a Time Times and halfe a Time see the third Chapter At which time then almost all his cruelty against the Saints shall be finished for he did to this very yeare slay the Saints and laid them dead and triumphs over them and make merry sending gifts one to another and at this time Antichrist is said to finish his reigne over the Saints having slaine them and so is one time of his end come Second time of his end is 1290. dayes which time begins saith the Text when thn daily Sacrifice was taken away and that abomination set up which made all desolate Which was done in the yeare of Christ 365. now 365. and 1290. are 1655. which is the second time of his end which is the end of the fifth and sixth Viall pouring forth Carion Chro. lib. 3. Rev. 12.17 18. Dan. 7.11 when all Civill and Ecclesiasticall power shall be taken from him and his Armies destroyed and given to the Fowles of Heaven and their bodies to the burning flames And all the civill power of States put into the hands of the godly but not the Ecclesiasticall power untill the seven plagues of the seven Angels be fulfilled The third time of his end is set down in the 12. verse to be 1335. dayes By dayes he means propheticall dayes a day for a yeare This time is to begin when the 1290. began at the yeare 365. so 365. and 1355. make 1700. which is the third and last time of his end when he shall be spiritually slain and cast out of the hearts minds of men in whom he hath fastly rooted himself by his Antichristian errours Dan. 7.12 in whom he and the rest of the Beast was said to live after they had their Dominions and Kingdomes taken from them At this time the Lord Christ is said to sit upon the Throne Rev. 19.1 6. and much people in Heaven crying Alleluiah and the voyce of a great Multitude and as the voyces of many waters and the voyce of mighty thunderings saying Alleluiah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth In the yeare 1655. Christ and his Witnesses are to take the powers of all the ten Kingdomes which Antichrist had into their owne hands and shall reigne but yet Christ is not said to reigne fully Christ not said to reigne untill his reigne in and over his Church as well as over Nations untill Antichrist be quite removed out of the hearts of men and the Church way of Christ clearly seene by all his servants both by his Witnesses in Heaven and other of his Saints that so he may reigne not onely upon the thrones of Nations but likewise upon the hill of Sion his Church and then Christ is said to reigne truly which he shall doe at this last terme 1700. Then shall the Lambe Christ be married unto his Church and the new Jerusalem built Antichrist being quite destroyed and cast not onely out of the would but out of the hearts of men and all that Antichristian darknesse and ignorance out of the mindes of men that the way of Church-discipline at that time shall be so plaine Isa 35.8 that wayfaring men yea though fools shall not erre therein and so much light that all shall see the way of Church-discipline Zach. 14.7 which way the uncleane is not to passe over but it shall be for those At even time it shall be light which is meant of this yeare 1700. Rev. 19.7 The Spouse married to Christ by a Church-Covenant even for those that are holy which doe not pollute nor defile and not for the uncleane At which time all the people of God seeing the Church way of Christ so plaine are said to make themselves ready and prepared to be married to Christ not but that they were married to him before in a spirituall way by faith and love Else how could they have this title of Bride or Wife But to be married to him is in an outward way by a solemne League and Covenant in the sight of all the world and Nations round about them which is called the building of that new Jerusalem and holy City Rev. 21.2 10. which is said to come downe from Heaven By Heaven is meant the place of judicature where Christ and his Witnesses sit from this high place or Heaven the Church and Spouse of Christ who is that new Jerusalem or holy City being invested with liberty and leave from Christ and his Witnesses to enter into a true Church-way and to set up such a Government in all the Churches of the Saints Isa 24.22 whereby the Lord Jesus may be Mount Sion and in his new Jerusalem before his anciemts gloriously The Lord Jesus who is the Tree of Life Rev. 22.2 who is in the midst of his Church is said to yeeld twelve manner of fruits twelve sorts of fruits after the twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel That is in him is all kindes of spirituall meats to feed and nourish all the Churches of his Saints though their wants be divers and many And this Tree yeelds his fruit every moneth in the yeare The holy Ghost secretly hinting to those Churches that shall live in those thousand yeares that he would have them to eat of that Tree of Life but once a moneth Now by Tree of life is set forth to us the Lord Christ in that great Ordinance of the Lords Supper who doth fully communicate himself to his Saints by that Ordinance In other Ordinances there is but a communication of Christ by parcels but in this of whole Christ and a participation of all spirituall gifts and graces and therefore the Lord Jesus the Tree of life is said to yeeld his fruit but once a moneth therefore the Saints are not to take fruit from this Tree but as it yeelds it not to pluck the Tree before the fruits be ripe and it is likely this will be the custome of all the Churches in the thousand yeares reigne Though the Churches in the primitive times did receive it every seventh day because they were then in their infancy and childhood and so the Lord Jesus had need to be as a Nurse with his Breasts full of Milke to nourish his young ones every day as it were But when the Church shall be growne up to the age and stature of a man and so to be fed with meat and not with milke then Christ will be a Tree of life in his Church yeelding meat and fruits for strong men every moneth for his Saints at that time are foretold by the holy Ghost to be ancient men ancient Christians Isa 24.23 such that are growne up towards the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Ephes 4.13 before whom he is said to reign in Mount Sion in Jerusalen gloriously This liberty to build this holy City new Jerusalem shal be to the Saints 1700. by the Witnesses in the high place of Judicature therefore it is said againe That
of their mindes but this is a preposterous way they may sooner root their hearts out of their brests But we see Christs way he useth the Civill Sword to take away all Antichrists power which he got by the Civill Sword Christ useth a spirituall sword to remove and cast out all those errors that are in mens spirits and so slays him carry him captive and likewise dry up that River Euphrates but spiritually to slay men in removeing darknesse and ignorance out of their understanding and so consequently errors and heresies he hath a spirituall Sword fit for the worke So the seventh Angel poured forth the seventh Viall into the aire and then came a great voice out of the Temple of Heaven Rev. 16.17 from the Throne saying It is done By aire is meant that Antichristian ignorance and darknesse wherewith Antichrist had filled the whole world Rev. 16.10 Rev. 14.6.7 By voices is meant the Gospel By Temple is meant the Church or Churches of the Saints 2 Cor. 6.16 This voice came out of the Temple that is the Churches of the Saints sent forth Messengers or Ministers to preach the Gospel Rev. 14.6 to every Nation kinred tongue and people The Temple of Heaven from the civill throne Christ and his witnesses being in Heaven the high place of Judicature where they have their throne the Spirit of God joines the Temple and this Heaven together and Christs civill Magistrates and his Churches go hand in hand and with joint consent send forth Ministers to preach the Gospel Rev. 14.6 therefore it is said I saw an Angel flee through the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach c. saying It is done These Ministers shall declare to all the world that now the worke is done the Kingdomes and Dominions are taken from the Beast Dan. 7.11 12. and their bodies given to the burning flame and their Armles utterly destroyed and given up to the slaughter and so the worke is as good as done Isa 34.2 And another shall come after them and say Rev. 14.8 Babylon is fallen Babylon is fallen And another after him shall come and pronounce the judgments of God against every man that retains and holds fast those Antichristian errors Vers 9 10. saying If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his marke in their hands or in their foreheads the same man shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lambe Upon this great voice of the Gospel shall follow two great effects or consequences First the bringing in of the fulnesse of the Gentiles Secondly the calling home of the Jewes First the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come in declared in these words That there were voices and thundering and lightning Rev. 16.18 and there was a great earthquake By voices lightning c. is meant great stirs and combustions amongst men not in a warlike way as were before but in disputing and arguing about matters of Religion And by earthquake is meant a great falling off and renouncing those Antichristian tenets and errors which they formerly held to imbrace the sincere truths of the Gospel both for Doctrine and Discipline which is called the bringing in of the fulnesse of the Gentiles And this earthquake shall be so mighty and so great as was not the like since men lived on the earth there will be such a generall falling off and renouncing of their errors Rom. 11.25 and such a true and thorow imbracing of the truths of the Gospel as never was since men were upon the earth this is called the first resurection Rev. 20.6 And this great City is said to be divided into three parts Rev. 16.19 one part is to be slaine civilly to have all their civill power taken from them as those seven thousand were slaine in Scotland Rev. 11.13 at the fall of the tenth part of the City by Christ and his witnesses that sit in Heaven Secondly Another part is to be slaine by the naturall sword Rev. 19.11 and 14. by him that sits upon the white Horse and they which follow him upon white Horses in Heaven upon the high places of the field in his Army Thirdly The third part is to be slaine spiritually by that spirituall sword of the Gospel which proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ which is that voice that came out of the Temple So this great City is divided into three parts Vers 21. and thus great Babylon is said to come into remembrance before God and to drinke of the cup of the wine of the fiercenesse of his wrath and fury Thus will the Lord deal with Babylon even deal with her as she did with the Saints yea reward her double Rev. 18.6 she brake the Saints to peeces so shall she be broken to peeces like a Potters Vessell that shall not be set together againe Psal 2.9 Rev. 2.27 she devoured the Saints so shall she be devoured Every man that is found of her shall be thrust through and every one that is joyned to her Isa 13.15 shall fall by the sword She slew the Saints by a civill sword and tooke away all their powers from them and led them into captivity so shall she be civilly slaine by the same Sword and carried captive Rev. 13.10 and shut up as prisoners in a pit and civilly bound for many yeares They laid the witnesses dead bodies in the streets of that spirituall Sodome Isa 24.22 so shall they lye dead and bound with Satan a thousand yeares Rev. 20.3 5. not put into their graves Isa 14.19 nay worse they shall be cast out of their graves like on abominable branch loathsome and vile for all men to behold even as the rayment of him that is thrust through with a Sword and as a carkasse trodden under foot thus shall it be done to mysticall Babylon the mother of Haroots Rev. 17.5 rindx and the abominations of the whole earth the zeale of the Lord of Host will do all this in his appointed time And the Lord gives the reason of all this his fury Esa 37.32 and wrath and indignation against Babylon and saith Isa 34.8 It is the day of the Lords vengeance the yeare of recompences for the controversie of Zion and it is the vengeance of the Lord even the vengeance of his Temple Jer. 50.28 the violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon shall the Inhabitants of Zion say and my blood upon the Inhabitants of Chaldea Jer. 51.35 shall Jerusalem say Thus will the Lord pleade his Churches cause and take vengeance for her The second great effect which followes upon the seventh Vials pouring forth is the calling of the Jewes The
and abundance of peace so long as the Moone endureth at that time will I cause the Branch of righteousnesse to grow up to David and he shall execute judgement and righteousnesse in the Land justice and judgement shall be the habitation of his Throne mercy and truth shall goe before thy face Psal 89.14 Jer. 23.5 a King shall reigne and prosper who shall execute judgement in the earth Secondly Christ will not only give them just and righteous Laws but he will also give them his Gospel Rev. 14.6 Zach. 14.16 which shal be preached to all Nations they shal come up to Jerusalem to worship keep the feast of Tabercacles They shall submit to his power so farre as to have the Gospel preached to the people of the Nations Rev. 22.2 Which Gospel is called the leaves of that Tree of life which is to heale the Nations of their deadly wounds and diseases that they may doe the Commandements of God and have right to the Tree of life and so enter in through the Gate in-that holy City Isa 65.17 new Jerusalem This Government by which Christ will rule in the world Rev. 21.1 Matth. 24.35 is called The new Earth which God promised to make the old earth being passed away even that old Government of oppressions and cruelty which the five Beasts set up Rev. 21.1 being now dissolved by Christ and his Witnesses Christ set up a new Government to governe the men of the earth by called The new Earth lust and righteous Lawes and his Gospell Rev. 14.6 to be preached unto all Nations The second Government which Christ is to set up in the Churches of his Saints and new Jerusalem is a more stricter government then the former Zach. 2.1 Rev. 21.15.16 Rev. 11.1 He shall sit upon the throne of his glory in his Church and Temple with a measuring line and golden reed to measure Jerusalem that holy City to see that the length and bredth and hight of it be equall the highest Officer and the meanest Member of the Church must be equall in point of power and with this rod or golden reed he is to measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein but the outward Court must not be measured They that come into the outward Court that is they that come to the preaching of the Gospell measure not them for it is given to all the Nations of the world to be as leaves of the Tree of life to cure them therewith but the stones of the Temple and Altar and they that worship therein must be measured First Christ will measure all the stones which this holy City new Jerusalem is to be built withall none is to be admitted but precious stones Rev. 21.18 even of Jasper godly men and women and the city is to be all of pure gold like unto clcere glasse None are to enter into a Church-league and Covenant to be a stone of this new Jernsalem but such as have their cloathing of wrought gold Psal 45.13 befitting the Spouse of Christ and Queen of Heaven those graees of Gods Spirit which are as gold tryed in the fire Rev. 3.18 like unto cleare glasse without spot or defilement which are so I say in the judgement of Charity for so must the Saints judge if one be without spot not defilling by any outward sin as to worke abomination or make a lye he is to be admitted the Saints is to believe that such a one is a precious stone and pure gold in the judgement of charity 2. The Temple must not only be measured that is godly men and women which are as lively stones and spirituall Psal 1.2.5 Ezek. 43.13 to build this spirituall Temple but the Altar must be measured all ordinances and instruments with which the Saints are to worship are to be measured nothing is to be admitted as an Ordinance of worship but what is of divine institution which will agree with the touch-stone of the Word and ballance of the Sanctuary Not any of that Romish trash of mens inventions and humane traditions with which the Whore of Rome mixed her cup Ezek. 43.26 27. but the Altar must be cleansed seven daies seven times as gold or silver and then the Lord will accept of our offerings These are the Ordinances of the Altar of Christ within his Temple 3. They that worship in the Temple must be measured Christ sits upon the throne of his Church in the Temple and all that come in after it is built to worship shall be measured if they doe not agree with the golden reede of divine truth no admittance into his Temple nay after they be admitted if they walke not according to the rule of the Gospell after the third admonition Matth. 18.17 they are to be cast out of his house 1 Cor. 5.7 As none shall enter into his house that defiles so nothing is admitted to stay there for he would defile all the rest A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump 1 Cor. 5.6 therefore he must be cut off by the sword of Christ that goeth out of his mouth This is that government and discipline which Christ will set up in his Temple and holy City Rev. 2.16 and exercise in all the Churches of his Saints all the 1000. yeares and to the end of the world And these are the lawes ordinances and forms and going out thereof and commings in thereof this is the law of the house Ezek. 43.12 upon the top of the mountaines which is called that new Heaven which he will make A new Heaven that old Heaven being passed away and there was found no more sea no more of that Romish doctrine or humane traditions which that Antichristian Whore brought into the world with her but that Roman Beast and Babylonish Whore with all her abominations is now to be removed out of the way which she set up in the Temple and Heaven and now the Lord sets up pure ordinances of worship in all the Churches of the Saints which he calls the new Heaven which new heaven and earth shall ever continue Isa 61.17 Rev. 21.1 Rev. 20.3 4. Isa 24.22 not only for 1000. yeares in which Christ and his Saints shall raigne Satan be bound and wicked men shut up as prisoners in a pit and lye civilly slaine but even to the worlds end and then shall that be fulfilled Isa 16.16 17 18 19 20 21. Thou shalt also suck the milke of c. So the Lord Jesus is to raigne over the Nations of the world and Churches of his Saints 1000. yeares which 1000. yeares begins when Antichrist is quite destroyed which will be 1700. yeares and continue unto 2700. in which time Satan is said to be bound and shut up Rev. 20.3 and sealed in that bottomlesse pit Not so shut up but he shall still tempt and intice the men of the world yea and Saints too
the throne and of the foure beasts and in the midst of foure and twenty Elders he onely was counted worthy because he had beene slaine and redeemed his Church and people not onely from the wrath of God and Hell and Death but out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation and hath made them to God Kings and Priests and they shall reigne with Christ upon the earth 1000. yeers Rev. 20.4 This mysterie being now finished and this little booke and seales broken open Rev. 11 12. which were done the yeere the witnesses ascended up to Heaven 1639 when the tenth part of that Antichristian City fell as shall be shewed at large in its place then the Lord commanded his Prophet to make it plaine upon tables Vers 13. that he may run that readeth it Hab. 2.2 3. Dan. 12.10 And saith further that at the end the vision shall speake and not lye The Lord promising they that are wise shall understand this vision at the time of the end Rev. 1.3 Prov. 1.6 Now they are counted wise and blessed in this respect to understand a vision or mystery and the interpretation thereof Dan. 9.2 the words of the wise God and his darke saying who search and read the books and rolls wherein God hath wrapped and folded up these great mystery of the enemys ruine and the Churches deliverance and that trace and eye God in those secret wayes of his providence as that holy man of God did Psal 107. By which acts the Lord makes his vision and mystery plain upon tables that he that runs may read The Lord of his free love and grace having given some understanding in this great mystery and vision accordingly we will by Gods assistance endeavour to hold forth this light knowing that it is a great and hainous sinne inexcusable before God at that great day either to put our light under a bushell or to hide that talent in the earth which the Lord hath giuen us to trade with for his glory his Churches good and our owne everlasting comfort Therefore we will declare and make knowne what we understand of this great mystery in severall Chapters What is gold and pure mettall will endure the day of fiery triall but what is hay and stubble shall be burned which is my hearts desire THE MYSTERY OF God opened CHAP. I. The Vnion and Onenesse of those five grand enemies of the Church Daniels foure Beasts and little Horne set forth by one Image and one Beast THese foure Beasts and little Horn that carried the Church of God captive at the first into Babylon some 600. yeers before Christ and hath kept them in bondage 1600. yeers and upwards Isa 28.15 all these were confederate together to break devour and trample under their feet with great fury rage Dan. 7.7 and malice all the time of their reigne Isa 21.15 are therefore said to make a Covenant with Hell and Death for the same purpose First Dan. 2.31 the enemies are set forth by one Image the King of Babylon being the head of it who carried the Church of God first captive ver 38. is the first Beast chap. 7.4 The King of Persia which is the Breast and Armes of this Image who took the Kingdome from the King of Babylon Dan. 5.31 was Daniels second Beast Dan. 7.5 The Belly and Thighs of this Image was the King of Graecia who took the Kingdom from the King of Persia Dan. 8.6 7. 20 21. which was Daniels third Beast Dan. 7.6 The Legges and feet was the King of the Romans who took the Kingdome from the Grecians Dan. 11.20 set forth by this Character a raiser of Taxes as indeed he was as we may see plainly Luk. 2.1 2 he was Daniels fourth Beast Dan. 7.7 and was more terrible in his persecuting the people of God then any of the three Kings or Monarchs were that went before him set forth in these words Verse 7. Dreadfull terrible and strong exceedingly and had great iron teeth who devoured and broke in pieces and stomped the residue under his feet Dan. 2.41 And in this Kings dayes this great Kingdome and Monarchy was divided into ten Provinces or Kingdomes set forth by ten hornes Dan. 7.7 and by ten toes Dan. 2.41 which were on his feet but yet all under his power and jurisdiction and therefore he is said to have ten horns ten Kings that had ten powers under him and these ten Kings are not absolute Kings Rev. 17.12 therefore are said to have received no Kingdome but reigne as petty Kings under him and so receive power as Kings one houre with the Beast not distant from him Dan. 7.8 Rev. 13.11 but one with him Now this little horne which Daniel saw come up amongst those ten hornes which is that second Beast which John saw come out of the earth from amongst the common men of the earth as indeed he did was Antichrist for he did not come or issue from any royall race or blood therefore called by the Spirit of God Dan. 11.21 verse 24. a vile person to whom they shall not give the honour of the Kingdome but he shall come in peaceably and obtaine the Kingdome by flatteries as you may read ver 24. So that the Roman Monarch who is set forth by a raiser of Taxes was destroyed neither in anger nor in battell ver 20. but this little horne through his policy caused craft to prosper in his hand Dan. 8.25 he is noted to be very deep and subtill understanding darke sentences ver 23. shewing signes and wonders Marke 13.22 Rev. 13.13 14. and miracles making fire to come downe from Heaven by which signs he deceives the whole world would have seduced the Elect if it had been possible and by his policy and craft he began to work himself into favour with Constantin 320. who gave him the power of the civill sword in Rome and the other places adjacent in his time Rev. 13.2 afterward obtained the whole Kingdom or Monarch by flattery from the Dragon the Roman Emperour and therefore he is said to give him his power seat great authority Rev. 13.2 Dan. 11.23 for after he had made a league with the Roman Emperour about 365. he works deceitfully became strong with a small people therfore saith the Spirit of God his power shall be mighty but not by his own power no Dan. 8.14 for he got the power from the Roman Emperour by flattery and deceit and not by strength of Armes neither did the Romans give him the honour of the Kingdome at the first but he by his policy and craft like a Serpent wound himselfe into the Roman Beast and so became one with him and so this Antichristian Whore made the Roman Emperour her stalking-horse to carry her to the Kings of the earth that shee might commit spirituall fornication with them Rev. 17.3 7. Rev. 18.3 and
denied the Church power to be in the hands of the Spouse of Christ and that Christ had not left that Ecclesiasticall power of the Church with them but with him that he was Christs Vicegerent sitting in the Temple of God 2 Thes 2.4 lording it over all that is called God To this great truth of Christs Kingly power in his Church do they give testimony and beare witnesse denying that he or any in the world hath power to lord it over the Church and Spouse of Christ in Ecclesiasticall matters Rev. 11.3 for this belongs onely to God and Christ and so they are called Christs Witnesses I will give power to my two Witnesses Rev. 1.1 It was Christ that spake here this book being called the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him they who give testimony to any truth though it hath been held forth by any other going before such a one is called his witnesse thus God is called Christs witnesse in saying that he was his Sonne Joh. 5.32 John is likewise called Christs witnesse ver 33. the Apostles are called Christs witnesse Acts 1.38.3.15 2 Pet. 1.16 Christ is called the true and faithfull witnesse Rev. 1.5 chap. 3.14 So the people of God and Churches of the Saints are said to be Christs witnesses in the day and yeer that Antichrist entred into the Temple and denied the Kingly office of Christ Anno 375. Secondly Title 2. Rev. 11.4 they are called two Candlesticks and two Olive trees they are set forth by two Candlesticks and two Olive trees to shew to us that at this time they were in a true Church-state as the people of the Jewes formerly were Zach. 4.2 Rev. 1.20 who are set forth by one Candlestick and the seven Churches of Asia by seven Candlesticks and the Officers of the Churches are set forth by two Olive trees that stand before God Zach. 4.12 and are on both sides of the Candlestick to empty the golden Oyle of divine truth out of themselves into the bowle of the Candlestick into the bosome of the Church so it is clear they were at this time in a true Church state Why the people of God are called two Candlesticks Dan. 18.32 being compleat with their Officers two Olive trees they are called but two Candesticks not only to note to us that the people of God were worshiping him aright in a Church way but at this time when Antichrist entred into the Temple denied Christs Kingly office were few in number even two the least of all numbers for many professors at this time did do wickedly against the Covenant even broke that Church Covenant which was amongst them Thirdly Title 3. they are set forth by this title The Saints of the most high or high Saints Dan. 7.21 Rev. 13.7 2 Thes 2.4 Cant. 5.7 Rev. 12.6.14 Antichrist having entred into the Temple and dis-throned the Lord Christ and pluckt the Crowne from his head stripped the Spouse of Christ of her vaile persecuted the Church into the Wildernesse of that Antichristian world and taken away all their Church power which the Lord Jesus gave them in the day of their espousall Dan. 12.7 And therefore he is said to scatter the power of the holy people having so broken them to pieces by his hot persecution in the yeere 375. that they could not neither might be suffered to hold forth the true worship of God in a Church way therefore are called Saints of God Dan. 7.18.21 25 26. Rev. 3.7 and high Saints they being scattered some into one place some into another The fourth title by which the people of God are set forth by Title 4. is a woman cloathed with the Sun and travelling Rev. 12.1 1 5. and pained to be delivered of a man childe that was to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron the Saints of God being broken to peeces by a wicked and unjust Magistrate and scattered up and downe in the wildernesse some here and some there not being suffered to congregate into a true visible Church by that man of sinne for the space of 1260. yeares they having been persecuted by him that full space of time and afterwards slaine and laid dead for three propheticall daies and a halfe And some of their brethren and fellow-witnesses being raised up to the high place of Judicature and Magistracy as was evident in the foregoing chapter Rev. 11.12 The rest of the godly were now with child with this great truth of Christ in point of Civill Government by which the Lord Jesus in and by his Saints was to rule all nations with a rod of Iron Therefore cryed they earnestly to God by zealous and fervent Prayer and to his witnesses their fellow-servants that sate in Heaven by humble request and petition that they might have a godly Magistracie set up in the world and that Antichrist that wicked oppressour who had made the world as a wildernesse Isa 14.17 and destroyed the Cities thereof and that wicked murderer which had devoured the people of God for many ages and slaine his witnesses Rev. 11.7 8. and laide their dead bodies in the streets might be cast now out of heaven the place of Judicature and the people of God and those that would raigne for that man childe Jesus might be left in Heaven to sit as Kings in the Civill Throne * This birth and travell of the people of God was in the yeare 1641. and 1641. And thus the Church and people of God travelled for and tooke great pains to have it come to passe and was much pained and travelled in their minds untill they had accomplished their desires and was delivered of this man child the year of Christ 1641. as shall be shewed more fully when we come to speake of those effects and consequences which followed upon the witnesses ascending up to Heaven Thus you see the Spirit of God set forth the state and condition in which his Church and people were to be in the time of their exile captivity under those five grand enemies of his Saints especially that little horne Antichrist by these severall titles which he gave them very fitting and agreeable with the present condition which they were in at the same time not at any time mentioning some of his people and leaving out others but intending all of them For Antichrist could not deceive any of Gods Elect it was not possible he should Mar. 13.22 From the yeare of Christ 375. to 1635. Therefore all of them as one man did witnesse to that truth of Christ in point of power that he was to sit Lord and King in his Temple and not Antichrist and to be Lord over the consciences of his Saints and Spouse and not man So they were all scattered into the Wildernesse and there did prophecy and speak one to another for their mutuall edification and so are called Saints of the most High and
glory of God his Father The same glory which God shewed unto Moses when he defired to see his glory which was called all his goodnesse or excellency which indeed is the glory of all his Attibutes and in this glory Christ is said to come at this time when he came in mysticall clouds First Rev. 11.12 he is said to come in power What great power did Christ manifest in raising up his Saints and Witnesses from such a low state a state of death and to set them upon their feet by his Spirit that entred into them the yeere 1639. and raised them up to Heaven and cast their enemies out Here was the glory of his great power seene Rach. 4 6. as the holy Ghost saith not by power of an Army or by the might of a fleshly arme was they raised up to Heaven but by the Spirit of God Secondly Rev. 11.8 the glory of Gods mercy did shine forth in delivering his Saints and people which were in a such miserable condition who were slain and lay as dead men in the streets of that spirituall Sodom their dead bodies not suffered to be put into graves for the Lord Jesus to send his spirit of life into them to set them upon their feet and to raise them up to Heaven whereby they were freed from the rage of their enemies and made Lords and Judges over them to reward their enemies as they rewarded them yea to returne them double Rev. 18.6 Oh the glory of the mercy of Jesus Christ towards his poor servants Thirdly the glory of Gods wisdome was much seen in this great work to doe it at such a time when his people could not see how or by which way they should be delivered Antichrist thinking himself to be now securer and safely seated in peace tranquility Rev. 18.7 Rev. 11.10 rejoycing and sending gifts one to another because those two Prophets were slain which tormented them The wisdome of God now stept in at the very nick and point of time and by his wisdome makes this to be the onely and chiefe time of the beginning of the enemies downfall and the Churches deliverance Oh the admirable and unspeakable glory of Christs wisdome his wisdome is infinite and there is no searching of his understanding Fourthly the glory of Gods free grace and love were wonderfully manifested there was no worth nor desert in his servants to move him to have pitty or compassion on them in such a low condition All that they did in the days of their prophesie and giving testimony was but their duty and in all they were but unprofitable servants and therefore what the Lord did to them and for them at this time was of his free grace and love Zach. 4.7 therefore well may we with shouting cry Grace grace unto this great worke Luke 18.7 Rev. 18.8 Fiftly the glory of his truth and faithfulnesse appeares in making good his Word and promises unto his Church and people which he hath made often in the Scripture of truth and in performing his Word and threatnings against the enemies of his Church The glory of his justice and holinesse shineth forth with much glory and brightnesse verse 6. in executing justice upon such an ancient enemy of the Church which with his predecessors hath been an enemy this 2300 yeers almost and so cruell and malicious an enemy who hath magnified himselfe to the Hoast of Heaven yea Dan. 8.10 11. to the Prince of the Hoast and cast him from his Throne taken his Crown from his head cast him and his Spouse out of his House and Temple strip◠her of her robes and would have forced her to commit spirituall fornication and broken the Church all to pieces devoured many of them and trampled the rest under his feet and last of all slaine the Witnesses of Christ and laid their dead bodies in the streets not suffering them to be put into graves all this villany hath he done to the Saints and for the people of the Antichristian earth Ya 4.16 17. whom he hath reigned over so long he hath made the very earth to tremble and did shake Kingdomes the world he made as a Wildernesse and destroyed the Cities thereof by his tyranny and oppression and loosed not the house of his prisoners Doth not the glory of Christs justice and severity appeare wonderfully in the ruine and utter destruction of such a grand notorious cruell malicious and insolent an enemy as this and the glory of his holinesse in destroying such a filthy Whore and Strumpet as Antichrist is Rev. 17.2 who hath committed spirituall fornication with all the Kings of the earth and the Inhabiters of the earth have been made drunke with the wine of her fornication Rev. 15.4 therefore saith the Scripture who shall not feare thee and glorifie thy name for thou onely art holy and all Nations shall worship before thee for thy judgements are made manifest and againe True and righteous are his judgements for he hath judged the great Whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornications Rev. 19.2 and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hands In the glory of these great Attributes is the Lord Jesus come and they have shined forth in some measure to the joy and comfort and salvation of his people and to the sorrow and destruction of his enemies But when the Lord Christ shall come to the end of this great work of his in the utter ruine of his enemies and perfect deliverance of his Church then will the glory of these Attributes shine forth with such glory and splendor as shall darken the eye of the clearest understanding and affect the most flinty heart putting them to admiration and astonishment But this the Spirit of God notes in the Scripture ☞ Luke 18.8 that when Christ shall come to avenge his Elect meaning this very time which is the time of the enemies utter ruine and the Churches small deliverance he shall hardly find faith upon the earth he meanes he shall hardly find faith in his Saints concerning the enemies ruine and their deliverance and not justifying faith intimating to us that the Church shall be brought so low as they shall not have faith enough to raise them so high as to look to God for their deliverance through so many difficulties Dan. 12.9 This time mystery was hid from all former ages and the words closed up and sealed untill the time of the end written in a little book and sealed with seven seals none being able to open it neither in Heaven or earth Rev. 5.1 Rev. 5.4 Rev. 5.5 Rev. 10.7 or under the earth but Christ only it is called The great Mystery of God not opened till the seventh Trumpet begins to sound and we doe not read he began to sound untill the Witnesses were in Heaven and the tenth part of the City fell which was the yeere of
this holy City or new Jerusalem commeth downe out of Heaven from God Rev. 3.12 prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband the Spouse of Christ had before her inward cloathing all of wrought gold standing on the right hand of the King in gold of Ophir Psal 45.9.13 called gold tryed in the fire which made her spiritually rich and beautifull in her soule in the eyes of her Lord and Husband Christ But this is not sufficient shee must also have an outward raiment to make her beautifull without both in the eyes of her Lord that looks upon her and the men of this world therefore it is said that shee shall be brought to the King in a raiment of needle-worke Psal 45.14 Rev. 19.8 curiously wrought and imbroidered even in fine linen clean white which is the righteousnesse of the Saints That which none hath right unto or ought to meddle with but Saints Isa 35.8 it being the Government and Discipline which Christ is to set up and exercise in his owne House and Temple over his Saints and people and this fine linen was granted to her by Christ and his Witnesses and it was also granted to the soules under the Altar which saw themselves slaine for the testimony which they held that they should have white robes given them by Christ and his Witnesses when the fifth Seal was opened which was when the fifth Viall was pouring forth betwixt 1639. and 1655. but not fully to all the Saints untill the end of the seven Vials 1700. Rev. 15.8 And the holy Ghost gives the reason why no man that is not many shall not be able to enter into the Temple because the Temple was filled with smoak from the glory of the Lord and from his power By smoake is noted Gods presence Gods presence in his House and Temple is so glorious and so holy that very few shall be able to endure it his Government in his House will be too strict for loose and formall spirits By smoak is likewise noted darknesse the way of Christs Government in and over all the Churches of the Saints is for the present hard to be found out it lyes deep and is as it were hid in the inmost bowels of holy writ not open in the letter of the Scripture but wrapped up in the spirituall sense thereof And Antichrist hath by his Antichristian ayre which he brought with him into the world out of that bottomlesse pit so darkned the understanding of men yea of many of the deare Saints of God that they cannot see Christs way in his House and Temple Again Antichrist having taken kept this Church power from the Saints 1260. years and therefore they are as it were quite ignorant of this Discipline and Government as well they may therefore not able to enter into the Temple but this Church power shall be granted unto the Saints again by Christ and his Witnesses the year 1700. The Church being thus adorned with pure gold in her inward man and with a broidered garment and fine linen upon her outward man and that by authority from Christs civill Magistrates in the place of Judicature Rev. 21.10 11 is said to descend out of Heaven from God haveing the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like unto a Jasper stone Verse 3. clear as Christall And at this time the Tabernacle of God shall be with men even with the Saints and people and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be with them and be their God verse 3. And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more paine All those teares or death sorrow or paine which came by the oppressour shall be taken away for Verse 4. saith he the former things are past away all oppression and tyranny of the enemy and he that sits upon the Throne will make all things new new Heaven and new Earth Verse 5. new Government in the Church and a new Government in the State In this new Jerusalem shall be no Temple nor need of the Sunne or Moone to shine in it That is the Church and people of God shall have no need of outward glory to make them beautifull in the eyes of Nations but God and the Lambe shall have their spirituall Throne there Rev. 22.3 4. and be their light and glory and his servants shall serve him and shall see his face that is the brightnesse of his glory and his Name shall be in their fore-heads Rev. 3.12 22.4 The power of Christ in his Church shal be as visible upon them seen to belong to them at that day as though it were written in their fore-heads And in this City shall be a pure River of life cleare as Chrystall that is Verse 1. all pure Ordinances of worship which proceed from the Throne of God and the Lambe who sits in the midst of his Church and on both sides of those pure Ordinances is Christ the Tree of life communicating himselfe to his Saints Thus shall this holy City and new Jerusalem be built by authority from Christ and his Witnesses in the yeare of Christ 1700. which shall be that great worke of the Witnesses that same yeare throghout all their Dominions Zach. 9.10 Psal 72.8 Dan. 7.13 14. 18. 27. Psal 2.6 8 9. Rev. 5.9 10. Isa 24.23 c. which shall be from sea to sea from the River even to the ends of the Earth after they have kept silence in Heaven halfe an houre At this time will God make good all his promises made unto Christ and his Saints concerning their reigning over the Nations and upon the hill of him in his new Jerusalem CHAP. XI The two Governments of Christ the one over the Nations and another over his new Jerusalem Christ reignes 1000. yeares Satan and wicked men bound all that same time afterwards loosed and utterly destroyed The Saints reigning three Termes CHrist and his Witnesses having taken all power into their hands both Civill and Ecclesiasticall and being to reigne over the Nations and upon Mount Zion and in Jerusalem they must have two Governments set up to rule them by one to rule the Nations another to rule upon Mount Zion That whereby Christ and his Saints is to reign and rule the Nations by is just and righteous Lawes Christs government over the Nation Isa 32.1 Psal 72.2.3.4 Verse 7. Jer. 33.15 A King shall reigne in righteousnesse and Princes shall decree justice he shall judge thy people with righteousnesse and the poore with judgement the mountaines shall bring peace to the people and the little hils by righteousnesse he shall judge the poore of the people he shall save the children of the needy and shall breake in pieces the oppressour and in his dayes shall the righteous flourish