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
their Protector to the Beggar Rev. 14 10. woe unto you rich who have laid up treasures for the last days for you have your consolation Jam. 5. 1. yea woe unto you Souldier that fightest under the Beasts Banner because the want of a good conscience will eat out thy valouâ— Jer. 50. â—3 woe unto you that seek great things for your selves Jer. 45. and make not God the Patron of your preferment you might as in the Jewish fields have pluckt and eat what you would but not have pocketted up as ye have done the Kings Deans and Chapâ—eâ—s lands or the accursed thing c. yea woe to you that have deceived others for that ye shall find by your long dissembling ye have most deceived your selves at last Isai 33. 1. and not to you that have been both the Archer and Maâ—k in all your actions shooting at your own Praise and Profit because an Arrow shall come from the Kings hands Psal 45. which must shoot you thorow the very heart Isai 1. 31. Woe woe to you Lyers Dissemblers and False witnesses who believe your own lyes to be true whiles ye turn the truth into a lye for the time will come when few will believe you though you speak true seeing you have set your wits to work on tenter-hooks for artificial Evasions from natural Obligations besides Army-declarations and God will frustrate the tokens of the lyars Isai 44. 45. yea woe to those Foxes who with fire brands at their â—ayles have set us into a flame for they shall burn up themselves in their own mischief and he that teacheth lyes is the tayl saith the Prophet Isai 9. 15. woe to them that are serving themselves oâ— the times for their own ends because yet a little while and they will see the Times to be served upon them for Gods ends And woe woe to the Statists who are now the Centre wherein all the lines of Intelligence meet from forrein parts because the time will come quickly wherein all the lines of most notable intelligence shall run from you and be reported of you into forrein parts woe to you Tyrants and Nimrods of the earth that do now rule over the Saints and make them to howl Isai 52. 5. because the time of the end doth come wherein you shall howl and the Saints shall rejoyce and rule over you Isai 14. 2. and there was written therein lamentation mourning and wo Ezekâ— to even so Amen Dan. 7. 18. but the Saints of the most High shall take Vikabbâ—lun undertakâ— the Kingdom JOHN ROGERS The time of the End Wherein is shewed that until the three years and half begin which are the last of the 1260 days Gods people will not understand the period of the Fourth Monarchy and the Beasts dominion But when that Time shall come they shall have before its expiration the certain knowledge of it by the appearing of a Little Horn the later Apostacie and a Beast The particular Characters of which little Horn Apostacie and Beast as the holy Ghost in Scripture sets them down are here opened and so left for the Wise to understand by application THe great Business of Christs Little Flock at this time is about the understanding of the Times to know what Israel ought to do when Daniel and John's Numbers shall end the Spoiler cease to spoil and the STONE begins to smite the Image Many of the Lords Worthies have spent their studie and much time in the search thereof And no marvel considering how necessary it is that the SET-TIME be understood before any Action can safely be undertaken by the Saints of the most High against Babylon Among others I who am one of the least of the flock according to the measure of grace given me have with a broken and humble spirit sought the Lord and searched diligently the Prophecies to finde out the end of these Wonders Now after much seeking and long waiting upon the great Revealer of Secrets what I finde upon my heart as given in I hope from God to be Truth I shall willingly make it known unto my brethren and companions in tribulation And because the way which I shall take hath not been I think observed before I shall therefore endeavour to express my minde and meditations of my heart the more plainly and will first lay down certain General Considerations to the end what I shall say afterward as more home and proper to the TIME may the better be understood CONSID. I. To understand the Times it is of great use that the Prophetical Numbers be distinguished and rightly applied that is to know what Numbers are proper to the Gentile-Christians and what to the Jews These Viz. Until a time times and the dividing of time Dan. 7. 25. So Chap. 12. 7. It shall be for a time times and half Again the fourty and two months Rev. 11. 2. and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days v. 3. and the Witnesses lying dead three days and an half v. 9. So again the 1260 days Rev. 12. 6. and the time and times and half a time V. 14. these Numbers I conceive concern the Gentiles as proper to their work and time But the two thousand and three hundred days Dan. 8. 14. and the one thousand two hundred and ninety days Dan. 12. 11. and one thousand three hundred thirty and five days vers 12. are to be understood of the Jews onely Again as these Numbers are to be distinguished so they must be kept apart For the Gentiles account and the Jews do not as I take it contemporize The Gentile-Saints will be upon their work how long I shall not say but before there will be any life or visible stirring amongst the dry bones This to me is evident by the order of the Vials if well considered five of the seven are to be poured out by the Christian Gentiles before the Jews awake under the sixth Vial. And as for these Vials or seven last plagues I humbly conceive though many good men are otherwise minded that none of them are yet poured our Besides I take it Moses words Deut. 32. 21. have this meaning that the Jews shall be provoked to rise and seek their own enlargement and liberty partly by the example of the Gentile-Saints when they shall see the Lords work prosper in their hands against the Western Beast and partly by the assistance and help which they shall have from the Gentiles many ways Isat 60. 9. CONSID. II. It will not be known when the fourty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days shall end the Time of the Beasts reign and the womans abiding in the wilderness until the three years and half are come For howsoever these three years and half are to be reckoned in the number of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years yet must this last time begin yea I think well-nigh expire before the Wise will understand that the set and appointed Time is come This to
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
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
of God in his providential dispensations It hath been the practice of worldly powers to justifie their unrighteous Wars and Murthers by crying up Providence As if their Victories and Conquests must needs be lawful because of the Oportunities and advantages which they had though yet no otherwise then what Thieves and Highway-robbers may pretend to Saul fell twice into David's hands might not this be thought a Providence as leading him to take the kingdom but there was something more in David's eye as he waited for the kingdom namely the Appointed time CONSID. VI. Therefore neer or about the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years that is to say in the last three years and an half of that Number certain most remarkable and wonderful things will come to pass for there shall appear then a Little Horn of which Daniel speaks Chap. 7. the later Apostacie foretold by the Apostle 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 c. and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit who shall slay the Witnesses Rev. 11. 7. These things shall be so obvious and plain not onely in respect of the certain time when they did rise but so exactly agreeing in all things with the Scriptures as hereby the wise shall understand that now The Time of the End is come Concerning this notable Time I finde many Writers both ancient and modern to mention it although not agreeing in their Application Some think these three years and an half shall be immediately before the ultimate or last Judgement Others a little before Christ s personal coming to reign on earth Others think of which opinion I am that these three years and an half in which will be the Little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast shall be a long time before the Judgement of the great day yea and many years before Christ's personal appearing But howsoever in application they differ yet in these two great points they agree 1. That these three years and an half do period the forty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days and that there shall be in this Time a Little Horn a great Apostacie and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit 2. Immediately after these three years and half there will be a visible and universal change of things thorow the whole world For the little Horn shall be destroyed Babylon fall all earthly powers broken to pieces and the Saints of the most High raised up to a most glorious and blessed estate Neither is it to be thought strange that this hath been the opinion of some men in all ages since the Primitive time even hitherto for if the Prophecies be read with heed and observation so much in my understanding lies open and very clear in them But of this more hereafter CONSID. VII Now for the characters of the little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast this must be heeded Look as the Scriptures set them down so they must have all their full and due accomplishment yea more these Characters at least most of them cannot be applied to any persons or things without force to the Text but onely to THAT little Horn THAT Apostacie and THAT Beast which are to be in the three years and an half Hence I may say though with much tenderness some have very much wrested the Prophecies in applying the Little Horn to this man and that man the Apostacie to be meant of such persons and the Beast to be understood so and so the which applications in many particulars have no ways parallel'd But there is no need of doing so for when the three years and half come there shall appear such a Little Horn Apostacie and Beast as all the Scripture-characters shall fall in altogether and every way with them CONSID. VIII Though we might finde out a littile Horn characterized according to Daniel but no Apostacie or suppose an Apostacie and a little Horn but no Beast slaying the Witnesses This could not be the three years and an half for I conceive all three must be at one time begin and end together Not minding this some have been mistaken in taking the little Horn single and apart from the Apostacie and Beast and would have him to be many hundred years before the two later were in the world Whereas to me the one shall not be before nor after the other but as I said before contemporize Of this likewise I shall speak more when I come to the particulars CONSID. IX But the great Question is Seeing the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days shall be as I think in this way and manner made known viz. by a little Horn an Apostacie and Beast appearing in the last three years and half By whom and how will the Lord do it This methinks is shewed in Daniel chap. 12. 5 6 7 c. Two are said to stand by the river the one on this side of the bank and the other on that side of the river These two I take to be Types the one of the Gentile-Churches the other of the Jews to whom Jesus Christ the Man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river being ask'd of both for the word one is not in the text How long shall it be to the end of these wonders the Gentile-type is answered first vers 7. It shall be for a time times and an half and so referr'd to the three years and an half as if he should say What concerns you Gentiles as to the understanding of the Visions and Prophecies of this book the words are sealed up for a time times and an half and when that time shall come namely the last three years and an half of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years I will put of my Spirit into some of my servants represented here by one of the two standing on the bank of the river whereby they shall open this great mystery to the Churches of the Saints among the Gentiles Fulfilling herein what is said in the Prophet Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets Amos 3. 7. As for the other carrying the type of the Jews he hath his answer vers 11 12. Again I conceive the Gentile-type in Daniel is the same with Rev. 18. 1. that angel which cometh down from heaven having great power and the earth was enlightned with his glory If the order of things be duly observed enlightning goes before the work I say before smiâ—ing the Image and rendering vengeance upon Babylon It is true the followers of the Lamb are bid to reward her as she hath rewarded you and double unto her double c. vers 6. yet so as to be enlightned first the which enlightning must needs be understood part at least of the set and appointed time when to begin to reward her That none of the seven last plagues are yet poured out I have given some Reasons publikely Now whereas unto John
as my own apprehension That the Lord of hosts will not make his worm Jacob a new sharp threshing-instrument having teeth nor Israel his battle-ax and weapons of war with which he will thresh the mountains and break in pieces Nations destroy Kingdoms c. until the foresaid time that is the three years and half are accomplished The saws came not forth from Babylon by the Proclamation of Cyrus till the seventy years were fulfilled Neither were their fathers before them â— brought ouâ— of Egypt till the whole time was run out which the Lord had fore-appointed for their sojourning there And it came to pass saith the text at the end of the four hundred and thirty years EVEN THE SAME DAY it came to pass that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt Exod. 12. 41. So now in the spirit of meekness be it spoken it is not the Lord's minde I verily think that the Stone should be smiting the Image or the little Horn to take away his dominion and to consume and destroy it until the times time and dividing of time be out which by divine counsel they are to have Now whereas some may object that saying of Christ For the elects sake these days shall be shortned Matth. 24. 22. Mar. 13. 19 20. as if this might be gathered from it That the set time mentioned in Scripture viz. the fourty and two months and the three years and half may be shortned and so Gods people go forth before it be expired I answer There is I conceive a great mistake in the understanding of that place For Christ speaks not of any shortning of the set and fixed time allowed the little Horn or Babylon or the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth or their lying slain but the meaning is There would be such calamities and miseries in the world that unless the Lord should shorten the time no flesh could be saved But of what time speaks he not of the fixed time that is he means not the one thousand two hundred and sixty days or fourty and two months or the three days and half but speaks of Time largely as if he should say If the Lord should permit these calamities to continue many thousand generations there would be a consumption and end of all mankinde but for the love he bears to his chosen he hath shortned the time that is in his holy counsel determined the woman in the wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth shall not exceed such a time So the little Horn the Beast and Babylon c. So that by shortning the time he means not any set time of years mentioned in Scripture but shortned that is it shall not exceed the years so and so appointed CONSID. XIII But that I may not be mistaken in some things I said before as first Beginning at the head of the account thus I would be understood Howsoever I think it is very uncertain to know exactly the period of the Beasts dominion beginning at the head of the account neither doth the Spirit of God intend to lead his people in such a way viz. through the confusion and contradiction of humane Histories to finde out CERTAINLY the time of the end but in the way here mentioned Notwithstanding if it come to pass that some good men by their labours and studie beginning at the head do period their account with our three years and half or miss not much the blessed truth by this is the more confirmed and the Lords good hand and wonderful providence greatly seen in it Again heretofore both others and my self too have sought to finde out the end of the Numbers by searching the rise of the Beast because then we understood no other way and in that respect following the light we had the Lord no doubt was well pleased with our upright endeavours yea and gave a blessing to it witness the fruit and advantage which many precious souls in this Nation have had thereby So that I am so far from seeking to have the blessed memory of our former Worthies any way darkned as I profess in the fear of God I judge my self to come short of many of them and if any thing delivered by me be clearer in respect of the time it is because THE TIME OF THE END is now neerer then when they wrote So for the Signes of the Times I am for them rightly improv'd as much as any man When these things begin to come to pass then look up saith Christ and list up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21. 28. Indeed these Signes by Saints in all places ought much to be minded Christ blamed the Jews for their neglect of this thing Matth. 16. 3. And I must confess from the Signes of the times I have had much light and encouragement in this present Undertaking Onely my opinion is To know when the set-time is come for the Stone to begin to smite and the last plagues to be poured out we have no Scripture-light to be guided by but the three years and aâ— half And when this time is come it will be as easie to know the beginning and ending of it as to discern the Little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast CONSID. XIV To conclude with an humble and brotherly word â—o all in all places who are for the Kingdom-work and desire to follow the Truth in love and light I have no designe O ye precious ones to weaken your hearts or hands in the work of your Generation and your appearing for your KING and mine but rather to strengthen and encourage you in whatsoever is from him and for him These CONSIDER ATIONS I shall leave with you as a Manuduction to the other Part. All which gathered together speak thus 1. It seems to me as grounded on Scripture until the three years and half begin and are well-nigh expir'd which are the last of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years Gods people will not understand the period of the Time Neither 〈◊〉 may we say that such a time is come unless we see the Little Horn in Daniel the Apostacie foretold of Paul and the Beast slaying the Witnesses all these must appear together with all the Characters specified in the places and contemporize 3. When such a time is come Saints shall certainly know it before it doth expire 4. By all the search and enquiry I have made I do not see any way but this to finde out the time of the End if we take the Word of God for our light and guide 5. Until these three years and half are finished the rod of the Lords strength will not go out of Zion So that to begin war against Babylon or any of the Powers of this world upon the account of the fifth kingdom is not I humbly conceive to follow the Lamb but to go before him I say if the aforesaid three years and an half be not come and ended Lastly seeing we are not
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
ordinary I will not say directly what it is nor declare at present my own thoughts yet this I shall say it being a truth I think when this Horn shall reign whosoever shall be the Inventers and setters up of his Power and Government they will not dye the death of all men not bee slain or dismembred as the former were but some extraordinary punishment will bee inflicted upon them If these men dye the common death of all men or if they bee visued after the visitation of all men then the Lord hath not sent mee Numb 16. 29. And so much the word signifies And they shall take away his dominion As the former respecteth persons so this doth things that is the State and Government it self The meaning I conceive to bee thus After the Army is destroyed and many put to death by a Judicatory for justifying the Horn in his unlawful actions and himself and his MAKERS given to the burning flame Such a stink will that HORN leave behind him as some speedy course shall bee taken to have the very remembrance of him blotted out under the whole heaven It remains now to shew how and in what manner it shall bee done To take the Scripture for our light It seems thus When the three years and half are fully expired the wise shall understand that hee is the Little Horn foretold in Daniel and to bee destroyed and this light shall spread it self among the Saints of the Most High yea so clear and certain will the thing bee they having the word of God and his spirit for it providence likewise leading the way that they shall publikely declare what they intend to do The work beginnes with an Earthquake Rev. 11. 13. And it shall bee such an Earth-quake as will shake the Horn to purpose in his Councel Guards Army and relations every where Insomuch as hee will bee miserably forsaken and left by most people Few abiding with him unlesse desperate men and such who are so deeply ingaged with him as have no hope to save themselves from bodily punishment by Repentance The Saints knowing the set Time is come that the Lord will have mercy upon Zion and being called out of the Temple to pour out the Vial upon the Earth-Apostacy being ready go forth in the Name and strength of the Lord. And though they may have some opposition at first yet I think they will be Conquerors at last without much losse I say fighting for the Lamb For so wonderfull will the presence of God bee with them and so dreadful to the enemy that this warre will bee short and none of them after once broken to peices will durst lift up their hands any more in the Horns behalf Thus I have ended with the Little Horn. And in the close this I can truely say what I have written is my Conscience bearing mee Witnesse no otherwise than I understand the Prophesy neither have I said any thing but what I conceive to bee the Truth in Jesus And further I have all along with Sighs and Groans besought the father of Light That I might bee lead by his Spirit into the way of Truth The meek will hee guide in Judgement and the meek will hee teach his way Psal 25. 9. Call unto mee and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not Jer. 33. 3. Job 20. v. 4 5 6 7 8 9. Knowest thou not this of old since man was placed upon earth That the triumphing of the wicked is short and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment though his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reach unto the clouds Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung they that have seen him shall say where is he He shall flee away like a dream and shall not bee found yea hee shall bee chased away as a vision of the night The eye also which saw him shall see him no more neither shall his place any more be hold him THE CHARACTERS OF THE Beast Slaying the Witnesses OPENED THAT Generall Head which remaines is The Beast slaying the Witnesses In the opening and handling whereof we shall propound four things 1. What this Beast is 2. Who are the Witnesses and how they are slaine by the Beast 3. How it doth appeare the Witnesses slaine by the Beast lying three dayes and an halfe unburied are the three years and an halfe contemporizing with the latter Apostacie and little horne 4. Whether the Prophesie of the Beast slaying the Witnesses be fulfild in our Time First I would have the Reader take notice Howsoever I handle these things distinctly and a part yet I understand the Ap stacie and the little Horne and the Beast that slayes the witnesses to make up but one Government or State The Apostacie part is the Body Relly out of which comes the other Two The Beast is that Pert by whom the witnesses are kild and it hath the Name of a Horn for its Sovereignty and kinglinesse So that as I said in the beginning it cannot be the three years and halfe unlesse there be all three to make the lâ—st Dominion And when they shall have finished their Testimony Rev. 11. 7. That is Near or about the time of finishing their Testimony And so the words are rendred by many Interpreters It is true some think the three years and a halfe are not to be reckoned with the 1260 years but apart from that account But methinks this cannot be For the 42 months being expired the Saints take the Kingdome And so I understand Rev. 10. 6. There shall be time no longer But when is that When the 1260 years are ended the mysterie of God is finished as to the reign of the little Horne and Tyrannie of the Beast not to scatter the Saints and kill the Witnesses any longer But the Woman comes out of the Wildernesse and the Witnesses ascend up into Heaven and fire comes forth from the Lord to devour the Adversary But whether we take the three years and an halfe in the number of the 1260 dayes or a part it is all one to the matter here Howsoever I think it periods the first account The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse Pit rather depth or gulfe for pit is not in the Text nor in Cha. 17 8. but Chap. 9. 1. it is It is to be observed the Beast here cannot be that Beast Rev. 13. 1. which is said to rise up out of the Sea for he is to continue 43 months that is 1260 years v. 5. But this riseth not till that terme be near expired onely three years and halfe remaining And so much the Text plainly holds forth When they shall have finished their Testimonie a Beast ascendeth out of the depth c. Not the Beast which was risen before but a Beast now comes forth Intimating that purposely and for no other end as it were he ascendeth out of the gulf then to slay the Witnesses
Lord sent before them a dread and feare of them among their Enemies It is said their hearts melted neither was their spirit in them any more because of the children of Jsrael Josh 5. 1. This was upon the expiring of the 430 years So the three years and an halfe being out The presence of God will be such among his faithfull ones in raising them up to such high Resolutions and filling them with so much Spirit life and power from on high as it will strike a terrour and amazement every where among Revolters None of the men of might have found their hands the stout hearted are spoiled The King of Babylon hath heard the report of them and his hands waxed feeble anguish took hold of him and pangs as a woman in travell Jer. 50. 43. It will be their case now as if a man should appear who was thought to be dead and rotten many years before He needs not fight his Enemies they will fly fast enough before him My opinion is God will send such a faintnesse into the hearts of his Enemies and strike them with such a horrour and dread that the sound of a leafe shall chase them they shall fly and none pursue them And as they are Apostates and so have sinned against knowledge and conscience by so much their fear and terrour will be the more Now will that Text be fulfilled The sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulnesse hath surprized the Hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burning Fifthly Whereas it it is said They heard a great voyce This voyce I take to be Christs the same which afterwards speaks out of the Temple to the seven Angels Goe your wayes and poure out your Vials Rev. 16. 1. Isa 66. 6. Joel 3. 16. Amos 1. 2. It is said to be great 1. Because it is the voyce of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah roaring out of Zion against his Enemies which is powerfull and full of Majesty Joel 3. 16. Amos 1. 2. 2. The matter spoken of is of great concernment 3. It must be heard by all the faithfull risen Witnesses every where 4. To signifie that it is operative and prevalent see Psal 29. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Sixthly That the voyce is said to be from Heaven This Denotes 1. Notwithstanding the great Apostacy at this time in Churches especially the Officers the Lord will have a remnant still abiding in the faith and fellowship of the Gospell which shall keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world 2. The fall of the Beast will be by a power from Heaven There brake he the arrowes of the bow the shield and the sword and the battel Psal 76. 3. O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places Ps 68. 35. Zech. 4. 6. Seventhly Come up hither These words I think have this meaning Christ himselfe speaks now for Union and one-nes amongst Brethren and will heal all the breaches and divisions which have long been unhappily between them Come up hither As if he should say Howsoever you have born forth a good Testimony for me against the last Apostacy the little Horn and Beast yet ye could not agree among your selves but did bite and devour one another But this enmity shall cease and be no more Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vex Ephraim For I will have you now all here with me in heaven together not divided and sepeâ—ated as ye have been And as there is but one Lord and his name one Zâ—ch 14. 9 So ye shall serve him with one consent Zâ—ph 3. 9. Thus is the primitive Spirit restord and given againe to the Saints viz. to be of one accord and of one mind Act. 1. 14. 2. 1 46. 15. 25. Eightly It follows And they ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud Alluding to Christs ascension Act. 1. 9. The Saints of the most High being 〈◊〉 together and having the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace are now formed the Armies of Heaven to fight the Battles of the Lord of Hosts to destroy the little Horne the Image Babylon c. that Christ alone may Rule in the midst of his Enemies Who is she that looketh forth as the morning cleare as the Sun and terrible as an Army with banners Song 6. 10. The noise of a multitude in the Mountaine like as of a great people a tumultuous noise of the Kingdomes of Nations gathered together The Lord of Hostes mustereth the Host of the battle They come from a farr Country from the end of Heaven even the Lord and the weapons of his Indi nation to destroy tha whole Land Isa 13. 4. 5. So then the witnesses being ascended up to Heaven Now is fullsild that vision which John saw A signe in Heaven great and marvellous seven Angells haveing the seven last plagues for in them is filled up the wrath of God Rev. 15. 1. This is the stone cut out without hands which must smite the Image upon his feet Dan. 2. 34. To this time of the witnesses in heaven belongs that in the Prophet Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth thou shalt thresh the Mountains and beat them small and shalt make the hills as chasse Thou shâ—lt fanne them and the wind shall carry them away and the whirlwind shall scatter them And thou shall rejoyce in the Lord and glory in the holy one of Israel Isa 44 15 Againe The Lord shall send the Rod of his strength out of Zion Psal 110. 2 see also Jer. 51. 19. 20 21 â—2 2â— 24. Ninthly But what followes And their Enemies beheld them They saw them before when they stood upon their feet and were astonished at it But much more now being ascended and gotten above them to pour out a vial full of the wrath of God upon their heads There is nothing said what the Enemies of the Witnesses doe more then Behold them that is saw them as Balaam did Israel abiding in his Tents according to their Tribes The Lord his God is with him and the shalt of a King is among them Behold the People shall rise up as a great Lyon and lift up himselfe as a young Lyon he shall not lie down untill he eat of the prey and drink the blood of the slaine God brought him out of Egypt he hath as it n ere the strength of a Vnicorn he shall eat up the Nations his Enemies and shall break their bones and pierce them through with his arrowes Num. 23. 21 24. 24. 8. In this manner and no otherwise shall the Enemy now behold them Neither doe I find any thing that they shall doe or be able to doe for their own safety Is it not said All hands shall be faint and every mans heart shall melt and they shall be afraid pangs and sorrowes shall take hold of them they shall be in paine as a Woman that travelleth and they
and Hearkning What the Lord would speak I had the Former Things for the Substance of them given in unto me And I can speak it in Truth I understood them not till now But thought The Time of the End was to be found out and known some other way Now howsoever I could not but think there was Something of God in This As to an Answer of Prayer Especially having these Things upon my heart as I was pouring out my soule at the Throne of grace Neverthelesse Considering the weightinesse and difficulty of the Matter How differing it was to what Others Held And how deeply Some and my selfe also have suffered for our Mistakes in medling with such High Things But chiefly what a poor worth-lesse and empty Thing I was More brutish then any man and had not the Vnderstand of a man And how subtilly Satan worketh at this Time in Some by a spirit of delusion in pretending to high things and that it is God that speaketh in them Upon these and such like Considerations my Soule was sore distressed and I besought the Lord with Tears Day and Night that he would take Pitty on Me and not leave me to a Deceived Heart But as often as I set my face unto the Lord by prayer and supplication I found my selfe more Encouraged and had more of the Prophesies opened unto me Yea and the Lord knows I lie not whensoever my heart hath been most melted and broken before him and my soule swallowed up with the greatest Love and Longing after his Glory AT SUCH TIMES I have been most confirmed and strengthned to believe that it was the Spirit of truth which revealed these things to me a Worm Neverthelesse being yet unsatisfied in my selfe as Fearfull least I should go aside from the Teachings of God I acquainted some of some of my Christian Friends with the Thing and how the Case stood with me and desired that the same might be Spread before the Lord The which was done severall Times And very earnestly was the Lord sought unto for Counsell and Direction that there might be no miscarriage on either Hand Much I could say concerning this Particular But I shall say no more then this I found the Fruit of their Prayers A Greater Confirmation After all this for I was not quiet yet having put things into some Order I communicated my Thoughts unto other Friends Some of these whose Works praise them in the Gate I found to be of my Opinion For which I thanked God and took courage As did Paul when the Brethren met him Acts 28. 15. But Others and Pretious Ones too were as I apprehended otherwise minded And here began as the last so my sorest and sharpest Conflict For so much was I discouraged now as I had Jeremiahs Complaint often up O Lord thou hast deceived me and I was deceived Thou art stronger then I and hast prevailed Jer. 20. 7. I must confesse the Considerations before named especially being conscious to my own Emptinesse and Poverty hath so much affected me That I have been more ready except in Prayer to fall in with any outward Discouragements and to improve them whensoever they came Then to close with inward Ecouragements even the Stirring and Motions I think I may say the Visions of God which I have powerfully felt upon my soule when I have been nearest the Mercy Seat But Hallelujah praised be the Lord who hath taken from Me a worm still these Discouragements and Fears by working up my heart into joy of Believing It may be in Reading of this you would willingly know my Intention It is Thus I have not Published this Treatise as I have done things heretofore For in Humility an awful fear of my God Here I can say and that truly THIS IS A WORK OF FAITH AND PRAYER Not of my own Labor and study comparitively as former Things have been For here I have been more out of the Body and with the Lord on the Mount But oh I would be humble in such Exprestions that THE LORD ALONE MIGHT BE EXALTED And I a remaine still a Worme in my hole and numbred among the dead Neither have I rested in the Experiences of Gods inward Workings upon my soule that is To his giving forth of the Spirit alone But the Holy Scriptures have been The Men of my Counsell Psal 119. 24. Insomuch as I have not hearkned any further to the Perswasions and Operations of the Holy Spirit Though received as the Finger of God Then what I might doe yea and ought by the Covenant-Promise I say by Faith Grounded upon the blessed Word Such Scriptures through the Free Grace of a divine Blessing by a humble Application in the Interest of them have sweetly supported me Jer. 31. 9. 33. 3. Hos 12. 4. Dan. 9. 20 21. 2. 18 19 23. Luke 11. 12 13. Jam. 1. 5. Isa 66. 2. Psal 10. 17. 25 9. 2 Chron. 20. 13 14. Acts 13. 2. Rev. 5. 4 5. Psal 32. 8 9. 1 John 5. 14 15. Hence I saw clearly that with Supplications the Lord hath led his people And whilst they have been Mourning and by the Spirit making Intercession for them with Groanings which cannot be uttered For the Vnction from the holy One and to be guided into all Truth The Lord hath mercifully appeared to them Neither have such humble and broken hearted Babes met with the Portion of Proud Pharises viz. Disappointment All flesh is grasse c. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 24 25. It is a sure word 2 Pet. 1. 19. Believe in the Lord so shall ye be established Believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper 2 Chron. 20. 20. But howsoever in the Publishing of these things I seem to declare a Humble Boldnesse in my God as to the truth of them Yet this I desire the Kingdome-Saints every where to mind That as the three yeares and a halfe of which we have spoken are to have their Period So must all things following in order to the destruction of the little Horn be likewise accomplished It is true the latter Apostacy the little Horn and the Beast that slayes the Witnesses have but three years and an half Yet it must not be understood as if at the End of that time they should presently be destroyed But when that Time is expired then the Judgement shall sit The Witnesse rise And so all the rest of the Prophesies concerning them be fulfild in due Order and Time This I thought good to mention againe to prevent mistakes For suppose the aforesaid Time should End about June 57. That which next followes will be no more as I take it But the pouring out of the Spirit in the rising of the Witnesses Whereby the Saints of the most High shall be raised up in Faith Light Love Zeal One-ness c. and so made meet for the Masters use But among the Apostates Dread Fear Darknesse Divisions Disappointment c. Onely the Lords Work the