Scripture-Prophecies OPENED Which are to be accomplished in these last times which do attend the second coming of Christ In several LETTERS Written to Christian friends BY E. Avery ISAI. 29. 17 18 19. Is it not a very little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book and the eyes of the blinde shall see out of obscurity and darknesse The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord and the poor among men shall rejoyce in the holy One of Israel LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the signe of the black spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1647. To the Reader Christan Reader THese following Letters were intended onely for some particular Christians but seeing that which is contained in them is of general concernment I do here present it to the view of all and the rather because the power of God doth appear in it in respect of the weaknesse and contemptiblenesse of the instrument whom he doth here employ as formerly it hath been his course in doing great things by weakest means and so by such foolishnesse he doth bring to nought the wisdom of the wise that so no flesh may glory in his presence And as it hath been the manner of God's proceedings heretofore so likewise I finde the immediate acting of the Spirit in giving in and so accordingly in carrying me forth to communicate it to others And seeing it is thus I dare not conceal it in oblivion but I must hold it forth to the view of the whole world not fearing any thing in way of opposition from the creature for I fear not the prison having such enlargements in God I fear not reproach for I can wear it as my Crown I fear not want in that I do enjoy all in God And though I may be counted mad to the world I shall speak the words of sobernesse and if I am mad as the Apostle saith it is to God and if I am in my right mind it is for the benefit of others And I desire likewise that the Christian Reader should know though I question not the truth of that which I do here hold forth yet I am resolved not to contend for it with carnal weapons as by Argument but rather I shall witnesse the truth of it with my Blood if God shall call me to it for I have nothing to do but to hold it forth and so I must leave it to God who I know will witnesse to his own Truth and reveal it unto all his in his good time in the mean while so far as we have attained let us walk by the same rule and minde the same thing and accordingly wait for further discoveries And so I shall leave thee good Reader to the manifestation of Christ in thy flesh which doth begin to appear in some and we do likewise expect it in general unto all the Saints when God shall bring them out of darknesse into his marvellous light which is begun and shall increase until it be perfect day And with this I shall close up committing thee to God and to the power of his grace ever remaining Thine in Christ Elizabeth Avery The Contents The First Letter THe opening of the mystery both of the state and fall of Babylon Pag. 1. Some discovery of what is meant by the mystery of the feet and toes of the great Image Dan. 2. 34. p. 3. How the Saints are said to be slain in and by Babylon Jer. 51. 49. p. 4. Of Babylons fall p. 6. How the Lord shall gather his Saints out of Babylon before it be destroyed as God overthrew Sodom p. 7. Objections answered as touching local separation p. 8 9. Objections answered as to a further discovery of the mystery of the feet and toes of the great Image p. 11. Also the mystery of the head of gold c. p. 13 14 15. The Second Letter HOw the heavens and the earth shall be dissolved p. 17. What is meant by the Apostle Peter when he saith that the heaven and the earth are reserved to fire against the day of judgement p. 20. Question answered How it can be said that the Saints are slain by their iniquities seeing Christ hath satisfied for the sins of the whole world p. 23. Of the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven p. 25. What is meant by the heavens and earth that must passe away p. 28 29. The beginning of the glorious estate of the Church by the calling of the Jews and what those Jews are p. 30 31. Of a threefold wildernesse which the Saints are brought into p. 34 35. The Third Letter COncerning the Resurrection of the dead c. p. 36. The death natural cannot properly be called death p. 37. When the Mediatour ship of Christ ceaseth p. 39. Khrists Kingdom in Spirit throws down all dominion that is of the earth p. 39. The state of the natural body after death p. 41. What the lake of fire and brimstone is Ibid. Martha her conference with Christ about the resurrection of Lazarus opened Ibid. Of the state of the wicked after death p. 45. What is meant by the body being clothed upon Ibid. Spirits not capable of torment out of the body Ibid. When the judgement of the devil and his angels in the wicked doth begin p. 46. Christian Letters The First Opening the Mystery of the state and fall of BABYLON Dear Friend SEeing it is the greatest joy of the Saints to have communion one with another in the Spirit though distant in the Flesh which joy is much improved when the Lord doth carry us forth in communicating one unto another that which he is pleased to reveal unto us by his Spirit And here by the providence of God I am come forth to act in this kinde So in the first place I shall speak of Babylon as it is that vail of Darknesse which covers all flesh Isa. 25. 7. which God will shortly take away from all his Saints but at present this vail covers all flesh more then ever and Antichrist the spirit of Errour doth reside in the flesh more then ever even in the Saints themselves as well as others and so it shall be till God is manifested in the flesh of the Saints as he was in the Humanity of Christ and such a one in whom God shall be thus manifested shall confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh 1 Joh. 4. 3. and when it is thus with any in such a one Babylon and Antichrist is fallen But at the present Babylon and Antichrist is fallen in a very inconsiderable number of the Saints who are enlightned with the light of Truth and these are the Watchmen that shall declare glad tidings Isa. 51. 14 15 16. and 52. 7 8 But howsoever Babylon and Antichrist which is Confusion and Errour doth remain in the generality of mankinde yea the Saints
themselves I say That Babylon and Antichrist is over all States which govern by an Arbitrary power and over all Churches whether National or others and all Worshipâ— whether the Worship of the Heathens or Antichristian Worship that comprehends all which hath formerly been understood to be the Worship of the Papists but we have found it otherwise and not onely is Confusion and Errour in all false Worship but Babylon is in the purest Worship that is most agreeable to the letter of the Word because the Saints have no rule for what they practise in taking up the Ordinance never since the defection from the faith for though the Apostle speaks of a falling away yet he never speaks of the restauration of the Truth in the same form of Worship which at the first was given forth And so we must look for new discoveries such as have not been yet as the Prophet speaks The things that have not been shall be told you and the Apostle Peter speaking unto the Saints in general and in them he spake to us whom it doth more immediately concern even we which live in this age wherein the Prophecies are to be accomplished in a spiritual sense the Apostle Peter says 2 Pet. 1. the three lâ—st verses You have a more sure Word of prophecie to which you shall do well to give heed as unto a light shining in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts Now Babylon you see is not onely the Church of Rome which doth appearto all that are enlightned to be so because their Religion consists of so many particulars which is needlesse for me to recite being so well known to all but Babylon doth more mystically appear to be in this present State and Church of England I put them together because they are so involved that they make but one Beast which is the second Beast spoken Revel. 13. 11. which is distinct from the Beast that rose out of the Sea who had power given him over Kinreds Tongues and Nations But howsoever though that Beast that did rise out of the sea did rise first and so did act according to his power in the first place yet sure Babylon falls first in this glorious State and Church of England which may well be understood to be the feet and toes of the great Image spoken of Dan. 2. 34. which are different from the legs which are altogether of Iron which did shew the great strength of the Roman Monarchy But here it may be objected That this glorious Church and State of England hath appeared to be a golden cup in the Lords hand Jer. 51. 7. in respect of the Spiritual excellencies which have been seen in her and therefore how can it be compared to the feet and toes of the great Image which is the meanest part of the body To this I answer Though the feet and toes are the meanest part of the body yet it will appear that there are more excellencies in them then the head of gold for though the feet and toes be thus mixt part of Potters clay and part of Iron which shews that the Kingdom is partly weak and partly strong but though this part be not strong by reason of the mixture yet I say there is more excellency in this mixture then in the head of Gold for it is said of this State that they did mix themselves with the seed of men which is a great mystery And so though Babylon may be in all manner of Professions and all States who govern in an arbitrary way yet I may boldly say that Babylon concerning whose destruction the Prophets of old and John in the Revelation speak that spiritual Babylon as it is a State and Church and mystically Babylon in our gathered Churches and Antichrist rendered in a mystery in the Saints all which out of question is to be accomplished in this Island of Great Britain which by the learned is made evidently to appear to be the tenth part of the great City which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified Revel. 11. 13. that falls first Now if this can be proved as very probably it can that this State and National Church of England be Babylon then I pray take notice of that which the Lord speaks Jerem. 51. 49. that as Babylon caused the slain of Israel to fall so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth Not that all the earth shall be slain with a temporal sword but the earth is slain in a spiritual sense for natural Babylon did not slay Israel in the flesh for the Prophet Jeremiah and other of the Saints had good usage in Babylon And a slaughter to be slain in this sense as here it is spoken it is to be slain by following their wicked ways in being led in Errour and so slain by their sin And sure natural Babylon did never use such cruelty on the Saints as the Scripture speaks of onely on some which were not Saints but the enemies of God which did go contrary to his command in rebelling against the King of Babylon unto whom the Lord had given commandment by Jeremiah the Prophet that they should subject themselves unto his yoke And so whereas it is said that Babylon did cause the slain of Israel to fall it's Babylon in the Saints that is Confusion and Errour have slain the Saints in a spiritual sense as the Lord says concerning his people that they were slain by their iniquity as in Hos. 13. it is said that the iniquity of Ephraim is bound up and his sin is hid but when it did appear see what follows even the sorrows of a travelling woman and death it self Now this is Babylons causing the slain of Israel to fall So Babylon causeth the slain of Israel to fall by her false teachings as in Isai. 9. 13. Jerem. 51 5. and so forward again vers. 25 of the same Chapter which shews how Babel did destroy the people of God by their false teachings Again Babylon causeth the slain of Israel to fall by her cruel hatred and most deceitful usage and by her vile reproaches by which she slays the people of God with the sword of the heart and with the sword of the tongue concerning the nature of which is fully made forth in Psal. 11. So as Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth which is flesh in the Saints when the Lord hath judged with fire and the sword all flesh as in Isai. 9. 5. and 66. 16. Revel. 19. 10. Now though sinful flesh be slain in the Saints whilst they are in Babylon yet this is not done till we are slain by Babylon and so have attained unto a resurrection with Christ as in Isa. 26. 19 20 21. I pray take notice of this Scripture for it makes forth clearly that state of the Church which hath been or shall be slain by Babylon
he is truth Unto this I answer There is more excellency in the Saints then in the Truth I will instance in some particulars Our Saviour in Matthew speaking concerning the doctrine of the Pharisees who taught that if any did swear by the Temple it was nothing but whosoever sware by the gold of the Temple offended ye fools saith he for whether is greater the gold or the temple which sanctifieth the gold So by this we see that the Saints are more excellent then the Truth they are the temples of the living God the sons and daughters of God Almighty who do partake of the same nature union love and glory as Christ our Saviour our Head and Elder Brother Joh. 17. from vers. 21. unto the end From the Scripture it doth clearly appear that the Saints are more excellent then the Truth it self But I would not be mistaken for I do not speak here of Truth as God is said to be Truth nor dare I speak of it as Christ is called the Word of God as in Joh. 1. 1. Joh. and Revel. But I speak of Truth as it is held forth by the ministery of man in Babylon which appeareth most glorious unto to the carnal sense being held forth by men of learning and parts which shall fall in the fall of Babylon So my dear friend I have followed God in making forth that which he is pleased to convey by me as his instrument to whom I acknowledge all for here is no flesh to glory in his presence for it is none of mine the Lord knows And with this I shall close up desiring the Lord will manifest himself unto you in discovering those things which are hidden from the world who when they think of peace and safety the day of the Lord comes upon them as a thief in the night But I may say of you as the Apostle did of the Thessâ—lonians You brethren are not in darknesse that so that day should come upon you as a thief you are the children of the day we are not of the night nor of darknesse therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober And that must we do to whom the Lord is pleased to discover himself in making us to know that which is hidden unto others we dare not sleep nor be silent but stand upon our watch-tower as to wait for further discovery so to make known that which God hath revealed already And so here I shall close up committing you to God and to the power of his grace who will manifest himself more then ever in making his to know that now which hath been hidden from the beginning of the world And so wishing all happinesse in the Lord I shall ever remain yours in the greatest engagements An Addition Now having spoken concerning the spiritual meaning of the feet and toes spoken of Dan. 2. and likewise as God hath enabled me I have answered to some Objections yet upon further consideration there remain others unto which by the help of God I shall give answer Object 1. In the first place then How I can make it appear that the feet and toes of the great Image is one State How can it be confined to that Parliament of England which is come to confusion for it is evident the Scripture speaks of divers Kings which are the feet and toes for it is said in the last days of these Kings speaking of the last powers which is the feet and toes that the God of heaven shall set up a Kingdom Unto this I answer that if we wrest the Prophesies to the Letter the feet and toes appear to be divers Kings even ten in number answering to the ten horns that support the beast Dan. 7. and Rev. 13. Howsoever we have no warrant from the Scripture for any such interpretation the Scripture being altogether silent there is an interpretation given of the rest of the four Monarchs but for the Monarchical power which is in the mixture of the feet and toes there is no interpretation given but its own acts which the Scripture mentions in Dan. 2. 7 8 11. Now in the Letter the four Monarchies spoken of Dan. 2. which was first the King of Babylon the head of gold and so the other three Monarchies successively as the Scripture speaketh it needs no interpretation because it is clear in the letter but howsoever all Prophecies must have a spiritual interpretation for if it should be confined to the letter there would follow great absurdities because when the feet of the great Image are broken the iron and clay brasse silver gold falls all together and becomes as the chaff of the summer-floor whereas it is well known that the Babylonian Monarchy and the other two following are fallen the last is fallen in good part before the feet and toes are broken which in the letter are said to be broken in the first place by the stone which is cut out of the mountain And so it is clear that the great Image spoken of Dan. 2. is to be understood otherwise then we have formerly and certainly it will appear to be that Image of Babel that the Lord will visit Jerem. 51. 47 52 Now the Image or Images of Babylon are not to be understood in the letter that is such things as we count Images for they are not capable of visiting or punishing but is to be understood in a spiritual sense and so whatsoever is spoken here in Dan. 2. concerning this great Image whose head was of gold and his brest and arms of silver is to be accomplished in mystical Babylon and so in the first place the head of this great Image which is of gold doth concern the spiritual excellencies which do appear in mystical Babylon in respect of the glorious truths which have been held forth by the Saints but in confusion which is Babylon Jer. 51. where it is said that Babylon hath been as a golden cup in the Lords hand the nations have drunken of her wine therefore do the nations rage and it is evident that Babylon in the Saints which is the head of gold is lifted up very high in respect of those unspeakable comforts that the Saints have in the apprehension of the truth which is held forth by Babylon in that it is said How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer son of the morning Isai. 14. Now having spoken of Babylon in the Saints which is the head of gold now I shall speak of Babylon in the Ordinance which may be very fitly compared to the brest and arms of the great Image which are of silver I speak of the Ordinances which are held forth in the purest manner even those which are most agreeable to the letter of the Word even that element that melts with fervent heat which is a degree below Babylon in the Saints which is the head of gold But now it may be objected How can the brest and arms which are of silver signifie