that day falleth downe dissolved into water beseecheth him to looke upon his Lord and Redeemer in him and for his sake to cover his fault and offence committed calling him to witnesse unto his poor and dryed soul how that the Sun hath not gone down upon his anger that day and seing the weaknes wherein he dwelleth the power and pride of unrighteousnesse wherein he 's as with a Garment mantled in great and strong teares cryeth unto his God and Father to deliver him from th' Aegypt and wounds of th' enemy that no temptation may lead him to commit evill in his sight And therewithall in quietnesse and sure trust reclineth himselfe upon th' arme of his Heavenly Father knowing in it dwelleth all strength Kingdome and power to save and deliver the soul that putteth trust in him And thus and so prayeth he in forme and manner as his Lord hath taught him Thou watchest and risest early like him that waiteth innocent blood and comming forth bowest thy selfe before the tranâ—gression and abhomination of th'Heathen and not considering the Sunne is darkened openest thy bold and filthy mouth blaspheming his Tabernacles which are in Heaven setting them up as did thy Fathers in the Wildernesse Moloch and Repham gods of Aegypt to grieve th' ears of the Holy Ghost For as betweene God and the sinner there is but one Mediator and Reconciler Jesus Christ the righteous so there is but one onely Advocate and Intercessor betweene God and the beleever namely the Spirit which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne whose right hand dwelleth in the bosome of the Redeemer and left in th' heart of the beleever and lifting up from hand to other his poore and broken voices pointed with teares placeth them before the Throne of God and giveth them such grace through his presentation that they stand among his holy Angels beholding his face day and night depart not his eye nor memory till all their requests be granted And this is the great and honourable Advocate whose iâ—tercession so farre excelleth in power in worthinesse in grace in glory th' intercession of the mother of Christ his brethren his sisters his Prophets his Apostles his Servants his Saints and Martyrs as is the blood of the Lamb of God more excellent and precious then is the blood of Abel And this is the high and holy one that beareth record with his poore servant which wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighes and tears and that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the Garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out unto yee testifying with him these things are true And being compassed with testifiers in number so sufficient in quality so honourable yet have yee not received our witnesse and behold on earth there are none to be found that have or may or shall beare witnesse to the truth but these three alone Murtherers may yee compare your pilgrimages with his behold thou goest from Citie to Citie from one place to another and weariest thy selfe in wayes and labours which no man requireth at thy hands and when they say unto thee Goe into the wildernesse to this or that Hermites Cave there shalt thou see the life and imitation of the Lambe and of his servant John or come to this grave goe to that here at Loretta there at Compostella there shalt thou see the powers of God and of his holy one thou â—not caring noâ— considering they are the commanâ—ements of abhomination that â—itteth in the place â—here he ought not goest beleevest adding to thy â—lasphemy scorne and derision offering to the Highâ—st the labour and stinke of thy feete for the sinne â—f thy soule This man all the dayes of his life are the dayes of his pilgrimage wherein like the childe that beâ—aileth the death of his Mother covered with darke â—nd mourning colours wandreth the desarts of this â—ife in an assured hope one day to come to a Citie â—romised whose walls are made of everlasting stones whose foundation is the strength of God whose towâ—r's his glory And if any voyce say to him goe into â—he wildernesse to this or that Fremites denne there â—halt thou see Christ to these or to those dead bones â—here shalt thou see his works of wonder he abhorâ—eth it for he remembreth the commandement of his Lord. But goe not beleeve not take heed behold I have foreâ—old yee all Murtherers may vee compare your fastings with his Behold thou eatest fish once and twice a weeke to honour God withall Egyptians who hath required this honour at your hands careth he whether thou eate the flesh of fish or the flesh of Beasts hath he not made meat for bellies bellies for meats and shall he not destroy both it and them And knowest thou indeed that which entreth into the belly goeth out into the draught and duâ—st presume t' honour him with either one or other wherefore thus saith the truth the sacrifice and fasts of Hierusalem shall â—ise in judgement against th'offerings and fish-fasts of Babylon and had yee knowne what that Scripture meaneth No man drinking old Wine will straight way commend the new for he saith th' old is better then had ye never condemned the new and true fast t' establish a fast more vile and filthy then was the fast of Pharisies This man all the dayes of his pilgriâ—â—ge are a continuall fast night and day fasteth he his bread is become affliction his wine is turned to trouble because the Bridegroom is taken from him and his Lord whom he loveth so is gone into a farre Country And as concerning meates and bellies this man is taught of God that besides the person of a Christian in which respect all the creatures of God are clean unto him received in godlinesse moderation and thankesgiving he sustaineth the person of a Citizen and knowing his King his Governours or State whereunder he is placed for good and probable causes tending to the peace and maintenance of the many which God especially will have preserved have authority to command and forbid in meates in drinkes in cloath in dayes and such like so eateth so drinketh so weareth so keepeth he as his Prince commandeth giving to his Prince th' obedience that to a Prince belongeth and honoureth his God with th' honour which to God appertaineth Murtherers may ye compare your almes and mercy with his Behold thou devourest the widdow and waterest the seed of adulterie and sayest thou feedest Orphans arrayest thy selfe with the spoile of Kingdomes and nourishest Dragons egges of Serpents and every unclean bird and sayest thou feedest the sonnes of Prophets Foole how canst thou give a drinke of cold water to a Prophet thy selfe being none of the generation of Prophets Balaam doest thou know him that wrote these things or hast thou considered his hunger and his wants as thou regarding passest by like one of the dead and rotten graves of Sodome
attended for her at length lay hold upon her Behold saith he thus saith the truth in the year which shall be 1666. the judgement pronounced shall lay hands on thee And as all thy fearful wings and feathers be already descended and blown down so before that day which is so nigh at hand the Tyranny of thy malicious Heads cruel Claws shall be consumed brought to nought And in that day thy vain Body shall be burnt with fire and shall be so clean cut off from the Land of the living that neither Son nor Nephew as the Prophet speaketh nor branch nor remnant of thy name shall be found upon the Earth For as it is purposed so shall it come to passe as it is consulted it shall stand Isaiah c. 14. v. 22. 24. 25. After th' Abomination of Rome is past there will be but a few years namely 45. to th' end of this present evil corrupt World as Daniel foretold Chap. 12. Dan. 12. 11 12 13. from the time that the daily sacrifice shal be taken away and th' abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a 1290. dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335. days But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in the lot at the end of the days viz. of the 1335 days above mention'd that is in the general Resurrection end of this world when Daniel and all the dead must rise as it is at large else where Rom. Ru. c. 6. declared And then at length will the Lord return to raign with his Servants the holy Patriarks Prophets Apostles and all the Elect both of Jews and Gentiles â—hat were in all ages of the world as it is written The Lord will give him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raign over the house of Jacob forever and of his Dominion there shall be no end According as he had spoken by all the holy Prophets as it is Psal 2. Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen Psal 2. 8. for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession Psal 72. He shall have Dominion also Psa 72. 8. seq from Sea to Sea from the River to th' ends of the earth They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him his Enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Sheba and Saba shall offer gifts Yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him His name shall endure for ever his name shall be continued as long as the Sun and men shal be blessed in him all Nations shall call him blessed Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel who only doth wondrous things blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Amen And then all Israel shall be saved as St. Paul saith Rom. 11. And blessed and happy only Rom. 11. 26. happy are they that are regenerate here and born again and overcome their corrupt and evil desires and are mortify'd to this sinful world and live unto God by faith which is the first Resurrection blessed holy Apoc. 20. 6 Psal 37. 18. 19. are they that have part therein for on such the second death hath no power for they are made unto God Kings and Priests and shall raign upon the earth and dwell therein forever with their Lord and Redeemer in that world which is to come when all things upon which the curse came shall be restored renewed wherein righteousness peace shall dwel flourish for ever as it was foretold and declared by all the Prophets and Apostles 26. But that time between the Ruine of Rome and end of the World which will not exceed 45. years although it will be joyful to the faithful and chosen of God in respect of the neer approach of the Lord of those graces comforts which God will give them to enjoy yet it will be very toublesome heavy upon the world upon all the dwellers upon earth who have their conversation below especially in respect of outward troubles fears the more Northern parts of the world for then viz. about 30. years after the fall of Rome as may be gathered from the Scriptures will Gog and Magog with their numerous Armies viz. the Turks Tartars Armenians Persians Arabians and other barbarous Nations spread themselves upon the Mountains of Israel i. e. wil come down in great vast multitudes upon the plains of Germany and other parts of the Empire with intent to swallow up overwhelm the Christians and endeavour to extirpate and blot out the name of Christ from under heaven and subject all Europe to the Ottoman yoak and blasphemous Law of Mahomet And will thus continne war upon them till fire from God out of heaven devour them as it is written Apoc. 20. and as the Lord by Ezekiel doth declare saying And I will rain upon him upon his bands and Apoc. 20. 9 upon the many people that are with him an overflowing rain and great hailstones fire and brimstone Ezek. 30. 22. 27. To conclude as concerning this Authors name we have at present nothing of certainty more then from himself in that Treatise to Q. Eliz. p. 52 where he thus writeth J. T. L. testifie those things with my own â—and in sober humbleness commending them to your Majesty only in Advertis to Q. Eliz. p 52. regard of my duty and for no other reward Give your promotions to those sons of Beor that rise so early sâ—dle their Asses to post after them For I your Servant haue bread water enough thanks be to my God am therewith as well content as if my Lands were as larg as are the Roialties of the little Bird that possesseth all the Fields over which it flyeth Finally The premises being considered I make bold and am no whit ashamed to affirm though the world will not bear it that this Author was a most choice special Servant of God immediately guided directed by his holy ever blessed Spirit as the holy Prophets Apostles were raised up by God in this last Age to shew these great things th' end of this World to this Generation to call for exhort to Repentance 120. years before hand as Noah was to foreshew th' end of the old World by the Flood exhort the Nations to Repentance 120. years before it came Therefore commending his writings so many of them as could be found here presented together in the following Treatise to all well disposed humble Christians who have their hope not only in this 1 Cor. 15. 19. life but in that which is to come for so are the Apostles words to be understood contrary to the false Atheistical gloss of the Note Reader that in discourse with a chief Rabby amongst
to their use of honour and dishonour when he shall come in glory to judge and reward the world separate the stranger from the child the goaâ— from the sheep the sinner from the just and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written Many are called Lords of Sodome may it then pleaâ—e your dead and dry eyes to consider that in this great company of hearers two speciall differing companies are commended unto yee th' one that hearing the voyce obeyeth and doth it th' other that hearing transgresseth and doth not called in Scripture Haâ—ed bond forsaken cast out children of evill vessells of wrath and such like compared to a Man who built a house and laid no foundation and when the day of reckoning the day of tempest came the building fell and the fall thereof was great and lamentable for ever But they that heaâ—ing the Commandements of God observe and do them are called in Scripture beloved free chosen beautifull children of promise vessells of mercy Israel Jacob his people his heritage a holy Nation a holy City a kingly holy Priest-hood his house his Temple his Tabernacle Saints Sion Hierusalem from above the pillar and upholder of truth his vine his Church his Body his Spouse and such like compared to a Builder that digged deep and laid his foundation on the Rock whose work endured the day to come and gave glory to the worker to a Graine of Mustard-seede whose great increase for his little body is marvellous compared with other hearbs to Leaven which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid to a Pearle of price for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea by Land by fire by water to attaine to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality that the possessor selleth all he hath to make a purchase thereof to a Seede prospering from Blade to stalk from stalk to head the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how And this is the generation of them that seek him the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written But few are chosen And of this company and no other speaketh the Scripture which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And againe And behold I am with you from day to ever even to the worlds end And againe Feare not little flocke for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome And againe And I will intreate the Father and he shall give you another Comforter who shall remaine with you for ever And againe But when the Spirit of truth commeth he shall leade you into all truth And this is the City and house spirituall built upon the head of the corner which through the strength and glory of the foundation remaineth and liveth for ever as it is written And upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God the stones of life and glory everlasting disdained and trodden under of worldly builders prepared notwithstanding from above and appointed to serve for his Tabernacle and place of his dwelling for he that is highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as testifieth the Prophet Heaven is my seat and earth is my foot-stoole what place of rest will yee build unto me saith the Lord O house of Israel These things had yee understood then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes and like unto the housholder which bringeth forth of his store and provision as time and occasion serveth old and new And this is she which erreth not dissenteth not for all her Children are endued with a tongue and taster of truth all are prepared with one and selfe-same water all are purged by one and self-same fire all are Servants to one and self same Lord who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified and made them of sinners Sonnes of God as it is written He that sanctifieth and they which are sanctified are all of one And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding arrayed in a white and righteous garment which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day waiteth and attendeth his comming whose modest countenance whose chast and comely steps walk in our streets and the world regardeth not for her name is hidden written in the heart not in the skinne and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within not in the 〈◊〉 without whose praise is not of men but of God And yet thou sayest let me see her behold he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells that he knoweth not any one this day after the flesh that taketh part with him what then shall I say I am left alone God forbid for I see and heare with th' ears and eyes of my soule the groans the chains and tears of seven thousand whose obedience is greater then mine and of which number I am the least and as a poore and miserable and borne out of time am not worthy to be one of them And this is she who once Balaam walkt in thy streets and all th' earth was filled with her beauty untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head pursuing her blood and generation for there is enmity betweene him and her her seed and his for ever but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury And in those dayes her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings whose Feathers were made of the word of truth and she flew into the Wildernesse where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her enemy a time and times and halfe a time and there remaineth shee her houre her day her moneth and her yeare eating no other thing then that which God giveth her And thy Father fell heavy exceeding wroth thereat and sat him downe by the Sea side in a Throne newly erected to th' honour of his name mourning and pining that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so And calling his powers and counsell about him devising found out a way t' appease his wrath namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind and while he sat in Consistory seeking best means t' accomplish his purpose thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters and presently his dump was turn'd to a dance thy heads and hornes were so like his owne that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day and having nothing greater to shew his love parted with thee his Kingdomes and glory thereof planted thee in his old and ancient Throne where once his name was honoured and gave into thy hand his great power and chiefest of his hoast Wonders Lyes Murder and bad thee warre and have no feare for it was appointed the third borne among the Sons of men should be subdued unto thee And it pleased
the Lamb to give thee leave among the rest to bid battel to the seed and remainder of his handmaid and to give up their blood to the pleasure of thy Swords during the thousand two hundred and sixty the dayes of relegation but when those two and forty moneths shall be expir'd thou shalt lay downe thy proud waves and he that is highest shall set thee alive in judgement and the earth shall accuse thee of deceit the Heavens of blasphemy and thou shalt be divided and cut out in pieces for thou hast troubled the meek and him that pursued peace hast loved lyers destroyed the true and fruitfull branch and overthrowne the walls of such as mourn'd and did thee no harme And in that day thy Crownes shall be turn'd to baldnesse thy silke to nakednesse thy sweet and pleasing voices to houling thy lights to darknesse and the blood of his servants shall he weigh before thee and value it unto thee and thy parts shall burne untill thou pay the price thereof And that judgement may even now begin to take hold of thy bones it shall be shewed thee this day what manner of men they are which heare and doe the Commandements of God their bredth their length their heigth their depth their name and their countenance shall be laid before thee and thou thy Prophets and Children shall see and wonder and die All are learned all have knowledge and the covenant of death was written in our hearts when wee were yet but tender lodged and sleeping in the loins of Adam wrapt us up in our sins and transgressions like as the Spider in his toile the silly Flie against the day of slaughter But he that is highest pittying the world which he loved so in the riches of his benignity devised a way to set free againe the work of his hand which law through sin had imbondaged to death and made a testament of life and peace in the blood and mediation of his Son the price and redemption of that which was lost and wrote inheritors of his mercifull Covenant all and as many as beleeved in the Mediator thereof And unto Adam his lost Child gave it he saying The seede of the woman shall bruise the Serpents head and all the Children of Promise tooke hold thereon imbracing the seed which by the death of death delivered the sinner And unto Abraham his Servant renewed he his Covenants Cast me out Agar with her Sonne quoth he for that which is borne after flesh is bond and shall not inherite with the free And remembring his mercy promised in his time to visite Sara and to raise unto him a seed which should be the joy of many Nations and Abraham beleeved and got a grave and honourable name above all his Brethren namely to be the Father of all those many Nations that were to inherite the Covenant and Testament of promise And by the hand of Moses his faithfull calling Israel unto him in the Wildernesse before the fearfull Mount gave unto them the Covenant of captivity once for all written downe by the hand of his Angell in two Tables of stone commanding it to be set up in the eye of Israel that they might see and read their wounds and transgressions which had subdued them to death and calling to mind his Testament of mercy wherein from beginning his soule delighted promised by the same Moses to raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto him and every soule that would inherite his favour and Covenant of promise should heare him And Moses calling Israel together testified unto them that day heaven and earth bearing witnesse he had set life and death curse and blessing to wit the Covenants of works and faith of Law and grace before them But Israels heart was fat and understood not all these things and seeking the inheritance by the Law of works which had concluded them being yet unborne under curse and reproofe fell out and lost the way which led to the blessing and land of the Fathers covenanted by promise but by David his Boy whom his heart approved calleth them back againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giving them to understand the table of Sina whereon they thought to save themselves justified to their face all their doings were abominable as it is written The Lord looked downe from heaven upon the Sons of men to see if there were any that understood and sought after God But behold they are all gone astray all are become abominable there is not one that doth good no not one There is not a godly to be found on earth not a righteous amongst the sons of men all lie in wait for blood and every man hunteth his neighbour as with a net he that is best is but a bryer and he that is most righteous as a thorne And ever and anon remembring his mercy testified by the same David that if they would attaine the Land and Inheritance promised the Fathers they should not offer him his beasts or his birds to eate but unharden their hearts and heare his voyce that day that then it should come to passe they should enter into his repose and Canaan spirituall into the which their Fathers could not for their unbeliefe All the Prophets bearing witnesse thereunto that looke how high the heavens were distant from the earth so far were his offerings differing from theirs for all their wayes and thoughts were spotted like to the garment of a Tyger transgressors of his fiery Covenant which he strake with their Fathers in Horeb as it is written And the testament which I gave them they kept not and my soule despised them saith the Lord And still and evermore remembring his mercy commended unto them the day to come wherein he would strike a new and an everlasting Commandement with the house of Israel not like to that he covenanted in the Wildernesse which neither they nor their Fathers were able to beare but his new Covenant should be a Covenant of mercy and love and no man should be able t' attaine it by rending his Garment by Rams or streams of Oyle but by rending his heart by hearing and beleeving the redemption which should be set in Sion for he had said and would not repent for ever The just shall live by faith But Israel was hard and evermore in heart turned back into the Wildernesse chusing rather to be the Sons of Agar inhabitants of Sina which ingendereth to death then children of promise Citizens of Jerusalem from above which begetteth to life refused his Law and Testament of grace so often covenanted and commended unto them which he notwithstanding in fulnesse of time performed unto Jacob sending downe out of his bosome the Mediator thereof apparrelled in blood mounted on his little hill in his city of peace with promise that every sinner should be deliver'd from shame that putteth trust in him And when the time came was found walking in the stâ—eets of
travell and guard and watch him day night behold and learne his end he that is wise will marke his deliverance and happy man that can tell his teares and sit and sorrow with him To this man maketh God answer early or late delivereth him and how much the longer withholdeth his countenance retyring as it were his pitty from him so much the more entendeth t' advance his love and mercy towards him to make him great and a pillar in his house a comforter of the weake and broken knees of others and in his time sendeth downe his promise the rich and hidden treasure which from the beginning dwelled with himselfe and with his holy one who day by day laboureth washeth and bindeth up this broken one not leaving t' apply unto his stripe untill he have wrought and shaped in him a full and perfect assurance that God hath given him unto his Sonne in him and through him forgiven and covered all those his transgressions which cryed our so justly against his bloud and whereas in the day of his trespasse was a stranger and an enemy now in his Son and for his sake is reconciled and beloved and is unto him as a sonne and he to him a Father the treasure which his soule in the great day of his trouble so unspeakeably desired and therewithall commandeth him to beare written up in the apple of his eye night and day to read and consider what great things have been done for him This man is now so assured his â—innes are forgiven him as sure and perswaded that his Lord and Redeemer was once dead now liveth never dyeth more what Register may record the sinnes of him whose transgressions God forgetteth what power may discover the nakednesse of him whose shame and offence God covereth who shall be able to cast away whom God approveth or lay to the charge of him whom God chooseth may sinne wherein he was conceived may trespasse and filthinesse wherein his youth delighted may the bold and bloudy offences which his age hath committed may flesh and infirmities wherewith he is clothed may powers and blasphemies wherewith he is compassed nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevaile against him as it is written God justifying who may condemne This man is now so assured God loveth him as that he is sure and fully perswaded neither fire nor sword neither death nor life neither Angels nor powers nor principalities neither things present nor things to come neither natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord. And this is the saith of Abraham and of Abrahams posterity which reacheth justice to the sinner and life unto the just as it is written But the just shall live by faith And this is the faith whereof th' holy Ghost pronounceth by the mouth of his servant Paul in a place saying Being justified therefore by faith wee have peace with God in Christ Jesus our Lord. For he is truly justified whose sinnes are forgiven as it is written Blessed is the man whose sinnes are forgiven and whose transgressions are covered And he is truly at peace and one with God that is beloved of him and all this grace is reacht unto him in Christ and through him as it is written For death and bondage was given by Moses but grace and truth by Christ Jesus And this is the rest and peace from above the birth and baptisme of the holy Ghost the fire that purgeth the sonnes of men transforming them from sinners into the sonnes of God and no man shall see it or have his part therein that cannot sing the song of the little children which sat in the market place crying and calling one t'another We have mourned and yee have not sorrowed Murtherers stand forth tell me may you compare your beleefe with this mans saith behold thou beleevest one onely God Father Almighty of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ his onely Sonne for whom and by whom are all things and one Spirit God holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the power the life and quickner of all things and thou beleevest that the Sonne in the fulnesse of time descended from the bosom of his Father came into the world was made flesh conceived by the holy Ghost borne of a Virgin and that he dyed and rose againe for the redemption of all that beleeve in his holy name and thou beleevest those that beleeve in him are his Church chosen and gathered from all the winds a Company undefiled a holy Universitie as he is holy that hath chosen them and thou beleevest they wayle and weep and joy together and thou beleevest their Lord is mounted up into the heavens seated on the right hand of God all power in heaven and in earth subdued unto him and thou beleevest all flesh shall rise and stand before him every man to receive according to his thoughts And all these things beleevest thou thou doest well thy father the Devill beleeveth them also and it is so farre that this faith may save either thee or him as that it shall encrease both your stripes for unto whom much is committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth and doth not shall be beaten with many rods And better it were thou hadst never been borne then to have heard and beleeved all these things and not to have sorrowed with the Mourner And this was the faith of Simon Magus one of your first-borne who hearing Philip preaching th'Incarnation Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and forgivenesse of sinnes in his holy name and seeing the great and wonderfull works wrought by the same beleeved the promise and revelation of life and was baptized as it is written And Simon also beleeved and was baptized and yet was neither begotten by water nor by the holy Ghost he beleev'd as did the lyar his father of whom he learnt his jugling to plane the creatures of God and was reborne by water from below not able to beget the sinner a new for it is impossible that bloud of beasts or water of fountaines may either purge or prepare the sinner And therefore Peter comming to Samaria to purge those sinners whom Philip had prepared by water from above laid his finger to the wound fellow quoth he thou hast no part nor fellowship with us nor in this administration and shewed him the cause why namely his unrepentance giving him t' understand it was not possible for his soule to be purg'd of that gall and bitternesse wherein it lay because his heart was not prepared by water And this was the faith of the Traytor thy predecessor Balaam who sold the truth and life everlasting for the reward of iniquitie like unto thee he knew and beleeved as thou doest that the bloud of his Master was innocent bloud and was baptized with the selfe same baptisme
death of the Tree for the Redemption of those that were his sworne enemies And this is the Love which the World can neither give nor receive the Love which forbeareth and is gentle void of envy vanteth not whose countenance is humbled whose steps are modest alway seeking good to others not giving place to anger never found devising or joying in evill but alway rejoycing in the company of truth beareth all things beleeveth all things hopeth all things endureth all things And this is the perfection the new Commandement the Garment dipt in the precious price whose often praise shineth in the two Lamps which burne before the Throne of God and no man can see it or have his part therein that hath not received the promise and spirit of adoption wherein he cryeth Abba father What wilt thou doe to this man to take his love from him wilt thou revile him charge him with names of Heretick Sectary private spirit Devill he bearing in mind thy blasphemy of old and how thou didst call his Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and knowing the Disciple is not above his Master nor servant greater then he that sent him openeth his mouth and blesseth thee for he remembreth the Commandement of his Lord Blesse them that curse yee Wilt thou hate him lye in wait for him and sweare in thy heart to be his enemy he weepeth and loveth thee for hee remembreth the Commandement of his Lord But I say unto you love your enemies Wilt thou bend thy brow and fist against him lay thy hand to the sword and drive him into the corners of th' earth hee goeth weeping and prayeth for thee for he remembreth the Commandement of his Lord Pray for them that persecute ye Wilt thou lay thy hand and authority upon him draw him through thy streets and beat out his braines with the stones thereof he lifting up his voyce commendeth his spirit and last request unto his God and Father beseeching him to forgive his blood unto thee and sleepeth for he remembreth how in like case his Lord the Lamb did so And this is the renovation spirituall and first resurrection Happy man that hath his part therein for the second death shall take no hold on him Who layeth to the charge of this man Who may reprove his light his steps and his corrected customes This man if he have beene a Worshipper of the Beast returning to himselfe falleth downe and broken to water powreth out his complaint before the Throne of God confesseth he was conceived in darknesse his birth was blasphemy his bringing up destruction beseecheth him to remember his Testament and Covenant of mercy wherein from the beginning his soule so delighted in it to pity and gather up againe the blood which sin and abhomination hath spilt and raised up comes out of Her ever after offereth Sacrifice well washt with water the fire of heaven consuming and giving up the savour before the Throne of God to whom in his Lord and Redeemer he is now reconciled and dyeth inward night and day remembring the treason of his life past This man hath he been an adulterer or a defiler of his body returning to himselfe falleth downe at the feet of God and broken to tears cryeth Sodome was his Mother Gomorrah his Father beseecheth him to remember him to remember his Covenant and Testament of mercy wherein his soule so evermore delighted in it to turne and love againe the poore confounded work of his hand by â—in and filthinesse cast out to death and raised up doth so no more ever after holdeth his body chast or honourable and bleedeth inward night and day remembring th'uncleanenesse of his youth This man hath he beene covetous an Userer an Extortioner a Fighter a Loyterer a Theefe a Drunkard Contentious furious a darke and double-dealer a lover of his flesh or any such like returning to himselfe falleth downe and molten to tears powreth out his cryes before the Throne of God confesseth he was conceived in death his teachers and his blood-friends the powers and strength of hell beseecheth him to remember his everlasting Testament wherein his soule so greatly delighteth in it to pity and recover againe the poore and broken work of his hand which â—in and foolishnesse hath slaine And raised up doth so no more ever after breaketh his bread unto the hungry restoreth the poore mans pledge that lyeth bleeding by him rendreth to him to whom he hath done wrong hath peace and love with all men eateth not unlesse he labour and by his true and faithfull paines getteth his bread receiving his increase with moderation and thanksgiving beareth al things forbeareth all things speaketh the truth from his Heart and in his Tongue useth no deceit setteth by himselfe now no more but is become vile and lowly in his owne eyes and mourning consumeth inward niâ—ht and day remembring the trespasse of his time lost Come forth ye Theeves and Murtherers out of your Dens and Pallaces you that have filled the aire with voices boasting your works and called the heavens into the field despised their wayes in respect of your works Like as if the Thistle should bragge of his Figges or Thorne should vaunt it selfe against the Vine of Canaan and say her berries were better Grapes then hers Vipers tell us may the fruit be good when the Tree is bad Serpents how can you do good works your selves being evill but because ye have call'd him out modest and fearfull as he is he comes accepteth the controversie and may ye indeed set your prayers and your pilgrimages by his may ye compare your fasts your mercy and your almes with his Looke how a graine imbalanced against the round world is found light and to beare no scale at all so are ye found blind dead and abominable weighed with this man held up by the finger of him whose Hand is an everlasting Scepter a rod and rule of equity Murtherers dare ye to set your prayers by his Behold this man early in the morning and late in the night season with broken and humbled knees presenteth himselfe before the Throne of God and having n'other Father but him alone in sure confidence lifting up his voyce confessing his poverty shame and confusion giveth all praise honour and glory unto his Holy name and utterly ashamed now of his owne will and walks beseecheth him to powre downe his promise the ruler and governour of his Kingdome that being sanctified and guided by it he may ever after walk in his Commandements and worke his holy will even as his servants which minister before his Throne in Heaven And thereto knowledging he is fed and cloathed not by his owne carke and care but by the Hand and providence of his Heavenly Father commendeth unto him his body and the life thereof beseeching though he be not worthy the least of his mercies it may please him notwithstanding to continue his love and graces towards him and calling to mind his seven-fold offence committed before him
among al the Sons of women there was none found his grâ—ater because whoso is not first prepared by the ministry of John who was appointed the minister of the baptism of water shal never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth by the ministry of the Baptisme of fire I doe not meane the fire of this world nor yet the Element so called for it 's imipossible for any such fires to purge to sanctifie or to refine the sinner But the fire of this birth is a heavenly power and finger from above which writeth in the heart prepared by water and in no other Tables the indeleble Covenant of mercy and love which before all worlds in the precious blood of the Mediator thereof God made with Abraham and his Sons for ever namely that he would remember their sins and their iniquities no more and that he would be to them a God To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a Father and they to him a people Sonnes and Daughters And this is the word and ingraving of God which being written in a molten heart and blowne downe with water refineth it to the sey of Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 12. the gold of Ophyr And this is the birth and purgation of fire called in Scripture the Baptisme of the holy Ghost the life the justice the promise and felicity of God as holy David describeth saying Blessed is the man whose sins are covered and whose God is the Lord Psalme 32. 2. 33. 12. JEHOVAH And this is the Tree and first beginning of the wisedome and counsell of God and hee that cannot attaine thereto shall never see the raigne and prosperity of Israel according to the eternall decree proceeded out of the mouth of the highest never to be repented of or called back againe Vnlesse a man be John 3. 5. begotten by water and by the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God The fruit of this Tree of life spreadeth it selfe into foure branches and as the Heavens by immutable ordinance shut up the course and labour of the yeare in foure seasons so hath the Scriptures complected the whole voyage and travell of this sanctified and new begotten servant in these foure Peace Patience Hope and Love I doe not meane the peace betweene Amon and Moab that is to say the smooth the Civill and dissembling truce of the Kings and Councellors of this world but a peace which passeth their affairs a peace which is heavenly and from above even the peace and reconciliation betweene God and the sanctified in the price and mediation of the Lord of the Covenant for what power what preparation what terror or what else may feare him in whose heart the finger of God hath once engraven a full and perswaded assurance that neither fire nor sword nor death nor life nor powers nor principallities nor things present nor things to come nor natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord May the sin wherein he was conceived or the follies and offences wherein his youth delighted or the bold and bloody treasons which his age hath committed or flesh and blasphemies wherewith he is intrenched nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevail against him as it is written If God justifie who can condemnâ— Isa 50. Rom. 8. And this is the peace which the world cannot give nor take away from any to whom it is given the peace which the Holy one the Redeemer of Israel speaketh of in a certaine place saying Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you but not as the world giveth let not your hearts therefore be troubled nor feare John 14. 27. And forasmuch as to be at peace and one with God is to be at war and odds with sin and with all her pleasures this man in wonderfull patience prepareth and armeth himselfe to meet the enemy And tho his flesh with all her desires like multitudes of Armies incompasse his soule be sieging pursuing tormenting it day and night as it is written Wee are Ps 44. given up like sheep to be eaten and for thy sake O Lord we are slaine all the day long yet in silence and quietnesse he endureth all sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse your soules Looking assuredly for the promise of good things to come and that with such a Luke 21. 19. stable and full perswaded expectation as no power in Heaven above or in the earth below may shame or confound his hope fully perswaded that tho now he live closed in flesh as in a City of transgression like righteous Lot in Sodome scorn'd of Angels despis'd of men hated of the world and pursued of his owne yet that his mourning shall tarry but till morning 〈◊〉 for then his life shall be revealed which now lyeth hid laid up in the bosome of his Lord and Redeemeâ— and shall be declared and given him even in that morning when he shall come to judge the world with righteous judgement rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked And in the exercise of these three consisteth the death to sin called in Scripture by the names of Mortification the great affliction the Dust the Tears the shame and oppression of Sion Happy man that hath his part therein for he shall live to see the raigne Rev. 7. 14 15 16 17. wherein the Sun shall not burne him by day nor fire by night any more and wherein he shall not hunger nor thirst nor want nor weep any more The fourth and last branch of this Tree of life is Love the light and perfection of the whole estate and travell of a Christian for can a City built upon a hill hide her face from the passer by or may a Sacrifice salted convey his seasoning from the mouth of the taster may the Sun shine and not shew his beauty or may a Candle burne and not bewray her light And tho these creatures could forget their natures yet cannot the plant in whose heart the eternall Covenant of Love is once engraven forget to burne with like affection first toward God then toward men I meane not those alone which have received like part and fellowship with him but towards those also that are his enemies which love is commended to us by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is called in Scripture the love of God because it is not learnt of flesh nor after the will and wisedome of flesh but by the sample and patterne of that love wherewith God first loved us Who being fellowed in glory with the highest as testifieth the Prophet Zach. 13. 7. disrobed himselfe of all his beauty and came downe into the world and was fonnd in dishonour in weaknesse in flesh and shape of a servant obedient to the shame and
curse of the Tree for the redemption of those that were his sworne enemies And this is the love whose rich and plentifull nature the Apostle describeth saying Love forbeareth 1 Cor. 13. and is gentle void of envy and of doing wrong vaunteth not her selfe nor disgraceth others seeketh not her owne nor giveth place to anger never deviseth or joyeth in evill but alwayes rejoyceth in the company of truth beareth all beleeveth all hopeth all endureth all And this is that Love and that new Commandement whose often praise shineth in the two lights and Lamps of God which burn before his Throne day and night and no man can attaine thereto or have his part therein that hath not first been cleansed by the promise of the Father which is the Spirit of adoption wherein he cryeth Abba Father And this is that Holinesse and Newnesse of life which the Scripture so often commendeth unto us by the names Vivification renovation spirituall and the first resurrection Blessed and holy are they that have their parts therein for on such the second death shall have no power as it is sealed in the book of life And this is the first and last the beginning and the end of the counsell and wisedome of God even his secret hidden eternall and onely ordinance wherein before the day knew his comming up or going down he purposed to save and to recover againe the thing which was lost And they that understand it and doe thereafter are those which are registred in the book of life called in Scripture by so many faire and beautifull names as A righteous Tree a pleasant Land a habitation of Justice a holy Mountaine a City of truth a City sought out and not forsaken a holy City a holy Nation the plantation of God the Mountaine of the Lord of Hosts the pillar and sustainer of truth Beloved Beautifull Free Faithfull Chosen Kings Priests Saints Sion Daughter of Sion Mother of the just Jerusalem Children of promise Vessells of Mercy Israel Jacob Judah Ephraim his first borne House of Levi his Temple his Tabernacle his Sanctuary his People his Vine his Body his Spouse his Church and such like And these are the Stones of Sion which altho they be for their transgressions as testifieth the Prophet scattered among the heathen and unbaptized in heart for a season given up to the pleasures of Murtherers Jer. 4. 31. 30. 15. Isa 54. as to the paines of a woman that travelleth accounted vile desolate despised cast away no body no where compared with the glorious Synagogues and Churches of this world yet what saith the Scripture Rejoyce thou barren that bearest no children breake forth into joy and gladnesse thou that travellest not for the desolate hath many more then the married wise saith the Lord Meaning thereby that tho his captive Daughter Sion during the days of her soiourning in earth as in a strange Land be bowed downe and layed low like a street for the beasts of the field Citizens of the earthly Jerusalem to tread upon and goe over yet when the morning Isa 52. commeth the morning of exterminaâ—ion determined to come upon the whole earth she shall arise and shake of her graves her tears and dust wherein she lyeth and put on a garment of light of beauty and joy everlasting And all the delices the pompes and paraments of her oppressors shall vanish as a dreame Isa 60. 14. Ier. 20. 16 Ezek. 28. 25. Dan. 7. 27. Ioel 3. Amo. â— 9. Mic. 5. 8. Sap. 1. 9. Hag. 2. 23 Za. 2. 8. Mal. 4. 1 2 3. and themselves covered with torments shall be sold for slaves to the daughter of Sion whom in the days of their pleasures they so much despised as iâ— testified by the Prophets And this is the Church and City of God not like unto the shamelesse and adulterous Congregations of these times pure in skin and soule in heart which â—oast to be that they are not each discovering other spots themselves full of Ulcers daily squaring and falling out like Theeves about the treasures and riches of God which appertaine to truer men then they Neither is she like those foolish and irrâ—formed reformers that in all this time have not learnt to discern between the Image of God and the Inscription of Caesar I mean those that have not yet learnt that every one that feareth God what or whersoever he be sustaineth two persons the one of a Citizen the other of a Christian Touching his person of a Citizen if he be called to be a Prince and Ruler over his brethren knoweth that this his authority is the allowed and approved rule and lawfull Seniory to constitute and determine every vocation and therein in those especially that attend upon the Altar carefully foreseeing that in their sort they be provided for according to the word which commandeth Deut. 25. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corne prescribing to every one committed to his charge in meats in drinks in cloth in day and such like according to his wisdom heedfully respecting in guiding the Bark of his Government as the Pilot doth the Needle the commandement of God and quality of his people On the other side if he be called a servant and to live in subjection knoweth that the magistracy whereunder he is placed whether it be of one of few or many is his allowed seniory and lawfull presbytery and unto whom by immediate prescription and authority from God belongeth to defend the innocent and correct the faulty and thereafter feareth he taking up his vocation as his Prince alloweth contented with such dismes as his Prince provideth eateth drinketh weareth and keepeth as his Prince prescribeth giving to his Prince the obedience which to a Prince belongeth And as concerning his person of a Christian this man whither he be placed in authority or under authority knoweth that neither Thrones nor Chaires of state nor gracious titles of Lordship and Soveraignty availe him any thing but that he is called to a like subjection and equall participation with the rest of his fellows as it is written He that is greatest let him be as Luke 22. 26. the least and he that is chiefest as him that serveth For all are baptized with one baptisme the water of repentance all are sanctified with one fire the Word of Faith all are children of one Mother Jerusalem from above all are subjects to one Lord who by his obedience and Sacrifice once for all hath sanctified and reconciled them and made them of serâ—ants and sons of wrath his brethren and sons to his owne father as it is Heb. 2. 11. written He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one And thus and so walketh this man giving tribute to whom tribute is due fear to whom fear belongeth and honour to him to whom it pertaineth according to the commandement of his Lord which saith Give then to Caesar the things which
each intercommoners severall by stake or by rod so in the wide and common field of Christians the Lord commandeth his servant John to survey and apportion out his Church and partage which he severeth from the residue of carnall Gospellers and such like outcasts in recommending unto us their inward frame and renewed graces under the â—ppellation and names of the Temple of God the Altar and them that adore therein meaning that as in the Tabernacle of the congregation the holy and most holy places wherein stood the Table of the Shew bread Candlestick Altar of incense Ark propitiatory and oracle of god over-covered within and without with Angel gold into which places none but the priests might enter adore were separated by a vail from the outer Court where the brazen altar was erected for all the house of Israel to enter and sacrifice which therefore was call'd the Court of the people so in the common field and Vniversitie of Christians they onely are the Church and heritage of God which are sanctified in heart and holy in life and conversation and separated by the vail of regeneration that is to say by the tears of true repentance and the assurance of pardon and reconciliation unto God in Christ Iesus ingraven in the tables of their hearts by the finger of the Spirit from all carnal professors and nominal Christians in whom is but an outward face and protestation of the name of Christ onely VERS 2. But the base Court which is without the Temple cast out and measure not for it is given to the Gentiles and the holy City shall they tread under foot two and forty months BUt as for those Common Caâ—holique Christians here resembled to the base Court which is without the Temple because they are but overcast onely with a profession of my name which heare my word participate my Sacraments and yet are separated by an unregenerate heart as by a vai ' from those Altarsand priests in whom my name is honoured cast forth saith the Lord and measure not for howsoever such unleavened companions seem to boast in the name of my Church and in the protestation of a Christain calling yet they are so farre from belonging to my peculiar saith the Lord as that I have given them up in reckoning with the reprobate of the Gentiles and they shall justifie mine account and rejection of them by their like uncircumcised carriage and heathenish conversation for they shall no lesse defile my holy Citie that is to say they shall no lesse hate accuse persecure and keep under water the true and sanctified Christian then do the heathen and uncircumcised as by over-long experience is wel known to the Church of God which hath been is and shall be till her captivitie be returned opposed for melancholy mad new factious schismaticall hereticall by Christian Catholiques politicians Atheists carnall Gospellers and such heathenish protestors like to theis And that the Church of God may not look for other or better entertainment at these her intercommoners hands she is here by the predeterminate counsell of God to be troden like a way by these Gentiles and heathenish Christians 42 moneths meaning moneths of yeers to every moneth accounting by propheticall suppâ—tation thirtie yeers as in the verse following shall be further manifested confounding therein the Remisa ies of Rome who sweat to perswâ—de that they are but moneths of days thereby to turne the worlds eye from the great Antichrist that now is to a pettie Antichrist which shall never come VERS 3. And I will give to my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixty days cloathed in sackcloth DUring which time of the Churches disgrace and desolation for the greater comfort of her Children and judgement of her adversaries I will saith the Lord I by a wonderfull outstretehed providence will preserve unto the world the light and power of my two Testaments to guide their knowledge and conversation into the wayes of peace Whereby the Lord manifestly reproveth the grosse and vaine expectation of those that translate his meaning in this place to the coming of Henoch and Elias whereas of Henochs return either in flesh or in spirit there is no syllable of promise in all the Scriptures and as touching the spiâ—ituall returne of Elias promised is already Mal 4. 5. Mat. 11. 14. performed as the Lord himselfe proveth Now touching the time of their keeping watch while the world sleepeth the Lord voweth it shall be 42. moneths before mentioned which being dissolved into dayes after the Kalender of the Hebrews whose year did drive thirty dayes to every moneth and twelve moneths to every year amount to the just number of 1260. days here specified which computation of the years is observed throughout the whole Bible Daniel onely excepted who counteth after the use and stile of the Chaldeans in whose tongue and amongst whom he wrote and consequently the moneths being Propheticall that is to say moneths of years to each accounting thirty years the reâ—gne of Antichrist must needs endure 1260. years Which manner of reckoning years by dayes though it seem strange is usuall notwithstanding with the Prophets of God and therefore is called Propheticall as Ezekiel a day for a yeare and Ezek 4. 6. Dan 9. 24. Daniels seventie weeks are weeks of years every week containing seven years as throughout this Prophesie Also the moneths are moneths of years to every moneth accounting thirty years From whence we conclude Antichrists three years and a halfe both here and in Daniel deciphered by a time times and halfe a time to be years of years every year containing 12. moneths of years which amount to 360. years and multiplied by three and a halfe do in the totall amount to 1260. years And to the end the world may take better notice of these his two testifiers and preservers of truth the Lord commendeth the knowledge of the parties by the description of their Garments in saying they are cloathed in sackcloath thereby not onely diffevering their testimonies from all the soft and courtly commentaries of flesh and blood which for the most are raised with infected matter and vested with affected stile but also teaching us that no man can retaine to the Lord before whom they minister unlesse he serve in the same livery that they doe and can turne over the leaves of his life and pilgrimage in fasting and sackcloth and true repentance as these his servants the Prophets and Saints have done VERS 4. These are the two Olive branches and the two Candlesticks which stand in the presence of the Lord of the Earth ANd these my two Testaments are those two Olive Trees saith the Lord described by my Prophet Zachary which stand and fructifie before the Ruler of the earth for ever and ever For their leafe that is to say their word and judgements shal neither wither nor fade though heaven and earth should perish and melt away And they are
also two Candlesticks which carry in them the light of my truth and power of my Spirit the great Moderator of heaven and earth VERS 5. And if any man will hurt them fire shall come forth of their mouth and devoure their enemies and if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine ANd if any man shall wrest their word from the aime and intention of their meaning saith the Lord or turne their Prophesie out of the way by perverting or clipping the honour or purpose of their word the fire of my wrath denounced by the the mouth of these my two Testaments for though they be two yet they have but one mouth shall surely judge and execute those lovers and makers of lies and for the more assurance of this sentence against them the Lord doth iterate the curse and vengeance of his heavy displeasure saying And if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine meaning I say by hurting all manner diminishing of the words of their testmonie by fals blasphemous and lying expositions as some have done VERS 6. These have power to shat heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and they have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all manner of plagues so often as they will FOr the Lord hath touched the mouth of these his two Prophets as he did the mouth of Jeremy the rest of his servants of whom he saith Behold this day have I set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to pluâ—k up root out destroy and throâ— down build and plant And in another place Therefore have I cut them downe by my Prophets and slaine them by the words of my mouth Such priviledges the Lord hath given to these his two Testaments that if they once shut the heavens that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesy that is to say if they denounce a famine of the bread of liâ—e to wit the word and knowledge of God or pronounce a sword to come upon a Nation Kingdome or People which the Lord here signifieth by turning waters into blood or if it pleaseth them to Prophesie which the Lord here calleth to strike of any Pestilence Earth quake or other judgement to come such power is given them that if they say the word it is done as it is written Heaven and earth shall perish but the words of their Prophesie shall not passe till all be fulllfiled VERS 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the beast which ascendeth from the depth shall wage battell against them and kill them ANd when his servants the Prophets and Apostles shall have fulfilled their course and be translated from the land of their labours to the land of rest leaving to the world the inheritance as it were of their ministry sealed up in the two Testaments of God to preserve the feare of his Name and the knowledge of his pleasure among the Sons of men which the holy Ghost calleth finishing their testimony Ant christ the Beast whose proper p'ace whence he is and whither he must is here described by the name of the depth shall not onely hurt and wound them by slanderous and lying Expositions as his Clerks and Assects doe but shall set his feet upon their Necks and tread downe their divine authority by the advancing of his cursed keyes and the beauty of his whorish Church above them which the Spirit calleth waging battell inhibiting them to Prophesie or teach the words of their testimony vulgarly And not onely putting them to silence but also reproving condemning them for corrupters seducers and sowers of heresies among the people which presumpâ—uous blasphemy and murder the Spirit discovereth in saying that he shall overcome them and kill them VERS 8. And their carkasses shall remaine in the street of the great City which is spiritually called Sodome and Egypt where their Lord also was crucified ANd the letter or text of their testimony which the Spirit calleth their corps or carkasses shall remaine in their Hoâ—ses Cels Temples hang at their girdles through all the Cities and Kingdomes where the Beast and his Church is adored which in regard of their number be here named the great City so in respect of their execrable worship and adulterous service contrary to God and his holy City they are here called also spiritually Sodome meaning that as Sodome her Sister did for sake the lawfull use and prescription of nature and wrought filthinesse against nature so these loathing truth and loving lies should erect strange oblations and propitiations as contrary to the offerings and satisfactions of the Saints as was the sin of Sodome opposire to nature And the Spirit further calleth them by the name of Egypt for that in blindnesse and hardnesse of heart they every way match the presumptuous and indorate Egyptians still pursuing and persecuting the truth as Pharaoh did Israel till the God of Israel destroy them by the Spirit of his mouth as he did Pharaoh and his hoast by water And in further detestation of the cruell murther and immanitie of this Beast and his adherents the holy Ghost layeth the blood of the Prince of the Covenant to theiâ— charge also as cunningly as they think to convey his murther and post it over to Jerusalem For as the Lord doth lay the blood of his servant Abel to the charge of the Scribes and Pharisees of his own time although he were slaine long before those Pharisees were borne or Jerusalem builded because they were the very image and lively imitation of his brother that murthered him so the holy Ghost doth here lay the innocent blood of the Lord of glory to the Charge of this Crucifier and his Citizens because they are the Children and Generation of that high Priest and those murtherers which cryed Away with him crucifie him crucifie him And that we should not marvell thereat the holy Ghost in another place goeth further and saith In her shall be found the blood of the Apostles and Prophets also and all that ever for the testimonie of the truth were staine on earth VERS 9. And there shall of the tribes and people and Gentiles see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their corps to be laid in monuments ANd all Nations and Kingdoms where the Beast is worshipped whom the holy Ghost for their prophanation in life and Religion calleth Gentiles shall have handle and gaze upon the letter and corps of his two witnesles three days and a halfe that is to say the time times and halfe a time wherein the Beast shall Reigne and persecute even three propheticall yeares and 〈◊〉 accounting as in Ezekiel all dayes 〈◊〉 Neither shall they suffer the word of 〈◊〉 Proâ—â—efie to be read opened understood and â—â—d up in the hearts of the people the true and naturall monuments and sepulchers wherein the testimonie of their words ought to be interred VERS 10. And the inhabitants of
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
and goddesses of their owne forging must be resigned now to the true Lord and owner of all who hath taken his place at the right hand of the Father and hath deposed for ever from their usurped titles of deitie all gods and goddesses phantasmes made of worms created and divified by th'inventions relations consecrations and canonizations of the Dragon his Taile and successors as the spirit discovereth in saying Neither the place of them was found any more in Heaven VERS 10. And that great Dragon was throwne downe the old Serpent called the Devil and Satanas which seduceth the whole world and he was cast into the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him ANd the great and prophane power of the Roman Monarchy which had so long time oppressed and corrupted the earth was now at length detected and thereupon disseized of and from her usurped claim of heaven for ever as the Spirit discovereth in saying And that great Dragon was throwne downe And for that the Devil did corporally dwell as it were in her spreading the beams of his wickednesse at full in all idolatry impietie and presumption against God and in all oppression injustice and immanitie towards man the Spirit crowneth her with the cognoments of her Sire calling her for her malice to the truth a Serpent for her crimination of the Saints a devil and for hostility to God and his Saints Satanas speaking therein after the manner of the Lord himselfe who calleth his treacherous steward a Divel though he were a man because the fullnesse of Satan did dwell in him filling his heart withâ—such a perfect hatred of his innocent Lord and â—amentable love of his guilty penie that he sold Caâ—aan for Egypt heaven for hell and God for silver And because th' impietie of Governors is not onely their owne decay by evil doing but also by enforcement and evil example the ruine of their people the Spirit layeth the seduction of the whole earth to the charge of the Dragon for ruling it after the level and prescription of Rome saying which seduceth the whole world and thereupon giveth just judgement and sentence of death against him namely that as in his beginning he crept out of the earth and by the scale of his wickednesse ascended so high as to presume to thrust his haughty head into heaven and build his nest above the stars as did his antecefsors Assur Beltassar Darius Alexander and the rest of their compeers so by a like power of sword and cruelty he shall shortly returne to his friends againe and be made even with the earth from whence his stock and first estate was borrowed and the power of his Cesars counsell of his Senators sophistry of his Sorcerers which with such indurate and obstinate minds stood for th' honour and worship of Devils should be no longer able to uphold the reverence of their Jupiter Capitolinus who was now detected for a Rogue and by the voices of Michaels Angels as by whips and pasports was sent home againe to the place of his birth namely the earth from whence his mortall and vile genealogie was taken and with with him also were Cesars undivified and for all their Senates proud relations were made to take up the grave for their latter end and shame for their same and wormes for their heritage as the Spirit soretelleth saying And be was cast downe unto the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him VERS 11. And I heard a great voice in heaven saying Now is made salvation and force and Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren is cast downe who accused them before the sight of our God day and night NEither was this famous victory obtained in â— corner or spoken in the ear but as the Spirit reporteth so valourously gotten and so audibly proclaimed that all the world heard the repoâ—â— thereof witnesse the records of those times at whiâ—h the holy Ghost pointeth in these words And I heard a loud voice in beaven saying and sounding the victory of Christ and Christianisme against the Dragon and his Angels his sorcerers and their prophane and â—dolatrous paganisme in these devout and divine notes Now is made salvaâ—ion and force and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ and yieldeth a reason of this so pious and triumphant joy because the folly and fury of the Dragon and his Angâ—ls which so continually accused the Saints and servants of God for pestilent fellows movers of sedition maintainers of sects polluters of the Temple teachers of new Gods enemies to Caesar word-soweâ—â— babblers blaspâ—emers is now upon setting and going downe for ever Which death and downfall of their spirituaâ—l whoredome the holy Ghost diâ—closeth in saying Because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth And for the greater comfort of the Church and judgement of her enemies concludeth that there is a perfect Court-roul kept as well of the sufferings of the Saints as of the slanders of their soes so openly â—ommitted in the face of the Court and before a â—udge of so clear a fight and eternall memory as that they shall never be discharged or forgotten which the Spirit inferreth in saying Who accused them before the â—â—ght of our God day and night VERS 12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives even unto the death LAst of all the holy Ghost discovereth the spirituall armour and weapons wherewith the Angels and servants of Michael obtained this famous victory over the Dragon and his Sectaries and saith that they were tempered of these two divine vertues faith and patience For by the shield of faith which the Spirit by a metonymie calleth the blood of the Lamb and with the sword of his two witnesses and by the word of their testimony they overthrew all forces and arguments drawne from reason or reading which the Spirit observeth in these words And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and all such arguments as were drawne from the block as fire sword persecution interdiction and such like the Children of the Church quenched them with tears prayers patience and martyrdome as their Lord had given them charge and left them example which the Spirit uncovereth in saying And they loved not their lives even unto the death VERS 13. Therefore rejoyce O Heavens and you that dwell in them Wo to the Earth and to the Sea because the Divel is discended to you having great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time AS after victory followeth division of spoile so the Spirit shuts up this heavenly conquest with triâ—mph and joy inviting thereunto all the Saints and â—ervants of God which have from time to time mainâ—ained and defended th' honour of his Name against the Dragon his sorcerers and sorceries And beâ—ause by their good profession and godly conversation
chair of state as the Spirit noteth saying which had the stroke of the sword and liveth VERS 15. And it was given to him to give spirit to the image of the Beast and that the image of the Beast should speake and should make that whosoever honoured not the image of the Beast be slaine ANd such art and perswasible power was given to those inchanters and apostates of Antichrist that they infused such a quickning spirit such a life giving animation into the Ethnick dead and desolate image of the Dragons religion by guilding it over with the reverend divine and honorable names of God omnipotent Christ Jesus the righteous his holy Spirit his precious blood his sacred word his blessed Sacraments c. that they easily perswaded the blear eyed world to think and beleeve that the execrable forme and image of Jupiters abomination commanded by the Dragon and his Caesars was the very true worship and service of God commanded by the Lamb and his servants and that the picture of Jupiter Olympius which their Lord Epiphanes had set up and placed in Sanctum Sanctorum was the very Ark and propitiâ—tory of God set up and erected by Moses his servant and their abominable mysticall Masse the Sacrifice of an unbloody Messias made of bread of their owne baking which the Patriarks Prophers and Apostles never heard nor dreamed of is a Sacrifice not Eucharisticall but propitiatory and so all sufficient for the atonement and reconciliation of God unto the sinner as if it were figured and sealed in the precious blood of the Lord of the Covenant and that the horrible prophane and detestable supper of Thyestes is the very true holy and comfortable commemoration of the Lords love in giving his life for the children of the Church and their thankfull communion and celebration of the same And by these and such like inchantments these Proctors of Antichrist so baffled and blinded the Princes and Protectors of their synagogues that they inzeal'd them to authorize and erect inquisitions executions and torments against all such as refuse to honour and adore the idol-service and desolation of their Antiochus and that all such as doe but mutter against the magnificence of their Church and her worship which all the world adoreth should be accounted as Infoelix Lolium weeds Lollards Heretiques excommunicates and sonnes of death to the admirable confirmation of the Spirits prediction in this place saying that it was given to him to give such spirit to the image of the Beast that the image of the beast should speake and make that whosoever honoured not the image of the bâ—â—st be slaine VERS 16. And he should make all little and great rich and poore free and bond to have a Character in their right hand or on their fore-heads ANd the power of these prostibulous Clerks was so catholique and universall that they caused all Kingdomes and Nations figured here by a numeration of their estates conditions and callings little great rich poore bond free to confederate and unite themselves by a resolute and determinate purpose of believing and living after the laws and prescriptions of Antichrist which league of voluntary and resolute subjection the Spirit calleth the character of the beast for as unity and love in truth and a resolved purpose to live after the Commandements of God is the Character and cognizance of the Lamb so unity conspiration and banding against the truth with resolution to live after the traditions of Antichrist is the crest and character of the Beast Which profession of obedience was so studiously embraced and with such joy received of all the clients and creatures of Antichâ—ist that the Spirit saâ—th they did no lesse pâ—ide themselves in their errors and abominations then in the wearing of their braceleâ—s and abillements delivering it in manner of speech usuall with holy Scripture when it intendeth to expresse an ardent and hearty affection approved both by word and action by practise and profession as Deut. 6. 8. and 11. 18. where the holy Ghost useth the selfe same phrase in their right hand or on their foreheads VERS 17. And that no man may buy or sell but he that hath the character or the name of the Beast or the number of his name ANd in further proofe that Antichrist and his apostaticall Clergy should drive the Naâ—le of their impâ—ety home to the very head the Spirit saith that by them and meanes of their authority it should be enacted that none should trade or live for so much the inhibition of buying and selling doth inferre but such as acknowledge and adore the prerogative royall religion and discipline of the Beast and his holy Catholique Church for so by a figurative kind of blasphemy she must be called as is confirmed by Antichrist himselfe then named Martin the fift in his Bull directed to the inquisiâ—ors of hereticall pravity for so it pleaseth him to terme the profession of the truth Nec domicilia habeant nec larem foveant nec contractus ineanâ— nec negotiationes mercaturas exerceant nec humanitatis solatia cum Christi fidelibus habeant c. All which their domineering rage or madnesse the holy Ghost by way of prevision most admirably epitomizeth in these words And that no man may buy or sell no one excepted out of the King of Babvlons decree save those onely that carry his signing and flesh-mark in their hands or hearts as Beasts doe in their fells meaning such as under or above boord privately or in publique are obstinately and resolutely devoted to live and dye as the Beast commandeth which the Spirit unfoldeth in saying But he that hath the Character or are oâ—herwise allied as it were by way of cognomination unto Antichrist or his Church Catholique and are hereafter cleped Papists or Catholiques revealed in these words Or the name of the Beast or last of all are sound to adore within the very verge or lists of his reigne and Empire Pontificiall here butted and bounded within the circle and comprehension of these words Or the number of his name of whichmore at large in the verse following VERS 18. Here is wisdome he that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred sixty six THe holy Ghost intending to reveale in this verse the secret councell and purpose of God concerning the period and finall end of Antichrist and his Church-dominion prepareth his Reader to attention by a little short Preface intimating that it is the discovery of a mystery and point of high understanding saying Here is wisdome wherein lest we should over-rashly judge as many have done the Spirit maketh choice of his auditors and addeth for a bar not he that will but he that can and hath understanding let him audite and count the number of the Beast He that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast whom lest we should imagine to be a spirit
or other creature of strange shape as some have vainly phantasied the Spirit calleth him a man saying For it is the number of a man comprehending by a Synecdoche under the word Man a successive state and Kingdome of men after the speaking and stile of the Prophers for so the Lord informed his servant Moses to speake Let my sonne goe that is let my Exod. 4. Dan 7. Dan. 8. People of Israel depart and so in Daniel under the forme and name of foure singular Beasts aâ—e designed foure severall Monarchies most of them containing a long succession of many Monarchs The Ramme which thou sawest are the Kings of the Medes and Persians after which maâ—ner of speaking the Spirit speaketh also in this place and under the name of a man presenteth unto us the whole race and succession of men of sinâ—e whose totall summe is one Antichrist the bounds and limits of whose dominion and tyâ—anny the holy Ghost impâ—leth within the circuit of a certaine sure prefixed period and determinate number of yeares saying And the number of him is six hundred sixty six Wherein many as well ancient as late writers as in the rest have vainly imagined that Antichrist is one singular person which must suddenly start up and after three civill yeares and a halfe depart againe and that he must bee by birth a Iew and of the Tribe of Dan when notwithstanding those cursed Scatterbags have neither Tribe nor shadow of Tribe left amongst them and that he must reigne in Ierusalem of which Citie and Temple there is not any one stone left upon another and that he must kill Enoch and Elias who are to appeare about the Kalends of Greece with divers other such legendary phantasies never meant nor sent from God so in this point also concerning the number of Antichrist they have given up an account so far from the audite of truth as nothing can be more And as men that thought it worth the labour to find a knot in a rush so by a conceited framing and anagramming of letters they have endeavoured to find out such a name as by characters might express the number 666 and withall might something square either with the name nature blasphemie or residence of the Bishops of Rome as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remiith Adonikam filius perditionis c. whereunto also may be added the conjectures of John Wickliffe John Bale Francis Junius men otherwise of good and worthy memory in the Church of God as also the conjectures of others as worthy and honourable as they that have reserred the number of 666. to the time of Antichrists revealing and yeare of rising when notwithstanding it is a strange voyce and not knowne to the eares of the Scriptures for the word number to be used for the beginning and rising of any terme of time limited and predicted by the Prophets but onely for the end period and determination thereof But if it were lawfull to smile in so grave an inquisition amongst all phantasticall charmes and cabalisticall conjectures upon this word number there is none more ridiculous then that which most pleaseth our Rhetoricall Rhemists who by a rare supputation of characters have as roundly found out the Beasts number as the Sodomites did the doors of Lot in the name Luderus which in the Almain tongue is the name of Luther and although we are sure they cannot so much as think upon the poor Frier Luther but for very feare they stinke all the world over yet this device so tickleth the Clergy of Antichrist that they pretend to laugh for joy But as for their prefixed time of three naturall or civill yeares and a halfe which they allot to the reigne and rage of their Antichrist it doth so unevenly square with Luther or Lutherans continuance that these miserable Sardonians are faine to eat their word and to endure the foolish world to laugh at them whiles as dying they faine would seem to laugh at it But to leave these cursed leaders of the cursed blind and returne againe to those that have thought to calculate and find out the mystery of Antichâ—ists number 666 in a word at a word we say they are deâ—eived and erre not knowing the power and construction of the Scripture For fiâ—st by the word name delivered in the former verse in these words Or the number of his name is meant the very existence and person of the man of sin by a propriety of speech common to holy Scriptures as Acts 1. 15. Apoc. 3. 4. 11. 13. where by an Hebraisme names signifie men and are converted with the parties and persons themselves as the name of God in holy Scripture is often taken for God himselfe and therefore as in the former verse the Scripture calleth it the number of his name so in this verse he calleth it the number of a man understanding by a man as is aforesaid the totall sum of that succession of beastly men which make and constitute the existence and person of one Antichrist and by the word number is meant the fatall end and finall determination of their reigne and government for so the finger of God speaketh to Belshazzar God hath numbred thy Kingdome that is God hath ended and finâ—shed the dayes of thy Kingdome so that the number of his name or the number of the man is nothing else but the period and finall determination of the usurped tyranny and domination of Antichrist which the Lamb the Lord and preserver of Israel for the glory of his name consolation of his Church and confusion of her foes with a mighty and outstretched arme shall bring to passe in the yeare which shall be 666. For forasmuch as the egge of Antichristianism was laid in the daves of Innocent the first successoâ— to Anastasius the first also of that name in the yeare of salvation 406. as is before delcared and that by expresse commission there was furthermore granted to the Beast his heirs and successors 1260. years for the hatching fostering and perfecting this child of perdition and mystery of iniquity which being added to 406. by rule of true audite must needs verifie this admirable judgement which the Spirit of God hath here denounced and determined to make good upon him in the yeare which shall be 1666. In which account and discovery of his end the holy Ghost of purpose leaveth out the millenary number as not onely knowne perfect and immutable for that these vile and evill dayes shall not exceed more thousands then one but as respecting also the common use of all Nations as well Hebrews aÌ„s Gentiles who in their stiles for brevitie sake do no lesse often speak and â—rite by th'â—mperfect number omitting the â—illenary then after the perfect adding the millenary as Munster well observeth And in that year my Lord of Rome shall lay down his Vide Calendarium Hebraicum Sebastiani Munsteri proud wavesâ— and although he fortifie never so strong
the Familists when I alledg'd St. Paul's words 1 Cor. 15. 19 If onely in this life we have hope in Christ we are of all Men most miserable to prove the Resurrection and his assured hope of Salvation in the world to come he denied it in hearing of divers saying that the Apostles meaning was if we had only hope in this life not the thing hoped for we were most miserable but now saith he we have both the hope the thing hoped for the promise the thing promised al that may be expected we have in this life as he affirmed agreeable to the rest of their blasphemous Principles Familists then to receive and enjoy eternal rest an Inheritance amongst Gods Elect the faithful Iews Gentiles in that Land promised the Fathers I say commending his writings as a most inestimable Treasure to all sober Christians hoping that themselvs may see and find that they are undoubtedly the very truth as in due time will appear desiring them as they tender and value their own everlasting peace and happiness as they must certainly answer it at the great Day of the coming of Christ Resurrection of the dead that they would above all things take heed of and avoid the horrible infatuations the pernicious poisonous Doctrines Principles of the shameless blasphemous Familists so directly contrary to so wholy absolutely inconsistent with the grace of God and state of Salvation I take my leave and rest their Christian Friend J. W. Lond. Apr. 15. 1661. A VOYCE Out of the WILDERNES CRYING With many Tears and strong perswasions to the World for REPENTANCE Proving by undenyable Grounds from the Word of God that the great Day of his righteous Judgement shall certainly be in this present Age before 61. Years after this present Yeare 1651. shall be expired And unfolding many great and wonderfull Mysteries of God forespoken in his word to come to passe and be fulfilled from the rising of Julius Caesar first Emperour of ROME to this present time and from hence to that Great Day of the Lord. Things that were never discovered by any Writer before this knowne and such as greatly concerne the Church and Chosen of God in this last time Exprest in a very high Propheticall stile and clear evidence of the Spirit and of Power from above which the judicious Christian Reader may well perceive LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE CHURCH OF ROME MANY and sundry voices have beene heard out of the Wildernesse in these latter dayes whereunto had wee given good and diligent eare we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation neverthelesse he that writeth testifieth the Kingdom of God is at hand WHat neighbour or friend is he who seeing his next or beloved in danger doth not cry â—ake heed and though such one may be found yet â—annot we hold our peace Generations sinfull and â—dulterous why should we feare or shame to speake â—mongst yee your number and hath it not been alwayes the complaint of the holy Ghost in the dayes of the Prophets Apostles and to this houre Lord who hath beleeved our sayings and to whom is thy arm revealed your nostrils whose power is breath not to be counted of nay we are not only ready to give up our bodies but our souls to be sacrificed in witnesse of the cause pleaded before yee this day or should our voyce be ashamed of her preparation behold yee scorners like as a mighty wind that pasâ—eth your eare and bloweth not upon yee so shall yee heare great things to day and not be moved â—herewith and poore and slight and simple as she goeth she hath authority to give joy to the living and life unto the dead Amongst whom liest thou buried rotten and past rising up againe thou that siâ—test carelesse like a Queen in pleasure and glorifien thâ— selâ—e saying in thy heart I am alone and besides me is no other I may not be widow or desolate for ever aâ—d like a foole hast not considered th'older thou art the nigher to thy grave But thou sayest tush am I not great Where dwelleth then the power that may doe all these things Wherefore thus saith the truth although thou be now so high as that the word forespoken is fullfilled in thee And who is like unto the beast or who may war with him behold the day hasteth and is at hand wherein thâ—u shalt be made so little that thy name and remnant shall not be found upon the earth and all thy many hornes and multitude of Witches whose arme and counsell have been thy help and treasure from thy youth shall fall and perish as fire consumeâ—h straw and not be able to deliver thee any more for thy dayes are numbred and yet two Moneths two Weekes two dayes and a halfe and thy number six hundred sixty six shall be fullfilled Happy man that liveth to see that day and behold there be living that shall see it And Tyre and Sydon with all thy Cedars though now they surfet in wealth in pride and pleasure shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands for Babylon their Lord is dead And thy death shall be the life of Israel but his light may not long indure as testâ—fieth the Prophet And then and in those dayes shall be fullfiâ—â—'d the great mystery of God prophâ—â—ied by the mighty Angell who set his right foot on the Sea and left upon the Land and lifting up his stroâ—gest arme to Heaven swore by him that liveth for ever and eâ—er There shall be time no more He that blasphemeth let him blaspheme still and he that liveth at ease take his pleasure still neverthelesse the speciall day is at the doore to give to every one according to his wayes And yet thou sayest I am his house his sanctuary and place of his dwelling wherefore Discoursers 〈◊〉 once shall be wrought in your eye to day all the gateâ— of his City shall be laid open before yee and none of yee shall enter into it All are wise and every one shall give account according to that he hath received I aske then and have not all received yes verily the voice of God is written up and placed in th' eyes or heaâ—ts of all as it is wirtten Their sound is gone forth over all the earth and their words unto the worlds end But all have nor obeyed as testâ—fieth the Prophet and therefore the Kingdome of Heaven is likened to a Field containing Corne and Weedes to a Net enclosing fish of all sorts good and bad to a Wedding whereunto all were bidden those that refused those that came prepared and those that came and were 〈◊〉 apparrelled to Servants good diligent faithfull bad slow and unprofitable to Virgins some wise whose lamps did watch while they slept 〈◊〉 foolish whose lamps did sleep with them to a house of great and large receitâ— garnished with vâ—ssells of gold and silver of wood and clay then and in that day to be imployed