1290 as I have proved at large in my fore-going Discourse Chap. 2. Sect. 5. 2 Because our Saviour Luk. 21.24 fore-telling the time how long the Jews Captivity should continue and Jerusalem should be trodden under foot of the Gentiles tels us that the same should be untill the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled And they shall fall by the edge of the Sword and shall be led away captive into all Nations and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles untill the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled the meaning whereof is not that the Jewish Captivity should continue untill such time as the Gentiles should cease to be Gods people any longer for the stream of the Prophets run against such a conjecture they every where fore-telling of a wonderful access of Gentiles to the Lord about the time of the Jews coming in from which day the Gentiles are not to be rejected but Jew and Gentile together to be the people of God But the meaning I conceive to be this until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled that is untill the time of the Gentiles Captivity and sufferings under Antichrist is at an end so long shall the Jews Captivity remain but with the end of the one shall the other also have end Now the Gentiles Captivity ending at the end of the forty two months the 1260 days which is the term of the Beasts Tyranny and the Womans being in the Wilderness therefore must the Jews also and so consequently the 1260 days and the 1290. end together 3 Because Daniel chap. 9.26 telling us how long desolations are determined upon the Jewish Nation makes their desolations to end with the end of the War Unto the end of the War desolations are determined Quest What War is this Answ Doubtless the War he had spoken of before chap. 7.21 viz. the War of the little Horn against the Saints I beheld and the same Horn made War with the Saints and prevailed against them the continuance of which War is but untill the end of the time times and a half where the time of the little Horns reign and Tyranny expires vers 25. He shall wear out the Saints of the most High and think to change times and Laws and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time Now observe with the end of this War the Jewish desolations end and their restauration begins now this War ending with the end of the time times and a half and the end of the time times and a half and the 1260 days being one and the same it necessarily follows that the 1260 days and the 1290 should end together THESIS XVIII The point of time where either ends is in the year of our Lord 1656. THESIS XIX The true beginnings of either number do necessarily infer this to be the end THESIS XX. The 1290 days are to be begun Anno Dom. 366 with that noted act of Julian of setting the Jews about reedifying the Temple and furnishing them out of the publick Treasury with all necessaries for this work when by a terrible Earth quake all they built was thrown up yea the very foundation-stones of the Temple which never till that day were moved thrown out of their places and by terrible Thunder and Lightning and Fire falling from Heaven all their tools and instruments were burnt up So that as Socrates in his third Book cap. 20. according to the Greek the 17. according to the Translation saith That there a man might have beheld Hammers Graving-Irons Saws Axes Hatchets c. consumed with fire which fire saith he ceased not to burn the space of a whole day and the Jews themselves being amazed hereat confessed Christ to be the omnipotent God Yea farther saith the aforesaid Author Cyril then Bishop of Jerusalem when they began the work remembred this Prophecy of Daniel and urging Christs words with it Matth. 24.2 did prophecy unto many that now the time was come that our Saviours words should be fulfilled which he spake of the Temple that not one stone should be left upon another Thus much out of the very words of Socrates who wrote above 1200 years ago The truth of this act is also testified by many other ancient Writers as Ammianus Marcellinus who lived in the very time of Julian and was a Souldier under him lib. 23. Theodoret who wrote his Ecclesiastical History Anno Dom. 430. Lib. 3. cap. 17. Sozomene who was contemporary with Socrates lib. 5. cap. 21 yea by most Chronologers and Historians both Ancient and Modern that have written any thing of this time Yea which is also a thing very observable and noted by Socrates and most of the aforesaid Authors viz. That as wicked Julian did set the Jews upon re-edifying the Temple so did he also about the same time send his Legates to offer Sacrifice in the chief Heathen Temple of the Gentiles in Delphos and there to consult with the Oracle of Apollo and as God by Earth-quake Thunder and Lightning did over-turn the one so did he also in the same manner and about that very time the other thereby overwhelming at once both the cheif Temples the one of the Jews he other of the Gentiles putting an end to the Jewish daily Sacrifice and the Gentile Superstitions at one and the same time and therefore no time may so fitly be called a time of Desolation and that because of abomination as this Now the Reasons why we are to fix the Head of our Account upon this act rather than any other before it or since it are 1 Because if we begin with any act before it the time is expired and the Jews not yet delivered experience therefore proves such beginnings false 2 Because we may not begin lower for these Reasons First Because if we begin lower the 1290 days cannot be made concurrent in their end with Johns 1260. which for the fore-going grounds must be Secondly Because Daniel being a Prophet of the Jews and the things he fore-told having a more especial respect to that Nation there cannot in any History of any time since Christ be found an act so famous and that with a relation to that Nation as was this act of Julians with which therefore we must begin or none Thirdly Because no beginning lower that will agree to Daniels words either can be found or is stated by any that ever yet I have met with and it is a thing that I have much observed how that all those who because the time is near and so little likelihood of any such thing appears as yet have not faith enough to beleeve this beginning have also not light enough to make out another but are silent laying down no Head to begin this account upon which yet the Holy Ghost hath marked out by as eminent and noted Characters to shew us where we are to begin it as any account in all the Scripture vers 11. From the time that the daily
truth had I dropped doubtful words concerning the same Yet because this Answer is none at all and I would not have any take bare words for Arguments and yet am loath here neither is it proper to start the question therefore setting aside the joynt and concurrent testimony of every of the Prophets of the Old Testament Jonah onely excepted which is rather a History than a Prophesie in this thing the truth whereof is not much more difficult to prove than to affirm I shall onely commend to such that of Paul Rom. 11. who speaks expresly not of spiritual but of natural Jews whom therefore he all along opposeth to the Gentiles calling them also branches broken off which cannot be spiritual branches but natural v. 21. the same broken off shall be grafted in again v. 24. And this not done only one by one in continuance of time but according to that of Isa 66.8 in a manner all at once ver 25 26. And so all Israel shall be saved which as yet we have never seen and yet because Scripture speaks it are to believe it Thus according to present light both of what I have received from others and have been able to add of my own a discovery of the age we live in hath been made and found to be that in which the great work of Israels redemption is most likely to be effected 2 Our next thing is that we may walk in the path before laid down to observe what those glorious and remarkable things are the accomplishment whereof God hath foretold and promised in and about these times And here give me leave to say that when I take a view of what holy Scripture hath recorded of that time in which Israel shall return to their own Land and also to the Lord and David their King that I do find this age none more full of wonders to all which Gods glorious work of redeeming Sion literal Sion or the Jews from their long captivity and spiritual Sion or the Gentile Churches from Antichristian bondage as it were the Axis upon which they turn Now to enumerate each particular of those transactions that Scripture tells us shall fall out in this age is not my intent but onely to take notice of some of the chief and such as are most free from exception for the directing of us to that which is our special work in this Generation Which are 1 Israels Redemption Which although by mentioning here again I may seem to tautologize yet must I do it this being the first and great thing promised which therefore we have before proved and make use of as a mark to descry the rest by 2 A large and plentiful conversion of Gentles to the Lord. as Isa 2.3 Many people shall say Come yee let us go up to the mountain of the Lord Which that it relates to the time in and about which the Jews shall be converted is clear vers 5. O house of Jacob i.e. ye Jews as distinguished from the Nations before spoken of Come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord. And yet more clear Mica 4.2 ver 6.7 So Isa 60.3 4 5. Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee the abundance of the Sea or Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Which that it is spoken of the Jews is clear because they are distinguished from the Gentiles and that the time of their redemption is here spoken of appears if you look back to Chap. 59.20 compared with Rom. 11.26 So Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day What day is that See vers 12. When the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy Land and shall choose Jerusalem again So Zach. 8.20.21 22 23. To all which add Rom. 11.25 26. where the Apostle speaking of the conversion of the Jews mentions also a fulness of the Gentiles about that time coming in 3 Vniting Saints that differ Zach. 14.9 In that day shall there be one Lord and his Name one And when shall this be why then when all Nations shall be gathered together against Jerusalem to battel as vers 2. So Zeph. 3.9 I will turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the Name of the Lord to serve him with one consent Division of languages made a division of men but when Gods people shall come to have a pure unbroken language all to speak one and the same thing division amongst Saints shall cease and there shall be union But when shall this be See vers 20. At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I will gather you for I will make you i.e. Israel distinguished from other people a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord. So Isa 11.13 The envy of Ephraim shall depart and the adversaries of Judah be cut off Ephraim shall not envy Judah and Judah shall not vexe Ephraim When shall this be the foregoing verse tells us He shall assemble the out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth So Ch. 54.13 all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shal be the peace of thy Children which may as well be understoâ—d of outward as inward peace for all being taught of God they shall not jar amongst themselves But when shall this be why then when as the Jews which now are barren as a widow and a wife of youth refused as vers 1.4.6 shall be received into favour again 4 Pulling down of high and lofty things under which as principal or head we are to comprehend the man of Sin or Romish Antichrist Is 2.11 12 13 14 15 16 17. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low And upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up and upon all the Oaks of Bashan And upon all the high mountains and upon all the hils that are lifted up And upon every high Tower and upon every fenced wall and upon all the shâ—ps of Tarshish and upon all pleasant pictures And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shall be made low and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day The meaning of all these metaphorical expressions is only this That at this time the day of the Lord the day of the Lord shall be upon all the strength and glory of the Creature upon all high and lofty things and persons that exait themselves above the Lord Christ to the pulling of them down
Gadarens send Christ away because they were loth to lose their swine Private interest of gain was the root of that great opposition made against the Gospel in Thratira Act 16.19 20. and after that at Ephesus Act. 19.23 24 25 c. And private interest of honor and preeminence set Diotrephes on work to oppose John and the work of Christ in his Churches Epist 3. vers 9.10 Private interest is an enemy to the work of the Generation and every work of God about it 5 Favour and own the Saints of the Generation and here by Saints I do not mean this or that party of men but such men of whatsoever party they may be as have the image of God upon them Christ and the Spirit of Christ in them To disown any such one though men call it disowning a Presbyter disowning an Independant disowning an Anabaptist c. yet Christ accounts it disowning his little ones In Zech. 12.5 We have a glorious Prophecy relating unto the last ages of the-world but more particularly to that age in which the Jews shall be converted and it chiefly concerns great ones States-men the Governors of Judah who in this day looking upon and beholding Gods wonderful appearances in behalf of his Saints under their Government owning of them shattering all that do but lifâ— up a hand against them to peeces bringing all Plots and Counsels against them to nothing they shall from hence be so powerfully convinced that they shall say in their hearts The Inhabitants of Jerusalem my strength or is our strength in the Lord of Hosts their God And observe it no sooner do they say thus Surely these are Gods people here lies our strength wee 'l stick to these but presently the work in their hands go on in despight of the most powerful opposition God making of them the terror of all the Nations round about them yea of the whole world which shall be but as stubble to the fire before them as vers 6. In that day viz. the day in which the Governours of Judah shall thus speak will I make the Governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood and like a torch of fire in a sheaf and they shall devoure all the people round about on the right hand and on the left A sad example of the contrary we have in David who though he were a man after Gods own heart and one that had faithfully served God for many years in his Generation yet by one injury offered to godly Uriah his hands were so weakned that as I have formerly said comparing after acts with what he did before we hardly find any remarkable thing performed by him in his Generation afterwards As nothing doth more strengthen a mans hand in Generation-work then countenancing the Saints so contrariwise nothing doth more enfeeble them than to injure these 6 Keep Justice alive against wilful offenders in the work Achan put a stop to the work of the Generation in his time but Justice having free passage upon Achan presently the work of the Generation goes on 7 Commit the managing of publique Affairs into the hands of faithful and holy men It is observable and but that I spare to run over again the list of Generations I could for proof thereof produce many instances that Generation-work hath never thriven but have bin always done by halves or peece-meal when it hath bin in the hands of such men who not being faithful to God have more pursued their own particular interests of honor profit and the advancement of relations and alliances than the good and welfare of the cause and the furtherance of the work of the Generation But that which is enough for our present purpose is how that in the last days particularly in that age in which Christ will pitch a field with those Kings of the Earth which stand in the way of his Kingdom he will pick and cull out as the only instruments that under him shall carry on this work such as are called and chosen and faithful as Rev. 17.14 These shall make waâ— with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them For he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful And also in that fatal blow which suddenly after shall be given to the Romish power and the powers of the world conjoyned his followers shall not be such as either rowle in the pollutions of the world or have stained their garments with the Idolatries and Superstitions of Antichrist but onely such as shall be cloathed in fine linnen clean and white as Rev. 19.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white For the fine linnen is the righteousness of the Saints And vers 14. The Armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white Horses cloathed in fine linnen white and clean Though men may imploy others yet Christ will by degrees lay them by in the doing of this work before the same shall be perfected 8 Take heed of divers things which if not prudently foreseen and shunned may any one of them slugg even a good man in the work of his Generation as 1 Take heed of being offended Christs Countreymen could not receive him for the Messiah because they were offended at his meanness and poverty Matth. 13.57 Many a man stumbles at the work of his Generation by an aptness to be offended at this and the other thing as First At the nâ—w light of the Generation As in the times before Christs coming and immediately after so long as God was opening his will to his people by a written word every generation almost did beam forth new light in regard of being Abrahams Generation producing somewhat that was not revealed in Adams nor to the old World Mosesses somewhat which was not revealed in Abrahams Davids somewhat which was not revealed in Mosesses Isaiahs somewhat which was not revealed in Davids Daniels somewhat which was not revealed in Isays John Baptists somewhat which was not revealed in in Daniels and Peter and Pauls somewhat which was not revealed in John Baptists time So in the Generations since God hath closed up his word truth having brought forth its last in regard of being and especially since the man of Sin who creeping in in the first ages corrupted and darkned the light of those times for many Generations together hath been going off the Stage every Generation almost hath afforded its new light in regard of discovery of that light which in the word had being before but obscured by the fogs of Antichristianism So Wickleff and John Hus in their ages made discovery of some light Luther in his Generation of more Calvin in his of more in respect of some things wherein Luther was in the dark and the ages since of more in respect of some things wherein all the foregoing Worthies were in the dark And this to say is no disparagement to them who did worthily in their
to forsake any man so far as he appears to me to go with that And in this resolution as to the present work I am confirmed by considering that the knowledge of those Prophecies which relate to the last times is to be attained not so much by settling upon old received Principles as by running to and fro to seek new Light and further Discoveries If any inquire of me as touching the reasons why I have forborn to mention the names of such Authors as I have had occasion in this Discourse to deal with my answer is because I would not appear as an opposer of men though for the love of truth I am an opposer of false Principles which may be in the best man and also because I would not give just cause by bringing the names of good men upon the stage to any who yet are living or the friends or lovers of such as are deceased to be offended I might adde another reason with wishes it were otherwise because many Professors in our dayes are grown so wanten that the very naming a good man and shewing him to be in a mistake is enough to make his name of little esteem if not odious with some of them And yet although I have suppressed names have I alwayes laid the weight of their Reasons in the ballance not willingly concealing nor extenuating by my laying it down the strength of any one Argument that whilst I was composing this Discourse I could meet with making against me which for any to do I have alwayes judged a manifest sign of one who rather seeks to make others think him a Victor than to finde the truth Having given thee Christian Reader this brief account of the rise of this enterprise and my progress in it I have only two or three things to adde First In case thou art one who art a young beginner whose face is but newly set towards Truth to seek it let me commend to thee this one rule amongst many which those who wait for the Spirit shall learn it being that which the Author being such a one as thy self finding himself wearied and quite tired out in seeking after truth whilst he hath addicted himself to follow now the opinion of this man now of that being able all this while to settle upon nothing hath in the end been forced as in other things so in this to have recourse unto which is to take the naked Scripture and read it over and by some distinguishing mark made in the Bible to sever those Scriptures which in the Prophets and elsewhere treat of the last times from other Scriptures whose subjects are different which done thou shalt then be able by the help of thy mark to turn thy Bible over and in a few hours to consider all that from one end of the Scripture to another hath special relation to the last times or by making a different mark to any subject into which thou desirest light whence having first by comparing the whole together founded thy self upon such Principles as are contradictory to no part thou shalt then be able to pass a right judgement upon the different minds and sayings of Writers knowing when and where to chuse and refuse as they agree with or differ from the substance of that truth which in Scripture hath special relation either to such a Time or such a Subject and as where this is carefully and understandingly done there will be little need of the multitude of Authors so where it is omitted there will be little else save confusion to him that shall turn them over And this let me say further in doing of it thou mayest promise thy self through the help of the good Spirit more full sat is faction then I will promise thee from what I have written or from any Book extant that ever I met with besides the Bible and willingly I would have been here at the pains to have pointed out to thee those Scriptures whose subject is the last times but that I judge that to read over thy Bible diligently thy self and mark them out will do thee much more good Secondly In case thou art one whose delight and study runs this way to pry into the mysteries of the last times if he might teach who indeed hath more need to learn I would say make stops sometimes and look round about thee lest while thou art running on supposing thou seest thy way before thee thou dost unawares out run thy Leader which if thou dost thou wilt streightway be woodded and wildred and go to work with thy reason only which will never make good work to hew the way thou shouldst go in And further never fear to make a turn out of the common road though standers by cry you are out of the way if so be thou perceivest truth to have taken that path before thee Thirdly If thou art one who art offended at the visible dispensations of this age and upon that account no friend to studies of this nature I only say perhaps thy readiness to be offended at what is done and doing at this day in the world ariseth hence from a not observing the signs of the times study therefore these things a little and more take a wise mans counsel Act. 5.36 Refrain from censuring and opposing for if the work now doing in the world be of men it will assuredly come to nought but if of God happily whilst ye oppose ye shall be found to fight against God Fourthly and lastly Whatsoever thou art receive not what is written without triall nor throw it away upon a loose triall with a Tush the one is an enemy to thy comfort for he that swallows meat whole tastes not the sweetness of it the other may be to thy light for he that 's resolved to open his eyes but half way must expect to see men like trees And as things are not written with a spirit of infallibility so as that all must be received so neither I hope is any thing put in with so much levity as deserves to be cast out with a Tush but rather lay Scriptures together wâ—igh things well and then judge Thus the Bereans did and are called noble for so doing whereas those who take things upon meer trust and those who throw them away without any triall are neither of them noble Only in case of trial do not for one single Scripture which may seem to thee to contradict any part reject the whole but rather lay Scripture to Scripture till the whole of Scriptures is brought to some harmony by which time possibly thou mayest see reason to be of my mind if not a better harmony being found I shall I so hope at least with thanks for light willingly relinquish my own and come to thine And further In case some things upon diligent fearch do evidently appear to be mistakes do not therefore because of some weeds throw away all the corn he that will eat no corn but what grew up without weeds
flee p. 105 The signification of the one thousand six hundred furlongs ib. The Conclusion of all Generation-work OR ANEXPOSITION Of the Prophecies of the Two Witnesses From the 11 12 and 14 Chapters of the Revelations Shewing yet farther what the designs of God abroad in the world may in all likelihood be at this present day and in the dayes near approaching To which is added A Key to unlock the Mystical Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations tending to resolve this Great Question How long shall it be to the end of Wonders The Third and last Part. By John Tillinghast Minister of the Gospel Isa 26.20 Come my people enter thou into thy Chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment until the indignation be over-past 21. For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the Inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity the earth also shall disclose her blood and shall no more cover her slain LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman at the Crown in Popeâ—-head-Alley 1655. To his Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland MY LORD IT is an Apocryphal saying but yet a true one Truth is greatest of all those who have others in Subjection unto them are themselves to become Subject to it We yeeld up our outward man to men and they can command no more but Truth commands our inwards This glorious Truth dwels not in the wisdom of the wise nor in the godliness of the godly nor in any creature-impulsions though ever so forcâ—ble which have no rule but their own but in the blessed word alone where truth hath pitched its Tabernacle and the way to be acquainted with it is through the help of the Spirit of Truth unsealing the Book opening our understandings to understand the Scriptures The knowledge of this Truth The great Revealer of secrets hath thought good to impart to his people not all at once but by degrees and so the several ages of the Church have had their several manifestations of truth a peece of truth coming forth in one age a peece more in the age following a peece more in the age following that God thus by degrees enlightning his people as they are able to bear it who should the Sun rise upon them all at once would be dazled not enlightned As the workings of the mystery of iniquity on the one hand or Gods dispensations of providence on the other have risen higher in any age so have also Gods dispensations of truth to the end his in every age might from principles of truth be led up to renounce the one and own and imbrace the other Hence those things which later ages look upon as low and poor things not worth contending for were great things in former ages because the Truths of that age And contrariwise those things which former ages could not have born with had they been revealed may be the necessary discoveries of ages since because the Truths of these times Hence likewise it is a marifest with holding the truth in unrighteousness and a declaration to the world of a compliance with Antichrist to confine either by penal Laws threats or practices the people of God in this age to the Truth or Truths of the former age Yea those that love the Truth ought not to suffer themselves fâ—r love or fear of men in this case to be confined Had the people of God in the age before us contented themselves to have preached the precious truths of Christs Priestly Office and out of obedience to the Wills and Commands of the then Ruling Powers surceased any farther enquiry how had the blessed Truths of Christ as King in his Churches been discovered If Christ hath yet farther and higher Truths to make known and the dispensers of truth shall suffer Bonds to be laid upon them how shall the will of God at this day in the revelation of truth be performed The wisdom of a Christian man who would serve God in his Generation is to enquire into the particular Truth of the age he lives in for it is a thing much more acceptable to a Friend when he haâ—h some great design in hand to serve him in that than to serve him in another thing but he that neither knows his friends mind nor his design cannot serve him in it The Truth of the age although the matter of it is to be looked for in the Word and no new thing contrary thereunto to be admitted the word without any additions being compleat in all knowledge able to make the man of God perfect throughly furnished unto all good works and if there appear to us to be a defect in this thing or that the defect is in our understandings not in the word yet in regard the word hath no where told us that the revelation of this truth belongs to this age the revelation of that to that We are therefore by some other Rules to make up a judgement which amongst the manifold truths of the word is the Truth of the age we live in Now among many I could name those which I judge the safest are 1 An observation of the time and a comparing therewith the Prophecies relating to that time 2 The dispensations of the age Gods truth and his workings going together 3 The general opposition that is made by men of the world carnal Professors yea Saints themselves so far as they have espoused a sinful or worldly interest against this or that truth for it is a thing of universal observation that the most opposed truth in any age hath ever been the truth of that age Neglect of looking into this Truth of the Generation is that fatal Rock upon which many worthy Instruments in all ages have split themselves and should search be made after instances of this kind the names of not a few might be produced who did run well at first and were lights and helps to others yet after all have concluded like the bright Sun setting in a cloud That the great truth of Christs Kingdom over the world judging the Beast c. is the truth of this Generation is so manifestly clear the former Rules with others of a like nature being seriously considered as that it would be but an adding light to the Sun here to give demonstration of it It being so I shall take the boldness craving leave a while not to know your power or greatness nor any private or personal engagements which yet I remember with thankfulness having begged it of the Lord and it is still my request that neither fear nor favor might make me unfaithful in the dispensation of truth according to my talent to be plain with your Highness not in mine own behalf nor in the behalf of any party at this day in England whom to gratifie in a case of this nature is a thing my soul desires to abhor for he that pleaseth men cannot be the servant of Christ but in the
hardned his heart How did the Lord accomplish this Pharaoh settles himself upon as righteous principles as ever any of the Sons of men could do One is that it belongs to the chief Ruler of a Nation to see to the profit and glory of that Nation What more righteous principle is there in the world Hence he concludes that if iâ— be incumbent on him to see that the Realm receive no detriment he must not let the people go by whom they received so many great advantages God confirms his heart in these principles which are good in themselves but saith the Doctor abominable when taken up against the mind and providence of God Hence he and his perished in their principles acting against the appearance of God Secondly It is also said of Sihon the King of the Amorites that his heart was hardned that he would not let the people go through his Land How I pray even by adhering to that wise principle That it is not meet to let a potent Enemy into the bowels of a people and this made way for his ruine Thus saith he it is with many they fix on principles good in general and in their season Old bounds must not be broken up Order must not be disturbed Let God appear never so eminently so mightily they will keep to their principle what is this but judicial hardness And this is one reason why the actings of God in such a day as this are so unsuited to the expectations of men they square his works to the interests and principles which it will not answer Hitherto Dr. Owen 4 Take heed of that ungodly principle sprung up of late the contrary to which some call a State-Herene though I am sure the principle is a Scripture-Herefie viz. That godliness in a Magistrate or Civil Officer is but a secondary qualification natural accomplishments and endowments being the primary for which therefore a man is to be intrusted with this power rather than the other I cannot but wonder how any who profess the Name of Christ much more who profess themselves to have been faithful to his cause should together therewith profess such an unchrist an yea Machiavilian principle which First Lies point-blank against the promises made to the last dayes which assure 1 That God will restore his peoples Judges as at the first Isa 1.26 But were Judges at the first Moses Joshua c. such 2 That their Governors should be of themselves Jer. 30.21 But may we call such of themselves Secondly Leaves out as of little worth comparatively the main qualifications of that divine pattern by which the first Rulers that ever were so made by men amongsh Gods own people were made Exod. 18.21 Thirdly Makes null that Divine Maxime 2 Sam. 23.3 He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God for how can such rule in the fear of God who have no fear of God before their eyes which is one character of every natural man Rom. 3.18 Fourthly Layes an unavoidable necessity of a continued judgement upon a people For if it be a judgement to have Rulers that know not God because such make the people to erre Isa 3.12 chap. 9.16 then if such for their natural endowments are to be chosen of necessity must a judgement lye upon that people over or amongst whom they are set Fifthly Opens a door to all persecution by putting the Civil Sword into the hands of the Seed of the Serpent for better cannot be said of a meer moral man which from the beginning hath had a natural enmity to the Seed of the Woman My Lord Bear with the boldness of it if I say That in case your Highness be found steering your course and laying out your power by this crooked rule know assuredly that Christ will suddenly take though how I know not your power from you and give it to one that shall lay it out otherwise I shall not multiply many more words save to add that in case any expression either in this or the following Discourse savour of the spirit of man which my self allows not have kept a watch against yet may be guilty of I do in that humbly crave your Highness pardon but as for the matter and substance of those things I have written I ask none my Conscience bearing me witness that I have afferted nothing but what according to my present perswasions not grounded upon this or that particular Text which is a deceiving way but by comparing the whole of Prophecies together is the truth of Christ yea the truth of the time though yet through mercy I have drunk in no such conceit of my own knowledge as though it were more than in part not do I impose upon your Highness conscience or the consciences of any a belief of my principles any farther then Scripture and right reason doth approve them yet would have none on the other side condemn them as this age is apt to do upon the account of this or that single Text till he hath compared the whole of Prophecies together in doing which he may perhaps see my reason of stating things as I have done which upon every occasion I could not bring forth and therewith a full answer to his own doubt And farther I have not in this work knowingly stretched any one Text beyond what I have judged its due bounds or forced an interpretation to reach any Party a blow Nor have I on the other side with-held any peece of the truth so judged by me lying in any Text nor minced any Interpretation to spare any party a blow As I would be loath to strike any my self for my blows can do me no good and them little hurt so would I not have a hand in keeping off that blow that truth will strike whosoever it fall upon And although a Discourse of this nature would better have become a graver Pen than mine and possibly from such a one been sooner hearkned to pride rashness and headiness having been the coutinual accusation laid against young men and not alwayes groundless yet seeing the Aged silent and perceiving through the light the Lord of his grace hath larely given me to see by a cleer opening sundry Prophecies which not long since were mysteries to me the cause of Christ in sore travel either through an ignorance of what Gods Designs are at this day or somewhat worse in those that should manage it I conceived my self though others might better do it yet at this time called to speak and to speak plainly Elihu though a young man went and that with success over the head of such a temptation in a less case That a like success and blessing from above may accompany this is his Prayer who is Your Highness humble Servant Mournful for You hold with You for Sions sake JOHN TILLINGHAST To the several Churches of Christ within this Commonwealth Together with all those that have fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ The Church
to that people more especially as never was upon earth Chap. 1â— 1 At that time that is when this raging King of the North spoken of in the close of the former Chapter shall have so distressed the Jews shall Michael stand up and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a Nation by which trouble they shall be scattered and in a manner broken to peeces as appears by Zacharies description of this day Zach. 14.1 2 3. In a word therefore as the time times and a half which sets forth the most black day of the Gentiles is ordered by God so to fall out as that it is here laid down in the more dark answer as a mark of the first viz. 1290 dayes which notes the beginning time so the scattering the power of the holy people or the Jews black day is laid down as a mark of the second viz. the 1335 dayes or the compleating time of Wonders when as saith the Text all these things shall be fulfilled Now besides that reason that the thing it self carries with it as I have opened it that what hath been said viz. That the intent of the Holy Ghost in the first answer is not to lay down any way or rule for us to calculate the times by but rather to give us evident marks and signs of either time appears to me for these Reasons 1 Because as to the first branch of the Answer namely the time times and a half we have no head of account laid down where to begin them if we begin them with the beginning of Johns 1260 they fall as we have said thirty years too short if from the time Daniel saw the Vision above a thousand years too short where therefore shall we begin them or how shall we account if we cannot find a Head to begin our account upon The Holy Ghost wheresoever he intends an account of times should be made up by us doth either lay down some express Head for us to begin upon as in the following verses And also Dan. 9.24 25. or else leaves us to begin from the time of the Vision but here we have not the one nor may we do the other 2 Because the second branch viz. the scattering of the power of the holy people is no number and therefore can be no other thing but a mark ergo must the first likewise 3 Because if the intent of the first answer be to give us any account of the time how long then considering that this is the main drift of the second answer it will follow that either we have two diverse accounts laid down in the two several answers or but one if two diverse how then are the answers the same which we have before proved if one and the same then is there Tautologie in the Text. 4 And lastly This seems to me to be the very reason why the answer was so dark to Daniel that he heard but understood not because the force of the answer lay in signs which being not as then things visible or in being Daniel is confounded within himself and knows not what to make of the answer This being so that the time times and a half are here laid down only by way of mark it will much better agree to our sense to take the time times and a half for three years and a half than to the other which interprets them 1260 years for that which is laid down purely as a mark must not be drawn out at length for then it ceaseth to be a mark and becomes a rule to measure by but must ever be held and accounted for some noted point some remarkable action by observing which we may learn something else This Text being opened there needs not much to be said to that other Chap. 7.25 save only that as the time times and a half are here laid down by way of mark so likewise are the time times and dividing of time there The thing they point at is not the duration of the little Horns Kingdom how long it should continue from the time of its first rise but rather to shew which who observes it shall find to be the very scope of the place when this blasphemous raging little Horn who for a long time together had worn out the Saints changed times and Laws should have a period put to his boundless rage and tyranny which I say is set forth not by measuring the time of his Kingdom but by hinting as a mark a most remarkable action which should be in the very concluding time of it and indeed prove the break-neck of his Kingdom and that is the black day of the witnesses killing the end of which day should put a period to his Kingdom the time of his rage and tyranny which thing though a great mystery in Daniel therefore when Daniel heard this the second time Chap. 12. he confesseth that he understood it not yet it is a thing cleerly revealed in John as we have formerly noted viz. that the end of Antichrists Kingdom and the end of the three dayes and a half the limited time of the Witnesses lying dead shall fall at one and the same point and therefore well may the time time and dividing of time he laid down as a mark to shew when a Period should be put to the Kingdom of the little Horn. Thus we see that Daniels time times and a half is so far from being repugnant to that Exposition I have given of Johns time times and a half that indeed rightly opened we have hence a strong confirmation of it yea of our whole methâ—d for as I said at first if Johns time times and a half be not to be understood of 1260 years but of three years and a half only then of necessity must the method of this 12 Chapter be as I have stated it If notwithstanding all any should yet say That surely it cannot be without something of the mind of God that a time times and a half that is three years and a half reduced into dayes and these dayes into years again should make the very sum of 1260 dayes or years Ans Yes I am verily perswaded that there is much of the mind and wisdome of God in it but if I may nakedly speak what I think is the mind of God herein I take it to be this That men when they will be curious which is a thing the best are prone unto and as soon taken with as any one snare I know shall even in the word it self find something to feed their curiosity whereby the simplicity of truth shall be hidden to them And indeed whether to go from a certain Prophetical stile a time for a year to a new stile no where clearly found in all the Word namely a time or year put for a year of years only upon this account because a time times and a half i. e. three years and a half will by this reduction amount to 1260 years I
say whether it seem not to savour more of curiosity than truth and might not possibly be by the wonderful wisdome of God so left in the Word on purpose that truth till the discovering time should come might be the more veiled I leave to the Spiritual and understanding Reader to judge The result of the whole is that the Prophecie of the twefth Chapter is not to be limited to the first period but brings us down even to the end of the second period namely of the 1260 years and consequently the time times and a half mentioned vers 14. is the same with the three dayes and a half Chap. 11.9 SECT VI. FRom what hath been said many useful truths arise which confirm us in the things before asserted upon Chap. 11. and also are a good confirmation by reason of that sweet harmony of truth it carries with it of the method laid down in this Chapter as 1 That the three days and a half Chap. 11.9 are not the sâ—me with the one thousand two hundred and sixty days because we have a manifest difference here made betwixt the time times and a half which answers to the three days and a half and the 1260 days 2 That the killing of the Witnesses shall not be a general act an act in all places at once because within the time times and a half which is the term of the Witnesses lying dead there is elsewhere a remnant of the Womans Seed standing up for Christ vers 17. 3 That the particular place in which the Witnesses are to lye dead is Germany because the War leading to their killing is in that Land 4 That the Witnesses in their killing time shall be deprived if not totally yet in a great measure of such outward Means and Ordinances as they enjoyed though in a mournful and suffering condition all the time of their Prophecy yet notwithstanding shall have a principle of life kept alive in them by the way of Christs more secret working therefore it is said of the Woman the 1260 days they fed her v. 6. but in the time times and a half she is non-rished vers 14. 5 That the People and Kindreds and Nations and Tongues Chap. 11.9 are such persons who drive on a worldly and earthly interest for they are here called the earth vers 16. And the earth helped the woman 6 And last That the people of God elsewhere within the time that the Witnesses lie dead shall have a cloud upon them and be brought into some straits for a War is attempted within the time times and a half by the Dragon upon the remnant of the Womans seed vers 17. SECT VII I Shall conclude this Chapter with a word or two of enquiry as touching this remnant of the Womans seed Two things concerning them are worthy a search after 1 What people are here meant by this remnant of the Womans seed that the Dragon within the three days and a half makes war upon 2 How or in what fense we are to conceive of this War made upon this remnant of the Womans seed by the Dragon Concerning the first I shall not presume to determine any thing of this people any further than the Holy Ghost hath who describes them by two notable distinguishing Characters as willing thereby to mark them out from all the people that within the time of the three days and a half should be found in the world besides First They are such who keep the Commandements of God By Commandements we are to understand those Gospel-Institutions Christ gave to his people in command upon his Resurrection so called Act. 1.2 After that he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandements unto the Apostles whom he had chosen Secondly They shall be such who have the restimony of Christ What is that Answ A Spirit of Prophecy amongst them Revel 19.10 the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy i.e. they shall be a people much looking into the Propheâ—ies of the last times having a great in-sight into what God is about to do in the world and abundance of faith in behalf of the cause of Christ so as not to fear it though the same be opposed by all the world yea and all the Devils in Hell Such a People who shall be eminent above all others for these Characters shall be found in the world at the time the Witnesses lye dead these shall be as an eye-sore to the Dragon who shall dread some mischief to arise to his Kingdom from them and therefore he shall wonderously dâ—sire and lay about him if it may be to rid these out of the way as fearing he shall not be secure in his seat whilst they are in the world and therefore having killed the Witnesses his next attempt is upon these But now as to the second How doth he attempt them or what manner of wat is it that he makes upon them In order to my answer I premise 1 That that Dragon which is the grand Persecutor of the Woman throughout this Chapter from whom all her sufferings originally arise is according to the Holy Ghosts interpretation vers 9. that old Serpent the Devil and Satan He stands ready to devoure the Childe as soon as born vers 4. He wars with Michael vers 7. He drives the Woman into the Wilderness vers 13 14. He casts a floud after her to drown her vers 15. He makes war after this with the remnant of her seed vers 17. 2 That this Dragon Satan being a spiritual and an invisible enemy and all the sufferings of the Woman until this day having been ever caused by some outward and visible means Wee may not therefore conclude that it is by any immediate hand or act of the Dragon that the Woman suffers but by some mediate hand that is some thing or power acted by this Dragon and made an instrument to serve his design against the Woman therefore is the Dragon said in his fighting to make use of Angels or Instruments vers 7. and also in his fal hath Angels or Instruments falling with him vers 9. 3 This thing or power acted by the Dragon to afflict the Woman is sometimes one thing sometimes another sometimes one thing onely sometimes more than one accordingly as he hath permission to act this or that thing and finds that by the acting of one thing or of diverse he may best effect his own design of distressing and if it might be destroying the Woman therefore before the Beast comes in he acts the power of the Pagan Empire after the Beast is come in the power of the Beast more in general but more particularly the power of the German Empire 4 That thing or power which is most commonly or properly governed by him is in a distinct consideration from all other things or Powers called by the name of the Dragon So of all the Powers in the world the Roman Power in the Primitive Ages goes under the name of the Dragon vers 3. of
shall be in the land of Canaan near Jerusalem Hence that opinion falls to the ground which would have this 1600 Furlongs to be a designation of Peters Patrimony which saith the Author of it in the longest extent thereof from the wals of Rome to the River Po is exactly 1600 Furlongs whence saith he its probable that the Popes own Territories may prove the Cock-pit of this execution whither Christ as into a Wine-press will from all parts gather the bloody grapes when he means to tread them Another opinion I find hereof which applies 1600 Furlongs to the greatness of the punishment which shall befall the enemys of Christ at this day and that in respect both of the multitude of those who shall be punished and the length of their torment Blood flowing so great a depth as to the Horse Bridles and this for 1600 Furlongs is an Argument both of abundance of blood and a long time of pressing This conjecture also agrees well to the Prophets who speaking of this day make mention of multitudes that shall be destroyed Ioel 3.14 Ezek. 38. 39. Rev. 16.14 16. 19.19 20 21. and also of length of torment Isa 66.24 Now seeing that either of these opinions will and do agree to the mind of the Holy Ghost in other places where mention is made of this day I judge it most safe not to restrain the interpretation of so great a mystery to any one but as the wisdom of God in Scriptures more plain much more in places so mystical is manifold so to conceive that either viz. the time place and greatness of the punishment also may be here intended Thus once more we are come unto the day of Christs appearing which though looked for but by a few yet doubtless hastens upon us By how much this blessed time is nearer by so much the more doth it call upon us to have our eyes fixed thereupon to awake arise put on our beautiful garments and shake our selves of our dust gather up our courage our zeal our life our love to Christ his cause and people resolving within our selves for Sions sake not to hold our peace and for Jerusalems sake to give him no rest till the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a Lamp that burneth till she who now is termed forsaken and her land called desolate shall become a Crown of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of our God and be no more called Hephzibab nor her land Beulah but the Lords delight marryed unto him the praise of the whole earth an eternal excellency a joy of many Generations a City of solemnities a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down nor one of the stakes be for ever removed where the glorious Lord will be unto his a place of broad Rivers and Streams to water the City of our God to replenish and make fat the Mountain of his Holiness Which things as he hath foretold them in his Word and will surely fulfill them in their season So let me say THIS GENERATION SHAL NOT PASS TIL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED for the time is at hand He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness Verily a short work will the Lord make upon the earth Warch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape those things that shall come upon the world and to stand before the Son of Man For he that doth these things saith Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according at his worke shall be I come as a Theesâ— Blâ—ssed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Gâ—rments lest be walk â—â—ked and they see his shame Even so Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Amen Isa 14.32 What shall oâ—â— now duswer the Messongers of the Nation That the Lord bath founded Sion and the poor of his people shall trust in it From my Sâ—â—dy in Trunch the 23. day of the first Month in the year of our Lord 1654. FINIS A MOTIVE TO Generation-work OR A Key to unlock the Mysticall Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations tending to resolve the great Question of the Age we live in viz. How long shall it be unto the end of Wonders By J.T. A waiter for the Redemption of Sion Dan. 8.13 Then I heard one Saint speaking and another Saint said unto that certain Saint which spake How long shall be the Vision concerning the daily Sacrifice and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under foot Vers 14. And he said unto me Vnto two thousand and three hundred dayes then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Exod. 12.41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years even the self same day all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman 1655. The Epistle to the Reader Christian Reader IT hath been oftentimes in my thoughts that there is hardly any controversie in this age which is fruitful in little else but there are in that thing wherein the controversie lyes some more general principles of truth which as in their own nature they do carry a light round about them so could they be found our would in a few words inlighten a man more than all those tedious Volumes which about things controverted are daily sent forth into the world which ordinarily do but beat about the Bush never coming at the place where these principles lye The care of that man who would make discovery of Truth should be in the first place and above all to search these out and having found them to place them rightly for these being to be his foundation if but a stone in this foundation be either not of the true metal or displaced it necessarily follows that so much of the building as hath it for its Basis must be weak or carried awry The best outward means to attain these principles is to give attendance to the reading of the word and diligently to compare one place with another but yet this may be done and a man no whit the neerer if with this endeavour there do not concur the inward supply and assistance of the Spirit And truly I have many times thought with my self that as the great thing our faith is to have in its eye when it goes to the Promise for teaching is That the Lord would lead us to these so the principal thing in the Spirits teaching when it teacheth any soul is by its inward hints to point it unto these The most certain Character to know these principles by when they are attained and when not is an universal harmony of Truth for these principles are as the Center in which all the lines of Truth which are separated in the Circumserence do weet together and become one point But now as the wider any Circumference is the farther will a man be
who walks there from the Center So those who travel in the large Circumference of mens Writings are farther from these principles than those who shunning this broad way betake themselves to the narrow path of the Word alone And it stands with reason it should so be though we had it not to say This way is the way of the Promise for the bringing forth of a Harmony being by comparing one thing with another a man may much better compare where he hath much laid down in a little as in the Word than where hee hath little in much as in the Writings of men for as Judgement Memory c. are greatly holpen by the one so are they confounded by the other Those principles are not without cause to be suspected which will not produce this Harmony for Truth being one and but one so far as the creature cannot make it one it s a manifest Argument of his falling short of the knowledge of Truth As it is ordinary for Gods people by inward hints to have first the light of thâ—se principles which followed up will produce this outward Harmony so must they in case they would walk safely and make right conclusions by this outward Harmony judge of their inward hints Hence inward hints are noâ— to the fleighted nor rably rejected for of entimes they carry that with them which were they followed up by those that have them would produce a glorious Harmony of Truth Nor contrariwise are they to be credited or received any further than by this out ward Harmony a testimony is given to them for it is most certain if the Spirit within be Teacher he will make manifest the hidden mysteries of his voyce without but never contradict them These principles I am speaking of could they be found out and brought to light the way to Truth would bee shorter the mystery of Truth cleerer the force of Truth to batter down Error by how much it would be more united greater and a close among the spirits of good men sooner attained than is like to be in any other way Withall whosoever would examine other mens principles upon any particular subâ—ect walking by this Rule shall find that work easie which might otherwise prove very difficult That I my self have attained this knowledge I cannot say nor is it likely seeing I am but uewly come unto this Lesson yet having made a discovery of such a way I am pressing after it and what I have attained I offer to thee Sober Reader Read and judge and try if thou pleasest A Key to the Mystical Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations Or. certain Theses tending to resolve the great Question of the present time How long shall it be unto the end of Wonders Added as a Motive to the several parts of Generation-Work THESIS I. THere is a certain definite and determined time that God in his Word hath set how long the Captivity and Sufferings of the Church of the New Testament shall continue beyond which they shall not be extended That such a determined time should be is a thing of special use both for the comfort of Gods Church under suffering the firengthning of their faith and the helping them in prayer and it cannot be thought that God who was so careful to measure out the time of his Churches sufferings under the Old Testament and that to a yeer yea a day seventy yeers in Babylon 430 in Egypt and in the self-same day the determined time was expired God brings them out Exod. 12.41 51. should be altogether careless as if his grace in Gospel-times were less of measuring out and determining the time of the Captivity and Sufferings of the Church of the New Testament THESIS II. The knowledge of this time is a thing attainable or otherwise there could be no advantage arising hence Yea the former ends should be fruitless and of no use yea otherwise why is there a promise left us of attaining knowledge as to this thing by running to and fro Dan. 12.4 if by running to and fro knowledge were not attainable Yea to what end are the mystical Numbers in the time of the end to be unsealed Dan. 12.9 if notwithstanding their unsealing no certain conclusion as to the things they hold forth were deducible THESIS III. This knowledge though attainable is not a discovery intended for al Ages but for the last only or those Saints which shall live immediately before the expiration of this time Therefore is the revealing time alwayes particulatly noted by this express Character The time of the end Dan. 12.4 But thou O Daniel shut up the words and seal the Book even to the time of the end Vers 9. Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Chap. 8.17 Vnderstand O Son of man for at the time of the end shall be the Vision which last words cannot respect the time of the Vision which was many Ages since in the third yeer of Belshazzar vers 1. nor the matter of the Vision as if the same did relate only to things done in the time of the end for the matter of the Vision is a Prophecie of the three last Monarchies First Medes and Persians Secondly Grecians Thirdly Romans the Babylonian Monatchy being omitted because it was in the expiration of that Daniel had the Vision and therefore the matter of it runs through all of them and may not be limited to the time of the end but they respect the revelation of the Vision which Daniel himself hath light into at present but with this Proviso that he shut it up Vers 26. Shut thou up the Vision for others must wait for the understanding of these things until the time of the end THESIS IV. The Persons in a capacity and that when the Book is opened to attain this knowledge are such only as make inquiry after it Therefore the determinative answer concerning the times is given forth to the inquiring Saints Dan. 8.13 14. Then I heard one Saint speaking and another Sain said unto that certain Saint which spake How long shall be the Vision concerning the daily Sacrifice and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary and the host to be trodden underfoot And he said unto me Vnto 2300 dayes then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed And also the promise of increase of this knowledge and that in the time when the Book is to be unsealed is not to all though persons otherwise qualified with abundance of grace and knowledge but to such onely as are runners to and fro Dan. 12.4 But thou O Daniel shut up the words and seal the Book even to the time of the end many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased THESIS V. The time it self is held forth in those Mystical Numbers that we find in the Prophecie of Daniel and the Book of the Revelation which must be because no determination of the time can be found in all the
likewise it is said vers 26. after 62 weeks that is 62 added to the other seven spoken of vers 25. which make 69 shall the Messiah be cut off and not after 70 weeks shall the Messiah be cut off because indeed Christs sufferings came before the 70 week was fully and compleatly expired These four deducted there remains to be accounted upon only 486 years which passed from the 20 of Artaxerxes Mnemon until Christs Passion THESIS LVIII Our third part or period comprehends the number of years from the year of Christs Passion until the end of the year 1655 or which is all one the beginning of that noted year 1656. THESIS LIX Within this Period we are to account upon 1622 years thus Christ was thirty years old when he began to preach Luke 3.23 from the time he began to preach until his Passion the common opinion holds three years and a half but we are to account three years only as is clear from Christs own words Luke 13.32 Go ye and tell that Fox Behold I cast out Devils and I do cures to day and to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected vers 33. Nevertheless I must walk to day and to morrow and the day following Shewing us that Christ in preaching spent three full years and yet but three for as he is baptised at the very beginning of the seventieth week i.e. at the beginning of the first day or year of that week so he is perfected at the end of the third day of that week or the third year from the time he began to preach Christ then at the day of his Passion was three and thirty years old which three and thirty years because our common account begins from the year of Christs Nativity we are to deduct these deducted of 1655 there remains only 1622 which we are to account upon THESIS LX. Let us now reckon up the three last periods that wee have gone through and see what number of years of the 2300 we have already gained those yet behind will fall in of themselves The first period from the first of Cyrus to the twentieth of Artaxerxes Mnemon contains 147 years The second from thence to Christs Passion 486 years Both together makes up 633 The third period from Christs Passion to the year 1656 contains 1622 The total Sum is 2255 It follows then that with the beginning of the year 1656 there are 2255 of Daniels 2300 years expired the remaining years are only 45 which will expire A.D. 1701 the very year in which Daniels 1335 dayes doth also expire THESIS LXI The 2300 dayes of Daniel are the best and surest Chronologie of the Number of the worlds years that have passed since the first of Cyrus or the beginning of the Persian Monarchy until this present day THESIS LXII The 2300 years ending according to our former Computation at the same point with the 1335 is a good Argument to prove that our course by a good hand of Providence hath been steered aright both as to the beginning of either number and also the carrying on of this great number for should we seek after any other beginning of the 1335 dayes then what we have before stated the 1335 dayes could never be brought to end with the 2300. Or in case the head of the 2300 dayes were to be placed either higher or lower or the Computation to be made otherwise than what hath been laid down then would not the 2300 dayes concur in their end with the 1335. And such a Computation it is necessary should bee made as may bring both these to end together THESIS LXIII The Harmony that is betwixt all those Mystical Numbers we have passed through is a thing very glorious and admirable to behold for there is not any one of them but affords a beam of light to the other The 1290 dayes affords a great beam of light to the 1260 and contrariwise the 1260 to that again The 1335 dayes affords a glorious beam of light to the 2300 and contrariwise the 2300 to that again Finally as the beginning of the 1260 proves our beginning of the 1335 to be true so our beginning of the 1335 proves the beginning of the 2300 to be true And contrariwise as the beginning of the 2300 proves the beginning of the 1335 to be true so the beginning of the 1335 the beginning of the 1260 to be true So that which is glorious to consider the Mystical Numbers of Daniel and the Revelations though diverse and having diverse beginnings yet have within themselves such an universal Harmony that each one serves to inlighten the other and the other him again THESIS LXIV The final Conclusion is That the rise of the Witnesses the end of the Beasts reign and treading underfoot the Holy City and the first stirring of the Jews will in greatest likelihood be in the year 1656 with which year ends the 1290 dayes the 1260 the 42 months The Personal coming of Christ the final destruction of the four Beasts or Monarchy and the compleat deliverance of the Jews in the year 1701 with which year ends Daniels 2300 dayes and his 1335. Matth. 24.48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming 49. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with the Drunken 50. The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not aware of 51. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the Hypocrites there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth A Concluding Word WHen Daniel understood by Books the number of the years whereof the Lord had said He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem he set himself to seek the Lord by fasting weeping and mourning When Moses understood the time of the delivery of Gods people out of Egypt to be at hand he not only strengthned his Brethren but took courage and went in unto Pharaoh Though it is far from entring into my thoughts to compare my self with these yet is it my duty and desire to imitate them in their grace As to the first my hearts desire and prayer to the Father of mercies is That a Daniels praying Spirit might abound in my self and all the people of God at this day As for the second my intents and purposes were to have closed up this discovery with a solemn Exhortation First To the Higher Powers of this Commonwealth Secondly To all those who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ within it But considering how poor and vain a thing the words of the Creature are and how little where much is spoken reacheth the heart if the Holy Spirit apply it not in my after thoughts I judged it better to leave it to the Spirit of God to set home these truths than to undertake to do it my self and therefore resting in these thoughts I shall only in a word or two deliver a Message and I hope not my own First To the Higher Powers the Message is this THIS PEOPLE SAY THE TIME IS NOT COME the time that the Lords work should be carried on Is it time for you O yee to dwell in your cieled houses and this work of Christ lye waste Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts Consider your wayes Yea thus saith the Lord Consider your wayes For if at this time you lay aside that work wherein the cause and glory of our dear and blessed Redeemer is so neerly and immediately concerned and attend to work of another nature which comparatively he calls you not to he will assuredly in sore displeasure with shame and contempt lay you aside ruine shall come to Babylon salvation and deliverance unto Mount Sion another way Secondly To the people of God in this Common-wealth the Message is this That although you are verily as unworthy a generation of Saints considering how formal the profession of some is how loose the Principles of others how unlike Saints of old yea Saints but of yesterday we are all of this so great Grace now ready to be revealed as ever the earth bore Yet that the whole world may see and know the exceeding riches of his grace and that by the sheddings abroad of his love which is a way more suitable to Gospel administrations your over-grown corruptions may be rooted out and the breaches of Sion made up and you made to remember your own evill wayes and doings that were not good and to loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and abominations his grace shall with a notwithstanding triumph over all this your unworthiness and he will yet redeem his cause from the Grave carry on his work among you before you and by you as Instruments gloriously and speedily yea with a high hand for his Name sake Thirdly in particular to the Imprisoned Saints together with all those who in this day suffer the reproaches of men the scorn and censures of Brethren for the testimony of Jesus and upon the account of his Kingdom my Message is Your Brethren that hated you and cast you out for Christs name sake said LET THE LORD BE GLORIFIED but he shall appear unto your joy and they shall be ashamed Lastly To all Sions Children wheresoever they may be that take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof let me say Lift up your heads with joy for your redemption draweth nigh For yet a little while and behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the Inhabitants of the earth for their Iniquity when as he hath purposed he will stain the pride of all glory and bring into contempt the honorable of the earth For it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompences for the controversie of Sion And though the scarlet Whore begins now to say in her heart I sit as a Queen am no Widow and shall see no sorrow yet shall her plagues come upon her in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord our God that judgeth her FINIS