as my own apprehension That the Lord of hosts will not make his worm Jacob a new sharp threshing-instrument having teeth nor Israel his battle-ax and weapons of war with which he will thresh the mountains and break in pieces Nations destroy Kingdoms c. until the foresaid time that is the three years and half are accomplished The saws came not forth from Babylon by the Proclamation of Cyrus till the seventy years were fulfilled Neither were their fathers before them â— brought ouâ— of Egypt till the whole time was run out which the Lord had fore-appointed for their sojourning there And it came to pass saith the text at the end of the four hundred and thirty years EVEN THE SAME DAY it came to pass that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt Exod. 12. 41. So now in the spirit of meekness be it spoken it is not the Lord's minde I verily think that the Stone should be smiting the Image or the little Horn to take away his dominion and to consume and destroy it until the times time and dividing of time be out which by divine counsel they are to have Now whereas some may object that saying of Christ For the elects sake these days shall be shortned Matth. 24. 22. Mar. 13. 19 20. as if this might be gathered from it That the set time mentioned in Scripture viz. the fourty and two months and the three years and half may be shortned and so Gods people go forth before it be expired I answer There is I conceive a great mistake in the understanding of that place For Christ speaks not of any shortning of the set and fixed time allowed the little Horn or Babylon or the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth or their lying slain but the meaning is There would be such calamities and miseries in the world that unless the Lord should shorten the time no flesh could be saved But of what time speaks he not of the fixed time that is he means not the one thousand two hundred and sixty days or fourty and two months or the three days and half but speaks of Time largely as if he should say If the Lord should permit these calamities to continue many thousand generations there would be a consumption and end of all mankinde but for the love he bears to his chosen he hath shortned the time that is in his holy counsel determined the woman in the wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth shall not exceed such a time So the little Horn the Beast and Babylon c. So that by shortning the time he means not any set time of years mentioned in Scripture but shortned that is it shall not exceed the years so and so appointed CONSID. XIII But that I may not be mistaken in some things I said before as first Beginning at the head of the account thus I would be understood Howsoever I think it is very uncertain to know exactly the period of the Beasts dominion beginning at the head of the account neither doth the Spirit of God intend to lead his people in such a way viz. through the confusion and contradiction of humane Histories to finde out CERTAINLY the time of the end but in the way here mentioned Notwithstanding if it come to pass that some good men by their labours and studie beginning at the head do period their account with our three years and half or miss not much the blessed truth by this is the more confirmed and the Lords good hand and wonderful providence greatly seen in it Again heretofore both others and my self too have sought to finde out the end of the Numbers by searching the rise of the Beast because then we understood no other way and in that respect following the light we had the Lord no doubt was well pleased with our upright endeavours yea and gave a blessing to it witness the fruit and advantage which many precious souls in this Nation have had thereby So that I am so far from seeking to have the blessed memory of our former Worthies any way darkned as I profess in the fear of God I judge my self to come short of many of them and if any thing delivered by me be clearer in respect of the time it is because THE TIME OF THE END is now neerer then when they wrote So for the Signes of the Times I am for them rightly improv'd as much as any man When these things begin to come to pass then look up saith Christ and list up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21. 28. Indeed these Signes by Saints in all places ought much to be minded Christ blamed the Jews for their neglect of this thing Matth. 16. 3. And I must confess from the Signes of the times I have had much light and encouragement in this present Undertaking Onely my opinion is To know when the set-time is come for the Stone to begin to smite and the last plagues to be poured out we have no Scripture-light to be guided by but the three years and aâ— half And when this time is come it will be as easie to know the beginning and ending of it as to discern the Little Horn the later Apostacie and Beast CONSID. XIV To conclude with an humble and brotherly word â—o all in all places who are for the kingdom-Kingdom-work and desire to follow the Truth in love and light I have no designe O ye precious ones to weaken your hearts or hands in the work of your Generation and your appearing for your KING and mine but rather to strengthen and encourage you in whatsoever is from him and for him These CONSIDER ATIONS I shall leave with you as a Manuduction to the other Part. All which gathered together speak thus 1. It seems to me as grounded on Scripture until the three years and half begin and are well-nigh expir'd which are the last of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years Gods people will not understand the period of the Time Neither 〈◊〉 may we say that such a time is come unless we see the Little Horn in Daniel the Apostacie foretold of Paul and the Beast slaying the Witnesses all these must appear together with all the Characters specified in the places and contemporize 3. When such a time is come Saints shall certainly know it before it doth expire 4. By all the search and enquiry I have made I do not see any way but this to finde out the time of the End if we take the Word of God for our light and guide 5. Until these three years and half are finished the rod of the Lords strength will not go out of Zion So that to begin war against Babylon or any of the Powers of this world upon the account of the fifth kingdom is not I humbly conceive to follow the Lamb but to go before him I say if the aforesaid three years and an half be not come and ended Lastly seeing we are not
had rather drink poyson out of their own Golden-cup Rev. 17. 4. then wholesom liquer or sound Doctrine out of an Earthen-cup such poor desposed vessels as we are But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 7 8. Whiles we are troubled on every side c. yet indeed I do think I may say as Eccles 12. 10 11. This Preacher sought to finde out acceptable Words and that which was written by this Coheleth or in Arab. Gamiyo gatheror is upright even words of truth yea as goads and nails fixed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like Centres for other lines to run unto after the masters of Sentences from one Pastor Meroyeh Echad or Shepherd of Souls even Christ The knowledge of the Times begins now to be a Language better understood in these days of the Kingdom Gospel lock'd up in former ages because sealed up for this or the time of the end the last but these that spend their time in getting the knowledge without the practice will be but like the Limner of some fair thing for he draws it out but enjoys it not Knowledge is the Commencement but Obedience the Act the first prepares but this perfects our skill in the times So many shall run to and fro Jeshottetu turn about and knowledge shall increase Dan. 12. 4. that is an active stirring knowledge rather more in Practice then Speculation for the Grace and truth came together by Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 17. whereas the Law or Letter may come another way as Daniel's first knowledge of the times by Books Dan. 9. 2. But his second and special understanding into these times by a better teaching Dan. 9. 22 23. The first prepared the last perfected This Special Teaching or more by inspiration and practical judgement I am perswaded this aged Brother and companion in tribulation hath not onely by his considerations to ballast us with in the first place and his clearness in the time of the end to fraught us with in the next place but in his large sails good tackling fair and constant gales which attend him all the way as he glides into the discovery of this Terra incognita the little Horn whose Characters and Marks are made so plain as he that runneth now may read them and avoid them too if God give grace though mindless-men will never believe the plague iâ— so till they see the Tokens or else Lord have mercy upon us to be written upon their very doors Nor am I without a Witness now from man to the same Truths sealed to me in my Pathmos-Isles and Palmony-Prisons and prepared about two years since for the publike view could they have past the presses upon these very Points Principles of Truths and Characters of the time with the previous signs of the End at hand but to my great affliction they lay defunct and dead till now the Lord hath rais'd up another in a more burning and shining Light much more grave able and acceptable upon this subject so that I am satisfied for present as if I were fully paid both in the Principal and Arrears because as Joh. 5. if I may use my Lords Words as to what I have received from him through grace in these things I have a Greater Witnes then that of John but if I bear witness of my self my witness is not true Therefore I have more reason then another to think the ensuing matter taught of God and to joyn with this Brother this old Sufferer and Standard against the Prelates and Tyrants old and new in Wing and Word seeing without so much as conference or any occasional way of communicating our light in these matters each to other ye when wholly ignorant for my pâ—rt of his Light herein I should hear in publike from him what I received onely from the Lord and him that hath the seven Spirits in my prisons and accordingly had prepared them for the press the very same things Florid Truths Diaphanous and open Assertions and Marks of the Times the little Horn the second Beast and the last Apestacy especially threaded together into one with so sweet and easie clear and compact an harmony both of time and place after the Daniclian and the Apocalyptick accounts conjunct as I was carried by the spirit into it before through the Eye of a Needle which a Shivell d thread could never get through and wherein I knew not of one man of my Light Faith and Judgement before So that as I am by experience perswaded he was awakened of God unto this Work as the Prophet saith morning by morning Isai 50. 4 So I cannot but bless the L rd for this concurrence of light that out of or in the mouths of two or three witnesses every word may be established Mat. 8. and that the nearer the lines are to the Center the nearer they may and must be one to another particularly upon the little Horn in my Chronography of the little time Dan. 7. I did trace the Truth with the same foot and faith and first travers d the trajections and enervate the objections of them that would have it Mahomet Caesar the fourth Monarchy or Antichrist by strenuous Arguments ab ortu tempore modo fine Ratione equilibrio from the Rise of it so long after the Hydra-headed fourth Beast from the time of it as the last limb of this fourth Beast and that a loco too it being but in one dominion though consisting and in the place of three Horns Provinces saith Calvin upon the place and gives this reason for it quia Romani miâ—tere solebant in singulas Provincias quasi Reges because the Roman Empiredom was wont to send men like Kings but not Kings into their Provinces and so they did Constans hither into England for one Province when they conquered it From his manner of coming up to and continuing in it â—sque ad consummationem iâ—ae till the judgement sit and saith Calvin upon the Analytical Cha. 11. 21. he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries or Beshulovah in a quiet way that is applying it to Antiochus Epipha saith he obtendet fallaciâ—er Nomen Tutoris he fallaciously assume or draw over to himself the name of a Protector or Preserver so saith Mayo on Nehemiah he did at the first take the Title of Protector and afterward of King and he must speak great swolling words Sesquipedalia or decempâ—dâ—liâ— verba against the most High or for the most High as our friend here observes only with this further note â—at it is Letzad which is properly in breath whereby he will seem large to take in all that is for God and Christ and not to limit but it is Letzelang not Tzad which signifies in length or far enough So that for all that he shall speak large for God yet he shall fall short in doing what he saith And it further is proved from the end
of his rise to fill up the measure Dan. 8. 17 19 23. wear out the Sâ—ints and think to change Laws and the Times Now this must be in Novissimis Diebus in the last time of the Times or at the three years and half and not at the Rise of the fourth Monarchy or Antichrist in the first Apostacy but of the Man of sin and mystery of iniquity that must be revealed by the last Apostacy and Defection 2 Thef 2. 8. Rev. 17. 5. Hence Iustin Martyr in Dial cum Tryph. p. 336. called the little Horn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Man of the Apostacy Further from Reason and proportion of things therein I proved how unavoidably they are huâ—ricanoed into absurdities that assert the little-horn Government to be the fourth Monarchy or Pope or Turk or the like and though it be abundance more arduous to determine in the Positive who he is then in the Negative who he is not yet between both and in the Argumentative I may say many marks to know him by are now brought to light which before have been hid as will suddenly pursue the discovery of him into a hew and cry after him where ere he lurks But thus I say the Author doth help us much and like some excellent Musioian hath a grace above others to the car by stops So that according to the Arabick Adage Gamalon bimaudiâ—i Gamalin jarkabo A Camelin the place of a Camel may bend his knee and so doâ— to yield all that I could have said upon this Subiect to what he hath said and so energetically cleared in this book leaving them to apply that finde the little Horn out by these descriptions But a little more particularly and 1. To the men of these Times that serve the Times and men it may be they must of course be offended with this Treatise and think it too plain but poor Wretches are they so unsound that they must not be touched no! nor at such a distance neither how then would they have endured the primitive Spirit and plain-dealing Saints in those dayes then Must we counterfeit with you and come to you with Pythanology must we either speak in Tropes and Figures or else in Ropes and Faggots or imprisonment at least durante bene-placito Do you take us by the Throat saying Pay me what you owe me yea what we do not owe you and can you think to have compassion shewn you or yours when the judgement sits See but Mat. 24. 49. with Mat. 18. 33 35. Shouldst not thou also have had Compassion And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the Tormentors c. Can you be called a Christian Government that so far exceed the very Heathens in this matter Why Titus Vespasian when one spake scurrilously of him said Ego cum nihil faciam dignum propter quod contumelia afficiar nihil cuâ—o c. Well! if I have done nothing worthy of these Reports or to be thus spoken ill of I care not but if I have O then I have more reason to be angry w th my self the Transgressor then with him the Relater for he hath told nothing but the truth then He sent not out his Pursuivants presently or Sword men to apprehend such a Man Nor did we ever read among the Heathen that Tâ—câ—â—â— was ever blamed or punish d for personating and publishing Tiberius's dissimulation Nero's Cruelty Sejâ—nus's pride Mâ—sâ—alina s Adultery or Domitian's Tyranny and bruitishâ—esâ— though he was his very Creature and advanced by him And good Lord are we worse then Heathen yea then the Heathen at this day as in China where the Zaulâ— and Choli have their liberty to say any th ng against the evils of their Emperor and his Government then the Dragon Government of the Heathen at that day and yet these men that make us offenders for words Isa 29. 21. yea Words of truth and sobriety too imprisoning and persecuting year after year contrary to the Rule of Reason N uure and Religion would be accounted fain the farrest and best Government of any before it but alas for th m let men say what they will we see it and feel it every day to be of the Beast and more bruitâ—sh then those that have gone before bloody Mary her self abhorring to make it Treason for words as they have done Yet for this we bless our over-ruling God that as to Beasts of the greatest power is given the least immanity so to these of the greatest ferocity the least force for the curst Cow hath but short horns 2. To the Academies Heathen schools and Secular Clergy of England especially the Heads of Houses and Colledges Doctors and Learned men have we much to say if we might be heard or admitted to speak our minds freely 1. For that they have been such implacable enemies to the purest Truths and present testimony in every age how fierce against the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes yea against the Brownists and Puritans in Queen Elizabeth's and King Iames's dayes accusing them to the Powers and calling them as they do us absurd ridiculous frezzy fools illiterate fellows mad seditious and such as would bring all to ruine in Church and State sitter to be chastized by the Magistrate then refuted Vid. Defence of the Brownists in King James's daâ—es p. 114 115 c. this hath ever been their language against the Saints as they called Paul a Bablâ—r contradicting and blaspheming the Truth Act. 17. 19. Now it is our mercy to be of them that the Stoicks Peripateticks Academicks and Pythagoreans rage at and revile 2. Because we are perswaded in our very souls and know it that we have the Truth the Gospel the cause of Christ and the Testimony of Jesus on our side who suffer so by persecutions imprisonments oppressions over our consciences and faith in these matters Now me thinks it is easie for so many Learned wise and able Doctors Triers and Chaplains to handle us if we be in Error or out of the Way and to make it appear by the Word of God and convince us of it in charity therefore if they have received the Truth in the Love thereof we require it of them and adjure them to it in the name of him who shall shortly judge the quick and dead for the weaker we are the easier will their work be to answer us 3. For that some of your chiefest Heads were once of the same minde with us in these matters as appears by their Sermons and former practices untill they came to leave the Churches and their Pastor-ships for Colledge-places and Corner-caps and so became Vice-Chancellors Doctors Proctors Presidents Tryers and such as are in deep Traffick with the Whores merchandise Did we ever think the Dragons tail could drag down such Stars as these to the Earth to such earthly yea Antichristian titles Orders Customs Laws and Degrees as they have taken the Lord have mercy upon us with what fear and trembling do I think
praecipiendo vitia vel prohibendo virtutes teneretur Ecclesia credere vitia esse bona virtutes malas nisi vellet contra conscientiam peccare If this Head should erre in ordaining evil things or prohibiting good things the Church is bound to believe the evil things to be good and the good evil unless she will sin against conscience Again whereas All other sentences and judgements both of Councels and persons may be examined for that they may be corrupt but as the Head of the first Apostacie is above all Civil powers and free from all Constitutions whatsoever So whatsoever he acts approves or disapproves men are bound without either judging or disputing or retracting to approve or disapprove the same For here obedience must be without enquiring as a horse is obedient to his master and it were heresie to think otherwise To know therefore whether the Apostacie of this age be it of which Paul speaks we must consider the Parallel 1. If it be the same it hath its beginning and rise in the Churches of Christ and among eminent professors of the Gospel this appears by having a form of godliness 2. Self-love and covetousness is the root from whence it springs so much I shall shew presently 3. If it be the lâ—â—er Apostacie it must have a Head conformable to the first who in his actions must speak great things as the other did Dan. 7. 8 20 25. It is given into my hands to change times and laws and therefore I will do what I please neither shall there be any law but according to my will I am above the people and all their Representatiâ— s to call them when I please and to break them to pieces at my pleasure What I will shall be for Law whether it be above Law or against Law or without Law neither may any man say Sir why do you so For I am not nor will not be subject to any Law nor responsible for my actions to any Councel Court or Judicatory whatsoever Whom I think fit to banish imprison or any other way to destroy that I will do neither am I bound to give any reason to any man for it Those that acknowledge me to be their Head must justifie whatsoever I do for I judge him a State heretick and traytor that shall question my power or say that I may not do what I will I am free from all Constitutions of men all are bound to obey me without judging disputing or retracting I say All my commands and commissions must be obeyed without enquiring of Reason as the Horse or Ass is obedient to his master You that are enquiring after the Time of the end ought to minde this It is not the present Apostacie which is come upon us that the holy Ghost fore-tells in Timothy if it agree not with the first Apostacie namely had its beginning in the Churches of God and among professors of Religion occasioned through self-love covetousness and pride and hath a Head speaking great things as did the Head of the first Apostacie For judging and applying things this I leave to the unbyass'd Reader it being my work but to open the Prophecies But there is one thing and the Scripture notes it in which these two Apostacies agree not The former by reason of the abominable Lyes and damnable Heresies which were received was a departure both from the power of godliness and the form too The later being a falling away not in doctrines but manners will keep still a form of godliness but denying the power thereof I have thought sometimes what the reason might be that the holy Ghost useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hence we say apostacie being a word proper to Souldiers and borrowing it from them applies it to religious matters Whether it might not be closely foretelling of some eminent and notable falling away which would be among such kinde of men in the last days to the great scandal of the Gospel being high and glorious professors thereof But I proceed 2. And before we come to speak of the particular sins set down in 2 Tim. 3. it is worth observing the vices which are not there mentioned as Idolatry Adultery Murder Drunkenness common Swearing and such-like And no marvel for these are of so gross a kinde as they cannot well stand with a form of godliness and be defended and pleaded for as the sins there specified Here again the judicious Reader is desired to consider whether this come not home to the present Apostacie can the sins which are left out by the Spirit of God as Idolatry Adultery Murther c. be charged upon them at least so eminently visibly and generally as the sins in the text As for the vices which are not nam'd do they not preach against them and punish them But for the other which are nam'd if they are not as plainly seen in them as was the leprosie on Gehazâ—'s forehead they are not the MEN meant in Timothy So for the sins which are exprest we must not take it of personal failings that is of good men who by occasion fall into such sins for so we should condemn the generation of the righteous For who liveth and sinneth not But when the Apostle saith Men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous proud c. he means such MEN in whom these sins do reign and they live in them and are under the power of them and think it strange that other men run not with them into the same excess of riot and therefore speak evil of them This likewise must the Reader observe that the sins in Timothy cannot be applied to the Apostates of this age unless they walk after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3. 3 and are so far from acknowledging the evils which they have done as that they are hardned in them go on in the constant practice of them and yet say Stand by thy self come not neer to me for I am holier then thou Isai 65. 5. 3. It was foretold by the wisdom of God in Paul that the first Apostacie should be a departing from the Lord in points of Doctrine that is as I said a turning aside from the Truth to lyes and vanities 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 c. The other not in doctrine but vitious walking I hope the Reader will minde whether this is fulfilled in our time Are not the Tryers zealous men against the Idolatry of the first Apostacie They will tell you there must be no inventions in Gods worship but every thing must be according to the Pattern viz. Church Ministry Worship and Government But what say ye to the Characters of the later Apostacie are they not lovers of themselves covetous proud c. I wish for their own sakes it be not so Since my thoughts were upon this Apostacie I have been considering whether till now from the rise of the first Apostacie it hath been known that at any time the
admittunt videtur enim parentum nomen in genere complecti omnes qui nobis praesunt They regard not their Superiours neither will receive their Admonition by the word Parents all such as are set over us as Rulers and Governors are meant the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly is one that is refractory contumacious will be under no Subjection or Government So then the Apostates here foretold are such as shall cast off all Duty and Obedience of Children refuse to be under any Law Power Admonition c. They are the rebellious Children of whom Solomon speaks Rob their parents Prov. 28. 24. waste their father and chase away their mother Prov. 19. 26. mock them and despise them Prov. 30. 17. Foolish children which bring shame to their parents Here Reader like the wise man be sure to have thy eyes in thy head See if thou canst any that have rob'd the people of their Power Parliaments Laws Liberties c. have miserably wasted the Commonwealth in Men Money Shipping Trade c. And having done all this do laugh and mock at their Parents and by their contumacy and rebellion have made the Government and Governors which the Lord set over them a derision and scorn to all Nations round about If thou seest this thou hast the very sence and meaning of the Word Unthankful Junius renders it Negantes beneficium men that deny the benefits and good turns which others have done them The Pope was said to be like a mouse in a sachet or a snake in ones bosom who did ill repay their hosts for their lodgings I have shewed before of the likeness there must be between the two Heads They who banish and imprison their best friends and shew no cause for it they who lay daylie snares to entrap and destroy good men which first raised them they who make it most of their business to undo such as were most faithful to them and have done most for them because they will not leave their good old Principles of honesty and justice to follow them in unrighteous ways must needs by all rational men be judg'd VNTHANKFVL I have read some where how the Person that murâ—hered the Prince of Orange bought with the money which the Prince gave him the Pistol Powder and Shot wherewith he killed him an act of high Ingratitude But Reader suppose a people in their Representatives having raised any up and put Power into their hands and this gratis and of love they Turned that same Power against the people and therewith destroyed them their Laws Liberties Representatives c. yea more the Interest and Cause of Christ for whose sake that Power and Trust was committed to them Might not these be the unthankful men whom Paul speaks of It is said of Nero he used the destruction of his Country to his own benefit Tac. An. l. 5. c. 10. Unholy or prophane unsacred Quibus nullum jus est nec fast saith Beza So Baldvin Qui nullum jus nec fas curant men in whom is no Right Truth or Trust The Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for such as break Religious Covenants Vows Promises and Oaths make not conscience of any thing they promise either to God or man so they have again and some wordly advantage by breaking the same Hence the Arabick translates men altogether unjust The Aethiopick Departers from truth To finde out the Later Apostacy by this word it must be observed That the Holy Ghost doth not intend any low or small matter but what is publick general and to be known and seen every where This breaking of Religious Vows Oaths Promises c. and departing from Truth must be understood National Therefore I shall refer the Reader to the PROTESTATION made about the beginning of the Long-Parliament and to the Scots-Covenant and to the Ingagement which was drawn up and sent out by the Parliament for all the Nation who were then counted well-affected to sign which runs thus I do hereby declare and promise to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth as new established without a King and House of Lords As I am writing these things that saying of the Prophet is sadly upon my Spirit My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements Psal 119. 120. Oh how solemnly with hands lifted up to Heaven was it promised and sworn to to endeavour the extirpation of all Idolatry and Tyranny to maintain the just Priviledges of Parliaments and the Freedom Rights and Liberties of the People to take off all heavy yokes burdens and oppressions not to suffer the King to exercise an unlimited and Arbitrary Power to have Abuses and Corruptions reformed in Church State Now compare former Promises and Ingagements with present Actions and one of these two it must be that is since the First Apostacy arose never did men having a form of godliness violate so many Oaths Promises and Ingagements publickly made as the late Revolters have done or else the Present Apostacy is not that in Timothy To add one word more I have several times acquainted the Reader of the likeness between the Two Apostacies It is true The Later having a form of godliness cannot in that respect Assert for Doctrines and Principles what the former doth either in ascribing so much to their Head or in breaking Vows Oaths and Ingagements But for action what the former teacheth and doth that the Later will do but not Teach it As for Example beside the Practice it is allowed and justified by the Doctrine of the First Apostacy that men may break their Vows Oaths and Promises For thus they say If a man promise to do a thing having his reservation with himself that he doth not purpose to make his promise good he may deny that he promised any such thing neither telleth he any lye THOVGH HE HAVE SWORN TO DO IT because it was no obligatory Promise and so no Promise nor Oath at all But the Later Apostacy holding forth a glorious face and shew of Religion cannot teach this for Doctrine nevertheless the Holy Ghost tells us That in their Practices and Doings they shall be alike both Breakers of of Religious Vows Oaths Promises the one making no more conscience then the other as to Practice Without natural affection or inhumane uâ—â—â—â—iable Charitates exportes faith Beza 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 erant boâ—â—iâ—es fine naturalibus affectibus vel expertes expâ—â—â—â—â— charitatis vel expertes naâ—â—â—â— pieâ—◠〈◊〉 Mâ—n faith Scultetus on the place without natural Affections or void of natural Charity or void of native Piety Baldvin opens the word thus Men in whom all humanity and love is extinguished which Nature joyns one to another so that other mens evils are not pitied by them but their good envied It may be englished BEAST-LIKE As a Wolf sucking the blood of a Sheep doth it without pity and is delighted in the cruelty she useth 1. Wherein can men more shew
as belong to the Crimes of High-treason The like Act was made March 17 1648. and May 14 1649. Again in July 17 1649. it was Enacted That if any person shall maliciously or adâ—â—â—edly publish by writing painting or open declaring c. that the Commons in Parliament are not the Supreme Authority of this Nation or shall plot contrive or endeavour to stir up or raise force c. that every such offence shall be taken deemed and adjudged by the Authority of this Parliament to be High-treason Treason saith our Law is an offence committed against the Security Anâ—plitude and Majesty of the Common-wealth I am so far from taking the word Traitors for single persons or to apply it to things doubtful that I think the Holy Ghost intends a Combination of men and such as shall most eminently betray both Gospel and Law even Christ and their Countrey But I shall not take the Readers work out of his hand Heady or rash inconsiderate unstable fickle or giddy headed such as suffer them selves to be driven this way and that way by their passions and lusts Dutch Note The word as some think is taken from yong birds which venter to fly before their Feathers are grown or from little children who through their headiness fall and get many knocks When thou hast viewed their actions first and last beginning at their Instrument or new model of Government and consider what that was and how hastily done Their clapping up a sudden peace with the Dutch and making war as fast against Spain What loss we had of men and treasure at Hispaniola the manner how and what shame and scandal the English Nation had by it Then pass over to Jamaica and inform thy self truely what hath succeeded since their arrival Besides how many hundred Ships have been taken from us by the Dunkerkers whilst our Fleet were abroad for what I know not Their throwing of Good Men one while into Prison another while releasing them again without shewing any cause either for one or other Their Creating Major Generals like the Image that was made to the Beast preferring some to high Offices and Places whom they had before publickly charged to be Betrayers of their Country Summoning the Countries to chuse Parliament-men and when they came up sent them home again a hundred at a clap It would take up too much time to enumerate all particulars If these things considered prove them not Heady and Rash this then I would add It may be doubted and I do whether the Later Apostacy be fulfilled in them If any wise and sober man not being one of them can see upon any of their publick Actions wherein the good of the Commonwealth is concerned whereon there is not engraven and fairly to be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 HEADY RASH AND INCONSIDERATE Either it is so or this is not the last state Apostacy High-minded or puff d up as a Tympany for that sore comes from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 significat eos qui sibi videntur insignes in re quapiam aut opinione quam de se concipiunt ideo intumescunt The word saith Salmeron signifies men who to their own thinking are famous in their actions and opinion and being thus conceited of themselves are therefore puffed up Some Translators have Câ—eci blinde others Fanatici dementati fanatical and sottish Indeed the word doth signifie one that is blinde and wants his understanding yet conceives that he hath both fight and reason and would have others think so too It is not to be doubted but these men whose Apostacie is here arraign'd for King Craft and Statesmen deem themselves the None-such of the Word and all Ruling men before them Simplicians and laugh at their Commonwealth Notwithstanding if that which they are designing and building be 1. Against God and therefore he shortly will destroy it 2. If that which the Saints are every where praying against 3. If that which was done before by the King against the Priviledges of Parliaments and Liberties of the People 4. If that which the people every day more and more do hate them for 5. If that which may ruine their Families and render their Names odious to posteritie I say Should such be their designe and actions The Question is though highly conceited of their own opinion and doings whether according to the word here they are not in truth BLINDE and FOOLISH STONE BLINDE as the Aethiopick reads it Lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God greedy upon voluptuousness Old Translation The word signifies such as are Friends to pleasures Here Reader consider 1. The Heathenish vanities and sports taken up since this Apostacie was made banished and buried before witness what was done this yeer upon their Lord Majors day though an Independent and Church-member Such lightness and foolery was then as was a scandal to Religion and a grief to the Saints Many poor Christians wanting bread whilst they in wantonness vainly wasted away money see Amos 6. 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Where can we see any of the present Revolters specially if crept up into High Places and Offices whether at Court or in Country but they are voluptuous and given to pleasures yea those which seemed sometimes to be Barzilla's men so mortified to carnal pleasures and risen with Christ as such things were irksom and burdens to them But now who for excess and riot more then they who more then THESE MEN for fine Clothes sumptuous Houses costly Fare and Court-Fashions so that to see them now they are more like Dives then Barzillaâ— In every vanity and foolery as carnal and light as other men Truly I should have wondred to see this great Change among professors how Barzilla's are become Diveses's those who have preached much and printed much against base delights are now the Men addicted to them I say To see this I should have thought it strange but that I know this Prophesie of the Later Apostacy every jot and every tittle of it must be fulfilled Having a form of godliness or formality shew appearance an outward visage Quibus est species reverentiae Dei Junius in whom there is a shew of fear or worship of God Specieminanem sive inane simulacrum Piscator I beseech thee Reader Take notice of the singular Wisdom and Counsel of God who will discover the men of the Later Apostacy in that way which they think to cover their Apostacie How will the Later Apostates being lovers of themselves covetous Covenant-breakers Traytors c. think to hide these Vices so at least to hide them that they may not be thought to be the Apostates foretold in Timothy By having a form of godliness that is by their often praying fasting preaching and practicing Church Ordinances c. And how will the Lord make it known That they are the Apostates there prophesied of By having this form of godliness that is being men so forward for fasting and praying yet living all
c. yet do fast prey practice Church-Ordinances and pretend great zeal and conscience for the Interest of Christ and his people Again 3. How can this Later Apostacie be worse then that under Antichrist If understood of Quakers Ranters c. wherein are these men worse then the other it is true the Later Apostacie shall be worse then the Former in slaying the Witnesses The former destroyed good men but not their Testimony It killed the Body but not the Truth This Later shall kill the Truth but not the Body slay in most good men their Testimony and Witness for Christ but leave their persons unkilled True therefore as he saith Of the two State-Apostacies the last is the worse 4. That the Apostle should foretel the Later Apostacie to be heavy and perillous there is little ground to apply this to poor naked and inconsiderable persons Besides what have they done whom have they banished and imprisoned wherein have they been Traytors when did they change Laws and Times All which the Later Apostacy shall do and more too 5. Let the sins in the Text be viewed as I have open'd the words and compare them with Ranters Quakers c. it will appear they hold not parallel almost in any particular whereas the Text as I have said must not be wrested but such an Apostacie found out which agrees with the place altogether and in every thing 6. Seeing Ranters and Quakers err in Doctrine as holding dangerous opinions they come under the first Apostacie rather then the later Lastly If the evils which he mentioneth viz. when men forget all Rules of Law and Nature and break all bonds c. be essential characters of the later Apostacie I shall leave it to the Reader whether he cannot finde such things more visible certain somewhere else then among Ranters Quakers or Levellers Neither doth Paul alone speak of two Apostacies but Peter likewise and sets them down in the same manner the other doth the first of things viz. errors doctrines of devils 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3. the later of persons namely corrupt and sinful walkers 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. knowing this first that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation It is worth the heeding how the Apostles begin their Prophesies alike This know also saith Paul that in the last dayes Knowing this first saith Peter that there shall come in the last days c. 1. They would have Saints upon whom the Time of the End is come to observe well the Symptomes and Characters of the Later Apostacie Fore-warn'd fore-arm'd to know when this Apostacy is come will be a special preservative against it and to shun it and not to be parcaker of other mens sins 2. They both pitch upon one Time In the last dayes that is the three yeers and half as I have shewed before and as it is one time so the persons here are one and the same Scoffers When Popery overspread this Nation besides Persecution of tongues and hands the Papists endeavour'd to refute the Protestants by Scriptures Fathers Councels Antiquity c. And so did the Prelates after them the Non-Conformists and Separatists when the power was in their hands But what do we hear now Truly little more then scoffs and jests so that he is no body if he have not a jeer a gird some taunt or other that in their Pulpits against the Fiâ—t Monarchy-men And this I take to be the reason why the Holy Ghost useth the word Scoffers to signifie that besides jesting and mocking at the Assertors of Christs visible and glorious Kingdom little will be done by the Adversaries as to the confutation of them The Truth whereof appears evident at this present Time Psal 124. 3 4. 2 King 19. 3. Walking after their own lusts What these lusts are was shew'd before the sins mentioned by Paul 2 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5. The phrase walking after them denotes how their affections will be wholly set upon these lusts and so guided and led by them that all their Counsels and Designs shall be for the upholding and maintaining of them Insomuch that not a Soldier in the Army not a Mariner in the Navy not a Minister or Magistrate in the Nation shall be allowed if they be known they are men disaffected to the lusts proper to the later Apostacie Where is the Promise of his coming Had not this been added we should not have known what kinde of Scoffers the Holy Ghost intended But the words do manifestly shew who are meant It cannot be understood of Christ's coming to judgement at the last day For who scoffs at that all generally believe it It being an Article of their Creed Questionless therefore it must be taken of Christs personal coming to reign on earth and of the throwing down of Babylon and all the corrupt powers of the World and the bringing in of the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness This indeed is mockt at both in Court and Country The Promise of his coming which these Apostates are said to scoff at are these and such-like Dan. 2. 44 45. 7. â—4 27. Psal 2. 6 7 8. 45. 72. Rev. 2. 26. 5. 10. 11. 15 17. 20. 4. Luke 19. 12. Zach. 14. 1 2 3 4 c. Hos 3. 5. Isa 53. 12. Act. 1. 11. Joh. 1. 51. Act. 3. 19 20 21. Rom. 8. 19 20 21. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 11. Joh. 18. 36. That the Apostle brings in these Scoffers by way of Question where is the promise of his coming He doth it to shew the occasion of their scoffing This great Truth of Christs visible Kingdom and personal Reigning in it being publickly held forth by many and some going so far as to fix the time when the Lord as they thought would begin to Roar out of Sion and to utter his voice from Jerusalem Now nothing by the unbelieving Adversary being seen in order to it O what scoffing and jeering is there now Where is the promise of his coming Watchman what of the night watchman what of the night Where is your Kingdom Where are your reigning Saints where is your 56 and 57 Ha ha say they ye are dreamers indeed For since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were That this later Apostacie may be the better known when it comes The Holy Ghost shews what will be the saying of the Scoffers at that time You talk say they of wonders what great changes there will be in the world what breaking-work and destroying Kingdoms and Powers Nothing but overturning overturning overturning and that strang things and unheard-of will shortly come to pass But this proceeds from the folly and vanity of your hearts meer delusion for there is nothing new under the Sun but what is
himself and his Family great by the ruine of that CAUSE so much before pretended to In a word that hee is said to have Mans Eyes I take the meaning thus This Horn shall bee a notorious Hypocrite a very Atheist a Monster a monstrous Monster one that shall discover more Hypocrisy and Atheisme if his former and latter actions be compared together then ever was done before him by any person upon the face of the earth And a mouth speaking great things This is often mentioned I behâ—ld then because of the voice of the great words which the Horn spake vers 11. Again A mouth that spake very great things vers 20. the which is afterward explained by the Angel He shall speak great words against the most high vers 25. So indeed many Interpreters read But others Translate it otherwise as Vatabluâ— Pagnim Montanus Ro. Steven c. Men known to bee skilful in the Tongues Not against the most high but ex parte altissimi Letzad On the part of the Almighty for the Most High or in his behalf Symmachus renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hee shall speak as the high God That is his words shall be of Holiness Righteousnesse Goodness and Truth Though in his Actions and Practice there be no such thing And if the matter be considered there is good ground for this reading That which doth most astonish Daniel are the words of the Little Horn. Now there is little cause of Admiration to hear a man speak wickedly that doth wickedly But to see a man make warre against the Saints weary them out by Bonds and Imprisonment destroy the Laws Liberties and Rights of the People and commit all kinde of Tyranny and yet in words to Professe hee is for God and for the interest of Christ and his people and for the Priviledges safety and publick good of the Nation this indeed is enough to amaze a Prophet Therefore as Graserus rightly observes this Horn is one qui impietati suâ—e Dei nomen pretendit which shall pretend the name of God in all his Impieties Hee shall not cast a Saint into Prison but will pretend Gods glory for it Hee shall not pluck up three Kingdomes by the roots but will say it is for the honour of God If hee break his Vows Promises Oaths c. Really saith hee it is for the sake of the most high Thus every thing hee doth though it bee for Babylon and the great Whore and to keep up any base corrupt interest in the Nation it is for Christs sake as he saith Again the reason why the word Letzad hath been rendred against the most high I conceive it to bee thus the little Horn hath been taken by Interpreters for the open professed enemie of the Truth as Antiochus Ephiphanes Mahomet the Pope c. where as hee is a subtle Hypocrite alwaies speaking for God and good things though in his Actions if you observe him there he shall plainly demonstrate that hee regards neither God nor goodness I would not have men to bee rash and heady Censurers specially in the Application of this little Horn. For truely I think one of the clearest Characters of him is set forth in this place Whensoever this Dominion of his shall bee erected if any complaint bee made against it for unrighteous doings and for doing worse than any men did before what will they say for excuse ex parte altissimi it is in the behalf of Christ for the sake of the godly party to prevent new warres and effusion of bloud Briefly all the impleties and wickednesses committed against God and man shall bee defended this way And to say the truth except it bee this shift they will not find a fig-leaf to cover their Nakednesse And here it will not be a misse to give the Reader notice that this little Horn shall bee so famous and notorious in his day concerning the matter here mentioned that the same in scripture is often foretold Your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my name sake said let the Lord bee glorified c. Isa â—6 5. Observe here four things 1 This casting out must bee by a Government men who have gotten Power into their hands and so are stronger than their brethren 2 They were Brethren either in some Church Army Councel Parliament Equals and Companions 3 How unjust and sinful soever their proceedings are against their brethren by banishing some or imprisoning others c. Gods Glory is pretended as if all were done of Conscience and to do God good service 4 Though this Apostate-State thinks to cover their Malice and Cruelty by mocking God yet God will not bee mocked but as hee sees their Hypocrisy and Deceit so hee will discover it to their everlasting shame and the honour and comfort of the other This little Horn or Apostate-State is likewise as I take it foretold by our Saviour But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart my Lord delayeth his comming and shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken c. Mat. 24 48 49. First this smiting must bee understood as I said before of persons that have gotten power into their hands and so exercise tyranny by authority 2 They are fellow-servants All professors of the Gospel the persecutors have a form of Godlinesse as the sufferers have both form and Power 3 That the wicked servant smites his fellows he pretends Justice Conscience and necessity for it For so I take the sence as if hee should say I acknowledge Jesus Christ to bee your Lord and mine and do expect his comming as well as you and that hee shall bee the onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords have all power and Dominion given him notwithstanding seeing it will bee a long while before that time comes and you would perswade the people that day is at hand whereby occasion is given of warres and Commotions and to have my Dominion as the LITTLE HORN taken away and consumed these things I cannot suffer as being against the honour of God and the good of his people and therefore must correct such persons as disturbers of our present Government 4 Notwithstanding the specious pretences of this wicked servant as if hee did not smite his fellow-servants but out of tenderness and Conscience to the glory of God yet this all the while apparently shall bee seen in him that hee eats and drinks with the drunken all the vices and sinnes which Paul reckons up of the Last-Apostates are as visibly to bee seen in him as was the Leprosy in Gehezies forehead For the close of this Character it seems to mee that Isa 66. 5. and Mat. 24. 48. with the little Horn Dan. 7. and the last Apostacy 2 Tim. 3. are parallel Texts of Scripture-prophesies His looks were more stout then his felows If this Character had been well minded William the Conqueror Charls Stuart and the like had never been pitch upon
was crucified Answ There is great Reason for it 1. To discover the grosse hypocrisie of the Beast pretending to be against Babilon in all her lies and beastly vanities 2. To aggravate his wickednesse the more There is little said of the Beast as to the Characterizing of Him besides slaying the Witnesses The Reason may be because this was done before in the little Horne and last Apostacy That which the Holy Ghost seems here chiefly to intend is to unmask HIM and to set HIM forth to the life For Example Should he be askt being ascended out of the bottomlesse Pit What he comes for What he means to doe having taken so arbitrary a power to himselfe His answer will be He is for Christ I really against Antichrist For Zion against Babylon as one of the seven Angel I am com out saith he of the Temple note it not the Bottomless Pit to poure out a Viall full of wrath upon the great Whore and as one called chosen and faithfull to be with the Lamb against the ten Kings to overcome them And ask saith he my Chaplaines and new made Doctors if this be not so But what saith the Spirit of God O thou dissembling Hâ— pocrite Does thou War against my Witnesses overcome them and slay them and yet pretend Ex parte altissimi letzad On the part of the Almighty For me and against the great Whore What an impudent face hast thou what a Whores forehead Thou thoughtest I was altogether such a one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee Thy falshood shall not serve the turn For I have a way to make thee known what an hypocrite thou art in spight of all thy inchantments and the wise shall understand though the Prophets will not viz. In slaying so glorious a Testimony to rouse up thy self out of the bottomles pit In this the Saints of the most high shall clearly see that thou art of the great City not in words but actions a main supporter and prop of it Nay more thou hast kept her up as she is Sodom and Egypt in the vilest of her filthinesses and abominations and the greatest of her cruelties and oppressions yea and more as she hath murdered me I say my self in my truth and servants thus thou hast wrapt thy self in all the guilt and blood that hath been shed there and which shall be found in her the blood of the Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slaine upon the earth Thus the place gives us more light to know the Beast by The Government and state by which the witnesses shall be slaine is without the great City not under the authority of the Church of Rome in profession and words an enemy to Babylon But in practice and works not only a bare defender but a supporter of her in the worst and greatest of her sins as in her whoredomes oppressions blood of martyrs c. Namely by slaying the highest Testimony that ever was upon earth against the whole dominion of the Beast I have done with the Beast and Winesses as to the killing-part It remains that something be spoken of the effects of it And they of the people and kindreds and Tongues and Nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves Here we will consider 1. Who these People are 2. What is meant by putting in graves 3. Why they will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves 4. How they keep them out First It is said that Satan shewd Christ being upon an exceeding high mountaine all the Kingdomes of the World Mat. 4. 8. I doe not take it imaginary as deceiving the sence but a reall sight Not that he saw all Kingdomes absolutely but whatsoever were discernable in respect of the place where he stood that is all the adjacent Countryes So here by people Kindreds tongues and Nations all are not meant under the whole Heaven but such as are within the sight of the dead bodyes and have knowledge of their slaying Againe Neither doe all the people and kindreds c. which see the dead bodies oppose their buriall but a part of them They of the people and kindreds c. That is among the people and kindreds c. there are some will not suffer c. Now howsoever we are to understand the place no further then of such as know what the Beast hath done for so much is clearly in the Text They shall see their dead bodies yet the Holy Ghost mentions Peoples kindreds tongues and nations Because this party which will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves are not all one People As for Example Some may be English others Welch some Scots others French or Dutch c. So likewise of divers Provinces Countries Shires c. As for this Party I take it not to be cruelty done in despight and disgrace by Enemies to deny them Buriall But courtesie of Friends and Favorers to provide for their rising againe And my opinion is here are meant 1. The Woman who was occasioned by the war of this Beast to fly into the Wildernesse 2. The Remnant of her seed 3. Those whom we named before Common-wealths men For howsoever these doe not fully close with the Witnesses in the Principles of the fift Kingdom yet they are clearly convinc'd that the Power and Goverment of this Beast is unlawfull and that they suffer unjustly under him And this Party I take to be The earth which helped the Woman by opening her mouth and swallowing up the flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth Rev. 12. 16. For howsoever that thing they contend for be but an earthly Intererest as Lawes Liberties Power of the People Priviledges of Parliament c. yet in standing for such things they give the Beast such a Check as Mauger all his venome and wrath he cannot devour the woman standing for the dead witnesses Secondly For the second Point By putting in graves I understand an extirpation of the Testimony of Jesus That is Christs visible Kingdome to be no more asserted the corrupt powers of the world left alone so the Apostates and hypocrites in the last dayes not so much as nam'd briefly for the little Horn and Beast no more to be spoken against But all for conscience sake be subject to his Lust and Will Thus indeed the Beast would have the Witnesses buried but he is not suffered They remaine above ground in spight of him that is kept up for a glorious resurrection Thirdly Knowing the Parties we may the more easily guesse at the Causes 1. As the Woman and her seed are deeply concern'd in the Testimony so they endeavour what they can to maintaine it And the rather because they know whatsoever designe the Enemie hath against it to bury it he shall not let him doe his worst As when Michael the Arch-Angel contending with the Devil about the body of Moses the Angel prevailed
and Hearkning What the Lord would speak I had the Former Things for the Substance of them given in unto me And I can speak it in Truth I understood them not till now But thought The Time of the End was to be found out and known some other way Now howsoever I could not but think there was Something of God in This As to an Answer of Prayer Especially having these Things upon my heart as I was pouring out my soule at the Throne of grace Neverthelesse Considering the weightinesse and difficulty of the Matter How differing it was to what Others Held And how deeply Some and my selfe also have suffered for our Mistakes in medling with such High Things But chiefly what a poor worth-lesse and empty Thing I was More brutish then any man and had not the Vnderstand of a man And how subtilly Satan worketh at this Time in Some by a spirit of delusion in pretending to high things and that it is God that speaketh in them Upon these and such like Considerations my Soule was sore distressed and I besought the Lord with Tears Day and Night that he would take Pitty on Me and not leave me to a Deceived Heart But as often as I set my face unto the Lord by prayer and supplication I found my selfe more Encouraged and had more of the Prophesies opened unto me Yea and the Lord knows I lie not whensoever my heart hath been most melted and broken before him and my soule swallowed up with the greatest Love and Longing after his Glory AT SUCH TIMES I have been most confirmed and strengthned to believe that it was the Spirit of truth which revealed these things to me a Worm Neverthelesse being yet unsatisfied in my selfe as Fearfull least I should go aside from the Teachings of God I acquainted some of some of my Christian Friends with the Thing and how the Case stood with me and desired that the same might be Spread before the Lord The which was done severall Times And very earnestly was the Lord sought unto for Counsell and Direction that there might be no miscarriage on either Hand Much I could say concerning this Particular But I shall say no more then this I found the Fruit of their Prayers A Greater Confirmation After all this for I was not quiet yet having put things into some Order I communicated my Thoughts unto other Friends Some of these whose Works praise them in the Gate I found to be of my Opinion For which I thanked God and took courage As did Paul when the Brethren met him Acts 28. 15. But Others and Pretious Ones too were as I apprehended otherwise minded And here began as the last so my sorest and sharpest Conflict For so much was I discouraged now as I had Jeremiahs Complaint often up O Lord thou hast deceived me and I was deceived Thou art stronger then I and hast prevailed Jer. 20. 7. I must confesse the Considerations before named especially being conscious to my own Emptinesse and Poverty hath so much affected me That I have been more ready except in Prayer to fall in with any outward Discouragements and to improve them whensoever they came Then to close with inward Ecouragements even the Stirring and Motions I think I may say the Visions of God which I have powerfully felt upon my soule when I have been nearest the Mercy Seat But Hallelujah praised be the Lord who hath taken from Me a worm still these Discouragements and Fears by working up my heart into joy of Believing It may be in Reading of this you would willingly know my Intention It is Thus I have not Published this Treatise as I have done things heretofore For in Humility an awful fear of my God Here I can say and that truly THIS IS A WORK OF FAITH AND PRAYER Not of my own Labor and study comparitively as former Things have been For here I have been more out of the Body and with the Lord on the Mount But oh I would be humble in such Exprestions that THE LORD ALONE MIGHT BE EXALTED And I a remaine still a Worme in my hole and numbred among the dead Neither have I rested in the Experiences of Gods inward Workings upon my soule that is To his giving forth of the Spirit alone But the Holy Scriptures have been The Men of my Counsell Psal 119. 24. Insomuch as I have not hearkned any further to the Perswasions and Operations of the Holy Spirit Though received as the Finger of God Then what I might doe yea and ought by the Covenant-Promise I say by Faith Grounded upon the blessed Word Such Scriptures through the Free Grace of a divine Blessing by a humble Application in the Interest of them have sweetly supported me Jer. 31. 9. 33. 3. Hos 12. 4. Dan. 9. 20 21. 2. 18 19 23. Luke 11. 12 13. Jam. 1. 5. Isa 66. 2. Psal 10. 17. 25 9. 2 Chron. 20. 13 14. Acts 13. 2. Rev. 5. 4 5. Psal 32. 8 9. 1 John 5. 14 15. Hence I saw clearly that with Supplications the Lord hath led his people And whilst they have been Mourning and by the Spirit making Intercession for them with Groanings which cannot be uttered For the Vnction from the holy One and to be guided into all Truth The Lord hath mercifully appeared to them Neither have such humble and broken hearted Babes met with the Portion of Proud Pharises viz. Disappointment All flesh is grasse c. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 24 25. It is a sure word 2 Pet. 1. 19. Believe in the Lord so shall ye be established Believe his Prophets so shall ye prosper 2 Chron. 20. 20. But howsoever in the Publishing of these things I seem to declare a Humble Boldnesse in my God as to the truth of them Yet this I desire the Kingdome-Saints every where to mind That as the three yeares and a halfe of which we have spoken are to have their Period So must all things following in order to the destruction of the little Horn be likewise accomplished It is true the latter Apostacy the little Horn and the Beast that slayes the Witnesses have but three years and an half Yet it must not be understood as if at the End of that time they should presently be destroyed But when that Time is expired then the Judgement shall sit The Witnesse rise And so all the rest of the Prophesies concerning them be fulfild in due Order and Time This I thought good to mention againe to prevent mistakes For suppose the aforesaid Time should End about June 57. That which next followes will be no more as I take it But the pouring out of the Spirit in the rising of the Witnesses Whereby the Saints of the most High shall be raised up in Faith Light Love Zeal One-ness c. and so made meet for the Masters use But among the Apostates Dread Fear Darknesse Divisions Disappointment c. Onely the Lords Work the