linnen Dan. 12.6 How long shall it be to the end of these wonders Or as that Saint enquired of the Palmoni or the wonderful Numberer How long shall it be that the Sanctuary and the Host shall be trodden under foot And he said unto him 8.14 2300 days then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Let 's count then from the burning of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in the 19th 2 K. 25.8 Jer. 52.12 Usser 2300 588 1712. year of his Reign which was concurrent with the 588th vulgar year before the Nativity of our blessed Lord From which time if we reckon 2300 years it leads us by the hand to the common year of our Lord 1712. About which time the pure Worship which hath been opposed and confused ever since the ruin of Solomon's Temple it 's very likely may be restored to an Evangelical Glory and the abominations of desolation removed out of the way I know what is said about the literal fulfilling of this Text under Antiochus and the mystical in the days of Julian but I take it to be a more comprehensive Oracle not to be here amply discussed As for Julians time when the Jews attempted to rebuild the Temple by his Edict in scorn to our Saviours Prophecy in the year 363 when Julian was 4th time Consul with Salustius Promotus We find no account of any Sacrifice then offered for they were but cleering the Rubbish How then can this be an Epoche from the taking away that Sacrifice which was not then offered no nor since the days of Titus Besides Julian did this in a mock-savour to the Jews and stood not with an Army in the Holy Place or City for he came no nearer than about Antioch in his march to Persia and therefore this can be no root of numeration in this case Another gracious manifestation of the time is in the 12th Chapter which must be understood of the taking away Evangelical Worship for the time Dan. 12.7 times and a half mentioned v. 7. are disertly and distinctly applyed to the duration of the ten-horned beast 7.25 Rev. 11.2.3 in the 7th Chapter and is coincident with 1260 days in John 〈◊〉 13.5 or the 42 months of their trampling down the Holy City detaining the Woman in the Wilderness and the Witnesses in sack-cloth But in asmuch that Daniel adds 30 days to the 1260 it may be suggested that he reflects upon the Restitution of Israel and their conversion to offer up spiritual Sacrifice which may be performed some short time after the resurrection of the Estate of the Church in the West So then if the Ten-horned Beast rose in the Ruines of the Roman Empire It 's but considering when that City was taken and the Imperial State demolisht and finisht 1290 410 1700 and connex the 1260 or 1293 and the blessed times will appear to the comfort and joy of the Church Rome was first taken by Alaricus A. 410. A second time by Gensericus A. 455. The third by Odoacer A. 476. When having taken Rome deposed Augustulus Paul Diacon in add ad Eutrop l. 16. p. 155. Paulus Diaconus subjoynes Ita Romanorum apud Romam Imperium toto terrarum orbe venerabile Augustalis illa sublimitas quae ab Augusto quondam Octaviano erecta est cum hoc Augustulo periit Thus the Empire of the Romans at Rome venerable through the whole World and that imperial dignity which rose in Augustus perisht in Augustulus Blessed is he that readeth and they that he are the words of this Prophecy Rev. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that keep the things written therein for the time is at hand The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes signifies Astronomical Observations We ought to be more curious and diligent in calculating the motions of Scripture-times than the most accurate Observer of Eclipses and other Heavenly Configurations which are of great use in Scripture Chronology Ps 89.36 37. The Throne of this 2d David is more establisht than the Sun or the Moon before him and as a faithful Witness in Heaven Behold he cometh quickly Rev. 22 7. blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book Obj. But some may say What comfort is this to us who it may be are never like to see these glorious times let us make our calling and election sure that we may enter into the Eternal Joy of our Lord. A I answer Of all things in the World let 's first make sure of our own Salvation and clear our evidences to eternal life 2 Pet. 1.11 that we may have abundant entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour And then let the prosperity of Sion lye warm at our hearts All the Holy men of old took great delight in beholding the Churches Glory though but in the Glass of Vision Ps 102.14 Nay they took pleasure in her stones and favoured the dust thereof For when the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his glory 16. This shall be written for the Generation to come and the people that shall be created 18. shall praise the Lord. The times of refreshing shall come and the restitution of all things whereof God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the world began Acts 3.21 2 Pet. 3.2 and we ought to be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and Apostles concerning the promise of his coming looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God 13. when there shall be a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 15. testifying that Holy Paul hath spoken of these things in his Epistles Rom. 8.21 When the Creature it self distinct from Saints v. 23. shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Shall the great God think it meet in his heavenly wisdom and goodness to the Church to foretell by all his Holy Prophets and Apostles these glorious times Shall the Son of God receive this discovery from the Father and signifie it to his Angel and send it by his Angel to his Servant John his beloved Disciple What a magnificent apparatus is here from God the Father to the Son from his Son to the Angel and from the Angel to John Such as is before no Book of Holy Scripture besides and this upon the Lords Day to an Apostle in the Spirits extasie v. 10. and to a bosom Apostle in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Nay what a Majestical Scene is laid down in the 4th Chapter which is wholy spent in preparation for these Visions of things to come A door opened in Heaven and a voice like a Trumpet and a glorious Throne appearing and a Person upon it in visage like the various-coloured Jasper and the incarnate Sardine and the Rainbow of the Covenant like the
green Emerald round about the Throne And shall minute silly mortal worms make light of these things and despise to study the splendid radiant Prophesies let down from Heaven as a token of Gods love to his Church It becomes not any who profess themselves the Servants of the most high God Dun. 19.2 Are they wiser than Daniel Ezek. 28.8 who understood the number of the years by Books and set himself to prayer about it Yea Zach. 1.12 the Angel of the Covenant urges the number of the years in prayer Rev. 13.18 and the Spirit of God sets it down for a point of wisdom to count the number of the Beast To what end but for the consolation of the Church when they know by the mouth of his holy Prophets that her warfare is accomplished Is 40.2 41.25 and that God would in due time raise up one from the North Cyrus and the rising of the Sun Behold behold I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings It 's a great reviving to the hearts of Saints who are affectionately inclin'd to the good and welfare of Zion to hear that God will bring down his proud enemies Is 62.7 and shortly make Yerusalem the praise and joy of the whole Earth and though themselves should not survive to see all the goodness that God will shew to his people yet like good old Simeon will sing to take the young beginnings of this Salvation in their Arms. David 1 Chr. 28.3 though forbidden to build the Temple yet prepared for it with all his might and set his affection upon it 29.2 3 9. and rejoyced with great joy Deut. 3.25 Moses though he could not obtain to see the good Land beyond Jordan that goodly Mountain even Lebanon and that pleasant Valley of Damascus which lies between the two Lebanons from West to East about 40 miles in length the sweetest and goodliest Valley that ever the Sun shined upon As a learned Traveller told me who was a late eye witness of its beauty yet holy Moses enjoy'd great pleasure in taking but a prospect of it before he dyed from the top of Pisgah 34.1 Beloved Daniel pronounceth him blessed Dan. 12.12 that waiteth and cometh to these happy times and receives a promise of standing in this Lot of his inheritance in the end of the days And lastly blessed John prophecying of the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.21 24. and of the saved Nations which shall walk in the light thereof and of the Kings of the Earth bringing their glory and honour into it declares them blessed that do his Commandments and thereby have right to the Tree of Life 22.14 and to enter through the Gates into the City To end What though several have erred in the Computation of Times this does no way invalidate the dignity of Scripture Oracles nor the certainty of their distinctly timed issue but should stir up others to compare Scriptures more accurately to search the Ancient Histories more curiously to discern what providences have writ their comment upon those parts of prophecy already fulfilled to be diligent in the computation of Eclipses and other appearances of the heavenly bodies which are the onely true fixers of Chronology without which all calculations in this nature will prove lame and insignificant to consider the nature of Scripture years which may somewhat differ from the Julian But above all to pray ardently for the Spirits conduct since the Apostle conjoynes the quenching of the Spirit to the despising of prophecy 1 Thes 5.19 20. and know assuredly Hab. 2.3 That the Vision is for a fixed an appointed time and he that shall come will come and will not tarry and the benign Dews shall sweetly descend upon the Mountains of Zion Mic. 5.7 which tarrieth not for mans time nor waiteth for the Sons of Men. 1673. Jul. 20. The Second DISCOURSE ABOUT THE LILLY among THORNS Songs 2.2 HERE we have Christs own Pencil drawing the beautiful Face of his Spouse from the Glass of his own Countenance with this difference v. 1. Christ is a Lilly among the Roses of Sharon the Church a Lilly among the Thorns in the Valley of weeping Christ the Lilly in Glory the Church in Grace Christ in Paradise the Church in a Wilderness And 't is no small part of his Lilly-like meekness to own his Church in her thorny estate and describe her by his own beauty She is perfect through the comeliness that he puts upon her Ezek. 16.14 The Churches Moon shines by the Rayes of the Sun of Righteousness reflected upon her In the words observe 1. The nature and feature of the Church set forth by Lillies 2. The scituation of this beautiful Plant 'T is among Thorns 3. Christ's tender affection to his Church while set among the Thorns She is the love of Christ 4. The compassion of Christ implyed in this his own Description He himself takes kind notice how his beloved Spouse is encompassed and endangered by Thorns and Bryars There be some as Brightman and Cotton who reduce this Song to a Prophecy and the Chaldee Paraphrast refers this staff of the Song to the time of captivity I suppose he means that of Babylon I shall not discuss those Prophetical Notions on this Song of Songs nor be very sollicitous about the sort of Lilly here assum'd for the Metaphor Whether the Tulip of Persia to which Solomon is resembled Mat. 6.29 when in all his glory or whether that now called the Lilly of the Vallies which bears that curious lovely Flower growing among Woods and Thickets Neither shall I enlarge my Discourse upon this Lilly-Valley by drawing Parallels between it and the Church as to its beauty tenderness lowliness purity candor or sragrancy its gratefulness to the Nerves and Medicinal Virtue for affections of the Head its sudden growth and blossoming in the Spring time of the year But leave all these for subjects to pious meditations and repair to the 2d branch of the Text scil The state or position of the Church of Christ among Thorns By Thorns are meant the Daughters so says the Spirit And as there are two sorts of Daughters Gen. 6.4 Song 2.7 the Daughters of Men and the Daughters of Jerusalem Q. it may be demanded what Daughters are set forth by the Thorns in the Text A I answer That since the Daughters of Jerusalem were the outward Professors in the Jewish Church who might possibly at first be signinified by Weeds in the Garden But when once they became Persecutors I suppose that they are not incongruously compared to the Brambles of the Desert For surely as Bernard glances Bern. in Cor. she is mala filia quae pungit Ecclesiam an untoward Daughter that scratches the Church Yet since the Wilderness is the proper and native Seat of Brambles this Text may possibly reflect upon the Lilly of the Gentile Church But 't is safer to take
against Ai. Josh 8.2 He instructed Gideon to astonish the Midianites by Lamps and Pitchers into a panick fear Jud. 7.16 It 's he who comes from Edom with garments dyed red from Bozrah glorious in his bloudy apparel Is 63.1 and marching in the greatness of his Strength This is the David who guides all according to the integrity of his heart Ps 78.72 and by the skillfulness of his hands 3. A Captain successful and victorihus He shall subdue the people under him Ps 45.5 Successfulness in a Captain is a mark of Honour stampt upon him by God to signifie that such should be used Such a character was imprinted upon Joshua The Lord thy God is with thee whither soever thou goest Jos 1.9 Though the Church hath sometimes been opprest for a while yet Christ never went forth attended with his Angelical Troops but his Sword returned fat with the bloud of the slain We need not range into the Annals of Ancient times for even since the Incarnation this Prince of Israel this Michael one like unto God hath fixt his Trophies with mighty honour upon the tops of the highest Mountains In what triumphant Chariots did he ride up to the Capitol in the days of Constantine at the subduing of the Pagan persecuting Roman Empire Rev. 12.7 What Songs of deliverance filled the Church in the times of Theodosius the great He will perform the like and greater atchievements against Papal Rome Rev. 17.14 For the Lamb shall overcome them who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings 4. He is a Captain of numerous Angels that excell in strength He leads those thundring Legions into field who love the Church and desight in employment as ministring Spirits for the heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 These Angels converse among the Myrtle Trees as well as their glorious Captain and go forth for intelligence and spy out the secretest counsels of the Adversaries So that if strength number policy intelgence and success can make an Army happy the Saints and the Church are blessed Nay they are such as no dint or force of their enemies can touch or wound them they fight invisibly they need no scaling Ladders to climb and assault the Cities of their Enemies they can either fly over or pierce through their strongest Walls and set the Church at rest whensosoever infinite Wisdom shall think meet Vs 1 Wo to the Churches Enemies who think they gird on their Armour against men like themselves 't is a grand mistake The mighty Angels are drawn up in Batalia against them When Julian was shot by a casual Arrow it 's reported that he flung his bloud into the Air against Christ appearing to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and accused him of his slaughter Sozomen l. 6. c. 2. p. 366. Theodoret l. 3. c. 20. Cassendor Trip. Hist l. 6. c. 47. Niceph. l. 10. c. 35. Others say that he cried out with scoff and blasphemy Thou hast overcome me O Galilean thou hast overcome me But whether Christ himself or an Angel by his ordination as others report it alters the case but little since we are sure it was like the Arrow ordained against Ahab it hit by the assignation and conduct of Heaven or as Sozomen phrases 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was slain by God and received the due reward of his infamous taunt against our blessed Lord. For when he was marching against the Persians he sorely threatned the Christians that the Carpenters Son should not avail them Soz. ibid. To which a Prophetical person smartly replied that he was preparing a Coffin for Julian and he was buried with scorn in the Suburbs of Tarsus by a rabble piping and dancing and exclaiming Jud. 8. O great fool where are now thy Prophesies God and his Christ have overcome thee So let all thine enemies perish O Lord. The great God hath all the Hosts in Heaven and Earth at his back Various sorts and offices of Angels some red others speckled and white alluding to the diversities of Colours in the Standards of Armies to know their Leaders and to keep rank and order Aelian hath writ his Tacticks and Polyaenus his Stratagems but no Methods or Policies like these of the Angelical Army Ezek. 17.20 32.3 who lye in ambush behind the Myrtle Trees and spread their Nets over the Heads of the ten-horned Beast of Babylon Vs 2 Let not the Church be troubled if sometimes the Speckled Horses appear though various administrations interweave the Churches comforts April will pass and a durable Somer follow What begins with red goes on with speckled and ends in white The Combat is bloudy at first but always successful and shall be crowned with victory The Church is like the Roman Empire whereof the Historian said Pugnâ victi sed nunquam bello A Battel may sometimes go off dubious but never overcome in a war The Churches Myrtles shall never be cut down so long as an Angel can keep the field he will protect them So long as the Captain of the Lords Hosts wears his Myrtle Crown Corona Myrtea he 'll lead his Church in pleasant measures in the Wildernes of Shur and teach them to sing the triumphal Song of Moses and the Lamb on the brink of the Red Sea Exod. 15.22 while the Egyptian Carcasses dance upon the waters in regular order to the Churches Sonnets Vs 3 Let this exercise the faith of Saints Though they sit heavy in a dark night yet morning will come Though the Church mourn in a gloomy bottom yet atlength she shall be advanced on the top of the highest Mountains Vs 2.2 Though wicked enemies compass them round for a while yet the Host of Angels within them shall break through and put all the Armies of the Aliens to flight The fourth watch of the night though the darkest yet 't is nearest the morning and the deepest place of the Valley is next to the foot of the Mountain for ascent Let this Vision comfort the Church that God is pleased to send Prophets to manifest the issue of all their troubles They shall not only be delivered in due time but they shall know it before-hand to aswage their sorrows and to heighten their expectations of deliverance Though the Vision be given by night yet he shines upon the head of his Zachary Amos 3.7 and does nothing but what he reveals to his Servants the Prophets and we must enquire from them not only our duty in a night of darkness but our comfort also in the Valley of affliction Let 's remember to keep to the society of Myrtles if we would enjoy the presence of Christ the protection of Angels the visions of Prophets and final victory over the Churches Enemies The last Use should be for inquiry after the end of the Vision when the white horses of victory and triumph shall appear to the Church Vs 5. Add. As he said to the man clothed in
expertness in affairs was a notable step to his personal honour his further advancement in the rising Persian Court and a return for the Church of God out of Babylon Let 's descend to apply the Use is two-fold to the thorns and lillies Vse 1 1. To the Thorns in some particulars 1. Remember your vile original what are you but the cursed sruit of the fall whose bramble natures breed unkind and pricking spirits God planted no thorns in Paradise The state of innocency knew no such crooked tempers Ecc. 7.29 He created man upright but he sought out many inventions 2. To the Thorns among Lillies Most of the Worlds briars grow without any lillies among them They live among Nettles Hemlock and Henbane and other poysonous Plants stinging and tearing and choaking one another Tit. 3.3 living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another but remember you that have Lillies among you their humility fragrancy lenity purity should provoke you to holy emulation They live peaceably by you scratch them not Happy thorns did you know it God would soon fold you up into bundles and deliver you to the surnace of his wrath were it not for his Chosen among you Mat. 13.30 Suffer them a while let the Briars grow till the Harvest says our Lord Then shall his Angels gather out of his Kingdom v. 41. all things that offend and them which do iniquity and cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 3. Let wicked persecuting thorns consider their end Heb. 6.8 That earth that beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burnt Unserviceable unprofitable wretches cumber the ground suck away the juice from Gods Plants unfit for building and injurious that which their prickly venome heat and infest the hands that touch them Take heed of persecuting the meek and humble Lillies There 's no one sin more criminal and provoking in the sight of God He ordains his arrows against the Persecutors and dooms them to eternal fire Ps 7.13 When once persons fall to that sin Ps 58.9 God maketh way and room for his wrath Before the pots can feel the thorns c. a dark place but sharp against Gods enemies Arias and Glassius translate it antequam spinae intelligant rhamnum c. Before the Thorns apprehend a Bramble an elegant metaphor from the growth of rational creatures Before the young tender thorns shall arise to the capacity of a great bramble to do more mischief The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural masculine signifies thorns and the Targum glosses the Text thus while they are tender and green Isa 54.13 Eccl. 7.8 while in their youth and vigour as Husbandmen cut down thorns before they grow rampant so will the Lord tear off wicked Persecutors with the whirlwind and burn them with the fire of his wrath before they grow old withered and dry while yet in the sap and strength while they are lively and flourishing The design of the Psalmist expresses the wrath of God against his enemies before they shall finish their purposes to bring utter destruction to the Congregation of the just Vse 2 To the Lillies themselves 1. Resemble your heavenly pattern Take heed of morosity you never found a thorn in the root leaf or flower of a lilly but what was thrust in by a Briar it agrees not to the meek and gentle nature of holiness Pride and imperiousness of spirit is contrary to the humility of a Lilly stiffness and perversness are unsuitable to the flexible temper of that lovely plant Drooping and desponding unbecomes the erect and brisk aspect of its flower Saints should labour to joy in the Lord always Study for such innocency mildness winning ingenious tempers and candour of spirit as may silence the ignorance of foolish men that by holy and heavenly frames of heart and life they may convince the briars that tear them of their fiery unrighteous sharpness Saints must shew a better spirit dwelling in them then the world knows off sweet thoughts issuing into courteous and affable words smelling fragrantly of heavens influence and the dews of Zion moistning their lovely hearts with a conversation so amiable as may glorifie their heaven-born race that all about them may delight to come within them to taste of their delicious spirits as if they dwelt in a garden of Pomegranats Song 4.13 A Lilly is a tractable Plant a briar is of a sullen churlish rough Nabal-like spirit Wicked mens tempers are commonly like nettles and thorns thrust away that cannot be taken with hands 2 Sam. 23.6.7 he that touches them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear and they shall be utterly burnt with fire in the same place not to be handled without hedgers gloves without guards and fences but so must not Saints yet take heed of offences even to the Sons of Belial A Lilly will not cannot hurt a thorn You never heard a Sheep barking at a Dog or saw a Dove fly after a Bird of Prey A Saint must not be of a sturdy dogged proud rapacious insolent and revengeful temper but commit themselves to God For Vengeance is mine saith the Lord Rom. 12.9 I 'll repay it Q Q. But may not a Saint sometimes use the prick of reproof A A. When the necessity of their calling station and relation requires it 't is their duty Lev. 19.17 They must in no no wise hate their Brother in their heart but shew their love by rebuking him and not suffer sin upon him But Pro. 15.12 if he be a scorner he 'll never love his reprover neither will he go unto the wise but sight and quarrel and backbite most venomously Pro. 9.7 He that reproveth a scorner gets shame and blots and hatred Therefore remember the sphere of thy station and go no further Thorns are always scratching and censuring Saints for reproof though bound in duty and though never so mild wherefore let the Lillies whiteness purity and humility be a silent standing reproof against their neighbouring briars 2. Do you belong to this heavenly Plant are you like to Christ are ye his lillies indeed Let 's try can you bear their prickly thorns with meekness of patience A good nature is seen more in bearing and passing by injuries that might provoke a nettling temper then in bestowing of benefits Will ye pretend to a lilly and cant bear a prick in your good name for Christ nor a thorn in your liberty for the Gospel sake nor a scratch in your purses for pure worship and the honourable name of the great Lillie of the Vallies what conformity bear we to Christ The Head of the Church was girt and gored with a Crown of thorns for us and must not the Churches Sides expect the like Delicatus es Christiane c. said Jerome thou art too dainty that must be Crowned with roses