A VOICE From the Temple TO THE Higher Povvers Wherein is shewed that it is the work and duty of Saints to search the Prophesies and Visions of holy Scripture which concern the Later Times And that Jesus Christ will reveal the understanding of them neer the end of their accomplishment And so much is here clearly proved and the Objections to the contrary answered ALSO Severall Prophesies are here opened concerning the Time of the End As what is the present work of the Lord in the world And wherein the Saints whether the Higher Powers or others are now to move and follow him Likewise what will be the work of the Lord forward and all along from year to year till the Mysterie of God be finished both among the Christian Gentiles and Jewes By John Canne 2 Pet. 3.3 4. There shall come in the last dayes mockers saying where is the promise of his coming Job 21.3 Suffer me that I may speake and after that I have spoken mocke on Dan. 22.10 But the wicked shall doe wickedly none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons next door to the gilded Lyon in Aldersgate street 1653. TO His Excellency the Lord General CROMWEL My Lord IT was most unhappily done of Caesar to put the letter into his bosome which he should have read before he went unto the Consull I shall humbly desire your Excellency in the midst of your great Affaires to read over this short Treatise which was intended in publishing specially for you as being thereunto encouraged by your Honour Had those whose Crownes are now fallen and their places have cast them out not laid aside Daniel and other Prophesies of the later Times but day and night meditated therein and so known the signes of the Son of man their glory would not so soone have departed from them But trusting to lying vanities they forsooke their owne mercies As for other Bookes of humane wisdome and State-policies they are almost now like an old Almanack out of date most improper and uselesse to the great worke of this age And therefore such as desire to stand and not to be lost in the night of Errour and shame must search the great Booke of Gods Counsell for there they shall know and no where else what the worke is of their owne generation It is not enough that a man meanes well and resolves to doe honest and just things but he is to consider whether the thing which he proposeth next to do be his worke and proper to the time in which he lives It was in Davids heart to build God an house and the worke seem'd to Nathan to be so pious and good as he gave him encouragement to goe forward with it Neverthelesse David here was mistaken and the Prophet too For David was not the man but Solomon appointed for that businesse As Gods thoughts are not our thoughts nor his wayes our ways so it oft-times falls out what our thoughts are busied most about and sticke fastest too that is not the thing which the Lord intends we shall do but he hath some other employment and service for us My Lord it is for this end I write thus to you howsoever I hope you intend a great deale of good to the Nation and thinke of nothing but what is honest just pure and of good report yet one thing is needfull namely that you search the Prophesies of the later times to finde out what is your worke as now proper to you That so you may doe that good that acceptable and perfect wil of God in your generation Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find SO DOING Not only doing but doing so and so That it was your worke and appointed to you of God to be a happy instrument for the dissolving the last Parliament It is not only cleare to me but something is here said in the justification of it But now my Lord the great Question is what is next I have purposely published this Booke to answer this great Question to wit that your Excellency and others in place may see what my opinion is and how grounded upon the word concerning the Lords works and working at this time and wherein you and others are to move and follow the Lamb. I shall not speake any thing concerning the chose of the new Governours which lies before you Only this by knowing what is the Lords worke which he is now doing amongst us and carrying forth in the world it may be somewhat usefull to your Excellency in your choise as to call out such men as are best principled and qualified for THAT My Lord Those great Statesmen who are laid aside lie in dust under the guilt and shame of their actions wanted not deep policie strong reason worldly wisdome politicke Councellours and large advantages of the time but this they wanted which was their ruine they were not like the children of Issachar men that had the understanding of the Times to know what Israel ought to doe Hence it is that not only my self but many more who love you truly and dearely earnestly desire and begg it daily of God for you that those Prophesies which speak out the work of God to be done now in the world may be searcht by you and clearly opened to you Methinks I should finde you in that voyce from heaven saying Come out of her my people and to be one of the Angels pouring out the fifth Viall About the time of Christs Incarnation there was a great expectation amongst the Jewes of the coming of the Messiah For they knew by former Prophesies that he was then to come This voyce from Heaven and the fifth Angel is already come but there is now an expectation to have that Prophesie perfected And if the Lord shall be pleased to perfect by you the good worke which he hath made you instrumentall in that is to be his and our Generall still for the execution of the last vengeance upon the two persecuting powers of the world viz. Kingly and Antichristian it will be such an honour as few of the sonnes of men ever had My Lord I shall close with this there is no work for you in the grave it must be done on this side It might have been a Motto set upon Davids Sepulchre After hee had served his owne Generation by the will of God he fell asleep he fell not asleep till he had served his Generation This shall be my prayer that in life and death it may be so with you Even doe the worke of him that sent you whilst it is today and when you are gathered to your Fathers that the memorie of your name may be precious among the Saints as Davids was in Israel And thus prays he who is Your Excellencies most humble Servant John Canne TO The Right Honourable Colonell Robert Overton Governour of Hull and his Religious Lady with all my other dear Christian
friends in and about Hull Deare Friends IT hath been the great desire of some of you that I would publish to the world My Notes upon Daniel I had no intent when I preacht them that they should have been further known or more common then amongst you These Changes and Revolutions in our Nation have changed my Resolution and something I have begun As not being asham'd to beare witnesse before the world to what more privately I delivered to you For the severall Censures of men otherwise minded I can well beare them for I did sit downe first and count the cost Besides for men to speak evill of those things which they know not it is usuall But wisdome is justified of her children Sirs I cannot without much thankefulnesse to God and comfort to my selfe but remember you specially your most earnest and constant seeking of God to have the Book opened and the Seales loosed that you might see your worke and know how to Act for Christ in your Generation I make mention of this that your zeale may provoke others and stir them up to aske wisdome of God and for Zions sake not to hold their peace and for Jerusalems sake not to give him rest till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth For my part I can speak it to Gods glory I have found all along in opening the Prophesies of Daniel and the Revelation to you the answer of your prayers and the fruit of your faith abundantly upon my soule I know these things when they were delivered offended the Priests in that Countrey and in likelihood being made now more publique will increase their rage and blasphemie against the God of Heaven because of their pains and sores It is not destruction I wish them but that the Lord will give them Repentance from dead workes and that they would forsake their unsanctified places and standings and not deceive the people any longer by their lies and beastly vanities I say before the fierce anger of the Lord and the wrath of the Lamb come upon them I hope there will be shortly some effectuall meanes used to remove from the people the heaviest burthen and sorest plague that lies upon them which is a generation of Priests that fatten the people for the day of slaughter For my part what Interest I have either with God or men I shall endeavour to improve it to the utmost That the Foxes both the old and the young Cubs which spoile the Vines and the tender Grapes may be taken I know people generally though they complain of other Oppressions and burdens and would willingly be eased of them yet here they have no feeling and therefore they are the more to be pittied and the sooner helped in not apprehending what is the greatest misery they lie under Those who have lately shewed so much good affection to have the Gospell advanced in New-England I hope they will be farre more enlarged in their bowels for the conversion of poore Heathens in our owne Land that the people which sit here in darknesse may see a great light and to them which sit in the region and shadow of death light may spring up Deare friends I shall not write much though I could say much in your behalfe as being lights among a crooked and froward generation walking in the life and power of Religion where others are meer Formalists Besides you have not been asham'd to own the truths of God when they have been rendred in Pulpits scandalous blasphemous hereticall c. Sirs it is your prayers that I still desire with me and for me I know no people under heaven that have more encouragement then you to goe boldly to the Throne of grace considering what reall full answers you have had of former seeking the Lord. Now the Lord more and more poure the spirit of grace and of supplication into your hearts and fill you with wisdome and spirituall understanding and keep you sincere and without offence till the day of Christ and thus prayes he who is Your Christian Brother to serve you in the Gospel JOHN CANNE A Voice from the Temple to the higher POWERS Wherin is shewed that it is the Work and Duty of Saints to search the Prophesies and Visions of holy Scriptures which concern the latter times And that Jesus Christ will reveal the knowledge of them neere the end of their accomplishment And so much is here clearely proved and the Objections to the contrary answered THings must be removed and taken off from the place where they are before they can be laid and setled else where That I may win others to the same opinion I am of in the subject or matter I here plead for I shall first begin to answer such Objections which I conceive are most considerable against it Object 1 When (a) Acts 1.6.7 they were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdome of Israel And he said unto them it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power If not for the Apostles to know then not for others who in gifts place and parts are farre short and inferiour to them Answer 1. Because it was neither convenient nor necessary for the Disciples no nor for any in that age to know the Times yet it doth not follow that it was inexpedient or unnecessary for others in ages after Christ doth not say It is not for any or it is not for others but it is not for you to know he means no way usefull or fit for them as tending either to Gods glory or the Churches good 2. In saying which the father hath put in his own power he plainly intimates that it should be revealed and made known in due time and unto such as he thought good It was Goliah's lot to have his head cut off with his own sword this very scripture if rightly weighed is a most effectuall proof to confute the very thing they bring it for 3 As Christ told them It was not for them to know the times so he might have given them a reason for it for the knowledge of the Time concerning the restauration of the Kingdome to Israel was then shut up and sealed according to (b) Dan. 12.4 Daniel and not to be revealed till towards or near the accomplishment Object 2. But (c) Mat. 24.37 38 39. as the dayes of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be for as in the dayes that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage untill the day that Noah entred into the ark and knew not untill the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be Answer I shall answer this scripture two wayes 1 For the wicked and ungodly sinners the knowledge of the time was hid from them and indeed this is the thing
the slaying of the Witnesses Christ taking the possession of the kingdome and reigning c. or not If there be no time set and appointed time for what use then are these Texts Dan. 7.25 and 9.25 26 27. and 12.11 12. Hab. 2.3 Revel 11.2 3. and 12.6.14 If there be a time certain and fixt then I would know if nothing of the time is to be known till after the accomplishment how these and such other scriptures can be said to be written for our learning and comfort or what benefit the Church and People of God have by having them written Caesars letter though he carried it with him in his bosome into the Councel yet not knowing the contents it profited him nothing In the knowledge of the times there lyes our comfort and safety to have the words in our book and no more that helps not though we have them with us still in our bosome 6. Daniel being commanded to (m) Dan. 12.4 shut up the words and seale the Book even to the time of the end afterwards sees (n) v. 5 two the one standing on this side of the banck and the other on that side of the banck of the river These two I take to be Types the one a Type of the Christian Gentiles the other of the Iewes unto whom Iesus Christ the man clothed in linnen will open the mysteries of the times a little before the end Three reasons I have for this 1. They both make enquiry How o long shall it be to the end of these wonders Our Bibles reade and one said to the man clothed But the word one is not in the text nor is there to be understood for they spake both 2. The man clothed in linnen which was Christ (p) v. 7. holds up his right hand and his left hand to heaven wherefore both and not one hand alone (q) 10.5 Because here are two one on his right hand another on his left and both to be informed 3. They are both answered as to their question concerning the times The Gentile type hath his answer v. 7. It shall be for a time times and an half And the Jew type hath his answer v. 11. From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes From this I gather some litle time before the end the Lord will unseale the prophesies of Daniel and reveal the times included to some both Iews and Gentiles Those great mysteries of the times which have been hid and lookt up from former ages shall be clearly opened to them and they shall know how long it will be before the Fourth Monarch be destroyed the witnesses slain Euphrates dryed up and Michael stand up for his people And this they shall speak out to the world and not one jot of their words shall fail You will ask it may be what will men say to this It will be with these men as it was with Hezekiah's messengers some laughed them to scorn 2 Chron. 30.11 and mocked them Neverthelesse divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem 7. As the time of the end is neerer at hand so the Prophesies and consequently the times included are to be unsealed Dan. 12.9 Rev. 22.10 and 1.3 opened revealed In Daniel 12.7 when a time times and an half was proposed and the Prophet professing he understood it not v. 8. an answer was given v. 9. that the words were sealed up till the end that is untill the last time immediately before the end as the phrase is used Revelat. 11.7 Therefore in the time immediately before the accomplishment these words are to be unsealed that is the meaning of them shall be known to Saints Again this is further manifested by v. 10. Many shall be purified and made white and tryed and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand So ver 11. what they should understand at the time of the end in particular is there more fully expressed And from the time saith the Angel that the daily sacrifices shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be 1290. dayes Quest But wherefore hath the Lord denyed the knowledge of the times to his people in former ages and will reveal it to Saints neer unto the end I might here say Mat. 11.26 in the words of our Lord Even so father for so it seemeth good in thy sight But I Answer 1. Gods administrations in the later Times concerning a nation and Kingdom Note to pluck up and pull down and to destroy it will be such as the instruments of the work probably shall want former examples and ordinary rules to walk by Men at Sea having not the marks and directions which travellers have on Land need some other help to steer and order their course by Gods way neer the end will be in the Sea Psal 77.19 and his path in the great waters So that as the actions of some men shall be rare unexemplary without president so God will give them clear light in away suteable that is make them understand the times and that it is now their proper work to act so and so in order to the fulfilling of the will and commandement of God though the same as the world judgeth seem irrational illegal absurd destructive to Religion Law Liberty c. 2. These latter times will be accompanied with such great destractions confusions divisions as people will be at a losse and so in darknesse that they will not know what to doe which way to take nor how to dispose of themselves Reader note it Gods marvelous work now in the world will move so contrary to mens expectations and self interest as multitudes shall fall off daily Isa 60.2 yea some good men shall be offended and left behinde Darknesse shall cover the earth and grosse darknesse the people Neverthelesse for the comfort and encouragement of the wise the Lord shall arise upon them and his glory shall be seen upon them and by the understanding of the times which they shall have God will make them instrumentall for the perfecting of the good work which he hath begun Thus not by might Zech. 4.6 nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts 3. As the knowledge of the end hath been concealed from former Ages to prevent security and to stir men up unto watchfulnesse Mat. 24.42 Mar. 13.35 Luk. 12.40 as our Saviour expresly shews so it is to be revealed to this last Age to move men to repentance and amendment of life that they should forsake all unrighteousness guile dissimulation self-seeking Doe justice love mercy lose the bonds of wickednesse undoe the heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free and break every yoke If a man fall into a pit or snare whereof he was before told and warned he
vexeth and grieves the more When corrupt and deceitfull men shall see the very thing come to passe upon them which before in the word of the Lord was told them namely within such a time if they turn not from their evill wayes and make their wayes and their doings good the Lord will pluck them out of their dwelling places lay them aside break their power to pieces Lord what a torment and vexation this will be to them that notwithstanding warned and admonished as from God they should yet harden and hearten themselves to their own destruction Prov. 5.12 How have I hated instruction and my heart despised reproof and have not obeyd the voice of my teachers nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me 4 For this cause likewise will the Lord have the book now opened viz. to advance the honour and holinesse of his blessed word we are in an age wherein most things are questioned not only water-Baptisme and whether there be a true Church but whether there be a true God a true Christ a true Word c. Now as this is atime wherein Satan appears against the holy Scriptures and the truths therein contained more violently and blasphemously then ever heretofore so I confidently affirm and will abide by it that the Lord will now arise and appear for the vindication of the holy Scriptures more gloriously and eminently then ever And wherein can the excellency of them be more advanced the truths in them more manifested the contemners of them more ashamed and silenced then that the wise should understand For what Athiest will not blush and be confounded when he shall most evidently see such things come to passe this year and the next and so forward till the year 1770. as was foretold And that in order to the fulfilling of prophesies and visions recorded some fifteen hundred years others two thousand years before and more Having proved by severall Arguments that the knowledge of the times is possible and ought to be searched and wherefore the same though concealed from former ages is to be revealed to the last age I come now to the Prophesies themselves In Daniel I find five speciall prophesies in reference to the time of the end Chap. 7.25 Chap. 9.24 25 26 27. Chap. 12.7 11 12. The three first concern the Christian Gentiles the two latter the Jews and in them are comprehended all the works of both that is when those years are expired then their whole warfare shall be accomplished and they shall be no more two but one and one shepherd shall be set over them Howsoever I intend to set forth these things more at large in another Treatise yet something I will speak now as to the times both of the Gentiles and of the Jews And first to that place in Daniel Dan. 7.25 Vntill a time and times and dividing of times In Scripture we find time to be taken for dayes as Dan 4. comparing v. 16. with 34. By dayes years are to be understood Your children shall wander in the wildernesse forty dayes Numb 14.33 34. Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year Again Thou shalt bear their iniquity forty dayes and I have appointed thee each day for a year In propheticall use a day that is a year containeth 360 dayes or years This Daniel calls a time The word times signifies so much more that is 720 years The dividing of time is 180 dayes or years the whole put together makes 1260 years and so much the spirit of God expresly declares in Rev 12. where a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes v. 6. is said to be a time and times and half a time v. 14. Before we come to the accommodation of these years we are to speak of the ten horns and the little horn first of their rise then their fall that is their beginning and ending For their rise or beginning it is to be understood either as hid and secret or more plain and open These ten horns I understand to be the Romane Empire dissolved into ten parts or Kingdoms In the enumeration of them some produce them thus Brittany France Germany Spain Italy Africa Asia Graecia Syria and Egypt I shall set down what to me is most probable 1. The kingdom of the Brittains 2 of the Saxons both in Brittany 3 of the kingdom of the Franks 4 of the Burgundians both in France 5 The kingdome of the West Gothes in the Southern part of France and part of Spain 6. the Sueves and Alanes in part of Spain 7 the Kingdome of the Vandals in Africa a little before in Spain 8. The Alemanes in Rhaetia and Noricum Provinces of Germany 9 the Kingdome of the East Goths in Ponnonia a little before in Italy Lastly the Kingdome of the Greeks in the remnant of the Empire Though this Decharchicall division doth not continue yet that it was so at first is apparent by History For their Rise which was obscure and dark Dan. 7.8 which gave Daniel occasion to consider the hornes as being so low and short that he could scarce perceive them this was about the year of our Lord 388. It is true the fall of the Empire was by degrees and it was 40 years after or more before the same was effectually dissolved Neverthelesse about this time to wit the year 388. those horns did appear though obscure and little as I said before in Rev. 17.12 The horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdome as yet but receive power at Kings one hour with the Beast that is they had not at first a Soveraignty Majesty Power Priviledges which afterwards they possest and were confirmed in Now adde unto 388. which was the time of the rise of the ten horns and the Romane Empire its beginning to dissolve Daniels number namely 1260. and it extendeth to the year of Christ 1648. This year to wit the year 1648. do I affirm with much assurance was the time when the Thrones were set and the ancient of dayes did sit as is expressed in Dan. 7.9 10. Here began the Lord God Almighty to call Kings and Kingdomes to an account to cast down the mighty from their seats to cut off the spirit of Princes and to be terrible unto the Kings of the earth And this work goes forward still and shall prevail and prosper to the utter breaking and destroying of the fourth Monarch or Romane Empire dissolved into ten Kingdomes And the little horn that is the Antichristian State and Kingdom likewise I know it will be expected that I give some reasons for what is here asserted especially it being delivered with so much confidence This I shall willingly do 1 Howsoever our Chronicles give the Romane Empire some kind of interest and title to the Brittains till the year 440. yet it was rather in name then in thing For after the year 388. the Romanes never exercised that power here which they did before onely now and then and that upon
the little horne that is the Antichristian Kingdome Yet they are to be differenced in point of time as not having their beginning and rise together In this place the Antichristian Kingdome is the little horne but not the vile person because the basenesse and abhominable iniquity of that State was not so high and full as afterwards it was and appeared to the world and therefore then rightly called the vile person and not the little horne But to proceed from the State-plague I come to what is personall After the Ecclesiasticall Kingdom shall be destroyed Every plant which the heavenly father hath not planted Mat. 1. â— 13 rooted up the Antichristians and worshippers of the Beast will remaine and in as much blindnesse and hardnesse of heart as before And so much appears Revel 18.9.11 12 c. where the Kings of the Earth and the Merchants are brought in weeping and wailing when they see the smoake of the burning Now to finde out the time of the end concerning these mens destruction we must enquire after the first warr which the worshiprers of the Beast made against the Saints Twice the woman is said to flye into the wildernesse Rev. 12.6.14 And two warres the Antichristians made against her the former when that State was the little horne the later when it was the vile person Of the first now I intend only to speak Although the later which was against the Waldenses be more memorable both for the cruelty and continuance of it and will give much light to the matter I have in hand and therefore I purpuse by the good hand of God assisting me shortly to set it forth The first warre I finde made against the people of God by the Antichristians was in the yeare 406. About that time wee read of a people called Donatists who by the Antichristian Clergy and others were held Schismaticks Hereticks Blasphemers c. and no otherwise proceeded against and persecuted then if they had beene indeed most wicked people Others after them specially the Priests even to this day as Carriers horses follow the steps of their fore-fathers not taking notice who were their accusers nor the particulars whereof they were accused These Donatists by what doth appeare in the writings of their adversaries were honest men sound in the faith and suffered very much for the Truth sake Concerning their opinions howsoever we have them not but as reported and set downe by their Enemies who no doubt made things as bad as they could yet we shall take them as from them 1. They denyed the publique Assemblies that is the Parish Churches of the Papists as not being the Churches of Christ rightly constituted and separated from them because of the leaven and abhominations therein 2. They refused to submit to that power and form of Government which the little horne had devised and set up 3. They held that the Sacraments were no otherwise holy then as they were given and taken by holy men 4. It was their opinion that the Magistrate should not compell mens consciences not force unto acts of Religion 5. They are accused as being Millenaries that is did believe and teach that Jesus Christ in his humane nature should personally reign upon Earth I know other things are laid to their charge but so improbable yea impossible if such particulars as these were their Tenets as their Enemies might have been asham'd to put them gether and others since more asham'd of their ignorance and simplicity as not to see how ridiculous absurd and contradictory the old Popish Fathers are Augustine himself in the Story which they have left behind them concerning the Donat â—sts But to proceed Against these good men in whom began the witnesses that should prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes Note cloathed in sack-cloath warred the little horne in his worshippers by Canons Rev. 11.3 Councels Emperiall Edicts c. to the shedding of much innocent and precious blood And this was as I said before in the yeare 406. to which 1260. yeares being added it comes to the yeare 1666. and to the number of the Beast 666. So then in briefe my opinion is this As the Antichristian State shal be destroyed before or by the year 1660. and all that fulfilled which is set down Rev. 18. so not beyond the yeare 1666. shall the Antichristians themselves and worshippers of the Beast escape the vengeance of the Lord and of his Temple But either by repentance from dead workes come in and put themselves under the glorious Scepter of Jesus Christ or cast into the great Wine-presse of the wrath of God and so that fulfilled Rev. 19. And here the Lord wil put an end and period to all the troubles of the Gentile Churches not to goe beyond or further then the yeare 1666. After that time they shall be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb and sing Allelujah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord God Allelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth I have done for this time with the first Prophesie For the second which concerns the 70. weeks I know 't is generally applyed to the coming of Christ in the flesh and to his death and sufferings but I understand it otherwise as being one of the choisest and clearest Prophesies in all the Scripture concerning the later times chiefly the two Witnesses a matter at this time much spoken of and about which godly men are diversly minded I am not willing to enter upon it now but promise the Reader he shall suddenly have it in an entyre Tract for it lies ready by me for the Presse From the Gentiles therefore I come to the time of the end belonging to the Jewes set down in Dan. 12.11 12. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abhomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes It is most certain that Jesus Christ by his death did put away all Jewish sacrifices he did I say Iure and in right destroy them vertually by his owne sacrifice the fulnesse and end of all their shadowes Notwithstanding facto and actually after his death many years and by divers steps and degrees For after the taking and sacking of Jerusalem by Titus the Citie not destroyed the Jewes still there inhabited and continued their vaine worship with more ignorant zeale then before For 1. In the Reign of Adrian the Roman Emperour who built and dedicated a Temple in Jerusalem to Jupiter Olympius at which the Jewes being offended rebelled and made head and in the end were overcome and dispersed and the Citie named Aelia and given into the possession of the Gentiles whereas before untill that time they had not ceased there from sacrifice 2. Being expelled the Citie yet they continued their superstitions in the Countrey and built an
Lord and of his temple upon the Antichristian Kingdome Here still I speak of things and not of persons To the other Objection I answer thus 1. The glory of God in fulfilling his word is to be prefer'd before all outward prosperity A Heathen could say Let Justice be done and the world perish Shall Saints then hold back their hands from executing the righteous Judgments of the Lord only through a base fear of worldly inconveniences 2. Prov. 21.30 There is no wisdome nor understanding nor counsell against the Lord. If he be breaking now as certainly he is the fourth Monarch we and they may take counsel together but it shall come to nought What man seeing his neighbours house on fire would willingly set his own by it for so they would both burn and fall together The Lords fire is already kindled in Thrones and Kingdomes And therefore the further off we keep from associating our selves with them from coming near them in Leagues and Covenants the more likely it is that our Common-wealth wil be happy and flourish But 3. I would not have the people of this Nation to imagine that these Changings and Turnings in the world are in order to their better trading God intends it otherwise It 's for trading indeed but for his owne To breake the Kings Merchants and great men of the Earth that the Kingdomes of this world may be his and his Christs Worldly men have had their time for Trade and they have had a long time of it The Lord now is putting an end to that and setting up a better I write this for my Countrey-mens sake to let them know howsoever I hope Those which shall be next in place will doe just and good things take off what burthens they can and make the Nation as happy and prosperous as they are able Yet I have no hope that the Times will be any better for civill Trade but more troublesome and warrs daily increase And therefore they should now begin to look up to God and after his work and the Great Trade which he is carrying on and with-draw their minds from this old world which is perishing and going out and prepare for the world to come whereof we speake wherein dwelleth righteousnesse Heb. 2.5 and which will be much better for them if they be of that number who looke for the blessed hope Tit. 2.13 and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ For Conclusion there is one word more from the Temple to the higher Powers and so I have done And it concerns a main thing in order to our late great victory at Sea which the Lord gave us over the Dutch It was some trouble unto many when they heard that the Holland Merchant Ships were returned safely home and not met with by our Fleet It is true the Lord could have given them into our hands but he would not And why not the one as well as the other The reason is as the Lord hath put it strongly on my heart to have it known In this he tels us what our proper worke is namely not to look after Merchants as to grow great and rich by the wealth of other Nations but to break their power strength in pieces The Lord gave their men of Warr into our hands not their Merchant Ships Speaking here I say as it were from heaven that it is not prizes or the Enemies goods our hearts or hands should desirously be upon But to destroy Babylon stain the glory of Kings and Kingdoms and lay low the high and great mountains of the earth Rev. 22.10 Seale not the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book for the time is at hand Hos 14.9 Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and hee shall know them For the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein FINIS