But when shall this be Then when the Mountain of the Lords house shall be exalted above the hills and all Nations shall flow unto it vers 2. the time as even now was proved of the Jews conversion So Isa 24.21 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high and the Kings of the earth upon the earth When shall this be See vers 23. When the Lord of Host shall reign in Mount Sion and in Jerâ—salem and before his Ancients the people of ancient times chosen and in Covenant with him gloriously So Chap. 30. last Tophet the pit of destruction is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared The meaning is not only an eternal as some carry it but temporal ruine shall attend great ones But when shall this be To that I answer Although in the type it was fulfilled upon Senacherib King of Assyria and his Armies yet the whole Chapter especially from vers 18. hath relation to another time which is that we are speaking of of the Jews conversion as is evident vers 19. For the people shall dwell in Sion at Jerusalem thou shalt weep no more But more clear vers 26. The light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun In the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people and healeth the stroke of their wound 5 The establishment of Justice and Righteousness in the world as Isa 1.26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at first and thy Counsellors as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called the City of righteousness the faithful City Zion shall be redeemed with judgement and her Converts with righteousness Chap. 54.14 In righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression So Chap. 60 18. I will make thine Officers peace and thine Exactors righteousness Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt cal thy walls Salvation and thy gates Praise These places as already hath been shewn looking all to the time of the Jews redemption 6 The pouring out of more abundance of the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh When shall this be Even then when in Mount Sion and Jerusalem shall be deliverance as vers 32. or more clearly then when God shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem as Chap. 3.1 For although Peter Acts 2. speaks of these words as fulfilled in his time yet was that only in the beginning the powring down of the Spirit then being not so general as that here promised and that which shall be upon the coming in of the Jews So Zach. 12.10 And I will poure upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication So Isa 32.15 Vntil the Spirit be poured upon us from on high It is observable that the giving forth of the Spirit at this time is set forth by this word of pouring noting abundance that shall then be given forth more than in former ages 7 As an effect of the former Increase of light and grace as Isa 30.26 Moreover the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven dayes in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people and healeth the stroke of their wound Chap. 52.8 They shall see eye to eye i.e. clearly when the Lord shall bring again Sion See both Zach. 12.8 He that is fecble in that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Which that it relates to the time of the Iews call the whole Chap. is proof 8 The exaltation of the Lord Christ alone as King Isa 2 11. The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Chap. 24.23 The Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Sion and in Ierusalem and before his Ancients gloriously Chap. 2 3 4. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem and he shall judge among the Nations Zach. 14.9 The Lord shall be King over all the Earth All which places I have already proved to speak this time So Isa 33.22 The Lord is our King he will save us When is this Ansâ— then when Ierusalem shall be a quiet habitation vers 20â— Look unto Sion the City of your solemnities Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation Ezek. 37.24 And David my Servant Christ of whom David was a type shall be King over them And to what time doth this look to that time in which Israel and Judah shall be gathered together and brought to their own Land and be made again one Nation upon the mountains of Israel as vers 21 22. Thus have I done with the second thing viz. the things foretold to be done in this age 3 The third is to observe the visible dispensations of God towards the age we live in and in case upon inquiry these be found to answer to what God hath foretold they shall be in that age in which the Jews shall be converted then this will not onely serve for discovery of the thing in hand wherein the work of this Generation lyes but also adde a beam of light unto the former viz. That we are fallen into that age in which the Jews shall be converted Onely here I would carry this along with me that in regard as yet things are but coming on therefore many things before this Generation is over may be transacted which yet we see little of But in case it appear that transactions begin already to agree with the things foretold and promised have we not ground then to hope things coming on apace every day that before this Generation expires wee shall see most if not all fully accomplished Let us then compare what God hath promised to the age we speak of with present dispensations and see what way Gods dispensations are making or have already made towards the performance of them 1 For the bringing in of the Jews is not a fair way made to that already by that general expectation they have of their Messiah's comming in this age as Manasseth Ben. Israel before quoted is witness sect 29.35 as also by that light that at present is amongst them which the aforesaid Author in several of his Sections declares into many of those Prophecies of the Old Testament which directly point at their call 2 For the Conversion of the Gentiles Not to speak of the great conversions of late near home in poor Wales and some parts of Ireland and the hopeful way we are in by the going out daily of poor despised Labourers into the Lords Vineyard of a large Harvest is it not admirable that in this age and that within a few years each of
opposition hath been so great an offence that not onely the common multitude but right honest hearts have from hence stood a loof from and been shy of the work of their Generation Christ could not be received of the Jews for their Messiah because the religious party of the Priests and Pharisee did oppose him And how great an offence was this to the poor simple meaning people who but a little before seeing his works cryed out Hosanna being now by these men of credit possest that he was a Deluder they change their note and cry crucifie him crucifie him as the story tells us 4 At the after-miscarriages and errors of those who have been the onely active instruments and lights at first in the work of the Generation T is matter of offence to not a few to see men active at first in the work of their Generation prove afterwards retarders of the work and darkness thence to spring whence the first light of the Generation did arise Hence most are apt to call in question the righteousness of that cause and purity of that light which the first owners by future miscarriages have cast a blemish upon Now though there seemeth in it to be just matter of jealousie yet if seriously weighed and compared with foregoing Presidents it is not so for who knows not that Solomon was the first King of Israel that ever built a house for the true worship of God and yet the first that ever built High places for Idolatry Peter was the first Disciple that publickly confessed Christ and yet the first that openly denyed him Judea was the first place where Gospel-light did shine and from whence the world was enlightned and yet the first place where error sprung up and the light of the Gospel darkned Act. 15.1 Certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren except yee be circumcised after the manner of Moses yee cannot be saved 5 At the gastly look and untrodden footsteps of some particular dispensations and actings attending the work of the Generation In all Generations almost there have been in managing the work of the Generation some particular actings which outwardly have had so foul an aspect that if not be held with an eye seeing God his will and design therein might justly breed offence dislike in the beholders With how offensive a eye did that act look how may we think in reason might it tend to the hardning the Egyptians that Israel going out of Egypt pretending to worship God should by a cheat as setting Gods will aside mans reason would account it plunder the Egyptians of all their Jewels and riches a thing which if done without Gods special command had been contrary to morality And whether or no had not Gods command authorized Joshua thereunto could that act of his in entring Canaan and not onely taking their Land from them but also putting all the Inhabitants both young and old to the sword been termed any other than an act of inhumane and barbarous cruelty Yea further let reason be judge of that act of Jaels in murdering Sisera at a time when his Master was in league with her Husband and when as he too as a man flying for life committed himself to her for shelter and what will it call the same but treacherous dealing an act of perfidiousness and highest injustice What need I multiply let reason not seeing Gods will be judge of Jehues action in putting the King his Master to death and extirpating the Royal Family and will it not brand the same with the odious names of Disloyalty Usurpation and Treachery to his Prince which yet was an act commanded by God God having so ordered it that in all ages there should stand in the work of the Generation some such facing and staring actions as should not onely amuse men but also offend the eyes of the obstinate weak or ignorant beholders 2 Take heed of being discouraged As offences on one hand hath put many a man by the work of his Generation so have discouragements on the other hand put some by and weakned the hands of others in the work Now there are several things at the which men are discouraged whereof I shall particularize a few As 1 At the littleness and lowness of beginnings It is Gods way in the carrying on of his great and glorious works of wonder ever to begin very low and rise high by degrees I shall instance onely in two things both appertaining to Christs Kingdom and the rather because as hath been shewed that it is the great work of this age 1 The Kingdom of Christ in his Churches it is a most glorious work yet low in the beginning The building of the second Temple which as hath been said was the type of this had first a day of smal things which lookers on were ready to despise Zach. 4.10 Who hath despised the day of smal things before a day of great things First a foundation stone is laid and then Zerubbabel the builder hath his hands holden forty years before he can lay a top-stone or bring the work to perfection The planting of Churches in the Primitive times what a low beginning had it one Paul and a few poor Fisher-men acting in this work and that against all the world This is lively set forth in that Parable Matth. 13.31 The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard-seed It begins as a grain of mustard-seed which is the least of all seeds and of this but one grain not many yet in the end it grows a Tree that the Fowls of the Heaven câ—me to lodge in the branches of it 2 The Kingdom of Christ over the world the glory of this work is such that when it shall be the whole earth shall be full of the glory of it yet how little and low shall this work be in the beginning It is at first a stone cut out of the mountains without hands little and weak yet after a great mountain filling the whole earth Dan. 2.34 35. It is first a little one after that a thousand Isa 60. ult A little one shall become a thousand It first begins in Sion i.e. in the Churches amongst a company of poor despised worshippers of Christ whereof Sion was a type Psa 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Afterwards it spread it self over all the world Vers 8 9. Aske of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron thou shalt break them in peeces like a potters vessel Davids Kingdom the most lively type of Christs Kingdom over the world how low and seemingly unlikely ever to rise was it in the beginning One David a poor mans Son a keeper of sheep to be a King and yet his Kingdom at present in the hands of another a powerful King Saul one chosen and annoynted by God to whom the
hardned his heart How did the Lord accomplish this Pharaoh settles himself upon as righteous principles as ever any of the Sons of men could do One is that it belongs to the chief Ruler of a Nation to see to the profit and glory of that Nation What more righteous principle is there in the world Hence he concludes that if iâ— be incumbent on him to see that the Realm receive no detriment he must not let the people go by whom they received so many great advantages God confirms his heart in these principles which are good in themselves but saith the Doctor abominable when taken up against the mind and providence of God Hence he and his perished in their principles acting against the appearance of God Secondly It is also said of Sihon the King of the Amorites that his heart was hardned that he would not let the people go through his Land How I pray even by adhering to that wise principle That it is not meet to let a potent Enemy into the bowels of a people and this made way for his ruine Thus saith he it is with many they fix on principles good in general and in their season Old bounds must not be broken up Order must not be disturbed Let God appear never so eminently so mightily they will keep to their principle what is this but judicial hardness And this is one reason why the actings of God in such a day as this are so unsuited to the expectations of men they square his works to the interests and principles which it will not answer Hitherto Dr. Owen 4 Take heed of that ungodly principle sprung up of late the contrary to which some call a State-Herene though I am sure the principle is a Scripture-Herefie viz. That godliness in a Magistrate or Civil Officer is but a secondary qualification natural accomplishments and endowments being the primary for which therefore a man is to be intrusted with this power rather than the other I cannot but wonder how any who profess the Name of Christ much more who profess themselves to have been faithful to his cause should together therewith profess such an unchrist an yea Machiavilian principle which First Lies point-blank against the promises made to the last dayes which assure 1 That God will restore his peoples Judges as at the first Isa 1.26 But were Judges at the first Moses Joshua c. such 2 That their Governors should be of themselves Jer. 30.21 But may we call such of themselves Secondly Leaves out as of little worth comparatively the main qualifications of that divine pattern by which the first Rulers that ever were so made by men amongsh Gods own people were made Exod. 18.21 Thirdly Makes null that Divine Maxime 2 Sam. 23.3 He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God for how can such rule in the fear of God who have no fear of God before their eyes which is one character of every natural man Rom. 3.18 Fourthly Layes an unavoidable necessity of a continued judgement upon a people For if it be a judgement to have Rulers that know not God because such make the people to erre Isa 3.12 chap. 9.16 then if such for their natural endowments are to be chosen of necessity must a judgement lye upon that people over or amongst whom they are set Fifthly Opens a door to all persecution by putting the Civil Sword into the hands of the Seed of the Serpent for better cannot be said of a meer moral man which from the beginning hath had a natural enmity to the Seed of the Woman My Lord Bear with the boldness of it if I say That in case your Highness be found steering your course and laying out your power by this crooked rule know assuredly that Christ will suddenly take though how I know not your power from you and give it to one that shall lay it out otherwise I shall not multiply many more words save to add that in case any expression either in this or the following Discourse savour of the spirit of man which my self allows not have kept a watch against yet may be guilty of I do in that humbly crave your Highness pardon but as for the matter and substance of those things I have written I ask none my Conscience bearing me witness that I have afferted nothing but what according to my present perswasions not grounded upon this or that particular Text which is a deceiving way but by comparing the whole of Prophecies together is the truth of Christ yea the truth of the time though yet through mercy I have drunk in no such conceit of my own knowledge as though it were more than in part not do I impose upon your Highness conscience or the consciences of any a belief of my principles any farther then Scripture and right reason doth approve them yet would have none on the other side condemn them as this age is apt to do upon the account of this or that single Text till he hath compared the whole of Prophecies together in doing which he may perhaps see my reason of stating things as I have done which upon every occasion I could not bring forth and therewith a full answer to his own doubt And farther I have not in this work knowingly stretched any one Text beyond what I have judged its due bounds or forced an interpretation to reach any Party a blow Nor have I on the other side with-held any peece of the truth so judged by me lying in any Text nor minced any Interpretation to spare any party a blow As I would be loath to strike any my self for my blows can do me no good and them little hurt so would I not have a hand in keeping off that blow that truth will strike whosoever it fall upon And although a Discourse of this nature would better have become a graver Pen than mine and possibly from such a one been sooner hearkned to pride rashness and headiness having been the coutinual accusation laid against young men and not alwayes groundless yet seeing the Aged silent and perceiving through the light the Lord of his grace hath larely given me to see by a cleer opening sundry Prophecies which not long since were mysteries to me the cause of Christ in sore travel either through an ignorance of what Gods Designs are at this day or somewhat worse in those that should manage it I conceived my self though others might better do it yet at this time called to speak and to speak plainly Elihu though a young man went and that with success over the head of such a temptation in a less case That a like success and blessing from above may accompany this is his Prayer who is Your Highness humble Servant Mournful for You hold with You for Sions sake JOHN TILLINGHAST To the several Churches of Christ within this Commonwealth Together with all those that have fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ The Church
his Generation And as a Souldier in the field may do the work of his calling by being faithful unto and valiant for those who intrust him and yet the work of his calling and Generation being mixed not eye all this while the work of his Genâ—ration So may a Minister in the Pulpit do the work of his calling by preaching truth soundly and powerfully and yet not having respect to what truths the present Age and the necessity of his hearers do in a more especial manner rather than others call for the opening and applying of he may miss the work of his Generation 3 A Saint by vertue of his station and relation may have some duty lying upon him which may be the work of his generation and yet the work of his station and relation As for instance A godly man is a Minister of a Family for him now according to his ability to teach instruct and prinâ—iple his Wife Children and Servants and to govern in his Family is the duty of his station or the place God hath set him in and the duty of his relation also as he is a Husband Father Master and when he doth this hee doth no other thing than what the station God hath set him in and the bond of relation binds him to perform Buâ— now when he doth so govern in his Family and so instruct and principle those under him and in relation to him as that both himself and his may acknowledge and in some measure answer the call of Gods present dispensations towards the age he lives in whether to suffer if the dispensation call for that or to be serviceable in any active way to some special cause of God on foot in that age he doth the work of his Generation though his activity lye within the bounds of his family yet so long as what he acts tends to bring himself and his as much as may be to answer the present dispensations of God he doth the work of his Generation 4 A Saint by vertue of the present condition he may be in may stand obliged to some duty which yet may be the work of his Generation as well as of his condition As to exercise faith and patience under sufferings for Christ is the work of a suffering condition but now if my sufferings fall out in such an age wherein the Church of God in general lies under persecution then the exercise of faith and patience under the Cross is not onely the work of my condition but the very work of my Generation that which the dispensations of God in the age I live in cals for at my hands By what hath been said we see that such a case may be that in the substance of the work that work which lies upon a Saint as a Saint and which is the work of his calling station relation and condition may be the same with the work of his Generation and yet in divers respects there may be such a vast difference that one man doing the same work shall do more then that which lies upon him and every one else as Saints or which his calling station relation or condition calls for and another in doing the very same work shall do all this as well and better than he and the work of his Generation also From what hath been spoken as touching this the final conclusion is that the work of our generation is not any work distinct in substance from all other works for were it sout would be a thing more easie to find it out than indeed it is but the difference lies in considering the same work in divers respects 't is not diversity of work so much as diversity of respect in working that makes the difference Secondly The next thing to be opened is That the Saints in their several Generations have had and still have their proper and peculiar works My meaning is That there is some work which is more properly the work of Saints living in one generation than it is of Saints living in another Saints of this Generation have some works which Saints of former Generations had not and Saints of former Generations had some works which Saints of this Generation have not For the making out of this I shall draw a line through the severall Generations that Saints from the beginning have lived in and take a view of Saints and of their work or works each of them in their several Generations To begin with Noah for I cannot point out all Generations from Adam downwards but such onely upon which some remarkable actions of eminent Saints dwelling in those Generations are fixed thereby making them memorable to after times he besides all his other works had the proper work of his Generation which was to build an Ark for the preservation of his house and the creatures from the flood and universal deluge by which he preached a real Sermon for one hundred and twenty years to the Old World all the while the Arke was a preparing and by which the Apostle saith Heb. 11.7 He condemned the world i.e. the persons of that Generation and this work it was a work distinct from the work of all other Generations Next to him Abraham had the proper work of his Generation which was to go forth of his Country and from his Fathers house unto a Land which God should shew him and there to follow God from one place to another beleeving that one day his seed should enâ—oy that Land that now he was a stranger in but in the mean time to dwell in Tents with Isaac and Jacob heirs with him of the same promise This was not the work of after Generations yet was it the work of his and their Generations After him Mose and Aaron and other faithful ones in their dayes had the proper work of their Generation which was to look up to God and trust him for meat and drink and rayment and preservation in a barren wilderness where none of these things were to be had and where they lay open to cruel enemies on every side to the malice of cruel imbittered enemies To trust God in such an extraordinary way was not the work of after Generations which yet was the special work of this Generation Come to Davids time he also had the proper work of his Generation wherein as our Text witnesseth he served God which was to cut down Gods enemies round about and thereby to make room and provision for the house of God which was to be built at Jerusalem here was his distinctive work Next after him comes Solomon whose distinct work was to build the Temple of God which his Father David had made room and provision for To pass over the works of many following Generations let us come to Jeremiah's time had not Gods people in that age the proper work of their Genenation which was willingly to put their necks under and quietly submit unto the yoke of the King of Babylon giving themselves up unto captivity
truth had I dropped doubtful words concerning the same Yet because this Answer is none at all and I would not have any take bare words for Arguments and yet am loath here neither is it proper to start the question therefore setting aside the joynt and concurrent testimony of every of the Prophets of the Old Testament Jonah onely excepted which is rather a History than a Prophesie in this thing the truth whereof is not much more difficult to prove than to affirm I shall onely commend to such that of Paul Rom. 11. who speaks expresly not of spiritual but of natural Jews whom therefore he all along opposeth to the Gentiles calling them also branches broken off which cannot be spiritual branches but natural v. 21. the same broken off shall be grafted in again v. 24. And this not done only one by one in continuance of time but according to that of Isa 66.8 in a manner all at once ver 25 26. And so all Israel shall be saved which as yet we have never seen and yet because Scripture speaks it are to believe it Thus according to present light both of what I have received from others and have been able to add of my own a discovery of the age we live in hath been made and found to be that in which the great work of Israels redemption is most likely to be effected 2 Our next thing is that we may walk in the path before laid down to observe what those glorious and remarkable things are the accomplishment whereof God hath foretold and promised in and about these times And here give me leave to say that when I take a view of what holy Scripture hath recorded of that time in which Israel shall return to their own Land and also to the Lord and David their King that I do find this age none more full of wonders to all which Gods glorious work of redeeming Sion literal Sion or the Jews from their long captivity and spiritual Sion or the Gentile Churches from Antichristian bondage as it were the Axis upon which they turn Now to enumerate each particular of those transactions that Scripture tells us shall fall out in this age is not my intent but onely to take notice of some of the chief and such as are most free from exception for the directing of us to that which is our special work in this Generation Which are 1 Israels Redemption Which although by mentioning here again I may seem to tautologize yet must I do it this being the first and great thing promised which therefore we have before proved and make use of as a mark to descry the rest by 2 A large and plentiful conversion of Gentles to the Lord. as Isa 2.3 Many people shall say Come yee let us go up to the mountain of the Lord Which that it relates to the time in and about which the Jews shall be converted is clear vers 5. O house of Jacob i.e. ye Jews as distinguished from the Nations before spoken of Come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord. And yet more clear Mica 4.2 ver 6.7 So Isa 60.3 4 5. Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee the abundance of the Sea or Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Which that it is spoken of the Jews is clear because they are distinguished from the Gentiles and that the time of their redemption is here spoken of appears if you look back to Chap. 59.20 compared with Rom. 11.26 So Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day What day is that See vers 12. When the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy Land and shall choose Jerusalem again So Zach. 8.20.21 22 23. To all which add Rom. 11.25 26. where the Apostle speaking of the conversion of the Jews mentions also a fulness of the Gentiles about that time coming in 3 Vniting Saints that differ Zach. 14.9 In that day shall there be one Lord and his Name one And when shall this be why then when all Nations shall be gathered together against Jerusalem to battel as vers 2. So Zeph. 3.9 I will turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to serve him with one consent Division of languages made a division of men but when Gods people shall come to have a pure unbroken language all to speak one and the same thing division amongst Saints shall cease and there shall be union But when shall this be See vers 20. At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I will gather you for I will make you i.e. Israel distinguished from other people a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord. So Isa 11.13 The envy of Ephraim shall depart and the adversaries of Judah be cut off Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vexe Ephraim When shall this be the foregoing verse tells us He shall assemble the out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth So Ch. 54.13 all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shal be the peace of thy Children which may as well be understoâ—d of outward as inward peace for all being taught of God they shall not jar amongst themselves But when shall this be why then when as the Jews which now are barren as a widow and a wife of youth refused as vers 1.4.6 shall be received into favour again 4 Pulling down of high and lofty things under which as principal or head we are to comprehend the man of Sin or Romish Antichrist Is 2.11 12 13 14 15 16 17. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low And upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon all the Oaks of Bashan And upon all the high mountains and upon all the hils that are lifted up And upon every high Tower and upon every fenced wall and upon all the shâ—ps of Tarshish and upon all pleasant pictures And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shall be made low and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day The meaning of all these metaphorical expressions is only this That at this time the day of the Lord the day of the Lord shall be upon all the strength and glory of the Creature upon all high and lofty things and persons that exait themselves above the Lord Christ to the pulling of them down
Generations nor matter of exaltation to our selves who have nothing but free Grace to boast of nor any other reason to give why it should thus be but this onely so it pleased him Yet as then when truth came forth in being the new light of the Generation did oftentimes offend persons living in those Generations so as they could not see the work of the Cerations as the persecutions that many of the Prophets of the Old Testament and the Apostles of the New did suffer from the men of those Generations for the same doth witness So now when truth is coming forth in regard of discovery the new discoveries of truth have been and are a continual offence to the men of these last Generations even to the opposing the very work of the Generation they have lived in as the sufferings of those Witnesses of Jesus who stood up for the Priestly Office of Christ about Luthers daies by the Papacy and the persecutions of those Worthies since who have maintained the Kingly Office of Christ by the Prelacy and the several Nick-names of truth in this our age and new light the common by-word of the Country doth clearly and fully evidence Secondly At those stumbling blocks which usually are laid in the work of the Generation It is a thing to be noted that almost in every age God hath laid some eminent stumbling-blocks in the work of that age both for the trial of the faith of his own people in getting over them and for his Enemies to stumble and fall upon which stumbling-blocks as they have exercised the faith of the one so have they been continual Rocks of offence unto the other In Noahs time when the work of that age was to expect and prepare for a universal deluge what a stumbling-block in reason may we think was it to the Old World to hear of such a thing one hundred and twenty years before it comes to look for it year after year one hundred and twenty years together and yet no appearance of such a thing might they not well conclude before half that time was expired that Noah's preaching was a fable and his building the Ark a fancy for no such thing as he expected would ever be When Moses was sent of God into Egypt to deliver Gods people thence which was the work of that age what a palpable stumbling-block was it to Pharoah and the Egyptians to behold the very same miracles which were wrought by Moses to evidence his being sent of God done by their Magicians might they not well say is this man sent of God then are our Magicians for they do the same things as he Afterwards in the wilderness did not this lie as an apparent stumbling-block before that Generation that Israel should there wander to and fro forty years till the whole Generation of men that came out of Egypt were consumed before they must enter that Land they were brought out to possess At the time of the building the second Temple upon Israels coming out of Babylon which being in the latter times of the Jewish State was I take it the Type of Christs building his Church in the last days upon the coming out of Antichristian Babylon what a stumbling-block was it that the great work of that time the which they were come from Babylon about should receive such a nip at the very beginning as to be at a stand forty years together before it could go on might not Gods people fear and Enemies conclude this work would now surely come to nothing who will wonder that Temple-building hath been at a stand for many years since the comming out of Babylon mystical that considers thus it was upon the coming out of literal Babylon and their Temple was the type of ours Christs coming into the world was accompanied with two notable stumbling-blocks First He was born of mean Parentage when as he was looked for amongst the Royal or Priestly seed Secondly He first appears out of Galilee and by vulgar esteem is a Nazarene whereas all knew the Messiah was to come out of Bethlehem These two so visible rocks of offence as they drew the generality to oppose him pleading against him and for themselves Shall Christ come out of Galilee Hath not the Scripture said That Christ commeth of the seed of David and out of the Town of Bethlehem where David was Joh. 7.41 42. So were they sore tryals to the faith of the godly who not strictly inquiring into Christs descent and the place of his birth but taking things upon trust from report of the vulgar a weakness too incident to many true meaning souls made that their stumbling-block which rightly understood would have been a confirmation of their faith as appears in that good plain-hearted Nathaniel who was without guile could not tell how a while to get over this Joh. 1.46 Can any good thing come out of Nazareth And to say no more When Christ sent forth Apostles into the world about the great work of that Generation did not this lye as a sore stumbling-block before many to see the learned ones the Doctors and Rabbies of the times set by and in this glorious work a company of poor illiterate Fisher-men imployed And as it is most evident that in Generations formerly God for wise ends hath ever laid stumbling-blocks in the work of the Generations So he that shall but narrowly observe Gods dispensations towards his people of late in these our times shall find this verified nothing more there having hardly been any great Victory obtained or any thing remarkable performed which hath not had his stumbling going along with it and happy is he whosoever is not offended thereby 3 At the declared dissents or the private discontents or murmurings of a religious party against the work of the Generation God in his secret providence unsearchable wisdom hath so thought it good that Generation-work should meet with its affronts not only from the tumultuous confused rabble of the world but also from a religious party who should either repine at dissent from or make opposition against the same It was a religious party the whole Congregation of Israel being a professing people amongst which undoubtedly very many that came out of Egypt were truly godly who yet sinned with the Congregation and fell in the wilderness that in the days of Moses did so heap up their murmurings murmuring upon murmuring against the visible dispensations of that age It was a religious party yea and that too upon a religious ground as well as a politick Joh. 11.49 50 51 52. that gave wicked counfel for the putting of Christ to death It was a religious party the Jews and the devoute women that raised persecution at Antioch against the work of the Gospel expelling Paul and Barnabas the faithful Preachers thereof out of their coasts Act. 13.50 A religious party have always had a finger in opposing Generation-work And observe when a religious party hath opposed this their
whole Nation had subjected themselves and under whom they had obtained glorious Victories Who would ever have thought this Kingdom could have risen and yet it did Christs riding into Jerusalem as King which I take it did shadow out both these it was upon an Ass one of the most despicable of all the creatures and yet not upon a grown Ass neither an Ass in his full strength but upon a Colt the Foal of an Ass the weakest and most despicable of the most despicable Matth. 21.5 Thus it is Gods way in great works especially in Generation-work to begin low and rise by steps Now we shall find that low beginnings in the work of the Generation have sometimes been a discouragement to persons acting therein So in Ezra's time when the foundation of the second Temple was laid the low and little beginnings did so discourage the ancient men who had seen the glory of the former house that it is said they wept with a loud voyce chap. 3.12 2 At the powerfulness and succesfulness of opposition against the work As Generation-work hath never wanted powerful opposition so sometimes opposition for a while hath been successful against the same What powerful opposition shall be made against the work of God in the last times viz. The â—etting up Christ as King in Sion or his Churches you have foretold Psal 2. where we have opposers of a higher note Kings Rulers Opposers of a lower rank Heathen people Yet all Prince and Beggar can joyn hand in hand to oppose Christs Kingdom And how successful that opposition made by the adversaries of Judah was to the work of the Generation in the days of Ezra whereby a stop was put to the work for many years together is there recorded And which is to be noted the very opposition made by Judah's Enemys to the work was that which did exceedingly discourage and weaken the hands of them that wrought therein Ezra 4.4 Then the people of the Land weakned the hands of the people of Judah and troubled them in the building 3 At Great ones holding off and withdrawing their hands from the work Generation-work hath seldom found the friendship of great ones Have any of the chief Rulers or Pharisees beleeved in him In Nehemiah's time the onely men that would not put their necks to the work of that age were the Noble men ch 3.5 Their Nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. Now what a discouragement it is to the meaner sort to see the great ones stand off or with-draw who knows not It is observable which I would not here pass over that in that age in which the Jews shall be brought in Gods first glorious appearing shall be amongst a middle sort of people Zech. 12.7 The Lord shall save the Tents of Judah first i.e. God shall first begin to discover his glorious power and make bare his arm of Salvation not amongst the poorest of all who have no Tents no place of habitation but are Vagrant and Beggars nor the richest who have their sumptuous Palaces and royal Houses but a middle sort of people living in a plain but an honorable and comely way such as the way of living in Tents of old was and the reason hereof is given that the glory of the house of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnifie themselves against Judah i.e. that men of Princely and noble blood dwelling in Courts or sumptuous Palaces or depending upon such places may not as hath been the manner from the beginning magnifie themselves against others because in a rank or ranks below them If this shall be the way of Gods dispensations towards that age be not discouraged in case we now who are fallen into the same see many great ones withdrawing their hands from the work 4 At the perfidious and treacherous dealing of some particular persons imployed in the work It is no new thing in Generation-work as to meet with opposition abroad so treachery nearer home David in his work had a treacherous son Absolom a treacherous Counsellor Achâ—tophel Nehemiah in the carrying on of his work had a treacherous Shemaiah yea treacherous Nobles acting with him as chap 6.10 17. Christ in his work had a treacherous Judas for one of his followers And what a discouragement treachery in some is to others that one instance of Absoloms treachery is proof enough which did so sinke the heart of David himself and the hearts of all his mighty men of valour yea of the whole Country that they fled weeping with a loud voyce from Absolom 2 Sam. 15.23.30 5 At the meeting with disappointments Disappointments of expectations prove oft times discouragements at best disquietments to those that meet with them in their work A disappointment did so dis-hearten bold spirited Jeremy that he took up a hasty resolution to quit his hands of Gods work chap. 20.7 8 9. Yea Paul himself though a man so watchful active and having such command over his Spirit as none more was so disquieted by a disappointment and one would think it a smal one too onely missing of Titus that he lost a very fair opportunity of doing Christ service at Troas 2 Cor. 2.12 13. 6 At unkindnesses received from those whose good and welfare we have ever closely pursued in the work It is a remarkable example and pertinent to the thing in hand that of Moses Exo. 17. who having as an instrument under God brought Israel out of Aegypt carried them through the Red Sea yea made it his business from first to last above any thing of his own to seek their good and welfare meeting with so unkind a return for all his tender care of them as that no sooner did they want a little water but presently they fall to chide with and upbraid him as men ready to stone him vers 2 3 4. He is so discouraged hereby as that this very discouragement pusheth him into that sin against the work of his Generation for which and no other he is shut out of Canaan as compare vers 7. with Num. 20.12 13. 7 At multiplyed sentences of death put upon the work This though it will take in some of the foregoing discouragements which are but as so many sentences of death put upon the work Yet because it may be extended farther I shall here allow it a particular place by it self The more grace and mercy is wrapped up in any of Gods dispensations towards his people the more and greater sentences of death are usually put upon that work which those dispensations call for and by which this mercy is to be ushered in The dispensation of God towards Israel in bringing them out of Aegypt was a dispensation full of mercy and nothing more verified in the story of it then this that multiplied sentences of death did attend the work Before deliverance comes they are in hard bondage when deliverance was neer their bondage grows higher and their tale of bricks is doubled No sooner are
litteral sense to make way hereby for the Jews more speedy return out of the Eastern Countries to Jerusalem their native Country mistake for the grounds of our last Proposition and also because as saith a godly man in answer to this opinion the sixth Vial according to this should have no plague at all for saith he either in these words of drying up Euphrates the plague is pointed at or in none for the following words mention no plague but only the endeavour of Gods enemies to defend themselves against it By the River Euphrates some others understand the Riches and Revenues of Antichristian Babylon which Riches and Revenues of theirs are the strength of Babylon mystical as Euphrates of old was of litteral Babylon the drying up of Euphrates the taking of these their Revenues from them which Rents and holy Tribute of theirs being denied their Chests and Coffers will by degrees grow empty Now although the Patrons of this opinion are men of worth and to be esteemed yet cannot I herein subseribe unto them 1 Because as is by some of them confessed the drying up of Euphrates in this sense hath been begun this hundred years nay some say three hundred whereas the pouring forth of this Vial is a thing yet to come 2 Because every of the Vials hitherto hath done this by degrees already and the Vials yet to come will more for observe it throughout all the Vials whatsoever it is that Antichrist loseth by any Vial he together with the loss of that loseth a considerable part of his Revenues coming in thereby and therefore every Vial clipping his Tribute and cutting him short here there needs not a particular Vial to be poured out upon that which every of the Vials till the same is wholly destroyed will have an influence upon Neither thirdly Can I see how this will further at most but very little the Jews return which is that great thing to prepare a way for the doing whereof this Vial is poured forth An eminent late Writer interprets this River Euphrates to be the streams of Popish corruption namely their Idolatries by their Mass Invocation of Saints c. their murders of the souls of men as well as the bodies of Christs servants their Sorceries of which many of the Popes themselves were guilty their Whoredomes namely in their Stews their Thefts by their Indulgences and Pardons for money c. But these things are no other but that Popish Earth the first Vial fell upon by the fall whereof these though not throughout Antichrists Kingdom yet in some parts which is enough to evidence a Vial to have been already poured out upon them were destroyed And it is well known that Luther who began to pour out the first Vial was the very hammer of the Papists as to the beating down and knocking in peeces these things And although the Popish party are severely punished for these things upon the sounding of the sixth Trumpet Chap. 9.18 19 20 21. Yet as these gross enormities came not then in upon the sounding of that Trumpet but were in before though then they are punished for them so each Vial casting out as the same Author hath observed that very corruption which the same Trumpet brought in it follows the bringing of these things in being before so must their casting out also and therefore it is more agreeable to the Authors own Position to place the casting of these things out under the first Vial as I have done they coâ—ing in in all likelihood under the first Trumpet than that their casting out should not be until this Sixth But more rightly as some others we are to understand the Ottoman Family or Turkish Empire called the Great River because of the multitude of People and Nations therein Rivers signifying People and Nations as I have proved under the third Vial and the Great River Euphrates either to signifie as some think that people to be here meant who inhabit about Euphrates which are the Turks or as I conceive to give us to understand that that very people are here intended who shall about this time be looked upon and accounted the greatest people of all others for of all Rivers that we read of in the Old Testament Euphrates is called the Great River Gen. 15.18 Deut. 1.7 Josh 1.4 or the River by way of emphasis Deut. 11.24 Now the people who at this present time are of all others accounted the greatest are the Turks who therefore and no other are here to be understood And which serves us for a strong confirmation hereof the River Euphrates is but once more in all the Revelation mentioned Chap. 9.14 and there by the general consent of Expositors it hath reference to the Turkish power To which let me further add that it being a thing also granted that in the last war to which preparation is made under this Vial as well the Turkish Power shall be engaged against the Saints as the Power of the Beast it therefore seems a thing very probable that the Turk shall by the pouring out of this Vial have some great provocation which shall induce him to joyn hands with the Beast in his so desperate a quarrel 2 EFFECT Drying up of the waters of Euphrates And the waters thereof were dryed up The Turks power and multitude through the pouring out of this Vial shall be wasted and destroyed for waters set forth multitudes of people as before the drying up of the waters imports a wasting and consuming of these multitudeâ— 3 The moving Cause Preparing a way for the Kings of the East That the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared These words render a reason of the drying up of Euphrates which is to prepare a way for the Kings of the East By Kings of the East We are here to understand the Jews who upon the pouring forth of this Vial shall return to their own Land and be converted to Christ And I take it that the pouring out of this Vial prepares a way for both viz. Their possession of their own land again and their conversion to the Faith of the Gospel For as the latter shall not go without the former I mean conversion to Christ without possession of their land The Scripture being full and clear in this that when that Nation shall be converted they shall be in possession of their Land again Isa 61.7 Jer. 31.17 and 32.41 Ezek. 37.21 22 25. Amos 9.14 15. Zech. 2 12. so the former alone without the latter would be a thing indeed too low and carnal to be accounted the sole moving cause of pouring out this Vial which this preparing a way for the Kings of the East is Now the Jewes are here called Kings either for that abundance of riches they shall bring along with them at their return Isa 60.9 To bring thy Sons from far their silver and their gold with them Or rather for that great honour and dignity that God will put upon his people setting them
of Gods special presence then should be such that no man that is none of the Antichristian party no nor any other for he speaks not here of men as worshippers as 1 King 8.11 but of men as enemies to the Temple and Gods work in it should be able i.e. by force or power to enter into the Temple i. e. to destroy the Templers and thereby put a stop to the work Gods power and presence being in the Temple to assist the Angels in carrying it on until the seven Plagues of the seven Angels should be fulfilled i.e. never for if they cannot hinder the work till it is wholly effected they shall never do it Object Whereas it is further objected that the whole 21 and 22 Chapters of this Book which are the events of the seventh Vial do hold forth this of the Jews conversion which therefore seems rather to be an Effect of the seventh Vial than to go before it To that I answer That the main thing spoken of in those Chapters is their glory not their conversion Now that I readily grant that their glory which is a fruit and consequent of their Conversion shall have a cloud upon it and not be conspicuous till the battle of Armageddon be over and the seventh Vial poured out but their Conversion shall be before for Chap. 19.8 tells us that the Bride is in her fine linnen whilst yet preparation is but making to this battle and the pouring out of the seventh Vial. To conclude The very Argument used by the Reverend Author of these objections in opening vers 16. of this Chapter to prove the Jews conversion from the finging Hallelujahs Chap. 19. which being an Hebrew word seems to imply the Conversion of the Jews at this time who together saith our Author with the Gentile-Churches praise God for Romes destruction makes directly against his own opinion viz. That the Jews shall not be called till all the Vials are poured out for the singing Hallelujahs Chap. 19. is before yet preparation is made to the battel of Armageddon as from the sequel of the Chapter is clear and this precedency is not only in words but a precedency in time for the singing Hallelujahs is instantly upon Romes ruine whereas the battel of Armageddon which yet is included within the Vials is not to be till some yeers after 4 The Angel of this Vial The Gentile-Churches One great Question yet remains which if not resolved we are still in the dark notwithstanding all that hath been hitherto said which is Seeing that this Vial shall fall upon the Great Turk who shall be the Angel that must pour it out To say the Jews themselves shall do it the Text it self will not allow because a way is prepared for them by doing of it I could incline to think because it seems well to agree to the metaphor of drying up that the power and multitude of the Great Turk should by little and little â—hrough Intestive broyls and Civil commotions be wasted and consumed but that my thoughts are recalled when I consider that all the Vials are to be poured forth by such Angels only as come out of the Temple To say as doth a godly man that the Turk shall draw all his forces out of Asia and Africa into Italy and this to be the drying up of the River Euphrates would please me very well were it not but that according to this interpretation there should be no plague at all attending this Vial seeing as hath been said the plague is expressed in these words of drying up Euphrates or in none unless barely a plague in his will carrying him or his counsel advising to such a journy and plagues of this sort are more immediately from God not mediately by Angels or instruments as is the pouring forth of this Vial. Yea which makes me more averse hereto I yet can see no other but that the very and only reason of this perswasion is grounded upon a mistake whilst the troublesome tydings out of the East and North Dan. 11.44 supposed to be an insurrection of the Jews in the Turks absence is applied to the King of the South that is saith our Author the Turks at this time invading Italy and pushing against the Pope whereas it is clear to him that seriously peruseth verse 40 41 42 43.44 that the same is to be applied to the King of the North. If it should enter into the thoughts of any to conceive the Angel here to be Christ himself who either by some immediate hand from Heaven should dry up the Turkish power or by some secret judgement should cause a division amongst his subjects or as before a diversion of his force some other way thereby opening a door to the Jews to recover their own Land I should to such reply that this were to make the Angel of this Vial different from all the rest for every of the other Vials have some visible Angel pouring of them out but according hereunto the Angel of this Vial should be invisible only What therefore shall wee say seeing neither of these can stand who may we next conceive unless some Christian power to be this Angel which power must be such only as comes out of the Temple no other being here to be admitted With this last my thoughts accord because upon diligent search I can find no opinion else that will either agree with the Text or with it self Give me leave therefore to express my own conjecture for so I call it and let others judge thereof thus That the Saints having run through Germany invaded Italy destroyed Rome and being now with all their forces in Italy the appointed time of the Jews delivery being come the Jews in Italy and thereabouts together with those in these parts and the outcasts also in the more remote corners of this world shall now through some strong impressions upon the hearts of some amongst them that this is the very time of their deliverance begin to stir and to make towards their own land whom the great Turk having intelligence of their design shall gather together all his forces to resist Now the work in Italy being done and the instruments doing it there waiting upon God to see what further work he hath for them and also being by this time brought into such a frame by beholding Gods glorious Appearances with them against the Beast as that there is now nothing so much in their hearts as a desire to do Gods work and serve his will being resolved setting all carnal respects and outward interests aside to follow him whithersoever his providence shall lead them and also being above measure taken and ravished seeing herein the glorious accomplishment of all the Prophecies of old with this great News now ringing in those parts and over all the world that the Jews are stirring as knowing how great an advance their coming in will bee to the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus by which the whole world shall be filled
with the glory of the Lord and also being loath having gone thus far with Christ now to sit still whilst he hath any work to do which they may be helpful in yea counting it their high honour and glorious privilege in case they may but any way become serviceable in this matchless work and design of God they shall hereupon make tender of their assistance to the rising Jews in those parts against the Turk whereupon with this handful of Jews being as yet but the first fruits of those who from all parts are coming up they out of some parts of Italy shall invade the great Turks Dominions by whose power his waters shall be dried and his people become a spoyl unto them which may be intimated in those words Isa 11.14 which as they speak of the time so also set forth the manner of the Jews coming up to their Land They shall flye upon the shoulders of the Philistims toward the West they shall spoyl them of the East together The meaning may be this Some Potent people towards the West of the Turks Dominions as Italy is North-west of his principal Dominions shall take up the cause and quarrel of the Jews and march swiftly with them into his Dominions by whom those of the East an Argument their march shall be East-ward from towards the West quarter to the East that is the Turks shall be spoyled and the Jews re-possessed of their own Land To this agrees Isa 49.22 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard to the people and they shall bring thy Sons in their arms and thy Daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders And not besides our purpose is Zacharies Vision of the four Horns and the four Carpenters Chap. 1.18 19 20 21. which Vision that it relates to the last times and not those times wherein Zachary lived is clear by comparing the first and second Chapters together which both speak of the same time as appears because the measuring line Chap. 1.16 is mentioned again Chap. 2.1 2. and it is evident though that the Prophecie of the Jews return Chap. 2. could not have its compleat fulfilling though something then was done in the Type in their return from the Babylonish Captivity but must have respect to their last Restauration when many Nations together with the Jews shall be joyned to the Lord as vers 11. And many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day agreeing to that which more fully explains it Chap. 8.20 Thus saith the Lord It shall yet come to pass that there shall come people and the Inhabitants of many Cities 21. And the Inhabitants of oâ—e City shall go to another saying Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also 22. Yea many people and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord. 23. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes ten men shall take hold out of all the languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying We will go with you intimating the willingness of the Gentiles to march with them and carry them up to their land at this day for we have heard that God is with you agreeing also to that expresly spoken of the last dayes Mic 4.1.2 But in the last dayes it shall come to pass that the Mountain of the Lords House shall bee established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and the people shall flow unto it 2. And many Nations shall come and say Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord which hath reference to the time of the Jews return as is clear from vers 6 7 8. In that day saith the Lord will I assemble her that halteth and will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted The words therefore as is clear relating to the last times by the four Horns scattering Judah Israel and Jerusalem Chap. 1.19 we are to understand the four Monarchies Dan. 2.37 38 39 40. under which Israel or the ten Tribes were scattered after that Judah or the two Tribes and lastly Jerusalem it self totally ruined and the place possessed by strangers the two first by the Assyrian or Babylonian Monarchy the last by the Roman since Christs time By the four Carpenters which come to fray these Horns and cast them out that the scattered might be gathered again understand the stone cut out of the mountains without hands by which the Image representing all the four Monarchies being smitten upon his feet i.e. in the fourth or last Monarchy the whole Image i.e. all the four Monarchies are broken in peeces together and like chaff with the wind carried away their place is no more found Dan. 2.34 35.44 45. Now compare Zacharies Vision and Nebuchadnezzars Dream together and we may out of both make this conclusion viz. That the four Carpenters whih fray the Horns lift up over the land of Judah to scatter it being the same with the stone smiting the great Image upon the feet which stone being no other than the Gentile-Churches who shall strike first at the Roman Monarchy and at the fect of it which are said to be part of iron and part of clay that is at the same as it now is under the Beast having a Civil and Spiritual power mixed together it will necessarily follow that the four Carpenters which are to fray the Horns of the Gentiles and cast them out that Israel may be gathered again are the Gentile-Churches Now because the power of the Turk especially is that Horn which at present is lift up over the land of Judah and also a part of the old Roman Monarchy as he possesseth those Countries which did anciently belong to that Monarchy therefore the Gentile Churches shall fray his Horns also i.e. dry up his power at the time when Israel is to be gathered And the Reason why they are called a Stone Dan. 2. but four Carpenters Zech. 1. is because Daniel speaks of this power in the first rise of it which as it shall be in an extraordinary way by an immediate finger of God who shall take a handful of his people out of some of the Mountains of this world and by his own power and providence without the help or assistance yea against the stream of wordly Rulers hearts could they help it form them together as a stone to break the powers of the world by so shall the instruments at first be but little low weak unskilful most despised altogether unlikely to break in peeces the great Image but now by the time that they come to fray the Horns lift up over the land of Judah i.e. to deal with the great Turk they are four Carpenters that is they shall by this time become very for midable having by waging war
with the Beast and fraying his Horns got not onely power into their hands now to cope and grapple with the greatest but also the very Art of hacking and hewing down Gods enemies they shall be no longer young beginners to whom time must be allowed to rid work off hands but they shall now become perfect Artists men that have driven a Trade a great while of fraying of Horns pulling down worldly powers and therefore be skilled in the way and know how to rid such work off hands apace and hence in the forequoted place Isa 11.14 it s said they shall flie to note the quick dispatch they shall make of their work Now the Gentile Churches by invading the Turks Dominions with such of the Jews as are nearest for being zealous in Gods cause and expert in their way they will lose no time and by fraying his Horns they shall thereby prepare a way or make a high way for the rest of the Jews who come from more remote parts and chiefly the ten Trâ—â—es who were carried captive by the King of Assyria who therefore are called the remnant of his people from Assyria to come up to their land and joyn with the rest as vers 16. And there shall be a high way for the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria i.e. yet remaining of those the Assyrians carried captive like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt Yet because some Jews there shall be who shall be in such corners of the world that they cannot any other way than by shipping come at their Land therefore those Gentile Christians who shall have set their Brethâ—en in possession of their Land making it now their busâ—ress to serve God in this work shall go forth with the multitude of their ships to fetch up the Jews from the more remote parts and Creeks and corners of the world unto their own land which is spoken of Isa 60.9 Surely the Isles shall wait for me and the ships of Tarshish first to bring thy Sons from far their Silver and their Gold with them unto the name of the Lord thy God and to the holy one of Israel because he hath glorified thee And although at this day the Gentiles shall be in a manner Servants to the Jews yet shall their hearts be so spiritual that considering it to be their Fathers work will they shall be so far from being offended to see these new-coming-in-Guestsso entertained and welcommed as that they must wait upon them that they shall exceedingly delight in the thing As Angels of glory delight to see Saints dandled and to serve them Now as the Gentile Christians by drying up the waters of Euphrates shall set open a door for the Jews from all quarters to come up to their own Land So shall this kindness of theirs shewed towards the Jews in undertaking freely so great a work for their sakes have a strong influence upon the hearts of that People to bring them by little and little to a love and liking of Christianity and so as I said at first the pouring out of this Vial prepares a way both for their regaining their own Land their conversion to Christ Qu. If any further desirous to know who amongst the Gentile Christians are most likely to be the Instruments in doing of this work My thoughts concerning it are of which I may truely say that not a private affection to any people above others hath been the rise of them but a diligent search of the Scripture to find satisfaction concerning the Angel of this Vial hath brought forth unawares both the questior with my thoughts thereupon which in the general so far onely as I have ground for conjecture I shall here lay down and let the understanding and unprejudiced Reader judge 1 It is most likely That the same Angel or those very Instruments which shall ruin Rome shall also pour out this Vial upon the great River Euphrates because the stone that smites the feet of the Image i.e. Antichrist is the same with the four Carpenters who are to fray the Horns i.e. the Turkish Power lift up over the Land of Judah Now because it will be said That it is as hard a thing for us as yet to find who this Angel shall be as the other for till we see Rome destroyed who knows who shall do the thing I answer would you know the Instruments before you see them at Romes Gates observe then the rolling stone and look for them there where you see that For this is most certain that as the great Image is to be broken in peeces by no other force or power but onely that of the stone so there where the stone is first taken out of the mountains and formed together by God and begins to roll and smite out of that quarter may we conclude the Tempest though yet it be a great way off which is to fall upon Rome shall most certainly come for observe it though the stone by rolling grows greater and greater yet is it that stone still and not another which was formed together at first whereas if the same matter which formed together did make the stone at first were wholly to be laid aside though matter of the same kind should still be used yet would it be a new stone a stone new formed but the same stone that smites at first and not another is that which breaks in peeces the great Image though this stone whilst it is in doing of it is still in a growing posture by means whereof as it rolls further and further so may it have much more matter added daily to it yet is it the same stone still and the outward strength of the stone lies principally in that matter which was formed together at first that being the Basis or foundation of the rest And this confirmes our first and main Proposition viz. That the Gentile Christians shall pour out this Vial upon the Turk because the very same stone which begins to smite the Image on his feet is to break the whole Image i.e. all worldly Powers This likewise confirms what but even now I said viz. That the stone Dan. 2. and the four Carpenters Zich 1. are one and the same for the four Carpenters are they which fray the Horns lift up in the last days over the Land of Judah Now that which breaks all worldly Powers in the last days standing in the way of Christs Kingdom is no other but the stone which Daniel â—peaks of 2 In answer yet further to the former Question I find in the fore-quoted places Isa 60 9. and 11.14 four marks or characters to know that people by who among the Gentile Christians shall be the principal Instruments of making way for and bringing the Jews unto their own Land First They shall be a people inhabiting in some Isles Secondly They shall have great hearts to the work and a longing desire to
them and upon them and that before Christs appearance to them namely they shall be convinced that the Messias is come being that Jesus which was Crucified by their Nation which shall so affect them as that they shall begin to own the crucified Jesus for Lord and Christ and this I think the rather because I find the Apostle Paul seeming to intimate Rom. 11.11 that the Jews shall be provoked i.e. with a holy provocation by the Gentiles Yea vers 30 31. having before spoken of their Call vers 26. And so all Israel shall be saved he tells us plainly that as the Jews by rejecting the Gospel at first did make way for the same to be brought to and preached among the Gentiles so the Gentiles by having the mercy of the Gospel amongst them shall when the appointed time of Israels conversion to Christ is come be a means of the Jews obtaining this mercy again For as yee in times past have not beleeved God yet have now obtained mercy through their unbeleef even so have these also now not beleeved that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy And which strengthens this perswasion I find Rev. 19. as hath been before observed the Bride to be in her fine linnen made ready to receive and meet her Bridegroom and that before his appearance or coming forth to battel upon the white Horse But now though there shall be many amongst them who shall from such ends and principles move as have been before declared yet shall there also with these march a great multitude who moved from no work upon their heart shall yet go with the rest either led to it by perswasion example or some carnal ends or hopes of their own as it was with Israel of old at their coming out of Egypt first and Babylon afterwards both which were eminent Types of this deliverance these being still in their hardness their former state of sin and bondage shall not be able to bear the glorious Gospel Revelation of Christ crucified to be their Messiah but shall stumble at it kick against it and against such of their brethren who receive it This we have Isa 8.14 He shall be for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the Houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem which that it speaks of this time is clear not only for the reason that it is about the time in which the Assyrian i.e. as shall appear hereafter the great Turk who now possesseth what did anciently belong to the Assyrian Monarchy is to overflow the land of Judah yea and then too when the same shall be Immanuels land that is when Christ shall begin of the Jews to bee known and worshipped there as vers 7.8 but also because it is said in the words He shall be a stone of stumbling to both the Houses of Israel i.e. to some of the ten Tribes and some of the two both who shall at this day be reunited which never yet hath been And these are the Rebels spoken of Ezek. 20.38 which shall be amongst Gods people at this day when they are to be gathered out of all Countries as were Korah Dathan and Abiram in the dayes of old upon the coming out of Egypt Yea these shall bee they who immediately before the time of Christs appearance shall hate their Brethren i.e. such among them who tremble at the word of the Gospel which by the Gentile-Saints they shall have had some light into and cast them out for Christs name sake whom now they own who shall at the coming of Christ bee ashamed when he shall appear to the others joy as Isaiah speaking of the time of the Jews Call Christs coming and the setting up of the New Jerusalem tells us Chap. 66.5 Hear ye the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my names sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Yea these are they who in the last and great day of the battel of Armageddon which Zechary speaks of Chap. 14. shall some of them even joyn hands they shall bee so horridly vile against the rest of their Fellow-brethren and that with those who from all parts of the World shall bee gathered together against Jerusalem as vers 14. And Judah also shall fight at or against Jerusalem as did part of those who in Nehemiahs time came out of Babylon conspire with Sanballat Tobiah and the rest of the enemies of Jerusalem against godly Nehemiah and their Fellow-brethren This mixture which shall be at this Day some being Israelites indeed some in name onely I take it was typed by the mixed multitude marching up with Israel out of Egypt the Congregation of Israel then or those who in that day whilst things were outward and typical were the natural seed of Abraham typing out those who shall at this day bee the Spiritual Seed or true Sons of God the multitude of Egyptians and oâ—hers who were not Israelites by birth though yet they went with the Congregation typing out those who at this Day although they shall bee the Seed according to the flesh and march with the rest are yet notwithstanding not accounted the Spiritual or Holy Seed which Holy Seed though but a Tenth that is a sew in comparison of the rest are yet called the substance Isaiah 6.13 i.e. the substance of this people that God looks at or will reckon for the Seed at this day And in regard of this mixt multitude which shall bee amongst them when they stir Daniel setting forth this their stirring by a Resutrection Chap. 12.2 which is the same with the Resurrection of the dry bones Ezek. 37. applyed there to the Jews stirring he saith some shall arise to everlasting life some to shame and everlasting contempt Which last words are an Argument that the Resurrection Daniel speaks of cannot bee the same with that first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 because none have part in that but such as are blessed and holy and on whom the second death hath no power Now because as I have said amongst those who come up to their Land the greater part shall be found not truly seeking the Lord but their own things therefore by that time they are settled in their Land and probably the Gentile-Christian removed from them or returned home shall a fearful storm such a day as never was from the foundation of the world fall upon them which Daniel mentions Chap. 12.1 and Zech. Chap. 14.1 by which as the better part shall bee brought through the fire and purified and their faith tryed so shall the other fall off as before to the Enemy or be cut off by this day of trouble so that a remnant onely shall bee left which remnant shall bee the Holy Seed which wee have Zecha 13.8 9. And it shall come to passe that in all the Land saith
Beast into the lake of fire slaying the remnant Vers 20 21. This appears yet farther Dan. 12.1 There shall bee a time of trouble such as never was since there was a Nation even to that same time and at that time shall thy people be delivered The concurrence of this day of trouble and the battel of Armageddon both with the time of the delivery of Daniels people or the Jews proves them to be one and the same Now that a coming there is here is clear At that time shall Michael stand up which that it is Personal will appear by comparing with Matth. 24. where all acknowledge his Personal coming is spoken of which yet is the same with this for Christ speaking of the time of it quotes this of Daniel vers 21 22. Then shall bâ—e great tribulation such as never was from the beginning of the world to this time no nor ever shall â—e Another evidence of this wee have Joel 3. which Chapter agrees exactly to the battel of Armageddon 1 In that the Kings of the earth and the whole world gather together Rev. 16.14 here all Nations vers 2. multitudes multitudes vers 14. 2 That is about the time of the Jews return for when the Kings of the East are upon coming in the Kings of the Earth gather together So this vers 1 2. For behold in those dayes when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all Nations 3 That is the great day of God Almighty Rev. 16.14 the Supper of the great God Chap. 19.17 this the day of the Lord spoken of by way of emphasis vers 14. The Day of the Lord is neer 4 That shall be in a place called Armageddon Rev. 16.16 signifying a place of destruction his in the valley of decision vers 14. i.e. the place of cutting off where God will cut off his enemies 5 That is the treading of the Winepress Rev. 19.15 So this vers 13. the press is full the fats overflow But is here a Personal coming yea vers 16. The Lord shall roar out of Sion and utter his voyce from Jerusalem and the heavens and the earth shal shake agreeing to thaâ— Hag. 2.6 7. of which presently v. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Sion my holy Mountain agreeing to that Rev. 21.3 Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them So Hag 2.6 7. I will shake the heavens and the earth and the Sea and the dry land And I will shake all Nations and the desire of all Nations shall come This being the same with the other of Joel can relate to no other time than the battel of Armageddon Now the coming here spoken of is not spiritual for the Prophets of the Old Testament having an eye upon Christ as yet to come do mostly if not ever when they speak of his coming intend such a coming of the Messiah as they expected and waited for which was Personal Neither can this coming be his first coming which was in a time of great peace not of shaking Heaven Earth all Nations as this is then was Christ the desire of the Jews only because known only to them but at this coming he is the desire of all Nations to which let me adde the Apostle speaks of this as a thing to be fulfilled Heb. 12.26 27. Nor can the words look to the last and General Judgement as if this coming were not till then because after this coming Gods House here below is to bee built and God will give peace in this place i.e. either largely taken for the Earth or strictly for Jerusalem and hard it will be to prove either of these things at or after the General Judgement This coming therefore must be that in the Text I come as a Theef both agreeing in time and this being personal that must also The like to this we have with much clearness vers 21 22 23. Yet further this is clear Zech. 14.3 4 5. which place by all circumstances the combination being general of all Nations ver 2. the time about the time of the Jews discovery c. must needs be the same with the battel of Armageddon Now would you see a coming here read ver 3. Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those Nations Vers 4. And his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives Mount Olives was the place whence Christ rode as King into Jerusalem Mat. 21.1 2 3. The place where Christ preached the most remarkable Sermon of his coming Mat. 24.3 the place whence Christ ascended Act. 1.9.10.11 12. and probably at his descending shall come thither again But perhaps this coming is not personal Yes ver 5 The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee agreeing to that 1 Thes 3.13 At the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his Saints which coming none deny to be his personal coming One place more and I conclude this Argument and that is Rev. 19.19 20 21. which that it is the same with the battel of Armageddon appears 1 In that the parties are the same the Beast the false Prophet and the Kings of the Earth being parties in both 2 The time is the same for this in the Vials hath two notable things going before it 1 The ruin of the City Rome under the fifth Vial. 2. The coming in of the Jews who are spoken of in the sixth Vial Accordingly that in chap. 19 hath preceding First Romes ruin chap. 18. Secondly The Marriage of the Lamb to his Bride including in it the Jews conversion chap. 19.7 8. 3 The Expressions argue them to be the same for one is called That great day of God Almighty vers 14. the other The Supper of the Great God chap. 19.17 In the one they are gathered to Armageddon a place of destruction vers 16. In the other the rout gathered together are slain with the sword of him that sits upon the horse that is Christ Object But how doth it appear that here is a Personal coming spoken of Answ 1. Christ comes as a Bridegroom vers 7 8 9. Now Christs coming as a Bridegroom is his Personal coming Mat. 25.6 10. Behold the Bridegroom cometh go yee forth to meet him 2 He is called the Word of God vers 13. The most glorious Title of all by which the person of Christ is expressed John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God yea the person of Christ as considered in both Natures goes under this title ver 14. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us 1 Joh. 1.1 That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the Word of Life It is Christ as personally present that is the object of the outward Senses Hearing Seeing Handling yet Christ as the Word was
seen heard touched by John 3 He is cloathed with a Vesture dipped in blood v. 13. he treads the Wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God ver 15. the same with that Isa 63.2 3. of which anon By these the other expressions of fitting upon a white horse judging and making War vers 11. having eyes as a flame of fire many Crowns on his head ver 12. answering to that chap. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord the Armies of Heaven following him ver 14. â—uling the Nations with a rod of iron answering to Psal 2.9 the sharp sword going out of his mouth vers 15. the name on his Vesture and Thigh King of Kings and Lord of Lords ver 16. Which of themselves look this way will more clearly appear to be spoken of Christ as personally coming yet because Christs personal coming at this time would hardly be received for a truth it is as I conceive therefore added ver 9 These are the true sayings of God The conclusion then of all is this Christ shall personally appear at the battel of Armageddon That battel for time exactly agrees with the Text therefore the coming here spoken of Behold I come as a Theef is a personal coming 2 ARGUMENT Christ shall personally appear at the time of the Kingdoms restoring to Israel But that shall be about this time The minor Proposition I have proved before in shewing that the coming in of the Jews must of necessity be betwixt the sixt and seventh Vials The major That Christ at this time shall appear I prove 1 From that of Paul Rom. 11.26 27. where the Apostle speaking of the Jews conversion mentions a coming of Christ The deliverer shalcome out of Sion Which words are to be taken in a litteral and spiritual sence both as are many Scriptures else as appears from Isa 59.20 whence they are quoted where to evidence the spiritual sence of them the Prophet saith expresly in the next verse My Spirit that is upon thee shall not depart out of thy mouth nor but of the mouth of thy seed c. noting that as their sins shall be pardoned so also more of the Spirit shall be given forth upon the Jews conversion than ever formerly which more fully we have Joel 2.28 29. Zech. 12.10 and this is the coming of the Deliverer to them in the spiritual sence Yet that besides this there is a litteral coming in these words appears if you compare the foregoing verses 16 17 18. upon which these have a dependance with the very same expressions almost only a little more full chap. 63.1 2 3 4 5 6. where also as here mention is made of a coming Ver. 1. Who is this that cometh from Edom which cannot be a spiritual coming i.e. a destroying of his Enemies by a glorious manifestation of himself and his power with and amongst his people because then the doing of the work should be by instruments whereas Christs arm alone without any instrument doth this work as verse 3. I have trodden the Wine-press alone and of the people there was none with me Vers 5. I looked and there was none to help and I wondered that there was none to uphold therefore my own Arm brought salvation to me and my fury it upheld me Neither could the litteral meaning of the words have their fulfilling in his first coming in which he was not glorious in his apparrel but without form and comeliness Chap. 53.2 neither was that a day of vengeance to tread down the people in anger as this is Vers 4 6. This comming therefore must be some other and is indeed that we spake of but now Rev. 19. where we have Christ coming forth upon a white horse as will appear by comparing Vers 3. I have trodden the Wine-press alone and of the people there was none with me for I will tread them in mine anger and trample them in my fury and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my Garments and I will stain all my raiment and that with Rev. 19.13 He was cloathed with a vesture dipped in blood Vers 15. And he treadeth the Wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God And this coming I proved but now by the circumstances of the Text is and must be the same with that I am opening Behold I come as a Theef 2 This appears Ezek. 37.24 25. where speaking of the Jews restauration and the Kingdom they shall have thereupon and this too with a principal relation to the last daies for the Chapter speaks of that time in which the sticks of Judah and Ephraim shall be one stick Vers 19. i.e. The two Tribes and ten Tribes one people shall have one King and that too in their own Land upon the Mountains of Israel which never yet hath been since the rent in the daies of Rehoboam it is said Vers 24. My servant David shall be King over them Now David was not a Type of Christ as King in a spiritual sense so much as in a visible way sitting upon an outward and visible Throne if therefore a spiritual reign onely were here intended the Antitype should not answer the Type Vers 27. My Tabernacle also shall be with them yea I will be their God and they shall be my people which is expounded Rev. 21.3 Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God shewing that these words have a special relation to the time of the New Jerusalem when Christ as he hath already his Prophetical and Priestly Offices shall visibly and Personally execute his Kingly Office 3 This appears farther Act. 1.6 from the Question propounded to Christ by his Disciples Wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel In which Question three things are taken for granted by the Querists As 1. That the Nation of the Jews should one day be restored and have a Kingdom 2 That this Restauration should be wrought by Christ Wilt thou 3 That it should be wrought by him in an outward visible way for such a way is by them supposed as Christ did at that time appear to them in which was an outward way with his bodily presence These three things by them beleeved are ground for a fourth which is the thing they question namely the time when this should be Wilt thou at this time Now observe it the grounds of this question which includes the substance of what is pleaded for viz. That the Kingdom should be restored to Israel and that by Christs personal appearance are neither of them denied by Christ who undoubtedly had their question been grounded upon a mistake would yea it had behoved him to have shewn them their error only their greediness of a Kingdom at present whilst he had other work for them to do first is the thing reproved Nay let me say Christ doth in a
into the Divinity so as that Christ shall be God-man no longer for the Apostle in saying the Humane Nature shall be subject denotes plainly that the same shall even in Heaven hereafter have a being for how can that be subject which hath no being And as the Lambs having a Throne in the New Jerusalem proves clearly that it cannot be meant of Heavenly glory after the day of Judgement so doth it as strongly prove what before I have laid down that not a Spiritual onely buth a Personal presence of Christ shall be with his people in the New Jerusalem all the time of the thousand years for Christ as the Lamb hath his Throne in it but Christ Spiritually onely is not the Lamb nor was he sacrifised in that sense Seventhly and lastly Because Isa 60. which Chapter as is most evident speaks not of heavenly glory but of a glorious state of the Church here on Earth is for time one and the same with this as plainly will appear by comparing one with the other Isa Rev. 60.11 the Gates shal be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night 21.25 And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day Verse 3. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising Verse 24. The Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it Verse 10. Their Kings shall minister unto thee Verse 11. That men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles and that their Kings may bee brought Verse 26. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the Nations into it Verse 1. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land Verse 20. The dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Verse 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor cryâ—â—â— neither shall there be any more pain Verse 19. The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory Verse 23. And the City had no need neither of the Sun nor of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb was the light thereof Verse 21. Thy people also shall be all righteous Verse 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs Book of life Yet because it would be a thing hard to be beleeved that the New Jerusalems glory should be here on Earth therefore it is said chap. 21.5 These words are true and faithful and again chap. 22.6 These sayings are faithful and true One thing here is of special concernment to be opened to the end the words of the seventh Vial may be brought to a reconciliation with the description of the New Jerusalem chap. 21. both as I have shewed being to be referred to one and the same time which is this Seeing John in describing the New Jerusalem saith I saw no Temple therein Chap. 21.22 and the contrary is here intimated There came a great voyce out of the Temple of Heaven how can these things agree or the one be made Expository of the other when they speak things contradictory I answer John saw no material Temple such as was in Jerusalem of old to which here new Jerusalem is opposed Or secondly which I rather incline to John saw no such Temple as was the former Temple or Church-state under the Gospel But that a Temple there shall be is manifest for saith he in the next words which are given as a reason why no such Temple as formerly had been should be in this New state because indeed they should now have a better Temple The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the Temple of it So that a Temple there is but this shall not be such a Temple in which Christ through outward Ordinances as a medium is conveyed to his and they by faith enjoy him as now for what need of these things when Christ is with his people and to be enjoyed in another way of Visionâ— yea the duration of these things is but untill his coming 1 Cor. 11.26 For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup yee shew the Lords death till he come And the Apostle is clear in this that all injoyments of God by faith cease when sight takes place 2 Cor. 5.7 1 Cor. 13.8 9 10 11 12 13. And indeed what use will there be of 2 Glass to see Christ in when he shall present himself face to face which he will do at the day of his appearing 1 John 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is yea to behold the Lamb thus shall be a principall part of the New Jerusalems glory Rev. 22.3 4. They shall see his face and his name shall be in their fore-heads So that this Temple shall not be a worshipping of Christ and an injoyment of him through outward ordinances but rather a more immediate worshipping and injoyment of him in himself who therefore in this New Jerusalem is not onely the person worshipped but the very Temple we worship in And this which now I am speaking of is I taâ—◠〈◊〉 clearly held forth in those words of the Apostle Heb. 12.26 Yet once more I shake not the earth onely but also Heaven which place he quotes from Haggai chap. 2.6 7. which before I have proved relates to this time Now as Christ at his first coming shook the legal worship which the Apostle tels us stood in meats and drinks and carnal Ordinances imposed on them until the time of Reformations Heb. 9.10 for which reason the shaking hereof is called ashaking of the earth and did at his resurrection establish another way of worship far more spiritual than the former yee having also some outward Ordinances and Institutions as the former had which in Scripture is frequently called as opposed to the other Heaven and the Kingdom of Heaven so at his second coming will he shake this worship cast this Temple though more spiritual than the former to the ground also for saith he yet once more I shake not earth onely but Heaven also i.e. all the worship that now is I mean outward is upon Christs second coming to be removed and such a Kingdom and Worship instead thereof is to be set up as can never be shaken i.e. shall never be broken in peeces any more as the former worships have been but shall be the same for kind being as I have said a more immediate worship with that which shall be in Heaven hereafter And not darkly is this hinted Isa 60.19 20. The Sun that is those outward things which before were as a Sun under which are comprehended outward
for that of Micha Chap. 5.5 This man shall bee the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land It cannot be interpreted as having reference to any other but gospel-Gospel-times long before which the ancient Assyrian Monarchy was ruined And would you know what time of the Gospel it hath reference unto why the last time of all viz. The time of Christs coming and second appearing vers 4 5 6. The like we have Isa 7.8 Zach. 10.10 11. with many other places which would be too tedious to insist upon Having thus found the parties who shall at this day bee gather together to oppose the Saints which march under three distinct Banners 1 The Banner of the Beast or Roman power governed by Antichrist 2 The Banner of the Turk or those of the Mahumetan Religion 3 The Banner of some earthly Kings and Potentates Adherents to the other two yet neither Papists nor Mahumetans I come now to make application hereof to the words which notably set forth and that distinctly the ruine of either party 1 The great City is divided into three parts By Great City we are not to understand the City Rome which fell before under Vial 5. But the whole power of the Beast or Antichrists Kingdome for so is the word used Rev. 11.13 The same hour there was a great Earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell i.e. One of the ten Horns or the tenth part of Antichrists Kingdome fell upon the Witnesses rise Now the dividing of the Great City notes the downfall and ruin of his whole Kingdome for a City divided or rent peece from peece by some terrible shaking or earthquake cannot stand And this division being into three parts notes a full and perfect ruine three being a number of perfection Now is the Beast slain his body destroyed and given to the burning flame Dan. 7. Now the Beast and false Prophet both are cast into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone Rev. 19. Now those who worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in their fore-heads or in their hands drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and are tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his Image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name Rev. 14. 2 The Cities of the Nations fall i.e. such Nations as come in to the help of the Pope and Turk at this day their Royal Cities Regal Seats Fortresses and places of strength are overthrown Now are the Thrones of Kingdoms overturned and the strength of Kingdoms of the Heathen destroyed Hag. 2.22 This is the day of Gods controversie with all Nations when the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth unto the other Jer. 25.30 31 32 33. 3 Great Babylon comes up in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath Now by Great Babylon we may not understand the City Rome which fell under the Fifth Vial nor is it weight enough against our Reasons there laid down to say that the City Rome is spiritually called by the name of Great Babylon in this Book unless it could be proved that the name in a spiritual sense is appliable to no other City or thing but Rome only Nor may we secondly understand Antichrists Kingdome in general for that is set forth by the Great City and it is not a thing probable having once expressed it and being gone to another Head namely The Cities of the Nations that the Holy Ghost should yet afterwards come over with it again Yea how improper would it be to say of the Kingdom of the Beast that it came now in remembrance before God which peece by peece had been pulling down and destroying throughout all the Vials As therefore three sorts of Enemies combine together at this day the doom and downfall of two of which we have seen already so is the ruine of the third namely the Great Turk with Constantinople his Royal City or Seat of Residence here set forth by Great Babylons coming up in remembrance before God And in this opinion I am not alone Brightman a man of no little worth and esteem having asserted it before me And truly the Turk being as hath been made appear so considerable an Enemy in this last ingagement it is not probable that his punishment should either be passed over in silence or named in the general only which if it be not contained in these words is so Withall there will be the same reason at this day when the Turkish Seat shall be as infamously famous for opposing and oppressing the Jews as Antichrists hath been or now is for persecuting the Christians that in a figurative sense the name of Babylon the oppressing City of Gods people of old should be applied to it as now it is to the Seat of the Beast yea if of the two one may claim a greater title to the name than the other the claim of this day will fall to the Turk who by possessing the cruel and persecuting qualities of Babylon of old towards Gods people shall make his claim equal with Antichrist and by how much he hath not the qualities only but the Lands and Territories of the Babylonian Monarchy that was now in his clutches his claim will be the greater And indeed to me it is evident that those things that concern the destruction of Babylon mentioned so oft in the Prophets which in the ruine of Babylon of old the Type neither had nor could have their accomplishment though they have a respect to the Turk and Antichrist both yet more especially to the Turk as the principal Antitype of that Type as is clear Isa 14. for the Babylon there spoken of is that Babylon which shall be an oppressing City to the Jews for which reason they triumph over it in its destruction vers 4 5 c. and this at the time of their last restauration which is yet to come as is manifest in the three first verses which can be meant of none so properly as the Great Turk sitting in Constantinople And as a further Restauration seems to be promised and foretold Jer. 50.4 5. then meerly the coming out of Babylon of Old when Judah only and not as here Israel and Judah together came up to seek the Lord so by the same reason we are to look after the ruine of some other Babylon then meerly Babylon in the Letter which Babyloâ— must be such too as shall at this day stand in the way of the Jews return and be an enemy to them and this can be more fitly applied to none than to the Turk And notwithstanding the Turk received a notable blow under the former Vial by means of which a
ordinary Prophetical days noting three years and a half which three years and a half are not to be added to the 1260. as a lesser period which takes beginning where the greater ends because then as one saith well the Beast should Tyrannize above 42. months the woman be in the Wilderness above 1260 days namely 1263 and a half whereas the utmost tyranny of the Beast is but 42 months the utmost period of the womans being in the wilderness but 1260 days but we are to look upon them as a smaller period comprehended within the greater or to speak plainly we are to understand them of the very last three days and a half of the 1260. and therefore M. Mede in his Cl and our German Author in his both translate those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they shall have finished their testimony Chap. 11. thus Cum finituri sint testimonium suum When they are about to finish their testimony the 1260 days now drawing to an end then shall the Beast make war against them overcome them and kill them As for that urged by a late Author who calls in reason to be Umpire or Judge in this business how the Beast now ready to die as our Author supposeth he will at the end of the 1260 days should be so magnanimous and warlike as to kill the Witnesses how the Sea being at this time tempestnous the earth terribly shaken can it be imagined that the Sont of the Sea and Earth i. e. wordly men should be so jocund and to banquet it sport it make merry send gifts one to another c. as they shall do in the day the witnesses lye dead I say no more but this that all time upon a mistake viz. That the rise of the Witnesses shall not be till the Empire of the ten-horned Beast i.e. Civil power of Antichrist is in a manner destroyed and this upon another that the subject of the fifth Vial is the political state of the present Roman Empire or Antichrists Civil State But as I have in my discourse upon the Vials proved the Subject of that Vial to be another thing so let me say here to the first it cannot be because the Whore but a little before Romes fall is so high and proud as that she fears no danger but saith I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow which were her political State where lyes her outward strength and as for inward she hath none destroyed she should have little cause thus to brag and brave Nay what do the witnesses after their rise if the Beasts power were destroyed before onely kill him whose sword was taken away before they came at him Or how falls the tenth part of the City upon their rise if it were fallen before SECT V. AS for the particular time of the Witnesses slaughter the most certain and convincing demonstration that can be given thereof is that which must be fetched from a right supputation of the 1260 days which is the term of their Prophecy their killing time being as hath been faid the very last three days and a half of the 1260. But because the doing hereof to free the truth from the mists men have raised about it will require in a manner a Treatise of it self and also because no Mystical number by reason of that glorious harmony that is in all can carry with it that forcible demonstration going alone as will appear to be in it when accompanied with others I shall therefore that I may not make this single Section to become a Book wave this enquiry in this place contenting my self to lay down two or three more general Conclusions concerning this Grand Question What time we are to pitch upon as the killing time of the Witnesses The Conclusions themselves are these 1 CONCLUSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be in that very three years and a half which shall immediately precede the Jews first stirring which is manifestly clear hence because Daniels 1290 dayes which point us to the time of the Jews first stirring are concurrent in their end with the end of he time times and a half which is the time of the Witnesses rising as shall be made appear in our following Discourse 2 To this agrees what I have formerly written upon the Vials The rise of the Witnesses I have there stated under the fourth Vial. The drying up of the Turkish Powers thereby to instate the Jews in their own Land under the Sixth Now as the first stirring of the Jews must needs be some little time before the sixth Vial is poured out because their stirring is as I have shewed the chief moving cause to the Gentile Saints to engage in this War against the Turk So also it is observable that the time from the Witnesses rise until the pouring out of the sixth Vial shall be but a very little time the fourth and fifth Vials being both to be poured out in an instant upon the resurrection of the Witnesses as may be seen with the reasons thereof in our Discourse upon the fifth Vial. Hence in regard the first stirring of the Jews must of necessity be before the pouring out of the sixth Vial as the cause is before the effect and the time betwixt the Witnesses rise and the sixth Vial is so short we may very well conclude that the first workings among the Jews themselves in a way of stirring will be upwards even as high as the time of the Witnesses resurrection And for this reason because the Jews shall about the time of Romes ruine which falls in the middle time betwixt the fourth and sixth Vials be stirring are the praises rendred for Romes fall as is Mr. Cottons conjecture expressed by an Hebrew word Hallelujah Revel 19.1 2 3 4. 2 CONCLVSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be but a little before the downfal of Rome which therefore presently falls upon their rise First The Order of the Vials proves this for under the fourth Vial the Witnesses rise as upon the Vials I have shewed This Vial is poured out in an instant and therefore said to be in an hour In the same hour the tenth part of the City fell Rev. 11.13 that is Germany one of the ten Horns and the very place as shall appear by and by where the Witnesses lye dead is upon their resurrection in an instant broken off from being any longer a Horn in Antichrists Kingdome and then as the next thing and that in an instant too is Rome ruined by the pouring out of the fifth Vial. So that Romes ruine succeeding presently upon the rise of the Witnesses their killing must be but a little before it Secondly This is further clear Rev. 18.7 where wee have the proud Whore instantly before her downfal glorying I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow What is the cause hereof Ans Undoubtedly the very same with the cause of that joy and triumph of the
clear Answer vers 11 12. And observe either Answer consists of two branches suitable to the Wonders themselves spoken of which were to have a double end or fulfilling time First A partial Secondly A total accordingly either answer hath I say two Branches The first Answer vers 7. hath first The time times and a half as one Branch Secondly The scattering the power of the holy people as another The second vers 11 12. hath First 1290 days as one Branch Secondly 1335 days as another Now that the same thing and not things of a diverse nature is pointed at in both these Answers is clear 1 Because each Answer consists as I have said of two distinct Branches 2 Because Daniel as is clear puts the Question the second time concerning that very thing that the first Question was moved about and the very reason of his putting the Question the second time is for more light into that answer which he heard given but did not understand therefore saith he vers 8. And I heard but I understood not and therefore puts the Question again The intent of the Question therefore in both being the same the Answer is to be looked upon as the same also 3 Because the very words of the Lord to Daniel before he gives him a second answer import as much for saith he vers 9. The words are closed and sealed up till the time of the end What words why those words Daniel asked after the words of the former answer more especially for the sealing the words of the Prophecy in general we had before vers 4. shewing plainly that as the Querist so the respondent was still upon one and the same thing as to say The thing O Daniel thou inquirest after is not to be revealed untill the time of the end yet because thou art so desirous to know thou shalt have it in a plainer and more familiar Dialect and what that is the second answer tells us Vers 11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away shall be 1290 days vers 12. Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335 days The answer then being one and the same in both the thing now to be inquired into is How or in what sense can we make the time times and a half to be one and the same with the 1290 days Answ We cannot make them one and the same in duration for the time times and a half stretched out at that length Expositors would have them make but 1260 days which falls short by thirty days or years of 1290 they must therefore be one and the same in termination either terminating and ending at one and the same point If so then suppose we take the time times and a half for three years and a half onely namely the last three years and a half of Daniels 1290 will the time times and a half concur with the 1290 in their end as well as if by time times and a half we should understand 1260 years for reckon three years and a half onely or 1260 years compleat and make either but to end at the same point with Daniels 1290 it amounts all to one and the one is as good and as firm as the other Nay that the time times and a half is rather to be understood in our sense viz. for three years and a half onely than in the other for 1260 years seems to me upon this account because the intent of the Holy Ghost in the first answer is not to measure the length of the time how long it should be until the performance of those things enquiry was made after which is done in the second answer but rather to give some knowledge of the thing by hinting two wonderful remarkable actions as marks of which two the first should fall out at the beginning time the last at the compleating time of the work The first mark is the time times and a half i.e. The black day of killing the Witnesses which God in his all-wise Providence had so ordered and would in his time so bring about as that that black day and the 1290 days should expire together Or thus That the rise of the Witnesses at the end of the time times and a half and the first stirring of the Jews at the end of 1290 years should both concur as it were in the same point fall out much about one and the same time The second mark which relates to the latter number viz. of 1335. days is the accomplishing to scatter the power of the holy people And when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the Holy people all these things shall be fulfilled Two things ere we can make application of this mark to the number it relates to are necessary to be cleared up 1. Who are meant by this holy people 2. What that scattering is which is here spoken of and by whom To the first By the holy people we are undoubtedly to understand the Jews and no other in this place for the people whose deliverance Daniel is here so inquisitive after are that people of whose deliverance Daniel had had a promise made to him vers 1. At that time shall thy people be delivered but they were the Jews therefore called thy people i.e. Daniels people the people of Daniels Nation To the second This scattering is not to be understood of their present dispersed condition in which they are a people dispersed and scattered by the Lord himself into all the corners of the earth for in this state they are not the holy people but a people for the present rejected of God therefore called by God himself in this state Loammi Not my people Hos 1.9 but in the scattering here spoken of they are considered as the holy people and therefore the scattering of them is called the scattering of the holy people intimating that this scattering is not their scattering by God whilst they continue in their rejected state but a scattering by some other after they come out of that state and are again the chosen people of God and indeed were we to interpret this scattering to be the act of God then surely considering the person here speaking is the Lord himself as compare ver 7. with Rev. 10.5 6. he would rather have spoken in the first person when I shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people than in the third when he shall Quest But who then is this he Answ That proud raging He viz. the King of the North spoken of Chap 11 40 41 42. who at the time of Michaels standing up which is the time called in the words the fulfilling time or rather the concluding time when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people all these things shall be fulfilled shall come raging mad into the Land of Judea where the newly come in Jews shall have seated themselves again Chap. 11.45 which day shall be a time of such trouble
say whether it seem not to savour more of curiosity than truth and might not possibly be by the wonderful wisdome of God so left in the Word on purpose that truth till the discovering time should come might be the more veiled I leave to the Spiritual and understanding Reader to judge The result of the whole is that the Prophecie of the twefth Chapter is not to be limited to the first period but brings us down even to the end of the second period namely of the 1260 years and consequently the time times and a half mentioned vers 14. is the same with the three dayes and a half Chap. 11.9 SECT VI. FRom what hath been said many useful truths arise which confirm us in the things before asserted upon Chap. 11. and also are a good confirmation by reason of that sweet harmony of truth it carries with it of the method laid down in this Chapter as 1 That the three days and a half Chap. 11.9 are not the sâ—me with the one thousand two hundred and sixty days because we have a manifest difference here made betwixt the time times and a half which answers to the three days and a half and the 1260 days 2 That the killing of the Witnesses shall not be a general act an act in all places at once because within the time times and a half which is the term of the Witnesses lying dead there is elsewhere a remnant of the Womans Seed standing up for Christ vers 17. 3 That the particular place in which the Witnesses are to lye dead is Germany because the War leading to their killing is in that Land 4 That the Witnesses in their killing time shall be deprived if not totally yet in a great measure of such outward Means and Ordinances as they enjoyed though in a mournful and suffering condition all the time of their Prophecy yet notwithstanding shall have a principle of life kept alive in them by the way of Christs more secret working therefore it is said of the Woman the 1260 days they fed her v. 6. but in the time times and a half she is non-rished vers 14. 5 That the People and Kindreds and Nations and Tongues Chap. 11.9 are such persons who drive on a worldly and earthly interest for they are here called the earth vers 16. And the earth helped the woman 6 And last That the people of God elsewhere within the time that the Witnesses lie dead shall have a cloud upon them and be brought into some straits for a War is attempted within the time times and a half by the Dragon upon the remnant of the Womans seed vers 17. SECT VII I Shall conclude this Chapter with a word or two of enquiry as touching this remnant of the Womans seed Two things concerning them are worthy a search after 1 What people are here meant by this remnant of the Womans seed that the Dragon within the three days and a half makes war upon 2 How or in what fense we are to conceive of this War made upon this remnant of the Womans seed by the Dragon Concerning the first I shall not presume to determine any thing of this people any further than the Holy Ghost hath who describes them by two notable distinguishing Characters as willing thereby to mark them out from all the people that within the time of the three days and a half should be found in the world besides First They are such who keep the Commandements of God By Commandements we are to understand those Gospel-Institutions Christ gave to his people in command upon his Resurrection so called Act. 1.2 After that he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandements unto the Apostles whom he had chosen Secondly They shall be such who have the restimony of Christ What is that Answ A Spirit of Prophecy amongst them Revel 19.10 the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy i.e. they shall be a people much looking into the Propheâ—ies of the last times having a great in-sight into what God is about to do in the world and abundance of faith in behalf of the cause of Christ so as not to fear it though the same be opposed by all the world yea and all the Devils in Hell Such a People who shall be eminent above all others for these Characters shall be found in the world at the time the Witnesses lye dead these shall be as an eye-sore to the Dragon who shall dread some mischief to arise to his Kingdom from them and therefore he shall wonderously dâ—sire and lay about him if it may be to rid these out of the way as fearing he shall not be secure in his seat whilst they are in the world and therefore having killed the Witnesses his next attempt is upon these But now as to the second How doth he attempt them or what manner of wat is it that he makes upon them In order to my answer I premise 1 That that Dragon which is the grand Persecutor of the Woman throughout this Chapter from whom all her sufferings originally arise is according to the Holy Ghosts interpretation vers 9. that old Serpent the Devil and Satan He stands ready to devoure the Childe as soon as born vers 4. He wars with Michael vers 7. He drives the Woman into the Wilderness vers 13 14. He casts a floud after her to drown her vers 15. He makes war after this with the remnant of her seed vers 17. 2 That this Dragon Satan being a spiritual and an invisible enemy and all the sufferings of the Woman until this day having been ever caused by some outward and visible means Wee may not therefore conclude that it is by any immediate hand or act of the Dragon that the Woman suffers but by some mediate hand that is some thing or power acted by this Dragon and made an instrument to serve his design against the Woman therefore is the Dragon said in his fighting to make use of Angels or Instruments vers 7. and also in his fal hath Angels or Instruments falling with him vers 9. 3 This thing or power acted by the Dragon to afflict the Woman is sometimes one thing sometimes another sometimes one thing onely sometimes more than one accordingly as he hath permission to act this or that thing and finds that by the acting of one thing or of diverse he may best effect his own design of distressing and if it might be destroying the Woman therefore before the Beast comes in he acts the power of the Pagan Empire after the Beast is come in the power of the Beast more in general but more particularly the power of the German Empire 4 That thing or power which is most commonly or properly governed by him is in a distinct consideration from all other things or Powers called by the name of the Dragon So of all the Powers in the world the Roman Power in the Primitive Ages goes under the name of the Dragon vers 3. of