Ecclesiastick Government and Kingdom give their power and strength unto the Beast chap. 17.12 13. And to his Councels Synods Courts c. which is the River into which these Fountains run and so into the Sea of Rome Canterbury c. The great Monarchs of this World and Kings of the Earth are said in Scripture to be the Head of their Rivers Ezek. 29.3 4. 32.2 6. I will also water with thy blood the Land wherein thou swimest c. Again as the Fountains do signifie Kings c. so by the Rivers into which their streams do continually run and are filled and influenced by them is meant the Antichristian Hierarchy Popish Clergy and all the false Prophets Teachers and Priests and upon all that are in holy Orders as they speak who preach the Doctrine of the Beast and worship his Image such as these are called Wells though without any living and refreshing Water 2 Pet. 2.1 17. And they are here fitly resembled unto Rivers of Waters in the Beasts Kingdom This Antichristian Monarchy Hierarchy Popish Clergy Priests and Prelates like the Rivers and Fountains in and about a great City Isa 18.27 Ezek. 32.2 though they spoil the Land and waste the City and foul the Waters for as a Fountain casteth out her filthy Waters so do these corrupt Fountains cast out their wickedness Jer. 6.7 yet that great City Mystical Babylon is made very great and like the Assyrian of old Ezek. 31.3 4 5. her height is exalted and she is enriched because of the multitude of these Waters and Fountains of hers whose Nurseries and Seminaries like the deep with her Rivers running round about their Plants send out their little Rivers unto all the Trees of the field and into the deep Sea The effect of this Vial is their own blood which God in his righteous Judgements gives those Monarchs Kings Prelates Priests and all the Popish Church and Clergy-men to drink as a just Retaliation of the blood of the faithful Saints and Sackcloath Witnesses which this Scarlet Beast and bloody Whore of Rome hath shed by persecuting and killing them chap. 13. â—7 11.7.17.4 5 6. 18.20 24. For which Judgments the LORD is acknowledged by all his Saints and holy Angels in Heaven and on Earth to be Righteous and his Judgements also are acknowledged by them to be true and Righteous verse 5 6 7. The fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sun of the Beasts Kingdom vers 8. That is to say Upon the Emperour of Germany the King of Spain c. with respect to the Temporal and Political part of the Beast's Kingdom and upon the Pope of Rome the Popish Cardinals and Arch-Bishops c. with respect to the Spiritual and Ecclesiastical part of the Beast's Kingdom those Antichristian Emperors Kings Popes and Prelates like the Sun in the Firmament of Heaven Gen. 1.16 17 18. are most eminent and chief Lights and have the most eminent Grandeur Rule and Dominion in the Firmament or Fabrick 〈◊〉 the Beast's Politick and Ecclesiastick Government and Kingdom and are fitly resembled by the Sun and other Lights 〈◊〉 Heaven Isa 13.9 10 11. The effect of this Vial is the scorching of men with great heat vers 9. By thâ— power that was given unto this Angel so tâ— do vers 8. The men that are scorched with fire and with great heat vers 8 9. are those men of the Beast's Kingdom who worship the Beast and his Image chap. 14.8 9 10 11. who are tormented with Fiâ—â— and Brimstone which causeth them to blasâ— pheme the Name of God who hath poweâ— over these Plagues And they repented nâ— to give him glory vers 9. The Fire anâ— Heat are the burning Heat and devouring Fire of the fierceness of God's great wratâ— poured out of this Vial upon the Sun which causeth those dreadful Effects Rev. 18 8â— And she shall be utterly burnt with Fire foâ— strong is the Lord that judgeth her And the fifth Angel poured out his Viâ— upon the Seat of the Beast vers 10. Who this fifth Angel is the Expositioâ— of the first verse gives us to understand viz. Some of those Magistrates into whosâ— hand God will commit the Government of the Kingdom of Christ as was proved before And some of those Ministers of his Churches who shall come out of the Temple even such of his Saints as our Lord Jesus Christ hath redeemed and made Kings and Priests unto God who shall reign on Earth assisted by Christ the Angel of the Covenant and his Heavenly Angels to execute the righteous Judgments of God as was also proved before by pouring out of the Vials of the wrath of God This Vial is one of those seven golden Vials which was given unto the seven Angels which were full of the wrath of God and contained the last Plagues which are to be poured out upon Mystical Babylon to her utter destruction as hath been proved before and chap. 16. vers 19. and all them that worship the Beast and his Image chap. 14.8 9 10 11. These Vials are called the Cup of Gods Indignation and the Cup of the Wine of the fiercenesse of his wrath The Beast is the Object of the Wrath of God even of the fierceness of his great Wrath upon whom the LORD will pour out all his Plagues first and last and Babylon shall drink the Cup of his Indignation chap. 14.10 and the nineteenth verse of this Chapter Beast in this Prophesie of the Revelation is sometimes named without any distinction and then by Beast we are to understand the whole Complex Body of the Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick State of the Roman Kingdom Church and Government as chap. 11.7 13.18 14.9 11. and sometimes the Beast is named with distinction chap. 13.11 12. as if there were two Beasts both which is but one Beast distinguished by his twofold Power and Dominion to wit Political and Ecclesiastical as doth appear vers 1. 4. So chap. 17.3 the Beast and the Woman that is to say the Political Government and the Ecclesiastick State likewise chap. 16.13 and 19.20 the Beast and the false Prophet also the Beast and his Image chap. 13.14 By the Beast we are to understand the Roman Antichristian Political State Power and Dominion By the Woman whâ— is the Whore the Image of the Beast and the false Prophet in divers respects wâ— are to understand the Roman Antichristian Ecclesiastick State Church Worship anâ— Government The Reason of this distinction is the two-fold Authority and Jurisdiction which the Beast exerciseth in the World and in the Church and therefore the Beast is said to rise from two places to wit out of the Sea Chap. 13.1 and out of the Earth vers 11. and to have two Horns like the Lamb chap. 13.11 that is to say a two-fold Power Political and Ecclesiastical both which was given unto the Beast by the Dragon chap. 13.2 And the Dragon gave him his Power and his Throne and great Authority
Prophesying 3. Who the Beast is and how he kills them 4. What is the street of the great City in which their dead bodies lie 5. VVhat Time is to be understood by the three dayes and an half 6. How they shall be raised again and what are the Effects thereof As touching the first viz. VVho are the two VVitnesses and what is their Testimony The two VVitnesses vers 3. are described Metaphorically by two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks vers 4. These are the two Olive Trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth By which Description it appears that the two Witnesses are not any two individual Persons as Moses and Elias nor is thereby meant any two particular Testimonies as the Old and New Testament or two distinct Callings as Magistracy and Ministry for none of these Interpretations will agree with this Description of the two Witnesses as will plainly appear in the Exposition of this fourth verse By the two Olive Trees are mystically signified the Lords Ministers and Prophets who are here called Sons of Oyl which is an Hebraism and a Metaphorical Expression borrowed from Zech. 4.11 14. These are the two Anointed Ones that stand by the LORD of the whole Earth Such were the Priests and Prophets of the LORD who were Anointed Exod. 28.41 1 Kings 19.16 Yea and all the Saints who are a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 have an Unction from the Holy One 1 John 2.20 27. but especially the Lord's Ministers and Prophets who being anointed with the Spirit above their fellow-Brethren the Saints do empty the golden Oyl out of themselves into the seven Lamps of the golden Candlesticks By the two Candlesticks are figured forth the visible true constituted Churches of Jesus Christ as plainly appears by his own interpretation Chap. 1.20 And the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches As one Candlestick in the Prophets Vision usystically signified that National Church of God which was but One Zach. 4.2 So two Candlesticks in the Apostles Vision Metaphorically representeth those Congregational Churches of Jesus Christ which are many Nor is my distinguishing between the Lords Ministers and Prophets and his Churches unwarrantable for they are distinguished in other Scriptures Acts 15.4.22 23. The Apostles and Elders with the whole Church Acts 20.17 18. also Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 5.1 2. and 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers The Testimony which these two Witnesses bear whilst they prophesie in Sackcloath is not that general Testimony which the Ministers and Churches of God in all Ages of the Gospel have born against Sin Satan and the World of ungodly men though that may turn unto them for a Testimony but it is a Generation Confession of those Truths which do properly belong unto that Age wherein they live and unto which they are called as was John the Baptist John 1.19 20 23. the Apostles Acts 1.8 4.18 19. 20. Paul Acts 18.5 and 23.11 Timothy 1 Tim. 6.12 And the Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 6.9 in their DAY So that this Testimony is that confession of Truth which the Churches of God and the Ministers and Prophets of the Lord have made and the Witnesse which they have born in their own Generation for Christ his Magistracy Ministry Churches Ordinances Worship and Government or Discipline c. and against Antichrist or the Beast his Magistracy Ministry Churches Ordinances Worship and Government or Discipline c. Hereby the Saints in this present Generation may understand three things which are necessary for them to know and to do viz. 1. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to bear their Testimony not onely against the Power Throne and great Authority which the Dragon who is the Devil Chap. 20.2 gave unto the Beast Chap. 13.2 but also against all the Kings of the Earth who have received their power at the same time with the Beast and give their power and strength unto the Beast Chap. 17.12 13. to wit those ten Kings of the fourth Monarchy who received a Political and Ecclesiasticaâ— Power one hour or at the same time with the Beast and have given their moral power and natural strength unto the Beast and principally against the Politick and Ecclesiastick power of the eighth Beast who is also one of the seven Kings who goeth into perdition 2. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to bear their Testimony not only against the most gross Idolaters of the great VVHORE Mystery Babylon and her Sorcerers but also against the superstitious Abominations of all other Harlots to wit false Churches and false VVorshippers who are her Daughters Chap. 17.5 Yea though they be well-favoured Harlots Nahum 3.4 called the Cities of the Nations that is to say National Churches who shall fall in the utter destruction of great Babylon when she comes in remembrance before God Chap. 16.19 3. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to beat their Testimony unto the Kingdom of Jesus Christ here on Earth not onely as he is King of Saints Chap. 15.3 and King of Zion Psal 149.1 2. but also as he is King of Nations Jer. 10.7 For this confession of the Kingdom of our LORD Jesus Christ is properly the Truth of this present Age and Generation the glad tydings whereof is to be preached in all the WORLD for a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the END of the WORLD come Mat. 24.14 And I may say in the Apostles words 1 Cor. 10.11 This is written for our Admonition upon whom the Ends of the VVorld are come As touching the second viz. VVhat is the Power of these two VVitnesses and the time of their Prophesying The Power which the Lord hath given unto his two VVitnesses is not a Magisterial Authority or Dominion but a Prophetical Power to wit the Power of the VVORD not the Power of the Sword which is another Reason why I cannot be of their Opinion who say That these two VVitnesses are the Magistracy and Ministry of Christ This Prophetical Power is declared by several Acts such as were done by the Prophets of the LORD of old vers 5 6. to wit first Power over Fire as Eliah had 2 Kings 1.10 and Jer. 5.14 Behold I will make my words in thy mouth Fire Secondly Power over VVaters both the VVaters that are above the Firmament verse 6. These have power to shut Heaven that it rain not in the dayes of their Prophesie And such a prophetical Power Elijah or Elias had 1 Kings 17.1 There shall be no dew nor rain but according to my VVord which the Prophet effected by earnest prayer Jam. 5.17 And also over the VVaters which are under the Firmament to turn them into Blood verse 6. As Moses the LORD'S Prophet did Exod. 7.19 20 21. Thirdly Power to smite the Earth with all Plagues which Plagues are to be understood Metaphorically of Spiritual Judgements For although the Prophetical Power
of Moses and Elijah and other Prophets brought material Plagues and temporal Judgments upon Egypt and other Countries upon the Inhabitants of the world yet the Plagues and Judgments here mystically described are if not onely yet principally of a Spiritual kind such as the Lord Prophets of old also had Power to do Isa 6.9 10. and Mat. 13.13 14 15. The Time of their Prophesying is 1260 dayes verse 3. The same number of 1260. the WOMAN that is to say the Church of God is fed in the Wilderness chap. 12.6 to wit by those Ministers and Prophets who are the Witnesses of Christ as aforesaid Which 1260. dayes counting 30. dayes for a month make forty two months which is the time that the holy City viz. the Church of God shall be troden underfoot by the Gentiles vers 2. that is to say by the Papists and Popish Idolaters who for their Spiritual Idolatry in the Worship of God are called Gentiles as the great City Mystical Babylon Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt vers 8. And the number of forty two months is the time that was given unto the Beast viz. Antichrist that Man of Sin and Son of Perdition to wit the Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick Power and Dominion to continue and to prevail Chap. 13.5 7. Hereby it doth plainly appear that as the time of the Gentiles who tread the holy City underfoot chap. 11.2 and the time of the Beast that doth make war with the Saints and Witnesses of the LORD and overcome them and kill them chap. 13.5 7. 11.7 are one and the same time of forty two months so the time of the WOMAN who is fed in the Wilderness chap. 12.6 and the time of the two Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath chap. 11.3 are one and the same time of 1260. dayes And it hereby also appears that all these four are contemporary all beginning and ending together and besides that which is noted touching these four and their time in the Scripture of Truth both the Antiquity of Ecclesiastical History and the late Expositors of this Book of the Revelation do give a Testimony unto the same affirming that when the Beast began to exercise his Tyrannical Power and Antichristian Dominion over the Saints then the Holy City began to be trodden under foot then the Woman fled into the Wilderness and then the two Witnesses began to Prophesie in Sackcloath Which time of the exercise of the Beasts Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick Power coercively was say they about the Year of our Lord 407 409 410. or thereabouts As may be seen in Symsons History of the Church lib. 4. Socrat. Hist. Eccles cap. 3. Helvicus in Concil Taurinatens cap. 7. The Councel of Toledâ— in Spain Anno Dom. 400. as saith Helvicus Magdeb. Cent. 5. cap. 10. It is not my work at present to determine either the beginning or ending of this time but onely to give the Interpretation of these 1260 dayes which contain the time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath The 1260. dayes are not to be understood litterally of so many natural dayes for that is but three years and an half which is intended by the three dayes and an half vers 9. when the dead bodies of the slain Witnesses lie unburied called a Time and Times and half a Time chap. 12.14 and Dan. 7.21 25. But we must understand those 1260. dayes prophetically that is to say each day for a year according unto those Scriptures Numb 14.34 and Ezek. 4.5 6. So that The whole time of the two Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath is 1260. years So long the holy City is to be trodden under foot so long the Woman is to be in the VVilderness and so long the Beast's Power is to continue for the times of all these four do begin and end together and are but one time to wit 1260. years As touching the third Particular viz. Who the Beast is and how he kills the VVitnesses The great Monarchs and Monarchies of this WORLD have been figured forth by wild Beasts God shewed his Prophet Daniel the four Kingdoms by a Vision of four Beasts Dan. 7.3 4 5 6 7. The first like a Lyon the second like to a Bear the third like a Leopard the fourth Beast to wit the Roman Kingdom was so dreadful that he had no Name so monstrous that he had no resemblance unto any one Beast but is described by such things as doth manifesâ— him to be a Monster to wit partly a Man by his two Iron Legs by his Feet and teâ— Toes part of Iron and part of Clay Dan. 2.33 which is expounded of the fourth Kingdom vers 40 41 42 43. and partly a Beast by his great Iron teeth by his teâ— Horns and a little Horn that came up among them Dan. 7.7 8. which is also expounded of the fourth Monarchy verse 24 25 or Roman Kingdom And our LORD Jesus Christ gave the like Description of the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom unto his Servant John under the similitude of a Beast namely 〈◊〉 great red Dragon Revel 12.3 Which Beast was terrible and monstrous as that which Daniel saw all spotted like a Leopard his feet like a Bear and his mouth aâ— the mouth of a Lyon chap. 13.3 with seven Heads and ten Horns chap. 17.3 ascending out of the bottomless Pit and goeth into Perdition v. 8. And this is the Beast which shall kill the VVitnesses chap. 11.7 The Beast in this Prophesie is sometimes mentioned alone without any distinction and then we are thereby to understand the whole complex Body of the Roman Antichristian Politick Ecclesiastick State and Government as chap. 14.9 11. And in other places of this Book the Beast is mentioned with some other as if he were two as the Beast that rose out of the Sea and the Beast that rose out of the Earth chap. 13.1 11. Beast and Woman chap. 17.3 the Beast and the false Prophet chap. 19.20 And thereby we are to understand a â—wo-fold Power mixed and exercised together that is to say by the Beast is meant â—he Political and by the Woman the Ecclesiastical Power of the Roman Governâ—ent So then by the Beast that kills the VVitnesses vers 7. we are to understand the â—oman-Antichristian-Politick-and-Eccleâ—astick-State and Government exercised â—ercively over mens Consciences in any â—lace or Case whatsoever This Beast that shall kill the two VVitnesses is more distinctly though more Myâ—ically described Rev. 17.8 11. by â—â—ee particular things First By his past â—esent and future State The Beast that WAS and IS NOT and yet IS Secondly By his twofold number even he is the EIGHT and is of the SEVEN Thirdly By his RISE and RUINE He shall ascend out of the bottomless PIT and go into PERDITION The Beast that WAS Chap. 17.11 that is to say the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom and the Political Government thereof WAS a Kingdom which God set up and a Power which God ordained Dan. 2.40.7.7 23. and Rom. 13.1 7.
to death John 11.47 to 53. And KILL them vers 7. The killing of the two Witnesses doth not signifie a Corporal death only nor principally for such a killing doth not agree with this Prophesie but it is rather a Metaphorical Expression which signifies a two-fold Death partly Civil whereby the Witnesses shall be deprived of their civil Liberties and the Exercise of their Religion their Estates confiscated their Persons confined Imprisoned Banished and some of their Lives or all their livelyhood taken away by the tyrannical Power of the Beast and partly yea principally Spiritual whereby the Witnesses shall be deprived of that Zeal Vigor and Courage which with all boldness they had formerly manifested in bearing their Testimouy openly for Christ his Kingdom his Church his Worship and his Government against the Antichristian Beast his Kingdom Church Worship and Government The darkness and blackness of the DAY of the Witnesses death will principally consist in their being deprived of that Spirit of Life that sometimes they had received from God and had formerly exercised in bearing their Testimony which Spirit of Life the Witnesses lose by cooling in their Spiritual affections unto Christ and by their sinning against the LORD for usually when Ministers or Members of Churches fall from their first Love they fall in with the Apostacy of the time and so lose that life and courage which they formerly had and manifested with great boldnesse for Christ against Antichrist This Spiritual kind of death is most agreeable unto their Resurrection that is effected by that Spirit of Life from God which vers 11. after three dayes and an half shall enter into them Now such as is the Resurrection of the Witnesses such is their death But their Resurrection is Spiritual for vers 11. the Spirit of Life from God entred into them therefore their death is Spiritual viz A depravation of that Spirit of Life that is to say the loss of that courage boldness zeal vigor and life which they formerly had and manifested in their Testimony for Christ against the Beast This kind of death is also most agreeable unto the Witnesses lying dead after they were killed in respect both of the place which is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt ver 8. and of the time when they lay unburied which is Prophetically said to be three dayes and an half vers 9. Touching the fourth Particular viz. What is the Street of the great City in which their dead Bodies lie The Answer unto this Particular is Mysteriously given in the 8 9. verses of this Chapter And their dead Bodies shall lie in the street of the great City c. The great City is that mentioned chap. 17.8 Which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth to wit the WOMAN that sits upon a Scarlet-coloured BEAST chap. 17.3 which is the great WHORE chap. 17.1 whose Name is Mystery BABYLON the Mother of HARLOTS chap. 17.5 viz. the whole Antichristian Kingdom of the Beast all Mystical Babylon The Street of the great City is some noted Street as a Market-Street or some eminent Street as Cheap-side or some open Street or place as Smithfield within or without the great City under the Dominion and Government thereof By this Street we are to understand some â—minent Part of Mystical Babylon and Kingdom of the Beast viz. some of the ten Kingdoms which appertain unto the Dominion of the Beast and not his whole Kingdom â—or the whole City It is not said in the Streets of the great City but in the Street to wit the most eminent Kingdom for the Testimony of Jesus Christ even that Nation where the Witnesses have most eminently born their Testimony against Antichrist The place being spoken of by way of eminency must be understood either in relation â—o the Witnesses or in respect unto the Beast that kills them or to both Now take either of these or both together and it signifies not the whole Witnesses nor the whole Kingdom of Babylon but a part thereof Not the whole Kingdom of Babylon because â—pon the rising and ascending of the Witnesses there is but a part of the Kingdom of Babylon falls And the tenth part of the City fell vers 13. which is that part here meant by this Street Nor all the VVitnesses of Christ in all the WORLD no nor in all the Kingdoms of Babylon because there are some Witnesses remain alive when these two are killed who shall call upon them to come up to them when the Spirit of Life from the Lord doth again enter into them and cause them to stand upon their feet vers 12 And they heard a great Voice from Heaven saying unto them Come up hither Which Voice from Heaven is the call of those Angels who have the seven last Plagues and come out of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven when iâ— is opened to come up to Mount Zion to them where they and other Saints stanâ— with the Lamb and to see the Judgement of the great WHORE which will appeâ— by comparing chap. 11.12 19.14.1 5â— 15.1 2 5 6.17.1 And the Temple oâ— God was opened in Heaven and there were voyces chap. 11.19 And the seven Angels came out of the Temple in Heaven chap. 16.6 And one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials said Come up hither and I will shew thee the judgment of the great Whore c. As touching the fifth Particular viz. What time is to be understood by the three days and an half vers 9. The knowledge of the time when the Witnesses shall be killed and rise again is very desirable unto the Saints in this GENERATION many godly and learned Men have laboured studiously in searching out this time and have communicated their understanding about this Matter whose labours have been profitable unto the Lords people and unto me also who having read their Opinions about the ending time of the Witnesses Sackcloath-condition and of the troubles of the Lords People I have been much comforted by several precious Observations which they have made touching this matter But not being fully satisfied with their Determination of the period of that ending time I have also addicted my self to search the holy Scriptures touching such Prophetical Numbers as seem to contain the ending time And I shall take liberty to give my Opinion also and the grounds thereof viz. 1. The three dayes and an half are three years and an half each day for a year according to the prophetical Account of Mystical dayes Numb 14.34 and Ezek. 4.5 6. 2. The three dayes and an half are those three years and an half which do immediately succeed the killing or death of the Witnesses for after they are killed their dead Bodies are seen three dayes and an half chap. 11.9 and they do immediately preceed their Resurrection for after three dayes and an half the Spirit of Life from God doth enter into the Witnesses and they stand upon their feet chap. 11.11 So then The three
Verse 12. And they heard a great Voice from Heaven saying unto them The Witnesses being raised and spirited for the WORK of the LORD are now called thereunto which call is by a great Voice from Heaven that is out of the Temple of God opened in Heaven chap. 11.19 to wit the Church of God on Earth whose Spiritual Glory is described chap. 12.1 by a Woman cloathed with the Sun c. This Voice is the Voice of the Remnanâ— of the Womans Seed who kept the Commandments of God viz. Christs Gospel Institutions Acts 1.2 and have the Testimony of Jesus viz. a Spirit of Prophesie amongst them chap. 19.10 even then and all that time of the three years and an half when the Witnesses are killed and their dead Bodies lie in the Street of the great City Which Remnant of the Womans Seed do call upon the raised Witnesses saying unto them Come up hither vers 12. that is to say Come and joyn with us and worship God with us Come and help us to carry on the Work of the LORD his Kingdom c. and to pull down the Kingdom c. of the Beast which call or invitation of the Remnant the Witnesses did straightway answer as followeth And they ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud wers 12. This signifies a glorious change in the state of the VVitnesses attending their Resurrection which they now attended by their Testimony called a Cloud in which respect those eminent Believers Heb. 11. Chapter are called a Cloud of VVitnesses Heb. 12.11 And the VVitnesses swift ascension or going up unto those that called them is fitly resembled unto a bright Cloud as the Conversion of the Gentiles and their coming into the Jews after their glorious Conversion Isa 60.1 2 3 4 5 8. VVho are these that flee as a Cloud c. And the same hour was there a great Earthquake Vers 13. By this Earth-quake we are to understand great Commotions overturnings and downfals in the Kingdoms of Antichrist as chap. 6.12 and Mat. 24.7 which great Change is said to happen the same hour with the Witnesses Ascention that is to say at the same time when the VVitnesses rise the Papists fall And the tenth part of the City fell Verse 13. By the City here is meant the whole Roman Antichristian Kingdom of the Beast as vers 8. and chap. 17.18 And by the tenth part of the City we are to understand one of the ten Kingdoms of Mystical Babylon for the whole City consisting of ten Kingdoms chap. 12.3 13.1 and 17.12 the tenth part of the City must be understood of some ONE of the ten Kingdoms to wit that Kingdom where the VVitnesseâ— lay slain called the STREET of the great City vers 8. And the Retaliation which follows seemeth to favour this Interpretation And in the Earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand vers 13. viz. seven thousand men of Name which fall of so many eminent Persons of the Antichristian Party will become a means of Conversion unto many others of that Party vers 13. And the Remnant were afrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven Verse 14. The second VVOE is past and behold the third VVOE cometh quickly By the second WOE we are to understand all the Troubles Plagues and Judgements of the sixth Trumpet recorded from chap. 9.13 unto chap. 11.14 which are now past and ended And the third VVOE cometh quickly to wit upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet which is the third WOE trumpet which is to be sounded by the seventh Angel chap. 8.13 which seventh Trumpet brings in the Dispensation of the seven Vials of the last Plagues of God upon Babylon which is fitly called the third or last WOE Touching which third WOE or Vials of the last Plagues of God upon Babylon I have something to offer in the second Part of this little Treatise which I judge meet for the Saints in this Generation to know And therefore I shall pray that God will open the Scriptures unto you that shall read it and open your understanding that you may know the Truth and what you ought to do in this day of your Generation Amen Apocalyptical MYSTERIES The Second Part Touching the Seven VIALS Revel 16. Chapter LONDON Printed in the Year 1667. Apocalyptical MYSTERIES The Second Part Touching the Seven VIALS Revel 16. Chapter THis Chapter containeth the Angels Commission to execute the wrath of God upon the Beast and their execution thereof gradually by pouring out one Vial after another until all the seven Vials of the seven last Plagues be poured out upon Babylon unto whom is given the Cup of the Wine of the fierceness of the wrath of God vers 19. of which Cup every one that worshippeth the Beast and his Image and receiveth his Mark in his Forehead or in his hand shall drink Chap. 14.8 9 10 11. The Angels Commission is in the first verse of this Chapter And I heard a greaâ— Voice out of the Temple saying Go your wayes and pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the Earth In this Commission observe Christ's Command for the execution of the wrath of God upon Babylon wherein you have first The Divine Authority of it A great Voice out of the Temple Secondly The Persons to whom the Command was given Saying to the seven Angels Go now Thirdly The work which they were commanded to do Pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the Earth This great Voice was the Voice of the LORD Isa 66.6 A Voice from the Temple the Voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his Enemies It is called a greaâ— Voice not onely to shew us that it is the Lord's Voice but his Voice out of Zion which is his Temple as was prophesied Joel 3.16 The LORD also shall roar oâ—â— of Zion and utter his Voice from Jerusalem and the Heavens and the Earth shall shake Yea to declare that the great day of the LORD is near it is near and hastned greatly Zeph. 1.14 15. which dispensation of the day of wrath the Prophet calleth The Voice of the Day of the LORD Zeph. 1.14 15. And such is that Voice which is uttered out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne saying It is done vers 17. of this Chapter upon the pouring out of the seventh Vial. The Temple in this first verse is called The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven chap. 15.5 and the Temple of God opened in Heaven chap. 11.19 And in the 17. verse of this Chapter the Temple of Heaven Not that we are to understand it to be in Heaven in respect of place for John saw no such Temple in the holy and Heavenly City chap. 21.22 But by the Temple of Heaven or in Heaven is meant the Heavenly State of the Church of God on Earth restored to its Apostalical institutions and Primitive purity called the Temple of the Living God 2 Cor. 6.16 It is called the Temple of the Tabernacle
the 13 14 15 16 verses of this Chapter is not any proper effect of this Vial nor any part thereof but rather an interval of time betwixt the sixth and seventh Vials wherein some remarkable things are to be transacted in order to the pouring forth of the seventh Vial and therefore contain a praeparatory Vision thereunto In which Vision John saw three Embassadors or Agents sent from the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet to the Kings of the Earth The Dragon is that old Serpent called Satan which is the Devil chap. 20.2 The Beast is the civil State or political Powers which Beast rose out of the Sea chap. 13.1 The false Prophet is the Ecclesiastical State which is the Beast that rose out of the Earth chap. 13.11 He is here called the false Prophet because now he is unmasked and his Vizard pluck't off to wit his pretended likeness unto the Lamb chap. 13.11 And now he is discovered to be that Deceiver and false Prophet which was to come The three unclean Spirits like Frogs vers 13. are their Embassadors or Agents called Spirits for their subtilty and activity and pretending to be spiritual men and imployed principally about Religious and Spiritual Affairs like Ahabs false Prophets 1 King 22.21 22. who deceived the Kings of Israel and Judah in perswading them to go up to Ramoth Gilead to Battel and therefore are said to be Spirits of Devils vers 14. working Miracles as the Devil raised up false Christ's and false Apostles so he doth false Prophets purposely to deceive the Kings of the Earth and the Inhabitants of the Earth that they may not receive the true Christ believe the true Apostles nor regard the Testimony of the true Prophets of the Lord. Before John sets down the success of this their Negotiation he writes a word of warning as it were a Parenthesis vers 15. Behold I come as a Thief c. that is to say suddenly and unexpectedly as Mat. 24.43 44. and 2 Pet. 3.10 Blessed is he that watcheth for my coming and keepeth his Garments white and clean and fast girded unto him lest he walk naked and they see his shame 1 Tim. 5.22 Jam. 1.27 The succss of their Negotiation followeth vers 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew Tongue Armageddon He gathered them together that is to say the Dragon which is the Devil by his Frogs those unclean spirits gathered them together viz. the Kings of the Earth By Armageddon we are to understand the name of a place which the Jews shall give after they have gotten some considerable victory over the Turks and therefore called it Armageddon the place of destruction of an Army which happily may have an â—llusion unto that great destruction of the Caâ—aanites at the Waters of Megiddo Judg. â— 19 when Sisera the chief Captain of Jabin with all his Hosts fell by the hand of Deborah and Barack where was made â—uch a total destruction that it is said Judg. â— 16 And the Host of Sisera fell upon the â—dge of the Sword and there was not a man â—eft And such an universal destruction will be the effect of this Battel at Armageddon chap. 19.20 21. And the seventh Angel poured out his Vial into the Air c. vers 17. The Object of this Vial is the Air which notes the universality of the Subjects upon whom the wrath of God is poured out of this seventh Vial. The Air fills all places no Subject can be more general then the Air. By the Air here we are to understand all Nations Kingdoms and People all Places Persons and Things that oppose the Kingdom Worship and Government of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Sion Isa 60.12 The Earth Sea Rivers Sun and Seat of the Beast's Kingdom is destroyed by the former Vials And by this seventh Vial shall be destroyed all things whatsoever remains of Sathans Kingdom Who is called Ephes 2.2 The Prince of the power of the Air. The other six Vials were poured out upon their particular Objects but this seventâ— Vial is poured out into its Subject which notes the spreading and dilating of it seâ— into every part of Satan's and the Beast'â— Kingdom for the utter destruction oâ— every thing therein that remained So then the wrath of God poured out of this Vial will diffuse and spread over First The whole Kingdom of Antichrist or the Beast Secondly The remaining Dominion and Kingdom of the Turks And thirdly The whole Kingdom of the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil And when all these Enemies against Christ and his Kingdom shall be destroyed by the pouring out of this seventh Vial then comes a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven to wit the Visible Church of God on Earth restored unto her primitive Purity and made glorious Isa 60.7 12 13 14. saying It is DONE chap. 10.6 7. viz. The Mystery of God is finished as he hath declared to his Servants the Prophets This Voice is Christ 's chap. 21.5 6. He that sat upon the Throne said unto me It is DONE This Voice is said to come from the Throne in the Temple of Heaven in this 17. verse that is to say It came from Christ who sat upon the Throne chap. 21.5 6. and implies now Christs Kingdom shall be set up and he himself shall sit upon the Throne chap. 3.21 and all his Saints with him And there were Voices and Thundrings and Lightnings and there was a great Earth-quake c. vers 18. The like to this was the effect of the Witnesses rising chap. 11.13 upon which Commotions the tenth part of the City fell so here by this great Earth-quake the great City is divided into three parts vers 19. Fractions or Divisions note the utter ruine of the Roman-Antichristian-Politick-and-Ecclesiastick-State Power Dominion and Kingdom of the Beast For a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand And the Cities of the Nations fell verse 19. litterally such Nations as come to help the Beast and the Turk against the Lord and his People Mystically by the Cities of the Nations we may understand National Churches The great Whore is called the great City so the Harlots who are her Daughters chap. 17.5 are here called the Cities of the Nations If the Catholick Church of Rome be the great City then the National Romish Churches may also be called the Cities of the Nations which shall fall in the Day of the Lords controversie with all Nations Hag. 2.22 and Jer. 25.30 31 32 33. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God vers 19. By great Babylon here is primarily meant Constantinople the royal City of the great Turk And Secondarily All his Principalities Domininions and Kingdom prophesied of Isa 14.4 5 24 25 32. Neither am I alone in this my Opinion for Mr. Brightman and others are of the same Jugement And my Reasons are 1. Because the great City and great Babylon are contradistinguished one from the other in this 19