Selected quad for the lemma: city_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
city_n	act_n	jerusalem_n	zion_n	21	3	8.7506	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91909	The mystery of the two witnesses unvailed Wherein wee have a description of their persons time acts death and office. manner of prophecie. sufferings. resurrection. With the consequences that follow. Together with the seaventh trumpet, and the kingdome of Christ explained. by John Robotham, preacher of the Gospel in Dover.	Robotham, John, fl. 1654.	1654 (1654)	Wing R1732; Thomason E1469_3; ESTC R208689	148,859	409

shall they tread c. By an allusion to Jerusalem the Saints are called the holy Citie which was a figure of the spirituall Church and Temple of God in which respect they are called Jerusalem from above Gal. 4. 26. The new Jerusalem the holy City Revel 3. 12. Mount Sion Heb. 12. 22. So that by the holy Citie is meant the Saints called the holy people Dan. 8. 24. and 12. 7. Now the best use that these Gentiles make both of the outward Court and of the holy Citie is but to prophane and trample upon them As for all the externall formes of service government ordinances and all acts of Religion the best use they make of them is like beasts and swine to tread them under feet not knowing how to make a better use of them And for the Saints the holy City these they abuse and persecute they know not how to make a better use of these then swine doe of pearles Fifthly and lastly How long Forty and two moneths The terme of forty-two moneths allowing thirty dayes to every moneth allowing thirty dayes to every moneth make the same number of 1260 dayes mentioned in the next verse In the next Chapter and sixth verse The woman flies into the wildernesse there to be nourished a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes and in verse 14. it 's expressed by a Time times and halfe a time by a time is meant a year by times two yeares by halfe a time halfe a yeare which is three yeares and a halfe being resolved into dayes make 1260 dayes if into moneths they make forty two moneths To which agrees the terme of three dayes and a halfe in vers 9. of this Chapter These dayes being put for yeares they make just three yeares and a halfe So that the Gentiles treading downe the holy City forty two moneths and the beast continuing forty two moneths Chapt. 13. 5. And the space of 1260 dayes that the Witnesses shall prophesie as also the woman being nourished in the wildernesse and the time times and halfe a time with the three dayes and a halfe that the Witnesses shall lie dead I say all these various expressions of time appeare to be all one and the same space And so it appeares that the time of the prophesie of the Witnesses and the continuance of the raigne of the beast to be one and the same Some would have this number 1260 dayes turned into yeares and so would measure the whole terme of the raigne of the beast and the prophesie of the Witnesses to continue 1260 yeares I shall not contradict this opinion but shall thus far close with it as to conclude that the terme of time signified by forty two moneths and 1260 dayes is the whole time of Antichrists raigne and of the Witnesses prophecying in sackcloth But I intend not to make it my businesse to calculate the years of Antichrists powerfull raigne or the time of the Witnesses prophesie but rather to search out something from the mystery of truth that is contained therein This terme of forty two moneths doth not onely h●ld forth the whole time and age of Antichrist in which he shall tread under the holy City and scatter the power of the holy people but doth also import the different and changeable appearances and workings of his so that various shapes and formes the severall disguises and habits that Antichrist doth cloath himselfe withall and come forth in to act his part and deceive the Nations are held forth unto us under the Terme of forty two moneths Therefore here we are to note that the time of the Witnesses prophesie is said to be 1260 dayes Now a day is measured out by the Sun as a moneth is by the Moon the course of the Sun is by dayes which is a time more constant and of more light then the night But now the time of the raigne of Antichrist is expressed by forty and two moneths now a moneth is a season measured out by the Moon and shews that in all things there is but a Moon light a weak and dim light a light borrowed from the Sun Besides the Moon is variable and changeable and is alwayes up and downe never at one stay sometimes increasing at other times decreasing now in the wane then in the full and the like Suitable hereunto is the variable state and changeable appearance of Antichrist in his stations and formes First he comes forth in the forme of a Dragon Secondly in the shape of a Leopard Thirdly in the likenesse of a beast with two hornes And lastly in the image of the beast Every one of these have their moneths and seasons measured out unto them in which they variously appeare and act their parts But more of this hereafter having explained the words let us proceed to the Observations they offer unto us First That all externall formes and professions 1 Obser of Christ without the life and spirit of Christ are but the shaddow and outward part of heavenly things All formes of worship order government with all the acts of Religion all things that lie within the compasse of man are but the outward Court the superficiall part of things which a carnall man a Gentile professor may take up and use and yet never know what it is to worship in the Temple of God or to offer upon his Altar or to be a reall and true worshipper of the Lord in spirit It was the Priest onely that might enter into the inner Court or into the Temple and holy place So the Saints alone are made Priests to God Revel 1. 6. And have accesse or liberty of speech as the phrase is to enter into the holy place by a new and living way Heb. 10. 19 20. And by Christ to offer up spirituall sacrifices to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. But now for all Gentiles Christians and worldly professors they dwell upon and live in the externall part of things in the forme and shaddow of heavenly things they never goe farther then the outward Court or circle of the things of God Thus it was with the carnall Jewes as plainly appeares in 1 Cor. 10. from vers 1. to verse 7. Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant saith the Apostle how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea and were all Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spirituall meat and did all drinke the same spirituall drinke for they dranke of that spirituall Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ but with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the Wildernesse c. Now mark notwithstanding the Manna came downe from heaven and the water out of the Rock being as signes and symbol●● yea as most lively representations and images of Christ in which respect it was called spirituall meat and spirituall drinke but it was not so to the carnall Jewes for they saw

is the true Temple in which we must worship and the holy Altar upon which we must offer and they onely are owned and accepted that make use of him they are onely to be measured and taken notice of Now for all others of what profession or quality soever be their externall formes of worship and service never so glorious or amiable in the sight of men yet it is rejected cast forth and disowned if they worship not in the true Temple if they offer not upon the everlasting Altar that God hath appointed for all his Hence it is the Lord saith take measure of those that worship in the Temple these are they that I owne I take notice of none but these I will accept of no more These are they that serve me in truth and worship me in spirit and I will owne them and acknowledge them for my owne Sixtly and lastly for as much as 6 Observ Temple Altar and worshippers must be measured Observe That the Lord hath alwayes had a people that have been measuring of divine things John here did personate all Saints who in all ages and periods of time under the sury and rage of Antichrist have been ready to give in a testimony for Christ and his truth and have alwayes born witnesse against the man of sin the Son of perdition and against all his superstitious formes of worship alwayes casting off and rejecting his service and inventions Every one according to his measure hath been ready to stand up and give in their Testimonies for the truth of Christ against the falshood of AntiChrist So much for the first verse VERS 2. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy Citie shall they tread underfoot fortie and two moneths IN the former verse we had John● call to measure the Temple of God the Altar and the worshippers therein Now here he doth receive a prohibition or a negative command not to measure the outward Court which was without the Temple because it was given as a portion to the Gentiles In this verse we are to take notice First what that is which must not be measured The Court which is without the Temple Secondly the prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not Thirdly The reason of this prohibition for it is given to the Gentiles Fourthly The use that the Gentiles make of the outward Court and the holy City They tread them underfoot Fiftly How long Fortie and two moneths First That which must not be measured is the outward Court so called as being distinct from the inward Court which was appropriate to the Priests in which was the Altar where they offered sacrifice which was also adjoyning to the Temple This outward Court is here spoken by an allusion to that mentioned in Ezek. 40. 17. which was far larger and bigger then the inner Court Therefore called The great Court 2 Chron. 4. 9. being wide and large enough to containe multitudes of people This was not hallowed as the inner Court and Temple was but was common for all people By the outward Court is meant all Antichrists worships and worshippers even the whole surface or superficiall part of things as all outward professions all externall formes of worship power order government wisdome art or whatsoever is without the Temple of God all that the Gentiles or carnall professors may take up and be exercised in these be all the outward Court The outward face of the visible Church was given to Antichrist to Gentiles to worldly Christians to use and enjoy while the true servants of the Lord are serving him in the wildernesse as in the inner Court of the Temple They were that inward and secret Temple with whom the Lord was present Secondly The prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to cast forth as we use to cast things of no value out of doors As if he had said cast it forth as common and of no use account it not of the Temple nor of any part thereof but rather esteeme it as a portion for the Gentiles which they may enjoy and be exercised in therefore measure it not Now by measuring of the Temple Altar and worshippers he was to take a true dimention of the servants of God who worshipped him in Christ and served him in spirit who were the true invisible and secret Temple of God serving the Lord in the wildernesse Then by not measuring the outward Court is meant thus much That he should not measure or judge the true servants of the Lord by externall things for the outward face of the visible Church was to be given to the Gentiles and that Antichrist was to sit in the Temple of God and should exercise in all externall formes of worship order government he should exercise in all outward ordinances and in the highest acts of Religion as prayer preaching and expounding of the Scriptures and the like and therefore though these Gentiles or Antichristian professors should thus exercise themselves in formes of worship in Church-government in highest externall acts of Religion were called Christians possessing and injoying the outward face of the visible Church yet they were not to be accounted as the Temple of God to be of his structure or building as measured by the true reed or weighed by the ballance of the Sanctuary they were not to be accounted as Gods approved Church or to be the true Temple of the Lord. Thirdly The reason of this prohibition For it is given unto the Gentiles All worldly Christians and Antichristian professors are here called Gentiles by an allusion to those that were enemies unto the Jewes they were called Heathens and Gentiles as appeares in Psal 2. 1. And the Psalmist complaines in Psal 79. 1. saying O God the heathen or the Gentiles are come into thine inheritance thy holy Temple have they defiled they have layd Jerusalem on heaps c. This was the complaint of the Church of the Jewes unto the Lord against the most barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians when they raz'd Jerusalem polluted the Temple and murdered the people So here the sons of spirituall Babylon who most barbarously and cruelly torment the Saints and tread the holy City under foot these also are called Gentiles and heathen Now saith he the outward Court is not to be measured because it is given to the Gentiles it is a Gentiles portion a worldly Christian a carnall professor may take up use and be exercised in any of these externall things he may take up the highest forme of worship he may make the greatest profession of Godlinesse he may be exercised in the most eminent acts of Religion therefore measure not my true servants and Temple by these they are but the outward Court and the portion of Gentiles Fourthly What use doth the Gentiles make of these things They tread them under foot And the holy City

be when they have finished their testimony These witnesses have a time to prophesie and also a time when they shall finish their testimony and then they are slaine The maine thing we are to quire after is to know when these have finished their testimony and then we shall easily know when they are to be slaine Now the most received opinion is that these witnesses never come to finish their testimony untill neer the end and period of Antichrists raigne that there should be some great and eminent slaughter at the latter end of their prophesie upon the declining of Antichrist's state and kingdome but this is far remote from the true scope and sence of ●he truth in this place for so the slaying of the witnesses should be restrained to some particular persons and to some particular time and that neer the end of Antichrists raigne whereas the slaving of the witnesses is a continued act even all the dayes of the powerfull raigne of the beast who doth alwayes make war against these and doth alwayes overcome and kill the holy people all the time that the holy Citie is given into his hand to trample upon them and abuse them Then the time when these witnesses have finished their testimony is meant no more then this that when any of the faithfull servants of Christ shall in any age or time of Antichrist faithfully and fully discharge their trust deliver their message give forth their testimony of those truths of Christ that they are convinced of against Antichrist and the present evills of the times they live under then they are sayd to finish their testimony 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is variously translated the most accute render it when they are about to finish their testimony This they doe before they are slaine and because they doe this therefore they are slaine for they are slaine because of the testimony they give forth Thus Christ was sayd to finish hu worke Joh. 17. 4. by that faithfull testimony he gave of the Father And Paul tells us he had finished his course 2 Tim. 4. 7. when he had faithfully discharged his trust by preaching the Gospel according to his Commission So the Saints in every age and time when they have faithfully given in their evidence and testimony of that truth they know then they have finished their testimony and not that all the witnesses should first give in their testimony and at the last a few of them should be slaine but that I say every Saint every witnesse of the Lord in every age and time shall faithfully give in his testimony and then is slaine so that the slaying of the witnesses is not confined to one time or the last period of Antichrist but their slaying continues as long as their prophesie in sackcloth as we shall shew more hereafter Secondly by whom shall these witnesses be slaine and that is by the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit Now for the opening of this passage consider three things First who is meant by this beast Secondly from whence he cometh Thirdly the forme or manner of his coming First by this beast is meant Antichrist who is so called from his beastly nature being most fierce and cruell most barbarous and dangerous So he is called a beast in Chap. 13. 4 5. because his mouth is full of blasphemy and his carriage full of inhumanity for his rage fury and madnesse he is like unto a beast being of a devouring nature and of a beastly disposition The whorish woman is sayd to ride upon the beast Chap. 17. 7. The woman is that whorish and Antichristian spirit that doth ride forth and act by a beastly inhumane power and as a beast doth devour and destroy and the Kings of the earth give their power unto the beast and so they become beastly fierce and untractable also The beast then is no other then that wicked one that son of perdition that spirit of wickednesse that mystery of iniquity putting it selfe forth in some corrupt and beast-like power and carriage most fierce and devouring it is Antichrist in his power and greatnesse oppressing and destroying the Saints of the most high So much for the description of the beast Secondly from whence this beast doth arise and that is from the bottomlesse pit or deep Abysse The beast mentioned in Chapt. 13. 1. is sayd to arise out of the sea that is out of many peoples and nations And the beast in vers 13. is sayd to arise out of the earth from a kingly or earthly power But this beast that slayeth the witnesses shall arise out of the bottomlesse pit Three things are sayd to ascend out of the bottomeesse pit First the smoke of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 9. 2. which is meant of all Antichristian darknesse and confusion Secondly we read of the Angel of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 9. 11. which is Satan called therefore Apollyon that is to say a destroyer whose worke is to destroy others Lastly we have the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit spoken of here and also in Chap. 17. 8. First the smoke of the bottomlesse pit is meant of that darknesse and confusion of that ignorance blindnesse that doth arise upon the soule as a thicke cloud from the fleshly acting of the heart whereby the minde and understanding is wholly darkned and obscured according to that of the Apostle speaking of the Gentiles saith Having their understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart Ephes 4. 18. Blindnesse and darknesse is upon all the thoughts and inventions upon all the carnall actings of the flesh Secondly the Angel of the bottomlesse pit is Satan that Prince of darknesse that evill spirit that rules in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 2. The Prince and power of darknesse by his instigations and suggestions doth rule and sway mans heart By the close of mans heart with Satan he is captivated ensnared and so brought into subjection unto him as unto a mighty Prince or Ruler Thus we see who is ment by the Angel of the bottomles pit Thirdly the beast of the bottomlesse pit is Antichrist in the forme of a beast or acting in his beastly inhumane power with much cruelty and fiercenesse Now what is this bottomlesse pit or deep Abysse that hath no bottome it cannot be measured none can take a dimention of it now I say what is this but that hellish working those fleshly imaginations those blacke and beastly devices of mans heart whereof there is no measure or end none can fadome them none can search the bottome of them Wee told you before that the frame and image of Antichrist did arise from the spirit of Antichrist so here this beast or power of darknesse that slayeth the witnesses ariseth out of that hellish wickednesse that rage and cruelty from that darknesse and confusion in the heart of man this is the pit