and act more in the power of God p. 274 278 4. They shall enjoy more immediate communion with God p. 276 277 4. Ob That in the middest of the great confusion and darknesse upon the face of the earth shall the witnesses ascend p. 278 279 280 5. Ob That all the power and policie of the enemies of the witnesses shall not be able to hinder their ascension p. 281 282 In verse 13. we have the great earthquake that followeth the rising of the witnesses p. 283 where we have opened 1. The time of the earth-quake p. 284 2. The nature of it p. 285 3. The consequents p. 286 Which are three First the tenth part of the Citie fell where is shewen what is meant 1. By the Citie p. 287 2. By the tenth part ibid 3. By the fall thereof p. 288 289 Secondly there were slaine seven thousand men where we have 1. Their persons p. 291 2. Their manner of slaying ibid. 3. Their number p. 292 Thirdly the Remnant were affrighted and gave glory to God where we consider 1. The persons p. 294 2. Their passions ibid. 3. Their actions p. 295 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the rising and ascending of the witnesses doth cause a great earth-quake in the world p. 296 297 298 2. Ob That all the time of this great earth-quake the witnesses are in â—ising and ascending p. 299 300 3. Ob That nation that shall first of all shake off and disclaime the power of Antichrist God will honour that nation first of all in raising up his witnesses in it p. 301 302 303 304 305 4. Ob That those principally and chiefly shall be slaine in the earthquake that are the upholders and maintainers of Antichrist's cause quarrell p. 306 207 308 5. Ob That when God doth scatter the great and mighty ones of the earth it doth much amaze and affrighten the poore and ignorant people that have been seduced by them p. 309 310 6. Ob That it 's the poore affrighted remnant that will give most glory to God p. 311 312 313 In verse 14. we have the second woe p. 313 Where wee have opened The first woe p. 314 The second woe p. 315 The third woe p. 316 Obser That great and terrible woes befall the world in the three last ages of Antichrist p 317 318 319 In verse 15. we have explained what 's meant 1. By the Trumpet sounding p. 321 2. By the seventh Trumpet p. 322 3. By the great voyces in heaven p. 323 These are sayd to be 1. Great voyces 324 2. Voyces in heaven p 325 326 3. Plurality of voyces p. 327 Observations from the words 1. Ob That the Lord hath alwayes had a people to declare his truth unto the world p. 328 2. Ob That the Lord hath manifested his truth by degrees or in agraduall way p. 329 3. Ob There shall be a most compleat and glorious discovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the seventh Trumpet p. 330 331 4. Ob That the Saints fully risen and ascended up into heavenly enjoyments at the finall destruction of Antichrist shall harmoniously sing forth the glory praises of Christ's kingdome p. 332 333 How the kingdomes of the world shall become the kingdomes of Christ wherin we have opened 1. What is meant by the kingdomes of this world p. 334 2. How these kingdomes have been detained from Christ p. 335 336 3. How Christ shall recover these kingdomes againe into his ownhand p. 337 338 339 340 4. By what right or title Christ will lay claime to the kingdomes of the world p 341 342 343 5. The manner of Christ's reigne wherein the spirituall reigne of Christ is illustrated in four particulars p. 344 345 346 347 6. The duration of Christ's reigne and kingdome p. 348 349 350 How the Saints shall reigne with Christ p. 351 352 How the Jewes shall be converted p. 353 Observations from the whole That Christ will come and reigne gloriously in his people subduing all his enemies advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his own kingdome p. 354 355 In verse 16. we have shewed 1. What is meant by the title given to Saints being called Elders p. 356 2. What 's implyed by their number being twenty-foure p. 357 3. Their posture and action falling on their faces p. 358 In verse 17. we have 1. The praises of the Elders p. 359 2. The subject of their praises ibid. 3. The ground of their praises p. 360 In verse 18. we have 1. The Adver saries vexed p. 361 362 2. The Saints rewarded p. 363 3. The Antichristian partie destroyed p. 364 In verse 19. we have 1. The Temple opened p. 365 366 2. The Arke manifested p. 367 3. The great irresistible judgements that befall Antichrist p. 368 Lastly the close of the whole Chapter p. 369 370 Reader By reason of the Authors absence we have observed these faults which we desire thee to amend and all others which thou doest finde ERRATA IN page 59. line 16. for sanctifie read sanctitie p. 62. l. 8. for Rome r. home p. 75. l. 5. for meat r. meant p. 221. l. 11. for Prie r. Priest p. 319. l. 17. for first Taumpet r. sixt Trumpet p. 244. l. 8. for out read but. p. 341. l. 12. for with r. of p. 166. l. 15. for the great multitude of Saints add who are as some hold THE MYSTERIE OF THE TWO WITNESSES UNVAILED REVELATIONS 11. 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the Angel stood saying Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that worship therein THere is much talke and discourse of the two witnesses and great enquiry is made to know who they are what is their testimony whither they be slaine when they shall rise c. All which I shall endeavour to disclose according to the measure of light that I have received in the knowledge and revelation of this mystery Before I make entrance upon this Chapter give me leave from the whole booke of the Revelation to take notice of six things First of the Author who was Jesus Christ Chap. 1. 1. He is both the Author and subject matter thereof being the Alpha and Omega and all the letters besides in this divine Revelation in whom is the sum and substance of all holy Writ the whole mystery of spirituall truth all visions of divine glory lies wrapt up doth meet and concenter in the person of the Lord Jesus Hence he is said to have the seven spirits of God Chap. 1. 4. because all perfection of knowledge was treasured up in him by which he is onely able to be the dispenser of such heavenly revelations and divine mysteries as these are Secondly of the Messenger that Christ doth here imploy to convey this booke unto his Apostle and that is an Angel as is evident Chap. 1. 1. Now in that Christ doth signifie his message unto John by an Angel
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
That the spirit of the Lord is the onely Standard and rule of divine thingâ— p. 15 16. Foure false rules of knowledge discovered 1. Flâ—shly wisdome p. 17. 2. Meer speculation p. 18. 3. Externall forme p. 19. 4. Historicall knowledge p. 20 21. Foure true principles of divine knowledg whereby we come to know the truth 1. By the Spirit p. 22. 2. By divine impressions p. 23. 3. In Jesus p. 24. 4. By trâ—â— Conformity p 25. 3 Ob That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his presence with his people even in the darkest saddest times of Antichrist's reigne p. 26. 4. Ob That the Lord had alwayes a people that did truly worship him p. 27. 5. Ob That the Lord doth accept of none to worship him but such as serve in his Temple and offer upon his Altar p. 28. 6. Ob That the true Saints of God have alwayes been measuring of divine things p. 29. From verse 2. we have 1. The outward Court explained p. 31 2. The outward Court rejected p. 32 3. The outward Court given to the Gentiles as their portion p. 34 4. The holy City is trodden under-foot by the Gentiles p. 35 5. The time of forty-two monâ—ths explained and compared p. 36 37 38 Observations from the wordâ— opened 1. Ob That all externall formes and professions of Christ without life and power are but shaddows p. 39 40 41 2. Ob That the true Temple Altar and worshippers of God are not to be measured by outward things p. 42 3. Ob That the outward forme of divine things is given for a time into the hands of Antichrist p. 43 44. 45 4. Ob The best use that Antichrist doth make of the holy Citie is to trample upon it p. 46 47 5. Ob Antichrist hath his prefixâ—d and limitted time in which he shall reigne p. 48 6. Ob That the shapes and formes in which Antichrist comes forth in to act his part are various and changeable p. 49 50 The spirit of Antichrist discovered in four particulars 51 52 53 54 The forme of Antichrist opened in severall shapes p. 55 56 1. In the forme of a Dragon p. 56 57 2. In the shape of a Leopard p. 58 59 3. In the appearance of a Beast with two hornes p. 60 4. In the shaddow of an Image which the Beast causeth to be set up p. 61 Those that up the Image of the Beast discovered by six Characters p. 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Antichrist flies out of one forme into another p. 69 70 In verse 3. we have the mysterie of the wiâ—nesses in six things opened p. 70 1. The witnesses are enabled to prâ—phesie 1. From God originally p. 73 2. From Christ immediatly p. 74 The meanes by which the witnesses are impowered to prophesie 1. By the word p. 75 2. By the Spirit p. 76 2. The title of witnesses here given and why p. 77 3. The number of the witnesses and why they are called two p. 78 4. The office of the witnesses is to prophesie wherein we have two things 1. What it is to prophesie explained in three things p. 79 80 81 2. What testimony the witnesses give forth 1. Against the seed of the Serpent p. 82 2. Against the power of the Beast p 83 The Saints testifie against the power of the beast by holding forth 1. The prophesie of Christ p. 83 84 2. The Priesthood of Christ p. 85 3. The kingdome of Christ p. 86 87 5. The forme and state of the witnesses in sackcloth explained in three things p. 88 89 6 The duration of the witnesses prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixtie dayes opened p. 90 91 Observations from the words 1. Ob That none can give forth a testimony of Christ but such as are impowered thereto by Christ p. 92 2. Ob That all those that hold forth the truth of Christ opposing Antichrist are Christ's faithfull witnesses p 93 3. Ob That the witnesse of the Saints is a sufficient testimony p. 94 4. Ob That the whole bent of the witnesses prophesie hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Christ against the falshood of Antichrist p. 95 5 Ob Those that have been most faithfull unto Christ and his truth have been most rejected of the world p. 96 6. Ob That Christ hath alwayes had a people to beare witnesse of his truth even in the saddest and darkest time of Antichrist's reigne p. 97 From verse 4. we have 1. Various opinions concerning the two witnesses p. 98 99 100 2. A full and positive description of the witnesses p. 101. The two olive trees as representing Christ explained in 4 particulars from p. 102. unto p. 109. The two Candlesticks as representing the Saints illustrated under 4 heads p. 111 112 113 The ground why Christ was represented by two olive trees 1. From his two-fold nature p. 115 116 117 2. From his two fold dispensation p. 118 119 120 121 The reason why the Saints are called two Candlesticks 1. They give forth an earthly testimony p. 123 124 2. They give out a heavenly testimony p. 125 126 127 Christ and his Saints are joyned in one and give forth one and the same testimony as is shewen in foure particulars p. 128 129 130 131 Observation from the whole That all the Saints and faithfull servants of God are his witnesses p. 132 133 134 135 In verse 5. we have a relation First the harmfull carriage of the enemy towards the witnesses p. 136 1. By restraining their persons p. 137 2. By rejecting their testimony p. 138 Secondly the witnesses defence by the fire issuing out of their moâ—ths 1. What is meant by fire p. 139 2. How it destroys the Adversary p. 140 Observations from hence 1. Ob That the Adversaries of Christ are alwayes ready to hurt his witnesses p. 141 2. Ob They that goe about to hurt the witnesses or hinder them in the course of their prophesie shall not goe unpunished p. 142 3. Ob That the witnesses shall prevaile against their enemies by the word of their testimony p. 143 144 4. Ob That the testimony of witnesses is of great force even while they prophesie in sackcloth p. 145 In verse 6. we have a threefold power given to the witnesses p. 146 First to shut heaven that it raine not where we have explained 1. What is meant by raine p. 147 2. What it is to shut heaven that it raine not p. 148 149 Secondly to turne waters into bloud where we have opened 1. What is meant by waters p. 150 2. What it is to turne waters into bloud p. 151 Thirdly to smite the earth with all plagues wherein we have 1. The agreement between the seals opening and the Trumpets sounding and the vialls powering forth p. 152 153 2. The seven vialls opened together with the seven seals and the seven Trumpets from p. 155. unto p. 169. Observations from the Text. 1. Ob That the testimony of the witnesses against the wayes and practises of
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
is the true Temple in which we must worship and the holy Altar upon which we must offer and they onely are owned and accepted that make use of him they are onely to be measured and taken notice of Now for all others of what profession or quality soever be their externall formes of worship and service never so glorious or amiable in the sight of men yet it is rejected cast forth and disowned if they worship not in the true Temple if they offer not upon the everlasting Altar that God hath appointed for all his Hence it is the Lord saith take measure of those that worship in the Temple these are they that I owne I take notice of none but these I will accept of no more These are they that serve me in truth and worship me in spirit and I will owne them and acknowledge them for my owne Sixtly and lastly for as much as 6 Observ Temple Altar and worshippers must be measured Observe That the Lord hath alwayes had a people that have been measuring of divine things John here did personate all Saints who in all ages and periods of time under the sury and rage of Antichrist have been ready to give in a testimony for Christ and his truth and have alwayes born witnesse against the man of sin the Son of perdition and against all his superstitious formes of worship alwayes casting off and rejecting his service and inventions Every one according to his measure hath been ready to stand up and give in their Testimonies for the truth of Christ against the falshood of AntiChrist So much for the first verse VERS 2. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy Citie shall they tread underfoot fortie and two moneths IN the former verse we had John◠call to measure the Temple of God the Altar and the worshippers therein Now here he doth receive a prohibition or a negative command not to measure the outward Court which was without the Temple because it was given as a portion to the Gentiles In this verse we are to take notice First what that is which must not be measured The Court which is without the Temple Secondly the prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not Thirdly The reason of this prohibition for it is given to the Gentiles Fourthly The use that the Gentiles make of the outward Court and the holy City They tread them underfoot Fiftly How long Fortie and two moneths First That which must not be measured is the outward Court so called as being distinct from the inward Court which was appropriate to the Priests in which was the Altar where they offered sacrifice which was also adjoyning to the Temple This outward Court is here spoken by an allusion to that mentioned in Ezek. 40. 17. which was far larger and bigger then the inner Court Therefore called The great Court 2 Chron. 4. 9. being wide and large enough to containe multitudes of people This was not hallowed as the inner Court and Temple was but was common for all people By the outward Court is meant all Antichrists worships and worshippers even the whole surface or superficiall part of things as all outward professions all externall formes of worship power order government wisdome art or whatsoever is without the Temple of God all that the Gentiles or carnall professors may take up and be exercised in these be all the outward Court The outward face of the visible Church was given to Antichrist to Gentiles to worldly Christians to use and enjoy while the true servants of the Lord are serving him in the wildernesse as in the inner Court of the Temple They were that inward and secret Temple with whom the Lord was present Secondly The prohibition it selfe Leave it out measure it not The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to cast forth as we use to cast things of no value out of doors As if he had said cast it forth as common and of no use account it not of the Temple nor of any part thereof but rather esteeme it as a portion for the Gentiles which they may enjoy and be exercised in therefore measure it not Now by measuring of the Temple Altar and worshippers he was to take a true dimention of the servants of God who worshipped him in Christ and served him in spirit who were the true invisible and secret Temple of God serving the Lord in the wildernesse Then by not measuring the outward Court is meant thus much That he should not measure or judge the true servants of the Lord by externall things for the outward face of the visible Church was to be given to the Gentiles and that Antichrist was to sit in the Temple of God and should exercise in all externall formes of worship order government he should exercise in all outward ordinances and in the highest acts of Religion as prayer preaching and expounding of the Scriptures and the like and therefore though these Gentiles or Antichristian professors should thus exercise themselves in formes of worship in Church-government in highest externall acts of Religion were called Christians possessing and injoying the outward face of the visible Church yet they were not to be accounted as the Temple of God to be of his structure or building as measured by the true reed or weighed by the ballance of the Sanctuary they were not to be accounted as Gods approved Church or to be the true Temple of the Lord. Thirdly The reason of this prohibition For it is given unto the Gentiles All worldly Christians and Antichristian professors are here called Gentiles by an allusion to those that were enemies unto the Jewes they were called Heathens and Gentiles as appeares in Psal 2. 1. And the Psalmist complaines in Psal 79. 1. saying O God the heathen or the Gentiles are come into thine inheritance thy holy Temple have they defiled they have layd Jerusalem on heaps c. This was the complaint of the Church of the Jewes unto the Lord against the most barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians when they raz'd Jerusalem polluted the Temple and murdered the people So here the sons of spirituall Babylon who most barbarously and cruelly torment the Saints and tread the holy City under foot these also are called Gentiles and heathen Now saith he the outward Court is not to be measured because it is given to the Gentiles it is a Gentiles portion a worldly Christian a carnall professor may take up use and be exercised in any of these externall things he may take up the highest forme of worship he may make the greatest profession of Godlinesse he may be exercised in the most eminent acts of Religion therefore measure not my true servants and Temple by these they are but the outward Court and the portion of Gentiles Fourthly What use doth the Gentiles make of these things They tread them under foot And the holy City
understanding saith the Lord that you will tread downe with your feet abuse and trample upon that is they would corrupt the word of God and his truth by their false glosses and interpretations by forcing their own expositions and inferences which they make or draw from the Scriptures that so the people might feed on that which they had trampled on with their feet that they had mixed corrupted and abused as themselves pleased The same hath been the constant practice of Antichrist who by his forced translations and interpretations of Scripture by his tyrannicall government and invented ordinances hath subjected all people under him into Aegyptian darknesse and Babylonish captivity Thus hath he corrupted the externall part of worship and abused suppressed and trodden under foot the holy City But how long shall this be Fortie two moneths Fifthly Observe That Antichrist hath 5 Observ his prefixed and limitted time to raigne and domineer in It is most true that the nature and spirit of Antichrist hath alwayes acted its part it is that very seed of the Serpent that hath opposed the very image of God from the beginning that hath shewed it selfe in all the Sons of Adam beginning in Caine and passing to all the seed in all generations but we must note that Antichrist in his power and forme hath but a season and an appointed time for this doth not note the time in which the seed of the Serpent should make warre against the seed of the woman but rather the time when the subtilty and envy of the Serpent was put forth and exercised in the cruelty of the Dragon and raigne and power of the Beast So that the evill spirit that Christ opposed in the Scribes and Pharisees was no other then the spirit of Antichrist now but since the generall defection and falling away this evill spirit hath put on the forms of diverse beasts most fierce and cruell so that this forty two moneths is the time of the powerfull raigne of the man of sinne Now for the time of the powerfull raigne of Antichrist he hath but his moneths and his seasons and it will be that time shall be no more when the Lord shall come in the bâ—ames and brightnesse of his glory shining from the East unto the West and making a full discovery of the nakednesse of the whore she shall utterly be destroyed and shall raigne no more Sixtly Observe That the shapes and 6 Observe formes in which Antichrist comes forth in to act his part are various and changeable Therefore it is that his time is appointed by moneths and not by dayes his time is not measured by the Sun which is light and constant but by the Moone which is dim in light and most variable and unconstant in appearance So that the appearances of Antichrist are variable unconstant and changeable as the Moon now appearing in this shape by and by in another Sometimes in this forme another time wholly disguised into something else and so never long at one stay Thus the subtilty of Antichrist is to fly out of one forme into another and when he is detected and discovered in one guise he will put on some habit of reformation and piety but it shall be but the deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse in which he shall appeare to mislead people by therefore know as his last time or moneth shall be his shortest so his last habit and dresse that he shall come forth in shall be the finest and most apt to deceive Therefore let all Saints watch and keep their garments least they be made walke naked and their shame appeare Revel 16. 15. Let every one arme himselfe against the wiles and methods of Antichrist that so we may be able to trace him in all his wayes and finde him out under all his disguises Now before I passe the thing in hand it will be necessary that I make a description of Antichrist as to enquire what he is First in spirit and mystery Secondly in forme and appearance Concerning Antichrist in spirit take a description by these four heads First The spirit of Antichrist is that evill and corrupt spirit in man that opposeth Jesus Christ his image and glory his truth and appearance This is that the Apostle calls the carnall minde or spirit of enmity that dwells in the heart of man which is the wisdome of the flesh opposing the righteousnesse of Christ This spirit hath had it's rule and raigne in man ever since mans defection and fall from God This is the old man or man of sin the son of perdition that doth alwayes endeavour to betray and crucifie the very life light image and glory of Christ in our hearts Secondly The originall and life of this evill spirit is the close of the heart of man with Satan the Prince power of darknesse who doth transforme himselfe into an Angel of light advancing the reason wisdome and righteousnesse of man above the spirit or pure anointing of God And so while he draws man to worship God in the wisdome power and parts of the creature it proves but the deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse or acting in the power of Satan and of the flesh and doth containe no more then the signes and shadowes of heavenly things Thirdly This spirit sits in the Temple of God as God That is it doth put forth it selfe and act its part in every act and performance in every duty and ordinance that man doth performe or exercise himselfe in So that as Christ doth enable the soule to performe divine actions by his wisdome power and spirit so doth Antichrist carry forth the soule to act by humane wisdome fleshly power carnall parts and gifts and so deceives the soule by this false spirit or false anointing instead of the true anointing or pure spirit of Christ Fourthly and lastly This spirit of wickednesse alwayes acts in a mystery of iniquity Now it 's called a mystery of iniquity because it is not in it's proper place where it may be better knowne or discerned for saith the Apostle The workes of the flesh are manifest which are adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse c. Gal. 5. 19. These fleshly actings being in their proper place are so evident that they are easily discerned there is no man but knows these and will say they are evill but as for the workes of Antichrist performed in the strength of carnall wisdome fleshly power humane parts and the like these actings are cryed up to be holy and righteous when they are but the more refined part of man the righteousnesse of the first Adam or old man and containe the very mystery of iniquity To this purpose will serve that place in Matth. 12. 44 45. When the uncleane spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest and finding none then he saith I will returne into my house from whence I came out and when he is come he findeth it empty swept and garnished Then goeth he and
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
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
rising of the Witnesses The Third and last woe comes quickly it speedily followeth and shutteth up the whole mysterie The death of the Beast is proclaimed under the sixth Trumpet and in the time of the second woe Chap. 10. 6. Time should be no more in which Antichrist should live and raigne Then at the sound of the seventh Angel the mysterie of God should be finished vers 7. The mysterie of Antichrist fully laid open and the mysterie and glory of Christs kingdom fully revealed This last woe is meant of those calamities mentioned in the last verse of this eleventh Chapter And there was lightnings and voyces and thundrings and an earthquake and great haile All which doth imply Gods heavy terrible astonishing and irresistable judgements upon the world hee will plague the earth as once he did Aegypt with haile Exod. 9. 25. This is the third and last woe that accompanieth the seventh Trumpet Observe That great and terrible woes Observe befall the world in the three last ages of Antichrist Here is three woes but the second that falls at the rising of the Witnesses is the greatest This second woe is a bitter one indeed it will fall like a milstone and grinde in pieces the inhabitants of the earth Great are the torments and vexations this woe brings upon the world all Famines Sicknesses Feares Warres and all sorts of evils weaknesse aâ—â—rightments strange amazements this woe brings with it The present calamities upon the world that are occasioned by the Earth-quake throwing downe States Nations Governments Powers and shaking men of quality state wisdome and parts bringing wars feares famines deaths c. These and the like woes upon the world this day speak forth the rising of the witnesses And as the rising of the Witnesses is a work of time and is of a graduall product so also shall this second woe be a lasting woe and lasting woes are the worst of all The third woe followeth the second it comes quickly this brings it's sting along with it but 't is of a shorter dispatch then the former This last woe that immediately succeedes the second comes with the seventh Trumper and therefore is the last woe that befalls Antichrist This last woe is the reason of all those plagues as death mourning famine fire that God will destroy Babylon withall which shall cause the Kings of the Earth to lament her and the Merchants to mourn over her for shee is stript of her gold and silver of her precious stones and pearles of her purple and scarlet of all her sine linnen and cloathing and in one houre shall be made utterly desolate Thus we are come to an end of the Prophesie of the Witnesses resurrection and ascention with the great effects that followes namely the great Earthquake and the second woe which is the work of the first Trumpet Next followeth that of the seventh Trumpet and the state of Christs Kingdom after the full and perfect ascention of the Witnesses and the finall downfall of Antichrist VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying the kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and hee shall raigne for ever and ever HAving spoken of the Prophesie Death Resurrection and ascention of the Witnesses with the effects of their rising namely the great earthquake that shakes the world which doth accomplish the second woe This being the first resurrection of the Saints from shame and sack-cloath from misery and affliction upon which the tenth part of the City falls and the little horne that thought to change times and lawes is subdued Dan. 7. But after comes a second Resurrection of truth and light of life liberty to the Saints in all nations when there shall be a universall ruine of Antichrist Then all Saints throughout all Nations shall come in to the enjoyment of internall and externall glory when all former persecution and shame shall be past away and they shall live raigne with Christ a thousand yeares and shall fully enjoy the immunities and liberties of the kingdome of Christ which shall be fulfilled at the sound of the seventh Trumpet And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ c. That which wee shall enquire from hence is to know what is meant First by the Trumpet sounding Secondly by the seventh Trumpet Thirdly by the voyces in heaven Fourthly the subject matter that those voyces doe proclaime and that is The kingdomes of this world are become the kingdomes of our Lord c. First a Trumpet is that with which men sound to give an alarme or a preparation unto the battell 1 Cor. 14. 8. Also to publish or proclaime a thing Joel 2. 1. The counterfeit Pharisees when they gave their almes are sayd to sound a Trumpet Mat. 6. 2. Alluding to the custome of the Jewes who when they would gather an assembly or proclaim a matter did use to sound a Trumpet So here by the Trumpet sounding is meant the Saints proclaiming and sounding forth the word of truth declaring the testimony of Jesus and extolling his praises This they doe either by preaching forth or declaring of the truth or by making profession thereof These Trumpets doe respectively follow the seales opening as the vials follow the Trumpets sounding The first seale first Trumpet first viall goe together and every one of these respectively in order follow each other The beginning is with the opening of the seals which is Christ opening and disclosing of heavenly and divine truth unto his Saints and accordingly as the seals be thus opened to them they by declaring and professing of the truth so discovered to them are said to sound forth the Trumpets each Trumpet in his season according as the seals are opened and heavenly light and knowledge is discovered unto them Secondly what is meant by the seventh Trumpet In Chap. 8. we read of the sounding of the foure first Trumpets And in Chap. 9. of the fift and sixt Trumpets sounding and here we have the seventh and last Trumpet So that there is a graduall and orderly sounding of the Trumpets answerable to the opening of the seals when the last seale shall be opened then the seventh Angel comes to sound the last Trumpet which is the highest and last declaration of the truth and excellency of God Seven is the number of perfection of rest and blessednesse the seventh Trumpet is the proclamation or declaration of the kingdome of Christ caused by the Saints sounding forth the highest and the last glory of Christs raigne and dominion Thirdly we have the effect of the seventh Trumpet and there were great voyces in heaven The most perfect and exact the most distinct and sweet note of musick is the tongue of man there is no sound so perfect and compleat as these voyces in heaven these are the