me seems very clear by the Angel's words to Daniel But thou O Daniel shut up the words and seal the book even unto the Time of the end Chap. 12. 4. Again Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Chap. 12. 9. Three things are here observable 1. The opening and understanding of the Vision is referr'd to a certain and prefixt time and not to be reveal'd till then 2. In both places it is called The time of the End which methinks must needs be the three years and half for I know no other time but this that periods the number of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years 3. He faith not times but time intimating howsoever the whole account should have several times or periods in respect of the divers actions of the Beast Civil and Ecclesiastical and the various changes and condition of the Witnesses and Woman all the time of his Tyranny yet the unsealing of the Book should not be till the last time of all the several periods So Habak 2. 3. The vision is yet for an appointed time at the end it shall speak and not lye What can we understand by the end and the appointed time but as Daniel hath it the time of the end that is the three years and half then is the vision to speak and not before So Rev. 1. 3. For the time is at hand And Chap. 22. 10. Seal not up the sayings of the prophecie of this book for the time is at hand For my part I cannot conceive what time may be taken as distinct from other times and proper to the places if not the three years and half But that in Daniel seems yet to be more full It shall be for a time times and an half Chap. 12. 7. What shall be for a time times and an half till the end of these wonders that is before they shall be opened As if he should say So far forth as the Christian Gentiles are concerued in these wonders the manifestation of them is reserved till the three years and half and then the wise shall understand Here observe 1. It should be no cause of stumbling unto any person that many good men have miss'd of the time in their accounts seeing in their time the words were closed up and sealed 2. The cause of their mistake was not as some think of an impossibility as if the time of the end were not to be known but because the appointed time or end was not then come in which the vision was to speak 3. Such as are now enquiring into the numbers of Daniel and John to know when the Beasts dominion shall end ought to minde whether they are come to the time of the end in which and not before that great Mystery is to be known CONSID. III. The way which some good men have taken to finde out the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years viz. by beginning at the head of the account is not in my opinion the best nor surest For here we must credit and depend on humane Histories and Records of Nations things so uncertain and disagreeing among themselves as nothing but conjectures and ghesses can be concluded and gathered from them And hence it is that many have been misled concerning the times whereby others have taken advantage to condemn all which search the times and the Prophetical Numbers of the Scripture as medling with things too high and secret If any should ask Why are these Numbers mentioned as fourty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days I answer The Lord would have it known how long the Beast should reign and the woman continue in the wilderness that his people might wait with the more faith and patience till their enlargement came Not that when the time of the end should come he would carry them back to enquire what was done some thousands of years before or search uncertain Stories for the rise of the Beast I take it he hath a neerer and better way to lead them in more free from doubts and mistakes then the other and easier to be found out and known by babes and sucklings The way-faring men though fools shall not erre therein Isa 35. 8. CONSID. IV. So for the Signes of the times which are much spoken of and matter of singular joy amongst Saints everywhere These shew us without doubt that the kingdom of God is nigh and that the great work of the Lord is approaching upon us but as to the set time they come not home And therefore we must have more light then these to order our motions by For example be it granted that the Lord hath a people enquiring after the Numbers in Daniel and John much enlightned in the work of their generation take pleasure in Zion's stones and favour her dust are a willing people and a praying people and such as have their hearts raised up against Babylon to take vengeance on her I say grant all this as blessed be Jehovah it is all true and more too yet it will not follow that the one thousand two hundred and sixty years the time of Antichrists tyranny and the Womans persecution must therefore end this year or the next I confess these are blessed Signes and tidings of great joy and do evidently declare like the tender branches and leaves of the fig-tree that Summer is nigh that the Lord will arise and have mercy upon Zion and that the breaking work of the Stone is not far off But yet they do not tell us how nigh the time is this must be known some other way When the Dove brought to Noah in her mouth an Olive-leaf he knew that the waters were abated from off the earth yet he went not forth of the Ark till the Lord did call him Gen 8. 11 15. Indeed these signes like the olive-leaf do plainly demonstrate that the Antichristian deluge which hath so long covered the face of the earth is towards an end nevertheless we must abide where we are till we hear that great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth Rev. 16. 1. CONSID. V. So again howsoever Providence is to be observed and followed when people are called forth to their work yet we must take heed that we make noâ— Providence alone our call Moses Gedeon David and others improved providences but it was after they were confirmed that the time was come wherein they were to serve their generation so and so and in such cases we are still to follow Providence When we know the fourty and two months are expired and so the time come in which the Lord God of heaven and earth will set up his kingdom take away the dominion of the little Horn and execute vengeance upon Babylon Here we must in the prosecution of the judgement written eye and follow the leadings
is shewed in the wilderness the judgement of the great whore by one of the ange's which had the seven vials Rev. 17. 1 3. this may be gathered That neer or about the time of the womans coming out of the wilderness John carrying the type of the Church in that present state the destruction of Babylon as to the set time shall be made known unto some of the Lords faithful servants by whom others shall have it revealed to them and whom he will employ to pour out vials of wrath upon the kingdom of the Beast CONSID. X. The time being known when the three years and half shall end that which follows next and immediately upon the expiration of the foresaid time will be to do what the Lord commands his sanctisied ones Liâ—t ye a banner upon the high mountains exalt the voice unto them shake the hand that ye may go into the gates of the nobles Isa 13. 2. So Jer. 50. 2. Declare ye among the nations and publish and set up a standard publish and conceal not that Babylon is taken The publishing of this war against Babylon will be I conceive by the angels Rev. 14. 6 8 9. and that voice from heaven Rev. 18. 4. These shall gather the Saints together Psal 50. 5. the hundred fourty and four thousand Rev. 14. 1. the called chosen and faithful Rev. 17. 4. at their rendevouz to the Lamb on mount Sion where the Lord of hosts will muster the host of the battel Isai 13. 4. So that the Lords people shall not go forth in haste nor conceal their work or do things covertly but come out in the light and boldly as Israel did out of Egypt They shall have Gods presence so visibly and powerfully with them that the enemies through a dreadful fear shall not know what to do for their own safety nor how to oppose the work of God in the hands of his mighty ones As it is said of Barak Gideon Samson c. that the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and in that Spirit they went forth conquering and to conquer so now the time being come and known the like Spirit will be in the Lambs followers a faith to which all things are possible And in this Spirit and faith I believe those who are now waiting for to see that day of the Son of man shall rise up in the places where they are and joyn together against Babylon and all her helpers Hence the present worldly powers may take notice how plainly that Scripture is fulfilled upon them THEY IMAGINE A VAIN THING Psal 2. 1. Ah poor wretches ye do so indeed in taking counsel against the fifth kingdom For 1. These men which are for that Kingdom will not stir till the set time be come and known Then 2. They will publikely proclaim war against Babylon and say The day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompences for the controversie of Zion is come 3. As it is the Lords cause and work so they are sure whosoever resisteth shall be broken to pieces and become as the chaff of the Summer-threshing-floor Did not the first Monarchy fall before the second so that before the third so again the third before the fourth when their times ended and must not this fourth fall likewise before the fifth in the appointed time The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this But it seems they have no Gamaliel now in their Councels I say unto you Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God Acts. 5. 38 39. CONSID. XI Though I shall here but speak over what hath been hinted before yet because the Consideration is weighty and much to our purpose I will adde a little Howsoever it be true as I am perswaded that the Visions and Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning the period of the Beasts dominion will not certainly be known till the three years and half begin and probably the greater part expir'd As Daniel knew not the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh till the very year or less in which they were delivered see Dan. 9. 1 2. with Ezra 6. 1. nevertheless when this time comes before it expires the knowledge of it shall be given in to some as they are seeking the Lord by fasting and prayer and searching the Prophecies 2 Chron. 20 13 14. This appears First by Dan. 12. 10. The wise shall understand If the series and scope of the place be noted two great Truths are there set down 1. The holy Ghost speaks not of understanding in a large sense but restrains it to a special and proper understanding that is they shall know the end of these wonders vers 6. As Noah knew the time when the sloud would come before it came of which the world was ignorant so the end of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days before it is finished shall be revealed to the wise but none of the wicked shall understand 2. The wise shall not understand this till the time of the end so much likewise is held forth in the place The three years and half must begin and to know that such a time is come there will be a little Horn an Apostacie and Beast whereby the wise shall have such understanding 2. That the time will be known before the fourty and two months expire I think so much is manifest by comparing Dan. 12. 9. with Rev. 10. 6. The first tells us that the words are to be opened at the time of the end now this must be before the fourty and two months are expired for the other tells us After that there shall be time no longer Besides if the two texts be observed they belong to one matter time The one saith the opening of the Mystery of God is left to the three years and half the other that it shall be opened before that time goes out 3. I finde that one of the four living creatures gives unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God Rev. 15. 7. but these angels are not bid by him to pour them out that is done afterwards by a voice out of the temple Rev. 16. 1. The giving of the vials I conceive is the opening of the mystery of them as to the time when and the work how to be done so to prepare the angels for the execution of the wrath and all this before the end But their call to it seems to be after the fourty and two months are expired He hath shewed his people the power of his works that he may give them the heritage of the heathen Psal 111. 6. CONSID. XII Seeing according to the determinate purpose and counsel of God to the little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast three years and an half are allowed this I would gather
done now or shall be the like hath been before and so all things shall continue as they are till Jesus Christ come to judgement Hence it is That these Scoffers putting off the evil day and saying in their hearts Our Lord delayeth his coming will begin to smite their fellow-servants by banishing some and casting others into prison and to eat and drink with the drunken that is leaving their former more sober honest walking will fall into the works of darkness as rioting and drunkenness chambering and wantonness and so lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God Hence it is like the men of the old world their mindes will be on nothing but their lusts as pomp pride honor riches great Titles and places c. Hence it is that in their Councels having interwoven their Interest with Babylon much studying there will be how to heal the Beasts deadly wound and what provision to make that this later State-Apostacie may continue to many generations But he that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh they Lord shall have them in derision Psal 2. 4. Mark it Reader they are laughers now and deriders but there 's a day coming and nigh at hand when the Lord also will laugh at their calamities and will mock when their fear cometh Prov. 1. 26. And the righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance Psa 58. 10. From such turn aside have no communion with them but flie from them Dutch Eorum conscuitudinem vitare jussit Theop. Desire not saith Baldvin their friendship and if they offer it to thee refuse it The words I take it have this meaning as if he should say You that shall live in the days of this later Apostacie and by the description here given of it do plainly see that such a perillous time is coâ—â— beware that ye withdraw your selves from it and be not one of them neither stand in any relation to them as they are Apostates either by holding any place or office under them neither acknowledge them any way whether by counsel person purse service c. But as Lot left Sodom Gods people are to come out of Babylon so must this Apostacie be left and departed from by all such as expect a hiding place in the day of the Lords wrath What Moses spake to the Congregation is the warning which the Spirit of God gives us here Depart I pray you from the tents of these wicked men touch nothing of theirs lest ye be consumed in all their sins Num. 16. 26 I have been the longer in opening the later Apostacy Because most of our work lies here for if this Apostacy be known I mean as to the Time of it that which concerns the little Horn and bottomless Beast will easily be understood Because where this Apostacie is there the others are for they do all as I said contemporize as I shall shew in their places He that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverâ—eth his ways shall be known Prov. 10. 9. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways Pro. 15. 14. The THE CHARACTERS OF THE Little Horn OPENED HAving ended the latter Apostacy I come now to the Little Horn. And here wee will consider three things 1 What this little Horn is 2 How it doth appear that the raign or rather Tyranny of the little Horn shall bee in the three years and half 3 Whether the present state-Apostacy be the little Horn In handling these particulars I intend to do no otherwise then I did before Explain the matter as I humbly conceive to bee the meaning of the Holy Spirit and leave the application to the judgement of the sober Reader Granting withall if hee finde not all things here set down exactly to agree with the State-Apostacy of our time and never till now fulfilled with so much clearnesse and certainty wee are not yet come to the time and reign of the little Horn. For the first I do not understand by the Little Horn any single person as Antiochus Epiphanes Julius Caesar Domician Mahomet William the Conquerour King Charles c. But a Kingdome or State and so the most judicious generally take it Hence it is vers 11. that his body is mentioned and ver 26. his dominion So then as the ten Horns are ten Governments or States so I think is the little Horn a State or Government which may thus be described A company of men in the last dayes having left their former principles of justice Law and Conscience shall assume unto themselves lastate or body politick appointing one as Head and framing an instrument of Government suitable to it This Horn is said to bee Little 1 Obscuro loco natum et plebium Jacobus Tâ—rin Of his low birth small and mean beginning which shews that this little Horn cannot bee the fourth Monarch Chap. 11. 21. 2 Because The Kingdome doth not by right belong unto him Diodate that is this Government shall bee set up by a few persons without the consent of the people yea against their will 3 Little because it will not have the faithful prayers of the Saints for it nor the hearts or hands of other people but such Apostates as are named 2 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5. 4 Little because among other Horns or Kingdomes this will not bee allowed for a Lawful State otherwise then to serve their own turn and to make advantage and gain by it 5 Little because the Lord will not suffer him to bee great but will blast his designs and actions both at home and abroad 6 Little because of the short time this State is to continue viz. Three years and an half no longer I know some have thought that by the word Little A younger brother is meant I confesse there may bee something in it for many do read Cornu ultimum parvun a horn the last and little Signifying that this Horn shall arise neer or about the time when the Elder or former States and Kingdomes are going down and ready to be pluckt up by the roots But howsoever it be Little in such considerations yet it is said to be a Horn that is a State or Government 1 Because it shall have the name and Title of a civil power or Government given to it 2 It will push as hard as other Horns have done against the Laws and Liberties of the Nation yea and against the interest of Christ and his people 3 This State will make Laws and Ordinances which shall bee as duly kept and observed by the Apostates under it as if they had been enacted by the greater Horns that is by a more Lawful and just power Touching the second point viz. that the Tyranny of the Little Horn shall bee in the three years and half To prove this the Text saith untill a time and times and the dividing of times Dan. 7. 25. The sense I conceive is thus From his rise hee shall have so much time allowed or he shall so long
The TIME of the END SHEWING First until the three years and an half are come which are the last of the 1260 dayes the prophecies of the Scripture will not be understood concerning the Duration and Period of the FOURTH MONARCHY and Kingdom of the Beast THEN Secondly When that TIME shall come before the expiration the Knowledge of the End or that there shall be Time no longer will be revealed By the Rise of a little Horn The last Apostacy and the Beast slaying the Witnesses contemporizing The Characters Of which little Horn the last Apostacy and Beast as the Scriptures shew them are here faithfully opened And the Application left to the Wise By John Canne Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets Amos 3. 7. Think not that I come to send peace on earth I come not to send peace but a sword Mat. 10. 34. London Printed for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1657. To the Reader THat enmity which from the beginning Jehovah Elohim the Lord God did put between the Serpent and the Woman and between their seed as always so now doth work with marveilous earnestness in all those who in every age from their proper spirit are engaged by their principals to maintain the combate to the time of the end The Righteous is an abomination to the wicked and the wicked is an abomination to the Righteous from the beginning to the end of this present evil world For as then even in Abrahams time he that was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the spirit even so it is now in these last days and will be so till the old serpent the Divel and Sathan be cast into the bottomless pit and then according to the scope of the Scriptures of Truth the bond-woman and her son will be cast out and the children of the free-woman shall be the heirs And when I say So it is now in these last dayes I desire it may be well weighed for assuredly the Serpent and his brood will muster all their forces will improve all their policies will come forth with utmost inraged malice to do the most mischief they can against the true spiritnal â—eed The fresh Auxiliaries which are used in this service of the Dragon that old Serpent are the Apostates of the last times who are such Christians in a form of Godliness as the Devil is an Angel of Light when he is so transformed retaining his cursed properties and designs under the pretence of such a glorious transformation Therefore saith the Apostle it is no great thing if also his Ministers be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness Which words are or may be to the more cautelous Christians a great preservative against the poysonous infection of the present Apostacy for multitudes of careless ones have been beguiled by these deceitful or cheating workers into a compliance with the interest of the Kingdom of the Beast But Blessed be the name of our Lord Protector the Patron of Innocency Truth and Righteousness that these deceitful workers resisters of the Truth Patrons of the carnal worldly Church shall not proceed much farther for their folly in its appointed season shall be made manifest to all men as the folly and madness of other of their brethren before them have been made manifest in like manner And which is matter of great rejoycing to the Lords suffering servants the Prince of the Apostates himself hath bin compel'd by the over-ruling Power of our Lord Jesus to defile his own nest to throw dirt in the face of his own Brat to trample upon his own Government with notable contempt in the presence of his cowardly men of war Oh! what joy of heart is it to us to live to see how in that very thing wherein they dealt so proudly so imperiously the Lord is above them and leaves them to such a degree of folly as to set at nought in such notable language in set Speeches the works of their own heads and hands and that in so short a space of time verily it cannot be treason any longer no not in the sence of the Court it self to imagine speak or write against the Instrument or instruments which brought forth that monstrous Government Ye may all speak treason by authority 〈◊〉 ye Inhabitants of these three Isles of the Sea for your Lord Protector himself hath lately set you a Pattern to pour contempt upon the whole Fabrick both Foundation and Superstruction It is to be ascribed to the preventing Grace of God himself and to no other cause that some few of us have been preserved from that dangerous communion and conformity wherewith many professors well meaning souls like the followers of Absalom of old have been unawares surprised and intangled That Scripture in 2 Tim. 3. the first five verses which by the servant of Christ the Author of the insuing Treatise is opened and compared with two other famous Prophesies concerning the little Horn and the Bottomless-pit-Beast was made effectual to my spirit and conscience to deliver me from those snares wherein the feet of others not a few have been taken faith the Apostle in the forementioned place after he had made a catalogue of Characters whereby to describe the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last time from such turn away And the first and last of those Characters lay with most weight upon my spirit Men shall be lovers of themselves covetous proud lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away And what I spake publikely in a great Assembly concerning the little Horn in two general Observations and nine special Characters whereby to discern it from the other Horns amongst whom it came up is remembred by many then present since which others have likewise given their judgements But this Author by what conduct of providence time will shew hath found cause to make those two Prophesies concerning Daniels little Horn and Johns Bottomless-pit-Beast to synchronise and to bring in the Apostacy of these last times to accompany them in their accomplishments It is remarkable what is told Daniel Chap. 12. v. 10. Mary shall be purified and made white and â—â—yed but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand Surely the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last times are some of these wicked ones these will do wickedly but they cannot understand Understanding dwelleth not taketh not up her rest in the Assemblies in the Counsels of the last and worst sort of wicked ones The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him the wise shall understand who is a wise man he that fears the Lord for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom He that is become a fool for Christs sake that he may be wise He who from a principle of saith and love which is in Christ
as my own apprehension That the Lord of hosts will not make his worm Jacob a new sharp threshing-instrument having teeth nor Israel his battle-ax and weapons of war with which he will thresh the mountains and break in pieces Nations destroy Kingdoms c. until the foresaid time that is the three years and half are accomplished The saws came not forth from Babylon by the Proclamation of Cyrus till the seventy years were fulfilled Neither were their fathers before them â— brought ouâ— of Egypt till the whole time was run out which the Lord had fore-appointed for their sojourning there And it came to pass saith the text at the end of the four hundred and thirty years EVEN THE SAME DAY it came to pass that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt Exod. 12. 41. So now in the spirit of meekness be it spoken it is not the Lord's minde I verily think that the Stone should be smiting the Image or the little Horn to take away his dominion and to consume and destroy it until the times time and dividing of time be out which by divine counsel they are to have Now whereas some may object that saying of Christ For the elects sake these days shall be shortned Matth. 24. 22. Mar. 13. 19 20. as if this might be gathered from it That the set time mentioned in Scripture viz. the fourty and two months and the three years and half may be shortned and so Gods people go forth before it be expired I answer There is I conceive a great mistake in the understanding of that place For Christ speaks not of any shortning of the set and fixed time allowed the little Horn or Babylon or the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth or their lying slain but the meaning is There would be such calamities and miseries in the world that unless the Lord should shorten the time no flesh could be saved But of what time speaks he not of the fixed time that is he means not the one thousand two hundred and sixty days or fourty and two months or the three days and half but speaks of Time largely as if he should say If the Lord should permit these calamities to continue many thousand generations there would be a consumption and end of all mankinde but for the love he bears to his chosen he hath shortned the time that is in his holy counsel determined the woman in the wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth shall not exceed such a time So the little Horn the Beast and Babylon c. So that by shortning the time he means not any set time of years mentioned in Scripture but shortned that is it shall not exceed the years so and so appointed CONSID. XIII But that I may not be mistaken in some things I said before as first Beginning at the head of the account thus I would be understood Howsoever I think it is very uncertain to know exactly the period of the Beasts dominion beginning at the head of the account neither doth the Spirit of God intend to lead his people in such a way viz. through the confusion and contradiction of humane Histories to finde out CERTAINLY the time of the end but in the way here mentioned Notwithstanding if it come to pass that some good men by their labours and studie beginning at the head do period their account with our three years and half or miss not much the blessed truth by this is the more confirmed and the Lords good hand and wonderful providence greatly seen in it Again heretofore both others and my self too have sought to finde out the end of the Numbers by searching the rise of the Beast because then we understood no other way and in that respect following the light we had the Lord no doubt was well pleased with our upright endeavours yea and gave a blessing to it witness the fruit and advantage which many precious souls in this Nation have had thereby So that I am so far from seeking to have the blessed memory of our former Worthies any way darkned as I profess in the fear of God I judge my self to come short of many of them and if any thing delivered by me be clearer in respect of the time it is because THE TIME OF THE END is now neerer then when they wrote So for the Signes of the Times I am for them rightly improv'd as much as any man When these things begin to come to pass then look up saith Christ and list up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21. 28. Indeed these Signes by Saints in all places ought much to be minded Christ blamed the Jews for their neglect of this thing Matth. 16. 3. And I must confess from the Signes of the times I have had much light and encouragement in this present Undertaking Onely my opinion is To know when the set-time is come for the Stone to begin to smite and the last plagues to be poured out we have no Scripture-light to be guided by but the three years and aâ— half And when this time is come it will be as easie to know the beginning and ending of it as to discern the Little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast CONSID. XIV To conclude with an humble and brotherly word â—o all in all places who are for the Kingdom-work and desire to follow the Truth in love and light I have no designe O ye precious ones to weaken your hearts or hands in the work of your Generation and your appearing for your KING and mine but rather to strengthen and encourage you in whatsoever is from him and for him These CONSIDER ATIONS I shall leave with you as a Manuduction to the other Part. All which gathered together speak thus 1. It seems to me as grounded on Scripture until the three years and half begin and are well-nigh expir'd which are the last of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years Gods people will not understand the period of the Time Neither 〈◊〉 may we say that such a time is come unless we see the Little Horn in Daniel the Apostacie foretold of Paul and the Beast slaying the Witnesses all these must appear together with all the Characters specified in the places and contemporize 3. When such a time is come Saints shall certainly know it before it doth expire 4. By all the search and enquiry I have made I do not see any way but this to finde out the time of the End if we take the Word of God for our light and guide 5. Until these three years and half are finished the rod of the Lords strength will not go out of Zion So that to begin war against Babylon or any of the Powers of this world upon the account of the fifth kingdom is not I humbly conceive to follow the Lamb but to go before him I say if the aforesaid three years and an half be not come and ended Lastly seeing we are not
what the Scriptures had foretold of the place and time And why so to change the time that is to make void the Councel of God The like may be done by the Little Horn being Troubled to hear that Christ is appearing against him to take away his Dominion hee gathers the Priests and Scribes together and inquires of them about the Time who can inform him some of them at Least that after three years and half the Horn must bee destroyed what doth hee now Thinking to change the Time hee doth all that hee can by power and craft to escape the revenging hand of God Again it is worth the noting though the chief Priests and Scribes had not the Grace to go with the Wise men unto Christ yet had they so much knowledge in the Scriptures as they could tell the Tyrant the place where hee should bee born whereby to further his bloudy design So some Ministers of the last Apostacy by the light which they have of the Prophesies of the Last Times may bee able to inform the Horn when his three years and half are ended and yet remain still with him and not go forth with the Wise to follow the Lamb. Quest How will hee think to change the Times that it may not bee Christs time but His after the three years and an half are expired Answ My opinion is these three wayes 1 As the Saints of the most high will rise in their Testimony against him especially about the Time of his End So on the other hand hee will ingage revolted Professours to appear for him more than they did in justifying his Government and wayes aspersing their Dissenting Brethren to speak things of spight ignorance Preposterous zeal and what will they have men may be as good as they will c. And thus getting the Apostates every where to cry him up for a Nursing Father and his Government the prop and pillar of Religion he will think to change the times As a little before Israels deliverance out of Egypt Moses and the Magitiaâ—s had a sore conflict and the like between Elias and Baals Priests a little before they were put to death So I conceive a little before his Dominion is taken from him the Controversy will grow high between the Witnesses of Christ and Apostates on whose side the Truth is 2 Hee will scatter the Power of the holy people grow so high in Pride and Stoutnesse neer his end that it shall seem their Power is gone and there is none shut up or left So farre shall hee prevail against the remnant of the womans seed that having before stain the witnesses hee shall think there are none left either in prison or out of Prison to take away his Dominion and cast his body to the burning flames when the three years and half are expired As the scum and drosse is wiped off and thrown into the fire when it hath spread it self over the Pot and nothing of the liquor seen so the destruction of this Horn will bee when he thinks hee hath the cause of Christ down under him and no appearance or sight thereof is left Psal 119. 119. But lastly Hee thinks to change the Times by his Army And indeed his greatest hope will bee in this For first The Army must bee purg'd that is to say not a conscientious Souldier left in it specially an Officer not a Man if known that his Principles are for smiting the Image Secondly Such mercinary fellows shall bee raked together as like the Turkish Janazaries and Spanish slaves in the Indies they will serve his turn in any thing As those Bloud-suckers which are applied to mens bodies Wheresoever they are laid be the place well or ill there they stick and do the work they are applied for So the Souldiers of this Horn whatsoever they are Commanded that they will do bee the party good or bad sick or sound all is one to them The will and Lust of their great Master shall bee obeyed though it bee against the expresse Law of God 3 Their main businesse is now to hunt after the Saints of the most high break their meetings and imprison such as they think might promote the interest of Christ and his people against the Little Horn had they liberty Fourthly it is probable hee will cause his souldiers to take away from some of the Fift Monarchy-men their Armes and Weapons not leave them a Sword Musket Pistol Pike c. it may bee not a Horse nor Money to buy them bread And having done all this now hee thinks and hath hee not reason for it he hath changed the Times It is observed by some when Ahab was told by the Prophet that the Lord would bring evil upon him and cut off his posterity 1 King 21. 21. that hee takes more Wives and Concubines and begets no lesse than seventy Sons 2 King 10. 1. Thinking thereby either to have prevented what the Lord had threatned or to make him the more work So the Horn understanding that his Power and Dominion is to bee destroyed now hee will bestir himself devising and practising all hee can either to cross the Lords decree against him change the Time or put him hard to it Thus vain man would be wise though man bee born like a wild asses colt Job 11. 12. For the other particular Wee are to consider 1 What is meant by Laws 2 How he thinks to change them Quest. What are these Laws which he thinks to change Answ 1 That Form of Government which was established before and to which the People had submitted and engaged to maintain This I think is meant by changing the Laws the abrogating of that kinde of Government which by the Legislative Power of the Nation was ordained and the good people every where had consented to 2 A change in all Fundamentals As to that Power and Right which is in the people to chuse their own Representatives and the Priviledges of Parliaments These two things hee will pluck up by the roots viz. take away from people and Parliaments their power and priviledges and assume all to himself yea so Arbytrary and Lawlesse will hee bee herein that never a Tyrant before him governing the Nations where hee shall bee ever durst to attempt the like And so much the Reader is to observe For my minde gives mee whosoever doth not this hee is not the little Horn in Daniel If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do Psal 11. 3. 3 Such laws as were made for every individual person wherby every private man before had ways and means to help himself in case of wrong and oppression whether it concern'd his person or Estate But these hee will make void and instead thereof his Will shall be for a Law as to imprison and banish whom he will and keep them there as long as hee will And to take mens Goods and Estates from them when and how much hee pleaseth So that onely his will and nothing
had but one Ahitophel with him this Horn will have many suttle and crafty foxes But I wish them a better end So then by this giving is signified that he will plead Right to his Dominion and Government as appointed thereto by God and man no Intruder or Usurper neither in attempting to change times and Laws doth he more then he hath warrant and ground for it I would have this likewise to be heeded whosoever this Horn is hee will plead hard for the lawfulnesse of his power as Given by God and man into his hand Howsoever in truth hee receives it from Gods only permissively As a Theif may take a purse from men by force and fraud Thus I have done with the Little Horn as to his Action That which follows is his suffering Thus the Spirit of God gives us a full history of his life and death In his end and punishment wee may consider 1 The Time 2 The Author 3 The Instrument 4 The Judgement it self And lastly How and in what manner Some thing I will speak though briefly to each particular For the Time It will be immediately upon the expiration of the three years and half Though the Lord did not shorten the term of his peoples abode in Egypt viz. four hundred and thirty years Fxod 12. 41. nor their seventy years captivity in Babylon but let it run out to a day yet being out hee presently delivered them according to his promise So the little Horn shall have his full time of three years and half bearing date from the day he was constituted a Horn but no more may hee expect for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Bee silent O all flesh before the Lord for hee is raised up out of his holy habitation Zach. 2. 13. This Time contemporises with the womans second comming out of the wildernesse Rev. 12. 14. and the rising of the witnesses Rev. 11. 11. and with that set Time in the Prophet Psal 102. 13. So likewise Rev. 16. 1. And I heard a great voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth c. It is an Allusion to Souldiers who are ready to charge and fight the enemy but do it not till they have the word of Command So Gods people will bee prepared for the work before the years bee expired But as no word of Command will bee given them to go out till then so they will wait as a people prepared for the Lord untill that time shall come But howsoever by the Scriptures we may know the beginning of this judgement yet how long the time will bee in the execution that is not certain but probably a very short time yet so as gradually First A dawning and afterwards the light more and more appearing 2 For the Time The Little Horn is to bee destroyed before the other ten I beheld till the beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame As concerning the rest of the Beasts they had their Dominion taken away yet their lives were prolonged for a season and Time Dan. 7. 11. 12. The meaning I take to bee thus The Term of the ten Horns do expire with the little Horn and in that respect their Dominion is said to bee taken away yet their lives were prolonged that is their Power and Government is not to bee broken to pieces till the little Horn bee first consumed Hence it is that the little Horn or State-Apostacy for I tak it to bee all one is the subject of the first vial as I have shewed and provedelsewhere see the Book Truth with Time Quest But why is the little Horn to be destroyed before the other ten Answ 1 As the Israelites overthrew Moah and Ammon Lots posterity and neer of kin to them because they sought to hinder them from going into the good Land to fight the Lords Battles against the Kings of Canaan So this Horn by profession a brother in that hee will hinder the Saints of the most high from going forth against Babylon and the Kings of the earth it is a righteous thing with God that hee should fall first by the hands of the mighty Oâ—es Isa 63. 1 2 3 6. I take the meaning thus The Lord will smite Edom first that is false brethren and Apostates and afterward tread down other people in his anger 2 This Horn and latter Apostacy is a luke warm State neither hot nor cold and therefore the Lord will spue it out of his mouth not cold because it hath a form of godlinesse not hot because it denies the power of it A thing offensive to the Stomack cannot bee born but a man will bee rid of it as soon as may bee When the forty two months are ended the Horn will bee destroyed first And no marvel for hee is more offensive and odious to God than the rest I would thou wert cold or hot and therefore the Lord will ease himself of this Enemy as one that hee cannot bear nor suffer to have his life prolonged as the other Ten. And here Gods order in pouring out the last Vials is to bee noted he will not begin with Spain France Germany c. But with the little Horn Neither may wee reckon any warre past or to come to bee the war of the Lamb against the ten Kings Rev. 17. 14. or the smiting of the Image Dan. 2. or rewarding Babylon Rev. 18. 5 6. till this Horns Dominion bee taken away and utterly consumed Not observing this great mistakes have been about former warres in bringing them under the Vials as the Sweden English Holland to the second third and fourth vials Whereas to mee it seems clear by Scripture the first thing which will bee done in fulfilling the Prophecys of the last times I speak of warre is the cutting off of this Horn and nothing will bee done against Babylon and the ten Kings as the proper work which the hundred forty and four thousand and the called chosen and faithful shall bee put upon till this thing be done 2 For the Author of his judgement It is God and Christ as appears Dan. 7. 9 10 11 and afterward more briefly vers 26. But the judgement shall sit That this Horn by a divine judicatory is to have his dominion taken from him and his body given to the burning flame there are many memorable things in it 1 Here is shewed that the Lord will give him no more time nor bee patient any longer neither suffer him to proceed any further in his Tyranny and Hypocrisy but set all his former sins before his face and tear him in peeces and there shall bee none to deliver him He thought to have gone beyond his time yea and God too but now vengeance hath reached him notwithstanding all his former cunning shifts in hope to have prevented it Lo this is
So in this Controversie about the dead Witnesses the Woman and her seed will certainly overcome which is comfort and encouragement enough 2. They will not suffer it because of their zeal and affection to the Testimony of Jesus Though David a long time was numbred among the Dead by reason of Sauls bloody persecution yet alwaye he had some friend which stuâ—k fast to his Intâ—rest It is true there may seem to be a death upon the Cause of Christ during the Beasts reigne but it shall not want friends to keep it from the Grave The love of God will constraine them 3. The Beast in slaying the Witnesses will shew so much hypocrisie falshood lying Tyranny c. As will occasion People and Tongues and Nations c. continually sometimes in one place otherwhile in another to appear against him and plead the Cause of the poor and needy In so much as he will not know what to doe Nor how to proceed any further to wit having slaine them to put them in Graves 4. The Testimony of Jesus being slaine that is comparatively now dead to what spirit and life it had For it stood upon its feet before and had Power and Authority with it till the Beast came up Notwithstanding all this I say though Dead in respect of Spirit Life Power Authority yet shall not the Beast be suffered to extinguish it altogether in the Nation where he hath slaine it 1. Because if he should so far prevaile it would not onely strengthen the present Atheists but open a gap of Athiesm to many others For as the Beast in slaying the last Witnesse makes many Hypocrites so should he bury it he would make as many Atheists 2. Should he be suffered he would doe more wickedly then he doth For in that he cannot bury Christs Testimony he is restrained from acting the mischiefes which otherwise he would 3. He is not suffered Because this Witnesse though comparatively dead to what life it had shall be his ruine when the three years and halfe are expir'd Fourthly For the last point How they keep them out To open this it must be remembred It is the Witnesse of Christ I take to be slaine Not suffered to be put in Graves because some shall plead for it defend it and hold it forth all the time of the Beasts rage and Tyranny So that in one respect it is kild in another alive For some shall still appear for that Testimony which in others the Beast hath slaine In the days of Elias when they had thrown down the Lords Altars and slaine his Prophets with the sword yea and the Prophet himselfe forc't to fly for his life here it might well be said that the Lords witnesse was slaine yet not put in grave For at the same time The Lord had 7000 which had not bowed the knee unto Baal And this I take to be the meaning here The prevailing power of the Beast shall be such as he will slay the visible Testimony of Jesus held forth in some publick manner before his rising yet he shall not be suffered to put it in grave For God will have some thousands still which shall not bowe the knee to the Beast but own and honour the truth n urdered by him all his Reigne And thus much for the first Party The other sort followes And they that dwell upon the Earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send guists one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth To these is given a speciall Character Dwell on the Earth The subject of the first Vial is Earth Rev. 16. 2. and the same mentioned here the latter Apostacy whose description we had before from 2 Tim. 3. The Cause of their joy is the great advantage which they have by the death of the Testimony For no sort of men shall outwardly thrive and prosper under the Beast like Apostates It being a Government or State erected by them and for their owne Interest alone Another good Note to know the reigne of the Beast by viz. WHEN APOSTATES FLOURISH It cannot be his time if it be not Apostates time if carnall Professors doe not hold up their heads look big and domineere and he that will like Judas get the bag must get himselfe into some Church For as in Christs time buying and selling was in the Temple and there were the Money changers So under this Beast places offices and preferment will be crept into the Church In so much as no considerable preferment will be gotten unlesse the person be a Church-member or can procure some Church-mans hand for it Thus we see who they are that will rejoyce at this time and make merry and send guifts one to another None like Apostates who are fallen from Heaven to dwell upon the Earth As for others who are faithfull and constant to the Interest and Cause of Christ they sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done under the Beast It is said Because the two Prophets tormented them But wherein Because they spake against all unrighteousnesse of men Pressed men to keep their Promises and Engagements Declared openly against dissembling lying and hypocrisie would have Babylon down with all her will-worship and inventions People to have their power freedome and liberty according to Reason and Conscience and none to have any Arbitrary Government fore't upon them But such a Testimony as this could not be borne it was worse then an Egyptian boile Insomuch as they had no peace or rest till they had slaine that which so tormented them This place puts me in mind of what hapned upon the Dissolution of the little Parliament The Joy then among the Priests and formall Professours was much like that of the Philistines when they had Sampson in their hands Then the Lords of the Philistims gathered them together for to Offer a great Sacrifice unto Dagon their God and to rejoyce for they said Our God hath delivered Sampson our Enemy into our hand And when the People saw him they praised their God for they said Our God hath delivered into our hands our Enemy and the destroyer of our Country which slew many of us And it came to passe when their hearts were merry that they said call for Sampson that he may make us sport Judg. 16. 23 24 25. Some of them more Religious seemingly at least were for Sacrifice Hence Dayes were kept of Thanksgiving as they call it And now the Trumpets sound aloud Oh what the Lord hath done for the Sons of Levi the holy Ministery and Maintenance The Enemy and Destroyer of their Country had likely to have put out all the lights of the Tabernacle One of them I remember told the people The National Clergy was like good Isaac bound and ready to have been Sacrificed And that God by a wonderfull deliverance had preserv'd them when the Parliament-Knife was at the throat of their sacred Calling Tythes and the like For the other
shall be amazed one at another their faces shall be as flames Isa 13. 7 8. But when shall this be At this time I say now the Lord having called his Mighty ones and his sanctified ones and mustered the host of the battell agaixst Babylon v. 1 2 3 4. And this is one Reason why I doe conceive For material weapons the Saints have no need to make much provision before hand Though Joshua took All the People of war with him and all the mighty men of valour Yet there died more with hailstones then they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword Josh 107 11. So at this time howsoever there shall be the Sword of the Lord and the Sword of Gideon yet Gideon but a thousand and David his ten thousand And here I desire the discreet Reader to observe the Method and order which the Lord as it seemes to me will follow in making Christs enemies his footstool When the three yeares and an halfe are expir'd for till then the appointed time will not come for him to arise and have mercy upon Zion there will be a pouring out of the Spirit in abundance whereby the hearts of the faithfull every where will be raised up to high and great resolutions against the later Apostacie the little Horn and Beast Even publickly to declare the war of the Lamb against that Government and State and the whole dominion of Antichrist This will strike a dreadfull terrour through the hearts of the Enemies especially HYPOCRITES AND SINNERS IN ZION They will be driven to their wits end not knowing what to doe seeing judgment must begin at them And that the Lords work may the more effectually goe forward and prosper now the Lamb himselfe will speak to the hearts of his sincere ones touching the great Commandment of love and for peace and union By whose Spirit working effectually in them his Commandment shall be obeyed â—o that all breaches and differences will be speedily and perfectly done away and they all of one accord and of one mind And what then As the Armies of Heaven and Angels of the last plagues goe out of the Temple to pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the Earth And as the Saints are thus raised up in faith life light love wisedome courage c. So on the contrary the Enemies now fall and are cast down under unbelief death darknesse division folly fear c. Reader I pray thee mark it The three yeares and halfe being expird This will follow As the followers of the Lamb shall have faith love light courage and understanding rise and increase among them So among the followers of the Horn and Beast quite otherwise viz. Fear unbeliefe contention blindnesse and confusion will break out and abound And by this many will be convinc't and satisfied that the set time is come That which is next is Action And it follows in the Text. And the same houre was there a great earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell and in the earthquake were slaine of men seven thousand And the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven Here I think the Vials begin this shaking Earth is the Earth Rev. 16. 2. the subject of the first Viall That State-Apostacy of which we have spoken out of Entituled which as the Bottomlesse Pit Truth ascended the Beast headed with with Time a little Horne But of this I have elsewhere written and shall refer the Reader to it I come now to our last point and so will Conclude Whether the Prophesie of slaying the Witnesses be fulfild in our time or no Answ By what hath been said let the READER Judge I shall add nothing of mine own But draw up some particular Heads from the the Prophesie opened If it be fulfild in whole or part These things must be as I soberly think I. A Government or State set up by Apostates II. No sooner is it erected but there will be a glorious Testimony of Jesus formerly held forth imediately kild III. If it be this Beast his dominion and Government must suddenly and strangely come forth neither expected nor desired of the people nor hath it their consent Yet IV. For craft and policie there will be more used about raising this Beast then hath been known before V. Hypocrisie in religion will be the great thing whereby the Beast being ascended out of the bottomlesse pit shall seek to establish his Government VI. They are not Persons he shall slay but the Truth witnessed by them yet not all truth But that Testimony which is now held forth for the Reign and Kingdome of Christ against worldly powers VII This Testimony he will kill in many great Professours by corrupting them with preferment Job 34 30. Again he himself will pretend much piety perswading people it is not the Testimony of Jesus he kills but errour and falshood Besides if he be the Beast he will have such Souldiers about him as will act any wickednesse he bids them Lastly he will make Lawes against the witnesses VIII This Beast shall not be under the authority of the Church of Rome neither shall the place or Country where the witnesses are slain in their Testimony belong to the Jurisdiction of the Papal Beast IX Neverthelesse this Beast shall be a main pillar and supporter of Babylon in her greatest Idolatry and Tyranny X. Though this Beast shall indeavour to destroy utterly the present Generation Testimony yet he shall not be able For the Lord will have a Remnant in whom the witnesse shall live Though he have kild it in others XI Where this is their hypoctites doe reigne It will be a time in which Apostates shall florish XII Now the Carnall and corrupt professour will rejoyce and make merry And Priests say as Agag surely the bitternesse of death is past call for Samson that he may make us sport Who is wise and he shall understand these things Frudent and he shall know them For the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them But the transgressors shall fall therein Hos 14. 9. FINIS A POSTSCRIPT Ye Precious Ones and Saints of the most High It is not much that I shall add But it is to give YOU an Account of the Occasion of this Work UPON my Banishment from Hull for what Cause I know not there being nothing to this day made known to me I went a part as Elias did into the Wildernesse And as I lay under hedges in holes my Soul in bitternesse breathed forth many sad complaints before the Lord. It is enough O Lord take away my life for I am not better then my Fathers Often and sore wrestlings I had with my God to know His Meaning and Teaching under this Dispensation And what further work whether Doing or Suffering he had for me his Poor old Sevant being now againe Banished after 17 years Banishment before Being brought thus at the feet of God and there waiting
and Hearkning What the Lord would speak I had the Former Things for the Substance of them given in unto me And I can speak it in Truth I understood them not till now But thought The Time of the End was to be found out and known some other way Now howsoever I could not but think there was Something of God in This As to an Answer of Prayer Especially having these Things upon my heart as I was pouring out my soule at the Throne of grace Neverthelesse Considering the weightinesse and difficulty of the Matter How differing it was to what Others Held And how deeply Some and my selfe also have suffered for our Mistakes in medling with such High Things But chiefly what a poor worth-lesse and empty Thing I was More brutish then any man and had not the Vnderstand of a man And how subtilly Satan worketh at this Time in Some by a spirit of delusion in pretending to high things and that it is God that speaketh in them Upon these and such like Considerations my Soule was sore distressed and I besought the Lord with Tears Day and Night that he would take Pitty on Me and not leave me to a Deceived Heart But as often as I set my face unto the Lord by prayer and supplication I found my selfe more Encouraged and had more of the Prophesies opened unto me Yea and the Lord knows I lie not whensoever my heart hath been most melted and broken before him and my soule swallowed up with the greatest Love and Longing after his Glory AT SUCH TIMES I have been most confirmed and strengthned to believe that it was the Spirit of truth which revealed these things to me a Worm Neverthelesse being yet unsatisfied in my selfe as Fearfull least I should go aside from the Teachings of God I acquainted some of some of my Christian Friends with the Thing and how the Case stood with me and desired that the same might be Spread before the Lord The which was done severall Times And very earnestly was the Lord sought unto for Counsell and Direction that there might be no miscarriage on either Hand Much I could say concerning this Particular But I shall say no more then this I found the Fruit of their Prayers A Greater Confirmation After all this for I was not quiet yet having put things into some Order I communicated my Thoughts unto other Friends Some of these whose Works praise them in the Gate I found to be of my Opinion For which I thanked God and took courage As did Paul when the Brethren met him Acts 28. 15. But Others and Pretious Ones too were as I apprehended otherwise minded And here began as the last so my sorest and sharpest Conflict For so much was I discouraged now as I had Jeremiahs Complaint often up O Lord thou hast deceived me and I was deceived Thou art stronger then I and hast prevailed Jer. 20. 7. I must confesse the Considerations before named especially being conscious to my own Emptinesse and Poverty hath so much affected me That I have been more ready except in Prayer to fall in with any outward Discouragements and to improve them whensoever they came Then to close with inward Ecouragements even the Stirring and Motions I think I may say the Visions of God which I have powerfully felt upon my soule when I have been nearest the Mercy Seat But Hallelujah praised be the Lord who hath taken from Me a worm still these Discouragements and Fears by working up my heart into joy of Believing It may be in Reading of this you would willingly know my Intention It is Thus I have not Published this Treatise as I have done things heretofore For in Humility an awful fear of my God Here I can say and that truly THIS IS A WORK OF FAITH AND PRAYER Not of my own Labor and study comparitively as former Things have been For here I have been more out of the Body and with the Lord on the Mount But oh I would be humble in such Exprestions that THE LORD ALONE MIGHT BE EXALTED And I a remaine still a Worme in my hole and numbred among the dead Neither have I rested in the Experiences of Gods inward Workings upon my soule that is To his giving forth of the Spirit alone But the Holy Scriptures have been The Men of my Counsell Psal 119. 24. Insomuch as I have not hearkned any further to the Perswasions and Operations of the Holy Spirit Though received as the Finger of God Then what I might doe yea and ought by the Covenant-Promise I say by Faith Grounded upon the blessed Word Such Scriptures through the Free Grace of a divine Blessing by a humble Application in the Interest of them have sweetly supported me Jer. 31. 9. 33. 3. Hos 12. 4. Dan. 9. 20 21. 2. 18 19 23. Luke 11. 12 13. Jam. 1. 5. Isa 66. 2. Psal 10. 17. 25 9. 2 Chron. 20. 13 14. Acts 13. 2. Rev. 5. 4 5. Psal 32. 8 9. 1 John 5. 14 15. Hence I saw clearly that with Supplications the Lord hath led his people And whilst they have been Mourning and by the Spirit making Intercession for them with Groanings which cannot be uttered For the Vnction from the holy One and to be guided into all Truth The Lord hath mercifully appeared to them Neither have such humble and broken hearted Babes met with the Portion of Proud Pharises viz. Disappointment All flesh is grasse c. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 24 25. It is a sure word 2 Pet. 1. 19. Believe in the Lord so shall ye be established Believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper 2 Chron. 20. 20. But howsoever in the Publishing of these things I seem to declare a Humble Boldnesse in my God as to the truth of them Yet this I desire the Kingdome-Saints every where to mind That as the three yeares and a halfe of which we have spoken are to have their Period So must all things following in order to the destruction of the little Horn be likewise accomplished It is true the latter Apostacy the little Horn and the Beast that slayes the Witnesses have but three years and an half Yet it must not be understood as if at the End of that time they should presently be destroyed But when that Time is expired then the Judgement shall sit The Witnesse rise And so all the rest of the Prophesies concerning them be fulfild in due Order and Time This I thought good to mention againe to prevent mistakes For suppose the aforesaid Time should End about June 57. That which next followes will be no more as I take it But the pouring out of the Spirit in the rising of the Witnesses Whereby the Saints of the most High shall be raised up in Faith Light Love Zeal One-ness c. and so made meet for the Masters use But among the Apostates Dread Fear Darknesse Divisions Disappointment c. Onely the Lords Work the
appointed time being come will goe foreward rise and alwayes Prosper Untill Jehovah have fulfild his whole Counsell upon the latter Apostacy the little Horn and Beast which ascendeth out of the Depth I thank thee O Father Lord of Heavâ—n and Earth Because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. This should have been Inserted Page 121. He shall make Warre AS by the Witnesses I understand not Persons but a Generation Testimony So here No Civill War as raising of Armies and making use of Materiall Weapons But WAR against the Truth and Killing it As a man blowes out the Light yet breaks not the Candle-stick So this Beast shall principally endeavor to put out the Light of the Testimony Not that there shall be much suffering as to the persons of men Hence it is through the mistake of this that strange conceits have been taken up to wit that in these Three years and an halfe great Battles would be fought infinite blood shed a generall persecution of the Saints by bannishment imprisonment burning hanging drowning c. And horrible commotions and hurliburlies the world over Whereas to me humbly be it spoken I see no such thing intended by the Holy Ghost No Civill War nor Civill killing intimated But as the Thing slaine is Spiritual namely The Testimomony of Jesus So this War and killing is to be taken Not Civilly but in a Spiritual sence I say it is the Truth that suffers rather then persons for it And in this regard the Beast will slay the Witnesse without any great Noise or Notice This also may serve to remove another stone out of some mens way Occasioned through our streightning Things to a particular Country or Isle As if the last Apostacy the Little Horn and the Beast which slayes the Witnesses should be applyed more General and Large then we do Answ 1. The kingdome of God will not come with Observation I wish that this might be Remembred As the day breaks first but in one part of the skie though the Light from thence swiftly spreads it selfe all over So will the work of the Lord after the Three yeares and halfe are expir'd begin not every where but in one Country and from them proceed from one place to another untill all Christs Enemies be made his foot stool 2. I am groundedly convinc't that the work shall begin upon the last Apostacie the little Horn and Beast But by these not the Germane Emperour the Duke of Savoy nor any Popish Power or dominion can be meant For my part I doe not apprehend that there is any probable ground so to apply it And therefore if these men would but soberly and impartially weigh things themselves laying aside what others have held they would see the Apostacy the little Horn and the Beast slaying the witnesses in one Country and that ONE not within the walls of Babylon But without at least I think so ERRATA PAge 36. line 13. see read see 's P. 57. l. 13. this r. his P. 59. l. 6. Lastly r. Lofty P. 70. l. 24. Charitates r. Charitatis P. 76. l. 4. indulgente r. indulgent P. 77. l. 10. withes r. wither P. 81. l. 23. principitatum r. principatum Ibid. marg Tyrannides r. Tyrannide P. 95. l. 27. man r. men P. 144. l. 13. understand r. understanding P. 236. l. 9. Angel r. Angels P. 237. l. 2. the r. thy Ibid. l. 4. rouse r. raise FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Coâ— 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. 24. 1 Chro. 12 32. Jer. 50. 58. See a Book intituled Truth with Time Isa 52 12. a Saâ— â—â—râ—m l. 1. Tit. 7. b Nich. dist S. Rom. in Glosâ— c Jo. de Parisâ—is potest Râ—x Pap. d Peter de Palud de potest Pap. el. 4. e Inter casus Papales f De concessione p aebendae Gloss de Constit licet Duâ—an l. 2. g Trans Episc C. quanto in Gloss h Inno. 3. ext D. concess praeb C. proposuit i Fran Zorobel k Hugo in Gloss Dist 40. C. non nos â— Bellarm. de Rom. Pontif. â— 4. e. 5. in fine m Greg. q. 3. C. quat n Ulricus Wald. confessionale de Sacr. o Cardinal Cusan Exerâ— l. 2. c. 6. p In Sept. Ext. Jo. 22. Tit. 14. C. cum inter l. Gloss * Hoc verbum est a re militari ad religionem traductum Nam inter milites is diciâ—ur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui ordâ—nem suum locum in acie datum deserit turpiter vel qui a nobis ad hostes transâ—ugit qui etiam transâ—uga appellaâ—uâ— Danaeus l. 4 de side cap. â—5 Tempoâ—a molesta mquibus dissicile sit concilium capere quomodo te geras adversus istiusmodi monstra que ex medio Ecclesiâ— sinu prodâ—bunt Piscator in Loc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hic a Paulo diâ—iluâ— qui sive argentum sive aurum sive agros sive siumentum sive quasâ—â—bâ—t alias opes aâ—dâ—ntâ—r â—xpetit vâ—â—â—ose Danaeus in Loc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Joan Bromiard sum pradic c. 17. b Bonaf 6 dec de cas cap. licet c Syâ—aâ—â—us papa 9. â— 3. aliorum d Pelarg. do planco Eccles l. 1. Art 6. e Lib Concil Polyd distinc 7. Synodum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Speed Chr. l. 9 c. 9. pag. 622. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Sanche Moral Tom. 1. l. 3. n. 15. p. 25. Fulliar Moral Tâ—a. 25. c. 11. n. 323. p. 204. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remonâ—trance of the General councel of Officers at St. Albons Nov. 16. 1648. Meter Bel. â—â—st l. b. 3. Grimstone Nether Hist 311. * The Mar. hath it the Tyranny of the Duke and his bloody Council 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Barth kick Systemat polit lib. 1. c. 28. p. 422. Barlolus de Tyrannides * Kicker ibid. Steph. Jun. Bâ—ul in vindic contra Tyran Quest 3. Althusius l. 14. pol. Tol. l. 6. c. 18 l. 26. c. 7. Rod. l. 2. c 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Armies Declaration to the people of Scotland from Muscleborough 1650. Armies Declaration Sept. 17. 1648. Acts of Parliament Jan. 30. 1648. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 13. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vol. * O. P. his Speech in the Painted Chamber Septem 4. 1654. a Pope Innoc. 72 Ar. 17 q 4 Siquis b Pope Dâ—mase 25. q. â— C. omnia c Auto-mâ—n Sum. par â— Tit. 22. c. 5. d Pop. Nich. 15. q. 6. Aut. de elect et elect significa in Glos e Bellar. de verb. dei f Greg. distin 81 c. siquis et Leo caus q 6. cap. multa g Bellar. de Rom. pont l. 2. c. 26. h Glos in c. 24. q. 3 si inimicus * a sine byssâ—â— quod est genus lini câ—nâ—idissimi sic Abissâ—â— dâ—ciâ—ur quasâ— sine claritaâ—e Alex. de Ales * In Rev. 11. 16. the 24 Elders are mentioned but not the 4 living cretures To denote That near or about the time when Christ is to take his great power to him and to reigne there will be few Ministers of Churches to praise him But these have in the three years and halfe like Demas forsaken him having loved this present world
Jesus can deny himself can take up his Cross daily and follow his prince and his Saviour through the fire and through the water if need be and the cause of Christ call for it The wicked instead of understanding these Prophecies shall do wickedly against those who watch and pray for the accomplishment of them shall secretly wish that the Lord would delay his coming cannot eccho to the voice of the Spirit and of the Bâ—ide saying Come Lord Jesus shall be found smiting their fellow servants conforming themselves to this old evil world eating and drinking with the gluttons and with the drunken the Kings and the Inhabitants of the earth who are made drunk with the wine of the fornication of the mother of Harlots c. They cannot brook the hand-writing of God in the Scriptures concerning the numbring weighing and finishing of their Kingdoms and Governments so well as that Baby lonish Prince Belshazzar did bear the interpretation of the hand-writing upon the plaster of the wall But in stead of doing them honour who forewarn them of their approaching destruction cannot behold them with a cheerful aspect from the moment of such their faithful admonitions and reproofs but the will of the Lord be done I desire moreover it may be understood and remembred by friends and enemies that we have not by our Testimony ingaged our liberties and lives against the Gen. the Apostatizing part of the Army meerly or indeed principally upon the account of the expiration of the time allotted to the litle Horn the Beast as it may be some have done but upon the account of that good righteous and blessed Cause which He and his Officers seemed formerly to have loved better then their own lives though since they have most unworthily preferred Barabbas before Christ and so gratified the humours and the lusts of the children of Belial throughout the Nations whilst the Lords remnant have been weeping and mourning in this day of trouble rebuke and blasphemy for that abominable back-sliding whereof they are guilty before the Lord Let that counsel of Solomon and Paul rake place among those who have not yet fallen before him because there hath been no opportunity of conversing with him but yet through the power of credulity and simplicity are obnoxious to entanglements When he speaketh fair believe him not for there are seven abominations in his heart Avoid those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple All such upright Christians as are not nor shall be softned by his tears nor intrapped by his spies have cause to reckon those two deliverances in the catalogue of their choice mercies from the Lord the best preservative is to keep out of the sight of the one and out of the reach of the other far enough and safe enough What is written in the few following sheets may be through the Lords blessing of great use to caution many pretious souls for the time to come who having little experience and acquaintance with the spirits and designs of the worldly Powers in their managing the mystery of iniquity the deceivablenes of unrighteousness are very apt to plead their cause and make Apologies on their behalf of whom they will find cause to be ashamed when the hidden things of darkness and of dishonesty shall be brought into the open light The truth is we erre not knowing the Scriptures We erre not being well instructed in the mystery of godliness and in the mystery of iniquity Godliness and ungodliness righteousness and unrighteousness are both of them mysteries they lie very deep they are remote from common understanding We need the candle of the Lord to find out the depths of God and the depths of Satan for each have their deeps as Paul and John have written but those who are light in the Lord are inabled to descend into the depths of God and into the bottomless pit or depth from whence the Beast who slayeth the Witnesses ascendeth and into which the Dragon that old Serpent the Devil and Satan shall be cast and deceive the Nations no more Amen Although we in our preachings and writings may to the present age seem audacious men thus to meddle with these dark prophecies yet the succeeding generations shall bless the Lord for raising up some before their times to forewarn them to flee from the wâ—ath that is to come The Lord give forth such a measure of the holy unction to his people in reading these things that being inabled to distinguish betwixt probabilities and certainties they may receive the Truth and inquire further into that which is but probable and so come to make a judgement of things according to the mind of Jesus Christ I shall not add any more at this time save only that through the rich administrations of Free-grace I am still and hope to continue to the end The servant of Jesus Christ and of all the Saints for Jesus sake according to the measure received CHR. FEAâ—E AN Epistolary Perambulation OR A Word to every one round the World IT was a saying of one who read a Comment upon the Patience of Job That poor Job was more miserably tormented with his Comment then with his Condition of botches and boyls and indeed I was the more doubtful of answering my friends desire in publishing my poor Epistolary thoughts upon so pregnant a piece and profitable as this is lest he should suffer more by so deficient and indigent a Comment as mine then by the whole matter or subject of this discourse so feelingly and faithfully since his exile and suffrings presented to the publike judgement Wherefore I fear to adde to what with so much Evidence and Demonstration he hath produced lest I should diminish and do rather wish that men would proportion Meditation to reading that they may prove them staple Truths and Commodities in their own Souls and Consciences For they can best report them who best relish them and dispirit them into their own Spirits or Breasts When I prepend how perplexable and out of order we are in these times I the less wonder at those high Distempers and burning Paroxysms of Opinion Pride lust and Passion among carnal Church-members and worldly professors who like thirsty Travellers are ready to drink of every puddle let the water be wholesom or hurtful and in their heat will have it though they surfeit for it Such must be purged and better dieted if ever they do well Now I do think as to the venome of the times contracted by taking in things untrue and obnoxious to the things and times of the end these Streams which run from the Rock Christ and glide through the valley of this Book or Brook may be of singular use to expel through the Savour Sweetness Sence Simplicity Evidence and Wholesomness of them to all Souls They are slain and so perhaps not such placentia to the Court-palates that
of these things to forsake the the Churches for Heathens Schools the Bride for the Whore the Whore harnessed too in her old filthy adulterous robes too the very same Popish Statutes up and unrepealed at thiâ— day that were in Q Maries dayes and in the thick of Popery however they refine them a little outwardly yet the same idola ocuâ—orum or feminine Idols and Trumperies Hoods Caps Robes Rings Holy-dayes Musicks Commencements and Divinity-Acts are yet uâ— Conradus Pellican upon his death-bed desired he might not be buried a Doctor for he said he must rise a Disciple and poor Creature O Peter Peter Peter sayes Mr. Tyndal thou wast too long a Fisher-man then if this be lawful for thou wert never brought up at the Arches nor wert thou ever master of the Rolls Chancellor of England nor Vice-Chancellor of Oxford c. 4. For that ye are though untruly called the Schools of the Prophets whereas in truth ye are the Schools of the profane Atheists and Heathens infusing Heathenish principles by heathenish Authors into proud bold fantastical graceless youths and for this reason have the Saints all along ingaged against them Wiâ—kliffe Huss Luther Zuinglius Tyndal and a 100 more yea the Brownists at large to King Iames petition'd that they might no longer continue Heathen but Christian Schools and instead of Aristotle and Plato they might study the Scriptures Prophets and Apostles for those that so do will receive the Truth gladly which we communicate as 1 Thes 1. 6. in much affliction 5. Besides you are accounted the Fountain and Nursery of the Ministry that is not of the Church but Secular Clergy not of Christ's but Aristotle's and the States Ministry that buy what they sell and then sell what they so have bought as Simon Magus be they ever such stories trash Anti-christian Errors or dreams of Predicaments Universals second Intentions Quiddities Hecsiâ—ies and Correlatives c. and what not to amuse the Countryignoramus's Now for as much as all these with a 1000. more appertain to the Beast and false Prophet it is time to warn them that are of them to get from amongst them as fast as they can for the time is neer when this Beast and his whole Body whereof you are a Part must be given to the Burning Flame Dan. 7. 11. 3. To the Cities and Corporations that do yet stand by the Beast's Charter it is the Time of the End too and particularly this where every man is as we say Faber suae fortunae seeking himself and hammering out his own honour but not at God's Anvil buying selling building planting c. as in the dayes of Noah but doth not regard the Day of the Lord O London London thou City and Seat of the second Beast next to Rome mayst thou look for the Wrath upon thee for thy bowing down unto the Beast persecuting the Saints and height of all manner of Sins sound in thee at this day Dost thou think that Latimers Ridleys Hoopers and the Martyrs blood wilt not be called for yea wer 't not thou as Gideons Fleece dry when the floor round thee for many years was wet with the blood of the late Wars and shalt not thou be wet when the floor is dry besides retentio excâ—emenâ—orum est parensâ— morborum thou retainest what will ruine thee and standest upon those Popish Charters and Injurctions that must be rent up by the very Roots nor will the dead Saints the Patrons of your Companies be able to protect you from that Day when the living Saints or judgement begins to sit 4. To such as are in Doubts and Suspence or Darkness either for want of light or through too much light upon weak Orgaâ—s which occasions too much wavering unstedfastness mistakes and dissimulations at this day were Paul alive that reproved his brother Peter so openly Gal. 2. what a terrible thundering Oracle would he be at this Day then which will burn up double-dealing and deceit like an Oven and nothing but true faith in the simplicity of the Gospel will abide by it Surely Pauls care would be to put every man upon the proof of 's own work and spirit that he might have a rejoicing in himself and not in another Gal. 6. 4. knowing the subtlety of the Serpent in this last Apostacy is to set up Truth against Truth grace against grace ordinances against ordinances Saints against Saints Spirit against Spirit and not â—o prophane against Professors to fight rend shake tear distract and divide them with that are to break his head and to catch his kingdom Wherefore see to your standing that it be not upon Bogs or quagmires or with staggering 5. To such as are impatient hoâ— and rash tarry till the Time of the End it will be soon enough and get your spirits well prepared seaâ—oned and sweetened with Gâ—â—ce for it will be bitter enough a â—oâ—e sliding will break thy â—oâ—e though a back-sliding would break thy neck and if thou â—â—â—â—â—st to the Kingdom-work before the Time and Season thou will be drawn out or if thou gâ—est out with a wilde field spirit or common anointing and not with the â—arden flowry spirit or double anointing of the Kingdom which is the blessing of the First-born thou art more capable of being out down with the grass then oâ— cutting down the grass though all flesh be grass Ilay 40. as a field-flower rising up in its own single wilde natural spirit It is another straâ—agem of Sathan to deposite too the like for the thing and so to cheat thee with a counterfeit compounding an anointing like to Gods anointing a persume like to his persume which is death by the Law Exod. 30. 33. or else to put that upon the Stranger which belongs to none but the Lord v. 38. or else to take the Lord's persume to smell upon or to please their own senses and desires with and so to raise up their own spirit which then is hard to get down again or not to call the Spirit of the Lord and with that Christian name to run out into disoorders and without rule or else to conclude us in unbelief as to implicite commands under presence of a perâ—mâ—oâ—y obedience to explicite and like Nadab and Abilâ—â— fall in the fire of our own kindling or else instead of the Angels Reed would measure and model us by another Rule and not with the Kings Cubit which was three singers longer then the common nor weighed with the Sanctuary shekels whereon at first was stamped the print of the Lamb which were twice as much as the common But as Noab's Aâ—k was built with the largest Cubit So is this Work to be that will now go forward Lastly if it be the end then woe woe woe to the inhabitants of the Earth for the time of the third woe is within reach woe to the Lawyers Souldiers Citizens Merchants Messengers Goalers and all that are involved with the Beast at this day from Court to Country from
of God in his providential dispensations It hath been the practice of worldly powers to justifie their unrighteous Wars and Murthers by crying up Providence As if their Victories and Conquests must needs be lawful because of the Oportunities and advantages which they had though yet no otherwise then what Thieves and Highway-robbers may pretend to Saul fell twice into David's hands might not this be thought a Providence as leading him to take the kingdom but there was something more in David's eye as he waited for the kingdom namely the Appointed time CONSID. VI. Therefore neer or about the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years that is to say in the last three years and an half of that Number certain most remarkable and wonderful things will come to pass for there shall appear then a Little Horn of which Daniel speaks Chap. 7. the later Apostacie foretold by the Apostle 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 c. and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit who shall slay the Witnesses Rev. 11. 7. These things shall be so obvious and plain not onely in respect of the certain time when they did rise but so exactly agreeing in all things with the Scriptures as hereby the wise shall understand that now The Time of the End is come Concerning this notable Time I finde many Writers both ancient and modern to mention it although not agreeing in their Application Some think these three years and an half shall be immediately before the ultimate or last Judgement Others a little before Christ s personal coming to reign on earth Others think of which opinion I am that these three years and an half in which will be the Little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast shall be a long time before the Judgement of the great day yea and many years before Christ's personal appearing But howsoever in application they differ yet in these two great points they agree 1. That these three years and an half do period the forty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days and that there shall be in this Time a Little Horn a great Apostacie and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit 2. Immediately after these three years and half there will be a visible and universal change of things thorow the whole world For the little Horn shall be destroyed Babylon fall all earthly powers broken to pieces and the Saints of the most High raised up to a most glorious and blessed estate Neither is it to be thought strange that this hath been the opinion of some men in all ages since the Primitive time even hitherto for if the Prophecies be read with heed and observation so much in my understanding lies open and very clear in them But of this more hereafter CONSID. VII Now for the characters of the little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast this must be heeded Look as the Scriptures set them down so they must have all their full and due accomplishment yea more these Characters at least most of them cannot be applied to any persons or things without force to the Text but onely to THAT little Horn THAT Apostacie and THAT Beast which are to be in the three years and an half Hence I may say though with much tenderness some have very much wrested the Prophecies in applying the Little Horn to this man and that man the Apostacie to be meant of such persons and the Beast to be understood so and so the which applications in many particulars have no ways parallel'd But there is no need of doing so for when the three years and half come there shall appear such a Little Horn Apostacie and Beast as all the Scripture-characters shall fall in altogether and every way with them CONSID. VIII Though we might finde out a littile Horn characterized according to Daniel but no Apostacie or suppose an Apostacie and a little Horn but no Beast slaying the Witnesses This could not be the three years and an half for I conceive all three must be at one time begin and end together Not minding this some have been mistaken in taking the little Horn single and apart from the Apostacie and Beast and would have him to be many hundred years before the two later were in the world Whereas to me the one shall not be before nor after the other but as I said before contemporize Of this likewise I shall speak more when I come to the particulars CONSID. IX But the great Question is Seeing the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days shall be as I think in this way and manner made known viz. by a little Horn an Apostacie and Beast appearing in the last three years and half By whom and how will the Lord do it This methinks is shewed in Daniel chap. 12. 5 6 7 c. Two are said to stand by the river the one on this side of the bank and the other on that side of the river These two I take to be Types the one of the Gentile-Churches the other of the Jews to whom Jesus Christ the Man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river being ask'd of both for the word one is not in the text How long shall it be to the end of these wonders the Gentile-type is answered first vers 7. It shall be for a time times and an half and so referr'd to the three years and an half as if he should say What concerns you Gentiles as to the understanding of the Visions and Prophecies of this book the words are sealed up for a time times and an half and when that time shall come namely the last three years and an half of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years I will put of my Spirit into some of my servants represented here by one of the two standing on the bank of the river whereby they shall open this great mystery to the Churches of the Saints among the Gentiles Fulfilling herein what is said in the Prophet Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets Amos 3. 7. As for the other carrying the type of the Jews he hath his answer vers 11 12. Again I conceive the Gentile-type in Daniel is the same with Rev. 18. 1. that angel which cometh down from heaven having great power and the earth was enlightned with his glory If the order of things be duly observed enlightning goes before the work I say before smiâ—ing the Image and rendering vengeance upon Babylon It is true the followers of the Lamb are bid to reward her as she hath rewarded you and double unto her double c. vers 6. yet so as to be enlightned first the which enlightning must needs be understood part at least of the set and appointed time when to begin to reward her That none of the seven last plagues are yet poured out I have given some Reasons publikely Now whereas unto John
upon you and promised Mountains But for the Body of the Commonwealth it is much worse then it was before worse Magistrates Ministers Army Navy Councils In a word worse with us in all publick concernments both at home and abroad If this be not the mournful complaint of all people except Revolters and most true I shall not fasten the Later Apostacy upon them But because the Tryers are the great Crackers and think they deserve this Name viz. Mend-all as having done a great peice of service about Church-Reformation This I think I may safely say and that truly by experience That the present National Clergy is more corrupt and far worse then it was in the Bishops time For 1. No Professors but could have found then within few miles of their dwellings some honest Puritan or Non-Conformist to go to whereby to be refresht and built up in Faith Knowledge Holiness whereas now men may travel twenty thirty fourty miles and not finde a Parish-Priest that hath any Gospel savor in his Ministery no power swetness or life but old formal fruitless stuff said over and a hundred times 2. Though it be true the Bishops took little care to reform the Clergy but rather how to suspend and silence as some do now such as witnessed against their unsanctified Callings and Places Nevertheless if the Times be compared the Enormities of the National Clergy are less look'd into and reformed I say less now then in the Prelates Times I remember the old Non-Conformists were wont to call the Bishops making of Preists their Licenses and Visitations the picking of poor mens pockets I wish it do not appear so in the day of Christ that some of these men have done little better This I know go to and fro thorow the Nation the iniquity of the Priests encreaseth every where and what is done amounts to little more then this if a scandalous or ignorant Friest be cast out from one place he goes to another and doth there more hurt and lives worse then he did before fitly therefore is the name Crackers by the Holy Ghost given them Proud or arrogan Lastly Qui super collem apparuerunt men that will be under no yoke but domineer and all must be subject to them Grammarians take the word for men that will be masters and will have no Superiour but all rule and authority must be in their hands I know not a better way to finde out the Last Apostacy then to follow the Light of the Scripture in paralelling the two Apostacies and in nothing more then to observe the pride loftiness and arrogancy alike in in BOTH HEADS I cannot but speak the more of this because it cannot be the later Apostacy unless we see the HEAD of it to be as PROUD and arrogant as the former was would the former HEAD acknowledge no Superior the later must do so did they say of the former Quaecunque potestâ—â— est sub Coelo est in summo pontifice that he is Lex animata in terris a living Law in the Earth That all Cases of other men God hath appointed to be judged by men onely he hath reserved the first Head to his own Judgement-seat as not to be questioned for his doings by any Creature And therefore though all other men be under mens judgement yet is he to be judged of none neither of Kings Councils or any other Judicatory Besides Whatsoever he pleaseth he may do whether with a Counsel or without and if the whole world should judge against him â—et his Opinion were to be received For a general Councel is of no authority except this Head do confirm and allow the same Such must be the Head of the Later Apostacy his HAUGHTINESS will be under us Law all power he shall assume to himself not to be tried or judged by any man but to be left to Christs Judgement-seat alone And the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies so much Though I shall leave as I said the Application of things to the Reader yet I would willingly give him what light I can Note therefore how the word proud lofty arrogant comes home to the Triers who have assumed a Superiority and Headship over all the National Priests as if they were as in part I think they are that image made to the Beast who will not suffer any to buy or sell save he that hath the Mark or the Name of the Beast or the Number of his Name Much I could say as to their Pope like pride and power but it needs not seeing their folly is already manifest to all men Blasphemers or cursed speakers so our old Translation hath it Blasphemy is two fold First Against God and thus men blaspheme when they reproach his Name Spirit Power Word Works Kingdom Judgement c. Mar. 3. 30. Lev. 24. 11. Rev. 13. 16. 16. 9 11 12. Secondly There is Blasphemy against men 1. By rayling and evil speeches T it 3. 2. 2. By reproaching the Godly for the Name of Christ 1 Pet. 4 14. 3. By despising Lawful Government and Authority Jude 8. 4. By raising false accusations against Gods people Rom. 3. 8. 5. By causing men through Persecution to deny Christ Act. 26. 11. Lastly By censuring and condemning things which men know not Jude 10. 1 Tim. 10 13 20. Howsoever The men of the Later Apostacy will be Blasphemers all these ways and so much the Reader is to look after yet because by Blasphemers here I think they are meant whom Peter calls Scoffers the Holy Ghost specially intends Blasphemy against the Spirit and the visible Kingdome of Jesus Christ Truely I would think Some would tremble if their Consciences were not seard did they but read what Christ said of the Pharisees and consider well what themselves despitefully have spoken against the Holy Ghost because they said He hath an unclean Spirit Mar. 3. 30. How neer to such Blasâ— hemy are these men who say That the Prayers and other holy Exercises of Saints are done by the Spirit of Satan who say It is by the power of the Devil that the faithful Witnesses of this age hold forth a Testimony against Apostacy Hypocrisie Covenant-breaking c. who scoff at the Lords great Work moving by his Spirit in the hearts of his people calling it the delusion of Satan hellish devillish damnable and what not who scornfully upbraid the Saints with their Christ as to be a pitiful Christ So their blasphemous scoffing God's people Will ye not suffer for your God Where is now your God we will answer YOUR GOD well enough Mark Reader as disowning our God and our Christ to be theirs and a God and a Christ easily to be answered Disobedient to Parents The old English Bible hath disobedient to Elders Junius reads Qui praesunt sibi non obtemperant est Synecdochè generis pro specie Baldvin hath this note on the place Superiores non curant nulliusque monita
himself and his Family great by the ruine of that CAUSE so much before pretended to In a word that hee is said to have Mans Eyes I take the meaning thus This Horn shall bee a notorious Hypocrite a very Atheist a Monster a monstrous Monster one that shall discover more Hypocrisy and Atheisme if his former and latter actions be compared together then ever was done before him by any person upon the face of the earth And a mouth speaking great things This is often mentioned I behâ—ld then because of the voice of the great words which the Horn spake vers 11. Again A mouth that spake very great things vers 20. the which is afterward explained by the Angel He shall speak great words against the most high vers 25. So indeed many Interpreters read But others Translate it otherwise as Vatabluâ— Pagnim Montanus Ro. Steven c. Men known to bee skilful in the Tongues Not against the most high but ex parte altissimi Letzad On the part of the Almighty for the Most High or in his behalf Symmachus renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hee shall speak as the high God That is his words shall be of Holiness Righteousnesse Goodness and Truth Though in his Actions and Practice there be no such thing And if the matter be considered there is good ground for this reading That which doth most astonish Daniel are the words of the Little Horn. Now there is little cause of Admiration to hear a man speak wickedly that doth wickedly But to see a man make warre against the Saints weary them out by Bonds and Imprisonment destroy the Laws Liberties and Rights of the People and commit all kinde of Tyranny and yet in words to Professe hee is for God and for the interest of Christ and his people and for the Priviledges safety and publick good of the Nation this indeed is enough to amaze a Prophet Therefore as Graserus rightly observes this Horn is one qui impietati suâ—e Dei nomen pretendit which shall pretend the name of God in all his Impieties Hee shall not cast a Saint into Prison but will pretend Gods glory for it Hee shall not pluck up three Kingdomes by the roots but will say it is for the honour of God If hee break his Vows Promises Oaths c. Really saith hee it is for the sake of the most high Thus every thing hee doth though it bee for Babylon and the great Whore and to keep up any base corrupt interest in the Nation it is for Christs sake as he saith Again the reason why the word Letzad hath been rendred against the most high I conceive it to bee thus the little Horn hath been taken by Interpreters for the open professed enemie of the Truth as Antiochus Ephiphanes Mahomet the Pope c. where as hee is a subtle Hypocrite alwaies speaking for God and good things though in his Actions if you observe him there he shall plainly demonstrate that hee regards neither God nor goodness I would not have men to bee rash and heady Censurers specially in the Application of this little Horn. For truely I think one of the clearest Characters of him is set forth in this place Whensoever this Dominion of his shall bee erected if any complaint bee made against it for unrighteous doings and for doing worse than any men did before what will they say for excuse ex parte altissimi it is in the behalf of Christ for the sake of the godly party to prevent new warres and effusion of bloud Briefly all the impleties and wickednesses committed against God and man shall bee defended this way And to say the truth except it bee this shift they will not find a fig-leaf to cover their Nakednesse And here it will not be a misse to give the Reader notice that this little Horn shall bee so famous and notorious in his day concerning the matter here mentioned that the same in scripture is often foretold Your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my name sake said let the Lord bee glorified c. Isa â—6 5. Observe here four things 1 This casting out must bee by a Government men who have gotten Power into their hands and so are stronger than their brethren 2 They were Brethren either in some Church Army Councel Parliament Equals and Companions 3 How unjust and sinful soever their proceedings are against their brethren by banishing some or imprisoning others c. Gods Glory is pretended as if all were done of Conscience and to do God good service 4 Though this Apostate-State thinks to cover their Malice and Cruelty by mocking God yet God will not bee mocked but as hee sees their Hypocrisy and Deceit so hee will discover it to their everlasting shame and the honour and comfort of the other This little Horn or Apostate-State is likewise as I take it foretold by our Saviour But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart my Lord delayeth his comming and shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken c. Mat. 24 48 49. First this smiting must bee understood as I said before of persons that have gotten power into their hands and so exercise tyranny by authority 2 They are fellow-servants All professors of the Gospel the persecutors have a form of Godlinesse as the sufferers have both form and Power 3 That the wicked servant smites his fellows he pretends Justice Conscience and necessity for it For so I take the sence as if hee should say I acknowledge Jesus Christ to bee your Lord and mine and do expect his comming as well as you and that hee shall bee the onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords have all power and Dominion given him notwithstanding seeing it will bee a long while before that time comes and you would perswade the people that day is at hand whereby occasion is given of warres and Commotions and to have my Dominion as the LITTLE HORN taken away and consumed these things I cannot suffer as being against the honour of God and the good of his people and therefore must correct such persons as disturbers of our present Government 4 Notwithstanding the specious pretences of this wicked servant as if hee did not smite his fellow-servants but out of tenderness and Conscience to the glory of God yet this all the while apparently shall bee seen in him that hee eats and drinks with the drunken all the vices and sinnes which Paul reckons up of the Last-Apostates are as visibly to bee seen in him as was the Leprosy in Gehezies forehead For the close of this Character it seems to mee that Isa 66. 5. and Mat. 24. 48. with the little Horn Dan. 7. and the last Apostacy 2 Tim. 3. are parallel Texts of Scripture-prophesies His looks were more stout then his felows If this Character had been well minded William the Conqueror Charls Stuart and the like had never been pitch upon
in that hee saith I will make c. this cannot bee understood of Christ as the instrument of the work but Saints And this same order and manner of proceeding we find every where in scripture that the executing of the last judgements upon the Kingdomes of the world shall be by Gods people first these shall cut off the Little Horn be new threshing instruments and weapons of war Carpenters Reapers the Angels of the Vials c. by whom Jehovah will make Christs enemies his foot-stool Dan. 7. 26. Isa 41. 15. Jer. 51. 19. Zach. 1. 21 Rev. 14. 4 Upon the rising of the witnesses there follows an Earth-quake and the tenth part of the City fell Rev. 11. 13. This cannot be meant as done by Christ personally for afterwards it is said The Kingdomes of this World are become his and â—ee reigns vers 15. 17. Therefore I think the Earth-quake and the Earth Rev. 16. 2. is one thing viz. The earthly Apostacy headed with the little Horn on which shall bee poured out the first Vial as soon as the Witnesses are ascended up into Heaven 5 When Christ shall come and all his Saints with him Zach. 14. 5. The enemy shall not bee destroyed by any materiall weapon And the Armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses clothed in fine linen white and clean Rev. 19. 14. No armour is mentioned neither do I think that any such thing will bee used or that the followers of the Lamb shall strike a stroke but the enemies shall fall and perish by some extraordinary judgement And there sell upon men a great hail out of Heaven every stone about the weight of a Talent Rev. 16. 21. Again I will plead against him with pestilence and with Bloud and I will rain upon him an overflowing raine great hail stones fire and bloud Ezek. 38. 21. But in subduing the little Horn and the ten Kings in smiting the Image and the Dominion of the Beast here shall be fighting and instruments of war used Isa 13. 18. Jer. 50. 9. 14. 22. 35 36 37 42. and chap. 51. 3. 11. Rev. 13. 10. 18. Now I come to the fourth head which is the judgement it self The Beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning slame Dan. 7. verse 11. And they shall take away his dominion to consume it and destroy it even to the end vers 26. 1 Being now come to his end that he is called the Beast and a little Horn before The Reasons may be First to signify that he is fatted for destruction His Hypocrisies Deceits Mockings of God and men and other abominable sinnes are full and ripe Jer. 12. 1 2 3. and Jer. 51. 40. 2 Seeing the Witnesses are to bee slain by him the Wisdome of God thinks good to give him here the same name which hee hath Rev. 11. 7. 3 That hee perisheth under the name of a Beast though formerly a Horn it shews how little his death will bee pittied any where No more than if a bloudy Lyon or crafty Fox had been killed by hunters Moreover what rejoycing there will bee among the Saints that so cruel and fierce a Creature is taken out of the way Allelu-jah and again Allelu-jah Psal 58. 1â— 2 Though it bee true whatsoever is spoken of his end is no more if we take the words in general then that his government and Pouer shall bee broken to peeces yet I think there is something in every word as to a particular kind of punishment and how several parties as distinct shall be punished some in one kind and some in another This State or Government to be destroyed is made up of three sorts of people 1 Souldiers to fight for it 2 Lawyers and Priests to plead for it 3 The Authors and Inventers of it Now observe how the Lord in destroying the whole fits his judgement to each party 1 The Beast is slain This respects the Souldiery And probable it is that many of them will be slain For howsoever the greater part of them at least the better part such as have any thing of God left in them will lay down their arms and forsake him neer his end yet some desperate and prophane wretches newly rais'd will stand it out and so fall by the sword of the Lord in the hand of his mighty ones It is said in the earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand Rev. 11. 13 what number of souldiers will bee slain at this time it is not exprest a great slaughter no doubt Every one I think put to the sword that shall bee found in Armes for the Horn they having warning given them before to come out and not to fight in his behalf see Isa 34. 2 3. And his body destroyed This seems to bee another kind of punishment as beheading hanging and putting to death by a Judicatory and the word imports so much This follows the slain Army But who is the body of the Horn The later Apostacy of which we spake so that Judgment will now begin at the house of God at the sanctuary Woe now to Apostates Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites The Lords day is upon you such as did justifye and encourage the Horn when hee thought to change Times and Laws Acted unrighteously under him Executed his unlawful Orders and Commands against the Saints of the most High made to themselves an advantage of his Tyranny and Oppression Oh how are the sinners in Zion afraid and fearfulnesse surprized the Hypocrites Now Church members and Church Officers are likely to experience the soul that sins shall dye and that the righteous God loves Righteousnesse And it is not fasting praying prophesying c. will deliver corrupt men and such as have basely betrayed the cause of Christ in the day of the Lords wrath Mal. 3. 2 3. Isa 33. 14. 66. 5. Thus the Lords hand at this time will lye heavy upon Professours they are the body of the little Horn Apostates I mean which must bee destroyed It will bee their turn I verily think to drink first of the Vials 1 Cor. 3. 15. And by this means the Lord will make his way the more plain and his Judgements manifest when he shall afterwards go forth against the Ten Kings and the great Whore for what may Idolaters and men visibly Prophane and wicked expect but dregs and wrath without mixture seeing the Lord before spared not Church-members and such as had a form of Godlinesse Jer. 25. â—8 29. And given to the burning flame As this judgement is greater than the former so it is for the Horn himself and the chief instruments which raised him up by whose means Souldiers Lawyers Ministers and others were brought into the Snare This kind of punishment I take to bee the same with that of the Beast and false Prophet a lake of fire burning with Brimstone Rev. 19. 20. Now howsoever this bee not Hell properly so called yet it is some temporal Judgement more than
when they have finished their Testimony Hence I think this may be asserred for a Truth Whosoever this Beast is it cannot be the Dominion of the Papal Beast nor can the German Empire be meant nor any of the ten Hornes or Kings for these were risen long before the Witnesses had finished their Testimony The matter here is of weight and being well considered will give us some light to know who this Beast is and where the Witnesses shall be slaine The Popes Jurisdiction it cannot be nor the Emperours Spaniard French c. these rose before the three years and an halfe and have stood many hundred years It is a common received opinion In the Lords bringing Israel out of Egypt was shadowed out the deliverance of his Church and people from all Tiranny and oppression in the last dayes Now of Pharoah a Tipe of this Beast and commanding all the male to be cast into the River a figure of killing the witnesses it is said And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up for to shew in thee my power and that my name may be declared through out all the earth Exod. 9. 16. As Pharoah at that time was raised up that is ascended out of the bottomlesse pit that in him the Lord might fulfill his Councel and purpose concerning the inlargement of his people and thereby glorifie himselfe in shewing his great Power wisedome faithfulnesse So this Beast as another Pharoah is brought up out of the depth for the three years and an half that in him and by him the Lord might accomplish what in his eternall councell he had determined conteyned in this Prophesie Secondly There may be something in the phrase ascendeth To signifie 1. How suddenly and unexpectedly this Beast will appeare altogether unlookt for yea and to strang the thing will be especially among Saints as they would never have believ'd it though thousands had told them so much before had they not seen it with their own eyes 2. Whereas it is said the Beast ascendeth it is to shew that he comes up of himself not sent for nor desired by the people but it is his own plotting and designings that he takes power and Rule to himselfe And this I take to be an essentiall character of this Beast Ascendeth he will be a meat Intruder and will slay the witnesses by a power which he hath assumed and usurped and not otherwise Compare with this Dun. 7. 8. The little Horn comes up that is of it self he arose not by Election nor by Inheritance Right or such kind of Succession but by his own craft and strength So the later Apostacie is said to rise or ascend 2 Tim. 3. 1. Not raised up by the Lord. 3. By the word may be signified the horrible pride of the Beast for though his descent be from the Depth that is a most base beginning yet ascendeth viz. In Titles Pomp State Court c. As if he had not been illegitimate but lawfully begotten That which the Lord by the Prophet speaks against the King of Babylon I think is in part meant of this Beast For thou hast said in thy heart I will ascend into Heaven I will exalt my throne above the starrs of God I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation in the sides of the north I will ascend above the height of the Clouds I will be like the most high Isa 14. 13 14. Is not this the boastine of a mighty man Not only will he be above the Starrs and â—it upon the Mount of the Congregation scatter the holy people weary out the Saints and kill the witnesses But like the most high take to himself the Attributes of God Isa 13. 3. That this Beast ascendeth out of the depth inmay be for these Reasons 1. Because of the great secrecie and closenesse which is used in the forming of him All things here must be done in the deep and under ground None except a few six or eight persons perhaps which model the Beast must know any thing of it untill he come forth to the publique view of the world Doing herein like those against whom the woe is pronounced in the Prophet That seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord and their works are in the darke and they say who seeth us and who knoweth us Isa 29. 18. 2. Of the deep pollicie used in the framing of him All Civil Beasts before him rose either out of the Earth or Sea but this out of the depth signifying that there was not halfe that craft and subtletie about them as about this Beast For there shall be so much art and workmanship bestowed about him that when he comes forth To warr against the witnesses and to overcome them and slay them very few will perceive any such thing Not one I say of many will take him for all this to be the Beast And why so He ascendeth out of the depth from the depths of Satan as being transformed and no marveil for at this time he will be Satans chiefe Minister into an Angel of light So that by the place may be signified He will not be taken for the Beast but a great Saint 3. Wheras the last Apostacy is here called the depth it shews that there is no way to carry on a bad designe for closenesse and craft like to Apostacy and Hypocrifie in Religion And by how much men rise high in a shew and form of Godlinesse though hypocrites the more they shall advantage themselves by it It is true other Beasts before him carryed on their own Interest partly by Religion but they were ignorant and unskild of the great mystery which this Beast hath learnt For before him note it Reader no Civill State ascended out of this depth of Satan that is from Apostacy in Religion And therefore before him there was never a Government in the world raised up by hypocrisie in Religion in that manner as this will be Hence Justin Martyr calls the little Horne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Man of Apostacy In Dial. cum Trypl pag. 336. 4. Whereas the word signifieth without light it may be to denote what shal be the practice and doing of this Beast notwithstanding his secresie policy hypocrisie when he is ascended It is said of the first Beast His kingdome was full of darknesses Rev. 16. 10. So the kingdome of this Beast the head of the latter Apostacy as the other was of the first his kingdome will be full of darknesse For he will destroy and put out the light of the Law and leave nothing to the people but Abissus his Own blind will for them to walk by From what hath been said we may gather in short A true description of the Beast according to the Scripture for I desire to follow that perfect word without adding auy thing of mine own to it Thus then by the Scripture I take the Beast to be A State or Government set up by a few Apostates