wherein a great manie by their extravagancies have lost themselvs insomuch that even the greatest Divines and scholars are very warie and cautious how to meddle with the Revelation therefore that it is and should remain a Book sealed till such time that the accomplishment of things doth reveal it But especially it is to bee observed what answer Christ returned to his Disciples upon their curious question concerning the restauration of the Kingdom of Israël Acts 1. vers 7. when hee said It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Whereupon wee answer that the Revelation of St John is indeed full of Mysteries which will remain Mysteries and hidden things till the accomplishment doth discover and reveal them to us and till wee by the application of Histories and events see before our eies the effect and what by this and that thing hath been meant But it doth not follow therefore that the Revelation ought to bee laid aside and that wee ought not at all to search what hath been already fulfilled or is shortly to bee exspected chiefly concerning the fulfilling of the determined time when the Enemies of the Church shall bee destroied and the Church bee brought to a quiet and peaceable condition Whereas Daniel did the like and did observ by Books the number of the years whereof the Lord spoke c. Daniel 9. vers 2. And St John writeth concerning his Revelation chapter 1. vers 3. Blessed is hee that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein For the Revelation is a book of Memorable Acts. Wherein is foretold how and what things shall befal to the Church of God and to the Romane Empire under which the Church doth subsist Now manie things have been already fulfilled in the one thousand five hundred fiftie years by-past and if wee compare the Histories and the things hapned in the Romane Empire with the Revelation wee shall discover cleerly how far the accomplishment reacheth and what wee may exspect ere long so that the things represented are no more Mysteries and hidden things but cleer and accomplished Acts unto us But hee that forbeareth to read this Revelation and is not versed in the Old and New Romane Histories and knoweth not how to distinguish the times of the Revolutions and changes but confoundeth the Apocalyptical numbers and doth make manie Epoches whereas they comprehend nothing but relata and Correlata or carelesly passeth by the application of the numbers as an hidden Mysterie which indeed is the main keie of the Revelation To him must the Revelation needs bee full of Mysteries and obscurities and remain a sealed and unopened Revelation But why manie learned men of note wee do not speak of all have been much mistaken in their expositions The causes amongst others have been these 1. That the antient Interpreters in the primitive times have applied to their times manie things which yet as then had no relation to them The Modern Interpreters do follow their steps not minding so much the Historie as the Autoritie of the Interpreters whereby they lead themselves and others out of the waie 2. Secondly the Method and Harmonie is not observed In the Revelation all things are set down in good order what from time to time should com to pass the Synchronismes or concurrencies of times are set down one after another and the Revolutions and changes in the Ecclesiastical and civil States are exactly and punctually distinguished even as an excellent and well-versed Historian is wont to do in the description of humane actions but contrarie to all this the Interpreters do pervert overturn and disturb the Method seek and finde out by-waies of error the things as relata belong to one and the same time they set down as following one another What shall com to pass after the fall of Babylon they do place before it oftentimes not knowing themselvs where they stick or how they shall winde themselvs out 3. Besides they mistake and confound the States one with another not observing where mention is made of the Ecclesiastical or civil State so that manie times they applie Monastical matters and the actions of Antichrist to that which in the Revelation is spoken of the civil State And hence it is that the more one doth read Expositors the more one is confounded But that therefore the Revelation should bee a book shut up is contrarie to the letter of the cleer text for 1. The seven Epistles were never sealed 2. The Lamb opened the book sealed Revel chap. 6. and 8. 3. The third was a little open book chap. 10. vers 2. 8. 4. And in the end of the Revelation the Son of God saith to John Seal not the sayings of the Prophesie of this book for the time is at hand chap. 22. ver 10. And although the Prophet Daniel was commanded to close up and seal the book of his Prophesie chap. 12. vers 4. 9. yet no longer till the time of the end for afterwards the said Prophesie was unsealed by the Revelation of St John Therefore it is added Man shall run to and fro and knowledg shall bee increased The answer our Saviour Christ gave Acts 1. vers 7. is very impertinently applied and objected to this purpose For hee speaketh there of times and seasons that is de tempore occasionato sive tempestivo as Ausonius declareth it when a good opportunitie is presented to go on in a business as in the Gospel of St John chapter 2. vers 4. when Christ saith Mine hour is not yet com and yet nevertheless within a little while hee doth supplie Wine But here wee consider the time in general which is determined upon the Blasphemies and persecution of the Antichrist and in what year it should begin or end but wee do not compute the daie or hour wherein hee shall bee overthrown Besides Christ doth speak of the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power and hath not revealed Here wee consider the years which the Father hath not reserved as a secret to his own power but revealed to us by his Son The third objection THe strongest and chiefest objection is That in general all the Divines and States-men write and hold that the fourth Monarchie and Romane Papacie shall continue until the end of the world and shall be removed and come to an end with the comming of Christ to the last Judgment Answer The Revelation of St John doth intimate no such thing but contradicteth it plainly For after the destruction of the Citie of Rome chapter 18. There was heard a great joie in heaven chapter 19. vers first till the ninth The heaven is opened and the Son of God who chapter 6. vers 2. at the opening of the first seal went forth conquering and to conquer upon a white hors presenteth himself here again upon a white hors as a Conqueror c. vers
11 12 15 16. Whom the Armies which are in heaven follow upon white-horses cloathed in fine linnen white and clean vers 14. These are the Martyrs to everie one of whom are given white robes chapter 6. vers 11. Nay These are they which came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes chap. 7. vers 14. These are they that are called and chosen and faithful Chap. 17. vers 14. Against these are gathered the Beast and the Kings of the earth and their armies to make war against them The end and issue of this war is that the Beast and with him the fals Prophet that is the Romane Empire and Popedom shall bee taken and both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone chapter 19. vers 19 20. But the Dragon as their General hath quarters given him in this war hee is laid hold on and cast into the bottomless pit and shut up wherein hee remain's bound a thousand years that hee should deceiv the Nations no more nor bee able to stir them up against the Church Chapter 20. vers 1 2 3. In the mean while the faithful Children of God have their rest Hebr. 4. vers 1. like as God did rest the seventh daie from all his works vers 4. But the last Judgment and the end of the world is afterwards described chap. 20. vers 11. till the 15th Hereunto agreeth the Prophesie of Daniel chap. 2. vers 34 35. where the Image which representeth the four Monarchies is seen so long till the stone smite's the Image upon his feet not at the beginning of the fourth Monarchie for then the feet and toes were not as yet but at the end thereof and break 's it to pieces But the stone that smite's the Image becom's a great mountain after the breaking and grinding of the four Monarchies to dust that is a Kingdom that shall break to pieces and grinde to dust all these Kingdoms which are represented by the great Image vers 44 45. And in the 7th chapter vers 1. till the 8th by the four Beasts are described the four Monarchies which Daniel beheld vers 9. till the thrones were cast down as the words are in the Original For the ancient of daies did sit vers 9. not for the universal and last judgment which hath been committed unto the Son Iohn Chap. 5. v. 22. but for the particular judgment over the enemies of the Church in the fourth Monarchie over the fourth Beast of the Romane Popedome which Daniel beheld even till the Beast was slain and his bodie destroied and given to the burning flame and the power of the other beasts came to an end vers 11 12. For a set time was determined over them how long each of them should last The Saints shall bee given into the hands of the fourth Beast so long as the Woman rideth on the Beast until a time and times and the dividing of time vers 25. And when these 3 ½ times Anno 1655 shall com to an end the Judgment of the judgment of the Ancient shall sit and then his power is taken away so that it wholly is abolished and come's to an end Vers 26. But the world therewith is not destroied but the Kingdom and dominion and the greatness under the whole Heaven shall bee given to the people of the Saints of the most High whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all dominions shall serv and obeie him Vers 27. compare vers 13 14. The words of St Paul 2 Thes chap. 2. vers 8. where hee writeth And the Lord shall destroie him with the brightness of his coming are expounded in the Revelations chap. 19. vers 11. till 21. But what may bee the true meaning and sens of these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I leav to the consideration of judicious Divines It seem's they do not speak of the universal and last Judgment which St John describeth in his Revelation chap. 20. vers 11 12 13 14. Nay the text doth not bear that the two Acts in the said 19. chapter vers 11. till 21. and chapter 20. vers 11. till 15. shall bee counted for one or reduced together to one and the same time Becaus it appeareth that one thousand years are interposed For the two great Guests the Beast and the fals Prophet are one thousand years before lodged in the Inn in the Lake of fire burning with brimstone then the Hoast the Devil come's who after the one thousand years is associated to them at the end of the world chapter 20. vers 4. Whereupon immediately vers 11. the last Judgment is held Wee are here led into the Mysteries of God into which wee will not too much presume to penetrate nor search too far into them but wee turn and address our selvs both with ears and hearts to the Son of God who standeth at the door knocketh and calleth If anie man hear my voice and open the door I will com into him and will sup with him and hee with mee To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with mee in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne Revelations c. 3. vers 20 21. Blessed is now hee that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand Chap. 1. vers 3. Elessed is hee that keepeth the sayings of of the Poophesie of this book c. 22. v. 7. Nay blessed are they that do his Commandements that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the Citie v. 14. To him which is and which was and which is to com the Almightie bee glorie and dominion for ever and ever Amen Revel chap. 1. v. 6. 8. A List of the things which are shortly to com to pass collected out of the XI and XVI Chapters of the REVELATION 1. THe last Actus reformationis sive evacuationis of the Evangelical Protestant Churches which will appear in Silesia chap. 11. v. 7. 2. The 3 ½ years following thereon when the dead bodies of the two Witnesses lie in the street v. 9. till 11. 3. The continuance of wars in those Kingdoms wherein the innocent blood of the Martyrs is avenged chap. 16. v. 4. 4. The sudden fall of the strong pillar of the Papacie vers 8. 5. The exaltation of an Evangelical Protestant head chap. 11. v. 12. 6. A Reformation in Germanie v. 11. 12. 7. The destruction of the Citie of Rome chap. 11. v. 13. c. 16. vers 10. 8. The end of the Turkish Empire chap. 11. v. 14. c. 16. v. 12. 9. The controversie of the Jews c. 16. v. 12. 10. The great endevors of the Papists and gathering of all their utmost power c. 16. vers 13. c. 19. v. 16. 11. The ruine of the whole Papacie chap. 16. vers 18. till the 21. c. 19. v. 20. 21. 12. The accomplishment of the Mysterie
is that Apostolical Testimonie of the Mysterie of Godliness which hee cal's great and without all Controversie in 1 Tim. 3. 16. That God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glorie to these heads then of the knowledg of Christ which in plain proper and significant words express the summe of all that is to bee known of him our sens of this whole Prophesie and of all the parts thereof must bee proportionate so that when wee look upon the visions wee must cast our eie at the same time to observ how both in the whole and parts that which is offered therein is all along relative hereunto If therefore you will first look upon the whole in the bulk of the matter and scope of the Prophesie and in the general contexture and tenor of the visions thereof you shall finde nothing els mentioned therein but what is directly tending to make out the heads of this mysterie of God in Christ that hee may bee known more and more fully unto the world till hee bee so fully revealed that all the earth shall bee filled with the knowledg of his name even as the waters that cover the Sea For by the contexture of the Apocalyptical visions it is not onely demonstrable that this promise shall bee accomplished but moreover the waie how it shall bee brought about is plainly discoverable Now the Bulk of the matter and scope of everie book rationally written may bee gathered ordinarily from the Title the Preface the Conclusion and the main heads of matters hand led therein if their contexture and coherence bee observed with a respect unto their main scope Let us then look briefly upon these things in this book to see what light they will afford us The Title tell 's us vers 1. that the book contein's a Revelation of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ then is the subject-matter whereof it speak's and to make him manifest is the scope of the book for it is called a Revealing of him and that this matter and scope may bee the more heeded to this title of the book three things are further added who the Autor of this Revelation of Christ is to what use it is given him and by what means it is put forth to this use The autor of it is God which God gave him which add's to the matter and scope an obligation of belief upon a discoverie of divine properties to bee seen therein The use for which God gave it to Christ is to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly com to pass which is a neerer scope relating to us as wee are obliged to respect the knowledg of the glorie of Christ The means by which the manifestation of Christ is put forth to this use are that hee sent and signified it by his Angel unto his Servant John by all which wee see that here nothing is aimed at but the Mysterie of godlines spoken of by Paul and our Salvation in partaking of the knowledg thereof Next to the Title the Preface is observable it extend's from vers 2. till 8. and doth address the book either generally to all or particularly to the seven Churches The general preface tell 's us First what John did in declaring this Revelation viz. hee bare record of the word of God and of the Testimonie of Jesus and of the things which hee saw vers 2. for the word of God brought with it to the ears of his minde the Testimonie of Jesus and that Testimonie was clothed and represented to his eies by the things which hee saw and of these as an ear and eie-witness of the Manifestation of Christ hee did bear record Secondly it tell 's us of what use and Importance this record of John is to all that read and hear and keep the things declared therein viz. it will make them blessed v. 3. all which is again fully relative to the fore-mentioned Mysterie of Godliness and our Salvation thereby The particular Preface to the seven Churches tell 's us that this book was peculiarly inscribed and sent unto them by John in the name of the Father of his seven Spirits vers 4. and of Jesus Christ who is described First by the properties and effects of his comming into the flesh which were to bee First the faithful VVitness viz. of the Father's wisdom Truth Power and love Secondly the first begotten of the dead and Prince of the Kings of the earth viz. by suffering and rising again and receiving the Kingdom in that nature which suffered and â—ose again Thirdly to shew his love to us who loved us by redeeming us and washed us from our sins in his own blood v. 5. and by exalting us to a glorious estate and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father for which wee are bound to give him glorie and prais to him bee glorie and honor for ever and ever Amen vers 6. Secondly hee is described by the properties and effects of his comming again from heaven to judgment wherein hee shall manifest himself as man to all men even to those who have pierced him vers 7. and as God blessed for ever and almightie Vers 8. Upon this Preface and address of the book wherein wee see nothing but what is most fully consonant to the fore-named Mysterie doth follow the Narrative of the visions from vers 9. of chap. 1. till vers 6. of chap. 22. 8. and thereupon the conclusion of the book doth shut up the visions declaring in chap. 22. First the certaintie of the things conteined therein vers 6. with the importance and use thereof vers 7. Secondly the effect which the manifestation thereof wrought upon John viz. that it moved him to such admiration that hee was inclined to worship the Angel vers 8. but that the Angel forbad him to do so becaus hee acknowledged himself to bee nothing more then they who should keep the sayings of this book v. 9. Thirdly the command which hee received not to seal the Prophesies of this book and the reasons wherefore v. 10. till 16. Fourthly the Autoritie of this Prophesie is held forth in the conclusion 1. By the Autor thereof who is Christ vers 16. 2. By the Approbation of the intent thereof which it hath from the Spirit from the Bride from all believers and from all that desire the good things promised therein v. 17. 3. By the perfection thereof which is such that nothing may bee added to it nor taken from it vers 18 19 20 21. By all which wee see that the matter and scope of this Prophesie as to the Bulk thereof is none other but to set forth the glorie of Christ as manifested in the flesh and justified in the Spirit as seen of Angels and preached unto the Gentiles as believed on in the world and exalted by the perfection of his Church which hee filleth with his glorie unto the fulness
Witnesses were cloathed with sackcloth and the woman the Church fled into the Wilderness 2. That the six thousand years from the Creation of the world do exspire with the one thousand six hundred fiftie fifth year as was made apparent in Clavi Apocalypt 3. That also the number of years which were from the beginning of the world until the deluge and in the time of the New Testament since the Birth of our Lord reckoned thus far do end alike So as there the wicked world was punished and cut off by the Deluge so here the enemies of the Church shall bee destroied with fire and brimstone Revelations 19. vers 20. Dan. 7. vers 11. 4. The Romane Monarchie began at that time when the Eccentricitas Solis was the greatest and whereby som Astrologers conclude cum Georgio Joachimo Rhetico that the same shall decaie and end when the said Eccentricitas shall bee least And becaus som Astronomers do refer that to the one thousand six hundred fiftie third year which com's verie nigh to our term I thought good to make here mention of it leaving vim probandi to the trial of the Reader Dolingius conclude's in suo Antichristo Tymbogeronte verie well out of the Prophet Daniel chapter 6. vers 27. that by this revolution the Saints of the most High shall possess the Kingdom 5. Two Prophesies of the Turks concerning the Turkish Empire according to which this present young Turkish Emperor is the last and so hee under whom the Turkish Empire shall have it's final period Of the first Prophecie doth Franciscus Sansoninus make mention in a little book which hee Anno 1570. published in Print wherein hee made a collection of som Prophesies among which also this is set down as Joannes Wolsius Tom. 2. lect memor p. 803. writeth That under the fifteenth Turkish Emperor the Turkish Empire shall have an end Antonius Torquatus Medec D. Professor Ferrariensis Astrologus insignis maketh also mention hereof among his Prophesies which hee adscribed to Matthias King of Hungaria in the one thousand four hundred eightïeth year when hee writeth thus The Ottoman hous shall in 13. 14. or 15. heads Wolfius Tom. 2. pag. 896. calleth it ramum that is branch or bough diminish and decaie and shall not go beyond that number For after this shall hee by a terrible chance bee defeated and cut off After this Turkish Emperor's death there shall arise among their Princes and those that relate to the Ottoman Familie such a dissention and combustion that they shall pitifully cut one another's throats and afterwards bee horribly spoiled and destroied by forreign Nations c. This number of 15 heads must bee computed from the first Ottoman not according to the heads of the Turkish Emperors who have reigned for there are a great manie more of them but according to the members or branches of the Ottoman Familie Ottomannus or Ozman Gazi is the root and Origine of this house and so stipes communis Hee was by the King of Persia established in the possession of Carmania and dignified with the roial title From this did spring 1. Urchan Gasi who died in the one thousand three hundred fiftieth year 2. Murat who took Adrianople in the one thousand three hundred sixtieth year and died Anno 1390. 3. Bajaze◠1. whom Tamerlan carried away prisoner 4. Solyman 1. otherwise called Calepinus After him reigned his two brothers namely Musa who was killed by Mahomet Mahomet 1. died Anno 1422. These three Brothers belong to one Member or branch nay som do not compute Solyman and Musa at all becaus Solyman was Musa and Musa by Mahomet suddenly dispossest of the Imperial Government 5. Murat 2d died Anno 1450. 6. Mahomet 2d who took Constantinople Anno 1453 and died 1481. 7. Bajazet 2d was poisoned by his son Selim in the one thousand five hundred twelfth year 8. Selim 1. died Anno 1520. 9. Solyman 2d died at Ziget in Hungaria in the one thousand five hundred sixtie six year 10. Selim 2d died Anno 1575. 11. Murat 3d born of a Jewish woman Solomon Swiccard in his Itinerarie relateth died Anno 1595. 12. Mahomet 3d died Anno 1603. 13. Achmet 1. died Anno 1617. Whereupon was Mustaff brother of this Achmet chosen Anno 1617. And becaus hee was found to bee of so soft a disposition that hee was unfit to govern the Mufties and the principal Bassas partly by fair means and partly by threatnings wrought so far with him that hee resigned the Empire 14. These set up Osman or Ottoman 2d the Son of Achmet This same caused not Mustaff to bee strangled as it is usual but onely restrained him Wherefore when Anno 1622. this Osman was in a tumult thrust out of the Imperial Seat and strangled and the Janizaries found this Mustaff under restraint it happened that they exalted him the second time unto the Imperial Crown But becaus hee liked not the the emploiment hee resigned it to Osman his brother So that Murath the second Son of Achmet came to the Imperial dignitie Anno 1622 and died in the beginning of the one thousand six hundred fortieth year To him succeeded Ibrahim the third son of Achmet the 20th of Februarie 1640. Hee and his brother Osman had the same misfortune they were both strangled with three of his Sultanaes in Sept. Anno 1648. by the rebellious Janizaries These three brothers Sons of Achmet belong to one branch 15. Achmet second Son of Ibrahim an uncircumcised child of six years of age was set upon the Imperial Seat in Sept 1648. and made the Head over manie barbarous Nations and will bee if this Prophesie hold's the last Emperor of the Ottoman Government The second Prophesie is described by Bartholomew Georgieviez in his Epitome and after him by Philippus Lonicerus in his Turkish Chronicl lib. 3. in the beginning pag. 204. As also by Adam Nachen Moser in Prognostico Theolog. lib. 3. pag. 65. seqq Wolfius Tom. 2. lect mem pag. 293. Christoph. Besoldus in consider legis Sectae Sarac pag. 47. which is to this effect Our Turkish Emperor shall com and take from a Heathenish so they call the Christians Emperor King or Prince his Kingdom hee will bring under his power and conquer a red Apple In case the Christians in the seventh year shall not draw their swords hee shall reign over them twelv years build houses plant Vineyards hedg in gardens beget children But after twelv years when hee hath had the red apple under his power the Christians shall draw their swords and put themselvs into a posture of defence and put the Turk to flight By the red Apple is understood the Oriental or Constantinopolitan Empire becaus the occidental was long before exspired By the twelv years are signified twelv times under twelv Turkish heads who should reign after the taking of Constantinople Now Constantinople was taken in the one thousand four hundred fiftie third year by Mahomet the second so that the twelv years or times
the second Period from the three hundred ninetie fifth until the one thousand six hundred fiftie fifth year of our Lord where the seventh seal is opened and seven Angels with seven Trumpets declare to the Romane Empire by seven judgments it's ruine chap. 8. which plagues have been fulfilled The first by the Invasions of barbarous Nations Anno three hundred ninetie five vers 7. The second by the destruction of the Citie of Rome which first hapned by Alaricus Anno four hundred ten ver 8. The third by taking away Imperial dignitie in Augustulus Anno four hundred seventie six vers 10. The fourth by the Abolition of all eminent publick charges at Rome Anno five hundred fiftie two vers 12. The fifth by the Saracens as the first wo. Chap. 9. vers 1. until the twelfth The sixth by the Turks chap. 9. vers 13. until the nineteenth and the abominable Idolatrie murthers sorceries fornications and thefts vers 20 21. of the Papists as the second wo. In the third Period when the one thousand six hundred fiftie fifth year doth begin the seventh Angel doth sound and withal the seventh judgment is executed upon the Enemies of the Church with the third wo whereby the Mysterie of God is fulfilled Revel 10. vers 7. 3. Appeareth the Son of God to John as a mightie strong Angel from Heaven clothed with a cloud having a little book open which Iohn swallowed down and thereupon prophesieth how things shall come to pass especially In the Ecclesiastical State In the first Period until the three hundred ninetie fifth year 1. The Church is built up under great persecution chap. 11. vers 1. 2. The Church is gloriously beautified and clothed with the Son of righteousness hath the Moon under her feet despiseth all worldlie and earthlie things and reigneth over the works of darkness and upon her head a Crown of twelv stars the Apostles and the wholsom Doctrine of the same Chap. 12. vers 1 2. 3 The red Dragon the Devil stirreth up manie heresies persecuteth the Church Constantine the great cometh to the Imperial Seat the Dragon is overcom and Heathenism exstirpated vers 4. and following In the second Period from the three hundred ninetie fifth until the one thousand six hundred fiftie fift year these seven Synchronisms or concurrent times are described 1. The Holie Citie is trodden under foot by the Gentiles chap. 11. vers 2. 2. The two Witnesses clothed with sackcloth vers third until the tenth 3. The Woman fled into the wilderness and is fed there chap. 12. vers 6. until the fourteenth 4. The Beast with ten horns blasphemeth God and maketh war with the Saints chap. 13. vers 5 6 7. 5. The Beast with two horns at the same time drive's a trade with his pedling wares vers 11. until the eighteenth 6. The one hundred fortie four thousand sing a new song and live without blame chap. 14. vers 1. until the sixth 7. The Whore of Babylon the Popish Hierarchie ride's and rule 's the beast with ten horns the Princes and Potentates which adhere unto the Papacie at their own chusing and liking chapter 17. Herewith God causeth Babylon to bee forewarned Chap. 14. vers 6. with following Declareth and denounceth unto her the punishments and plagues Chapter 15. and 16. And when no Reformation doth follow hee passeth the sentence upon her and destroieth her Chap. 17. and 18. Whereupon in the third Period followeth the description of the great joie and Triumph of the Church over the total ruine and destruction of her enemies chapter 19. and the desired tranquillitie and peace of the Christian Church These things wee may see and learn in general out of the Revelation of St Iohn But seeing there bee manie particular and important things conteined therein which do relate unto our present times and are set down for the comfort of the Church which is now afflicted wee think good and expedient to make a collection of the same Now of these our times doth speak exactly and particularly the eleventh chapter in the Historie of the two Witnesses And the sixteenth chapter in the description of the seven vials of the wrath of God The eleventh chapter describeth the beginning of the third part of the Prophesie out of the little open book and and goe's through all the three Periods of the times of the New Testament and becaus it is as it were an abridgment of the whole Revelation and describeth the whole time of the New Testament wee will take the whole into our thought and consider the contents thereof Now it consisteth of two parts wherein is described 1. What is declared unto St Iohn by word of mouth how things shall com to pass 1. in the first period at the building up of the Christian Church 2. In the second period under the Antichristian Vicar in two Synchronisms or concurrencies of times Where 1. The Gentiles tread the holie Citie under foot for the space of fortie two moneths vers 2. 2. The two Witnesses are clothed with sackcloth one thousand two hundred sixtie daies vers 3. And following 2. What in the beginning of the third Period is represented to Iohn by a sudden change in a vision In the first period under the Empire of the Dragon the Son of God causeth his Temple and Church to bee built up The place of the Sacrifices to bee measured and doth faithfully protect his persecuted Christians For thus writeth Iohn Vers 1. And there was given mee a reed like unto a rod and the Angel stood saying Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein Mow seeing the building and gathering of the Christian Church is here commended to Iohn under the measuring of the Iewish Temple at Ierusalem therefore wee must consider the condition and form of the Temple that wee may attain unto the true proper meaning of this text 1. The Temple stood in the Citie of Ierusalem upon the Mountain Moria the length thereof was threescore Cubits the breadth twentie cubits and the height an hundred and twentie cubits 2 Chronic 3. vers 3. and 4. Iosep antiq lib. 8. cap. 3. It was divided into two parts 1. The hinder part towards the West was twentie cubits long and twentie cubits broad and called Sanctum Sanctorum the most holie place into which the High-Priest alone entred but once a year in his High-Priests attire first of Kings 6. vers 16. and 8. vers 6. 2 Chron. 5. vers 7. 2. The Forepart towards the East was fortie cubits long and twentie cubits broad and was called Sanctum the holie place into which onely the Priests entred 1. Reg. 6. vers 17. 2 Chron. 5 v. 11. and this is called here in the text The Temple of God Nota. Numerus cubicus dimensionum Templi Judaici exhibet Templi Mystici numerum Novi Testamenti 144000. Longitudo 60. cubitorum Latitudo 20. facit 1200. Altitudo 120. facit 144000. numerum signatorum cap. 7.
of God c. 10. v. 7. By which means 1. The Devil is cast and shut up in the bottomless pit chap. 20. v. 1 2 3. 2. The Son of God taketh the possession of the Kingdom and reigneth chap. 11. v. 15. c. 11. v. 6. c. And the Church liveth in peace and tranquillitie FINIS The occasion of this discours and the end thereof Gener meus per duas Hebdomadas abfuit Wratislaviam missus Brigam nihil affert praeter terrores per Pacem quae derelictis à Pace exclusis nihil praeter novas Conscientiae carnificinas allatura metuitur prodromi non absunt Tractatus Germanicos de Periodicis Apocalypticis ad finem decurrentibus en communico tibi faxit Deus ut haec nè pereant neque in alienas veniant manus Sed eâ lege ut Judicium de his expromas hujus enim eliciendi causâ nobis ista communicari voluit autor ut quisquis legeret judicet simul censuram addat Audivi de isto libello jam nuper veram esse Apocalypseâ—n Apocalypsin quod maximè solabitur si rem acu tetigerit quod à termino tam propè absimus Communica quaeso vestris si quos Josephos Medes habetis sed erit in vestratem linguam transferendum Observation of the Providence of God to caus this book to bee published at this time 1 Cor. 10. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 7. For the support of the Bohemian Exiles with comfort For several uses to us also 1. To confirm us in the exspectation of the fulfilling of the Apocalyptical promises Isa 59. 19. 2. To put us in minde of God's waie by which hee will finish his work Isa 54. 15 16 17. 3. To put us in minde of our dutie in order to God's work 4. To warn us not to bee secure but exspect a trial Concerning the Treatise expounding the Revelation what esteem is to bee had of it Mat. 25. 6. Concerning the interpetation of Apocalyptical Mysteries In respect of outward events that to shew their fulfilling is not all which is intended by the Spirit But that there is a manifestation of the Mysterie of the Kingdom of Christ intended thereby above the Historical events Colos 1. 26 27. And what the keie of that Mysterie is in general Ephes 1. 23. And the prospective which may bee had thereof in the Apocalyptical dispensation Which is of two sorts The Rules of Interpretation relating to the Matter as it is a scriptural Prophesie Mat. 2. 15. 23. The right use of these Rules The evils attending the non-observing of them That there is a neerer prospect of the Mysterie of the Kingdom to bee had then by these Rules Colos 2. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 24. Revel 19. 10. Yet not so as not to bee liable to bee tried by these Rules What the grand principle of our Faith is concerning Christ to which all the Interpretation of these visions must bee made proportionate What to bee look't upon in the Prophesie to finde the proportion it hath to that principle How the matter and scope of everie rational discours is to bee observed and found out Concerning the Title of the book shewing the matter and scope thereof Concerning the Preface shewing the same Concerning the Conclusion which doth speak still the same matter and scope Concerning the parâ—s of the matter as they reach the main Scope The division of the book The substance of the first vision The difference of the first and second vision The substance of the second vision Concerning the third vision And wherefore the whole Book is to bee reduced to three visions And what the summe of the third vision is The visions shewing the fulfilling of the Mysterie of God have a respect to four times 1. Before she Church fliâ—'s into the Wilderness 2. Whiles shee is in the wildernes The Mysterie of iniquitie appears which hath two parts One of the Beast another of the Whore And the State of the Church though in the Wilderness yet also upon Sion appear's in like manner The Judgments of God in his last wrath is poured out upon the Beast And the Mysterie of the Whore and her judgment appear's also 3. Whiles shee is coming out of the Wilderness 4. After that shee is com out of the Wilderness during the time of her Reign with Christ The brief summe of the whole Mysterie of God as set forth in the two last visions of the Revelâ—tion And the things which at present are most considerable therein which are The discoverie of the Beast The discoverie of the Lamb. The comparison of the Government of â—he and of the Lamb. The discoverie of the fals Prophet The discoverie of the two witnesses The comparison of the fals Prophet and of the two Witnesses The discoverie of the Whore Vers 5. The discoverie of the Bride Revel 19. vers 8. The manner of the warfare Chap. 19. 12 13. Heb. 4. 4. Revel 19. 20. Hebr. 12. 26. 42 moneths at the rate of 30. daies 1260. daies the two Witnesses