of his owne essence and glory made of a woman without the concurrence of a man that the seede of the woman might breake the Serpents head according to the promise made in Gen. 3. 15. Also he was made under the Law he observed the Law and made himselfe wholly subject thereunto He was in all things obedient that he might fulfill all righteousnesse by submitting to every ordinance of God Christ alwayes went about doing of good as preaching the kingdome of God and working of miracles both miranda and miracul◠were wrought by him to confirme his doctrine that he delivered Now in all these things he gave forth a testimony of the wisedome power and goodnesse of his father before the world This was the time of Christs prophesie in sackcloth being in much sorrow and sadnesse often tempted by Satan alwayes opposed by the Scribes and Pharisees and having finished his testimony suffered the death of the crosse And as for the time of Christs bearing witnesse was by computation from the time of his inauguration or instalment into his office mentioned Luk. 3. 23. unto the time of his death the same terme of time that here the witnesses are said to prophesie namely three yeares and a halfe This is one testimony that Christ gives forth by those transactions passed on him and by all those works wrought by him whereby he did worke salvation for all his people in his owne person The whole compendium and perfect draught of our salvation is effectually drawne forth by Christ Secondly Christ doth not onely give forth his testimony by what himselfe doth in his person for us but also by that frame that by his Spirit he worketh in us Christ no sooner lays downe his fleshly and visible appearance to the world but he appeares in a more spirituall and invisible way unto his Disciples supplying his corporall absence by his spirituall presence So that as his first dispensation was by his fleshly appearance in like manner his second dispensation is his spirituall presence according to his promise that when he should depart he would send the Comforter Joh. 16. 7. The Spirit doth testifie of the same things that Christ in his person did but in a more invisible and spirituall way for saith Christ The spirit shall take of mine and shew it unto you Joh. 16. 15. Now that visible testimony that Christ gave forth in his flesh by his preaching and miracles c. was more externall darke and in figure then his spirituall appearance and invisible operations in the soules of his people for by his casting forth Devills opening the eyes of the blinde and healing the sicke and the like he did by such outward external prefigurations shew what he would doe by his Spirit by cleansing enlightening and healing of his people by the inward working of his power spirit and righteousnesse The salvatiō that Christ hath wrought outwardly the same he works in wardly by the reall operation of his Spirit in the hearts of his people Hence the Apostle saith Christ is formed in us Gal. 4. 19. The life and death the workes and image of Christ are set up and formed in the hearts of beleevers Thus we see that Christ gives forth a testimony in spirit as well as in flesh and in his spirituall presence as well as in his fleshly appearance Thus we have the ground why Christ is called two olive trees First in respect of his two natures divine and humane Secondly in relation to his twofold dispensation the one in flesh the other in spirit Now it followeth that we shew why Saints are called two Candlesticks The grounds are two First Because they consisted both of Jewes and Gentiles whereas mention is made but of one Candlefticke in Zach. 4. because it signified the Jewes onely by whom was represented the great Congregation of Saints But here the Churches of Christ being made up of Jew and Gentile of the Circumcision and uncircumcision they are called two And thus the whole compleat number of Saints and Churches were mentioned Chap. 1. But I doe not conceive this to be the maine reason therefore consider Secondly The Saints receive and consequently give forth a double testimony the one as it were fleshly low and earthly the other more spirituall and heavenly Suitable to the state condition frame and dispensation that Saints are under accordingly they hold forth a testimony of Christ In respect of the Corinthians weaknesse the Apostle tells them they were carnall and as babes in Christ and of himselfe he saith in respect of his divine visions and revelations that he was in the third heaven or Paradise of God Now concerning this twofold witness or testimony we have it fully expressed and set forth in 1 Joh. 5. 7 8. For there that beare record in hearen the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one And there are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and the Water and the Bloud and these three agree in one Now by beaven and earth we are to understand of the state of the Saints in their severall conditions and stations either carnall and fleshly or spirituall and heavenly We shall take notice thereof distinctly First the witnesse or testimony in earth presents us with the coming of Christ in flesh who came by water and bloud The water and bloud that issued out of Christs side Joh. 19. did answer to the legall washings and sacrifices of the Jewes the one by water the other by bloud Hereby is signified first Sanctification or the spirituall washing the silth and uncleannesse of sinne as with water Secondly Justification whereby the heart of a Saint comes to be freed from the guilt and charge of sin and this is as by bloud Now as Saints eyeing Christ coming by water and bloud they apprehend him to be a sufficient and comfortable Saviour justifying of their persons sanctifying of their natures and so are satisfied in cōscience in respect of Christs full expiation of and satisfaction for sin Now the Spirit comes in and gives its testimony unto these for it 's sayd these agree in one The Spirit doth give forth a testimony thorow justification and sanctification thus represented by bloud and water Now this is called the testimony in earth as being weake and low in comparison of that which is far more spirituall and heavenly The Saints under this dispensation and state give forth a suitable testimony these are able to testifie of the pardon of sin of the appeasing of the conscience and of reconciliation and also against the power of sin the accusation of Satan and the condemnation of the Law c. This here is called the testimony in earth as being weak and low in respect of the other this is the first testimony that the Saints receive and consequently that they give forth before the world Secondly we have a testimony in heaven or a more divine and heavenly witnesse and this is the immediate and single witnesse
of the Spirit that the Apostle doth intimate saying The spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirits c. Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit doth seale adoption upon our hearts by witnessing to our spirits or with our spirits our spirits being renewed and witnessing to the truth of God his spirit doth concur and agree with our spirits in the same testimony Now the Father Word and Spirit that beare this heavenly record are not said to agree in one but they are one they are one in essence and nature but distinct in operation and discovery The father is the originall and fountaine of blessednesse and therefore called the father of lights Jam. 1. 17. As being the root of all wisdome and knowledge and every other good thing The Son is the very forme and appearance of divine excellency and therefore called the image of the invisible God Col. 1. 15. for in him we behold the glory of God as in a glasse or image which in it selfe is invisible and undiscernable The Spirit is that which doth make an irradiation or discovery of the Father and Son The spirit of truth saith Christ shall testifie of me Joh. 15. 26. Now these three are one in essence and being they goe forth together in one they give a single and pure testimony immediatly and without any medium coming between To this purpose observe a passage spoken by Christ when he saith If any man love me he will keepe my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Joh. 14. 23. But how is it that both the Father and the Son will come to abide and lodge in the cottage of the beleevers heart that is onely by the sending forth the spirit that Christ had promised as a Comsorter which was to be the Chariot of the Son and of the Father in one Here is the Trinity in unity viz. the Father and Son both coming forth in the Spirit and dwelling in the hearts of his people Now this testimony of the Father and the Son and Spirit in One is that divine and heavenly record that gives a sure evidence or evident assurance unto the heart of the riches and glory of God the love and goodnesse of Christ the light and truth of the Spirit whereby the soule of a beleever is made to sit downe in heavenly places with Christ and rejoyce in a pleorophery or full assurance of faith to triumph in the evidence of divine love to be satisfied in the true image of righteousnesse and heavenly life engraven in the heart Now accordingly as the Saints receive in this testimony so they demonstrate the same before the world as being alwayes ready to give forth what ever they receive from the Lord. Such as have received this heavenly witnesse are able to give out a far more glorious testimony of the truth and glory of God then those that have received the former earthly testimony even as the Disciples were more enlarged by the testimony of the Spirit then they wereby their being present with Christ in the flesh Thus we perceive the ground why the Saints are called two Candlesticks First because they consisted of Jewes and Gentiles Secondly because they receive and consequently give forth a twofold testimony the first earthly the second heavenly Now lastly we are to enquire how Christ intimated here by the two olive trees should be joyned with the two Candlesticks and brought in as a witnesse in sackcloth in the severall ages and times of the raigne of Antichrist and seeing that all this hath been done since Christ left the earth Unto which I answer First Christ and his Saints make but one compleat body are joyned as head and members being knit together by one Spirit This the Apostle doth affirme in 1 Cor. 12. 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so is Christ for by one spirit we are baptized into one body As it is in the naturall body so it is in the spirituall which consisteth of diverse members and they of different offices and operations yet they make but one body The Church is called the fulnesse of his body that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 23. as Christ is the fulnesse of all spirituall supply unto his Saints so his Saints are the fulness of his body both would be defective and as it were maiâ—â—d if they were seperated or disunited one from the other Now in as much as Christ and his Sâ—iâ—ts make but one and both make up but one body Hence it is that the testimony of the Saints is attributed to Christ he being joyned with them in prophesie even in the dayes of Antichrists â—â—igne Secondly though Christ be absâ—nt in body yet is present in spirit and by his spirit doth abide with his people continually and â—â—â—ble them to prophesie Christ himselfe gave forth nâ— other testimony then that he received from the Father for 〈…〉 â— of my selfe doe 〈…〉 as I 〈…〉 John 5. 30. Even so the Sâ—iâ—ts 〈◊〉 cannot beare witnesse unto the truth bat as they are enabled thereunto by the spirit of truth That which we have seen and heard saith the Apostle declare we unto you c. And this is 〈…〉 which we have heard of him 1 Joh. 1. 3. 5. So that the Saints receive their message and testimony from the spirit of Christ and accordingly they prophesse And in this respect Christ may also be sayd to prophesie in these latter times Thirdly the testimony of Christ and his Saints is one and the same The Saints of old gave forth their testimony in their appointed times and seasons they did beare witnesse to the truth of God against the same spirit of wickednesse that was acted in their dayes even as the witnesses in sackcloth have done under the powerfull raigne of the beast Thus did Mordicay and the Jewes testifie against the pride cruelty of Hammon Thus did Christ himselfe when he was present upon earth testifie against the hypocrisie and wickednesse of the Scribes and Pharisees And thus hath the Saints in all the dayes and ages of the man of sin given forth a faithful testimony for the truth of Christ opposing the falshood and deceit of all the wayes of the man of sin Thus we see that the very testimony of the Saints is the testimony of Christ it 's Christs cause and quarrell they are engaged in well therefore may Christ be brought in and joyned with the witnesses here Fourthly and lastly Christ doth not performe this here spoken of him in his person but in his members 't is not Christ immediatly and by himselfe but mediatly and by his Saints It 's Christ mystically that is alwayes opposing of Antichrist Suitable unto this is that passage in 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. speaking of Christ saith That he went by the spirit and preached unto those spirits now in prison having been disobedient unto the
Antichrist doth exclude them from the heavenly influences and sweet showers of divine grace p. 170 180 2. Ob all the sweet and refreshing streames of comfort and supply that Antichrist livâ—s upon are turned into bitternesse and contention at prophesie of the witnesses p. 172 3. Ob That the prophesie of the witnesses though in a meane low and sackcloth condition iâ— of mightie force and power unto their adversaries p. 173 In vers 7. we have three particular things p. 17â— First the time when the witnesses are to be slaine and when they have finished their testimony p. 176 177 Secondly by whom the witnesses shall be slaine wherein we have opened 1. What is meant by the Beast that slayes them p. 79 2. What is meant by the bottomles pit from whence he comes p. 180 181 182 183 3. The manner of his ascension p. 184 Thirdly the manner how the witnesses are slaine by the Beast 1. He makes war against them p. 185 2. Doth overcome them p. 186 187 3. Doth kill them and how p. 188 189 190 Observations from the verse 1. Ob That the Saints of Christ in every age and time are enabled to finish their testimony mauger all the opposition that is made against them p. 191 2. Ob That the rage and cruelty of the adversary is great against the faithfull servants of Christ p. 192 193 3. Ob That the workings and deceits of Antichrist are very deep and mystâ—rious p. 194 4. Ob That there is a time when Antichrist christ doth ascend high in greatnesse and power p. 195 196 5. Ob That the witnesses are continually overcome and slaying all the time of the powerfull reigne of the Beast p. 197 198 In verse 8. we have an account of the bodies of the witnesses where three speciall things are noted p. 199 First what is meant by the bodies of the witnesses p. 200 201 202 203 204 205 Secondly the place where their bodies lie where we have explained 1. What is meant by the great Citie p. 206 2. What is meant by the streeâ—e of that Citie p. 207 Thirdly a description of the Citie 1. By it's resemblance 1. To Sodome p. 208 209 2. To Aegypt p. 210 2. By it's carriage and action p. 211 How Christ is sayd to be crucified in Aegypt and Sodome p. 212 Observations drawne from the words opened 1. Ob That the externall formes of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkasâ— p. 213 2. Ob That it 's not so much the outward forme or figure of worship that Antichrist seeks to suppresse as it 's the spirit and testimony of the witnesses p. 214 215 3. Ob That Antichrist is full of spirituall uncleannesse and cursed cruelty p. 216 4. Ob It 's the very life spirit and image of Christ that Antichrist doth chiefly oppose in slaying the witnesses p. 217 218 In verse 9. we have three things noted concerning the carriage of the enemies towards the dead bodies of the witnesses 1. Who are meant by people kindreds tongues and nations p. 220 2. Their exercise about the dead bodies 1. What it is to see the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 221 2. What it is not to suffer them to be put in graves p. 222 3. The time that these dead bodies shall lie unburied and what is meant by three dayes and a halfe p. 223 Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the power and greatnesse the wisdome and abilities of men are exercised about the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 224 2. Ob That the great care that those of the nations and tongues c. take about the dead bodies of the witnesses is to keep them above ground p. 225 226 3. Ob That the dead bodies of the witnesses are kept above ground all the time of Antichrists reigne p. 227 228 In verse 10. we have a farther carriage of the Adversary towards the carkases of the witnesses p. 229 1 The persons acting those that dwell upon the earth of whom it 's meant p. 230 2. Their actions they rejoyce and make merry c. and what it meaneth p 231 3. The ground of their joy because these two Prophets tormented them and how p. 232 233 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the people that serve Antichrist are earthly carnall p. 234 2. Ob That the greatest joy of Antichrist is over the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 235 3. Ob That the witnesses by their prophesie doe most of all torment the men of the earth p 236 237 In vers 11. we have the witnesses resurrection p. 238 1. The time of their resurrection After three dayes and a halfe explained p. 239 2. The cause viz. the spirit of life from God and what it is p. 240 241 3. The resurrection it selfe and they stood upon their feet explained in 3 particulars p. 242 243 4. The consequent that follows their resurrection by the great feare that falls upon their enemies p. 244 245 Observations from hence 1. Ob That when the time of the witnesses suffering and sadnesse drawes to an end there is an earnest expectation in them of their resurrection p. 246 247 2. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to arise by the mighty powerfull spirit of God p. 248 3. Ob As there is a time when the witnesses lie slaine and dead so also there is a time when they shall revive and live againe 249 250 4. Ob That the rising of the witnesses is a most dreadfull sight to the men of the earth p. 251 252 In verse 12. we have the witnesses ascention from whence is noted First the cause they heard a voyce from heaven p. 254 From whence is noted 1. The voyce it selfe p. 255 2. From whence it came ibid 3. Vnto whom it 's spoken p. 256 4. What it speakes p 257 Secondly the ascention it selfe p. 258 From whence is observed 1. Their action p. 259 2. Their place p. 260 3. The manner and what is meant by the cloud in which they ascend p. 261 Thirdly the Adjunct annexed to their ascention and in what manner their enemies should behold them p. 262 Observations drawne from hence 1. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to ascend by the powerfull voyce of the Spirit of God p. 263 264 2. Ob That the witnesses have their time of triumph and rejoycing as well as they have a time of sackcloth and mourning p. 265 3. Ob That the state that the witnesses shall ascend unto is most heavenly and glorious p. 266 The externall libertie and peace that the witnesses shall enjoy by their ascention consisteth 1. In deliverance from oppression p. 267 2. Their enemies shall serve them p 268 3. They shall enjoy peace and quietnesse p. 269 270 4. Deliverance from shame p. 271 The internall glory and excellency that the Saints shall be advanced unto 1. They shall abound in knowledg p. 272 2. They shall exceed in joy and comfort p. 273 3. They shaall live
The outward word is but the clothing of the spirit neither hath it life and power but as the spirit doth goe forth in it Then the spirit is the true measure whereby we may take an equall scantlet or true dimention of heavenly things This is that the Apostle doth plainly tell us in 1 Cor. 2. 10. That the Spirit doth reveale the deep things of God So that the deep and hidden things the most secret mysteries of Gospel-truth are revealed unto us by the Spirit Now what man is it that doth not imagine he hath the true measure and rule of the things of God Every man pretends it and lays claime unto it Therefore before I passe this poynt I shall shew upon what grounds many men are mistaken and also make knowne what are the true foundations and principles of the true knowledge and discernnance of the things of God Concerning the false rules whereby men mistake take notice of these which follow First Fleshly wisdome and carnall reason are the principles that many men thinke to finde out truth by and by these principles of nature they would professe to attaine unto the knowledge of divine things but there is an utter inability in man by all his corrupted principles of nature rightly to judge or discerne of spirituall things Christ tells Nicodemus That which is borne of flesh is flesh Joâ— 3. 6. Now what doth he meane by flesh he doth not meane materiall flesh and bloud but he meaneth the corrupted principles of mans nature the wisdome will and affections of the nâ—turall man which cannot enter into the kingdome of God Againe the Apostle tells us of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an animate sensuall or naturall man and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spirituall man or one enlightned by the spirit of God Now the naturall man is not able to judge of things above the principles of nature for every truth is discerned by principles of light suitable to it selfe Hence it is that the Apostle saith in 1 Cor. 2. 11. No man knoweth the things of man but the spirit of man that is in him Now what are the things of man but all created things of whom man is the epitome or compendium of them all they being all comprehended within him as in a Mapp or short abridgement so as for the secret and hidden things of nature or of the creature there is none can fadome or comprehend them but the spirit of man or the reason wisdome or understanding of man So it falls out in the things of God for saith the Apostle Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Heavenly things are onely judged and discerned by him that is spirituall who judgeth all things by a true light Then it is in vaine for man to grope in the darknesse of his own wisdome and reason after the knowledge of heavenly truth Mans knowledge is a weak and dimme light as the light of a Candle to the light of the day or like the shine of the Moon unto the glory of the Sun it is a low fleshly and most unperfect light and altogether insufficient to measure divine things by Secondly Many there be that ground their knowledge of divine things upon some barren notion or fruitlesse opinion or meer speculation and when they have got some jejune and dry Maximes of Divinity or some poor lean and saplesse syllogisticall reasonings that then thinke they have attained to a most compleat knowledge of the things of God and that they are well seen in the mystery of truth when alas all these things are not sufficient to present unto the soul the least glimpse of true and saving light Thirdly Others thinke that the whole mystery of truth is bound up or comprehened within some circle or forme of Religion Such as these are apt to say Lo here and lo there as Christ speaks in Luke 17. 21. that is Lo here is Christ in this way of worship in this form of Religion in this opinion and doctrine but saith Christ The kingdome of God is within you That is The kingdome of God is not so much of forme but of power of righteousnesse and peace of light and joy of love and life and all these are best manifested within us for Christ is best knowne where he lives It hath been the practice of Antichrist to cry up the Temple of the Lord while they cry downe the Lord of the Temple and to take up the forme of Religion as a meanes to persecute the power thereof Then t is not an empty and barren forme of Religion that can furnish us with the true light of the kingdome of Christ or the knowledge of his will Fourthly and lastly the most of men thinke that if they have some historicall knowledge of Christ and some literall knowledge of the Scriptures and are trained up as Parrets to speake over such things as they read in books and Treatises and are well versed in the Systems and body of Divinity that then they are sufficiently instructed in the mysteries of the Gospel when alas the truths of God are hidden from their eyes and every word and letter they read are written with an unknowne character which cannot be deciphered without the Spirit of God The most learned Scribe the greatest Rabbie that shall understand the Originall language in which the Text of Scripture was first written as the Hebrew and the Greeke but yet shall want the language of the Spirit cannot give a true interpretation of the hidden and secret truths contained in the Scripture There is not onely a history but also a mystery of Christ there is not onely letter but also Spirit in the Scriptures which the most learned in the world cannot finde out without the Spirit of Christ The Apostle gives in a full testimony unto this in citing of that place which saith I will destroy the wisdome of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolishnesse the wisdome of this world 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. Then t is not carnall reason or fleshly wisdome t is not a barren notion or meer speculation t is not a round circle or empty forme t is not a literall knowledge or historicall relation of Christ and the Scriptures that are sound principles of saving light or the true measures or rules by which we may discerne spirituall things Thus having shewen rules and principles whereby men are mistaken in their judgement of divine things Now it followeth in the second place that wee make a discovery of those principles of light and truth whereby we may come to a true sight and knowledge of the things of God First Divine truths are knowne by the Spirit The Apostle tells us in 1 Joh. 5. 6. The spirit is truth The spirit is the fullest the highest the most absolute and the most comprehensive truth it 's
the originall and ground it 's perfection and end it 's the judge and standard of all truth It is most true that God hath made sense and reason the judge and standard of such truths that are within their owne compasse and circuit and are able to perceive and discerne such objects that are suitable to themselves but they can ascend no higher Now for spirituall things saith the Apostle they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 12. They cannot be judged or rightly understood without a spirituall apprehension and enlightned judgement therefore he saith in verse 9. Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard c. That is both the sense of seeing and hearing and also the reason and understanding of the heart are poore low and darke principles too superficiall too scant and narrow to judge divine things by Therefore the Apostle concludes in vers 11. That none knows the things of God but the Spirit of God which searcheth the deep things of God it is that alone openeth the deep and hidden mysteries of truth And hence the Apostle affirmes in verse 15. The spirituall man judgeth or discerneth all things Secondly Heavenly things are best discovered by a divine impression of them on the heart This is that the Apostle testifies of the Corinthians saying Yee are our Epistle written in our hearts knowne and read of all men for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in the fleshly Tables of the heart 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. As if the Apostle had said yee are the seal of our Apostleship ye are our commendatory letters the truth is most of all manifested by that divine impresse it hath upon your hearts it 's written there with a more lively character and more easie to be deciphered then if it were written with inke and paper or on Tables of stone The truths of God are not so well discovered by the word and letter without us as by the word and spirit within us The mystery of the Gospel is most of all seen when it is engraven upon our hearts by the indeleble characters of the Spirit of God Thirdly To know the truth aright is to know it in Jesus according to that expression of the Apostle in Ephes 4. 21 22. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your minde and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse The Apostle shews plainly that to know the truth in Jesus is by the putting off the old man being corrupt and by putting on the new man c. wherein he doth compare the naturall and corrupt estate of man to an old worn-out garment which is fit for nothing but to be cast off layd aside and the new man which is the impression of the image of Gods righteousnes and holines on the soul he doth compare to a new garment fit to put on be adorned withall and hereby our mindes shall be renewed changed and regenerated from the naturall depravation of the understanding will and affections and wholly be filled and acted with spirit light life of Christ And hereby are we able to discerne the truths of Jesus as they are manifested to our new man or as they are represented to our mindes as being renewed according to the image and glory of Jesus Christ Fourthly and lastly we come to know the truth by our conformity unto it When there is a sweet complyance of our spirits with the will of God then we come to know most of the mystery of his will And this Christ himselfe doth beare witnesse of when he saith If any man will doe his will he shall know of my doctrine Joh. 7. 17. Now what is it to do the will of God but to have an harmonious consent and sweet complyance of our wills with the divine will of God whereby our wills are more enlarged in the knowledge and extent of his will our wills and his will as it were meeting and concentring in one Thus the soule becomes best acquainted with the knowledge of the truth and is enabled to understand the unknowne and hidden mysteries of heavenly things whereby it is able to judge aright and give a true dimention or measure of them And thus much for the rules or principles by which we are to judge and measure divine things Thirdly Observe from the Temples 3 Observ being measured That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his divine presence with his people even in the darkest and saddest time of Antichrists raigne The measuring of the Temple here hath an allusion unto Ezek. 40. where the Temple was measured that it might appeare the whole frame and order thereof was from the Lord. So here the Lord doth preserve a holy people to himselfe and by his divine presence with them doth measure them out for his Temple So that he doth preserve a spirituall forme of a Temple by his divine presence with his people even all the times of the generall Antichristian Apostacie and defection when there was no outward forme of a Temple when Antichrist sat in the visible Temple and exalted himselfe above all grasping all power and authority all rule and dominion then I say at the very time of the powerfull raigne of the Man of sin God would have us take notice that he did preserve a people to himselfe and by his divine presence love and protection did make them his Temple Fourthly Observe from the measuring 4 Observ of the Altar That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him Christ is the true Altar of God and all the Saints are made spirituall Priests to offer up their sacrifices and services on him The Saints draw nigh to God in sincerity they serve the Lord in spirit they worship him in spirit They did alway offer up upon the true Altar sacrificing all that was deare unto them their friends their goods their preferments their parts their lives and all that was deare unto them Such hath been the love of the faithfull unto the service of Christ that not withstanding all the rage and sury of Antichrist vexing and persecuting of them by imprisoument and death and whatsoever could be inflicted on them yet they could never be made weary of the profession of Christ but their faith and graces have alwayes been so impregnable and indefatigable that they could never be worne out or made to give over the service of Christ Fifthly Observe in that the true 5 Observ worshippers must be measured That the Lord doth accept of none but his true worshippers such as worship in his Temple and offer upon his Altar Christ
taketh with himselfe seven other spirits more wicked then himselfe and they enter in and dwell there c. Something of the workings of iniquity doth appeare from this Text. The uncleane spirit cast forth of man is the spirit of open and gross prophannesse the naturall conscience being in some measure convinced cannot any longer content it selfe in such palpable wickednesse but by some outward profession or externall reformation this Devill is cast forth as not to be born with any longer But what comes of it This same evill spirit comes againe makes a reentry dwells there and in what appearance doth he shew himselfe He finds the heart emptie swept garnished with some externall forme of religion and is now exercised in some excellent performances of prayer preaching hearing fasting and the like and here the soule takes much satisfaction in comparing it's present actings with it's former courses Yet here is seven worse spirits or the very perfection or mystery of iniquity for though these garnishings be never so beautifull and glorious though the outward profession be painted over and much adorned yet the evill spirit dwells within the perfection of wickednesse within the perfection of wickednesse the mystery of iniquity remaines still in the heart and this is the highest deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse the very spirit of Antichrist and inward actings of the man of sin Then while we looke abroad in the world and strike here and there at the externall formes and images of Antichrist let us behold the spirit of Antichrist within us having it's throne and seat in our hearts continually acting of it's parts in all our duties and performances in all our worships and services all the blindnesse deceit self-love and hypocrisie that lies wrapt up in our hearts proceeds from this corrupt principle Therefore it will not be enough that we cut off the top-boughes of outward prophanenesse but that we lay the Axe to the root of the Tree and destroy that spirituall wickednesse that lies hid within our owne breasts Thus much for the spirit and mystery of Antichrist Secondly We have the forme and appearance of Antichrist Now though the spirit of Antichrist or that corrupt principle in mans heart be the very sourse and root of all evill yet it doth not onely lurk privily in mans heart but puts it selfe forth into the world openly and visible to the eye and that in many severall formes and figures in many shapes and appearances Hence it 's said There be many Antichrists 1 Joh. 2. 18. that is there be many shapes and appearances in which Antichrist shall come forth to act his part Concerning these variable shapes of the man of sin I shall now endevour in some measure to demonstrate These forty two moneths notes the various and changeable images of the beast which terme of time is the same in proportion with the three dayes and halfe mentioned in vers 9. being the time the witnesses should he dead and slaine I shall make use of that terme of three dayes and halfe in stead of the forty two moneths and shall shew how in each day and halfe day we have a changeable forme in which Antichrist doth shew himselfe The first terme of time or day of Antichrists visible raigne was in the shape of a Dragon mentioned in Revel 12. 3. By which we have represented to us the Romane Emperours who usurped authoritie over the Church and Saints of Christ being very much corrupted were exceeding great persecutors and tormentors of all that professed the name of Christ This great red Dragon is said to have seven heads ten hornes and seven Crownes which doth import the largenesse of his Dominion the greatnesse of his power and strength And for his carriage 't is Pharaoh-like who sought to destroy the first-borne of Israel and as Herod sought to destroy Christ as soone as he was borne so this beast was ready to devour the child that the woman was to bring forth The spirituall Church is compared to a woman as being espoused to Christ and likely to bring forth some excellent and worthy instrument as Constantine who was sought to be destroyed by Galerius but God taking this child into his own bosome and prorection and preserving the woman in the wildernesse from the fury and rage of this Dragon at last raising up Constantine here called Michael which spiritually is meant of Christ to fight against Maxentius Maximinus and Licinius and overcame them that they ruled no more in the Roman Empire Thus those wicked and persecuting Emperours that did so much vex and oppresse the Saints are now cast out of heaven as not retaining their usurped authority of the Church Now the subtilty of the Serpent put forth in the cruelty of the Dragon or corrupt Magistracy acting in such grosse and abominable wickednesse is now detected and cryed downe for bloudy tyranny and oppression so that Antichrist could no longer continue in this forme this his first day being ended and he being cast to the earth is forced to seek some other habit or disguise to appeare in under some fair shew or pretence of Religion The second day of Antichrists powerfull raigne or new forme that he comes forth in is in the likenesse of a beast like unto a Leopard as appeareth from Revel 13. 1. This beast doth prefigure the universall Bishop of Rome or Popish Empire Now this universall Bishop came in like an Angel of light pretending religion and reformation but intended nothing but hypocrisie and abomination This beast ariseth out of the sea or Nations round about having had seven heads and ten hornes as the former beast had and ten Crownes ten kingdomes being subjected to the Popish Empire his likenesse was like unto a Leopard fierco and cruell his feet like the feet of a Beare devouring and ravenous and his mouth as a Lion powerfull and mighty And received the seat and authority of the Dragon Now this beast being exalted in dignity and greatnesse and all begin to submit themselves to his service and formes of worship crying Who is like unto the beast but now what doth he Notwithstanding at the first he pretended to sanctifie and reformation yet now by degrees he comes to blaspheme God his name Tabernacle and people making warre against them by subduing and slaying them And thus did this beast trample upon the Temple of God and upon the holy Cities in his moneths and seasons while they were given into his hand But the Lord having raised up many eminent instruments as Hush Luther Melancton Wickcliff Calvine and Bede with many others that have respectively according to their light given forth their testimony against this beast laying open his hypocrisie and deceit his filthinesse and abomination whereby hee hath received such a deadly wound that it never will be recovered and therefore is ever since upon the declining hand So that now Antichrist is forced to cloth himselfe in some other dresse and come forth in some new habit
or disguise to act his part in and so flyes out of the appearance of this beast into another The third day of Antichrists powerfull raigne is in the forme of a beast with two hornes like a lamb mentioned in Revel 13. 11. This beast doth relate to Episcopacy and such like formes of pretended reformation so that this appearance carries with it more fair pretences and greater shewes of religion then the former and therefore more closely hypocriticall and deceitfull then the former This beast is said to arise out of the earth viz. from a Kingly or earthly power and had two hornes one was a politicall or civill the other called Ecclesiasticall or spirituall like a Lamb professing much meeknesse and gentlenesse but speak like a Dragon as being very feirce and cruell taking upon him to exercise the power of the first beast to act by humane force and governe the Church by civill authority and so did but heal up the wound of the former beast And this he doth by lying miracles as to cause fire to come downe from heaven in the sight of men seeming to have the very spirit of Elisha counterfeiting the spirit of God in his workings by which he deceived the people of the earth But these deceits and hypocrisies of this beast being perceived by the Saints of God he is forced to flee into some other forme to hide himselfe under some other disguise being closely beset and driven up into a narrow compasse must fly farther for succour and refuge and is compelled to make some other image or pretence to shelter himselfe This being the third day Lastly We have the halfe day in which time we have the image that the last beast causeth to be set up Revel 13. 14. The beast being changed into an image comes forth more refined moreglorious in shew pretending the greatest reformation of all as being the last refuge that Antichrist hath the last terme of time he hath to raign the halfe day and therefore now he puts on his best dresse and cloths himselfe with his finest ornaments This halfe day and last appearance comes neer Rome to our owne times and therefore I shall not describe those that set up the image of the beast by any proper name but rather by these six particulars following that we shall collect from that place in Revel 13. from verse the 14. to the end of the Chapter First They that set up the image of the beast arâ— those that will make Disciples unto Christ by a humane power and by pressing some externall comformity upon men they will convert the world into a Church and make many to be Christians against their wills and hence it is that there are so many poor darke and carnall professors of Christ Now this is diametrically opposit to Christs rule who prevailes upon the heart by meeknesse and gentlenesse and doth gaine upon the soule by truth and righteousnesse and winne upon the affections with peace and love Christ doth not use any coactive or constraining power to compell men to be subject unto him but of an unwilling people he makes them willing by the swavity sweetnesse of divine grace working upon their hearts But contrarily these advance their Church by humane force and worldly power causing all that will not worship the image of the beast to be killed Thus by force and cruelty they make Disciples or rather make many hypocrites bring many under the force of Religion that know nothing of the power of godlinesse Secondly Those that cause an image to be made they prescribe rules of worship service according to their own fancy and invention Hence it is said vers 15. They cause the image to speake That is by constituting and appointing platformes of worship advancing their owne devices and directories above the lawes and institutions of Christ These onely will define what is truth and what not as comprehending the whole mystery of truth within their systems or models of divinity as if they were the onely Cisternes of living water and the very oyle that must cause the lamp to shine making themselves to be the very treasury and storehouse of all wisdome and knowledge and thus they sit down in Christs Throne and Temple officiating his office and authority robbing him of his dignity and glory by putting of his crowne upon their own heads Thirdly These cause all to worship the image which they set up and by humane force and secular power doe compell all men to follow their edicts and platformes to observe their invented ordinances and devised worship It hath been the custome that the Clergy so called must first study the faith and afterward the earthly powers would confirme it by some civill sanction and so enforce their owne devices upon the consciences of people Hence it was that the late Bishop that suffered here in England did professe at his death that he dyed in that Religion that was established by law Now Christ doth never call up the powers of the earth to rule and beare sway in his kingdome The Lawes by which Christ doth rule by are the law of the new creature and of love the law of his word and spirit by these he doth enforce a sweet compliance of the heart unto the will of God The law of Christ is most heavenly and divine and it is of the most constraining force and of the most indispensible necessity of any law This is called the law of liberty because it frees the soule from the vassallage and power of mans devises and brings the soule into a reall compliance with the divine will Thus Christ doth change the minde renew the spirit and alter the constitution of the soules of men and so make them subject unto his own kingdome while Antichrist doth enforce many to his kingdome to yeeld blind obedience unto him by vertue of some humane law or secular power Fourthly those that undertake to set up the image of the beast they enforce some marke or badge to every one as a token of subjection unto their way or invented forme of worship Revel 13. 16. These require worship and homage of all sorts both small and great and cause them to receive a mark in their right band by some externall obligation and in their forebeads as some badge to be knowne by otherwise none may buy or sell or have any communion with them or enjoy any power or priviledge that they themselves doe enjoy So that these give forth some Character or mark whereby all that come under them may both be knowne to be of them and also engaged unto them Fiftly Those that erect the Image of the beast have not the power of the beast because all they set up is but a statue image or shadow We must remember the time of the image is but the halfe day therefore short and hence it is that those that manage the worke of framing the image are hardly warme in their seats they are no sooner advanced
restraine the witnesses to persons of the same quality and condition with them Thirdly Some hold that these witnesses are meant of two eminent and peculiar persons that the Lord should raise up for some great and speciall designe of his to performe some magnificent and glorious work and then to be bodily slaine by the Antichristian partie but neither will this interpretation be congruous to the sence of the place for the witnesses are not meant of any eminent persons that the Lord should raise up at any one time or age of Antichrist to give forth a testimony of the truth but it holds forth all those that should testifie of Christ in all the whole time of Antichrists raigne as was plainly shewed from the former verse Fourthly and lastly another sort doth conclude that the witnesses can be meant of none but of such as have suffered martyrdome spilt their bloud for the testimony unto the truth I doe neither condemne nor contradict the truth of this interpretation for most certaine it is that those that layed downe their lives for the profession of the name of Christ were great and eminent witnesses of the truth but we may not restraine these witnesses here to be meant onely of such because there be many that give forth large testimonies of Jesus Christ and yet never suffer naturall death for so doing Besides the slaying of the witnesses is not meant of a corporiall and bodily slaying but of a mysticall and of such a slaying that many shall suffer that never come to lay downe their lives for Christ as we shall come to see more fully by the consequent of our discourse Now to declare positively and plainly who are the two witnesses here meant and they are Christ and his Saints who make up but one spirituall body and though they may be distinguished as head and members yet cannot be seperated no more then the branch from the vine Now that Christ and his Saints are here meant will be manifest by the description that the Text it selfe makes of them These are the two Olive trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth It will be necessary for the opening of these words to shew First Who is meant by the two Olive trees Secondly Who is signified by the two Candlesticks Thirdly Why they are called two Fourthly How Christ can be here meant If the question be asked who are the two Olive trees The answer may be made from Zach. 4. from whence the description of these witnesses is fetcht These are the two anointed ones c. That Christ is here meant by the two Olive branches will appeare by their description in these particulars First These two Olive trees are sayd to be placed on the right side and on the left side of the Candlestick Zach. 4. 11. This represenâ—s us with Christ with both the armes of his two natures embracing comforting and blessing of his people First Christ as taking our nature fulfilling all righteousnesse suffering temptations dying upon the Crosse herein discovers himselfe to be a suitable Mediator a compassionate high Priest and a comfortable Saviour to sinning soules And thus Christ is the Olive branch on the left side of the Candlesticke Secondly Christ as being filled with the fulnesse of God clothed with righteousnesse compleat in grace anointed with the spirit and as a head giving downe an influence into all the parts and members and as the root sending forth vertue and life into all the branches alwayes communicating of his sulnesse and redundancy of divine grace into the hearts of his people whereby he doth fill them with righteousnesse love and peace hereby he is as the Olive tree on the right side of the Candlesticke Suitable unto this is that phrase in Cant. 2.6 His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me As if the Church had sayd Christ my beloved doth comfort establish and refresh mee with both the armes of his two natures Secondly These two olive trees are said to emptie the golden oyle out of themselves Zach. 4. 12. Now it is to much for men of what ranke or quality soever to emptie oyle out of themselves for all men the best of men all as meer men take oyle into themselves It s onely Christ the true branch that springeth out of the everlasting root that by a continuall flowing and issuing forth of spirituall life and grace doth abundantly supply all his people When the Angel asked Zachary saying What seest thou he answered I beheld a Candlestick all of gold with a bowle upon the top of it and seven lamps thereon and seven pipes to the seven lamps c. Zach. 4. 2. The Candlestick was a chiefe utensill in the Temple which doth represent unto us the mysticall Candlestick of the Church the bowle above it is meant of Christ who hath received all fullnesse of the spirit from their Father signified by the oyle which being pressed out of the true olive tree as a most lively spring doth issue forth its streames unto all his Saints The seven lamps or powerfull operations of his Spirits in life and spirituall motion doth give it selfe forth by the seven pipes or severall dispensations to all his members Thus Christ is the fat Olive tree that empties forth the oyle of divine grace into the Candlestick viz. his Church Thirdly These are described to be the two anointed ones of God Zach. 4. 14. These two anointed ones are called in the Hebrew the sonnes of oyle because it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the custome of the Jewes to anoint three sorts of men viz. Prophets Priests and Kings These here in the ext are meant of Zerubbabel and Josbua who were but types of Christ and of those that the Lord should make his anointed ones First Zerubbabel was a chief Governour and head in Israel the first that was carried away captive into Babylon and one of the first that returned and was one of the chiefe rebuilders of the Temple as appeares Ezra 4. 2. His hands laid the first stone and the last stone in that edifice or building Hereby is represented unto us Christ the chiefe head and governour of his people first carried captive into spirituall Babylon and first returning working his owne deliverance and the first repairer of his Church or new Jerusalem whose hand shall at length finish the Temple of God Secondly Joshua the high Priest was the other anointed one upon whose head was a fair Mitre or Priestly ornament unto whom was promised that he should judge the Lords house and keep his Courts that the Lords would put the whole ministry and service of his house and Temple into his hand All this doth but povnt out Christ for saith the Lord in Zach. 4. 8. Behold I will send forth my servant the Branch a frequent appellation given to the Messias who was to be that eminent high Priest over the house of God that the whole government and
Suitable unto the head are all the members The righteousnesse and sanctity of beleevers doth much excell the excellency and righteousnesse of the first Adam even as gold doth excell other mettals Gold is the most solid pure and durable mettall of all other by which is represented the sound pure and everlasting grace holinesse of the Saints they are not made up of drosse or any earthly excellency of the first Adam but of the pure and undefiled of the precious and permanent of the divine and heavenly nature and righteousness of Jesus Christ Thirdly These Candlesticks are meant of the Churches and Saints of God in as much as Christ is sayd to walke and appeare in the middest of them Revel 1. 13. Christ by his divine presence with his Saints doth teach guide and uphold them and by his wisdome providence and power doth mightily preserve them in the middest of feares and dangers As the Candlestick of it selfe is not sufficient to give forth light no more can the Saints shine forth in heavenly brightnesse but as they receive all their light and shine from Christ who is to them as oyle to the lampe and by his owne spirit life and light doth cause them to shine forth in spirituall happinesse and glory Fourthly and lastly the Saints as Candlesticks hold forth the light and glory of God before the men of the world Thus the Apostle doth exhort the Philippians that by sincerity and holinesse they would shine forth as lights among the perverse sonnes of men and therefore saith That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the Sonnes of God without rebuke in the middest of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as light John Baptist was sayd to beare witnesse of the light Joh. 1. 7. And therefore called a burning and a shining light Joh. 5. 35. His doctrine was as a fire burning and his conversation as a light shining among all those he was conversant with alwayes giving forth an ample testimony of Christ bearing witnesse that he was the true light enlightening all that by him should come into the world Thus we see who are meant by the two Candlesticks the Saints of the most high who receive oyle into themselves and as gold they appeare in righteousnesse being by Christs presence continually fed with the constant supply of grace whereby they shine forth as glorious lights alwayes being ready to give forth a testimony of the grace and truth of Christ before the men of the world In the third place having shewed that Christ the great and faithfull witnesse is resembled by the two olive trees emptying oyle out of himselfe into the Churches signified by two Candlesticks whereby they become the anointed ones of God standing before the Lord of the whole earth and beare witnesse unto the truth Now it next followeth that we shew why they are called two olive trees and two Candlesticks But first why Christ is called two olive trees And that 's in two respects First From his two fold nature Secondly From his two fold dispensation First Christ is called two olive trees in respect of his twofold nature namely his humane and divine First Christ according to his humanity tooke on him the very ranke nature and quality of men as the Apostle testifieth that he tooke the forme of a servant and was sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the similitude and shape of men subject to mans passions and every way a right man fin onely excepted and hence it was that he was called holy harmlesse and separate from sinners 1 Pet. 1. 19. The Apostle relates to the Paschall Lamb which was so conditioned it was behovefull that Christ should be man and also that he should be perfectly holy and righteous and so become a competent and fitting Saviour for sinning soules and lost sinners It was most requisite that t here should be some suitable analogy and proportion between him that lost all him that recover'd all that as Adam was of the earth so Christ also should take upon him the same forme that so ou◠nature might suffer in him and he by his death should offer up a sufficient sacrifice to make a full expiation and satisfaction for his people in respect of sin past present and to come from the guilt and hainousnesse whereof the Saints being wholly acquitted and free'd their soules may be comforted and refreshed Secondly Christ according to his divine nature is God the onely begotten the image of the Father the altitude and summity of all blessednesse and glory In this respect he is the Summum benum the chiefe and soveraigne good the top of all felicity and happinesse Christ is that fountaine from whence all goodnesse flows and the ultimate and last end unto which all things tend for by him and for him of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 36. And God tells Moses that his Name is in him Exod. 23. 20. Gods name is God himselfe for God's name and attributes are his very essence So that Christ according to his divine nature is full of all excellency and perfection he is the beginning and the ending the Alpha and Omega he is the good and the end concentring in one he is most compleat in himselfe and hath the fullnesse of all things So that as the soule lookes upon Christ in flesh as one most suitable for a Mediator so here beholding his divine nature sees an alsufficiency of fullnesse to make a glorious supply of all wants and defects whatsoever Christ in his debasements is a familiar object for our faith being Emmanuel or God in our flesh so in the brightnesse of his fathers image and glory he becomes all blessednesse and satisfaction to our soules The soule eyeing that most absolute universall and comprehensive goodnesse that is in Christ can be contented to fit downe and acquiesse in his absolute perfection and fulnesse and say with David I shall be satisfied when I awake with his likenesse or image Psal 17. 15. Having shewed how Christ resembleth the two olive trees in his two natures The first as man appearing in our form and fashion as a familiar object to our weaknesse And secondly as God the fulnesse and perfection of all things and so yeelding everlasting satisfaction Now we come in the second place to shew also how Christ is represented hereby in respect of his twofold dispensation First By what Christ hath wrought for us in his person Secondly By what Christ works in us by his Spirit First we have that dispensation of Christ's manifested by what he hath wrought for us in his person Christ was God manifest in the flesh clothed in our nature became Emanuel and dwelt among us The Apostle saith in Gal. 4. 4. That when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Son made of a woman under the law The time designed and appointed of God is called the fulnesse of time God sent his Son out of himselfe out
incendiaries to draw together all their strengths and powers to uphold the power of the beast which now is like to be broken and consumed These are the spirits of Devills being full of uncleannesse working miracles by some counterfeit spirituall actings or setting up some new invented formes of worship thus they gather the Kings of the earth to the great battell of God Almighty where God shall shew the greatness of his power in destroying of them for they are brought to Armageddon which signifies devoted for destruction that they are seduced and by â—uoâ—iâ—â—ie brought together to be destroyed Baraks victory over Sisera was by the waters of Megiddo Judg. 4. 15. So all that give up their power to uphold the beast shall come to the great battell of God Almighty even to Armageddon where they shall assuredly be ensnared and broken in pieces Hitherto agrees the effect of the sixt seal Chap. 6. 12. c. And I beheld when he had opened the sixt seal and there was a great earth-quake a greaâ— feare and terrâ—ur fell upon all men great concussions and commotions should be on the earth And the Sun became blacke the glory of the state and Church of Antichrist turned into blackness mourning into great confusion and astonishment And the Moone became bloud all the invented ordinances of the man of sin were darkned and obscured And the Stars fell â—rom heaven as a figtree casteth her untimely figs Such as seemed to be Ministers and profâ—ssors of Christ now appeare to be fleshly and carnall and fall from that appearance of heavenly light unto the earth cleaving now to an earthly power even like untimely figs that never come to maturity or ripenesse Then their State and Church which seemed to be as high as heaven departed as a scroll and all their mountaines of strength and confidence were removed out of their places And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chiefe Captaiues and mighty men and every bond-man and every free man hid them selves in dens and in the rockes of the mountaines c. All sorts ranks and degrees of men from the highest to the lowest they now fly to the rocks and mountaines of their trust and confidence every one will fly unto his God unto that he trusts in the States and powers of the world will fly to the Church and hide themselves under religious formes of worship and the Church will fly to the earthly powers for shelter and protection and the people will run to those that seduced them for succour and reliefe but shall not be able to secure themselves from the wrathful countenance of the Lamb â—e being exalted upon the throne of his power in the great â—ay of his venge nâ—e when he shall reckon with the Antichristian powers that have shed the bloud of the Martyrs and rejected the testimony of his witnesses This at the rising of the witnesses Add hereunto the effect of the sixt Trumpet And the sixt Angel sounded and I heard a voyce from the four hornes of the golden Altar which is before God Chap. 9. 13. The voice and power of Christ prefigured by the golden Altar Exod. 30. 1. having hornes vers 10. signifying the power strength of Christ whereby the foure Angels that were heald in the river Euphrates were loosed The great multitude of Saints that were bound up by the strength and power of Antichrist are now set at liberty now they goe forth with great authority and hold forth the truth making glorious discoveries of the same These slay the third part of men for fire smoke and brimstone comes forth of their mouths the light and truth they hold forth as fire doth devour and as smoke doth darken all the light and glory of Antichrist And in their tailes or conversation they hurt by condemning the men of the world and of those that repented not of their deeds And in Chap. 10. Christ comes forth as a mighty Angel clothed with a cloud of darknesse obscurity that the world could not see him having a rain-bow or Covenant of grace on his head and the booke of the Gospel unsealed in his hand he set his right foot upon the sea of the common people and his left upon the earth or worldly powers And crying with a loud voice the seven thunders uttered a perfection of feare and amasement of dread and terrour falls upon the sea and upon the earth upon all the people and powers of Antichrist The seventh Viall was powred into the 7 Viall aire and there came great voyces out of the Temple of heaven saying it is done Chap. 16. 17. The very ayre that Antichrist lives and breaths in is now destroyed there is no longer breath spirit or life in any thing that Antichrist would live in or receive comfort from so that the whole worke is done the beast is quite destroyed and there were voyces and thunders and lightnings and great earthquakes such grievous concussions and earth-quakes as if heaven and earth were conspired together to destroy Babylon the work is done or Bah loâ— undone though once it had a being now it hath none now it is divided into three parts as being torne to picces by the earth-quake and every Mountaine and Island fled away as things that could yeeld no protection And there fell great haile out of heaven upon men about the waight of a talent and men blasphemed God because of the plagues of haile for the plague thereof was exceeding great Here is an allusion to the great plague of haile that fell upon Aegypt Exod. 9. 22. This haile falls from heaven from the light and truth held forth by Saints in the middest of heavenly enjoyments these raine downe great and weighty haile-stones upon the state order and worship of Antichrist Compare hereunto the effect of the seventh seale And when he had opened the seventh seale there was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre Upon the opening of this last seale there is some respite or intermission and as it were for a time some rest and cessation of the Saints from persecuâ—ion and trouble Now is the full revelation of truth now is the kingdome of God come and now the Gospel goes forth without let or molestation now the servants of God have peace without and also a sweet tranquillity and quietnesse in their owne spiritâ— Add hereunto the seventh Trumper Chapt. 11. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdomes of the world are become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ c. Now the kingdomes and nations cast downe their crownes at the feet of Christ who will take his great power unto himselfe and raigne Thus we see how the Saints smite the earth with all plagues by powring out all the vialls of Gods wrath upon the State and Church of Antichrist Aiso you perceive that there is an agreement between the seals
cannot properly be taken for one street for thero is no great Citie made of one street but indeed the word as rendred by the Septuagint signifies a whole Countrey the whole confines or bounds of a place So that this street cannot be meant of one street or distinct place but of the whole territory and largenesse of Dominion the whole compasse and extent of all the Nations and Churches that are under the authority and command of Antichrist the utmost limits and extreme bounds of largenesse and greatnesse is here intimated by the street In the third place we come to a description of this Citie and that is First by resemblance first to Sodome secondly to Egypt Secondly by some carriage or action of this Citie towards Christ it 's the place where our Lord was crucified The Citie is described by a resemblance to Sodome and Egypt in a metaphoricall way for here we have the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually which means something that 's spirituall and mysticall not that it 's spirituall as opposed to carnall or earthly but as opposed to Sodome and Aegypt literally and properly so called Then it 's meant of Metaphoricall Sodome and of Mysticall Aegypt by way of an allusion or resemblance First Sodome was a place full of filthiness and uncleanness as we have the relation in Gen. 19. And the iniquity of Sodome was sayd to be pride and fulnesse of bread and abundance of idleness and lasciviousness Ezek. 16. 49 50. It was with this abominable wickedness that righteous Lot was so much vexed and perplexed in spirit at the sight and beholding thereof Suitable unto this is the spirituall uncleanness and filthiness gf Antichrist called the mother of Harlots full of abominations corrupting the earth by her uncleanness and intoxicating the whole world with the wine of her fornications In a word all the whoredome fornication and abomination of Sodome are spiritually hatched and acted by this whorish woman this great City Babylon the great this Antichristian Church this abominable Strumpet the great Harlot of the world Secondly we have a resemblance to Aegypt First in respect of Idolatry and and Superstition as appears Exod. 12. 12. They were full of Idols and false gods they did worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship that for Gods that the Israelites were to offer in sacrifice unto God Hence it was that Moses would not that the children should offer Sacrisice untill they were come forth of Aegypt lest they should follow the example of the Aegyptians Secondly Aegypt was full of tyranny and oppression towards the children of Israel their Task-masters laid on heavy burthens on their shoulders and that with much vigour and cruelty as 't is related in Exod. 1. 13. The taske-masters of Aegypt and the oppression of Pharaoh made it to be the very house of bondage The same things are found in mysticall Aegypt as Idolatry and superstition all the whole bundle of Antichrists worship is but of carnall invention and humane institution yea it is spirituall whoredome and Idolatry So also may we finde in her all the cruelty and oppression of Aegypt here are those Task-masters that by their civill power and Ecclesiasticall Laws doe continually vex and torment the Saints As once Pharaoh destroyed the male children of the Israelites so the Dragon standing before the woman ready to devoure her children and when the woman flyeth into the wildernesse for shelter and relief he casts a flood of persecution after her and continually maketh warre with the remnant of her seede which keepe the commandement of God have the testimonie of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 4. 16 17. Thus you see how the great Citie is resembled 1. To Sodome for pride and filthiness 2. To Aegypt for idolatry and oppression The second description of the Citie by its carriage and action it 's where our Lord was crucified This cannot be meant literally or according to the letterâ— for so Christ was crucisied at Jerusalem but it is meant spiritually and mystically that Christ is crucified in his truth and members in Sodome and Aegypt it 's the pride and filthinesse of Sodome and the cursed idolatry and cruelty of Aegypt that doth alwayes crucifie Christ in his lawes and servants but consider First though Christ in his person was put to death at Jerusalem yet hee was crucified by a Roman power condemned by Pilate a Roman Judge and was adjudged by a Roman kinde of Ioh. 18. 31. Mat. 20. 19. death and was executed by the Romane Souldiers and all was done under the Roman jurisdiction territorie government and dominion which here for filthinesse and abomination is called Sodom and for idolatry and oppression is called Aegypt So in this respect Christ himselfe may be said to be crucied in Sodome and in Aegypt But Secondly Christ is crucified mystically and that is in his truth and laws in his members and people Acts 9. 5. Saul why persecutest thou mee which words do import that Christ is crucified in his people So that as Christ was brought in adjoyned in testimony and witnesse with his Saints in like manner he comes in as suffering with them also So that here is some resemblance between the suffering of Christ and his witnesses For as Christ was put to death by a heathening Roman power so by the raign and dominion of Antichrist the Witnesses are put to death also and Christ is crucified in them It was the wickednesse of the Scribeâ— and Pharisees that accused Christ of Judas that betrayed him of Pilate and the high Priest that condemned him of the Gentile souldiers that crucified him all this wickednesse heightned in Antichrist grows into the uncleannesse and filthinesse of Sodome and into the eâ—â—ity and cruely of Aegypt doth make Warre against he Witnesses and kill them So that it is not so much meant of the place where Christ or his Saints are oppressed â—â— to shew that the wickedness and impiety that put Christ to death is the very same wickednesse that Antichrist doth exeroise in killing of the faiâ—hâ—ul seâ—vants and Witnesses of Christ The words being unfolded we now come to give some observations from them First observe That the external forms 1 Observ of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkass Such was the Temple Priest-hood and worship of the Jewes when God had departed from them such also is all the worship service of Antichrist it 's not so much the superficies or external form that he doth oppose but the spirit of life that breathed forth in them by the Prophesie of the Witnesses As the bodie becoms a Karcase when the spirit life is departed so is the external and formall part of worship when the spirit of God hath departed from it The Apostle tells of a forme of godliness without the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.
be able to say the Lord will cut his worke in righteousnesse It is sayd that all Babylons plagues shall come in one day Chap. 18 8. that is all in some short time suddenly and beyond expectation So sudden shall be the rising of the witnesses when they come to the halfe day or last period of time Now I am most confident that it is the time of the sixt Trumpet in which time the witnesses are not to be slaine but to arise and ascend to God in the cloud and therefore the great expectation in the spirits of many Saints this day of some notable change and of some great manifestation of the kingdome of God doth predict to me the sudden rising of the witnesses The three whole dayes of the beasts raigne are past it 's the halfe day the dividing of time the time of the image of the beast and therefore the Saints shall shortly sing by experience that song Babylon is fallen is fallen Revel 18. 2. The Saints may sing and rejoyce their time of deliverance draweth neer the spirit of life appeares in some of them already and shall shortly shine forth in others by a discovery of that glory of the Lord that 's risen upon them these shall shine forth in the brightnesse thereof Many things in the consequent words of the Text will farther manifest that the witnesses are in rising Secondly Observe That the witnesses 2 Observ are enabled to arise by the mighty powerfull spirit of life from God Nothing but the mighty strong prevailing spirit of life can cause the witnesses to arise There 's no motion but it flows from life and there 's no true life but it flows from Christ and his spirit The first Adam was made a living soule the second was made a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. Christ is alive-making spirit it is the spirit that makes man to live a spirituall life This is the true life the spirit of life all spirituall actions flow from this life it is Christ living and acting in the soule Now it is the abundant flowing forth of this spirit of life that must cause the witnesses to arise It was the great and powerfull voyce of Christ that caused the dead to rise Joh. 5. So it must be the powerfull quickning inlivening filling reviving spirit of life from Christ that brings forth a resurrection to these two witnesses It is not a small measure of the spirit neither is it a spirit of prophesie as to foretel things to come or to see things at a great distance that will make the witnesses revive and stand upon their feet but the spirit of life when they shall know they live when all they act speake flows from that life their works and speeches are all living when they are able to say we live when they can declare the spirit of life from God lives in them then I say it is that causeth the witnesses to arise when this spirit lives in them whose property is to quicken and cause all things to live Thirdly Observe As there is a time 3 Observ when the witnesses lie slaine and dead so also there is a time when they shall revive and live againe They shall not alwayes be troden underfoot by the men of the earth and prophesie in sackcloth and be slaine by the beast that ariseth out of the bottomlesse pit and their bodies to lie in the streets of the great Citie that they should alwayes be made a scorne to their adversaries but they shall have a rising time when they shall cast off their sack cloth and mourning they shall stand upon their feet and rejoyce and then their enemies that rejoyced over them shall weep and lament If their enemies did know this they could not so much triumph over them For as the Prophet speakes Though they fall yet they shall rise againe Mich. 7. 8. These Prophets of the Lord may be eclipsed for a season and they may give forth their testimony faintly and weakly and in much weaknesse and darknesse but afterward they breake forth in greater lustre brightnesse then ever they did before Though they for a space lie dead their bones are dried as the Prophet speakes of Israel yet the Lord will by the operation of his divine power and by the spirit of â—ife enter into them he will cause their dead bodies to arise So that now they shall not act so much in the strength and power of the creature they shall not be upheld by the authority reason judgement and opinion of other men but they shall stand upon their owne feet they shall not live upon the strengâ—h of mans parts wisdome or argument but upon their own knowledgâ— experience and assurance of the spirit of life from God dwelling in them Now they shall not prophesie or foretell of good things to come or of deliverance at a great distance but they shall act and speake in the name of the Lord from the anoynting that dwells in them they shall onely move speake and act by that spirit of life that hath raised them from the dead Fourthly and lastly observe That 4 Observ the rising of the witnesses is a most dreadfull sight to the men of the earth The witnesses now arise from shame oppression and tyranny and how can it be otherwise but that their enemies that oppressed and tormented them should be much amazed and affrighted When Herod heard of the works of Christ he was much afraid saying It is John whom I have beheaded Mark 6. 16. So when the Lord shall raise up his servants from bondage and slavery from darknesse and weaknesse and shall lift them up into a higher condition what will the world say are not these they that we have persecuted and slaine risen up in the rule dominion and power of the kingdome of Christ The sight and beholding of this strikes the world dead at one blow This sight is terrible to all earthly men When the Souldiers came to apprehend Christ in the garden and did but heare Christ say I am he they fell downe backward So when the men of the earth shall heare and see the poore despised Saints to stand upon their own feet they shall fall backward they shall as Saul fall flat upon the earth they shall become heartlesse spiritlesse feare and trembling shall take hold on them The prophesie of the witnesses though but in sackcloth was a great trouble to the men of the earth they were disquieted and troubled at that therefore they were much comforted and refreshed in â—laying of them by hindering them in the course of their prophesie But now when they shall see them arise higher then ever O! this strikes the world to the very heart this is an exceeding terror amazement to them There is just cause for the earth to mourne at the rising of the witnesses because the liberty and glory of these shall be their bondage and shame as one of the scales of
Throne endureth for ever and it shall never expire let the enemies thereof use what craft or policie they will they shall never destroy it The God of heaven saith the Prophet shall set up a kingdome which shall never be destroyed neither shall it be left to other people but it shall stand for ever Dan. 2. 44. If that of the Apostle be objected where he saith that Christ shall deliver up the kingdome to God even the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. I answer that this doth nothing at all impeach the everlastingnesse of Christ's kingdome for the meaning of it is this that when Christ shall have finished his worke destroyed all his enemies and have compleated his worke upon his Saints then he shall cease to raigne any longer as Mediator he shall cease to administer according to his present dispensation and office then God shall be all in all God shall be all to his Saints by the immediate and glorious communication of his light and glory and Saints shall enjoy the all of God his wisdome his goodnesse his love and the like So that however the Mediatorship of Christ shall cease when he hath finished his worke and office and the dispensatory part of his kingdome shall cease yet in respect of the nature and being it shall be for ever and ever The raigne of God shall be to eternity and Châ—â—st shall raigne in the Father and Saints in Christ so that God and Christ and his Saints shall raigne for ever and ever The Apostle doth stile Christ to be a King eternall and immortall 1 Tim. 1. 17. Christs kingdome is immortall because it is not subject to succession it 's not liable to be devolved and rould downe to after-comers which Daniel expresseth thus His kingdome shall not be left unto other people that is it shall not be translated from man to man and at last quite dissolved And the Apostle doth not onely call Christ an immortall King but also an eternall King his kingdome shall hold on constantly throughout all Centuries and ages of the world there is no period of time that shall cause it to expire give up the ghost but it shall attaine to it's full beautie and perfection it shall never decline or decay but shall last beyond all ages and times it shall endure for ever and ever But now concerning the glorious raigne of Christ upon the downfall of Antichrist the time expressed to be a thousand yeares Revel 20. And it 's prophesied of Christ in Esa 60. 15. that he should be the joy of many generations both this expression of many generations and of a thousand yeares are an indefinit number to expresse the very large and spacious time wherein Christ shall rule in and by his Saints when he shall appeare before his Ancients gloriously and all the Elders before his Throne shall worship him If it be objected from Revel 20. 4. That those that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and the word of God c. These lived and raigned with Christ a thousand yeares this being the first resurrection and the rest of the dead lived not againe I answer that it cannot be meant that the persons of those that were beheaded for Jesus and refused to worship the beast or his image should bodily raigne with Christ but that God will raise up a people of the same spirit with those that suffered for the testimony of Jesus Thus Elias was sayd to come againe in John the Baptist And thus the Lord tells Daniel that he should stand in the lot at the end of the dayes when his prophesie should be fulfilled All Saints gathered up into one spirit they make but one And thus we have the Prophet speaking And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee Zech. 14. 5. When the glory of God shall appeare more glorious in the Saints in the time of his spirituall raigne the glory of all the former Saints shall be gathered up in them and appeare most gloriously The resurrecteon here spoken off is meant of a resurrection from shame and reproach the witnesses rising from their sadnesse and sackcloth and ascending into the glory of Christ's kingdome And when the seventh Trumpet shall sound and the glory of the Lord be fully discovered and layd open then all that heare the glorious sound of the everlasting Gospel shall live but the rest of the dead that heare not the voyce of the seventh Trumpet or that great proclamation of the truth and glory of Christ they shall not live untill the thousand yeares be past Againe if it be objected from Ezek. 37. 21 22 23 24 25. That the Lord hath promised to call the Jewes and gather them into their owne Land and make them one Nation and David their King shall raigne over them I answer this prophesie is of a spiritual and mysticall interpretation for the land of Messiah are the Saints of whom the land of Canaan was a type for if we take it litterally that the Jewes should rebuild Jerusalem and dwell peculiarly in the land of Canaan then also it must be meant that David and not Christ should be King over them But we know that the promise doth onely borrow expressions from the state of the Jewish Church but it shall be fulfilled in spirit for he is a Jew which is one inwardly Rom. 2. 28. The Jewes shall be called when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come Rom. 11. 25. which is not meant as if God would first finish his work among the Gentiles and then call the Jewes as a peculiar people but that the Jewes should be brought in with the fulnesse of the Gentiles when Antichrist shall be ruined and that which letteth be taken out of the way and the everlasting Gospel goe forth with freedome in the fulnesse and abundance of the Gentiles shall the Jewes finde acceptance also Now from all that hath been said of the kingdome and raigne of Christ observe That Christ will come and raigne Obser gloriously in his people subduing all his enemies advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his owne kingdome Christ will take to himselfe all power rule strength riches glory peace joy and whatsoever is good and will bestow it upon his owne Satan and wicked men have reigned long but now they shall cease to reigne any longer The whole earth shall be filled with the righteousnesse goodnesse and glory of God and the anointed ones of the Lord shall reigne and the Saints shall reigne with him for ever as it 's sayd Revel 5. He hath made us Kings and Priests to our God and we shall reigne on the earth The strength glory riches of the Gentiles shall be given unto us we shall no longer be subject to Satan and wicked men but we shall be brought into the glorious libertie of the sons of God and shall live in the new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousnesse our habitation shall be
third Seale Chap. 6. 5 6. And when he had opened the third seale I beheld a black horse and he that sate on him had a pair of ballances in his hand and a measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny c. The black Horse and he that â—ate thereon with a pâ—re of ballances signifie scarcity â—aminâ— a great dearth and want which is all one with the Viall poured out upon the fountaine of waâ—â—â— Agreeable hereunto is the effect of the third trumpet Chap. 8. 10 11. At the sound of the third Trumpet a great starre fell from heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountaines of waters and the name of the star is called worm-wood and the third part of the waters became wormewood many dyed of the waters because they were made bitter The starr falling from heaven burning like a Lampe shewes forth some glorious discovery made of the mysterie of truth by the Angell that sounded this third Trumpet and this becomes worm-wood making all the fountaines of water to be bitter so that all the fountaines and springs of the water of consolation and comfort all the streams of light and life that the men of the earth or of the Antichristian Church did draw forth and were refreshed by these were all become bitter as worme-wood So that as by the former viall poured out the Sea and the waters became blood now by this third Viall being poured forth the Rivers and Fountains became as blood and as wormewood bitter and unsavory for the the Fountain is corrupted the streams are defiled they cannot drinke or be refreshed by them The wisdome and policie of the Beast all the invented ordinances and worships all the power and rule of Antichrist these fountaines these streames are all become unsavoury all that feed upon them feed on the curse they feed on bitter waters and dye therewith The fourth Viall was powred out 4 Viall upon the Sun And this scorched men with fire they blaspheme God because of their plagues and repented not c. Revel 16. 8 9. Agreeable hereunto is the effect of opening the fourth seale Revel 6. 8. When the fourth seale was opened or a fourth discovery of truth revealed there appeared a pale horse upon whom sate death and hell followed him and power was given him over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth Under the former seale we had famine now here we have death and hell following this is meant of the spirituall death that the men of the earth who worship Antichrist shall be slaine withall as in their parts professions and power The same consequent followeth the fourth Trumpet Chap. 8. 12. The fourth Angel sounded and the third part of the Sun was smitten and the third part of the Moone and the third part of the Stars so as the third part of them was darkned and the day shone not for the third part of it and the night likewise The whole state and kingdome all the ordinances and worships with their offices ministry were all darkned confounded and destroyed by the sound of this Trumpet So the Viall powred out upon the Sun darkens all the Churches and Ordinances all the powers and governments all the doctrines and worships of Antichrists their Sun looseth his light and their Moone her shining and their Starres their glory and darknesse and confusion come in their roome The fist viall was powred out upon the 5 Viall seat of the beast and his kingdome was full of darknesse and they knawed their tongues for paine and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their paines c. Revel 16. 10. The seat of the beast is that earthly power that upholds Antichrist as kingdomes States powers dignities rules and dominions these powers upholding the power of the beast shall be shaken and torne in pieces Suitable hereunto is the effect of the fift seal Chap. 6. 9 10. And when he had opened the fift seal I saw the soules under the Altar of them that were slaine for the word of God and for the testimony which they held and they cryed how long Lord c. These cry out for vengeance and wrath to be powred out upon the head of the powers of the earth that persecuted and tormented them Compare with this the fist Angel sounding in Chap. 9. 1. whereat there was a Star that fell from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomlesse pit c. This Star doth represent us with such as before disowned the power and seat of the beast but now fall to the earth or would set up some new forme of worship and ground it upon an earthly power and so fall from that seeming heaven they lived in to strengthen themselves from the earth and so cause a great smoake and confusion to arise that so truth can hardly be discerned from error light from darknesse the bottomlesse pit is now open and the Temple is full of smoke whereby the Sun and ayre are both darkned so that Church and State are brought into confusion So that when the Viall of Gods wrath is powred out upon the seat of the beast or power and strength of Kings and States that the Gospel must onely be supported by the power of Christ alone then the state and kingdome shall be full of darkness and confusion they shall gnaw their tongues and blaspheme God because of those sores and breaches that be made upon them The sixt viall was powred out upon the 6 Viall great river Euphrates the waters thereof were dryed up that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared Chap. 16. 12. The drying up of the river Euphrates seemes to be spoken by an allusion to the taking of old Babylon Jer. 50. 38. And to the drying up of the Red Sea Exod. 14. 21 22. and also of Jordan Josh 3. 16. By this is signified that by the powring out of the sixt Viall all the strength and power of the beast should be dryed up then the Kings of the East both Jew and Gentiles shall come to embrace the Gospel upon the glorious manifestation of the glory and power thereof The great effect of this Vialls powering out is That three uncleane spirits like frogs comes forth of the mouth of the Dragon the beast and the false Prophet for they are the spirits of Devils working miracles which goe forth to the Kings of the earth and to the whole world to gather them to the battell of the great day of God Almightie and he gathereth together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon Vers 13 14. 16. By the Dragon the beast and false Prophet are meant all the powers of Antichrist Civill and Ecclesiasticall these send forth uncleane spirits like frogs who send forth their Legats and