which did cast him into his minority and wardship againe And this his last estate of regiment imperiall the holy Ghost here calleth his taile which confisteth of a rout of Monarchs seventie Keysars long who for that they so furiously persecuted and havocked the blood of the chiefest Saints and servants of God the Spirit saith that with his cursed taile he drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And not contented with the slaughter of his fairest lights and stars of his Church proceeded to desolate the whole hoast of heaven even all the seed of the Spouse named before the Churches child and here her Son meaning those in whom by the ministry of his fairest stars his Servants the Apostles Christ was now formed and of whom the Church was now ready to be delivered for so much the Apostle unfoldeth in these words And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when shee should bring forth he might devoure her son VERS 6. But she brought forth a man-child who was to governe all Nations with an iron rod and her Son was taken up to God and to his Throne BUt notwithstanding all their fury the Church brought forth her first fruit which for their faith charity labour and patience the spirit nameth a Man-child and because they followed the Lord in the Regeneration and overcame by keeping his words and works unto the end they received the selfe-same honour which to their Lord alone and in chief belongeth namely that they shall judge the Tribes of Israel and have dominion over the Nations and shall rule them with a rod of iron and break their glory like a potters vessel as the Lord hath promised Mat. 19. Apoc. 2. And in remembrance of the tender care and providence of God over the seed and first fruit of his Church the Spirit concludeth that when they had ended their course they were taken up to God and to his Throne far from the reach and rage of their enemies VERS 7. And the woman Fled into the wildernesse where she had a place prepared of God that there they might feed her a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes BUt the Church of God here named the woman mother of this faire and primitive fruit being no longer able to weather out her stormes was enforced to hide her beauâ—y and to retire her selfe into the secret chambers of Gods providence and heâ— owne conscience and to take up her lodging in the desart not that her light was utterly extinguished as her enemies reproach her for although she were dispersed distressed and enforced to hide her extraordinary and eminent graces yet the beauty of her true repentance and of her lively faith seconded with a charitable life and patient expectation of better things to come stâ—ll shined as a Candle in a darke place and like a ship preserved in a tempest she remained still the same of whom the world was not worthy never wanting the loving protection of her dearest Lord who in all her troubles was mindfull of her as of Elias his servant or Israel his first-borne carefull to provide her both of honourable harbour and princely diet Her resting place was restlesse strewed and scattered far and neare over the face of the earth for such a lodging oid best beseeme her broken and restlesse heart which sojourned in earth but dwelt in heaven and did also best defend her person from the furious inquisitions of her enemies Neither was her Lord lesse loving and provident concerning her food for he preserved for her diet the two witnesses of his eternall Covenant that â—â—â—m their breast she might suck the puâ—e and who some milke of grace and life that so she might be both nobly haâ—boured and priâ—cely sed during the tedious and odious Reigâ—e of the great Whore the Church of Rome who during her exile should â—surp her Chair and under the vizard â—f her name should persecuâ—e her name and generation a thousand two hundred and sixty years here as before mystiâ—ally deciphered under a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes VERS 8. And there was wages a battell in heaven Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon and the Dragon fought anâ— his Angels ANd at the same timâ— that the Temple of God was opened in heaven the Apostle also foresaw that great and bloody contention then which since the dayes of heaven was â—ever waged greateâ—â— great in regard of the Aâ—mes and great in respect of the cause The Armies great as well for the greatnesse of the Generals as for the valour and number of their Forces The Generall on the oâ—e side was the power of God sciphered by Michael the Prince of the Covenant who stood for the children and people of the Highest The Gâ—nerall on the other side was the power of Satan figured by Ethnick Rome here as before called the Dragon In their Forces are to be considered the Leaders and the Souldiers The Leaders and Captaines on the part of Michael were Divus Petrus Divus Paulus Divus Johannâ—â— and the rest of that divine and Noble orâ—â—r of Saints And on the Dragons paâ—t were Leaders and Chieftains Divus Tiberius Divus Caligula Divus Claudius Divus Nero and the rest of that most filâ—hy and execrable traine So great was â—he multitude and number of Souldiers that none of what degree sex age or condition soever but must be prest for the one side or for the other the valour and veâ—tue of the Sâ—uldiers exceeded all praise few subdued many the weake overcame the stong a handfull of Chrâ—stians a world of infidels The cause was great and higher then the heavens whether God or Beâ—al Christ or Jupiter Christianisme or Paganisme were more venerable for antiquitie majestâ— call for amplitude more constant for continuance and in all other respects of wisdome honour and Majestâ—e more worthy to be imbraced and adored of the sons of men which was for life contenâ—ed by the Dragon his Angels and Assects and was â—oâ— life withstood and disapproved by Michael and his Angels and their followers The issue of this contention followeth VERS 9. But they prevailed not neither was their place found any more in Heaven AS the battel was great so was the victory glorious for though â—he Dragon with his sapient Senates his prophane Angels and his uncleane abbettors intended all their forces moving as it is in proveâ—b heaven and earth to make room for the aâ—omination of Jupter and to keep under water the everlasting Lord and Prince or the Coâ—enant as among the many Moâ—uments of time is sufficiently proved and maintained by Orosius and by him to whom he wrote in his bâ—ok de Civiâ—ate Dei yet the Spirit foreseeing the Dragons â—olâ—y and how in vaine he kickt against the spur in scorne of his presâ—mption saith But he prevailed not and concluding affirmeth that the possession of heaven so long time usurped byâ— incestuous murtherers and execrable curtizans gods
the Familists when I alledg'd St. Paul's words 1 Cor. 15. 19 If onely in this life we have hope in Christ we are of all Men most miserable to prove the Resurrection and his assured hope of Salvation in the world to come he denied it in hearing of divers saying that the Apostles meaning was if we had only hope in this life not the thing hoped for we were most miserable but now saith he we have both the hope the thing hoped for the promise the thing promised al that may be expected we have in this life as he affirmed agreeable to the rest of their blasphemous Principles Familists then to receive and enjoy eternal rest an Inheritance amongst Gods Elect the faithful Iews Gentiles in that Land promised the Fathers I say commending his writings as a most inestimable Treasure to all sober Christians hoping that themselvs may see and find that they are undoubtedly the very truth as in due time will appear desiring them as they tender and value their own everlasting peace and happiness as they must certainly answer it at the great Day of the coming of Christ Resurrection of the dead that they would above all things take heed of and avoid the horrible infatuations the pernicious poisonous Doctrines Principles of the shameless blasphemous Familists so directly contrary to so wholy absolutely inconsistent with the grace of God and state of Salvation I take my leave and rest their Christian Friend J. W. Lond. Apr. 15. 1661. A VOYCE Out of the WILDERNES CRYING With many Tears and strong perswasions to the World for REPENTANCE Proving by undenyable Grounds from the Word of God that the great Day of his righteous Judgement shall certainly be in this present Age before 61. Years after this present Yeare 1651. shall be expired And unfolding many great and wonderfull Mysteries of God forespoken in his word to come to passe and be fulfilled from the rising of Julius Caesar first Emperour of ROME to this present time and from hence to that Great Day of the Lord. Things that were never discovered by any Writer before this knowne and such as greatly concerne the Church and Chosen of God in this last time Exprest in a very high Propheticall stile and clear evidence of the Spirit and of Power from above which the judicious Christian Reader may well perceive LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE CHURCH OF ROME MANY and sundry voices have beene heard out of the Wildernesse in these latter dayes whereunto had wee given good and diligent eare we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation neverthelesse he that writeth testifieth the Kingdom of God is at hand WHat neighbour or friend is he who seeing his next or beloved in danger doth not cry â—ake heed and though such one may be found yet â—annot we hold our peace Generations sinfull and â—dulterous why should we feare or shame to speake â—mongst yee your number and hath it not been alwayes the complaint of the holy Ghost in the dayes of the Prophets Apostles and to this houre Lord who hath beleeved our sayings and to whom is thy arm revealed your nostrils whose power is breath not to be counted of nay we are not only ready to give up our bodies but our souls to be sacrificed in witnesse of the cause pleaded before yee this day or should our voyce be ashamed of her preparation behold yee scorners like as a mighty wind that pasâ—eth your eare and bloweth not upon yee so shall yee heare great things to day and not be moved â—herewith and poore and slight and simple as she goeth she hath authority to give joy to the living and life unto the dead Amongst whom liest thou buried rotten and past rising up againe thou that siâ—test carelesse like a Queen in pleasure and glorifien thâ— selâ—e saying in thy heart I am alone and besides me is no other I may not be widow or desolate for ever aâ—d like a foole hast not considered th'older thou art the nigher to thy grave But thou sayest tush am I not great Where dwelleth then the power that may doe all these things Wherefore thus saith the truth although thou be now so high as that the word forespoken is fullfilled in thee And who is like unto the beast or who may war with him behold the day hasteth and is at hand wherein thâ—u shalt be made so little that thy name and remnant shall not be found upon the earth and all thy many hornes and multitude of Witches whose arme and counsell have been thy help and treasure from thy youth shall fall and perish as fire consumeâ—h straw and not be able to deliver thee any more for thy dayes are numbred and yet two Moneths two Weekes two dayes and a halfe and thy number six hundred sixty six shall be fullfilled Happy man that liveth to see that day and behold there be living that shall see it And Tyre and Sydon with all thy Cedars though now they surfet in wealth in pride and pleasure shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands for Babylon their Lord is dead And thy death shall be the life of Israel but his light may not long indure as testâ—fieth the Prophet And then and in those dayes shall be fullfiâ—â—'d the great mystery of God prophâ—â—ied by the mighty Angell who set his right foot on the Sea and left upon the Land and lifting up his stroâ—gest arme to Heaven swore by him that liveth for ever and eâ—er There shall be time no more He that blasphemeth let him blaspheme still and he that liveth at ease take his pleasure still neverthelesse the speciall day is at the doore to give to every one according to his wayes And yet thou sayest I am his house his sanctuary and place of his dwelling wherefore Discoursers 〈◊〉 once shall be wrought in your eye to day all the gateâ— of his City shall be laid open before yee and none of yee shall enter into it All are wise and every one shall give account according to that he hath received I aske then and have not all received yes verily the voice of God is written up and placed in th' eyes or heaâ—ts of all as it is wirtten Their sound is gone forth over all the earth and their words unto the worlds end But all have nor obeyed as testâ—fieth the Prophet and therefore the Kingdome of Heaven is likened to a Field containing Corne and Weedes to a Net enclosing fish of all sorts good and bad to a Wedding whereunto all were bidden those that refused those that came prepared and those that came and were 〈◊〉 apparrelled to Servants good diligent faithfull bad slow and unprofitable to Virgins some wise whose lamps did watch while they slept 〈◊〉 foolish whose lamps did sleep with them to a house of great and large receitâ— garnished with vâ—ssells of gold and silver of wood and clay then and in that day to be imployed
Jerusalem his steps beautifull as are the steps of God the flames and Angells of heaven ascending and descending at his commandement and it was fulfiled which was spoken In Jury is God knowne great is his name in Israel and opening his mouth taught them and marvellous gracious and true were the words which proceeded from him told them their Fathers were wonderfully indeed fed and cloathed in the Wildernesse and yet were dead because they were not fed nor cloathed with him who feedeth and arayeth to life everlasting and the food and rayment which he gave was his blood and they that are fed and apparrelled therewith are those that beleeve in him commanded them not to work as did their Fathers in the Wildernesse but as did Abraham whose Children they pretended to be and were not for he beleeved in him being yet but promised whom they refused now performed and witnessed plainly in their eares that day there were no other works but these alone that led from the rod of th' oppressor to the Land of promise saying This is to doe the work and commandement of God to believe in him whom God hath sent Which thing your Fathers the Pharisees denying to doe evermore seeking after their hard and brazen progenitors t' establish a righteousnesse and justice of their owne to work the works and Commandements of God according to their way and meaning by doing refusing the justice appointed by God to work his works and Commandements according to his way meaning by beleeving rushed against the square approved precious stone which was set up in Sion and were bruised and broken to death everlasting And doest thou know Balaam what it is to beleeve in him whom God hath sent We speak the things we know and testifie what we have seen and learnt That which is borne from below is flesh subdued unto sin imbondaged to death and cannot see th' inheritance and Kingdome of God wherefore it was requisite a new birth to be established subduing the flesh unto the spirit delivering from the power of sin and breaking the chaines of death Without the which vaine and impossible is the Commandement to believe in him whom God hath sent as it is written Vnlesse a man be begotten by water and by the holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God So many Baalists heapt on another at your conspiracy heâ—d at Trent against God and his anointed and knew not what it is to be borne of water and of the holy Ghost have ye indeed so planed the câ—â—atures of God wrought in them a beliefe ye are successors and dispensers in heavenly things and understand not earthly There was a man sent from God his name was John your Fathers ran out in troops to see him a strange and sour fellow was not lodg'd like a Prince nor cloathed like a Courtier neither wine nor water dranke he no other drinke but â—ears and in his mouth never entered bread Murderers how chanceth it that hanging up his dead body in your Courts and Caves drawing it through your streets once a yeare at the least denying it the naturall courtesie of buriall you have not considered that he was appointed from heaven the Minister of the Baptisme of water as of himselfe he testifieth in a place saying He that sent me to baptize with water said unto me on whom thou seest the Spirit discend and tarry he it is that baptizeth with the holy Ghost Doe yee know wherefore his Lord gave him that honourable testimony namely that he was more then a Prophet and that among all the sons of women there was none to be found his greater because who so is not prepared by him which was appointed the Minister of the baptisme of water shall never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth with fire and with the holy Ghost for this was the Angell appointed to goe before the face of the great Dominator and teach the Children that sat in Prison in darknesse and shadow of death that if they would be Sons of the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob they should prepare their hearts by water as did the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob. And therefore his Lord in parable calleth him the Mourner wot ye why because who so sorroweth not with him shall never rejoyce with the Bridegroome shall never see the birth of the holy Ghost the faith which beleeveth in him which God hath sent The poor woman which entred into the house of Simon the Pharisee where her Lord was at meat and falling downwashed kissed his feet how commeth it to passe ye wise that nayling up her dead body in your Groves and Temples to the view ye have not considered her tears and her love preaching and crying so many hundred years the birth of water of the holy Ghost but yee say when Elias commeth he shall restore all Murderers and doe ye indeed lie in wait for another Elias behold the first came and had not his God delivered him from your hands by wonder sending downe his Chariot and Horsemen of fire ye had slaine him with the rest of his Prophets for ye sought his life also and the second came a righteous and holy man and behold as innocent as ye pretend to be his righteous blood shall be found in your Courts and his holy head in one of your vessells and doe ye yet more attend a third Elias like to your stiffe reprooved brethren which walke stinking in your streets to day gaping the comming of a second Messias wherefore thus saith the truth there shall no Elias come and he that reading considereth the dwelling the fare and rayment of the second Elias how read and swolne were his eyes with tears how dry his lips with sighs and doth not weep and wayle with him if seven thousand Mourners should rise from the dead they cannot make that man to sorrow This was the voyce who in the dayes of his flesh called unto Israel from out of the Wildernesse crying that if the would be sons and daughters of God they should not look up unto their paâ—entage boasting their pedegree â—etcht from the loins of Abraham but should take up the true and perfect sorrow for their sin and th' unspeakable deâ—iâ—e to be reconciled to God as did his servant Abraham that then the God of Abraham would turne to thâ— Children aâ— he did unto the Fathers write his Laws â—n their hearts cover their offences and be unto them a God and a Father and they to him sons and daughters and every one which was to receive the light that followed in whose hand was the power to make of a â—â—nner a Son unto God hearkened to the Mourner of Israel sate downe and sorrowed with him And he that sorrowed sorrowed indeed his eye refused sleep his mouth dened t'eate lost and dead was his cheere his mirth was tâ—â—n'd to sadnesse and if an asked what ill he had seight and could not speake so great was his sorrow
For may Israel dwel safe and the kings of th' East not know it Nay verily they shall arise and Dan. 12. 12. Ezek. 39. come downe like a storme and like a cloud shall cover the earth and compasse round the tents of the Saints and the beloved City till fire descend from God out of Rev. 20. 9. heaven as it is written and devoure them And in those days shall be finished the mistery of God fore-declared to his servants the Prophets and witnessed by the mighty Angel which came down from heaven stood upon the sea and upon the earth and raised up his hand and voice to heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold it is come and it is Rev 10. Ezek. 39. done saith the Lord this is the day whereof I have spoken For the hope of which day the stones of Syon dye day by day tho little â—steeming seven thousand deaths in regard of the precious assurance ingraven in their breasts that they shall then and in that day behold the L. that hath so mercifully gathered them from among the Nations That hath so wonderfully preserved them from the sorcery of Babylon which hath destroyed all the earth That daily leadeth them in and out before the scorners the covetous and foolish wise of this world so prudently and so invisibly that they seeing are not seen and living are not known That hath bestowed on them a thousand treasures more then these so secretly as no man suspecteth but they that have them That hath so surely and fully perswaded them that tho they now goe on their way weeping yet they shall then returne againe with joy and bring their sheafes with them and all the earth shall then know which now is hid how much the Lord their Redeemer loved them and night and day shall praise and magnifie the just judgement and mercy of him that â—ath done all these things for them Which day in due time He that is Highest shall manifest to all He that is Prince and Lord above all who onely hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light which none can attain unto whom no man ever saw nor can see unto whom be all honour and power everlasting Amen Zach. 2. 7. Save thy selfe O Zion thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babel ANd thus my Lord at length I am come a shoar delivered from a dangerous scopulous sea as any is in all the Ocean of the scripture praying if I have made too bold t' impart my voyage to your Lordship you would be pleased to ascribe it to the common humour of Travailers who cannot chuse but tell what adventures they have passed and what wonders they have seen Strange and long were it to tell your Honour all I saw and I fear in respect of your hours I have been too long to tell so much too much doubtlesse in regard of my Pen which is so sad and so uncourtly as were it not for that naturall engraven Noble courtesie wherewith your Honour is beautified above all comparison your Honour might not endure her plaine and carelesse apparition And thus most humbly commending my service to your Honours disposing take a shorter leave then else I would because I am setting forth to sea againe in hope God willing if bread and water fail me not to discover the Revelation and to make knowne to my gracious Soveraigne Princesse that I also among the rest may be bold to speake though I care not to be known FINIS A BREIFE EXPOSITION OF THE XI XII and XIII Chapters of THE REVELATION WHEREIN MOST OF THE GREATEST MYSTERIES conteined in the whole Book are unfolded The Contents are in the next Page LONDON Printed by M Simmons in Alderse-gate-Street 1651. The Contents of these Three CHAPTERS TH' estate of the Primitive Church before her dispersion The Churches first persecution by the Heathen Emperours The Flight of the Church into the Wildernesse The two Witnesses The rising of Antichrist his seven heads and ten hornes The second Beast and his two hornes The practise of Antichrist and his Clergy against the Church The Image of the Beast The Marke of the Beast The Name and Number of the Beast The End of the Beast and destruction of his City The yeare of th' End of the World discovered by th' Author TO His dread and Soveraigne Lord JAMES the first of England Scotland France and Ireland King c. Grace and Peace HOw many there are most Noble King that have aimed at the unfolding of this divine and hidden Prophecy would require the skill and vertue of a Prophet to refer 'T sufficeth to know they have all left the mark very faire and open for others to hit Wherein howsoever their Zeale by priviledge of charity may find excuse yet their ignorance and errour within these cases â—â— no lesse hurtfull to the Reader then dangerous to the Writer may not find the like grace What I have seen or dreamt I feare not to offer to the censure of time the discoverer of error and Mother of truâ—h appointed from above th' only indubitate touch stone of all divine and Propheticall enterprises And although your Highnesse may doubt of my bold and hardy direction in this dangerous and scopulous sea wherein so many great and learned Pilots have overshot the Cape as one that feareth all Physitians for that he hath fallen into the hands of so many unskillfull yet forasmuch as the Church is sicke and the physick of this prophesie needfull I could not chuse but speak the things I know leaving to your Princely gust to iudge whether the Needle of my Compasse bee truer toucht then theirs And for this prophesie was directed chiefly unto Kings unto a King I have the rather presumed to recommend the same and unto You most noble King before all other whofe fame of wisedome Justice and goodnesse hath advanc'd your name and Scepter higher then any power of greatnesse can doe And although it bee presented by one awaked out of time yet if it may find but litle protection under your gracious favour for a season yeares and age I doubt not will give it aâ—â—â—iration and honour enough 〈◊〉 hope of which grace most humbly I reverence your most Princely hands commending all their labours to the God of Heaven who hath exalted your arme so high and made you so honourable throughout his world CHAP. XI 1. The regenerate Christians only are the Church and heritage of God 3. The residue are outcasts and refused 7. Of the two testifiers and preservers of truth 13. Antichrist killeth them but the Lord restoreth them life againe 15. Great dissention ariseth thereupon the day of judgement is foreshewed VERS 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a mete yard and the Angel that stood by me said Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that adore therein AS in a common field a good Surveyor doth measureout
with a word of audience Behold the third woe will come meaning the great and terrible day of the Lord fore-denounced by his servants the Prophets in the which all Nations shall stand as Prisoners before him and receive every one according to the wayes wherein their heart hath walked And because the day of the Lords comming in glory and consummation of the world shall not lonâ— tarry after the determination and consumption â—â— Antichrist as in the last verse of the thirteenth Chapter following shall be more fully declared the holy Ghost addeth the word quickly as a precise note of his speedy comming which our Lord also in another place confirmeth by a like word immediatly saying And immediatly after the tribulation of those dayes speaking of the tyrannous reigne of the Mat. 24. selfe same Antichrist they shall see the Son of man comming in the clouds of the aire VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded with a Trumpet andthere were made loud voices in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are made our Lords and his Christs and he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen TH' understanding of this verse dependeth upon the 8. Chapter where it is said And when he had opened the seventh Seale there was made silence in heaven c. And I saw seven Angells stand in the sight of God and there were given them seven Trumpets c. Where the holy Ghost meaneth by the Lamb the Son of God and by opening the seaventh Seale a more particular discovery of all such things as concerne the estate of his Church from his ascension to his comming in Majesty divided into seven acts declared by seven Trumpets sounded by seven Angels of which acts the sixth was the pageant of the deâ—olation of Antichrist the seventh and last is the comming of the Lord in the clouds of Heaven and consummation of the world uttered in these words And the seventh Angel sounded with a Trumpet and with a loud voice proclaimed the Kingdomes of this world so long time usurped by Monarchs and Antichrists which by right of Lordship and Inheritance did evermore belong to the God of Heaven and Prince of the Covenant shall how at length be restored to the right Lord and lawfull owner and of his reigne dominion and glory there shall be no end as the Spirit concludeth saying And he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen VERS 16. And the four and twenty Elders which sat on their seats in the sight of God fell on their faces and adoring God said We thanke thee Lord God Omnipotent which art which wast and which shalt come because thou bast received thy great power and brightnesse BY the foure and twenty Elders is meant the testimony of Moses and the Prophets who for that they spake by the seven-fold Spirit of Majesty which burneth night and day about the Throne of God are here said to sit on their seats in the sight of God And for that their judgements denounced from time to time agaiâ—st Antichrist and his Worshippers are now justâ—â—â—â—â— upon them and the everlasting Kingdome of the Lord their God who hath stretched his wings from Sea to Sea and from the river to the end of lands is now set up for evermore therefore the Spirit saith that they fell on their faces and adoring the justification of God brake forth in praises and thanksgiving saying We thank thee Lord God Omnipotent c VERS 17. And the Gentiles were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead to be judged and to render reward to â—hy Servants the Prophets and Saints and to theâ—â—haâ— feare thy Name little and great and to destroy theâ— that have corrupted the earth ANd all Kiâ—gdomes Nations and people which have evill intreaâ—ed Jerusalem and made a sport of the shame and affliction of Jacob shall now reap the fruit of their savage and heaâ—henish lives and mangre their fury shall endure the wrath and judgement of him who with justice judgeth and fighteth as the Spirit affirmeth saying And the Gentiâ—â— were angry and â—hy wrath iâ— come and the time of the dead to be judged And the Spiâ—it further â—estifieth that the Lord for whole glory that day was made shall render to every one their due hire or wages foâ— so â—â—e Originaâ—l importeth commonly inteâ—preted reward first to his Saints and servants and all that ove come their hiâ—e and wages which by promise and for his ownâ— Name sake is due unto them Next to all exâ—craâ—le Atheists blasphemous Catholicks incredulous Heathen liers Hereticks carnall Gospellers and all other brazen and unregenerate Châ—istians the hire and wages whâ—ch to their works and deeds anâ— merits â—s due â—s the Spâ—rit concludeth saying And to render reward unto thy servants the Prophets and Saints and to them that feare thy name little and great and to destroy them that have corrupted the earth But concerning this seventh age wherein the Lord shal come in Majesty to judge the quick and the dead the Holy Ghost deferreth yet a while to speake moâ—e particularly thereof and resumeth more exactly to intreate of the terme and persâ—cution of Antichrist and his aâ—complices against the Church and Spouse of Christ that so the glory of his justice in theiâ— just refuration and judgement may bee more bright and manifest CHAP. XII 1. A confirmation of the Prophecy following 2. The description of the Church and of her Primitivâ— fruit 4. The Chur hes first persecution raised by Ethnick Rome by whose immanity it came to passe that her beauty was no more seen in her visible and eminent graces but lived here and there dispersed and scattered over the face of the Earth 8. The great battell betweene Christianisme and Pâ—ganisme Christ and his Truth overcommeth Jupiter and hiâ— profenation 18. The Emperour reâ—oveth his Throne pretending to stop the float of th' Enemy but intending to root out the dispersed remnant of the Church VERS 1. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and the Aâ—k of his Covenant was seen in his Temple and there was made lightnings voices thunders earth-quakes and great haile TH ' Apostle having drawne in the former part of this Prophesie a slight draught as it were and designment of Antichâ—ist doth now in the Prophecy following revisit and perfect the discovery of the Beast and hang him up to the view and discerning of heaven and earth And to the end that this his worke of manifestation may carry in it faire and uncontrollable credit the Apostle in this Verse assureth us that he revealeth no other word concerning the Church and her pressures here on earth during the personall absence of her Lord then that which he heard at the Councell table of God which he delivereth in a manner of speech usuall with the Prophets And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven and the Ark of his Covenant was seen in the Temple alluding to the Temple of Jerufalem and â—ignisying thereunder that the words
and goddesses of their owne forging must be resigned now to the true Lord and owner of all who hath taken his place at the right hand of the Father and hath deposed for ever from their usurped titles of deitie all gods and goddesses phantasmes made of worms created and divified by th'inventions relations consecrations and canonizations of the Dragon his Taile and successors as the spirit discovereth in saying Neither the place of them was found any more in Heaven VERS 10. And that great Dragon was throwne downe the old Serpent called the Devil and Satanas which seduceth the whole world and he was cast into the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him ANd the great and prophane power of the Roman Monarchy which had so long time oppressed and corrupted the earth was now at length detected and thereupon disseized of and from her usurped claim of heaven for ever as the Spirit discovereth in saying And that great Dragon was throwne downe And for that the Devil did corporally dwell as it were in her spreading the beams of his wickednesse at full in all idolatry impietie and presumption against God and in all oppression injustice and immanitie towards man the Spirit crowneth her with the cognoments of her Sire calling her for her malice to the truth a Serpent for her crimination of the Saints a devil and for hostility to God and his Saints Satanas speaking therein after the manner of the Lord himselfe who calleth his treacherous steward a Divel though he were a man because the fullnesse of Satan did dwell in him filling his heart withâ—such a perfect hatred of his innocent Lord and â—amentable love of his guilty penie that he sold Caâ—aan for Egypt heaven for hell and God for silver And because th' impietie of Governors is not onely their owne decay by evil doing but also by enforcement and evil example the ruine of their people the Spirit layeth the seduction of the whole earth to the charge of the Dragon for ruling it after the level and prescription of Rome saying which seduceth the whole world and thereupon giveth just judgement and sentence of death against him namely that as in his beginning he crept out of the earth and by the scale of his wickednesse ascended so high as to presume to thrust his haughty head into heaven and build his nest above the stars as did his antecefsors Assur Beltassar Darius Alexander and the rest of their compeers so by a like power of sword and cruelty he shall shortly returne to his friends againe and be made even with the earth from whence his stock and first estate was borrowed and the power of his Cesars counsell of his Senators sophistry of his Sorcerers which with such indurate and obstinate minds stood for th' honour and worship of Devils should be no longer able to uphold the reverence of their Jupiter Capitolinus who was now detected for a Rogue and by the voices of Michaels Angels as by whips and pasports was sent home againe to the place of his birth namely the earth from whence his mortall and vile genealogie was taken and with with him also were Cesars undivified and for all their Senates proud relations were made to take up the grave for their latter end and shame for their same and wormes for their heritage as the Spirit soretelleth saying And be was cast downe unto the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him VERS 11. And I heard a great voice in heaven saying Now is made salvation and force and Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren is cast downe who accused them before the sight of our God day and night NEither was this famous victory obtained in â— corner or spoken in the ear but as the Spirit reporteth so valourously gotten and so audibly proclaimed that all the world heard the repoâ—â— thereof witnesse the records of those times at whiâ—h the holy Ghost pointeth in these words And I heard a loud voice in beaven saying and sounding the victory of Christ and Christianisme against the Dragon and his Angels his sorcerers and their prophane and â—dolatrous paganisme in these devout and divine notes Now is made salvaâ—ion and force and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ and yieldeth a reason of this so pious and triumphant joy because the folly and fury of the Dragon and his Angâ—ls which so continually accused the Saints and servants of God for pestilent fellows movers of sedition maintainers of sects polluters of the Temple teachers of new Gods enemies to Caesar word-soweâ—â— babblers blaspâ—emers is now upon setting and going downe for ever Which death and downfall of their spirituaâ—l whoredome the holy Ghost diâ—closeth in saying Because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth And for the greater comfort of the Church and judgement of her enemies concludeth that there is a perfect Court-roul kept as well of the sufferings of the Saints as of the slanders of their soes so openly â—ommitted in the face of the Court and before a â—udge of so clear a fight and eternall memory as that they shall never be discharged or forgotten which the Spirit inferreth in saying Who accused them before the â—â—ght of our God day and night VERS 12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives even unto the death LAst of all the holy Ghost discovereth the spirituall armour and weapons wherewith the Angels and servants of Michael obtained this famous victory over the Dragon and his Sectaries and saith that they were tempered of these two divine vertues faith and patience For by the shield of faith which the Spirit by a metonymie calleth the blood of the Lamb and with the sword of his two witnesses and by the word of their testimony they overthrew all forces and arguments drawne from reason or reading which the Spirit observeth in these words And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and all such arguments as were drawne from the block as fire sword persecution interdiction and such like the Children of the Church quenched them with tears prayers patience and martyrdome as their Lord had given them charge and left them example which the Spirit uncovereth in saying And they loved not their lives even unto the death VERS 13. Therefore rejoyce O Heavens and you that dwell in them Wo to the Earth and to the Sea because the Divel is discended to you having great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time AS after victory followeth division of spoile so the Spirit shuts up this heavenly conquest with triâ—mph and joy inviting thereunto all the Saints and â—ervants of God which have from time to time mainâ—ained and defended th' honour of his Name against the Dragon his sorcerers and sorceries And beâ—ause by their good profession and godly conversation
and lay his foundation as low as hell and build his turrets as high as heaven and place his Miter above the stars yet in that day hâ— shall die the death of the uncircumcised and perish like the Amorite whose fruit is destroyed from above and root from beneath and the Amos 2. 9. multitude of his offences shall consume the multitude of his forces and it shall be more possible for him and easie unto him to weigh the fire or measure the wind or call againe the day that is past or recover the verdure of the withered grasse as a holy one faith then to avoid this counsell and decree of his downfall here determined by the Spirit against him saying And the number of him is 666. And then all Kingdoms and people shall see th' eternity of that eternall City as one of her own calleth it and th'immortality of her soul meaning the soveraign power and supremacie of her Caesars and high Priests to wither die and sorsake the earth for ever and as Babylon her mother left unto her th' inheritance of her pride and prophanations so shall she also leave unto her the heritage of her death and judgements for as her glory hath been great so shall her dishonour when all her excellency shall be translated into shame and sorrow Now therfore as King Belshazzar cried aloud when he saw the hand-writing against him that they should bring the Chaldeans Astrologians and inchanters to read and interpret so thou that once and long before our dayes hast been deemed by Laws of all Nations a power so soveraigne and holy call now about thee thy Councell and thy Clergy who call themselves good men learned and wise whose onely grace is to love antiquity gravity wisdome and constancy caâ—l them I say cloath them with purple and chaine them with gold yet shall they not deliver thee from this judgement to come but as the mill-stone which â—he mighty Angel tooke and cast into the sea which may not rise and float againe with such violence thou and thy Church in that houre shall be thrown down and shall be found no more And all such Kings on earth or rather Kings of earth whose love thou hast stollen to the losse of their souls that have lived in drunkennesse delights and wantonnesse with thee shaâ—l weep and waile for thee as for their fiâ—st-borne when they shâ—ll see the smoake of thy torments ascend and the Apples which thy soule Iusted after to depart from thee and no man to buy thy tâ—ash and commodities any more for that God which judgeth thee is a strong Lord and thy derision shall be the joy and Allelujah of Sion But her faire and â—aâ—cyon day may not long endure before the Lord that with justice judgeth and fighteth shall come in the clouds of heaven to render unto every man according to the wayes wherein his heart hath waâ—ked as more directly is revealed in the 20. Chapter following But as concerning the day and houre of the comming of that Lord who for the glory of his name shall bring these things to passe it is fast sealed up in the treasury of God far beyond the aime of all â—is servants on earth or Angels in heaven and yet his beloved servant Daniel is bold in spirit and layeth downe the yeare to be the five and fortieth yeare according to his Chaldaicall supputation after the consumption and extermination of Antichrist that it may be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Verily the Lord of hoasts will doe nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his Servants the Amos 3. 7. Prophets DAN 12. 11 12 13. And from the time that the daily Sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and commeth to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes FINIS