very Rise and Foundation and to own it as Gods Ordinance would be to charge him as the Author of sin and to set up the Man of sin and Mystery of iniquity as Gods Ordinance and those that so do may be found equally guilty with those that at this day cry up the Ministry of Antichrist as the Ordinance and Ministry of Christ and all that will not allow them this and therein fall down to them are charged as being against Ministry but many will now grant that the Antichristian Ministry are sinful and Antichristian both in their Rise and Foundation and to own them as the Ministry of Christ would be a very great evil and why not the same in the Antichristian Magistracy The Assertion that I shall lay down in this particular about the Kingdom of the Beast is That there is an Antichristian Beast or a wicked Power that riseth out of the Bottomless pit and is permitted by the Lord to take place in the world in the latter part of the Image Government 1. This Beast is described Dan. 7.5 by a Little Horn and in verse the 11. it is called the Beast This Horn or Beast is the last part of the Image Government and that which is to be taken away and destroyed by the Saints after the judgement sits as in verse 26 and in verse 24. another shall arise after the ten Horns in the first or Pagan State withour the Crowns as Revel 12.3 And although there are but three of the Horns or Kings subdued or brought down by the force and Power of this Little Horn yet by the fair words flattery and great proffers made by him to the rest of them to wit that he would Crown and make them free states if they will stand by him they all at last fall in and receive Power as Kings one hour with him Revel 17.12 and so this Horn or last Beast comes to have the ten Horns upon him with the Crowns upon them 2. This last part of the Roman State mentioned Rev. 17.8 chap. 11.7 is described by a Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and is the same with the Little Horn before mentioned and is distinguished from the first part of the Roman State First in its Rise it comes from the Bottomless pit Secondly by his carrying the Whore or Antichristian Church Rev. 17.3.7 Thirdly by the time of his Reign which is forty and two Moneths and agrees with the time of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Revel 11.3 and with the time of the Woman or Churches being in the wilderness Rev. 12.6 Fourthly by the Crowns being upon his Horns which in the First State were upon the Heads compare Revel 13.1 with Rev. 12.3 Fifthly by his Horns making War with the Lamb and being overcome by him Revel 17.14 Lastly by his going into perdition Revel 17.14.8 That this Beast which Ascends from the bottomless pit is the same with the Little Horn in Dan. 7. consider First this Beast is the last part of the Image Government and so is the Horn Secondly this Beast sets himself against God in great words and blasphemy so doth the Horn Revel 13.6 Compare with Dan. 20.25 Thirdly this Beast hath Power to make War with the Saints and for a time to overcome them so hath the Horn Revel 13.7 Compare with Dan. 7.21.25 Fourthly this Beast and his Horns are overcome and have their Power taken away by the Lamb and they that are on his side which must be the Lamb by his Spirit in the Saints for it cannot be thought that if the ten Horns should be in being when Christ comes in person they should be able to begin or make War with him the Saints do also take away to destroy and consume the Power of the Little Horn Revel 17.14 Compare Dan. 7.26.3 Fifthly this Beast goeth into perditon or to Hell So the Horn is given to the burning flame Rev. 17.8 Compare with Dan. 7.11 Thirdly this Beast or Horn before mentioned is described in Dan. 2.41 by the Feet and Toes of the Image which appears to be the same with the Beast or Horn First as it is the last part of the Image Government Secondly the Toes agrees with the Horns of this Beast in Revel 17.12 Thirdly the Beast or Horn is destroyed by the Saints or by Christ in them The feet and toes of the Image are smitten and broken by the stone Dan. 2.34 which stone must either be the world or Christ in person or Christ by his Spirit in his Saints It cannot be meant of the world first because it is the Kingdom that in a peculiar manner is set up by the God of Heaven as in verse 44. Secondly because it breaks down the worldly Government and fills the whole Earth 3ly Because it is cut out without hands to wit without worldly Powers or the might of Man In the next place it cannot be Christ in Person First because Christ is not cut out of the mountain whether the mountain be understood of the Church or world for it must be one of them Secondly the Stone doth the work gradually but Christs coming will be on a suddain as the Lightning that will effect his work at once Thirdly Christ is no where called a Kingdom But this stone is so called vers 44. Fourthly this stone is not cut out or seen till the last part of the Image Government appears thou sawest till that a stone was cut out verse 34. But if Christ in Person were cut out of the mountain it must be long before the feet of the Image was in being now seeing this stone cannot be understood of the world or of Christ in Person it must needs be Christ by his Spirit in the Saints which Zech. 12.3 are called a Burthensome stone and so is the same with the Saints that destroy the Beast and the Little Horn. Fourthly This Horn Beast or feet of the Image is the same with that Man of sin Son of perdition Mystery of iniquity and that Wicked mentioned 2 Thes 2.3.7.8 First this man of sin agrees with Antichrist or the Beast in its rise the Beast riseth through the change of the Roman Empire from its Pagan State or rather through the ruine of it as Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his Power c. By the Dragon I understand the Devil who Reigned by his Spirit in the wicked Pagan Emperours who though their Authority was an Ordinance of God as Rom. 13.1.2 yet they were swayed by the Devil to abuse their Power and turn it against the Lord and his faithful followers a Cloud of witnesses to this we have from the ten first Persecutions carryed on by the Pagan Emperours in which the Devil did appear like a Dragon but when Antichrist comes up the Devil or Dragon quits his hold of the Pagan State having a more subtile way to carry on his work under a pretence of Christianity by this last Beast he readily gives to this Beast his Power Seat
not from Heaven as doth the true Church but from Earth or Hell and in his first appearance his Horns or Power are like a Lamb verse 11. or like Christ for so this false Church would be accounted but his words are like the devil he spake as a Dragon verse 11 and this false Church joyning her self to and riding upon the Beast comes to sway or exercise the Civil Power and so is said vers 12. to exercise all the Power of the first Beast not that the first Beast is destroyed for this Whore causeth him to be worshipped and doth great things before him v. 12. 14. Since the false Church hath been mixed with and mounted upon the civil Power for her own ends she cryes up this wicked Beast as the Ordinance of God though in truth it comes from the Devil yea and she can bring Scripture though abused and wrested as the Devil did to Christ and cryes up obedience to it condemning all that will not fall down to the Beast as being those that disobey Magistrates despise Dominion and speak evil of dignities which Scriptures indeed were spoken of and much fulfilled by this false Church till this Beast on which she rides came up Fourthly The mixture of this Antichristian State may further appear by the Beast and the VVhore mentioned Rev. 17. The Beast that was and is not and yet is verse 8. holds forth the Civil Power in its two fold State First In its Pagan State before the visible rise of Antichrist Secondly In its Antichristian State when it carries the VVhore The Beast that was which word was respects him in the glory of the Pagan State in which he was a Beast and like a Beast rather then like a Man he carried it in the ten first Persecutions and this word Is not respects him in his Antichristian State as carrying the VVhore which was not in being in Johns daies who was the Penman of this word And this word and yet is respects the Pagan State which was in being in Johns day And this word shall ascend out of the bottomless pit respects his Antichristian State which comes from Hell and in this State I understand he is called the eighth Head ver 11 The other Seven Heads being brought down for and their Power divolved upon this Beast he is called the eighth and yet is said to be of the Seventh and the ten Horns ver 12. receive Power as Kings one hour with him being all thereby fitted for and engaged to Mount the VVhore The VVhore ver 1. holds forth the false Church that would be counted the spouse of Christ but commits whoredom with Idolls and fornication with the Kings of the earth and is not built upon Christ as the foundation But verse 15. sitteth upon peoples and multitudes and Nations and Tongues that being the strength of the false Church who by her sorceries and VVhoredoms as the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth obtains the Power and Reigneth over the Kings of the earth ver 18. Fithly This mixt State of the Antichrist in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Power is further held forth by the Beast and false Prophet Rev. 19.20 21. which place speaks of them in the last and finall stroke that comes upon them for though the fifth Viall Rev. 16.10 is poured out upon the Seat of the Beast and the Judgment and fall of the Whore is set forth in Chap. â—8 and begining of the 19th yet some Reliques of both the Beast and Whore remaining till very near or unto the personal Coming of Christ the Devil having but a short time to reign gathers up all his forces and engageth the Kings of the Earth to come up with him against Christ and his Saints and then the last Viall comes upon them at Christs personal appearing and compleats their ruin and so both these parts of Antichrist by this stroke are destroyed together compare Rev. 19.20 21. with Chap. 16. Ver. 13 14 16 17. Having spoken of this Beast and false Prophet held forth by the two Beasts in Chap. 13. I shall speak no more of them in this place Lastly If we consult the Histories and also what we have seen of the Antichrian State in our day it hath been made up of these two parts viz. Civil and Ecclesiastical which like Twins have gone together in all their wickedness one crying up the other and calling for obedience The false Church and her Ministery being propped up by the false Magistracy calls for and preaches up obedience to it as Gods ordinance and they must be killed that will not worship the Beast Rev. 13.15 The false Magistracy doth the like for the false Church and her Ministery crying them up as the true Church and Ministry of Christ and all that will not fall down to this VVhore in paying of Tythes Church-Rates following her Assemblies and such like abominations must be imprisoned banished or killed and thus the Beast bears yea is said to carry the VVhore Rev. 17.7 and is the Whores drudge or slave to do her wicked service these two have been in conjunction in and are guilty of the blood of the Saints and the several persecutions since Antichrist came to the Throne have been on this wise carryed on the Ecclesiastical Power have adjudged and condemned and so delivered over to the Civil Power who have executed and killed them with much rage and greediness and after a most cruel manner and although the Civil Power would at this day when the Lord is comming to make inquisition for blood slip out their Necks and excuse themselves as if they were free and had done no wrong to nor shed the blood of the Saints and may have many Advocates pleading at a high rate on their behalf and saying that Judgment shall not fall upon them and further to evince this do give them the title of Christian Magistrates and that many of them are good men yet all this will not excuse them from the stroke when the Lord according to Rev. 16.5 6. comes to avenge the blood of his Saints and Prophets and Psal 9.16 shall be known by the judgment which he executeth for no doubt the guilt of much blood will be found in the skirts of the Civil Power and their sin will find them out and though good men be in the place of Power it will not save from the Judgement for Gods controversie is not so much with the Persons as with the Beastly Powers and the title of Christian Magistrates will not excuse but rather condemne them as the Antichristian Power and the Fountaines and Rivers of waters upon which the third Viall comes Rev. 16.4 doth not exclude but include this Civil Power Having thus laid down my understanding of the fifth Kingdom or Kingdom of Christ which should be erected or set up in the latter day of the Kingdom of the Beast which is to be destroyed I shall now come to speak to the third thing which is the
the disciples received from Christ the work that is to be done by the Saints in this last part of the latter dayes Much more might be urged to clear this matter if it were expedient in this place by all which it may appear that there is a two-fold Dispensation in the Gospel-day and that this word of buying a sword must referre to the latter this cannot be a Spiritual sword it being to be bought by selling of a garment It was the errour of Symâ—n in Acts the 8th to think that the Gifts of the Spirit might be bought and further this must needs referre to a time when the Saints must use a Material sword because they must rather want their garments though very needful and useful then want a sword The next Sc ipture that doth imply this truth is John 18.36 If my Kingdome were of this world or from hence Then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jewes This must needs be meant a fighting with material weapons which should rescue Christ from the Jewes and Christ speaking of that time saith Now is my Kingdome not from hence which words do imply that there is a time when his Kingdome shall be from hence and though it be a Heavenly and Glorious Kingdom yet it shall be set up in and over the world Dan. 7.27 The dominion under the whole heaven shall be given c. Rev. 11.15 The Kingdomes of this world are become c. and so the Kingdome of Christ may be said to be from hence and when so it shall be His servants will fight The next Scripture that may clear this is Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that withholdeth his sword from blood This word relates to a time when Gods judgments are to be executed upon his Enemies and is spoken to the Instruments whom he will use as in the beginning of the verse Now the Instruments that God will use in the Execution of his Judgements in the latter day I understand to be his Saints as I have already shewed and so this word is spoken to them and proves that they must be imployed with material weapons I shall not cite more scriptures to this but speak to some principal objections that are made against this truth of the Saints being used with material weapons in the destruction of Antichrist Obj. 1st The Ten Hornes must hate the Whore and burn her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Answ That the Ten Hornes shall be imployed in this work none can deny that own the Authority of Scripture but that the Ten Hornes do first make War with the Lambe and are overcome by Him before they do this Work upon the Whore is also clear from ver 14. It may not be supposed that while the ten Horns do remain upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore as they appear in verse 7. should do this Work for that would be Satan against himself The ten Horns do hold forth the Power or Dominion of the ten Kingdoms or Nations in Europe which had dependence upon the Roman Empire and they are first seen upon the Dragon Rev. 12. without Crowns which do hold forth as hath been shewed the Roman Empire in its Civil Pagan or Heathenish State Secondly The ten Horns are seen in the Roman Antichristian State upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore and that continues fourty and two Months and in that State they have the Crowns upon them having received Power as Kings one hour with the Beast Rev. 13. 1. Chap. 17.12 In this State they make war with the Lamb and being by him and those that are on his side overcome and so broken off from the Beast the ten Horns viz. the Power and Dominion of those Nations is given to the Saints upon the account of Christ and so is divolved into the Kingdom of the Stone that broke them off from the Image and so are brought to their true station to be under the King of Nations who hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh a name written KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS and in this State I understand the ten Horns viz. the Power of those Nations in the hands of the Saints is set against the Whore or false Church to execute the vengeance for the blood of the Prophets and Saints that is found in her thereby to accomplish his destruction and this I understand by the ten Horns hating the Whore and burning her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Object 2. That the destroying of Babylon is not work fit for Saints to be imployed in being ravishing of Women dashing children against the Walls c. Isa 13.16 Answ First This is spoken of litterall Babylon the Glory of the Chaldees ver 19. which was to be destroyed by the Medes ver 17. And if we may credit Histories they tell us that such things were fulfilled by the Medes upon Babylon of the Chaldees who had done the like upon Jerusalem which Jeremiah complains of in the Book of Lamentations And though this Babylon did Type out spirituall Babylon yet it may not be expected that every circumstance should be accomplished and that litterally upon spiritual Babylon For if it should be kept to as a Rule that every circumstance must litterally be fulfilled in the Antitype We should run upon many mistakes about Christ and his Work in Gospel dayes Also Ravishing of Women and dashing of Children may agree with other Scriptures to be applyed spiritually upon the whole it may not be gathered that there is any Work to be done in the rewarding of Mystical Babylon which may not become Gods sanctified Ones especially considering that it is the Lords controversie and the execution of his Righteous Judgment and vengeance upon her Object 3. That because the Medes destroyed litterall Babylon the like may be expected for the Nations to destroy Spiritual Babylon and that the Earth shall help the Woman Rev. 12.16 And the Saints being engaged by their Faith and Prayers the Work is sometimes attributed to them Answ First It is clear from Scripture that there is a Babylon which the Saints must destroy as hath been already shewed and it was not litteral Babylon for the Medes destroyed that Therefore it must be the Babylon in the New Testament day Secondly Though the Earth helps the Woman whilst in her suffering State to prevent the Devils destroying her yet it is not said neither will it follow that the Earth must reward Babylon And thirdly as hath been already shewed the Saints shall be used by Faith and Prayer and also in a Hostile way with material weapons and therefore I shall add no more to this Objection There are several other Objections that I meet with at this day As that the VVork must be done by the Spirit only and God needeth not to use Instruments And that this is a bloody work not meet for Gospel Saints And that this was the Munster Principle And those that are of this mind are carnal and neglect Soul work and
a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth so Dan. 7.17 18. The four Beasts are four Kings which are the four great Monarchies but the Saints shall take the Kingdom See verse 26. they shall take away his Dominion in verse 27. The Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints c. Now the fourth Kingdom being visible this fifth Kingdom that fills up the room of the fourth must needs be visible also Fourthly The Throne of this Kingdom is the Throne of David Luke 1.32 which is an outward visible Throne and in Rev. 3.21 there are two Thrones mentioned one is called the Fathers Throne being rhe Throne where Christ now is the other Christ calls his own Throne which is the Throne of his Father David wherefore the Throne being visible the Kingdom must likewise be visible Fifthly The Lawes Government and Governours under Christ are outward and visible and take place upon the Bodies Lives Liberties and Estates of men Ezra 7.26 the Scriptures which are outward and visible are the Lawes which God the only Law-giver Isa 33.22 James 4.12 hath left Exod. 18.16 Neh. 9.13 Esther 3.8 Psal 119.9 Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. 2. Tim. 3.16 17. Deut. 17.18.19.20 2 Kings 11.12 The visible Saints are to be the visible Governours under Christ the King Psa 45.16 1 Cor. 6.2 Isa 14.2 Chap. 32. 1. Psa 49.14 Dan. 7.18.22.27 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 2.26.27 Chap. 3.21 Chap. 5.10 Chap. 20.4.6 Jer. 30.21 These things being visible the Kingdom must needs be visible also and thus much to the first particular of the fifth Kingdom it self The Second thing which I propounded to speak to is the Kingdom of the Beast and in the entering upon that Consider in the first place the Image spoken of in Dan. 2.31 32. which Image doth comprehend and hold forth the four great Monarchies which were to take place and have their time in the world and they are described in Dan. 7.3 by four great Beasts and the three last of these four Monarchies are described in Dan. 8. the first by a Ram the Second by a Hee-Goate the last which is the fourth Monarchy by a little Horn which are also spoken of Dan. 11. The first of these four Monarchies was that of the Chaldees Dan. 2.38 He was that Head of Gold and had his beginning as a part of the Image about the year 3362 from the Creation and continued till about the year 3422 in all about 60 years The second Monarchy was that of the Medes and Persians which Dan. 2.32 is the Breast and Arms of Silver and took place of the Chaldees Dan. 5.30 31. and continued till about the year 3620 in all about 198 years The third Monarchy was that of the Graecians which Dan. 2.32 is set forth by the Belly and Thighs of Brasse and in Dan 8 21. by the rough Goate which is there called the King of Graecia and succeeds the Medes and Persians which is set forth by the Ram with two Horns verse 20. This Monarchy of the Graecians continued till about the year 3902 in all about 282 years The fourth Monarchy was that of the Romans which in Dan. 2.33 is set forth by the Leggs of Iron and Feet part of Iron and part of Clay and by the little Horn in Dan. 8.9.11.12 which takes away the daily sacrifice and casts down the truth And by the vild person in Dan. 11.21 which in verse 31. takes away the daily sacrifice and sets up the abomination that maketh desolate This Monarchy took place as part of the Image in Dan. 2. about forty two years before the Birth of Christ and was divided into two parts which I understand to be held forth by the two Leggs of the Image and continued in its Pagan or Heathenish State till about 360 years after Christ before it was interrupted by and mixed with the Man of Sin or Antichristian State To the first three Monarchies and the first part of the fourth I shall say little but specially insist upon the Latter part of the fourth or Roman Monarchy it being the last part of the Image and the onely part which doth at this day remain in the world First it is evident that the Roman Monarchy is of two sorts the first is held forth by the Leggs of Iron The second by the feet and toes of Iron and clay Daniel 2.33 and in Daniel 7. The first part of it is held forth by the fourth Beast with the ten Horns and the other by the little Horn In Revel 12 3. The first part of the Monarchy is held forth by the Red Dragon with seven heads and ten Horns and seven Crownes upon his heads The second part in Revel 13.1 is held forth by a Beast that riseth out of the Sea with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crownes and as in verse the fifth is to continue forty and two Moneths By the ten Horns I understand the ten Kings or Kingdoms in Europe which had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and are called in Dan. 7.24 Ten Kings and so in Rev. 17.12 And by the seven Heads I understand the seven Provinces that had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and before the rise of the Antichristian state the Crowns or the Power and Glory of the Government were upon the seven Heads or Provinces And the Horns were as servants under the Emperour that had received no Kingdom till the Antichristian Beast came up Revel 17.12 but at his coming up they receive power as Kings one hour with him and then the Crowns are upon the Horns and answers to Revel 13.1 distinguished from Revel 12.3 The first part of this Romane state was a lawful Power and to be obeyed as an Ordinance of God and the Lord Christ Mat. 17.27 payes Tribute to them and Chap. 22.21 commands to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars c. And the Apostle saith Rom. 13.1 the Powers that are speaking of them that were then in being are ordained of God and giveth special charge to the Saints to obey them Titus 3.1 And the Spirit of the Lord in the Apostles foreseeing that the Man of sin would get up to the Throne by speaking evil of Dignities and despising Dominion as Pet. 2.10 Compare Jude 8. Rebelling against yea casting down the Civil Powers that so himself might obtain the Throne to Reign both over Church and State which he did at length accomplish the Spirit I say foreseeing this doth forewarn the Saints and charge them to be obedient to Magistrates with many cautions and Exhortations which stand in force to all true Magistrates to the end of the world The second part of this Roman State is from Sathan and riseth out of of the Bottomlesse Pit as Rev. 13.2 Chap. 17.8 and is Antichristian and therefore it is a great sin to own it as the Ordinance of God it being wicked and sinful not onely in its Reign or exercise of Power but in its
divers others were in the Typical part of this work and how much more in the Anti-type which doth farr exceed it in spirituality shall the Instruments be so used Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee c. which must respect Christ as King in his members Heb. 11.30 32 33. Who through faith subdued Kingdomes c. Psal 72.15 and Psal 149.6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths c. Rev. 6.10 Chap. 8.3.4.5 Secondly by the word of their Testimony which they bear for Christ against Antichrist Rev. 12.11 17. Lastly by Material weapons in a military way Christ being the Captain General and chief leader of this Army Rev. 17. The Lamb shall overcome them and they that are on his side are called chosen and faithful Psal 110.3 In the day of the assembling of thy Army for so some read the words Thy people speaking to Christ shall be willing This Psalm doth in an especial manner relate to the work of the later day Rev. 19.14 The Armies followed Christ which Armies must respect the Saints as being them that are arrayed in fine linnen Vers 8. That the Saints shall be used with material weapons consider First That the War cannot be restrained to that spiritual War mentioned 2 Cor. 10.4 Eph. 6.12 which war required spiritual weapons only but this is an outward visible war as smiting and breaking the visible Image Government taking away the visible Power of the last Beast Dan. 2. and Chapter the 7th and a visible overcoming and breaking the Horns or visible Power of the Ten Kingdoms that received their Power with the Beast which Hornes do begin a visible War with Christ and his Cause as it is owned and carried on by his Saints who are the Members of his Body Rev. 17. Secondly That they shall be used with Material Weapons may appear from Joel 3.10 Beat your Plow-shares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears let the weak say I am strong In which Scripture I would note three things First That it is a prophecy of the latter day work when Multitudes shall appear in the valley of decision which hath never yet been fulfilled as is most evident if the scope of the Prophesie be consulted Secondly This 10th Verse is spoken to the Saints or people of God the scope of the words leads to the Saints and the 11th verse is a Call to the Heathen for God will gather the Heathen as well as his own people to the valley of decision according to Zeph. 3.8 and this word of encouragement Let the weak say I am strong is not spoken to the enemies of God but is a blessed word for his own people and by it the whole verse appears to be directed to them Lastly the swords and spears are not spiritual but material weapons because they are made of plow-shares and pruning-hooks and are to be used in the Lords great Controversie with the Heathen and the enemies of his Church This Truth may further appear from Psal 149.6 7 8. Let a two-edged sword be in their hands to execute vengeance c. This Psalm must also respect the latter day when the meek shall be beautified with salvation ver 4. and this prophesie hath never been fulfilled since this Psalme was penned but must be fulfilled in the execution of the judgement that is to come upon the World in this latter day This must be a material sword First because the work that the Saints are to do with it is outward visible work viz. to bind Kings and Nobles and to execute the judgment written vers 8.9 2dly This sword is to be in their hands and therefore must be a material sword if it were spiritual it would be in their hearts or in their mouths and included in the joy and praises before spoken of this may further appear from Luke 22.36 He that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one That this Sword relates to the latter day must needs be granted because it is spoken in the latter day for the whole day from Christs coming into the flesh to the end of the world is called the latter dayes or time Acts 2.17 Heb. 1.2 1 John 2.18 This latter day or last times must be considered under a two-fold dispensation the one of Suffering the other of Action In the first the Saints must be bound with chains killed and countted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8.36 comp Luke 21.12 16. And in the second the Saints shall bind with chaines and take them captives whose captives they were Isa 14.2 comp Psal 149. In the first the Beast or Little Horn shall wear out the Saints In the second the Saints shall take away his Dominion Dan. 7. In the first the Saints must Suffer in Babylon under yokes and bonds and so be hanging down the head In the second Zion or the Saints must deliver her self and put on her Beautifull Garments and lift up her head and loose her self from the bands of her neck or the Government of Antichrist that is upon her and shake her self from the dust In the first Babylon is exercising Cruelty and Tyranny over the Saints and they are patiently to bear it and if they be smitten on the one cheek they must turn the other and if any man will sue them at the Law and take away their coat which must be whilest the wicked Antichristian Law is in force they must let him have their Cloak also But in the Second the Saints must render to Babylon double Compare these following Scriptures Dan. 7.25 with vers 26. Rev. 13.7 with Chap. 17.14 Isa 52.1.2 Zech. 2.7 Luke 21.28 Matth. 5.39.40 Rev. 18.6 This Scripture Luke 22.36 doth clearly hold forth this two-fold dispensation for it cannot be applyed to the day when Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth which was a day of suffering wherein they were not to resist as Math. 5.39 with many other Scriptures to this purpose both in the Evangelists and the Epistles and Christ tells them at the same time that two swords were enough vers 38. and therefore could not be the time in which he that had no sword must sell his garment and buy one but holds forth another dispensation in which the Saints must be called to Action for Christ in the setting up of his Kingdom and though the words were spoken to the disciples that were then with Christ in the suffering day yet he delivers it to them as they represented the whole body of Gospel Believers that were or should come over to faith in him to the end of the world and so the Ordinances Rules and Work that the Saints were to observe and do till Christs Second coming are delivered unto and received by the disciples that were with him in that day Christ in the opening the extent of his prayer John 17.20 cleares this and also in his general exhortation Math. 13.37 What I say unto you I say unto all c. and so
and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem went off and that the Ten Tribes might not magnify themselves against the Two Tribes who Hosea 11.12 Ruled with God and was faithful with the Saints long after the revolt of the Ten the Lord will in the Latter day save the two Tribes first which is all that can be gathered in this matter from this Scripture and it will not prove that the Kingdom shall first take place or begin amongst the naturall Seed of Abraham but I shall add no more to this but come to speak to the third particular relating to the Time of this Work taking place and to that I shall lay down this Position Position That the Work of destroying the Fourth and setting up the Fifth Kingdom is begun and hath taken place amongst us in this Isle of great Brittain And in entering upon the proof of this I shall for the making way present some particular Considerations As first That the Beast with the Seven Heads and Ten Hornes mentioned Rev. 17. and also the Whore mentioned in the same Chapter have their Rise Seat Dominion and Reign in this part of the World called Europe where the Roman or Fourth Kingdom had its place before at and since the coming of Christ in the flesh and though the Rise and Nature of the Power is changed from the meerly Civil to the grosse Antichristian or Mixed State yet those that will search the Histories may find that Antichrist hath taken and doth keep the same Territories that were belonging to the Civil State The Second Consideration is That this Nation or the Power of this Isle of Great Brittain hath been accounted and really is one of the Ten Hornes of the Beast or Toes of the Image and was joyned with the Antichristian Beast very soon receiving Power as a King one hour with him according to Rev. 17.12 and the Whore or false Church hath been long mounted upon the Civil or Beastly Power in this Nation It is now above one thousand years as history relates since Augustine the Monck was sent over by the Pope into this Nation where he found great incouragement from the Civil Powers which Satan had fitted for his own design of carrying the Whore Proud Augustine for so he is called doth forthwith settle the National Church and mounts it upon the Civil Power to bear up maintain it and many abominable wicked Lawes were made to Answer the Devils design in the upholding and maintaining this Whorish Nationall Church at the setting up whereof there are found some Faithful Christians in the Nation which so far as we may credit History were some remainders of the fruits of the Ministry of Joseph of Arimatheah who is said was the first Preacher of the joyful sound of the Gospel in this Island and these Christians not falling down to but witnessing against the Antichristian Abominations which were brought in from Rome and readily received in this Nation Augustine becomes their great enemy and being of that Popish stamp that Thirsts after and must be drunk with the blood of the Saints thirsts after the blood of those poor Christians who for their safety fled to the Mountains in Wales but Augustine tho ough the help of the Civil or Beastly Power as the beginning of the wickedness which God will reward obtains his end and drinks the Blood or takes away the lives of those Faithfull Martyrs of Jesus and so in shedding the blood of the Saints the Beast and the Whore were united together in this Nation and therefore no wonder if they cleave so close together as at this day till the vengeance be accomplished upon them This proud Augustine being Ordained and sent by the Pope whose power is derived from Hell Ordains and Settles Bishops and Archbishops who Ordaine the National Ministry and settle them in their respective Parishes and this by succession hath continued to this day and is the Ordination so much pleaded for in this Nation The Third Consideration is That the Toe or Horne or that part of the Beastly Power in Brittain which carrieth the Whore according to the National Constitution was made up with and did consist of King Lords and Commons The Fourth Consideration is That it is the proper Work of the Stone or Kingdom mentioned Dan. 2. to Smite and Break these Toes or Hornes and so by its Government to fill up the room thereof Having layd down these things I shall proceed to the proof of the Assertion to wit That the Work is begun First The VVork that is only proper for the Stone to do to wit the breaking of the Toes or Hornes hath taken place in this Nation The Horn or Toe of this Nation to wit King Lords and Commons is broken though not yet according to Dan. 2.35 made as the Chaffe of the Summer threshing Flower Not only the King but Kingship and Peeridge is broken and not only the Commons but the very Foundation of their Constitution from the Nation is broken and God hath for several years been witnessing against it I need not speak further to the proof of this if we forget not the things which our Eyes have seen Deut. 49. It is Matter of Mourning that this Generation like Israel of old either understood not or else have forgotten the workes of God and it is no wonder if God destroy them and not build them up Psal 28.5 Psal 106.7.13 Though the Stone must break the Horne or Toe it is not said that it should be done at one blow or two and therefore if God should suffer King Lords and Commons to rally again in this Nation it may not be said that the Work hath not been among us for seeing the Stone may not do it at one or two blows the Lord may gather and prepare them for the Second or rather the Third stroke till he make them as the Chaffe and they be carryed away with the wind The Work in this Nation did not end in smiting the Horn for the Kingdom and Goverment of Christ did take place in its roome When the remainder of the Long Parliament was by the answer of the Faith and Prayers of the Lords People with an eminent hand of God broken the undoubted right to the Throne being Christs who had obtained it by his Sword and Bow as the fulfilling of many promises Prophesies of Scripture the Saints whose Right under Christ it is upon the Account and on the behalf of Jesus Christ did not onely take but come into the possession of the Kingdom for by a speciall hand of God many of the Saints upon the breach of the Parliament before mentioned were sent for from several parts of this Island who found the Lord stirring up their hearts to come to Receive and Possesse the Government for Christ their King and accordingly when they were come together at Whitehall the Government was delivered to them and they or at least many of them received it upon the avowed account of the Son of God
whilest that Kingdom is in being Neither can it be restrained to the Spirituall Kingdom that is within the Saints because those that truly pray this Prayer being Children do already injoy that Kingdom Neither can it be restrained to the Kingdom of Heaven in the ultimat Glory because that is not to come to the Saints but they are to go or be taken up to it therefore seeing it cannot be taken in either of these four sences and there being no other Kingdom of God that I read of but the forementioned visible Kingdom this word must be referred to it The second Scripture is Luke 21.31 When you see these things come to passe Know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand By these things is meant the Signs of the latter day or of Christs second comming and this Kingdom being nigh at hand when the latter day signes are upon us must needs be understood of this fifth Kingdom which they have special relation to and is known to be nigh at hand by them The third Scripture is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom c. This compared with Chap. 7.14 must be understood of this visible Kingdom The fourth Scripture is Dan. 7.27 And the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High c. and all Dominions shall serve and obey him This compared with Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. must needs refer to this visible Kingdom which hath the Authority Power and Rule in and over the whole World First It is called the Fathers Kingdom as it is Originally from him who is the Creator Former and Disposer of all things 2ly As he doth in a special Manner erect or set up this Kingdom The God of Heaven shall set it up Dan. 2.44 3ly As he is the Donor or Giver of it to the Son Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give him the Throne c. This Kingdom also belongs to Christ the Son First As he is the Son of God and so the true Heir Heb. 1.2 Psal 2.7 8. Secondly As he is the Son of Man the true Son of David the seed of Abraham 1. As he is the Son of Man John 5.27 He hath Authority to execute Judgment because he is the Son of Man 2. As he is the true Son of David Luke 1.32.69 The Lord God shall give him the Throne of his Father David so Acts 2.30 Of the Fruit of his Loynes according to the Flesh God hath sworn with an Oath that he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne 3. As he is the Seed of Abraham Gen. 22.17 18. Thy Seed shall possess the Gate of his Enemies By Seed is meant Christ Gal. 3.16 and by possessing the Gate is to be understood of possessing the Government and execution of Judgment Amos 5.10.12.15 Zech. 8.16 Thirdly It is Christs Right by Promise Isa 9.7 and by Covenant and Oath Psa 89.28 29.34 35 36. Acts 2.30 and by the Anointing Isa 11.2 Psa 89.27.20 And by peculiar choyse Psa 89.19 Isa 42.1 compared with Matth. 12.18 And by Decree Psa 2.7 Fourthly It is Christs by the free gift of the Father Psal 2.8 I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne c. Dan. 7.14 There was given him Dominion c. Matth. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth c. Fifthly It is Christs by desert and purchase upon the account of his suffering Rev. 5.12.13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power c. Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death c. The Lord will divide him a portion with the Great and he shall divide the spoyl with the strong Sixthly It is Christs in answer to the Great end of Creation Col. 1.16 All things were created for him so Psal 8.6 Compare Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 The World to come is put in subjection to Christ as may appear from Verse the 5th This World to come must needs be understood of the Fifth Kingdom which belongs unto and is put under Christ the Son Eph. 1.21 22. This world to come cannot be understood of the Ultimate Glory in Heaven because that State is not to be put under Christ as the Son but as Son he himself must become subject in it 1 Cor. 15.28 But this World to come is noted in an especiall manner to be under Christs Feet and this is that State or World to come in which there shall be forgiveness or blotting out of sin as is clearly implyed from Matth. 12.32 which compared with Acts 3.19 That your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send Jesus c. doth clearly demonstrate the World to come to be this fifth Kingdom Lastly It is and shall be Christs by Conquest Rev. 17.14 The Lamb shall overcome them c. Comp. Chap. 6.2 and upon these grounds this fifth Kingdom being Christs he is called King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 And King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.16 The blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 with divers such like Titles which in the Scriptures of truth are given to him The next thing that I would speak to is That this fifth Kingdom is outward and visible as well as glorious and spiritual First From the time and manner of its rising mentioned Dan. 2.34 Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. If it were only spiritual it might have been seen as well before the Image was as after but the Stone or Kingdom doth not appear till after the Image is seen and then appears as visible as the Image which Image holdeth forth the four great Kingdoms or Monarchies of the World which have been and are visible in their times Now the Stone being as visible as the Image and not seen till some time after the Image was seen it must needs be a visible Kingdom and not the spiritual and invisible Kingdom which was in being long before the Image appeared Secondly It must be outward and visible if we consider the work that this Kingdom is to do it smites and breaks the Image Dan. 2.34.44 which compared with other Scriptures will appear to be an outward visible breaking as Dan. 7.18.26 Rev. 17.14 The ten Hornes or ten Toes makes war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them Now if the Work be an outward and visible smiting the Stone or Kingdom must needs be visible also Thirdly The Rule or Dominion of this Kingdom is taken from filleth up the room of the fourth Kingdom Dan. 2.35 The Stone became
and great Authority and upon this the Pagan State falls and therein him that did let 2 Thes 2.7 was removed out of the way and so the wicked comes to be revealed or made visible to be the Antichrist Secondly the Beast and the wicked or Man of sin agrees in their Reign or exercise of Power both setting themselves against God appearing with Power Signes and Lying Wonders 2 Thes 2.4.9.10 comp Rev. 13.5 6.13.14 also with Dan. 7.25 Thirdly this Man of Sin is the last Power upon Earth that precedes the coming and Kingdom of Christ whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his comming 2 Thes 2.8 By the Spirit of his Mouth I understand the Anointing which being given down thorough the word of the Lord upon the Saints is called the Spirit of his Mouth by which the Antichristian Power is to be consumed and so agrees with the breaking work of the Stone in Dan. 2. and with the Saints taking away and consuming the Power of the little Horn in Dan. 7. and that the Feet of the Image the little Horn and the Beast that comes from the Bottomless Pit are the last part of the Image Government and stands next to Christs Kingdom hath been already cleared Fourthly They agree in their ruine or destruction as to Time Instruments and the Place into which they are Cast this man of sin is called the Son of Perdition which doth not only denote his hellish Rise and Reign but also that he must go into Perdition or Hell the Beast also goeth into Perdition or Hell The man of sin or Little Horn is also given to the burning flame 2 Thes 2.3 Comp. with Rev. 17.8 and Dan. 7.11 That they agree as to time and Instruments hath been already shewed in these and several other particulars which for brevity sake I shall not insist upon Thus the feet and toes of the Image Dan. 2. The Little Horn Dan. 7. The Beast Rev. 17. The Man of sin 2 Theâ— 2. do agree and appear to be one and the same though given under various Names and Titles and the comparing of them may through the blessing of the Lord help to a very full and clear description of the Antichrist that was to come and take place in the world in the latter day onely this is to be noted that the Spirit in describing Antichrist in the four forementioned places doth sometimes insist chiefly upon the Civil or Beastly Power and sometime doth take in and insist upon both the Civil and Ecclesiastical or false Church part as they are twisted together As in the feet of Iron and Clay and the Man of Sin revealed when he who did let should be taken out of the way but I shall speak more to that in the next particular The next thing I shall lay down and endeavour to clear is That the Antichrist or last part of the Image Government doth consist or is made up of two sorts to wit Civil and Ecclesiasticall both twisted or mixed together the Magisterial or Civil Government being united to and involved in the Ecclesiastical or false Church State This appears First From the Feet and Toes of the Image that are of Iron mixed with Clay Dan. 2.41 by the Iron I understand the Civil State as Verse 33. The Roman Power in its Civil Sate is set forth by Iron Leggs and by Clay I understand the earthy false Church which is set forth by a Beast coming up out of the Earth Rev. 13.11 The Civil Power espousing and joyning in affinity with the Whore she being not of God but brought forth by Man or rather by the Devil in man is called the seed of Men Dan. 2.43 This Espousal or joyning in affinity I understand to be the mingling with the seed of Men and by this mingling the Imperial Power was not strengthned but indeed weakened as Verse 42. The false Church may also upon several other accounts be fitly set forth by Clay as in its Rise Brittleness Foulness and its Nature of cleaving or sticking to other things that comes nigh unto it This may appear Secondly From the revealing of the wicked by removing of him that did let which was as I understand the Roman Emperour out of the way 2 Thes 2.7.8 Him that did let must either be God or the Devil or Man It could not be God because him that did let was to be removed out of the way which would be blasphemy in any to refer to God Secondly It could not be the Devil for he that did let appears to stand in the way to hinder the Devils Kingdom taking place which would be Satan against Satan or a Kingdom divided against it self Mark 3.23.24.26 and if it can be neither God nor Satan then it must be Man and can be referred to no other Man but the Roman Emperour who in the exercise of his Civil or Heathenish Power did for some hundreds of years after Pauls dayes hinder the Mystery of iniquity appearing in the false Church from coming to his desired Throne The Bishops of Rome grew very high and sought long to get the Seat of Civil Judicatory over the State as they had over the Church but they could not obtain the Throne till the Emperour was brought down to their foot and as to his Imperial Power was taken out of the way and when this was effected Antichrist assumed the Throne and so the wicked came to be revealed who though he had the Ecclesiastical Seat before yet was not so revealed to be that wicked mentioned 2 Thes 2.8 till he got the Civil Seat also and this doth further clear that the wicked Antichrist in his Throne must be made up of Civil and Ecclesiastical Power Thirdly This may further appear by the two Beasts mentioned Revel 13. the first comes out of the Sea verse 1. which I understand to be the Civil Roman Power in its last State that riseth by the Rebellions and Sea-like rageing tumults of the people being encouraged and promoted by Sathan in the false Church though not yet mounted upon the Beast By these tumults the Roman Power in its Pagan or Heathenish and first State that was very glorious before comes to be wasted and at last destroyed and so the Power brought under the Beast that comes out of the Sea and the Devil or Dragon being very willing to make a change of the Power from the Pagan State that he might Mount the Whore readily gives his Power Seat and great Authority to this Beast The Second Beast is mentioned in verse the 11. of this 13. Chapter and described as coming up out of the Earth and in verse 12. is said to exercise all the Power of the First Beast to wit the Beast that comes out of the Sea and vers 13.14 doth great Wonders and worketh Miracles before him c. and is called the false Prophet Revel 19.20 This Beast must be understood of the false Church which cometh