to the same effect take the words as they are recorded by him Then Iesus said unto them Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while you have the Light lest darknesse come upon you For he that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whether he goeth I am come a Light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darknesse We do not say that this night of darknesse was immediatly to follow the death resurrection or ascension of Christ for although he be the Day or great Light of the world for by him all things were made that were made 1 Iohn 3. according to Iohn the Baptists expression 1. Iohn 8 9. And the Sun of righteousnes according to the Prophet Malachies Prophesie in his 4. Chapter 2. verse compared with Zacharies Prophesie 1. Luke 7. 8. Yet he himself saith that his Disciples are also the Light of the world 5. Mathew 14. which they are to hold forth to others verse 16. Neither doth the said night of darknesse presently follow the decease of the Apostles for the Apostle Paul tels the Church of Philippi that although they were in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation yet among them they shine as lights in the world 2 Philippians 15. As also the same Apostle writting to the Church at Thesalonica declares to them ye are not saith he the children of light and the children of the day we are not of the night nor of darknesse 1 Thâ—s. 5. 5. But when once the Churches who believed and gratified the foundation Principles of the Doctrine of Christ ceased to be then came the night of darknesse on Now this darknesse was to fall upon the Iewes first for their rejecting of the Light the Lord Jesus bemoanes their sad condition for the same saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace But now they are hid from thine eyes 19. Luke 42. And the Apostle Iohn relates the exhortation of the Lord Jesus to them the words we have already repeated at large upon another occasion 12. Iohn 35. which compared with the expressions of the Appostle Paul to the Jews for their contradicting and blaspheming Then Paul and Barnabas waxed hâ—ld and said it was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you but seing you put it from you and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life Lo we turn to the Gentiles 13 Acts 46. will clear our affirmation As this Night of darknesse came upon the Jewes for their rejecting of the Light so in the second place it came upon the Gentiles for their neglecting of it The Apostle Paul writing to the Church at Rome bids them have a care of boasting take his expressions a little at large Thou wilt say then the Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in Well because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by Faith Be not high minded but fear For if God spare not the naturall Branches takâ— heed least he also spare not thee Behold ther fore the Goodnesse and Severity of God on them which fall Severity but towards thee Goodnesse if thou continue in his Goodnesse otherwise thou also shalt be cut off Compare this with the advise of the Lord Jesus to the Church at Ephesus Remember from whence thou art fallen Revel. 2. 5. And withall consider well of the words of the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes who were believers in Christ and had believed and practised the beginnings of the doctrine of Christ Hebr. 6. 1 2. For saith he if the word spokâ—n by Angels was stedfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him Hebr. 2. 2 3. This darknesse after the Ascention of the Lord Jesus decease of the Apostles and falling away of the Churches was a general darknesse and so brought on the night in which the Virgins were to goe forth to meet the Bridegroom the Lord Jesus Math. 25. 1. But while he tarrieth they fall asleep vers 5. and at midnight the cry was made behold the Bridegroom cometh vers. 6. which though a Parable or dark saying yet â—t holds forth something which then as to Persons and Time should be And to them which have believed and practised the principles of the doctrine of Christ it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdome to others Math. 13. 11. Now for the Persons that doe goe forth to meet the Bridegroom the Scripture as we have already declared stiles them Virgins that is pure persons and such as those who have laid the two first foundation Principles viz. Repentance and Faith that is have repented that they have sinned and doe believe that God hath pardoned their sins by the bloud of the Lord Jesus and therefore such must needs be pure persons But the Scripture makes a clear distinction between the Spouse of Christ and Virgins Solomon the wisest of Men in his Song speaking in the person of the Spouse to her Beloved saith Let him kisse me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than Wine Because of the Savour of thy good Ointments thy Name is as Ointment poured sorth therefore doe the Virgins love thâ—e Cant. 1. 2 3. In which two verses there is a clear distinction I say between the Spouse Let him kisse me and Virgins the Virgins love thee Take one other expression of his in his said Song chapter 6. 8 9. There are threescore Queens and fourscore Concubines and Virgins without number My Dove my undifiled is but one she is the onely one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her the Daughters saw her and blessed her yea the Queenes and the Concubines and they praised her For a farther proof of our assertion that there is such a clear distinction betwixt the Spouse and Virgins take the words of a man after Gods own heart the Psalmist David in his 45. Psalm 13 and 14. verses The Kings Daughter saith he is all glorious within her clothing is of wrought Gold She shall be brought unto the King in rayment of needle-work The Virgins her Companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee Octject Doth not the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Church of Christ at Corinth call her there a Virgin For I have Espoused you saith he to one Husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ Answ. She is a chast Virgin indeed but is no where in Scripture called by the Name of Virgins in the Plurall Number for Solomon in his Cant. 6. 9. before quoted saith My Dove my undefiled is but one she is the onely one of her Mother and that expression of the Psalmist David Psalm 45. 14. will farther clear this
A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE PROPHETICAL and EVANGELICAL EVENTS OF THE LAST TIMES VVherein that which principally is insisted on is the Prophetical Little Horn or Man of Sin and Evangelical Beast and his seven Heads and ten Hornes Shewing by the Scriptures what they be when their Rise what their Work how long their Continuance and their End and Ruine Much differing from former and common Interpretations hereupon Wherein also those Prophecies are briefly touched which concern the persecution of the Saints the falling away of the Churches the night of darknesse the Virgins going forth to meet the Bridegroom the Mystical Whore the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdome to all the World and the gathering of the Jewes into their own Land Being a Portion of the paines in searching of the holy Scriptures by several of the Members of the Congregation of Orpington in Kent And now published for the comfort of all those that have an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ and walt look for and long after his coming Tit. 2. 11 12 13. By Capt. JOHN BROVVNE a Member of that CONGREGATION LONDON Printed by Gartrude Dawson Anno Dom. 1655 TO HIS HIGHNESSE OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR Of the Common-wealth of ENGLAND SCOTLAND IRELAND My LORD THE Actings of the Almighty in this last Age of the World are visible to the eyes of all Persons in generall in these Nations especially to those that Love and Obey him over whom Providence hath placed you as the chief Magistrate in whose hands you have been an eminent Instrument to bring to pass those things which he had determined so to be and foretold by his Prophets the Lord Jesus and his Apostles which having in some measure been discovered to some of His despised in this world they durst not hide their Talent in a Napkin but what was freely given in to them of knowledge understanding in things yet to be brought to passe they doe as freely communicate to all there being duties to be performed by all and especially by those who have power in their hands to make good use of it and their time in imploying of it so as that This Gospel of the Kingdome may be Preached in all the World and the Jews brought to their own Land that so the Coming and Kingdom of the Lord Iesus to raign on the Earth with his Saints may be hastened who knowes but that the time of deliverance to his People is nigh the Lord grant that there may be no cursed Murmurers or wicked Transgressors among us whereby that deliverance should yet be retarded a longer time as it was with Israel for such Transgressions who were deprived of the possession of the Land of Promise a long time and wandred in the Wildernesses fourty yeares My Lord the work is great that is to be done and it will be done in a short time if we put forth our Selves Conquest and Liberty to preach the Gospel of the Kingdome go together our eares have heard you have some design on the Western parts of the World where these glad Tidings were never as yet made known if Your Highness have any desire that the same should be there or in any other part of the World published you need not fear the Attempt At your spare time cast your Eye upon what this ushers to your view and if the Lord have appointed you for the great work that is yet to be done He will stirre up your heart to a speedy acting therein to whom our Prayers for your direction and blessing therein and protection over you that under your Government we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and Honesty shall not be wanting in whom we desire to be found My Lord Your Highnesses in all faithfull Obedience to your Commands not disagreeing to the Command of our God and our Lord Iesus Signed in the Name of several Believers in Christ and especially of many of the Congregation at Orpington JOHN BROWNE To all Christian Readers by Profession in general but especially to such who have made manifest their Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by yeilding Obedience to all his Commandements THis little Trratise comes forth to the publick view of all naked yet innotent and that to an encounter with Eminent Expositers both Antient and Modern on this Subject of the Beast like a stripling David with the great a Goliah of Gath one of the Sons of b Harephah well and compleatly armed when little David brings with him onely a c Staffe or Sling with a Scrip wherein he puts a few smooth stones which he had taken out of the Brook contemptible weapons in themselves for to incounter such a Gyant such may this seem to be which shall dare to oppose the volumes of the many famous Authors for so many Ages past who have so largely expressed themselves in their Writings on this Subject all of them in generall concluding that this Beast is risen long since yea many hundreds of yeares past but with much difference of Opinion as to the time as Mr. Tillinghast in his late Treatise of the Knowledge of the Times hath observed when as this doth clearly prove that he is not yet risen if they mean the little Horn or vile Person in Daniels Prophesie or the Beast with seven Heads and ten Hornes in Johns Visions nor shall not arise till the seventh Head King or Government be risen and fallen which is but yet arising the truth of this with the event of the Combate will evidently appear to such as desire after true Knowledge who are not prepossest with the Opinion of other Expositers like a Vessel that is first seasoned with unsavory Liquor which will hardly be câ—eansed and that not without some tang or relish of its first seasoning there being nothing but plain Scripture proofes weapons like a Staffe or Sling and a few Observations out of History like a few smooth stones out of the Brook for what we doe alledge as for our Opponents who are many how they build one upon another and adde strength to strength till they become a Gyant invincible and unanswerable in their own and others Opinions and armed with a staffe many Scriptures but how rightly applied weigh and consider but beyond that of a Sling a Spear whose shaft was like a weavers beam armed with an Iron head weighing six hundred shekels that is pretending many hundreds of yeares past for the originall of that which they affirm so that for poor contemptible ones to come with a new doctrine a new interpretation of these Prophesies and Visions may seem very adventurous possibly to some a rash and a distemper'd brain yea and be cried down as dangerous and not to be tollerated but we beg this favour of the Readers as to be spectators a while and if any will be Judges let them have patience also and suspend their Judgements for a time which will trie the truth of all things and they may possibly receive
some better satisfaction after a more serious consideration of the Scripture Arguments on both sides This had come forth in publick sooner if the Clarke to the Company of Stationers had not refused the Entrance of the Coppy in their Hall Book for the poor a Widdow Printer because it was not licensed by some of the old Licensers there being no Law in force for it and if there were what a sad condition would it be for poor inquiring Souls to be deprived of true light and knowledge because the Licensers are of a contrary Judgement or subscribed by one of the Wardens of that Company the one refusing to put to his hand the other her Adversary from whom she could expect little good so that Might and Partiallity are as opposite to Good and as active to the hinderance of the poor Widdow and Fatherlesse as ever The Lord teach us all to see the evill of our wayes and the vanity of our doings and repent thereof whilst we have time least our Master call us to an account before we are ready for it Readers if ye shall reap any profit by this little Treatise render unto the Great God and our Lord Jesus Christ a Tribute of prayse for the same for from him have we received all the Light and Truth thereof if any thing therein shall upon the Touchstone of the Word be found not to be the true Mettall we bring it for let that be imputed to us who have our failings as well as others be as wise as the Noble Bereans to search the Scriptures that we have brought for what we affirm and the Lord give you understanding therein so prayeth he for you That have an interest in the Lord Jesus J. B. ERRATA PAge 2 line 1 record read recorded l 30 stability r abillety p 4 l 2 not to be left out l 4 gratified r practised l 32 fall r fell p 5 l 19 to others r to others not p 7 l 22. Women r Woman p 9 l 26 r Monarchy p 17 l 5 this r his l 6 Tysris r Tygris p 18 Berodâ—sh and Merodash r Berodach and Merodach l ult r Tirâ—aka p 29 l 5 r of Agustus Cesar The PASSAGES of PROVIDENCE In Relation to the Actings of Men and fufferings of the Saints both Iews and Gentiles from and after the death of our Lord Jesus Christ are many and full of variety both as to the time past and to come which we shall endeavour to lay down and clear as they lye in Order as near as we can to succeed THe first thing that was to befall the Saints after the death resurrection and ascension of the Lord Iesus and after the gifts of the holy Spirit were given forth according to his Promise and command to his Disciples to wait for in Jerusalem 24. Luk. 49 compared with the 2. Chapter of the Acts and 4. verse is Persecution which is agreeable to what our Saviour had foretold and recorded by the Apostle Iohn 15. Chapter 20. verse If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you And the Evangelist Lâ—ke declares as much 21. Chapter 12. They shall lay their hands on you saith he speaking the words of the Lord Jesus and persecute you delivering you up to the Synagogues and into Prisons being brought before Kings and Rulers for my Names sake Yea the Lord Jesus tels us before we become his Disciples that if we will be his Disciples we must hate all our dear and near relations in comparison of him of loving them and take up our crosse and follow him 14. Luk. 26 27. And this not to be the portion of ordinary Disciples but also of the most eminent among them read the words of the Lord Jesus record by the Evangelist Luke in his 11. Chapter 49. ver. Therefore also said the wisdome of God I will send them Prophets and Apostles and some of them they shall slay and persecute And this persecution is not to extend onely to the Saints who are believers in Christ but also to the woman the Church of the Iews which is to bring forth the man child which are believers in the Lord Jesus both Iews and Gentiles of which we shall write more fully hereafter 12. Revelations 13. and to the remnant of her seed by the dragons making war with them 12. Rev. 17. which as it had its beginning on Abel the second person begotten after the Creation so it will continue to be the portion of Gods people till their last enemy is destroyed Gog and Magog 20 Rev. 8 9 but with some breathing time as was in the dayes of the Judges viz. a Othniel b Ehud c Deborah d Gideon and others as also of Solomon and a short time in the Apostles dayes 9 Acts 31. and will be during the whole reign of Christ for one thousand year upon the earth for then that enemy of the Saints who was and will be the chief cause of all the persecution that they did or shall go under in any age of the world will then be chained up 20. Revel 1 2 3. But will be loosed afterwards for a little season as in the latter part of that third verse before quoted compared with the 7 8 9 verses of that Chapter Therefore the people of God are to take notice of his wisdom and goodnesse to them in that he knoweth how much better persecutions and afflictions are for them than rest and prosperity and accordingly administers the same to them in a proportion to the stability he hath given to every one of them Now as we have proved that persecution is the portion of the Saints in this life because they are not of the world 15. Iohn 19. So the next thing that was to befall the Churches was their falling away from the Truth of that Doctrine that was taught them by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles and this the Apostle Paul foretels the Church at Thesalonica that there should be a falling away before the man of sin would be revealed 2 Thess. 2. 3. The occasion whereof is not so much the times of persecution as the Churches neglect of the Light the Word that is left them by which they ought to walk in the times of darknesse The beginning of the falling away of the Churches was before Iohns writing of the book of the Revelations in which the Church of Ephesus is exhorted to Remember from whence she is fallen and repent and do the first works ar else saith Christ I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent 25. Chapter at the 5. verse The said falling away ushers in the 3d subsequent thing that we are to treat on that is the night of darknesse which was foretold by our Lord Jesus The night cometh saith he when no man can work 9. Iohn 4. Also the same Evangelist in his 12. Chapter 35 and 46. verses relateth more expressions of our said Lord
she is the discription of her you will find in 17. Rev. 3 4 5. verses 2. The place of her abode see the 18. verse of that 17. Chapter where the holy Spirit unfolding unto Iohn the mystery of those things mentioned in that Chapter tells him And the Woman which thou sawest saith the Angel is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Which City comparing Scripture and History together we shall find to be and it could be none other but Rome the chief Seat of the sixth Head or Roman Monarchy as we shall more fully clear hereafter the Lord assisting us 3. What she would doe consider what the Apostle Paul did by the Spirit foretell what should fall out in the latter times in his second Epistle to Timothy Chap. 4. 1 2 3. whose words are these Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth Which words spoken of some in the Plurall Number cannot more properly be applied to any then to the Popes of Rome typified by the Woman setting upon a scarlet coloured Beast Râ—vel 17. 3. And we may appeal to the hearts and consciences of all true Christian Readeis hereof whether that which the Apostle wrote in those three verses to Timothy hath not been fulfilled by the Papall Power of Rome Again let us see and consider one other Prophesie concerning her acting which the Angell shewed unto the Apostle Iohn and which he saw Revel. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman drunken with the bloud of the Saints and with the bloud of the Martyrs of Iesus and when I saw hâ—r I wondred with great admiration Now if we may give any credit to Mr. Fox his History of the Martyrs of Jesus which we shall not question that Prophesie hath been fulfilled to the purpose of which many of the poor Saints in this Island in the dayes of Henry the eighth and Queen Maries time were witnesses thereof 4. Her Judgement with the Persons oâ— Powers that shall execute it take one clear Scripture for it in the 17. Revel. 16. And the ten Hornes saith the Angel unto Iohn which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make hâ—r desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn â—er with fire Object But some may say how can this Scripture clear or prove that which you bring it for it speaking concerning the hating of the Whore not of the Woman therefore this verse may rather seem to have relation to the first verse of that 17. Chapter where the Angel tells Iohn He will shew him the Iudgement of the great Whore thâ—t sitteth upon many Waters and in the 15. verse of that chapter the Angel tells him that the Waters whiâ—h thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudâ—s and Nations and Tongues Answ. The Book of the Revelations is full of Mysteries and Prophecies and not easily to be understood not onely upon the first but also not upon many readings thereof for if it had how comes it to passe that those Interpreters thereof whose writings are extant are so dark in those things that they undertook to open and clear as in this Age we find some that have contradicted others that went before them in the unfolding of these Mysteries and we question not but the Lord will give a clearer light to others to make more clear those things which in this short Treatise we have in some measure though darkly unfolded But as to the Objection we say that by comparing one place in this chapter with another and by clearing some improbabilities if not impossibilities in it that which we have affirmed concerning the Judgement of the Woman or Whore will evidently appear to be truth First consider whether the Title Whore be not proper to this Woman in the 4. verse of that 17. chapter she is said to have a golden Cup in her hand full of the abominations and filthinesse of her fornication Now judge whether she that hath committed Fornication doth not justly deserve the Title of Whore to be given her Secondly for the improbability of it consider whether its likely that the beast unto whom these ten Hornes give their Kingdome would be acceptable unto him when as they had destroyed the Seat of his Empire Babylon if so be that the word Whore in the sixteenth verse had relation to the word great Whore in the first verse or Whore in the fifteenth verse 5. The fifth thing to be considered of and that will fall out before the taking up of the Saints is the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdome Math. 24 14. The Lord Jesus speaking to his Disciples in answer to the three questions propounded by them to him in the third verse begins with the first telling them what should fall out in after times and amongst other things tells them That this Gospel of the Kingdome shall be preached in all the world for a witnâ—sse unto all Nations and then shall the end come This Gospel of the Kingdome was begun to be preached by the Lord Jesus himself as the said Evangelist Mathewâ—ath recorded in the 4. chapter 23. And Iesus went about all Galilee teaching in their Synagâ—gues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome also in Mathew 9. 35. you have it there recorded again of his so doing And this he doth not onely make a part of his own work but also when he sends forth his twelve Apostles he commands them saying As ye gâ—e preach saying the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Mathew 10. 7. Which also Phillip one of the seven Deacons preacheth up as appeares in Acts 8. 12. And that chosen vessell of the Lord the Apostle Paul he declares and preacheth the same And now behold I know that yee all among whâ—m I have gone preaching the Kingdome of God shall see my face no more Act. 20. 25. Yea the last words and actions that are recorded of him in the 28. Acts 30 and 31 verses doth declare as much the words are these And Paul dwelt two whâ—le years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him preaching the Kingdome of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Iesus Christ with all confidence no man forbidding him Now this Gospel of the Kingdome ceased to be preached after the falling away of the Churches and hath continued so for many Ages but the time drawing nigh of the coming of that Kingdome it is begun to be held forth again and must be preached in all Nations before that time come which was not done in the primative times by reason a great part of the now known world was not then discovered
according to what we have already declared from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Math. 24 14. Sixthly When the Gospel or glad tidings of the Kingdome is begun to be preached in the last Age of the world which is a sign of the near approach of that Kingdome then will follow the calling of the two Tribes of Iudah and Benjamin to Ierusalem See what the Lord declares by the Prophet Ieremy concerning this Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents and have mercy on his dwelling Places And the City shall be builded upon her own heaps and the Pallace shall remain after the manner 〈◊〉 So that comparing the latter part of the verse with the former part it will plainly appear that by Iacobs Tents cannot be meant the whole twelve Tribes or the ten Tribes but the two Tribes onely not but that there may be some of every Tribe amongst the two Tribes as there was some did cleave to the house of David when it s said the ten Tribes fell away for these here that shall be brought back are said to be first brought back and then the City is built which bringing back of the ten Trâ—bes wâ—â—l not be compleated till aâ—ter the Saints are taken up when as before that time both Ierusalem and the Temple will be built and Sacrifices offered of which we shall have â—ccasion to inlarge upon hereafter Consider of â—nother Prophesie concerning this in the 12 Zachâ—râ— 6 7 In that day I will make the Governours of Judâ—h likâ— a haâ—th oâ— fiâ—e among the wâ—od and like a torch of 〈…〉 shall devour all the people round about on the 〈…〉 and on the left And Jerusalem shall be inhabited 〈…〉 own place even in Jerusalem The Lord also shall save the Tâ—nâ—s of Judah first Seventhly After the calling of the two Tribes for to build and inhabite Ierusalem the next remarkable thing that will in those dayes fall out to be is the rising or manifesting of the Beast and ten Hornes or Kings mentioned by the Apostle Iohn in his 17. Chapter of the Revelations In which these following particulers will be worthy of our consideration in the opening of them 1. Who the Beast is and secondly Who the ten Kings are 2. The place from whence they and he will arise 3. What they and he are to doe when risen viz. First before the Saints are taken up and secondly after they are taken up 4. His reign viz. how long time 5. His ruine and how farre they suffer in it For the first the Beast who he is He is that Beast that was shewn to the Apostle Iohn which he describes in his 17. Chapter of the Revelations and 3. verse having seven heads and ten hornes which compared with other Scriptures we shall find him to have several titles or denominations 〈◊〉 which he is discovered viz. he is called the little Horn Dan. 7 8. The vile Person Dan. 11. 21. The Man of Sin 2 Thes. 2. 3. In Iohns description befoâ—e quoted he hath seven Heads as well as ten Hornes Now that â—e may know who or â—hat these seven heads are if we coâ—sider well of the Angels interpretation to Iohn Chap. 17 10. and upon search of other Scriptures we shall find that they are seven Governments that should be Supream in the severall Ages of the world from the dayes of Noah after the Floud till the rise of the ten Hornes Five of which Heads or Governments had been before Iohn saw this Vision the sixth was then in being and is now towards its period and the seventh was not then come but is now arising The first Head or Government was the Assyrian and Babylonian Monarchy joyned under one head viz. Nimrod compare the Writings of Moses concerning this Person Government and Country with that of the Prophet Esay and consider how they prove our assertion Moses giving us some account of Noahs Posterity and speaking of that of his Son Ham saith Ham begat Cush and Cush begat Nimrod He began to be a mighty one in the Earth He was a mighty Hunter before the Lord Wherefore it is said even as Nimrod the mighty Hunter before the Lord And the beginning of his Kingdome was Babell and Eresh and Achad and Caâ—neh in the Land of Shinar Out of that Land went forth Ashur and builded Niniveh and the City Reho both and Calah Also the same Moses speaketh farther concerning Noahs Posterity And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech And it came to passe as they journeyed from the East that they found a Plain in the Land of Shinar and they dwelt there Now take what Esay writeth concerning this Bâ—hold the Land of the Caldeans this People was not till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the Wilderness They set up the Towers thereof thâ—y raised up the Pallaces thereof and he brought it to ruine So that Moses gives us to understand thus much that Nimrod was the first mighty One upon the earth whose â—â—â—gdome was Babell and Ashur went out from thence and built Niniveh which Ashur could be no other then this Nimrod for when he came or journeyed out of the East he came into the Land of Shinar and dwelt there which Land of Shinar must needs be Caldea Babell being built in it as we have now related out of Moses which the Prophet Esay calls Câ—ldea as you have his words also In brief thus much Nimrod an Assyrian by birth or habitation or both comes into Shinar or Caldea sets up his Kingdome builds Babell his chief Seat and other Cities afterwards goeth out thence into Assyria again and builds Niniveh and other Cities which is the ground of our stiling him by the title of the Assyâ—ian and Babylonian Monarch And he is the first after the Floud that the Scripture mentioneth but of his continuance or length of his raign it is silent Some Historians doe give some account thereof but with diversity of Opinions concerning it therefore leave the curious therein to search them The second Head is the Assyrian alone under another Family the Line of Nimrod being extinct in Sardanapulus as Sir Walter Rawleigh in his History of the World the first Impression the first part folio 482. doth at large relate whose first King that the Scripture mentioneth was Pull or Phull by whom and Tiglath Pilessar his Successor if not Son the two Tribes and half were first carried away captive See a proof for this out of the Scripture in the 1 Chron. 5. 26. And the God of Israel stirred up the Spirit of Pull King of Assyria and the Spirit of Tiglath-Pilnesar King of Assyria and he carried them away even the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half Tribe of Manassah and brought them unto Halath and Habor and Hara and to the River Gosâ—n unto this day By whom also the Syrians the great oppressors of Israel in several
to do they are cast into the hot fiery Furnace verse 21. and delivered from the danger thereof verse 25. 27. After which he destroyes Aegypt as Sir Walter Rawleigh saith but the Scripture is silent as to the time of the destruction of that rich Country onely Ezekiel in his 29 chapter 17. saith in the twenty seven year the Word of the Lord came to him but whether it were the twenty seven year of his Captivity or of Iehoiakim's Captivity or of Nebuchadnâ—ssars raign is questionable however so it was that Aegypt was destroyed according to the prophesies of Ezekiel and Ieremy chap. 44 30. and chap. 43. 8. to the end Afterwards Daniel tells him the interpretation of his dream concerning the Tree Dan. 4 19 to the 28. and about a year after the same is fulfilled for his not bearkening to the Counsell of the Prophet and is cast out for seven yeares which is towards the end of his raign for neither Scripture nor History maketh any mention of any Acts of his after his Restauration The length of whose raign was about 43. or 44. yeares for the fourth year of Iehoiakin was the first year of his raign and the thirty seventh year of Iehoiakim's Captivity is the first year of Evilmerodach King of Babylon Successor if not Son to Nebuchadnessar 2 Kings 25. 17. Evilmerodach in the first year of his raign lifteth up the head of Iehoiachin King of Iudah and brought him out of Prison the 52. Ieremy 31. to the end What other thing of note he did or how long he reigned the Scripture is altogether silent History saith he lost some part of his Dominions and lost his Successor imbroyld in a dangerous Warre against the Meades but whether Balthazar was his immediate Successor or no we cannot positively conclude from the Scriptures onely we find him the next to Evilmerodach that the Scriptures doe mention and cannot but conclude him to be of Nebuchadnessars Race because of Ieremies Prophesie chap 27. 7. where it is said All Nations shall serve him and his Son and his Sons Son untill the very time of his Land come and then many Nations and great King's shall serve themselves of him In the first year of this Balthazar Daniel sees the Vision of four Beasts chap. 7. 1. In his third year Daniel sees the Vision of the Ram and of the Hee-Goat chap. 8. 1. And in his last year the last day thereof Daniel read the hand writing on the wall and tells him the interpretation thereof chap. 5. 25 26 27 28. and verse 30. in that night was Balthazar the King of the Caldeans slain and Darius the Median took the Kingdom verse 31. Now how long these two last Successors of Nebuchadnessar reigned the Scripture doth not mention in particular onely between them two is spent either thirty and three yeares or fourty and four yeares The ground of our apprehension as to this is the seventy yeares of the Iewes Captivity which began either in the first year of Iehoiachin's Captivity or the last year of Zedekiah when the City was taken and the Temple was buâ—nt if it began at the first then the Scripture tells us that Evilmerodach King of Babylon lifted up the head of Iehoiachin and brought him out of Prison in the seven and thirtieth year of his Captivity and first year of his Raign Ierem. 52. 31. so that adding thirty and three yeares to thirty and seven and then the seventy yeares is fulfilled but if the Captivity began not till Zedekiah's death then there must be added eleven yeares more for he raigned eleven yeares after Iehoiachin was carried Captive to thirty and three yeares which is fourty and four and then Iehoiachin was carried Captive to Babylon eleven yeares before the seventy yeares began which were to be fulfilled before they were to return out of Captivity And that the seventy yeares were fulfilled at the death of Belshazar Daniel tells us that in the first year of Darius the Mede which was made King over the Realm of the Caldeans Dan. 9. 1 2 3. that after he had fasted and prayed that the Man Gabriel or Angel of the Lord revealed the same to him take his words at large And whiles I was speaking and praying and confâ—ssing my sin and the sin of my People Israel and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy Mountain of my God yea whiles I was speaking in Prayer even the Man Gabriel whom I had seen in the Vision at the beginning being caused to fly swiftly touched me about the time of the evening Oblation And he informed me and talked with me and said O Daniel I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding At the beginning of thy supplication the Commandement came forth and I am come to shew thee for thou art greatly beloved therefore understand the matter and consider the Vision Seventy weeks are determined upon thy People and upon thy holy City to finish the transgression and make an end of sinnes and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousnesse and to seal up the Vision and Prophesie and to annoint the most Holy verse 20 21 22 23 24. Whichleads us to the fourth Head the Meades and Persians The Caldean ending in Belshazar as we said before Darius the Mede being made King over the Realm of Caldea Dan. 9. 1. In the first year of whose Raign who raigned about two yeares saith Sir Walter Rawleigh Daniel by the searching of Books and by the Man Gabriel attaines to the knowledge of knowing the seventy weeks are expired that the Iewes were to be in Captivity In the first year of Cyrus the Persian the Iewes are permitted to return to their own Land and that openly by way of Proclamation 2 Chron. 36. 22 23. and Ezra 1. 1 2 3 4. Who also delivers the Vessels of the House of the Lord to Sheshbazzer the Prince of Iudah verse 7 8. And this was according to what was foretold by the Prophets concerning their seventy yeares Captivity Ier. 25. 12. and chap. 29. 10. And Cyrus to be the Man to deliver Gods People Esay 44. last and chap. 45. 1 2 3 4 13. In the third year of Cyrus Daniel sees a Vision chap. 10. 1. and talketh with one like the similitude of the Son of Man whom he calls my Lord verse 16 17. And is made acquainted by revelation what Governments should succeed in the world till the coming of the Lord Iesus to Raign on the earth chap. 11. 2. to the beginning of the 12. chapter Concerning the remainder of the yeares of Cyrus Raign how long or what he did the Scriptures are silent Onely the Apocripha mentions some obstruction in the building of the Temple during the Raign of Cyrus by his Son Cambyseâ— whom he made his Lieutenant in all his Dominions while himself followeth the Wars and this was not onely done by him during his Fathers Raign but also
during his own and that out of Naturall and politique ends The first in that he was a cruell Tyrant whose will was a law and his Flatterers told him that all things were lawfull for the Kings of Persia upon which he married two of his Sisters against the Lawes of his Kingdome And for the second he had an intention to invade Aegypt and feared least the Iewes should prove such as his Provintiall Governours had written to him under the name of Artaxerxes of Ezra 4. 7. to the 23. that the Iewes and Inhabitants of Ierusalem were a rebellious people and thaâ— it was a common Opinion that the Iewes descended of those Nations because they issued thence under Moses when they conquered Iudea and that if their City were repaired and fortified they might give some disturbance to his intended Conquest of that Country as they had done in Hâ—zekiah's dayes to Sennacherib when he went to invade Aegypt Wherefore he commanded them to be hindred in that work of the building of the Temple and City Which hindrance continued till the second year of Darius King of Persia Ezra 4. 24. the Successor of Cambyses or as the Scripture calls him Artaxerxes how he came to the Kingdome read Sir Walt. Rawleigh 3. book 4 chapter 4. paragraph who in that yeer gave order for the building of the Temple of Ierusalem at his own charge Ezra 6 7 8 9 10 11 The Iewes being incouraged unto this by the Prophets Haggai and Zacheriah Ezra 5. 1. which work was finished in the sixth year of the Raign of Darius Ezra 6. 15. though not fulâ—y because in the fourteenth verse he saith they builded and finished it according to the Commandement of Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes Kings of Persia In the dayes of Artaxerxes the Successor if not Son of Darius in the seventh year of his Raign Ezra and his Company goe from Babylon to Ierusalem Ezra 7. 7 8 9. In the twentieth year Nehemiah obtaines leave to goe and build the walls of Ierusalem Nehem. 2. 1. who sets the King a time for his return verse 6. And in the two and thirtieth year he obtaines leave the second time to goe to Ierusalem again chap. 13. 6 Concerning what is spoken about Esther in the dayes of Ahashueresh who he was whether this King Artaxerxes or any other the Scripture is silent much might be said that he was or was not the same Person but it would be found a very difficult thing to make an agreement in severall Scriptures concerning the same Who were the succeeding Kings of Persia till the coming of Alexander the Macedonian the Scripture mentioneth not onely Daniel is shewd in a vision in the third year of Cyrus chap. 10. 1. what Kings there should be after him in Persia whose words are these And now I will shew thee the Truth Behold there shall stand up yet three Kings in Persia and the fourth shall be farre richer than they all and by his strength through his riches he shall stirre up all against the Realm of Grecia Dan. 11. 2. Now if we may give credit to Historians concerning whom this last rich King was they say he was Darius the Son of Arsames who was subdued by Alexander the Grecian or Macedonian which brings us to the fifth Head or Monarchy The fifth Head was the Grecian revealed to Daniel in a Vision of a He Goat or Rough Goat chap. 8. 5 21. as the Meades and Persians was a Ram with two hornes Dan. 8 3. 20. What this Grecian did we must be beholding to Historians for our knowledge the Scriptures Canonicall not mentioning any the Apocripha but a little that which is may be found in the first book of the Maccabees chap. 1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 verses which as he did much in regard he came to be a third of Daniels Beasts or Monarchies therefore it is said he carried his Victories with wings who from a small Kingdome extended it to a very great distance Eastward and Southward and Northward but withall it was but of short continuance as all violent things and motions are but twelve yeares being poysoned by the conspiracy of his Servants who stood in fear of his cruelty Upon whose death his large Dominions was divided though not presently among four of his great Captaines according to Daniels Vision chap. 8. 8 and interpretation verse 22. Iosephus names five viz. Antigonus was Lord of Asia whose Dominion being lost there his Posterity injoyed Macedon Seleucus Nicator of Babylon and the bordering Nations Lysymachus had Hellespont Cassander had Macedon whose Dominion ended with him his Sons being slain not long after his death And Ptolemy the Son of Lagus had Aegypt All which took the Titles of Kings on them in a short time onely Cassander whose Successor did take the same also though with ill successe Seleucus Nicator was the first that took the Title of King of Babylon and the bordering Nations his Son Antiochus Soter succeeds him and raignes nineteen yeares after him his Son Antiochus Theos raignes fifteen yeares his Son Seleuchus Callinicus twenty yeares and left two Sons viz. Seleucus Ceraunus who raigned three yeares and Antiochus the Great thirty six yeares who left Seleucus Philopater who raigned twelve yeares saith Eusebius seven yeares saith Iosephus and Antiochus Epiphanes which was he that commanded Swines flesh to be offered on severall Alters in the Temple at Ierusalem which caused much affliction and misery to the Iewes being a Type of that which Daniel Prophesied in his eighth chapter but cannot be the same as is apprehended by some because the Lord Jesus would not have told his Disciples by way of Prophesie what had been past but rather he told them what should be hereafter Mathew 24. 15. What the Successors of Alexanders Captaines did who had divided his large Dominions among themselves History doth declare This may be noted concerning them which is Sir Walter Rawleigs observation of them f. 555. that the Successors of Ptolemey were the first that made a League with the Romans and the last that were subdued by them Which brings us to the sixth Head Government or Monarchy viz. the Romans whose chief City was Rome which was built in or about the year of the world 3280. and after the building of the Temple of Salomon 287. and before the birth of our Lord Christ 684. whose greatnesse began to appear out of its infancy in the time of Pyrrus King of Epirus Successor to Cassander in half the Kingdome of Macedon taken from Cassanders Children by him and Lysimachus King of Thracia he being a powerfull Prince viz. Pyrrhus and they viz. the Romans but few yeares before freed themselves from the Gaules who had taken all from them yea Rome it self the Capitoll excepted and drove him out of Italy in or about 487. yeares after Rome was built and about 107. yeares after they take the whole Kingdome of Macedon with Perseus the last King thereof and
many hundred yeares after them and it may well be questioned whether it hath at all been preached yea hardly known or believed by any there in the English Plantations in America much lesse in the Plantations of other Nations in that now known part of the world who cannot endure to have the least light of spirituall things to break forth in their Dominions witnesse that damnable doctrine of theirs so highly cried up by the Popish Party that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion joyned with another of the same stamp that Images are Lay-mens books but chiefly their cruell tyrannizing over the Consciences of their people by setting up their Hell upon Earth their cruell Inquisition which so long as that is maintained in a Nation there is little hopes of this Gospel to be preached there And as concerning that Scripture of the Apostle Paul in his 10. chapter of his Epistle to the Church at Rome verse 18. if the coherence of the words be well weighed the Gospel there spoken of cannot be the Gospel of Christ which the Apostles had in Commission from him to preach But it was the Gospel or glad Tydings spoken of in the Writings of the Prophets viz. in Isaiah and Nahum for the Apostle in the 15. verse of that 10. chapter saith as it is written how beautifull are the feet c. Therefore we suppose we may conclude safely that this Gospel of the Kingdome or Raign of Christ upon Earth hath not been published or made known in all the world Object But why must it now be preached in these dayes in the time of the seventh Head or Government or what necessity is there for it Answ. First because it hath in some measure been proved if not fully that it hath not been preached in all the world as yet therefore it must be continued to be preached till it hath so been Secondly because the time of the seventh Heads power or Raign is but short therefore to be hastened in that time for there is little hopes of Peace or Liberty for the Saints in the time of the ten Hornes or Kings and the Beast Thirdly it cannot be published in any place but where there is Liberty and Peace as there is among us and it is hoped the Sword that is in the now Magistrates hand of this Nation will procure the same in other Nations that there it may be preached also Fourthly because the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ draweth nigh especially in relation to the taking up of the Saints for if it be so that the seventh Head be arising and shall continue but a short space then immediately upon his decay or setting the ten Hornes and the Beast will arise before whose power is at the height viz the Beasts the Saints will be taken up as we shall clear it more fully hereafter especially when we open the 12. chapter of the book of the Revelationâ— therefore the more reason to set upon this most necessary work of the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdome least we be found retarders of our own happinesse And as concerning the calling of the Iâ—ws in thiâ— time oâ— Government we say that is that other work the Lord will now have brought to passe for as yet they are not so called nor permitted by the Turks who have the possession of their Country to make any habitation there nor to come thither but as Pilgrims or to bury the bones of their deceased Friends which they bring thither from all parts where they inhabit Secondly the Scriptures of the Prophets doe declare that Ierusalem must be built in its own place which now it is not if we may give any belief to Historians and Travellers so what the Prophet Ieremy foretels concerning this particular in his 30. chapter 18. whose words are these Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents and have mercy on his dwelling places and the City shall be builded upon her own heap and the Pallace shall remain after the manner thereof Also consider of the Prophet Zachery's Prophesie as to this particular in his 12. chapter 6. In that day will I make the Governours of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a Torch of fire in a sheaf and they shall devoure all the People round about on the right hand and on the left and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place even in Jerusalem And the other Prophets doe declare that the City must be beseiged and the daily Sacrisice taken away and great tribulation upon that people and all this before the Beast is at his height in regard of his power who doth immediately arise upon the fall of the seventh Head So that now having fully made manifest the Beast in respect of his seven Heads the next thing to be declared and opened is the ten Hornes or Kings viz. who they are concerning which the Scripture is silent onely that they are the ten toes of Nebuchadnessar's Image Daniel 2. as to their Persons and Dominion in respect of Countries where they shall particularly raign we find not and that as yet they are not risen for the Apostle Iohn in his 17. Revelations 12. saith They are ten Kings who have received no Kingdome as yet but receive power one hour with the Beast But thus much we may take notice of by the way that the ten Hornes and the Beast when they arise will make Nebuchadnezars Image compleat Daniel 2. 33. whose feet were part of Iron and part of Clay of whose Iron legs we have already given some account which in the interpretation he saith Whereas thou sawest the feet and toes part of Potters Clay and part of Iron the Kingdome shall be divided but there shall be in it of the strength of Iron for as much as thou sawest the Iron mixed with the mirie Clay and as the toes of the feet were part of Iron and part of Clay so the Kingdome shall be partly strong and partly broken And whereas thou sawest the Iron mixed with the mirie Clay they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men but they shall not cleave one to another even as Iron is not mixed with Clay And in the dayeâ— of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdome shall not be left to other People but it shall break in peices and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever verse 41 42 43 44. So that as they are partly strong and partly weak they being but a mixt power that are united for the perfecting of some great design but will not long hold together for before the little Horn will three of the ten Hornes be pluckt away Daniel 7. â— which in the interpretation verse 24. its said he shall subdue three Kings it intimates that they will be divided and he shall have those that will oppose him yea and destroy
his his evill thoughts doe then begin to shew themselves in actions by his causing them viz. the Iewes to be beseiged as he passeth through their Country towards the King of the South For then it is that Sheba and Dedan and the Merchants of Tarshish shall say to Gog or this vile Person art thou come to take the Prey and the Spoile Ezek. 38. 13. So that now will begin to be fulfilled another part of Daniels Prophesie who saith in his 8. chapter 13 14. that the time that the dayly Sacrifice shall be taken away and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under feet shall be two thousand three hundred dayes and then the Sanctuary shall be cleansed So that the taking away of the daily Sacrifice by reason of his beseiging Ierusalem shall be near three yeares or about a thousand dayes before the abomination that makes desolate be set up which cannot be till after the City is taken by the vile Person And from that time that the abomination is set up it shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety dayes before the end of the vile Persons Raign be and blessed is he that waitâ—th and cometh to the one thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes Daniel 12. 11 12. But the last expedition shall not be as the first For the Ships of Chittim shall come against him c. verse 30. Who they are the Scripture is silent onely we find another prophesie of Balaam to this effect in the 24. Numbers 24. where it is said And Skips shall come from the Coast of Chittim and shall afflict Ashur and shall afflict Eber and he Ashur also shall perish for ever Now we shall give in something of our own thoughts concerning this verse and yet not our own but what is given in unto us which its likely will be sleighted by those that are prepossessed with former and antient Expositions on this Subject but we shall leave it to after time which will manifest whether we are in the truth or no the Ships of Chittim we doe apprehend to be the power or forces of the ten Hornes or Kings who had lately destroyed Rome and now are invited by the King of the South or Aegypt whom we doe apprehend to be one or those ten Kings a part of whose Forces hath been with the rest in destroying the Whore or Woman viz Rome to help him against the vile Person who he heares is preparing for a second invasion on him which they hearken unto in regard they have done their great work in destroying the Whore Rome and the vile person finding it by his Intelligences to be true He considers with himself that this must needs be a very great power that is coming against him that had destroyed so great and famous a City as Rome which makes him sorry that he must leave his Southern design and therefore now frets himself against the holy Covenant and returnes against the people of the Iews whom he will then beseige with his whole force and in the heighth of his power thinking to take it is he and his Army so terrified with that dreadfull sight of the Graves opening and the believing Saints being taken up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air at which time the Devill shall be cast into the earth and shall give his power unto the Beast that they shall fly and call to the Rocks to fall upon them c. Rev. 6. And during the time of that terror will the Church of the Iews viz. the one hundred fourty and four thousand fly out of Ierusalem into the wildernesse And now we come to declare what he id â—st the vâ—le Person or Beast will doe after the Saints are taken up that is he and his Army after a short space will recover their Spirits again and being impowred by the devill according to what Iohn saw in a vision that would be in his 13. Rev. 7. he takes Ierusalem and half the City is carried into captivity the other half remaining therein Zaâ—h 14. 2. And then will he set himself in the Temple of God and exalt himself above all that is called God 2 Thess. 2. 4. and Dan. 11. 36. Presently after this will another part of Daniels prophesies be fulfilled verse 31. And armes shall stand on his part c. for the forces of the ten Hornes or Kings who came to assist the King of the South by reason of Satans malioe increasing against the Woman or Church of the Iewes fled into the wildernesse are now perswaded by the Dragon and the vile Person to joyn with him in utterly rooting out this people of the Iewes out of that plentifull Country and to cause them the sooner to comply with him he will tell them how great his power is as that that great terror that fell upon all the Inhabitants of the world was not in any favour or assistance to the Iews whom he then beseiged but to him the God of this world the Devill having now communicated his power to him as the Apostle Iohn declares the Dragon will doe Rev. 13. 2. and his lies prevail with them according to the prophesie of the Apostle Paul 2 Thess. 2. 11. which he having effected he then is that Beast compleat with seven Heads and ten Hornes having them all under his power and command And now we apprehend will be the time when all the world will wonder after the Beast whose deadly wound by a Sword was healed and did live Rev. 13. 3 14. which deadly wound had relation to the time that Phull and Arbaces did divide the Assyrian and Babylonian Monarchy between them in the dayes of Sardanapulus the last of Nimrods posterity which Beast the Apostle Iohn saith in the 17. Rev. 8. Was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomlesse Pit and shall goe into perdition and they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world when they behold the Beast that was and is not and yet is As if it had been a thing impossible that ever any Monarch should arise out of that place again And so they come and joyn with him who immediately after this conjunction persueth the Woman the Church of the Iews that is fled into the wildernesse and they staying behind to keep possession of Ierusalem by the perswasion of the false Prophet who arose among them set up the abomination that makes desolate as is prophesied of by Daniel in his 11. chapter 31. verse Which Prophesie could not be fulfilled in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes though that might be a type of this as the marginall Notes in the Geneva Translation seem to hold forth for they say the said Antiochus did then set up the Image of Iupiter Olimpius in the Temple of Ierusalem Now if that prophesie had then been fulfilled the Lord Jesus by two of his
Assistance treat upon will be the opening of the 12 chapter of the Apostle Johns Visions and Revelations which as we shall not declare rash and sudden thoughts thereon so we desire it may not be suddenly expected from us but rather to wait a while for light is breaking forth daily and that which may be apprehended for a truth to day to morrow may easily be discerned to be a mistake It is with us as with Military Persons upon duty in the Field especially those that are upon the Guard who looking about them continually but chiefly upon break of the day discover variety of Objects as they apprehend as there are quot homines tot Sententioe so many men so many minds or opinions for one saith that such a black thing that is at a pretty distance is a Man another saith a Tree another a Horse another this or that when as possibly within a short time after the day dawning more and more they plainly perceive that they were all in an error though then when they gave their opinions they all might be confident that what they said it was it was and then as we apprehend no evill in them because they knew not the contrary though not possible that one Object upon the near approach or by day light could be the same thing that men of severall judgements said it was So it is with us in respect of what we have already written or shall for many before us in times of darknesse have given their interpretation on these Subjects In a contrary sense and saying that these Prophesies have all or the most part been fulfilled long since but we who are come near to the dawning of the day of the Lord Jesus doe clearly discern that thâ—se that went before us and writ on these Subjects were much mistaken and those that come after us will have a clearer and fuller discovery of these things then as yet we have which then we hope will appear evidently to the eyes of all those whose eyes of their understandings are enlightned by the Word and Spirit of God to be such Now to God onely wise and our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour who hath not left us comfortlesse but hath sent us His holy Spirit into our hearts to guide and direct us in the way of Truth be Glory Praise and Dominion for ever Amen FINIS a 1 Sam. 17. 4. b 1 Chro. 20. 8. c 1 Sam. 17. 4. Persecuton a 3. Judges 11 b 3 Judges 30 c 5 Judges 30 d 8 Judges 28 2. Falingaway of the Churches 3. The night of darkdnesse Rom. 11. 19 20 21 22. The Virgins go forth 2 Cor. 11. 2. 2. The Mysticall Whore of Babylon The preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdome The gathering of the two Tribes to Jerusalem Jer. 30. 18 The rise of the Beast with the ten Kings The Beast who he is First Head Gen. 10. 8 10 11. Gen. 11. 1 2. Esay 23. 13 2d Head 2 Kiâ—gs 18 13 15 16. 2 Kings 19 8 v. 9. and 14. v. 15. v. 36. Sir W. Rawleâ—gh first part f. 476. Sir W. R. f. 482 483. 3d 〈◊〉 Sir W. R. â—irst part f. â—07 Sir W. R. First part f 541. and 551. Sir W. R. 4th Head third Book chap. 2. Sir W. R. 3. book 3. chap. 7. Pâ—ragraph 5th Head Vide Sit W. R. 4. book chap. 2. from the beginnlng of Alexanders Raign to his end Josephus 12. book first chapter Sir W. R. 5 book f 338. Sir W. R. 4. book f. 232. 6th Head The Romans Sir W. R. f. 665. Daniel 7. â—â—â—mstone â— 35. Generall History of Spain f. 132. Grimstone â— 280. Howe 's Chronicle f. 50. Grimstone f. 266. Grimstone f. 381. 7th Head Calling of the Jewes The ten Hornes Feet and Toes The place where Jer. 50. 39 40. What they will doe The time of his Raign how long after the Saints are taken up His Ruine