difficulties emergent which shal be curtly explained In this deep dark discurs divers Objections occur which wil require debate and resolution 1. Whether the Text not torted but literaly or tropicaly Doubts referred to the times hath bin rightly unfolded 2. Whether the Figures or Images which make thes mysteries obscure be cleered by other places of the Apocalyps and Prophets from whom they are taken and applied to Things as the Text and Times require 3. Whether what is past or now in acting should be serchd in the Acts of the Roman Empire to see what may be more sutably applied another way without disturbing the method oâ— harmony 4. Whether the Text doth tel what is to be expected at end of Gods determined time on the fourth Monarchy and Papacy viz. when the fourty two months or 1260. yeers expire Hence riseth a main rub whether the Epoche or beginning Answer of thos 1260. yeers be rightly related to An. 395. at Theodosius death This is proved in the previous Prophetic Key by certain characters or marks to be summarily repeated 1. Becaus Daniels Epoche of 1290. dais fals exactly on An. 365. when the Temples grand desolation hapned under Julian so the 1260. must com 30. later An. 395. sith they shal end together 2. Becaus at the Empires bipartition An. 395. the Roman Eagle got two wings and the Barbarians broke in driving the Woman into the Desart wher she must be fed three times and half or one thousand two hundred threescore annal dais the period wherof fals An. 1655. 3. Becaus the treading of the holy City or Church fourty two months begins at that Invasion and ends alike 4. Becaus at that Invasion the ten hornd Beast rose from the Sea and soon clipped the Eagles wings that in threescore yeers An. 455. al ten horns or Kingdoms visibly appered Hence Authors date the Prolog of the Empires decay at Theodosius death and Ecclesiastic writers from St. Pauls words agree That Antichâ—â—st shal arise â— Theâ— 2 6 7. when the Empire begins to fal generatio unâ—â—s est corruptiâ— alterius So Tertullian Irenâ—us and many mo define 5. Becaus the two hornd Beast west Antichrist cam out of the Earth silently An. 395 when he assumed a primacy or preeminence both in Civil and Spiritual affairs which he never before arrogated over other Churchâ—s For Aeneas Sylvius afterwâ—rd Epist 28â— Can. â—6 Pope writes That til the Nicen Synod smal respect was shewed the Roman Sea but every one lived to himself In the third Carthage Council An. 390. a Canon passed That the first Bishop shal not be stiled chief Priest or Prince of Priests but Bishop of the first Sea For Innocent first A. C. 404. usurped authority over Princes and Prelats as Presbyters wil hav suprem Magistrats submit to them like Sheep to their Shepherds who Excommunicated Arcadius Emperor of Constantinople and removed Chrysostom the Patriarch busily bestirring to get a primacy over al African Churches His successors Zosimus Boniface 1. Celestine 1. attempted the like Hist l. 7. c. 3â— aspiring as Socrates storieth but Siricius first forbad Priests to marry which St. Paul cals the Doctrin of Devils 6. Becaus the two Witnesses at end of thos one thousand two hundred sixty yeers shal be subdued and slain but two accidents shal befal after the seventh Trumpets sounding Romes destâ—uction and determination of the secund Wo so that haply the Witnesses shal be raised he flatters himself and his Brethren before A. 1655. for smal circumstances are not regarded in great Prophecies Hereto may be added som new Arguments 1. St. Austin Proofs writes how the Gentils reported that St. Peter prophecied Christian Religion should dure but 365. yeers which he reputed a Heathen fiction yet haply he predicted the continuance without interruption should be so long For Christ at 30. yeers was baptized and began his Ministâ—y which being added to 365. foretold by St. Peter make 395. at which time Antichrist appeered the holy City was calcitrated the Witnesses mourned and the Woman fled as is plainly prespecified 2. That the 6000. yeers of the Worlds durance from the Creation equivalent to the six dais works every day 1000. yeers expire next yeer 1655. which he strangely strivs and strains to justify but that Rabinical prediction is a frivolous fiction and his computation a ridiculous distortion for that 6000. yeers fals short A. 1655. about 315. yeers by the best accompt 3. The yeer of the Flood began A. M. 1656. which concurs with A. C. 1655. complet or 56. current when the Dan. 7. 11. Rev. 19. v. 20. Churches Enimies shal be destroied with fire as the old World was by water this indeed is a brat of many Mens brains which haply Men shal shortly see dashd against the Stones 4. The Roman Monarchy initiated when the Suns Eccentricity was greatest whence Astrologers Aueis nulla fides infer that it shal end when 't is least which som refer to last yeer 1653. but this bare guesse is notum per ignotius 5. The Turcs hav two Prophecies to be read in the Author touching their Empires expiring that this young Achmet the secund Son to Ibrihim shal be the last Emperor For surely strange alterations hav hapned since Achmets death A. 1617. who contrary to custom having three young Sons caused his Brother Mustapha to succed a precedent never known before but he after nine Months reign deposed and Achmets eldest Son Osman set up whom the Janizaries strangled with his Wife and two infant Sons A. 1622. Next succeded his Brother Morat or Amurat the fourth who died Issuless A. 1640. and after him Ibrihim or Abraham whom the Janizaries also bowstringd with his three Wifes A. 1648. but advanced his sole Son Achmet aged six now twelv yeers who reigns at their devotion or disposing and is like to be the last if such fopperies be worthy of faith By al which premisses 't is probable 1. That the two Chronicisms Inferences character 1290. and 1â—60 are incident to A. 365. of Julian and 395. of Theodosius as foresaid 2. That the Terminus a quo of Daniels 1290. yeers can be applied to no other then A. 365. when God blew up the foundations of Jerusalems Temple 3. That the Epoche of thos 1260. yeerâ— must be referred to A. 395. becaus both numbers necessarily expire together 4. That the ten-hornd Beast began from A. 395. til 455. becaus the Eagle got two Wings A. 395. and his ten horns appeered A. 455. 5. That in al Roman Histories no yeer sutes so semblably to al Characters as 395. Ergâ— we may stick to it and expect the event A. 1655. specialy sith killing the two Witnesses eventualy provs the thing Som are shy to put a Period of thes Prophecies so precisely at A. 1655. but let such consider 1. That the Angel held up his hand to Dan. 12 7 11. Rev. 10 5 6 7 Heaven and swore by him that livs for ever it shal
from Fountains and Milk run in Rivers The World shal rejoice and al Nature be glad being manumised from the dominion of sin impiety and al error Beasts shal not feed on Blood nor Birds on prey but al things quiet and amicable Lions and Calfs shil eat at the same Cratch Wolfs shal not woorry Sheep nor Dogs hunt nor Eagles or Hawks doo harm Children shal play with Serpents Finaly it shal be as Poets tel of the golden age in Saturns time but they erred becaus tru Prophets to whos Eys divine Visions were presented as present foretel future contingents as if they were already acted which Prophecies when fame had spred prophane men not witting why they were uttered or when to be performed thought them to be antiently accomplished which yet could not be completed while Man reigned but when wicked Religions are extinguished and Sin extermined then shal the Earth be subdued to God and al thes things com to pass yea men shal liv long and happily reigning together with God The Kings of Nations shal com from the Earths ends with gifts to adore the great King whos name shal be reverenced and renowned to al People under Heaven and al Princes bearing sway on Earth so far this fine Orator and with such confidence as if he received it by special Revelation but later Chiliasts are contrary to him who say Christs millenar reign shal anteced the day of judgment but Lactantius that Christ shal first Judg the World Master Archer a most acut Lynx but boldest Bayard of al who shoots at blind mans Buts conjects from Daniels words From the time that daily Sacrifice Den 12. 11. 12. shal ceas and abomination which makes desolat be set up shal be one thousand two hundred ninty dais blessed is he that waits and coms to one thousand three hundred fifty fiv dais this is forty fiv mo then one thousand two hundred ninty and both Prophetic dais or yeers thes saith he began under Julian Apostata who revived Paganism and incited the Jews to rebuild their Temple but God defeated it by an Earth-quake and Subterraneal fires which cast up the foundations as Christ foretold So by his calculation the first sum 1290. should expire A. 1650. now past and the last A. 1695. 46. yeers hence But if that shal elaps too his Disciples like the Mahometans wil date it to a farther day He hath another cringe that no Soul ever entred the third Heaven no not Christs how then can he sit at his Fathers right hand But a Celical or Elementar Paradise as he promised the good Theef nor shal any Saint go thither til the last Judgment pass For Hâ—l he saith al Christians hav erred except himself for Hel wherto Reprobats now go is not the place of fire prepared for the damned at last day but a temporar prison in the Air Earth or Sea to confine their Souls til the Judgment day when they shal be sent into a most spatious Hel containing al the created World or what els is beside Gods mansion Lo the audacity and temerity of Sectists Who bear or boast as if they were inspired or of Gods Cabinet Counsil affecting novities tho never so fals frivolous or fanatical Thes great Clercs like Arrius and other learned Heretics Refutation mislead many ignorant Idiots specialy in dark mysteries but such squibs end in an Ignis fatuus of their fantastic brains for they hav no sound proof that Christ shal reign on Earth a thousand yeers but that the Saints shal reign with him in new Jerusalem which is no terren place but caled by Saint Paul Heavenly Jerusalem the City of the living God and by Joha that Hebr. 12. 22. Rev. 21. 2 10. great holy City descending down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for hir Husband the Lamb. The contrary Reasons are thes 1. Christ ascended into Reason 1 Heaven and shal com to judg the World Ergo not to reign a thousand yeers before that day for to say he shal descend to reign and ascend after a thousand yeers to com again is against the Scripture which warrants only two comings Master Mede to shun this Scilla fals into Charybdis of a strange singular crotchet making Christs secund coming to judgment one continued act with his millenar reign becaus Saint Peter speaking of the judgment day and perdition of ungoly men subjoyns immediatly or interruptedly that one day with the 〈…〉 3. 7. 8. Lord is as a thousand yeers and a thousand yeers as one day which he saith is meant precisely of that particular day but the same Apostle elswher saith God shal send Jesus Christ when Acts 3. 19 20 21. the times of refreshing shal com whom the Heaven must receiv til the restitution of al things as he hath spoken by al his Prophets This time of refreshing and restitution Chiliasts conceiv to be his millenar reign for they say none but Martyrs and som priviledged Saints shal partak the first Resurrection which is Dan. 12. 13. such a singular prerogativ as Daniel could not obtain it but by special promis but it shal be when the Jews refreshing by Christs presence shal com viz. at the general Resurrection For Christ saith I go to prepare a place for you I wil com again John 14. 2 3. and receiv you to my self that wher I am ther ye may be also this plainly provs that he wil com back but once at last day to tak his Disciples with him into Heaven not to dwei with them here a thousand yeers or for ever Saint Paul saith God Eph 1. 20. set Christ at his right hand in Heavenly places til the last day so David Sit at my right hand til I make thine Enimies thy footstool Ps 110. 1. c. which shews he shal not com thence til al is subdued to him at last day See Psalm 110 't is short but expounds four chapters of the Apocalyps 16. 17. 18. 19. cleerly 2. Al the godly or elect at Christs secund coming shal immediatly rise to glory upon sound of the Trumpet and 2. Thes 4. 16 7. thos then living shal be caught up in the Clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the Air Ergo he coms not to reside with them but to carry them with him for ever 3. Christ saith his Kingdom is not of this World but the Kingdom of God is within you that is Spiritual not Terren Luke 17. 21. or Temporal consisting in worldly Pomp Power Pleasure Armies Victories Slaughters Triumphs or such carnal courses as Chiliasts conceiv or vainly confide 4. The Church Militant is a amixd multitud of good and bad as a draw net which needs the comfort of Gods Word Sacraments and other Ordinances having Christ the high-Priest inceffantly interceding in Heaven on their behalf as Scriptures speak Ergo it shal not consist a thousand yeers soly of Saints which need no ordinary helps as they dream 5.
of them his own way Flâ—s de Jesse fuit Davidis sanguine Christus Catastrophe Sicuâ— Evangelii Biblia sacra probant Christ Jesses Flower from Davids blood did spring As Gospels sacred Books plain proofs doo bring THESIS VI. Apocalypsus patefacta The Revelation Reveled THe Apocalyps is a sublime speculation of Prophetic Preamble Visions reveled by Christ to John Evangelist exiled at Patmos by cruel Domitian Author of the secund primitiv persecution Son to mild Vespasian and Brother to merciful Titus termed Mankinds delight whom 't is thought he poisoned to enjoy the Empire Al Prophecies specialy Apocalyptic are deep dâ—rk mysteries seldom descried or disclosed til finished and fulfilled But becaus Mr. Joseph Medâ— late Felow of Christs College in Cambridg wher he died An. 1638. aged 53 a most rare Phoenix for al learned Languages and liberal Literature hath set out an exact Key of Synchronicisms or châ—onical Symetries and most accurat Comment on most part of the Text somwhat amply yet very obscurely they shal be more concisely contracted and cleerly complicated for every common capacity to guid their steps in this intricat labyrinth wher som things must be premised or predeclared for better understanding of it Clavis Appellativorum The Key of Terms or names THe seven spirits standing before Gods Throne after caled Precogâ—â—â—s â—ev 1. v. 4. seven Lamps of burning fire Rev. 4. v. 5. and the Lambs seven horns and seven eys Rev. 5. v. 6. are faithful zelous Ministers of the Word which wait before the Throne of God and Jesus Christ The seven golden Candlesticks are seven Churches in lesser â—â—ib v. 11 12 20. Asia ther named Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea to whom John is bid by God to write in a Book what he saw The seven Stars which the Son of Man held in his right hand Ibid. v. 16 10. out of whos mouth went a sharp two edged Sword and his Face shone at the Sun are the Angels of thos seven Churches al Diocesan Bishops The whit Stone given to him that overcometh with a new Rev. 2. v. 17. Name writen which no Man knows sav he that receivs it betokens purity of Faith and integrity of Conscience Haply it relats to an old custom at Rome to giv Men acquited a whit stone and the condemned a black that their Officers might dispose of them accordingly wherof Ovid. Mos fuit antiquus niveis atrisque Lapillis His damnare reos illis absolvere culpam 'T was an old wont whit and black Stones to giv Thes damnd the guilty thos did the fault forgiv The twenty four Elders sitting on twenty four seats clothed Rev. 4. v. 〈◊〉 in whit with gold Crowns on their Heads round about Gods Throne are holy Prelats for number answering to the Priests and Levits twenty four courses of attendance in the Temple The four Beasts in midst of the Throne and round about it Ibid v. 6 7 8 being ful of Eys before and behind to shew sagacity ech of which had six Wings implying agility to execut Gods commands are the Israelits four Ensigns at their incampings in the Wildernes 1. Like a Lion for Juda's Camp on the East 2. A Bullock for Reubens on the South 3. With a Mans face for Ephraims on the West 4. A flying Eagle for Dans on the North side The Book writen within and sealed with seven Seals on the Rev. 5. v. 1 back side which the Lamb only was found worthy to open shews the various changes and chances of the secular Roman Empire til the end or dissolution therof The Lamb slain from the beginning Which stood in midst of Ibid. v. 6. the Throne and of the four Beasts and Elders having seven Horns and seven Eys is the Lord Jesus Son of God and Man That taketh away the sins of the World by his Death The seven seals which the Lamb opened in order are plagues Rev 6. per totum or punishments inflicted by God on the World wherin he useth the ministry of Angels The one hundred forty four thousand which were sealed of Rev. 7. v 3. to 8. Israels twelv Tribes twelv thousand or twelv times one thousand in ech are Christs elect Church caled afterward undefiled Virgins which folow the Lamb wherever he goeth Rev. 14. 1 5. The great multitud which none could number clothed with Ibid. v. 9 14 whit Robes and Palms in their hands are the numberless Nations Kindreds People Tribes and Toungs which cam out of tribulation singing praises to God The seven Angels with seven Trumpets given them which Rev 8. v. 1 2. sounded in order when the seventh Seal was opened are holy heavenly Messengers sent to denounce Gods heavy Judgment on the Earths Inhabiters The great Star burning like a Lamp or Torch which fel from Ibid. v. 10 11. Heaven into a third part of Rivers and Fountains caled Wormwood which made the Waters bitter that many died is Augustulus Romes last Emperor who fel from his high Throne and bittered a third part of Waters being a Prince of much baleful bitternes anguish and affliction to al his folowers The Angel flying through midst of Heaven and crying aloud Ibid. v 13. Wo Wo Wo to the Earths inhabiters is an Usher or forerunner of three others ready to sound great Woes The Locusts or long winged Grashopers coming from the bottom Rev. 9 v. 3. c. less Pits smoke are Mahometans derived from Arabia the Country of Locusts which plagued Egypt The King of Locusts caled in Hebrew Abaddon in Greec Ibid v. 11. Apollion the destroier is the Angel of the bottomless Pit stiled before Satan the old Serpent the Dragon the Devil and afterward the Accuser The four Angels bound at the great River Euphrates which Ibid. v. 14. c. the sixth Trumpeting Angel loosed are the Tures four Sultanies or Signiories who lay long confined neer that River but long ago let loos into the Eastern Empire which it hath since swalowed with much of West The litle open Book which a mighty Angel Christ had in his Rev. 10. v. 2 30. hand and made Johns belly bitter being bid to eat it declares the Churches destinies The Temple or inner Court to be measured is the primitiv Rev. 11. v. 1. Churches State under persecution of Pagan Emperors before Constantines conversion The outer Court not to be mesured but given to the Gentils Ibid. v. 2. who shal tread the holy City under foot forty two Annal months or 1260. yeers is the same Church given to new Idolaters or Image-worshipers caled Gentils The two Witnesses clad in sack-cloth which shal Prophecy Ibid v. 3. 4 5. 1260. annal dais being two Oliv trees and two Candlesticks are Patrons or Preachers of divine truth caled two becaus in the Law every Word shal be established by two Witnesses and in regard of Gods two Testaments which they use in prophecying
end which sets forth the fates or fortunes of the Roman Empire and the litle open Book which includs the doings or destinies of the Christian Church The first presents the seven Seals and seven Trumpets for the seventh Seal produceth the seven Trumpets 1. The first six Seals contain the story of the Empires condition or continuance til Constantin when ther being a marvelous metamorphosis from Pagan to Christian this change is compared to the Worlds end and by giving of a new which is very semblable 2. The seven Trumpets which contain the seven Rev. 9. Seals represent Gods judgments on the World for opposing the Gospel and oppressing the Saints 1. By Ethnic Emperors for which the dition or dominion was gradualy rent into ten Kingdoms Which is unfolded in four degrees therof being the subject of the four first Trumpets 2. The other three are termed Wo Trumpets denouncing divine judgments on the Antichristian World or degenerat Stats of Christiendom 1. By Sarrasens in the first Wo Trumpet 2. By Turcs in the Rev. 11. 15. secund 3. By the Worlds end in the last Medi Clavis Expositio Med's Key and Exposition HIs Clavis contains sundry Synchronicisms or concurrences The Key of things in one time set forth under the Seals For ther is a Quaternion of Prophecies Synchronizing in equality or identity of Time 1 Of The Womans abode in the Wildernes for a time times and half 2. Of The seven headed Beast restored and ruling forty two months 3. Of The out-Court or holy City troden by the Gentils so long 4. Of The two Witnesses prophecying in Sack-cloth one thousand two hundred sixty daies al which three times signify the same For chronical identity hinders not but one may be before or after another tho they agree in term of yeers therfore the coevity shal be proved by other characters that they belong to the self same times 1. The times of the Beast and Womans mansion in the Rev. 12. 6. 14. Wildernes begin at one instant viz. the Dragons foil when he was cast to the Earth for when Michael threw him from Heaven the Woman escaped Ergo they identicat 2. The times of the Beast and Two Witnesses testimony Rev 11. 7. being also equal expire together at end of the sixth Trumpet Ergo they commenced at once and synchronize throughout 3. The Witnesses times and the Court or holy City possessed Ibid. v 2. 13 18. by the Gentils forty two months which conspire as al grant Ergo they synchronize most exactly and equaly 4. The Woman in the Wildernes the Beasts dominion treading down the holy City and two Witnesses prophecying jointly concur Ergo al four synchronize 5. Now for the next Synchronicism The two hornd Rev. 13. v. 3. to 15. Beast wherin the fals Prophet is Head complies with the seven-Headed or ten Hornd Beast caled the other Beasts Image which when his deadly wound was restored to pristin estate was to rule forty two months and thos being ended he did great wonders exercising al his power in the seven Headed Beâ—sts presence but both are taken and cast alife into a firy Lake burning Rev. 19 v. 20. with Brimstone Ergo both sympathizing in their rise and ruin wherof one used the others power in his presence contemporize throughout Wher Note that whatever is ascribed Note to the Septicep Beast of the evil he commited or worship given him was doon after his instauration or cure of the wound but the ten Horns belong to his first Head or restored estate as the Angel informs saying Ther are seven Kings Rev. 17 10. fiv are falen one is and the last is not yet com which must continu a short space so the sixth was then in St. Johns dais but the Horns not then com Ergo it must pertain to the seventh or last Head The two hornd Beast and fals Prophet are one as Irenaeus Appâ—ndix observed as by comparing Rev. 13. v. 13. to 16. with Rev. 19. v. 20. wil cleerly appeer The septicep ten-hornd Beast Rev. 13 12 14. is caled the Beasts Image Rev. 14. 9 11. Rev. 15. 2. Rev. 16. 2. Rev. 19. 20. Rev. 20. 4. For this Beast acknowledging the fals Prophet to be his restorer is ruled by his Wil as suprem Lord and cald his Image not whos similitud he bears for in that respect he rather resembles the seven headed Dragon nor of his estate before the wound after whos exemple he blasphemed God and made war with the Saints but that which the two hornd Beast speaking as a Dragon restored and claims for his own the Genetiv being passivly taken to signify the Possessor as the Beasts mark is not stamped on himself but on thos that worship him For the Beasts Image wherto the fals Prophet gav life caused al which would not worship it to be slain Ther be but two Beasts pourtraid in the Apocalyps and wher the Beast and fals Prophet are named together the Image is not cited being both one For 't is that Rev. 15. 2. Beasts Image whos Name and number is specified viz. the two-hornd who is the others prime principal founder 6. The times of the great Harlot or mystical Babylon and Rev. 17. 3. septicep ten hornd Beast synchronize for the Beast carries the Whore sitting on him whos ten Horns or Kings take authority with him at once when he was restored but when his body cam to be dissolved they hated the whore making hir naked and desolat whos flesh they burnt with fire 7. The hundred forty four thousand Virgins sealed contemporize Rev. 14. 1. with the Whore and Beast for they deter men from al Communion with him or his Image or mark being so opposit to him and his folowers when the bonds of holy Souldiers persevered in allegiance to the Lamb bearing his name and his Fathers in their foreheads as other Apostats did the Beasts mark in their right hands or foreheads Thus the Capitulation ten hornd Beast revived synchronized with the Woman in the Wildernes with treading the holy City under foot and the Rev. 12. 7. witnesses mourning in sackcloth so doth the two hornd Beast with the ten hornd and the Whore with both as also the company of sealed Virgins with the Whore and Beast al which make a singular synchronical symphony of al with al and ech 8. The inner Court measured with a Reed the VVomans parturition the Dragons watching hir and his fight with Michael Rev. 13. 1. 2. 3. temporize for so soon as she brought forth a Manchild who was to rule al Nations with a rod of Iron she fled into the Desart to be nourished for a time times and half or one thousand two hundred sixtie daies and immediatly insued that battle in Heaven when the Dragon and his Angels were cast to Earth then he resigned his place and great authority to the cured septicep Beast whom al the world wondred at and
worship the Doner Dragon Ergo the Courts measuring the womans Childing the Dragons waiting and his Duel with Michael synchronize even at the very Epoche of St. Johns repeated Prophecy 9 The pouring out of seven Phials by seven Angels synchronize Rev. 15. 2 3. with the Beasts downfal and Babylons destruction for which the Victors sing Moses triumphant hymn Thus far of the nine chief Synchronicisms Now the Apocalyps contains three parts 1 The Vision of seven golden Candlesticks or Asian Churches which takes up the three first chapters 2 The Prophecy of seven Seals and Trumpets from Chap. 4. to 10. vers 8. 3 The Prophecy of the litle open Book Rev. 16. 10 19 or body of Prophetic Visions which John being bid eat up from Chap. 10. vers 8. to the end of al. That this is a repetition of the Prophecy appeers by the Angels words to John Thou must Prophecy again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to many People Nations Toungs and Rev. 10. v. 11. Kings which are plainly distinguishd from the rest of Prophecies He hath other synchronicisms of Seals Trumpets and Phials too tedious and invious or obscure beatus qui intelligit Howbeit som confused collections shal be exhibited to be better sifted or scanned 1 The seventh Seal touching the first six Trumpets is the Rev. 8. same with the two Beasts which concur with the company of one hundred forty four thousand Virgins being opposit to the Rev. 7. Beasts reigning this initiats with the sixth Trumpet or beginning of the seventh for sith the witnesses mourning one thousand two hundred threescore dais ends with the sixth Trumpet or as the seventh begins the Beasts forty two moneths must needs expire then also and by consequent the Beasts tyranny is confined in the compas of the first six Trumpets For the Vision of witnesses being the first repeated Prophecy the most wise Spirit runs through as a Weaver doth his warp with Rev. 11. his woof the whol body of repeated Prophecies to connect them aptly with the Seals The Beasts overthrow Cities fal Note slaughter of Men by an Earthquake are not meant of the Beasts utter destruction but end of his authority and reigning forty two moneths which the Beasts and two witnesses synchronicisms being granted must determin together For the Beast shal remain a short space but so unlike former as scars to be reputed the same which soon after under the seventh Trumpet shal be absolutly abolished 2 The seven Phials of wrath being so many degrees of the Rev 16. 10. Beasts fal or fate synchronize with the inchoation of his destruction but his Kingdom fel so fast the sixth Trumpet yet sounding which put a period to his power of forty two months over the Saints that he cannot be quit ruined til the fifth Phial be poured out when his seat shal be shaken and kingdom Rev. 10. 6. darkned Ergo fiv Phials were poured out yer the sixth Trumpet ceased for the seventh Phial of consummation concurs with the seventh Trumpets initiation which also sounds the termination 3 The thousand yeers of the Dragons binding and shutting up in the Rev. 20. the bottomless pit with a seal set theron that he should no more deceiv the Nations concurs with the seventh consummation Trumpet and Beasts confusion for the use was to seal up a place or prison sure as Darius did the Lions Den with a ring and the Jews Christs Sepulcher by sealing the stone Som suppose his casting down to Earth and shutting up is the same but 't is not so For his ejecting from Heaven hindred not his doing harm on Earth but being clos prisoner in chains he cannot Rev. 12. wander to doo hurt nor doo the things related agree sith during the first six Seals and under the six first Trumpets of the seventh he was free or loos Ergo his shutting up for one thousand yeers fals under the seventh Trumpet For he was not bound at the battle nor while the woman staid in the wilderness nor during the ten hornd Beasts reign sith his Scholar the fals Prophet seduced People with signs and wonders al that Rev 9. 11. time Yea the Locusts King caled the Angel of the bottomless pit is the very Dragon or Satan then not sealed when the sixth Angel poured out his Phial and seventh ready to pour his For three unclean Spirits like Frogs cam out of the Dragons Rev. 16. 13 14. Beasts and fals Prophets mouths which wrought wonders and went to the Kings of the World Ergo the thousand yeers of his being bound belong to the seventh Trumpet So the war when Satan after a thousand yeers is loosed a little space differs from that when the Beast and fals Prophet are cast alife into the burning Rev. 20. 10. Brimstone Lake For the first war is waged by him that sat on a whit Hors caled Gods Word who smot the Nations with a sharp Sword and was folowed by Armies in Heaven on Whit Horse◠But in the last at Armageddon God sent fire from Heaven to devour them and Satan is cast into that Lake wher the Beast and fals Prophet are before For he is first clapt close in prison a thousand yeers and then loosed but now condemned to be incessantly tormented for ever Sith then the war with the Beast and fals Prophet differs from this last either 't is to be waged during thos thousand yeers which cannot be sith Satan was then bound or before as it must needs be Ergo thos yeers commence at or after the Beasts casting into a firy Lake or rather together at one time 4 The thousand yeers of Christs Imperial reign at coming Rev. 20. 4. wherof the triumphant Elders sang gratulatory Hymns to God being immediatly at conquest of the Beast and Babylon which contemporize with the seventh trumpet For this Kingdom is given to the Saints as a reward of their faith and constancy becaus they did not worship the Beast nor his Image nor receiv his mark This is that Kingdom caled Christs who Rev. 11. 15. shal reign for ever which the Angels foretold that the mystery of God should be finished at sound of the seventh Trumpet as the Rev. 10 6 7. Prophets declared Then neither the Beasts forty two months nor the witnesses mourning one thousand two hundred threescore dais nor a period of a time times and half no nor time it self shal any more remain 5 The new Jerusalem the Lambs Bride and seventh consummation Rev. 21. 2. Trumpet or time of the Beasts and Babylons confusion synchronize for new Jerusalem is the Lambs Bride or beloved City which immediatly at the thousand yeers end is compassed by the last troop Gog and Magog of Satan then loosed for a little space Ergo it was extant before at sound of the seventh trumpet At pouring out the seventh Phial when the Beast is destroied ther cam a loud voice from the Rev 16 〈◊〉 17.
simply but as the Dragons Deputy or Dragon under the Beasts disguise For to worship the Beast unles as the Dragons Idolatrous Vicegerent was no more impious then to obey any temporal authority therfore the Beast signifies his Kingdom whos worship is subjection to it that is they freely obeied him as if none could resist his power but to worship him in a religious capacity as he resembles the Dragon is blasphemy against God Ther was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies 〈◊〉 5. and power was given him to continu fourty two months The Beasts condition or constitution is exhibited before now rests to shew how he exercised the power delegated by the Dragon viz. blasphemy and cruelty This Vision agrees with Daniels Prophecy of the same fourth Beast and his last cours Dâ—â— 7. v. 8. here specified but the things declared to him more succinctly are here dilated more largely He had a mouth speaking great things saith Daniel which John cals blasphemies by which Idolatry is implied being the highest contumely against God He shal also continu to blasphem fourty two months during which space the Gentils shal trample on the out Court or holy City For sith this prophanation tends to the same impiety with the Beasts blasphemy both may signify the power of darknes or night measured by months or the Moons motion not by dais or yeers after the Sun els why doth the holy Ghost infer it immediatly upon the Beasts blasphemy unles the time be referred therto Ergo the Beasts 42 months begin not at this wrath and war with the Saints but at his Blasphemy So the meaning is that he continued to blasphem so long That by blasphemy is intended Idolatry or spiritual fornication is plain 1. Becaus Babylon the Beasts Metropolis is caled Mother of Harlots with whom the Kings and Inhabiters of the Earth Harlotized 2. 'T is such blasphemy as may fal into the courses of the next Foregoer or rather al the Heads which are charged with it but no blasphemy can be laid to his Antecessor not to al in common sav only Idolatry 3. The word blasphemy imports Idolatry in many mo places Isai 65. 7. Jor. 23. 15. 17. Ezek. 20. 27. Deu. 31. 20. 2 King 19. 22. Prov. 14. 31. Ps 44. 16. Psal 69. 10. in al which to rebuke reproch and blasphem God is al one sens He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blasphem Vers 6. his Name Tabernacle and them that dwel in Heaven What was spoken of blasphemy in general is here specificated by a triple Idolatry 1. He blasphems Gods Name or Peson by Image-worship ascribing it to Stocks and Stones 2. His Tabernacle or Christs Humanity wherin the Deity dwels personaly which Temple or Tabernacle is blasphemed by beleeving his Body to be daily made of bread becaus transubstantiating John 1. 14. Priests caus it to be adored for his tru Tabernacle 3. He blasphems Heavens Inhabiters Angels and Saints in caling John 2. 19. Hebr. 9. 11. Idols by their 〈◊〉 which is also a contumely against Christ their Lord for they are made Mediators or pretended Intercessors with him against their wils as Patrons or Pleaders for mortal Men in Heathen maner and many faigned miracles fabled fastâ—ed or fathred on them which is more blasphemy It was given him to make war with the Saints and overcome Vers 7. them and power was given him over al Kinreds Toungs and Nations This is his other part of power viz. persecution wherby he provs himself the Dragons Deputy Daniels words Dan. 7. 2â— are he made war with the Saints the Womans Seed and prevailed against them The Beasts whol reign is a war against the Saints but this is waged with bloody slaughter as 't is said vers 10. He that kils with the sword must be so killed For here the Secular Beast not Spiritual is meant which must be so handled He made not this war in Infancy but in maturity A. C. 1â—â—â— about the twelfth age from Christs nativity The first war fel heavy on the Albigenses Waldenses and other Professors of whom were slain only in France as Peronius tels about a million of Souls who were massacred by mighty Armies levied against Sarrasens which bloody broils lasted seventy yeers Many mo slaughters befel elswher for three hundred yeers after yet about An. 1500. sundry Stats Kingdoms Countries and Churches fel from the Beasts dominion against whom cruel wars were raised which continu to this day and shal not ceas til the Beast be destroied So this persecution for number of slain far exceds al the primitivs for from the Jesuits A. C. 1580. origin in thirty yeers space Baldwin computs nine hundred thousand L. de Antiâ—â—â— c. 16. Orthodox Christians doon to death by Executioners yea Duke d' Alva boasts that he executed thirty six thousand in Belgia and Vergerius vaunts that the Inquisition consumed a hundred and fifty thousand in thirty yeers by several tortures They excuse it that the Clergy doth it not but Magistrats yet they condemn them for Heretics and make the others their Hangmen For so 't is said here of the Secular Beast that he shal make war and overcom the Saints but of the Ecclesiastic that he shal caus so many as wil not worship the Beasts Image to be slain and not kil with the Sword or by his own hands His power reached over al the Roman dominion with so great persecution that no Kinred Toung or 〈◊〉 can resist his impiety yet al particular Men are not included in this generality for very many in al ages as God said he had seven thousand 1 Kings 19. 18. in Israel that never bowed knee to Baal kept their Covenant with the Lamb but al intire Kinreds or Stats served the Beast so thos few disperst in the Beasts Provinces made for a while the intemerat Virgin Church Al that dwel on Earth shal worship him whos names are not V. 8 9. writen in the Book of life of the Lamb slain before the Worlds foundation Lest any presuming on a catholic consent of Kinreds and Nations which folow the Beast or deterred with grievous persecution shal think they may run safly with the multitud the holy Ghost here reads their doom that their names are not registred in the book of Life Hereto is an Apostrophe annexed of attention If any hav an ear let him hear i. al godly Christians listen deeply and devoutly to what is foresaid not what folows of their unhappy condition which folow the Beast He that leads into Captivity shal go into Captivity he that Vers 10. kils with the sword must be so killed here is the patience and Faith of the Saints This is a consolatory close that God wil be their avenger to afflict their Adversaries with such measure as they mete wherof they being confident are no whit daunted with tribulations but patiently faithfully and constantly endure al expecting revenge
'T is God which th' Image shews but that no Deity Look on that but adore this not seen by ey This is a poor palliativ plaster but both are Idolatry of the same bran For Heathen Demons were a middle sort of divine Powers betwixt their Soveraign immortal Gods and subordinat Men Deified after death whos office was to be interceding Agents betwen thos Celical Gods and Terrestrial Men in lieu wherof People erected Statues Images Temples and Pillars to them yea adored their Reliques and Sepulchers Semblably Papists Semi-Idolaters Deify Angels and Saints adore their Images erect Churches to their names worship a breaden God for Christ and set up Crosses like Demon-Columns Hereof St. Paul forewarns The Spirit speaks expresly 1 Tim. 4 1. 2 3. that in later times som shal fal from the Faith attending to seducing Spirits and Doctrins of Devils or Demoniac dogmats But the chief is that grand general Apostasy into Analogical larved Idolatry stiled in the Apocalyps spiritual Fornication and Rome mystical Babylon becaus Idolatry was first founded at old Babylon built by Nimrod wher his son Belus and Grandson Ninus with their Successors resided but since revived in a new form at Rome Thes Demons or Deastri saith the Apostle through lying hypocrisy hav seared Consciences forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats Thes indeed are parts of their demoniac Doctrins but the principal is Idolatry disguised under the conterfet color of Iconolatry Ob. The sole exception to this exposition is That Demon or Devil in Scripture sens is stil taken for an evil Spirit or foul Fiend never for a good Angel or Saint though Prophane Authors use both promiscuously Ergo to invoke thos glorified Spirits as Intercessors on our behalfs or adore their Images or consecrate Churches to their honor deservs not to be branded as Doctrin of Devils specialy sith holy Men yet living are so honored and their praiers desired which was ever commended but never condemned in any Church Sol. 'T is tru the Scripture stil takes Demons or Devils in the wors sens becaus Gentils deemed their worthies Deified Souls for Demons which were wicked Spirits seducing Mankind using the word for what they are in truth sith no good Angel or blessed Soul wil freely admit or assume such divine honor derogatory to their Creator nor accept Mens Invocations So the worship of Angels or Saints and their Reliques Pillars or Images may properly be caled Doctrin of Devils sith 't is spiritual whordom and renewed Idolatry wherby they make like evil Demons or Devils what fained fashions or conterfet colors to delude people soever they set to varnish this superstition This is his mellifluous morsel to chaw the cud on which who shal piously digest it wil turn to feed his Soul by abandoning this disguised abomination Germani Doctoris aucta A German Doctors supply A Late Silesian Divine Anonymal set forth a Book caled Clavis Apocalyptica with a confused Comment annexed who is Mr. Medes Ape if not a Plagâ—ary as many of his Countrimen be from whom he borows the Title Method and most speculations citing him twise or thrise both in the Synchronicisms and Explications but varies in som circumstances applied to his Country and comfort of his exiled Brethren assuring their Redemption to draw nigh even at end of A. C. 1655 which is his single or singular crotchet as wil appeer in the book briesly contracted God in his faithful Fatherly providence to comfort the Preamble godly and warn the wicked prefixed certain times in the old Testament how long he would forbear to punish For before the Flood he set one hundred twenty yeers to repent and then destroied al impenitent sinners with a Deluge of waters After it he declared to Abram That his Seed should be a stranger in a Land and serv them in affliction four hundred yeers but that Nation he would judg and they should go out with great substance which promiss at period of time he truly performed drowning Pharaoh with al his Host Indeed â—e destroied Sodom Gomorrah without prefining time becaus their siâ—s were so transcendent and they obduratly impenitent but prescribed fourty dais to Ninivâ—s destruction which was averted by mature repentance He assigned seventy yeers to Babylons captivity which being accomplished he stirred up Cyrus spirit to releas the People In Daniel seventy annal weeks four hundred ninty yeers were determined on the Jews in which time Messiah should be cut off and Jerusalem desolated which were effected in their times Even so ther be set seasons appointed to Gods Church in the new Testament how long she shal be persecuted and when delivered which is expressed in thes places of Scripture 1. The Saints shal be given into the fourth Beasts hand for a time times and dividing of a time 2. An Angel asks how long it shal be to the end of thes wonders another answers for a time times and half So John saith The Woman Gods Church shal be in the Desart a time times and half 3. The two witnesses shal be clad in sackâ—loth one thousand two hundred threescore dais 4. The Gentils shal tread the holy City under foot fourty two months 5. The Beasts blasphemies shal continu fourty two months which three sorts of numbers a time times and half one thousand two hundred threescore dais fourty two months are one and explain ech other taking thirty dais to a month and expounding dais by yeers both which the Prophets and Saint John used to doo 6. Thes three times begin and end together 7. Daniels one thousand two hundred ninty dais of the Sacrifices surreption and setting up abomination begin thirty yeers sooner then the one thousand two hundred threescore but end both at once A. 1655. now next insuing For three yeers and half make fourty two months and one thousand two hundred threescore dais after twelv months ech of thirty dais and three hundred sixty dais in a yeer So al exactly comply or correspond The Hebrew yeer contains twelv months in ech thirty dais in al three hundred sixty but our Julian fiv mo with six hours One day Propheticaly implies a yeer as Daniels hebdomad is Dâ—â— 9. 24. seven yeers and his Vision or Vatiâ—iny of seventy weeks seven times seventy or four hundred ninty yeers On thes two grounds the whol fabric of future Chronical computs consists Dan. 7. 35. 'T is said the Saints shal be given into the fourth Beasts hand tâ—l a time times and dividing of time i. one yeer two Dan. 12. 7. and half so an Angel swears by him that livs for ever it shal be for a time times and half a time Semblably John saith The Rev. 12. 14. Woman Gods Church shal be nourished in the Wildernes of Persecution from the Serpent for a time times and half which is fore-expressed vers 5. by one thousand two hundred Rev. 11. 2. 3. threescore dais as the two witnesses shal be clad in sackcloth so long
but 't is said the Gentils shal tread the holy City Rev. 13. 5. under foot fourty two months and the Beasts blasphemies shal continu the same space Al which sorts of sums are one and sute each other For the fourth Beasts three times and half in Daniel make fourty two months or one thousand two hundred threescore dais according to twelv months and three hundred sixty dais in a yeer So the Womans hiding for a time times and half or fourty two months or one thousand two hundred threescore dais uniformly or sinchronicaly signify one thousand two hundred sixty yeers Some suppose natural dais not annal are meant which make three yeers and half or fourty two Hebrew months or one thousand two hundred threescore dais simply which cannot be sith the holy City hath bin calcitrated the Witnesses prophecied the Woman nourished and the ten hornd Beast blasphemed long ago nor is it possible to accomplish al things ther spoken in so short a space 'T is writen your Children shal wander in the wildernes fourty Num. 4. 33. yeers after the number of fourty dâ—is in which ye searched the Ezek. 4 6. Land ech day for a yeer Again thou shalt bear their iniquity fourty dais I hav appointed ech day for a yeer John Napier and most Expositors jointly agree that Prophetic dais are meant which imply yeers So three times and half fourty two months and one thousand two hundred sixty dais being univocal or consignificant begin and end together as the Beasts three times and half commence with the Womans For when the red Dragon was cast to Earth by suppressing Heathen Idolatry he persecuted the Woman by the ten hornd Beast to whom he gav his Power Seat and great Authority but she fled and was fed in the wildernes one thousand two hundred Rev. 13 2. threescore dais The Beasts time and two Witnesses expires with the sixth trumpet Ergo they began together So the Gentils trampling on the holy City and two Witnesses time initiats at once but sith the Angel in Daniel speaks Dan. 12 7 11. of three times and half and after of one thousand two hundred ninty dais which are thirty mo then one thousand two hundred sixty precited many make doubt whether both signify the same Most Authors assert them for one but the Text infers it not and futures were only obscurely reveled to Daniel For three times and half concur with one thousand two hundred threescore dais which is the duration of the Beasts dominion but one thousand two hundred ninty is the terminus a quo of another Chronical computation to commence thirty yeers before it and expire both together So the two sums speak darkly of several subjects The words are thes indoctos docâ—o From the time that the daily Sacrifice shal ceas and abomination of desolation set up ther shal be one thousand two hundred ninety â—ais Now listen how he assoils it this time begins under Julian Apostat A. C. 363. or as som Chronologers comput A. 365 when the greatest devastation of Jerusalems Temple hapned to fulfil Christs prediction that not a stone should be left on Mat. 24 2. a stone as Cyril then Patriarch of Palestin acknowledged For tho the daily Sacrifice or Jewish Service ceased when Titus sacked Jerusalem yet was it not quit abolished sith the Jews under Constantin celebrated the Passover ther having hope to rebuild the Temple which Julian to despit Christians encouraged them to doo furnâ—shing them with meat mony and materials At which time God sent suâ—h thâ—nder lightning bals of fire and Earthquakes as disgorged the foundations killâ—d divers workmen and deterred al to persist which was the abominable desolation foretold by Christ from Daniel So the one thousand two hundred three score annal dais must inchâ—at thirty yeers later A. 395. at Theodosius death but terminat together A. 16â—5 next yeer as shal be shewed Here we must consider whether the Characters set on the 1 Character said sums may concur or cohere which are three 1. The Roman Empires bipâ—rtit division in thes words To the Woman Râ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were given two wings of a great Eagle to fly into hir place in the Wildernes The two wings are the Empires two parts as Theodosius shared it betwen his two Sons An. 395. to which Aera al three characters coincide but then the Barbarians broke in treading the holy City under foot and the Woman flâ—d into the Desart 2. The holy City is given the Gentils to tread on fourty 2 Character two months At Constantins conversion the Womans new born Child was set on Gods Throne and the Dragons worship got a great bâ—ow but Theodosius cast him to ground yet at his death the holy Cities calâ—itration commenced under his two young Sons when Goths Huns Alans and others under conduct of Alaric swarmed in on al sides first of the East Empire and after of the West who took Rome An. 410 destroying Churches and persecuting Christians in al places 3. A Beast rose out of the Sea having seven heads and ten 3 Character Rev. 13. 2. horns and on his horns ten Crowns Old Heathen Rome is resembled to a red Dragon with seven heads Hils and ten horns Provinces and upon his heads in Rome City seven Crowns or seven sorts of suprem Rulers forenamed but the Christian Empire hath ten Crowns on ten horns not seven on seven heads being the ten Kingdoms into which it was parted Now the beginning of this Beast was when it first rose out of the Sea under Alaric An. 395. but the ten horns were not ful grown til threescore yeers after An. 455. when ten Kings or thereabout reigned distinctly So al three characters 1. the spreading of the Eagles two wings when the Woman fled 2. The ten hornd Beasts rising out of the Sea at Alaâ—iâ—s entry 3. The Gentils treading the holy City comply or contemporize at once An. 395. but Daniels abomination which is to continu one thousand two hundred ninety dais being not the same with the Womans flight befel under Julian thirty yeers sooner An. 365. yet shal determin both together An. 1655. as aforesaid For al Writers date the downfal distraction and destruction of the fourth Monarchy at Theodosius death the last single intire Emperor after which it declined decaied or decreased daily This is very obvious or pâ—rspicuous but he makes the six 6000. yeers of the Worlds continuance to end at the same time A. 1655. by his wrested calculation wherin Chronologers infinitly vary which argues partiality of a Man wedded to his own opinion Yet the comparison of 1656. yeers from Mans creation to the Floods initiation corresponds somwhat semblably to our next yeer 1655. consummar or 1656. inchoat that the first destruction by VVater may symphonize or synchronize with the last by Fire if any faith may be given to such Chronical conjectures Howbeit we may make this use of it as Christ bids us Watch
by John de la Casa Archbishop of Benevent as Isaiahs words intimat Their countenance doth witnes against them who declare their sin as Sodom they hide it not She is also like Egypt in blindnes and hardnes of Heart beside their oppression of Gods People She resembles Jerusalem in killing the Prophets refusing to receiv the Son of God but rejects reviles and crucifies him in his members as every ey sees A City hath sundry Streets and Papacy divers dominions wherin the wars and persecutions for sixty yeers last past must be exactly examined The Oriental Antichrist Turc doth not persecut Christians for Religion the Occidental Pope hath no Streets or Provinces under his power wherin hav hapned any remarkable persecutions sav only the Germam Empire or cheif Horn. This is that great Cities principal Street caled Catexochen the Street being a bare Sceleton left of the West Empire or fourth Monarchy having yet seven Heads the seven Princes Electors and ten Horns the ten Circles or Provinces as 't is divided In this Street we must seek the war and shal find it if we weigh wel what is past since A. 1595. til now For the Pope since Luther began to reform alwais aimed to extirp Gospel Professors for which end he caled the Council of Trent but this took no effect in Germany til the crafty Jesuits incited credulous Princes by fraud flattery and calumby to persecut Protestants Which began A. 1598. in Styria Carniola and Krain the success wherof ther and elswher specialy in Bohemia and Austria is too wel known to the World but the last act lacks to be executed in Silesia which being finished this war shal hav victory and execution end at which time the three yeers and half are to begin wherin the Witnesses dead Bodies shalâ—ly in the Streets This Author seems to be a Silesian Minister living in Polonia who draws al to the Meridian of his Country and comfort of his exiled Brethren Som of the People Kinreds Toungs and Nations shal see their Vers 9. dead bodies three dais and half not suffring them to be put in gravs Thes are forren Nations met in the German war for Religion but by a Treaty of peace the Protestants were circumvented and liberty of Conscience denied with al their proper privileges which produced manifold miseries Hence it appeers that the three annal dais and half before the appointed one thousand two hundred sixty terminat can agree to no other but when the said Silesian pacification shal be finished persecution stinted and expeld Evangelists restored al which shal be at end of An. 1655. Most Expositors refer the last words of not putting them in grav to their Enimies despite who bar their burial but they are used or uttered tropicaly as their quickning or rising must be taken civily not properly or literaly for their Enimies are caled they that dwel on Earth So forren Nations wil not wholy lay down the Sword but cast a watchful ey on al emotions in Germany and not permit Protestants to be totaly destroied or laid in grav under-ground as he perswads them to doo They that dwel on Earth Papists who hav their Heaven here Vers 10. for the just are strangers or Sojourners shal rejoyce over them make merry and send gâ—fâ—s one to another becaus thos two Prophets tormented them that dwel on Earth They are said to torment becaus they scan or sift their Enimies Doctrin and Conversation by the touchstone of Gods VVord cross their gross 1 Kings 18 17 Idolatry and exprobrat their filthy Sodomy So Eliah and Michah tormented Ahab Jeremy the Priests and Pseudoprophets Jer. 27. 9. 14. Amos 7. 10. Mat. 8. 29. Amos the People Christ the Devils This their Foes nickname Sedition to color their own oppression Thus far John writes what the Son of God declared by word of mouth wherby a sudden change insued in the Vision representing a like alteration in the Empire For he sees what after the end of three yeers and half befel the witnesses and what unexpected events shal betide Here the last period begins An. 1655. when al the Gospels Enimies are quelled and tru peace to Gods People redintegrated After three dais and half the Spirit of life from Godentred Vers 11. into them Thos dais expire An. 1655. when the treading on the holy City fourty two months the VVitnesses mourning one thousand two hundred threescore dais the VVomans abode in the Desart so long and the Beasts blaspheming fourty two Months conterminat or expire at once together Then also the term of Nebuchadnezars Image and period of al four Monarchies Dan 7. 12. 25. Dâ—n 12. 11. for a time times and dividing of time shal concur as also the one thousand two hundred ninety dais of abomination which makes desolat being al tru synchronicisms Ezekiel Ezek. 37. 14. hath a like expression wher God on the Jews behalf at Babylons Captivity saith I wil put my Spirit in you and ye shal liv I wâ—l put you in your own Land The like God wil doo to al exiled Professors restore them by unthought of means to their own Land and render their functions yea giv them greater dignities then ever they had before They stood on their feet or possest their Places and Stats but great fear fel on al that saw them Papists had great joy at the issu of this war but shal now tremble no less when the exiled repossesâ— their hereditary Fortunes and honorable Functions A lifely exemple herof is extant Wisdom 5. worth reading or review See Wisd 5. They heard a great voyce from Heaven saying Com up hither Vers 12. They shal ascend in a cloud and their Enimies shal see them Heaven signifies the Church the voice implies that after three yeers and half God wil rais a chief Protestant Potentat as a Patron to the Papists terror who shal open a free cours to the Gospel caling aloud by his Diploma or Letters Patents to al Exiles Com up resum your pristin preferments and emploiments So they shal suddenly ascend in a cloud to their charges with great glory and authority Their Enimies who before exulted at their afflictions inflicting al sorts of plagues shal fare as Jeremy threatned Chaldea and Babylon Jer. 50. 10. 1â— that al which go by shal hiss at them At the same hour was a great Earthquake and a tenth part Vers 1â— of the City fel viz. a fearful Commotion or Combustion in the Empire but a tenth part intends either the whol Papacy or one of the Empires ten streets or Rome City which is now but a tenth part of what it was as Lipsius provs In the Earthquake 〈◊〉 3 Admirand or war were slain seven thousand Men or a mighty multitud but the remnent were affrighted and gav glory to God The rest of Papists stood amazed and acknowledged Gods just judgments on them The sâ—â— und Wo is past This imports not as if al were
the last universal Judgment for that is committed to the Son but in particular over the Churches Enimies in the fourth Monarchy and Papacy which Daniel saw til the Beast was â—lain and his Body given to the burning flame and the power of the other Beasts cam to an end for a term was set how long eâ—h should last and the Saints shal be given into the fourth Beasts hand so long as the Whore rides the Bâ—ast til a time times and dividing of time but at end of these three times and half the judgment shal sit and his power totaly abolished yet the World not destroyed but al kingdom dominion and greatnes under Heaven given to the Saints of the most High whos kingdom is everlasting and al dominions shal serv him Saint Paul's words The Lord shal destroy him 2 Thes 2. 8. with the brightnes of his coming are expounded in the Apocalyps but it seems the two judgments ch 19. and 20. are Rev. 19. 11. c. different and not reduced to one self time sith one thousand yeers intervene for the two great Guests the Beast and fals Prophets are lodged in a Lake of fire and brimstone but their Host the Devil associated to them a thousand yeers after at end of the World when the last judgment is immediatly held Weigh al wel and God giv thee wisdom unto Salvation The Author intimats that Christ shal com to destroy the Churches Enimies A. 1655. finito and bind the Devil in chains a thousand yeers at end wherof he shal judg the World yet protests he wil not presume to penetrat too far into thes secret sublime mysteries which he borows from Master Mede He exhorts us out of the Apocalyps to address our Rev. 3. 20. 21. ears and hearts to the Son of God Who stands at dore and knocks saying If any wil hear my voice and open dore I will sup Rev. 1. 3 6 8. with him and he with me to him that overcoms wil I grant to sit Rev. 22. 7 14. with me on my Throne as I overcam and sat down with my Father on his Throne Blessed is he that keeps the sayings of this Books Prophecy nay blessed are they that doo his Commandments that they may hav right to the Tree of life and enter the Gates into the City To him which is was and is to com the Almighty be glory and dominion for ever Amen The sum of al his Explications is 1. The last act of Reformation Summary and releas of Protestants in Silesia Rev. 11. 7. 2. The three yeers and half when the Witnesses bodies ly in the street Ibid. v. 8 9. 3. The continuance of war in thos Kingdoms til the Martyrs innocent blood be avenged 4. The sudden fal of a strong Pillar or Protector of the Papacy 5. The exaltation of an Evangelical Head or Protestant Patron 6. A Reformation in Germany 7. The destruction of Rome City 8. The end of the Turcs Empire Rev. 11. 14. Rev. 16. 12. 9. The Jews Conversion Ibid. 10. The Papists sedulity to gather their utmost forces Rev. 16. 13. Rev. 19. 16. 11. The total ruin of al the Papacy Rev. 16. 18. 21. Rev. 19. v. 20. 21. 12. The fulfilling of Gods mystery Rev. 10. 7. Wherby the Devil is shut up in the bottomless Pit the Son of God takes possession of the Kingdoms the Church fares in peace and tranquillity al which he writes to comfort his afflicted Countrimen and draws al Chronical lines to one Center of A. 1655. as the common gulf which is a conjectural crotchet no certitudinal conclusion wheron Men may rely One yeer and half wil bewray the verity or vanity therof to Gods glory and Mens satisfaction who must stil wait and watch but not sift or serch into his secret hidden Counsils The future contingents which he proposeth to be shortly expected A. 1655. are thes 1. Romes final ruin 2. The Papacies total confusion 3. The Jews conversion 4. The Turcs Empires abolition 5. The Churches restauration 6. Christs readvention al which materials he hath from Mr. Mede Neither of them handle the Lambs mystical mariage with Rev. 19 7. his spiritual Spous which Dr. Preston compares to civil carnal Nuptials in â—iv respects 1. As Parents consents is requisit in the contract so God the Father hath freely given his Son to us and us to him 2. Both Parties must mutualy consent to be wedded so Christ the Husband as the Man stil is Suitor tho the Woman most needs it for hir perfection first invites us to this match and the holy Ghost prepares our hearts to intertain it 3. Both make a Covenant Christ on everlasting one to bestow himself and al that is his salvation remission of sins grace glory on us if we giv our selfs intirely to serv him Thes are but the Espousals 4. Ther folows a solen union or celebration of Mariage betwen both which is doon in Baptism when as we promiss in Weâ—lock to take ech other renouncing al other so here we vow by word of mouth or sureties to forsake the World Flesh and Devil with al their Works cleaving soly to Christ both in prosperity and persecution and keep our Souls chast to him not prostituting them to unclean lusts or service of any Creatures 5. The Nuptial consequents correspond in both which is an inseparable union of hearts and communion of goods my Beloved is mine and I his what Christ hath is made ours and our his our debts becom his as al his riches righteousnes honors and privileges ours by imputation O what a blessed condiâ—on is it to say with the Spous in the Cantiâ—les I am my Beloveds and his desire Câ—nt 7. 10. is toward Me He feedeth me among the Lilies O let his pretious Blood make my scarlet sins so whit as Wool or as the Snow in Salmon In this peece are mo tedious repetitions then in al the work els which is doon purposly to make it more obvious or perspicuous unto every common capacity Quae placuere semel decies repetita placebunt Sunt patefacta sacro mysteria magna Joanni Quae Deus in seclis efficienda dâ—cet To holy John great mysteries were told Which to be doon in Times God doth unfold Medus vir celebris nulli bonitate secundus Artibus Ingenio Judicioque praeit Quaeque revelavit mysteria magna Joanni Christus in illius sunt patefacta libro Mede was a rare Man for goodnes next to none In Learning Wit and Judgment cheif alone And what high hid things Christ to John declared Are in his Apocalyptic Book explaned Mira brevi obvenient Germanus praedicat Author Si modo venturis est adhibenda fides Mira canit quae anno simul efficienda propinquo Vix credenda tamen dum patefacta forent Strange things saith a German shortly shal befal If faith to futures may be giv'n at al. Wonders he tels which next yeer doon must be Yet scars to be beleevd til