his own infallible appearance that the time is come mens Conjectures are nothing as to move any to such undertakings And therefore I say further Had these men who believe that Christ will shortly destroy all worldly powers as great advantages against any of them as David had against Saul when he fell into his hands they would not I speak as I believe stir or act any thing meerly as having such an Advantage or Oportunity for they eye more then what men call Providence which Thieves of all sorts may pretend to Num. 23.21 The Lord God must be with them and the shout of a King among them And until the Lord of hosts muster the host of the battel Isa 13.4 those that rejoyce in his HIGHNESS will remain in their Chambers having their doors shut about them I speak not this as if there were the least unwillingness in the Assertors of the Fifth Kingdom to suffer in the behalf thereof For I am confident they are as willing as ever were Saints in any Generation to hold forth with their lives in their hands this Testimony of Jesus Christ namely 1 Tim. 6.15 THAT CHRIST AS MAN SHALL BE THE ONELY POTENTATE INSOMUCH AS ALL WORLDLY DOMINION Dan. 2.35 RULE GOVERNMENT c. SHALL BE BROKEN TO PIECES AND BECOME AS THE CHAFF OF THE SUMMER-THRESHING-FLOOR AND NO PLACE FOUND MORE FOR IT Dan. 7.14 2.7 BUT CHRIST WITH HIS SAINTS SHALL HAVE THE DOMINION GLORY AND GREATNESS UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN But what I write is to wipe off the Scandal and Reproach which some seek to fasten upon them by matching them with Cavaliers and Malignants and as if great Plots I know not what were under Consultation amongst them A thing detested as most unsutable to the glorious Cause and Interest which they profess Besides they know well enough as Christ will take the Kingdoms of the world into his own hands so when that time shall come as we hope it is not far off he will come with power enough we need not to take any thought about it For the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this Isa 9. â— Having thus far endeavoured to remove needless Fears it were well notwithstanding if the Great Ones of the world would take notice of what was hinted before That Jesus Christ is designing against them though we are not to root them out and to pull them down and to destroy and overthrow them Isai 28.22 Now therefore be not mockers lest your bands be made strong For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption even determined upon the whole earth Isai 23.9 He hath purposed to stain the pride of all glory and to bring to contempt all the honourable of the earth What greater folly in men then to take care to have the walls of their houses high and strong but no covering to it whereby to keep off hurt and danger from above and over head That BLOW which the Powers of the world may expect next it 's from above even The finger of God and therefore if they have not made it well and strong over-head strong enough to keep off the hand of God what will their Souldiers and Guards about them stead them Your Covenant with death shall be disannulled Isai 28.18 and your agreement with hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall pass thorow then ye shall be trodden down by it Isa 8.9 10. Also associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces take counsel together and it shall come to nought When fire takes hold of sticks bundled together the one rather furthers then hinders the others burning When the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty Isai 2.12 the more they combine together by Power and Policie the faster they will run and destroy one the other No man I think could have done more whether Machiavilian or Atheist then Herod did to prevent the great Designe of God when Jesus Christ came first into the world Pro. 21.30 But it would not do For there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. So a while after to hinder Christs Resurrection what could the devil have suggested as a Plot more probably to take effect then to make the sepulchre sure Mat. 27.66 sealing the stone and setting a watch But this would not do neither for Christ arose in the appointed time notwithstanding all the depths of Satan in the chief Priests and Pharisees notable Types of the Rulers and Priests of the last days Whilst some like the Wise-men are asking Where is he that is born King of the Jews and mourning with the Disciples to see him crucified in his Cause and Witnesses others with Herod and the Pharisees are taking crafty counsel how to hinder his Kingdom Power and Greatness But this will not do Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my Son upon my holy hill of Sion Neither will Christ stand to that Division and Share which these men have set out to him viz. Spiritualties for so they have divided the Government of Nations between Him and Themselves As for all outward things Crowns Kingdom Compare Luke 4.6 Power Greatness Glory Riches Laws c. this is their Share Now there is another thing which they call Spiritual or inward and invisible this they allow to Christ and no marvel for they know not how to get it out of his hands But the Prophet speaks of another Decree which is Psal 2.7 That Jesus Christ shall have all and their flesh that is their Revenues Riches Rev. 19.17 18. Greatness Power Places c. shall be given to the fowls that flie in the midst of heaven But I shall say no more as having little hope that such sayings as these will take with them For the old subtil Serpent who loves to be with them in the Garden tells them when such things come to their ear YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. Gen. 3.4 8. And here I may not forget what help and advantage Saints have by the knowledge of these things as to be kept and preserved from the Errours of the last times For what is it that doth occasion many poor souls so easily to be led aside into that NOTHING of the Quakers but their ignorance of the Visions and Prophecies of the Scriptures not yet fulfilled Hence knowing little of the visible and glorious Kingdom of Christ as the Son of man they turn all things either into Allegories or a Christ within them and so make all the great counsels and purposes of God of no effect As for this sort of people truly I love them and pity them I love them for many good things which I see in them as their honest walking and civil righteousness and for that Publike Testimony which they hold forth against the scandalous practices of corrupt men And I pity them much to see
14.9 and he shall know them For the ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them but the transgressors shall fall therein 5. To hold that some of the Vials are begun it draws such a cloud and darkness over mens eyes as it cannot but disadvantage Saints many ways For 1. Those who now suffer upon the account of the Fifth Kingdom and run not after the errour of Balaam for reward what improvement can they make of their Testimony I say how little comparatively doth it tend to If the Sackcloth-Witnesses have poured out Vials upon the Earth Sea and Fountains of waters truly the house of Austria is a business far off and the following Vials yet further and in my understanding all yeelds very little comfort to those whose present expectation is raised up after great and high things nearer home Again granting some Vials poured out but how many and when where and how here all uncertain This must needs wrap a soul into a world of doubts as what to pray for and where we are and what work to prepare for Paul saith well It is good to be zealously affected always Gal. 4.18 in a good thing For my part I sincerely speak it taking the Vials begun the more I consider where we are and what to pray for and prepare for as to present Generation-work the less I am satisfied as to have things bottom'd and well grounded But on the contrary taking the Vials not begun here methinks things are easie and plain to him that hath understanding as to the knowledge both of our Time and Work Besides for the Prisoners of hope here is that will stay them with flaggons Eccl. 4.14 and comfort them with apples For out of prison he cometh to reign The risen Witnesses are to begin the work upon the Earth-state Apostacie After three years and half which I take to be the whole time of the last State-Apostacie and the Witnesses lying so long slain that in Job will be made good Job 17.8 The innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite 6. Were this Doctrine concerning the Vials rightly understood it would awaken many carnal and corrupt Professors as Formalists Neuters Time-servers c. It is no marvel that this sort of men are so little affected or affrighted with the seven last plagues For if three of the Vials as it is commonly held are poured out and yet all things continue as they were from the beginning Why may not the later do as little as the former did Whereas did the Hypocrites and Apostates of this Age know that none of them are yet poured out and withal were they informed who will be the subjects of each Vial and what the effects this would be like thunder in their ears Alas who shall live when God doth this Num. 24.23 Now we should see the sinners in Sion afraid fearfulness would surprise the hypocrites Specially when they shall hear that the first Vial whose subject is the Earth is shortly to be poured forth upon an earthly and carnal Interest to wit the Grand Apostates of the last times described in 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4. For the time is come 1 Pet. 4.17 that judgement must begin at the house of God according to his way of old and begin at my Sanctuary Ezek. 9.6 And in taking this course all mouthes will be stopp'd Be silent Zech. 2.13 O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised up out of his holy habitation What will Rome Spain France Germany c. have to say when it comes to be their Turn to feel the weight and wrath of the Vials when they shall hear how the Lord began first at his Sanctuary namely with those had a Form of godliness but denyed the power thereof 7. Neither is the knowledge of this altogether without some use to the present Powers of the world especially such who say they believe that Christ shall have a visible and glorious Kingdom onely they differ from their Brethren in point of time It was much that Saul should tell David I know well saith he that thou shalt surely be king 1 Sam. 24.20 and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand One would think he spake not as he thought or at least not as he would have it when no sooner were the words out of his mouth but he sought by all the subtil ways he could devise how to take away Davids life that he might not be king But now to remove jealousie from men in Authority in relation to those who already cry Hosanna to the Son of David GOD SAVE KING JESUS blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord and do assert him the onely Potentate and that he shall break all other Potentates and Powers of the world and alone be exalted This Apologie I dare give forth to the whole world in their behalf I speak of those who bear witness to the fifth Kingdom That they do abhor all secret Designes and Plots neither is it in their hearts to act as men nor for men no nor to appear in the work of the Lord till they shall see one of the days of the Son of man that is the Lord eminently risen in lifting up the Standard for his People So that as they cease from man and from trusting in Chariots and Horse-men so it is belowe their Principles to provide Pikes and Muskets or any such Ammunition for they know when their time and work comes if they shall need then any such Weapons their Enemies will spare them enough as casting away all they have that they may flie the faster to Rocks and Mountains whereby to be hid from the fierce wrath of the Lamb. But whereas there is a great Rumour thorow the Nations of wonderful Actions and Changes at hand Mat. 2.3 When Herod heard these things he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him hence it is suggested as if the Assertors of Christ's glorious and visible Kingdom had fix'd a certain definite determinate Time when the Stone cut out without hands should begin to smite the Image upon his feet that were of Iron Clay and break them in pieces But this is not true Yet this we confess for we desire as our hearts are known to God so to have them naked and opened unto the eyes of all men we are of opinion That the Lord will arise Psal 102.13 and have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set-time is come The vision which was for an appointed time Hab. 2.3 is at an end and will speak The fourty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days are neer their periods and there shall be time no longer either for the Beast or other Tyrants to bear rule over the Saints of the most High But what of this Here is no ground for action for until the Lord himself make it clear and certain by
believe it but that in preaching the Word of life and opening the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ignorant and blinde world by which means multitudes were brought from darkness to light and from Idols to the serving of the living and true God Observ it is not said that the effects of the Vials shall be wrath or turn to wrath but In them is filled up the wrath of God That in this I say they poured out Vials filled up with the wrath of God I cannot so take it neither have I seen Reasons and Grounds why it should be so understood Reas 3 But thirdly Suppose it be granted there is a Vial of wrath poured out which to me sounds harshly and that Wickliff Huss Ierome of Prague Luther c. were the Angels The question then is Who before them poured out their Vials upon the earth For it is said These seven Angels had the seven last plagues signifying that there were Plagues before although for time persons matter and manner of proceeding and other circumstances unlike Besides I see no reason why some will have the pouring out of the Vials to begin at Luther others at Armachan the Irish Bishop some at Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln To me their opinion seems fairer taking the Vials for the preaching of the Gospel who carry the thing higher as Mede and others even to Waldo yea and why not further as to Arnulphus Arnoldus Brixianus c. who publikely witnessed against the Tyranny and Primacie of the Pope boldly reproved the wicked lives of the Priests and many other faithful Witnesses both of * Which was about the year 1134. that time and before If we look into Histories and Records of Nations for ought I yet see granting some of the Vials already poured out viz. in witnessing against the blasphemies and beastly vanities of Antichrist Those who assert that some of the Vials are poured out should do well to give some Reasons why they take their beginning from such a man or such a time and why not before or after there is more reason to take their beginning 6 or 700 years past then to pitch upon any person or persons of later times Reas 4 Fourthly I have not seen any reason why so much time is allowed between the first and second Vials some allow a hundred years others two From Armach the Irish Bishop to the Sweden Wars in Germany is neer 300 years Rob. Grosted Bishop of Lincoln was before him almost 100 years Again from Luther to our Parliament an 1640. was about 120 years To the rest of the Vials there is not allowed half the time and some more namely from the pouring out of the first Vial to the beginning of the second and to all the rest not half the time Truly I think this is worth enquiry Why from the first Vial before the second begins longer time is alotted then to the Six other Vials If those Vials or last plagues have an allusion to the plagues of Egypt as it is generally held then it is probable when there is once a beginning they will be suddenly all poured out * Willet from Pererius collects that within the compass of 27 days or about a month all the plagues of Egypt were finished Comment on Exod. 7. Quest. 29. Some have observed from the History in Exodus that within the space of thirty days the ten Egyptian plagues from the first to the last were executed Now if we reckon a day for a year as it is often in Prophetical Types within thirty years the seven last plagues of the seven Angels will be finished Neither is it to be doubted but a short work will the Lamb make upon the earth Rom. 9.28 when those Vials begin to be poured out Wherefore is Babylons fall set forth under the signe of a great milstone cast into the sea by a mighty Angel Rev. 18.21 not onely to denote her irrecoverable desolation but what speedy and quick dispatch the Lord will make when he calls his Angels out of the Temple Therefore shall her plagues come in one day Rev. 18.8 in one hour vers 10 17 19. in a moment suddenly Isa 47.9 11. I know the destruction of Babylon mentioned Rev. 18. is by many restrained to the burning of the City of Rome but in my opinion there is far better Ground to take Babylon there for the whole Kingdom and Dominion of the Beast everywhere And let him that hath understanding read the Chapter he shall clearly see that it must be understood of the universal Antichristian State even all that which is to be destroyed under the five first Vials Neither do I think that any of the Vials will be poured forth till the Angel there come down from heaven having great power and the earth is lightned with his glory Rev. 18.1 For it seems to me as the pouring out of all the Vials will be the great work of Saints at the time of the end so the Lord will make way wonderfully for them For they shall be enlightned and satisfied as to the knowledge of their work and time So then in short I think it is a mistake to apply as some do the fall of Babylon to the burning of Rome or as others to the * I desire this may be well observed That the fall of Babylon Rev. 18. is to be referred to the five first Vials equally Neither comes any of the 7 Angels out of the Temple til that mighty Angel descend from heaven Rev. 18.1 fifth Vial. For as I said before there are manifest proofs in the Chapter that the Kingdom and State of the Beast everywhere is to be understood and that the other four Vials going before concern also the same thing Reas 5 Fifthly Though I would be loth to detract from any but desire to have the memory of the Just blessed especially such who have born any good Testimony against the Beast yet I cannot conceive how any of the persons to whom the first second and third Angels are ordinarily applied do fairly or fitly parallel and agree with what the Scripture holds forth Certain it is none of the Angels come out of the Temple till Iohn saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb Rev. 15.2 3. All this well agrees with the description of the one hundred fourty and four thousand Rev. 14.1 2 3. But to carry these things to Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. if need were I could shew by many reasons the improbabilitie of it There is a great difference between not receiving the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name and getting the victory over the Beast
Beasts reigned Neither lastly can it be shewed in my opinion that ever the Churches of the Saints since the rise of Antichrist to this day have had occasion through any deliverance or Victory to song the Song of Moses and of the Lamb. Quest. 4 Fourthly That some of these Vials should be poured out in the preaching of the Gospel by Wickliff Husse Luther c. Others by Parliaments Armies Navies c. Though it be so taken yet I do not see any Reason for it for their opinion to me seems better grounded I mean as to order who apply all the seuen last Plagues either to the (a) I would have this thing wel consider'd why we should understand in preaching of the gospel Vials plagues to be poured out preaching of the Gospel onely or onely to temporal Judgments executed by Civil Powers But to understand one Viall poured out in a Spiritual way another in a Civil way here I desire proof as being unsatisfied Quest. 5 Fifthly That the effect of the first Viall whether by Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. poured out should no further extend then to the discovering of some particulars of the grosser sort of Idolatry as Purgatory Mass Penance Corporal Presence Praying to Saints Pilgrimages Indulgences c. with a Reformation of some people from the practice of such Corruptions Many gross Lyes and Errors of the Beast neither discovered nor reproved at the same time by the persons before named This I question because when any Viall is poured out wheresoever it falls it shall (b) That any of the vials should be like a net which holds some of the greater fish lets the lesser goe through the holes I am not of that opinion Isa 13.9 16 Ps 137.9 neither do I think that any reformation which hath been formerly in Church or State is to be brought under any of the Vials break the Kingdome of Antichrist fully and wholly I say not some part of it but extirpate all his Idolatries and Blasphemies root and branch The like may be said concerning applying other Vialls whether to the Wars of Germany or since here in England The truth is so much Idolatry and Superstition is unshaken even to this day where the Vials are said to fall as the subjects of them as I have ground to think that nothing yet hath been done sutable to the nature and effect of any Viall Quest. 6 Sixthly whereas it is said Rev. 15.8 And the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the Temple till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were fulfilled First If by smoke we understand the wrath of God inflicted upon the Antichristians for their wicked Idolatry as some do The question then is How it can be said that since the Vials began to be poured out their darkness and blindeness hath been more and greater then before But secondly If by the Temple filled with smoke from the glory of God c. the Spirit alludes to the history of the Tabernacle which in the dedication thereof was wholly filled with a Cloud of the glory of the Lord so as Moses could not enter into it Exo. 40.33 34. And to the history of the Temple which likewise at the dedication was filled with the Cloud of the glory of God so as the Priests could not stand to minister so long as the glory of Jehovah filled the house I say if the place be thus applied as most do and that filling to be a testimony and signe of Gods glorious presence and approbation Then here is signified a pouring out of the Spirit upon the Angels before they go forth as tarrying in the Temple as the Disciples did at Jerusalem untill they should be endued with power from on high Luke 24.59 Indeed this great promise of the Father concerning the sending of the Comforter to teach us all things and to bring all things to our remembrance Joh. 14.26 is by Saints now prayed for and waited for even day and night but as yet that Spirit is not (c) It is my opinion that no Vial shall be poured out until the saints have the spirit poured out upon them which was promised to be given in the last days now if we have not that spirit yet I may well conclude Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. had it not in their dayes given forth from the glory of God and from his power Neither probably shall we receive it until the woman be out of the wilderness Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderness like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and frankincense with all powders of the Merchant Behold his bed which is Solomons threescore valiant men are about it of the valiant of Israel c. Go forth O ye daughters of Zion and behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals and in the day of the gladness of his heart Song 3.6 7 11. Quest. 7 Seventhly Whereas upon the opening of the seventh Seal the first Angel of the seven which had the seven Trumpets sounded Rev. 8.1 7. The question is Whether observing order the first Viall of the seventh is to be poured out till after the sounding of the first Trumpet If so then we are not to begin the Vials until after the rising of the Witnesses as is manifest Rev. 11.12 15. Such as think some Vials are poured out do likewise hold that the (d) Brightman holds that the seventh trumpet sounded in the year 1558. seventh Trumpet hath already sounded But to grant that some Vials are past and the seventh Trumpet not yet sounded here ought to be first good consideration if we will not be children in understanding That the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded I think it must be granted by all who hold the Witnesses not risen But that any of the Vials are to be poured out till after the sounding of the seventh Trumpet truly in my opinion whosoever shall humbly and soberly observe the Prophesie shall finde little ground to think otherwise In the dayes of the voyce of the seventh Angel when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets Rev. 13.7 Now unless by finishing the mystery here is meant the pouring out the seven last Plagues I know not what is to be understood It is said before That there should be time no longer ver 6. that is upon the sounding of the last Trumpet the seven Angels which had the seven last Plagues should obeying the heavenly voyce go their wayes and pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the earth and so no more time viz. for the Beast and the false Prophet or any other wicked ones to oppress the Lords people whether Jews or Gentiles Quest 8 Eighthly I desire to know Whether the seven last Plagues do not
the Apostles namely when the Kingdom should be restored again to Israel was a secret never to be revealed but it was not then seasonable nor necessary or proper for them as to their Generation to have the knowledge of it So the Tabernacle of the Testimony is shut whilst the Witnesses prophesie in sack-cloth because the things therein belong not to their Work or Age yet to be opened neer or about the time of the end as being then and not till then necessary and seasonable Neither doth Mr. Tilling in his 3 Proposition pag. 42. differ from this speaking That God's call to the Angels of the Vials is to be principally looked for out of the Temple I understand saith he not so much of the general call as a more particular and special Call peculiar to this time of the Vials The general Call to Generation-Work is dispensation but now at this time besides the Call of God's Dispensations the instruments God shall raise up to ruine the Whore shall have a more particular Call to this Work to the end they may neither flag nor draw back namely the loud and uncessant cry of the Temple Hence two things may be gathered I. The Vials are not began for such a particular and special Call hath not been yet out of the Temple It is true God hath raised up some men and brought them forth against Babylon as in France Germany England c. But this hath been no other than a General Call for 1. They have not moved nor acted like Angels which had golden girdles upon their breasts Neither 2. hath God's presence and appearance with them held forth such a thing Besides by the event it hath been well enough seen both in the Work and Instruments what the Call was So that we need now no other witness or proof viz. That neither by the Swedes or English any Vials were poured out then the things themselves II. That this particular and special Call out of the Temple cannot be until the Tabernacle of the Testimony be opened and the Ark seen for what else is God's Call to the Angels of the Vials to pour out their Vials but Light and Life that is knowing the 42 months are expired the witnesses risen and that it is the day of the Lord's vengeance and the yeer of Recompences for the controversie of Sion Now as the called of God they come forth to pour out their golden Vials not like Jehu to raise up themselves by other mens ruine but to follow the Lord fully and faithfully And this is according to the Prophet I have commanded my sanctified ones I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger even them that rejoyce in MY HIGHNESS Isa 13.3 Answ 2. I except against your proof Rev. 11.19 for I do not take that for the Tabernacle of the Testimony as you assert but for a full opening of the Temple in as primitive and purity of state as the Church was in before the Beast arose or in the first 3 Centuries which will not be at the rising of the 2 Witnesses nor before the Armageddon-battel but the Tabernacle is opened before the Temple as David 's Tabernacle was before Solomon 's Temple Now it is the Tabernacle of the Testimony which is opened and from whence the Vials come which Tabernacle grows up to the Temple Eph. 2.21 by degrees but the Temple when it is opened is opened all at once I conceive and universally not by degrees and to all the faithful Saints whereas the Tabernacle to the Generation-Saints that are faithful to the Testimony Repl. 1. It is no marvel that taking one thing for another you may go on thus in mistakes 1. To suppose that Rev. 11.19 is not one with Rev. 15.5 there is no ground for it why is it called the Tabernacle of the Testimony Numb 1.5 17.17 but in regard of the 2 Tables of Stone whereon was written as I said before the Law of God the Testimony of his will Exod. 34.28 and these Tables put into the Ark and that Ark placed in the uttermost part of the Temple So that to say the Tabernacle of the Testimony was opened and seen and not the Ark in my Opinion is no other than to imagine what is within a Chest or Closet may be seen and is open but the Chest or Closet it self neither seen nor open 2. Whereas you would have the Temple not open till the Armageddon-battel but the Tabernacle open before If things here be duely weighed the Temple was never shut but onely the Tabernacle of the Testimony and therefore what you speak of opening the Temple all at once universally and not by degrees I finde no Temple to apply such matter to Neither do I know any Tabernacle David had otherwise than taking care to provide a place for the Ark 2 Sam. 6.17 Psal 132. Answ 3. This appears more plain from the time this Temple is opened which the Holy Ghost tells us in Rev. 11.19 is after the seventh Trumpet sounds and Proclamation of the Kingdoms of the World to be Christ's vers 15. or yet more expresly under the 7 Vial Rev. 16.17 18 21. under which we finde the very same voyces thunders lightnings Earth-quakes and hail mentioned in the aforesaid Rev. 11.19 But the Tabernacle of the Testimony must needs be opened before that as none will deny it Repl. 1. That Rev. 11.19 contemporizes with Chap. 15.5 it is cleer to me neither do I see weight of Reason in what is here objected namely That Rev. 11.19 is after the 7 trumpet sounds and proclamation of the Kingdoms c. If a man have several things to speak he must have time to deliver them one after another he cannot speak them all at once Besides it is an excellent order which the Spirit of God useth in setting down the Particulars Having spoken of the risen Witnesses he shews first what shall be some present effect vers 13. then proceeds to the Concomitants as the beginng of the third work vers 14. with the sounding of the 7 trumpet vers 15. afterwards declares what joy there shall be in the Churches of the Saints that the Kingdoms of the world are falling in to Christ vers 16 17 18. Lastly that there might be no doubt made of these things he shews how the work shall be managed and carried on And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament c. vers 19. agreeing to Rev. 15.5 meaning a cleer light which the 7 Angels shall have of their Work and when to begin 2. To bring Rev. 11.19 under the 7 Vial I think there is no ground for it 1. Because there is no mention made under that Vial of the Ark of the Testament opened in heaven such a thing is not so much as exprest 2. To gather it from lightnings voices thunderings c. in both places This will not hold for 1. Such Expressions in this Book are