that it was the word of the Lord. That then from which these stubborn Jews were broken off is the word of the Lord or the holy Scriptures but the Jews were broken off the true Olive Tree therefore the true Olive Tree is the word of the Lord or the holy Scriptures All which being compared it will evidently appear that the two Olive Trees in this of the Revelation and that of Zacariah are none other then the holy Scriptures or word of God Secondly It is as plain that the blessed Scriptures are the proper Food and Noufishment of Saints spoken of Rev. 12.6 Isa 25.6 Psal 36. what else is that feast of fat things that Wine on the Lees well refined that fatness of the Lords house wherewith he satisfieth the souls of his Saints those Rivers of pleasures he makes them drink of and to which the Lord Jesus so freely invites them Eat O friends Drink Cant. 5.1 yea Drink abundantly O beloved But I pass this briefly as not to be denied that the holy Scriptures are the proper Food and Nourishment of the Saints For which employment these holy witnesses are designed Rev. 12.6 namely to feed the Church in her exiled Wilderness estate 1260 years But if any shall cavill that I attribute that to the Scriptures which is peculiar to the Spirit of God I have this to say that I have no thought of the Scriptures without or beside the Spirit of God I receive all Scriptures as the Lord Jesus delivered them The words that I speak unto you Joh. 6.63 2 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 4.12 they are Spirit and they are life able to make wise unto salvation And therefore the blessed Scriptures are the proper fit sutable nourishment for the Saints and particularly for the Church in her afflicted despised wilderness estate Thirdly That the holy Scriptures are called witnesses and which is yet more plain these very witnesses of Christ will appear in the perusal of several Scriptures And first that the Law is called so Deut. 31.26 Take this book of the Law and put it in the side of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God that it may be there for a Witness against thee And it appears as cleerly to me that the Gospel is so called also 1 Joh. 5.9 This is the Witness of God which he hath testified of his son If it be objected that it is the Spirit c. that is here called the Witness t is readily granted neither dare I call the Spirit one thing and the word another thing except it be said that the Scriptures are the minde of the Spirit it is above noted that the Lord Jesus saith they are both one thing The words that I speak they are Spirit therefore the Scriptures have ordinarily the same Appellations and operations ascribed to them as are to the Spirit it self the Spirit is called Truth so also the word is called Truth 1 Joh. 5.6 Joh 17.17 the Spirit is said to sanctify so the word is likewise said to sanctify and the like and certain I am that the properties ascribed to the word Heb. 4.12.13 are not Communicable to any essence below the Spirit of God For the word of God is quick and Powerful and sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and Spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart c. Therefore have I hewed them by the Prophets Hos 6.5 Isa 11.4 compared with Rev. 11.5.10 I have slain them by the words of my mouth When I compare these Scriptures with the fifth and tenth verses of this eleventh of the Revelation it doth so wonderfully cleer this truth to me that the Scriptures of the two Testaments and only these are the two Witnesses that if there were no other ground but this it would abundantly satisfie and confirm me in the discovery of this abstruse and wonderfull mystery To conclude this truth so manifest already is yet further cleered by those blessed Lips where never guile was found the Lord Jesus Christ himself affirms it in these words Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they that testifie of me John 5.39 Where it is plain that they are not only called Witnesses but these very Witnesses here spoken of for the words carry with them this cleer sound Search the Scriptures for they are my Witnesses Thus as these blessed Witnesses testify of Christ so Christ also giveth testimony to them Fulk Contr. Mart. Pres Pag 5. as to his Witnesses and so puts the point in hand beyond all dispute That the holy Scriptures of the Two Testaments and only these are the two Witnesses here spoken of And yet one word more for the more ample discovery of the transcendent excellency of these heavenly Witnesses the Scriptures of truth from the cleer evidence the Apostle Peter gives who having declared the excellent glory of Christ in the mount which he saw and the audible voice 2 Pet. 1.17 from the highest Majesty giving Invincible testimony of his son We have also saith he a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed c. What the Scriptures more sure then the voice of God himself from heaven yes a more certain Infallible voice now in these Gospel daies then any miraculous extraordinary voice whatsoever and here we may admire the wisdome care and faithfulness of our Royal Lawgiver who knowing that many false Prophets would arise and deceive many and considering how Satan usually transformeth himself into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.13 2 Cor. 11.14 2 Thes 29. and that his eldest Son Antichrist would come after the working of this Prince of darkness with all Power and signs and lying wonders But especially foreseeing that monstrous impiety which so many of his Servants have warned us of as that ordinances would be slighted vilified rejected that many foul beasts would defile pollute and at length totally depart from those pure Chrystal streams that make glad the City of God even the blessed Scriptures of truth 2 Pet. 1.21 2.1 immediately flowing from that infinite Ocean of all fulness That many of them would deny in part as the divinity others absolutely the Lord that bought them And that the Divel would so far prevail with some whom he would mount to such a height of blasphemy as to affirm that they are Christ the Spirit the Eternal Father that their words are the words of God and when you hear them speak it is God that speaks for they are God and God is them c. To detest this detestable wickedness and most dreadful blasphemous abomination so frequently belched forth in these dayes of Satans power Gal. 6.16 Luk. 29.13 1 Cor. 11.26 Rev. 2.25 Gal. 1.8 hath our eternal King left his Royal will and pleasure upon Record as a
twelfth Verse are called The eyes of the Lord which run too and fro through the whole Earth Now what these seven eyes are may be found out by that means which the Lord Jesus hath appointed viz. searching the Scriptures S. John will tell us that these seven eyes sent forth into all the Earth Rev. 5.6 Rev. 1.4 Rev. 8.2 are the seven Spirits of God which are before his Throne that these thus standing before him are the seven Angels with Trumpets which are none other then the Ministers of the Churches as they are plainly called Rev. 1.20 They are called the seven Spirits because as they are abundantly filled so they are imployed by the Spirit which so mightily over-powers them that they seem many times to be nothing but Spirit taking their denomination from the most noble part in them which is the Spirit as Paul speaks Not 1 1 Cor. 15.10 Act. 15.28 Mat. 5 14. but the grace of God which was with me These seven eyes are the light of the world appointed by the Lord Jesus that corner stone upon which they stand Zechary 3.9 for the building of his Church Eph. 4.11 12 13. Rom. 12.6 c. for the perfecting of his Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ And these seven are thus distinguished in the holy Scriptures those faithful Witnesses of truth 1. Prophets 2. Apostles 3. Evangelists 4. Pastours 5. Teachers 6. Ruling Elders 7. Deacons These are the seven sorts of Officers or seven Pillars that the Lord Jesus Christ the wisdom of the Father Prov. 9.1 Gal. 2 9. hath hewn out for the building of his great house the Church These are his golden Pipes so called by the Spirit of the Lord as conveighing this precious liquor this divine Treasure of the heavenly word for nourishment to the poor Church as well in her Wilderness condition as in all Ages though these blessed instruments of Christ term themselves but earthen Vessels that so the excellency of this heavenly Treasure which is conveighed through them 2 Cor. 4.7 may the more redound to the glory of God yet the Spirit cals them golden Pipes These seven mentioned in the second Verse are more comprehensively reduced unto two golden Pipes vers 12. answerable whereunto those seven sorts of Officers mentioned are comprehended under the two chief Eph. 2.20 that is Apostles and Prophets upon whose foundation we are built Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner Stone And thus I suppose it is evident that I have not presumed without clear warrant from the Law and the Testimony to affirm 1. That the two Olive-trees are the two Testaments or those Witnesses of Christ appointed to feed the Church as in all Ages so through the whole course of Papal Persecution viz. one thousand two hundred and threescore years 2. That the Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints 3. That the two Olive-branches are Doctrine and Discipline 4. That the golden Pipes are the Ministers of the Churches The fifth Verse And if any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their Enemies and if any man will hurt them he must on this manner be killed The Pope and his Parasites had power enough and did exercise that power to the utmost in killing and spoyling tormenting and harrasing the poor Saints in this time of their exile and therefore the Saints cannot possibly be the Witnesses as some have conceived many a precious servant of Jesus lost his life for the Witnesses sake that is for holding close to the Law to the Testimony those Witnesses of Christ against the Antichristian Tyranny of their bloody persecutors but to the wonder and amazement of the World to the high praises of our God be it for ever acknowledged they had no power to overcome or suppress the Scriptures till toward the end of their prophesie or finishing their testimony in Sackcloth I know many had an earnest desire to destroy them they wanted no will to the work but maugre all their rage and malice though they dig'd as deep as Hell leaving no stone unturnd that might seem to conduce to the support of their Tyrannical Antichristian State yet whether they judged the Scriptures of no weight or slighting them as below the glory of their Babel or whether the terror of the Curse Rev. 22.18 like fire in their bones deterred them or what other secret operation it was I know not but by the mighty power of God these heavenly Witnesses have been wonderfully preserved in this Babylonish Captivity through the whole course of their Prophesie in Sackcloth 1260 years The sixth Verse These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their Prophesie and have power over waters to turn them into bloud and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will While the Saints are in Goshen the Kingdom of Antichrist is smitten with sundry plagues the effects of the Saints prayers but none so dreadful as that universal thick darkness that soon over-spred the whole Land of the Beast Rev. 16.10 while the holy Spouse of Christ troden under-foot enjoys the light of her Beloveds shining face to whom it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God but the scarlet Strumpet in the midst of all her brags that she is no widdow but the wife of Christ that her eldest son is his Vicar that she is Infallible and cannot be deceived is given up to a spirit of slumber and strong delusions to believe lyes Mark 4.11 that seeing they might see and not perceive and hearing they might hear and not understand lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven them No dew of Grace descends upon those cursed Families the waters of the Sanctuary are now by little and little stopt from them at first the great burning Mountain the Beneficence of the great Constantine being cast into the Sea of Rome Rev 8.8 9. a third part presently became blood and the third part of the Ministers in that Church with their adherents departed from the Faith a while after the whole Sea was generally poysoned and became as the bloud of a dead man Rev. 16 3. and so there was an universal revolt from the doctrine of salvation to lying Fables vain Superstitions Miracles Signs and Wonders with all deceivableness of unrighteousness and every living foul that drank this poyson in the Cup of her abominations presently dyed How the fire that proceeded out of the mouthes of the Witnesses hath devoured their Enemies and how they have smote their Enemies with all manner of plagues is very remarkable Multitudes of Examples might be produced of which take a taste Surely the fiery indignation of the Lord hath been wonderfully manifested against these desperate Antichristian Enemies in their cursed Attempts to race deface corrupt or any way to hurt these Divine
THE Seventh Angel sounding Presents A glimps of the glorious Raign of Jesus Christ whose personal appearance is royally attended with these fifteen Changes full of wonder as so many Trophie's of his absolute victory and universal soveraignty 1. The Saints Deceased Royal Jesus Brings 2. The Rest Released mount on Angels wings 3. To Israel mourning sounds a glorious Call 4. To Babel burning an eternal fall 5. The world Combined hath a fatal blow 6. Satan Confined to his Den below 7. The whole Creation finds a full release 8. And every Nation flourishes with peace 9. The Mount asunder That vale of wonder cleaves t' enlarge the Plain where the Lord must raign 10. The glorious City from Gods throne doth glide 11. The Nuptial ditty ushers in the Bride 12. Thus Saints regaining an immortal state 13. In glory reigning while the Sun bears date 14. The Nations bending Virgins voyces Raise 15. All Duties ending in joy love and praise Joel 3.9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles Zech. 14.5 9. The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one Psal 102.16 When the Lord shall build up Sion he shall appear in his glory THE Two Witnesses Their Prophecy Slaughter Resurection and Ascention OR An Exposition of the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation wherein is plainly proved that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the witnesses there spoken of who have Prophesied in Sackcloth one thousand two hundred and sixty years compleat That they are already slain revived and ascended That the tenth part of the City is fallen by our late Earthquake wherein seven thousand Names of men were slain The second wo is past This is the first part of the Chapter the second Part follows By Tho. Tillam a weak Labourer in the Lords Harvest 〈…〉 4.20 We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard 〈…〉 .11 We speak that we do know and testifie that we have seen 〈…〉 and ye receive not our Witness Printed by R.W. for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the 〈…〉 lack spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1651. TO My Honoured Col. George Twissleton Esq Governor of Denbigh SIR BEsides your many favors conferred upon my unworthy self for a thankful acknowledgement I am also many ways as I conceive obliged to present unto you this Treatise as having its spring and first appearance under your Command where your faithful endeavours are imployed for the advancement of the glory of God in your many encouragements to those under your charge to be daily exercised in such duties and services as being religiously improved will be your Crown and their comfort in the day of the Lord Jesus when all present shadows of honours will be swallowed up in that immortal glory which is prepared for all such as are free in laying out themselves for the honour of this King of Glory as your self dear Sir have often been in improving your interest with Christ on the behalf of this Commonwealth and our Neighbour Nations upon emergent occasions Another motive enducing me to prefix your name is your affection to those Changes that attend the coming of Christ as they are digested in the Title Page which your Worship caused me to write down in a Book which I am perswaded you dearly love above all the world Sir I doubt not you will be more affected to finde each of these wonderful Changes distinctly cleared and proved by the Word of Truth as I suppose they are in this little Book Truly Sir The holding of them forth hath cost me dear upon the rising of a spirit of emulattion in some who could not brook that applause which was openly given to these Truths upon the delivery thereof But I have heard such expressions from you which have savored of another spirit as loving Truth for Truths sake by whomsoever declared One word from you hath made a deep impression upon my spirit by which I desire my affections may be regulated namely Of loving men for Religions sake and not Religion for any mens sake these with other of like nature have raised my affections to present this Treatise to your much honored name if you find Truth evident I have confidence you will give it entertainment and though any thing herein should seem to be New Light yet I hope it will not be the less welcome if it appear True Light Sir I might have inlarged this Epistle upon good and subslantial grounds in reference to you as your unwearied Service and constant fidelity as of all your flourishing Family to this State your present Employments in the faithful administration of Justice and the like But for sundry reasons I forbear Closing with my unfeighned desires of the welfare of your pretious soul that it may flourish in that full Society of Glorified Saints in New Jerusalem as it is daily expected to be manifested in Power by SIR Your real faithful servant Tho. Tillam An Exposition of the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation THe Lord by a special Providence guiding me to a People daily exercised in reading his Word and opening the the same in order now having before them the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation they desired my help in Expounding this Mysterious piece which sudden and unexpected motion did somewhat surprize me as knowing that it hath been accounted one of the hardest knots in the revealed will of God and withall considering how various the Opinions of Writers are upon the subject matter thereof and how little satisfaction I had ever received from any of them I therefore intended to speak a word or two from the two first verses and to discover my ignorance of the great Mystery of the Witnesses by passing it over in silence But while I was reading the Chapter I was most sweetly warmed by a secret heavenly heat quickning my spirit which was as it were transported by this soft gale of life and light and even constrained to declare this which with full and cleer evidence was communicated to me which also making some notable impression upon the spirits of the most judicious hearers they importuned me to give it them in writing at whose request I set to the work and in the review of these impressions upon my heart comparing them with such Ecclesiastical Histories as till then were unknown to me I found such harmony so sweet consent in Time Place Person every thing that hath left no place in my spirit for any further disputes reasonings or objections against the truth of these teachings And the Lord so open the Readers understanding that he also may receive the like full and sweet satisfaction in this Divine Mystery and so may obtain the blessing promised to such as read Rev. 1.3 hear and obey the words of this Prophesie The eleventh Chapter of the Revelation THe great God cals it a Revelation
shall not be able to stop their mouthes till toward the end of their Testimony they shall prophesie all along though it be not in that external pomp and glory wherewith Popes Cardinals and the rest of the Antichristian rable rout now flourished but all forlorn retired obscured in mournful Sackcloth yet they shall Prophesie the Temple even in the midst of the outward Court that is the Apostatized Church of Rome is given to them and even there do they worship the Lord in purity but so covertly and obscurely that they are not easily discerned especially by the Pope and his scarlet Conclave whose eyes are dazled with external pomp and glory Thus is the Virgin Spouse of Christ and her heavenly Witnesses which in the midst of Heathen Persecutions was clothed in the Royal Robes of her everlasting Husband now become an object of scorn and contempt to those wicked watch-men who what in them lay spoyled and depraved her of that heavenly simplicity and Gospel-purity she lately shined in Rev. 2.13 Now is she become the true Antitype of the Church of Pergamos dwelling in obscurity where Antichrists throne is and there she holdeth fast the Faith and denyeth not the name of her crucified Lord which ever and anon doth cost some faithful Antipas his life And here the blessed Witnesses nourish her and Prophesie against her Adversary that proud Scarlet Strumpet did so defile darken wrack wrest and pervert the holy Scriptures to uphold their abominable Idolatry and Superstition that no other vesture appear'd upon them but sable weeds of sorrowful Sackcloth and when in despight of their fond Allegories and sensual conceits these two Witnesses spake to their faces against the dreadful abominations creeping in so fast this Harlot not able to bear their reproof hating to be reformed Psal 51.17 and rejecting instruction did at length cast behinde them into secret holes and corners these blessed Scriptures of truth so that in the midst of all this Papal Tyranny which daily increased they remaind secretly nourishing the true Church even where the Beast reigned yea in the heart of his dominions the whole term of their testimony in Sackcloth viz. 1260 years during which time this is the Character which is given of the Romish Harlot Mich. Cec. contr Tyrannid Papae Mornaus Myst Iniq. Bez. quaest There were within the Papal Territories two Churches the one of the wicked sort flourishing wherein the Pope reigned the other of godly and good men and this he persecuted so that the Church was under or within the Papacy but the Papacy was not the Church Now this being clear in the word of truth that the true Church remains alive in the midst of this dead sea and is preserved like Jonah in the belly of this monstrous Leviathan What will become of that empty flourish of a vaunting Jesuite Where was your Church before Luther We see to the high prayses of our eterternal King that it was in the Ark in the midst of the great Deluge in Goshen in the midst of the Egyptian darkness in the den amidst those roaring Lyons in the furnace safe and secure in the extremest heat of Popish persecution And is now come forth of that great Tribulation as pure gold out of that fiery Tryal as a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord Isai 62.3 and a Royal Diadem in the hand of our God But who can marvel at this foolish question of blinde Papists when the poverty obscurity and simplicity of the True Church and her abstruse Witnesses is considered how could their eyes so grosly blinded with the black scales of ambition pomp luxury behold or discern such contemptible objects as the Church in her exile and her Witnesses in their Sackcloth Did not their Fathers the Scribes and Pharises grope in the same Egyptian darkness when they could not discern a Messias though working wonders even in the very midst of them their Holinesses lookt too high to behold Christ in a Carpenters coat even like His prophane wickedness who sitting in that Chayr of pestilence at Rome could not perceive the holy City under his feet nor the heavenly Witnesses in their mournful habit of both which their Predecessors and themselves are alike wilfully ignorant to this day O the distinguishing love of a gracious Father Why should not we be thus blind and ignorant shall we see the cause Luke 10.21 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight The fourth Verse These are the two Olive-trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth Mr. Mede saith Clav. Apoc. pag. 11. 12. there lieth hidden in these words an Hebraism having this signification viz. The two Olive-trees at or besides the two Candlesticks Annotat. Zech. 4.3 they are said to stand by the sides of the Candlestick or as the London Ministers have it With the two Candlesticks or Churches so that the Churches are one thing and the Witnesses feeding them another thing These two Olive-trees are plainly called the word of the Lord Zech. 4.6 not Zerubbabel and Joshua as some imagine nor Enoch and Elias as others conjecture nor Christ and his Saints as a third conceive nor Burton and Prynne as hath been confidently affirmed but all with as much show of truth as that the two Houses of this present Parliament should be them but all these conceits and all other fancies of like nature are not worth the Answer as having not the least ground or warrant in that blessed Rule that is able to make the man of God wise unto salvation others have supposed that they are the Word and Spirit And our English Prophet Mr. Brightman thinks they are the holy Scriptures and the Churches of the Saints But this may not be granted for these reasons 1. The Scriptures and the Saints cannot die one kinde of death and there is not the least appearance in the Word of any difference or distinction in their sufferings and we must be sure to keep close to the Reed that was given John to measure all true Believers by 2. The Saints cannot be said in any cleer sence to rise again three years and a half after their sufferings at the time mentioned by Mr. Brightman 3. It is evident that the Saints suffered as great misery and were as vehemently persecuted after his supposed resurrection as at any time before which were absurd and without any Scripture ground to conceive of the Witnesses after their reviving 4. Rev. 12.6 The Saints are the woman or Church and the Witnesses distinctly added for her aid succour and support in her exile 1260 dayes or years Therefore the Saints and the Scriptures both cannot be the Witnesses But some who have thought that these two Witnesses are the Word and Spirit do come nearest the truth and
in some sence this is truth of which more anon The two Olive-trees which we are enquiring of are called the Witnesses distinct from the Candlesticks for though our Translators have coupled them together by the conjunction and yet we have been enformed that at or besides is more proper and significant according to Zech. 4.3 But I have determined never to receive any testimony of man how excellent soever unless it be strongly backt and substantially supported by that cleer fountain of life the testimony of Truth Isai 8.20 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them And this testimony even this very word discovers more heavenly light then I was aware of for in this Text the Scirptures are plainly cald a Testimony or Witness Let the answer to Zechary's question cleer the truth hereof more fully the Prophet having a Vision of these two Olive-trees which are plainly said to stand by the Candlestick Zech. 4.3 asketh the Angel what they were to which he answered This is the word of the Lord that is to say the Scriptures which before are called the Law and the Testimony and this word of the Lord held forth by two Olive-trees is purposely produced for the cherishing and establishing of that Temple-work that Zerubbabel had in hand as if the Lord should say Let this enform and assure you that though mountains of difficulties appear Neh. 6.1 though Tobiah and Sanballat the exact type of Pope and Cardinals and many false brethren use all means to hinder and destroy my Temple-work though my Candlestick be now in a low mean obscure condition yet my work shall go on and prosper the Word is gone out of my mouth it is upon record in the writings of my Prophets and therefore cannot fail but these Scriptures of truth shall continually stand by my Candlesticks like two Olive-trees conveying by my seven sorts of Instruments as by so many Pipes such plentiful nourishment as shall be able to support my Churches in the most forlorn exiled wilderness estate this was the condition of the distressed Church opposed by Potent Enemies aswell in the time of the great builder Zerubbabel as in the time of the great builder Constantine and this also is worth our consideration that neither the Enemies of the Jews then nor the Enemies of the true Saints now were such professedly but made a great show of friendship Come say they we will build with you Ezra 4.2 for we seek your God as ye do But they secretly conspired against the Jews endevouring by all possible means to hinder the work And this was the speech and thus was the practice of that Iobiah of Rome and those other secret Enemies in the time of Constantine And now the word of the Lord is the only visible support and supply of the poor distressed woman and this word of the Lord stands like two Olive Trees on each side the Candlesticks Zech. 4.11.12 Rev. 11.6 or true Churches yielding constant nourishment to the Saints in their 1260. years misery all which being diligently compared and seriously considered raiseth my apprehensions to these conclusions 1. The two Olive trees are the holy Scriptures or Two Testaments 2. The Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints 3. The two Branches of the Two Olive Trees are Doctrine and Discipline 4. The Golden Pipes of the Candlesticks are the Ministers of the Churches For the clearing of these I shall make my address to that Chrystal fountain from whence one cleer testimony is to me of more validity then all the Arguments in the world This light the Spirit of truth is pleased to Communicate in this 4. Vers of the 11. Chapter of the Revelation that these witnesses are two Olive Trees which must be so understood as Christ is a Vine a Door a Stone a Nail c. That is not really Though I depend not upon mans testimony yet you may note that Austin the flower of Antiquity was fully of this judgment but figuratively so these blessed witnesses have the same use and therefore are fitly compared unto Olive Trees First That these two Olive Trees are expresly called the word of the Lord hath been already proved from Zech. 4.6 and though this might abundantly satisfie being joyned with that of Isa 8.20 yet for the further Evidence of this truth let us consider the nature of the Olive tree Rom. 11. Rom. 11.17 from which the Jews were broken off and I believe it will cleerly appear that the Olive Tree there mentioned is none other but the word of God growing up and drawing sap from the eternall word the Lord Jesus Christ the root of this tree whereof faithful Abraham was only a Type And that the breaking off the unbelieving Jews was their separation from procured by their contempt of the doctrine of salvation contained in the Scripture these Rom. 3.2 Mat. 10.5.6 Acts. 11.19.13.46 and only these were the children of the Kingdome to whom only the pure Oracles of God were committed to whom only the Gospel was Commanded to be preached and to whom only for a long time it was Preached till they rejecting this heavenly juyce putting away the sap and fatness of this Olive Tree thereby judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life So that this Act of theirs in putting from them the word of God causing those words of Paul and Barnabas Lo we turn to the Gentiles was the breaking of them off from the Olive Tree the eternal word it is worth our consideration that the Apostle cals it their own Olive Tree Rom 11.24 Mat. 15.26 as the Lord Jesus also cals the word of Salvation their bread They are here said to be cut off from the Olive Tree upon which they did grow and we are graffed upon that stock or tree from which they were cut now it is plain that we are built upon the foundation of the Apostles Ephes 2.02 and Prophets which I am sure are the two Testaments that make out the Lord Jesus Christ who is the root of this Olive Tree For the further Illustration of this truth that it was the doctrine of salvation conteined in the Scriptures from which these Jews were broken off and consequently that this Olive tree is none other then the word of God let us examine what those two staves in Zachary are with which the Lord himself fed this stiff-necked obstinate People and this will plainly appear to be the holy Scriptures or word of God and least it should be deemed the humane fancy of a conceited Brain take the naked words as they lie in the Scripture I took unto me two staves the one I called beauty and the other I called bands and I fed the flock Zech. 11.7 And I took my staff even beauty and cut it asunder and it was broken in that day and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew
Vers 36. for what God commands expresly in his sacred Law they can easily finde some device or other to evade or else to dispence with whereas the commands of this son of perdition must be exactly obeyed Europae spec p. 52. and the breach of any of them especially his late twelve diabolical Trent Articles accounted a sin unpardonable And thus he must go on and prosper till the indignation be accomplished Dan. 11.36 for before this Scoene changes it is so determined by the Highest that he must overcome the blessed Witnesses as will be cleerly proved Neither shall he regard any God Vers 37. nor the desire of women in a lawful way His Forces and strong Holds are the gods he rests upon Vers 38. his sumptuous Monasteries and swarms of Locusts in them are his strength the great riches gold silver precious stones and pleasant things that by the superstitious devotion of his deluded Creatures have been offered to Pictures and Images are his delight and thus â—e must frolick it according to the Woâ—d till he be ripe for destruction which will eminently begin at the Resurrection of the Witnesses The residue of this eleventh Chapter of Daniel foretels that the Turk shall invade Antichrist on the one hand and the Emperour of Germany on the other hand with their various exploits Dan. 11.44 But while this son of perdition is thus embroyled in fierce Wars tidings out of the East shall trouble him that is the Jews the Kings of the East being now moved by the Spirit of God to return to their own Land before whom the great River Euphrates is dryed up to make way for them to their ancient habitation this news shall so exceedingly amaze them that now these great Enemies Turk Pope Ezech. 33. 39. Chapters Zach. 14.2 c. that have so long kept the poor Jews in slavery shall joyn their Forces altogether and go forth with one consent to destroy with great fury this poor distressed unarmed people Dan. 11.45 and having now begirt and surrounded them in the holy Land with intent to devour them at once as being now fully in their power in the midst of this miserable helpless hopeless condition up stands Michael the great glorious Prince discomfits this great and mighty Host and delivers his distressed ancient people out of their hands and not only so but he also puts such courage into his peoples spirits that they fall upon their Enemies and obtain a wonderful Victory all their oppressors by this mighty Conquest being now made their Captive slaves according to promise Isai 14.2 This is that glorious day in which the Lord Jesus Christ by the brightness of this his glorious appearance will utterly distroy this man of sin And thus from the eleventh Chapter of Daniel we have had a short survey of the rise raign and ruine of Antichrist of which we may have a more full discovery afterwards I shall now return to prosecute the story of the blessed Witnesses as they are now about to lay aside their Sackcloth Dan. 5.1.2 3 4 5. Now while Antichrist is in the midst of his pomp power and ruffe of Pride abusing like Belshazzar the holy things of the Lords Temple feasting and praysing his gods of silver and gold in this his heigth of jollity comes forth the hand writing against him for now by the appearance of Luther Calvin Melancton c. he perceives that the Witnesses are about to finish their Testimony wherefore he adresseth him with all power and policy to overcome them Let us therefore more diligently enquire 1. Of the time when these blessed Witnesses were to finish their Testimony 2. Of the nature of the War made by Antichrist against them 3. How they were overcome and killed 4. The precise time when they were overcome First The woman began to creep out of corners and her faithful Witnesses to leave their Sackcloth at that time when the little help wherewith they were holpen appeared in Luther Dan. 11.34 Calvin c. by whose endeavors blessed be the Lord the holy Scriptures rising from the dark Dens of obscurity wherein they had so long continued feeding the Church in her Wilderness condition began now to draw near to the finishing of their testimony in Sackcloth Clav. Apoc. pag. 115. Now do many Princes Provinces and Kingdoms renounce communion with Antichrist and embrace the Gospel of salvation breathing in life and glory to their souls But it must be considered that their Sackcloth is not yet laid aside they are yet but about in the way to finish their Testimony the day only begins to break Cant. 2.17 and Romish shadows to flie away For now the Beast laies about him to purpose how doth he rage and tear curse and blaspheme how do his roaring Buls and thundring Anathema's flie about the World now he declares himself Antichrist to the life shewing himself as god nay above all that is called God absolving Subjects from their Allegiance promising heaven to murtherers to destroy Princes casting others to the Devil by Excommunications that either countenance encourage or embrace the Instruments by whom the holy Scriptures are brought to light And because it was hoped that a general Councel might be a means to obtain a right understanding of differences how many shifts and stratagems are found to divert it Cons Trid. Epist the Pope and his Creatures being as fearful of a general Councel as our late Prelates were of a Parliament for they had some ground to suspect that their pomp and pride and luxury would hereby be detected but when it was resolved upon what devices what subtilties were contrived to procure a majority of voyces and thus the pretended Vicars of Christ are found the most pernicious Juglers in the world At the length after 24 years expectation the cursed Conventicle of Trent was jumbled together Ann. 1545. not to redress those foul enormities complain'd of but to overcome and suppress the Witnesses now about to finish their Testimony which is the first thing Secondly The nature of the War made by Antichrist against the holy Scriptures is lively described Dan. 11.36 And the King shall do according to his will Dan. 11.36 and he shall exalt himself and magnifie himself above every God and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods This War then is his blaspemous language and cursed Decrees against the Scriptures Rhem. Test Pres Sect. 7. while under a pretence of a high esteem and reverence of them he cuts out their tongues and suffers not the people to have them in their own language thus with all deceivableness of unrighteousness with the kiss of a Judas and the salute of a Joab he stabs these blessed Witnesses under the fifth rib belching forth these daggers of destruction against the holy Scriptures that there are in them a thousand lyes Acts and Mon. Epist Via Tuta pag. 289. that they are dead
Characters without life a shell without a kernel a leaden rule Sphinx his Riddles a wood of Thieves a shop of Hereticks imperfect obscure full of perplexities with these weapons the man of Sin fighteth against the holy Scriptures speaking great words against the most High one of the Scarlet crew cryes out before the Pope Fie upon Peter fie upon Paul with a great deal more of such blaspemous stuff Dan. 7.25 Erasm de Lat. Conc. lib. 3. And that he may throughly declare himself to be that great Antichrist he daringly meets the Lord Jesus at his own weapons I will make war and fight with mine enemies Gog and Magog Apoc. 2.16.19.15 with the sword of my mouth saith Christ I will make war against mine enemies the Scriptures with the Sword of my mouth saith Antichrist And he is as big as his word Hist Coun. Trent 155. witness their accursed dealing with the Scriptures in their Conventicle of Trent where though clear proof was made of the excellency of the Hebrew and Greek Originals to the full sence whereof they confess the Latin cannot attain yet lest the cause should be yielded to the Protestants Rhem. pref sect 57. Counc Tre. pag. 156. the vulgar Latin is preferred and they pronounced Hereticks that refuse it And it is there blasphemously asserted that the Holy Ghost who did dictate the Scriptures to Prophets and Apostles in Hebrew and Greek Pag. 156. doth as truly dictate to the Church of Rome the vulgar Latin as more beloved then the rest 158. That there can be no hope of ending controversies if popular Licence be granted to read the Scriptures That the Doctrines of Faith were so well cleared by the Pope and Schoolmen that we ought no more to learn them out of Scripture That it was indeed formerly read in the Church for instruction of the people but now it was needless to study it any more 159. That Scriptures must be interpreted C. Cusanus according to what articles of faith are established by the Church That the Church may vary in Exposition of Scripture according to the times That it was fit to bridle the sawciness of such as should attempt to add any good thing to former Expositions of Scripture 160. That if any thing were discovered to any singular spirit C. Facceco he should be enforced to conceal it And after all these and such like desperate blasphemies against the Scriptures their Latin Translation is approved and none other to be received And upon pain of Heresie it is forbid to say there are Errors in it 161. and that none shall dare to refuse it though it be plainly proved that they have blasphemously corrupted the Text in many things in that corrupt translation as changing Ipse into Ipsa thereby to make way for their Idolizing the blessed Virgin Fulk Cont. Mart. p. 19 Their desperate wounding the 4. Commandment reading it in this Diabolical Dialect Remember to sanctifie the holy dayes In the Latin Bible upon Deut. 4. Via tuta pag. 280. where it is observed that God forbids the making of Graven Images their Jesuitical Index Expurgatorius hath cast it out as all see they have most shamelesly dealt with all the writings of the Fathers Rhem. Test pag. 328. which hath provoked Doctor Fulk to exclaim against them Out upon you Antichristian Hereticks void of all truth and honesty But their shameful and blasphemous reproaches of these heavenly Witnesses exceed all bounds of civility and humanity charging them with inextricable obscurity insufficient imperfect and what not Paul must be censured for a hot-headed person Europ speculum pag. 164 165. of whose assertions there is no great reckoning to be made that 't is dangerous to read him Fulk Rhem. Test Epist to the Qu. as savouring of Heresie upon these and such like pious conclusions the Sacred Bible hath the honour of the first place in their Catalogue of Books prohibited Via Tuta these Monsters endeavouring to their utmost power to hinder that any sound of Scripture should possess the people This is the nature of that cursed war raised by the Beast against the Scriptures as they are about to finish their Testimony What shall be given unto thee Psal 120.3 4. or what shall be done unto thee for this thy Blasphemy thou false tongue What reward shalt thou have for the marvelous things thou hast done against the most High Sharp Arrows of the mighty with coals of Juniper Thirdly the manner how these heavenly Witnesses were overcome and killed must not be imagined to be a shedding of blood forasmuch as these two Olive trees are uncapable of such suffering But as the working of their enemy is the mystery of iniquity so are the weapons of this warfare such as may carry a resemblance of the weapons that the Lord Jesus useth in his Kingdom 2 Cor. 10.4 whose Vicar the Beast pretends to be So that the Victory obtained by Antichrist over the sacred Scriptures is by the exercise of his power in suspending suppressing prohibiting the Translation of them into the vulgar Languages not permitting them to live or breath in the streets of his great City Indeed they are not buried that is beyond the power of Antichrist they are still above ground but 't is in a dead letter They take out the Candle and give the Lanthorn to guide ignorant people in a dark night Deut. 4.2 28.14 the life and strength of them is taken away nay the very heart of them is pulled out for they have to their everlasting shame excluded the second Commandment from the Decalogue Thus void of fear of that dreadful curse which the Lord hath denounced against such desperate wickedness and without the least apprehension of the terrors of the Almighty his fierce wrath against that abhorred sin of Idolatry which did so often provoke the eyes of his jealousie to punish his ancient people hath this infernal beast not only presumed to blaspheme Fulk Rhem. Test Epist mangle suppress and prohibit the eternall Word but hath also most desperately corrupted the sence of it least the deep silence of these blessed Witnesses thus cloistered within the walls of an unknown Language should break forth into loud clamors against his detestable wickedness you have beheld him tearing out their very heart as it were in discarding the second Precept from their Adulterate Decalogue and this by their detestable Councel of Trent is declared good Catholique Doctrine Europ spec p. 185. Taylor Libert pag. 115. Much like that Antichristian expression of Pope Clement Perswas from Pop. p. 15. who shameth not to vaunt of that detestable Decree of his bloody Inquisition That no Lay man must be permitted to have the Bible or any part thereof in the vulgar Tongue and this he prescribeth to be inviolably kept But from Decrees they at length come down to downright blows c. for
in the three Nations who had so long oppressed the Reformed Churches And I do also conceive that the third wo yet to come doth properly belong to and shall miserably torment the Antichristian Train and all prophane wicked men and false Professors who will slight and reject and contemn the voyces of the feventh Angel For the seventh Viall Rev. 16.17 which will produce this wo is to be poured forth into the common Ayr in which all the cursed brood do breath So that those who will not receive embrace the voyces of the seventh Trumpet proclaiming the Lord Christs personal Reign now at hand must shortly quickly whether they will or no receive the voice of the seventh Vial and that wil be a dreadful direful voyce saying It is Done That is all power of the Enemy is destroyed Babylon is ruined and all the Prophesies and Promises made to Saints are accomplished in this glorious coming of our King and the utter ruine of the king of pride And that which makes this voyce woful and dreadful to purpose is Math. 25.10 Rev. 18.19 with Rev. 11.19 that it is attended with that soul-confounding voyce that will reach the hearts of those fools that now slight the Gospel of Grace viz. The door is shut Mercies door is shut never to be opened any more nothing remains now but Thunders Lightnings terrible Earthquakes such as never was fierceness of wrath blackness of darkness Jude 13. wo and alas for evermore Wherefore my humble advise and earnest request is that you will diligently hearken to receive embrace and walk up to the ensuing voyce of the seventh Trumpet Ah dear friends The door will be shut THus have I endeavoured to hold forth the Light I have received by those soft sweet soul refreshing gales of the blessed Spirit concerning this deep Mystery of the Prophesy Slaughter Resurrection and Ascention of the two Witnesses With the rise raign and ruine of Antichrist which will be fully compleated in the days of the Voyce of the seventh Angel Whereof I shall now speak as of the second part of the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation The Fifteenth Verse And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever TO give an account of my judgement concerning the Seals Trumpets and Vials it appears cleer to my understanding that the opening of each Seal is the Discovery of some Gospel-light one glorious Truth after another as the day approacheth and no sooner is one Gospel-Truth made known by the secret breathings of the Spirit according to his word but presently the Trumpet sounds that is The Ministers of the Gospel publish it abroad as the Prophet speaketh The Lord gave the word Psal 68.11 great was the company of those that published it Thus did Luther upon the discovery of new Light sound such an alarum as made the Throne of the Beast to stagger like a drunken man I will not say the first Seal was opened to Luther nor that he was the first Trumpet but this I can speak that a further degree of Gospel-glory new light though the word be odious amongst some was discovered to Calvin and after him to others who as they received it presently became the Lords Trumpets to declare it to the world upon whose refusal of it the Vials are successively poured forth so that first a Seal is opened secondly a Trumpet sounds declaring the truth discovered within that opened Roll thirdly a Vial of wrath is poured forth upon those that hear and reject it but because the Seals Trumpets Vials are not contained in this Chapter I shall forbear to enlarge upon them at this time and prosecute the work of this present Chapter If we look back to the former Discourse of the Witnesses and consider the seven thousand names of men there discovered to be slain or supprest by this present Parliament and observe the sweet consent of things attending it will be no harsh or improbable Conclusion that the seventh and last Trumpet is at this instant sounding yea sounding at present such an Alarum that there are scarce any other voyces heard among watchful Saints but the Lords at hand the Bridegroom is coming The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. Which as it is the earnest expectation of all waking Virgins and the unspeakable support of many a poor dejected disconsolate drooping soul to think in the midst of afflictions temptations and fiery tryals My Lord is a coming to put an end to all my sorrows to wipe all tears from mine eyes to tread Satan under his feet to set me free from sin and sorrow and so I shall by way of improvement of my small Talent least it be found hid in a Napkin for the augumentation of the joy of every waiting longing breathing panting spirit and for the information of such poor souls belonging to Christ who are yet in the Dark as touching this great Mystery hold forth what the Lord hath entrusted in this earthen vessel of the unconceivable Glory of this his universal soveraignty In which glorious discovery I shall shew 1. That he will come to reign upon earth 2. How and in what manner he will come 3. Where he will establish his Throne at his coming 4. When he wil take his great power reign 5. The signes of his coming 6. His ends in thus coming 7. Events succeeding 8. The uses we are to make of all And if these and each of these shall be fully cleared by the pure Word of the Lord without wresting or any other subtile invention of mans brain then let all the sons and daughters of Sion with joy embrace them as intelligence and sweet tokens of love from their King and Husband whose bowels yearn whose high endeared affections are upon the wing unsatisfied with his present glory in Heaven till the fulness of time come that he may be inebriated and overcome with the soul ravishing embraces of his purchased Spouse on Earth But if any circumstance belonging to this glorious Subject shall be found wanting of cleer testimony from the fountain of truth Let it be detested abhorred and rejected as the froath and vanity of a deceived and deluded creature but to the particulars First That the Lord Jesus Christ who did ascend into Heaven shall come again to reign upon the Earth is clear from divers Scriptures Jer. 23.6.33.16 Isai 4.2 first that of Jeremiah Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute Judgement and Justice in the Earth and he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness Secondly That in Rev. 5.10 where the glorified Saints in Heaven do exceedingly exult and rejoyce not only that they are redeemed from amongst men and possest of heavenly
will plead with them there Thither cause thy mighty ones to come O Lord. 11.12 Let the Heathen be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehosaphat for there will I sit to judge all the Heathen round about the Heathens must come up to the Valley the Saints must come down And it will be worth our labours to consider the rest of this third Chapter of Joel which will give much light to this truth for after the Lords Throne is thus erected in the Valley of Jehosaphat it is said that the Lord will dwell in Zion and that there shall be abundance of rich blessings there 17 18. And that for ever as long as the Moon endureth But because the Valley of Jehosaphat Psal 72. Dan 7.14 as it now is hath not capacity or extent to receive the New Jerusalem therefore the Prophet Zachary tells us that it shall be wonderfully enlarged by the dividing of the Mount of Olives Zech. 14.4 And the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West and there shall be a very great Valley For the valley of the Mountains shall reach unto Azal Vers 5 All the land shall be turned as a Plain from Geba to Rimmon 10. and it shal be inhabited in her place 11. And men shall dwell in it and there shall be no more utter destruction But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited and how should it be otherwise when the Prince of Peace shal reign in Glory in the midst of it This then is the place of which the Lord speaketh Isa 65 10. Rev. 24.4 I will rejoyce in Jerusalem and joy in my people and the voyce of weeping shall be no more heard in her nor the voyce of crying here Lord let my soul flourish with thee and thy Saints according to thy Word Rev. 3.21 Fourthly the fourth thing to be discovered is when this Lord of Glory and King of Saints will come to reign in this his Kingdom on Earth and first it is plain that it was not in the dayes of his humiliation for as he is answering his Disciples question about his coming to Judgement Mat. 24.25.6 he tells them the time of it is then when all the Virgins seeing the signs and hearing the voyce or cry Go forth to meet him coming as a Bridegroom to marry his Church that is the whole body of his Saints which will be then compleated and brought together into one place Mat. 24.28 Joh 10.16 where in the view of all the world the Marriage will be gloriously solemnized And secondly it is as plain that this Glorious Reign cannot be after the day of Judgement for then there would be a change in Heaven 1 Cor. 15.24 since it is clear that after Christs Reign and subduing of all his enemies he must give up the Kingdome to his Father Then thirdly it cannot be the spirituall Reign of Christ in that way as most dream which they conceive is now in being and that Christ will never come to Reign any other way save onely in greater purity then he doth now by his Spirit Which fond imaginations as they have not the least substantial Pillar from the word of Truth to support them so the contrary is plain and evident from the clear current of that pure fountain namely that the Lord Jesus Christ will come then and not till then to take to himself his great Power and Reign when all the signs that are to precede his coming are visibly discovered which I am sure are not yet as shall be shewed in its place Again the Spirit was given in a most glorious eminent manner far exceeding present dispensations when the Apostles Generally and Saint John more particularly waited for Act. 3.20 21. Rom. 8.23 1 Thes 4.17 Rev. 1 7. and yet expected this Glorious Personal Reign of Christ as abundance of unerring Witnesses do testifie but in special the present Scripture that I am now opening namely Rev. 11.15 which plainly declareth that the Personal * See Rev. 1.7 Reign of Christ is to begin when the seventh Trumpet is sounding at that time and not before when the seventh Trumpet begins to sound Rev. 10.7 shall this great Mystery be accomplished And certain I am that the Spirituall Kingdome of Christ was gloriously eminent before any of the seven Angels began to sound and therefore it cannot be only the spiritual Kingdom of Christ that is here spoken of and so the time is not yet in being of this Reign of Christ As therefore we must not cast off our expectation of nor our diligent constant watching waiting for this Personal Glorious manifestation on the one hand saying with that evil servant My Lord delayeth his coming and so split our selves upon the desperate rock of carnal security Neither must we run upon that other shelf of a vain ungrounded conceit that he is already come Mat. 24.23 24 25 26 27. whereof our Lord himself hath given us fair warning the Lord give us hearts to receive and embrace it It is not then the spiritual Reign which we now enjoy but the personal glorious truly spiritual Reign which we shall shortly enjoy that is the Life and Crown and Hope and Comfort of many precious enlightned Saints who have found such sweet support succour and solace from this sure Pillar of divine truth that all the delusions of Sathan in this luxurious giddy Age hath not been able to shake The ignorance of this soul-ravishing Gospel-truth is that horrible Gulph that hath swallowed up thousands who finding in the words of truth such glorious things spoken of this day of the Lord but through ignorance in this Mystery and the cunning slights of Sathan who transforms himself to an Angel of Light are deluded in their sence and all their intellectuals beleeving that Christ is come already and doth Reign already whereupon they conclude to throw away all Ordinances for say they Christ hath commanded us to use them till his coming and no longer Do this till I come hold fast till I come Occupy till I come Nay so far hath this restless spirit of error prevailed with some as to beleeve that Christ hath already Reigned that he hath already given up the Kingdom to his Father and that now God is all in all that they live in God that they are God c. And now this Prince of darkness hath plaid his part to purpose now he hath possessed them not only with a distast of Ordinances and slighting of them but now away go Scriptures Christ and all they are a lye an Allegory he a shadow a Type c. and now Sathan hath his will having deceived them so far as to deny the Lord that bought them for he well knows that there is no other name given under heaven to bring salvation but this Christ whom they thus reject and now he is cock sure of them and now they are ripe
their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away And thus will he perform the second more glorious work upon their souls for a through conversion And now I do heartily desire for the confirmation of Saints and for the confutation of such as deny the glorious personal Reign of Christ that they will seriously consider and weigh those cleer proofs of Scripture that do so fully establish this truth viz. That when the Jews shall be thus wonderfully converted Jer. 33.14 15 16. Joel 3.1 2. even then and not before shall this King of glory take to himself his great power and Reign what can be more plain and clear then this In those days and at that time see those other Scriptures now will this glorious Mystery be fulfilled which hath been so largely held forth by all the Prophets Rev. 10.6 7. the seventh Angel is now sounding who swears that time shall no longer be delayed but the Lord Jesus that high and mighty one shall gird his sword upon his thigh and wonderfully bring in this his ancient people to whom shall all Saints be joyned with transcendent glory Wilt thou admit such a one as I into this glory Lord 4. To Babel burning an eternal fall SIons restauration must be Babels confusion the same blessed day that brings forth Jerusalems safety and felicity will also produce Romes ruine and everlasting misery I do not undertake which of these shall precede whether the Jews Call or Romes Fall I believe they will neither of them be long a doing it may be as sudden as our change shall be Zeph. 1.18 Joel 3.4 he will certainly make a speedy riddance swiftly and speedily will he return Romes recompence upon the accursed heads of all her children But that which the word of truth is full and clear in is that Rome Antichrist and all their adherents Rev. 14.8.16.17 c. 17 1â—.18.2 c. Jer. 51.8 c. shall certainly be destroyed and that I may prosecute my design or rather the design of the Spirit of God it is plain that Antichrist and Rome shall be destroyed even then and not before the Lord Jesus shall come in Person 2 Thes 2.8 he is now consuming him with the Spirit of his mouth but he shall give up the ghost at the brightness of his coming But since this is the day of Antichrist's consumption in which we live it behoves all true hearted Saints diligently to consider what the will and minde of the Lord is concerning us how he would have us be acted in order to the accomplishment of this great design First we must joyn in prayer with our fellow brethren under the Altar Rev. 6.9 10. and give the holy One of Israel no rest till Babylon be consumed and Jerusalem be made a praise in the Earth And secondly we must set hand and heart purse and person to the work even the great work the strange Act that he is doing for and by his Saints yea let every one that is the redeemed of the Lord say I will have a hand in her destruction Jer. 51.1.2 c. Psal 137. â— 9 yea blessed yea happy shall he be that hath his hands deepest dyed in the blood of her children 5. The world combined hath a fatal blow THis is the fifth remarkable change that will help to celebrate the triumphs of the glorious day for as the long enthralled Jews and Israelites are entred into their ancient Land and have newly got Possession of the present Jerusalem their potent Enemies Turk Pope c who have long detained them in a miserable slavery shal raise huge Armies to pursue them Dan. 11.45 and shal plant their Tabernacles in the glorious holy mountain see this fully Ezek. 38.4 5 6 9.15 16. and Chap. 39.6 And shall begirt their new-obtained City Zâ—ch 14.2 which they shall speedily storm and take and reduce these most miserable distressed people into such dreadful calamities Dan. 12.1 Zâ—ch 12.10 11. as the like was never heard of since there was a Nation even to that same time but in the midst of these sad straights fearful horror and dismal darkness when nothing but black despair or a second more miserable slavery then ever is before them the great Prince of the Kings of the Earth shall appear in some wonderful manner to them Dan. 12.1 and shal go forth and fight against those Nations and put such terror into their hearts and such courage into the hearts of his unarmed people Isa 14.2 that they shall take them captives whose Captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors 6. Satan confined to his den below HIs present condition is a Princely Rule in the ayr and in the hearts of the children of disobedience but in these Halcyon days will that blessed voyce be heard amongst the Saints Now is come salvation and strength Rev. 12.10 20.1 and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down For the Angel shall binde and shut him up in the bottomless Pit to which he shall be confined for a thousand years during which restraint he shall not be able no not to tempt his own vassals but they shall willingly serve the Saints for the preservation of their lives till the thousand years be fulfilled Vers 3. And after that he must he loosed a little season Of which I shall speak in its place Some have fancyed that Satan hath been already bound and the thousand years are already expired but without any shadow of truth since there hath not been the least intermission of Satans rage and fury since the Book of the Revelation was written For what with the gross Idolatry of Pagans obstinate blindness of the Jews wonderful defection of Turks strange Errors Sects and Heresies of Christians abominable Superstition Idolatry Ignorance and all kinde of wickedness with bloudy persecution of Saints by Antichrist Alstedius Dr. Hakewill Apol. pag. 476. which things cannot possibly stand with the confinement of Satan and consequently this Prophesie is yet unfulfilled and the time of the binding up of this Bandog will be the glorious triumphant state of Saints when they shall be marryed to Christ the universal Monarch of this great Universe 7. The whole Creation finds a full Release FOr now this second Adam shall compleat his work Rom. 8.19 and reduce the whole frame of Nature to its primitive purity and perfection which by the sin of the first Adam hath been so long subjected to vanity and corruption this is that great Deliverer and this time of his personal Reign wil be the blessed state as of the redemption of our bodies from sin Acts 3.21 sorrow corruption so of the restitution of all things the Elements and all that are produced by them to that goodness wherein they were first created how often have we like Parrots prated
over in our Popish Liturgy this heavenly Doctrine which to this day we understand not Psal 67 4. O let the Nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the Nations upon Earth Selah Mark that but now Saints have experience of this blessed Mystery Jer. 35.5 that at the same time when this King shall reign and prosper and execute judgement and justice in the earth Ezech. 34.23.24 then shall the earth bring forth her encrease when David the great Prince shall reign here in highest glory then and not till then shall the whole Creation brought into this glorious Liberty of the Sons of God fill the Universe with abundance of all rich blessings I have little to say to those who knowing nothing of this wonderful Mystery of the glorious Reign of our King and know as little of the meaning of Rom. 8.19 c. Yet because they must say something are pleased in their grave wisdoms to affirm that this glorious liberty with the children of God which the whole Creation shall enjoy is nothing but the annihilation of the creature as if all Creatures which in their kinde do wonderfully endeavor the preservation of themselves should yet groan and earnestly long to be made nothing what is this but to speak daggers and introduce a secret Atheism 8. And every Nation flourishes with Peace HOw can it be otherwise when the Kingdoms of the world are ruled and governed by the Prince of Peace what the glorious Peace of the Saints shall be hath been in part and shall be more fully declared But there will be universal peace over all the earth for all the wicked of the world shall as earnestly seek peace as ever the Gibeonites sought it of the Israelites when the great seducer of mankind is shut up in prison his Vassals will neither have skil nor courage to stand in opposition against the Saints for he that hath the disposing of all hearts will so mould their spirits that they shall be glad to crouch for safety at the Saints feet and blessed be the Name of our exalted King he hath already given his people in this Land a taste hereof when in many places the proudest enemie thinks himself in a safe condition that can obtain the favor of a child of God to serve himself and his forfeited estate But in this glorious Reign of Christ it will be universally so Psal 72.8 for when his Domiminion shall reach from sea to sea even to the ends of the earth then they that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and of the Iles shall bring Presents 10. the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts 11. yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him This is that blessed time when the Righteous shall flourish and abundance of Peace so long as the Moon endureth Mic. 4.3 Isai 11.6 7 8 9. then and not till then shall they beat their Swords into Plowshares and their Spears into Pruning-hooks no more contention no more war for ever 9. The Mount asunder cleaves t' enlarge the Plain IF all the Prophesies that are fulfilled already concerning Christ were performed in the very Letter Psal 8.2 Ps 22.18 Isai 7.14 Zech. 9.9 I desire any man to show a substantial Reason why those that are yet unacccomplisht should belookt upon in a mysterious obscure way till such a reason be given I must look upon this as upon all other Prophesies to be fulfilled in the same way as others have been and therefore must expect according to the Word that this day of Wonders will produce this Wonder amongst the rest that the Mount of Olives that stands over the Valley of Jehosaphat shall cleave indeed Zech 14.4 to enlarge that Vale to a sufficient capacity for the reception of the New Jerusalem it is clear Ver. 10. that it shall reach from Geba to Rimmon but of what extent that will be is I think unknown only this it seems to extend over the whole Land of Palestina Psal 60.6 what else means the Royal Psalmist I will divide Shechem Vers 8. and mete out the Valley of Succoth Moab is my washpot Psal 87.3 4. and 108 7 8 9. over Edom will I cast out my shooe Philistia triumph thou because of me and that of the Prophet In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is faln Amos 9.11 12. that they may possess the remnant of Edom and of all the Heathen they shall possess the Mount of Esau Obad. 19.20 21. and they of the Plain Philistia c. And Saviours shall come upon Mount Sion to judge the Mount of Esau Isai 10.29 c. and the Kingdom shall be the Lords All which compared makes good the word of Zechariah That the dividing of this Mount of Olives shall produce a very great Valley Zech. 14.4 till which Valley appear in its lustre and beauty not any of the notions of Giddy brains shall stagger my faith to conceit That my Lord is already come to Reign That Vale of Wonder where the Lord must Reign AS once the eyes of Elisha's servant were opened to see the Mountains full of Horses and Chariots of fire 2 Kings 6.17 so certainly were the eyes of this Prophet in a wonderful manner enlightened to see the glory of the Lords Day Joel 3.14 the Day of his great Power in this mighty Valley of Jehosaphat at which glorious apparition he raiseth up his voyce as one transported with this heavenly rapture Multitudes multitudes in the Valley of Decision for the Day of the Lord is neer in the Valley of Decision but what will the transcendent joy of this Prophet be with all the blessed Prophets and Saints of Christ when this Day of the Lord is come in the Valley of Dicision when we shal see all the heavenly Host gathered together in this spacious Mount-dividing Valley Psal 45. Matth 25.31 Jude 14. 2 Thes 4.14 Joel 3 2. the Lord of Glory riding in his Glory and Majesty attended with all the holy Angels in heaven and all those Myriades of Saints that sleep in Jesus this mighty Potentate How unconceiveably glorious how wonderfully spacious will this Valley of Jehosaphat then be which must contain all the Saints and Angels in heaven with all both good and bad that are found living upon the earth this is no private fancy but the express words of the Spirit of God I will also gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehosaphat Verse 11. and will plead with them there Assemble your selves and come all ye Heathen and gather your selves together round about thither cause thy mighty Ones to come down O Lord Let the Heathen be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehosaphat 12. for there will I sit to
power in which after he hath reigned with his Saints a thousand years in full beatitude such wonderful Changes will ensue as will make a ready entrance to that great change when changes shall be no more 1. 1 Cor. 15 2â— Rev. 20.7 Vers 8. As first Satan shall be loosed for a little season wherein he will so bestir himself in all quarters of the Earth exciting his vassals that have gladly served the Saints this thousand years to shake the yoak from off their necks which they as his sworn servants shall readily yield to and this will produce 2. The second Change which will be the combination of these his Instruments whose number is as the sand of the Sea and in confidence of their great strength they shall surround the beloved City think by their huge multitudes to devour it at once but how little does this trouble the Saints within all tears were wiped away from their eyes long ago they know not what belongs to sorrow or trouble for the Prince of peace and Author of eternal felicity is among them if they can hurt him they may harm them but both being above the reach of these poor deluded creatures they are only making way for their own eternal ruine for while they are thus besieging the Camp of the Saints 3. The world is fired about their ears Vers 9. 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 20.11 12. with it themselves are devoured and this produceth the final conclusion of this great day for now 4. The Lord is seated in his great white Throne before whom the Earth and the Heaven vanisheth 5. Then shall the dead smal and great be raised stand before his great Tribunal upon his left hand as so many cursed goats Math. 24 32. vessels of wrath fitted to destruction where they shall receive the final sentence of eternal condemnation which is a perpetual separation from the presence of Gods love to be tormented with reprobate Angels and men the objects of his wrath and fury to all eternity oh what will they do in this estate of eternity oh that they would now consider of it Why are not the sinners in Sion now afraid Isa 33.14 why doth not fearfulnes now surprise the hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who among us shal dwel with everlasting burnings 'T wil be in vain then to cal to the Mountains Rocks for a hiding place 6. But the Saints are securely hid in the great Rock and sure Refuge of his people who are long since acquitted by vertue of their marriage with the Kings Son Ephes 5.27 2 Pet. 3.14 who now presents his Spouse pure spotless a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing and so having also justified them before Angels and men he makes a free surrender of his Office of Mediator with his purchased Spouse into the hands of his and our Father 1 Cor. 15.24.28 who is the eternal infinite Ocean of that fulness of happiness 1 Joh. 3.2 1 Cor. 13.12 which we must and well may admire but shal never fully understand till we come to see him as he is know him as we are known O thou infinite Ocean of transcendent sweetness for this Jesus sake whom thou so deerly lovest raise up thy Saints by the divine influence of thy eternal Spirit to such a heighth and eminency of faith zeal love holiness and all heavenly qualifications that we may be able to comprehend with all Saints Ephes 3.18 19. what is the bredth and length and depth and heighth and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulness of God to behold thy blessed face in that day with joy Come Sions sons with Sions songs Psal 145.45.14 15. Attend your Royal King Joyn consort in coelestial throngs Rev. 19.6 â— His wondrous reign to Sing Heark Virgins that 's the midnight cry Mat. 25.6 The Bridegroom is at hand With burning Lamps full vessels by Verse 10. Stand lovely Virgins stand That 's he who with ten thousand Saints Jude 14. In those bright clouds appears Dan. 7.10 We joyn so cease all sad complaints Rev. 1.7 1 Thes 4.17 All troubles toyl and tears Isai 56.19 Now like his glorious body we Phil. 3.21 Shall all be fashioned Rev. 7.9.14 With Robes and Crowns of Majesty As Kings be furnished Thus to Jehosaphats fair Vale Joel 3.2 11 12. We with our King descend Where vanquisht foes faint feeble pale Psal 72.11 Must at his Throne attend The day is come Micah 4.1 the Lord must reign The Saints must judge the world Dan. 7.27 Satan confin'd Rev. 20.2.19.20 his cursed train Into confusion hurl'd Rom. 8.19 20 21 22. The groaning creature from that snare Which long entangled them Set free Isai 56.26 with Saints in glory share Of new Jerusalem Acts 3.21 These sweet refreshing times Acts 3.19 O Lord From thy sweet presence spring Psal 16 11. With hearts and voyces Saints accord Rev. 11.17 Thy glorious reign to sing What remains then Rev. 11.16 but that all the Saints who expect this appearance of our Lord do with the four and twenty Elders fall down and worship God Vers 17. saying We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great Power and hast reigned For this work this wondrous work Isai 52.9 10. is so certain that the Spirit of the Lord presents it like many other Prophesies as already done Great ground of rejoycing is this to Saints as it is ground of terror and vexation to the wicked there 's not more sad news in the world then this to the ungodly this will be a dark day to them according as it follows for I shall but name the rest The eighteenth Verse And the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that fear thy Name smal and great and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth Here the portion of the Saints is far different from that of the dead and earthy-minded men and therefore there must be different returns from them While then the Nations are angry at the wrath and judgements of that Lord whom they have so much sleighted let the Prophets and Saints and them that fear the Name of the Lord exceedingly triumph for the time is at hand that they shall be superaboundantly rewarded for all their pains and labours of Love and Charity for all their reproaches scorns and affronts that the world hath cast upon them for all their sufferings and cruel mockings and all manner of persecutions for it is to them that the following words pertain The ninteenth Verse And
the Temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament This is the lot and portion of the Righteous which because we cannot conceive or understand I shall pass over in silence hoping that our spirits will be raised to admire what cannot be expressed in word or conceived in the heart pressing forward by a Christian conversation to the sweet fruition of that glory which will be the sure portion of those that have part in the first Resurrection while the wicked that continue to do wickedly have nothing to expect or hope for in that day but that wherewith the Spirit closeth this Chapter And there were lightnings and voyces and thundrings and an Earthquake and great hail This will be the terrible portion of those of whom the Apostle Jude speaketh Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 14.15 The mouths of wicked men will then be stopped and put to silence though now they bark and belch forth blasphemies at pleasure against the Saints yet will it then be proved to their faces that all their wicked actions and hard speeches are done and spoken against him whose doctrine they now reject whose yoak they will not now bend to whose personal Reign they contemn as a Fable but then will they Lâ—ke 19. â—â— nill they this voyce shal reach them But those mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me And this will be such a slaughter where they will be ever killing and never dead but shall live in death to all eternity As this is ground of wo and alas to the wicked sort Mat. 25.10 against whom the door is now shut never to be opened any more never more tenders of Grace never more offers of Mercy in the Gospel but howling and wailing without ceasing world without end So is it true matter of unspeakable joy to all Saints no ground of Joy like this it comes with a Rather Luke 10.20 But rather rejoyce because your names are written in heaven This is the poor souls fulness of joy 1 Joh. 1.3 4. to know his interest in that society that shall continue rejoycing to all eternity I give a word of advice in the wordsof the Spirit to every man that hath this hope in him 1 Joh. 3.3 to purifie himself even as he is pure for since our expectation is such what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation godliness 2 Pet. 3.11 12 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherefore gird up the loyns of your mind be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.13 Luk 2.36 And ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he wil return from the wedding Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he comes shall find watching Isa 30.18 yea blessed are all they that waite for him It s no matter deer Christians how much pains we take in the way nor what our trouble and misery is for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 When Christ our King shall say Well done thou good and faithful Servant Mat. 25.21 enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. How then should our hearts be transported with holy Ravishments in expectation of this his Appearance singing in Consort with the Heavens Earth Sea Fields and Trees in the sweet Singers heavenly Rapture For he cometh Psa 96. for he cometh to judge the Earth he shall judge the world with Righteousness and the people with his Truth Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly FINIS