lye Hence it is said that the beast opened his mouth in blasphemy against God his name Tabernacle and people Revel 13. 6. Now to blaspheme is to speak evill to revile and reproach the testimony of the Saints to bring some blot upon the truth they stand to maintaine Thus we see how certaine it is that the enemies will oppose and hinder the witnesses in the course of their prophesie And as certaine it is that the enemies shall suffer for this their attempt Secondly the meanes by which the witnesses do oppose their adversaries fire proceedeth out of their mouths to devour their enemies As before we had a description of the witnesses by the two anointed ones relating to Zerubbabel and Joshua so here we have their actions declared by an allusion unto Moses and Elias both which were revenged for wrong done upon their enemies by fire from heaven Thus you may read in Numb 16. 35. That when Korah and the rest of his company did rise up in rebellion against Moses fire comes from heaven destroys those two hundred and fifty chiefe men of the Congregation of Israel Also of Elias you have it related 2 Kings 1. 10 11. That when Ahaziah sent two captains with their fifties to apprehend the Prophet â—ire cometh downe from the Lord and destroys both the Captaines and their fifties So here the witnesses are said to command fire to consume their enemies This cannot be meant of a materiall but of a mysticall fire that the witnesses do thus breath out of their mouths It is the word of their testimony that doth consume and destroy their adversaries it is this fire that doth constantly torment and devour them Thus we have the word often called fire in Scripture Jere. 23. 29. Is not my word like fire saith the Lord And we have the Lord telling the Prophet that he would make his word as fire and the people wood and it should devour them Jer. 5. 14. So here the witnessâ—â— thougâ— in sackcloth testifie against all the wickednesse of Antichrist their persons are oppressed their testimony contemned but the word of their testimony is as fire proceeding out of their mouths to devour their opposers The Adversary shall in this manner be killed by the Fire that issueth out of the mouths of the Witnesses Sutable hereunto is that passage in Isa 9. 5. where the Prophet speaking of Christ prevailing over his Enemies saith For every battaile of the warriour is with confused noyse and garments rolled in blood but this shall be with burning and fewell of â—ire This should be of another manner and kinde then the ordinary battaile of the Warriour this should be Fire or by the two-edged sword that proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ The fire that goeth forth out of the mouths of the witnesses is all one w th the brightnes of Christs coming mentioned in 2 Thes 2. 8. by which Antichrist shall be destroyed The light and glory of Christs word that the Witnesses give forth as fire out of their mouths â—â—all destroy Antichrist This is the very forme and manner of Antichrists destruction though happily some that uphold his cause may fall by the Sword in respect of their pâ—â—sâ—nâ— as 〈◊〉 of the Witnesses have suffered death for giving forth a testimonie of the truth yet the cause and being of Antichrist shall be destroyed in this manner even by the word of truth that proceeds out of the mouths of the Witnesses The words being thus opened take notice of these observations they afford unto us First That the Adversaries of Christ Obser 1. are alwayes ready to hurt his witnesses It is most certain that the friends of Antichrist are alwayes willing to oppose the friends of Christ These Prophets are cast out rejected and slightâ—d by the men of the world The seed of the Serpent is continually making War with the seed of the Woman The Dragon waited to devour the Man-childe that the woman was about to bring forth Rev. 12. 4. And though he could not wholly prevail yet hee cast forth a flood of persecution afâ—â—â— her and makes Warr with the remnant of her seed ver 16. 7. Secondly They that goe about to hurt Obser 2. the Witnesses or hinder them in the course of their Prophesie shall not goe unpunished There is none that offers violence to the Prophets of the Lord but shall receive their just demeâ—â—â—s the Fire that proceeds out of the mouths of the Witnesses shall devour them in this manner they shall be killed even by the word of their testimony There was never any person or people that dealt cruelly with the deare servants of the Lord but the hand of God found them out The Psalmist speaking of the glorious conduct of the children of Israel through the wildernesse by the powerful hand of God saith He suffered no man to doe them wrong he reproved KINGS for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed nor doe my Prophets no harme Psal 105. 14 15. There might none hurt or injure they might not harm nor persecute the anointed ones of God for the Lord had sharpely rebuked Kings for their sakes All the woes and calamities all the judgments and confusions that ever came upon Kings Kingdomes States or powers have been for the hurting and opposing of his people In like manner all the plagues that are this day upon the world all the War Famine Death and all plaguâ—â— are for the persecuting reviling and misusing of the Witnesses And this shall be the portion of all men of what rank quality or degree soever be they never so wise or learned be they never so great or powerful that shall oppose and hinder these witnesses in the course of their Prophesie must in this manner be killed Fire shall proceed out of their mouths and destroy them they shall be tormented burnt and consumed by the word of their testimony Thirdly observe That the Witnesses Obser 3. shall prevaile against their Enemies by the word of their testimonie The testimonie that the Witnesses give forth is as fire in the bosome of al their adversaries and shall eate them out and consume them Hence it is said the Lord will slay the wicked by the breath of his lips Isa 11. 4. By the breath of Christ uttered by the lips of his people and by the brightnesse of his coming in the light and knowledg of his Saints he wil destroy Antichrist God will judge the world and burne up the earth by fire This fire of the Lord conveyed into the world by the mouths of the Witnesses shall destroy all that is before it all greatnesse and dominion all power Ecclesiastical and Civill all the forms and superstitions of Antichrist are consumed brought to nothing by this fire that proceedeth out of the mouths of the Witnesses Our late experience hath taught us that whensoever the Saints and faithfull of God have given out the word of their testimonie against whatsoever superstitious inventions whatsoever
tyrannicall powers that they have prophecyed against and cryed downe as Antichristian and wicked these have all been burnt up and consumed by the word of their testimony Wee have seene that whatsoever power greatnesse rule and dominion or whatsoever way or doctrine practice or invention have been set up in opposition against the testimony of thâ—se Witnesses that fire from the Lord hath come and destroyed them all This fire out of the mouths of the Witnesses have fallen upon all the powers greatnesse and dignities of men upon all forms of worship and invented ordinances of Antichrist and have burnt and consumed them Fourthly observe That the testimony Obser 4. of the Witnesses is of great force even while they prophesie but in sack-cloath Though these Saints and servants of the Lord prophesie in a poor weak low sad and persecuted condition their persons being slighted their testimony rejected yet their testimonie is of that vertue and power of that efficacy and force that it prevailes against the strongest powers and highest dignities in the world These poor despicable ones have such a testimony to give forth such a message to deliver that shall encounter with all the grand plots counsels and devices of their enemies yea and such is the strength and vertue of their Prophesie that the glory and excellency of man hath faded away and vanishâ—d before it Then God hath regard to the word and testimony of his poor weak and despised servants It followeth VERS 6. These have power to shut Heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will HERE we have a further description of the power of the witnesses to repay the injuries done unto them by their adversaries In the former Verse their power in generall is inserted here we have the manner how they are enabled to deale with their Enemies In which words you may observe a three-fold power that these Witnesses are invested withall 1. A power to shut Heaven that it raine not 2. A power to turne waters into blood 3. A power to ssmite the Earth with all plagues First they have power to shut heaven that it raine not In which phrase wee have an allusion to Elias of whom we have the Apostle testifying that hee prayed and it rained not for the space of three yeares and sixe moneths Jam. 5. 17. which holds a just proportion of time with these Witnesses Prophesie in sackcloath So that as Elias prevailed with God that it rained not for three years and a halfe so here these Witnesses obtaine the same power from God that it should not rain all the days of their Prophesie Now further consider two things 1. What is meant by raine 2. What it is to shut Heaven First we are not to understand this of a naturall raine but of that which is mysticall and spirituall and thereby is denoted the heavenly influences of God the sweet refreshing heavenly dewes that descend from him These divine droppings and heavenly distillings of gracious showers of grace communicated by the spâ—â—t through the Gospel of Christ are here meant by this spirituall raine Suitable unto this is that phrase of Moses when he saith My doctrine shall drop as the raiâ—e and my speech aâ— the dew Deutr. 32. 2. As if he had said My Doctrine shall drop upon your hearts to mollifie them to refresh them to make them fruitfull even as the raine and dew of heaven doth fall upon the earth to soften it to refresh it and to make it fruitfull to make grasse and flowers to sprowt and spring out of it Then the Gospel and word of Christ with all the heavenly dews of divine graces distilling and falling from God are here signified by raine Secondly To shut heaven that it raine not is to exclude all the ways and practices all the invented worships and services of Antichrist from those sweet distillings and divine droppings of that heavenly rain and dew that cometh from the Lord. The Witnesses by their Prophesie against all superstitious formes upon all invented ordinances and practices of Antichrist do hinder the heavenly dew of divine grace from falling upon it as it were shutting up heaven against them by excluding of them from the wayes and Ordinances of Christ or such as the Lord doth make use of to convey those gracious influences of spirit and life unto his people The Witnesses exclude all the worships and forms of Antichrist from having any of the light life or power of Christ in them they cast them out and reject them they prophesie against them as false and empty things as things of no value or worth and so consequently shut heaven against them that is raine not the showers of divine grace and life all the dayes of their Prophesie Thus the great power of the Witnesses is set forth by a resemblance to that of Elias who prevailed with God that it rained not for the space of three years and sixe moneths So these by their Prophesie against the wayes and practice the worships and services of Antichrist doe hinder the sweet influence of Heaven and the refreshing showers of divine grace and comfort from flowing down upon them wherby they become as light and empty as having no vertue or life at all in them they have no more Rain from heaven they wither as plants that God hath not planted as branches that have no life or sap in them In the second place these have power to turne waters into blood Here wee have another resemblance and that is unto Moses and Aaron who turned the Aegyptian waters into blood Exod. 7. 20. the same thing you have done by the hands of the Witnesses This is sutable to the effects of the second and third vials where you have mention made of turning waters into blood also Rev. 16. 3 4. So that the prophesie of the Witnesses hath the same effect with the powring â—orth of the Vials even to turne waters into blood Now as wee did understand their destroying their enemies with fire and their shutting heaven that it raine not Mystically and spiritually before so here must we understand also of their turning waters into blood Therefore consider 1. What is meant by waters 2. What it is to turne them into blood First by waters we may understand all the sweet refreshing streams of comfort strength supply and life that Antichrist did live upon as all worship and Religion all order and govrnment all peace and uniformity all doctrine and practice all these are as so many streams of water by which Antichrist is comforted and refreshed they being his very support and life The waters that the Egyptians were to drinke to live upon and be refreshed by were turned into blood so that they were like to dye with thirst both they and their Cattell So this water is the very life sweetnesse and peace that
indued with all power in heaven and earth Matth. 28. 18. Christ hath not onely propriety in the holy Citie but the ends of the earth are his possession Now all the Saints are the anointed of the Lord gathered up into that one anointed and therefore shall raigne with Christ as it 's sayd He hath made us Kings and Priests to our God and we shall raigne on the earth Revel 5. 10. The Lord shall raigne and his Chirst must raigne and all the Saints the anointed ones of the Lord these being all comprehended in the one anointed Christ these shall raigne with the Lord. As the Lord comes forth in Christ Christ in his Saints so the Saints shall ascend into Christ and Christ into the Father and so all in one they raign in the glory of God whereupon the speech of Christ shall be eminently fullfilled in Joh. 14. 20. At that day ye shall know that I am in the Father and you in me and I in you The power of God falls upon Christ and Christ becomes a quickning spirit in all his Saints that he might by his power put forth in them rule over the Nations So that we see the right of all Nations belongs to the Lord originally and to Christ his anointed and to all Saints as being the anointed ones of the Lord they all making up the fulness of the anointed one of God These have right to all the glory power riches excellencies of the earth it 's theirs they shall possesse the power and strength the riches and glory of the earth these shall raigne and the earth shall be filled with the glory of God Then there are none have right unto the kingdomes of the world but the Lord and his anointed all other are but pictures and images of government and rule their power and authority was lent them from the Lord and now he will take it againe to himselfe whose owne it is now he will cast forth the men of the earth and shake them from the seat of greatnesse and dominion and now the kingdomes of the world shall be given to the holy ones of God to the anointed of the Lord and they onely shall raigne First the Manner of Christ's raigne is that to be spoken off in the next place that Christ shall raigne in and by his Saints for they having overcome shall sit downe upon Christ's throne as Christ hath overcome and is set downe upon his Fathers throne Revel 3. 21. The Saints shall judge the world and Angels 1 Cor. 6. 2. That is they shall not onely judge poore low earthly things but things of an Angelicall and most excellent nature It 's the Lord through his Saints that shall judge the Nations with righteousnesse and governe the people with truth Psal 67. 4. 7. This glorious dispensation of Christ shall be administred by his Saints the Saints or the Lord in them shall judge the world that is they shall fust of all destroy and throw downe all confusion and disorder and afterwards save and governe the world they shall give settlement in the Nations by a right ordering of all things civill and spirituall Now as for the personall and fleshly reigne of Christ that is asserted by many Godly men whom I love and honour I shall not at all undertake either to affirme or deny that opinion but I shall say with them the kingdome of Christ is at hand I dare not say it is a far off though I cannot describe the manner of it but of the spirituall raigne of Christ which none deny I shall speake off from these foure reasons First The spirituall reigne seemes to me to be the most glorious appearance and manifestation of Christ unto his people and hence the Apostle did not desire to know Christ any more after the flesh 2 Cor. 5. 6. And therefore I believe that Christ by the spirituall manifesting of himselfe in and through his Saints will first break downe the powers of the world and then administer righteousnesse unto the earth Secondly the spirituall raigne of Christ doth most of all besuite the glory spirituality of his kingdome Christ tells Pilate that his kingdome was not of this world that is it was not fleshly or carnall but of a spirituall nature and quality Christ coming in the spirit to his Disciples did more enlighten comfort and spirituallize them then his fleshly presence did In Esa 11. 2 3. It 's sayd of Christ that he should not judge after the sight of his eyes or the hearing of his eares c. That is he shall not judge according to outward appearances but according to righteous judgement The glory of the Saints in the latter dayes shall be spirituall their knowledge spirituall their comforâ—s and joys shall be spirituall yea Christ shall raigne by his divine presence in his people of whom shall be made up his spirituall kingdome Thirdly It is by the spirituall appearance of the Lords brightnesse and glory that he will destroy Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 8. What is the word of Christs mouth and the brightnesse of his coming but the word of the witnesses testimony and the bright shinings forth of spirit life knowledge and righteousnesse in his people whereby the iniquity of the man of Sin is detected and laid open whereby Antichrist is destroyed as by fire wasting and consuming him to nothing Now by the same appearance as in his people will the Lord administer righteousnesse and goodnesse to the world as that whereby he doth destroy Antichrist Fourthly and lastly all the glory that is spoken of Christ and his kingdome that shall be in the latter age doth amount but to thus much that the Lord will eminently manifest his gracious and speciall presence with his people As in that 37 Ezek. latter end The Lord speaking of the glory he will bring upon his people saith I will Tabernacle with them and I will set my Sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore c. The Lords presence and glory shall most of all appeare in the midst of his people he shall so manifest himselfe as to be admired in his Saints So what doth all the glory of the coming down of the new Jerusalem mentioned in Revel 21. imply but onely thus much Behold saith God I will Tabernacle with men and I will dwell with them Intimating thereby that as the Lord made the Tabernacle a signe pledge of his presence with his people so now in his last and most glorious discovery of himselfe it should be by the manifestation of his divine presence in his Saints by erecting the Tabernacle of his owne spirit life and glory in the middest of them And so much for the manner of Christs reigne It followeth Sixtly and lastly we are to consider the time and duration of Christ's reigne and that is expressed for ever and ever The raigne of Christ is an everlasting raigne he receives a kingdome that cannot be shaken there shall be no end of it his
That the spirit of the Lord is the onely Standard and rule of divine thingâ— p. 15 16. Foure false rules of knowledge discovered 1. Flâ—shly wisdome p. 17. 2. Meer speculation p. 18. 3. Externall forme p. 19. 4. Historicall knowledge p. 20 21. Foure true principles of divine knowledg whereby we come to know the truth 1. By the Spirit p. 22. 2. By divine impressions p. 23. 3. In Jesus p. 24. 4. By trâ—â— Conformity p 25. 3 Ob That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his presence with his people even in the darkest saddest times of Antichrist's reigne p. 26. 4. Ob That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him p. 27. 5. Ob That the Lord doth accept of none to worship him but such as serve in his Temple and offer upon his Altar p. 28. 6. Ob That the true Saints of God have alwayes been measuring of divine things p. 29. From verse 2. we have 1. The outward Court explained p. 31 2. The outward Court rejected p. 32 3. The outward Court given to the Gentiles as their portion p. 34 4. The holy City is trodden under-foot by the Gentiles p. 35 5. The time of forty-two monâ—ths explained and compared p. 36 37 38 Observations from the wordâ— opened 1. Ob That all externall formes and professions of Christ without life and power are but shaddows p. 39 40 41 2. Ob That the true Temple Altar and worshippers of God are not to be measured by outward things p. 42 3. Ob That the outward forme of divine things is given for a time into the hands of Antichrist p. 43 44. 45 4. Ob The best use that Antichrist doth make of the holy Citie is to trample upon it p. 46 47 5. Ob Antichrist hath his prefixâ—d and limitted time in which he shall reigne p. 48 6. Ob That the shapes and formes in which Antichrist comes forth in to act his part are various and changeable p. 49 50 The spirit of Antichrist discovered in four particulars 51 52 53 54 The forme of Antichrist opened in severall shapes p. 55 56 1. In the forme of a Dragon p. 56 57 2. In the shape of a Leopard p. 58 59 3. In the appearance of a Beast with two hornes p. 60 4. In the shaddow of an Image which the Beast causeth to be set up p. 61 Those that up the Image of the Beast discovered by six Characters p. 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Antichrist flies out of one forme into another p. 69 70 In verse 3. we have the mysterie of the wiâ—nesses in six things opened p. 70 1. The witnesses are enabled to prâ—phesie 1. From God originally p. 73 2. From Christ immediatly p. 74 The meanes by which the witnesses are impowered to prophesie 1. By the word p. 75 2. By the Spirit p. 76 2. The title of witnesses here given and why p. 77 3. The number of the witnesses and why they are called two p. 78 4. The office of the witnesses is to prophesie wherein we have two things 1. What it is to prophesie explained in three things p. 79 80 81 2. What testimony the witnesses give forth 1. Against the seed of the Serpent p. 82 2. Against the power of the Beast p 83 The Saints testifie against the power of the beast by holding forth 1. The prophesie of Christ p. 83 84 2. The Priesthood of Christ p. 85 3. The kingdome of Christ p. 86 87 5. The forme and state of the witnesses in sackcloth explained in three things p. 88 89 6 The duration of the witnesses prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixtie dayes opened p. 90 91 Observations from the words 1. Ob That none can give forth a testimony of Christ but such as are impowered thereto by Christ p. 92 2. Ob That all those that hold forth the truth of Christ opposing Antichrist are Christ's faithfull witnesses p 93 3. Ob That the witnesse of the Saints is a sufficient testimony p. 94 4. Ob That the whole bent of the witnesses prophesie hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Christ against the falshood of Antichrist p. 95 5 Ob Those that have been most faithfull unto Christ and his truth have been most rejected of the world p. 96 6. Ob That Christ hath alwayes had a people to beare witnesse of his truth even in the saddest and darkest time of Antichrist's reigne p. 97 From verse 4. we have 1. Various opinions concerning the two witnesses p. 98 99 100 2. A full and positive description of the witnesses p. 101. The two olive trees as representing Christ explained in 4 particulars from p. 102. unto p. 109. The two Candlesticks as representing the Saints illustrated under 4 heads p. 111 112 113 The ground why Christ was represented by two olive trees 1. From his two-fold nature p. 115 116 117 2. From his two fold dispensation p. 118 119 120 121 The reason why the Saints are called two Candlesticks 1. They give forth an earthly testimony p. 123 124 2. They give out a heavenly testimony p. 125 126 127 Christ and his Saints are joyned in one and give forth one and the same testimony as is shewen in foure particulars p. 128 129 130 131 Observation from the whole That all the Saints and faithfull servants of God are his witnesses p. 132 133 134 135 In verse 5. we have a relation First the harmfull carriage of the enemy towards the witnesses p. 136 1. By restraining their persons p. 137 2. By rejecting their testimony p. 138 Secondly the witnesses defence by the fire issuing out of their moâ—ths 1. What is meant by fire p. 139 2. How it destroys the Adversary p. 140 Observations from hence 1. Ob That the Adversaries of Christ are alwayes ready to hurt his witnesses p. 141 2. Ob They that goe about to hurt the witnesses or hinder them in the course of their prophesie shall not goe unpunished p. 142 3. Ob That the witnesses shall prevaile against their enemies by the word of their testimony p. 143 144 4. Ob That the testimony of witnesses is of great force even while they prophesie in sackcloth p. 145 In verse 6. we have a threefold power given to the witnesses p. 146 First to shut heaven that it raine not where we have explained 1. What is meant by raine p. 147 2. What it is to shut heaven that it raine not p. 148 149 Secondly to turne waters into bloud where we have opened 1. What is meant by waters p. 150 2. What it is to turne waters into bloud p. 151 Thirdly to smite the earth with all plagues wherein we have 1. The agreement between the seals opening and the Trumpets sounding and the vialls powering forth p. 152 153 2. The seven vialls opened together with the seven seals and the seven Trumpets from p. 155. unto p. 169. Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the testimony of the witnesses against the wayes and practises of
2. Now from this phrase of dropping we may argue that both Moses and Ezekiel had their prophesie from the Lord. For looke as the clouds from whence raine descends to mollifie the earth and to cause grasse and flowers to spring have not their water originally and natively in themselves but from the Sea and moistned places of the earth exhal'd and drawn up by the heat of the Sun so have not the Prophets a spirit of prophesie whereby they of themselves are able to discover divine mystery and revelation but it is drawne out of a full sea of that excellent knowledge and wisdome that is in God himselfe Then the Prophets must of necessity receive their message originally from God himselfe But Secondly They receive prophesie mediatly from Christ unto whom the Lord hath committed the whole administration of all things concerning his Church and kingdome And we have that passage 1 Sam. 3. 21. The Lord revealed himselfe unto Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. By the word of the Lord is here meant Christ the eternall word by whom the Lord doth reveale himselfe as in Joh. 1. 18. So that Christ is brought in by way of mediation as by whom the Lord should reveale himselfe Suitable unto this is that passage in Genes 19. 24. The Lord rained upon Sodome and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven The Lord raining brimstone by the Lord is meat that the Lord did administer judgement by Christ as Mediator Christ is here brought forth acting in the office of his mediatorship though according to his divine nature he acts immediatly from himselfe without such dependance or subordination yet I say as Mediator he receives from the father and so communicates what he receives unto his Saints Thus you see from whom these Prophets receive power to prophesie and that 's from the Lord himselfe First from God originally Secondly from Christ as Mediator Secondly by what meanes the Lord doth thus impower these Prophets and that is first by his word Secondly by his Spirit First It is by the word that these Prophets are enabled to give forth their testimony Christs Commission to his Disciples was to preach the word Matth. 28. 19 20. And Christ is sayd to ride prosperously on the word of truth Psal 45. 4. John beares record of the word of God Revel 1. 2. The Saints were slaine for the word of God Revel 12. 11. This word is the sword that proceeds out of Christs mouth Revel 1. 16. The word being called the sword of Christ imports that it is full of efficacy and power of great force and prevalency discerning the thoughts and subduing the imaginations of the heart This is that spirituall weapon whereby the Saints are able to encounter with their enemies and to overcome the evill one to testifie against Antichrist Secondly by the Spirit which gives life and power unto the word The Gospel is called the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. because the Spirit joynes it selfe with the word and makes it a quickning and powerfull word And therefore it is that Christ saith My words are spirit and life Joh. 6. 63. Christs word doth not go forth as a dead thing but as a quickning power not as a killing letter but as a powerfull spirit So that the word cannot be separated from the Spirit nor the Spirit from the word they both joyntly concur and agree in one The word is the habit or clothing of the spirit and the spirit is the life and power of the word by these meanes namely the word and spirit are the witnesses impowered to prophesie Secondly the title given unto those that testifie against Antichrist they are called witnesses This appellation is given to Christ being called the faithfull witnes Revel 1. 5. And the true witnesse Chap. 3. 14. Likewise he was promised to be given as a witnesse to the people Isa 55. 4. Therefore he tells Pilate that he came into the world to beare witnesse of the truth Joh. 18. 37. In like manner are the Saints called Witnesses as being called forth to testifie of the will minde of God before the world Thus it was sayd of John Baptist that he was sent as a witnesse of the light Joh. 1. 7. And to him meaning to Christ gave all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10. 43. The Saints that suffered for Christ suffered for the witnesse of Jesus Revel 20. 4. There is one place where by the Prophet both Christ and the Saints are brought in as joynt witnesses where the Lord speaking of his people sayth Ye are my witnesses and signifying of Christ farther saith And my servant that I have chosen Esa 43. 10. So that as Christ doth receive a message from the Father he doth truly and faithfully give forth his testimony as appeares in Joh. 3. 32. So also the Saints that receive his word and declare their testimony of his truth do set to their seal and witnesse of the truth as it is in Jesus and doe give forth testimony thereof before the world Thirdly The number of these witnesses and they are two Some say that there are onely two eminent persons here meant not exceeding the number expressed Others that thereby are meant the two Testaments so make the Scripture to be the witnesse here spoken of or else two in regard of their types which are presented to us by paires as Zerubbabel and Joshua the two anoynted ones and Moses and Elias that caused fire to come downe from heaven Also Moses and Aaron by whom the water in Aegypt was turned into bloud as we shall understand more in the sequell Or more especially they are called two witnesses in proportion to the Law that would not take an accusation unlesse asserted by two witnesses Matth. 18. 16. So here because there shall be a sufficient testimony given forth against Antichrist by the faithfull witnesses of Christ they are called two as most compleat and answerable to the Law Deut. 17. 6. Thus you have their number they are two Witnesses Fourthly Their office and employment follows They Prophesie Now in that they are stiled Witnesses and doe Prophesie wee are to consider two things First What we are to understand here by Prophesie Secondly What is the testimony they give forth By Prophesie wee may understand three things First to prophesie it is to foretell things to come to declare things that shall come to passe according to that saying in Esa 42. 9. Behold former things are come to passe and new things doe I declare before they spring forth I tell you of them Now though this be chiefly meant of Christ yet it is foretold by the Prophet as being first revealed to him So that prophesie is a dlvine prediction or a foretelling of things to come by a heavenly revelation Secondly to prophesie sometimes is meant of understanding the mystery of prophesie or of such things as are forespoken of as to open and declare the mystery
Suitable unto the head are all the members The righteousnesse and sanctity of beleevers doth much excell the excellency and righteousnesse of the first Adam even as gold doth excell other mettals Gold is the most solid pure and durable mettall of all other by which is represented the sound pure and everlasting grace holinesse of the Saints they are not made up of drosse or any earthly excellency of the first Adam but of the pure and undefiled of the precious and permanent of the divine and heavenly nature and righteousness of Jesus Christ Thirdly These Candlesticks are meant of the Churches and Saints of God in as much as Christ is sayd to walke and appeare in the middest of them Revel 1. 13. Christ by his divine presence with his Saints doth teach guide and uphold them and by his wisdome providence and power doth mightily preserve them in the middest of feares and dangers As the Candlestick of it selfe is not sufficient to give forth light no more can the Saints shine forth in heavenly brightnesse but as they receive all their light and shine from Christ who is to them as oyle to the lampe and by his owne spirit life and light doth cause them to shine forth in spirituall happinesse and glory Fourthly and lastly the Saints as Candlesticks hold forth the light and glory of God before the men of the world Thus the Apostle doth exhort the Philippians that by sincerity and holinesse they would shine forth as lights among the perverse sonnes of men and therefore saith That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the Sonnes of God without rebuke in the middest of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as light John Baptist was sayd to beare witnesse of the light Joh. 1. 7. And therefore called a burning and a shining light Joh. 5. 35. His doctrine was as a fire burning and his conversation as a light shining among all those he was conversant with alwayes giving forth an ample testimony of Christ bearing witnesse that he was the true light enlightening all that by him should come into the world Thus we see who are meant by the two Candlesticks the Saints of the most high who receive oyle into themselves and as gold they appeare in righteousnesse being by Christs presence continually fed with the constant supply of grace whereby they shine forth as glorious lights alwayes being ready to give forth a testimony of the grace and truth of Christ before the men of the world In the third place having shewed that Christ the great and faithfull witnesse is resembled by the two olive trees emptying oyle out of himselfe into the Churches signified by two Candlesticks whereby they become the anointed ones of God standing before the Lord of the whole earth and beare witnesse unto the truth Now it next followeth that we shew why they are called two olive trees and two Candlesticks But first why Christ is called two olive trees And that 's in two respects First From his two fold nature Secondly From his two fold dispensation First Christ is called two olive trees in respect of his twofold nature namely his humane and divine First Christ according to his humanity tooke on him the very ranke nature and quality of men as the Apostle testifieth that he tooke the forme of a servant and was sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the similitude and shape of men subject to mans passions and every way a right man fin onely excepted and hence it was that he was called holy harmlesse and separate from sinners 1 Pet. 1. 19. The Apostle relates to the Paschall Lamb which was so conditioned it was behovefull that Christ should be man and also that he should be perfectly holy and righteous and so become a competent and fitting Saviour for sinning soules and lost sinners It was most requisite that t here should be some suitable analogy and proportion between him that lost all him that recover'd all that as Adam was of the earth so Christ also should take upon him the same forme that so ou◠nature might suffer in him and he by his death should offer up a sufficient sacrifice to make a full expiation and satisfaction for his people in respect of sin past present and to come from the guilt and hainousnesse whereof the Saints being wholly acquitted and free'd their soules may be comforted and refreshed Secondly Christ according to his divine nature is God the onely begotten the image of the Father the altitude and summity of all blessednesse and glory In this respect he is the Summum benum the chiefe and soveraigne good the top of all felicity and happinesse Christ is that fountaine from whence all goodnesse flows and the ultimate and last end unto which all things tend for by him and for him of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 36. And God tells Moses that his Name is in him Exod. 23. 20. Gods name is God himselfe for God's name and attributes are his very essence So that Christ according to his divine nature is full of all excellency and perfection he is the beginning and the ending the Alpha and Omega he is the good and the end concentring in one he is most compleat in himselfe and hath the fullnesse of all things So that as the soule lookes upon Christ in flesh as one most suitable for a Mediator so here beholding his divine nature sees an alsufficiency of fullnesse to make a glorious supply of all wants and defects whatsoever Christ in his debasements is a familiar object for our faith being Emmanuel or God in our flesh so in the brightnesse of his fathers image and glory he becomes all blessednesse and satisfaction to our soules The soule eyeing that most absolute universall and comprehensive goodnesse that is in Christ can be contented to fit downe and acquiesse in his absolute perfection and fulnesse and say with David I shall be satisfied when I awake with his likenesse or image Psal 17. 15. Having shewed how Christ resembleth the two olive trees in his two natures The first as man appearing in our form and fashion as a familiar object to our weaknesse And secondly as God the fulnesse and perfection of all things and so yeelding everlasting satisfaction Now we come in the second place to shew also how Christ is represented hereby in respect of his twofold dispensation First By what Christ hath wrought for us in his person Secondly By what Christ works in us by his Spirit First we have that dispensation of Christ's manifested by what he hath wrought for us in his person Christ was God manifest in the flesh clothed in our nature became Emanuel and dwelt among us The Apostle saith in Gal. 4. 4. That when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Son made of a woman under the law The time designed and appointed of God is called the fulnesse of time God sent his Son out of himselfe out
word of God and despised his long-suffering in the dayes of Noah while the Arke was preparing Here that which Noah a Preacher of righteousnesse did is attributed unto Christ because Noah was but instrumentall in the businesse it was Christ in the spirit that put himselfe forth in and through Noah In like manner it was sayd that whatsoever the prisoners did in the prison Joseph was the doer of it Gen. 39. 22. because they did it by warrant leave from him or by his dictation commandement Just so Christ is sayd to prophesie all the dayes of Antichrist because his people receive their commission and power from him as managing of his cause and quarrell It is sayd in vers 8. that Christ was crucified in Egypt and in Sodome which cannot be meant of Christ's person because he was crucified at Jerusalem but it 's meant of Christ in his people his Saints being overcome and killed in spirituall Egypt and Sodome So that we sâ—e plainly that the testimony that these witnesses give forth is Christ's testimony it 's Christ in his Saints it 's the power of the most high one in his people In these respects Christ is brought in as having a share in this prophesie under the powerfull raigne of the beast From this whole verse thus opened take this one observation That all and Observ every one of the Saints are Gods witnesses The witnesses here meant cannot be onely appropriated to Magistrates and Ministers or to any two eminent persons neither are they to be restrained to those onely that suffered martyrdome in their bodies but of all Saints of evâ—ry individuall Saint of what quality or degree soever that gives forth a testimony of the truth of Christ all that doe according to their measures and abilities continually oppose the wayes and devices of Antichrist Christ the great and faithfull witnesse as the olive treâ— doth powre out his oyle of divine spirit into the Câ—ndlesticks of his people whereby they are enabled to shine as lights in the middest oâ— all the perverse generations of men and among ali the gain sayers of the truth The Propheâ— testifieth that the Lord will sinite the earth with the â—oâ— of his mouth and with the breath of his lips will destroy the wicked Esa 11. 4. The Saints of the most high have the everlasting word of God abiding and dwelling in their hears and as they hold forth the testimony thereof they are the very lips and breath of the Lord whereby â—e bruiseth his enemies and bâ—eaks â—hâ—n in pieces The Apostle doth affiâ—â—e that Antichrist shall be destroyed by the brightnesse of Christs coming 2 Thâ—s 2. 8. Now what is the brightnesse of Christâ— coming but his gloâ—â—ion rayes and bright bâ—â—mâ—s of heavenly diâ—coveries of light and truth that he shine forth withall through his people The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to consume by degrees to wast a thing by little and little untill it be consumed and come to nothing So shall the dissolution of Antichrist be by degrees by little and little even as the Lord shall be pleased to encrease and double his Spirit upon his people whereby they are enabled to testifie against the beast his image against the false Prophet and the deceiver and thus by degrees shall the man of sin be destroyed Now we perceive that it 's not onely for the wise and learned neither for the great and mighty ones to testifie of Christ or that they are those by whom Antichrist should be destroyed but it s for Saints of all degrees for every member how poore how meane soever that have received of that holy oyle from Christ the true olive tree that shines forth with the glorious testimony of Christ I say every such one is a Prophet and witnesse of the Lord. Then all those poor low and despised ones that have according to their measures and attainments given forth their testimony for Christ his truth against Antichrist and his falshood all the times of persecution as it were in the wildernesse and in sackcloth these I say are the witnesses here spoken of these are the two Candlesticks who receive a full supply from the two olive branches these stand before the Lord of the whole earth holding forth the word of truth and the testimony of Jesus in opposition to the man of sin that wicked one that son of perdition Such honour have all his Saints though in the wildernesse and clothed with sackcloth though under much persecution and trouble yet these are the Candlesticks of the Lord set by the true olive tree Jesus Christ receive of his oyle into themselves they together with Christ stand before the Lord of the whole earth and shine as lights in the world So much for the discovery of whom is meant by the two witnesses It followeth VERS 5. And if any man hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if any man will hurt them he must in this manner be killed HAving made a large description of the witnesses declaring who they are and what their businesse Now we come to shew how they are impowered to deale with their adversaries whereby we perceive the powerfull effects of their prophesie If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. In this verse consider first the haâ—mful carriage of the adversaries towards the witnesses If any man hurt them Secondly the means of defence or opposition made by the witnesses towards their adversaries fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. First the deportment of the adversary and that is expressed hypothetically or conditionally If any man c. whereby a certainty is affirmed This indefinite speech doth not imply that it should be a rare thing for men thus to doe but rather a certainty of punishment should be inflicted upon all those that should any way oppose these two faithfull witnesses If any man hurt them c. It cannot be meant as though few should hurt or injure them but rather that there should be no exception of persons amongst any that should hurt them none should goe unpunished for any exterior adjuncts or qualities whatsoever let them be of any kinde ranke or degree they should suffer for their violence offered to them The certainty of the enemies opposing the witnesses is held forth by the doubling of the phrase So Joseph tells Pharaoh that by the doubling of his dream the thing was established Gen. 41. 32. But how are these witnesses hurt by their enemies First by restraining of their persons by persecution imprisonment banishment and the like It hath been the practice of the beast continually to make war with the Saints with those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Revel 11 17. Secondly by rejecting their testimony the enemy doth not onely go about to hinder the course of their testimony but also to turne the truth they hold forth into a
the world doth enjoy and exceedingly desire Secondly To turn these waters into blood is no other then to imbitter all that sweet peace and rest the world would enjoy all those pleasant streams of union peace and delight are turned into contention and bitternesse so that the world cannot drinke them downe at pleasure they are disturbed and troubled their sweet streames are turnâ—d into blood and contention their quiet waters are disturbed by the prophesie of the Witnesses Thus we see what is meant by waters and how they are turned into blood It followeth Thirdly and lastly They smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will Here is one word to comprehend all evills that should befall Antichrist by the prophesie of the Witnesses There needeth no more particulars be named to expresse those calamities that should befal the world This doth relate to the powring forth of the vials mentioned in Revel 16. where it is said that the seven Angels should powre out the vials of of the wrath of God upon the earth vers 1. So here these shall smite the earth with all plagues that is these by their Prophesie and testimony of the truth shal pour out the vials of Gods wrath and indignation upon Antichrist and his adherents Here then take notice of the plagues that light upon the world by the powring forth of the Vials and of them consider First that there is a full agreement between the seven Seals seven Trumpets and seven Vials each one dotâ— correspond and answr to the other The opening of the first Seale the sounding of the first Trumpet the pouring forth of the first Viall are at one and the same time and so of them all they have neer affinity and relation each unto the other the opening of the Seals do occasion the sounding of the Trumpets and the sounding of the Trumpets doe cause the Vialls to be poured forth The opening of the Seals by degrees and in a graduall way are those several degrees of light knowledg that the Lord doth discover to his Saints in their severall ages of the secret and hidden mysteries of truth which contains in it selfe a perfection of mysterie as being sealed up with seven seals now gradually in every age the Lord comes forth in the discoveries and revelations of these mysteries unto his Saints The sounding of the Trumpets follow hereupon which is the outward declaration and profession of truth by the witnesses whereby they give forth a visible testimony of the truths of GOD thus revealed to them by preaching praying professing they do as it were sound forth the Trumpet of divine truth The pouring forth of the Vials are those judgments and evils that fall upon the man of sin by reason of the trumpets sounding But know that every Seal every Trumpet and every Viall wil agree together in their opening sounding and pouring forth every Seal hath its Trumpet and every Trumpet hath its Vial that doth follow So that we may not conceive that the opening of the Seals presents us with one age the sounding of the Trumpet with another and the pouring forth of the Vials with a third but that the first Seal first Trumpet and first Viall are opened sounded and poured forth in one age and the second Seal second Trumpet and second Vial in another and so they agree and goe together untill they are finished Secondly consider that the plagues that are the effects that follow upon these Seals opened Trumpets sounded and Vials poured forth are not only or so much meant of outward or temporall plagues but rather of mysticall of such spiritual judgements that should be poured out upon the head of the man of sin to destroy him not only in body but in spirit and worship whereby the very interest and cause of Antichrist shall be overthrown And now I say that these plagues and evill effects that follow the first seal are the same that doth follow the first Trumpet and first Viall so of the second and in like manner to the end Wee shall only speak of those plagues that follow the powring out of the Vials and so consequently wee include those also that follow the Seales and the Trumpets The first Viall was poured upon the 1 Viall earth that is upon the Antichristian Church and State which consisteth of of earthly worship and is made up of worldly Christians and the effects of this Vial poured out was that there fell a grievous sore upon the men that had the marke of the Beast upon them and worshipped his Image This soare is like to be incurable agreeing with that which followed the sound of the first Trumpet Chap. 8. 7. And there followed hail mingled with hlood and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of the trees were burnt up and all greene grasse was burnt up This haile and fire agrees with the Thunder which hapned at the opening of the first Seale Chap. 6. 1. All which shewes that by this Thunder this Fire and Haile together with this great sore that the life and peace the worship and forme of the third part of those that served the Beast were burnt up and sâ—â—rched they that were like green trees in shew of holinesse and zeale became as dry and withered without blossome without any fruit at all The second Viall was poured out upon 2 Viall the Sea and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul dyed in the Sea Ch. 16. 3. This is the same with the effect of the Witnesses prophesie when they turn waters into blood Sutably at the opening of the second Seal Ch. 6. 3 4. there appeared a red horse signifying blood preparing for War and death The same effect follows the second Trumper Chap. 8 9. A great mountaine buring with fire was cast into the sea and the third part of the sea became blood c. This effect presents us with the death of all the sweet comforts sweet enjoyments that the Antichristian Church did feed on all those formes of worship and service they took much delight in and were refreshed by now they are turned into blood yea like the blood of a dead man which was most deadly and corrupt in its own nature that none may drink of it but the shall dye every soule that was at rest and peace before and thought it selfe most safe and in a good condition now it languisheth gives up the ghost and dieth The third Viall was poured upon the rivers 3 Viall and fountaines of waters and they became blood c. This differs from the former where the sea or water of comfort was turned into blood those comforts they enjoyed were taken away but this third Viall is poured out upon the very spring and fountaine of all their supplies as they lost what they enjoyed so they cannot receive any more their spring and fountaine is stopped up The same judgment will be seen if we looke back to the
stability Of such an Earth-quake we reed Amos 1. 1. And the like appeared when Christ arose from the dead as it 's recorded Mat. 28 2. But here we are to understand a mysticall and spirituall Earth-quake a shaking of Kings Kingdomes States Powers Formes Goverments and the very dignities orders strengths and comforts of men The same Earthquake is meant Chap. 6. 12. And Ch. 16. 18. Thus the Lord saith He will shake the Heavens and the Earth and the Sea and the dry land all nations Hag. 2. 6. This was partly fulfilled when Christ came in the flesh the heaven of Ceremonies and shadows and of all the Jewish worship was shaken and abolished and also the earth was shaken both Sea and dry land all the whole earth was full of great commotions and ruines But this is again to be fulfilled yet once more will the Lord shake heaven and earth The heaven of Antichrists worship Church forme order and government And the earth also all those worldly powers that have engaged to uphold and manage the cause of the Beast these powers dominion authorities and states shall be shaken also Thus we see what wee are to understand by this Earth-quake the great commotions and troubles that shal even rend tear the earth in pieces all its order power government and dominion both in Church and State shall be broken all shal be turned upside down by these violent breakings forth that shal happen upon the world at the rising and ascending of the Witnesses In the third place we have the consequents of this great Earth-quake in these words The tenth part of the Citie fell and in the Earth-quake were slaine of men seven thousand and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven This first consequent in order is this The tenth part of the Citie fell Whereof we are to take notice of three things viz. what is meant First by the City Secondly by the tenth part Thirdly by the fall thereof First this City is great Babylon mentioned in Chap. 17. 5. which is meant of the whole universall power dominion and territories of the Antichristian Church and State The nations combined together and gathered into a Church worshipping the Beast and his image submitting to his rule and government this is the great City Babylon of which we have spoken already from vers 8. Though Rome it selfe hath mystically ruled over the Nations hath been the rise of abominations and therefore in some sense is meant by the Citie yet it cannot be taken so restrictively but it takes in the whole State and Church of Antichrist that is called this Citie the mother of Harlots that hath corrupted the earth with her abominations Secondly the tenth part of the Citie the principall thing here to be enquired after is variously interpreted Some would have the tenth part to be meant of the Levites part such a part as was offered to the Priests under the Law as a maintenance of the legall Priest-hood So that hereby the lot or portion of the Priest-hood the chiefest and most devoted part should fall that the tribute of Tythes on tenths whereby the Antichristian Ministry was maintained should fall and utterly be withheld at the rising and ascending of the Witnesses But by the tenth part of the Citie we may understand of the tenth part of the Nations and Peoples that were devoted to the service of Antichrist In Chap. 17. 13. Ten kingdoms give up their power and strength to the beast to serve and worship him Now the tenth part of those Kingdomes Nations or Peoples that have wholly given up themselves to Antichrist and have resigned up their rule and authority their worship and service to the Beast these are here called the tenth part of the Citie Thirdly this tenth part shall fall by with-drawing themselves from the yoake and bondage of the service of Antichrist as it 's foretold of them in Chap. 17. 16. These shall hate the whore eate her flesh and burne her with fire Those tenne kingdomes or nations that had formerly given up all their strength and power to the Beast and did formerly support Antichrist now they shall withdraw themselves again now they shall with one consent prepare themselves for her destruction For God hath put into their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and give their kingdome unto the beast untill the words of God should be fulfilled Chap. 17. 17. The Lord in justice gave over the nations to be servile to Antichrist for an appointed time untill he had executed all his cruelties and enjoyed his dominion and tyranny over them so at the end of his determined time God will put it into the hearts of the nations to consent and agree to rise up unto the destruction of all Antichristian dominion and power And though these nations shall not fully wholly thus rise up to effect this great worke to hate the whore eat her flesh and burne her with fire untill the last seale be opened the last Trumpet sounded and the last Viall powred out when there shall be a finall and totall destruction of Antichrist's power and raigne yet there shall be a tenth part of the nations that God will raise up to begin this worke God will honour some nation or nations first to withdraw their power and authority from the service of the beast and to oppose his tyranny and oppression and that at the opening of the sixt seale the founding of the sixt Trumpet the powring forth of the sixt Viall at the time in which the witnesses shall begin to rise and ascend Now these nations that the Lord shall first begin withall to raise up to oppose the power of the beast I say this nation or nations is meant here by the tenth part of the Citie For before that all Nations shall hate the whore and cast her off and burne her flesh with fire there shall be some particular nations that God will honour with the first of his worke and this is called the tenth part of the Citie that should fall not onely by withdrawing their owne power and assistance but also opposing and suppressing the dominion and power of Antichrist The second consequent followeth in these words And in the earth-quake were slaine of men seven thousand In the opening hereof it will be necessary that we consider of three things concerning those here that are sayd to be slaine First the persons Secondly the manner Thirdly their number The persons here slaine are expressed by an elegancy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The names of men put for men of name that is of power greatnesse of office or dignity of some place or eminency The Hebrews expresse men of honour or renowne by men of name Gen. 6. 4. So here names of men being put for men of name are meant men of note and quality such as are of place and dignity men of worth and greatnesse These men here slaine by the earthquake are not of the