and spirituall presence by the coming downe of the new Jerusalem out of heaven which is nothing else but the light of the Gospel the glory of God the Spirit of Christ shining forth and dwelling in the hearts of Saints making them his Temple and Tabernacle Indeed Christ was the true Temple of God who was prefigured by the former Temple of the Jewes but the Saints being gathered up into Christ united to him in spirit joyned to him as members making up the fulnesse of his body they also together with Christ become the Temple of the living God Secondly the Altar doth represent unto us the true service and worship of the Lord. The Altar was that whereon the Priest was to offer sacrifice in the Temple or in the inner Court that joyned to the Temple which was the Priests Court and accounted part of the Temple it selfe both the Temple inner Court were holy appropriated unto the Priests onely but for the outward Court it was common for all people to come into it Now I say the Altar that was in the Court of the Temple doth signifie the true and reall service of the Lord the worship that beleevers tender unto him viz. all the prayers thankesgivings and praises they offer up all their parts gifts and graces that they imploy all their pains costs and endeavours all these I say are the sacrifices that the Saints do continually offer up to God by Jesus Christ the true Altar upon which they offer So that we have not onely Gods presence with his people making of them his Temple but here is also an Altar or the divine and spirituall worship of all beleevers in the Temple who are made an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ I Pet. 2. 5. Thirdly They that worship therein We are not onely to take notice of the worship but also of the worshippers not onely of the Temple but of those that serve in the Temple not onely of the Altar but also of those that offer thereon The true worshippers are those that worship God in spirit that draw nigh to him in faith and assurance that know whom they worship and worship him whom they know these know him that is true and they truly serve him Here is a distinction made between the false worshippers and the true between those that onely worship in the outward Court mentioned in the next verse that onely worship in the externall forme or superficiall part of things and those that are the true spirituall Priests of the Lord who enter into the inner Court and into the Temple of God and worship there These are they that the Lord doth take notice and accept of that he will owne for his true worshippers and servants namely those that worship in his Temple and offer upon his Altar The words being thus opened we come to take notice of some Observations that doe necessarily arise from them The first observation is this That I Observe the Lord doth suitably prepare his people to receive such things as himselfe doth impart unto them This is taken from Johns qualification when the Angel bids him arise to raise up his minde and affections from low meane and carnall apprehensions and objects and to fix them on those things that were divine and heavenly even to the understanding and knowledge of these heavenly mysteries that the Lord revealed unto him by the mouth of a mighty and strong Angel Suitable unto this is that in Revel 4. 1 2. When the Angel sounded his Trumpet the voice sayd Come up hither and I will shew thee things to come Now what did this voyce signifie by saying ascend or come up c. it is not meant of his bodily motion or change of his stâ—tion but a translation or change of his minde For saith John Immediatly I was in the Spirit That is he was in a heavenly rapture or heavenly extasie he was spiritually carried up into heaven The like expression we have in 2 Cor. 12. 2. where the Apostle sayth he was caught up into the third heaven Meaning thereby that he was in an exceeding high and heavenly rapture or spirituall transfiguration of minde and spirit that so he might heare those unutterable revelations of divine mysterie from the Lord. Thus Moses is taken up into the Mount with God when he receives the Law at his mouth Exod. 24. 12. So were the Apostles taken up with Christ upon the holy Mount to behold his glorious transfiguration as the Apostle relateth 2 Pet. 1. 18. Now by the Mount is resembled that high and heavenly pitch of a minde enlightned of affections raised of a heart spirituallized whereby the Lord doth suitably prepare his people to receive such things as hee doth discover unto them Now as the Lord doth suitably prepare his Saints to entertaine heavenly things by enlarging their capacities strengthening their knowledge and raising their affections so he doth also make them to be of the same nature and quality as his discovery is that he makes knowne unto them The creature is whatsoever the voice of the creator is unto him If the Lord speak to any onely by naturall things as by corne wine and oyle and the like Such unto whom the Lord comes in these and no more they are meerly carnall and naturall they heare God speaking in these and they cannot ascend higher And so if the Lord speak in the heavenly visions of divine glory through his Son unto any then these unto whom he thus speakes become gracious and heavenly suitable unto the voice that speakes unto them It is said in Heb. 1. 2. God hath spoken in these last dayes by his Son and how is it then the Apostle tells us in Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are Sonnes God hath sent the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts So that when God speaks to us by his Sonne it makes us to be sonnes also and when we are sonnes then the Lord speaks to us by the spirit of his Sonne Whatsoever the voice of Christ is unto us such are our hearts such are our mindes and affections the whole frame and nature of our spirits is such as his discovery is unto us Therefore it is most unpossible the Lord should reveale heavenly mysteries and shew forth his visions of divine glory unto any but he must also raise up the minds affections of such unto some proportionable and suitablenesse of spirit to receive such revelations from his mouth Secondly Observe That the spirit 2 Observ of the Lord is the onely rule and standard of divine and heavenly things This is taken from Johns qualification enabling him to measure the Temple And there was given me a reed like unto a rod Which reed or rod doth represent unto us the Spirit of the Lord the true rule and measure of divine truth The word and spirit are all one for saith Christ in Joh. 6. 63. My words are spirit and life
is the true Temple in which we must worship and the holy Altar upon which we must offer and they onely are owned and accepted that make use of him they are onely to be measured and taken notice of Now for all others of what profession or quality soever be their externall formes of worship and service never so glorious or amiable in the sight of men yet it is rejected cast forth and disowned if they worship not in the true Temple if they offer not upon the everlasting Altar that God hath appointed for all his Hence it is the Lord saith take measure of those that worship in the Temple these are they that I owne I take notice of none but these I will accept of no more These are they that serve me in truth and worship me in spirit and I will owne them and acknowledge them for my owne Sixtly and lastly for as much as 6 Observ Temple Altar and worshippers must be measured Observe That the Lord hath alwayes had a people that have been measuring of divine things John here did personate all Saints who in all ages and periods of time under the sury and rage of Antichrist have been ready to give in a testimony for Christ and his truth and have alwayes born witnesse against the man of sin the Son of perdition and against all his superstitious formes of worship alwayes casting off and rejecting his service and inventions Every one according to his measure hath been ready to stand up and give in their Testimonies for the truth of Christ against the falshood of AntiChrist So much for the first verse VERS 2. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy Citie shall they tread underfoot fortie and two moneths IN the former verse we had John◠call to measure the Temple of God the Altar and the worshippers therein Now here he doth receive a prohibition or a negative command not to measure the outward Court which was without the Temple because it was given as a portion to the Gentiles In this verse we are to take notice First what that is which must not be measured The Court which is without the Temple Secondly the prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not Thirdly The reason of this prohibition for it is given to the Gentiles Fourthly The use that the Gentiles make of the outward Court and the holy City They tread them underfoot Fiftly How long Fortie and two moneths First That which must not be measured is the outward Court so called as being distinct from the inward Court which was appropriate to the Priests in which was the Altar where they offered sacrifice which was also adjoyning to the Temple This outward Court is here spoken by an allusion to that mentioned in Ezek. 40. 17. which was far larger and bigger then the inner Court Therefore called The great Court 2 Chron. 4. 9. being wide and large enough to containe multitudes of people This was not hallowed as the inner Court and Temple was but was common for all people By the outward Court is meant all Antichrists worships and worshippers even the whole surface or superficiall part of things as all outward professions all externall formes of worship power order government wisdome art or whatsoever is without the Temple of God all that the Gentiles or carnall professors may take up and be exercised in these be all the outward Court The outward face of the visible Church was given to Antichrist to Gentiles to worldly Christians to use and enjoy while the true servants of the Lord are serving him in the wildernesse as in the inner Court of the Temple They were that inward and secret Temple with whom the Lord was present Secondly The prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to cast forth as we use to cast things of no value out of doors As if he had said cast it forth as common and of no use account it not of the Temple nor of any part thereof but rather esteeme it as a portion for the Gentiles which they may enjoy and be exercised in therefore measure it not Now by measuring of the Temple Altar and worshippers he was to take a true dimention of the servants of God who worshipped him in Christ and served him in spirit who were the true invisible and secret Temple of God serving the Lord in the wildernesse Then by not measuring the outward Court is meant thus much That he should not measure or judge the true servants of the Lord by externall things for the outward face of the visible Church was to be given to the Gentiles and that Antichrist was to sit in the Temple of God and should exercise in all externall formes of worship order government he should exercise in all outward ordinances and in the highest acts of Religion as prayer preaching and expounding of the Scriptures and the like and therefore though these Gentiles or Antichristian professors should thus exercise themselves in formes of worship in Church-government in highest externall acts of Religion were called Christians possessing and injoying the outward face of the visible Church yet they were not to be accounted as the Temple of God to be of his structure or building as measured by the true reed or weighed by the ballance of the Sanctuary they were not to be accounted as Gods approved Church or to be the true Temple of the Lord. Thirdly The reason of this prohibition For it is given unto the Gentiles All worldly Christians and Antichristian professors are here called Gentiles by an allusion to those that were enemies unto the Jewes they were called Heathens and Gentiles as appeares in Psal 2. 1. And the Psalmist complaines in Psal 79. 1. saying O God the heathen or the Gentiles are come into thine inheritance thy holy Temple have they defiled they have layd Jerusalem on heaps c. This was the complaint of the Church of the Jewes unto the Lord against the most barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians when they raz'd Jerusalem polluted the Temple and murdered the people So here the sons of spirituall Babylon who most barbarously and cruelly torment the Saints and tread the holy City under foot these also are called Gentiles and heathen Now saith he the outward Court is not to be measured because it is given to the Gentiles it is a Gentiles portion a worldly Christian a carnall professor may take up use and be exercised in any of these externall things he may take up the highest forme of worship he may make the greatest profession of Godlinesse he may be exercised in the most eminent acts of Religion therefore measure not my true servants and Temple by these they are but the outward Court and the portion of Gentiles Fourthly What use doth the Gentiles make of these things They tread them under foot And the holy City
5. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not put for the true forme or essence of godliness but for an externall profession and conformity thereunto by a meer resemblance vizard or shew of holinesse So all the formality of Antichrist doth consist in externall gestures behaviours rites and ceremonies without the pure efficacious powerfull inward worship of God in spirit and truth so all their formal profession is but as a dead body a Carkase without the life or spirit of Christ Secondly observe That it is not so 2 Observ much the outward forme or figures of worship that Antichrist seeks to suppresse as it is the spirit and testimonies of the Witnesses The world doth patch up their whole Religion from the externall formes or bodies of the witnesses these lye in every street of the great Citie in all the Territories and Dominions of the Antichristian Church There is not one street or part of the worldly church but hath store of these Monuments and Images of the worship and service of God that they have taken up from the Witnesses laying of them down when the Saints worship God in the inward Temple in the Wilderness then these Gentiles possesse themselves of the outward Court take it as their portion and use it at their pleasures As Mahomet tooke part of the Jewish customes and part of the Christians practice and so patch'd up his forme of worship So Antichrist hath taken the externall formes that the Witnesses had before exercised in and adding his own inventions makes up a formall R ligion that he sets up in all the streeâ—s and territories of the great Citie viz. the whole Antichristian Church So that there is no Church no State part or Dominion where Antichrist hath to do but there we may see the bodies of the Witnesses the forms and images of the worship that they have been exercised in and have layd aside Thirdly from the resemblance observ 3 Obser That Antichrist is full of spirituall uncleannesse and cursed cruelty All the pride gluttony fulnesse of bread and abundance of idlenesse and filthinesse of Sodome all the wick dnesse idolatry rage envie and malice of Aegypt doth but set forth the sinfulnesse of the man of sin the sonne of perdition yea all that abominable wickedness heightned spi itualized and grown more vile and mysterious as it is acted by Antichrist Here is the silthiness of Sodome the idolatry of Aegypt the oppression of Babylon in a mysterie all under the preteâ—ce of piety and godliness This Citie is called the greatwhore Rev. 17. 1. because of the multitudes of her spirituall fornications And the mother of harlots vers 5. being a teacher and nourisher of others in her silthy whoredoms bringing up children of whoredoms Also she hath in her hands the cup ful of abominations a glorious cup to allure others to drink the wine of her fornicatior and to partake with her in cursed idolatrous practices Besides the enmity rage and cruelty of the Beast is alwayes vexing and tormenting the Israel of God Here is the filthinesse of Sodome and the enmity of Aegypt practiced by Antichrist in the mystery of iniquity drawn up to the greatest pitch heightâ—ed to the utmost extreamity deposing Christ and his truths advancing flesh and sinne into Christs throne and so becomes beastly and most abominable Fourthly and lastly observe It is 4 Obser the very life spirit and image of Christ that Antichrist doth chiefly oppose in slaying the Witnesses It is not so much the persons or bodies of these Witnesses they of the world do so much oppose but the appearance and life of Christ in them it 's the same wickedness that put Christ to death in his person and it 's still the same wickedness that slayeth Christ in his Saints and truth The very name of Antichrist signifies one that opposes Christ if this were not his worke and aime he could not be Antichrist who indeed is one that fights against Christ under the very forme of Christ And as it 's Christ he aimes at so it 's Christ that is slain and crucified it 's our Lord his truth his image that 's slain in spiritual Sodome Aegypt And in as much as ' its Christ he crucifieth killeth great shall be the judgment of Babylon as wee may see in Chap. 17. when God shall recompence upon the man of fin the blood of the Prophets and the blood of the Saints and of all that were slame upon the earth vers 24. And last of all the Lord will reckon with Antichrist for the blood of Christ for crucifying the Lord af glorie Christ tels the Jewes that upon that generation should be brought all the blood of the Prophets and righteous men slain in former times because they succeded the former Persecutors finished their work and so became guilty of all the blood shed before so here Antichrist doth contract all the guilt of Sodome Aegypt and Babylon and of those that crucified Christ therefore upon him shall be recompenced the blood of all that were slain upon the earth So great shall be the fall and ruine of Antichrist that a mighty Angell of great force and power shall take a great milstone and cast iâ— into the sea and it shall be found no more Rev. 18. 21. A great milstone is very ponderous and weighty of it selfe and falleth with great force but much more if it be cast down with a strong hand and being in the bottom of the Sea it cannot be found any more neither will it rise again All which sheweth the exceeding violent and perpetuall destruction of Antichrist being guilty of the blood of all Saints yea and of crucifying the Lord himself VERS 9. And they of the people kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves IN the former verse we heard of the place where the dead bodies lay now here we come to see what is the carriage of their Adversaries towards their dead bodies wherein we may consider these particulars First the persons exercised about these dead bodies and they are the people and Kindred and Tongues and Nations Secondly their carriages or actions towards these dead bodies and they are two First they shall see them Secondly they shall not suffer them to be put in graves Thirdly the time how long they shall thus behold these dead bodies and hinder their buriall and that is for three dayes and a halfe First concerning the persons exercised about these dead bodies and they are People Kindreds Tongues and Nations We may read the words partively thus Some of all people and kindreds c. which implies some principall ones viz. those of power strength wisdome authority rule These principall men of all Nations Kindreds and Tongues the most learned and wise the most eminent and honourable of all Nations the most choisest of men of the greatest of gifts and
That the spirit of the Lord is the onely Standard and rule of divine thingâ— p. 15 16. Foure false rules of knowledge discovered 1. Flâ—shly wisdome p. 17. 2. Meer speculation p. 18. 3. Externall forme p. 19. 4. Historicall knowledge p. 20 21. Foure true principles of divine knowledg whereby we come to know the truth 1. By the Spirit p. 22. 2. By divine impressions p. 23. 3. In Jesus p. 24. 4. By trâ—â— Conformity p 25. 3 Ob That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his presence with his people even in the darkest saddest times of Antichrist's reigne p. 26. 4. Ob That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him p. 27. 5. Ob That the Lord doth accept of none to worship him but such as serve in his Temple and offer upon his Altar p. 28. 6. Ob That the true Saints of God have alwayes been measuring of divine things p. 29. From verse 2. we have 1. The outward Court explained p. 31 2. The outward Court rejected p. 32 3. The outward Court given to the Gentiles as their portion p. 34 4. The holy City is trodden under-foot by the Gentiles p. 35 5. The time of forty-two monâ—ths explained and compared p. 36 37 38 Observations from the wordâ— opened 1. Ob That all externall formes and professions of Christ without life and power are but shaddows p. 39 40 41 2. Ob That the true Temple Altar and worshippers of God are not to be measured by outward things p. 42 3. Ob That the outward forme of divine things is given for a time into the hands of Antichrist p. 43 44. 45 4. Ob The best use that Antichrist doth make of the holy Citie is to trample upon it p. 46 47 5. Ob Antichrist hath his prefixâ—d and limitted time in which he shall reigne p. 48 6. Ob That the shapes and formes in which Antichrist comes forth in to act his part are various and changeable p. 49 50 The spirit of Antichrist discovered in four particulars 51 52 53 54 The forme of Antichrist opened in severall shapes p. 55 56 1. In the forme of a Dragon p. 56 57 2. In the shape of a Leopard p. 58 59 3. In the appearance of a Beast with two hornes p. 60 4. In the shaddow of an Image which the Beast causeth to be set up p. 61 Those that up the Image of the Beast discovered by six Characters p. 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Antichrist flies out of one forme into another p. 69 70 In verse 3. we have the mysterie of the wiâ—nesses in six things opened p. 70 1. The witnesses are enabled to prâ—phesie 1. From God originally p. 73 2. From Christ immediatly p. 74 The meanes by which the witnesses are impowered to prophesie 1. By the word p. 75 2. By the Spirit p. 76 2. The title of witnesses here given and why p. 77 3. The number of the witnesses and why they are called two p. 78 4. The office of the witnesses is to prophesie wherein we have two things 1. What it is to prophesie explained in three things p. 79 80 81 2. What testimony the witnesses give forth 1. Against the seed of the Serpent p. 82 2. Against the power of the Beast p 83 The Saints testifie against the power of the beast by holding forth 1. The prophesie of Christ p. 83 84 2. The Priesthood of Christ p. 85 3. The kingdome of Christ p. 86 87 5. The forme and state of the witnesses in sackcloth explained in three things p. 88 89 6 The duration of the witnesses prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixtie dayes opened p. 90 91 Observations from the words 1. Ob That none can give forth a testimony of Christ but such as are impowered thereto by Christ p. 92 2. Ob That all those that hold forth the truth of Christ opposing Antichrist are Christ's faithfull witnesses p 93 3. Ob That the witnesse of the Saints is a sufficient testimony p. 94 4. Ob That the whole bent of the witnesses prophesie hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Christ against the falshood of Antichrist p. 95 5 Ob Those that have been most faithfull unto Christ and his truth have been most rejected of the world p. 96 6. Ob That Christ hath alwayes had a people to beare witnesse of his truth even in the saddest and darkest time of Antichrist's reigne p. 97 From verse 4. we have 1. Various opinions concerning the two witnesses p. 98 99 100 2. A full and positive description of the witnesses p. 101. The two olive trees as representing Christ explained in 4 particulars from p. 102. unto p. 109. The two Candlesticks as representing the Saints illustrated under 4 heads p. 111 112 113 The ground why Christ was represented by two olive trees 1. From his two-fold nature p. 115 116 117 2. From his two fold dispensation p. 118 119 120 121 The reason why the Saints are called two Candlesticks 1. They give forth an earthly testimony p. 123 124 2. They give out a heavenly testimony p. 125 126 127 Christ and his Saints are joyned in one and give forth one and the same testimony as is shewen in foure particulars p. 128 129 130 131 Observation from the whole That all the Saints and faithfull servants of God are his witnesses p. 132 133 134 135 In verse 5. we have a relation First the harmfull carriage of the enemy towards the witnesses p. 136 1. By restraining their persons p. 137 2. By rejecting their testimony p. 138 Secondly the witnesses defence by the fire issuing out of their moâ—ths 1. What is meant by fire p. 139 2. How it destroys the Adversary p. 140 Observations from hence 1. Ob That the Adversaries of Christ are alwayes ready to hurt his witnesses p. 141 2. Ob They that goe about to hurt the witnesses or hinder them in the course of their prophesie shall not goe unpunished p. 142 3. Ob That the witnesses shall prevaile against their enemies by the word of their testimony p. 143 144 4. Ob That the testimony of witnesses is of great force even while they prophesie in sackcloth p. 145 In verse 6. we have a threefold power given to the witnesses p. 146 First to shut heaven that it raine not where we have explained 1. What is meant by raine p. 147 2. What it is to shut heaven that it raine not p. 148 149 Secondly to turne waters into bloud where we have opened 1. What is meant by waters p. 150 2. What it is to turne waters into bloud p. 151 Thirdly to smite the earth with all plagues wherein we have 1. The agreement between the seals opening and the Trumpets sounding and the vialls powering forth p. 152 153 2. The seven vialls opened together with the seven seals and the seven Trumpets from p. 155. unto p. 169. Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the testimony of the witnesses against the wayes and practises of
and act more in the power of God p. 274 278 4. They shall enjoy more immediate communion with God p. 276 277 4. Ob That in the middest of the great confusion and darknesse upon the face of the earth shall the witnesses ascend p. 278 279 280 5. Ob That all the power and policie of the enemies of the witnesses shall not be able to hinder their ascension p. 281 282 In verse 13. we have the great earthquake that followeth the rising of the witnesses p. 283 where we have opened 1. The time of the earth-quake p. 284 2. The nature of it p. 285 3. The consequents p. 286 Which are three First the tenth part of the Citie fell where is shewen what is meant 1. By the Citie p. 287 2. By the tenth part ibid 3. By the fall thereof p. 288 289 Secondly there were slaine seven thousand men where we have 1. Their persons p. 291 2. Their manner of slaying ibid. 3. Their number p. 292 Thirdly the Remnant were affrighted and gave glory to God where we consider 1. The persons p. 294 2. Their passions ibid. 3. Their actions p. 295 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the rising and ascending of the witnesses doth cause a great earth-quake in the world p. 296 297 298 2. Ob That all the time of this great earth-quake the witnesses are in â—ising and ascending p. 299 300 3. Ob That nation that shall first of all shake off and disclaime the power of Antichrist God will honour that nation first of all in raising up his witnesses in it p. 301 302 303 304 305 4. Ob That those principally and chiefly shall be slaine in the earthquake that are the upholders and maintainers of Antichrist's cause quarrell p. 306 207 308 5. Ob That when God doth scatter the great and mighty ones of the earth it doth much amaze and affrighten the poore and ignorant people that have been seduced by them p. 309 310 6. Ob That it 's the poore affrighted remnant that will give most glory to God p. 311 312 313 In verse 14. we have the second woe p. 313 Where wee have opened The first woe p. 314 The second woe p. 315 The third woe p. 316 Obser That great and terrible woes befall the world in the three last ages of Antichrist p 317 318 319 In verse 15. we have explained what 's meant 1. By the Trumpet sounding p. 321 2. By the seventh Trumpet p. 322 3. By the great voyces in heaven p. 323 These are sayd to be 1. Great voyces 324 2. Voyces in heaven p 325 326 3. Plurality of voyces p. 327 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the Lord hath alwayes had a people to declare his truth unto the world p. 328 2. Ob That the Lord hath manifested his truth by degrees or in agraduall way p. 329 3. Ob There shall be a most compleat and glorious discovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the seventh Trumpet p. 330 331 4. Ob That the Saints fully risen and ascended up into heavenly enjoyments at the finall destruction of Antichrist shall harmoniously sing forth the glory praises of Christ's kingdome p. 332 333 How the kingdomes of the world shall become the kingdomes of Christ wherin we have opened 1. What is meant by the kingdomes of this world p. 334 2. How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ p. 335 336 3. How Christ shall recover these kingdomes againe into his ownhand p. 337 338 339 340 4. By what right or title Christ will lay claime to the kingdomes of the world p 341 342 343 5. The manner of Christ's reigne wherein the spirituall reigne of Christ is illustrated in four particulars p. 344 345 346 347 6. The duration of Christ's reigne and kingdome p. 348 349 350 How the Saints shall reigne with Christ p. 351 352 How the Jewes shall be converted p. 353 Observations from the whole That Christ will come and reigne gloriously in his people subduing all his enemies advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his own kingdome p. 354 355 In verse 16. we have shewed 1. What is meant by the title given to Saints being called Elders p. 356 2. What 's implyed by their number being twenty-foure p. 357 3. Their posture and action falling on their faces p. 358 In verse 17. we have 1. The praises of the Elders p. 359 2. The subject of their praises ibid. 3. The ground of their praises p. 360 In verse 18. we have 1. The Adver saries vexed p. 361 362 2. The Saints rewarded p. 363 3. The Antichristian partie destroyed p. 364 In verse 19. we have 1. The Temple opened p. 365 366 2. The Arke manifested p. 367 3. The great irresistible judgements that befall Antichrist p. 368 Lastly the close of the whole Chapter p. 369 370 Reader By reason of the Authors absence we have observed these faults which we desire thee to amend and all others which thou doest finde ERRATA IN page 59. line 16. for sanctifie read sanctitie p. 62. l. 8. for Rome r. home p. 75. l. 5. for meat r. meant p. 221. l. 11. for Prie r. Priest p. 319. l. 17. for first Taumpet r. sixt Trumpet p. 244. l. 8. for out read but. p. 341. l. 12. for with r. of p. 166. l. 15. for the great multitude of Saints add who are as some hold THE MYSTERIE OF THE TWO WITNESSES UNVAILED REVELATIONS 11. 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the Angel stood saying Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein THere is much talke and discourse of the two witnesses and great enquiry is made to know who they are what is their testimony whither they be slaine when they shall rise c. All which I shall endeavour to disclose according to the measure of light that I have received in the knowledge and revelation of this mystery Before I make entrance upon this Chapter give me leave from the whole booke of the Revelation to take notice of six things First of the Author who was Jesus Christ Chap. 1. 1. He is both the Author and subject matter thereof being the Alpha and Omega and all the letters besides in this divine Revelation in whom is the sum and substance of all holy Writ the whole mystery of spirituall truth all visions of divine glory lies wrapt up doth meet and concenter in the person of the Lord Jesus Hence he is said to have the seven spirits of God Chap. 1. 4. because all perfection of knowledge was treasured up in him by which he is onely able to be the dispenser of such heavenly revelations and divine mysteries as these are Secondly of the Messenger that Christ doth here imploy to convey this booke unto his Apostle and that is an Angel as is evident Chap. 1. 1. Now in that Christ doth signifie his message unto John by an Angel
it denotes unto us the great authority and power that Christ came forth in He doth not appeare low and meanly clothed in flesh or humane forme but doth as it were ride upon the wings of an Angel by the shining glory of an angelicall administration doth he declare this glorious mystery Thirdly into whose hands these truths are committed that is into Johns who was the beloved Disciple of Christ that leaned on his bosome as having much neernesse and intimacy with him This John was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Divine but not so much from dignity of office as from the superexcellency of his graces and annointings The Ancients did compare him to an Eagle because he soared aloft in the knowledge and understanding the secrets of divine truth This Apostle is honored above others in writing this propheticall booke of the Revelation Fourthly take notice of the forme of this booke it is cast into the forme of an Epistle containing things present past and to come Chap. 1. 19. The things that John had seen were the glorious appearance of Christ in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks Chap. 1. 12 13. The things that were in being were those several messages both of praise and reprehension that he was to give forth to the seven Churches as appears in Chap. 2. and 3. The things to come were the prophecies that begin at Chapt. 4. and hold on to the end of the booke Fiftly we have presented to us the subject matter of this booke and that 's called a Revelation and that because it is not so much a doctrinall or historicall narration as it is a symbolicall and propheticall prediction containing such glorious mysteries and divine Revelations that did far surpasse the wisdome art or reason of any humane creature none but Christ himselfe and that by the mouth of a mighty Angel could bring to light or declare such unutterable visions of divine glory Sixtly and lastly observe unto whom this booke was directed and that was to the seven Churches in Asia Chapt. 1. 4. Seven is a perfect number seven days containe mans labour and rest seven times seven is the great Jubile of the Lord and rest of all things So that these Churches being set forth by the number of seven they are a compleat representation of all Churches and all Saints The perfect number of Churches and all beleevers are most lively deliniated and set forth by seven Churches Therefore whatsoever is here directed unto or spoken of the seven golden Candlestickes is both directed and spoken to all Churches and Saints in the world Thus much to be noted of the booke in generall Now to begin with the Chapter I shall not stand upon any curious artificiall Analysis of the whole Chapter that which is principally contained therein is the mystery of the two Witnesses holding forth a description of their persons and prophecie their time and acts their death and resurrection in the opening whereof we shall give much light to the whole booke and much discover the secret mystery wrapt up contained therein The two first verses of the Chapter doe prepare us for what doth follow and here I shall begin with the first And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the Angel stood saying Arise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein IN this verse take notice of three things First Johns call to measure the Temple And the Angel stood saying arise and measure c. Secondly His qualification for that worke And there was given me saith he a reed like unto a rod. This was the instrument that John was to measure by Thirdly We have the things that were to be measured they are namely three First the Temple Secondly the Altar Thirdly the worshippers therein I shall first open the words and then give you some observations from them And the Angel stood saying arise In Johns call observe three things First the Messenger an Angel this denotes the eminent power and great authority that this Message was brought in unto John as wee hinted before Secondly the posture of this Angel he stood which doth shew his willingnesse and dexterity his preparednesse and readinesse to deliver his Message that is evidently implyed by his posture of standing Thirdly we have this Angels direction saying arise thereby to prepare John to receive his message Now this command or direction of the Angel saying arise doth not imply that John was sitting and thereby to meane a change of his posture or mutation of his bodily station but rather that he should stir up his minde and affections and raise up his thoughts and apprehensions to attend unto that glorious vision or revelation that the Angel was about to impart unto him As if the Angel had said arise lift up thy selfe far above thy carnall minde and earthly affections raise up thy thoughts and apprehension far higher then poore low earthly and carnall things to contemplate on things of a more spirituall and glorious of a more divine and heavenly nature So that t is not meant here a change of bodily motions but a translation of minde Secondly Consider Johns qualification for the worke in hand And there was given me a reed saith he like unto a red It was the use of many Nations to measure things with reeds or canes because they were hollow and light and so fit for that use This reed was like unto a rod which was also used in measuring Hence it was that the children of Israel were called the rod of Gods inheritance Psal 74. 2. So that by this reed like unto a rod we have a resemblance unto the instruments that the Nations did use or of their manner of measuring by which is signified the Spirit of the Lord the onely rule and standard of divine things that can give a true description and dimention of the Temple of God Thirdly We have the things to be measured and they are first The Temple secondly the Altar Thirdly the worshippers therein First The Temple of God doth represent unto us the divine presence of the Lord with his people which makes them his Temple and Tabernacle according to that in 2 Cor. 6. 16. For yee are the Temple of the living God saith the Apostle for God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them c. There is a cohabitation and a coambulation between God and his people they dwell together they walke together The Lord by his divine presence and in-dwelling of his spirit in their hearts doth make them his glorious Temple Suitable unto this is that in Revel 21. 3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them c. Which phrase is an allusion to the Tabernacle of old mentioned in Psal 15. 1. The Tabernacle was a solemne pledge signe of Gods presence with his people wherein was also the Arke of God kept which doth intimate unto us the Lords divine
The outward word is but the clothing of the spirit neither hath it life and power but as the spirit doth goe forth in it Then the spirit is the true measure whereby we may take an equall scantlet or true dimention of heavenly things This is that the Apostle doth plainly tell us in 1 Cor. 2. 10. That the Spirit doth reveale the deep things of God So that the deep and hidden things the most secret mysteries of gospel-Gospel-truth are revealed unto us by the Spirit Now what man is it that doth not imagine he hath the true measure and rule of the things of God Every man pretends it and lays claime unto it Therefore before I passe this poynt I shall shew upon what grounds many men are mistaken and also make knowne what are the true foundations and principles of the true knowledge and discernnance of the things of God Concerning the false rules whereby men mistake take notice of these which follow First Fleshly wisdome and carnall reason are the principles that many men thinke to finde out truth by and by these principles of nature they would professe to attaine unto the knowledge of divine things but there is an utter inability in man by all his corrupted principles of nature rightly to judge or discerne of spirituall things Christ tells Nicodemus That which is borne of flesh is flesh Joâ— 3. 6. Now what doth he meane by flesh he doth not meane materiall flesh and bloud but he meaneth the corrupted principles of mans nature the wisdome will and affections of the nâ—turall man which cannot enter into the kingdome of God Againe the Apostle tells us of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an animate sensuall or naturall man and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spirituall man or one enlightned by the spirit of God Now the naturall man is not able to judge of things above the principles of nature for every truth is discerned by principles of light suitable to it selfe Hence it is that the Apostle saith in 1 Cor. 2. 11. No man knoweth the things of man but the spirit of man that is in him Now what are the things of man but all created things of whom man is the epitome or compendium of them all they being all comprehended within him as in a Mapp or short abridgement so as for the secret and hidden things of nature or of the creature there is none can fadome or comprehend them but the spirit of man or the reason wisdome or understanding of man So it falls out in the things of God for saith the Apostle Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Heavenly things are onely judged and discerned by him that is spirituall who judgeth all things by a true light Then it is in vaine for man to grope in the darknesse of his own wisdome and reason after the knowledge of heavenly truth Mans knowledge is a weak and dimme light as the light of a Candle to the light of the day or like the shine of the Moon unto the glory of the Sun it is a low fleshly and most unperfect light and altogether insufficient to measure divine things by Secondly Many there be that ground their knowledge of divine things upon some barren notion or fruitlesse opinion or meer speculation and when they have got some jejune and dry Maximes of Divinity or some poor lean and saplesse syllogisticall reasonings that then thinke they have attained to a most compleat knowledge of the things of God and that they are well seen in the mystery of truth when alas all these things are not sufficient to present unto the soul the least glimpse of true and saving light Thirdly Others thinke that the whole mystery of truth is bound up or comprehened within some circle or forme of Religion Such as these are apt to say Lo here and lo there as Christ speaks in Luke 17. 21. that is Lo here is Christ in this way of worship in this form of Religion in this opinion and doctrine but saith Christ The kingdome of God is within you That is The kingdome of God is not so much of forme but of power of righteousnesse and peace of light and joy of love and life and all these are best manifested within us for Christ is best knowne where he lives It hath been the practice of Antichrist to cry up the Temple of the Lord while they cry downe the Lord of the Temple and to take up the forme of Religion as a meanes to persecute the power thereof Then t is not an empty and barren forme of Religion that can furnish us with the true light of the kingdome of Christ or the knowledge of his will Fourthly and lastly the most of men thinke that if they have some historicall knowledge of Christ and some literall knowledge of the Scriptures and are trained up as Parrets to speake over such things as they read in books and Treatises and are well versed in the Systems and body of Divinity that then they are sufficiently instructed in the mysteries of the Gospel when alas the truths of God are hidden from their eyes and every word and letter they read are written with an unknowne character which cannot be deciphered without the Spirit of God The most learned Scribe the greatest Rabbie that shall understand the Originall language in which the Text of Scripture was first written as the Hebrew and the Greeke but yet shall want the language of the Spirit cannot give a true interpretation of the hidden and secret truths contained in the Scripture There is not onely a history but also a mystery of Christ there is not onely letter but also Spirit in the Scriptures which the most learned in the world cannot finde out without the Spirit of Christ The Apostle gives in a full testimony unto this in citing of that place which saith I will destroy the wisdome of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolishnesse the wisdome of this world 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. Then t is not carnall reason or fleshly wisdome t is not a barren notion or meer speculation t is not a round circle or empty forme t is not a literall knowledge or historicall relation of Christ and the Scriptures that are sound principles of saving light or the true measures or rules by which we may discerne spirituall things Thus having shewen rules and principles whereby men are mistaken in their judgement of divine things Now it followeth in the second place that wee make a discovery of those principles of light and truth whereby we may come to a true sight and knowledge of the things of God First Divine truths are knowne by the Spirit The Apostle tells us in 1 Joh. 5. 6. The spirit is truth The spirit is the fullest the highest the most absolute and the most comprehensive truth it 's
the originall and ground it 's perfection and end it 's the judge and standard of all truth It is most true that God hath made sense and reason the judge and standard of such truths that are within their owne compasse and circuit and are able to perceive and discerne such objects that are suitable to themselves but they can ascend no higher Now for spirituall things saith the Apostle they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 12. They cannot be judged or rightly understood without a spirituall apprehension and enlightned judgement therefore he saith in verse 9. Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard c. That is both the sense of seeing and hearing and also the reason and understanding of the heart are poore low and darke principles too superficiall too scant and narrow to judge divine things by Therefore the Apostle concludes in vers 11. That none knows the things of God but the Spirit of God which searcheth the deep things of God it is that alone openeth the deep and hidden mysteries of truth And hence the Apostle affirmes in verse 15. The spirituall man judgeth or discerneth all things Secondly Heavenly things are best discovered by a divine impression of them on the heart This is that the Apostle testifies of the Corinthians saying Yee are our Epistle written in our hearts knowne and read of all men for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in the fleshly Tables of the heart 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. As if the Apostle had said yee are the seal of our Apostleship ye are our commendatory letters the truth is most of all manifested by that divine impresse it hath upon your hearts it 's written there with a more lively character and more easie to be deciphered then if it were written with inke and paper or on Tables of stone The truths of God are not so well discovered by the word and letter without us as by the word and spirit within us The mystery of the Gospel is most of all seen when it is engraven upon our hearts by the indeleble characters of the Spirit of God Thirdly To know the truth aright is to know it in Jesus according to that expression of the Apostle in Ephes 4. 21 22. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your minde and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse The Apostle shews plainly that to know the truth in Jesus is by the putting off the old man being corrupt and by putting on the new man c. wherein he doth compare the naturall and corrupt estate of man to an old worn-out garment which is fit for nothing but to be cast off layd aside and the new man which is the impression of the image of Gods righteousnes and holines on the soul he doth compare to a new garment fit to put on be adorned withall and hereby our mindes shall be renewed changed and regenerated from the naturall depravation of the understanding will and affections and wholly be filled and acted with spirit light life of Christ And hereby are we able to discerne the truths of Jesus as they are manifested to our new man or as they are represented to our mindes as being renewed according to the image and glory of Jesus Christ Fourthly and lastly we come to know the truth by our conformity unto it When there is a sweet complyance of our spirits with the will of God then we come to know most of the mystery of his will And this Christ himselfe doth beare witnesse of when he saith If any man will doe his will he shall know of my doctrine Joh. 7. 17. Now what is it to do the will of God but to have an harmonious consent and sweet complyance of our wills with the divine will of God whereby our wills are more enlarged in the knowledge and extent of his will our wills and his will as it were meeting and concentring in one Thus the soule becomes best acquainted with the knowledge of the truth and is enabled to understand the unknowne and hidden mysteries of heavenly things whereby it is able to judge aright and give a true dimention or measure of them And thus much for the rules or principles by which we are to judge and measure divine things Thirdly Observe from the Temples 3 Observ being measured That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his divine presence with his people even in the darkest and saddest time of Antichrists raigne The measuring of the Temple here hath an allusion unto Ezek. 40. where the Temple was measured that it might appeare the whole frame and order thereof was from the Lord. So here the Lord doth preserve a holy people to himselfe and by his divine presence with them doth measure them out for his Temple So that he doth preserve a spirituall forme of a Temple by his divine presence with his people even all the times of the generall Antichristian Apostacie and defection when there was no outward forme of a Temple when Antichrist sat in the visible Temple and exalted himselfe above all grasping all power and authority all rule and dominion then I say at the very time of the powerfull raigne of the Man of sin God would have us take notice that he did preserve a people to himselfe and by his divine presence love and protection did make them his Temple Fourthly Observe from the measuring 4 Observ of the Altar That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him Christ is the true Altar of God and all the Saints are made spirituall Priests to offer up their sacrifices and services on him The Saints draw nigh to God in sincerity they serve the Lord in spirit they worship him in spirit They did alway offer up upon the true Altar sacrificing all that was deare unto them their friends their goods their preferments their parts their lives and all that was deare unto them Such hath been the love of the faithfull unto the service of Christ that not withstanding all the rage and sury of Antichrist vexing and persecuting of them by imprisoument and death and whatsoever could be inflicted on them yet they could never be made weary of the profession of Christ but their faith and graces have alwayes been so impregnable and indefatigable that they could never be worne out or made to give over the service of Christ Fifthly Observe in that the true 5 Observ worshippers must be measured That the Lord doth accept of none but his true worshippers such as worship in his Temple and offer upon his Altar Christ
understanding saith the Lord that you will tread downe with your feet abuse and trample upon that is they would corrupt the word of God and his truth by their false glosses and interpretations by forcing their own expositions and inferences which they make or draw from the Scriptures that so the people might feed on that which they had trampled on with their feet that they had mixed corrupted and abused as themselves pleased The same hath been the constant practice of Antichrist who by his forced translations and interpretations of Scripture by his tyrannicall government and invented ordinances hath subjected all people under him into Aegyptian darknesse and Babylonish captivity Thus hath he corrupted the externall part of worship and abused suppressed and trodden under foot the holy City But how long shall this be Fortie two moneths Fifthly Observe That Antichrist hath 5 Observ his prefixed and limitted time to raigne and domineer in It is most true that the nature and spirit of Antichrist hath alwayes acted its part it is that very seed of the Serpent that hath opposed the very image of God from the beginning that hath shewed it selfe in all the Sons of Adam beginning in Caine and passing to all the seed in all generations but we must note that Antichrist in his power and forme hath but a season and an appointed time for this doth not note the time in which the seed of the Serpent should make warre against the seed of the woman but rather the time when the subtilty and envy of the Serpent was put forth and exercised in the cruelty of the Dragon and raigne and power of the Beast So that the evill spirit that Christ opposed in the Scribes and Pharisees was no other then the spirit of Antichrist now but since the generall defection and falling away this evill spirit hath put on the forms of diverse beasts most fierce and cruell so that this forty two moneths is the time of the powerfull raigne of the man of sinne Now for the time of the powerfull raigne of Antichrist he hath but his moneths and his seasons and it will be that time shall be no more when the Lord shall come in the bâ—ames and brightnesse of his glory shining from the East unto the West and making a full discovery of the nakednesse of the whore she shall utterly be destroyed and shall raigne no more Sixtly Observe That the shapes and 6 Observe formes in which Antichrist comes forth in to act his part are various and changeable Therefore it is that his time is appointed by moneths and not by dayes his time is not measured by the Sun which is light and constant but by the Moone which is dim in light and most variable and unconstant in appearance So that the appearances of Antichrist are variable unconstant and changeable as the Moon now appearing in this shape by and by in another Sometimes in this forme another time wholly disguised into something else and so never long at one stay Thus the subtilty of Antichrist is to fly out of one forme into another and when he is detected and discovered in one guise he will put on some habit of reformation and piety but it shall be but the deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse in which he shall appeare to mislead people by therefore know as his last time or moneth shall be his shortest so his last habit and dresse that he shall come forth in shall be the finest and most apt to deceive Therefore let all Saints watch and keep their garments least they be made walke naked and their shame appeare Revel 16. 15. Let every one arme himselfe against the wiles and methods of Antichrist that so we may be able to trace him in all his wayes and finde him out under all his disguises Now before I passe the thing in hand it will be necessary that I make a description of Antichrist as to enquire what he is First in spirit and mystery Secondly in forme and appearance Concerning Antichrist in spirit take a description by these four heads First The spirit of Antichrist is that evill and corrupt spirit in man that opposeth Jesus Christ his image and glory his truth and appearance This is that the Apostle calls the carnall minde or spirit of enmity that dwells in the heart of man which is the wisdome of the flesh opposing the righteousnesse of Christ This spirit hath had it's rule and raigne in man ever since mans defection and fall from God This is the old man or man of sin the son of perdition that doth alwayes endeavour to betray and crucifie the very life light image and glory of Christ in our hearts Secondly The originall and life of this evill spirit is the close of the heart of man with Satan the Prince power of darknesse who doth transforme himselfe into an Angel of light advancing the reason wisdome and righteousnesse of man above the spirit or pure anointing of God And so while he draws man to worship God in the wisdome power and parts of the creature it proves but the deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse or acting in the power of Satan and of the flesh and doth containe no more then the signes and shadowes of heavenly things Thirdly This spirit sits in the Temple of God as God That is it doth put forth it selfe and act its part in every act and performance in every duty and ordinance that man doth performe or exercise himselfe in So that as Christ doth enable the soule to performe divine actions by his wisdome power and spirit so doth Antichrist carry forth the soule to act by humane wisdome fleshly power carnall parts and gifts and so deceives the soule by this false spirit or false anointing instead of the true anointing or pure spirit of Christ Fourthly and lastly This spirit of wickednesse alwayes acts in a mystery of iniquity Now it 's called a mystery of iniquity because it is not in it's proper place where it may be better knowne or discerned for saith the Apostle The workes of the flesh are manifest which are adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse c. Gal. 5. 19. These fleshly actings being in their proper place are so evident that they are easily discerned there is no man but knows these and will say they are evill but as for the workes of Antichrist performed in the strength of carnall wisdome fleshly power humane parts and the like these actings are cryed up to be holy and righteous when they are but the more refined part of man the righteousnesse of the first Adam or old man and containe the very mystery of iniquity To this purpose will serve that place in Matth. 12. 44 45. When the uncleane spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none then he saith I will returne into my house from whence I came out and when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished Then goeth he and
of truth from divine prophesies And in this respect the Saints under the new Testament are called Prophets 1 Cor. 14. 29. These were not so called in relation to any divine predictions that they could declare but rather from that dexterity readinesse they had to interpret and open the mystery of those truths prophesied of before From such gifts as these were they called Prophets Thirdly to Prophesie is when beleevers by their experience can give testimony of the fulfilling of prophesies And thus those primitive Saints were sayd to prophesie when the prophesie of Joel was fulfilled in them and they were able by experience to testifie of the truth forespoken of Act. 2. 16 17. where it 's sayd I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophesie c. These by an allusion to the former manner of discovery of God to the Prophets are said to prophesie because by a divine revelation of truth and glorious discovery of grace upon their hearts they could by experience say this day is the Scripture fulfilled and the grace of the prophesie powred forth upon us So beholding the vision of divine grace they are sayd to prophesie In each of these sences the Saints under the raigne of Antichrist may be sayd to prophesie First from a spirituall inspiration and glorious discovery of heavenly things they are able to â—oretell and prophesie that Babylon shall fall This is their message and this they testifie continually Secondly They by a spirituall judgement and apprehension of the things of God are able to understand enigmaticall and difficult things and make glorious discoveries of the mysteries of truth and also of the mysteries of Antichrist Thirdly in every age according to their light and experience they give forth a testimony of the fulfilling of those prophesies both of the raigne and ruine of Antichrist And thus the Witnesses are said to prophesie Secondly for the testimony that they give forth and that is they hold forth the truth and authoritie of Christ against the falshood and usurpation of Antichrist These witnesses give forth a double testimony First against the seed of the Serpent Secondly against the power of the beast First they testifie against the seed of the Serpent by holding forth the nature and grace of Christ whereby he should break the head of the Serpent as it was foretold in Gen. 3. These acknowledge that Christ tooke the seed of Abraham was clothed with our nature was made flesh and came forth in our habit and forme became Emanuel God with us or in our flesh but so filled with heavenly anoyntings and so clothed with the divine nature that he was able to subdue Satan and to tread him under his feet he was impowered to breake the head of this Leviathan and to cast him forth into the earth Thus the Apostle testified to the Romans that the God of peace should bruise Satan under their feet Rom. 16. 20. By yertue of that Evangelicall promise Christ should overcome and crush the cursed seed of the Serpent Of this the witnesses doe testisie by holding forth Christ to be the seed of the woman in whom dwelt the anoynting by which all wickednesse is subdued Secondly They testifie against the power of the beast and that is by holding forth the office dignity of Christ against the power government rule dominion of Antichrist for though he acknowledge verbally that Christ hath the sole power and government in his Church yet vertually he doth deny it by usurping those dignities and offices to himselfe The testimony that the Saints doe especially give out against the rule and domination of Antichrist is of the prophesie Priesthood and kingdome of Christ First Of the prophesie of Christ they acknowledge Christ to be the great Prophet of his Church Act. 7. 37. To be the great Doctor teacher of his people according to that exptession in Cant. 5. 13. His lips like Lâ—â—es dropping sweet smelling myrrb By Christs lips are meant his divine prophesies and heavenly teachings by which he doth instruct teachings his people his words are beautifull as the lilie and odoriferous as myrrhe Now the Saints holding forth the sufficiency and power of Christs teachings doe overthrow the fleshly wisdome carnall knowledge and humane teachings of Antichrist accordding as the Lord hath said I will destroy the wisdome of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent 1 Cor. 1. 19. And the Apostle tells us in vers 27 28. That God hath chosen the poore weake and despised things of the world to bring to nought things that were high and mighty Hence it is that we have that saying of the Apostle in 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. We speake wisdome to them that are perfect saith he yet not the wisdome of this world nor of the Princes of this world that come to nought but we speake the wisdome of God in a mystery c. By them that are perfect the Apostle meaneth those that are of full age that are men in understanding of divine mysteries so that his preaching was wisdome to the wise but it was not humane wisdome such as the world accounted of nor politiâ—â—ll wisdome of Princes but a hidden and secret wisdome a divine mystery of heavenly wisdome such as the reason and understanding of carnall men cannot reach or comprehend And thus these witnesses testifying of the prophesie and wisdome of Christ doe oppose the wisdome and understanding of Antichrist Secondly They testifie of the Priesthood of Christ acknowledging him to be the eternall Priest of God set over the house of God Heb. 10. 21. And that he is a Priest after the order of Melchisedec Heb. 7. 11 12. And not after the manner of Aaron therefore of necessitie there is a change of the Law So that hereby they give a testimony against all the Jewish rites and ceremonies that Antichrist doth set up and enforce an observation of And thus the Apostle doth testifie against Circumcision when he sayth If ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing for saith he I testifie to every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to the whole law and Christ is become of none effect c. Gal. 5. 2 3. That which is here said of Circumcision is true of all other Levicicall rites if men will Judaize and stick now to Mosaicall rudiments Christ will be unprofitable unto them for they are againe enthralled and bound to keep the whole law and if they will be justified by such legall observations then Christ shall availe them nothing they hold not the head when they cleave to such ordinances They that will againe set up the Pedigogie of Moses and bring men under Judâ—icall rites and ceremonies these doe in effect deny Christ come in the flesh and therefore are of Antichrist according to that Text 1 Joh. 4. 2 3. So that the Saints bearing witnesse of the Priesthood of Christ doe oppose Antichrist in all
of the Spirit that the Apostle doth intimate saying The spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirits c. Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit doth seale adoption upon our hearts by witnessing to our spirits or with our spirits our spirits being renewed and witnessing to the truth of God his spirit doth concur and agree with our spirits in the same testimony Now the Father Word and Spirit that beare this heavenly record are not said to agree in one but they are one they are one in essence and nature but distinct in operation and discovery The father is the originall and fountaine of blessednesse and therefore called the father of lights Jam. 1. 17. As being the root of all wisdome and knowledge and every other good thing The Son is the very forme and appearance of divine excellency and therefore called the image of the invisible God Col. 1. 15. for in him we behold the glory of God as in a glasse or image which in it selfe is invisible and undiscernable The Spirit is that which doth make an irradiation or discovery of the Father and Son The spirit of truth saith Christ shall testifie of me Joh. 15. 26. Now these three are one in essence and being they goe forth together in one they give a single and pure testimony immediatly and without any medium coming between To this purpose observe a passage spoken by Christ when he saith If any man love me he will keepe my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Joh. 14. 23. But how is it that both the Father and the Son will come to abide and lodge in the cottage of the beleevers heart that is onely by the sending forth the spirit that Christ had promised as a Comsorter which was to be the Chariot of the Son and of the Father in one Here is the Trinity in unity viz. the Father and Son both coming forth in the Spirit and dwelling in the hearts of his people Now this testimony of the Father and the Son and Spirit in One is that divine and heavenly record that gives a sure evidence or evident assurance unto the heart of the riches and glory of God the love and goodnesse of Christ the light and truth of the Spirit whereby the soule of a beleever is made to sit downe in heavenly places with Christ and rejoyce in a pleorophery or full assurance of faith to triumph in the evidence of divine love to be satisfied in the true image of righteousnesse and heavenly life engraven in the heart Now accordingly as the Saints receive in this testimony so they demonstrate the same before the world as being alwayes ready to give forth what ever they receive from the Lord. Such as have received this heavenly witnesse are able to give out a far more glorious testimony of the truth and glory of God then those that have received the former earthly testimony even as the Disciples were more enlarged by the testimony of the Spirit then they wereby their being present with Christ in the flesh Thus we perceive the ground why the Saints are called two Candlesticks First because they consisted of Jewes and Gentiles Secondly because they receive and consequently give forth a twofold testimony the first earthly the second heavenly Now lastly we are to enquire how Christ intimated here by the two olive trees should be joyned with the two Candlesticks and brought in as a witnesse in sackcloth in the severall ages and times of the raigne of Antichrist and seeing that all this hath been done since Christ left the earth Unto which I answer First Christ and his Saints make but one compleat body are joyned as head and members being knit together by one Spirit This the Apostle doth affirme in 1 Cor. 12. 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so is Christ for by one spirit we are baptized into one body As it is in the naturall body so it is in the spirituall which consisteth of diverse members and they of different offices and operations yet they make but one body The Church is called the fulnesse of his body that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 23. as Christ is the fulnesse of all spirituall supply unto his Saints so his Saints are the fulness of his body both would be defective and as it were maiâ—â—d if they were seperated or disunited one from the other Now in as much as Christ and his Sâ—iâ—ts make but one and both make up but one body Hence it is that the testimony of the Saints is attributed to Christ he being joyned with them in prophesie even in the dayes of Antichrists â—â—igne Secondly though Christ be absâ—nt in body yet is present in spirit and by his spirit doth abide with his people continually and â—â—â—ble them to prophesie Christ himselfe gave forth nâ— other testimony then that he received from the Father for 〈…〉 â— of my selfe doe 〈…〉 as I 〈…〉 John 5. 30. Even so the Sâ—iâ—ts 〈◊〉 cannot beare witnesse unto the truth bat as they are enabled thereunto by the spirit of truth That which we have seen and heard saith the Apostle declare we unto you c. And this is 〈…〉 which we have heard of him 1 Joh. 1. 3. 5. So that the Saints receive their message and testimony from the spirit of Christ and accordingly they prophesse And in this respect Christ may also be sayd to prophesie in these latter times Thirdly the testimony of Christ and his Saints is one and the same The Saints of old gave forth their testimony in their appointed times and seasons they did beare witnesse to the truth of God against the same spirit of wickednesse that was acted in their dayes even as the witnesses in sackcloth have done under the powerfull raigne of the beast Thus did Mordicay and the Jewes testifie against the pride cruelty of Hammon Thus did Christ himselfe when he was present upon earth testifie against the hypocrisie and wickednesse of the Scribes and Pharisees And thus hath the Saints in all the dayes and ages of the man of sin given forth a faithful testimony for the truth of Christ opposing the falshood and deceit of all the wayes of the man of sin Thus we see that the very testimony of the Saints is the testimony of Christ it 's Christs cause and quarrell they are engaged in well therefore may Christ be brought in and joyned with the witnesses here Fourthly and lastly Christ doth not performe this here spoken of him in his person but in his members 't is not Christ immediatly and by himselfe but mediatly and by his Saints It 's Christ mystically that is alwayes opposing of Antichrist Suitable unto this is that passage in 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. speaking of Christ saith That he went by the spirit and preached unto those spirits now in prison having been disobedient unto the
word of God and despised his long-suffering in the dayes of Noah while the Arke was preparing Here that which Noah a Preacher of righteousnesse did is attributed unto Christ because Noah was but instrumentall in the businesse it was Christ in the spirit that put himselfe forth in and through Noah In like manner it was sayd that whatsoever the prisoners did in the prison Joseph was the doer of it Gen. 39. 22. because they did it by warrant leave from him or by his dictation commandement Just so Christ is sayd to prophesie all the dayes of Antichrist because his people receive their commission and power from him as managing of his cause and quarrell It is sayd in vers 8. that Christ was crucified in Egypt and in Sodome which cannot be meant of Christ's person because he was crucified at Jerusalem but it 's meant of Christ in his people his Saints being overcome and killed in spirituall Egypt and Sodome So that we sâ—e plainly that the testimony that these witnesses give forth is Christ's testimony it 's Christ in his Saints it 's the power of the most high one in his people In these respects Christ is brought in as having a share in this prophesie under the powerfull raigne of the beast From this whole verse thus opened take this one observation That all and Observ every one of the Saints are Gods witnesses The witnesses here meant cannot be onely appropriated to Magistrates and Ministers or to any two eminent persons neither are they to be restrained to those onely that suffered martyrdome in their bodies but of all Saints of evâ—ry individuall Saint of what quality or degree soever that gives forth a testimony of the truth of Christ all that doe according to their measures and abilities continually oppose the wayes and devices of Antichrist Christ the great and faithfull witnesse as the olive treâ— doth powre out his oyle of divine spirit into the Câ—ndlesticks of his people whereby they are enabled to shine as lights in the middest oâ— all the perverse generations of men and among ali the gain sayers of the truth The Propheâ— testifieth that the Lord will sinite the earth with the â—oâ— of his mouth and with the breath of his lips will destroy the wicked Esa 11. 4. The Saints of the most high have the everlasting word of God abiding and dwelling in their hears and as they hold forth the testimony thereof they are the very lips and breath of the Lord whereby â—e bruiseth his enemies and bâ—eaks â—hâ—n in pieces The Apostle doth affiâ—â—e that Antichrist shall be destroyed by the brightnesse of Christs coming 2 Thâ—s 2. 8. Now what is the brightnesse of Christâ— coming but his gloâ—â—ion rayes and bright bâ—â—mâ—s of heavenly diâ—coveries of light and truth that he shine forth withall through his people The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to consume by degrees to wast a thing by little and little untill it be consumed and come to nothing So shall the dissolution of Antichrist be by degrees by little and little even as the Lord shall be pleased to encrease and double his Spirit upon his people whereby they are enabled to testifie against the beast his image against the false Prophet and the deceiver and thus by degrees shall the man of sin be destroyed Now we perceive that it 's not onely for the wise and learned neither for the great and mighty ones to testifie of Christ or that they are those by whom Antichrist should be destroyed but it s for Saints of all degrees for every member how poore how meane soever that have received of that holy oyle from Christ the true olive tree that shines forth with the glorious testimony of Christ I say every such one is a Prophet and witnesse of the Lord. Then all those poor low and despised ones that have according to their measures and attainments given forth their testimony for Christ his truth against Antichrist and his falshood all the times of persecution as it were in the wildernesse and in sackcloth these I say are the witnesses here spoken of these are the two Candlesticks who receive a full supply from the two olive branches these stand before the Lord of the whole earth holding forth the word of truth and the testimony of Jesus in opposition to the man of sin that wicked one that son of perdition Such honour have all his Saints though in the wildernesse and clothed with sackcloth though under much persecution and trouble yet these are the Candlesticks of the Lord set by the true olive tree Jesus Christ receive of his oyle into themselves they together with Christ stand before the Lord of the whole earth and shine as lights in the world So much for the discovery of whom is meant by the two witnesses It followeth VERS 5. And if any man hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if any man will hurt them he must in this manner be killed HAving made a large description of the witnesses declaring who they are and what their businesse Now we come to shew how they are impowered to deale with their adversaries whereby we perceive the powerfull effects of their prophesie If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. In this verse consider first the haâ—mful carriage of the adversaries towards the witnesses If any man hurt them Secondly the means of defence or opposition made by the witnesses towards their adversaries fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. First the deportment of the adversary and that is expressed hypothetically or conditionally If any man c. whereby a certainty is affirmed This indefinite speech doth not imply that it should be a rare thing for men thus to doe but rather a certainty of punishment should be inflicted upon all those that should any way oppose these two faithfull witnesses If any man hurt them c. It cannot be meant as though few should hurt or injure them but rather that there should be no exception of persons amongst any that should hurt them none should goe unpunished for any exterior adjuncts or qualities whatsoever let them be of any kinde ranke or degree they should suffer for their violence offered to them The certainty of the enemies opposing the witnesses is held forth by the doubling of the phrase So Joseph tells Pharaoh that by the doubling of his dream the thing was established Gen. 41. 32. But how are these witnesses hurt by their enemies First by restraining of their persons by persecution imprisonment banishment and the like It hath been the practice of the beast continually to make war with the Saints with those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Revel 11 17. Secondly by rejecting their testimony the enemy doth not onely go about to hinder the course of their testimony but also to turne the truth they hold forth into a
the poore man out of the Synagogue that Christ made to see Job 9. And all because he gave a testimony of the power of Christ who opened his eyes Thus the high Priests Pharisees did beate misuse and imprison the Apostles in Act. Chap. 4. and Chap. 5. Thus the beast doth put in execution all the politick Laws and Ecclesiasticall Constitutions to hinder restraine and wholly to disturb the witnesses in the course of their prophesie Thus first they are civilly slaine by restraint upon their persons Secondly they are spiritually slaine by the casting forth and rejecting of their testimony It is the practice and endeavour of the beast to turne the truth of their testimony into a lie and into falshood by reproaching contemning and scandalizing the word of their testimony by the reproachfull names of error and scisme There hath been all the dayes of the raigne of Antichrist some truth that the Saints have testified of that hath been under much shame and reproach that hath been most rejected by the world Hence it is that the Lord saith unto the Church of Philadelphia that she had kept the word of his patience Revel 3. 10. Now what is the word of Gods patience but that word and testimony that the world doth reject cast forth as dung and trample upon That truth which is most under contempt and scorne of the world which the Saints suffer most by for which they are made the off-scouring of all things That word of truth that is most opposed in each age of the world is the word of Christs patience Thus wee see how the witnesses are slaine first civilly by a restraint layd upon their persons Secondly spiritually by the world casting forth and rejecting of their testimony This of their testimony is that which most principally and most constantly these witnesses are slaine in for all the enmity of the flesh and the power of the world hath alwayes been opposing the truth they assert not at all owning but alwayes condemning slighting and casting forth the testimony that these give forth of Christ or of his Spirit As the Jewes first killed the person of Christ and afterwards sought against his Gospel and truth so Antichrist doth not onely by Ecclesiastiall Cannons and humane Institutions restraine the persons of the witnesses exercising a civill death over their persons but also they suppresse and slay the very truths and testimonies that they beare witness unto Thus we see how the beast doth kill these witnesses and what manner of slaying they suffer The Text being thus far opened we are now to come to give you some observations from it First Observe That the Saints of Christ 1 Observ in every age and time are enabled to finish their testimony maugre all the opposition that is made against them Antichrist by all his fury and rage cannot so farre hinder these witnesses as that they should not finish their testimony The Lord doth give opportunity to every one of his faithfull servants that they may finish their worke deliver their message and faithfully declare that committed to their trust before they are taken off or wholly restrained by the power of the beast This was manifested in Christ when the Jewes had a minde to apprehend him in the Temple but could not lay hands on him because his houre was not come Joh. 8. 20. It was not in their power to put Christ to death untill he had finished his testimony and therefore he saith When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretehed forth no hands against me but this is your houre and the power of darknesse Luk. 22. 53. As if Christ had sayd When I was daily with you in the Temple preaching the kingdome of God and performing the worke that the Father gave me to doe ye did not ye could not lay hands on me to take me but this is your houre or time wherein God hath permitted you to rage against me and the Priace of darknesse hath power that by your hands I should be taken and put to death In the same manner the Lord doth first impower his faithfull witnesses to deliver their message to finish their testi-mony by asserting the truth of Christ opposing the wickednesse and falshood of Antichrist before they are slaine or taken off by the adversary Secondly in that Antichrist is called 2 Observ a beast Observe That the rage and cruelty of the adversary is very great against the faithfull servants of Christ Antichrist is of a cruell fierce corrupt beastly and inhumane nature and therefore compared to all the most ravenous and devouring beasts as to a Serpent for subtilty to a Lyon for strength and rage to a Beare for devouring to a Leopard for his fiercenesse and the like We have the Apostle testifying of this when he saith of himselfe I fought with beasts at Ephesus 1 Cor. 15. 32. Some interpret these words literally in that of old the Christians were often Damnati ad bestias being condemned to be devoured by wild beasts whereupon it was a common speech in the dayes of Tertullian Christianos ad leones But I rather conceive the speech of the Apostle to be figurative and metaphoricall and by beast he meaneth beastly â—â—nded men Such as the Cretians were whom he calls evill beasts Tit. 1. 12. They were intractable and dangerous to deale withall being of a raging and fierce nature The same inhumane nature and cruelty is found in Antichrist alwayes endeavouring to devoure the faithfull witnesses of Christ Thirdly doth the beast that killeth the witnesses ascend out of the bottomlesse 3 Observ lesse pit Then Observe That the workings and deceits of Antichrist are very deep and mysterious This inquity is brought forth by the working of Satan upon the heart of man exciting and stirring up so many fleshly workings strange inventions acting in so much subtilty and craft exercised in such a deep mystery of iniquity that none can fathome the depth or reach the bottome of the wickednesse thereof It is not like a cleare streame that we may see the bottome but there is so much mud and filth that none can see the depth of all that subtilty and craft of all that pride and selfe love of all that hypocriticall deceit and wickednesse that is the very sourse and spring of all the actings of Antichrist This pit that hath no bottome is all that hellifh darkness all that beastly filthiness all that outragious cruelty that doth arise in the hearts of men fighting against and opposing the very light life and image of Christ in his people This pit is as deep as hell and full of hiddeous darknesse it is inexorable as the grave and never satisfied in it's pride and abominable wickednesse This is the deepest mystery of iniquity Satan transforming of himselfe into an Angel of light suggesting the most cursed wickednesse into the heart of man under the very forme of zeale and holinesse thereby seeking to dishonour
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirit of life or as the Hebrews call it the breath of life as it 's sayd God breathed into man the breath of life Gen. 2. 7. when he made man a living soule So when the Lord doth raise up his witnesses from their state of sadnesse and sackcloth he breathes into them the breath of life The breath of God is the spirit of God and the breath of life is the power and operation of that spirit Life is nothing but the soules communion with God The body is dead without the spirit so is the soule without Ghd. The conjunction of soule and body is life so the union of the soule with God is divine life The Psalmist saith In thy presence there is life And marke it he doth not say the spirit of prophesie such whereby they did only see things remotely foretelling what should come to passe in after times but the spirit of life from God entred into them The mighty and powerfull spirit of life causeth these witnesses to live it is not that spirit whereby they should say we shall live hereafter or whereby they should wish O that we might live but the spirit of life whereby they doe live and they know they live I say this mighty powerfull and glorious spirit of life shining forth upon their hearts living and operating in them this shall cause them to arise from shame and sorrow even from that meane low and poore condition they were in prophecying in sackcloth It is then the divine presence the spirit and life of God the glorious shining forth of this face and love that occasions the resurrection of the witnesses Thirdly we come to the resurrection it selfe and that is expressed in these words And they stood upon their feet We cannot understand this of a resurrection properly so called but as the slaying and death of the witnesses was mysticall such also must their resurrection be Then it cannot be meant of a bodily or fleshly resurrection but of that which is mysticall and spirituall namely a resurrection from shame and misery from bondage and weaknesse from their meane low weake and fackcloth condition unto a state of more perfection and liberty of more glory light their condition should be much more glorious and excellent then it was before From this expression And they stood upon their feet note two things First it notes a rising from a poore low meane captivated condition as plainly appeares from that place from whence these words are borrowed Ezek 37. 10. when the Prophet was commanded to prophesie unto the foure winds to breath upon the slaine and upon the dry bones that they might live The dry bones and the slaine are the house of Israel under the Babylonish captivity they were as slaine and as a dead body even as the witnesses are under the tyranny of Mysticall Babylon now it is by the breath of God entering into these dry bones that they are made to live the breath of life being in them they stand upon their feet That notes their resurrection from the meane and lost condition under the oppression of their enemies Hence they are sayd to arise out of their graves vers 12. So the witnesses being but as dead bodies and as dry bones under the tyranny and oppression of Antichrist but when the spirit of life enters into them they stand upon their feet and arise out of bondage shame into a state of liberty and glory Secondly to stand upon their feet notes that they should stand by themselves they should stand by that wisdome that knowledge light and power they should enjoy in themselves they should stand upon their owne leggs and not depend upon others they should not live upon the wisdome opinion and knowledge of other men but upon their owne light and experience in the things of God The time was that the Arke was carried upon mens shoulders from place to place untill at last it was brought â—nto the Temple and then it rested So the Saints while prophecying in sackcloth under weake and faint discoveries of truth did much depend upon the judgements and opinions of other men but now the spirit of God shall dwell so plentifully in them that they shall live upon their owne experience of the light and life of God in themselves The spirit of life breathing in them with much life with much power and evidence that they shall no longer be carried away with the conceits of other men but shall stand upon their owne feet Thus we see that the resurrection of these witnesses is first from bondage and misery unto liberty and freedome Secondly from darknesse and meanesse unto light and glory The fourth and last thing here to be considered is the consequent or sequell hereof And great feare fell upon them that saw them When the witnesses were slaine and their dead bodies lying in the street of the great Citie The men of the earth could rejoyce make merry and triumph but now at the witnesses rising the case shall be otherwise with them now they shall feare and tremble now amazement and astonishment shall take hold of them When the witnesses were slaine they thought never to heare of them more they hoped they should never arise but behold now they rise againe and how greatly doth this affright the men of the world here is terrour and amazement to all that dwell in the earth Suitable unto this is that passage in Act. 5. 5. when that judgement was manifested upon Ananiaâ— the Text saith Great feare fell upon all that heard those things Those persecutours that did vex and trouble the witnesses they thought they had made sure worke of them that they had been wholly destroyed and that they should never more have been troubled with these Prophets but now to their great griefe and amazement they rise againe and stand upon their feet this doth more affright trouble the men of the earth then ever their prophefie did Having thus unfolded the words we passe on to the Observations they offer to our Consideration First Observe That when the time of 1 Obser the witnesses suffering and sadnesse drawes to an end there is an earnest expectation in them of their resurrection The text doth relate to the time of their resurrection when their suffering condition shall draw to an end After three dayes and a halfe c. There is a day and after that two dayes in which the witnesses are in the middest of their sufferings and persecutions their evills are multiplyed and they cannot say when they shall be delivered and therefore resolve to wait with patience and submit to the will of the Lord. But when the halfe day shall come which shall be but short then these witnesses are brought into a comfortable expectation of a seasonable and speedy deliverance when they shall plainly see that the witnesses have been long time in slaying and have been dead and now speedily shall revive and rise againe These shall
at last the waters arose to that height that they became a mighty river wherein a man might swim and without which he could not passe over them So that the Saints under the first second third Trumpets did all hold forth a profession of the truth and according to their measures did give a testimony thereunto though but in some small weake and faint discoveries of it and more in the letter then in the spirit These were glorious lights also in respect of the darknesse of those ages and generations they lived in but yet in respect of that light discovered and that declaration of the truth made out by the Saints under the sixt and seventh Trumpet they were under much darknesse and weaknesse not being come up to that degree of light that the Lord hath of late discovered and will make knowne unto his people Thirdly observe There shall be a most 3 Observ compleat and glorious discovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the seventh Trumpet The seven Trumpets are all comprehended in one the last Trumpet includes all the former Seven as you heard is the number of perfection and rest So all the Trumpets are involved and wrapt up in this last The seventh seale is the highest revelation of truth the seventh Trumpet is the highest and most perfect declaration by which the Saints do proclaime and make it forth Suitable unto this is that Prophesie Esa 30. 26. Moreover the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven dayes So that here is seven dayes brought into one day and one day shall have the light of seven So that the last and highest discovery of truth shall comprehend all the former The seventh and last Trumpet signifies the highest declaration of the glory of God the truth and kingdome of Jesus that ever the Saints publish or sing forth it is the breaking forth of the highest praises and greatest glory of God In this great and last dispensation the Saints obtaine a fuller measure of the spirit then ever they are now sevenfold more enabled to proclaime the glory power and kingdome of Christ then ever they could doe in former time Fourthly from the great voyces heard in heaven observe That the Saints 4 Observ fully risen and ascended up into heavenly injoyments at the finall destruction of Antichrist shall with one harmonious and sweet consent sound forth the praises and glory of Christ'â— kingdome Indeed the Saints could alwayes sing while they prophesied in sackcloth but it was like David when he sung of his deep waters so it was of their afflictions and sufferings as Paul and Silas sung in prison they had weake and faint joy in the middest of their sufferings But now the Saints in heaven they cry out they sing aloud and shout for joy These voyces be full of power and authority the world and it's strength and foundation trembles to heare them the riches the strengths the powers the governments of men are shaken by them So great and powerfull are these voyces that as it was said of Israel of old The voyce of a King is among them they sing forth the grace the excellency the authority and glory of Christ's kingdome saying The kingdomes of this world are become our Lords c. The Saints are sayd in Revel 15. 3. To sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. As Moses sung forth the praises of God for delivering his people Israel and destroying their enemies the Aegyptians Exod. 15. so his people shall sing forth the praises of his power and greatness for delivering them from Antichrist's yoke and tyranny And the song of the Lamb who worketh great and marvellous things to the destruction of Antichrist whose cruelty and oppression he had long suffered They shall extoll him as being King of Saints and shall acknowledge him just in his judgements punishing Antichrist and in his wayes true in performing all his promises made unto his people Having given you the observations from the former part of the verse namely from the seventh Trumpet and the voyces heard in heaven I now proceed to speake of the subject matter of these voyces The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for ever and ever These words containe a glorious proclamation or declaration of the kingdome and raigne of Christ wherein we may take notice of these six particulars to be enquired into First What is meant by the kingdomes of this world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ Thirdly How Christ will recover these kingdomes to himselfe Fourthly By what right Christ shall possesse them Fiftly The manner or nature of Christs raigne Sixtly The time and duration of his raigne Concerning the first thing namely what is meant by the kingdomes of this world we may easily perceive what they are by opposing them to the kingdome of Christ for these kingdomes of the world are diametrically opposit and contradistinct to the kingdome of Christ The kingdome of Christ is of a heavenly and spirituall nature Rom. 14. 17. It 's King Laws government and subjects are all spirituall it 's set up and advanced by no humane force or power but by that which is meerly divine Dan. 2. 45. Now the kingdomes of this world are called the kingdomes of men consisting of externall glory riches strength government policy that men by humane power have set up and doth act by In a word all the wisdome and policy all rule and government all power and strength all Constitutions and Lawes all the riches and glory of men of these are made up and formed the kingdoms of this world called the kingdomes of men Dan. 4. 25. consisting of worldly greatnesse externall glory humane policy outward strength advanced into the forme of rule government acted and brought forth by man this is the state glory and kingdome of the world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ and that 's thus whereas Christ hath given forth his power by earthly men as by Kings and Princes of the earth according to that place in Pro. 8. 15 16. By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice by me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth These have been the substitutes and deputies of Christ having received all their wisdome their strength their authority and dominion from him the Lord hath by these administred unto the world even by carnall fleshly wicked men by the Kings of the earth the Lord hath not administred by his people but by those that have raigned as Kings and Princes of the world Now this being so these Kings of the earth have committed fornication with the whore Rev. 17. 2. having mixed and joyned their power with hers and have with one consent and minde given up their power and strength unto