But I say now they shall want this courage choosing rather cowardly to lye down though stript of Liberty and Religion both as men quite bereaved of spirit and life then boldly as did their famous Predecessors stand up for Christ and protest against the Beast And such a day as this is by far a worse day then to see Saints killed with the sword for whilst it is thus with them they are honouring their Lord and Master by bearing testimony though with their bloods but now they are shaming of him yea Religion it self by deserting their Colours And the Reasons why I conceive of the thing after this manner are 1 Because they cannot in any other way be said to lye dead as witnesses which must be because otherwise as I have said there is no distinction at all betwixt their Prophecying and their Killing 2 Because their resurrection at the end of the three dayes and a half is by a spirit of life from God entring into them vers 11. i.e. a spirit of courage and boldness now to stand up for Christ and Protest against the Beast put into them by God which before was wanting Therefore I say the death here spoken of is not a corporal but another manner of death and the wee of the day shall lye more in being forsaken of God within this time then in being tormented or martyred by man SECT VIII THe place in which the Witnesses lye dead is not the whole Papal Kingdom but some particular Nation or some one of the ten Horns The Reasons are 1 Because as our German Author in his Cl. p. 73. hath well observed they are said to lye dead not in the streets of the Great City in the plural number but in the street in the singular Rev. 11.8 And their dead bodies shall lye in the street 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Great City Noting that their killing shall be in one street not in all the Papal Kingdom 2 Because upon their resurrection the whole City i.e. all the Papal Kingdom is not overthrown but only a tenth part vers 13 And the same hour the tenth part of the City fell Now observe There where the witnesses lye dead three dayes and a half there this time expired they arise where they rise in that place doth the Papal power fall before them upon their rise or otherwise they could not rise for that power would keep them down so that look how far we extend the killing and rising again of the witnesses so far must we extend the ruine of the Papal power and that in the very same hour they rise But now the Great City or Papal power is not wholly destroyed upon the witnesses rise but a tenth part only falls therefore the rise of the witnesses and so consequently their lying dead which goeth before it is not to be looked for all over the Papal Kingdom but in a tenth part only Or thus we are not to conceive that all the witnesses Christ hath within any of the ten Horns shall at this time lye dead But Christs witnesses only in one of the ten Horns the death of a part being here put for the death of the whole and well may it considering how remarkable this death shall be for the nature of it It would therefore be inquired into seeing that this is to be but in one tenth part what part or place that is Answ I have in my Discourse upon the Vials Vial 4. affirmed the place to be Germany and I may truly say that what I then affirmed more doubtfully I am by looking more intently upon this subject of the witnesses much perswaded of and confirmed in One reason which swayes with me is because the Holy Ghost seems to speak of the place by way of eminency as being the most noted place of the whole Papal Kingdom vers 8. The street of the great City i.e. the noted street the Market-street or as I may say the Thorow-fare so vers 10. The tenth part of the City fell the Original reads the words with an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That tenth part of the City i.e. the most eminent noted part of all the Ten. Now the place being spoken of by way of eminency it must be understood either in relation to the witnesses or the Beast that kills them that is it must be either the most eminent place for witnesses or the most eminent Kingdom belonging to the beast one of the two Now take either of these and it doth not so properly agree to any place in all Europe as Germany for 1 In respect of Witnesses Our Question now is not where at this present day are most Witnesses but the thing we must look after is what place that is which through all the time of the Beasts reign hath been the most noted place for Witnesses and there must we fix our Standard Now that is Germany which in this respect until at this present day hath ever excelled all the Nations in Europe The Witnesses there began to appear for Christ openly against the Beast before the year 900 against whom suddenly after was raised a most bloody persecution by the Beast which per secution is the highest I can find in any History that was made to speak properly by the Beast Notwithstanding this persecution the witnesses as Ecclesiastical Writers affirm grew and increased and like fire in a thatch spread themselves over Germany and neighbouring Countries Yea from that day to this there ever have been more or less witnesses standing up and sacrificing their lives for the cause of Christ against the Beast in Germany so that Germany it hath been in a manner the Seed-plot of truth and the very Nursery of witnesses throughout all ages 2 Look upon it in respect of the Beast and it is also the most noted place and above all deserves to be called the street that tenth part by way of eminency being indeed the principal street of the great City the first horn of the Beast the chief Kingdom of the fourth Monarchy as under Antichrist as saith my worthy German Author in his Cl. p. 78. giving these three Reasons for it 1 Because It is called the Roman Empire 2 Because It is as it were a figure and Image of the old Roman Empire having seven Heads in regard of the seven Princes Electors and ten Provinces in respect of the ten Circles into which it is distributed 3 Because The Head of the German Empire hath still the name of a Roman Emperor and hath the preeminence above all other Kings adhering to the Papal State And truly when I cast mine eie upon what hath about half a year or three quarters of a year ago been done in Germany and also how the Saints there seem at present bereaved of life lying down and couching under their burden it appears to me the time place and thing compared together to be more than an ordinary dispensation And farther let me say Though the Saints there at
City Rome as judgeth the worthy Author were not to be till the seventh Vial the order of the Holy Ghost in Chapters the 18 19. which relates the ruin of the City Rome before yet preparation is made to that battle would be manifestly broken 3 Because no interpretation can better-sute the words themselves for what may more properly be called Antichrists Soat then Rome the place where the Chair he sits in stands or what thing can befall the Beast which is more likely to fill his whole Kingdom with darkness yea make the Papals gnaw their tongues for pain than the destruction of Rome the Metropolis of that Kingdom 4 To these I may adde a fourth Argument urged by a learned Writer to our purpose Where the purpled Woman sits there is Antichrists Seat because she sits on the Beast that is Antichrist the purpled Woman sits at Rome because she sits on the seven Head of the Beast which are the seven Mountains of Rome Chap. 17.9 The seven Heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth Rome therefore is yea must be the Seat of Antichrist Now as to the Objection That this City Rome comes under the seventh Vial where mention is made of Great Babylon coming into remembrance before God and that therefore it cannot be the Subject of this I shall to that say nothing here onely refer the Reader to our opening of that place for his answer Neither let any say as some object that this interpretation is literal contrary to the scope of the Vials which carry things in a mystery for it is easie to reply That did we by Seat understand the Seat or Chair it self that Antichrist fits in it would so be but whilst as here Seat is put for the place in which his Seat or Chair doth stand it is manifest enough that there is a figure and a mystery in the words 2. The EFFECTS 1 EFFECT The Kingdom of the Beast is full of Darkness And his Kingdom was full of Darkness By the fall of Rome the head City the whole Papal Kingdom shall suffer a great eclipse of its former esteem and glory for now shall the Kings of the Earth who have been formerly supports to this Kingdom and those Merchants of the Earth who have formerly traded with the Beast stand afar off as men afraid either to own or traffick with the Beast any longer for fear of her torment as is more fully set forth in the description of Romes ruin which we have at large Chap. 18. v. 9. to 20. 2 EFFECT Gnawing their tongues for pain And they gnawed their tongues for pain Noting the extremity of rage the Papals shall be in when they shall behold Rome the glory of their Kingdom made a ruinous heap and they no way able to revenge their own quarrel they shall act the parts of mad men who gnash their teeth bite their lips gnaw their tongues c. which also in suitable and emphatical expressions we have ch 18. v. 15 16 17 18 19. 3 EFFECT Blaspheming the God of Heaven because of their pains and sores Vers 11. And blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores and repented not of their deeds The marked sons of the Beast shall now yet more evidently see that their pain viz. their inward torments and vexation of mind by which they are in a manner distracted and their sores viz. the ecclipse of their outward glory causing their friends and adherents to desert their cause and interest proceed only and alone from the hand of the God of Heaven who now is remembring their in quities and judging of them yet as before they shall now again harden themselves and blaspheme the God of Heaven to their own destruction instead of repenting of their deeds to give him glory Concerning the time when this Vial shall be poured forth my thoughts are these That the Jews delivery being to begin as in my first part hath been proved in or about the year 56 and that being the Effect of the sixth or following Vial it therefore necessarily follows that the Vials upon the Sun and the Seat of the Beast must be poured forth sometime in the interim betwixt this and the yeer of our Lord 1656. or thereabouts and therefore although for so much as concerns the particular time I shall wave it yet may I safely conclude thus much in the general that the time is at hand Now the Reasons why so little time is allowed to these two Vials when as every of the former hath taken up much more are as I conceive 1 Because God is slow in beginning to pour out his wrath upon sinners waiting their repentance but when wrath hath been poured out upon them and they by the same grow hardened then his proceedings are more quick Hence in the first Vial a long breathing time to consider their wayes is allowed to these enemies of God which they not regarding but being more hardned under it God in pouring out the second cuts the time much shorter yet because under that they are hardned also therefore in the third time is cut shorter yet and because after God had smitten them three times they still are hardned and persist to oppose the Lord Jesus instead of submitting to give him glory therefore in the fourth and fifth Vials time is brought to a little scantling God doing that in a few dayes which before took up many yeers 2 Because with the pouring forth of this Vial the suffering of the Gentile-Churches as I conceive draws to an end though after this the Jews in that interval of time betwixt the sixt and seventh Vials are to have a day of suffering Now the nearer the end comes the faster will Christ go the finishing of the work shall be cut short in righteousness And therefore observable it is concerning both these Vials that the Scripture hath set a mark upon each to shew that their continuance is not to be long The fourth Vial under which the Witnesses rise hath this to note the suddenness of it The same hour there was a great Earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell Chap. 11.13 it is done in an hour i.e. in a very short time and of the fifth Vial poured out upon the City Rome it is said Her plagues shall come upon her in one day Chap. 18.8 and in one hour is her judgement come vers 10. in one hour so great riches is come to nought vers 17. in one hour she is made desolate vers 19. The oft repetition of so short a time plainly teaching thus much That the work shall bee done in an instant ere the Papals themselves or it may bee the instruments God will imploy in doing it are aware Thus much as touching the fifth VIAL VIAL VI. 1 The SUBJECT of it The great River Euphrates AND the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great River Euphrates Vers 12 Those who understand the drying up of Euphrates in a
by all Nations coming up to Jerusalem to fall down and worship before the Lord of Christs wonderful Deliverance of his people and terrible destruction of his enemies at this day And indeed that the main thing intended in this Feast was the Memorial of Gods delivering mercy appears to me from hence that this Feast which from Joshua's time untill Nehemiahs had not been observed was again kept upon their coming out of Babylon Nehem 8.17 This also may be an answer to such other places in the Prophets where mention is made of worship at this day Having thus brought the words I am opening to a reconciliation with those Chap. 21. vers 22. It would neither be amiss unprofitable nor improper to the subject we are upon to have given here a description of the New Jerusalems glory which is the very thing briefly hinted in these words more fully explicated Chap. 21. throughout Chap. 22. vers 1. to 6. and in many places in the Prophets of the Old Testament but that I have restraint laid upon my spirits as to this inquiry supposing the time of full discovery hereof not yet come for I finde that the destruction of the great Whore together with a general view of the Bride the Lambs wife and the time of her Reign with Christ is discovered to John in the wilderness that is whilst the Church as yet remains in her warfare contesting and strugling with her enemies Chap. 17.1 And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials and talked with me saying unto me Come hither I will shew unto thee the judgement of the great Whore that siâ—eth upon many waters vers 3. so he carried me away in the spirit into the Wilderness John is now in the Wilderness and we read not a word of his removing his station till we come to Chap. 21.9 10. therefore I conclude the whole of the Prophesie from Chap. 17.1 to Chap. 21.9 which discovers the great Whore and her ruine Chap. 17.18 gives us a general view of the Bride the Lambs wife and her attire and Christ her Husbands coming and appearing to destroy her enemies and marry his Spouse to himself Chap. 19. makes discovery that before the General Judgement shall be a thousand years in which Satan shall be bound and the Saints shall reign with Christ Cha. 20. gives us also a general hint of the glory of this thousand years Ch. 21. v. 1. to 9. was all of it revealed to John in the Wilderness teaching us hereby that before yet the Woman is got clear out of the Wilderness there shall be a full discovery of these things But now the full and particular glory of the New Jerusalem the discovery of the Bride in all her glory John that he might see that hath his station removed from the Wilderness to a great and high Mountain Chap. 21.9 10. And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials full of the seven last Plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs wife and he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God vers 11. Having the glory of God c. intimating thus much to me that the time of discovery of this glory in the brightness of it is not to be expected till the Church is gotten out of the Wilderness and become a great Mountain in the world And sometimes I have thought that as the Lord doth and will more and more every day make discovery of those things John had revealed to him in the Wilderness the Gentile Churches being the Woman in the Wilderness so that which John had revealed to him in the great and high mountain he may have reserved in store for the Jews upon their coming in who converted shall become a Great Mountain in the world These considerations have laid a restraint upon me as to this inquiry yet this I shall do leave with the Reader a Rule or two which may be a help to him so far as to prevent many mistakes that otherwise will bee very apt to arise whilst hee reads what very frequently is spoken in the Prophets with a relation to this time 1 RVLE That the Prophets of the Old Testament prophecying to a people that lived under a dark Legal Administration in which things were veiled that stood under an outward temporal Covenant I mean a Covenant for temporal things as riches long life c. as well as for spiritual that were as yet children under age trained up under a Schoolmaster Tutor Governor who though they were in a way of learning looking at a time to come wherein they should be more perfect Schollars had as yet for the bulk of them attained but very little spiritual understanding in any thing their senses being as yet exercised onely about the first rudements of Religion and the first Principles of the Oracles of God I say The Prophets speaking to such a people are in their expressions to be looked upon as rather accommodating themselves to the state of Gods people under the Administration and Covenant that then was then speaking of things as they are in themselves or were to be in the accomplishment This speaking by way of allusion is clear Zach. 14. before quoted They shall go up from year to year verse 16. alluding to the going up of the twelve Tribes once every year to worship at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles alluding to that Feast in time of old So verse 20. we read of the Pots in the Lords house the Bowls before the Altar verse 21. of sacrificing and seething the expressions clearly alluding to the way and manner of worship that then was So likewise Ezekiel in the last eight Chapters of his Prophesie speaks altogether by way of allusion to the state of things in Israel and the way of their worship under the Old Testament That the main thing intended in those eight Chapters is the description of the New Jerusalem appears 1 From the order observed by the Holy Ghost in laying it down the things spoken concerning it being brought in as an immediate consequent of the Jews conversion and the battel of Armageddon both which things had been fully treat of in the three foregoing Chapters Chap. 37 38 39. 2 By comparing with the description we have of the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.22 Ezekiel Revelation Chap 40 2. In the visions of God brought he me into the Land of Israel and set me upon a very high mountain by which was as the frame of a City on the South Chap. 21.10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God Chap. 47.1 2 3 c. Behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house Chap. 22.1 And he shewed me
for that of Micha Chap. 5.5 This man shall bee the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land It cannot be interpreted as having reference to any other but Gospel-times long before which the ancient Assyrian Monarchy was ruined And would you know what time of the Gospel it hath reference unto why the last time of all viz. The time of Christs coming and second appearing vers 4 5 6. The like we have Isa 7.8 Zach. 10.10 11. with many other places which would be too tedious to insist upon Having thus found the parties who shall at this day bee gather together to oppose the Saints which march under three distinct Banners 1 The Banner of the Beast or Roman power governed by Antichrist 2 The Banner of the Turk or those of the Mahumetan Religion 3 The Banner of some earthly Kings and Potentates Adherents to the other two yet neither Papists nor Mahumetans I come now to make application hereof to the words which notably set forth and that distinctly the ruine of either party 1 The great City is divided into three parts By Great City we are not to understand the City Rome which fell before under Vial 5. But the whole power of the Beast or Antichrists Kingdome for so is the word used Rev. 11.13 The same hour there was a great Earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell i.e. One of the ten Horns or the tenth part of Antichrists Kingdome fell upon the Witnesses rise Now the dividing of the Great City notes the downfall and ruin of his whole Kingdome for a City divided or rent peece from peece by some terrible shaking or earthquake cannot stand And this division being into three parts notes a full and perfect ruine three being a number of perfection Now is the Beast slain his body destroyed and given to the burning flame Dan. 7. Now the Beast and false Prophet both are cast into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone Rev. 19. Now those who worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in their fore-heads or in their hands drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and are tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his Image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name Rev. 14. 2 The Cities of the Nations fall i.e. such Nations as come in to the help of the Pope and Turk at this day their Royal Cities Regal Seats Fortresses and places of strength are overthrown Now are the Thrones of Kingdoms overturned and the strength of Kingdoms of the Heathen destroyed Hag. 2.22 This is the day of Gods controversie with all Nations when the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth unto the other Jer. 25.30 31 32 33. 3 Great Babylon comes up in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath Now by Great Babylon we may not understand the City Rome which fell under the Fifth Vial nor is it weight enough against our Reasons there laid down to say that the City Rome is spiritually called by the name of Great Babylon in this Book unless it could be proved that the name in a spiritual sense is appliable to no other City or thing but Rome only Nor may we secondly understand Antichrists Kingdome in general for that is set forth by the Great City and it is not a thing probable having once expressed it and being gone to another Head namely The Cities of the Nations that the Holy Ghost should yet afterwards come over with it again Yea how improper would it be to say of the Kingdom of the Beast that it came now in remembrance before God which peece by peece had been pulling down and destroying throughout all the Vials As therefore three sorts of Enemies combine together at this day the doom and downfall of two of which we have seen already so is the ruine of the third namely the Great Turk with Constantinople his Royal City or Seat of Residence here set forth by Great Babylons coming up in remembrance before God And in this opinion I am not alone Brightman a man of no little worth and esteem having asserted it before me And truly the Turk being as hath been made appear so considerable an Enemy in this last ingagement it is not probable that his punishment should either be passed over in silence or named in the general only which if it be not contained in these words is so Withall there will be the same reason at this day when the Turkish Seat shall be as infamously famous for opposing and oppressing the Jews as Antichrists hath been or now is for persecuting the Christians that in a figurative sense the name of Babylon the oppressing City of Gods people of old should be applied to it as now it is to the Seat of the Beast yea if of the two one may claim a greater title to the name than the other the claim of this day will fall to the Turk who by possessing the cruel and persecuting qualities of Babylon of old towards Gods people shall make his claim equal with Antichrist and by how much he hath not the qualities only but the Lands and Territories of the Babylonian Monarchy that was now in his clutches his claim will be the greater And indeed to me it is evident that those things that concern the destruction of Babylon mentioned so oft in the Prophets which in the ruine of Babylon of old the Type neither had nor could have their accomplishment though they have a respect to the Turk and Antichrist both yet more especially to the Turk as the principal Antitype of that Type as is clear Isa 14. for the Babylon there spoken of is that Babylon which shall be an oppressing City to the Jews for which reason they triumph over it in its destruction vers 4 5 c. and this at the time of their last restauration which is yet to come as is manifest in the three first verses which can be meant of none so properly as the Great Turk sitting in Constantinople And as a further Restauration seems to be promised and foretold Jer. 50.4 5. then meerly the coming out of Babylon of Old when Judah only and not as here Israel and Judah together came up to seek the Lord so by the same reason we are to look after the ruine of some other Babylon then meerly Babylon in the Letter which Babyloâ— must be such too as shall at this day stand in the way of the Jews return and be an enemy to them and this can be more fitly applied to none than to the Turk And notwithstanding the Turk received a notable blow under the former Vial by means of which a
p. 157 The reason given why a particular description of New Jerusalems glory is forborn p. 158 Three Rules laid down to judge of such Prophecies as concern the New Jerusalem p. 160 to 166. Here is shewed under our first Rule That Ezekiel in his eight last Chapters treats of the same thing that John doth in his two last and that Ezekiels Temple is no other but that Throne of God and of the Lamb spoken of by John 4 The Effects 1 Effect Terror p. 166 2 Effect Ruin wherein we have 1 A particular List of the things ruined which are 1 The Great City which cannot be meant of the City Rome but of the whole power of the Beast p. 170 2 The Cities of the Nations shewed what meant by them p. 171 3 Great Babylon ib. 1 Not the City Rome ib. 2 Not Antichrists Kingdom in general ib. But The Turkish power or Constantinople his Royal Seat p. 172 A reason given for this Interpretation ibid. A reason also given why at this time the Furkish Seat should be called Great Babylon together with some Scriptures that carry in them a probability of the thing esserted p. 173 In order to the discussing the things spoken of in opening this second Effect it is premised and proved That the Turk shall be one principal Enemy in the battel of Armageddon p. 167 to 169. Here Gog and Magog is treated of and the gathering together of Gog and Magog mentioned Rev. 20. shewed to be not that gathering together of Gog and Magog spoken of by Ezekiel but another Here also is shewed that many of those places in the Prophets where mention is made of the Assyrians rage have reference to the Great Turk and are to be understood of him 2 The inevitableness of this ruin p. 173 What meant by Mountains and Islands and by their flying away 3 The greatness of this ruin p. 174 Why hailstones said to weigh a talent ib. 3 Effect Blaspheming God p. 175 The Conclusion of the whole The Reason added of the Order observed in pouring forth the VIALS p. 176 The end of the second Table THE CONTENTS OF The Third Part. CHAP. I. WHerein is set forth the state or condition of the two Witnesses within their Prophecying time and the time of their being killed from Rev. 11. Divided into ten Sections SECT 1. That the two Witnesses are the Magistracy and the Ministry Where is shewed why Zachery sees two Olive-trees and but one Candlestick John two Olive-trees and two Candlesticks Page 1 2 SECT 2. Why they are called Witnesses p. 3 A distinction made betwixt that general witness bearing common to Saints in all ages and that special witness-bearing peculiar to these two Witnesses and this time of 1260 years Here is also shewed that the peculiar work of these two Witnesses is to bear witness against the Beast in clearing whereof the 42 months of the Beast and the 1260 days of the Witnesses are proved to be one and the same p. 3 4 5 6 SECT 3. Why these Witnesses are said to be two why clothed in sâ—ckcloth what is meant by their destroying their enemies by fire shutting Heaven that it rain not turning waters into blood smitting the earth with plagues p. 6 7 SECT 4. That the three daies and a half of the Witnesses lying â—ead are to be understood not of 1260 years but of three years and a half onely and these to be the last three years and a half of the 1260 p. 8 9 10 11 SECT 5. The time of the Witnesses slaughter discussed in the general onely Three Conclusions concerning it laid down 1 Concl. That the killing of the Witnesses shall be within that very three years and a half which shall precede the Jews first stirring proved p. 12 2 Concl That the killing of the Witnesses shall be but a little before the downfal of Rome proved p. 13 3 Concl That the killing of the Witnesses shall be at the latter end of the third Vial. In order to the proving whereof is shewed That some Vials are poured forth before the slaughter of the Witnesses p. 15 16 Here is shewed that the Angel Chap. 17 1. that shews John the judgement of the great Whore was the Angel of the third Vial Also why the Holy Ghost in the explication of the Vials begins with the thirds leaving out the two first A ground to expect great discoveries under the third Vial and a reason given why God makes such discoveries under that Vial. The thing it self that the killing of the Witnesses is to be under the third Vial at the latter and thereof proved by three Arguments p. 16 to 20. Here is opened the war between the Lamb and the Kings of the earth Rev. 17.14 which is proved to be a Civil War or a war by a civil sword and for the time of it to fall within the Vials and in particular under the third Vial at the beginning of it immediately before the slaughter of the Witnesses Object All the Vials come under the seventh Trumpet answered p. 20 21. where is shewed that the seventh Trumpet is contemporary with the seventh Vial onely A Conclusion from the whole That the day of the Witnesses killing is in all likelihood already begun and not much more than begun ib. SECT 6. The Beast killing the Witnesses is the Antichristian Magistracy and Ministry p. 32. Why the Antichristian Magistracy and Ministery are spoken of as but one Beast when the Witnesses viz. Christs Magistracy and Ministry are ever spoken of as two p. 23 SECT 7. The nature of the witnesses death proved 1 Not to be a corporal death ib. But a death partly civil partly spiritual p. 24 25 Here is shewed wherein the blackness of this day will lye SECT 8. The place in which the witnesses lye dead 1 Not the whole Papal Kingdom but onely one of the ten Horns p. 25 2 Particularly to be Germany p. 26 27 28 Yet Christs Witnesses in other places must expect a cloud in some measure upon them and Gods work within this day ibid. SECT 9. How things shall be agitated in the world in the time the Witnesses lye dead 1 They of the People Kindreds Nations and Tongues shall see their dead bodies and not suffer them to be put into graves Here is shewed 1 What this putting their dead bodies into graves notes p. 29 2 Who are meant by those of the People and Kindreds and Nations and Tongues ib. 2 The dwellers on earth shall rejoyce make merry Here is shewed also who these are p. 31 3 There shall be in all likelihood within this time a general peace betwixt those Nations which are the horns of the Beast yet so as that this peace shall not be wholly effected till towards the end of this time p. 34 SECT 10. The Witnesses rise after three dayes and a half The thing setting them upon their feet is a spirit of boldness courage and noble resolution put into them by God Quest VVhether
of Christ at Northwalsham in Norfolk walking in fellowship with the Churches of Christ in this Country sendeth Greeting Dearly beloved in the Lord AS the Lord the mighty God hath done great things and unsearchable marvelous things without number for his great Name and peoples sake within the space of a few years so certainly there shall not be an end of Wonders until his peoples full Redemption be accomplished And although the wicked of the earth regard not the works of the Lord neither consider what he hath already done or shall do hereafter yet they are observed and diligently sought out of the Saints that have pleasure therein And they shall speak of the might of his terrible Acts and shall declare his greatness they shall abundantly utter the memory of his goodness and sing of his righteousness they shall speak of the glory of his Kingdom and talk of his Power and make known to the sons of men his mighty Acts and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom When we consider what a company of poor weak and unprofitable creatures we are having such dead dark and unsuitable hearts and spirits to the extraordinary appearances and dispensations of God towards us we might think it most meet that we above all others should sit down in silence and shame at such a time as this but while we are musing of the former wayes and dealings of God with his people and of those glorious things which must shortly come to pass our hearts do burn within us and having this opportunity we cannot but speak and declare a few things which are upon our spirits As touching our dear and worthy Brother the Author it may be expected something by us should be spoken but his desire as concerning himself hath laid silence upon us Yet this we shall say As we conceive him to be one who hath received much light from the Lord and esteems it a choice and special mercy to be taught of God the things of Christs Kingdom so we are his witnesses how holily and justly and unblameably he hath and doth behave himself amongst us and many others that beleeve As for the Treatise it self it needs not mans commendation because Truth commends it self Yet this we say It hath been a great refreshment to our spirits and we hope will be to the spirits of Gods people elswhere It is the Authors desire that things may not be received on your parts without trial yet in case any who fear the Lord be in this matter otherwise minded it is our desire they would not rashly condemn that which was neither rashly undertaken nor published But to come to what we have further to say It is an undeniable truth confirmed by long experience that the Devil hath ever had a great design against the Kingdom of Christ that holy City and hath so far prevailed as by his instruments to tread it underfoot for a long time though not able to destroy it So that those that have appeared and witnessed for Christ have been forced to do it in sackcleath in a very mean and low condition yet however they do it they will do it though in sackcloath And this hath been such a trouble and torment to the Beast and the dwellers on the earth that like men or rather Devils full of rage and fury against them they make War against them overcome them pull off even their sackcloath strip them kill them And whether this hath been already done or is yet to do is the great Question which this Treatise will give some light into and a little time will more fully determine And that those that dwell upon the earth Christs enemies should rejoyce and make merry when they see Christs Witnesses who tormented them by witnessing lye dead is not to be thought strange But that the Lord should be so tender and mindful of those that appear and witness for him as after a little while to give life unto them and not only to set them upon their feet but to raise them up to an high and glorious condition and that in the sight of their enemies greatly fearing and trembling to behold it is very affecting and comfortable to our hearts to consider And Dear Brethren having had some serious thoughts both of the spirits and wayes of Gods professing people at this time we cannot apprehend that the LORD hath yet performed his whole work upon Mount Sion but that he hath yet much to do yea though the Lord hath been a long time purging his people and hath cut off two parts and left onely a third yet there is so much filth and dross in that that surely he will bring the third part through the fire and will refine them as Silver is refined and will try them as Gold is tried And what condition the Lord hath yet to bring his people into to take away their dross in is best known to himself And may not the people of the Lord even after he hath done much for them in them yet polluted with several abominations expect some hour of temptation to be tried and purged in which may also be at hand And seeing we are speaking and speaking to Brethren that know how to bear with our weaknesses though we be poor stammering creatures we shall take liberty and boldness to speak a few things to you as plainly as we can it being now high time to deal faithfully and plainly with one another and to tell you more particularly what we fear And indeed Brethren we are afraid from a sad experience of the coldness and remisness of our own hearts that the charge of Christ against Ephesus will not fall upon us onely but upon other of the Churches and Saints of Christ that they have left their first Love We are afraid because we are so earthly minded our selves that some of you may be tempted also to seek other things before the Kingdom of God and to take too much thought what you shall eat and what you shall put on what profits preferments and incouragements you shall have in the world which are the things the men of the world seek after for the obtaining of which you may be prone to seek to please and serve men rather than Christ We are afraid because we have so little our selves that a spirit of self-denial should be wanting among you and that you should not have hearts to rejoyce when Christ doth increase if you should decrease and so lie open to that great and common evill of neglecting at least Christs interest to uphold and maintain your own We are afraid because of the drowsiness of our own bearts lest a spirit of slumber should fall upon you and you become mindless and regardless in comparison of what you formerly were and now ought to be of the voyce and works and coming of Christ We are afraid because we our selves are not Virgins chast and faithful to the person and interest of the Lord Christ lest your hearts should
But when shall this be Then when the Mountain of the Lords house shall be exalted above the hills and all Nations shall flow unto it vers 2. the time as even now was proved of the Jews conversion So Isa 24.21 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high and the Kings of the earth upon the earth When shall this be See vers 23. When the Lord of Host shall reign in Mount Sion and in Jerâ—salem and before his Ancients the people of ancient times chosen and in Covenant with him gloriously So Chap. 30. last Tophet the pit of destruction is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared The meaning is not only an eternal as some carry it but temporal ruine shall attend great ones But when shall this be To that I answer Although in the type it was fulfilled upon Senacherib King of Assyria and his Armies yet the whole Chapter especially from vers 18. hath relation to another time which is that we are speaking of of the Jews conversion as is evident vers 19. For the people shall dwell in Sion at Jerusalem thou shalt weep no more But more clear vers 26. The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun In the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people and healeth the stroke of their wound 5 The establishment of Justice and Righteousness in the world as Isa 1.26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at first and thy Counsellors as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called the City of righteousness the faithful City Zion shall be redeemed with judgement and her Converts with righteousness Chap. 54.14 In righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression So Chap. 60 18. I will make thine Officers peace and thine Exactors righteousness Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt cal thy walls Salvation and thy gates Praise These places as already hath been shewn looking all to the time of the Jews redemption 6 The pouring out of more abundance of the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh When shall this be Even then when in Mount Sion and Jerusalem shall be deliverance as vers 32. or more clearly then when God shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem as Chap. 3.1 For although Peter Acts 2. speaks of these words as fulfilled in his time yet was that only in the beginning the powring down of the Spirit then being not so general as that here promised and that which shall be upon the coming in of the Jews So Zach. 12.10 And I will poure upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication So Isa 32.15 Vntil the Spirit be poured upon us from on high It is observable that the giving forth of the Spirit at this time is set forth by this word of pouring noting abundance that shall then be given forth more than in former ages 7 As an effect of the former Increase of light and grace as Isa 30.26 Moreover the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven dayes in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people and healeth the stroke of their wound Chap. 52.8 They shall see eye to eye i.e. clearly when the Lord shall bring again Sion See both Zach. 12.8 He that is fecble in that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Which that it relates to the time of the Iews call the whole Chap. is proof 8 The exaltation of the Lord Christ alone as King Isa 2 11. The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Chap. 24.23 The Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Sion and in Ierusalem and before his Ancients gloriously Chap. 2 3 4. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem and he shall judge among the Nations Zach. 14.9 The Lord shall be King over all the Earth All which places I have already proved to speak this time So Isa 33.22 The Lord is our King he will save us When is this Ansâ— then when Ierusalem shall be a quiet habitation vers 20â— Look unto Sion the City of your solemnities Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation Ezek. 37.24 And David my Servant Christ of whom David was a type shall be King over them And to what time doth this look to that time in which Israel and Judah shall be gathered together and brought to their own Land and be made again one Nation upon the mountains of Israel as vers 21 22. Thus have I done with the second thing viz. the things foretold to be done in this age 3 The third is to observe the visible dispensations of God towards the age we live in and in case upon inquiry these be found to answer to what God hath foretold they shall be in that age in which the Jews shall be converted then this will not onely serve for discovery of the thing in hand wherein the work of this Generation lyes but also adde a beam of light unto the former viz. That we are fallen into that age in which the Jews shall be converted Onely here I would carry this along with me that in regard as yet things are but coming on therefore many things before this Generation is over may be transacted which yet we see little of But in case it appear that transactions begin already to agree with the things foretold and promised have we not ground then to hope things coming on apace every day that before this Generation expires wee shall see most if not all fully accomplished Let us then compare what God hath promised to the age we speak of with present dispensations and see what way Gods dispensations are making or have already made towards the performance of them 1 For the bringing in of the Jews is not a fair way made to that already by that general expectation they have of their Messiah's comming in this age as Manasseth Ben. Israel before quoted is witness sect 29.35 as also by that light that at present is amongst them which the aforesaid Author in several of his Sections declares into many of those Prophecies of the Old Testament which directly point at their call 2 For the Conversion of the Gentiles Not to speak of the great conversions of late near home in poor Wales and some parts of Ireland and the hopeful way we are in by the going out daily of poor despised Labourers into the Lords Vineyard of a large Harvest is it not admirable that in this age and that within a few years each of
which either our natural or corrupt desires or our conceived fancies incline us to or lest through a pinning our faith too much upon the authority of others or on the contrary a desire to be singular from all or through prâ—ingagements to this or that particular party or interest or straining some notion which hath a truth in it too far or any other such like way or end by which Saints lose their guide we should unawares be drawn into mistakes So on the other side to be very humble and sober much in waiting upon the Father of lights for light as also circumspect in observing wary in judging those several hints which may be offered or may offer themselves for truth to the end if possible and so fat as is the good pleasure of the Father that truth shall be made known mistakes may be avoyded Which that my self may not swerve from in the following work let the merciful Lord be the light and strength of his poor servant VIAL IV. 1 The Subject of it The SUN Vers 8. AND the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sun By Sun here cannot be meant as some Christ the Son of Righteousness nor as others the Scripture revealing Christ for the manifest truth of our fourth Proposition as also because according to either of these opinions the Subject of this Vial is made singular from all the rest for the Subjects of every of the other Vials are things evill and peeces of Antichrists and Satans Kingdome and confessed so to be but according to these interpretations the Subject of this Vial should be good either Christ himself or one of the principal things and of greatest value pertaining to his Kingdom A late worthy Writer who interprets this Sun to be some high eminent Head of State who like a Sun in the Popish world upholds all and by his splendor and government giveth strength and lustre to all Like as the Sun in the created world by its light and motion guides and moves the forces of nature he that hit the mark in genearl but not having pointed who or what this Head is hath yet left room for a more particular inquiry By Sun therefore as some others more fitly and rightly judge we are in this place to understand the German Empire or House of Austria but these also in the application fall under a mistake whilst looking upon the late German War to be the Effect of this Vial they bring us down to the fifth or sixth Vials which opinion for our two first reasons laid down to disprove the very same opinion urged by another Author and to another end in opening the Subject of the second Vial cannot stand with truth And here by the way I cannot but give the Reader a hint how easie a thing it is to be deceived by likelihoods The German War having in it the likelihood of a Vial hath given occasion to some to bring it under the second to others under the fourth whereas indeed it properly belongs to none Spiritual prudence and direction from above is wanting in nothing more than this to judge aright of likelihoods Yet although in respect of the time they step aside that yet they have judged aright concerning the Subject is clear because the Sun here being to be understood of no other Sun than that which shines in the Antichristian world or Popish Horizon for it is upon that world and that alone all the Vials the two last excepted are to be poured forth it cannot to any be so properly and parly applyed as to the German Empire or the House of Austria which although for present through the late War it hath suffered an ecclipse in respect of its former lustre and beauty yet was it when Antichrists Kingdome was in its highest altitude and the top of its glory the very Sun and glory of that Kingdome And that which doth yet more strongly confirm me in this conjecture is the consideration how exactly the same according to this interpretation doth agree both to the time and place of the Witnesses killing and rising for that they about this time lye dead in that street of the Great City the very and only place they are to be slain in and shall shortly there arise some weighty grounds for proof hereof are laid down by the worthy Author of Clavis Apocalyptica of whom mention was made in the foregoing Vial to which it were not impossible to adde some farther proof though here to do it would be to make this word by the by swell into a Tract of it self and therefore I forbear not without some hopes and expectations that instead of verbal the thing by real Arguments may prove it self ere long Onely adding that it may more concern the higher powers of this Nation than possibly many are aware of to cast an eye that way And what the design of God may be or whether or no tending to any such thing in the present War with Holland we shall know hereafter 2 The ADJUNCT A power given to the Angel to scorch with fire And power was given unto him to scorch men with fire The Relative 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to him may be referred either to the Angel pouring out this Vial or to the Sun upon which the same iâ— poured out and I take it it is to be referred to the first viz. the Angel for this Reason because it it said to be a power given to wit by special dispensation of God to scorch men with fire Now God doth not in this manner give a power to Antichrist to destroy himself which must necessarily follow in case the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to him be referred to the latter viz. the Sun Neither may it be said that by the pouring out of this Vial the chief Head or Heads of the Austrian Family shall be converted which done that house shall destroy the Roman Whote for how can a Vial of pure and full wrath poured on for destruction prove the convertion of that thing it should destroy The meaning therefore is referring it to the Angel That thâ—s Angeâ— who pours out his Vial upon the Sun shall do somewhat over and above the bare pouring out of his Vial by which the hearts of the Antichristian faction shall be extremely moved and they filled with wrath envy vexation the which as fire and great heat shall inwardly scorch and torment them and this being added to the pouring forth of his Vial shews it is a thing peculiar to this Angel all the rest do only pour out their Vials this doth that and besides as a thing over and above hath a power given unto him to scorch men with fire Obâ— You will ask me But what is that which by special dispensation is given to this Angel to do besides the pouring out of his Vial which shall so scorch the Popish party To that I answer I do humbly conceive it may be this This Angel having poured out his Vial upon
be Popes and most of their exalted Clergy-men rise out of the dung 2 He looks like a Lamb as the Pope calls himself Christs Vicar the Servant of the Servants of Christ and his retinue pretend humility and their power to be from and for Christ and hold their station successively from the Apostles as he doth his from Peter 3 He speaks like a Dragon The Pope and all they who derive their power from him though he and they look ever so like Saints yet the absoluteness of their Decrees Injunctions and Impositions enforcing and compelling the Consciences of all declare them to be the Dragon that is the persecutor of the Woman or Christs flock as the Dragon is Rev. 12. 4 He exerciseth all the power of the first Beast Vers 12. As the Pope hath a double sword a temporal and a spiritual and his inferior Clergy make use of a Civil Power to uphold their own cause as well as a spiritual Now whereas some conceive the first Beast here to be the whole body of the Roman Empire as the same is the fourth Monarchy whereof the Antichrist is but a part and the second Beast to be the Antichrist and his Kingdome alone it cannot so be partly for the Reasons before given and further because according to this the Beast should continue to make war against the Saints and to kill them above two and forty months for reckoning the time of the ten Persecutions and all the time since in which war hath been made upon the Saints and they killed it amounts to much more than two and forty months which yet is the limited time of this Beasts persecution Vers 5. And power was given unto him to continue two and forty months Yea then how comes it to pass that this first Beast differs from the Dragon who yet did represent the former Empire for whereas the Dragon as one well observes hath but seven Crowns and those seven upon his Head Chap. 12.3 this Beast hath ten Crowns and those upon his Horns vers 1. which difference according to this Principle should not bee for they should be one and the same Therefore the first Beast is the Empire only as under Antichrist and of that as I have said the Civil state onely as the second the Eccelesiastical Furthermore as concerning these two Beasts we are not to conceive as though they sprung up at a distance one a good while after the other for the continuance of the first Beast I have said already is to be but two and forty months and so much time is allowed to both the Beasts Chap. 11.12 the holy City shall they i e. both the Beasts tread underfoot two and forty months And indeed the treading the Holy City underfoot two and forty months can be no other act but the act of the Beast it agreeing so punctually to be the precise time of his Reign And of what Beast I answer That very Beast mentioned vers 7. which ariseth out of the bottomless Pit and towards the end of this time kills the Witnesses which Beast I have already shewed to be spoken of both the Beasts viz. the Civil and Ecclesiastical state whose rise therefore must be together the time of eithers Reign being two and forty months For indeed so soon as the Roman Empire which before was Pagan but now Christian began to be so corrupt as to be the first Beast i. e. of Christian an Antichristian state persecuting the true members of Christ instantly with this corrupted state did the second Beast arise that is the sword and power of the Civil Magistrate which before was used by none but himself came now to be in the hands or at the will and disposal of Ecclesiastical persons Church-men as they are called that these thereby might become fit instruments to set up and establish their own Idolatries and persecute the Saints And by this arose a second Beast exercising by permission all the Power of the first and is therefore said to exercise it before him vers 12. in his sight vers 14. i.e. by leave or permission of the first Beast for which cause the making war with the Saints vers 7. the compelling all Nations that dwell upon the earth to worship the Beast vers 8. is appropriated to the first Beast as though it were his act whereas indeed it is properly the second Beast doth this as is clear vers 15 16 17. but hee doth it by exercising the power of the first without which he could not do it and therefore the same thing is recorded in describing either Beast because in this business the second Beast is the first mover but the effecting of it is done by the power of the first And indeed the second Beast may well be called another Beast distinct from the first notwithstanding the power he exerciseth by the power of the first because the hands this power is now put into or is at the disposal of are such as not only are without right to this power but also never had until this day any such power intrusted in them or at their disposal Yet that these Beasts though two are indeed one and make up but one Antichrist is clear because both the Beasts rise together as before both are alike in nature actions and conditions for both are filthy Beasts and cruel Tyrants both Patrons of Idolatry both bloody Persecutors of the Saints both are helpful one to another the first Beast communicates of his power to the second Beast vers 12. the second Beast gives life to the image of the first Beast vers 15. yea vers 18. one and the same number is assigned to both the Beasts and the number of bâ—th the Beasts in conclusion of the Vision is but the number of the Beast i.e. of one Beast Here is wisdome let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast Which also addes a beam of further light for the clearing of what I have said before that Beast when spoken of without distinction is to be understood of the Civil and Ecclesiastical state both So that in fine the result is They are two Beasts as a Political and an Ecclesiastical state and yet but one Beast as Antichrist What I have said of these two Beasts I may say the same of the Beast and the Woman Chap. 17. The Beast the Woman rides upon is the Civil state the Woman riding upon this Beast is the Ecclesiastical only with this difference the second Beast Chap. 13. who upon his first rise was a Beast aspiring to no higher degree and exercising the power of the first Beast i. e. of the Civil state by leave as it were through permission of the first Beast is now through a long standing risen from a Beast to a Woman as disdaining to be in so low a degree as a Beast any longer Yea such a Woman as like a notorious Strumpet knows how to make the Kings of the Earth yea the whole world follow her dance
and crouch to her by which she is grown rich and gallant having by whoring and jugling got the riches the gold the precious stones and pearls of the first Beast to her self and to shew what an aspiring spirit she is of instead now of exercising the power of the first Beast i. e. of the Civil State by leave any longer she is now like Lord and King got upon the back of the first Beast who dares not cross her humor for she rides him and rules him at pleasure And indeed the first Beast is justly recompenced for setting up and countenancing such a Beast at first who according to the Proverb give an inch of power he will take an ell for whilst the first Beast remains a Beast still this second Beast is from a Beast advanced to be a Woman which not onely had robbed and plundered the coffers of the Beast and got all his riches from him but also knows how to ride the Beast master him and rule him as she list And certainly had not the first Beast been a very Beast I mean had not the Civil State at first so far degenerated as instead of acting rationally as a man to act sensually and bruitishly as a Beast this great inconvenience would have been foreseen in the beginning at least remedied in time before the second Beast was grown to such a height that he was now past taming and able to ride and master the first Beast that set him up Now whereas the Woman verse last is said to be the Great City it is as I suppose rather lain down as a Mark or character to know the Woman by and that from the place she was to sit in then a description of the Woman which verse 9. confirms me in by giving us to understand that the woman sits upon the seven Mountains i.e. the City Rome anciently built upon seven Mountains therefore the seven Mountains i. e. the City Rome is not to speak properly the Woman but the Seat of the Woman What I have said of the two Beasts the Beast and the Woman I may also say of the Beast and the false Prophet spoken of in the words I am opening The Beast here is the Civil State or the first Beast that ariseth out of the Sea the false Prophet the Ecclesiastical or second Beast whose rise is from the Earth And indeed he that shall but parallel the second Beast spoken of chap. 13. with what is spoken of the false Prophet chap. 19. will find them to be one and the same The false Prophet is a worker of Miracles chap. 19.20 so is the second Beast chap. 13.17 The false Prophet by his miracles deceives the Beasts followers chap. 19.20 so doth the second Beast chap. 13.14 The Beast and the false Prophet are helpful the one to the other for the Beast defends the false Prophet by his strength for chap. 19.19 no force at all is mentioned that this false Prophet had at that great Randezvouze who yet was presonally present with the Beast for he is taken prisoner vers 20. therefore the Beast defends him and the false Prophet by working miracles encourageth the Beast and his multitude with hope of good success God is of their side In like manner the two Beasts chap. 13. are as before hath been shewed helpful to each other The conclusion is that by false Prophet we are to understand the second Beast spoken of chap. 13. and by Beast and false Prophet to understand the same here as of the two Beasts there viz. the Civil and Ecclesiastical State onely with this difference that Beast which in his first rise was but a Beast afterwards when more grown a Woman riding upon and over-topping the Civil power or first Beast which gave him his rise is now in his declining condition a false Prophet For the loss of Rome where was his Magazine of Treasure together with the seizing and intercepting his Rents and Tributes by the Conqueror hath so pulled down the Beast so plucked the plumes of the Romish Ecclesiastical State i.e. brought the Pope and his Clergy to so low an ebb that it is now but little that they can contribute either to the assistance of the first Beast the Romish Civil power or towards the upholding of their own sinking Kingdom yet because having been a proud Whore this Beast is loath to be of little repute and to come back again to his first original of a poor earthly Beast yea would fain have the first Beast the Civil power still to dote upon him and reckon him a considerable party he will therefore seem now to make up by his fained piety and devotion what is wanting in his former outward strength and glory and now he can be nothing else he will needs be a Prophet to foretell good to his cause and Kingdom though none he can do it But observe as when he was a Beast he was an earthly Beast as when a Woman a Whore so now when a Prophet a false Prophet Though Antichrist may change shapes and formes he can never make himself better than he is but Antichrist he will be an Enemy to Christ an Imposter a Deceiver a Lyar still Having thus seen the meaning of the words and names which I have purposely insisted the larger upon because the right understanding hereof doth if I mistake not open the door into the very mystery of this Book I come to apply them to the business in hand thus The Dragon Beast and false Prophet who from the beginning were Partners going hand in hand and venturing States together seeing by the fall of the City Rome such a terrible shaking blow giving to their Kingdom as that the next blow if not prevented is like unavoidably to be fatal and to prove their utter ruin they therefore now all of them convene in some General Councel where they lay their heads together what thing is best for them to do to prevent another blow or if possible to recover their own again And upon debate two things being laid before them as matter of deep and serious consultation viz. The late loss they have received by the fall of Rome and that by causing some of the Kings of the Earth who were friends to their cause before now for fear of her torment lest the like should befall themselves to with-draw and stand a loof off 2 The great provocation since given to the Turk by those very Instruments their Enemies which is like to make him joyn in with the utmost strength hee can make out of desire to revenge himself and recover his own again to ruin if it may bee this growing party The vote or result of the meeting from the foregoing premises is that as the thing which doth most conduce to the upholding of their cause Agents and Ambassadors of the fittest they can find for such imployment be speeded away to such Kings of the earth as for the present seem backward in the cause to put life into
a thousand yeers off And truly when I consider how godly Ministers and people not many years past did provoke one another from Christs second coming and harp upon it as near and how at present few speak of that but look at comings of another kind setting the second coming a great way off It is so far from bringing me into a beleef with them as that contrariwise it nourisheth within me a perswasion more strongly that his second coming is at hand and he will be upon us unawares because the Scripture tells us this day shall come as a snare upon all Luke 21.35 And the Son of man at his coming shall hardly find faith to beleeve his coming is so near on the earth Luke 18.8 Yea he comes at midnight Matth. 25.6 an hour when but few are looking for their friend and the calling upon beleevers so frequently to watch whensoever Christs second coming is spoken of lest that day come upon them unawares and overtaken them as a Thief in the night implies no less to me than that which experience within these few years teacheth that they as well as others will be apt to put the day of Christs coming far from them And by how much I read over these Scriptures the oftner by so much have I the less hope knowing that not one jot or tittle of the word shall fall to the ground of seeing many of those some I have hopes we may who have deeply drunk in the perswasion of a spiritual coming and Kingdome only to change their minds and be of another perswasion Only with such I leave to ponder upon this caution Take heed lest as the Jews by expecting a glorious outward coming at first when Christ was to come in a low and despised way did then mistake his first coming So you by cleaving to a Spiritual coming onely with a denial of a Personal should now mistake his second I will only adde That the Security the Scripture holds forth which will be not upon the world only but many of Gods people also as touching the coming of Christ about that time when he is to come is to me an Argument that Christs coming I mean the coming commonly called the coming to Judgement is to be at the beginning of the Thousand Years Rev. 20. and not as most who acknowledge the Thousand years to be yet to come at the end of them because were the coming at the end how could there be a security especially upon Beleevers who now could expect nothing else every day but his coming who would not say when they should see God and Magog again gathering together now is the Lord coming how then would this day come unawares as a Thief upon them when they could now neither look for nor expect any thing else but at the beginning of the Thousand years when as their thoughts and expectations shall be high and all running upon another coming viz. a glorious spiritual appearance but no thoughts of a Personal then Christ comes upon them and takes them unawares whilst they dreamed not of such a coming but were gazing after another What I have hitherto said as touching the Coming of Christ varies nothing from that common received Principle among good men which holds and maintains a second comming of Christ to Judgement but only in this The common Principle is that the General Judgment shall begin immediately upon Christs coming On the contrary I conceive the thousand years mentioned Rev. 20. are to succeed first upon his coming and after that the General Judgement which is clear because as the coming of Christ must for the Reasons afore-mentioned precede the battel of Armageddon so is it as evident that the thousand years must follow it taking their beginning from that battel as an intervening time betwixt that and the General Judgement Now that the Thousand years six times repeated in chap. 20. is in all to be understood of one and the same period of time and not as some of two distinct periods of time each containing a thousand years is clear 1 Because such as reckon two periods of time account the first thousand years to be wholly passed already and 300 years and upwards of the second thousand years whereas it is manifest as presently shall be made appear that the whole Prophecy of Satans binding and the Saints reigning is yet to come 2 Because as one though no friend to the Millenary point hath yet well observed in answer to this opinion we have the thousand years twice used without any Areicle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a thousand years but four times with an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these thousand years clearly proving that the Holy Ghost speaks still of one and the same thousand years which is also a manifest Argument that the thousand years here spoken of cannot be meant of an indefinite time i. e. a thousand years put for a long time though not precisely so many for they may be more or less but must be interpreted of a certain definite determinate time As the time of the Beasts reign the treading under foot of the Holy City the Womans flight into the wilderness the Witnesses prophecying in sackcloth is a determined time One thousand two hundred and sixty days or years So the time of Satans binding the exaltation of the Church and the Saints reigning with Christ is also a determined time namely a thousand years though of the first we have so many years set forth by so many days which is a Prophetical and mysterious way of speaking because all the time of the One thousand two hundred and sixty daies the mystery of God was not clearly and fulled revealed therefore things are kept under a veil still but in the latter we have a year put for a year which is plain without any mystery because now the mystery of God being fulfilled veils are taken off things are nakedly to be beheld Now as to the main thing that the thousand years are yet to come and indeed to take their beginning from the battel of Armageddon appears not onely from the order of the Vision being placed after the battel of Armageddon as the next remarkable thing But also Because at the end of the thousand years the Devil is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where it is said the Beast and false Prophet are i.e. had been before him all the time of the thousand years Verse 10. And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the false Prophet are which words have a special respect to those chap. 19.20 of casting the Beast and the false Prophet into the lake of fire and shewing that this Vision of the Devils being bound and the Saints reigning a thousand years is to take place successively from or after the battel of Armageddon when the Beast and false Prophet were cast into the lake of fire 2 Because Dan. 7. which Chapter doth contemporise
to make War with him And if to worship the Devil be not Paganism and to worship Antichrist Idolatry what is and yet all this within the time of the thousand years according to either reckoning Nay the Beasts followers who were the Nations worshipping the Dragon within this time is a manifest Argument he was not then bound and shut up in the bottomless Pit but indeâ—d among them though in such a garb as he seems rather a Saint than a Devil deceiving of them 2 As if the Lord hath suffered it on purpose to banish from us all such thoughts it is a thing most observable that the Paganish Mahumetan Religion the like to which was hardly ever known in the world of a Religion springing from so inconsiderable a man and upon the sudden overspreading so many Countries had both its rise and a considerable part of its growth within this thousand yeers follow which account ye will Mahomet the first founder of that Religion living about the yeer of Christ 600. 3 Let it be shewn since the expiring of this thousand yeers whether we make them to expire according to the first account A.D. 1069. or according to the second 1300. whether the Gospel have flourished less and the Nations been deceived more than they were in the time of the thousand yeers both which according to the former interpretation should be for all the thousand yeers the Devil was bound that he could not deceive the Nations nor hinder the Propagation of the Gospel but now according to the last account of the thousand yeers he is loose and hath been three hundred yeers and upwards and therefore may do it and upon inquiry will it not appear that Antichrist hath more gone to ruine the Gospel hath shined more bright and flourished more the Nations have more freely not those called Christians only but of late some Pagans also given entertainment to it yea stood up for it than ever before all the time of the thousand yeers If so then certainly the Devil was not bound then unless we shall say that it is a better day when the Devil is loose than when he is bound and the way to destroy Antichristianism Paganism convert the Nations to Christ which things have more appeared since the time according to the common opinion the Devil hath been let loose than ever they did whilst he was bound is to let the Devil loose suffer him to deceive the Nations and do what heâ—lâ—sts in the world 3 MISTAKE which some who run upon the latter Account seem to hint at That the Dragons resigning up his Kingdome to the Beast which we read of Chap. 13.2 was for this reason because hee could keep it no longer but was out of hand to be bound I answer not so The Dragon did not resign because he saw he must be bound a thousand yeers but rather out of subtilty seeing by Christian Emperors his Heathenish Idolatry thrown down and himself for a little time cast out of his Throne that now he might in another way and under another form of Idolatry as formerly I have said creep in again therefore he resigns to Antichrist and indeed his Policy doth not fail him for by means of this Beast he gets in again yet now so subtil is he that all the time of the Beasts Kingdome till just toward the end when the Beast and his party are grown so desperate as that now they will joyn with the Devil or any to uphold their cause he will not shew himself what he is and therefore appears but very rarely as the Dragon from that day till the time of the last battel but rather still as a Saint with Antichrists mask on lest being discovered his subjects should flinch from him and he be cast out again Here is all the ground that ever I have met with for that opinion which makes the thousand years of Satans binding and the Saints reign to be already past which being nothing else but a very lump of Mistakes I do therefore for the foregoing Reasons conclude the thousand yeers to be yet to come and to follow successively as they are in this Prophecie laid down after the battel of Armageddon and indeed to be the very same only first here hinted in brief afterwards more largely handled which is the way and manner of laying down things in this Book with that New Jerusalem a description whereof we have Chap. 21. Chap 22.1 to the 6 which that it cannot be meant of Heavenly glory as most have supposed but must set forth a glorious state of the Church here on earth shall appear in our following Discourse I have not hitherto said which yet may be worth the weighing to see what may follow upon it That those who make the thousand yeers to be past do also make the one thousand two hundred and sixty yeers of the Beasts reign the treading underfoot the Holy City and the Womans being in the Wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloath the same in respect of time with the Devils binding and the Saints reigning which two contraries how they will be made to agree is a thing that lyes out of the reach of my apprehension From what hath been said I suppose it will sufficiently appear that the first Scene that is like to be acted in the world upon the coming of Christ will not be the last and General Judgement but something else Yet do I not deny but that in a large sense the whole time from Christs coming to the end of all things may be called a Day of Judgement which therefore according to some is looked upon as one great day consisting of two parts as doth the natural day First the Evening or thousand yeers And secondly the Morning or General Judgement admitting only these two differences betwixt the judgement of the last day and that which shall be in the time of the thousand yeers 1 The judgement passed at the last day shall be the act of Christ alone there being then but one Great white Throne and one sitting upon it Rev. 20.12 I saw a great white Throne and him that sate upon it which agrees to Matth. 21.31 He shall sit upon the Throne of his glory Yea the whole business of the day is transacted by Christ himself the King alone acts he shall say to them on his right hand Come vers 34. to them on his left hand Depart vers 41. And when the righteous to exalt his grace the more profess their own unworthiness the King only replies in way of justification of them vers 40. and contrariwise when the wicked justifie themselves the King only replies shewing the equity of the sentence passed upon them vers 44 45. But now the judgement of sinners upon Christs second coming in the time of the thousand yeers untill the last day shall be by Christ and his Saints together and therefore of this time it is said Rev. 20.4 I saw Thrones in the plural number and they
a pure River of water of life proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb Verse 12. And by the River upon the bank thereof on this side and on that side shall grow all Trees for meat whose leaf shall not fade neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months because their waters they issued out of the Sanctuary and the fruit thereof shall be for meat and the leaf thereof for medicine Verse 2. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the River was there the Tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yeelded her fruit every month and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations Chap. 48.35 The name of the City from that day shall be the Lord is there Verse 3. And there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it Now Ezekiel in describing the New Jerusalem doth all along sure his expressions to that Administration and the capacities of Gods people in those times not speaking of things as they are in themselves or were to be in the accomplishment of which the whole of his Discourse is an instance But to instance more especially in one thing we have Chap. 41. a large description of a Temple which he that reads will hardly imagine to be the same Temple John speaks of Rev. 21. vers 22. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the Temple of it and yet it is the very same and no other for Ezekiel Chap. 47. tells us of waters coming out of this house verse 1. causing a River verse 5. which River had on each side of it Trees for meat bearing fruit according to the Months whose leaf was for medicine verse 12. which very River is said Rev. 22.1 2. to proceed from the Throne of God and the Lamb interpreting clearly what we are to understand by Ezekiels Temple notwithstanding all the measuring the height length breadth Chambers Ornaments c. that we there read of things suting their capacities to whom the Prophet spake yet the Temple is indeed no other but the presence of the Lamb the Throne of God and the Lamb which is the very Temple of the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.22 And as in these so in many other places where the New Jerusalems glory is described by the Prophets we have sometimes long life intimated The childe shall die an hundred years old as the daies of a tree are the daies of my people Sometimes building houses planting Vineyards c. as if the great glory were to lye in such things which is not so but as Ezekiels Temple hath in his description a great deal of outward bravery suitable to such a Temple as their thoughts to whom he spake were most taken up with yet is in a word interpreted in the Revelations to be another manner of thing viz. the Lamb and his Throne so these things are spoken rather by way of condescention to their weakness who standing under an outward Covenant in which such things were promised were exceedingly pleased with things of this nature looking much at them making a greater account of them than as the things in themselves are or will appear to be when this day shall come 2 RULE That the coming of Gods people out of Babylon building the second Temple and Jerusalem being all an eminent Type of the thing I am speaking of therefore in some Scriptures where we read of this glory under that deliverance as a Type we are to look upon some things to have their fulfilling then in the Type some others to be fulfilled for time to come in the Antitype To this Rule appertain not a few places in the Prophets especially in Haggai and Zechary who prophesied upon the coming out of Babylon and at the time the second Temple was building as Hag. 2.6 7 8 9. the Prophet hath reference to the second Temple as a Type which he calls the latter house v. 9. but whilst he speaks of shaking Heaven Earth the desire of all Nations coming and thereupon the glory of the latter house to surpass the glory of the former built by Solomon in all these things it hath relation as in our former Discourse hath been proved to the time of Christs second coming and the state of the new Jerusalem So also in Zechary where we have several Prophesies concerning Jerusalems being built Chap. 1. chap. 2. chap. 8. some things had their fulfilling then in that Jerusalem which was afterwards built by Nehemiah as when it is said Jerusalem should again be inhabited as a Town without wals for the multitude of men and cattel therein Chap. 2.4 There should be yet old men and old women dwel in the streets of Jerusalem and the streets of the City should be full of Boyes and Girles playing in the streets thereof chap. 8.4.5 which things were afterwards fulfilled Jerusalem betwixt Nehemiahs time and the time of Christs coming being inhabited again and grown populous which when Zechary Prophesied was but a ruinous heap or in case these things are to be extended further to the time of the New Ierusalem we are to interpret them according to our first Rule but now there are other things as many Nations being joyned to the Lord in that day becoming his people and the Lord himself dwelling in the midst of them chap. 2.11 The coming of many people and the inhabitants of many Cities and the Inhabitants of one City saying to another Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts yea many people and strong nations coming to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord chap. 8.20 21 22. These things relate to the time of the New Ierusalem yet so as we must also interpret the Prophets manner of speaking and setting forth these things according to our first Rule 3 RULE That as the Gospel Administration which was when the Prophets wrote to come was to be a very considerable step towards the glory of the new Ierusalem things being under it to make a great advance in Spirituals in comparison of what then they were by reason whereof a beginning or a peeping forth of new Ierusalems glory should be held forth in that Administration Hence we are to look upon some places in the Prophets where this glory is spoken of as relating in part and in some things to the state of the Church under the Gospel Administration that now is but to have a more special relation in regard of the Prophets scope to the state of the New Ierusalem which is yet to come This is clear from the Scriptures before mentioned Isa 54.13 All thy children shall be taught of the Lord Jer. 31.34 They shall no more teach every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying Know the Lord which places as I have said have an accomplishment in part at
present but for their fulness they look to the time of the New Jerusalem which is yet to come So Ezek. 43.10 11. Those that are ashamed of their abominations shall have the form and fashion of Gods house shewed to them and chap 44.10 11. The Levites that went astray when Israel went astray are laid by in the special acts of Gods worship but v. 15 16. they that kept their charge when the rest went astray are imployed in the service of Gods Sanctuary and Table which things in a spiritual way God hath fulfilled and is daily fulfilling to his people under the present Administration though yet the general scope of this Propliecy as before looks to the time of the New Ierusalem By these few examples under each rule we may be able to judge of many others of a like nature which will in reading offer themselves to us 4 The Effects 1 Effect Terror Vers 18. And there were voyces and Thunders and Lightnings and there was a great Earthquake such as was not since men were upon the Earth so mighty an Earthquake and so great The great voyce from the Throne upon the seventh Angel pouring his Vial forth fills the whole world with terror In the Air are heard most dreadful astonishing thundrings and lightnings fearful affrighting voyces through the sound of the Trumpet Mat. 24.31 1 Cor. 15.52 houlings screechings lamentings of Devils whose torments now begin the time being come The Earth is terribly moved and ready to be rent in peeces with a horrible shaking upon the appearing of the Lord as Mount Sinai shook and quaked greatly when the Lord descended upon it Exod. 19.16 17 18. hereby the whole world is filled with trembling now do the Tribes of the earth mourn mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the powers of Heaven are shaken 2 Effect Ruin Wherein we have 1 A particular List of the things ruined which are 1 The Great City 2 The Cities of the Nations 3 Great Babylon Vers 19. And the Great City was divided into three parts and the Cities of the Nations fell and great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the Wine of the fierceness of his wrath Setting aside the Dragon who was the principal stickler in encouraging and gathering together that Rout and Multitude who from all parts of the world come up to the battel of the great day of God Almighty whose punishment is passed over here but particular mention is made thereof Chapter 20. there seems to be three sorts of enemies who shall gather together at this day 1 The Popish Crew 2 Mahumetans 3 Some Kings of the Earth neither Papists nor Mahumetans The first stand under the Banner of the Beast The two last being one in this that neither pretends to stand up for Christ as doth the Beast who shall at this day by the subtlety Miracles and counterfeit holiness of the false Prophet be marvellously blinded being made to beleeve his cause to be quite contrary to what indeed it is but coming forth upon the account of some carnal respects or worldly interests yet mixed with malice which is natural to all that are of the Serpentine seed against the Saints are both comprehended under that of the Kings of the earth Rev. 19.19 I saw the Beast and the Kings of the earth Daniel Chap. 7. describes them otherwise though not much differing calling the first as here the Beast which I have shewed to be the Roman Monarchy as governed by Antichrist the little Horn the other the rest of the Beasts vers 12. noting other worldly powers who shall joyn hands at this day with Antichrist or the fourth Beast Now that Antichrist with other Kings of the earth as his adherents shall at this day make one Head to oppose the Saints is without question but yet perhaps it may be thought sufficient proof hath not from what hath been said appeared to evidence that the great Turk or the Mahumetan party shall joyn with the rest or should be comprehended under that of the Kings of the earth Now although no less can be thought when the Holy Ghost speaks in such general termes vers 14. The Kings of the earth and of the whole world then that the Turk who possesseth a great part of the world should be included yet that the sense of the words may be more clear I shall from other Scriptures prove that the great Turk shall have a hand yea a deep one too in this desperate ingagement Not much to insist upon because I would not bee prolix the gathering together of Gog and Magog spoken of in Ezek. 38.39 which divers worthy men and not without giving good reasons for it interpret the Pope and the Turk which gathering together that it is the same with that at this day the several circumstances of the place do evidence as will appear to him who shall compare the battel of Gog and Magog with this of Armageddon and not as some that spoken of Rev. 20.8 9. which mentions no battel as doth Ezekiel nor will that agree to the time of the Jews delivery which Ezekiel is clear in but rather should be a thousand years after neither can there the General Judgement immediately insuing thereupon be any allowance of time either to bury Gog's dead or for a glorious state of the Church here on earth both which Ezekiel speaks punctually unto yet well may those Rev. 20. being such of the seed of old Gog and Magog as shall survive the thousand years and shall at the end thereof upon the Devils letting loose act against the Saints as their Fore-fathers did retain the names of their Ancestors Gog and Magog still But to pass this I take it those places which are not a few in the Old Testament where mention is made of the rage of the Assyrian against Israel have a special reference to the thing I am now in proving for whereas the Turk doth at this day possess Chaldea Mesopotamia with such other Countries as did anciently belong to the Assyrian Monarchy so do I conceive what the Prophets oft hint at as touching the Assyrians invading Israel with his Armies to be rather Typical of what should be in the last dayes acted by his Successor the Turk than a plenary fulfilling of those Prophesies by any Invasions of the Assyrian in or about those times Isa 30.31 For through the voyce of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down Which Text although I deny not but it had a typical accomplishment in the dayes of Senacherib yet doth not that answer the scope of the Chapter which it is manifest looks to the last dayes and how the 30 31 32 33 verses agrees to what we have formerly spoken as touching Christs coming at the battel of Armageddon will be clear to him who shall but compare sundry places which upon that occasion I have opened before with this As
Life fed continually with nothing but poyson The second by that Tyrannical power of Antichristian Discipline which to satisfâ—â— the pride and accomplish the designs of an ambitious aspiring Hierarchy and Clergy is established in such a way that all both small and great must submit to â—t its Decrees and Impositions and in token of subjection â—eceive some mark in their right hand or in their foreheads which in case of refusal they are thereupon Exâ—ommunicates who must neither buy nor sell hereby â—rampling under foot the Kingly power of Christ snatching his Scepter of love and meekness out of his hands and instead thereof lifting up a rod of Iron Christ seeing this that through the rage and insolency of the Enemy the ancient bounds were broken down and Sion lay plowed as a field he makes it his first attempt being risen to recover his own again and because it was of greatest concernment being that Salvation depended upon to pluck off the veil from his Priestly Office and to confound that Doctrine which had set up an Idol-god for a Saviour and an Idol-worship instead of the worship of the true God Christ therefore as his first work shakes to peeces that rotten earthly Doctrine with the several Idolatries growing upon it which had justed him out of his Priestly Office openly hereupon proclaiming himself to be only High Priest and Mediator and salvation to be had in him alone and this is done by the first Vial which is poured out upon the Antichristian earth i.e. the groffer parts of Popery Yet because the Kingly Office of Christ was still invaded by an Antichristian Lording Discipline who under pretence of ruling for Christ and exercising his Kingly power did in all places make havock of the Saints persecuting them as evil doers Christ therefore makes it his next work to recover his abused Scepter into his own hands again which to do the second Vial is poured out upon the Sea namely the Antichristian Discipline Christ having now regained his own as a puissant and noble Conqueror who being first unjustly invaded contents not himself to recover his Rights but takes this opportunity to invade his enemies makes an invasion upon the Dominions of his enemies and because the Kings of the earth had lent their aid and assistance to the Feast by whose power and strength given up to the Beast the blood of his Saints had been spilt in every place therefore to avenge the blood of his Saints he begins the Quarrel with them and so the third Vial is poured out upon the Rivers and Fountains of Waters that is upon some particular States and Kingdomes and upon the Heads of these namely Kings and Statesmen And here with the pouring forth of this third Vial the Stone cut out of the Mountain spoken of Dan. 2. which breaks in peeces the Great Image begins to smite the design of Christ in the two first Vials being not so much to break the great Image as first to recover his own in order thereunto Here also the Ancient of dayes Dan. 7. begins to sit and to cast down the Thrones of the fourth Beast Christ having now won the Out-shifts and Suburbs of his grand Enemy he next that the blow might come closer and fall yet heavier invades him in his principal street which for many Ages together was the strength and glory of the Beasts Kingdom this is the work of the fourth Vial which therefore is poured out upon the Sun that is the German Empire or House of Austria The Thrones of the Beast being cast down his Sun darkned and Christ going onward upon his march his heart filled with Vengeance for the sake of his people the remembrance of the blood of his Saints poured out like water in every place through the continual Instigations Commissions and authority of the Roman Beast comes now so fresh into his mind and the cry thereof is so loud in his ears that he can no longer forbear giving her in requital blood to drink who hath made it her delight to drink her self drunken with the blood of his Saints and Martyrs he therefore next with a swift and high hand bends his march to the Seat of the Beast the City Rome upon which the Fifth Vial is poured out Rome being destroyed and made a ruinous heap and the appointed time being now come in which Gods ancient people the Jews are to come up to their own Land which being at the present in the hands of the Great Turk who with all his power will oppose their claim and endeavour to keep them out of possession that therefore a door might be set open for them the Sixth Vial is poured out upon the great River Euphrates i.e. the power and multitude of the Turk Christ having hitherto been breaking his enemies by parts and nothing being wanting but the crowning victory to make him absolute King and Monarch of the world in order therefore unto the pouring forth of the Seventh and last Vial when Christ is to take possession of the Kingdome given to him by his Father and to bee exalted as the great and only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords we have two things as principal First A General Rendezvouz of all the enemies of Christ into one Body fit to be cut off Secondly The Personal coming and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to make dispatch of his enemies and to set up his own Kingdome Things being thus in a readiness we have the pouring forth of the Seventh and last Vial into the Air a universal subject which ushers in with it the subversion of all Christs enemies the Beast Antichrist being hereupon slain his body destroyed and given to the burning flame The rest of the Beast i.e. all other worldly powers have their Dominion taken away and the Great Dragon the Devil is bound and cast into the bottomless Pit and there shut up for a thousand years And now are the Kingdoms of this world become the Kingdome of the Lord and of his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever Amen A Table of the chief things contained in this TREATISE The First Part. THe Coherence of the words with the explication of the Text P. 1. to 4 Doct. It is an especial duty lying upon the Saints to attend unto and be active in the work or works of their Generation Page 4 Shewed 1 What Generation-work is and how the same is different from those common duties which lye upon Saints as Saints and the special duties of a Saints calling station relation or present condition p. 5 6 7 8 2 That Saints in their several Generations have ever had their peculiar works as is proved by a line drawn through the several generations from the beginning downwards unto our times p. 9 to 14 3 That it is a matter of great concernment for a Saint to attend to the work of his Generation as appears 1 God by his dispensations calls aloud for it p. 14 2 Generation
generation ib. 12 And lastly Take heed of conjunction with such who are not real-hearted to the cause of God and the work of the generation p. 89 The Table of the Second Part. The Introduction containing six general Propositions in order to the whole Proposition 1. THat we are there to begin the pouring forth of the Vials where Antichrist first began to go off the Stage p. 1 2 Prop. 2. That the Vials are all to be poured forth by such Angels only as come out of the Temple p. 2 Prop. 3. That Gods call to the Angels to pour out their Vials is to be looked for out of the Temple p. 3 Prop. 4. That the subjects of each Vial are things standing in ppsition to Christs Kingdome chiefly things pertaining to Antichrist p. 4 Prop. 5. That the effects of one Vial do oft-times run into another Vial p. 5 Prop. 6. That the Terms and Phrases relating to the Vials are to be understood not in a litteral but a metaphorical sense p. 6 VIAL 1. 1 The subject of it the Popish earth or the corrupt Doctrine of Antichrist p. 7 2 The effect An infectious stinking sore causing in others a loathing and withdrawing upon the Assertors of Popish principles p. 8 It began to be poured out about Luthers time ib. VIAL 2. 1. The subject of it the Sea 1. Not meant of Nations in general p. 9 2 Nor of the corrupt Doctrines of Antichrist concluded upon in the Council of Trent ib. 3 Nor of the Political State of the Roman Empire p. 10 But The Romish Discipline or the Hierarchy and Clergy of Rome upon whom this Vial was poured out in England Anno Dom. 1641. p. 10 11 12 Two Objections answered 1 Obj. The Hierarchy and Clergy of England but an inferior part of the Romish Hierarchy and Clergy answered ibid. 2 Obj England but one of the ten Horus answered ib. 2 The Effects 1 Effect The Antichristian Discipline appears cruel corrupt and becomes loathsom p. 13. 2 Effect All those that live and breath in this corrupted sea die a civil death ibid. Some remaining drops of this Vial yet to come p. 14 VIAL 3. 1. The Subject of it the Rivers and Fountains of waters 1. Not to be understood of the Romish Bishops and Doctors p. 14 2 Nor particularly of the Jesuits ib. But of Some particular States and Kingdoms subjected to the Beast with their heads and Rulers p. 15 16 2 The Effect Bloody Wars arise in those Nations by which their Heads and chief Rulers are cut off ib. 3 An Adjunct A justification of God in the execution of his wrath upon those Nations and their Heads 1 By the instruments used to do the work p. 17 2 By suffering Saints from some more remote place p. 18 A reason given why this Vial hath a double testimony of the righteousness of it which none of the other Vials have p. 19 A reason also given why only the Instruments Christ useth and suffering Saints give this testimony ib. Two reasons given why Saints that have suffered in Scotland do at present in Holland do not with their fellow Brethren joyn in this testimony p. 20 The particular Nations this Vial falls upon are England the Low-Countries and France and the reason why ibid. An Objection answered How it can be just with God to punish these Nations and their present Heads for what was done formerly seeing they cannot help what their Forefathers did yea are reformed and do disclaim it p. 21 This third Vial is the Vial we stand under it hath for the greatest part passed over England already is now passing upon Holland and will shortly upon France p. 22 23 VIAL 4. 1. The Subject of it the Sun 1. Not Christ 2 Nor the Scriptures p. 23 But the German Empire yet not the war past wrath suddenly to come p. 24 25 2. An Adjunct A power given to the Angels to scorch with fire interpreted of the Call the Angels of this Vial shall give to the Witnesses now lying dead in Germany to arise p. 26 27 28 3 The Effects 1. Rage and vexation upon the Popish party ibid. 2. Blaspheming God ib. VIAL 5. 1 The subject the seat of the Beast 1 Not Antichrists Kingdom in general p. 29 2. Not the Popes Supremacy ibid. 3. Not Episcopacy p. 30 But the City of Rome p. 30 31 Two Objections answered ibid. 2 The Effects 1. Effect An eclipse of the glory of the Papal Kingdom p. 32 2 Effect Rage and madness upon the Papals ib. 3. Effect Blaspheming God p. 33 3 The time when this Vial shall be poured forth about the year 1656 ib. Two Reasons given why the Fourth and Fifth Vials have so little time allowed them for pouring forth when the former have taken up much more p. ib. 34 VIAL 6. 1 The Subject The great River Euphrates first not litterally to be understood p. 35 2 Not meant of the riches and revenues of Antichrist ib. 3 Not of the streams of Popish corruption p. 36 But The Turkish Empire p. 37 Here is shewed why the Turkish Empire is called the Great River and why the Great River Euphrates 2 The effect a wasting the Turks power and multitude p. 38 3 The moving cause To prepare a way for the Jews both to their possession of their Land again and also their receiving of Christ p. 38 39 Here is shewed why the Jews are called Kings why Kings of the East That the Jews con version shall be before the pouring out of the seventh Vial proved p. 40 41 Three Objections answered Obj. 1. The words speak not of conversion but preparing a way thereto answered p. 42 Obj. 2. The Jews cannot be converted till after all the Vials because no man could enter into the Temple till all the Vials were poured forth answered ib. Obj 3. The 21 and 22 Chapters of the Revelation which follow upon the seventh Vial hold forth the Jews conversion answered p. 43 4 The Angel of this Vial. 1 Not the Jews themselves p 44 2 Not the Turk performing it 1. Either by civil broyles ibid. 2. Nor by a diversion of his forces to some other place making way thereby for the Jews to rise p. 45 3 Not Christ by any immediate hand from heaven ib. But The Gentile Churches Proved p. 45. to 52. where also is shewed the cause of this attempt made by the Gentile Saints upon the Turk and the manner how they shall carry it on Here also the Prophecies of the Stone Dan. 2. and of the four Carpenters Zach. 1. are opened in doing which both are shewed to be one both are applyed to the Gentile-Saints the Reason given why the Gentile-Saints are by Daniel called a Stone by Zacharie four Carpenters Quest Who among the Gentile-Saints shall undertake this enterprise Answ 1. The same Instruments that shall ruin Rome p. 52 53. Here is shewed who they are that in all likelihood shall ruin Rome 2 Four Characters taken out of the Prophets
and applyed to that people who shall have the principal hand in this great work p. 53 54 The Question propounded Whether the Jewes first stirring shall be upon a bare Civil account or not Resolved at large p. 54. to 62 The Interval betwixt the sixth and seventh VIALS Four remarkable things falling within this Interval 1 Agents and Ambassadors are sent forth from the Dragon Beast and false Prophet unto the Kings of the earth p. 63 Here 1 The terms are opened and it is shewed 1. Who meant by Dragon ibid. 2. What we are to understand by Beast and false Prophet Explained 1 Beast in the Revelation is sometimes spoken of without distinction as though he were but one When so Beast denotes Antichrists twofold power Civil and Ecclesiastical p. 64. to 68. Here is shewed what is meant by Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit Chap. 11.7 why called Chap. 17.8 the Beast that was is not yet is shall ascend out of the bottomless pit What meant by the seven Heads of the Beast In what sense this Beast is called the Eighth yet said to be of the Seven 2 Beast is sometimes spoken of with distinction as though he were two when so one part denotes Antichrists Civil power the other his Ecclesiastical p. 68 to 69. 1 In this sense we read of two Beasts Chap. 13. One Beast arising out of the Sea this shewed to be Antichrist in his pure Civil State why the seven Heads of the Beast are interpreted first of the seven Mountains of Rome and secondly of the seven distinct Governments in the Roman Empire Another Beast arising out of the Earth this shewed to be Antichrist in his Ecclesiastical State That the first Beast cannot be the whole body of the Roman Empire p. 69 These two Beasts did both rise together p. 72 And how ib. These Beasts though two are really one and make up but one Antichrist ib. 2 In this sense we also read of a Beast and a Woman Chap. 17. What meant by Beast and Woman Why the second Beast is here called a Woman In what sense the Woman is interpreted the Great City p. 72 3 In this sense we have in the Text a Beast and a false Prophet mentioned The false Prophets shewed to be the same with the second Beast p. 110 Why the second Beast in his third estate is called a false Prophet p. 73 74 2 The manner of the Dragon Beast and false Prophets sending forth their Agents namely by a general Convention of the Popish party Two things debated in this General Assembly from whence this result of sending forth Agents and Ambassadors all over the world doth arise p. 75 3 Their grand design in this Ambassy p. 76 4 The Agents imployed in this Ambassy why said to be three Why said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon Beast and false Prophet Five Characters given of them p. 77 78 The second thing within this Interval viz. The Personal coming of Christ 1 Proved to be within the Interval betwixt the sixth and and seventh Vials 1 Argument Christ shall Personally come at the battle of Armageddon grounded upon eight Prophecies which are opened p. 79 to 88 2 Argument Christs Personal coming shall be at the time of the Kingdoms restoring to Israel proved from sundry Scriptures Here is shewed that the time of restitution of all things Act. 3.21 cannot be the General Judgement p. 88 to 97 Two Arguments to prove the former Position urged from the words themselves p. 97 98 Two Arguments more laid down in the General tending to prove Christs Personal coming cannot be far off ib. This coming we speak of is shewed to be the same â—th that coming commonâ—â— called a coming to Judgeâ—ent p. 101 to 111. Where 〈◊〉 shewed that there are but â—o Personal comings â—ut not Martyrs onely but â—l the Saints shall come â—ith Christ at this day The â—ace Rev. 20.4 5. answeâ—d The difference of this â—inciple from the common â—ceived opinion is shewed 〈◊〉 be onely this that afâ—ms the General Judgeâ—ent to be instantly upon â—hrists coming this mainâ—ins that the thousand â—ars Revel 20. are to â—sue first and after that â—e General Judgement Here is discussed the â—ousand years concernâ—g which it is assertâ—â— 1 That the thousand â—ars six times repeated â—ap 20. are one and the â—ins thousand years in all p. 111 2 That the thousand years are a definite time p. 111 112 3 That they are yet to come and to take their beginning from the Battel of Armageddon p. 112 113 114 1 Proved by three Arguments 2 Answer is given to their Arguments who reckon them past and the grounds of them shewed to be mistakes p. 114 to 119 The whole time from Christs appearing to the end of the world may be called in a large sense a day of Judgement p. 119 Two special differences betwixt the Judgement passed in the time of the thousand years and that which shall be at the last day p. 119 to 122. Where the manner of Saints ruling and reigning and judging the world is opened Two Objections answered 1 Objection How can this be seeing the world is to be destroyed by fire at Christs coming Answered p. 122 to 124 2 Objection How can this agree to the state of glorified souls or how will it stand with Saints glory and spirituality answered p. 124 to 127 The whole concluded with three Rules laid down to judge of such Scriptures as speak of Christs Second coming p. 127 to 129 3 Christs Watel word to his people Five Reasons given of it why the duty of watchfulness is by Christ annexed to the Dictrine of his second coming p. 129 to 138. Inhandling these the steep of the ten Virgins spoken of Mat 25. is opened 4 Christs providential disposing of his enemies p. 139 to 142. Here is shewed what is meant by Armageddon VIAL 7. 1 The Angel pouring it forth Christ himself p 142 2 The Subject of it the Air nothing the pouring forth of this Vial to be universal upon 1 The whole Kingdom of the Dragon 2 The whole Kingdom of Antichrist 3 The Kingdom of the Great Turk 4 The Kingdoms of this world p. 142 143 144. Here is shewed why a change of speech is used in this Vial different from all the rest 3 The Adjunct A great voyce shewed 1 Whose voyce this is p. 144 2 The meaning of the voyce p. 145 3 Why said to come from the Throne p. 146 4 Why the Throne the voyce comes from is said to be in the Temple of Heaven p. 148 Here is shewed that the New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21. Chap. 22. cannot be meant of Heavenly glory but must be a glorious state of the Church on Earth proved by seven Arguments p. 148 to 152 No outward Ordinances to be in the New Jerusalem p. 152 to 157 An Objection answered where is shewed what is meant by the going up to Jerusalem Zach. 14. to keep the Feast of Tabernacles
the substance hereof there is more in it than barely my private conjecture And although this buiâ—ding may have in it much Wood Hay and Stubble which shall be burnt up yet is there also in it some Mines of Gold and precious Stones not hitherto found out which will abide the fire and the day is not far off which will make experiment of both And if in that day it shall appear that to a pound of dross but a grain of truth which before lay hid and buryed is here dug up and brought to light I shall judge Truth is of so great worth the Lord in this Dispensation to have been gracious to me and my labour notwithstanding many mis-apprehensions to be well bestowed Gold at first digging never comes forth without its dross And truly since I composed the same and saw that a very little time waiting would either prove the things asserted to be false Or if true bring them forth with a more general acceptation and conviction of the Truth thereof than I either now do or can expect it should meet with I judged it a point of prudence to forbear a while this enterprize But two considerations at present are upon me which over-ballance my resolutions the contrary way First A perswasion some part of my grounds for which are offered in the Discourse it self that a very cloudy day is to befall the Church of Christ under the Vial we at this day stand under some shadowings of which cloud though not the dismal storm it sends forth will even reach us here in England either in one way or another to which perswasion I have likewise and that from some ground this consideration added That God hath a special design to the end the faith of his people might not wholly fail them in this day upon the brink or beginning of it to let out such a light as to the great things he is doing in the world as shall wonderfully support the hearts of a remnant of his people and that quite through it Secondly That the very thing which shall set on foot that glorious work of Christ against Antichrist which is the principal part or the subject of this discourse shall be a letting out of light into the world a little before the time comes that the work is to be set on foot Hence Revel 18.1 immediately before the ruin of Rome as the principal leading cause thereto the Earth which before was covered with darkness as to the glorious designs of God as touching his work in the world is upon the sudden enlightned and what is the issue hereof why a speedy and irresistable judgement upon Babylon as the whole Chapter shews us These Considerations have made me think that as the people of God cannot in any way perform a more acceptable peece of service to the Lord Jesus in this day than by giving forth that light the Lord either doth or shall give them so likewise can they not in any work they shall put their hand unto do Antichrist a greater mischief next to his destruction it self than they may in this The Author acknowledgeth himself altogether unworthy of the first unfit and unable every way in himself to the second yet willingly would to the measure of his Talent be found in both He confesseth that neither in this nor any thing else that he doth hath he or can he attain thereto to have his heart and aimes so pure and spiritual aâ— it is fit they should and as he would they were yet resolveth that through grace assisting him neither the Devil no noâ— his sin shall make him throw aside that work in which he may do Christs cause or people any service Antichrist any mischief Which that it may be the fruit of this little peece is and shall be his prayer CHAP. I. Wherein is set forth the state or condition of the Two Witnesses within their Prophecying time and the time of their being killed and that from Rev. 11. ver 3. to 13. SECT 1. HAving in the fore-going Preface delivered so much as I judged meet by way of Preamble unto this our Discourse I shall here without spinning out the time or tiring the Readers patience whilst I detain him upon the way about things of lesser concernment enter strait way upon the thing it self That the Two Witnesses are the Magistracy and the Ministry appears to me a thing without dispute the allusion is so clear to Zerubbabel and Joshua compare Rev. 11 4. with Zech. 4 11 14. of which two one was chief Magistrate the other chief Priest and both these Prince and Priest were Sons of Oyl i.e. anointed in times of old therefore by Zechary and John both called two Olive trees Onely there is as Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the Two Witnesses hath observed this twofold difference betwixt the Type and the Antitipe 1 Zeâ—hary sees two Olive Trees but no Temple But John sees first a Temple ver 1. and then two Olive trees The reason is they in Zecharies time had as yet no Temple built but were to begin the world anew But now the work of Johns two Witnesses is not to build a Temple anew so much as to preserve and keep that they had 2 Zechary seeth two Olive trees and but one Candlestick John two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks the reason is this Zechary wrote in the time of the Law whilst the Church was National and so the two did belong to one Church John in Gospel-times when Churches were Congregational and so the two might be of several Churches Now the thing which doth yet further perswade me to hold to this Exposition is That excellent Analogie it carries with it to that of the two Beasts Chap. 13. which two Beasts as I have made appear upon the Vials p. 101 to 108. are no other but Antichrist in his Civil and Ecclesiastical State or the Magistracy and Ministry of Antichrist Now observe it as Antichrist by a twofold power a power Magisterial and Ministerial doth all the time of the Two and forty moneths oppress the Woman drive her into the Wilderness tread under foot the Holy City i.e. the People Truths and Worship of Christ so doth Christ all this time by the very same twofold power comfort and nourish the woman bear witness unto and maintain his own truth and worship alive in the world So that in short Christ raiseth up his Two Witnesses in opposition to Antichrists two Beasts Antichrist for Forty two moneths or One thousand two hundred and sixty days stands up with two Beasts to blaspheme God persecute the Saints tread under foot the Holy City Christ against him stands up with Two Witnesses to maintain his name and honor cherish his people uphold his cause and worship in the world And as Antichrists two Beasts are no other but the false Magistracy and Ministry so contrariwise Christs two Witnesses are his true Magistracy and Ministry SECT II. THey are called Witnesses their name being
given them from their work because their work is to bear witness for Christ against the Beast and that each in his place all the Forty two months that the Beast doth Tyrannize and the Holy City is trodden underfoot The Magistrate as a Magistrate bearing publick witness against the unjust oppressions of the Beast and his lawless Tyranny over the Estates and bodies of men yea and consciences too The Minister as a Minister against the cursed institutions of Antichrist either in Doctrine or Discipline Here its necessary we distinguish betwixt that general witness-bearing that is common to all ages and that special witness-bearing which is peculiar to these Witnesses and to this time viz. of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days There is a general Testimony which the people of God in all ages give for Christ against the World Sin Satan Oppression Error c. But that testimony barely doth not bring him who bears it within the number of these two Witnesses A Magistrate in his place may oppose Tyranny Oppression c. a Minister in his error and false Doctrine and yet neither of them Christs two Witnesses if there be not in both an opposing themselves to that special evill whether it be in things Civill or Ecclesiastical that was at first brought in or being brought in is upheld by the Beast for the peculiar work of these witnesses and the thing wherein lies the specifical difference betwixt these witnesses and others is That these bear witness for Christ against the Beast Which is most evident 1 Because Christ hath paired his Witnesses in the same manner as the Beast hath his The Beast as but now I observed stands up with two witnesses viz an Antichristian Magistracy and Ministry to maintain his cause On the contrary Christ stands up with two witnesse or a pair of Witnesses viz. a true Magistracy and Ministry to oppose the Beast and maintain his cause 2 Because It s for this Reason Christ entitles them my Witnesses because in Christs behalf they shall stand up against Antichrist as those are said to be such a mans witnesses that bear witness for him against his Adversary All that time the Beast stands up and would perswade the world that he is in the truth and his cause the right these two Witnesses on the contrary stand up and profess before the world that he is the Beast and his cause the cause of Antichrist and not of Christ 3 Which is the principal Reason because the time that these Witnesses bear their witness is the very time of the Beasts reign The time of the Beasts reign and treading under foot the Holy City is Forty two months Rev. 13.5 Chap. 11.2 The time of these two Witnesses is One thousand two hundred and sixty days Vers 3. And I will give power to my two Witnesses and they shall Prophecy one thousand two hundred and sixty days Now that the Forty two months and the One thousand two hundred and sixty days are one and the same I prove not onely from the general consent of Expositors who acknowledge the thing giving this reason for it Because say they forty two mouths reduced into days and reckoning thirty days to each month which is the Grecian account which John writing to the Church of GOD then resident among the Greeks did observe make up the full sum of One thousand two hundred and sixty days not a day over or under But I prove it hence that indeed this thing must needs be so for let it be considered what is the very cause that these two Witnesses wear sackcloth this long term of one thousand two hundred and sixty years the cause is not the sufferings of the Saints thoughout this time for had that been the cause then should these Witnesses have put on their sackeloth more early viz. with the time of the ten first Persecutions which was a day of as sore sufferings as ever any hath been since but then these two Witnesses here mentioned were not in their sackcloth but contrariwise the Woman all that time was cloathed with the Sun Chap. 12.1 the two Witnesses in Sackcloth therefore were not then up But the cause yea the very cause why the Witnesses wear mourning attire is because they hear the continual Blasphemies of the Beast against God his name and Tabernacle and them that dwel in Heaven They see the Holy City the Truths and Worship of Christ trodden under foot by the Beast and they not able to rescue them out of his hands this makes them put on sackcloth and mourn before the Lord. Now consider the term of time that is given to the Beast to continue to do these things is forty two months this being so it will follow that in case this forty two months were a time either longer or shorter than the one thousand two hundred and sixty days then must also the witnesses wearing sackcloth be by so much longer or shorter then 1260 days for continue the cause and we continue the effect also and contrariwise take away the cause and the effect ceaseth Upon this Principle it being a thing manifestly clear that the 42 months the 1260 days make up but one and the same number of years which also must of necessity begin and end together Hence it is evident that that very act which I may call the constitutive act i. e. the act which makes these Witnesses to be such is bearing witness against the Beast take this away though they may stand up against all the evill that is in the world besides yet are they not Christs Witnesses if they do not in particular appear against the evil of the Beast for if this be not the meaning what reason is or can be given why their witness-Bearing should be thus restrained onely to the time of the Beast seeing in the other sense it s a duty in all ages to bear witness and those Instruments the Lord hath raised up in all ages have done it 1 Hence a man may be a godly man and in a more general way bear witness for Christ and yet none of Christs Two Witnesses 2 Hence it s of more concernment than many are aware of to be inquiring into and publickly appearing against whatsoever is of the Beast though the thing be never so small A man in publick place may cease to be a witness of Christ if publickly he do not bear witness against these things 3 Hence such Laws Principles and Practices as tend to suppress this witness-bearing against the Beast are themselves expressely Antichristian and of the Beast SECT III. THese Witnesses are called two because of the fewness of them say some Because two is a number sufficient to bear a witness and without two a witness is invalid say others I no way disapprove these conjectures but I must confess I judge it most agreeable to the Text to say they are therefore called two because they consist of two sorts or two ranks of men viz. Christs
Magistates and Ministers that he hath raised up to maintain his cause against Antichrists Magistrates and Ministers They are said to be clothed in sackcloth to note thus much That all the time of the 1260 days their condition shall be outwardly low they being trampled upon and trâ—den under foot by the Beast But more especially to fignifie how that these Two Witnesses should all this time be inwardly law wearing sackcloth the mourning attite in times of old mourning before God because as I have said they hear his glorious Name blasphemed behold the Holy City trodden under foot and the whole world deceived by the Beast They are said by fire to destroy their Enemies ver 5. To shut Heaven that it rain not in the days of their Prophecy ver 6. both which things are taken out of the History of Elijah 1 King 1.10 1 King 17.1 Farther they are said to have power over waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will ver 6. which is taken out of the Story of Moses and Aaron in Aegypt The whole as I conceive sets forth this the great damage that the Antichristian party shall sustain all the time of the 1260 days by means of these two Witnesses who shall have such power with God as oftentimes to bring down his heavy wrath upon the persons of their persecutors which is the thing noted ver 5. by their devouring and killing their enemies by fire and also upon their principal interests which I take to be the thing specially intended ver 7. by their shutting Heaven turning waters into blood smiting the earth with plagues i.e. The Popish Heaven waters earth shall all suffer by means of these two Witnesses in the time of their prophecy By the whole description of the two Witnesses as saith our German Author in his Cl. p. 66 67. God doth declare that what mercies in times of old he hath shewed unto his people the Children of Israel the same he will also shew in the New Testament unto them that beleeve He will give them Joshuahs and Zerubbabels saithful Teachers and religious Rulers and Governors who shall fit and edifie them unto the Temple of God and as Candlesticks give light unto them with their pure doctrine and as Olive trees assist them with powerful consolation He will give them zealous Elija's and Elisha's who shall fight against the whore Jezabel the Priests of Baal and other persecutors He will also at length send them his Moses's and Aarons who shall deliver them and bring them forth out of Antichristian bondage SECT IV. THe Witnesses their testimony finished are to be killed v. 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pâ—t shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them In this state they are to continue three days and a half ver 9 11. Though our discourse of the three days and a half according to the strictness of order should come in afterwards yet in regard the opening hereof will afford us light into some things that follow I have chosen to place it before That these three days and a half cannot be as is the opinion of many worthy men who look upon the death of the Witnesses to be a corporal death a time equivalent to the 1260 is evident 1 Bec. then there should be no distinction at all betwixt the time of their Prophecying and their being killed if through all the 1 260 daies which is the time of their Prophecy we should suppose them to be killed Now the Text hath made a manifest distinction betwixt these two times 2 Becanse it s improper to say that Christs witnesses against Antichrist should prophecy all the 1260 days and yet be killed too For put case the Beast all this time did put some to death yet so long as Christ at the same time and in the same place had always others in their room his witnesses were not killed A man is not without witness though some witnesses are taken away in case others stand up and appear in their room Nay those witnesses which all the 1260 dayes were put to death by the Beast did most ominently in dying bear witness for Christ for to dis for the truth is a living standing testimony to it That killing therefore could not be a killing as witnesses he who for truths sake loves not his life to the death is even in dying a most glorious witness of the truth 3 It s said ver 10. that when the two witnesses lie dead the dwellers on the earth rejoyce for this reason because they are dead who tormented them Now did the dwellers on the earth thus rejoyce all the â—260 days when were they then tormented Will the Text bear it to say they were tormented all this time and yet rejoyced too This the Authors or upholders of this opinion must necessarily assert Nay why do they rejoyce at their death why because being dead they fear no hurt from them which whilst they prophecyed they did for they felt of them as ver 5 6. therefore their prophecying and killing must be as two distinct things and so at two distinct times 4 Because How could they be witnesses all this time if dead Doth a man when he hath a cause to be tried go to dead men that they would stand witnesses for him or to living Or how did they Prophecy if dead Can dead men prophecy or are prophecying men dead 5 Why are they said to be killed onely in the street or one street of the great City ver 8. and not in the whole City seeing in this sense they have been within the 1260 days more or less killed all over the great City i.e. throughout the whole Papal Jurisdiction 6 What difference will there be according to this opinion betwixt their being killed and put into graves if we take both for a bodily death which this opinion doth 7 And lastly How according to this opinion are they all the three days and a half kept unburied or how at the end of these three days and a half shall those Witnesses which were killed rise again for shall we think thus that the bodies of Saints martyred by divers means and in sundry places for the space of 1260 years together shall all that time lie unburied be kept out of graves And then 2. This time expired life enters into these bodies and they rise again The Text according to this interpretation doth strongly inforce both for if we conceive their killing to be corporal by the same reason must their burial and their resurrection also We are necessitated therefore from the clear Text and reason it self to reject this opinion and seek another That therefore which is more consonant to the words and doth not wrap us up in such a labyrinth of Intricacies is to interpret the three dayes and a half which is the time of their being killed of
ordinary Prophetical days noting three years and a half which three years and a half are not to be added to the 1260. as a lesser period which takes beginning where the greater ends because then as one saith well the Beast should Tyrannize above 42. months the woman be in the Wilderness above 1260 days namely 1263 and a half whereas the utmost tyranny of the Beast is but 42 months the utmost period of the womans being in the wilderness but 1260 days but we are to look upon them as a smaller period comprehended within the greater or to speak plainly we are to understand them of the very last three days and a half of the 1260. and therefore M. Mede in his Cl and our German Author in his both translate those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they shall have finished their testimony Chap. 11. thus Cum finituri sint testimonium suum When they are about to finish their testimony the 1260 days now drawing to an end then shall the Beast make war against them overcome them and kill them As for that urged by a late Author who calls in reason to be Umpire or Judge in this business how the Beast now ready to die as our Author supposeth he will at the end of the 1260 days should be so magnanimous and warlike as to kill the Witnesses how the Sea being at this time tempestnous the earth terribly shaken can it be imagined that the Sont of the Sea and Earth i. e. wordly men should be so jocund and to banquet it sport it make merry send gifts one to another c. as they shall do in the day the witnesses lye dead I say no more but this that all time upon a mistake viz. That the rise of the Witnesses shall not be till the Empire of the ten-horned Beast i.e. Civil power of Antichrist is in a manner destroyed and this upon another that the subject of the fifth Vial is the political state of the present Roman Empire or Antichrists Civil State But as I have in my discourse upon the Vials proved the Subject of that Vial to be another thing so let me say here to the first it cannot be because the Whore but a little before Romes fall is so high and proud as that she fears no danger but saith I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow which were her political State where lyes her outward strength and as for inward she hath none destroyed she should have little cause thus to brag and brave Nay what do the witnesses after their rise if the Beasts power were destroyed before onely kill him whose sword was taken away before they came at him Or how falls the tenth part of the City upon their rise if it were fallen before SECT V. AS for the particular time of the Witnesses slaughter the most certain and convincing demonstration that can be given thereof is that which must be fetched from a right supputation of the 1260 days which is the term of their Prophecy their killing time being as hath been faid the very last three days and a half of the 1260. But because the doing hereof to free the truth from the mists men have raised about it will require in a manner a Treatise of it self and also because no Mystical number by reason of that glorious harmony that is in all can carry with it that forcible demonstration going alone as will appear to be in it when accompanied with others I shall therefore that I may not make this single Section to become a Book wave this enquiry in this place contenting my self to lay down two or three more general Conclusions concerning this Grand Question What time we are to pitch upon as the killing time of the Witnesses The Conclusions themselves are these 1 CONCLUSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be in that very three years and a half which shall immediately precede the Jews first stirring which is manifestly clear hence because Daniels 1290 dayes which point us to the time of the Jews first stirring are concurrent in their end with the end of he time times and a half which is the time of the Witnesses rising as shall be made appear in our following Discourse 2 To this agrees what I have formerly written upon the Vials The rise of the Witnesses I have there stated under the fourth Vial. The drying up of the Turkish Powers thereby to instate the Jews in their own Land under the Sixth Now as the first stirring of the Jews must needs be some little time before the sixth Vial is poured out because their stirring is as I have shewed the chief moving cause to the Gentile Saints to engage in this War against the Turk So also it is observable that the time from the Witnesses rise until the pouring out of the sixth Vial shall be but a very little time the fourth and fifth Vials being both to be poured out in an instant upon the resurrection of the Witnesses as may be seen with the reasons thereof in our Discourse upon the fifth Vial. Hence in regard the first stirring of the Jews must of necessity be before the pouring out of the sixth Vial as the cause is before the effect and the time betwixt the Witnesses rise and the sixth Vial is so short we may very well conclude that the first workings among the Jews themselves in a way of stirring will be upwards even as high as the time of the Witnesses resurrection And for this reason because the Jews shall about the time of Romes ruine which falls in the middle time betwixt the fourth and sixth Vials be stirring are the praises rendred for Romes fall as is Mr. Cottons conjecture expressed by an Hebrew word Hallelujah Revel 19.1 2 3 4. 2 CONCLVSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be but a little before the downfal of Rome which therefore presently falls upon their rise First The Order of the Vials proves this for under the fourth Vial the Witnesses rise as upon the Vials I have shewed This Vial is poured out in an instant and therefore said to be in an hour In the same hour the tenth part of the City fell Rev. 11.13 that is Germany one of the ten Horns and the very place as shall appear by and by where the Witnesses lye dead is upon their resurrection in an instant broken off from being any longer a Horn in Antichrists Kingdome and then as the next thing and that in an instant too is Rome ruined by the pouring out of the fifth Vial. So that Romes ruine succeeding presently upon the rise of the Witnesses their killing must be but a little before it Secondly This is further clear Rev. 18.7 where wee have the proud Whore instantly before her downfal glorying I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow What is the cause hereof Ans Undoubtedly the very same with the cause of that joy and triumph of the
having spoken of the Old Dragon or Roman Empire in the beginning of the Chapter and the attempts that he made against the Woman vers 3.4 and then gliding over almost all the time of the one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes because that time as in reference to the Witnesses or Woman had been spoken to already Ch. 11. in reference to the Beast was to be spoken to Chap. 13. the Holy Ghost comes to speak of the new Dragon or German Empire and the attempts that he in the end of this time should make against the Woman and also what should follow thereupon and so indeed this second attempt against the Woman specially relates to him as the first did to the old Dragon And further observe as the old Dragon about the beginning of the 1260 days is vanquished by the Woman and yet afterwards politickly surrendring to the Beast is too hard for the Woman and makes her flie for the Wilderness for 1260 days So in like manner the New Dragon about the end of the 1260 daies is vanquished by the Woman and yet afterwards by policy like the old Dragon finds a way to get the mastery of the Woman and make her flie for the Wilderness for a time times and a half or three years and a half Now according to this interpretation of this Prophecy referring this second attempt of the Dragon to the German Empire we see already the whole of this Prophecy fulfilled to two things 1 The Dragons attempt to swallow up the Woman by casting a flood out of his mouth and the earth preventing him vers 15 16. being the same with that endeavor Chap. 11.9 to put the dead bodies of the Witnesses into graves and the Peoples Kindreds Nations and Tongues preventing him This attempt is clear from each place to be within the three years and a half Whether some attempts that have been made against the Protestants in Germany not long since to extirpate them and the applications that in their behalf have been made by some to the ruling powers of Germany be a fulfilling of this Prophecy or whether we are yet to expect some more eminent and noted action than any we have hitherto seen I cannot determine 2 Another attempt which shall be after this and most probably towards the end of the three days and a half viz. to make war with a remnant of the Womans seed that shall within this time stand up for Christ in some other corner of the world But of this more anon SECT IV. OBjection 2. Against our former method it may be objected That this our opinion supposeth the Woman to be come out of the Wilderness and afterwards to go in again and if so then must the Womans continuance in the Wilderness the first and the second time be upwards of one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes for so long she was the first time onely vers 6. and if so then must the time of the Beasts reign his treading underfoot the Holy City the Witnesses wearing sackcloth which for time are the same with this be likewise upwards of One thousand two hundred and sixty dayes Answ The first Supposition granted the other indeed will necessarily follow but that we deny affirming that the Woman is here spoken of as if come out of the Wilderness at this time of the War in Heaven though indeed in it and that for one or both these reasons either First Because by her great victories and successes against her enemy the Dragon under the noble Swedish King she seemed in a manner to be got out of the Wilderness and to have put off her sackcloth and therefore is spoken of as if come out because in appearance for a while she was so giving check to the proud Dragon Secondly Because the time of her being in the Wilderness after this though short yet was to be a more black and dismal time than all the time before and she was to meet with sufferings of another kind than ever yet she had and therefore it is spoken of as though it were another and a new time though yet indeed but a part of the other SECT V. OBjection 3. But it may be further objected That the former Position and method makes the Apocalyptical time times and a half repugnant to and irreconcilable with Daniels time times and a half Answ 1. It is a known maxim that Scriptures more dark are to be interpreted by Scriptures more clear Now it being confessed on all hands that Johns light is the more clear we are therefore to make John interpretative of Daniel and not Daniel of John Secondly Compare Daniel with Daniel and follow this rule to â—nterpret that which is more dark by that which is more clear and Daniel himself speaks positively to our Assertion Thrice in Daniel we have the word time or times used in a mystical sense Dan. 4.32 Seven times shall pass over thee Chap. 7.25 Vntill a time times and the dividing of time Chap. 12.7 It shall be for a time times and a half In the first of these we have little mystery but the two last have in them much mystery Now consider whether it is most likely that we should interpret the two last places in a sense different from the first or whether are we to interpret them by the first surely it is most safe to say that we are to interpret them by the first not only because the first is the more clear but also because the first seems to me to be therefore laid down before the other that it might be a Standard of light to guide us into the mind of the Holy Ghost in the other If so then the seven times that were to pass over Nebuchadnezzar whilst he was to eat grass like Oxen being no other but seven years must we also understand the time times and a half or the time times and dividing of time of three years and a half onely as I have formerly noted But thirdly To come to the places themselves where the bottom of this scruple lies which are Dan. 7.25 chap. 12.7 I suppose let them be throughly weighed and it will appear that the time times and a half will as well if not better bear our sense of three years and a half then the other which interprets them one thousand two hundred and sixty years I shall begin with Chap. 12.7 and the rather because the words there opened will help us to the mind of the Holy Ghost in the other Now the Question is Whether are we to understand the time times and a half in that place of one thousand two hundred and sixty years or onely of three years and a half I answer of three years and a half and that appears upon this account In vers 6. we have a Question put in Daniels hearing How long it should be unto the end of Wonders To this Question we have a two-fold answer given First A more dark Answer vers 7. Secondly A more
without fault before the Throne of God 5 Because the Characterising this 144000 by this these follow the Lamb whither soever he goes is to me a cleer intimation that the Lamb was now upon his march to his Kingdom in the time of their standing up yea had gone a good step so far as many of his first followers had left him and these only clave to him which is not appliable to the state of the Church in the Wilderness and that many hundreds of yeers ago 6 Because that preaching of the Gospel which immediately succeeds their standing up cannot without a manifest forcing of the Text be applied to the time of Waldus Wickliffe or any time already past as will plainly appear when I come to open those words 7 Because their standing up is not until the very hour of Gods judgement upon Babylon is come vers 7. Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgement is come What hour is this Ans The hour of Babylons downfal whose judgement comes upon her in an hour Rev. 18.10 For in one hour is thy judgement come and therefore to shew this to be the meaning we have a Herauld in the next verse proclaiming the news of it vers 8. And there followed another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen For these Reasons and some others I could urge I cannot look upon this Prophecie as contemporising with the 42 months of the Beast the 1260 dayes of the Witnesses and Woman but rather as a Prophecie there to take beginning where the 12 Chapter leaves us which is about the end of the time times and a half with the attempt of the Dragon against the remnant of the Womans Seed And so in an orderly manner things succeed thus The Dragon having killed the Witnesses endeavours to rid the world of that remnant of the Womans seed that stand up for Christ in some other place Now the Lord Jesus seeing this that the Dragons rage is such that he cannot content himself with that unparaâ—eld injury offered to him namely to kill his Witnesses hereby indeavouring to leave him without witness in the world but because there is yet a little remnant in a corner of the world that stand up for him to bear forth his name and glory in the world therefore the malicious raging Dragon must design upon them and labour to root them out Christ hereupon is so mightily provoked and full of wrath and fury and so jealous for his name and his bowels do so work for his remnant that he cannot now any longer forbear to behold the cruel rage and insolency of the enemy but instantly appears by a more glorious manifestation of himself than ever before upon Mount Sion i. e. in the midst of his people now come thither calling together his remnant about him by his presence incouraging them not to fear this great and dismal attempt and assuring them that the Dragon ere he shall have his will upon them shall beat him out of the field And here will be the first glorious Rendezvouz in Canaan all done before this day is to be reckoned but the War on the other side Jordan that War was with a part the Lamb with his followers encountring such only as stood in his way and hindred his march towards the borders of the Promised Land but this will be with the whole body of the Canaanites under conduct of the Dragon who shall fall before the Lamb and his 144000. So that I say we are to begin the Prophecie of the 14 Chapter with the Dragons attempt against the remnant of the Womans seed in the very concluding time of the 1260 dayes Should I say That we we are to begin this Prophecy of the 14 Chapter from about the end of the Beasts 42 months Chap. 13. and that John after he had seen the Beast acting his part upon the Stage and now going off beheld presently the Lamb coming up with his 14400 it amounts to the same with the other so that whether we begin from the end of the 12 Chapter or of the 13. the beginning is stated aright either falling to be in the very concluding time of the 42 months the 1260 dayes But I rather choose to begin from the Dragons attempt 1 Because by that beginning we have as before wee have shewed in the 12 and 14 Chapters the Prophecie of the Woman compleat 2 Because that attempt seems to be the reason of the Lambs appearance 3 Because as I have also said the 13 Chapter comes in by way of digression and the Prophecie as to the point of time and order is compleat without it Object Babylons downfal is spoken of after this Rendezvouz vers 8. And the Beasts followers are afterwards threatned for worshipping the Beast his Image receiving his Marks vers 9 10 11. Therefore this Prophecie must contemporise with the time of the Beast Answ This stands upon a supposition which I deny viz. That 42 months is the utmost term of the Beasts continuance and therefore Romes downfal must bee within that time whereas I affirm but shall here wave the proof of it that the 42 months is only the time allotted the Beast to continue a Tyrant raging and tyrannizing over the holy City the Saints and the Nations and not the time of his continuance which shall be for some time after this term is run out within which time Rome shall be ruined and therefore is its destruction mentioned after this Rendezvouz of the 144000 and also the Beast still even within this time to his last shall have many cleaving and adhering to him who are the persons here warned I know not any other Objection against this our method that deserves a particular Answer Something else there is by some said for the common method but he that shall observe our following Discourse will find that either it falls of it self as I have stated the thing or if not may if he please gather up that which will be a particular Answer to the thing possibly where his scruple lyes SECT II. TWo things from our Discourse in the former Section are evident First That the Head of this Propheey is to be placed above a hundred years lower than the Head of the Vials And indeed were there nothing else to be urged yet he that shall but compare the persons and time when the Vials began to be poured forth with the persons here spoken of and this time will find that to be the more early this the latter for 1 Those that pour out the Vials have a mixture of fire with their Sea of glass vers 3. And I saw as it were a Sea of glass mingled with fire noting as Mr. Brightman observes that though they had attained some degrees of purity yet was it not such but still there was a mixture of fire hot jars contentions divisions making of parties even amongst the Reformers themselves But these here have all their Fathers name written in their
shall be in the land of Canaan near Jerusalem Hence that opinion falls to the ground which would have this 1600 Furlongs to be a designation of Peters Patrimony which saith the Author of it in the longest extent thereof from the wals of Rome to the River Po is exactly 1600 Furlongs whence saith he its probable that the Popes own Territories may prove the Cock-pit of this execution whither Christ as into a Wine-press will from all parts gather the bloody grapes when he means to tread them Another opinion I find hereof which applies 1600 Furlongs to the greatness of the punishment which shall befall the enemys of Christ at this day and that in respect both of the multitude of those who shall be punished and the length of their torment Blood flowing so great a depth as to the Horse Bridles and this for 1600 Furlongs is an Argument both of abundance of blood and a long time of pressing This conjecture also agrees well to the Prophets who speaking of this day make mention of multitudes that shall be destroyed Ioel 3.14 Ezek. 38. 39. Rev. 16.14 16. 19.19 20 21. and also of length of torment Isa 66.24 Now seeing that either of these opinions will and do agree to the mind of the Holy Ghost in other places where mention is made of this day I judge it most safe not to restrain the interpretation of so great a mystery to any one but as the wisdom of God in Scriptures more plain much more in places so mystical is manifold so to conceive that either viz. the time place and greatness of the punishment also may be here intended Thus once more we are come unto the day of Christs appearing which though looked for but by a few yet doubtless hastens upon us By how much this blessed time is nearer by so much the more doth it call upon us to have our eyes fixed thereupon to awake arise put on our beautiful garments and shake our selves of our dust gather up our courage our zeal our life our love to Christ his cause and people resolving within our selves for Sions sake not to hold our peace and for Jerusalems sake to give him no rest till the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a Lamp that burneth till she who now is termed forsaken and her land called desolate shall become a Crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of our God and be no more called Hephzibab nor her land Beulah but the Lords delight marryed unto him the praise of the whole earth an eternal excellency a joy of many Generations a City of solemnities a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down nor one of the stakes be for ever removed where the glorious Lord will be unto his a place of broad Rivers and Streams to water the City of our God to replenish and make fat the Mountain of his Holiness Which things as he hath foretold them in his Word and will surely fulfill them in their season So let me say THIS GENERATION SHAL NOT PASS TIL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED for the time is at hand He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness Verily a short work will the Lord make upon the earth Warch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape those things that shall come upon the world and to stand before the Son of Man For he that doth these things saith Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according at his worke shall be I come as a Theesâ— Blâ—ssed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Gâ—rments lest be walk â—â—ked and they see his shame Even so Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Amen Isa 14.32 What shall oâ—â— now duswer the Messongers of the Nation That the Lord bath founded Sion and the poor of his people shall trust in it From my Sâ—â—dy in Trunch the 23. day of the first Month in the year of our Lord 1654. FINIS A MOTIVE TO Generation-work OR A Key to unlock the Mysticall Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations tending to resolve the great Question of the Age we live in viz. How long shall it be unto the end of Wonders By J.T. A waiter for the Redemption of Sion Dan. 8.13 Then I heard one Saint speaking and another Saint said unto that certain Saint which spake How long shall be the Vision concerning the daily Sacrifice and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under foot Vers 14. And he said unto me Vnto two thousand and three hundred dayes then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Exod. 12.41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self same day all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman 1655. The Epistle to the Reader Christian Reader IT hath been oftentimes in my thoughts that there is hardly any controversie in this age which is fruitful in little else but there are in that thing wherein the controversie lyes some more general principles of truth which as in their own nature they do carry a light round about them so could they be found our would in a few words inlighten a man more than all those tedious Volumes which about things controverted are daily sent forth into the world which ordinarily do but beat about the Bush never coming at the place where these principles lye The care of that man who would make discovery of Truth should be in the first place and above all to search these out and having found them to place them rightly for these being to be his foundation if but a stone in this foundation be either not of the true metal or displaced it necessarily follows that so much of the building as hath it for its Basis must be weak or carried awry The best outward means to attain these principles is to give attendance to the reading of the word and diligently to compare one place with another but yet this may be done and a man no whit the neerer if with this endeavour there do not concur the inward supply and assistance of the Spirit And truly I have many times thought with my self that as the great thing our faith is to have in its eye when it goes to the Promise for teaching is That the Lord would lead us to these so the principal thing in the Spirits teaching when it teacheth any soul is by its inward hints to point it unto these The most certain Character to know these principles by when they are attained and when not is an universal harmony of Truth for these principles are as the Center in which all the lines of Truth which are separated in the Circumserence do weet together and become one point But now as the wider any Circumference is the farther will a man be
Scripture in case it bee not in those Numbers THESIS VI. That interpretation of these Numbers is doubtless to be sought for and when found followed that brings them to an Harmony within themselves for truth is never found but in a Harmony No Prophecie is of a private interpretation Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established THESIS VII The best way to attain this Harmony is to consult with the naked testimony of Scripture History and Chronology THESIS VIII The voyce of Scripture is to be attended in the first place History and Chronology in the second The reason is because the reports of Historians being various and perplexed oftentimes as to actions themselves oftentimes as to the time of them they will but confound the Enquirer if in dubitable principles and conclusions from Scripture be not first laid as a foundation THESIS IX If it may be supposed which must or otherwise no certain determination of the time is attainable and so this and every enquiry is but a running in vain and labouring in vain that indubitable principles which may serve us as a basis for such an undertaking are left us in the word and also if it be a thing supposable that amongst the variety of Historians any one of them in recording such Acts which are to be as Heads to this or that Mystical Number hath neither given false reports of the Acts themselves nor missed the time it is a thing then not impossible by vertue of the light first received from the most certain principles of holy Scripture to pass a definitive Sentence upon the reports of Historians And to conclude this in this or that particular report to be in the truth these in the error THESIS X. If among many any one or more Historians be found in the truth as touching such and such acts and their time then also by the indubitable principles of Scripture and their reports laid together a certain determination of the time may be made THESIS XI The Numbers themselves which point us to the end of the Churches Captivity and sufferings in New Testament-times are 2300 dayes Dan. 8.14 1290 and 1335 dayes Chap. 12.11 12. 1260 dayes Rev. 11.3 Chap. 12.6 and 42. months Rev. 11.2 Chap. 13.5 both which last I have before proved Chap. 1. Sect. 2. to be one and the same THESIS XII A day put for a yeer is a Scriptural and a Prophetical way of speaking Num. 14.33 34. And your children shall wander in the Wilderness forty years after the number of the dayes in which ye searched the Land even forty dayes each day for a year Ezek 4 4 5 6 Thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty dayes I have appointed thee each day for a year Thus we are to interpret dayes in the fore-going Numbers of otherwise the Numbers will be of no use at all as to measure out the time of the Captivity and sufferings of Gods people under the New Testament for how little time should we understand these dayes of natural dayes doth the greatest of these Numbers contain THESIS XIII As Daniel wrote in Old Testament-times when the Jews were the only people of God and John in New Testament times when the Jews were a people rejected and the Gentiles Gods chosen people so are we to look upon the thing principally pointed at in the fore-going Numbers of Daniel to be the time of the Jews delivery from their long Captivity the thing chiefly intended in Johns to be the utmost period of the Gentile Churches Bondage and Captivity under Antichrist THESIS XIV Now because the Gentile-Churches deliverance from Antichristian Bondage which began with the beginning of the Vials shall be compleat at the end of the 1260 days or the two and forty Months i.e. Antichrist this time expired shall never so far prevail against them more as to bring them into bondage to him again therefore the utmost period of the Churches sufferings that we have in John is the end of the 1260 days the forty two months nofarther number beyond this being assigned But now because the delivery of the Jews is to be begun at the time of their coming up to their Land and not compleated till forty five years after therefore have we in Daniel Chap. 12. two numbers laid down the one 1290 days the other 1335. which carry us forty five years farther than the other THESIS XV. All the aforesaid Prophetical and Apocalyptical numbers may be divided into two Ranks those of the first Rank point us to the time of the Jews first stirring the rise of the Christian Witnesses the end of the Beasts reign and treading under foot the Holy City Those of the second to the time of Christs second coming the final destruction of the Beast the full deliverance of the Jews Here it is a thing most necessary that we mind and diligently observe this distinction for the not distinguishing betwixt the ending time of Antichrists reign and Tyranny and his final destruction which is in the destruction of the Fourth Monarchy the beginning time of the Jews delivery and their compleat deliverance the standing up of Christ in his Witnesses i.e. by a more glorious manifestation of his power and presence with and among his people and his standing up in person is a fundamental mistake in an enquiry of this nature yea confounds and darkens the whole truth in a manner of Daniel and the Revelations and indeed is the very reason why some contend for a Spiritual appearance of Christ onely viz. an appearance with his in a way of power and others contrariwise for a Personal whereas in both there is a glorious truth and a set and an appointed time for both onely the first falls so many years sooner and so is nearer to us the second so many later and so is farther off and possibly this may be one reason why good people at this day harp so much upon the first because it is nearest to them and so most upon their hearts Now by observing this distinction and carrying it with us through the Prophets either and the time of either will be clear Numbers of the first Rank THESIS XVI The Numbers that belong to the first Rank are the 1290 days the 1260. and the forty two Months the same with the 1260. THESIS XVII The 1290 days and the 1260 alias forty two months are both to end at one and the same point that is the Jews delivery from their long Captivity which is the thing set forth by the 1290 days is to begin at that point where the Gentile Churches delivery from the tyranny of Antichrist set forth by the forty two month the 1260 days is to end and so consequently either number concenter in their end and terminate at the same point which is clear 1 Because the time times and a half Dan. 12.7 Rev. 12.14 which ends at the same point with the 1260. ends also at the same point with the
was the only man of that age that knew the times and seasons yet doth not he know the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh as indeed it was until as I may say the very day before their deliverance or untill that very year was come in which they were delivered Dâ—niel 9.1 2. compared with Ezra 1.1 2 3 c. THESIS XXIX The great unlikelihood in an eye of reason of bringing such great and wonderful things about within so short a time to which as yet we see so little visible preparation may well be a block in the way of carnal reason but why should it be so to Faith Seeing God hath assured us again again and again Rev. 18. that from that time wherein the proud Whore shall bee glorying boasting triumphing conceiting her self far enough from danger it shall bee but an hour i. e. a very little time to Gods passing judgement upon her in the overthrow and ruine of Rome the glory of her Kingdom THESIS XXX The sentence of death that is upon this work at present is matter of incouragement to faith no matter of discouragement seeing that from what I have laid down in many places of my foregoing Discourse it is a thing manifestly clear that a very black cloud to the end the work may come forth upon the sudden from under it with the greater glory and brightness is to come upon the work and cause of Christ among the Gentiles at the very ending time of the 42 Months the 1260 dayes as a like dismal cloud is to befall the Jews and Gods work among them at the very ending time of the 2300 the 1335 dayes If no such cloud did begin to appear there would bee cause of questioning our former principles but that it doth is a confirmation of them THESIS XXXI The fixedness of the time and certainty of the thing when the time is expired is no more an Argument for us at this day to sit still and do nothing in order to the effecting these glorious things than it would be to say in another case did I know the time of a mercy I may now sit still be idle sleep do what I will for I cannot have my mercy before and I shall have it at such a time THESIS XXXII The end of the 1290 dayes the 1260 the 42 months being so neer 1 Hence the several Discourses and hints laid down in our first Part our second and third tending to perswade That the day of the resurrection of the dry bones or the Jews stirring is neer are confirmed and made good 2 Hence what I have written Vial 5. p. 52. appears to be a truth viz. That the suffering of the Gentile Churches will shortly bee at an end for the 42 Months of the Beasts tyranny and treading underfoot the holy City the 1260 Dayes of the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth the Womans being in the Wilderness will shortly expire Now the Beasts Tyranny and treading under foot the holy City the Womans being in the Wilderness the Witnesses wearing sackcloth being the original cause of all the sufferings of the Gentile Churches their sufferings shall therefore end with the end of these for the Beasts limited time being once cut he shall have no new Lease of time to persecute the Woman tread the holy City underfoot the Woman once out of the Wilderness shall not return thither again the Witnesses having once put off their sackcloth shall not put it on again 3 Hence that which I have said Chap. 1. Sect. 5. viz. That the Witnesses do in all likelihood at this present day lie dead appears a truth for their killing is to be as I have proved Chap. 1 sect 4. in the last three years and a half of the 1260 and according to this our computation there are not at the utmost above three years of the 1260 to expire 4 Hence the glorious Rendezvouz of the 144000 of which our third Chapter treats cannot be full three years off for that is to be some little time before the compleat expiration of the 1260 days Thus much as touching the Numbers of the first Rank Numbers of the Second Rank THESIS XXXIII The Numbers of the Second Ranck are the 2300 days the 1335. THESIS XXXIV The 2300 daies and the 1335 dayes are likewise both to end at one and the same point Which is clear 1 Because the Prophecy of the eighth Chapter which lays us down the first number and the Prophecy of the 11 and 12 Chapters which gives us the second are one and the same the subject matter of either being the three last Monarchies viz. Medes and Persians Grecians Romans and also either Prophecy terminates at one and the same point viz. the final destruction of the Fourth and last Monarchy which thing needs no farther proof save onely diligently to compare the one with the other therefore the 2300 days which bring us to the shutting up of the one Prophecy and the 1335 which bring us to the shutting up of the other must of necessity end at one and the same point 2 Because as the 1335 days bring us to that time in which Daniel was to stand in his Lot i. e. to rise again chap. 12.13 But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot as our old translation reads it at the end of the days i.e. at the end of the 1335 days mentioned in the foregoing Verse Daniel should rise So the 2300 days brings us to the last end of indignation Ch. 8.19 Behold I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of indignation And what is this last end of indignation but only the last Vial of Gods wrath Rev. 16. the pouring out of which is at the time of Christs coming and the Resurrection as I have elsewhere proved at large Therefore the 2300 days and the 1335. do yea must terminate at one and the same point 3 Because the Personal appearance of Christ is the concluding point of both The last King Chap. 8.25 or the fourth Monarchy comes to his final end by standing up against the Prince of Princes i. e. Christ Now this standing up is not a standing up against Christ in his Members for that he did it before vers 24. He shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practise and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people But this standing up is brought in with an also he shall also stand up against the Prince of Princes as noting it to be another and a distinct standing up from the former that was against Christ and his members onely but this standing up shall be a higher act of boldness and wickedness in him viz. a standing up against Christ himself in person who now appears as the Prince of Princes the very name written on his vesture and thigh at the day of his personal appearance to destroy the Beast Rev. 19.16 King of Kings and Lord of Lord to vindicate the