Ecclesiastick Government and Kingdom give their power and strength unto the Beast chap. 17.12 13. And to his Councels Synods Courts c. which is the River into which these Fountains run and so into the Sea of Rome Canterbury c. The great Monarchs of this World and Kings of the Earth are said in Scripture to be the Head of their Rivers Ezek. 29.3 4. 32.2 6. I will also water with thy blood the Land wherein thou swimest c. Again as the Fountains do signifie Kings c. so by the Rivers into which their streams do continually run and are filled and influenced by them is meant the Antichristian Hierarchy Popish Clergy and all the false Prophets Teachers and Priests and upon all that are in holy Orders as they speak who preach the Doctrine of the Beast and worship his Image such as these are called Wells though without any living and refreshing Water 2 Pet. 2.1 17. And they are here fitly resembled unto Rivers of Waters in the Beasts Kingdom This Antichristian Monarchy Hierarchy Popish Clergy Priests and Prelates like the Rivers and Fountains in and about a great City Isa 18.27 Ezek. 32.2 though they spoil the Land and waste the City and foul the Waters for as a Fountain casteth out her filthy Waters so do these corrupt Fountains cast out their wickedness Jer. 6.7 yet that great City Mystical Babylon is made very great and like the Assyrian of old Ezek. 31.3 4 5. her height is exalted and she is enriched because of the multitude of these Waters and Fountains of hers whose Nurseries and Seminaries like the deep with her Rivers running round about their Plants send out their little Rivers unto all the Trees of the field and into the deep Sea The effect of this Vial is their own blood which God in his righteous Judgements gives those Monarchs Kings Prelates Priests and all the Popish Church and Clergy-men to drink as a just Retaliation of the blood of the faithful Saints and Sackcloath Witnesses which this Scarlet Beast and bloody Whore of Rome hath shed by persecuting and killing them chap. 13. â—7 11.7.17.4 5 6. 18.20 24. For which Judgments the LORD is acknowledged by all his Saints and holy Angels in Heaven and on Earth to be Righteous and his Judgements also are acknowledged by them to be true and Righteous verse 5 6 7. The fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sun of the Beasts Kingdom vers 8. That is to say Upon the Emperour of Germany the King of Spain c. with respect to the Temporal and Political part of the Beast's Kingdom and upon the Pope of Rome the Popish Cardinals and Arch-Bishops c. with respect to the Spiritual and Ecclesiastical part of the Beast's Kingdom those Antichristian Emperors Kings Popes and Prelates like the Sun in the Firmament of Heaven Gen. 1.16 17 18. are most eminent and chief Lights and have the most eminent Grandeur Rule and Dominion in the Firmament or Fabrick 〈◊〉 the Beast's Politick and Ecclesiastick Government and Kingdom and are fitly resembled by the Sun and other Lights 〈◊〉 Heaven Isa 13.9 10 11. The effect of this Vial is the scorching of men with great heat vers 9. By thâ— power that was given unto this Angel so tâ— do vers 8. The men that are scorched with fire and with great heat vers 8 9. are those men of the Beast's Kingdom who worship the Beast and his Image chap. 14.8 9 10 11. who are tormented with Fiâ—â— and Brimstone which causeth them to blasâ— pheme the Name of God who hath poweâ— over these Plagues And they repented nâ— to give him glory vers 9. The Fire anâ— Heat are the burning Heat and devouring Fire of the fierceness of God's great wratâ— poured out of this Vial upon the Sun which causeth those dreadful Effects Rev. 18 8â— And she shall be utterly burnt with Fire foâ— strong is the Lord that judgeth her And the fifth Angel poured out his Viâ— upon the Seat of the Beast vers 10. Who this fifth Angel is the Expositioâ— of the first verse gives us to understand viz. Some of those Magistrates into whosâ— hand God will commit the Government of the Kingdom of Christ as was proved before And some of those Ministers of his Churches who shall come out of the Temple even such of his Saints as our Lord Jesus Christ hath redeemed and made Kings and Priests unto God who shall reign on Earth assisted by Christ the Angel of the Covenant and his Heavenly Angels to execute the righteous Judgments of God as was also proved before by pouring out of the Vials of the wrath of God This Vial is one of those seven golden Vials which was given unto the seven Angels which were full of the wrath of God and contained the last Plagues which are to be poured out upon Mystical Babylon to her utter destruction as hath been proved before and chap. 16. vers 19. and all them that worship the Beast and his Image chap. 14.8 9 10 11. These Vials are called the Cup of Gods Indignation and the Cup of the Wine of the fiercenesse of his wrath The Beast is the Object of the Wrath of God even of the fierceness of his great Wrath upon whom the LORD will pour out all his Plagues first and last and Babylon shall drink the Cup of his Indignation chap. 14.10 and the nineteenth verse of this Chapter Beast in this Prophesie of the Revelation is sometimes named without any distinction and then by Beast we are to understand the whole Complex Body of the Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick State of the Roman Kingdom Church and Government as chap. 11.7 13.18 14.9 11. and sometimes the Beast is named with distinction chap. 13.11 12. as if there were two Beasts both which is but one Beast distinguished by his twofold Power and Dominion to wit Political and Ecclesiastical as doth appear vers 1. 4. So chap. 17.3 the Beast and the Woman that is to say the Political Government and the Ecclesiastick State likewise chap. 16.13 and 19.20 the Beast and the false Prophet also the Beast and his Image chap. 13.14 By the Beast we are to understand the Roman Antichristian Political State Power and Dominion By the Woman whâ— is the Whore the Image of the Beast and the false Prophet in divers respects wâ— are to understand the Roman Antichristian Ecclesiastick State Church Worship anâ— Government The Reason of this distinction is the two-fold Authority and Jurisdiction which the Beast exerciseth in the World and in the Church and therefore the Beast is said to rise from two places to wit out of the Sea Chap. 13.1 and out of the Earth vers 11. and to have two Horns like the Lamb chap. 13.11 that is to say a two-fold Power Political and Ecclesiastical both which was given unto the Beast by the Dragon chap. 13.2 And the Dragon gave him his Power and his Throne and great Authority
Treatise which I judge meet for the Saints in this GENERATION to know Into the right understanding whereof the LORD guide my heart and yours by his Holy Spirit and Word to his Glory that we may know what we ought to do in this DAY of our GENERATION Amen and Amen Apocalyptical MYSTERIES The Third Part. Touching the Kingdome of Antichrist and the KINGDOME of CHRIST Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this WORLD are become the KINGDOM of our LORD and of his CHRIST and HE shall REIGN for ever and ever LONDON Printed in the Year 1667. Apocalyptical MYSTERIES The Third Part. Touching the Kingdome of Antichrist and the KINGDOME of CHRIST Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this WORLD are become the KINGDOM of our LORD and of his CHRIST and he shall REIGN for ever and ever THe Seventh Angel mentioned in this verse is the Angel of the third WOE denounced against the Inhabiters of he EARTH chap. 8.13.9 12. and 11.14 which third WOE containeth all those righteous Judgments of God that are to be executed upon Mystical BABYLON by pouring out of the Seven VIALS of the Last PLAGUES of Almighty God upon the KINGDOM of the BEAST Whereupon the Kingdoms of this WORLD become the KINGDOM of CHRIST and and of his SAINTS for ever and ever By the Kingdoms of this WORLD we may understand 1. Vniversally All the Kingdoms of the World that are upon the face of the Earth 2 Kings 19.15 Jer. 25.26 to wit All Rule Dominion Power and Government in all Nations and Kingdoms of the WORLD 2. Generally All the Kingdoms of the DOMINION of Nebuchadnezzar King of BABYLON Jer 34.1 and Dan. 2.37 38. also of Cyrus King of Persia Ezra 1.2 and Dan. 2.39 likewise of Alexandeâ— the Great King of Grecia Dan. 8.8 9 10 21 22. and Dan. 11.3 and 2.39 and lastly of the Caesars the Kings of the Romans which is the fourth Kingdom oâ— Monarchy of this WORLD Dan. 2.40 41 42. Dan. 7.23 24 25. 3. Specially All the Nations Languages Kingdoms and People that are under the DOMINION Rule Power Government and Kingdom of ANTICHRIST the Man of SIN and Son of PERDITION 2 Thess 2.3 4. to wit the BEAST of the EIGHT Head with two HORNS Who ascended out of the Bottomless PIT and shall go into PERDITION chap. 17.8 11. together with All the Dominions Rule Authority Power and Government of all the ten Kings who received their Power one hour that is at the same Time with the BEAST and have given their Power and Strength unto the BEAST chap. 17.12 13. These are the Kingdoms of this WORLD which shall become the KINGDOM of our LORD and of his CHRIST That which doth Concern the Saints in this GENERATION to know touching the Kingdoms of this WORLD is 1. How they became the Kingdoms of ANTICHRIST and 2. How they shall become the Kingdom of CHRIST To that End let the Saints Consider First The Kingdoms of this WORLD to wit the Assyrio Chaldean Monarchy the Medio Persian Monarchy the Grecian Monarchy and the Roman Monarchy had their Dominions and Kingdoms given them by the God of Heaven Jer. 34.1 Dan. 2.37 38 39 40. Ezra 1.2 Who have by the Succession of Divine Providence had and exercised their Dominion Power and Authority over all Nations People and Languages under their Goverment Under whose Yoke and Dominion God for the sins of his people Israel put them also and their Kings Deut. 28.15 25. Jer. 27.6 7 8 11 12. Ezek. 17.12 13 14. Dan. 2.37 38 39 40. Ezra 1.2 Rom. 13 1-7 Secondly The Fourth Kingdom or Monarchy which is the Roman-Monarchy or Kingdom of the Caesars in the dayes of our Saviour and his Apostles was God's ORDINANCE of Magistracy and those higher POWERS unto which all the Saints and every Soul who lived under the Roman Government ought to be Subject for Conscience sake Rom. 13.1 2 3 4 5 6. The Apostle Paul would not have exhorted Titus to put the Saints in mind to obey Magistrates as he did Tit. 3.1 if there had been no Magistrates then in Being or if they had been Vsurpers and not God's Ordinance Why did the Apostle Peter writing to the Saints scattered through Pontus Galatia Capadocia Asia and Bythinia exhort them 1 Pet. 2.13 14. To submit themselves unto every Ordinance of Man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him c. verse 15. for so is the will of God c. if the Caesars Kings and Governours then in Being were not Lawfull Powers had no lawfull Authority nor were the ORDINANCE of God as well as they were the Ordinance of Man Let it be also well and seriously Considered first That Christ and his Disciples called the then Roman Powers Magistrates Luke 12.11 58. and Acts 16.19 20 21 22. Secondly That the Apostle exhorted the Saints to pray for Kings in their Church-Assemblies and for all that then were in Authority 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Thirdly That our Saviour and his Apostles did submit themselves unto the Roman-Caesats Kings and Governours then in Power paid them Tribute or Custom Matth. 17.24 25 26. and commanded the Saints so to do and to continue in so doing Rom. 13.5 6 7. Thirdly The Roman-Power and Political-Government of the Caesars Kings and Governours of the fourth Monarchy or Kingdoms of this WORLD became Antichristian and the Kingdom of Antichrist when the Beast received his Power his Seat and great Authority from the Dragon Rev. 13.2 that old Serpent which is the Devil chap. 20.2 and exercised that Power both Tyrannically over the Estates and Persons of Men and Coercively over the Consciences of Men and Women Causing all both small and great rich and poor free and bond to subject themselves unto the Beast and his Image and to receive his Mark Name and Number and to Worship the Beast or else they must neither buy nor sell but be Killed Rev. 13.16 17. This POWER of Antichrist which the Devil gave him was signified unto John by a BEAST with two HORNS like a Lamb Rev. 13.11 Horns do signifie Power and Authority in the Prophesies of Scripture Zech. 1.18 19 20 21. Hab. 3.4 and Dan. 8.20 24 25. and two Horns imply a twofold Power and Authority to wit Political and Ecclesiastical these two Horns are said to be like the Lamb because the Beast pretends to have both his Political and Ecclesiastical POWER and great Authority from Christ and to exercise both for Christ whereas indeed HE had his Throne his Power and great Authority from the Dragon the Devil and Sathan chap. 23.2 and doth exercise it against Christ and his Saints chap. 11.7 and 13.15 16 17. This Politick and Ecclesiastick POWER is the same POWER that the ten Kings of the Roman-Kingdom received also ONE HOUR with the Beast that is to say at the same Time when the Beast received his Antichristian POWER from the DRAGON chap. 17.12 Which mixt Political and
Prophesying 3. Who the Beast is and how he kills them 4. What is the street of the great City in which their dead bodies lie 5. VVhat Time is to be understood by the three dayes and an half 6. How they shall be raised again and what are the Effects thereof As touching the first viz. VVho are the two VVitnesses and what is their Testimony The two VVitnesses vers 3. are described Metaphorically by two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks vers 4. These are the two Olive Trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth By which Description it appears that the two Witnesses are not any two individual Persons as Moses and Elias nor is thereby meant any two particular Testimonies as the Old and New Testament or two distinct Callings as Magistracy and Ministry for none of these Interpretations will agree with this Description of the two Witnesses as will plainly appear in the Exposition of this fourth verse By the two Olive Trees are mystically signified the Lords Ministers and Prophets who are here called Sons of Oyl which is an Hebraism and a Metaphorical Expression borrowed from Zech. 4.11 14. These are the two Anointed Ones that stand by the LORD of the whole Earth Such were the Priests and Prophets of the LORD who were Anointed Exod. 28.41 1 Kings 19.16 Yea and all the Saints who are a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 have an Unction from the Holy One 1 John 2.20 27. but especially the Lord's Ministers and Prophets who being anointed with the Spirit above their fellow-Brethren the Saints do empty the golden Oyl out of themselves into the seven Lamps of the golden Candlesticks By the two Candlesticks are figured forth the visible true constituted Churches of Jesus Christ as plainly appears by his own interpretation Chap. 1.20 And the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches As one Candlestick in the Prophets Vision usystically signified that National Church of God which was but One Zach. 4.2 So two Candlesticks in the Apostles Vision Metaphorically representeth those Congregational Churches of Jesus Christ which are many Nor is my distinguishing between the Lords Ministers and Prophets and his Churches unwarrantable for they are distinguished in other Scriptures Acts 15.4.22 23. The Apostles and Elders with the whole Church Acts 20.17 18. also Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 5.1 2. and 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers The Testimony which these two Witnesses bear whilst they prophesie in Sackcloath is not that general Testimony which the Ministers and Churches of God in all Ages of the Gospel have born against Sin Satan and the World of ungodly men though that may turn unto them for a Testimony but it is a Generation Confession of those Truths which do properly belong unto that Age wherein they live and unto which they are called as was John the Baptist John 1.19 20 23. the Apostles Acts 1.8 4.18 19. 20. Paul Acts 18.5 and 23.11 Timothy 1 Tim. 6.12 And the Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 6.9 in their DAY So that this Testimony is that confession of Truth which the Churches of God and the Ministers and Prophets of the Lord have made and the Witnesse which they have born in their own Generation for Christ his Magistracy Ministry Churches Ordinances Worship and Government or Discipline c. and against Antichrist or the Beast his Magistracy Ministry Churches Ordinances Worship and Government or Discipline c. Hereby the Saints in this present Generation may understand three things which are necessary for them to know and to do viz. 1. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to bear their Testimony not onely against the Power Throne and great Authority which the Dragon who is the Devil Chap. 20.2 gave unto the Beast Chap. 13.2 but also against all the Kings of the Earth who have received their power at the same time with the Beast and give their power and strength unto the Beast Chap. 17.12 13. to wit those ten Kings of the fourth Monarchy who received a Political and Ecclesiasticaâ— Power one hour or at the same time with the Beast and have given their moral power and natural strength unto the Beast and principally against the Politick and Ecclesiastick power of the eighth Beast who is also one of the seven Kings who goeth into perdition 2. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to bear their Testimony not only against the most gross Idolaters of the great VVHORE Mystery Babylon and her Sorcerers but also against the superstitious Abominations of all other Harlots to wit false Churches and false VVorshippers who are her Daughters Chap. 17.5 Yea though they be well-favoured Harlots Nahum 3.4 called the Cities of the Nations that is to say National Churches who shall fall in the utter destruction of great Babylon when she comes in remembrance before God Chap. 16.19 3. The Churches Ministers and Prophets of the LORD are to beat their Testimony unto the Kingdom of Jesus Christ here on Earth not onely as he is King of Saints Chap. 15.3 and King of Zion Psal 149.1 2. but also as he is King of Nations Jer. 10.7 For this confession of the Kingdom of our LORD Jesus Christ is properly the Truth of this present Age and Generation the glad tydings whereof is to be preached in all the WORLD for a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the END of the WORLD come Mat. 24.14 And I may say in the Apostles words 1 Cor. 10.11 This is written for our Admonition upon whom the Ends of the VVorld are come As touching the second viz. VVhat is the Power of these two VVitnesses and the time of their Prophesying The Power which the Lord hath given unto his two VVitnesses is not a Magisterial Authority or Dominion but a Prophetical Power to wit the Power of the VVORD not the Power of the Sword which is another Reason why I cannot be of their Opinion who say That these two VVitnesses are the Magistracy and Ministry of Christ This Prophetical Power is declared by several Acts such as were done by the Prophets of the LORD of old vers 5 6. to wit first Power over Fire as Eliah had 2 Kings 1.10 and Jer. 5.14 Behold I will make my words in thy mouth Fire Secondly Power over VVaters both the VVaters that are above the Firmament verse 6. These have power to shut Heaven that it rain not in the dayes of their Prophesie And such a prophetical Power Elijah or Elias had 1 Kings 17.1 There shall be no dew nor rain but according to my VVord which the Prophet effected by earnest prayer Jam. 5.17 And also over the VVaters which are under the Firmament to turn them into Blood verse 6. As Moses the LORD'S Prophet did Exod. 7.19 20 21. Thirdly Power to smite the Earth with all Plagues which Plagues are to be understood Metaphorically of Spiritual Judgements For although the Prophetical Power
of Moses and Elijah and other Prophets brought material Plagues and temporal Judgments upon Egypt and other Countries upon the Inhabitants of the world yet the Plagues and Judgments here mystically described are if not onely yet principally of a Spiritual kind such as the Lord Prophets of old also had Power to do Isa 6.9 10. and Mat. 13.13 14 15. The Time of their Prophesying is 1260 dayes verse 3. The same number of 1260. the WOMAN that is to say the Church of God is fed in the Wilderness chap. 12.6 to wit by those Ministers and Prophets who are the Witnesses of Christ as aforesaid Which 1260. dayes counting 30. dayes for a month make forty two months which is the time that the holy City viz. the Church of God shall be troden underfoot by the Gentiles vers 2. that is to say by the Papists and Popish Idolaters who for their Spiritual Idolatry in the Worship of God are called Gentiles as the great City Mystical Babylon Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt vers 8. And the number of forty two months is the time that was given unto the Beast viz. Antichrist that Man of Sin and Son of Perdition to wit the Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick Power and Dominion to continue and to prevail Chap. 13.5 7. Hereby it doth plainly appear that as the time of the Gentiles who tread the holy City underfoot chap. 11.2 and the time of the Beast that doth make war with the Saints and Witnesses of the LORD and overcome them and kill them chap. 13.5 7. 11.7 are one and the same time of forty two months so the time of the WOMAN who is fed in the Wilderness chap. 12.6 and the time of the two Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath chap. 11.3 are one and the same time of 1260. dayes And it hereby also appears that all these four are contemporary all beginning and ending together and besides that which is noted touching these four and their time in the Scripture of Truth both the Antiquity of Ecclesiastical History and the late Expositors of this Book of the Revelation do give a Testimony unto the same affirming that when the Beast began to exercise his Tyrannical Power and Antichristian Dominion over the Saints then the Holy City began to be trodden under foot then the Woman fled into the Wilderness and then the two Witnesses began to Prophesie in Sackcloath Which time of the exercise of the Beasts Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick Power coercively was say they about the Year of our Lord 407 409 410. or thereabouts As may be seen in Symsons History of the Church lib. 4. Socrat. Hist. Eccles cap. 3. Helvicus in Concil Taurinatens cap. 7. The Councel of Toledâ— in Spain Anno Dom. 400. as saith Helvicus Magdeb. Cent. 5. cap. 10. It is not my work at present to determine either the beginning or ending of this time but onely to give the Interpretation of these 1260 dayes which contain the time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath The 1260. dayes are not to be understood litterally of so many natural dayes for that is but three years and an half which is intended by the three dayes and an half vers 9. when the dead bodies of the slain Witnesses lie unburied called a Time and Times and half a Time chap. 12.14 and Dan. 7.21 25. But we must understand those 1260. dayes prophetically that is to say each day for a year according unto those Scriptures Numb 14.34 and Ezek. 4.5 6. So that The whole time of the two Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloath is 1260. years So long the holy City is to be trodden under foot so long the Woman is to be in the VVilderness and so long the Beast's Power is to continue for the times of all these four do begin and end together and are but one time to wit 1260. years As touching the third Particular viz. Who the Beast is and how he kills the VVitnesses The great Monarchs and Monarchies of this WORLD have been figured forth by wild Beasts God shewed his Prophet Daniel the four Kingdoms by a Vision of four Beasts Dan. 7.3 4 5 6 7. The first like a Lyon the second like to a Bear the third like a Leopard the fourth Beast to wit the Roman Kingdom was so dreadful that he had no Name so monstrous that he had no resemblance unto any one Beast but is described by such things as doth manifesâ— him to be a Monster to wit partly a Man by his two Iron Legs by his Feet and teâ— Toes part of Iron and part of Clay Dan. 2.33 which is expounded of the fourth Kingdom vers 40 41 42 43. and partly a Beast by his great Iron teeth by his teâ— Horns and a little Horn that came up among them Dan. 7.7 8. which is also expounded of the fourth Monarchy verse 24 25 or Roman Kingdom And our LORD Jesus Christ gave the like Description of the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom unto his Servant John under the similitude of a Beast namely 〈◊〉 great red Dragon Revel 12.3 Which Beast was terrible and monstrous as that which Daniel saw all spotted like a Leopard his feet like a Bear and his mouth aâ— the mouth of a Lyon chap. 13.3 with seven Heads and ten Horns chap. 17.3 ascending out of the bottomless Pit and goeth into Perdition v. 8. And this is the Beast which shall kill the VVitnesses chap. 11.7 The Beast in this Prophesie is sometimes mentioned alone without any distinction and then we are thereby to understand the whole complex Body of the Roman Antichristian Politick Ecclesiastick State and Government as chap. 14.9 11. And in other places of this Book the Beast is mentioned with some other as if he were two as the Beast that rose out of the Sea and the Beast that rose out of the Earth chap. 13.1 11. Beast and Woman chap. 17.3 the Beast and the false Prophet chap. 19.20 And thereby we are to understand a â—wo-fold Power mixed and exercised together that is to say by the Beast is meant â—he Political and by the Woman the Ecclesiastical Power of the Roman Governâ—ent So then by the Beast that kills the VVitnesses vers 7. we are to understand the â—oman-Antichristian-Politick-and-Eccleâ—astick-State and Government exercised â—ercively over mens Consciences in any â—lace or Case whatsoever This Beast that shall kill the two VVitnesses is more distinctly though more Myâ—ically described Rev. 17.8 11. by â—â—ee particular things First By his past â—esent and future State The Beast that WAS and IS NOT and yet IS Secondly By his twofold number even he is the EIGHT and is of the SEVEN Thirdly By his RISE and RUINE He shall ascend out of the bottomless PIT and go into PERDITION The Beast that WAS Chap. 17.11 that is to say the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom and the Political Government thereof WAS a Kingdom which God set up and a Power which God ordained Dan. 2.40.7.7 23. and Rom. 13.1 7.
The Beast that WAS and IS NOT thâ—â— is to say the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom in its mixt State of Politick-and Ecclesiastick Government coercively exercised over the Consciences of men in anâ— Place or Case whatsoever IS NOT Godâ—â— ORDINANCE For the Dragon which is the Devil Chap. 20.2 gave this Beaâ—â— his Power and his Seat and great Authority chap. 13.2 The Beast that WAS and IS NOT anâ— yet is chap. 17.8 that is to say the fourth Monarchy or Roman Kingdom which wâ—â— a Power ordained of God with respect unto its meer Political Government but Iâ— NOT God's Ordinance in its mixt State 〈◊〉 Politick-and-Ecclesiastick Power and Government Yet IS a Power and hath a Throne chap. 13.2 Yea and exerciseth great Authority over the Bodies and Consciences of Men coercively and causeth both small and great rich and poor free and bond to receive his Mark in their right hand or in their foreheads and causeth that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed chap. 13.15 16 17. And the Beast that WAS and IS NOT even he IS the EIGHTH chap. 17.11 that is to say the eighth Head of the Beast and IS of the SEVEN which Mystery of Iniquity that we may with more clearness understand the Angel told John that the Beast that carrieth the Woman had seven Heads chap. 17.7 which he saith are seven Kings verse 10. that is to say seven kinds of political Governours and forms of Government in the fourth Kingdom whereof FIVE are fallen or were past and gone before John's time namely 1. Kings 2. Consuls 3. Decim-vers 4. Tribunes and 5. Dictators ONE is to wit Emperors who being the sixth head of the Beast rused and exercised their Dominion over the whose Roman Kingdom in the dayes of our Saviour and his Apostles the OTHER is not yet come to wit the seventh Head of the Beast that is to say the seventh King or kind of Government was not yet in being when John writ this book of the Revelation which seventh Head is Popes for they succeeded the Emperors in the Kingdom and Government of the Roman Empire as all Historians testifie and have ruled and reigned as Kings And this Beast is the EIGHTH viz. the eighth Head with respect of his Ecclesiastical Power mixed with his Political-Authority And is of the SEVEN that is to say he is one of the seven to wit the seventh Head or King with respect of his Political-Power-and-Authority And this mixed Politick-and Ecclesiastick Power is signifyed by his two Horns chap. 13.11 12. And shall ascend out of the bottomless PIT chap. 17.8 c chap. 11.7 The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit viz. the Hellish Apostacy of the latter times foretold by the Apostle Paul 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. which is contemporary with the opening oâ— the bottomless Pit chap. 9.1 So is thâ— falling away or Apostacy with the revealing of the man of Sin this son of Perdition 2 Thes 2.3 this King is the Angeâ— of the bottomless Pit chapter 9.11 And go into Perdition chap. 17.8 and verse 11. goeth into PERDITION The man of Sin Antichrist is called the SON of PERDITION 2 Thes 2.3 and it is twice affirmed chap. 17.8 11. that he goeth and shall go into PERDITION because the thing is certain And the meaning is that the BEAST of the eighth Head that is to say the roman-antichristian-pollitick-and-ecclesiastick-Roman-Antichristian-Pollitick-and-Ecclesiastick-Power Dominion and Government together with the Antichristian POWERS Potentates Kings and Governours who exercise that Antichristian-power and dominion coercively over the Bodies Estates and Consciences of men shall be utterly destroyed which utter Destruction and PERDITION will be fully effected and compleated by pouring out of the seven VIALS of the last Plagues for in them is filled up the wrath of God chap. 15.1 16.1 10 19. 18.2 8. 19.19 20 21. 14.9 10 11 12. And the third Angel followed them saying with a loud Voice If any man shall worship the BEAST and his IMAGE and receive his MARK in his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the WRATH of God which is poured out without MIXTVRE into the CVP of his Indignation If it be enquired how the BEAST doth kill the Witnesses I answer The BEAST shall 1. make WAR against them 2. He shall OVERCOME them and 3. He shall KILL them vers 7. The Beast cannot overcome them as Witnesses for so they Overcome him and the Dragon also chap. 12.11 And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their Testimony but as Warriours chap. 13.7 And it was given to him to make War with the Saints and to overcome them This WAR is a more open and visible Opposition between the Witnesses the BEAST then formerly though the two Witnesses had opposed the Beast and born their Testimony against his mixt Antichristian Power and Idolatrous Worship from the beginning of the 1260. dayes of their Sackcloath-condition which they did more privately And though the Beast had persecuted the two Witnesses for the Testimony which they bare against him from the beginning of the 42. months of his Power Yet now at last and toward the end of their 1260. dayes the two Witnesses bear a more manifest Testimony and make a more open and Visible Opposition y against both the Tyrannical Power and Idolatrous Worship of the Beast and therefore the Beast now at last and toward the end of his 42. months begins to rage and maketh a greater and more cruel Opposition both against the Churches and Prophets of the LORD who are the two Witnesses and all the Saints by exercising his Power more tyrannically against them which is the WAR here mentioned vers 7. as that was chap. 13.7 In the time of Charles the fifth in Germany France Scotland c. and in Queen Maries dayes in England c. In this WAR the Beast overcomes the Witnesses vers 7. as in that he overcame the Saints chap. 13.7 Some of the Witnesses are overcome by fear and others by flattery some by his alurements and preferments others by his threats and confinements are overcome for a time so far as to cease from bearing their Testimony against him so openly and vigorously as they did before In which respect the Beast is here said to overcome them But this will not appease the rage and great wrath of the Beast for he perceives that the Testimony which the Witnesses bear in their more private Retirement and Conventicles as they are called or Meetings will like a Moth waste secretly consume his Power and Dominion and at last if let alone and suffered to enjoy any liberty to meet together to worship his Power and Dominion will be utterly destroyed as is Prophesied Dan. 7.26 And therefore the Beast will take Councel together with his chief Priests to KILL the Witnesses of the LORD as the high Priest the chief Priests and Elders did to put our Saviour
years and an half are the time of the interval between the Death and the Resurrection of the two Witnesses 3. The three dayes or years and an half is the ending-time of the Witnesses 1260. dayes or years and of the Beasts 42. months or 1260. years For the clear demonstration of this third Particular let iâ— be considered First That the time when the Beast kills the Witnesses is towards the end of the 1260. dayes or years of their Prophesying chap. 11.7 When they are about to finish their Testimony and therefore the Witnesses are killed before the time of their 1260â— dayes or years be ended to wit three dayes or years and an half before Secondly The killing of the Witnesses and the rejoycing over their dead bodies are thâ— last Acts of the Beast's Tyrannical Power and of the Whores Triumphing Joy and therefore must be near the ending-time of the Beast's 42. months and also of the 42. months wherein the Gentiles who are the Idolatrous worshippers of the Beast tread the holy City that is the Church of God under their feet That the killing of the Witnesses is the last Act of the Beast's tyrannical-tyrannical-Power appears plainly for as soon as the Witnesses rise Babylon begins to fall chap. 11.11 13. And they stood upon their feet and the same hour the tenth part of the City fell That the rejoycing over their dead Bodies is the last Act of the Whores triumphing-Joy appears plainly for as soon as her Joy and Rejoycing is over the day and hour of her Judgement came chap. 17.7 8 10. For she saith in her heart I sit as a Queen and am no Widow and shall see no sorrow therefore shall her Plagues come in one day c. The things that the Saints in this GENERATION ought to know touching the time of the Witnesses lying dead Are 1. That the time of the END or the ending-time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth of the Beast's tyrannical POWER of the holy City her being troden under foot of the Gentiles and of the Womans being in her Wilderness-condition is near at hand for the finishing Testimony is begun to wit the Gospel of the Kingdom of our LORD Jesus Christ which is a certain fore-runner of the ending-time of this WORLD Mat. 24.14 Rev. 11.7 And when they were about to finish this Testimony That is when they began to preach the Gospel or glad tydings of the Kingdom the Beast killed them which is the last Act of his tyrannical POWER 2. That although the ending-time be near yet the period thereof will not be certainly known until the last three years and an half be begun and well night expired Dan. 12.4 9. and Hab. 2.3 The Vision is yet for an appointed time at the END it shall speak and not lie though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come 3. That when the ending-time is come and begun before it be expired there shall such remarkable and wonderful things come to pass as are foretold in the Scriptures whereby the wise shall understand and certainly know that it is the time of the END viz. First Then will be such tribulation and such a time of trouble as never was before Dan. 12.1 Mat. 24.21 22. Secondly Then will be such an Apostacy among Professors Ministers Prophets and Churches as never was before 2 Tim. 3.1 5. and 2 Thes 2.3 Thirdly Then will begin a very glorious Reformation in the Worship of God by the Spirit of Life from God which Spirit of Life entring into the slain Witnesses will set them upon their feet that is to say will cause them again to stand up for Christ and his Kingdom and against Antichrist and his Kingdom And then will the Temple of God that is to say the Church and Worship of God be opened in Heaven chap. 11.11 10.11 11.19 Which 〈◊〉 the times of the restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the Mouth of all his â—oly Prophets since the WORLD began Acts â— 21 Touching the last Particular viz. How be Witnesses shall be raised again and what â—re the effects thereof The Answer unto this Particular is Myâ—ically held forth in the 11 12 13 and â—4 verses of this Chapter First As to the time After three dayes â—â—d an half vers 11. by which we are to â—â—derstand three years and an half as have before proved that is to say at or before the end of that time for as it was said of our LOKD and Saviour Mark 8 3â— After three days he should rise again which he did on the third day 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Sâ— it is likewise said of his Witnesses after three dayes and an half the Spirit of Life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet according to what was foretold by one of the Lords Prophets Hos 6.2 After two dayes he will revive us in the thirâ— day he will raise us up and we shall live in hâ— sight The means of the Witnesses Resurrection is the Spirit of Life from the Lord which entred into them vers 11. viz. that Spirit Life Power Courage Zeal and Boldneâ—â— which the two Witnesses formerly had received from God and had exercised in bearinâ— their Testimony for the Kingdom of Christ c. and against the Kingdom of Antichrist c. but had lost by falling from their fâ—â— love and by falling in with the lest Apostcy which Spirit of Life from God is again given unto them And they stood upon their feet vers 1â— that is to say The Witnesses were raised 〈◊〉 vived â—nd strengthened by the Spirit of Liâ— from God for as the loss and departureâ— that Spirit of Life and courage to bear theâ— Testimony with boldness was their death so the Spirit of Life from God entring into them and renewing their Courage reviveing their Zeal and increasing their Boldness in bearing their Testimony is their Resurrection and that which causeth them to stand upon their feet which effect of the Spirit of Life from God was typed out by the dry Bones of the House of Israel Ezek. 37.5 10 14. O my People I will put my Spirit in you and ye shall live The LORD knows his Servants his Witnesses are not able either to do much or to say much for Christ and his Kingdom c. nor against Antichrist and his Kingdom c. unless they be spirited thereunto and therefore when God had any eminent work or service to do he did not onely raise up Instruments to do it but spirited them accordingly Thus the Spirit of the LORD came upon Othniel Judg. 3.9 10. and upon Gideon Judg. 6.34 and upon Jephthah Judg. 11.29 and upon Sampson Judg. 14.6 19. and 15.14 and upon David 1 Sam. 16.13 And so it will do upon the Lords Witnesses Rev. 11.11 And great fear came upon them Enemies that saw them Secondly The effect of the Witnesses Resurrection or standing upon their feet either concerned themselves vers 12. or their Enemies vers 13.
Which Dragon is called the old Serpent the Devil and Satan chap. 12.9 20.2 And he laid hold on the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan By the Beast then in this verse is meant the Roman Antichristian Politick and Ecclesiastick State Kingdom Rule Power Dominion Worship and Government â—wit the whole Complex Body of Antiâ—hrist who hath his Power Throne and â—eat Authority given unto him by the Deâ—il and doth by virtue thereof exercise â—oth a Political and Ecclesiastical Government And this Roman Politick and Ecâ—esiastick State is that Antichrist who deâ—eth the Father and the Son 1 John 2. â— and that Man of Sin and Son of â—rdition 2 Thes 2.3 4 9 10. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped even that Beast that ascended out of the bottomless Pit and goeth into Perdition chap. 17.8 11. As the Beast is the Object of the wrath of God so the Seat of the Beast is the Subject upon which this fifth Vial of his wrath is poured out And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Seat of the Beast vers 10. By the Seat of the Beast we are to understand the Place even the principal place where the Beast doth exercise his Power and great Authority which is Rome and also all other great Cities where the Beast hath his Residence his Throne his Courts and exerciseth his Grandeur and great Authority The City of Rome is the seveâ— Mountains on which the Woman that is Mystical Babylon sitteth chap. 17.5 9. And the Seat of the Beast being distinct from his Power and Authority as it is chap. 13.2 it must be interpreted of the place 〈◊〉 the Beast's Residence where his Throne 〈◊〉 placed and his Power and great Authoriâ—â— is principally exercised The effects of this fifth Vial are four First A great Eclipse of the Beast's foâ—mer Greatness Grandeur and Glorâ— And his Kingdom was full of darkness that is to say The Beasts Kingdom and Dominion both in the Political and Ecclesiastical part thereof was totally eclipsed darkned and clouded The second effect of this Vial will be the extremity of Rage that the worshippers of the Beast will fall into And they gnawed their Tongues for pain The third effect of this Vial will be their blasphemy against God And they blasphemed God because of their pain and sores The fourth effect will be an impenitent frame of hardness of heart And they repented not of their deeds So that although the Beast and some of his worshippers live after his Kingdom and Dominion both Political and Ecclesiastical be destroyed yet they repent not of their Idolatries which causeth God to proceed in his Judgments and to pour out the 6th and 7th Vials upon them And the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great River Euphrates vers 12. The Object of the wrath of God poured out of this Vial is the River Euphrates There was a River that ran through Mesopotamia unto old Babylon which by way of Eminency above all other Rivers is called the great River the River Euphrates Gen. 15.18 Deut. 1.7 Josh 1.4 unto which this may bear some allusion because what that natural River was to Material Babylon this Metaphorical River is to Mystical Babylon The principal benefits of a great River are two viz. Revenue Isa 23.3 The Harvest of the River is her Revenue and Strength Isa 8.7 The Waters of the River strong and many even the King of Assyria and all his glory By the great River Euphrates here we are to understand that which is the Harvest of Babylons Revenue and the Puissance of her strength at this juncture of time when the Throne of the Beast by the pouring out of the fifth Vial was broken and in a measure destroyed That the day of Gods great wrath will be upon the Merchandise of Babylon viz. her Merchandise of Gold and Silver precious Stones and Pearls Purple and Scarlet Wine and Oyl Corn and Cattel Slaves and Souls of Men is manifest chap. 18.10 11 12 17. For in one hour so great Riches is come to nought And by that Judgment of God upon Babylon her great Revenue which is one Stream of the great River is dryed up But the strength of Mystical Babylon figured forth by this great River Euphrates in this 12. verse is the great Turk and his numerous and mighty People who will be at this juncture of time aiding and assisting the Beast and Mystical Babylon against Christ and his Zion for which Cause God will pour out this Vial of his wrath upon both Turk and Pope and upon all the People and Multitudes who are the Waters of this great River chap. 17.15 And the Reason why I rather incline to this Opinion than the former is because all Expositors do interpret the great River Euphrates chap. 9.14 to be the Turks Now considering that this great River is mentioned but in those two places of this Book of the Revelation First Under the sixth Trumpet chap. 9.14 And secondly Under the sixth Vial chap. 16.12 I conceive it is most probable that one sort or Nation of People is intended in both places to wit the Turks who then did and now do inhabit about that great River Euphrates and as the loosing of the four Angels which were bound in that great River chap. 9.14 signifyed the Turks breaking in and over-running the Nations as a Plague following Antichrist upon the Christian WORLD So the drying up of the Water of this same great River chap. 16.12 signifyeth the wasting and destroying of the Turks Dominion Power and People as a Plague upon them for standing in the way of the LORD and his People and aiding assisting and helping his and his peoples Enemies whom God hath purposed to destroy utterly That the way of the Kings of the EAST might be prepared vers 12. By the Kings of the East we are to understand the Jews who are called Kings because of the Kingly Dignity which God will put upon them in that day Mich. 4.8 The Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem Isa 62.1 2 3. Thou shalt be a Crown of Glory in the Hand of the Lord and a Rayal Diadem in the Hand of thy God And the Kings of the East because they shall come from the East Countries at least some of them Isa 43.5 I will bring thy Seed from the East c. The way that is to be prepared for the Jews is two-fold First For their Conversion And secondly For their return unto their own Land by taking the stumbling-block out of their way Isa 57.14 The Papists are a very great Stumbling-block unto the Conversion of the Jews and the Turks are a great impediment unto their return unto their own Land unto which God hath promised to bring them Ezek. 37.21 22 25. and to that end God will have both these stumbling-blocks removed out of the way of his Antient People the Jews That which followeth in
the 13 14 15 16 verses of this Chapter is not any proper effect of this Vial nor any part thereof but rather an interval of time betwixt the sixth and seventh Vials wherein some remarkable things are to be transacted in order to the pouring forth of the seventh Vial and therefore contain a praeparatory Vision thereunto In which Vision John saw three Embassadors or Agents sent from the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet to the Kings of the Earth The Dragon is that old Serpent called Satan which is the Devil chap. 20.2 The Beast is the civil State or political Powers which Beast rose out of the Sea chap. 13.1 The false Prophet is the Ecclesiastical State which is the Beast that rose out of the Earth chap. 13.11 He is here called the false Prophet because now he is unmasked and his Vizard pluck't off to wit his pretended likeness unto the Lamb chap. 13.11 And now he is discovered to be that Deceiver and false Prophet which was to come The three unclean Spirits like Frogs vers 13. are their Embassadors or Agents called Spirits for their subtilty and activity and pretending to be spiritual men and imployed principally about Religious and Spiritual Affairs like Ahabs false Prophets 1 King 22.21 22. who deceived the Kings of Israel and Judah in perswading them to go up to Ramoth Gilead to Battel and therefore are said to be Spirits of Devils vers 14. working Miracles as the Devil raised up false Christ's and false Apostles so he doth false Prophets purposely to deceive the Kings of the Earth and the Inhabitants of the Earth that they may not receive the true Christ believe the true Apostles nor regard the Testimony of the true Prophets of the Lord. Before John sets down the success of this their Negotiation he writes a word of warning as it were a Parenthesis vers 15. Behold I come as a Thief c. that is to say suddenly and unexpectedly as Mat. 24.43 44. and 2 Pet. 3.10 Blessed is he that watcheth for my coming and keepeth his Garments white and clean and fast girded unto him lest he walk naked and they see his shame 1 Tim. 5.22 Jam. 1.27 The succss of their Negotiation followeth vers 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew Tongue Armageddon He gathered them together that is to say the Dragon which is the Devil by his Frogs those unclean spirits gathered them together viz. the Kings of the Earth By Armageddon we are to understand the name of a place which the Jews shall give after they have gotten some considerable victory over the Turks and therefore called it Armageddon the place of destruction of an Army which happily may have an â—llusion unto that great destruction of the Caâ—aanites at the Waters of Megiddo Judg. â— 19 when Sisera the chief Captain of Jabin with all his Hosts fell by the hand of Deborah and Barack where was made â—uch a total destruction that it is said Judg. â— 16 And the Host of Sisera fell upon the â—dge of the Sword and there was not a man â—eft And such an universal destruction will be the effect of this Battel at Armageddon chap. 19.20 21. And the seventh Angel poured out his Vial into the Air c. vers 17. The Object of this Vial is the Air which notes the universality of the Subjects upon whom the wrath of God is poured out of this seventh Vial. The Air fills all places no Subject can be more general then the Air. By the Air here we are to understand all Nations Kingdoms and People all Places Persons and Things that oppose the Kingdom Worship and Government of our Lord Jesus Christ and his Sion Isa 60.12 The Earth Sea Rivers Sun and Seat of the Beast's Kingdom is destroyed by the former Vials And by this seventh Vial shall be destroyed all things whatsoever remains of Sathans Kingdom Who is called Ephes 2.2 The Prince of the power of the Air. The other six Vials were poured out upon their particular Objects but this seventâ— Vial is poured out into its Subject which notes the spreading and dilating of it seâ— into every part of Satan's and the Beast'â— Kingdom for the utter destruction oâ— every thing therein that remained So then the wrath of God poured out of this Vial will diffuse and spread over First The whole Kingdom of Antichrist or the Beast Secondly The remaining Dominion and Kingdom of the Turks And thirdly The whole Kingdom of the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil And when all these Enemies against Christ and his Kingdom shall be destroyed by the pouring out of this seventh Vial then comes a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven to wit the Visible Church of God on Earth restored unto her primitive Purity and made glorious Isa 60.7 12 13 14. saying It is DONE chap. 10.6 7. viz. The Mystery of God is finished as he hath declared to his Servants the Prophets This Voice is Christ 's chap. 21.5 6. He that sat upon the Throne said unto me It is DONE This Voice is said to come from the Throne in the Temple of Heaven in this 17. verse that is to say It came from Christ who sat upon the Throne chap. 21.5 6. and implies now Christs Kingdom shall be set up and he himself shall sit upon the Throne chap. 3.21 and all his Saints with him And there were Voices and Thundrings and Lightnings and there was a great Earth-quake c. vers 18. The like to this was the effect of the Witnesses rising chap. 11.13 upon which Commotions the tenth part of the City fell so here by this great Earth-quake the great City is divided into three parts vers 19. Fractions or Divisions note the utter ruine of the Roman-Antichristian-Politick-and-Ecclesiastick-State Power Dominion and Kingdom of the Beast For a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand And the Cities of the Nations fell verse 19. litterally such Nations as come to help the Beast and the Turk against the Lord and his People Mystically by the Cities of the Nations we may understand National Churches The great Whore is called the great City so the Harlots who are her Daughters chap. 17.5 are here called the Cities of the Nations If the Catholick Church of Rome be the great City then the National Romish Churches may also be called the Cities of the Nations which shall fall in the Day of the Lords controversie with all Nations Hag. 2.22 and Jer. 25.30 31 32 33. And great Babylon came in remembrance before God vers 19. By great Babylon here is primarily meant Constantinople the royal City of the great Turk And Secondarily All his Principalities Domininions and Kingdom prophesied of Isa 14.4 5 24 25 32. Neither am I alone in this my Opinion for Mr. Brightman and others are of the same Jugement And my Reasons are 1. Because the great City and great Babylon are contradistinguished one from the other in this 19
Ecclesiastical Power the ten Kings or Kingdoms do exercise for the BEAST against CHRIST and his Saints chap. 17.13 14. and chap. 19.19 20 21. unto their own Destruction Now assoon as this Antichristian Beast with his ten Horns was risen out of the SEA to wit the troubles tumults confusions and divisions of the Roman-Empire when by the WARS of the Barbarians the Roman-Empire was dissipated into ten Kingdoms At which Time also this same Beast with his two Horns is said to Rise out of the EARTH that is to say out of the Apostacy of an earthly-minded CLERGY who departed from the FAITH as was afore Prophesied 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. should come to pass in the latter Dayes I say from that Time the Roman-Monarchy and Political Government of the fourth Kingdom ceased though not to be a Kingdom and to have a Power a Throne and great Authority yet to be a lawfull POWER and an ORDINANCE of God And therefore ought not to be obeyed nor submitted unto by any of the Saints of God neither in any Civil or Ecclesiastical Commands for that is to WORSHIP the BEAST or his IMAGE Let the Saints consider 1. That those who shall Reign with Christ have not WORSHIPPED the Beast chap. 20.4.2 As it was dangerous to WORSHIP the Beast a little after his Rise chap. 8.7 13. so it will be damnable to WORSHIP the Beast a little before his fall chap. 14 8-12.3 Those that shall stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion with his Fathers Name in their Fore-heads and learn to Sing that New SONG before the Throne chap. 14.1 3. are such Saints as have gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image c. chap. 15.2 3. So then I conclude from what hath been said upon Scripture-Grounds touching the Kingdoms of This WORLD becoming the Kingdom of ANTICHRIST That the Saints in this GENERATION ought not to Obey nor to submit themselves unto the Roman Antichristian-Politick and Ecclesiastick-POWER Rule Authority Dominion and Government of the BEAST nor of the ten Kings or Kingdoms who have given their POWER and Strength unto the Beast The second thing which I judge necessary for the Saints in this GENERATION to know is How the Kingdoms of this WORLD shall become the KINGDOM of CHRIST God shewed unto his Prophet Daniel in his VISIONS of the Night how the Kingdoms of the WORLD should become the KINGDOM of Christ Dan. 2.34.35 44 45. Dan. 7.13 14 18 22 26 27. Viz. First The Kingdoms of the WORLD shall be broken in pieces by a STONE cut out of the MOUNTAIN without hands Dan. 2.34 35 Which STONE is Christ Plal. 118.22 Matth 21.42 and 1 Pet. 2.4 6. and also the Churches of Saints his Jerusalem called a Burthensom Stone Zech. 12.3 The Kingdoms of this WORLD shall be broken in pieces first by falling upon the Stone viz. Christ and his People Luke 20.17 18. Whosoever shall fall upon that STONE shall be broken Zech. 12.3 In that DAY I will make Jerusalem a burthensom STONE All that burthen themselves with it shall be cut in pieces Secondly The Kingdoms of this WORLD shall be broken in pieces by the STONE to wit Christ and his Peoples falling upon them Matth. 21.44 But on whomsoever this STONE shall fall it will grinde them to Powder and Jer. 51 19 20-24 Thou art my Battle-AXE and Weapons of WAR for with thee will I break in pieces the Nations and with thee will I destroy Kingdoms The Mystery of the STONE smiting the Fourth Kingdom upon his FEET of Iron and Clay and breaking them in Pieces was expounded unto the Prophet Dan. 7.17 18. But the Saints of the Most High shall take the KINGDOM and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever Dan. 7.24 25 26. But the Judgement shall sit and they shall take away his Dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the End read Isa 60.12 Secondly The Kingdoms of this WORLD being broken in pieces by the STONE falling upon them The STONE will become a great MOUNTAIN and fill the Whole EARTH Dan. 2.35 that is to say Christ and his Saints shall have the DOMINION in all the EARTH Dan. 7.11 12 13 14. And I beheld till the BEAST was slain and his BODY destroyed c. As concerning the REST of the Beasts they had their DOMINION taken away c. Behold ONE like the SON of Man c. And there was given him DOMINION and Glory and a KINGDOM that all People Nations and Languages should serve him c. Also Dan. 7.26 27. But the Judgement shall sit and they shall take away his DOMINION c. And the KINGDOM and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the Most High c. As the WAY for the KINGDOM of Christ and his Saints to be set up is made by the Breaking in pieces the Kingdoms of this WORLD Isa 60.12 For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted So the Kingdom of Christ and his Saints shall be inlarged and established 1. By the Conversion of Sinners both Jews and Gentiles unto Christ Isa 60.3 5 8 10 11 14 15. and Isa 66.8 and Rom. 11.25 26 27. 2. By the Pouring out the SPIRIT upon all Flesh Joel 2.28 Isa 44.3 4 5. 3. By the UNION of all the Saints Zeph. 3.9 and Zech. 14.9 The LORD shall be KING over all the EARTH in that DAY there shall be ONE Lord and his Nome ONE And 4. By the RESTITUTION of all things Acts 3.20 21. and Isa 1.26 I will Restore thy Judges as at the first Isa 60.17 and Isa 49.6 It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my Servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob and to RESTORE the preserved of Israel c. And then the Whole CREATION shall be delivered from the BONDAGE of Corruption and Restored into the Glorious LIBERTY of the Children of God Rom. 8.19 21 23. That which the Saints of God in this GENERATION are to know touching the KINGDOM of Christ are these things following Viz. 1. That the KINGDOM of our LORD Jesus is not of this WORLD Joh. 18.36 Nor is it of a Worldly Constitution but it is a spiritual and heavenly Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.18 and will be a glorious State Isa 60.1 2 15 19 21 22. of a NEW Heaven and of a NEW Earth wherein dwells Righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 which is the State of the Holy City the NEW Jerusalem that cometh down from God out of Heaven Rev. 21.1 2. Then shall they call Jerusalem the THRONE of the LORD Jer. 3.13 17. which NEW Jerusalem God will make a PRAISE in the EARTH Isa 62.2 3 7. An eternal Excellency and the joy of many Generations Isa 60.14 15. 2. This KINGDOM of Christ is the THRONE of his Father David Isa 9.7 and Luke 1.32 33. which Throne Solomon his Son who was a Type of Christ sat
upon when he reigned over all the Kingdoms that God gave to him 1 Kings 4.21 Upon whose THRONE our LORD Jesus Christ shall sit and Reign over all the Kingdoms of the WORLD Who is the onely POTENTATE the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords 1 Tim. 6.14 who shall be KING of all the EARTH Zech. 9.14 with whom the Saints shall Reign on EARTH and shall Rule and Govern the Nations not by the Laws of Men but by the Laws of God Which are true Laws right Judgements and good Statutes Nehemiah 10.13 14. For Christ our LOKD and Judah his People is our Law-Giver Isa 33.22 and Psal 101.8 The Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem and the first DOMINION to the Daughter of Sion Mich. 4.7 8. And out of Sion shall go forth the Law Mich. 4.1 2 3-7 Thirdly This KINGDOM of our LORD will begin before the Kingdoms of this WORLD End Dan. 2.44 In the Dayes of these Kings to wit the ten Kings of the Fourth Monarchy and Kingdom of the Beast shall the God of Heaven set up a KINGDOM which is the Kingdom of Christ Dan. 7.13 14. Then will our LORD Jesus Christ take unto him his great POWER and Reign Rev. 11.15 17 18. At which the Nations will be angry and the Heathen will Rage The Kings of the EARTH will set themselves and the Rulers of this WORLD will take Counsel together against the LORD and against his Christ Yet God will set his KING upon his Holy HILL of Sion and will give him the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the EARTH for his Possession Psal 2 1-8 And the LORD shall REIGN over them in MOUNT-Sion from henceforth even for ever Mich. 4.7 8. Fourthly Though the KINGDOM of Christ shall begin before the Kingdoms of this WORLD End And though all the Kingdoms of this WORLD shall become the KINGDOM of our LORD Jesus Christ Yet the great Glory and Perfection of Christs Kingdom shall be in the WORLD to COME Then shall ALL things be put in SUBJECTION under the Feet of Christ Hebr. 2.5 6 7 8 9. Which World to COME is contradistinguished from the WORLD that NOW IS Mat. 12.32 Called this WORLD in distinction from that WORLD Luke 20.34 35 36. The Apostle also speaketh of the DOMINION of this WORLD Eph. 1.21 and of the POWER of the WORLD to COME The WORLD to COME is not that eternal State of God's Kingdom of GLORY in Heaven but it is the glorious and spiritual State of the KINGDOM of Christ on EARTH Heb. 2.5 That same WORLD even THAT that is to COME to wit The inhabited WORLD to Come wherein the PEOPLE of God shall build Houses and inhabit them according to Gods Promise in that day when he will Create New Heavens and a new Earth Isa 65.17 18 19 20 21 25. and Amos 19.11 14. And shall build up the Tabernacle of David c. Fifthly The Dominion and Government of the KINGDOM of Christ on EARTH shall be given to the Saints Dan. 7.27 and be Managed by them according to the Laws of Christ and to that End the Saints who shall Reign with Christ on Earth shall be rarely Qualified and fitted for that Kingdom Work and Kingly Government for 1. They shall be all Righteous Isa 60.21 They shall do no Iniquity Zeph. 3.13 They shall be without Fault before the THRONE of God Rev. 14.5 2. The Saints shall be SPIRITED for Government Isa 28.5 6. Constituted Government Rev. 5.9 10. and strengthned for Governing Zech. 12.5 8. and Isa 45.24 25. 3dly and Lastly The Saints shall be cloathed with Humility so that they shall Cast down their Crowns at the Feet of Christ their KING Rev. 4.10 11. Exalting HIM alone ch 5.9 10. And they shal be Endued with Courage Clad with Zeal and Girded with Strength and Truth that they may binde Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of IRON and Execute upon them the JUDGMENT written Luke 19.27 This HONOUR have all his SAINTS Psal 149.1 2 6 7 8 9. which was Prophesied of Jer. 51 19-24 Thou art my Battle-Axe and Weapon of WAR for with thee will I break in pieces the Nations and with thee will I destroy Kingdoms and with thee will I break in pieces Captains and RULERS c. Also Zech. 12.5 6. In that DAY will I make the GOVERNORS of Judah like a Hearth of Fire among the Wood and like a Torch of Fire in a Sheaf and they shall devour all the PEOPLE the Enemies of Christ round about Sixthly The Gospel of this KINGDOM of Christ shall be preached in all the WORLD for a WITNESS to all NATIONS Mat. 24.14 And therefore the Kingdom of Christ cannot be set up in any Nation until the GOSPEL of the Kingdom be first preached in that Nation And then that NATION Kingdom or PEOPLE which do believe the GOSPEL of the Kingdom preached unto them and are made WILLING in the DAY of God's POWER Psal 110.3 to Admit the Saints to RULE and GOVERN that Nation according to the LAWS of our LORD and KING Jesus shall become the Kingdom of Christ But that Nation Kingdom and People which will not receive the TESTIMONY of the Kingdom of Christ but reject the WITNESS of the Gospel and Kill the WITNESSES of Christ shall be utterly Wasted and Destroyed Isa 60.12 And our LORD Jesus Christ will put down all RULE all AUTHORITY and all POWER that are his Enemies and wilâ— not Submit unto his DOMINION 1 Cor. 15.24 25. and Luke 19.27 Seventhly WHEN this Kingdom of 〈◊〉 LORD is Established on EARTH wiâ—â— POWER and great GLORY and all thâ—â— Kingdoms of this WORLD are become the KINGDOM of Christ The Thousand Years of the Reign of Christ and his Saints being Expired and Ended Then Will Christ come again and all the Saints with HIM Zeph. 14.5 and 1 Thes 4.15 16 17 18. then will be the General RESURRECTION and the Last JUDGMENT 1 Cor. 15.22 23. and Rev. 20.4 12 13 14. Which being past Christ shall deliver up the Kingdom unto God the Father that GOD may be ALL in ALL 1 Cor. 15.24 25 28. FINIS