much in words as matter if well considered 4. In Chap. 16.4 the Angel poured out his Vial upon the waters and they became blood but Chap. 11. the Witnesses have power over the waters to turn them into blood It is not said they smote the waters or that the waters were turned into blood What may be gathered is one thing but the phrases are not alike 5. If the places are so alike in phrases why are they made so unlike in exposition The first Vial is applied to Waldo Wickliff Luther as smiting the Beast with their mouthes and pens the second and third to Souldiers and Armies and so killing men with their swords and guns Answ 3. Because the Egyptian plagues alluded to were begun by the two Witnesses Moses Aaron before the end of the Captivity or sojourning in Egypt and it is very evident this hath such an allusion Rev. 11.8 because the holy Ghost calls this fourty and two months Egypt also Repl. If the Egyptian plagues by Moses and Aaron the two Witnesses were all poured out before the end of the captivity then following the Allusion all the Vials should be poured out whilst the Witnesses are in sackcloth And to saythe truth to take it otherwise it destroys the life and light of the Argument For if the Vials begun before the rising of the Witnesses then must they be all poured out before the end of the fourty and two months as the ten plagues by the two Witnesses Moses and Aaron were before the end of their Captivity or sojourning in Egypt Thus you see by dividing the Vials as some to go before the rising and some after is contrary to the Allusion For if some were then were all but taking it that none were so there is in my opinion both reason and truth as to the Allusion viz. as Moses and Aaron the two risen Witnesses not in sackcloth neer or about the end of the four hundred and thirty years plagued the Egyptians so the forty and two months of the Beasts tyranny being going out the Spirit of life from God shall enter into his Witnesses for the pouring out of the last plagues upon the Beasts dominion Answ 4. For that the remnant I humbly conceive are to strike in and not to begin to succeed and follow not to direct and lead to execute not to prepare but your opinion makes 144000 or the remnant to begin and the two Witnesses to fall in with them which I see not Repl. Either you or I are here in some mistake both to the Remnant and Witnesses For 1. I do not take the Remnant as you do to be the one hundred fourty and four thousand but as I said before part of the womans seed which never fled into the wilderness against whom the dragon makes war Rev. 12.17 and this before the rising of the Witnesses and so in likelihood refers to the wars in France Holland Germany Britain c. 2. I take the one hundred fourty and four thousand and the risen Witnesses to be all one For as you said well it is a testimony or Witness not persons that is slain the which Testimony or Truth that is the glorious Cause and Interest of Christ riseth and lives again by a spirit of life from God entered into the one hundred fourty and four thousand Answ 5. For that all the hitherto-plagues upon the Beasts dominion do signifie nothing if they were not the matter of the Vials Repl. 1. The conclusion will not follow For whilst the Israelites were in Egypt no doubt the Lord plagued the Egyptians at several times yet they were none of the ten last plagues To come nearer when Abbeys and Monasteries were put down in Hen. 8. his Reign this was a plague upon the Beasts dominion and signified something So hath he been plagued in France Scotland Bohemia the Netherlands yet reckoned no Vials Besides what did the Goths Hunnes Vandals c. but pour out plagues upon the Beasts dominion 2. That they are said to be the last plagues it clearly shews that there were plagues upon the Beasts dominion before For the distinction between former and later must be understood of the Beasts dominion as the subject that is several plagues should be poured upon it before the seven last Plagues or Vials begin Answ 6. And lastly the subjects of the Vials Rev. 16.2 3 4 5 c. of the first the second and the third as the holy Ghost in Scripture opens them have been under the very same wrath mentioned in the first second and third Vials so that I am much perswaded that they are begun by a Scripture-clearness Repl. That which first gave me occasion to question the beginning of the Vials it was that I could not see neither the subjects nor the effects of the Vials as the holy Ghost opens them Rev. 16. under the same wrath as they are interpreted neither the first second nor third there being nothing yet done in my opinion that carries the character of VIAL-WORK upon it 1. That the earth should be taken for the grosser part of Popery where do we finde in Scripture a ground to raise such an Exposition 2. That the subject earth should be universal and yet in many places this gross earth never mov'd but to this day remains as much and as bad as ever 3. That Waldo Wickliff Armachan c. should be Vial-Angels a thing no way sutable to the description of the holy Ghost Rev. 15. So again for the second and third Vials I am not satisfied as they are applied First why the second to the Swedish war in Germany the third to ours in Britain Or 2. as others why the second to the Romish discipline or Hierarchy in England Anno Dom. 1641. the third to fall upon England the Low-Countries and France I do not see Scripture-clearness for these things Nor 3. do I understand what difference there is between the earth and sea as they are expounded for I think the Romish Hierarchy viz. Popes Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Monks Friers c. with all that rabble root and branch as gross earthly superstitions as their Mass their Crosses Purgatory Penance Pilgrimage c. And therefore to make a distinction between Romish doctrine and Romish discipline as two distinct subjects I am not of that opinion but as they rose together so they shall fall together inseparably under one and the same Vial. I confess in things to come as they are secret so we cannot well judge whether men hit or miss in their opinions till they come to pass But in things that are past and so visible here we can say a little more whether men speak pertinently and to purpose I thought to have forborn the Queries but not knowing how it might be taken I have set down the Answers to them A few words to your Queries To the first I answer The one of the living creatures for I like not the name of Beasts nor is it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Truth vvith Time OR CERTAIN REASONS PROVING That none of the seven last Plagues or Vials are yet poured out neither will the time of their pouring out begin till after the rising of the Two Witnesses and the fourty two months of the Beast's reign be expired LIKEWISE An ANSWER to the said REASONS With a REPLY FURTHER The Author hath here set down in a brief Exposition his opinion of the FIRST VIAL By JOHN CANNE Minister of the Gospel Jer. 51.10 Come let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God Dan. 12.10 But the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand But the wise shall understand London Printed by J.C. for Livewe Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1656. To all the Mourners in Zion now waiting by faith and prayer for the fulfilling of the great promises of the last Times Precious Ones THe Lord saith by his Prophet * Psal 50.5 Gather ye to me my gracious Saints that have stricken my covenant with sacrifice Who are meant here I shall not say but this I say The time draws nigh in which the sanctified and mighty ones of Jehovah shall be gathered together to him even the hundred fourty and four thousand standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion It is possible this Work of mine at first sight may seem strange to you being contrary to what hath been generally received and withal may occasion some discouragement as if the day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompenses for the controversie of Zion were further off then you thought before For the first I shall refer you to the Discourse it self but for the later that is taking None of the Vials yet begun it will be for your encouragement and advantage many ways 1. Here you may see what choice and singular Priviledges the Lord hath reserved for YOU the Saints of the last times as to be particularly THESE Rev. 14.1 2 3 c. and the called chosen and faithful Chap. 17.14 The Angels to come out of the Temple with seven golden Vials full of the wrath of God * Psal 149.7.8 To do vengeance on the heathens reproofs in the nations To binde their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron To do on them the judgement written this comely honour is to all his gracious Saints Hallelu-jah It never grieves a childe to know more then he did of the Portion which his father left him I have in this Treatise acquainted you with something more then what probably you knew before concerning your lot how eminent it is being fallen in the last days 2. If the Lord will thus honour you the Saints of the last times with high and glorious employment What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness How should ye studie * 2 Tim. 2.21 to be meet for the Masters use workmen that need not to be ashamed Surely * Levit. 16.21 he will send by the hand of fit men Were a man chosen to any great Office in the Commonwealth he would take pains to have insight in it and to have all meet qualifications for the discharge thereof In former times as Saints saw that their work then was to suffer for the testimony of Jesus Christ so they went to God by instant and earnest prayer for faith patience courage constancie c. that they might not love their lives unto the death We are come without doubt neer the time of the end viz. the period of the Beast's reign and the Vials to begin Hence we should minde what our Work is NOW and for THIS be calling upon God day and night for spirits sutable to the Work 3. I know nothing if duly weighed of more weight then this to heal all present Breaches amongst the faithful of the Land and to gather them in as one with and for the Lamb. Never was there a time more unseasonable then now for brethren to be at oddes whether about Forms or the like but rather bearing each with other in their Opinions to joyn together in Fasting and Prayer that they may all know the Lord as to the proper work of the day and therein as all alike concerned stand fast together in the defence thereof I have observed it a long while that nothing more draws out the hearts of Christians to peace and oneness then the understanding of the Times Men walking in a dark room are apt to stumble and fall one upon another It is want of Generation-light that Ephraim envies Judah and Judah vexeth Ephraim Could Saints but see that the day breaks and the shadows are flying away those Forms and other things which men now are earnest for God is shaking and making all things new they would lay their hands upon their mouthes and say Once have I spoken yea twice but I will proceed no further If a Master should come and finde his servants quarrelling about some small matter and in the mean time nothing done concerning things of more weight and importance though some might be less in fault then others and so less blamed yet they would be all reproved as having neglected the greater and more weighty business It is true in these Controversies as some have more Truth on their side then others so their fault is the less nevertheless not having served their Generation but contended onely about things of lesser importance for this they may ALL stand ashamed before the Son of man at his coming 4. If no Vial yet be poured out and the Vial-Angels are to come out of the Temple this considered should stir up the Churches of the Saints to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches They have seen thy goings O God Rev. 2.7 Psal 68.24 even the goings of my God my King in the Sanctuary My opinion is near the time of the Vials the Spirit of God will move among the Saints at their holy Meetings in some strong and extraordinary way as to the shaking of the house as Act. 4.31 or as in Acts 13.2 And the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power And therefore Rev. 15.8 as eminent and infallible confirmations and assurances are to be ask'd so God's Answers and Returns are to be heeded for now Believers are to expect the great promise of the Father to be endued with power from on high and to have the Spirit of truth Joh. 16.13 to guide them into all truth and to shew them things to come Again as wonderful and extraordinary things are to be attempted things new and in former ages unheard-of so the wonderful appearances of God as moving and leading men thereto are to be observ'd which are no other then Gods call to the Angels of the Vials in the Temple Go your ways and pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the earth Rev. 16.1 Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent Hos
how pretending to Perfection and to have the highest Light and Discoveries of Truth there is nothing to be found in their Writings Speeches Lives but what is very lowe and signifies NOTHING as to be a People raised up for the work of the last days They tell us of Christ and Antichrist of Babylon and the New Jerusalem of the Seals Trumpets Vials the Beast false Prophet and the Great Whore c. But alas poor hearts nothing do they make of it either as to the truth of the matter in it self or in their own way as they apply it and would be understood And therefore well may their Way be call'd NOTHING for nothing is held forth by them concerning the great things of Christ which Saints now wait for according to the promise of the Father But to return to you who are hastening the day of the coming of Christ Give me leave in the Close to speak one word more As the expectation of Saints everywhere is exceeding high after strange and wonderful things so the Prophecies of the Scriptures such I mean as respect the last days are the more diligently to be search'd as the Grounds of our Faith and Hope And howsoever all of them are of excellent use whereby to know what must shortly come to pass and how to be in readiness Nevertheless the matter of the Vials in my opinion is a thing wherein Christians should labour to have special light and knowledge as containing the whole Work of God till the sinners be consumed out of the earth and the wicked be no more Neither will there lie such Darkness on the Vials if we once through Christ have found the beginning For as in reading Books the last word of the Page gives direction to what follows and how to finde it so I conceive in every Vial there is a light of some direction whereby to carry us over to the knowledge of the next and from it to what follows and so of the rest which will occasion the humble searcher to say O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! But here no common or ordinary frame is sufficient but we must labour for high and choice spirits to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man and filled with all the fulness of God Now that such a measure of the Spirit may be poured out upon all the Lords Servants and Handmaids waiting everywhere for the same is the daily prayer of him who is Yours In the love and service of the Truth JOHN CANNE From Hull the beginning of this HOPEFUL YEAR 1656. Time with Truth tryed OR Certain Reasons to prove that none of the seven last Plagues or Vials are yet poured out neither will the time of their pouring out begin till after the rising of the Witnesses and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days or fourty and two months of the Beast's Reign be expired I Am not ignorant how much it doth savour of affecting Singularity to publish a new Doctrine as the Athenians said of Paul Acts 18.19 especially being a thing contrary to the common received opinion of good men But here I have not onely my own Conscience to witness otherwise for me but I hope amongst all such as are wise and truly godly I shall finde better and more charitable thoughts when they have duly weighed the Grounds of this supposed New Doctrine That none of the seven last Plagues are yet poured out c it seems to be a Truth for these Reasons Reas 1 First If that be granted which Mr Tillinghast and others affirm that by the hundred fourty and four thousand But that I think Mr Till opinion here is not questioned by waiting Saints otherwise I could give many Reasons that the rising of the Witnesses and the 144000 do contemporize Rev. 14.1 the Gentile-Saints are signified and their standing on mount Sion with the Lamb is to be after the rising of the Witnesses then I think there will be very little reason to carry the beginning of the seven last Vials any higher For though it be the opinion of learned and godly men that some of the Vials are poured out yet so as they hold likewise that the hundred fourty and four thousand have already stood with the Lamb on mount Sion And indeed this hath Reason and weight in it That where we begin the time of the one hundred fourty and four thousand there we should also take the beginning of the Vials And the order of the matter seems to make this clear The holy Ghost having chap. 14. spoken of the Harvest and Vintage that is what sore plagues the Lord will bring upon Babylon and the followers of the Beast comes presently in chap. 15 16 to shew how and by what means the earth shall be reaped the clusters gathered and cast into the great wine-press of Gods wrath namely seven Angels shall come out of the Temple having the seven last plagues c. So then to take the one hundred fourty and four thousand to be after the Witnesses are risen and to begin the pouring out of the Vials before the Witnesses are risen in my understanding it is very improper to the scope and drift of the Prophecie and crosseth that excellent order which the Spirit seems to observe Reas 2 Secondly I do not conceive under favour how the pouring out of Plagues and Vials full of divine wrath in any good sence and according to Scripture-use may be applied to and understood of the preaching of the glad tidings of the Gospel Truly I think that the publishing of the sweet and most precious soul-saving Truths of Jesus all the time of the the Beasts reign even the fourty and two months or one thousand two hundred and sixty days is in another way and by other words expressed and not by Vials full of wrath See Rev. 10.9 10 11. And therefore by the seven last plagues filled up with the wrath of God Rev. 15.1 I understand real and proper plagues and not the preaching of the Gospel either by Grosthead Wickliff Luther Calvin c. but rather such temporal plagues as shall be in the last days poured out upon wicked men for despising and persecuting the Truth No doubt the Alleluiahs Revel 19.1 2 3 c. are for what was done under the first second third Vials as for the effects of the rest Now how in the preaching of the Gospel by Wickliff Luther c. God avenged the blood of his servants on the great Whore I do not yet see In her was found the blood of the Prophets and Saints Rev. 18.24 It is true Luther and others in discovering the corruptions of persons and things and lifting up their voices like Trumpets against the abominations of their Masses Crosses Indulgences Purgatory Penance Pilgrimage c. did therein take the little book and prophesied before many people nations and tongues That they did this we have the Word to
and magistratical witnesses joyned together I think they were rather the actions of the Antichristians themselves one plaguing another for worldly and base respects Lastly It is a great mistake I think to make worldly imployment as wars and fighting the Enemy a work of the sackcloth-witnesses for their work is prophesying neither do they smite the Beast's Dominion any other way than spiritually though it do concern civil things There are many wayes to hold forth a witness and Testimony for Jesus Christ but for that place in Rev. 11.3 6. it takes in no magistratical witness if the thing be meerly civil And this is plain in the very Text They shall prophesie 1260 dayes Again In the dayes of their prophesie c. And here it will not be amiss to declare briefly my Opinion concerning the 2 witnesses Rev. 11. The witnesses I take to be a Generation-Confession or Testimony in the behalf of Christ against the Idolatries and Blasphemies of the Beast and all his Helpers during the time of the 42 months I call it first a Confession to distinguish a Testimony from a Truth A man may profess and practise many excellent and eminent Truths and yet not have the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.17 for this consisteth in declaring against the evils of persons and things Secondly I call it a generation-Generation-witness because it must be proper to a man 's own time viz. as to own what is of God then opposed and persecuted and what is of the Dragon and Beast countenanced commanded authorized then to testifie against it and if we do not this we are no Generation-Confessors or Witnesses I say whatsoever Truth otherwise we acknowledge it is not to the matter Rev. 11. Joh. 1.7 8. Act. 1.8 4.19 20. 13.31 8.25 18.5 23.11 1 Tim. 6.3 Rev. 1.2 9. 6.9 As a Souldier if he see the Enemy dead at his foot will not stand cutting and hacking of him but leaving him follows and fights the standing Enemy so to declare against Idolatry and Tyranny which is already put down and nothing else this is not Souldier-like and as becomes a brave Champion of Christ it must be to be a Witness indeed the living and standing abominations of our present time which we must boldly and openly testifie against Again they are said to be two Witnesses not in reference to Magistracy and Ministery but two as to the things either witnessed for or against that is as being comprised in two heads neither more nor less 1. Ecclesiastical or Spiritual 2. Civil or Secular Now whereas neer or toward the end of the 1260 days this two-fold Witness shall rise and speak out with more clearness and in the Demonstration of the Spirit and of power then before suddenly and strangely it shall be slain which slaying I take to be no other way then in the Testimony that is Christ's witness so high and eminent before is knock'd in the head In some it is slain through Preferment Honour great Places In others through a Base spirit and Fear of sufferings In others through Bonds and Imprisonment In some through Hypocrisie Apostacie and a fearful Departing from God So that the Witnesses relate not to the persons of men for the person may live though his Witness be slain neither to any Office or Calling whether Magistracie or Ministry but meant of a Generation-testimony for Truth and Righteousness against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men Answer to the third Reason To your third Reason the integral of which lies in the marginal Question What reason there is to begin there as you say and not after nor before I answer 1. Because till then the Beast was not grownfull enough for the Vials but then he was at a full growth and all the world wondered after him Repl. 1. Here again you are much mistaken to think that the Beast was grown full enough for the Vials in the times of Waldo Wickliff Huss Luther c. For he comes not to his growth for the Vials till the time of his reign be expired that is the fourty and two months The sins of the Amorites no doubt were many and great in Abraham's time yet not grown full enough for the Vials till the four hundred years were expired Gen. 15.13 16. To make the iniquity either of a Person or State full the time must run out which God hath appointed Hence then I might frame this Argument Till the Beast be grown full for the Vials they are not to be poured out upon him So you But till the fourty and two months are expired the Beast is not grown full enough for the Vials So the Scripture Therefore none of the Vials are to be poured out upon the Beast till the fourty and two months are expired But 2. had you said that the Beast in Waldo's or Luther's time was grown full enough as to be discovered and known to be the Beast therein I would agree with you but begin else where you will for it is all one whether at Waldo or Luther or four hundred years before either of them the Beast might be said to be grown full enough for the Vials the time onely excepted which is the main thing Answ 2. Because then and not before or after the gross earth of Papacie in all manner of filthy trash c. appeared in height eminently and most universally as the adequate subject of the first Vial. Repl. 1. I have once or twice touch'd this wrest-interpretation and the rather lest we should fall into the fault of our fore-fathers who because Errours for a while had pass'd currant from hand to hand at length believed them without any tryal That by earth Rev. 16.2 should be meant the grosser parts of Popery truly in my opinion it is as weakly gathered from that place as a thing can be For among the several acceptations of the word earth in Scripture not one will be found to second such a sence It is no good way to have the Scriptures follow things but rather let things follow the Scriptures Because we see by the preaching of Waldo Wickliff Armachan Huss Luther c. nothing fell but a little of the grosser part of Popery therefore we must expound earth to be that grosser part of Popery this is not to give pre-eminence to the Scriptures but on the other hand when the Word hath its latitude fulness perfection to apply then what is sutable and agreeable to that this is to give honour to whom honour is due But 2. and to come nearer to the Answer Then say you and not before or after Truly I think this will not appear so in either of your ways though by earth we should understand the grosser parts of Popery For 1. The grosser part of Popery appeared in height eminently and universally some hundred years even before Waldo yea and witnessed against as in his time though not so publickly boldly and clearly opposed as then 2. Neither did the good men you
be mingled with fire it is not to denote as I conceive any strugling of the Saints with the Beast nor hot jars and contentions among themselves but that all the corrupt and rotten devices of the Beast should be as dross in a furnace utterly consumed Object It is said Till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were fulfilled Then Man afterward is able to enter into the Temple I answer The particular until is often taken for never Gen. 8.7 28.15 1 Sam. 15.3 2 Sam. 6.23 Matth. 1.25 So here 2. For your sense of the place if I understand it it makes a difference between Saints as some superiour others inferiour But I think all Saints so judged and known as Angels shall enter c. Neither will there be any such difference amongst the people of God after the Vials begin Answ And 4. No man as then without the Temple yet 5. I think it refers to the blessed New-Jerusalem-state of 1000 years Rev. 20 21 22. which is not begun till after the seven plagues and therefore till then none can enter into it Repl. 1. Doubtless many who are without when the Temple is first filled with the glory of the Lord shall yet enter in before the Vials are poured out For the everlasting Gospel is to be preach'd upon the rising of the Witnesses whereby many will be called out of Babylon and other Gentiles from their idols and vanities to the faith and obedience of the Gospel 2. For referring it to the New-Jerusalem-state it seems to have no footing in the text for the holy Ghost speaks there of no New Temple or State but directly of that Temple in which the seven Angels then were Besides in my opinion so to take it it 's far below the stile of the holy Ghost For to say The new-Jerusalem-state will not begin till after the seuen plagues it 's a truth indeed but how As if a traveller were told that his journeyings must be finished before he can be at home or a Souldier till the enemy be subdued he is not to have the glory and honour of the Victory Answ 6. Should we concede to your Argument the edge thereof would turn as much against your own opinion and apprehension seeing none could enter in as you grant till the Temple were opened Rev. 11.19 which is after the seventh Trumpet hath sounded The Scripture you quote Rev. 15.5 being meant of the Tabernacle of the Testimony whence the Vials go out indeed but not out of this Temple which is not opened till after all the seven plagues of the seven Angels be fulfilled as that text expresseth in terminis Repl. 1. How the Reason should be against my self I see not Indeed my opinion is that both places as I said before relate to one time and take their beginning before the Vials Neither is there any mention of a Tabernacle or Temple opened in heaven after the Vials are poured out though you say that text expresseth it in terminis For Rev. 16.17 18. which you often quote speaks no such thing but that there came a great voice out of the Temple of heaven not said to be then opened as Rev. 11.19 15.5 because it was not opened at that time but long before But 2. This is true in Rev. 19.11 heaven is said to be opened which I take to be between the sixth and seventh Vials signifying a most glorious success of the everlasting Gospel partly through the light which came from the Ark Rev. 11.19 and the Tabernacle of the Testimony chap. 15.5 opened before and partly through the fall of the Western Babylon Chap. 18. Answ So that neither by this nor any of your former Reasons is my faith in the Vials begun stirr'd or enervated but rather ratified for the present without I see more then I do and am of Mr. Tilling opinion that the Vials are begun and that for these Reasons Repl. I know it was Mr. Tilling opinion so Brightman's Pareus Mede and * Burton Cotton many others which I have seen and it is I think the opinion of most men still whose learning and godliness I do willingly acknowledge and do honour the very name of some of them yet neither do I think them so learned but they might erre nor so godly as in all things to be followed This reverence every man stands bound to give to the graces of God in other men That in his difference from them he be not suddenly or easily perswaded but being jealous of his own heart he undertake the examination of things and so proceed with fear and trembling and so having tryed all things hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 so shall he neither wrong the graces of God in himself nor in others But on the other side for a man so far to suffer his thoughts to be conjur'd into the Circle of any mortal man or mans judgement as either to fear to weigh what is offered to the contrary in the balance of the Sanctuary or finding it to bear weight to fear to give sentence on the Lords side yea though it be against the common opinion of good men this is to honour man above God and to advance a throne above the throne of Christ who is Lord and King for ever I must confess to the glory of God and mine own shame that one Reason why I questioned not till of late but that the Vials were begun it was because I found such an unanimous accord amongst Expositors therein Hence I made the less search into the thing there being no doubt made among them as to the truth of it Now it is possible my case here may be the case of other men Answ 1. Because the two Witnesses in their Sackcloth-condition in the time of the 42 months before their slaughter or rise pour out plagues or smite with plagues Rev. 11.5 6. But the Vials are such plagues Rev. 15. Therefore they pour out Vials 2. Because the very same subjects of the Witnesses smiting with plagues Rev. 11.5 6. are the subjects of the Angels Vials Rev. 16.1 2 3. viz. earth waters turned into blood and expressed by the holy Ghost in the very same phrases Repl. We have answered this before yet farther thus The places have no such full agreement as is pretended For 1. in Rev. 11. waters there are before earth but in Chap. 16. there earth is before the waters Neither do I think but according to the order set down the Witnesses did so viz. smote the waters first in the days of their prophecie prophetically 2. The sea which is the subject of the second Vial Rev. 16.3 in Chap. 11. is not so much as named which is very strange that the second Vial should be thus left and yet all one thing and in the very same phrases 3. How do they agree in phrases When the one onely smites the earth the other pours out a Vial on the earth Doubtless here lies a great difference not so