and applyed to that people who shall have the principal hand in this great work p. 53 54 The Question propounded Whether the Jewes first stirring shall be upon a bare Civil account or not Resolved at large p. 54. to 62 The Interval betwixt the sixth and seventh VIALS Four remarkable things falling within this Interval 1 Agents and Ambassadors are sent forth from the Dragon Beast and false Prophet unto the Kings of the earth p. 63 Here 1 The terms are opened and it is shewed 1. Who meant by Dragon ibid. 2. What we are to understand by Beast and false Prophet Explained 1 Beast in the Revelation is sometimes spoken of without distinction as though he were but one When so Beast denotes Antichrists twofold power Civil and Ecclesiastical p. 64. to 68. Here is shewed what is meant by Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit Chap. 11.7 why called Chap. 17.8 the Beast that was is not yet is shall ascend out of the bottomless pit What meant by the seven Heads of the Beast In what sense this Beast is called the Eighth yet said to be of the Seven 2 Beast is sometimes spoken of with distinction as though he were two when so one part denotes Antichrists Civil power the other his Ecclesiastical p. 68 to 69. 1 In this sense we read of two Beasts Chap. 13. One Beast arising out of the Sea this shewed to be Antichrist in his pure Civil State why the seven Heads of the Beast are interpreted first of the seven Mountains of Rome and secondly of the seven distinct Governments in the Roman Empire Another Beast arising out of the Earth this shewed to be Antichrist in his Ecclesiastical State That the first Beast cannot be the whole body of the Roman Empire p. 69 These two Beasts did both rise together p. 72 And how ib. These Beasts though two are really one and make up but one Antichrist ib. 2 In this sense we also read of a Beast and a Woman Chap. 17. What meant by Beast and Woman Why the second Beast is here called a Woman In what sense the Woman is interpreted the Great City p. 72 3 In this sense we have in the Text a Beast and a false Prophet mentioned The false Prophets shewed to be the same with the second Beast p. 110 Why the second Beast in his third estate is called a false Prophet p. 73 74 2 The manner of the Dragon Beast and false Prophets sending forth their Agents namely by a general Convention of the Popish party Two things debated in this General Assembly from whence this result of sending forth Agents and Ambassadors all over the world doth arise p. 75 3 Their grand design in this Ambassy p. 76 4 The Agents imployed in this Ambassy why said to be three Why said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon Beast and false Prophet Five Characters given of them p. 77 78 The second thing within this Interval viz. The Personal coming of Christ 1 Proved to be within the Interval betwixt the sixth and and seventh Vials 1 Argument Christ shall Personally come at the battle of Armageddon grounded upon eight Prophecies which are opened p. 79 to 88 2 Argument Christs Personal coming shall be at the time of the Kingdoms restoring to Israel proved from sundry Scriptures Here is shewed that the time of restitution of all things Act. 3.21 cannot be the General Judgement p. 88 to 97 Two Arguments to prove the former Position urged from the words themselves p. 97 98 Two Arguments more laid down in the General tending to prove Christs Personal coming cannot be far off ib. This coming we speak of is shewed to be the same â—th that coming commonâ—â— called a coming to Judgeâ—ent p. 101 to 111. Where 〈◊〉 shewed that there are but â—o Personal comings â—ut not Martyrs onely but â—l the Saints shall come â—ith Christ at this day The â—ace Rev. 20.4 5. answeâ—d The difference of this â—inciple from the common â—ceived opinion is shewed 〈◊〉 be onely this that afâ—ms the General Judgeâ—ent to be instantly upon â—hrists coming this mainâ—ins that the thousand â—ars Revel 20. are to â—sue first and after that â—e General Judgement Here is discussed the â—ousand years concernâ—g which it is assertâ—â— 1 That the thousand â—ars six times repeated â—ap 20. are one and the â—ins thousand years in all p. 111 2 That the thousand years are a definite time p. 111 112 3 That they are yet to come and to take their beginning from the Battel of Armageddon p. 112 113 114 1 Proved by three Arguments 2 Answer is given to their Arguments who reckon them past and the grounds of them shewed to be mistakes p. 114 to 119 The whole time from Christs appearing to the end of the world may be called in a large sense a day of Judgement p. 119 Two special differences betwixt the Judgement passed in the time of the thousand years and that which shall be at the last day p. 119 to 122. Where the manner of Saints ruling and reigning and judging the world is opened Two Objections answered 1 Objection How can this be seeing the world is to be destroyed by fire at Christs coming Answered p. 122 to 124 2 Objection How can this agree to the state of glorified souls or how will it stand with Saints glory and spirituality answered p. 124 to 127 The whole concluded with three Rules laid down to judge of such Scriptures as speak of Christs Second coming p. 127 to 129 3 Christs Watel word to his people Five Reasons given of it why the duty of watchfulness is by Christ annexed to the Dictrine of his second coming p. 129 to 138. Inhandling these the steep of the ten Virgins spoken of Mat 25. is opened 4 Christs providential disposing of his enemies p. 139 to 142. Here is shewed what is meant by Armageddon VIAL 7. 1 The Angel pouring it forth Christ himself p 142 2 The Subject of it the Air nothing the pouring forth of this Vial to be universal upon 1 The whole Kingdom of the Dragon 2 The whole Kingdom of Antichrist 3 The Kingdom of the Great Turk 4 The Kingdoms of this world p. 142 143 144. Here is shewed why a change of speech is used in this Vial different from all the rest 3 The Adjunct A great voyce shewed 1 Whose voyce this is p. 144 2 The meaning of the voyce p. 145 3 Why said to come from the Throne p. 146 4 Why the Throne the voyce comes from is said to be in the Temple of Heaven p. 148 Here is shewed that the New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21. Chap. 22. cannot be meant of Heavenly glory but must be a glorious state of the Church on Earth proved by seven Arguments p. 148 to 152 No outward Ordinances to be in the New Jerusalem p. 152 to 157 An Objection answered where is shewed what is meant by the going up to Jerusalem Zach. 14. to keep the Feast of Tabernacles
the Lord two parts therein shall be cut off and dye but the third shall be left therein And I will bring the third part through the fire and will refine them as silver is refined and will try them as gold is tryed they shall call on my Name and I will hear them I will say It is my people and they shall say The Lord is my God Isa 10.20 21 22. It shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him that smote them but shall stay upon the Lord the Holy One of Israel in truth The Remnant shall return even the Remnant of Jacob unto the mighty God For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the Sea yet a Remnant of them shall return the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness Chap. 4.2.3.4 In that day shall the Branch of the lord be beautiful and glorious for them that are escaped of Israel And hee that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called Holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the Daughter of Sion and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Judgement and by the Spirit of Burning Zepha 3.12 13. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the Name of the Lord. This is the day of purging out the Rebels Ezek. 20.38 And I will purge out from among you the Rebels and them that transgresse against mee Of judging between Cattel and Cattel Chap. 34.17 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I judge between Cattel and Caâ—tel between the Rams and the Hee Goats All which places as will be evident to him that shall but understandingly peruse them and compare them with other Scriptures speak of the last times when the Iews are to come in To this Remnant shall Christ at the great day of the battel of Armageddon which shall put an end to this day of trouble appear who shall from that day bee advanced to reign with him in his Kingdome But of this more hereafter Thus much as touching the sixth VIAL The Interval of time betwixt the pouring out of the Sixth and Seventh VIALS Verse 13. AND I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet Vers 14. For they are the spirits of Devils working miracles which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almighty These words to vers 17. do not properly belong either to the Sixth or Seventh Vials but contain an Interval of time betwixt both in which some remarkable things in order to the pouring forth the seventh and last Vial are to be transacted which are 1 The sending forth of Ambassadors or Agents from the Dragon Beast and false Prophet to the Kings of the Earth By Dragon We are to understand that Old Serpent the Devil and Satan yet principally as acting in the Roman Monarchy the seven Heads and ten Horus of the Dragon chap. 12.3 being the Armes of Rome for so the Holy Ghost interprets it chap. 12 9. And the Dragon was cast out that Old Serpent called the Devil and Satan chap. 20.2 And he laid hold on the Dragon that Old Serpent which is the Devill and Satan Now where the Holy Ghost hath given a manifest interpretation it is certainly curiosity to seek another As for the other two the Beast and the false Prophet the two Companions of the Dragon or Devil we shall the better discern these two Monsters if we consider how that Beast in the Revelation is sometimes spoken of without any distinction made as being but one Sometimes with distinction as though he were two as Beast and Beast Chap 13. Beast and Woman Chap. 17. Beast and false Prophet as here When Beast is spoken of without distinction it denotes the Political and Ecclesiastical State both of the Roman Empire as the same now is Antichristian As in Vial 2. Beast there used alone denotes both States as is clear because the Image of the Beast was of the first Beast Rev 13.14 compared with ver 3. The mark of the Beast was of the second Beast spoken of chap. 13. the first Beast having no mark and the two Beasts Chap. 13. which both are comprehended in the word Beast Vial 2. are as shall appear anon the Civil and the Ecclesiastical State of the Roman Empire as the same now is under Antichrist So in Vial 5. Rome is called the Seat of the Beast that is the Seat of the Political State for the Seat of the Roman Empire as the same was Pagan which State was Political onely is given to the first Beast Rev. 13.2 that is the Civil or Political State of Antichrist And also the Seat of the Ecclesiastical for it is upon the seven Mountains of Rome the Woman sits Rev. 17 9. i.e. the Ecclesiastical State So that Rome is the Seat both of the Political and Ecclesiastical State and therefore the Beast Vial 2. whose Seat is in Rome must be understood of both States Civil and Ecclesiastical both which make up but one Beast or Antichrist So Rev. 14.9 11. Chap. 15.2 Chap. 20.4 in all which places we have but one Beast spoken of but the same as having a Mark and an Image which for what I said but now must be interpreted of both States the Civil and Ecclesiastical The like we have Chap. 11.7 The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them i.e. against the two Witnesses Now this Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit is meant of both States not onely for this reason that both joyn in slaying the Witnesses but because Chap. 17.8 we have it so interpreted for John being shewn first either State distinct vers 3 4. 5 6. the one represented by a Beast the other by a Woman riding upon this Beast in vers 7 8. hath the mystery of both together shewed him and both together are the Beast ascending out of the bottomless Pit which Beast there spoken of in such various and seeming contrary phrases was is not yet is shall ascend out of the bottomless Pit can be understood of no other but Antichrist in all because it is said The dwellers on the Earth shall wonder when they behold the Beast that was is not and yet is noting thus much that the dwellers on Earth as yet saw not this Beast for indeed his rise was not yet John seeing the rise of this Beast Chap. 13.1.11 as a thing to be after his time Yet is he called the Beast that was because in respect of that Civil Power this Beast should exercise and
the Seat he should upon his rise sit in he should not differ from the Roman Empire that then was and had its beginning long before John wrote is not in respect of a power Ecclesiastical as well as Civil which Antichrist was to have so he was not the present Government when John wrote neither knowing nor allowing any such power for which cause though Antichrists Seat and Civil Power was in the Roman Empire as Pagan yet was not the Empire or Government then the Beast here spoken of or Antichrist Yet is in respect of will and desire and a secret aspiring which then was after such a thing or power which once obtained would Midwife this man of sin into the world 2 Thes 2.7 The mystery of iniquity doth already work 1 Joh. 2.18 Even now there are many Antichrists shall ascend out of the bottomless Pit because the rise of this Beast which must as I have said be one and the same in all the several expressions was to be afterwards when the Civil power that now was in the hands of Pagan Emperors should fall into the hands of the Beast and withall an Ecclesiastical power set up with it both going together hand in hand which should be a Government so abominable that it is said to ascend out of the bottomless Pit i.e. the rise of it should be as from Hell it self And therefore of this very Beast that was and is not it is said he is the eight vers 11. that is the eighth kind of Government which should be in the Roman Empire a clear Argument that not the Empire in general but the same as under Antichristian onely is the Beast that was and is not for all the several Governments are comprehended under the Empire in general but the Beast that was and is not is spoken of particularly as but one and that too the eight and last which can agree to none but Antichrist for five distinct kinds of Government had been before Johns time First Kings Secondly Consuls Thirdly Dictators Fourthly Decem-viri Fifthly Tribunes which all were fallen therefore saith he vers 10. five are fallen One that is the sixth then was which was a Government by Cesars who ruled the Empire in Johns time therefore one is another the seventh was yet to come that is by Christian Emperors therefore saith he the other is yet to come and of this seventh he saith when he commeth he must continue a short space for indeed this continued but a little while but the Empire growing corrupt the Beast that was and is not i.e. Antichrist creeps in who is called the eight And the Beast that was and is not even he is the eight vers 11. because he sets up a new form of Government distinct from all the former viz. an Ecclesiastical and Civil State mixt together which none of the former Governments had and may therefore well then be called the eight or another Government And yet he is of the seven and is of the seven i.e. besides the new Ecclesiastical Power erected by this Beast this Beast doth also exercise that Civil Power which the seven or the several Governments before him had or did exercise And for this reason the seven Heads of the Beast ver 9. are interpreted of the seven kinds of Government ver 10. Not to shew that by Beast is understood as is generally conceived the Empire at large including all the several Governments that were to be in it But to shew that the power of all the seven former Governments should center in this Beast whatsoever Civil power they had he should have it all who yet over and above should erect a new power which none of the former had in which sense he should be the eighth And of this Beast it is said he goeth into perdition either because destruction will be his end as chap. 19.20 or because under this Beast the Fourth Monarchy is to be utterly destroyed So that the Beast here ascending out of the bottomless pit which is the same Beast with that which kils the Witnesses Revel 11.1 is to be understood of the Political and Ecclesiastical State both of the Roman Empire as now it is though of the seven in respect of the Political State and yet the eight in respect of the Ecclesiastical added to the other yet but one and the same Beast for the same Beast is the eight and of the seven I therefore conclude that Beast when spoken of without distinction denotes Antichrists Civil and Ecclesiastical power both When Beast is spoken of with distinction as Beast and Beast Beast and Woman Beast and false Prophet We are then by one to understand the Roman Civil State onely by the other the Ecclesiastical This is manifest Rev. 13. where we have two Beasts spoken of the one arising out of the Sea ver 2. the other out of the Earth vers 11. By the first we are to understand the Civil State onely for vers 2. The Dragon gives to this first Beast his power Seat and great Authority i.e. the Devil who all the time the Roman Empire was Pagan did rule in it and was openly worshipped there seeing himself by Christian Emperors now come to the Imperial Dignity dethroned so as that he cannot under that form procure any more as he had done to be openly worshipped and to persecute the Saints he therefore resigns his Power Seat and great Authority i.e. Rome the Seat of the Empire and the Power and Authority of the former Emperors which was Civil onely to this first Beast for which reason the seven heads of the Antichristian Beast Chap. 17.9.10 are by the Holy Ghost interpreted first Of the seven Mountains of Rome the Seat of the Beast And secondly of the seven distinct kinds of Government namely the Power and Authority of the Beast because both these viz. the Seat and Civil power of the former Empire are given into the hands of this first Beast the principal limb of Antichrist so that by first Beast the Civil State onely is to be understood for the first Beast hath onely what the Dragon resigns and the Dragon could resign no more the power of the former Empire in which the Dragon ruled being Civil onely But so subtle is this Dragon the Devil that by resigning to the first Beast a second Beast doth arise vers 11. by which Beast the Devil obtains to be worshipped again though under a more specious form and devout way of Idolatry devised by the second Beast and so what the Devil was before forced to let go in one kind he now by policy gets again in another Now this second Beast is the Ecclesiastical State of the Roman Empire the Pope his Hierarchy and Clergy as appears 1 Because his rise is out of the Earth vers 11. that is his beginning is base mean and low as the Popes at first when the Beast first began to rise were poor Bishops who in time by the favour of Princes got up to
be Popes and most of their exalted Clergy-men rise out of the dung 2 He looks like a Lamb as the Pope calls himself Christs Vicar the Servant of the Servants of Christ and his retinue pretend humility and their power to be from and for Christ and hold their station successively from the Apostles as he doth his from Peter 3 He speaks like a Dragon The Pope and all they who derive their power from him though he and they look ever so like Saints yet the absoluteness of their Decrees Injunctions and Impositions enforcing and compelling the Consciences of all declare them to be the Dragon that is the persecutor of the Woman or Christs flock as the Dragon is Rev. 12. 4 He exerciseth all the power of the first Beast Vers 12. As the Pope hath a double sword a temporal and a spiritual and his inferior Clergy make use of a Civil Power to uphold their own cause as well as a spiritual Now whereas some conceive the first Beast here to be the whole body of the Roman Empire as the same is the fourth Monarchy whereof the Antichrist is but a part and the second Beast to be the Antichrist and his Kingdome alone it cannot so be partly for the Reasons before given and further because according to this the Beast should continue to make war against the Saints and to kill them above two and forty months for reckoning the time of the ten Persecutions and all the time since in which war hath been made upon the Saints and they killed it amounts to much more than two and forty months which yet is the limited time of this Beasts persecution Vers 5. And power was given unto him to continue two and forty months Yea then how comes it to pass that this first Beast differs from the Dragon who yet did represent the former Empire for whereas the Dragon as one well observes hath but seven Crowns and those seven upon his Head Chap. 12.3 this Beast hath ten Crowns and those upon his Horns vers 1. which difference according to this Principle should not bee for they should be one and the same Therefore the first Beast is the Empire only as under Antichrist and of that as I have said the Civil state onely as the second the Eccelesiastical Furthermore as concerning these two Beasts we are not to conceive as though they sprung up at a distance one a good while after the other for the continuance of the first Beast I have said already is to be but two and forty months and so much time is allowed to both the Beasts Chap. 11.12 the holy City shall they i e. both the Beasts tread underfoot two and forty months And indeed the treading the Holy City underfoot two and forty months can be no other act but the act of the Beast it agreeing so punctually to be the precise time of his Reign And of what Beast I answer That very Beast mentioned vers 7. which ariseth out of the bottomless Pit and towards the end of this time kills the Witnesses which Beast I have already shewed to be spoken of both the Beasts viz. the Civil and Ecclesiastical state whose rise therefore must be together the time of eithers Reign being two and forty months For indeed so soon as the Roman Empire which before was Pagan but now Christian began to be so corrupt as to be the first Beast i. e. of Christian an Antichristian state persecuting the true members of Christ instantly with this corrupted state did the second Beast arise that is the sword and power of the Civil Magistrate which before was used by none but himself came now to be in the hands or at the will and disposal of Ecclesiastical persons Church-men as they are called that these thereby might become fit instruments to set up and establish their own Idolatries and persecute the Saints And by this arose a second Beast exercising by permission all the Power of the first and is therefore said to exercise it before him vers 12. in his sight vers 14. i.e. by leave or permission of the first Beast for which cause the making war with the Saints vers 7. the compelling all Nations that dwell upon the earth to worship the Beast vers 8. is appropriated to the first Beast as though it were his act whereas indeed it is properly the second Beast doth this as is clear vers 15 16 17. but hee doth it by exercising the power of the first without which he could not do it and therefore the same thing is recorded in describing either Beast because in this business the second Beast is the first mover but the effecting of it is done by the power of the first And indeed the second Beast may well be called another Beast distinct from the first notwithstanding the power he exerciseth by the power of the first because the hands this power is now put into or is at the disposal of are such as not only are without right to this power but also never had until this day any such power intrusted in them or at their disposal Yet that these Beasts though two are indeed one and make up but one Antichrist is clear because both the Beasts rise together as before both are alike in nature actions and conditions for both are filthy Beasts and cruel Tyrants both Patrons of Idolatry both bloody Persecutors of the Saints both are helpful one to another the first Beast communicates of his power to the second Beast vers 12. the second Beast gives life to the image of the first Beast vers 15. yea vers 18. one and the same number is assigned to both the Beasts and the number of bâ—th the Beasts in conclusion of the Vision is but the number of the Beast i.e. of one Beast Here is wisdome let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast Which also addes a beam of further light for the clearing of what I have said before that Beast when spoken of without distinction is to be understood of the Civil and Ecclesiastical state both So that in fine the result is They are two Beasts as a Political and an Ecclesiastical state and yet but one Beast as Antichrist What I have said of these two Beasts I may say the same of the Beast and the Woman Chap. 17. The Beast the Woman rides upon is the Civil state the Woman riding upon this Beast is the Ecclesiastical only with this difference the second Beast Chap. 13. who upon his first rise was a Beast aspiring to no higher degree and exercising the power of the first Beast i. e. of the Civil state by leave as it were through permission of the first Beast is now through a long standing risen from a Beast to a Woman as disdaining to be in so low a degree as a Beast any longer Yea such a Woman as like a notorious Strumpet knows how to make the Kings of the Earth yea the whole world follow her dance
ordinary Prophetical days noting three years and a half which three years and a half are not to be added to the 1260. as a lesser period which takes beginning where the greater ends because then as one saith well the Beast should Tyrannize above 42. months the woman be in the Wilderness above 1260 days namely 1263 and a half whereas the utmost tyranny of the Beast is but 42 months the utmost period of the womans being in the wilderness but 1260 days but we are to look upon them as a smaller period comprehended within the greater or to speak plainly we are to understand them of the very last three days and a half of the 1260. and therefore M. Mede in his Cl and our German Author in his both translate those words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they shall have finished their testimony Chap. 11. thus Cum finituri sint testimonium suum When they are about to finish their testimony the 1260 days now drawing to an end then shall the Beast make war against them overcome them and kill them As for that urged by a late Author who calls in reason to be Umpire or Judge in this business how the Beast now ready to die as our Author supposeth he will at the end of the 1260 days should be so magnanimous and warlike as to kill the Witnesses how the Sea being at this time tempestnous the earth terribly shaken can it be imagined that the Sont of the Sea and Earth i. e. wordly men should be so jocund and to banquet it sport it make merry send gifts one to another c. as they shall do in the day the witnesses lye dead I say no more but this that all time upon a mistake viz. That the rise of the Witnesses shall not be till the Empire of the ten-horned Beast i.e. Civil power of Antichrist is in a manner destroyed and this upon another that the subject of the fifth Vial is the political state of the present Roman Empire or Antichrists Civil State But as I have in my discourse upon the Vials proved the Subject of that Vial to be another thing so let me say here to the first it cannot be because the Whore but a little before Romes fall is so high and proud as that she fears no danger but saith I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow which were her political State where lyes her outward strength and as for inward she hath none destroyed she should have little cause thus to brag and brave Nay what do the witnesses after their rise if the Beasts power were destroyed before onely kill him whose sword was taken away before they came at him Or how falls the tenth part of the City upon their rise if it were fallen before SECT V. AS for the particular time of the Witnesses slaughter the most certain and convincing demonstration that can be given thereof is that which must be fetched from a right supputation of the 1260 days which is the term of their Prophecy their killing time being as hath been faid the very last three days and a half of the 1260. But because the doing hereof to free the truth from the mists men have raised about it will require in a manner a Treatise of it self and also because no Mystical number by reason of that glorious harmony that is in all can carry with it that forcible demonstration going alone as will appear to be in it when accompanied with others I shall therefore that I may not make this single Section to become a Book wave this enquiry in this place contenting my self to lay down two or three more general Conclusions concerning this Grand Question What time we are to pitch upon as the killing time of the Witnesses The Conclusions themselves are these 1 CONCLUSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be in that very three years and a half which shall immediately precede the Jews first stirring which is manifestly clear hence because Daniels 1290 dayes which point us to the time of the Jews first stirring are concurrent in their end with the end of he time times and a half which is the time of the Witnesses rising as shall be made appear in our following Discourse 2 To this agrees what I have formerly written upon the Vials The rise of the Witnesses I have there stated under the fourth Vial. The drying up of the Turkish Powers thereby to instate the Jews in their own Land under the Sixth Now as the first stirring of the Jews must needs be some little time before the sixth Vial is poured out because their stirring is as I have shewed the chief moving cause to the Gentile Saints to engage in this War against the Turk So also it is observable that the time from the Witnesses rise until the pouring out of the sixth Vial shall be but a very little time the fourth and fifth Vials being both to be poured out in an instant upon the resurrection of the Witnesses as may be seen with the reasons thereof in our Discourse upon the fifth Vial. Hence in regard the first stirring of the Jews must of necessity be before the pouring out of the sixth Vial as the cause is before the effect and the time betwixt the Witnesses rise and the sixth Vial is so short we may very well conclude that the first workings among the Jews themselves in a way of stirring will be upwards even as high as the time of the Witnesses resurrection And for this reason because the Jews shall about the time of Romes ruine which falls in the middle time betwixt the fourth and sixth Vials be stirring are the praises rendred for Romes fall as is Mr. Cottons conjecture expressed by an Hebrew word Hallelujah Revel 19.1 2 3 4. 2 CONCLVSION That the killing of the Witnesses shall be but a little before the downfal of Rome which therefore presently falls upon their rise First The Order of the Vials proves this for under the fourth Vial the Witnesses rise as upon the Vials I have shewed This Vial is poured out in an instant and therefore said to be in an hour In the same hour the tenth part of the City fell Rev. 11.13 that is Germany one of the ten Horns and the very place as shall appear by and by where the Witnesses lye dead is upon their resurrection in an instant broken off from being any longer a Horn in Antichrists Kingdome and then as the next thing and that in an instant too is Rome ruined by the pouring out of the fifth Vial. So that Romes ruine succeeding presently upon the rise of the Witnesses their killing must be but a little before it Secondly This is further clear Rev. 18.7 where wee have the proud Whore instantly before her downfal glorying I sit as a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow What is the cause hereof Ans Undoubtedly the very same with the cause of that joy and triumph of the
11 as brings us to the end of the 1260 dayes only some things handled there are omitted here and some things omitted there are handled here both together making the Prophecy of the Winesses Prophecying and Killing-time counpleat And farther as so much of the Prophecy of the 11 Chapter as refers to the 1260 dayes joyned to and compared with this 12 makes the Prophecy of the 1260 dayes or second period so far as the same respects the Witnesses compleat so that which follows in the 11 Chap. after the 1260 dayes are expired joyned to and compared with Chap. 14. makes the Prophecy of the third Period or the time from the Witnesses rise till Christs coming full and compleat also But now because the things done throughout the second Period have a special relation as well to the Beast as the Witnesses which Beast though named Chap. 11.7 and his time of continuance also spoken of vers 2. had not been as yet particularly described the Holy Ghost hitherto having been chiefly intent to set forth the condition of the Witnesses and Woman that therefore the things concerning this Beast might neither be passed over in silence nor brought in promiscuously with the other which would have bred confusion the Holy Ghost passing over this ground again and being come to the end of the 1260 dayes makes a breach by dis-joyning the 12 and 14 Chapters to make way hereby for a description of that Beast which in a more secret manner acted by the Dragon should rage and make war against the Saints causing them hereby to continue in the Wilderness all the 1260 dayes telling us what manner of Beast this Beast should be whence he should receive his power at first what he should do with it and how long That the Dragon who was openly worshipped before should in a more secret way be worshipped still under him c. These things with many other particulars relating to this Beast being handled as it were in the nature of a digression Chap. 13. there is a returning again Chap. 14.1 to that point where the discourse was broken off which now is carried on without interruption to the end and the time of Christs coming The result of all in brief is this That the 12 and the 14 Chapters are but a more full repetition of the 11 and that in these two Chapters joyned together leaving out the 13. we have all the three Periods from Johns time until Christs second coming viz. The Period of the Dragons rule the Period of the Witnesses in fackcloth or the Woman in the Wilderness the Period of the Witnesses risen compleatly and orderly handled And that the 13 Chapter is no other but a going over again for the clearing up another subject referring to this time the second Period beinging us down the third time to that point which twice before once Chap. 11. and again in the repetition Ch. 12. we are come unto In a word that the last verse of the 12 Chapter and the first of the 14 are in time and order immediately to follow each other and therefore the appearing of the Lamb upon Mount Sion with the 144000 to be the immediate consequent of and indeed a thing caused by the Dragons attempting a war at the very end of the 42 months or 1260 dayes upon that holy remiant of the Womans seed And indeed according to this method leaving out the 13 Chapter which is a Prophecy more relating to the Beast than the Woman we have in the 12 and 14 Chapters excellently set forth the threefold state of the Woman or true Church according to that threefold Period she passeth through from the time John wrote this Prophecy until Christs second coming 1 We have the Woman walking in her Primitive purity dothed with the Sun having the Moon underfoot on her head a Crown of twelve Stars Chap. 12.1 This was the state of the Church within the first Period before Antichrist crept in In this estate she is persecuted by a Great Rod Dragon vers 3. i.e. by the Pagan power of the Roman Empire 2 We have the Woman in the Wilderness vers 6. to the end This is her second state after Antichrist was come forth and had placed himself in the Temple of God then the Woman the true Church withdraws retires her self into a corner In this estate she suffers by the Beast and towards the end of it is persecuted again by the Dragon What this Dragon is and how different from the former I may shew hereafter 3 We have the Woman come out of the Wilderness again and triumphing being now delivered from the Beast and Dragon both treading these her enemies under feet This is her third state and is set forth Chap. 14. which as I have said is but a continuation of the Womans History from the point of time where the 12 Chapter ends until Christs coming This Method as it doth not so far as I am able to discern infer any absurdity so doth it not a little conduce to the clearing up the whole of these four Chapters which appear to me to be the most knotty peece to carry a right Method through in this Book yea and many other Apocalyptical Mysteries depending upon these and farther doth help us to the knowledge of some useful truths which lye obscured and buried through a mistaken order And indeed when I consider That as Chap. 11. presents us with two mystical numbers one of 1260 dayes the other of three dayes and a half so also doth Chap. 12. with 1260 dayes vers 6. and a time times and a half vers 14. how that in either Chapters betwixt these two times mention is made of a War and farther how that as the Witnesses Chap. 11.9 within the three dayes and a half have the People Kindreds Nations and Tongues befriending them so likewise the Woman Chap. 12.16 within the time times and a half hath the earth befriending her I say when I have considered this I have sometimes wondred that none should attempt a way to make these two which carry so great a likelihood to run parallel but should without any farther inquiry conclude the 11 Chapter to bring us down to the end of the Beasts reign yea lower and yet the 12 Chap. to bring us but to the beginning SECT II. BEsides our grounds laid down in the former Section that which yet further prevails with me to decline the common-road is that I cannot upon a rational account satisfie my self that the time times and a half should be the same with the 1260 days and in case a flaw be found here all that is or can be said for the general Tenent will amount to nothing for if the time times and a half be a distinct number and not to be interpreted of the 1260 days then of necessity cannot the things spoken of in this Chapter be appliable to the time of the Dragons rule or any time before the Beast arose but must be brought down much
the most gross part Air is of a subtle nature Water of a more gross Earth the grossest of all as being the dregs and settlements of the whole By Earth then we are not here to understand Earth as opposed to Heaven i.e. the true Church as vers 1. but the Popish Earth viz. the grosser part of Popery or the Lees and Dregs of that Religion opposed to the finer parts of it Now these Lees and Dregs are no other but that damnable Doctrine of the Papists by which Christs Mediation and Priestly Office and so consequently the very foundation of Faith and Salvation is destroyed which maintains Justification by works upon which poysonous deadly root do grow the filthy abominations of their Mass their Crosses Indulgences Invocation of Saints Purgatory Penance Pilgrimages Monkish-life c. which in respect of their Discipline though that be impure may yet well be called the Dregs as being far more impure Upon these filthy Dregs of Romish Doctrine began the first Vial to be poured forth by Luther and other Worthies of those times who by the light of truth made such a discovery of the unsoundness yea perniciousness thereof as that now the same began to be odious in the eies of all And that here and no where else either sooner or later we are to begin the Vials is clear because no time doth so exactly agree to what wee have said concerning the time in our first Proposition as this doth That discovery of the filthiness of these things which was more ancient in the times of Wickliff Hus the Waldeneses and Albigenses could not be any part of this Vial for the grounds of our first Proposition and also because that discovery served onely to deliver the faithful ones of those times from the poyson of these abominable Errors not having any such effect as to destroy them in others for they remained still in credit with the generality 2. The EFFECT A noysom and grievous Sore And there fell a noysom and greievous Sore upon the men which had the Mark of the Beast and upon them which worshipped his Image Our Expositors do generally understand this Sore to be that inward vexation envy wrath fury madness which as an inward Sore torments those in whom it is that befell the Priests Monks Canonists with all that Rabble who had the Mark of the Beast and worshipped his Image upon the pouring out of this first Vial. But according to this Interpretation the Effect of the Vial should be no other but a tormenting of the men who were the upholders of the evil and not a destruction of the evill it self whereas indeed the proper and natural Effect of every Vial is a destruction of the thing it falls upon It is not amiss therefore to seek yet some other interpretation of these words And what if we say thus That look as it is with a man or men that have noysom grievous Sores upon them others loath them withdraw from them cannot bear their presence or company So did it now befall the men who were the Authors and Assertors of these abominable Idolatries The generality of the people who before adored them as Gods not once calling their principles or practices into question did now by the pouring forth of this Vial come so palpably to discern the gross and horrible Idolatry of these their Forgeries as that they began to loath and abhor not only the things themselves but the very Assertors of them and to withdraw from them as infectious persons full of grievous and noysome Sores so that now they can no longer delude the people and draw them to a loving and liking of these things as formerly they had done no but themselves with their principles and invention are become odious and a filthy stinking Sore in the eyes and nostrils of the Commonalty Which Effect how evidently it did shew it self in Germany and here with us in England and also in other Nations about this time upon the preaching and writing of the forenamed Worthies with others their fellow-helpers is by many sufficiently recorded Thus much as touching the first VIAL VIAL II. 1 The SVBJECT The SEA Vers 3. AND the second Angel poured out his Vial upon the Sea By Sea here we may not as some understand Nations because they are a part of the Subject of the next Vial. Nor yet as others the corrupt Doctrines of Antichrist concluded upon in the Council of Trent which say they the learned Chemnitius poured out this Vial upon in his Book called Examen Concilii Tridentini because as hath been said the former Vial fell on these to which the Subject being still the same it is more proper to refer the labours of those godly men who after Luther still continued to lay open these things in their colours than to account the same the pouring forth of another Vial. Nor yet as a later Writer the Political state of the Roman Empire which did suffer detriment by the late German War 1 Because the Effect of that War fell as heavy upon Gods people there as his enemies whereas the Vials are upon enemies only as our fourth Proposition proves 2 Because notwithstanding those shakings the Empire is yet standing whereas the shaking of the Vials is such a shaking as destroyes and removes the thing shaken 3 Because the German Empire is as in its place shall appear the Subject of another Vial. But by Sea we are to understand the Discipline of Rome as under the former their Doctrine or to speak better the Romish Hierarchy in whose hands the power of Discipline lyes made up of a Pope Cardinals Archbishops Bishops together with the inferior Clergy who receive their power and standing from these which is by themselves called and to us known by the name of the Sea of Rome the Popes Sea the Cardinals Sea the Bishops Sea c. And truly this monstrous Beast though his Rise is out of the Earth Rev. 13.11 yet doth he exercise all the power of the first Beast vers 12. whose Rise was from the Sea vers 1. and therefore is not amiss called in this second Vial where the downfall of his power is spoken of by the name of the Sea whence his power is primarily derived And indeed look what neer affinity there is betwixt the Sea and the Earth they bordering one upon another the same is betwixt Discipline and Doctrine And as the Sea girts in the Earth on every side so that which is as it were the Girdle holding together all the gross earthly superstitions and inventions of Antichrist is an absolute tyrannical power of Discipline imposing principles wayes and forms upon the consciences of men wheresover the same is set up If you ask me When was this Vial poured forth I answer In the yeer of our Lord 1641. it had its beginning though the Effects of it are not wholly over as yet when the Parliament of England did vote down Arch-bishops Bishops with all that crew root
the House of Austria or rather as he is doing of it he shall give a powerful call to the Witnesses that by the power of that House at this instant time shall he dead which is the voyce from Heaven whence all the Angels of the Vials comes Chap. 15.5.6 saying to them Come up hither Rev. 11.12 which voyce no sooner shall they hear but in the view and faces of their enemies they shall straightway in a Cloud i.e. under the wings and protection of this Angel who by his power shall be unto them as a Cloud by day to shelter them from the burning heat of the now inslamed Sun i.e. the rage of this incensed House ascend to Heaven They ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud and their enemies beheld them Object If it be said But there is somewhat here which seems directly to oppose such a thing as thâ—s viz. That the Witnesses rising can be aimed at in this place because in the following words it is expresly said They blasphemed the God of Heaven and repented not to give him glory but at the rifing of the Witnesses we have the contraâ—y chap. 11.13 The remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of Heaven I Answer That the 16. Chapter speaks of those onely upon whom the Vial did directly fall who being no other than incorrigible enemies devoted to destruction as our fourth Proposition proves they are by them still more and more hardned to their fatal ruin But that Remnant spoken of chap. 11. are such upon whom God doth not poure out the Vial I mean the wrath of it although as to common and outward calamities they may feel it with the rest but rather such who though through ignorance they stand in the croud amongst those the Vial fals upon yet hath God special grace and mercy in store for which by pouring out this Vial upon the rest they come to partake of having their eyes hereby opened to see Gods hand and their hearts in truth turned to acknowledge the same and give him glory or at leastwise such they are who seeing Gods hand do so far acknowledge the same as wholly to relinquish and have nothing to do with that Antichristian party they formerly sided with The EFFECTS 1. EFFECT Scorching with great heat Vers 9. And men were scorched with great heat The Antichristian faction seeing this that the Witnesses whom they reckoned they had killed and made sure of are now in the very faces of them got upon their feet to torment them and that under such Protection as that though stand and look upon them they can yet hurt them they are not able they shall hereat be so inraged as that they shall scorch themselves even with the fire of their own rage for indeed nothing torments a man inwardly like this to see his deadly enemy rising to rule over him and he no way able to hinder or prevent it 2 EFFECT A blaspheming the God of Heaven who had power over these plagues instead of repenting to give him glory And blasphemed the God of Heaven who had power over these plagues and repented not to give him glory The Papals i.e. that incorrigible Crue upon whom this Vial falls shall now themselves begin to see that the hand of the God of Heaven is manifestly against them in these Plagues by whose power and command alone they are ordered to fall upon them yet shall not this conviction bring them to repent and give him the glory of but rather they shall blaspheme that hand they now behold lift up against them and as it was with Pharoah when God plagued him he hardened himself so shall they by these Plagues become the more obdurate and hardened to a wilfull persisting in their iniquity Thus much as touching the fourth VIAL VIAL V. 1 The Subject of it The Seat of the Beast AND the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Seat of the Beast Vers 10 That by Seat of the Beast should here be meant Antichrists Kingdom in general as some conceive seems inconsistent with the very words themselves which speak not of destroying the whole but rather a darkning of the whole by ruining some eminent part yea according to this interpretation no need would be unless we suppose this Vial alone too weak of any more Vials to be poured forth upon the Kingdom of the Beast which yet notwithstanding after this hath a greater storm falling upon it and that to its final ruin than ever any before Those who by Seat of the Beast understand the Popes Supremacy The Angel pouring forth this Vial to be King James in that Paraphrase of his upon this Book but chiefly his premonition To all most Mighty Monarches Kings Free-Princes and States of Christendom James by the Grace of God c. are certainly mistaken as appears by our second Proposition A man whom Gods people in this age are much beholding to doth by Seat of the Beast understand Episcopacy his principal reason is because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometimes in Scripture put for that form of Government and Authority which a person of State sitting upon the Throne may administer the pouring out this Vial to be about the year 1639. when the Scots entred into Covenant to withstand and abolish Episcopacy but though I highly honor the memory of the pious and grave Author of this opinion yet canl not receive it 1 Because this Vial speaks wholly of things to come not past as this is 2 Because we have already seen the downfal of Episcopacy under another Vial. 3 Because although the downfal of Bishops in our Isle was a blow to be noted yet not such a blow as filled the Kingdom of the Beast with darkness making the Papals to gnaw their tongues for pain as this doth 4 Because not this but another thing is yea must be the subject of this Vial namely The City Rome The very thing here intended a is evident 1 Because the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seat is but once more used in all the Revelations where the same is applied to the Beast chap. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his Power and his Seat and great Authority and that there it cannot in the former sense but must in this latter be understood is manifest because Seat is distinguished from Power and Authority as being a thing distinct from them therefore the Beasts form of Government or Authority cannot be the thing intended thereby but it must be interpreted of his place of residence namely the City Rome 2 Because the order that the Holy Ghost observes afterwards in declaring more fully what under the Vials is but briefly hinted at agrees most exactly to this sense but by the other is broken to pecces for Chap. 18. relates to Romes ruin and Chap 19. concludes with the battle of Armageedon accordingly the City Rome is the Subject of this Vial and suddenly after Ver. 16. comes in the battle of Armageddon whereas if the ruin of the
and crouch to her by which she is grown rich and gallant having by whoring and jugling got the riches the gold the precious stones and pearls of the first Beast to her self and to shew what an aspiring spirit she is of instead now of exercising the power of the first Beast i. e. of the Civil State by leave any longer she is now like Lord and King got upon the back of the first Beast who dares not cross her humor for she rides him and rules him at pleasure And indeed the first Beast is justly recompenced for setting up and countenancing such a Beast at first who according to the Proverb give an inch of power he will take an ell for whilst the first Beast remains a Beast still this second Beast is from a Beast advanced to be a Woman which not onely had robbed and plundered the coffers of the Beast and got all his riches from him but also knows how to ride the Beast master him and rule him as she list And certainly had not the first Beast been a very Beast I mean had not the Civil State at first so far degenerated as instead of acting rationally as a man to act sensually and bruitishly as a Beast this great inconvenience would have been foreseen in the beginning at least remedied in time before the second Beast was grown to such a height that he was now past taming and able to ride and master the first Beast that set him up Now whereas the Woman verse last is said to be the Great City it is as I suppose rather lain down as a Mark or character to know the Woman by and that from the place she was to sit in then a description of the Woman which verse 9. confirms me in by giving us to understand that the woman sits upon the seven Mountains i.e. the City Rome anciently built upon seven Mountains therefore the seven Mountains i. e. the City Rome is not to speak properly the Woman but the Seat of the Woman What I have said of the two Beasts the Beast and the Woman I may also say of the Beast and the false Prophet spoken of in the words I am opening The Beast here is the Civil State or the first Beast that ariseth out of the Sea the false Prophet the Ecclesiastical or second Beast whose rise is from the Earth And indeed he that shall but parallel the second Beast spoken of chap. 13. with what is spoken of the false Prophet chap. 19. will find them to be one and the same The false Prophet is a worker of Miracles chap. 19.20 so is the second Beast chap. 13.17 The false Prophet by his miracles deceives the Beasts followers chap. 19.20 so doth the second Beast chap. 13.14 The Beast and the false Prophet are helpful the one to the other for the Beast defends the false Prophet by his strength for chap. 19.19 no force at all is mentioned that this false Prophet had at that great Randezvouze who yet was presonally present with the Beast for he is taken prisoner vers 20. therefore the Beast defends him and the false Prophet by working miracles encourageth the Beast and his multitude with hope of good success God is of their side In like manner the two Beasts chap. 13. are as before hath been shewed helpful to each other The conclusion is that by false Prophet we are to understand the second Beast spoken of chap. 13. and by Beast and false Prophet to understand the same here as of the two Beasts there viz. the Civil and Ecclesiastical State onely with this difference that Beast which in his first rise was but a Beast afterwards when more grown a Woman riding upon and over-topping the Civil power or first Beast which gave him his rise is now in his declining condition a false Prophet For the loss of Rome where was his Magazine of Treasure together with the seizing and intercepting his Rents and Tributes by the Conqueror hath so pulled down the Beast so plucked the plumes of the Romish Ecclesiastical State i.e. brought the Pope and his Clergy to so low an ebb that it is now but little that they can contribute either to the assistance of the first Beast the Romish Civil power or towards the upholding of their own sinking Kingdom yet because having been a proud Whore this Beast is loath to be of little repute and to come back again to his first original of a poor earthly Beast yea would fain have the first Beast the Civil power still to dote upon him and reckon him a considerable party he will therefore seem now to make up by his fained piety and devotion what is wanting in his former outward strength and glory and now he can be nothing else he will needs be a Prophet to foretell good to his cause and Kingdom though none he can do it But observe as when he was a Beast he was an earthly Beast as when a Woman a Whore so now when a Prophet a false Prophet Though Antichrist may change shapes and formes he can never make himself better than he is but Antichrist he will be an Enemy to Christ an Imposter a Deceiver a Lyar still Having thus seen the meaning of the words and names which I have purposely insisted the larger upon because the right understanding hereof doth if I mistake not open the door into the very mystery of this Book I come to apply them to the business in hand thus The Dragon Beast and false Prophet who from the beginning were Partners going hand in hand and venturing States together seeing by the fall of the City Rome such a terrible shaking blow giving to their Kingdom as that the next blow if not prevented is like unavoidably to be fatal and to prove their utter ruin they therefore now all of them convene in some General Councel where they lay their heads together what thing is best for them to do to prevent another blow or if possible to recover their own again And upon debate two things being laid before them as matter of deep and serious consultation viz. The late loss they have received by the fall of Rome and that by causing some of the Kings of the Earth who were friends to their cause before now for fear of her torment lest the like should befall themselves to with-draw and stand a loof off 2 The great provocation since given to the Turk by those very Instruments their Enemies which is like to make him joyn in with the utmost strength hee can make out of desire to revenge himself and recover his own again to ruin if it may bee this growing party The vote or result of the meeting from the foregoing premises is that as the thing which doth most conduce to the upholding of their cause Agents and Ambassadors of the fittest they can find for such imployment be speeded away to such Kings of the earth as for the present seem backward in the cause to put life into
Life fed continually with nothing but poyson The second by that Tyrannical power of Antichristian Discipline which to satisfâ—â— the pride and accomplish the designs of an ambitious aspiring Hierarchy and Clergy is established in such a way that all both small and great must submit to â—t its Decrees and Impositions and in token of subjection â—eceive some mark in their right hand or in their foreheads which in case of refusal they are thereupon Exâ—ommunicates who must neither buy nor sell hereby â—rampling under foot the Kingly power of Christ snatching his Scepter of love and meekness out of his hands and instead thereof lifting up a rod of Iron Christ seeing this that through the rage and insolency of the Enemy the ancient bounds were broken down and Sion lay plowed as a field he makes it his first attempt being risen to recover his own again and because it was of greatest concernment being that Salvation depended upon to pluck off the veil from his Priestly Office and to confound that Doctrine which had set up an Idol-god for a Saviour and an Idol-worship instead of the worship of the true God Christ therefore as his first work shakes to peeces that rotten earthly Doctrine with the several Idolatries growing upon it which had justed him out of his Priestly Office openly hereupon proclaiming himself to be only High Priest and Mediator and salvation to be had in him alone and this is done by the first Vial which is poured out upon the Antichristian earth i.e. the groffer parts of Popery Yet because the Kingly Office of Christ was still invaded by an Antichristian Lording Discipline who under pretence of ruling for Christ and exercising his Kingly power did in all places make havock of the Saints persecuting them as evil doers Christ therefore makes it his next work to recover his abused Scepter into his own hands again which to do the second Vial is poured out upon the Sea namely the Antichristian Discipline Christ having now regained his own as a puissant and noble Conqueror who being first unjustly invaded contents not himself to recover his Rights but takes this opportunity to invade his enemies makes an invasion upon the Dominions of his enemies and because the Kings of the earth had lent their aid and assistance to the Feast by whose power and strength given up to the Beast the blood of his Saints had been spilt in every place therefore to avenge the blood of his Saints he begins the Quarrel with them and so the third Vial is poured out upon the Rivers and Fountains of Waters that is upon some particular States and Kingdomes and upon the Heads of these namely Kings and Statesmen And here with the pouring forth of this third Vial the Stone cut out of the Mountain spoken of Dan. 2. which breaks in peeces the Great Image begins to smite the design of Christ in the two first Vials being not so much to break the great Image as first to recover his own in order thereunto Here also the Ancient of dayes Dan. 7. begins to sit and to cast down the Thrones of the fourth Beast Christ having now won the Out-shifts and Suburbs of his grand Enemy he next that the blow might come closer and fall yet heavier invades him in his principal street which for many Ages together was the strength and glory of the Beasts Kingdom this is the work of the fourth Vial which therefore is poured out upon the Sun that is the German Empire or House of Austria The Thrones of the Beast being cast down his Sun darkned and Christ going onward upon his march his heart filled with Vengeance for the sake of his people the remembrance of the blood of his Saints poured out like water in every place through the continual Instigations Commissions and authority of the Roman Beast comes now so fresh into his mind and the cry thereof is so loud in his ears that he can no longer forbear giving her in requital blood to drink who hath made it her delight to drink her self drunken with the blood of his Saints and Martyrs he therefore next with a swift and high hand bends his march to the Seat of the Beast the City Rome upon which the Fifth Vial is poured out Rome being destroyed and made a ruinous heap and the appointed time being now come in which Gods ancient people the Jews are to come up to their own Land which being at the present in the hands of the Great Turk who with all his power will oppose their claim and endeavour to keep them out of possession that therefore a door might be set open for them the Sixth Vial is poured out upon the great River Euphrates i.e. the power and multitude of the Turk Christ having hitherto been breaking his enemies by parts and nothing being wanting but the crowning victory to make him absolute King and Monarch of the world in order therefore unto the pouring forth of the Seventh and last Vial when Christ is to take possession of the Kingdome given to him by his Father and to bee exalted as the great and only Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords we have two things as principal First A General Rendezvouz of all the enemies of Christ into one Body fit to be cut off Secondly The Personal coming and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to make dispatch of his enemies and to set up his own Kingdome Things being thus in a readiness we have the pouring forth of the Seventh and last Vial into the Air a universal subject which ushers in with it the subversion of all Christs enemies the Beast Antichrist being hereupon slain his body destroyed and given to the burning flame The rest of the Beast i.e. all other worldly powers have their Dominion taken away and the Great Dragon the Devil is bound and cast into the bottomless Pit and there shut up for a thousand years And now are the Kingdoms of this world become the Kingdome of the Lord and of his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever Amen A Table of the chief things contained in this TREATISE The First Part. THe Coherence of the words with the explication of the Text P. 1. to 4 Doct. It is an especial duty lying upon the Saints to attend unto and be active in the work or works of their Generation Page 4 Shewed 1 What Generation-work is and how the same is different from those common duties which lye upon Saints as Saints and the special duties of a Saints calling station relation or present condition p. 5 6 7 8 2 That Saints in their several Generations have ever had their peculiar works as is proved by a line drawn through the several generations from the beginning downwards unto our times p. 9 to 14 3 That it is a matter of great concernment for a Saint to attend to the work of his Generation as appears 1 God by his dispensations calls aloud for it p. 14 2 Generation
generation ib. 12 And lastly Take heed of conjunction with such who are not real-hearted to the cause of God and the work of the generation p. 89 The Table of the Second Part. The Introduction containing six general Propositions in order to the whole Proposition 1. THat we are there to begin the pouring forth of the Vials where Antichrist first began to go off the Stage p. 1 2 Prop. 2. That the Vials are all to be poured forth by such Angels only as come out of the Temple p. 2 Prop. 3. That Gods call to the Angels to pour out their Vials is to be looked for out of the Temple p. 3 Prop. 4. That the subjects of each Vial are things standing in ppsition to Christs Kingdome chiefly things pertaining to Antichrist p. 4 Prop. 5. That the effects of one Vial do oft-times run into another Vial p. 5 Prop. 6. That the Terms and Phrases relating to the Vials are to be understood not in a litteral but a metaphorical sense p. 6 VIAL 1. 1 The subject of it the Popish earth or the corrupt Doctrine of Antichrist p. 7 2 The effect An infectious stinking sore causing in others a loathing and withdrawing upon the Assertors of Popish principles p. 8 It began to be poured out about Luthers time ib. VIAL 2. 1. The subject of it the Sea 1. Not meant of Nations in general p. 9 2 Nor of the corrupt Doctrines of Antichrist concluded upon in the Council of Trent ib. 3 Nor of the Political State of the Roman Empire p. 10 But The Romish Discipline or the Hierarchy and Clergy of Rome upon whom this Vial was poured out in England Anno Dom. 1641. p. 10 11 12 Two Objections answered 1 Obj. The Hierarchy and Clergy of England but an inferior part of the Romish Hierarchy and Clergy answered ibid. 2 Obj England but one of the ten Horus answered ib. 2 The Effects 1 Effect The Antichristian Discipline appears cruel corrupt and becomes loathsom p. 13. 2 Effect All those that live and breath in this corrupted sea die a civil death ibid. Some remaining drops of this Vial yet to come p. 14 VIAL 3. 1. The Subject of it the Rivers and Fountains of waters 1. Not to be understood of the Romish Bishops and Doctors p. 14 2 Nor particularly of the Jesuits ib. But of Some particular States and Kingdoms subjected to the Beast with their heads and Rulers p. 15 16 2 The Effect Bloody Wars arise in those Nations by which their Heads and chief Rulers are cut off ib. 3 An Adjunct A justification of God in the execution of his wrath upon those Nations and their Heads 1 By the instruments used to do the work p. 17 2 By suffering Saints from some more remote place p. 18 A reason given why this Vial hath a double testimony of the righteousness of it which none of the other Vials have p. 19 A reason also given why only the Instruments Christ useth and suffering Saints give this testimony ib. Two reasons given why Saints that have suffered in Scotland do at present in Holland do not with their fellow Brethren joyn in this testimony p. 20 The particular Nations this Vial falls upon are England the Low-Countries and France and the reason why ibid. An Objection answered How it can be just with God to punish these Nations and their present Heads for what was done formerly seeing they cannot help what their Forefathers did yea are reformed and do disclaim it p. 21 This third Vial is the Vial we stand under it hath for the greatest part passed over England already is now passing upon Holland and will shortly upon France p. 22 23 VIAL 4. 1. The Subject of it the Sun 1. Not Christ 2 Nor the Scriptures p. 23 But the German Empire yet not the war past wrath suddenly to come p. 24 25 2. An Adjunct A power given to the Angels to scorch with fire interpreted of the Call the Angels of this Vial shall give to the Witnesses now lying dead in Germany to arise p. 26 27 28 3 The Effects 1. Rage and vexation upon the Popish party ibid. 2. Blaspheming God ib. VIAL 5. 1 The subject the seat of the Beast 1 Not Antichrists Kingdom in general p. 29 2. Not the Popes Supremacy ibid. 3. Not Episcopacy p. 30 But the City of Rome p. 30 31 Two Objections answered ibid. 2 The Effects 1. Effect An eclipse of the glory of the Papal Kingdom p. 32 2 Effect Rage and madness upon the Papals ib. 3. Effect Blaspheming God p. 33 3 The time when this Vial shall be poured forth about the year 1656 ib. Two Reasons given why the Fourth and Fifth Vials have so little time allowed them for pouring forth when the former have taken up much more p. ib. 34 VIAL 6. 1 The Subject The great River Euphrates first not litterally to be understood p. 35 2 Not meant of the riches and revenues of Antichrist ib. 3 Not of the streams of Popish corruption p. 36 But The Turkish Empire p. 37 Here is shewed why the Turkish Empire is called the Great River and why the Great River Euphrates 2 The effect a wasting the Turks power and multitude p. 38 3 The moving cause To prepare a way for the Jews both to their possession of their Land again and also their receiving of Christ p. 38 39 Here is shewed why the Jews are called Kings why Kings of the East That the Jews con version shall be before the pouring out of the seventh Vial proved p. 40 41 Three Objections answered Obj. 1. The words speak not of conversion but preparing a way thereto answered p. 42 Obj. 2. The Jews cannot be converted till after all the Vials because no man could enter into the Temple till all the Vials were poured forth answered ib. Obj 3. The 21 and 22 Chapters of the Revelation which follow upon the seventh Vial hold forth the Jews conversion answered p. 43 4 The Angel of this Vial. 1 Not the Jews themselves p 44 2 Not the Turk performing it 1. Either by civil broyles ibid. 2. Nor by a diversion of his forces to some other place making way thereby for the Jews to rise p. 45 3 Not Christ by any immediate hand from heaven ib. But The Gentile Churches Proved p. 45. to 52. where also is shewed the cause of this attempt made by the Gentile Saints upon the Turk and the manner how they shall carry it on Here also the Prophecies of the Stone Dan. 2. and of the four Carpenters Zach. 1. are opened in doing which both are shewed to be one both are applyed to the Gentile-Saints the Reason given why the Gentile-Saints are by Daniel called a Stone by Zacharie four Carpenters Quest Who among the Gentile-Saints shall undertake this enterprise Answ 1. The same Instruments that shall ruin Rome p. 52 53. Here is shewed who they are that in all likelihood shall ruin Rome 2 Four Characters taken out of the Prophets
behalf of that cause which my heart is inwardly perswaded is Jesus Christs to whom I could not be faithful should I now be silent having this hope that that heart which once had in it such a flame of love to the cause of Christ and was so zealous of the work of God in the world and against the Beast as that thereby many were provoked cannot but yet have some sparks of this holy fire alive in it and that there is yet in your Highness an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit saith in the word if so be the sound be certain and distinct tho but a Child blow the Trumpet Or if not yet that herein I shall discharge a duty in my own apprehension incumbent upon me and every of Gods people so far as they have light namely to inform your Highness what Christ at this day expects from you according to which he will account with you and if what is written be truth it is you duty to hear it yea where is but an appearance of truth if you shall without diligent trial either neglect or reject it though the grounds upon which you may perhaps so do may serve to answer Conscience a while yet will they not answer the Lord another day who will account with you not as with others but according to that Talent of light you have had and is held forth unto you the professions you have made before many of his people and the opportunities you have And therefore my Lord as it is now no time for those who either love the Lord Jesus or your Highness to flatter you or speak their fears mincingly So let me here say what not long fince I told your Highness in a more private way That I do verily beleeve the thing is already manifest to the Lord and the day is not far off in which it shall be to your Highness also who are your most faithful Friends whether those that now hang up their Harps though they may be but as one Micaiah to 400 false Prophets or those that are singing their Songs of which latter sort I mean for the greater part of them I may for the truth of the thing I am sure without offence say in the Apostles phrase onely adding a word They who never yet loved you truly now zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them and serve their designs I would to God I could speak otherwise and that private cryes might have prevented this publick bearing witness which though I had no other motive yet ingenuity did I not consider that when it tends to hinder in the Lords work it is no longer a vertue but a vice to be mortified would have disswaded me from The love of the meanest Saint is precious to me the favor of your Highness much more but in these divided times offering many temptations of this nature I have often remembred the case as it stood betwixt Christ and Peter Matâ—h 16.21 22 23. who when Peter by his love and affection would have put him by his Fathers work Christ grew offended even at Peters love and did abandon it My Lord if ever the Mystery of Iniquity wrought spiritually it doth at this day And no wonder for a fear and dread of the Witnesses is fallen upon the Beast whose blow that he may escape he would now if that will do it enter into a high form of Saintship and indeed who looks for Antichrist take him either as he is the whole Body or as he is this oâ— that part in his last state in any other Garbe than the form of a gloribus â—aint though he may have read the Book of the Revelations yet is he still to learn the Mystery of the Beast there revealed Now is the man of sin struggling for his Kingdom which he will uphold as long as he can but though the Dragon Beast and False Prophet joyn heads and hands together yet shall they not bee able to keep it up long no not half so many years as some dream of Ages for God hath numbered Babylons Kingdom and in a manner finished it the Beast and the Whoreâ—s or the Beast and the False Prophet are already weighed in the Ballances and found wanting the Kingdom shall as most certainly so suddenly be divided broken and given to another And as a clear evâ—dence hereof we have the signs of the times grounded upon the woâ—d which Christ did refer the Generation of the Pharisees and Sadduces to when they would know of him a sign Matth. 16.3 O yee Hypocrites can yee not discern the signs of the times What signs of the times had they Answ Two evident signs founded upon Scripture 1. The departure of the Scepter from Judah in Herods then swaying it who was an Idumean 2. The expirations of Daniels seventy weeks the limited time of the Messiahs appearance By either of these they might have concluded that truth they opposed and received him for their Messiah whom they rejected but this they did not but must have farther signâ— yet for which cause Christ calls them Hypocrites a wicked and an adulterous Generation My Lord Let me here say The Lord in his Word hath left signs of this time I am now speaking of no less clear and demonstrative than were the signs of thaâ— and although I am of all the most unworthy to be acquainted with them or any thing of the mind of the Lord yet is it my perswasion that some of them are discovered in the following discourse and he that shall without prejudice read what in the close is written of the time and compare it with the things themselves specified throughout the Book may possibly be of my mind at least not censure me for thinking so And if now My Lord as persons willing to be blinded we shall shut our eyes to those signs of the times God hath left us in the word and ask for other signs to know his work by and when we are called to do it it is an evident token even from our Saviors own words of an Adulterous and Apostatizing generation I had almost said and if I had his words would have born me out of an hypocritical heart My Lord Let me not be made an offender for this plain dealing if I am so long as the Lord shall keep my feet in the way of my duty it shall not trouble me and I have hope that in this I have had his merciful guidance and have not as yet stepped out of that way For if in the day when Christ is going up to his Kingdom the stones would not hold their peace should not the Children cry Hosanna then surely it is a duty very incumbent upon the Saints at this day there being nothing more obvious than that Christ is well onwards upon his march to his Kingdom not to be silent but although they may be rebuked yea dealt worse by for so doing yet to follow their
the substance hereof there is more in it than barely my private conjecture And although this buiâ—ding may have in it much Wood Hay and Stubble which shall be burnt up yet is there also in it some Mines of Gold and precious Stones not hitherto found out which will abide the fire and the day is not far off which will make experiment of both And if in that day it shall appear that to a pound of dross but a grain of truth which before lay hid and buryed is here dug up and brought to light I shall judge Truth is of so great worth the Lord in this Dispensation to have been gracious to me and my labour notwithstanding many mis-apprehensions to be well bestowed Gold at first digging never comes forth without its dross And truly since I composed the same and saw that a very little time waiting would either prove the things asserted to be false Or if true bring them forth with a more general acceptation and conviction of the Truth thereof than I either now do or can expect it should meet with I judged it a point of prudence to forbear a while this enterprize But two considerations at present are upon me which over-ballance my resolutions the contrary way First A perswasion some part of my grounds for which are offered in the Discourse it self that a very cloudy day is to befall the Church of Christ under the Vial we at this day stand under some shadowings of which cloud though not the dismal storm it sends forth will even reach us here in England either in one way or another to which perswasion I have likewise and that from some ground this consideration added That God hath a special design to the end the faith of his people might not wholly fail them in this day upon the brink or beginning of it to let out such a light as to the great things he is doing in the world as shall wonderfully support the hearts of a remnant of his people and that quite through it Secondly That the very thing which shall set on foot that glorious work of Christ against Antichrist which is the principal part or the subject of this discourse shall be a letting out of light into the world a little before the time comes that the work is to be set on foot Hence Revel 18.1 immediately before the ruin of Rome as the principal leading cause thereto the Earth which before was covered with darkness as to the glorious designs of God as touching his work in the world is upon the sudden enlightned and what is the issue hereof why a speedy and irresistable judgement upon Babylon as the whole Chapter shews us These Considerations have made me think that as the people of God cannot in any way perform a more acceptable peece of service to the Lord Jesus in this day than by giving forth that light the Lord either doth or shall give them so likewise can they not in any work they shall put their hand unto do Antichrist a greater mischief next to his destruction it self than they may in this The Author acknowledgeth himself altogether unworthy of the first unfit and unable every way in himself to the second yet willingly would to the measure of his Talent be found in both He confesseth that neither in this nor any thing else that he doth hath he or can he attain thereto to have his heart and aimes so pure and spiritual aâ— it is fit they should and as he would they were yet resolveth that through grace assisting him neither the Devil no noâ— his sin shall make him throw aside that work in which he may do Christs cause or people any service Antichrist any mischief Which that it may be the fruit of this little peece is and shall be his prayer CHAP. I. Wherein is set forth the state or condition of the Two Witnesses within their Prophecying time and the time of their being killed and that from Rev. 11. ver 3. to 13. SECT 1. HAving in the fore-going Preface delivered so much as I judged meet by way of Preamble unto this our Discourse I shall here without spinning out the time or tiring the Readers patience whilst I detain him upon the way about things of lesser concernment enter strait way upon the thing it self That the Two Witnesses are the Magistracy and the Ministry appears to me a thing without dispute the allusion is so clear to Zerubbabel and Joshua compare Rev. 11 4. with Zech. 4 11 14. of which two one was chief Magistrate the other chief Priest and both these Prince and Priest were Sons of Oyl i.e. anointed in times of old therefore by Zechary and John both called two Olive trees Onely there is as Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the Two Witnesses hath observed this twofold difference betwixt the Type and the Antitipe 1 Zeâ—hary sees two Olive Trees but no Temple But John sees first a Temple ver 1. and then two Olive trees The reason is they in Zecharies time had as yet no Temple built but were to begin the world anew But now the work of Johns two Witnesses is not to build a Temple anew so much as to preserve and keep that they had 2 Zechary seeth two Olive trees and but one Candlestick John two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks the reason is this Zechary wrote in the time of the Law whilst the Church was National and so the two did belong to one Church John in Gospel-times when Churches were Congregational and so the two might be of several Churches Now the thing which doth yet further perswade me to hold to this Exposition is That excellent Analogie it carries with it to that of the two Beasts Chap. 13. which two Beasts as I have made appear upon the Vials p. 101 to 108. are no other but Antichrist in his Civil and Ecclesiastical State or the Magistracy and Ministry of Antichrist Now observe it as Antichrist by a twofold power a power Magisterial and Ministerial doth all the time of the Two and forty moneths oppress the Woman drive her into the Wilderness tread under foot the Holy City i.e. the People Truths and Worship of Christ so doth Christ all this time by the very same twofold power comfort and nourish the woman bear witness unto and maintain his own truth and worship alive in the world So that in short Christ raiseth up his Two Witnesses in opposition to Antichrists two Beasts Antichrist for Forty two moneths or One thousand two hundred and sixty days stands up with two Beasts to blaspheme God persecute the Saints tread under foot the Holy City Christ against him stands up with Two Witnesses to maintain his name and honor cherish his people uphold his cause and worship in the world And as Antichrists two Beasts are no other but the false Magistracy and Ministry so contrariwise Christs two Witnesses are his true Magistracy and Ministry SECT II. THey are called Witnesses their name being
Magistates and Ministers that he hath raised up to maintain his cause against Antichrists Magistrates and Ministers They are said to be clothed in sackcloth to note thus much That all the time of the 1260 days their condition shall be outwardly low they being trampled upon and trâ—den under foot by the Beast But more especially to fignifie how that these Two Witnesses should all this time be inwardly law wearing sackcloth the mourning attite in times of old mourning before God because as I have said they hear his glorious Name blasphemed behold the Holy City trodden under foot and the whole world deceived by the Beast They are said by fire to destroy their Enemies ver 5. To shut Heaven that it rain not in the days of their Prophecy ver 6. both which things are taken out of the History of Elijah 1 King 1.10 1 King 17.1 Farther they are said to have power over waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will ver 6. which is taken out of the Story of Moses and Aaron in Aegypt The whole as I conceive sets forth this the great damage that the Antichristian party shall sustain all the time of the 1260 days by means of these two Witnesses who shall have such power with God as oftentimes to bring down his heavy wrath upon the persons of their persecutors which is the thing noted ver 5. by their devouring and killing their enemies by fire and also upon their principal interests which I take to be the thing specially intended ver 7. by their shutting Heaven turning waters into blood smiting the earth with plagues i.e. The Popish Heaven waters earth shall all suffer by means of these two Witnesses in the time of their prophecy By the whole description of the two Witnesses as saith our German Author in his Cl. p. 66 67. God doth declare that what mercies in times of old he hath shewed unto his people the Children of Israel the same he will also shew in the New Testament unto them that beleeve He will give them Joshuahs and Zerubbabels saithful Teachers and religious Rulers and Governors who shall fit and edifie them unto the Temple of God and as Candlesticks give light unto them with their pure doctrine and as Olive trees assist them with powerful consolation He will give them zealous Elija's and Elisha's who shall fight against the whore Jezabel the Priests of Baal and other persecutors He will also at length send them his Moses's and Aarons who shall deliver them and bring them forth out of Antichristian bondage SECT IV. THe Witnesses their testimony finished are to be killed v. 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pâ—t shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them In this state they are to continue three days and a half ver 9 11. Though our discourse of the three days and a half according to the strictness of order should come in afterwards yet in regard the opening hereof will afford us light into some things that follow I have chosen to place it before That these three days and a half cannot be as is the opinion of many worthy men who look upon the death of the Witnesses to be a corporal death a time equivalent to the 1260 is evident 1 Bec. then there should be no distinction at all betwixt the time of their Prophecying and their being killed if through all the 1 260 daies which is the time of their Prophecy we should suppose them to be killed Now the Text hath made a manifest distinction betwixt these two times 2 Becanse it s improper to say that Christs witnesses against Antichrist should prophecy all the 1260 days and yet be killed too For put case the Beast all this time did put some to death yet so long as Christ at the same time and in the same place had always others in their room his witnesses were not killed A man is not without witness though some witnesses are taken away in case others stand up and appear in their room Nay those witnesses which all the 1260 dayes were put to death by the Beast did most ominently in dying bear witness for Christ for to dis for the truth is a living standing testimony to it That killing therefore could not be a killing as witnesses he who for truths sake loves not his life to the death is even in dying a most glorious witness of the truth 3 It s said ver 10. that when the two witnesses lie dead the dwellers on the earth rejoyce for this reason because they are dead who tormented them Now did the dwellers on the earth thus rejoyce all the â—260 days when were they then tormented Will the Text bear it to say they were tormented all this time and yet rejoyced too This the Authors or upholders of this opinion must necessarily assert Nay why do they rejoyce at their death why because being dead they fear no hurt from them which whilst they prophecyed they did for they felt of them as ver 5 6. therefore their prophecying and killing must be as two distinct things and so at two distinct times 4 Because How could they be witnesses all this time if dead Doth a man when he hath a cause to be tried go to dead men that they would stand witnesses for him or to living Or how did they Prophecy if dead Can dead men prophecy or are prophecying men dead 5 Why are they said to be killed onely in the street or one street of the great City ver 8. and not in the whole City seeing in this sense they have been within the 1260 days more or less killed all over the great City i.e. throughout the whole Papal Jurisdiction 6 What difference will there be according to this opinion betwixt their being killed and put into graves if we take both for a bodily death which this opinion doth 7 And lastly How according to this opinion are they all the three days and a half kept unburied or how at the end of these three days and a half shall those Witnesses which were killed rise again for shall we think thus that the bodies of Saints martyred by divers means and in sundry places for the space of 1260 years together shall all that time lie unburied be kept out of graves And then 2. This time expired life enters into these bodies and they rise again The Text according to this interpretation doth strongly inforce both for if we conceive their killing to be corporal by the same reason must their burial and their resurrection also We are necessitated therefore from the clear Text and reason it self to reject this opinion and seek another That therefore which is more consonant to the words and doth not wrap us up in such a labyrinth of Intricacies is to interpret the three dayes and a half which is the time of their being killed of
11.15 now the doing of this is the proper and peculiar work of the seventh Vial as our discourse on that Vial proveth 3 The seventh Angels sounding is the time of rewarding Saints not some onely but all of them small and great ver 18. this comes under none of the Vials but the seventh onely which comprehends within it the time of the New Jerusalem the time of rewarding the dead and living Saints 4 Upon the seventh Angels sounding there are lightnings and voyces and thundrings and an earthquake and great hail ver 19. This is peculiar to the seventh and last Vial and answers to the plague of it almost verbatim Revel 16.18 21. Therefore I say the seventh Trumpet is contemporary with the seventh Vial and no other The matter of the Objection is therefore a mistake 2 For the ground of it which lyes in these words Thy wrath is come Ans This wrath is not to be understood of the wrath of all the Vials but onely of the last which because it shall be the greatest wrath hath an emphasis put upon it Thy wrath as if Christ had never been angry till now that is comparatively the former wrath was but a Flea-bite to this Hence which confirms our sense the day of the seventh Vial which is all one with the Battel of Armageddon is called the day of Christs wrath Psal 110.5 The fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God Revel 19.15 The day of vengeance Isa 63.4 Of indignation chap. 66.14 The great and terrible day of the Lord Joel 2.31 Mal. 4.5 all confirming this that this dreadful time of the Lambs wrath doth more properly relate to the last Vial onely than to all the Vials in general From all the three former Conclusions put together I make up this viz. That the day of the Witnesses killing must in all likelihood be already begun and not much more than begun For sith from our first Conclusion their rise must be concurrent with the end of Daniels 1290 days which beginning from Julians time expire A.D. 1656. as see Generation work part 1. p. 51 52 53 54. And sith from our second Conclusion their killing must be a little before Romes ruin which for what I have said under our first doth in a manner contemporise with the other And sith from our third Conclusion their killing must be under the Third Vial which is manifest from our discourse upon the Vials to be the Vial we stand under at present I therefore from the whole conclude That this black day is in all probability begun and the Witnesses do at this present time lye dead Hence it is a thing we must expect that yet a little while until this cloud is toward blowing over the work of Christ in the world wil go on but heavily for there is reason for it as I shall shew anon that within the day the Witnesses lye dead though their killing be a particular act an act restrained to one place onely yet that the work and cause of Christ in general should the greatest part of that day labour under a Cloud SECT VI. THe Beast killing the Witnesses the Text tells us is the Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit ver 7. of which Beast I have discoursed upon the Vials p. 97 98 99 100. where this Beast is proved to be the Roman Civil and Ecclesiastical State or the Antichristian Magistracy and Ministry both laying heads together and joyning hands to kill the two Witnesses of Christ viz. The true Magistracy and Ministry And here it is observable that Antichrists Magistracy and Ministry though two yet are called but one Beast as also Rev. 13. last One number is assigned to both the Beasts whereas the Magistracy and Ministry of Christ take them in the time of their Prophecie when they are killed or when they rise they are still two and spoken of in the plural number What may be the reason hereof Ans Christs Magistracy and Ministry keep their powers distinct and therefore they are two Antichrists mix their powers and therefore they are one That Magistracy and Ministry therefore which weave and intermixe their powers making and using in a manner but one sword whereas they should do two are neither of them Christs but both the Limbs of Antichrist nor are they in the account of the Holy Ghost witnesses but beasts who calls them so Rev. 13. yea layes down this as the principal character of the two Beasts that notwithstanding they were two yet did the one exercise the others power for the second Beast exerciseth all the power of the first vers 12. Now though the power of a Beast is ordinarily stronger then the power of a rational witness yet by how much the rational creature is more honorable then the sensitive by so much are those in whom the witnessing power remains more honorable then those whose power is only the power of Beasts SECT VII AS touching the Nature of the Witnesses death we are not to conceive thereof as though the same were to be a corporal killing which no way agrees with this Prophecy for 1 Such as is their resurrection and ascension such their death but their resurrection and ascension is not corporal therefore not their death 2 This Killing must be such a Killing as that they may in the time of their being Killed lye dead as witnesses for otherwise we cannot distinguish their killing from their Prophecying if we suppose them in both to give testimony and bear witness for Christ against the Beast But a corporal killing of witnesses doth not make them cease to bear witness but rather to bear witness in a more eminent manner as hath been before observed It is not a corporal killing therefore which is here meant Quest What manner of Death then is it Answ A Death as I conceive partly Civil and partly Spiritual 1 Partly Civil which shall be a deprival of the witnesses in a very great measure if not totally of their Civil Liberties and the free exercise of their Religion The godly Magistracy shall be put out of office and so be in no capacity as Magistrates to bear witness the godly Ministry by penal Laws have their mouths stopped and not suffered as Ministers of Christ to bear witness This shall be their death as to the Civil part of it 2 This death shall be partly spiritual and herein as I conceive the blackness of the day shall principally lye and not in Bloodshedding for observe though the Beast hath a will to this latter viz. to kill the witnesses outright yet is he not permitted to do it vers 9. Now this spiritual death shall consist chiefly in this viz. That the witnesses shall all this three yeers and a half be so left of God as that they shall not have that courage that was in the people of God al the time of the witnesses Prophecie who then did not love their lives to the death but mantained the truth and opposed the Beast with their blood
from Heaven which bids the witnesses come up hither ver 12. Now the reasons why this voyce from Heaven is brought in after their standing upon their feet and not before may be these 1 Because the immediate hand of God in putting life and courage into the witnesses to answer their Call shall be a thing as I have said much more remarkable and visible than the Call and therefore is that named first and the whole of their resurrection seemingly attributed therunto Or 2 Because which I rather judge it is very likely that the call given them shall be a continued call not a call to rise onely but a call to some higher work which work is here set forth by the phrase of ascending up to Heaven which notes thus much to me that the instruments who shall give the Witnesses this call being themselves a more refined people in which respect their voyce is called a voyce from Heaven they shall not onely call upon the Witnesses to arise but when they are up follow them still with their call to come up higher into that state they themselves are in therefore they say Come up higher i.e. shake off all Antichristian defilements worldly interests as you have seen us do and now let us be no longer two but joyn as one to ruin the Where and carry on the work of Christ in the world Now because this Call shall be a continued Call therefore mention is made of it onely in the last and more glorious act which indeed follows the witnesses standing upon their feet and the first is omitted If you ask me Who these Instruments shall be I answer The same with the Angel of the fourth Vial for what I have said in opening that Vial. And farther they shall be that Remnant of the Womans Seed that the Holy Ghost hath characterized chap. 12.17 Of whom I shall discourse more fully in the two following Chapters CHAP. II. Setting forth yet further the state of the Two Witnesses within their Prophecying time and the time of their being Killed from Rev. 12. SECT I. HAving in the fore-going Chapter treated briefly of the Two Witnesses by way of opening part of the 11 Chap. of the Revelations it will not be impertinent in this for the farther clearing up of this great truth to add my own thoughts concerning the 12. Chapter likewise This 12. Chapter is on all hands interpreted to be a Prophecy of the state of the Church within the time of the Dragons rule or the time before the rise of the Beast and accordingly the things here fore-told are judged to have their compleat accomplishment within the first 400 years after Christ I must confess when I consider how handsomely following this opinion we have the whole Prophecy of the Revelations from the time John wrote even unto the time of Christs second coming consisting of three distinct periods comprized within three Chapters viz. 1 The state of the Church within the first period under the Dragons rule Chap. 12. 2 The state of the Church within the second period under the Government of the Beast Chap. 13. 3 The state of the Church under the witnesses risen from the end of the Beasts reign untill the time of Christs Second coming where begins a fourth Period viz. of the 1000 years Chap. 14. I am by this single consideration more inclined to be of the common opinion as to this 12 Chapter then by any thing that hitherto I have found laid down for the same by the Authors and Assertors of it who urge not this as an Argument not indeed can they because as I shall hereafter shew they make application of the 14 Chapter not to the third Period but another time and as for what is commonly urged there is nothing in it that I can observe that has the force of an Argument but what is founded upon begged principles Yet must I also acknowledge that although this consideration I have now hinted could I make it out to my self would sway very much with me yet hath it the less weight by how much I cannot satisfie my self that such a Tripartite dovision of this Prophecy should be here intended And my reason is because I find something in this 12 Chapter which is the Prophecy of the Dragon running down even into the time of the Beast for the time of the Beast doth yea must begin with the beginning of the 1260 dayes as hath been before proved Cha. 1. Sect. 2. Now supposing the time times and a half to be equivalent to the 1260 dayes yet it is clear from the Prophecie it self that some attempts are made by the Dragon after the time times and a half are begun As 1 The casting water out of his mouth as a flood after the Woman vers 15. 2 The attempting a war after this upon the remnant of her seed vers 17. Both these things I say are done after the Beast was come into the world and therefore may not be applied to the time of the Dragons rule which ceased upon the Beasts coming in he then resigning his power seat and great Authority to the Beast Chap. 13.2 If therefore we may extend this Prophecy a little time downwards into the Beasts Kingdom after the Dragon had surrendred to him I see no reason why we may not as well extend it quite through the Beasts Kingdome for the former order yea and the common method too is as much broken by the one as by the other Nor indeed can I see unless we come downwards to the expiring time of the Beasts Kingdom where a people after the 1260 dayes were begun will be found that had rightly interpreted these two Characters upon them that the remnant of the Womans seed which the Dragon makes war upon are described by And as these Considerations have gravelled me as to that opinion which makes application of the things here foretold to the time of the Dragons rule So by other Considerations I am induced to think that the Prophecy of this Chapter doth bring us down to the very end of the Beasts Kingdom the expiring time of the 42 months and that indeed the last verse of this Chapter being joyned to the first of the fourteeenth and so descending we have in these two Chapters alone the thirteenth being cut off all the aforesaid three Periods 1 That of the Dragon and the state of the Church within that Period set forth in the five first verses of this 12 Chap. 2 That of the Beasts 42 months or 1260 dayes and the state of the Church within that time from vers 6. to the end 3 That of the Witnesses risen or the state of the Gentile Churches from about the time of the Witnesses rise until Christs second coming Chap. 14. And according to this method as this 12 Chapter and the 14 linked together do run parallel with the whole of the 11 which treats of the Witnesses so this 12 Chapter alone runs parallel with so much of the
lower into the time of the Beasts Kingdom Now that the time times and a half should be a number distinct from the 1260 days appears to me upon these Reasons 1 Because the different expressions used of the womans abode in the wilderness the first and the second time argue them not to be one and the same but two distinct numbers for 1 Of her first going into the wilderness the 1260 days it is said v. 6. The woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God Of the second the time times and a half it is said She fled into her place v. 14. as seeming to intimate her having been there before 2 Of the first it is said They should feed her ver 6. noting a feeding by instruments and means she should have the enjoyment of Instruments Means and Ordinances though in a low and mournful condition all this time Of the second it is said She is nourished ver 14. noting that God by some immediate way of working would all this time keep a principle of grace alive in his though they should lye as dead taking little or no food outwardly by Instruments Means or Ordinances 2 Because the Dragon by the war in Heaven being cast down to the earth is said to have great rage ver 12. because he knoweth he hath but a short time But if this war in Heaven were at the beginning of the 1260 days as holds the common opinion which makes application of this to Constantines war he should then have a long time if after they were begun then must the time times and a half which are the consequent of this war be a distinct number from the 1260 days which is the thing I am proving And certainly the calling of the time times and an half a short time must be with respect to the fore-mentioned time of 1260 years which was a long time and if so then will it follow they cannot be one and the same number 3 Because the first going into the Wilderness is leisurely by degrees as the Beast by little and little crept in being not so much a forced act by outward violence offered to her as a voluntary act the woman retiring her self into a corner that so by a separation she might be kept pure and free from the defilements of that Beast she saw now rising But the second is on the sudden and she is forced to it by the exasperated rage of the Dragon and therefore she hath given to her two wings of a great Eagle v. 14. to note her quick and speedy slight lest she should be destroyed by the serpent 4 Because upon the womans first going into the wilderness the earth was no friend to the woman but rather the Barbarous Nations invading the Roman Empire did prove her Enemy by aiding the Beast and giving their strength to him But now upon this second going into the wilderness the turth is the womans friend and swallows up the flood the Serpent casts out of his mouth to cause the woman to be carried away therewith vers 15.16 agreeing to that chap. 11.9 These things added to the former grounds and method perswade me to think that the time times and an half ver 14. are not the same with the 1260 days ver 6. but a distinct number and in a word the very same with the three days and a half Chap. 11.9 signifying three years and a half a time notes one year times in the plural number two years half a time half a year in all three years and a half and to put a time for a year is as well Scripture phrase as a day for a year as Dan. 4.25 it is said of Nebuchadnezzar he should eat grass like Oxen till seven times should pass over him i.e. seven years SECT III. AGainst this it may be objected This cannot be because the war spoken of here which precedes the time times and a half and that war Chap. 11. which precedes the three days and a half are vastly different 1 That war against the Saints is headed by the Beast but this by the Dragon Answ This difference will be none at all let but this be considered that Chap. 11. speaks of the state or power acted by the Devil but Chap. 12. of the Devil as acting that state or power If this Answer be not sufficient he that shall observe our future discourse may find a farther and more full 2 Iâ— that war chap. 11. the Beast evercomes but in this is overcome and the Dragon cast down Answ True the immediate success and issue of the war chap. 12. is the vanquishing of the Dragon and casting of him out but yet the conclusion of the day is the subtil Dragon though cast out to the Earth finds a way and means to persecute the Woman and to drive her into the wilderness notwithstanding immediately before she had vanquished him and cast him out vers 13 And when the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child Vers 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle that she might flee into the wilderness In conclusion therefore the Dragon or the Beast acted by the Dragon overcomes and so as to drive the woman upon this War into the wilderness and that for a time times and a half which is no contradiction at all but rather a more full opening of that war which is hinted chap. 11.7 as the immediate forerunner of the three days and a half Onely the Witnesses victory at first over the Beast is passed over in silence chap. 11. and the Beasts overcoming and killing them the thing expressed but chap. 12. their victory over the Beast is recorded first and yet afterwards his persecuting of them and driving them into the wilderness for a time times and a half or three days and a half If now the Question be put What war I conceive this to be Ans I judge it to be the war made by Gustavus Adolphus in Germany which war for the remarkableness of it hath been by many accounted the pouring forth of a Vial but though for some Reasons I have given in opening the Subject of the Second Vial it could not be so yet was it as remarkable under another consideration namely as it was a forerunner of the Witnesses being killed The Reasons of this my conjecture are 1 Because the time of this War agrees exactly to the time of that War which is the forerunner of the death of the Witnesses that War is a war in the finishing time of their testimony that is in the last 60 dayes or years of the 1260. which properly is the concluding time of their testimony Accordingly this War made by Gustavus Adolphus fell out within that time 2 Because this War must be supposed to be such a War as shall be headed by some eminent Christian Head on the one side raised up and acted by Christ which Head