Generation-work OR A Brief and Seasonable Word offered to the view and consideration of the Saints and People of God in this Generation relating to the work of the present Age or Generation we live in Wherein is shewed I. What Generation-work is and how it differs from other works II. That Saints in the several Generations they have lived in have had the proper and peculiar works of their Generations III. That it is a thing of very great coâ—cernment for a Saint to aeternal to and be industrious in the work of his Generation IV. Wherein doth the work of the present Generation lye V. How each one in particular may find out that part or parcel of it that is properly his work in his Generation VI. How Generation-work may be so carried on as that God may be served in the Generation The first part By John Tillinghast an unworthy Minister of the Gospel at Trunch in Norfolk Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man and perfect in his Generations and Noah walked with God LONDON Printed by R. Ibbitson for Lâ—vewell Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1655. To the Supream Authority the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England Right Honorable AS the Lord Jehovah when he first chose Israel to be a peculiar people to himself out of all the Nations of the world did give unto them righteous Judges Moses Joshua Gideon Sampson Samuel c. such as were after his own heart and of his own raising up So is it his promise to his people in the last days before the dross of Sion shall be taken away and her tin purged and she called the City of righteousness the faithful City that he will restore their Judges as AT THE FIRST and their Counsellors as AT THE BEGINNING Isa 1.25 26. How high the faith and expectations of Gods people of late years have been as to the accomplishment of these things is known to many and what uncessant prayers have been put up to the Throne of Grace for the same is best known to the Lord. That you are raised up this day to be the repairers of our breaches and the restorers of paths to dwel in is we hope the long expected and much looked for fruit of this our faith and prayer which as it doth cause rejoycing within many hearts so hath it fixed the eyes of most upon you to observe what great thing that is which God by you is about to do for his poor people Not to teach you Right Honorable what is your work but to declare what that is which the Lord in the age we live in is about to do and expects his people should eye and follow him in is the design of this little Treatise which although it had its conception some months since and was then designed for other hands yet could it not be brought forth until this day in which it casts it self into yours not so much seeking protection for what is truth will stand of it self and what is not shall fall though by men protected as that it might hereby become the more serviceable to that great interest it pleads for in doing of which the Author hath obtained whatsoever is herein his end desire or joy And now Right Honorable God having raised you up and put into your hands so great an opportunity let not the same be lost for want of any improvement which may be made thereof this is your day to honor God and serve your Generation let this day slip and it may be hereafter when you would do the thing you shall not have a day to do it Men wise men good men have fallen before you by putting off and neglecting the work of their Generation take Feed lest ye also fall through the same example of neglect THE MORE EMINENT GODS HAND HATH APPEARED IN RAISING OF YOU THE MORE NAKED AND REMARKABLE WILL IT BEE IN THROWING OF YOU DOWN IN CASE YOU FAIL HIM AS OTHERS BEFORE YOU HAVE DONE But I am perswaded better things of you Right Honorable and things that accompany diligence though I am bold thus to speak for surely the Lord who in an extraordinary way hath brought you together hath some work more than ordinary to do by you wherein if you shall observe making it your business to follow him â—â—ing justly relieving the oppressed helping the fatherless â—eading the cause of the Widow and walking humbly before him though the Nations may rush against you as the rushing of many waters yet the Lord will rebuke them and you shall be as a burdensome stone to all your Enemies round about who shall weary themselves with you though all the people of the earth should be gathered together against you for behold the day is coming in which the hand of the Lord shall be known towards his people and his indignation towards his Enemies which when you shall see your hearts shall rejoyce and your bones shall flourish like an herb and your tongue shall speak and say Lo this is our God we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation and when the light of this day is come and the glory of the Lord shall be risen upon you it shall then never repent you that you have put your hands though with your lives in them to the work of Christ but whatsoever you have herein done or suffered shall now be your glory joy and Crown of rejoycing which that you may at this day from Christ obtain and in the mean time be faithful in his work he shall continue to pray for who is Your Honors humble and unworthy Servant John Tillinghast July 8. 1653. To the Saints and people of God in England Children of the same Father Members of the same Body partakers of the same Spirit having the same hope Grace and Peace be multiplied DEarly beloved in the Lord It is not many years since that this poor Nation and you in the same did sigh and groan by reâ—son of that bondage both Civil and Spiritual which we were in to the will of tyrann cal unjust oppressors and the superstitious innovations and injunctions of Antichristiâ—n Task-masters What your fears and prayers yea resolutions to do for God in case of deliverance were at this time the casting your eye a few years back again taking a view of the state of things without according as the wheel did then move and the frame and carriage of your souls within under all will better remember you of than I can tell you How suitable the spirits and actings of many of you who in this day were Gods remembrancers and Sions mourners have since the time God hath cast off the heavy yoke and broken the bonds of our oppressing persecutors been to your past prayers and resolutions I fear and yet I hope when the violence of your distemper shall be over and you so far recovered as to weigh things in the ballances of righteousness love and impartiality not so much others as your selves
people have their liâ—erty and in that respect as to their particulars are well yet if they see the work of the time at a stand let it not be grievous or be imputed to discontent in case they mourn as did Daniel look sad as did Nehemiah groan and complain they are sick And sometimes I have thought that when Daniel did mourn and afflict himself before God the second time three full weeks Chap. 10.2 upon the account that the work of God in that age was put to a stand by the power as is by good men judged of Cambyses Cyrus Son reigning while his Father was abroad in the wars that had Cambyses been a good man or a man likely to have been prevailed with Daniel undoubtedty would as did the Prophets before him frequently to the good Kings of Israel have made other applications in that case and accounted the doing thereof his duty than barely to the Lord alone Nay it is a mercy to Governours themselves to have applications in things of this nature made unto them for Woe be to those Governors to whom Gods people fearing or being without hopes in making address when they soâ—esee sufferings coming upon his cause retire themselves and spread the affliction of their souls before the Lord alone Yet let me also say it is a thing most certain and that which is a prejudice to the very cause in the hearts of many and ought to be matter of grief to all that Saints in most places at this day whilst they are crying that their Fathers work might go on do act too much like men and shew too much of their own spirits yea are very consused as to the making out the things themselves would have and moreover have many falling into their party that injure the very cause they stand up in But I earnestly wish it might be considered that although the child when it cries cannot alwayes give a rational account of the cause of its so doing yea possibly may oftentimes discover much peevishness and passion in crying yet doth it not ever cry without a cause and the wisdome of the Father is not so intent upon the weaknesses of the child in crying as to find out the cause why it cries And farther should not many and great weaknesses appear in those who stand up for Christs Kingdome how should his Kingdome come without observation no greater observation than of holiness if so be the appearance of that in them were to be eminently visible John came with much outward Holinesse and hee came with great observation Yea whether when the strife rose first betwixt the Brethren of the Presbyterian and Congregational way in England did not many who yet had truth and Christ did afterwards own before the world strive in many things like foolish peevish Children and whether in the times of the Apostles throughout the Primitive ages and almost ever since have not the croud of errors alwayes run into that side where truth hath been the reason is because the grand enemies design is to sow his tares in his enemies filed his own where as yet his title is not questioned nor shaken he will not meddle with These things therefore with others of a like nature are not to be made definitive Conclusions as to a cause which oftentimes God permits for the trial of Rulers patience his peoples faith and the carrying on of his own cause in a cloud which is the way he goes in in most of his works of wonder Governors because of these miscarriages may inflict civil penalties if they will yet let it bee considered that the great King is now coming to his Throne and there is not a Ruler in the world but hath his standing only protempore to whom as all must give an account so must they shortly surrender their Crowns or they shall be taken from them and if any of the subjects of this mighty King whilst they see their King upon his march and are followed with hourly intelligence that he is neer and such and such things must be done in order to his entertainment by speaking some words for their King that things may be in a readiness and by giving abroad what intelligence they have to that end shall offend and suffer any thing for it let it be remembred that when the righteous King is sate upon his Throne these things will not be husht up but it shall then be known whether such as shall so do exceeded their Commission or not did their own or the Lord Christs will My Lord That through multitude of words I may neither tire your patience nor incur the censure of being one that loves to hear himself speak I shall wave some things which otherwise I would yet have added and draw to a Conclusion only leaving with your Highness three or four plain sober and in my opinion necessary words 1 Let your Highness oft remember and set before you the example of that good man Asa who though he were a man of much zeal for God and his Worship destroying the Altars of the strange gods and the High places breaking down the Images cutting down the Groves c. a man of a tender conscience therefore removed his Mother from being Queen because she made an Idol in a Grove a man of much faith in the field by which faith of his he vanquished the huge host of Zerah the Ethiopian yet having made one eminent turn from God as one turn from God makes way for another he is afterwards in a rage at reproof and casts the Prophet into prison that reproved him and at the very same time oppresseth the people of the LAND and after all what will Sin bring even a good man to When Gods hand is upon him for this he seems as a man stubborn and seeks not to the Lord but to the Physicians which that it may never be your Highness case is my prayer 2 Let your hand be no way lifted up against any of the Saints in this Nation It was a good Position laid down by Dr. Goodwin in a Sermon preached upon Psal 105 14 15. before the Parliament that was at the time when the Brethren of the Presbyterian way had the turning of the Wheel and as well proved viz. That the dealing well or ill with the Saints is and hath ever been the great interest of States and Kingdoms that on which their welfare or ruine depends All Sodome made not the hands of those four Kings Abraham routed Gen. 14. so weak as their fingring one Lot 3 Pursue not too hotly every righteous principle It is an Observation of Dr. Owens worthy never to be forgotten preached when time was in a Sermon of his upon Ezek. 17.24 to the aforesaid powers concerning principles that men take up his words are these page 21.22 The most tremendous judgement of God in this world is the hardning the hearts of men Now saith he first Look on Pharaoh of whom it is most signally spoken that God
act according to that will Not to grasp together all that lies in these words my aim being only at this viz. Doct. That it is an especial duty lying upon the Saints to attend unto and be active in the work or works of their Generation Gods famous Worthies who have gone before us whereof David here is instance have done thus whose examples though not in every thing yet in these things are rules to us and therefore we should do it yea it s the will of God this David here grounds his obedience upon which Will makes it as well our duty as his and therefore we ought to do it In the carrying on of this I shall shew 1 What Generation-work is and how the same differs from other works 2 That Saints in the several Generations they have lived in have ever had the proper and peculiar works of their Generations 3 That it is a thing of very great concernment for a Saint to attend to and be industrious in the work of his Generation 4 Wherin doth the work of the present Generation lye 5 How each one in particular may find out that part or parcel of it that is properly his work in his Generation 6 And lastly How Generation-work may be carried on so as that God may be served in the Generation First What Generation-work is and how different from other works Ans Generation-work is that work or those works which the way or manner of Gods dispensations in the age a Saint lives in calls him unto When either the condition of the Church or people of God or the transactions of God in the Age we live in or the light of that Age calls us to some special imployment we may look upon that Work to be the Work of the Generation So that in the Work of our Generation although the matter of the work be no other then what the word hath laid down and is commanded in the general yet the call to the Work takes its principal rise from the way or manner of Gods dispensations in or unto that Age. Hence the Work of the Generation differs from that Work which lyes upon a Saint to perform as he is a Saint for those Works are not limited to any one Generation but are common to all what I stand bound to do as I am a Saint I am alike obliged to do in that respect in whatsoever Age or Generation I live but now the work of my Generation I stand bound to that by vertue of Gods dispensations towards the Age I live in in such manner as that thing which now is my work living in this Age did I live in another Age wherein the dispensations of God were after another manner would not be my work but another thing would be my work Hence likewise the work out Generation is different from the works of our Callings Staetion relation or present condition for every of these bring their several works but these properly as they are such i.e. Works or Duties flowing from my Calling Station in the world Relation or present condition are not the work of my Generation Though here I grant it that the work of a Saints Generation may fall in with the works forementioned either those which lye upon him as a Saint or those which are the proper works of his Calling Station Relation or present condition i.e. the work of a Saints Generation and these may be one and the same in Substance though two in diverse respects as I shall make out to you 1 For common Duties which lye upon a Saint as a Saint A Saint may have some duties lying upon him as he is such a one binding all Saints in all Ages all the world over which yet in some times may be the very work of the Generation As for example Beleeving is a work which lyes upon a Saint as a Saint A man as he is a Saint is alwayes in whatsoever Age or Generation he lives in bound to beleeve and have confidence in the promise and power of God but it may so fall out that the dispensations of God towards his people may be such as that beleeving which is an especial duty lying upon Saints in all Generations may be the great work God calls unto in that Age or Generation a Saint lives in So it was in the time of Moses and therefore as I conceive did God so severely punish the unbeleef of that Age because this their fin was not only a neglect of a great and common duty but a neglecting the very work of their Generation Again Prayer is a duty which lyes upon a Saint as a Saint no praying man no Saint for Saints have their denomination from calling upon the Name of the Lord 1 Cor. 1.2 But now Prayer a duty so general and common to all Generations may be as the case may fall out one special work of that Age or Generation a Saint lives in And so I take it it was in Daniels time when Israels feturn from Babylon was approaching and therefore Daniel is so stirred up to pray and his Prayer made so well-pleasing unto God because he did not the thing only as a common duty but as the work of his Generation And on the contrary upon the same ground wee are now speaking of God doth as I conceive forbid Jeremy to pray for the people of that time because Prayer though as a common duty it remained yet did it then cease as any part of the work of the Generation 2 A Saint may have some duty lying upon him by vertue of his Calling which may also be the very work of his Generation As for example Suppose a godly man be constituted a General or an Vnder-Officer in an Army raised against some great and professed enemies of Jesus Christ at such a time as by Gods appointment the ruine of these his enemies draws neer for him to fight for and under those in their defence who have given this power and command to him is the very work of his Calling that which his place injoyns him unto but now considering the cause he is ingaged in which is the pulling down of some potent enemies of Jesus Christ which God in or about that Age be lives in hath determined to ruine So his fighting is not only the work of his Calling but the very work of his Generation also Again put case a man is a Minister the making known the truths of God to others is the work of his Calling in doing whereof he doth no more then what his Calling requires of him but now as such a one studies and concrives making it his design scope and aim not only to speak truths which another man by being conscientious in his Calling may do but to speak truths and truths in such a manner as is most suitable unto and may through the blessing of God most conduce to the good and benefit of souls in those times and places he lives in so he doth the work of
his Generation And as a Souldier in the field may do the work of his calling by being faithful unto and valiant for those who intrust him and yet the work of his calling and Generation being mixed not eye all this while the work of his Genâ—ration So may a Minister in the Pulpit do the work of his calling by preaching truth soundly and powerfully and yet not having respect to what truths the present Age and the necessity of his hearers do in a more especial manner rather than others call for the opening and applying of he may miss the work of his Generation 3 A Saint by vertue of his station and relation may have some duty lying upon him which may be the work of his generation and yet the work of his station and relation As for instance A godly man is a Minister of a Family for him now according to his ability to teach instruct and prinâ—iple his Wife Children and Servants and to govern in his Family is the duty of his station or the place God hath set him in and the duty of his relation also as he is a Husband Father Master and when he doth this hee doth no other thing than what the station God hath set him in and the bond of relation binds him to perform Buâ— now when he doth so govern in his Family and so instruct and principle those under him and in relation to him as that both himself and his may acknowledge and in some measure answer the call of Gods present dispensations towards the age he lives in whether to suffer if the dispensation call for that or to be serviceable in any active way to some special cause of God on foot in that age he doth the work of his Generation though his activity lye within the bounds of his family yet so long as what he acts tends to bring himself and his as much as may be to answer the present dispensations of God he doth the work of his Generation 4 A Saint by vertue of the present condition he may be in may stand obliged to some duty which yet may be the work of his Generation as well as of his condition As to exercise faith and patience under sufferings for Christ is the work of a suffering condition but now if my sufferings fall out in such an age wherein the Church of God in general lies under persecution then the exercise of faith and patience under the Cross is not onely the work of my condition but the very work of my Generation that which the dispensations of God in the age I live in cals for at my hands By what hath been said we see that such a case may be that in the substance of the work that work which lies upon a Saint as a Saint and which is the work of his calling station relation and condition may be the same with the work of his Generation and yet in divers respects there may be such a vast difference that one man doing the same work shall do more then that which lies upon him and every one else as Saints or which his calling station relation or condition calls for and another in doing the very same work shall do all this as well and better than he and the work of his Generation also From what hath been spoken as touching this the final conclusion is that the work of our generation is not any work distinct in substance from all other works for were it sout would be a thing more easie to find it out than indeed it is but the difference lies in considering the same work in divers respects 't is not diversity of work so much as diversity of respect in working that makes the difference Secondly The next thing to be opened is That the Saints in their several Generations have had and still have their proper and peculiar works My meaning is That there is some work which is more properly the work of Saints living in one generation than it is of Saints living in another Saints of this Generation have some works which Saints of former Generations had not and Saints of former Generations had some works which Saints of this Generation have not For the making out of this I shall draw a line through the severall Generations that Saints from the beginning have lived in and take a view of Saints and of their work or works each of them in their several Generations To begin with Noah for I cannot point out all Generations from Adam downwards but such onely upon which some remarkable actions of eminent Saints dwelling in those Generations are fixed thereby making them memorable to after times he besides all his other works had the proper work of his Generation which was to build an Ark for the preservation of his house and the creatures from the flood and universal deluge by which he preached a real Sermon for one hundred and twenty years to the Old World all the while the Arke was a preparing and by which the Apostle saith Heb. 11.7 He condemned the world i.e. the persons of that Generation and this work it was a work distinct from the work of all other Generations Next to him Abraham had the proper work of his Generation which was to go forth of his Country and from his Fathers house unto a Land which God should shew him and there to follow God from one place to another beleeving that one day his seed should enâ—oy that Land that now he was a stranger in but in the mean time to dwell in Tents with Isaac and Jacob heirs with him of the same promise This was not the work of after Generations yet was it the work of his and their Generations After him Mose and Aaron and other faithful ones in their dayes had the proper work of their Generation which was to look up to God and trust him for meat and drink and rayment and preservation in a barren wilderness where none of these things were to be had and where they lay open to cruel enemies on every side to the malice of cruel imbittered enemies To trust God in such an extraordinary way was not the work of after Generations which yet was the special work of this Generation Come to Davids time he also had the proper work of his Generation wherein as our Text witnesseth he served God which was to cut down Gods enemies round about and thereby to make room and provision for the house of God which was to be built at Jerusalem here was his distinctive work Next after him comes Solomon whose distinct work was to build the Temple of God which his Father David had made room and provision for To pass over the works of many following Generations let us come to Jeremiah's time had not Gods people in that age the proper work of their Genenation which was willingly to put their necks under and quietly submit unto the yoke of the King of Babylon giving themselves up unto captivity
they did sometimes blind Conscience convinced them was wrought by the finger of God is that very sin which Christ himself calls the Sin against the Spirit that hath neither forgiveness in this world nor that which is to come Matth. 12.24 compared with vers 31 32. Let all hence tremble to oppose or reproach the apparent works of God in their Generation lest Now to conclude Whose ears hearing these things would not tingle Whose hearts considering these things would not quake to be found guilty of the sin and exposed to the dangers that attend neglect of Generation-work Thus much concerning our third general Head I now come unto our fourth which is 4 Wherein doth the work of this present Generation lye Answ As the question is very weighty and of great concernment being the Butt aimed at in my whole discourse so that in the discussion hereof I may in the fear of God walk evenly and without winding or turning to any interest save that of truth pitch if possible upon that which is the proper and direct work of the generation we live in It will be necessary in order thereunto to â—ay down some few general Rules as way-marks to guide â—he Reader to the discovery of that which is the proper work of his generation whatsoever generation he may be supposed to live in which when particularly applied to the present generation will give us light into what is or may be the proper work or works thereof as 1 Be inquisitive to find out according to Scripture account the particular age or generation it self that it is fallen to thy lot to live in which though it be hard to do yet in regard the wisdom of God in Scripture hath set some distinct and notifying mark upon every age the same by industry and waiting upon the Father of lights for light may be attained 2 The former being done add thereunto a narrow and impartial search for discovery of those glorious and remarkable things the accomplishment of which God in his word hath promised and foretold in and about this age In this way the holy man Daniel came to understand the work of his Generation First he considered the time he lived in to be about the end of the 70 years captivity foretold by Jeremy 2 He observes that there was a special promise of deliverance from this captivity made to those times Chap. 9.2 whereupon having discovered the work he addresseth himself to God by prayer for the doing of it vers 3 4. 3 Observe Gods visible dispensations towards that age and the various transactions of things therein how they correspond with the things foretold and promised for as hath been already observed in Generation-work it is dispensation gives the Call 4 Observe what work that is which is most opposed and raged against by Satan and wicked men in the generation For it is most certain that the work of the generation Gods cause and glory which above all things Satan hates being there imbarqued hath ever been the most opposed work by the Devil and his Instruments Was it not so in Moses his time Nehemiah's time John Baptists time the Apostles time and since that in Luthers time I spare to say and in our times too 5 Observe what not men of worldly wisdom and principles but the most spiritual enlightned Saints have upon their hearts as the work of their generation For from the beginning it hath been Gods way to make choyce of such for the discovery of Generation-work unto before all others The Old world had its wise men and men of rare inventions Gen. 4.20 21 22. Yet not these but righteous Noah saw the work of the generation Egypt in the time of Moses was famous for its wise men as also Babylon in Nehemiah's yet neither the one nor the other saw the work of those generations but onely a poor handful of despised people that God had in either Judea in Christs time was plentifully stored with learned Scribes Doctors and Rabbies yet not these but a company of poor disregarded Fishermen had the work of that generation revealed to them This though alone it be not sufficient to conclude the work yet when joyned with the rest credit undoubtedly ought to be given to it 6 And lastly Be much in prayer to God for light herein The great work of the Apostles generation viz. The bringing in of the Gentites was revealed to Peter and Paul both even whilst they were in prayer as Act. 10.9 10. with chap. 22.17 21. Having thus by this general light paved out a way to walk in My next work is to see what particular light by applying these things unto the present age may from hence be gained unto the work thereof And here according unto the method before prescribed our first inquiry must be after the age it self What age is that most likely to be that we are fallen into In answer to which my Assertion is that it is most probable that we are fallen into that very age in which the Jews are to be converted Now although here I must nakedly acknowledge that I could heartily wish for their sakes whose this little Book is yet clearer and more unquestionable grounds for the proof of this my Assertion than those that this opinion commonly stands upon Yet in regard I know no clearer principle to demonstrate for bare conjectures are no proofs the work of the Generation from then this taken for granted that we are fallen into that age in which the Jews shall be converted and also in regard it is received for a truth and so in case of mistake I shall not be the first by many late Christian Writers of worthy memory yea with much confidence asserted by the Jews themselves though under another notion than what we truely call it of conversion to Christ as Manasseth Ben. Israel in his Book entituled The hope of Israel Sect. 29 32 35 36. is proof I shall therefore endeavor to give you with as much clearness and brevity as I may the substance of that light which by the labors of godly judicious men as Brightman Archer hath been let into that Scripture which is the main bottom to this opinion leaving the Reader to judge and a little time to manifest the verity or falsity of what is written the which we have Dan. 12.1 compared with 11 12. where Daniel hath a promise made to him of his peoples deliverance and that at a certain time when Michael should stand up at that time shall thy people be delivered which words as I conceive comprehend both the beginning and consummation of their deliverance to which two distinct times are assigned as afterwards Now because this thing was a great secret and Daniels affection to Gods glory and the good of his own people transported him with desire to know the particular time he therefore moves the Question When shall this be How long shall it be to the end of these wonders v. 6. Answer hereto is
mystical body into one Pulling down of all high and lofty things and persons that oppose Christ The establishment of Justice and Righteousness in the world Striving with God in a more especial manner for a greater degree of his Spirit more light and grace than Saints in former Generations have had together with the exaltation of Christ as King both in his Churches and also over the world Which last considering how that all the rest are in a way of subserviency thereunto and do as it were centre therein for therefore are Jews and Gentiles at this time to meet together as Subjects under one Prince that this Kingdom of his might be great and full of Subjects therefore shall divisions amongst his people cease that his Kingdom might be quiet and peaceable therefore shall high and lofty ones be pulled down that Christ might have no Competitor or Check mate as I may say in this his Kingdom therefore shall Justice and Righteousness be established that so the glory of his Kingdom in this respect might surpass the glory of all Kingdoms before it therefore shall there be more of the Spirit more light and grace given forth to the Saints that so they might yeeld obedience to their King not so much from a Law without as a principle of light and love within I say all centering in this last my utmost conclusion is that the master-peece of work in this Generation is the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ 5 But how may I come to know or find out that particular part or parcel of work which is more properly to be my work in my Generation and which God requires me to be active in seeing it cannot be supposed that any one man can be active in the whole work neither undoubtedly is it required of him In answer to this I shall in general lay down this seeming contrary Proposition viz. That there is no part or piece of Generation-work but every Christian man or woman may in some way be helpful thereunto so far as he is called to act and consequently becomes guilty of neglect of Generation-work in not acting As 1 By prayer to God for the prospering and carrying on of the work Those who can do nothing else are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psal 122.6 yea all that make mention of the Lord in the day of Gods building Sion are bound not to keep silence nor give God rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth Is 62.6 7. 2 By humbling our selves before God for that whatsoever it be whether found in the people of God or instruments imployed in the work or any other that proves obstructive and a hindrance to the work When the sin of Achan became an obstruction to the work of Joshua's age Joshuah and the Elders of Israel rent their cloaths fell to the earth on their faces put dust on their heads humbling themselves before God for it Josh 7.6 Now although acting in this manner in case we can do nothing else may seem little in our eyes yet in the eyes of God it doth not so who takes it exceeding well at the hands of his people when they can serve their Generation no other way that they do in this When Israel had so provoked God that God was upon the point of destroying of them as Deut. 12.13 14. Moses then falls down before God forty dayes and forty nights and by prayer and fasting prevails with God not only to spare them but also by the manifestation of his presence and glorious power still to go along with them as Exod. 33.14 15. And how pleasing Moses prayer to God in this business was appears in that the glorious discovery of Gods back-parts to Moses and proclamation of his Name before him such a discovery as never Moses himself at any other time nor any man besides him ever had comes in as the fruit of this his interceding for the people and in behalf of the cause of God as Exod. 33.19 compared with Chap. 34.5 6 7. Moses did many glorious works in his Generation which others could not follow yet God chooseth to make his glory pass before him not in doing them but that which every Saint may imitate him in Daniel in like manner when as yet there was no visible way for publick actings in that which now began to be the business of the Generation makes it his private work to strive with God by humiliation and prayer for the same as Chap. 9. and how well God did like hereof you have heard before and the success of Daniels prayer vers 20 21 22 23. is sufficient testimony So also Nehemiah when the work of his Age lay out of his power to act any thing therein save only in this way of prayer and humiliation he as the other this being the common way of Gods people in such cases betakes himself unto this work of praying and mourning before God in reference to the same Nehem. 1.4 5 c. And how wonderfully God was pleased herewith the sequel of the story shews for within four months after his praying and mourning being in the month Chisleu vers 1. the ninth month according to the Jewish account as Zach. 7.1 in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes and the return thereof in the month Nisan Chap. 6.1 the first month after their account as Ester 3.7 and all in one year as by comparing Chap. 1.1 with Chap. 2.1 is evident God in an extraordinary way doth so bring things about that this Nehemiah the praying and mourning man for Jerusalems desolations is furnished with commission and authority from the King to go to Jerusalem and there to re-edifie the City and build up the wall thereof the very work of that Generation In case therefore Generation-work lie at such a plunge as thou canst act no other way in it or in case thou beest one who wantest both opportunity and imployment wherein thou mayest be helpful in any particular way unto thy Generation then serve the same in this general way which service from the hands of such a one is accepted of God and the party doing the same in Gods account faithful in his Generation Yet because many there be who besides the general way of acting which is a duty common to all may in other more special wayes be serviceable to their Generation who yet neither their call nor opportunity reaching to the whole work but some part of it will be further inquisitive how they shall know that particular part of Generation-work which is more properly theirs To the end that such may receive satisfaction in this thing I shall desire them to go along with me through these following Rules 1 Observe what part of Generation-work that is that thou art in a capacity to do Every man is not in a capacity to do the same peece of Generation-work but one man is in a capacity to do one peece of the work another
is my present work without delay to do For that which I find will further my joy in death I may conclude is my duty in my life and if a duty in my life and onely lifes present time is certain to me then may I assure my self it is my present work the neglect whereof as no pretence how specious soever can excuse it so the doing thereof will admit of no delays though there may seem never so great cause in reason for the same O have not then that work to doe at death the neglect whereof though thou mayst go to Heaven will lessen thy joy in thy journey 6 And lastly But how may Generation-work be carryed on so as that God may be served in the Generation In answer hereunto I shall lay done some Rules for direction and so conclude 1 Labor to find out what the work of thy Generation is and in what things chiefly it consists A right Principle and a rectified Judgement must ever goe before practice or otherwise practice would be irregular Now for our help herein some light already hath been given in discussing the two former Questions which by observing times and dispensations searching the Scriptures converse with Saints and seeking God that Christian who desires to be found in this work may for his own satisfaction add unto which work as very needful in this point to the end he may go by his own eyes and not by others I here commend to him and leave him to 2 Be humbled for it in case thou hast failed in the work of the former Generation It is as hath been observed Gods way to punish the errors of men in one Generation by blinding them to and laying them by in the work of another Generation which punishment in it self most sad hath yet a particular dispensation going along with it exempting all such from the penalty who for their failings in the former Generation have taken shame to themselves publishing their former errors and humbling themselves for it in the next Generation which you may read Ezek 43.10 11. Son of man show the house of Israel that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the pattern And if they be ashamed of all that they have done shew them the form of the house and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and all the laws thereof and write it in their sight that they may keep the whole form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and do them The Law of Reprieval exempting the offendor from this heavy penalty of being blinded to and cast out of the present work of God in the Generation he lives in â—is conditional if they be ashamed then show them but in case they be not ashamed but still justifie themselves in and own their former errors then of necessity the contrary follows shew them not the present work but rather let them be blinded to it hide from them the form of the house and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and the Ordinances thereof and the Laws thereof Let all be hidden from them and they laid by as to the whole and every part of it in case they be not ashamed 3 Convert private cares which onely concern thine own particular condition into cares for the publick and the Cause of Christ on foot Most of Gods people spend their time wholly in caring about their condition whether it shall go well or ill with them as to their particulars making it no part or at most but a little part of their care how it fares with the cause of God in the world Now as this care is too low for a Saint to be ever poring about so is it one main reason why after many years of care a dissatisfaction still remains in their spirits about the thing because they have not learnt to leave this care with God and to care more for the work of God and the glory of God Thus did Moses Num. 14. The people are in a hurly-burly and talk of a new Captain vers 4. and stoning such as would disswade them vers 10. Moses now in this tumult lays aside the care of his own particular safety and makes it his utmost care to divert the wrath of God that he now saw coming upon the people as vers 13 14 c. And hath not Christ himself left us a sweet example of this who when he was entring upon his great work of dying seems to neglect his own particular and makes it his great business to fortifie his Disciples against the storm approaching by giving them a seal of his love in his last Supper preaching a Sermon of Soul-consolation to them and also praying to his Father with much faith and fervency in their behalf and which is observable in his Sermon and Prayer both for one word spoken to himself and in his own behalf he speaks hundreds to them and to his Father in theirs Admirable is that of Paul 2 Tim. 1.11 who seems to forget his own salvation that he might mind his work whereunto he was appointed for he takes no more thought about that but onely to leave it with God I know whom I have beleeved and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day As to say I have trusted God with that I le venture that upon his care but in his work and for the cause of Christ he suffers all things and runs all hazzards that he might be found faithful thereunto I am appointed a Preacher and an Apostle and a Teacher of the Gentiles For the which cause I also suffer these things 4 Stand loose and dis-engaged from private interests Private interest of honor profit friends c. hath oft times been a snare to men and slurred them in yea sometimes drawn them to oppose the work of their Generation A private interest of profit though coloured over with a pretence of sacrifice led Saul to the sparing of Agag and the best of the flock contrary to the work of his Generation which was to have destroyed all as 1 Sam. 15.2 3. This proved a snare to him and for this as before he is cashiered by God It was a private interest of honor that made the Pharisees oppose Christ because the multitude which before adored them as Gods did now withdraw from them and follow him and so miscarry in the work of their Generation It was a private interest of relations that made Solomon faulter so foulely in the work of God in his days his wives drawing him to idolatry It was a private interest of friendship with wicked men because great men viz. joyning with Ahab and Ahaziah that brought the greatest blur and scourge too that wee read of upon good Jehosaphat in his days What shall I say more It was private interest made the
Gadarens send Christ away because they were loth to lose their swine Private interest of gain was the root of that great opposition made against the Gospel in Thratira Act 16.19 20. and after that at Ephesus Act. 19.23 24 25 c. And private interest of honor and preeminence set Diotrephes on work to oppose John and the work of Christ in his Churches Epist 3. vers 9.10 Private interest is an enemy to the work of the Generation and every work of God about it 5 Favour and own the Saints of the Generation and here by Saints I do not mean this or that party of men but such men of whatsoever party they may be as have the image of God upon them Christ and the Spirit of Christ in them To disown any such one though men call it disowning a Presbyter disowning an Independant disowning an Anabaptist c. yet Christ accounts it disowning his little ones In Zech. 12.5 We have a glorious Prophecy relating unto the last ages of the-world but more particularly to that age in which the Jews shall be converted and it chiefly concerns great ones States-men the Governors of Judah who in this day looking upon and beholding Gods wonderful appearances in behalf of his Saints under their Government owning of them shattering all that do but lifâ— up a hand against them to peeces bringing all Plots and Counsels against them to nothing they shall from hence be so powerfully convinced that they shall say in their hearts The Inhabitants of Jerusalem my strength or is our strength in the Lord of Hosts their God And observe it no sooner do they say thus Surely these are Gods people here lies our strength wee 'l stick to these but presently the work in their hands go on in despight of the most powerful opposition God making of them the terror of all the Nations round about them yea of the whole world which shall be but as stubble to the fire before them as vers 6. In that day viz. the day in which the Governours of Judah shall thus speak will I make the Governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf and they shall devoure all the people round about on the right hand and on the left A sad example of the contrary we have in David who though he were a man after Gods own heart and one that had faithfully served God for many years in his Generation yet by one injury offered to godly Uriah his hands were so weakned that as I have formerly said comparing after acts with what he did before we hardly find any remarkable thing performed by him in his Generation afterwards As nothing doth more strengthen a mans hand in Generation-work then countenancing the Saints so contrariwise nothing doth more enfeeble them than to injure these 6 Keep Justice alive against wilful offenders in the work Achan put a stop to the work of the Generation in his time but Justice having free passage upon Achan presently the work of the Generation goes on 7 Commit the managing of publique Affairs into the hands of faithful and holy men It is observable and but that I spare to run over again the list of Generations I could for proof thereof produce many instances that Generation-work hath never thriven but have bin always done by halves or peece-meal when it hath bin in the hands of such men who not being faithful to God have more pursued their own particular interests of honor profit and the advancement of relations and alliances than the good and welfare of the cause and the furtherance of the work of the Generation But that which is enough for our present purpose is how that in the last days particularly in that age in which Christ will pitch a field with those Kings of the Earth which stand in the way of his Kingdom he will pick and cull out as the only instruments that under him shall carry on this work such as are called and chosen and faithful as Rev. 17.14 These shall make waâ— with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them For he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful And also in that fatal blow which suddenly after shall be given to the Romish power and the powers of the world conjoyned his followers shall not be such as either rowle in the pollutions of the world or have stained their garments with the Idolatries and Superstitions of Antichrist but onely such as shall be cloathed in fine linnen clean and white as Rev. 19.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white For the fine linnen is the righteousness of the Saints And vers 14. The Armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white Horses cloathed in fine linnen white and clean Though men may imploy others yet Christ will by degrees lay them by in the doing of this work before the same shall be perfected 8 Take heed of divers things which if not prudently foreseen and shunned may any one of them slugg even a good man in the work of his Generation as 1 Take heed of being offended Christs Countreymen could not receive him for the Messiah because they were offended at his meanness and poverty Matth. 13.57 Many a man stumbles at the work of his Generation by an aptness to be offended at this and the other thing as First At the nâ—w light of the Generation As in the times before Christs coming and immediately after so long as God was opening his will to his people by a written word every generation almost did beam forth new light in regard of being Abrahams Generation producing somewhat that was not revealed in Adams nor to the old World Mosesses somewhat which was not revealed in Abrahams Davids somewhat which was not revealed in Mosesses Isaiahs somewhat which was not revealed in Davids Daniels somewhat which was not revealed in Isays John Baptists somewhat which was not revealed in in Daniels and Peter and Pauls somewhat which was not revealed in John Baptists time So in the Generations since God hath closed up his word truth having brought forth its last in regard of being and especially since the man of Sin who creeping in in the first ages corrupted and darkned the light of those times for many Generations together hath been going off the Stage every Generation almost hath afforded its new light in regard of discovery of that light which in the word had being before but obscured by the fogs of Antichristianism So Wickleff and John Hus in their ages made discovery of some light Luther in his Generation of more Calvin in his of more in respect of some things wherein Luther was in the dark and the ages since of more in respect of some things wherein all the foregoing Worthies were in the dark And this to say is no disparagement to them who did worthily in their
they come out of Aegypt but they are instantly at deaths door being surrounded as it were with destruction a Sea before them Roâ—ks impassable of either side an host of armed men behind them coming purposely to destroy them No sooner is this danger over but wanting bread the whole Congregation is ready to famish with hunger and this no sooner past but they want water and are all at the point of perishing for thirst and by that time this was over Amalek a warlike Nation engageth them who had never seen War in the open wilderness God had great mercy mercy upon mercy for Israel and here were great sentences of death sentence of death upon sentence of death attending them as they were in the way to it Now that which was the misery and indeed the very undoing of this people was that instead of beleeving when a sentence of death was over them they were discouraged thereby and streight way began to murmure which murmuring of theirs in the end cost them dear as the story will tell us But the principal thing in my aim is this which is worth our observation viz. That it was a mear discouragement occasioned by a sentence of death put upon the work of the Generation through the evil report brought home by those spies sent to view the land of Canaan which was the fatal Rock whereupon the whole Nation of six hundred thousand men and upwards Caleb and Joshuah excepted did suffer shipwrack as will appear by comparing Num. 13.32 with Chap. 14.1 2 28 29 30. A lesson for those to think of who giving way to their discouragements when a sentence of death is upon Christs cause do flinch from the work of Christ in these dayes 3 Take heed of envy against such whom God imploys in the work of the Generation Envy against instruments imployed by God in Generation-work was a part of Israels sin for which they fell in the wilderness as Psal 106.16 They envied Moses in the Camp and Aaron the Saint of God Meer envy against Christ drew the Priests and people in Christs time to reject him and sin against the work of the Generation Matth. 27.18 Mark 15.10 Envie of persons imployed in the work hath oft-times raised opposition to the work it self of the Generation That work which if done by some should have found approbation is therefore displeasing because done by others As said a Popish Cardinal in Luthers time A reformation indeed is needful and to the wished but that Luther a rascal Frier should be the man should do it this is intollerable 4 Take heed of procrastinating that work which is the business of the present Generation under a pretence that the time of doing of it is not yet come neither are things ripe for it This was the fault of those in Haggai's time for which they are sharply reproved for it who did put off the work of the building of Gods house under pretence the time was not come Hag. 1.2 This people say the time is not come the time that the Lords house should be built 5 Take heed of limiting God to Ordinaries My meaning is in case ordinary means for the carrying on of the work be wanting and cannot be had take heed you do not so bind up God to these as thereupon to desert the work In Generation-work God in all ages hath allowed himself a latitude in working not tying himself to Ordinaries Now when God walks in a way of Extraordinaries it is not only lawful but a duty in case Ordinaries fail to beleeve for Extraordinaries It was an extraordinary thing to beleeve that the bare striking of a Rock should fetch out water thence enough to supply a million of people ready to dye for thirst Yet because Moses and Aaron in an age wherein God walked in a way of Extraordinaries did not beleeve for this their unbeleef is severely punished Num. 20.10 11 12. 6 Take heed of neglecting the nick of opportunity that God puts into thy hands to do the work of thy Generation in There is a day and a nick of opportunity which God lets some persons have to serve their Generations in which if let slip they are gone as to Gods using of them any more and that past recovery Ester had a nick of opportunity which had she slipped though deliverance should have arisen to Gods people another way yet she and her Fathers house had been destroyed There was a nick of opportunity that Israel had to enter Canaan upon the return of the Spies which had they imbraced the door stood open for them but they neglecting it though it were in a hasty fit and a thing which presently too they recanted wishing they had never done it the door is shut and now it is too late to repent it for their carkases must fall in the wilderness Take heed of loosing the nick of opportunity wherein thou mayst act for God lest afterwards when perhaps act thou wouldst God will not own thee in his work 7 Take heed of forecasting events but do thy work and leave events to God Jonas by forecasting events that God was gracious and would therefore spare Nineveh and then he should be esteemed a false Prophet runs from the work of his Generation Jon. 4.2 8 Take heed of setling thy self upon seeming godly and righteous principles when these clash with the work of the Generation Many men look no farther then this in case they have a principle which seems just and pious they think that will bear them out what ever they do But had not Caiaphaâ— so when he was Lord chief Justice in counselling and contriving the most notorious bloody design that ever saw light What more righteous and seemingly godly principle then this that one man should dyâ— to save the lives of a whole Nation yet this principlâ— so just so pious to an eye of reason was the Foster-father of that most cursed nefarious act I mean as acted by them of putting Christ to death And here to add an instance or two more borrowed of a worthy servant of Christ in these our dayes Mr. Owens Sermon preached before the Parliament Octob. 24. 1651. being the Publick Thanksgiving for our Worcester Deliverance because fitly applicable to the thing in hand What more righteous principle than this that it belongs to the chief Ruler of a Nation to see to the profit and glory of that Nation Yet Pharaoh setling himself upon this righteous principle only evil as it did cross the work of that Generation to the end his Realm might receive no detriment by letting Israel go whose continuance in that bondage was so much for their advantage he and his perish in their principles being led by these to act against the work of their Generation So what more prudent and just principle than this that it is not meet to let a Potent Enemy into the bowels of a Nation yet Sihon King of the Amorites upon this principle opposing Israel at the
time in which God was leading them into Canaan he and and all his people perish by it Take heed of doing all that thou conceits thou hast a principle will bear thee out in doing 9 Take heed of lending an ear unto such friendly respectful offers which carry in the bowels of them though guilded over with outward respect and friendship a crafty design against the work of the Generation As Generation-work hath never wanted a party who have by open force opposed the same So likewise there hath mostly been a party attending of it who by secret fraud and pretences of Friendship have sought to undermine it which latter have oft-times prospered in their designs through the over-much credulity of persons imployed in Generation-work when and where the first have failed Was it not a very fair offer of Moab when otherwise they could not have their wills upon Israel then to come and in a friendly way to call and invite the people to their houses and to grant to them though strangers and men of different principles liberty to worship with them What a large shew of respect and curtesie was here And yet no other but a meer crafty design to draw Isracl to sin by which when no other way they could do it they drew the wrath of God upon Israel Numb 25. So was it not a very fair Petition of Adonijah 1 Kings 2.16 17. to ask Abishag the Shunamite to wife a thing one would think to man could have blamed yet Solomon spies out a crafty design laid in this smooth Petition which was to get the Kingdome and consequently to put by the great work of that Generation viz. the building of the Temple which Solomon was appointed unto So likewise what a friendly motion and seemingly full of dutiful respect and obedience was that of Shemajah to Nehemiah Chap. 6.10 wherein no other thing is pretended but the discovery of a dangerous plot in the hatching and tender respect to the safeguard of his person and yet this no other but a crafty design to draw Nehemiah to sin and to bring a slurre upon him in managing the work of his Generation vers 13. To say no more What could be in outward appearance a more friendly offer then that of Judahs Adversaries Ezra 4.2 to come and freely proffer their help and to joyn with Judah in the carrying on that great work of Temple-building which was the work of that Age Yea and to do this at such a time when the work was despised and had lien dead many years the instruments imployed in it few and weak so that laying all things together one would judge that there could be nothing in their hearts more than good will to the work and desire the same should prosper when as yet there was no thing in all this fair shew but a crafty design lying at the bottome of it to obstruct this work of God as vers 4 5 6. 10 Take heed of making reason of State the rule of publick actings Jeroboams reason of State made Johu perform by halves the work of his Generation destroying the house and image of Baal but winking at the Calves in Dan and Bethel This reason of State was that which led a grave wise Counsel into a most cursed practice viz. the voting the Son of God to death John 11.47 to the 54. The results of pure reason of State are oft-times dangerous most times contrary to the work of the Generation 11 Take heed of setting up humane Laws above the work of the Generation My meaning is in case these two come in competition rather to choose neglect in the work of the Generation than in any way to be offensive to humane Laws If the Commands of God himself and the special acts of his worship are to give place as hath been before proved to the work of the Generation then surely without any want of that due respect that is and ought to be given to mans Law it may be said and also without offence that humane Laws are much more to stoop and fall down to it the Authority of God being above that of man In Esters time there was a Law in the Kingdome of Ahasuerus and the foundation of it was no other but the priviledge and honour of the supreme Magistrate that whosoever man or woman should come in unto the King in the inner Court except such to whom the King should hold out the golden Scepter he should be put to death Chap. 4.11 Which Law in it self was not evill as it was meerly Politick respecting only the Honour State and Priviledge of the King Yet when the Cause and People of God lay at such a plunge that without intrenching upon this Law Gods Cause in that Age must have fell to the ground Esther though uncalled by the King yea more having no other Command from God as formerly hath been shewed but only the visible Call of a Dispensation pusheth upon the Pikes of the Law and runs the hazard of the perill of death and how wonderfully God did stand by her and preserve her in so doing the issue of this her dangerous attempt recorded in the History may sufficiently inform us 12 And lastly Take heed of conjunction with such who are not reall hearted to the Cause of God and the work of the Generation When Israel went up out of Egypt a mixed multitude of Egyptians and others that were not Israelites went up with them Exod. 12.38 Which mixed multitude did afterwards prove a snare to them even in the very work of the Generation by drawing the Congregation to murmure against the Lord Numb 11.4 And the mixed multitude that was amongst them fell a lusting and the Children of Israel also wept again and said Who shall give us flesh to eat What need I relate that which every one knows how godly Asa lost himself by his League with Benhadad King of Syria and good Jehoshaphat by his compliance with Ahab and Ahaziah And although it be true that the examples of the Kings of Judah are not in all things patterns for States and Kingdomes in Gospel-dayes to walk by yet the reason upon which the Seer reproves Asa because he relied upon the King of Assyria and not on the Lord fals as strongly upon professing States under the Gospel as it did on him who shall I hope be kept both from his sin and so from his reproof Which he shall continue to pray for who is a friend to Sions prosperity and also Englands welfare and interest which is and will be found solely depending on it They shall prosper that love thee Psal 122.6 Amen FINIS Generation-work The Second Part. Wherein is shewed what the Designs of God abroad in the World may in all likelyhood be at this present day and in the days approaching Being an Exposition of the Seven VIALS Rev. 16. And other Apocalyptical Mysteries By John Tillinghast the meanest and unworthiest of Christs Laborers Rev. 14.7 Fear God and give
stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion Rev. 14.1 2 3 4. are differenced from others not in this that they were Saints and others not nor in this that they followed the Lamb which others did not but the difference is made to lye in these two things 1 They were Virgin-Saints which had not defiled themselves with women i.e. were not espoused to any worldly interest the desire of which is as natural to the hearts of men as the desire of women and particularly they had never any thing to do with the interest of that Whorish woman spoken of Chap. 17. And this to be the meaning of the phrase the foregoing words do give it which by a parallel phrase setting forth the same thing cals them the Redeemed from the earth i. e. from earthly interests as outward glory honor riches c. 2 They were such who follow the Lamb whethersoever he goes Vers 4. If the Lamb will go in strange untrodden paths making his way over the necks of the Kings and Princes of this world they will follow him there If in unpleasing paths turning about in a manner upon themselves and treading under feet their beloved interests dear and near Relations taking from them their outward glory and ornaments yet they will make a turn with him and follow him there for they are such as will follow the Lamb whethersoever he goes Now although there may be many besides these at this day who may come under the more general Character of Saint-ship and followers of the Lamb i.e. for some time yet shall they be found short of these particular Characters viz. of being Virgin-Saints un-espoused to worldly interests and followers of the Lamb not onely here and there but whithersoever he goes Hence we have it specially noted of these that they sing as it wert a new Song before the Throne which no man could learn but onely the one hundred forty four thousand which were redeemed from the earth vers 3. Why doth the Holy Ghost say As it were a new Song and not rather a new Song The reason I take to be this because the Song for the matter of it in general is the old Song i.e. the same Song still that all the children of Sion sung together upon their first coming out of Babylon But now the Lamb their Leader having upon his march towards Mount Sion taken some strange rough untroden unexpected paths which they upon their coming out did not so much as dream of many of those who upon his first march set forth with him with as loud a cry as the rest begin now some to draw backwards again to Babylon some to lag behind their Colours and now they can sing with the rest no longer i.e. they cannot now any longer own his Appearances and workings praise him or magnifie his name for them yet for all this even at this time when many fall off offended the One hundred forty four thousand redeemed from the Earth they march on with the Lamb singing still owning approving his works resolving to keep him company whethersoever he goes Now in this respect the Holy Ghost doth not term it a new Song but as it were a new Song because it puzzles most of the old Singers seeming akogether new and another to them though yet indeed it is the same the change being more in them than in the Song and the One hundred forty four thousand can sing it still Hence likewise this One hundred forty four thousand are spoken of as being a select and picked party called therefore vers 4. The redeemed from among men being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb i. e. they are if I may so say for the choyceness of their spirits above others in adhering to the Lamb their Leader the very cream of men such as the Lamb accounts his first fruits i.e. makes more store of than of others who yet may bee of his Corn and a part of his Harvest too And as that which is not here impertinent we may observe that as the coming out of Egypt was in Old Testament times one eminent type of the Saints deliverance from Spiritual Antichristian bondage for which cause the Antichristian State is spiritually called Egypt Revel 11.8 and the comming out of Babylon afterwards another for which cause Rome in the Apocalyps takes denomination from Babylon So is it a thing worthy to be noted as touching both these Types that that Generation which by stirring set the work first on foot did afterwards prove the greatest I may say the onely retarders of it For as touching the first WHO hankered after the Flesh pots of Egypt but that Generation WHO though come out yet had been brought up there WHO moved the returning back again but that Generation that came thence WHO made light of the great things God did in the Wilderness but that very Generation who from the first had seen his mighty Wonders in Egypt As touching the Second WHO are they that cry out The time is not come the time that the Lords house should be built Hag. 1.2 But that very Generation who came out of Babylon with great hearts at first to do the work but were afterwards engaged in particular concernments and private interests building seiled houses for themselves vers 4. hereby letting the work of their Generation lie waste And truly it is that which I have verily thought with my self and that some time namely That it would befall us in this Age coming out of Antichristian Babylon even as it did them coming out of Egypt and Babylon of old i.e. we should see those very persons who leading us out of Babylon at first did cry Christs Kingdom Christs Kingdom either by hankering after the Egyptian Flesh-pots of Honor Profit c. which once having tasted they cannot lose the rellish of wholly to quit their first principles and affections and so set their faces back again to return into Egypt or if not so yet at leastwise as the commers out of Babylon did who were somewhat the better of the two finding difficulty in going on make a stand on the way there building seiled houses for themselves i.e. advancing their own particular interests instead of helping forward the work of Christs Kingdom What shall I any further enlarge upon this uncouth Theam harp any longer upon this unpleasing string It was without doubt an ill Omen to Barnabas when he chose Marke to go with him to the work who had before deserted it that he should do but little in it And indeed the Event proved it for as by that act he lost the hearts of the Church who recommended Paul and Silas to the Grace of God but take no notice of Barnabas and Mark So also is it observable that from that very day he who was so active before we hear no more of him True he had this to plead Mark was a good man but Paul whose eyes were more open saw that notwithstanding his goodness yet
must eat none at all he that thinks to have truth from such imperfect creatures as we are without error erres himself whilst he so thinks And lastly In case thou seeing reason for it dost receive things receive them not as bare notions which will be little benefit to thee or comfort to me that I have laboured only to fill mens heads but now and then suck upon them in thy Meditations perhaps thou mayest find some sweetness in them they have not been all dry bones to the Author in composing who there fore in his composure hath studied plaineness and brevity so far as will stand with weak capacities that things might be fitted the more without being tiresome or tedious for thy meditations Let none wonder I have written out so many Scriptures at large they were sent to me in writing I thought they might be so to thee in reading and it hath been sometimes a question with me whether a defect in this and a bare quotation of Chapter and Verse hath not made the Writings of some more dry to the Reader then otherwise they would have been I have no more Christian Reader save to beg thy prayers for me in doing which let me obtain thus much That in case the Lord make any thing either in this or my former part useful to thee and affecting to thy heart that in the midst of thy joyes thou wouldest not forget to send a groan or two to Heaven in the behalf of the poor unworthy Author who would not had he not much need thereof so publickly make this request and having need is glad he can do it that the Lord would make and keep him very humble that the improvement of a talent of gifts may not at all be prejudicial unto grace Withall that he may not at last having pressed others to the work of their Generation be himself found negligent and as an unprofit able instrument be laid by therein which he can never look down into his own heart but he seeth real cause to fear from which yet he hopeth Saints helping together with prayers for him he shall be kept who is One that esteems it a most glorious Priviledge to be of the number of those who follow the Lamb withersoever he goes J. T. generation-GENERATION-VVORK The Second Part. Wherein is shewed what the Designs of God abroad in the World may in all likelihood be at this present day and in the days approaching Being an Exposition of the Seven Vials Revelations 16. The Introduction AS the Holy Ghost in the precedent Chapter and the first verse of this hath laid down several things as preparatory to the following Vision of Pouring forth the Vials So do I judge it a thing most meet and safe in this our Exposition to walk by the same Rule and first of all as an Introduction to the whole to commend to the consideration of the Reader these few Propositions I. PROPOSITION That the time of pouring forth the Vials is then to begin when Antichrist is going off the Stage and true Reformation hath gotten some footing and the Church of Christ which before lay hidden and invisible begins to appear This is clear Chap. 15.2 5. where as Antecedent to the powring forth of the Vials we have 1 Victory gotten over the Beast and over his Image vers 2 which is not in such a sense to be understood as though the Beast his Image Mark should hereby be abolished or destroyed For then what need would there be of any Vials to be poured forth upon the Beast afterward the work being done and he destroyed already or why should his Mark and Image be mentioned again in the first Vial But the meaning is as I conceive that Saints immediately before the Vials begin to be poured forth shall so far have gotten the victory over the Beast as concerns either the safety of their own persons or the doing of the work yet Antichrist shall not have power over them to make them subject themselves to him allow of his Image Mark the number of his Name or else to persecute them kill them with the sword as in former times he hath done nor shall he have such a power as to hinder them in the work they are going about of powring out the Vials 2 The Saints who have obtained this Victory stand on a Sea of glass mingled with fire vers 2. noting that the Saints at this time shall have attained to some degrees of purity in Doctrine and Worship so far at least as to discern and renounce the gross Idolatries of Antichrist which are set forth by his Image Marke the number of his Name though yet they shall not have attained to that purity the Church of Christ injoyed before the corruptions of Antichrist crept into it For then there was a Sea of glass clear as chrystal Rev. 4.6 here is a Sea of glass but not yet so clear as Chrystal Though this Reformation shall be pure in respect of the impure and filthy puddle of Antichristianism yet shall it have some mud in it in respect of the purity of the Primitive streams And whereas this Sea of glass is said to be mingled with fire it denotes that the Saints in struggling with the Beast shall not be without some sufferings on their part though the victory fals to them yet a mixture of suffering shall go with the victory And also as the wisdom of God is manifold it may denote that the contenders against the Beast shall not as yet be so one amongst themselves but that there shall remain hot jars and contentions amongst them one party against another 3 The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven is opened vers 5. That is The true worship of God in his Church which before was hidden and private Saints worshipping God by stealth in corners shall now begin to be publick and visible though as yet this worship shall not be in so perfect and fixed a way as afterwards therefore set forth by the Temple of the Tabernacle for although the true worship of God was in the Tabernacle Moses built upon the first coming out of Egypt yet was the Tabernacle moveable and the Worship therein not in all things so compleat as in Solomons Temple afterwards Now find out the time to which these three Characters do most exactly agree and then we have found the time where we are to begin the Vials which not here to hint I shall hence onely observe That all those Expositors which begin the Vials with the Primitive times of the Church or those who coming lower do yet begin whilst the Man of Sin was in his greatest state and strength are not to be followed as guides in this thing To all which Expositions though nothing else were to be opposed yet it is sufficient that the Vials are called the seven last plagues Chap. 15.1 II. PROPOSITION That the Vials are to be poured forth by Angels onely coming out of the Temple cloathed in pure
work is of all others the greatest work and a neglect herein the greatest sin p. 15. to 20 3 In doing the work of our Generation we are most serviceable to the design of God that is on foot in the age we live in p. 20 4 God hath choyce distinguishing mercy for that man that follows him in the work of his Generation as 1. God will overlook many failings in that man p. 21 2. God will stand by that man and never leave him ibid. 3. God will own that man in case he live thereto in the work of the next Generation ib. 4. God will provide a hiding place for that man against those storms which may fall upon the Generation he lives in that is active in the work of his Generation p. 22 5. God will reveal his secrets to such ib. 6. God hath peculiar honor wherewith he will crown such p. 23 5. Neglect of Generation work exposeth a man to many danger as 1. Danger of losing Gifts and Talents ib. 2. Danger of losing communion with God p. 24 3. Of being laid aside by God p. 25 4. Of stumbling at the work of the Generation and all the dispensations of God about it p. 27 5. Of being blinded in or shut out of the work of the next generation in case he should live to see it ib. 6. Of becoming an Apostate and an open enemy to the truths of God p. 29 4 Wherein lies the work of the present Generation which is resolved 1 By laying down of some general Rule serving to discover what the work of the Generation is in whatsoever age or generation a Saint may be supposed to live in which Rules are these 1. Be inquisitive to find out according to Scripture account the particular age or generation it self that it is fallen to thy lot to live in p. 30 2. Add to this a narrow and impartial search for discovery of those glorious and remarkable things the accomplishment of which God in his word hath promised and foretold in and about this age ibid 3. observe Gods visible dispensations towards the age and the various transactions of things therein how they answer to what is foretold and promised p. 31 4. Observe what work that is which is most opposed and raged against by Satan and wicked men in the Generation ib. 5. Observe what the most spiritual enlightned Saints have upon their hearts as the work of the Generation ib. 6. And lastly Be much in prayer to God for light herein p. 32 2 By application of these general Rules unto the present age p. ib. to 48 5 How may each one find out that part of the work which is properly his work and God calls upon him to be active in 1 Observe what part of Generation-work that is that thou art in a capacity to do p. 51 2. Observe what work that is amongst those things thou art in a capacity to do in thy Generation which the dispensations of God without and the bent or inclination of thy spirit within at such time as the same is most spiritual or thou hast most intimate communion with God calls for the present doing thereof p. 52 3. Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which when thou hast ventured on it thou hast found God most eminently appearing to thee for thy encouragement and also with thee for assistance in doing of it p. 53 4. Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which thou being in a capacity to do in doing of art likely to meet with greatest opposition and that from all hands p. 54 5. Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which when thou hast had a Call an opportunity and an inclination to do it and hast not set about the same God hath presently withdrawn himself ib. 6. Observe what peece of Generation-work that is which put case thou wert to die would make most for thy comfort if done and most for thy discomfort if neglected p. 55 6 And lastly How may Generation-work be so carried on so as that God may be served in the Generation 1. Labor to find out what the work of thy Generation is and in what things chiefly it consists ib. 2. Be humbled for it in case thou hast failed in the work of the former Generation p. 56 3. Convert private cares which onely concern thine own particular condition into cares for the publick and the cause of Christ on foot p. 57 4. Stand loose and disingaged from private interests p. 58 5. Favour and own the Saints of the Generation p. 59 6. Keep Justice alive against wilfull offenders in the work p. 60 7. Commit the managing of publique Affairs into the hands of faithful and holy men ib. 8. Take heed of such things as will obstruct and hinder the work of the Generation as 1. Take heed of being offended p. 61 1. At the new light of the Generation p 62 2. At those stumbling blocks which are usually laid in the work of the Generation p. 63 3. At the declared dissents the private discontents or murmurings of a religious party against the work of the Generation p. 65 4. At the after miscarriages and errors of those who have been the onely active Instruments and lights at first in the work of the Generation p. 66 5 At the gastly looks and untrodden footsteps of some particular dispensations actings attending the work of the Generation p 67 2 Take heed of being discouraged 1. At the littleness and lowness of beginnings p. 68 2. At the powerfulness and successfulness of opposition against the work p. 70 3. At great ones holding off and withdrawing their hands from the work p. 71 4. At the perfidious and treacherous dealing of some particular person imployed in the work p 72 5. At the meeting with disappointments ib. 6. At unkindnesses received from those whose good and welfare we have ever closely pursued in the work ib. 7. At multiplied sentences of death put upon the work p. 73 3 Take heed of envy against such whom God imployeth in the work p. 74 4 Take heed of procrastinating that work which is the business of the present Generation under a pretence that the time of doing it is not yet come neither are things ripe for it p. 75 5. Take heed of limiting God to Ordinaries ibid. 6. Take heed of neglecting the nick of opportunity that God puts into thy hands to do the work of thy Generation in p. 76 7 Take heed of forecasting events ib. 8 Take heed of setling thy self upon seeming godly and righteous principles when these clash with the work of the Generation ib. 9 Take heed of lending an ear unto such friendly respectful offers which carry in the bowels of them though gilded over with outward respect and friendship a crafty design against the work of the Generation p. 77 10 Take heed of making reason of State the rule of publick actings p. 79 11 Take heed of setting up humane Laws above the work of the
generation ib. 12 And lastly Take heed of conjunction with such who are not real-hearted to the cause of God and the work of the generation p. 89 The Table of the Second Part. The Introduction containing six general Propositions in order to the whole Proposition 1. THat we are there to begin the pouring forth of the Vials where Antichrist first began to go off the Stage p. 1 2 Prop. 2. That the Vials are all to be poured forth by such Angels only as come out of the Temple p. 2 Prop. 3. That Gods call to the Angels to pour out their Vials is to be looked for out of the Temple p. 3 Prop. 4. That the subjects of each Vial are things standing in ppsition to Christs Kingdome chiefly things pertaining to Antichrist p. 4 Prop. 5. That the effects of one Vial do oft-times run into another Vial p. 5 Prop. 6. That the Terms and Phrases relating to the Vials are to be understood not in a litteral but a metaphorical sense p. 6 VIAL 1. 1 The subject of it the Popish earth or the corrupt Doctrine of Antichrist p. 7 2 The effect An infectious stinking sore causing in others a loathing and withdrawing upon the Assertors of Popish principles p. 8 It began to be poured out about Luthers time ib. VIAL 2. 1. The subject of it the Sea 1. Not meant of Nations in general p. 9 2 Nor of the corrupt Doctrines of Antichrist concluded upon in the Council of Trent ib. 3 Nor of the Political State of the Roman Empire p. 10 But The Romish Discipline or the Hierarchy and Clergy of Rome upon whom this Vial was poured out in England Anno Dom. 1641. p. 10 11 12 Two Objections answered 1 Obj. The Hierarchy and Clergy of England but an inferior part of the Romish Hierarchy and Clergy answered ibid. 2 Obj England but one of the ten Horus answered ib. 2 The Effects 1 Effect The Antichristian Discipline appears cruel corrupt and becomes loathsom p. 13. 2 Effect All those that live and breath in this corrupted sea die a civil death ibid. Some remaining drops of this Vial yet to come p. 14 VIAL 3. 1. The Subject of it the Rivers and Fountains of waters 1. Not to be understood of the Romish Bishops and Doctors p. 14 2 Nor particularly of the Jesuits ib. But of Some particular States and Kingdoms subjected to the Beast with their heads and Rulers p. 15 16 2 The Effect Bloody Wars arise in those Nations by which their Heads and chief Rulers are cut off ib. 3 An Adjunct A justification of God in the execution of his wrath upon those Nations and their Heads 1 By the instruments used to do the work p. 17 2 By suffering Saints from some more remote place p. 18 A reason given why this Vial hath a double testimony of the righteousness of it which none of the other Vials have p. 19 A reason also given why only the Instruments Christ useth and suffering Saints give this testimony ib. Two reasons given why Saints that have suffered in Scotland do at present in Holland do not with their fellow Brethren joyn in this testimony p. 20 The particular Nations this Vial falls upon are England the Low-Countries and France and the reason why ibid. An Objection answered How it can be just with God to punish these Nations and their present Heads for what was done formerly seeing they cannot help what their Forefathers did yea are reformed and do disclaim it p. 21 This third Vial is the Vial we stand under it hath for the greatest part passed over England already is now passing upon Holland and will shortly upon France p. 22 23 VIAL 4. 1. The Subject of it the Sun 1. Not Christ 2 Nor the Scriptures p. 23 But the German Empire yet not the war past wrath suddenly to come p. 24 25 2. An Adjunct A power given to the Angels to scorch with fire interpreted of the Call the Angels of this Vial shall give to the Witnesses now lying dead in Germany to arise p. 26 27 28 3 The Effects 1. Rage and vexation upon the Popish party ibid. 2. Blaspheming God ib. VIAL 5. 1 The subject the seat of the Beast 1 Not Antichrists Kingdom in general p. 29 2. Not the Popes Supremacy ibid. 3. Not Episcopacy p. 30 But the City of Rome p. 30 31 Two Objections answered ibid. 2 The Effects 1. Effect An eclipse of the glory of the Papal Kingdom p. 32 2 Effect Rage and madness upon the Papals ib. 3. Effect Blaspheming God p. 33 3 The time when this Vial shall be poured forth about the year 1656 ib. Two Reasons given why the Fourth and Fifth Vials have so little time allowed them for pouring forth when the former have taken up much more p. ib. 34 VIAL 6. 1 The Subject The great River Euphrates first not litterally to be understood p. 35 2 Not meant of the riches and revenues of Antichrist ib. 3 Not of the streams of Popish corruption p. 36 But The Turkish Empire p. 37 Here is shewed why the Turkish Empire is called the Great River and why the Great River Euphrates 2 The effect a wasting the Turks power and multitude p. 38 3 The moving cause To prepare a way for the Jews both to their possession of their Land again and also their receiving of Christ p. 38 39 Here is shewed why the Jews are called Kings why Kings of the East That the Jews con version shall be before the pouring out of the seventh Vial proved p. 40 41 Three Objections answered Obj. 1. The words speak not of conversion but preparing a way thereto answered p. 42 Obj. 2. The Jews cannot be converted till after all the Vials because no man could enter into the Temple till all the Vials were poured forth answered ib. Obj 3. The 21 and 22 Chapters of the Revelation which follow upon the seventh Vial hold forth the Jews conversion answered p. 43 4 The Angel of this Vial. 1 Not the Jews themselves p 44 2 Not the Turk performing it 1. Either by civil broyles ibid. 2. Nor by a diversion of his forces to some other place making way thereby for the Jews to rise p. 45 3 Not Christ by any immediate hand from heaven ib. But The Gentile Churches Proved p. 45. to 52. where also is shewed the cause of this attempt made by the Gentile Saints upon the Turk and the manner how they shall carry it on Here also the Prophecies of the Stone Dan. 2. and of the four Carpenters Zach. 1. are opened in doing which both are shewed to be one both are applyed to the Gentile-Saints the Reason given why the Gentile-Saints are by Daniel called a Stone by Zacharie four Carpenters Quest Who among the Gentile-Saints shall undertake this enterprise Answ 1. The same Instruments that shall ruin Rome p. 52 53. Here is shewed who they are that in all likelihood shall ruin Rome 2 Four Characters taken out of the Prophets
this spirit shall be mediate or immediate p. 34 Ans Partly mediate partly immediate The mediate cause of this work shall be a loud Call given to the dead Witnesses from Saints out of another place p. 35 This noted in the voyce from Heaven Come up hither Two Reasons given why this voyce is mentioned after their standing upon their feet not before p ib. Who shall give them this Call p. 36 CHAP. II. VVHerein is farther set forth the state of the two Witnesses within their Prophesying time and the time of their being killed from Rev. 12. Divided into seven Sections SECT 1. Examining the common Opinion which makes application of the things foretold Chap. 12. to the first Period or the time of the Dragons Rule before yet the Beast arose which upon examination is found too light Here the general method of the 11 12 13 14 Chapters of the Revelations is laid down page 37 to 43 SECT 2. Confirming the truth of the former by proving that the time times and a half cannot signifie 1260 years but three yeers and a half only p. 43 to 45 SECT 3. An Objection answered viz. That the War made by the Dragon Chap. 12. is different from that made by the Beast Chap. 11.7 p. 45 Here inquiry is made into the War of Michael and the Dragon and it s proved to be the late German War p. 46 to 49 Object It may be the English War answered and the Reasons given of the contrary p. ib. Here also is shewed that a two-fold visible Dragon is spoken of in this 12. Chap. 1 The Old Dragon viz. the ancient Roman Empire 2 The New Dragon viz. the present German Empire p. ib. Two Reasons given why the Dragon who governs the whole Papal Kingdome doth at this day choose Germany as his seat p. 50 A Reason also given why the Holy Ghost Chap. 12. glides so quick over all the 1260 dayes descending presently to the latter end of them p. ib. What of the Prophesie of this 12 Chap. is yet to be fulfilled p. ib. SECT 4. Another Objection That our opinion necessarily supposeth the Woman to be come out of the Wilderness and yet afterwards to go in again answered p. 52 SECT 5 A third Objection That this opinion is repugnant to Daniels time times and a half answered p 53 to 55. Here Daniels time times and a half are opened at large and proved from the Texts themselves in Daniel Chap. 7.25 Chap. 12.7 to signifie only three years and a half SECT 6. What useful truths arise from this method and what a harmony of truth following it we have in the 11 and 12 Chapters p. 62 SECT 7. Making inquiry after that remnant of the Womans Seed that the Dragon within the time times and a half the term of the Witnesses lying dead makes War upon Quest 1. What people are meant by this Remnant Answer is given in opening two notable Characters of them lying in the words p. 63 Quest 2. What War that is which is or shall be raised against them Five things propounded in order to an Answer p. 64 65 Ans A two-fold War 1 A War raised against them by the invisible Dragon How that shall be and why such a War must be p. 66 2 A War raised against them by the visible Dragon How and why such a War shall be p. ib. Yet notwithstanding this two-fold War the remnant of the Womans Seed shall not suffer much p. 67 CHAP. III. VVHerein is shewed the state of the Witnesses about and in the time of their Rise from Rev. 14. opened Divided into six Sections SECT 1. The common Opinion which applies the Prophesie of the 144000 to the time of the Beasts reign disproved and the time stated where this Prophesie takes beginning p. 68 to 73 SECT 2. Proving two things 1 That the Head of this Prophesie is to be placed lower than the Head of the Vials p. 73 to 76 Here is shewed why the Head of the Vials is placed somewhat upwards in the Beasts Kingdome and the Head of this Chapter about the end of it 2 That this 144000 differ from the sealed 144000 Chap. 7. p. ib. The scaled company scaled before any of the Trumpets sounded ib. To say because the one are scaled in their foreheads the other bear the Fathers name in the forehead therefore they are one can be no Argument p. 78 Two Reasons given why these are set frth by the same number with the Scaled ones ib. No Mystery in the number it self ib. SECT 3. Proving This 144000 to be the Gentile Saints p. 79 to 83 SECT 4. Handling three things 1 The Cause of this glorious Rendezvouz p. 83 2 The manner of it p. 84 3 The state and condition they shall be in hereupon set forth in two things 1 They shall be owned by some eminent Head raised up by Christ p. ib. 2 They shall set forth with praises p. 85 Here is also shewed where the beginning of this blessed company will be p. 86 Occasionally also here is discoursed of Daniels stone and it is shewed 1 What time we are to pitch upon for the first Rise of that stone 2 What shall befal the stone suddenly after it begins to smite ib. 87 SECT 5. The Characters of this 144000. Eight choice Characters of this blessed company observed from the text p. 89 to 92 SECT 6. How the work shall go from the time of their standing up until the beginning of the thousand years What Prophesies those are in the Revelations that afford us light to this Question p. 92 For answer 1 More generally the work shall go on with a more swift and irresistible hand than ever formerly p. ib. 2 More particularly 1 The Everlasting Gospel is preached p. 93 Five things very observable concerning the preaching of the Gospel at this day p. 93 94 95 2 Romes ruin comes unavoidably upon her p. ib. 3 A serious warning to the Papals Why are they warned at this day p. ib. 96 Here the Angel standing in the Sun Rev. 19.17 18. is interpreted p. 139 140 4 A sweet word from Christ of Heavenly Consolation to his people the day of their Redemption being now come p. 97 5 Christs Personal coming this the thing noted v. 14. proved by four Reasons p. 98 99 100 The Resurrection of the dead intimated in those words Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord vers 13. p 99 Why the Resurrection of the dead is mentioned before Christs coming p. ib. Not Martyrs only but all Saints shall come with Christ p. 102 What the Harvest and Vintage signifie p. ib. Christ himself the Angel of the Vintage p. 103 A Conjecture as touching the two Angels that cry with a loud voyce to have the work of the Harvest and Vintage performed p 104 Why one of these two is said to come out of the Temple the other from the Altar p. ib. VVhy the Angel coming from the Altar is said to have power over
behalf of that cause which my heart is inwardly perswaded is Jesus Christs to whom I could not be faithful should I now be silent having this hope that that heart which once had in it such a flame of love to the cause of Christ and was so zealous of the work of God in the world and against the Beast as that thereby many were provoked cannot but yet have some sparks of this holy fire alive in it and that there is yet in your Highness an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit saith in the word if so be the sound be certain and distinct tho but a Child blow the Trumpet Or if not yet that herein I shall discharge a duty in my own apprehension incumbent upon me and every of Gods people so far as they have light namely to inform your Highness what Christ at this day expects from you according to which he will account with you and if what is written be truth it is you duty to hear it yea where is but an appearance of truth if you shall without diligent trial either neglect or reject it though the grounds upon which you may perhaps so do may serve to answer Conscience a while yet will they not answer the Lord another day who will account with you not as with others but according to that Talent of light you have had and is held forth unto you the professions you have made before many of his people and the opportunities you have And therefore my Lord as it is now no time for those who either love the Lord Jesus or your Highness to flatter you or speak their fears mincingly So let me here say what not long fince I told your Highness in a more private way That I do verily beleeve the thing is already manifest to the Lord and the day is not far off in which it shall be to your Highness also who are your most faithful Friends whether those that now hang up their Harps though they may be but as one Micaiah to 400 false Prophets or those that are singing their Songs of which latter sort I mean for the greater part of them I may for the truth of the thing I am sure without offence say in the Apostles phrase onely adding a word They who never yet loved you truly now zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them and serve their designs I would to God I could speak otherwise and that private cryes might have prevented this publick bearing witness which though I had no other motive yet ingenuity did I not consider that when it tends to hinder in the Lords work it is no longer a vertue but a vice to be mortified would have disswaded me from The love of the meanest Saint is precious to me the favor of your Highness much more but in these divided times offering many temptations of this nature I have often remembred the case as it stood betwixt Christ and Peter Matâ—h 16.21 22 23. who when Peter by his love and affection would have put him by his Fathers work Christ grew offended even at Peters love and did abandon it My Lord if ever the Mystery of Iniquity wrought spiritually it doth at this day And no wonder for a fear and dread of the Witnesses is fallen upon the Beast whose blow that he may escape he would now if that will do it enter into a high form of Saintship and indeed who looks for Antichrist take him either as he is the whole Body or as he is this oâ— that part in his last state in any other Garbe than the form of a gloribus â—aint though he may have read the Book of the Revelations yet is he still to learn the Mystery of the Beast there revealed Now is the man of sin struggling for his Kingdom which he will uphold as long as he can but though the Dragon Beast and False Prophet joyn heads and hands together yet shall they not bee able to keep it up long no not half so many years as some dream of Ages for God hath numbered Babylons Kingdom and in a manner finished it the Beast and the Whoreâ—s or the Beast and the False Prophet are already weighed in the Ballances and found wanting the Kingdom shall as most certainly so suddenly be divided broken and given to another And as a clear evâ—dence hereof we have the signs of the times grounded upon the woâ—d which Christ did refer the Generation of the Pharisees and Sadduces to when they would know of him a sign Matth. 16.3 O yee Hypocrites can yee not discern the signs of the times What signs of the times had they Answ Two evident signs founded upon Scripture 1. The departure of the Scepter from Judah in Herods then swaying it who was an Idumean 2. The expirations of Daniels seventy weeks the limited time of the Messiahs appearance By either of these they might have concluded that truth they opposed and received him for their Messiah whom they rejected but this they did not but must have farther signâ— yet for which cause Christ calls them Hypocrites a wicked and an adulterous Generation My Lord Let me here say The Lord in his Word hath left signs of this time I am now speaking of no less clear and demonstrative than were the signs of thaâ— and although I am of all the most unworthy to be acquainted with them or any thing of the mind of the Lord yet is it my perswasion that some of them are discovered in the following discourse and he that shall without prejudice read what in the close is written of the time and compare it with the things themselves specified throughout the Book may possibly be of my mind at least not censure me for thinking so And if now My Lord as persons willing to be blinded we shall shut our eyes to those signs of the times God hath left us in the word and ask for other signs to know his work by and when we are called to do it it is an evident token even from our Saviors own words of an Adulterous and Apostatizing generation I had almost said and if I had his words would have born me out of an hypocritical heart My Lord Let me not be made an offender for this plain dealing if I am so long as the Lord shall keep my feet in the way of my duty it shall not trouble me and I have hope that in this I have had his merciful guidance and have not as yet stepped out of that way For if in the day when Christ is going up to his Kingdom the stones would not hold their peace should not the Children cry Hosanna then surely it is a duty very incumbent upon the Saints at this day there being nothing more obvious than that Christ is well onwards upon his march to his Kingdom not to be silent but although they may be rebuked yea dealt worse by for so doing yet to follow their
be ensnared and polluted by any through the least compliance with or liking of the great Whore that hath deceived and defiled so many with her abeminations We are afraid because we have neglected it so much and so long lest you should forget to study and enquire into the great and marvellous things that God is doing for exaltation of his own name and Son And what the Saints ought to do for God at such a time as this Vnlike to the Children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do We are afraid because we are so carnal and walk so much by sense our selves that there should not be such a living by faith amongst you as the word and dispensations of God require especially when we hear so many of those who formerly hoped and quietly waited for the Redemption of Gods chosen now being fearful and unbeleeving speak like Mary How shall this thing be seeing we know not how it should be brought to pass We are afraid likewise because our own hands are so heavy and we unable of our selves to keep them steady lest your hands of prayer should be let down at this time and Amaleck should prevail against Israel And if these things should be found amongst you of which we must confess our selves to be very guilty how ought you and we to fear and tremble and lye low before the Lord being very unworthy of and unthankful for all those great and terrible things which his hand hath wrought for us And if we have not had nor yet have hearts holy and heavenly and spiritual enough to walk before him with under his former and present dispensations towards us how shall we be able to stand before the Son of Man when he shall appear in far greater power and glory And to follow him in those strange and untrodden Paths that he hath yet to lead his people in and thorow Surely it is now time for us having been hitherto so much wanting in it to consider our hearts and ways and those wayes that the Lord calls us to wait upon him in Surely it is now time for us who have left our first Iove to the Lord Jesus for which we have cause to be ashamed before the Lord not onely to remember from whence we are fallen and to do our first works to love him as much we have done formerly but having tasted more of his goodness and seen more of his glory and hoping to behold much more of it to love him more than ever we did and oh that we had hearts to do it at this time Surely it is now time for those Saints that have had and have their hearts espoused to carnal and worldly interests as outward glory honor riches c. to look up to the Lord and to get their hearts dis-ingaged and set loose from the world and the things of the world and to be for ever hereafter without so much as a thought of seeking great things for themselves as becommeth Saints Surely it is now time for the Spouse and all the professed friends of Christ to cast off and abandon all acquaintance and compliance with Antichrist and to keep themselves so pure and to approve themselves so true to Christ that if the Devil should tempt them as he did their Lord by profering them all the Kingdoms of the World and the glory of them yet never to fall down and any way worship that Beast It argued a very chaste and faithful heart in that worthy Man Master John Knox unto Jesus Christ that when Edward the Sixth King of England offered him a Bishopricke he refused it as having Aliquid commune cum Antichristo something of Antichristianism in it Surely it is now time for us not onely to beleeve in Christ which many think is all they need to do but also to own him in this hour of his patience wherein he looks to beowned by his Saints lest he frown upon us in the day of his great power and glory which draweth near And Brethren let us make it our chief even our onely Design and count it our greatest Priviledge though we shall be men wondered at for it to follow and serve the Lord Christ in faithfulness and like Luther in the cause of Christ be content though our low and carnal hearts may tremble at the very thoughts of it to undergo the hatred and violence of the whole world Neither let us be too much troubled nor offended at those changes alterations and desolations which do and may and as Christ hath said will attend the going on and advancement of his Kingdom in the world which was that which some may be wel-meaning people objected to Luther That that doctrin could not be of God that was attended with such troubles and desolations who replyed thus Ego nisrtumultus istos viderem Christum in mundo esse non crederem Vnless I should see those troubles and tumults I should not beleeve Christ to be in the world So Brethren if we should hear of Wars and Commotions and upon the earth distress of Nations with perplexity mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth let us not be terrified nor offended but as our Savior hath bidden us look up and lift up our heads for our redemption draweth nigh And because it is high time awake Awake oh Saints lift up your hearts and cry mightily unto the Lord and never hold your peace day nor night and give him no rest for it will not be long till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth Stand therefore with your loyns girded about and your lights burning And ye your selves like men that wait for their Lord who cometh as he hath said as a Thief in the night who may be upon you before you are aware in an hour that you think not of And however you may be hardly used and beaten of your Fellow-servants and Brethren too who say their Lord delayeth his coming Yet be not wearied nor faint in your minds because of these things but be ye patient Brethren unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the Husband-man waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it untill he receive the early and latter rain Be ye also patient stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Grudge not one against another Brethren lest ye be condemned behold the Judge standeth before the door For he cometh he cometh to judge the earth He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth And you that are of a fearful heart be strong and fear not behold your God will come with vengeance even God with a recompence he will come and save you and will perform all his good word towards you and give you an expected end Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompence of reward For
the substance hereof there is more in it than barely my private conjecture And although this buiâ—ding may have in it much Wood Hay and Stubble which shall be burnt up yet is there also in it some Mines of Gold and precious Stones not hitherto found out which will abide the fire and the day is not far off which will make experiment of both And if in that day it shall appear that to a pound of dross but a grain of truth which before lay hid and buryed is here dug up and brought to light I shall judge Truth is of so great worth the Lord in this Dispensation to have been gracious to me and my labour notwithstanding many mis-apprehensions to be well bestowed Gold at first digging never comes forth without its dross And truly since I composed the same and saw that a very little time waiting would either prove the things asserted to be false Or if true bring them forth with a more general acceptation and conviction of the Truth thereof than I either now do or can expect it should meet with I judged it a point of prudence to forbear a while this enterprize But two considerations at present are upon me which over-ballance my resolutions the contrary way First A perswasion some part of my grounds for which are offered in the Discourse it self that a very cloudy day is to befall the Church of Christ under the Vial we at this day stand under some shadowings of which cloud though not the dismal storm it sends forth will even reach us here in England either in one way or another to which perswasion I have likewise and that from some ground this consideration added That God hath a special design to the end the faith of his people might not wholly fail them in this day upon the brink or beginning of it to let out such a light as to the great things he is doing in the world as shall wonderfully support the hearts of a remnant of his people and that quite through it Secondly That the very thing which shall set on foot that glorious work of Christ against Antichrist which is the principal part or the subject of this discourse shall be a letting out of light into the world a little before the time comes that the work is to be set on foot Hence Revel 18.1 immediately before the ruin of Rome as the principal leading cause thereto the Earth which before was covered with darkness as to the glorious designs of God as touching his work in the world is upon the sudden enlightned and what is the issue hereof why a speedy and irresistable judgement upon Babylon as the whole Chapter shews us These Considerations have made me think that as the people of God cannot in any way perform a more acceptable peece of service to the Lord Jesus in this day than by giving forth that light the Lord either doth or shall give them so likewise can they not in any work they shall put their hand unto do Antichrist a greater mischief next to his destruction it self than they may in this The Author acknowledgeth himself altogether unworthy of the first unfit and unable every way in himself to the second yet willingly would to the measure of his Talent be found in both He confesseth that neither in this nor any thing else that he doth hath he or can he attain thereto to have his heart and aimes so pure and spiritual aâ— it is fit they should and as he would they were yet resolveth that through grace assisting him neither the Devil no noâ— his sin shall make him throw aside that work in which he may do Christs cause or people any service Antichrist any mischief Which that it may be the fruit of this little peece is and shall be his prayer CHAP. I. Wherein is set forth the state or condition of the Two Witnesses within their Prophecying time and the time of their being killed and that from Rev. 11. ver 3. to 13. SECT 1. HAving in the fore-going Preface delivered so much as I judged meet by way of Preamble unto this our Discourse I shall here without spinning out the time or tiring the Readers patience whilst I detain him upon the way about things of lesser concernment enter strait way upon the thing it self That the Two Witnesses are the Magistracy and the Ministry appears to me a thing without dispute the allusion is so clear to Zerubbabel and Joshua compare Rev. 11 4. with Zech. 4 11 14. of which two one was chief Magistrate the other chief Priest and both these Prince and Priest were Sons of Oyl i.e. anointed in times of old therefore by Zechary and John both called two Olive trees Onely there is as Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the Two Witnesses hath observed this twofold difference betwixt the Type and the Antitipe 1 Zeâ—hary sees two Olive Trees but no Temple But John sees first a Temple ver 1. and then two Olive trees The reason is they in Zecharies time had as yet no Temple built but were to begin the world anew But now the work of Johns two Witnesses is not to build a Temple anew so much as to preserve and keep that they had 2 Zechary seeth two Olive trees and but one Candlestick John two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks the reason is this Zechary wrote in the time of the Law whilst the Church was National and so the two did belong to one Church John in Gospel-times when Churches were Congregational and so the two might be of several Churches Now the thing which doth yet further perswade me to hold to this Exposition is That excellent Analogie it carries with it to that of the two Beasts Chap. 13. which two Beasts as I have made appear upon the Vials p. 101 to 108. are no other but Antichrist in his Civil and Ecclesiastical State or the Magistracy and Ministry of Antichrist Now observe it as Antichrist by a twofold power a power Magisterial and Ministerial doth all the time of the Two and forty moneths oppress the Woman drive her into the Wilderness tread under foot the Holy City i.e. the People Truths and Worship of Christ so doth Christ all this time by the very same twofold power comfort and nourish the woman bear witness unto and maintain his own truth and worship alive in the world So that in short Christ raiseth up his Two Witnesses in opposition to Antichrists two Beasts Antichrist for Forty two moneths or One thousand two hundred and sixty days stands up with two Beasts to blaspheme God persecute the Saints tread under foot the Holy City Christ against him stands up with Two Witnesses to maintain his name and honor cherish his people uphold his cause and worship in the world And as Antichrists two Beasts are no other but the false Magistracy and Ministry so contrariwise Christs two Witnesses are his true Magistracy and Ministry SECT II. THey are called Witnesses their name being
say whether it seem not to savour more of curiosity than truth and might not possibly be by the wonderful wisdome of God so left in the Word on purpose that truth till the discovering time should come might be the more veiled I leave to the Spiritual and understanding Reader to judge The result of the whole is that the Prophecie of the twefth Chapter is not to be limited to the first period but brings us down even to the end of the second period namely of the 1260 years and consequently the time times and a half mentioned vers 14. is the same with the three dayes and a half Chap. 11.9 SECT VI. FRom what hath been said many useful truths arise which confirm us in the things before asserted upon Chap. 11. and also are a good confirmation by reason of that sweet harmony of truth it carries with it of the method laid down in this Chapter as 1 That the three days and a half Chap. 11.9 are not the sâ—me with the one thousand two hundred and sixty days because we have a manifest difference here made betwixt the time times and a half which answers to the three days and a half and the 1260 days 2 That the killing of the Witnesses shall not be a general act an act in all places at once because within the time times and a half which is the term of the Witnesses lying dead there is elsewhere a remnant of the Womans Seed standing up for Christ vers 17. 3 That the particular place in which the Witnesses are to lye dead is Germany because the War leading to their killing is in that Land 4 That the Witnesses in their killing time shall be deprived if not totally yet in a great measure of such outward Means and Ordinances as they enjoyed though in a mournful and suffering condition all the time of their Prophecy yet notwithstanding shall have a principle of life kept alive in them by the way of Christs more secret working therefore it is said of the Woman the 1260 days they fed her v. 6. but in the time times and a half she is non-rished vers 14. 5 That the People and Kindreds and Nations and Tongues Chap. 11.9 are such persons who drive on a worldly and earthly interest for they are here called the earth vers 16. And the earth helped the woman 6 And last That the people of God elsewhere within the time that the Witnesses lie dead shall have a cloud upon them and be brought into some straits for a War is attempted within the time times and a half by the Dragon upon the remnant of the Womans seed vers 17. SECT VII I Shall conclude this Chapter with a word or two of enquiry as touching this remnant of the Womans seed Two things concerning them are worthy a search after 1 What people are here meant by this remnant of the Womans seed that the Dragon within the three days and a half makes war upon 2 How or in what fense we are to conceive of this War made upon this remnant of the Womans seed by the Dragon Concerning the first I shall not presume to determine any thing of this people any further than the Holy Ghost hath who describes them by two notable distinguishing Characters as willing thereby to mark them out from all the people that within the time of the three days and a half should be found in the world besides First They are such who keep the Commandements of God By Commandements we are to understand those Gospel-Institutions Christ gave to his people in command upon his Resurrection so called Act. 1.2 After that he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandements unto the Apostles whom he had chosen Secondly They shall be such who have the restimony of Christ What is that Answ A Spirit of Prophecy amongst them Revel 19.10 the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy i.e. they shall be a people much looking into the Propheâ—ies of the last times having a great in-sight into what God is about to do in the world and abundance of faith in behalf of the cause of Christ so as not to fear it though the same be opposed by all the world yea and all the Devils in Hell Such a People who shall be eminent above all others for these Characters shall be found in the world at the time the Witnesses lye dead these shall be as an eye-sore to the Dragon who shall dread some mischief to arise to his Kingdom from them and therefore he shall wonderously dâ—sire and lay about him if it may be to rid these out of the way as fearing he shall not be secure in his seat whilst they are in the world and therefore having killed the Witnesses his next attempt is upon these But now as to the second How doth he attempt them or what manner of wat is it that he makes upon them In order to my answer I premise 1 That that Dragon which is the grand Persecutor of the Woman throughout this Chapter from whom all her sufferings originally arise is according to the Holy Ghosts interpretation vers 9. that old Serpent the Devil and Satan He stands ready to devoure the Childe as soon as born vers 4. He wars with Michael vers 7. He drives the Woman into the Wilderness vers 13 14. He casts a floud after her to drown her vers 15. He makes war after this with the remnant of her seed vers 17. 2 That this Dragon Satan being a spiritual and an invisible enemy and all the sufferings of the Woman until this day having been ever caused by some outward and visible means Wee may not therefore conclude that it is by any immediate hand or act of the Dragon that the Woman suffers but by some mediate hand that is some thing or power acted by this Dragon and made an instrument to serve his design against the Woman therefore is the Dragon said in his fighting to make use of Angels or Instruments vers 7. and also in his fal hath Angels or Instruments falling with him vers 9. 3 This thing or power acted by the Dragon to afflict the Woman is sometimes one thing sometimes another sometimes one thing onely sometimes more than one accordingly as he hath permission to act this or that thing and finds that by the acting of one thing or of diverse he may best effect his own design of distressing and if it might be destroying the Woman therefore before the Beast comes in he acts the power of the Pagan Empire after the Beast is come in the power of the Beast more in general but more particularly the power of the German Empire 4 That thing or power which is most commonly or properly governed by him is in a distinct consideration from all other things or Powers called by the name of the Dragon So of all the Powers in the world the Roman Power in the Primitive Ages goes under the name of the Dragon vers 3. of
plagues of the two first Trumpets it necessarily follows that this sealing is in time and order before any of the Trumpets 2 Because an express command is given to the Locusts under the fifth Trumpet that they should hurt none but those onely which had not the seal of God in their foreheads Chap. 9.4 A clear Argument the sealing was higher for the seal was then set upon Gods Servants and not a thing to be set for future and undoubtedly the words point us back to that very sealing Chap. 7. which was before yet the seventh Seal which ushers in all the Trumpets was opened The result is That the One hundred forty four thousand which stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion are not the same persons neither do they belong to the same time with the One hundred forty four thousand sealed ones the one belong to the first times of the Beast the other to his last the one are a company sealed at the time of the Beasts coming in the other are a company congregated at the time of his going out To say because the one are said to be sealed in their foreheads Chap. 7.3 the other to have the Fathers name written in their foreheads Chap. 14.1 therefore they must be the same persons and either Prophecy relate to the same time would have some colour of reason in case the thing it self by other substantial Arguments were first proved but till that is done to urge this alone is to begge the Question Nay could the thing be proved it would yet be a question Whether the Seal and the Fathers Name are one and the same thing and put case they are another question will arise Whether the end of sealing be not one thing and the end of writing the Fathers name another and if the ends be distinct then may the times also All this must be throughly cleared before any Argument can be drawn hence Now the Reasons why the Congregated ones are set forth by the number of 144000 which is the number of the sealed ones I take to be 1 Because the number of 144000. were the Lambs chosen number formerly and therefore they are the chosen number still 2 Because One hundred forty four thousand were the number he went off the stage with when for a time he gave way to the Beast and therefore they are the number which now the Beasts time being out he comes on with again As for any Mystery in the Number it self it doth not appear to me that there is any the use of this number Chap. 14. being with allusion to the same Number Chap. 7. and as for any Mystery there I cann see none save onely that Twelve times twelve that being the way of numbering there twelve which is a definite number being put for an indefinite makes up One hundred forty four and therefore so many twelve thousands are called one hundred forty four thousand SECT III. THe former things premised to the end wee may know where we are I now come to the matter of this Prophecy which sets forth the state of the Church within the third period i. e. from the ending of the Forty two Moneths the One thousand two hundred and sixty days until the beginning of the One thousand years My intent as touching it is not to carry an exposition through the whole examining as I go each particular passage with the minds of Writers upon it that being a work which would prove tedious to my self and possibly to the Reader but onely to give my own thoughts as touching some things that are of more general concernment and will be of more special use I shall sum up all within the compass of these four things 1 Who these one hundred forty four thousand shall be 2 The cause and manner of this glorious Rendezvouz and the state or condition this 144000 upon their first congregating shall be in 3 The excellent distinguishing Characters of them 4 How the work shall go on after once it is put into their hands As touching the first Who this one hundred forty four thousand shall be I answer They shall be the Gentile-Saints My Reasons are 1 Because they are the renmnant of that Womans seed that within the first period was persecuted by the Pagan Roman Dragon and afterwards in the second period by the Antichristian Dragon but these are no other but the Gentile Saints 2 Because they are such as the Antichristian German Dragon in the expiring time of the 1260 dayes shall raise a war against but they are the Gentile Saints 3 Because they are such who within the time that the Witnesses lye dead before the 1260 years are fully expired are eminent for keeping the Commandements of God and having amongst them the testimony of Christ But this cannot agree to the Jews whose coming in is not till afterwards therefore must be the Gentile Saints 4 Because they are gathered to a Rendezvouz and have glorious Characters upon them and that before the downful of Rome as will appear compare vers 1 2 3 4 5. with vers 8. therefore cannot be the Jews whose receiving Christ is not till afterwards but must be the Gentile Saints Lastly I say no more there is nothing in all this Chapter save a single clause towards the end that relates to the Jews but the whole hath relation to the risen Witnesses or Gentiâ—e Saints declaring how it shall be with them and what shall be done by them against Antichrist from the time of their rise untill Christs appearance As for the 144000 sealed ones Chap. 7. I spake my thoughts of them but now which cannot be applied to any conversion of the natural Jews unless we should suppose some conversion past many ages since indeed the Text affords some probabilities for this Opinion the Angel that hath the Seal coming from the East vers 2. the mentioning the Jewish Tribe by name together with the following description of the new Jerusalem As for that Argument urged by some from the multitude of all Nations Kindreds People and Tongues ver 9. whom they conceive are spoken of by way of distinction from the sealed company it proves not because should we suppose the Sealed company to be Jews yet it is clear to me that the Sealed company relate to one time the great multitude of all Nations Kindreds People and Tongues to another and thereby the ground of distinction as to persons is taken away for if these two relate to two times then may we by the one understand the Jews by the other the Gentiles onely or Jews and Gentiles both But to pass this as for the probabilities the Text doth afford us though I could as much as another incline to the opinion yet must I say I am convinced of it they are but weak and will in no wise counterpoise our former Arguments laid down to the contrary yet if a way might be found out to reconcile both that is to make this sealing to have a respect to
was the only man of that age that knew the times and seasons yet doth not he know the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh as indeed it was until as I may say the very day before their deliverance or untill that very year was come in which they were delivered Dâ—niel 9.1 2. compared with Ezra 1.1 2 3 c. THESIS XXIX The great unlikelihood in an eye of reason of bringing such great and wonderful things about within so short a time to which as yet we see so little visible preparation may well be a block in the way of carnal reason but why should it be so to Faith Seeing God hath assured us again again and again Rev. 18. that from that time wherein the proud Whore shall bee glorying boasting triumphing conceiting her self far enough from danger it shall bee but an hour i. e. a very little time to Gods passing judgement upon her in the overthrow and ruine of Rome the glory of her Kingdom THESIS XXX The sentence of death that is upon this work at present is matter of incouragement to faith no matter of discouragement seeing that from what I have laid down in many places of my foregoing Discourse it is a thing manifestly clear that a very black cloud to the end the work may come forth upon the sudden from under it with the greater glory and brightness is to come upon the work and cause of Christ among the Gentiles at the very ending time of the 42 Months the 1260 dayes as a like dismal cloud is to befall the Jews and Gods work among them at the very ending time of the 2300 the 1335 dayes If no such cloud did begin to appear there would bee cause of questioning our former principles but that it doth is a confirmation of them THESIS XXXI The fixedness of the time and certainty of the thing when the time is expired is no more an Argument for us at this day to sit still and do nothing in order to the effecting these glorious things than it would be to say in another case did I know the time of a mercy I may now sit still be idle sleep do what I will for I cannot have my mercy before and I shall have it at such a time THESIS XXXII The end of the 1290 dayes the 1260 the 42 months being so neer 1 Hence the several Discourses and hints laid down in our first Part our second and third tending to perswade That the day of the resurrection of the dry bones or the Jews stirring is neer are confirmed and made good 2 Hence what I have written Vial 5. p. 52. appears to be a truth viz. That the suffering of the Gentile Churches will shortly bee at an end for the 42 Months of the Beasts tyranny and treading underfoot the holy City the 1260 Dayes of the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth the Womans being in the Wilderness will shortly expire Now the Beasts Tyranny and treading under foot the holy City the Womans being in the Wilderness the Witnesses wearing sackcloth being the original cause of all the sufferings of the Gentile Churches their sufferings shall therefore end with the end of these for the Beasts limited time being once cut he shall have no new Lease of time to persecute the Woman tread the holy City underfoot the Woman once out of the Wilderness shall not return thither again the Witnesses having once put off their sackcloth shall not put it on again 3 Hence that which I have said Chap. 1. Sect. 5. viz. That the Witnesses do in all likelihood at this present day lie dead appears a truth for their killing is to be as I have proved Chap. 1 sect 4. in the last three years and a half of the 1260 and according to this our computation there are not at the utmost above three years of the 1260 to expire 4 Hence the glorious Rendezvouz of the 144000 of which our third Chapter treats cannot be full three years off for that is to be some little time before the compleat expiration of the 1260 days Thus much as touching the Numbers of the first Rank Numbers of the Second Rank THESIS XXXIII The Numbers of the Second Ranck are the 2300 days the 1335. THESIS XXXIV The 2300 daies and the 1335 dayes are likewise both to end at one and the same point Which is clear 1 Because the Prophecy of the eighth Chapter which lays us down the first number and the Prophecy of the 11 and 12 Chapters which gives us the second are one and the same the subject matter of either being the three last Monarchies viz. Medes and Persians Grecians Romans and also either Prophecy terminates at one and the same point viz. the final destruction of the Fourth and last Monarchy which thing needs no farther proof save onely diligently to compare the one with the other therefore the 2300 days which bring us to the shutting up of the one Prophecy and the 1335 which bring us to the shutting up of the other must of necessity end at one and the same point 2 Because as the 1335 days bring us to that time in which Daniel was to stand in his Lot i. e. to rise again chap. 12.13 But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot as our old translation reads it at the end of the days i.e. at the end of the 1335 days mentioned in the foregoing Verse Daniel should rise So the 2300 days brings us to the last end of indignation Ch. 8.19 Behold I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of indignation And what is this last end of indignation but only the last Vial of Gods wrath Rev. 16. the pouring out of which is at the time of Christs coming and the Resurrection as I have elsewhere proved at large Therefore the 2300 days and the 1335. do yea must terminate at one and the same point 3 Because the Personal appearance of Christ is the concluding point of both The last King Chap. 8.25 or the fourth Monarchy comes to his final end by standing up against the Prince of Princes i. e. Christ Now this standing up is not a standing up against Christ in his Members for that he did it before vers 24. He shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practise and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people But this standing up is brought in with an also he shall also stand up against the Prince of Princes as noting it to be another and a distinct standing up from the former that was against Christ and his members onely but this standing up shall be a higher act of boldness and wickedness in him viz. a standing up against Christ himself in person who now appears as the Prince of Princes the very name written on his vesture and thigh at the day of his personal appearance to destroy the Beast Rev. 19.16 King of Kings and Lord of Lord to vindicate the
likewise it is said vers 26. after 62 weeks that is 62 added to the other seven spoken of vers 25. which make 69 shall the Messiah be cut off and not after 70 weeks shall the Messiah be cut off because indeed Christs sufferings came before the 70 week was fully and compleatly expired These four deducted there remains to be accounted upon only 486 years which passed from the 20 of Artaxerxes Mnemon until Christs Passion THESIS LVIII Our third part or period comprehends the number of years from the year of Christs Passion until the end of the year 1655 or which is all one the beginning of that noted year 1656. THESIS LIX Within this Period we are to account upon 1622 years thus Christ was thirty years old when he began to preach Luke 3.23 from the time he began to preach until his Passion the common opinion holds three years and a half but we are to account three years only as is clear from Christs own words Luke 13.32 Go ye and tell that Fox Behold I cast out Devils and I do cures to day and to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected vers 33. Nevertheless I must walk to day and to morrow and the day following Shewing us that Christ in preaching spent three full years and yet but three for as he is baptised at the very beginning of the seventieth week i.e. at the beginning of the first day or year of that week so he is perfected at the end of the third day of that week or the third year from the time he began to preach Christ then at the day of his Passion was three and thirty years old which three and thirty years because our common account begins from the year of Christs Nativity we are to deduct these deducted of 1655 there remains only 1622 which we are to account upon THESIS LX. Let us now reckon up the three last periods that wee have gone through and see what number of years of the 2300 we have already gained those yet behind will fall in of themselves The first period from the first of Cyrus to the twentieth of Artaxerxes Mnemon contains 147 years The second from thence to Christs Passion 486 years Both together makes up 633 The third period from Christs Passion to the year 1656 contains 1622 The total Sum is 2255 It follows then that with the beginning of the year 1656 there are 2255 of Daniels 2300 years expired the remaining years are only 45 which will expire A.D. 1701 the very year in which Daniels 1335 dayes doth also expire THESIS LXI The 2300 dayes of Daniel are the best and surest Chronologie of the Number of the worlds years that have passed since the first of Cyrus or the beginning of the Persian Monarchy until this present day THESIS LXII The 2300 years ending according to our former Computation at the same point with the 1335 is a good Argument to prove that our course by a good hand of Providence hath been steered aright both as to the beginning of either number and also the carrying on of this great number for should we seek after any other beginning of the 1335 dayes then what we have before stated the 1335 dayes could never be brought to end with the 2300. Or in case the head of the 2300 dayes were to be placed either higher or lower or the Computation to be made otherwise than what hath been laid down then would not the 2300 dayes concur in their end with the 1335. And such a Computation it is necessary should bee made as may bring both these to end together THESIS LXIII The Harmony that is betwixt all those Mystical Numbers we have passed through is a thing very glorious and admirable to behold for there is not any one of them but affords a beam of light to the other The 1290 dayes affords a great beam of light to the 1260 and contrariwise the 1260 to that again The 1335 dayes affords a glorious beam of light to the 2300 and contrariwise the 2300 to that again Finally as the beginning of the 1260 proves our beginning of the 1335 to be true so our beginning of the 1335 proves the beginning of the 2300 to be true And contrariwise as the beginning of the 2300 proves the beginning of the 1335 to be true so the beginning of the 1335 the beginning of the 1260 to be true So that which is glorious to consider the Mystical Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations though diverse and having diverse beginnings yet have within themselves such an universal Harmony that each one serves to inlighten the other and the other him again THESIS LXIV The final Conclusion is That the rise of the Witnesses the end of the Beasts reign and treading underfoot the Holy City and the first stirring of the Jews will in greatest likelihood be in the year 1656 with which year ends the 1290 dayes the 1260 the 42 months The Personal coming of Christ the final destruction of the four Beasts or Monarchy and the compleat deliverance of the Jews in the year 1701 with which year ends Daniels 2300 dayes and his 1335. Matth. 24.48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming 49. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with the Drunken 50. The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not aware of 51. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the Hypocrites there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth A Concluding Word WHen Daniel understood by Books the number of the years whereof the Lord had said He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem he set himself to seek the Lord by fasting weeping and mourning When Moses understood the time of the delivery of Gods people out of Egypt to be at hand he not only strengthned his Brethren but took courage and went in unto Pharaoh Though it is far from entring into my thoughts to compare my self with these yet is it my duty and desire to imitate them in their grace As to the first my hearts desire and prayer to the Father of mercies is That a Daniels praying Spirit might abound in my self and all the people of God at this day As for the second my intents and purposes were to have closed up this discovery with a solemn Exhortation First To the Higher Powers of this Commonwealth Secondly To all those who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ within it But considering how poor and vain a thing the words of the Creature are and how little where much is spoken reacheth the heart if the Holy Spirit apply it not in my after thoughts I judged it better to leave it to the Spirit of God to set home these truths than to undertake to do it my self and therefore resting in these thoughts I shall only in a word or two deliver a Message and I hope not my own First To the Higher Powers the Message is this THIS PEOPLE SAY THE TIME IS NOT COME the time that the Lords work should be carried on Is it time for you O yee to dwell in your cieled houses and this work of Christ lye waste Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts Consider your wayes Yea thus saith the Lord Consider your wayes For if at this time you lay aside that work wherein the cause and glory of our dear and blessed Redeemer is so neerly and immediately concerned and attend to work of another nature which comparatively he calls you not to he will assuredly in sore displeasure with shame and contempt lay you aside ruine shall come to Babylon salvation and deliverance unto Mount Sion another way Secondly To the people of God in this Common-wealth the Message is this That although you are verily as unworthy a generation of Saints considering how formal the profession of some is how loose the Principles of others how unlike Saints of old yea Saints but of yesterday we are all of this so great Grace now ready to be revealed as ever the earth bore Yet that the whole world may see and know the exceeding riches of his grace and that by the sheddings abroad of his love which is a way more suitable to Gospel administrations your over-grown corruptions may be rooted out and the breaches of Sion made up and you made to remember your own evill wayes and doings that were not good and to loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and abominations his grace shall with a notwithstanding triumph over all this your unworthiness and he will yet redeem his cause from the Grave carry on his work among you before you and by you as Instruments gloriously and speedily yea with a high hand for his Name sake Thirdly in particular to the Imprisoned Saints together with all those who in this day suffer the reproaches of men the scorn and censures of Brethren for the testimony of Jesus and upon the account of his Kingdom my Message is Your Brethren that hated you and cast you out for Christs name sake said LET THE LORD BE GLORIFIED but he shall appear unto your joy and they shall be ashamed Lastly To all Sions Children wheresoever they may be that take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof let me say Lift up your heads with joy for your redemption draweth nigh For yet a little while and behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the Inhabitants of the earth for their Iniquity when as he hath purposed he will stain the pride of all glory and bring into contempt the honorable of the earth For it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompences for the controversie of Sion And though the scarlet Whore begins now to say in her heart I sit as a Queen am no Widow and shall see no sorrow yet shall her plagues come upon her in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord our God that judgeth her FINIS
King with acclamations which is all that such poor creatures as we are can do for him Nay if it be a duty to expect from God returns of our prayers then it is also a duty to have inspection even into publick affairs so far as the managing of these may have a tendency to the furtherance or hinderance of those good things which we hope we have been graciously holpen by the Lord and also had some favorable smiles of his acceptance in seeking his face for Nay if it be a duty to observe and follow God in the way of his visible dispensations or on the contrary a sin to be of a sluggish temper not regarding the works of the Lord nor considering the operation of his hands then of necessity must there be a reflection upon the publick actings of instruments either in a way of owning or disowning without which no observation can be made of Gods dispensations or our duty in this respect Nay lastly If it be a duty to mourn for the sins of Rulers to mourn when Christs cause lies bleeding then certainly it cannot be evill to have inspection into the one and the other And notwithstanding it is a more precious thing in a Christian to be found watching in his own heart and ways than to be prying into the waies and actings of others for which cause so far as this is neglected the common accusation laid to the charge of those who contend for the Kingdom of Christ without as if they did neglect the Kingdom of Christ within is a thing most just Yet let it withall be considered that the doing of the one layes no necessity upon a man of a neglect of the other for if there be but any thing of truth in that opinion it will be hard to say God hath laid a necessity upon us to neglect our hearts whilst which yet is a thing he wills us to do we are seeking after his truth And if through that corruption that is within any man should so do doth not this evill attend him as well in other studies as this by consequence therefore from this principle no truth must be inquired into But I have observed in this day a close design of the Devil driven on under this vizard and no wonder for Satan himself is now transformed into an Angel of light and I can the better speak it having felt when time was this temptation and thereby learned these who Lessons 1 To discern somewhat of the depths of Satan viz. That he perceiving the work that God is about to do in the world and knowing full well how acceptable a thing iâ— is to God as well as advantagious to the work it self to have his Children following him in his great designs and how provoking the thing will be if by any sleight he can but make them like Peter cross the Lord in his way and thwart God in his work God as a man in like case would do resenting one error of this nature worse than forty of another kind and knowing also that to say to them in plain language neglect this or oppose that without some very specious and glorious pretence would be no boot he therefore now comes forth as the most glorious Saint that ever came into the world and tels them that they must look to their own hearts for this is a blessed thing and therefore they must beware of such and such things for if they once meddle with them then farewel their hearts and to set a better face upon the business whilst he disswades these he sets on work some that are marked in their fore-heads for his children giddily and furiously to broach and set on foot those very things and designs he disswades the other from and then saith he now see whether this generation of men go and where you had been had you followed them 2 I have learned likewise to discern somewhat of the depths of the heart which would exercise the highest pride under a pretext of great holiness and humility for it being indeed a most blessed thing to attend to inward purity and mortification wherein lies the glory of a Christian now saith the heart how strangely do such and such contend for this outward thing and the other well I will follow none of them but I will attend to the mortification of the inward man I am sure in that I shall be right Now with this conceit the man goeth on secretly blessing and lifting up himself and he turns him and looks him round and loe all are out of the way but he Pride as it quickly grows upon such a root so is it more abominable to God by how much it is more spiritual then that which may yee discover it self more outwardly Yet let me say thus doth the Devil and mans heart at this day marvellously deceive many precious Saints in this thing who are apt to think that they cannot mind these things and as they should study and look to their hearts too Whereas indeed it argues a Childish temper in a man to think that he cannot learn the things of his heart or keep the same up for God any longer then it is exercised in those truths which more immediately concern the heart and life and have their foundation in Christian experience as if those truths which lie out of the reach of my experience as a Christian and more imediately concern Gods Cause and Glory without had not in them as natural a tendency to give a soul a sight of God and as great an efficacy to cause the heart to cleave to God and walk humbly with him as truths that lye within the râ—ach of my experience Nay I will here be bold to say that that soul who faithfully followeth God in those things wherein his glory is more immediately concerned shall learn more of his heart as it were by the by and have the same better ordered then shall that man who neglecting this makes that his continual study for it is not by our poring that we come to know our hearts nor by our struggling to mend them so much as indeed by laying them in that path where Christ in this or that day more commonly goes and waiting there to receive life and strength from him And farther My Lord as for contenting themselves with their own liberty which is the great thing objected to us our injoyment whereof as yet is indeed a mercy beyond what the people of God far more deserving in former ages have had the people of God could at this day do it were it not but that the sufferings of Christs cause their prayers having been long going forth and their hopes raised are now more unto them than any sufferings of their own And as Daniel first and Nehemiah afterwards though they for their own particulars were well in the Court of the King of Persia yet could not be well because it went not well with Gods cause at that day so notwithstanding Gods
given them from their work because their work is to bear witness for Christ against the Beast and that each in his place all the Forty two months that the Beast doth Tyrannize and the Holy City is trodden underfoot The Magistrate as a Magistrate bearing publick witness against the unjust oppressions of the Beast and his lawless Tyranny over the Estates and bodies of men yea and consciences too The Minister as a Minister against the cursed institutions of Antichrist either in Doctrine or Discipline Here its necessary we distinguish betwixt that general witness-bearing that is common to all ages and that special witness-bearing which is peculiar to these Witnesses and to this time viz. of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days There is a general Testimony which the people of God in all ages give for Christ against the World Sin Satan Oppression Error c. But that testimony barely doth not bring him who bears it within the number of these two Witnesses A Magistrate in his place may oppose Tyranny Oppression c. a Minister in his error and false Doctrine and yet neither of them Christs two Witnesses if there be not in both an opposing themselves to that special evill whether it be in things Civill or Ecclesiastical that was at first brought in or being brought in is upheld by the Beast for the peculiar work of these witnesses and the thing wherein lies the specifical difference betwixt these witnesses and others is That these bear witness for Christ against the Beast Which is most evident 1 Because Christ hath paired his Witnesses in the same manner as the Beast hath his The Beast as but now I observed stands up with two witnesses viz an Antichristian Magistracy and Ministry to maintain his cause On the contrary Christ stands up with two witnesse or a pair of Witnesses viz. a true Magistracy and Ministry to oppose the Beast and maintain his cause 2 Because It s for this Reason Christ entitles them my Witnesses because in Christs behalf they shall stand up against Antichrist as those are said to be such a mans witnesses that bear witness for him against his Adversary All that time the Beast stands up and would perswade the world that he is in the truth and his cause the right these two Witnesses on the contrary stand up and profess before the world that he is the Beast and his cause the cause of Antichrist and not of Christ 3 Which is the principal Reason because the time that these Witnesses bear their witness is the very time of the Beasts reign The time of the Beasts reign and treading under foot the Holy City is Forty two months Rev. 13.5 Chap. 11.2 The time of these two Witnesses is One thousand two hundred and sixty days Vers 3. And I will give power to my two Witnesses and they shall Prophecy one thousand two hundred and sixty days Now that the Forty two months and the One thousand two hundred and sixty days are one and the same I prove not onely from the general consent of Expositors who acknowledge the thing giving this reason for it Because say they forty two mouths reduced into days and reckoning thirty days to each month which is the Grecian account which John writing to the Church of GOD then resident among the Greeks did observe make up the full sum of One thousand two hundred and sixty days not a day over or under But I prove it hence that indeed this thing must needs be so for let it be considered what is the very cause that these two Witnesses wear sackcloth this long term of one thousand two hundred and sixty years the cause is not the sufferings of the Saints thoughout this time for had that been the cause then should these Witnesses have put on their sackeloth more early viz. with the time of the ten first Persecutions which was a day of as sore sufferings as ever any hath been since but then these two Witnesses here mentioned were not in their sackcloth but contrariwise the Woman all that time was cloathed with the Sun Chap. 12.1 the two Witnesses in Sackcloth therefore were not then up But the cause yea the very cause why the Witnesses wear mourning attire is because they hear the continual Blasphemies of the Beast against God his name and Tabernacle and them that dwel in Heaven They see the Holy City the Truths and Worship of Christ trodden under foot by the Beast and they not able to rescue them out of his hands this makes them put on sackcloth and mourn before the Lord. Now consider the term of time that is given to the Beast to continue to do these things is forty two months this being so it will follow that in case this forty two months were a time either longer or shorter than the one thousand two hundred and sixty days then must also the witnesses wearing sackcloth be by so much longer or shorter then 1260 days for continue the cause and we continue the effect also and contrariwise take away the cause and the effect ceaseth Upon this Principle it being a thing manifestly clear that the 42 months the 1260 days make up but one and the same number of years which also must of necessity begin and end together Hence it is evident that that very act which I may call the constitutive act i. e. the act which makes these Witnesses to be such is bearing witness against the Beast take this away though they may stand up against all the evill that is in the world besides yet are they not Christs Witnesses if they do not in particular appear against the evil of the Beast for if this be not the meaning what reason is or can be given why their witness-Bearing should be thus restrained onely to the time of the Beast seeing in the other sense it s a duty in all ages to bear witness and those Instruments the Lord hath raised up in all ages have done it 1 Hence a man may be a godly man and in a more general way bear witness for Christ and yet none of Christs Two Witnesses 2 Hence it s of more concernment than many are aware of to be inquiring into and publickly appearing against whatsoever is of the Beast though the thing be never so small A man in publick place may cease to be a witness of Christ if publickly he do not bear witness against these things 3 Hence such Laws Principles and Practices as tend to suppress this witness-bearing against the Beast are themselves expressely Antichristian and of the Beast SECT III. THese Witnesses are called two because of the fewness of them say some Because two is a number sufficient to bear a witness and without two a witness is invalid say others I no way disapprove these conjectures but I must confess I judge it most agreeable to the Text to say they are therefore called two because they consist of two sorts or two ranks of men viz. Christs