most corrupt in those days â—b lib. 28. c. 8. Yea they over-ran those parts even to the Suburbs of Constantinople and besieged that but at last were repulsed Sccrat lib. 4. c. 31. and others 2. When the Body of the Roman Empire was changed from its Ancient form of Provinces into the form and shape of Crowned Horns then the Beast was up For it 's said in the days of John Rev. 17. 17. They have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour or the first hour with the Beast The rising then of the Beast and the crowning of the Horns are about the same time This Beast is differenced thus from the Dragon that he the Beast hath his Crowns Emblems of Soveraignty upon his Horns Rev. 13. 1. and from the two Horned Beast that he hath more than two even Ten and upon his Horns Ten Crowns Not that they must all be up first so as the rising of the tenth Horn should give the first date to the Beast For they are all Horns of the Beast and therefore speak a Beast up for them to grow upon and they receive Power as Kings One hour with the Beast Rev. 17. v. 12. Not the Beast one hour with them intimating the Beast to be first in order rather than otherwise But as the Dragon is said to have seven Heads Rev. 12. 3. When as the seventh Head of Popes was not up till Dragon Pagan Power was down so as well may this be called a Ten Horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1. Before all the ten were Crowned because there were to be so many principal ones and ten may not be taken precisely neither more nor fewer but indefinitely for many as Numb 14. 22. Job 19. 3. Gen. 31. 7. Now before Ann. 400. diverse Horns were Crowned see an Elaborate book Entituled Antichrists Excidium which proveth the riseing of the Kingdom of the Alemanes Ann. 356. the Ostrogoths Ann. 377. the Visogoths Ann. 378. the Hunns Ann. 378. and others even ten about Ann. 410. Therefore then the Beast was up 3. When the Dragon gave unto Crowned Horns in the Roman Empire his Power Throne and great Authority then the Beast was up For it is the Beast he gave these to Rev. 13. 2. the Dragon gave him i. e. the Beast his power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strength or force distinguished from authority and so it is outward strength or military power his Throne i. e. the City of Rome or a Government there and great Authority so as to become a lawful ruler within the Roman Empire Now all this was given before or soon after Ann. 400. For Crowned Horns had power such military power as they did wage War with the Emperours as the Goths and others and after the death of Valens they over-run Thracia and spread themselves even to the Suburbs of Constantinople and besieged that Am. Marcell l. 31. c. 14. 15 16 17. Alaricus King of the Goths occupyeth Thracia Graecia Athens Corinth and other Cities c. Returneth to Italy Calvis Ann 395. The Hunns destroyed Armenia and other Countries of the East Socrat. l. 6. c. 1. By Armenia brake into Asia and besieged Antioch Calvis Ann. 395. Gainas with an Army of Goths over-ran the Eastern Empire and Constantinople was in great danger Socrat. l. â— c. 6. Gildo usurped Africa Magd. Cent. 5. C. 16. And his Throne the City of Rome was given to crowned Horns for Alaricus King of the Goths took it about Ann. 410. It is true this was a little after Ann. 400. But it proveth the Beast to be up before having such great power as aforesaid It is true Alaricus then did not keep Rome long but then he took possession of the Throne And it is not said the Beast kept the Throne but that the Dragon gave it to him and afterward also Gensericus King of the Vandals sacked Rome And after the Goths reigned over Italy about 70 years Yea Crowned Horns obtained in the Roman Empire great Authority for before Ann. 400. Valentinian the Emperour made a league with Macrianus King of the Alemanes and ratified it by â—ath about Ann. 374. Am. Marcell lib. 30. c. 4. Afterwards Valens granted some Countries in Thracia to the King of the Goths about Ann. 376. and so he became a crowned Horn. ib. lib. 31. c. 4. Socrat. Diacon and consider whether this was not the birth-day of the Beast this being the first crowned Horn that received not only Power but Authority in the Roman Empire I might mention other Leagues as between the Emperour Honorius and the Goths and so with Theodosius and others All this argueth that the Beast was up before Ann. 400. 4. When the deadly wound was given to one of the Heads then the Beast was up For it was a Head of the Ten-Horned Beast that was wounded as it were unto death Rev. 13. v. 1 2. And so the Beast must then exist and be up to receive the wound Now this deadly wound was made when Alaricus sacked Rome and perfected at Augustulus Indeed this act was after Ann. 400. but it presupposeth the Beast to be up and so we may reckon that he did rise before Ann. 400. And here note 1. It is not the Pope but this ten Horned Beast who in respect of his first State is said to continue a short space Rev. 17. 10. For it is not said the seventh Head but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 another i. e. another of the eight Kings with whom the word agreeth not another Head There were eight Kings and but seven Heads this was another King or State of Government when the Empire was so broken and changed from its antient form and shape of Provinces into crowned Horns and this was but a short time before it was wounded even unto death Whereas the seventh Head the Pope hath continued a longer time than any of the other Heads if compared with them And further to confirm this he immediately addeth the different States of the first Beast v. 11. was and is not and yet is as before v. 9. and so was is before wounding this short space is not is when wounded yet is is after healed 2. If the first Beast be the man of sin 2 Thes 2. 6 7. Then the lett which hindred not meerly his rising but his revelation must be imperial power which was removed by the aforementioned breakings and woundings of it But if it be the second Beast then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is their Imperial Authority and it was removed when Popes over-topped and assumed power over Emperours as Hildebrand and others Rule 6. That the Eastern parts belong to the first Ten-Horned Beast as well as the Western This is denyed by some but seeing it conduceth to the clearing up of truths and some material points I shall give these grounds of it 1. The same Dominion which the Dragon i. e. Pagan Emperours had the same the Beast hath Compare Rev. 12. 2. and 13. v. 2.
So Jesus Christ hath tenderly provided for the consolation of Christians in the latter Days for here is another a new Triumph for Victory over the Beast and the Destruction of Babylon Rev. 19 5 6 20. this after two Beast had been up and persecuted Rev. 13. and after some Trumpets had sounded and Vials were poured out upon Enemies Rev. 15. and 16. the first of which Vials v. 2. spake the Beast up before So that here is a double rejoycing one a long time after another and the latter upon the downfall of Babylon Here I must add that it is unscriptural to say as some do that the three Days and half Râ—v 11. should amount to as much as 1260 Days or be the same with the 42 Months as if the three Days and half were first to be turned into Prophetical Days i. e. Years and then every day in those Years to be turned into Years again such doubling is wholly unwarrantable We are not to teach the Spirit to speak there is a Mystery in the broken Numbers so often repeated else the three Integrums might have been more and so the 1260 Days might have been 1300 or 2000. And surely there is curiosity in adding half a Day or Year to three Years of the Witnesses lying dead Rev. 11. 9 11. it intimateth that there will be some reviving in that half Year or before a 4th Prophetical day is come about If a long time would be required for the strange Feats of the Antichrist talked of by the Romanists yet they who have so long persecuted why may they not at last slay the Witnesses in such a short time the way being prepared before and why may they not in some Street of the great City by a Spirit of Life from God suddenly be revived again To conclude this in all the 1260 Days of their Saâ—kcloath-state the Witnesses Prophesie Rev. 11. 3. and so are alive whereas during the three Days and half they are in a death-state v. 7 9 11. and therefore the three Days and half are no part much less the whole of the 1260 Days I have proved divers Vials to be poured out long before the rising of the Witnesses and to the Vision of the Vials we must refer that vast change of Affairs in the Papacy by the late Reformation Quickly after passing of the second Wo the Kingdoms of the World become the Lords Rev. 11. 14 15. or then cometh the 1000 Years Rev. 20. in which I do not assert a l'ersonal reign of Christ upon Earth during that time but a more glorious State of the Church than before and then cometh the Day of Judgment v. 11 12 c. Quest 2. Whether the 1000 Years Rev. 20. must commence or begin from the Fall of Pagan Rome at Constance and expire at the Ottoman Empire Ann. 1300. A. Negatively the 1000 Years cannot take date from the Fall of Pagan Rome For 1. The Beast and false Prophet are cast into the burning Lake at the beginning of the 1000 Years Rev. 20. 10. Seeing the Dragon at their Expiration is cast into it where the Beast and false Prophet are therefore they were in before 2. The Dragon is bound during the 1000 Years that he doth not deceive the Nations Rev. 20. 3. whereas during the 1000 Years from the Fall of Pagan Rome about Ann. 300. the Dragon was not bound but loose and did deceive the Nations into the Corruptions and Abominations both of the Papism even in the height of it witness Hildebrand's Dictates and others and also of Mahumetanism which overspread and deceived the Nations in the times after An. 600. and before An. 1300. Yea not only so but a Scarlet-coloured Whore in that time persecuted the Church witness the Sufferings of the Albingenses and Waldenses and Bohemians Q. 3. Whether the Restoration and Conversion of the fews and Ten Tribes is still to be expected A. Affirmatively I assert that the restoration and conversion of the Jews and the Body or great Numbers of the Ten Tribes is still to be expected If the Prophesies and promises hereof had the beginning of their aâ—â—omplishment in the Primitive Times if then there were the first fruits of them yet the principal the chiefest part the compleat fulfilling of them is yet to come For 1. All the Tribes the dry bones must live The two Sticks shall be one Stick one Nation and that in their own Land under David their King Jesus Christ when they shall be no more two Nations neither shall be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all Ezek. 37. 5 10 14 16 19 21 22 23 24 25. and they shall be converted v. 14. I will put my spirit in you This speaketh not of a Union of believing Jews and Gentiles under Jesus Christ but plainly of the Twelve Tribes of Israel for one stick is for Judah and the Children of Israel his Companions v. 16. and the other for Joseph the stick of Ephraim and for not only some but all the house of Israel his Companions this must comprise the Ten Tribes and these must all be united become one Nation v 19 22. in the Land in the Mountains of Israel and one King shall be to them all v. 22. and this is Jesus Christ v. 24. David my servant shall be King over them and they all shall have one Shepherd i. e. Jesus Christ for David was dead long before and David often is put for Christ Ezek. 34. 23 24 with Joh. 10. 11. Isai 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. Hos 3. 5. Whereas they never yet were thus united under Christ in their own Land but are a divided scattered People to this day Therefore there is a time yet to come when they shall be thus united under Jesus Christ for God is true and no tittle of his Promise shall fail The like is declared in many other Prophecies 2. All Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. 26. and not only the Elect the spiritual Israel but plainly the Jews that Israel in distinction from the Gentiles v. 25. and after blindness or hardness happened to the Jews so as they were cast away and broken off for their unbelief v. 15 17 20. Therefore the Conversion of the Jews of multitudinous number of that Israel is to be expected It will be such as will be greater riches to the World to the Gentiles than their fall was v. 12. how much more their fulness There is then a time coming when there will be such a fulness of the Jews as will usher in the Conversion of a far vaster Numbers than in the first Ages of the Gospel as the how much more doth evidence Obj. But there is no probability that all or most of the Common People of the Ten Tribes were transplanted but only the Rulers and Rich and Military Men. A. I think every individual Person or Family was not carried away yet it is apparently untrue that only such a small number of them were transplanted See 2 King 17.
THE Revelation Unvailed OR An Essay towards the Discovering I. When many Scripture Prophesies had their Accomplishment and turned into History II. What are now Fulfilling III. What rest still to be Fulfilled with a guess at the time of them WITH An APPENDIX PROVING That Pagan Rome was not Babylon Rev. 17. and that the Jews shall be Converted Dan. 12. 4. Many shall run to and fro and Knowledge shall be increased By SAMVEL PETTO Minister of the Gospel at Sudbury in Suffolk London Printed for John Harris at the Harrow in the Poultry MDCXCIII THE PREFACE IT is a Duty of high Concernment unto Christians to be searching the Scriptures Joh. 5. 39. one part as well as another all being given by Divine Inspiration and profitable to high and glorious Ends. The last Prophetical Book would never have obtained the Name and Title of Revelation if an understanding of the Mind and Will of God therein had been unattainable Nor would there ever have been such a precious Promise in the Front of it Rev. 1. 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie if it had been un-intelligible Who should share in this Blessedness if none could arrive at the Knowledge of what they Read Neither should any take Discouragement for this search because some have been mistaken in their Computations of time for they may as well reject the Study of other Scriptures on that account seeing many Wise and Learned Men have been grosly mistaken about great Matters of Eaith or Doctrines of the Gospel Indeed the Enquiry is the more necessary that at last the Truth may be found out I am not peremptory in fixing the time but offer different Epocha's with the Grounds and let these or the Event determine which is the Truth And besides the Mystical Numbers there are other Signs of the times as the sleepiness of Virgins may speak that the coming of the Bridegroom is not far off Mat. 25. 1 c. and some Events may discover what are next to follow as some former Seals open'd tell us what were yet to come and some Trumpets sounding tell us which are next to sound Also know that there are other Matters besides the times yet to come to be enquired after even what is already past that we may discern what an answerableness there have been in Events in the several Ages to what is contained in the Prophesies which is indeed the great Scope and Design of this Discourse to give a discovery of Here we may see how Prophesies have been turned into History And there is enough in this to recompence all the labour of any serious Observer and Enquirer and to fill him abundantly with Admiration Here is Matter not only knowable but of great importance to be known for receivers of the Mark of the Beast in the forehead or hand openly or secretly are severely threatned Rev. 14. 9 10. They shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without mixture and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone for ever A Discovery of the Enemies of the Church I accounted necessary else what followed would not have been Established I confidently conclude the Pope to be the second Two-horned Beast Rev. 13. 11. who is the Giver of this Mark and so the least Compliance with him as such is very perilous and desperately dangerous That Mark may not only be what I have particularly mentioned but may extend to some other Act or Badge Tessera Sign of Token which he giveth of their belonging to him As to the First Beast Rev. 13. 1. I think him not to be the Pope or Seventh Head but another persecuting Beast as I have evinced Herein I confess I differ from other Interpreters yet I account it the Truth and this may be a salvo for their supposed mistakes about the Mystical Numbers some of them might be righter in their Computations as to the End than themselves were aware of two things which I have proved being considered 1. That the Epocha of the 42 Months and 1260 Days is to be fetched from a Persecution of the first Ten-horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1 5. Not from the Pope nor from any Apostacy of his or other Romish Corruptions some of which were too early to begin those Days with 2 Thess 2. 7. and others too late if they were to Commence from the very first Moment of time when Rome lost the Essentials of a true Church and turned into the Whore of Babylon 2. That the 42 Months and 1260 Days are not expressive of the whole time either of the Beasts continuance or Dominion It is a great mistake to think that immediately after the expiration of those Days the Beast must be destroyed or the Churches Trouble come to its End It 's true the Sackcloth or Wilderness-state then ended but after that the Witnesses having finished their Testimony there a is Witness-killing War and the Death-state of the Witnesses and their Resurrection ensueth before the reign of the Beast cometh to an end Rev. 11. v. 7. to 15. As to the 2300 Days Dan. 8. 14. I think they are not Prophetical Days i. e. Years but Natural Days not only because expressed by Evenings and Mornings v. 26. but because they are limited and confined to the little Horn which groweth on the Hee-goat v. 8. which is declared to be the King of Grecia v. 21. And so that Little-horn was Antiochus Epiphanes who did grow out thence as v. 9. in the latter time not of the World but of the Four Kingdoms which sprang from the Grecians or which that was split into as v. 23. And this Antiochus did take away the daily Sacrifice and cast down the Sanctuary v. 11 12. And it being asked How long it should be till that was cleansed v. 13. The aforesaid days are given as the Answer v. 14. And sutably was the Event according to Josephus and the Maccabees which may be esteemed as other humane Histories though not as Scripture For from Antiochus first Persecution in his own person in the 143 Year of the Greeks to his Death in the 149 Tear is about that time 1 Maccab. 1. 20 21. and 1 Macc. 6. 16. Or from Menelaus who intended to Revolt to the Religion of the Greeks and had a License from Antiochus to Erect a place in Jerusalem in the 142 Year to the time of cleansing the Sanctuary in the 148 Year is about 2300 Days Joseph lib. 12. c. 6. 1 Maccab. 4. 41 43 52. In vain therefore do many perplex themselves seeking the expiration of these 2300 Days in the times of the New Testament And if they were so many Years yet they could not begin before the Vision it self which hath its first Date at the Ram Dan. 8. 3. noting the Kings of Media and Persia v. 20. and the first Year of Cyrus was about 528 Years before Christ nor indeed could they Commence before that little Horn Antiochus did take
primam se omnium Ecclesiarum scribebat P. W. Diacon P. de Gest Longobard l. 4. c. 37. If Justinian a little before decreed that the Pope of Rome should be the first of Priests to keep footing at Rome or because of Old Rome was the Imperial Seat yet not as Peter's Successor for the same Justinian pronounced by Law the Church of Constantinople the Head of all the holy Churches And John Bishop of Constantinople assuming the name of Vniversal Bishop about Ann. 590. Gregory Bishop of Rome so disclaimed this Title as he concluded the time of Antichrist to be at hand because John usurped it L. Dupless Histor of Pap. Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7. It being the Controversie of that day he obtained not that first Horn till the time of Phocas As to the second Horn of Temporal Supremacy he obtained not that so early Indeed Celestinus Bishop of Rome about Ann. 424. began to aspire after it passing the bounds of his Priestly Order presumed to challenge unto himself Secular Power and Authority Saith Socrat. Hist l. 7. c. 11. He saith the same of the Bishop of Alexandria ib. l. 7. c. 7. But after Anno 500. Anastasius sent this Answer to Pope Horsmida Imperatoris proprium esse Imperare non imperata Pontificis accipere Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7. And after the Popes of Rome had Confirmation from the Emperors Cent. 7. Magd. c. 7. Et suit ipsa Vrbs Roma non in Pontificum sed Imperatorum potestate dominio ib. Under Justinian by Narses turning out the Goths both Italy and Rome were annexed to the Eastern Empire His Temporal Power and Headship must have its first date either from the Donation of Rome to him which of old was the Imperial Seat or from his obtaining Superiority either over the Head of Emperors or over some of the Ten Horns Now about Ann. 725. the City of Rome came under the Power of the Pope Leo the Emperor forbidding the use of Images in Churches Pope Gregory forbad the Tribute of Italy and Rome Removit Roman Italiam necnon omnia reip quam Ecclesiastica jura in Hesperiis ab obedientia Leonis Imperii sub ipso constituti Romam cum tota Italia ab illius Imperio recedere faciens Paul Diacon Anast l. 21. Saith Platina Leonem tertium Imperatorem Constantinopolitanum Imperio simul communione fidelium privat quiae Sanctas Imagines è Sacris adibus abrasisset Which sufficiently evidenceth that the pretended Donation of Constantine the Great was but a fiction they belonging to the Eastern Empire till now they were usurped by the Pope who made himself Prince of Rome And afterward Pope Zechary deposing Childerick set up Pipinus the French King who in requital compelled Aistulphus King of the Lumbards to restore all the Towns and Lands which he had taken and by his Donation bestowed on him the Exarchate or Princedom of Ravenna and Pentapolis and a very large Dominion and Possession which afterwards were confirmed by others with Additions as by Charles the Great Anno 800. All which argue that now the Pope was become not only a Temporal Prince by the Dukedom of Rome but by getting power over some of the Crowned Horns and opposing and over-topping Emperours so as without their consent by degrees they had their elections and swelled in their power till at last they disannulled the Inauguration placing and displacing Emperours at their pleasure This appeared most manifestly in Hildebrand or Gregory the Seventh Ann. 1073. who not only Excommunicated Henry the Emperour but deposed him and gave away his Kingdom to Rodolphus Duke of Suevia And now Emperours had their confirmation from Popes whereas of old the Popes had confirmation from the Emperours Whether this were the first of his being Regnant as some assert or the time of his being Triumphant in the Temporal Power I leave it to others to judge 3. He spake as a Dragon so did Hildebrand and other Popes not only in their Excommunications and Depositions but also in those they call Hildebrands Dictates or Canons and Decrees as That no Book may be accounted Canonical without his Authority That he ought to be judged of none Vid. Onuphr in vita Greg. 7. 4. He exerciseth all the Power of the first Beast before him and causeth the Earth to worship the first Beast Rev. 13. 12. This the Pope doth by letting none be Emperours without his confirmation deposing Emperours and sending the Imperial Crown to others as Rodolphus setting up persecuting Emperours at his pleasure and causing the Earth to obey their decrees by influencing the Horns to persecute As Pope Martin perceiving the Gospel prevailed in Bohemia stirred up the Emperour and German Princes to making War against the Bohemians and thus exercised the power of the first persecuting Beast and caused Earthly men to worship him 5. He doth Wonders so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven and deceiveth the Earth with his Miracles Rev. 13. v. 13. 14. So the Pope as a false Prophet pretendeth to Miracles One saith that the garments of Hildebrand or Gregory after his death wrought Miracles Cardinal Benno who lived at the same time saith of Hildebrand that when he list he would shake his Skirts and fire would come out like sparks and by such Miracles he abused the eyes of simple People and therefore when the Devil could not persecute publickly Jesus Christ by Painims he disposed himself fraudulently to destroy his name by this false Monk under the shew and colour of Religion Estate of the Church p. 298. Benno in vit Hildebrandi Vsher Graviss Quaest Hist Explic. Also to incourage Rodolph in War against the true Emperour Henry which he had deposed Hildebrand foretold that the false King whom he interpreted to be Henry should die the same year before the Feast of St. Peter But Rodolph lost his life before the day and Henry lived after and so Hildebrand not only by false Miracles but by foretelling what did not come to pass was proved to be a false prophet Deut. 18. 20 21 22. Rev. 19. 20. Matth. Paris Onuphr B. Vsher Graviss Quaest Histor Explic 6. He saith to them that dwell on the Earth that he would or they should make an Image to the Beast Rev. 13. v. 8. 14 What this Image is it is a great question It must be an Image not of the second but of the first Beast that was Wounded v. 14. and so it is not the first Beast it self and the rather because the Beast and Image are made distinct Rev. 14. 9. but a representation or resemblance of him yet such as the false Miracles were to win Credit and Honour to this Image v. 14. saying that they should make an Image which in making is to when once made of the Beast v. 15. or that he had made it and he urgeth worshipping of it upon pain of death v. 15. This is not Image worship for Images are dead things but this is living
and the Saints possessed the Kingdom i. e. until the Seventh Trumpet And further to confirm this after the time times and half it is added Dan. 12. 7. and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the Power of the holy People all these things shall be finished viz. Daniel's People the Jews shall be delivered v. 1. So then the accomplishing to scatter the Power of the holy People is after the time times and half are expired And seeing we read not of any new scattering of the Jews and this belongeth to the Fourth Monarchy and is a Gentile Number it may possibly refer to Gentile Christians and be in part expressive of the way of slaying the Witnesses by a scattering them and their Church-Assemblies after these times or 1260 days are expired Also John in the Revelation clearly placeth what concerneth the Death of the Witnesses after the 1260 days are ended Revel 11. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they have finished their Testimony then and not before doth the Witness-killing War begin I had rather render it so in the time past being in the Aorist than when they are about to finish And their Testimony was not finished till the 1260 days of their Prophesying expired seeing the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19. 10. so long as they Prophesie though in Sackcloth it is not finished either for time or work And not only the import of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the Nature of the thing maketh that War and Death subsequent For during the 1260 days of their prophesying the Witnesses are Overcomers and their Enemies are killed Rev. 11. 5 6. if any Man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their Mouth and devoureth their Enemies and he must in this manner be killed and this in the days of their Prophesie Whereas the issue of this War is the Witnesses are overcome and killed v. 7. the Beast shall overcome and kill them Rev. 13. 7. Yea the Prophesying state in the very mentioning of it is inconsistent with the Death-state and the Death far worse than the Prophesying though in Sackcloth so long as they Prophesie they are alive not dead Neither do the Witnesses in the time of their lying dead torment the Earth-dwellers as they do in the time of their Prophesying v. 5 6 10. The Conclusion then is that the finishing of the Testimony however the Witness-killing War and the Death of the Witnesses are after the 42 Months and 1260 days are expired and at an end For the further discovering who are the Witnesses and what their Death how where and when they are to be Slain taken Seven Propositions Prop. I. That the Two Witnesses are faithful Ministers and pure Professors or Beast-opposing Churches For they are two Candlesticks Rev. 11. 4. which are interpreted Churches Rev. 1. 20 the seven Candlesticks are seven Churches and they are two Olive Trees which is but an Allusion to Zech. 4. 3 11 14. and cannot be confined to Magistrates and Ministers seeing they are never called a Candlestick and pure Professors and Churches are anointed ones Rom. 11. 17 18 19 20. 1 John 2. 20. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Yea these are such as Prophecy 1 Cor. 14. 24 31. Rev. 19. 10. and that 1260 Rev. 11. 3. not only making a Profession at large but bearing and finishing a Testimony for Christ and his Kingdom against the Beast as v. 7. so as he becometh their Enemy and maketh War with them The Two Testaments are their Testimony and so cannot be the Witnesses however it cometh to the same in Effect for if these or Magistrates and Ministers lye dead then so will such pure Professors and Churches also and so are to be deemed Witnesses Prop. II. That the Death of the Witnesses is an Extremity of Suffering Or it consisteth in an unparallell'd Cessation of Testimony and Deprivation of Means and Comforts of Life The various Phrases of overcoming and killing them may intimate its being attended with much Bloodshed but it is not chiefly a corporal Death for then such must be the resurrection or recovery out of it and that under the sixth Trumpet Rev. 11 11. 14. whereas the corporal resurrection is not until the seventh Trumpet v. 18. And their Enemies behold them with pleasure three Prophetical days or years and half which they could not do if it were a corporal Death It must then be a metaphorical Death by the Churches being in a state and condition full of Extremity of Affliction and Suffering which often is called a Death 2 Cor. 1. 10. and 11. v. 23. Psal 71. 20. and 80. 18. Isai 26. 19. Ezek. 37. 10. 35. Rom. 11. 15. It will not only be a civil death by deprivation of Publick Ministration and Employment as to the exercise of office but also a spiritual Death by an unparallelled Cessation of Testimony for they dye not meerly as Men but as Witnesses they lose much of their witnessing Spirit Rev 11. 7. Their state is far worse than in their prophesying time possibly by military Men having Power over v. 9 10. and forcibly disabling of them for former actual witnessing work and thus it will be not only their Sin but their Suffering that there is a failing of their Testimony And although Spiritual Life it self will not utterly fail yet they will in an extraordinary unpresidented way be cut short of external means for the support of it so as they are deemed as dead Corps v. 8 9. and their restauration or recovery is by the Spirit of Life from God entring into them which importeth a precedent want of it As the dead-state of the Jews or Israelites Ezek. 37. importeth not only the ruin of their City destruction of their Temple despoiling of them of outward Comforts Houses Lands Relations Accommodations but the Profaning of the solemn Worship of God the trampling under foot his Ordinances the casting down from Church-state or work and subjecting them to the wills of merciless Men and their own drawing up despairing Conclusions v. 11. our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts and the restoring of them is a recovery out of this condition v. 8. to 15. So the Death of the Witnesses importeth the like an unparallelled unwonted loss of a witnessing Spirit deprivation of the external Worship and Ordinances of Christ and Church-state by scattering loss of Communion and all aggravated with the triumphant Blasphemies of Enemies and Insultations over them Rev. 11. 10. and their own despairing Conclusions from their seeing no visible possibility of coming into a better condition afterward all which will be attended with a variety of other Afflictions and Sufferings rendring their conditions so deplorable as is hardly to be pre-conceived of before experienced Prop. III. That it is by a latter Victorious War of the First Beast that the Witnesses are slain Rev. 11. 7. The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit shall make War against them and shall overcome and kill
Rev. 11. 13. and so their rising cannot be under the fourth or fifth or seventh Vials for then they repented not but blasphemed God Rev. 16. 9 11 21. Their Resurrection and Ascension then must be under the sixth Vial. It must be before the seventh Vial at Armageddon For at the seventh Vial the whole fourth Kingdom of the Beast falleth whereas at the rising of the Witnesses it is but a tenth part that falleth and that upon an Earth-quake under the sixth Trumpet Rev. 11. 13. after which there is another and the greatest Earthquake under the seventh Trumpet v. 19. Whereas the seventh Vial is the last of the last Plagues and bringeth the greatest Earth-quake Rev. 16. 18. and so cannot be that at the rising of the Witnesses for that is not the last nor greatest And further after the destruction of the Whore there is an interval for the lamentation of some of her friends which survive Rev. 18. 9 10. and for the rejoycing of others her Enemies and making themselves ready Rev. 19. 8 9. when the great supper at Armageddon by the seventh Vial is to come ver 19 20. Only we must distinguish between the destruction of Babylon at Rome which is at the Earth-quake near the rising of the Witnesses under the sixth Vial Rev. 11. 13. and the Perdition of Babylon as extending into the Nations or the whole compass of the Roman Dominion which is not till the Earth-quake at the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11. 9. and at the seventh Vial when the Cities of the Nations fall Rev. 16. 19. and then great Babylon cometh into remembrance to give her the fiercest wrath but Babylon at Rome was destroyed before Rev. 18. Some not observing this distinction run upon mistakes either to think that Rev. 18. belongeth to the seventh Vial which is the last wrath whereas that Rev. 19. 19 20 cometh after Or else say that the Turks and Constantinople are the Babylon mentioned under the seventh Vial which I dare not think they being no where called Babylon in the Apocalyps but rather belong to the Beast or Dragon And it is untrue for the Ten-Horned Beast carrieth the Whore of Babylon Rev. 17. 3 5 7. whereas the Ten-Horned Beast never carried the Turks nor did the corrupt Church of Rome Ride upon the Turks neither was Constantinople the great City which in the days of John did Reign over the Kings of the Earth v. 18. but Rome was that City and stretching into the Nations so it is the Babylon mentioned in the seventh Vial. And here observe that this slaying or lying dead of the Witnesses three days and half cannot be successively in one Kingdom after another For at their Resurrection or Ascension the tenth part of the City falleth Rev. 11. 13. the sixth Trumpet passeth v. 14. and soon the seventh Trumpet soundeth v. 15. that notion would make divers slaughters resurrections and falls whereas the Scripture maketh but one slaughter one resurrection one Earth-quake one fall of the Tenth part neither can the sixth Trumpet pass or the seventh sound in one Kingdom after another for when that soundeth not onely one Kingdom but the Kingdoms of the World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ v. 15. Prop. VII That the Death of the Witnesses Ann. 1680. was not past but to come There are various thoughts among learned Men whether this black and dismal day of the Witnesses Death be past or yet to come I think it is near approaching not only because the days of their Sackcloth in all probability are finished and the Warring time seemeth near at an end but because the sixth Trumpet hath sounded a long time above 200 years if it began when the Turk obtained Constantinople Ann 1453. therefore the conclusion of it cannot be far off I do not think the Church to be the proper subject which the Trumpets sound judgment against but the Civil State of the Roman Empire and clearly the seventh bloweth good to the Church Rev. 11. 15. I shall refer the Reader to Mr. Mede and others to see how and when the several Trumpets sounded All things concerning the sixth agree to the Turk and if the hour day month and year Rev. 9. 15. notifie the time allotted to the Turkish Tyranny then the end of his work is hastening for the time must be counted not from the time of their being prepared but of their being loosed to do the work of slaying the third part of Men v. 14 15. This loosing of four Angels or Sultans seemeth to be before Ann. 1300. for then they fell into one Ottoman Family however taking a day for a year as elfewhere the time for that Woe will expire within a few years which is after the Witnesses Resurrection and Ascension But my opinion is that the Death of the Witnesses is yet to come 1680 I should be glad herein to be mistaken my grounds are these I. Vntil the 1260 days and the Warring State be at an end their death-state is not come for it is after finishing their Testimony that the Beast maketh War with them and killeth them Rev. 11. 7. So long as their Testimony is not finished and the War not ended so long they are not Dead nor the three days and half begun And therefore Ann. 1680. their Death was yet to come It 's true in the time of their Death there may be Edicts or Acts as after the Death of Christ Sealing the Tomb to hinder the Witnesses Resurrection but till there be a suppression of their Testimony they are not dead II. The Condition of the Witnesses since finishing of their testimony hath not been for three years and half far worse than it was before by a greater suppression of Testimony and other unparallelled sufferings therefore Ann. 1680. their Death was not past but to come The consequence is clear because the Death-state is far worse than the Sack-cloth-state as death is far worse than life though in a mournful condition this hath been proved before Prop. 2. III. Whatever the Death of the Witnesses consisteth in some recovery out of that is the immediate issue of the three days and half For else they must be longer dead whereas Rev. 11. 11. after three days and half the Spirit of life from God entred into them c. This life standeth in opposition to the Death and no medium between them no moment wherein they are not either dead or alive at the expiration of these days before the fourth day they live If their Death consisteth in an unparallell'd cessation of Testimony then there is some recovering into witnessing work again before four years be expired and so whatever else their Death may be placed in But no such recovery out of that which is their Death or no removal of that wherein it doth consist hath been the immediate issue of three years and half of any supposed time for their death already past and so that is yet to come I see no Scripture
up suddenly some famous Instrument in the World to appear for his Interest Rev. 18. 1. so as the Earth will be filled with his Glory Also Christ's appearing in his Regal Dignity in greater Splendor Purity Brightness and Glory than heretofore on a white Cloud Rev. 14. 14 15 16. with a golden Crown and in his hand a sharp Sickle and here is speedily a Vial-Angel out of the Temple out of his pure Church applying it self to Christ having not only an expectation of but an extraordinary Spirit of Prayer crying to him for the reaping the Harvest of Babylon and it was done accordingly v. 16. so that this is an immediate forerunner of her Ruine 4. A Triumphant Song among the Saints for the Ruine of Rome or Babylon there Rev. 19. 1 2 3 4. This seemeth to be about the latter end of the sixth or beginning of the seveâ—th Vial near or in the time of preparation to Armageddon Rev. 16. 13 14. And it must ever be observed that the Effects of one Vial do oftentimes run into another Vial or last and continue after another Vial is begun to be poured out like the Scales of Fishes one partly covereth another 5. The Restauration and Return of the Jews and Israelites together with their Conversion as well as others Ezek. 37. under the Emblem of dry Bones living is signified the restitution of the Jews and by two Sticks one for Ephraim the Head of and often put for the Ten Tribes and another for Judah or the Two Tribes v. 16 c. is represented the recovery of all the Twelve Tribes of Israel and bringing them to their own Land v. 21. and this was never yet accomplished For when it is saith the Lord v. 22. I will make them one Nation upon the Mountains of Israel and one King shall be to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all So that when this is made good all the Twelve Tribes the Body of them are re-united so as they shall never be separated any more and one King shall be over them David v. 24. and that is Jesus Christ for David was dead long before this Prophesie Few here yet know where the Ten Tribes are and the two are still scattered so that this never was accomplished to this day and therefore it must hereafter be fulfilled because God is true This then is certain That all the Twelve Tribes of Israel shall have a Possession of their own Land again and be under Conversion there some think they shall not be converted till after they are there Isai 61. 7. Jer. 31. 17. and 32. 41. Ezek. 37. 21 22 25. Am. 9. 14 15. Zech. 2. 12. So Rom. 11. 25 26. he saith the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and so all Israel shall be saved So that in Gospel-times after breaking off the Jews for Unbelief yet there is a time when all Israel shall be saved And this will be compleated at the beginning of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 10. 7. The Way and Means of Israels return and Conversion will be partly Extraordinary by Impressions from the Lord like wind breathing upon them which will be to them as life from the dead Ezek. 37. 9 11 12. it will be a sudden unexpected thing a Nation to be born in one day Isai 66. 8. Their Call will be partly by Ordinary means the Preaching of the Gospel Jer. 31. 6 8 9 10 c. by Watchmen on Mount Ephraim Isai 52. 7 8. and 59. 20. Isai 60. 16. Thou shalt also Suck the Milk of the Gentiles Rom. 11. 25 26. The deliverer shall come out of Sion i. e. by Ministers out of Gentile Churches so he will turn away Ungodliness from Jacob. And the Faith of the Gentiles shall provoke the Jews to Jealousie and Emulation v. 11 12. possibly at the rising of the Witnesses Rev. 11. 11 12. Their first Conversion will not be by the personal appearance of Jesus Christ for that is not till the seventh Vial Rev. 16. 15 16. Behold I come as a Thief Mat. 24. 29 30. when they shall welcom him Mat. 23. 39. whereas they are converted before under the sixth Vial v. 12. and prepared as a Bride before the seventh Rev. 19. 7. to end As to the time some say before the Salvation of Israel the Pope and Turk shall be overthrown and destroyed And indeed a partial Fall of the Turk will be by the sixth Vial but their total Destruction is not till the seventh And the Mistake that the Fall of Rome will be by the fifth Vial I have disproved As to that great Question Whether Rome shall first be destroyed before the Calling or Conversion of the Jews I would not absolutely determine but consider the first Triumphant Song for Judgment upon Babylon is with various Hallelujahs Rev. 18. and Rev. 19. 1 3 4 6. which is an Hebrew word never before used in the Apocalyps and so importeth that the Hebrews are concerned and ingaged in the first Praises for the Fall of Rome and therefore the Hebrews seem to be Converted before without which they could not rightly shew forth these Praises Isai 43. 21 and this is in order of time after those things concerning its Destruction And the next thing is the Lamb's Wife which especially must be the Jews maketh her self ready Rev. 19. 7. Yea the Angel which filleth the Earth with his Glory near the downfall of Babylon Rev. 18. 1 2. seemeth to be the very same with that at the first restoration of Israel Ezek. 43. 2. And so why may not the Jews have some hand also with others in the Ruine of Rome Dan. 2. 34 35. 44 45. Zech. 12. 2 3 4 6. I know the Idolatry and Abomination of Rome have been agreat Stumbling-block in the way of the Conversion of the Jews But the special Gospel Manifestation and Divine drawings rending the Veil upon the Heart will be enough to remove all these Stumbling-blocks 2 Cor. 3. 15 16. Joh. 6. 44 45. Act. 2. 37 38. And that Rev. 15. 8. is not to be understood absolutely as if none entred into the Temple or pure Church state till all the Vials be poured out for all the seven Vial-Angels come out of the Temple and with pure and white Linnen v. 6. and so there was then a pure Temple that some yea many entred into but it must be understood Comparatively few enter in comparison of what shall enter at the latter Vials 6. A general Combination of Enemies against Jesus Christ and his Interest to their own Destruction After the Fall of Babylon some will survive to lament her burning Rev. 18. 9. and being of the same Spirit they were hence the Witnesses after their rising Rev. 11. 11. in such places may have Trouble and Sufferings from their hands and the watchword and warning to keep their Garments intimate danger then of spiritual Drowsiness Mat. 25. 1 c. and of
6 18 24 26. 41. and 18. 9 10 11. there were such vast numbers removed to various distant places v. 6. as it is said v. 18. there was none left but the Tribe of Judah only see v. 23. they bear the name of Israel And such multitudes were brought from far to people the Country and be placed in the room of them as are called Nations v. 24 26 41. Let it be granted that there must be a return answerable and the conversion of such a multitude as were transported and we need not desire more Obj. 2. All the Ten Tribes were in the Dominion of Cyrus and had liberty to return Ans 1. Dr. Lightfoot saith when Cyrus gave leave to the Jews after the 70 years captivity to return to their own country multitudes of them found themselves so pleasingly seated and by continuance of time rooted in Babylonia that they would not remove their habitation but fixed there There in time they grew to so great a Nation and distinct a people that they had a Prince of the captivity of their own blood over them and three famous Universities Nehardea Pombeditha and Soria Peter's lot fell here directs his Epistle to the dispersed Jews in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithinia See Harmon p. 335. 2. They did not so return as to answer the Prophesie Ezek. 37. for then they must now be in their own land v. 22 23 25. which they are not Some of the Ten Tribes joined with Judah 2 Chron. 11. 17 18. When yet they were undoubtedly two Kingdoms And they are as really two Kingdoms still as they were of old against v. 22 23 25 26 28. yea in Gospel times we read Joh. 7. 35. of the dispersed among the Gentiles Therefore there is yet a time coming wherein they shall return to their own land and be converted Obj. 3. But the two Nations or Sticks became one under Zorobabel as a type and mystically under Christ and so Ezek. 37. was fulfilled Ans 1. That Ezek. 37. had any part or beginning of its accomplishment under Zorobabel is an assertion wholly groundless and so a bare denial of it is sufficient till there be proof of it By David often is meant Christ and not a type of him so as the first accomplishment of it was in the days of the Messiah long after Zorobabel was dead The Twelve Tribes or two Nations were never united under Zorobabel that I can find there might be some of them as there was 2 Chron. 11. 17 18. when yet they were two Kingdoms but the body of them returned not Zorobabel was not their Prince for ever as Ezek. 37. 25 28. there will be a time when they shall be in their Land and their Children and their Childrens Children for ever v. 25. 2. Ezek. 37. was not fulfilled in the first ages of the Gospel or at the first coming of Christ for as Mr. Greenhill well observeth then the Scepter should not have departed when Shiloh came Gen. 49. 10 If the Messiah were King in Israel King over both Houses united into one the Scepter did not depart but was advanced This will appear further by their being still scattered as here followeth Obj. 4. The Epistle to the Hebrews and that of Peter and James are directed not to the two Tribes only but to the Twelve Tribes that are scattered abroad Ans 1. This very objection evidenceth that even multitudes of the Twelves Tribes were still scattered in those Gospel times when the greatest number of Jews and Israelites were converted that hitherto have become Christians and they have had further scatterings since which sufficiently proveth that the Prophecies aforesaid and many others of like nature were not then accomplished they were not then united in their own land therefore there is a time yet coming wherein he that scattered Israel will gather him Jer. 31. 10. Ezek. 37. 21. 2. Those Epistles concerned not the Twelve Tribes in those primitive times only or chiefly in that age and the time now past but those Epistles to the Hebrews and of Peter and James are directed to all the Tribes and will be of use to them in the times yet to come when they shall be converted Obj. 5. Many of the Jews were converted in the Primitive times Act. 21. 20. and in Constantine's time and so Rom. 11. 26. was fulfilled Ans The conversion of Jews in those first ages of the Gospel do not answer Rom. 11. 26 for that was the time of their fall and blindness not of their fulness Those myriades then are but few in comparison of the time when all Israel shall be saved Also as then there were great destructions of the Jews by Titus and Adrian c. so Christ telleth us Luk. 21 23 24. That wrath should be upon them and they should be troden down of the Gentiles how long Vntil the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled and they are trodden down by the Turks until this day all which evidence that their conversion and glory could not be in those Primitive times but the time is coming when they shall say as Mat. 23. 37. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. But their Conversion is such a mystery as it will be as life from the dead Rom. 11. 15 25. hardly any first fruits or appearances of it before hand yet dry bones shall live and Jerusalem appear in her glory And now we see Scripture grounds still to pray for the downfall of Babylon and the coming of the glorious Kingdom of Christ and the restoration and conversion of the Jews yea of all the Tribes of Israel and we do not take the Name of God in vain nor deprave the Christian Faith but discharge an important duty therein A Postscript THE Title of my Book is The Revelation Vnvailed because it tendeth to free it from the aforesaid misinterpretations which Eclipse and darken this sacred Prophecy I know many are discouraged for searching into these mysteries by observing the mistake of Writers in the computation of times Whereas I account that one of the smallest matters in it self only it may prove great by its ill influence upon a Man 's own Spirit in the disappointment of his confidence and ones Enemies who seeing others error-as to time may promise themselves immunity from threatned Judgments and so may be hardened to their ruine and destruction I know the expectations of some eminent men are raised high of a destruction of the Beast or Rome about four or five years hence supposing that then will be the expiration of the 1260 days whereas I think those days expired some years since but that this was not the event to be expected upon their expiration If those worthy Men should suffer a frustration of expectation yet there is no cause for a prostration of their Spirits or for Enemies triumphing I do modestly not confidently hope for some glorious events within in this Age if not within few years but it is upon other
grounds as 1. From the number of Vials already poured out indeed the accomplishments of foregoing Prophesies are indications of what events are next to follow and a sure guiding thread for our direction to discover where we are 2. The state and condition of the Turks when the Turks cease to be a woe to the Roman Idolaters to scourge whom they were raised up Rev. 9. 13. to the end then the second Woe passeth Rev. 11. 14. and then the next revolution will be the Jews will appear and v. 15. the Kingdoms of the World will become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ this must be either by a Peace with the Turk which may delay the work or else by losing much of his Dominion and if Rev. 9. 15. denote his time of prevailing a month in the Revelation being 30 days then if we begin their Empire with Oguzians Ann. 1294. then his time allotted to slay the third part of men expired Ann. 1685. since which time he hath been losing ground and it is hopeful his further fall may be approaching Leonicus Chalcoconditos 3. Especially the death of the Witnesses by the darkness and dreadfulness of it together with their Resurrection and the consequences thereof are the most sure prognosticks and most signal marks of the approaching glorious state Rev. 11. 7. to 16. And if any should inquire whether the death of the Witnesses be yet past I answer if remarkable occurrences since Ann. 1680. by Persecutions in Germany Hungary England Scotland and Ireland and especially in Savoy and in France in the unparallell'd sufferings of the Protestants there did not amount to the Death of the Witnesses then that fatal black and gloomy day is yet to come No preceding time which men have fixed upon can answer the character of it but when I consider the marvelous and almost miraculous return of the Vandois to their places together with the wonderful liberty here established in England by Law and else where with some other matters I have some hopes that it is past and that the Resurrection of the Witnesses is begun until I see to the contrary Neither doth the darkness of some present dispensations altogether dash my hopes for Luke 18. when the Son of Man cometh there will be distress of Nations so as it will be hard to find Faith without fainting on the Earth I have now answered the desire of friends in publishing these sheets and if any will be contentious I think not to reply without great necessity if this may put others upon enquiring further into these prophesies to the encreasing a knowledge of the times and the encouraging the faith of Christians I have my design and they may lift up their heads for the redemption draweth near FINIS ADVERTISEMENT * ⎠* THE Life and Death of that Old Disciple of Jesus Christ and Eminent Minister of the Gospel Mr. HANSERD KNOLLYS Who Died in the Ninety Third year of his Age. Written with his own Hand to the Year 1672. and continued in General in an Epistle by Mr. William Kiffin To which is added his last Legacy to the Church Price Stitcht 6 d. or bound 8 d. Errata Corrigenda IN the Preface Pag. 15. Marg. Lin. 7 8. read P. 103 104. P. 24. l. 7. r. been P. 53. l. 11. r. his P. 60. l. 26. r. Roast P. 62. l. 8. r. Man In the Contents Pag. 5. Lin. 8 9. read Schecinah In the Book Pag. 3. Marg. Lin. 18. dele sine P. 17. l. 4. r. as are not P. 35. Marg. l. 22. r. caviâ— P. 50. l. 25. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 58. l. 3. del of P. 70. l. 20. r. prevails P. 75. Marg. l. 25. r. Baptizari in P. 80. l. 14. r. Harmoniously P. 91. l. 3. del fore and in the same line r. offered for P. 92. â— 27. r. were P. 93. Marg. l. 4 5. r. 48. 53. P. 94. Marg. l. 3. r. 46 47. P. 100. Marg. â— 4. r. 94. P. 120. Marg. l. 16. r. instituto P. â—27 l. ult r. Antipaedobaptistic P. 133 l. 3 4. r. Obstacle P. 136. l. 21. del they P. 138. l. 15. del the