there were slain of Nobles c. 3000. Revel 11. The great whore of Rome betrays these holy Witnesses into the hands of his Butchers in his Slaughter-house of Trent These cut out their tongues and suffer them not to speak in those known Languages wherein they had wrought wonders These put out the eyes of the Scriptures and so cast them into the streets of their great City These bind the Witnesses with their cursed Decrees of Trent and of Pope Pius the 4. 1564. and then cloyster them up in their Monasteries Convents and there wrest them at their pleasure Apoc. 11.10 And they shal rejoyce over them and make merry c. because these two Prophets tormented them c. And after three years and a half the spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet And the tenth part of the City fell And there were slain of Names of men 7000. Thus run these grand Enemies of Truth exactly parallel in their Actons and are therefore design'd to the like ruine I shal not further enlarge upon this verse save onely on the latter part of it a little and were there no other ground to evince the truth of what hath been delivered this passage would abundantly satisfie that the Witnesses are none other then the holy Scriptures for these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth And what is it that hath power to torment the consciences of wicked men on earth but the Word of God this and only this being the engine of the spirit tormenteth them that dwell on the earth Heb. 4.12 For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts No wonder if earthly men rejoyce and make merry at the overthrow of such opposites as these At the hearing of the Word Ananias fell down dead Foelix trembled the Officers that came to apprehend Christ fell backward to the ground and by this Word shall wicked men be judged and therefore no marvel that Antichrist and his Adherents should exalt rejoyce be glad and send gifts one to another when these blessed Witnesses that have so tormented them are overcome and suppressed The eleventh Vers And after three dayes and a half the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them that saw them Three years and a half they continued in a dead letter suspended suppressed prohibited by Antichrist and after this in despight of all his Thunderbolts the spirit of life from God entred into them being translated into many common Languages about this time and amongst the rest into English yea the Papists themselves at Rhemes seeing the multitude of people depart from them and embrace the Scriptures were at last constrained to translate them also though in a corrupt manner and with most abominable Annotations upon them yet even from hence did many a precious soul draw life and salvation converting that into Honey which was the bane and poyson of others and it is wonderful to me that at this very exact time both this and many other Translations of the Scriptures should come abroad in the open view of the world Pref. Rhem. Test Sect. 1. Compared with title page Fulk cont Mar. Epist Dedic received and countenanced by many Christian Princes to the great fear and terror of their Enemies who saw them thus raised from the dead But as yet they ascended not into Heaven only they were raised and lived and stood upon their feet that so in every thing they might resemble the Lord Jesus their Fountain who after his Resurrection stood also upon his feet on this Earth fourty days before he ascended up to Heaven so these having stood a proportionable time upon their feet not in that glory they were to have but in expectation of it The twelfth Verse And they heard a great voyce from Heaven saying unto them Come up hither And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies beheld them That the two Testaments are the Witnesses and that they were overcome lay dead and rose again as hath been declared I have good ground to be confidently assured of but how long they stood upon their feet before they ascended up into Heaven I am not so clear in yet if I may deliver what my serious thoughts grounded upon fair probabilities prompt me to I shall declare namely the great voyce calling up the Witnesses is this present famous and renowned Parliament of England which I believe for sundry reasons First The Scriptures never appeared in their true lustre splendor and glory since their suppression till now that this blessed voyce hath called them up to the Throne where these Worthies sit Secondly They ascended up to Heaven in a cloud of much trouble wonderfull Commotions and violent oppositions Thirdly Their Enemies beheld them and would gladly have pulled them down which they endeavored by all possible industry policy and violence and to their perpetual shame be it spoken they never beheld them but as Enemies King Prelates Papists and the whole rabble of Cavalliers restless in their spirits from the first ascending of the Witnesses into Heaven to this very day The thirteenth Verse Fourthly And the same hour was there a great earthquake Which certainly cannot be forgotten the whole Land yea the three Nations trembled nay which of the Kingdoms of Europe were free from Commotions so great was the Earthquake this same hour of the Witnesses ascension Fifthly And the tenth part of the City fell Great Brittain the tenth part of Romes Dominions had long before separated from Antichrist in Doctrine but never fell from Rome totally till now we kept close to her detestable Discipline till this happy Parliament the joy of Saints the honour of Christ Now the day breaks and shadows fly away down go Crosses Altars Images away pack Surpless Service-Book Organs and the whole bundle of Popish Superstitious Ceremonies Sixthly And in the Earthquake were slain of names of men seven thousand Arch-bishops Diocesan Bishops Chancellors Commissaries Deans Chapters Arch-deacons Ordinaries Prebends Sumners Choristers Parrators Parsons Vicars Curats Clarks and I know not how many names devised by Antichrist He that shall diligently consider the particular persons in this Land distinguished by these and such like Babylonish Titles will finde no less a number then seven thousand all slain in this terrible Earthquake Seventhly And the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven The late terrible Earthquake that great Commotion wherein the seven thousand names of men were slain did so affright the rest of the long Robe that they were glad to change their names and their clothes and instead of that of Parson Vicar c. to call themselves Ministers of the Gospel and get into the Parliaments
power in which after he hath reigned with his Saints a thousand years in full beatitude such wonderful Changes will ensue as will make a ready entrance to that great change when changes shall be no more 1. 1 Cor. 15 2â— Rev. 20.7 Vers 8. As first Satan shall be loosed for a little season wherein he will so bestir himself in all quarters of the Earth exciting his vassals that have gladly served the Saints this thousand years to shake the yoak from off their necks which they as his sworn servants shall readily yield to and this will produce 2. The second Change which will be the combination of these his Instruments whose number is as the sand of the Sea and in confidence of their great strength they shall surround the beloved City think by their huge multitudes to devour it at once but how little does this trouble the Saints within all tears were wiped away from their eyes long ago they know not what belongs to sorrow or trouble for the Prince of peace and Author of eternal felicity is among them if they can hurt him they may harm them but both being above the reach of these poor deluded creatures they are only making way for their own eternal ruine for while they are thus besieging the Camp of the Saints 3. The world is fired about their ears Vers 9. 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 20.11 12. with it themselves are devoured and this produceth the final conclusion of this great day for now 4. The Lord is seated in his great white Throne before whom the Earth and the Heaven vanisheth 5. Then shall the dead smal and great be raised stand before his great Tribunal upon his left hand as so many cursed goats Math. 24 32. vessels of wrath fitted to destruction where they shall receive the final sentence of eternal condemnation which is a perpetual separation from the presence of Gods love to be tormented with reprobate Angels and men the objects of his wrath and fury to all eternity oh what will they do in this estate of eternity oh that they would now consider of it Why are not the sinners in Sion now afraid Isa 33.14 why doth not fearfulnes now surprise the hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who among us shal dwel with everlasting burnings 'T wil be in vain then to cal to the Mountains Rocks for a hiding place 6. But the Saints are securely hid in the great Rock and sure Refuge of his people who are long since acquitted by vertue of their marriage with the Kings Son Ephes 5.27 2 Pet. 3.14 who now presents his Spouse pure spotless a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing and so having also justified them before Angels and men he makes a free surrender of his Office of Mediator with his purchased Spouse into the hands of his and our Father 1 Cor. 15.24.28 who is the eternal infinite Ocean of that fulness of happiness 1 Joh. 3.2 1 Cor. 13.12 which we must and well may admire but shal never fully understand till we come to see him as he is know him as we are known O thou infinite Ocean of transcendent sweetness for this Jesus sake whom thou so deerly lovest raise up thy Saints by the divine influence of thy eternal Spirit to such a heighth and eminency of faith zeal love holiness and all heavenly qualifications that we may be able to comprehend with all Saints Ephes 3.18 19. what is the bredth and length and depth and heighth and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulness of God to behold thy blessed face in that day with joy Come Sions sons with Sions songs Psal 145.45.14 15. Attend your Royal King Joyn consort in coelestial throngs Rev. 19.6 â— His wondrous reign to Sing Heark Virgins that 's the midnight cry Mat. 25.6 The Bridegroom is at hand With burning Lamps full vessels by Verse 10. Stand lovely Virgins stand That 's he who with ten thousand Saints Jude 14. In those bright clouds appears Dan. 7.10 We joyn so cease all sad complaints Rev. 1.7 1 Thes 4.17 All troubles toyl and tears Isai 56.19 Now like his glorious body we Phil. 3.21 Shall all be fashioned Rev. 7.9.14 With Robes and Crowns of Majesty As Kings be furnished Thus to Jehosaphats fair Vale Joel 3.2 11 12. We with our King descend Where vanquisht foes faint feeble pale Psal 72.11 Must at his Throne attend The day is come Micah 4.1 the Lord must reign The Saints must judge the world Dan. 7.27 Satan confin'd Rev. 20.2.19.20 his cursed train Into confusion hurl'd Rom. 8.19 20 21 22. The groaning creature from that snare Which long entangled them Set free Isai 56.26 with Saints in glory share Of new Jerusalem Acts 3.21 These sweet refreshing times Acts 3.19 O Lord From thy sweet presence spring Psal 16 11. With hearts and voyces Saints accord Rev. 11.17 Thy glorious reign to sing What remains then Rev. 11.16 but that all the Saints who expect this appearance of our Lord do with the four and twenty Elders fall down and worship God Vers 17. saying We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great Power and hast reigned For this work this wondrous work Isai 52.9 10. is so certain that the Spirit of the Lord presents it like many other Prophesies as already done Great ground of rejoycing is this to Saints as it is ground of terror and vexation to the wicked there 's not more sad news in the world then this to the ungodly this will be a dark day to them according as it follows for I shall but name the rest The eighteenth Verse And the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that fear thy Name smal and great and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth Here the portion of the Saints is far different from that of the dead and earthy-minded men and therefore there must be different returns from them While then the Nations are angry at the wrath and judgements of that Lord whom they have so much sleighted let the Prophets and Saints and them that fear the Name of the Lord exceedingly triumph for the time is at hand that they shall be superaboundantly rewarded for all their pains and labours of Love and Charity for all their reproaches scorns and affronts that the world hath cast upon them for all their sufferings and cruel mockings and all manner of persecutions for it is to them that the following words pertain The ninteenth Verse And
certain rule for his Subjects to walk by till his second Personal appearance denouncing Anathema to all such as shall presume to prescribe any other rule or pretend any voyce or vision revelation or inspiration beside or against this sure word of Prophesie Here we see the transcendent excellency and unparallel'd Dignity of these glorious Witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ upon this sure foundation we are built to this sure Word we do well if we take heed it being the Character of a truly blessed man to make these testimonies his delight Psal 1.2 and to meditate herein continually abominating the Witchcrafts Sorceries and cunningly devised Fables of such as come with all plausible sweet affable carriage and mild pleasant behaviour lieing in wait all the while to deceive with inticing words smooth as oyl saluting the Lord Jesus Christ with a Hail King of the Jews thou art most excellent the chief of ten thousand full of grace are thy lips pleasant yea most lovely is thy voyce all thy odours are fragrant therefore the Virgins love thee and the like expressions Here 's a beautiful cup indeed who would dream there should be any Poyson in it But amongst all these heavenly truths comes up secretly one little horn or a beast having two horns like the Lamb but he speaks like the Dragon bringing in such an expression as this as he finds a fit opportunity when he hath pretty well wrought upon his Auditory Oh saith he of Christ thou art the most glorious Creature in heaven or earth who would not run after thee who would not be ravisht with thine excellency thou chief among all the Gods c. And now hath many a filly fish swallowed this pleasant bait hook and all and little dreams of a foundation here laid to destroy the divinity and eternal diety of Christ and to make him a Creature-God These Jesuitical Principles are plainly detected in some that would go for Gospel preachers in these daies whom the Lord Jesus whom they thus dishonour will shortly consume with the breath of his Nostrils and utterly destroy with the brightness of his comming except they repent But to return having cleerly as I conceive proved the holy Scriptures or two Testaments to be the two Witnesses of Christ or the two Olive-trees spoken of by Zachary and John I descend to the other conclusions mentioned as Secondly That the Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints which in Zechary's time was but one National Church of the Jews and therefore by him said to be but one Candlestick but in Saint Johns time they are sometimes called two Zech. 4.2 Rev. 11.4.1.20 1 Cor. 14.33 sometimes seven that is many several Congregations of Saints springing from the Lord Jesus Christ the Root of the Olive tree or the bowle of the Candlestick being daughters of that heavenly mother Jerusalem that is above 〈…〉 .26 Ephes 3.15 Hebr. 12.22 or the whole family in heaven and earth the general assembly and Church of the first born the several congregated Churches in Gospel order as so many Branches of this great Candlestick which also are themselves called Candlesticks growing and increasing by the heavenly Artifice of those Instruments that Christ hath designed for this building till we all come in the unity of the faith Ephes 4.13 and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ and this is the Catholique or universal Church and not any other Churches neither National Provincial or any other devise of Antichrist have the least appearance in the Gospel save only I say those particular congregated Churches which are planted together in the likeness of his death Rom. 6 5. being as so many similar parts of this universal Church of Christ his compleat glorious body Thirdly The two Branches of the two Olive-trees are the Doctrine and Discipline of the Churches these two are the Rod Psal 23 4. and the staffe with which the Lord did lead and feed his servant David and when the abominable wickedness of those Idol Shepheards which he placed over his ancient People was ripe for destruction Zech. 11.7 the Lord himself pittying the Flock that had escaped the slaughter of those wicked Shepheards takes his beautiful staff of Doctrine and his ruling Rod of Discipline and with these he feeds the poor of the Flock till by their ingratitude and high provocations Acts 13.46 rebelliously rejecting the tenders of Grace and the word of Salvation they so exceedingly incensed the Lord against them that he takes his beautiful staff of Doctrine and cuts it asunder and it was broken in that day when the dreadful word was uttered Lo we turn to the Gentiles Now was the Doctrine of salvation which they had so long slighted and abused hid from their eyes Luk. 19.42 of which the Lord Jesus had warned them with strong cryes and tears as pittying the obstinacy of this his People Indeed there remained yet among them some external forms and shadows a body without a soul a Lanthern without a Candle The rod of Discipline or staff of Bands was not yet broken and this they rested on crying The Temple of the Lord The Temple of the Lord but as they regarded not so the knowledge of the most High was departed from them and at last a total rejection and absolute exclusion of this rebellious people by the Lords breaking his other staff of bands and this was done by the destruction of that Temple they so much trusted in and so grosly abused by Prophaness and Idolatry Thus was the prediction of our blessed Lord fulfilled by Vespatian and Titus fourty yeers after his Ascention when the Temple being fired could not possibly be quenched by any industry of man yea so eminently and remarkably did the hand of God appear against this Place and People that the heathen Titus confessed That he had only lent his hands and help to God in this work Now did the Lord give them a bill of divorce upon which they were exposed to such direful plagues and woful miseries as never befel to any People as Histories do abundantly testifie Mat. 24.21 according to the Scriptures And thus I have delivered what I apprehend to be the sence and meaning of the two Branches of the two Olive-trees namely the Doctrine and Discipline of the Scriptures which pour out of themselves that golden oyl continually Zech 4.12 Rev. 12.6 by which the Churches of Christ are fed in all Ages Fourthly The last general conclusion from this fourth of Zechary is that the golden Pipes are the Ministers of the Churches through which the golden Oyl is conveighed from the two Olive-trees the two Testaments by the branches of Doctrine and Discipline into the Candlestick the Church to feed and nourish her Rev. 12.6 These Pipes in the second Verse of this fourth of Zechary Zech. 4.2 are said to be seven which in the
in the three Nations who had so long oppressed the Reformed Churches And I do also conceive that the third wo yet to come doth properly belong to and shall miserably torment the Antichristian Train and all prophane wicked men and false Professors who will slight and reject and contemn the voyces of the feventh Angel For the seventh Viall Rev. 16.17 which will produce this wo is to be poured forth into the common Ayr in which all the cursed brood do breath So that those who will not receive embrace the voyces of the seventh Trumpet proclaiming the Lord Christs personal Reign now at hand must shortly quickly whether they will or no receive the voice of the seventh Vial and that wil be a dreadful direful voyce saying It is Done That is all power of the Enemy is destroyed Babylon is ruined and all the Prophesies and Promises made to Saints are accomplished in this glorious coming of our King and the utter ruine of the king of pride And that which makes this voyce woful and dreadful to purpose is Math. 25.10 Rev. 18.19 with Rev. 11.19 that it is attended with that soul-confounding voyce that will reach the hearts of those fools that now slight the Gospel of Grace viz. The door is shut Mercies door is shut never to be opened any more nothing remains now but Thunders Lightnings terrible Earthquakes such as never was fierceness of wrath blackness of darkness Jude 13. wo and alas for evermore Wherefore my humble advise and earnest request is that you will diligently hearken to receive embrace and walk up to the ensuing voyce of the seventh Trumpet Ah dear friends The door will be shut THus have I endeavoured to hold forth the Light I have received by those soft sweet soul refreshing gales of the blessed Spirit concerning this deep Mystery of the Prophesy Slaughter Resurrection and Ascention of the two Witnesses With the rise raign and ruine of Antichrist which will be fully compleated in the days of the Voyce of the seventh Angel Whereof I shall now speak as of the second part of the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation The Fifteenth Verse And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever TO give an account of my judgement concerning the Seals Trumpets and Vials it appears cleer to my understanding that the opening of each Seal is the Discovery of some Gospel-light one glorious Truth after another as the day approacheth and no sooner is one Gospel-Truth made known by the secret breathings of the Spirit according to his word but presently the Trumpet sounds that is The Ministers of the Gospel publish it abroad as the Prophet speaketh The Lord gave the word Psal 68.11 great was the company of those that published it Thus did Luther upon the discovery of new Light sound such an alarum as made the Throne of the Beast to stagger like a drunken man I will not say the first Seal was opened to Luther nor that he was the first Trumpet but this I can speak that a further degree of Gospel-glory new light though the word be odious amongst some was discovered to Calvin and after him to others who as they received it presently became the Lords Trumpets to declare it to the world upon whose refusal of it the Vials are successively poured forth so that first a Seal is opened secondly a Trumpet sounds declaring the truth discovered within that opened Roll thirdly a Vial of wrath is poured forth upon those that hear and reject it but because the Seals Trumpets Vials are not contained in this Chapter I shall forbear to enlarge upon them at this time and prosecute the work of this present Chapter If we look back to the former Discourse of the Witnesses and consider the seven thousand names of men there discovered to be slain or supprest by this present Parliament and observe the sweet consent of things attending it will be no harsh or improbable Conclusion that the seventh and last Trumpet is at this instant sounding yea sounding at present such an Alarum that there are scarce any other voyces heard among watchful Saints but the Lords at hand the Bridegroom is coming The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. Which as it is the earnest expectation of all waking Virgins and the unspeakable support of many a poor dejected disconsolate drooping soul to think in the midst of afflictions temptations and fiery tryals My Lord is a coming to put an end to all my sorrows to wipe all tears from mine eyes to tread Satan under his feet to set me free from sin and sorrow and so I shall by way of improvement of my small Talent least it be found hid in a Napkin for the augumentation of the joy of every waiting longing breathing panting spirit and for the information of such poor souls belonging to Christ who are yet in the Dark as touching this great Mystery hold forth what the Lord hath entrusted in this earthen vessel of the unconceivable Glory of this his universal soveraignty In which glorious discovery I shall shew 1. That he will come to reign upon earth 2. How and in what manner he will come 3. Where he will establish his Throne at his coming 4. When he wil take his great power reign 5. The signes of his coming 6. His ends in thus coming 7. Events succeeding 8. The uses we are to make of all And if these and each of these shall be fully cleared by the pure Word of the Lord without wresting or any other subtile invention of mans brain then let all the sons and daughters of Sion with joy embrace them as intelligence and sweet tokens of love from their King and Husband whose bowels yearn whose high endeared affections are upon the wing unsatisfied with his present glory in Heaven till the fulness of time come that he may be inebriated and overcome with the soul ravishing embraces of his purchased Spouse on Earth But if any circumstance belonging to this glorious Subject shall be found wanting of cleer testimony from the fountain of truth Let it be detested abhorred and rejected as the froath and vanity of a deceived and deluded creature but to the particulars First That the Lord Jesus Christ who did ascend into Heaven shall come again to reign upon the Earth is clear from divers Scriptures Jer. 23.6.33.16 Isai 4.2 first that of Jeremiah Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute Judgement and Justice in the Earth and he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness Secondly That in Rev. 5.10 where the glorified Saints in Heaven do exceedingly exult and rejoyce not only that they are redeemed from amongst men and possest of heavenly
glory but as an addition to their felicity that they are made Kings and Priests unto God that they may reign with Christ upon the Earth For where they reign Christ shall reign Apoc. 5.10 20.4 where his Throne is erected there they are enthroned To him that overcometh Apoc. 3.21 will I grant to sit with me in my Throne c. Sing and rejoyce O Daughter of Sion Zech. 2.10 for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee the Lord. And the Lord shall inherit Judah Vers 12. his portion in the holy Land And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem Zeeh. 14.4 Vers 9. And the Lord shall be King over all the Earth in that day shall there be one Lord Jer. 30.9.33.15 Ezech. 34.33 34.37.22 24. Dan. 7.14 Mich. 4.7 Zeph. 3 17. Zech. 2.20.6.13 and his name one Many more Scriptures might be produced to confirm this Gospel-truth that the same Lord Jesus Christ who did ascend into Heaven shall come again to reign upon the Earth Luk. 19.12 But if these do not satisfie neither will credit be given if an Angel speak from Heaven or one should rise from the dead to affirm it For my own part I do not know any point of Faith throughout the whole Book of God more clearly proved then this in hand as certain as he ascended and is now receiving his Kingdom Luk. 19.11 12. so sure will he return again to reign in his Kingdom Read Psalm 72. And these and many more Scriptures do superabundantly ratifie this assertion Vse 1. What then remains on our part but first to believe this truth of his coming here to reign we can do him no greater honour then to believe his Word nor no greater disgrace then to reject and refuse so great a cloud of Witnesses of himself his Prophets and Apostles Vse 2. To pray fervently as himself hath taught us Mat. Thy kingdom come for though it is true that neither this nor any other mercy shall be detained from us one minute longer then the appointed season Yet know O house of Israel Ezech. saith the Lord I will for this be enquired of Vse 3. And thrice blessed those that are counted worthy to be the Lords Remembrancers to watch wait for and constantly expect the coming of this King of Glory Blessed is that servant Mat. whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Isai 30.18 Yea blessed are all they that wait for him Secondly how and in what manner shall this King our Christ come to reign upon the Earth First he shall come in Majesty Power Mat. 24.30 2 Thes 1.9 and great Glory not in the form of a servant not riding upon a Colt the foal of an Ass not to be laid in a Manger abused condemned and crucified but now the voyce is Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh Psal 45.3 4 8. O most mighty with thy glory and thy Majesty and in thy Majesty ride prosperously All Garments smell of Myrrh his Aloes and Cassia out of the Ivory Palaces He shall also have dominion from sea to sea Psal 72.8 and from the River to the ends of the Earth yea all Kings shall fall down before him 11. all Nations shall serve him Secondly 2 Thes 1.7 Mat. 24.31 25 31. Zech. 14.5 Jude 14. He shall come attended with all the Angels in Heaven and all his Saints that ever were now are or ever shall be never such a King never such a train Thirdly Mat. 24.27 1 Cor. 15.52 He shall come swift as the Lightning in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at unawares O dear Christians watch for your lives Fourthly Mat. 24 30 Apoc. 1.7 2 Thes 1.8 1 Cor. 3.13 He shall come in Clouds and flaming fire look carefully to your works actions and conversation for this fire will try every mans work of what sort it is Fifthly Mat. 24 30 Apoc. 1.7 He will come in view of all the world and every eye shall behold him And what wilt thou do or how wilt thou be able to look on his glorious face that canst not now endure the sight of his Saints Sixthly and lastly He will come in person with the same body that was born of the Virgin crucified upon the Cross raised from the dead and ascended into Glory only here 's all the difference it will be a Spirituall Immortal Glorious Body but the same Body If we believe that he was a perfect man and had a real Substantial Body here on earth and that he hath exalted the same Body to the right hand of the Majesty on high then certainly he shall come in person here to reign in the same Body with his Saints for proof hereof many Scriptures might be alledged I shall only produce two and they are very full and clear the first is in the first of the Acts Acts 1.11 vers 11. and it is the Doctrine of Angels which also said Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven I am even amazed that men professing godliness should have a vayl so thick upon their hearts and their understanding so wonderfully obscured as to reject the serene brightness of this impregnable Testimony The second Scripture is the first to the Thes 4.16 For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout c. 1 Thes 4.16 there needs no further proof if these two convince not what will If any shall yet continue in darkness and unbelief of this so necessary glorious truth thus measured by the line of the Word and weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary it is because there is no light in them The use that I would have my fellowbrethren to make of the personal Reign of Christ is this if ever we expect to see his face with joy if ever we hope to be sharers in his Glory at his personal coming in his Kingdom let us get a large proportion of his spirit in our hearts his personal presence will be no comfort to us then unless we are filled with his spirituall presence now Gen. 43.5 Ye shall not see my face saith Joseph except your Brother be with you Can we think of entertainment in his Royal Palace without the wedding garment the Lord make us wise betimes Thirdly the next thing to be enquired into is where this King of Glory will establish his Throne at his coming and this hath been proved already in general to be upon the earth but more particularly I affirm because the Word of truth affirms it will be in the Valley of Jehosaphat for so the Prophet Joel speaks in plain words Joel 3.2 I will also gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehosaphat and
shall not be able to stop their mouthes till toward the end of their Testimony they shall prophesie all along though it be not in that external pomp and glory wherewith Popes Cardinals and the rest of the Antichristian rable rout now flourished but all forlorn retired obscured in mournful Sackcloth yet they shall Prophesie the Temple even in the midst of the outward Court that is the Apostatized Church of Rome is given to them and even there do they worship the Lord in purity but so covertly and obscurely that they are not easily discerned especially by the Pope and his scarlet Conclave whose eyes are dazled with external pomp and glory Thus is the Virgin Spouse of Christ and her heavenly Witnesses which in the midst of Heathen Persecutions was clothed in the Royal Robes of her everlasting Husband now become an object of scorn and contempt to those wicked watch-men who what in them lay spoyled and depraved her of that heavenly simplicity and Gospel-purity she lately shined in Rev. 2.13 Now is she become the true Antitype of the Church of Pergamos dwelling in obscurity where Antichrists throne is and there she holdeth fast the Faith and denyeth not the name of her crucified Lord which ever and anon doth cost some faithful Antipas his life And here the blessed Witnesses nourish her and Prophesie against her Adversary that proud Scarlet Strumpet did so defile darken wrack wrest and pervert the holy Scriptures to uphold their abominable Idolatry and Superstition that no other vesture appear'd upon them but sable weeds of sorrowful Sackcloth and when in despight of their fond Allegories and sensual conceits these two Witnesses spake to their faces against the dreadful abominations creeping in so fast this Harlot not able to bear their reproof hating to be reformed Psal 51.17 and rejecting instruction did at length cast behinde them into secret holes and corners these blessed Scriptures of truth so that in the midst of all this Papal Tyranny which daily increased they remaind secretly nourishing the true Church even where the Beast reigned yea in the heart of his dominions the whole term of their testimony in Sackcloth viz. 1260 years during which time this is the Character which is given of the Romish Harlot Mich. Cec. contr Tyrannid Papae Mornaus Myst Iniq. Bez. quaest There were within the Papal Territories two Churches the one of the wicked sort flourishing wherein the Pope reigned the other of godly and good men and this he persecuted so that the Church was under or within the Papacy but the Papacy was not the Church Now this being clear in the word of truth that the true Church remains alive in the midst of this dead sea and is preserved like Jonah in the belly of this monstrous Leviathan What will become of that empty flourish of a vaunting Jesuite Where was your Church before Luther We see to the high prayses of our eterternal King that it was in the Ark in the midst of the great Deluge in Goshen in the midst of the Egyptian darkness in the den amidst those roaring Lyons in the furnace safe and secure in the extremest heat of Popish persecution And is now come forth of that great Tribulation as pure gold out of that fiery Tryal as a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord Isai 62.3 and a Royal Diadem in the hand of our God But who can marvel at this foolish question of blinde Papists when the poverty obscurity and simplicity of the True Church and her abstruse Witnesses is considered how could their eyes so grosly blinded with the black scales of ambition pomp luxury behold or discern such contemptible objects as the Church in her exile and her Witnesses in their Sackcloth Did not their Fathers the Scribes and Pharises grope in the same Egyptian darkness when they could not discern a Messias though working wonders even in the very midst of them their Holinesses lookt too high to behold Christ in a Carpenters coat even like His prophane wickedness who sitting in that Chayr of pestilence at Rome could not perceive the holy City under his feet nor the heavenly Witnesses in their mournful habit of both which their Predecessors and themselves are alike wilfully ignorant to this day O the distinguishing love of a gracious Father Why should not we be thus blind and ignorant shall we see the cause Luke 10.21 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight The fourth Verse These are the two Olive-trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth Mr. Mede saith Clav. Apoc. pag. 11. 12. there lieth hidden in these words an Hebraism having this signification viz. The two Olive-trees at or besides the two Candlesticks Annotat. Zech. 4.3 they are said to stand by the sides of the Candlestick or as the London Ministers have it With the two Candlesticks or Churches so that the Churches are one thing and the Witnesses feeding them another thing These two Olive-trees are plainly called the word of the Lord Zech. 4.6 not Zerubbabel and Joshua as some imagine nor Enoch and Elias as others conjecture nor Christ and his Saints as a third conceive nor Burton and Prynne as hath been confidently affirmed but all with as much show of truth as that the two Houses of this present Parliament should be them but all these conceits and all other fancies of like nature are not worth the Answer as having not the least ground or warrant in that blessed Rule that is able to make the man of God wise unto salvation others have supposed that they are the Word and Spirit And our English Prophet Mr. Brightman thinks they are the holy Scriptures and the Churches of the Saints But this may not be granted for these reasons 1. The Scriptures and the Saints cannot die one kinde of death and there is not the least appearance in the Word of any difference or distinction in their sufferings and we must be sure to keep close to the Reed that was given John to measure all true Believers by 2. The Saints cannot be said in any cleer sence to rise again three years and a half after their sufferings at the time mentioned by Mr. Brightman 3. It is evident that the Saints suffered as great misery and were as vehemently persecuted after his supposed resurrection as at any time before which were absurd and without any Scripture ground to conceive of the Witnesses after their reviving 4. Rev. 12.6 The Saints are the woman or Church and the Witnesses distinctly added for her aid succour and support in her exile 1260 dayes or years Therefore the Saints and the Scriptures both cannot be the Witnesses But some who have thought that these two Witnesses are the Word and Spirit do come nearest the truth and
after they have dealt with these blessed Witnesses as their Predecessors did with the Lord Jesus Mat. 26. with most bitter reproaches calling them a dead and dumb thing Jewel Def. Apol. p. 552. Act. Mon. p. 1133. a black Gospel inken Divinity dumb Judges c. they bring them to the stake and this was done by the Popes Inquisitors in Paris and in England where by Proclamation they were burned And yet these Monsters while they burn the Scriptures are more wicked in abusing them to warrant their detestable practice producing that blessed word Mat. 7. Give not holy things to dogs to justifie the with-holding the Scriptures from the common People Fourthly The exact time when these sacred Witnesses were overcome and killed was in the year of our Lord 1564. when after the Conventicle of Trent who as Judges in the Popes Assizes had blasphemed arrained and condemned this Word of truth Bulla Pii 4. 1564. Pope Pius the Fourth acted the part of the Executioner by his Antichristian Decree absolutely suppressing them and denouncing Excommunications against any that should dare to use them and now these blessed Witnesses having prophesied so many years in Sackcloth as their Lord and ours had been preaching dayes in the time of his flesh The power of Rome they are overcome and killed by the same power that killed him and are to lie unburied about so many years as our Lord lay in grave and some certain space of time after to ascend into Heaven in imitation of his Ascension as shall with the gracious Assistance of this Lord of life be shewed in its place By this time I hope it appears with some clearness 1. Apoc. 12.6 That the woman was no sooner delivered of the manchild Constantine but immediately through the violence of Arrian Persecution c. she flies into the wilderness in the time of Pope Sylvester Anno 308. 2. That at the same instant the sacred Witnesses began to Prophesie in Sackcloth and to feed the woman in her exile as being her only support succour and sustenance the whole course of her wilderness condition viz. 1260. years 3. That the holy City began even then to be trodden underfoot by the Romish Gentiles the mystery of Iniquity being now acting in the Chayr of Pestilence but so obscurely and secretly that it was hardly discernable at first 4. We have also seen a glimps of the excessive Pomp Pride Luxury and Cruelty of the man of sin all this dismall time of black obscurity 5. The nature of the War raised and prosecuted to the overcoming of the Witnesses as they were about to finish their testimony 6. How and when they were overcome and killed by those soul-murdering Butchers in the Slaughter-house of Trent and the bellowing Bull of Pope Pius the 4. Ann. 1564. And if we add hereunto the three years and half of their lieing dead in the streets of the great City which will be terminated in the year 1568. we shall fit from the time of Sylvester when they put on their sackcloth Anno 308. to this time of Pius when they put it off Ann. 1568 the Account exactly perfected viz. 1260 years of the womans exile and the Witnesses Prophesie in Sackcloth For it cannot be imagined I suppose that their Prophesie should cease in Sackcloth till they had ended their sufferings at their Resurrection The eighth Verse And their dead bodies shall lie in the streets of the great City which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified That is the City of Rome by whose power our Lord also was crucified under Pilate the Roman Governor through the streets or Provinces of this spiritual Sodom and Egypt are the mangled A fit Character for that Scarlet Strumpet except it fall too short in regard of her more dreadfull abominations then either Sodoms filthiness or Egypts gross Idolatry or inhuman cruelty massacred bodies of these Witnesses hurried and tumbled in a dead letter which the people understand not The ninth Verse And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three dayes and an half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves The kindreds and tongues assembled in the Conventicle of Trent having overcome and killed them Brightman saith that unless the Angel had named the Councel of Trent in express words he could not have spoken more plainly pag. 119. as hath been declared they now as assured they have taken their life and power away cast them out thus mangled in a dead Character to the people and Nations devoted to the Whore and all agree to keep them out of Graves that they may exult and rejoyce in the triumph of their victory over them Will you have a brief Character of this accursed Crew in their Slaughter-house of Trent where the Witnesses were slain Conc. Tridâ—nt pag. 840. The Councel of Trent was a meer painted Sepulchre with a beautiful outside of specious pretences Bp. 5 Churches pag. 849. nothing within but rottenness and putrefaction or as one of their own Bishops said the Councel seemed to consist not of Bishops but of disguised Masquers Images rather then men all striving to maintain the Popes inordinate and shameful domination here poyson was caroused in a golden Cup. Or to use the words of the French Queen Mother nothing but a fair appearance of Flowers without any fruit at all their proceedings being quite contrary to their expressions two thirds of the Bishops conspiring and subscribing to hinder Reformation c. In this filthy heap of mud and dirt whited over are these blessed Witnesses strangled and then not suffered to remain in this painted Sepulchre nor by the people to be finally buried they are exposed to the scorn derision and reproach of their enemies with their tongues cut out their breath stopt overcome and killed The tenth Verse And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth If you have taken notice of the dealings of the Philistines with Samson you have a picture drawn to the life of these Antichristian miscreants in their abominable practices against the Scriptures in the Councel of Trent whereat they smile to this day in their triumph of their own wits as at a Master-stratagem let us compare them together Judg. 16.19 Delilah betrays him into the hands of the Philistines They cut off his seven locks wherein his great strength lay whereby he had done such high exploits They put out his eyes and brought him down to their Great City They bind him with fetters of Brass and he did grinde in the prison house The Philistines feast and rejoyce over Samson who had vexed and tormented them After a certain time Samsons locks did grow again and his strength returned to him And he overthrew the house of Dagon And
favour for a Benefice their last refuge was the craft of the Gibeonites Joshu 9 4. if this wile prevail not they see they are undone Vers 6. and therefore say they we are not of the Prelatical Faction Vers 8. Vers 10. we are the Parliaments friends that rejoyce in the ruine of their Enemies by these and the like expressions many a crafty Gibeonite got both protection and provision But after a little time they are discovered to have only denyed their names Vers 16. but retain the natures of those seven thousand by bowing the knee to Christ whilst they lay Principles of persecution against his poor members They were saith the Text affrighted my fear is that their profession of Reformation was more out of fear then love as their persecuting Principles declare and their practises verifie but the time is at hand that our Princes who were beguiled by them Vers 19. to confer favors upon them shall cut them short of their expected flourishing Estate Yea their own designs shall reduce them to a low and mean condition For why should they be fostered in the Parliaments bosome who refuse subscription and subjection and upon the rising of every Scottish mist may again attempt their ruine and destruction But through the Lords goodness moving this renowned Parliament the Decree is gone forth for the extirpation of the vilest sort of these as the infection rape and poyson of poor silly sheep in Wales and the Northen Counties and is expected all over England Upon these grounds among others I am induced to believe that this present unparalleld Parliament is the great Voyce which hath to their everlasting honour calld up these blessed Witnesses the Scriptures to a heavenly freedom and blessed flourishing estate in the Heaven of the Saints Society And long may these Worthies sit together flourishing with true Felicity and all blessings of peace and piety and let their indefatigable labors and dear expressions of unexampled love and faithfulness to the poor members of Jesus Christ with their opposition and final ejection of those seven thousand names of men of the Train of Antichrist be recorded in golden Characters among their successful and wonderful Achievements with that excellent piece of Justice in cutting of the late Tyrant with some chief Incendiaries which shall eternize their names and make them famous by the acclamations of all true-hearted Saints while they have power to pray or spirits to prayse which also raised and with joy transported the spirit of their faithful professed servant to Pen these plain Verses upon the death of the late bloudy perjured persecuting Tyrant King The King of Kings must Reign Let every land With horror and amazement trembling stand While mighty Potentates come tumbling down As sturdy Traytors to th'Emperial Crown Great Charls of England marches in the Van Flush'd in the bloud of thousands here 's the man Whose adamantine heart could not relent Though dreadful judgements to astonishment Came thundring down but could not pierce his eare 2 Chro. 28.22 Lisle Lucas This is that King did never spend a tear Yes once he wept for two arch Traytors death Whom Martial Justice had depriv'd of breath But for the thousands murdered by his hands For all the Widdows Orphans made i' th lands For all out-ragious spoyles and cruelties Inhumane rapes and dreadful villanies Fair Towns and Cities that his rage did burn For these fell crimes who ever saw him mourn O man of mischief let me now deplore At thy sad Corps weltring in crimson gore Not for thy bloud but for those thousands slain Which die thy conscience in a scarlet grain Not that the hand of Justice does thee wrong But that their pitty let thee live so long Mans doom is past thy wife children now Shake hands with thousands in this land of wo. But what an answer will thy Conscience make At that Tribunal where the Judge will take No bribes nor Lawyers Fees where thou must stand Equal with poorest Peasants in the Land And hear this dreadful voyce Traytor appear Hold up thy bloudy hand thy judgement hear Thou hast conspir'd against the soveraignty Of heavens great King his crown and dignity Not satisfied in three fair Realms to reign O're bodies and estates Thou didst ordain Laws to compel the conscience thus presuming T'uncrown Jehovah his high power assuming Thou hast polluted and prophan'd his day By Laws commanding men to disobey And those dear Saints who publisht not these laws Thou didst give up to the devouring jaws Of High-commission wolves who tear rend Imprison whip crop them to exile send Thou didst agree with Romes black complices To persecute these Saints t' a wilderness Thou gav'st the reverend stile and honour too Which from a child is to the Parent due To Romes great vicar-General nay compli'd To yield thy power to that King of pride How didst thou court embrace admire adore That queen of strumpets Romes proud scarlet whore Why didst thou wed a Romish brat could she Have gain'd thy love if thou hadst loved me There is a monstrons sin cald Patricide Art Thou not guilty At York can it be denide That dreadful Curse which Thou didst wish might fall On thee and thy Posterity withall May fill th' amazed world with awful fear And force them yield Johovah hath an ear Thou didst in words abjure Romes traytrous crew Yet who like those that very instant knew Thy choycest secrets Thou didst freely yield Power to those Irish monsters who have kild With such unheard of barbrous horrid rage Thousands of Loyal Subjects that no age Did ever parallel yet these are made Fit Instruments for thy accursed ayd Ten times ten thousand have thy furious hands Cut off in these thy three distressed lands Whereof some thousand Saints dear in mine eyes Whose precious bloud aloud for vengeance cryes Thus are thy monstrous foul detected facts Besides vast volumes of concealed acts Before th' Impartial Just Jehovah come What canst thou plead why an eternal doom Pass not upon thee Lord I leave the rest As secrets treasur'd in thy royal breast Be wise ye Kings that yet alive remain The day 's at hand the Lord alone must reign You all must bow or break for he alone Must be exalted on his glorious Throne The prayers of Saints shall make such thundring work Shall raise such dreadful storms ' gainst Pope and Turk And all their dark Confederats which shall Level their pride For Babylon must fall And you Grand Sir with your Seraglio too The Turk Must trudge to Tophet 't is prepar'd for you Thus springs the gladsom day of Saints release And so ensues an everlasting Peace The fourteenth Verse The second wo is past and behold the third wo cometh quickly And if I may deliver my judgement I think the second wo is past indeed in the slaughter of those seven thousand names of men with the death of the Tyrant and many other grand Enemies
will plead with them there Thither cause thy mighty ones to come O Lord. 11.12 Let the Heathen be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehosaphat for there will I sit to judge all the Heathen round about the Heathens must come up to the Valley the Saints must come down And it will be worth our labours to consider the rest of this third Chapter of Joel which will give much light to this truth for after the Lords Throne is thus erected in the Valley of Jehosaphat it is said that the Lord will dwell in Zion and that there shall be abundance of rich blessings there 17 18. And that for ever as long as the Moon endureth But because the Valley of Jehosaphat Psal 72. Dan 7.14 as it now is hath not capacity or extent to receive the New Jerusalem therefore the Prophet Zachary tells us that it shall be wonderfully enlarged by the dividing of the Mount of Olives Zech. 14.4 And the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West and there shall be a very great Valley For the valley of the Mountains shall reach unto Azal Vers 5 All the land shall be turned as a Plain from Geba to Rimmon 10. and it shal be inhabited in her place 11. And men shall dwell in it and there shall be no more utter destruction But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited and how should it be otherwise when the Prince of Peace shal reign in Glory in the midst of it This then is the place of which the Lord speaketh Isa 65 10. Rev. 24.4 I will rejoyce in Jerusalem and joy in my people and the voyce of weeping shall be no more heard in her nor the voyce of crying here Lord let my soul flourish with thee and thy Saints according to thy Word Rev. 3.21 Fourthly the fourth thing to be discovered is when this Lord of Glory and King of Saints will come to reign in this his Kingdom on Earth and first it is plain that it was not in the dayes of his humiliation for as he is answering his Disciples question about his coming to Judgement Mat. 24.25.6 he tells them the time of it is then when all the Virgins seeing the signs and hearing the voyce or cry Go forth to meet him coming as a Bridegroom to marry his Church that is the whole body of his Saints which will be then compleated and brought together into one place Mat. 24.28 Joh 10.16 where in the view of all the world the Marriage will be gloriously solemnized And secondly it is as plain that this Glorious Reign cannot be after the day of Judgement for then there would be a change in Heaven 1 Cor. 15.24 since it is clear that after Christs Reign and subduing of all his enemies he must give up the Kingdome to his Father Then thirdly it cannot be the spirituall Reign of Christ in that way as most dream which they conceive is now in being and that Christ will never come to Reign any other way save onely in greater purity then he doth now by his Spirit Which fond imaginations as they have not the least substantial Pillar from the word of Truth to support them so the contrary is plain and evident from the clear current of that pure fountain namely that the Lord Jesus Christ will come then and not till then to take to himself his great Power and Reign when all the signs that are to precede his coming are visibly discovered which I am sure are not yet as shall be shewed in its place Again the Spirit was given in a most glorious eminent manner far exceeding present dispensations when the Apostles Generally and Saint John more particularly waited for Act. 3.20 21. Rom. 8.23 1 Thes 4.17 Rev. 1 7. and yet expected this Glorious Personal Reign of Christ as abundance of unerring Witnesses do testifie but in special the present Scripture that I am now opening namely Rev. 11.15 which plainly declareth that the Personal * See Rev. 1.7 Reign of Christ is to begin when the seventh Trumpet is sounding at that time and not before when the seventh Trumpet begins to sound Rev. 10.7 shall this great Mystery be accomplished And certain I am that the Spirituall Kingdome of Christ was gloriously eminent before any of the seven Angels began to sound and therefore it cannot be only the spiritual Kingdom of Christ that is here spoken of and so the time is not yet in being of this Reign of Christ As therefore we must not cast off our expectation of nor our diligent constant watching waiting for this Personal Glorious manifestation on the one hand saying with that evil servant My Lord delayeth his coming and so split our selves upon the desperate rock of carnal security Neither must we run upon that other shelf of a vain ungrounded conceit that he is already come Mat. 24.23 24 25 26 27. whereof our Lord himself hath given us fair warning the Lord give us hearts to receive and embrace it It is not then the spiritual Reign which we now enjoy but the personal glorious truly spiritual Reign which we shall shortly enjoy that is the Life and Crown and Hope and Comfort of many precious enlightned Saints who have found such sweet support succour and solace from this sure Pillar of divine truth that all the delusions of Sathan in this luxurious giddy Age hath not been able to shake The ignorance of this soul-ravishing Gospel-truth is that horrible Gulph that hath swallowed up thousands who finding in the words of truth such glorious things spoken of this day of the Lord but through ignorance in this Mystery and the cunning slights of Sathan who transforms himself to an Angel of Light are deluded in their sence and all their intellectuals beleeving that Christ is come already and doth Reign already whereupon they conclude to throw away all Ordinances for say they Christ hath commanded us to use them till his coming and no longer Do this till I come hold fast till I come Occupy till I come Nay so far hath this restless spirit of error prevailed with some as to beleeve that Christ hath already Reigned that he hath already given up the Kingdom to his Father and that now God is all in all that they live in God that they are God c. And now this Prince of darkness hath plaid his part to purpose now he hath possessed them not only with a distast of Ordinances and slighting of them but now away go Scriptures Christ and all they are a lye an Allegory he a shadow a Type c. and now Sathan hath his will having deceived them so far as to deny the Lord that bought them for he well knows that there is no other name given under heaven to bring salvation but this Christ whom they thus reject and now he is cock sure of them and now they are ripe