the second Face is of a Man therefore the number 666 is the number of a Man to wit containing 666 Years from the Year sinâ—e Christ's Nativity 1036 to the Year 1702 for about the said Year 1036 the second Beast whose number is here computed Ascended out of the Earth vix in the time when Gregory the seventh flourish't who Exalted himself above the Emperor 2 Seeing the Intrerval of every Seal except the seventh contains 333 Years hence it appears that from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the first part of the Millenium there are about 2000 Years and therefore from Christ's Death and Resurrection to the end of the World there are about 3000 Years which confirms the aforesaid Chronology the same is also confirmed by the Intervals of the Trumpets 3. Now whereas the Interval of each Trumpet is 260 Years this doth not seem to want a mystery for so many days as it were doth the Infant remain in his Mothers Womb and in Esdras the Lodging Rooms or Chambers of the Soul are likened to the Womb of a Wâ—man because then exactly in 260 Years the Soul is recall'd to live again in a Body of Flesh as it were at the sound of the Trumpet of God himself therefore the Interval of every Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 73 Years be added for the age of Mâ—n in a Body of Flesh the sum will be 333 Years aforesaid 4. Morâ—over God out of his great Goodnâ—ss and Wisdom has so decreed that Men should not live altogether and at one time a thousand Years compleat in the corrupt â—tate of a Carnal Body and it stands with the justice of God that they shall live the said thousand Years by parts for by the frequent Death of Men Mankind is better provided for and their Benefit and Advantage consulted for thus God often cuts off Men to plant and ingraft them anew Whereas if Men should at once live a thousand Years compleatly in the State of Corruption they would so degenerate that their Repentance and Salvation woâ—ld be far more difficult 5. But if any shouâ—d demand to what purpose God should call his Saints to live in a Terrestrial and Carnal Body a thousand Years and whether it were not better for them and more desirable to them to remain with God in the Heavens I answer God knows better than we what is most conducive to our Profit and Advantage And therefore the Saints ought to live a thousand Years on Earth partly that they may receive a visible Reward from God in the sight of the Wicked and Ungodly to their greater shame confusion and Condemnation and partly and indeed chiefly that they may be prepared and qualiâ—ied in that Millenium or thousand Years of Life to obtain so much and so great Glory as they shall be invested with when they shall ascend Bodily into Heaven A FEW QUESTIONS BY Way of Exposition ON Each Chapter of the Revelations of St. Iohn Wherein little or in a manner nothing except what pertains to the History is positively concluded but all are left to the free and Impartial Iuâ—gment and Ezamination of the lovers of Truth CHAP. I. QUâ—st 1. What may we understand by the seven Churches of Asia By Churches seven States of the Vniveersal Ch. to whom Iohn wrote Whether seven Churches then in being Or rather whether they were not seven States of the Universal Church from the time of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection to that so famous and noted time of the Restoration of all things called in sundry places of Scripture a Sabbath And in the old Testament prefigured under the common Sabbath of Days and Years Which if Iohn had intended of particular Churches then in Being why did he confine himself to a septenary Numberâ— were there not in Asia more than seven Churches Again seeing he termed that which he wrote unto them a Prophesie which hath respect to the time to come this doth not seem to agree so well with certaâ—n particular Churches then in being as with the Universal Church understood by seven States or Conditions this Church was in for the space of 2000 Years and seeing a septenary number is a mystical Number whether or no this doth not seem to be adapted to the Mystery of the seven Spirits Stars or Angels Quest. 2. Who are we to understand by the seven Angels of the seven Churches Whether are they Presidents or Pastors or Angels properly so called having distinct Administrations over those Churches For it appears from Dâ—niel and other places of Scripture that they were set over Kingdoms and Nations as God`s Vicegerents Why not then over Churches Seeing they are call'd miâ—â—â—tâ—â—ng Spiâ—its sent out to minister tâ— all those who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heâ— 1.14 And Heb. 2.5 it is 〈◊〉 unto the Angels he hath not as yâ—t put in subjection the World to come Whether or no this doth not intimate that this present World is subject to Angels but the World to come only subject to God and Christ And lastly seeing the Kingdoms of this World have their Ages and periods of time the Church will likewise have her Ages and Periods And why may not peculiar Angels be understood to preside and govern in particular Ages of the Church appointed and ordained by the most high to execute that Function CHAP. II. QUest 3. Whether or no the interval of the Church * The Church of Ephesus from the year 1â— to the year â—â—â— since Christs Resuâ—rection of Ephesus according to the aâ—oresâ—id Hypothâ—sis will not contain 33â—â— years from the Resurrection of Christ and in like manner the Church of Smyrna the same and so understand oâ— the rest except the Church of Laodicâ—a concerning which it may be quâ—stioned whether it doth noâ— belong to the interval of the Church of Philadelphia For in respect of its State and Condition whereâ—of Iohn gave an excellent description it extends to the Sabbath of the World Then whether the Church of Laodicea will noâ— have the same interval of time with it thoâ— it be not the same with the said Church but widely different from it Who are to be understood by the Church of Laodicea â— but certain luke-warm professours of the Christian Religion having a great notion and profession of the truth but possessing in a manner nothing of the Life and Power of it And doth not this clearly appear from the signification of the Words Philadâ—lphia and Laodiceâ— For Philadelphia signifies the love of the Brethren including certain Christian Virtues but Laodicea imports as much as popular Justice which for the most part is in a manner none at allâ— Furthermore by the same Reason thâ— whole interval of two thousand years may be distributed into six equal partsâ— whereof each will contain 333 years and â…“ of a year Whether is it not more consentaneous to reason that those intervals of the Churches be equally divided if the Historical events of them do better agree with these
and Hail signifie great Strife and Contention that arose among the Members of the Church within this Interval which indeed did very much injure and prejudice the tender Branches of Celestial and Divine Life among Christians as Iohn said the third part of the Trees were consumed with Fire and all the green * Grass Grass was burnt up Now by the †Trees Trees are not the stronger and as it were â—ounder Christians to be understood and by the Grass such as are more feeble and unsound And how exactly do these Predictions agree with the first Interval of the seven Trumpets viz. from the year of Christ's Nativity 214 to the year 474 For how miserably during all this time was the Church afflicted with the Debates and Controversies of divers Bishops and Presbyters that erred from the true Faith of Christ such as were Novatus Sabellius Samosatenus * Authors of Heresie Manes Arrius Donatus Macedonius Apollinaris Pelagius Nestorius Eutyches all these were so many principal Authors of Sects and Heresies within this Interval whose Heresies and false Opinions wherewith they broke the peace of the Church would be too tedious here to recite †Fire mixt with Blood And was it not Fire mixt with Blood when many of those Sects and Heresies killed others call'd Christians and their Brethren with the Sword Quest. 46. What ought we to understand by the great * The Mountain cast into the Sea Mountain cast into the Sea by which the third part of the Sea turn'd into Blood within the Interval of the second †The second Trumpet Trumpet from the year 474 to the year 734 Doth not this apparently signifie the Defection and Apostasie of many â—rom the Christian Faith which seemed like some great Mountain as the Roman Church was at that time And behold how this great Mountain burns with the Fire of Envy and Malice and tumbles into the Sea and turns the third part thereof into Blood involving a great part of the Roman Empire in Destruction War and Blood-shed as indeed it fâ—ll out For in the greatest part of this Interval much Blood was spilt insomuch that Rome was burnt and pillag'd about the year 550 by Totila and all Italy about that time was miserably wasted and destroyed by the Goths and Lombards are not all these most just punishments inâ—licted by God on the Roman Church for their Apostasie And that she lifted her self above all other Churches and set up her Bishops above all other Bishops of the World and this proud Usurpation of the Roman Bishops over others quickly began after the days of Zosimus Boniface the first and Coeleâ—tine the first who assumed to themselves this Pâ—eheminence and Authority over their Brethren a little moâ—e than 400 Years after the Birth of Christ yet could not absolutely obtain it untill the Year 606 when Boniface the third was constituted the first Universal Bishop over all Churches by the Authority of Phocas who killed his Master the Emperor Mauritius and by villainy assumed his place Quest. 47. What may we understand by the great Star * What the great Star meanâ— falling from Heaven on the Rivers of Water and turning the Waters into Wormwood within the Interval of the third Trumpet viz. From the Year 734 to the Year 994 was it not a greater degree of Apostasie the great Star that fell from Heaven on the Riveâ—s signifying some evil Angel inspiring the Doctors and Preachers of the Roman Church with the worst and most pernicious Doctrines which Doctrines certainly were like to Wormwood for bitternesâ— And did not this evidently come to pass at what time the Bishops and Doctors of the Roman Church eagerly preach'd up the Pope's Supremacy and Jurisdiction above all other Bishops likewise they set up and established a multitude of humane Traditions as Masses to be said for the Dead that Men should be confin'd by an Oath or a Vow to a Monastical Life that Priests ought not to Marry with many more of the like nature Besides also within this Interval the Popes and Bishops of Rome did mightily promote the Adoration and Worship of Images and thus not without great reason was the third part of the Waters said to be turn'd into Wormwood and it is affirmed that many dyed by drinking those bitter waters But some there were preserv'd alive who did not drink of those bitter waters but of the pure Water of the word of eternal Life and sound Doctrine and indeed these were the Witnesses of God in those corrupt times such as were Adelbertus a French-Man Clement and Samson Scotch-Men with sundry others in divers Kindoms and Provinces of the World Quest. 48. How must we understand that the third part of the Sun Moon and Stars were smitten within the Interval of the fourth Trumpet viz. From the Year 994 to the Year 1254 Doth not this signifie that the Grandure and Majesty of Emperors and Christian Kings should be very much eclipsed within this Interval And did not this certainly come to pass when the Pope challeng'd to himself and proudly usurp'd Power and Authority over divers Emperors Kings and Princes in the whole Christian VVorld And indeed obtained it Gregory the seventh otherwâ—se call'd Hildebrand excommunicates anâ— deposes the Emperor Henry the fourth abouâ— the year of Châ—ist 1073. About the yeaâ— 1100 Paschal the second ceases to reckoâ— the date by the years of the Empire bâ—â— contraâ—y to the ancient custom begins â— new Account from the Popes ex gr Sayinâ— in this year of thâ—s or that Pope instead oâ— this or that Emperor Pope Hadrian thâ— fourth bestowed â—reland upon Henry the seâ—cond King of England as a Gift for whicâ— the said Henry became tributary to the Popeâ— and every Family in the whole Kingdom waâ— oblig'd to pay to the Pope one Penny per annâ— Pope Alexandâ—â— alias Barbarossa set hiâ— Foot upon the Neck of Frâ—derick the Emperor Innocent the third takes care to constitute Otho Emperor and afterwards exâ—communicates him Iâ—hn King of Englanâ— was deposed by the Pope and as some affirm poyson'd at last by some oâ— the Pope's Emissaries Gregory thâ— Ninth Gregory the Ninth An. 1233. who was Pope abouâ— the year 12â—3 said there werâ— two gâ—eat Lights the Pope and the Emâ—peâ—or the Pope like the Sun and the Emâ—peror as the Moon this so vexed the Emâ—peror that he call'd the Pope Antichrist Likewise about the year 124â— Frederiâ—â— was deposed by the Pope's Authority 〈◊〉 not all these Transactions wiâ—h many moâ—â— clearly explain to us the effects of the †The fourth Trumpet fourth Trumpet Quest. 49. What may we understand by the Star that * A Star falling on the Earth The fiâ—th Trumpet fell from Heaven to the Earth within the Interval of the fifth Trumpet to which was given the Key of the bottomless Pit and aâ—ter the bottomless Pâ—t was opened there arose a smoake from thence c. And what may be thought the
equal intervals or distances than with others that are unequal Quest. 4. Do not the names of the seven Churches symbolically intimaâ—e some certain marks and properties of the said Churches and whether or no that Term or Title of Asia signifies only that part of the World so called or rather the whole Globe of the Earth or visible World which by some learned Men is call'd Asia from the Hebrew Root Gnasa that is he made as disâ—inguished from those superiour Worlds Iezirah Briah and Aziluth so call'd all which names of Woâ—lds aâ—e to be found in Scripture Quest. 5. Whether or no the Name Title or Character of the Church * The Ephesian Church of Ephesus doth not properly agree to the State of the Church from the time of Christ's Râ—sâ—rrection to the year of his Ascension 333 which is the three Hundred siâ—ty and sixth year * Anno 366. from his Nativity for some render the Word in Latin Desiderabilis desirable or Amabilis Lovely and certainly such was the primitive Church from â—he days of the Apostles or as others read it Remittens Relaxatus importing to slackâ—n and râ—lâ—nt as the Holy Ghost complains in Iohn â—aying Thâ—y haâ—e fâ—rsaken their first Love for quickly aâ—ter the Aposâ—lâ—s Days the love of many waxed cold yet in many thingâ— that Church was to be commended as in their Works Labour and Patience not giving toleration to evil Men nor such who boasted that they were Apostles but were not when they came to the Tryal Quest. 6. Was not that threat of the Lord against them clearly fulfilled in the following the Interval of 333 years and â…“ that unless they did timely repent the Lord himself would shortly come and remove their Candlestick from them For in many places where Christianity flourished heretofore in the next and succeeding Intervals there was scarce any visible Profession of it to be seen For the same places where anciently the Christian Religion flourished were afterwards under the Power and Dominion of foul and abominable Heathenism and Mahometism Quest. 7. And doth not the Name Title or Character of the Church * Smyrna of Smyrna aptly agree to the State of the Church from the year 333â…“ since Christs Resurrection unto the year †Anno 7000 from the 666â…” Now Smyrna in Latin signifies Myrrh and truly the small number of the faithful and sincere were as I may so say in comparison of the vast multitude of false and unsound Christians that swarmed in the following Interval like unto a handful of Myrrh as well retaining their own purity as serving to purifie others and keeping themselves from the height of Corruption and Uncleanness And altho' the state of this Church happened in an exceeding Bad and most corrupt Age in â—espect of the former yet was the said Châ—rch blamed in nothing but commâ—â—ded for her Works and is said to be riâ—â— notwithstanding her Poverty and Tribulation For God mightily comforted and â—upported her under her Afflictions that she was to undergo and foretells her the ten days of Tribulations which he would bring upon her and that Satan should cast some of them into Prison And here also the Lord hath plainly painted out this false Church that arose in this second interval saying ` I know their Blasphemy who said they were Jews and are not but of the Synagogue of Satan Quest. 8. What was meant by those ten days of Tribulation which this Church was to undergo Are they ten natural or common days or rather ten certain times or days of persecution For the time of persecution is commonly called a day wherein that scorching Sun of the persecutors arises And lastly what are those a The ten persecutions contiâ—ued as it were but one ten days of Persecution For indeed it is commonly affirmed that there were ten persecutions which disquieted the Church within 300 years after Christ`s Resurrection and seeing they for the most part followed one another hence it is they rather merit the name of one continued persecution than ten but in the second Interval to wit from the year 33¾ to 66 6 â— after Christ's Resurrection the Church enjoyed some bright and glorious intervals and had a time of Respit Peace and Tranquility and that too under the shelter and protection of certain pious Kings and Emperours such as were Theodosius the first and the sâ—cond and others yet this Church suffered many sharp persecutions in this second Interval pâ—rtly by Heathen Kings and partly by â—mperours infected with the Arrian and Euâ—ychian Heresies And â—inally what added most to the weight of her Afâ—liction was that she was foâ—c'd to feel a far more grievous persecution under the Christians so called than she had suffered in the former Interval under the Heathens Moreover if any hath or will take the pains to read the â—iâ—â—ory of this Ecclesiastical Interval and especially Lucas Oâ—â—andrus Alstedius or any other ancient â—cclesiaâ—tical Writer he will find that ten very considerable persecutions oâ— the Church truly happen'd in this Interval And if any more were found to have happen'd in certain particular places or to private Persons â—hey may be referred to the ten aforemenâ—ioned whereby the number â—en will be the moâ—e compleat Quest. 9 Doth not the Name and Chaâ—acter of the Church of *. Pergà mus Pergamus seem to agree well enough wiâ—h the third Interval of the Câ—urch from the Year after Chriâ—t's Resurrection 66 6 7 †. from the year 700 to 1666. to the Year 1000 For as Pergamus was â—he Metropolis or chief City of Asia abounding with lofty Towers and Magnificent Buildings so in the third Interval the outward formâ— and visible Face of the Church seemed exceeding high and stately in â—ime of Peace and the Popes of Rome became very proud and amâ—itious insomuch that it was at that time made no less than a capital Crime to â—esist their Authority yea and some werâ— put to death for it Also in the same Interval there were divers Popes who were Magicians and Necromancers and â—herefore it might be well saidâ— That Satan fixed his Seaâ— at Rome or in the Roman Ch. signified by the Church of Pergamus where Antipas was slain and is not the whole number of the faithful Witnesses of God comprâ—hended under the figure of Antipas who either in this or the succeeding Intervals were put to death for opposing the Antichristian Tyranny and Ambition of the Popes as the word Antipas seems plainly to intimate Quest. 10. And was not the Idolatry and Spiritual â—ornication of this third Interval wherein the Adoration of Images and worshipping of Saints was Insâ—ituted by the Popes of Rome but especially by the second Nicaean Council predicted in these words which were sâ—oken to the Church of Pergamus ch 2. v. 14. Thou hast there such as hold the Doctrin of Balaam who taught Balak to â—ay an offence before the People of Israel that they should â—at things offered to Idol and commit
8. Glory 9. a Foundation 10. a Kingdom And it is the Opinion of some Mystical Men that when we are come to Malcuâ—h â— that Blessed age of the Millennium will begin and the greatest part of those Hebrew names are found written in 1 Chron. 29 1â— and others in other places of Scripture Quest. 21. What is that Sea of Glass like unto What the Sea of Glass is Chrystal which stood before the Throne Is it not the abâ—ndâ—nce of the Spirit for the Souls of the Faithful to Wash and Bath therein and to drink abundantly thereof and be filled for the Water of this Sea is not salt but sweet to wit the Water of eternal Life and was not that Sea which Solomon placed in the Temple a Type hereof Quest. 22. What are those 4 Beasts and What the 4 Beasts and 24 Elders are 24 Elders before the Throne Whether really the Order and Hierarchy of Angels as some think Or whether not rather the very Church of God or number of the Faithful redeem'd to God by Christ as it appearâ— Chap. 5. v. 9. which has it thus and the Elders and the Beasts Sung a new Song unto God saying Thou hast Redeem'd us to God by thy Blood from among every Tribe and from every Lanâ—guage Nation and People Qust 23. What may we What are the Eyes of the â—easts understand by the many Eyes of those Beasâ—â— Whether not the manifold Undâ—rsâ—anding and Wisdom of the Faithful in Spiritual things And do not their Eyes within and withouâ— or in the Circumâ—erence signifie that these Beasts have not only most intrinsick Knowledge of themselvesâ— but also are indued with great Judgment and Discretion whereby they clearly understand what is to be done in any case or emergency of Aâ—â—airs whatsoever Again what is to be understood by their Wings Whether so many Divine and Celestial Vertuesâ— by which they can ascâ—nd with Expedition and Alacrity as it were in â—light unto God and so readily and speedily execute his Divine Will finally wherefore are they said in times past to wit under the Law to have four Wings and aâ—terwards under the Gospel six Was it not by reason of greater Grace afterwards communicated under the Gospel Quâ—st 24. What are those Faces of â—he Beaâ—â—s whereof every one is â—aid to have â—our viz. the Face of a Bull on the Leâ—t â—and and the Face oâ— a Man and a Lyon on the Right side aâ—d a last of all the Face oâ— an â—aglâ— Do not these foâ—r Faces signifie the Souls or Lives of Men deriv'd from the four Woâ—lds afore-mention'd as the â—ó Nephâ—sh â—â—om Asia Tó Ruach from Ieziâ—ah Tó Nischmah from Briah Tó Chaja from Aziluth Now Nephesh or Pâ—yche seems to be â—roâ—erly sigâ—iâ—ied bâ— that of â— Bâ—llâ— Ruâ—â—h by a Lyon Nischmah by a Man and lastly Chaja by an Eagle And wherâ—fore are they said to be four but by reason of those 4 Faces Moreover what is to be understood by the 4 Wheels * The 4 Wheels of the 4 Beasts of those four Beasts Doth not each Wheel signifie the Revolution of some Age. For the Hebrew word Gilgal which is rendered Rota in Latin in English a Wheel is translated by the Hebrews Revolutio or Revolution therefore will not the aforesaid Revolution of an Age contain a Thousand Years which is one Day mysâ—ically taken according to Psal. 90. and 2 Pet. 3. For what is a Day more than the Revolution of the Sun in the space of 12 Hours And because according to the 90th Psal. before cited a Thousand Years are as a Watch of the Night and every Night contained 4 Watches and every Watch â— Hours therefore doth not the whole Night c contain 4000 Years and each Hour one third part of a Thousand Yeaâ—s that is d â—33â…“ Therefore will not the Wheels contain â—our Thousand Years as also why are they call'd Watches is it â—ecause every one of those â—aces in their proper Hours is excited and as it were awâ—kened in every respective Watch Quest. 25. Wherefore are there said to be the number of 24 Elders Doth not this number respect the 12 Patriarchs who were to remain as 12 Junctures or Seams of the Ancient Church together with the 12 Apostles who are likewise the 12 Junctures or uniting Bands of the Evangelical Church to signify the highest and strictest union of both Churches under one Head the Lord Jesus Christ For as 't is said there are 12 great Junctures oâ— connexions in the Body of Man and 70 small ones with which perhaps the 70 Disciples under the Gospel do correspond and 70 Souls of the House of Iacob under the Law who came into Egypt from whom afterwards so vast a Multitude of People arose CHAP. V. QUest 26. What is meant by the right Hand of * The right Hand of God God Hath God a right and left Hand according to the manner of Men which if he hath not as certainly he hath not yet seeing the Scripture here and elsewhere speaketh of God's right Hand is not something intended by this word bearing a certain Analogy to a Man's right Hand In which respect some do thus distinguish the aforesaid Divine Emanations viz. that some have an Analogy to the right Hand as Cochma Gedula Nezach others to the left Hand as Binah Gebâ—urah Hod others are in a mean as Kether Tiphereth Iesod Malcuth Quest. 27. What may we understand by the Book * What is meant by the Book Seal'd with seven Seals sealed with seven Seals which was in his Hand who sat on the Throne Whether the knowledge of great Events to come to pass in thâ— World from the time of Christ's Ascension to the end of the World even as other parts of Sacred Writ do either Historically or Prophetically declare unto us all the great Events and Transactions past from Adam unto Christ. Quest. 28 Why doth Iohn distinguish the 7 Seals in that order The 7 Seals that 6 immediately follow one another â—nd the sixth seems to reach to the Sabbath of the World but the seventh proceeds in an other Order as comprehending the half Hours silence and the Intervals oâ— the 7 Trumpets The â— Trumpets hath he not designedly and purposely done it to show us that the seventh Seal doth not entirely follow the other six buâ— signifies a new Order from Christs Ascenâ—ion to the end of the World or 200 Years Therefore do not the Intervals of the six Seals divide the said space of 2000 Years into six equal parts whereof each will contain 333â…“ And thus indeed the six Seals will denote the same Intervals of time with the seven Churches aforementioned and so make a Synchronism For most confess that there were divers Visions in this Book which were Synchronical or happen'd at one and the same time represented by distinct Visions even as those seven Years of Famine in Egypt was proposed to the King in two Visions altho' the said Visions
meaning of the Locusts proceeding from the Smoak upon the Earth Is not this some evil Angel or Genius to whom permission was given to open the Infernal Pit it self whereby he set at liberty a great multitude of lying and seducing Spirits and sent 'em into the World to deceive all such as had not the Seal of God in their Foreheads And doth not this Interval or State of Affairs very aptly agree with that vast multitude of Scholars and orders of Monks that mightily swarm'd within this Interval to wit from the year of Christ 1254 to the year 1514 and most intolerably vex'd and tormented the Conscience of many with the pungent Stings and Thorns of their School-Debates and of Rank were chieâ—ly Thomas Aquinas Bonaventure Henricus Gandavensis Iohn of Paris Iohn Dun a Scotch-man Durandus Occamus â— with many others who lived within this Interval For tho' some notable Sayings may be found among them yet were they miserably deceived in many other things by thoseâ— unclean Spirits and Daemons and wherefore are those Locusts said to have Faces as it were the Faces of Men but to signifie the subtilty of wit which seemed to be in them And finally What do their Hairs like the Hairs of Women denote Is it not that perswasive way of reasoning by which they draw Pâ—oselytes to themselves And whereas they had Teeth as it were the Teeth of Lyons this intimates that they were like Lyons in fierceness to destroy and tear in pieces all that dissented from them Quest. 50. Wherefore is it said that there was power given to these Locusts not to kill Men but only to torment them with their Stings Is it not hereby meant that these Locusts were not Soldiers that fought themselves with a carnal weapon but only certain orders of Scholars Monks and Friars who with their peâ—nicious Doctrineâ— ambiguous Qâ—estions and Disputations miserably divided and peâ—plex'd the Souls and Consciences of Men insomuch that it is said that it should come to pass in those days Men should seek Death and shâ—uld not find it and should dâ—sire to die and Dâ—aâ—h should â—â—y from them Quest. 51. Why is it said these Locusts â—hould have power to hurt Men five Months The time of the Locusts five Months Doth it â—llude to the usual time of their â—ontinuance or rather unto â—ome certain Mystery for we are to underâ—tand that those Locusts were to â—ontinue â— 5 â— parts of the whole â—â—me wherein the mystery of Iâ—â—quity was to prevail viz. 520 〈◊〉 even as it were to the end of 〈◊〉 sixâ—h Trumpet which contains â—â—e Interval of two Trumpets Quâ—st 52. What are those â—ngels which were loosed at â—â—e gâ—eat River Euphrates What the Angels are which are bâ—und at Euphrates â—ithin the Interval of the sixth Trumpet viz. from the year of Christ's â—irth 1514 to the year 1774 Are they â—ot certain powerful Angels deâ—uted Goâ—ernors or Guardians over the Provinces of â—â—e Earth bordering on the Riveâ— Euâ—hrates And what are those Horse-men â—â—e number whereof was twenty thousand â—â—mes ten thousand Are they not Turks â—or these inhabit the Provinces situated aâ—out the River Euphrates who within the â—â—xth Interval under which we now are viz. â—â—om the year 1514 powerfully invaded â—urope the third part of the Eastern Hemiâ—â—here and slew many thousands of Christians so called for indeed they were not all true Christians which maâ— be said to be the third part of Men. And are not the Guns which the Turks used in their Wars against the Christiaâ—â— described heâ—e which being but of a laâ—e Invention were noâ— found out before the Inâ—eâ—val of the sixth Trumpet which kill Men with Fire Brimstone and Smoak seeming to flow out of the Horses moâ—ths tho' it proceeds from the mouths of the Guns Again do not these Horses Allegorically signifie Empire and Dominion And whereas the best part of the Interval of this sixth Trumpet is not as yet begun neither will end till the Year 1774 if therefore those Christians tho' falsly so call'd do not Repent must they not expect a â—artâ—â—r Stroak and a more fatal Blow from those Armies of Horse-men And eâ—pecially such as arâ— guilty of abominable Idolatry and worship Devils and Idols of Gold Silver Brass Stone and Wood as chap. 9. v. 20. has it And why is it said that those four Angels were ready at aâ— Hour and a Day and a Month and a Yâ—aâ— Was it not to signiâ—ie that the Poweâ— of the Turks was in a continual readiness for near 391 years ago and increased before the Interval of the sixth Trumpet as may be gathered from History CHAP. X. QUest 53. Doth not the whole tenth Chapter of the Revelaâ—ions and from the beginning of the eleventh Chaâ— to verse the fifteenth contâ—in the â—ffects or events of the sixth Trâ—mâ—et viz. from 1514 to the Year 15â—4 From Anâ— 1514 tâ— 1574 And is not the mighâ—â— Angel whom Iohn saw coming down from Heaven c. aâ—d â—olding a little Book in his Hand the Aâ—gel of the Philadelphian Church afore mention'd whose Interval begins at tâ—e Year of Christ's Nativity 1700 1â—00 And do not the Intervalâ— of â—he seven Thunders also The 7 Thundeâ—â— belong unto the sixth Trumpet or some part thereof And whereas Iohn wâ—s â—â—â—â—manded to conceal what the seven Thuâ—ders had uttered will it not be gâ—eat Presumption for any one to attemâ—t tâ— reveal it before its due time For â—ow can any one unfold them before they are â—â—vealed Quest. 54. Wherefore was it said â—o Iohn after that he had eaten the â—oâ—k that he must Prophesie again before many People Nations Tongues and Kâ—ngs must he not live again within this Intâ—â—â—â—al viz. before the Year 1774 And therefore will he not belong to the 144000 that were Sealed who shall be the first Fruits of the first Resurrection above-cited CHAP. XI QUest 55. And shall not Iohn living again sometime before the Millennium measure the Temple of God the Altar and them that worship therein with a Reed or with a Rod as it is said in chap. 11. v. 1 Quest. 56. What is that Court without the Temple which Iohn at his coming shall leave out and measure it not but is to be given to the Gentiles Are not the luke-warm Pâ—ofessours of the Church of Laodicea above-cited signified by it Lastly What are those Gentiles or Nations What the Gentiles or Nationâ— are to whom this outward Court is to be given Are they not Turks or other Heathenish People to whom permission shall be given miserably to afflict those carnal and meerly titular Christians and that too in a manner over the whole World after which God shall gather together his Elect and faithful Servants from that Mass of Hypocrites Quest. 57. What is that Holy City to be trodden under foot by the Gentiles for the spaceâ— of forty two Months And how are those Months to be understood whether properly or mystically as some think
Number having the Harps of God and singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb Are not they the 144000 and with them all the rest of the Saints who have attained to the first Resâ—rrection before all others And is not this Sea of Glass this visible World full of perplexing Cares and Câ—lamities upon which notwithstanding shall stand the Saints as it were upon a Sea â—esembling Glass in Solidity who have gotten Victory over the Beast not only singing Mâ—ses's Song for a Testimony of deliverance â—â—t the Song of the Lamb also Questâ— 8â— â—ow are â—â—ose words to be undâ—â—â—tood Revel 15. â— And â—he Tâ—mple was â—iâ—leâ—â—ith 〈…〉 the Glory of God and no Mâ—n was a 〈◊〉 â—nter into the Temple â—ilâ— the seâ—en Plagues of the seven Angels were fulfiâ—led Doth not this signifieâ— thaâ—â—he Câ—urch of God â—â—all liâ— open duâ—ing the whole Inâ—erval of the seven Phials shining with exâ—eeding splendour and investeâ— wâ—th Divine Glory which â—hall so conâ—ouâ—d her Adâ—ersaries that none of them shall be able â—o enter there into or do her the leaâ—t injury during all that time And peradventure about the end of the seventh Phial those enemies of the Church will attempt something upon her and hitherto the Battle of Armageddon seems to be referr'd where at last they shall all perish by Fire and Hail sent from Heaven Quest. 87. Do not the seven Thunders belonging to the sixth Trumpet The seven Thunders belong to the sixth Trumpet and the seven Phials belonging to the seventh Trumpet The seven Phials belong to the seventh Trumpet The Duration of the Trumpet 260 Years 1 â— contain something analogous Quest. 88. Doth not the effuâ—ion or pouring out of the seven Phials denote the Fall of Babylon as it were by so many degrees succeeding one another every Phial's Interval including 37 Years and 1 â— which is 1 7 of the nâ—mber 260 the Interval of each Trumpet Therefore are they not mightily deceived who think that either Babylon is already fallen or else that her Fall is exceeding near Are not they also mistaken who think the four Phials are already pour'd forth when 't is more probaâ—le that not one of them is as yet pour'd out for the first Phial will begin from the year of Chrisâ—'s Resurrection 1740 â—or the opening of the Temple and the Vision of the 144000 sealed must precede the effusion or pouring forth of all the Phials as evidently appears from the very Series or Order of Prophecies in this Book Quest. 89. What is signified by the Earth upon which the first Phial was to be pour'd out Is it not the lowest order of Antichristian Hierarchy of which sort are Priests and Clerks of inferior rank with all their train And what is signified by the â—â—a Is it not some supeâ—iour degree of the same Hierarchy as the Sea is superiour to the Earth of which sort are chief Priests or Bishops with their Seats which they call Seas and whereas these Seas are to be turned into Bâ—ood doth not this signifie some mighty Slaughter and Destruction to fall upon these Men by War And then what may be understood by Fountains and Rivers whether not others again of an higher Order and Rank such as are chieâ— or Arch-Bishops commonly callâ—d Cardinals and Metropolitans of the Antichristian Hierarchy who spilt the Blood of Saints and Pâ—opheâ—s and therefore they shall then have their own Blood spilt not indeed by any Saints but by other instruments raised up agaâ—nst them by God's most just judgment But how aâ—d when those that are to be slain under the third Phial did spill the Blood of the Saints is a question well worth Explanation seeing none of the Saints were killed by any after the Interval of the sixth Trumpet Moreover doth not the pouring out oâ— the other four Phialâ— denote the Fall and utter Ruin of Babylon or the false and Antichristian Church by various degrees together with the final Period and Destruction of the Kingdoms and corrupt Dominions of Men And finally doth not this great River Euphrates subjâ—ct to the sixth Phial signifie the Turkâ— or other People inhabiting some other Countries bordering upon Euphrates to make a way for the Kings of the East And who are those Kings of thâ— East Are they not the Saints raised to Life again in the future Millennium CHAP. XVII QUest 90. Doâ—h not the Mystery Babylon so fully described in this Chapter signiâ—ie the whole and intire Body of the false and Antichristian Châ—â—ch and indeed chiefly the Church of Rome who Apostatized for many Ages back and drank of the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of God And is not thâ—â— Beast upon whom this great Whoâ—e sat the Roman Monarchy which is the sixth Head But this sixth Head falling will not a seventh â—ead aâ—ise and after that an eighth which nevertheless belongs to the seventh and is â—s it were an Appendix of it Anâ— doth not Daniel expresly describe those two Kings the one of the South and the other of the North And lastly will not these Kings or one of these Kings rise up against the Saints together with the false Prophet who is to be raised up with him with a purpose to kill them under the Interval of the seventh Phial But will not God miraculously guard and protect his Saints and destroy their Adversaries with Fire and Hail from Heaven And is not the Battle of Armageddon which seems to belong to the last Phial clearly enough described by Ezekiel and also the aforesaid Kings called by the names of Gog and Magog Chap. 38 and 39 CHAP. XVIII QUest 91. Doth not that Fall and Destruction of Babyâ—on by Fire or Bâ—rning so fully describ'd chap. 18. signiâ—ie that the false and Antichristian Church shall be totally destroyed and abolished And what are those Daughters of Babylon but Hypocrites in every Sect and Profession of Christianity altho' they may gild it over with the specious name oâ— Reâ—ormation whilst they continue Strangers to the Spirit and Life oâ— the Christian Religion Quest. 92. How are we to understand that in Babylon was found not only the Blood of the Prophets and Saints but of all that were slain upon the Earth Doâ—h not the effuâ—ion of so much Blood respect all that space of 4000 years past from Noaâ—'s Flood from which time Babylon began to be â—uilt externally comprehending the intire Revolution of one great Day or Night consisting of twelve hours Therefore will not all those Murderers and Shedders of Humane Blood even from Noahs's Flood to the Year of the World's Creation 5740 or of Christ's Resurrection from the Dead 1740 together make up one and the same City of Babylon and receive their Punishment therein in case they do not trâ—ly and sincerely Râ—pâ—nt Aâ—d how this shall come to pass is â—lso well worth an explanation Moreoverâ— will not that hour wherein Babylon shall be Lashâ—d with those Terâ—ible and Tremendous Judgments of God consist of 333 1 â— Years or â—
from 〈…〉 Explic. It â—â—s well th 〈…〉 tionâ—d of â—aâ—c c. is sâ—â—d â—xpreâ—l◠〈…〉 not to be 〈…〉 time the Aâ—tâ—â—r as â—â—pâ—â—r 〈◊〉 ouâ— oâ— his own Mâ—nuâ—cripâ—s â—â—d Paper◠〈…〉 stion neâ—â—â—ivâ—ly 〈◊〉 a posâ—â—ive an 〈…〉 That Isaâ—c was 〈…〉 the Woman whiâ—h Christ 〈◊〉 wâ—en â—e câ—use iâ— thâ— Flâ—sh and tâ—at â—or 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 Iâ—aaâ— â—â—s the promisâ—d 〈…〉 Châ—ist 〈◊〉 into that mos◠〈…〉 Unâ—â—â— wiâ—h himself is â—o â—ay 〈◊〉 Iâ—â—ac â—â—comâ— Chriâ—t and so wa◠〈◊〉 own Sâ—viâ—ur bâ—t that is aâ—â—uâ—â—d foâ— Isâ—ac â—o â—ll â—â—â—â—r Men needâ—d anâ—ther to â—ave them from theiâ—â—iâ—â— and tâ—aâ—â—tâ—â—r was Chrisâ— 2. It is the Tesâ—imâ—nâ— of 〈…〉 tâ—at all Mâ—n dâ—sâ—â—nded oâ— Aâ—am â—â—râ—st 〈◊〉 have sinâ—ed and tâ—â—râ—fâ—re Iâ—aac as weâ—â— as Aâ—raham and Iaâ—â—â— â—â—â—ve sinned soâ—e â—ime â—r â—theâ— but if Isaac â—â—d â—â—en Chrâ—st to wit the Man Christ thâ—n Châ—ist hâ—d dâ—â—d â—â—r his own Sinâ— but Christ died not for his 〈◊〉 that â—ver aâ— any time â—e hâ—d for he neâ—â—â—â—aâ—â—â—ny Sin Dâ—n â— 2â— compared with Isaiaâ— 53.5 1 Cor. 15.2 2 Cor. 15.21 3. Isaac was to be saved justified and pardoned by Faith in the Man Christ but Isaac was not to believe or have Faith in himself 4. That promised Seed of the Woman that descended out of the Loins of all the Fathers in a straight Line of Succession from Adam to Christ and from Eve to Mary was no part of the defiled Nature of Man tho' it was conveyed or transmitted thro' them that had been defiled with Sin as David and Solomon were great Sinners and yet their Seed was conveyed and transmiâ—tâ—d through them And this is easie to understand how an holy and undefiled Seed or Principle can pass through them that have been defiled and be no more defiled therewith than how the Sun-Beams can shine on an unclean place and not be defiled therâ—with Now that the Seed of the Woman so conveyed and transmitted from Adam to Christ was never defiled with Sin and so was no part of the fallen Nature of Man is clear because to signifie his Primitive Purity and Holiness he was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin and not after the ordinaâ—y manner of Humane Generation And it is written of him Thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity c. Psal. 45.7 5. That of our Nature which Christ assumed if it had been defiled at any time with Sin how could it have been cleansed oâ— how could it â—leanse other parts of Man's Nature that had been defiled by Sin For it is the clean that cleanseth the unclean and the cleansing must begin in that which is clean that is the Root and Original to cureâ— and cleanse that which is unclean and by â—aith in the promised Seed of the Woman all they who were saved from the beginning of the World were cleansed and sanctified But if it be enquiâ—ed was this Seed of the Woman convâ—yed from Adam to the Man Christ the Seed of Christ or only a Bodily Seed or Principle To this it is answeredâ— That the higâ—er degree of the Soul of Christ was not that Seed that was conveyed through the Loins oâ— Abraham and David to wit that degree of his Soul called the Spirt and Mind in Hebrew Ruach and Neshamah for that was in Heaven and came down from Heaven when the Child Jesus was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin as Christ himself said Ioh. 6.38 For I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This was not the Godhead of Christ but that Superiour or Higher degree of his Soul called Ruâ—ch and Neshamah but the inferiour degree or Animal part called Nâ—â—hâ—sh in Heb. may be well allowed to have been in that Seed of the Woman which Christ assumed together with the Bodily Seed and Principle of Christ's Body and tho' it was conveyed and transmitted through all these Generations from Adam to Christ mentioned in Luke ch 3. yet that is not in the common sense of the word Revolutiâ—n because Râ—â—olution in the common sense of the word used by Mâ—â—tick Writâ—râ— is used to signifie the returning of the Souls of deceasâ—d Men to live again in other Bodies of their Posterity or Kindred But when a Man begets a Son and the Soul of his Son comes out of â—is Loins as it is said the Souls of Iacob's Children came â—ut of his Loins that is not called Revâ—lution in the common sense of the Mysâ—ick Writers Beside that Souls revolved are saâ—d to suffâ—r tâ—e Bodily Pains and Afflictionâ— that the Body suffers into which it revolveth and Death also and therefore the Sâ—â—l of Christ did not after this manner revolve for then he would have often died whereas Christ died but once and having once died he dieth no more Deathâ— hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 Nor is there any cause to suppose that Isaac's Soul needed any Revolution more than the Soul of any â—f the holiâ—st Men for these holy Men being perfected in Faith Love and Holiness according to the Hâ—pothesis of the Revolutions after Death need no Revolution but rest in perfect Peace and Joy until the Resurrection of the Dead But what is the mystery of these 76 or 77 Generations from Adam to Christ described by Luke Chap. 3. iâ— best to leave to God's further opening and noâ— tâ— intrude inâ—o things not sâ—en Pâ—gâ—â— 119 120 121 122. Emend That the two Witnâ—sâ—es shall be Mâ—ses and Elias that shall be slain and risâ— again from â—he Deâ—d I find to be the opinion of some of the Aâ—cieâ—ts particularly of H. Coziâ—s â—â—t they who did not hâ—ld tâ—at Opiâ—ion did not think they sâ—â—uld be born again of Women but that they shâ—â—â—d câ—mâ— and sâ—ffer in these very Bodies wherein they â—ormerâ—y â—â—vâ—d and should rise again But these two Wiâ—nesses shâ—ll nâ—t 〈◊〉 Mâ—sâ—â— and Eliâ—s as some sâ—y or 〈◊〉 and Eâ—â—â—s as oâ—hers saâ— it is certain that they shâ—ll be â—wo excellent and eminent Servâ—ntâ— of Gâ—d enduâ—d wiâ—h such a Prophetick and wâ—ndâ—r wâ—â—â—iâ—g â—pirit as Mâ—ses and Elias had No◠〈…〉 appear that any of the deceased Saiâ—ts â—hâ—ll by 〈◊〉 be bâ—rn agâ—in of Women â—ut they shâ—â—l â—e immediately raised up by the power of God aâ—d Christ. Pagâ— 122. ad â—iâ—em â—â—â—nd aâ—◠〈◊〉 That the Sâ—inâ—s shall be raâ—sed up tâ— live and reign with Christ on â—r over the â—â—rthâ— is noâ—â—o be understood as iâ— thâ—y should nâ—ed or 〈…〉 the Meats or Drinks oâ— the Eaâ—â—h or any 〈◊〉 Eâ—râ—hly Convenienceâ— bâ—t tâ—aâ— theâ—â—hall appear â—o â—hâ— Sâ—ints not yet 〈…〉 liviâ—g 〈…〉 Animal 〈◊〉 to their great 〈◊〉 and hâ—vâ— that Rule and Government over â—â—l tâ—e Eâ—rth that the Angels now have iâ— clear from Heb. â— 5 1 Cor. 6.2 Page 125. ad â—inâ—m Emend That the Church of 〈◊〉 shall â—ollow tâ—e latter part of the Thousand Yeaâ—s is nâ—â—â—â—oâ—able but rather that it shall be contempâ—rary 〈◊〉 thâ— Church of Philadelphia for some