THE BELOVED CITY OR, THE SAINTS REIGN ON EARTH A thousand years; Asserted, and Illustrated from LXV. places of Holy Scripture; Besides the judgement of Holy Learned men, both at home and abroad; and also Reason itself. Likewise XXXV. Objections against this Truth are here answered. Written in Latin by Ioan. Henr. Alstedius, Professor of the University of Herborne. Faithfully Englished; With some occasional Notes. And the Judgement herein [not only of Tycho Brabe, and Carol ●●●●ltus; but also] of some of our own famous Divines. Si aqua strangulat, quid insuper bibendum est? M. Antonin. Imp. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Lib. 4. Sect. 17. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; Could he say of Athens, Thou lovely City of Cec●ops? And shalt not thou say of the church OF CHRIST, Thou Lovely City of GOD? * Apoc. xx. 9 LONDON, Printed in the year of the last expectation of the SAINTS. M.DC.XLIII. To the Right worshipful, Sir John Cordwell Knight, and Alderman, Master of the Company of the Mercers; Mr. Lybbe Chapman— Surveyor. Captain Thomas Chambrelan Mr. George Burrish Wardens. And to the worshipful, the Assistants and communality of the same ancient and flourishing Society of MERCERS in the Famous City of London. RIGHT worshipful, MY ordinary employment being of late for some time interrupted, and the usual course of my studies, not so much diverted, as quite stopped by the late general and miserable distractions of the kingdom, and especially of the place I live in, I bethought myself of some means whereby I might mitigate my apprehension of the miseries issuing from these present distempers; When (I think God so directing it) this Treatise, with some others of the same nature, came to my hands. The Author is of as general repute among us for learning, as any late Writer we have received from beyond the Seas these many years: and the work is an Explanation of the xx. Chapter of the Revelation. The Subject thereof is The assertion of the Glorious kingdom of Christ here on earth; a matter no doubt of great comfort, and consolation to the Church of God. And as I am not ignorant that apocalyptical Discourses in general are liable to many censures, and that this Divine Prophecy itself is as yet a sealed book, in so much that the great Calvin was forced to acknowledge, (if the Io. Bodimus method Hist. cap. 7 reports wrong him not) that he knew not what so difficult and obscure a Writer, as the Author thereof, meant: so I am sure this part thereof hath been subject to most divers and contrary interpretations; that what Epist. ad Paulinum Quot babet verb●, t●● Sacram●nt●. Jerome saith of the whole, may well be said of this passage thereof: So many words, so many mysteries. Yet receiving myself much satisfaction and se●lednesse of mind from this exposition thereof, I thought that God's people also might reap some benefit and fruit thereby: And this is the main cause, that I have made it public. Now that I have inscribed it onto Your Names I have deal● but right and 〈◊〉 therein. For owing the first grounds and foundation of my studies to Your large bounty and benevolence, I must acknowledge the first fruits thereof communicated abroad (and indeed I ever intended them so whatsoever they had been) to be Yours by ● due claim and challenge of them. The Persians (in whose schools gratitude was taught, as Letters and Arts in ours, whose * D●●tate exuperant latae contra ingra●os leges. Amm. Marcell. lib. 23. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Themi●t. Orat. 3. Laws punished the contrary almost as deep as we do Homicide,) had an Order in their * Xenophon {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, ●. colleges, which were for the education of them whose service was appointed for the King, that after their greatest promotions, and abilities in public attendance, they were to acknowledge all as received from the Classis of their first institution. My natural propension to thankfulness makes me confess I owe all that I am in good letters (I best know how little that is) to the foundation I laid thereof in Your excellent Seminary of learning, and to your extraordinary favour, and encouragement to good studies and endeavours. I pray God lead You always along by the hand in all Your affairs and occasions. I am Your very respectful servant to be commanded, William Burton. To those who shall light upon this book. TO prefix a word or two, by way of preface, may concern thee, Reader, perhaps as well as myself. That I might not therefore be censured for the only idle person in these busy times, in which (GOD in Mercy look upon us!) every man, either with his Sword, or Pen, strives to make the noise and tumult greater, I have thrust out this book into the public, in the general crowd of those many: but with expectation of a better blessing, I hope, from God, than some of them can look for. And although I am not ignorant, that there are a generation of men in the world, Cic. Academ. Qu●st. l. 2. 〈…〉 alabaster ●●guent is plenns putere videtur, a 〈…〉, having t●eir understanding corrupted by their fancy, can relish and judge aright of nothing▪ yet so arrogant, and self-conceited, that they 〈…〉 exterminate all learning and kno〈…〉 ●●●eth not just with their own 〈…〉 humours,) with far more supper 〈…〉 Plato ejected Homer out of his commonwealth: (Sed quid suibus cum amaracino? They love the mi●e best?) Notwithstanding all this, I say, the general welcome and long entertainment, which the other learned works of this same author have had in our schools, as well as in those beyond the Seas, where he professed with admirable applause, seemed to me not to deny this piece an endenizing, or freedom, from some hands of a better note. Yet perhaps, if thou hadst any acquaintance with me, thou wouldst wonder to see a subject of this nature to come forth into the light of learned men by my means, and assistance. True it is, I have under my command some Discourses, I will not say of greater consequence, but I dare say, that cost me greater labour, and longer enquiry, to which these times do deny a propitious birth. And having lost almost my employment for the time, through the present distractions; and my books and I being in a manner quite severed from one another, I thought I could do nothing better by way of l●ffning my apprehension of these public calamities, which God's justice, and our own unthankfulness, by repining at his Mercies, have brought upon us. I had no intent hereby to impose upon any one, or abuse men's belief, by forcing their assent to an heresy, condemned in the Church, as some would persuade us, so many ages ago. Yet I know well enough, Acts xvii. ●●. 19. that nothing pleaseth the fancy, and feedeth the humour of this age so much, as novelties; men no less inquiring now after new Doctrines and opinions, then of old the Athenians did after new Deities. L●ers. de libr●s He●selit● Anthol. lib. g●●p. 33. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} must I say to these. I took not this pains for them. Neither indeed do I myself go about to assert, or maintain any ungrounded Doctrine; knowing well, that opinion, that Holy Disease, how great soever her admires, and a betters are, can never be able to stand in competition with the holy Word of God, and the * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} O 〈…〉 dict●. vide. Ep●cterum {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 2 Tim. 4.3. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 2 Tim. 1. 1●. sound and undeniable doctrine thereof. Such is always my temper and moderation, that if by * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Marc. Antontum {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} lib. 6.5.10. one conviction thou demonstrate my error, (much more it the church shall interpose her judgement,) whether it be in matter of opinion or action, I will retract the one, and relinquish the other. And till thou dost this in the matter, which we have in hand, be not offended, if I stand close by my Author, but especially to reason, and plain Scripture itself alleged by him. Truth it is the only thing I se●ke after, for the pu●●ui● of which, no man ought to be blame any more, than they are to be execused, who wilfully continue in known error, and ignorance. By the way then, good Reader, let me tell thee, (what credit soever I gain from thee,) that it was the constant opinion of the Church, in the very next age to the Apostles, that there should be a resurrection before the general rising at the last day, and an happy condition of the faithful upon earth for CIO. years. This we may learn from a Contra Mattion. Tertullias', and b Tract at contra omnes haereses. Irenaeus: And c Dialog. cum Tryphone Judaeo. Justin the Martyr, (who of a Philosopher became a Christian some xxx. years after the death of John the Evangelist and Penman of this holy Prophecy) tells us plainly, that not only himself, but what d {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, &c. Justine. ●. ●. Christian soever in his time were in all respects Orthodox, maintained the same, grounding their opinion upon these words of Esay. * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, cap. 65. vers. 17. Behold I create new Heavens, and a new Earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into my mind. But be glad, and rejoice for ever in th●t which I create. I know not whether so great a testimony, as this of Justin Martyrs, may be brought concerning any opinion among Christians, if you expect the main articles of our belief. And the general consent of all the orthodox, and in the age too next the Apostles, is no small argument, or prejudice against the contrary opinion, or succeeding ages. It seemed the heretics of those times, especially, or indeed only, believed it not, and that for some private respect, because, admitting thereof, they must needs also confess a resurrection of the flesh, and that the same God, who was mentioned in the Law and Prophets, is also the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am sure Cerinthus, that Arch heretic in those days, whom the after-ages do make the first e Augustin. de Haeresib. cap. 8. broacher of this opinion (and they would also have him the Author of the f Epiphanius de Heresib. Revelation,) is never taxed for it by them g Irenaeus. Tertullianus. who have diligently noted his heresies. And perhaps if he had any sensual conceit hereabout, (as it seems he had) he was beholding to Judaism for it: and he himself being a Jew it was not taken notice of in him. But for a Christian to have any such doting imaginations, would render him more wild-headed, and besides himself, in sober men's judgements, than any Poet of Dithyrambique verse. Yet no man ought to be blamed for maintaining a Truth in a Jews company, either in this matter or in any else, if with heed he pass by those gross fancies, and stupid absurdities, which do infatuate and blemish the same truth. More deservedly may we find fault with Dionysius of Alexandria, and his followers, the great impugners of this opinion, who when about the end of the third age, the dispute about it grew very hot, to lessen the authority of the Revelation, by the evident and undeniable proofs whereof the matter in question was asserted, (O foul shame, and impiety!) they fathered it upon I know not whom, yet one of the same name, against the manifest witness of h Dialog. cum Trypbone. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and all the Fathers before them, who inscrib● it to John, the beloved Disciple of Christ, and Evangelist: Neither can Jerome himself be ex●used, though a very learned man otherwise, but easy to be deceived, who with the same Dionysius doth (upon an uncertain report) fals●ly affix to the opinion of them▪ who according to truth believed the thousand years' happiness on earth, the i Hieron. in Hierem. cap. 19 v. 10. injury of Circumcision, the blood of Sacrifices, and rest durati●n of all the ceremonies of the Law. Which old pieces and rags of Indaism, or perhaps the dreams of some heretics, being gathered, out of a study of contention, and ill will, were patched to this opinion of the Primitive Church But if he certainly knew that the first Christians and holy Martyrs did expect Circumcision, and Sacrifices in the kingdom of Christ, how is he to be blamed, that condemned them not for it, but k Quae licet non sequamur, damnare non possu●●u: unulquisque in suo sensu abundee. Hieron. d. l. left every man to the freedom of his own judgement, either to approve, or dislike thereof. But what countenance soever this opinion hath, or shall find in this age, let me tell thee this one thing, Reader, which I will leave to be considered of by thee, that seeing there are so manifest proofs of a glorious kingdom of the Saints here on earth out of the old Testament, there will be no better or easier way, to deal with the Jews in matter of their conversion, than not to wrest the plain prophecies of a second and glorious appearance of Christ, to his first coming; but rather to persuade them, that they must expect no other Messiah, who should fulfil all these promises, expecting what is to be expected, (for we are not herein wholly to agree with the Jews, but to examine all things according to the rules of Christian faith▪) besides that Jesus of Nazareth, whom their Ancestors crucified. And this way is everywhere almost through the whole Revelation diligently insisted upon. For whilst we force those most clear prophecies concerning things promised in the second, to his first coming, the Jews scorn and deride us, and are more and more confirmed in their infidelity. But for the course which I have here set down, I am much mistaken if it be not the same which was observed among them by Peter himself, Act. 3.19, 20, 21. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Whom the Heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the ●●uth of all his holy Prophets since the World began. But I forget myself; For indeed I think it more fit to set down and publish, what might be safely and piously believed concerning this Tene●, rather in another man's sense and expressions, then in mine own, being more willing l Malens aliena verecu●de discere, quam sua impudenter ingerere. Hieron. de Platone Epist. ad Paulinam. modestly to learn and be instructed from the abilities of others, then impudently to obtrude mine own weaknesses upon the world. And to this end I have also collected what some of the most eminent▪ Divines of the Church of England, Dr. Hakewill, Dr. Twisse, Mr. Mede, &c. (that thou mightest not think it only an outlandish toy, or a fancy of yesterday, much less savouring of Popery,) have thought, and published concerning this opinion. Besides, the irrefragable judgement of the Divine Tycho Brahe, that singular ornament both of the Heavens, and his own Denmark, and with him the termination herein of Carolus Gallus, omitted by Asted, and not long ago one of the States Professors of Divinity in their University of Leyden. If thou find any discrepancy in their resolutions about this matter, persuade thyself, that time, and the holy Spirit will more and more enlighten the deep mysteries of God● word, and of its unspeakable goodness of the Saints of God, will yet in these latter times make us all of one heart, and one mind in Christ Iesu●▪ That all we that do conf●sse his holy Name, may agree in the truth of his holy Word, and live in unity and godly love; which is the prayer of our Church. In the mean time, good Reader, consider that it is as lawful for men, yea for good Christians themselves, to differ in circumstances of opinions, as it is requisite and seemly, that they should grow up together, like m {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Anton. lib. xi.§ 6. fellow branches, in matter of good correspondence, and affection, Farewell. SCRIB. LIMNOPOROPOLI Antiquorum Saxonum, five Regiovici in Regni● X. ab V.L. Ad Jamissam Ptolomaei, (si non omnes depravati cod●) In {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, quod Iohannes Loukinn LONDINI, IV. Mater. 39 Edw. R. 3. P. Elizabeth● Regina, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Scholpubls. GR. LAT. LL. E. V. Regni sui III. To the Christian Reader. THere are three things necessary for him, who takes upon him to expound Prophecies published by the Holy Ghost. And first, truly the light and Grace of the holy Spirit is requisite. For seeing that prophecy proceedeth from the holy Spirit, It is necessary that by the same also it should be expounded. Next, Apious and diligent reading of Prophecies, and conferring them one with another, much availeth hereunto. Lastly, The fulfilling of any prophecy, and an experience in a manner thereof, is as it were the Key, with which it is unlocked, and opened. Wherefore that saying of Irenaeus is true: Lib. 4 cap. 43 Omnis Prophetia priusquaro impleatur aenigm● est. Quanda impleto fuerit, manifestam habet expositionem & intelligentiam. Every Prophecy before it is fulfilled is a Riddle. But when it is fulfilled, it hath a plain exposition, and understanding of itself. These three things, as in all holy Prophecies, so in the Divine Revelation, may be joined together, and namely in this piece thereof, which now according to my Ability I am about to Illustrate, and at this day too, Wherein to the light of the Gospel there is added a great Catastrophe, or Issue, of many things foretold by God himself; except indeed any one happily chance to be bewitched with a prejudicate opinion. Let us set sail therefore in the Name of God, and comfort the desolation of Germany with this pious meditation. Revelation, Chap. 20. ANd I saw an Angel come down from heaven, having the Key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the Nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped 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 thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Bless●d and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but th●y shall be Priests of God, and of Chr●st, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7. And wh●n the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. 8. And shall go out to deceive the Nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the Sea. 9 And th●y went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the Saints about, an●●he beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false Prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11. And I saw a great white Throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of life▪ and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire▪ this is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire. PROLEGOMENA, OR THE PREFACE, Concerning The Author, and Subject of this Chapter, and the Connexion thereof, with the foregoing, and following Chapters. § 1. Of the Author of this Chapter. THe principal Author of this Chapter is the same, who is Author of the whole Book, namely Jesus Christ; who, as a faithful Steward of our Salvation, received this Revelation from God the Father, and sent the same by his Angel to John the Evangelist, Revel. 1.1. Wherefore the principal Author is the Spirit of God; the Minister or Messenger partly the Angel, partly John, who Chap. 1.1 and 4. setteth down his name in general; but a little after in the ninth Verse, restraining that generality, He doth as it were with his finger point at it. I John, your brother, and companion in the affliction, and Kingdom, and patience * A●●t●d follows that Greek Copy which admits 〈◊〉 the preposition, oth●rwise th●n our English renders it. Eccles. Histor. lib. 3 cap. 16 which is in Jesus Christ▪ was in the Island, which is called Patmos. The history which Eusebius relates, tells us, That John the Evangelist, and Apostlé, was banished into the Island of Patmos by Domitian. Whence it is collected, that John the Evangelist, and Apostle, was God's Po●-man in the delivery of this Prophecy; and hence, That the Authority of this Book, and so of this Chapter, which we intend to expound, is Divine. Wherefore deservedly, we most highly esteem of this Revelation, as a part of Scripture, which hath God for its Author. But especially this Prophecy aught in this respect to be welcome to us, because it contains the last Divine Revelation of God's will; after which, no Prophecy following is to be expected; and because this Book is very profita●le in this Age, in which the lively performance of things hitherto abstruse and concealed, is presented before our eyes. § 2. Of the Subject of this Chapter. THis Chap●er discourseth of the singular happiness of the Church, both under its Warfare, and Triumph. The singular happiness of the Church, during its warfare, or being militant, is let down in three respects; 1. In its security from the hostile incursions of the wicked for a 1000 years. 2. In the resurrection of the Martyrs before the general resurrection. 3. In the wonderful d●liv●rance of the godly, from the last persecution of the wicked, which shall happen after those thousand years. The happiness of the Church Triumphant, is h●re described so far forth, as the beginning of its Triumph in the last judgement. That these things may be made more plain, I will from the very beginning, make a repetition of the state of the Church here upon earth; and I will say something briefly, concerning the State and condition thereof, in Heaven. The State of the Church hereupon earth, was either that before the fall of the first man, and that was wholly legal; or that after the fall, and this is wholly evangelical. Again, The State of the Church after the fall is, either internal, and perpetual; or external, and temporal. The State of the Church internal and perpetual, consists in the Union and Communion with Christ, as also in the enlightening, and guidance of the Spirit, Isa. 54.5. Hos. 2.15, 19, 20. Iob. 6.56. 1 Cor. 6 17. Eph. 5.30. 1 Cor. 10.17. 2 Cor. 11.2. Eph. 3.6. Gal. 3.28. C●l. 3.15. Hence it is, that the Church is one, Holy, and Invincible. The external, or temporal State of the Church, is as well under the cross and Persecution; as Light and Comfort, or refreshing: which two changes the Church undergoes here on earth by turns, as well under the Old Testament, as the New, and that either more, or less. For Adam, and Eve, after their most grievous fall, were raised up again by the most sweet promise of the Gospel; and after they had begot Cain and Abel, and their Sisters, they were comforted with this Infancy, as it were, and first foundation of the Church. But no small grief followed hard upon this joy, when as Cain slew his brother Abel. However this breach was made up again in Seth, whose posterity propagated the Church, although not without grievous persecution by the race of Cain, which had an end put unto it by the del●ge in the year of the world, 1656. From whence the Church was enlarged to the year 1757, without any notable persecution, which at that time the building of the Tower of Babel brought, and hence sprung the division of Languages. In the year of the world 2023, the Church was contracted into the Posterity of Abraham only; And here begin the four hundred and thirty years, dwelling of the Israelites in Egypt; where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, underwent manifold changes both of prosperity, and affliction. And their posterity after the death of Joseph was detained under a most horrid slavery, from the year of the world, 2360, even to year 2453, in which the Israelites were brought out of Egypt. From which time to the year 2493, they had experience of divers blessings and judgements of God in the wilderness. Now after they were brought into the Land of Canaan▪ which happened in the year of the world 2493. Josuah with very good success, for the six first years conquered the Canaanites, vanquishing one and thirty Kings. After the death of Josuah, to the year of the world 2879, the Isra●lites were vexed with divers slaveries and persecutions, and rescued from the same by several Judges, namely Deborah, Ged●on, Samson, and Samuel. And now the Kingly power being established in the days of Saul, or year 2879, the Church presently in the very beginning thereof▪ suffered persecution from Saul himself. After that it underwent divers chance●, and changes; namely, under David and Solomon it exceedingly flourished; under Rehoboam it suffered a great los●e, ten Tribes falling of to Jeroboam. By occasion whereof, a most sad rent of the Kingdom happened, the Church by little and little degenerating in Israel, whose ten Tribes under Hoshea in the yee● of the world, 3228. were led away into a most grievous, and yet continuing captivity, as far as the Col. hi, Iberi. &c. As for the Church remaining in the Kingdom of Juda, it had several intercourses of deformation, as well as reformation, of calamities, as well as victories, unto the year 3350. in which began the Babylonian captivity, continuing Lxx years. In the year 3419, Cyrus released this captivity giving the Jews free leave to return into their Country, and to establish their own Laws, and Religion, as far as their own Country did reach. But not withstanding, this privilege of using their own Laws, was many ways interrupted until the year 3527, that is, for 107 years. From which time to the year 3781. the Church of the Jews enjoyed happy, and Haltionian days under the Persians; and in like manner under Alexander the Great. But under the Successors of Alexander, especially the Kings of Syria, they were divers ways afflicted, until in the year of the world 3783, and so downward; the Maccabees fought with happy success for their Religion and possessions. From the year 3887. Judea was laid wast, and several ways oppressed by the Romans, and Parthians, so that the whole State thereof was exceedingly troubled. Let us now come to the estate of the Church of the New Testament, which we will divide into four periods. The first period is of the Church of the godly Jews in Judea, from the time of John the Baptist, to the council of Jerusalem; that is, from the year of the world 3948. to the fiftieth year of Christ. In all which space of time, Christ was born, Baptism instituted, John put to death, the twelve Apostles, and Lxx. Disciples called by Christ; Christ himself suffered, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Apostles; the apoctles were whipped for their bold preaching of the Doctrine of Christ, &c. The se●ond period is, of the Church spread over the whole world, and contains the calling and conversion of most nations, from the 51. year of Christ, to the beginning of the thousand years. And this period hath four branches. I. Under the Henth●n Roman Emperors, till Const●ntine the Great's time, wherein the Church was propagated under divers Persecutions, of which, ten were more notable, from the 64. year of Christ, to the 3●3. II. Under Christian Emperors, from Constantine the Great, to Phocas; in which time, it was adorned with divers priviledg●s by Constantine the Great, and other godly Princes: yet so, That notwithstanding it felt great persecutions by the Arians, by Julian, by the Persians, Sandals, Goth●●, &c. to the year of Christ, 606. III. Under the Popes of Rome, while they extended their power far and wide, from the year of Christ 606, to the year 1517, that is, from Boniface the third▪ to Leo the tenth. In all which time the Church was most miserably pressed, and only not quite oppressed, partly by the Saracens and Turks in the East, partly by the Popes of Rome in the West. IV. Under the Popes of Rome, now perceiving an inclination and decay of their Kingdom, from the year of Christ 1517, to the beginning of the thousand years. What the condition of the Church hath been, and now is, since the year 1517, to this present, is known unto us partly from Histories, partly from our own notice, and remembrance. What it shall be hereafter, from the time wherein we write this, to the beginning of the 1000 years, we cannot in particular determine. But this we know in general, That the Church is to be purged, purified, and cleansed, by this persecution, which at this day it suffers; That by this means it may be by little and little prepared for that great Reformation, which the Epocha; or Account of those thousand years shall bring. The third Period of the Church of the New Testament, is from the beginning of the thousand years, to the end thereof. And it shall contain, as well the Martyrs that shall then rise, as the Nations not yet converted, and the Jews; and it shall be free from persecutions. Which four things, because they are called into question, are the more at large to be proved. And first of all, for the Resurrection of the Martyrs, The truth thereof is demonstrated * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. to the eye, in a manner out of the 20 of the Revelation, the 5. verse. Then for the Conversion of the Gentiles, which are not yet called into the Church, the Apostle describeth it most lively, Rom. I●. 25. where he plainly teacheth us, That the fullness of the Gentiles is to be gathered to the Church. Hitherto also appertaineth that which we read Gen. 48.19. that the seed of Ephraim shall become a multitude of Nations. For it cannot be interpreted of the numerous offspring, of Ephraim; for therein the Tribe of Judah especially excelled. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Vide Io●a●em Buxlorf in {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} And the word Gojim is most properly meant by the Heathens. Therefore this is the meaning, Out of Ephraim shall descend in numerable Nations, which in their time shall flow-in plentifully to the Gospel. Moreover, Christ Luk. 21.24 teacheth us that the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled. So Gen. 17.4, 5. God promiseth Abraham, that he should become a father of a multitude of Nations; and Gen. 18.18. that in him all the Nations of the Earth should be bl●ssed. To these places you may add, Psal. 22.28. Matth. 24.14. and Revel. 12.5. Object. If any one should object, that the Conversion of the Gentiles was a little after the first coming of Christ; He must know that at that time all nations were not called. Sol. Therefore we must understand a double Conversion or calling of the Gentiles, a former, and a latter. The former was in the time of the Apostles, and their Successors. This latter hath not been as yet, but it shall be at length, a little before the Conversion of the Jews. So that these two Conversions are joined together, Isai. 11.12. Zach. 2.10, &c. For the maintaining of this opinion see among others, Justus Heurnius De Legatione Evangelicâ ad Indos capessendâ, Heurnius. Keplerus. and Kepler De Stellâ nouâ Serpentarii, where fol. 206. he writs, That all the contentions which are at this day among Christians, and the difference of their worships, tends to this, That from their mutual destroying one another, an occasion may arise, on one side of converting the Indians, on another of converting the Jews, and Turks. Now let us enter into consideration of the conversion of the Jews. The promises thereof, are Gen. 49.18, 19 Num. 23.23. Deut. 30.3, 6, 8. and chap. 32. from the 19 to the 43. Isai. 11.11, 12. and chap. 43.5. and so forward, chap. 45.22, 25. chap. 59.20, 21. Iere. 16.14. chap. 23.3, 4. chap. 31.31, 32, 33, 34. Ezech. 36.26. and forward, Ioan. Feru● explicat. in Gen. c. 21, 27, & 38. Seraphin. Firmian Enarrat. Apocal cap. 14. Remalc de. Vaulx. in Harpocrate Divino, fol. 339 Martin Cellar. Tractat. de Operib. Dei Coel. Secund. Curio de Amplitud. Beati Regni Dei, lib. 1. Petr. Cunaeus lib 1. de Repub. Judzor. 18. Iust. Heurnius de Legat Evangelica ad Indos c 4. Joan Dobrieius in {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} seu interpret Temparum, Christoph. Besold. in Pentade. Et omnes Theol. v●teres & recentes super 11. cap. Epist. ad Romanos. Hos. 1.11. chap. 3.4, 5 Mich. 2.12. chap. 4.6. and forward, chap. 5.5, 6, 7. Zeph. 3.11, 12, 13, 19, 20. Amos 9.14, 15. Zach. 11.16. Rom. 11.25, 26, 27. 2 Cor. 3.16. Matth. 23.39. Luk. 21.24. The explications of which places, look for in the following questions, and almost everywhere in the author cited in the margin. And to them add these two reasons; 1; The Jews wander to and fro through the whole world dispersed, scattered▪ and banished from their own air and soil. God therefore without doubt reserveth them for some great, and admirable work. 2. Christ being born of the Jews, he is promised unto them with very many and most glorious promises. Therefore it is not to be believed, that they should not at some time or other acknowledge him as the Messiah. Neither can you object that the Jews were converted in the time of Christ, and the Apostles. For they were but the first fruits of the Jews. And that Conversion was but in part only. See concerning this Argument Justus Heurnius, in his Book before cited, who handles it most accurately, and is of opinion, that this order shall happen in the Reconciliation of the Jews. That in the first place those ten Tribes; which were carried away by the Assyrians, shall be converted, to whom afterwards the Tribes of Judah, and Benjamin shall join themselves. In the same place also he conjectureth very probably, That the converted remainder of the Jews, united with the converted Church of the Heathen, shall resist the attempts of the adversaries of GOD, and beat down Antichrist. Yet I should rather suppose that the Jews should entertain the ruin of Antichrist, as an occasion of their Conversion. But this nothing to the main matter and substance of the question. It remains now that I make it plain that this Church, gathered together of Jews and Gentiles, shall be freed from the persecutions of their enemies. This is proved out of Deut. 32.40, 41, 42, 43. Psal. 96. Psal. 110.5, 6, 7. Isai. 11.1, 2.3.4. chap. 24.23, chap. 25. chap. 26.1, 2, 3, &c. chap. 33.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. chap. 34. from the 1, to the 18 verse. chap. 49.24, 25, 26. chap. 54.14, 15, 16, 17. chap. 59.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. chap. 63.1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Dan. 12.1 Joel 3.1, 2.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Micah. 4. the whole Chapter. Zeph. 3. from the 9 ver. to the end. Zach. 11 10. to the 17. chap. 12.1. to the 9 chap. 14. ●. to the end. Mal. 4.1, 2, 3. Revel. 14.8.14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. chap. 18. quite thorough. chap. 19.1, 2, 3.11. and the following verses. chap. 20. In these places is described the setting at liberty of the Church of the New Testament from the persecution of the enemies of the Gospel, by an utter overthrow of them; from whence shall arise its continual Peace, together with an enlightment and Regeneration greater than now it hath; as also the Majesty or glory thereof shall appear, joined with an absolute and sincere joy. All which are here and there to be found in the places quoted, and are unfolded in the following Questions. And this is that happy condition and estate of the Church, which shall be in this life, and shall last for a thousand years: And it consisteth of these Parts: 1. Of the Resurrection of the Martyrs, and of their Reign here upon Earth. 2. Of the increase of the Church, and multitude thereof, through the conversion of the Gentiles and Jews. 3. Of the setting of the Church at liberty from the persecution of Enemies thereof, by the small destruction of them. 4. Of the continual and lasting peace thereof. 5. Of the Reformation of the same both in doctrine and life. 6. Of the Majesty, and great glory thereof. 7. Of it's true and sincere joy. The fourth Period of the Church of the New Testament, is from the end of the Thousand years to the last: Judgement. In which time the estate of the Church shall be very miserable, by reason of the War of Gog and Magog, unto which Christ shall put an end by his glorious coming to the general Judgement, Revel. 20.3.7. 8▪ 9, 10. And thus we have described the estate of the Church of the old and new Testament here upon earth. The estate of the Church in heaven is of perfect glory, everlasting triumph, absolute regeneration, exact illumination, and unspeakable joy. And this is the full Doctrine concerning the Estate of the Church, which we thus set forth. The State of the Church is either On Earth Before the fall of man, fully happy. After the fall, and is, either Internal, perpetual, and common to all places, and times in respect of the Elect in general. External, temporal, and proper, and it is either of the Old Testament under Patriarchs. Judges. Kings. Divers kinds of Government after the Babylonian captivity. New Testament where are 4 periods 1. Of the Jews to the year of Christ, 51. 2. Of the Gentiles under Emperors Roman Heathen. Christian, until Phocas. Popes of Rome Fully exercising their power. Suffering some abatement thereof. 3. Of Jews and Gentiles for a 1000 years. 4. Of the same after those 1000 years finished. In Heaven, where is the Beginning of the triumph in the last Judgement. Consummation thereof in life eternal. The Affections of this manifold Estate are thus delineated. The Estate of the Church is either of One kind; to wit Only happy On Earth Before the fall. For the 1000 years now at hand. In Heaven. Only unhappy by reason of several persecutions Already past before these 1000 years. To come after these 1000 years. Divers kinds; to wit, partly happy, partly unhappy, or temperate, and liable to the interchange of temporal felicity, or calamity. Of the Connexion of this Chapter with the former. John in his Revelation which he received from God, in the year of Christ 94. after the Preface, chap. 1 to the 9 verse, describes seven general Visions in this order. The first Vision is of the seven golden Candlesticks, and of so many stars, and it is concerning the present and future estate of the seven Churches in Asia, in the 1, 2, 3 chapters. The second Vision is of the Book shut up, and signed with seven Seals, in the 4, 5, 6 chapters. And it is concerning the estate of the Church of the new Testament after the departure of John, to the year of Christ 606. The third Vision is of the seven Trumpets, in the 8, 9, 10, 11 chapters, and it is concerning the state of the Church from the year of Christ 606, to the year 1517. The fourth Vision is of the woman bringing forth a child, and of the Dragon, of the Beast, and the Lamb, in the 12, 13, 14 chapters. And it is partly a description of the Birth of Christ, partly a recapitulation and exposition of the second and third Visions, and concerning the estate of the Church of the New Testament, from the Nativity of Christ, to the year 1517. The fifth Visiion is of the seven Vials, in the 15 and 16 chapters; of which the three former are poured forth from the year of Christ 1517, to the year 1625. the four following shall be poured forth from the year 1625, to the year of Christ 1694. in which the 1000 years seem to begin. The sixth Vision is partly of the punishments, as well those which are peculiarly appointed for the Whore, and her worshipyers, before the beginning of the 1000 years, in the 17, 18, 19 chapters, as also those which shall be inflicted upon all the enemies of the Church: Partly of the future happiness of the Church here upon earth, in the 20 chapter, from the 1 verse to the 7. After the end of those years, chap. 20. the 7, and following verses. The seventh Vision is of the Heavenly City, chap. 21▪ 22. II. The Sum of this Chapter. AFter that the Evangelist hath related what happened to the first Beast, and the false Prophet, and their followers, chap. 19 verse 20, 21. He tells you now what happened to the Dragon himself. For the Mystery of Iniquity being overthrown, and due punishments inflicted upon the first Beast, and the false Prophet, the Angel descends from Heaven, and being endowed with great Power, he takes order that the Dragon, that is, Satan, should not any more, by the ministry of ungodly men, stir up those accustomed troubles in the Church Militant. Wherefore there being no place left him any longer for his wonted impostures, but bound up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, the Nations are not seduced ●y him, until being loosened out of prison, he again makes use of his old Engines and Stratagems against the Church. Therefore for the space of those whole 1000 years the Church shall enjoy outward peace, the Martyrs being raised from the dead, and the Nations, together with the Jews, being converted to the Faith of Christ. Now after the end of these thousand years, Satan is again let loose, and the Church, by reason of the war of Gog and Magog, made sensible of more grievous afflictions than she had suffered in former times. At length he being again thrust into the bottomless pit, together with all his forces and power, the Saints shall for ever reign with Christ. III. The Analysis of the Chapter. ANd] that is, After that. For {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is to be taken transitively here in this sense: After that I had seen the Beast, and the false Prophet thrown into the Lake burning with B●imstone, and the rest slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, and all birds satisfied with the flesh of them; I saw these things which now follow. I saw] that is, In the Spirit, or ecstasy of my mind. Compare Revel. 1.10. An Angel] A good Spirit, a Minister of the Judgements of God, such as were in the former Visions. Therefore neither Christ, nor any Doctor of the Church is here to be understood. Coming down from Heaven] to wit, The third Heaven, or the Heaven of the blessed. Who had the Key of the bottomless pit] that is, Who had received power from God to open and shut up Hell. We must not therefore by the Key of the bottomless pit understand any inward light or knowledge kindled by some famous Doctor of the Church, by whose help the Scripture may be the more enlightened; or the profound skill in Divinity of such a one. And a great chain in his hand] The great power of binding and tying up the enemy is here understood. This chain therefore is falsely expounded concerning the Divine Writings of some Angel, or Teacher of the Church, whose coherence like a chain may be such, that they may bring Heaven and Earth together, and draw the hearts of the believers up unto God. 2. And he caught] as if he had laid hands on him- The Dragon] That monstrous, virulent, and violent enemy of Christ and Christians. That old Sorpent] Who by his winding and subtle kind of Oratory in the beginning of the world, seduced our first parents, and who yet keeps his old skin. Who is the devil] That Slanderer, and Sophister; that misinterpreter of all the good sayings and deeds, as well of God and Christ, as holy Angels and men. And Satan] The adversary, and everlasting enemy of God, Christ, and the Church. And bound him] By hindering his wicked enterprises and attempts. A thousand years'] Solar, and usual years. 3. And he threw him into the bottomless pit.] that is, With mighty power he restrained the malignity of Satan, thrusting him down into Hell. And * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}▪ yet some copies have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, he bound him. I cannot tell whether as properly, by reason {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} followeth. shut him up] as if he should say, He laid him not only fast in prison, but also shut up the prison upon him, with him in it. And set a seal upn hiom] Here are four acts of the Angel; the first binds Satan, then cast him being bound into the bottomless pit, than he shuts up the pit, and sets a seal upon it being shut up. That he might not seduce] to wit, Partly by Idolatry, Superstition, and the power of lies, partly by bringing War upon the Church. Any more] As he had formerly done. The Nations] {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The Nations, ●oth Jews and Gentiles. This word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in Scripture properly signifies the Gentiles as they were opposed to the Jews. But that in this place the signification of this word is extended, it doth hence appear: The power of the devil is so fast bound, he can no more seduce either Jews or Gentiles, for the space of those thousand years. Therefore this word is to be taken in a more large signification. So that the Conversion of the Jews is described also implicitly, in these words, Till the thousand years were fulfilled] to wit, until the whole course of the church's happiness here on earth were finished. And after that he must be loosed] For these thousand years being ended, the devil by the just Judgement of God shall again recover his power, and indeed a far greater. For a short time] The kingdom of Satan shall not fulfil a thousand years, but shall remain only for a small time. 4. And I saw Thrones] Then I saw a judicial process prepared. And they sat upon them] that is, Christ and his holy Angels. And judgement was given unto th●m] The power of Judgement was given by God as well to Christ, as to the chief Judge, as to the Angels, as it were his Assessors. Compare Mat. 25.31. And the souls] I saw as well the Judges, Christ and his Angels, as also them that were to be judged, that is, To be absolved or freed in this Judgement. And in this place souls are put for men. Of them that were beheaded] that is, Of them that were slain by any kind of torment: And it is a description of the Martyrs. For the testimony of Jesus] Whereby they witnessed concerning Christ, that he was the only Jesus, that is, The only Saviour both by merit and efficacy. And for the Word of God] that is, The holy Scripture, which they had learned to be the only rule both of faith and life. And which had not worshipped the B●ast] that is, The Second Beast, of which mention is in the 13 and 19 chapters; which had arrogated to itself the divine Honours of Christ. Nor his Image] that is, Those Kings and Princes which are the Image of the Beast; that is, which represent the Beast in their likeness of doctrine and life. Compare Revel. 13. v. 14. And had not received his mark in their foreheads.] By mark in this place is to be understood some characteristical note, or distinguishing sign or token, which they are said to bear in their foreheads, who publicly profess themselves to be addicted to such or such a master, or leader. Or in their hands] that is, In their actions, Rites, and Ceremonies. In these words therefore is contained a concealed antithesis or opposition, whereby the Martyrs are declared contrary to the slaves and servants of the Beast; concerning whom there is former mention, chap. 13. ●●▪ 14, 15, 16. that they worshipped the image of the Beast, and received his mark on their right hand, or on their foreheads. From which words it is manifest that the Martyrs are here described by the distinction of their sufferings and doings. And they lived] that is. They lived again, as may be gathered from the fifth verse, But the rest of the dead lived not again. So formerly, Revel. 2.8. Who was dead, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and is alive, for, hath lived again. Here then is described the singular reward which the Martyrs have received for their sufferings▪ and extraordinary performances. And reign●d] As being appointed here on earth governors of the Church, having now gained it's most welcome Halcyonia, or days of calmness. With Christ] Who all this while shall reign visibly in heaven, invisibly upon earth, his visible Kingdom being resigned to the Martyrs. For those thousand years'] Of whi●h in the former verse▪ For that the thousand years of Satan's binding, and of the Kingdom of the holy Martyrs with Christ, are the same, and not distinct, or divers, the Article, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, four times repeated in the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 verses, doth sufficiently declare, and the term of time appointed for the losing of Satan doth fully evince. It is a forced Interpretation therefore that some do make, taking the thousand years in the 4 and 6 verses tropically by a Synecdoche for Eternity; in the other verses, namely, 3, 5, 7, according to the letter. But the rest of the dead] As well the godly, as the ungodly. * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. But some Copies have the simple {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, as in the foregoing verse. Lived not again] that is, Were not made partakers of that happiness and prerogative, whereby a number of some of the faithful shall rise before the universal and last Resurrection, and shall reign with Christ here upon earth. until those thousand years shall be finished] For they being ended, Christ not long after shall come to Judgement, which both the living and the dead must expect. This is * For the article ●●, being doubled, aught to be pressed more, than we see it is in our English Translation. that first Resurrection] In which the Bodies of the Martyrs shall rise, in the beginning of those thousand years. We must not therefore understand in this place a spiritual Resurrection, by which we are said to rise out of the sleep, and death of sin: For that Resurrection is common unto all good men, and happeneth daily. Wherefore thus we are to think concerning the Word Resurrection, when we find it mentioned in Scripture. Resurrection is either of our Spirit. Flesh * Read 2 King 17.22. 2 King. 4.35▪ 2 King. 13.21. Matth. 9.25. Luk. 7. 1●, John 11.44. Matth 27.52.28.6. Act. 9.41. ●0. 9. Particularly, in the time of Elisha, whose bones raised the the dead man, which was thrown upon them. Christ Who raised Lazarus, and the daughter of the widow of Naim. When divers roof at his hanging upon the cross, Matth. 27. Paul; who raised a dead man to life. The 1000 years. And this is called the First Resurrection. Universally, which shall happen in the end of the World; And this is the second Resurrection. 6. Blessed.] With a special blessing, and proper only to the Martyrs. And holy.] That is, Out of singular favour set apart by God for the privilege of this peculiar blessing, Who hat'● part in that first Resurrection.] Who shall be in the number of the Martyrs, who shall rise in this first Resurrection. On him the second death shall have no power.] The second death is the casting away of the damned to eternal torments. Compare the 14. verse with this. Otherwise it is called eternal death. But they shall be Priests of God and Christ.] Not in that common respect, whereby all the elect in this life are spiritual Priests, who by the Spirit of Christ offer themselves up unto God: But by a special prerogative, whereby, the Martyrs being raised from the dead, shall obtain chief power in the Church, as it were Priests of God and Christ. as before these thousand years the Priests of Antichrist were chief. And they shall reign with him for a thousand years.] In the Church, the profession of Christianity being no way hindered. See Revel. 5.10. and the Questions following. Therefore the peculiar happiness of the Martyrs consisteth in the first Resurrection in their reign with Christ, in their Priesthood; in the same manner as we have described it. 7. And when those thousand years shall be finished.] To wit, of the happiness of the Church, and of a free and universal profession of Christianity. Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.] That is, he shall recover his power and liberty to attempt and seduce without restraint, which power had lain asleep, as it were, and been buried for the thousand years, the Angel now giving him leave, in whose hands it was, according to the pleasure and command of God, to bind and lose Satan. 8. And he shall go forth.] That is, out of his prison, or place of his custody, whereof in the foregoing verse; namely, Out of the bottomless pit, where he was detained. That he may seduce the Nations in the four corners of the earth.] That is, Wicked men, who shall here and there remain in the World at the end of the thousand years. These Satan shall seduce, urging them to make war against the Saints, Gog and Magog.] That is, those Nations which at that time Satan shall seduce, and which at the end of those 1000 years shall by war make an attempt against the Church, and shall endeavour to destroy it, Exek. 3● and 39 as in old time Gog and Magog vexed the people of the Jews. Therefore by Gog and Magog are here to be understood all the professed enemies of the Church; even as Gog, that is, the people of the Lesser▪ Asia, which environed Judea on the North; and Magog, that is, the Scythians, which inhabited places situate on the South of Judea, were the professed enemies of the Jews. Thus than we must understand it: The devil shall seduce the Nations in the four corners of the Earth; the Nations, I say, which are endued with a spirit like that of Gog and Magog. Object. Read the 38. and 39 chapters of Ezekiel. But you will say; How can it be that those wicked men should reassume their power after these thousand years? Sol. I answer; This shall be brought to pass by the just judgement of God, whereby not only the great Antichrist shall flourish again, but also Pagan, and barbarous people, and other monsters of the same batch shall gain increase. And shall gather them together to battle.] Against the profession of Christ in general, that it being quite as it were thrust out of the world, they may substitute in the room thereof Antichristianism, barbarism, and unbelief. Whose number shall be a●●he Sand of the Sea.] So that it shall be a most completely furnished army, whose like hath never been heretofore. And Satan, being con●ident in the strength of these forces, shall hope thereby to swallow up the Church. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the Earth.] So great an army shall be gathered together, that no part of the earth shall be free from it. All the ground shall be covered with soldiers. They shall come up; that is, they shall rely upon much force and aid. And here is an allusion to Gog and Magog the Type, who being to besiege Jerusalem, which was placed upon a hill, were of necessity to ascend. And th●y * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. encompassed it.] The allusion to the type still holds: For the Church at that time shall be encompassed on every side with enemies▪ as in old time Judea was encompassed by Gog and Magog, those fierce and barbarous people. The camp of the Saints.] That is, Wheresoever the true soldiers of Christ were, making war in their own stations. And the beloved City.] The whole Church, which is one City at that time scattered through the whole world. And fire came down from God out of heaver, and devoured them.] Some such thing verily shall happen, as we read of Gen. 19 concerning Sodom and Gomorrha. And as the first world perished with the deluge of water: so Gog and Magog shall perish in ●●e end of the world by the destruction of fire. 10. And the devil that deceived th●● was cast.] Otherwise then in the third verse; for here he is so cast, that he shall not beloosed again thence for ever. Into the lake of fire; and brimstone.] This is a description of Hell. Where the beast was.] That is, The former Beast, which is described in the 16. chapter, v. 13. For that beast is distinguished from the false-Prophet, who is the same with the latter beast. And the false-Prophet.] Great Antichrist, Apollyon, the Babylonian whore, who with his subtle wiles seduceth men, persuading and pressing a counterfeit religion, wholly seeking after the honours and riches of this world, no otherwise then the false Prophets in the old Testament were wont to do. Wherefore in a special manner Antichrist is called the false-Prophet. And shall be tormented.] To wit, they three: The devil, or Dragon, and his two companions, the Beast, and the false-Prophet. Day and night.] Continually, without intermission. For ever and ever.] A description of all Eternity. 11. And I saw a great white Throne.] By this Throne a cloud is understood; and being termed a great Throne, the universal judgement is figured out; and being also called a white one, Truth, Equity and Justice are thereby signified. And one sitting thereon.] Namely, Christ, God and Man. Now he is said to be seen to sit there, that hereby we may be taught, That he is prepared and ready to pass judgement. From whose face.] Being both most ref●lgent, and full of austherity. The Earth and Heaven fled away.] That is, the fashion of this world passed away, and was consumed with fire, which went before this Judge; and the Creatures, the Inhabitants of earth and heaven, did all tremble at the sight of him. And there was found no place for him.] By reason of the resplenden●y, and Majesty of the Judge, which no creature could endure, without being changed into some other state, and condition. Therefore there shall be an universal change of the whole world in that Judgement day. 12. And I saw the dead.] That is, Those who had been dead; but were now raised, and restored unto life. Small and great.] A Dichotomy, or division, naturally to be understood in regard of quantity; morally in regard of quality, or dignity. So that all must be placed before the tribunal of Christ. Standing before God.] As expecting his definitive sentence. And the Books were opened.] Books not devised or written by any other, then by every one in his own private conscience, dictated according to his several thoughts, words, and deeds. These Books therefore thus written have hitherto been reserved, shut up, and not taken notice of, as it were in some private closet, or place of account. But now they are opened, so that they may be plainly read by every particular man. And another book was opened.] That only book, written by God himself. Phil 4.3. Revel. 3 5 Which is the book of Life.] That is, The secret and hidden Decree of God concerning our Election, which there shall in public be exhibited, and made manifest. Now it is called The book of Life, because therein God hath as it were set down the names of them, who through his grace and favour shall become heirs of eternal life. Compare Luke 10.20. And the dead were judged.] A definitive sentence passing upon all; acquitting some, and condemning others. Out of those things which were written in the Book.] To wit, In the books of men's consciences. Now these books shall be opened after a several manner. For the books of the Consciences of godly men shall not be so opened, that their sins shall rise up in judgement against them, (for in this respect they are still sealed up,) but they shall be so opened, that they may read indeed their sins there, many and g●eat ones, but so as they are covered by Christ, and the power of them more and more weakened by the Spirit of Christ, through repentance and the study of good works. Therefore the godly shall read in their conscience the justice of Christ covering their sins, and through him bringing forth good works. But the condition of the ungodly shall be far otherwise; For they shall read in their consciences their sins not pardoned by Christ. According to their works.] Which shall give testimony either of their faith in Christ; or else of their impiety, and unbelief. 13. And.] T●ansitively, for After that; that is, After the sentence of the Judge now passed, and published. The sea gave up her dead that were in it.] B●ing drowned, or devoured of fi●nes. And death.] That is, The Fire, air, and Beast of the Earth, and Fowls yielded up their dead, which had not been bu●yed. And Hell.] That is, The Grave. In these words than is contained partly a description of the general Resurrection, partly a distribution of the bodies of them that were dead into three sorts; One of them that were drowned in the Sea; Another of those which were not drowned in the Sea, but being dead had no burial, as being brought to ashes either by the fire or air, or else devoured by beasts of the earth, or by flying fowls; A third sort of those who were laid in their graves. Gave up their dead.] By the command and appointment of God. Which were in them.] The very same, and not others: the same in number. And they were judged every man.] Not any one being excepted. According to their works.] So that no man shall have cause to complain of any injury done unto him. 14. And death.] And, for But; adversatively. Death, that is, some, and indeed most, of the dead, but not buried. And Hell.] The Grave, which is here put for them that were buried therein. And again, not all the buried are here to be understood, but some, and indeed most. Now by Death and Hell may be understood men deserving both. Were cast into the lake of fire.] That is, made subject and slaves to eternal damnation; so that the Saints for the time to come need not stand in any danger or fear of them. Which is the second Death.] Or, eternal. This Relative Which may either be referred to the word Lake, or else may be taken collectively. In the former acception, the Lake is called the second death, that is, a sign or Symbol of the second, or eternal death. In the latter, the judgement of condemnation committed to execution is called the second death. Now this is called the second death, because the bodies and souls of the damned do in very deed die twice. For the body dyeth, both when it is separated from the soul, and also, when being again joined to the body, it is separated from God: And the soul dyeth, both when in this life it separateth itself from God by sin, and when after this life it is separated from God by everlasting punishment. Lastly, This punishment is called Death, because it taketh away the life of grace and glory, with which if the life of nature be compared, it is rather to be called death then life. 15. And whosoever was not found.] And, for For; a copulative particle for a declarative. Finding is here applied to God by an {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}▪ or by attributing of human actions, passions, and affections to the unlimited power, and unsearchable operations of the Deity. Written in the book of Life.] Both in the former book, as well through the love and election of God: as in the latter by faith, hope, and charity. Was cast into the lake of fire.] Through the just judgement of God, and by his own default. 2. A logical-theological Analysis. This Chapter is divided into five parts. I. THe Description of the Angel, Vers. 1. II. The Effects, or operations of the Angel; that is, what the Angel did. In part of the 1. Verse 2.3. III. The happy estate of the Church which followed upon what the Angel had effected. In part of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Verses. IV. The troubled State of the Church, Vers. 7, 8, 9, 10. V. The Description of the last judgement. From the 11. Verse●● the end. Of the first Part. The Angel is described, 1. From the Person employed therein, who is John the Evangelist, whose effect illustrated by the time added, is expressed in these words, After that I saw. 2. From the proper Person, or Subject. An Angel. 3. From the effect which is illustrated by the place, Coming down from Heaven. 4. From the double adjunct, illustrated by a threefold similitude, Having the k●y of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand. Of the second Part. Five effects of this Angel are recited, 1. The first is illustrated by an allegorical description of the object, thus; And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the devil, and Satan. The second is illustrated by the circumstance of time. And he bound him for 1000 years. 3. 4. 5. The other three are set down with a manifestation of the end for which this was done. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more. Of the third Part. The happy estate of this Church hereon Earth is either common, or proper. The common estate of the Church is that of all the godly then living, in these words, That he should not seduce them any more. And it is described thus, 1. From the extent of the Subject, Tha● he might not seduce the Nations. 2. From the adjunct of time, Till the thousand years should be fulfilled. 3. From the destructive cause of their felicity, And after that he must be loosed. Now as well the efficient cause of the corruption of this felicity is declared, namely, The decree of God. He must be loosed As the manner and form, Be loosed. And lastly, the adjunct of time, For a little season. The Proper estate of the Church is that of the Martyr, and is consists of their Resurrection, and Kingdom. The Resurrection of the Martyrs is described, 1. From the Person employed. Then I saw. 2. From the impulsive procuring cause, to wit, the Judgement of those heavenly powers, which is illustrated from an adjunct and effect metaphorical, thus; Thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them. 3. From the recipient subjects, which is described from the adjunct passions, as also from the its effects; And the souls of them, who were beheaded for, &c. The procuring cause also of these passions or sufferings is declared, to wit▪ Their confessing of Christ, and their refusing of Idolatry. 4. From the manner of their Resurrection, And they lived agai●▪ The Kingdom of the Martyrs is described from the effect, conn●●, and adjunct time, And th●y reigned with Christ, for a thousand years. The Resurrection of the Martyrs is again described, 1. From the unlike condition of others. But the rest of the dead lived not again, until &c. 2. From its epithet. This is the first Resurrection. 3. From four adjunct●; of which the first, second, and fourth are peculiar; the third common. For the Martyrs are described from their particular happiness▪ Blessed. From their particular holiness, And holy. From their holy security, On such the second death hath no power, From the dignity of their Priesthood, But they shall be Priests. Their Kingdom with the durance thereof, is the second time also set down in the 6. Verse. Of the fourth Part. The happy estate of the Church shall be troubled by the extreme persecution of the wicked, that is to say, by the war of Gog and Magog, the cause whereof and the event is described. The cause is as well efficient, as formal▪ The efficient is either principal, The seducing of the devil; or instrumental, The wicked Nations. The seducing of the devil is described, 1. From the time; When the thousand years shall be finished, 2. From the permissive cause; Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. For he shall be let loose by the Angel, God permitting, and commanding it. 3. From the manner, and end; And he shall go forth that he may deceive the Nations, and gather them to battl●. The wicked Nations are described, 1. From the subject place; The Nations which are in the four corners of the earth. 2. From the comparison with their like; Gog and Magog. 3. From the adjunct; That he might gather them to battle. 4. From the multitude added; which is set forth and illustrated by a simile; whose number is as the sand of the Sea. 5. From a double effect; And they came up on one breadth of the earth, and encompassed, &c. The event of this war of Gog and Magog is in respect; 1. Of the Nations; But fire came down from heaven. 2. Of the devil; whose action is described; And the devil who seduced them: and his passion; He was cast into the Lake. And this punishment is described from his company; Where the Beast and the false prophet are. And from the durance of time added; And they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Of the fifth Part. The last Judgement is described, 1. From the efficient cause, which is the judge; who is described partly from the limited place, to wit, The cloud; Then I saw a Throne, &c. partly from adjunct, to wit, His majesty; And one sitting thereon before whom the Earth and the Heaven fled away. 2. From the Object, which are the guilty, or the persons to be judged; They are described both from their past condition; The dead both small and great, as also from their present state; Standing in the sight of God, as likewise from their future condition; And they were judged▪ From a tripartite distribution also from the distinct places. And the sea gave up no dead, and death, and hel●gave up their dead which were in them. 3. From the Rule observed in the Judgement, thereafter as their works are; According to their works. This rule is declared from the infallibility thereof, which is signified by the books, that is, the Consciences of men; And the books were op●ned. And by the Book of life also; And another book was opened. 4. From the execution of the sentence; of which one part here is only mentioned, namely the casting of the wicked into the Lake of fire. Vers. 14. the other is related in the following chapter. Now this casting into the Lake is described partly from what went before; And Death, and Hell. Partly from the form, and manner of it; Were cast into the lake of fire; which is the second Death. And partly also from the impulsive cause; And whose names were not found in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire. If you like better of it, divide this Chapter into four particular Visions; Of which the 1. Is concerning the Angel. Vers. 1.2.3. 2. Is concerning the State of the Church here on Earth, as well In a most happy condition, Verse 3, 4, 5, 6. As in a most afflicted, and troubled. Verse 7, 8, 9, 10. 3. Is concerning the throne of Christ the Judge, Vers. 11. 4. Is concerning the universal Judgement, and the process thereof, Verse 12, 13, 14, 15. IV. The Paraphrase of the Chapter. THe condition and estate of the Militant Church being laid open unto me from the year of Christ 94, together with the temptations and assaults wherewith it was shaken; the labours, wherewith it was afflicted, the deliverances, whereby it was freed; the Victory, whereby it was ennobled: but specially, and last of all, the fall of Babylon being foretold and declared, 1. I saw in my ecstasy a good Angel, the Minister of the Judgements of God, such as I had seen in my former Visions; Him, I say, I saw coming down from the heaven of the blessed, who had by God entrusted to him the key of the bottomless pit of hell, that according to the appointment of God he might shut and open it; also a great chain in his hand, wherewith he might bind some powerful enemy. 2. This Angel laid hold of the Dragon, that infernal old Serpent▪ who from the beginning vomited forth his poison upon mankind, and deceived them with his winding sophisms, who is both the devil, slandering God before men, and on the other side men before God; who is also Satan▪ the adversary of God and men; of Nature in general, and of the Church. This Deceiver, being found and apprehended in his Sophistry and Tyranny, the good Angel bound with his chain, and that for a thousand Solar years, and commonly used in the general course of life. 3. Neither was it enough for him to bind him, but moreover he cast him being bound, and threw him headlong into the bottomless pit, and being thrown down thither, he shut him up; and being shut up, he sealed the Cover of the bottomless pit, lest breaking forth by any means, he might seduce, partly to Idolatry▪ partly to the persecution of the Church, any more, as he had done before, the Nations, as well Jews as Gentiles, until the thousand years are finished. For afterwards he must (God so appointing it) be Ie● lose out of his prison for a short time, which God hath limited, and which shall not before a thousand years, as the time of his binding, and his being shut up was. 4. A joyful Catastrophe, or issue, shall follow this Tragedy of the Dragon. For I saw Thrones set in order, and and Christ with his holy Angels sat upon them. For unto these power was given to judge, partly by giving and executing sentence, partly by approving thereof. I saw also the souls of them who were beheaded, and tormented with innumerable kinds of punishments, not indeed for their own offences, but for the testimony which they gave concerning Christ, the Son of God, and only Advocate of the Church; and for the Word of God, which they had boldly maintained against the corruptions of men: and who had not worshipped that second Beast, which I made mention of that I saw it before; nor the image of that Beast which is twofold, both in respect of doctrine, and life: neither had received his mark in their foreheads, publicly making show and witnessing by their words, that they belonged to the family of the Beast: Lastly, they had not so much 〈◊〉 received this mark in their hands, expressing the same either in their life, manners, or actions. Such at these lived, their bodies being raised again, and restored to life. Neither did they only live again, but also reigned in the Church, freed now from Persecutions, with Christ, that King of kings, for a thousand years. 5. But the rest of the dead, as well the godly who before these 1000 years received not the Crown of Martyrdom, as the ungodly▪ lived not again till the thousand years were finished. And this is the first Resurrection, due only to them as a ●rerogative, who above others have glorified the Lord Christ in their bodies, nothing terrified with the threats, curses, and torments of men. 6. These Martyrs therefore, who have their part in the first Resurrection, are deservedly esteemed happy above others, as also peculiarly separated, and set aside by God for the receiving of such a reward. For the second death shall have no power over them. By reason that though they live the second time here upon earth, yet they shall no more by any sin engage themselves so, that they need to fear any danger of an eternal death. For they shall be here upon earth Priests of God, and of Christ, not of this world: and they shall reign with Christ, not as the kings of the Nations, but in the Majesty of the Spirit, for these thousand years. 7. Now when these thousand years sh●●● be fulfilled, the happiness of the Church shall on the sudden begin to fail here on earth. For Satan in an instant shall be ●et loose out of his prison, in which he was most carefully kept for those thousand years. 8. But being thus set at liberty, he shall not rest so, but shall return to his old game, and so he shall go forth, that he may the more freely seduce the Nations, which are in the four corners of the earth, towards the East, and towards the West, towards the North▪ and the South. Now he shall not only by heresies of all kinds▪ lead on the blind world to apostasy, or falling away from the faith; but also he shall behave himself as a Captain, or Leader, to bring on a grievous Persecution upon the Church, stirring and raising up against it Gog and Magog, the sworn enemies thereof, and of God himself; such as were of old those people▪ who under these names were bitter enemies to the Jews. Ezek. 38. and 39 ch. And having thus stirred them up, he shall gather them together to Batte●●, far more cruel and bloody then hath been from the beginning of the world. For men shall enter into this battle barbarous in their monstrous cruelty, and monstrous cruel in their barbarousness, whose number shall be as the sand of the Sea. 9 Wherefore these vast forces, under the conduct of Satan, shall come upon the earth, and shall cover the breadth thereof with their multitudes. And straightway, they shall encompass the Camp of the▪ Saints, wheresoever it shall be; and with their utmost diligence and devices, shall endeavour quite to deface the Church, that beloved City of God. But however, in the very midst of this their rage and fury, being greater than that either of the Cyclops or Giants, on a sudden a fire shall come down from Heaven, God himself sending forth lightnings and flashings of fire upon them, and shooting out his Arrows against them. This fire shall devour those his innumerable enemies, like stubble. 10. But neither shall their Leader, the devil, who conducted, and seduced them, carry it away so without his due punishment for opposing the Church of God, by the seduced Nations. For he shall be cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone, that is, into hell itself, where his companions, the first beast, and the false Prophet, who is the great Antichrist, being thrust down a little before the beginning of the thousand years, do endure their punishment. There they shall be tormented day and night without intermission, for ever and ever, that is, For all ages; so that for the time to come they shall never scape forth again. 11. I saw also a great cloud like a great white Throne, and Christ, the Son of GOD, the Judge of the living and dead, sitting thereon with great Majesty, and prepared to give Judgement. From before his face the Earth and the Heaven fled away, and there was no place found for them. For this earth, and this heaven shall pass away at the coming of Christ, and all things shall be made new. 12. I saw also all the dead, small and great standing before God, and ready to hear the sentence of the Judge. What happens then? The books of men's Consciences are opened, the counsels of all mortel men, and the secrets of their hearts, being brought to light. Now lest the elect children of God should be disheartened, every one by the particular survey of his own book, or conscience, behold another book is opened for them, I mean the Book of Life, in which according to the fatherly acceptance of God in Christ, their names are written from everlasting. These books being thus opened, the d●ad are judged out of those things which are written in the books, according to their works; and that after such manner, that the works of the Saints are judged out of the book of life, which contains the books of their Consciences, washed and cleansed with the Blood of Christ; But the works of the ungodly are numbered and surveyed; and so judged, out of the books of their own consciences, not cleansed from sins, nor purged with the Blood of Christ. 13. Hereupon than the Sea gave up its dead, which had been concealed in the bosom thereof. Death also and the Grave, that is, The fire, air, and the earth, and indeed all the Elements d●livered up their dead, which having received formerly, they had partly consumed, partly yet preserved. They were therefore all judged, and every one in particular, none at all excepted; and they were judged justly; for the judgement was according to every ones works, of which their consciences bare them record. 14. And this being performed, ungodly men, Death and Hell, that is, Men deserving both, were cast into that lake of fire, that there for ever they might swallow up waters running with fire, and there suffer the second death, that is, by dying the second death never to die. 15. For whose name soever was not found written in the Book of Life, was cast into that lake of fire, both by the just Judgement of God, and by the heinousness of his own deservings. V. The Questions arising in this Chapter. THe chief Questions of this Chapter are these: 1. Whether these thousand years, several times here mentioned, are always to be understood literally. 2. Whether they be already finished. 3. What year ought to be put for the beginning of them. 4. What is to be understood by the first Resurrection. 5. Who are to be understood by Gog and Magog. 6. Whether the Martyrs with Christ shall reign here on Earth. All which Questions I will bring into this one; Whether there shall be any happiness of the Church here upon earth, before the last day; and of what kind it shall be? This question I will handle somewhat more largely, both by way of confutation, and confirmation. I will in the first place therefore by certain Classes, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. or ranks of Arguments, confirm the truth to be maintained herein: After that I will confute the Objections of the adversary part. I. The Confirmation of the Truth. THere shall be three Classes, or ranks of Arguments for the maintaining of this Truth, which we comprehend in the following Thesis. or Position: The happy estate of the Church in this life shall consist of the Resurrection of the Martyrs, and their kingdom here on earth; of the freedom of the Church from the persecution of the enemies of the Gospel, by an utter overthrow of them; of a lasting peace which shall arise from thence▪ of the increase of the Church, or the multitude of the believers by the conversion of the Jews, and Nations not yet converted; of the Reformation of Doctrine, (or a greater enlightment) and life, among all estates of men; of the Majesty also, and great glory of the Church; and lastly, of the sincere joy thereof. Now this happiness shall begin in that very year, wherein it shall come to pass, That the kingdom of that great Antichrist shall be destroyed: and it shall last for a thousand years. The truth hereof we will make good, 1. Out of the Context, and Coherence of this Chapter. 2. Out of other sayings of the Scripture. 3. Lastly, by Arguments taken from reason, and the consent and agreement of some holy and learned men. The first Classis of Arguments. From the Context of the Chapter we draw these Arguments: THe first Argument is taken from the connexion of this Vision with the former, which is described, chap. 19 verse 19, 20, 21. For John saith in the first verse of this Chapter, And I saw, that is, Afterwards; to wit, After I had seen the Beast, and the false Prophet cast into the Lake of fire. Now lest any one should think that this casting of them in shall be in the end of the world, John doth presently add; and the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat on the horse, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. From which words it is manifest, That it is spoken here concerning the destruction of Antichrist, and his followers, which shall not happen in the last and universal Judgement, but shall be a particular Judgement by itself: which is thus demonstrated: The coming of Christ to the last Judgement shall at length happen after the war of Gog and Magog; which is a distinct War from that which is described, chap. 19 ver. 19 For the war of Gog shall be against the Saints, having now enjoyed a long-lasting Peace. But the war of Antichrist shall be against the Saints, being now brought almost to nothing by some great persecution. Again in this 20●h Chap. vers. 10. it is said, That the devil should be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone after the war of Gog, where the Beast and the false prophet * ERAT, saith Alsted. The original wa●rs the verb set down. But our English useth the present are. The Vulgar edition is most dissonant from the Greek,— in stagnum Ignis & sulphuris, ubi & bestia & pseudoprop●e●a cruciabuntu● di● a● nocte. The Author thereof qui●e mispl●ced {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Copulative before {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, putting it before {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} collectively, omitting also the interpun●●ion after {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Notwithstanding he is followed by the Geneva Translators. Rob. Steph●n. ubi ERAT & bestia, & ille Pseudopropheta: & cruciab. The Oriental▪ Translation, both Arabic, and Syriaque, 〈◊〉 not from the received Greek; The latter of which, in this 〈◊〉 and some other places of the ●. T. we owe to an old copy in the Library of that 〈…〉 of all Learning and Piety, D●Vsher, and to the exact pains of M● 〈…〉 of the Arabic in Oxford, who from thence supplied the former defects in this Transl●●ion. WAS; which words have a plain respect to those, chap. 19 ver. 20. These both (the Beast, and the false prophet) were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with Brimstone. The second Argument is from the Connexion of this Vision with the following, which is set down in the 21▪ Chapter. For, saith John in the first verse thereof. After that I saw a new Heaven, and a new Earth; that is, The thousand years being finished, the war of Gog and Magog being ended, and the execution of the last Judgement, of which in the 20●● chapter, being accomplished: As if he should say, Hitherto I have seen and declared the estate of the Church Militant, and beginning to triumph in the last Judgement: Now followeth the Vision and Declaration of the state of the whole Church going on in its progress of Triumph in life eternal. The third Argument is from the often repetition of those words, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, [a thousand years'] and withal the addition of the Article {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, [the, or those thousand years,] whereof the former is once only used, the latter four times from the 2 verse to the 8. which repetition argues that these words are to be understood Historically, and according to the letter; except you had rather say that John is a * Al●●eds word is Battalogus, from the verb used by Christ, Mat. 6.7. Of the various interpretations thereof, see the most learned Fuller. Miscell Sa●ror. Lib. 2. cap. 16. babbler, or a vain repeater of the same words needlessly again and again. The fourth Argument is from the comparing of this Vision with the History of what hath hitherto happened. For it cannot be proved out of any History, That those things which were treated of in this prophecy, have yet come to pass. For as yet the devil was never so bound for a thousand years, as that he was cast into a bottomless pit, and there shut up, and withal a Seal set upon him, that he might not seduce the Nations any more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; which being expired, he should be let loose for a little season. I require then that some age of the New Testament may be produced, wherein the Epocha, or beginning of these years may be said to have been. Again▪ The Resurrection of the Martyrs is proved from the Antithesis, or opposition expressed in the 4. and 5. Verses; where it is expressly said, That the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were expired. Therefore, when as it is said that the Martyrs lived, they are to be understood to have lived again. Now let it be made appear when this living again happened. Lastly, The war of Gog and Magog hath not been yet, as many would have it: For after those thousand years shall be finished, in all which time no Nations shall be seduced by Satan; then, I say, shall this new seduction begin over the whole face of the earth, and from the four corners of the world an innumerable army shall be gathered, which shall bring great trouble to the Saints, and shall be consumed with fire sent down from God. Seeing therefore these three things, which I have mentioned, are not already fulfilled, it is most certain that they are yet to be fulfilled. The fifth Argument is from the absurdity that will follow: For except we keep close to the letter, and apply it to the happiness of the Church which shall be hereafter on earth, both the explication and application of this whole prophecy will prove very empty, unsavoury, and wrested. Let us take one of many. Some say that these thousand years here mentioned began with the overthrow of the Temple, This is called receptior sententia, by Dr. Prideaux. in Orat. 3. and Jewish Worship; because then the Jews, who hitherto never ceased to trouble the Nations, and to turn them aside from the Gospel, being now scattered and cast off, the Nations now by whole troops were brought in in their stead to the Church of Christ, and that then Satan being bound▪ it was made apparent that he ceased from seducing the Nations. Now let us see what a fine exposition this is. Jerusalem was overthrown by Titus in the 69. year of Christ: Here then let us begin the Epocha of these thousand years, so that they may end in the year of Christ 1069. Now let there be conferred with this whole course of time the Conversion of the Nations, the sink of Heresies, the defection and seduction of Mabomet, the Mystery of Iniquity, and lastly the persecution of the Godly; and than let it be shown how Satan reigning all this while so powerfully, was bound for a thousand years, and seduced not the Nations. Let it be shown also how any Martyr ever reigned with Christ from the year of the Lord 69 to the year 1069. Certainly none have yet reigned with Christ, because none have yet risen from the dead. Now the reign of the Martyrs with Christ must follow their Resurrection. So that if these thousand-years were expired in the year of Christ 1069. It follows, That these 573 years, which have passed from that time to this present year 1643. is a little season in respect of a thousand years: because it is said, That after those thousand years the devil shall be let loose for a little season, that he may again seduce the Nations, Vers. 3, 7, 8. But 573 years cannot be said to be a little season in regard of 1000 years, seeing they contain a great deal more than half thereof. Neither doth that make void the truth hereof, which they bring out of 2 Pet. 3.8. that a thousand years with God are but as one day: Psal. 90.4. For there it is spoken concerning God's estimate, or account; who as he esteems a thousand years but as one day, so again he esteems one day as a thousand years, as it is plain out of the place now cited. But here it is spoken concerning man's estimate, who makes not the like account of a short, as he doth of a long time. The sixth Argument is ab implicito, as they use to speak; employed and necessarily deduced from another truth. John writes, that for the space of those thousand years the Nations should not be seduced, Vers. 3. where not only the Heathens, but also the Jews are to be understood. For Satan is so bound, and committed to Hell, that he cannot at all seduce any one. Therefore neither the Jews. Now it plainly appears to every one, that the Jews ever since the Passion of Christ, even to this very age of ours, have been most miserably seduced. Therefore these thousand years are yet to come. Again, It is very probable, That the Persecution of the Church hath been a great occasion, among other things, to hinder the Jews gathering of themselves to the Church. Therefore if the Jews should but see the wonderful overthrow of Antichrist, without doubt it would afford them a great occasion of their Conversion. Upon this ground, the overthrow of Antichrist shall immediately go before, not the last judgement, but the happiness of the Church which shall happen in this life. The second Classes of Arguments. OUt of divers places of Scripture we will bring several Arguments, which shall all have dependence upon this Syllogi●m●. What things soever are by God foretold in the Old and New Testament, and are not already fulfilled, shall of certainty be yet fulfilled. But the great happiness of the Church here on earth is foretold by God in the Old and New Testament, but not as yet fulfilled: Therefore, It shall be yet fulfilled. The Assumption, or second proposition, we will demonstrate out of divers places of Scripture, in which the parts of this future happiness, which a little before we have decl●red, do either severally, or more of them together, occur. The first place is Gen. 17.4, 5, 6. Where God thus speaks unto Abraham: As for me, behold I make my Covenant with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many Nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham: for a father of many Nations have I made thee. And I will multiply thee abundantly, and I will make Nations of thee, and Kings shall come out of thee. In these words is promised unto Abraham, that he shall be a father, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles. For it is plain, That divers people had their original and descent from Abraham. For besides that Isaac was born of him, Ishmael also grew into a great people, and the Edomites also descended from him were scattered far and wide. Of other sons also, which he had by Keturah, very large families were spread abroad. But what? Moses had a farther respect in these words, namely, that the Nations by faith were to be inserted into the kindred of Abraham, though they were not begotten of him according to the flesh, as the Apostle witnesseth Rom. 4 11. The Jews of all kinds, and Gentiles shall be the sons of Abraham in Christ. But this is not yet brought to pass; Because the ten Tribes carried away by Salmanassor have heard nothing concerning Christ, and the two Tribes, Judah, and Benjamin, have hitherto wandered in their own ways, as also the Indians, and the like unto them. It must be therefore that they also at length be brought into the Covenant made with Abraham. The second place is Gen. 18.18. Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation; and all the Nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. Compare Gen. 26.4. Hence I thus reason. In the seed of Abraham, which is Christ, all the Nations of the earth shall be blessed; But this hath not yet come about, as it appears out of the illustration of the former place. This therefore must be yet done. Compare Gen. 21.13. where God promiseth Abraham, that of the son of the bondwoman Hagar he would make a Nation, that is, he would cause that of him many people should be born, because he was his seed. As if he should say; This seed of Abraham also shall not slip out of my remembrance, but in it's due time it shall know that I am the God of Abraham. The third place is Gen. 27.40. When thou (Esau) shalt have the dominion, thou shalt break his (thy brother Jacob's) yoke from of thy neck. This shall then be done, when the posterity of Esau shall grow together into one body with the Israelites. Which is not yet done. The fourth place is Gen. 48.19. Notwithstanding his (Manasse's) younger brother (Ephraim) shall grow greater than be, and his seed shall be the fullness of the Nations. These words receive light from the 11 chapter to the Romans, where the same manner of speaking is used. This therefore shall be the meaning. Out of Ephraim indeed no numerous offspring shall arise according to the flesh (for in this respect the tribe of Judah exceeded the tribe of Ephraim,) but this shall be his prerogative, that his seed shall be the fullness of the Gentiles: that is, shall put a conclusion to the Conversion of the Gentiles, and so together with the rest of the Jews shall be turned unto Christ. The fifth place is Gen. 49.10. Which is spoken of Shiloh, that is, the Messiah: And unto him shall the gathering [or, obedience,] of the people be. That is of Jews, and Gentiles; as also of the Turks, and Indians, and of the ten Tribes. The sixth place is Gen. 49.18. Here Jacob breathes forth his griefs for the tribe of Dan: I have waited for thy salvation, o Lord. As if he should have said; yet at length I shall be saved, o God, however thou meanest to scatter me with the other nine tribes of Israel. For it is a very hard censure utterly to exclude those ten tribes from the Communion with Christ. The seventh place is Gen. 49.26. Here Jacob thus speaks unto Joseph. The blessings of thy father have prevailed with the blessings of my progenitors, unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. That is, They are not only temporal, but eternal. For he joins together spiritual promises, with earthly; because the one are but the resemblances, and figure of the other. Therefore those last words are a circumlocution of Perpetui●y. I demand then, where in the whole world were the posterity of Joseph made partakers of Christ? It is necessary therefore that this promise should yet be fulfilled. The eighth place is Numb. 24.17. Where Balaam thus prophesieth concerning Christ. I see him, but not now: I behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel, and shall smite all the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth. Here by the children of Seth are understood all the children of this world: because we are all sprung out of Seth, who succeeded into the place of Abel, who was slain. For the posterity of Cain perished in the Deluge. Noah had his descent from Seth. And from Noah was the reparation of mankind. Wherefore the sons of Seth, are as much as the sons of Adam; that is, all mankind. This is the meaning; Christ who shall come out of Jacob as a star, and whose sceptre shall rise out of Israel, shall bring to nothing the Moabites, the enemies of the Israelites, and shall destroy all the sons of Seth, that is, all men, by subjecting them to himself by his own Spirit. Which yet, as experience itself may be witness, hath not been brought to pass. Now in this place I translate it, the sons of Seth, following the Lxx. Interpreters, and Vatablus: because the Antithesis between Moab, A {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} paries. The Participle of the Verb in this place is also used Isai 22 5. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Dellruens parietem. and Seth so required. To say nothing that that Translation, He shall destroy all that are behind, is forced. Now in the word, he shall destroy, there is an extraordinary Emphasis, or significancy; for the Hebrew word denoteth as much as to break down a wall: as if he should say; he shall break in pieces their walls, that is, whatsoever all men have of their proper holiness, or worth, this star shall make dim, and obscure, and shall weaken all power, that lifteth itself up against God. The ninth place is Deut. 30.3, 4. Then shall the Lord God turn thy captivity, and shall have mercy on thee, and will return and gather thee from among all the people, whither thy Lord God had scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the utmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence he will fetch thee. This truly is not fully performed in the bringing back of the Babylonian captivity. For neither were the ten Tribes then brought back. See also the 6. and the 8. Verses. For what is spoken there concerning the circumcision of the heart is meant of the faith in Christ, without which no man's heart is cleansed. The tenth place is Deut. 32. to the 44. verse. Here from the first verse to the 40. divers passages occur concerning the Conversion of the Jews, as Heurnius doth learnedly expound them. Then from the 40. verse to the 44. is the prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. De Legatione Evangelic● ad Indes. fol. 144. For the Apostle Rom. 15.10. allegeth the first part of the 43. verse to this purpose. Now here it is prophesied of the destruction of the enemies of the Church, and of the spilling of their blood in fight. Which destruction hath not happened yet, as is plain by this syllogism. If the Destruction, here prophesied of by Moses, agrees with that▪ which is prophesied of Revel. 19 vers. 20.21. it hath not yet happened out, but is to come. But the Antecedent is true; Therefore also the Consequent. The Assumption is made good by the comparing of these two places. And here it shall not be amiss in brief to call into our memory, how many d●structions of the enemies of the Church after the Babylonian captivity, we meet withal in the Prophets. And they are in number three. The first Destruction is, of the enemies of the Church of the Jews in the time of the Maccabees. Dan. 11.34, 35. The second Destruction is of the enemies of the Church of the Gentiles. Dan. 11.34, 35. Revel. 19 vers. 20, 21. The third Destruction is of the enemies of the Church of both Gentiles and Jews, a little before the end of the world. Revel. 20.4. The eleventh place is Nehem. 1.8, 9 Here the promise of God, Deut. 30.3, 4. a little before explained, is repeated: and is applied to the bringing back of the two tribes from the Babylonian captivity, which was a type of the deliverance of them all, which is yet to come. For God promised the twelve Tribes, that he would gather them together whither soever they were scattered among divers Nations, although they were driven to the utmost part of Heaven, that is, into the most remote countries: Which cannot be interpreted of the Babylonian captivity alone. For neither than were all the Tribes brought back; neither was their bringing back from the remotest Lands. The twelfth place is Psal. 22.27, 28. All the ends of the earth shall remember, and be converted unto the Lord. And all the kindreds of the Nations shall bow down themselves before him. Compare Psal. 86.9. All Nations whom thou hast made, shall come and worship before thee▪ O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. So Psal. 117.1. O praise the Lord all ye Nations; praise him all ye people. Let us search through the Monuments of Hictories, and then let us examine whether this hath been, or no. We shall find indeed in some new found Lands, detested in ours and our father's memory, that the works of the Conversion of the Nations hath had some beginning and small progress: But in many parts of the East to this day, we shall find so little progress, that not so much as a beginning thereof will anywhere yet appear. The thirteenth place is the whole 97. Psalm. This Psalm containeth a prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ in his Church of the New Testament, as may be gathered out of the 7. verse, the latter part of which the Apostle Heb. 1.6. allegeth concerning Christ. Again, Many Islands are bid to rejoice, which cannot be accommodated to the Church of the Old Testament. Whence by the word Zion, verse 8. the Church of the New Testament is to be understood, as almost everywhere in Isaiah. Moreover in the 6. verse, it is said: All the pe●ple see his glory. Lastly, the judgements of God upon his enemies, and the joy of the Chur●h, which both are here described, have not as yet been accomplish●d. The fourteenth place is Psal. 110. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike thorough Kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the h●athen, he shall fill the places with dead bodies. He shall wound the head over many Countries. That these things are not yet come to pass, will appear to any one, that will take into his consideration History, and Experience. But that is especially to be taken notice of, which he speaks concerning the Head over many countries. For without dou●t it is to be understood concerning that Great Antichrist, whom many Countries acknowledge for the HEAD of the Church. The fifteenth place is Isai. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. Here is mention made of the last times; and four things are prophesied of, which then shall happen out. 1. The Mountain of God shall be placed on the top of the Mountains. 2. All Nations shall flow in unto it. 3. The Law shall come out of Zion. 4. They shall beat their Swords into ploughshares, &c. Nation shall not lift up a sword against Nation, &c. Of these the first and the third are fulfilled: The second will be brought to pass more and more every day: The fourth is not yet accomplished; as experience hath hitherto taught us, and doth yet teach us. The 16. place is Isai. 11.10▪ 11, 12. Two things are here prophesied of. 1. The Conversion of the Gentiles a little after the first coming of Christ by the preaching of the Gospel, Verse the tenth, For it shall come to pass at that time (of the coming of Christ, of whom is the foregoing prophecy from the beginning of the Chapter hitherto) that the Nations shall seek unto the root of Jesse. 2. The Conversion of the Jews and Gentiles together, Verse 11, 12. See H●urnius upon this place. Fol. 175. Compare this prophecy with the sixteenth Verse of this Chapter, and with the following twelfth Chapter. The 17 place is Isai. 24.23. Where there is foretold that the Lord shall reign gloriously in the mount of Zion, and in the City of Jerusalem: and in that manner, That the Moon and Sun shall be covered with shame at this glory of the Kingdom of God in his Church; so great shall be the glory and splendour thereof. Now this so great glory hath not as yet been seen, either in the Church of the Old, or New Testament. Therefore in it's due time it shall be seen. The 18 place is Isai. 25. from the 1 to the 13 verse. Here is contained a prophecy concerning the Church of the New Testament, as it appears by the comparing of the 8 verse with Rev. 7.17 and chap. 21.4. as also by comparing the 2 verse and the 1●, with Revel. 16.19, &c. and chap. 18. ver. 2.10.18.19. Now here it is prophesied concerning the deliverance of the Church from the persecution of enemies, ver. 3, 4, 5. concerning the destruction of the enemies thereof, vers. 10, 11. and namely, the destruction of the City of Rome, ver. 2 and 12. Lastly, concerning the joy of the Church, being now delivered from them that persecuted her, vers. 1.6, 7, 8, 9 And here you must take notice, That by Moab, or the Moabites, the enemies of the Church of the New Testament are signified, and indeed those, who are joined unto true Christians, by the bond of the name Christian, as the Moabites were joined to the Jews by the bond of Consanguinity, whom notwithstanding they persecuted with most hostible minds and affections. The 19 pl●ce is Isai. 26.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. where part of that song is set down, wherewith the Jews were to praise God for their deliverance from the Babylonian Captivity; wherewith the Christians also were to praise him for their deliverance from the Tyranny of Antichrist; as may be gathered from the comparing of Revel. 14.8. and chap. 18.2. with the 5 and 6 verses of this Chapter. The 20 place is Isai. 27. That this Chapter doth treat of the Conversion of the Jews; this may serve for a most certain Argument, because the Apostle allegeth some part of the 9 verse, Rom. 11.27. consider also diligently the two last verses. The 21 is Isai. 33.20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Where the City itself Jerusalem, so commonly called, cannot be understood, by reason that after this prophecy it was overthrown by the Romans. Therefore the Church of the New Testament is signified, which everywhere in the prophecies of Isaiah is mystically and typically, or metaphorically called Jerusalem. Now the things prophesied concerning it are Peace, Defence against enemies, and Victory. All which have not yet happened; and therefore certainly shall. The 22 place is Isai. 34. from the 1 to the 18 verse. Where you may collect that a prophecy is here contained of the overthrow of the enemies of the New Testament, by comparing the 4 verse with Revel. 6.14. and the tenth verse with Revel. 19 3. and the 11 verse with Revel. 18.2. Now by the Edomites, the false brethren of true Christians are set forth; and by Bozrah, the chief City of Edom, Rome, the chief City of Antichrist, is figured out, whose ruin is most feelingly described in the 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 verses. The 23 place is Isai. 43. the whole Chapter. The discourse whereof is concerning the conversion of the Jews. Especially consider the 5 and 6 verses. I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the West. I will say to the NORTH, Give up; and to the South, Keep not back: Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. The 24 place is Isai. 45.22. and 25. Look unto me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth. 25. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. This is spoken of the universal vocation of the Gentiles, and Jews: which two things have not yet come about. The 25 is Isai. 49.24▪ 25, 26. Which words agree with the foregoing prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, from the 18 ver. and therefore are to be interpreted of the Church under the Gospel, which complains of the power of her persecutors, ver 24. and is strengthened again by Christ with promise of deliverance, verse 25. and with threats of the ruin of those which persecuted her, ver. 26. Compare Revel. 16.6. The 26 place is Isai. 54.14, 15, 16, 17. That this prophecy doth speak of the Church of the New Testament, is from hence made plain, by reason that in this chapter a prophecy is contained concerning those benefits which God would bestow upon the faithful under the Gospel, whereto it makes also, That Christ, Ioh. 6.45, allegeth the first part of the 13 verse. Now in this place of the Prophet cited by us is contained a Prediction of the defence of the Christian Church against enemies, which is not yet fulfilled. The 27 place is Isai. 59.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, That here also is contained a prophecy of the Church under the Gospel, appears by comparing the 16 verse with chap. 63.5. as also the 20 verse with Rom. 11.26. Now there are three members of this prophecy: One of the destruction of the enemies of the Church, which shall happen before the conversion of the Jews, vers. 16, 17, 18, 19 Another of the Majesty or glory which shall accrue to the Church by the ruin of her adversaries, vers. 19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a Standard against him. The third is of the conversion of the Jews, vers. 20, 21. The 28 place is Isai. 60. Which whole chapter treats of the happiness which is yet to accrue to the Church of the Gospel▪ as will appear to them that consider of it. The 29 place is Isai. 63. the first six verses. It will be made plain to any one, that this prophecy doth speak of the deliverance of the Church of the New Testament from the ministers and followers of Antichrist, if he do but compare it with Revel. 14 19, 20. and chap. 19.13, and 15. Who are signified by the Edomites, and Bozrab, appears by looking back to the 22▪ place. The 30 place is Ierem. 16.14, to the end. This prophecy discourseth of the conversion of the Jews, ver. 15. The Lord liveth, that brought up the Children of Israel from the Land of the NORTH, and from all the Lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their Land which I gave to their fathers. Also concerning the vocation of the Gentiles, ver. 19 The Gentiles shall come unto the● from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. The 31 place is Ierem. 23.3. where the conversion of the Jews is treated of. The 32 place is Ierem. 33. ver. 3. and the following. For ●, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the Captivity of my people Israel, and Judah. And a little after, But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King; or as the Chaldee Paraphrase hath it, Christ, the son of David their King. Behold again a most sweet prophecy of the conversion of the Jews! The 33 place is Ierem. 31.1▪ 3. Where in like manner the conversion of the Jews is prophesied of. Heurn. de legit. Evang fol. 157 & Seqq. ●●●m ●ol. 165. See Heurnius in his Book formerly cited by us. The 34 place is Ierem. 31.31, 32▪ 33, 34. That a prophecy concerning the Church of the Gospel is contained in this place, may be perceived by the alleging thereof in Matth. 3.18. and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, chap. 8.8. Now the conversion of the Jews is there promised, in as much as God promiseth the people of Israel, that he would make a new Covenant with them, by means of which he would forgive their sins, and write his Law in their hearts. Which conversion of the Jews is not yet brought to pass, because since the Gospel began to be preached, the greatest part of the Jews have continued in unbelief. Wherefore it shall be brought to pass in it's good time. The 35 place is Ierem. 32.37, 39 Behold, I will gather them out of all Countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger. And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear 〈◊〉 for ever. Here again is promised the conversion of the Jews; which alike belongs to the happy condition of the Church of the New Testament. The 26 place is Ezek. 36.26, and the following. Where the Prophet saith, that it should come to pass, That God would give them a new heart, and put a new spirit within them. By which words no doubt the conversion of the Jews is signified ● which having not been, it remains it shall be. The 37 place is Dan. 11.33, 34. And they that understand among the people, shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be ●olpen by a little help. This prophecy is to be understood according to the letter, of the affliction and deliverance of the Church in the time of Antiochus, and the Maccabees; typically and mystically of the affliction and deliverance of the Church under Antichrist. Which deliverance indeed: is part of the happiness of the Church under the Gospel. Now that Antiochus was a type of Antichrist, appears by comparing Dan. 11.36, and 2 Thess. 24. The 38 place is Dan. 11.44, 45. But rumours out of the East, and out of the North shall trouble him. Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the Tabernacles of his Palace between the Seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no●e shall help him. These three things are unfolded in this prophecy: 1. The Protasis, or beginning of these tumults, wherewith Judea in old time, and Europe at this day is most grievously afflicted. 2. The Epitasis, or busy part, so wondrous full of troubles and contention. 3. Lastly, the Catastrophe, or issue, of these tumults, so much desired, and wished for by the Church. How every one of these severally are fulfilled in Antiochus, as a type of Antichrist, it is nothing pertinent to our purpose to inquire. Neither indeed is the matter so obscure, or unknown. Let us examine how they will suit with Antichrist. The Protasis, or first Act, as they say, is in these words: At length rumours from the East, and from the North shall trouble him. The rumour from the East sounded loud in the year of Christ M. CCCC.LIII. when Constantinople was taken: also in the year, M. CCCC.LXXXI. when * Hyd●nutum in Apuliaiurat caesis millib. Christian● 〈◊〉. Geduces the Bassa broke into Italy. The same rumour was renewed▪ when the House of Ottoman, having quite overthrown the sultan's power, turned his Arms the second time upon Europe; and taking a Belgrade taken by Soly●an, A. 1522. It is plac●d by Pliny in the utmost bounds of Pannonia. So called in the declining time of the Eastern Empire. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Constantino Porphyrogen de Administr. Imp. 〈◊〉. 40. Of late also called AlbaGraec●, but most anciently Taur●num, as appears by old Coins found there, mentioned by Busboquius, Ep. 1 Leg. Turcicae. In Antoninus the name is corrupted in some Copies to Au●inum, in others, Taurinum; as it is likewise in Ptolemy, where you have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Plurima antem apud Ptolemeum corrupta Urbium nostrarum nomina, ●em apud 〈◊〉, in Xrquae ad Britanniam pertinent Itineribus foede lux●●a loca, atque pessimè à libr●lis habita, restituta, & nostris Annotationibus explicata, publico, jamdudum exhibuif●emus, nisi dulciffimae patriae intesti●ae tu●bae paratam editionem praevortissent. Deus malum, quod immi●e● averruncet. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Belgrad●, and the Island b Rhodes also taken by 〈◊〉, An. 1525, cum 400 t●i●emibus, & 200000 hominum. Rhodes, began to invade the Territories of the Latin Church. This rumor from the East, was followed with a rumor from the North, in the year of Christ, * Renascentibus bonis literis Religionis eti●m {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} contigle M.D.XVII. Lather● per G●rmaniam Leo●i●● Indulgenti●s impugnante. M.D.XVII, and so forward. The Epitasis, or busy part, is in these: Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the Tabernacles of his Palace between the Seas in the glorious holy mountain. At this day Antichrist in the performance thereof, goes on under full Sail, wanting no favour of winds. For after he was troubled with the rumor out of the North, with great and high Spirit he assaulted all them who either began this rumour, or since favoured it, or do at this time any way cherish it. Neither doth he slack in these his attempts; for he hath destroyed, and utterly made away with many of God's people. Moreover he hath planted the Tabernacles of his Palace between the Seas in the glorious holy mountain, that is, He hath propagated his Religion among those people, who had a long time professed the purity of Religion. But it is well that the Catastrophe, or last act, is not answerable to the Epitasis, or middle part of the Tragedy. This brave Planter in the midst of his Plantation, will have some unlucky chance befall him. For when he shall come to his end, none shall help him. On the sudden a tempest shall arise, which shall bring shipwreck upon this bold steersman. Conradus Graserus. But see more of this in Conrodus Graserus his History of Antichrist. The 39 place is Dan. 12.1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a Nation, even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found Written in the book. I interpret this prophecy of the last persecution, or the war of Gog and Magog, which shall immediately go before the last Judgement. I am persuaded hereto by these two Reasons. 1. Because the time of this trouble is said to be such, as hath not been * Matth. 14.21. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Mar. 13 19 {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. since there was a Nation. Which Not● of time cannot agree with any persecution, but that which was most grievous; such as was that of Gog. 2. Because in the 2. verse of this Chapter, after that time of trouble, vers. 1. the Resurrection, and the last Judgement are immediately treated of. The 40 place is Dan. 12.11, 12. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination, that maketh desolate, set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Here these words; But from the time, &c. are to be understood of the last destruction of the City Jerusalem by Titus: because then the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the * Some refer this to the Statue of Adrian the Emperor placed in the Temple, and ●●ken away from the 〈◊〉 by those Jews who escaped from the destruction of the City by 〈◊〉. See S●idas in {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, &c. abomination of desolation was set up, as appears by comparing this place with the 9 chap. of Daniel, vers. 26, 27. Again, prophetical days are here to be understood, that is, years: Because these days are homogeneal, or of the same kind with the weeks, chap. 9 But those weeks are prophetical; therefore also these days. Now Daniel carries us on to the end of the world, by proposing two Periods, or limited times, of the New Testament, and by joining them to his seventy weeks▪ in this manner. The 70. weeks are terminated with the destruction of the City, that is, with the year of Christ, 69. Here begins the Epocha, or account of 1290 days, that is, of so many years: So shall we come to the year of Christ a 1359 Quo ●e●pore incipient pii contradicere impierati Antichristianae quae t●▪ ad tempus a liquid perdurabis, verùm ita, ut semper ●int●uturi pii, qui se oppon●n● voce, scriptis, martyri● Et sane usque ab hoc anno ad hanc 〈…〉, & 〈…〉 name circa An 1359. Pet●archa qui obiit 1374 Taulerus qui ob. 13●9. Wi●●●fus qui ob. 1387. caeperunt in os contradicere Antichristo Romano. Alsted. Cl●●nol. Tit. 12. Sect▪ 1359. At which we must begin the Epo●●● of 1335 days, or years: And so we shall be brought to the y●●● of Christ b Su●duc annos mille, relinquitur A. Ch. 1694 Epocha millenarii Apocalyptic● 〈◊〉 A●●●●d. 2694. in which the Thousand years in the Revelation shall have end: and they being ended the war of Gog and Magog shall begin, to which also the last judgement shall put an end. See more in my Thesaurus Chronologicus pag. 51 c Perhaps the number is false printed. In the edit▪ 1637. (which I use) it is 〈◊〉 1●6. . Compare also the Annotations of Lucas Osiander on Daniel 12. The 41 place is Hos●. 1.11. Then shall the Children of Judah, and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves as head, and they shall come up out of the Land; for great shall be the day of Jezreel. This truly is not yet brought to pass. The 42 place is Hos. 3.4, 5. For the Children of Israel shall abi●● many ●●yes without a King, and without a Prince, and without a Sacrifice, and without an Imag●, and without an Ephod, and without * This word T●raphim, observe ●it by the way for them, who meeting with it in this, and other places, know not what so make of 〈◊〉 which by the 〈…〉, they here 〈…〉 Theod 〈…〉 by the same 〈…〉 which they express 〈…〉 the high Priest▪ had in 〈…〉 of judgement. 〈…〉 of what was to come. Moses blessing the Holy tribe 〈…〉 Syris. cap. 2. Teraphim. Afterward shall the Children of Israel turn, and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and shall fear the Lord, and his goodness in the latter days. The Chaldee Paraphrase turns it thus: A long 〈◊〉 the Children of Israel shall remain without a King of the posterity of David, neither shall there be any to bear rule in Israel, or to perform acceptable sacrifice to God in Jerusalem: Neither shall there be any Statue in Samaria, nei●●●r any Ephod, or Prophet. Afterward the Israelites shall be turned, and they shall be diligen● in the ●orship of the Lord their God, and they shall obey CHRIST the son of David, their King; and they shall yield themselves to the worship of the Lord, and then his goodness shall be infinite, which shall happen un●● them in the last days. This prophecy, above all that can be said, the ancient Interpreters in general do expound concerning the Conversion of the Jews, in the end of the world, to the Christian faith. And indeed the words are very plain: Because the Israelites, which were carried away captives by Salm●nassar, and scattered into several Countries, are prophesied of that they shall return to God, and to David their King▪ that is, CHRIST, whose type David was▪ Which returning of theirs▪ seeing it hath not yet been, it is certain that in its own time it shall be. Now this belongs to the happiness of the Church under the Gospel, which the Revelation defines in the Period, or limited time of a Thousand years. The 43 place is I●●l. 3.1, ●. and from the 9 to the 14. Which prophecy, that it speaks concerning the Church of the New Testament, appears plainly by comparing the 13. verse with Revel. 14. the 15.19. and 20. verses. Now what is here spoken of the Valley of I●●oshaphat, is to be taken mystically, or typically. For as God in old time, in the Valley of Jehoshaphat overthrew the A●●o●ites, and the Moabites, and that by his Angels. 2 Chron. ●0. so in his good time he will slay the enemies of the Church in a like place, which Revel. 16.16. is called Armageddon. Theodor. in locum. Hac quidem Zo●● 〈◊〉 I attributerunt ●i 〈…〉. Propheti● autem ae●e●norum bo●●rum continet promis●●onem, & omn●● gentes cognitur●n 〈…〉. This also maketh hereto, That the Valley of Jehoshaphat is called the V●lley of threshing, because the Moabites, and the Ammonites were, as it may be said, threshed by the Angel of God in that place▪ by whose threshing the destruction of the enemies of Christ's Church is signified, Isaiah 25.10. The 44 place is Amos 9.14, 15. I will bring again the Captivity of my people Israel: and they shall build the waste Cities, and inhabit them. And I will plant them upon their Land; they shall 〈◊〉 more be pulled up out of their Land. Which prophecy speaks of the Conversion of the Jews. The 45 place is Mich. 2.12. I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of the●; I will surely gather the re●●●nt of Israel. As if he should say; I will gather unto the Messiah that blessed se●● of Abraham, and full store-house of 〈◊〉, all and every tribe, 〈◊〉 they are the seed of Jacob. The 46 place is Mich. 4. The whole Chapter contai●● a prophecy of the Church under the Gospel, as may be gathered from these words, In the last times, or In the end of days, vers. 1. Also from the description of the Vocation of the Gentiles, Vers. 1, 2▪ 3. Compare with this place, Isai. 2. But besides the prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, Vers. 1, 2, 3. which by the preaching of the Apostles, and their successors was accomplished, here is also contained a prophecy of the happy condition of the Church, which yet remains to be fulfilled: namely, concerning the Peace of the Church, in the end of third, and 4 Verse. Then of the Conversion of the Jews, Vers. 5, 6, 7. Of the Majesty, and glory of the Church, Vers. 8. Lastly, Of the victory of the Church, which it shall gain over it's enemies. Vers. 9 and the following. The 47 place is Mich. 5.7. and the following; where he treateth of the Conversion of the Jews. The 48 place is Zephan. 3.9. I will turn to the people a * So Symmachus {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. But Aquila & Theodo●. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a chosen Language. pure Language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, &c. to the end. Here is contained a threefold prophecy. 1. Of the calling of the Gentiles, which was done by the preaching of the Apostles, Vers. 9.10. 2. Of the Conversion of the Jews. From the 11. to the 20. 3. Of the destruction of the enemies of the Church. Ver. 14. to these words, Vers. 19 I will save her that halteth, &c. The 49 place is Zepha. 3.10. From beyond the rivers of * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Sym. Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offering. The Chaldee thus expresseth it: From the Countries beyond the Rivers of INDIA by my mercy the banished of my people, which were carried away, shall return▪ and they shall bring them as Offerings. The 50 place is Zach. 2.10. and the following. It appears plainly, That this prophecy speaks of the Church of the New Testament, by the 10. and 11: Vers. where the Jews are commanded to go out of the Babylonian captivity, which was now at that time finished. Whence it is gathered, that mention is made here of the mystical Babylon, Revel. 18.4. Now here is promise made to the faithful under the Gospel of their protection against their enemies; Also of the Conversion of the Gentiles, and of the Jews; and of their joy which shall arise from the defence and dwelling of God with them. The 51 place is Zach. 12.1. to the end. It may hence be perceived that the prophecy in this Chapter doth speak of the Church of the N. T. because experience itself opposeth the literal sense here▪ in the 2. vers. and following▪ concerning the protection of Jerusalem. For from the time of this prophecy, which was published to the Jews newly returned from Babylon, Mat. 17.11. As well the old Jewish Church, as the Christian, believed that Elias should be the fore●unner of the Day of judgement as appears by Tertull. de 〈◊〉. cap. 2●. As John was fore●unne● of Christ's ●irst coming, so Elias of his last. The Jews talk idly of restoring his soul to his body. What need that, seeing he was taken up into Heaven with both? Therefore Tertullian 〈◊〉 Anima, cap. 35. saith Elias shall come, 〈…〉, de quo non est exemptus, sed mundo reddendum, de quo est translatus. Quod ut ver● 〈◊〉 divinitus dictum; saith the learned Ios. Scaliger. the City was not so protected, as is here promised; but contrariwise overthrown by the Romans. Whence it plainly appears that by Jerusalem here is mystically understood the Church of the New Testament. Which mystical manner of speaking is not unusual in such kind of prophecies. Now of the Church of the N▪ T. partly the victory thereof which it shall gain over Antichrist is declared; partly the Conversion of the Jews. Compare Revel. 19.11. and following verses. The 52 place is Zach. 14.6. and following. It may be from this manifestly understood that this prophecy is of the Church of the N. T. in that our experience contradicts the sense of the letter concerning the plague wherewith God would smite all the people that fought against Jerusalem, vers. 12, 13, 14. when as from the time of this prophecy the enemies of Jerusalem were never strucken with such a plague; nay, on the contrary, itself was overthrown by the Romans. It remains therefore that by Jerusalem we understand the Church of the N. T. whose enemies shall be punished with no single plague, but many, as is here severally expressed. Here than the destruction of the enemies of the Church of the New T. is prophesied of: and moreover the illumination, and enlargement thereof; of which in the 6.7. and following verses. The 53 place is Malach. 3.19, 20, 21. according to others, chap. 4.1, 2 3. That this prophecy speaks of the Church of the New Testament is clear out of these words; The Sun of righteousness shall arise. Now two things are promised here to the Church of the N. T, which are not yet fulfilled; namely, the destruction of her enemies, v. 19 and her own deliverance from persecution. The 54. place is Mal. 4.4, 5. Where the coming of Elias is spoken of, Before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. Which prophecy indeed hath a double fulfilling: one, in John the Baptist; another, in some other great person, who is yet to come. This appears thus: Christ teacheth us, Mat. 11 & 17 Chapters, that this prophecy was fulfilled in John the Baptist, to wit, in regard of his zeal and fervency. But what else is spoken concerning Elias, both in Malachy and Matthew, doth not suit with John the Baptist. For Malachy saith, Matth. 17.11. That Elias should restore all things which John the Baptist did not. Therefore we must necessarily determine, That this prophecy will have a double fulfilling. Whereto belongs that also of * De considerate. Evangel lib. 1 cap 21. Theodoret in his own language (not yet printed) out of the M. of the public Lib●ary in Oxford is this: {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Paulo post. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Where by the way take na●ion, That in this Ma. s. the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: Hosea, Hab 〈◊〉 {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Mit●●, are Theo 〈◊〉: the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} upon the other seven are Theodoret. When at the printed La●ine of 〈◊〉 Gillius (whose Translation Alsled made use of) they all go under Theodoret's name. And yet which I wonder at) the Inscription of the Gr Copy in the beginning of the book is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} I owe the Transcription to my learned and worthy friend 〈◊〉 Henry 〈◊〉 of Oxford. Augustine. Elias shall restor: all, that is, in the end he shall confirm the Saints troubled by the persecution of Antichrist. And the rest of the Fathers also have thu● interpreted Malachy. Theodoret in his Commentary, writes thus of this place: He speaks of his second coming; and he likewise teacheth us what the great Elias shall do, when he shall come. And a little after; Elias shall first come; and he will persuade you, O Jews. That, without doubting, you would be joined to the faithful of the Gentiles, and be brought together into my Church being become one. The 55 place is Matth. 23.39. Where Christ speaks thus to the unthankful Jews: For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. By which words Christ declares, That at length the Jews should see him, not meaning in the last Judgement, but before it; because at the last Judgement they shall not cry out unto him, Bl●ss●d, &c. (for then they shall tremble, that have not been converted unto him) but at that time, when he shall show himself to them, that he may convert them to the true faith. The 56 place is Mat. 24.14. And this Gosp●l of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a witness unto all Nations; and then shall the end come. See now, before the last Judgement the Indians themselves, and others which yet acknowledge not JESUS CHRIST, shall be brought unto the Church! The 57 place is Luk. 21.24. And they (the Jews) shall fall with the edge of the sword, ●nd shall be led captives into all Nations, and Jerusalem shall be trampled on by the Nations, until the times of the Gentil●s shall be fulfilled. This place shall receive light from the next following. Our Saviour here teacheth us, that the Jews shall be vexed along time by the Gentiles; and that being ended, they shall be converted to the Faith. The 58 place is Rom. 11.25, 26, 27. The Apostle teacheth us in this place, that the Jews should so long remain in their blindness and calamity, till the fullness of the Gentiles should come in▪ that is, till the rest of the Nations of the world should flow in unto the Gospel. For than it should come to pass, that all Israel should be saved. And this he calls a See D' Frideaux, Orat. de Vocations judeorum. Sect. 6. concerning this place. Mystery, and that no● unfitly. For this is that prophetical Secret so often pressed by the Prophets; of which Paul would not have the ●entiles ignorant, lest they should despise the Jews, as cast off for ever. The 59 place is 2 Cor. 3.15. Therefore unto this very day when Moses is read, the Veil is upon their heart. Neverth l●sse when they shall turn themselves unto the Lord, the Veil shall be taken away. The Apostle here teacheth us two things concerning the Jews: 1. That their minds * read, were hardened {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Out English Interpreters as well as others, confound these verbs {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ●ut none of the ancients, exci●●Su●●● (whose authority, as learned men know, in many things is to be suspected) use {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for 〈◊〉. See 〈◊〉 ●. 4. Rom. 117. were blinded, as he speaks in the foregoing verse. 2. That at length they are to be converted by the Spirit of Christ. The 60 place is Revel. 22.5. And she brought forth a manchild (Christ) who was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron. Compare Psal. 2. You may gather out of these two places, that Christ shall be Lord and King of all people, Jews and Gentiles, when he shall gather them into his Church, and there feed and rule them. The 61 place is Revel. 14.8. Where the ruin of mystical Babylon is declared; which belongs to the happiness of the Church. But seeing it hath not happened, it shall most surely happen. The 62 place is Revel. 14.14. to the 21. Where is 〈◊〉 blown the destruction of the enemies of the Church of the N. T●●. The 63 place is Revel. 18, the whole Chapter. Wherein i● contained a glorious prophecy concerning the destruction of the the City of Rome, and the overthrow of Antichrist. The 64 place is Revel. 19.1, 2, 3. Where in like manner is contained a prophecy of Rome's downfall, and Antichrist's●●●dition. The 65 place is Revel. 19.11. to the end. Where is a clear prophecy of the vanquishing of Antichrists Army. And these are the testimonies of Scripture, in number * Either Alsled forgot him●self, or else the Printer oversaw the 43. Place in▪ this number. For that being left out, as it appears it is there are in all but Lxv. Lxvi. in which the happiness of the Church, whereof we took upon us to treat, is prophesied of promised, and set forth. I make no doubt, but the attentive reader rather will easily observe a notable harmony, and consent, in these places of Scripture, and from his own private reading add also others. The third Classis of Arguments. THis Classis, or rank of Arguments offords certain reasons, and the consent of some learned men. Reasons, or Consequences. I. All persecutors of the Church have at length been punished by God. Therefore at length the great Antichrist also, shall certainly be punished. The Antecedent, or foregoing proposition is proved partly from the nature of God, partly by Induction of examples. II. After long and grievous persecutions the Church hath ever felt some rest and refreshment here on earth: Therefore also she shall have some breathing time after the persecution of Antichrist, and that here upon earth; because God himself hath made her such a promise. III. Where the aid of man fails, there the assistance of God begins; as Philo the Jew said long ago both quietly, Philo judeus lib. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and piously. This is most certainly witnessed by the examples of the Church of the Old T. miraculously delivered out of the Egyptian bondage, Exod. 12. and 14. by the deliverance of Jerusalem from the siege of Sennacheri●, 2 Kin. 19 by the deliverance from the hostile invasion of the Ethiopians under King Asa. 2 Chro. 14. by deliverance from the invasion of the Moabites and Ammonites, under King Jehosaphat. 2 Chron. 20. And lastly, by deliverance from the oppression of Antiochus Epiphanes. 1 Mac. 1. and following chapters. add unto these divers examples of the Church of the N. T. which, when its condition hath been granted as desperate, and quite lost, hath had deliverance by the * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. unexpected handiwork of God. See the ecclesiastical History at large. From hence we may very well gather, that the Church, at this time oppressed on every hand, and left destitute of all human assistance, shall by the power of God be asserted, and vindicated, when Antichrist, in the full course and carrére of his happiness, shall little think of any such matter. IV. The downfall of Antichrist, and the binding of Satan for a thousand years, do without any intermission meet together. It is very probable therefore, That the beginning of these thousand years is at hand. For Antichrist, at that very time, wherein he shall make the greatest boast of his victories, shall suddenly fall. Revel. 18.7, 8. V. The several phenomena, See Tycho ●r●he● judgement concerning this life Revolution of the Fiery Trig on which you have in the beginning of this book. or Apparitions in the Heavens; namely, new stars, and comets; also Earthquakes, and the like, taken notice of in these latter times, do without doubt portend and manifestly foretell some notable, and extraordinary change. VI. The Period or limited time, for the Kingdom of Antichrist to continue, is almost expired, and at an end, as appears by the Revelation and History. VII. Daniel Chap. 12. declares an end of his prophecy, when he expressly sets down, that 2625. years shall be finished after the end of his Lxx. Weeks, that is from the year of Christ 69. which years, if they be added to the other, the sum of 2694. years is made up. In which current of time all things shall happen out, which are foretold, except the last Judgement, and what follows thereon. Wherefore if from 2694. years, 1000 be subducted, we shall come by the year of Christ 1694. In this year then, or sooner our THOUSAND years shall take their beginning. The consent of Godly, and learned Men. Esdras. IN the forefront we place the fourth book of Esdras. For there many passages occur concerning the conversion of the Jews, and the deliverance of the Church of the N. T. from Antichrist▪ Especially, That is a notable place, Chap. 13.39, 40. And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him. Those are ten Tribes, which were * Whither these ten Tribes were carried is at this day a great question. Esdras tells us that they entered Euphrates by the narrow passages of the River, and so traveled a vast Country of a year and halfs journey; and that the countries called A●sareth. I find indeed in Ptolemy lib. 5. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}; a City of the Greater {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, not far from the place where Araxes exposeth 〈◊〉 self into the Caspian Sea: Perhaps an Israelitish Colony. But how all this can stand good compared with a King. 17.6. and Geography itself, viderine {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. See Doctor Reinold De libri● Apocryphis, ad locum. Bretowoods' Enquir. cap. 13. The sibyl's▪ {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The sibyl's verse runs thus, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}— The former verse in Tertullian's Latin is Nulla jam Delos, harenae Sa●●os, ut Sibylla non mendax. Lib. de Pallio, Vide Ioan. Obsopai edit. sibyl. Carminum, Gr. lat. Parisus. carried away prisoners out of their own Land, in the time of Hoshea the King. What the same Author writes concerning the Eagle, and Lion, is severally expounded by several interpreters. Out of the sibyl's also some things are brought about the downfall of Antichrist, and the happy estate which the world shall enjoy after that shall come to pass. Very much mention is made of that: Rome shall become a street, or high way. All the Fathers were of this opinion, that Elias should come, and restore all things. Some, as you may see in Alfonsus Conradus in his Commentary on the Revelation, between the coming of Christ in the flesh, and his coming in Majesty, do maintain a certain middle coming, which they call his coming in the power and effiency of his Spirit, to destroy the great Antichrist, & to reform his Church. This coming they say shall be in the end of the sixth Millenary, or 1000 years; of which coming they make Enoch and Elias the forerunners. They say that Antichrist shall be destroyed by their preaching, and his Kingdom abolished. After whose downfall peace shall be granted to the Church, and Satan shall be bound, so that he shall not be able to disturb the tranquillity thereof. Now this peace and happy progress of the Church they say shall last for the whole seventh Millenary, till the last time of her troubles, by the persecution of the Nations Gog and Magog; because Satan, who they say, shall then be set at liberty, shall stir them up against the Godly. From hence it appears, That our opinion concerning these 1000 years is not new, and unheard of. Alfonsus Conradus of Mantua in his Commentary on the Revelation, Alfonsus Conradus Mantuanus. published at Basil. An. 1574. writeth as followeth. IN his Preface. This one thing perchance will offend the ears of some, because I seem to promise a more plentiful peace to the Church, than that likeness of the cross will allow of, to which in this world it must be made conformable to Christ its head. But let them bethink themselves, I entreat them; that this is not so contrary to the Scripture, that it should be objected against me, or laid to my charge, as fit to be reckoned in the number of those, which are termed either impious, or absurd: Especially, when as I cannot perceive, by what means that happiness, which John writes the Church shall enjoy, Satan being bound, can be made good, except we acknowledge some rest of the Church, her enemies being overthrown. Which I think indeed ever happened, as often as the enemies of God's people have been removed out of the way. Now because the enemy which John tells us shall be taken away, is more dangerous than all that ever yet infested God's people, it ought not to seem strange to any one, if, he being once overcome, the Church enjoy a more plentiful peace then usually. upon the 20. Chap. of the Revel. Vers. 1. God being about to bestow a more plentiful peace upon his Church, than hitherto he had granted to it, it sufficeth him not to have removed out of the way the Beast, and those Kings of the Earth, with a horrible slaughter, who favouring the Beast, had wholly disturbed his church's peace, except also he restrain Satan, the beginner of all these mischiefs, So that he may not any more raise those usual contentions and strife among men. Wherefore the Angel comes down from Heaven, who repressing the fury of Satan, shuts him up in the bottomless pit, and there forces him to remain so long, as he pleases not to have the peace of the Church to be taken away. And a little after. Now he binds him, and shuts him up into the bottomless pit for a thousand years, that is, for that whole time, wherein God hath determined that the peace of his Church shall not be disturbed by Satan. See more there to this purpose, Lucas Osiander. Lucas Osiander upon Daniel. 12. I think the end of these years will fall in with that time, in which the popedom of Rome shall bodily be overturned: although in some men's minds it shall hiddenly remain even until the last day. Matthaeus Cotterius. Matthew Cotterius in his continued and demonstrative Exposition of the Revelation, upon the 20 Chap. Satan began to be tied in bonds, when the restored Truth of the Scriptures began to take place on earth, the witnesses being raised, and the dark mist of lies being dispelled. Then shall Satan be bound for a thousand years, which must be expired, before he scatter new errors through the world, and by them seduce the Nations. This, this is the imprisonment; this is the liberty, or setting free of Satan. In the same place upon vers. 2. But when began Satan to be bound? In the year 1517. when the witnesses were raised. From that time ALL people generally have not drunk any new poison of heresy, which might weaken, or overturn their faith. In the same place. To 1517. add 1000 years. So you shall make 2517. at which time Satan shall again draw the Nations into abominable heresies. In this Exposition of Cotterius, the thousand years are rightly urged according to the letter. But his Epocha, or beginning of his account is not well placed in the year 1517. For then began only the praeludium, or proem, of this Millenary. Ioannes Piscator. John Piscator in his Commentary on the Revelations. The happiness of the faithful, who shall live upon earth after the downfall of the Papacy, is their security from the hostile invasions of the wicked for 1000 years. In the same place. The singular happiness of the Martyrs of Christ, who before these thousand years endured persecution, is their Resurrection which shall be before the general Resurrection, and their reign in Heaven with Christ for a thousand years before the Resurrection of the rest. In this Exposition the literal interpretation is rightly urged. But that he says the Martyrs shall reign with Christ in Heaven for those thousand years, cannot be proved out of the Text. Nay, the contrary may thence be proved; because the Resurrection of the Martyrs is part of the happiness of the Church here on Earth. Again, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. On the earth The Kingdom which is limited by a certain number of years, cannot suit well▪ with eternal life. See also Revel. 5.10. where the Saints in Heaven among other things, sing thus: And we shall reign upon the Earth. But moreover the same John Piscator maintains this opinion of the thousand years in his German translation of the Bible: and a little before his death he wrote a short Treatise Of the future happiness of the Church in this life. Io. Piscatoris De futura in tertis Ecclesie, ●elicitate Tractatus {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Out of which I have made use of many things, which I have transcribed into this Meditation; for that Treatise of his hath not as yet seen the light. Many Writers of the former, and this present Age, have published many things concerning Elias the Artist, who is to come; Of the Lion of the North, Theophrastus Paracelsus. who is near at hand; Of a fourth Northern Monarchy; Of a great Reformation; Of the Conversion of the Jews; and the like. See Theophrastus Paracelsus, Michael Sendivogius in his Treatise of Sulphur, Michael Sendivogius. Stephanus Pannonius Of the circle of the Works and judgements of God; where among other things he writs thus: Yet it shall come to pass that the pure Gospel of God shall be preached to the Americans before the end of the world. Stephanus Pannonius. Again, Nothing is more sure than that, the Reformation of the East and South drawing on, some famous Emperor, whose types Constantine, and Theodosius, both entitled Great, were, shall openly show himself, and granting liberty of Religion to them, who profess the name of the Holy Trinity, shall do some great matter in the world, for the glory of God, for the building up of the Church, and for the downfall of Antichrist. In the same place; The Eastern Christians fired with the zeal of Christ, shall make their way into Asia itself, and provoke the Jews to jealousy, Rom. 11. And the spiritual Babylon shall be a prey unto all Nations. In the same place, A refining of the soldiers of God; whereof there is mention, Ioannes Dobricius. Zach. 13.8. that is, temptations, and trials shall go before this Reformation, that the light of God may arise out of the cross of Christ. This Treatise was published in the year 1608. John Dobricius also in the year 1612. did set forth a notable book, entitled {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, that is, The Interpreter of times; wherein, both out of the Holy Scripture, and from the new Star which appeared in the year * In Serpenta●● De quâ scrip sit Joan Keplerus▪ {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} quem vide, & nuperum item, tractatum apud nos editum Nuncius Propheticus inscriptum, pag. 14. Petrus Molinaeus. . Dc.iu and the great Conjunction of the Planets, many things are discoursed of concerning the reformation, and future happiness of the Church. Peter du Moulin, in his French Book, entitled Du Combat Christien: that is, The Chrictian Conflict, pag. 256. This persecution is a cruel tempest, which cannot last aways. Either it will take us out of the world, or God will take it away from us. Pag. 353. Every one hath but a short journey, whereby he must come to God, and the time is at hand, that we must commit our bodies to the earth, our Souls to God, and to the Church peace and the blessing of God. For it shall come to pass even in our times, that God shall be glorified in the great Congregations: Yea even in those places, where are horrible ruins, the Word of God shall sound forth, and God shall afford us matter of praise and thanksgiving. Pag. 450. After that God shall have shown us his deliverances on earth, he will also show us his riches in Heaven. A CONFUTATION Of the Objections. I. Object. IS taken out of Matth. 24.14. If after the Gospel preached in all the world, the end of all things shall come, that happiness of the Church in this world shall not happen out between the end thereof, and the preaching of the Gospel. For the Gospel is already preached through the whole earth. I answer. 1. The Consequence is to be denied: for although this happiness do come between, yet it hinders not, but that the end of the world should come after the Gospel preached over the whole earth. Secondly, The pro-syllogism is to be denied, because the Gospel is not already preached over the whole earth. II. Object. Is taken from Matth. 24.29, 30. If presently after the destruction of Jerusalem. Christ shall come to Judgement, than this happiness of the Church shall not be before his coming to Judgement. Answ. The matter itself speaks, and experience witnesseth, that this word Immediately, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. or Presently, is not here properly, or simply to be understood, but hyperbolically, and according to what went before, namely in relation to the foregoing prophecy concerning the overthrow of the Jews, which they were to receive by the destruction of Jerusalem; So that this is the meaning; that between this desolation of Jerusalem, and the coming of Christ, the Jews should receive no other overthrow. III. Object. Is out of the same Chapter, vers. 37, 38, 39 If a little before the coming of Christ to Judgement, the State and condition of the world shall be such, as it was in the time of No●h before the Deluge; and that such a state of things is to be seen at this day: It may be hence gathered, that such a condition of the Church, as is here described, shall not happen out before the coming of Christ, to wit, in which a great number of believers for a thousand years should worship God. But rather that this coming is at the doors, or else indeed cannot any long time be delayed. Answ. With that State of the faithful, which shall last for a thousand years, the relics and remainders of those conquered enemies of the Church shall be joined, who about the end of this millenary shall recollect their strengths, and make war against the faithful. And then the state of the world shall be such, as it was in the days of Noah. As in his days therefore the deluge came upon the wicked: so these thousand years being finished, the last judgement shall come in the time of the war of Gog and Magog. And so it will be brought about, that this prophecy of Christ, notwithstanding that happiness of the Church, shall be accomplished in those wicked and ungodly men. IV. Object. Is taken out of Luke 18.8. If at the coming of Christ to Judgement, none, or indeed very few believers shall be found in the world, it is not probable that so great a number of believers shall be for those thousand years immediately before the coming to Judgement. Answ. * He shall not find faith indeed adeo frequentem in cordibus justificatorum, quam natantem in libris hypocritarum, as Doctor Prideaux Orat. de Vocat. Judaerum, where he explains this place. Sect. 7. Christ doth not mean by these words, that simply he shall find but a few believers on earth, at his coming to Judgement: but a few in respect of the enemies of the Church, who then shall make war with the Saints; The number of which enemies shall be as the Sand of the Sea. Revel. 20.8. V. Object. Is taken out of the Acts 14.22. We must through many afflictions enter into the Kingdom of God. Therefore the Church in this life shall not be freed from persecution. Answ. Paul and Barnabas speak in this place of the condition of those present times, not denying in the mean while, that there shall be certain times also wherein the Church shall be delivered from persecution; as it happened in the times of Constantine the Great, Theodosius, and others. VI. Object. Is taken out of 1 Cor. 10.11. where the Apostle saith, that the ends of the world were come upon him, and the other faithful of that time. Wherefore if the ends of the world were at hand in Paul's time, much more are they now at the doors, seeing from that time near sixteen Ages are expired. Whereupon, it is not probable that a thousand years and more should remain to the end of the world. Answ. These words of Paul have not this meaning, as if the day of Judgement were then at hand: for he himself rejects this opinion, 2 Thes. 2.2, 3. Thus therefore we must intrepret it; That Paul by the * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, secula, (per Enallagen pro {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}) in this place, as also in the Hebrew●, chap 1. vers 2. and chapter 11. vers. 3. is used for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, because in Hebrew {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} signifieth bat. ends of the world doth understand the state of the New Testament, or the last age of the World, which began from the promulgation of the Gospel over the whole earth, and shall be terminated with Christ's coming to Judgement, Now part of this Age are those thousand years, which are not yet begun. VII. Object. Is taken out of 2 Thes. 2.8. where the Apostle witnesseth that the Lord shall at length consume Antichrist by his glorious coming. Wherefore if Antichrist shall be consumed by the coming of Christ to Judgement, he shall not then be consumed a thousand years before that his coming. Answ. The Apostle speaks of the full and final consuming of the kingdom of Antichrist, whereby it shall come to pass that it shall have end together with the state of this wo●ld. Yet in the mean while for these 1000 years there shall always be some relics of Antichrist▪ which at the end of this Millenary shall again gather together their strengths, and shall join themselves to the other Nations, to make War against the Saints; and then they shall be finally consumed. Revel. 20.8, 9 VIII Object. Is taken out of I Ioh. 2.18. Where the Apostle saith, It is the last time. Answ. John by the last time, meaneth the state of the New Testament, or the last Age of the world, of which also these thousand years are part. Now the state of the New Testament, from the promulgation of the Gospel thorough the whole world, to the second coming of Christ, is called The last time, because it is the last time of Grace, after which we must expect no other. For Christ came in the fullness of time, and substituted in the place of the Old Testament such Order, and Form of Government, as no other is to be looked for hereafter. Ix. Object. Is taken out of Revel. 19.20. If this Text be to understood of the last Judgement, it is not therefore to be understood of the downfall of Antichrist, as which shall be before the day of Judgement a thousand years. Now the former Proposition is true; therefore also the latter. The assumption is proved: Because there the description of the last Judgement is described; in which close all the foregoing Visions, except the first, are terminated. Answ. I deny the assumption; because from the following verse, which is joined to this by a Conjunction Copulative, and by reason of this word, the rest, it manifestly appears▪ That mention is here made of the downfall and destruction of Antichrist and his followers. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. These are the words; And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse; which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the Fowls were filled with their flesh. But that Christ shall not presently come to Judgement after this destruction, is evinced from hence, That that coming shall not be till at length after the War of Gog and Magog, chap. 20. verse 8.9. Now that War shall be a distinct War from that which is mentioned in this place; as appears by comparing both places. Rev. 10.20. Rev. 20.10. X Object. Is taken out of Revel. 20.2, 3. Where it is said, That Satan was bound for a thousand years, that he might not any more seduce the Nations, till the thousand years were expired; namely, That he might not seduce them to Idolatry. Now this hath been done, by the preaching of the Gospel, from the 70 years of Christ, after that Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews rejected, and the Nations brought into the Church in their room. Then truly was Satan bound, that he might not any more seduce the Nations. Not that he might not hurt any one any more, but that he might not any more make mad the Nations with a gross do●age upon the Worship of Pagan Idols, and hinder the belief of the Gospel among them. Hence we may easily collect, where we are to fetch the Epocha, or the beginning of this account of 1000 years. Answ. The Text doth not only speak of seducing to Idolatry, but also, and especially concerning the seducing, wherewith Satan formerly enticed, and shall about the end of the world entice the Nations to make War against the Church. Again, it is false that Satan from the year of Christ 70. was bound for a thousand years; because from that time innumerable and horrible heresies, fallings away, and scandals, &c. have been. Indeed Satan was bound at that time, but not in that manner, and measure, as he shall be bound for the thousand years. Again, by Nations, in the place quoted, we must understand not the Gentiles only, but also the Jews; who truly are yet seduced; as also the Indians, Turks, and others. XI Object. Is from Revel. 20.1. Where it is said, That the Angel which bound Satan, came down from Heaven. By this Angel therefore we must understand Christ, who came down from Heaven, See Plutarch's profound and learned Book, De defectu O●●cul●rum Ioh: 3.13. Hence we may conclude, That these thousand years began about the time of Christ's Birth. For at that time the Grae●es ceased from given Answers. Whereupon Apollo being inquired of by Augustus Caesar, answered thus: Me puer Ebraeus, Divos Deus ipse gubernans, Codere sede juber, See for the Greek of of these verses in Io Obsopaeus his Edition of the Ancient Oracles. The book is not now under my hands. tristemque redire sub Orcum: Ergo dehine aris tacitus discedito nostris. The Hebrew Child, himself a God, that rules the gods, Bids me give place, and back unto sad Hell return. Silent therefore, depart from hence, mine Altars leave. See, the devil himself confesseth, That he is bound from this time. Answ. 1. As in the former Visions good Angels were the executioners of God's Judgements, so it is likely that a created Angel was used also in this Vision. 2. Christ in the 3 of John is said to have come down from Heaven, that is, To have assumed the human Nature. But the Angel in this place, who hath the key of the bottomless pit, came down from Heaven by a local motion, that he might bind the devil for a thousand years, after the downfall of Antichrist. 3. It is true, the devil was bound at the time of the Nativity of Christ; but not after that manner, as is here declared▪ Look before in the Analysis. For there are many measures and degrees, whereby the devil is bound. XII Object. Is this. This Interpretation, concerning the Resurrection of the Martyrs, seems to oppose the Article of our Faith, I believe the Resurrection of the flesh. For so a double Resurressiion of the flesh is maintained, contrary to the Apostolic Faith. Answ. That Article speaketh of the final and universal Resurrection, which shall be in the last day, and in which all the dead shall rise again. Now this Resurrection is not contradicted or denied by the Resurrection of the Martyrs, which is to go before it, no more than by the Resurrection of the Saints, who rose again, when Christ breathed forth his Spirit hanging upon the cross, Matth. 27.50, 51, 52. XIII Object. Is taken out of Revel. 20.6. Where all, and only they, are proclaimed blessed, and freed from the second death, who have their part in the first Resurrection: Whence it follows, That either there shall be no Resurrection after the first, or that none in the second Resurrection shall be blessed; both which are absurd. Answ. 1. Nay the latter is only absurd, being granted from the antecedent, or foregoing. 2. The antecedent is false, neither is it in the Text. For it is not said there, They only are happy. Now that they are in particulars said to be blessed, that is in respect of their Prerogative, in that they are blessed above others of the faithful, as being to reign 1000 years with Christ before the last day. And this is intended by the word Holy being added, whereby is signified that they should be separated from the other faithful believers, and set aside for this happiness, in that they are to rise again to reign with Christ before them. 3. Thirdly, this blessedness consists of three parts; the first of which being considered apart, suits also with the other believers. But as it is joined with the other two parts, it cannot be expressed but of the Martyrs only, as it will appear to any one that will examine the Context of the 6 verse. XIV. Object. Is taken out of Revel. 20.6. Whence it is gathered, That the first Resurrection hath opposed to it the first death. Therefore by the first Resurrection, the second Life, or living again of the soul from the death of sin, by Faith, and Repentance, or, in a word, Regeneration, is to be understood. Certainly all and only the truly regenerate, are delivered from the second, or eternal death, and certainly obtain heavenly happiness: Whence it may be sufficiently proved, That the first Resurrection is not particular, or bodily. Answ. The first Resurrection, as it is spoken of in this place, is not opposed to the first death, of which there is here no mention; but it is opposed to the second Resurrection, as appears out of these words; But the rest of the dead lived not again, until the thousand years were finished. This is the first Resurrection, XV Object. Is this. The first Resurrection is not a bodily Resurrection; because if it be bodily, it is not the first: For the Resurrection of others, namely, of those Saints who rose again while Christ hung on the cross, went before it. Answ. That Resurrection of the Martyrs is called the first by way of Excellence, by reason also of the multitude of them, in respect of which that Resurrection of the Saints comes not within reckoning of, by reason of the fewness. For although many bodies of the Saints are said then to have risen, yet in regard of the Martyrs they were but few; as which came forth of the Graves only, which were near unto Jerusalem. XVI Object. It is a usual axiom in the School of Divines, That the first Resurrection is the living again of the Souls from the death of sin, by faith and repentance, which otherwise is called Regeneration; and it is opposed to the first death, which is a defection, and a casting a way of the soul from God. But the second Resurrection shall be the raising of the bodies, to be united to the souls to eternal life; to which the second death is opposed, which shall be the casting a way of the damned to eternal torments. Ans. Resurrection is termed to be the First, ambiguously. For either it is opposed to the first death, and so it is spiritual, and is proper to all believers; or it is opposed to the second Resurrection, and so it is corporeal, and of the Martyrs only. XVII Object. The thousand years of Satan's binding contain an obscure mystery, and hidden from us. In vain therefore, and too boldly we labour in so scrupulous an uniting thereof. Ans. 1. There are many Mysteries in the Revelation: which in success of time receive light more and more. 2. We dislike all boldness; but we commend holy diligence and industry. XVIII Object. From the end of Satan's binding, the Epocha is to be collected of the thousand years in the Revelation. Now the term of his binding expired in the year of Christ 1073. wherein * Some begin these 1000 years at Christ's Incarnation, and end them in S●●●ester 2. Some at his Passion, and end them in Benedict 9▪ Some at the destruction of Jerusalem, and end them in Hildebrand, or Gregory 7. which is receptio feutenti●, as D. Prideaux {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Orat de Gog & Magog. Sect. 1. Others begin them in Constantine the Great, and terminate them in B●nisa●t 8. about the year 1300. Gregory the 7, that devilish Juggler and Cozener, possessing himself of the popedom, confounded Heaven and earth together, and filling the Christian world with Wars and slaughters, declared himself to be a singular instrument of Satan let loose from his bonds. Hence it appears that those thousand years began in the year of Christ 73. Answ. Satan indeed in the year of Christ 1073 was let loose, as he is always to be conceived let loose, when he troubles the Church. But that letting him loose, which shall be after the thousand years, shall be far of another sort. For than Satan shall be loosed, that he may stir up the Nations to the war of Gog and Magog: and indeed he shall be so let loose, that he shall not long go on to destroy. But now from the year of Christ 1073 to this present, some whole Ages have passed. XIX Object. This Opinion little differeth from the error of the Chiliasts, or Millenaries, which long ago hath been exploded for this reason, Because, after the downfall of Antichrist, they feigned, out of this very 20 Chap. a corporeal Resurrection of the Martyrs, and Confessors, and their reign with Christ for a thousand years. Answ. The opinion of the Chiliasts ought not to have been exploded for this reason, because it maintained a double Resurrection, one in particular, Cerinthus being a Jew, had his fond conceits concerning these 1000 years from judaism. Yet observe this, That I renaus and Tertullian, who professedly wrote of Cerinthus Heresies, make not any mention of this his opinion to be one. another universal; for truly in Christ's time, when he hung upon the cross, there happened a particular Resurrection of the Saints: The Resurrection of the Martyrs hath also a foundation upon this Text; whereon also our judgement for their Kingdom of a thousand years is grounded. 2. The Chiliasts erred in this respect, in that they maintained an eternal life here on earth, and in the City Jerusalem. That this life should consist in the enjoyment and use of all bodily pleasures, which should last only for a thousadd years. And of their opinion they made this the foundation, because that in the 20 chap. of Rev. there was mention made of a thousand years. Let us hear * Lib. de Haeresious, cap 8. vide Epithanium &▪ Philastrium. Augustine concerning them. The Cerinthians devise also to themselves a thousand years after the Resurrection which shall be in an earthly kingdom of Christ, according to the * Which thousand years of pleasure we no more maintain, than those 1000 years mentioned in Virgil's Purgatory. Aen. 6. carnal pleasures of the belly and their lust: from whence also they are called Chiliasts. So the Chiliasts. But our opinion maintains not a thousand years of carnal pleasures, but of spiritual joys. Has omnes, ubi mille rotam volvere per annos, L●thaeum ad fluvium Deus evocat agmine magno; Scilicet immemores sup●r●, ut convexa revisant, Rursus & insipiant in corpora velle reverti. But they urge; The opinion of the Chiliasts in following times also hath been revived again. in a new trim or dress; and this exposition of yours differs not a whit from it: which they prove thus. Alfonsus Conradus. Alfonsus Conradus of Mantua, whom several times you have before alleged, writes thus upon the 20 of the Revel. But how are these thousand years to be interpreted? shall they be said to be already past, or yet to be expected▪ Here you will not easily clear yourself, seeing the expositions of this place are wondrously divers; and yet I make a question of it, Whether any either of the ancient or latter expositors, have ever touched the genuine and true meaning of the place. In the first place indeed were the Chiliasts, who judaizing, and entertaining carnal conceits concerning divine matters, did carnally also interpreted this place; Concerning this seventh Millenary, and what the Jews thought thereof, see Jerome upon the 65 of Esay, and Camerarius in Alcinoum Flitonis; Carpentarius also upon the same Dialogue. pag. 322. and say thus; When six Millenaries, or 1000 years, shall be accomplished from the Creation of the world, than Antichrist with all his forces, that is, the wicked, and whosoever have obeyed his commands against Christ▪ shall be destroyed. Again, say they, For the whole 7th Millenary, Christ with his elect, shall reign here on earth, in all tranquillity and peace, and without any affliction at all▪ Satan in the mean while being bound in the bottomless pit, that he might not any way disturb their peace. Now the thousand years of peace and tranquillity being accomplished, Satan shall be let loose again, before Christ's coming to judgement, and shall stir up Gog and Magog against the Godly▪ until by the coming of Christ, the Militia or strength of Satan shall be repressed, and Satan shut up for ever into the bottomless pit. But this Doctrine, because it hath many absurdities, is to be avoided by all Christians. So Alfonsus, in the place cited. Hence it appears then, That the exposition hitherto brought and maintained, is nothing else but the opinion of the Chiliasts, in another dressing, or at least the error of new Chiliasts. Answ. 1. In this opinion that is to be approved of which hath foundation in the Scripture, as these three things in it have: 1. That Antichrist shall be destroyed before these thousand years. 2. That the Church shall be for these thousand years free from persecutions. 3. That after these thousand years the war of Gog and Magog shall begin. 2. In the same opinion we dislike, and disprove, That it allows carnal security, That it affirms that no ungodly men shall be remaining for those thousand years; That it maintains that Christ shall reign visibly here on earth; lastly, That it doth precisely join this Millenary with the end of the sixth Millenary of the world, which conceit is taken from the Traditions of the House, or Family of Elias. 3. He is not rashly to be accused of * See the stupid 〈◊〉 of the T●rks opinion hereabout in the Alcoran Az●●●a 28. and 31. Some rejected the authority of the Revelation, because it seemed to favour the heresy of the Cerinthians, or Chilias●s But here de 1000 a●nis nihil corum narratur que Cerin●hus 〈…〉. ubi enim luxus ille: ubi cibus & poius? ubi nuptie & 〈◊〉 sacrificia & di●sfesti Hierusalem again. saith Trem. Besides, Cerinthus affirmed Christ to be begotten at other men; he denied God to be creator of the world; he separated Christ and Jesus, as two distinct persons. Et que nescires melius. turcism, or Judaism, who affirms any truth which a Turk or a Jew, doth likewise maintain: as for example, That there is but one God. * See the stupid 〈◊〉 of the T●rks opinion hereabout in the Alcoran Az●●●a 28. and 31. Some rejected the authority of the Revelation, because it seemed to favour the heresy of the Cerinthians, or Chilias●s But here de 1000 a●nis nihil corum narratur que Cerin●hus 〈…〉. ubi enim luxus ille: ubi cibus & poius? ubi nuptie & 〈◊〉 sacrificia & di●sfesti Hierusalem again. saith Trem. Besides, Cerinthus affirmed Christ to be begotten at other men; he denied God to be creator of the world; he separated Christ and Jesus, as two distinct persons. Et que nescires melius. So in like manner he is not straightway a Chiliast, who defends the truth of any thing which the Chiliasts also do rightly maintain out of Scripture. For this they do not hold, and teach, as Chiliasts. XX. Object. The Kingdom, which Revel. 20.4. is granted to the Martyrs consists herein, That their souls shall reign in Heaven with Christ. For although the holy Martyrs and Confessors, who poured out their lives, and lost their fortunes, under Tyrants, and Antichrist, for Christ's sake, were judged by the world as miserable, and wretched men; yet the Spirit of God declares otherwise of them, That they shall live and reign in happiness with Christ in Heaven. Answ. 1 This Resurrection is granted to the souls of the Martyrs Synochdochically, or totally; because their souls shall so far rise, or be restored, that they shall again be united to their bodies. For the dead bodies shall not rise again without their souls; but everybody again united to its own soul. And to the souls, the rest of the dead are opposed: of whom it is said, That they lived not again till the thousand years were finished. Therefore, whereas it is said of the souls of the Martyrs, That they should live, it is to be understood of their Resurrection in their bodies resumed, or taken to them again. 2. This is proper to the other elect Saints, as well as to the Martyrs, That their souls should reign with Christ in Heaben. But in this place some prerogative is bestowed on the Martyrs, which consists in this, That in the beginning of the thousand years they shall rise again, and reign with Christ. 3. It is said, This particular Kingdom shall continue for a thousand years; which cannot be understood of eternal life. For the thousand years of Satan's binding, and of the kingdom of the Saints with Christ, are the same; as we have formerly proved. XXI Object. The War which Satan, after his thousand appointed years being let loose, hath made by Gog and Magog, that is, by the Turk, * Christoph. Angelus, a Grecian, whom I have been acquainted withal here in England, some years ago wrote a Book in Greek, to prove that Mahomet was that Antichrist mentioned by S. Paul. 2 Thes. 13. under the terms of the Man of si●ne, and son of Perdition. His book is ent●tu●ed {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} &c. I cannot blame the poor Greek for thinking so, considering the horrid Tyranny and slavery his Countrymen live under, being vassals to the Great Turk, the admirer of Mahomet: I rather wonder that there should be found among us learned men, who are abettors of this opinion, when as the Apostle Paul teacheth us expressly, that Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of God as God; 2 Thes. 2.4. and Dominus DEUS noster Papa is a thing taken notice of in the world before yesterday. that Eastern Antichrist, against the Camp of the Saints, and the beloved City, that is, The Christian Church, for 500 years and more, with great success even unto this day, took its beginning from the Holy war, first raised by Gregory the 7, Pope of Rome, by them who wore the sign of the cross; the end of which indeed shall not be before the last Judgement, wherein the Beast, with the false Prophet shall at length be cast into the Lake of fire: And the Catastrophe, or issue, shall prove lamentable to all the enemies of the Church, because the fire shall devour them. Answ. This idle gloss, or Exposition, may be confuted out of what I have said in the Analysis, or unfolding of this Chapter, and in answer to the 9 Objection. This in brief. The Beast, with the false Prophet, is thrown into the Lake of fire before those thousand years: and those thousand years being finished, the war of Gog begins. Compare Revel. 19.20. with 20, 7. Again, Gog and Magog, do not signify the Turk: But by this manner of speaking are figured out enemies of all kinds, who by their incursions annoy, or trouble, the Church; as before we have made it plain. XXIII Object. The XXII Objection, it appears, is left out. I know not by what chance, if not by the Printers negligence. In every vision, except the first, the description of the last Judgement is set down in the Revelation; more obscurely indeed in the former, but in the latter more clearly; because all the visions are terminated in the end of the world, that the godly being injured may expect the day of their deliverance, and occasion of security may quite be taken away from the mockers. Wherefore it makes nothing which they say, that Revel. 19.21. The peculiar destruction of Antichrist is described, which shall not be in the last judgement, but before those thousand years. Answ. 1. The Antecedent is denied. For in the second Vision, which ends with the 6. chapter, a description of the last judgement is not set down, but some particular judgement to be executed about that time, which figures out the last judgement. 2. The Text of Revel. 19 and the last, manifestly argueth, that that vision is not terminated with the last judgement. 3. If however in every vision, except the first, a description of the last judgement were set down, yet it would not be otherwise then by interruption, or breaking of the present discourse, and so no essential part of the matter in hand: and consequently no way contradict, or weaken, this our opinion. XXIV Object. The 20 Chapter of the Revelation containeth a Vision▪ which is the sum of all the foregoing visions, and a succinct and brief iteration of the whole prophecy so often repeated; which is divided into three parts. In the first is the blessed state of the Church for a good space of time after the first coming of Christ; which is expressed in the first Seal. In the second are described the painful labours, and calamities. wherewith the Church shall afterwards wrestle; Of which in the third and fourth Seals; and in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth Trumpets. In the third is set down the joyful deliverance thereof, and the destruction of her adversaries, with the end and Consummation of all; as before, in the sixth Seal, and the seventh Trumpet, and seventh vial. But especially in this Vision the punishment of the devil himself is expressed; when as in the former the destruction of his Ministers only, and his followers was set forth. Hence therefore we may perceive, that they are wide, the whole Heaven, as they say, who out of this Chapter do erect I know not what happiness of the Church, which is yet to come here on earth for a thousand years. Answ. This whole distribution, or disposition, of the Revelation, and namely of the 20 Chapter, which is here proposed, is absurd, and manifestly obscures the Revelation. See what we have formerly discoursed up and down, and namely the 1. Sect. Of the connexion of this 20 Chapter with the whole system, or entire body of the Revelation. Briefly, let this maxim be observed: The Divine Revelation, from the departure of John, to the end of the world, distinctly figureth out the State of the Church, and the Ages thereof, by Se●ls, Trumpets, vials, and the following visions; So that all these succeed one another in a most beautiful order; and not one and the same thing is represented by divers visions. For it doth not suit with that majestic manner of teaching, which the Holy Ghost observeth, that in one and the same prophecy he should propose so many visions of one and the same thing. XXV Object. nowhere in Scripture i● there any mention of these thousand years, but in this place only. Therefore it is very likely, That these thousand years signify merely a Great time; so that a certain number is put for an uncertain. Answ. 1. Here is no consequence: It is but once mentioned in Scriptures▪ Therefore it must not be taken literally. For also she Lxx. weeks of Daniel are but once mentioned; and yet that number Lxx. is literally expounded; so that it is taken for a certain, finite, and determined number. 2. This phrase, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, [the thousand years,] is several times repeated in this place. Which repetition is not without some cause. 3. From many testimonies of Scripture a a little before propounded, and expounded; from divers Arguments recited in the first Classis, or distribution, and compared with them places of Scripture, it manifestly appears, That the happy state of the Church for these thousand years, is described in this Chapter. XXVI Object. The number of a thousand is the number of perfection; Therefore, these thousand years in this place do denote the fullness of time; but are not to be taken literally. Answ. 1. This is an Argument from a particular. A thousand sometimes denotes perfection; Therefore in this place. 2. That the letter is here to be retained, it is more than abundantly already proved. XXVII Object. The division of the Church into Militant, and Triumphant, opposeth this opinion of the future happiness of the Church here on earth for a thousand years: where by the Militant Church is understood that part thereof, which in this life is subject to the cross and Persecution: By the Triumphant i● meant the whole Church, in as much as after this life it shall reign with Christ in Heaven. Answ. 1. The Warfare of the Church is not to be restrained to the persecution to which now it is subject: but it is to be extended to the spiritual combat and wrestling, which, while it lives here, it hath trial of from the lusts of the flesh. Although therefore for these thousand years it shall have no Warfare under the Banner of the cross; yet the Spirit will have need to strive and War against the Flesh. 2. The Triumph of the Church is either in part, or total; particular, or universal; begun or consummate. For oftentimes it happeneth, That we triumph in this life over the flesh, the world, and the devil. Neither are we therefore said to be in the Triumphant Church; as which is so called from her total, universal, and consummate Triumph. So although the Church for a thousand years have some kind of Triumph here on earth, yet it shall not be sincere and perpetual, and therefore by many degrees inferior to that Triumph, from whence the Church in the life to come is called Triumphant. XXVIII Object. The maintainers, and Patrons, of this opinion do Iudaiz●, that is, follow the Jewish Traditions; therefore to be found fault with. Answ. Therefore also the Scripture doth Iudaiz●. See the Places a little before brought out of the Scripture. Moreover, we generally entertain too mean a conceit of the conversion of the Jews, because being overmuch addicted, and carried away with scholastical trifles, we weigh not at all the Mysteries, which are propounded in the Scriptures. XXIX Object. The Church, as long as it is here on earth, is under the cross. Therefore no such happiness thereof can be expected, as may last for a thousand years. Answ. The Antecedent is a vulgar axiom, or Position; but not proved, neither indeed is it to be proved, as appears by what we have urged in several places of this our Discourse. XXX Object. These thousand years begin in the year 1517. For then began Antichrist to be revealed. Then also were the two Witnesses raised. Finally, from that time the light of the Gospel hath been spread abroad far and wide, and Satan bound up more and more. Answ. The proem, or Prologue, is confounded with the principal Act; as it will appear; if the History of that time be compared with Revel. 20, and our Exposition. XXXI Object. It is the common opinion of Divines, That the last Judgement is even at the door. That opinion then of a thousand years is dangerous, because it makes people secure. Answ. 1. It is not the opinion of all Divines. 2. This supposition is erroneous: And therefore I may use that saying; * {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. v. Arislot. Analys. Post lib. 1. cap. 16 M. Cotterius Not to enstave ourselves to suppositions. 3. No place of Scripture teacheth us that the last Judgement is at hand: Nay, some places of Scripture teach quite the contrary. Hereto belongs what Cotterius saith upon the 20 chap. of the Revel. To the year of Christ 1517, add 1000, so you shall make 2517▪ at which time at length Satan shall the second time draw the Nations into abominable heresies. Neither is there any reason why this should trouble any one's mind, as if we put off the day too long. For I demand out of what place of Scripture we have search it, That this day shall be within these two or three Ages. Surely we have but persuaded ourselves so, because we would have it so. But I will believe the Revelation, which verily not in one place puts the last day off for a thousand years. In the 16 chap. you have vials, the first of which leaves behind it the Epocha of the year 1517, as not finished. And these vials require some Ages for their pouring out; and not fewer than ten. In which words of Cotterius I do mightily approve of it, that he weakens that vulgar opinion concerning the end of the world, That it is at hand. But what is there said concerning the Epocha, or beginning of our account of 1000 years, as also of the vials, may be confuted out of what hath gone before▪ It is an evil kind of teaching, either by way of exhorting, or dehorting, which is grounded upon a ruinous, and false foundation; as this which is drawn from the day of the last Judgement, as if it were even at the door. Neither indeed do we read, That the Apostles ever argued in this manner. XXXII Object. This Opinion of the thousand years, as it is here explained, doth, as it were, l●ade us by the hand to the day of the last Judgement: yet notwithstanding Christ in the 13 of Mark, v. 32. affirms, That of that day, and that hour, no man knoweth, 〈◊〉 not the Angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son himself, but the Father only. And Act. 1.7. It is not for you to know the times, or seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Answ. 1. No man can exactly set down or define the day of the last Judgement. For although by comparing Daniel, and the Revelation, it may appear, That the last day shall not come before the 2694 year of Christ; yet by no means or way possible can it be found out, in what year after this Period, or set time, it shall come. 2. What God hath reserved to himself alone, we cannot, nor ought not to search after, or determine. But this Period of 2694 years, he hath expressed in his Word. XXXIII. Object. It is absurd to think that the Martyrs shall rise again to this mortal life: for this will be but an ignoble change, and for the worse, as it is in the proverb, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} He alludes to Glaucus, changing his golden Armour with* Diomedis for brass Armo●r, in 1. of the Rhapsody of Ho●●s Ilias. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Besides the ancients, Iustim●n useth it proverbically, P●o●m. F. gold for brass: by reason that the souls of the Martyrs do now reign in Heaven, and their body's rest in the earth free from their labours. Now if they rise again to this mortal life, they must endure the interchange or vicissitude of times, as of day, and night, summer, and Winter, and must be made subject to the necessity of eating, drinking, and the like. Answ. 1. Lazarus and those Saints who rose again at the time of Christ's Passion, were brought again after long absence here, from life eternal, into this mortal life, notwithstanding they lost not their happiness hereby. 2. The state of the Martyrs shall consist of a happy Kingdom in this life, which shall not any way be discommodated by those things which formerly are objected, as we see the like things no way hindered Adam in the state of his innocency, from the full enjoying of perfect happiness. XXXIV. Object. Christ in the end of the world shall burn up the ●ares: therefore still in the Militant Church, there s●●ll be the bad mingled with the good, which is to be denied in so happy a condition of the Church, for these thousand years. Answ. Nay rather not be denied. For neither shall the men, who for all that time shall live on earth, be so blessed▪ that either they themselves shall be void of sins, or separated from the company of sinners. It shall not be so. There shall be a great difference between the happiness of these thousand years, and that of everlasting life. The godly men then, (except the Martyrs) for the whole space of these thousand years, shall be subject both to sin and death, and shall have the wicked intermixed with them. But there shall be no such matter in the life eternal. XXXV. Object. The Church is sufficiently reformed. Therefore no other reformation ought to be expected. The Antecedent may be proved from hence, because the Doctrine of the fundamentals of our Salvation is proposed so, that it cannot be done more clearly, or with greater light. Answ. The great Reformation which we declare shall come to pass, shall concern matter of Life, as well as Doctrine. As for matter of Doctrine, the foundation thereof shall remain. But as for those infinite contentions, whereby the Body of Christ is torn in pieces, an end shall be put unto them. Again, many places of Scripture, whose expositions have hitherto troubled the most learned men, shall more clearly and better be understood. As for matter of life, what should I say? The matter itself speaks loud enough, that in the whole course of our lives, as good, and as great as we are, we have little or no Divinity at all. There is great need therefore of a Reformation. XXXVI. Object. It was an ancient Distinction, that the kingdom of God is either of Power, Grace, or Glery. But this Distinction is taken away by this Millenary, so much pleaded for: because it cannot be referred either to the Kingdom of Grace, or to the kingdom of Glory. Answ. It belongs to the kingdom of Grace, which doth consist of divers degrees. Neither is this opinion any way prejudiced, because in the former discourse I have sometimes made mention of glory and Majesty, as part of the happiness of this Millenary. For this glory is only inchoative or in its beginning, and shall be broken off by the War of Gog and Magog. But the Glory of the Life eternal is perfect, and never at all to be interrupted. V. The Doctrines arising out of this Chapter. 1. According to the Order of the Heads in the Catechisms. I. THe XI and XII Articles of the Creed, concerning the resurrection of the flesh, as also concerning the last judgement, and eternal life, are treated of. II. The first, and third precepts of the Decalogue, or ten Commandments, are here illustrated in the 4 verse, where mention is made of Godly Confessors, who worshipped not the Image of the Beast. III. The second and sixth Petitions of the Lord's Prayer may be explained out of this Chapter. 2. According to the Order of Common-places. This Chapter makes mention of God's Providence; of Angels; of Predestination; of the Church, and it's enemies; of martyrdom; of the Resurrection of the flesh; of the last judgement; of Life, and Death eternal. 3. Doctrines out of the several Verses. Vers. 1. 1. God instructeth men sometimes, and teacheth them extraordinarily by Visions, as also by divine ecstasies, or Raptures. 2. The Angels are ministering Spritis, who receive their commands at God's hands. 3. Good Angels are endowed with great power, and strength. Vers. 2. 1. Good Angels have power over evil Angels, or Spirits. 2. The devil is strong, and crafty: as being both a Dragon, and a Serpent. 3. The only, and continual work of the devil is to calumniate, and falsely accuse both God and Man; and to endeavour the hindrance of the Glory of the one, and the Salvation of the other. 4. The Militant Church hath several and differing times here on earth, namely both of oppression, and refreshment, after the divers degrees thereof, according to the dispensation, and good pleasure of God. Vers. 3. 1. The devil is bound, and tied up by the reins of God's Providence. 2. The devil is the author of the general seduction of mankind. 3. war's shall cease for a thousand years. 4. The war which shall begin after these thousand years shall not last long. Vers. 4. 1. Christ is a judge appointed by God, to whom the holy Angels are joined as Assessors, or inferior judges. 2. The Professors of the Gospel are hated in the sight of the world. 3. Constancy is required in the Profession of the Truth. 4. They are Idolators, who worship Antichrist, and follow his doctrine. 5 The Martyrs shall reign with Christ for a thousand years in the Militant Church. Vers. 5. 1. The general resurrection shall be in the end of the world. 2. The first resurrection and particular of the Martyrs is the proem unto the second, or universal resurrection. Vers. 6. 1. As the children of God in this life have one above another prerogatives of gifts, works, and sufferings: so shall they also have prerogatives of blessings, both in this life, and in that also which shall be hereafter. 2. The common happiness of the godly, among other things▪ consists in this, that the second death hath no power over them. 3. We must certainly resolve, that there is a second, or eternal Death. 4. Though all Christians are Kings and Priests: yet in a mor● special manner the Martyrs raised at the beginning of these thousand years shall be Kings and Priests in the Militant Church. Vers. 7. 1. The happiness of the Church, which shall continue for the●●thousand years, must not be confounded with● or mistaken for the happiness of life eternal. 2. Satan can do nothing, except, by God's leave, he be let loose out of his prison. 3. God alone can restrain Satan, as if he had him shut up in some prison. Vers. 8. 1. Satan, when soever he gains power, plays over his old pranks again. 2. Satan is delighted with the shedding of man's blood, especially of the Godly▪ and therefore useth to seduce, and entice men to war. 3. Whatsoever is said in the Old Testament of Gog and Magog, is to be understood partly literally, partly typically. 4. The Enemies of the Church are in number many. Vers. 9 1. Men seduced by the devil set slip no occasion, so watchful herein they are of persecuting the Godly. 2. The Chur●h is the beloved City of God. 3. It is the duty of Christians continually to be exercised in Christ's warfare. 4. God executes wonderful judgements against the enemies of his Church. Vers. 10. 1. The devil, and his Instruments are cast into Hell, and shall be tormented there for ever. 2. Eternity is nothing else, than a continuation of Age to Age for ever. 3. Hell is a place full of horror. Vers. 11. 1. The M●jesty of Christ coming to judgement shall be very great. 2. Heaven, and Earth, in the day of the last Judgement, shall pass away, in respect of the fashion of this world. Vers. 12. and 13. 1. The last resurrection shall be universal. 2. Men in the last Judgement shall be judged according to their works. 3. The Conscience of a man is like a book, in which all his thoughts, words, and deeds are as it were set down. 4. The book of life, or Predestination shall be opened in the last Judgement, for then shall it appear plainly who are the Elect, and who the reprobate: who have truly believed in Christ, who hypocritically: who have truly worshipped God, who according to appearance only. 5. The last Judgement shall be universal, infallible, and just. Universal, because it shall be of the dead, and living; of great, and small. Infallible, because God is all-knowing▪ and hath chosen his own from Eternity. The Omnisciency, or all-knowledge of God is signified by the books, in which the works of every particular man are written. His Election is signified by the book of life. Just, because God shall judge according to every man's works, without acceptance of persons. 6. God knoweth in what place the particular body of every dead man is reserved. Vers. 14.15. 1. Hell is a place full of horror. 2. Reprobation from life eternal is nothing else, but a not-writing in the book of life. Election to eternal life, is a writing of our names in the book of Life. An Appendix. BEcause in the handling of this Chapter, I proposed to myself not only to maintain that which mine own Conscience witnessed with me to be true; but withal to furnish these times also with this, not the least Consolation; it was needful for me to use this Method, which in the Explanation of holy Scripture, without doubt exceeds all others. It will not be amiss therefore, if I set down this Method in the following Table. In every Chapter, yea Verse, of holy Scripture, there are to be considered. The Prolegomena, or Praecognita, that is, the foregoing matter, or things to be known before hand; and they are either of the Author, and authority thereof. Subject, or matter. Connexion, or Coherence. The Text itself, in which are to be considered the Argument, or sum thereof. Analysis, or Resolution, either Philologically, and Theologically, or Logically, and Theologically. Paraphrase, or larger upholding thereof. Questions, either Fundamental; proper to that place, and necessarily arising; or, Less principal; common with other places, and honorary, or accessary, Doctrines, according to The order of the Heads in the catechism. Common Places. The order of the Context. Of these the Argument, Paraphrase, and Doctrines, belong to the handling of the sacred Text in the way of Preaching; the Analysis, or Questions, to the scholastical part of Divinity. Glory be to God alone. FINIS. Testimonies concerning this work of Alstedius. Dr. Hukewill in his Apology, &c. lib. 4. cap. 12.5.6. ALstedius a famous professor at Herborne, Concerning Elias coming. in his Diatribe d● mille annis Apocalypticis, published about two years since, is of this opinion; as also that the thousand years mention●d in the 20. of the Revel. (during which time Satan should be bound) is yet to come, which assertion he first builds upon a literal interpretation of the number, in as much as it is five several times repeated within the compass of seven verses, and the four last with a special article added, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} (the thousand year●s.) Secondly, upon a supposition that Satan as yet hath not been bound up a thousand years together, since the delivery of that prophecy by the angel to St. John, and by him to the Church; considering that ever since, much and gross idolatry hath reigned among the Pagans, obstinate blindness among the Jews, since the rising of Mahomet, pitiful defection, & seduction among the Saracens, strange errors a●d heresies, sects and schisms among the Christians, and since the rising of Antichrist, wonderful ignorance sup●rstition, and persecution of the ●aints, together with a general profaneness, and corruption in matter of manners; all which saith he, cannot stand with the binding up of Satan, (the principal actor of all these) for a thousand years, and consequently, that the performance of that promise is yet to be expected: and for confirmation of this opinion (though the book itself be but little (he allegeth 66. passages of Scripture, enforceth many reasons, answereth 36. Objections, p●oduceth the testimonies of sundry learned men, either expressly defending it, or at least wise favouring ●t. And they are, Justus Heurnius. Ioannes Keplerus. Petrus Curaeus. Ioannes D●bricus. Ioannes Piscator. Petrus Molinaeus. Ioannes Ferus. Seraph Firmianus Remalcus d● Vaulx. Martinus Cellarius. vid apud Alst●dium. Christoph. B●soldus. Cael Sec. Curio. Alf. Con Mantuanus. Lucas Osiander. Matthaeus Cotterias. Michael S●ndivoga●●. Stephanus Pan 〈…〉 Quos●mnes su●si 〈…〉 The Auth●r of a book, lat●ly published in Latin, and inscribed Nuncius Proph●icus, who in modesty conceals his name. pag. 34.42. Diatribe de mille ●nnis, Ap●ca● quem tractatum, &c. th●t is, the treatise of Alstedium concerni●g the thousand years in the Revelation, ● est●eme above the value of gold and precious stones, it being full of secret wisdom. Parvum sed magnae sedulitatis opus. Als●edius. Sedalitas▪ And pag. 42, Als●ed in his t●uely golden little work of the th●usand years in the Ap●calypse. Which work though small, yet full of great sedul●tie▪ takes away all scruple of doubt herein; And it is much to be de●ired, that some one or other that delights himself in theological mysteries so we● worthy of our knowledge would translate it out of the Latin, and make it speak English. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}▪ Thou wilt straightway think Reader, that this was no small inciteme●t to me to go on with this Translation, having before the edition of this book taken it into mine hands. Testimonies concerning the Opinion itself, approved by some famous English Divines. And first Dr. H●kewill of Oxford in his Book entitled, An Apology of the power and providence of God in the government of the world. Lib. 6. Cap. 12. v. 6. AS we need not doubt that Antichrist is long ●ince come into the world, so many passages of holy Scripture and testimonies of learned men, make us more than hope that (notwithstanding his late victories, and triumphs) his downfall is not far off, and that thereupon the Church of Christ shall flourish more in peace, and power, in doctrine and manners, in lustre and glory, than hitherto at any time in former ages it hath done To instance in all the passages in Scripture, which to this purpose are alleged, would prove, I doubt me tedious, and in some perchance impertinent, mine endeavour then shall be to pick out the choicest, and among them specially those which seem to point at a fuller calling as well of the Gentiles, as the Jews, than heretofore hath been. The particular places for brevity I have set down, which, Reader▪ p●ruse at thy leisure. Psal. 22.27. Esay 2.2 Matth. 24.14. Rom. 52.26. 2. Cor. 3.15. Micah●. 3. Esay 30.26. and 54.11. But you shall have them all in this treatise. The Doctor goes on. ANd all this peace ●nd glory shall arise from the subversion of Rome and Antichrist, a●d his adherents, so eviden●ly described in the 14.18. and 19 of the Revelation, that the very Jesuits themselves, Ribera and Vegas cannot possibly devise any juggling conveyance how to shift i● off. And if for the effecting of this great work, we should grant, (that which all antiquity both Jewish and Christian much beats upo●) that Elias shall come and restore all things, I cannot see what great absurdity can from thence be inferre●, or what Article of Christian faith it imp●gneth. Indeed our Saviour telleth his Disciples that Elias was then come meaning John the Baptist, whom he tear●eth E●ias in regard of his zeal, his aust●rity of life, his suffering for the Truth, and his preparing a way to reformation; but how the Baptist restored all things he tells them not, neither can those words (as I conceive) be prop●rly u●derstood of him, nor yet those of the Prophet Malachy, that Elias the Prophet fo● the turning of the hearts of men each to other, and all to God, shall be sent before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; where by the day of the first coming of our Lord in the flesh cannot well be mea●t, in as much as that was rath●r good and gracious, then great and dreadful: It should seem then that either Elias himself, or some other great Heroical spui● matchable to him, ●s yet to be sent, for the accomplishing of this gr●at business in the restoring of all things. I am sure Alstedius, a famous professor a●Herborne, is of that opinion &c. ut supra. Thus Doctor Hakewill, providentinae divinae ex●urius {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Doctor Twisse in his Preface to Mr. Medes Book entitled, The apostasy of the latter times. THe beginning of my acquaintance with Master Mede was occasioned by a rumour spread of his opinion, concerning the glorious kingdom of Christ here on earth, which many hundred years ago was cried down, as the error of the Millenaries: and i● seemed wondrous strange to us, that such an opinion should after so many hundred years be revived; and that in so strange a manner as now we find, both amongst us, and amongst outlandish Divines. nevertheless myself being firmly set upon studies of another nature, I had no great edge so much as to harken to it, much less to take it into consideration. But a friend in the country sometimes urged me to write to an acquaintance in London; and to inquire of Master Mede, whether he were of the same opinion with Piscator and Alstedius concerning the first resurrection, and the glorious kingdom of Christ. And hereupon shortly after word was sent me, that he did agree with Piscator in this, that some shall rise a thousand years before others, but he differed from him in this, that Piscator thought this reign o●Christ should be in heaven; but I (said Master Mede) agree rather with Alstedius and conceive, that the thousand years' reign of Christ shall be on earth, yet herein he differed from Alstedius; that whereas Alstedius was of opinion that the thousand years' reign of Christ should be after the day of judgement, Master Mede's opinion was that it should be in et durante die judicij, in and during the day of judgement; which day of judgement should continue a thousand years, beginning with the ruin of Antichrist, and ending with the destr●ction of Gog and Magog. When I heard this, my spirit was stirred up in me to lay aside for a while my ordinary studies, and to take this into consideration, and I prayed Master Mede to give me leave to propose my reasons against this opinion of his. And the truth is, the improbability of it seemed very pregnant unto natural reason, and divers arguments that way offered themselves, which seemed to be of very diff●cult (if at all possible) solution, and over and above it seemed very contradictious to divers plain passages of holy Scripture. Mr. Mede very readily entertained the motion, and prescribed me a time after which he should be at leisure for me, and in a letter after this, in his familiar manner asked me saying; when come your Quaerios? I accepted his courteous answer, and sent up unto him, first and last, twelve arguments against that opinion of his; and at the first I sent him with an answer devised by myself to nine of them, for so I had promised him, namely, that I would bethink my wits of what possibly might be said in the solution of them, according to the straightness of my invention, leaving it to him to approve, or correct, or add, as he thought good. And whereas I could devise nothing at all in answer to my tenth argument, he sent me a large answer thereunto in three sides of a sheet of paper, whereby I well perceived,. that my best arguments had been known to him and examined before I devised them. After this, I came acquainted with ma●y discourses upon the same argument, one printed at Hanow in Germani, de die novissimo, of the last day; a few only were printed, two copies (and no more) were brought into England, Master Med, bought them both, and sent me one of them to copy it out, which we did. After this, no less than seven manu-scripts were sent me from one Divine, treating of this and other mysteries. Now here I cannot but confess my corruption, for I received them by way of a bribe, and indeed I was to do him a favour, and I dealt plainly with him, and told him I would not sell my favours Gratis, I would be well paid for them. And therefore whereas I heard he had strange n●●ions upon the Revelation, and touching the mysteries of the first resurrection; and Christ's kingdom, I looked to be feeed with the communication of them, with promise to return them safely, after I had sucked the honey out of them, though he had never a whit the less for that, such is the nature of spiritual commodities. The good man sent me word, that such bribes should never make me rich: but I returned answer, that they could make me the more rich than the enjoying of all the treasures of Ae●hopia, and the hill Amara to boot: And here I found rich mines inde●d, even a●l the mysteries belonging to Christ's glorious kingdom set down a part, by weighed question, and a solemn resolution thereon, with proofs adjoined out of the holy Scripture. Since t●at, I have met with divers choice pieces of the same argument, some prosecuting a few parts thereof only, and others more. So far Doctor Twisse, S●mi. Pelagianorum bujus seculi acenimus inpugn●tor. Master Mede of Cambridge, Commena tionum Apocalypticarum. Dialog cum Tryphone. Part of which Dialogue so far south as it con c●●●s the Millenary reign of Christ, Mr. Mede hath bo●h corrected, and illustrated with notes, in the 281 pag. &c. of this wo●k, where he hath also published the opinions of the Jewish Doctors concerning the kingdom of the Messiah. Part. II. pag. 276. et seqq. IDadeo proximi post Apostolo●, &c. This opinion was so approved by the Christians in the age next to the Apostles, that Iusti●e Martyr doth witness that not only himself, but the Christian of that time in all respects Orthodox did with a joint and unanimous consent believe it. Which opinion notwithstanding of the fi●st Christians, afterward deformed with some additions, or (as I conceive) amiss understood, posterity did after an age or two reject. Yet so far did the heat of this contention increase (which deservedly you may wonder at, and grieve for) before it could be composed, that they who could ●ot otherwise get free from the power of the adverse opinion, established by the Revelati●n, would rather call in question the authority of that divine Prophecy, confirmed by all the scholars of the Apostles, and their next successors, and openly and boldly slight it, then yield to this opinion: till at length happening upon some other likely interpretation o● these thousan● y●ares, permitting to the Revelation its divine authority, they ceased from their attempt, which could by no means be freed from the censure of impiety. Conceive thus them, that the seventh Trumpet, with the whole space of those thousand years, and other predictions belonging thereto, doth set forth that great day of judgement, so much spoken of by the ancient Church, as also by Christ, and his Apostles, and is not the short space of a few hours, as commonly it is believes, but according to the manner of the H●brewes, Every whe●e in the Prophets, as when they say in that day● and e●sewhere in the O.T. A● also ●he N. as Mat. 6.11 Luk. 11.13. & 8 2 Pet. 3.18 The day of an Age, whi●h we rende●, for ever and ev●r. using a day for a time, the continued interval of many years, and circums●ribed with two resurrections, as with two set or limited t●rmes: I say that this day shall be begun first with the part●cul●r and t●mely judgement of Antichrist, and oth●r ene●ies of the Church, then remaining alive with the glorious appearance of our Lord Christ in flames of fire; and that at length after the kingdom of a thousand years granted to his holy Spouse the New Ierusal●m here on earth, and others that shall afterward be borne this great day now drawing to an end, shall be finish●d, aft●r the letting loose of Satan and u●ter destruction of the Churches e●emies, with the general resurrection and judgement of all the dead: which being performed, the wicked shall be thrust down i●to Hell to be torm●nted eternally, and the Saints translated into Heaven to live with Christ there for ever. This indeed is the Time of the anger of God upon the Nations, and avenging the cause of them who died for Christ, for which after the blast of the seventh Trumpet, chapter ele●enth, the elders give thanks with triumph, because therein God was to g●ve a reward to his servants the Prophets and Saints, and to them that feared his ●ame, small and great; and would destroy th●m who destroy the earth. This is that day of judgement, and destruction of wicked men, of which Peter 2. Ep. 3.8. having spoken, pr●sently adds: But (beloved) be not ignorant of this one thing, (for before I showed it was called a day) that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. In which very day the Apostle with his brethren and kinsfolk, the Jews (to whom he writeth) doth expect a new fashion of things to happen, of which he saith Presen●ly but we EXPECT A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH; verse 13. according to his Promise where in dwelleth righteousness. Take notice; according to his promise. Now where was this promise to be found of a new Heaven, and new Earth (seeing John had not yet had this Revelation) but Esaya 65.17. and 66.22. which promise whosoever shall read, I should wonder if he think that it is to be accomplished anywhere else but upon Earth. This is also that kingdom, which is joined with Christ's appearance here on Earth to judge the world, of which Paul to Timothy 2. Ep. 4 1. I charge thee before god and the lord Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 shall judge the quick and the dead at his APPEARING and HIS kingdom. For after the last and universal Resurrection, the same Paul being witness 1. Cor. 15.24: Christ having destroyed the last enemy death, shall deliver up the kingdom to the Father, that he himself may be subject to him that put all things under him; so little can he be said to enter upon a new kingdom. The kingdom therefore, which neither was before the App●arance of the Lord neither shall be after the last Resurrection must necessarily be concluded to be batweene them both. This is the kingdom of the son of man, which Dan. saw, the times of the Antichristian horn being finished, or the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21.24) being accomplished; who shall appear in the clouds, when power, and glory, and the kingdom shall be given to him, that all people, nations, and languages may serve him for when (as the Angel straight expoundeth it) the Kingdom and Dominion, Dan. 13.14 18.22.26.27. and greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven (mark it well) shall be given to the people of the Sai●ts of the most high. For neither as I said before, shall this kingdom be after the last Resurrection, seeing then the son of man shall not enter upon a kingdom, but as Paul saith, he must lay it down, and deliver to his Father. Now that the same kingdom is spoken of by Daniel and John may from hence be evinced. First, because both Kingdom● begin with the ruin of the fourth, or Roman Beast, that of Daniel, when the Beast under the last command of the horn which had eyes, Dan. 7.21. vers 8. was slain and his body given to the burning flame; that in th●Revelation, when the Beast and false Prophet (that wicked horn is Dani●l having mouth and eyes like a head) were taken and both cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Secondly, from the same sitting in judgement, which went before both: for that one place is borrowed from the other, and both ente●d the same thing, will appear from the comparing of the descriptions of both. DAN. Cap. VII. APOC. XX. 4. Ver. 9 I beheld till the Thrones were placed. For so it must be rendered with the Vulgar, LXX. and Theodor, and so {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} is used of a Throne in the Targum on Ier. 1.15. And I saw Thrones. Ver. 10. And judgement was set. That is, Judges, as in the great Sanbedrim or council of the Jews, according to the manner of which this whole description is fitted. And they sat upon them Ver. 22. And judgement was given to the Saints of the most High. That is, Power to Judge, whence is that of Paul. The just shall judge the Earth. And judgement was given unto them. And the Saints possessed the kingdom. That is, with the son of man who came in the clouds of Heaven. And the Saints lived & reigned with Christ a thousand years. Moreover I would advise the Reader of this; whatsoever wholesome truth almost is delivered by the Jews, or by our Saviour in the Gospel, or anywhere in the new Testament, by the Apostles, concerning the day of the Great judgement, is taken out of this vision of Daniel; namely, the Judgement which shall be by fire, Christ's coming in the clouds of Heaven, his coming in the glory of his Father with a multitude of Angels, the judging of the world by him with his Saints, the abolishing of Antichrist, by the glorious appearance of his coming, &c. So that they go about to take away a pillar of our Evangelical faith, who neglecting this ancient tradition of the Church, go about to carry this Prophecy another way. Lastly, to make an end: This is that most great kingdom, which, as Daniel interprets it, was showed to Nabuchadnezzar in that representative Statue of the four kingdoms: Dan. 11.34.35. Not that of the STONE, which (the succession of the IV Monarchies yet remaining) was cut out of the mountain, (for this is the present state of Christ's Kingdom●) but of the Stone, which (those Monarchies being dissolved and overthrown) became a Mountain● and filled the whole earth. Hactenus Medeus, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, in m sticis Prophetiis, si quis alias, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. The Learned author of a Latin Treatise lately Printed in London, and Inscribed nunc ius Propheticus. DE millenariâ felicitate doctrinam non esse novam, besternam, &c. The future felicity of the Saints and servants of God here on earth for the space of 1000 years is no novel conceit, new broached fancy, or an opinion started up yesterday; but a Truth to be reverenced for its antiquity and seniority, Multi Ecclesiaricorum virorum & Martyrum ista di●erunt, Hieron. in Hierem. lib. 4. it being countenanced and maintained above 14. or 1500. years ago, yea even in the infancy of the Christian Church. Many reverend men, famous for their sanctity, and learning, who lived whilst the blood of Christ was yet warm, taught freely, and fully with applause of all, and contradiction of none, concerning a great Sabbath and time of Rest, which should in after ages come upon the Earth. Some of them maintained then a twofold Resurrection. 1. Particular, of some choice Saints, especially Martyrs and Confessors, whose lives were shortened and imbittered for the testimony of Jesus. 2. universal, of the residue of the Saints with all the Reprobates, which is a principal flower in the Garland of every Christians Creed, and betwixt both, a truly Golden Age of 1000 years' continuance. Peruse and ponder, good Reader, Revel. 5.10. and ch. 20.4, 5, 6. where the premises (if my interpretation may ●eare sway) are so manifestly asserted, as if they were written with a sun beam. Neither let any scruple at the raising of any particular Saints before their Brethren, seeing we have a precedent hereof in sacred Writ, or the first Good Friday, (or as I rather conceive) on the first Easter day: for at that time there arose with Christ our first Parents, holy patriarchs and matriarches, with many religious Kings, and inspired Prophets, by name, Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham and his Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses, David: or at least, John Baptist, Zachary, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, Joseph Christ's Foster-father, with others who saw and conversed with Christ in the flesh. Moreover not a few eminent and ancient Fathers were strongly opinionated that Christ himself should then descend from Heaven, and here reign in a visible shape with great glory and tranquillity amongst his Saints and holy ones, That eloquent and * Lactant. Institut. l. 7. candid writer Lactantius, the Cicero of the Christians shall be the mouth of the rest. The son of the highest, and great God shall come to judge the living and dead, and he shall dwell among men 1000 years, and he shall govern them under a most just command; and they shall live with their bodies, they shall not die; but for those 1000 years they shall increase into an infinite multitude, and their issue shall be holy, and beloved of God. Now they that are raised from the dead shall as judges be placed over them that are alive. And a little after: The moon shall receive the brightness of the Sun, and shall lose her light no more. And the Sun shall be seven times more glorious than now it is. The earth shall express her fruitfulness, and bring forth of its own accord plentiful store of corn: The cliffs of the mountains shall sweat out honey, the Springs and rivers shall flow with wine and milk. Lactantius expresseth this Prophecy in Virgil's verses, changing the order thus, 38.39.40.41.28.29.30.42.43.44.45.21.22. And presently again, There shall be no ravenous beasts in this time, no birds of prey; but all things shall be quiet and peaceable. The lion and calf shall feed at the same stall; the wolf shall not devour the sheep, neither shall the dog hunt after his prey. The Eagle and hawk shall do no harm: The Infan● shall play with Seapents. Lastly, all those things shall come to pass which the poet's fable to have been in those golden times of Saturn's reign. Men shall live therefore a most quiet and plentiful life, and they shall reign together with God, and the Kings of the earth shall bring in their gifts and presents to worship and honour the great King, &c. This is the doctrine of the holy Prophets, which we Christians follow: This is Christian wisdom. These are the words of Lactantius, which though plausible at the first view (being most part Scripture phrase) yet may here and there I grant, if minutely examined, be justly liable to exception, as bordering near upon the Heresy of Cerinibus, Cerinthius and his followers the Millenaries were branded for heretics by reason of their carnal conceit of a mere temporal felicity: That the earth during these 1000 yeare● should be, not a paradise of spiritual delights, but a stews of all impure pleasures, and a stage of libertinism, not unlike the fantastical heaven the Turks dream of. This is also the fond fancy of the circumcised Jews, and our late rebaptised heretics. and the old condemned Millmarians, except we yield them spoken (as Saint Paul speaks in another case) after the manner of men. Howbeit the author may be excused, he having only amplified that in transcendent expressions and flourishing streams, which many Lights of the East and West-Churches delivered in downright terms. But why do I single out one Lactantius, or insist thus on his Rhetorique● Papias a Bishop, and Saint John's Scholar, Irenaeus and Justine, styled the Martyr, both which lived in the next age to the Apostles, Tertullian also and Hilarius, men of admirable endowments, yea, I had almost said, and in part blessed Augustine himself and his contemporary Saint * Hieron. de W. M. numerosum antiquorum Pa●●●m Catalogum in banc sententi●m recenset. Jerome, (all which were stars of the first magnitude in the firmament of the Primitive Church) most willingly have afforded their places and suffrages to this comfortable Doctrine, I mean for the main of it. After a good pause the same Author proceeds thus. Lastly, In what year this new world shall begin, wherein holy men and women shall rejoice and live together in a most blessed and heavenly manner, is one of the great secrets of Heaven, all which are unknown to us mortals (Alas! our dim eyes, the Caleb and Joshua, fellow spies in this Isle of man, cannot pierce those tenfold orbs of Heaven.) Indeed so many men so many minds: One Author assigns this year, another that, a third differs in his account from both. But it is agreed on all hands that this thrice happy and golden age is now at hand. Alstedius the Champion of the late Millenarians, and a main prop of this new revised Doctrine, names and confidently determines the year of Christ 1694. (being 52 years hence) for the first year of this triumphant reign of the Saints here on earth. Others judge the time uncertain, and certainly their judgement (in my judgement) is most certain. I will turn my private opinion into a prayer, O that the Almighty would hasten, I again and again I wish it, this glorious kingdom, that so it may come in our times before we be lodged in the silent grave, and moulder into our principles, dust and ashes. And now I will seal this delightful contemplation with the words of Saint John surnamed the Divine; or rather not of the P●●man, but of the thrice blessed Spirit which guided his pen, Rev. 20.6. Blessed is he that hath his part in the first Resurrection. Sweet Jesus, grant a part in the first Resurrection, to Thy servant and son of thine Handymayd, T. B. I wholly submit myself and opinion to the determination of our long expected Venerable Synod. Its Auctori●●e in libello Docto, Jupiter, & laborioso! There is extant also in Print this last year a Treatise of one Master John Archer, sometimes Preacher of All-hallows in Lombardstreet, entitled, The personal reign of Christ upon Earth. The Author, as I ●eare, is with God, but his book thou Mayst have on every stall. But so far out of some of our English Divines. Let us now hear the Incomparable Tycho Brahe. Tycho Brahe: {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, His Testimony taken out of his first Tome Astronomicorum Progymnasmatum not far from the end. IT is worthy our best observation, The first revolution of the fiery Trigon, happened in Enco and in the then flourishing estate of the Church. The third in Moses and the freedom from Egyptian slavery. The fifth in CHRIST, and the restoring of us to God's ●avourby his Passion. that as all the former uneven Revolutions of the Fiery Trigon, (namely the first, third, and fifth) have ever been auspicious to the world, as having ushered in some great and singular favours of the Almighty to mankind: so it is probable that this seventh Revolution which now reigns ever since the year of our Lord 1603. is the forerunner of a more happy and glorious state than all the afore p●ssed ages have eve● yet enjoyed. Neither doth this disagree with the most ancien● prophecies of the wisest men, and enlightened by the Holy Ghost, who have foretold that before the general conflagration of all things, that there shall be a certain quiet and peaceable age for some good space of time upon Earth, wherein the tumults and confusions happening 〈◊〉 politic States, and by reason of varieties of Religions shall be settled and appeased, and at length be made more conformable to the Divine Will, 〈…〉 SABBATISMI qu●●da●●●cculta● rationem ob●inet, & praecaeteris peculiare, & magni momenti quid denunciat. Tycho Brahe d. l. and pleasure. Which we may also not abscurely collect from the Prophets themselves, who foretold that some golden age should be for a time on Earth, in which men should beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hookes: neither should Nation lift up a sword against Nation, nor learn● war any more: But they shall sit every man under his Vine, and ●nder his Figure●, and none shall make them afraid, as Micah the Prophet hath it, ch. 4. and Esay ch. II. prophesyeth of the same in this manner: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid, and the Galfe and the young Lion, and the ●atling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the Co● and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the Cockatricuden. They shall not hurt in all my holy mountain: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea. And that passage also, Esay 60. is to be referred to the mystical Jerusalem, or more perfect state of Christianity then hath been hitherto. For brass I will bring gold, and for Iron I will bring Silver, and for-Wood brass, and for Stones Iron: I will also make thy Officers, peace, and thy exactors righteousness: Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls salvation, and thy gates praise. And what goes before and follows; where at length lie thus concludes: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. More places are likewise to be found as well in the Prophets, as in the * Without doubt he means the 20 Chapter. Revelation, promising an unusual and unexpected happiness of earthly things, such as never hath been in any age of the world hitherto. The truth therefore of this Prophecy shall be fulfilled before the general destruction of all things, (for it cannot fail, proceeding wholly from the infallible Spirit of God) and it is probable that the accomplishment thereof is at hand. Why then may not all these things obtain an expected event within the compass of this renewed Revolution of the fiery Trigon, and of the other three ensuing, which complete 800. years? Hactenus Atlas ille Coeli Mathematici. The Testimony of Carolus Gallus; out of Dr Hakewill, in his Advertisement to pag. 476. for I have not the book by me. A book written by Carolus Gallus a professor of Divinity in the University of Leyden, published in the year 1592.▪ and entitled Clavis prophetica nova Apocalypseos Iohannis Apostoli & Evangeliographi. In his Epistle Dedicatory to the Prince of Orange, and the States of the Netherlands, he professeth it was a work, In quo (saith he) jam inde a viginti quinque annis, &c. that is In which for these XXV. years, I have very much laboured, by reading, meditating, searching, writing, disputing, and publicly teaching both in Churches and schools, seeking out and letting slip nothing, which seemed to concern the finding out of this Divine Treasure. Now this man after all this travel, search, and study, thus concludes his eight Observation upon the 20. Chapter of that book. Breviter spiritus propheticus in hac Iohannis Apocalypsi, &c. that is, briefly, the Spirit in this Revelation of John prophesyeth concerning the particular and wonderful Resurrection, renovation, and restitution of the Church, that it, in this last Age, shall appear made one of Jews and Gentiles, both living and dead, and more gloriously than ever heretofore, in a wonderful manner shall live again from the dead, or first death, and shall be renewed, restored, and flourish again. I THESS. IV. Commate 16. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} THE DEAD IN CHRIST [{non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, for Christ, that is, The Martyrs] SHALL RISE FIRST. THe interpretation will not seem strange to any one who knows, that the same Paul, who in his own words, is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Ephe. 4.1. was a prisoner, on bound for the Lord's sake, the preposition, as fea●he● men know, sometimes signifying the cause propter q●●●▪ That place also Rev. 14.13. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, They that die in the Lord, is no otherwise interpreted by some Learned men; for the whole pericope or passage there seems plainly to point at the Martyrs, who verse 4. are more elegantly called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The first fruits unto God, and to the lamb, as purchased by a particular prerogative from among men.