upon you and promised Mountains But for the Body of the Commonwealth it is much worse then it was before worse Magistrates Ministers Army Navy Councils In a word worse with us in all publick concernments both at home and abroad If this be not the mournful complaint of all people except Revolters and most true I shall not fasten the Later Apostacy upon them But because the Tryers are the great Crackers and think they deserve this Name viz. Mend-all as having done a great peice of service about Church-Reformation This I think I may safely say and that truly by experience That the present National Clergy is more corrupt and far worse then it was in the Bishops time For 1. No Professors but could have found then within few miles of their dwellings some honest Puritan or Non-Conformist to go to whereby to be refresht and built up in Faith Knowledge Holiness whereas now men may travel twenty thirty fourty miles and not finde a Parish-Priest that hath any Gospel savor in his Ministery no power swetness or life but old formal fruitless stuff said over and a hundred times 2. Though it be true the Bishops took little care to reform the Clergy but rather how to suspend and silence as some do now such as witnessed against their unsanctified Callings and Places Nevertheless if the Times be compared the Enormities of the National Clergy are less look'd into and reformed I say less now then in the Prelates Times I remember the old Non-Conformists were wont to call the Bishops making of Preists their Licenses and Visitations the picking of poor mens pockets I wish it do not appear so in the day of Christ that some of these men have done little better This I know go to and fro thorow the Nation the iniquity of the Priests encreaseth every where and what is done amounts to little more then this if a scandalous or ignorant Friest be cast out from one place he goes to another and doth there more hurt and lives worse then he did before fitly therefore is the name Crackers by the Holy Ghost given them Proud or arrogan Lastly Qui super collem apparuerunt men that will be under no yoke but domineer and all must be subject to them Grammarians take the word for men that will be masters and will have no Superiour but all rule and authority must be in their hands I know not a better way to finde out the Last Apostacy then to follow the Light of the Scripture in paralelling the two Apostacies and in nothing more then to observe the pride loftiness and arrogancy alike in in BOTH HEADS I cannot but speak the more of this because it cannot be the later Apostacy unless we see the HEAD of it to be as PROUD and arrogant as the former was would the former HEAD acknowledge no Superior the later must do so did they say of the former Quaecunque potestâ—â— est sub Coelo est in summo pontifice that he is Lex animata in terris a living Law in the Earth That all Cases of other men God hath appointed to be judged by men onely he hath reserved the first Head to his own Judgement-seat as not to be questioned for his doings by any Creature And therefore though all other men be under mens judgement yet is he to be judged of none neither of Kings Councils or any other Judicatory Besides Whatsoever he pleaseth he may do whether with a Counsel or without and if the whole world should judge against him â—et his Opinion were to be received For a general Councel is of no authority except this Head do confirm and allow the same Such must be the Head of the Later Apostacy his HAUGHTINESS will be under us Law all power he shall assume to himself not to be tried or judged by any man but to be left to Christs Judgement-seat alone And the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies so much Though I shall leave as I said the Application of things to the Reader yet I would willingly give him what light I can Note therefore how the word proud lofty arrogant comes home to the Triers who have assumed a Superiority and Headship over all the National Priests as if they were as in part I think they are that image made to the Beast who will not suffer any to buy or sell save he that hath the Mark or the Name of the Beast or the Number of his Name Much I could say as to their Pope like pride and power but it needs not seeing their folly is already manifest to all men Blasphemers or cursed speakers so our old Translation hath it Blasphemy is two fold First Against God and thus men blaspheme when they reproach his Name Spirit Power Word Works Kingdom Judgement c. Mar. 3. 30. Lev. 24. 11. Rev. 13. 16. 16. 9 11 12. Secondly There is Blasphemy against men 1. By rayling and evil speeches T it 3. 2. 2. By reproaching the Godly for the Name of Christ 1 Pet. 4 14. 3. By despising Lawful Government and Authority Jude 8. 4. By raising false accusations against Gods people Rom. 3. 8. 5. By causing men through Persecution to deny Christ Act. 26. 11. Lastly By censuring and condemning things which men know not Jude 10. 1 Tim. 10 13 20. Howsoever The men of the Later Apostacy will be Blasphemers all these ways and so much the Reader is to look after yet because by Blasphemers here I think they are meant whom Peter calls Scoffers the Holy Ghost specially intends Blasphemy against the Spirit and the visible Kingdome of Jesus Christ Truely I would think Some would tremble if their Consciences were not seard did they but read what Christ said of the Pharisees and consider well what themselves despitefully have spoken against the Holy Ghost because they said He hath an unclean Spirit Mar. 3. 30. How neer to such Blasâ— hemy are these men who say That the Prayers and other holy Exercises of Saints are done by the Spirit of Satan who say It is by the power of the Devil that the faithful Witnesses of this age hold forth a Testimony against Apostacy Hypocrisie Covenant-breaking c. who scoff at the Lords great Work moving by his Spirit in the hearts of his people calling it the delusion of Satan hellish devillish damnable and what not who scornfully upbraid the Saints with their Christ as to be a pitiful Christ So their blasphemous scoffing God's people Will ye not suffer for your God Where is now your God we will answer YOUR GOD well enough Mark Reader as disowning our God and our Christ to be theirs and a God and a Christ easily to be answered Disobedient to Parents The old English Bible hath disobedient to Elders Junius reads Qui praesunt sibi non obtemperant est Synecdochè generis pro specie Baldvin hath this note on the place Superiores non curant nulliusque monita
The TIME of the END SHEWING First until the three years and an half are come which are the last of the 1260 dayes the prophecies of the Scripture will not be understood concerning the Duration and Period of the FOURTH MONARCHY and Kingdom of the Beast THEN Secondly When that TIME shall come before the expiration the Knowledge of the End or that there shall be Time no longer will be revealed By the Rise of a little Horn The last Apostacy and the Beast slaying the Witnesses contemporizing The Characters Of which little Horn the last Apostacy and Beast as the Scriptures shew them are here faithfully opened And the Application left to the Wise By John Canne Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets Amos 3. 7. Think not that I come to send peace on earth I come not to send peace but a sword Mat. 10. 34. London Printed for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1657. To the Reader THat enmity which from the beginning Jehovah Elohim the Lord God did put between the Serpent and the Woman and between their seed as always so now doth work with marveilous earnestness in all those who in every age from their proper spirit are engaged by their principals to maintain the combate to the time of the end The Righteous is an abomination to the wicked and the wicked is an abomination to the Righteous from the beginning to the end of this present evil world For as then even in Abrahams time he that was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the spirit even so it is now in these last days and will be so till the old serpent the Divel and Sathan be cast into the bottomless pit and then according to the scope of the Scriptures of Truth the bond-woman and her son will be cast out and the children of the free-woman shall be the heirs And when I say So it is now in these last dayes I desire it may be well weighed for assuredly the Serpent and his brood will muster all their forces will improve all their policies will come forth with utmost inraged malice to do the most mischief they can against the true spiritnal â—eed The fresh Auxiliaries which are used in this service of the Dragon that old Serpent are the Apostates of the last times who are such Christians in a form of Godliness as the Devil is an Angel of Light when he is so transformed retaining his cursed properties and designs under the pretence of such a glorious transformation Therefore saith the Apostle it is no great thing if also his Ministers be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness Which words are or may be to the more cautelous Christians a great preservative against the poysonous infection of the present Apostacy for multitudes of careless ones have been beguiled by these deceitful or cheating workers into a compliance with the interest of the Kingdom of the Beast But Blessed be the name of our Lord Protector the Patron of Innocency Truth and Righteousness that these deceitful workers resisters of the Truth Patrons of the carnal worldly Church shall not proceed much farther for their folly in its appointed season shall be made manifest to all men as the folly and madness of other of their brethren before them have been made manifest in like manner And which is matter of great rejoycing to the Lords suffering servants the Prince of the Apostates himself hath bin compel'd by the over-ruling Power of our Lord Jesus to defile his own nest to throw dirt in the face of his own Brat to trample upon his own Government with notable contempt in the presence of his cowardly men of war Oh! what joy of heart is it to us to live to see how in that very thing wherein they dealt so proudly so imperiously the Lord is above them and leaves them to such a degree of folly as to set at nought in such notable language in set Speeches the works of their own heads and hands and that in so short a space of time verily it cannot be treason any longer no not in the sence of the Court it self to imagine speak or write against the Instrument or instruments which brought forth that monstrous Government Ye may all speak treason by authority 〈◊〉 ye Inhabitants of these three Isles of the Sea for your Lord Protector himself hath lately set you a Pattern to pour contempt upon the whole Fabrick both Foundation and Superstruction It is to be ascribed to the preventing Grace of God himself and to no other cause that some few of us have been preserved from that dangerous communion and conformity wherewith many professors well meaning souls like the followers of Absalom of old have been unawares surprised and intangled That Scripture in 2 Tim. 3. the first five verses which by the servant of Christ the Author of the insuing Treatise is opened and compared with two other famous Prophesies concerning the little Horn and the Bottomless-pit-Beast was made effectual to my spirit and conscience to deliver me from those snares wherein the feet of others not a few have been taken faith the Apostle in the forementioned place after he had made a catalogue of Characters whereby to describe the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last time from such turn away And the first and last of those Characters lay with most weight upon my spirit Men shall be lovers of themselves covetous proud lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away And what I spake publikely in a great Assembly concerning the little Horn in two general Observations and nine special Characters whereby to discern it from the other Horns amongst whom it came up is remembred by many then present since which others have likewise given their judgements But this Author by what conduct of providence time will shew hath found cause to make those two Prophesies concerning Daniels little Horn and Johns Bottomless-pit-Beast to synchronise and to bring in the Apostacy of these last times to accompany them in their accomplishments It is remarkable what is told Daniel Chap. 12. v. 10. Mary shall be purified and made white and â—â—yed but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand Surely the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last times are some of these wicked ones these will do wickedly but they cannot understand Understanding dwelleth not taketh not up her rest in the Assemblies in the Counsels of the last and worst sort of wicked ones The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him the wise shall understand who is a wise man he that fears the Lord for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom He that is become a fool for Christs sake that he may be wise He who from a principle of saith and love which is in Christ
Jesus can deny himself can take up his Cross daily and follow his prince and his Saviour through the fire and through the water if need be and the cause of Christ call for it The wicked instead of understanding these Prophecies shall do wickedly against those who watch and pray for the accomplishment of them shall secretly wish that the Lord would delay his coming cannot eccho to the voice of the Spirit and of the Bâ—ide saying Come Lord Jesus shall be found smiting their fellow servants conforming themselves to this old evil world eating and drinking with the gluttons and with the drunken the Kings and the Inhabitants of the earth who are made drunk with the wine of the fornication of the mother of Harlots c. They cannot brook the hand-writing of God in the Scriptures concerning the numbring weighing and finishing of their Kingdoms and Governments so well as that Baby lonish Prince Belshazzar did bear the interpretation of the hand-writing upon the plaster of the wall But in stead of doing them honour who forewarn them of their approaching destruction cannot behold them with a cheerful aspect from the moment of such their faithful admonitions and reproofs but the will of the Lord be done I desire moreover it may be understood and remembred by friends and enemies that we have not by our Testimony ingaged our liberties and lives against the Gen. the Apostatizing part of the Army meerly or indeed principally upon the account of the expiration of the time allotted to the litle Horn the Beast as it may be some have done but upon the account of that good righteous and blessed Cause which He and his Officers seemed formerly to have loved better then their own lives though since they have most unworthily preferred Barabbas before Christ and so gratified the humours and the lusts of the children of Belial throughout the Nations whilst the Lords remnant have been weeping and mourning in this day of trouble rebuke and blasphemy for that abominable back-sliding whereof they are guilty before the Lord Let that counsel of Solomon and Paul rake place among those who have not yet fallen before him because there hath been no opportunity of conversing with him but yet through the power of credulity and simplicity are obnoxious to entanglements When he speaketh fair believe him not for there are seven abominations in his heart Avoid those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own bellies and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple All such upright Christians as are not nor shall be softned by his tears nor intrapped by his spies have cause to reckon those two deliverances in the catalogue of their choice mercies from the Lord the best preservative is to keep out of the sight of the one and out of the reach of the other far enough and safe enough What is written in the few following sheets may be through the Lords blessing of great use to caution many pretious souls for the time to come who having little experience and acquaintance with the spirits and designs of the worldly Powers in their managing the mystery of iniquity the deceivablenes of unrighteousness are very apt to plead their cause and make Apologies on their behalf of whom they will find cause to be ashamed when the hidden things of darkness and of dishonesty shall be brought into the open light The truth is we erre not knowing the Scriptures We erre not being well instructed in the mystery of godliness and in the mystery of iniquity Godliness and ungodliness righteousness and unrighteousness are both of them mysteries they lie very deep they are remote from common understanding We need the candle of the Lord to find out the depths of God and the depths of Satan for each have their deeps as Paul and John have written but those who are light in the Lord are inabled to descend into the depths of God and into the bottomless pit or depth from whence the Beast who slayeth the Witnesses ascendeth and into which the Dragon that old Serpent the Devil and Satan shall be cast and deceive the Nations no more Amen Although we in our preachings and writings may to the present age seem audacious men thus to meddle with these dark prophecies yet the succeeding generations shall bless the Lord for raising up some before their times to forewarn them to flee from the wâ—ath that is to come The Lord give forth such a measure of the holy unction to his people in reading these things that being inabled to distinguish betwixt probabilities and certainties they may receive the Truth and inquire further into that which is but probable and so come to make a judgement of things according to the mind of Jesus Christ I shall not add any more at this time save only that through the rich administrations of Free-grace I am still and hope to continue to the end The servant of Jesus Christ and of all the Saints for Jesus sake according to the measure received CHR. FEAâ—E AN Epistolary Perambulation OR A Word to every one round the World IT was a saying of one who read a Comment upon the Patience of Job That poor Job was more miserably tormented with his Comment then with his Condition of botches and boyls and indeed I was the more doubtful of answering my friends desire in publishing my poor Epistolary thoughts upon so pregnant a piece and profitable as this is lest he should suffer more by so deficient and indigent a Comment as mine then by the whole matter or subject of this discourse so feelingly and faithfully since his exile and suffrings presented to the publike judgement Wherefore I fear to adde to what with so much Evidence and Demonstration he hath produced lest I should diminish and do rather wish that men would proportion Meditation to reading that they may prove them staple Truths and Commodities in their own Souls and Consciences For they can best report them who best relish them and dispirit them into their own Spirits or Breasts When I prepend how perplexable and out of order we are in these times I the less wonder at those high Distempers and burning Paroxysms of Opinion Pride lust and Passion among carnal Church-members and worldly professors who like thirsty Travellers are ready to drink of every puddle let the water be wholesom or hurtful and in their heat will have it though they surfeit for it Such must be purged and better dieted if ever they do well Now I do think as to the venome of the times contracted by taking in things untrue and obnoxious to the things and times of the end these Streams which run from the Rock Christ and glide through the valley of this Book or Brook may be of singular use to expel through the Savour Sweetness Sence Simplicity Evidence and Wholesomness of them to all Souls They are slain and so perhaps not such placentia to the Court-palates that
of these things to forsake the the Churches for Heathens Schools the Bride for the Whore the Whore harnessed too in her old filthy adulterous robes too the very same Popish Statutes up and unrepealed at thiâ— day that were in Q Maries dayes and in the thick of Popery however they refine them a little outwardly yet the same idola ocuâ—orum or feminine Idols and Trumperies Hoods Caps Robes Rings Holy-dayes Musicks Commencements and Divinity-Acts are yet uâ— Conradus Pellican upon his death-bed desired he might not be buried a Doctor for he said he must rise a Disciple and poor Creature O Peter Peter Peter sayes Mr. Tyndal thou wast too long a Fisher-man then if this be lawful for thou wert never brought up at the Arches nor wert thou ever master of the Rolls Chancellor of England nor Vice-Chancellor of Oxford c. 4. For that ye are though untruly called the Schools of the Prophets whereas in truth ye are the Schools of the profane Atheists and Heathens infusing Heathenish principles by heathenish Authors into proud bold fantastical graceless youths and for this reason have the Saints all along ingaged against them Wiâ—kliffe Huss Luther Zuinglius Tyndal and a 100 more yea the Brownists at large to King Iames petition'd that they might no longer continue Heathen but Christian Schools and instead of Aristotle and Plato they might study the Scriptures Prophets and Apostles for those that so do will receive the Truth gladly which we communicate as 1 Thes 1. 6. in much affliction 5. Besides you are accounted the Fountain and Nursery of the Ministry that is not of the Church but Secular Clergy not of Christ's but Aristotle's and the States Ministry that buy what they sell and then sell what they so have bought as Simon Magus be they ever such stories trash Anti-christian Errors or dreams of Predicaments Universals second Intentions Quiddities Hecsiâ—ies and Correlatives c. and what not to amuse the Countryignoramus's Now for as much as all these with a 1000. more appertain to the Beast and false Prophet it is time to warn them that are of them to get from amongst them as fast as they can for the time is neer when this Beast and his whole Body whereof you are a Part must be given to the Burning Flame Dan. 7. 11. 3. To the Cities and Corporations that do yet stand by the Beast's Charter it is the Time of the End too and particularly this where every man is as we say Faber suae fortunae seeking himself and hammering out his own honour but not at God's Anvil buying selling building planting c. as in the dayes of Noah but doth not regard the Day of the Lord O London London thou City and Seat of the second Beast next to Rome mayst thou look for the Wrath upon thee for thy bowing down unto the Beast persecuting the Saints and height of all manner of Sins sound in thee at this day Dost thou think that Latimers Ridleys Hoopers and the Martyrs blood wilt not be called for yea wer 't not thou as Gideons Fleece dry when the floor round thee for many years was wet with the blood of the late Wars and shalt not thou be wet when the floor is dry besides retentio excâ—emenâ—orum est parensâ— morborum thou retainest what will ruine thee and standest upon those Popish Charters and Injurctions that must be rent up by the very Roots nor will the dead Saints the Patrons of your Companies be able to protect you from that Day when the living Saints or judgement begins to sit 4. To such as are in Doubts and Suspence or Darkness either for want of light or through too much light upon weak Orgaâ—s which occasions too much wavering unstedfastness mistakes and dissimulations at this day were Paul alive that reproved his brother Peter so openly Gal. 2. what a terrible thundering Oracle would he be at this Day then which will burn up double-dealing and deceit like an Oven and nothing but true faith in the simplicity of the Gospel will abide by it Surely Pauls care would be to put every man upon the proof of 's own work and spirit that he might have a rejoicing in himself and not in another Gal. 6. 4. knowing the subtlety of the Serpent in this last Apostacy is to set up Truth against Truth grace against grace ordinances against ordinances Saints against Saints Spirit against Spirit and not â—o prophane against Professors to fight rend shake tear distract and divide them with that are to break his head and to catch his kingdom Wherefore see to your standing that it be not upon Bogs or quagmires or with staggering 5. To such as are impatient hoâ— and rash tarry till the Time of the End it will be soon enough and get your spirits well prepared seaâ—oned and sweetened with Gâ—â—ce for it will be bitter enough a â—oâ—e sliding will break thy â—oâ—e though a back-sliding would break thy neck and if thou â—â—â—â—â—st to the Kingdom-work before the Time and Season thou will be drawn out or if thou gâ—est out with a wilde field spirit or common anointing and not with the â—arden flowry spirit or double anointing of the Kingdom which is the blessing of the First-born thou art more capable of being out down with the grass then oâ— cutting down the grass though all flesh be grass Ilay 40. as a field-flower rising up in its own single wilde natural spirit It is another straâ—agem of Sathan to deposite too the like for the thing and so to cheat thee with a counterfeit compounding an anointing like to Gods anointing a persume like to his persume which is death by the Law Exod. 30. 33. or else to put that upon the Stranger which belongs to none but the Lord v. 38. or else to take the Lord's persume to smell upon or to please their own senses and desires with and so to raise up their own spirit which then is hard to get down again or not to call the Spirit of the Lord and with that Christian name to run out into disoorders and without rule or else to conclude us in unbelief as to implicite commands under presence of a perâ—mâ—oâ—y obedience to explicite and like Nadab and Abilâ—â— fall in the fire of our own kindling or else instead of the Angels Reed would measure and model us by another Rule and not with the Kings Cubit which was three singers longer then the common nor weighed with the Sanctuary shekels whereon at first was stamped the print of the Lamb which were twice as much as the common But as Noab's Aâ—k was built with the largest Cubit So is this Work to be that will now go forward Lastly if it be the end then woe woe woe to the inhabitants of the Earth for the time of the third woe is within reach woe to the Lawyers Souldiers Citizens Merchants Messengers Goalers and all that are involved with the Beast at this day from Court to Country from
is shewed in the wilderness the judgement of the great whore by one of the ange's which had the seven vials Rev. 17. 1 3. this may be gathered That neer or about the time of the womans coming out of the wilderness John carrying the type of the Church in that present state the destruction of Babylon as to the set time shall be made known unto some of the Lords faithful servants by whom others shall have it revealed to them and whom he will employ to pour out vials of wrath upon the kingdom of the Beast CONSID. X. The time being known when the three years and half shall end that which follows next and immediately upon the expiration of the foresaid time will be to do what the Lord commands his sanctisied ones Liâ—t ye a banner upon the high mountains exalt the voice unto them shake the hand that ye may go into the gates of the nobles Isa 13. 2. So Jer. 50. 2. Declare ye among the nations and publish and set up a standard publish and conceal not that Babylon is taken The publishing of this war against Babylon will be I conceive by the angels Rev. 14. 6 8 9. and that voice from heaven Rev. 18. 4. These shall gather the Saints together Psal 50. 5. the hundred fourty and four thousand Rev. 14. 1. the called chosen and faithful Rev. 17. 4. at their rendevouz to the Lamb on mount Sion where the Lord of hosts will muster the host of the battel Isai 13. 4. So that the Lords people shall not go forth in haste nor conceal their work or do things covertly but come out in the light and boldly as Israel did out of Egypt They shall have Gods presence so visibly and powerfully with them that the enemies through a dreadful fear shall not know what to do for their own safety nor how to oppose the work of God in the hands of his mighty ones As it is said of Barak Gideon Samson c. that the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and in that Spirit they went forth conquering and to conquer so now the time being come and known the like Spirit will be in the Lambs followers a faith to which all things are possible And in this Spirit and faith I believe those who are now waiting for to see that day of the Son of man shall rise up in the places where they are and joyn together against Babylon and all her helpers Hence the present worldly powers may take notice how plainly that Scripture is fulfilled upon them THEY IMAGINE A VAIN THING Psal 2. 1. Ah poor wretches ye do so indeed in taking counsel against the fifth kingdom For 1. These men which are for that Kingdom will not stir till the set time be come and known Then 2. They will publikely proclaim war against Babylon and say The day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompences for the controversie of Zion is come 3. As it is the Lords cause and work so they are sure whosoever resisteth shall be broken to pieces and become as the chaff of the Summer-threshing-floor Did not the first Monarchy fall before the second so that before the third so again the third before the fourth when their times ended and must not this fourth fall likewise before the fifth in the appointed time The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this But it seems they have no Gamaliel now in their Councels I say unto you Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God Acts. 5. 38 39. CONSID. XI Though I shall here but speak over what hath been hinted before yet because the Consideration is weighty and much to our purpose I will adde a little Howsoever it be true as I am perswaded that the Visions and Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning the period of the Beasts dominion will not certainly be known till the three years and half begin and probably the greater part expir'd As Daniel knew not the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh till the very year or less in which they were delivered see Dan. 9. 1 2. with Ezra 6. 1. nevertheless when this time comes before it expires the knowledge of it shall be given in to some as they are seeking the Lord by fasting and prayer and searching the Prophecies 2 Chron. 20 13 14. This appears First by Dan. 12. 10. The wise shall understand If the series and scope of the place be noted two great Truths are there set down 1. The holy Ghost speaks not of understanding in a large sense but restrains it to a special and proper understanding that is they shall know the end of these wonders vers 6. As Noah knew the time when the sloud would come before it came of which the world was ignorant so the end of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days before it is finished shall be revealed to the wise but none of the wicked shall understand 2. The wise shall not understand this till the time of the end so much likewise is held forth in the place The three years and half must begin and to know that such a time is come there will be a little Horn an Apostacie and Beast whereby the wise shall have such understanding 2. That the time will be known before the fourty and two months expire I think so much is manifest by comparing Dan. 12. 9. with Rev. 10. 6. The first tells us that the words are to be opened at the time of the end now this must be before the fourty and two months are expired for the other tells us After that there shall be time no longer Besides if the two texts be observed they belong to one matter time The one saith the opening of the Mystery of God is left to the three years and half the other that it shall be opened before that time goes out 3. I finde that one of the four living creatures gives unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God Rev. 15. 7. but these angels are not bid by him to pour them out that is done afterwards by a voice out of the temple Rev. 16. 1. The giving of the vials I conceive is the opening of the mystery of them as to the time when and the work how to be done so to prepare the angels for the execution of the wrath and all this before the end But their call to it seems to be after the fourty and two months are expired He hath shewed his people the power of his works that he may give them the heritage of the heathen Psal 111. 6. CONSID. XII Seeing according to the determinate purpose and counsel of God to the little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast three years and an half are allowed this I would gather
was crucified Answ There is great Reason for it 1. To discover the grosse hypocrisie of the Beast pretending to be against Babilon in all her lies and beastly vanities 2. To aggravate his wickednesse the more There is little said of the Beast as to the Characterizing of Him besides slaying the Witnesses The Reason may be because this was done before in the little Horne and last Apostacy That which the Holy Ghost seems here chiefly to intend is to unmask HIM and to set HIM forth to the life For Example Should he be askt being ascended out of the bottomlesse Pit What he comes for What he means to doe having taken so arbitrary a power to himselfe His answer will be He is for Christ I really against Antichrist For Zion against Babylon as one of the seven Angel I am com out saith he of the Temple note it not the Bottomless Pit to poure out a Viall full of wrath upon the great Whore and as one called chosen and faithfull to be with the Lamb against the ten Kings to overcome them And ask saith he my Chaplaines and new made Doctors if this be not so But what saith the Spirit of God O thou dissembling Hâ— pocrite Does thou War against my Witnesses overcome them and slay them and yet pretend Ex parte altissimi letzad On the part of the Almighty For me and against the great Whore What an impudent face hast thou what a Whores forehead Thou thoughtest I was altogether such a one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee Thy falshood shall not serve the turn For I have a way to make thee known what an hypocrite thou art in spight of all thy inchantments and the wise shall understand though the Prophets will not viz. In slaying so glorious a Testimony to rouse up thy self out of the bottomles pit In this the Saints of the most high shall clearly see that thou art of the great City not in words but actions a main supporter and prop of it Nay more thou hast kept her up as she is Sodom and Egypt in the vilest of her filthinesses and abominations and the greatest of her cruelties and oppressions yea and more as she hath murdered me I say my self in my truth and servants thus thou hast wrapt thy self in all the guilt and blood that hath been shed there and which shall be found in her the blood of the Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slaine upon the earth Thus the place gives us more light to know the Beast by The Government and state by which the witnesses shall be slaine is without the great City not under the authority of the Church of Rome in profession and words an enemy to Babylon But in practice and works not only a bare defender but a supporter of her in the worst and greatest of her sins as in her whoredomes oppressions blood of martyrs c. Namely by slaying the highest Testimony that ever was upon earth against the whole dominion of the Beast I have done with the Beast and Winesses as to the killing-part It remains that something be spoken of the effects of it And they of the people and kindreds and Tongues and Nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves Here we will consider 1. Who these People are 2. What is meant by putting in graves 3. Why they will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves 4. How they keep them out First It is said that Satan shewd Christ being upon an exceeding high mountaine all the Kingdomes of the World Mat. 4. 8. I doe not take it imaginary as deceiving the sence but a reall sight Not that he saw all Kingdomes absolutely but whatsoever were discernable in respect of the place where he stood that is all the adjacent Countryes So here by people Kindreds tongues and Nations all are not meant under the whole Heaven but such as are within the sight of the dead bodyes and have knowledge of their slaying Againe Neither doe all the people and kindreds c. which see the dead bodies oppose their buriall but a part of them They of the people and kindreds c. That is among the people and kindreds c. there are some will not suffer c. Now howsoever we are to understand the place no further then of such as know what the Beast hath done for so much is clearly in the Text They shall see their dead bodies yet the Holy Ghost mentions Peoples kindreds tongues and nations Because this party which will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves are not all one People As for Example Some may be English others Welch some Scots others French or Dutch c. So likewise of divers Provinces Countries Shires c. As for this Party I take it not to be cruelty done in despight and disgrace by Enemies to deny them Buriall But courtesie of Friends and Favorers to provide for their rising againe And my opinion is here are meant 1. The Woman who was occasioned by the war of this Beast to fly into the Wildernesse 2. The Remnant of her seed 3. Those whom we named before Common-wealths men For howsoever these doe not fully close with the Witnesses in the Principles of the fift Kingdom yet they are clearly convinc'd that the Power and Goverment of this Beast is unlawfull and that they suffer unjustly under him And this Party I take to be The earth which helped the Woman by opening her mouth and swallowing up the flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth Rev. 12. 16. For howsoever that thing they contend for be but an earthly Intererest as Lawes Liberties Power of the People Priviledges of Parliament c. yet in standing for such things they give the Beast such a Check as Mauger all his venome and wrath he cannot devour the woman standing for the dead witnesses Secondly For the second Point By putting in graves I understand an extirpation of the Testimony of Jesus That is Christs visible Kingdome to be no more asserted the corrupt powers of the world left alone so the Apostates and hypocrites in the last dayes not so much as nam'd briefly for the little Horn and Beast no more to be spoken against But all for conscience sake be subject to his Lust and Will Thus indeed the Beast would have the Witnesses buried but he is not suffered They remaine above ground in spight of him that is kept up for a glorious resurrection Thirdly Knowing the Parties we may the more easily guesse at the Causes 1. As the Woman and her seed are deeply concern'd in the Testimony so they endeavour what they can to maintaine it And the rather because they know whatsoever designe the Enemie hath against it to bury it he shall not let him doe his worst As when Michael the Arch-Angel contending with the Devil about the body of Moses the Angel prevailed
sort what they did I need not mention But when their hearts were merry Then Sampson is cal'd for And what is now the Subject of all their scurrilous Talk and Jests but the short liv'd Parliament Oh this cruell Sampson that had it in his heart not onely to have brought their Craft in danger to be set at nought but the Temple of the great Goddesse Diana And to say the truth the Priests were not much mistaken in it For probable it is had not that glorious Testimony of Jesus been kild They would have seâ—t the Tayle of the Beast after the Head Swept away that other part of Popish dung and trash which the former Parliament had left in the Nation Now if the Holy Ghost meant not these men and their making merry yet I am sure it was fulfilled in them according to the letter of the Text. One part of the Prophesie yet remaines and it is the better part Namely The rising of the Witnesses And here we have the Time the Means and the Manner with the Enemies amazement at it and the like And after three dayes and an halfe the spirit of life from God â—ntred into them and they stâ—od upon their feet and great fear sell upon them that saw them And they heard a great voyce from Heaves saying unto them come up hither And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud And their Enemies bsheld them First Of the Time I have spoken Assoon as the Beast ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit he kills the Witnesses Three years and an halfe they lie unburied The which time being expir'd they immediately Rise and then begins the ruine and fall of the Beast So that I conceive it is not the Lords meaning that any should go forth to take his Dominion from him untill it evidently appear that the Witnesses are Risen the Spirit poured forth the Beast certainly known and the Lord appearing in some visible providence making the way plaine for the Angel of the first â—iâ—ll Secondly By the Spirit of life from God c. I understand and the sending of the Comforter that great promise of the Father to be endued with power from on high Lak 24. 49. As herbes flowers and grasse seem dead and hang the head by reason of drought but rise againe flourish and grow green when raine falls thereon So the Testimony of Jesus which seemed withered and scorch't hath now from the Lord life and Spirit put into it and so that Death is taken off which lay formerly on it And this I take to be the Time in which Saints may expect the returne of their prayers concerning the pouring out of the Spirit and the fullfilling of such Promises In the wildernesse shall waters break out and streames in the desert Isa 35. 6. I will pour waters upon him that is thirsty and â—louds upon the dry ground I will poure my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine Of-spring And they shall spring up as among the grosse as willows by the water-courses Isa 44. 3 4. I will put my Spirit in you and ye shall live Eze. 37. 14. After two days he will revive us in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight Hosea 6. 2. And it shall come to passe afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your daughters shall Prophesie your old men shall dream dreames your young men shall see visions And also upon the servants and upon the hand-maids in those dayes will I pour out my Spirit Joel 2. 28 29. Howsoever before the rising of the witnesses there will be some sprinkling of the Spirit here and there For the understanding of the Time As a man knows by the dawning that the night is past yet I think till the witnesses are risen the Saints shall not be endued with power from on high neither Generally nor largely For now is The Tabernacle of the Testimony of heaven opened and not till now Rev. 15. 6. I mean in respect of a beginning Thirdly No sooner doth a Spirit of life from God enter into them But they stand upon their feet By which manner of speaking according to the Scripture is signified 1. An open confession and publishing of the Lords wonderfull mercy remembring his truth and Testimony in its low estate 1 Chron. 28. 1. Acts 3. 7 8. and 14 14. As the Sons of Zion are to have a two-edged-sword in their hands so the high praises of God in their mouth It is true they are to execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people To bind their Kings with chains and their Nobles with fetters of Iron But what goes before Allelujah sing unto the Lord a new song and his praise in the Congregation of Saints Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him let the Children of Zion be glad in their King c. Psal 14. 9. So then by this standing upon their feet is meant that New sâ—â—â—Rev 14 3. An high exalting and â—â—ung up the holy Name of God every where among the faithfull Remnant For that life and Spirit which is now given them The Testimony of Jesus it was before flame and born down by the Enemy But now it goes forth conquering and to conquer prevailes and gets victory in every place over them And the Ransomed of the Lord shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall be no more Isa 35. 10. compare Rev. 15. 3 4. 2. The standing upon their feet signifies not only The Testimony raised up to greater boldnesse against the Beast speaking more freely and plainly against his hypocrisie Apostacie Blasphemy Tiranny c. then before Ezek. 2. 1 2 and 3 24. But likewise the hundred forty and four thousand are preparing to stand with the Lamb on mount Zion Rev 14. 1. Now I think open war begins to be proclaim'd against the Beast and Babilon according to the Prophets Isa 13. 2. Jeâ— 50. 2. Againe It shews with what assurance of victory the warr is undertaken For by faith they see all ready their feet upon the necks of their Enemies and that they shall take the Beasts dominion from him and give his body to the burning flame Josh 10. 24. Zech. 14. 4. Some understand this and their ascending up to heaven of the witnesses not only restored to their places but promoted to more eminent preferment howsoever I take the witnesses as hath been said for the Truth witnessed by them yet no doubt such as suffer under the Beast for their Testimony continuing faithfull the Lord will greatly honour For out of Prison he cometh to Reign Eccles 4. 14. Fourthly For the persons upon whom this great feare fell I take to be they that dwell upon the earth the Apostates and followers of the Beast It seemes to allude to the State and time of Gods people coming out of Egypt when the