The key of the Revelation, searched and demonstrated out of the naturall and proper charecters of the visions.: With a coment thereupon, according to the rule of the same key, / published in Latine by the profoundly learned Master Joseph Mede B.D. late fellow of Christs College in Cambridge, for their use to whom God hath given a love and desire of knowing and searching into that admirable prophecie. Translated into English by Richard More of Linley in the Countie of Salop. Esquire, one of the Bargesses in this present convention of Parliament. With a præface written by Dr Twisse now prolocutor in the present Assembly of Divines.

Concerning the thousand yeeres of the seventh Trumpet and other prophesies, of wonderfull things contempo∣rising therewith.

HEre Reader, I will briefly deliver what I thinke, nor in a matter incredible in respect of inveterate prejudice, and the * 1.1 most abstruse of all the propheticall Scripture, and most to be ad∣mired, will I make any overlong discourse. In so great a mystery, it will be sufficient to understand the matter in generall, and not curiously to search into the reasons of severall circumstances: least happily enlarging more freely then is requisite, that of Solomon be laid to my charge. In the multitude of words there wanteth * 1.2 not sinne.

But concerning the matter it selfe, it is grounded upon the un∣deceivable sequel of the Apocaliptique order, which before I have demonstrated; and the consent of other Scripture especially Pro∣pheticall, doth wonderfully confirme the same. This was so plain∣ly perceived by the Christians of the next Age after the Apostles

that Iustine Martyr witnesseth, that not onely himselfe, but if * 1.3 there were, at that time, any entirely Orthodoxe Christians, they * 1.4 did with full consent beleeve it.

Which opinion of the first Christians, their successours after an Age or two rejected, either because it was corrupted by some additions, or (as indeed I suppose) not rightly understood; not∣withstanding the heat of contention being proceeded in so farre, before the matter could be brought to an end (which thou mayest justly admire and grieve at) that who so could not otherwise quit themselves from the force of the contrary opinion borne up by the foundation of the Revelation; would rather call into que∣stion the most Divine Prophesie, witnessed and sealed both by all the Disciples of the Apostles, and their next successours; yea and by presumptions fained for that purpose openly and boldly exte∣nuate the authoritie thereof, rather then yeeld and submit: till at length having gotten a fit interpretation (as they themselves then supposed) of * 1.5 this thousand yeers, yeelding the Revelation to be Canonicall, they desisted from their impious and fearefull en∣terprise.

But truly, Reader (that I may stay thee no longer in the pre∣face) I will so deliver the whole matter, that as little as may be, I may seeme to have departed from the received opinion, con∣cerning the day of the coming of Christ, immediately following the ruine of Antichrist. Doe thou weigh the matter in the fear•• of God, setting apart all prejudice, and out of the judgement of charitie pardon me, if any where I shall erre. So therefore take it.

That the seventh Trumpet, with the whole * 1.6 space of the thou∣sand yeeres, and other prophesies thereto appertaining doe signifie that great Day of Iudgement, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 much spoken of by the ancient Church of the ••ewes, and by Christ and his Apo∣stles, not some short space of houres (as it is commonly be∣leeved) but (after the manner of the Hebrewes taking a day for time) a continued space for many yeeres, and circumscribed within two resurrections, as it were the bounds: * 1.7 a Day, I say, first, to beginne at the particular, and as it were morning Iudge∣ment of Antichrist, and the rest of the living enemies of the Church, by the glorious 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 appearing of our Lord in flaming fire: and then at length to determine (after the

reigne of the thousand yeeres granted to new Ierusalem his most * 1.8 holy Spouse upon this earth: and after the utter destruction of new enemies yet to arise, the great Day waxing toward evening and Satan being againe loosed) at the universall resurrection, and judgement of all the dead. Which things being finished the wic∣ked shall be cast into Hell to be tormented for ever; but the Saints shall he translated into Heaven to live with Christ for ever.

This indeed is that time of the wrath of God upon the Gen∣tiles, and of judging the cause of them that died for Christ, for which the triumphing Eld••rs give thankes at the sound of the seventh Trumpet, Chap. 11. 18. For that then God would give reward to his servants the Prophets and Saints, and them that feare his name, small and great, and would destroy them which destroy the earth.

This is that Day of Iudgement and perdition of wicked ones, of which Peter 2 Epist. Chap. 3. vers. ••. speaking, presently addeth: but be not ignorant of this one thing, beloved (to wit, the day which I even now spake of) that one day is with the Lord as a thousand yeeres, and a thousand yeers as one day. In which same day indeed, the Apostle with his brethren of the same kindred the Iewes (to whom he writeth) expecteth that new forme of things to come, of which by and by he saith, vers. 13. But we looke for new heavens and a new earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righte∣ousnesse. Observe, according to his promise. But where was this promise of new heavens and a new earth extant (when Iohn had not yet seene the Revelation) except that of Esay, Chap. 65. 17. and 66. 22. which promise surely whosoever shall read, I should marvell, if he should judge that it shall be fulfilled elsewhere, then on earth.

This also is that Kingdome joyned with the appearance of * 1.9 Christ ready to judge the world; of which Paul to Timothy, 2 E∣pist. Chap. 4. vers. 1. I charge thee before our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing, and his King∣dome. For after the last and universall resurrection, according to the same Apostle, 1 Cor. 15. vers. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Christ (the last enemy being destroyed, that is, death) shall deliver up the King∣dome to his Father, that he may be subiect to him, who subdued all things to himselfe; so farre is he from being said then to enter up∣on any new Kingdome. That Kingdome therefore which neither

shall be before the * 1.10 appearance of our Lord, nor after the last re∣surrection, * 1.11 is necessarily to be concluded between them.

This is that Kingdome of the Sonne of man which Daniel saw, who when the times of the horne of Antichrist were fulfilled, or the times of the Gentiles come to end (Luk. 21. 24.) shall appeare in the clouds of Heaven, when there shall be given him power, glory, and a Kingdome; that all People, Nations, and Languages should serve him: or when (as the Angel by and by expoundeth it) a King∣dome, power, and greatnesse of Kingdomes under the whole Heaven (marke it well) shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High, Dan. 7. 13. 14. Also the 18.22. ••6. 27. Neither yet (as I said even now) shall this Kingdome be after the last resurrection: since the Sonne of man is not to enter upon a Kingdome then; but, as Paul witnesseth, to lay it downe and deliver it to his Father. Now that the same Kingdome is handled in both places, as well by Iohn as Daniel, may be proved by these two Arguments. First, that both begin at the same terme, to wit, the overthrow of the fourth or Romane Beast: that of Daniel when the Beast govern∣ing under that last regiment of the horne with eyes, was slaine; and his body given unto the burning flame, Dan. 7. 11. 2••. 27. That of the Revelation, when the Beast and false Prophet (that wicked * 1.12 horne in Daniel having mouth and eyes as a head) are taken, and both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Secondly, from the same session of Iudgement premised to both. For it will appeare that the one is borrowed from the other, and altogether tend to the same purpose, by comparing the words of the de∣scription of both.

Dan. Chap. 7.
Vers. 9	I beheld till the thrones were set. For so it is to be rendered with the Vulgar, 70. and The••d. and so the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for a throne is used in Targum at the 15. v. of the 1. cap. of Jer.	And I saw Thrones.	Rev. 20. 4.
Vers. 10	And the iudgement was set. That is, the Iudges, as in the great Sanedrin of the Iewes, to the rule whereof the whole description is framed.	And they sate upon them.

	And iudgement was given to the Saints on high: that is, pow∣er of judging. Hence is that of P••ul, the Saints shall iudge the world.	And iudgement was given un∣to * 1.13 them. * 1.14	Chap. 20 Vers. 22
	And the Saints obtained the kingdom: that is to say with the sonne of man, who came in the clouds of heaven.	And the Saints lived and reig∣ned with Christ a thousand yeers.

Furthermore I would have the Reader understand this. What∣soever almost is found from the Iews, whatsoever is delivered by the Lord in his Gospel, or any where in the new Testament by the Apostles concerning the day of the great judgement; that is taken out of this vision of Daniel; to wit, that judgement to be ac∣complished by fire, Christ to come in the clouds of heaven, to come in the glory of his Father with multitude of Angels, the Saints with him to judge the earth, Antichrist to be abolished 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the brightnesse of his coming, &c. So that they goe about wholly to undermine the pillar of the Evangelicall faith concerning the glorious coming of Christ, who, neglecting the ancient tradition of the Church, endeavour to turn this prophesie to another end.

Lastly, that I may conclude; this is that most ample kingdom, which by Daniels interpretation, was foreshewed to Nebuchad∣nezzar in that Propheticall Statue of the foure kingdoms: not that of a Stone cut out of a Hill whiles yet the Series of Monar∣chies remained (for this is the present state of the kingdome of Christ) but of the Stone when they were utterly broken and de∣faced, to become a Mountaine and to fill the whole world.

These things Reader I have thus discussed, not rashly affirmed. I leave the whole matter to the Church to be determined by the word of God: to the iudgement whereof, as it is meete, I do•• willingly submit mine opinion concerning this mysterie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  At Chap. 20. &c.
• * 1.2

  Prov. 10. 19.
• * 1.3

  Chap. 20.
• * 1.4

  Dial ••um Try∣pho••c.
• * 1.5

  Istius Mil. lennii.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.7

  With the Pro∣phe••s every where (as when they say ••n that day) and other∣where in the Old Testament▪ And in the New, Mat. 6. 11. with Luke 11.13. Ioh 16.26. 2 Cor. ••. ••. Heb. 3. 8, 9. 13. &c. likewise Chap 4 to conclude, 2 Pet. 1. last. vers. where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for ever.
• * 1.8

  Chap. 20.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.11

  Chap. 20.
• * 1.12

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.13

  Chap. 20.
• * 1.14

  Vers. 22.