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their owne mercies As for other Bookes of humane wisdome and State-policies they are almost now like an old Almanack out of date most improper and uselesse to the great worke of this age And therefore such as desire to stand and not to be lost in the night of Errour and shame must search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
which Christ in that place chiefly intends in comparing the time of Noah with the latter times for howsoever the prophane wretches then neither knew nor foresaw the coming of the flood yet Noah (e) Gen. 6 7. and 7.4 did he I say both foresaw and foretold the time of the old worlds destruction It was indeed concealed from the wicked because it was to come upon them as a snare in the night but revealed unto Noah for (f) Heb. 11.7 his own and the Churches preservation Even thus saith (g) Luk. 17 30. Christ shall it be in the day when the Son of man shall be revealed that is some shall know nothing of the times but go on in their ignorance and unbelief as become (h) 2 Pet. 3.34 scoffers and walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming and so perish in the coming destruction others on the other hand by faith like Noah shall prepare an Ark to the saving of their own souls 2 As concerning the Saints Christ doth not simply and absolutely deny unto them the knowledge of the time for he knew that the time was to be revealed unto them (i) Dan. 12.4 9 10 near the end but he denyeth it onely to the Saints present and far distant from the end to whom it was not to be (j) Dan. 12.4.10 made known as being unseasonable and not expedient and would have occasioned rather hurt then good Christ saith in a certain (l) John 7 6 10. place My time is not yet come neverthelesse within a little while after he goes up to the feast so concerning the godly whether we respect the dayes of Daniel or Christ the time then was not come that the prophesies of the End should be opened to them yet they shall be opened and made known to Saints near the finishing and before their accomplishment Object 3. (m) Mark 13.32 But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the angells which are in heaven neither the Son but the Father I know there are severall answers given som not as meere man Others though not the day and hour yet the year might be known both to Christ angels and men But to let these things passe my answer is Christ as the Son of man knew it not till he was ascended and glorified hence it is that he is acknowledged n Rev. 4 5 9 worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof mark the reason For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood so then as (o) Rev. 1.1 God gave unto Jesus Christ the Revelation to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to passe so this is as a fruit of his sufferings rising again and fitting at the right hand of his father And this is a point of marvellous consequence though little minded for it is matter of encouragement to ask wisdome of God that we may understand Daniel and the book of the Revelation what is meant by (p) Dan. 7.25 Time times and dividing of time what by the (q) Rev. 11.2 42 Moneths the 1260 dayes what by the (r) Rev. 13.18 number of the Beast which is 666. and (s) Dan. 6.12 6. how long it shall be to the end of these wonders Because Christ by his death became worthy to open the Seals that is with other things purchased by his blood for us this great priviledge to know the time and seasons and to make them known unto his Church and people If it be a thing which a man owns and hath a lawfull interest and right in it he can ask it with the more boldnesse and confidence and doubts not but to have it So here c. Object 4. Many learned and godly men diving and searching into these mysteries and hidden things have been greatly mistaken and by their extravagances have lost themselves which makes others warie and cautious how to meddle with them Answ 1. By the same reason other Scriptures are not to be searcht for learned men have most corruptly and falsely interpreted them 2 Though it be asserted by us that it is possible needfull yea required to search out the accommodation of the years yet we do not say every man howbeit learned and godly shall understand for the Lord may do what he will with his own 3 That many formerly have been mistaken it is not strange because the time was uncertain in which they lived the Revelation being reserved as I said before for the Saints of the last age Besides that many I do not speak of all even in these our dayes misse the mark no marvell For 1. Some of them (t) Prov. 3.5 6. lean unto their own wisdome humane learning arts sciences authority of men and seek not the Lord by faith and prayer to have direction light and counsell from him and hence and justly too is that verefied on them u Rom. 1.2 professing themselves to be wise they became fools 2 It is an usuall thing with Scholars to follow one another right or wrong The old Fathers as they are call'd applyed many things to their times which as then had no relation others coming after say the very same and look no further and so one leads another out of the way 3 Another cause of many mens mistake in the accommodation of years is confounding one thing with another and disorderly setting down that first which should be last and last first thus they appply promiscuously to Jews and Gentiles what should be distinguished as proper but to one Again distinguish not between the Ecclesiasticall and Civill State as to the rise and fall of both cry up a present glorious condition of the Church far before her warfare is accomplished Lastly for such as are warie and cautious how to meddle with the times I shall say no more but thus If a man towards the beginning of Harvest should travell through the Countrie from London to York possibly then he would see very few Harvest labourers in the fields but let him passe the same way a few weeks after he shall see people every where at work and every one his hands full At present we are but at the beginning of the Harvest but I believe and note it well before one year is expired the Lord will send forth such a multitude of labourers into his Harvest as not a man that is come out of Babylon and hath seperated himself from all the abominations thereof but will make it his speciall work to search Daniel and the Revelaion and diligently seek after the knowledge of the Times Objection 5. This pretending to Inspirations Revelations and the spirit of prophesie is no other then what John of Leiden Herman Rotman and Chipperdoling did and so the Munster businesse whereby multitudes were betrayed and driven to Rebellion and great mischief and miserie followed Answer 1. This is no other aspersion and scandalons reproach then hath
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
Antichristian kingdome for further and beyond this time I believe it shall not extend I do not say that the Antichristians or members of the Beast shall perish now or before for I hold the contrary that after their Kingdome is destroyed many of them shall remain and attempt most horrible and cruell actions Rev. 18.21 Rev. 17.1 but for the State it selfe that shall be found no more at all after the year 1660. This the Angel calls the Judgment of the great whore Why Judgement because Thrones shall be set and the ancient of dayes shall sit And look as by a law Kings and Kingly power shall be cast out from the Nations so will the Lord raise up men zealous of his glory who shall publiquely give Judgment agaist Babylon that it remaine for ever in the dust Before I come to shew my reasons for the time which I have asserted I shall commend these three things to the Reader 1. How I understand that place Rev. 10.2 where the mighty Angell sets his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth As by the Angel Christ is meant so as he stands it is upon the two persecuting powers in the world the spirituall and the temporal His right foot is upon the * Note how they call it the Sea of Rome the Bishops Sea c. sea you know the spirituall power went ever before the temporall Hence they used to say the Lords spirituall and the Lords temporall And his left foote on the earth that is on the Kings and Kingdomes of the earth So then my opinion is that these 〈…〉 â—owers Christ will crush under his feet together an◠〈…〉 time There was a truth in that saying no Bishop no Kinâ—â—â—â—e event made it true and welfare a good token So now as the reliques of Monarchy which remaine yet with us shall bemoved so will the remainers of the Antichristian Kingdome be removed with them As Monarchy falls so falls Antichristime When no foot-steps of Monarchy remaine nothing then will stand of the Antichristian kingdome which came in with it and hath ever since been upheld and supported by it And for this cause a long time I never expected any good from the late Parliament For I plainly saw they had no desire to glorifie God in the fulfilling of his will to the rooting up of the remnants either of Monarchy or Antichistime but rather sought to oppresse the bodies and souls of the people under the heavy burthens of them both 2. Thou art to take notice Reader that as the the thrones were first set up in England to arreign Monarchy and to pluck up by the root that tyrannicall power which stood in opposition to Jesus Christ and to avenge the blood of his Saints upon it Even so as sutable to it here with us will begin his great work by the Thornes against the kingdome of Antichrist for the totall extirpation thereof For howsoever I said before that the Antichristian State as Church Ministery Worship Government shall be wholly destroyed before the yeare 1660. Yet I am of opinion in respect of England Scotland and Ireland before one halfe of that time is expired the Supream Authority of this Nation will effectually finish that work Zech. 8.6 If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these dayes should it be marvellous in my eyes saith the Lord of Hosts What progresse in this worke they will make who shall come next in place I cannot tell but this I must tell them the great businesse which the Lord hath for the higher Powers of this Common-wealth now to doe it is in order to the fulfilling of those Prophesies which relate to the present time and if they do not look now after this and honour God in a conscientious and faithfull discharge thereof the Lord will not look after them nor honour them but lay them aside and let their names rot as others before And therefore if my counsell may be acceptable unto them when any shall make adresses to them for Peace with Babylon let them make answer in his words What peace so long as the whoredomes of Jezabel and her witch-crafts are so many What Peace so long as the 4th Monarch is not broken to pieces and consumed I would willingly know how men can enter into a league as to sit still and suffer such things to stand against which the Lord cals them forth to warre and to destroy from the face of the earth I have commanded my sanctified ones Isa 13.2 I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger even them that rejoyce in my highnesse 3. As Christ will crush both powers at once and thus by the Thrones so there will be a speciall opening of his minde unto â—omâ— whereby to know both their worke and time As men formerly have observed Providence so in the later age Ier. 50.2 they shall understand Prophesies and act in order to them and to the accomplishment of them Declare yee among the Nations and publish and set up a standard publish and conceale not say Babylon is taken The knowledge of the time of the end will be so cleare and certain to some men now shortly in power and place as they will publickly declare upon what account they act namely as being chosen and called of God to execute the vengeance of the Lord upon Babylon Moreover the difference shall not be as heretofore about meum and tuum for honour greatnesse enlargement of Dominion and such worldly respects but better bottomed it shall be for Christ his Crown and dignity and that righteousnesse and truth may be exalted in the earth For the Reasons now why I say the Antichristian Kingdome as it is the little horne had its rise about the year 400. 1. About this time they began to open a passage to their pretended Supremacy as giving to the Church of Rome the title of the Firmament of all Bishops and top of all Churches and that without the privacie of the Sea Apostolique that is of the Primate none might presume to ordaine a Bishop and that the Censures of Bishops in all causes of moment was to be referred to the audience of the Bishop of Rome 2. About this time the little horne began to give check to Emperours and Kings and to exalt himselfe above the Civill Magistrate in severall particulars 3. About this time they brought in many beastly lies and superstitious vanities confirming them by Councels whereby Gods commandements were made of none effect 4. It is clear to me by other Scriptures which I have not now time to open that the time alotted to the Antichristian Kingdome shall not passe the yeare 1660. Now being to continue from first to last 1260. years it must needs be that his beginning was in the yeare 400. as I said before Here I must againe put the Reader in mind that howsoever the vile person mentioned Dan. 11.21 be the same here with
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
removed what will our next Governours have to say for themselves if they doe not appear and act earnestly for just and righteous things If a man did certainly know the day of his death what appetite or desire could he have to meat an hour before he was to dye It may be those things which I here write some will not receive but howsoever I shall discharge mine owne conscience and therefore this I do declare with confidence to the world that corrupt men and selfe-seekers their trade is coming down and two years shall not be expired mark it but they shall vomit up what they have gotten by injustice falshood bribery c. and God shall cast it out of their bellie But more particularly to the present worke Such as will act well hereafter and serve their generation they must in most things do otherwise and contrary to what others have done before them I shall only instance some particulars briefly 1. They must be active and quickly dispatch the business which they take in hand and not to tell people as others usually did of the Thankes of the House and that it was under Debate referred to a Committee c. and here was all But let Petitioners be speedily relieved in their just applications I have seen at the foot of great houses Images set out in such a posture as if the building lay on their backs Such pictures we had as made shew to have the Church and Common-wealth on their shoulders whereas in truth for most of them neither the one nor the other had any reall help or supportance from them 2. They must not seek nor desire to grow rich and great in the world by being in Authority but advance the Publique Interest and not their owne A thing formerly not practised by many but left the care of publick concernment to enrich themselves Hence it is that many of them who before the Parliament began were not worth two or three hundred pounds a year have now made it up some to a thousand some to fifteen hundred some to two thousand pounds a year and more These must be served as Esop did his fellow-servant he gave him warm water to drink by which means he vomited up the stollen figges 3. It is a work now proper to the higher Powers to be carefull what men they appoint as Justices and Magistrates in the Common-wealth hitherto in Towne and Countrey such have been in many places as have most grosly abused the people exercised even an arbritary power where they liv'd and done what they list as knowing if their insolencies and exorbitances should be complained of they had a * Of this thing wee had a memorable example in Hull where one Master Shaw a notable Turn-coate and Time-server as lives hath committed such scandalous actions as seldome are heard of yet no Justice could passe against him by reason of the corrupt Mayor The things are so foule against them both as honest men wonder they should be suffered But so long as the last Parliament stood Mr. Shaw was supported in all the mischiefe he plotted either against the Towne or honest men The last Speaker Baron Thorp and Sir Henry Vane know who I meane and who did helpe Shaw to make three or foure unworthy Aldermen at a clap all Brothers and to have what Mayor and Sheriffs Shaw would to carry on his Designe which was to disquiet the peace of the place and affront the honest party I heare hee studieth to get favour amongst those who are now in place But that no honest man may be deceived by him this I testifie publiquely and of knowledge he is a most corrupt man and hitherto countenanced by men as corrupt and rotten as himselfe friend in the House would bear them out in spight of all accusers Hence a man every where might have seen that in Solomon fulfilled When the wicked beareth rule the people mourn 4. How many years hath it been under Debate in the House concerning the propagation of the Gospell Now I desire every one that fears God to observe what progresse they have made herein This I affirme to be true they have left standing in the Nation a Clergy or generation of Priests more scandalous prophane wicked insufficient c. then was in the Bishops time and before they began to sit Notwithstanding they would send their Acts to these wretches that they should pray and give Thanks for them Whereas Hezekiah sent to Isaiah the Prophet to lift vp his prayer for the remnant That these unworthy men are to be removed from their unsanctified places and standing the word of God is clear for it but whether he will so far honour our next Governours in putting them upon so glorious a worke a little time will shew 5. Be sure that ye be real and faithfull to such men whom you know to be reall and faithful to that Cause and Worke you are upon Of late Turn coats Time-servers Apostates and such like have been most favoured soonest heard and prefer'd The which was one speciall cause of their ruine and will destroy others if they do the like As fire taken off from the hearth and put to the Thatch will burn down the house Even so if men in place with-draw their affection from honest and good men to act for unworthy ones they cannot stand Let them associate themselves and they shall be broken take counsell together and it shall come to nought 6. Psal 4.3 Ps 101.6 As the Lord will set apart him that is godly And David saith mine eyes shall be upon the faithfull of the land So in choosing men to publique employment carnall relations must be laid aside and men fearing God pitch't upon It would be worth the while to consider how many are in place who hate to be reform'd count it their grace that they are gracelesse yea despight the spirit of grace in Saints If a man should sow Tares in his Field or plant thornes and thistles in his Garden would it be a wonder afterward to see fruit according to the kind he hath sown and planted Those that do set and plant in the Common-wealth crafty men covetous and deceitfull fellows I meane as to have places of great trust and concernment if they deceive the State no marvail Who will expect grapes of thornes or figs of thistles 7. There is another abuse which honest men desire speedily to have reform'd namely a multitude of unnecessary and uselesse Officers publiquely employed in civill affairs whereby the Revenues of the Common-wealth are extreamly wasted which men if removed not onely many thousand pounds a year would be saved but the worke speedier and much better done Besides it is well known that some of the late Parliament have devised new Offices where there was none before Note and whereof there is no use in the world purposely to set in some of their own kindred for sallarie 8. Whereas many have gotten great estates by falshood
deceit unfaithfulnesse done many unjust actions and doe fraudulently detain much of the publique treasure in their hands and some are ready to manifest and prove so much It is desired not only that some men may be appointed to heare and receive the Informations and Charges which shall be brought forth against such Delinquents but speciall care be taken about the choise of them as that they be able men Exod. 18.21 such as feare God men of truth hating covetousnesse As those last men in power were for the most part men most corrupt so ordinarily they set none in places under them but men corrupt and rotten as themselves And therefore no marvail though some much desired to have their olde Masters in again for they knew they were NONE SUCH to serve their turne The glasse-window lets in light but keeps out winde and raine I hope to see such in place as will heare and receive the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and keep back partiality respect of persons relations private Interests 9. For the Regulating of the Laws and other corruptions amongst us here it is expected that things be now done speedily and effectually The turning of the Law into English no way eased or lessened the grievances of the people Cursed is he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Remember the TWO PLAGUES of this Nation PRIESTS and LAWYERS Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand 1 Kin. 20.42 a man whom I appointed to utter destruction therefore thy life shall go for his life and thy people for his people 10. Take heed of making Parties and running into factions as the former ever did to carry on particular and private designes The worke before you is publique and generall and therefore be not divided in Schismes and Factions but unanimously accord together in the present worke of the Lord. In raysing up a materiall house when the workmen sweetly agree together the building goes forward apace so here How farre the Lord will carry on his work instrumentally by such as shall be next in power as to consider of these and other things I know not neither what the Lord intends to doe by them concerning the breaking in pieces the fourth Monarch and Antichristian Kingdome But this I know if these come not up to the work others shortly will For it shall not be left undone beyond the yeare 1655. A people then shall be created to fulfill the will of God and he will put it into their hearts in order to the Prophesies of the later time Hab. 23. For the vision is yet for an appointed time but in the end it shall speake and not lie A Post-script Reader I Have considered that there are two things wherein thou maist be much unsatisfied concerning this subject 1. How to destroy the little horne or Antichristian Kingdome can stand with Tolleration of Religion and liberty of Conscience allowed by the present Government and upon just and good grounds 2. To break the fourth Monarchy tends not to make this Common-wealth happy and flourishing which the higher Powers are to seek after but to preserve Peace and so Trade with other Nations is much better for our prosperity welfare and happinesse I shall answer both 1. The Antichristian Kingdom is a State guilty of blood and accordingly to be arreigned and executed In Rev. 18. after Babylon is said to be destroyed the reason of it is shewed in the last verse In her was found the blood of the Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the earth So that hence it doth appear that no wilfull murtherer more justly can be put to death then the power of the Beast destroyed for shedding innocent blood 2. As the times may be some acts of Justice may be forborn which afterward ought and must be done David complains 2 Sam. 3.29 that the sonnes of Zerviah were too hard for him yet Solomon following being in a better capacity put one of them to death and justly too For a more cleare illustration Though murther be discovered and the person known yet no execution can be done upon him till he fall into the hands of Justice Indeed then if the Magistrate neglect his duty and suffer him to escape he wraps himself in the blood and guilt of the Malefactor That blood-guiltinesse lies on the Antichristian Kingdome this hath been known to Saints in former ages but the sonnes of Zerviah were alwayes too hard for them but now when the power shall be in their hands not to execute judgment upon the murtherer is as I conceive to be no otherwise then accessary to the blood of the Prophets and of the Saints in the great City Babylon 3. To give liberty tolleration I am clearly for yet so as the known will of God be fulfilled concerning the work of this present time And therefore we must distingush between persons and things Persons are to be tollerated though diversly minded in point of Religion but where the vengeance of the Lord and the vengeance of his Temple Rev. 18.6 is expresly cal'd for and to be executed thus and thus What tolleration is to be granted here in such a case I desire those to consider of who are specially concerned in it Lastly seeing I have mentioned so often the Antichristian Kingdom to be destroyed by the Ancient of dayes sitting upon his Throne c. It will not be amisse that I give the Reader my meaning more fully This Antichristian Kingdom or State was first erected against Jesus Christ that is to corrupt his word and worship and to destroy his people under a pretence of blasphemy heresie schisme c. The which in Popery Prelacy and Presbytery hath been both profest and prosecuted whereby much innocent blood hath been shed and would be still if the Magistrate would give his power to them Besides by this Antichristian State against the Lord Jesus Christ a Church Ministery Worship Government hath been devised and set up All which the Saints neer the end will call to an account and finding the same to be guilty of innocent blood and a main let to the present exaltation of Christs Kingdome will judicially give sentence that it be thrown downe and be no more at all Reward her even as she hath rewarded you Rev. 18.6 and double unto her double according to her works In the cup which she hath filled fill her double As if he should say whereas this bloody Kingdome most falsly judged you in the Saints which were before to be Hereticks Blasphemers Schismaticks and persecuted you by imprisonment banishment confiscation of goods yea death it self And would not suffer you to walk in the faith and order of the Gospel Reward her even as she rewarded you that is as God hath put the power of Nations into your hand and the day and judgement of Babylon being now come Wheresoever the Lord carries you forth execute the vengeance of the
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