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
Worships all the rules and authorities all the orders and services of Antichrist are but dead things and shall be judged as dead having nothing of the light of life of God in them Well may the nations be angry fret and vex and why the Lords wrath is come upon all Religion and glorious formes of worship they are judged but as dead bodies as empty Caâ—kâ—ses without any spirit or life at all and the glory of the worldly and carnall Church is now overturning and all is because it is but a dead Carkass and shall be consumed Thirdly In that these bodies lie unburied three dayes and a halfe observe That the dead bodies of the Witnesses are 3 Observ kept above ground all the time of Antichrists reigne As before their dead bodies viz. their outward formes of worship did lie in all the streets and dominions of Antichrist so also are they kept above ground in every age and period of time in which the beast doth reigne For these bodies have an agreement with the outward Court which is given to the Gentiles for forty two moneths This also is the time of the womans being driven into the wilderness a thousand two hundred and threesore dayes Chap. 12. 6. where she was nourished for a time times and halfe a time Ver. 14. So that these three dayes holds proportion with the forty two moneths the same time that Antichrist doth posses the outward Court so long doth he make make use of the bodies of the Witnesses Then it is not in some particular time or in some short period that the Beast shall rise up against the Witnesses but namely all time of his Raigne he shall make warre with the Saints slay their testimonie and make use of their dead bodies And though he could not endure the spirit truth that the Saints held forth yet hee knows how to make use of their externall forme and image which hee will not part withal so long as he is able to keepe it above ground untill the wrath of the Lamb come and that the dead shall be judged VERS 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth HEre wee have a farther carriage of the Adversaries towards the dead bodies of the Witnesses while they lye in the street of the great Citie and are kept from being interred or put in graves the men of the earth they rejoyce over them and make merry and send gifts one to another because these two Prophets are tormented c. In the opening of these words observe 1. The persons brought in here acting And they are they that dwell upon the earth 2. Their actions They rejoyce make merry and send gifts one to another 3. The reason of this their acting Because these two Prophets tormented them c. The first of these to be considered is who are meant by the persons that are here stiled the inhabitants of the earth These are meant of worldly Christans such as serve Antichrist they are onely earthly and carnall they are without the Temple of God they live in the synagoguâ— of Satan These are said to dwell upon the earth Rev. 12. 12. And Chap. 13. 8. The Antichristian Church and faction are said to dwell upon the earth because they are earthly and carnall in opposition to the Saints who are said to dwell in heaven The Witnesses are stiled such as dwell in heaven Chap. 18. 20. And those that worship the Beast being their opposites are stiled those that dwell upon the earth The Saints under heavenly enjoyments heavenly discoveries of truth and light these dwell in Heaven in the glorious Temple in the holy tabernacle of God But the Antichristian Church and all the members thereof are cast out of heaven unto the earth there they inhabite and dwell they favour of the earth having earthly enjoyments carnall delights their condition state worship and contentment consisting all of earthly things The earth is their portion and they make their habitation in it Secondly the carriage of these earthly men towards the Witnesses dead bodies they rejoyce over them make merry and send gifts one to another This is an allusion to the practice of the Jewes when they had procured deliverance from the contrivances of Haman they solemnly feasted rejoyced and made merry sending portions one to another Hest 18. 19. So when the Lord had restored unto the Jewes their land their Citie the Temple and worship The people went their way to eate and to drinke and to send portions and to make great mirth Neh. 8. 12. Suitable hereunto is that of the Prodigall who when he came home the Father for joy kils the fatted Calfe and they rejoyce and make merry together Luk. 15. 24. So here the inhabitauts of the earth doe so well resent their killing and overcoming the Witnesses as that they solemnly rejoyce and make merry even as those that have obtained someeminent deliverance or that have received some excellent good thing or as if they had obtained some great and notable victory they set up some Trophies or Ensignes of Conquest And this they expresse in a feastival manner They eate and drinke and are merry and send portions one to another The summe of all is this that when the Adversaries shall think upon the dead bodies of the Witnesses that they maintain and keep them above ground without the true life and spirit they shall excceedingly triumph and make feasts in token of joy as in the old time and if they doe not this literally yet they shall as much and as really rejoyce as they that did such things and not only so but do what they can to make others rejoyce with them 3. Consider the reason why they do thus rejoyce and that is Because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth Wee may read tormented or had tormented not that they rejoyced because they were tormented by these Prophets but because they had overcome and killed these Witnesses of God that had alwayes tormented them now they thought they were rid of them and should not be troubled with them any more therefore it is that they of the earth do so greatly rejoyce The Witnesses torment the earth by inflicting just punishment and reward upon those that worship the Beast Their very witnesse and testimony is a great torment to the world The wine of Gods wrath and the cup of his indignation shall torment the earth and what is all this but the powring forth of the Vials occasioned by the prophesie of the Witnesses As they turned waters into blood and plagued the Earth with all plagues as we heard before so they torment the earth by their witnesse and prophesie Good reason hath the world to rejoyce when they can hinder the course of their testimomonie and keepe their bodies out of graves to their owne advantage and
Antichrist doth exclude them from the heavenly influences and sweet showers of divine grace p. 170 180 2. Ob all the sweet and refreshing streames of comfort and supply that Antichrist livâ—s upon are turned into bitternesse and contention at prophesie of the witnesses p. 172 3. Ob That the prophesie of the witnesses though in a meane low and sackcloth condition iâ— of mightie force and power unto their adversaries p. 173 In vers 7. we have three particular things p. 17â— First the time when the witnesses are to be slaine and when they have finished their testimony p. 176 177 Secondly by whom the witnesses shall be slaine wherein we have opened 1. What is meant by the Beast that slayes them p. 79 2. What is meant by the bottomles pit from whence he comes p. 180 181 182 183 3. The manner of his ascension p. 184 Thirdly the manner how the witnesses are slaine by the Beast 1. He makes war against them p. 185 2. Doth overcome them p. 186 187 3. Doth kill them and how p. 188 189 190 Observations from the verse 1. Ob That the Saints of Christ in every age and time are enabled to finish their testimony mauger all the opposition that is made against them p. 191 2. Ob That the rage and cruelty of the adversary is great against the faithfull servants of Christ p. 192 193 3. Ob That the workings and deceits of Antichrist are very deep and mystâ—rious p. 194 4. Ob That there is a time when Antichrist christ doth ascend high in greatnesse and power p. 195 196 5. Ob That the witnesses are continually overcome and slaying all the time of the powerfull reigne of the Beast p. 197 198 In verse 8. we have an account of the bodies of the witnesses where three speciall things are noted p. 199 First what is meant by the bodies of the witnesses p. 200 201 202 203 204 205 Secondly the place where their bodies lie where we have explained 1. What is meant by the great Citie p. 206 2. What is meant by the streeâ—e of that Citie p. 207 Thirdly a description of the Citie 1. By it's resemblance 1. To Sodome p. 208 209 2. To Aegypt p. 210 2. By it's carriage and action p. 211 How Christ is sayd to be crucified in Aegypt and Sodome p. 212 Observations drawne from the words opened 1. Ob That the externall formes of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkasâ— p. 213 2. Ob That it 's not so much the outward forme or figure of worship that Antichrist seeks to suppresse as it 's the spirit and testimony of the witnesses p. 214 215 3. Ob That Antichrist is full of spirituall uncleannesse and cursed cruelty p. 216 4. Ob It 's the very life spirit and image of Christ that Antichrist doth chiefly oppose in slaying the witnesses p. 217 218 In verse 9. we have three things noted concerning the carriage of the enemies towards the dead bodies of the witnesses 1. Who are meant by people kindreds tongues and nations p. 220 2. Their exercise about the dead bodies 1. What it is to see the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 221 2. What it is not to suffer them to be put in graves p. 222 3. The time that these dead bodies shall lie unburied and what is meant by three dayes and a halfe p. 223 Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the power and greatnesse the wisdome and abilities of men are exercised about the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 224 2. Ob That the great care that those of the nations and tongues c. take about the dead bodies of the witnesses is to keep them above ground p. 225 226 3. Ob That the dead bodies of the witnesses are kept above ground all the time of Antichrists reigne p. 227 228 In verse 10. we have a farther carriage of the Adversary towards the carkases of the witnesses p. 229 1 The persons acting those that dwell upon the earth of whom it 's meant p. 230 2. Their actions they rejoyce and make merry c. and what it meaneth p 231 3. The ground of their joy because these two Prophets tormented them and how p. 232 233 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the people that serve Antichrist are earthly carnall p. 234 2. Ob That the greatest joy of Antichrist is over the dead bodies of the witnesses p. 235 3. Ob That the witnesses by their prophesie doe most of all torment the men of the earth p 236 237 In vers 11. we have the witnesses resurrection p. 238 1. The time of their resurrection After three dayes and a halfe explained p. 239 2. The cause viz. the spirit of life from God and what it is p. 240 241 3. The resurrection it selfe and they stood upon their feet explained in 3 particulars p. 242 243 4. The consequent that follows their resurrection by the great feare that falls upon their enemies p. 244 245 Observations from hence 1. Ob That when the time of the witnesses suffering and sadnesse drawes to an end there is an earnest expectation in them of their resurrection p. 246 247 2. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to arise by the mighty powerfull spirit of God p. 248 3. Ob As there is a time when the witnesses lie slaine and dead so also there is a time when they shall revive and live againe 249 250 4. Ob That the rising of the witnesses is a most dreadfull sight to the men of the earth p. 251 252 In verse 12. we have the witnesses ascention from whence is noted First the cause they heard a voyce from heaven p. 254 From whence is noted 1. The voyce it selfe p. 255 2. From whence it came ibid 3. Vnto whom it 's spoken p. 256 4. What it speakes p 257 Secondly the ascention it selfe p. 258 From whence is observed 1. Their action p. 259 2. Their place p. 260 3. The manner and what is meant by the cloud in which they ascend p. 261 Thirdly the Adjunct annexed to their ascention and in what manner their enemies should behold them p. 262 Observations drawne from hence 1. Ob That the witnesses are enabled to ascend by the powerfull voyce of the Spirit of God p. 263 264 2. Ob That the witnesses have their time of triumph and rejoycing as well as they have a time of sackcloth and mourning p. 265 3. Ob That the state that the witnesses shall ascend unto is most heavenly and glorious p. 266 The externall libertie and peace that the witnesses shall enjoy by their ascention consisteth 1. In deliverance from oppression p. 267 2. Their enemies shall serve them p 268 3. They shall enjoy peace and quietnesse p. 269 270 4. Deliverance from shame p. 271 The internall glory and excellency that the Saints shall be advanced unto 1. They shall abound in knowledg p. 272 2. They shall exceed in joy and comfort p. 273 3. They shaall live
shall they tread c. By an allusion to Jerusalem the Saints are called the holy Citie which was a figure of the spirituall Church and Temple of God in which respect they are called Jerusalem from above Gal. 4. 26. The new Jerusalem the holy City Revel 3. 12. Mount Sion Heb. 12. 22. So that by the holy Citie is meant the Saints called the holy people Dan. 8. 24. and 12. 7. Now the best use that these Gentiles make both of the outward Court and of the holy Citie is but to prophane and trample upon them As for all the externall formes of service government ordinances and all acts of Religion the best use they make of them is like beasts and swine to tread them under feet not knowing how to make a better use of them And for the Saints the holy City these they abuse and persecute they know not how to make a better use of these then swine doe of pearles Fifthly and lastly How long Forty and two moneths The terme of forty-two moneths allowing thirty dayes to every moneth allowing thirty dayes to every moneth make the same number of 1260 dayes mentioned in the next verse In the next Chapter and sixth verse The woman flies into the wildernesse there to be nourished a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes and in verse 14. it 's expressed by a Time times and halfe a time by a time is meant a year by times two yeares by halfe a time halfe a yeare which is three yeares and a halfe being resolved into dayes make 1260 dayes if into moneths they make forty two moneths To which agrees the terme of three dayes and a halfe in vers 9. of this Chapter These dayes being put for yeares they make just three yeares and a halfe So that the Gentiles treading downe the holy City forty two moneths and the beast continuing forty two moneths Chapt. 13. 5. And the space of 1260 dayes that the Witnesses shall prophesie as also the woman being nourished in the wildernesse and the time times and halfe a time with the three dayes and a halfe that the Witnesses shall lie dead I say all these various expressions of time appeare to be all one and the same space And so it appeares that the time of the prophesie of the Witnesses and the continuance of the raigne of the beast to be one and the same Some would have this number 1260 dayes turned into yeares and so would measure the whole terme of the raigne of the beast and the prophesie of the Witnesses to continue 1260 yeares I shall not contradict this opinion but shall thus far close with it as to conclude that the terme of time signified by forty two moneths and 1260 dayes is the whole time of Antichrists raigne and of the Witnesses prophecying in sackcloth But I intend not to make it my businesse to calculate the years of Antichrists powerfull raigne or the time of the Witnesses prophesie but rather to search out something from the mystery of truth that is contained therein This terme of forty two moneths doth not onely hâ—ld forth the whole time and age of Antichrist in which he shall tread under the holy City and scatter the power of the holy people but doth also import the different and changeable appearances and workings of his so that various shapes and formes the severall disguises and habits that Antichrist doth cloath himselfe withall and come forth in to act his part and deceive the Nations are held forth unto us under the Terme of forty two moneths Therefore here we are to note that the time of the Witnesses prophesie is said to be 1260 dayes Now a day is measured out by the Sun as a moneth is by the Moon the course of the Sun is by dayes which is a time more constant and of more light then the night But now the time of the raigne of Antichrist is expressed by forty and two moneths now a moneth is a season measured out by the Moon and shews that in all things there is but a Moon light a weak and dim light a light borrowed from the Sun Besides the Moon is variable and changeable and is alwayes up and downe never at one stay sometimes increasing at other times decreasing now in the wane then in the full and the like Suitable hereunto is the variable state and changeable appearance of Antichrist in his stations and formes First he comes forth in the forme of a Dragon Secondly in the shape of a Leopard Thirdly in the likenesse of a beast with two hornes And lastly in the image of the beast Every one of these have their moneths and seasons measured out unto them in which they variously appeare and act their parts But more of this hereafter having explained the words let us proceed to the Observations they offer unto us First That all externall formes and professions 1 Obser of Christ without the life and spirit of Christ are but the shaddow and outward part of heavenly things All formes of worship order government with all the acts of Religion all things that lie within the compasse of man are but the outward Court the superficiall part of things which a carnall man a Gentile professor may take up and use and yet never know what it is to worship in the Temple of God or to offer upon his Altar or to be a reall and true worshipper of the Lord in spirit It was the Priest onely that might enter into the inner Court or into the Temple and holy place So the Saints alone are made Priests to God Revel 1. 6. And have accesse or liberty of speech as the phrase is to enter into the holy place by a new and living way Heb. 10. 19 20. And by Christ to offer up spirituall sacrifices to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. But now for all Gentiles Christians and worldly professors they dwell upon and live in the externall part of things in the forme and shaddow of heavenly things they never goe farther then the outward Court or circle of the things of God Thus it was with the carnall Jewes as plainly appeares in 1 Cor. 10. from vers 1. to verse 7. Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant saith the Apostle how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea and were all Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spirituall meat and did all drinke the same spirituall drinke for they dranke of that spirituall Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ but with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the Wildernesse c. Now mark notwithstanding the Manna came downe from heaven and the water out of the Rock being as signes and symbolâ—â— yea as most lively representations and images of Christ in which respect it was called spirituall meat and spirituall drinke but it was not so to the carnall Jewes for they saw
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
that hath no bottome this beast or forme of wickednes this beast-like power that slayeth the witnesses hath no foundation it is not brought forth by any institution of Christ it hath no such bottom to fasten it selfe on but doth arise from the evill imaginations of mans heart this wickednesse rage hath no limits or bounds the heart of man closing with Satan doth hatch bring forth all the most abominable hideous the most black and monstrous wickednesse that is acted in the world This wickednesse arising into power and greatnesse breaketh forth into cruelty and rage into madnesse and beastlinesse Antichrist acting upon this principall becomes as a beast and is fierce and cruell he being in power doth kill and slay the witnesses and faithfull servants of Christ And this beast ariseth out of the bottomlesse pit that is without breadth or length such as cannot be fathomed or measured being full of darknesse and blacknesse of torment and confusion Thus we see what is meant by the bottomlesse pit from whence this beast cometh that maketh war with the Saints Hence it is that the Apostle sayth The coming of the man of sin is after the working of Satan 2 Thes 2. 9. It is Satan that doth captivate the mindes and understandings of men and powerfully seduce and deceive them So that Satans working upon the hearts of men doth produce all those strange inventions deceits all that darknesse and confusion all those horrid designes and plots that causeth all that rage and cruelty that mans heart doth hatch bring forth even all that killing and slaying enmity that Antichrist doth exercise against the witnesses So much for the description of the bottomles pit from whence the beast cometh Thirdly the manner of this beasts coming he doth ascend up c. that is into greatnesse and power he doth arise up high in dignity and dominion This beast doth ascend from the bottomlesse pit of the workings of Satan from that darknesse blacknesse confution rage cruelty in mans heart up unto greatnesse power and dominion This wickednesse doth not lye in the hellish imaginations of mans heart closed up in those unfathomed and endlesse thoughts and inventions but it ascendeth up into power and action it ariseth into height and dominion and then breaketh forth into cruelty and oppression Thus the beast is sayd to ascend out of the sea Chap. 13. 1. that is he as being greedy of supremacy and greatnesse did ascend by little and little untill he was lifted up into the highest power and dominion So this beast doth ascend out of the bottomless pit to a state of strength and power As it is sayd in Chap. 13. 2. The Dragon gave unto the beast his power and his seat and great authority that so he might make war with the Saints and overcome them and kill them Thus much for the manner of the beasts ascension The third thing to be considered is the manner how the witnesses are to be slaine and that is expressed by a threefold action of the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit he shall First make warre against them Secondly shall overcome them Thirdly he shall kill them First we have the war that this beast makes against the witnesses This is the war in heaven spoken of in Chap. 12. 7. between Michael and his Angels fighting with the Dragon and his Angels That is Christ and his people waging a spirituall war against the Devill and his agents This represents us with the spirit of enmity and malice of the Serpent put forth in the power and authority of the Dragon here is the seede of the Serpent and the seed of the woman conflicting and fighting one against the other When the woman is fled into the wilderness and Antichrist himselfe having taken the possession of the outward Court yet the Dragon makes war with the remnant of her seed Chap. 12. ult This war is in heaven being a spirituall Combate between Christ and Antichrist The envie the malice and the inveterate hatred of the seed of the Serpent is alwayes putting it selfe forth against Christ his servants his image and truth Hence it was that Christ told the Jewes That they were of their father the Devill who was a murtherer from the beginning Joh. 8. 44. They received the root and seed of malice and hatred from Satan the accuser of the servants of Christ who doth alwayes raise calumny war and contention against them Thus the beast being filled with the cursed seed of the envie and malice of the Serpent doth alwayes make war with the Saints Secondly this beast shall overcome the witnesses This represents us with the craft and subtilty of the Serpent whereby he shall ensnare and intrap the Saints for the time that they shall be given into his hand Thus it is said of the King of a fierce countenance that through his policy he should cause craft to prosper in his hand Dan. 8. 25. And so in Dan. 11. 31. He shall corrupt with flatteries Such is the craft and subtilty of Antichrist who by faire pretenies and subtill devices doth betray the Saint And thus he doth by translating himselfe into an Angel of light taking up the forme of Christ to persecute the spirit and life of Christ The beast comes forth with faire pretences like a woman in some glorious dresse arayed in purple and scarlet colour decked with gold and precious stones and pearles Revel 17. 4. having many excellencies of nature and formes of worship humane gifts and a counterfeit spirit that so the whole world wander after the beast saying Who is like unto the beast But when he hath by subtilty and deceit brought about his owne ends then he openeth his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and abuse his people by Ecclesiasticall Cannons Lawes and Constitutions so that to the malice here is added the subtilty of the beast to overcome and ensnare the Saints and to bring them under his power and jurisdiction all the appoynted time while they are given into his hand Thus the beast by turning Religion into a Law and by establishing his formes of worship by civill sanction and humane authority taking into his assistance the powers of the world he doth prevaile against and overcome the witnesses Thirdly the beast is sayd to kill these witnesses And this represents us with the spirit of cruelty herein he doth beast-like devour and destroy the faithfull servants of Christ Now we must not understand this killing of the witnesses of a literall or outward slaying but of a Mysticall slaying for they are not here slaine as men but they are slaine as witnesses and so their killing here imports two things First a restraint layd upon their persons sometimes by imprisonment and banishment sometimes by throwing them from place and office from rule and government by silencing and suspending of them some way or other hindering them in the course of their prophesie Thus the Jewes cast out
God and ruine his people Hence it is that mystery is written upon the head of the whorish woman Chap. 17. 15. when in her ornaments of purple and decking of silver gold and precious stones she is full of abominations and filthinesse of fornication being but the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth Here is the fountaine of all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse that the world seeth not the depth of neither can it fathome the bottome of this wickednesse of this mystery it ascendeth from the pit as deep as hell it selfe Fourthly doth this beast ascend upward Then Observe There is a time 4 Observâ— when Antichrist doth ascend high in greatnesse and power All that wickednesse and abomination all that blacknesse and darknesse all that deceivablenesse and iniquity suggested by Satan into mans heart that we spake of before it is gathered up and acted in greatnesse power and dominion The spirit of selfe-righteousnesse pride malice and envie now comes forth in the forme and power of a beast There is a time when this wickedness shall raigne and beare sway this is the houre and the day of the powerfull raigne of the beast according to that saying in Revel 13. 5. Power was given unto the beast to continue forty and two msneths And therefore it is permitted that he should for a time act according to his will because he is great as it is spoken by Daniel of the king of a fierce countenance Dan. 8. 4. Thus we have it in Revel 17. 13. The ten hornes doe with one minde give their power and strength unto the beast They do with one consent use all their personall and royall authority to uphold the power and dominion of the beast By this meanes the beast doth ascend becomes great and mighty in power But as there is a time of the beasts ascension so also there is a time of his descension and declining when the ten Kings shall withdraw their power againe and hate the whore and burne her flesh with fire Revel 17. 16. There will be times when these shall no longer submit to the tyranny of the beast but shall conspire against him and strip him of his ornaments and prey upon his spoyles and ruines Then shall the beast descend into the pit of perdition and destruction from whence he did ascend and as Solomon saith The righteous shall be delivered the wicked shal come in their steed Thus Antichrist hath his timeâ— of rising into power and greatnesse and shall also have his declinings time of falling when he shall grow weak and feeble and shall not be able to stand Fiftly and lastly doth the beast make war against overcome and kill these witnesses then observe That the witnesses 5 Observâ— are continually overcome and slaying all the time of the powerfull raigne of the beast The slaying of the witnesses cannot be confined to one age or time towards the latter end of their prophesie and that onely some particular persons should be slainâ— and that by martyrdome onely but the beast doth alwayes make war with the Saints and by civill power and ecclesiasticall law doth alwayes overcome them and by the execution of that law doth kill them by hindering them in the course of their prophesie and rejecting their testimony turning the truth into a lie thus I say the witnesses are alwayes slaying the whole time of Antichrists raigne Hence it is sayd that the little horne should weary out thg Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 25. by continuall vexing and tormenting of them It is sayd of the Locusts that ascended out of the smoke of the bottomlesse pit That they had faces like men having a shew of humanity and their haire was as the haire of women by reason of their perswasive flatteries and faire shewes of gentlenesse and meeknesse but they had the teeth of Lyons rending and devouring the Saints by their cruell exactions and tyrannicall governments whereby they have alwayes suppressed the Saints And thus have the faithful witnesses of Christ been continually in slaying under the powerfull raigne of the beast VERS 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great Citie which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified IN the former verse we had the death and slaying of the witnesses Now here we are to enquire what becomes of their bodies of which we have an account in this and the two following verses First their bodies lie in the great Citie Secondly they are kept from buriall vers 9. Thirdly their enemies rejoyce over them vers 10. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street c. Here take notice First what is meant by their dead bodies Secondly the place where they lie and that is in the street of the great Citie Thirdly we have a description of this great Citie First by it's resemblance first to Sodome secondly to Egypt Secondly by it's action Where our Lord was crucified First to enquire what is meant by the dead bodies of the witnesses We must beare in minde how and in what manner they were slaine and that was mystically and metaphorically and therefore their bodies must be so understood also Then if it were meant of the Witdesses being slaine in their testimony then it must here be meant of the outward forme and body of their testimony therefore by these bodies are meant all the externall figures and formes of worship in which the witnesses were exercised and through which they did sometimes give forth their testimony When the Church was driven into the Wildernesse to worship God in the secret Temple the outward Court the whole body of their externall formes of worship they left behinde them and the Gentiles made use of them so that this body or whole forme of worship did remaine in the street of the great Citie The outward and externall part of worship when the spirit life waâ— departed from it and the witnesses had left it becâ—me as a dead body or carkase as having no breath or true life in it for as the body becomes as a carkase when the soule and life is departed so is the externall forme of worship when the spirit of the Lord is departed from it Now that the externall part of worship in the formes and figures of it when 't is spirit-lesse and without life is as a dead body or carkase We have a full place of Scripture to prove this interpretation if we rightly observe that Text in Matth. 24. 28. where Christ saith Wheresoever the carkase is there will the Eagles be gathered together The common interpretation of this Text is that here by the carkase should be meant of Christ and that Saints are compared to Eagles as resorting to Christ But consider how far remotâ— this opinion is from the adequate sence of the place For first it would be a most iâ—ksome and naâ—seous comparison to liken Christ to a dead stinking carkase The like comparison of
Christ we finde not in Scripture Secondly it would also be as much unsavoury and harsh a similitude to assiâ—â—late the Saints to the Eagle which is a bird of prey mentioned Job 39. 27 28. c. But if we would enquire for the minde of Christ in this Text wee are to consider the whole drift and scope of the Chapter which is no other then a full and ample declaration or rather a prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem the Temple the Nation and Church of the Jewes as appeares plainly by the beginning of the Chapter Now in the middest of those tribulations desolations that should befall the State Church of the Jewes Many should say lo here or lo there is Christ vers 23. But Christ exhorts them not to beleeve those false Prophets that should say he was in the desert or in the secret Chamber and why For as the lightening cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West so shall also the coming of the Son of man be Now as it is the native property of lightning to make a full discovery of it selfe by it's lightsomenesse and brightnesse so Christ shall be eminently manifested and declared to be the Messiah by the destruction of Jerusalem of the Temple and worship of the Jewes So that Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem was like lightning for what could more evince and testifie that Christ was the true Messiah then the destruction of the Temple worship of the Jewes which they upheld after the coming of Christ when it should all have been abolished Christ foretelling of this destruction by which himselfe should be manifested coming as lightning shining from the East to the West saith For wheresoever the carkase is there will the Eagles be gathered together Now by the carkase he meaneth Jerusalem the Temple and the worship of the Jewes which they kept up in use after the coming of Christ when the Jewish formes were to be abolished when the spirit life presence of God was departed from these things then the State Church their Temple and worship became as a dead carkase without any life or spirit in it they onely upheld the superficiall part of their forme and service when there was no breath of life nothing of the Spirit of God left in it And as for the Eagles being birds of prey they are meant of those people and Nations that besieged and at last sacked Jerusalem pulled downe the Temple scattered the people and destroyed their worship Thus it was with the Temple and worship with the people and Cities of the Jewes being left of God without his presence and spirit became as a dead carkase and the enemies like birds of prey came and devour's them So here when the Hab. 1. 8. The enemy is compared to an Eagle Church was driven into the Wilderness to worship God in his secret Temple then the Gentiles possessed themselves of the outward Court of the externall formes and figures of worship but without the presence or spirit of Christ These are the bodies of the witnesses that lie in the street of the Citie and that Antichrist will not suffer to be buried or put in graves For what is all the forme of worship and service of the carnall Church and of worldly Christians but as a dead carkase lifelesse and spirit-lesse The Jewes kept up all their formes of worship after the Messiah was come and had abolished them all and therefore it was that when the Apostle was asked why he would revile Gods high Priest he answereth he did not know him to be Gods high Priest for saith he it is written Thou shalt not speake evill of a Ruler c. Act. 23. 5. Now I verily beleeve that the Apostle knew well enough who it was that he was brought before and that he was the titular High-Priest â—ut when he saith I wist not that it was Gods high Priest he spake ironically or by way of deriâ—ion because he sate as high Priest when he was not at that time a lawfull high Priest the office of Priesthood being expired by the coming of the Messiah Now the Jewes were very willing to have kept up their rites and formes their worship and Priesthood when they should have been layd aside the Lord being departed from them they were but as dead carkases In like manner doth Antichrist by the outward Court or externall formes of worship that the witnesses have exercised in these they uphold and preserve these are the bodies of the witnesses they keep in the street of their Citie these they keep above ground and will noâ— suffer them to be buried they onely slay the testimony spirit of the witnesses but they preserve their bodies for their own use and to serve their own ends Secondly Consider the place where these bodies lie and that is in the street of the great Citie Here we have two things to enquire after viz. what is meant First by this great Citie Secondly by the street thereof First This great Citie is meant of great Babylon mentioned in Chap. 17. 5. called the mother of harlots and abominations It is an allusion to old Babylon called great Dan. 4. 30. which was eminent for tyranny and oppression Antichrist is called the mother of harlots and the great whore because as a strumpet shee doth not onely commit spirituall whoredomes but doth also teach and nourish her children in the same way and so â—ill the earth with her abominations This whorish woman is described to be this great Citie which reigneth over the Kings of the earth vers 18. I confesse that Rome hath mystically ruled the Nations and hath been as the well-bead of the filthinesse and abomination of the world But more especially this woman here called the great Citie is the carnall worldly Antichristian Church which hath as a whore departed from God and hath been led by a lying spirit and hath followed after whorish inventions of her owne braine hath gathered the nations of the world into a Church and called them by the name of Christians and all this hath been by a mystery of iniquity a very babell and confusion This woman called the great Citie is no other then the whole Church of Antichrist that rides upon the beast or earthly power and is clothed in gay cloathing of humane ordinances and formall professions pretending to be the Spouse of Christ when she is a very harlot going after other lovers and whiles she pretends Christianity shee is drunke with the bloud of the Saints This whorish woman is the great Citie where lieth the dead bodies of the witnesses Secondly by the street of this great Citie is meant the whole Territory and space the confines and large extent of the Dominion and rule of the Antichristian church and government The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being of the singular number is put for the plurall and signifies all the streets territories and places of Antichrist's rule and domination It
cannot properly be taken for one street for thero is no great Citie made of one street but indeed the word as rendred by the Septuagint signifies a whole Countrey the whole confines or bounds of a place So that this street cannot be meant of one street or distinct place but of the whole territory and largenesse of Dominion the whole compasse and extent of all the Nations and Churches that are under the authority and command of Antichrist the utmost limits and extreme bounds of largenesse and greatnesse is here intimated by the street In the third place we come to a description of this Citie and that is First by resemblance first to Sodome secondly to Egypt Secondly by some carriage or action of this Citie towards Christ it 's the place where our Lord was crucified The Citie is described by a resemblance to Sodome and Egypt in a metaphoricall way for here we have the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually which means something that 's spirituall and mysticall not that it 's spirituall as opposed to carnall or earthly but as opposed to Sodome and Aegypt literally and properly so called Then it 's meant of Metaphoricall Sodome and of Mysticall Aegypt by way of an allusion or resemblance First Sodome was a place full of filthiness and uncleanness as we have the relation in Gen. 19. And the iniquity of Sodome was sayd to be pride and fulnesse of bread and abundance of idleness and lasciviousness Ezek. 16. 49 50. It was with this abominable wickedness that righteous Lot was so much vexed and perplexed in spirit at the sight and beholding thereof Suitable unto this is the spirituall uncleanness and filthiness gf Antichrist called the mother of Harlots full of abominations corrupting the earth by her uncleanness and intoxicating the whole world with the wine of her fornications In a word all the whoredome fornication and abomination of Sodome are spiritually hatched and acted by this whorish woman this great City Babylon the great this Antichristian Church this abominable Strumpet the great Harlot of the world Secondly we have a resemblance to Aegypt First in respect of Idolatry and and Superstition as appears Exod. 12. 12. They were full of Idols and false gods they did worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship that for Gods that the Israelites were to offer in sacrifice unto God Hence it was that Moses would not that the children should offer Sacrisice untill they were come forth of Aegypt lest they should follow the example of the Aegyptians Secondly Aegypt was full of tyranny and oppression towards the children of Israel their Task-masters laid on heavy burthens on their shoulders and that with much vigour and cruelty as 't is related in Exod. 1. 13. The taske-masters of Aegypt and the oppression of Pharaoh made it to be the very house of bondage The same things are found in mysticall Aegypt as Idolatry and superstition all the whole bundle of Antichrists worship is but of carnall invention and humane institution yea it is spirituall whoredome and Idolatry So also may we finde in her all the cruelty and oppression of Aegypt here are those Task-masters that by their civill power and Ecclesiasticall Laws doe continually vex and torment the Saints As once Pharaoh destroyed the male children of the Israelites so the Dragon standing before the woman ready to devoure her children and when the woman flyeth into the wildernesse for shelter and relief he casts a flood of persecution after her and continually maketh warre with the remnant of her seede which keepe the commandement of God have the testimonie of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 4. 16 17. Thus you see how the great Citie is resembled 1. To Sodome for pride and filthiness 2. To Aegypt for idolatry and oppression The second description of the Citie by its carriage and action it 's where our Lord was crucified This cannot be meant literally or according to the letterâ— for so Christ was crucisied at Jerusalem but it is meant spiritually and mystically that Christ is crucified in his truth and members in Sodome and Aegypt it 's the pride and filthinesse of Sodome and the cursed idolatry and cruelty of Aegypt that doth alwayes crucifie Christ in his lawes and servants but consider First though Christ in his person was put to death at Jerusalem yet hee was crucified by a Roman power condemned by Pilate a Roman Judge and was adjudged by a Roman kinde of Ioh. 18. 31. Mat. 20. 19. death and was executed by the Romane Souldiers and all was done under the Roman jurisdiction territorie government and dominion which here for filthinesse and abomination is called Sodom and for idolatry and oppression is called Aegypt So in this respect Christ himselfe may be said to be crucied in Sodome and in Aegypt But Secondly Christ is crucified mystically and that is in his truth and laws in his members and people Acts 9. 5. Saul why persecutest thou mee which words do import that Christ is crucified in his people So that as Christ was brought in adjoyned in testimony and witnesse with his Saints in like manner he comes in as suffering with them also So that here is some resemblance between the suffering of Christ and his witnesses For as Christ was put to death by a heathening Roman power so by the raign and dominion of Antichrist the Witnesses are put to death also and Christ is crucified in them It was the wickednesse of the Scribeâ— and Pharisees that accused Christ of Judas that betrayed him of Pilate and the high Priest that condemned him of the Gentile souldiers that crucified him all this wickednesse heightned in Antichrist grows into the uncleannesse and filthinesse of Sodome and into the eâ—â—ity and cruely of Aegypt doth make Warre against he Witnesses and kill them So that it is not so much meant of the place where Christ or his Saints are oppressed â—â— to shew that the wickedness and impiety that put Christ to death is the very same wickednesse that Antichrist doth exeroise in killing of the faiâ—hâ—ul seâ—vants and Witnesses of Christ The words being unfolded we now come to give some observations from them First observe That the external forms 1 Observ of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkass Such was the Temple Priest-hood and worship of the Jewes when God had departed from them such also is all the worship service of Antichrist it 's not so much the superficies or external form that he doth oppose but the spirit of life that breathed forth in them by the Prophesie of the Witnesses As the bodie becoms a Karcase when the spirit life is departed so is the external and formall part of worship when the spirit of God hath departed from it The Apostle tells of a forme of godliness without the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.
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