WHen I do reflect (loving friend!) upon the passages of Mr Come­niu'ss Letter, which hee write's unto you, when hee sent you this little Treatise upon the Reve­lation; and consider withal what God's waie is at present in the earth, both to­wards us, and other Nations, and what the Contents of, this book do intend to make out, unto those that read it with attention: I am much inclined to believ, that God doth intend some special advantage to his Church by the pub­lication thereof; and that it is an effect of his good Providence towards us, to have it put at this time into our hand. Therefore let mee dis­cours [Page 2] a little with you about it; thatThe occasion of this discours and the end thereof. not onely the desire of our common friend, who doth engage us to this publication of the Treatise, and the declaration of our Judgment con­cerning the same, may receiv som satisfaction, when wee shall have occasion to write unto him; but that others to whom this shall bee imparted, may have also occasion to laie the matter thereof more seriously to heart, then otherwise perhaps they would intend to do.

As for M^r Comeniu's Letter which doth give mee this opportunitie to discours with you upon this Subject, the words thereof concerning this matter are these.

My Son in Law hathGener [...]e [...] [...]e [...] duas Hehdomadas abfuit Wra­tislaviam missus & Bri­gam, nihil affert praeter terrores, per Pacem, quae derelictis, & à Pace ex­clusis nihil praeter novas Conscientiae carnificinas all [...]t [...]ra metuitur; & prodromi non absunt. Tractatus Germanicos (de Periodicis Apocalypticis ad finem decurrentibus) en communico tibi: faxit Deus ut haec nè pereant; neque in alienas veniant manus. Sed eâ lege ut Ju­dicium de his expromas. hujus enim eliciendi causâ nobis ista communicari voluit auto [...], ut quisquis legeret, judicet simul, & censuram addat. Audivi [...]de isto libello jam nuper veram esse Apocalypse [...]n Apocalypsin: & quod maximè solabitur (si rem acu tetigerit) quod à ter­mino tam propè absimus. Communica quaeso ve­stris; si quos Josephos Medes habetis; sed erit in vestratem linguam transferendum. been away these two weeks, beeing sent to Wa [...]saw, and to Brieg, hee bring's no news but ter­rors, by reason of the Peace, which is to bee feared will afford no­thing but new tortures to the consciences of those that are deserted by it, and excluded from it. Nor are the forerun­ners hereof wanting. Be­hold, here I impart unto you these Germane Trea­tises, concerning the Pe­riods [Page 3] of the Revelation­times, drawing to an end (God grant they may not bee lost, nor fall in­to other hands) but upon this condition, that you shall let us know your Judgment thereof; for to this effect, hee that is the autor of them caused them to bee communi­cated unto us, that who­ëver should read, should also judg and censure. I have heard a little while ago of this book, that it is the true Revelation of the Revelations; and that which will bee most comfortable (if hee hath hit right) is, that wee are so near the terme prefixed. I praie you communicate this to your men, if yet you have anie Joseph Medes amongst you; but it must first bee translated into English.

Thus much hee from Lissa in Poland, where most of the exiled Bateman's have had their re­sidence, since the time of their banishment. And in these words I take notice, not onely of the opinion which som among them have of this book in approving of it; and of the Autor's Modestie, and Ingenuitie who sent it to him; in concealing his own name, and submitting it to [Page 4] the censure of others, that by the communion of Saints the measure of light, which God hath gi­ven to everie one may becom serviceable unto all; but chiefly of the good hand of Provi­dence, reaching forth this Treatise unto them at this time: for it is a manifest de­monstrationObservation of the Provi­dence of God to caus this book to bee published at this time. of the Fatherlie care of God over them, to support their hearts in their approaching trials, that they may not faint under the burden thereof. It is a true saying of the Apostle, whereunto the ex­perience of all Saints, in all ages doth bear witness; That God is 1 Cor. 10. 13. faithful, who will not suffer us to bee tempted above what wee are able, but will with the temptation also make a waie to escape; that wee may bee able to bear it. And as this is a truth in God's waie towards particular Saints, in their several occasions; so wee may conclude, that in the universal dispensation of trials, towards the whole Bodie of his Church, his cours will not bee different, but altogether consonant unto this promise, that as the sufferings 2 Cor. 1. 5. of christ abound in the Church which is his Bodie; so the consolations of the church shall also abound in christ who is her head. So that if the trials whereunto particular Saints are put, shall bee found unto prais, and ho­nor, 1 Pet. 1. 7. and glorie at the appearing of Jesus Christ: far more shall this bee verified of the whole Congregation, and general assemblie [Page 5] of the Holie ones, whose names are written in Heaven.

I look then upon this book whichFor the sup­port of the Bo­hemian Ex­iles with comfort. doth open to the Bohemian exiled, and Germane Churches, the coun­sel of God foretold so long ago in the Revelation, and now shortly to bee accomplished; as a special cordial sent unto them from heaven, in their present affliction, and to support their hearts against the approaching visitation, wherewith God's Providence will farther visit those parts, before hee make an end of his work amongst them. And that it is now also at this juncture of time sent from thence un­to us, to mee it doth fignifie, that which is ve­ry considerable in several respects, which I shall briefly point at before I com to speak of the Treatise it self.

First then wee may observ fromFor several uses to us also. hence, that the same spirit who doth rais the exspectation of the Saints in these parts, doth also work the like thoughts elswhere: as it is observa­ble, that about the time of Christ's comming in the flesh, there was much waiting for the conso­lation of Israël, and looking for the Redemption of Jerusalem, as Luke doth intimate, chapter 22. vers 25. 33. So it is now worth our considera­tion, that there is more then an ordinarie look­ing out for the accomplishment of the promises, wherein the Revelation of 1. To confirm us in the exspectation of the fulfilling of the Apocalyptical promises. [Page 6] Jesus Christ hath caused us to hope. You know that som moneths ago, one came of pur­pose (as he said) out of Germanie, through the Low-Countries into this Citie, to make enquirie, whether anie were here, who did look after the fulfilling of the Revelation; his design by this enquirie was, that som ground of communica­tion, and good intelligence might bee entertein­ed amongst us, for the better understanding of God's waies, and the observation of his foot­steps, in working out his great work for the Churches; and to this effect hee left som books here with him whom you know, and since his return into the Low-Countries, hee hath by Letters promised a further communication with us, upon that Subject, in the name of his Col­legue. Thus wee have had a call both from Germanie, and Poland, to entertein these thoughts; is for the Low-Countries, you know that there are manie there, whose eies are opened to look this waie; and in France I know som (though­not so manie as elswhere,) whose heads are lifted up, becaus their deliverance is at hand. Not do wee Christians onely exspect shortly som great change of affairs, but even the Jews, al­most everie where, are also made sensible of the approaching change of their condition. So that seeing there is an universal concurrence of thoughts towards this object, wee may ratio­nally conclude, that the Lord is hastening to fi­nish his work in righteousness: and becaus it is apparent, that on all sides the enemie is about to [Page 7] lift himself up like a flood, wee may also see it herein manifest, that the Spirit of the Lord ac­cording to his promise, is preparingIsa. 59. 19. to lift up a Standard against him.

Secondly, this Call which is given to us from so far, doth signifie unto mee two things; First, somwhat of God's waie to accomplish his de­sign: Secondly, somwhat of our dutie in sub­ordination thereunto. God's waie2. To put us in minde of God's waie, by which hee will finish his work. to accomplish his design, accord­ing to the Scriptures, is, and will bee the communion of Saints in the mysterie of Godliness, when everie member acted by the same Spirit towards God, and each to other; shall draw from him, and supplie one to another; that which hee will give to everie one, for the edifying of the whole in love: and although they have not such an exact contrivance of correspondencie setled one with another, as the politick Jesuits have in their waie; yet the Spirit by which they are led, act­ing the same thing in them all, will make the effect of their counsels, and actings to corre­spond, without anie special contrivance of their own; that the work in the issue may appear to bee of God, and not of men: for Sion assoon as shee travelleth, nay, before shee▪ travelleth, and her pain come's: shee shall [...]ee delivered, and bring forth a Nation at once. Isa. 66. 7, 8. God by the Communion of Saints in one and the same spi­rit, shall do this, by his contrivance of his own [Page 8] waie amongst them; Nor shall anie gathering together of enemies (which shall not bee want­ing) nor anie violent attempts, or destructive weapons and endevors (which will bee set afoot) bee able to obstruct theIsa. 54. 15, 16, 17. effect of this communion which will bring the Bodie of Christ to to the stature of a perfect man.

Our dutie in subordination to this waie of God is cleerly this;3. To put us in minde of our dutie, in order to God's work. that wee should with all readiness of minde, applie our selvs to en­tertein all spiritual motions, tending to mutual and universal edificati­on: not onely by praiers, to strive for all the Saints; and with them to stand stedfast in the fight against all spiritual adversaries; but by counsel and endevors▪ as the occasion is offered to reciprocate with those that provoke us to love, and to good works, and to react with mu­tual zeal towards them by imparting unto them the Manifestations of the Spirit, and the fruits of all the grace which God hath bestowed up­on us; wee know not how much an occasional and small concurrence may do in God's waie, when hee is pleased to make it seasonable, and bless it; one single act of correspondence at an adventure, will do more to make his design effectual, then a whole years contrived and setled intelligence, and agencie of manie States­men for politick designments.

The third thing, which the sending of this [Page 9] book from Poland hither to bee translated, and the calling upon us to communicate our thoughts to them concerning it, doth signifie unto mee; is a warning unto us, as from the Spirit of God, to waken us from4. To warn us not to be [...] secure, but exspect a trial. securitie; and to move us to ex­spect, as those of Poland saie they do, both a further trial of our faith and patience, and also a gracious deliverance to follow thereupon, whereof wee shall partake, if wee hold fast the beginning and confidence of our hope, firm unto the end with joie. Wee know that no man shall bee crowned, but hee that first strive's lawfully; and that none shall reign with Christ, but hee that suffer's with him: as for mee, I cannot see that our warfare is yet, as som would have it (and to their own particular Station think it to bee) at an end; those upon that account having embraced the pleasures of brutishness, and sensualitie in this present world, have also made it a part of their happiness, to dethrone God and Christ in their ranting, and blasphemous Imagination: and so are justly given over unto a Reprobate minde; but as I have caus to griev at the dishonor which they do to God, and to the Holie pro­fession, and at the certaintie of their endless miserie under the notion of a present perfecti­on and felicitie; so I am awakened thereby to wait for the overflowing scourge, and the storm of Hail, which shall sweep away the re­fuge of such lies, and the flood of waters which [Page 10] shall drown the hiding places thereof. I am therefore inclined to exspect still before the times of refreshmentt (which shall com from the pre­sence of the Lord) the last assault of the pow­er of darkness, and of this world against the Saints; which shall bee of all other the heavi­est and fiercest; and this I am induced to be­liev from the Analogie, which is to bee be­tween the sufferings of Christ in the flesh; and the sufferings of his members, under the power of Antichrist, before hee com's to his end. Christ's last sufferings, immediately before his unchangeable state of glorie, were the great­est which befel unto him in all his life; nor was hee raised by the power of God, to sit at his right hand till hee was first laid in the grave: so must it also fare with his Bodie the Church, it must bee conformable to him in his death, as it shall bee in his resurrection; therefore the last conflict which it shall have with the Beast, shall bee the most grievous, and before it can bee raised to sit in glorie, it must in som sort bee triumphed over, and trampled upon by the world. Let us therefore not deceiv our selvs with carnal fancies, as the humor of those is, who feed greedily upon present enjoyment, and make themselvs drunk therewith; but beeing watchful and sober, let us take this call from our brethren, as a warning, to prepare to suffer with them, the last encounter of our and their enemies; and readily to communicate unto them, at their desire, the graces of the spirit, [Page 11] which are given to us to profit withal, that wee may bee all fitted for the comming of the bride­groom, and the wedding of the Lamb.

These observations upon the passages of Come­nius's letter in reference to this book, areupper­most in my thoughts, and obviously incident to the contemplation of our present condition; and of God's counsel manifested unto us in the Re­velation.

Now to speak somwhat of this Exposition of the ApocalypticalConcerning the Treatise ex­pounding the Revelation, what esteem is to bee had of it. Prophesie, I shall confess that it come's neerer to my sens, then anie which I remember, I have read upon that part of God's word: And to us I conceiv it ought to bee the more commendable, and of better acceptance, by how much it come's neer­er to that which God hath heretofore made known to our own men before others: for in effect I finde that it is an abridgment of our friend M^r Mede (now with God) his interpre­tation of the Revelation, with som additions confirming the truth thereof, and applying the same to the present State of affairs in Europe and in Asia, more closely, and circumstanti­ally then hee did, to shew the distinct events which are shortly to bee fulfilled; hee hath grounded all upon the Synchronisms which God directed M^r Mede to observ, which cer­tainly are demonstrable, and a true keie to the opening of the Mysterie; and hee hath taken [Page 12] from him all along the chief heads of interpre­tations, concerning the opening of the Seals, and the sounding of the Trumpets: but withal, hee hath somthing of his own, which is con­siderable, as a more special keie, which I have not found in others with so much perspicuitie, applyable to our present times: that which hee hath concurrent with Mr Mede ought to bee look't upon as the fruit of God's grace sprung up elswhere, from the seed which was sown here, whereat wee-should rejoice, as at a seal of approbation set unto the truth, which for­merly was attested, and that which hee hath peculiar of his own, as raised upon these grounds, and applyed circumstantially, to shew the time when Antichrist's prevailing power shall com to an end, should bee look't upon (as the Autor modestly desire's us to do) with judgment and discretion; to examine that which hee saith without prejudice and partialitie; for hee doth not arrogate unto himself anie infal­libilitie: but onely hath offered that which seemeth most likely to him to bee the minde of God in the Prophesie: whereof the truth will soon bee known, whether his conjecture bee right or no, becaus hee bring's the matter with­in the compass of five years to bee tried by the event; which is no long time of exspectation, and whether hee hath hit right in this or no, it can bee no prejudice to us, to take warning to bee readie alwaies; for wee are sure the time is not far: Let this bee to us, a crie made at [Page 13] midnight, behold the Bridgroom com­meth, Mat. 25. 6. go yee out to meet him.

As for the Mysteries themselvs, Concerning the interpeta­tion of Apoca­lyptical My­steries. which are conteined in the Apoca­lyptical visions; I have alwaies thought them to have a deeper sens then what most Interpreters have endevored to make out: nor have I ever been able to finde satisfaction in the attempts, which som (as Doctor Alabaster, and others of that strain) have made to laie open these Myste­ries: I confess Mr Mede, and upon his grounds, this unknown autor, hath made the visions in reference to the outward events in their seve­ral times, so plain, that I think no rational man can finde caus to contradict what they saie; but becaus the truth of this kinde of Interpreta­tion doth depend upon an exact knowledge of the Historie of the times, and the Chronologie of events, since the daies of Christ and his A­postles; and upon the knowledg of the Prophe­tical style, which doth express harmonically the form and constitution of the societies of man­kinde, in the civil and Ecclesiastical parts there­of; together with theIn respect of outward events, that to shew their fulfilling is not all which is inten led by the Spirit. Changes incident thereun­to, by the similitude of the parts, properties, and Changes which in their vi­sions to them appeared to fall out, in the outward Heavens and Earth, and Sea, and things conteined therein: there­fore [Page 14] the certaintie of that interpretation is not ob­vious to everie one; and although it might bee so fully made out, to bee an undoubted truth, that it should becom demonstrable to everie ordinarie capacitie; yet to my understanding, that would not exhaust the Mysterie, which the Spirit of God doth recommend unto us in the matter of the vision; for although a man should fully be­hev, and bee able demonstratively to prove the truth of the Accomplishment of all the events as this autor doth make them to mee verie pro­bable; yet hee might fall short of that spiritual understanding whereunto this promise is made Chapter 1. vers. 3. Blessed is hee that readeth, an [...] they that hear the words of this Prophesie, and keep those things which are written therein. I shall therefore saie, that there must bee a certain read­ing, and hearing of this Prophesie, which bring a blessednes with it, so that hee who read's and hear's in that kinde, is inabled to keep the things which are written therein: and as there is such a reading and hearing, so there must bee [...] sens, and an interpretation of that sens, which is able to fit a man for the keeping of the thing which are written therein: and if there must b [...] such an interpretation for that kinde of hearing then there must also bee a keie and Rule of in­terpretation answerable to that sens, which immediately subordinate unto the promise [...] blessedness; for that this bare Historical sens [...] the Accomplishment of the visions, is not tha [...] whereupon properly the promise of blessedne [...] [Page 15] is intailed is cleer, becaus a man may bee fully convicted of the truth of this, and believ it, and demonstrate it unto others; and yet him­self not keep the things which are written in this Prophesie: moreover, that reading and hear­ing whereunto the promise of a blessing is annex­ed, must needs bee proportionate to the capa­citie of all men, that make sincerely profession of Christianitie; but this reading and hearing, which is thus grounded upon the Historical and Chronological interpretation of the visions is not proportionate to the capacitie of all sincere professors; and therefore it cannot bee taken [...]or that reading and hearing whereunto the pro­mise of a blessing is annexed; and consequently there must bee som other interpretation found, which is immediately subordinate unto this ef­fect.

That which I am now intimating is this; that the Prophetical visions of the Revelation have a main matter of Mysterie in them, beyond what is here, or any where that I know by anie Interpreter directly insisted upon; for I con­ceiv, this which is here delivered to bee indeed a true opening of the Mystical vision, as to one part of it, which is the prediction of the Hi­storical events and Changes of things, which should befal unto the Government of the world­lie Empire, and to the visible State of the Church therein: but besides this part of the Mystical vision, which I call the Historical pre­signification of events; there is in the matter [Page 16] presignified, a deeper My­sterieBut that there is a manifestation of the Mysterie of the King­dom of Christ intend­ed thereby, above the Historical events. wrapt up, which re­quire's another keie to open it, then that which shew [...] the bare accomplishment [...] events; and this is the My­sterie of the Kingdom of Christ, in opposit [...] on to the Mysterie of Iniquitie; for this is main­ly to bee taken notice of in the events which a [...] foretold, and do fall out: now hee that read [...] and hear's, and keep's the things written in the Prophesie concerning this Mysterie, [...]hee [...] truly blessed indeed; but except wee can rea [...] and hear the sens of this Mysterie in it, I know not what advantage the knowledg of the Hi­storical Mysterie can bring to us further▪ the [...] to convict us, that the penman thereof wa [...] truly inspired by God when hee wrote it, becaus hee did truly foretel things to com, and that the warnings, threatnings, promises, pre­cepts, and doctrines conteined therein, deser [...] to bee heeded more, then the words of a bar [...] man. And truly, although I have much valu­ed the gift and studie of those that have se themselvs, to unfold by the observation of Hi­stories the Mystical presignification of events▪ yet I could never bring my spirit much to appli [...] it self to anie such search; becaus I found, that both in the beginning of this book, (in the place forementioned, chapter 1. vers 3.) and in the end thereof (chapter 22. vers 7. 14) the pro­mise of blessedness is made, to another kinde [Page 17] of studie then this; and the name and scope of the whole Prophesie, which is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and a record of the testimonie of Jesus Christ (chap. 1. vers 1, 2.) doth im­port to mee somthing more, then what is in the outward visible events; which everie ratio­nal man, who can read Histories, and under­stand Symbolical speeches, is able to take no­tice of, and discern to bee fulfilled as they were foretold: therefore although, to manifest the Truth of God, the events are very useful, if not necessarie, to bee look't after; yet I am cleer, that they are neither useful to us, nor necessarie to bee known, but as they are subordinate un­to this Mysterie of the Kingdom, and Testimo­nie of Christ; the knowledg and keeping of which doth give us a right unto the tree of life, and an entrie thorow the Gates into the Citie. This then is the Mysterie which I look after; viz. to finde the Manifestation of the spiritual Kingdom of Christ in the Nature of man, and in humane societies so advanced, that the works of the Devil are destroied therein; and that the salvation of Israël doth there by effectually com out of Sion, to bring back the captivitie of the people of the Lord; and to make the whole Creâtion partaker of the glorious libertie of the Sons of God; for to shew unto the eie of our Faith, by what means and waies this is to bee brought to pass in the Regenerate souls of men; and by the state of Regeneration in the outward societies and professions of believers; [Page 18] I conceiv the visions were mainly sent unto the Prophet; and that it was his principal aim, by describing of them, to declare this unto us; if then by the representation of bare outward events, wee are not made capable of partaking this Mysterie, whereby Christ beeing appre­hended in his testimonie, doth be­comColos. 1. 26, 27. in us the hope of glorie; all our discoveries will bee of no great advantage unto our happiness, nor shall wee reach the aim, which the Holie Ghost had i [...] sending this Prophesie unto us: wee must there­fore consider what the keie is, whereby the se­cret of that dispensation, which bring's with [...] felicitie doth stand, is opened. [...] And what the keie of that Mysterie is in general. shall now briefly (till God gran [...] a fitter opportunitie to bee larger) touch this matter onely, to let yo [...] know, that as the keie of the Hi­storical Mysterie of the visions is the discoverie of Paralel events by Syncronisms, and the understanding of the Symbolical speeches of the Scripture, wherein the harmonie between the great and little world is expressed: So the keie of the spiritual Mysterie of the visions must be [...] the discoverie of the paralel perfections, which are found to bee between Christ as the head and the Church as the BodieEphes. 1. 23. which is the fulness of him that fi [...] leth all in all; and the understanding of the harmonical properties of things visible, and in­visible, wherein the correspondencie between [Page 19] the outward and inward man; the temporarie and eternal natures of things; and the state of true life, as it is present in the first fruits, and as it is to com in the full harvest, are ex­pressed.

Now to finde these keies, as they are proper­ly fitted to open the locks of this Prophesie, as it should bee our studie; so when wee have found them, our care must bee to use them discreetly. This Prophesie is not shut in respect of the matter; but yet that matter is not obvious to the capacitie of everie one, in respect of the manner of the dispensation; for it is certain, that all the counsel of God, whereby wee are made partakers of the Divine nature; if weelook up­on the substance of the Truth, it is made mani­fest by the Gospel, without vail, and with much plainness of speech, as the Apo­stle saith, 2 Cor. 3. vers 6. till the And the prospe­ctive which may bee had thereof in the Apocalyptical dispensation. end of the chapter; but here the wonderful waie, and manner of dispensing of that nature to the Church; and working out the counsel of God in all the world; as this world is to bee made subordinate to Christ and his Saints; is laid open in the Apocalyptical visions, which, although they are not covered with anie vail, which doth hide the glorie of God's work, as Moses's face was: yet they represent it onely to us as in a glass with Images, wherein the face of Christ doth appear by waie of reflexion, and [Page 20] through a medium, till wee com to behold di­rectly his glorie, face to face, without á medium, and to apprehend him in it, so as wee are appre­hended by him; wee may not then call those visi­ons dark Mysteries, without injurie to the Spirit of Christ; but they are livelie figures of the truth of God's presence in his Saints, and over the world, to represent it to those that have eies to see it; and to help our weak eie-sight, which may bee dazled at the resplendencie of the glo­rie thereof; wee should make use of the prospe­ctive waies which are offered unto us in the word elswhere; which are applyable to these vi­sions, either as keies to unlock the dispensation of the Mysterie, conteined therein; or rather as directing and multiplying glasses, throug [...] which our understanding may bee led and enlarged to reflect upon the spiritual objects properly so called, which concern the state [...] the Kingdom, which is inwardly everlasting i [...] it self, and to the Reasonings of men, invisible▪ and incomprehensible.

Now the prospective waies to bee made use of, for the discoverie of this Mysterie are of two sorts; som relate unto the MatterWhich is of two sorts. it self, conteined in the visions; som to the dispensation of that mat­ter by waie of vision; the waies relating to the matter it self are the cleer, and universal Rules of Scriptural and Prophetical interpretation; and the waies relating to the dispensation of the Mysterie by waie of vision, are the special rules [Page 21] of Interpretation leading us to take notice of the peculiar characters and circumstances of each vision; as they are subordinate unto the Myste­rie of the Kingdom, which is administred by [...]esus Christ unto the end, and in the end of this world.

If I should enter upon these Subiects at large, you may perceiv that I would bee obliged to write, not a brief epistolical discours, as now my purpose is, but a whole Treatise: therefore I shall onely give you the summarie heads of that which might (and somtime must) bee more [...]argely spoken to: that, by the hints which shall (God willing) bee suggested, you may exer­ciseyour thoughts, to dive into the Mysterie by [...]our self, as the Lord shall guid you: for none of us can profit in these things any further then God's Spirit doth lead us forth, to meditate [...]hrough faith upon Christ; and to improve pra­ctically our talents about the work of the My­sterie of our union with him.

Thus then in reference to theThe Rules of Interpretation, relating to the Matter, as it is a scriptural Prophesie. matter, the universal Rules of Prophetical Interpretation are ge­nerally known to bee these.

The first, that wee must pro­phesie according to the Analogie of Faith. Rom. 12. v. 6.

The second, that wee must keep the form of sound words delivered in the Scriptures, 2. Tim. [...]. 13.

The third, that wee must analyse, that is, re­solv [Page 22] and divide the text aright, 2 Tim. 2. 15▪ an [...] to the effect that wee may bee able to do this according to the minde of the Holie Ghost, the Apostle Peter tel's us: 2 Petr. 1. 20. that we [...] must not make the Scriptures speak in a privat [...] [...] sens; that is, wee must not analyse and inter­pret them so, as if the Prophesies thereof did re­late onely to the particular occasions, and cir­cumstances of times, of places, and of persons in, by▪ and to whom they were at first uttered▪ and the ground why they may not bee so taken but must bee understood in a more publick, common, and general sens, is given by the Apostle vers 21. becaus saith hee, the Prophesie came [...] by the will of man; that is, it was not anie par­ticular chois, or inclination of humane reason­ing which brought forth the prophetical (that the scriptural) word, but they were moved by t [...] Holie Ghost, that is, the universal Spirit (who wisdom is above all private concernments; an [...] doth penetrate through all beeing from the center to the circumference) did put words in the mouth which they did utter, and therefore the words must bee understood as universally, an [...] abstractedly from particular concernments, [...] they were meant by the Spirit, who delivere [...] them unto the Prophets, as for instance; whe [...] a Law was given for oxen that did tread out th [...] Corn, that they should not bee muzzeled; t [...] Apostle tel's us, 1 Cor. 9. 9, 10. that the meaning of the Law-giver was not to take care fo [...] Oxen, but that this was said for man's sake: S [...] [Page 23] the Apostle, Gal. 4. vers 21. till the end, doth according to this Rule, interpret the Historie of the Son of the bondwoman, who was to bee cast out with her Son, who could not bee heir with the son of the free woman: and by this Rule, the dark speeches; I have called my son Mat. 2. 15. 23. out of Egypt, and hee shall bee cal­led a Nazareth, &c. will becom plain.

These Rules in their use areThe right use of these Rules. complicated, and becom one pro­spective of the sens, although their Notions bee thus distinguished; therefore in their applications to the Scriptures, if they do not go hand in hand together, wee shall never reach [...]he sens thereof, nor bee able to divide the word, according to the spiritual rationalitie thereof, [...]or to shew the division thereof demonstrably, either to our own, or other's just satisfaction; and truly the want of humilitie, and ingenuitie, [...]o seek after the full knowledg of these Rules; and the neglect of the right use of them, in the knowledg which wee have thereof: together with the presumptuous rashness and confidence, by which wee are hurried to determin all things, according to our own self-conceited notions and knowledg; which wee ambiti­ouslyThe evils attend­ing the non-ob­serving of them. strive with tooth and nail to maintein, is the caus of all our darkness and confusion in matters of Divinitie.

Here again, if I should enter upon this Sub­ject, to shew how a demonstrative scriptural [Page 24] Anaysis, by the spiritual use of right reason, i [...] atteinable, and will bee the onely waie, (nex [...] to the gracious and immediate illumination [...] the spirit, writing the Law in the hearts) t [...] compose our controversies, to end our needles [...] and sinful waies of disputing, and to banish o [...] of Christ's Church, the high conceit of our D [...] ▪ctoral school-Divinitie; if (I saie) I shoul [...] enter upon these thoughts, you see that not [...] Treatise onely, but a volume should bee written thereof to do it satisfactorily; but I am resolve [...] not to ingulf my self beyond the scope of this present discours, which tend's onely to point [...] matters, that you may bee stirred up, to thin [...] upon them by your self: therefore thus mu [...] shall suffice for the finding of the universal ke [...] of all prophetical Mysteries, as they are ratio­nally discoverable in the Scriptures; yet abov [...] this, though not without it, there is a neerer pro­spect to bee had of the Myster [...] That there is a neerer prospect of the Mysterie of the Kingdom to bee had, then by these Rules. Colos. 2. 3. in the Spirit, which without such a disquirie doth lead us there into. This neerer prospect is th [...] inward Testimonie of Jesus, i [...] whom as in the fountain are hid­den all the treasures of wisdom an [...] of knowledg, and who is to al [...] that believ in him the immediate1 Cor. 1. 24. wisdom and the power of God Therefore the Angel who brought the great visi­on of the Marriage of the LambRevel. 19. 10. unto John (who thereat was s [...] [Page 25] ravished that hee intended to have worshipped the Angel) put's him in minde (to take him off from giving him anie divine worship) that hee was no more but one of his equals, who had the Testimonie of Jesus; for (saith hee) the Te­stimonie of Jesus is the spirit of Prophesie. Such then as have this Testimonie dwelling in them, have this Spirit; and by this Spirit they may bee [...]ed (if God bee pleased so to carrie them) a [...]erer waie then this is, to see in Jesus himself the whole Mysterie, and to partake of it as from him, in the wisdom and power of God; yet this must bee noted, that although they should bee admitted to this neerer waie for som special [...]its; nevertheless they shall st [...]ll bee led so, as that their Testimonie must bee liable (in case of doubt proposed by others, or incident to them­selvs) to bee examined by theYet not so as not to bee liable to bee tried by these Rules. Testimonie of the Apostles; and [...]heir Spirit must bee subject to [...]ee tried not onely by the Spirit which was in the Apostles, Pro­phets and Evangelists. 1 John 1. 3. and chap. 4. 6. and John 17. 20 but by the spirit which is in their brethren the Prophets of these times, who have the testimonie of Jesus no less then they▪ [...] Cor. 14. 29, 30, 31, 32.

Here then to com neerer by the address of these Rules, to the prospect of the Mysterie of the Kingdom, as it is represented in the Revelation, let us make use of the keie which the Angel hath given us, which is that wee should observ in [Page 26] the peculiar circumstances of the matter, and scope thereof, and in all the characters of each manifestation; the special relation which they have to Jesus, to bear witness of him; for so much as each dispensation by it's peculiar Cha­racters, shall bee found to speak of this testimo­nie, so much it doth reveal unto us of the My­sterie of godliness. If then wee ought not to proceed without an eie to our fore-mentioned Rules (for although, as I have already hinted the testimonie of Jesus in our Spirit, is the Spi­rit of Prophesie, which may somtime in the en­lightned frame of a believing soul swallow up all the rational Acts of contemplation by a di­rect intuitive representation of the light of lif [...] in Christ; yet that Testimonie is neither in it self inconsistent with, nor in the orde [...]lie waie [...] declaring it unto others, to bee separated from the prospective of the Mysterie, which is attein­able by the Rules of scriptural Interpretation) [...] then (I saie) wee ought not to put these Rules ou [...] of our eie; then let us take up, and carrie along with us, as the ground of our faith, the Rule unto which, in our apprehension, all these Pro­phetical visions in theirWhat the grand princi­ple of our Faith is, con­cerning Christ, to which all the Interpretation of these visions must bee made proportionate. Mystical circumstances are to bee made proportio­nate, which is that Apo­stolical Testimonie of the Mysterie of Godliness▪ which hee cal's great and without all Controversie in 1 Tim. 3. 16. That [Page 27] God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spi­rit, seen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glorie: to these heads then of the knowledg of Christ, which in plain, proper, and significant words express the summe of all, that is to bee known of him; our sens of this whole Prophesie, and of all the parts thereof must bee proportionate; so that when wee look upon the visions, wee must cast our eie at the same time, to observ, how both in the whole, and parts that which is offered therein, is all along relative here­unto.

If therefore you will first look upon the whole in the bulk ofWhat to bee look't upon in the Prophesie, to finde the pro­portion it hath to that princi­ple. the matter, and scope of the Pro­phesie; and in the general con­texture, and tenor of the visi­ons thereof; you shall finde no­thing els mentioned therein; but what is directly tending to make out the heads of this mysterie of God in Christ▪ that hee may bee known more and more fully unto the world; till hee bee so fully revealed that all the earth shall bee filled with the know­ledg of his name, even as the waters that cover the Sea. For by the con [...]exture of the Apoca­lyptical visions it is not onely demonstrable, that this promise shall bee accomplished; but more­over, the waie how it shall bee brought about is plainly discoverable.

Now the Bulk of the matter and scope of everie [Page 28] book rationally written, may beeHow the mat­ter and scope of everie rational discours is to bee observed, and found out. gathered ordinarily from the Ti­tle, the Preface, the Conclusion, and the main heads of matters hand led therein, if their con­texture and coherence bee obser­ved with a respect unto their main scope. Let us then look briefly upon these things, in this book, to see what light they will afford us.

The Title tell's us, vers 1. that the book con­tein's a Revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ then is the subject-matter whereof it speak's; and to make him manifest is the scope of the book; for it is called a Revealing of him, and that this matter and scope may bee the more heeded; to this title of the book, three things are further added, who the Au­torConcerning the Title of the book, shewing the matter and scope thereof. of this Revelation of Christ is to what use it is given him: and by what means it is put forth to this use.

The autor of it is God, which [...] God gave him, which add's to the matter and scope an obligation of belief, upon a discoverie of divine properties to bee seen therein.

The use for which God gave it to Christ is; to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly com to pass, which is a neerer scope re­lating to us, as wee are obliged to respect the knowledg of the glorie of Christ.

The means by which the manifestation of [Page 29] Christ is put forth to this use are, that hee sent and signified it by his Angel unto his Servant John, by all which wee see, that here nothing [...]s aimed at, but the Mysterie of godlines spoken of by Paul, and our Salvation in partaking of the knowledg thereof.

Next to the Title the Preface is observable, it extend's from vers 2.Concerning the Preface shewing the same. till 8. and doth address the book, either generally to all, or particu­larly to the seven Churches. The general preface tell's us.

First, what John did in declaring this Reve­lation. viz. hee bare record of the word of God, and of the Testimonie of Jesus, and of the things which hee saw. vers 2. for the word of God brought with it to the ears of his minde, the Te­stimonie of Jesus; and that Testimonie was clothed, and represented to his eies by the things which hee saw: and of these as an ear and eie-witness of the Manifestation of Christ, hee did bear record.

Secondly, it tell's us of what use and Impor­tance this record of John is, to all that read, and hear, and keep the things declared therein; viz. it will make them blessed. v. 3. all which is again fully relative to the fore-mentioned Myste­rie of Godliness, and our Salvation thereby.

The particular Preface to the seven Churches, tell's us: that this book was peculiarly inscribed and sent unto them by John; in the name of the Father, of his seven Spirits, vers 4. and of Jesus Christ, who is described.

[Page 30]First, by the properties and effects of his comming into the flesh, which were to bee, First, the faithful Witness (viz. of the Father's wisdom▪ Truth, Power, and love.) Secondly, the fir [...] begotten of the dead, and Prince of the Kings of the earth (viz. by suffering and rising again▪ and receiving the Kingdom in that nature which suffered and rose again.) Thirdly, to shew his love to us, who loved us, by redeeming us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, v. 5▪ and by exalting us to a glorious estate; and ha [...] made us Kings and Priests unto God, and h [...] Father: for which wee are bound to give him glorie and prais; to him bee glorie and hon [...] for ever and ever. Amen. vers 6.

Secondly, hee is described by the propertie [...] and effects of his comming again from heave [...] to judgment, wherein hee shall manifest him­self as man to all men, even to those who ha [...] pierced him. vers 7. and as God blessed for ever and almightie. Vers 8.

Upon this Preface and address of the boo [...] (wherein wee see nothing but what is most ful­ly consonant to the fore-named Mysterie) dot [...] follow the Narrative of the visions from vers [...] of chap. 1. till vers 6. of chap. 22. 8. and thereup­on the conclusion of the book doth shut up the visions, declaring in chap. 22.

First, the certaintie [...] Concerning the Conclusion which doth speak still the same matter and scope. the things conteined there in, vers 6. with the im­portance and use thereof vers 7.

[Page 31]Secondly, the effect which the manifestation [...]hereof wrought upon John, viz. that it moved [...]im to such admiration, that hee was inclined to worship the Angel, vers 8. but that the Angel forbad him to do so, becaus hee acknowledged himself to bee nothing more then they who should keep the sayings of this book. v. 9.

Thirdly, the command which hee received, [...]ot to seal the Prophesies of this book, and the reasons wherefore, v. 10. till 16.

Fourthly, the Autoritie of this Prophesie is held forth in the conclusion.

• 1. By the Autor thereof who is Christ. vers 16.
• 2. By the Approbation of the intent thereof, which it hath from the Spirit, from the Bride, [...]om all believers, and from all that desire the good things promised therein. v. 17.
• 3. By the perfection thereof which is such, [...]at nothing may bee added to it, nor taken from it. vers 18, 19, 20, 21.

By all which wee see that the matter and scope of this Prophesie, as to the Bulk thereof, is none other, but to set forth the glorie of Christ, as manifested in the flesh, and justified in the Spi­rit; as seen of Angels, and preached unto the Gentiles, as believed on in the world, and ex­alted by the perfection of his Church, (which [...]ee filleth with his glorie) unto the fulness of glorie, both in himself, and in all his members. Wee conclude therefore, that the whole My­sterie of Godliness is intended here to bee ma­nifested [Page 32] in respect of the waie, by which it is t [...] bee carried on unto the end of the world, an [...] fully accomplished at the end thereof, by the de­struction of the enemies of that Kingdom, whi [...] hee erected in the nature of man, over t [...] whole Creation, by the renewing of all thin [...] for the elect's sake, to put them in full possess [...] thereof▪ as is promised, Revel▪ 21. 5, 6, 7. a [...] by uniting them to God for ever, Revelations 2 [...] 4, 5.

This beeing the full intent an [...] Concerning the parts of the matter, as they reach the main Scope. purpose of the Prophesie; let [...] now briefly look upon the hea [...] of matters handled therein, to [...] how suitable the particulars are [...] reach this main aim, and how the design is thereby made known to bee carrie [...] on.

The things handled in the Prophesie are o [...] three kinds, as they are in the first vision by Christ himself commanded t [...] The division of the book. bee written, chap. 1. vers 19 Write (saith hee) the thing which thou hast seen; and the things which are [...] and the things which shall bee hereafter.

The things which hee had seen are written [...] Chap. 1.

The things which then were, are written [...] chap. 2. and 3.

And the things which should bee afterward are from chap. 4. till chap. 22. vers 6.

The things which John saw in chap. 1. an [...] [Page 33] Christ's presence with his Churches, revealed in the first vision, whereof the properties shew him [...] bee

First the Mediator and High-PriestThe substance of the first vision. of the Churches, admini­ [...]ring the affairs thereof in things [...]etteining to God, by his walking in the midst of the golden Candlesticks.

Secondly▪ the King who hath all power to [...]upport the Rulers thereof; as holding the se­ [...]en Stars of the Churches in his right hand.

Thirdly, the Prophet of the Churches, who [...]ispenseth the word of God unto them, which [...]s a two-edged sword com's out of his mouth. [...]hap. 1. vers 12. till 17.

These are the chief properties of his presence re­ [...]ting to the Churches, which are heightned with [...]ther circumstantial perfections of his head, eies, [...]eet, and whole countenance, &c. and withal, there are other properties of glorie expressed, which relate to his person in himself considered; [...]y which hee is manifested to bee the first and [...]e last, hee that was dead and is alive, and living [...]r evermore, and having all power of hell and [...]ath. vers 11. 17, 18.

This vision then tend's cleerly, to set him [...]rth in his Mediatorie office by the properties of his inherent and relative glorie.

The things which then were, are the seven Churches under Christ'sWhat Christ's intent in the seven Epistles written to the Churches is, and how it is gathered from the matter and words of them. [Page 34] care and administration, which are set forth in the seven Epistles, which by Christ's ap­pointment and inditement are written unto them, in chap. 2. & 3. wherein I conceiv, th [...] under the Characters of perfection, and imper­fection given to the Churches, and under the threatnings and promises, together with the ad [...] monitions, reproofs, exhortations, and com­mandements annexed thereunto; all the de­grees, both of the defection from Grace, an [...] of the progress in Grace, which our nature [...] capable of; together with the changeable con­ditions, under which the Churches should bee till the Marriage of the Lamb com to pass, a [...] set forth. For if wee should call to minde the Rule of scriptural interpretation, heretofore mentioned; that no Prophesie is of private in­terpretation; it will appear from the words [...] the text, that these Epistles are by Christ in­tended, not onely to those particular Churches or to the Angels thereof alone, which a [...] named; but to all the Churches, which the [...] were elswhere in the world, and which should bee in all ages till his second comming; and t [...] all the men of any spiritual understanding that should hear thereof till the end of the world▪ Becaus it is not onely certain that Christ stil [...] hold's the seven Stars in his right hand, and walk's between the seven Candlesticks, and speak's unto them; but it is evident by the mat­ter of the promises, that they are universally ap­pliable unto all the professors, in all ages, who [Page 35] shall overcom, and bee faithful unto the end and the peculiar admonitions at the close of everie Epistle do intimate no less; for to my understanding these words, Hee that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; doth speak this much; that others, even all who ever should hear the tenor of these Epistles, ought to think themselvs spoken to, and concerned therein; although they should bee no visible members of these particular Churches. For what els can bee the meaning of that expression, hee that hath an ear; but that everie one should take that to himself which is [...]aid of and to these? And then if wee observ the expression to run in the plural number; what [...]he Spirit saith unto the Churches, this will make [...]t yet more manifest; that these seven are here [...]ut in stead of all: for no doubt the Spirit then spake effectually, and doth still speak to more Churches then to these: and therefore wee may conclude, that the things spoken off to them are taken as relative unto all, both men and Churches, not at that time onely, but at all times▪ so long as the seven Candlesticks should [...]ee on earth, and the Spirit hath a voice to speak [...]nto them; for to da [...]e if you will hear his voice, [...]ut of Psal. 95. was not onely meant for that [...]aie, but for this also, as the Apostle make's it [...]lain, Heb. 3. If then the narrow limits of this dis­cours would give mee leav; it might bee made out, that in the cases of these seven Stars and Churches as here they are described; all the va­rieties [Page 36] of the conditions of Professors, and all the fundamental defects of Church-societies, in all the Churches which have been since the Apo­stle's times, are set forth; and that in the pro­mises made unto them, all the degrees of perfe­ction atteinable in this life by single believers, or Societies, are expressed; but this would bee a matter of inlargement beyond my present pur­pose: I shall therefore leav it till another season; onely this may bee further observed as a transla­tion from this first to the secondThe difference of the first and second vi­sion. vision: that in the first, John saw the Administration of Christ's Kingdom, as then it was on earth: but in the following vision which begin's chapter 4th, hee is taken up from earth into Heaven, to see the administration of the Kingdom there also, and from thence how it should bee managed over the whole world for the Churche's sake in time to com: So that wee ought to take notice that the Manifestation of Christ, and in him the Mysterie of Godliness doth fill not onely the Churches on Earth, but the Church also in Heaven; and that God by him, as hee is in the Church, both in heaven and earth, doth govern the world for Christ's interest, towards the fulfilling of his own coun­sel; which tend's mainly to reveal the glorie of Christ over all, and the felicitie of those that partake with him in his glorie; as also by what means the world is subdued under him, and conquered by him for the good of his Church; [Page 37] for this is the issue of all, as in the close of this Prophesie doth appear by the coming down of the New Jerusalem from Heaven, and the making of all things new, to give unto the Saints their inheritance.

The second vision then doth shew distinctly four things.

First, what the frame and con­stitutionThe substance of the second vision. of the Church in Hea­ven is; How it is ordered round about the throne of God, and set in his presence that it should take notice of the passages of his glorie, to acknowledg and declare the same. chap. 4.

Secondly, what the administration of affairs in heaven, and Government of the Church is over the world; how the decrees and coun­sels of God, and by whom they are brought to an issue? Here it is shewed unto the Prophet; that the whole administration of the govern­ment is put into the hand, and upon the shoulder of Jesus Christ alone; who by the Sacrifice of himself, as of a lamb without spot, did merito­ously purchase to himself this honor; and by his seven eies of wisdom, and seven horns of al­mightie power, is alone able to discharge so great a Trust, as to open all the Seals of God's decrees in their due times and seasons, concern­ing the government of the whole world for the good of his Church. chap. 5.

Thirdly, what changes are brought forth in the affairs of the world, and what the condi­tion [Page 38] of the Church and Saints is therein; by the opening of six of the Seals, where is shew­ed, how after the preaching of the Gospel through the world; great troubles and terrible wars arise in the earth amongst men: in which the witnesses of Christ are slain, and lie as sa­crifices at his Altar; but they are comforted with the hope of just vengeance to bee exe­cuted upon the earth for their sakes after a sea­son; and the enemies of Christianitie are ter­rified at the beginning of the execution of Christ's wrath against them. chap. 6. And lest the Judgments which were to bee executed against the enemies, should take hold of the friends of Christ; there is a careful Provision made for the preservation of these from danger, and the Hopes of future glorie are assured un­to them by the first fruits thereof. chap. 7.

Fourthly, what the destruction is which at the opening of the seventh Seal is brought upon the world; and what the glorie and settlement is, which is brought unto the Church of Saints therein: for the seventh Seal doth contein, and produce all what ever doth follow till the end of the Revelation. Here then seven Angels with seven Trumpets, are appointed to sound and declare the Judgments of God over the Earth, which accordingly are executed, where the four first trumpets are remarkably distin­guished from the three last; becaus to the last three, a warning of great wo is promised by an Angel over the inhabitants of the Earth. As [Page 39] or the four first; they all tend to deprive the world of the third part of the Creatures, which are great comforts to the life of mankinde; as of trees the third part, and of all green grass, which in proportion may bee the third part of [...]esser plants; the third part of the Sea, and of Creatures living therein, and of the ships that sail t [...]ereon; the third part of the Rivers and [...]ountains of waters; and the third part of the [...]un, Moon, and Stars, and of the light of the [...]aie and night: where wee may take notice of a [...]radual progress from the lesser to the greater [...]udgments, from earth rising up to heaven: and from the effects to the causes. Chap. 8. As for [...]he woes, the first of them by Locusts is a tor­ [...]enting judgment; not putting men to death, out vexing them: so that they should seek death and not finde it: and the second of them by hors­ [...]en is a destroying judgment, by which the third part of men on earth are cut off. Chap. 9.

Thus then by the second vision is shewed what in heaven is sealed in the hand of God, and what from thence is published to all the world; by the progress of the Gospel; by the sufferings of the Saints and their comforts; and by the Judgments befalling to the world for their hatred to the Gospel: for their Idolatrie, and for their other sins of Murder, witchcraft, fornication and theft: of which they repented not: and therefore the third wo is to bee brought upon them, when the seventh Angel shall sound: for at the time of his sounding, [Page 40] there shall bee no time of forbearance of anie more; but the full mysterie, both of wrath against the wicked, and of Mercie to the god­lie, shall bee fulfilled towards the world, and towards the Church, both in heaven and earth.

Here then to shew this theConcerning the third vision. third and last vision is given to the Prophet; which hee again re­ceiveth on earth by the hand of the mightie An­gel, which come's from heaven with the open book; and stand's both upon the Sea, and upon the earth where I observ

First for a Translation from the two former to this last vision; that as there are but three substantial differences of thingsAnd wherefore the whole Book is to bee reduced to three visions. revealed to the Prophet: so there are but three substantial diversi­ties of places mentioned, where they are revealed, and three main changes in the frame of his Spirit in receiv­ing them. The first substantial matter of vision is Christ's administration of his offices on earth amongst his Churches. The second is his ad­ministration of his offices in Heaven, over all the world, to propagate and preserv his Church. And the third is his administration both in Hea­ven and earth, to make an end of all wickedness in the world, and to perfect the glorie and hap­piness of his Church; each of these matters are shewed to the Prophet, in the places where they were chiefly to bee translated; for to leav the [Page 41] sight of the first hee was on earth, as amongst men: at the sight of the second, hee was in Heaven, as in the presence of God, and of the Saints perfected, and of Angels. At the sight of the third hee is on earth again; but so, as communicating still with Heaven, and look­ing into it back again, as one com down from thence, and having still a relation to it. The frames of his spirit appear to mee diversified su­tably unto these matters and places. For in the first vision hee is meerly passive, as a dead man to bee quickned. In the second hee is Actively passive (as I may so say) that is, as one concern­ed in the businesses, which are transacted: hee is an inquisitive observer of the passages thereof. And in the third hee is effectually emploied as a coagent, to help to fulfil the Mysterie of God by the spirit of Prophesie: and in each of these Manifestations Christ is represented to him, su­tably to the administration which is revealed. In the first as a Man in dealing with men; in the second, as a Lamb offered up to God in deal­ing with God; and in the third, as a mightie Angel, in dealing with Satan and his Angels, and with the powers of darkness in the world.

Secondly, for the opening of the matter of this vision, I observ,And what the summe of the third vision is. that the summe of all is, to shew when and how the Mysterie of God, which hee bath spoken by the Prophets should bee finished; and to shew [Page 42] this. First two means are used to lead John to the knowledg thereof: then secondly, the thing it self is summarily related, by word of mouth un­to him, and afterward thirdly it is represented in several visions. The means leading to the know­ledg of the finishing of the Mysterie, are two. First, an open little Book inable's him to pro­phesie. Chap. 10. Secondly, a Reed given him like unto a Rod, to measure the Temple, the Al­tar and those that worship therein.

The summarie relation of the whole business by word of mouth, doth concern the time of the treading of the utter court under foot, the power of prophesing given to the two Wit­nesses during that time; the war which the Beast shall make with them while's they pro­phesie, and the issue of that war set forth in the circumstances of their death and resurrection; and that which immediately doth follow there­upon, both in earth and in Heaven. In earth, there was an earthquake which made the tenth part of the Citie to fall, and killed seven thou­sand men, and frighted the rest. The second wo doth pass; and the seventh Angel doth sound his Trumpet. In Heaven there is great joie and and thanksgiving offered unto God, becaus hee hath taken the Kingdom to himself, and doth reign over the Kingdoms of the world, to give rewards unto his servants. chap. 11.

Hitherto the whole Series of matters concern­ing the Mysterie of God, hath been related in plain terms; to shew the things by which it [Page 43] should bee accomplished: now followeth the description of the visions; by which the parti­culars of the things summarily mentioned in this Narrative are more at large reveled: whereby the Prophet is made to understand concerning the Mysterie of God (which is, Christ in the church. Ephes. 5. 32. or which is all one, Christ [...] us the hope of glorie. Colos. 1. 27.) what the state of the Church was in Hea­ [...]en at that time; and what itThe visions showing the fulfilling of the Mysterie of God have a re [...]pect to four times. should afterward bee on earth, during the time of the Churche's abode in the Wilderness; during the time of her comming out of the wilderness; and during the [...]me of her Reign over the earth, as the Spous of the Lamb with her bride­groom.

At that time the temple of God1. Before the Church fli's into the Wilder­ness. in Heaven beeing opened, and the Ark of the Testament therein bee­ing seen; the Church as thee was constituted by the Apostles appeared, and brought forth a Man-child, against whom the Dragon did set himself to de­vour it; but the child was to bee caught up to Heaven; and the Dragon to bee cast out of Heaven upon the earth; where hee set's himself to persecute the woman which fled into the Wilderness, and to make war with the remnant of her seed. chap. 12.

During the time of the Churche's abode in the [Page 44] Wilderness the mysterie of iniqui­tie2. Whiles shee is in the wildernes. is set up, and come's to it's perfection in the earth, & God send's his judgments upon it when it is com to it's height. c. 13 till 19

This Mysterie of Iniquitie had two parts; the Mysterie of the Beast, and the Mysterie of theThe Mysterie of iniquitie ap­pears, which hath two parts. One of the Beast, another of the Whore. Woman riding upon the Beast The Mysterie of the Beast ruling over the earth, is seen in on [...] Beast coming out of the Sea wi [...] ten horns; and another coming out of the earth with two horns Chap. 13. during the time of the rising and reigning of these Beasts over the earth, the state [...] the Church upon Mount Sion, and God's administrations for the knowled [...] of his will thereby unto theAnd the State of the Church, though in the Wilder­ness, yet also upon Sion, ap­pear's in like manner. world; concerning the everlasting Gospel concerning the future fall of Babylon; and concerning the punishment of those that ad­here unto the Beast; and for the waie of gathering up the harve [...] and vintage of the earth; are revealed. chap. 14.The Judg­ments of God in his last wrath is poured out upon the Beast.

God's Judgments upon the Beast are poured out in the Phia [...] of his last wrath, whereunto seven Angels are appointed, and prepared. Chap. 15. and commanded to put the Judgments in executionChap. 16.

[Page 45]The Mysterie of the Whore ofAnd the My­sterie of the Whore and her judgment ap­pear's also. Babylon riding upon the Beast, is shewed to the Prophet. chap. 17. and the Judgment which befal­ [...]eth unto her, for her destruction is described chap. 18.

The state of the Church in her comming out of the Wilderness, is described in3. Whiles shee is coming out of the Wilderness. the congratulatorie acclamations, given to God in Heaven at the destruction of Babylon, and at the preparations of the wife of the Lamb for the Marriage-Supper, and in the war which the Armies of Heaven under Christ's conduct do make against the Beast, the fals Prophet, and the Kings of the Earth. For by this means the power of all her adversaries beeing destroied, shee is fitted to appear visibly upon the stage of the world. Chap. 19.

The state of the Church dur­ing4. After that shee is com out of the Wilder­ness, during the time of her Reign with Christ. her Reign with Christ on earth, is before the last Judgment a thousand years; and after the universal Resurrection, both in Heaven and earth, for ever and ever. Chap. 20. 21. and 22. till vers 6.

Thus wee see the contexture and coherence of the matter and parts of the whole Book: if [...]hen wee should consider how these particulars relate unto the main scope of the Prophesie, which is to reveal Jesus Christ unto us, in the [Page 46] Mysterie of his Kingdom, wee see that everiething is most directly subordinate thereunto, and that the whole doth most completely reach a full discoverie of the accomplishment of the Myste­rie, whereof the brief summe is this.

That the professors of the nameThe brief summe of the whole Mysterie of God, as set [...]orth in the two last visions of the Rev [...]l [...]tion. of Jesus Christ; by their sufferings for his sake; by their testi­monie of him in opposition to the Dragon, to the Beasts, and to the Whore; by the Judgment [...] of God against all these, to de­stroie their power, by the wa [...] of the Saints against them, by the setling of the Kingdom of Christ in the hands of his Saints and by the Manifestation of the Glorie of the heavenlie Jerusalem, comming unto them from Heaven to earth, whereinto the Kings of the earth shall bring their glorie; shall get the full victorie over the world, and with the purchase of the Inheritance of all things in the New Heavens, and the New earth; they shall have the enjoiment of the presence of God for ever. In all which at this time, as to our present con­dition the opposition which the Beast hath to the Lamb; the fals Prophet to the two Witnesses, and the Whore to the Bride;And the things which, at pre­sent are most considerable therein, which are and the manner of their warfare is most considerable: for in the opposite properties of their Na­tures and waies, the Mysteries of Iniquitie and of Godliness are [Page 47] most completely revealed; and by the manner of the war which is between them, and the issue thereof; the state and relation wherein our inward man doth stand, as to either of the My­steries, will bee seen: that wee may not onely know what partly to chuse in this quarrel, but also what to judg of the advancement of the partie wherein wee are found, towards the at­teinment of the Hope which is set before us in the Kingdom of Christ.

These things are worth a larger discours and discoverie; then my design is at this time to be­stow upon them: but in reference to what hath been said already; and to that which is the scope of the following Treatise somthing is fit [...]o bee added, though but very briefly, to give [...]ou matter of further thoughts.

If it bee expedient then for us to take notice of the Mysterie of Iniquitie, and of Godliness as they are now working; and have been long [...]go wresling against one another in the publick transactions of this present world; wee must [...]ook out for the Beast to finde him by the Pro­perties of his Nature, and by the effects of the Government which hee hath exercised, and [...]oth exercise upon the Earth; and for the Lamb [...]o finde him by the same Characters.

The Beastlie nature of the lifeThe discoverie of the Beast. [...]f man, is that which the Dra­ [...]on doth exalt, and impower with all his might, as his vice-gerent, to have Dominion over the Inhabitants of the Earth; [Page 48] for by this nature hee can onely have access now to us, and power over us: seeing hee is cast out of our heavenlie places, and overcom there in our nature, by the blood of the Lamb. The general properties of this brutish nature are these. First▪ to bee led without reason by mee [...] [...]ens. Secondly▪ to satisfie the sensual imaginati­ons and lusts of the flesh; and thirdly, to do all things by a Brutish and bodilie violence and force, rather then in a friendlie and amiable waie; And fourthly, in case of opposition, to destroie without mercie all that stand's in the waie of his will. Hence it is that in the 13^th of the Revelation, this beastlie nature is said, to bee like a Leopard full of spots, swift and cruel; to have the feet of a Bear; which grasp's both with the hindermost and formost legs and claws, and to have the mouth of a Lion, to tea [...] and devour. The Government which this na­ture doth affect is absolute, to have all in sub­jection to it's will, without anie other Rule o [...] Law. So that it ruleth over others, as men u [...] to rule over beasts, guiding them by meer sen­sual and imaginarie inducements which relate nothing to the will of God at all.

If then the Governors of a people make us [...] of their power, to satisfie the inclinations [...] flesh and blood, in fulfilling their lusts and sen­sual affections, without anie due respect unto the end of their place: but seek by meer force to make their will a Law to their Subjects, by bringing them to an absolute Subjection, tha [...] [Page 49] they may suffer themselvs to bee ruled, as beasts [...]se to bee ruled by men; who beeing ignorant [...]f the designs of men, are led onely by sensu­ [...] objects of pleasure and of terror: if (I saie) [...]ie Governors have this aim, and follow the [...]aies, by which this kinde of greatness over others may bee established; they ought to take [...]otice of themselvs, and others may observ it so of them, that they are none other but the [...]ragon's Vice-gerents on earth, and that they [...]le in his name, and in his waie over the [...]ns of men. Now how manie Potentates have [...]therto in all the Nations of the Earth, in­ [...]nded to rule over their Subjects in another [...]aie, I confess I am not able to relate. But [...]ow manie have apparently studied to bee abso­lute over their Subjects, as over beasts, and cases of opposition have shewed themselvs Leopards, Bears, and Lions against [...]em; and have made these properties of their [...]aie, their glorie; is so apparent, that I shall [...]ed to saie no more of it; but shall leav it un­ [...] your thoughts.

But the Lamb-like nature of [...]e life of man; and the waie ofThe discoverīe of the Lamb. [...]e Government which is su­ [...]ble thereunto, is that which Christ as a spiritual man doth exalt in the so­ [...]eties of mankinde. The properties of a Lamb [...]ay bee seen in the relation which it hath to [...]her beasts, to the creatures of it's own kinde, [Page 50] and chiefly to mankinde. In respect of other Creatures it is most meek, and most harmless the horns which they have are not for offen [...] but for defence, in respect of their own kinde they are most fit to live in a societie. For if the [...] bee alone, they are lost, and becom a prey [...] other beasts. In respect of man, the Lam [...] or sheep is the most useful, and most serviceable creature of anie other; for they both fe [...] him and cloth him; and that without muc [...] trouble unto him. As for the waie of Government which is sutable to the nature of the Lamb; wee see that it is none other, wh [...] they are without a Shepherd; but the Imitation of example; that when one goeth before then all the rest do follow: and if they have [...] Shepherd, they follow him, and take notice [...] his voice, to distinguish it from the voice of [...] stranger. If then the Governors who are ove [...] the Flock of Christ have not these properties in the waie of ruling the Common-wealth o [...] Israël; that is, if they are not eminent for meekness, and harmlesness towards all men making use of their horns, and power onely for defence and not for offence; if they are no [...] sociable, and by condescension of spirit hum­bly equal to those that belong to their societie [...] but seek to keep themselvs high, and at a di­stance, and solitarie from others; and if they are not willing to give themselvs up, both their wool and their substance, for the service [Page 51] [...] mankinde; they are not Christian Magi­strates, nor they rule over their Subjects, as Christ's Vice-gerents, or in his name and waie▪ [...]r hee as the first Lamb of the Flock, in his [...]ecedencie did never carrie himself other­wise, then thus before the Flock, to oblige all follow him, but chiefly they who professing [...]s name, are in the formost rank before o­ [...]ers to lead them, ought to follow him [...]osest.

If now wee should compare these two My­ [...]ries together in their opposition to each o­ [...]er, wee may observ that as Leopards, Bears, [...]d Lions live not in Flocks and societies, as [...]mbs do, but alone by themselvs; so it is [...]th Potentates and Monarchs. Imperium non [...]itur duos. Caesárve priorem, [...]mpeiúsve parem ferre nequit. The comparison of the Govern­ment of the and of the Lamb. Leopards, Bears, and Lions live preying and devouring other [...]eaker Creatures, wherein they [...]e the embleme of the Tyrannie Monarchs, and wee see that most of them [...]ere these Creatures as the glorie of their scutch­ [...]s: but Lambs and sheep living in flocks strengthen each other, represent the equali­ [...] of a Common-wealth, and the waie of it's [...]ength. Leopards, Bears, and Lions need protection, nor can they bee ruled but by a [...]son; becaus they make themselvs formida­ [...] unto all other Creatures; but sheep and [Page 52] Lambs are a prey to all other Creatures, ex­cept they bee protected by a Shepherd, and kept in folds, which doth represent that Chri­stian Common-wealths, except they bee pro­tected by an higher power then their own▪ which is as far above the nature of man, as man's na­ture is above sheep and Lambs; they cann [...] bee in safetie. The dependencie then of shee [...] upon their Shepherd is an embleme of the [...] of Faith; but the absoluteness of power, [...] wilde Beasts, to trust to their own strength, the embleme of the greatness of Potentates and such as betake themselvs to stand by the [...] own sufficiencie, in reference to Man, the [...] wilde beasts can never bee brought to do hi [...] anie service; but prey upon him, and devo [...] his substance; but sheep and Lambs are t [...] support of his life, and are without resistan [...] slaughtered and sacrificed for his good, which is the embleme of self-denial, wherein Jes [...] Christ the chief Shepherd of the flock is go [...] before all the Governors of the Comm [...] wealth of Israël; to shew them that th [...] ought to give up themselvs as a sacrifice for [...] publick good of their Flocks. Lastly, it is [...] beast's waie of Government to enforce obe­dience by violence; but it is said of the La [...] upon Mount Sion that his Flock of 14400 [...] Lambs did follow him whether soëver [...] went; to shew that the Vice-gerents of Christ which are appointed to rule his people in [...] [Page 53] name; go before their brethren in the waie of [...]ighteousness, and such as are true Christi­ans indeed, follow them out of a loving inclina­tion; and this is the best waie of Government [...]at can bee settled amongst men; namely to [...]ing all to imitate Christ Jesus on all sides, [...]th they that bear rule, and they that are [...]led. Now how far our Rulers are bent this [...]aie, I shall refer it to their own conscience consider; and how far their Subjects set themselvs through love, to follow that where­ [...] they go before them in righteousness: I all not need to mention; but I may take a woful lamentation; that som who [...]ght most to encourage their fellow-Subjects this dutie; are most avers from it themselvs, [...]d disaffect others from it. But I shall not [...]sist further upon this mysterie of Iniquitie, is shall briefly suffice for the opening thereof this time.

The second thing which I proposed to touch, as the mysterie of the fals Prophet, and of [...]e two Witnesses, and hereof briefly thus. The fals Prophet his work isThe discoverīe of the fals Pro­phet. uphold and to advance the in­ [...]rest of the power, and the ab­ [...]luteness of the beastlie Go­vernment, and to bring all men to bee in objection thereunto, the means which hee [...]eth to effect this is two-fold; the one is a [...]ceitfulness of persuasion, and bewitching [Page 54] of the Imaginations of ignorant men by lyin [...] miracles, to make them believ, that in th [...] beast there is a Divinitie, and that his image ought to bee worshipped; the other is a coë [...] ­cive power of punishment to bee inflicted [...] the fals Prophet's procurement upon all th [...] who do not subject themselvs unto the beast either by waie of Adoration, to fall down be­fore this Image; or by waie of receiving as [...] token of subjection the mark, the name or the number of the name of the beast namely, that such as should not worship [...] Image should bee killed; and such as should neither take his marke, nor his name, nor [...] number of his name upon them, should ha [...] no libertie of commerce; and to prosec [...] these designs, is the whole emploiment of th [...] fals Prophet; which that wee may the be [...] ­ter understand, let us consider the particulars.

The Image of the Beast which is to b [...] worshipped, I take it to bee that absolute great­ness which the second Beast doth attribu [...] unto himself, and doth exercise over the Sub­jects of the first Beast in his presence; for the text saith, that hee exerciseth all the power the first beast before him, chapter 13. vers [...] that is, hee doth set up a waie of Government as absolute, as that of the first Beasts, is [...] conformitie thereunto, to establish it, and h [...] had power to give life unto the Image of the Bea [...] [Page 55] [...]s the text saith, vers 15. which I understand thus; that the second Beast had power given him, by the first Beast's permission; to give [...]fe to the Image of his absoluteness, and to the [...]xercising of his power in the hand of the second Beast; and to make it both speak, and [...]us all to bee killed that should not worship his image, to make the Image speak, is to make is power give sentence of death; and to cau­ [...]ll to bee killed, is to see that sentence exe­ [...]uted against all such as should not acknow­ledg the Autoritie, form of Government, and [...]aws and Canons of his making to bee di­ [...]ne sanctions. For the Canon-Laws are made [...] imitation of the civil Jurisdiction, and in their kinde of a like power, or the same with [...]at of the first Beast, the one relating to the Civil, the other to the Ecclesiastical State. By the mark of the Beast, I understand the [...]rationalitie of obedience, and brutalitie of those that subject themselvs blindfold in all things, without respect to Conscience, or the knowledg of anie rule in order to God's will; [...]uch then who by a blinde submission through [...]orldlie and sensual motives subject them­selvs as Beasts use to do, to those that ride upon them; and are led wheresoëver their ri­ders will drive them, have the mark of the Beast upon their spirits▪ and if they make open profession of this kinde of blinde obedi­ence to bee their dutie, they take the mark of [Page 56] the Beast in their forehead; but if they pra­ctise it as hirelings for a reward, they take the mark of the beast in their hand.

By the name of the Beast I understand, the names which for distinction's sake, the fals Prophets everie where take unto themselvs, that they may thereby set up themselvs to bee followed, and owned by their Diseiples; which how this is practised▪ no man can bee ignorant of.

And by the number of the beast's name, I un­derstand the partialitie of reckoning, and in­equalitie of account, which the fals Prophets oblige their followers to make of men, in or­to their parties; for according to the relation which men are thought to have to this, or that faction and pattie; so they are esteemed of, more or less, for that name's sake where­by they are characterized, and under which they are numbered; nay, in these our unchri­stian fractions, by the zelots of parties it is reckoned upon, as a Dutie; not to account of anie man (let his worth bee otherwise what it will) further then as hee doth own them, and the name of their partie; and this I sup­pose amongst manie other things, included in the number 666. may bee represented there­in, in respect that this number is nothing els, but a threefold repetition of it self in units, in tenths and in hundreds: and cannot bee mul­tiplied by anie square root without a fracti­on; [Page 57] and in it self six is but the half of twelv, which is the number of the Tribes of Israël; but upon these numerical Mysteries I love not to stand I shall therefore conclude with this one word; that all, who pretend to have a mission from the Lamb, and think them­selvs his true Prophets; should do well to ex­amine by these characters the ground where­upon they stand, and the waies wherein they walk, lest they mistake themselvs in their account of themselvs and bee found in the end the Prophets of the Beast, and not of Christ.

As for the two Witnesses,The discoverie of the two witnesses. they are set forth as opposites unto the Beast, for it is said, that the Beast doth make war with them. Chap. II. 7. their Character is, that they prophesie in Sackcloth as mourners, that their design is nothing els, but to bear witness unto Christ, by the manifestation of the Truth without humane Interests; and consequently, that they studie not by out­ward means, to set up themselvs, or gain fol­lowers who should bee in subjection to them, and under their spiritual jurisdiction; nor do they applie themselvs to the fancies of their hearers, to work som strange impressions upon them, by raising them to the admiration of their Notions, of their Eloquence or parts; but speaking the plain truth in love; a word of fire to melt the Conscience of sinners doth go [Page 58] out of their mouth, which doth slaie the wicked spirits, who set themselvs against them, and according to their word, the Heavens are shut up in the daies of their Prophesie from sending anie shewers of blessings upon men's souls; and the earthlie and outward estate of men is smitten with all manner of plagues, for not receiving the word of their testimonie, as Egypt was by Moses and Aaron. These two Witnesses are said to bee the two Olive trees, and anointed ones, who stand before the God of all the Earth, Chapter II. vers 4. which beeing compared with Zach. chap. 3. and 4. tel's us, who are meant by these two Wit­nesses: for there Jehoshua and Zerubbabel are anointed, and established to bring back the captivitie of Judah and Jerusalem out of Ba­bylon, which they were to do not by the might and power of men, but by the Spirit of the Lord, and the efficacie of his grace.

The difference then of these two Witnesses from the fals Prophet is in this.The comparison of the fals Pro­phet, and of the two Witnesses. First, that hee is but one who doth exercise a twofold power; that of the Beast, and that of his own devising, which is a pre­tended one of Miracles; these are two whose testimonie is one and the same, and the effect thereof towards men, but one from them both. Secondly, that hee taketh upon him a Coërcive power; and to bring people under [Page 59] his yoke, hee set's up differential tokens, viz. the Beast's Image, his mark and name; but these make use of none other power, but of that which is properly prophetical; nor do they press anie distinct and particular notes of subjection to themselvs upon anie coërcively; but have power onely to plague such as re­ceiv not the Testimonie of Jesus. Thirdly, hee doth work upon the ignorant imaginations of sillie people, strange impressions of admi­ration concerning the Divinitie of his own waie; by deceitful persuasions which are a kinde of witch-craft, whereby people are made to cleav unto his worldlie interest, as a slave unto the same; but these labor not to gain to themselvs, the affections and fancies of peo­ple; but to gain their understandings to the knowledg of the Truth, and their consciences to the Subjection which is due to Christ Je­sus without partialitie. So then fourthly, the fals Prophet in a word▪ exalt's and seek's to set up himself in the spirits of men; but the two Witnesses humble and denie themselvs, that the Cross of Christ may bee exalted over their spirits, and hee onelie set up in the hearts of men. Fifthly and lastly, the fals Prophet med­ling with State-matters, take's both the Mi­nisterie and Magistracie upon him, making the one subordinately to serv the other's turns, in reference to men; but the two Wit­nesses who are faithful Magistrates and Mini­sters, [Page 60] join their Testimonies in their places coordinately; to make out one waie of righte­ousness and truth, to the consciences of men, in reference to God in Christ. And this much concerning these.

The third thing to bee spoken of; is the My­sterie of the Whore, and of the Bride.

The Angel telleth John plain­ly,The discoverie of the Wh [...]re. chap. 17. vers 18. that the woman which hee had seen ride­ing upon the scarlet-colored Beast, with a name written on her fore­head,Vers 5. Mysterte Babylon the Great; the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the earth, was that great Citie which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. Now it is evident that Rome alone as Papal, hath reigned in a Mysterie over the Kings of the Earth; ever since heathenish Rome determined, which reigned not in a Mysterie, but with outward force over these Kings, and in that respect was the fourth Beast seen by Daniel: therefore if wee can observ what the Properties of her whorish nature and practice hath been; and how shee hath brought forth Harlots and all abominations in the earth, wee shall discern this Mysterie, and discover those that partake therein with her. The text saith, Chapter 17. vers 4. that shee was arraied in purple and Scar­let; and decked with Gold, with precious stones and pearls; and that shee had in her hand a Cup [Page 61] full of abominations and filthiness of her forni­nications; and chapter 14. vers 8. It is said shee made the Nations drink of the wine of these fornications. and Chapter 18. vers 3. that the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication with her.

By the woman is understood the Romane Hierarchie, which hath born Rule over all the world, and rid in triumph upon the mindes of all men, as upon Beasts.

Her decking and raiment of purple, of Scarlet, of Gold, of precious stones, and of Pearls, is the outward visible magnificence of that worship which shee set's up, which hath none other beautie, but such ornaments to amuse the Imaginations of foolish people, and bewitch them with the formalities of Cere­monies.

Her Fornications are the love of this pre­sent world, whereunto shee doth allure men to commit Whoredom with her: by the enjoi­ment of power, of profit, and of pleasures, which shee studieth to furnish her lovers withal, and to deprive other men off.

Her abominations are all manner of sinful, and unconscionable practices which shee doth allow of in all who serv her ends thereby, whereof shee make's a trade, although they bee never so abhorrent from the light of Christianitie, and of Nature; these abomina­tions are the Idolatries which shee hath set up; [Page 62] and the dispensations which shee hath given to all unnatural sins, and unjust practices, as Sodomie, Incest, Murther, Breach of Cove­nant, and oath in all manner of Contracts▪ Rebellion of Children to Parents, and of Sub­jects to Magistrates, all manner of f [...]audulent circumventions, and oppressions of the inno­cent, and such like.

The Cup which is in her hand, whereby shee causeth all Nations to drink, and swal­low down these abominations; is her pretend­ed Autoritie, as the unerring Church ha­ving power to binde and loose all things in Heaven, and on Earth, in order to men's Consciences; and to manage all the reasons of State, and publick affairs of the world; with supreme Jurisdiction, in ordine ad spiritualia. And the Fornication which the Kings of the Earth have committed with her, hath been their compliance and correspondence with her, to make use of her power and influence, to­wards their neighbors and Subjects, to gain credit thereby unto themselvs; together with the studie of her Policies, to learn from her the maximes of deceit, which are the reasons of State-advantages, to get power, by which means shee hath intelligence of all the Coun­sels of Princes, becaus they are brought to drink them out of her Cup, and make use of her embraces and favors to bring them to pass: and her whorish studie is onely to keep [Page 63] them all at variance one with another, and to make them severally depend on her Love, that shee may alwayes arbitrate their affairs, and their interests may bee subject onely to her favor, and so far as anie Hierarchie on Earth, or Church-constitution doth make it self by these waies considerable in a State, or by waies like unto these seek's to bee re­spected by the meaner or higher sort of peo­ple, they all drink of the same Cup of her fornications. Let not therefore anie form of outward worship recommend it self to the fol­lowers of the Lamb by anie interests of State; nor let anie sort of men, who pretend to Re­ligious administrations, applie themselvs to the practices of this natrue, nor anie true Christian Magistrates intend the compliances and correspondencies of this kinde, and for such ends; with anie Masters of formalities, who go a whoring after the appearances of outward things in matters of worship and of State, which take either onely, or most with sensual imaginations, who may bee rid upon like beasts.

As for the Bride, wee exspectThe discoverie of the Bride. her from Heaven, for it is ap­parent, that as yet wee have no permanent Citie here on Earth, such as the Apostle hath described the Lamb's wife to bee [...]n Revelation Chap. 22. vers 10. till the end. wee therefore seek this Citie which hath foun­dations; [Page 64] and if wee walk by faith to get an entrance into her, Let us wait through the Spirit for the Hope of Righteousness, which is promised to the Saints, and walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh, so far as wee are advanced in the new Creature, so far are wee fitted and prepared for the Bride­groom's comming, to enter with him into his wedding-Chamber. How far anie Socie­ties of Churches, or single Church-Congre­gations have received the favor to bee arraies in fine linnen, clean and white, Revel. 19. vers 8. which is the righteousness of Saints; is to mee, as yet not ap­parent; for I must confess that I have not seen anie perfection in anie of them; and I know that I have made it a good part of my work to visit them all, and to consider them in their waies, aswel abroad as at home, in respect of their several associations: and truly the Laodicean temper is over us all; and if wee repent not and becom zealous in the waie of Righteousness; and of holie Communion without partialitie and without Hypocrisie; no doubt Christ will spue us all out of his mouth, and call unto him another people which shall bee made readie for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb; and although this seem's to bee a sad sentence over the Churches which are now counted wise Virgins; yet there is neither want of Charitie in it towards them [Page 65] as if I did not wish them well; nor want of Hope for them, as if I did not exspect their Reformation; but in both these respects I do [...]ear witness, that none of them all are the Bride whose comming out of the wilderness is ex­pected; but that all their visible estates are the outward Court, which is given to the Gen­ [...]les, wherein to this daie, they tread the Ho­ [...]e Citie under foot; and are in the wilderness [...]f spiritual desolation and confusion; but that [...]ut of their invisible state, which is the inner Court and Temple, wherein they have Com­ [...]union with God, and one with another; a Citie at last will rise up and appear, is my con­ [...]dent exspectation, and that this may com [...]o pass speedily, it shall bee my constant praier; out to bring this to pass, I finde by the Reve­ [...]ation, that not onely Babylon is to bee destroi­ [...]d with mightie Judgments from Heaven, and that the Beast is to bee plagued and pu­ [...]ished, but that the armies of Saints under Christ's conduct shall from Heaven com, in Battel-array, and war against the Beast, and [...]als Prophet, and the Kings of the earth; now [...]ow far this battel is carried on in these our [...]aies, and to what parties wee are engaged, and in what waie wee put forth our strength [...]o fight, and what interest wee fight for, whe­ther for Christ's purely, or for our own also, as it is mixed with that of the King's of the [...]arth, and in them with the beast's, will bee [Page 66] our wisedom seriously to consider; and I wish that my Countrie-men in Scotland, who have fixed so strong an interest upon the terms of the Covenant, and are counted a wise Nation in the world, might bee made so spiritually wise as to discern their own station, and what help they give unto the Beast; by their present proceedings, and it is my heartie desire that the Brethren here, who for the sake of Scotland in reference to the Covenant, keep themselvs at a distance from the main work; and ob­struct by their non-concurrence in things good and lawful, the progress of our Reformation, might bee wakened to see the posture wherein they stand, in this their warfare, and if this plain discoverie of the state of the Quarrel be­tween the Beast and the Lamb; between the fals Prophet and the two Witnesses, and be­tween the Whore and the Bride that is now comming out of the Wilderness, may bee a means to open the eies, and undeceiv anie of them; I should rejoice at it: however I have herein discharged my Conscience, and born witness without partialitie to the Truth, so far as it is reveled unto mee, which I hope I shall never refuse to seal with my death, if need bee, and this I conceiv is the onelyThe manner of the warfare. waie of our warfare, who pre­tend to bee followers of the Lamb, in the work of the Ministerie, that wee should have none other weapons of our [Page 67] warfare, but one Sword amongst us all, which is that, which proceedeth out of his mouth; and that our waie to fight with his weapon, against our adversaries should [...]ee none other; but to follow Christ in our lawful Calling (which is our white [...]ors) and with an holie blameless personal [...]onversation towards all men, (which is our [...]ne linnen white and clean) for herein doth [...]ie our whole strength, and what applica­tion soëver wee make to other weapons, which the powers of darkness can make [...]se of aswel as wee; they will but weaken [...]s, and in the encountring with the In­ [...]abitants of the earth, wee shall finde [...]em stronger at those weapons then wee [...]n bee: so that by such means, I exspect [...]ot that they shall fall before us, although [...]r victories bee never so great; therefore [...] for mine own part, till I can perceiv, [...]at wee who pretend to bee in the first [...]nk of the Lamb's followers; can make [...]tter use of these spiritual weapons then therto wee have don; and can in the [...]ommunion of Saints join our forces [...]gether, otherwise then now wee do, [...] imitate the Captain of our Salvation; [Page 68] I shall bee a man of no great exspectation; yet becaus I believ that these things shall com to pass; and that by the armor of light the Children of light will at last prevail; therefore I do speak, and because I both believ and speak, therefore I am no [...] inclined to make haste; as som (who take the shadows of their own conceits; for the substance of Christ's Kingdom) a [...] inclined to do; for this caus, although [...] will not contradict the appearances o [...] Hopes, which the autor of this Treati [...] doth give unto the Protestant Caus, to rise within a few years in a considerable Po­sture against Poperie; yet I must take l [...] to confess, that although the splendor o [...] the Whore, and her influence upon th [...] Kings of the Earth, and the power of the Papal Sea as it is Hierarchical, were utter [...] consumed and abolished; by the brightnes [...] of Christ's appearing in the Spirit on th [...] one hand, and by the hatred of the whore▪ Lovers, and the turning of their hearts [...] gainst her on the other hand; yet that t [...] war with the beast, aud with the fals Pro­phet, and with the Kings of the Eart [...] shall continue; and that the beast and th [...] [Page 69] [...]als Prophet, with the Kings of the earth will bee found to have their friends not onely amongst those who are called Pa­pists; but even amongst those that are most [...]erce enemies to Poperie, and count them­selvs the best of Christians and reformed Protestants. It is one thing to bee no friend [...] the State, and predominant power and [...]aftiness of the Whore, as shee appear's [...]om without, and in another place at a [...]istance from us: and another thing it is [...] renounce the beastlie nature, and the de­ [...]eitfulness by which wee are led to em­brace the Image, the mark, the name, and [...]e number of the name of the Beast within [...]ur selvs, that is for our own interest, and [...]e concernments of flesh and blood. I [...]o not finde in the last battel the Whore [...]amed at all; I finde onely as leaders of [...]he partie opposite to Christ; the Beast and [...]he Kings of the earth; which I take to bee [...]he Beast, with his horns; for the Horns which are in the heads of the Beast, are the Kings of the Earth, whichChap. 19. 12, 13. [...]ake use of the Bodie of the [...]east, and of her strength, and [...]re made use of, by the heads of the Beast [Page 70] to war against the Lamb, and I finde, that these horns, although they fight against the Lamb; yet that they are not alwayes friends with the Whore; and for their own interest's sake, not onely rob her of her ornaments; but feed upon her flesh, although for a season, whiles it was their supposed advantage, they suffered her to ride upon them, aud govern them with the bridle of her autoritie: but when shee is cast off from the beast's back, the Beast and his horns are as strong as ever; and more fit to fight in their brutal waie against the Lamb then before; I believ therefore, that the Whore as shee is alreadie little considerable in comparison of what shee hath been; may vanish and bee made de­solate by her own beastlie complices be­fore the last battel; but I believ not, that wee shall have anie great earthlie Poten­tates at all, ever to appear for the Lamb in this battel; but that they shall all join alwayes with the beastlie nature of men, against the Lamb-like holie nature of the Saints; to discountenance, to oppose and to destroie it; but wee have a promise, that although the two Witnesses of the Lamb [Page 71] shall bee killed by the Beast, when they have finished their prophesying in Sack­cloth; yet that the Lamb, when hee shall com in his own appearance, with more witnesses then two or three; even with a whole armie of witnesses; not in Sackcloth upon earth, but in their fine linnen, white and clean; and upon their white horses, in their spiritual emploiments, as Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, fol­lowing their leader against the powers of the earth; when (I saie) the Lamb shall [...]om thus attended, the promise is, that the Beast, and all his horns shall bee over­ [...]om by him: for there is no power in the world able to resist the united strength of the holie ones, and the dints of the sword which hath two edges, whichHeb. 4. 4. [...]eeing able to divide between the soul and the Spirit, and to discern the [...]ubtilest thoughts, and the deceitfullest [...]ntents of the beastlie heart of man it shall [...]ndoubted slaie them; therefore although [...] finde not the fals Prophet here menti­ [...]ned as active in leading on the war (whereunto certainly for the contrivance of it on the Beast's part, hee cannot bee [Page 72] wanting) yet hee is found to bee taken pri­soner with the Beast; and with him cast into the Lake which burnethRevel. 19. 20. with fire and Brimstone. The Whore and the fals Prophet are cleerly di­stinct Mysteries, and have their several waies of Acting, though with a concur­rence; for so long as the Mysterie of the Whore doth last, which the fals Prophet (who is the intellectual subtiltie of the Serpent's nature in man; as the Beast is his brutish sensualitie and strength) fed with prosperitie, and delicacies did beget, and set upon the beast's back, the said fals Pro­phet doth make use of her, that by her baits and allurements hee may draw the Inhabitants of the earth to drink out of the cup of her fornications; but when pro­speritie and delicacies ceas, by reason of the Phials of God's wrath upon the Beast, and the distress of Nations, then shee is not of use any more; but the fals Prophet which begat her, will to serv the Beast's interest destroie her also, and will bee active in another waie against the Lamb without her. And thus I conceiv the bat­tel will bee, or is alreadie formed, on the [Page 73] side of the beastlie partie, which fight's onely to maintein the interest of flesh and blood, which is self-greatness, and the conveniences of pleasure; with all out­ward force and deceit, against the interest of the Spirit; which is self-denial, and the conveniences of serving others in the Kingdom of Christ through love: and by the other side the battel is formed in the spirits of the Saints, to maintein the interest of the Lamb of God, who having taken away the sins of the world, will now appear to destroie the works of the Devil, by setting up the power of his life amongst men; till therefore I shall see either the Characters of this life apparent in the beautie of Love and Holiness amongst us; or the waies fully opened and prepared, by which the power of the life of Christ by his word will becom prevalent, to lead all men's thoughts and affections captive to the obedience of his will; I shall not much rejoice, nor greatly triumph at anie of our outward Conquests. I remember that the Whore was long ago cast out from amongst us (for our Hierarchie by the King and Queen's consent was abo­lished) [Page 74] before the Beast begun to rage and fight; so then as amongst us; so also in all Europe, the Papal Hierarchie may bee cast off, and yet the Beast's rage bee greater then ever for the interest of a ty­rannical power; aswel over the Consci­ences, as over the bodies and estates of men, and that two manner of waies, ei­ther by the absoluteness of a governing power, through the necessities of war, enforcing all men to concur with the in­terests which it settles, for common safe­tie, to preserv us in freedom from a for­reign power; or by a total dissolution of all government, wherein everie man who hath more might then his neighbor, may take a libertie to tyrannize over him, and oppress him without controul: by both these waies the Beast may rage over all Eu­rope, against the Lamb-like state of Chri­stianitie, a long while after the destru­ction of the Pope; and Protestants may, by the means of the fals Prophet bee in­tangled amongst themselvs, and embroil­ed into quarrels, and beastlie animosities, for the designs of flesh and blood as much as ever; for if God send not forth another [Page 75] Spirit, then as yet is apparent in the greatest part of our Professors, to unite us in his waie, and to guid us in this warfare, wee shall bee found as much as anie to favor the Beast. Till therefore I can perceiv, that the banner of this Spirit is lifted up amongst us; and that those who are upright in heart rank themselvs under it; and make use of the weapons of Righte­ousness, and the armor of Salvation; for the end for which Christ hath put them in their hands; I shall not conceiv much of anie sud­den enjoiment of the glorious libertie of the Sons of God; nor of anie full deliverance from the bondage, whereinto Satan by the power of darkness, and the spiritualitie of ma­ [...]ce, hath brought our beastlie nature. I watch therefore, and look out more after the appearances, and discoveries of these things, [...]hen after other outward events and changes. I know that the shakings and Changes of States tend to make waie for this object of my Hope; but I know also, that before I can [...]artake of it there shall bee a greater change brought upon the Spirits of men, then now is upon their outward Estates. God hath hither­ [...]o been shaking the earth to some purpose; but hee hath said that hee will also shake Hea­ven; this hee hath begun to do, and will do more fully; becaus his aim is, as the Apostle faith, not onely to shake theseHebr▪ 12. 26. things, ▪but also to remove the [Page 76] things which are shaken, that the things which cannot bee shaken may remain. I therefore look out to see the foot-steps of his proceedings towards the accomplishment of this promise; for till the things which are [...]haken in the Spi­rits of Professors, bee removed out of them, I cannot exspect a cleer manifestation in, and set­tlement of their spirit about the things which must remain; and till this appear, and break forth amongst us, I cannot also saie, that the Bride is com out of the Wilderness, or that wee have gotten the conquest over the Beast, and over the fals Prophet.

When therefore the banner of the Spirit of love without partialitie, shall bee lifted up in the beautie of Holiness, as the Ensign of the unitie of Faith, and the badg of the common profession of Christianitie amongst Professors, and when the Magistrates and Ministers shall understand their true conjunction in the waie of their Testimonie; when by this means the Lord shall have washed the visible filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst there­of, and shall also creâte upon everie dwelling place▪ of Mount Zion, and upon the assem­blies and glorie thereof, a defence; also the Prophets shall not studie to make themselvs anie more considerable by a peculiar interest upon believers; but shall know how to pro­pose in common the waies of edification, so [Page 77] demonstrably, that everie one who shall sin­cerely affect the knowledg of Truth shall finde no difficultie to com by it: when the names of the Idols, which everie partie for distincti­on's sake have made unto themselvs, shall bee cut off: when the mercinarie waie of serving the Common-wealth of Israël, chiefly in things belonging unto God shall ceas, when the just measures and dimensions of the Citie of God shall bee known to the Master-buil­ders, and the waie discerned how to open the dores thereof unto those that have a right un­to the tree of life: when the Temple in Hea­ven shall bee opened, and the ark of the Co­venant seen therein, when the Children of Israël shall com, they and the children of Ju­dah together, going and weeping and seeking the Lord their God, and asking the waie to Zion with their faces thitherward, then and not till then, shall I exspect that the Bride will bee suddenly prepared, and com out of the Wilderness to celebrate the marriage with the Lamb. And when together with these prepa­rations of her comming, and of the Supper of the Lamb; the sword of the Spirit, the word of God according to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testimonie; shall bee drawn out of the sheath thereof by that evi­dence of the Rules of Interpretation, which none shall bee able to contradict: and by that exactness of order of the waie of Pro­phetical [Page 78] exercitation: so that none shall bee able to complain of the want of just freedom, to propose Truths or Scruples; and yet bee restrained from the licentiousness of passio­nate railing, proud disputing, and vain jang­ling; and by that meekness of love, power of zeal, and prudence with discretion in the application, to correct the particular errors of men's waies, so that there shall bee no caus of offence offered to the single-hearted, al­though the wicked one shall bee discovered and slain in them: when (I saie) the sword of the Spirit shall bee thus unsheathed, then I shall exspect, that Judgment shall bee laid to the line, and Righteousnes to the plum­met, against the unrighteous self-seekings of the Beast, and that the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters overflow the hiding places, which the fals Prophets have made unto themselvs: for then the foun­dation which is laid in Sion will bee seen; and by the conformitie which everie thing in the Spirit of man shall bee obliged to have to Christ, it shall bee tried (whether it bee matter of theorie, or of affection, or of Pra­ctice) that the all-sufficiencie of the anointing of Christ in his Saints; may appear, and bee found alone effectual (without the tricks of Humane Philosophie, of Policie, and of power) to [...]aie the wicked, and to direct the Spirit of man to all the secrets of Divine and [Page 79] Humane wisedom: which shall bee found no­thing but meer fallacies, further then it hath a direct relation, and subordination to manifest [...]he life and glorie of Christ Jesus: when I saie [...]his Sword shall bee thus made use of, and ap­plied, then, and not till then, shall I exspect that the Beast and the fals Prophet shall bee [...]aken alive, and destroied: and till this bee don, [...]atan cannot bee bound up from seducing the Nations of the Earth. Thus you see the grounds [...]f the Hopes of