put the late King to death So it is evident that this little horn is not a king but a State that completeth the wickedness of the State of Rome and fourth Beast Good Reader take heed therefore of this Aspinwall and all such for this is not only a matter of life and death but also of salvation and damnation of souls and know for a certain that he either understandeth not or wresteth the Scriptures as you see apparent by what hath been already spoken so that he is both deceived and deceiveth others making them serve his turn in speaking for the present time be it never so wicked Now M. Aspinwall I hope you see it is clear that you have said a wrong foundation for your Fabrick or fist Monarchy in applying those Texts to K. Charls which doth further appear Dan. 7. 24. He shall subdue three Kings and this He you say is K. Charls How did K. Charls subdue three Kings Did he ever take any Kingdoms from any It is true by Birth he was Heir to three Kingdoms and did enjoy them to the great happiness of his subjects until that unreasonable Beast Parliament violently and unjustly did wear out his people took his three Kingdoms from him and his life too And did not that Beast Parliament v. 25. Change Times and Laws And was not that Beast Parliament destroyed April 22. 1653. as ye have it v. 11 And though that Beast Parliament be destroyed in part that is as they were a Body consisting of so many men yet the Parliament men being in Gods account every one of them a Beast by himself and are called Beasts v. 12. who though their Dominion be taken away from them at the time of their dissolution yet have they their lives prolonged for a season and time fit to call them to a further account and total destruction as ye have it v. 26. Again M. Aspinwall you may clearly see your error That K. Charls was not the little horn neither are the Kings of Europe those Beasts who had their Dominion taken away when K. Charls died For where is any of those seven Kings whereof you speak that have lost their Dominion But it is evident to all That the Parliament was that Beast or little horn and that the Parliament men are those Beasts who lost their Dominion when the Parliament was destroyed Further By this also the little horn appeareth to be the last Parliament The little horn had eys and a mouth speaking great things and looked more stout then his fellows v. 8. 20. Is not the eys their knowledge by which the late Parliament pretended to see more from Scripture then any other before them So that in their own conceits they were both wiser and stouter then any former Parliament That their mouth and Votes spake great and monstrous things even such as were never heard of before in any Heathenish Assembly of State so that all Christians yea I am confident some of themselves do now abhor the wickedness that proceeded from them 1 Sam. 24. 13. And as concerning the ten horns or kings there is no judgement to come upon any of them all but only three of them namely England Scotland and Ireland for they suffer very much and according to their sufferings they shall be exalted again to reigne with their King in glory Dan. 7. 27. For as you have it v 9 10 13 14. 18. 22. By the Ancient of days there is signified Jesus Christ and by the Son of man is signified K. Charls who in regard the Lord Jesus found him faithful to the death for the maintenance of his Laws in Church and State will make him Ruler according to the promise Luke 12. 42 43 44. over all that he hath So that this Charls Stuart thus being found so just a Steward whom Aspinwall doth vilifie is indeed that wise and faithful Steward whose seed shall rule all that the Lord Jesus hath for ever and is the most High on earth Dan. 7. 25. 27. and Prince of the Host or Prince of Princes Dan. 8. 9 10 11. 25. who under Jesus Christ is the only father and begetter of the fift Monarchy and his seed shall be chief in it for ever And the Laws of England both for Church and State as it was established in his time for the maintenance of which Laws he died even that Law shall go over all the earth and shall be the law of the fift Monarchy for ever And to make it yet more clear the little horn in Dan. 7. 8. is that Beast Rev. 13. 1. that hath its ten horns also as is evident by the mark in its mouth For as the little horn had a mouth speaking great things 1 Dan. 7. 8. 20. 25. so the Beast in Rev. 13. 5 6. hath a mouth speaking great things Again the late Parliament in Scripture is called by divers names somtimes it is called the little horn Dan. 7. 8. 20. somtimes the Beast Dan. 7. 12. Rev. 13. 1. and somtimes the Whore Rev. 17. 15 16. in regard of its unfaithfulness and trechery to their King Head Father and Husband of the Kingdom And as the Beast or Where was to be destroyed with its own ten horns Rev. 17. 16. so the Beast Parliament was destroyed April 22. 1653. by the now Lord General and about ten of those horns that afore defended them for the Beast was to be destroyed without hands only by the spirit of his mouth Dan. 8. 25. Dan. 11. 20. 2 Thes. 2 8. So that Beast Parliament a raiser of Taxes was destroyed without anger without battel without hands only by the Word from the Generals mouth Whereby it is evident to all who are not wilfully blind that the late Parliament was this little horn or Beast expressed in the former cited Scriptures But as concerning K. Charls himself there was much anger and after many battels fought against him he and his followers had many hands laid upon them and then according to the Word Rev. 20 4. they had their heads cut off because they would not worship and submit to that Beast Parliament And see how the holy Spirit long before takes notice of the Nature and Cowardlyness of this Beast who as before saith of them That they should be destroyed without hands that is without so much as one Box of the ear much less then to have a sword drawn against them And yet saith that this Beast should have its deadly wound by a sword Rev. 13. 3. 14. so that but only ten of their servants came into the House and spake to them not in anger the very thought of a Sword struck them all dead so that they who about nine of the Clock came into the House looking upon themselves to be the greatest Princes in Europe before eleven went out baser then the basest of all the people insomuch that the very Boys in the streets and the most vulgar sort of people did hiss and hoot at them as at the
THE BLOUDY VISION OF JOHN FARLY Interpreted by ARISE EVANS With Another VISION signifying peace and happiness Both which Shew remarkable alterations speedily to come to pass here in England Also A Refutation of a Pamphlet lately published by one Aspinwall called a Brief discripton of the fifth Monarchy Shewing That the late Parliament was that Beast mentioned Rev. 13. that this Representative is the Image thereof and that the fifth Monarchy will shortly be established in the Person of CHARLS STEVVART Printed in the Year 1653. THE PREFACE WHen the Lord sent Moses to the Children of Israel which were in Egypt he gave him two signs to shew before them that they might believe told him that if they would neither believe the voice of the first sign nor the voice of the latter sign then that he should take water out of the River and pour it upon the dry land and it should become bloud Exod. 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Beloved friends I have written two books sent them forth in print as two signs to the English Nation and those in power do take no warning by them And now also this book is going forth to shew that the water of their River must be turned into bloud I said in my Petition to the General dated the 16. of the last May that I would not willingly turn water into bloud nor publish that bloudy Vision mentioned in the aforesaid Petition which signifieth that we must have a bloudy War again and that Right must have Right though thereby all must be turned upside down again But now it must not be as I will I must publish it or have no peace to my Soul the Lyon hath roared who will but fear The Lord God hath spoken who can but Prophesie and publish in the Palaces at Ashdod Amos 3 8 9. 10. 11. the great judgement coming upon it from the Lord of Hosts for the Lord God hath sworn by his holiness That lo the days shall come upon you that he will take you away with hooks and your posterity with fish hooks Amos 4. 2. Then will you say Oh that we had believed ARISE EVANS and taken advise by his Books and Petition as many of the Kings party now mourn and tell me the very words that I told them 19. years ago blaming themselves for that they had no more regard unto the words then spoken by me which now they found to be true by wofull experience yea and some of your late Parliament men expressing their grief now do wish that they had considered my words and been perswaded by me but alas too late repentance is nothiug worth but like that of Esau and Judas onely brings despair Heb. 12. 16 17. Matt. 27. 3 4 5. for as the Tree falleth so it lieth Eccles. 11. 3. Therefore while the AX is laid to the Root of the Tree it is the best time to save it Matth. 3. 8 9 10. so before the judgement over take men it is the best time for men to do righteously and thereby escape the wrath to come Good Reader I hope I shall be clear from the bloud of this generation and leave them altogether in excuseable for why they have had more warning from me then ever any had that I was sent to speak unto for when I spake to the King and his party If they had asked me whether I had spoken any thing by way of Prophesie before that time Surely I could have said nothing to it then which might have been any ways sufficient to convince them because that I had not before that time been sent of God to any for to declare such things But now it is evident how I was called of God and sent to them and upon their neglect was sent to the Earl of Essex and after that to the Presbyterians and then to the late Parliament God confirming my words with as many signs as was required of me and also fulfilling the same always in their due seasons So that if this people now shall likewise refuse to hear me who have had so many witnesses to shew that God is pleased to declare his determinate will by me they of all others will be the least excusable for disposing me and so the least capable of mercy For have they not known how God by me declared the most remarkable things that befell these Kingdoms since the Wars began How that 20. years ago I declared the things which befell the late King and that I suffered 3. years imprisonment for the same How I declared to the Earl of Essex 7. years before he was General that he should be the peoples General against the late King Have they not known how that in the year 1646. I declared the downfall of the Presbyterians and suffered two moneths imprisonment for that also How I declared in the year 1651. That the Kings Son would come to England long before he came to Worcester his succes likewise How I declared to the late Parliament many times that they should be destroyed long before their dissolution And have I not declared to them in the last moneth of May that King Charles will come in victoriously this year 1653. and had they not a sign to confirm it according to their own chusing and desire Which sign was that if it did rain more or less 7. Sundays then next following successively they would believe my words And did it not rain accordingly for seven Sundays together as many thousands who observed it can witness although it was in the very drought of Summer and that there was scarce any rain all the other week dayes besides Also many other signs were given by me to several persons divers times in several places to confirm the truth of those things therefore to God be the glorie of all Neither was there any remarkable ingagement of late days either by Sea or Land since the people began to inquire of me but God was pleased to reveal by me the event thereof Surely if these men were either faithfull or sensible they might see the minde and will of God by these things but they are dead Ephes. 2. 1. They will not see Isai 26. 11. Isai 42. 18. 19. 20. But still say unto me Job 21. 14. depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways And now as concerning you ye murmuring people that meet every Munday in Black-Friers Church ye fast ye pray ye preach and complain that God doth not hear your prayers and ye crie to God that he would send the spirit of Prophesie by some one or other to let you understand the things to come yet ye cannot see them now when God sheweth you all these things by me his poor Messenger which are made known unto you by thos truths in my aforesaid books called the Voice and the Eccho and as in the last of them I said to the late Parliament about a moneth before they were dissolved that
their prayers were answered of God by those my books and that if they did not believe what I said and do the same speedily that God would send them strong delusions and bring sudden destruction upon them Isa. 65. 12 24. Isa. 66. 3. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 10 11 12. so I say unto you now that if ye will not be answered by the same things of God in my aforesaid Books God will likewise send you strong delusions and bring sudden destruction upon you for your contempt of his truth in not believing it ye cry against the late Parl. because they cheated the people of their monies and blame also these men now of Westminster as you call them for treading their steps and not calling the other to an account for all the injustice they did alas do ye think that these or the like men will ever call them to an account Nay we must think these will rather be more chargeable to the people then they were For do ye think that such mean men raised to such high places who not having means of their own sufficiently to maintain their greatness will not have it out from the people over whom they have now the power and command And will they not raise their children friends and relations to all places of profit Truly it were a shame for them if they did it not and I am confident that if ye were in their place ye would do no less although the Countrey should still suffer by it yea and its like to suffer untill the King Nobles and Gentry of England injoy their rights again for they having great revenues of their own by which they are able to bear such places of Authority and govern the people at their own proper charges Therefore I say unto you if ye would have men in places of lawfull Authority that are not self-ended and covetous why do not ye bend the strength of your prayers for CHARLS your right King and his party that they may enjoy their rights again And then ye may be sure that he will call your late Parliament to an exact account for all those monies ye speak off and ease the people of their heavy taxations and doubtless ye shall prevail with God in prayer for him and have all your desires accomplished I beseech you to consider the difference between this State-Government and a Monarchy Queen Elizabeth had Wars with Spain and Wars in Ireland and also assisted Holland all which was done with her own revenues and without any Taxations from the subjects but now where are the Crown Lands What 's become of the Bishops Deans and Chapters Lands and Delinquents Estates and many other things that are gone I know not where And do ye think that the people are ever like to be eased from the abundance of Assessments and Taxes whilest the great revenues belonging to the Crown are gone which saved the people from such heavy and continual Taxes and by which large revenues Queen Elizabeth did such great things and yet left behinde her abundance of Treasures So that you may clearly see that there was a great part of the Kingdome juggled away from the Nation by the late Parliament when the new State was set up because what was the Kings was theirs for the saving of their own goods bearing their charges and so was the Church-Lands also appointed to ease the people that they should be free from being at charge to pay those that were the Chief rulers of the Church and took care for their Souls And now if ye would have God to hear you why do not ye hear him by doing justly to the King and Kingdom that righteousness may run down as a River Amos 5. 21 22 23 24. or else all your seeking of the Lord will be in vain for if ye will still have your prayers granted according to your own sense and will that is for you to prevail kill and slay all that will not submit to you then the Lord will shew your folly to all the World And do not you boast as some of you do that ye have had the Spirit of Prophesie these seven years that your Armies over-coming their Enemies is the fruit of your prayers Alas it is but your pride for it was Gods decree to deliver his people into your hands for a time to punish them for their sins and he revealed it unto me 20 years ago that your party should prevail as they have done and then come to a miserable end as I have declared Thus ye may see that it is not your spirit of Prophesie which you deceiving your selves do imagine to have nor yet is it the fruit of your prayers that hath done it for if ye had never opened your mouthes such things had come to pass you shall see within a short time that God will deliver you into the hands of his people to be utterly destroyed and all your Prophesying and praying shall not deliver you in that day Then leave off sacrificing to your Calf for it is no more then if the Egyptians should have sacrificed to their false gods for giving them power to overcome the Israelites and keep them in bondage but God had shewed to Abraham long before that his seed should serve the Egyptians Gen. 15. 13. 14. and when the time of the Israels deliyerance came then neither the Egyptians nor all their gods could keep them one day longer Exodus 12. 40. 41. so likewise the Babilonians might have gloried as you do and attributed their success to their own parts or to the power of their gods when they had overcome Israel but they were more modest then so And knew very well that they could not detain them any longer then God had decreed whereby you see that they in the very nick of Gods time set down by the Prophet Jeremiah 2 Chron. 36. 21 22 23 Ezra 1. Did send them home and restore all which was theirs to them aagain Here I have taken an occasion by the way to speak a word also to Mr. Feake Mr. Simpson and others of their party meeting in Black-Friers not doubting but when God shall arrest them saying 1 Kings 21. 19. hast thou kild and taken possession in that place where King Charls and his people lost their bloud in that very place shall thy bloud be spilt even thine and set their bloudy deeds to Cry unto their Consciences saying we are thine we will not leave thee untill thy Judgment come then their courrage will be abated and they shall know that they are not for the Interest of Jesus Christ as they falsly affirm But are for the Interest of the Devil who was 2 murtherer from the beginning John 8. 44. 1 John 3. 8. and when Nathans Ridle is opened unto others saying thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. 14. For thou hast given great occasion to the Papist to Blaspheme saying these are the works of such as would be altogether Ruled by the
wayne and their voice which said behold take notice of the Moon signifies the Comet or blazing Star that appeared in December 16â—2 near the 7 Stars which Star or Comet doth presage the dissolution of this present power speedily also Judg. 5. 19 20. Job 38. 7. 31 32 33. Amos 5. 8. And whereas you saw a sign post with the sign of the Moon to it and of the sport of bloud that appeared upon it and overspread both it and the skey by the sign of the Moon is signified that when this Parliament is destroyed they will make an Image or a representation of the same Parliament and in that divisions will break out into bloud which will overspread the Kingdom more then ever it did Joel 2. 31 32. Rev. 13. 14 15. Psal. 55. 9. And whereas you saw a man sitting by the picture of the Moon with a light like a candle in his hand and another man coming to him with a candle unlighted and lightning it at the other mans candle and so depart and then the man sitting by the picture of the Moon his giving thanks to the spectators Is signified that a great Commander at this time of division shall be hard put to it and be forced to issue forth a Commission to one that shall help him and he will be very gratefull unto such as shall discover the treachery and plots that are intended against him Psalm 132. 17. Isa. 24. 13. And whereas you saw a Chariot with milk white horses coming out of a Court hard by you and the Chariot all of fire so that you fled before it and could have no place of safeguard and that another Chariot came against it That signifies that the King and Court interest now begins to be violent and hot on foot again prevailing notwithstanding there is another Chariot or power coming against it which will meet in London streets so hot that all will in that day be forced to shut up their shop-windows and doors for fear so that he which is without doors shall not finde a place wherein to hide his head Isa. 21. 6 7 8 9. Amos 9. 11 12 13. Isa. 24. 10. And whereas you saw a street on your right hand in the which you thought to escape but found it beset with a multitude of men and that he which came foremost had a Tortch lighted in his hand before whom you fell as a dead man yet your remembrance was perfect and he having compassion on you calls to you takes you up blows in your cars to see if that would revive you but seeing it would not do doth pronounce that you must be washed in bloud and after you are washed you are revived and follow him The foremost man signifies the King who shall enter his Kingdom at this time and in compassion lovingly shall send forth his Declaration and proclamation to his people But they will not come in to him nor stir no more then you did when the man call'd to you took you up and blue in your ears then seeing that he must do it the King will resolve to proceed with Fire and Sword to wash the Kingdom with bloud then the Kingdom will come in to him and he will prevail Judges 7. 16 19. Thus by compulsion he must draw his people after him Song 1. 4. And whereas you saw that you came into a great Church where men washed all the posts with bloud It signifies that God will now avenge himself on such as have destroyed defiled and robbed his sanctuaries I mean Cathetheral Churches and other Churches and things dedicated to Gods service Insomuch that God will for that cause require the bloud of those who are guilty of these Crimes to satisfie his hot indignation and to cleanse his sanctuaries with bloud for if the Lord Jesus was so sore offended with those that sold Doves for the sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem and so zealous for it that he would not suffer any to carry a Vessel through it how much more is he offended with those that so highly abused robed and destroyed the Christian Temples builded for him to be worshipped in Mark 11. 16 1â— Joh. 2. 14 15 16. Jer. 50. 28. Jer. 51. 11 51 52. Malach. 3. 9. Rom. 2. 22. And whereas you saw your self departing out of the Church and as you were at the door heard the rushing of a mightie winde with noise of Chariots clattering together with beholding of men armed in multitudes and sumptuous spacious buildings It signifies that in the Citie of London there shall be great busling troubles and most terrible fightings in all parts thereof at this time Jer. 23. 17 18 19 20. And whereas you saw that as you returned again and found another way to go out of the Church you were burthened with a bundel of blown bladders which vanished from you as you went saving onely three remained By which is signified that the Parliament men whose winde have voted these mischiefs which are come upon this Kingdom and the vain professors who have executed their votes and never had any thing of truth in them but rather delighted themselves with their vain wicked windy and fruitless notions now all such will be troubled and get together being assured that they shall now be called to an account for their works yet thinking to do some feats by raising Armies to preserve themselves but they shall be cut off in the bud one after another as they are about it except three that will escape 1 Cor. 4. 19 20. Hos. 12. 1. Tit. 1. 16. James 2. 20. Matth. 12. 35 36 37. And whereas you saw three bladders remaining and that one of them was a very little one and the other tâ—o verie great ones but especially one surpassing in greatness and that these became too earthen pots which by degrees diminished as you went foreward then the voice that said to you go apace and after your coming to a place where there was a stop that you could go no further It signifies that three Parliament men one that hath been the greatest actor in these times the other hath acted much but the third very little These three will get two flying Armies and being persued will diminish untill at last they get into some strong hold from whence happily they may make their peace Judges 20. 45. And whereas last of all you heard a voice saying that there will not be left the worth of a half pennie of all this sight It signifies that of all the riches and glorie that the Parliament and their party seem to have got there shall not be left unto them the worth of a half penny Jer. 15. 13. Isa. 61. 6. Isa. 21. 16. This is the Interpretation of your first Vision which indeed is a terrible one and I could wish withall my heart that if it be possible it come not to pass But rather that God would be pleased to pardon the sins of this Land and to give them grace to
the King as also John Lilburn and divers others rewarded for their services all which fell as commonly the enemies of Israel fell by the hand of their own party Judges 7. 22. 2 Chron. 20. 22 23. And as concerning the Churches how many men have been slain and hurt whilest they were in obstructing the work about St. Pauls Church How were those men cast down mained and spoyled when they went about building a Preaching place for the Anabaptists in the stone Chappel thereof What became of the Lord Brook that grand enemy of Gods Worship when he thought his armour inpenetrable how was he smote in the head from the Cathedral Church at Lich-Field as Goliath was by David I Sam. 17. 4 5 6 7 49. I have said little in comparison of what might be said in this matter but if I should say all that can be said yet they would not regard it Psal. 28. 5. for they are blinded with their prosperity in the War though they may know by the things visible against them that one days loss now will keep them under for ever and that day is not far off for it is with them as David saith Psal. 55. 19. Because they have no changes Therefore they fear not God And as Job saith they prosper and the rod of God is not upon them Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy waies Job 21. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. But ye that hope for deliverance are to consider that by your manifold afflictions ye are corrected to refine you that ye may be made holy 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. and more innocent then Doves more wise then Serpents Matth. 10. 16. more precious then the gold of Ophir Isai 13. 12. Malach. 3. 17. The end which God hath in afflicting you is to bring you to such a condition And then the Assyrian the rod of his anger who thinketh not to cut off a few Nations shall be burned Isa. 10. 5 6 7 16 17 18 19. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psal. 125. 3. and the family of David that is the Kings friends when they sin God will correct them with the rod of men 2 Sam. 7. 14. 15. Psal. 89. 32 33. for God makes his rod most usually of wicked men by which he corrects his children therefore say not that there is no hopes but rather comfort one another look upon Portingals deliverance did not God reveal it afore-hand unto them even by a poor Cobler that could not write a word but got little Scool boys to write for him who Prophesied many remarkable things that came truely to pass and among the rest he Prophesied that in 1640. they should have a King in Portugal again Although the King of Spain for this cause sought by all means to prevent it yet when the time came Notwithstanding the set year was far spent they considering that none of the poor mans Prophesies had ever yet failed but that all had been truely fulfilled they were thereby so much the more imboldned so that God stirred up the Spirits of the Nobles and Valiant men of Portugal and smote the Souldiery with terrour that as it were in a moment the King was set on his Throne And suddenly had all the strong holds throughout the Land surrendred unto him and there was not three men kill'd in the quarrel Then why may not God do as much for England Or why may not those ten Valiant Commanders that took the Kingdom from the late King CHARLS and according as God had decreed gave it for sometime to the late Parliament or as it is in Scripture language to the beast Rev. 17. 12 13 17. And then afterward according as God did put in their hearts to destroy the very same Parliament take the Kingdom again from them as you may see how it was done Rev. 17. from vers. 12. to the end of the Chapter I say why may not God now also move the hearts of the said ten Commanders to give the Kingdom to him whose right it is I mean the present King CHARLS Ezek. 21. 27. We say and it is a proverb among us that if a man lie in a ditch and cry God help me and not use his own ability to get out he may lay there and perish But if a man call to God for help and withall do what he can to help himself surely God will help him for if you understand your selves when you say God help us It doth not argue that God shall do all and you nothing but it doth argue that God will help you in what you go about to do and that if you put too your strength God will strengthen and prosper you therein when your actions be right good and lawfull and that especially in the fulfilling of his word For there is nothing more easie then to fullfill a Prophesie because God is assistant to them and active with them that do it How was God with Josuah to incourage him 2 Kings 9. Josuah 1. How was God with Jehu with Josiah with Nebuchadnezar with Cyrus Yea good Josiah must die for going out against Pharaohn-echo King of Egypt who had a command from God to go against the King of Assiria 2 Kings 23. 29. 2 Chron. 35. 20 21 22 23. And what great rewards did God give them that fulfilled his word 2 Kings 10. 30. Isa. 45. from verse 1. to verse 15. 2 Chron. 36. 22 23. 1 Macchab. 2. 55. How prosperous were the late Parliament against the late King Why because it was Prophesied he should fall how prosperous was the Independents against the Presbyterians Why because it was Prophesied that they should fall how prosperous was the Army against the late Parliament and how easily did they dissolve it Why because it was Prophesied they should fall how easily did the Portingals set up their King Why because it was Prophefied of before Then why cannot they as easily set up the King as they did dissolve the Parliament And why even because the word is gone forth for it Isa. 55. 10 11. For there is no word gone forth against them as yet notwithstanding all the muttering of their false Prophets against them It is to be considered also what a heavy judgement befell those Nobles of Israel who searched the Land of Canaan that when they came back perswaded the people that there was no hopes of getting that Land and that it was but in vain to go up and fulfill the Lords word by possessing it Genes 15. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. for all those Nobles died immediately of the plague before the Lord Numb. 14. 36 37. And because the people gave ear to their perswasion the Lord would have destroyed them all had not Moses stood up and besought the Lord for them yet for all that the Lord would let none of that generation go up into the Land of Canaan save Caleb
Babylon must fall And from the rules of Astrology it is very evident that that Prophesie will be fulfilled ere time put a period to this Eclips which will be before the expiration of the year 1656. howsoever if this publick ruin should at this time escape them I am very confident that Italy and Rome shall be in great distress and often troubled with tumults and uproars Indeed Sir I am glad of your conversion if it be real yet your sentence here is very sudden against the Pope and Hierarchy of Rome and to account of it as Babylon is very harsh from you that was a little before so much for it But this I tell you in love that your words ought to be one and the same constantly and desire you to take the advise of the wise man Eccl. 5. 9. 10. Winnow not with every winde and go not into every way for so dothithe sinner that hath a double tongue be stedfast in thy understanding and let thy word be the same I remember a story of a man that dwelt in a little Town he was counted weather wise and his common custom was when he arose in the morning to go along the one side of the street saying to the people as he went to day will be a fair day and when he came back again on the other side to say to day will be foul weather whereupon they thought he had some skill for he had always as many for him as was against him So you Astrologers now use many words both for and against so that something must needs be true that you say But he that is moved and acteth by the spirit or direction of Astrologers or goeth to them to have his Nativity cast and to know the event of his Fortune is a meer naturalist appointed unto wrath 1 Thes. 5. 9. It Is usual for Theeves to go to Cunning men or Astrologers who tell them that their fortune is to be hanged therefore they take such evil courses as brings them to that end as I have heard many of the Theeves when I was in prison say they had been with the Cunning man who told them their end was to be hang'd therefore they would steal and not work yea and others that go to them though they be of great quality and they tell them of great things that they shall do yet commonly they tell them also of an unhappy end too But when did any Astrologer speak of a Martyreâ— death For those that go to Astrologers forsake the direction of Gods spirit and therefore God will forsake them for God is said to forsake his people because they had regard to such things Isai 2 6. and God sends spirituail Babylon to her Astrologers that predict for her and promise her that she shall not fall to see if they can save her who answer that they must fall with her as you may see at large by comparing Isai 47. with Revel. 18. And as I said before that Jerusalem hath a daughter called new Jerusalem Rev. 21. 2. who hath onely the spirit of God in his Ministers for her direction Babylon hath a daughter Isai 47. 1. Called spiritual Babylon and Sodom Rev. 11. 8. Who persecutes the Ministers of God and will not be directed by them But by Inehanters and Astrologers for all that are unlawfull Preachers and bring false Doctrine are Inchanters and Witches Gal. 3. 10. And in the primitive times those that went preaching without a lawfull call and were neither sent from Christ nor his Apostles were beaten by the Devil And as those that used curious Arts and were converted even Astrologers and the like knowing how inconsistent and disagreeable it was with the Christian Faith they burned their books that they might use such arts no more Acts 19. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19. so I say it is hard to judge wheather those that take upon them to foretell things by the rules of Astrologie be Christians or not for they are condemned as men contrary to the spirit of God both in the Old and New Testaments and as you said in your first Almanack that it was a strange thing to see Mr. George Wharton come forth in an Almanack so I hope you will leave to study Astrologie and shew your self in some other way that may be more acceptable to God and beneficial to his people which for your Souls health is the desire of your friend ARISE EVANS A REFVTATION OF A PAMPHLET lately published by one ASPINVVALL ENTITULED A Brief Description of the Fift MONARCHY MR Aspinwall I shall not contradict you in that there is a fift Monarchy to be expected in this World and that it will shortly appear But in what you say as concerning K. Charls though I be the least of the flock by the assistance of Gods Spirit I hope to confute and drive you away and make it appear that you are a venemous Asp pulling your Pine out of your Wall on which you hang all your glory and that your Asp-pinewall will down For I am sure that you are beside the mark concerning K. Charls in that you condemn the just and justifie the unjust and though you huddle up a great many Texts to make your matter good and to blind the Reader yet it is clear that you lay a wrong foundation and err in applying of those Texts to K. Charls For if K. Charls be one of those ten horns or kings as you affirm him to be the last of them then he cannot be the little horn as you unjustly assert him to be seeing the Texts alledged by you Dan. 7. 8. 24 prove that the little horn is not one of those ten for the little horn cometh up after the ten horns and plucks up three of them by the roots The words are plain in the Vision it self v. 8. I considered the horns and behold there came up among them another little horn before whom there were three of the first horns pluckt up by the roots Here it is evident that the little horn is none of the ten which is yet more plain in the interpretation of v. 24. And the ten horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings that shall arise and another shal arise after them and he shall be divers from the first and he shall subdue three Kings Neither is the little horn called a King in all the Scripture but He shall be divers from the first and he shall subdue three kings giving us to understand that the little horn is an enemy to kings as a thing of a contrary being or differing in nature The little horn is also called a Beast v. 11. And as the fourth Beast is divers from the other three who were true to their heads both it and the little horn are alike adversaries to kingly power as you see The State of Rome clipt and turn'd out the Emperour from his superiority So in a more barbarous manner the State of England turn'd out and
fully known for a necessity is laid upon me and wo is me if I do it not 1 Cor. 9. 15 16. Now I proceed further concerning the late Beast Parliament which though it be destroyed according to the word of God yet it liveth still in its Acts and the same One that did destroy it commanded to make a Representative or Image thereof And he the Lord General had power to give life to the Image of the Beast Parliament which Image is this present Parliament as they call themselves that the Image of the Beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed And if you look upon the manner of the dissolution of the late Parliament by the Lord General and his Councel and upon the continuing of their Acts still in force as they were before by which the late Parliament seemeth vet to live and upon the manner and calling of this present Representative or Image of them a Representative being but an Image like somthing that it doth represent as the Image of a Man Beast or whatsoever else as also upon the manner how these had their power from the Lord General as he gave them authority life or spirit to act and compare all these particulars with Rev 13. 3. 11 12 13 14 15. and you shall find that this Scripture was so really fulfilled both in the manner of the Lord Generals destroying of the late Parliament and his setting up of this as if he had purposely set this very Scripture before his eyes and taken it for his absolute direction therein he not erring one jot in the performance of the substance thereof Hence you see both what the Beast is and his Image in the next place I shall shew you what the mark of the Beast is and what is the name of the Beast and likewise the number of his name Rev. 13. 16 17 18. 1. Concerning the Mark of the Beast it is a word abused For they call as I proved before the height of wickedness godlyness and that is the mark For saith the Author of the Grand Politick Informer Upon the seventh of Iuly 1653. it was Resolved That no person should be employed or admitted to publike service but such as this Representative should be first satisfied of their real godlyness saith he This word Godliness will shortly become the mark of the Beast Indeed there is a god of this world 2 Cor. 4. 4. which many expound to be the Divel and there are those who account that godiyness which is most contrary thereunto 1 Tim. 6. 5. and such such as put light for darkness and darkness for light Isa. 5. 20. Now if we enquire who is a godly person after their account It will appear to be such an one as hath broken his faith to God and man or one that is a robber murtherer false swearer or hath been or is an approver of all the bloody Actions of the late Beast Parliament So that this sort of people are their godly persons and this pretended godlyness is the mark of the Beast as the Apostle describeth them sufficiently 1 Tim. 6. 3 4 5. 2 Tim. 3. 4 5. and bids every true Believer withdraw himself and turn away from such as from the most dangerous people to converse withall Whereby it is evident that this pretended godlinesse is the mark of the Beast which they that will be gainers in this Weal Publick of England must needs have else they shall not be preferred trade or prosper in these times Rev. 13. 16 17. And now having shewed you what the mark of the Beast is viz. a pretended godlinesse next in order I shall through Gods assistance shew you what the Name of the Beast is and the number of his Name Rev. 13. 16 17. He that will have any preferment from these people or gain by them must acknowledge them to be the States of England or the Commonwealth of England or the Weal publick of England for if he call this the Kingdom of England and stick to that ancient name he shall be cast off as one that hath not their stamp and have nothing to do in matter of office or way of profit from them Rev. 13. 16 17. And I find that it cannot bear the name of the Commonwealth of England since the Election of a Parliament was taken away from the Commonalty or generality of the People and that a publike Party excludes all the rest and sets up a Parliament But I find its proper name to be the Weal publike of England For the word Commonwealth is excluded long ago from a Weal Being so that none but those in publick places do prosper Therefore I say it is not the Commonweal but the Weal publick of England And I find the number of this name The VVeaL pVbLIke of EngLanD to be 666. for the numeral letters of it are these DLL 600. LVV 60. VI 6. so that in all they come to 666. There is also another name no less proper both to the late Beast Parliament and to this Representative which is its Image in regard the people did and do so much Idolize them by their petitions to them and their esteem of them otherwise more then ordinary Rev. 14. 11. so that they way be called Englands Idols which word Englands Idols in the ancient Welsh or Brittish language is Delwau Lloiger and I find the numoer of this name Delwau Lloiger to be 666. for the numeral letters of it also are these DLL 600 LVV 60. VI 6. so that in all they come likewise to 666. Now the words of the Scripture that declares the number of the Beast are these Rev 13. 18. Here is wisdom let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred sixty and six Now it remaineth that I should speak somthing of this Man for it is the number of a man saith the Text This Title a Man is a note of Eminency which signisies a man of God 1 Sam. 2. 27. 1 Chron. 13. 1. or a man of a thousand Eccles. 7. 28. so that from Rev. 13. 18. mav be observed that the man expressed by these words for it is a man is such a man as carrieth a divine Majesty with him So that I must needs infer from those words that the Apostle John means here a justified man a man opposite to the Beast though in the number of their names they partly agree And know that in the new Testament none is called The man of God but only a Bishop 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. And we may gather also from the same Scripture and the scope of the Apostle Pauls words to Timothy when this Bishop and man of God is to appear which will be in the last days 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5. 17. when men break forth into rebellion against God and his Church and certain it is That