cruel Persecutions of the Saints and their Antichristian Idolatries and Wickedness as in the two last verses of that ninth Chapter is expresly set down That they that escaped those Plagues saving the green grass and trees v. 4. of chap. 9. before sealed ch 7. repented not of the Works of their hands that they should not worship Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver c. nor repented of their Murthers and Sorceries and Fornications and Thefts but to be destroyed at the seventh Trumpet as they had destroyed the Earth Chap. 11.18 And after those Antichristian Abominations had been so long advanced in the West under the Man of Sin and his Ten Crowned Horns in the time of divers Trumpets but especially the two first said Wo-Trumpets under that two-fold Beast by new-coined Paganism and Idolatry under a seeming Christian disguise The Dragon after his former casting down to the Earth under the sixth Seal having given his Power and Seat and great Authority to the said two-fold Beast there are seven Angels having seven Golden Vials filled with the Wrath of Almighty God prepared to pour them out to the said Beasts destruction under the second Wo-Trumpet and beginning of the 3 d Chap. 15 16. whereupon the Kingdoms of the World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Chap. 11.16 and Chap. 20. As may more fully appear in the fore-named Abridgment on Rev. 5. in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in the Letter of May 20. 1664 in the Forerunner to which the Reader may be referred and in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 27 28 29 30 c. Now what we read to be recorded of the Roman Empire in Daniels Visions is sometimes set down more generally and sometimes more particularly as seemed good to the Spirit of God to make them known to him for the benefit of his Church then and for the better and more orderly application of what was there more darkly delivered to Daniel to what our Lord Jesus Christ hath more fully though mystically revealed to St. John his beloved Disciple for his Christian Church to the end of the said Empire we shall by Gods gracious assistance endeavour to proceed in the ensuing order First To set down what Daniel sets forth of the beginning and rise of that Empire Secondly Of the Time and Continuance of it Thirdly Of the general temper quality or nature of it Fourthly Of the several States and Parts of it Fifthly Of the Extent and Largeness of it Sixtly Of the End Ruine and Destruction of it Referring thereunto the several parts of the Book of the Revelations more fully explaining each particular accordingly and so proceed to some general Observations and Improvements as Gods Spirit and Word shall direct First then to consider what Daniel sets down of the beginning and rise of that Roman Empire and that is done remarkably when he comes in Chap. 11. to set down how by degrees it began to arise upon the decay of the Greek Empire when the two Heads of Egypt and Syria had long battered each other then Rome had advantage first to shew her self in anothers Right whom as her Pupil she had taken the defence of namely of Ptolomeus Epiphanes the Son of Ptolomy Philopator against Antiochus the Great when his Father had left him being a Child of four years old as the Stories applied to the 13 and 17 verses in the Abridgment makes to appear and therefore afterwards the Romans in v. 18. are called the Prince and act afterwards against Antiochus the Great on their own behalf and to take away those reproaches he had cast upon them Vide Abridgment v. 18. But in v. 30. the Ships of Chittim that is the Romans Navy as was prophesied by Balaam Numb 24.24 câ—me against Antiochus the Vile by the appearance whereof before Alexandria he was forced away which was the ancient mark for the Jews to know their last Oppressor was at hand under the Title of the Ships of Chittim so conquering that Adversary at present vide Abridgment But after Antiochus the Vile had perfected his outragious wickedness against the Jews by reason of transgressions chap. 8.23 until Javans rage ended as in the latter end of v. 35. At the 36 ver the Spirit of God entitles the Romans of whom he there speaks and describes them by the King Not now with limitation as before to North or South or any other Quarter but absolutely The King to whom belonged the said Ships of Chittim before v. 30. Now having obtained the Soveraignty which was to continue until the indignation of God against the Jews was ended ver 36. Chap. 9.27 So that now he began to exalt himself above every god as he did eminently till Christ was born and then spake marvellous things against the God of gods by his Authority blaspheming rejecting killing the Son of God the Stories whereof are contained in the Gospels and that time those things were acted and before the Revelation was given yet the Spirit of God leads Daniel by steps to set forth in such manner the rise and such proceedings of the Roman Monarchy till then c. Secondly For the time of the enduring and continuance of the Roman Empire Daniel shews chap. 9. last That the Ships of Chittim being as was observed chap. 11.30 that last Oppressor of the Jews as Numb 24.24 that should afflict Ashur and should afflict Eber and that he also should perish for ever so that no Oppressor of Eber should remain after him sets forth his time in these words holding out the continuance of the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Jewish dispersion therewith under the Roman Tyranny and Cruelty for the over spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate after he had spoken such marvellous things against the God of gods when in the midst of the last week of years Christ dying by his Authority shou'd cause the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease Jure intentionaliter by Right and intentionally in regard of Gods institution thereof though not efficaciter effectually But then it follows how long such desolation should continue even after his efficatious causingof Sacrifice and Oblation to cease as in the Abridgment even until the consummation saith he and that determined shall be poured upon the Desolate by that last Oppressor to perish for ever Or by such as were to bring on his perdition in the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets viz. The Saracens and Turks Revel 9. chap. namely as Dan. 11.40 41. The Saracens by pushing at his Borders about the times of the Holy Wars so called and the Turk after them over flowing a great part of his Dominions by his multitudes help to bring him down which is called by our Saviour the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles whilst from Jerusalems destruction the Jews should fall by the edg of the Sword and be led away captive into all Nations and Jerusalem should be trodden down of the Gentiles Luk. 21.24 that is
Tribes of Israel should be united into one stick that it might not be doubted how it should be done chap. 38 39. he shewed how the Gog and Magog of the preceding times then namely the Pope and the Turk should be destroyed and that the happy consequents of this might be known then to the faithful Jews he hath another Vision of the New-Jerusalem suited much unto the Jewish state but very excellent and in this especially that the Name thereof should be Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there chap. 40. to the end of the Book which our Saviour in a manner more suitable to the Christian Churches excellency sets forth as coming out of Heaven from God Rev. 21. which he shewed to Saint John was to succeed upon the destruction of Antichrist and his Complices in the Armageddon Battel chap. 19.11 to the end when so great joy had been v. 6 7 for that Brides making ready of Jews and Gentiles so largely celebrated in the beginning of that Chapter The like I may briefly hint of Christs Spouse in that Song of Songs which as Mr. Cotton judiciously observes all along to be Prophetical to the calling of the Jews with the Gentiles more abundant coming in at their rising as the Prophets phrase is Es 60.3 4 5 6 c. and whose fulness shall be the greatest riches of the Gentiles Rom. 11.12 which Spouse will then in the New-Jerusalem Rev. 21. be the Lambs Wife in that holy City where she and Christ will be made perfect in one and one member with another who since the Apostles believed through their Word till all these should so be perfect as our Saviour prayed John 17.20 21 23. that then in the time of the New-Jerusalem the whole world might both believe and know that God had sent him into the world when his glory in his Kingdom on Earth should be so eminently set up there which Kingdom at his death he willed to them as a Legacy or birth-right with his Fathers Consent and Grant the Apostles being Witnesses thereto as v. 24. of the same Chapter that they might all have their part with him there and that as our blessed Saviour further teacheth for a thousand years Rev. 20.4 to which purpose tends likewise the 45 Psalm Thus having briefly given you an Account of this my poor endeavour for the benefit of faithful Christians and for the greater evidence and clearness of these amongst many so little believed mysteries of such Christs coming to begin the Judgment and such manner of his raising up the Saints in the time of his said visible glorious Kingdom on Earth in the thousand years I shall endeavour by the further assistance of his Grace and Spirit and by the evidence of his Sacred Word of Truth and in the further explication whereof Christ Jesus himself hath above what was afforded Daniel in this Book as the true and faithful witness so unsealed and opened to his Church in that Divine Book which was so gloriously given unto him in that Vision which St. John saw Rev. 5. concerning things to come and hereupon in reference to such a future Parallel we have premised this ensuing short Abridgment of the whole that the particular branches thereof might the better be made use of to their several due intendments by such as are rightly conversant in them and the greater light of truth might so be made evident to all serious and impartial seekers thereof by the blessing of God thereupon as God may order their Meditations for their own and others edifying Now as that short comprisal in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the fifth Chapter of the Revelation pag. 27. as likewise in the Letter May 20. 1664. in the Fore-runner are as it were an A. B. C. for some Christians to learn to spell out the meaning of the substance of things contained in that Book of the Revelations which were to come So may the following short Abridgment of the Visions of Daniel be for this Book when they come to be a little acquainted with it and by the help of both which together I hope by Gods blessing both great clearness of the truth and of the necessity of the substance of the Doctrine of Christs Kingdom upon earth may unto many sorts of men in due time be undeniably made evident to be such Divine Truth as is both profitable and necessary appearing so infallibly and strongly grounded upon both those Divine and blessed Books of holy Scripture which being once rightly understood will manifest them to be as indeed they are the sure key for the right opening of many other Prophetical Scriptures in the Old Testament and sundry other pertinent Texts in the New which otherwise are little rightly understood by most sorts of men But after all such outward means to boused with humble and faithful prayer meditation and conference of them must then be likewise inwardly done by him who is said to open the understanding of his Disciples together after his resurrection Luk. 24.35 to make them understand the Scriptures To whose most gracious guidance and teaching I commend both you and all truly Christian and teachable Spirits seeking for a blessing to you and all such in my prayers upon this my poor and weak endeavours with all other good means to any like purpose Amen An. Dom. 1665. Therein remaining yours and their faithful Servant in him our great Lord in what I may be useful MVNVS An Endeavour of a short and plain Abridgment of the Prophetical Visions in Daniels Prophesie in reference to a Parallel of what is foretold of the 4th or Roman Monarchy and of Christs Kingdome on earth further explained by Christ in the book of Revelations for the use of the Christian Church IN the second Chapter Nebuchadnâ—zzars dreamexpounded Nebuchadnezzar a Gentile as Mr. Mede observes had in a dream represented unto him a great Image shaddowing forth tâ—e four worldly Monarchies the first of which was his own Caldean Kingdom whereof he was the head of gold to contirue after him in Evilmerodack his Son and Beishazzar his grandchild unto which was then to succeed the breast and arms of silver begâ—n by Darius and soon after by Cyrus in the Monarchy of the Medes and Persians to which succeeded the third of brass as Daniel expounded namely the Grecian Impire begun in Alexander the Great and the fourth after that of Iron stronger then all the former breaking all the other to pieces namely the Roman of long continuance under many forms of Government but especially long in the feet and toes thereof all the Popes time with the ten crowned horns as appeared more to Daniel a Jew Chap. 7. unto which the Kingdome which the God of heaven would set up in the Stone cut out of the mountain without hands should succeed which should never be destroyed but should break in pieces and contume the four former Kingdoms and then become a great mountain filling the whole earth it self and should
in the Image that were the lowest and last parts of it it should I say make those together with the Silver and the Gold and the Brass and the Iron at once become as the chaff of the Summer Threshing-floor namely in regard of what was said in chap. 7.12 to wit though the Dominions of all the former Kingdoms were taken away yet their lives were prolonged for a time and season till the last great and utter destruction of the Fourth Beast should be accomplished when the first Great Judgment was set and the Books opened Dan. 7.9 10 11. and when Christ came with Clouds to receive the Kingdom which his Father the Ancient of Dayes gave him over all the world ver 13 14. which should never pass away nor be destroyed as he there fully shews Now how this First State of the Kingdom of the Stone began to be set up as it is stiled ver 23. until the Kingdom of the Mountain took place as verse the 34. by the God of Heaven and hath all along been upheld powerfully and graciously by him as Daniel foresheâ—ed is to be observed from the History of the all along the times of the Roman Empire being Contemporaries with it Vide Irenicon on Rev. 5.27 28. in respect both of the affairs of the State under both Seals and Trumpets now near to the end of the sixth Trumpet or second Wo when the Turk must be destroyed Dan. 11. ult 12.1 And also in respect of the affairs of the Church both true and false till Antichrist the Pope with the former half of him the Turk be likewise destroyed as is probable at the same time or near together To which purpose observe how this spiritual Kingdom of the Stone was set up in that manner as Christ-shewed to Zachary in a Vision Chap. 4. how the Oyl was supplied to the Candlestick and its seven Lamps and seven Pipes thereof from the two Olive-Trees standing by it the use whereof he explains vers 6. Not by power nor by might but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts which is applied to the two Witnesses Rev. 11. and in this manner the Spirit of the Lord was originally as in the Fountain upon Christ himself being anointed above his fellows to preach the Gospel as Isa 61.1 This anointing was derived from him unto and fell upon the Apostles in an abundant measure and likewise in their measure upon all succeeding Messengers of Christ in the primitive Times and so forward in the times succeeding till this day and also on all faithful Christians in their degree all along unto the Antichristian Apostacy and from thence during the Popes forty two months wherein those anointed Ones or as the original word signifies those Sons of Oyl 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the two Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth 1260 days of years Rev. 11. have fed the Woman the true Church in her wilderness condition her time times and half a time now probably almost expired all which time this Oyl hath been divinely conveyed and supplied to preserve that light of Divine Truth and Grace by their Ministry in the Candlestick the true Church And as it appears this Kingdom of the Stone was at first set up so divinely by the God of Heaven and so spiritually and powerfully upheld by him that no wicked opposition could either destroy it or hinder it but even his spiritual Power and Grace made the opposition of men and Devils to promote it in the faithful Christians inward man So it may further appear to be his work both to set it up and preserve it by the unlikeliness of the means whereby he hath and still doth the same not as was said by power and might of the World for that not onely hath usually been deficient to help in that work but hath with Satans help made strong and violent opposition against it both in the Dragons heathenish and Antichrists apostatizing times which hath abundantly been evident both in the time of Christs own Ministry and in the Ministry of the Apostles who were his Legati a latere or Ambassadors immediately sent from him on the Message of the Gospel with all other mediate Messengers and Ministers sent by him from their times and also in all real and true subjects of the Kingdom of the Stone ever since to this very day To instance a little in each respect 1. Of their own outward meanness 2. Of the Worlds fayling to help them and 3. Of both the Devils and the wicked Worlds both malicious and violent opposition for the most part made against them First As Christ himself at his coming in our flesh was that foundation-Stone elect and precious which God sets such an Ecce Behold unto it that his People should take notice thereof when he should lay it in Sion Isa 28.16 and witnessed unto it by other Prophets long before his coming yet when he came into the World every way wonderful in Conception Birth Life Doctrine Miracles yea before in and after his death yet was he not by the Great Ones or the most or wisest or learnedest of men either owned or received But even then though he was very divinely and spiritually wonderful yet in regard his outward aspect and garb appeared to the Worlds Eye mean and contemptible the very Builders themselves rejected that elect and precious corner-Stone though to faithful mens eyes and Angels discovery very conspicuous and glorious So that our Saviour toward his Death applies the Prophecie of David Psal 118.22 unto the then Rulers which respected both him and them Matth. 21.42 saying The Stone which the Builders rejected is become the Head of the Corner which was the Lords own doing and was marvellous in the Eyes of men And so it hath been with the Kingdom of the Stone all along that Kingdom of Patience as we may by Gods assistance set down afterwards Now how this Stone it self in respect of his humane Nature may be observed eminently to be cut out of the Mountain by the God of Heaven without hands was declared also as a wonder before he came by the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah Behold saith he a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and his Name shall be Immanuel God with us Isa 7.14 So he was conceived by the holy Ghost and born of his Mother a Virgin without any real natural Father of his Flesh though he had a reputed one appointed by God himself to be a very useful help to the Virgin Mother of the Son of God yet how mean and low were then their outward conditions what attempts were made to destroy that spiritual King as soon as he came into the World How was he driven about to endanger him in his tender infant age soon after he came into the World How was he exposed and driven about whilst a child neglected and despised by the most of men and that amongst his own People and Kindred in the time of his private life where it was so
of the World and the general Judgement Now in the second state of it we have considered the Founder of this Kingdom of the Mountain the God of Heaven and the Donor of it the Ancient of Days the Receiver and Owner of it Luk. 19.12 the Son of Man Dan. 7.15 also the time of the setting up the first state of it viz. the Kingdom of the Stone namely In the days of one of those Kings in the height of the Roman Monarchy in Augustus and Tiberius days the manner how it was set up in the first state Not by power nor by might but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts Zech. 4.6 Also the spiritual force and prevalency of it to beat down and break in pieces and smite the Image in the Feet and Toes of it c. likewise of the largeness of the tender of the Grace of the first state to every Creature capable to all sorts of People successively till at the time of the end it shall be perfected in the Kingdom of the Mountain filling the whole Earth which outwardly visibly and gloriously as well as inwardly and spiritually God the Ancient of days will give to his Son the Son of Man upon the destruction of the Beast and false Prophet when Christ the said Son of Man shall come in the Clouds of Heaven to receive it who shall retain it to the end deputing its Rule and Judgement to his eminent raised Saints and Martyrs who shall execute the same for him over all People Nations and Languages under the whole Heaven for the thousand years which afterward Christ will deliver to God the Father 1 Cor. 15.24 for ever after the Worlds end In which Kingdom the Body of the Jewish converted Nation with faithful Israelites Ezek. 37. and the abundance of the Gentiles coming in at their rising Isa 60.3 4 c. shall continue conjoyned in their successions in one throughout the said Period to the end of the World Now the most evident Fore-runners of this Kingdom of the Mountain are these First The awakening Dan. 12.2 of the Israelites and Jews from their bondage and dispersion to seek for their promised Land by such an Elias as God will send to them before the great and terrible day of the Lord come as Malachy speaks Chap. 4 5. Secondly The eminent fall of Antichrist the Pope at the rising and ascending of the Witnesses Rev. 11. The first is founded upon two Scriptural Computations 1. Of the 1290 days of years Dan. 12.11 from the most probable Epocha of Julians time about 366. or as learned Vsher 363. ending about 1656. or sooner which is computed vers 12.45 years before the standing up of Michael the Prince of Daniel's People Dan. 12.1 12. about the year 1700. 2. Of the Turks date to slay the third part of men being the sixth Trumpet Rev. 9. for doing of which his time is set down by an hour a day a month and a year which date of his Mr. Mede reckons to be 396 years which began not long after 1300. as Chronologers compute them and to end about the same time both which together may serve as a Key to open the mystery of that largest number of 2300 years Dan. 8. fore-spoken of in the fifth head of the Roman Monarchy Pag. 34 Again 2dly That Antichrists eminent fall is near in the tenth part of the City Rev. 11. seems probable 1. From the beginning of his rise at one hour with the ten Kings or his crowned Horns that should give their power to the Beast Rev. 17. which seems to be manifest about 406. by the Author of Excidium Antichristi lately published and so his date reacheth to about 1666. Secondly By the pouring out of the Vials 1. Upon the Popes Earth in discovering him to be Antichrist 2. Upon his Seas when many Nations Tongues and People fell off from him 3. Upon his Rivers and Fountains which Mr. Mede seems firly to apply to the Popes Emissaries Priests Jesuites and other seducers who were resirained by a Law made by Q. Eliz. whereby they had blood to drink c. Rev. 16.6 with like things then done elsewhere c. since which time in about 100 years that third Vial two others are conceived to have passed and now the sixth to be begun so that probably about the like proportion the seventh Vial may be poured out to the Popes utter ruine when the seventh Trumpet begins to sound probably about the foresaid period Some Observations from the whole IT remains now in the last place that we lay down some general Observations to be left to be enlarged and particularly improved by all judicious and discerning Christians as Gods Spirit may guide them therein First As the summary of all Religion shews that the eternal Counsel of God is always exactly perfectly in fulfilling so Gods more especial revealing to the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel the orders the times the state the nature the rise and the ruine of the four great Monarchies of the World that should successively oppress the Jews to inform the faithful in all ages following that God orders according to his most wise counsel all the sufferings and tryals of his People men cannot add in the least to their measure or continuance above what God hath in his most wise counsel appointed Therefore trust in the Lord at all times and in all conditions for as he orders all things in the greatest Monarchies so all for the good of his poor and faithful servants yet in wonderful varieties of his most wise dispensations ever to be adored Therefore if ye see injustice or oppression in a City marvel not at it as Solomon saith Secondly As God revealed to Daniel all the Jews oppressors in order with the times of them both how many and how long they should be so held under by them So thereby take notice how gracious God is to his faithful People in the worst times to let them have ground of comfort that his Peoples Sufferings are here limitted by himself and that they might not be without ground of Faith and Hope of good in the issue of them Thirdly As Daniel saw in Vision the rise of all so the ruine of them to teach the Faithful in their successions to look through the dark Clouds and Storms of Persecution to the bright Sun-shine that will follow and in the dark night of afflictions to the rising of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings and that the triumph of enemies in wickedness doth but foreshew their dectruction Fourthly As the Jews at the height of their provocations were captivated by the Babylontans and the Israelites before them by the Assyrians so therein the impartial justice of God is to be acknowledged who is so far from sparing a People upon whom his Name is called if they sin against him that the nearer he hath brought them to himself he doth the more severely punish them when they greatly rebel against him Fifthly