linnen Dan. 12.6 How long shall it be to the end of these wonders Or as that Saint enquired of the Palmoni or the wonderful Numberer How long shall it be that the Sanctuary and the Host shall be trodden under foot And he said unto him 8.14 2300 days then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Let 's count then from the burning of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the 19th 2 K. 25.8 Jer. 52.12 Usser 2300 588 1712. year of his Reign which was concurrent with the 588th vulgar year before the Nativity of our blessed Lord From which time if we reckon 2300 years it leads us by the hand to the common year of our Lord 1712. About which time the pure Worship which hath been opposed and confused ever since the ruin of Solomon's Temple it 's very likely may be restored to an Evangelical Glory and the abominations of desolation removed out of the way I know what is said about the literal fulfilling of this Text under Antiochus and the mystical in the days of Julian but I take it to be a more comprehensive Oracle not to be here amply discussed As for Julians time when the Jews attempted to rebuild the Temple by his Edict in scorn to our Saviours Prophecy in the year 363 when Julian was 4th time Consul with Salustius Promotus We find no account of any Sacrifice then offered for they were but cleering the Rubbish How then can this be an Epoche from the taking away that Sacrifice which was not then offered no nor since the days of Titus Besides Julian did this in a mock-savour to the Jews and stood not with an Army in the Holy Place or City for he came no nearer than about Antioch in his march to Persia and therefore this can be no root of numeration in this case Another gracious manifestation of the time is in the 12th Chapter which must be understood of the taking away Evangelical Worship for the time Dan. 12.7 times and a half mentioned v. 7. are disertly and distinctly applyed to the duration of the ten-horned beast 7.25 Rev. 11.2.3 in the 7th Chapter and is coincident with 1260 days in John 〈◊〉 13.5 or the 42 months of their trampling down the Holy City detaining the Woman in the Wilderness and the Witnesses in sack-cloth But in asmuch that Daniel adds 30 days to the 1260 it may be suggested that he reflects upon the Restitution of Israel and their conversion to offer up spiritual Sacrifice which may be performed some short time after the resurrection of the Estate of the Church in the West So then if the Ten-horned Beast rose in the Ruines of the Roman Empire It 's but considering when that City was taken and the Imperial State demolisht and finisht 1290 410 1700 and connex the 1260 or 1293 and the blessed times will appear to the comfort and joy of the Church Rome was first taken by Alaricus A. 410. A second time by Gensericus A. 455. The third by Odoacer A. 476. When having taken Rome deposed Augustulus Paul Diacon in add ad Eutrop l. 16. p. 155. Paulus Diaconus subjoynes Ita Romanorum apud Romam Imperium toto terrarum orbe venerabile Augustalis illa sublimitas quae ab Augusto quondam Octaviano erecta est cum hoc Augustulo periit Thus the Empire of the Romans at Rome venerable through the whole World and that imperial dignity which rose in Augustus perisht in Augustulus Blessed is he that readeth and they that he are the words of this Prophecy Rev. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that keep the things written therein for the time is at hand The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes signifies Astronomical Observations We ought to be more curious and diligent in calculating the motions of Scripture-times than the most accurate Observer of Eclipses and other Heavenly Configurations which are of great use in Scripture Chronology Ps 89.36 37. The Throne of this 2d David is more establisht than the Sun or the Moon before him and as a faithful Witness in Heaven Behold he cometh quickly Rev. 22 7. blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Obj. But some may say What comfort is this to us who it may be are never like to see these glorious times let us make our calling and election sure that we may enter into the Eternal Joy of our Lord. A I answer Of all things in the World let 's first make sure of our own Salvation and clear our evidences to eternal life 2 Pet. 1.11 that we may have abundant entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour And then let the prosperity of Sion lye warm at our hearts All the Holy men of old took great delight in beholding the Churches Glory though but in the Glass of Vision Ps 102.14 Nay they took pleasure in her stones and favoured the dust thereof For when the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory 16. This shall be written for the Generation to come and the people that shall be created 18. shall praise the Lord. The times of refreshing shall come and the restitution of all things whereof God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began Acts 3.21 2 Pet. 3.2 and we ought to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and Apostles concerning the promise of his coming looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God 13. when there shall be a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 15. testifying that Holy Paul hath spoken of these things in his Epistles Rom. 8.21 When the Creature it self distinct from Saints v. 23. shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Shall the great God think it meet in his heavenly wisdom and goodness to the Church to foretell by all his Holy Prophets and Apostles these glorious times Shall the Son of God receive this discovery from the Father and signifie it to his Angel and send it by his Angel to his Servant John his beloved Disciple What a magnificent apparatus is here from God the Father to the Son from his Son to the Angel and from the Angel to John Such as is before no Book of Holy Scripture besides and this upon the Lords Day to an Apostle in the Spirits extasie v. 10. and to a bosom Apostle in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Nay what a Majestical Scene is laid down in the 4th Chapter which is wholy spent in preparation for these Visions of things to come A door opened in Heaven and a voice like a Trumpet and a glorious Throne appearing and a Person upon it in visage like the various-coloured Jasper and the incarnate Sardine and the Rainbow of the Covenant like the
cut up the Myrtle Grove of the Church that has so glorious a Captain to own it for his Garden and desend it Is 4.5 Upon all the Glory shall be a desence Gen. 3.24 It 's like the Ancient Eden guarded by Cherubims with flaming Swords turning every way to keep the Path of the Trees of Life Let Saints persist in sertility and fragrancy and Christ will ever make himself visible with troops of Angels in the midst and round about his Fragrant Grove I pass on now to the 3d. Particular The Vision of the Captain and his Forces He that 's called a Man in the Text riding on a red Horse holds conference with the Prophet and the Prophet stiles him his Lord v. 9. and the Angel of the Lord v. 11. Prophets and Angels hold heavenly communion but especially the Angel of the covenant Now that this Person is the Lord Jesus Christ the same who was with Moses in the Bush at Horeb in the Wilderness Acts 7.38 may appear 1. By his superiority over Angels Jos 5.14 The Captain of the Lords Hosts brandishing his Sword before Joshua near Jericho was now with his Sword girt upon his Thigh Ps 45.3 like a Prince of Might ascending the Red Horse of War He who is Head over all Principalities and Powers to his Church Eph. 1.22 2. By his Intercession for the Church v 12. He is the great Mediator we never observe Ordinary Angels praying to God for the Church in the Sacred Page Though often praising him to teach that none ought to interpose in that glorious Office of Christ 3. By his Dictates to the Prophet He speaks not of himself when he declares the Angelical Functions of visiting the State of the Church and of the whole Earth But these says the Captain v. 10. pointing to the 3 Troops of Holy Angels behind him these are they whom the Lord hath sent to visit the Church in her scattered estate through the several Provinces of the Earth under the Dominion of Babilon 4. By his Inspiration of Prophecy in a way of command when he had received a comfortable answer from the Lord to his Prayer for the Church Cry thou Thus saith the Lord of Hosts I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion that is for the City and Temple for the Politick and Ecclesiastick Estate of his People with great jealousie v. 14. Next we are to consider him as a Rider upon a Red Horse A Horse in Eastern Hieroglyphicks and Visions was an Emblem of War of Victory and Triumph A Red Horse of Bloud shed in War in order to conquest Is 63.4 to note that Christ goes with a Spirit of vengeance against his Churches Adversaries and returns with Garments dyed red from Bozrah Is 63.1 all sprinkled and dashed with the Bloud of the Slain Nay Rev. 14.20 sometimes he rides his Horses up to the Bridles in Bloud in the Valley of Hadadrimmon Then come in view his Satellites or the Generous Troops under his Imperial Standard Red Horses speckled and white representing the Holy Angels multitudes of them marshall'd in battel-array for various Expeditions with the Triumphant issue of all their Wars on behalf of the Church That Horses and Chariots are Symbols of Angels may be observed from other Scriptures as 2 Kin. 2.11 and 6.17 and Hab. 3.8 c. The Chariots of God are 20000 Ps 68.17 even thousands of Angels and not to mention the allusions hereto in other Authors only that in Suidas at present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suid. p. 1271. The Vision of White Horses is an appearance of Angels I shall come to an observation Obs That Christ doth frequently appear to his Church in her distress under a warlike posture He is head of Angels for protection to his Myrtle Garden One Angel might have sufficed had God seen good but for more abundant comfort he marshalls whole Squadrons and Legions of Spiritual light Horsemen for their Service Above all let 's take notice of some excellencies in this Captain General of the Cherubims that is now upon march for the Salvation of his Church 1. He is a praying Captain and mighty prevalent with God like a Prince with God like a Priest upon his Throne Zech. 6.13 both Prince and Priest on horseback He never prays but is answered and he ever prays before he goes forth upon expeditions as he does in this Vision v. 13. and therefore in righteousness he judgeth and maketh war It 's said of old Rev. 19.11 Nulla fides pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur No faith or loyalty in the field But behold here 's one with a double-edged Sword in his Mouth a fervent prayer to make his Sword victorious Judg. 7.18 We have here the Sword of the Lord as well as of Gideon a Sword from behind the Ephod none like it it hath cut down many a Philistine The Sword of God is the Sword of Christ Prayer whets the Sword and courage brandishes it In his Majesty he rides on prosperously Ps 45.4 and baths it in the hearts of his Enemies 2. A Captain wise for conduct The councel of peace is between his Helmet and Mitre Zach. 6.13 He is a Kingly and Royal Captain in order to the execution of his Priestly and Prophetical Office He fights not for warsake but for peace He hates them that delight in war and spin out long Sieges for large Wages His End is to set Peace in the Earth an Universal Peace as long as the Sun and Moon endure Is 2.4 He designs to bring all the Swords and Spears of his Warriours to the Smiths Forge and to fashion them into Sithes and Plow-shares into Sickles and pruning-hooks Ps 72.7 In his days shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of peace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 usq ad non lunam till there be Moon no more Yea no less wise in management of his Armies for this glorious Design Insomuch that Angels who excell in wisdom disdain not to march at his command and wheel about at the clangor of his Trumpet There 's no mutiny in all Heavens Army Alexanders Soldiers when they were in the Indies among the Oritae Curt. Arian would march no surther though to finish the worlds Conquest and dip their feet in the Eastern Ocean But here is an unwearied Army that march up and down through the whole Earth at his command v. 11. Angels are his Creatures delighting to do his Will The Inhabitants of Petra in Sogdiana built upon an inaccessible Rock jeered Alexander Curt. l. 7. c. 11. and askt him whether his Soldiers had wings But behold here are winged Soldiers riding upon winged Horses that can fly into Cities at their Pleasure Such a Captain wages war on behalf of his Church This is he Exod. 14.14 25. who fought from Heaven against the Egyptians and Pharach in the Red Sea He taught Joshua to lye in ambush
against Ai. Josh 8.2 He instructed Gideon to astonish the Midianites by Lamps and Pitchers into a panick fear Jud. 7.16 It 's he who comes from Edom with garments dyed red from Bozrah glorious in his bloudy apparel Is 63.1 and marching in the greatness of his Strength This is the David who guides all according to the integrity of his heart Ps 78.72 and by the skillfulness of his hands 3. A Captain successful and victorihus He shall subdue the people under him Ps 45.5 Successfulness in a Captain is a mark of Honour stampt upon him by God to signifie that such should be used Such a character was imprinted upon Joshua The Lord thy God is with thee whither soever thou goest Jos 1.9 Though the Church hath sometimes been opprest for a while yet Christ never went forth attended with his Angelical Troops but his Sword returned fat with the bloud of the slain We need not range into the Annals of Ancient times for even since the Incarnation this Prince of Israel this Michael one like unto God hath fixt his Trophies with mighty honour upon the tops of the highest Mountains In what triumphant Chariots did he ride up to the Capitol in the days of Constantine at the subduing of the Pagan persecuting Roman Empire Rev. 12.7 What Songs of deliverance filled the Church in the times of Theodosius the great He will perform the like and greater atchievements against Papal Rome Rev. 17.14 For the Lamb shall overcome them who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings 4. He is a Captain of numerous Angels that excell in strength He leads those thundring Legions into field who love the Church and desight in employment as ministring Spirits for the heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 These Angels converse among the Myrtle Trees as well as their glorious Captain and go forth for intelligence and spy out the secretest counsels of the Adversaries So that if strength number policy intelgence and success can make an Army happy the Saints and the Church are blessed Nay they are such as no dint or force of their enemies can touch or wound them they fight invisibly they need no scaling Ladders to climb and assault the Cities of their Enemies they can either fly over or pierce through their strongest Walls and set the Church at rest whensosoever infinite Wisdom shall think meet Vs 1 Wo to the Churches Enemies who think they gird on their Armour against men like themselves 't is a grand mistake The mighty Angels are drawn up in Batalia against them When Julian was shot by a casual Arrow it 's reported that he flung his bloud into the Air against Christ appearing to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and accused him of his slaughter Sozomen l. 6. c. 2. p. 366. Theodoret l. 3. c. 20. Cassendor Trip. Hist l. 6. c. 47. Niceph. l. 10. c. 35. Others say that he cried out with scoff and blasphemy Thou hast overcome me O Galilean thou hast overcome me But whether Christ himself or an Angel by his ordination as others report it alters the case but little since we are sure it was like the Arrow ordained against Ahab it hit by the assignation and conduct of Heaven or as Sozomen phrases 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was slain by God and received the due reward of his infamous taunt against our blessed Lord. For when he was marching against the Persians he sorely threatned the Christians that the Carpenters Son should not avail them Soz. ibid. To which a Prophetical person smartly replied that he was preparing a Coffin for Julian and he was buried with scorn in the Suburbs of Tarsus by a rabble piping and dancing and exclaiming Jud. 8. O great fool where are now thy Prophesies God and his Christ have overcome thee So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. The great God hath all the Hosts in Heaven and Earth at his back Various sorts and offices of Angels some red others speckled and white alluding to the diversities of Colours in the Standards of Armies to know their Leaders and to keep rank and order Aelian hath writ his Tacticks and Polyaenus his Stratagems but no Methods or Policies like these of the Angelical Army Ezek. 17.20 32.3 who lye in ambush behind the Myrtle Trees and spread their Nets over the Heads of the ten-horned Beast of Babylon Vs 2 Let not the Church be troubled if sometimes the Speckled Horses appear though various administrations interweave the Churches comforts April will pass and a durable Somer follow What begins with red goes on with speckled and ends in white The Combat is bloudy at first but always successful and shall be crowned with victory The Church is like the Roman Empire whereof the Historian said Pugnâ victi sed nunquam bello A Battel may sometimes go off dubious but never overcome in a war The Churches Myrtles shall never be cut down so long as an Angel can keep the field he will protect them So long as the Captain of the Lords Hosts wears his Myrtle Crown Corona Myrtea he 'll lead his Church in pleasant measures in the Wildernes of Shur and teach them to sing the triumphal Song of Moses and the Lamb on the brink of the Red Sea Exod. 15.22 while the Egyptian Carcasses dance upon the waters in regular order to the Churches Sonnets Vs 3 Let this exercise the faith of Saints Though they sit heavy in a dark night yet morning will come Though the Church mourn in a gloomy bottom yet atlength she shall be advanced on the top of the highest Mountains Vs 2.2 Though wicked enemies compass them round for a while yet the Host of Angels within them shall break through and put all the Armies of the Aliens to flight The fourth watch of the night though the darkest yet 't is nearest the morning and the deepest place of the Valley is next to the foot of the Mountain for ascent Let this Vision comfort the Church that God is pleased to send Prophets to manifest the issue of all their troubles They shall not only be delivered in due time but they shall know it before-hand to aswage their sorrows and to heighten their expectations of deliverance Though the Vision be given by night yet he shines upon the head of his Zachary Amos 3.7 and does nothing but what he reveals to his Servants the Prophets and we must enquire from them not only our duty in a night of darkness but our comfort also in the Valley of affliction Let 's remember to keep to the society of Myrtles if we would enjoy the presence of Christ the protection of Angels the visions of Prophets and final victory over the Churches Enemies The last Use should be for inquiry after the end of the Vision when the white horses of victory and triumph shall appear to the Church Vs 5. Add. As he said to the man clothed in