of the gracious promises then to be fulfilled which to this day have not been fulfilled v 9 10. There shall be no killing nor destroying in all Gods holy mountain or in the mountain of holinesse i. e. all wars shall cease amongst Christians The mountain of the Lord shall be on the top of all the mountains that is the Church shall prevail as Christianity did in Constantines dayes and much more abundant and the Gentiles shall flock in unto it hereby their union shall be wrought which shall produce a generall peace in the Church Now to this day this hath not been accompilshed therefore it is to be say many learned men yea the Rabbins themselves in a manner affirm as much that it is to be when the Lord shall come to destroy Antichrist for they say it shall be accomplished when their Messias comes which they say will be in the end of the Roman Monarchy which they call their last redemption being exceeding angry at the Christians would they had not just cause for extending many of their most ample and glorious prophecies no further then the second Temple Vide Rab. Solomon on Ier. 31. 40. and then the promise is that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea i. e. there shall be an universal knowledge of Christ in the world which never yet hath been and then in v. 10. it shall be in that day that Christs rest shall be glory or exceeding glorious by rest is here meant either the peace and tranquillity of the Church which he calls his rest or the place of Christs residence which signifies his Church So that either way the Text hath not been yet fulfilled for the Church hath had little rest since Christs time for the generall Apostasie hindered its glory but when the Apostasie shall be taken away then the rest of the Church shall be glorious therefore this smiting the wicked one in the Text is most probably the smiting of Antichrist 3 From v. 11 12 13 14. we argue for this smiting of the wicked one shall be in that day when God will recover the remnant of his people the second time from Assyria and Egypt and Pathros and Cush this must be meant of some recovery of them after their carrying Captive into Babylon by the Assyrians for they were never set down in Scripture to be delivered above once from Assyria and that was when they were restored by Cyrus But now here is a second restoring again of the Jews which must be understood of their restoring under the Gospel which yet hath not been for their recovery v. 12. shall be from the four corners of the earth from whence they were never yet redeemed but are to be Matthew 24. 30 31. compared with Ezechiel 37. 9 to 28. And Revel 1. 7. when Christ comes in the clouds that is sits on the white cloud Revel 14. with a Sickle in his hand to cut down the vine of the earth i e. the beast of the earth the Antichrist In Isaiah Christ sets up an Ensigne and in Matth. 24. there is the signe of the Son of man by that in both the dispersed Jews are gathered from the four corners of the earth And that which most of all confirmes it that this conversion and redemption of them is to be in these latter dayes is v. 13. for Ephraims and Iudahs enemies shall be cut off and both Ephraim and Iudah i. e. the ten Tribes and the two Tribes never since Solomons time united shall be now at peace and firmly united but this hath never yet been therefore say very many this promise is to be fulfilled From all this I argue If the great Gospel-effect in uniting Jew and Gentile together of universall peace in the Churches of Christ of universall knowledge of Christ in the earth of the recovering of the Hebrews from the four corners of the earth and uniting them being recovered be to be in that day when Christ shall smite the earth with the rod of his power with the breath of his mouth slay the wicked one then this day is yet to come and in all probability this smiting is the smiting of the Antichrist after whose ruine these glorious things are to be effected as very many of the Ancients and of the pious learned Recents affirm besides many clear Texts which make it apparent The destruction of the Antichrist is onely ascribed to the Lord Jesus and to none else hence it is that in Deut. 32. 39 40 41 42. we finde Christ in fighting against him speaking of himselfe at least eleven times in the singular number I even I am he I kill I make alive I wound I heal I lift up my hand I live for ever if I whet my sword I will render vengeance I will make mine arrowes drunk with blood Christ in the first person singular he alone will have the honour of Antichrists destruction and hence it is that thrice in Daniel 7. we have the little horn the last upstart under the Roman Monarchy his ruine set out like the day of Judgement though the horn be little yet his ruine is great in v. 9. he is ruined by the Ancient of dayes who did sit this is the Lord Jesus who is Alpha and Omega who in the ruine of this little horne sets up v. 14. his own Kingdome which is an universall Kingdome and a perpetuall Kingdome that is untill the end of the World In v. 21 22. there you have the Antichrist and the quality of those over whom he tyrannizeth they are Saints which gives us by the way to know that Antichrist must tyrannize within the purest Church in that Church where are visible Saints And you have the Ancient of dayes again appearing many take this to be the day of Judgement because here is mention made of the Ancient of dayes comming which is onely to be understood of the comming of Christ to ruine Antichrist and to call the elect of Jews and Gentiles unto the profession of the Gospel the same you have again in v. 25 26. and in Dan. 11. 45. and 12. 1. when the Antichrist shall come to his end after he hath prevailed so far against the Saints as to pitch his tents in the mountain of holinesse at that time Michael shall stand up to bring trouble upon the enemies of the Church and deliverance to his distressed people this Michael is none other but the Lord Jesus Christ who by his immediate providence in making bare his Arm making naked his Bowe and appearing with the sickle in his hand all Scripture-expressions of his immediate power terribly and utterly confoundeth Antichrist and all Antichristian powers Hence also 't is that Ioel calls this great day of the destruction of the Antichrist the day of the Lord Ioel 3. 14. and what is this day of the Lord in the verse before 't is the time of his putting in his sickle to reap the great harvest of
the sad Ship-wrack of a good cause which went â—…ut and returned like Solomons Ships for gold The King and the Parliament at their first sâ—…ting out promised fair and good grounds of great hopes â—…f mâ—…ch good both to Church and State appeared but soon was the King whether drawn or driven or both dâ—…parted from the right way He took the sword and sadly perâ—…shed by the sword the Lords and Commons made vowes and protestations to God and man and in the breach of them were broken Each of these with the Emperour Mauritius might justly say Jusius es Domine justa sunt tua judicia in all that hath befalâ—…en them Yet in these dreadfull frowns of his upon the Reformers we may see Gods gracious smiles upon their intended reformation whiles the clouds of Gods just displeasure oversâ—…adowed the Reformers a bright beam of his Providence shined on that cause they all professed for the King Lords and Commons that began in a good cause but afterwards were divided upon different self-interests at the very last of all met again consulted agreed and finished all three together their testimony concerning this cause and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Revel 11. 7. God snatched both that from them and thâ—…m from us unworthy of both who contemning the golden yoke of Christs government are justly liable to the iron â—…oke of Antichrists tyranny However let the Parliaments cause in the eyes of the wise be magnified though the undertaâ—…ers of it be for ends best known to God debased let God and his cause be true though every man be found a liar before him Let not therefore the professed friends of Zion in this day of Gods dark and dreadfull providences amongst us stumble and fall as the most of professours do from their first principles let not the reproaches of â—…apists and open prophane persons on one hand nor of Sectarianâ—… on the other hand make us lose our stedfastnesse let our â—…ffections and prayers be the same for our Reformation and our Reformers as formerly let not their failings in the cause cause us to fall from the cause Angels not men are able to carry on a Reformâ—…tion without faults where shall we finde a Reformaion â—…arried on without great miscarriages At the first Nationall Reformation in the world we finde Moses the Churches Monarch in the Mount with God and Aaron the Seventie and the people his â—…riest his 〈◊〉 and his subjects in the valley that while with the Devil yâ—…t their â—…ellish smâ—…ke below did not eclipse Gods light above that day was a glorious day of Reformation notwithstanding in the eyes of all the people the two Tables werâ—… brâ—…ke by Moses their 〈◊〉 the Lords anointed in Nehemiahs time how many 〈◊〉 were gâ—…t into that box purposely so pollute the ointment of a Reformation oppressours and supplanters and Schismaticks had shrewdly 〈◊〉 blown that Reformation yet 't was carried on at last God can carry on a cause by mens miscarriages David a man after Gods one heart beganâ—…s Reformation he stumbled in limine for he should have brought home the Arke Deut. 10. 8. according to Moses prescription upon the Priests shoulders but he followes the Philistines fashion and fetcheth it home upon a Cart. Here the King and his Parliament I mean his Nobles and the Priests all stumbled and by this stumble the 〈◊〉 was shaken and Uzzah smitten yet the Ark was the same and so 〈◊〉 the nâ—…erer its appointed place We mention this to the shame of those 〈◊〉 thâ—…se dayes who pretend to follow the 〈◊〉 but startle and start aside 〈◊〉 because thâ—…se beasts that were employed to draw it have stumâ—… and 〈◊〉 it Oh Christians take heed of apostatizing from Gods caâ—…se when persecuted God takes that from Christians most grievously If God smote to the grave Uzzah for touching the Ark when it shock will he not smiâ—…e to hell those Apostates that kick their heel at the Ark now 't is shaken There were never such a number of brazen-faced Apostates seen in the World together as in these dayes England and Scotland have produced These wormes which bred in the belly of the Church made it sick and miscarry of a Reformation since they are voided the Church though for the present weak I hope â—…s neer to her recovery Let those then that long and loâ—…k for her recovery take off their hearts from murmuring at the cause and turn all their complaints against themselves ô that the spirit of supplication might passe through the Protestant Churches this day ô that all the families that fear the Lord might 〈◊〉 before the Lord this day that each might see how they have in their places fallen short of the glory of God Oh that the families of the house of David of Nathan of Levi and Shimei i. e. of the Royall blood and Priestly function might mourn this day before the Lord for their own siâ—…s and the sins of their fore-fathers ô that we might all know in thâ—…s our day of visitation the things that concern our peace The sacred prophicies tell us if we mistake them not that the Churches deliverance is nigh at hand that time when the Witnesses shall rise the everlasting Gospel shall be preached to all people and the twelve Tribes converted and also the time when the Devil the beast and the false Prophet shall be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone now as Daniel Chap 9 finding out the expiâ—…ation of the 70 years captivity did thereupon betake himself to fast and pray and confesse the sins of Judah Jerusalem and all Israel with the sins of their Kings Princes and fore-fathers so ought we that look after the publick weale of the Church finding by the prophecies that the Apostasie is well nigh finished and the Antichrist appears which is the immediate fore-runner of Christs glorious comming as we shew in the ensuing Tract to raise the Witnesses and restore the Iews to betâ—…ke ourselves to solemn humiliation fasting and prayer making confession of the sins of our Kings of our Nobles of our Ministers and of our people taking to ourselves Daniels words Chap 9. 16. For our sins and the iniquity of our forefathers Ierusalem is become a reproach ô Lord to all that dwell about it now therefore cause thy face to shine upon thy Sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake ô Lord incline thine ear to hear open thine eyes and behold our desolations Oh that we would all turn Priests and come quickly bringing this holy â—…incense with us into the Congregation that so atonement might be made for the Churches of God against which great wrath from the Lord is gone out this day and sore plagues are upon them Gods eares are not heavy nor is his hand shortened that he cannot save us but our pride security hardnesse unbelief impenitencie and murmuring have kept back good things from us Why are we in bondage to a generation that curse their father and
enemies superstition and profanenesse have in all ages been to a powerfull and orthodox Ministry Which Ministry was hereby not onely exposed to the scorn and hatred of the people but also made liable to the Prelates persecution for did they but withstand their popish Innovations or but a little swerve from their rigorous injunctions immediately followed bitter persecutions thereby many eminently learned and godly Ministers as you may read in Mr. Clarks Lives an impartial Writer were silenced suspended vexed discouraged sequestred imprisoned and some inforced to leave the Kingdome Mean while superstitious scandalous popish and profane persons were admitted into Orders countenanced encouraged and preferred Thus did the prevailing Faction of popish Prelates for all were not so prove like those Angels Revel 7. 1. holding the winde of the Gospel from blowing on the Church of England Nor was this all but needs must these Popish Reformers go to Scotland an ancient Reformed Church that was no enemy to the ancient primitive Government of Bishops and kept the Doctrine of Christ pure though God for her security and profaneness had many things against her of which this rod was a special warning The Church of Scotland rejecting the usurpation of the English Prelates who did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in going about to exercise an unknown Iurisdiction over them these revengefull Prelates putting off all humanity and Christianity to satisfie their hellish lusts thought it more fit that their Soveraign the Lords Annointed should hazzard his own life and the lives of his Nobles together with the losse of the bloud of innocent Protestants the Kings faithfull Subjects on both sides in an unnatural War to the reproach of Religion the endangering of both Kingdoms and the infinite expence of treasure then they be crossed in carrying on their designes against the innocent Church of Scotland This War begun by them was the beginning of the Brittish Wars which Wars have ruined the Brittish Royall Family the Brittish Nobles with many of their Families the ancient Brittish Laws and the Brittish reformed Church and all begun by a brutish Clergie in that Church Cursed be their wrath for it is cruell These fire-brands of State made the Bishops odious to the Gentry and Commonalty of both the Nations insomuch that when a Parliament was called which they were accidentally the cause of a certain party of the Commons of the Parliament animated by the preposterous Petitions of the over-zealous people and 't is more then probable incouraged by some of the covetous Nobility who thereby intended to make purchase of their Lands resolved to be satisfied with nothing but the utter extirpation of Episcopacy Here a fallacy was put upon the honest hearted Protestants in the Kingdome for the subtil Lawyers of the House of Commons whose Speeches were alwayes most prevalent in that House envying the wealth and dignity of the Clergie vehemently pressed that in stead of questioning the guilty they would accuse all the Bishops and in stead of questioning their persons they would pul down their Order purposely to take away the Iurisdiction This was carried on by a private faction of Polititians in the House who drew in many honester then themselves into the Designe which although not then yet since hath been discovered The Prelates it mainly concerning them at that time clearly discovered the Designe and thereupon were most firmly united Whereas had it been for a personall reformation amongst them which the grave and moderate Members desired or removing Innovations brought in by the Popish Faction amongst them they would many of them have hung more loose if not altogether sided with the Parliament against the upholders of any Doctrines or Discipline against the true Reformed Religion especially since the King declared himself at this time for a reformation of abuses crept into the Church and having respect unto tender consciences But here lieth such a mystery of iniquity that the wisest and most scrutiâ—…ous in States mysteries cannot discover On whom to charge the overthrow of Episcopacy and the Church Government of a long time continued in their hands in the general wee know but on whom to charge the designes against the Protestant Religion in their overthrow we know not or at least wise nunc non est narrandi locus It is true the Primate of England with the insolent faction at Court became odious to the Nobility and Gentry about the Court and those of his faction elsewhere stepping up into civill Offices in the State made them odious to the Lawyers of the Kingdome whose Offices they usurped The schismaticall Separatists made it one of the chief principles of their Religion to oppose them concluding that man to have true illumination to salvation that had his eyes opened to see Episcopacy to be Antichristian The generality of the sincere Professors of the Gospel were much grieved at the barbarous rigour of their Discipline in suspending silencing and molesting learned godly orthodox Ministers because they would not wear a Surplice signe with the Crosse stand at the Creed kneel at the Sacrament observe a superstitious holi-day but most of all they were grieved that such persecution should befall them for refusing to read the book of Sports to their people a most abominable book giving liberty to people to profane the Lords day The people also generally disliked their rigour in citing them to their Courts for working on Holi-dayes or marrying without a Licence or upon a groundlesse suspicion of inchastitie Many such poor pretences meerly to drain the peoples purses did their Officers make Thus had the Prelatick party drawn the odium of the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty upon them and now a Parliament being called and in that Parliament severall Members of both Houses professed enemies to their Degree and not onely to their degree in the Church as Bishops but to their Office as since they professe as Ministers upon what designe may easily be conjectured These members also being popular took the opportunity of lifting these Protestant Churches off their hinges whiles the eyes of all men were on them for a Reformation Here I say was the fallacy that whiles they pretended to root out Popish pollution they struck at the very root of Primitive purity whiles they pretended to reform Episcopacy they struck at the very Office of the Ministry as now that wound being searched to the bottom discovers to us The King and his party saw to the bottom of this wound many yeers since Those Remonstrances now seem full of Prophecies which we have seen fulfilled But lest we should seem to throw dirt upon the Parliament and the Purliaments cause we must distinguish of a threefold party which sate in the house in plain truth the Parliaments covenant distinguisheth them There was a Popish party a Protestant party and a Schismaticall party the Protestant party made this covenant against the other two parties This Protestant party maintained the Protestant cause against all other parties No Protestant can be
blesse not their mother to a generation that are pure in their own eyes yet not washed from their filthinesse a generation ô how lofty are their eyes and their eye-lids are lifted up a generation whose teeth are swords and their jaw-teeth knives to devour the poor from off the earth and the needy from amongst men a generation of Lâ—…custs the wonder of Solomon who having no King go forth all of them by bands Would we but incline our cares to Gods counsels and turne our feet into his paths he would soon subdue our enemies and turnâ—… his hand against our adversaries the haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves but that we were disobedient to the Commanaments of the Lord. Why is the Diadem fallen from our head but because wo unto us we have sinned Why do flattering lippes proud tongues and double hearts prevail against us to the oppression of the poor and the making of the needy sigh Why do the wicked walke on every side when the vilest of the sonnes of men are exalted but because weare sinfull our Cities and our Countreys and our families of all rankes and degrees have sinned Go forth therefore ye sons and daughters of the Church weeping gird your selves in sack cloth and put ashes on your head take to you words of lamentation and bewail the sins of your Kings of your Princes of your Nobles of your Ministers before the Lord. Let the Trumpet be blown in Zion let a Fast be sanctified and a solemn Assembly called gather the people assemble the Elders let the Bridegroom go forth of his chamber and the Bride out of her closet let the Ministers of the Lord weep between the Porch and the altar and let them say Spare thy people ô Lord and give not thine heritage to reproach that Heathens should thus rule over us So soon as the people of God are thus framed God will be jealous for the land and pity his people The Churches teares usually go before the black Funerall of their enemies their tears ascend like exhalations insensibly but return in thundering and lightning stormes upon their enemies We shall finde the Churches mourning and the enemies ruine to be Zach. 12. 3 4 10. a Gospel-connexion and what himself hath joyned we cannot pull asunder Since therefore preces lachrymae are our best weapons against our enemies let us take to our selves this spirituall armour and let us thus go forth for the cause of God with much affection rejoycing as a Bridegroom commeth forth of his chamber and as a strong man rejoyceth to run a race let us rejoyce that we are counted worthy to be in arms for so great a King let us with a holy scorn disdain the enemies of our Lord the King let us defie that power and strength they bring against him Let the Counter-motions of crosse providences which make it evening by the Apostates clock put forward the hand of your faith to make it the morning of deliverance doth the Antichrist tread down all before him and oppresse the Church of God exceedingly be of good cheer for thus it is written that Antichrist must do and the Witnesses must suffer and also 't is written that then he is neer to his ruine and the Church neer to a glorious and exceeding great deliverance which is the subject of one main part of the ensuing Discourse Be not then ô ye Saints of the most High either afraid or ashamed of your afflictions Can you chuse a better Master Can you fight under a more royall Standard then Christs or can you finde a baser enemy or more accursed then the Antichrist gird on then your spirituall armour with the girdle of sincerity be stedfast in your resolutions why do the latchets of the shoes of patience hang so loose Why do you fâ—…et and startle at the news of suffering as if the fiery triall which is to try you were the fire of hell to damn you sincerity rejoyceth in the triall how will you be known from loose professeurs if your sincerity be not tried by afflictions afflictions indured with patience for Christ are the seales of sincerity this was one of Pauls seals which passed him for current among the Saints Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Sufferings for Christ are an evident tâ—…ken of perdition to your enemies but to you of salvation and that of God Faith is the evidence of our salvation and sufferings are the evidence of our faith Rejoyce therefore inasmuch as yeare made partakers of the sufferings of Christ for when his glory shall be revealed ye shall be glad also with exceeding joy your reproaches for Christ render you happy inasmuch as thereby the Spirit of glory resteth on you though on your enemies part Christ is blasphemed yet on your part he is glorified We have indeavoured to clear the Church of England and to clear the reformation begâ—…n and at last fiâ—…ished by the King Lords and Commons as Christs Church and Christs cause notwithstanding all those reproaches cast upon it let us then all of us that own the Church of England for a true Church and the reformation of that Church for a good cause prepare for sufferings and let us count them as so many scars of honour got in the field where the Royall Standard of our Lord the King is pitched which we shall wear forever our bodies shall lie down in the grave in the honour of them and at the Resurrection rise in the mâ—…jesty of them Let love to Christ and love to the Church of Christ constrain us to constancy let 's stop our eares against all the charmes of the Devill the world or the flesh let 's look to our Redeemer who when he was tempted upon the salvation of the chief Priests and Elders and upon the vindication of the Godhead to come down from the Crosse this seems to me to be the deepest temptation of hels forging for to destroy the work of Redemption for had Christ come down before he had died our Redemption had not been finished and we must all have been damned yet he continued in his shameful and grievous torments under all these blasphemons roproaches until the work of our Redemption was finished look up then to this great Captain of our salvation and as you have seen him do so do ye you must if you be Christs be made conformable to Christ your head by sufferings The faithful Christians of the three Kingdoms have suffered much ô let them not come down from the cross until the work be finished 't is supposed that there are sharper sufferings yet to come yet let us not â—…aint for there are more with us then are against us we have as that great person said A good Cause and a gracious God and so we have all the Angels and Saints on our sine we have the Trinity to trust to who is a strong hâ—…ld in time of trouble and knoweth every soul that trusteth in him Let love to the
his Humane Nature he became actually quod ad nos triumphant he was drove into Egypt he was carried into the Wildernesse where he was extraordinarily afflicted forty dayes and then he was assaulted by the old Dragon the Divel and after that forsaken of all betrayed by a bosome-friend and murdered by hypocrital Professors but plain Apostates who reproached him more then the Heathens that knew not God even so must the Gospel Church in the representative body viz. in her lawful Magistracie and Ministry be drove into the Wildernesse bitten by Hereticks Rebels and Apostates and at last slaine by hypocritical Professors as Revel 11. informs us together with this prophesie of Paul's Thus Paul in the generall gives the Churches of Christ to know that their passage from earth to heaven in all ages shal be rough and craggie through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdome of heaven We may say of the Church as Christ said of himself Ought not the Son of man to suffer these things and to ascend into glorie He first debased his head to drink of the torrent of afflictions here before he lifted up his head unto glory So ought not the Eastern Churches defection Mahumetan idolatry and Popish blasphemie and Apostasie to drive the Church into the wildernesse and ought not the Antichrist to slay the Witnesses before there be a glorious resurrection of the Church yes doubtlesse there is a necessitie for it for the holy Ghost hath foretold it and she must be conformable to her head who was made perfect by sufferings Psal. 110. He shall drink of the brook in the way 'T is not his way but the way and the brook to note that that way and that brook is the general road wherein the Church must follow Christ that brook they must wade thorow The way and the brook remain still though the deadly poison of the brook be totally taken away and the fatal precipiâ—…es in that way be levelled by Christ he hath sanctified the way in going before us in it There is the wrath of men and divels in this way still but there 's not one dram of the wrath of God in this way nor in this brook The deadly poison Christ drank which killed him since which it hath no power on us But to the work intended Explication 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agustin translates it for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 refuga a lawlesse runagate person whether his translation misled him in the interpretation or his mistake in his interpretation a common error caused him to translate it to his purpose I cannot tell but both Theodoretus Irenaeus and Augustine conceive that it is to be understood of the Antichrist yet not properly but by a figure they say by a Metonymie Anti-christ is called the Apostacie because he is the cause of an universall Apostasie such a strange kinde of mistake is that which makes the Popedome the Man of Sin But observe what inconsiderate things follow this opinion for if by the Apostasie be meant Antichrist then the Apostasie is to be but three yeers and a half and at the end of three yeers and a half or within few dayes after the day of Judgment comes by these mens own confessions if we take but a larger view of their opinions concerning Antichrist and so the Prophesies of the witnesses in sack-cloth and the Church in the Wildernesse and the witnesses slaying and the day of Judgment must be all included within the compass of three years and a half for they say Antichrist must raign but three years and a half and then comes the day of Judgment when he and all his followers shall be destroyed now such necessary consequences do both contradict their own writings and many of the Fathers who complaineâ—… of the Apostasie in their daies but my intent is not to confute opinions for that were endless on this Subject Tertullian reads abscessio a departing away this is neer to the Copy The Syriack reads rebellio a rebellion and so say the most Interpreters the word signifies Mariana shoots three arrows at this Mark he saith that by the Apostasie here is meant 1. Either the Rebellion against Nero the Roman Emperor or 2. The Rebellion of the Iewes against Florus or 3. It is meant of the ruine of the Roman Monarchy Hugo the better Archer of the two at this mark saith it may be understood either of the civil Empire or of the Ecclesiastick Empire of Rome or of Antichrist or of the Apostasie from the faith Lyra a Learned Christian Jew conceives that Paul speaks occultly of the Ruine of the Roman Empire or of the Spiritual Government of the Church or of the departure from the faith Montanus Fab. Paulutius Estius Hugo Cardin Salmeron Pererius Primasius Anselm Piscator Calvin and very many others do say that by the Apostasie is meant the general Apostasie from the faith Calvin wonders that ever Learned men should have such an erroneous judgment as to think it is meant of the Apostasie from the Roman Emperor Aquinas treating on this Subject and viewing the opinions of the Fathers especially Augustin who from the Image Dan. 2. typifying four Kingdomes or Monarchies the last of which being the Roman Monarchie at the end of which Antichrist would come and ruine it and then Christ would come to Judgment and ruine him and this Augustin makes the signum conveniens because the Roman Monarchy was standing firme and under its power the Gospel should in probability be preached to all the world And then the end saith Christ cometh But saith Aquinas how can this be true of the Roman Empire when the Nations have long since revolted from it and yet neither Antichrist is come nor Christ to Judgment seeking therefore for a more convenient sign he makes use of Pope Leo his Sermon upon the Apostles who affirmeth that Rome is changed from a Temporal to a Spiritual Kingdom and so the departure from the Roman Empire is to be understood of the Apostasie from the Spiritual that is from the Roman Catholick faith and he makes this the signum conveniens of Antichrists coming viz. the general Apostasie by an Argument taken from the rule of contraries for as Christ came when the Roman Empire ruled over all so Antichrist shall come when there is a general defection from it viz. the faith of Christ professed in the Roman Church which he calls the Spiritual Empire In the application of this Text we finde the Papists and Protestants clashing against each other the Papists say this Apostasie is that of the Protestants from the Roman Church and the Protestants say that this Apostasie is that of the Roman Church from the purity of Doctrine and Discipline which was once to be found in the Roman Church and herein the Protestants utterly overthrow the Papists proving the Apostasie of the Roman Church so clearly that there is none can stand against them or gain-say them with any
of Antichrist and the Apostasie which is called Rev. 19. 4 20. the casting of the beast and the false Prophet into the lake and the chaining of the Dragon for these are all together the ruine of these later is the establishing of the two former The reason why the Prophets oft-times joyne the true Gentile gospellers and the Jewes together in their prophecies which respect these times are as I conceive for these reasons 1. Because they come out of tribulation together 2. Because they shall be united in one Faith together There shall be no distinction in Religion betwixt Jew and Gentile and therefore for the most part the prophecies that look to the sounding of the seventh Trumpet joyn both Jew and Gentile together as in this of Moses and Isa. 27. 13 Mat. 24. Luk. 21. Mar. 13. In ver 36. there is one signe of the seventh Trumpet 's being ready to sound and that is the Jews and gospel Churches low condition When their power is gone and there is none shut up or left when the true Churches for they are Gods servants power is gone when their Armies are overthrown in the field and when all the true Churches Garisons are won that there is none shut up against a day of need nor any left i. e. unconquered this is the time even the set time for God to come to ruine his enemies and restore his Church then will God judg for his people righteous judgment for Dan. 7. 26. The Iudgment shall sit and repent himself for his peoples long and sore affliction Yet how may we take up Isaiahs lamentation this day Who hath beleeved this report or to whom is this Arm of the Lord revealed The unbelief the timorousnesse the profanenesse and the most abominable Apostasie and Antichristian complyance of Christians at this day in this Kingdom under these dispensations makes me beleeve that God hath yet some more dreadfull stroke against all sorts of Professors so that few Nobles and few Ministers and few of the Professors shall live to see these glorious Gospel days that are approaching Where can we find a soul that lives this day upon this Prophetick promise so much as to raise his hopes but even sinks by despondencie under the sad dispensations of God upon his Church or else feeds his hopes with the husks of humane helpes as if Armies or Navies could bring about these things as if Christ stood in need of Belial in the accomplishing of his glorious Prophetick promises but the Scripture must be fulfilled Luke 18. When the Son of man comes shall he find faith on the earth Scarce such a strong faith as to believe the Resurrection of the Church in such a state as now it is The other signe of the approaching of Antichrists ruine and the finishing of the mystery is the blasphemy of Antichrist in ver 37 38. where the Antichrist mocks at the Magistracy and the Ministry and the fasting and prayers and the religious ingagements of the Church parallel with Dan. 7. 8. where the Antichrist speaks great words but we shall leave them till we come to touch of the Antichrist The fourth special thing observable in this Prophetick Song of Moses is the coming of Christ the Lord to ruine Antichrist finish the grand Apostasie and the heads thereof and convert the twelve Tribes to the Gospel from ver 29. to v. 43. When Antichrist had bereaft the true Church of all its outward visible strength so that their Field power and Fort power was taken away and none was left to own the Churches cause but they were all subdued by Antichrists prevailing Armies ver 36. then in ver 37 38. doth Antichrist boast and insult in a blasphemous way over the heads of the Church and their cause and now ver 39. doth Christ appear to be the mighty Prince of all the earth who declares himself as Rev. 19. 16. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords fulfilling the Prophetick promises in restoring the Church out of its low condition and bringing its enemies down to hell therefore Dan. 12. 1 2. a parallel Text with Moses sets forth this day of wounding and healing i. e. of wounding the enemy and healing the Church as a little day of Judgment by Christ coming to deliver the poor Jewes and to bring trouble upon their enemies 'T is resembled to the Resurrection so Ezek. 37. the Holy Ghost sets forth the Jewes restauration after the Roman captivity under the resemblance of raising bones that have long lyen in the grave taking flesh upon them and living and becoming mighty and terrible and no wonder the Prophet compares the Jewes conversion to the Gospel and their restauration to the Resurrection for Paul Rom. 11. 19 saith What shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead and therefore in Rev. 20. 4 which is a continuation of the parallal Text Revel 19. 16. this day is called the living and raigning of those that were beheaded i. e. the Witnesses who Revel 11. 11. are said to have a Spirit of life enter into them and to stand upon their feet as a man rising out of his grave thence it is that this is called Revel 20. 5. the time of the first Resurrection which he is blessed that hath a part in it that is which is undefiled keeps himself a Virgin and follows the Lamb wheresoever he goeth Revel 14. 4. Keeps his mouth from guile and his person innocent ver 5. That worships not the Beast nor his Image nor receives his mark in his forehead nor his hand v. 9. But watcheth and keepeth his garments clean Revel 16. 15. These whether they live they shall live unto the Lord or whether they dye they shall dye unto the Lord whether they live or dye they shall be the Lords for on such the second death hath no power CHAP. VII BUT the great question is When shall these things be When shall Christ draw forth his sword to wound his enemies and heal and deliver the Jews and the distressed Church amongst the Gentiles Moses seems to answer in the next words v. 40. For I life up my hand to heaven and say I live for ever to this verse adde the three following and with them compare Revel 10. 5 6 7. the Text that sent us to this Chapter and now concurrs with its parallel and also Dan. 12. 6 7 9. observe here Daniel proposeth one question How long it shall be to the end of these wonders viz of ruining the little horn and of restoring the Jewes hereupon ver 7. Daniel sees him whom Moses and Iohn by the eye and ear of Prophecie saw and heard 1. Lifting up his hand to heaven 2. Swearing by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time times and the dividing of time and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the holy people all these things shall be finished ver 9. And he said Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up
iniquity say the last learned Notes upon the Bible is opposed to the mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim 3. 16. But to read it to a word from the Greek Copie it is not to be read mystery of iniquity but the mystery of the Illegality Beza reads it mysterium illud istius abolitionis legis that mystery of the abolition of the law so that that which stands in opposition to it is the plain and known path of God and Natures law for what is opposite to a mystery but plainness open clearness and what stands in opposition to illegality but Gods natures mans lawes so that this mystery of iniquity or illegality is a slie and cunning revolting from Gods lawes natures lawes mans lawes which they do that râ—…bell against and withdraw their allegiance from the higher powers in the State and the higher powers in the Church now this the Church of Rome hath done in casting off the Supremacie of the Emperour and setting up an usurping Tyrant in opposition both to Magistracy and Ministery debarring both of the exercise of their just power Now whereas the Greek Copie by both the Articles points to some speciall and peculiar mystery of illegality wherein Magistracy and Ministery shall be eminently rebelled against it is manifest that it points at the slaying of the Witnesses at the time of Antichrists appearing and this is clear from the subsequent sense for this mystery of iniquity shall have a stop curb or let and shall be inforced to cloke its illegalities in a mystery untill it can remove that which lieth in the way now the two witnesses are the let which vexeth and tormenteth the promoters of this illegality and hence it is that the followers of the Antichrist who slay the two Witnesses and remove the let do rejoyce and make merry and send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth they curbed the promoters of the illegality in their Career and so tor mented them but when they two are removed then is the Exlex or Generalissâ—…mo of this illegality revealed and then is the mystery no more a mystery but Revel 17. 5. written upon the womans forehead the Church of Rome's forehead Thus much I humbly conceive upon Scâ—…ripture grounds the mystery of iniquity in this place imports Now worketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how did this mystery of illegality work in the Apostles time Beza and several other learned men answer in Iohns words 1 Iohn 2. 18. Now are there many Antichrists the mystery of illegality was begun by many Antichrists but it shall be finished by the Antichrist and his followers who are called false Christs and false prophets Matth. 24. But Paul had just cause to declare so much from the very doctrine of those seducers which in the beginning of the Chapter he refutes for the designe of the seducers was principally to defame Paul as a Preacher of false doctrine and so to cast him out of the affections of the Church of Thessalonica Here though mysteriously the seducers struck at the two great Offices of Magistracie and Ministery in the Church in striking at Paul for Paul as an Apostle was both Magistrate and Minister in the Church The Apostles were extraordinary Officers they had something of all the three Offices of Christ resplendent in them hence it was as some learned amongst the Ancients think that during the continuation of their extraordinary Office on earth that Majesticall rite of anointing whom they pleased with oil continued it was a badge of their power which was communicated to them by the Holy Ghost from the great High Priest that had made a generall and universall and all-sufficient atonement by the mighty sacrifice of his slain body upon the Crosse and afteâ—… that ascended into the holy of holies the heaven of heavens from whence he sent his Spirit to invest his twelve Apostles with power befitting the companions of such a mighty King Priest and Prophet so that anointing with oil after Christs ascension in the Church was a badge of honour and power in the persons anointing they were the sons of oil so that he that struck at an Apostle struck at all the three offices of Christ and therefore these seducers in going to undermine the Apostle and supplant him struck at Gods mans and natures law for if they could any way have proved the Apostles doctrine to be false his office had fallen to the ground so that the mystery of the illegality began in these seducers subtile practices to work then Estius conceives that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be expounded passively now it begins to be acted now the Devils Play was begun his Histrio's were now entered upon the Stage and begun to act their severall parts here he was but in his first Act but now he hath brought it usque ad quintum Actum by which I guesse his Play is almost at an end CHAP. VIII FOr the mystery of iniquity now worketh only until what letteth be taken out of the way The meaning is as I conceive that the great Apostasie worketh alone without the appearing of the Antichrist until the slaying of the Witnesses so he said before in verse 3. Before the day of judgement there shall come the grand Apostasie and then the revelation of the man of sin first the apostasie and then the Antichrist after that until what letteth be taken out of the way Here is the exact precise time prefixed of the Antichrists appearing and the slaying of the Witnesses together with the finishing of Apostasie Parallel with this text is that in Revel 11. 7. When they have finished their testimony the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and overcome thom this text when and the other text until are parallel for in this the mystery of the illegality which verse 3. he calls the apostasie is to work alone until what letteth be removed and in Revel 11. the Church was to be under foot by the same Gentile apostasie until the Witnesses had finished their testimony This until is also parallel with that until in Rom. 11. 25. where mention is made of the Iews unbelief under the Roman Monarchy until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so Israel shall be saved Where observe the time of the Witnesses slaying and rising again is the time when the Jewes shall be converted the same untill we finde in Luke 21. 24. which tells us how long the Jews dissipation and the Gentile Churches affliction shall by the Gentile Apostasie be inflicted even until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled Parallel also with the Texts until is that when Revel 10. 7. In the dayes of the seventh Angel when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God or the great mystery the mystery of mysteries shall be finished then there shall be time for the apostasie no longer Untill what letteth be removed out of the way Of
did his beautifull sister not to be tied in Nuptiall bonds of unity and love but to satisfie his lust and after that disgracefully to shut her out of doors They love Religion in the truth no more then Absalom loved Justice onely in pretence to some greater end to depose the King and get the Crown Now as they think to cheat men by their pretences and hypocriticall delusions so God in Justice leaves them in the hardnesse of their heart and blindness of their minde to be cheated by the Devil and Antichrist to their own damnation Whiles they cheat men under the cloak of religion of their honours and estates the Devil that whiles cheats them of their souls It may be truly said of every formall hypocriticall professor Perditio tua ex te Thy destruction is of thy self But I crave pardon for my sawcinesse in going here before my betters let us see what the learned say They received not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some learned men conceive that this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an extenuation a diminutive expression the full meaning being this they pertinaciously refused 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the love of the truth Some by love of the truth understand Christ who is both truth and love Charitâ—…tem exhibuit veritatem ostendit saith Goran So that the meaning is they received not Christ that is truth for he that receives not truth in the love of it receives not Christ. Some others conceive 't is meant of the deficiencie of charity in Antichrists followers they have knowledge and gifts and faith but no charity which profiteth nothing 1 Cor. 13. Probably truth is here put for the whole doctrine of the Gospel in opposition to all other false Religions so that the Character of Antichrists followers is this They are professors of the Gospel of true Religion but they are hypocriticall professors and temporary professors for 1 They receive not the truth into their hearts they love not what they professe 2 Neither do they professe Religion with a designe to be saved by it Religion is not a Iacobs ladder for them to climb to heaven by but a blinde zeal under which without suspition they carry on their hellish designes all the heaven they look at is the wealth and greatnesse and pleasure of the world They receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved by it but the outward profession of the truth that they may be preferred by it Hence observe that the Antichrist is so far from an open deniall of Christ that he is a great professour of Christ who prefers all his followers upon the account of religious men and Saints men that professe religion but what saith the Text 't is in hypocrisie 'T is true they fast and pray but 't is not out of love to that solemn duty that they may be saved by it but that they may thereby advantage their carnall Interests as a reverend Divine said wittily once eying some mens designes They have saith he humbled themselves into the Throne and fasted and prayed that which they accounted Achans wedge and the Babylonish garment into their possession fasted fine cloathes upon their backs and self-denyingly wound themselves into all the great and profitable offices This is all the heaven that Antichrists followers aime at by all their eminent professions they receive not the truth to the mortifying of their lusts but for the palliating of their lusts 'T is a good place not grace a Kingdome here not a Kingdome hereafter that their profession chiefly pursues and closely hunts after Shall I say any more I will not I need not Reader I leave thee wisely to Comment upon this too-too easie Text in this present age vidâ—…as fugias But the Holy Ghost as I humbly conceive by the restrictive articles and the Scope of the prophecie intends some eminent truth at this time opposed by Antichrist upon the rejecting of which truth they become Antichrists subjects as Antichrist by opposing it becomes formally Antichrist but of this we shall touch in the last verse CHAP. VI. AND for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie In the former verse as Aquinas observes there is onely the sinne set down In this verse there is both their sinne and punishment their being deluded is both their sinne and their punishment In the following verse there is onely their punishment set down which is damnation the end of all their Apostasie a just reward for such iniquity In the words there are these particulars 1 The Judgement denounced delusion 2 The Author inflicting it God 3 The persons on whom it is inflicted them those that received not the love of the truth to be saved by it 4 The specification of it by its effects that they should believe a lie In the Judgement or punishment denounced we must observe the Apostles manner of delivery which is potent in the Causall Conjunction Copulative for I cannot call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any thing else and in the adjunct 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And for this cause i. e. for rejecting the love of the truth and not making it the meanes of their salvation for this cause ' t is So that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imports two things 1 A false professours damnation is from himself not from God He is the cause of it for 1 He loves not what he professeth and would you have a man for ever tied to what he loves not Religion is an hypocrites purgatory through which he wades with much regret of soul in hope at last to reap some profit He loves the truths of Christ no more then a Merchant loves the Sea he longs to be over it at his goald he intends not to dwell at Sea in any wise As a true Christian loves this present world so a false Christian loves Religion he cares not how soon he is rid out so he may obtein his desired ends So that as a true Christian counts it his hell and will in no wise be tied for ever to the world so an hypocriticall professor counts it his hel wil in no wise be tied for ever to the everlasting Gospel If a man would commune with an hypocrites heart it would tell him that he looked not at communion with Christ nor expected any robes of righteousnesse from him he neither loves Christ nor his truth nor intends a Spirituall Crown but earthly advantages by his profession He loves not the Gospel after such a manner as to glorifie God and be saved by it and is not such a man the cause of his own damnation God will save no man against his will He will have all his servants Volunteers he ties none by fatall necessity or absolute determination to obedience but all by free choice hence our state in the first Adam was mutable because God would be served by a voluntary choice Since our restauration God gives us a will to