The Text.

1 AND I saw an Angel come down from heaven [i. e. a very particular and peculiar Ministry of Angels, deputed by God for this purpose,] having the Key of the bottomless pit [i. e. a Power to open and shut the Pit of Hell, Luke 8.31. Rev. 1, 18.9, 1.] and a great chain in his hand [i. e. Powerful means to restrain the Evil Spirits, 2 Pet. 2.4. Jude 6]

2 And he laid ¹ hold on [i. e. seized upon, and secured, Matth. 14.3.] the Dragon, that Old Serpent, which is the ² Devil, and Satan [Gen. 3. Rev. 12.9.] and bound him [i. e. restrained him from ³ deceiving the Nations] a thousand years [i. e. during the Reign of Christ. See on Verse 4.]

Annotations on CHAP. XX.

¹ An Account having been given in the former Chapter, how Two parts of the great City, or Two of the Three Ene∣mies of Christ had been disposed of; the Holy Spirit does in this Chapter, from Verse 1 to 4. particularly describe the Event of that Battle, with reference to Satan, or the Devil and his Angels, the Third Enemy, or Third part of the Great City, or Idolatrous and Wicked Polity of the Kingdom of Darkness.

Page  428

² 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,(a) Ʋniversitas Satanica, the Devil and all his Evil Angels; called The Dragon, as he presided over, and influenced the Pagan Empire and Emperours, and lived in the Imperial Supremacy of the Antichristian King, Chap. 13.4: and That Old Serpent, in respect of his Deceiving our First Parents in Paradise, in that Shape; and his working in and by Anti∣christ, with all lying Wonders, and deceivableness of Ʋnrigh∣teousness, 2 Thes. 2.9, 10. Rev. 12.3, 14: and the Devil, and Satan, as he is the Accuser and Adversary of Mankind, Rev. 12.9. Under whom are comprehended the several Sorts and Orders of Wicked Spirits, (mentioned Eph. 2, 2.6, 12.) acting as one Power, under one Prince and Chief of them; who are here restrained from all manner of Power whatso∣ever, either from themselves, or as influencing o∣thers, during the glorious Kingdom of Christ.

³ As he had done our first Parents in the first Paradise; so that there is no fear of being driven out of this New Para∣dise, or of being deceived by Diabolical Temptations in it: it being very(b) probable that the New Earth will be Para∣disiacal.

3 And he ⁴ cast him into the bottomless pit [which is also a place of Torment, Matth. 8.28, 29. Luke 8.31.] and ⁴ shut him up, and set a ⁴ Seal upon him [i. e. closely confined him, after the most se∣cure manner,] that he should deceive the Nations [Verse 8.] no more [as he had hitherto done, by the Lye of Idolatry, and other de∣ceitful Wickednesses and Temptations;] till the thousand Years [of Christ's Reign,] should be fullfilled, [or ended:] and after that, he must [according to the secret Counsel, and Will of God,] be loo∣sed [from this Restraint,] for a ⁵ little season.

Page  429

^{4 4 4} By these several Expressions is intimated, that the Devil should be confined after the closest manner, and restrain∣ed from all sorts of Mischief: but because he was to be let loose after the thousand years; therefore he is said to be only shut up in the bottomless pit; and is not cast into the Lake un∣til afterwards, when he is made utterly uncapable of any manner of power, or Action against God and his Kingdom, for the least season, and that to all Eternity.

And here end the first Triumphs, and Conquests of Christ in his Kingdom; which begins with the reducing of his Ene∣mies, viz. Antichrist, the Wicked Nations, and the Devil, so as to make them his Footstool; whom his Father had been subduing for him, from his Ascension; as is evident from Psalm 110.1. 1 Cor. 15.25.

⁵ The duration of this Season is no where determined in Scripture, and therefore cannot be positively assigned: on∣ly if the Tradition of the seven Thousand Years duration of the World, prove true; it must comprehend that space of Time which will be found wanting to compleat the 7000 Years, after the Expiration of the 1000 Years of Christ's Kingdom.

4 And I saw ⁶ Thrones [i. e. solemn and glorious pre•arations for Rule and Judgment, Dan. 7.9] and ⁷ they [i. e. the Saints of the most High, who come with Christ, Chap. 19.14. Dan. 7.13, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27. Zech. 14.5. 1 Thes. 4.14.] sat ⁸ up∣on them [i. e. were invested in a Regal and a Judicial Office,] and ⁹ Judgment [i. e. Power of Governing, Sentencing, and Pu∣nishing,] was given unto them [who sat on the Throne, by God, and Christ, Dan. 7.22, 27.] and I saw the [separate] ¹⁰ souls of them [or of the Persons,] that we e beheaded for the Witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God [i. e. the Souls of the Martyrs under the Pagan Emperour of Rome, Rev 6.9, 10 11.] and ¹¹ [I saw also the ¹² Souls of them] which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his Image, neither had received his Mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands [i. e. Page  430 the Faithful Witnesses killed by Antichrist, Chap. 6, 11. 11, 7. 13, 15, 16.] and they [i. e. all these Saints and Martyrs,] ¹³ li∣ved [again, in Spiritual and Heavenly Bodies, 1 Cor. 15 42-50.] and ¹⁴ reigned with ¹⁵ Chr st a ¹⁶ thousand Years.]

⁶ This Representation is taken from Dan. 7.9. in allusion to the(a) Thrones, or Seats of the Jewish Consistory; or ra∣ther (in the Opinion of(a) Grotius) to the ancient Custom of the Jews, amongst whom the Princes of the Tribes were wont to sit with the King, ih publick Assemblies. And ac∣cordingly, This Court of Christ's Kingdom, and Grand Assi∣zes of the Day of Judgment, is represented as having many Thrones; as,

(1.) The Throne of God the Father, Dan. 7.9.

(2.) The Throne of Christ, in which he was enstated, (Dan. 7.13, 14) upon the Judgment passed upon Ant•∣ehrist; to shew, that Christ's Glorious Kingdom begins not until after that Judgment and Destruction; as in this Prophe∣cy the Thousand Years do not enter until after the Battle of Decision; which is also called a Judgment. Chap. 19.

(3.) Many Thrones of Saints, Dan. 7.10, 18, 22, 26. where the Saints are called The Judgment; and are said to he set in Judgment; and many Thrones to be set down, pitched, or erected, as the Word ought to be translated at the 9th Verse; which Thrones do not belong to the Angels; who are not represented as sitting, but standing, as Ministring and Assisting Spirits, 1 Kings 22.19. Is. 6.1. Dan. 7.10.

⁷ By a diligent compare of Dan. 7.13, 18, &c. with Rev. 19.14, 17. and this Verse; it will plainly appear, that the Page  431 Saints, those Armies of Heaven, who come with Christ in the Clouds to Judgment, are the They here referred to; the very They (Dan. 7.13. where the like Phrase is used) who come with the Son of Man upon the Clouds of Heaven; to whom Thrones, a Kingdom, and a Judicatory are ascribed in(a) Scripture, over the Wicked Angels, and the World; and who have here Thrones given them, as a Reward for their Atten∣dance upon Christ in the foregoing Battle; to whom alone yet the Victory is ascribed, Chap. 19.21.

⁸ To sit upon a Throne, denotes in Scripture, a continu∣ance in an undisturbed possession of Soveraignty and Domini∣on, with a Right of Judicature; as Expositors of the Creed have shewn, on the Article concerning Christ's sitting on the Right Hand of the Father.

⁹ This Word signifies Rule and Government, in Scripture; as well as a Judicial Power, Gen. 15, 14.19, 9.1 Sam. 4.18. Psalm 72.1, 2.

¹⁰ From this place it may be observed,

(1.) That these were the Souls of the very Martyrs whom he had seen before under the Altar, Chap. 6.9-11. the same Expressions being used in both places.

(2.) That they were particularly the Martyrs under the pa∣gan Roman Emperours; because they are said to have been beheaded; which was a(b) Roman Punishment.

(3.) That the Soul is Immortal, and sleeps not in its sepa∣rate Page  432 State; because they cry with a loud Voice, have Robes given unto them, and are admonished to rest for a little season, 6.9-11.

¹¹ These are distinguished from the former, by the inter∣position of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or And: and are evidently (as appears from comparing this place with Rev. 6.11.) the Witnesses martyred under the Reign of the Beast, or Antichrist; who were to fill up, or compleat the Number of Martyrs; and then to Live and Reign together with the Martyrs under the Pagan Emperours.

¹² Pareus supposes an Ellipsis in this place; which may be thus supplied, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. although sepa∣rate Souls are often spoken of in Scripture in the Masculine Gender, Luke 16.19-31.

¹³ They lived; that is, in their Persons, in Bodies, suited to the State of the Blessed Milennium; for this cannot refer to the Souls here-mentioned, which lived before; as hath been already observed. See also the Notes on the following Verse.

¹⁴ This (as well as almost all the other Expressions in the New Testament, concerning the Great Day of Judgment) is taken chiefly from Daniel; who in the second and seventh Chapters of his Prophecy, foretells, that during the Times of the Fourth Kingdom (evidently proved by several(a) Au∣thors to be the Roman) the God of Heaven should set up a Kingdom, which from small beginnings, or an Infant-State Page  433 (likned by Daniel to a(a) Stone) should by a Divine and Supernatural Power, increase so far, that at last, in the Days of the Ten Kings (who are the Ten Toes of the Feet of the Great Image, Dan. 2.43, 44.) it should become a Mountain, filling the whole Earth; that is, a Ʋniversal, and an Everla∣sting Kingdom, after it had put an end to all other King∣doms, particularly that of Antichrist; upon whose destructi∣on this Glorious Kingdom, or Glorious State of Christs King∣dom, is to begin. And that there shall be a glorious state of Christs Church, such as hath not hitherto been, is a Truth so apparent in Scripture, that those(b) who are most wary of interpreting the Scriptures to this Sense, lest thereby any ad∣vantage might be given to the Jews, cannot but confess, that many Passages of the Prophets which relate to this State, are not as yet clearly, nor fully compleated; but that they are still in fulfilling, and more may be expected in the latter times; which Dr. Pocock extends to the second Coming of Christ. And although we ought to be cautious, how we administer occasi∣on of hardening the Jews in their Infidelity, by forcing Texts of Scripture to this Sense, which may be meant concerning the first Coming of Christ; yet the want of due distinguish∣ing betwixt his first Coming in a way of Humiliation, and Sufferings; and his second Coming in Glory, and that to erect a Kingdom upon Earth, and under the Heaven (as is expresly affirmed Dan. 7.27. Rev. 5.10.) in a State of perfect Righ∣teousness, Peace and Prosperity; has been no mean cause of Of∣fence to the Jews; and is the occasion of many Errors a∣mongst Christians. But that there shall be such a Kingdom of Christ, (which may be called his Mediatory Kingdom) di∣stinct from the Kingdom of Eternity, of which the Man Christ Page  434 Jesus is the Eternal King, as he is united to the Eternal Word; and from his Spiritual and Evangelical Kingdom; will appear evident from these following Considerations:

(1.) Because the many(a) Prophecies, foretelling a Glo∣rious, Constant, and uninterrupted Visibility, and Ʋniversality of Christ's Church, not yet accomplished, do require such a Future State. For the Church hath been seldom gloriously vi∣sible, never constantly, and uninterruptedly so: neither hath it been at any time in possession of much above the sixth part of the known World; so far hath it fallen short of the Ʋniversa∣lity prophesied of in Scripture.

(2.) Many(b) Prophecies relating to the Temporal and Spiritual Happiness of Christs Church, are not yet at all fulfil∣led, or only in part; and therefore there must be some Fu∣ture State, in which they are to be accomplished. Such as those which foretel its perfect peace, prosperity, holiness, and the di∣vine presence resting and remaining in it; which can by no Art be so interpreted, as to make out that they are already fulfil∣led.

(3.) Many of the(c) Types of the Old Testament, prefigure and signifie such a State of Christ's Church and Kingdom: such as Paradice, the New World after the Flood, the coming Page  435 of the Israelites into Canaan, out of Aegypt, the Type of the An∣tichristian Apostasy; their Return from their Captivity in Ba∣bylon, into a peaceable possession of their Land; the Kingdom of(a) David, in which he was established upon his Con∣quest over the Heathens, and not until after many Troubles and Distresses; wherein it was an Eminent Type of Christ's Kingdom, as it proceeded from weak, small and troublesome beginnings, to strength, and a lasting Peace, after great Vi∣ctories over the Sons of Belial, and the Heathen Nations: This Kingdom is also Typified by(b) Solomon's Kingdom, and his Marriage, in the Book of Canticles; and most eminently by the(c) Sabbatism, or Rest of God, in the seventh day, after six, for finishing his Works; wherein the seventh Thousand Year designed for Christ's Kingdom, is evidently prefigured: for Christ's Kingdom being the main design of God, to be accom∣plished, in order to his Eternal Kingdom, and the chief means conducing to it; was the primary thing in his intention from the beginning, and was not only foretold by all the Prophets, but was prefigured by the(d) Types, which shall be perfect∣ly, and fully compleated in that State.

(4.)(e) Antichrist is not yet destroyed; neither are the(f) Jews called, nor is the(f) fullness of the Gentiles as yet Page  436 come in; nor are(a) all things as yet subdued unto Christ; all which yet, according to plain Scripture, are to come to pass, some of them, before Christ's Kingdom, others before it be delivered up to the Father; whence it is evident, that this Kingdom is not yet come, much less already past, as some imagine.

(5.) Christ is not yet come in his Glory, and therefore his Kingdom is not yet come: For the(b) Scriptures evidently distinguish betwixt Two Comings of Christ; the one in a State of Humiliation already past, the other in a State of Glory; and most commonly(c) joyn his Second Coming and his Kingdom together.

(6.) The Scriptures joyn the Resurrection, and the Coming and Kingdom of Christ together. Whence it is evident, that this Kingdom is not come; because the general Resurrection is not past. For thus, 1 Cor. 15.23, 24. Christ's coming plainly refers to his coming to the Kingdom, at the General Resurrection; he having all the while from his Ascension, sat at the Right Hand of the Father, in the patient Expectation of this his Glorious Kingdom, Psalm 110.1. Heb. 10.12. Rev. 1.9.

(7.) There must be such a State, in which all things, even the inanimate parts of the Creation, are to be restored to their pure, primitive State; that Christ's Redemption might be perfect and compleat: For Christ died, and made an At∣tonement Page  437 and Reconciliation by his Blood, that he might carry on the great work of Redemption, through the several Ages of the World, to its full perfection. Now, that(a) Redem∣ption consisting in restoring whatsoever the First Adam lost, there must be a Restitution of the whole Creation to its first State; or else Christ's Redemption will not be perfect. But of this more hereafter.

(8.) If the General Resurrection, and the Kingdom of Christ are the same; then the Arguments from the Justice, and Wis∣dom of God, and all the other general Topicks which are com∣monly brought for the proof of the former, will conclude as strongly for the latter: to which may be added, that it is a∣greeable to the Wisdom, Justice, and Goodness of God, that he should reserve some Age of the World for his own entire Reign in Righteousness, who had permitted the Devil, and Antichrist, to domineer in so many Ages of it; and that his Son should be visibly glorified in the sight of that very Earth, where he had been humbled, even to the Death of the Cross; and the last Act, or Period of the Oeconomy of his Exalta∣tion, should be accompanied with the greatest Glory and Ma∣jesty; as the last Act of his Humiliation, was attended with the greatest Misery and Reproach: and that his Saints, who had undergone a long state of Misery and Persecution, should inherit(a) the Earth in prosperity, according to the promises of God; and the Wicked should suffer in a Visible State of Shame and Ignominy; and that for some long space of time, and not only for a single Day of Judgment; that Men might be de∣terred from sinning here, by the length of the punishment, and(b) Page  438 by the dishonour of it, which shall be notorious to the whole Creation; whereas the Eternal State of the Damned, is an hid∣den State; besides which, according to the general cur∣rent of Scripture, there must be a Visible Appearance of the Wicked, and the Good, at the general Retribution; when God will display to the whole World the Reasons and Grounds of his procedures, and the whole Scene and Contexture of his Pro∣vidence; that his Wisdom, Justice and Goodness towards his Creatures might be seen, acknowledged, and admired by all of them; to which the continuance of Mankind, under a Visi∣ble State for some considerable time, according to their De∣merits, in the Reverse of what they enjoyed here: will very much contribute. Psalm 73. Isa. 65.13, 25. Dan. 12.1, 2. Phil. 2.9-11.

(9.) It is agreeable(a) to the wonted procedures of Al∣mighty God, that there should be a state of prosperity to his Church upon Earth. For he hath generally in all Ages punish∣ed on Earth, feirce Tyrants, and Persecutors of his Church; and given to it a general Rest, after long, and tedious Troubles, Afflictions and Persecutions; and that most commonly in the Churches Extremity, whiCh is God's Opportunity: and accord∣ingly, we may justly expect such a State, upon the Destruction of Antichrist; and that his Fall is not far off, because the two special Witness-Churches of France and Savoy, have been redu∣ced to the utmost Extremity.

(10.) The Oeconomy, Dispensation, or Fatherly Admini∣stration af this Kingdom, which is God's Houshold, is placed by the Apostle, Ephes. 1.10. in the Fullness of Times; that is, of All Time; which not being as yet expired, we may Page  439 thence conclude, that this Kingdom is not yet come. For from the Consideration of Mark 1.15. Gal. 4.4, Ephes. 1.10. and Isaiah 2.2. it seems there were as if a Line of Time in Scripture, commencing from Christ's First Coming, called the Fullness of Time; and ending in his second Coming, call∣ed, the Fullness of Times, or of all such Times.

(11.) The Monarchick(a) Image in Daniel, is not yet bro∣ken to peices, but continues in its Feet, and Ten Toes, under the Papacy, and its Ten Kings; and therefore the Kingdom of Christ is not yet come, which is to destroy it. VVhich King∣dom also, as it is there described, cannot be Christ's Evan∣gelical Kingdom, because that destroyed not Kingdoms, but converted them; nor his Kingdom of Eternity; because, ac∣cording to Prophecy, this Kingdom is to be under the Hea∣ven, and to fill the whole Earth, Dan. 2.

(12.) Very many Texts of Scripture cannot possibly be explained, at least in their Fullest, and most compleat Sense and Latitude, without supposing some such State. For even the first, and great Prophecy, Gen. 3.15. concerning the brui∣sing of the Serpents Head. is not yet fully compleated, nor will be, until Christ's Second Coming, when Sin and Death shall be utterly abolished, 1 Cor. 15. Japhet's Tents (according to Noah's Prophecy, Gen. 9.27.) have not been yet enlarged through the whole Extent of the Northern parts of the World; neither hath God yet perswaded Japheth and Shem, Gentile and Jew, to live together in the same Tents, or Church. The Promises to(b) Abraham as they are explained by the Apo∣stles) Page  440 of such a Numerous Race as shall possess almost the whole VVorld, are not fulfilled in their utmost Latitude; as neither(a) some of Jacob's Prophecies, to befal his Posterity in the last Days, Gen. 49. particularly that Remarkable one, Verse 10. for the universal and compleat gathering of the people, both Jews and Gentiles, into one Body, is not as yet come to pass. And who can say, that the(b) Prophecies contained in the places quoted in the Margent, are as yet compleatly full∣filled; or that the First(c) Petitions of the Lords Prayer, can be well understood, without the supposal of such a King∣dom?

(13.) VVhen the Apostles had received power (in which all necessary Gifts, Knowledge, as well as others, is included, Luke 24.49.) by the Holy Ghost's coming upon them; the know∣ledge of Times and Seasons was bestowed upon them by God; which indeed it was not for them to know before, of themselves, and without the Spirit; which alone knoweth the Secrets of God; for which they were rebuked by our Saviour (Acts 1.6-8.) and not for supposing such a Kingdom and Restauration. For in the first Sermon which the Apostle Peter made after the de∣scent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 3.19-26.) he plainly makes Page  441 mention of the Times, and appointed Seasons of (d) Restituti∣on, or Restauration, and Refreshment to Israel; determining also the precise Time, when this should come to pass; viz. at the second Coming of Christ from Heaven, foretold by all the Prophets; when the sins of the converted Israelites were to be blotted out, and they should have great comfort and refreshment from the presence of God by Christ's return; referring to the Prophecy of Moses (Deut. 18.15, 18, 19.) where it is fore∣told, that at the raising up, or coming of Christ, the Israelites shall hear, or obey him, in all things whatsoever he shall say unto them; which perfect Obedience hath not been as yet paid un∣to Christ's Doctrine by them; and therefore the Words must refer to some Second Coming; when, according to the Te∣nor of that, and other places of Scripture, the faithful Jews shall be restored, comforted and rewarded; and the Disobedient shall be destroyed from among the people.

(Lastly,) The Apostle, 1 Cor. 15.24.-29. plainly asserts, that Christ shall have such a Distinct and Peculiar Kingdom to himself, as that he may be said in the Exercise of it, not to be subject to God the Father; and God the Father, during that Kingdom, not to be all in all. Which cannot be understood concerning him whilst he was upon Earth; because he was then in a State of Humiliation, and Sufferings, being made low∣er then the Angels, and having taken upon himself the Form of a Servant, Phil. 2.7, 8. Heb. 2.9: nor concerning him as he is now in Heaven; because he is represented in Scrip∣ture in his present State, as sitting on the Right Hand of God; whereby is denoted his enjoying and possessing, as the Son(c) Page  442 of Man, a Glory and Authority next to that of God the Father; and the Exercise of his Regal Office, as a Branch of his Mediatorship, as in subjection, and subordination unto him; and as in expectation of having his Enemies subdued by the Father, Psalm 110.1. Heb. 10.12, 13. Nor can this be understood concerning the Kingdom of Eternity; be∣cause then God will be All in All; And although Christ must Reign in his Humane Nature to all Eternity, yet that is not as Mediator, but as God-Man(a) glorified with the Glo∣ry which he had with the Father before the World was; in which State his Humane Nature is not to have a proper and peculiar Glory of it self; but one in and with God, from him, and him alone: And therefore this must be understood con∣cerning some State of his Kingdom (called 1 Cor. 15.24. The Kingdom) in which Christ, as Son of Man, and Mediators, shall appear to Reign so gloriously, with such Evidences, and Ma∣nifestations of Glory, in and from himself, as that he may be said, not to be subject to the Father, but to have a distinct King∣dom of his own, although communicated from God the Fa∣ther; in which he Reigns freely and absolutely as King, and net as a Vice-Roy limited by a Commission; and which was not to be One with his Fathers Kingdom, until all things be∣come One in him; when Christ's Mediatory Kingdom is to cease; A Mediator, not being a Mediator of One. Now if there be such a Kingdom, and that Kingdom be not his Me∣diatory, nor Eternal Kingdom; what Kingdom can it be, but that Glorious Kingdom we have been treating of; which is to begin (as the Apostle there intimates, and shall be shewn hereafter) at the Resurrection, and is to end when all things are subdued unto the Son; when he shall deliver up his King∣dom Page  443 in which the Saints had been sanctified by him, and pre∣pared for Union with God; according to the Tenor of that admirable Prayer of our Saviour (John 17.) the Pattern of his Intercession. Q. E. D,

¹⁵ It is no where expresly said in Scripture, that Christ shall come down upon the Earth at the Day of Judgment; but on∣ly that he shall appear in the Clouds(a) over the Earth, in the lowest part of the Heavens, into which be descends from the highest Heavens, Judging the World, and Reigning there with his Saints. 1 Thes. 4.16, 17.

¹⁶ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Thousand Years; which are to be understoood of a definite space of time; as appears from the Epocha, and Period assigned to this Line of Time; which is dated from the binding of the Devil, and ends in the loosing of him.

And the Thousand Years are to be understood Literally, and not Prophetically, reckoning each Day for a Year; because all Prophetical Time will be at an end before the Blessed Mil∣lennium begins; according to Christ's Oath (Rev. 10.6.) that Time should be no longer, after the expiring of the 1260 Years, the Times foretold by the Prophets. Now if Prophe∣ticall Time be at an end before the Thousand Years enter; then they must be Literally, and not Prophetically understood; in which sense if they were to be taken, the Glory of the Divine State, in which God is all in all, would be deferred to so vast a length of Time, as could not rationally be supposed. But that this State is to last such a precise Number of Years, seems Page  444 to be plainly asserted by the Apostle Peter (2. Ep. 3.8.) who discoursing concerning the Day of Judgment, delivers this remarkable Axiom, (of which he charges those he wrote to, to take special notice, as of a thing very observable) viz. That one Day is with the Lord as a Thousand Years, and a Thousand Years as one Day. In which place the Apostle answers an Ob∣jection which he foresaw would be made by some Scoffers in the last Days, against the coming of Christ to dissolve this pre∣sent World, and make a New One; and tells the that this should certainly come to pass at the Day of Judg∣ment.

But least his meaning should be mistaken, he says, that by the Day of Judgment, he does not mean a single ordinary Day, but a Day in the mysterious Account, and Reckoning of Almighty God, who made all things in Number, as well as in Weight and Measure; and had ordained accordingly, that a Day in his Account should be reckoned as a Thousand Years, and a Thou∣sand Years as One Day; and therefore that the Day of Judg∣ment being One of the Lord's Days (called frequently the Day of the Lord in Scripture) must consist of a Thousand Li∣teral Years; and a Thousand Years (when spoken of with re∣lation to some mystical Day, or Time of the Lord) must be ac∣counted as One mystical Day; comprehending a Thousand Years of common Account. And also he further intimates, that the Days of the Lord (in which he perfected the Work of the Creation, and rested from it) being Seven, there must con∣sequently pass before the Day of Judgment, six Thousand Years, or six mystical Days; and that the Day of Judgment must accordingly last a Thousand Years, which should be a Day of Sabbatism, or a Thousand Years of Rest or Peace, and of Sanctification or Righteousness; in correspondence to Gods resting on the Seventh Day, and blessing, and sanctifying it.

And this Interpretation of the place is not only agreeable Page  345 to the Traditions(a) of the Jews, to whom the Apostle wrote; and to the Sentiments of the Primitive Christians; but al∣so may be stongly enforced from the Circumstances of the Text it self. For if this were not the sense of the VVords, and it contained only this plain Natural Truth, that Time is nothing to Eternity, why should so solemn an Admonition be prefixed to it? VVhich is also a sense nothing proper to the scope of the Apostle; who was to answer the Objection of the Scoffers; and to comfort the Christians under the delay and long suffering of God; and to excite them to look for it, and hasten unto it; to which end it was no ways proper to tell them, that each Natural day of the Year, was with the Lord as a Thousand Years; which would but have encreased their impatient expectation; and would withal not have answered the Objection of the Scoffers; because there might be, for all the Apostle had asserted, many Thousand Years before the Pro∣mise of his coming should be fulfilled. VVhereas the other Interpretation, affords Hope to the Christians, that things should not always continue as they were, but that this wick∣ed World should be at last destroyed, and a New One suc∣ceed it; wherein they should be found of Christ at his com∣ing, in peace, that is, in a state of rest and peace, to their good and prosperity; according to what the Apostle Paul had written unto them in his Epistle to the(b) Hebrews; where, besides the Rest from the VVorks of the Creation; and that promised to the Israelites in the Land of Canaan; he makes mention of another Rest, which he calls a certain limited Day, wherein another kind of Rest is to be expected; plainly intima∣ting the Day of Rest in the Times of the Messias, or a Sab∣batism (as the word ought to be translated, verse 9.) that is, a Page  446 seventh Thousand Years of Peace and Righteousness, after six Thousand of Labour, Misery and Sin; for, (according to the Key of Mystical Knowledge given by the Apostles Peter and John) after a(a) Millenary Week, the Everlasting Sabbath shall commence.

And further, this Number is to be taken literally, because by it is signified a State of Perfection; a Year being the per∣fect Revolution of the Sun; and a Thousand, being a perfect Number; and the perfection both of Time and Numbers con∣curring in a Thousand Years. For a Thousand Years is a Cube(b) of Time, whose Root is Ten; whereby is signified a steddy, uninterrupted, and permanent State, of which a Cube is the Symbol; and withal a perfect one, to which no other State is to succeed, but is to be swallowed up in the perfecti∣on of Eternity; as the Number Ten is a perfect Number, be∣yond which there is no simple Number, and comprehends all simple Numbers in it.

Whence it is, that Man, being a sinful and imperfect Crea∣ture, could never arrive to the Term of a Thousand Years (as Jachiades, a Jew, has observed on Dan. 7.25.) the pe∣riod of a perfect State upon Earth; which the First Adam could not reach (for if he had, he had been probably trans∣lated into an Immortal State) nor any of the Sons of Adam during the Old World; but is proper only to the Sons of the Resurrection in the New World of the Second Adam, or the Messias.

Page  4475 But the ¹⁷ rest [or remnant] of the dead [i. e. those who we•e slain by the Sword of Christ's Mouth, Chap. 19.21.] lived ¹⁸ not again, ¹⁹ until the Thousand Years were finished. This [living again of the Saints and Martyrs] ²⁰ is the first Resurrection, [of Life, John 5.29. 1 Thes. 4.15, 16.]

¹⁷ It is plain from what hath been observed in the forego∣ing Annotation, that the Day of(a) Judgment mentioned in the Doctrinal parts of Scripture, is the same with the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ; Day(b) often signifying in Scri∣pture a long space af Time, and not only a single Day. And therefore, seeing that the Wicked are to be judged as well as the Good, they must be here meant by the rest of the Dead; who are evidently the same with the Wicked People slain with the Sword of Christ's Mouth, Chap. 19.21. the same Expres∣sions being used in both places.

¹⁸ The Wicked indeed live again, when they are raised to Judgment; but because they rise only to Shame, and Ever∣lasting Contempt, (as the Prophet Daniel speaks, Chap. 12.2.) and lye as dead, or slain under the condemning power of Christs Gospel, the Sword proceeding out of his Mouth; and shall ne∣ver live a Life of Happiness; therefore are they represented here as dead(c) Men, which lived not again; and accord∣ingly, they are seldom mentioned in the general Discourses in the(d) New Testament about the Resurrection.

Page  448

¹⁹ They are represented during the Thousand Years, as in a dead, spiritless, and unactive State, lying under the Judiciary Sentence of Condemnation; and the perdition which the day of Judgment shall bring upon ungodly men, 2 Pet. 3.7. upon the expiring of which, they become active, gather to Battle, and compass the Camp of the Saints, Verse 8, 9.

²⁰ This refers to the Resurrection, and living again of the Saints and Martyrs, mentioned in the Fourth Verse; who are the Children of the Resurrection, Luke 20.36. aand the dead in Christ that shall rise first; whose Resurrection hereupon is call∣ed The First Resurrection; i. e. the Resurrection of those who shall rise first at the beginning of Christ's Kingdom, and who are to have a Second Resurrection (as it may be call∣ed in the sense that(a) word may be taken, Lament. 3.63. Heb. 11.35.) when they, together with the living Saints, shall be caught up, to be ever with the Lord in his Eternal Kingdom; to which their first Resurrection to Glory is a prepa∣rative: there being Four several Resurrections (as they may be called) in Scripture.

(1.) To a Life of Grace, and of the Divine Spirit here.

(2.) Of separate Spirits with Christ.

(3.) The Resurrection to a state of Glory in Christ's Thousand Years Kingdom.

(4.) The State they are caught up, to when they are uni∣ted to God in an endless Life to all Eternity.

For as the Change the Living Saints are to undergo, may be called a* Death, so may their being caught up be called a Re∣surrection.

Page  449

But because the Wicked(a) shall rise at the same time with the Just, and they both shall appear together at Christ's Tri∣bunal; therefore is their State here accounted for together with that of the Just; and the Resurrection not mentioned un∣til that be declared; although it is not properly a Resurre∣ction (which word when it is used simply, and absolutely, as it is here, signifies usually the(b) Resurrection of Life) but a Death.

6 Blessed [in a most especial manner, because he waiteth, and cometh to the end of Times; and the beginning of Christ's Kingdom, Dan. 12.12.] and holy [for they also are of the Num∣ber of the Saints, who are not perfect without them, and shall at last be caught up with them, 1 Thes. 4.15, 17. Heb. 11.40. 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. Isa. 4.2, 3.] is ²¹ he [i. e. they which are alive, and remain unto the Coming of the Lord, 1 Thes 4.15, 17. Isa. 4.2, 3.] that hath [although but a] part [or share,] in the first Re∣surrection [and not an entire possession of the whole Happiness, and Glories, of that blessed State of Life and Reign with Christ, until they are caught up unto him, 1 Thes. 4.17.] on such the ²² se∣cond Death [in the Lake of •ire and Brimstone, Verse 14, 15. Chap. 21.8.] hath no power [at all, for they being the Living, shall always live, and having part in the first Resurrection to Life; shall be found in the Book of Life, Dan. 12.1. Ezek. 47.9. and the 15th Verse of this Chapter;] but they shall be Priests of God [i. e. Holy, and dedicated to his Service alone,] and of Christ [enjoy∣ing the full benefit of his Redemption, in White, Priestly Robes of Righteousness, washed in his Blood, Chap. 1, 16.5, 10.19, 8, 9] and shall reign ²³ with him a Thousand ²⁴ Ye•rs [i. e. shall enjoy a pure, peaceable, and glorious Church-State, and be a Political Body upon Earth, governing the whole World for a Thousand Years, according to the Laws of Christ's Gospel, by Page  450 virtue of his Power, and in relation unto, and dependance on him, Dan. 2. and 7th. See Notes on Verse 4.]

²¹ If the Sons, and Children of the First Resurrection be the Saints, and Martyrs, who rise first, and come with Christ in his Kingdom; then the He, or Body of Men, (as the Article so often signifies) here mentioned, must be the(a) (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) The We living, or the Generation af Saints and Believers (such as the Apostle was) who shall be alive upon Earth at Christ's Coming, and shall never have Died, or fallen asleep in the Lord; but shall have been kept(b) alive, and preserved, as a Remnant (therefore called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) in the Judgment, and Burning, the Battle, and Fire of the last Day; because there are no other Saints mentioned in Scripture, who can be said to be partakers of the Resurrection.

And they are properly said to have but a part in the first Resurrection; because they shall only be changed at the first Resurrection, when the Dead in Christ rise first; but shall not have such spiritual and incorruptible Bodies, and put on such Immortality, as the Dead Saints raised to Life, have at the ve∣ry first moment of their Resurrection, until they are caught up in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air, so as to be ever with him, 1 Thes. 4.17. 1 Cor. 15.52. Who are also here very remarkably placed in their due order, according to Do∣ctrinal Scripture; viz. after the Resurrection of the dead Saints to life, and the Resurrection of the dead Wicked, to condemna∣tion; who rise together; Whereas the living Saints are not caught up (which may be called a Resurrection) until afterwards, 1 Thes. 4.15, 16, 17.

Page  451

Which will appear more plain from a close, and due con∣sideration of what Doctrinal Scripture hath delivered con∣cerning the Resurrection; in which it is asserted,

(1.) That Christ is the(a) First Fruits of them that sleep; from whence it follows, that the Saints raised, may be very well meant by the Harvest (Rev. 14.15.) before which the First Fruits were wont to be offered under the Law.

(2.) The Apostle asserts, 1 Cor. 15.22, 23. 1 Thes. ••, 16. that there shall be an Order observed in the Vivification, or Resurrection of the Just to Immortality, and Incorruptibili∣ty; in which Sense the Apostle must be understood, 1 Thes. 4.16. where he says, that the Dead in Christ shall rise first, that is, to Incorruptibility; for otherwise, if Resurrection be to be taken simply, and absolutely, the Just do not rise before the Ʋnjust; nor are the living Saints changed after them; but all of them rise together in the same moment, 1 Cor: 15.52.

(3.) The Bodies(b) of the Dead Saints are first raised, and that incorruptible, at the Descent of Christ from Heaven with a shout; and being caught up into the Air, are united to their Spirits; and then they come, or are brought along with Christ, at his Revelation, and Appearing in his Kingdom.

(4.) The Living Saints are(c) changed indeed, at the same moment that the Dead Saints are raised; but they are not Page  452 caught up to an Incorruptible and Immortal State until after∣wards; as the Apostle expresly asserts, 1 Thes. 4.16, 17. where he says, that the dead in Christ shall rise first; and that then, or afterwards (for so the word ought to be trans∣lated here, as it is 1 Cor. 15.23. that the Apostle might not seem to contradict what he had said just before concerning the Dead rising first) the surviving Saints should be caught up in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air, to be with him to all Eternity in Heaven. Which is also asserted by the Apostle at the 15th Verse; where he says, that the Saints, who shall be alive at the Day of Judgment, shall not prevent them which are asleep; that is, shall not rise before them, or shall not(a) attain the same State of Incorruptibility, and Immor∣tality, they shall enjoy at the very moment of the sounding of the last Trump, until afterwards; which distance of Time is not determined by the Apostle; and may be many Years for ought that is asserted in this place by him; because the same word is used 1 Cor. 15.23. concerning the distance betwixt Christ's Resurrection, and that of the Dead Saints; which is now, almost the space of seventeen hundred Years. And al∣though the Apostle, 1 Thes. 4.17. seems to assert, that the Living Saints shall be caught, up together with the Dead Saints; yet those words must not be so understood; as if the Living Saints were caught up, at the same moment that the Dead Saints rise; for then the Apostle would contradict himself; but must be understood according to the acceptation of the word (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉), Rom. 3.12. viz. that they shall be caught up in their own Order and Time, as well as the other, and be in the like State with them; or else do rather refer to the last joynt Ascent of both together, into the higher Regions of the Page  453 Air (the appearance of Christ hitherto having been perhaps in some lower parts of it) in order to their being for ever with the Lord.

This, and such like Parallels betwixt the Doctrinal and Prophetical parts of Scripture, as to this Point of the Resurre∣ction; did incline me to understand it in a litteral Sense; which I was for a long while averse to, (as I since find Mr.(a) Mede was) until by a more close consideration of what Dr. Beverley hath discoursed on this Point; I was fully con∣vinced.

²² By Second Death is meant Final, Eternal Punishment; to distinguish it from the First Death of the slain with the Sword of Christ's Mouth; for at the very beginning of Christs Kingdom, the Wicked are slain by the Conviction, Sentence and Condemnation of Christ's Gospel, and Appearance; which is called, the making of his Foes his Footstool, Psalm 110.1. 1 Cor. 15.25. Rom. 16.20. Heb. 2.5-9. where∣by the first Act of Christ's Regal Power, at his first sending of the Rod of his strength out of Zion, to bring his Enemies under the Footstool of his Throne, seems to be signified; un∣der which they lie in a state of Death, that is, Condemnati∣on, and Inability to act any thing against Christ's Kingdom, until the Thousand Years are accomplished; when they are permitted to break forth into open Enmity and Hostility; and are at last utterly subdued, and cast into the Lake, to suffer Eternal Punishments; and the Son shall put down (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) or abolish, and bring to naught, all his Enemies; even Death it self, the last Enemy to be subdued, 1 Cor. 15.24, 26. Page  454 But those who are partakers in the first Resurrection, being found alive at Christ's first appearing in his Kingdom, are continued in that State; and suffer no Death at all; neither the first, proceeding from the Convictions of Christ's Gos∣pel and Judgments; nor the second, of final Condemna∣tion.

²³ They may be said to Reign with Christ, in the sense that we are said to be crucified with Christ, and to live with him: for the Personal(a) Reign of Christ upon Earth, cannot be proved from Scripture; whatsoever Glorious Appearances may be of his Humanity, from his Throne in the Clouds, and the possession of the Kingdom is given to the Saints in Da∣niel: of which more hereafter, as occasion offers.

²⁴ Here it may be observed,

(1.) That the same individual Thousand Years, are meant throughout the whole Chapter; as appears from the Greek Article (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉); whereby, reference is made to each foregoing Thousand Years, and it is shewn that they are the same. For Satan is bound a Thousand Years, Verse 2. and is restrained, Verse 3. from deceiving the Nations (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) during the same thousand Years: The Dead Saints and Martyrs live and Reign with Christ (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) for the same space of Years, Verse 4. during which also, the Wicked are in a state of Death, Verse 5. The Living Saints are partakers in the first Resurrection, during a Thousand Years, Verse 6. at the End of which very Thousand Years, Satan is loosed, Verse 7. Whence it will follow, that the Thousand Years during which Page  455 Satan was bound, are the same with those, during which the Living Saints Reigned with Christ; and that they are the same with the Thousand Years assigned to the Dead Saints rai∣sed, and the Dead State of the Wicked; because they which a∣gree in one Third, must agree amongst themselves.

(2.) That there are but three sorts of Mankind to whom the Thousand Years are assigned; viz. The Dead-raised, Saints and Martyrs: The Dead Wicked, raised to a Spiritual and Political Death: and the Living Saints changed: for there are only so many parts, or sorts of Mankind, in the state of the Thousand Years; and it is not assigned to any Living-Wicked, who shall live wickedly, and then die; because whatsoever liveth at all, shall live, Ezek. 47.9.

7 And when the [foregoing] Thousand Years [during which he had been bound, and restrained from deceiving the Nations, Verse 2, 3] were expired, Satan shall be ²⁵ loosed out of his Prison [i. e. his close Restraints from all power and liberty of Temptation shall be taken off.]

²⁵ Satan, who was always a Prisoner, and in everlasting Chains under Darkness, unto the Judgment of the Great Day; was more peculiarly restrained, during the Thousand Years, from all power of Temptation; which he had exercised, not∣withstanding his Chains of Darkness, from the time of his Fall from his first Estate, until then; when he was closely confined by the Glorious Appearance of Christ, and his King∣dom, in the New Heaven and Earth: but when that Appear∣ance was withdrawn from the New Earth, then Satan was, as it were, loosed, and at liberty to tempt; which he could not do, whilst the Holiness, Righteousness, Truth and Justice of Christ's Kingdom, appeared in their full Power and Glory.

Page  4568 And shall go out [of his Prison, and Restraints to and fro in the Earth, seeking whom he may devour,] to deceive the ²⁶ Nati∣ons, which are in the four * quarters [or Corners] of the Earth, Gog ²⁷ and Magog [i. e. the Enemies of God and his Christ, Ezek. 38.2, 3.39, 8. Rev. 19.18, 19, 21.] to gather them together [from all parts,] to ²⁸ Battel [i. e. to oppose, persecute and destroy Christ's Kingdom upon Earth:] the ²⁹ number of whom is as the Sand of the Sea [i. e. exceeding great, Ezek 38.8, 9, 15, 16.]

²⁶ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,(a) that is, Gentiles, or Aliens, from the New Je∣rusalem State; banished, as it were, from that happy Society, into the Four Quarters, or Corners of the Earth; and living there as without God, in the New World of the Messias; belei∣ving indeed, but as the Devils do, with trembling, which is a Spiritual Death; who were typified by the Hamonah, and Multitude of Nations, Ezek. 38, 8, 9, 15, 16.39, 11, 16. who are to come up against the New Jerusalem, in the latter Days, after the Resurrection, Conversion, and Return of the Jews, and their Ʋnion with the Gentiles into One Church; as appears from Ezek. Chapters 36, 37, 38, 39.

Now whatsoever is meant by these Nations in Ezekiel; it is plain, that in this place they can be no other than some of those to whom the Thousand Years are here assigned, who are the whole of Mankind: and seeing that it cannot be supposed that the Saints of any kind can be possibly engaged in such a design, against Christ's Kingdom, (as being the saved, and hea∣led, the Living, the Sons, and Partakers of the first Resurre∣ction, and secured by Christ, the Second Adam, in a State of Righteousness, who will lose none that are his, as the first Adam did) it will follow, that by these Nations must be Page  457 understood, the remnant slain, the rest of the Dead, who li∣ved not again, or the Dead-Wicked, raised to a state of Con∣demnation, and continuing under the Awe and Terror of it, during the Glories of Christ's Kingdom; who are now stirred up by Satan, their Head and Ringleader, to attack the Camp of the Saints upon Earth; whom he thought he might easi∣ly overcome, now the more immediate Presence and Assist∣ance of Christ was withdrawn from them. And to this sense agree many Expressions in Ezekiel, who calls them the Mul∣titude, or Nations of the Dead (Chap. 39.8-17.) and also the general scope of this Chapter, which has a relation, as is granted by all Interpreters, to what will come to pass at the last Judgment, and the Resurrection.

* In the Four Corners, or Angles of the New Earth, which is represented as a square City, or Camp; without which, as it were, at the Four Angles, and Corners of it, the Wicked are placed, here and Chap. 22.15. in allusion to the Custom a∣mongst the Jews of executing Offenders without the Camp, and City; and of excluding and excommunicating all unclean persons out of it, Numb. 5.1-4. Heb. 13.11, 12, 13.

²⁷ This is a plain proof, that these Nations are typified by the multitude of the Dead, in Ezekiel; who calls them Gog, and the Land of Magog; by which the(a) Northern, and Scythian Nations are understood, in Scripture; a Type of the Enemies of God's Church and Kingdom, prophesied of in Old Time by the servants of God, the Prophets of Israel, un∣der Page  458 the Names of such Nations as were the Chief Enemies of the Jews, in the particular Times of each Prophet, Ezek. 38.17. So that Gog and Magog seems to denote the whole multi∣tude of God's Enemies in each Age; which admirably agrees with what hath been discoursed already; to wit, that these Nations are the Wicked dead of every Age of the World, rai∣sed to Condemnation.

²⁹ This Battel is distinct from that at Armageddon; which was before the Thousand Years. Neither will it appear in∣credible, that the Faln Angels, and the Damned, should again attempt such a Design; and that after they had experienced the power of Christ's Wrath for a Thousand Years: If we con∣sider, that the Devils retain the same Enmity against God, not∣withstanding their many Ages of Punishment, and their Ex∣pectation of an Eternal Doom; and that this Attempt was under the wise Permission, and Order of Almighty God, at a time when his more immediate Glorious Presence was with∣drawn from the New Earth of his Saints, and the Laodice∣an state of Coldness and Indifferency, to the Glories of Christ's Kingdom, began. For the Wicked Nations, as they went down to Hell (according to the Expressions of Ezekiel, Chap. 32.26, 27.) with their Weapons of War; that is, with the same Enmity to Christ in which they lived; and laid their Swords under their Heads, in a readiness to act the same Wickedness over again; so are they raised with the same Passions, only the more enraged for their Punishments; and may very well be supposed out of Envy and Revenge, for their long confine∣ment under a State of Punishment and Infamy, to engage in this Attempt.

²⁹ Although the Number of the Wicked, who shall be rai∣sed to Condemnation, will be very great; yet there will not be any inconvenience to our Assertion from thence, as if the Earth would be incumbred with so vast a Number of wicked Page  459 persons; because no very great space will be required for their confinement; if that be true, which is asserted by Sir William(a) Petty; That half the Island of Ireland, would af∣ford not only Footing to stand upon, but Graves to lye down in, for the whole Number of Men now living, and also for those that have died since the beginning of the World. To which may be added, that their Bodies shall be spiritual; they being to par∣take of the spirituality of the Resurrection, although not of the Purity and Blessedness of it.

9 And they went up [in Battle array, 1 Kings 10.1. from the Quarters and Corners to which they were confined,] on the breadth of the Earth [i. e. to assault the Kingdom of Christ, which had spread it self over the whole Earth, Isa. 8, 8.49, 6. Psalm 72.8.] and compassed [or besieged] the Camp ³⁰ of the Saints [who reign with Christ, Verse 6.] and the ³¹ beloved City [i. e. they endeavoured to destroy Christ's Kingdom, and the New Jerusa∣lem State on Earth. See on Chap. 21.2, 3.] and ³² [or, but] Fire came down from God out of Heaven, and devoured them [i. e. they were suddenly, and miraculously discomfited by God, and most severe Judgments were inflicted upon them, by God's fiery Wrath and Indignation, Ezek. 38.22, 23.39, 6, 9, 10.]

³⁰ A Metaphor from the Camp of the Israelites in the Wil∣derness; a Type of the Church and Kingdom of Christ. See Ains∣worth on Numb. 2.27.

³¹ Jerusalem is called God's Beloved, Psalm 60, 5.108, 6. which was a Type of the New Jerusalem State, the Holy City, the Bride, and Beloved of her Husband, Chap. 21.

Page  460

³² The Israelites are represented by Ezekiel (Chap. 38.11.) as living in unwalled Villages, without Bars and Gates, safely, and at rest; when they shall be invaded by Gog, that is, the Heathen Nations, out of whose Captivity they are to be brought. And in such a Posture may the Saints upon Earth be well presumed to be, after the Thousand Years; when the Laodicean State (as hath been before observed on Chap. 3.14-21.) begins; in which, through a long conti∣nuance of Glory, and Prosperity, the Saints upon Earth be∣gan to be less Zealous, and did not so ardently desire to be caught up to Christ, and be for ever with him, as they had be∣fore done.

10 And the Devil that deceived them [or the Deceiver of them, and that from the beginning, John 4.44. 1 John 3.8.] was [without any Tryal, as being taken in the very Fact, and having been a notorious Murtherer, and Lyar from the beginning, and the Father of all Sin, and Enmity to Christ's Kingdom;] cast [im∣mediately,] into the ³³ Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the ³⁴ Beast, and the False Prophet are [who were before cast into it; Chap. 19.20.] and shall be tormented day aad night for ever and ever [i. e. he was ad∣judged upon undeniable Evidence of Fact, to a State of utter in∣ability of acting against God and Christ, and to extreme Tor∣ments to all Eternity, without intermission.]

³³ He, and his cheif Agents, are condemned to the same punishment; having no remains of any Power left, no more than there is of a thing which is consumed by Fire; for the Devil shall not be only held in Chains, as formerly, but all his Power, and Authority, shall be utterly abolished. Gro∣tius in locum, & in Cap. 19,20.

³⁴ From hence it appears, that Gog and Magog is not Anti∣christ, as some have thought; because Antichrist was in the Lake before their Discomfiture and Condemnation.

Page  46111 And I saw a ³⁵ great white ³⁶ Throne [i. e. a Representation of the last, and great Act of Judicature, in which all Enmity was destroyed, and the living, remaining Saints, were caught up to the Lord, to sit with him on his Throne; and all which belong∣ed to Christ's Kingdom, were fully sanctified, and glorified, and prepared for Union with God to all Eternity, 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. Rev. 3.21.] and him that sat on it [i. e. Christ, Matth. 25.31. Acts 17.21.] from whose ³⁷ Face [or Presence; upon the Declarati∣on of his Will,] the [³⁸ New] Earth, and the [³⁸ New] Heaven, sled ³⁹ away [or disappeared, at his Rebuke and Command,] and there was found no ⁴⁰ place for them [i. e. they were utterly abolish∣ed, and annihilated; Psalm 37.10. Dan. 2.35. Rev. 12.8.]

³⁵ It was a great Throne, because all who had overcome, were to sit with Christ in it; and the whole World was to be fi∣nally Judged at it: and it was White, to shew the Glory, Sanctity, and Purity of Christ's Justice, and of the State in which the Saints were now to be invested; who at this great and last Session, are caught up together into the Air, to be with Christ for ever, after they had Judged the World with him.

³⁶ From the Appearance of this Throne, and the follow∣ing Judgment, it may be concluded, that this was the Laodi∣cean State of the Church, according to the importance of the Word, which signifies the Judging of the People. See on Chap. 3.

³⁷ Face, signifies a stedfast Will and Purpose, shewn by Gestures, or other Signs and Circumstances; as the word is ta∣ken, Luke 9.51-53.

^{38 38} These must be the New Heaven, and New Earth, whose Description is given in the following Chapter; be∣cause they fly away after the Expiration of the Thousand Years, which is the space of Time allotted to the Duration of the Reign and Kingdom of Christ, and of the Holy City, prepa∣red Page  462 as a Bride, the New Jerusalem; which are to be, not in the Old, but the New Heaven and Earth; as will plainly ap∣pear to any one who compares this Chapter with the follow∣ing, wherein (as is all along observed) are such Descripti∣ons given of the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ, as can agree to no other but a New Heaven, and New Earth, in which dwelleth Righteousness.

³⁹ This New Earth flies away, but the Old One is to be dis∣solved by Fire; of which, flying away, is not a proper Ex∣pression.

⁴⁰ The Psalmist expresseth the Death of a Man, by his place knowing him no more, Psalm 103.16. But when it is said, That no place is found for a thing, thereby seems to be denoted its utter annihilation, and withal the impossibility of any other thing succeeding in its place, because there is no place remaining, into which it should succeed. Whence it follows, that this is the last Heaven and Earth; and that no New Ones are to succeed it; and that nothing else shall remain after it but the Eternal Kingdom of God, All in All, in the highest Heavens, and the Lake of the Damned.

12 And I saw the ⁴¹ Dead [in Trespasses and Sins, who had lain in an unactive State of Infamy, during the Thousand Years, and were afterwards discomfited by the Fire of God, which came down from Heaven, Verse 5, 9.] small ⁴² and great [i. e. all sorts, and the whole Race of them, Chap. 19.18.] stand before God [to be judged by him,] and the ⁴³ Books [of God's Omniscience, Mens Consciences, and the Law,] were opened [i. e. Mens Actions, and God's Knowledge of them, were made manifest.] and ⁴⁴ another Book was opened, which is the Book ⁴⁴ of Life, [viz. the Lamb's Book of Life, from the foundation of the World, Chap. 3, 5.13, 8.17, 8, 21, 27.] and the [Wicked] Dead [raised to Condemnati∣on, and discomfited by God's severe Judgment and Indignation, and now brought all together to receive their final Sentence,] were Page  463 judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their [own wicked] Works [which were not also found written in the Book of Life, Verse 15.]

⁴¹ Hence it appears, that this is the Judgment of the Nati∣ons, the Gog-Magog, who were discomfited, Verse 9. because they are called, the Dead, in Ezekiel, and the Slain, and Dead in this Prophecy.

⁴² Hence it also appears, that these are the Kings, and their Armies, mentioned Chap. 19.18, 19. who are the slain, and the all men, small and great; viz. the whole Race of wicked Men.

⁴³ A Metaphor(a) taken from the Rolls and Records of Courts of Judicature; and from the Registers kept by the Ea∣stern Kings, of the Actions of their Reigns; whereby God's exact Justice, and the perfect Knowledge which he hath of all Mens Actions, is set forth; and the evident Conviction which will attend the procedures of that Great Day, Matth. 12.36. 1 Cor. 4.5.

^{44 44} This is is the Book of Election, and Predestination, belonging to the Living in the New Jerusalem State; which is represented as One single Book; because it depends upon One single Decree of God, and One single Cause of that Decree, viz. the free Grace, and Good Pleasure of God in Christ, Acts 13.48. Rom. 8.28, &c. Eph. 1. VVhereas the Books of Re∣probation are many; because that depends upon the many E∣vil Actions of Men; which, Justice particularly weighs and Page  464 considers; and upon the Multitude and Diversity of Sinners, which are to be convicted and condemned, according to the Sins each of them had particularly committed; So that there is to be, a• it were, a particular Book of Conscience for each of them. And it is Another (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Book, or a Book of another sort or kind; to shew, that the Elect shall be justified, and sa∣ved by Free Grace, and not for their VVorks; nor even accor∣ding to their own VVorks, but those which Christ had wrought in them.

13 And [or for] the Sea ⁴⁵ gave up [or had before given up, to Death, ⁴⁶ and Hell,] the Dead which were in it [viz. at the beginning of the Day of Judgment, when the Dead Wicked were raised to Condemnation] and Death and Hell [i. e. the common Recep∣tacle of the Wicked, where they were under Confinement and Punishment during the Thousand Years,] delivered up, [now at this last Act of Judicature,] the Dead which were in them [i. e. all the Wicked which had been under their Confinement;] and they [i. e. the Dead Wicked,] were judged every man according to their Works ⁴⁷ [which were not found written in the Book of Life; and which they had lately done against the Camp and City of God; as well as for all their other wicked Deeds which they had done whilst they were in the Flesh in this present World.]

⁴⁵ Grotius and Piscator render the VVord, had given up, which must refer to the rising of the Dead Wicked, at the beginning of the Thousand Years; when, because there was to be No Sea in the New Earth, the Sea gave up its Dead.

⁴⁶ For the Dead Wicked were condemned at first to the Four Corners of the Earth; which were as a kind of Hades, or Common Receptacle of the Dead, answerable to the Hamo∣nah, or City of Dead Carcases, in Ezekiel, Chap. 38, and 39. See on Verse 8. and Mr. Mede, pag. 57 1. and Bishop Ʋshers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge, concerning Limbus Pa∣trum.

Page  465

⁴⁷ Their Works, in the former Verse, are represented as written in Books; because being committed long before, they were thereby to be put in remembrance of them; and there∣fore the Books are opened unto them. But here being no men∣tion of Books opened, it may well be concluded, that these Works were those which they had newly committed against the beloved City, Verse 9. which being fresh in their Memo∣ries, there needed not any writing of them in Books, in order to their conviction.

14 And Death, ⁴⁸ and Hell [or the Grave, the last Enemies to be destroyed, 1 Cor. 15.26, 55.] were cast into the Lake of fire [i. e. Mor∣tality, and all Places of Punishment, except that designed for the Eternal Torment of the Wicked, were annihilated; there being now no further use of them; and they having delivered up the Dead which were in them:] This [casting into the Lake,] is the ⁴⁹ second Death [i. e. Death Eternal, Matth. 10.28. See on Verse 6.]

⁴⁸ These are the Enemies of Christ, which, according to Doctrinal Scripture, in full concurrence with Prophetical, are to be destroyed by him at last; just before the delivery of his Kingdom up to the Father, 1 Cor. 15.25, 26, 54, 55, 56.

⁴⁹ As that Expression, (Verse 5.) this is the first Resurrecti∣on, seems to denote, that it was to be at the beginning of Christs Kingdom; so does this parallel Expression intimate, that this Second Death was to be at the End, and last Appear∣ance of it; These Two being, as it were, solemn Inscripti∣ons on Two Pillars; shewing the Two Bounds of Christ's Kingdom; beginning in a First Resurrection of Saints, and a First Death of the Wicked; and ending in a Second Resur∣rection to Glory of the former, and a Second Death of the latter; as Absolute, Final, and Immutable as the Life of the former.

Page  46615 And ⁵⁰ whosoever was not found written in the [Lamb's] Book of Life [i. e. whosoever was not a Living Member of Christ's Kingdom, during the Thousand Years of Life and Blessedness;] was cast into the Lake of Fire [i. e. was punished with Eternal Tor∣ments.]

⁵⁰ The Reprobate are not only judged according to the Rules of Justice, by their own works; but the Book of absolute, soveraign, and free Grace, is looked into, when they are con∣demned; to shew the Agreement there is betwixt God's De∣crees, and the proceedings of his Rectoral Justice, in condem∣ning Sinners, according to their own demerits; there being none left out of the Book of Life and Grace; who shall not be shewn to have justly deserved to be condemned for their own sins.

And hitherto hath been a Description of the Wicked, their City in the four Corners of the Earth, their Actions, and Final Condemnation: There follows now in the next Chapters a Description of the City of the Saints, and of their Final Reward in the Eternal Kingdom of God, All in All.