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A71105 Generation-work, or, A brief and seasonable word offered to the view and consideration of the saints and people of God in this generation, relating to the work of the present age, or generation we live in wherein is shewed, I. What generation-work is, and how it differs from other works, II. That saints in the several generations they have lived in, have had the proper and peculiar works of their generations, III. That it is a thing of very great concernment for a saint to attend to and be industrious in, the work of his generation, IV. Wherein doth the work of the present generation lye, V. How each one in particular may find out that part or parcel of it, that is properly his work in his generation, VI. How generation-work may be so carried on, as that God may be served in the generation / by John Tillinghast ... Tillinghast, John, 1604-1655. 1655 (1655) Wing T1175; Wing T1177; Wing T1178; ESTC R17254 317,518 510

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that it can be no other coming but Christs Personal Now because at the time of Christs personal coming the dead Saints are so to be raised up as that they may be ready to come with Christ 1 Thess 3.13 1 Thess 4.14 Zech. 14.5 Therefore we have the resurrection of the dead intimated in the verse before Christs coming vers 13. And I heard a voyce from heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them The Emphasis of the Text lyes in those words from henceforth about which I find Expositors not applying this to the time of Christs coming and the resurrection but to a time past to be much puzled And indeed there is cause for as it is a forced Translation and besides the Etymologie of the word to translate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 otherwise than from henceforth or from this time so cannot any solid reason be given for it without a supposal of the resurrection to be here intimated why the dead from this time should be pronounced Blessed more than from any other time why from this time they should rest from their labours and have their works following them more than from any other time To say they go to Heaven by Death and there rest from their labours Answ But why from this time rather than any other are they blessed seeing all that dye in the Lord throughout all Ages are equally made partakers of the blessing in this sense To say the reason of the special blessing ariseth from the Cause they dye in they dye in Christs Cause and suffer as Martyrs Ans But why is the speciality of the Blessing annexed to this time seeing as Martyrs many had suffered for Christ long before To say as do some others because the Gospel began now to be preached in the world which only makes men dye happily Answ But why from this time seeing a Soul cannot dye happily or in the Lord at any time without some knowledge of Christ and the Gospel To restrain this as do some others to the pains of Purgatory which they say till about this time did cause fear even in good people at their deaths but now the Gospel being preached clearly and the vanity of that opinion laid open the people of God dye comfortably with assurance of going straight-way into Paradise will not help us with an interpretation for who can think otherwise but that the vanity of this most grose opinion was laid open before even when the everlasting Gospel was preached vers 6.7 and if so why then are they said to be blessed from this time and not rather from that time when the everlasting Gospel began to be preached To say yet as do others because great Persecutions were now to arise so that it was a blessing to be dead before they came Ans 1. Whether is it a greater blessing to die in the Lord a Martyr or to die of a mans natural death 2. Let it be considered Whether the time of the Waldenses Albigenses which time Expositors place higher making application of the thing spoken of vers 6 7. to them were not a time of as sore yea sorer Persecutions than the time to which they make application of these words and if so that this be the onely reason why then should not the blessing be placed there rather than here or as well there as here For my own part I do conceive that the thing here intimated is the Resurrection which opinion as it cuts off a multitude of uncertainties so doth it agree most fitly to the circumstance of time according to the method I have observed and is clear also from the Context consent of other Scriptures and the words themselves taken in their natural sense without straining or forcing of them being in effect thus much as if the Holy Ghost should say The children of God untill this day have been ever accounted the worlds Fools who have counted their life a burden and toyl their death a loss of their expectations but now at this day of the Resurrection when the fruit of Gods peoples patience their faith and obedience of which was spoken in the foregoing verse which hath a necessary dependance on this and had we conjoyned them in our exposition as they are in the Text it might possibly have been better shall be manifested before all men it shall then be seen that those who in former ages from the very beginning of the world did live to the Lord and dye in the Lord are the onely blessed men who from this day in Soul and Body both are made partakers and that in recompence of their former toyl and labours of the glorious rest of Christ having now their good works following them i. e. the reward of all their former good works which the world looked upon as things lost and cast away given to them Hence which serves to expound these words the time of the seventh Angels sounding which is contemporary with this both looking to the time of Christs coming is called the time of Gods giving a reward unto his Servants the Prophets and to the Saints and to them that fear his name smal and great Rev. 11.18 which answers punctually to this of their works i.e. the reward of their works following them By these two Scriptures I am further confirmed in what I have writen upon the Vials viz. That not Martyrs onely but all the Saints shall rise in the first Resurrection and come with Christ for the blessing here pronounced is common to all that dye in the Lord yea to all that have kept the patience faith and commandements of Christ and not peculiar to Martyrs onely the rewarding Saints in the time of the new Jerusalem is not a rewarding Martyrs onely but all that fear Gods Name a qualification common to Saints smal and great As for the double similitude in the following words 1. Of a Harvest vers 15 16. 2. Of a Vintage vers 18 19 20. whether the Harvest signifie Christs gathering his Elect in the world which are his Corn together to him 1 Thes 4 17. 2 Thes 2.1 Mat. 24.31 And the Vintage Christs destruction of those of his Enemies that he finds gathered together upon his appearing or whether one thing viz. The ruin of his enemies be intended in both which seems best to agree to Joel 3.13 Put ye in the Sickle for the Harvest is ripe come get you down for the Press is full the Fat 's over-flow which Prophecy as it is the same for time with this so this seems to be taken thence I shall not undertake possitively to determine Further whether the Angel with a Sickle who gathers the Vintage ver 19. be any Angel that Christ makes use of at his coming to destroy his enemies as God by an Angel destroyed the Host of Senacherib or whether this Angel be Christ himself who before
another and although the more publick and general any mans imployment is the more he is in a capacity to do yet is there no man unless we could suppose some universal Officer over Nations and Churches which might lawfully act in every mars sphere which is in a capacity to do the whole work Observe therefore what work thou art in a capacity to do And here it will not be unnecessary to take into our mature consideration the place and station God hath set a man in the special gift a man may have the light revealed to him together with the opportunities that lie before him either of which may put some men into a capacity beyond others to act in some one business of their Generation rather then another Now what work soever any of these or a●l of them joyned together do put a man into a capacity of acting the dispensations of that age calling to the performance of such things for in Generation-work as hath been proved dispensation gives the Call a man may safely conclude that to be his work in his Generation which as Gods dispensations call him to so God himself will either here or hereafter strictly require an account of him how he hath done the same 2 Observe what work that is amongst those things thou art in a capacity to do in thy Generation which the dispensations of God without and the bent or inclination of the Spirit within at such time as the same is most spiritual or thou hast most intimate communion with God calls for the present doing thereof For it is most certain that every thing that a man is in a capacity to do he is not called alike to the doing of I may be in a capacity to do many things in my Generation and my Call to some of these things may be greater to others less my Call may be to some for the present to others for the future Now to find out which of these my Call lyes first unto it is most necessary to observe which Gods dispensations call loudest for as that which is as it were the hinge upon which the rest of the work doth turn and which if neglected nothing else can or is ever likely as it should be to be done to which although the essence of the Call lyes here yet if also here be added rather as matter of inducement than a bottome for a Call this other observation How my spirit stands at such times when I am most spiritual most dis-ingaged from private interests and most intimately familiar with God and most resolved to follow him which are the ordinary times of the holy Spirits speaking to the attempting of these things and if then I find the impulse of my soul strongly bending and inclining that way that the dispensations of God would lead me I may then conclude the dispensations of God without and the Spirit of God within as in themselves they ever agree so also now in witnessing the self-same thing to me that here doth lye that special peece of work which amongst the things I am in a capacity to do God calls aloud for the present doing of The call of a Dispensation without viz. Gods being risen to deliver his people and an impulse of spirit within putting man-like courage into a woman was the onely thing moved Jael to attempt that dangerous yet memorable act of slaying Sisera Judg. 5.24 25. Yea what other Call the Judges of Israel who Deborah the Prophetess excepted were not Prophets for the holy Ghost calls them Judges and that in a way of distinction from Prophets He gave them Iudges about the space of 450 years until Samuel the Prophet Act. 13.20 Yea after Moses Samuel of a man is the first Prophet extraordinarily gifted read of as Act. 3.24 Yea all the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after I saw what Call these Judges had only Gideon Sampson and Deborah that we read of having extraordinary Calls except the Call of a dispensation the bondage Gods people were in and a secret impulse of Spirit wrought in them by the Lord stirring them up to endeavour their deliverance I cannot my self determine and therefore leave the doing thereof to others 3 Observe what peece of Generation work that is which when thou hast ventured on it thou hast found God most eminently appearing to thee for thy encouragement and also with thee for assistance in doing of it and know that the prosecution of that is properly thy work in thy generation Joshuah's special and principal work in his Generation was the rooting out the Canaanites and it was in this work that God did most eminently appear to Ioshuah both for encouragement in the beginning of the enterprize as Chap. 1.5 6. and with his assistance carrying of it on until the same was perfected as the story shews us 4 Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which thou being in a capacity to do in doing of art like to meet with greatest opposition and that from all hands and stick to that as thy work in thy Generation Christ when he was here on earth had two great works the one relating to his Prophetical Office which was to publish the glad tidings of salvation the other to his Priestly which was to dye for poor sinners In the first of these he is opposed both by the Devil the world and a professing party and in the last by one from whom one would least expect it even his beloved Disciple Peter acted by Satan to oppose him in this work 5 Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which when thou hast had a call an opportunity and an inclination to do it and hast not set about the same God hath presently with-drawn himself Gods usual way is to check his peoples neglects especially in Generation-work by with-drawing himself as hath been fully cleared in the foregoing Discourse under that branch discovering the danger of neglecting Generation-work in respect of our loss of communion with God thereby If therefore such a with-drawing thou art or hast been sensible of and these to grow upon such neglects lest there come a greater after-clap this being but Gods warning-peece minde better than yet thou hast done that work upon neglect whereof thou hast sensibly found these withdrawings and know the same is properly thy work in thy Generation 6 Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which put the case thou wert to dye would make most for thy comfort if done and most for thy discomfort if neglected Some work there is which men have to do for God in their Generations which if the messenger of Death should come and the same not done the heart would cry O spare me a little that I may recover my strength to do this and the other work not yet done by me as it should before I go hence and be no more seen Now know this for certain that that work which if I were now to die would afflict me because not done
and branch declaring their office and standing to be Antichristian for although some sprinklings of this Vial fell on them before yet the pouring of it forth which gave them their fatal and deadly blow cannot more fitly be applyed to any time than to this when by the Law of a Land yea that Land too which is by some reckoned the first of the Horns of the Beast the just judgement and indignation of the most High was poured out upon them in such maner as that not only they but all other ever since who have gone about to assume to themselves a Lordly power over Christs little flock have fallen through the powerful Effects of it And that which will not weaken this Interpretation in case it be considered is that as the two great things of Jesus Christ that Antichrist had invaded were his Priestly office and Kingly The first by his pernicious Doctrine The second by his absolute tyrannical Discipline So the first remarkable blow that Antichrist ever suffered was in detecting and destroying his cursed Doctrine and gross Idolatries by it maintained with which he had made an invasion upon the mediation and Priesthood of Christ which being done because yet Christs Kingly office was invaded by an Antichristian Lording Discipline Christ therefore that he might fully recover his own before he invades his enemy makes it his next attempt to regain into his own hands his Kingly Power and Authority which to do the very next remarkable blow that befalls the Man of Sin after the hot controversies about Christs Mediatorship and our justification by Christ alone began to cease the Saints in this having obtained a compleat victory and given their Adversaries both the rout and ruine is in his Lordly Tyrannical Discipline which straitwayes now begins to be questioned yea not onely questioned but finally is shaken yea thrown down as Antichristian and that by Law If it be said That Arch-bishops Bishops c. are but an inferior and an inconsiderable part of the Romish Hierarchy and therefore the downfal of these seems to have too much put upon it whilst the same is made a principal Effect of that Vial which is poured out upon the Hierarchy it self To that I answer though inconsiderable and inferior yet are they a part of the Hierarchy whose standing is by the same power and upon the same bottome with the rest And had it not been for a Vial of wrath poured upon the Hierarchy it self these as parts of it could not have fallen Neither is it necessary that the pouring out of the Vial should sweep away the whole at once for that were to destroy Antichrist with one Vial and not with Seven If it be further objected that this hath been done but in our Isle of Great Britain the Hierarchy even at this day in most of the Kingdoms subjected to the Beast being in as full and absolute power as ever My answer is That so long as the Isle of Brittain is reckoned amongst the Horns of the Beast it is sufficient though but in one Horn this be done for neither did the former Vial extend it self to all the parts of the Papal Kingdome for the greater part lye rolling in the very Lees and Dregs of Popery unto this day nor indeed shall any of the Vials the last excepted be poured out upon the Kingdome of the Beast in general but some fall upon one part of it some another 2 The EFFECTS 1 EFFECT The Sea becomes as the blood of a dead man And it became as the blood of a dead man That is That Hierarchy which before went for pure and Apostolical did now appear through the pouring out of this Vial upon it to be a Sea of blood i.e. a wretched Seat of cruelty yea blood of a dead man i.e. corrupt filthy stinking 2 EFFECT Every living soul in the Sea dyes And every living soul dyed in the Sea That is All those who stand by the power of have their dependance upon or livelihood from this Hierarchy are by the Effects of this Vial despoyled of this their Antichristian standing power and livelihood and so dye a civil death How visible these Effects for a great measure have already been with us in England and will be more as yet before the after-drops of this Vial are over which if I mistake not the present National Ministry in England being but as twigs growing upon the former stock both must and shall feel it is in a manner superfluous here to adde And although I conceive the Providence of God hath brought us at this day under the next Vial yet is there still a relique of this behind the Effects of one Vial ordinarily running into another as in our fifth Proposition and a generation of men that have long deserved it yet for the greater part of them hitherto scaped the blow shall feel it Thus much as touching the second VIAL VIAL III. 1 The SUBJECT The Rivers and Fountains of waters Vers 4. AND the third Angel poured out his Vial upon the Rivers and Fountains of waters By Rivers and Fountains of waters we are not here as most to understand the Bishops and Doctors of the Romish Synagogue because as hath been proved the foregoing Vial fell upon them And also secondly because though they have been causers and promoters of shedding the blood of Saints yet the act of blood-shedding hath ever been by another power to whom being condemned they were turned over to be executed and as the blood of Christ though caused by the Priests is yet said to be shed by Pontius Pilate because by his power the thing was acted So the continual blood-shed of Saints in the Kingdome of Antichrist though caused by the Bishops may yet be said to have been done by the Civil power because by that power the thing hath been acted That by Rivers and Fountains of waters the Jesuits should be here meant as a late godly Writer judgeth seems not probable to me 1 Because they are no where in all this Book set forth by any such name 2 Because had this Vial been poured out and that as is judged some yeers past upon these most surely this generation of men had not been so rise and active and that in all places as at this day they are 3 The Jesuits setting aside what they have done in a secret way by Treachery and that of some few only have not been actors any whit more in shedding the blood of the Saints than their Fellow-companions the Bishops and Doctors of the Romish Synagogue 4 And lastly The time assigned for the doing of this was many yeers before the second Vial was poured forth and therefore a thing most unlikely that this should be the meaning A late worthy Writer upon the Vials in this as in many things else varies from the common-road of Expositors understanding by Rivers States and Kingdomes by Fountains of waters the Heads of these namely Kings Parliaments Statsmen c. upon whom this
into the Divinity so as that Christ shall be God-man no longer for the Apostle in saying the Humane Nature shall be subject denotes plainly that the same shall even in Heaven hereafter have a being for how can that be subject which hath no being And as the Lambs having a Throne in the New Jerusalem proves clearly that it cannot be meant of Heavenly glory after the day of Judgement so doth it as strongly prove what before I have laid down that not a Spiritual onely buth a Personal presence of Christ shall be with his people in the New Jerusalem all the time of the thousand years for Christ as the Lamb hath his Throne in it but Christ Spiritually onely is not the Lamb nor was he sacrifised in that sense Seventhly and lastly Because Isa 60. which Chapter as is most evident speaks not of heavenly glory but of a glorious state of the Church here on Earth is for time one and the same with this as plainly will appear by comparing one with the other Isa Rev. 60.11 the Gates shal be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night 21.25 And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day Verse 3. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising Verse 24. The Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it Verse 10. Their Kings shall minister unto thee Verse 11. That men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their Kings may bee brought Verse 26. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the Nations into it Verse 1. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land Verse 20. The dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Verse 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor cry●●● neither shall there be any more pain Verse 19. The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory Verse 23. And the City had no need neither of the Sun nor of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb was the light thereof Verse 21. Thy people also shall be all righteous Verse 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs Book of life Yet because it would be a thing hard to be beleeved that the New Jerusalems glory should be here on Earth therefore it is said chap. 21.5 These words are true and faithful and again chap. 22.6 These sayings are faithful and true One thing here is of special concernment to be opened to the end the words of the seventh Vial may be brought to a reconciliation with the description of the New Jerusalem chap. 21. both as I have shewed being to be referred to one and the same time which is this Seeing John in describing the New Jerusalem saith I saw no Temple therein Chap. 21.22 and the contrary is here intimated There came a great voyce out of the Temple of Heaven how can these things agree or the one be made Expository of the other when they speak things contradictory I answer John saw no material Temple such as was in Jerusalem of old to which here new Jerusalem is opposed Or secondly which I rather incline to John saw no such Temple as was the former Temple or Church-state under the Gospel But that a Temple there shall be is manifest for saith he in the next words which are given as a reason why no such Temple as formerly had been should be in this New state because indeed they should now have a better Temple The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the Temple of it So that a Temple there is but this shall not be such a Temple in which Christ through outward Ordinances as a medium is conveyed to his and they by faith enjoy him as now for what need of these things when Christ is with his people and to be enjoyed in another way of Vision● yea the duration of these things is but untill his coming 1 Cor. 11.26 For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup yee shew the Lords death till he come And the Apostle is clear in this that all injoyments of God by faith cease when sight takes place 2 Cor. 5.7 1 Cor. 13.8 9 10 11 12 13. And indeed what use will there be of 2 Glass to see Christ in when he shall present himself face to face which he will do at the day of his appearing 1 John 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is yea to behold the Lamb thus shall be a principall part of the New Jerusalems glory Rev. 22.3 4. They shall see his face and his name shall be in their fore-heads So that this Temple shall not be a worshipping of Christ and an injoyment of him through outward ordinances but rather a more immediate worshipping and injoyment of him in himself who therefore in this New Jerusalem is not onely the person worshipped but the very Temple we worship in And this which now I am speaking of is I ta●● 〈◊〉 clearly held forth in those words of the Apostle Heb. 12.26 Yet once more I shake not the earth onely but also Heaven which place he quotes from Haggai chap. 2.6 7. which before I have proved relates to this time Now as Christ at his first coming shook the legal worship which the Apostle tels us stood in meats and drinks and carnal Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformations Heb. 9.10 for which reason the shaking hereof is called ashaking of the earth and did at his resurrection establish another way of worship far more spiritual than the former yee having also some outward Ordinances and Institutions as the former had which in Scripture is frequently called as opposed to the other Heaven and the Kingdom of Heaven so at his second coming will he shake this worship cast this Temple though more spiritual than the former to the ground also for saith he yet once more I shake not earth onely but Heaven also i.e. all the worship that now is I mean outward is upon Christs second coming to be removed and such a Kingdom and Worship instead thereof is to be set up as can never be shaken i.e. shall never be broken in peeces any more as the former worships have been but shall be the same for kind being as I have said a more immediate worship with that which shall be in Heaven hereafter And not darkly is this hinted Isa 60.19 20. The Sun that is those outward things which before were as a Sun under which are comprehended outward
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
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
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 D●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
is my present work without delay to do For that which I find will further my joy in death I may conclude is my duty in my life and if a duty in my life and onely lifes present time is certain to me then may I assure my self it is my present work the neglect whereof as no pretence how specious soever can excuse it so the doing thereof will admit of no delays though there may seem never so great cause in reason for the same O have not then that work to doe at death the neglect whereof though thou mayst go to Heaven will lessen thy joy in thy journey 6 And lastly But how may Generation-work be carryed on so as that God may be served in the Generation In answer hereunto I shall lay done some Rules for direction and so conclude 1 Labor to find out what the work of thy Generation is and in what things chiefly it consists A right Principle and a rectified Judgement must ever goe before practice or otherwise practice would be irregular Now for our help herein some light already hath been given in discussing the two former Questions which by observing times and dispensations searching the Scriptures converse with Saints and seeking God that Christian who desires to be found in this work may for his own satisfaction add unto which work as very needful in this point to the end he may go by his own eyes and not by others I here commend to him and leave him to 2 Be humbled for it in case thou hast failed in the work of the former Generation It is as hath been observed Gods way to punish the errors of men in one Generation by blinding them to and laying them by in the work of another Generation which punishment in it self most sad hath yet a particular dispensation going along with it exempting all such from the penalty who for their failings in the former Generation have taken shame to themselves publishing their former errors and humbling themselves for it in the next Generation which you may read Ezek 43.10 11. Son of man show the house of Israel that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the pattern And if they be ashamed of all that they have done shew them the form of the house and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and all the laws thereof and write it in their sight that they may keep the whole form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and do them The Law of Reprieval exempting the offendor from this heavy penalty of being blinded to and cast out of the present work of God in the Generation he lives in ●is conditional if they be ashamed then show them but in case they be not ashamed but still justifie themselves in and own their former errors then of necessity the contrary follows shew them not the present work but rather let them be blinded to it hide from them the form of the house and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and the Ordinances thereof and the Laws thereof Let all be hidden from them and they laid by as to the whole and every part of it in case they be not ashamed 3 Convert private cares which onely concern thine own particular condition into cares for the publick and the Cause of Christ on foot Most of Gods people spend their time wholly in caring about their condition whether it shall go well or ill with them as to their particulars making it no part or at most but a little part of their care how it fares with the cause of God in the world Now as this care is too low for a Saint to be ever poring about so is it one main reason why after many years of care a dissatisfaction still remains in their spirits about the thing because they have not learnt to leave this care with God and to care more for the work of God and the glory of God Thus did Moses Num. 14. The people are in a hurly-burly and talk of a new Captain vers 4. and stoning such as would disswade them vers 10. Moses now in this tumult lays aside the care of his own particular safety and makes it his utmost care to divert the wrath of God that he now saw coming upon the people as vers 13 14 c. And hath not Christ himself left us a sweet example of this who when he was entring upon his great work of dying seems to neglect his own particular and makes it his great business to fortifie his Disciples against the storm approaching by giving them a seal of his love in his last Supper preaching a Sermon of Soul-consolation to them and also praying to his Father with much faith and fervency in their behalf and which is observable in his Sermon and Prayer both for one word spoken to himself and in his own behalf he speaks hundreds to them and to his Father in theirs Admirable is that of Paul 2 Tim. 1.11 who seems to forget his own salvation that he might mind his work whereunto he was appointed for he takes no more thought about that but onely to leave it with God I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day As to say I have trusted God with that I le venture that upon his care but in his work and for the cause of Christ he suffers all things and runs all hazzards that he might be found faithful thereunto I am appointed a Preacher and an Apostle and a Teacher of the Gentiles For the which cause I also suffer these things 4 Stand loose and dis-engaged from private interests Private interest of honor profit friends c. hath oft times been a snare to men and slurred them in yea sometimes drawn them to oppose the work of their Generation A private interest of profit though coloured over with a pretence of sacrifice led Saul to the sparing of Agag and the best of the flock contrary to the work of his Generation which was to have destroyed all as 1 Sam. 15.2 3. This proved a snare to him and for this as before he is cashiered by God It was a private interest of honor that made the Pharisees oppose Christ because the multitude which before adored them as Gods did now withdraw from them and follow him and so miscarry in the work of their Generation It was a private interest of relations that made Solomon faulter so foulely in the work of God in his days his wives drawing him to idolatry It was a private interest of friendship with wicked men because great men viz. joyning with Ahab and Ahaziah that brought the greatest blur and scourge too that wee read of upon good Jehosaphat in his days What shall I say more It was private interest made the