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
and spirituall presence by the coming downe of the new Jerusalem out of heaven which is nothing else but the light of the Gospel the glory of God the Spirit of Christ shining forth and dwelling in the hearts of Saints making them his Temple and Tabernacle Indeed Christ was the true Temple of God who was prefigured by the former Temple of the Jewes but the Saints being gathered up into Christ united to him in spirit joyned to him as members making up the fulnesse of his body they also together with Christ become the Temple of the living God Secondly the Altar doth represent unto us the true service and worship of the Lord. The Altar was that whereon the Priest was to offer sacrifice in the Temple or in the inner Court that joyned to the Temple which was the Priests Court and accounted part of the Temple it selfe both the Temple inner Court were holy appropriated unto the Priests onely but for the outward Court it was common for all people to come into it Now I say the Altar that was in the Court of the Temple doth signifie the true and reall service of the Lord the worship that beleevers tender unto him viz. all the prayers thankesgivings and praises they offer up all their parts gifts and graces that they imploy all their pains costs and endeavours all these I say are the sacrifices that the Saints do continually offer up to God by Jesus Christ the true Altar upon which they offer So that we have not onely Gods presence with his people making of them his Temple but here is also an Altar or the divine and spirituall worship of all beleevers in the Temple who are made an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ I Pet. 2. 5. Thirdly They that worship therein We are not onely to take notice of the worship but also of the worshippers not onely of the Temple but of those that serve in the Temple not onely of the Altar but also of those that offer thereon The true worshippers are those that worship God in spirit that draw nigh to him in faith and assurance that know whom they worship and worship him whom they know these know him that is true and they truly serve him Here is a distinction made between the false worshippers and the true between those that onely worship in the outward Court mentioned in the next verse that onely worship in the externall forme or superficiall part of things and those that are the true spirituall Priests of the Lord who enter into the inner Court and into the Temple of God and worship there These are they that the Lord doth take notice and accept of that he will owne for his true worshippers and servants namely those that worship in his Temple and offer upon his Altar The words being thus opened we come to take notice of some Observations that doe necessarily arise from them The first observation is this That I Observe the Lord doth suitably prepare his people to receive such things as himselfe doth impart unto them This is taken from Johns qualification when the Angel bids him arise to raise up his minde and affections from low meane and carnall apprehensions and objects and to fix them on those things that were divine and heavenly even to the understanding and knowledge of these heavenly mysteries that the Lord revealed unto him by the mouth of a mighty and strong Angel Suitable unto this is that in Revel 4. 1 2. When the Angel sounded his Trumpet the voice sayd Come up hither and I will shew thee things to come Now what did this voyce signifie by saying ascend or come up c. it is not meant of his bodily motion or change of his stâ—tion but a translation or change of his minde For saith John Immediatly I was in the Spirit That is he was in a heavenly rapture or heavenly extasie he was spiritually carried up into heaven The like expression we have in 2 Cor. 12. 2. where the Apostle sayth he was caught up into the third heaven Meaning thereby that he was in an exceeding high and heavenly rapture or spirituall transfiguration of minde and spirit that so he might heare those unutterable revelations of divine mysterie from the Lord. Thus Moses is taken up into the Mount with God when he receives the Law at his mouth Exod. 24. 12. So were the Apostles taken up with Christ upon the holy Mount to behold his glorious transfiguration as the Apostle relateth 2 Pet. 1. 18. Now by the Mount is resembled that high and heavenly pitch of a minde enlightned of affections raised of a heart spirituallized whereby the Lord doth suitably prepare his people to receive such things as hee doth discover unto them Now as the Lord doth suitably prepare his Saints to entertaine heavenly things by enlarging their capacities strengthening their knowledge and raising their affections so he doth also make them to be of the same nature and quality as his discovery is that he makes knowne unto them The creature is whatsoever the voice of the creator is unto him If the Lord speak to any onely by naturall things as by corne wine and oyle and the like Such unto whom the Lord comes in these and no more they are meerly carnall and naturall they heare God speaking in these and they cannot ascend higher And so if the Lord speak in the heavenly visions of divine glory through his Son unto any then these unto whom he thus speakes become gracious and heavenly suitable unto the voice that speakes unto them It is said in Heb. 1. 2. God hath spoken in these last dayes by his Son and how is it then the Apostle tells us in Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are Sonnes God hath sent the spirit of his Sonne into your hearts So that when God speaks to us by his Sonne it makes us to be sonnes also and when we are sonnes then the Lord speaks to us by the spirit of his Sonne Whatsoever the voice of Christ is unto us such are our hearts such are our mindes and affections the whole frame and nature of our spirits is such as his discovery is unto us Therefore it is most unpossible the Lord should reveale heavenly mysteries and shew forth his visions of divine glory unto any but he must also raise up the minds affections of such unto some proportionable and suitablenesse of spirit to receive such revelations from his mouth Secondly Observe That the spirit 2 Observ of the Lord is the onely rule and standard of divine and heavenly things This is taken from Johns qualification enabling him to measure the Temple And there was given me a reed like unto a rod Which reed or rod doth represent unto us the Spirit of the Lord the true rule and measure of divine truth The word and spirit are all one for saith Christ in Joh. 6. 63. My words are spirit and life
the originall and ground it 's perfection and end it 's the judge and standard of all truth It is most true that God hath made sense and reason the judge and standard of such truths that are within their owne compasse and circuit and are able to perceive and discerne such objects that are suitable to themselves but they can ascend no higher Now for spirituall things saith the Apostle they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 12. They cannot be judged or rightly understood without a spirituall apprehension and enlightned judgement therefore he saith in verse 9. Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard c. That is both the sense of seeing and hearing and also the reason and understanding of the heart are poore low and darke principles too superficiall too scant and narrow to judge divine things by Therefore the Apostle concludes in vers 11. That none knows the things of God but the Spirit of God which searcheth the deep things of God it is that alone openeth the deep and hidden mysteries of truth And hence the Apostle affirmes in verse 15. The spirituall man judgeth or discerneth all things Secondly Heavenly things are best discovered by a divine impression of them on the heart This is that the Apostle testifies of the Corinthians saying Yee are our Epistle written in our hearts knowne and read of all men for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of stone but in the fleshly Tables of the heart 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. As if the Apostle had said yee are the seal of our Apostleship ye are our commendatory letters the truth is most of all manifested by that divine impresse it hath upon your hearts it 's written there with a more lively character and more easie to be deciphered then if it were written with inke and paper or on Tables of stone The truths of God are not so well discovered by the word and letter without us as by the word and spirit within us The mystery of the Gospel is most of all seen when it is engraven upon our hearts by the indeleble characters of the Spirit of God Thirdly To know the truth aright is to know it in Jesus according to that expression of the Apostle in Ephes 4. 21 22. If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your minde and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse The Apostle shews plainly that to know the truth in Jesus is by the putting off the old man being corrupt and by putting on the new man c. wherein he doth compare the naturall and corrupt estate of man to an old worn-out garment which is fit for nothing but to be cast off layd aside and the new man which is the impression of the image of Gods righteousnes and holines on the soul he doth compare to a new garment fit to put on be adorned withall and hereby our mindes shall be renewed changed and regenerated from the naturall depravation of the understanding will and affections and wholly be filled and acted with spirit light life of Christ And hereby are we able to discerne the truths of Jesus as they are manifested to our new man or as they are represented to our mindes as being renewed according to the image and glory of Jesus Christ Fourthly and lastly we come to know the truth by our conformity unto it When there is a sweet complyance of our spirits with the will of God then we come to know most of the mystery of his will And this Christ himselfe doth beare witnesse of when he saith If any man will doe his will he shall know of my doctrine Joh. 7. 17. Now what is it to do the will of God but to have an harmonious consent and sweet complyance of our wills with the divine will of God whereby our wills are more enlarged in the knowledge and extent of his will our wills and his will as it were meeting and concentring in one Thus the soule becomes best acquainted with the knowledge of the truth and is enabled to understand the unknowne and hidden mysteries of heavenly things whereby it is able to judge aright and give a true dimention or measure of them And thus much for the rules or principles by which we are to judge and measure divine things Thirdly Observe from the Temples 3 Observ being measured That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his divine presence with his people even in the darkest and saddest time of Antichrists raigne The measuring of the Temple here hath an allusion unto Ezek. 40. where the Temple was measured that it might appeare the whole frame and order thereof was from the Lord. So here the Lord doth preserve a holy people to himselfe and by his divine presence with them doth measure them out for his Temple So that he doth preserve a spirituall forme of a Temple by his divine presence with his people even all the times of the generall Antichristian Apostacie and defection when there was no outward forme of a Temple when Antichrist sat in the visible Temple and exalted himselfe above all grasping all power and authority all rule and dominion then I say at the very time of the powerfull raigne of the Man of sin God would have us take notice that he did preserve a people to himselfe and by his divine presence love and protection did make them his Temple Fourthly Observe from the measuring 4 Observ of the Altar That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him Christ is the true Altar of God and all the Saints are made spirituall Priests to offer up their sacrifices and services on him The Saints draw nigh to God in sincerity they serve the Lord in spirit they worship him in spirit They did alway offer up upon the true Altar sacrificing all that was deare unto them their friends their goods their preferments their parts their lives and all that was deare unto them Such hath been the love of the faithfull unto the service of Christ that not withstanding all the rage and sury of Antichrist vexing and persecuting of them by imprisoument and death and whatsoever could be inflicted on them yet they could never be made weary of the profession of Christ but their faith and graces have alwayes been so impregnable and indefatigable that they could never be worne out or made to give over the service of Christ Fifthly Observe in that the true 5 Observ worshippers must be measured That the Lord doth accept of none but his true worshippers such as worship in his Temple and offer upon his Altar Christ
2. Now from this phrase of dropping we may argue that both Moses and Ezekiel had their prophesie from the Lord. For looke as the clouds from whence raine descends to mollifie the earth and to cause grasse and flowers to spring have not their water originally and natively in themselves but from the Sea and moistned places of the earth exhal'd and drawn up by the heat of the Sun so have not the Prophets a spirit of prophesie whereby they of themselves are able to discover divine mystery and revelation but it is drawne out of a full sea of that excellent knowledge and wisdome that is in God himselfe Then the Prophets must of necessity receive their message originally from God himselfe But Secondly They receive prophesie mediatly from Christ unto whom the Lord hath committed the whole administration of all things concerning his Church and kingdome And we have that passage 1 Sam. 3. 21. The Lord revealed himselfe unto Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. By the word of the Lord is here meant Christ the eternall word by whom the Lord doth reveale himselfe as in Joh. 1. 18. So that Christ is brought in by way of mediation as by whom the Lord should reveale himselfe Suitable unto this is that passage in Genes 19. 24. The Lord rained upon Sodome and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven The Lord raining brimstone by the Lord is meat that the Lord did administer judgement by Christ as Mediator Christ is here brought forth acting in the office of his mediatorship though according to his divine nature he acts immediatly from himselfe without such dependance or subordination yet I say as Mediator he receives from the father and so communicates what he receives unto his Saints Thus you see from whom these Prophets receive power to prophesie and that 's from the Lord himselfe First from God originally Secondly from Christ as Mediator Secondly by what meanes the Lord doth thus impower these Prophets and that is first by his word Secondly by his Spirit First It is by the word that these Prophets are enabled to give forth their testimony Christs Commission to his Disciples was to preach the word Matth. 28. 19 20. And Christ is sayd to ride prosperously on the word of truth Psal 45. 4. John beares record of the word of God Revel 1. 2. The Saints were slaine for the word of God Revel 12. 11. This word is the sword that proceeds out of Christs mouth Revel 1. 16. The word being called the sword of Christ imports that it is full of efficacy and power of great force and prevalency discerning the thoughts and subduing the imaginations of the heart This is that spirituall weapon whereby the Saints are able to encounter with their enemies and to overcome the evill one to testifie against Antichrist Secondly by the Spirit which gives life and power unto the word The Gospel is called the ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 8. because the Spirit joynes it selfe with the word and makes it a quickning and powerfull word And therefore it is that Christ saith My words are spirit and life Joh. 6. 63. Christs word doth not go forth as a dead thing but as a quickning power not as a killing letter but as a powerfull spirit So that the word cannot be separated from the Spirit nor the Spirit from the word they both joyntly concur and agree in one The word is the habit or clothing of the spirit and the spirit is the life and power of the word by these meanes namely the word and spirit are the witnesses impowered to prophesie Secondly the title given unto those that testifie against Antichrist they are called witnesses This appellation is given to Christ being called the faithfull witnes Revel 1. 5. And the true witnesse Chap. 3. 14. Likewise he was promised to be given as a witnesse to the people Isa 55. 4. Therefore he tells Pilate that he came into the world to beare witnesse of the truth Joh. 18. 37. In like manner are the Saints called Witnesses as being called forth to testifie of the will minde of God before the world Thus it was sayd of John Baptist that he was sent as a witnesse of the light Joh. 1. 7. And to him meaning to Christ gave all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10. 43. The Saints that suffered for Christ suffered for the witnesse of Jesus Revel 20. 4. There is one place where by the Prophet both Christ and the Saints are brought in as joynt witnesses where the Lord speaking of his people sayth Ye are my witnesses and signifying of Christ farther saith And my servant that I have chosen Esa 43. 10. So that as Christ doth receive a message from the Father he doth truly and faithfully give forth his testimony as appeares in Joh. 3. 32. So also the Saints that receive his word and declare their testimony of his truth do set to their seal and witnesse of the truth as it is in Jesus and doe give forth testimony thereof before the world Thirdly The number of these witnesses and they are two Some say that there are onely two eminent persons here meant not exceeding the number expressed Others that thereby are meant the two Testaments so make the Scripture to be the witnesse here spoken of or else two in regard of their types which are presented to us by paires as Zerubbabel and Joshua the two anoynted ones and Moses and Elias that caused fire to come downe from heaven Also Moses and Aaron by whom the water in Aegypt was turned into bloud as we shall understand more in the sequell Or more especially they are called two witnesses in proportion to the Law that would not take an accusation unlesse asserted by two witnesses Matth. 18. 16. So here because there shall be a sufficient testimony given forth against Antichrist by the faithfull witnesses of Christ they are called two as most compleat and answerable to the Law Deut. 17. 6. Thus you have their number they are two Witnesses Fourthly Their office and employment follows They Prophesie Now in that they are stiled Witnesses and doe Prophesie wee are to consider two things First What we are to understand here by Prophesie Secondly What is the testimony they give forth By Prophesie wee may understand three things First to prophesie it is to foretell things to come to declare things that shall come to passe according to that saying in Esa 42. 9. Behold former things are come to passe and new things doe I declare before they spring forth I tell you of them Now though this be chiefly meant of Christ yet it is foretold by the Prophet as being first revealed to him So that prophesie is a dlvine prediction or a foretelling of things to come by a heavenly revelation Secondly to prophesie sometimes is meant of understanding the mystery of prophesie or of such things as are forespoken of as to open and declare the mystery
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
ministration of all things should be in the hand of Christ and that himselfe should continually minister in the holy things of God Then without question Zerubbabel the chiefe governour and Joshua the high Priest these anointed ones were eminent types of Christ who was the anointed King and Priest over his Church into whose hands God hath put the judgement and administration of all things Fourthly and lastly These two olive trees are said to stand by the Lord of the whole earth Now there is none that stands by the Lord of the whole earth but Christ himselfe as appeares by that place Dan. 10. 21. The Lord speaking by an Angel to Daniel saith I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth and there was none that boldeth with me or strengtheneth himselfe in these things but Michael your Prince The Lord had threatened to fight with the Prince of Persia and therefore saith to Daniel I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth this being a figurative speech doth mean the determinate counsell and minde of God and that none strengtheneth himselfe but Michael the Prince as if he had said There is no humane force or power whereby I will sustaine my selfe but by Michael the Archangel Jesus Christ the Prince Leader and chiefe Conductor of his people To stand by the Lord of the whole earth notes these four things First Dignity and honour that is peculiar onely to Christ according to that of the Apostle where he saith God hath exalted him and given him a name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above every name Phil. 2. 9. Christ in taking our nature made himselfe of no reputation or as the word signifieth he evacuated himselfe he did as it were exhaust and draw himselfe dry denuding and stripping himselfe of all his glory but now in his exaltation standing before the Lord his excellency and glory doth shine forth Secondly It notes power and strength for to stand before the Lord is all one with sitting at Gods right hand mentioned Heb. 10. 11. Gods right hand in Scripture is taken Metonymically for strength whereby Christ is enabled to uphold and protect his people and to dissipate and scatter all his enemies as having all things subjected under his feet Hence it is said He standeth before the God of the earth God is called the God of heaven Dan. 2. 18. Here he is called the God of the carth noteing that though Antichrist seemeth to bear all the sway in the world yet Christ hath the rule and world yet Christ hath rule and power of things in the earth and he rules in the kingdomes of men and that he interposeth and meddles in all secular affaires in order to his owne kingdome and to the preservation of his owne people Thirdly It notes the actuall administration of the kingdome of God to be put into the hands of Christ for the Father hath loved him put all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. And in respect of the dispensatory part of the kingdome of God the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son John 5. 22. And hath appointed him over his owne house Heb. 2. 8. So that Christ by standing before the Lord is impowered to subject the hearts of men to himselfe captivating the thoughts and imaginations of his people to counsell and direct to govern and protect them and also to tread upon the necke and power of his adversries confounding their plots and destroying of their persons Fourthly To stand before the Lord of the whole earth acceptation and delight to be as it were alwayes in the eye and heart of God and this priviledge is eminently attributed to Christ in Prov. 8. 22 23 24 c. The Lord Possessed me in the beginning of his way before his workes of old the phrase of beginning is put for eternity a parte ame as we say as if Christ should have said even from eternity before the creation of the world I was my fathers darling for when he made the heavens girded the sea and gave the unresistible decree that it should keepe it's bounds I was as one brought up with him I was as a child with the father I was daily his delight The Hebrew word is in the plurall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 number delights intimating that Christ was the greatest delights of the father he was variety of delights unto him in so much that while God was making of the world he took such delight in him that he made all things by him that is he made all things as bearing some analogy or proportion of him So that every creature hath some Character some inscription or shadow of his excellency upon it Againe he addeth I was alwayes rejoycing before him In the Hebrew it is sporting greatly the phrase being a metaphor or simile taken from little children that sport and play before their parents Thus Christ is alwayes standing before the Lord being his continuall delight his joy and rejoycing as alwayes in his eye and favour Thus we see plainly who is meant by the two olive trees namely Christ who standeth on the right side and on the left side of the Candlestick emptying oyle out of himselfe being the anointed one of God standing by the Lord of the whole earth Now it followeth that we shew who are meant by the two Candlesticks The two Candlesticks doe represent unto us the Saints and servants of Christ the whole number of Churches and beleevers and this will appeare if we consider some particulars in relation to these Candlesticks First These receive oyle into themselves as the olive trees doe emptie oyle out of themselves so the Candlesticks receive in oyle into themselves As it was said of Aaron that the oyntment powered upon his head ran downe to the skirts of his garment Psal 133. 2. Alluding to that fragrant oyntment made of so many precious ingredients mentioned Exod. 30. 23. So Christ being filled with heavenly and divine anointings that all his members receive of his fulnesse Joh. 1. 16. They receive an unction from the boly One I Joh. 2. 20. There is in Christ plenitudo redundantie a fulness of redundancy and everlasting spring of heavenly grace continually flowing forth upon all his people whereby they are filled with the fullnesse of God Eph. 3. 19. and are replenished with a perfect supply of light and life Thus the Saints are made the anointed ones of God by receiving the golden oyle into themselves though it be true they receive it as it were at second hand as through a Mediator Christ having first received of his father all fullnesse of divine grace doth abundantly communicate to all that are his Secondly These Candlesticks were sayd to be made of pure gold Revel 1. 12. According to the description we finde in Exod. 25. 31. which denotes the purity and righteousnesse of the Saints Christ himselfe is sayd to be a head of gold Cant. 5. 10.
of the Spirit that the Apostle doth intimate saying The spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirits c. Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit doth seale adoption upon our hearts by witnessing to our spirits or with our spirits our spirits being renewed and witnessing to the truth of God his spirit doth concur and agree with our spirits in the same testimony Now the Father Word and Spirit that beare this heavenly record are not said to agree in one but they are one they are one in essence and nature but distinct in operation and discovery The father is the originall and fountaine of blessednesse and therefore called the father of lights Jam. 1. 17. As being the root of all wisdome and knowledge and every other good thing The Son is the very forme and appearance of divine excellency and therefore called the image of the invisible God Col. 1. 15. for in him we behold the glory of God as in a glasse or image which in it selfe is invisible and undiscernable The Spirit is that which doth make an irradiation or discovery of the Father and Son The spirit of truth saith Christ shall testifie of me Joh. 15. 26. Now these three are one in essence and being they goe forth together in one they give a single and pure testimony immediatly and without any medium coming between To this purpose observe a passage spoken by Christ when he saith If any man love me he will keepe my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Joh. 14. 23. But how is it that both the Father and the Son will come to abide and lodge in the cottage of the beleevers heart that is onely by the sending forth the spirit that Christ had promised as a Comsorter which was to be the Chariot of the Son and of the Father in one Here is the Trinity in unity viz. the Father and Son both coming forth in the Spirit and dwelling in the hearts of his people Now this testimony of the Father and the Son and Spirit in One is that divine and heavenly record that gives a sure evidence or evident assurance unto the heart of the riches and glory of God the love and goodnesse of Christ the light and truth of the Spirit whereby the soule of a beleever is made to sit downe in heavenly places with Christ and rejoyce in a pleorophery or full assurance of faith to triumph in the evidence of divine love to be satisfied in the true image of righteousnesse and heavenly life engraven in the heart Now accordingly as the Saints receive in this testimony so they demonstrate the same before the world as being alwayes ready to give forth what ever they receive from the Lord. Such as have received this heavenly witnesse are able to give out a far more glorious testimony of the truth and glory of God then those that have received the former earthly testimony even as the Disciples were more enlarged by the testimony of the Spirit then they wereby their being present with Christ in the flesh Thus we perceive the ground why the Saints are called two Candlesticks First because they consisted of Jewes and Gentiles Secondly because they receive and consequently give forth a twofold testimony the first earthly the second heavenly Now lastly we are to enquire how Christ intimated here by the two olive trees should be joyned with the two Candlesticks and brought in as a witnesse in sackcloth in the severall ages and times of the raigne of Antichrist and seeing that all this hath been done since Christ left the earth Unto which I answer First Christ and his Saints make but one compleat body are joyned as head and members being knit together by one Spirit This the Apostle doth affirme in 1 Cor. 12. 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so is Christ for by one spirit we are baptized into one body As it is in the naturall body so it is in the spirituall which consisteth of diverse members and they of different offices and operations yet they make but one body The Church is called the fulnesse of his body that filleth all in all Ephes 1. 23. as Christ is the fulnesse of all spirituall supply unto his Saints so his Saints are the fulness of his body both would be defective and as it were maiâ—â—d if they were seperated or disunited one from the other Now in as much as Christ and his Sâ—iâ—ts make but one and both make up but one body Hence it is that the testimony of the Saints is attributed to Christ he being joyned with them in prophesie even in the dayes of Antichrists â—â—igne Secondly though Christ be absâ—nt in body yet is present in spirit and by his spirit doth abide with his people continually and â—â—â—ble them to prophesie Christ himselfe gave forth nâ— other testimony then that he received from the Father for 〈…〉 â— of my selfe doe 〈…〉 as I 〈…〉 John 5. 30. Even so the Sâ—iâ—ts 〈◊〉 cannot beare witnesse unto the truth bat as they are enabled thereunto by the spirit of truth That which we have seen and heard saith the Apostle declare we unto you c. And this is 〈…〉 which we have heard of him 1 Joh. 1. 3. 5. So that the Saints receive their message and testimony from the spirit of Christ and accordingly they prophesse And in this respect Christ may also be sayd to prophesie in these latter times Thirdly the testimony of Christ and his Saints is one and the same The Saints of old gave forth their testimony in their appointed times and seasons they did beare witnesse to the truth of God against the same spirit of wickednesse that was acted in their dayes even as the witnesses in sackcloth have done under the powerfull raigne of the beast Thus did Mordicay and the Jewes testifie against the pride cruelty of Hammon Thus did Christ himselfe when he was present upon earth testifie against the hypocrisie and wickednesse of the Scribes and Pharisees And thus hath the Saints in all the dayes and ages of the man of sin given forth a faithful testimony for the truth of Christ opposing the falshood and deceit of all the wayes of the man of sin Thus we see that the very testimony of the Saints is the testimony of Christ it 's Christs cause and quarrell they are engaged in well therefore may Christ be brought in and joyned with the witnesses here Fourthly and lastly Christ doth not performe this here spoken of him in his person but in his members 't is not Christ immediatly and by himselfe but mediatly and by his Saints It 's Christ mystically that is alwayes opposing of Antichrist Suitable unto this is that passage in 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. speaking of Christ saith That he went by the spirit and preached unto those spirits now in prison having been disobedient unto the
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
lye Hence it is said that the beast opened his mouth in blasphemy against God his name Tabernacle and people Revel 13. 6. Now to blaspheme is to speak evill to revile and reproach the testimony of the Saints to bring some blot upon the truth they stand to maintaine Thus we see how certaine it is that the enemies will oppose and hinder the witnesses in the course of their prophesie And as certaine it is that the enemies shall suffer for this their attempt Secondly the meanes by which the witnesses do oppose their adversaries fire proceedeth out of their mouths to devour their enemies As before we had a description of the witnesses by the two anointed ones relating to Zerubbabel and Joshua so here we have their actions declared by an allusion unto Moses and Elias both which were revenged for wrong done upon their enemies by fire from heaven Thus you may read in Numb 16. 35. That when Korah and the rest of his company did rise up in rebellion against Moses fire comes from heaven destroys those two hundred and fifty chiefe men of the Congregation of Israel Also of Elias you have it related 2 Kings 1. 10 11. That when Ahaziah sent two captains with their fifties to apprehend the Prophet â—ire cometh downe from the Lord and destroys both the Captaines and their fifties So here the witnesses are said to command fire to consume their enemies This cannot be meant of a materiall but of a mysticall fire that the witnesses do thus breath out of their mouths It is the word of their testimony that doth consume and destroy their adversaries it is this fire that doth constantly torment and devour them Thus we have the word often called fire in Scripture Jere. 23. 29. Is not my word like fire saith the Lord And we have the Lord telling the Prophet that he would make his word as fire and the people wood and it should devour them Jer. 5. 14. So here the witnessâ—â— thougâ— in sackcloth testifie against all the wickednesse of Antichrist their persons are oppressed their testimony contemned but the word of their testimony is as fire proceeding out of their mouths to devour their opposers The Adversary shall in this manner be killed by the Fire that issueth out of the mouths of the Witnesses Sutable hereunto is that passage in Isa 9. 5. where the Prophet speaking of Christ prevailing over his Enemies saith For every battaile of the warriour is with confused noyse and garments rolled in blood but this shall be with burning and fewell of â—ire This should be of another manner and kinde then the ordinary battaile of the Warriour this should be Fire or by the two-edged sword that proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ The fire that goeth forth out of the mouths of the witnesses is all one w th the brightnes of Christs coming mentioned in 2 Thes 2. 8. by which Antichrist shall be destroyed The light and glory of Christs word that the Witnesses give forth as fire out of their mouths â—â—all destroy Antichrist This is the very forme and manner of Antichrists destruction though happily some that uphold his cause may fall by the Sword in respect of their pâ—â—sâ—nâ— as 〈◊〉 of the Witnesses have suffered death for giving forth a testimonie of the truth yet the cause and being of Antichrist shall be destroyed in this manner even by the word of truth that proceeds out of the mouths of the Witnesses The words being thus opened take notice of these observations they afford unto us First That the Adversaries of Christ Obser 1. are alwayes ready to hurt his witnesses It is most certain that the friends of Antichrist are alwayes willing to oppose the friends of Christ These Prophets are cast out rejected and slightâ—d by the men of the world The seed of the Serpent is continually making War with the seed of the Woman The Dragon waited to devour the Man-childe that the woman was about to bring forth Rev. 12. 4. And though he could not wholly prevail yet hee cast forth a flood of persecution afâ—â—â— her and makes Warr with the remnant of her seed ver 16. 7. Secondly They that goe about to hurt Obser 2. the Witnesses or hinder them in the course of their Prophesie shall not goe unpunished There is none that offers violence to the Prophets of the Lord but shall receive their just demeâ—â—â—s the Fire that proceeds out of the mouths of the Witnesses shall devour them in this manner they shall be killed even by the word of their testimony There was never any person or people that dealt cruelly with the deare servants of the Lord but the hand of God found them out The Psalmist speaking of the glorious conduct of the children of Israel through the wildernesse by the powerful hand of God saith He suffered no man to doe them wrong he reproved KINGS for their sakes saying Touch not mine anointed nor doe my Prophets no harme Psal 105. 14 15. There might none hurt or injure they might not harm nor persecute the anointed ones of God for the Lord had sharpely rebuked Kings for their sakes All the woes and calamities all the judgments and confusions that ever came upon Kings Kingdomes States or powers have been for the hurting and opposing of his people In like manner all the plagues that are this day upon the world all the War Famine Death and all plaguâ—â— are for the persecuting reviling and misusing of the Witnesses And this shall be the portion of all men of what rank quality or degree soever be they never so wise or learned be they never so great or powerful that shall oppose and hinder these witnesses in the course of their Prophesie must in this manner be killed Fire shall proceed out of their mouths and destroy them they shall be tormented burnt and consumed by the word of their testimony Thirdly observe That the Witnesses Obser 3. shall prevaile against their Enemies by the word of their testimonie The testimonie that the Witnesses give forth is as fire in the bosome of al their adversaries and shall eate them out and consume them Hence it is said the Lord will slay the wicked by the breath of his lips Isa 11. 4. By the breath of Christ uttered by the lips of his people and by the brightnesse of his coming in the light and knowledg of his Saints he wil destroy Antichrist God will judge the world and burne up the earth by fire This fire of the Lord conveyed into the world by the mouths of the Witnesses shall destroy all that is before it all greatnesse and dominion all power Ecclesiastical and Civill all the forms and superstitions of Antichrist are consumed brought to nothing by this fire that proceedeth out of the mouths of the Witnesses Our late experience hath taught us that whensoever the Saints and faithfull of God have given out the word of their testimonie against whatsoever superstitious inventions whatsoever
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 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
cannot properly be taken for one street for thero is no great Citie made of one street but indeed the word as rendred by the Septuagint signifies a whole Countrey the whole confines or bounds of a place So that this street cannot be meant of one street or distinct place but of the whole territory and largenesse of Dominion the whole compasse and extent of all the Nations and Churches that are under the authority and command of Antichrist the utmost limits and extreme bounds of largenesse and greatnesse is here intimated by the street In the third place we come to a description of this Citie and that is First by resemblance first to Sodome secondly to Egypt Secondly by some carriage or action of this Citie towards Christ it 's the place where our Lord was crucified The Citie is described by a resemblance to Sodome and Egypt in a metaphoricall way for here we have the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually which means something that 's spirituall and mysticall not that it 's spirituall as opposed to carnall or earthly but as opposed to Sodome and Aegypt literally and properly so called Then it 's meant of Metaphoricall Sodome and of Mysticall Aegypt by way of an allusion or resemblance First Sodome was a place full of filthiness and uncleanness as we have the relation in Gen. 19. And the iniquity of Sodome was sayd to be pride and fulnesse of bread and abundance of idleness and lasciviousness Ezek. 16. 49 50. It was with this abominable wickedness that righteous Lot was so much vexed and perplexed in spirit at the sight and beholding thereof Suitable unto this is the spirituall uncleanness and filthiness gf Antichrist called the mother of Harlots full of abominations corrupting the earth by her uncleanness and intoxicating the whole world with the wine of her fornications In a word all the whoredome fornication and abomination of Sodome are spiritually hatched and acted by this whorish woman this great City Babylon the great this Antichristian Church this abominable Strumpet the great Harlot of the world Secondly we have a resemblance to Aegypt First in respect of Idolatry and and Superstition as appears Exod. 12. 12. They were full of Idols and false gods they did worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship their Kine and other Cattell for it was the custome of the Heathen to worship that for Gods that the Israelites were to offer in sacrifice unto God Hence it was that Moses would not that the children should offer Sacrisice untill they were come forth of Aegypt lest they should follow the example of the Aegyptians Secondly Aegypt was full of tyranny and oppression towards the children of Israel their Task-masters laid on heavy burthens on their shoulders and that with much vigour and cruelty as 't is related in Exod. 1. 13. The taske-masters of Aegypt and the oppression of Pharaoh made it to be the very house of bondage The same things are found in mysticall Aegypt as Idolatry and superstition all the whole bundle of Antichrists worship is but of carnall invention and humane institution yea it is spirituall whoredome and Idolatry So also may we finde in her all the cruelty and oppression of Aegypt here are those Task-masters that by their civill power and Ecclesiasticall Laws doe continually vex and torment the Saints As once Pharaoh destroyed the male children of the Israelites so the Dragon standing before the woman ready to devoure her children and when the woman flyeth into the wildernesse for shelter and relief he casts a flood of persecution after her and continually maketh warre with the remnant of her seede which keepe the commandement of God have the testimonie of Jesus Christ Rev. 12. 4. 16 17. Thus you see how the great Citie is resembled 1. To Sodome for pride and filthiness 2. To Aegypt for idolatry and oppression The second description of the Citie by its carriage and action it 's where our Lord was crucified This cannot be meant literally or according to the letterâ— for so Christ was crucisied at Jerusalem but it is meant spiritually and mystically that Christ is crucified in his truth and members in Sodome and Aegypt it 's the pride and filthinesse of Sodome and the cursed idolatry and cruelty of Aegypt that doth alwayes crucifie Christ in his lawes and servants but consider First though Christ in his person was put to death at Jerusalem yet hee was crucified by a Roman power condemned by Pilate a Roman Judge and was adjudged by a Roman kinde of Ioh. 18. 31. Mat. 20. 19. death and was executed by the Romane Souldiers and all was done under the Roman jurisdiction territorie government and dominion which here for filthinesse and abomination is called Sodom and for idolatry and oppression is called Aegypt So in this respect Christ himselfe may be said to be crucied in Sodome and in Aegypt But Secondly Christ is crucified mystically and that is in his truth and laws in his members and people Acts 9. 5. Saul why persecutest thou mee which words do import that Christ is crucified in his people So that as Christ was brought in adjoyned in testimony and witnesse with his Saints in like manner he comes in as suffering with them also So that here is some resemblance between the suffering of Christ and his witnesses For as Christ was put to death by a heathening Roman power so by the raign and dominion of Antichrist the Witnesses are put to death also and Christ is crucified in them It was the wickednesse of the Scribeâ— and Pharisees that accused Christ of Judas that betrayed him of Pilate and the high Priest that condemned him of the Gentile souldiers that crucified him all this wickednesse heightned in Antichrist grows into the uncleannesse and filthinesse of Sodome and into the eâ—â—ity and cruely of Aegypt doth make Warre against he Witnesses and kill them So that it is not so much meant of the place where Christ or his Saints are oppressed â—â— to shew that the wickedness and impiety that put Christ to death is the very same wickednesse that Antichrist doth exeroise in killing of the faiâ—hâ—ul seâ—vants and Witnesses of Christ The words being unfolded we now come to give some observations from them First observe That the external forms 1 Observ of worship that Antichrist useth are but as a dead body or carkass Such was the Temple Priest-hood and worship of the Jewes when God had departed from them such also is all the worship service of Antichrist it 's not so much the superficies or external form that he doth oppose but the spirit of life that breathed forth in them by the Prophesie of the Witnesses As the bodie becoms a Karcase when the spirit life is departed so is the external and formall part of worship when the spirit of God hath departed from it The Apostle tells of a forme of godliness without the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.