stability Of such an Earth-quake we reed Amos 1. 1. And the like appeared when Christ arose from the dead as it 's recorded Mat. 28 2. But here we are to understand a mysticall and spirituall Earth-quake a shaking of Kings Kingdomes States Powers Formes Goverments and the very dignities orders strengths and comforts of men The same Earthquake is meant Chap. 6. 12. And Ch. 16. 18. Thus the Lord saith He will shake the Heavens and the Earth and the Sea and the dry land all nations Hag. 2. 6. This was partly fulfilled when Christ came in the flesh the heaven of Ceremonies and shadows and of all the Jewish worship was shaken and abolished and also the earth was shaken both Sea and dry land all the whole earth was full of great commotions and ruines But this is again to be fulfilled yet once more will the Lord shake heaven and earth The heaven of Antichrists worship Church forme order and government And the earth also all those worldly powers that have engaged to uphold and manage the cause of the Beast these powers dominion authorities and states shall be shaken also Thus we see what wee are to understand by this Earth-quake the great commotions and troubles that shal even rend tear the earth in pieces all its order power government and dominion both in Church and State shall be broken all shal be turned upside down by these violent breakings forth that shal happen upon the world at the rising and ascending of the Witnesses In the third place we have the consequents of this great Earth-quake in these words The tenth part of the Citie fell and in the Earth-quake were slaine of men seven thousand and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven This first consequent in order is this The tenth part of the Citie fell Whereof we are to take notice of three things viz. what is meant First by the City Secondly by the tenth part Thirdly by the fall thereof First this City is great Babylon mentioned in Chap. 17. 5. which is meant of the whole universall power dominion and territories of the Antichristian Church and State The nations combined together and gathered into a Church worshipping the Beast and his image submitting to his rule and government this is the great City Babylon of which we have spoken already from vers 8. Though Rome it selfe hath mystically ruled over the Nations hath been the rise of abominations and therefore in some sense is meant by the Citie yet it cannot be taken so restrictively but it takes in the whole State and Church of Antichrist that is called this Citie the mother of Harlots that hath corrupted the earth with her abominations Secondly the tenth part of the Citie the principall thing here to be enquired after is variously interpreted Some would have the tenth part to be meant of the Levites part such a part as was offered to the Priests under the Law as a maintenance of the legall Priest-hood So that hereby the lot or portion of the Priest-hood the chiefest and most devoted part should fall that the tribute of Tythes on tenths whereby the Antichristian Ministry was maintained should fall and utterly be withheld at the rising and ascending of the Witnesses But by the tenth part of the Citie we may understand of the tenth part of the Nations and Peoples that were devoted to the service of Antichrist In Chap. 17. 13. Ten kingdoms give up their power and strength to the beast to serve and worship him Now the tenth part of those Kingdomes Nations or Peoples that have wholly given up themselves to Antichrist and have resigned up their rule and authority their worship and service to the Beast these are here called the tenth part of the Citie Thirdly this tenth part shall fall by with-drawing themselves from the yoake and bondage of the service of Antichrist as it 's foretold of them in Chap. 17. 16. These shall hate the whore eate her flesh and burne her with fire Those tenne kingdomes or nations that had formerly given up all their strength and power to the Beast and did formerly support Antichrist now they shall withdraw themselves again now they shall with one consent prepare themselves for her destruction For God hath put into their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and give their kingdome unto the beast untill the words of God should be fulfilled Chap. 17. 17. The Lord in justice gave over the nations to be servile to Antichrist for an appointed time untill he had executed all his cruelties and enjoyed his dominion and tyranny over them so at the end of his determined time God will put it into the hearts of the nations to consent and agree to rise up unto the destruction of all Antichristian dominion and power And though these nations shall not fully wholly thus rise up to effect this great worke to hate the whore eat her flesh and burne her with fire untill the last seale be opened the last Trumpet sounded and the last Viall powred out when there shall be a finall and totall destruction of Antichrist's power and raigne yet there shall be a tenth part of the nations that God will raise up to begin this worke God will honour some nation or nations first to withdraw their power and authority from the service of the beast and to oppose his tyranny and oppression and that at the opening of the sixt seale the founding of the sixt Trumpet the powring forth of the sixt Viall at the time in which the witnesses shall begin to rise and ascend Now these nations that the Lord shall first begin withall to raise up to oppose the power of the beast I say this nation or nations is meant here by the tenth part of the Citie For before that all Nations shall hate the whore and cast her off and burne her flesh with fire there shall be some particular nations that God will honour with the first of his worke and this is called the tenth part of the Citie that should fall not onely by withdrawing their owne power and assistance but also opposing and suppressing the dominion and power of Antichrist The second consequent followeth in these words And in the earth-quake were slaine of men seven thousand In the opening hereof it will be necessary that we consider of three things concerning those here that are sayd to be slaine First the persons Secondly the manner Thirdly their number The persons here slaine are expressed by an elegancy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The names of men put for men of name that is of power greatnesse of office or dignity of some place or eminency The Hebrews expresse men of honour or renowne by men of name Gen. 6. 4. So here names of men being put for men of name are meant men of note and quality such as are of place and dignity men of worth and greatnesse These men here slaine by the earthquake are not of the
third Seale Chap. 6. 5 6. And when he had opened the third seale I beheld a black horse and he that sate on him had a pair of ballances in his hand and a measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny c. The black Horse and he that â—ate thereon with a pâ—re of ballances signifie scarcity â—aminâ— a great dearth and want which is all one with the Viall poured out upon the fountaine of waâ—â—â— Agreeable hereunto is the effect of the third trumpet Chap. 8. 10 11. At the sound of the third Trumpet a great starre fell from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountaines of waters and the name of the star is called worm-wood and the third part of the waters became wormewood many dyed of the waters because they were made bitter The starr falling from heaven burning like a Lampe shewes forth some glorious discovery made of the mysterie of truth by the Angell that sounded this third Trumpet and this becomes worm-wood making all the fountaines of water to be bitter so that all the fountaines and springs of the water of consolation and comfort all the streams of light and life that the men of the earth or of the Antichristian Church did draw forth and were refreshed by these were all become bitter as worme-wood So that as by the former viall poured out the Sea and the waters became blood now by this third Viall being poured forth the Rivers and Fountains became as blood and as wormewood bitter and unsavory for the the Fountain is corrupted the streams are defiled they cannot drinke or be refreshed by them The wisdome and policie of the Beast all the invented ordinances and worships all the power and rule of Antichrist these fountaines these streames are all become unsavoury all that feed upon them feed on the curse they feed on bitter waters and dye therewith The fourth Viall was powred out 4 Viall upon the Sun And this scorched men with fire they blaspheme God because of their plagues and repented not c. Revel 16. 8 9. Agreeable hereunto is the effect of opening the fourth seale Revel 6. 8. When the fourth seale was opened or a fourth discovery of truth revealed there appeared a pale horse upon whom sate death and hell followed him and power was given him over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth Under the former seale we had famine now here we have death and hell following this is meant of the spirituall death that the men of the earth who worship Antichrist shall be slaine withall as in their parts professions and power The same consequent followeth the fourth Trumpet Chap. 8. 12. The fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sun was smitten and the third part of the Moone and the third part of the Stars so as the third part of them was darkned and the day shone not for the third part of it and the night likewise The whole state and kingdome all the ordinances and worships with their offices ministry were all darkned confounded and destroyed by the sound of this Trumpet So the Viall powred out upon the Sun darkens all the Churches and Ordinances all the powers and governments all the doctrines and worships of Antichrists their Sun looseth his light and their Moone her shining and their Starres their glory and darknesse and confusion come in their roome The fist viall was powred out upon the 5 Viall seat of the beast and his kingdome was full of darknesse and they knawed their tongues for paine and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their paines c. Revel 16. 10. The seat of the beast is that earthly power that upholds Antichrist as kingdomes States powers dignities rules and dominions these powers upholding the power of the beast shall be shaken and torne in pieces Suitable hereunto is the effect of the fift seal Chap. 6. 9 10. And when he had opened the fift seal I saw the soules under the Altar of them that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimony which they held and they cryed how long Lord c. These cry out for vengeance and wrath to be powred out upon the head of the powers of the earth that persecuted and tormented them Compare with this the fist Angel sounding in Chap. 9. 1. whereat there was a Star that fell from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomlesse pit c. This Star doth represent us with such as before disowned the power and seat of the beast but now fall to the earth or would set up some new forme of worship and ground it upon an earthly power and so fall from that seeming heaven they lived in to strengthen themselves from the earth and so cause a great smoake and confusion to arise that so truth can hardly be discerned from error light from darknesse the bottomlesse pit is now open and the Temple is full of smoke whereby the Sun and ayre are both darkned so that Church and State are brought into confusion So that when the Viall of Gods wrath is powred out upon the seat of the beast or power and strength of Kings and States that the Gospel must onely be supported by the power of Christ alone then the state and kingdome shall be full of darkness and confusion they shall gnaw their tongues and blaspheme God because of those sores and breaches that be made upon them The sixt viall was powred out upon the 6 Viall great river Euphrates the waters thereof were dryed up that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared Chap. 16. 12. The drying up of the river Euphrates seemes to be spoken by an allusion to the taking of old Babylon Jer. 50. 38. And to the drying up of the Red Sea Exod. 14. 21 22. and also of Jordan Josh 3. 16. By this is signified that by the powring out of the sixt Viall all the strength and power of the beast should be dryed up then the Kings of the East both Jew and Gentiles shall come to embrace the Gospel upon the glorious manifestation of the glory and power thereof The great effect of this Vialls powering out is That three uncleane spirits like frogs comes forth of the mouth of the Dragon the beast and the false Prophet for they are the spirits of Devils working miracles which goe forth to the Kings of the earth and to the whole world to gather them to the battell of the great day of God Almightie and he gathereth together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon Vers 13 14. 16. By the Dragon the beast and false Prophet are meant all the powers of Antichrist Civill and Ecclesiasticall these send forth uncleane spirits like frogs who send forth their Legats and
the beast as is declared vers 13. to serve his ends and designes And though it be true that all this while Christ hath intermedled with all the affaires of the Nations their policies and governments that all occurrances therein hath tended at least by degrees to advance his own kingdome and to bring about his owne ends yet these kingdomes and policies and governments have served Antichrist and it hath been their worke and businesse to oppose the kingdome of Christ and suppresse and persecute his people and truth so that these kingdomes of the world have not served Christ though Christ hath served himselfe by them but they have been devoted unto Antichrist and served him Thirdly How doth Christ recover these againe into his owne hand And that is by breaking and scattering the powers of the world he will shake all Nations Hag. 2. 6. when the Lord shall cast aside these oppressing tyrants of the earth he will come forth in the ministry of his owne people and by them administer righteousnesse and peace unto the world The Lord will dash in pieces all the powers of the earth that have oppressed his people and will so come forth in his owne people to administer to the world that the earth shall be at rest and quiet when violence shall be no more heard in the Land but our officers shall be righteousnesse and our exactors peace And how shall this be See what the Lord saith by the Prophet Esa 24. 21 22 23. And it shall come to passe in that day that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high and the Kings of the earth upon the earth and they shall be gathered as prisoners are gathered in the pit and shall be shut up in the prison and after many dayes they shal be visited or found wanting as the margent reads it Then the Moone shall be confounded and the Sunne ashamed when the Lord of host shall raigne in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously or as the Margine renders it There shall be glory before his ancients The meaning of these words take thus The great and mighty Kings of the earth who have opposed the kingdome of Christ and have undertaken all power ecclesiasticall and civill to rule in Church and State to determine all spirituall causes by temporall power and civill sanction God will so advance his Saints by his spirituall appearance in them that they shall oppose and punish these Kings of the earth not onely by the sword of the spirit but also with a temporal sword the Kings of the earth upon the earth they shall be able to overcome those that did enslave and rule over them He that kills by the sword shall be killed by the sword here is the patience of the Saints Revel 13. 10. This is the fruit of all their patience in all their former sufferings And after many dayes they shall be found wanting men shall after a time be willing to beare the losse of Kings and great ones without trouble or vexing when the Moone shall be confounded and the Sun ashamed viz. all civill ecclesiasticall powers governments orders and rulers shall be broken Then the Lord shall raigne in Mount Zion to wit in his Saints and people as before his ancients in whom he shall gloriously appeare to administer righteousnesse peace unto the world By these ancients are meant no more then the twenty foure Elders mentioned Revel 4. 4. who sit in white clothing having Crownes upon their heads as raigning in royall state glory and trâ—umph So that the Lord will no longer come forth in and by the men of the earth to raigne by Kings and Potentates but he will come forth in his glorious appearance in his Saints and thorow them will administer righteousnesse to the world Sutable hereunto is that Scripture Dan. 7. 22. where it is sayd that the little horne should make war with the Saints and prevaile against them untill the Ancient of dayes should come and then judgement was given to the Saints of the most high and the time came that the Saints possessed the kingdome Christ himselfe shall inherit all Nations and he will put his people in possession of all power riches rule and dominion When the Lord shall take away power and dominion from the men of the earth Then the kingdome and dominion and the greatnesse of the kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose kingdome is an ever lasting kingdome and all dominions shall serve and obey him vers 27. All that 's good and excellent that 's rich and beautifull that 's noble and honourable shall be given to the Saints The forces of the Gentiles and their Kings shall be brought to them Esa 60. 11. And they shall eat the riches of the Gentiles and boast themselves in their glorie Esa 61. 6. All Dominions and States shall serve them strangers shall stand and feed their flock and the sonnes of the alient shall be their plow-men and vine-dressers dressers vers 5. So then when the Lord shall take the power riches dominion and authority from the great ones of the earth and invest his Saints with the same when all power rule shall be brought under the feet of Christ who will come forth in the appearances of his people then Christ doth take to himselfe his great power and raign Thus the Lord doth recover the kingdomes and nations into his own hand stripping the men of the earth with their strength riches glorie rule and conferring of the same upon his people and so will administer no longer by Kings and Nobles but by Saints and faithfull ones He will raigne among his Ancients gloriously Fourthly By what right or title Christ will lay claime to the kingdomes of the world and that is by his owne native and proper right These kingdomes shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ The originall right and propriety of all the kingdomes of the world are the Lords they are his right and he will maintaine his owne priviledge and prerogative he will take to himselfe and possesse all they of right belong unto him and he from the beginning did possesse all It is true the Lord did intrust Kings and great ones of the earth to be his Substitutes and Stewards he committed the care of these to them as his Servants or Deputies but when the Lord will cast these Stewards out of their places dispossesse the Kings and Nobles of the earth then presently the kingdomes of the world returne to him whose they were from the beginning But these kingdomes of the world are so the Lords as they are Christ's also Christ the anointed one of the Lord he shall raigne he is son over his owne house Heb. 3. 5. He hath right and propriety with the Father by vertue of Sonship and anointing The actuall administration is put into his hand he being
Antichrist doth exclude them from the heavenly influences and sweet showers of divine grace p. 170 180 2. Ob all the sweet and refreshing streames of comfort and supply that Antichrist livâ—s upon are turned into bitternesse and contention at prophesie of the witnesses p. 172 3. Ob That the prophesie of the witnesses though in a meane low and sackcloth condition iâ— of mightie force and power unto their adversaries p. 173 In vers 7. we have three particular things p. 17â— First the time when the witnesses are to be slaine and when they have finished their testimony p. 176 177 Secondly by whom the witnesses shall be slaine wherein we have opened 1. What is meant by the Beast that slayes them p. 79 2. What is meant by the bottomles pit from whence he comes p. 180 181 182 183 3. The manner of his ascension p. 184 Thirdly the manner how the witnesses are slaine by the Beast 1. He makes war against them p. 185 2. Doth overcome them p. 186 187 3. Doth kill them and how p. 188 189 190 Observations from the verse 1. Ob That the Saints of Christ in every age and time are enabled to finish their testimony mauger all the opposition that is made against them p. 191 2. Ob That the rage and cruelty of the adversary is great against the faithfull servants of Christ p. 192 193 3. Ob That the workings and deceits of Antichrist are very deep and mystâ—rious p. 194 4. Ob That there is a time when Antichrist christ doth ascend high in greatnesse and power p. 195 196 5. Ob That the witnesses are continually overcome and slaying all the time of the powerfull reigne of the Beast p. 197 198 In verse 8. we have an account of the bodies of the witnesses where three speciall things are noted p. 199 First what is meant by the bodies of the witnesses p. 200 201 202 203 204 205 Secondly the place where their bodies lie where we have explained 1. What is meant by the great Citie p. 206 2. What is meant by the streeâ—e of that Citie p. 207 Thirdly a description of the Citie 1. By it's resemblance 1. To Sodome p. 208 209 2. To Aegypt p. 210 2. By it's carriage and action p. 211 How Christ is sayd to be crucified in Aegypt and Sodome p. 212 Observations drawne from the words opened 1. Ob That the externall formes of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkasâ— p. 213 2. Ob That it 's not so much the outward forme or figure of worship that Antichrist seeks to suppresse as it 's the spirit and testimony of the witnesses p. 214 215 3. Ob That Antichrist is full of spirituall uncleannesse and cursed cruelty p. 216 4. Ob It 's the very life spirit and image of Christ that Antichrist doth chiefly oppose in slaying the witnesses p. 217 218 In verse 9. we have three things noted concerning the carriage of the enemies towards the dead bodies of the witnesses 1. Who are meant by people kindreds tongues and nations p. 220 2. Their exercise about the dead bodies 1. What it is to see the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 221 2. What it is not to suffer them to be put in graves p. 222 3. The time that these dead bodies shall lie unburied and what is meant by three dayes and a halfe p. 223 Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the power and greatnesse the wisdome and abilities of men are exercised about the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 224 2. Ob That the great care that those of the nations and tongues c. take about the dead bodies of the witnesses is to keep them above ground p. 225 226 3. Ob That the dead bodies of the witnesses are kept above ground all the time of Antichrists reigne p. 227 228 In verse 10. we have a farther carriage of the Adversary towards the carkases of the witnesses p. 229 1 The persons acting those that dwell upon the earth of whom it 's meant p. 230 2. Their actions they rejoyce and make merry c. and what it meaneth p 231 3. The ground of their joy because these two Prophets tormented them and how p. 232 233 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the people that serve Antichrist are earthly carnall p. 234 2. Ob That the greatest joy of Antichrist is over the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 235 3. Ob That the witnesses by their prophesie doe most of all torment the men of the earth p 236 237 In vers 11. we have the witnesses resurrection p. 238 1. The time of their resurrection After three dayes and a halfe explained p. 239 2. The cause viz. the spirit of life from God and what it is p. 240 241 3. The resurrection it selfe and they stood upon their feet explained in 3 particulars p. 242 243 4. The consequent that follows their resurrection by the great feare that falls upon their enemies p. 244 245 Observations from hence 1. Ob That when the time of the witnesses suffering and sadnesse drawes to an end there is an earnest expectation in them of their resurrection p. 246 247 2. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to arise by the mighty powerfull spirit of God p. 248 3. Ob As there is a time when the witnesses lie slaine and dead so also there is a time when they shall revive and live againe 249 250 4. Ob That the rising of the witnesses is a most dreadfull sight to the men of the earth p. 251 252 In verse 12. we have the witnesses ascention from whence is noted First the cause they heard a voyce from heaven p. 254 From whence is noted 1. The voyce it selfe p. 255 2. From whence it came ibid 3. Vnto whom it 's spoken p. 256 4. What it speakes p 257 Secondly the ascention it selfe p. 258 From whence is observed 1. Their action p. 259 2. Their place p. 260 3. The manner and what is meant by the cloud in which they ascend p. 261 Thirdly the Adjunct annexed to their ascention and in what manner their enemies should behold them p. 262 Observations drawne from hence 1. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to ascend by the powerfull voyce of the Spirit of God p. 263 264 2. Ob That the witnesses have their time of triumph and rejoycing as well as they have a time of sackcloth and mourning p. 265 3. Ob That the state that the witnesses shall ascend unto is most heavenly and glorious p. 266 The externall libertie and peace that the witnesses shall enjoy by their ascention consisteth 1. In deliverance from oppression p. 267 2. Their enemies shall serve them p 268 3. They shall enjoy peace and quietnesse p. 269 270 4. Deliverance from shame p. 271 The internall glory and excellency that the Saints shall be advanced unto 1. They shall abound in knowledg p. 272 2. They shall exceed in joy and comfort p. 273 3. They shaall live
ministration of all things should be in the hand of Christ and that himselfe should continually minister in the holy things of God Then without question Zerubbabel the chiefe governour and Joshua the high Priest these anointed ones were eminent types of Christ who was the anointed King and Priest over his Church into whose hands God hath put the judgement and administration of all things Fourthly and lastly These two olive trees are said to stand by the Lord of the whole earth Now there is none that stands by the Lord of the whole earth but Christ himselfe as appeares by that place Dan. 10. 21. The Lord speaking by an Angel to Daniel saith I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth and there was none that boldeth with me or strengtheneth himselfe in these things but Michael your Prince The Lord had threatened to fight with the Prince of Persia and therefore saith to Daniel I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth this being a figurative speech doth mean the determinate counsell and minde of God and that none strengtheneth himselfe but Michael the Prince as if he had said There is no humane force or power whereby I will sustaine my selfe but by Michael the Archangel Jesus Christ the Prince Leader and chiefe Conductor of his people To stand by the Lord of the whole earth notes these four things First Dignity and honour that is peculiar onely to Christ according to that of the Apostle where he saith God hath exalted him and given him a name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above every name Phil. 2. 9. Christ in taking our nature made himselfe of no reputation or as the word signifieth he evacuated himselfe he did as it were exhaust and draw himselfe dry denuding and stripping himselfe of all his glory but now in his exaltation standing before the Lord his excellency and glory doth shine forth Secondly It notes power and strength for to stand before the Lord is all one with sitting at Gods right hand mentioned Heb. 10. 11. Gods right hand in Scripture is taken Metonymically for strength whereby Christ is enabled to uphold and protect his people and to dissipate and scatter all his enemies as having all things subjected under his feet Hence it is said He standeth before the God of the earth God is called the God of heaven Dan. 2. 18. Here he is called the God of the carth noteing that though Antichrist seemeth to bear all the sway in the world yet Christ hath the rule and world yet Christ hath rule and power of things in the earth and he rules in the kingdomes of men and that he interposeth and meddles in all secular affaires in order to his owne kingdome and to the preservation of his owne people Thirdly It notes the actuall administration of the kingdome of God to be put into the hands of Christ for the Father hath loved him put all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. And in respect of the dispensatory part of the kingdome of God the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son John 5. 22. And hath appointed him over his owne house Heb. 2. 8. So that Christ by standing before the Lord is impowered to subject the hearts of men to himselfe captivating the thoughts and imaginations of his people to counsell and direct to govern and protect them and also to tread upon the necke and power of his adversries confounding their plots and destroying of their persons Fourthly To stand before the Lord of the whole earth acceptation and delight to be as it were alwayes in the eye and heart of God and this priviledge is eminently attributed to Christ in Prov. 8. 22 23 24 c. The Lord Possessed me in the beginning of his way before his workes of old the phrase of beginning is put for eternity a parte ame as we say as if Christ should have said even from eternity before the creation of the world I was my fathers darling for when he made the heavens girded the sea and gave the unresistible decree that it should keepe it's bounds I was as one brought up with him I was as a child with the father I was daily his delight The Hebrew word is in the plurall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 number delights intimating that Christ was the greatest delights of the father he was variety of delights unto him in so much that while God was making of the world he took such delight in him that he made all things by him that is he made all things as bearing some analogy or proportion of him So that every creature hath some Character some inscription or shadow of his excellency upon it Againe he addeth I was alwayes rejoycing before him In the Hebrew it is sporting greatly the phrase being a metaphor or simile taken from little children that sport and play before their parents Thus Christ is alwayes standing before the Lord being his continuall delight his joy and rejoycing as alwayes in his eye and favour Thus we see plainly who is meant by the two olive trees namely Christ who standeth on the right side and on the left side of the Candlestick emptying oyle out of himselfe being the anointed one of God standing by the Lord of the whole earth Now it followeth that we shew who are meant by the two Candlesticks The two Candlesticks doe represent unto us the Saints and servants of Christ the whole number of Churches and beleevers and this will appeare if we consider some particulars in relation to these Candlesticks First These receive oyle into themselves as the olive trees doe emptie oyle out of themselves so the Candlesticks receive in oyle into themselves As it was said of Aaron that the oyntment powered upon his head ran downe to the skirts of his garment Psal 133. 2. Alluding to that fragrant oyntment made of so many precious ingredients mentioned Exod. 30. 23. So Christ being filled with heavenly and divine anointings that all his members receive of his fulnesse Joh. 1. 16. They receive an unction from the boly One I Joh. 2. 20. There is in Christ plenitudo redundantie a fulness of redundancy and everlasting spring of heavenly grace continually flowing forth upon all his people whereby they are filled with the fullnesse of God Eph. 3. 19. and are replenished with a perfect supply of light and life Thus the Saints are made the anointed ones of God by receiving the golden oyle into themselves though it be true they receive it as it were at second hand as through a Mediator Christ having first received of his father all fullnesse of divine grace doth abundantly communicate to all that are his Secondly These Candlesticks were sayd to be made of pure gold Revel 1. 12. According to the description we finde in Exod. 25. 31. which denotes the purity and righteousnesse of the Saints Christ himselfe is sayd to be a head of gold Cant. 5. 10.
of his owne essence and glory made of a woman without the concurrence of a man that the seede of the woman might breake the Serpents head according to the promise made in Gen. 3. 15. Also he was made under the Law he observed the Law and made himselfe wholly subject thereunto He was in all things obedient that he might fulfill all righteousnesse by submitting to every ordinance of God Christ alwayes went about doing of good as preaching the kingdome of God and working of miracles both miranda and miracul◠were wrought by him to confirme his doctrine that he delivered Now in all these things he gave forth a testimony of the wisedome power and goodnesse of his father before the world This was the time of Christs prophesie in sackcloth being in much sorrow and sadnesse often tempted by Satan alwayes opposed by the Scribes and Pharisees and having finished his testimony suffered the death of the crosse And as for the time of Christs bearing witnesse was by computation from the time of his inauguration or instalment into his office mentioned Luk. 3. 23. unto the time of his death the same terme of time that here the witnesses are said to prophesie namely three yeares and a halfe This is one testimony that Christ gives forth by those transactions passed on him and by all those works wrought by him whereby he did worke salvation for all his people in his owne person The whole compendium and perfect draught of our salvation is effectually drawne forth by Christ Secondly Christ doth not onely give forth his testimony by what himselfe doth in his person for us but also by that frame that by his Spirit he worketh in us Christ no sooner lays downe his fleshly and visible appearance to the world but he appeares in a more spirituall and invisible way unto his Disciples supplying his corporall absence by his spirituall presence So that as his first dispensation was by his fleshly appearance in like manner his second dispensation is his spirituall presence according to his promise that when he should depart he would send the Comforter Joh. 16. 7. The Spirit doth testifie of the same things that Christ in his person did but in a more invisible and spirituall way for saith Christ The spirit shall take of mine and shew it unto you Joh. 16. 15. Now that visible testimony that Christ gave forth in his flesh by his preaching and miracles c. was more externall darke and in figure then his spirituall appearance and invisible operations in the soules of his people for by his casting forth Devills opening the eyes of the blinde and healing the sicke and the like he did by such outward external prefigurations shew what he would doe by his Spirit by cleansing enlightening and healing of his people by the inward working of his power spirit and righteousnesse The salvatiō that Christ hath wrought outwardly the same he works in wardly by the reall operation of his Spirit in the hearts of his people Hence the Apostle saith Christ is formed in us Gal. 4. 19. The life and death the workes and image of Christ are set up and formed in the hearts of beleevers Thus we see that Christ gives forth a testimony in spirit as well as in flesh and in his spirituall presence as well as in his fleshly appearance Thus we have the ground why Christ is called two olive trees First in respect of his two natures divine and humane Secondly in relation to his twofold dispensation the one in flesh the other in spirit Now it followeth that we shew why Saints are called two Candlesticks The grounds are two First Because they consisted both of Jewes and Gentiles whereas mention is made but of one Candlefticke in Zach. 4. because it signified the Jewes onely by whom was represented the great Congregation of Saints But here the Churches of Christ being made up of Jew and Gentile of the Circumcision and uncircumcision they are called two And thus the whole compleat number of Saints and Churches were mentioned Chap. 1. But I doe not conceive this to be the maine reason therefore consider Secondly The Saints receive and consequently give forth a double testimony the one as it were fleshly low and earthly the other more spirituall and heavenly Suitable to the state condition frame and dispensation that Saints are under accordingly they hold forth a testimony of Christ In respect of the Corinthians weaknesse the Apostle tells them they were carnall and as babes in Christ and of himselfe he saith in respect of his divine visions and revelations that he was in the third heaven or Paradise of God Now concerning this twofold witness or testimony we have it fully expressed and set forth in 1 Joh. 5. 7 8. For there that beare record in hearen the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and the Water and the Bloud and these three agree in one Now by beaven and earth we are to understand of the state of the Saints in their severall conditions and stations either carnall and fleshly or spirituall and heavenly We shall take notice thereof distinctly First the witnesse or testimony in earth presents us with the coming of Christ in flesh who came by water and bloud The water and bloud that issued out of Christs side Joh. 19. did answer to the legall washings and sacrifices of the Jewes the one by water the other by bloud Hereby is signified first Sanctification or the spirituall washing the silth and uncleannesse of sinne as with water Secondly Justification whereby the heart of a Saint comes to be freed from the guilt and charge of sin and this is as by bloud Now as Saints eyeing Christ coming by water and bloud they apprehend him to be a sufficient and comfortable Saviour justifying of their persons sanctifying of their natures and so are satisfied in cōscience in respect of Christs full expiation of and satisfaction for sin Now the Spirit comes in and gives its testimony unto these for it 's sayd these agree in one The Spirit doth give forth a testimony thorow justification and sanctification thus represented by bloud and water Now this is called the testimony in earth as being weake and low in comparison of that which is far more spirituall and heavenly The Saints under this dispensation and state give forth a suitable testimony these are able to testifie of the pardon of sin of the appeasing of the conscience and of reconciliation and also against the power of sin the accusation of Satan and the condemnation of the Law c. This here is called the testimony in earth as being weak and low in respect of the other this is the first testimony that the Saints receive and consequently that they give forth before the world Secondly we have a testimony in heaven or a more divine and heavenly witnesse and this is the immediate and single witnesse
tyrannicall powers that they have prophecyed against and cryed downe as Antichristian and wicked these have all been burnt up and consumed by the word of their testimony Wee have seene that whatsoever power greatnesse rule and dominion or whatsoever way or doctrine practice or invention have been set up in opposition against the testimony of thâ—se Witnesses that fire from the Lord hath come and destroyed them all This fire out of the mouths of the Witnesses have fallen upon all the powers greatnesse and dignities of men upon all forms of worship and invented ordinances of Antichrist and have burnt and consumed them Fourthly observe That the testimony Obser 4. of the Witnesses is of great force even while they prophesie but in sack-cloath Though these Saints and servants of the Lord prophesie in a poor weak low sad and persecuted condition their persons being slighted their testimony rejected yet their testimonie is of that vertue and power of that efficacy and force that it prevailes against the strongest powers and highest dignities in the world These poor despicable ones have such a testimony to give forth such a message to deliver that shall encounter with all the grand plots counsels and devices of their enemies yea and such is the strength and vertue of their Prophesie that the glory and excellency of man hath faded away and vanishâ—d before it Then God hath regard to the word and testimony of his poor weak and despised servants It followeth VERS 6. These have power to shut Heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will HERE we have a further description of the power of the witnesses to repay the injuries done unto them by their adversaries In the former Verse their power in generall is inserted here we have the manner how they are enabled to deale with their Enemies In which words you may observe a three-fold power that these Witnesses are invested withall 1. A power to shut Heaven that it raine not 2. A power to turne waters into blood 3. A power to ssmite the Earth with all plagues First they have power to shut heaven that it raine not In which phrase wee have an allusion to Elias of whom we have the Apostle testifying that hee prayed and it rained not for the space of three yeares and sixe moneths Jam. 5. 17. which holds a just proportion of time with these Witnesses Prophesie in sackcloath So that as Elias prevailed with God that it rained not for three years and a halfe so here these Witnesses obtaine the same power from God that it should not rain all the days of their Prophesie Now further consider two things 1. What is meant by raine 2. What it is to shut Heaven First we are not to understand this of a naturall raine but of that which is mysticall and spirituall and thereby is denoted the heavenly influences of God the sweet refreshing heavenly dewes that descend from him These divine droppings and heavenly distillings of gracious showers of grace communicated by the spâ—â—t through the Gospel of Christ are here meant by this spirituall raine Suitable unto this is that phrase of Moses when he saith My doctrine shall drop as the raiâ—e and my speech aâ— the dew Deutr. 32. 2. As if he had said My Doctrine shall drop upon your hearts to mollifie them to refresh them to make them fruitfull even as the raine and dew of heaven doth fall upon the earth to soften it to refresh it and to make it fruitfull to make grasse and flowers to sprowt and spring out of it Then the Gospel and word of Christ with all the heavenly dews of divine graces distilling and falling from God are here signified by raine Secondly To shut heaven that it raine not is to exclude all the ways and practices all the invented worships and services of Antichrist from those sweet distillings and divine droppings of that heavenly rain and dew that cometh from the Lord. The Witnesses by their Prophesie against all superstitious formes upon all invented ordinances and practices of Antichrist do hinder the heavenly dew of divine grace from falling upon it as it were shutting up heaven against them by excluding of them from the wayes and Ordinances of Christ or such as the Lord doth make use of to convey those gracious influences of spirit and life unto his people The Witnesses exclude all the worships and forms of Antichrist from having any of the light life or power of Christ in them they cast them out and reject them they prophesie against them as false and empty things as things of no value or worth and so consequently shut heaven against them that is raine not the showers of divine grace and life all the dayes of their Prophesie Thus the great power of the Witnesses is set forth by a resemblance to that of Elias who prevailed with God that it rained not for the space of three years and sixe moneths So these by their Prophesie against the wayes and practice the worships and services of Antichrist doe hinder the sweet influence of Heaven and the refreshing showers of divine grace and comfort from flowing down upon them wherby they become as light and empty as having no vertue or life at all in them they have no more Rain from heaven they wither as plants that God hath not planted as branches that have no life or sap in them In the second place these have power to turne waters into blood Here wee have another resemblance and that is unto Moses and Aaron who turned the Aegyptian waters into blood Exod. 7. 20. the same thing you have done by the hands of the Witnesses This is sutable to the effects of the second and third vials where you have mention made of turning waters into blood also Rev. 16. 3 4. So that the prophesie of the Witnesses hath the same effect with the powring â—orth of the Vials even to turne waters into blood Now as wee did understand their destroying their enemies with fire and their shutting heaven that it raine not Mystically and spiritually before so here must we understand also of their turning waters into blood Therefore consider 1. What is meant by waters 2. What it is to turne them into blood First by waters we may understand all the sweet refreshing streams of comfort strength supply and life that Antichrist did live upon as all worship and Religion all order and govrnment all peace and uniformity all doctrine and practice all these are as so many streams of water by which Antichrist is comforted and refreshed they being his very support and life The waters that the Egyptians were to drinke to live upon and be refreshed by were turned into blood so that they were like to dye with thirst both they and their Cattell So this water is the very life sweetnesse and peace that
incendiaries to draw together all their strengths and powers to uphold the power of the beast which now is like to be broken and consumed These are the spirits of Devills being full of uncleannesse working miracles by some counterfeit spirituall actings or setting up some new invented formes of worship thus they gather the Kings of the earth to the great battell of God Almighty where God shall shew the greatness of his power in destroying of them for they are brought to Armageddon which signifies devoted for destruction that they are seduced and by â—uoâ—iâ—â—ie brought together to be destroyed Baraks victory over Sisera was by the waters of Megiddo Judg. 4. 15. So all that give up their power to uphold the beast shall come to the great battell of God Almighty even to Armageddon where they shall assuredly be ensnared and broken in pieces Hitherto agrees the effect of the sixt seal Chap. 6. 12. c. And I beheld when he had opened the sixt seal and there was a great earth-quake a greaâ— feare and terrâ—ur fell upon all men great concussions and commotions should be on the earth And the Sun became blacke the glory of the state and Church of Antichrist turned into blackness mourning into great confusion and astonishment And the Moone became bloud all the invented ordinances of the man of sin were darkned and obscured And the Stars fell â—rom heaven as a figtree casteth her untimely figs Such as seemed to be Ministers and profâ—ssors of Christ now appeare to be fleshly and carnall and fall from that appearance of heavenly light unto the earth cleaving now to an earthly power even like untimely figs that never come to maturity or ripenesse Then their State and Church which seemed to be as high as heaven departed as a scroll and all their mountaines of strength and confidence were removed out of their places And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chiefe Captaiues and mighty men and every bond-man and every free man hid them selves in dens and in the rockes of the mountaines c. All sorts ranks and degrees of men from the highest to the lowest they now fly to the rocks and mountaines of their trust and confidence every one will fly unto his God unto that he trusts in the States and powers of the world will fly to the Church and hide themselves under religious formes of worship and the Church will fly to the earthly powers for shelter and protection and the people will run to those that seduced them for succour and reliefe but shall not be able to secure themselves from the wrathful countenance of the Lamb â—e being exalted upon the throne of his power in the great â—ay of his venge nâ—e when he shall reckon with the Antichristian powers that have shed the bloud of the Martyrs and rejected the testimony of his witnesses This at the rising of the witnesses Add hereunto the effect of the sixt Trumpet And the sixt Angel sounded and I heard a voyce from the four hornes of the golden Altar which is before God Chap. 9. 13. The voice and power of Christ prefigured by the golden Altar Exod. 30. 1. having hornes vers 10. signifying the power strength of Christ whereby the foure Angels that were heald in the river Euphrates were loosed The great multitude of Saints that were bound up by the strength and power of Antichrist are now set at liberty now they goe forth with great authority and hold forth the truth making glorious discoveries of the same These slay the third part of men for fire smoke and brimstone comes forth of their mouths the light and truth they hold forth as fire doth devour and as smoke doth darken all the light and glory of Antichrist And in their tailes or conversation they hurt by condemning the men of the world and of those that repented not of their deeds And in Chap. 10. Christ comes forth as a mighty Angel clothed with a cloud of darknesse obscurity that the world could not see him having a rain-bow or Covenant of grace on his head and the booke of the Gospel unsealed in his hand he set his right foot upon the sea of the common people and his left upon the earth or worldly powers And crying with a loud voice the seven thunders uttered a perfection of feare and amasement of dread and terrour falls upon the sea and upon the earth upon all the people and powers of Antichrist The seventh Viall was powred into the 7 Viall aire and there came great voyces out of the Temple of heaven saying it is done Chap. 16. 17. The very ayre that Antichrist lives and breaths in is now destroyed there is no longer breath spirit or life in any thing that Antichrist would live in or receive comfort from so that the whole worke is done the beast is quite destroyed and there were voyces and thunders and lightnings and great earthquakes such grievous concussions and earth-quakes as if heaven and earth were conspired together to destroy Babylon the work is done or Bah loâ— undone though once it had a being now it hath none now it is divided into three parts as being torne to picces by the earth-quake and every Mountaine and Island fled away as things that could yeeld no protection And there fell great haile out of heaven upon men about the waight of a talent and men blasphemed God because of the plagues of haile for the plague thereof was exceeding great Here is an allusion to the great plague of haile that fell upon Aegypt Exod. 9. 22. This haile falls from heaven from the light and truth held forth by Saints in the middest of heavenly enjoyments these raine downe great and weighty haile-stones upon the state order and worship of Antichrist Compare hereunto the effect of the seventh seale And when he had opened the seventh seale there was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre Upon the opening of this last seale there is some respite or intermission and as it were for a time some rest and cessation of the Saints from persecuâ—ion and trouble Now is the full revelation of truth now is the kingdome of God come and now the Gospel goes forth without let or molestation now the servants of God have peace without and also a sweet tranquillity and quietnesse in their owne spiritâ— Add hereunto the seventh Trumper Chapt. 11. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdomes of the world are become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ c. Now the kingdomes and nations cast downe their crownes at the feet of Christ who will take his great power unto himselfe and raigne Thus we see how the Saints smite the earth with all plagues by powring out all the vialls of Gods wrath upon the State and Church of Antichrist Aiso you perceive that there is an agreement between the seals
Worships all the rules and authorities all the orders and services of Antichrist are but dead things and shall be judged as dead having nothing of the light of life of God in them Well may the nations be angry fret and vex and why the Lords wrath is come upon all Religion and glorious formes of worship they are judged but as dead bodies as empty Caâ—kâ—ses without any spirit or life at all and the glory of the worldly and carnall Church is now overturning and all is because it is but a dead Carkass and shall be consumed Thirdly In that these bodies lie unburied three dayes and a halfe observe That the dead bodies of the Witnesses are 3 Observ kept above ground all the time of Antichrists reigne As before their dead bodies viz. their outward formes of worship did lie in all the streets and dominions of Antichrist so also are they kept above ground in every age and period of time in which the beast doth reigne For these bodies have an agreement with the outward Court which is given to the Gentiles for forty two moneths This also is the time of the womans being driven into the wilderness a thousand two hundred and threesore dayes Chap. 12. 6. where she was nourished for a time times and halfe a time Ver. 14. So that these three dayes holds proportion with the forty two moneths the same time that Antichrist doth posses the outward Court so long doth he make make use of the bodies of the Witnesses Then it is not in some particular time or in some short period that the Beast shall rise up against the Witnesses but namely all time of his Raigne he shall make warre with the Saints slay their testimonie and make use of their dead bodies And though he could not endure the spirit truth that the Saints held forth yet hee knows how to make use of their externall forme and image which hee will not part withal so long as he is able to keepe it above ground untill the wrath of the Lamb come and that the dead shall be judged VERS 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth HEre wee have a farther carriage of the Adversaries towards the dead bodies of the Witnesses while they lye in the street of the great Citie and are kept from being interred or put in graves the men of the earth they rejoyce over them and make merry and send gifts one to another because these two Prophets are tormented c. In the opening of these words observe 1. The persons brought in here acting And they are they that dwell upon the earth 2. Their actions They rejoyce make merry and send gifts one to another 3. The reason of this their acting Because these two Prophets tormented them c. The first of these to be considered is who are meant by the persons that are here stiled the inhabitants of the earth These are meant of worldly Christans such as serve Antichrist they are onely earthly and carnall they are without the Temple of God they live in the synagoguâ— of Satan These are said to dwell upon the earth Rev. 12. 12. And Chap. 13. 8. The Antichristian Church and faction are said to dwell upon the earth because they are earthly and carnall in opposition to the Saints who are said to dwell in heaven The Witnesses are stiled such as dwell in heaven Chap. 18. 20. And those that worship the Beast being their opposites are stiled those that dwell upon the earth The Saints under heavenly enjoyments heavenly discoveries of truth and light these dwell in Heaven in the glorious Temple in the holy tabernacle of God But the Antichristian Church and all the members thereof are cast out of heaven unto the earth there they inhabite and dwell they favour of the earth having earthly enjoyments carnall delights their condition state worship and contentment consisting all of earthly things The earth is their portion and they make their habitation in it Secondly the carriage of these earthly men towards the Witnesses dead bodies they rejoyce over them make merry and send gifts one to another This is an allusion to the practice of the Jewes when they had procured deliverance from the contrivances of Haman they solemnly feasted rejoyced and made merry sending portions one to another Hest 18. 19. So when the Lord had restored unto the Jewes their land their Citie the Temple and worship The people went their way to eate and to drinke and to send portions and to make great mirth Neh. 8. 12. Suitable hereunto is that of the Prodigall who when he came home the Father for joy kils the fatted Calfe and they rejoyce and make merry together Luk. 15. 24. So here the inhabitauts of the earth doe so well resent their killing and overcoming the Witnesses as that they solemnly rejoyce and make merry even as those that have obtained someeminent deliverance or that have received some excellent good thing or as if they had obtained some great and notable victory they set up some Trophies or Ensignes of Conquest And this they expresse in a feastival manner They eate and drinke and are merry and send portions one to another The summe of all is this that when the Adversaries shall think upon the dead bodies of the Witnesses that they maintain and keep them above ground without the true life and spirit they shall excceedingly triumph and make feasts in token of joy as in the old time and if they doe not this literally yet they shall as much and as really rejoyce as they that did such things and not only so but do what they can to make others rejoyce with them 3. Consider the reason why they do thus rejoyce and that is Because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth Wee may read tormented or had tormented not that they rejoyced because they were tormented by these Prophets but because they had overcome and killed these Witnesses of God that had alwayes tormented them now they thought they were rid of them and should not be troubled with them any more therefore it is that they of the earth do so greatly rejoyce The Witnesses torment the earth by inflicting just punishment and reward upon those that worship the Beast Their very witnesse and testimony is a great torment to the world The wine of Gods wrath and the cup of his indignation shall torment the earth and what is all this but the powring forth of the Vials occasioned by the prophesie of the Witnesses As they turned waters into blood and plagued the Earth with all plagues as we heard before so they torment the earth by their witnesse and prophesie Good reason hath the world to rejoyce when they can hinder the course of their testimomonie and keepe their bodies out of graves to their owne advantage and
name honour strength and dignity then he had been formerly So the Witnesses shall ascend into a state and condition much more excellent then they had before enjoyed This ascention is diametrically opposed to their sack cloath condition to that meane and low condition these Witnesses had lived in while they were under the power and raign of the beast This ascention is not a carnall or bodily transmutation or a motion from place to place but of a mutation of state and condition 't is an ascention unto more liberty freedome knowledg strength and glory then they had lived in before Secondly the place unto which they are to ascend and that 's to heaven the kingdome of Christ is mystically called Heaven The Saints are said to dwell in Heaven as Antichrist is said to dwell in Earth the meaning is they shall ascend into a more heavenly condition of liberty power strength wisdome knowledge light and life They shall come to possesse the Kingdome of Christ and enjoy all the immunities thereof They shall live more in heavenly discoveries of God and Christ and his will their externall peace and internal glory shall be very heavenly and glorious And in this respect the Saints that shall sound forth the everlasting Gospel are said to be in the midst of heaven Chap. 14. 6. The Saints are called Heaven it selfe Chap. 18. 20. The multitude of Saints that shall sing Allelujah's and praises unto God upon the destruction of Babylon are called a people that dwell in heaven Chap. 19. 1. because they live in heavenly enjoyments and praises So here the Witnesses are said to ascend up to heaven in respect of that heavenly and glorious condition and state that the Lord will advance his people unto when hee shal wholly break the power of the beast and advance his people to partake of the glory and dignity of his owne kingdome Thirdly wee have the manner how these Witnesses ascend that 's in a cloud This great thick Cloud that God draws over the Earth and with which he doth over-shadow the face of all things this is that darkness that confusion division contest warre envie this I say is that dark cloud that the Lord hath drawn over the face of the Earth Hath not God drawn this black cloud upon the affairs counsels wisdome and actions of men the order government peace prosperity of the world is all over-shadowed men know not where they are nor what they doe when they goe too fast nor when too slow the very hearts and affections of men are divided the world is full of contests and wars and confusions and there is such a mist upon mens spirits that they scarce know which way to turn themselves It 's in this cloud of confusion in which the Witnesses do ascended We cannot but remember that the Lord brought his people from Aegypt by dividing of the Sea by separating of the great waters so wil the Lord raise up his Saints by dividing of the men of the earth the great Sea or peoples of the earth by dividing of them by confounding of the wisdome and policie of the world by dashing one part of the earth against another I say in this manner and by this means the Lord will cause his faithfull ones to ascend Lastly we have that special Adjunct that is hereunto annexed And their enemies beheld them By their enemies we are to understand People Nations Kindreds and Tongues with all the inhabitants of the Earth All worldly carnall Antichristian men these shall behold them to their griefe and vexation This is mentioned first as to the torment and excessive grief that the Adversaries shall take when they shall see them that they have despised trampled upon and contemned to be lifted up to ascend unto honour and dignity unto life and glory And secondly it 's mentioned in the praise and happinesse of those that doe ascend in the view of their Adversaries As the Prophet makes it an augmentation of bounty that the Lord should spread his table in the midst of his foes Psal 23. So this is an addition to their honour they shall ascend in the midst of their Adversaries in their view and before their eye This is the saddest sight that earthly men can behold they shall see them ascend and shall not be able to stop their passage this shall be as worm-wood as gall and bitternesse to their spirits this shall even make them gnash their teeth but they shal not be able to help themselves The words being thus far opened we now come to raise some observations from them First observe That the Witnesses are 1 Observ enabled to ascend by the powerfull voyce of the spirit of God They can never rise nor ascend until they are called up to the Lord by this great voyce this loud heavenly voyce this voyce of Majestie and glory Antichrist was able to suppresse and keepe under these two Prophets of the Lord untill the Lord comes and raises them up by his owne voyce and command If all the world should call upon them to arise they could not untill the Lord speake the word and say Come up hither When the Lod speaks with a heavenly voyce it is so full of love and joy of light and life that every thing in the hearts of his doe heare his voyce every faculty every member all parts heare and obey The soule is never willing to ascend untill the Lord calls by his eternall voyce and that hath such force and power such excellency and and majestie that it removes every obstacle out of the way and sets aside every thing that would hinder And again this voyce is so great so powerfull carries with it so much authority that the men of the Earth cannot hinder their rising If the Lord speak with a powerful voyce to the world â—o Antichrist to the men of the Earth Let my people ascend lâ—t them come up hither all the force power policie of men shall not hinder them This voyce is dreadful to the men of the earth and doth so much affright them that they are forced at last as once Pharaoh was to let the Israel of God goe and ascend out of Aegypt to Jerusalem from bondage to liberty from weaknesse to strength from persecution to dominion from light to darknesse from Earth to Heaven Now the Saints are taken up to live in heavenly comforts and joyes in heavenly discoveries of â—ight and life in heavenly immunities and priviledges And all this is done by the great the mighty and powerful voyce of God Secondly observe from the ascention it selfe That the Witnesses have their 2 Observ time of triumph and rejoycing as well as they have a time of sack cloath and mourning When they ascend they shal shake off their sack-cloath and mourning they shal ascend farre higher unto an estate of more liberty honour peace and glory then their former estate was They shall not alwayes be made the scorne and reproach of the
world and be trodden under foot of the Gentiles and be driven into the Wildernesse and their dead bodies to lye in Aegypt Sodome and their Adversaries to make merry and rejoyce over their Carkasses but they shall be advanced above all the pride scorn of their adversaries wel may their enemies vexe and storm at them but they are above their reach and danger these Witnesses shall be cloathed with honour and dignity for all the wrongs and injuries their Adversaries have put upon them Now they shal sit upon Christs throne weare Christs crown enjoy Christs kingdome now they shal quit the Earth and ascend farr above men and feares above griefs and troubles above shame and contempt to live more in God Christ to enjoy more of his life and righteousnesse to become more inheritors of his Kingdome and glory Thirdly In that the Witnesses shall 3 Observ ascend up to Heâ—ven observe That the state and condition the Saints shall ascend up into is most heavenly and glorious The Saints shal not dwell in the earth their faces shall not looke downward but their nature and priviledg is now to ascend to Heaven unto heavenly priviledges and immunities unto heavenly life and joy great shal be their enjoyments when they shall ascend above the oppression of men or the powers of flesh and hel great shal be their deliverance in respect of external liberty and peace and also of internal light and glory The externall glory liberty and redemption that shal attend the Saints in this heavenly condition that they are instated in by this ascention wee may consider in these particulars following First these Witnesses upon their ascention shal be delivered from the oppression of their Adversaries The oppression of Aegypt Assyria and Babylon shall all cease and be broken in pieces My people went downe to Egypt and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause Now therefore what have I here saith the Lord that my people are taken away for nought they that rule over them make them to howle Isa 52. 4 5. Behold I will bring them againe out of the land of Egypt and gather them from the coasts of Assyria and the pride of Assyria shall be broken and the Scepter of Aegypt shall depart away Zach. 10. 10 11. see also Isa 10. 24 25 26 27. And this proverbe shall be taken up against the King of Babylon and it shall be said How hath the oppressor ceased and the golden Citie the Lord hath broken the staffe of the wicked and the red of the rulers Isa 14. 4 5 Aegypt Assyria and Babylon were the mightiest Oppressors of the people of Israel by which are typified those Antichristian powers that have overcome and killed the faithfull Witnesses of God But now these oppressors shall cease and the golden Citie that Ecclesiasticall or Church-estate shal cease and the Saints that have been oppressed shall goe free the Lord wil take off the yoak of their burthen and break the staffe of their shoulder those that ruled over them and were their taske-masters shal be trodden down as mire in the streets Secondly God will make those that have persecuted and trodden under feet the Witnesses to serve and obey them For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them in their owne Land and the strangers shall be joyned with them and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob and the people shall take them and bring them to their place and the house of Israel shall possesse them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids and they shall take them Captives whose Captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors Isa 14. 1 2. For that nation that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall utterly be wasted The sonnes of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves downe at the soles of thy feete and shall call thee the Citie of the Lord Isa 60. 12. 14. The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might they shall lay their hand upon their mouth their eares shall be deafe they shall licke the dust like a Serpent they shall move out of their holes like wormes of the earth they shall be afraid of the Lord our God and shall feare because of thee Mica 7. 16 17. When Christ shall put his Scepter into the hands of his people the men of the earth shall bow downe themselves and submit to their authority the very spirits of men shall fall downe and stoope before the Saints Thirdly the Saints shall be abundantly blessed in peace and quietnesse they shall have rest from all their enemies And it shall come to passe in that day the Lord shall give thee rest from sorrow from feare and from bondage Isa 14. 3. The wolfe shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie downe with the Kid and the Calfe and the young Lion and the Faâ—ling together and a little child shall lead them And the Cow and the Beare shall feede and their young ones shall lie downe together and the Lion shall eate straw like the Oxe And the sucking childe shall play on the hole of the Aspe and the weaned child shall put his hand on the Cockatrice den They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountaine Isa 11. 6 7 8 9. And againe I will extend peace to her like a river and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame Isa 66. 12. Isa 33. 20 These Scriptures I know are mysterious and there is a spirituall meaning of them but they are also true in the letter and hold forth that externall peace and rest when the Lord shall cause his people to ascend farre above the power and malice of all their adversaries then hee will so take away that wolvish and ravenous disposition of worldly men that his people shall live in peace and quietnesse among them Fourthly the Lord will raise up his people from reproach and shame unto a state of dignity and honour For Zions sake will I not hold my peace for Jerusalems sake I will not rest untill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the salvation thereof as the lamp that burneth And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousnesse and all Kings thy glory And thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name And give the Lord no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth Isa 62. 1 2. 7. And yee shall leave your name for a curse to my chosen speaking of the Adversaries for the Lord will sley thee and call his servants by another name Isa 65. 15. By these Scriptures it appears that the Lord will not alwayes give up the names of his people to reproach and infamie they shall not alwayes lie under shame and disgrace but when the Lord shall lift up the head of
meaner and lower sort and quality but men of renowne for wisdome learning parts and gifts and men of place of rule and authority The names of men shall be slaine their honour and greatnesse shall lie in the dust their excellency stained and their power broken These are the persons that shall be slaine In the second place the manner of their slaying presents it selfe This cannot be meant of a reall and proper slaying no more then that of the witnesses for if the slaying of the witnesses be a mysticall slaying the earthquake a mysticall earthquake so the slaying of these men is mysticall also The witnesses were alwayes slaine in their testimony and cause sometimes they gave testimony also by their bloud Sohere these that are the abettors and upholders of Antichrists cause these I say are slaine in their cause and mannagement thereof some of whom may also lose their lives in the quarrell Then this slaughter of these men of name is in their honours and preferments in their titles and offices in their pomp and riches in their rule and dominion in their parts and nams in all these they shall be slaine and suppressed even as they themselves formerly dealt with the witnesses in keeping them under this now shall be their owne lot and portion Lastly we have the number of those thus slaine and that is seven thousand which doth imply a full and perfect number and doth not here signifie just so many in an equall proportion but is put indefinitely as it 's often a certaine number for an uncertaine and may as well signifie many more or lesse then the precise number that is expressed The number here mentioned seven thousand doth imply the whole and perfect number that doth mannage and uphold the cause of the beast There were many of the people of all Nations that were seduced and misguided and drawn to wonder after the beast but these men of name are those that undertake to mannage and uphold the worship forme and power of Antichrist all these the whole and perfect number of them shall be slaine Thâ—se be not the poore vile and base sort of men but those of a more noble degree and ranke men of fame for wisdome learning gifts and offices the full and compleat number of these shall be slaine and fall in this earthquake The third and last consequent followeth which is thus expressed And the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of heaven In the unfolding these words we may consider First the persons here meant called a remnant Secondly their passions and actions 1 They are affrighted 2. They give glory to God The persons here specified are called a remnant A remnant is so called in respect of it's smallnesse or littlenesse it 's most commonly attributed to a small peice or fag end of cloth that is some fragment or very small peice left of the whole and it 's alwayes put for that which is poor few and contemptible Then by the remnant we are to understand the poor ignorant seduced people that by dependance upon complyance with those men of name that did mannage the cause of Antichrâ—â—â— have been drawne to worship the beast and to receive the marke of his image These poore sottish people are called a remnant Their passions and actions follow First they are affrighted and well they may when they see all their props and pillars gon the men of name power throwne downe from their station When the Nobles and great ones of Israel were led captive into Babylon the poore and weake of the people were left behinde so the great undertakers of Antichrists cause and quarrell are slaine and throwne downe now here is a poore company of seduced persons that have wondered after the beast they behold their great men slaine and men of renowne and power throwne downe and overthrowne and now this poore remnant they are very much affrighted and amazed they are cast downe and terrified at the fight thereof when they shall see an utter ruine of those that seduced them whom they owned and beleeved and had great dependance on and therefore are striken with exceeding great feare when they see these taken away Secondly this poore affrightned remnant gave glory to the God of heaven God was stiled God of the earth vers 4. And is called The God of heaven and earth Gen. 24. 3. Here called the God of heaven Also in Dan. 2. 18. This notes the greatnesse of his power and soveraignty who is mightier then all the powers of the world The remnant shall glorifie the God of heaven that can subdue all the powers and dominions of the earth But how shall the remnant glorifie God That shall be by acknowledging the just judgements of God upon all those men of name that he had throwne downe and slaine Suitably wee have the expression in Josh 7. 19. My Son confesse saith Joshua and give glory to God that is by an acknowledgement of the truth and righteousnesse of Gods just judgement So here the poore affrighted remnant shall freely acknowledge the equitie and justnesse of all those evils enflicted upon the men of name of greatnesse office and power these shall say that they suffered justly and deservedly and though they be affrighted terrified to see these great men of the earth both in civill and in ecclesiasticall dignity and power to fall and be cast downe yet they shall glorifie God by acknowledging of the just hand of God in his judgements upon them The words being thus far opened we proceed now to touch upon some observations clearly offered to us from them First observe from the earthquake it selfe That the rising and ascending of the 1 Observ witnesses doth cause a great earthquake in the world No sooner doe the witnesses begin to rise out of their sackcloth ascend up to heaveÌ„ but the earth shaks the world trembles great concussions and commotions are among the men of the earth and upon all their affaires States and Kingdomes powers and governments men and interests these all shake and tremble The very foundations of mans peace and joy are shattered and broken the worships and wayes the riches and preferments of the man of sin they all expire and die The powers of the beast whether civill or ecclesiasticall they are all subdued and cast to the earth All the corruption of Magistracy and all false shews and formes of worship shall be dissipated and shaken in pieces An earthquake is one of the greatest evils and perplexities that can possibly befall the world the earth being mans center and stay when the very foundation of mans comfort and happiness is shaken it must mightily affrighten astonish the men of the world There is no shelter in an earth quake for Kings Parliaments Armies Nations Common-wealths it shakes all yea rich poore high and low it throws downe every thing that stands in it's way the very bottome and ground-work of the peoples joy trust comfort
hope it trembles and quakes the root of all humane life strength wisdome policy is cut in sunder at once The foundation of all power ecclesiasticall and civill is shaken the very stability of Church State Religion order government shakes and falls downe unto the earth And needs must it be so for the witnesses are the very basis and pillars of the earth they were the strength and stability of the world like unto the two pillars in Solomons Temple the one called Jachin the other Boaze 1 King 7. 21. that is as much as to say stability and strength which indeed did prefigure the stedfastnesse and strength of the Saints These two Witnesses while they lived below in the earth they were the strength and succour of the world but when they arise out of the earth and ascend to heaven then the strength and stability of the earth ascends with them The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved I beare up the pillars of it saith the Lord Psal 75. 3. The Lord holds up the earth by these pillars namely his witnesses and when he calls them to heaven to his kingdome to live in the liberty and glory thereof then the very pillars of the earth are removed therefore the earth must needs quake and tremble This sore judgement is so terrible and amazing that there is no shelter or succour nothing that man hath or doth enjoy can be secure it is the most sweeping and affrighting evill it pitties nor spares none but carries all before it As Sampson carried away the gates of the Citie upon his shoulders so these two witnesses when they arise from the earth and leave the world they carry away with them the strength the peace the comfort the order the power of the earth and so leave the world and Antichrist in confusion and distraction The whole interest that the world hath in all it's enjoyments is but borrowed from the witnesses and when these are taken away and raised up above their former station the world falls into ruine and confusion Secondly from the time of this earthquake The same houre c. observe That 2 Observ all the time of this great earthquake the witnesses are rising ascending The same houre and time yea and all the time of these great commotions and stirres upon the world the witnesses get ground and ascend higher and higher though the world neither know it nor perceive it This great earthquake that this very day doth shake Kings kingdomes States Churches rules and dominions doth plainly demonstrate that the witnesses are now in rising that they begin to shake off their sackcloth and mourning they stand upon their owne feet and doe not any longer depend upon other mens shoulders they ascend above the oppression and powers of their adversaries into the glorious priviledges and liberty of Christs kingdome Know that thorow this thicke and darke cloud that God hath drawne over the earth and in the midst of these nationall stormes and earthquakes the Lord will shine forth more and more and the Sunshine of his favour and love shall display it's beams upon his Saints in working out their salvation and liberty God by the plentifull showers of divine grace and by his distillings of his spirit upon his people will burne up that drosse and fleshlinesse in them which God doth manifest in some already And by this great earthquake will so shake the powers of the world that they shall not be able to oppresse the Saints any longer O that we could with faith and patience waite a while and we shall behold within a few yeares yea in a very short space what desolations and devastations God will make in the earth and what unexpected salvations and deliverances he will worke for his people farre above what his enemies feare or his people hope for Therefore I say wait but a while stand still and see the salvation of the Lord the Lord will come and will not tarry for in this very day of the great earthquake in the very time now of these nationall stormes and commotions are the witnesses rising above their adversaries and ascending up into the heavenly enjoyments immunities of the kingdome of Christ Thirdly from the first consequent of this great earthquake and the tenth part of the Citie fell observe That nation 3 Observ that shall first of all shake off and disclaime the power of Antichrist God will honour that nation first of all in raising up his witnesses in it There is a tenth part of the nations that have formerly given up their power and authority to the beast that shall fall off and disown that man of sin that shall withdraw themselves from the yoke and bondage of Antichrists service and that in this earthquake under the sixt Trumpet and that before the ten hornes shall hate the whore and burne her flesh with fire Now I say that nation or nations that shall first shake off the yoke of the oppressor and the burden from off their shoulder are the tenth part of the Citie that here is sayd to fall in the earthquake The power and dominion of Antichrist that this nation or tenth part of the Citie did once yeild and submit unto now that authority and rule is wholly dissolved and abolished Now I verily believe that England is this tenth part of the Citie or take England Scotland and Ireland as being united together into one as being subjected under one dominion and government to be the tenth part of the nations that shall first withdraw from under the raigne of Antichrist for the tenth part is not tied to one nation but to the tenth part of the nations that were brought under the power of Antichrist And if the tenth part should be meant of one nation onely yet this tenth part is but that nation that the Lord doth begin his worke in he will carry his designe from nation to nation untill the ten hornes are all brought to hate the whore and to burne her flesh with fire This indeed is the full accomplishment when the forty and two moneths shall be ended and the word of God fulfilled the whole ten kingdomes shall joyne together to make war with the beast to give up their power to the service of Christs kingdome But the Lord doth first begin with a tenth part that shall first withdraw it selfe from under the dominion and power of the beast And I believe that this Island with the nations adjoyning to it will be the first fruits of the world that here shall appeare the new Jerusalem and the nations of them that be saved shall walke in the light thereof for many nations shall be joyned to the Lord upon the coming downe of the new Jerusalem and finall downfall of Antichrist Now if it be demanded why Germany or some of the reformed churches abroad may not be meant the tenth part of the Citie to which I answer thus That though those called the reformed churches have
in some respect and in some things cast off the service and dominion of the beast yet they have not cast off the image of the beast For if we cast our eyes upon the reformed Churches abroad we shall see a national church a carnall Ministry worldly Christians invented ordinances of mans framing civill and earthly lawes and institutions humane and naturall gifts parts exercised so that these reformed churches so much talked of are but some politick and humane frame that sets up an image to the beast or Antichrist coming forth in another forme and shape then that of downright Popery And therefore we cannot judge any of them to be the tenth part of the Citie neither can we expect the rising of the witnesses to be from thence Now for as much as England is the first nation that is wholly thorowly casting off and disowning all Antichristian powers and for as much as the Lord hath raised up his people in a great measure from their sackcloth and mourning the Saints here begin to stand upon their feet to ascend above the power of their adversaries into the liberty of Christs kingdome and in that God hath begun this great earthquake here shaking all powers both accleâ—â—asticall and civill this I say doth plainly demonstrate that England is that tenth part of the Citie where the witnesses shall first rise out of their sackcloth bondage Now this great earthquake that had it's first beginning here shall continue and by degrees reach other nations the Lord will from hence goe on to shake all nations the sea and the dry land And though Dutch and Dane and French shall combine against us and becompasse the Camp of the Saints and the holy Citie yet the fire of the Lord shall come from heaven and consume them The Lord shall be unto this Island a wall of fire round about Zech. 2. 5. And thus the Lord will undoubtedly goe on untill he hath subdued the power of the nations broken the strength of the ten hornes that they shall wholly withdraw their power and authority from the service of Antichrist and shall devote all their strength riches authority to advance the kingdome of Christ Thus not onely a tenth part shall fall in the earthquake but all the ten hornes by degrees shall be scattered and broken and whereas they have given their power and service to the beast so now all their strength and power shall serve Christ and his ends The kingdomes of the world shall become Christs at the sound of the seventh Trumpet of which we shall speake in it's due place now we proceed Fourthly from the second effect 4 Observ and there were slaine of men seven thousand Observe Those principally and chiefly shall be slaine in the earthquake that are the upholders and maintainers of Antichrists cause and quarrell Those here sayd to be slaine are the names of men or men of name of fame of note of qualitie of office of dignity such as these are slaine these are slaine in their offices The Lord puls downe the mightie from their seats and exalts the humble and mâ—eke â— powers riches honours these are cast out of ecclesiasticall civill power and rule and as it 's said of the Dragon they are cast out of heaven down to the earth they are degraded and cast out as an abominable branch This earthquake doth not so much shake and scatter the poore ignorant seduced people as those that are great in power in office in parts and renowne There is not one of these shall escape the seven thousand the full perfect and compleat number of those chiefe props and stays of Antichrist such as mannage his cause and maintaine his quarrell there is not one of those that shall escape that shall not be throwne downe How hath this earthquake shaken men out of their honours and dignities out of offices places as those that were in ecclesiasticall jurisdiction Bishopâ— Deans Chapters Câ—ancellors Commissaries Ordinaries Parsons and Curates with all the rest of the Prelaticall crew And then those in civill power dominion King Lords Parliaments and all others of place and power that have set their hands to uphold the power of the beast the Antichristian or Cleargie interest they have been broken and sâ—ared All men of name of civil or ecclesiasticall power and rule that have set and engaged themselves to uphold or maintain the cause interest of the beast they have been all broken slaine in this great and â—errible earthquake Therefore let all States and powers take heed how they mix their authority with the usurped ecclesiasticall power for whosoever doth so shall surely be destroyed For the beast and the false Prophet shall be both taken together and be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone Revel 19. 20. The beast is corrupted Magistracy or forme of power ecclesiasticall and civill mixâ— together compounded and joyned into one and so acts and comes forth in the forme of a beast The false Prophet is meant of those Priests that speake lies in the name of the Lord that seeme to work miracles and cause fire to come downe from heaven in the sight of men counterfelting the spirit of God when they speake but a divination and falshood of their own spirits Now the beast and the false Prophet fall together The one speaking lies and the other upholding him The Clergie first studying and inventing formeâ— of worship and the earthly power mainâ—aining them O that the powers of the earth might see how much they are damnified by Cleargie interest what a heavie burden it is to carry the weight of spirituall jurisdiction which will prove as a talent of lead upon the shoulders of all that stand under it The woman is sayd to ride upon the beast Revel 17. 7. The Antichristian church carried upon the back of earthly powers Hath not experience told us that there hath not been any sort of men of what title or qualitie soever that have layd hold of Antichrists interest and sought to uphold and maintaine his cause but they have been ensuared and broken in pieces Why hath there been all those turnings and overturnings of men of note and place but because they have joyned interest and power with the beast and have endeavoured to uphold that usurped ecclesiasticall power either Prelaticall or Classicall Fiftly from the third consequent And the remnant were affrighted c. observe That when God doth scatter the great 5 Obser and mighty ones of the earth it doth much amaze affrighten the poore and ignorant people that have been seduced by them When the pillars of Antichrist are shaken it must needs perplex and trouble those that depended upon them For when the poore misled people shall see the men of name their great rulers throwne downe and debased this cannot but affright them when that power that ruled them shall be subdued when that wisdome that led them shall be
rising of the Witnesses The Third and last woe comes quickly it speedily followeth and shutteth up the whole mysterie The death of the Beast is proclaimed under the sixth Trumpet and in the time of the second woe Chap. 10. 6. Time should be no more in which Antichrist should live and raigne Then at the sound of the seventh Angel the mysterie of God should be finished vers 7. The mysterie of Antichrist fully laid open and the mysterie and glory of Christs kingdom fully revealed This last woe is meant of those calamities mentioned in the last verse of this eleventh Chapter And there was lightnings and voyces and thundrings and an earthquake and great haile All which doth imply Gods heavy terrible astonishing and irresistable judgements upon the world hee will plague the earth as once he did Aegypt with haile Exod. 9. 25. This is the third and last woe that accompanieth the seventh Trumpet Observe That great and terrible woes Observe befall the world in the three last ages of Antichrist Here is three woes but the second that falls at the rising of the Witnesses is the greatest This second woe is a bitter one indeed it will fall like a milstone and grinde in pieces the inhabitants of the earth Great are the torments and vexations this woe brings upon the world all Famines Sicknesses Feares Warres and all sorts of evils weaknesse aâ—â—rightments strange amazements this woe brings with it The present calamities upon the world that are occasioned by the Earth-quake throwing downe States Nations Governments Powers and shaking men of quality state wisdome and parts bringing wars feares famines deaths c. These and the like woes upon the world this day speak forth the rising of the witnesses And as the rising of the Witnesses is a work of time and is of a graduall product so also shall this second woe be a lasting woe and lasting woes are the worst of all The third woe followeth the second it comes quickly this brings it's sting along with it but 't is of a shorter dispatch then the former This last woe that immediately succeedes the second comes with the seventh Trumper and therefore is the last woe that befalls Antichrist This last woe is the reason of all those plagues as death mourning famine fire that God will destroy Babylon withall which shall cause the Kings of the Earth to lament her and the Merchants to mourn over her for shee is stript of her gold and silver of her precious stones and pearles of her purple and scarlet of all her sine linnen and cloathing and in one houre shall be made utterly desolate Thus we are come to an end of the Prophesie of the Witnesses resurrection and ascention with the great effects that followes namely the great Earthquake and the second woe which is the work of the first Trumpet Next followeth that of the seventh Trumpet and the state of Christs Kingdom after the full and perfect ascention of the Witnesses and the finall downfall of Antichrist VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and hee shall raigne for ever and ever HAving spoken of the Prophesie Death Resurrection and ascention of the Witnesses with the effects of their rising namely the great earthquake that shakes the world which doth accomplish the second woe This being the first resurrection of the Saints from shame and sack-cloath from misery and affliction upon which the tenth part of the City falls and the little horne that thought to change times and lawes is subdued Dan. 7. But after comes a second Resurrection of truth and light of life liberty to the Saints in all nations when there shall be a universall ruine of Antichrist Then all Saints throughout all Nations shall come in to the enjoyment of internall and externall glory when all former persecution and shame shall be past away and they shall live raigne with Christ a thousand yeares and shall fully enjoy the immunities and liberties of the kingdome of Christ which shall be fulfilled at the sound of the seventh Trumpet And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ c. That which wee shall enquire from hence is to know what is meant First by the Trumpet sounding Secondly by the seventh Trumpet Thirdly by the voyces in heaven Fourthly the subject matter that those voyces doe proclaime and that is The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord c. First a Trumpet is that with which men sound to give an alarme or a preparation unto the battell 1 Cor. 14. 8. Also to publish or proclaime a thing Joel 2. 1. The counterfeit Pharisees when they gave their almes are sayd to sound a Trumpet Mat. 6. 2. Alluding to the custome of the Jewes who when they would gather an assembly or proclaim a matter did use to sound a Trumpet So here by the Trumpet sounding is meant the Saints proclaiming and sounding forth the word of truth declaring the testimony of Jesus and extolling his praises This they doe either by preaching forth or declaring of the truth or by making profession thereof These Trumpets doe respectively follow the seales opening as the vials follow the Trumpets sounding The first seale first Trumpet first viall goe together and every one of these respectively in order follow each other The beginning is with the opening of the seals which is Christ opening and disclosing of heavenly and divine truth unto his Saints and accordingly as the seals be thus opened to them they by declaring and professing of the truth so discovered to them are said to sound forth the Trumpets each Trumpet in his season according as the seals are opened and heavenly light and knowledge is discovered unto them Secondly what is meant by the seventh Trumpet In Chap. 8. we read of the sounding of the foure first Trumpets And in Chap. 9. of the fift and sixt Trumpets sounding and here we have the seventh and last Trumpet So that there is a graduall and orderly sounding of the Trumpets answerable to the opening of the seals when the last seale shall be opened then the seventh Angel comes to sound the last Trumpet which is the highest and last declaration of the truth and excellency of God Seven is the number of perfection of rest and blessednesse the seventh Trumpet is the proclamation or declaration of the kingdome of Christ caused by the Saints sounding forth the highest and the last glory of Christs raigne and dominion Thirdly we have the effect of the seventh Trumpet and there were great voyces in heaven The most perfect and exact the most distinct and sweet note of musick is the tongue of man there is no sound so perfect and compleat as these voyces in heaven these are the
voyces of Aâ—llelâ—jahs and praises to God And of these voyces here mentioned we may note three things First they are great voyces they are mighty and powerfull voyces God once spake to Elijah in a low still voyce so he hath done unto his people while they prophesied in sackcloth but now upon the great and various discoveries of God the Saints are made to sound forth mighty declarations of his truth glory It is said in Psal 29. 3 4 c. The voyce of the Lord thundereth upon many waters it 's powerfull and full of Majesty breaking downe the Cedars of Lebanon dividing the flames of fire and making the wildernesse to shake c. So these voyces of the witnesses risen are so great and powerfull that they shake the wisedome glory strength riches power and excellency of the world The appearances of God in former time have been faint and low in his people they have seene things at a great distance and have as it were whispered in a low private voyce of the things of the kingdome of Christ but now they shall publish them on the house-top and as John Baptist could say Behold the Lamb of God so shall these cry aloud with boldnesse and confidence with assurance and liberty and say the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ There is no eare but shall heare and no heart but shall tremble at this voyce Hell and Devills all the glory of flesh and power of the world shall be affrighted and consumed before this great and mighty voyce Secondly These voyces are sayd to be in heaven The witnesses are risen and ascended up into heaven to live in heavenly discoveries and enjoyments to walke in the light and to act in the glory of God These voyces come from the excellent glory like the voyce that came unto Christ at his transâ—iguration The Saints that lived in a poore earthly condition before under the oppressing power of the earth are now raised up into heaven and there doe rejoyce over that vengeance that the Lord executeth upon the earth Therefore in respect of Babylons destruction the Saints are thus called upon Rejoyce over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged her Revel 18. 19. Nothing but songs of praise and glorious voyces of deliverance are heard of those that live in heaven who live in the spirit of God and in the glorious discoveries and divine manifestations of the Lord. There can be no voyce from heaven but it must be full of excellency and glory the voyce of joy and gladnesse the voyce of praise and triumph These voyces are heard round about the throne of God and they sound forth nothing but the power throne dominion and glory of God Here is heaven opened the glory of God manifested and Saints under those heavenly dispensations singing Allelujahs saying The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of Christ Now they can say the Lord lives the Lord raigns When the Lord shall raigne before his Ancients gloriously Esa 24. 23. The Saints of God called the twenty-foure Elders vers 16. are meant by the Ancients before whom the Lord will raigne upon whom the glory of God shall shine Now the Ancients or Elders being raised up by the Ancient of dayes to sit with him in heavenly places will abundantly Trumpet forth the glory of God and sing from heaven his wonderfull praises Thirdly These were voyces in heaven not one single voyce but voyces a plurality of voyces and those not a few but many here are a multitude of voyces now at the rising of the witnesses the Saints are multiplyed they are not now as a poore few scattered people but they increase to thousands of thousands here are multitudes of hearts enlarged and multitudes of voyces sounding in heaven They shall not be a poore despised remnant who are accounted the off-scouring of all things but now abundance of the Sea shall be converted and a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong Nation Esa 60. 5. 22. There shall be a miraculous increase and multiplication of Saints that shall utter their voyces together and yet they shall all sing with one voyce with one tune all these voyces sound one and the same thing they all concentre in one they all sound forth the praise and glorie of Christ's raigne and kingdome Now before I proceed to speake of the subject matter that these voyces do proclaime viz. the glory of Christ's raigne and kingdome I shall give you some observations of what hath been already spoken from this verse First From the succession of Trumpets or the Saints declaring the glory and truth of God observe That the 1 Observ Lord hath alwayes had a people to declare his truth unto the world There was alwayes some that did proclaime and professe the truth of Christ though in weaknesse yea the first Trumpet hath it's time of sounding as well as the seventh In every age according as the Lord made a discovery of his truth there were some ready to give forth a testimony thereof before the world When the Prophet Elijah thought in his owne judgement there was none left in Israel besides himselfe there was seven thousand left that the Lord reserved to himselfe that had not bowed the knee to Baal So in the saddest and darkest times of Antichrists raigne there have been those that have according to their measure given forth their testimony of the truth Every Trumpet sounding did in some measure hold forth the glory of the Lord and every such declaration of truth hath caused a viall of wrath to fall upon the man of sin Secondly observe That the Lord hath 2 Observ manifested his truth by degrees or in a graduall way hath caused his Saints to declare it The seventh Trumpet doth imply six other Trumpets that went before and so every one is brought forth in it's time and order untill that of the seventh cometh to sound The Lord opened one seale after another letting light breake forth Minutatim by little and little and as it were by piecemeals drop by drop untill at last he comes to open the seventh seale by making a perfect and compleat discovery of his truth The Saints in sackcloth in the midst of Antichrists raign were under much dimnesse and darknesse but the Lord in every age respectively hath made severall advances of truth and hath by degrees brought up his people from the state of bondage and darknesse by making a more full manifestation of his truth unto them So the Saints hold forth the truth of God by degrees and proceed gradually from the sounding of the first Trumpet untill they come to the seventh It is with the Saints in this case as it 's said of the waters of the Sanctuary Ezek. 47. That these waters did increase and arise first to the ancles then to the knees afterwards as high as a mans loyns
at last the waters arose to that height that they became a mighty river wherein a man might swim and without which he could not passe over them So that the Saints under the first second third Trumpets did all hold forth a profession of the truth and according to their measures did give a testimony thereunto though but in some small weake and faint discoveries of it and more in the letter then in the spirit These were glorious lights also in respect of the darknesse of those ages and generations they lived in but yet in respect of that light discovered and that declaration of the truth made out by the Saints under the sixt and seventh Trumpet they were under much darknesse and weaknesse not being come up to that degree of light that the Lord hath of late discovered and will make knowne unto his people Thirdly observe There shall be a most 3 Observ compleat and glorious discovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the seventh Trumpet The seven Trumpets are all comprehended in one the last Trumpet includes all the former Seven as you heard is the number of perfection and rest So all the Trumpets are involved and wrapt up in this last The seventh seale is the highest revelation of truth the seventh Trumpet is the highest and most perfect declaration by which the Saints do proclaime and make it forth Suitable unto this is that Prophesie Esa 30. 26. Moreover the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven dayes So that here is seven dayes brought into one day and one day shall have the light of seven So that the last and highest discovery of truth shall comprehend all the former The seventh and last Trumpet signifies the highest declaration of the glory of God the truth and kingdome of Jesus that ever the Saints publish or sing forth it is the breaking forth of the highest praises and greatest glory of God In this great and last dispensation the Saints obtaine a fuller measure of the spirit then ever they are now sevenfold more enabled to proclaime the glory power and kingdome of Christ then ever they could doe in former time Fourthly from the great voyces heard in heaven observe That the Saints 4 Observ fully risen and ascended up into heavenly injoyments at the finall destruction of Antichrist shall with one harmonious and sweet consent sound forth the praises and glory of Christ'â— kingdome Indeed the Saints could alwayes sing while they prophesied in sackcloth but it was like David when he sung of his deep waters so it was of their afflictions and sufferings as Paul and Silas sung in prison they had weake and faint joy in the middest of their sufferings But now the Saints in heaven they cry out they sing aloud and shout for joy These voyces be full of power and authority the world and it's strength and foundation trembles to heare them the riches the strengths the powers the governments of men are shaken by them So great and powerfull are these voyces that as it was said of Israel of old The voyce of a King is among them they sing forth the grace the excellency the authority and glory of Christ's kingdome saying The kingdomes of this world are become our Lords c. The Saints are sayd in Revel 15. 3. To sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. As Moses sung forth the praises of God for delivering his people Israel and destroying their enemies the Aegyptians Exod. 15. so his people shall sing forth the praises of his power and greatness for delivering them from Antichrist's yoke and tyranny And the song of the Lamb who worketh great and marvellous things to the destruction of Antichrist whose cruelty and oppression he had long suffered They shall extoll him as being King of Saints and shall acknowledge him just in his judgements punishing Antichrist and in his wayes true in performing all his promises made unto his people Having given you the observations from the former part of the verse namely from the seventh Trumpet and the voyces heard in heaven I now proceed to speake of the subject matter of these voyces The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for ever and ever These words containe a glorious proclamation or declaration of the kingdome and raigne of Christ wherein we may take notice of these six particulars to be enquired into First What is meant by the kingdomes of this world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ Thirdly How Christ will recover these kingdomes to himselfe Fourthly By what right Christ shall possesse them Fiftly The manner or nature of Christs raigne Sixtly The time and duration of his raigne Concerning the first thing namely what is meant by the kingdomes of this world we may easily perceive what they are by opposing them to the kingdome of Christ for these kingdomes of the world are diametrically opposit and contradistinct to the kingdome of Christ The kingdome of Christ is of a heavenly and spirituall nature Rom. 14. 17. It 's King Laws government and subjects are all spirituall it 's set up and advanced by no humane force or power but by that which is meerly divine Dan. 2. 45. Now the kingdomes of this world are called the kingdomes of men consisting of externall glory riches strength government policy that men by humane power have set up and doth act by In a word all the wisdome and policy all rule and government all power and strength all Constitutions and Lawes all the riches and glory of men of these are made up and formed the kingdoms of this world called the kingdomes of men Dan. 4. 25. consisting of worldly greatnesse externall glory humane policy outward strength advanced into the forme of rule government acted and brought forth by man this is the state glory and kingdome of the world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ and that 's thus whereas Christ hath given forth his power by earthly men as by Kings and Princes of the earth according to that place in Pro. 8. 15 16. By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice by me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth These have been the substitutes and deputies of Christ having received all their wisdome their strength their authority and dominion from him the Lord hath by these administred unto the world even by carnall fleshly wicked men by the Kings of the earth the Lord hath not administred by his people but by those that have raigned as Kings and Princes of the world Now this being so these Kings of the earth have committed fornication with the whore Rev. 17. 2. having mixed and joyned their power with hers and have with one consent and minde given up their power and strength unto
Throne endureth for ever and it shall never expire let the enemies thereof use what craft or policie they will they shall never destroy it The God of heaven saith the Prophet shall set up a kingdome which shall never be destroyed neither shall it be left to other people but it shall stand for ever Dan. 2. 44. If that of the Apostle be objected where he saith that Christ shall deliver up the kingdome to God even the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. I answer that this doth nothing at all impeach the everlastingnesse of Christ's kingdome for the meaning of it is this that when Christ shall have finished his worke destroyed all his enemies and have compleated his worke upon his Saints then he shall cease to raigne any longer as Mediator he shall cease to administer according to his present dispensation and office then God shall be all in all God shall be all to his Saints by the immediate and glorious communication of his light and glory and Saints shall enjoy the all of God his wisdome his goodnesse his love and the like So that however the Mediatorship of Christ shall cease when he hath finished his worke and office and the dispensatory part of his kingdome shall cease yet in respect of the nature and being it shall be for ever and ever The raigne of God shall be to eternity and Châ—â—st shall raigne in the Father and Saints in Christ so that God and Christ and his Saints shall raigne for ever and ever The Apostle doth stile Christ to be a King eternall and immortall 1 Tim. 1. 17. Christs kingdome is immortall because it is not subject to succession it 's not liable to be devolved and rould downe to after-comers which Daniel expresseth thus His kingdome shall not be left unto other people that is it shall not be translated from man to man and at last quite dissolved And the Apostle doth not onely call Christ an immortall King but also an eternall King his kingdome shall hold on constantly throughout all Centuries and ages of the world there is no period of time that shall cause it to expire give up the ghost but it shall attaine to it's full beautie and perfection it shall never decline or decay but shall last beyond all ages and times it shall endure for ever and ever But now concerning the glorious raigne of Christ upon the downfall of Antichrist the time expressed to be a thousand yeares Revel 20. And it 's prophesied of Christ in Esa 60. 15. that he should be the joy of many generations both this expression of many generations and of a thousand yeares are an indefinit number to expresse the very large and spacious time wherein Christ shall rule in and by his Saints when he shall appeare before his Ancients gloriously and all the Elders before his Throne shall worship him If it be objected from Revel 20. 4. That those that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and the word of God c. These lived and raigned with Christ a thousand yeares this being the first resurrection and the rest of the dead lived not againe I answer that it cannot be meant that the persons of those that were beheaded for Jesus and refused to worship the beast or his image should bodily raigne with Christ but that God will raise up a people of the same spirit with those that suffered for the testimony of Jesus Thus Elias was sayd to come againe in John the Baptist And thus the Lord tells Daniel that he should stand in the lot at the end of the dayes when his prophesie should be fulfilled All Saints gathered up into one spirit they make but one And thus we have the Prophet speaking And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 5. When the glory of God shall appeare more glorious in the Saints in the time of his spirituall raigne the glory of all the former Saints shall be gathered up in them and appeare most gloriously The resurrecteon here spoken off is meant of a resurrection from shame and reproach the witnesses rising from their sadnesse and sackcloth and ascending into the glory of Christ's kingdome And when the seventh Trumpet shall sound and the glory of the Lord be fully discovered and layd open then all that heare the glorious sound of the everlasting Gospel shall live but the rest of the dead that heare not the voyce of the seventh Trumpet or that great proclamation of the truth and glory of Christ they shall not live untill the thousand yeares be past Againe if it be objected from Ezek. 37. 21 22 23 24 25. That the Lord hath promised to call the Jewes and gather them into their owne Land and make them one Nation and David their King shall raigne over them I answer this prophesie is of a spiritual and mysticall interpretation for the land of Messiah are the Saints of whom the land of Canaan was a type for if we take it litterally that the Jewes should rebuild Jerusalem and dwell peculiarly in the land of Canaan then also it must be meant that David and not Christ should be King over them But we know that the promise doth onely borrow expressions from the state of the Jewish Church but it shall be fulfilled in spirit for he is a Jew which is one inwardly Rom. 2. 28. The Jewes shall be called when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come Rom. 11. 25. which is not meant as if God would first finish his work among the Gentiles and then call the Jewes as a peculiar people but that the Jewes should be brought in with the fulnesse of the Gentiles when Antichrist shall be ruined and that which letteth be taken out of the way and the everlasting Gospel goe forth with freedome in the fulnesse and abundance of the Gentiles shall the Jewes finde acceptance also Now from all that hath been said of the kingdome and raigne of Christ observe That Christ will come and raigne Obser gloriously in his people subduing all his enemies advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his owne kingdome Christ will take to himselfe all power rule strength riches glory peace joy and whatsoever is good and will bestow it upon his owne Satan and wicked men have reigned long but now they shall cease to reigne any longer The whole earth shall be filled with the righteousnesse goodnesse and glory of God and the anointed ones of the Lord shall reigne and the Saints shall reigne with him for ever as it 's sayd Revel 5. He hath made us Kings and Priests to our God and we shall reigne on the earth The strength glory riches of the Gentiles shall be given unto us we shall no longer be subject to Satan and wicked men but we shall be brought into the glorious libertie of the sons of God and shall live in the new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousnesse our habitation shall be
not the spirit and life of God in them all these must be judged well may the world then vex and rage and gnaw their â—ongues for paine This is the reason of all that bitternesse malice sury and madnesse that is in the hearts of men at this day what makes them vexing and fretting but that all things they set up maintaine enjoy and take pleasure in are judged and condemned for dead power dead ordinances dead gifts all things of man are judged to be dead When the Lord comes to judge the earth confusion and a consuming fire goes before his face Psal 97. 2. which must needs make that judgement very dreadfull and terrible to all formall powers and fleshly actings especially because the Saints shall judge the world yea and Angells also 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. They shall judge men and things of highest principles and places those things that carry a civill or spirituall excellency upon them shall be judged by the Saints What follows Secondly The Saints are rewarded and advanced And that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that feare thy Name small and great As the portion of the world is vexing fretting cursing and wrath so the portion of Saints is love goodnesse blessings thankesgivings The dreadfull day of doome and darknesse of judgement and confusion unto the world is a day of light and joy of comfort and reward unto the Saints The worlds trouble and ruine is the Saints peace and salvation Though the Lord come in fire and wrath to destroy Antichrist yet he comes in love and mercy to save Sion and therefore when he comes forth and a devouring fire burning up his enemies round about Psal 97. 3. Yet Sion heard and was glad and the daughter of Judah rejoyced because of his judgements vers 8. The Saints have been a long time under oppression shame and persecution now the Lord will reward them and give them light for darknesse strength for weaknesse glory for shame they shall now receive reward and praise for all their former sorrow and sufferings The Saints shall rejoyce in heaven for the vengeance powred out upon Antichrist Therefore rejoyce over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her Revel 18. 20. When the Kings of the earth and Merchants mightie and rich men shall weep and wayl and cry alas alas then shall the Saints here called the holy Apostles and Prophets rejoyce and sing because the ruine and fall of these shall be their joy and reward Thirdly The Lord will not onely judge the dead principles practices ordinances and powers of Antichrist and give reward unto his servants but also will destroy the Antichristian partie And shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth The word translated destroy signifies corrupt that is Those that have managed the cause of Antichrist have corrupted the earth according as it 's said in Revel 19. 2. The great whore did corrupt the earth with her fornication That is by her sosseries and fornications she hath corrupted the minds of the men of the earth drawing them aside from the Lord by the intoxicating wine of her fornication she hath blinded the mindes adulterated the affections and polluted the hearts of the men of the world and have made them to serve Satan the God of this world These that have managed the cause of the beast and have thus corrupted the earth shall be destroyed This destruction is not so much meant of a bodily destruction as of place and power these that have by their power rule by their deceit and falshood corrupted the earth these in their dignity office rule and authoritie shall all be slaine It followeth VERS 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in the Temple the Arke of his Testament and there was lightnings and voyces and thunderings an earthquake and great hail COnsider three things from these words First The Temple of God opened The time was it was shut up as once the Temple of Jerusalem was under Ahaz 2 Chron. 28. 24. So this spirituall Temple was shut up when it was measured in vers 1. When the outward Court or visible face of things were in the hands of the Gentiles vers 2. The Church was driven into the Wildernesse for many yeares into desert places there to be nourished for a time from the face of the Serpent that sought to devoure her But now the Temple is set open as of old it was by Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29. 3. Thus it 's said of the new Jerusalem that the gates should not be shut Revel 21. 25. And the reason is because there shall be no night nor danger the gates shall stand open continually This noteth the free accesse for multitudes of Saints to enter in to the new Jerusalem without impediment or stop Not as in times of persecution when they sought to worship the Lord in corners but they shall come and enter freely and boldly and that without let or molestation So that the woman shall no more be driven into the Wildernesse and shut up there but the Temple of God shall be set open and there shall be a free and great accesse unto it Secondly That which appeared in the Temple was the Arke of his Testament As the Temple was opened so the Arke was made visible which was shut from the eyes of men under the old Testament 1 King 6. 19. It was very seldome seen and that by the high-Priest onely the Arke was a pledge of Gods presence with his people and denotes unto us the mysteries of truth which formerly lay hid but now are made manifest The great high-Priest hath opened the Temple and made visible the Arke by making knowne the mysteries of truth In former time the Church was in the Wildernesse the Gentiles possessed the outward Court le ts of truth were discovered onely something was hinted out by a few choise instruments but now the Saints have a Temple opened a full and free accesse and now they have an Arke made visible or the hidden mysteries of God revealed not onely to a few called Clergie men but generally to all Saints the knowledge of the truth is revealed Thirdly The close of all And there were lightnings and voyces and thunderings and an earth-quake and great hail Earth-quake hail and lightning set forth Gods judgements most terrible and irresistible Esa 30. 30. Of an earthquake wee have spoken before from vers 13 of this Chapter Hail-stones was one of the plagues of Aegypt that destroyed their trees Exod. 9. 25. And by which the Amorites were destroyed in Canaan Josh 10. 11. By these judgements wee have the finall destruction of Antichrist This is the third woe that shall accompany the seventh Trumpet and is agreeable to the plagues of the seventh Viall by which Antichrist shall be wholly destroyed and should blaspheme God because of the plague of the hail that was exceeding great By this last and great judgement the mysterie of iniquitie is discovered and the power of Antichrist wholly broken at which his partie shall vex and fret gnaw their tongues and blaspheme God for all their paines sores whereby they shall be utterly ruined and consumed Thus we have the Effects of Christs kingdome and reigne layd open wee see for what it is that the Elders doe so exceedingly praise the Lord for that he takes to himselfe his great power and doth reigne by which he doth offend the Nations and reward his servants The Temple is no more shut up under restraint but free accesse is given the Arke is no more hidden but the mysteries of salvation made evident And the Lord by his sweeping judgements will wholly consume Antichrist both in his policy and power Hence it is that the Saints shall thus triumph and rejoyce How can the daughter of Sion but rejoyce when heâ— King cometh the redeemed of the Lord must needs triumph And besides the whole world shall rejoyce when the oppressor shall cease when violence shall be no more heard in the Land when our Exactors shall be righteousnesse then I say the world will sing and rejoyce because the whoâ—â—â—â—â—th shall be at peace and be quiet Esa 14. 4. 7. When Christ shall come to reigne in his appearance in his Saints bâ— shall judge the Nations with righteousnesse and governe the people with truth Psal 67. 4. 7. Therefore when the Lord shall come to reigne to set all things in order to governe and give settlement to the Nations well may Antichrist vex and fret and all oppressing powers be angry but the Saints shall rejoyce and sing and all the world besides shall be glad because of his righteous judgements So much to be spoken of the Effects of Christ's reigne and so I end this whole Discourse FINIS