sort what they did I need not mention But when their hearts were merry Then Sampson is cal'd for And what is now the Subject of all their scurrilous Talk and Jests but the short liv'd Parliament Oh this cruell Sampson that had it in his heart not onely to have brought their Craft in danger to be set at nought but the Temple of the great Goddesse Diana And to say the truth the Priests were not much mistaken in it For probable it is had not that glorious Testimony of Jesus been kild They would have seâ—t the Tayle of the Beast after the Head Swept away that other part of Popish dung and trash which the former Parliament had left in the Nation Now if the Holy Ghost meant not these men and their making merry yet I am sure it was fulfilled in them according to the letter of the Text. One part of the Prophesie yet remaines and it is the better part Namely The rising of the Witnesses And here we have the Time the Means and the Manner with the Enemies amazement at it and the like And after three dayes and an halfe the spirit of life from God â—ntred into them and they stâ—od upon their feet and great fear sell upon them that saw them And they heard a great voyce from Heaves saying unto them come up hither And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud And their Enemies bsheld them First Of the Time I have spoken Assoon as the Beast ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit he kills the Witnesses Three years and an halfe they lie unburied The which time being expir'd they immediately Rise and then begins the ruine and fall of the Beast So that I conceive it is not the Lords meaning that any should go forth to take his Dominion from him untill it evidently appear that the Witnesses are Risen the Spirit poured forth the Beast certainly known and the Lord appearing in some visible providence making the way plaine for the Angel of the first â—iâ—ll Secondly By the Spirit of life from God c. I understand and the sending of the Comforter that great promise of the Father to be endued with power from on high Lak 24. 49. As herbes flowers and grasse seem dead and hang the head by reason of drought but rise againe flourish and grow green when raine falls thereon So the Testimony of Jesus which seemed withered and scorch't hath now from the Lord life and Spirit put into it and so that Death is taken off which lay formerly on it And this I take to be the Time in which Saints may expect the returne of their prayers concerning the pouring out of the Spirit and the fullfilling of such Promises In the wildernesse shall waters break out and streames in the desert Isa 35. 6. I will pour waters upon him that is thirsty and â—louds upon the dry ground I will poure my Spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine Of-spring And they shall spring up as among the grosse as willows by the water-courses Isa 44. 3 4. I will put my Spirit in you and ye shall live Eze. 37. 14. After two days he will revive us in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight Hosea 6. 2. And it shall come to passe afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your daughters shall Prophesie your old men shall dream dreames your young men shall see visions And also upon the servants and upon the hand-maids in those dayes will I pour out my Spirit Joel 2. 28 29. Howsoever before the rising of the witnesses there will be some sprinkling of the Spirit here and there For the understanding of the Time As a man knows by the dawning that the night is past yet I think till the witnesses are risen the Saints shall not be endued with power from on high neither Generally nor largely For now is The Tabernacle of the Testimony of heaven opened and not till now Rev. 15. 6. I mean in respect of a beginning Thirdly No sooner doth a Spirit of life from God enter into them But they stand upon their feet By which manner of speaking according to the Scripture is signified 1. An open confession and publishing of the Lords wonderfull mercy remembring his truth and Testimony in its low estate 1 Chron. 28. 1. Acts 3. 7 8. and 14 14. As the Sons of Zion are to have a two-edged-sword in their hands so the high praises of God in their mouth It is true they are to execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people To bind their Kings with chains and their Nobles with fetters of Iron But what goes before Allelujah sing unto the Lord a new song and his praise in the Congregation of Saints Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him let the Children of Zion be glad in their King c. Psal 14. 9. So then by this standing upon their feet is meant that New sâ—â—â—Rev 14 3. An high exalting and â—â—ung up the holy Name of God every where among the faithfull Remnant For that life and Spirit which is now given them The Testimony of Jesus it was before flame and born down by the Enemy But now it goes forth conquering and to conquer prevailes and gets victory in every place over them And the Ransomed of the Lord shall come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall be no more Isa 35. 10. compare Rev. 15. 3 4. 2. The standing upon their feet signifies not only The Testimony raised up to greater boldnesse against the Beast speaking more freely and plainly against his hypocrisie Apostacie Blasphemy Tiranny c. then before Ezek. 2. 1 2 and 3 24. But likewise the hundred forty and four thousand are preparing to stand with the Lamb on mount Zion Rev 14. 1. Now I think open war begins to be proclaim'd against the Beast and Babilon according to the Prophets Isa 13. 2. Jeâ— 50. 2. Againe It shews with what assurance of victory the warr is undertaken For by faith they see all ready their feet upon the necks of their Enemies and that they shall take the Beasts dominion from him and give his body to the burning flame Josh 10. 24. Zech. 14. 4. Some understand this and their ascending up to heaven of the witnesses not only restored to their places but promoted to more eminent preferment howsoever I take the witnesses as hath been said for the Truth witnessed by them yet no doubt such as suffer under the Beast for their Testimony continuing faithfull the Lord will greatly honour For out of Prison he cometh to Reign Eccles 4. 14. Fourthly For the persons upon whom this great feare fell I take to be they that dwell upon the earth the Apostates and followers of the Beast It seemes to allude to the State and time of Gods people coming out of Egypt when the
The TIME of the END SHEWING First until the three years and an half are come which are the last of the 1260 dayes the prophecies of the Scripture will not be understood concerning the Duration and Period of the FOURTH MONARCHY and Kingdom of the Beast THEN Secondly When that TIME shall come before the expiration the Knowledge of the End or that there shall be Time no longer will be revealed By the Rise of a little Horn The last Apostacy and the Beast slaying the Witnesses contemporizing The Characters Of which little Horn the last Apostacy and Beast as the Scriptures shew them are here faithfully opened And the Application left to the Wise By John Canne Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets Amos 3. 7. Think not that I come to send peace on earth I come not to send peace but a sword Mat. 10. 34. London Printed for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1657. To the Reader THat enmity which from the beginning Jehovah Elohim the Lord God did put between the Serpent and the Woman and between their seed as always so now doth work with marveilous earnestness in all those who in every age from their proper spirit are engaged by their principals to maintain the combate to the time of the end The Righteous is an abomination to the wicked and the wicked is an abomination to the Righteous from the beginning to the end of this present evil world For as then even in Abrahams time he that was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the spirit even so it is now in these last days and will be so till the old serpent the Divel and Sathan be cast into the bottomless pit and then according to the scope of the Scriptures of Truth the bond-woman and her son will be cast out and the children of the free-woman shall be the heirs And when I say So it is now in these last dayes I desire it may be well weighed for assuredly the Serpent and his brood will muster all their forces will improve all their policies will come forth with utmost inraged malice to do the most mischief they can against the true spiritnal â—eed The fresh Auxiliaries which are used in this service of the Dragon that old Serpent are the Apostates of the last times who are such Christians in a form of Godliness as the Devil is an Angel of Light when he is so transformed retaining his cursed properties and designs under the pretence of such a glorious transformation Therefore saith the Apostle it is no great thing if also his Ministers be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness Which words are or may be to the more cautelous Christians a great preservative against the poysonous infection of the present Apostacy for multitudes of careless ones have been beguiled by these deceitful or cheating workers into a compliance with the interest of the Kingdom of the Beast But Blessed be the name of our Lord Protector the Patron of Innocency Truth and Righteousness that these deceitful workers resisters of the Truth Patrons of the carnal worldly Church shall not proceed much farther for their folly in its appointed season shall be made manifest to all men as the folly and madness of other of their brethren before them have been made manifest in like manner And which is matter of great rejoycing to the Lords suffering servants the Prince of the Apostates himself hath bin compel'd by the over-ruling Power of our Lord Jesus to defile his own nest to throw dirt in the face of his own Brat to trample upon his own Government with notable contempt in the presence of his cowardly men of war Oh! what joy of heart is it to us to live to see how in that very thing wherein they dealt so proudly so imperiously the Lord is above them and leaves them to such a degree of folly as to set at nought in such notable language in set Speeches the works of their own heads and hands and that in so short a space of time verily it cannot be treason any longer no not in the sence of the Court it self to imagine speak or write against the Instrument or instruments which brought forth that monstrous Government Ye may all speak treason by authority 〈◊〉 ye Inhabitants of these three Isles of the Sea for your Lord Protector himself hath lately set you a Pattern to pour contempt upon the whole Fabrick both Foundation and Superstruction It is to be ascribed to the preventing Grace of God himself and to no other cause that some few of us have been preserved from that dangerous communion and conformity wherewith many professors well meaning souls like the followers of Absalom of old have been unawares surprised and intangled That Scripture in 2 Tim. 3. the first five verses which by the servant of Christ the Author of the insuing Treatise is opened and compared with two other famous Prophesies concerning the little Horn and the Bottomless-pit-Beast was made effectual to my spirit and conscience to deliver me from those snares wherein the feet of others not a few have been taken faith the Apostle in the forementioned place after he had made a catalogue of Characters whereby to describe the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last time from such turn away And the first and last of those Characters lay with most weight upon my spirit Men shall be lovers of themselves covetous proud lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away And what I spake publikely in a great Assembly concerning the little Horn in two general Observations and nine special Characters whereby to discern it from the other Horns amongst whom it came up is remembred by many then present since which others have likewise given their judgements But this Author by what conduct of providence time will shew hath found cause to make those two Prophesies concerning Daniels little Horn and Johns Bottomless-pit-Beast to synchronise and to bring in the Apostacy of these last times to accompany them in their accomplishments It is remarkable what is told Daniel Chap. 12. v. 10. Mary shall be purified and made white and â—â—yed but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand Surely the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last times are some of these wicked ones these will do wickedly but they cannot understand Understanding dwelleth not taketh not up her rest in the Assemblies in the Counsels of the last and worst sort of wicked ones The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him the wise shall understand who is a wise man he that fears the Lord for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom He that is become a fool for Christs sake that he may be wise He who from a principle of saith and love which is in Christ
their Protector to the Beggar Rev. 14 10. woe unto you rich who have laid up treasures for the last days for you have your consolation Jam. 5. 1. yea woe unto you Souldier that fightest under the Beasts Banner because the want of a good conscience will eat out thy valouâ— Jer. 50. â—3 woe unto you that seek great things for your selves Jer. 45. and make not God the Patron of your preferment you might as in the Jewish fields have pluckt and eat what you would but not have pocketted up as ye have done the Kings Deans and Chapâ—eâ—s lands or the accursed thing c. yea woe to you that have deceived others for that ye shall find by your long dissembling ye have most deceived your selves at last Isai 33. 1. and not to you that have been both the Archer and Maâ—k in all your actions shooting at your own Praise and Profit because an Arrow shall come from the Kings hands Psal 45. which must shoot you thorow the very heart Isai 1. 31. Woe woe to you Lyers Dissemblers and False witnesses who believe your own lyes to be true whiles ye turn the truth into a lye for the time will come when few will believe you though you speak true seeing you have set your wits to work on tenter-hooks for artificial Evasions from natural Obligations besides Army-declarations and God will frustrate the tokens of the lyars Isai 44. 45. yea woe to those Foxes who with fire brands at their â—ayles have set us into a flame for they shall burn up themselves in their own mischief and he that teacheth lyes is the tayl saith the Prophet Isai 9. 15. woe to them that are serving themselves oâ— the times for their own ends because yet a little while and they will see the Times to be served upon them for Gods ends And woe woe to the Statists who are now the Centre wherein all the lines of Intelligence meet from forrein parts because the time will come quickly wherein all the lines of most notable intelligence shall run from you and be reported of you into forrein parts woe to you Tyrants and Nimrods of the earth that do now rule over the Saints and make them to howl Isai 52. 5. because the time of the end doth come wherein you shall howl and the Saints shall rejoyce and rule over you Isai 14. 2. and there was written therein lamentation mourning and wo Ezekâ— to even so Amen Dan. 7. 18. but the Saints of the most High shall take Vikabbâ—lun undertakâ— the Kingdom JOHN ROGERS The time of the End Wherein is shewed that until the three years and half begin which are the last of the 1260 days Gods people will not understand the period of the Fourth Monarchy and the Beasts dominion But when that Time shall come they shall have before its expiration the certain knowledge of it by the appearing of a Little Horn the later Apostacie and a Beast The particular Characters of which little Horn Apostacie and Beast as the holy Ghost in Scripture sets them down are here opened and so left for the Wise to understand by application THe great Business of Christs Little Flock at this time is about the understanding of the Times to know what Israel ought to do when Daniel and John's Numbers shall end the Spoiler cease to spoil and the STONE begins to smite the Image Many of the Lords Worthies have spent their studie and much time in the search thereof And no marvel considering how necessary it is that the SET-TIME be understood before any Action can safely be undertaken by the Saints of the most High against Babylon Among others I who am one of the least of the flock according to the measure of grace given me have with a broken and humble spirit sought the Lord and searched diligently the Prophecies to finde out the end of these Wonders Now after much seeking and long waiting upon the great Revealer of Secrets what I finde upon my heart as given in I hope from God to be Truth I shall willingly make it known unto my brethren and companions in tribulation And because the way which I shall take hath not been I think observed before I shall therefore endeavour to express my minde and meditations of my heart the more plainly and will first lay down certain General Considerations to the end what I shall say afterward as more home and proper to the TIME may the better be understood CONSID. I. To understand the Times it is of great use that the Prophetical Numbers be distinguished and rightly applied that is to know what Numbers are proper to the Gentile-Christians and what to the Jews These Viz. Until a time times and the dividing of time Dan. 7. 25. So Chap. 12. 7. It shall be for a time times and half Again the fourty and two months Rev. 11. 2. and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days v. 3. and the Witnesses lying dead three days and an half v. 9. So again the 1260 days Rev. 12. 6. and the time and times and half a time V. 14. these Numbers I conceive concern the Gentiles as proper to their work and time But the two thousand and three hundred days Dan. 8. 14. and the one thousand two hundred and ninety days Dan. 12. 11. and one thousand three hundred thirty and five days vers 12. are to be understood of the Jews onely Again as these Numbers are to be distinguished so they must be kept apart For the Gentiles account and the Jews do not as I take it contemporize The Gentile-Saints will be upon their work how long I shall not say but before there will be any life or visible stirring amongst the dry bones This to me is evident by the order of the Vials if well considered five of the seven are to be poured out by the Christian Gentiles before the Jews awake under the sixth Vial. And as for these Vials or seven last plagues I humbly conceive though many good men are otherwise minded that none of them are yet poured our Besides I take it Moses words Deut. 32. 21. have this meaning that the Jews shall be provoked to rise and seek their own enlargement and liberty partly by the example of the Gentile-Saints when they shall see the Lords work prosper in their hands against the Western Beast and partly by the assistance and help which they shall have from the Gentiles many ways Isat 60. 9. CONSID. II. It will not be known when the fourty and two months and one thousand two hundred and sixty days shall end the Time of the Beasts reign and the womans abiding in the wilderness until the three years and half are come For howsoever these three years and half are to be reckoned in the number of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years yet must this last time begin yea I think well-nigh expire before the Wise will understand that the set and appointed Time is come This to
Officers of true Churches have so fallen in with the world have gotten such riches houses lands moneys have liv'd in such pleasure plenty riot pomp and state I cannot finde that the like hath been before and I hope after this time it will be so no more And indeed I should have thought this thing which is now come to pass very strange had not this Apostacie been foretold that in the last days there should be in the Churches of the Saints and amongst the Ministers Men Lovers of their own selves covetous proud c. 4. If the present Apostacie be that of which Paul speaks the time under it will be perillous hard difficult The Dutch translates Schwertzeiten heavie grievous or troublesome because saith their noâ—e The time will be full of grief and hard for the Godly perillous saith Diodate in regard of the spiritual state of the Church The Reasons why the time will be so hard and heavy under the later Apostacie may be these 1. Because out of this Apostacie as the bottomless pit a beast shall arise headed with a little horn by whom the witnesses shall be slain 2. It will be a hard and heavy time because the Rights Liberties and Freedoms of the people shall be taken from them an Arbitrary Power set up illegal Taxes impos'd and onely force and violence bear sway 3. The prudent now must either keep silence or extremely suffer And so a heavy time 4. Such snares and temptations will be laid as many good men shall be corrupted and drawn aside from their former righteous principles and from faith and a good conscience to pernitious ways Lastly so heavy a time will it be that men shall be at their wits end not knowing what to do nor what course to take for their own safety nor how to keep a good conscience without suffring by this Apostacie For it will be as much as a mans life to appear for the just liberties of the people and to hold forth a publike testimony for the visible and glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ Hence the Aethiopick translator renders it the bad year because Religion and the holy Name of God would suffer more dishonor and reproach at this time then in any age before by reason of the base revolting of eminent and forward professors every where To prove these Reasons that is my part the which if God permit I shall do when I come to open the sins and characters of the little Horn Then I will shew that for these Considerations it will be a perilous time under the later Apostacie The Application that is the Readers part The which of the two I conceive is the least and easiest But fifthly and to come neerer yet to the matter The question is Whether the particular sins set down in 2 Tim. 3. 2 3 c. may be found among the Apostates of this age directly and fully and not appliable since the first Apostacie to any men till now If it be not so without forcing the Text what I have said in the Considerations I shall abide by it viz. This Apostacie is not that which the Spirit of God intends in 2 Tim. 3. but some other is yet to come Now to name the sins and open the wotds with a little Application will be enough for my part Lovers of their own selves The Apostle begins at the Spring-head Self-love as the bitter root brings forth this unblessed weed called THE STATE-APOSTACIE OF THE LAST TIMES Neither indeed can it be otherwise for if men begin to love themselves they will soon be covetous proud boasters c. And what thinkest thou Reader when men shall love themselves more then their oaths vows covenants c. more then truth and righteousness more then the laws liberties and rights of the people more then faith and a good conscience say more then heaven and their own souls yea and more then God and his Christ Whether such may not be thought to be the Self-lovers intended by the holy Ghost who should make the later Apostacie Covetous The word signifies not onely lovers of silver and money but of other things As Lands Houses Castles Parks Courts Titles great Offices and Places c. Besides the word signifies an immoderate desire and appetite to have the possession of such things Hence the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often rendred studium pecuniae the Study of money How this is made good in the present Apostacie their practice is proof enough neither do I mean to speak much of their doings seeing the same is so obvious and manifest to the world and by many published already For their coveteousness what it is from the head to the tail God sees it and men know it and what scandal and reproach they have brought to the truth by it they themselves will know one day But because the Reader may do his part the better which is Applicative I shall commend three things to him 1. That he take notice These here whom the Apostle saith shall be lovers of their own selves Covetuous Proud c. were men formerly seemingly at lest of other principles and practices for else it could not have been an Apostacie It cannot be forgotten what was laid to the charge oâ— the Bishops for their covetousness pride pomp following the court and what to the King and his party for their excess But now who more covetous of Money Lands Houses Castles Parks Courts Titles great Offices and Places c. then they who condemned these very sins in others see Rom. 2. 1 3. 2. It must be remembred If the Apostacie now be it of which Paul speaks all the sins in the Text must be applied to it for though we should see men to be covetous boasters proud c. yet if they have not the other vices that is if they are not truce breakers false accusers traitors c. it is not that Apostacie Lastly neither can it be the later Apostacie if any having the form of Godliness have formerly walked as these do after such lusts Boasters Crackers or Braggers vain-glorious-men which boast of that they have not Ulpianus Kickerm and others take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be such as arrogate and assume too much to themselves promise more then they can do and more then is truth The word seems to be taken from Quack salvers and Mountebanks who Crack of their great Skill and rare Cures being in the mean time ignorant of the true grounds and principles of Physick and Chyrurgery If it be the last Apostacie great things will be promised the Nation about Reformation of Church and State This shall be talk'd of a long time and in their Books published a ain and again But what will all come too Reader Look about thee and be hearkning if thou doest not hear poor creatures in bitterness make this complaint as having cause enough ye are Physitians of no value ye are Crackers indeed you have taken much
as belong to the Crimes of High-treason The like Act was made March 17 1648. and May 14 1649. Again in July 17 1649. it was Enacted That if any person shall maliciously or adâ—â—â—edly publish by writing painting or open declaring c. that the Commons in Parliament are not the Supreme Authority of this Nation or shall plot contrive or endeavour to stir up or raise force c. that every such offence shall be taken deemed and adjudged by the Authority of this Parliament to be High-treason Treason saith our Law is an offence committed against the Security Anâ—plitude and Majesty of the Common-wealth I am so far from taking the word Traitors for single persons or to apply it to things doubtful that I think the Holy Ghost intends a Combination of men and such as shall most eminently betray both Gospel and Law even Christ and their Countrey But I shall not take the Readers work out of his hand Heady or rash inconsiderate unstable fickle or giddy headed such as suffer them selves to be driven this way and that way by their passions and lusts Dutch Note The word as some think is taken from yong birds which venter to fly before their Feathers are grown or from little children who through their headiness fall and get many knocks When thou hast viewed their actions first and last beginning at their Instrument or new model of Government and consider what that was and how hastily done Their clapping up a sudden peace with the Dutch and making war as fast against Spain What loss we had of men and treasure at Hispaniola the manner how and what shame and scandal the English Nation had by it Then pass over to Jamaica and inform thy self truely what hath succeeded since their arrival Besides how many hundred Ships have been taken from us by the Dunkerkers whilst our Fleet were abroad for what I know not Their throwing of Good Men one while into Prison another while releasing them again without shewing any cause either for one or other Their Creating Major Generals like the Image that was made to the Beast preferring some to high Offices and Places whom they had before publickly charged to be Betrayers of their Country Summoning the Countries to chuse Parliament-men and when they came up sent them home again a hundred at a clap It would take up too much time to enumerate all particulars If these things considered prove them not Heady and Rash this then I would add It may be doubted and I do whether the Later Apostacy be fulfilled in them If any wise and sober man not being one of them can see upon any of their publick Actions wherein the good of the Commonwealth is concerned whereon there is not engraven and fairly to be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 HEADY RASH AND INCONSIDERATE Either it is so or this is not the last state Apostacy High-minded or puff d up as a Tympany for that sore comes from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 significat eos qui sibi videntur insignes in re quapiam aut opinione quam de se concipiunt ideo intumescunt The word saith Salmeron signifies men who to their own thinking are famous in their actions and opinion and being thus conceited of themselves are therefore puffed up Some Translators have Câ—eci blinde others Fanatici dementati fanatical and sottish Indeed the word doth signifie one that is blinde and wants his understanding yet conceives that he hath both fight and reason and would have others think so too It is not to be doubted but these men whose Apostacie is here arraign'd for King Craft and Statesmen deem themselves the None-such of the Word and all Ruling men before them Simplicians and laugh at their Commonwealth Notwithstanding if that which they are designing and building be 1. Against God and therefore he shortly will destroy it 2. If that which the Saints are every where praying against 3. If that which was done before by the King against the Priviledges of Parliaments and Liberties of the People 4. If that which the people every day more and more do hate them for 5. If that which may ruine their Families and render their Names odious to posteritie I say Should such be their designe and actions The Question is though highly conceited of their own opinion and doings whether according to the word here they are not in truth BLINDE and FOOLISH STONE BLINDE as the Aethiopick reads it Lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God greedy upon voluptuousness Old Translation The word signifies such as are Friends to pleasures Here Reader consider 1. The Heathenish vanities and sports taken up since this Apostacie was made banished and buried before witness what was done this yeer upon their Lord Majors day though an Independent and Church-member Such lightness and foolery was then as was a scandal to Religion and a grief to the Saints Many poor Christians wanting bread whilst they in wantonness vainly wasted away money see Amos 6. 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Where can we see any of the present Revolters specially if crept up into High Places and Offices whether at Court or in Country but they are voluptuous and given to pleasures yea those which seemed sometimes to be Barzilla's men so mortified to carnal pleasures and risen with Christ as such things were irksom and burdens to them But now who for excess and riot more then they who more then THESE MEN for fine Clothes sumptuous Houses costly Fare and Court-Fashions so that to see them now they are more like Dives then Barzillaâ— In every vanity and foolery as carnal and light as other men Truly I should have wondred to see this great Change among professors how Barzilla's are become Diveses's those who have preached much and printed much against base delights are now the Men addicted to them I say To see this I should have thought it strange but that I know this Prophesie of the Later Apostacy every jot and every tittle of it must be fulfilled Having a form of godliness or formality shew appearance an outward visage Quibus est species reverentiae Dei Junius in whom there is a shew of fear or worship of God Specieminanem sive inane simulacrum Piscator I beseech thee Reader Take notice of the singular Wisdom and Counsel of God who will discover the men of the Later Apostacy in that way which they think to cover their Apostacie How will the Later Apostates being lovers of themselves covetous Covenant-breakers Traytors c. think to hide these Vices so at least to hide them that they may not be thought to be the Apostates foretold in Timothy By having a form of godliness that is by their often praying fasting preaching and practicing Church Ordinances c. And how will the Lord make it known That they are the Apostates there prophesied of By having this form of godliness that is being men so forward for fasting and praying yet living all
and Hearkning What the Lord would speak I had the Former Things for the Substance of them given in unto me And I can speak it in Truth I understood them not till now But thought The Time of the End was to be found out and known some other way Now howsoever I could not but think there was Something of God in This As to an Answer of Prayer Especially having these Things upon my heart as I was pouring out my soule at the Throne of grace Neverthelesse Considering the weightinesse and difficulty of the Matter How differing it was to what Others Held And how deeply Some and my selfe also have suffered for our Mistakes in medling with such High Things But chiefly what a poor worth-lesse and empty Thing I was More brutish then any man and had not the Vnderstand of a man And how subtilly Satan worketh at this Time in Some by a spirit of delusion in pretending to high things and that it is God that speaketh in them Upon these and such like Considerations my Soule was sore distressed and I besought the Lord with Tears Day and Night that he would take Pitty on Me and not leave me to a Deceived Heart But as often as I set my face unto the Lord by prayer and supplication I found my selfe more Encouraged and had more of the Prophesies opened unto me Yea and the Lord knows I lie not whensoever my heart hath been most melted and broken before him and my soule swallowed up with the greatest Love and Longing after his Glory AT SUCH TIMES I have been most confirmed and strengthned to believe that it was the Spirit of truth which revealed these things to me a Worm Neverthelesse being yet unsatisfied in my selfe as Fearfull least I should go aside from the Teachings of God I acquainted some of some of my Christian Friends with the Thing and how the Case stood with me and desired that the same might be Spread before the Lord The which was done severall Times And very earnestly was the Lord sought unto for Counsell and Direction that there might be no miscarriage on either Hand Much I could say concerning this Particular But I shall say no more then this I found the Fruit of their Prayers A Greater Confirmation After all this for I was not quiet yet having put things into some Order I communicated my Thoughts unto other Friends Some of these whose Works praise them in the Gate I found to be of my Opinion For which I thanked God and took courage As did Paul when the Brethren met him Acts 28. 15. But Others and Pretious Ones too were as I apprehended otherwise minded And here began as the last so my sorest and sharpest Conflict For so much was I discouraged now as I had Jeremiahs Complaint often up O Lord thou hast deceived me and I was deceived Thou art stronger then I and hast prevailed Jer. 20. 7. I must confesse the Considerations before named especially being conscious to my own Emptinesse and Poverty hath so much affected me That I have been more ready except in Prayer to fall in with any outward Discouragements and to improve them whensoever they came Then to close with inward Ecouragements even the Stirring and Motions I think I may say the Visions of God which I have powerfully felt upon my soule when I have been nearest the Mercy Seat But Hallelujah praised be the Lord who hath taken from Me a worm still these Discouragements and Fears by working up my heart into joy of Believing It may be in Reading of this you would willingly know my Intention It is Thus I have not Published this Treatise as I have done things heretofore For in Humility an awful fear of my God Here I can say and that truly THIS IS A WORK OF FAITH AND PRAYER Not of my own Labor and study comparitively as former Things have been For here I have been more out of the Body and with the Lord on the Mount But oh I would be humble in such Exprestions that THE LORD ALONE MIGHT BE EXALTED And I a remaine still a Worme in my hole and numbred among the dead Neither have I rested in the Experiences of Gods inward Workings upon my soule that is To his giving forth of the Spirit alone But the Holy Scriptures have been The Men of my Counsell Psal 119. 24. Insomuch as I have not hearkned any further to the Perswasions and Operations of the Holy Spirit Though received as the Finger of God Then what I might doe yea and ought by the Covenant-Promise I say by Faith Grounded upon the blessed Word Such Scriptures through the Free Grace of a divine Blessing by a humble Application in the Interest of them have sweetly supported me Jer. 31. 9. 33. 3. Hos 12. 4. Dan. 9. 20 21. 2. 18 19 23. Luke 11. 12 13. Jam. 1. 5. Isa 66. 2. Psal 10. 17. 25 9. 2 Chron. 20. 13 14. Acts 13. 2. Rev. 5. 4 5. Psal 32. 8 9. 1 John 5. 14 15. Hence I saw clearly that with Supplications the Lord hath led his people And whilst they have been Mourning and by the Spirit making Intercession for them with Groanings which cannot be uttered For the Vnction from the holy One and to be guided into all Truth The Lord hath mercifully appeared to them Neither have such humble and broken hearted Babes met with the Portion of Proud Pharises viz. Disappointment All flesh is grasse c. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 24 25. It is a sure word 2 Pet. 1. 19. Believe in the Lord so shall ye be established Believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper 2 Chron. 20. 20. But howsoever in the Publishing of these things I seem to declare a Humble Boldnesse in my God as to the truth of them Yet this I desire the Kingdome-Saints every where to mind That as the three yeares and a halfe of which we have spoken are to have their Period So must all things following in order to the destruction of the little Horn be likewise accomplished It is true the latter Apostacy the little Horn and the Beast that slayes the Witnesses have but three years and an half Yet it must not be understood as if at the End of that time they should presently be destroyed But when that Time is expired then the Judgement shall sit The Witnesse rise And so all the rest of the Prophesies concerning them be fulfild in due Order and Time This I thought good to mention againe to prevent mistakes For suppose the aforesaid Time should End about June 57. That which next followes will be no more as I take it But the pouring out of the Spirit in the rising of the Witnesses Whereby the Saints of the most High shall be raised up in Faith Light Love Zeal One-ness c. and so made meet for the Masters use But among the Apostates Dread Fear Darknesse Divisions Disappointment c. Onely the Lords Work the