the new Jerusalem the holy Citie Now all the services of formall professors and carnall Christians shall be disowned of God Esa 43. 20 21. And humane ministrie shall be abhorred vers 27 28. And Jerusalem shall be a burthensome stone breaking in pieces Kings and Kingdomes States and powers that shall take upon them to judge of spirituall things that shall intermeddle with Church-work or shall any wayes goe about to interpose between God and the spirits of men Because none can none shall reigne over the Saints but the Lord himselfe Man hath had his time of power and dominion but now he is to give account of his Stewardship and reigne no longer The riches the glorie the strength the dominion of the world are Christs he hath let out these to man to be imployed but the men of the world have abused them these have been used in opposition to Christ therefore Christ will recover these to himselfe againe he will come and redeeme these from Antichrist from Babylon from the power of darknesse and all these kingdomes of this world shall immediatly become the kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ The Lord shall take all owne all possesse all and his Saints shall possesse all iâ— him he must raigne and they shall reigne with him The whole earth is the Lords and he will put his people into possession of all that 's good excellent and glorious All the kingdomes of the world shall become our Lords and his anointed ones I shall now proceed to shew the effects that follow in which I shall give you a briefe Paraphrasticall sence of the following verses and so conclude Because the Lord raignes and we shall reigne with him what is the issue VERS 16. And the foure and twenty Elders which sat before God on their seats fell upon their faces and worshipped God IN this Verse observe three things First the title given to the servants of the Lord his anointed ones they are called Elders because the Lord doth appeare with them and in them with much gravity and majesty by his glorious indwellings of his everlasting Spirit These be his Ancients as the Prophet calls them Esa 24. 23. before whom the Lord doth appeare Saints taken up into the Ancient of dayes living in the eternall spirit these are called the Ancients the Elders of the Lord. Secondly Their number twenty-foure The number of the Apostles were twelve but here is the number of twenty-foure answerable both to the twelve Tribes and also to the twelve Apostles Suitable hereunto is that place Revel 21. 12. 14. In the description of the new Jerusalem it 's sayd That upon the twelve gates thereof were the names of the twelve Tribes and upon the twelve foundations the names of the twelve Apostles which doth demonstrate that the Spirit of God shall appeare in a double measure twice as much as in the Apostles these shall have a fuller measure of the Spirit The names the vertues the gifts the graces both of the twelve Tribes and twelve Apostles shall be engraven upon these anointed ones These shall enjoy a double measure of the Spirit they shall not appeare as twelve but as twenty-foure Elders before the Lord. These are they which sat before God as having rule and dominion with him Thirdly We have their posture and action they fell upon their faces and worshipped God 1. They fell on their faces that sheweth their humility and selfe-deniall as disclaiming all fleshly glory and excellency they doe as it were put their faces in the dust as abhorring their own beauty and excellency 2. They wership God the time was they did worship men and meanes they adored selfe creature but now they cast off their idols of Gold and their idols of silver which they made each one for himselfe to worship to the moles and to the bats as the Prophet speakes Esa 2. 20. And now they exalt the Lord alone they worship him and him onely The voyce of praise follows VERS 17. We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned HEre likewise three things are considerable First The praises of the Saints we give thee thankes c. They sing the song of deliverance and joy of triumph and victory saying we thanke thee O Lord not to us not to man not to creature be the praise but to thee O Lord thou onely deservest all praise O Lord God Almightie therefore we will praise thee onely The Saints exalted into the liberty and glory of Christs kingdome they sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb Revel 15. 2. They give thankes for deliverance and salvation-Their hearts and their mouths are full of divine praises they sound forth Halelujahs and sing aloud the glory of the Lord. Secondly They praise him who is the everlasting and eternall being which art and wast and art to come Here we have the very circle of eternitie that is most comprehensive and doth comprehend both the beginning and end of all things The Lord was before all creatures and shall abide alwayes though all creatures should perish from him all creatures had their being and to him they are referred as their utmost end Therefore the Lord is worthy of all praise being before all things by whom all things are and to whom all things tend the Lord is the beginning being and end of all things meeting and concentering together Thirdly The ground of their praise Because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned As if they had sayd Lord thou hast given thy power to others thou hast let Satan Antichrist and wicked men reigne on the earth but now thou hast taken thy power to thy selfe again and hast wrested it out of the hands of earthly men that have abused it and thou wilt use it thy selfe The men of the earth have reigned by wisdome policy by plots carrying on their own designes but the Lord will reigne in truth and righteousnesse It must needs be matter of great joy unto the earth that the Lord will reigne for while man reigned there was nothing but oppression on the earth but the Lord rules reignes with deliverance and salvation It followeth VERS 18. And the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that feare thy Name small and great and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth FRom these words take notice First how the adversaries vex and fret and doe even rage in furie and madnesse and good reason they have so to doe for the time of their dead was come that they should be judged all dead power rule and authority all dead ordinances and services all the dead wayes and practises of Antichrist these must all be judged condemned and destroyed all things that have
Trumpets and vialls the opening of each sea'e causeth a Trumpet to sound and each Trumpet causeth a viall of wrath to fall upon the head of the beast Christ openeth the seals by discovering of light and truth to his Saints The Saints sound the Trumpets by their holding forth and professing of the truth and every Trumpet sounded bringeth a viall of indignation and destruction to be powred forth upon the earth And thus the witnesses smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will Now give me leave to give you those observations that the words afford us First Observe That the testimony of 1 Observ the witnesses against the wayes and practises of Antichrist doth exclude them from the heavenly influences and sweet showers of divine grace There are not any of the wayes and practices or of the formes of worship that Antichrist doth uphold and exercise but at the prophesie of these witnesses they wither and are dried up as a dead branch that is severed from the root These have effectuall power to exclude all carnall and fleshly formes and worships of Antichrist from all refreshing showers and dews divine grace If these say this or that way is not of God 't is not the appointment of Christ 't is of man 't is his invention 't is fleshly and carnall I say presently upon the witnesse and testimony of the faithfull witnesses the heavenly dews and sweet distilling showers of divine grace have been shut up and they have had no raine but they have been blasted scattered and broken Suitable unto this is that in Revel 7. 1. And after these things I saw foure Angels standing in the foure corners of the earth holding the foure winds of the earth that it should not blow on the earth nor on the sea nor on any tree These winds import the sweet gentle winds of the word and Spirit of God as appeares Cant. 4. 16. The foure Angels present us with the servants of Christ who by their witnesse and discovery of truth doe hinder and restraine those refreshing and fructifying gales of winde from blowing upon the earthly carnal and invented formes of worship that the earthly church doth hold forth by the power and prevalency of truth there is a stoppage made upon the errours and false wayes of Antichrist Such was the judgement the Lord threatned to the house of Israel for their unfruitfullnesse saving I will command the clouds that they raine no raine upon it Esa 5. 6. The Lord would so shut up the clouds that they should not raine upon his Vineyard that it might wither away with drought So in Jere. 3. 3. God did withhold the showers and the raine from the house of Israel This power is given to the witnesses that they shut heaven that it raine not all the dayes of their prophesie Secondly Observ That all the sweet 2 Observ and refreshing streames of comfort and supply that Antichrist lives upon are turned bitternesse and contention at the prophesie of the Witnesses Hence it is they have alwayes been accounted the troublers of the peace and quietnesse of the world were it not for the testimony of these witnesses the world would never be disturbed nor disquieted they could be at rest and peace and all their streames would be sweet their waters would never be disturbed they could d. Inke them downe merrily but that the witnesses prophesie against them saying these ordinances these formes of worships these gifts are humane carnall and fleshly presently their waters are turned into bloâ—d and contention into strife and debate into bi ternesse and confusion Suitable unto this is the effâ—ct of the third Trumpet Chap. 8. 11. The starre called wormewood fell into the third part of the waters and they became wormewood and men dyed of the waters because they were made bitter The star was called wormewood from the effect of it because it made the waters bitter the best of Antichrists doctrines ordinances and formes of worship which are as so many fountaines and streames of water they are now become as wormwood bitter and unsavoury And thus all the wayes of Antichrist are turned into blood and contention into wormwood and bitternesse bythe prophesie of these witnesses Thirdly Observ That the prophesie 3 Observ of the witnesse though in a meane low and sackcloth condition is of mightly force and power unto their adversaries All the evill that befalls Antichrist proceeds from the prophesie of the witnesses they by their declaration and profession of truth sound sorth the Trumpets and every Trumpet sounding doth cause a viall of wrath to be powred out upon the head of Antichrist Then needs must the force and power of their prophesie be great These smite the earth with all plagues and that as often as they will as often as they prophesie as often as they give forth their testimony of the truth of Christ they smite all earthly things all things that are carnall and fleshly are killed and slaine Then all the plagues famines warres in the world are occasioned by these witnesses all spiritual sicknesses weaknesses and consumptions issue forth of the mouths of these Prophets which torment the world In a word these powre out all the vialls of Gods indignation upon the beast that man of sin by the word of their testimony Here then take notice of all plagues with which these smite the earth by powring forth all the vialls VERS 7. And when they have finished their testimony the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit shall make warre against them and shall overcome them and kill them HAving spoken of the active part of these witnesses how they were impowered to prophesie and thereby enabled to resist their enemies now here we are to proceed to speake of their passive part in that they should suffer from their enemies As these witnesses did most grievously torment Antichrist by smiting the earth with all plagues so in revenge we have Antichrist about to repay these witnesses for all the wrongs he doth receive The words hold forth the slaying and death of the witnesses and that when they have finished their testimony in which thing we have a plaine allusion unto the story of Christ's death resurrection and ascension as Christ finished his testimony and was slaine after which he rose againe and ascended so it falleth out with these witnesses Now from the words here concerning the death of the witnesses by the war made against them Consider these particulars First the time when they are slaine and that is when they had finished their testimony Secondly by whom they should be slaine and that is by the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit Thirdly the manner how they are slaine and that is expressed gradually by a threefold action of the beast who is sayd First to make war against them Secondly to overcome them Thirdly to kill them First of the time when these witnesses should be slaine and that 's declared to
The outward word is but the clothing of the spirit neither hath it life and power but as the spirit doth goe forth in it Then the spirit is the true measure whereby we may take an equall scantlet or true dimention of heavenly things This is that the Apostle doth plainly tell us in 1 Cor. 2. 10. That the Spirit doth reveale the deep things of God So that the deep and hidden things the most secret mysteries of Gospel-truth are revealed unto us by the Spirit Now what man is it that doth not imagine he hath the true measure and rule of the things of God Every man pretends it and lays claime unto it Therefore before I passe this poynt I shall shew upon what grounds many men are mistaken and also make knowne what are the true foundations and principles of the true knowledge and discernnance of the things of God Concerning the false rules whereby men mistake take notice of these which follow First Fleshly wisdome and carnall reason are the principles that many men thinke to finde out truth by and by these principles of nature they would professe to attaine unto the knowledge of divine things but there is an utter inability in man by all his corrupted principles of nature rightly to judge or discerne of spirituall things Christ tells Nicodemus That which is borne of flesh is flesh Joâ— 3. 6. Now what doth he meane by flesh he doth not meane materiall flesh and bloud but he meaneth the corrupted principles of mans nature the wisdome will and affections of the nâ—turall man which cannot enter into the kingdome of God Againe the Apostle tells us of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an animate sensuall or naturall man and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a spirituall man or one enlightned by the spirit of God Now the naturall man is not able to judge of things above the principles of nature for every truth is discerned by principles of light suitable to it selfe Hence it is that the Apostle saith in 1 Cor. 2. 11. No man knoweth the things of man but the spirit of man that is in him Now what are the things of man but all created things of whom man is the epitome or compendium of them all they being all comprehended within him as in a Mapp or short abridgement so as for the secret and hidden things of nature or of the creature there is none can fadome or comprehend them but the spirit of man or the reason wisdome or understanding of man So it falls out in the things of God for saith the Apostle Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Heavenly things are onely judged and discerned by him that is spirituall who judgeth all things by a true light Then it is in vaine for man to grope in the darknesse of his own wisdome and reason after the knowledge of heavenly truth Mans knowledge is a weak and dimme light as the light of a Candle to the light of the day or like the shine of the Moon unto the glory of the Sun it is a low fleshly and most unperfect light and altogether insufficient to measure divine things by Secondly Many there be that ground their knowledge of divine things upon some barren notion or fruitlesse opinion or meer speculation and when they have got some jejune and dry Maximes of Divinity or some poor lean and saplesse syllogisticall reasonings that then thinke they have attained to a most compleat knowledge of the things of God and that they are well seen in the mystery of truth when alas all these things are not sufficient to present unto the soul the least glimpse of true and saving light Thirdly Others thinke that the whole mystery of truth is bound up or comprehened within some circle or forme of Religion Such as these are apt to say Lo here and lo there as Christ speaks in Luke 17. 21. that is Lo here is Christ in this way of worship in this form of Religion in this opinion and doctrine but saith Christ The kingdome of God is within you That is The kingdome of God is not so much of forme but of power of righteousnesse and peace of light and joy of love and life and all these are best manifested within us for Christ is best knowne where he lives It hath been the practice of Antichrist to cry up the Temple of the Lord while they cry downe the Lord of the Temple and to take up the forme of Religion as a meanes to persecute the power thereof Then t is not an empty and barren forme of Religion that can furnish us with the true light of the kingdome of Christ or the knowledge of his will Fourthly and lastly the most of men thinke that if they have some historicall knowledge of Christ and some literall knowledge of the Scriptures and are trained up as Parrets to speake over such things as they read in books and Treatises and are well versed in the Systems and body of Divinity that then they are sufficiently instructed in the mysteries of the Gospel when alas the truths of God are hidden from their eyes and every word and letter they read are written with an unknowne character which cannot be deciphered without the Spirit of God The most learned Scribe the greatest Rabbie that shall understand the Originall language in which the Text of Scripture was first written as the Hebrew and the Greeke but yet shall want the language of the Spirit cannot give a true interpretation of the hidden and secret truths contained in the Scripture There is not onely a history but also a mystery of Christ there is not onely letter but also Spirit in the Scriptures which the most learned in the world cannot finde out without the Spirit of Christ The Apostle gives in a full testimony unto this in citing of that place which saith I will destroy the wisdome of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolishnesse the wisdome of this world 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. Then t is not carnall reason or fleshly wisdome t is not a barren notion or meer speculation t is not a round circle or empty forme t is not a literall knowledge or historicall relation of Christ and the Scriptures that are sound principles of saving light or the true measures or rules by which we may discerne spirituall things Thus having shewen rules and principles whereby men are mistaken in their judgement of divine things Now it followeth in the second place that wee make a discovery of those principles of light and truth whereby we may come to a true sight and knowledge of the things of God First Divine truths are knowne by the Spirit The Apostle tells us in 1 Joh. 5. 6. The spirit is truth The spirit is the fullest the highest the most absolute and the most comprehensive truth it 's
unto you ver 3. So that onely those that receive from the Lord a gift a revelation or spirituall understanding such onely are able to give forth a testimony of Christ and of his truth These witnesses can admonister the things of God suitably to what they have received of the gift or measure of Christ Secondly Observe That all those that 2 Observ bold forth the truth of Christ opposing Antichrist are his witnesses This is the title the Lord gives them here these are my two witnesses these testifie of me these hold forth my truth by declaration and by profession as if the Lord had said these are mine they owne me they suffer for me they indure the word of my patience and I will own them for my witnesses they bearing witnesse of my truth Therefore every individuall Saint that doth according to his measure and ability either by preaching praying writing or profession hold forth the power and authority of Christ against the usurpation and tyranny of Antichrist whosoever he be of what quality or degree soever the same is a witnesse of Christ to testifie against the man of sin that wicked one that son of perdition Thirdly Observe That the witnesse 3 Observ of the Saints is a sufficient testimony They are called two witnesses by whom a thing is confirmed and ratified Therefore God hath not left himselfe without witnesse but hath alwayes sent forth such as would have healed Babylon but she refused to be healed and repented not of her deeds still persisting in her abominations Hence it is that the Apostle saith God should send them strong delusions that they should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beleeve a lie that they might be damned or judged that beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse 2 Thes 2. 11 12. That is because of their obdurate malice and incredulity shutting their eyes against the truth that was sufficiently held forth by these witnesses therefore the Lord would blinde their eyes by a restraint of his grace and wholly give them up to Satan to captivate their mindes and seduce their understandings that they should beleeve lying false doctrines to take pleasure in unrighteousnesse so as by their prodigious lies and forged superstitions they should mightily oppose the truth Fourthly Observe That the whole 4 Observ been of the witnesses prophesie hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Christ against the falshood of antichrist The things they prophesie shall come to passe is the kingdome of Christ and the ruine of Antichrist The testimony they give forth is that the power of the anointing in the anointed shall subdue the seed of the Serpent and that Christ as Prophet Priest and King shall overcome the wisdome worship and dominion of the beast Thus they prophesie and continually powre forth their testimony bearing witnesse unto the truth this is their message they have to declare and they make it their continuall study and practice faithfully to discharge this message and trust Thus Christ tells Pilate For this cause saith he came I into the world to beare witnesse of the truth Joh. 18. 37. This was Christs worke and businesse and this is the great arrand and embassage of all his people to beare witnesse of the truth and to set to their scales that Christ is true and that Antichrist is a lier a seducer full of untruth and unrighteousnesse Fiftly Observe Those that have been 5 Observ most faithfull unto Christ and his truth have been most rejected of the world These witnesses being persecuted in their persons and flighted in their testimony they are made to mourne and put on sackcloth Thus it was with Christ while he was on earth he did as it were prophesie in sackcloth being rejected Esa 53. 3. and despised of men was a man of sorrows and griefe his testimony was rejected his words contradicted his person set at nought and all because he did testifie of the truth The same measure is given forth to all his faithfull servants the true ground of all their sufferings is the testimony they give forth for bearing witnesse unto the truth The soules under the Altar were slaine for the testimony that they held Revel 6. 9. Sackcloth and mourning have been the portion of all such as witnessed the truth in the time of the powerfull raigne of Antichrist Sixtly and lastly Observe That Christ 6 Observ hath alwayes had a people to beare witnesse of his truth even in the saddest and darkest time of Antichrists raigne The time of the witnesses prophesie in sackcloth is as long as the time as the man of sin hath to trample under the holy Citie Though the times werenever so dark and persecutions never so cruell yet still there was alwayes a remnant that were neither so farre blinded nor so much discouraged as to give out as that they should withhold their witnesse unto the truth When Elijah thought he had been left alone the Lord had preserved to himselfe seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal nor kissed him I King 19. 18. So all the time of the generall apostacie and defection under the man of sin the Lord hath reserved to himselfe such as he hath kept from the evill of the time that would not yeeld to the worship nor conforme to the idolatrous courses of Antichrist VERS 4. Those are the two Olive trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth HAving already spoken of the authority title number and office of these witnesses also of the manner and duration of them in their office now we are led to enquire who they are of whom in this fourth verse we have a sufficient draught and ful description Before I come to declare positively who these witnesses are I shall first shew you what the various opinions of men are in this thing First There are those that would have these two witnesses to be meant of the two Testaments which they call Law and Gospel namely the Scriptures but this interpretation is too remote from the adequate sence and meaning of the place for these witnesses are brought in as men and personated by men that are brought in as their types and are described by such actions that they should performe before the world therefore I shall consent that the Scriptures are the Testimony that these witnesses give forth but not the witnesses themselves Secondly Others understand the two witnesses to be meant of Godly Magistrates and Godly Ministers viz. two eminent ranks of men of the same quality as Zerubbabel and Joshua were of Now though this interpretation doth beare some Analogie and proportion to the truth the text cannot be so restrained for those two eminent types did rather prefigure Christ who is here brought in as the great witnesse meant by the two Olive trees as will appeare by the sequell therefore if Christ be chiefly personated by Zerubbabel and Joshua there is then no necessity to
restraine the witnesses to persons of the same quality and condition with them Thirdly Some hold that these witnesses are meant of two eminent and peculiar persons that the Lord should raise up for some great and speciall designe of his to performe some magnificent and glorious work and then to be bodily slaine by the Antichristian partie but neither will this interpretation be congruous to the sence of the place for the witnesses are not meant of any eminent persons that the Lord should raise up at any one time or age of Antichrist to give forth a testimony of the truth but it holds forth all those that should testifie of Christ in all the whole time of Antichrists raigne as was plainly shewed from the former verse Fourthly and lastly another sort doth conclude that the witnesses can be meant of none but of such as have suffered martyrdome spilt their bloud for the testimony unto the truth I doe neither condemne nor contradict the truth of this interpretation for most certaine it is that those that layed downe their lives for the profession of the name of Christ were great and eminent witnesses of the truth but we may not restraine these witnesses here to be meant onely of such because there be many that give forth large testimonies of Jesus Christ and yet never suffer naturall death for so doing Besides the slaying of the witnesses is not meant of a corporiall and bodily slaying but of a mysticall and of such a slaying that many shall suffer that never come to lay downe their lives for Christ as we shall come to see more fully by the consequent of our discourse Now to declare positively and plainly who are the two witnesses here meant and they are Christ and his Saints who make up but one spirituall body and though they may be distinguished as head and members yet cannot be seperated no more then the branch from the vine Now that Christ and his Saints are here meant will be manifest by the description that the Text it selfe makes of them These are the two Olive trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth It will be necessary for the opening of these words to shew First Who is meant by the two Olive trees Secondly Who is signified by the two Candlesticks Thirdly Why they are called two Fourthly How Christ can be here meant If the question be asked who are the two Olive trees The answer may be made from Zach. 4. from whence the description of these witnesses is fetcht These are the two anointed ones c. That Christ is here meant by the two Olive branches will appeare by their description in these particulars First These two Olive trees are sayd to be placed on the right side and on the left side of the Candlestick Zach. 4. 11. This represenâ—s us with Christ with both the armes of his two natures embracing comforting and blessing of his people First Christ as taking our nature fulfilling all righteousnesse suffering temptations dying upon the Crosse herein discovers himselfe to be a suitable Mediator a compassionate high Priest and a comfortable Saviour to sinning soules And thus Christ is the Olive branch on the left side of the Candlesticke Secondly Christ as being filled with the fulnesse of God clothed with righteousnesse compleat in grace anointed with the spirit and as a head giving downe an influence into all the parts and members and as the root sending forth vertue and life into all the branches alwayes communicating of his sulnesse and redundancy of divine grace into the hearts of his people whereby he doth fill them with righteousnesse love and peace hereby he is as the Olive tree on the right side of the Candlesticke Suitable unto this is that phrase in Cant. 2.6 His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me As if the Church had sayd Christ my beloved doth comfort establish and refresh mee with both the armes of his two natures Secondly These two olive trees are said to emptie the golden oyle out of themselves Zach. 4. 12. Now it is to much for men of what ranke or quality soever to emptie oyle out of themselves for all men the best of men all as meer men take oyle into themselves It s onely Christ the true branch that springeth out of the everlasting root that by a continuall flowing and issuing forth of spirituall life and grace doth abundantly supply all his people When the Angel asked Zachary saying What seest thou he answered I beheld a Candlestick all of gold with a bowle upon the top of it and seven lamps thereon and seven pipes to the seven lamps c. Zach. 4. 2. The Candlestick was a chiefe utensill in the Temple which doth represent unto us the mysticall Candlestick of the Church the bowle above it is meant of Christ who hath received all fullnesse of the spirit from their Father signified by the oyle which being pressed out of the true olive tree as a most lively spring doth issue forth its streames unto all his Saints The seven lamps or powerfull operations of his Spirits in life and spirituall motion doth give it selfe forth by the seven pipes or severall dispensations to all his members Thus Christ is the fat Olive tree that empties forth the oyle of divine grace into the Candlestick viz. his Church Thirdly These are described to be the two anointed ones of God Zach. 4. 14. These two anointed ones are called in the Hebrew the sonnes of oyle because it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the custome of the Jewes to anoint three sorts of men viz. Prophets Priests and Kings These here in the ext are meant of Zerubbabel and Josbua who were but types of Christ and of those that the Lord should make his anointed ones First Zerubbabel was a chief Governour and head in Israel the first that was carried away captive into Babylon and one of the first that returned and was one of the chiefe rebuilders of the Temple as appeares Ezra 4. 2. His hands laid the first stone and the last stone in that edifice or building Hereby is represented unto us Christ the chiefe head and governour of his people first carried captive into spirituall Babylon and first returning working his owne deliverance and the first repairer of his Church or new Jerusalem whose hand shall at length finish the Temple of God Secondly Joshua the high Priest was the other anointed one upon whose head was a fair Mitre or Priestly ornament unto whom was promised that he should judge the Lords house and keep his Courts that the Lords would put the whole ministry and service of his house and Temple into his hand All this doth but povnt out Christ for saith the Lord in Zach. 4. 8. Behold I will send forth my servant the Branch a frequent appellation given to the Messias who was to be that eminent high Priest over the house of God that the whole government and
Suitable unto the head are all the members The righteousnesse and sanctity of beleevers doth much excell the excellency and righteousnesse of the first Adam even as gold doth excell other mettals Gold is the most solid pure and durable mettall of all other by which is represented the sound pure and everlasting grace holinesse of the Saints they are not made up of drosse or any earthly excellency of the first Adam but of the pure and undefiled of the precious and permanent of the divine and heavenly nature and righteousness of Jesus Christ Thirdly These Candlesticks are meant of the Churches and Saints of God in as much as Christ is sayd to walke and appeare in the middest of them Revel 1. 13. Christ by his divine presence with his Saints doth teach guide and uphold them and by his wisdome providence and power doth mightily preserve them in the middest of feares and dangers As the Candlestick of it selfe is not sufficient to give forth light no more can the Saints shine forth in heavenly brightnesse but as they receive all their light and shine from Christ who is to them as oyle to the lampe and by his owne spirit life and light doth cause them to shine forth in spirituall happinesse and glory Fourthly and lastly the Saints as Candlesticks hold forth the light and glory of God before the men of the world Thus the Apostle doth exhort the Philippians that by sincerity and holinesse they would shine forth as lights among the perverse sonnes of men and therefore saith That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the Sonnes of God without rebuke in the middest of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as light John Baptist was sayd to beare witnesse of the light Joh. 1. 7. And therefore called a burning and a shining light Joh. 5. 35. His doctrine was as a fire burning and his conversation as a light shining among all those he was conversant with alwayes giving forth an ample testimony of Christ bearing witnesse that he was the true light enlightening all that by him should come into the world Thus we see who are meant by the two Candlesticks the Saints of the most high who receive oyle into themselves and as gold they appeare in righteousnesse being by Christs presence continually fed with the constant supply of grace whereby they shine forth as glorious lights alwayes being ready to give forth a testimony of the grace and truth of Christ before the men of the world In the third place having shewed that Christ the great and faithfull witnesse is resembled by the two olive trees emptying oyle out of himselfe into the Churches signified by two Candlesticks whereby they become the anointed ones of God standing before the Lord of the whole earth and beare witnesse unto the truth Now it next followeth that we shew why they are called two olive trees and two Candlesticks But first why Christ is called two olive trees And that 's in two respects First From his two fold nature Secondly From his two fold dispensation First Christ is called two olive trees in respect of his twofold nature namely his humane and divine First Christ according to his humanity tooke on him the very ranke nature and quality of men as the Apostle testifieth that he tooke the forme of a servant and was sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the similitude and shape of men subject to mans passions and every way a right man fin onely excepted and hence it was that he was called holy harmlesse and separate from sinners 1 Pet. 1. 19. The Apostle relates to the Paschall Lamb which was so conditioned it was behovefull that Christ should be man and also that he should be perfectly holy and righteous and so become a competent and fitting Saviour for sinning soules and lost sinners It was most requisite that t here should be some suitable analogy and proportion between him that lost all him that recover'd all that as Adam was of the earth so Christ also should take upon him the same forme that so ou◠nature might suffer in him and he by his death should offer up a sufficient sacrifice to make a full expiation and satisfaction for his people in respect of sin past present and to come from the guilt and hainousnesse whereof the Saints being wholly acquitted and free'd their soules may be comforted and refreshed Secondly Christ according to his divine nature is God the onely begotten the image of the Father the altitude and summity of all blessednesse and glory In this respect he is the Summum benum the chiefe and soveraigne good the top of all felicity and happinesse Christ is that fountaine from whence all goodnesse flows and the ultimate and last end unto which all things tend for by him and for him of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 36. And God tells Moses that his Name is in him Exod. 23. 20. Gods name is God himselfe for God's name and attributes are his very essence So that Christ according to his divine nature is full of all excellency and perfection he is the beginning and the ending the Alpha and Omega he is the good and the end concentring in one he is most compleat in himselfe and hath the fullnesse of all things So that as the soule lookes upon Christ in flesh as one most suitable for a Mediator so here beholding his divine nature sees an alsufficiency of fullnesse to make a glorious supply of all wants and defects whatsoever Christ in his debasements is a familiar object for our faith being Emmanuel or God in our flesh so in the brightnesse of his fathers image and glory he becomes all blessednesse and satisfaction to our soules The soule eyeing that most absolute universall and comprehensive goodnesse that is in Christ can be contented to fit downe and acquiesse in his absolute perfection and fulnesse and say with David I shall be satisfied when I awake with his likenesse or image Psal 17. 15. Having shewed how Christ resembleth the two olive trees in his two natures The first as man appearing in our form and fashion as a familiar object to our weaknesse And secondly as God the fulnesse and perfection of all things and so yeelding everlasting satisfaction Now we come in the second place to shew also how Christ is represented hereby in respect of his twofold dispensation First By what Christ hath wrought for us in his person Secondly By what Christ works in us by his Spirit First we have that dispensation of Christ's manifested by what he hath wrought for us in his person Christ was God manifest in the flesh clothed in our nature became Emanuel and dwelt among us The Apostle saith in Gal. 4. 4. That when the fulnesse of time was come God sent his Son made of a woman under the law The time designed and appointed of God is called the fulnesse of time God sent his Son out of himselfe out
word of God and despised his long-suffering in the dayes of Noah while the Arke was preparing Here that which Noah a Preacher of righteousnesse did is attributed unto Christ because Noah was but instrumentall in the businesse it was Christ in the spirit that put himselfe forth in and through Noah In like manner it was sayd that whatsoever the prisoners did in the prison Joseph was the doer of it Gen. 39. 22. because they did it by warrant leave from him or by his dictation commandement Just so Christ is sayd to prophesie all the dayes of Antichrist because his people receive their commission and power from him as managing of his cause and quarrell It is sayd in vers 8. that Christ was crucified in Egypt and in Sodome which cannot be meant of Christ's person because he was crucified at Jerusalem but it 's meant of Christ in his people his Saints being overcome and killed in spirituall Egypt and Sodome So that we sâ—e plainly that the testimony that these witnesses give forth is Christ's testimony it 's Christ in his Saints it 's the power of the most high one in his people In these respects Christ is brought in as having a share in this prophesie under the powerfull raigne of the beast From this whole verse thus opened take this one observation That all and Observ every one of the Saints are Gods witnesses The witnesses here meant cannot be onely appropriated to Magistrates and Ministers or to any two eminent persons neither are they to be restrained to those onely that suffered martyrdome in their bodies but of all Saints of evâ—ry individuall Saint of what quality or degree soever that gives forth a testimony of the truth of Christ all that doe according to their measures and abilities continually oppose the wayes and devices of Antichrist Christ the great and faithfull witnesse as the olive treâ— doth powre out his oyle of divine spirit into the Câ—ndlesticks of his people whereby they are enabled to shine as lights in the middest oâ— all the perverse generations of men and among ali the gain sayers of the truth The Propheâ— testifieth that the Lord will sinite the earth with the â—oâ— of his mouth and with the breath of his lips will destroy the wicked Esa 11. 4. The Saints of the most high have the everlasting word of God abiding and dwelling in their hears and as they hold forth the testimony thereof they are the very lips and breath of the Lord whereby â—e bruiseth his enemies and bâ—eaks â—hâ—n in pieces The Apostle doth affiâ—â—e that Antichrist shall be destroyed by the brightnesse of Christs coming 2 Thâ—s 2. 8. Now what is the brightnesse of Christâ— coming but his gloâ—â—ion rayes and bright bâ—â—mâ—s of heavenly diâ—coveries of light and truth that he shine forth withall through his people The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to consume by degrees to wast a thing by little and little untill it be consumed and come to nothing So shall the dissolution of Antichrist be by degrees by little and little even as the Lord shall be pleased to encrease and double his Spirit upon his people whereby they are enabled to testifie against the beast his image against the false Prophet and the deceiver and thus by degrees shall the man of sin be destroyed Now we perceive that it 's not onely for the wise and learned neither for the great and mighty ones to testifie of Christ or that they are those by whom Antichrist should be destroyed but it s for Saints of all degrees for every member how poore how meane soever that have received of that holy oyle from Christ the true olive tree that shines forth with the glorious testimony of Christ I say every such one is a Prophet and witnesse of the Lord. Then all those poor low and despised ones that have according to their measures and attainments given forth their testimony for Christ his truth against Antichrist and his falshood all the times of persecution as it were in the wildernesse and in sackcloth these I say are the witnesses here spoken of these are the two Candlesticks who receive a full supply from the two olive branches these stand before the Lord of the whole earth holding forth the word of truth and the testimony of Jesus in opposition to the man of sin that wicked one that son of perdition Such honour have all his Saints though in the wildernesse and clothed with sackcloth though under much persecution and trouble yet these are the Candlesticks of the Lord set by the true olive tree Jesus Christ receive of his oyle into themselves they together with Christ stand before the Lord of the whole earth and shine as lights in the world So much for the discovery of whom is meant by the two witnesses It followeth VERS 5. And if any man hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if any man will hurt them he must in this manner be killed HAving made a large description of the witnesses declaring who they are and what their businesse Now we come to shew how they are impowered to deale with their adversaries whereby we perceive the powerfull effects of their prophesie If any man will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. In this verse consider first the haâ—mful carriage of the adversaries towards the witnesses If any man hurt them Secondly the means of defence or opposition made by the witnesses towards their adversaries fire proceedeth out of their mouths c. First the deportment of the adversary and that is expressed hypothetically or conditionally If any man c. whereby a certainty is affirmed This indefinite speech doth not imply that it should be a rare thing for men thus to doe but rather a certainty of punishment should be inflicted upon all those that should any way oppose these two faithfull witnesses If any man hurt them c. It cannot be meant as though few should hurt or injure them but rather that there should be no exception of persons amongst any that should hurt them none should goe unpunished for any exterior adjuncts or qualities whatsoever let them be of any kinde ranke or degree they should suffer for their violence offered to them The certainty of the enemies opposing the witnesses is held forth by the doubling of the phrase So Joseph tells Pharaoh that by the doubling of his dream the thing was established Gen. 41. 32. But how are these witnesses hurt by their enemies First by restraining of their persons by persecution imprisonment banishment and the like It hath been the practice of the beast continually to make war with the Saints with those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Revel 11 17. Secondly by rejecting their testimony the enemy doth not onely go about to hinder the course of their testimony but also to turne the truth they hold forth into a
incendiaries to draw together all their strengths and powers to uphold the power of the beast which now is like to be broken and consumed These are the spirits of Devills being full of uncleannesse working miracles by some counterfeit spirituall actings or setting up some new invented formes of worship thus they gather the Kings of the earth to the great battell of God Almighty where God shall shew the greatness of his power in destroying of them for they are brought to Armageddon which signifies devoted for destruction that they are seduced and by â—uoâ—iâ—â—ie brought together to be destroyed Baraks victory over Sisera was by the waters of Megiddo Judg. 4. 15. So all that give up their power to uphold the beast shall come to the great battell of God Almighty even to Armageddon where they shall assuredly be ensnared and broken in pieces Hitherto agrees the effect of the sixt seal Chap. 6. 12. c. And I beheld when he had opened the sixt seal and there was a great earth-quake a greaâ— feare and terrâ—ur fell upon all men great concussions and commotions should be on the earth And the Sun became blacke the glory of the state and Church of Antichrist turned into blackness mourning into great confusion and astonishment And the Moone became bloud all the invented ordinances of the man of sin were darkned and obscured And the Stars fell â—rom heaven as a figtree casteth her untimely figs Such as seemed to be Ministers and profâ—ssors of Christ now appeare to be fleshly and carnall and fall from that appearance of heavenly light unto the earth cleaving now to an earthly power even like untimely figs that never come to maturity or ripenesse Then their State and Church which seemed to be as high as heaven departed as a scroll and all their mountaines of strength and confidence were removed out of their places And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chiefe Captaiues and mighty men and every bond-man and every free man hid them selves in dens and in the rockes of the mountaines c. All sorts ranks and degrees of men from the highest to the lowest they now fly to the rocks and mountaines of their trust and confidence every one will fly unto his God unto that he trusts in the States and powers of the world will fly to the Church and hide themselves under religious formes of worship and the Church will fly to the earthly powers for shelter and protection and the people will run to those that seduced them for succour and reliefe but shall not be able to secure themselves from the wrathful countenance of the Lamb â—e being exalted upon the throne of his power in the great â—ay of his venge nâ—e when he shall reckon with the Antichristian powers that have shed the bloud of the Martyrs and rejected the testimony of his witnesses This at the rising of the witnesses Add hereunto the effect of the sixt Trumpet And the sixt Angel sounded and I heard a voyce from the four hornes of the golden Altar which is before God Chap. 9. 13. The voice and power of Christ prefigured by the golden Altar Exod. 30. 1. having hornes vers 10. signifying the power strength of Christ whereby the foure Angels that were heald in the river Euphrates were loosed The great multitude of Saints that were bound up by the strength and power of Antichrist are now set at liberty now they goe forth with great authority and hold forth the truth making glorious discoveries of the same These slay the third part of men for fire smoke and brimstone comes forth of their mouths the light and truth they hold forth as fire doth devour and as smoke doth darken all the light and glory of Antichrist And in their tailes or conversation they hurt by condemning the men of the world and of those that repented not of their deeds And in Chap. 10. Christ comes forth as a mighty Angel clothed with a cloud of darknesse obscurity that the world could not see him having a rain-bow or Covenant of grace on his head and the booke of the Gospel unsealed in his hand he set his right foot upon the sea of the common people and his left upon the earth or worldly powers And crying with a loud voice the seven thunders uttered a perfection of feare and amasement of dread and terrour falls upon the sea and upon the earth upon all the people and powers of Antichrist The seventh Viall was powred into the 7 Viall aire and there came great voyces out of the Temple of heaven saying it is done Chap. 16. 17. The very ayre that Antichrist lives and breaths in is now destroyed there is no longer breath spirit or life in any thing that Antichrist would live in or receive comfort from so that the whole worke is done the beast is quite destroyed and there were voyces and thunders and lightnings and great earthquakes such grievous concussions and earth-quakes as if heaven and earth were conspired together to destroy Babylon the work is done or Bah loâ— undone though once it had a being now it hath none now it is divided into three parts as being torne to picces by the earth-quake and every Mountaine and Island fled away as things that could yeeld no protection And there fell great haile out of heaven upon men about the waight of a talent and men blasphemed God because of the plagues of haile for the plague thereof was exceeding great Here is an allusion to the great plague of haile that fell upon Aegypt Exod. 9. 22. This haile falls from heaven from the light and truth held forth by Saints in the middest of heavenly enjoyments these raine downe great and weighty haile-stones upon the state order and worship of Antichrist Compare hereunto the effect of the seventh seale And when he had opened the seventh seale there was silence in heaven about the space of halfe an houre Upon the opening of this last seale there is some respite or intermission and as it were for a time some rest and cessation of the Saints from persecuâ—ion and trouble Now is the full revelation of truth now is the kingdome of God come and now the Gospel goes forth without let or molestation now the servants of God have peace without and also a sweet tranquillity and quietnesse in their owne spiritâ— Add hereunto the seventh Trumper Chapt. 11. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdomes of the world are become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ c. Now the kingdomes and nations cast downe their crownes at the feet of Christ who will take his great power unto himselfe and raigne Thus we see how the Saints smite the earth with all plagues by powring out all the vialls of Gods wrath upon the State and Church of Antichrist Aiso you perceive that there is an agreement between the seals
be when they have finished their testimony These witnesses have a time to prophesie and also a time when they shall finish their testimony and then they are slaine The maine thing we are to quire after is to know when these have finished their testimony and then we shall easily know when they are to be slaine Now the most received opinion is that these witnesses never come to finish their testimony untill neer the end and period of Antichrists raigne that there should be some great and eminent slaughter at the latter end of their prophesie upon the declining of Antichrist's state and kingdome but this is far remote from the true scope and sence of â—he truth in this place for so the slaying of the witnesses should be restrained to some particular persons and to some particular time and that neer the end of Antichrists raigne whereas the slaving of the witnesses is a continued act even all the dayes of the powerfull raigne of the beast who doth alwayes make war against these and doth alwayes overcome and kill the holy people all the time that the holy Citie is given into his hand to trample upon them and abuse them Then the time when these witnesses have finished their testimony is meant no more then this that when any of the faithfull servants of Christ shall in any age or time of Antichrist faithfully and fully discharge their trust deliver their message give forth their testimony of those truths of Christ that they are convinced of against Antichrist and the present evills of the times they live under then they are sayd to finish their testimony 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is variously translated the most accute render it when they are about to finish their testimony This they doe before they are slaine and because they doe this therefore they are slaine for they are slaine because of the testimony they give forth Thus Christ was sayd to finish hu worke Joh. 17. 4. by that faithfull testimony he gave of the Father And Paul tells us he had finished his course 2 Tim. 4. 7. when he had faithfully discharged his trust by preaching the Gospel according to his Commission So the Saints in every age and time when they have faithfully given in their evidence and testimony of that truth they know then they have finished their testimony and not that all the witnesses should first give in their testimony and at the last a few of them should be slaine but that I say every Saint every witnesse of the Lord in every age and time shall faithfully give in his testimony and then is slaine so that the slaying of the witnesses is not confined to one time or the last period of Antichrist but their slaying continues as long as their prophesie in sackcloth as we shall shew more hereafter Secondly by whom shall these witnesses be slaine and that is by the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit Now for the opening of this passage consider three things First who is meant by this beast Secondly from whence he cometh Thirdly the forme or manner of his coming First by this beast is meant Antichrist who is so called from his beastly nature being most fierce and cruell most barbarous and dangerous So he is called a beast in Chap. 13. 4 5. because his mouth is full of blasphemy and his carriage full of inhumanity for his rage fury and madnesse he is like unto a beast being of a devouring nature and of a beastly disposition The whorish woman is sayd to ride upon the beast Chap. 17. 7. The woman is that whorish and Antichristian spirit that doth ride forth and act by a beastly inhumane power and as a beast doth devour and destroy and the Kings of the earth give their power unto the beast and so they become beastly fierce and untractable also The beast then is no other then that wicked one that son of perdition that spirit of wickednesse that mystery of iniquity putting it selfe forth in some corrupt and beast-like power and carriage most fierce and devouring it is Antichrist in his power and greatnesse oppressing and destroying the Saints of the most high So much for the description of the beast Secondly from whence this beast doth arise and that is from the bottomlesse pit or deep Abysse The beast mentioned in Chapt. 13. 1. is sayd to arise out of the sea that is out of many peoples and nations And the beast in vers 13. is sayd to arise out of the earth from a kingly or earthly power But this beast that slayeth the witnesses shall arise out of the bottomlesse pit Three things are sayd to ascend out of the bottomeesse pit First the smoke of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 9. 2. which is meant of all Antichristian darknesse and confusion Secondly we read of the Angel of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 9. 11. which is Satan called therefore Apollyon that is to say a destroyer whose worke is to destroy others Lastly we have the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit spoken of here and also in Chap. 17. 8. First the smoke of the bottomlesse pit is meant of that darknesse and confusion of that ignorance blindnesse that doth arise upon the soule as a thicke cloud from the fleshly acting of the heart whereby the minde and understanding is wholly darkned and obscured according to that of the Apostle speaking of the Gentiles saith Having their understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart Ephes 4. 18. Blindnesse and darknesse is upon all the thoughts and inventions upon all the carnall actings of the flesh Secondly the Angel of the bottomlesse pit is Satan that Prince of darknesse that evill spirit that rules in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 2. The Prince and power of darknesse by his instigations and suggestions doth rule and sway mans heart By the close of mans heart with Satan he is captivated ensnared and so brought into subjection unto him as unto a mighty Prince or Ruler Thus we see who is ment by the Angel of the bottomles pit Thirdly the beast of the bottomlesse pit is Antichrist in the forme of a beast or acting in his beastly inhumane power with much cruelty and fiercenesse Now what is this bottomlesse pit or deep Abysse that hath no bottome it cannot be measured none can take a dimention of it now I say what is this but that hellish working those fleshly imaginations those blacke and beastly devices of mans heart whereof there is no measure or end none can fadome them none can search the bottome of them Wee told you before that the frame and image of Antichrist did arise from the spirit of Antichrist so here this beast or power of darknesse that slayeth the witnesses ariseth out of that hellish wickednesse that rage and cruelty from that darknesse and confusion in the heart of man this is the pit
the poore man out of the Synagogue that Christ made to see Job 9. And all because he gave a testimony of the power of Christ who opened his eyes Thus the high Priests Pharisees did beate misuse and imprison the Apostles in Act. Chap. 4. and Chap. 5. Thus the beast doth put in execution all the politick Laws and Ecclesiasticall Constitutions to hinder restraine and wholly to disturb the witnesses in the course of their prophesie Thus first they are civilly slaine by restraint upon their persons Secondly they are spiritually slaine by the casting forth and rejecting of their testimony It is the practice and endeavour of the beast to turne the truth of their testimony into a lie and into falshood by reproaching contemning and scandalizing the word of their testimony by the reproachfull names of error and scisme There hath been all the dayes of the raigne of Antichrist some truth that the Saints have testified of that hath been under much shame and reproach that hath been most rejected by the world Hence it is that the Lord saith unto the Church of Philadelphia that she had kept the word of his patience Revel 3. 10. Now what is the word of Gods patience but that word and testimony that the world doth reject cast forth as dung and trample upon That truth which is most under contempt and scorne of the world which the Saints suffer most by for which they are made the off-scouring of all things That word of truth that is most opposed in each age of the world is the word of Christs patience Thus wee see how the witnesses are slaine first civilly by a restraint layd upon their persons Secondly spiritually by the world casting forth and rejecting of their testimony This of their testimony is that which most principally and most constantly these witnesses are slaine in for all the enmity of the flesh and the power of the world hath alwayes been opposing the truth they assert not at all owning but alwayes condemning slighting and casting forth the testimony that these give forth of Christ or of his Spirit As the Jewes first killed the person of Christ and afterwards sought against his Gospel and truth so Antichrist doth not onely by Ecclesiastiall Cannons and humane Institutions restraine the persons of the witnesses exercising a civill death over their persons but also they suppresse and slay the very truths and testimonies that they beare witness unto Thus we see how the beast doth kill these witnesses and what manner of slaying they suffer The Text being thus far opened we are now to come to give you some observations from it First Observe That the Saints of Christ 1 Observ in every age and time are enabled to finish their testimony maugre all the opposition that is made against them Antichrist by all his fury and rage cannot so farre hinder these witnesses as that they should not finish their testimony The Lord doth give opportunity to every one of his faithfull servants that they may finish their worke deliver their message and faithfully declare that committed to their trust before they are taken off or wholly restrained by the power of the beast This was manifested in Christ when the Jewes had a minde to apprehend him in the Temple but could not lay hands on him because his houre was not come Joh. 8. 20. It was not in their power to put Christ to death untill he had finished his testimony and therefore he saith When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretehed forth no hands against me but this is your houre and the power of darknesse Luk. 22. 53. As if Christ had sayd When I was daily with you in the Temple preaching the kingdome of God and performing the worke that the Father gave me to doe ye did not ye could not lay hands on me to take me but this is your houre or time wherein God hath permitted you to rage against me and the Priace of darknesse hath power that by your hands I should be taken and put to death In the same manner the Lord doth first impower his faithfull witnesses to deliver their message to finish their testi-mony by asserting the truth of Christ opposing the wickednesse and falshood of Antichrist before they are slaine or taken off by the adversary Secondly in that Antichrist is called 2 Observ a beast Observe That the rage and cruelty of the adversary is very great against the faithfull servants of Christ Antichrist is of a cruell fierce corrupt beastly and inhumane nature and therefore compared to all the most ravenous and devouring beasts as to a Serpent for subtilty to a Lyon for strength and rage to a Beare for devouring to a Leopard for his fiercenesse and the like We have the Apostle testifying of this when he saith of himselfe I fought with beasts at Ephesus 1 Cor. 15. 32. Some interpret these words literally in that of old the Christians were often Damnati ad bestias being condemned to be devoured by wild beasts whereupon it was a common speech in the dayes of Tertullian Christianos ad leones But I rather conceive the speech of the Apostle to be figurative and metaphoricall and by beast he meaneth beastly â—â—nded men Such as the Cretians were whom he calls evill beasts Tit. 1. 12. They were intractable and dangerous to deale withall being of a raging and fierce nature The same inhumane nature and cruelty is found in Antichrist alwayes endeavouring to devoure the faithfull witnesses of Christ Thirdly doth the beast that killeth the witnesses ascend out of the bottomlesse 3 Observ lesse pit Then Observe That the workings and deceits of Antichrist are very deep and mysterious This inquity is brought forth by the working of Satan upon the heart of man exciting and stirring up so many fleshly workings strange inventions acting in so much subtilty and craft exercised in such a deep mystery of iniquity that none can fathome the depth or reach the bottome of the wickednesse thereof It is not like a cleare streame that we may see the bottome but there is so much mud and filth that none can see the depth of all that subtilty and craft of all that pride and selfe love of all that hypocriticall deceit and wickednesse that is the very sourse and spring of all the actings of Antichrist This pit that hath no bottome is all that hellifh darkness all that beastly filthiness all that outragious cruelty that doth arise in the hearts of men fighting against and opposing the very light life and image of Christ in his people This pit is as deep as hell and full of hiddeous darknesse it is inexorable as the grave and never satisfied in it's pride and abominable wickednesse This is the deepest mystery of iniquity Satan transforming of himselfe into an Angel of light suggesting the most cursed wickednesse into the heart of man under the very forme of zeale and holinesse thereby seeking to dishonour
5. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not put for the true forme or essence of godliness but for an externall profession and conformity thereunto by a meer resemblance vizard or shew of holinesse So all the formality of Antichrist doth consist in externall gestures behaviours rites and ceremonies without the pure efficacious powerfull inward worship of God in spirit and truth so all their formal profession is but as a dead body a Carkase without the life or spirit of Christ Secondly observe That it is not so 2 Observ much the outward forme or figures of worship that Antichrist seeks to suppresse as it is the spirit and testimonies of the Witnesses The world doth patch up their whole Religion from the externall formes or bodies of the witnesses these lye in every street of the great Citie in all the Territories and Dominions of the Antichristian Church There is not one street or part of the worldly church but hath store of these Monuments and Images of the worship and service of God that they have taken up from the Witnesses laying of them down when the Saints worship God in the inward Temple in the Wilderness then these Gentiles possesse themselves of the outward Court take it as their portion and use it at their pleasures As Mahomet tooke part of the Jewish customes and part of the Christians practice and so patch'd up his forme of worship So Antichrist hath taken the externall formes that the Witnesses had before exercised in and adding his own inventions makes up a formall R ligion that he sets up in all the streeâ—s and territories of the great Citie viz. the whole Antichristian Church So that there is no Church no State part or Dominion where Antichrist hath to do but there we may see the bodies of the Witnesses the forms and images of the worship that they have been exercised in and have layd aside Thirdly from the resemblance observ 3 Obser That Antichrist is full of spirituall uncleannesse and cursed cruelty All the pride gluttony fulnesse of bread and abundance of idlenesse and filthinesse of Sodome all the wick dnesse idolatry rage envie and malice of Aegypt doth but set forth the sinfulnesse of the man of sin the sonne of perdition yea all that abominable wickedness heightned spi itualized and grown more vile and mysterious as it is acted by Antichrist Here is the silthiness of Sodome the idolatry of Aegypt the oppression of Babylon in a mysterie all under the preteâ—ce of piety and godliness This Citie is called the greatwhore Rev. 17. 1. because of the multitudes of her spirituall fornications And the mother of harlots vers 5. being a teacher and nourisher of others in her silthy whoredoms bringing up children of whoredoms Also she hath in her hands the cup ful of abominations a glorious cup to allure others to drink the wine of her fornicatior and to partake with her in cursed idolatrous practices Besides the enmity rage and cruelty of the Beast is alwayes vexing and tormenting the Israel of God Here is the filthinesse of Sodome and the enmity of Aegypt practiced by Antichrist in the mystery of iniquity drawn up to the greatest pitch heightâ—ed to the utmost extreamity deposing Christ and his truths advancing flesh and sinne into Christs throne and so becomes beastly and most abominable Fourthly and lastly observe It is 4 Obser the very life spirit and image of Christ that Antichrist doth chiefly oppose in slaying the Witnesses It is not so much the persons or bodies of these Witnesses they of the world do so much oppose but the appearance and life of Christ in them it 's the same wickedness that put Christ to death in his person and it 's still the same wickedness that slayeth Christ in his Saints and truth The very name of Antichrist signifies one that opposes Christ if this were not his worke and aime he could not be Antichrist who indeed is one that fights against Christ under the very forme of Christ And as it 's Christ he aimes at so it 's Christ that is slain and crucified it 's our Lord his truth his image that 's slain in spiritual Sodome Aegypt And in as much as ' its Christ he crucifieth killeth great shall be the judgment of Babylon as wee may see in Chap. 17. when God shall recompence upon the man of fin the blood of the Prophets and the blood of the Saints and of all that were slame upon the earth vers 24. And last of all the Lord will reckon with Antichrist for the blood of Christ for crucifying the Lord af glorie Christ tels the Jewes that upon that generation should be brought all the blood of the Prophets and righteous men slain in former times because they succeded the former Persecutors finished their work and so became guilty of all the blood shed before so here Antichrist doth contract all the guilt of Sodome Aegypt and Babylon and of those that crucified Christ therefore upon him shall be recompenced the blood of all that were slain upon the earth So great shall be the fall and ruine of Antichrist that a mighty Angell of great force and power shall take a great milstone and cast iâ— into the sea and it shall be found no more Rev. 18. 21. A great milstone is very ponderous and weighty of it selfe and falleth with great force but much more if it be cast down with a strong hand and being in the bottom of the Sea it cannot be found any more neither will it rise again All which sheweth the exceeding violent and perpetuall destruction of Antichrist being guilty of the blood of all Saints yea and of crucifying the Lord himself VERS 9. And they of the people kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves IN the former verse we heard of the place where the dead bodies lay now here we come to see what is the carriage of their Adversaries towards their dead bodies wherein we may consider these particulars First the persons exercised about these dead bodies and they are the people and Kindred and Tongues and Nations Secondly their carriages or actions towards these dead bodies and they are two First they shall see them Secondly they shall not suffer them to be put in graves Thirdly the time how long they shall thus behold these dead bodies and hinder their buriall and that is for three dayes and a halfe First concerning the persons exercised about these dead bodies and they are People Kindreds Tongues and Nations We may read the words partively thus Some of all people and kindreds c. which implies some principall ones viz. those of power strength wisdome authority rule These principall men of all Nations Kindreds and Tongues the most learned and wise the most eminent and honourable of all Nations the most choisest of men of the greatest of gifts and
at last the waters arose to that height that they became a mighty river wherein a man might swim and without which he could not passe over them So that the Saints under the first second third Trumpets did all hold forth a profession of the truth and according to their measures did give a testimony thereunto though but in some small weake and faint discoveries of it and more in the letter then in the spirit These were glorious lights also in respect of the darknesse of those ages and generations they lived in but yet in respect of that light discovered and that declaration of the truth made out by the Saints under the sixt and seventh Trumpet they were under much darknesse and weaknesse not being come up to that degree of light that the Lord hath of late discovered and will make knowne unto his people Thirdly observe There shall be a most 3 Observ compleat and glorious discovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the seventh Trumpet The seven Trumpets are all comprehended in one the last Trumpet includes all the former Seven as you heard is the number of perfection and rest So all the Trumpets are involved and wrapt up in this last The seventh seale is the highest revelation of truth the seventh Trumpet is the highest and most perfect declaration by which the Saints do proclaime and make it forth Suitable unto this is that Prophesie Esa 30. 26. Moreover the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven dayes So that here is seven dayes brought into one day and one day shall have the light of seven So that the last and highest discovery of truth shall comprehend all the former The seventh and last Trumpet signifies the highest declaration of the glory of God the truth and kingdome of Jesus that ever the Saints publish or sing forth it is the breaking forth of the highest praises and greatest glory of God In this great and last dispensation the Saints obtaine a fuller measure of the spirit then ever they are now sevenfold more enabled to proclaime the glory power and kingdome of Christ then ever they could doe in former time Fourthly from the great voyces heard in heaven observe That the Saints 4 Observ fully risen and ascended up into heavenly injoyments at the finall destruction of Antichrist shall with one harmonious and sweet consent sound forth the praises and glory of Christ'â— kingdome Indeed the Saints could alwayes sing while they prophesied in sackcloth but it was like David when he sung of his deep waters so it was of their afflictions and sufferings as Paul and Silas sung in prison they had weake and faint joy in the middest of their sufferings But now the Saints in heaven they cry out they sing aloud and shout for joy These voyces be full of power and authority the world and it's strength and foundation trembles to heare them the riches the strengths the powers the governments of men are shaken by them So great and powerfull are these voyces that as it was said of Israel of old The voyce of a King is among them they sing forth the grace the excellency the authority and glory of Christ's kingdome saying The kingdomes of this world are become our Lords c. The Saints are sayd in Revel 15. 3. To sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. As Moses sung forth the praises of God for delivering his people Israel and destroying their enemies the Aegyptians Exod. 15. so his people shall sing forth the praises of his power and greatness for delivering them from Antichrist's yoke and tyranny And the song of the Lamb who worketh great and marvellous things to the destruction of Antichrist whose cruelty and oppression he had long suffered They shall extoll him as being King of Saints and shall acknowledge him just in his judgements punishing Antichrist and in his wayes true in performing all his promises made unto his people Having given you the observations from the former part of the verse namely from the seventh Trumpet and the voyces heard in heaven I now proceed to speake of the subject matter of these voyces The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for ever and ever These words containe a glorious proclamation or declaration of the kingdome and raigne of Christ wherein we may take notice of these six particulars to be enquired into First What is meant by the kingdomes of this world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ Thirdly How Christ will recover these kingdomes to himselfe Fourthly By what right Christ shall possesse them Fiftly The manner or nature of Christs raigne Sixtly The time and duration of his raigne Concerning the first thing namely what is meant by the kingdomes of this world we may easily perceive what they are by opposing them to the kingdome of Christ for these kingdomes of the world are diametrically opposit and contradistinct to the kingdome of Christ The kingdome of Christ is of a heavenly and spirituall nature Rom. 14. 17. It 's King Laws government and subjects are all spirituall it 's set up and advanced by no humane force or power but by that which is meerly divine Dan. 2. 45. Now the kingdomes of this world are called the kingdomes of men consisting of externall glory riches strength government policy that men by humane power have set up and doth act by In a word all the wisdome and policy all rule and government all power and strength all Constitutions and Lawes all the riches and glory of men of these are made up and formed the kingdoms of this world called the kingdomes of men Dan. 4. 25. consisting of worldly greatnesse externall glory humane policy outward strength advanced into the forme of rule government acted and brought forth by man this is the state glory and kingdome of the world Secondly How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ and that 's thus whereas Christ hath given forth his power by earthly men as by Kings and Princes of the earth according to that place in Pro. 8. 15 16. By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice by me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth These have been the substitutes and deputies of Christ having received all their wisdome their strength their authority and dominion from him the Lord hath by these administred unto the world even by carnall fleshly wicked men by the Kings of the earth the Lord hath not administred by his people but by those that have raigned as Kings and Princes of the world Now this being so these Kings of the earth have committed fornication with the whore Rev. 17. 2. having mixed and joyned their power with hers and have with one consent and minde given up their power and strength unto
not the spirit and life of God in them all these must be judged well may the world then vex and rage and gnaw their â—ongues for paine This is the reason of all that bitternesse malice sury and madnesse that is in the hearts of men at this day what makes them vexing and fretting but that all things they set up maintaine enjoy and take pleasure in are judged and condemned for dead power dead ordinances dead gifts all things of man are judged to be dead When the Lord comes to judge the earth confusion and a consuming fire goes before his face Psal 97. 2. which must needs make that judgement very dreadfull and terrible to all formall powers and fleshly actings especially because the Saints shall judge the world yea and Angells also 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. They shall judge men and things of highest principles and places those things that carry a civill or spirituall excellency upon them shall be judged by the Saints What follows Secondly The Saints are rewarded and advanced And that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that feare thy Name small and great As the portion of the world is vexing fretting cursing and wrath so the portion of Saints is love goodnesse blessings thankesgivings The dreadfull day of doome and darknesse of judgement and confusion unto the world is a day of light and joy of comfort and reward unto the Saints The worlds trouble and ruine is the Saints peace and salvation Though the Lord come in fire and wrath to destroy Antichrist yet he comes in love and mercy to save Sion and therefore when he comes forth and a devouring fire burning up his enemies round about Psal 97. 3. Yet Sion heard and was glad and the daughter of Judah rejoyced because of his judgements vers 8. The Saints have been a long time under oppression shame and persecution now the Lord will reward them and give them light for darknesse strength for weaknesse glory for shame they shall now receive reward and praise for all their former sorrow and sufferings The Saints shall rejoyce in heaven for the vengeance powred out upon Antichrist Therefore rejoyce over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her Revel 18. 20. When the Kings of the earth and Merchants mightie and rich men shall weep and wayl and cry alas alas then shall the Saints here called the holy Apostles and Prophets rejoyce and sing because the ruine and fall of these shall be their joy and reward Thirdly The Lord will not onely judge the dead principles practices ordinances and powers of Antichrist and give reward unto his servants but also will destroy the Antichristian partie And shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth The word translated destroy signifies corrupt that is Those that have managed the cause of Antichrist have corrupted the earth according as it 's said in Revel 19. 2. The great whore did corrupt the earth with her fornication That is by her sosseries and fornications she hath corrupted the minds of the men of the earth drawing them aside from the Lord by the intoxicating wine of her fornication she hath blinded the mindes adulterated the affections and polluted the hearts of the men of the world and have made them to serve Satan the God of this world These that have managed the cause of the beast and have thus corrupted the earth shall be destroyed This destruction is not so much meant of a bodily destruction as of place and power these that have by their power rule by their deceit and falshood corrupted the earth these in their dignity office rule and authoritie shall all be slaine It followeth VERS 19. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in the Temple the Arke of his Testament and there was lightnings and voyces and thunderings an earthquake and great hail COnsider three things from these words First The Temple of God opened The time was it was shut up as once the Temple of Jerusalem was under Ahaz 2 Chron. 28. 24. So this spirituall Temple was shut up when it was measured in vers 1. When the outward Court or visible face of things were in the hands of the Gentiles vers 2. The Church was driven into the Wildernesse for many yeares into desert places there to be nourished for a time from the face of the Serpent that sought to devoure her But now the Temple is set open as of old it was by Hezekiah 2 Chron. 29. 3. Thus it 's said of the new Jerusalem that the gates should not be shut Revel 21. 25. And the reason is because there shall be no night nor danger the gates shall stand open continually This noteth the free accesse for multitudes of Saints to enter in to the new Jerusalem without impediment or stop Not as in times of persecution when they sought to worship the Lord in corners but they shall come and enter freely and boldly and that without let or molestation So that the woman shall no more be driven into the Wildernesse and shut up there but the Temple of God shall be set open and there shall be a free and great accesse unto it Secondly That which appeared in the Temple was the Arke of his Testament As the Temple was opened so the Arke was made visible which was shut from the eyes of men under the old Testament 1 King 6. 19. It was very seldome seen and that by the high-Priest onely the Arke was a pledge of Gods presence with his people and denotes unto us the mysteries of truth which formerly lay hid but now are made manifest The great high-Priest hath opened the Temple and made visible the Arke by making knowne the mysteries of truth In former time the Church was in the Wildernesse the Gentiles possessed the outward Court le ts of truth were discovered onely something was hinted out by a few choise instruments but now the Saints have a Temple opened a full and free accesse and now they have an Arke made visible or the hidden mysteries of God revealed not onely to a few called Clergie men but generally to all Saints the knowledge of the truth is revealed Thirdly The close of all And there were lightnings and voyces and thunderings and an earth-quake and great hail Earth-quake hail and lightning set forth Gods judgements most terrible and irresistible Esa 30. 30. Of an earthquake wee have spoken before from vers 13 of this Chapter Hail-stones was one of the plagues of Aegypt that destroyed their trees Exod. 9. 25. And by which the Amorites were destroyed in Canaan Josh 10. 11. By these judgements wee have the finall destruction of Antichrist This is the third woe that shall accompany the seventh Trumpet and is agreeable to the plagues of the seventh Viall by which Antichrist shall be wholly destroyed and should blaspheme God because of the plague of the hail that was exceeding great By this last and great judgement the mysterie of iniquitie is discovered and the power of Antichrist wholly broken at which his partie shall vex and fret gnaw their tongues and blaspheme God for all their paines sores whereby they shall be utterly ruined and consumed Thus we have the Effects of Christs kingdome and reigne layd open wee see for what it is that the Elders doe so exceedingly praise the Lord for that he takes to himselfe his great power and doth reigne by which he doth offend the Nations and reward his servants The Temple is no more shut up under restraint but free accesse is given the Arke is no more hidden but the mysteries of salvation made evident And the Lord by his sweeping judgements will wholly consume Antichrist both in his policy and power Hence it is that the Saints shall thus triumph and rejoyce How can the daughter of Sion but rejoyce when heâ— King cometh the redeemed of the Lord must needs triumph And besides the whole world shall rejoyce when the oppressor shall cease when violence shall be no more heard in the Land when our Exactors shall be righteousnesse then I say the world will sing and rejoyce because the whoâ—â—â—â—â—th shall be at peace and be quiet Esa 14. 4. 7. When Christ shall come to reigne in his appearance in his Saints bâ— shall judge the Nations with righteousnesse and governe the people with truth Psal 67. 4. 7. Therefore when the Lord shall come to reigne to set all things in order to governe and give settlement to the Nations well may Antichrist vex and fret and all oppressing powers be angry but the Saints shall rejoyce and sing and all the world besides shall be glad because of his righteous judgements So much to be spoken of the Effects of Christ's reigne and so I end this whole Discourse FINIS