick which the Lord is said to es∣pouse, or is fit to be the Lamb's Wife. But the Lord has promised to espouse his Church to himself at the great Wedding-Supper. For as yet the Souls are said to be under the Altar; and therefore not yet made Partakers of the Glory that shall be revealed. But at the Last Trum∣pet, when the Dead shall be raised incorrupti∣ble, and the Bodies of the Saints again to them re-united, and those that have been the Lord's Witnesses, mentioned in the Revelations, with them caught up in the Clouds to meet the Lord in Air. And then as it is said; God shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes, and then

there shall be with them no more Death, neither sorrow, nor crying. And by the pro∣mised new Covenant Israel will then fall little short of this, when the Lord hath taken away their sins, and so secured them in himself, as they shall never more sin against him. For altho afterward thay shall know a temporal Death. Yet the Lord in John 11.26. John 6.50. Terms that not a dying. And Revelations 19.11. It is there declared how the Lord shall come. For St. John saith, R••v. 19.11,14. That he saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sate upon him was called faith∣ful and true, and in righteousness he doth Judge and make war. 14. And the Armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, cloath∣ed in fine Linen, white and clean. By which we see these Armies here spoken of, come out of Heaven. And St. John in the 14 Chap. 14. v. Doth open to us, what these white horses are. For he there saith, Rev. 14.14. He beheld a white Cloud, and upon the Cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a Golden Crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. You see here that the white horses are white Clouds, and that the Lord will come in the Clouds of Heaven, as was declared by the Angels, in Acts 1.11. And the Lord also told his Disciples, John 14.2. In my fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you, I go to pre∣pare a place for you. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you

unto my self. Now without doubt in the Clouds, there will be Receptacles of Glorious man∣sions for the Lord and his chief raised Saints and Angels. And St. John saith, Rev. 21.9. There came unto him an Angel and talked with him, Saying, come up hither, and I will shew the bride the lambs wife. 10. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain, and shewed me that great City, the Holy Jerusalem, descend∣ing out of Heaven from God. Here he does not say, that it did descend down upon the Earth. Neither in the same Chap. at the 2. v. He doth but say, he saw it coming down from God out of Heaven, but he did not say that he saw i•• upon the Earth. And as to what the Lord saith, Rev. 3.12. Where he speaking of the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Hea∣ven from my God. By these places we see there is no mention made of its being seated upon the Earth. But it is certain that it will come down out of Heaven. And the Psalmist speak∣ing of Christ Glorious Kingdom in the Psalm 68.33,34,35. To him that rideth upon the Hea∣vens of Heavens, which were of old, Lo, He doth send forth his voice, and that a mighty voice. 34. Ascribe the strength unto our God, his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the Clouds. 35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy Holy places. The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people, blessed be God. Here we see the strength and Glory of the Lord in the time of his Kidgdom, is said to be in the

Clouds. The which is plain, there is some∣thing more comprehended in it, than we have hitherto apprehended. The which Isaiah doth fully make appear in Isa. 4.4,5,6. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daugh∣ters of Sion, and shall have purged the Blood of Je∣rusalem from the midst thereof, by the Spirit of Judgment, and by the Spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Sion, and upon all her Assembles a Cloud, and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming Fire by night, for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the Heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a Covert from the Storm, and from the Rain.

In the first of these Verses, the Prophet tells us, when this Glory shall be Revealed, which will be at the time when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daughter of Sion by the Spirit of Judgment, and by the Spirit of burning. This appears to be the Baptism St. John speaks of, where he saith, Mat. 3.11,12. He that cometh after me, is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his Floor, and gather his Wheat into his Garner, but he will burn up the Chaff with unqueuchable Fire.

Now it is said that Christ Baptised none; but after his Ascension, the Disciples were Bap∣tised with the Holy Ghost: But then Christ did not gather his Wheat into his Garner, neither

then did he burn up the Chaff with unquench∣able Fire; therefore this has a more special re∣ference to the Lords second coming, at which time he will throughly purge his Floor, and ga∣ther his Wheat into his Garner; and then it is that he will burn up the Chaff with unquench∣able Fire. And whereas the Prophet saith, Isa. 4.5,6. That the Lord will Create upon every dwelling place of Mount Sion, and upon all her as∣semblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming Fire by Night. These words does not only take in the dwelling Places of Mount Sion, but all her Assemblies, the which com∣prehends all Israel; whose Dominions, accoring Scripture, is larger than whatever they have yet had in possession, over which this glorious cloud here spoken of will be extended; which does fully appear to be the Tabernacle spoken of in Heb. 8.2. Which the Lord shall pitch, and not man. According to which Isaiah saith in the 6. v. And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the Heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from the Storm and from the Rain.

Now the Cloud that Isaiah speaks of, being like unto flaming Fire, and I cannot conceive that there could be a more fit resemblance, than Gold that is like to clear Glass, to the appear∣ance of flaming Fire. And it is said, Rev. 21.18. The City was pure Gold, like unto clear Glass. And in the 21. v. And the Street of the City was pure Gold, as it were transparent Glass. Now

Isaiah saith in the 4. c. at the 6. v. That the Ta∣bernacle should be a shadow from the Heat, and a place of Refuge and a Covert from the Storm, and from the Rain; Under which the Elect will be secured from the Judgments that will be poured upon the Earth after the Lord comes.

Here you see in this, Rev 21. he saith that the Street of the City was pure Gold, like to Transparent Glass. And here by this one street he comprehends the Pavement of the whole City; the which being over the Heads of the Children of Israel, will appear, though of the Colour of Gold, yet it is said to be so clear, as to look like Transparent Glass, so that Israel, underneath this Tabernacle, may all see the Glory that is there Revealed. And in Isa. 60.1. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Now the City that St. John speaks of in the 21 c. 2. v. He therein comprehends the raised Saints; but herein the same chap. at the 18. and 21. v. he there speaks of the outward fabrick, or glorious Mansion; for in Scripture the People are termed a City, as well as a material Build∣ing is so termed. And St. John saith, in the forementioned Chapter, after he had related the coming down of the City; He then speaks of the Glory of the same, Rev. 21.11. Having the glory of God, and her light was like a stone, most precious, even like a Jasper, clear as Cristal; 12. And had a Wall great and high, and had twelve Gates, and at the Gates twelve Angels, and names

written thereon, which are the Names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel. And St. John saith, c. 21. 15. v. And he that talked with me, had a Golden Reed to measure the City, and the gates thereof, and the Wall thereof. 16. And the City lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth, and he measured the City with the Reed, twelve thousand furlongs, the length, and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

Now we see by the large extent of this City, which according to account of eight furlongs to a Mile, to be fifteen hundred Miles; not only in length, but that the breadth and heighth thereof are equal; this being the Tabernacle which the Lord shall pitch, and not Man; and then will the Lord make good his Promise to Israel, that there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time, from the heat, and for a place of Refuge, and for a covert from the storm and from the rain. And in Isaiah it is said, Isa. 60.1.2. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, darkness shall cover the Earth, and gross darkness the People, but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his Glory shall be seen upon thee. For as the Lord is said in Numb. 14.14. to be over Is∣rael in a Cloudy Pillar, when he delivered them out of Egypt, which was but a Figure of the great deliverance to come, at which time the Lord will be in the Clouds, and his Spouse, his chief raised Saints with him. This Tabernacle, Covert or City, is said to be twelve thousand

furlongs, not only in length and breadth, but the same in heighth, by which it does appear, that the top thereof may reach to Heaven, and that the Heavens may remain open above it, as it was when it descended, until this Glory that shall be Revealed, be drawn up again, and that the Throne of God, in the highest Heavens, may be placed over Mount Sion: That as it is said in Gen. 28.12. That the Ladder which Jacob saw set upon the Earth, the top of which reached to Heaven, and that the Angels of God did ascend and descend upon it, and the Lord God stood above it: By which it doth appear that this Ladder will prove the white Clouds, and that the Top of them will reach to Heaven, whilst one part of them may extend so low as Mount Sion, and these appear to be the Ladder upon which the Angels ascended and descended upon the Son of Man, as the Lord saith, John 1.51. Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. The which words of the Lord, in saying, that you shall see the Heavens open, doth seem to signify the continuance of their remaining open for some time. And St. John saith, Rev. 21 22. He saw no Temple in this City, which came down from Heaven, for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb are the Temple of it. 23. And the City had no need of the Son, neither of the Moon to shine in it, for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the Light thereof. Now, if the Heavens be open over this City, and the Throne of God

just above it, as it is said of the Ladder, God stood at the top of it, then must the Glory of God inlighten this City, as well as the Lamb is the light thereof. And according to all these places of Scripture it doth so appear to be, nei∣ther can it properly be said, that there is a di∣stinction of Glory between the Father and the Son, for Christ saith to the Father in John 17.5. Glorify thou me with thine own self, with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was. There∣fore, where the Glory of the Son is, there is the Glory of the Father also. And St. John speaking of the Angel, saith, Rev. 22.1. He shewed me a pure River of water of Life, clear as Crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God, and of the Lamb. Now we read nothing of the Holy Ghost, but where∣as it is said, This River proceeded out of the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, and it is said of the Spirit to proceed from the Father and the Son; and the Lord termeth the Holy Spirit to Water, in John 4.14. But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him, shall ne∣ver thirst, but the Water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of Water, springing up into everlast∣ing life. And the Lord farther saith in John 7.38. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of Living Water. 39. But this spake the Lord of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. And in Isa. 44.3. God saith, I will pour Water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground, I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed, and my blessing

upon thy Off-spring. And in Psal. 46.4. There is a River, the streams thereof shall make glad the City of the most High. Therefore this River here spoken of, the which proceedeth from the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, must be meant of the Spirit. And it is said of this Heavenly City, Rev. 22.3. There shall be no more Curse, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. 4. And they shall see his Face, and his Name shall be in their foreheads.

These words shew that the Saints will always be about the Throne, both in the time that is to come, and also in Eternity. And to what Isaiah saith in the 60. c. which treats of the Heavenly Jerusalem, and also of the new Earth∣ly one. For it is there said, the Lord shall rise upon thee. 3. v. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the brightness of thy rising. By which it does appear, that the Gentiles and Kings, that is, as many of them as have had an interest in Christ, and are departed this World, shall come to the brightness of their Rising or Glory; the which is in the Jerusalem, which comes down from Heaven. And from the 4. v. of the same Chap. to the 18. it treats of them that are to be call'd in with the Jews, at the second coming of the Lord. But it is said, 9. v. Surely the Isles shall wait for me. Now this waiting could not be at Christ's first com∣ing, for then the Isles had no knowledg of the Lord, and therefore could not be said to wait for him they knew not. And in the 19. and

20. verses of this 60. chap. speaking of the Hea∣venly Jerusalem, where it is said, The Sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee, but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God the Glory. 20. Thy Son shall no more go down, neither shall thy Moon withdraw it self, for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. And in the 21. v. it speaks of the People of Israel: Thy People shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the Land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22. v. A little one shall be∣come a thousand, and a small one a strong Nation, I the Lord will hasten it in his time.

Here the Prophet speaks of the People of Israel, who in a more peculiar manner belong∣eth to this City, that they should be all righte∣ous, and that they shall Inherit the Land for ever; and that they should multiply therein and increase, and that this should be in its time, which will be at the Restitution of all things; and then will there be a new Earthly Jerusalem, built upon her own heap, as Jer. 30.18. And then as the Lord sath Isa. 54.12. I will make thy windows of Agates, and thy Gates of Carbuncles, and all thy Borders of pleasant Stones: Accord∣ing to this, Tobit saith, 13. c. 15. v. Let my Soul bless God the great King. 16. For Jerusa∣lem shall be built up with Saphires, and Emeralds, and Precious Stones, thy Walls and Towers and Battlements, with pure Gold. 17. And the streets

of Jerusalem shall be Paved with Beril, and Car∣huucle, and Stones of Ophir. 18. And all her streets shall say, Alleluja, and they shall praise him, saying, blessed be God which hath extolled it for ever. Now in this Earthly Jerusalem there is said to be a Temple, as in Ezek. 47.1. Where the wa∣ters are said to come from under the Threshold. Now when the Lord cometh to Judg the world and to deliver Israel, then will his Elect be ga∣thered to the Holy Land: And it is said in Isa. 32.19. When it shall hail, coming down on the For∣rest, the City shall be low in a low place. Here the People is term'd the City, according to that in Isa. 62.12. where Israel is treated, A City sought out and not forsaken. This Hail is the horrible Tempest spoken of, Psal. 11.6. Ʋpon the wick∣ed he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest shall be the portion of their Cup.

Now altho the Wicked are for some time left upon the Earth after the Lord comes, to receive the Punishments the Lord has appointed them upon the Earth, and to behold the Glory of the Saints, as it is said, Psal. 112.10. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved, he shall gnash with his Teeth, and melt away, the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Thus, after the Wicked have received part of their Punishment here, this forementioned hor∣rible Tempest will sweep away all the refuge of Lies; as in Isa. 28.17. and in the 29. c. 20,21. v. It is said, The terrible one is brought to nought, and the Scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off. That make a man a••

offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that re∣proveth in the Gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught. And it is said, Mal. 4.1. For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, all the proud, yea, and all that do wicked shall he stub∣ble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, and it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2. But unto them that fear my Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with heal∣ing in his Wings, and ye shall go forth, and grow up as Calves of the stall.

Now in the time of the utter Destruction, as I have show'd you, then will the City be low in a low place, as in Isa. 32.19. When it shall Hail, coming down on the Forrest, and the City shall be low in a low place. Which City is the People, as I have elsewhere proved to you.

Now where this place will be, the Prophet Zachary tells us, Zach. 14.3. Then shall the Lord go forth and Fight against those Nations, as when he fought in the day of Battle. 4. And his Feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem, on the East, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof, towards the East, and toward the West, and there shall be a very great Valley, and half of the Mountain shall remove toward the North, and half toward the South. 5. And ye shall flee to the Valley of the Mountains, for the Valley of the Mountains shall reach unto Azal.

Now here by these words it doth evidently appear, that Israel, with the rest of the Promised Elect, that will be called in at the coming of

the Lord, which then also will be gathered to the Holy Land, and secured from the Judg∣ments that will fall on the wicked, before the sweeping Tempest cometh that carrieth them all away. For when the Lord descends so far down, as his Feet to stand on Monnt Olivet, the moun∣tain then cleaves asunder, and then it is, they fly into the Valley of the mountain. For as Noah was secured in the Ark, when the world was destroyed by the Flood: So it doth appear that the Elect will be secured in this Valley, whilst the World is destroyed by the horrible tempest of Hail, Fire, and Brimstone; then, as it is said, the City shall be low in a low place. And as concerning the Destruction of this World, Esdras saith, 2 Esd. 7.29,30,31. The World shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the former Judgment, so that no man shall remain. And after seven days, the World that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is cor∣rupt.

Now whereas it is said that the world shall be turn'd into silence seven days, like as the for∣mer Judgments, by which it doth appear, that as by the former judgments of the Rains from Heaven, and with the Fountains of the great Deep, being broken up from beneath, by which the old World became silent; and at the De∣struction of this World, by the words it doth appear, that this will remain silent for seven days, as the old World did for many more; for the Waters did continue upon the Earth for

some considerable time. Now, whereas it is said that no man should remain; the which words may be taken in a twofold sence.

First, That no man of this wicked World shall remain.

The second is, That the Elect fleeing into Mount Olivet, may there sleep, whilst the Earth is destroyed, and again renewed to that perfection, as it was in the first Creation, and Canaan made like to Eden the Garden of God. And after the world has lain wast, God can re∣new it by the Eighth; and our Sabbath being on the eighth day, it doth thereby seem to signi∣fy as much; and the blessing was not given to the name of the Seventh day, but to the Sab∣bath Day. And altho those that are chosen for the Glorious Tabernacle, are said to be changed in the twinkling of an Eye, and so caught up in the Clouds; but Israel, and the other Elect have no such sudden Change; and therefore it doth likely appear these may have their Earthly in∣firm Bodies Renewed at that time, as the Earth is, and their heart so changed, as it is said in Esdras, to another meaning; the which is ac∣cording to the word of the Lord, in Rev. 21.5. And he that sate upon the Throne, said, behold I make all things new; and he said unto me, write, for these words are true and faithful. Here we see that the Lord will make all things New: Now as some of the Chapters in Revelations are mis∣placed; So some of the Verses of this Chapter in Esdras do certainly appear to be misplaced,

because the World is said to be destroyed, and the Dead Raised, before the most high is said to sit upon the Throne of Judgment. Now after this World is thus Renewed, and Restored, and Jerusalem again Built, then as it is said in Zach. 14.11. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

Now, in that the Lord saith, there will be no more utter destruction there, whereby it doth appear, that there will be some destroy'd, but not an utter Destruction, for after the thousand years the Gog and Magag will come up against Jerusalem, which company will be all destroyed.

I have given a more full Account of this Gog and Magog, where I have spoken of the very, or special Elect, and therefore shall not here further enlarge upon it.

A Prophecy of Luther's which is wonderfully remarkable; and also it is worded according to the Scripture Stile.

LƲther began to Preach the Gospel of Christ, and to fall off from the Pope in the year 1515, and he Lived and Preached till 1546. and in the time of his Preaching (the year is not set down) he did assure them, before two hundred

years be expired (if not sooner by the coming of the dreadful day of Judgment, they be consumed) that all their abominable Blasphe∣mies, Idolatries, and damnable Religion, will utterly be extirminated and destroyed.

And on the contrary, we (who for the sake of professing God's Holy word in truth, are tormented, terrified, banished, imprisoned and slain here on Earth by that man of Sin and God's Enemies, the Antichrist and Pope of Rome) at the last day with unspeakable comfort, shall in∣joy and take possession of the Fruits of our as∣sured hopes, namely, everlasting Consolation Joy and Salvation.

This saying of Luther's was before the former, by reason he mentions that the Gospel was not at that time Preached in England, when he spake this as followeth.

Ah, Loving God (said Luther) come once; I wait continually for that day, when Early in the morning (in the Spring, the day and the night are alike long) I see a very clear Morning Red. For these are my Cogitations (whereof I purpose also to Preach) that swiftly out of the morning red, will come a black thick Cloud, out of which will issue three flakes of Light∣ning; afterwards there will come a clap, and in a moment will strike all on a heap, Heaven and Earth. The Name of the Lord be praised who hath taught us to sigh and yearn after that day,

indeed we ought to desire the speedy approach thereof.

When the Turk (said Luther) begineth a lit∣tle to decline, then certainly the last day will come; for then it must needs be, of the necessi∣ty of the Scripture, the loving Lord will come, as the Scripture saith; and when I come, I will move Heaven and Earth, and then shall come the desire of all Nations.

At the last there will be great Alteration and Commotion, for then all the Elements shall be melted to Ashes, the whole World shall be made a vast lump again, as in the Begining; then there shall be a New Heaven and Earth, and we shall be changed; but the Devil shall remain as he is, for he hath nothing of the Ele∣ments, as St. Paul sheweth, who had great Revelations. But I hope, seeing the Gospel in such sort is contemned, that the last day is not far, two hundred years hence God's word will decrease again and fall, and there will be a great darkness, for want of upright, faithful Servants of the Word, as then the whole World will be wild and Epicurish, and then the Voice will come and sound, behold the Bridegroom com∣eth.

Now whereas Luther saith, strike all on an heap, Heaven and Earth: Here he speaketh in the Scripture way of speaking, terming the Powers and People, to the Heavens and Earth, for a great State of Power and People, is term'd Heavens and an Earth, as I have before show'd

you in several places: As the old Babilon was so termed, when at the Destruction thereof, it was said that the Heavens and earth were removed out of their places; and this Romish Babiloni∣an Power, is also by the word, said to be the Heavens and Earth. And here he says they are to be struck on an Heap: That is, thrown down, like an heap of Rubbish, without any distinction of their Honour and Dignity, till the Judgment of the Lord destroys them all; and in that he terms it the last day, his meaning is the last day of the Power of this World.

And as to the coming of Christ, Luther hath given us for a certain sign the Turks declin∣ing, the which is already come to pass, and then it is, he saith, will be the last day, of the Power of this wicked World; for then Christ will come: But when all the wicked are to be destroyed from off the Earth, then he saith, there will be great Alterations and Com∣motions, so as the Elements will be burnt to Ashes; and then will the Earth of People, with the material Earth, lye as a vast lump again, as in the begining, as in Esdras it is said, Seven days; and then the renewed Heavens and Earth will appear more Glorious, for then the Hea∣vens and Earth will be renewed to that Per∣fection as 'twas in the first Creation; then shall some that sleep in the dust awake, as its said in Daniel and Esdras, for all that are raised, do not Rise to the Glorious Tabernacle; of whom Ezekiel speaks of, when he saith, they shall sleep

in the Woods, which is like unto that of Adam in Paradice. Now the Elements that are here said to be burnt to Ashes, are the Elements of Mans Body, and this by his own way of ex∣pressing of it, is made clearly Evident, in that he saith, the Devil shall remain as he is, because he hath nothing of the Elements in him. These forementioned Elements, are the Elements St. Peter speaks of, which shall melt with fervent Heat: And of whom the Psalmist saith, They shall melt as the Fat of Lambs, even with smoke shall they consume away. But as for the ma∣terial Heavens, Air, Sea and Earth, in the Bow∣els of which is inclosed Hell: And for us to think that these shall be burnt to Ashes, is al∣together repugnant to Scripture; for God hath set the Sun, as I have already proved, as a faithful Witness in Heaven; and when the Devil is at last cast into Hell, it is said, Rev. 20. he was confined there, day and night, for ever and for ever. And also it is said of the Wise, in Dan. 12. They shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament, and they that turn many to Righteous∣ness, shall shine as the Stars for ever and for ever.

And it was Prophesied of Luther, by Holy Men: As first, a Learned Frier, at Eisenach, named John Hilten, who Prophesied, touching Luther's time, namely, That about the year 1516, Popedom would greatly decline, as God be praised, was through Luther fulfilled; and especially concerning Luther, and touching his

Powerful Teaching and Preaching, John Huss Prophesied in the year 1415, as he was to be burned at Costnitz, who said, This day ye Rost a Goose, but one hundred years hence, ye shall hear a Swan Sing, (Huss is called a Goose, and Luther a Swan) him ye shall not be able to Rost, nor overcome; which Gloriously was made true on Luther; for in the year 1515, he began to sing, and so Powerfully Preached, and Wrought, and Fought, as since the Apostles times, none hath done the like; yet notwith∣standing, in despight of the Papists (whom vali∣ently in open fight he Encountred) he lived ma∣ny years afterwards; and in the year 1546, departed in Peace on his bed.

Now in that God terms the Wicked to the Heavens and Earth, and the World, thereby he leaves man scope to come to Repentance, who∣soever so does, they are then neither termed the Heavens nor the Earth, nor World that is here spoken of, that is to be destroyed; 〈…〉〈…〉 So I hope, 〈…〉〈…〉 by the breaking forth of the Light of Knowledg, of the Coming of the Lord, and by the fresh pub∣lication of the Gospel, there may be Millions

of Souls brought home, so as to prepare for the coming of the Lord; so that it may be only those that have hardned themselves in all Iniquity, are to be left of God, to hardness of heart and blind∣ness of mind; which may chiefly prove the Heavens, Earth and World which will be de∣stroyed, by whom is chiefly included the inco∣rigible Babilouians, or Romanists, whereas the Lord saith, Should he find Faith on the Earth. I could wish the Earth here spoken of by the Lord, did only, as will chiefly include those cruel Babilonians, which have acted their Cruel∣ty to the Servants of Christ, and such as have given themselves up to wilful sin, whereby they are left of God, to hardness of Heart, and blindness of mind; but that all the rest of Mankind, and especially them that bear the outward Name of Christ, may depart from iniquity, or otherwise, they being they that will else fall underneath the severest Judgments: And that all Mankind would seek unto God, as Nineveh did; and that also all them that fear his Name, would stand in, the gan for the People, and so, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of People, that is to be destroyed, may be •…•…∣minished and the servants of Christ 〈…〉〈…〉 creased: So that Darkness might only fall on that Earth of People, that hath excluded them∣selves from his. Mercy but that the 〈…〉〈…〉 mankind may keep off the Judgments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against them, by their Repentance, as Nineveh did; so that the Destruction which was threatned to be in forty days, was turned to forty days of

years; in which Time those who were the chief Mourners were remov'd by Death; and so now if we, by the fresh breaking forth of the clear light of the Gospel, with the Voice of the Bridegroom's coming, we so awake, as to pre∣pare for it, we shall have as good success as Nineveh had, for thereby the Earth of the Wicked will be decreased, and the Servants of Christ increased.

And in that Luther doth say, There shall be a Voice of the Bridegroom's coming, ac∣cording to what the Angel said to Daniel, altho not in the same words, but to the same effect, as in Dan. 12.4. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the Book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledg shall be-increased. This fully shows that knowledg shall be increased at the time of the end, which end is now just approaching, and knowledge breaking forth at the Coming of the Lord, thereby to make preparation for his coming; But my Soul is troubled when I think of the Words of the Lord; concerning the willful mis∣carriage of the Christians, after they have No∣tice of his Coming; for he saith in Luke 14.17. He sent his Servants at Supper-time, to say to them which were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. 18. v. And they all with one accord, be∣gan to make excuse, being eager after the advan∣tage of this World. Here we see these might have came, had they not been wanting to them∣selves; for which the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them. And here we see by the

Lord, as well as by Daniel and Luther, that there would be notice given at the end of the time, of his Coming; of which the Lord saith is just at Supper-time. And the Lord also said Dan. 12.9,10. And he said, go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end; Which plainly shews there was a Se∣cret in it which was not to be revealed till now the end of the time. And also the Lord saith in the tenth verse, Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. And whereas it is said, none of the wicked shall understand; that is, those that have given themselves to work ini∣quity, shall be left of God to hardness of heart and blindness of mind. And whereas it is said, the Wise shall understand, it is meant by them that truly fear the Lord, for the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning of Wisdom; and these are those that shall not be in darkness at that day; but that the signs, with the opened revealed Will of God in his Word, shall now alarm them to prepare for his coming. Now between these there is a third sort, which by the Watch∣mans Warning, they might have the ad∣vantage of making preparation. For the Watch∣man is set upon the Watch-Tower to warn all: And if the Wicked Man die without Warning, although he die in his iniquity, yet his Blood will God require at the Watchmans hand, according to the Word of the Lord in Ezek. 33.6,7,8,

14,15. But if the Watchman see the sword come, and blow not the Trumpet, and the people be not warn∣ed, if the Sword come, and take any person from a∣mong them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the Watchmans hand. 7. So thou, O Son of Man, I have set thee a Watchman unto the House of Israel: therefore thou shalt hear the Word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8. When I say unto the Wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die, if thou dost not speak to warn the Wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. For the Lord saith in the 14th verse, When I say to the Wicked, thou shalt surely die, if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right, 15. v. he shall surely live, he shall not die.

By this we also see, that if God doth say to the Wicked, thou shalt surely die, yet that threat∣ning was of force, no longer than the man remained sinful. But as for those sinners, who by their continual custom in sin, God has left to hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, they cannot come to amendment of Life. And God saith, according to this, in Ezek. 33.13. When I shall say to the Righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own Righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his Righteousness shall not be remembered: but for his iniquity that he hath com∣mitted, he shall die for it. According to this is the Words of Christ, in the Gospel, where he saith, He that believeth in me shall be saved; the which Words includes no longer than they

so continue believing; which belief must be a practical belief; the which is, to believe in Christ and his Word, so as to live in Obedience there∣unto; for it is said, Without Holiness no man shall see the Lord. And between Holiness and Righteousness it is hard to make a distinction: But as to what the Lord saith, John 5.24. was spoken for the time to come, when God shall have committed all Judgment to the Son, for which time this was spoken; that is, those that then shall be found believers, are then passed from Death to Life, so as they shall never come into condemnation. And as for the Sheep, that so securely stand, of whom Christ saith, none can pluck them out of my Fathers Hand, is spoken of those that are Christs standing Wit∣nesses thorough the World; they being those very Elect of whom Christ said, it was impos∣sible to deceive; and of whom it is said in the Revelations, they follow the Lamb wheresoe∣ver he goeth. This being clearly proved where I have spoken of the very Elect, I do but here mention it, that thereby we may know, that we do not so securely stand; but as St. Paul saith in Hebrews, We, like Israel, having a Pro∣mise of entering into life, should take heed lest any of us should sall short of entering into that promised Rest; therefore he advises us to make our Calling and Election sure; and Christ also invites sinners to come to Repentance; and if we are not wanting to our selves, Christ will not be wanting to us; And by the Watchmans

Warning, there may be great part of the peo∣ple saved from the near approaching danger, by what God saith in Ezekiel; for there is but few Soldiers, but when they have the warning given them, but they will seek to deliver themselves; and God saith in Ezekiel 33.5. He that taketh warn∣ing shall deliver his Soul. Methinks this promise should make us with life and vigour laborious to gain life for our souls, so as we may be deliver∣ed from the near approaching danger; for that we are in the time in which the Lord will come is certain. The which time will be, according to that of the Children of Israel, with signs and wonders; the which we have seen what the Lord foretold should be before his coming.

And now with the Prophet Daniel's Vision made good to us, so that knowledg shall be increas∣ed by the unsealing of the Book, at the now time of the end; the which will occasion great running to and fro, so as knowledg may be in∣creased, to prepare for the coming of the Lord, according to which, the Lord saith in Luke 14.17. That he sent forth his Servants at supper time, to say to them that are bidden, come, for all things are now ready. The which gives us also certain information that Light should break forth, as thereby warning should be given for preparati∣on to be made for the coming of the Lord to Judg the World, and give rewards to the Righ∣teous; the Old World had by Noah, warning given them, whom the Scripture terms, a Preacher of Righteousness; but because they

would not believe and amend, therefore they were destroyed. And the Lord saith in Mat. 25.6. At midnight there was a cry made, behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Which shows in midst of the Night of dark∣ness, as to the coming of the Lord, that light will break forth, so as the cry of the Voice of his Ministers may be heard, to warn the People for to prepare to meet the Bridegroom; yet upon the Wicked unbelieving World it will come as a Thief in the Night: And also, as to the Day and Hour, no man knoweth. Now whereas God saith in Isaiah, That that day shall come as a snare upon all flesh. Yet as I have al∣ready proved, the word, all, in Scripture, doth not signify the whole, but the major part. Now as to what is faid in Rev. 14.6. And I saw ano∣ther Angel flying in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to Preach unto them that dwell on the Earth, to every Nation, Tongue and People. 7. Saying with a loud voice, fear God, give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgment is come, and worship him that made Heaven and Earth, the Sea and the Fountains of Water. This appears to be after the Lord comes in the Clouds with his Saints and Angels; and that as the Christians that were before bidden, and sent to by his Servants at Supper time, to come to his Supper; So it doth appear, that those that knew him not, may afterwards be invited by the An∣gel, by which means Israel, and the Promised Elect, may be brought in. For John Baptist

first Preached Christ to the Jews, before he was made publick to the World: Afterwards when he was made publick, the Lord sent his Disciples to Preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Now this being most agreeable to the word, and what I apprehend 'twill be; but however, the Ministers may press forward for a publication of the Gospel every where; but if they find not blessed success, to forbear, and to bestow their Labour amongst the Christians and Turks, and such as have the Knowledg of God, who must stand or fall, as their Master finds them; but as for the Jews and promised Elect, if they come not in, they will be sure to be received into Mercy after the Lord comes, as many as have not estranged themselves from God, by wicked Practices.

Now whereas the Lord saith in Daniel 12.11. And from the time the daily Sacrifice shall be taken away, and the Abomination that maketh de∣solate set up, there should be a thousand, two hundred and ninety days. And in the following Verse 'tis said, Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand, three hundred and five and thirty days. Here is 45 days of years difference, between this and the forementioned number; And it is said that he is blessed that waiteth, and cometh to the last Number of the Thousand, three hun∣dred, and five and thirty days. Now this be∣ing the exact number of years Israel knew, af∣ter they were delivered out of Egypt, before they had Conquered their Enemies, so as to be

settled in the Land of Canaan, for they lay forty years in the Wilderness, and five years they were Conquering their Enemies, before they peaceably settled in the Land of Canaan. Now the like time being mentioned in Daniel, where∣by it doth appear, from the time of the visible signs of the Lord's Coming, till the time he comes, and also until the time that all the wick∣ed are cut of, doth seem to be the exact num∣ber of years, because the Lord saith, he that waiteth and cometh to the five and forty days of years, beyond the forementioned Number, are said to be blessed, which Argues, by that time, all the wicked will be cut off from the Face of the Earth; for he that liveth to that time being blessed, signifies that there will be none living but what will then be blessed.

And that we may be made partakers of this blessedness, here is a short Account of the Faith we are to believe. For Faith in Christ is to be∣lieve that he is become the Author of Eternal Salvation, to all them that obey him: And those that would be made partakers of this blessed∣ness, must go to God, by daily and servent Prayer, and imploy their Diligence in his ser∣vice, Jam. 2.20,22. For Faith without works is Dead, and by works is Faith made perfect. And without Holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12.14.

And in Ephes. 2.3. to the 10. v. For we are his workmanship, Created in Christ Jesus unto good

works, which God hath before Ordained that we should walk in them. It is of the great mercy and rich Grace of God, in that he gave the Son his Love, a ransome to make satisfaction, and Reconciliation for as many as shall come unto God by him; and therefore it is of Grace that any is saved; and we no sooner Repent and be∣lieve, if done in sincerity, but we are excepted of Christ, and then his Righteousness and good Works is imputed to us, as though we had been Created so; Notwithstanding we had been be∣fore, great sinners. But after we are received into Mercy, God hath fore-ordain'd that we should walk in good Works, which if we will not, we shall have neither part nor lot in this Portion; and the Apostle saith, It is of Faith that worketh by Love is required, and there is no such obedience as that, in which the Heart is concern'd.

A Belief.

Now to believe in Christ for Salvation is to believe his word for it, and if we believe his word for it, we believe that Salvation is attain∣able according to his Word; the which we no sooner believe, but weare by his word put in∣to his Vineyard to work therein; and then be∣gins the Race that we are to run, and the Ar∣mor is prepared for us to put on, in which we are to maintain a continual Combat with the World, the Flesh, and the Devil; and that un∣to our Lives end, we must continue in, and hold out, and overcome, if we ever intend to

have the Crown: For altho some of these Ene∣mies may get the Advantage at some time, yet besure keep so good a guard, that when you find any breaking in of the Enemy, go to the Lord with Submission, Contrition, and Ac∣knowledgment, begging new Strength from him, that you may be able to Conquer these your Enemies, and that you may have grace of him, so to withstand them, as they may not break in upon you.

And as for our saying that God is merciful, and we trust in God, yet walk according to our own imaginations, and fancies, is but to trust God to destroy us; for although God is ex∣ceeding Merciful, yet his Mercies will be distri∣buted according as he hath declared in his word.

And whereas the Lord saith in Luke 13.24. Strive to enter in at the steight Gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. This hath a special reference to the time of the Lord's Coming to Judg the World; but what reference it hath to the present time, is to those that either strive in a false way, or else go out in their own strength, with a resolution to serve the Lord, and amend their Lives: When withal they should go to God to beg strength of him, to fulfil these their Resolutions, and also for his continual Assistance in this their Pilgrimage, and if so, he hath said, he will never leave us nor forsake us; for if we do not so, in Temptati∣ons and Afflictions, we shall fall away; for the best of men are not able, in their own strength,

to grapple with the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. And for our Example, St. Peter putting too much confidence in himself, therefore so fouly fell, as to deny his Master; and how of∣ten have some of us known those that have made Vows and Protestations for their amendment; but putting confidence in themselves, thinking they had Power to perform it, without seeking to God for his continual assistance, in their performance of these their Resolutions; and for want of so doing, how soon hath all these Vows and Protestations been Vanquisht? But if we take to the means, and go in the way, then unto them the Lord saith, He that asketh, receiveth, and he that seeketh, findeth, and unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.

And whereas the Lord saith, Many are called, but few are chosen. That is, after they were called, so as to be brought into the knowledg of the Truth, which afterwards, they not imploy∣ing their utmost endeavour, to make their call∣ing an Election sure, in improving the Talent that he hath given them, therefore they will not be chosen of him. All these controversal points being clearly Answered, where I spoke of E∣lection.

And whereas it is said, Revel. 21.7.8. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son; but the fearful and un∣believing, and the abominable, and Murderers, and Whoremongers, and Sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all Liers, shall have their part in the Lake

which burneth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second Death. Now whereas he here saith the fearful. That is, those that are mistrusting∣ly fearful of the Promises, Power, or Provi∣dences of God, and therefore throw themselves out of the way of his Mercy, either by Di∣spair, or presumptiously running into all excess of Riot. Now as a mistrustful fear in God shall be punished with Hell Fire; so on the contrary, them that are fearful by reason of their own weakness, least they should miscar∣ry, they are promised by the Lord, deliverance, as in Heb. 2.15. And deliver them, who through fear of Death, were all their life time subject to bondage.

Now, whereas God saith by Moses, Dan. 32.40. that he lives for ever. And also it is said of the material Earth, Heb. 7.14. that it abideth for ever. Yet ever cannot comprehend what is here expressed. Psal. 104.5,6. But God may sometimes use this method in speaking, as to himself, and other things, by such words as do fall short of expressing the full meaning of that is signified to us by them; because he hath a secret in his word, which nothing but Prayer, Self-Resignation, and Meditation can give us a light therein, as to the understanding of it (and as to the Prophesies, time has much explained, if we in the forementioned way consider it.) And we also are to take notice, that altho ever is attributed to that which cannot be comprehend∣ed by it; yet Eternity, or Everlasting is never at∣tributed to that which cannot reach it. But

God is termed, Isa. 6.9. The Eternal God, and the Everlasting Father. And it is said, Heb. 5.9. Christ is become the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. And it is also said, Ps. 96.10. The Earth is fixed, that it cannot be mo∣ved. That is, so as to become nothing, or as not to be Earth. The whole Earth will never be turned for ever into a burning Mountain; neither will it for ever lie as a waste Chaos, but as God hath promised, it shall become a New Earth; that is, a Renewed Earth. And unto that part which God hath assign'd the fire, there shall it be bounded; which is to part of the Land of the figurative Esau, of which Isaiah makes mention, Isa. 34.5,7,9,10. Now whereas it is said, in Genesis 8.21. The Lord smelled a sweet Savour, and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his Youth: Neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done. While the Earth remaineth, Seed-time, and Harvest, and Cold and Heat, Summer and Winter, and Day and Night shall not cease.

Now if God doth never more curse all the ground, neither again smite any more every li∣ving thing, as he hath done; then the Earth cannot be made a perpetual Desolation. Now whereas God saith in the following Verse, While the Earth remaineth, there should be Seed-time, and Harvest, &c. The which Farth here spoken of seems to signifie the People of

the Earth, or the Earth of People; that whilst the Earthly Body of Man remains, there shall be Seed-time and Harvest, and the like. And what God saith in the following Chapter, Gen. 9.11,12. doth seem to make it so appear. For he saith, I will establish my Covenant with you, nei∣ther shall all flesh be cut off any more by the Wa∣ters of a Flood, neither shall there any more be a Flood to destroy the Earth.

Now we know, that it was not the Mate∣rial Earth that was destroyed, but the Earth of People. Now in the 12th verse, God saith, I will make between me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. 13. v. I do set my Bow in the Cloud, and it shall be for a Token of a Covenant between me and the Earth. Here again God terms the people of the Earth to be the Earth.

And whereas God saith, to perpetual genera∣tions: Thereby we are given to understand, that there will be perpetually, that is, to ever∣lasting a generation upon the Earth. And there∣fore God saith, Gen. 9.12,13,16. The Bow shall be in the Cloud, and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting Covenant between God, and every living Creature, of all flesh that is upon the Earth. Here God has explain'd what was the Earth, which in the 13th verse he made a Covenant with. Which is here set down to be with every living creature of all flesh. Now for God to look on the Bow in the Cloud, to remember the Everlasting Covenant

between himself and every living Creature; The which Covenant would be void, if God should destroy every living Creature of all flesh from off the Earth.

Now whereas the Lord saith, Heaven and Earth shall pass away; that is, the Powers with the People. And whereas he saith, pass away, it argues, that it will not be a sudden moving; but that there will be a time of punishment in∣flicted on them here before their departure; of which David saith, Psalm 2.9. Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron; thou shalt dash them in peices like a Potters Vessel. And where Daniel speaks of the Judgment of this World, he saith, Dan. 7.12. As concerning the rest of the Beast, they had their Dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. And the Lord saith, Rev. 2.27. He shall rule them with a Rod of Iron, as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers. And also it is said of the Lord, Rev. 19.15. Out of his mouth went a sharp Sword, that with it he should smite the Na∣tions, and he shall rule them with a Rod of Iron; and he treadeth the Wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God.

By all this it doth plainly appear, that there will be a time of punishment upon the Earth, when the Lord is againcome, before the Wick∣ed are turned into Hell. And to make this fur∣ther clear, it is said, Psalm 112.10. That the wicked shall gnash their Teeth, when they see the vengeance. Now St. John speaketh in the words

of the Lord, as touching the Heavens and the Earth, which are at the coming of the Lord. For he saith, Rev. 21.1. The first Heavens and the first Earth are passed away. Which Heavens and Earth are the Wicked Powers, with the Wic∣ked People.

Now at the final and last Judgment, the Hea∣vens and the Earth are said to fly away; the which shews a more hasty motion, and, as I apprehend, by the Heavens is meant, Israels So∣vereignty over the rest of the Nations; and by the Earth, the serviceableness of other Nations to Israel: And that at the final Judgment, that distinction may no longer continue, and so said to fly away, as not to have place found for them; For after Death is cast into Hell, there will be no more dying; and when they are become im∣mortal, there will not be that need of servicea∣bleness the one to the other. And not only so, but the Elementary Body of Man will then fly away, and no more place also found for it, this being according to the promise God made to A∣braham, Gen. 17.8. And I will give unto thee, and to thy Seed after thee, the Land wherein thou art a Stranger, all the Land of Canaan for an e∣verlasting possession, and I will be their God. And the like God hath sworn in Isaiah, as I have already proved, that he will give them the Land of Ca∣naan for an everlasting possession. And in Isa. 66 22. God saith, As the New Heavens and the New Earth which I will make shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.

By all this it is clearly proved, That the and is to be Inhabited by the Seed of Jacob, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 everlasting, according to the Promise that ••od hath made unto them.

But at the time of this great Revolution, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said in Dan. 12.1,2. And at that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall Michael stand up, the great Prince, ••hich standeth for the Children of thy People, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall be a time of trouble, such as never was ••ce th••re was a Nation, even to that same time: ••nd a•• what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy People shall be delivered, every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 written in the Book. And any of •…•…m th•…•… s••eep in the dust of the Earth, all aw•…•…, some to ••verbasting, Lise, and some to ••ame and everlasting conte•…•…pt.

Now whereas he saith, many of them that ••eep in the dust of the Earth, shall awake. ••y these words is given us to understand, that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not all that sleep in the dust of the Earth, ••at shall then awake; but as the Saints are ••st raised to Glory, so by the foregoing words does appear also, there is some that have been ••ost notoriously wicked, shall first rise before ••e rest of the Wicked to have their everlast∣••g Punishment. And by what is here said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may conjecture, that the beast upon the ••rone shall not suffer more than his Predeces∣••s that are gone before him; but that the o∣••er may arise to receive the like Condemnati∣•…•…; they being the most wicked, by reason ••ey have been the Cause of destroying more ••uls, than any other men in the World be∣sides

And Luther did hold, both Pope, and Mahomet, to be comprehended under the name of the Beast. And we, reading neither in the 7th of Daniel, nor in the Revelations, of any that was cast alive into the lake of Fire, but the Beast, and the false Prophet, which makes me conjecture, there may be no other of the wick∣ed raised at that time, but what has so sin∣ned.

And now according to the Word of the Lord in Daniel, there has been such a time of trou∣ble, as never was since there has been a Nation, with Blood and Fire, and Vapour of Smoke. By which Rivers of Fire, Hell hath enlarged her self, as in Isa. 5.14. Hell hath enlarged her self, and opened her mouth without measure; and their Glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoyceth shall descend into it. 16. And the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in Judgment, and God that is Holy, shall be sanctified in righteousness. 17. Then shall the Lambs feed after their man∣ner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall stran∣gers eat.

This is spoken for the time now a coming, by Hells enlarging her self, and the wicked's de∣scending into it; at which time, it is said, the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted; at which time it is also said the Lambs shall feed after their manner: Therefore this must relate to the time of the Judgment of this World, and the Re∣storation of all things. Now, as it is said in Daniel, There shall be such trouble, as never

was since there has been a Nation. And now ac∣cording to the saying of the Angel, There has been such trouble, at this time, as has not been since there has been a Nation, with the like amazing Earth-quakes, which has been in several places, with the Cities of the Nations falling, with oft Eruptions of Fire, breaking forth of Hell, with the continual Wars of long standing, and neither Conquering one the other, with that great Mortality which has lately been in Pale∣stina, and there about, to above a Million of Souls. All these things being the Signs that God and Christ hath given us, that thereby we might prepare for the Coming of the Lord, for he saith, when his Judgments are upon the Earth, let the Inhabitants of the world learn Righteous∣ness. Now these Judgments are the Lord's continual Whirl-winds, which is spoken of in Jeremiah, That Israel and we should consider it perfectly; and we also have had the signs of Good amongst us, in token of the great Jubile, or Sabbatism of rest, in that there was a Field of Corn in Kent, came up of it self, which has not been before since the Creation: Also with the Miraculous Cure of Mary Malliard; the which being clear signs of the great Jubile, when all things shall grow of themselves; at which time also, it is said, the Lame shall leap as an Hart. And then after the Lord is again come, will be kept New Moons and Sabbaths, as in Isa. 66.23. and solemn Assemblies, with the Feast of Ta∣bernacles,

as in Zac. 14.17,21. and Sacrifices, but what those Sacrifices will be, we know not. And then there shall again be Altars to the Lord, as in Isa. 19.19. but whether those Al∣tars will be more than for Offering of Incense, and sweet smelling savours is uncertain: But there was free-will-Offerings before the Law, and the like. Then will there be greatness in the Church again: But in this time Christ saith to his Disciples, He that will be chiefest among you, shall be servant to all.

Now whereas the Lord saith in Isa. 28.8. For all tables are full of Vomit and Filthiness, so that there is no place clean. 9. Whom shall he teach Knowledg, and whom shall he make to understand Doctrine, them that are weaned from the Milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10. For Precept must be upon Precept, Precepts upon Precept, Line upon Line, Line upon Line, here a little, and there a lit∣tle. 11. For with stammering Lips and another Tongue, will he speak to this People. 12. To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the tefreshing, yet they would not hear. 13. But the word of the Lord was unto them, precept upon precept, precept upon pr•…•…cept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little, that they might go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken.

Now whereas the Lord saith, Precept upon Precept, Line upon Line, that is, of instructi∣ons and admonitions, shewing us what God re∣requires of us, that we may walk in obedience

thereunto. But if we regard it not, the Pro∣phesies whereby the secret of the Word is o∣pened, is but set down here a little and there a little. And God here tells why he hath so placed it, is because that those that will go on in their own wicked ways, may be snared, broken and taken.

According to which it was with the Jews at the Lord's first Coming: To them he was laid in Sion as a stumbling stone, but to all them that walked in the Law of the Lord blamelesly, none of them were left to stumble there∣at.

And St. Paul saith, Phil. 3.6. Touching the righteousness which is in the Law, he was blameless. And it is said in Luke 1.6. of Zachariah and Elizabeth. They were both Righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Now whereas it is said they were both Righ∣teous. That is, they were sincerely obedient to all the Commandments of God, and did not wilfully break, or neglect any, and therefore term'd Righteous. For to walk in sincerity with God, is the only perfection that man in himself can attain to. And altho St. Paul saith, The Law makes no Man perfect, yet walking in the Law blamelesly made them accepted. And altho St. Paul saith he was ignorantly a Per∣secutor, yet because he walked in Integrity with God, and blamelesly in the Command∣ments of God, therefore he sound mercy with

God; and neither Jew nor Prosylife that so did, but was brought into the Knowledg of the Lord. And whereas the young man saith, He kept the Commandments, as in Mark 10.19,20,21,22. yet the Lord told him, he lacked one thing; and bid him go sell what he had, and give to the poor; for which saying he went away sorrowful. But it is not likely, the Lord did for ever so part with him; for it is said the Lord loved him. And what the Lord here saith, as to his selling his Estate, and giving it to the Poor, was as well to instruct the Church, by reason they were not long to have inheritan∣ces there, the which all the Church followed, after the Crucifixion of the Lord. And St. Paul saith in Acts 13.26. Men and Brethren, Children of the Stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this Salvation sent. By which it is clear, that none was left of God to blindness of Mind, that truly fear'd his Name. And so now it is with us as 'twas with the Jews, that our Inheri∣tances here, will signify little to us.

And whereas the Lord saith, Matt. 11.13. For all the Prophets, and the Law Prophesied until John. That is, until John there was a Succes∣sion of Prophets, and the whole Law was of force until John, after which the Ceremonial Law was Abolished. But the Moral Law, and some of the Prophesies of the Antient Prophets,

will be of Force in the World to come.

Bishop Ʋsher says, We do not well under∣stand, what Sanctification and the New Crea∣ture are, it is no less than for a man to be brought to an intire Resignation of his Will, to the Will of God, and to live in the Offering up of his Soul continually in the Flames of Love, as a whole Burnt-Offering to Christ; and how little (says he) are many of those who profess Christianity, experimentally acquainted with this work on their Souls.

And he further saith, 'Tis those of the Inner-Court, that shall be left as a Seed to partake of the Glory.

And also good Mr. George Withers saith, The Lord will again come, whom the Jews do expect.

And also Mr. Saltmarsh witnessed it with his Death. And all the Scriptures do agree in foretelling the second coming of the Lord, and other good men, whom God hath open'd their Eyes to understand the same; with the evident signs that were foretold should be be∣fore the coming of the Lord, as now if we will be wilfully ignorant of the Truth, we must take what follows.

And that we are in the time of Daniel's 45. Year, is most certain; and that there is a great many of them past, since the signs have been upon the Earth, is evidently manifest; but as to the day and Hour of the Lord's coming is un∣certain, altho very near at hand, therefore we

should prepare for it, and pray for his coming, and earnestly desire it.

I am apt to believe the first Blasing-Star that was seen in 1662, of which it was said, it was a rod to whip the World withal, which I take to be the first sign that God gave notice of the near approaching Judgment of this World; and since we have had several Blazing-Stars, and continual Signs: As the oft∣repeated Earth-quakes, and the Cities of the Nations falling, with the repeated Rivers and Floods of Fire out of the Earth, and W••rs in divers places, which were the signs the Lord gave us of his coming, which the Earth never produc'd the like before. The Lord grant we may be warned by the signs of the Time, as all that look. Sion ward may ••ay themselves low at his foot, that they may be re∣freshed by his presence. And Lord grant that thy Ransomed ones may be many.

My Book being not so well done as I intend∣ed, therefore I shall not, at this time, give an account of the Return from the Land of the Enemy, of them that Died Innocently, being clearly to be proved, by those that are said to be slain in the New Testament, are said they shall return from the Land of the Enemy in the Old, and also in the last Judgment they are all Judg'd according to the deeds done in the Body. With several other places to the like effect, which I shall not here mention.

Notes

• Rev. ••.
• Heb. 5.9.
• 2 Thes. 1.10.
• Luke 21.28.
• Heb. 9.28.
• John 14.21.
• Jer. 29.13.
• Mat. 2.2.
• Psal. 11.6.
• 2 Esd. 13.37,38.
• Mal. 3.2,3,4.
• Jude v. 15.
• Here you see after these Hea∣vens and Earth here mention∣ed, are destroy∣ed, there is day and night, and many genera∣tions, as in the foregoing ver. you read of.
• Isa. 47.7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14.
• Zeph. 2.8,9,10,11.