[Page] The TIME of the END:
SHEWING, First, until the three years and an half are come (which are the last of the 1260 dayes) the prophecies of the Scripture will not be understood, concerning the Duration and Period of the FOURTH MONARCHY and Kingdom of the Beast.
THEN Secondly, When that TIME shall come, before the expiration, the Knowledge of the End (or that there shall be Time no longer) will be revealed, By the Rise of a little Horn, The last Apostacy, and the Beast slaying the Witnesses; contemporizing
The Characters Of which little Horn, the last Apostacy and Beast (as the Scriptures shew them) are here faithfully opened; And the Application left to the Wise.
By John Canne.
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets. Amos 3. 7.
Think not that I come to send peace on earth; I come not to send peace, but a sword. Mat. 10. 34.
London, Printed for Livewel Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley, 1657.
[Page] To the Reader.
THat enmity which from the beginning Jehovah Elohim (the Lord God) did put between the Serpent and the Woman, and between their seed, as always, so now, doth work with marveilous earnestness in all those who in every age from their proper spirit are engaged by their principals, to maintain the combate to the time of the end.
The Righteous is an abomination to the wicked, and the wicked is an abomination to the Righteous, from the beginning to the end of this present evil world.
For as then (even in Abrahams time) he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was born after the spirit; even so it is now in these last days, and will be so till the old serpent the Divel and Sathan, be cast into the bottomless pit; [Page] and then according to the scope of the Scriptures of Truth, the bond-woman and her son will be cast out, and the children of the free-woman shall be the heirs.
And when I say, So it is now in these last dayes. I desire it may be well weighed, for assuredly the Serpent and his brood will muster all their forces, will improve all their policies, will come forth with utmost, inraged malice, to do the most mischief they can against the true spiritnal [...]eed.
The fresh Auxiliaries which are used in this service of the Dragon, that old Serpent, are the Apostates of the last times; who are such Christians in a form of Godliness, as the Devil is an Angel of Light, when he is so transformed, retaining his cursed properties and designs under the pretence of such a glorious transformation.
‘Therefore (saith the Apostle) it is no great thing, if also his Ministers be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness.’
Which words are, or may be, to the more cautelous Christians, a great preservative against the poysonous infection of the present Apostacy; for multitudes of careless ones have been beguiled [Page] by these deceitful (or cheating) workers, into a compliance with the interest of the Kingdom of the Beast.
But Blessed be the name of our Lord Protector, the Patron of Innocency, Truth, and Righteousness: that these deceitful workers, resisters of the Truth, Patrons of the carnal worldly Church, shall not proceed much farther; for their folly in its appointed season shall be made manifest to all men, as the folly and madness of other of their brethren before them, have been made manifest in like manner.
And (which is matter of great rejoycing to the Lords suffering servants) the Prince of the Apostates himself hath bin compel'd by the over-ruling Power of our Lord Jesus, to defile his own nest, to throw dirt in the face of his own Brat, to trample upon his own Government, with notable contempt, in the presence of his cowardly men of war. Oh! what joy of heart is it to us to live to see, how in that very thing wherein they dealt so proudly, so imperiously, the Lord is above them, and leaves them to such a degree of folly, as to set at nought, in such notable language [Page] in set Speeches, the works of their own heads and hands; and that in so short a space of time: verily it cannot be treason any longer (no not in the sence of the Court it self) to imagine, speak or write against the Instrument, or instruments which brought forth that monstrous Government. Ye may all speak treason by authority, [...] ye Inhabitants of these three Isles of the Sea; for your Lord Protector himself hath lately set you a Pattern to pour contempt upon the whole Fabrick, both Foundation and Superstruction.
It is to be ascribed to the preventing Grace of God himself, and to no other cause, that some few of us have been preserved from that dangerous communion and conformity, wherewith many professors, well meaning souls, (like the followers of Absalom of old) have been unawares surprised and intangled.
That Scripture in 2 Tim. 3. the first five verses (which by the servant of Christ, the Author of the insuing Treatise, is opened and compared with two other famous Prophesies concerning the little Horn, and the Bottomless-pit-Beast) was made effectual to my spirit and conscience, to deliver me from those snares wherein [Page] the feet of others, not a few, have been taken: faith the Apostle in the forementioned place (after he had made a catalogue of Characters, whereby to describe the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last time) from such turn away. And the first and last of those Characters lay with most weight upon my spirit: Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God, having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
And what I spake publikely in a great Assembly, concerning the little Horn, in two general Observations, and nine special Characters, whereby to discern it from the other Horns, amongst whom it came up, is remembred by many then present; since which, others have likewise given their judgements. But this Author (by what conduct of providence, time will shew) hath found cause to make those two Prophesies concerning Daniels little Horn, and Johns Bottomless-pit-Beast, to synchronise, and to bring in the Apostacy of these last times, to accompany them in their accomplishments.
It is remarkable what is told Daniel, Chap. 12. v. 10. Mary shall be purified and made white and [...]yed, but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Surely the Apostates and Hypocrites of the last times are some of these wicked ones: these will do wickedly, but they cannot understand. Understanding dwelleth not, taketh not up her rest in the Assemblies, in the Counsels, of [Page] the last and worst sort of wicked ones.The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; the wise shall understand: who is a wise man?he that fears the Lord, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. He that is become a fool for Christs sake, that he may be wise. He who from a principle of saith and love, which is in Christ Jesus, can deny himself, can take up his Cross daily and follow his prince and his Saviour through the fire and through the water, if need be, and the cause of Christ call for it.
The wicked, instead of understanding these Prophecies, shall do wickedly against those who watch and pray for the accomplishment of them; shall secretly wish that the Lord would delay his coming; cannot eccho to the voice of the Spirit and of the B [...]ide, saying, Come Lord Jesus; shall be found smiting their fellow servants, conforming themselves to this old evil world, eating and drinking with the gluttons, and with the drunken; the Kings and the Inhabitants of the earth, who are made drunk with the wine of the fornication of the mother of Harlots, &c.
They cannot brook the hand-writing [Page] of God in the Scriptures concerning the numbring, weighing and finishing of their Kingdoms and Governments, so well as that Baby lonish Prince Belshazzar did bear the interpretation of the hand-writing upon the plaster of the wall. But in stead of doing them honour who forewarn them of their approaching destruction, cannot behold them with a cheerful aspect from the moment of such their faithful admonitions and reproofs: but the will of the Lord be done.
I desire moreover it may be understood and remembred by friends and enemies, that we have not by our Testimony ingaged our liberties and lives against the Gen. & the Apostatizing part of the Army, meerly, or indeed principally, upon the account of the expiration of the time allotted to the litle Horn, & the Beast (as it may be some have done) but upon the account of that good, righteous, and blessed Cause which He and his Officers seemed formerly to have loved better then their own lives, though since they have most unworthily preferred Barabbas before Christ, and so gratified the humours and the lusts of the [Page] children of Belial throughout the Nations, whilst the Lords remnant have been weeping and mourning in this day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy, for that abominable back-sliding, whereof they are guilty before the Lord▪ Let that counsel of Solomon and Paul rake place among those who have not yet fallen before him, because there hath been no opportunity of conversing with him; but yet through the power of credulity and simplicity▪ are obnoxious to entanglements: When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart. Avoid those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
All such upright Christians as are not (nor shall be) softned by his tears, nor intrapped by his spies, have cause to reckon those two deliverances in the catalogue of their choice mercies from the Lord: the best preservative is, to keep out of the sight of the one, and out of the reach of the other: far enough, and safe enough.
What is written in the few following sheets, may be through the Lords blessing, [Page] of great use to caution many pretious souls for the time to come, who (having little experience and acquaintance with the spirits and designs of the worldly Powers in their managing the mystery of iniquity & the deceivablenes of unrighteousness) are very apt to plead their cause, and make Apologies on their behalf, of whom they will find cause to be ashamed, when the hidden things of darkness and of dishonesty shall be brought into the open light.
The truth is, we erre, not knowing the Scriptures; We erre, not being well instructed in the mystery of godliness, and in the mystery of iniquity. Godliness and ungodliness, righteousness and unrighteousness, are both of them mysteries; they lie very deep, they are remote from common understanding. We need the candle of the Lord to find out the depths of God, and the depths of Satan: for [...] 1 Co [...]. 2. [...] 2. 24. each have their deeps, as Paul and John have written; but those who are light in the Lord, are inabled to descend into the depths of God, and into the bottomless pit or depth from whence the Beast, who slayeth the Witnesses ascendeth, and into which the Dragon [Page] that old Serpent the Devil and Satan shall be cast, and deceive the Nations no more. Amen.
Although we in our preachings and writings may to the present age seem audacious men, thus to meddle with these dark prophecies; yet the succeeding generations shall bless the Lord for raising up some before their times, to forewarn them to flee from the w [...]ath that is to come.
The Lord give forth such a measure of the holy unction to his people in reading these things, that being inabled to distinguish betwixt probabilities and certainties, they may receive the Truth, and inquire further into that which is but probable, and so come to make a judgement of things according to the mind of Jesus Christ. I shall not add any more at this time, save only, that through the rich administrations of Free-grace, I am still, and hope to continue to the end,
AN Epistolary Perambulation:
ORA Word to every one round the World.
IT was a saying of one who read a Comment upon the Patience of Job, That poor Job was more miserably tormented with his Comment, then with his Condition (of botches and boyls) and indeed I was the more doubtful of answering my friends desire, in publishing my poor Epistolary thoughts upon so pregnant a piece, and profitable as this is, lest he should suffer more by so deficient and indigent a Comment (as mine) then by the whole matter or subject of this discourse, so feelingly and faithfully (since his exile and suffrings) presented to the publike judgement: Wherefore I fear to adde (to what with so much Evidence and Demonstration he hath produced) [Page] lest I should diminish; and do rather wish that men would proportion Meditation to reading, that they may prove them staple Truths, and Commodities in their own Souls and Consciences. For they can best report them, who best relish them, and dispirit them into their own Spirits or Breasts. When I prepend how perplexable, and out of order, we are in these times, I the less wonder at those high Distempers and burning Paroxysms of Opinion, Pride, lust, and Passion among carnal Church-members and worldly professors, who (like thirsty Travellers) are ready to drink of every puddle, let the water be wholesom or hurtful; and in their heat will have it, though they surfeit for it: Such must be purged and better dieted, if ever they do well. Now I do think as to the venome of the times, contracted by taking in things untrue and obnoxious to the things and times of the end; these Streams which run from the Rock (Christ) and glide through the valley of this Book (or Brook) may be of singular use to expel, through the Savour, Sweetness, Sence, Simplicity, Evidence, and Wholesomness of them to all Souls: They are slain and so perhaps not such placentia to the Court-palates, that had rather drink [Page] poyson out of their own Golden-cup, Rev. 17. 4. then wholesom liquer, or sound Doctrine out of an Earthen-cup (such poor desposed vessels as we are: But we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us, 2 Cor. 4. 7, 8. Whiles we are troubled on every side, &c.) yet indeed, I do think I may say as Eccles. 12. 10, 11. This Preacher sought to finde out acceptable Words; and that which was written (by this Coheleth, or in Arab. Gamiyo gatheror) is upright, even words of truth; yea, as goads and nails fixed [...]. like Centres for other lines to run unto) after the masters of Sentences, from one Pastor (Meroyeh Echad) or Shepherd of Souls, even Christ.
The knowledge of the Times begins now to be a Language better understood in these days of the Kingdom Gospel (lock'd up in former ages, because sealed up for this, or the time of the end, the last) but these that spend their time in getting the knowledge without the practice, will be but like the Limner of some fair thing (for he draws it out, but enjoys it not.) Knowledge is the Commencement, but Obedience the Act; the first prepares, but this perfects our skill [Page] in the times. So, many shall run to and fro (Jeshottetu turn about) and knowledge shall increase, Dan. 12. 4. that is, an active stirring knowledge, rather more in Practice then Speculation; for the Grace and truth came (together) by Jesus Christ, Joh. 1. 17. whereas the Law (or Letter) may come another way, as Daniel's first knowledge of the times, by Books, Dan. 9. 2. But his second and special understanding into these times, by a better teaching, Dan. 9. 22, 23. The first prepared, the last perfected.
This Special Teaching (or more by inspiration and practical judgement) I am perswaded this aged Brother (and companion in tribulation) hath, not onely by his considerations, to ballast us with in the first place; and his clearness in the time of the end, to fraught us with in the next place; but in his large sails, good tackling, fair and constant gales, which attend him all the way, as he glides into the discovery of this (Terra incognita) the little Horn, whose Characters and Marks are made so plain, as he that runneth now may read them, and avoid them too, if God give grace: though mindless-men will never believe the plague i [...] so, till they see the Tokens, or else Lord [Page] have mercy upon us to be written upon their very doors.
Nor am I without a Witness now from man to the same Truths sealed to me in my Pathmos-Isles and Palmony-Prisons, and prepared (about two years since) for the publike view (could they have past the presses) upon these very Points, Principles of Truths, and Characters of the time, with the previous signs of the End at hand; but to my great affliction they lay defunct and dead, till now the Lord hath rais'd up another in a more burning and shining Light, much more grave, able, and acceptable upon this subject; so that I am satisfied for present, as if I were fully paid both in the Principal and Arrears, because as Joh. 5. (if I may use my Lords Words, as to what I have received from him through grace in these things) I have a Greater Witnes then that of John; but if I bear witness of my self, my witness is not true.
Therefore I have more reason then another to think the ensuing matter taught of God, and to joyn with this Brother (this old Sufferer and Standard against the Prelates and Tyrants, old and new) in Wing and Word; seeing without so much as conference, or any occasional way of [Page] communicating our light (in these matters) each to other; ye, when wholly ignorant (for my p [...]rt) of his Light herein. I should hear in publike from him (what I received onely from the Lord, and him that hath the seven Spirits) in my prisons, and accordingly had prepared them for the press) the very same things, Florid Truths, Diaphanous and open Assertions and Marks of the Times, the little Horn, the second Beast, and the last Apestacy, especially threaded together into one (with so sweet and easie, clear, and compact an harmony both of time and place, after the Daniclian and the Apocalyptick accounts conjunct, as I was carried by the spirit into it before) through the Eye of a Needle, which a Shivell▪d thread could never get through; and wherein I knew not of one man of my Light, Faith, and Judgement before: So that as I am (by experience) perswaded▪ he was awakened of God unto this Work (as the Prophet saith) morning by morning, Isai. 50. 4 So I cannot but bless the L rd for this concurrence of light, that out of (or in) the mouths of two or three witnesses every word may be established, Mat. 8. and that the nearer the lines are to the Center, the nearer they may and must be one to another, particularly [Page] upon the little Horn; in my Chronography of the little time (Dan. 7.) I did trace the Truth with the same foot, and faith▪ and first travers▪d the trajections and enervate the objections of them that would have it Mahomet, Caesar, the fourth Monarchy or Antichrist, by strenuous Arguments, ab ortu, tempore, modo, fine, Ratione▪ & equilibrio, from the Rise of it so long after the Hydra-headed fourth Beast, from the time of it, as the last limb of this fourth Beast, and that a loco too, it being but in one dominion (though consisting and in the place) of three (Horns) Provinces (saith Calvin upon the place, and gives this reason for it, quia Romani mi [...]tere solebant in singulas Provincias, quasi Reges, because the Roman Empiredom was wont to send men like Kings (but not Kings) into their Provinces, and so they did Constans hither into England for one Province, when they conquered it) From his manner of coming up to, and continuing in it [...]sque ad consummationem i [...]ae, till the judgement sit; and saith Calvin upon the Analytical, Cha. 11. 21. he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries (or Beshulovah in a quiet way) that is (applying it to Antiochus Epipha.) saith he [Page] obtendet fallaci [...]er Nomen Tutoris, he fallaciously assume (or draw over to himself) the name of a Protector or Preserver (so saith Mayo on Nehemiah, he did at the first take the Title of Protector, and afterward of King) and he must speak great swolling words (Sesquipedalia or decemp [...]d [...]li [...] verba) against the most High, or for the most High, as our friend here observes: only with this further note, [...]at it is Letzad, which is properly in breath, whereby he will seem large to take in all that is for God and Christ, and not to limit; but it is Letzelang (not Tzad) which signifies in length, or far enough. So that for all that he shall speak large for God, yet he shall fall short in doing what he saith. And it further is proved from the end of his rise to fill up the measure, Dan. 8. 17, 19, 23. wear out the S [...]ints, and think to change Laws and the Times. Now this must be in Novissimis Diebus, in the last time of the Times, or at the three years and half, and not at the Rise of the fourth Monarchy or Antichrist in the first Apostacy, but of the Man of sin and mystery of iniquity that must be revealed by the last Apostacy and Defection. 2 Thef. 2. 8. Rev. 17. 5.
Hence Iustin Martyr in Dial▪cum Tryph. [Page] p. 336. called the little Horn, [...] the Man of the Apostacy. Further from Reason, and proportion of things therein, I proved how unavoidably they are hu [...]ricanoed into absurdities that assert the little-horn Government to be the fourth Monarchy, or Pope, or Turk, or the like: and though it be abundance more arduous to determine in the Positive (who he is) then in the Negative (who he is not) yet between both, and in the Argumentative, I may say, many marks to know him by, are now brought to light, (which before have been hid) as will suddenly pursue the discovery of him into a hew and cry after him where ere he lurks. But thus I say, the Author doth help us much, and like some excellent Musioian, hath a grace above others to the car by stops! So that according to the Arabick Adage, Gamalon bimaudi [...]i Gamalin jarkabo. A Camelin the place of a Camel may bend his knee, and so do [...]; to yield all that I could have said upon this Subiect to what he hath said (and so energetically cleared) in this book, leaving them to apply that finde the little Horn out by these descriptions.
But a little more particularly, and 1. To [Page] the men of these Times, (that serve the Times and men); it may be they must (of course) be offended with this Treatise, and think it too plain; but poor Wretches! are they so unsound that they must not be touched? no! nor at such a distance neither? how then would they have endured the primitive Spirit? and plain-dealing Saints in those dayes then? Must we counterfeit with you? and come to you with Pythanology? must we either speak in Tropes and Figures? or else in Ropes and Faggots? or imprisonment at least? (durante bene-placito?) Do you take us by the Throat, saying, Pay me what you owe me! (yea what we do not owe you) and can you think to have compassion shewn you or yours when the judgement sits? See but Mat. 24. 49. with Mat. 18. 33, 35. Shouldst not thou also have had Compassion? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the Tormentors! &c. Can you be called a Christian Government, that so far exceed the very Heathens in this matter? Why Titus Vespasian when (one spake scurrilously of him) said, Ego, cum nihil faciam dignum propter quod contumelia afficiar, nihil cu [...]o, &c. Well! if I have done nothing worthy of these Reports! (or to be thus spoken ill [Page] of,) I care not! but if I have! O then! I have more reason to be angry w th my self the Transgressor, then with him the Relater, for he hath told nothing but the truth then! He sent not out his Pursuivants presently (or Sword men to apprehend such a Man. Nor did we ever read among the Heathen, that T [...]c [...] was ever blamed or punish d for personating and publishing Tiberius's dissimulation. Nero's Cruelty, Sej [...]nus's pride, M [...]s [...]alina s Adultery, or Domitian's Tyranny and bruitish [...]es [...], though he was his very Creature, and advanced by him: And good Lord! are we worse then Heathen? yea then the Heathen at this day? (as in China where the Zaul [...] and Choli have their liberty to say any th ng against the evils of their Emperor and his Government & then the Dragon Government of the Heathen at that day? and yet these men that make us offenders for words, Isa. 29. 21. yea Words of truth and sobriety too! imprisoning and persecuting year after year! contrary to the Rule of Reason, N uure and Religion, would be accounted fain the farrest and best Government of any before it! but alas for th m! let men say what they will, we see it and feel it every day to be of the Beast, [Page] and more bruit [...]sh then those that have gone before; bloody Mary her self abhorring to make it Treason for words as they have done. Yet for this we bless our (over-ruling) God, that as to Beasts of the greatest power is given the least immanity, so to these of the greatest ferocity the least force, for the curst Cow hath but short horns.
2. To the Academies, Heathen schools, and Secular Clergy of England, especially, the Heads of Houses and Colledges, Doctors and Learned men, have we much to say if we might be heard, or admitted to speak our minds freely, 1. For that they have been such implacable enemies to the purest Truths, and present testimony in every age, how fierce against the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes? yea against the Brownists and Puritans in Queen Elizabeth's, and King Iames's dayes? accusing them to the Powers, and calling them (as they do us) absurd, ridiculous, frezzy fools, illiterate fellows, mad, seditious, and such as would bring all to ruine in Church and State? sitter to be chastized by the Magistrate then refuted? (Vid. Defence of the Brownists in King James's da [...]es, p. 114, 115, &c.) this hath ever been their [Page] language against the Saints; as they called Paul a Babl [...]r, contradicting and blaspheming the Truth. Act. 17. & 19. Now it is our mercy to be of them that the Stoicks, Peripateticks, Academicks, and Pythagoreans rage at and revile.
2. Because we are perswaded in our very souls (and know it) that we have the Truth, the Gospel, the cause of Christ, and the Testimony of Jesus on our side, (who suffer so by persecutions, imprisonments, & oppressions over our consciences and faith in these matters)! Now me thinks it is easie for so many Learned, wise and able Doctors, Triers and Chaplains to handle us if we be in Error, or out of the Way, and to make it appear by the Word of God, and convince us of it (in charity!) therefore if they have received the Truth in the Love thereof, we require it of them, and adjure them to it in the name of him who shall shortly judge the quick and dead! for the weaker we are, the easier will their work be to answer us.
3. For that some of your chiefest Heads were once of the same minde with us in these matters, as appears by their Sermons and former practices, untill they came to leave the Churches and their Pastor-ships [Page] for Colledge-places, and Corner-caps, and so became Vice-Chancellors, Doctors, Proctors, Presidents, Tryers and such as are in deep Traffick with the Whores merchandise. Did we ever think the Dragons tail could drag down such Stars as these to the Earth? to such earthly, yea, Antichristian titles? Orders? Customs, Laws? and Degrees as they have taken? (the Lord have mercy upon us! with what fear and trembling do I think of these things?) to forsake the the Churches for Heathens Schools? the Bride for the Whore? & the Whore harnessed too, in her old, filthy, adulterous robes too? the very same Popish Statutes up, and unrepealed at thi [...] day that were in Q▪ Maries dayes? and in the thick of Popery? (however they refine them a little outwardly!) yet the same idola ocu [...]orum or feminine Idols, and Trumperies, Hoods, Caps, Robes, Rings, Holy-dayes, Musicks, Commencements, and Divinity-Acts are yet u [...]; Conradus Pellican upon his deathbed desired he might not be buried a Doctor, for he said, he must rise a Disciple and poor Creature! O Peter! Peter! Peter! (sayes Mr. Tyndal) thou wast too long a Fisher-man then if this be lawful▪ for thou wert never brought up at the Arches! [Page] nor wert thou ever master of the Rolls, Chancellor of England, nor Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, &c.
4. For that ye are (though untruly) called the Schools of the Prophets (whereas in truth ye are the Schools of the profane, Atheists, and Heathens, infusing Heathenish principles (by heathenish Authors) into proud, bold, fantastical, graceless youths) and for this reason have the Saints all along ingaged against them, Wi [...]kliffe, Huss, Luther, Zuinglius, Tyndal and a 100 more; yea the Brownists at large to King Iames petition'd that they might no longer continue Heathen but Christian Schools, and instead of Aristotle and Plato they might study the Scriptures, Prophets and Apostles, for those that so do will receive the Truth gladly which we communicate! as 1 Thes. 1. 6. in much affliction.
5. Besides, you are accounted the Fountain and Nursery of the Ministry that is (not of the Church but) Secular Clergy; not of Christ's but Aristotle's and the States Ministry, that buy what they sell, and then sell what they so have bought (as Simon Magus) be they ever such stories, trash, Anti-christian Errors, or dreams of Predicaments, Universals, second Intentions, [Page] Quiddities, Hecsi [...]ies and Correlatives, &c. and what not, to amuse the Countryignoramus's? Now for as much as all these (with a 1000. more) appertain to the Beast and false Prophet, it is time to warn them (that are of them) to get from amongst them as fast as they can, for the time is neer when this Beast and his whole Body (whereof you are a Part) must be given to the Burning Flame, Dan. 7. 11.
3. To the Cities and Corporations that do yet stand by the Beast's Charter, it is the Time of the End too, and particularly this, where every man is (as we say Faber suae fortunae) seeking himself, and hammering out his own honour, (but not at God's Anvil!) buying, selling, building, planting, &c. as in the dayes of Noah, but doth not regard the Day of the Lord! O London! London! thou City! and Seat of the second Beast! next to Rome mayst thou look for the Wrath upon thee! for thy bowing down unto the Beast! persecuting the Saints! and height of all manner of Sins sound in thee at this day! Dost thou think that Latimers, Ridleys, Hoopers and the Martyrs blood wilt not be called for? yea wer't not thou as Gideons Fleece, dry when the floor round thee for many years [Page] was wet with the blood of the late Wars? and shalt not thou be wet when the floor is dry? besides (retentio exc [...]emen [...]orum est parens [...] morborum!) thou retainest what will ruine thee, and standest upon those Popish Charters and Injurctions that must be rent up by the very Roots, nor will the dead Saints (the Patrons of your Companies) be able to protect you from that Day when the (living Saints or) judgement begins to sit.
4. To such as are in Doubts, and Suspence, or Darkness! (either for want of light, or through too much light upon weak Orga [...]s) which occasions too much wavering, unstedfastness, mistakes, and dissimulations at this day! were Paul alive that reproved his brother Peter so openly, Gal. 2. what a terrible thundering Oracle would he be at this Day then! which will burn up doubledealing and deceit like an Oven! and nothing but true faith in the simplicity of the Gospel will abide by it. Surely Pauls care would be to put every man upon the proof of's own work and spirit, that he might have a rejoicing in himself, and not in another, Gal. 6. 4. knowing the subtlety of the Serpent in this last Apostacy, is to set up Truth against Truth! grace against [Page] grace! ordinances against ordinances! Saints against Saints! Spirit against Spirit! (and not [...]o prophane against Professors!) to fight! rend! shake! tear! distract and divide them with! that are to break his head, and to catch his kingdom! Wherefore see to your standing! that it be not upon Bogs or quagmires! or with staggering!
5. To such as are impatient, ho [...] and rash; tarry till the Time of the End! it will be soon enough! and get your spirits well prepared, sea [...]oned and sweetened with G [...]ce for it will be bitter enough! a [...]o [...]e sliding will break thy [...]o [...]e, though a back-sliding would break thy neck! and if thou [...]st to the Kingdom-work before the Time and Season, thou will be drawn out! or if thou g [...]est out with a wilde field spirit, or common anointing! and not with the [...]arden flowry spirit, or double anointing of the Kingdom (which is the blessing of the Firstborn!) thou art more capable of being out down with the grass, then o [...] cutting▪ down the grass; though all flesh be grass, Ilay 40. & as a field-flower rising up in its own, single, wilde, natural spirit! It is another stra [...]agem of Sathan to deposite (too) the like for the thing (and so to cheat thee with a counterfeit!) compounding an anointing like to Gods anointing; a persume like to his persume! which is death by the Law, Exod. 30. 33. or else to put that upon the Stranger which belongs to none but the Lord, v. 38. or else to take the Lord's persume to smell upon, or to please their own senses and desires with, and so to raise up their own spirit (which then is hard to get down again, or not to call the Spirit of the Lord)! and [Page] with that Christian name to run out into disoorders and without rule, or else to conclude us in unbelief as to implicite commands under presence of a per [...]m [...]o [...]y obedience to explicite, and like Nadab and Abil [...] fall in the fire of our own kindling, or else instead of the Angels Reed, would measure and model us by another Rule, and not with the Kings Cubit which was three singers longer then the common, nor weighed with the Sanctuary shekels (whereon at first was stamped the print of the Lamb) which were twice as much as the common! But as Noab's A [...]k was built with the largest Cubit; So is this Work to be, that will now go forward.
Lastly, if it be the end, then woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the Earth! for the time of the third woe is within reach! woe! to the Lawyers! Souldiers! Citizens! Merchants! Messengers! Goalers! and all that are involved with the Beast at this day! from Court to Country! from their Protector to the Beggar! Rev. 14 10. woe! unto you rich who have laid up treasures for the last days! for you have your consolation, Jam. 5. 1. yea, woe! unto you Souldier! that fightest under the Beasts Banner! because the want of a good conscience will eat out thy valou [...]! Jer. 50. [...]3. woe unto you that seek great things for your selves! Jer. 45. and make not God the Patron of your preferment; you might as in the Jewish fields, have pluckt and eat what you would, but not have pocketted up (as ye have done) the Kings, Deans and Chap [...]e [...]s lands, or the accursed thing, &c. yea, woe to you▪ that have deceived others! for that ye shall find by your long dissembling, ye have most deceived your selves at last! Isai. 33. 1. and not to you [Page] that have been both the Archer and Ma [...]k in all your actions (shooting at your own Praise and Profit) because an Arrow shall come from the Kings hands, Psal. 45. which must shoot you thorow the very heart▪ Isai. 1. 31. Woe! woe! to you Lyers, Dissemblers, and False witnesses, who believe your own lyes to be true, whiles ye turn the truth into a lye, for the time will come when few will believe you though you speak true, seeing, you have set your wits to work (on tenter-hooks) for artificial Evasions from natural Obligations (besides Army-declarations) and God will frustrate the tokens of the lyars! Isai. 44. 45. yea, woe! to those Foxes who with fire brands at their [...]ayles have set us into a flame! for they shall burn up themselves in their own mischief! and he that teacheth lyes is the tayl, saith the Prophet! Isai. 9. 15. woe to them that are serving themselves o [...] the times for their own ends! because yet a little while and they will see the Times to be served upon them for Gods ends! And woe! woe to the Statists! who are now the Centre! wherein all the lines of Intelligence meet from forrein parts, because the time will come quickly wherein all the lines of most notable intelligence shall run from you and be reported of you into forrein parts! woe to you Tyrants and Nimrods of the earth, that do now rule over the Saints and make them to howl, Isai. 52. 5. because the time of the end doth come wherein you shall howl, and the Saints shall rejoyce and rule over you! Isai. 14. 2. and there was written therein lamentation, mourning and wo, Ezek [...] to even so Amen, Dan. 7. 18. but the Saints of the most High shall take (Vikabb [...]lun undertak [...]) the Kingdom.
THE CHARACTERS OF THE Last Apostacie, OPENED.
I Know already, what the understanding Reader doth expect from me: If the three years and an half are begun, that I shew him the Little Horn, the Later Apostacie, and the Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit, with all their Characters set down in sacred Scriptures. If I do not this, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it; let not my Writing be received. For I desire no mans belief any further then he see every thing well and fairly proved.
Now because from the Apostacie (as the bottomless pit) the Beast ascendeth, [Page 37] who with his Horn slays the Witnesses: I shall therefore begin with the Apostacie first.
And here we have two Questions:
1.Why the Apostacie in 2 Tim. 3.must be in the last three years and an half.
2.How it appears, that the present Apostacie of our time, is that Apostacie of which Paul speaks should be in the Last day▪
This know also] The particle [...] likewise, or besides, carries the matter back to the former▪ Epistle▪ chap. 4. 1, 2, 3. and his meaning being opened, it is as he should say: In thy person, I speak to all Saints of future ages, and would have them forewarned of two great Apostacies which shall arise in the Christian Church before the time of the end: And these distinguished, 1. By their Times. The former shall be in the later times; that is, when he that letteth is taken out of the way, then shall the wicked be revealed: 2 Thess. 2. 7, 8▪ meaning the Great Whore, or [Page 38] kingdom of the Beast: the other will be in the last days, neer or about the period of the Beasts dominion. 2. The former Apostacie shall be in Doctrine: Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lyes in hypocrisie: forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats. The later will be in manners and conversation: Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, &c.
Again, that by the last days, the three years and half are meant, I prove it thus: The Word of God doth not onely distinguish between Time and Time, (as there is a set time to every purpose under the sun, Eccles. 3. 1.) but likewise shews, that all Prophecies have their due accomplishments in their fixt appointments. Thus there was a time for the Dragon to reign in the Romane Heathen Emperours: and that Time must be expired, before the first Apostacie, or Antichristian kingdom could arise: 2 Thess. 2. 3, 7, 8. So there is a time for the two Witnesses to prophesie in [Page 39] sackcloth: which time must be finished, before they are slain in their Testimony. Again, being killed in their witness, they must lie three days and an half unburied; which is another distinct time.
For Application: This later Apostacie cannot be carried up to the persecution of the Saints under the Heathen Romane Emperours: I think no man holds it so: Nor can it be referred to the time of the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth: for then the last days were not come, for there was a time after that. Neither can it be understood of a time after the sackcloth Witnesses are risen; for then there shall be time no longer, Rev. 10. 6. to wit, either for the first or second Apostacie; but both are to be destroyed, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever: Rev. 11. 12, 13, 15. Therefore I take it (neither before nor after) the later Apostacie must necessarily contemporize with the last three years and half. So that three [Page 40] years and an half is the whole time of the later Apostacie, answerable to the time of the slain Witnesses.
But the other is the great Point, How it can be proved, that the Apostacie of this age, is that Apostacie of which Paul speaks, 2 Tim. 3▪ 1, 2.
The matter being weighty, I shall speak the more to it; yet with bowels and tenderness▪ sighing for the abominations that are done in the midst of us; and mourning for them, as the Prophets did for backsliding Israel and Judah.
First, it appears by the Scriptures, that the two great Apostacies shall in many things be like each other: the former being a Type of the later. Concerning the first Apostacie:
1. It had its rise in the true Christian Church, and among the professors of the Gospel. Hence it is called, a departure from the faith, 1 Tim. 4. 1. and a falling away, 2 Thess. 2. 3. And of this Apostacy (I think) Paul speaks: For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous [Page 41] wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock: also, of your selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, &c. Acts 20. 29, 30. Secondly, as the first Apostacie had its rise in the Church of Christ; so the cause of it was, for that men were lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, &c. Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. 2 Pet. 2. 3. 2 Thess. 2. 4. Thirdly, this Apostacie being made through self-love, covetousness, pride, &c. there was one appointed to be Head or King over it, Rev. 9. 11. called, That man of sin, 2 Thess. 2. 3. The lawless one, vers. 8. The angel of the bottomless pit, Rev. 9 11. and (typically) the Little Horn, in Dan. 7. To this King or Head of the first Apostacie, it was given to change times and laws; asSa [...]. [...] r [...]m. l. 1. Tit. 7. Having all power in his hands, andNich. dist. S. Rom. in Glos [...]. being above all, and to be obeyed by all: ForJo. de Paris [...]is potest. R [...]x & Pap. he is (dominus omnium temporaliu [...], solus verus Dominus) The true and onely Lord of all Temporal things.Peter de Palud. de potest. Pap. el. 4. Non potest subjicere se [Page 42] Concilio generali: He cannot subject himself to a general Councel.Inter casus Papales. Legi non subjicet ulli; judicium est pro lege: He is subject to no law, and his judgement is in stead of law.De concessione p aebendae Gloss. de Constit. licet Du [...]an. l. 2. He hath all manner of law and right (in scrinio pectoris sui) in the closet of his own brest. Trans. Episc. C. quanto in Gloss. In its quae vult, est ei pro ratione voluntas: In those things which he will, his Will is unto him for Reason. His power is absolute, and extendeth as far as himself listeth. He may do all thingsInno. 3. ext D. concess. praeb. C. proposuit. suprajus, contra jus, & extrajus: Above Law, against Law, and without Law.Fran Zorobel. Facit quicquid libet, imo illicita: What he pleaseth he may do, yea although unlawful.
Besides, as for the Head of the first Apostacie, he mustHugo in Gloss Dist. 40. C. non nos. [...] Bellarm. de Rom. Pontif. [...]. 4. e. 5. in fine. not (say they) be judged by any man, for any crime either of murther or tyranny, but rather be excused. (l) Si Papa erraret praecipiendo vitia, vel prohibendo virtutes, teneretur Ecclesia, credere vitia esse bona, & virtutes malas, nisi vellet contra conscientiam peccare: If [Page 43] this Head should erre in ordaining evil things, or prohibiting good things, the Church is bound to believe the evil things to be good, and the good evil, unless she will sin against conscience.
Again, whereasGreg. q. 3. C. quat. All other sentences and judgements both of Councels and persons may be examined, for that they may be corrupt: but as the Head of the first Apostacie is above all Civil powers, and free from all Constitutions whatsoever▪ So Ulricus Wald. confessionale, & de Sacr. whatsoever he acts, approves or disapproves; men are bound, without either judging, or disputing, or retracting, to approve or disapprove the same.For here,Cardinal. Cusan▪ Exer [...]. l. 2. c. 6. obedience must be without enquiring, as a horse is obedient to his master:and it wereIn Sept. Ext. Jo. 22. Tit. 14. C. cum inter l. Gloss. heresie to think otherwise.
To know therefore whether theApostacie of this age be it, of whichPaul speaks; we must consider the Parallel. 1. If it be the same, it hath its beginning and rise in the Churches of Christ, and among eminent professors of the Gospel: [Page 44] this appears, byhaving a form of godliness. 2.Self-love andcovetousness,is the root from whence it springs: so much I shall shew presently. 3. If it be thel [...]er Apostacie,it must have aHead conformable to thefirst, who in his actions must speakgreat things, as the other did:Dan. 7. 8, 20, 25.It is given into my hands to change times and laws: and therefore I will do what I please; neither shall there be any law, but according to my will. I am above the people, and all their Representati [...] ▪s, to call them when I please, and to break them to pieces at my pleasure. What I will, shall be for Law, whether it be above Law, or against Law, or without Law: neither may any man say, (Sir) why do you so? For I am not, nor will not be subject to any Law, nor responsible for my actions to any Councel, Court or Judicatory whatsoever. Whom I think fit to banish, imprison, or any other way to destroy, that I will do; neither am I bound to give any reason to any man for it. Those that acknowledge me to be their Head, must justifie whatsoever [Page 45] I do: for I judge him a State heretick and traytor, that shall question my power, or say that I may not do what I will. I am free from all Constitutions of men: all are bound to obey me, without judging, disputing, or retracting: I say, All my commands and commissions must be obeyed, without enquiring of Reason, as the Horse or Ass is obedient to his master.
You that are enquiring after the Time of the end, ought to minde this: It is not the present Apostacie which is come upon us, that the holy Ghost fore-tells in Timothy, if it agree not with the first Apostacie; namely, had its beginning in the Churches of God, and among professors of Religion: occasioned through self-love, covetousness, and pride; and hath a Head speaking great things, as did the Head of the first Apostacie. For judging and applying things, this I leave to the unbyass'd Reader▪ it being my work but to open the Prophecies.
But there is one thing (and the Scripture notes it) in which these [Page 46] two Apostacies agree not: The former, by reason of the abominable Lyes and damnable Heresies which were received, was a departure, both from the power of godliness, and the form too: The later being a falling away not in doctrines but manners, will keep still a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
I have thought sometimes, what the reason might be, that the holy Ghost useth the word [...], (hence we say apostacie) being aHoc verbum est a re militari ad religionem traductum. Nam inter milites is dici [...]ur [...], qui ord [...]nem suum & locum in acie datum deserit turpiter; vel qui a nobis ad hostes trans [...]ugit, qui etiam trans [...]uga appella [...]u [...]. Danaeus l. 4 de side, cap. [...]5. word proper to Souldiers; and borrowing it from them, applies it to religious matters: Whether it might not be closely, foretelling of some eminent and notable falling away which would be among such kinde of men in the last days, to the great scandal of the Gospel; being high and glorious professors thereof. But I proceed.
2. And before we come to speak of the particular sins set down in 2 Tim. 3. it is worth observing, the vices which are not there mentioned: [Page 47] as, Idolatry, Adultery, Murder, Drunkenness, common Swearing, and such-like: And no marvel; for these are of so gross a kinde, as they cannot well stand with a form of godliness, and be defended and pleaded for, as the sins there specified. Here again the judicious Reader is desired to consider, whether this come not home to the present Apostacie: can the sins which are left out by the Spirit of God, as Idolatry, Adultery, Murther, &c. be charged upon them, at least so eminently, visibly, and generally, as the sins in the text? As for the vices which are not nam'd, do they not preach against them, and punish them? But for the other which are nam'd, if they are not as plainly seen in them, as was the leprosie on Gehaz [...]'s forehead; they are not the MEN meant in Timothy.
So for the sins which are exprest▪ we must not take it of personal failings, that is, of good men, who by occasion fall into such sins, for so we should condemn the generation [Page 48] of the righteous. For who liveth, and sinneth not? But when the Apostle saith, Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, &c. he means such MEN in whom these sins do reign; and they live in them, and are under the power of them; and think it strange that other men run not with them into the same excess of riot, and therefore speak evil of them. This likewise must the Reader observe, that the sins in Timothy cannot be applied to the Apostates of this age, unless they walk after their own lusts: 2 Pet. 3. 3 and are so far from acknowledging the evils which they have done, as that they are hardned in them, go on in the constant practice of them, and yet say, Stand by thy self, come not neer to me: for I am holier then thou. Isai. 65. 5.
3. It was foretold by the wisdom of God in Paul, that the first Apostacie should be a departing from the Lord in points of Doctrine, that is (as I said) a turning aside from the Truth to lyes and vanities: 1 Tim. [Page 49] 4. 1, 2, 3. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, &c. The other, not in doctrine, but vitious walking? I hope the Reader will minde whether this is fulfilled in our time. Are not the Tryers zealous men against the Idolatry of the first Apostacie? They will tell you, there must be no inventions in Gods worship; but every thing must be according to the Pattern, viz. Church▪Ministry, Worship, and Government. But what say ye to the Characters of the later Apostacie? are they not lovers of themselves, covetous, proud? &c. I wish, for their own sakes, it be not so. Since my thoughts were upon this Apostacie, I have been considering whether till now, from the rise of the first Apostacie, it hath been known, that at any time the Officers of true Churches, have so fallen in with the world, have gotten such riches, houses, lands, moneys? have liv'd in such pleasure, plenty, riot, pomp, and state? I cannot finde, that the like hath been before, and I hope after this time, it will be so no [Page 50] more. And indeed I should have thought this thing which is now come to pass very strange, had not this Apostacie been foretold, that in the last days there should be in the Churches of the Saints, and amongst the Ministers, Men, Lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, &c.
4. If the present Apostacie be that, of which Paul speaks, the time under it will be perillous, hard, difficult. The Dutch translates Schwertzeiten, heavie, grievous, or troublesome; because, saith their no [...]e, The time will be full of grief and hard for the Godly, perillous (saith Diodate) in regard of the spiritual state of the Church. The Reasons why the time; will be so hard, and heavy, under the later Apostacie, may be these:
1. Because out of this Apostacie (as the bottomless pit) a beast shall arise, headed with a little horn, by whom the witnesses shall be slain.
2. It will be a hard and heavy time, because the Rights, Liberties, and Freedoms of the people shall [Page 51] be taken from them: an Arbitrary Power set up, illegal Taxes impos'd and onely force, and violence bear sway.
3. The prudent now must either keep silence, or extremely suffer: And so a heavy time.
4. Such snares and temptations will be laid, as many good men shall be corrupted, and drawn aside from their former righteous principles; and from faith and a good conscience, to pernitious ways.
Lastly, so heavy a time will it be, that men shall be at their wits end,Tempo [...]a molesta mquibus dissicile sit concilium capere quomodo te geras adversus istiusmodi monstra que ex medio Ecclesi [...] sinu prod [...]bunt. Piscator in Loc. not knowing what to do, nor what course to take for their own safety, nor how to keep a good conscience without suffring by this Apostacie: For it will be as much as a mans life, to appear for the just liberties of the people, and to hold forth a publike testimony, for the visible and glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ. Hence the Aethiopick translator renders it the bad year, because Religion and the holy Name [Page 52] of God, would suffer more dishonor and reproach at this time, then in any age before, by reason of the base revolting of eminent and forward professors every where. To prove these Reasons, that is my part, the which (if God permit) I shall do, when I come to open the sins and characters of the little Horn: Then I will shew, that for these Considerations, it will be a perilous time under the later Apostacie. The Application, that is the Readers part: The which of the two (I conceive) is the least and easiest.
But fifthly, and to come neerer yet to the matter; The question is, Whether the particular sins, set down in 2 Tim. 3. 2, 3, &c. may be found among the Apostates of this age, directly and fully, and not appliable since the first Apostacie to any men till now? If it be not so (without forcing the Text) what I have said in the Considerations, I shall abide by it, viz. This Apostacie is not that which the Spirit of God intends, in 2 Tim. 3. but some other [Page 53] is yet to come. Now to name the sins, and open the wotds with a little Application, will be enough for my part.
Lovers of their own selves] The Apostle [...] begins at the Spring-head: Self-love (as the bitter root) brings forth this unblessed weed, called, THE STATE-APOSTACIE OF THE LAST TIMES. Neither indeed can it be otherwise; for if men begin to love themselves, they will soon be covetous, proud boasters, &c. And what thinkest thou Reader? when men shall love themselves more then their oaths, vows, covenants, &c. more then truth and righteousness, more then the laws, liberties and rights of the people, more then faith and a good conscience, say more then heaven and their own souls; yea, and more then God and his Christ. Whether such may not be thought to be the Self-lovers, intended by the holy Ghost, who should make the later Apostacie?
Covetous] The word signifies, [Page 54] [...]. Hic a Paulo di [...]ilu [...], qui sive argentum sive aurum, sive agros sive siumentum, sive quas [...]b [...]t alias opes a [...]d [...]nt [...]r [...]xpetit & v [...]ose. Danaeus in Loc. not onely lovers of silver and money, but of other things, As Lands, Houses, Castles, Parks, Courts, Titles, great Offices and Places, &c. Besides, the word signifies an immoderate desire and appetite, to have the possession of such things. Hence the Greek [...], is often rendred studium pecuniae, the Study of money. How this is made good in the present Apostacie, their practice is proof enough; neither do I mean to speak much of their doings, seeing the same is so obvious and manifest to the world, and by many published already: For their coveteousness, what it is (from the head to the tail) God sees it, and men know it; and what scandal and reproach they have brought to the truth by it, they themselves will know one day.
But because the Reader may do his part the better, which is Applicative: I shall commend three things to him:
1. That he take notice: These here, whom the Apostle saith, shall [Page 55] be lovers of their own selves, Covetuous, Proud, &c. were men formerly (seemingly at lest) of other principles and practices: for else it could not have been an Apostacie. It cannot be forgotten what was laid to the charge o [...] the Bishops, for their covetousness, pride, pomp, following the court, and what to the King and his party for their excess. But now who more covetous of Money, Lands, Houses, Castles, Parks, Courts, Titles, great Offices and Places, &c. then they, who condemned these very sins in others, see Rom. 2. 1, 3.
2. It must be remembred, If the Apostacie now be it, of which Paul speaks; all the sins in the Text must be applied to it: for though we should see men to be covetous, boasters, proud, &c. yet if they have not the other vices, that is, if they are not truce breakers, false accusers, traitors, &c. it is not that Apostacie.
Lastly, neither can it be the later Apostacie: if any having the form of Godliness, have formerly walked [Page 56] (as these do) after such lusts.
[...], Boasters] Crackers, or Braggers, vain-glorious-men, which boast of that they have not, Ulpianus, Kickerm: and others take [...], to be such as arrogate and assume too much to themselves, promise more then they can do, and more then is truth. The word seems to be taken from Quack salvers, and Mountebanks, who Crack of their great Skill and rare Cures; being in the mean time ignorant of the true grounds and principles of Physick and Chyrurgery. If it be the last Apostacie, great things will be promised the Nation, about Reformation of Church and State. This shall be talk'd of a long time, and in their Books published a ain and again. But what will all come too, Reader! Look about thee, and be hearkning, if thou doest not hear poor creatures in bitterness make this complaint (as having cause enough) ye are Physitians of no value, ye are Crackers indeed, you have taken much upon you, and promised Mountains. But for the Body of the [Page 57] Commonwealth, it is much worse, then it was before: worse Magistrates, Ministers, Army, Navy, Councils: In a word, worse with us in all publick concernments, both at home and abroad. If this be not the mournful complaint of all people, (except Revolters) and most true▪ I shall not fasten the Later Apostacy upon them.
But, because the Tryers are the great Crackers, and think they deserve this Name, viz. Mend-all, as having done a great peice of service about Church-Reformation. This I think I may safely say, and that truly by experience: That the present National Clergy, is more corrupt, and far worse, then it was in the Bishops time.
For, 1. No Professors, but could have found then within few miles of their dwellings, some honest Puritan, or Non-Conformist, to go to; whereby to be refresht and built up in Faith, Knowledge, Holiness: whereas now, men may travel twenty, thirty, fourty miles, and [Page 58] not finde a Parish-Priest that hath any Gospel savor in his Ministery; no power, swetness, or life, but old formal, fruitless stuff, said over and a hundred times.
2. Though it be true, the Bishops took little care to reform the Clergy, but rather how to suspend and silence, (as some do now) such as witnessed against their unsanctified Callings and Places. Nevertheless, if the Times be compared, the Enormities of the National Clergy are less look'd into and reformed: I say, less now, then in the Prelates Times. I remember, the old Non-Conformists, were wont to call the Bishops making of Preists their Licenses and Visitations; the picking of poor mens pockets. I wish it do not appear so in the day of Christ, that some of these men have done little better. This I know, go to and fro thorow the Nation, the iniquity of the Priests encreaseth every where, and what is done, amounts to little more then this: if a scandalous or ignorant Friest be cast out from [Page 59] one place, he goes to another, and doth there more hurt, and lives worse then he did before: fitly therefore, is the name Crackers by the Holy Ghost given them.
Proud]or arrogan:, Lastly:Qui [...]. super collem apparuerunt, men that will be under no yoke, but domineer, and all must be subject to them.Grammarians take the word, formen that will be masters, and will have no Superiour, but all rule and authority must be in their hands. I know▪ not a better way to finde out theLast Apostacy, then to follow the Light of the Scripture in paralelling the twoApostacies, and in nothing more, then to observe thepride, loftiness, andarrogancy alike in inBOTH HEADS. I cannot but speak the more of this, because it cannot be thelater Apostacy, unless we see theHEAD of it, to be asPROUD and arrogant as the former was, would the formerHEAD acknowledge no Superior, thelater must do so: did they say of the former,Joan Bromiard sum. pradic. c. 17. Quaecun (que) potest [...] est sub [Page 60] Coelo, est in summo pontifice: &that he is,Bonaf. 6 dec. de cas. cap. licet. Lex animata in terris, a living Law in the Earth: ThatSy [...]a [...]us, papa, 9. [...]. 3. aliorum. all Cases of other men, God hath appointed to be judged by men, onely he hath reserved the first Head to his own Judgementseat; as not to be questioned for his doings by any Creature. And therefore though all other men, be under mens judgement, yet is he to be judged of none, neither of Kings, Councils, or any other Judicatory.Besides,Pelarg. do planco, Eccles. l. 1. Art. 6. Whatsoever he pleaseth he may do, whether with a Counsel, or without; and if the whole world should judge against him, [...]et his Opinion were to be received.ForLib Concil. Polyd distinc. 7. Synodum. a general Councel is of no authority, except this Head do confirm and allow the same.Such must be theHead of theLater Apostacy, hisHAUGHTINESS will be underus Law, all power he shall assume to himself, not to be tried or judged by any man, but to be left to Christs Judgement-seat alone; And the Greek [...], signifies so much.
Though I shall leave, (as I said) [Page 61] the Application of things to the Reader, yet I would willingly give him what light I can, Note therefore how the word proud, lofty, arrogant, comes home to the Triers, who have assumed a Superiority and Headship over all the National Priests, as if they were (as in part I think they are) that image made to the Beast, who will not suffer any to buy or sell, save he that hath the Mark or the Name of the Beast, or the Number of his Name.
Much I could say, as to their Pope like pride and power: but it needs not, seeing their folly is already manifest to all men.
Blasphemers,] or cursed speakers: [...] so our old Translation hath it. Blasphemy is two fold,
First, Against God: and thus men blaspheme when they reproach his Name, Spirit, Power, Word, Works, Kingdom, Judgement, &c. Mar. 3. 30. Lev. 24. 11. Rev. 13. 16. & 16. 9, 11, 12.
Secondly, There is Blasphemy against men: 1. By rayling and evil [Page 62] speeches, Tit 3. 2. 2. By reproaching the Godly for the Name of Christ, 1 Pet. 4 14. 3. By despising Lawful Government and Authority, Jude 8. 4. By raising false accusations against Gods people, Rom. 3. 8. 5. By causing men through Persecution to deny Christ, Act. 26. 11. Lastly, By censuring and condemning things which men know not, Jude 10. 1 Tim. 10 13, 20.
Howsoever, The men of the Later Apostacy will be Blasphemers all these ways: and so much the Reader is to look after: yet because by Blasphemers here, I think they are meant, whom Peter calls Scoffers; the Holy Ghost specially intends Blasphemy against the Spirit, and the visible Kingdome of Jesus Christ.
Truely I would think, Some would tremble (if their Consciences were not seard) did they but read what Christ said of the Pharisees; and consider well what themselves despitefully have spoken against the Holy Ghost; because they [Page 63] said, He hath an unclean Spirit, Mar. 3. 30. How neer to such Blas [...] hemy are these men who say, That the Prayers and other holy Exercises, of Saints are done by the Spirit of Satan: who say, It is by the power of the Devil, that the faithful Witnesses of this age, hold forth a Testimony against Apostacy, Hypocrisie, Covenant-breaking, &c. who scoff at the Lords great Work, moving by his Spirit in the hearts of his people; calling it the delusion of Satan, hellish, devillish, damnable; and what not: who scornfully upbraid the Saints with their Christ, as to be a pitiful Christ. So their blasphemous scoffing God's people, Will ye not suffer for your God? Where is now your God? we will answer YOUR GOD well enough. Mark Reader, as disowning our God and our Christ, to be theirs; and a God and a Christ easily to be answered.
Disobedient to Parents.] The [...]. old English Bible hath disobedient to Elders. Junius reads, Qui praesunt [Page 64] sibi non obtemperant est Synecdochè generis pro specie; Baldvin, hath this note on the place; Superiores non curant, nullius (que) monita admittunt: videtur enim parentum nomen in genere complecti omnes, qui nobis praesunt. They regard not their Superiours, neither will receive their Admonition; by the word Parents, all such as are set over us as Rulers and Governors are meant: the Greek [...] ▪ properly, is one that is refractory, contumacious, will be under no Subjection or Government. So then the Apostates here foretold, are such as shall cast off all Duty and Obedience of Children: refuse to be under any Law, Power, Admonition, &c. They are the rebellious Children of whom Solomon speaks, Rob their parents, Prov. 28. 24. waste their father, and chase away their mother, Prov. 19. 26. mock them and despise them, Prov. 30. 17. Foolish children which bring shame to their parents. Here Reader, like the wise man, be sure to have thy eyes in thy head: See if thou canst [Page 65] any that have rob'd the people of their Power, Parliaments, Laws, Liberties, &c. have miserably wasted the Commonwealth in Men, Money, Shipping, Trade, &c. And having done all this, do laugh and mock at their Parents; and by their contumacy and rebellion, have made the Government and Governors, which the Lord set over them, a derision and scorn to all Nations round about. If thou seest this, thou hast the very sence and meaning of the Word.
[...]. Unthankful] Junius renders it Negantes beneficium, men that deny the benefits and good turns which others have done them. The Pope was saidSpeed Chr. l. 9 c. 9. pag. 622. to be like a mouse in a sachet, or a snake in ones bosom, who did ill repay their hosts for their lodgings. I have shewed before of the likeness there must be between the two Heads: They who banish and imprison their best friends, and shew no cause for it; they who lay daylie snares to entrap and destroy good men, which first raised them; [Page 66] they who make it most of their business, to undo such as were most faithful to them, and have done most for them; because they will not leave their good old Principles of honesty and justice, to follow them in unrighteous ways, must needs by all rational men be judg'd ƲNTHANKFƲL.
I have read (some where) how the Person that mur [...]hered the Prince of Orange, bought with the money which the Prince gave him, the Pistol, Powder and Shot, wherewith he killed him: an act of high Ingratitude.
But Reader, suppose a people in their Representatives, having raised any up, and put Power into their hands, and this gratis, and of love▪ they Turned that same Power against the people, and therewith destroyed them, their Laws, Liberties, Representatives, &c. yea, more, the Interest and Cause of Christ, for whose sake, that Power and Trust was committed to them: Might not these be the unthankful [Page 67] men whom Paul speaks of? It is said of Nero, he used the destruction of his Country to his own benefit, Tac. An. l. 5. c. 10.
[...]. Unholy,] or prophane, unsacred. Quibus nullum jus est, nec fast, saith Beza: So Baldvin, Qui nullum jus nec fas curant: men in whom is no Right, Truth or Trust. The Greek [...], is taken for such as break Religious Covenants, Vows, Promises and Oaths; make not conscience of any thing they promise, either to God or man, so they have again and some wordly advantage, by breaking the same. Hence the Arabick translates, men altogether unjust. The Aethiopick, Departers from truth.
To finde out the Later Apostacy by this word, it must be observed, That the Holy Ghost doth not intend any low or small matter; but what is publick, general, and to be known and seen every where. This breaking of Religious Vows, Oaths, Promises, &c. and departing from Truth, must be understood National. [Page 68] Therefore I shall refer the Reader to the PROTESTATION made about the beginning of the Long-Parliament, and to the Scots-Covenant, and to the Ingagement, which was drawn up, and sent out by the Parliament for all the Nation (who were then counted wellaffected) to sign: which runs thus: I do hereby declare and promise, to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth as new established, without a King and House of Lords. As I am writing these things, that saying of the Prophet is sadly upon my Spirit, My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgements, Psal. 119. 120. Oh how solemnly (with hands lifted up to Heaven) was it promised and sworn to, to endeavour the extirpation of all Idolatry and Tyranny, to maintain the just Priviledges of Parliaments, and the Freedom, Rights, and Liberties of the People; to take off all heavy yokes, burdens, and oppressions: not to suffer the King to exercise an unlimited and Arbitrary [Page 69] Power; to have Abuses and Corruptions reformed in Church & State. Now compare former Promises and Ingagements, with present Actions: and one of these two it must be: that is, since the First Apostacy arose, never did men (having a form of godliness) violate so many Oaths, Promises and Ingagements, publickly made, as the late Revolters have done: or else the Present Apostacy is not that in Timothy.
To add one word more: I have several times acquainted the Reader of the likeness between the Two Apostacies. It is true, The Later having a form of godliness, cannot in that respect Assert for Doctrines and Principles, what the former doth; either in ascribing so much to their Head, or in breaking Vows, Oaths, and Ingagements: But for action, what the former teacheth and doth, that the Later will do; but not Teach it. As for Example, beside the Practice, it is allowed and justified by the Doctrine [Page 70] of the First Apostacy, that men may break their Vows, Oaths, and Promises: For thus they say,Sanche. Moral. Tom. 1. l. 3. n. 15. p. 25. Fulliar. Moral. T [...]a. 25. c. 11. n. 323. p. 204. If a man promise to do a thing, having his reservation with himself, that he doth not purpose to make his promise good, he may deny that he promised any such thing, neither telleth he any lye, THOƲGH HE HAVE SWORN TO DO IT; because it was no obligatory Promise, and so no Promise nor Oath at all. But the Later Apostacy, holding forth a glorious face and shew of Religion, cannot teach this for Doctrine: nevertheless, the Holy Ghost tells us, That in their Practices and Doings, they shall be alike, both Breakers of of Religious Vows, Oaths, Promises; the one making no more conscience then the other; as to Practice.
[...] Without natural affection,] orinhumane, u [...]iable Charitates exportes,faithBeza: [...], erant bo [...]i [...]es fine naturalibus affectibus, vel expertes exp [...] charitatis, vel expertes na [...] pie [...] [...] M [...]n(faithScultetus [Page 71] on the place) without natural Affections, or void of natural Charity, or void of native Piety.Baldvin,opens the word thus:Men in whom all humanity and love▪ is extinguished, which Nature joyns one to another; so that other mens evils are not pitied by them, but their good envied.It may be englished,BEAST-LIKE: As a Wolf sucking the blood of a Sheep, doth it without pity, and is delighted in the cruelty she useth,
1. Wherein can men more shew themselves to be without affections of piety and charity, then not to regard whom they destroy, nor how many, nor how illegal it be, so their own wills and lusts may be satisfied?
2. Are not they without Christian affection, who will deal worse and more cruelly with good men (I say good men) then if they were murderers and high-way thieves?
3. Is not all humanity extinguished in such men, who are so far from pitying the Saints when they are [Page 72] devouring them; as is a Beast from pitying a poor Lamb whilst he is sucking his blood?
4. What natural affection have they, who care not for their Country, nor what wrong they do to the people, by taking away their Laws, Liberties and Rights; and imposing what burdens and pressures they please, meerly to support and hold up their own private Interest? Consider of it, take advice and speak your mindes.
[...], Truce-breakers,] Some read, abs (que) foedere, without fidelity: the Dutch translates, implacable, unappeasable. Beza and Pagnin: Nescii soederis. Salmero, Inconfoederabiles. The Greek [...], signifies men who make no consciences of their Promises and Agreements; and having done so, are irreconcilable, will admit of no truce, but upon their own unlawful terms.
It is likely the Reader will expect that I should be large here, because the word (as he thinks) leads directly to the present Apostacy. [Page 73] But I will speak the less, because it is so plain; alas poor Creatures, here they cannot sew fig-leaves together, and make themselves aprons, (as our Parents did) to hide their nakedness.
Two things, Reader, I would have thee minde:
1. As the Lord fore-saw what would be the special sins of the Later Apostacy, so he doth mention them the oftner: He knew, that breaking Promises, Covenants, and Ingagements, would be the sins and evils chiefly committed by them, so he repeats the same again and again. The Judgement of the present Apostacy, I leave to others: whether it be that in Timothy or not: only this is clear by the Text, That Covenant-breaking, will be the sin, (as most eminent and remarkable) in them.
2. The Declarations, Remonstrances, Petitions, and other Writings of the Army are worth the reading, specially a Book entituled, A LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE ARMY.
[Page 74] In this Book he shall finde truly collected, what Vows, Promises, and Covenants have been made, and whether all be not broken let hims lf be Judge? But this remember also: It is not the last Apostacy, if the Vows and Promises, which have been broken, be not upon religious Pretences: that is, for the glory of God, the safety of the Nation, the good of the Godly party, &c. and so Righteous men still.
[...], False Accusers,] orCalumniators, slanderers. Greek,Devils. Aretius saith it signifieth,treacherously to take or deceive by false and lying words.
1. Wherein can men be more treacherous, then having unjustly cast Gods people into prison, afterwards to lay things to their charge which they never knew?
2. What greater slander, then to belye the Holy Ghost; in saying that to be done by Satan, which is wrought by the Finger and Power of God?
So, 3. in reporting strange Plots [Page 75] and Conspiracies to be among the Saints: whereby to render the Cause of Christ and his people contemptible and vile to the Nation: There being no Truth in it, but a meer slander.
4. Are not those Calumniators who asperse their Brethren with the reproachful terms of fools, knaves, villains, rogues, trayt [...]rs? &c. though known to be wise, honest, sincere and sober Christians, because they will not serve their wills and lusts.
5. Was it not Absolom's trick, that he might get the power into his own hands, to slander his Fathers Government: There is no man, (saith he) deputed of the king to hear thee. Oh that I were made judge in the land! I would do justice: read 2 Sam. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Inquire whether our former Governours have not been charged with much untruth, to the end that some might the sooner and easier (like Absolom) raise themselves.
[...], In continent,] so the old version' [Page 76] reads. Beza, intemperantes. Junius, Subjecti affectui: [...], qui cupiditatibus suis laxant habenas, & ingenio suo indulgente, saith Baldvin. Men who loose the reins to their lusts, and indulge their wit and will: properly the word signifies Excess, men that cannot contain themselvs, within Bounds, Limits, Laws; observe no Rule, Order or Medium; exorbitant, unlimited.
Remon [...]trance of the General & councel of Officers, at St. Albons, Nov. 16. 1648. He that desires light here, let him read The Armies Remonstrance against the late King: There this word is opened, in setting down particularly, his Excess, his Exorbitancy, the unlimited power which he took: For which Excess, nothing will satisfie some, but his Head.
So the Impeachment of Strafford, for High-Treason, in the House of Commons, Anno 1640, and 41. The Articles exhibited against him, are now worth the reading. He died for Excess.
Likewise, the great Case of Shipmoney, when Sir John Finch, then Lord-Keeper; Chief-Justice Bramston, [Page 77] Judge Berkley, Judge Crawley, Chief-Baron Davenport, Baron Weston, and Baron Turnow, were accused and impeached of High-Treason by the House of Commons, for their extra-judicial Opinion in the Case of Shipmoney.
Here Reader, thy work is short: It is onely to give thy judgement, whethes such men as condemned the King and Strafford for being [...], EXORBIT ANT, and had a chief hand in taking away their lives, made the Case of Ship-money High-Treason: because it was breaking Law-bounds. If they themselves should do worse in exercising an unlimited and arbitrary power; I say, suppose so: thou art then to judge whether without wresting the Text, the APOST ACY IN TIMOTHY (so far as this word bears) may not fairly be applied to them?
And here I think good, (not going out of my way) to set down the Excess and Exorbitancies of Duke d' Alva, leaving the Application to the Reader:
[Page 78] Meter Bel. [...]st. l. b. 3. Grimstone Nether. Hist. 311. That which he did first in stead of assembling of the general States, he appointed a Council of twelve men, which was called, The Mar. hath it, the Tyranny of the Duke and his bloody Council. The bloody Council; in French, The Council of troubles, The first, second and third months; the Duke and these sate in Council every fore-noon and after-noon, as being directed still by the Duke, whose intent was, that the Opinion of the Council should be but Consultative as giving judgement in some causes, but to have all things depend upon himself alone, and they to stand to the judgement he should give. By this Council, and by the Duke himself, all power and authority was taken from the Provincial Councils, and the Inhabitants robbed and spoiled of all their Jurisdictions and Appeals, clean contrary to the Priviledges of their Country; yea, and the Councils themselves(which were like our Parliaments)were forced to stand to the judgment of the said council, which had the command over all noble and unnoble, spiritual and temporal: so that the DUKES WILL WAS AN ABSOLUTE LAW, [Page 79] without suffering or allowing any Appeal, Reformation or Reviewing of the Sentence once given and pronounced by the Duke: And that the Duke should be accounted by all men, absolute Governour; and all men dispenced withal, not to hold or observe any Ordinance or Institution made by any others, then by him; and that all things should be referred to his discretion.
I would not be understood, as if Duke d' Alva were meant in this Prophesie▪ for I think otherwise. 1. Because he was no Apostate, that is, did never vow and promise better things. 2. He had no form of godliness. Both which must be in the persons here foretold.
[...], Fierce,] orunmild, not tame, wilde, savage [...] Inhumani & seri beastiarum more▪saithOsiander; Inhumane and wilde after the manner of Beasts. SoJunius, Feri: Bestiaruns more efferatos: Arias Montan. The Dutch,Cruel, with whom it is perilous [Page 80] to converse.The word properly is applied to the rage and cruelty of Beasts. Hence some translate,Bestiales.
Memorable is the thing which fell out lately at Abingdon. The Souldiers were more wilde and savage, then the Beasts they rid upon: for the poor Beasts would not do the cruelty upon the Saints, (though spurd, kickt and beaten) to trample them under foot, being at Prayer; as their barbarous Riders would have had them do. How will some stamp, rage, rail, threaten and shake their Heads, as if they would eat up God's people, when they are brought before them.
But that which I take to be chiefly meant by the word, is this: Look as Beasts, will hear no reason, neither is there any stopping of them in their fierceness, by speaking to them. So to speak to these men (meant here in the Text) of Reason, Law, Justice, Conscience, Right, it is to no purpose: they are Feri, wilde Beasts: their Will and Lusts [Page 81] must be satisfied. Again, as some Beasts, having gotten by force or fraud, mastery over their Fellows, rule them by no Law, but their will: such a Beast-like Government doth the Spirit of God here intend: so that without doubt by [...], Tyrants are here meant.
Now according to Statists and Lawyers, there are two sorts of Tyrants:Barth. kick. Systemat. polit. lib. 1. c. 28. p. 422. One, abs (que)titulo, qui Rempub. sibi non commissam, sine ullo justo Titulo, vel Successionis, vel Electionis invadit, aut vi aperta, aut malis Artibus: He is called a Tyrant, without Title, who invades the Commonwealth (not committed to him) without any lawful Title, either of Succession, or Election; either by open fraud or wicked designs. Others describe him thus: Qui sine ullo jure, aut iniquo & minimè legitimo Barlolus de Tyrannides. Titulo, Principitatum invadit: who, without any right, or the least lawful Title, usurps the Principality. The other is, Tyrannus exercitio sive [...]su, id est, qui legitimum quidem jus ad Principatum habet, sed [Page 82] eum injuste, & contra Leges exercet: A Tyrant by Practice or Exercise, who though he have a lawful right to the Government, yet administers the same unjustly, and against Laws. Of this later Tyrant, Bartolus, and others give Ten Notes. Again, touching the former Tyrant, their judgement is thus:Kicker, ibid. Steph. Jun. B [...]ul. in vindic, contra Tyran. Quest. 3. Althusius, l. 14. pol. Tol. l. 6. c. 18 & l. 26. c. 7. Rod. l. 2. c 5. Quia Tyrannus abs (que)titulo, nullum habet Fundamentum sut Principatus, sive Regiminis, ideo e [...] tanquam privato licet, sine ulla conscientiae difficultate resistere, eum (que) pellere, vel [...] medio tollere: Quin desensio est juris Naturae. A Tyrant without Title, having no Foundation of his Principality or Government, may as a private man without scruple of Conscience, lawfully be resisted, and expelled and removed from his place: The Reason is, because it is the defence of natural right.
The Conclusion is, When the Later Apostacie shall be in the World, (or rather in the Church) Tyrants shall then reign: it is not said which of the Two; but one of [Page 83] them will be: Neither have we ground to think that such an Apostacie is already come, unless so much doth appear.
There may be yet something more in the word: Out of this Apostacie, (as the Bottomless Pit) ascendeth the Beast that slayes the Witnesses. Now observe it Reader, it is a Beast that kills the Witnesses: and what are the Later Apostates said to be? Feri, wilde Beasts.
[...]. Despisers of those that are good,] or not lovers of good men, nor good things, for the word takes in both: minimè amantes bonorum. Beza. Negligentes bonorum: Pagn. If good men are not lov'd it is for the good things which they hold and practice. Two ways men are said to be good men: either as they stand for the good of their Country, against Tyranny and Oppression; and for the Liberties, Freedom, Priviledges, and just power of the people. Or standing up for the Truths of the Gospel, and the Interest and Cause of Christ. Now the Later Apostates shall appear [Page 84] against Good Men both these wayes: And if this be not so now, it is not the Apostacy in Timothy.
[...], Traytors:] A name given to Judas, Luk. 6. 16. and to the Murtherers of Christ, Act. 7. 52. So that there are two sorts of Traytors: 1 Spiritual or Gospel-Traytors. 2. Civil or Law-Traytors. Whether the Present Back-sliders are meant here, I shall onely shew what they have said, and leave the Reader to be Judge. For the first, thus they haveArmies Declaration to the people of Scotland, from Muscleborough, 1650. said, We have not onely proclaimed Jesus Christ King of Saints, to be our King by profession; but to admit him to the Exercise of his Royal Authority. And upon this simple account we engaged, not knowing the deep policy of Wordly States-men: And those things simply were in our eyes; namely, THE DESTRUCTION OF ANTICHRIST, THE ADVANCEMENT OF CHRIST's KINGDOM, THE DELIVERANCE AND REFORMATION OF HIS CHURCH IN THE [Page 85] BEST ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS ORDINANCES ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD, and the just Civil Liberties of English-men. Besides, notArmies Declaration, Sept. 17. 1648. onely would they have, That the exaction of Tythes and all manner of Impropriations removed; but all corrupt forms of an outside-Religion and Church-Government. Now with this compare their PRACTICE since: whether the good things they declared for, and the evil things they witnessed against, they have not onely declined, and most unworthily betrayed (as the destruction of Antichrist and the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ:) but have & do most cruelly hate & persecute, (by banishment and imprisonment) many of the Lord's people, Because they do desire, (and for no other cause) to have such things made good, as they themselves pretended sometimes to be zealous and earnest for; but now have betrayed into the enemies hand [...] ▪ if this be not true, the Holy Ghost [Page 86] intends them not: neither do I.
ForCivil orLaw-Treason▪besides what was said before in theCase of the King, Strafford, and theActs of Parliament Jan. 30. 1648. Judges aboutShip-money. I findefour Acts of Parliament (not yet as I know of, repeal'd) which say thus,Be it Enacted and Ordained, That whosoever shall declare, publish, or any way promote any Person to be King or Chief Magistrate ofEnglandor Ireland,&c. without consent in Parliament, shall be judged and deemed a TRAYTORto the Commonwealth, and shall suffer pains of death, and such other punishments as belong to the Crimes of High-treason▪
The likeAct was madeMarch 17, 1648. andMay 14, 1649. Again, inJuly 17, 1649. it wasEnacted, Thatif any person shall maliciously or ad [...]edly publish by writing, painting, or open declaring, &c. that the Commons in Parliament, are not the Supreme Authority of this Nation: or shall plot, contrive, or endeavour to stir up or raise force, &c. that every such offence shall be taken, deemed, and [Page 87] adjudged by the Authority of this Parliament, to be High-treason. Treason(saith our Law)is an offence committed against the Security, An [...]plitude and Majesty of the Commonwealth.
I am so far from taking the word (Traitors) for single persons, or to apply it to things doubtful; that I think the Holy Ghost intends a Combination of men, and such as shall most eminently betray both Gospel and Law, even Christ and their Countrey. But I shall not take the Readers work out of his hand.
[...], Heady,] or rash, inconsiderate, unstable, fickle, or giddy headed: such as suffer them selves to be driven this way and that way, by their passions and lusts. Dutch Note: The word as (some think) is taken from yong birds, which venter to fly before their Feathers are grown: or from little children, who through their headiness, fall and get many knocks.
When thou hast viewed their [Page 88] actions, first and last beginning at their Instrument, or new model of Government, and consider what that was and how hastily done. Their clapping up a sudden peace with the Dutch, and making war as fast against Spain. What loss we had of men and treasure at Hispaniola: the manner how, and what shame and scandal the English Nation had by it. Then pass over to Jamaica, and inform thy self truely, what hath succeeded since their arrival. Besides, how many hundred Ships have been taken from us by the Dunkerkers, whilst our Fleet were abroad, for what I know not▪ Their throwing of Good Men, one while into Prison, another while releasing them again without shewing any cause either for one or other. Their Creating Major Generals, like the Image that was made Rev. 13. 15. to the Beast: preferring some to high Offices and Places, whom they had before publickly charged to be Betrayers of their Country. Summoning the Countries to chuse [Page 89] Parliament-men, and when they came up, sent them home again; a hundred at a clap. It would take up too much time to enumerate all particulars. If these things considered, prove them not Heady and Rash, this then I would add: It may be doubted (and I do) whether the Later Apostacy be fulfilled in them. If any wise and sober man (not being one of them) can see upon any of their publick Actions, (wherein the good of the Commonwealth is concerned:) whereon there is not engraven, and fairly to be read [...], HEADY, RASH AND INCONSIDERATE: Either it is so, or this is not the last state Apostacy.
High-minded,] or puff▪d up as a [...] vol. Tympany, for that sore comes from the word, [...], significat eos qui sibi videntur insignes in re quapiam aut opinione, quam de se concipiunt, & ideo intumescunt. The word (saith Salmeron) signifies men who to their own thinking are famous in their actions and opinion; and being [Page 90] thus conceited of themselves are therefore puffed up. Some Translators have (C [...]eci) blinde: others, Fanatici & dementati, fanatical and sottish. Indeed, the word doth signifie one that is blinde, and wants his understanding, yet conceives that he hath both fight and reason, and would have others think so too.
It is not to be doubted, but these men (whose Apostacie is here arraign'd) for King Craft and Statesmen▪ deem themselves▪ the Nonesuch of the Word, and all Ruling men before them, Simplicians; and laugh at their Commonwealth. Notwithstanding, if that which they are designing and building, be,
1. Against God, and therefore he shortly will destroy it.
2. If that which the Saints are every where praying against.
3. If that which was done before by the King, against the Priviledges of Parliaments, and Liberties of the People.
4. If that which the people every [Page 91] day more and more do hate them for.
5. If that which may ruine their Families, and render their Names odious to posteritie.
I say, Should such be their designe and actions. The Question is (though highly conceited of their own opinion and doings) whether according to the word here, they are not in truth BLINDE, and FOOLISH, STONE BLINDE, as the Aethiopick reads it?
Lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God,] greedy upon voluptuousness: Old Translation. The word signifies such as areFriends to pleasures. Here Reader consider:
1. The Heathenish vanities and sports taken up since this Apostacie was made: (banished and buried before:) witness what was done this yeer upon their Lord Majors day, though an Independent and Church-member: Such lightness and foolery was then, as was a scandal to Religion, and a grief to the Saints. Many poor Christians wanting [Page 92] bread, whilst they in wantonness vainly wasted away money: see Amos 6. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
2. Where can we see any of the present Revolters; specially, if crept up into High Places and Offices, whether at Court or in Country; but they are voluptuous and given to pleasures: yea, those which seemed sometimes to be Barzilla's, men so mortified to carnal pleasures, and risen with Christ, as such things were irksom and burdens to them. But now, who for excess and riot more then they? who more then THESE MEN, for fine Clothes, sumptuous Houses, costly Fare, and Court-Fashions? so that to see them now, they are more like Dives then Barzilla [...]. In every vanity and foolery, as carnal and light as other men.
Truly I should have wondred to see this great Change among professors: how Barzilla's are become Diveses's: those who have preached much, and printed much against base delights, are now the Men addicted [Page 93] to them. I say, To see this, I should have thought it strange; but that I know this Prophesie of the Later Apostacy (every jot and every tittle of it) must be fulfilled.
Having a form of godliness,] orformality, shew, appearance, an outward visage. Quibus est species reverentiae Dei: Junius:in whom there is a shew of fear, or worship of God.Specieminanem sive inane simulacrum: Piscator.
I beseech thee, Reader, Take notice of the singular Wisdom and Counsel of God, who will discover the men of the Later Apostacy, in that way which they think to cover their Apostacie. How will the Later Apostates (being lovers of themselves, covetous, Covenant-breakers, Traytors, &c.) think to hide these Vices, so at least to hide them that they may not be thought to be the Apostates foretold in Timothy, By having a form of godliness, that is, by their often praying, fasting, preaching, and practicing Church▪Ordinances, &c. And how will the [Page 94] Lord make it known, That they are the Apostates there prophesied of? By having this form of godliness, that is, being men so forward for fasting and praying, yet living all the while in these gross and scandalous sins. And indeed, this here is necessarily added: for otherwise we might have look'd for the Later Apostacy, among Turks, Jews, Papists, Ranters, Quakers, &c. but the Holy Ghost would have us to observe, that this Apostacy shall be in Sion, Isa. 33. 14. It shall have its rise in the Churches of Christ, and among eminent Professors of the Gospel, as the first Apostacy began in the Church, out of which rose the Beast, Rev. 13. So the later Apostacie will be in the Church, out of which ascendeth the Beast that slayes the Witnesses.
So that by how much I see men strict and foreward in a form or shew of godliness, and would seem to be the onely men of their time (as the Scribes and Pharisees were in their [...]ime) for bodily exercise, as fasting [Page 95] and prayer, yet live in the manifest practice of the former sins. The more I am convinced & confirmed, to think that SUCH ARE THE APOSTATES foretold in Timothy.
Having a form a of godliness:] It seems the Spirit of God foreseeing the several Forms, which would be in the later Apostacie, and what crying up there would be of this happy time, that all parties might peaceably enjoy their own Form. Independents, theirs; Anabaptists, theirs; Presbyterians, theirs. He hath respect to this very thing; that is, what Liberty would be given to Forms; and how zealous and devout the Revolters would be for their form, and what acclamations: O blessed Time for such Liberty to FORMS!
I would not be mistaken, I am not against a Form, to wit, Church-Order, according to the Gospel of Christ. But it is to open the words, how the man of the Later Apostacy, will rest in forms, and think to shift [Page 96] off the fowl Vices they live in by having a form of godliness: See Isa. 66. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. For I think that place, and this belong to one time and people.
But it may be said, Some are under no Form, as to Church-Order. The word as I said, signifies a shew or appearance of godliness. Now this men may have, (and many have it) who are members of no particular Churches: these may fast and pray, and in words desire, That the Lord will disappoint the designs of those that labor to lift themselves up against the the Interest of Christ and his people. And it is Machiavels Precept: Externa specie pium & Religiosum videri, etiamsi ex animo non sit: that his Scholars and Followers, seem to be Pious and Religious, although in Truth, and really they be not so.
If a man have gotten any Ulcers or Sores upon his Body, he will not cast off his Clothes to have them seen: but rather put on more and better to hide them. So the [Page 97] Professors in last dayes, Church-Members and their Officers: Such I mean as are covered over with the Leprosie and scab of the Last Apostacie, (as Covetousness, Pride, Covenant-breaking, Blasphemy, Treason, Voluptuousness, &c.) They will not cast aside the form of godliness; but rather rise in the Practice of it, to the end, if it be possible, their Rottenness may not be observed.
But denying the power thereof.] A virtute Dei longe discedant: Junius. This needs no opening: for where such sins are as have been mentioned, there cannot be the power of godliness. Hence observe, what foul and most gross sins men may live in, and yet hold forth to the World, a glorious shew of Religion and Piety. So did the Scribes and Pharisees.
Calvin on the place, moves a Question, How Paul agrees with himself to say, That men should be so wicked, and yet have a form of godliness? He answers, of their impudence [Page 98] and boldness, as boasting to be Christians: whereas they are rather Heathens and Devils. But I think something may be added.
1. Though these sins are gross in themselves, and abominable in God's sight; yet seeing Whoredom, Drunkenness, Theft, &c. are left out, the particulars nam'd, may stand with a Form or shew of godliness: as hath been said.
2. The Apostacie being general in Ministers and People, and whole Churches leavened: these sins are not look'd after, but tolerated and born amongst them.
3. ThisLater Apostacie will have a great deal to say for its own justification: as, thatthey have followed Providence; and if they are lovers of themselves, Covenant breakers, Traytors, &c. there was a necessity for it; the peace and safety of the people did constrain them to it. And add this, That the Scripture might be fulfilled in 2Tim. 3. 1, 2, &c.
Before I end, I would have theReader take notice, there is something [Page 99] published under aGreat Mans hand, concerning theformer and later Apostacie. And word for word thus:Paul (O. P. his Speech in the Painted Chamber, Septem. 4. 1654. saith he)when he would remember some things to be worse then the Antichristian State, of which he had spoken in the first to Timothy: tells them what should be the lot and portion of the last times; and sayes,In the last dayes, perillons times shall come: for men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,&c. And when he remembers that of the Antichristian State, he tells them,In the later daysthat State shall come in, wherein there shall be a departing from the Faith, and giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils, speaking lyes in Hypocrisie,&c. By which description, he makes the STATE of the last Times WORSE then that under Antichrist. And surely, it may well be feared▪ thes [...] are our times: for when men forget all Rules of Law and Nature, and BREAK ALL BONDS, &c.So he,
[Page 100] In his words there are several things both true, and very considera [...]io [...] ▪
1. That there should be two State-Apostacus.
2. That thelater Apostacie should beworse then the former under Antichrist.
3. That thislater Apostacie is already in our time.
4. That the Apostates in the last dayes would forget all Rules of Law and Nature, and break all Bonds. &c. In all this we agree (as being all (I think) true.) But in the Application, as carrying the later Apostacy to Ranters, Quakers, Levellero, Here I dissent: my Reasons are:
1. The Apostle speaks of a State-Apostacie (and he calls it so himself) not meant of single persons under the power of others, and to be supprest at their pleasure: But as the first Apostacy was a State or Kingdom, which had a Head, and none above it, and there were Laws made surable to that Apostacy, whereby to [Page 101] support it: So the later Apostacie is to be a State, a Body or Dominion, (as Dan. 7. 12. 26.) over which one person shall reign as Head, and whatsoever Laws are made under this Apostacy, shall be suteable to it, that it may not fall like the foolish mans house.
Then 2. How is the Later Apostacy (already come) appliable to Ranters? who have no form of godliness, as both their Principles and Practice shew: we must finde this Apostacie in Churches and among great Professors: men (though covetous, proud, Truce-breakers, &c. yet) do fast & prey, practice Church-Ordinances, and pretend great zeal and conscience for the Interest of Christ and his people.
Again, 3. How can this Later Apostacie be worse then that under Antichrist? If understood of Quakers, Ranters, &c. wherein are these men worse then the other? it is true, the Later Apostacie shall be worse then the Former, in slaying the Witnesses: The former destroyed [Page 102] good men, but not their Testimony. It killed the Body, but not the Truth: This Later shall kill the Truth, but not the Body; slay in most good men their Testimony and Witness for Christ, but leave their persons unkilled. True therefore, (as he saith) Of the two State-Apostacies, the last is the worse.
4. That the Apostle should foretel the Later Apostacie to be heavy and perillous: there is little ground to apply this to poor, naked and inconsiderable persons: Besides, what have they done? whom have they banished and imprisoned? wherein have they been Traytors? when did they change Laws and Times? All which the Later Apostacy shall do, and more too.
5. Let the sins in the Text be viewed (as I have open'd the words) and compare them with Ranters, Quakers, &c. it will appear, they hold not parallel (almost) in any particular; whereas the Text (as I have said) must not be wrested, but such an Apostacie found out, which agrees [Page 103] with the place altogether, and in every thing.
6. Seeing Ranters and Quakers err in Doctrine (as holding dangerous opinions) they come under the first Apostacie, rather then the later.
Lastly, If the evils which he mentioneth, (viz. when men forget all Rules of Law and Nature, and break all bonds, &c. (be essential characters of the later Apostacie: I shall leave it to the Reader, whether he cannot finde such things (more visible & certain) somewhere else, then among. Ranters, Quakers, or Levellers?
Neither dothPaul alone speak oftwo Apostacies, butPeter likewise, and sets them down in the same manner the other doth: the first of things:viz. errors & doctrines of devils, 2Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. thelater of persons, namely,corrupt and sinful walkers [Page 104] 2Pet. 3. 3, 4.knowing this first, that there shall come in the last dayes, scoffers walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation.
It is worth the heeding, how the Apostles begin their Prophesies alike:This know also (saithPaul) that in the last dayes. Knowing this first (saithPeter) that there shall come in the last days, &c.
1. They would have Saints upon whom the Time of the End is come: to observe well the Symptomes and Characters of the Later Apostacie. Fore-warn'd, forearm'd: to know when this Apostacy is come will be a special preservative against it, and to shun it, and not to be parcaker of other mens sins.
2. They both pitch upon one [Page 105] Time: In the last dayes, that is, the three yeers and half, as I have shewed before: and as it is one time, so the persons here are one and the same.
Scoffers.] When Popery overspread this Nation, besides Persecution of tongues and hands, the Papists endeavour'd to refute the Protestants, by Scriptures, Fathers, Councels, Antiquity▪ &c. And so did the Prelates, after them, the Non-Conformists and Separatists, when the power was in their hands. But what do we hear now? Truly, little more then scoffs and jests: so that he is no body, if he have not a jeer, a gird, some taunt or other (& that in their Pulpits) against the Fi [...]t - Monarchy-men. And this I take to be the reason why the Holy Ghost useth the word Scoffers; to signifie, that besides jesting and mocking at the Assertors [Page 106] of Christs visible and glorious Kingdom, little will be done by the Adversaries as to the confutation of them: The Truth whereof appears evident at this present Time: Psal. 124. 3, 4. 2 King. 19. 3.
Walking after their own lusts.] What these lusts are, was shew'd before: the sins mentioned by Paul, 2 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5. The phrase, [walking after them,] denotes how their affections will be wholly set upon these lusts, and so guided, and led by them, that all their Counsels and Designs shall be for the upholding and maintaining of them. Insomuch, that not a Soldier in the Army, not a Mariner in the Navy, not a Minister or Magistrate in the Nation, shall be allowed, if they be known they are men disaffected to the lusts, proper to the later Apostacie.
[Page 107] Where is the Promise of his coming?] Had not this been added, we should not have known what kinde of Scoffers the Holy Ghost intended: But the words do manifestly shew, who are meant. It cannot be understood of Christ's coming to judgement at the last day: For who scoffs at that? all generally believe it; It being an Article of their Creed. Questionless therefore, it must be taken of Christs personal coming to reign on earth; and of the throwing down of Babylon, and all the corrupt powers of the World, and the bringing in of the new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. This indeed is mockt at, both in Court and Country. The Promise of his coming, which these Apostates are said to scoff at, are these and such-like, Dan. 2. 44, 45. & 7. [...]4, 27. Psal. 2. 6, 7, 8. & [Page 108] 45. & 72. Rev. 2. 26. & 5. 10. & 11. 15, 17. & 20. 4. Luke 19. 12. Zach. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. Hos. 3. 5. Isa. 53. 12. Act. 1. 11. Joh. 1. 51. Act. 3. 19, 20, 21. Rom. 8. 19, 20, 21. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 11. Joh. 18. 36.
That the Apostle brings in these Scoffers by way of Question: where is the promise of his coming? He doth it, to shew the occasion of their scoffing. This great Truth of Christs visible Kingdom, and personal Reigning in it, being publickly held forth by many, and some going so far as to fix the time, when the Lord (as they thought) would begin to Roar out of Sion, and to utter his voice from Jerusalem: Now nothing by the unbelieving Adversary being seen in order to it; O what scoffing and jeering is there now? Where is the promise of his coming? Watchman, [Page 109] what of the night? watchman, what of the night? Where is your Kingdom? Where are your reigning Saints? where is your 56, and 57? Ha, ha, say they, ye are dreamers indeed.
For since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were:] That thislater Apostacie may be the betterknown when it comes. The Holy Ghost shews what will be the saying of theScoffers at that time:You talk (say they)of wonders, what great changes there will be in the world, what breaking-work, and destroying Kingdoms and Powers. Nothing but overturning, overturning, overturning, and that strang things and unheard-of, will shortly come to pass: But this proceeds from the folly and vanity of your hearts, meer delusion: for there is nothing new under the Sun; but what is done now, or shall be, the like hath been before, [Page 110] and so all things shall continue as they are, till Jesus Christ come to judgement.
Hence it is, That these Scoffers (putting off the evil day, and saying in their hearts, Our, Lord delayeth his coming) will begin to smite their fellow-servants, by banishing some, and casting others into prison, and to eat and drink with the drunken; that is, leaving their former more sober & honest walking, will fall into the works of darkness: as rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness; and so lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God. Hence it is (like the men of the old world) their mindes will be on nothing but their lusts: as pomp, pride, honor, riches, great Titles, and places, &c. Hence it is that in their Councels (having interwoven their Interest with Babylon) [Page 111] much studying there will be how to heal the Beasts deadly wound, and what provision to make, that this later State-Apostacie may continue to many generations. But he that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh, they Lord shall have them in derision, Psal. 2. 4. Mark it Reader, they are laughers now and deriders: but there's a day coming (and nigh at hand) when the Lord also will laugh at their calamities, and will mock when their fear cometh, Prov. 1. 26. And the righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance, Psa. 58. 10.
From such turn aside,] have no communion with them, but flie from them:Dutch.Eorum conscuitudinem vitare jussit: Theop.Desire not (saithBaldvin) their friendship: and if they offer it to thee, refuse it. The words I take it, have thismeaning, as if he should say,You that shall live in the days of this later Apostacie, and by the description here given of it, do plainly see that such a perillous time is co [...] ▪ beware that ye withdraw your selves from it, and be not one of them, neither stand in any relation to them, (as they are Apostates) [Page 112] either by holding any place or office under them, neither acknowledge them any way, whether by counsel, person, purse, service, &c.But asLot left Sodom, & Gods people are to come out of Babylon; so must this Apostacie be left and departed from, by all such as expect a hiding place in the day of the Lords wrath. WhatMoses spake to the Congregation, is the warning which the Spirit of God gives us here:Depart I pray you from the tents of these wicked men, & touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins, Num. 16. 26
I have been the longer in opening the later Apostacy, Because most of our work lies here: for if this Apostacy be known, I mean as to the Time of it; that which concerns the little Horn, and bottomless Beast, will easily be understood. Because where this Apostacie is, there the others are: for they do all, (as I said) contemporize, as I shall shew in their places.
He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely: but he that perver [...]eth his ways shall be known,Prov. 10. 9.
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, Pro. 15. 14. The
THE CHARACTERS. OF THE Little Horn, OPENED.
HAving ended the latter Apostacy, I come now to the Little Horn. And here wee will consider three things.
1What this little Horn is?
2How it doth appear, that the raign (or rather Tyranny) of the little Horn, shall bee in the three years and half?
3Whether the present state-Apostacy be the little Horn?
[Page 130] In handling these particulars, I intend to do no otherwise, then I did before. Explain the matter as I humbly conceive to bee the meaning of the Holy Spirit, and leave the application to the judgement of the sober Reader. Granting withall, if hee finde not all things here set down exactly to agree with the State-Apostacy of our time, and never till now fulfilled, with so much clearnesse and certainty, wee are not yet come to the time and reign of the little Horn.
For the first, I do not understand, by the Little Horn, any single person, as Antiochus Epiphanes, Julius Caesar, Domician, Mahomet, William the Conquerour, King Charles, &c. But a Kingdome, or State, and so the most judicious generally take it. Hence it is vers. 11. that his body, is mentioned, and ver. 26. his dominion. So then, as the ten Horns, are ten Governments, or States, so I think is the little Horn, a State, or Government, which may thus be described.
A company of men in the last dayes, having left their former principles of justice, Law, and Conscience, shall assume unto themselves, lastate or body politick, appointing one as Head, and framing an instrument [Page 131] of Government suitable to it.
This Horn is said to bee Little.
1 Obscuro loco natum et plebium. Jacobus T [...]rin. Of his low birth, small and mean beginning, which shews that this little Horn cannot bee the fourth Monarch. Chap. 11. 21.
2 Because The Kingdome doth not by right belong unto him. Diodate, that is, this Government shall bee set up by a few persons, without the consent of the people, yea against their will.
3 Little, because it will not have the faithful prayers of the Saints for it, nor the hearts or hands of other people: but such Apostates, as are named, 2 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5.
4 Little, because among other Horns, or Kingdomes, this will not bee allowed for a Lawful State, otherwise then to serve their own turn, and to make advantage and gain by it.
5 Little, because the Lord will not suffer him to bee great, but will blast his designs and actions both at home and abroad.
6 Little, because of the short time this State is to continue. viz. Three years and an half; no longer.
[Page 122] I know some have thought, that by the word Little, A younger brother is meant. I confesse there may bee something in it, for many do read, Cornu ultimum & parvun, a horn, the last and little; Signifying that this Horn shall arise, neer or about the time, when the Elder, or former States and Kingdomes are going down, and ready to be pluckt up by the roots.
But howsoever it be Little in such considerations, yet it is said to be a Horn, that is, a State, or Government.
1 Because, it shall have the name and Title of a civil power or Government given to it.
2 It will push as hard as other Horns have done, against the Laws and Liberties of the Nation, yea, and against the interest of Christ and his people.
3 This State will make Laws and Ordinances, which shall bee as duly kept and observed by the Apostates under it, as if they had been enacted by the greater Horns, that is, by a more Lawful and just power.
Touching the second point,viz. thatthe Tyranny of the Little Horn shall bee in the three years and half; To prove this, [Page 133] the Textsaith, untill a time and times, and the dividing of times, Dan. 7. 25. The sense (I conceive) is thus.From his rise, hee shall have so much time allowed, orhe shall so long continue by the Lords sufferance, to exercise the cruelty and wickednesse mentioned in the Vision.That the meaning is so, appears by the Question and Answer,Dan. 12. 6, 7.How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? for a time, times and an half. As if hee should say,For the vision of the little Horn it shall bee for a time, times, and an half, so long hee is to continue, to scatter the power of the Holy People, and when that time shall bee expired, the words of the Prophesy are fulfilled concerning him: For soon after the judgement shall sit, and they shall take away his Dominion, &c.
Qu. Butby a time, and times, and dividing of time what time is there meant, or how much is this time? The common received opinion is,three years and an half. These persecutions (saithDiodate) shall last, one year, two years, and halfe one year, that is to say, three years and half.
I confesse in the application, I finde few to agree with me, yet for the time, tobee three years and an half, (neither [Page 134] more nor lesse) few writers which I have seen, but take it so as I do. And for these few which understand it otherwise, as making first, a time, times, and dividing of time, to bee three years and an half, and then out of the three years and half, to reckon each day for a year▪ this I conceive neither agrees with Daniels manner of reckoning the time, nor with other Prophets. That three daies and an half, should be taken, for three years and an half. So forty two months, for so many years, as there are dayes in the months. Again One thousand two hundred and threescore dayes for so many years: this is right, and according to the Scriptures, Numb. 14. 34. Ezek. 4. 5. But by a time, to understand a year, by times two years, and dividing of time▪ an half year, and afterward, from these three years and an half, to number years by daies. There is not for this (I think) any ground in the word of God.
Besides, why should not Daniel when hee useth words and terms alike: be alike understood: in chap. 4▪ 25. it is said seven times shall passe over [...]hee; here it is not questioned but by seven times; seven years are meant, no raising of another number from daies, to years: Now I [Page 135] see no reason why the Prophet in one place should bee understood, by Time, strictly a year, and in another, as many years, as a year hath daves, especially seeing it is familiar with Daniel to set down his account in this manner, as ch. 11. 13. in the end, Haghi [...]tim shan [...]m, of the times of years, see chap. 7. 12. and 8. 17. and 11. 14, 35, 40. and 12. 4, 9. I might add, how three years and half was the term of Christs persecution in the flesh: the which being expired, immediately begunne (upon his resurrection) the setting up of his spiritual kingdome all the world over. So three years and an half is the time of the sufferings of his witnesses under the little Horn, the which being ended, they shall rise and stand upon their feet again, and then beginnes, that which you have Rev. 11. 13, 14. the great earth-quake, and the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, and the kingdomes of this world becomming the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ.
Quest. But how doth it appear, if by time, and times, and dividing of time, three years and half are meant, that these are the three years and half, which period the number of one thousand two hundred [Page 136] and threescore years, and contemporises with the latter Apostacy, and slaying of the witnesses.
Answ. 1 Graserns against Junius, gives many reasons, that the Vision shewed Daniel concerning the Little Horn is to have its accomplishment in Novissim. diebus, in the very last times toward the end of the world, and judgement shall not passe upon him, us (que) ad consummationem irae, untill the indignation bee accomplished. Dan. 11. 36. that is unt ill the forty two months are expired. Histor. Antichrist. pag. 115. 119. &c.
If this bee so (as I see nothing against it) then must this little Horn, be before the rise of the witnesses, and the forty two months are expired: for hee shall have no Dominion or Power after that time.
2 Upon the destruction of the Little Horn, the Saints possesse the kingdome: but this they do not, neither is the Kingdome theirs, till the witnesses rise, and the time of the Beasts Tyranny is expired. Hence I gather, that the three years and an half, allowed the Little Horn, and the three years and an half, in which the witnesses lye slain, must needs contemporise. [Page 137] I would have the reader observe this, for I think there is some weight in it. If the taking of the kingdom by the Saints, bee upon the ruine of the Little Horn, and the rising of the witnesses (as clearly it is so to me) then it must follow necessarily, that the three years and half, given to the Little Horn, and the three years and half spoken of the slain witnesses, are all one, see Dan. 7. 25, 26, 27. compare Rev. 11. 8. 11, 12, 13, 15, &c.
3 Another Argument, I lay down thus, the book is not to bee opened, untill the time of the end; which is in the three years and half, and the understanding of it will bee partly by the Characters of a little Horn. Now it is the Lords usual manner not to lead his people back to things past, but to teach them the understanding of Prophesies, by what is present, and doing in their own time, when yee shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of, by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the holy place &c.
Again, when yee shall see all these things, &c. Mat. 24. 15. 33. So the little Horn must be seen before the wise will understand the end, and this is proper to the three years and half.
[Page 138] 4 It seems by Daniel, that the cause and ground of the Little Horns, making warre against the Saints, wearying them out, and scattering their power, will bee for bearing witnesse to Christs visible and glorious kingdome, so that the controversy now, will not bee (as formerly it was) about the Church, Ministery, worship, and discipline, but about the whole Rule, Dominion, and government under the Sunne, that is whether the kingdoms of the world shall continue (as they are) in the hands of Tyrants, and oppressors, or they shall bee Christs, and the Saints of the most high, according to that promise, And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdome, that all People, Nations, and Languages should serve him, and his Dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not passe away, and his kingdom that which shall not bee destroyed. Again, And the Kingdom, and Dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdome, and all power shall serve and obey it, Dan. 7. 14▪ 27. And this proves likewise, that the three years and half of this Little Horn must bee the [Page 139] last of the one thousand two hundred and threescore years, it being the last testimony of the witnesses, in the behalf of Christ, and the main cause of their slaying by the Beast.
And here the Reader may understand not onely the Time when the Little Horn shall stand up, but one manifest Character to know him by: under his government there will bee a large tolleration of Religion, for hee will pretend great care to tender consciences, as that every one may have liberty to worship God in what form hee listeth: onely hee will not allow that any should assert, what the Scriptures plainly testify, concerning the breaking of the Image, and in particular, that hee shall bee slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame: The Saints shall take away his dominion to consume it, and to destroy it▪ unto the end, any thing but this: but this will not bee suffered: no tolleration here of tender consciences: any lye rather will be born then this truth, and how to suppresse it will bee the great businesse. And therefore crafty councel will bee taken against Jehovah and his Christ.
[Page 140] I have handled the former points the more briefly, because I think they lye open to very little exception. That which follows next is, whether the present State-Apostacy bee the Little Horn? I have said often before, I undertake not the APPLYING PART: I shall onely shew (going over all the Characters) what this Little Horn will be, as to his deportment and carriage, when he comes upon the stage, to act a sad tragedy.
Behold there came up among them another little Horn, Dan. 7. 8.] Though this little Horn bee not one of the Ten; yet hee grows upon the body of the fourth beast, vers. 7. and so is part of the Image, Dan. 2. And here I would have the Reader observe (which indeed hath not been heeded by Expositors) that the little Horn cannot be the persons or states, to which most men formerly have applied it: for either they have taken it for a person or state: which was not upon the head of the fourth beast, as Antiochus Epiphanes, Mahomet, the Turkish Empire, Antichrist, or one of the ten Horns, as the Norman race, William the Conqueror, Charls Stuart▪ &c. And thus both wayes have mis'd the mark. For however (as I said before) [Page 141] this little Horn, is not one of the ten, yet among them, that is, upon the head of the Beast, as the rest are. Hence (I think) this certainly may bee asserted, that if the present state-Apostacy bee not the little Horn, it hath not yet risen; For Daniels descripttion of it in this place (among them, and yet another) agrees not with any person or State hitherto mentioned by any writer that I have seen.
Quest. But why is he said to beeamong the ten Horns on the body of the Beast?
Ans. 1 Though he be none of them, yet through ambition hee will seek to be like them in state pompe, and all wastful vanities, hee will assume their Titles, Power, Priviledges, be as absolute a Monarch as any of them; in a word, either he will follow the former Horns, in all their exorbitancies, riot, and excess, or will strive what he can to have it so.
2 That he is said to bee upon the Beast, it is to shew; notwithstanding his former Declarations and Engagements, and warring a long time against Kingship, when he comes to bee the Horn, hee shall uphold the rotten interest of the fourth Beast (as her members) namely Priests and Lawyers, her moth-eaten customes, and Traditions, [Page 142] and what else that filthy part of the image (viz. feet and toes) is compounded of.
Another Little Horn] Junius, Piscator, and many others translate, the last horn, being little, achari (saith Willet) signifieth the last as well as another. The wisdome of the Holy Ghost is to be minded here, in making choice of a word, whereby to shew what this little Horn shall be.
1 Another; here is signified, though this horn bee a State, or Government (as was said before) yet shall it not have the constitution and form of a civil State, it shall not have (I say) any stamp upon it, suitable either to a kingdome, or a Commonwealth, as the ten Horns had: for howsoever some of them at first were not fairly constituted, yet within a while that question was taken off, and the government acknowledged by the People, to bee just and lawful. But this little Horn for all his policy and craft, will be Another still, never able to wipe off usurpation and Tyranny, by gaining a formal constitution of a State; And hence I take it hee is said to bee another.
But secondly, That hee is said to be the Last, me thinks here I cannot but say [Page 143] with Paul, O the depth both of the wisdom & knowledge of God: As there are two Apostacies, the first and the last: so there are the first Horns, and the last Horn: the first Apostacy, and the first Horns rise together, So saith the Scriptures: And the ten Horns which thou sawest are ten Kings, which have received no kingdome as yet; but receive power as Kings, one hour with the Beast, Rev. 17. 12. The Kings and Horns I understand to bee all one. The Roman Empire broken to peeces, that is severall Nations and people casting off the Roman yoke, and constituting themselves absolute and free States: The Beast to be the first Apostacy, or Antichristian kingdom, now these two have their rise, & beginning at one time; so the last Apostacy and the last Horn rise together; I hope the Reader will heed the sweet harmony of Scripture Prophecies; surely it is not for nothing, that the little Horn is called the Last; for as the first Apostacy & first Horns came up at one time, so the last Apostacy, and the last Horn will bee in one hour.
But again (for great is the mystery of godlinesse) here also may bee meant as the little Horn shall not grow upon the body of the Beast, till in the last daies, [Page 144] when perillous times shall come, and the former Horns neer cutting, off. So he shall bee the last indeed, as vers. 24. For I think Gods hand, will bee so visible and eminently lifted up against him, in giving his body to the burning flame, that none after him will presume to set up any State or government any more upon the old Beast
Before whom there were three of the first Horns] I think it would rather darken than lighten the matter, to mention the several opinions of men about these three Horns. Some (understand the Turkish State to bee meant by the little Horn) will have Asia, Grecia, and Syria, to be these three Horns. Others Egypt, Syria, and Cylicia. Others Siria, Egypt and Africa.
Again, such as take Antiochus Epiphanes, for the little Horn, are various in their account. Some number Seleucus his elder brother, and Demetrius son to Seleucus, and Philopater, his sisters son. Others leaving out Demetrius, chuse Antiochus the great, father to this Antiochus the vile. And a third sort leave it indifferent which bee nam'd. So for others applying the little Horn to the Pope; One takes it for the excommunication of this King, and that [Page 145] Emperour; another for the deposing of such and such: Now that which I shall say to all is this, whether wee consider Kings or Kingdomes named by them, they were not any of the ten Horns: neither were they broken by a little Horn, which grew upon the fourth Beast, nor in three years and half, neither together, and at one time: Nor doth it appear by any History, that so many Horns (more nor lesse) were pluckt up by the persons named by them: nor that it was the last Horn, which grew upon the fourth Beast, and another from the ten Horns.
Therefore I shall propound this to the Reader, to bee considered and weighed by him. whether England, Scotland, and Ireland, are not three kingdomes: and these three at one time (as to their Priviledges▪ Laws, Rights, Freedomes, &c.) broken? And whether this bee not done by men, who have the Characters of the last Apostacy upon them; and such as call themselves a State and Government, but never could formally put themselves either into a Kingdom or Commonwealth. And whither the time in which all this was done, were not (as probably it may be thought) neer or about the period of the forty-two [Page 146] months. But it is likely some will question, whether England, Scotland, and Ireland, are three of the ten Horns, in the division of the Roman Empire.
To this I Answer. 1 All know that are acquainted with Histories and Interpreters, such difference there is among them in the enumeration of the ten Horns, whether understood of persons, or States, that nothing from them can be certainly concluded.
And therefore I may say, and as groundedly (granting there were ten disstinct divisions) that England was one, Scotland another, and Ireland a third, as others who name either this or that Countrey.
But 2. My opinion is, (and so is the judgement of most) by ten, no precise and certain number is meant, but an uncertain and indefinite: that is, the Roman Empire dissolved into several States and Kingdomes. And thus was England one, Scotland another, Ireland another. Neither doth the Holy Ghost (I think) intend any thing further; But many Nations and Countries should withdraw from the Power of Rome, and become Independents, free and absolute in and among [Page 147] themselves. So that by ten many are understood, as it is often so in scripture. Numb. 14. 22. Job 19. 2.
Pluckt up by the rootes] The Angel opening these words▪ vers. 24. saith,hee shall subdue three Kings, Humiliabit, saithRob. Steven, and Pagnim, bring them low, or humble them, as if hee should saythree Kingdomes, which shall arise after the division of the Roman Empire (I would have the reader to consider whether these may not beeEngland, Scotland, andIreland) being by the mighty hand of God brought off, and raised up from a great deal of Tyranny, and arbitrary Poner, under which they were enslaved, and having obtained much of their ancient freedome, rights and Priviledges, and in a hopeful way to a thorow Reformation at home, and to have been instruments abroad of much good us other Nations, in suppressing Tyranny and Idolatry: Behold on a sudden out of the last Apostacy (as the bottomlesse pit) up starts the last Little Horn,whohumbles them, and brings them down under the oppression and bondage wherein they were before (or rather more) hinders them in going on, in the work of Reformation, and instead of doing good to other Nations, makes these three Countries [Page 148] a reproach and scorn every where.
Now howsoever this Humbling & bringing down, may largely bee taken. Yet, I think the holy Ghost chiefly intends religious things, that is, this last Horn, shall be an occasion of rendring the blessed name of God, and the cause of his dear Sonne, contemptible to the World: The which before, was not onely mightily cried up and pretended to, but gloriously held forth, as a burning light, before all people and kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations.
In this Horn were eyes, like the eyes of a man] This may bee taken two wayes. 1 Of his Carnal Wisdome worldly prudence, subtlety, policy, making an outward shew to bee a great lover of Laws, of justice, and Equity, and the interest of the People, hereby the easier and sooner to effect his own design. That he is said to have Eyes, and no such thing mentioned of the Ten; This I understand comparatively: For they did see, that is, they were crafty and politick, yet so, as blind to what sight this Horn shall have, in all cunning devices. Hee will exceed all that were before him, both for matter and manner of deceits; their craft was shewed, but now and then, and onely in [Page 149] some of their publick affairs, and transactions, they studied other things, besides carnal policy, and carried on some of their Actions without deceit, simply and honestly. In a word, their Policies were but rough draughts at the belt. Whereas this Horn (whosoever hee be) will mannage none of his actions without deceit, his head and heart will never bee off from studying craft, and for all his projects and contrivements, they will be most artificial works.
But 2. And this I rather take to bee the meaning. The Little Horn hath Eyes, the other none; Here is signified, that hee will, by a subtle Practice, cal'd Religion; Liberty of Conscience, Gods glory the advancement of Christs kingdom, &c. set up himself, and his own Interest. A thing which the ten Horns never saw, such eyes will bee proper to this Horn: for hee shall joyn himself to the people of God, and take part with them against Tyranny and Idolatry, as seeing it to bee the way for his own advantage: As the Pope, Mahomet, and others, brought their designs to pass by such Eyes: to wit religious pretences.
In the same way will this Horn exalt [Page 150] himself: It will not bee so much by carnal Policy and the Wisdome of this World (for in this respect the other Horns were not blinde) but hee gets power, place, and authority, another way into his hands▪ namely, by standing up, for, And with a good Interest, and so gains the hearts, and prayers of Gods people▪ and afterwards having what hee desired, turns his HORN, that is, his Power, Army, and Councel, against the holy People, and the good old Cause, by which he was first raised.
Eyes of a man] Not of an Angel, this is added, to shew, that all the time of his Saint-like carriage, and when hee appeared most earnestly zealous for the interest of Christ and his people: like another John, his heart is not upright before the Lord, but is a very Hypocrite, even that Fool, who saith in his heart, there is no God: For under all his Protestations, Oaths, Covenants, great undertakings, &c. The Plot and Design which hee will carry on, is how to make himself, and his Family great, by the ruine of that CAUSE so much before pretended to.
In a word, that hee is said, to have Mans Eyes▪ I take the meaning thus: [Page 151] This Horn shall bee a notorious Hypocrite, a very Atheist, a Monster, a monstrous Monster, one that shall discover more Hypocrisy, and Atheisme, (if his former and latter actions be compared together) then ever was done before him, by any person upon the face of the earth.
And a mouth speaking great things] This is often mentioned. I beh [...]ld then▪ because of the voice of the great words which the Horn spake, vers. 11. Again, A mouth that spake very great things, vers. 20. the which is afterward explained by the Angel, He shall speak great words against the most high, vers. 25. So indeed many Interpreters read. But others Translate it otherwise, as Vatablu [...], Pagnim, Montanus, Ro. Steven, &c. Men known to bee skilful in the Tongues: Not against the most high, but ex parte altissimi, Letzad. On the part of the Almighty: for the Most High, or in his behalf. Symmachus renders it, [...], Hee shall speak as the high God, That is, his words shall be of Holiness, Righteousnesse, Goodness, and Truth. Though in his Actions and Practice there be no such thing. And if the matter be considered, [Page 152] there is good ground for this reading. That which doth most astonish Daniel, are the words of the Little Horn.
Now there is little cause of Admiration, to hear a man speak wickedly, that doth wickedly. But to see a man make warre against the Saints, weary them out, by Bonds, and Imprisonment, destroy the Laws, Liberties, and Rights, of the People, and commit all kinde of Tyranny, and yet in words to Professe, hee is for God, and for the interest of Christ, and his people, and for the Priviledges, safety, and publick good of the Nation, this indeed is enough to amaze a Prophet. Therefore as Graserus rightly observes, this Horn, is one qui impietati su [...]e Dei nomen pretendit, which shall pretend the name of God in all his Impieties. Hee shall not cast a Saint into Prison, but will pretend Gods glory for it. Hee shall not pluck up three Kingdomes by the roots: but will say it is for the honour of God. If hee break his Vows, Promises, Oaths, &c. Really saith hee, it is for the sake of the most high: Thus every thing hee doth, though it bee for Babylon, and the great Whore, and to keep up any base corrupt interest in the Nation, it is for Christs sake, as he saith▪
[Page 153] Again, the reason why the word Letzad, hath been rendred against the most high. I conceive it to bee thus, the little Horn hath been taken by Interpreters, for the open professed enemie of the Truth, as Antiochus Ephiphanes, Mahomet, the Pope, &c. where as hee is a subtle Hypocrite, alwaies speaking for God, and good things, though in his Actions (if you observe him there) he shall plainly demonstrate that hee regards neither God nor goodness.
I would not have men to bee rash and heady Censurers, specially in the Application of this little Horn. For truely I think, one of the clearest Characters of him, is set forth in this place. Whensoever this Dominion of his shall bee erected, if any complaint bee made against it, for unrighteous doings, (and for doing worse than any men did before) what will they say for excuse; ex parte altissimi, it is in the behalf of Christ, for the sake of the godly party, to prevent new warres, and effusion of bloud: Briefly all the impleties and wickednesses committed against God and man, shall bee defended this way.
And to say the truth, except it bee [Page 154] this shift, they will not find a fig-leaf to cover their Nakednesse.
And here it will not be a misse to give the Reader notice, that this little Horn shall bee so famous and notorious in his day, concerning the matter here mentioned, that the same in scripture is often foretold. Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name sake, said, let the Lord bee glorified, &c. Isa. [...]6. 5. Observe here four things.
1 This casting out must bee by a Government, men who have gotten Power into their hands, and so are stronger than their brethren.
2 They were Brethren, either in some Church, Army, Councel, Parliament, Equals and Companions.
3 How unjust, and sinful soever their proceedings are against their brethren, by banishing some, or imprisoning others, &c. Gods Glory is pretended, as if all were done of Conscience, and to do God good service.
4 Though this Apostate-State, thinks to cover their Malice and Cruelty by mocking God: yet God will not bee mocked, but as hee sees their Hypocrisy and Deceit, so hee will discover it to [Page 155] their everlasting shame, and the honour and comfort of the other.
Thislittle Horn orApostate-State, is likewise (as I take it) foretold by our Saviour.But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delayeth his comming, and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken▪ &c. Mat.24 48, 49. First, thissmiting must bee understood (as I said before) of persons that have gotten power into their hands, and so exercise tyranny by authority. 2 They arefellow-servants. All professors of the Gospel, the persecutors have a form of Godlinesse, as the sufferers have bothform andPower. 3 That thewicked servant, smites his fellows, he pretends, Justice, Conscience▪ and necessity for it: For so I take the sence: as if hee should say:I acknowledge Jesus Christ to bee your Lord, and mine, and do expect his comming as well as you, and that hee shall bee the onely Potentate, King of Kings. and Lord of Lords, have all power and Dominion given him: notwithstanding seeing it will beea long while before that time comes, and you would perswade the people that day is at hand, whereby occasion is given of warres and Commotions, and to [Page 156] have my Dominion (as theLITTLE HORN)taken away and consumed: these things I cannot suffer, as being against the honour of God, and the good of his people; and therefore must correct such persons as disturbers of our present Government.
4 Notwithstanding the specious pretences of this wicked servant, as if hee did not smite his fellow-servants, but out of tenderness and Conscience to the glory of God: yet this, all the while apparently shall bee seen in him, that hee eats and drinks with the drunken, all the vices and sinnes which Paul reckons up of the Last-Apostates, are as visibly to bee seen in him, as was the Leprosy in Gehezies forehead.
For the close of this Character: it seems to mee that Isa. 66. 5. and Mat. 24. 48. with the little Horn, Dan. 7. and the last Apostacy, 2 Tim. 3. are parallel Texts of Scripture-prophesies.
His looks were more stout then his felows] If this Character had been well minded, William the Conqueror, Charls Stuart, and the like, had never been pitch upon: For it is expresly said, that this Horn must bee stouter than any of the ten.
I shall open the words in three things.
[Page 157] 1 Howsoever wee read of many stout Horns among the Ten, which were very Tyrants, and for their oppression and cruelty, some of them were deposed, others banished; some imprisoned; some put to death (as Charls Stewart in our time) yet hee cannot bee the little Horn, who doth not in an arbitrary and lawless way exceed them all, how tyrannical soever their Government was. And therefore unlesse wee see a State, that hath more violated and broken the Laws of the Nation, destroyed the priviledges of Parliaments, and Rights of the People, more than ever Charls Stewart did, yea than ever was done since the Conquest, or since the rise of the Beast; the Holy Ghost acquits it here from being the little Horn. Nay, I say more (for God forbid, I should condemn the righteous) if since the rise of the Ten Horns, it can appear that for plucking up by the roots, the Laws, Liberties, and Freedome of the people, and ruling according to will and lust, there hath been done, by any of the Ten, what hath been done in our Time, wee are not yet come, (I speak as I think) to the daies of the little Horn.
[Page 158] 2 That hee is said to have his looks sto [...]ter then his fellows, here I think the spirit of God, intends the likenesse between the heads of the two Apostacies▪ how stout the first was, wee have shewed; now much more might be added. As thus
Pope Innoc. 72 Ar. 17 q 4 Siquis. No man (saith hee)must dispute or doubt of my actions. Pope D [...]mase. 25. q. [...]. C. omnia. Those that will not obey my Decrees are to be dispossessed, and sequestred of all Honours and Estates without restitution. Auto-m [...]n. Sum. par. [...]. Tit. 22. c. 5. My power is greater than all created powers. Pop. Nich. 15. q. 6. Aut. de elect. et elect. significa▪ in Glos. I can aispense with Laws, Vows, Oaths, Covenants, &c. Bellar. de verb. dei. What I say that must bee reverenced and received for Truth. Greg. distin 81 c. siquis et Leo caus. q 6. cap. multa. And whosoever speaketh against it, is forthwith an Heretick, yea, a very Pagan, a Witch, an I do later, an Infidel. Bellar. de Rom. pont. l. 2. c. 26. In a word, I cannot bee judged by any Prince or Prelate upon the Earth. Neque ab omn bus simul in Concilio congregatis, not by all the Princes and Prelates in the world, though in Councel together. Glos. in c. 24. q. 3 si inimicus. And such as I take to bee my enemies, others are to take their enemies, and forthwith to withdraw from them, and not so much as to look upon them.
I would have all men very carefull whom they make the Little Horn: For [Page 159] I am perswaded, what person soever he shall bee, for Stoutnesse, hee will bee like the head of the first Apostacy, that is, what the former hath said, the latter will attempt to do.
3 It is observed by some Expositors; that in verse 8. there is no mention made of his Stunt looks. But afterward, verse 20. Hence they conceive, that hee will bee worse at last, than at the beginning, grow more fierce and tyrannous against the interest of Christ, and his people, towards his end, than hee was before: Indeed Evil men and seaue [...]rs shall wax worse and worse, 2 Tim. 3. 13.
And the same Horn made war with the Saints, and prevailed against them [...]] As the Characters of this Horn are proper to him: so in opening each particular, if the meaning of the spirit bee understood, wee must finde out such things to bee done by him, as were not done before by any other. Touching this war.
1 The ground of it will bee (as hath been said) about Christs interest and right to the Kingdome: For in the dayes of this Horn, the Saints will bee raised up very high in bearing witnesse for the son of David, against the Rulers of the [Page 160] World, that the Time is at hand▪ in which all their Power and Dominion, shall bee taken from them. But more especially, will they stand up against the Horn, as taking him to be the little Horn, and the first Enemy that must bee destroyed (as the subject of the first vial) and the greatest obstructer to the work of the last times, in execnting the vengance of the Lord, and of his Temple upon Babylon; whereupon hee will use all the Policy and Power hee hath (to keep his body from the burning flame) by persecuting the Saints many ways, in appearing thus for the Lamb.
That such a Controversy shall be before Christs Personal comming is manifest. But those my enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before wee, Luk. 19. 27. I know the place is usually interpreted of Christs spiritual reigning in the hearts of Beleevers: But the scope and series of the Parable carries it otherwise, read vers. 11. 12. and foreward. The meaning I take thus, towards the end of the forty two months, in the three years and half, the dispute will grow high about Christs visible Kingdome: Some will [Page 161] assert it, others oppose it, and here beginnes the warre between the Horn and the Saints, which was never before in the world.
2 Though the warre bee raised upon this occasion, yet will the Horn so palliate the same with pious pretences, as it may well have the name of the Holy War. For here the Persecutors, Smiters of their Brethren, and who cast them out [...]t these must bee Saints, and the well affected, and the good people: And they that are imprisoned, banished, and overcome, these Malignants, Traitors, Fools, Beasts, not worthy to live in Church or Common-wealth. So that for Hypocrisy, the like was never shewed before.
3 For this, War, I [...]o not conceive, that the Saints shall come forth into the field, and fight the little Horn, and so bee overcome by him; For till his three years and half are expired, The Lord of Hosts will not muster the Host of the battle against him. But by making warre is meant, hee shall oppresse them many wayes, for bearing witnesse to Christs Kingdome, against his power and standing. See Jam. 4. 1.
Quest. But why is it called a war, if [Page 162] nothing bee more intended, than the Horn persecuting the Saints, they making no resistance.
I answer, the Holy Ghost (I conceive) calls it a making war, because this Horn shall have his greatest aid, and help by an Army; These kinde of men will principally do his Commands against the Saints, bee they never so unrighteous and cruel. For other men in Civil places, as they will not care to serve him in such a way, so hee will not make use of them as of Souldiers under him. These will bee most for his turn, whether it bee to banish, or imprison, or to put a Saint to death.
Truely for this Reason (I think) though the Saints are meer Patients, yet it is called a war. To signifye if it bee this little Horn: Then 1 The instruments which he shall chiefly imploy against Gods people will bee Army-men. 2 His Souldiers will bee so degenerate and mercinary, as they will not spare any of the Lords pretious ones, but whomsoever hee bids them, to banish, imprison, murder: they will do it, though they know no offence or fault they have committed. Reader, the Application is thy part.
[Page 163] And prevailed against them] How this is done is shewed, chap. 12. 7. hee shall scatter the Power of the Holy people: the which place hath reference to Moses words: when hee sees their Power is gone, Deut. 32. 36. Not onely may the slaying of the Witnesses bee here meant: but this Horn shall proceed and prosper so farre in this war, as all hope will bee taken away from Christs cause ever to rise again. I shall give the Reader my thoughts of the thing. As the darkest time of the Night, is about the dawning, so a little before the expiration of the three years and half: The interest of Christ and his People will bee at the lowest ebb, and the Horn-State at the highest spring of glory and greatnesse: For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left. Thus Moses and Daniel, speak of one thing, that the Horn will not bee to the height of his persecution, till his body bee ready to bee given to the burning flame, and therefore whosoever shall live under his Dominion, must expect that hee will bee most fierce and cruel, when the period and end [Page 164] of his time is come.
And shall wear (or tire) out the Saints, of the most high] Here wee have the Angels explanation of the words before, how hee shall prevail, namely, weary out the Saints, that is▪ by keeping some of them under bonds and banishment, as thinking thereby to yre them out, and so compel them to deny Christ, as himself had done before.
Others by poverty and outward wants being forced to leave their former imployment, and maintenance, that they might not be partakers of his sins. Re. 13. 16, 17.
This makes mee think, that the Lord will not suffer him to shed much bloud: for howsoever hee will not fear God nor man, and bee most wrathsul, specially towards the end of his time: Neverthelesse, hee shall but fulfil the Councell and purpose of God (as did Pharoah, Judas, Herod, and Pontius P [...]late) that is, not put the Saints to death, but [...] eary them out; no further (or very little) shall hee go, in spight of his Stont looks.
But again, they are not onely Saints, but of the most high; which seems to import that some Saints shal do well enough [Page 165] under this Horn: as to their peace, liberty, and worldly enjoyments; onely those who are (not for him but) for the most High, he will make war against. And in this, his Hypocrisy, and other wickedness, will bee [...]he lesse seen and noted. In honouring some Professors of Religion: promoting them to great places and offices in his Councel, Army, Colledges, and making them his familiar friends, such I mean as will have fellowship with him in the works of darknesse, and justifie his unrighteous wayes. howsoever in the mean time, hee shall persecute others, who are in truth, and really for the cause and interest of Christ.
I would have the Reader likewise to observe this, as a special thing whereby to know the time of the Little Horn. There will bee then two sorts of Saints▪ the one hee will hate, the other seem to love: the one he will take into his Palace, the other cast into Prison: the one shall be raised from one degree of preserment to another, the other thrown out of all. And the Reason is▪ because the former are Saints of the most high: The latter are not, according to the meaning of the text: The former like Moses will esteem the reproach [Page 166] of Christ, greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: The latter like Demas, will imbrace the present world: and not care what becomes of the Kingdome of the most high, so they may reign as Kings themselves in Pomp, Pride, and Pleasure, &c. with the HORN.
And think to change times and Laws] To know what is here meant, it must bee observed, what the Holy Ghost speaks of this Horn, as to bee his great work and businesse: and this is set down in two things: viz. making warre against the Saints of the most high, and plucking up by the roots three Kingdomes: so that as he takes twosorts of people for his greatest enemies. The fift Monarchy-men, and the Common-wealth-men: so hee is fallen upon a design, whereby he thinks to keep up his Power and Dominion, in spight of both Parties: that it, by changing times and Laws: where note, how in the first hee shews himself a very Atheist: in the latter, a deep Polititian. We will speak of both distinctly.
By Times in this place, I understand the set Time, in which the father hath promised to give his son, and the Saints with him, the Kingdome and Dominion, [Page 167] and the greatnesse of the Kingdome, under the whole heaven, Psal. 102. 13. Isa. 14. 31. Hab. 2. 3. Rev. 10. 6, 7, and 22. 10. Dan. 8. 19. and 10. 1. and 11. 27, 29, 35. As the Israelites after four hundred and thirty years were set free from the Egyptian bondage. And afterward delivered from the Captivity of Babylon, the seventy years, being expired. So the forty two months, and the one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes, and the three years and half being sulfilled, it is Gods purpose to begin the deliverance of his people from Tyrants, and Oppressours, and to make them his battle Axe, and rod of his strength to break the Image to peices, and take the Kingdome, Dan. 7. 18. Now the little Horn, reading such prophesies, and what great things are promised the Saints, after a Time, Times, and dividing of time, and when three dayes and an half are ended. And perceiving what encouragement some take from such places, as intending to follow the call of God, when that Appointed time shall come. What doth he I (not beleeving the holy Prophesies▪) bee thinks to change the Times: that is, wheras after three years and half, the Saints make account the Times will bee Christs [Page 168] and Theirs, he on the contrary THINKS, to have it his still▪ and to continue the Little Horn, as he was before; Yea, and to have his son a Horn, after his decease.
That the Reader may clearly understand, what my meaning is, This I think. When the dayes of the Little Horn are almost expired: the Wise shall understand, that hee is the Horn, and God will put in their hearts to fulfill his Will upon him, which is to take away his Dominion, to consume it, and to destroy it unto the End, Dan. 7. 26. This being perceived by him, hee shall perswade himself to frustrate what the Scriptures testify, and the Saints beleeve concerning him, by some crafty devises which he hath thought upon.
As Herod (a Type of this Horn) when hee heard of the birth of the King of the Jews, gathered all the chief Priests, and Scribes of the people together, to know of them where hee should be born. Though hee intended onely the death of the Holy Child Jesus: yet hee seeks to know, what the Scriptures had foretold of the place and time; And why so; to change the time, that is, to make void the Councel of God. The like may be done [Page 169] by the Little Horn: being Troubled to hear, that Christ is appearing against him, to take away his Dominion, hee gathers the Priests and Scribes together, and inquires of them about the Time: who can inform him, (some of them at Least) that after three years and half, the Horn must bee destroyed: what doth hee now? Thinking to change the Time, hee doth all that hee can, by power and craft to escape the revenging hand of God.
Again, it is worth the noting, though the chief Priests and Scribes, had not the Grace, to go with the Wise men unto Christ, yet had they so much knowledge in the Scriptures, as they could tell the Tyrant, the place where hee should bee born, whereby to further his bloudy design.
So some Ministers of the last Apostacy, by the light which they have of the Prophesies of the Last Times, may bee able to inform the Horn, when his three years and half are ended, and yet remain still with him, and not go forth with the Wise to follow the Lamb.
Quest. How will hee think to change the Times, that it may not bee Christs [Page 170] time, but His after the three years and an half are expired.
Answ. My opinion is, these three wayes.
1 As the Saints of the most high will rise in their Testimony against him (especially about the Time of his End:) So on the other hand, hee will ingage, revolted Professours, to appear for him more than they did, in justifying his Government and wayes: aspersing their Dissenting Brethren, to speak things, of spight, ignorance, Preposterous zeal, and what will they have? men may be as good as they will, &c. And thus getting the Apostates every where to cry him up, for a Nursing Father, and his Government, the prop and pillar of Religion, he will think to change the times.
As a little before Israels deliverance out of Egypt, Moses and the Magitia [...]s had a sore conflict; and the like between Elias and Baals Priests, a little before they were put to death▪ So I conceive, a little before his Dominion is taken from him, the Controversy will grow high between the Witnesses of Christ, and Apostates, on whose side the Truth is.
[Page 171] 2 Hee will scatter the Power of the holy people, grow so high in Pride and Stoutnesse, neer his end, that it shall seem their Power is gone, and there is none shut up or left. So farre shall hee prevail against the remnant of the womans seed; that having before stain the witnesses, hee shall think there are none left, either in prison, or out of Prison, to take away his Dominion, and cast his body to the burning flames, when the three years and half are expired. As the scum and drosse is wiped off, and thrown into the fire, when it hath spread it self over the Pot, and nothing of the liquor seen: so the destruction of this Horn will bee, when he thinks hee hath the cause of Christ down under him, and no appearance or sight thereof is left, Psal. 119. 119.
But lastly, Hee thinks to change the Times by his Army: And indeed his greatest hope will bee in this.
For first, The Army must bee purg'd, that is to say, not a conscientious Souldier left in it, specially an Officer: not a Man if known that his Principles are for smiting the Image. Secondly, Such mercinary fellows shall bee raked together▪ as like the Turkish Janazaries, and Spanish [Page 172] slaves in the Indies, they will serve his turn in any thing. As those Bloud-suckers which are applied to mens bodies. Wheresoever they are laid (be the place well or ill) there they stick, and do the work they are applied for: So the Souldiers of this Horn, whatsoever they are Commanded, that they will do, bee the party good or bad, sick or sound, all is one to them: The will and Lust of their great Master shall bee obeyed, though it bee against the expresse Law of God.
3 Their main businesse is now, to hunt after the Saints of the most high, break their meetings, and imprison such as they think might promote the interest of Christ, and his people, against the Little Horn, had they liberty. Fourthly, it is probable hee will cause his souldiers to take away from some of the Fift Monarchy-men, their Armes, and Weapons, not leave them a Sword, Musket, Pistol, Pike, &c. it may bee not a Horse, nor Money to buy them bread: And having done all this, now hee thinks (and hath hee not reason for it) he hath changed the Times.
It is observed by some, when Ahab was told by the Prophet, that the Lord [Page 173] would bring evil upon him, and cut off his posterity, 1 King. 21. 21. that hee takes more Wives and Concubines, and begets no lesse than seventy Sons, 2 King. 10. 1. Thinking thereby either to have prevented what the Lord had threatned, or to make him the more work: So the Horn understanding, that his Power and Dominion is to bee destroyed: now hee will bestir himself: devising and practising all hee can, either to cross the Lords decree against him (change the Time,) or put him hard to it. Thus vain man would be wise, though man bee born like a wild asses colt. Job 11. 12.
For the other particular: Wee are to consider 1 What is meant by Laws? 2 How he thinks to change them?
Quest. What are these Laws which he thinks to change?
Answ. 1 That Form of Government, which was established before, and to which the People had submitted and engaged to maintain. This I think is meant by changing the Laws, the abrogating of that kinde of Government, which by the Legislative Power of the Nation, was ordained, and the good people every where had consented to.
[Page 174] 2 A change in all Fundamentals. As to that Power, and Right which is in the people, to chuse their▪ own Representatives, and the Priviledges of Parliaments. These two things hee will pluck up by the roots, viz. take away from people and Parliaments, their power and priviledges: and assume all to himself: yea, so Arbytrary and Lawlesse will hee bee herein, that never a Tyrant before him (governing the Nations where hee shall bee) ever durst to attempt the like. And so much the Reader is to observe: For my minde gives mee, whosoever doth not this, hee is not the little Horn in Daniel. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psal, 11. 3.
3 Such laws as were made for every individual person, wherby every private man before had ways and means to help himself in case of wrong and oppression, whether it concern'd his person or Estate: But these hee will make void, and instead thereof his Will shall be for a Law, as to imprison and banish whom he will, and keep them there as long as hee will: And to take mens Goods and Estates from them, when, and how much hee pleaseth: So that onely his will, and [Page 175] nothing else shall be a Law for men to walk by, and trust to, neither will they have any other defence (whiles this Horn raigns) to preserve themselves and families from ruine.
Quest. But how doth heethink thus to change the Laws?
Answ. 1 Ex parte altissimi, in the behalf of God, as following providence and necessity, and that he could do no otherwise, to preserve the Nations in Peace: Especially the godly party, and tender Consciences, who above all earthly things hee hath a fatherly care of. And this will bee (in the time of the Horn) the greatest plea among Apostates. How much it concern'd the honour of God, and the interest of Christ, and his people, to take away from the People their Power, and from Parliaments their ancient Priviledges: Remove foundations, lay the Law aside, and Rule by Will and Lust, leave the People nothing to help themselves from violence and wrong, in respect of their Persons, or Estates: yea, the Impudence of Turn-Coats and Hypocrites at this time will bee such▪ that whosoever grieves and Complains because the Laws are changed, shall bee branded for Malignants, [Page 176] men that seek themselves, and are discontented because the Power is not in their hands.
2 Whereas it is said hee will change Laws, the meaning seems to bee, when hee hath laid the former aside, hee will (to use the Scripture phrase) Invent to himself the INSTRƲMENT of a foolish shepheard: stuff up some thing (as Michal did the Bolster with goats-hair) and lay it in the place of the other. Not that hee shall think what hee hath done, is worth any thing (for he will laugh at it himself, and before the three years and half are expired, call it all to nought) But as men to quiet fools and children, when they have taken good things from them, put a bable or trifle into their hands: So it is some BABLE or Trifle▪ which hee will give the People: of purpose (as Children and fools) to still them and that they may not cry after the GOOD OLD LAWS which hee hath taken from them.
3 My Opinion is (when this Horn shall reign) in changing the Law, he will do as D. Alva did, chuse a Councel. And in this hee will be very subtle, as taking the persons (whom hee will have to be of his [Page 177] Councel) out of several sects and parties. It may bee from the Anabaptists one, from the Independents two or three, and so from the Presbyterians, and Cavileers, more or lesse.
By which means hee makes account that his changing of the Law: will be the sooner allowed by all sides and sects.
4 In this change of the Law, he will make use of Corrupt Lawyers: a thing easy to bee done (for I verily think when this Horn shall rule, there will bee few Lawyers but as rotten as dirt) These Wretches and Traitours to God and their Country (to have preferment and places under him, and to keep up old rotten Customes and Corruptions in the Law) will bend their tongue like their bow for lyes: Countenance him, and go along with him, in the worst o [...] his Actions, contrary to all Law, and against their Knowledge, and Conscience, and Oathes which they had often taken. To this might bee added, what a watchful Eye the Horn will have on such, as shall appear for Laws and Freedome of their poor Countrey, not onely thrust them out of place and practice, but imprison them, and possibly more too (when that time [Page 178] is) before it do expire. But
5 And Lastly, as no People have had their Laws changed, and an Arbytrary Power set over them, and so enslaved to the unlimited Commands of some men, but it hath been by the Power of the sword: so questionlesse, whatsoever this Horn shall do, he will do it by an Army, which will readily put in execution all his Orders and Appointments, bee they never so unreasonable, illegal, and unjust, as was said before.
It is said of Christs enemy, Mat. 13. 25. that he sowed Tares among the wheat: Hee pluckt not up the wheat, though he mixed his Tares with it. But this Horn doth worse: For though other Tyrants before him, sowed Tares, that is, brought in many things which were Arbytrary, and Illegal: yet they pluckt not up the Wheat: but this MIGHTY MAN will not leave any good Corn standing: nothing but his bitter Tares for the people to feed upon.
But for all this, the Holy Ghost tells us, he doth but think to change Times, and Laws: for no such think indeed can hee do. But like a man in his sleep, dreams hee hath great things, and when [Page 179] hee awakes findes it altogether otherwise. So will his actions bee, hee builds Castles in the Air, promiseth a great deal to himself, but hee that sits in heaven, do [...]h laugh him to scorn, and will scatter this proud Horn in the imagination of his heart. So that in the three years and half, nothing is done for him (as to the changing of Laws and times, though his own creatures bee imployed in the work, read Psalm 52. and 75. Exod. 15. 9, 10. as appliable to this.
That it was no more but Thinking in respect of changing the Times, will appear by and by, when wee come to speak of his End. Neither will it bee more than thinking, in respect of changing Laws: For never shall he bee able to establish his Government: nor will any of his Acts or Ordinances (made by him in the three years and half) bee acknowledged for LAW, when that short time is expired, but thrown out as things execrable and abominable.
This too, is very considerable; howsoever the main work of the Horn, in the three years and half, will bee about his own interest, how to secure himself and settle the Government of the three Pro [...]ince [...] [Page 180] (which hee hath pluckt up by the roots) in his own Family, yet shall his Dominion bee taken from him, before any thing is perfected. So that hee is but a THINKER and DREAMER at most: Nothing shall hee bring to pass for his own turn and purpose. Thus shall the Scriptures bee fulfilled in him. A man shall not bee established by wickednesse, Prov. 12. 3. The expectation of the wicked shall perish, Prov. 10. 28. The wicked shall fall by his own wickednesse, Prov. 11. 5. The house of the wicked shall bee overthrown. Prov. 14. 11. The Lord will destroy the house of the Proud, Prov. 15. 25. An inheritance may bee gotten hastily at the beginning: But the end thereof shall not bee blessed, Prov. 20. 21.
And they shall bee given into his hand] This may be meant
1 Of God, by whose sufferance the Horn shall prosper, yea take root and grow as the Prophet saith, Jer. 12. 2. and so doubts not, but to bring to pass all his designes in respect of changing both Times, and Laws.
2 They shall bee given him by men, viz: the Apostates of that time: And these the most eminent and heads of the people, [Page 181] whether Ministers, Magistrates, Lawyers, Souldiers. It was told David, that Ahitophel was among the Conspirators with Absolom. Hee had but one Ahitophel with him, this Horn will have many, suttle and crafty foxes. But I wish them a better end. So then by this giving, is signified, that he will plead Right to his Dominion and Government, as appointed thereto by God and man, no Intruder or Usurper: neither in attempting to change times and Laws, doth he more, then he hath warrant and ground for it.
I would have this likewise to be heeded: whosoever this Horn is, hee will plead hard for the lawfulnesse of his power, as Given by God and man into his hand. Howsoever in truth, hee receives it from Gods only permissively. As a Theif may take a purse from men by force and fraud.
Thus I have done with the Little Horn as to his Action: That which follows is his suffering. Thus the Spirit of God gives us a full history of his life and death. In his end and punishment wee may consider. 1 The Time. 2 The Author. 3 The Instrument. 4 The Judgement it self. And lastly, How and in what manner. Some thing I will speak [Page 182] (though briefly) to each particular.
For the Time] It will be immediately upon the expiration of the three years and half. Though the Lord did not shorten the term of his peoples abode in Egypt (viz. four hundred and thirty years, Fxod. 12. 41.) nor their seventy years captivity in Babylon, but let it run out to a day: yet being out, hee presently delivered them according to his promise: So the little Horn shall have his full time of three years and half (bearing date from the day he was constituted a Horn) but no more may hee expect, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Bee silent O all flesh before the Lord: for hee is raised up out of his holy habitation, Zach. 2. 13. This Time contemporises with the womans second comming out of the wildernesse, Rev. 12. 14. and the rising of the witnesses, Rev. 11. 11. and with that set Time in the Prophet, Psal. 102. 13. So likewise, Rev. 16. 1. And I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying to the seven Angels, go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God, upon the earth. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth, &c.
It is an Allusion to Souldiers, who [Page 183] are ready to charge and fight the enemy, but do it not till they have the word of Command. So Gods people will bee prepared for the work, before the years bee expired. But as no word of Command will bee given them to go out, till then: so they will wait (as a people prepared for the Lord) untill that time shall come.
But howsoever by the Scriptures we may know the beginning of this judgement, yet how long the time will bee in the execution, that is not certain; but probably a very short time, yet so, as gradually. First, A dawning, and afterwards the light more and more appearing.
2 For the Time, The Little Horn is to bee destroyed before the other ten. I beheld till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame, As concerning the rest of the Beasts, they had their Dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and Time, Dan. 7. 11. 12. The meaning I take to bee thus. The Term of the ten Horns do expire with the little Horn; and in that respect, their Dominion is said to bee taken away: yet their lives were prolonged: that is, their Power and Government is not [Page 184] to bee broken to pieces, till the little Horn bee first consumed. Hence it is that the little Horn or State-Apostacy, (for I tak it to bee all one) is the subject of the first vial, as I have shewed and provedelsewhere. (see the Book Truth with Time.)
Quest. But why is the little Horn to be destroyed before the other ten?
Answ. 1 As the Israelites overthrew Moah and Ammon (Lots posterity and neer of kin to them) because they sought to hinder them from going into the good Land, to fight the Lords Battles against the Kings of Canaan. So this Horn (by profession a brother) in that hee will hinder the Saints of the most high, from going forth against Babylon, and the Kings of the earth, it is a righteous thing with God that hee should fall first by the hands of the mighty O [...]es, Isa. 63. 1, 2, 3, 6. I take the meaning thus, The Lord will smite Edom first, that is, false brethren and Apostates, and afterward tread down other people in his anger.
2 This Horn and latter Apostacy, is a luke warm State, neither hot nor cold, and therefore the Lord will spue it out of his [Page 185] mouth, not cold because it hath a form of godlinesse, not hot, because it denies the power of it.
A thing offensive to the Stomack cannot bee born, but a man will bee rid of it as soon as may bee. When the forty two months are ended, the Horn will bee destroyed first: And no marvel▪ for hee is more offensive and odious to God than the rest (I would thou wert cold or hot) and therefore the Lord will ease himself of this Enemy, as one that hee cannot bear, nor suffer to have his life prolonged, as the other Ten.
And here Gods order in pouring out the last Vials is to bee noted: he will not begin with Spain, France, Germany, &c. But with the little Horn; Neither may wee reckon any warre past, or to come, to bee the war of the Lamb against the ten Kings, Rev. 17. 14. or the smiting of the Image, Dan. 2. or rewarding Babylon, Rev. 18. 5, 6. till this Horns Dominion bee taken away, and utterly consumed. Not observing this, great mistakes have been about former warres, in bringing them under the Vials, as the Sweden, English, Holland, to the second, third, and fourth vials. Whereas to mee it seems clear by [Page 186] Scripture, the first thing which will bee done in fulfilling the Prophecys of the last times (I speak of warre) is the cutting off of this Horn, and nothing will bee done against Babylon and the ten Kings (as the proper work which the hundred forty and four thousand, and the called chosen, and faithful shall bee put upon) till this thing be done.
2 For the Author of his judgement? It is God and Christ, as appears Dan. 7. 9, 10, 11, and afterward more briefly, vers. 26. But the judgement shall sit. That this Horn, by a divine judicatory, is to have his dominion taken from him, and his body given to the burning flame: there are many memorable things in it.
1 Here is shewed, that the Lord will give him no more time, nor bee patient any longer, neither suffer him to proceed any further in his Tyranny, and Hypocrisy, but set all his former sins before his face, and tear him in peeces, and there shall bee none to deliver him. He thought to have gone beyond his time, yea, and God too, but now vengeance hath reached him, notwithstanding all his former cunning shifts in hope to have prevented it. Lo this is the man that made [Page 187] not God his strength, but trusteth in the abundance of his riches, and strengthneth himself in his wickednesse, Psal. 52. 7. and 9. 6, 7. and 94. 20.
2 That the Lord from his Throne judgeth him. Here is signified, what God is about to do: viz. destroy Tyrants and all unrighteousnesse of men, and to establish Peace and Righteousnesse in the earth: And indeed now is the way made for it, and never the like before in the World. Open yee the gates, that the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth may enter in, Isa. 26. 2. This lest Horn, or Apostacy, kept shut the gates of righteousnesse: Other Nations because of him, could not come into the wayes of Truth, therefore he that loveth Righteousnesse, and hateth Wickednesse, brings him before his Throne, and cuts him off for a worker of iniquity, Psal. 45. 6, 7. & 79. 2.
3 This shews, that the Saints in taking away his Dominion, and casting his body to the burning flame, shall therein do no more but what is just and right, and what ought to be done. No man can justly blame an Officer for putting in execution the just sentence of a lawful Judge: But the judgement shall sit. Though Hypocrites, [Page 188] and Apostates may cry out against them of cruelty, and self revenge, when they shall see the Horn trampled under their feet like dirt: his Abetters and Followers bound in Chains and Fetters of iron, and made exemplary to the World, for causing the name of God and his Truth to bee blasphemed: yet will they bee faultlesse in all this before the Throne of God: for they onely execute the judgement written; for his banishing and imprisoning of the Saints, he had neither the Law of God nor Man for it; but what is done to him, is from the throne Psal. 89. 14.
4 Here likewise is signified what knowledge and light, Saints shall have, in pouring out the vial upon him, and how free they will bee in that work. It grieves Officers many times, and troubles their Consciences, to do what they are commanded about punishing of others. But here will lye no scruple in the way: for the Judgement shall s [...], they shall certainly know it is the mind and will of the Lord that they should do so. The servants of the Horn, when they persecuted the Saints, knew indeed, therein they pleased him, but not the Lord. It will [Page 189] now bee quite otherwise, they who destroy the Horn, will know they please God, though not him.
5 This shews how impossible it is for the Horn to escape destruction, when the three years and an half are ended. As a Malefactor being condemned at the Bar, and delivered up into the Executioners hand, hath small hope to br [...]ak away from him. So this Horn (his time being out) as a condemned person in the Court o Heaven is given up to the Saints of the most High, and they shall take away his Dominion, &c. Now i [...] he can get out of their hands let him.
6 That hee hath his judgement from the throne, It denotes, in what an amazement, and fright the Apostates will be round about him, as having neither Hope nor Heart to stand any longer by him. Who will dare attempt the rescuing of a Murderer or Theif, being by the judgement of the Court delivered over to the Executioner. THE JUDGEMENT SHALL SIT. It is said verse 11. His body shall bee given to the burning flame. Men flye from fire: If a House be burning, and in a flame, who will venture to run into the burning flame to fetch out the [Page 190] richest Treasure. It will bee here with the Horns confederates, as it is said of the Merchants of Babylon. They shall stand a farre off, for the fear of his torment, weeping and wailing, and saying alas, alas, that great Apostacy, and head of it, that was cloathed in fine linen, and purple, and Scarlet, and decked with gold, and pretious stones, and pearles: For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. Of this Horn and Apostacy, given to the burning flame, and what dreadful terrour it will cause among the Apostates: The Prophet speaks, The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulnesse hath surprised the Hypocrites: who among us shall dwell with devouring fire? who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Isa. 33. 14. when the earth opened and swallowed up Kora [...]h, Dathan, and Abiram, it is said, all Israel that were round about them, fled at the cry of them, for they said, lest the earth swallow us up also, Numb. 16. 34. That the Horn hath his judgement from so glorious a Throne: Read Dan. 7. 9, 10, 11. No doubt is signifyed, that his destruction will bee so terrible, strange, and unheard of, as those neer him will bee at their wits end, striving who can bee [Page 191] farthest off, Revel. 11. 13.
7 And Lastly, That the Horn is thus judged: it is to shew how the Lord will acquit his innocent servants, from all the false aspersions of Apostates formerly raised against them. In the dayes of the Horns reign, how were the faithful servants of Christ abused, called Traitors, Beasts, Devils: thrown into Prison, and scattered every where; for witnessing against their Hypocrisy, Apostacy, Covenant breaking, and nothing thought bad enough to inflict upon them. But the judgement shall sit. Now it shall bee discerned between the Righteous and the Wicked, who were sincere, and on the Lords side, and who were dissemblers, and sought onely themselves and their own interest. Now as Jannes and Jambres with stood Moses; so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: For their folly shall bee manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2 Tim. 3. 8, 9. But how was the folly of Jannes, and Jambres made manifest? I Answer, when they could not do with their enchantments as Moses did, but were forc't to confesse unto Pharoah, This is the [Page 192] finger of God, Exod. 8. 18, 19. And when they could not stand before Moses, because of the boils, chap. 9. 11. So shall their folly be manifest (hee means directly the last Apostates) their spiritual inchantments shall fail them, and Gods stroke will lve (like a boil) so heavy upon them, as they shall bee forc't to say, wee have been Apostates, and plaid the Hypocrits, and these that witnessed against us, kept the Commandements of God, and had the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Wee come now to the next particular; namely, the instruments, by whose hand the Lord will destroy him. It is said, they shall take away his dominion, to consume it, and destroy it unto the end, Dan. 7. 26. Observe here, it must bee taken from him, hee will not freely give it up. As theeves, and pirates, having by unjust ways taken great bootys, will not let them go, unless by a stronger party, they are forc't from them. By the word (they) Saints are meant, vers. 18. And particularly I take it to bee the Angel, which shall pour out the first vial, Rev. 16. 2. under that Angel are specially comprehended, such who before witnessed against his Apostacy; and Tyranny, and suffered under him, for [Page 193] their testimony, Isa. 14. 2. and 33. 1. Ezek. 39. 10. As Gideon with three hundred men, broke the Hosts of the Midiarites, and others afterward came in to them, and pursued the enemy, and so obtained a full and perfect victory: Thus some may beginne the work, and then others fall in with it, till his Power and Government bee utterly destroyed.
Quest. But shall none but Saints, bee used as instruments, to execute Gods judgement upon him?
Answ. Some indeed think so, and give these Reasons. 1 This honour have all his Saints, Psal. 149. 9. as if this were their priviledge alone, to execute the judgement written: the which relates (say they) unto the Vials.
2 If the hundred forty and four thousand, Rev. 14. 1. do take in the whole number which the Lord will imploy against the Dominion of the Beast, Civil, and Ecclesiastical, then it must follow, that Saints onely shall destroy him. But the first is clear, and cannot bee denyed. Ergo, &c.
3 They read no where in scripture, that Christ will take any Instruments with him, to execute his last plagues upon the [Page 194] Kingdomes of the World, but holy persons, neither are wicked men, in any place so much as once named, Psal. 149. 5, 6. 7. [...]sa. 13. 3. Dan. 7. 18. Joel 3. 11. Rev. 17. 14. Psal. 110. 2. Psal. 50. 5.
4 The work it self, (they think) will not admit of any but Saints. For, First, It is to destroy all manner of ungodliness and unrighteousnesse in persons and things. Secondly, It shall bee done fully and faithfully, not by halves, and haltingly, as things formerly were, which cannot bee so, if prophane persons should bee used. Thirdly, The work is properly Christs and for Christ, that hee alone may bee exalted, and therefore very unlikely it is that hee will bee beholden to his Enemies for it. Fourthly, It is a work that requires spiritual principles: neither can it bee done without Faith, which wicked men have not. Thus some.
Howsoever I do agree with these men. that the Kingdome-work shall bee in the hands of Saints, and by them managed, and carried on: And therefore called the Warre of the Lamb.
Yet two things are to bee minded.
1 Though they shall all have (I think) [Page 195] the Characters of visible Saints, yet not all alike: Some will bee weaklings, men very low, and of little light, and life, to the work, to what others have: and yet received. Again Secondly, howsoever in the judgement of Charity all may bee reputed Godly, yet there may be some not enlightned further, than for Reformation in Civil things: And in that respect, to wit, upon Common-wealth principles, will joyn with their brethren, the fift Kingdome men, against the Little Horn, and Babylon, thereby to recover their Ancient Liberties and Rights. As the Two Tribes and half, went armed over Jordan, before their Brethren, and left them not, till the other Tribes were set and setled in Canaan; and then returned back to the Country which they had chosen. So it is probable, some who have chosen the Land on this side Jordan (I mean) COMMONWEALTH-PRIVILEDGES will not onely joyn with their Brethren, whose Lot is on the other side: but it may bee, bee before them in the Warre: and when the Canaanites are subdued, will be content to sit down in their Lot of Freedome and Liberty.
Object. But some say, that Saints shall [Page 196] not destroy the Little Horn, nor the ten Horns, neither the Image, Babylon, &c. neither must they (as Saints, and to advance the cause and Kingdome of Christ) make Warre at all. But suffer all things, and bee patient under Tyrants and Oppressours, till Christ himself appear, and march in the head of his Army.
When the Ziphites had treacherously betrayed David, unto Saul, what saith the Tyrant? blessed bee yee of the Lord, for yee have compassion on mee, 1 Sam. 23. 21. I must confesse, these men shew a great deal of Compassion to Tyrants and Persecutors, as to hearten and incourage them in their cruel and bloody waies: But in the mean time let them know (whether it bee done of knowledge or through ignorance, that I leave) They do most unworthily betray the son of David, as to his Cause, Kingdome, and People, into the hands of Bloud-thirsty Sauls.
That much work shall bee done by Saints (as Saints) and upon the account of the fift Kingdome, before Christ personally appear, I prove thus:
1 Christs personal comming will not bee, till after the pouring out of the sixth Vial, at the great battle of Arma-geddon, [Page 197] against Gog and Magog, specially in the Jews behalf, Rev. 16. 15. and 19. 11, 12. &c. Ezek. 38. 12. Joel 2. 11. Zach. 14. 1, 2, 3. Dan. 12. 1. But before that time, the Little Horn and the ten Horns, and the great Whore, or Babylon, are to bee destroyed as the subjects of the five first Vials.
2 The Ten Kings which shall hate the Whore, and make her desolate, &c. Rev. 17. 16. do not this, untill the Lamb overcomes them, vers. 14. Now by the Lamb, Christ personally, cannot bee understood, but his powerful presence with his called, chosen and faithfull, as instruments in that work. For if Christ overcome them personally, how can it bee said, that they afterward have burnt the Whore, and yet Christ not come; Reader note this, it seems clear by the Scripture, that the Whore (I mean the State and Dominion of the Beast) must fall by the ten Kings, before Christ come in person, see Revela. 18. with Chapter 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. where the Lord is praised for that victory, and this is before Christ appears, vers. 11, 12. &c. Now then, what more absurd than to say, Christ in person shall overcome the ten Kings, and they afterward ruine [Page 198] Babylon, and yet Christ doth not come till Babylon be ruined.
3 In Psal. 110. The Prophet shews how and in what manner the Father will set his Son upon his holy hill of Zion, and the Throne of David, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with Justice. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion, ve. 2. By the rod of his strength, surely hee means the Saints, called the Rod of his inheritance, Psal. 74. 2. Jer. 10. 16. with which Rod hee will smite the earth, Isa. 11. 2. break the Powers of Nations and Kingdomes to peeces, like a potters vessel▪ Psal. 2. 9. ler. 51. 19, 20, 21. &c. Then follows, The Lord at thy right hand, shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath, vers. 5. meaning no doubt at the Arnia-geddon Battle, where the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole World are gathred together, Rev. 16. 14. In the former Warre, Christ sits at the fathers right hand, whilst hee is making the enemys of his Son, his foot-stool, that is, by the rod of his strength sent out of Zion. But in the latter warre, the Father is at the Sonnes right hand. Besides, in that hee saith, I will make, &c. this cannot bee understood of Christ, as the instrument of the [Page 199] work, but Saints. And this same order and manner of proceeding we find every where in scripture, that the executing of the last judgements upon the Kingdomes of the world, shall be by Gods people first, these shall cut off the Little Horn, be new threshing instruments and weapons of war, Carpenters, Reapers, the Angels of the Vials, &c. by whom Jehovah will make Christs enemies his foot-stool, Dan. 7. 26. Isa. 41. 15. Jer. 51. 19. Zach. 1. 21 Rev. 14.
4 Upon the rising of the witnesses, there follows an Earth-quake, and the tenth part of the City fell, Rev. 11. 13. This cannot be meant as done by Christ personally, for afterwards it is said, The Kingdomes of this World are become his, and [...]ee reigns, vers. 15. 17. Therefore (I think) the Earth-quake, and the Earth, Rev. 16. 2. is one thing, viz. The earthly Apostacy headed with the little Horn, on which shall bee poured out the first Vial, as soon as the Witnesses are ascended up into Heaven.
5 When Christ shall come, and all his Saints with him. Zach. 14. 5. The enemy, shall not bee destroyed by any materiall weapon. And the Armies, which were [Page 200] in heaven followed him, upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, Rev. 19. 14. No armour is mentioned, neither do I think that any such thing will bee used, or that the followers of the Lamb shall strike a stroke, but the enemies shall fall and perish by some extraordinary judgement. And there sell upon men a great hail out of Heaven, every stone about the weight of a Talent, Rev. 16. 21. Again I will plead against him with pestilence, and with Bloud, and I will rain upon him an overflowing raine, great hail stones, fire and bloud, Ezek. 38. 21. But in subduing the little Horn, and the ten Kings, in smiting the Image, and the Dominion of the Beast; here shall be fighting, and instruments of war used, Isa. 13. 18. Jer. 50. 9. 14. 22. 35, 36, 37, 42. and chap. 51. 3. 11. Rev. 13. 10. & 18.
Now I come to the fourth head, which is the judgement it self. The Beast was slain and his body destroyed, and given to the burning slame, Dan. 7. verse 11. And they shall take away his dominion to consume it, and destroy it even to the end, vers. 26.
1 Being now come to his end, that he is called the Beast, and a little Horn before. [Page 201] The Reasons may be: First, to signify that he is fatted for destruction; His Hypocrisies, Deceits, Mockings of God and men, and other abominable sinnes, are full and ripe, Jer. 12. 1, 2, 3. and Jer. 51. 40.
2 Seeing the Witnesses, are to bee slain by him, the Wisdome of God thinks good, to give him here, the same name which hee hath, Rev. 11. 7.
3 That hee perisheth under the name of a Beast, though formerly a Horn, it shews how little his death will bee pittied any where: No more than if a bloudy Lyon, or crafty Fox had been killed by hunters. Moreover, what rejoycing there will bee among the Saints: that so cruel and fierce a Creature is taken out of the way. Allelu-jah, and again, Allelu-jah, Psal. 58. 1 [...].
2 Though it bee true, whatsoever is spoken of his end, is no more, (if we take the words in general) then that his government and Pouer shall bee broken to peeces: yet I think there is something in every word, as to a particular kind of punishment; and how several parties (as distinct) shall be punished some in one kind, and some in another. This State or Government [Page 202] to be destroyed, is made up of three sorts of people. 1 Souldiers to fight for it. 2 Lawyers and Priests to plead for it. 3 The Authors and Inventers of it. Now observe, how the Lord in destroying the whole, fits his judgement to each party.
1 The Beast is slain. This respects the Souldiery. And probable it is, that many of them will be slain. For howsoever the greater part of them (at least the better part: such as have any thing of God left in them) will lay down their arms, and forsake him neer his end: yet some desperate and prophane wretches (newly rais'd) will stand it out, and so fall by the sword of the Lord in the hand of his mighty ones. It is said, in the earth-quake were slain of men seven thousand, Rev. 11. 13 what number of souldiers will bee slain at this time, it is not exprest: a great slaughter no doubt: Every one (I think) put to the sword, that shall bee found in Armes, for the Horn: they having warning given them before to come out, and not to fight in his behalf. see Isa. 34. 2, 3.
And his body destroyed] This seems to bee another kind of punishment; as [Page 203] beheading▪ hanging, and putting to death by a Judicatory, and the word imports so much. This follows the slain Army. But who is the body of the Horn? The later Apostacy of which we spake; so that Judgment will now begin at the house of God, at the sanctuary. Woe now to Apostates; Woe to you Scribes, and Pharisees, Hypocrites, The Lords day is upon you: such as did justifye and encourage the Horn, when hee thought to change Times and Laws. Acted unrighteously under him, Executed his unlawful Orders and Commands against the Saints of the most High, made to themselves, an advantage of his Tyranny and Oppression: Oh how are the sinners in Zion afraid, and fearfulnesse surprized the Hypocrites.
Now Church members, and Church Officers, are likely to experience, the soul that sins shall dye, and that the righteous God loves Righteousnesse: And it is not, fasting, praying, prophesying, &c. will deliver corrupt men, and such as have basely betrayed the cause of Christ, in the day of the Lords wrath, Mal. 3. 2, 3. Isa. 33. 14. & 66. 5.
Thus the Lords hand at this time will [Page 204] lye heavy upon Professours, they are the body of the little Horn (Apostates I mean) which must bee destroyed. It will bee their turn (I verily think) to drink first of the Vials, 1 Cor. 3. 15. And by this means, the Lord will make his way the more plain, and his Judgements manifest: when he shall afterwards go forth against the Ten Kings, and the great Whore: for what may Idolaters, and men visibly Prophane, and wicked expect, but dregs and wrath, without mixture, seeing the Lord before, spared not Church-members and such as had a form of Godlinesse, Jer. 25. [...]8, 29.
And given to the burning flame] As this judgement is greater than the former: so it is for the Horn himself, and the chief instruments which raised him up by whose means, Souldiers, Lawyers, Ministers and others, were brought into the Snare: This kind of punishment I take to bee the same, with that of the Beast, and false Prophet; a lake of fire burning with Brimstone, Rev. 19. 20. Now howsoever this bee not Hell, properly so called, yet it is some temporal Judgement more than ordinary; I will not [Page 205] say directly what it is, nor declare at present my own thoughts: yet this I shall say, (it being a truth I think) when this Horn shall reign, whosoever shall be the Inventers and setters up of his Power and Government, they will not dye the death of all men: not bee slain or dismembred as the former were: but some extraordinary punishment will bee inflicted upon them. If these men dye the common death of all men: or if they bee visued after the visitation of all men, then the Lord hath not sent mee, Numb. 16. 29. And so much the word signifies.
And they shall take away his dominion] As the former respectethpersons, so this doththings: that is, theState andGovernment it self.The meaning I conceive to bee thus.After the Army is destroyed, and many put to death by a Judicatory: for justifying the Horn, in his unlawful actions, and himself and his MAKERS, given to the burning flame: Such a stink will that HORN leave behind him, as some speedy course shall bee taken to have the very remembrance of him blotted out under the whole heaven.
It remains now to shew how, and in [Page 206] what manner it shall bee done? To take the Scripture for our light. It seems thus: When the three years and half are fully expired, the wise shall understand▪ that hee is the Little Horn foretold in Daniel, and to bee destroyed: and this light shall spread it self among the Saints of the Most High: yea, so clear and certain will the thing bee (they having the word of God and his spirit for it, providence likewise leading the way) that they shall publikely declare, what they intend to do, The work beginnes with an Earthquake, Rev. 11. 13. And it shall bee such an Earth-quake, as will shake the Horn to purpose, in his Councel, Guards, Army, and relations every where: Insomuch as hee will bee miserably forsaken and left by most people. Few abiding with him, unlesse desperate men, and such who are so deeply ingaged with him, as have no hope to save themselves, (from bodily punishment) by Repentance.
The Saints knowing the set Time is come, that the Lord will have mercy upon Zion; and being called out of the Temple, to pour out the Vial upon the Earth-Apostacy [Page 207] (being ready) go forth in the Name and strength of the Lord. And though they may have some opposition at first, yet I think they will be Conquerors at last without much losse, I say fighting for the Lamb; For so wonderfull will the presence of God bee with them, and so dreadful to the enemy, that this warre will bee short, and none of them after once broken to peices, will durst lift up their hands any more in the Horns behalf.
Thus I have ended with the Little Horn. And in the close, this I can truely say, what I have written, is (my Conscience bearing mee Witnesse) no otherwise than I understand the Prophesy: neither have I said any thing, but what I conceive to bee the Truth in Jesus. And further, I have all along with Sighs and Groans, besought the father of Light, That I might bee lead by his Spirit into the way of Truth.
The meek will hee guide in Judgement; and the meek will hee teach his [Page 208] way,Psal. 25. 9.Call unto mee, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not,Jer. 33. 3.
Job 20. v. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth. That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment? though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds. Yet he shall perish for ever, like his own dung: they that have seen him, shall say, where is he? He shall flee away like a dream, and shall not bee found, yea, hee shall bee chased away; as a vision of the night. The eye also which saw him, shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more be hold him.
THE CHARACTERS OF THE Beast, Slaying the Witnesses, OPENED.
THAT Generall Head which remaines, is, The Beast slaying the Witnesses. In the opening and handling whereof, we shall propound four things.
1.What this Beast is?
2.Who are the Witnesses, and how they are slaine by the Beast?
3.How it doth appeare, the Witnesses (slaine by the Beast) lying three dayes and an halfe unburied, are the three years and an halfe contemporizing with the latter Apostacie and little horne?
[Page 210] 4. Whether the Prophesie of the Beast, slaying the Witnesses, be fulfild in our Time?
First, I would have the Reader take notice, Howsoever I handle these things distinctly, and a part; yet I understand the Ap stacie and the little Horne, and the Beast that slayes the witnesses, to make up but one Government, or State. The Apostacie part, is the Body & Relly out of which comes the other Two. The Beast is that Pert, by whom the witnesses are kild▪ and it hath the Name of a Horn; for its Sovereignty and kinglinesse. So that (as I said in the beginning) it cannot be the three years and halfe, unlesse there be all three to make the l [...]st Dominion.
And when they shall have finished their Testimony, Rev. 11. 7.]
That is, Near or about the time of finishing their Testimony. And so the words are rendred by many Interpreters. It is true, some think, the three years and a halfe, are not to be reckoned with the 1260 years, but apart from that account. But (methinks) this cannot be: For the 42 months being expired, the Saints take the Kingdome; And so I understand Rev. 10. 6. [Page 211] There shall be time no longer. But when is that? When the 1260 years are ended, the mysterie of God is finished, as to the reign of the little Horne, and Tyrannie of the Beast▪ not to scatter the Saints, and kill the Witnesses any longer. But the Woman comes out of the Wildernesse, and the Witnesses ascend up into Heaven, and fire comes forth from the Lord to devour the Adversary. But whether we take the three years and an halfe, in the number of the 1260 dayes, or a part, it is all one to the matter here. Howsoever I think it periods the first account.
The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomlesse Pit] rather depth or gulfe, for pit is not in the Text, nor in Cha. 17 8. but Chap. 9. 1. it is.
It is to be observed, the Beast here, cannot be that Beast, Rev. 13. 1. which is said to rise up out of the Sea; for he is to continue 43 months, that is, 1260 years, v. 5. But this riseth not till that terme be near expired▪ onely three years and halfe remaining. And so much the Text plainly holds forth. When they shall have finished their Testimonie, a Beast ascendeth out of the depth, &c. Not the Beast which was risen [Page 212] before, but a Beast now comes forth. Intimating, that purposely and for no other end (as it were) he ascendeth out of the gulf, then to slay the Witnesses when they have finished their Testimony. Hence I think this may be asserred for a Truth, Whosoever this Beast is, it cannot be the Dominion of the Papal Beast, nor can the German Empire be meant, nor any of the ten Hornes or Kings; for these were risen long before the Witnesses had finished their Testimony. The matter here is of weight, and being well considered, will give us some light to know who this Beast is, and where the Witnesses shall be slaine: The Popes Jurisdiction it cannot be, nor the Emperours, Spaniard, French, &c. these rose before the three years and an halfe, and have stood many hundred years.
It is a common received opinion; In the Lords bringing Israel out of Egypt, was shadowed out the deliverance of his Church and people, from all Tiranny and oppression in the last dayes. Now of Pharoah (a Tipe of this Beast, and commanding all the male to be cast into the River a figure of killing the witnesses) it is said. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up; for to shew in thee my power, and [Page 213] that my name may be declared through out all the earth, Exod. 9. 16. As Pharoah at that time was raised up, that is ascended out of the bottomlesse pit, that in him the Lord might fulfill his Councel and purpose, concerning the inlargement of his people, and thereby glorifie himselfe, in shewing his great Power▪ wisedome, faithfulnesse: So this Beast (as another Pharoah) is brought up out of the depth for the three years and an half, that in him, and by him, the Lord might accomplish what in his eternall councell he had determined, conteyned in this Prophesie.
Secondly, There may be something in the phrase (ascendeth) To signifie.
1. How suddenly and unexpectedly this Beast will appeare; altogether unlookt for; yea and to strang the thing will be, (especially among Saints) as they would never have believ'd it, though thousands had told them so much before, had they not seen it with their own eyes.
2. Whereas it is said, the Beast ascendeth, it is to shew, that he comes up of himself, not sent for, nor desired by the people; but it is his own plotting and designings that he takes power and Rule to himselfe. And this I take to be an essentiall character [Page 214] of this Beast (Ascendeth) he will be a meat Intruder, and will slay the witnesses by a power which he hath assumed, and usurped, and not otherwise. Compare with this Dun. 7. 8. The little Horn comes up, that is, of it self; he arose not by Election nor by Inheritance, Right, or such kind of Succession, but by his own craft and strength. So the later Apostacie is said to rise or ascend, 2 Tim. 3. 1. Not raised up by the Lord.
3. By the word, may be signified, the horrible pride of the Beast, for though his descent be from the Depth, that is, a most base beginning, yet ascendeth, viz. In Titles, Pomp, State, Court, &c. As if he had not been illegitimate, but lawfully begotten. That which the Lord by the Prophet speaks against the King of Babylon, I think is in part meant of this Beast. For thou hast said in thy heart I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the starrs of God, I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the height of the Clouds. I will be like the most high▪ Isa. 14. 13, 14. Is not this the boastine of a mighty man? Not only will he be above the Starrs, and [...]it upon the Mount of the Congregation; [Page 215] scatter the holy people, weary out the Saints, and kill the witnesses. But like the most high, take to himself the Attributes of God, Isa. 13. 3. That this Beast ascendeth out of the depth, inmay be for these Reasons.
1. Because of the great secrecie, and closenesse which is used in the forming of him. All things here must be done in the deep, and under ground; None (except a few, six or eight persons perhaps, which model the Beast) must know any thing of it, untill he come forth, to the publique view of the world; Doing herein like those against whom the woe is pronounced in the Prophet, That seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the darke, and they say who seeth us, and who knoweth us? Isa. 29. 18.
2. Of the deep pollicie used in the framing of him. All Civil Beasts before him, rose either out of the Earth or Sea; but this out of the depth: signifying, that there was not halfe that craft and subtletie about them, as about this Beast: For there shall be so much art and workmanship bestowed about him, that when he comes forth, To warr against the witnesses, and to overcome them, and slay them, very few will perceive any such thing; Not one (I say) of many [Page 216] will take him for all this, to be the Beast. And why so? He ascendeth out of the depth, from the depths of Satan; as being transformed (and no marveil, for at this time he will be Satans chiefe Minister) into an Angel of light. So that by the place may be signified, He will not be taken for the Beast, but a great Saint.
3. Wheras the last Apostacy is here called the depth, it shews that there is no way to carry on a bad designe (for closenesse and craft) like to Apostacy and Hypocrifie in Religion. And by how much men rise high in a shew and form of Godlinesse (though hypocrites) the more they shall advantage themselves by it. It is true, other Beasts before him, carryed on their own Interest, partly by Religion, but they were ignorant and unskild of the great mystery which this Beast hath learnt. For before him (note it Reader) no Civill State ascended out of this depth of Satan, that is, from Apostacy in Religion; And therefore before him there was never a Government in the world raised up by hypocrisie in Religion, in that manner, as this will be. Hence Justin Martyr, calls the little Horne, [...], The Man of Apostacy. In Dial. cum Trypl. pag. 336.
[Page 217] 4. Whereas thea sine & byss [...] quod est genus lini c [...]n [...]idissimi: & sic Abiss [...] d [...]ci [...]ur quas [...] sine clarita [...]e, Alex. de Ales. word signifieth without light; it may be to denote, what shal be the practice and doing of this Beast, (notwithstanding his secresie, policy, hypocrisie) when he is ascended. It is said of the first Beast, His kingdome was full of darknesses, Rev. 16. 10. So the kingdome of this Beast (the head of the latter Apostacy, as the other was of the first) his kingdome will be full of darknesse; For he will destroy and put out the light of the Law, and leave nothing to the people but Abissus, his Own blind will, for them to walk by.
From what hath been said, we may gather in short, A true description of the Beast, according to the Scripture, (for I desire to follow that perfect word, without adding auy thing of mine own to it.) Thus then by the Scripture, I take the Beast to be.
‘A State or Government, set up by a few Apostates, three years and an halfe before the end of the 1260 years (neither sooner nor later) and done with so much secresie, policy, and craft; as no such Beast or Government shall be expected, or thought of, till it be brought [Page 218] forth. And howsoever it hath a mean and low beginning, yet it will rise to a monstrous height of Pride, against God and man. This State or Kingdome of the Beast will be full of darknesse; great oppression exercised by reason the people have their power, Laws and liberties, taken from them. And howsoever this be so (yea, and withall, the blessed Cause of Christ destroyed in his Witnesses, by an usurped power) yet this Beast or Goverment, shall have with it, such a glorious out-side of Religion and Form of Godlinesse, as among Gods own people, many of them shall not know this State or Government to be the Beast which slays the Witnesses, till the three years and halfe are expired.’
And thus much for the Beast, who he is, and what is signified by him.
We come now to the Witnesses, and how they are kild.
1. By the Witnesses, I understand not persons, but the Truth or Testimony it selfe, which is held forth and asserted by them. I say, it is not the person, which the Beast is said to kill; but the holy Cause and Interest of Christ, witnessed too, and for, by the Saints of the most High. So that the [Page 219] person may live, though he be slaine in his Testimony.
2. For the Testimony or Witnesse, it comprehends not all Truth; For the Beast shall allow much Truth, and countenance men in the practice of it. Therefore the Testimony which he shall slay, is to be taken restrictively; that is, some particular Truth, which he will not indure, as proper to that Generation and Time. In all the dayes of the Papall Beast, the Sack-cloth Witnesses might safely and without danger, assert many Gospel-Truths; That which they suffered for, was for asserting such Truths, and speaking against such Errours, and lies, as that Time would not bear, it being to the disadvantage of the Beasts Kingdome, that such abominable filthinesse should be discovered. So this Beast will not make war against every Truth, but seeks only to destroy that Testimony, which he thinks (if not kild) will be his utter ruine.
Quest. What is thatTruth, orTestimony,hereslaine by the Beast.
Answ. It is the last witnesse which Saints shall hold forth, for, and in the behalfe of Jesus Christ, against the Enemies of Gods people. And being the last of [Page 220] their Testimony, it can be no other then bearing witnesse to Christs blessed and visible Kingdome. That he (as heir of all things) will take all power, rule & dominion into his own hands, and that all the present Powers and Governments of the world, shall be broken to pieces. And more particularly, they shall now bear witnesse against this Beast, as to be that Power and State, by whom the witnesses are to be s [...]ain, and after three years and an half, his Dominion shall be taken from him.
The observing of this, will lead us to the knowledg both of the Beast and Time: for it cannot be this Beast; unlesse he slay such a Testimony in the Saints as is here set down; that is, A testimony for Christ against all present powers, and particularly against the Government of this Beast, as declaring openly who he is, where his seat is▪ and that the Lord after three years and an halfe will utterly consume him. And here (I think) lies the difference, between the Testimony of the Sackcloth witnesses, before the Beast ascended out of the bottomlesse pit, and afterwards. Their Testimony before, was mainly against the Idolatry of the whorish Church; bearing witnesse, to the Propheticall and Priestly office of Christ; [Page 221] and suffered upon that account: But afterward (when the three years and half begin) their Testimony is (as I said before) for his Reigne and Kingdome; And this witnesse will the Beast seek to murder; allowing that Testimony which was born before to his Propheticall and Priestly office: by which meanes the slaughter and murder he commits, will not easily be observed.
3. That the witnesses are said to be two. I conceive it is for this reason. Because their Testimony consists of two parts, viz. 1. That Jesus Christ ought to have his right, his honour, glory, service, dominion. 2. That his enemies in not giving the same to him; But instead of exalting him, exalt themselves, and their own interest▪ shall extreamlysuffer for it; Or two, as witnessing for righteous things, and against unrighteous things.
Now for the manner of their Slaying.He shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them,
First, though the witnesses in their Testimony are slaine, upon the rise of the Beast, and there we are to begin the three days and an half, yet doth he continue his persecution till the whole terme be ended.
[Page 222] Secondly, There may be something in the words (make warre, overcome, and kill▪) more then hitherto hath been minded. In Chap. 12. 14. The woman [...] to shun the face of the Serpent slyes into the wildernes, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and halfe a time. The slaying of the witnesses, and that slight of the woman is at one time. And I think the occasion of that flight, is this war of the Beast. So that he slays not the whole Testimony or witnesse, but the Lord preserves a remnant (as he did the 7000 in Israel) up and down the Nation, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus, all the time that the witnessesly slaine.
Thirdly, He shall make warre▪ against them, and shall overcome them. These words are taken from Dan. 7. [...]2 and have been opened before. It is true in Daniel there is no mention of killing; The reason may be, because he hath respect to what the Horn or Beast shou▪d doe, against the persons of the witnesses, but speaks nothing of killing, because the Lord will not suffer him to proceed unto blood. John names killing in regard he should slay the Truth and Testimony in many persons, though not the person for the truths sake. [Page 223] This likewise is worth the Observing to know the Beast by.
Quest. But how doth he slay the Testimony of Jesus?
I answer, many wayes.
First, In some he slays their Testimony, by preferment, and bestowing great Offices and places upon them▪ Here I may say (changing a few words) what is said, Rev. 12. Woe to the Inhabiters of heaven▪ Churches, and Church-Officers, and Professours of Religion, for the Devill is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that the hath but a short time. This Beast scornes to be serv'd for nought, specially if they are religious, and men searing God; these rather then others, shall be prefer'd in his Councel, Army, Navy, Ʋniversities, Parish-Tithes, so they will fall down and worship HIM and his Image. And in this designe he hath a double advantage. 1. He is sure to slay in them, the last Testimony of Jesus; for, Noman can serve two Masters, He that acknowledgeth the Government and Power of the Beast to be Lawfull, cannot bear a faithfull Testimony to the present Cause and Interest of Christ. For to have now the Testimony of Jesus, is to bear a witnes against the Beast. 2. That [Page 224] he slayes the Testimony of Jesus, by preferment, in many great Professours, such as formerly asserted what they now either deny or are silent in; By this means, the common people (ignorant of the mystery of iniquity, working in the last dayes) following the others example, have their Testimony kil'd likewise, Gal. 2. 13.
Secondly, Another way is by his hypocrisie and dissimulation in religion. As David said of Goliahs sword, there is none to that, give it me. So I think there is no weapon or crafty course which this Beast will use, like to his hypocrisie in the things of God; as his fasting, weeping, praying, honouring Ministers, Sermons, &c, The report and noise of this will ring far and neer, and by the simple (who believe every thing) so believ'd, and he taken for such a Saint, that now he may do what he will. For though he have all the Characters of the little Horn, and do whatsoever is foretold of the Beast, yet his hypocrisie will cover all, and hence slaves the Generation Testimony.
Thirdly, When Christ was put to death by the Jewes, though they could prove nothing against him, neither indeed had any thing to lay justly to his charge, yet they pretended great matters, and would have [Page 225] men believe what they did in the killing of him, they had cause and reason enough for it. So will this Beast slay Jesus Christ in his Testimony. (Hence it is said, Where our Lord also was crucified.) Howsoever he hath nothing against the present Generation Truth, born Witnesse to: For what can he have? Seeing nothing is Asserted by them, but what the Scriptures plainly declare; nor is he able to resist the Wisdome and the Spirit by which they speak, yet will he pretend high things against them. As Nero when his Mastives would not destroy the Christians, clad them in Bearskins. So will this Beast doe, that his Dogs may rent and tear the Testimonie of Jesus; He will cloth it, with reproachfull names, as Blasphemy, Errour, Madnesse, Faction, Treason, Sedition, &c. And by this trick the sooner effect his purpose. So that howsoever it be the Testimonie of Jesus that he kills, yet he will kill it, under pretence, that it is the doctrine of Devills, blasphemie, the delusion of Satan, &c.
Fourthly, This Testimony is to be slain by War. He shall make war against them. Howsoever I have shewed my opinion already, yet the matter being considerable; I would have the Reader observe.
[Page 223] 1. This Beast (whosoever he be) shall trust in the arme of slesh; by this he will seek to strengthen his Government and Greatnesse, and to reach his ends and designes every way.
2. His Army will be so corrupt, that whatsoever he shall bid them doe, against the Testimonie of Jesus, they will doe it, right or wrong; For they will be men not having principles of honesty or conscience. And by this meanes likewise, he will prevaile very far over the Witnesses, viz. by his Soldiers: For those men (if he command them) will banish and imprison any of the Lords faithfull Servants, that they may not Witnesse for Christ, against the Beast.
Fifthly, No sooner is this Beast ascended out of the bottomlesse pit, but doubtlesse he will enact some Law against the Testimonie of Jesus. As for Example, That it shall be Treason for men to speak or act any thing against his Person; promise to live quietly under his Government, not call him the little Horn and Beast. And what is the meaning of all this? But to require all men upon pain of death, to deny Christ before men: For if it be the Government of the little Horne and Beast, in the three years [Page 227] and halfe; Not to Witnesse then against it (much more to promise not to Act any thing against it) is no other then to deny Christ, so far as concernes a Generation-Testimonie. But howsoever this be so, yet the dread and terrour of such an Edict▪ will so seaze upon people of low and poor spirits, as they will chuse rather to have the Witnesse of Christ kild in them, then be persecuted by the Beast for bearing any publick Witnesse against him.
Thus I have shewed,Who the Beast is, and the Witnesses, and how they are kild.
Our Third Point is,How it doth appear, their lying three dayes and an halfe unburied, contemporizes with the last Apostacie and the little Horn.
I shall speak the lesse of these three dayes and an halfe, because it is not questioned scarce by any one (neither indeed rationally can it) But here is meant either the last three years and an halfe, which close the number 1260. Or so much time following immediately upon it.
Indeed there are some few, whose opinion is; the terme here, is the same with [Page 228] the 1260 years. But,
1. This is plainly against the Text. For the Witnesses are not slaine, till about the finishing of their Testimony; that is, when the 1260 years are almost expired.
2. To take dayes for years, and then againe to reckon so many years by dayes, I see no ground for this in Scripture, to cast up Prophetical numbers. This Point needs no further enlargement.
3. The Apostacy is to be in the last days; Now if we consider Times and seasons by their appointments and periods. No Days can be said to be last, but the distinct time closing the 1260 years; in which Time is the little Horne and Beast. And therefore necessarily they must contemporize.
But there are some other things which need Explanation.
First,What the Street is, in which ly the dead bodies of the Witnesses?
Answ. Where they were slaine, there doubtlesse they ly. The Greek [...] as it is well observed by many (signifying a broad and spacious place) cannot be taken for any street within the walls of the great City. For,
1. Our Lord was slaine in no street of Rome or Jerusalem, but without the gate in Golgotha.
[Page 229] 2. Men seldome make war within the City walls, but in open fields.
3. In Cities are many Streets, but this is expressed in the singular number, neither is the word properly a street.
4. That their dead bodies lie visible and obvious to all Nations, kindreds, peoples, &c. it must be without the City, and not within the walls.
By the great City, I understand here (and so alwayes in this Book) the Dominion and Jurisdiction of the Papal Beast, not onely the Ecclesiasticall kingdome, but all Civill States and Governments under the Sea of Rome, acknowledging the Pope head of the Church. This is the Great City often mentioned in the Revelation; It is said, And the same houre was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the City fell, v. 13. Here it is not the great City, but City; which I take to be [...] the place without the walls of the great City, where the slaine Witnesses lie; that is, the power and Government of the Beast, by which they were kild.
But to open the matter more fully. The place where the Witnesses lie dead, is not any Kingdome, Common-wealth, Province, or Country, under the Authority [Page 230] and Jurisdiction of the Pope. Neither are they slaine (in their Testimony) by any State or Government, that holds the Great Antichrist of Rome head of the Church: For all this is within the wall, and part of the great City. So that the Witnesses are not to be slain under the power of the Germane▪ Emperour, nor the Kings of France, Spaine, Poland, or any Catholick King, Prince, Duke, &c. so called. But by a power, and State that is off from subjection and Obedience to the Romish Beast.
There are two things (one I hinted before) which will give us much light to understand where the Witnesses lie, and by whom they are slaine.
1. By a Beast that shall not ascend out of the Bottomlesse Pit, till the 1260 yeares are neer expir'd. Neither, shall his power and dominion (being risen) continue above three yeares and an halfe. Hence then none of the present States, and Governments of the world which have stood many three yeares shall kill them.
2. Their dead bodies lie not in any Popish Country: Nor are they slaine in their Witnesse, by any State subject to the Sea of Rome. So that whosoever the Beast is, it cannot be the Emperour, nor the Duke of [Page 231] Savoy, or such like, nor in any such Countries; For it is but one State or Goverment that slayes them, neither shall they ly dead under more States then one. And this one not under the obedience of the Church of Rome. Reader, Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Object.Though [...] be without the walls, yet it is of the great City.
Answ. It is so indeed, and the thing is very much to be heeded. For howsoever the State and Government, by which the witnesses are slaine, is not under the Jurisdiction of the Romane Beast; yet it is FOR IT. That is, it doth more strengthen and support Babylon at this time, then any State or Government properly the Beasts. For observe who are slaine, the last Witnesses; that is, the Testimony of Jesus never till now so high, eminent, and full of light, and life against the Antichristian Kingdome. The Witnesses before pluckt off but leaves and branches, these laid the ax to the Root, and would have the very Foundation of Babylon razed down. And now ascendeth the Beast out of the bottomlesse pit, and slayes such A WITNES as the like was never before held forth against [Page 232] the Great Whore. So that in doing such a thing, he hath done more in the behalfe of the Great City, then any State under the Beasts dominion ever did before. For in this regard, he would not suffer, her abominations to be ript up, her basterdly Brats to be dash't against the stones▪ nor the blood of the martyrs found in her to be reveng'd: But sought to cure her deadly wound. And therefore not without cause doth the holy Ghost tell us, though the place be without the great City, yet FOR IT; a friend and brother to it, and one that doth her more service, then any formall member and part of it.
One thing further may be meant here; Whereas the Spirit of God, tells us, that the place where the Witnesses lie slaine, is without the great City, yet of it. The hypocrisie of the Beast (the GREAT CHARACTER of him) is here againe notably laid open. As if he should make war with one part of Babylon, (For Example, The Spaniard) pretending therein to be without the great City, and against the Whore; and yet at the at the same time to be of it, and for it, in making Leagues and Covenants, Offensive and Defensive, with others of the same Antichristian kingdome (suppose [Page 233] Portugall and France) and as Idolatrous, and as great Enemies to Jesus Christ, as that part of Babylon against whom he Wars.
Secondly, That the slaine Testimony of Christ, is set forth under dead bodies. This may be to signifie.
1. As a thing dead is soon forgotten, yea men will endeavour to put away the remembrance and thoughts of it; So Apostates having forsaken the Truth. It is no other now then Dead, and that their consciences may not smite them for it. They fall upon new matters, not intending to bear witnesse any more to the good old cause, IT'S DEAD.
2. Persons dead loose their beauty; No fairnesse, or comelinesse appeares in them. Though living sweet and lovely to behold: So the Principles of Justice, honesty, Conscience, &c. When once slaine, what excellency can the Beast see in them: Hypocrisie, deceit, pride, oppression, look better in his eye a thousand fold.
3. To shew the cruell design of the Beast, that nothing would satisfie his turn but the HEART BLOOD OF GODS CAUSE, the utter extirpation of it, that the name of Israel might be no more.
[Page 234] 4. Dead men are not fear'd: Neither doth the Beast now fear, the Testimony of these men; for he hath by craft and cruelty taken such a course: As he thinks himself, very secure, and the dead Interest of the holy Child Jesus will never▪ rise to trouble him more.
5. When they put Christ to death, some mockt at him, Let him come down from the Crosse, and we will believe him. As if he could not be the Son of God, because they slew him. So here is meant, How the Enemies of our Lord, passing by the dead bodies, will scoff, wagging their heads, Had it been (say they) the Testimony of Jesus, it would have sav'd it self and not been kild; but it appears now, it was onely their own Testimony, when they were so hot against Tythes, Tryers, Priests, Lawyers. Ha, ha! And this is one Reason, why the wrath of God will be so terrible upon the Beast, and the Apostates of his Time; because none before them, caused the holy name of God and his Truth to be so much blasphemed: For in the whole Time of his Reigne, men will not cease to curse and revile the Testimony of Jesus; yea, the very Apostates themselves, will turne Scoffers. Specially, near the Time of the Witnesses Rising: [Page 235] Then Apostate-Professours, will begin to jeere and taunt indeed; when they see Christ in his Testimony, not onely naild on the Crosse, but (to their thinking) gives up the Ghost. Now hearken, Where is your fist Kingdome (say they?) The little Horne! Your three years and a half? Neither will they spare the slaine Testimonie, in their Pulpits; But there they will break their Jests against it, to have the people laugh.
But, Thirdly; It is worth enquiring, Why not onely the great City is nam'd, which should be preserved and defended by the Beast slaying the Witnesses? But added, which spiritually, is called Sodome and Aegypt, where also our Lord was crucified?
Answ. There is great Reason for it.
1. To discover the grosse hypocrisie of the Beast, pretending to be against Babilon in all her lies and beastly vanities.
2. To aggravate his wickednesse the more. There is little said of the Beast, as to the Characterizing of Him; besides slaying the Witnesses. The Reason may be, because this was done before in the little Horne and last Apostacy.
That which the Holy Ghost seems here chiefly to intend, is to unmask HIM, and [Page 236] to set HIM forth to the life.
For Example. Should he be askt (being ascended out of the bottomlesse Pit) What he comes for? What he means to doe, having taken so arbitrary a power to himselfe? His answer will be, ‘He is for Christ (I really) against Antichrist: For Zion against Babylon; as one of the seven Angel, I am com out (saith he)’ of the (Temple note it, not the Bottomless Pit) ‘to poure out a Viall full of wrath upon the great Whore: and as one called, chosen and faithfull, to be with the Lamb against the ten Kings, to overcome them. And ask (saith he) my Chaplaines, and new made Doctors, if this be not so?’
But what saith the Spirit of God? ‘O thou dissembling H [...] pocrite! Does thou War against my Witnesses, overcome them and slay them, and yet pretend Ex parte altissimi letzad, On the part of the Almighty. For me, and against the great Whore; What an impudent face hast thou? what a Whores forehead! Thou thoughtest I was altogether such a one as thy selfe: but I will reprove thee. Thy falshood shall not serve the turn. For I have a way to make thee known what an hypocrite thou art, in spight of all thy inchantments; [Page 237] and the wise shall understand, though the Prophets will not▪ viz. In slaying so glorious a Testimony, to rouse up thy self out of the bottomles pit, In this the Saints of the most high shall clearly see, that thou art of the great City (not in words but actions) a main supporter and prop of it: Nay more, thou hast kept her up, as she is Sodom and Egypt, in the vilest of her filthinesses, and abominations, and the greatest of her cruelties, and oppressions: yea and more, as she hath murdered me (I say my self) in my truth, and servants: thus thou hast wrapt thy self in all the guilt and blood that hath been shed there, and which shall be found in her; the blood of the Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were slaine upon the earth.’
Thus the place gives us more light to know the Beast by; The Government and state by which the witnesses shall be slaine, is without the great City, not under the authority of the Church of Rome, in profession and words an enemy to Babylon. But in practice and works not only a bare defender, but a supporter of her, in the worst and greatest of her sins, as in her whoredomes, oppressions, blood of martyrs, &c. [Page 238] Namely, by slaying the highest Testimony that ever was upon earth against the whole dominion of the Beast.
I have done with the Beast and Winesses as to the killing-part.
It remains that something be spoken of the effects of it.
And they of the people, and kindreds, and Tongues and Nations, shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Here we will consider.
1. Who these People are?
2. What is meant by putting in graves?
3. Why they will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves?
4. How they keep them out?
First, It is said that Satan shewd Christ (being upon an exceeding high mountaine) all the Kingdomes of the World, Mat. 4. 8. I doe not take it imaginary, as deceiving the sence: but a reall sight: Not that he saw all Kingdomes absolutely, but whatsoever were discernable in respect of the place where he stood: that is, all the adjacent Countryes. So here by people, Kindreds, tongues, and Nations: all are not meant under the whole Heaven; but such [Page 239] as are within the sight of the dead bodyes, and have knowledge of their slaying.
Againe, Neither doe all the people and kindreds, &c. which see the dead bodies, oppose their buriall, but a part of them; They of the people and kindreds, &c. That is, among the people and kindreds, &c. there are some will not suffer, &c. Now howsoever we are to understand the place, no further then of such as know what the Beast hath done, (for so much is clearly in the Text, They shall see their dead bodies) yet the Holy Ghost mentions Peoples, kindreds, tongues and nations; Because this party which will not suffer the dead bodies to be put in graves, are not all one People. As for Example, Some may be English, others Welch, some Scots, others French, or Dutch, &c. So likewise of divers Provinces, Countries, Shires, &c.
As for this Party, I take it not to be cruelty done in despight and disgrace by Enemies, to deny them Buriall; But courtesie of Friends and Favorers, to provide for their rising againe. And my opinion is, here are meant.
1. The Woman who was occasioned by the war of this Beast, to fly into the Wildernesse.
[Page 240] 2. The Remnant of her seed.
3. Those whom we named before, Common-wealths men: For howsoever these doe not fully close with the Witnesses in the Principles of the fift Kingdom, yet they are clearly convinc'd, that the Power and Goverment of this Beast is unlawfull, and that they suffer unjustly under him. And this Party I take to be The earth which helped the Woman, by opening her mouth, and swallowing up the flood, which the Dragon cast out of his mouth, Rev. 12. 16. For howsoever that thing they contend for, be but an earthly Intererest; as Lawes, Liberties, Power of the People, Priviledges of Parliament, &c. yet in standing for such things, they give the Beast such a Check, as Mauger all his venome and wrath, he cannot devour the woman standing for the dead witnesses.
Secondly, For the second Point. By putting in graves; I understand an extirpation of the Testimony of Jesus. That is, Christs visible Kingdome, to be no more asserted: the corrupt powers of the world left alone, so the Apostates and hypocrites in the last dayes, not so much as nam'd: briefly for the little Horn and Beast, no more to be spoken against, But all for conscience [Page 241] sake be subject to his Lust and Will. Thus indeed the Beast would have the Witnesses buried, but he is not suffered: They remaine above ground in spight of him; that is, kept up for a glorious resurrection.
Thirdly, Knowing the Parties, we may the more easily guesse at the Causes.
1. As the Woman and her seed are deeply concern'd in the Testimony, so they endeavour what they can to maintaine it; And the rather, because they know whatsoever designe the Enemie hath against it, to bury it, he shall not, let him doe his worst. As when Michael the Arch-Angel, contending with the Devil about the body of Moses, the Angel prevailed. So in this Controversie about the dead Witnesses, the Woman and her seed will certainly overcome; which is comfort and encouragement enough.
2. They will not suffer it, because of their zeal and affection to the Testimony of Jesus. Though David a long time was numbred among the Dead, by reason of Sauls bloody persecution, yet alwaye; he had some friend▪ which stu [...]k fast to his Int [...]rest. It is true, there may seem to be a death upon the Cause of Christ during the Beasts [Page 242] reigne, but it shall not want friends to keep it from the Grave; The love of God will constraine them.
3. The Beast in slaying the Witnesses, will shew so much hypocrisie, falshood, lying, Tyranny, &c. As will occasion People, and Tongues, and Nations, &c. continually (sometimes in one place, otherwhile in another) to appear against him, and plead the Cause of the poor and needy; In so much, as he will not know what to doe. Nor how to proceed any further; to wit, (having slaine them) to put them in Graves.
4. The Testimony of Jesus being slaine; that is, comparatively now dead, to what spirit and life it had. (For it stood upon its feet before, and had Power and Authority with it, till the Beast came up.) Notwithstanding all this, (I say) though Dead, in respect of Spirit, Life, Power, Authority; yet shall not the Beast be suffered to extinguish it altogether, in the Nation, where he hath slaine it.
1. Because if he should so far prevaile, it would not onely strengthen the present Atheists, but open a gap of Athiesm to many others: For as the Beast in slaying the last Witnesse makes many Hypocrites, [Page 243] so should he bury it, he would make as many Atheists.
2. Should he be suffered, he would doe more wickedly then he doth; For in that he cannot bury Christs Testimony, he is restrained from acting the mischiefes, which otherwise he would.
3. He is not suffered. Because this Witnesse (though comparatively dead to what life it had) shall be his ruine, when the three years and halfe are expir'd.
Fourthly, For the last point, How they keep them out? To open this it must be remembred; It is the Witnesse of Christ I take to be slaine. Not suffered to be put in Graves; because some shall plead for it, defend it, and hold it forth, all the time of the Beasts rage and Tyranny. So that in one respect it is kild, in another alive; For some shall still appear for that Testimony, which in others the Beast hath slaine. In the days of Elias, when they had thrown down the Lords Altars, and slaine his Prophets with the sword, yea and the Prophet himselfe forc't to fly for his life: here it might well be said, that the Lords witnesse was slaine, yet not put in grave. For at the same time. The Lord had 7000 which had not bowed the knee unto Baal.
[Page 244] And this I take to be the meaning here. ‘The prevailing power of the Beast shall be such▪ as he will slay the visible Testimony of Jesus, held forth in some publick manner before his rising; yet he shall not be suffered to put it in grave: For God will have some thousands still, which shall not bowe the knee to the Beast; but own and honour the truth n urdered by him, all his Reigne.’
And thus much for the first Party. The other sort followes.
And they that dwell upon the Earth▪: shall rejoyce over them, and make merry, and shall send guists one to another, because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth.
To these is given a speciall Character, Dwell on the Earth. The subject of the first Vial is Earth, Rev. 16. 2. and the same mentioned here▪ the latter Apostacy, whose description we had before from 2 Tim. 3. The Cause of their joy, is the great advantage which they have by the death of the Testimony. For no sort of men shall outwardly thrive and prosper under the Beast, like Apostates; It being a Government or State erected by them, and for [Page 245] their owne Interest alone.
Another good Note to know the reigne of the Beast by, viz. WHEN APOSTATES FLOURISH. It cannot be his time, if it be not Apostates time; if carnall Professors doe not hold up their heads, look big, and domineere: and he that will like Judas, get the bag, must get himselfe into some Church. For as in Christs time buying and selling was in the Temple, and there were the Money changers. So under this Beast, places, offices, and preferment, will be crept into the Church: In so much as no considerable preferment will be gotten, unlesse the person be a Church-member, or can procure some Church-mans hand for it. Thus we see who they are, that will rejoyce at this time, and make merry, and send guifts one to another. None like Apostates, who are fallen from Heaven to dwell upon the Earth. As for others who are faithfull and constant to the Interest and Cause of Christ, they sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done under the Beast.
It is said, Because the two Prophets tormented them. But wherein? Because they spake against all unrighteousnesse of men; Pressed men to keep their Promises and Engagements: [Page 246] Declared openly against dissembling, lying, and hypocrisie; would have Babylon down, with all her will-worship and inventions; People to have their power, freedome, and liberty, according to Reason and Conscience, and none to have any Arbitrary Government fore't upon them. But such a Testimony as this could not be borne, it was worse then an Egyptian boile; Insomuch, as they had no peace, or rest, till they had slaine that which so tormented them.
This place puts me in mind of what hapned upon the Dissolution of thelittle Parliament:The Joy then among thePriests andformall Professours, was much like that of thePhilistines, when they hadSampson in their hands.Then the Lords of the Philistims gathered them together, for to Offer a great Sacrifice unto Dagon their God, and to rejoyce; for they said, Our God hath delivered Sampson our Enemy, into our hand. And when the People saw him, they praised their God; for they said, Our God hath delivered into our hands, our Enemy, and the destroyer of our Country, which slew many of us. And it came to passe when their hearts were merry, that they said, call for Sampson, that he may make us sport,Judg. 16. 23, 24, 25.
[Page 247] Some of them, more Religious (seemingly at least) were for Sacrifice. Hence Dayes were kept of Thanksgiving (as they call it.) And now the Trumpets sound aloud, Oh what the Lord hath done for the Sons of Levi, the holy Ministery, and Maintenance; The Enemy and Destroyer of their Country, had likely to have put out all the lights of the Tabernacle. One of them I remember told the people, ‘The National Clergy, was like good Isaac, bound and ready to have been Sacrificed. And that God by a wonderfull deliverance had preserv'd them, when the Parliament-Knife was at the throat of their sacred Calling, Tythes, and the like.’
For the other sort, what they did, I need not mention: But when their hearts were merry, Then Sampson is cal'd for. And what is now the Subject of all their scurrilous Talk and Jests, but the short liv'd Parliament: Oh this cruell Sampson▪ that had it in his heart, not onely to have brought their Craft in danger to be set at nought, but the Temple of the great Goddesse Diana. And to say the truth, the Priests were not much mistaken in it: For probable it is, had not that glorious Testimony of Jesus been kild, They would have se [...]t [Page 248] the Tayle of the Beast, after the Head; Swept away that other part of Popish dung and trash, which the former Parliament had left in the Nation. Now if the Holy Ghost meant not these men, and their making merry; yet I am sure, it was fulfilled in them, according to the letter of the Text.
One part of the Prophesie yet remaines, and it is the better part; Namely, The rising of the Witnesses. And here we have the Time, the Means, and the Manner, with the Enemies amazement at it, and the like.
And after three dayes and an halfe, the spirit of life from God, [...]ntred into them, and they st [...]od upon their feet, and great fear sell upon them that saw them. And they heard a great voyce from Heaves, saying unto them, come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud. And their Enemies bsheld them.
First, Of the Time I have spoken: Assoon as the Beast ascendeth out of the bottomlesse pit, he kills the Witnesses; Three years and an halfe they lie unburied: The which time being expir'd, they immediately Rise, and then begins the ruine and fall of the Beast. So that I conceive, it is not the Lords meaning that any should go forth to [Page 249] take his Dominion from him, untill it evidently appear, that the Witnesses are Risen, the Spirit poured forth, the Beast certainly known; and the Lord appearing in some visible providence, making the way plaine for the Angel of the first [...]i [...]ll.
Secondly, By the Spirit of life from God, &c. I understand and the sending of the Comforter, that great promise of the Father to be endued with power from on high, Lak 24. 49. As herbes, flowers, and grasse, seem dead and hang the head, by reason of drought; but rise againe flourish, and grow green, when raine falls thereon. So the Testimony of Jesus, which seemed withered, and scorch't, hath now from the Lord life and Spirit put into it, and so that Death is taken off which lay formerly on it.
And this I take to be the Time in which Saints may expect the returne of their prayers, concerning the pouring out of the Spirit, and the fullfilling of such Promises.In the wildernesse shall waters break out, and streames in the desert, Isa. 35. 6.I will pour waters upon him that is thirsty, and [...]louds upon the dry ground. I will poure my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine Of-spring: And they shall spring up as among the grosse, as willows by the watercourses, [Page 250]Isa. 44. 3, 4.I will put my Spirit in you and ye shall live Eze. 37. 14.After two days he will revive us, in the third day, he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight, Hosea 6. 2.And it shall come to passe afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your Sons and your daughters shall Prophesie, your old men shall dream dreames, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants, and upon the hand-maids in those dayes will I pour out my Spirit,Joel 2. 28, 29.
Howsoever before the rising of the witnesses, there will be some sprinkling of the Spirit, here and there. For the understanding of the Time: As a man knows by the dawning that the night is past: yet I think till the witnesses are risen: the Saints shall not be endued with power from on high, neither Generally, nor largely. For now is The Tabernacle of the Testimony of heaven opened, and not till now, Rev. 15. 6. I mean in respect of a beginning.
Thirdly, No sooner doth a Spirit of life from God enter into them. But they stand upon their feet: By which manner of speaking (according to the Scripture) is signified.
1. An open confession and publishing, [Page 251] of the Lords wonderfull mercy, remembring his truth and Testimony in its low estate, 1Chron. 28. 1.Acts 3. 7, 8. and 14, 14. Asthe Sons of Zion are to have a two-edged-sword in their hands, so the high praises of God in their mouth. It is true, theyare to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people. To bind their Kings with chains, and their Nobles with fetters of Iron.But what goes before.Allelujah sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the Congregation of Saints. Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him, let the Children of Zion be glad in their King, &c. Psal. 14. 9. So then by thisstanding upon their feet, is meant thatNew s [...]Rev. 14 3. An high exalting and [...]ung up the holy Name of God every where among thefaithfull Remnant; For that life and Spirit which is now given them. TheTestimony of Jesus it was before flame, and born down by the Enemy. But now it goes forth conquering and to conquer, prevailes and gets victory in every place over them.And the Ransomed of the Lord, shall come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shall be no more. Isa. 35. 10. compare [Page 252] Rev. 15. 3, 4.
2. The standing upon their feet, signifies, not only The Testimony raised up to greater boldnesse against the Beast, speaking more freely and plainly against his hypocrisie, Apostacie, Blasphemy, Tiranny, &c. then before, Ezek. 2. 1, 2, and 3, 24. But likewise the hundred forty and four thousand, are preparing to stand with the Lamb on mount Zion, Rev, 14. 1. Now I think open war begins to be proclaim'd against the Beast, and Babilon, according to the Prophets, Isa. 13. 2. Je [...]. 50. 2.
Againe, It shews with what assurance of victory the warr is undertaken. For by faith they see all ready: their feet upon the necks of their Enemies, and that they shall take the Beasts dominion from him, and give his body to the burning flame, Josh. 10. 24. Zech. 14. 4.
Some understand this, and their ascending up to heaven, of the witnesses not only restored to their places, but promoted to more eminent preferment, howsoever I take the witnesses (as hath been said) for the Truth witnessed by them: yet no doubt such as suffer under the Beast for their Testimony (continuing faithfull) the Lord will greatly honour. For out of Prison he [Page 253] cometh to Reign, Eccles. 4. 14.
Fourthly, For the persons upon whom this great feare fell. I take to be they that dwell upon the earth, the Apostates and followers of the Beast: It seemes to allude to the State and time of Gods people coming out of Egypt, when the Lord sent before them a dread and feare of them among their Enemies. It is said, their hearts melted, neither was their spirit in them any more, because of the children of Jsrael, Josh. 5. 1. This was upon the expiring of the 430 years: So the three years and an halfe being out, The presence of God will be such among his faithfull ones, in raising them up to such high Resolutions, and filling them with so much Spirit, life, and power from on high, as it will strike a terrour and amazement every where among Revolters, ‘None of the men of might have found their hands, the stout hearted are spoiled. The King of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble, anguish took hold of him, and pangs as a woman in travell, Jer. 50. 43.’It will be their case now, as if a man should appear, who was thought to be dead and rotten many years before. He needs not fight, his Enemies they will fly fast enough [Page 254] before him. My opinion is, God will send such a faintnesse into the hearts of his Enemies, and strike them with such a horrour and dread, that the sound of a leafe shall chase them▪ they shall fly and none pursue them. And as they are Apostates, and so have sinned against knowledge and conscience, by so much their fear and terrour will be the more. Now will that Text be fulfilled; ‘The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulnesse hath surprized the Hypocrites; who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burning?’
Fifthly, Whereas it it is said, They heard a great voyce. This voyce I take to be Christs; the same which afterwards speaks out of the Temple to the seven Angels, Goe your wayes, and poure out your Vials, Rev. 16. 1. Isa. 66. 6. Joel 3. 16. Amos 1. 2. It is said to be great.
1. Because it is the voyce of the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah (roaring out of Zion against his Enemies) which is powerfull and full of Majesty, Joel 3. 16. Amos 1. 2.
2. The matter spoken of, is of great concernment.
3. It must be heard by all the faithfull risen Witnesses, every where.
[Page 255] 4. To signifie that it is operative and prevalent, see Psal. 29. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Sixthly, That the voyce is said to be from Heaven. This Denotes,
1. Notwithstanding the great Apostacy at this time in Churches (especiallyIn Rev. 11. 16. the 24 Elders are mentioned, but not the 4 living cretures. To denote, That near or about the time when Christ is to take his great power to him, and to reigne: there will be few Ministers of Churches to praise him: But these have in the three years and halfe, like Demas, forsaken him; having loved this present world. the Officers) the Lord will have a remnant still abiding in the faith and fellowship of the Gospell, which shall keep themselves pure and unspotted from the world.
2. The fall of the Beast will be by a power from Heaven. There brake he the arrowes of the bow, the shield and the sword, and the battel, Psal. 76. 3. O God thou art terrible, out of thy holy places, Ps. 68. 35. Zech. 4. 6.
Seventhly, Come up hither. These words I think have this meaning. Christ himselfe speaks now for Union and one-nes amongst Brethren, and will heal all the breaches and divisions which have long been unhappily between them. Come up hither. As if he should say, ‘Howsoever you have born [Page 256] forth a good Testimony for me against the last Apostacy, the little Horn and Beast; yet▪ye could not agree among your selves, but did bite and devour one another. But this enmity shall cease and be no more. Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. For I will have you now all here with me in heaven together: not divided and sepe [...]ated as ye have been. And as there is but one Lord, and his name one, Z [...]ch. 14. 9, So ye shall serve him with one consent Z [...]ph. 3. 9.’ Thus is the primitive Spirit, restord and given againe to the Saints, viz. to be of one accord, and of one mind, Act. 1. 14. & 2. 1, 46. & 15. 25.
Eightly, It follows; And they ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud. Alluding to Christs ascension, Act. 1. 9. The Saints of the most High, being [...] together, and having the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, are now formed, the Armies of Heaven, to fight the Battles of the Lord of Hosts, to destroy the little Horne, the Image, Babylon, &c. that Christ alone may Rule in the midst of his Enemies. Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, cleare as the Sun, and terrible as an Army with banners, Song. 6. 10.
[Page 257] The noise of a multitude in the Mountaine like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the Kingdomes of Nations gathered together. The Lord of Hostes mustereth the Host of the battle. They come from a farr Country, from the end of Heaven, even the Lord and the weapons of his Indi▪ nation to destroy tha whole Land,Isa. 13. 4. 5.
So then thewitnesses beingascended up to Heaven. Now is fullsild that vision whichJohn saw;A signe in Heaven great and marvellous, seven Angells, haveing the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God,Rev. 15. 1. Thisis the stone cut out without hands which must smite the Image upon his feet, Dan. 2. 34. To this time of thewitnesses in heaven belongs, that in the Prophet.Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the Mountains and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chasse: Thou sh [...]lt fanne them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: And thou shall rejoyce in the Lord and glory in the holy one of Israel,Isa. 44 15, Againe,The Lord shall send the Rod of his strength out of Zion▪Psal. 110. 2, see alsoJer. 51. 19. 20, 21, [...]2, 2 [...], 24.
[Page 262] Ninthly, But what followes?And their Enemies beheld them. They saw them before when theystood upon their feet, and were astonished at it. But much more now, being ascended, and gotten above them, to pour out a vial full of the wrath of God upon their heads. There is nothing said what theEnemies of the Witnesses doe, more thenBehold them, that is, saw them asBalaam didIsrael abiding in his Tents, according to their Tribes.The Lord his God is with him, and the shalt of a King is among them. Behold the People shall rise up as a great Lyon, and lift up himselfe as a young Lyon, he shall not lie down untill he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slaine. God brought him out of Egypt; he hath as it n ere, the strength of a Ʋnicorn, he shall eat up the Nations his Enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrowes,Num. 23. 21, 24. & 24. 8. In this manner and no otherwise, shall theEnemy nowbehold them. Neither doe I find any thing that they shall doe, or be able to doe for their own safety. Is it not said,All hands shall be faint, and every mans heart shall melt, and they shall be afraid, pangs and sorrowes shall take hold of them, they shall be in paine, as a Woman that travelleth, and they shall [Page 263] be amazed one at another, their faces shall be as flames,Isa. 13. 7, 8. But when shall this be? At this time, I say now, the Lord having called hisMighty ones, and his sanctified ones, and mustered the host of the battell agaixst Babylon, v. 1, 2, 3, 4. And this is one Reason why I doe conceive, For material weapons the Saints have no need to make much provision before hand. ThoughJoshua tookAll the People of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour; Yet there died more with hailstones, then they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword, Josh. 107, 11. So at this time, howsoever there shall be theSword of the Lord, and the Sword of Gideon: yetGideon but a thousand, andDavid his ten thousand.
And here I desire the discreet Reader to observe the Method and order which the Lord (as it seemes to me) will follow in making Christs enemies his footstool. When the three yeares and an halfe are expir'd (for till then the appointed time will not come for him to arise and have mercy upon Zion) there will be a pouring out of the Spirit in abundance, whereby the hearts of the faithfull every where will be raised up to high and great resolutions against the later Apostacie, the little Horn [Page 260] and Beast: Even publickly to declare the war of the Lamb against that Government and State, and the whole dominion of Antichrist. This will strike a dreadfull terrour through the hearts of the Enemies (especially HYPOCRITES AND SINNERS IN ZION) They will be driven to their wits end, not knowing what to doe, seeing judgment must begin at them. And that the Lords work may the more effectually goe forward and prosper, now the Lamb himselfe will speak to the hearts of his sincere ones, touching the great Commandment of love, and for peace and union. By whose Spirit (working effectually in them) his Commandment shall be obeyed: [...]o that all breaches and differences will be speedily and perfectly done away, and they all of one accord and of one mind: And what then? As the Armies of Heaven, and Angels of the last plagues, goe out of the Temple to pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the Earth. And as the Saints are thus raised up in faith, life, light, love, wisedome, courage, &c. So on the contrary the Enemies now fall and are cast down under unbelief, death, darknesse, division, folly, fear, &c.
Reader, I pray thee mark it. The three [Page 261] yeares and halfe being expird, This will follow. As the followers of the Lamb, shall have faith, love, light, courage, and understanding▪ rise and increase among them: So among the followers of the Horn and Beast, quite otherwise, viz. Fear, unbeliefe, contention, blindnesse, and confusion, will break out and abound. And by this many will be convinc't and satisfied, that the set time is come.
That which is next is Action; And it follows in the Text.
And the same houre was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the City fell, and in the earthquake were slaine of men seven thousand; And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.
Here I think the Vials begin: this shaking Earth, is the Earth Rev. 16. 2. the subject of the first Viall. That State-Apostacy (of which we have spoken) out of Entituled which, as the Bottomlesse Pit,
Truth ascended the Beast, headed with with Time. a little Horne. But of this I have elsewhere written, and shall refer the Reader to it.
[Page 258] I come now to our last point, and so will Conclude.
Whether the Prophesie of slaying the Witnesses be fulfild in our time, or no?
Answ. By what hath been said let the READER Judge.
I shall add nothing of mine own. But draw up some particular Heads, from the the Prophesie opened. If it be fulfild in whole or part; These things must be, as I soberly think.
I. ‘A Government, or State, set up by Apostates.’
II. ‘No sooner is it erected, but there will be a glorious Testimony of Jesus, formerly held forth, imediately kild.’
III. ‘If it be this Beast, his dominion and Government must suddenly and strangely come forth, neither expected nor desired of the people, nor hath it their consent.’ Yet,
IV. ‘For craft and policie there will be more used about raising this Beast, then hath been known before.’
V. ‘Hypocrisie in religion will be the great thing, whereby the Beast being ascended out of the bottomlesse pit shall seek to establish his Government.’
[Page 259] VI. ‘They are not Persons he shall slay; but the Truth witnessed by them: yet not all truth: But that Testimony which is now held forth for the Reign and Kingdome of Christ against worldly powers.’
VII. ‘This Testimony he will kill in many great Professours: by corrupting them with preferment, Job 34▪ 30. Again he himself will pretend much piety: perswading people it is not the Testimony of Jesus he kills, but errour and falshood. Besides if he be the Beast he will have such Souldiers about him, as will act any wickednesse he bids them. Lastly, he will make Lawes against the witnesses.’
VIII. ‘This Beast shall not be under the authority of the Church of Rome, neither shall the place or Country where the witnesses are slain (in their Testimony) belong to the Jurisdiction of the Papal Beast.’
IX. ‘Neverthelesse this Beast shall be a main pillar and supporter of Babylon in her greatest Idolatry,’ and Tyranny.
X. ‘Though this Beast shall indeavour to destroy utterly the present Generation Testimony; yet he shall not be able: For the Lord will have a Remnant in [Page 264] whom the witnesse shall live; Though he have kild it in others.’
XI. ‘Where this is, their hypoctites doe reigne, It will be a time in which Apostates shall florish.’
XII. ‘Now the Carnall and corrupt professour will rejoyce and make merry. And Priests say (as Agag) surely the bitternesse of death is past▪ call for Samson that he may make us sport.’
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Frudent, and he shall know them? For the wayes of the Lord are right, and the just shall▪ walk in them: But the transgressors shall fall therein,Hos 14. 9.
A POSTSCRIPT.
Ye Precious Ones, and Saints of the most High. It is not much that I shall add; But it is to give YOU an Account of the Occasion of this Work.
UPON my Banishment from Hull (for what Cause I know not, there being nothing to this day made known to me.) I went a part (as Elias did) into the Wildernesse. And as I lay under hedges, & in holes, my Soul in bitternesse breathed forth many sad complaints before the Lord. It is enough O Lord take away my life, for I am not better then my Fathers. Often and sore wrestlings [Page 270] I had with my God, to know His Meaning and Teaching, under this Dispensation; And what further work (whether Doing or Suffering) he had for me, his Poor old Sevant, being now againe Banished, after 17 years Banishment before.
Being brought thus at the feet of God; and there waiting and Hearkning What the Lord would speak. I had the Former Things (for the Substance of them) given in unto me. And I can speak it in Truth: I understood them not till now; But thought The Time of the End, was to be found out and known some other way.
Now howsoever I could not but think, there was Something of God in This; As to an Answer of Prayer. (Especially having these Things upon my heart as I was pouring out my soule at the Throne of grace.) Neverthelesse, Considering, the weightinesse and difficulty of the Matter. How differing it was, to what Others Held; And how deeply Some (and my selfe also) have suffered for our Mistakes, in medling with such High Things: But chiefly, what a poor worth-lesse and empty Thing I was, More brutish then any man, and had not the Ʋnderstand of a man; And how subtilly Satan worketh at this [Page 271] Time in Some, by a spirit of delusion, in pretending to high things, and that it is God that speaketh in them. Upon these and such like Considerations, my Soule was sore distressed, and I besought the Lord with Tears Day and Night, that he would take Pitty on Me, and not leave me to a Deceived Heart.
But as often as I set my face unto the Lord, by prayer and supplication, I found my selfe more Encouraged, and had more of the Prophesies opened unto me. Yea (and the Lord knows I lie not) whensoever my heart hath been most melted and broken before him, and my soule swallowed up with the greatest Love and Longing after his Glory; AT SUCH TIMES I have been most confirmed, and strengthned, to believe, that it was the Spirit of truth which revealed these things to me, a Worm.
Neverthelesse, being yet unsatisfied in my selfe (as Fearfull least I should go aside from the Teachings of God.) I acquainted some of some of my Christian Friends with the Thing, and how the Case stood with me; and desired that the same might be Spread before the Lord: The which was done severall Times; And very earnestly was the Lord sought unto, for Counsell [Page 268] and Direction, that there might be no miscarriage on either Hand. Much I could say concerning this Particular; But I shall say no more then this, I found the Fruit of their Prayers, A Greater Confirmation.
After all this (for I was not quiet yet) having put things into some Order, I communicated my Thoughts unto other Friends: Some of these (whose Works praise them in the Gate) I found to be of my Opinion; For which I thanked God and took courage. As did Paul when the Brethren met him, Acts 28. 15. But Others (and Pretious Ones too) were (as I apprehended) otherwise minded. And here began, as the last, so my sorest and sharpest Conflict.
For so much was I discouraged now, as I had Jeremiahs Complaint often up. O Lord thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; Thou art stronger then I, and hast prevailed, Jer. 20. 7. I must confesse the Considerations before named (especially being conscious to my own Emptinesse and Poverty) hath so much affected me. That I have been more ready (except in Prayer) to fall in with any outward Discouragements, and to improve them, whensoever they came; Then to close with inward [Page 269] Ecouragements, even the Stirring and Motions (I think I may say) the Visions of God, which I have powerfully felt upon my soule, when I have been nearest the Mercy Seat. But Hallelujah, praised be the Lord, who hath taken from Me (a worm still) these Discouragements and Fears, by working up my heart into joy of Believing.
It may be in Reading of this, you would willingly know my Intention? It is Thus: I have not Published this Treatise, as I have done things heretofore; For in Humility, & an awful fear of my God, Here I can say and that truly, THIS IS A WORK OF FAITH AND PRAYER, Not of my own Labor and study (comparitively) as former Things have been; For here I have been more out of the Body, and with the Lord on the Mount. But oh I would be humble in such Exprestions, that THE LORD ALONE MIGHT BE EXALTED. And I a remaine still a Worme in my hole, and numbred among the dead.
Neither have I rested in the Experiences of Gods inward Workings upon my soule, that is, To his giving forth of the Spirit alone. But the Holy Scriptures have been The Men of my Counsell, Psal. 119. 24. Insomuch as I have not hearkned any further, [Page 266] to the Perswasions and Operations of the Holy Spirit, Though received as the Finger of God. Then what I might doe (yea and ought) by the Covenant-Promise, I say by Faith Grounded upon the blessed Word.
Such Scriptures, through the Free Grace of a divine Blessing, by a humble Application in the Interest of them, have sweetly supported me. Jer. 31. 9. & 33. 3. Hos. 12. 4. Dan. 9. 20, 21. & 2. 18, 19, 23. Luke 11. 12, 13. Jam. 1. 5. Isa. 66. 2. Psal. 10. 17. & 25 9. 2 Chron. 20. 13, 14. Acts 13. 2. Rev. 5. 4, 5. Psal. 32. 8, 9. 1 John 5. 14, 15. Hence I saw clearly, that with Supplications the Lord hath led his people. And whilst they have been Mourning, and by the Spirit making Intercession▪ for them, with Groanings which cannot be uttered; For the Ʋnction from the holy One, and to be guided▪ into all Truth. The Lord hath mercifully appeared to them. Neither have such humble and broken hearted Babes, met with the Portion of Proud Pharises, viz. Disappointment.
All flesh is grasse, &c. But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever, 1 Pet. 1. 24, 25.It is a sure word, 2 Pet. 1. 19.Believe in the Lord, so shall ye be established: Believe [Page 267] his Prophets, so shall ye prosper,2 Chron. 20. 20.
But howsoever in the Publishing of these things, I seem to declare a Humble Boldnesse in my God, as to the truth of them. Yet this I desire the Kingdome-Saints every where to mind; That as the three yeares and a halfe (of which we have spoken) are to have their Period: So must all things following (in order to the destruction of the little Horn) be likewise accomplished. It is true, the latter Apostacy, the little Horn, and the Beast that slayes the Witnesses, have but three years and an half: Yet it must not be understood, as if at the End of that time, they should presently be destroyed. But when that Time is expired, then the Judgement shall sit. The Witnesse rise; And so all the rest of the Prophesies (concerning them) be fulfild, in due Order and Time.
This I thought good to mention againe, to prevent mistakes: For suppose the aforesaid Time should End about June 57. That which next followes will be no more (as I take it) But the pouring out of the Spirit in the rising of the Witnesses; Whereby the Saints of the most High, shall be raised up, in Faith, Light, Love, Zeal, One-ness, &c. [Page 272] and so made meet for the Masters use. But among the Apostates, Dread, Fear, Darknesse, Divisions, Disappointment, &c. Onely the Lords Work (the appointed time being come) will goe foreward, rise, and alwayes Prosper: Untill Jehovah have fulfild his whole Counsell upon the latter Apostacy, the little Horn, and Beast which ascendeth out of the Depth.
I thank thee O Father, Lord of Heav [...]n and Earth: Because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto Babes. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight,Mat. 11. 25, 26.
This should have been Inserted Page 121.
He shall make Warre.
AS by the Witnesses I understand not Persons, but a Generation Testimony: So here, No Civill War, as raising of Armies, and making use of Materiall Weapons; But WAR against the Truth, and Killing it. As a man blowes out the Light, yet breaks not the Candle-stick: So this Beast shall principally endeavor to put out the Light of the Testimony: Not that there shall be much suffering as to the persons of men.
Hence it is (through the mistake of this) that strange conceits have been taken up, to wit, that in these Three years and an halfe, great Battles would be fought infinite blood shed, a generall persecution of the Saints, by bannishment, imprisonment, burning, hanging, drowning, &c. And horrible commotions, and hurliburlies the [Page 274] world over. Whereas to me (humbly be it spoken) I see no such thing intended by the Holy Ghost; No Civill War, nor Civill killing intimated. But as the Thing slaine, is Spiritual; namely, The Testimomony of Jesus. So this War and killing is to be taken, Not Civilly, but in a Spiritual sence. I say, it is the Truth that suffers, rather then persons for it. And in this regard the Beast will slay the Witnesse without any great Noise or Notice.
This also may serve to remove another stone out of some mens way; Occasioned, through our streightning Things to a particular Country or Isle. As if the last Apostacy, the Little Horn, and the Beast which slayes the Witnesses, should be applyed more General and Large, then we do.
Answ. 1. The kingdome of God will not come with Observation. I wish that this might be Remembred. As the day breaks first but in one part of the skie; though the Light from thence, swiftly spreads it selfe all over. So will the work of the Lord, after the Three yeares and halfe are expir'd, begin (not every where) but in one Country, and from them proceed, from one place to another, untill all Christs Enemies be made his foot stool.
[Page 275] 2. I am groundedly convinc't that the work shall begin upon the last Apostacie the little Horn and Beast. But by these not the Germane Emperour the Duke of Savoy, nor any Popish Power or dominion can be meant. For my part I doe not apprehend, that there is any probable ground so to apply it: And therefore if these men would but soberly, and impartially weigh things themselves (laying aside what others have held) they would see the Apostacy, the little Horn, and the Beast slaying the witnesses in one Country, and that ONE not within the walls of Babylon, But without, at least I think so.
ERRATA.
- PAge 36. line 13. see, read see's.
- P. 57. l. 13. this, r. his.
- P. 59. l. 6. Lastly, r. Lofty.
- P. 70. l. 24. Charitates, r. Charitatis.
- P. 76. l. 4. indulgente, r. indulgent.
- P. 77. l. 10. withes, r. wither.
- P. 81. l. 23. principitatum, r. principatum.
- Ibid. marg. Tyrannides, r. Tyrannide.
- P. 95. l. 27. man. r. men.
- P. 144. l. 13. understand, r. understanding.
- P. 236. l. 9. Angel, r. Angels.
- P. 237. l. 2. the, r. thy.
- Ibid. l. 4. rouse, r. raise.
The time of the End.
Wherein is shewed, that until the three years and half begin, (which are the last of the 1260 days) Gods people will not understand the period of the Fourth Monarchy, and the Beasts dominion. But when that Time shall come, they shall have (before its expiration) the certain knowledge of it, by the appearing of a Little Horn, the later Apostacie, and a Beast. The particular Characters of which little Horn, Apostacie and Beast (as the holy Ghost in Scripture sets them down) are here opened, and so left for the Wise to understand, by application.
THe great Business of Christs Little Flock at this time, is about1 Chro. 12, 32. the understanding of the Times, to know what Israel ought to do; when Daniel and John's Numbers shall end, the Spoiler cease to spoil, [Page 2] and the STONE begins to smite the Image. Many of the Lords Worthies have spent their studie, and much time in the search thereof. And no marvel, considering how necessary it is that the SET-TIME be understood, before any Action can safely be undertaken by the Saints of the most High against Babylon. Among others, I (who am one of the least of the flock) accordingJer. 50. 58. to the measure of grace given me, have, with a broken and humble spirit, sought the Lord, and searched diligently the Prophecies, to finde out the end of these Wonders. Now after much seeking, and long waiting upon the great Revealer of Secrets, what I finde upon my heart (as given in I hope from God) to be Truth, I shall willingly make it known unto my brethren and companions in tribulation. And because the way which I shall take, hath not been (I think) observed before, I shall therefore endeavour to express my minde, and meditations of my heart, the more plainly: and will [Page 3] first lay down certain General Considerations; to the end, what I shall say afterward (as more home and proper to the TIME) may the better be understood.
CONSID. I.
To understand the Times, it is of great use, that the Prophetical Numbers be distinguished, and rightly applied: that is, to know what Numbers are proper to the Gentile-Christians, and what to the Jews. These, Viz. Until a time, times, and the dividing of time, Dan. 7. 25. So Chap. 12. 7. It shall be for a time, times, and half. Again, the fourty and two months, Rev. 11. 2. and the one thousand two hundred and sixty days, v. 3. and the Witnesses lying dead three days and an half, v. 9. So again, the 1260 days, Rev. 12. 6. and the time, and times, and half a time, V. 14. these Numbers (I conceive) concern the Gentiles, as proper to their work and time. But the two thousand and three hundred days, Dan. 8. 14. and [Page 4] the one thousand two hundred and ninety days, Dan. 12. 11. and one thousand three hundred thirty and five days, vers. 12. are to be understood of the Jews onely.
Again, as these Numbers are to be distinguished, so they must be kept apart. For the Gentiles account and the Jews, do not (as I take it) contemporize. The Gentile-Saints will be upon their work (how long I shall not say, but) before there will be any life or visible stirring amongst the dry bones. This to me is evident, by the order of the Vials, if well considered: five of the seven, are to be poured out by the Christian Gentiles, before the Jews awake under the sixth Vial. And as for these Vials, or seven last plagues, I humbly conceive (though many good men are otherwise minded) that none of them are yet poured our. Besides, I take it, Moses words, Deut. 32. 21. have this meaning, that the Jews shall be provoked to rise, and seek their own enlargement and liberty, partly by [Page 5] the example of the Gentile-Saints, when they shall see the Lords work prosper in their hands, against the Western Beast: and partly, by the assistance and help which they shall have from the Gentiles many ways, Isat. 60. 9.
CONSID. II.
It will not be known, when thefourty and two months andone thousand two hundred and sixty daysshall end, (the Time of theBeasts reign, and thewomans abiding in the wilderness)until thethree years and half are come. For howsoever thesethree years and half are to be reckoned in thenumber of theone thousand two hundred and sixtyyears; yet must thislast time begin (yea, I think, well-nigh expire) before theWise will understand thatthe set and appointed Time is come. This to me seems very clear, by the Angel's words toDaniel: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even unto the Time of the end, [Page 6] Chap. 12. 4. Again:Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up, and sealed, till the time of the end, Chap. 12. 9.
Three things are here observable: 1. The opening and understanding of the Vision, is referr'd to a certain and prefixt time; and not to be reveal'd till then. 2. In both places, it is called, The time of the End: which methinks must needs be, the three years and half: for I know no other time but this, that periods the number of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years. 3. He faith not times, but time; intimating, howsoever the whole account should have several times, or periods, (in respect of the divers actions of the Beast Civil and Ecclesiastical; and the various changes and condition of the Witnesses and Woman, all the time of his Tyranny) yet the unsealing of the Book should not be, till the last time of all the several periods. So Habak. 2. 3. The vision is yet for an appointed time: at the end, it shall speak, and not lye. [Page 7] What can we understand by the end, and the appointed time, but as Daniel hath it, the time of the end; that is, the three years and half: then is the vision to speak, and not before. So Rev. 1. 3. For the time is at hand. And Chap. 22. 10. Seal not up the sayings of the prophecie of this book: for the time is at hand. For my part, I cannot conceive what time may be taken, as distinct from other times, and proper to the places, if not the three years and half. But that in Daniel seems yet to be more full: It shall be for a time, times, and an half, Chap. 12. 7. What shall be for a time, times, and an half? till the end of these wonders; that is, before they shall be opened. As if he should say, So far forth as the Christian Gentiles are concerued in these wonders, the manifestation of them is reserved, till the three years and half; and then the wise shall understand.
Here observe, 1. It should be no cause of stumbling unto any person, that many good men have miss'd [Page 8] of the time in their accounts, seeing in their time, the words were closed up and sealed. 2. The cause of their mistake, was not (as some think) of an impossibility, as if the time of the end were not to be known: but because the appointed time, or end, was not then come, in which the vision was to speak. 3. Such as are now enquiring into the numbers of Daniel and John, to know when the Beasts dominion shall end; ought to minde whether they are come to the time of the end, in which (and not before) that great Mystery is to be known.
CONSID. III.
The way which some good men have taken, to finde out the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years, viz. by beginning at the head of the account, is not (in my opinion) the best nor surest. For here we must credit (and depend on) humane Histories, and Records of Nations; things so uncertain and disagreeing among themselves, [Page 9] as nothing but conjectures and ghesses can be concluded and gathered from them. And hence it is, that many have been misled concerning the times: whereby others have taken advantage to condemn all, which search the times, and the Prophetical Numbers of the Scripture, as medling with things too high and secret.
If any should ask, Why are these Numbers mentioned as fourty and two months, and one thousand two hundred and sixty days? I answer▪ The Lord would have it known, how long the Beast should reign, and the woman continue in the wilderness; that his people might wait with the more faith and patience till their enlargement came. Not that when the time of the end should come, he would carry them back to enquire what was done some thousands of years before, or search uncertain Stories for the rise of the Beast: I take it, he hath a neerer and better way to lead them in; more free from doubts and mistakes [Page 10] then the other, and easier to be found out and known by babes and sucklings: The way-faring men, though fools, shall not erre therein, Isa. 35. 8.
CONSID. IV.
So for the Signes of the times, which are much spoken of, and matter of singular joy amongst Saints everywhere. These shew us without doubt, that the kingdom of God is nigh, and that the great work of the Lord is approaching upon us: but as to the set time they come not home. And therefore we must have more light then these, to order our motions by. For example: be it granted, that the Lord hath a people enquiring after the Numbers in Daniel and John; much enlightned in the work of their generation; take pleasure in Zion's stones, and favour her dust; are a willing people, and a praying people; and such as have their hearts raised up against Babylon to take vengeance on her. I say, [Page 11] grant all this (as blessed be Jehovah it is all true, and more too) yet it will not follow, that the one thousand two hundred and sixty years (the time of Antichrists tyranny, and the Womans persecution) must therefore end this year or the next. I confess, these are blessed Signes, and tidings of great joy; and do evidently declare (like the tender branches and leaves of the fig-tree that Summer is nigh) that the Lord will arise and have mercy upon Zion; and that the breaking work of the Stone is not far off: But yet they do not tell us how nigh the time is: this must be known some other way. When the Dove brought to Noah in her mouth an Olive-leaf, he knew that the waters were abated from off the earth: yet he went not forth of the Ark till the Lord did call him, Gen 8. 11, 15. Indeed these signes (like the olive-leaf) do plainly demonstrate, that the Antichristian deluge (which hath so long covered the face of the earth) is towards an end: nevertheless, we [Page 12] must abide where we are, till we hear that great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth, Rev. 16. 1.
CONSID. V.
So again, howsoever Providence is to be observed, and followed, when people are called forth to their work; yet we must take heed that we make no [...] Providence alone our call. Moses, Gedeon, David, and others, improved providences; but it was after they were confirmed, that the time was come wherein they were to serve their generation so and so: and in such cases, we are still to follow Providence. When we know the fourty and two months are expired, and so the time come, in which the Lord God of heaven and earth will set up his kingdom, take away the dominion of the little Horn, and execute vengeance upon Babylon. Here we must, in the prosecution [Page 13] of the judgement written, eye and follow the leadings of God in his providential dispensations. It hath been the practice of worldly powers, to justifie their unrighteous Wars and Murthers, by crying up Providence: As if their Victories and Conquests must needs be lawful, because of the Oportunities and advantages which they had; though yet no otherwise then what Thieves and Highway-robbers may pretend to. Saul fell twice into David's hands: might not this be thought a Providence, as leading him to take the kingdom? but there was something more in David's eye, (as he waited for the kingdom) namely, the Appointed time.
CONSID. VI.
Therefore neer or about the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years; that is to say, in the last three years and an half of that Number, certain most remarkable and wonderful things will come to [Page 14] pass: for there shall appear then a Little Horn, of which Daniel speaks, Chap. 7. the later Apostacie, foretold by the Apostle, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2, &c. and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit, who shall slay the Witnesses, Rev. 11. 7. These things shall be so obvious and plain, not onely in respect of the certain time when they did rise; but so exactly agreeing in all things with the Scriptures, as hereby the wise shall understand, that now The Time of the End is come. Concerning this notable Time, I finde many Writers both ancient and modern to mention it; although not agreeing in their Application. Some think these three years and an half shall be immediately before the ultimate or last Judgement: Others, a little before Christ▪s personal coming to reign on earth. Others think (of which opinion I am) that these three years and an half (in which will be the Little Horn, the later Apostacie and Beast) shall be a long time before the Judgement of the great [Page 15] day; yea, and many years before Christ's personal appearing. But howsoever in application they differ; yet in these two great points, they agree: 1. That these three years and an half do period the forty and two months, and one thousand two hundred and sixty days; and that there shall be in this Time a Little Horn, a great Apostacie, and a Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit. 2. Immediately after these three years and half, there will be a visible and universal change of things thorow the whole world: For the little Horn shall be destroyed, Babylon fall, all earthly powers broken to pieces, and the Saints of the most High raised up, to a most glorious and blessed estate. Neither is it to be thought strange, that this hath been the opinion of some men in all ages, since the Primitive time, even hitherto: for if the Prophecies be read with heed and observation, so much (in my understanding) lies open and very clear in them. But of this more hereafter.
CONSID. VII.
Now for the characters of the little Horn, the later Apostacie and Beast; this must be heeded: Look as the Scriptures set them down, so they must have all their full and due accomplishment: yea more; these Characters (at least most of them) cannot be applied to any persons or things, (without force to the Text) but onely to THAT little Horn, THAT Apostacie, and THAT Beast, which are to be in the three years and an half. Hence I may say, (though with much tenderness) some have very much wrested the Prophecies, in applying the Little Horn to this man and that man; the Apostacie to be meant of such persons, and the Beast to be understood so and so: the which applications in many particulars have no ways parallel'd. But there is no need of doing so: for when the three years and half come, there shall appear such a Little Horn, Apostacie, and [Page 17] Beast, as all the Scripture-characters shall fall in, altogether and every way with them.
CONSID. VIII.
Though we might finde out a littile Horn, characterized according to Daniel; but no Apostacie: or suppose an Apostacie, and a little Horn; but no Beast slaying the Witnesses: This could not be the three years and an half: for (I conceive) all three must be at one time, begin and end together. Not minding this, some have been mistaken, in taking the little Horn single and apart from the Apostacie and Beast; and would have him to be, many hundred years before the two later were in the world. Whereas to me, the one shall not be before nor after the other, but (as I said before) contemporize. Of this likewise I shall speak more, when I come to the particulars.
CONSID. IX.
But the great Question is: Seeing the period of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days shall be (as I think) in this way and manner made known, (viz. by a little Horn, an Apostacie, and Beast, appearing in the last three years and half) By whom and how will the Lord do it? This (methinks) is shewed in Daniel, chap. 12. 5, 6, 7, &c. Two are said to stand by the river, the one on this side of the bank, and the other on that side of the river. These two, I take to be Types: the one of the Gentile-Churches, the other of the Jews; to whom Jesus Christ (the Man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river) being ask'd of both (for the word one is not in the text) How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? the Gentile-type is answered first, vers. 7. It shall be for a time, times, and an half; and so referr'd to the three years and an half: as if he should say, What concerns [Page 19] you Gentiles as to the understanding of the Visions and Prophecies of this book, the words are sealed up for a time, times, and an half; and when that time shall come, namely, the last three years and an half of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years, I will put of my Spirit into some of my servants, (represented here by one of the two standing on the bank of the river) whereby they shall open this great mystery to the Churches of the Saints among the Gentiles. Fulfilling herein what is said in the Prophet, Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets, Amos 3. 7. As for the other, (carrying the type of the Jews) he hath his answer, vers. 11, 12.
Again, (I conceive) the Gentiletype in Daniel, is the same with Rev. 18. 1. that angel which cometh down from heaven having great power, and the earth was enlightned with his glory. If the order of things be duly observed, enlightning goes before [Page 20] the work: I say, before smi [...]ing the Image, and rendering vengeance upon Babylon. It is true, the followers of the Lamb are bid to reward her as she hath rewarded you, and double unto her double, &c. vers. 6. yet so, as to be enlightned first; the which enlightning must needs be understood (part at least) of the set and appointed time, when to begin to reward her.
That none of the seven last plagues are yet poured out, I have given some Reasons publikely.See a Book intituled Truth with Time. Now whereas unto John is shewed in the wilderness the judgement of the great whore, by one of the ange's which had the seven vials, Rev. 17. 1, 3. this may be gathered: That neer or about the time of the womans coming out of the wilderness, (John carrying the type of the Church in that present state) the destruction of Babylon (as to the set time) shall be made known unto some of the Lords faithful servants; by whom others shall have it revealed to them, and whom he will employ, [Page 21] to pour out vials of wrath upon the kingdom of the Beast.
CONSID. X.
The time being known, when the three years and half shall end; that which follows next (and immediately upon the expiration of the foresaid time) will be to do, what the Lord commands his sanctisied ones. Li [...]t ye a banner upon the high mountains, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that ye may go into the gates of the nobles, Isa. 13. 2. So Jer. 50. 2. Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish and conceal not, that Babylon is taken. The publishing of this war against Babylon, will be (I conceive) by the angels, Rev. 14. 6, 8, 9. and that voice from heaven, Rev. 18. 4. These shall gather the Saints together, Psal. 50. 5. the hundred fourty and four thousand, Rev. 14. 1. the called, chosen, and faithful, Rev. 17. 4. at their rendevouz to the Lamb on mount Sion, where the Lord of hosts will muster the host of [Page 22] Isa. 52 12. the battel, Isai. 13. 4. So that the Lords people shall not go forth in haste, nor conceal their work, or do things covertly; but come out in the light, and boldly, as Israel did out of Egypt. They shall have Gods presence so visibly and powerfully with them, that the enemies, through a dreadful fear, shall not know what to do for their own safety, nor how to oppose the work of God in the hands of his mighty ones. As it is said of Barak, Gideon, Samson, &c. that the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and in that Spirit they went forth, conquering and to conquer: so now, the time being, come, and known, the like Spirit will be in the Lambs followers, a faith to which all things are possible, And in this Spirit and faith (I believe) those who are now waiting for to see that day of the Son of man, shall rise up in the places where they are, and joyn together against Babylon and all her helpers.
Hence the present worldly powers may take notice, how plainly that [Page 23] Scripture is fulfilled upon them: THEY IMAGINE A VAIN THING, Psal. 2. 1. Ah poor wretches! ye do so indeed, in taking counsel against the fifth kingdom. For, 1. These men which are for that Kingdom, will not stir till the set time be come and known. Then 2. They will publikely proclaim war against Babylon, and say, The day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversie of Zion, is come. 3. As it is the Lords cause and work, so they are sure, whosoever resisteth shall be broken to pieces, and become as the chaff of the Summer-threshing-floor. Did not the first Monarchy fall before the second, so that before the third, so again the third before the fourth, when their times ended: and must not this fourth fall likewise before the fifth, in the appointed time? The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. But it seems they have no Gamaliel now in their Councels: I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this [Page 24] counsel▪ or this work, be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Acts. 5. 38, 39.
CONSID. XI.
Though I shall here but speak over, what hath been hinted before; yet because the Consideration is weighty, and much to our purpose, I will adde a little. Howsoever it be true, (as I am perswaded) that the Visions and Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning the period of the Beasts dominion, will not certainly be known till the three years and half begin, (and probably the greater part expir'd.) As Daniel knew not the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh, till the very year (or less) in which they were delivered: see Dan. 9. 1, 2. with Ezra 6. 1. nevertheless when this time comes, before it expires, the knowledge of it shall be given in to some, as they are seeking the Lord [Page 25] by fasting and prayer, and searching the Prophecies, 2 Chron. 20 13, 14. This appears,
First, by Dan. 12. 10. The wise shall understand. If the series and scope of the place be noted, two great Truths are there set down. 1. The holy Ghost speaks not of understanding in a large sense, but restrains it to a special and proper understanding; that is, they shall know the end of these wonders, vers. 6. As Noah knew the time when the sloud would come, (before it came) of which the world was ignorant: so the end of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days (before it is finished) shall be revealed to the wise: but none of the wicked shall understand. 2. The wise shall not understand this, till the time of the end: so much likewise is held forth in the place. The three years and half must begin: and to know that such a time is come, there will be a little Horn, an Apostacie, and Beast: whereby the wise shall have such understanding.
[Page 26] 2. That the time will be known, before the fourty and two months expire. I think so much is manifest, by comparing Dan. 12. 9. with Rev. 10. 6. The first tells us, that the words are to be opened at the time of the end: now this must be, before the fourty and two months are expired: for the other tells us, After that, there shall be time no longer. Besides, if the two texts be observed, they belong to one matter & time. The one saith, the opening of the Mystery of God is left to the three years and half: the other, that it shall be opened before that time goes out.
3. I finde, that one of the four living creatures gives unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, Rev. 15. 7. but these angels are not bid by him to pour them out; that is done afterwards, by a voice out of the temple, Rev. 16. 1. The giving of the vials (I conceive) is the opening of the mystery of them, as to the time when, and the work how to be done; & so to prepare [Page 27] the angels for the execution of the wrath: and all this before the end. But their call to it, seems to be after the fourty and two months are expired: He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. Psal. 111. 6.
CONSID. XII.
Seeing, according to the determinate purpose and counsel of God, to the little Horn, the later Apostacie, and Beast, three years and an half are allowed; this I would gather, as my own apprehension, That the Lord of hosts will not make his worm Jacob a new sharp threshinginstrument having teeth; nor Israel his battle-ax and weapons of war, with which he will thresh the mountains, and break in pieces Nations, destroy Kingdoms, &c. until the foresaid time, that is, the three years and half, are accomplished. The saws came not forth from Babylon, by the Proclamation of Cyrus, [Page 28] till the seventy years were fulfilled. Neither were their fathers before them, [...] brought ou [...] of Egypt, till the whole time was run out, which the Lord had foreappointed for their sojourning there: And it came to pass▪ (saith the text) at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, EVEN THE SAME DAY, it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt, Exod. 12. 41. So now, in the spirit of meekness be it spoken, it is not the Lord's minde (I verily think) that the Stone should be smiting the Image, or the little Horn, to take away his dominion, and to consume and destroy it, until the times, time, and dividing of time, be out; which by divine counsel they are to have.
Now whereas some may object that saying of Christ, For the elects sake these days shall be shortned, Matth. 24. 22. Mar. 13. 19, 20. as if this might be gathered from it, That the set▪time mentioned in Scripture, viz. [Page 29] the fourty and two months, and the three years and half, may be shortned, and so Gods people go forth before it be expired: I answer: There is (I conceive) a great mistake in the understanding of that place. For Christ speaks not of any shortning of the set and fixed time allowed the little Horn, or Babylon, or the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, or their lying slain: but the meaning is, There would be such calamities and miseries in the world, that unless the Lord should shorten the time, no flesh could be saved. But of what time speaks he? not of the fixed time; that is, he means not the one thousand two hundred and sixty days, or fourty and two months, or the three days and half: but speaks of Time largely; as if he should say, If the Lord should permit these calamities to continue many thousand generations, there would be a consumption and end of all mankinde: but for the love he bears to his chosen, he hath shortned the time: that is, in his holy counsel determined: [Page 30] the woman in the wilderness, and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth, shall not exceed such a time. So the little Horn, the Beast and Babylon, &c. So that by shortning the time, he means not any set time of years mentioned in Scripture; but shortned, that is, it shall not exceed the years so and so appointed.
CONSID. XIII.
But that I may not be mistaken in some things I said before; as first, Beginning at the head of the account: thus I would be understood. Howsoever (I think) it is very uncertain, to know exactly the period of the Beasts dominion, beginning at the head of the account; neither doth the Spirit of God intend to lead his people in such a way, viz. through the confusion and contradiction of humane Histories, to finde out CERTAINLY the time of the end; but in the way here mentioned. Notwithstanding, if it [Page 31] come to pass, that some good men, by their labours and studie (beginning at the head) do period their account with our three years and half, (or miss not much) the blessed truth by this is the more confirmed, and the Lords good hand and wonderful providence greatly seen in it. Again, heretofore, both others, and my self too, have sought to finde out the end of the Numbers, by searching the rise of the Beast; because then we understood no other way: and in that respect (following the light we had) the Lord no doubt was well pleased with our upright endeavours, yea and gave a blessing to it; witness the fruit and advantage which many precious souls in this Nation have had thereby. So that I am so far from seeking to have the blessed memory of our former Worthies any way darkned, as I profess in the fear of God, I judge my self to come short of many of them: and if any thing delivered by me, be clearer in respect of the time, it is because THE [Page 32] TIME OF THE END, is now neerer then when they wrote.
So for the Signes of the Times, I am for them (rightly improv'd) as much as any man: When these things begin to come to pass, then look up (saith Christ) and list up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. Luk. 21. 28. Indeed these Signes by Saints in all places ought much to be minded. Christ blamed the Jews, for their neglect of this thing, Matth. 16. 3. And I must confess, from the Signes of the times, I have had much light and encouragement in this present Undertaking. Onely my opinion is: To know when the set-time is come, for the Stone to begin to smite, and the last plagues to be poured out, we have no Scripture-light to be guided by, but the three years and a [...] half. And when this time is come, it will be as easie to know the beginning and ending of it, as to discern the Little Horn, the later Apostacie, and Beast.
CONSID. XIV.
To conclude with an humble and brotherly word [...]o all, in all places, who are for the Kingdom-work, and desire to follow the Truth in love and light: I have no designe (O ye precious ones) to weaken your hearts or hands, in the work of your Generation, and your appearing for your KING and mine; but rather to strengthen and encourage you, in whatsoever is from him and for him. These CONSIDER ATIONS▪ I shall leave with you, as a Manuduction to the other Part. All which gathered together, speak thus:
1. It seems to me, (as grounded on Scripture) until the three years and half begin, and are wellnigh expir'd, (which are the last of the one thousand two hundred and sixty years) Gods people will not understand the period of the Time.
Neither [...] may we say, that such a time is come, unless we see the [Page 34] Little Horn in Daniel, the Apostacie foretold of Paul, and the Beast slaying the Witnesses; all these must appear together, with all the Characters specified in the places, and contemporize.
3. When such a time is come, Saints shall certainly know it, before it doth expire.
4. By all the search and enquiry I have made, I do not see any way but this, to finde out the time of the End; if we take the Word of God for our light and guide.
5. Until these three years and half are finished, the rod of the Lords strength will not go out of Zion. So that to begin war against Babylon, or any of the Powers of this world, upon the account of the fifth kingdom, is not (I humbly conceive) to follow the Lamb, but to go before him: I say, if the aforesaid three years and an half be not come and ended.
Lastly, seeing we are not sent back to search the erring Histories of old times, and to enquire what was done many hundred years ago; [Page 35] it doth therefore behove all such, who are running to and fro, that knowledge may encrease; to STUDIE THE PRESENT TIME, whether the things which must be in the last three years and half, are already come, or not.