When they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Rev. 1.12 14. In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks was one like unto the Son of man cloathed with a Garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle i. e. Jesus Christ who in respect of his Priestly Office had a tender Heart and was both willing and ready to do them good His head and his hair were white like wool as white as snow and his eyes were as a flame of fire i. e. In respect of his Prophetical Office he did shew himself in all their Church-Administrations to be full of Wisdom Gravity Prudence and Understanding And his feet like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace and his voice was as the voice of many waters i e. He did triumphantly conquer many stout-hearted and rebellious Sinners by virtue of his Kingly Power and Regal Authority in his Ordinances Ps 110.3 4. and 45. 2dly God was good in respect of that good Order Discipline and Government that was amongst them Christ himself was their Soveraign and Supreme Law-giver in all Church-matters according to what was Prophesied Is. 9.6 7. The government shall be upon his shoulders Zech. 6.13 Even he shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory and he shall sit and rule upon his throne The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven were put in the hands of those that were faithful Of Peter Matth. 16.19 Of all the Apostles Joh. 20. Of the whole Church Matth. 18.17 18. Herein was their Order and Polity that Church-Officers medled only with what was proper for them to wit the Authoritative exercise of Church Power and the Church medled with nothing but what was proper for them In the Primitive Church during the first Century nothing was done sine consensu plebis without the consent of the People as Mr. Jacob proves by an hundred Testimonies out of the purest Antiquity they had the power of choosing their own Officers Act. 1. end and 6. begin Of admitting Members as in the case of Saul's seeking to adjoin himself who was hindred by the Brethren of the Church till they received satisfaction from Barnabas's Act. Of casting out offending Members 1 Cor. 5. Of re-admitting Excommunicate Penitents 2 Cor. 2. Their order was that no particular Church did arrogate Power or Jurisdiction over other particular Churches the Church of Antioch's sending to Jerusalem Act. 15. to consult with them concerning some Doctrinal Differences does argue That they had full power to determine the matter among themselves without making any appeal their order was that they did not press things indifferent upon scrupling Consciences as if they had been necessary Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 8. and 9. Chapters They well knew that to have done otherwise would have been Tyranny and destructive to Christian Liberty and so for many other things 3. The Primitive Church in respect of purity of Doctrine was called Rev. 12. 1 A Woman that had on her Head a Crown of twelve Stars however they were branded by their Enemies as Heretical yet the Doctrine they profess'd was purely Apostolical It 's true false Teachers did creep in now and then amongst them and corrupted several Truths but through the vigilance and faithfulness of the Servants of God they were quickly and convincingly confuted They did teach that we must seek Righteousness for Justification partly by Christ and partly by the Ceremonies of Moses's Law but the Epistles to Coloss Galat. and Hebrews were written against this Heresie Cerinthus denyed the Divinity of Christ for which the Gospel of John was written 2 Cor. 11 2 3. I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chast virgin to Christ for I fear left as by any means the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 4. Herein was the Glory of the Primitive Church That not only the Officers but also many of their Members were Men singularly qualified with gifts 1 Cor. 1.5 7. By him ye are enriched in every thing in all utterance and in all knowledge So that ye come behind in no Gift See 1 Cor. 14. Act. 8. Mark 16.17 These signs shall follow them that believe in my name shall they cast out Devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover 5. God was good to them in respect of Grace Rom. 15.14 And I my self am perswaded of you brethren that ye are full of goodness 1 Cor. 1.2 Eph. 1.3 4 5. Philip. 1.3 4 5 6 7. being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ even as it is meet for me to think this of you all because I have you in my heart in as much as both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel ye are all partakers of my grace and this I pray that your love may yet more and more abound in all knowledge and in all judgment Col. 1.3 4. We give thanks unto God since we heard of your Faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which ye have to all the Saints 1 Thes 1.3 Remembering without ceasing your work of Faith your labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and of our Father knowing brethren beloved your election of God It was no small part of their Glory that they did so abound in Love which did evidence it self in two notable Acts 1. They kept the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace though some were for Circumcision others against it some for observation of Days Ceremonies eating Meats and others not yet they did in a great measure live in Love and Unity Acts 4.32 The multitude of them that believed were of one Heart and of one Soul 2. There was none of them wanted necessaries so long as others had wherewithall to supply them 2 Cor. 9.12 13 14. The administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God whiles by the experiment of this Ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ and for your liberal distribution unto them and unto all Men And by their prayer for you which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift Rom. 15.25 26 27. I go to Jerusalem to minister to the Saints for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor Saints which are at Jerusalem it hath pleased them verily and their
debtors they are For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things their duty is also to Minister unto them in carnal things Acts 2.44 45. All that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all Men as every Man had need And 4.32 Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common 6. In all Changes and Conditions they were constant still one and the same not sickle or variable some times for one thing sometimes for another Acts 2.42 And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and in fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 46.47 And they continued daily in the Temple with one accord and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God and having favour with all people and the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved 2 Cor. 1.21 22. 1 Thes 3.12 13. Rev. 3.10 Thou hast kept the word of my patience And 2.13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satans seat is and holdest fast my Name and hast not denied my Faith even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr Lastly The Lord was graciously pleased to confer the Honour of Martyrdom upon them Stephen was the Proto-Martyr Acts 7. They were scattered at Jerusalem by reason of Persecution Acts. 8. Paul and Peter suffered at Rome under Nero the one Beheaded the other Crucified So also James surnamed Justus Nay there was not one of the Apostles that escaped a violent Death John only excepted Let us make some use of all this in some Three or Four things 1. Let us bless God for his goodness to them O Blessed be the Lord that ever there was such a one as the Apostle Paul O Blessed be the Lord for the Truths Ordinances Gifts and Graces that were communicated to them we are in a sense sharers in the Mercies What was then written or transacted said or done was all for our Instruction 2. Did the Lord give forth such an abundant measure of the Spirit at the first Plantation of the Gospel according to what the Work of that Day did require which was to bring the carnal Jews from off their Ceremonies and the heathenish Gentiles from Satan to God who must see Miracles otherwise they will not believe Let us believe and be confident that the same good God will not be wanting to proportion the Gifts and Graces of his Churches and Servants to the Work of this our Day which is the reformation of Religion from Antichristianism Blessed be the Lord for any small bedewings and besprinklings of the Spirit poured forth upon any in our times in order hereunto 3. Let us from hence bemoan our selves and others that go under the Name of Churches of Christ who have degenerated so far from them in Doctrine Discipline Worship Gifts Graces Holiness of Conversation Perseverance in Sufferings contraria mixta seposita clarius elucescunt In the primitive times Christ placed us in a kind of Paradise but we have not kept our first Habitation 4. Let 's not only remember whence we are fallen but also return to our first Estate and when we set about a Reformation whether Personal or Ecclesiastical Let 's be sure to set the primitive Pattern before us as near as may be Let 's Love as they did endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace as they did continue steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine in fellowship in breaking of Bread and Prayers as they did No sufferings frighted them from following the Lamb be followers of them in all things imitable so far as they were followers of Christ Sixthly God was good to his Gospel Israel after the Death of the Apostles till Constantine's time And here before I come to particulars it will be necessary to premise these few general considerations as introductory for the clearing of what is further intended 1. Be it known to you that immediately upon the Death of the Apostles the Church was in a persecuted state It 's true it was so in their time but not as afterwards when there were publick Laws and Edicts made against the profession and professors of the Christian Religion providence so ordering it that they should have some respite till the Gospel and Churches had some Plantation 2. The time of this persecuted Condition was Three Hundred Years or thereabouts 3. The Instruments whom the Devil made use of for this diabolical Service were the heathen Emperors of Rome Rev. 12.3 The party there combating against Michael and his Angels Christ and his People is thus described A great red Dragon having seven Heads and ten Horns and seven Crowns upon his Heads A Dragon because of his Power red because of his Cruelty having seven Heads i. e. seven several sorts of Governments in Rome heathenish as also it was built upon seven Hills having ten Heads with seven Crowns thereupon to distinguish Rome-heathen from Rome-Antichristian Rev. 13.1 That has not only seven Heads and ten Horns but also Crowns upon the Horns to intimate that Antichrist made Kingdoms of those that were but Provinces during the Dragon's Reign under the heathen Emperors 4. Having perused several writers of great Note both for Godliness and Learning upon that transcendantly high mystical Scripture of the Revelation It 's most probable as I humbly conceive that they guess right who assert that the Seals Chap. 6. hold forth this State of the Church during the first three Centuries of which Ch. 12. to verse 13. seems to be explicatory 5. In treating of this Subject I shall be necessitated to make use of History to which I require no more of you but a Historical Faith I account it a great Mercy that every Age has had some faithful Servants of God whose care it has been to transmit to posterity the memorable acts of Divine Providence to his People Psal 145.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another and shall declare thy mighty acts I will speak of the glorious honour of thy Majesty and of thy wondrous works 1. God was good to them in giving forth this incomparable rich and rare Monument of the Revelation of John the Divine the principal scope and intendment whereof was 1. To forewarn them of the near approach of suffering times that so they might not be surprized but in a readiness to encounter therewith 2. That they might know what their sufferings would be by whom and of what continuance 3. That they should be comforted and encouraged under all especially upon this two-fold consideration 1. There 's no sufferings shall befall you but according to the predetermination and fore-appointment of a wise God and loving Father 2. Let the Churches troubles be what they will they shall have a glorious and an assured issue seeing this was the good end of
Number of all Nations and they shall stand before the Throne and before the Lamb. Tho' it was hardly visible whether there was a Church or no formerly yet now they shall openly shew themselves Cloathed with white Robes to shew that they have shaken off Popery with its Doctrine of Merits Indulgences Penances and Satisfactions and seek Justification only by Faith in Christ and his Righteousness having Palms in their Hands as a sign of Victory over the Beast over his Mark his Image and the Number of his Name and they cried with a loud Voice Salvation of our God which sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb and the Angels also fell on their Faces before the Throne and Worshipped God saying Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen The State of the Church shall now be a kind of Heaven upon Earth in comparison of what it was during Antichrists Reign and her Glory shall still encrease from one Degree to another till she be fully possessed of Heaven it self where their shall be a total exemption from all Evil and an abundant affluence of all good truly God is good to Israel Chapter Eighth This Eighth Chapter does under the First four Trumpets contain as I humbly conceive the Churches Sufferings for the next Three Hundred Years after Constantine where observe 1. Upon opening the Seventh Seal there was silence in Heaven for half an hour i. e. for some short time the Church had some respite from outward Commotions and Troubles and this is to be reckon'd among the Demonstrations of God's goodness to them or it signifies a holy attention in Heaven's Inhabitants the Christians to what God shall be pleas'd to speak to them by this Seal that brings forth Seven several Trumps and each of them a several Judgment it put them in a kind of amaze to consider That no sooner they were deliver'd from Paganish Persecutions which lasted for Three hundred Years but immediately there 's a new Cloud a gathering 2. To the Seven Angels which stood before God were given Seven Trumpets v. 2. to intimate God's goodness in this That he did solemnly denounce Wrath and Judgment against Carnal Christians that began to corrupt their Ways and thereby did call aloud upon them to Repent Trumpets are for an Alarm to War and they give a distinct sound that every one may know their Duty So good is God that he is not willing that any should Perish but all should come to the knowledge of the Truth Repent and be Saved 3. Even in those Days God had a Praying People whose Persons and Prayers found acceptance through the Intercession of Jesus Christ Verse 3 4. Another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a golden censer and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of the Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the throne and the smoak of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angel's hand 4. The very same Angel of the Covenant Christ himself takes some Fire from off the Altar and casts it into the Earth And then there were voices and thundrings and lightnings and earthquakes v. 5. It 's he that perfumes the Saints Prayers that plagues and punishes the world of Apostate Professors with spiritual Judgments All Judgment is committed of the Father to the Son and therefore the Sealed ones may be secure they need not be afraid of what shall fall out O the goodness of God in this thing And now come to the Trumpets themselves When the first Angel sounded there followed hail and fire mingled with blood and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of the trees were burnt up and all green grass was burnt up vers 7. This may be fitly applied to Arrianism the first spiritual Plague wherewith the Church was pestered even in Constantine's time It brought Hail with it which is a cold and nipping thing destructive especially to Trees and Grass Many Trees i. e. Eminent Ones became cold in matters of Worship and in their Love one to another And all Grass was burnt up i. e. The generality of common Professors throughout the World were much Baptized into Arrianism There was Fire mingled with Blood i. e. It produced a most bloody Persecution of all that were Asserters of the Divinity of Christ and his being Co equal Coessential and Co-eternal with the Father God's goodness under this Trumpet was in these two 1. There was but a third part of the Trees burnt up i. e. There were several Persons of great Note both Magistrates and Ministers who did even in those days faithfully witness to the Truth of Emperors Constantine Valentinian Gratian Theodosius of Ministers Alexander Hosius Foelix Secundus c. 2. Tho' Fundamental Truths were much struck at yet the Lord caused the Earth to help the Woman Rev. 12.16 i. e. Tho' their Synods and Councils did begin to grow very earthly carnal and corrupt yet God made use of them for the prefervation of Fundamental Controverted Truths in there Purity and Incorruption In the Council of Nice call'd by Constantine Anno 330. Arrianism was abundantly confuted in that of Constantinople Anno 380. under Gratian and Theodosius Macedonius and his Followers called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they denyed the Personality of the Holy Ghost were confuted The Third great Council at Ephesus under Theodosius II. Anno 431. did condemn Nestorius's holding that Christ had two Persons The Fourth at Chalcedon under Martianus An. 451. condemned the Eutychians confounding the Natures of Christ Upon the sounding of the Second Trumpet There was as it were a mountain burning with fire cast into the Sea and the third part of the Sea became blood and the third part of the creatures which were in the Sea and had life died and the third part of the Ships were destroyed i.e. Now began hot contests between Church-men for Precedency and this did quickly corrupt the Ordinances themselves the Seas and Ships by which Christians as such do maintain a Spiritual Trade and Commerce with God and one with another Contentions among Church-men were a fair Foundation laid by the Dragon for the intended and designed Superstructure of Antichristianism and they were kindled 1. By their own Pride and Ambition 2. By reason of the great Benefices bestowed upon them by Constantine witness that Voice then heard Hodie venenum effusum est in ecclesiam this day Poison is poured out on the Church It might then be said Religio peperit divitias filia devoravit matrem 3. They had the favour of the Emperors and great Men. 4. Because their Ministry was in the Imperial Seat they claim'd more than ordinary Privileges 5. Some good Men being much wrong'd and injur'd by the unjust Sentences and Church-Censures issued forth against them in the Eastern Councils did
address themselves to the Church of Rome as being then most pure that they would interpose for some Remedy and Redress which was afterwards so much abused That the See of Rome claim'd it as a privilege That all Appeals should be made to them as may appear in the case of Appiarius at a Council of Constantinople This being withstood by the Eastern Churches occasioned many hot Debates and now it was that they had Wooden Bishops and Golden Chalices whereas in the days of Persecution they had Golden Bishops but Wooden Chalices The goodness of God under this Trumpet was in suffering only a third part of the Waters to be corrupted he preserves still some both Professors and Ordinances from Antichristian Pollutions Upon the sounding of the Third Angel There fell a great Star from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the Rivers and upon the fountains of waters and the name of the Star is called Wormwood and the third part o the waters became Wormwood and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter i. e. Now the Apostacy grows higher whereas before Trees and Grass and Seas now Rivers and Fountains are Corrupted i. e. The very Scriptures and some of the choicest Streams thereof which convey spiritual Light and Life to Souls were much perverted the preceding Trumpers did strike at Christ in his Person and Natures this at his Offices now comes in the Doctrine of Merit Popish Pennances Indulgences Mediators Invocation of Saints This is fitly applicable to Pelagius who lived in the days of Honorius and Arcadius An. 405 or 415 He corrupted the Covenant of Grace it self that River the Streams whereof make glad the People of God He was a great Star that did burn as it were a Lamp he was a Man of great Parts and seemingly Godly but it was only the flourishes of natural and acquired Accomplishments not saving Grace wherewith he did shine God's goodness here was in this that he suffer'd only a third part of the Waters to be imbitter'd tho' Pelaganism did exceedingly spread through Italy France and Britain yet the Lord had still some eminent Lights in the Church that set themselves against it to wit Augustine Jerome Prosper Optatus c. Upon the sounding of the Fourth Angel The third part of the Sun was darkned and the third part of the Moon and the third part of the Stars and the day shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise i. e. This degree of Apostacy is so much higher than the former as the Sun Moon and Stars are higher than the Earth Seas Fountains and Rivers Now Darkness does in a great measure overspread the whole Face of the visible Church former Evils did arise from Pride and Ambition more than Ignorance but now both go together This is applicable to the Sixth Century wherein lights of all sorts came to be Darkned and Obscured there was a general decay of Simplicity and Purity in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government a thick Veil upon Scriptures Officers Ordinances People and All now the Gospel was much eclypsed with Humane Traditions Ceremâ—nies and Superstitions now we read of building of Abbies and Monastries of Kings and Queens deserting a Married stare to go a Pilgrimage meerly out of a blind Devotion multiplying of holy Days and many other Superstitious Fopperies God's goodness also here is obvious from the Text a third part of the Sun only was darkned c. as also from the last verse which is only a Transition to what follows intimating that tho' these four Woes that are past be great yet there are three greater to come tho' the Churches afflictions during this Century were very sad yet not comparable to what others especially those of the succeeding Age encountred with A few words of Application 1. From all this we may learn That one of the greatest designs that ever the Devil had against the Church was to corrupt Truths Ordinances and Worship Let us therefore Counter-work him in studying and endeavouring nothing more than the preservation of the Purity of the Gospel both in Doctrine and Worship 2. So hard a matter it is for Professors and Preachers to have their Garments kept clean from such pollution that the Sealings of God by Jesus Christ are the only preservative against the same It is not Morality Learning Policy or great Parts without saving Grace that will do All you that are in any measure chast Virgins acknowledge the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Heaven for this rich Mercy 3. As I observed before that the Church never knew a more thriving time than under Persecution so it never fared worse with them than in a time of temporal and secular Prosperity Let us therefore when God calls to it be content with Persecution as well as Prosperity 4. From what has been said it 's clear as the Sun That the great Antichrist had his first Rise and Origination out of the Ashes of the Pride and Covetousness of the carnal Clergy and where-ever these are found in this Day I dare be bold to say It is a piece of Antichristianism mark'd out for Destruction by the Righteous Judge of all the World 5. Much of God's goodness is in this That all these Trumpets are not sounded together but one after another and he begins to punish with lesser before he proceed to greater Judgments O stand in awe and sin not take warning by one Rod otherwise thou shalt know that he has more Rods than one 6. We see Antichrist's Promotion and Advancement was by degrees and so shall also his Ruine therefore we had need of Patience Chap. Ninth This Chapter contains two Trumpets more the 5th from the beginning to vers 13. and 6th to the end The 5th holds forth the Mystery of Iniquity as higher than ever so that things cannot be in a more Corrupted State than now the method I shall observe shall be as briefly as may be to open the Words as they lie in order Upon the founding of the first Angel 1. You have the fall of a Star from Heaven to Earth this is Boniface the Third Bishop of Rome who Anno 606 got himself to be stiled universal Bishop by the means of Phocas after he had killed his Master Mauritius the Emperor 2. His Commission shewed him to be the Dragons Lord Lieutenant Whereas Originally Ministers did receive the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven from Christ Antichrist receives the Keys of the bottomless Pit and derives his Authority from the Devil v. 1. 3. You have the Execution of his Commission no sooner is he invested with this Power but he improves it he opened the bottomless Pit now Hell it self is set loose to do what mischief it can Verse 2.4 The effects that followed upon this opening are these Two 1. There arose a Smoak like the Smoak of a great Furnace whereby the Sun and Air were Darkned i. e. whereas under the
and absurdities that follow upon contrary opinions which do assert that it 's now a fulfilling or the futurition of it as a thing yet to come make me to conclude that it is past From what has been already said in opening the Chap. it 's clear That it is not now a fulfilling 1. This time cannot be exactly towards the end of the one thousand two hundred and threescore Days and forty two Months and if it be When did they begin 2. Antichrist is not now at the highest nor the Church at the lowest 3. We cannot be said to be the Street of the great City nor our times times of Popery 4. We are not the first that laid the measuring-line to Antichrist's Temples Altar and Worshippers 5. This savours of Spiritual Pride and can hardly be asserted without reflecting upon the glorious Martyrs that have gone before us as if they had not deserved the Names of Witnesses in respect of us whereas indeed neither we nor our sufferings are worthy once to be named in way of comparison with them and their sufferings Some do fondly fancy that nothing is to be witnessed to but some one Notion of their own 6. This would argue ingratitude and murmuring as if we were still in the Wilderness when indeed we have rather cause to bless God saying We bless thee Lord God Almighty because thou hast taken to thee thy great Power and hast reigned The absurdities that follow upon asserting that this is yet to come and that the foresaid Days and Months did begin with six hundred and six are these 1. By adding one thousand two hundred and threescore to six hundred and six will be one thousand eight hundred and sixty six about two hundred Years hence 2. This may breed security in this present Age. 3. For two hundred Years Antichrist must still be a increasing to a greater height than ever 4. Either all the glorious late Transactions throughout the World have had no tendency to the prophesied ruin of Antichrist or if they had all that has been done must be undone again and all the Nations that have cast off the Popes supremacy must Apostatize and become worse than before Is it probable that God has brought so many out of Aegypt to bring them back again No verily 5. If it be determined of God that Antichrist's forty two Months shall not expire nor his prophesied Reign begin till then then it will be but in vain to attempt any thing against him all this while And this is the second ground proving the preterition of this Prophecy There is but one more to wit the harmony and concurrence of providential Events Which this prophecy understanding it according to the interpretation given makes me conclude it is over add 1260 to 300 and the number that results thence is 1560. Now let us inquire a little what state the Church was towards the concluding period of this time or near thereupon Anno 1546 in the War between the Emperor and Duke of Saxony the Protestants were almost totally routed the Prince himself imprisoned Magistrates divested of their Robes many Ministers banished and imprisoned for not taking the Interm the Antichristian party insult exceedingly in sending great Guns and Prisoners which they had taken as Trophies of an absolute Victory over Lutheranism About the same time there was a great persecution in France in the Netherlands under the Duke of Alva of the Waldenses in Provence Anno 1545. They of Piedmont by the Duke of Savoy It is not unknown what was here in Queen Mary's days It is observed by some that within a few of these Years the number of them that suffered for Christ were 900000 and this may relate to the slaying of the Witnesses and as for the Resurrection about 1559 the Work of Reformation had a great reviving in German At a Diet of the Empire at Ausburg by publick Authority the Protestants had free liberty to make Profession of their Religion without prejudice to their Estates and civil Privileges about the same time Reformation had a reviving in Scotland In France under Charles the 9th Anno 1560. Queen Mary Reigned about 1554 and died some five Years after and Queen Elizabeth brought glorious days to Protestantism in general in respect of the Marian days Besides all these Arguments my own observation of the Acts of Providence at this day do more and more confirm me in this perswasion however if any can shew me more convincing Reasons to the contary I hope through Grace I shall not be found pertinacious I cannot slightly pass over so material a point as this is without drawing some practical Inferences from it by way of Application 1st For Instruction 1. The longest Day that ever was had an end Antichrist's forty two Months have their period 2. When Persecutors are at the highest then their Downfal draws nigh Nihil violentum durabile 3. O that all the Sons of Wickedness would be wise and instructed from what has befallen others to tremble and fear God because of his Judgments 4. Christ's Witnesses do carry on his Work by their Sufferings as well as Services Passive Obedience is as acceptable to God and useful to others as Active 5. No Cause of Christ sealed with a bloody Testimony shall ever be quite lost 6. The Reformed Churches that have in any measure cast off the Yoak of Antichristianism are highly to be esteem'd of tho' it was never intended of God that Reformation shold stand at what it did begin either in Doctrine Worship or Discipline yet the state of the Primitive Reformers was a Heaven upon Earth in comparison of what their Prececessors state was More particularly from these things we may venture to make some sober conjecture concerning the Dispensation this Age is under 1. If this Prophecy of the Witnesses be fulfilled about an hundred Years ago then we are now under the 7th Trumpet which contemporizeth with their Resurrection or does at least follow immediately upon it 2. The Work of Reformation is not to begin the Right-hand of the most High has already laid the Foundation 3. Antichrist has been already at the highest and is now a going down the Wind all the endeavours of Men and Devils shall not be able to raise him again to what once he was nor to support or keep him from falling tho' this and two or three Nations more should Apostatize to Popery more than ever yet it 's nothing contrary to my assertion unless Bohemia Switzerland Helvetia Hungary Holland and all in Germany France Sweden and other parts do professedly return to Rome again and become more Idolatrous than before which shall never be 4. We shall never know such another slaying of Witnesses as this 1. Those were in the Wilderness the suffering Witnesses of after Ages shall be out of the Wilderness 2. They were then in Sackcloth after Ages shall never know such a mournful Condition 3. They suffered before the Temple of God was opened in Heaven which
is under the 7th Trumpet ch 11. there was not before them any considerable visible Separation from the Church of Rome not so with us 4. There were but two then i. e. a few in comparison of what shall be after if we suffer for Christ now we shall have many Co-partners 5. That very work of God which has been begun amongst us I mean Reformation in Doctrine Worship and Discipline shall some where or other in God's own time and way go on and prosper maugre all opposition Lastly The consideration and belief of this Truth that the Witnesses are slain and risen may teach us how to demean our selves in this Day 1. Towards God 2. Enemies 3. One another 4. In respect of our selves Towards God 1. We are Monsters for Ingratitude if we do not trumpet forth his Praises aloud for bringing us forth in such a glorious Age and Time certainly if our Godly Ancestors had seen and heard what we now do especially they that Lived about an hundred Years ago would have said Now the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ is Come 2. Be very Patient under all the Corrections and Chastisements of this Good God 1. Your Sufferings are but a Flea-bite to the Sufferings of others that have gone before you 2. Your Punishments are still less than your Sin 's deserts 3. Consider what the Glorious Son of God hath suffered for you and yours is nothing 4. It 's a most glorious honourable and advantageous thing to suffer for Christ in a righteous Cause See 1 Pet. 4.13 14 15 16. with several others formerly commended to you 5. Your sufferings may be sharp for a Season but short 6. Your Sufferings after a begun Work of Reformation are for the Trial of your Faith and Patience 1 Pet. 1.6 7. Heb. 10.36 37 38. Rev. 14.12 Here is the Patience of the Saints here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus 7. The issue of your Sufferings will be Glorious to your selves but dreadful to your Enemies 1 Pet. 4.17 2 Thess 1.4 5 6. Towards Enemies 1. Look upon them as the Rod of God upon you for your sins of Ingratitude Earthly-mindedness Carnality Pride Self-seeking Hypocrisy Formality c. 2. If your Enemies are any kin to Antichrist you need not you ought not to fear them with a slavish fear for they are falling and going down even when they seem to rise 3. Seeing you can in some measure guess at the issue and event of things pity and pray for Persecutors as knowing what that Wrath that abides them is unless they repent 4. Abhor the very thoughts of a sinful compliance with any Antichristian pollutions and abominations in God's Worship if you had lived a hundred Years ago there had been some colourable excuse for your Conformity and Compliance but now there can be one 1 John 5. ult My little Children keep your selves from Idols Towards one another 1. Love and Honor all under what Name or Notion soever that have but their Faces Zion ward especially such as have Suffer'd do now or may yet Suffer for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus the rebukes of God upon Professors call aloud to them to lay aside their sinful differences and divisions which have undone them and to love one another not in Word but in Deed with a pure heart fervently You have all common Enemies and why you should not love one another I know not 2. If any that bear the Name of Christ should solicit you to joyn with them in any sinful irregular course to work your Deliverance hearken not to them God himself does now stand engaged to go on with that which is God's Work indeed and therefore he needs not your hand nor help In respect of your selves 1. Tho' the great slaying of the Witnesses be past yet each of us ought to be always prepared for the greatest of Tryals because no particular Person can at any time promise himself an absolute exemption from Sufferings from this time forth to the end of the World and it stands with reason in should be so for the Destruction of Antichrist being gradual by seven several Vials when one Vial has done its work there is still something more of him to be destroyed and his utter Destruction will not be till the end of the World how can it then be otherwise but so long as he has any power or being he will he making some bustle against those that oppose Some are of opinion that even after the conversion of the Jews which will be a most glorious time the Church will have great troubles and that for forty five Years together Daniel 12. Begin Nay and after the 1000 Years Rev. 20.1 They shall be in as great trouble as ever they knew from the beginning of the World to that Day which will be immediately before the coming of the Son of God to Judgment Many have strongly fancied that the time was come that the should have nothing to do but to rule the World the Lord in mercy convince them of their mistakes certainly a glorious Day may be look'd for before this World be at an end but it is so called comparatively i.e. in respect of our present Day and Times that ar past 2. This calls aloud upon us to be deeply humbled before the Lord because of our manifold sins and unsuitableness of Spirit to the Work of our Day We may well say thus Is the Work of Reformation now upon the Wheel of Providence And is Antichrist a declining Ah how does the Work stick and go on so slowly Sure it 's my Sins and others that retards and hinders it When I consider the great Distempers of the Spirits of all sorts of Professors I do not at all wonder at what has befallen us 3. Let us therefore by all means labour for such a Spirit as may suit with the Work of our Day a Spirit of Understanding to know what is God's Work and what ours to know what is Antichristian and what not a Spirit of Wisdom to find out such Holy and righteous ways as may most conduce for the carrying on of this Work a Spirit of Humility Mortification Self-denial Sincerity Faithfulness holy Courage and Boldness a Spirit of Prayer Faith and Zeal for God's Glory They that would yet know more particularly under what dispensation we now are and what hereafter may be expected must study well the 7th Trumpet Rev. 11. End and the seven Vials Chap. 16. I will but just give a very short hint at each of the Vials and so shut up all The 1st is poured out upon that which is the Earth in the Antichristian World i. e. the Fundamentals of the Popish Kingdom are struck at and such Doctrines upon which the whole structure of Antichristianism is built without which it cannot stand no more than the Fabrick of this Universe without the Earth Erasmus says of Luther that he committed two unpardonable faults in medling with the Popes Mitre and the Monks Bellies Antichrist's Ruine is the Churches Rise the confuting of their Antichristian Doctrines did clear up the principal Fundamental Truths of the Gospel 2. Upon the Sea i. e. Their Worship and Ordinances by which they trade on with another The first Reformers were so taken up with the clearing up of the Doctrinal part of the Gospel that they could not have the while to think of mattes of Worship which was done to some purpose after in the Council of Trent by Chemnitius and others 3. Is upon the Rivers and Fountains of Waters i. e. The Romish Clergy It 's by them the Christians of the Antichristian World are moistended they come from the Sea and run into it they were Originally bred by the Romish Religion and are the great supporters of it they are Wells of Water 2 Pet. 2. And Rev. 16.5 6 7. It 's they that have shed the Blood of Saints and Prophets According to this interpretation these three Vials are at least in some measure poured forth already only more may be yet expected 4. Upon the Sun i. e. Either some that are eminent for upholding Antichrist in his civil power and jurisdiction such as the King of Spain the Pope's Eldest Son or the House of Austria or something that 's a great light to them in respect of their Ecclesiastical State such as is the whole Body of their Cannon Law or both these 5. Is upon the seat of the Beast this may be understood of the Destruction of Rome or the Pope's Principality as the 5th Trumpet set him upon his Throne the 5th Vial shall Dethrone him 6. Dries up the great River Euphrates i. e. Destroys the Great Turk and his Empire which shall make way for the Kings of the East to go up into their own Land i. e. The shall the Jews be Converted the Glory of which time I have discoursed at large in my Treatise of the Fifth Monarchy 7. and last puts an end to all Antichrist is not only utterly ruined but also Gog and Magog all sorts of Christs and the Churches Enemies The Lambs Marriage Day is solemnized before God Angels and Men and his Spouse is caught up to himself to be with the Lord for ever The Spirit and the Bride saith Come even so come quickly Lord Jesus Amen And let every Soul say Amen Truly God is good to Israel and to such as are of a clean heart Gloria perpetuo sit tribuenda Deo FINIS