The first Verse. And there was given me a Reed like unto a Rod; and the Angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein.

That which I intended chiefly to insist upon in the reading of this Chapter, namely the two first verses, I shall now run over briefly, and hasten to the great [Page 4]mystery of the two Witnesses.

The first thing given to the Apostle John here, is a Reed, that he as a wise Master-builder might exactly measure his work and leave a Pattern to all Believers, as those that must work and walk by Rule; This Reed is the same with that mea­suring line; Zech. 2.1. & 4.10. The Plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, by which Jerusalem (in all Ages) must be measured; Isay 36.6. Mat. 27.29 tis not an Egyp­tian Reed, (too weak for such a work) nor such a Reed as was put for a mock­scepter into the hand of our Crucified Lord.

But this holy Reed is that Royal Scepter of Christs Kingdom, Psal. 145.6. whereby he ruleth his Princely subjects, which he hath won by Conquest from Death and Hell, being none other then the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, put into the hands and hearts of his faithful Ministers, 2 Tim. 2.2. 2 Pet. 1.15. whom he hath au­thorized to direct, guide, and govern his select sheep until his second com­ming.

This Royal Reed is that staff of Do­ctrine and Rod of Discipline, Psal. 23.4. which was the great joy and solace of Kingly Davids soul:

This is the staff of beauty and the staff of bands, Zech. with which the Lord led and fed his flock of old, and with which he will have the Gospel-Temple, and the Al­tar and every Worshipper therein exactly measured now.

As Christ the foundation was (in all his actions) measured by this line of truth, (that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, as it is written according to the Scrip­tures, and the like; Joh. 17.12. Mat. 26.24, 31. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. Joh. 15.14. 1 Kin. 17.18, & 6.7.) so must every living stone, every true branch be squared, ruled, and measured by the same Reed; Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you: Those stones that were admitted into Solomons Temple, were first hewed, squa­red, prepared, costly stones: And can it be imagined that a promiscuous heap of rug­ged, polluted, deformed, unpolisht stones, should be fit matter for this second more glorious Temple? Is it probable that Christ will admit of scandalous, ignorant, prophane persons, (neither resembling, nor in a capacity of discerning his blessed body) as choyce materials for this true Tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched and not man? 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. Ezech. 22.26. Heb. 8.2. Would such dirty patches be seemly in his seamless Coat? the Lord abhorreth such a mixture.

The true glory of this Gospel-temple consists in the purity of the materials, Li­ving lively stones, exactly measured, and fitly framed together,1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.21.22. 1 Pet. 2.9.growing to an holy Temple in the Lord; An habitation of God through the Spirit: A chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a peculiar People.

Not such as challenge interest by ver­tue of cohabitation; not a Parish house of stone, as the Prelatical Hierarchy instru­cted us; this holy Reed was never presen­ted by the Angel to John to measure Parish bounds.

He that intends this work, must not be idle. Rise and measure the Temple, is the voyce the Spirit.

The second Verse. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy City shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The Romish Conclave became this outward Court, Rev. 12.5. An. 304. immediately after the birth of the man-child Constantine, when suddenly with case, peace, and tranquillity, [Page 7]there crept in ambition, contention, covet­ousness attended with abominable Er­rors, Superstition, Idolatry, Bright­man. Rev. Apoc. pag. 75. and all kinde of luxury, and prophaness, which rushed like waves one on the neck of another, suddenly overwhelming and devouring that sweetness, humility, charity, chastity, and purity which lately were the royal or­naments of this now defiled, polluted, Church of Rome.

And now the true and sincere servants of Christ, observing this dismal darkness gradually surprizing her, and obscuring her former lustre and true beauty, dare no longer drink of her polluted streams, nor partake of her defiled Ordinances; but withdraw and separate themselves from such abominations, Rev. 16.6. creeping into corners (any Wilderness condition) where they may enjoy the pure Ordinances of Christ, and be nourished with the pure milk of the breasts of the heavenly Witnesses.

(Like as the Saints lately did in the times of Prelatical persecution; and as many a poor Christian is even now con­strained to do, from the pride, and other prophaness of some disorderly societies.)

And thus the true Church flying into the Wilderness, all silent and solitary, is [Page 8]trampled upon by the outward Court of proud Prelats, who have learnd to Lord it over her, which they pursue through the whole course of her exile; and yet maugre all this malice of Antichrist, though she hath continued in her exiled, mournful, Wilderness estate, scarce da­ring to appear in her true glory through the whole term of 1260 years (in which she hath been secretly supported by her Witnesses in Sack-cloth) yet hath he, (who is glorious in holiness, fearfull in praises, Exod. 15.11. doing wonders, whose promises are Yea and Amen in his Christ) at length brought (through all storms, oppressions and miseries,) this his pure lovely Spouse with her distressed Witnesses to a blessed haven of glory and honour: That God blessed for ever who did assure them (some thousands of yeers since) that though they lay among the Pots, yet he would give them the wings of a Dove covered with silver and feathers of yellow gold, Psal. 68.13. hath so gloriously fulfilled his Royal Word, that now Saints may securely sit and sweetly sing, (as a Chorus to the voyce of their Beloved,) Lo the winter is past, Cant. 2.11, 12.the rain is over and gone, the flowers ap­pear on the earth, the time of singing of birds is [Page 9]come, and the voyce of the Turtle is heard in our Land.

The third Verse. And I will give power unto my two Witnesses, and they shall Prophesie one thousand two hundred and threescore dayes clothed in Sackcloth.

All the rage and malice of Antichrist, shall not be able to stop their mouthes till toward the end of their Testimony; they shall prophesie all along, though it be not in that external pomp and glory where­with Popes, Cardinals, and the rest of the Antichristian rable rout now flourished; but all forlorn, retired, obscured, in mournful Sackcloth, yet they shall Prophesie; & the Temple, even in the midst of the outward Court (that is, the Apostatized Church of Rome) is given to them, and even there do they worship the Lord in purity, but so covertly and obscurely that they are not easily discerned; especially, by the Pope and his scarlet Conclave, whose eyes are dazled with external pomp and glory.

Thus is the Virgin Spouse of Christ and her heavenly Witnesses (which in the [Page 10]midst of Heathen Persecutions was clothed in the Royal Robes of her ever­lasting Husband) now become an object of scorn and contempt to those wicked watch-men, who (what in them lay) spoyled and depraved her of that heavenly simplicity and Gospel-purity she lately shined in. Rev. 2.13. Now is she become the true Antitype of the Church of Pergamos, dwelling (in obscurity) where Antichrists throne is, and there she holdeth fast the Faith, and denyeth not the name of her crucified Lord, which ever and anon doth cost some faithful Antipas his life. And here the blessed Witnesses nourish her, and Prophesie against her Adversary: that proud Scarlet Strumpet did so defile, darken, wrack, wrest, and pervert the ho­ly Scriptures to uphold their abominable Idolatry and Superstition, that no other vesture appear'd upon them but sable weeds of sorrowful Sackcloth; and when (in despight of their fond Allegories and sensual conceits,) these two Witnesses spake to their faces against the dreadful abominations creeping in so fast; this Har­lot not able to bear their reproof, hating to be reformed, Psal. 51.17. and rejecting instruction, did at length cast behinde them into secret [Page 11]holes and corners these blessed Scriptures of truth: so that in the midst of all this Papal Tyranny (which daily increased) they remaind secretly, nourishing the true Church even where the Beast reigned, yea, in the heart of his dominions, the whole term of their testimony in Sack­cloth, viz. 1260 years; during which time, this is the Character which is gi­ven of the Romish Harlot, Mich. Cec. contr. Ty­rannid. Pa­pae. Mornaus Myst. Iniq. Bez. quaest. There were within the Papal Territories two Churches, the one of the wicked sort flourishing wherein the Pope reigned; the other of godly and good men, and this he persecuted; so that the Church was under (or within) the Papacy, but the Papacy was not the Church.

Now this being clear in the word of truth, that the true Church remains alive in the midst of this dead sea, and is preser­ved like Jonah in the belly of this mon­strous Leviathan; What will become of that empty flourish of a vaunting Jesuite, Where was your Church before Luther?

We see (to the high prayses of our eter­ternal King) that it was in the Ark in the midst of the great Deluge; in Goshen in the midst of the Egyptian darkness; in the den amidst those roaring Lyons in the furnace, safe and secure in the extremest [Page 12]heat of Popish persecution: And is now come forth of that great Tribulation, as pure gold out of that fiery Tryal, as a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord, Isai. 62.3. and a Royal Diadem in the hand of our God. But who can marvel at this foolish question of blinde Papists, when the po­verty, obscurity and simplicity of the True Church, and her abstruse Witnesses is considered? how could their eyes (so grosly blinded with the black scales of am­bition, pomp, & luxury, behold, or discern, such contemptible objects as the Church in her exile, and her Witnesses in their Sackcloth? Did not their Fathers the Scribes and Pharises grope in the same Egyptian darkness, when they could not discern a Messias, though working won­ders even in the very midst of them? their Holinesses lookt too high to behold Christ in a Carpenters coat, even like His prophane wickedness, who sitting in that Chayr of pestilence at Rome could not per­ceive the holy City under his feet, nor the heavenly Witnesses in their mournful habit: of both which their Predecessors and themselves are alike wilfully ignorant to this day.

O the distinguishing love of a gracious [Page 13]Father! Why should not we be thus blind and ignorant! shall we see the cause, Luke 10.21. I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so Fa­ther, for so it seemed good in thy sight.

The fourth Verse. These are the two Olive-trees, and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Mr. Mede saith, Clav. Apoc. pag. 11. 12. there lieth hidden in these words, an Hebraism, having this sig­nification, viz. The two Olive-trees, [at, or besides,] the two Candlesticks; Annotat. Zech. 4.3. they are said to stand by the sides of the Candle­stick. or as the London Ministers have it, With the two Candlesticks or Churches; so that the Churches are one thing, and the Witnesses feeding them another thing. These two Olive-trees are plainly called the word of the Lord, Zech. 4.6. not Zerubbabel and Joshua, as some imagine; nor Enoch and Elias, as others conjecture; nor Christ and his Saints, as a third conceive; nor Burton and Prynne, as hath been confidently af­firmed, but all with as much show of truth as that the two Houses of this [Page 14]present Parliament should be them; but all these conceits and all other fancies of like nature are not worth the Answer, as having not the least ground or warrant in that blessed Rule, that is able to make the man of God wise unto salvation; o­thers have supposed that they are the Word and Spirit: And our English Pro­phet Mr. Brightman thinks they are the holy Scriptures, and the Churches of the Saints: But this may not be granted for these reasons.

1. The Scriptures and the Saints can­not die one kinde of death; and there is not the least appearance in the Word, of any difference or distinction in their suffer­ings, and we must be sure to keep close to the Reed that was given John to measure all true Believers by.

2. The Saints cannot be said (in any cleer sence) to rise again three years and a half after their sufferings, at the time men­tioned by Mr. Brightman.

3. It is evident, that the Saints suffered as great misery, and were as vehemently persecuted after his supposed resurrection, as at any time before; which were absurd, (and without any Scripture ground) to conceive of the Witnesses after their revi­ving.

4. Rev. 12.6. The Saints are the woman or Church, and the Witnesses distinctly ad­ded for her aid, succour and support in her exile 1260 dayes or years: Therefore the Saints and the Scriptures both, cannot be the Witnesses.

But some who have thought that these two Witnesses are the Word and Spirit, do come nearest the truth, and in some sence this is truth, of which more a­non.

The two Olive-trees which we are enquiring of, are called the Witnesses di­stinct from the Candlesticks; for though our Translators have coupled them toge­ther by the conjunction [and] yet we have been enformed, that [at, or besides,] is more proper and significant according to Zech. 4.3. But I have determined never to re­ceive any testimony of man how excellent soever, unless it be strongly backt and substantially supported by that cleer fountain of life the testimony of Truth; Isai. 8.20. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them: And this testimony, even this very word discovers more heavenly light then I was aware of; for in this Text the Scirptures are plainly cald a Testimony or [Page 16]Witness; Let the answer to Zechary's question cleer the truth hereof more fully; the Prophet having a Vision of these two Olive-trees (which are plainly said to stand by the Candlestick,) Zech. 4.3. asketh the Angel what they were? to which he an­swered, This is the word of the Lord; that is to say, the Scriptures which before are called the Law and the Testimony; and this word of the Lord held forth by two Olive-trees, is purposely produced for the cherishing and establishing of that Temple-work that Zerubbabel had in hand, as if the Lord should say, Let this enform and assure you, that though mountains of difficulties appear, Neh. 6.1. though Tobiah and Sanballat (the exact type of Pope and Cardinals) and many false brethren use all means to hinder and destroy my Tem­ple-work; though my Candlestick be now in a low, mean obscure condition; yet my work shall go on and prosper; the Word is gone out of my mouth, it is upon record in the writings of my Prophets, and there­fore cannot fail; but these Scriptures of truth shall continually stand by my Can­dlesticks like two Olive-trees, conveying by my seven sorts of Instruments as by so many Pipes, such plentiful nourishment [Page 17]as shall be able to support my Churches in the most forlorn exiled wilderness estate: this was the condition of the di­stressed Church opposed by Potent Ene­mies, aswell in the time of the great builder Zerubbabel, as in the time of the great builder Constantine; and this also is worth our consideration, that neither the Enemies of the Jews then, nor the Enemies of the true Saints now, were such professedly, but made a great show of friendship; Come say they; we will build with you, Ezra. 4.2.for we seek your God, as ye do. But they secretly con­spired against the Jews, endevouring by all possible means to hinder the work: And this was the speech, and thus was the practice of that Iobiah of Rome, and those other secret Enemies, in the time of Con­stantine.

And now the word of the Lord is the only visible support, and supply of the poor distressed woman; and this word of the Lord stands like two Olive Trees on each side the Candlesticks, Zech. 4.11.12. Rev. 11.6. or true Chur­ches, yielding constant nourishment to the Saints in their 1260. years misery, all which being diligently compared, and seriously considered, raiseth my appre­hensions to these conclusions.

1. The two Olive trees, are the holy Scrip­tures, or Two Testaments.

2. The Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints.

3. The two Branches of the Two Olive Trees, are Doctrine and Discipline.

4. The Golden Pipes of the Candlesticks are the Ministers of the Churches.

For the clearing of these, I shall make my address to that Chrystal fountain, from whence one cleer testimony is to me of more validity then all the Arguments in the world.

This light the Spirit of truth is pleased to Communicate in this 4. Vers. of the 11. Chapter. of the Revelation; that these witnesses are two Olive Trees; which must be so understood, as Christ is a Vine, a Door, a Stone, a Nail, &c. That is not really, Though I depend not upon mans testi­mony, yet you may note, that Austin (the flower of Antiquity) was fully of this judgment. but figuratively: so these blessed witnesses have the same use, and therefore are fitly compared unto Olive Trees.

First That these two Olive Trees are expresly called the word of the Lord, hath been already proved from Zech. 4.6. and though this might abundantly satisfie being joyned with that of Isa. 8.20. yet for the further Evidence of this truth, let [Page 19]us consider the nature of the Olive tree, Rom. 11. Rom. 11.17. from which the Jews were broken off, and I believe it will cleerly appear, that the Olive Tree there mentioned is none other but the word of God growing up, and drawing sap from the eternall word the Lord Jesus Christ, the root of this tree, whereof faithful Abraham was only a Type.

And that the breaking off the unbelie­ving Jews was their separation from, (pro­cured by their contempt of) the doctrine of salvation contained in the Scripture; these, Rom. 3.2. Mat. 10.5.6. Acts. 11.19.13.46. and only these were the children of the Kingdome, to whom only the pure Oracles of God were committed, to whom only the Gospel was Commanded to be preached, and to whom only for a long time it was Preached, till they rejecting this heavenly juyce, putting away the sap and fatness of this Olive Tree, thereby judged themselves unworthy of ever­lasting life. So that this Act of theirs in putting from them the word of God, (causing those words of Paul, and Barnabas, Lo we turn to the Gentiles) was the break­ing of them off from the Olive Tree (the eternal word) it is worth our considerati­on, that the Apostle cals it their own [Page 20]Olive Tree, Rom 11.24. Mat. 15.26. as the Lord Jesus also cals the word of Salvation their bread.

They are here said to be cut off from the Olive Tree upon which they did grow; and we are graffed upon that stock, or tree from which they were cut; now it is plain that we are built upon the foun­dation of the Apostles, Ephes. 2.02. and Prophets, which I am sure are the two Testaments that make out the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the root of this Olive Tree.

For the further Illustration of this truth (that it was the doctrine of salvation con­teined in the Scriptures, from which these Jews were broken off, and consequently that this Olive tree is none other then the word of God) let us examine what those two staves in Zachary are with which the Lord himself fed this stiff-necked obsti­nate People, and this will plainly appear to be the holy Scriptures, or word of God: and least it should be deemed the humane fancy of a conceited Brain, take the naked words as they lie in the Scrip­ture. I took unto me two staves, the one I called beauty, and the other I called bands, and I fed the flock. Zech. 11.7.And I took my staff, even beauty, and cut it asunder; and it was broken in that day, and so the poor of the flock that waited [Page 21]upon me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. That then from which these stub­born Jews were broken off, is the word of the Lord, or the holy Scriptures; but the Jews were broken off the true Olive Tree; therefore the true Olive Tree is the word of the Lord, or the holy Scrip­tures.

All which being compared, it will evi­dently appear, that the two Olive Trees in this of the Revelation, and that of Za­cariah, are none other then the holy Scrip­tures, or word of God.

Secondly, It is as plain that the blessed Scriptures are the proper Food and Nou­fishment of Saints; spoken of Rev. 12.6. Isa. 25.6. Psal. 36. what else is that feast of fat things, that Wine on the Lees well refined, that fat­ness of the Lords house wherewith he satisfieth the souls of his Saints, those Rivers of pleasures he makes them drink of, and to which the Lord Jesus so freely invites them? Eat O friends, Drink, Cant. 5.1.yea Drink abundantly O beloved.

But I pass this briefly, as not to be deni­ed, that the holy Scriptures are the proper Food and Nourishment of the Saints: For which employment these holy witnesses are designed, Rev. 12.6. namely to feed the Church [Page 22]in her exiled Wilderness estate 1260 years.

But if any shall cavill, that I attribute that to the Scriptures, which is peculiar to the Spirit of God; I have this to say, that I have no thought of the Scriptures without, or beside the Spirit of God; I receive all Scriptures as the Lord Jesus delivered them. The words that I speak unto you, Joh. 6.63. 2 Tim. 3.15. Heb. 4.12.they are Spirit, and they are life, able to make wise unto salvation.

And therefore the blessed Scriptures are the proper, fit, sutable nourishment for the Saints, and particularly for the Church in her afflicted despised wilderness estate.

Thirdly, That the holy Scriptures are called witnesses, and which is yet more plain, these very witnesses of Christ, will appear in the perusal of several Scriptures; And first that the Law is called so; Deut. 31.26. Take this book of the Law and put it in the side of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a Witness against thee.

And it appears as cleerly to me that the Gospel is so called also. 1 Joh. 5.9. This is the Wit­ness of God which he hath testified of his son.

If it be objected, that it is the Spirit &c. that is here called the Witness; tis readily [Page 23]granted, neither dare I call the Spirit one thing, and the word another thing (except it be said that the Scriptures are the minde of the Spirit) it is above noted that the Lord Jesus saith they are both one thing, The words that I speak, they are Spirit; there­fore the Scriptures have ordinarily the same Appellations, and operations ascrib­ed to them, as are to the Spirit it self; the Spirit is called Truth, so also the word is called Truth; 1 Joh. 5.6. Joh 17.17. the Spirit is said to sanctify, so the word is likewise said to sanctify and the like; and certain I am, that the properties ascribed to the word, Heb. 4.12.13. are not Communicable to any essence below the Spirit of God.

For the word of God is quick and Powerful, and sharper then any two edged sword, pier­cing even to the dividing asunder of soul and Spirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, &c. Therefore have I hewed them by the Prophets,Hos. 6.5. Isa. 11.4. compared with Rev. 11.5.10.I have slain them by the words of my mouth.

When I compare these Scriptures with the fifth and tenth verses of this eleventh of the Revelation, it doth so wonderfully cleer this truth to me, that the Scriptures of the two Testaments, and only these, are [Page 24]the two Witnesses; that if there were no other ground but this, it would abun­dantly satisfie, and confirm me in the dis­covery of this abstruse and wonderfull mystery.

To conclude, this truth so manifest al­ready, is yet further cleered by those blessed Lips where never guile was found; the Lord Jesus Christ himself affirms it in these words, Search the Scrip­tures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they that testifie of me. John. 5.39.

Where it is plain, that they are not only called Witnesses, but these very Witnesses here spoken of; for the words carry with them this cleer sound, Search the Scriptures, for they are my Witnesses.

Thus, as these blessed Witnesses testify of Christ, so Christ also giveth testimony to them, Fulk. Contr. Mart. Pres. Pag 5. as to his Witnesses, and so puts the point in hand beyond all dispute: That the holy Scriptures of the Two Testa­ments, and only these, are the two Wit­nesses here spoken of. And yet one word more for the more ample discovery of the transcendent excellency of these hea­venly Witnesses, (the Scriptures of truth) from the cleer evidence the Apostle Peter gives; who having declared the excellent [Page 25]glory of Christ in the mount which he saw; and the audible voice, 2 Pet. 1.17. from the highest Majesty, giving Invincible testi­mony of his son. We have also (saith he) a more sure word of Prophesie, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, &c. What? the Scriptures more sure then the voice of God himself from heaven? yes, a more certain Infallible voice now in these Gospel daies, then any miraculous extra­ordinary voice whatsoever; and here we may admire the wisdome, care, and faith­fulness of our Royal Lawgiver, who know­ing that many false Prophets would arise, and deceive many; and considering how Satan usually transformeth himself into an Angel of light; 2 Cor. 11.13. 2 Cor. 11.14. 2 Thes. 29. and that his eldest Son Antichrist would come after the working of this Prince of darkness, with all Power, and signs, and lying won­ders.

But especially foreseeing that monstrous impiety (which so many of his Servants have warned us of, as) that ordinances would be slighted, vilified, & rejected, that many foul beasts would defile, pollute, and at length totally depart from those pure Chrystal streams that make glad the City of God, even the blessed Scriptures of [Page 26]truth, 2 Pet. 1.21. & 2.1. immediately flowing from that in­finite Ocean, of all fulness.

That many of them would deny (in part, (as the divinity) others absolutely) the Lord that bought them.

And that the Divel would so far pre­vail with some whom he would mount to such a height of blasphemy, as to affirm that they are Christ, the Spirit, the Eter­nal Father, that their words are the words of God; and when you hear them speak, it is God that speaks, for they are God, and God is them, &c. To detest this de­testable wickedness, and most dreadful blasphemous abomination, so frequently belched forth in these dayes of Satans power, Gal. 6.16. Luk. 29.13. 1 Cor. 11.26. Rev. 2.25. Gal. 1.8. hath our eternal King left his Roy­al will and pleasure upon Record, as a cer­tain rule for his Subjects to walk by, till his second Personal appearance, denoun­cing Anathema to all such as shall pre­sume to prescribe any other rule, or pre­tend any voyce or vision, revelation or in­spiration, beside or against this sure word of Prophesie.

Here we see the transcendent excellen­cy, and unparallel'd Dignity of these glo­rious Witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ; upon this sure foundation we are built; to [Page 27]this sure Word we do well if we take heed, it being the Character of a truly blessed man to make these testimonies his delight, Psal. 1.2. and to meditate herein continually, abomina­ting the Witchcrafts, Sorceries, and cun­ningly devised Fables of such as come with all plausible, sweet, affable carriage, and mild pleasant behaviour, lieing in wait all the while to deceive with inticing words smooth as oyl, saluting the Lord Jesus Christ with a Hail King of the Jews, thou art most excellent, the chief of ten thou­sand, full of grace are thy lips; pleasant, yea most lovely is thy voyce; all thy odours are fra­grant, therefore the Virgins love thee, and the like expressions: Here's a beautiful cup indeed: who would dream there should be any Poyson in it? But amongst all these heavenly truths, comes up secret­ly one little horn, or a beast having two horns like the Lamb, but he speaks like the Dragon, bringing in such an expression as this (as he finds a fit opportunity when he hath pretty well wrought upon his Au­ditory) Oh saith he (of Christ) thou art the most glorious Creature in heaven or earth; who would not run after thee, who would not be ravisht with thine excellency thou chief among all the Gods? &c. And now hath many a [Page 28]filly fish swallowed this pleasant bait, hook and all, and little dreams of a foundation here laid to destroy the divinity, and eternal diety of Christ, and to make him a Creature-God.

These Jesuitical Principles are plainly detected in some that would go for Gos­pel preachers in these daies; whom the Lord Jesus (whom they thus dishonour) will shortly consume with the breath of his Nostrils, and utterly destroy with the brightness of his comming, except they repent.

But to return, having cleerly (as I conceive) proved the holy Scriptures, or two Testaments to be the two Witnesses of Christ, or the two Olive-trees spoken of, by Zachary, and John, I descend to the other conclusions mentioned, as,

Secondly, That the Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints; which in Zechary's time was but one National Church of the Jews, and therefore by him said to be but one Candlestick; but in Saint Johns time they are sometimes called two, Zech. 4.2. Rev. 11.4.1.20. 1 Cor. 14.33. sometimes seven, that is, many several Congregations of Saints, springing from the Lord Jesus Christ, (the Root of the Olive tree, or the bowle of the [Page 29]Candlestick) being daughters of that heavenly mother, Jerusalem that is above, [...].26. Ephes. 3.15. Hebr. 12.22. or the whole family in heaven and earth, the general assembly and Church of the first born; the several congregated Churches in Gospel order, as so many Branches of this great Candlestick; which also are themselves called Candlesticks, growing and increasing by the heavenly Artifice of those Instruments that Christ hath designed for this building, till we all come in the unity of the faith, Ephes. 4.13. and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a per­fect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; and this is the Catholique or universal Church; and not any other Churches (neither National, Provincial, or any other devise of Anti­christ) have the least appearance in the Gospel, save only (I say) those parti­cular congregated Churches which are planted together in the likeness of his death, Rom. 6 5. being as so many similar parts of this uni­versal Church of Christ, his compleat glorious body.

Thirdly, The two Branches of the two Olive-trees are the Doctrine and Disci­pline of the Churches; these two are the Rod, Psal. 23 4. and the staffe with which the Lord [Page 30]did lead and feed his servant David; and when the abominable wickedness of those Idol Shepheards (which he placed over his ancient People) was ripe for destructi­on, Zech. 11.7. the Lord himself (pittying the Flock that had escaped the slaughter of those wicked Shepheards) takes his beautiful staff of Doctrine, and his ruling Rod of Discipline, and with these he feeds the poor of the Flock, till by their ingratitude and high provocations, Acts 13.46. rebelliously re­jecting the tenders of Grace, and the word of Salvation, they so exceedingly incen­sed the Lord against them, that he takes his beautiful staff of Doctrine and cuts it asunder; and it was broken in that day, when the dreadful word was uttered, Lo we turn to the Gentiles: Now was the Doctrine of salvation (which they had so long slighted and abused) hid from their eyes, Luk. 19.42. of which the Lord Jesus had warned them with strong cryes and tears, (as pittying the obstinacy of this his Peo­ple.) Indeed there remained yet among them some external forms and shadows; a body without a soul, a Lanthern with­out a Candle: The rod of Discipline, (or staff of Bands) was not yet broken, and this they rested on, crying, The Temple of [Page 31]the Lord, The Temple of the Lord; but (as they regarded not, so) the knowledge of the most High was departed from them, and at last a total rejection and ab­solute exclusion of this rebellious people by the Lords breaking his other staff of bands; and this was done by the destructi­on of that Temple they so much trusted in, and so grosly abused by Prophaness and Idolatry.

Thus was the prediction of our blessed Lord fulfilled by Vespatian and Titus (fourty yeers after his Ascention) when the Temple being fired, could not possibly be quenched by any industry of man; yea, so eminently and remarkably did the hand of God appear against this Place and Peo­ple, that the heathen Titus confessed, That he had only lent his hands and help to God in this work.

Now did the Lord give them a bill of divorce, upon which they were exposed to such direful plagues and woful miseries, as never befel to any People, as Histories do abundantly testifie; Mat. 24.21. (according to the Scriptures.)

And thus I have delivered what I ap­prehend to be the sence and meaning of the two Branches of the two Olive­trees, [Page 32]namely the Doctrine and Discipline of the Scriptures, which pour out of them­selves that golden oyl continually, Zech 4.12. Rev. 12.6. by which the Churches of Christ are fed in all Ages.

Fourthly, The last general conclusion, from this fourth of Zechary, is, that the golden Pipes are the Ministers of the Churches, through which the golden Oyl is conveighed from the two Olive­trees (the two Testaments) by the branches of Doctrine and Discipline, into the Candlestick (the Church) to feed and nourish her. Rev. 12.6.

These Pipes in the second Verse of this fourth of Zechary, Zech. 4.2. are said to be seven, which in the twelfth Verse are called The eyes of the Lord, which run too and fro through the whole Earth. Now what these seven eyes are, may be found out by that means which the Lord Jesus hath appointed, viz. searching the Scriptures.

S. John will tell us that these seven eyes sent forth into all the Earth, Rev. 5.6. Rev. 1.4. Rev. 8.2. are the seven Spirits of God which are before his Throne, & that these thus standing before him, are the seven Angels with Trumpets: which are none other then the Ministers of the Churches, as they are plainly called, Rev. 1.20.

They are called the seven Spirits, because as they are abundantly filled, so they are imployed by the Spirit which so mightily over-powers them, that they seem many times to be nothing but Spirit, taking their denomination from the most noble part in them, which is the Spirit, as Paul speaks, Not 1, 1 Cor. 15.10. Act. 15.28. Mat. 5 14.but the grace of God which was with me. These seven eyes are the light of the world, appointed by the Lord Jesus (that corner stone upon which they stand, Ze­chary 3.9.) for the building of his Church, Eph. 4.11, 12, 13. Rom. 12.6, &c. for the perfecting of his Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. And these seven are thus distinguished in the holy Scriptures (those faithful Witnesses of truth.)

• 1. Prophets.
• 2. Apostles.
• 3. Evangelists.
• 4. Pastours.
• 5. Teachers.
• 6. Ruling Elders.
• 7. Deacons.

These are the seven sorts of Officers, or seven Pillars, that the Lord Jesus Christ (the wisdom of the Father, Prov. 9.1. Gal. 2 9.) hath hewn out for the building of his great house the Church.

These are his golden Pipes, so called by [Page 34]the Spirit of the Lord, as conveighing this precious liquor, this divine Treasure of the heavenly word for nourishment to the poor Church as well in her Wilder­ness condition, as in all Ages; though these blessed instruments of Christ term themselves but earthen Vessels, that so the excellency of this heavenly Treasure which is conveighed through them, 2 Cor. 4.7. may the more redound to the glory of God, yet the Spirit cals them golden Pipes.

These seven mentioned in the second Verse, are more comprehensively reduced unto two golden Pipes, vers. 12. answer­able whereunto those seven sorts of Of­ficers mentioned, are comprehended un­der the two chief; Eph. 2.20. that is, Apostles and Prophets, upon whose foundation we are built, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner Stone.

And thus I suppose it is evident, that I have not presumed without clear warrant from the Law and the Testimony to af­firm;

1. That the two Olive-trees are the two Te­staments, or those Witnesses of Christ appointed to feed the Church, as in all Ages, so through the whole course of Papal Persecution, viz. one thousand two hundred and threescore years.

2. That the Candlesticks are the Churches of the Saints.

3. That the two Olive-branches are Do­ctrine and Discipline.

4. That the golden Pipes are the Ministers of the Churches.

The fifth Verse.

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceed­eth out of their mouth, and devoureth their Enemies; and if any man will hurt them, he must on this manner be killed.

The Pope and his Parasites had power enough, and did exercise that power to the utmost, in killing and spoyling, torment­ing and harrasing the poor Saints in this time of their exile; and therefore the Saints cannot possibly be the Witnesses, as some have conceived; many a precious ser­vant of Jesus lost his life for the Wit­nesses sake, that is for holding close to the Law & to the Testimony, (those Witnesses of Christ) against the Antichristian Tyran­ny of their bloody persecutors; but to the wonder and amazement of the World, (& to the high praises of our God, be it for ever acknowledged) they had no power to overcome or suppress the Scriptures [Page 36]till toward the end of their prophesie, or fi­nishing their testimony in Sackcloth.

I know many had an earnest desire to destroy them; they wanted no will to the work, but maugre all their rage and ma­lice, though they dig'd as deep as Hell, leaving no stone unturnd that might seem to conduce to the support of their Tyran­nical Antichristian State: yet whether they judged the Scriptures of no weight, or slighting them as below the glory of their Babel; or whether the terror of the Curse, Rev. 22.18. like fire in their bones deterred them, or what other secret operation it was, I know not: but by the mighty power of God, these heavenly Witnesses have been wonderfully preserved in this Baby­lonish Captivity, through the whole course of their Prophesie in Sackcloth 1260 years.

The sixth Verse.

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their Prophesie; and have power over waters to turn them into bloud, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

While the Saints are in Goshen, the King­dom [Page 37]of Antichrist is smitten with sundry plagues (the effects of the Saints prayers) but none so dreadful as that universal thick darkness that soon over-spred the whole Land of the Beast: Rev. 16.10. while the holy Spouse of Christ (troden under-foot) enjoys the light of her Beloveds shining face, to whom it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but the scarlet Strumpet in the midst of all her brags, (that she is no widdow but the wife of Christ, that her eldest son is his Vicar, that she is Infallible and cannot be deceived,) is given up to a spirit of slumber and strong delusions, to believe lyes; Mark. 4.11. that seeing they might see and not perceive, and hearing they might hear and not understand, lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

No dew of Grace descends upon those cursed Families; the waters of the San­ctuary are now by little and little stopt from them; at first, the great burning Mountain (the Beneficence of the great Constantine) being cast into the Sea of Rome, Rev 8.8, 9. a third part presently became blood, and the third part of the Ministers in that Church (with their adherents) de­parted from the Faith: a while after, the [Page 38]whole Sea was generally poysoned, and became as the bloud of a dead man; Rev. 16 3. and so there was an universal revolt from the doctrine of salvation to lying Fables, vain Superstitions, Miracles, Signs and Wonders, with all deceivableness of un­righteousness; and every living foul that drank this poyson in the Cup of her abo­minations, presently dyed.

How the fire that proceeded out of the mouthes of the Witnesses hath devoured their Enemies, and how they have smote their Enemies with all manner of plagues, is very remarkable. Multitudes of Examples might be produced, of which take a taste: Surely the fiery indignation of the Lord hath been wonderfully manifested against these desperate Antichristian Enemies in their cursed Attempts, to race, deface, corrupt, or any way to hurt these Divine Witnesses (the holy Scriptures) in their 1260 years Sackcloth.

The Emperour Valence (infected with the Arrian Heresie) opposing the Scrip­tures and the Divinity of Christ, Ruff. lib. 2. cap. 13. after a shamefull flight before the Enemy, got in­to a little house, which being suddenly set on fire, consumed this cursed mis­creant.

Dioclesian for burning the holy Scrip­tures, Ruff. having been tormented with sundry diseases in his body, and his house burned with fire from Heaven, at last (being terri­fied with Thunder) fell mad and killed himself.

Olimpus Bishop of Carthage (an Arrian Heretick) blaspheming the holy Trinity, Paul Dia­con. Ann. 510. was immediately struck dead with a three­forked thunder-bolt.

Anastatius Dicorus a grievous Enemy to the Lord and his blessed Witnesses, Zenoras, lib. 3. (the holy Scriptures) was distroyed with Thunder and Lightning.

For this same detestable wickedness, the City of Antioch was consumed with fire from Heaven, in the seventh yeer of Justinus the Emperour.

Other Hereticks (in the time of Pope Innocent the Third) denying the Resurre­ction, and defiling the holy Scriptures with Urine, &c. were destroyed at once by War and Fire, to the number of 100000.

A Treasurer of Julian the Apostate, Chrysost. lib. 1. cap. 34. as he was mocking and deriding at the holy Word of God, fell a vomiting up his own blood, his privie parts rotting, putrifying, and consuming with lice; he died therewith most miserably.

Arrius (that arch-Heretick) having blasphemed the Lord Jesus and his blessed Word, Theodor. and after pretending a recantation of his Errors, and subscribing his name to the truth; from whence having quickly revolted again; he was smitten suddenly with such horrible pangs in his guts, that seeking to ease himself, his breath was stopt, and his guts ran out of his funda­ment, and so he dyed upon his own excre­ments.

Pope Leo the Tenth, a prophane scoffer at the holy Scriptures, Theatr. Judg. pag. 144. calling the Gospel a Fable; was in the midst of his horrible blasphemies surprized by death from the immediate hand of God.

Nestorius the Heretick, N [...]ceph. lib. 3 cap. 36. opposing the Di­vinity of Christ, and blaspheming the Scriptures, (in his banishment) was tor­mented with such a fearful disease, that his blasphemous tongue was gnawed in pieces by worms, and the Earth ope­ned her mouth and swallowed him up.

Pope Julius (a notable despiser of Gods Word, Pale.) was another like object of his fierce wrath.

So Julian Apostata, Theodor. lib. 3 c. 11 jeering and scoffing at Maries Son and his blessed Word and Ordinances, had his entrals secretly [Page 41]rotted, and vomiting up his excrements he died.

Denterius (an Arrian Bishop) baptizing in a blasphemous manner contrary to the Scripture, viz. I baptize thee in the Name of the Father through the Son in the holy Ghost; the water suddenly vanished: the like also befel to Paulus a Novation Bi­shop.

Cerinthus (the Heretick) obscuring the everlasting Gospel, Euscb. was overwhelmed with the sudden fall of an hot-House.

In the year of our Lord 420. many thousands were distroyed for the like in­dignities offered to the holy Scriptures, (as an evident testimony of the great power of these blessed Witnesses.)

Doctor Whittington (in the raign of Hen­ry the Seventh) having miserably afflicted a Christian woman in Chipping-Sadbury for her use of the Scriptures, Theatr. Judg. pag. 60, 61. and having past the sentence of death upon her as an Heretick; a Bull breaking loose from a place far distant, ran violently through the throng of people (without hurting any) till he came to the Doctor, thrusting him at the first blow through the paunch, and after often goring him, trailed his guts upon his horns about the Street, while the [Page 42]people stood astonished with admira­tion.

Thus by a few Examples of many that might be produced, is the wrathfull indig­nation of a mighty offended Majesty evidently demonstrated against such as durst presumptuously attempt to hurt the blessed Witnesses (the holy Scriptures) during the time of their 1260 years Pro­phesie in Sackcloth.

The seventh Verse. And when they shall he about (for so the word is to be translated) to finish their testimony, the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit, shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Let us now look back again, and before we speak of the finishing; let us consider diligently, when they began their testimo­ny in Sackcloth.

That they began to put on Sackcloth at that time exactly and precisely, when the Church fled into the Wilderness, is cleer, Apoc. 12.6. and that they should continue with her (prophesying in Sackcloth) in her exile, Ibid. and affliction, the whole term of [Page 43]1260 yeers, is cleer also: And I believe there is none (but Papists and their Fel­lows) but will readily grant, that the Wo­man is the Primitive Churches, Isa. 51.16.61.10.60.19. covered with Christ her Husband the true Son of Righteousness, and trampling upon all inferiour sublunary things, Acts 2.45.4.34, &c. Phil. 3.7, 8. crowned with her twelve bright infallible Stars, whose heavenly Doctrine and Discipline made her eminently glorious in those Primitive times, before the forth of mens invention had soyled her pure garments, those pre­cious Robes of Righteousness where­with she was most richly adorned by her Royal Husband, looking upon all earthly glory with an eye of scorn and contempt.

And now her pregnant womb being become fruitful, Isai. 54.1.61.10. (and her former barren­ness taken away) according to those pre­cious Promises made unto her, The ten Primitive Persecuti­ons. she travels and labors through many a bitter pang of heathen persecution, crying in pain to be delivered; which that ancient Enemy of mankind perceiving, he stands ready before the distressed, afflicted, persecuted Church, to devour her child as soon as it was born.

At the end of three hundred years, her long looked for hour came, when to the [Page 44]exceeding great joy of all true Saints, she was delivered of a Man-child, Ann. 304. (viz. the first Christian Emperour Constantine) who breaking forth like the Sun-beams in glorious raies, for the dispelling of those dismal clouds of bloudy persecution, which had so miserably harrased the Churches, he openly taking upon him the patronage of the Gospel, performed most glorious exploits for the honour of the Lord Jesus, and by the martial prowis of a victorious Arm, blessed by many wonderful Atchievements, he ruled all the Nations with a Rod of Iron; the weight whereof Maxentius and Licinius (among many others) did feel to purpose.

But all this while the Dragon roars won­derfully, having drawn to his Party the third part of the Stars, endeavouring by all possible means to devour this manly Son of the Church, first by his instru­ments Dioclesian and Galerius, who expo­sing him to the rage and fury of the Sama­ritans, and failing herein of their design by his unexpected victorious return, they contrived a way to devour him by en­gaging him with a Lyon under a pretence of trying his valor; many other snares were laid to take away his life; but none [Page 45]so dangerous as that Arrian gulf, wherein the Dragon with the third part of those fallen Stars endeavoured to swallow him.

From all which cursed designs, he was wonderfully, and even miraculously pre­served, by that gratious hand, who took him up to his Throne, viz. the Royal Thorne of the Empire; the highest honor and dignity in the world, and to make his glory compleat indeed, he was (from his former Idolatry) caught up to the chast imbraces of the Spouse of the Lord Jesus, that blessed holy Throne where the great Jehovah delighted to sit; while it conti­nued pure.

To this and all other Churches of Saints, Rev 8.8. Now was that voyce from hea­ven heard, viz. this day is poyson powred forth in­to the Church, for now Christs is death slighted; and er­rors &c. prevail a­bundantly. he presently became not only a famous Protector, but a most bountifull bene­factor; heaping mountains of Royal favours upon them, in so much as he is supposed (through his fervent zeal mani­fested in wonderfull beneficence) to be that burning Mountain cast into the sea, upon which the third part of the sea of Rome suddainly became blood, that is the third part of her doctrine, and discipline was corrupted by the third part of the Stars that the Dragon drew down after him: which fallen stars being now at rest [Page 46]and peace, this peace producing plenty, and that luxury, all which beget ambiti­ous designs, which having the bounty of a Royal Emperor, as a fit object before them, they not knowing how to manage such a prosperous estate, having been so long pressed down with cruel persecutions and deep afflictions, do suck in this libera­lity with so much greediness, that they cease not swelling till they burst with it, into such excessive pride, pomp, state, cruelty, luxury, and all kind of wicked­ness, that they force the poor woman, (even as soon as she hath but newly brought forth her man-child) to flie into the Wilderness, Rev. 12.5, 6. that is into holes and corners; anywhere to enjoy her Beloved in the purity of his Ordinances, with which she is fed and nourished by her two Witnesses (the holy Scriptures prophesy­ing in Sackcloth with her) 1260 yeers.

And now that an open gap might be made for the man of Sin to be set up in his Chayr of Pestilence, the Royal man-child translateth his Imperial Throne from Rome to Constantinople; 2 Thes. 2.7. Comment of the London Ministers. and so the let, spoken of by S. Paul (being by the judge­ment of most of the ancient Doctors of the Church, the Romane Empire) by this [Page 47]removal of Constantine taken out of the way, Pope Sylvester (taking hold of this opportunity of the Emperours absence,) laden too heavily with many royal favors, layes the foundation of Babel, but yet so secretly, privily, covertly and obscure­ly, that a very curious diligent eye could hardly discern it in these beginnings; and indeed had it not wrought so obscurely and almost indiscernably, it could not have been the Mystery of Iniquity; and therefore the Prophet Daniel (though throughly acquainted with this working of the man of Sin) is brought in, dili­gently observing, and prying very nar­rowly before he could discern him; so secret and obscure were his beginnings, Dan. 11.21. Dan. 7.8. hardly suspected of any, as being a horn too little (at first) to be feared, but as lit­tle as it is, it loseth no time to make it self great, but partly by flatteries & subtile in­sinuations, highly raising the same & merit of such as were bountiful and liberal to the Churches, vehemently exciting others to the like beneficence, till at last he is heightned (by obtaining of Kingdoms and Provinces) to an open discovery of himself to be that great Antichrist.

Thus in his Infancy he begins to erect [Page 48]the Chayr of Pestilence; for no man denyeth (saith Guicciardin) that the Tran­slation of the Empire, was the first cause of the Popes Authority. Hist. Trent. pag. 833. Hakewil Apol. pag. 473. For now the people of Rome withdrew their obedience from the Emperors, by occasion of their ab­sence; and it is the confession of the Jesuits themselves, that the Empire was (not only then translated, but even) long since dissolved, and so the great Let re­moved, and an open door set for the Pa­pal Kingdom to be elevated by degrees to its heigth of impiety, which must likewise by degrees come to utter ruine and de­struction, as the foundation of Babel is now laid upon the translation of the Empire from Rome; so the poor woman (the true Church of Christ perceiving the Mystery of Iniquity beginning to work) not able to side with the pomp, pride, ambition, su­perstition, and all kinde of wickedness, that the most are drownd in; she flies into the Wilderness; which is no other then the few faithful Saints that kept close to the Rule, associating together in some private corners, even in the midst of Rome, (the outward Court,) as also many precious societies of Saints did in London, and other places in England and Wales, in the late [Page 49]dayes of bloody Antichristian Prelates) giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another.

Even so did this virgin Spouse of Christ keep close to the Faith, holding fast to her first love, being fed and nourished with the pure lively Oracles, (these heavenly Witnesses of Christ) in these secret cor­ners and retired covert places, in the midst of Pergamos where Satans seat was.

And this is that Wilderness condition and obscure hiding place, that God pre­pared for her and her Witnesses, that there she might be securely preserved from the unfaithful Watch men, who having learn­ed to lord it over Gods Heritage, and to smite their fellow servants, and to eat and to drink with the drunken, and to abuse this simple Spouse of Christ, and take away her vail; these and such like actions as these, is the treading underfoot the ho­ly City by these degenerate Romish Gen. tiles (the outward Court) which are now generally infected with the Arrian Heresie and other dreadful abominations. Taylor. Li­bert. pag. 141. 143.

This is the Revelation of our English Prophet, Bright­man. Rev. Apoc. p. 79. who saith that ‘no sooner did some peaceable conditions begin to ap­pear, and Heathenish Tyranny cease, [Page 50]but straightway did the Bishops begin to be set on fire with spiteful dissenti­ons, &c.’ the Bishops of Rome (even so early) boasting with brags of pride in Peters Chayr and succession from him, upon whom they affirm the foundations of the Church is laid; and this foolish con­ceit produced that presumptious Edict, that Tertullian (who lived in the third Cen­tury) condemned; I hear (saith he) that there is a peremptory Edict set forth of late, Trap. Com­ment. pag. 291. Thus saith the chief Priest, the Bishop of Bishops, &c. I hate (saith Basil) the pride of that Western Church. And thus by this excessive pride of these Romish Gentiles, boasting of their external glory and lustre, they do plainly declare to the world that they are none of the true Church hid in this secret covert.

By all which it is evident, that imme­diatly after the birth of the man-child, Rev. 12.5.6. the woman fled into the Wilderness (or secret corners, with her heavenly Wit­nesses the sweet Scriptures of truth) and this is that Inner Temple that was exactly measured and prepared by God for her, Rev. 11.1. where she is fed, nourished, and supported by them, through her saddest, darkest, Wilderness course of 1260 prophetical [Page 51]dayes, which in Scripture language, is so many years, as is cleer by Ezeck. 34.6. and other Scriptures.

In all which term of time the holy City lies troden underfoot by the Gentiles in the outward Court, even those who were but yesterday (as it were) come out of trou­ble and misery themselves, having been the objects of Heathens scorn and derision, and subject to their rage, malice, & cruelty; having obtaind a little rest, and the sweet gales of peace now breathing upon them, they turn this grace into wantonness and cruelty, smiting their fellow servants, and lording it over their brethren, even as others do to this day, who think them­selves the true Churches of Christ, rob­bing them of all external comforts, while they cleave to, and dare not relinquish the Gospels simplicity; and soo Rome, (lately a true Church of Christ) is the first that preacheth and practiseth cruelty, force, violence and persecution.

And did Rome do so? Taylor. Libert. pag. 26. and is Rome sin­gular in these ungospel-like dealings? have not Englands Watch-men learned the same lesson, and pretty well con'd it by heart? Look upon the late Prelats, see what their practice was, soon after the [Page 52]bloody Marian dayes. Many living te­stimonies can yet bear witness against the monstrous cruelties of them and their Successors; but they are gone out like the snuff of a tallow candle, and no doubt but their name will soon perish, though the stinke remain.

How happy had it been if Diotrephes had perished with them! but alas our mi­sery! our brethren who suffered with us under the late Antichristian persecution of the Prelates, have now laid and do already act upon as violent principles of Tyranny and cruelty as either of the former; and had not the Lord wonderfully raised up a faithful Magistracy for the support of his Saints, banishment had been their gentlest punishment.

Had it been an open Enemy that had done this, Psa. 55.13. I could have born it; but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide and mine acquaintance, with whom I took sweet counsel, and walked unto the house of God in company; this cuts to the quick.

All these, Pope, Prelates, Presbyters, and some mounted a little higher, while they were under the ferula, accounted persecution unlawful; but being out of [Page 53]the danger of a Pile and a Faggot them­selves, they quickly change their opinion, and become as bloody persecutors as their Predecessors.

But to return, to consider the exact time when the Witnesses began to prophesie in Sackcloth, it is cleer, I hope proved by full evidence from Scripture, &c. that no sooner did the Churches begin to take breath from Heathenish Persecution by the birth of the man-child Constantine, but the Dragon cast out of his mouth such a horrible flood of Arrian cruelty, Clav. Apoc. pag 47. that (as one saith) it did seem to equal that of the Heathens, if not far exceed it, while the poor Saints (with a wonderful constant resolution) sadly sigh forth this Swan-like Song, Moulin. Theoph. pag. 278. We are burned for reading the Scrip­tures, while we burn the more in love to read them.

These blessed Witnesses (the Scrip­tures) were at first collected by the Em­perial Edicts of the Royal man-child Constantine, immediately upon his birth (I mean his spiritual birth all along) and though many other Writers came in under the names of the Apostles, yet only those were received for Authentick, of which evident proof was made to be truly theirs. [Page 54]And these being compleated in one Vo­lumn together, were called the New Testa­ment, and joyned to the other Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets, which were called the Old Testament.

So that now, and not till now, were the Two Testaments apparantly visible: For what by reason of those ten bloody Per­secutions, their extream poverty, their continual labouring for life, &c. the poor Christians had neither leisure nor liberty to collect the Scriptures into one Volumn, (they being also deprived of that benefit of Printing which we, now enjoy) & withal considering the far distant places each from other to which the Gospels and Epistles were written, it cannot well be imagined how the poor distressed Churches should accomplish so great a work as this, of com­piling this holy Book; this was a design reserved (and a work only fit) for the royal man-child to accomplish.

So that at this instant, the two Wit­nesses received the power promised to them; Rev. 11.3. and no sooner did they receive this Authority, but presently they began to prophesie in Sackcloth; Anno Dom. 304. for now the Church of Rome that was lately so famous in their sufferings, raised with the prospe­rous [Page 55]gales of the Emperors breath, do sail with such a full clew of peace, tranquillity, honor, wealth, &c. that being hereby lul'd fast asleep, the grand Enemy who is ever waking and watching for such an oppor­tunity, now sows his cursed tares of Superstition, Idolatry and Heresie a­mongst them; Tulk. Rhem. Test. p. 657. Dr. Homes new world pag. 14. but so secretly and cunning­ly as is declared, that this Cockatrice did not suddenly appear to open view.

But presently these tares grew apace (as ill weeds will do) so that with ease and prosperity they soone degenerate into Er­ror and all kinde of vanity; and as vice encreaseth, Hosea 4.7. Brightman. Rev. apoc. pag. 112. so (the foster mother) the false Church encreaseth, and quickly grows very ample and spacious, while the true Church lies hidden, obscure in corners, with her sorrowful Witnesses in sable Sackcloth; so that the major part laying aside the simplicity of the Gospel, betake themselves wholly to advance their out­ward state; and the blessed Word of Truth, that prohibites affectation of great­ness, lordliness, and outward pomp, is slighted, and contemned, by this Aposta­tized Chuch of Rome, who being now full and compleat (in their own conceits) lacking nothing, tread underfoot the holy [Page 56]City, and by degrees mounting from po­verty to all outward felicity, and her Pa­stor from being an honest poor Minister, riseth to the state of a Lordly Diocesan Prelate; from thence to be Primate and Metropolitan of Italy; and at length by fawning and flatteries he obtaineth the Kingdom, even the Province and City, denominating the Emperor; 2 Thes. 2.7. Dan. 11.12. and now this Let being taken out of the way, that only obstructed the Revelation of Antichrist, the Popish Authors (little suspecting their lord god the Pope to be the man) begin to wonder where this king of pride is; what shall we say (saith one) to this, that long since the Nations fell away from the Roman Empire, and yet Antichrist is not Come? Before the comming of Antichrist, the Nations were to fall away, Thomas. Lyra. as we see it already done saith another; but as their Fore-fathers, the Scribes and Pharises seeing the Scepter departed from Judah, wondred that the Messias came not, when he was working wonders amongst them all the while, and they could not discern him: Even so these blind Popish Guides were gaping after the Revelation of the son of Perdition, when he was all the time of their seeking for him (and long [Page 57]before) sitting in his Pontificalibus, exalt­ing himself above all that is called God; being mounted by almost insensible de­grees from a little horn, Fulk. Rhem. Test. pag. 329. & a vile contemp­tible condition to command (as he pre­tends) all the Kings and Kingdoms in the World; as to instance a little in some par­ticulars.

Zacharias Pope of Rome having deposed Childerick King of France, and absolved his Subjects from their Oath of Fealty, he gave the Kingdom to Pipin, who afterward he made to kiss his feet.

Gregory the Second, excommunicated the Emperor Leo the Third, because he was an enemy to Images; and while the good Emperor was casting down these Idols, Field of the Church, pag. 623. this son of Perdition made Decrees for the people to revolt from their obe­dience to him.

Pope Gregory the Seventh, deposed Henry the Fourth, and made him, his wife and child, wait three dayes bare-foot at his Palace Gate.

What shall be said to that excessive pride of Pope Alexander the Third, treading upon the neck of Fredrick the Emperor, spurning from the head of ano­ther the Imperial Crown, making others [Page 58]hold his bridle, his stirrop, kiss his feet? the Emperors being water to wash his hands, carry the first Dish to his Table, bear his Cup, his Train, carry him upon their shoulders, &c. call him our lord god the Pope; yea to this day, the Elect Emperors by order are to worship the Pope at his Coronation.

Paul the Third said, that he was above all Princes in the World; that he could change Kingdoms at his pleasure; that no Prince should be his Companion, but all Subjects under his feet, as it was fit they should, by the will and appointment of him who had built his Church upon Peter his Predecessor; that he would die, over­throw all, and set the World on fire, rather then be base; and yet as much as he scornd baseness, he was not asham'd nor a­fraid of that desperate sin of Perjury, &c.

Boniface went in Procession attired with the Crown Imperial.

Pope Alexander the Sixth, was so en­raged with burning lust to his own Daugh­ter, that he could not endure any man to enjoy her but himself, and therefore he dissolved her Marriage from two Hus­bands, that so he might wholly engross her to his Incestuous lust, which yet he [Page 59]fell short of; for his own two Sons, the Duke of Candia, and Cardinal of Valentia, did also share with their Father in the In­cestuous enjoyment of their Sister, for whose sake Valentia murthered his Bro­ther.

Yea, In Vita Pauli 5. so generally wicked and abomina­ble were the Popes of Rome, that Papirius Massonius (a Popish Writer) saith, no man expects any sanctity in Popes now a­dayes; they are thought to be excellent Popes if they have never so little honesty, or be not so wicked as other men use to be. Is it not miraculous that the great and holy God, the fountain of Justice hath so long endured such dreadful and abomina­ble wickedness? If it be said that some Bishops of Rome were accounted holy men, in the fourth and fifth Century, and some Councels of those times were well approved of; and therefore Antichrists rising could not be so early as the yeer 304.

I answer: Antichrist and his kingdom, is the Mystery of Iniquity (as hath been shewed,) and therefore the Prophet Daniel considereth diligently, and searcheth curi­ously before he could espie him, so dark & obscure were his beginnings, in sheeps [Page 64]cloathing, Mat. 7 15. Rev. 13.11. Mat. 24.24. with horns like a Lamb, yet spake like a Dragon, and raven'd like a Wolfe.

Neither do I believe that all the Bishops of Rome immediately after Constantine, had knowledge of what they did (as to the furtherance of this work of darkness) or that their seat was the Chayr of Pesti­lence. Nay, I do think that some of them did with great confidence abominate, and would with abundance of zeal and resolu­tion, have detested the thought of being instrumental in the setting up of Anti­christ.

The Jews and Gentiles that put the Lord of glory to a shameful death, 1 Cor. 2.8. little knew what they did; 2 King 8.12.13. when the Prophet Elisha fore-told Hazael of that horrible wickedness that he should do to the chil­dren of Israel, he was amazed at the thought of such abominations, & replyed with great resolution in detestation of it, But what is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing! Acts 22.4. Little did Paul think what he was about when he was going to Da­mascus against the Saints.

I dare not think that all the Bishops of Rome did promote this work knowingly and resolvedly; it is cleer that Gregory [Page 65]opposed John of Constantinople in his at­tempt to be made universal Bishop; and I believe he little dreamd how irrecovera­bly the Chayr he sate in was poysoned with the infection: Trap. Comment. pag. 292. And yet tis well known that himself did most basely insi­nuate, and earnestly desire the same title from the bloody Emperour Phocas.

Brightman considering the monstrous pride and worldly pomp that followed upon the Enjoyments of that glorious peace that was now established, thinks it no great wonder that this defection should so slily creep in, even whilst they were fer­vent in promoting and advancing Christi­anity; because that at the same instant, many were swoln big with contentions, others gaped after honors, some were delivered of desperate heresies, Rev. Apoc. pag. 112. and the Generality heaped up superstitions with­out measure.

And all this while the obscurity of the true Churches encreased every day more and more; the simple plainess and sincere purity of the Scriptures were more and more slighted, defiled, obscured, wre­sted and perverted by idle and fond Alle­gories, and absurd Expositions; Reliques were adored, and Religion placed in [Page 62]toys and trifles, while all kind of iniquity got ground.

And therefore we may not conceive that the man of sin was at first to be openly manifested; for how then should it be a Mystery of Iniquity? Rome was not built in a day; the Mystery was working in the Apostles days, but never got a feat in the Church till the Arrians bore sway, when the Christian world seemd to turn here­tique; and though the Chayr of Pestilence was now erected, and the true Church with her true witnesses now exiled: yet it was long before the man of sin was openly discovered; for as the true Church of Christ (after she had conceived) travailed with child 300. years to bring forth a Christian Emperour, so this degenerate Church of Rome (the ape of the true Church) travelled also 300 yeers, still swelling, and by insensible degrees growing bigger and bigger, till at last she brought forth the spurious birth of a universal Bishop; in the reign of the bloody Emperor Phocas, Anno Dom. 600. And now is the great Antichrist open­ly enthroned at the same time when the Empire is divided and broken into ten Kingdoms. Rev. 17.12. viz.

• 1. Brittons.
• 2. Saxons.
• 3. Franks.
• 4. Burgundians.
• 5. Wisegothes.
• 6. Swedes.
• 7. Vandals.
• 8. Astrogoths.
  Mede A­poc. cap. 8.
• 9. Almans.
• 10. Greeks.

Of which ten, three fall quickly before the Beast according to Daniels Prophesie; Dan. 7.8. Park. Pro­phe. p. 28. and those were the Greeks, Longobards and Franks; and to these, Pipin adds another temporal dominion.

And now this king of pride, A brief Exposition of part of Dan. 11.22. (as with the arms of a Flood) bears down all before him, exalts himself against the Prince of the Covenant, with all power and lying wonders; yea, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness: Vers. 24. Entring upon the fattest places of the Provinces; whereupon he founds his Superstious prophane Abbeys, Nunneries, Monasteries, &c. where he fats up his Locusts, those Idols drones, belly-gods, that in huge swarms have fil­led all his Dominions, even the choycest fattest places thereof, as is obvious to every eye that will but look upon the de­cayed superstitious Places in our own Land where the Swine have swilled: he wageth war with the King of the South, [Page 64]and overcometh all those Southern Kings that dare oppose him, Dan. 11.25. as Soliman in Asia, Cassianus in Syria, the Egyptian Caliph in Judaea; which exploits were performed by that incarnate Devil Hilderbrand, Vers. 26. Vers. 28. who returned with great spoyls and abundance of Treasures, he fals on with rage, fury and violent persecution against the poor Waldensian Protestants; and at length by open hostility he destroys many thousands of this covenanted people, Vers. 30. in a most bloody, fierce and cruel War.

After this, Vers. 31. is the breaden god, (the a­bomination that maketh desolate) set up amongst them, Via Tuta, pag. 118. the Idol doctrine of Tran­substantiation established for an Article of Faith, Vers. 32. and the true Sacrifice taken away.

In the midst of all this Pride, Tyranny and Persecution, the Lord preserves him­self a peculiar people (as in Elias time) e­ven in the heart of Romes Dominions; a people that cleave close to the Lord, whom he strengthens in the midst of their sorrows, so that they do glorious exploits (of the highest nature, like the Son of God) while they overcome by sufferings: These Waldensian Protestants were un­doubtedly that people here spoken of, that know their God and understand his will, Vers. 33. [Page 65]and therein instruct many thousands both by doctrine and sufferings, by the sword, by flame, by spoyl, and by Captivity, whereunto they know they were appoint­ed with the rest of their brethren for many daies, even 1260 years, which they go through with wonderful constancy, Vers. 34. patience and resolution.

But at last they shall be holpen with a little help, some small weak unlikely means; for what was Luther, Calvin, Me­lancton, and a few such in comparison of that great Potentate, and his Scarlet Con­clave? and yet this little help strikes a good stroak, & wonderfully refresheth the poor wasted Churches, but abates little of the pride and cruelty, luxury and abominati­ons of Antichrist, who is still as desperate­ly wicked as any of his Predecessors; what wickedness was formerly acted, that France, Spain, Italy, &c. is yet reformed of?

Did Clement the Sixth poyson the good Emperour Lodowick? Did Pope Joan (alias Gilberta) openly discover her self to be a notorious Strumpet in the open street? what may be said to Ticell, affirm­ing, that though a man should lie with the Virgin Mary, he could by the Popes power freely pardon the sin.

What may be thought of the Tyranny, Perjury, Murther, Extortion, Adultery, Incest, and other monstrous villanies of Pope John the Thirteenth, who lay with Stephana his Fathers Concubine, defloured several Virgins, set houses on fire, put out the eyes of Benedict, drank to the Devil, &c. What a goodly Tenet was that of Boni­face, That whoredom is no more a sin then the rubbing of the hands together.

These and many such like are the ap­ples that grow in that filthy Lake of So­dome to this day, as they that have any ex­perience in Romes Territories do wel know; what fearful Tragedies, what desperate villanies, what inhumane bestialities are still rise within these Confines? scarce a night passeth, but in most Towns of Trade in Spain and Italy, several lose their lives; and no wonder, when for a Royal of six pence value, a Brave will undertake to dispatch any mans life, and when he hath done, flie but to the Popish Church and he is secure; how abominably is the Lords day prophaned by Mercats, Plays, &c. what multitudes of filthy Stews doth this man of Sin yeerly receive vaste sums of money from, for their al­lowance? God forbids whoredom, and [Page 67]appoints marriage: the Pope that he may shew himself to the life to be Antichrist, expresly forbids marriage, and allows whoredom.

But this sin is venial (indeed they say) in comparison of that more dreadfull, beastly, Sodomitical abomination main­tained amongst them, and defended in books, and praysed in Songs, &c.

A Cardinal seeing two men led to Ex­ecution, said they should not die; but he would desire their lives of the Duke his Brother; when it was told him what villany they had committed, The one be­ing a wretched Murtherer, he set him free, but the other being condemned for Sodo­my, he presently cryed, Away with him to Execution! Base Peasant that dare presume to meddle with the pleasures of a Prince.

Of the like stamp was that other Cardi­nal, who having a Bitch, that he had long abused himself with, and the Bitch at last dying, he buryed her with much cost in his Garden, and built a stately Monu­ment over her, and upon it wrote these two lines:

But how have I forgot my self in raking this filthy Jakes; but the abomi­nable wickedness that mine eyes have seen practised amongst them (with much, much more) hath even forced this digres­sion from me.

I shall now return to the further dis­covery of this man of Sin from the ele­venth of Daniels Prophesie. Who was so far from Reformation upon the discovery of Light by Luther, (that little help spoken of) that now he grows more enraged, Dan. 11.34. mad and fierce then ever, witness those horrible butcheries, Massacres, Martyr­doms of poor Saints in Germany, and other places.

What? such a contemptible fellow as Luther, presume to meddle with his Scar­let Holiness, that exalteth himself above every God; yea, magnifieth himself and speaketh marvellous things against the God of gods! Vers. 36. for what God commands expresly in his sacred Law, they can easily finde some device or other to evade, or else to dispence with; whereas the commands of this son of perdition must be exactly obeyed, Europae spec. p. 52. and the breach of any of them (especially his late twelve diabolical Trent Articles) accounted a sin unpardonable.

And thus he must go on and prosper till the indignation be accomplished; Dan. 11.36. for before this Scoene changes, it is so deter­mined by the Highest, that he must over­come the blessed Witnesses, as will be cleerly proved.

Neither shall he regard any God, Vers. 37. nor the desire of women (in a lawful way.)

His Forces and strong Holds are the gods he rests upon; Vers. 38. his sumptuous Monasteries and swarms of Locusts, in them are his strength; the great riches (gold, silver, precious stones, and pleasant things) that by the superstitious devotion of his de­luded Creatures have been offered to Pictures and Images are his delight; and thus [...]e must frolick it according to the Wo [...]d, till he be ripe for destruction, which will eminently begin at the Resur­rection of the Witnesses.

The residue of this eleventh Chapter of Daniel foretels, that the Turk shall invade Antichrist on the one hand, and the Em­perour of Germany on the other hand, with their various exploits. Dan. 11.44.

But while this son of perdition is thus embroyled in fierce Wars; tidings out of the East shall trouble him, that is, the Jews (the Kings of the East) being now [Page 70]moved by the Spirit of God to return to their own Land (before whom the great River Euphrates is dryed up, to make way for them to their ancient habitation) this news shall so exceedingly amaze them, that now these great Enemies, Turk, Pope, Ezech. 33. & 39. Chapters. Zach. 14.2. &c. (that have so long kept the poor Jews in slavery) shall joyn their Forces altogether, and go forth with one consent to destroy with great fury this poor di­stressed unarmed people; Dan. 11.45. and having now begirt and surrounded them in the holy Land, with intent to devour them at once, as being now fully in their power in the midst of this miserable, helpless, hopeless condition, up stands Michael the great glo­rious Prince, discomfits this great and mighty Host, and delivers his distressed ancient people out of their hands; and not only so, but he also puts such courage into his peoples spirits, that they fall upon their Enemies, and obtain a wonderful Victory; all their oppressors by this mighty Con­quest being now made their Captive slaves according to promise. Isai. 14.2. This is that glorious day in which the Lord Jesus Christ by the brightness of this his glori­ous appearance will utterly distroy this man of sin.

And thus from the eleventh Chapter of Daniel we have had a short survey of the rise, raign, and ruine of Antichrist; of which we may have a more full discovery afterwards.

I shall now return to prosecute the story of the blessed Witnesses, as they are now about to lay aside their Sackcloth. Dan. 5.1.2, 3, 4, 5. Now while Antichrist is in the midst of his pomp, power, and ruffe of Pride, a­busing (like Belshazzar) the holy things of the Lords Temple, feasting, and praysing his gods of silver and gold, in this his heigth of jollity, comes forth the hand writing against him; for now by the appearance of Luther, Calvin, Me­lancton, &c. he perceives that the Wit­nesses are about to finish their Testimony; wherefore he adresseth him with all power and policy to overcome them: Let us therefore more diligently enquire;

1. Of the time when these blessed Witnesses were to finish their Testimony.

2. Of the nature of the War made by An­tichrist against them.

3. How they were overcome and killed.

4. The precise time when they were over­come.

First, The woman began to creep out of [Page 72]corners, and her faithful Witnesses to leave their Sackcloth, at that time when the little help (wherewith they were holpen) appeared in Luther, Dan. 11.34.Calvin, &c. by whose endeavors (blessed be the Lord) the holy Scriptures rising from the dark Dens of obscurity wherein they had so long con­tinued, feeding the Church in her Wilder­ness condition, began now to draw near to the finishing of their testimony in Sack­cloth. Clav. Apoc. pag. 115. Now do many Princes, Provinces, and Kingdoms renounce communion with Antichrist, and embrace the Gospel of salvation, breathing in life and glory to their souls: But it must be considered that their Sackcloth is not yet laid aside; they are yet but about (in the way) to finish their Testimony; the day only begins to break, Cant. 2.17. and Romish shadows to flie away.

For now the Beast laies about him to purpose; how doth he rage, and tear, curse, and blaspheme? how do his roaring Buls and thundring Anathema's flie about the World? now he declares himself Anti­christ to the life, shewing himself as god (nay, above all that is called God,) ab­solving Subjects from their Allegiance, promising heaven to murtherers to destroy Princes, casting others to the Devil by [Page 73]Excommunications, that either counte­nance, encourage, or embrace the Instru­ments by whom the holy Scriptures are brought to light.

And because it was hoped that a gene­ral Councel might be a means to obtain a right understanding of differences; how many shifts and stratagems are found to divert it? Cons. Trid. Epist. the Pope and his Creatures be­ing as fearful of a general Councel, as our late Prelates were of a Parliament; for they had some ground to suspect that their pomp, and pride, and luxury would hereby be detected; but when it was resolved upon, what devices, what subtilties were contrived to procure a majority of voyces; and thus the pretended Vicars of Christ are found the most pernicious Juglers in the world. At the length after 24 years ex­pectation, the cursed Conventicle of Trent was jumbled together, Ann. 1545. not to redress those foul enormities complain'd of, but to overcome and suppress the Wit­nesses, now about to finish their Testimony, which is the first thing.

Secondly, The nature of the War made by Antichrist against the holy Scriptures, is lively described, Dan. 11.36. And the King shall do according to his will, Dan. 11.36.and he shall [Page 74]exalt himself, and magnifie himself above every God, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods.

This War then is his blaspemous lan­guage and cursed Decrees against the Scriptures, Rhem. Test. Pres. Sect. 7. while under a pretence of a high esteem and reverence of them, he cuts out their tongues, and suffers not the people to have them in their own lan­guage; thus with all deceivableness of un­righteousness, with the kiss of a Judas, and the salute of a Joab, he stabs these blessed Witnesses under the fifth rib, belching forth these daggers of destruction against the holy Scriptures, that there are in them a thousand lyes, Acts and Mon. Epist. Via Tuta, pag. 289. that they are dead Chara­cters without life, a shell without a kernel, a leaden rule, Sphinx his Riddles, a wood of Thieves, a shop of Hereticks, imperfect, obscure, full of perplexities: with these weapons the man of Sin fighteth against the holy Scriptures, speaking great words against the most High, (one of the Scarlet crew cryes out before the Pope, Fie upon Peter, fie upon Paul, with a great deal more of such blaspemous stuff.) Dan. 7.25. Erasm. de Lat. Conc. lib. 3. And that he may throughly declare himself to be that great Antichrist, he daringly meets the Lord Je­sus at his own weapons.

I will make war and fight with mine ene­mies Gog and Magog,Apoc. 2.16.19.15.with the sword of my mouth, saith Christ.

I will make war against mine enemies the Scriptures, with the Sword of my mouth, saith Antichrist.

And he is as big as his word, Hist. Coun. Trent. 155. witness their accursed dealing with the Scriptures in their Conventicle of Trent; where, though clear proof was made of the ex­cellency of the Hebrew and Greek Origi­nals (to the full sence whereof they con­fess the Latin cannot attain) yet lest the cause should be yielded to the Protestants, Rhem. pref. sect. 57. Counc. Tre. pag. 156. the vulgar Latin is preferred, and they pronounced Hereticks that refuse it.

And it is there blasphemously asserted, that the Holy Ghost, who did dictate the Scriptures to Prophets and Apostles in Hebrew and Greek, Pag. 156. doth as truly dictate to the Church of Rome the vulgar Latin, as more beloved then the rest.

158.That there can be no hope of ending controversies, if popular Licence be gran­ted to read the Scriptures.

That the Doctrines of Faith were so well cleared by the Pope and School­men, that we ought no more to learn them out of Scripture.

That it was (indeed) formerly read in the Church, for instruction of the people: but now it was needless to study it any more.

159.That Scriptures must be interpreted, C. Cusanus. ac­cording to what articles of faith are esta­blished by the Church.

That the Church may vary in Exposi­tion of Scripture according to the times.

That it was fit to bridle the sawciness of such as should attempt to add any good thing to former Expositions of Scrip­ture.

160.That if any thing were discovered to any singular spirit, C. Facceco. he should be enforced to conceal it.

And after all these and such like despe­rate blasphemies against the Scriptures, their Latin Translation is approved, and none other to be received; And upon pain of Heresie it is forbid to say there are Errors in it; 161.and that none shall dare to refuse it, though it be plainly proved that they have blasphemously corrupted the Text in many things (in that corrupt tran­slation) as changing Ipse into Ipsa, thereby to make way for their Idolizing the blessed Virgin. Fulk Cont. Mart. p. 19

Their desperate wounding the 4. Com­mandment, [Page 77]reading it in this Diabolical Dialect, Remember to sanctifie the holy dayes.

In the Latin Bible upon Deut. 4. Via tuta, pag. 280. where it is observed, that God forbids the ma­king of Graven Images, their Jesuitical Index Expurgatorius hath cast it out; as all see they have most shamelesly dealt with all the writings of the Fathers; Rhem. Test. pag. 328. which hath provoked Doctor Fulk to exclaim against them, Out upon you Antichristian Hereticks, void of all truth and honesty.

But their shameful and blasphemous re­proaches of these heavenly Witnesses, ex­ceed all bounds of civility and humanity, charging them with inextricable obscu­rity, insufficient, imperfect, and what not.

Paul must be censured for a hot-headed person, Europ. spe­culum, pag. 164, 165. of whose assertions there is no great reckoning to be made; that 'tis dan­gerous to read him, Fulk Rhem. Test. Epist. to the Qu. as savouring of He­resie; upon these and such like pious con­clusions the Sacred Bible hath the honour of the first place in their Catalogue of Books prohibited; Via Tuta. these Monsters endea­vouring to their utmost power to hinder that any sound of Scripture should possess the people.

This is the nature of that cursed war, [Page 78]raised by the Beast against the Scriptures, as they are about to finish their Testi­mony.

What shall be given unto thee, Psal. 120.3, 4. or what shall be done unto thee, (for this thy Blas­phemy) thou false tongue?

What reward shalt thou have for the marvelous things thou hast done against the most High? Sharp Arrows of the migh­ty, with coals of Juniper.

Thirdly, the manner how these heaven­ly Witnesses were overcome and killed, must not be imagined to be a shedding of blood, forasmuch as these two Olive trees are uncapable of such suffering.

But as the working of their enemy is the mystery of iniquity, so are the weapons of this warfare such as may carry a resemblance of the weapons that the Lord Jesus useth in his Kingdom, 2 Cor. 10.4 whose Vicar the Beast pre­tends to be.

So that the Victory obtained by Anti­christ over the sacred Scriptures, is by the exercise of his power in suspending, suppres­sing, prohibiting the Translation of them into the vulgar Languages, not permitting them to live or breath in the streets of his great City. Indeed they are not buried, (that is beyond the power of Antichrist) [Page 79]they are still above ground, but 'tis in a dead letter, They take out the Candle, and give the Lant­horn to guide ig­norant people in a dark night. Deut. 4.2. & 28.14. the life and strength of them is taken away, nay the very heart of them is pulled out; for they have (to their ever­lasting shame) excluded the second Com­mandment from the Decalogue.

Thus void of fear of that dreadful curse which the Lord hath denounced against such desperate wickedness, and without the least apprehension of the terrors of the Almighty & his fierce wrath against that abhorred sin of Idolatry, which did so often provoke the eyes of his jealousie to punish his ancient people, hath this infer­nal beast not only presumed to blaspheme, Fulk Rhem. Test Epist. mangle, suppress and prohibit the eternall Word, but hath also most desperately cor­rupted the sence of it, least the deep si­lence of these blessed Witnesses (thus cloi­stered within the walls of an unknown Language) should break forth into loud clamors against his detestable wickedness; you have beheld him tearing out their ve­ry heart (as it were) in discarding the se­cond Precept from their Adulterate De­calogue; and this (by their detestable Councel of Trent) is declared good Ca­tholique Doctrine. Europ. spec. p. 185. Taylor Li­bert. pag. 115.

Much like that Antichristian expression [Page 80]of Pope Clement, Perswas. from Pop. p. 15. who shameth not to vaunt of that detestable Decree of his bloody Inquisition, That no Lay man must be permitted to have the Bible, or any part thereof in the vulgar Tongue; and this he prescribeth to be inviolably kept.

But from Decrees they at length come down to downright blows, &c. for after they have dealt with these blessed Witnes­ses, as their Predecessors did with the Lord Jesus, Mat. 26. with most bitter reproaches, calling them a dead and dumb thing, Jewel Def. Apol. p. 552. Act. Mon. p. 1133. a black Gospel, inken Divinity, dumb Judges, &c. they bring them to the stake; and this was done by the Popes Inquisi­tors in Paris, and in England, where by Proclamation they were burned.

And yet these Monsters while they burn the Scriptures, are more wicked in abusing them, to warrant their detestable practice, producing that blessed word, Mat. 7. Give not holy things to dogs, to justifie the with-hold­ing the Scriptures from the common People.

Fourthly, The exact time when these sacred Witnesses were overcome and kil­led, was in the year of our Lord 1564. when after the Conventicle of Trent (who as Judges in the Popes Assizes) had blas­phemed, [Page 81]arrained and condemned this Word of truth, Bulla Pii 4. 1564. Pope Pius the Fourth acted the part of the Executioner by his Anti­christian Decree, absolutely suppressing them, and denouncing Excommunicati­ons against any that should dare to use them; and now these blessed Witnesses having prophesied so many years in Sack­cloth, as their Lord and ours, had been preaching dayes in the time of his flesh, The pow­er of Rome they are overcome and killed by the same power that killed him, and are to lie unbu­ried about so many years as our Lord lay in grave; and some certain space of time after to ascend into Heaven, in imitation of his Ascension, as shall with the gracious Assistance of this Lord of life be shewed in its place.

By this time I hope it appears with some clearness,

1. Apoc. 12.6 That the woman was no sooner delivered of the manchild Constantine, but immediate­ly (through the violence of Arrian Persecuti­on, &c.) she flies into the wilderness in the time of Pope Sylvester. Anno 308.

2. That at the same instant the sacred Wit­nesses began to Prophesie in Sackcloth, and to feed the woman in her exile, as being her only support, succour, and sustenance, the whole [Page 82]course of her wilderness condition, viz. 1260. years.

3. That the holy City began even then to be trodden underfoot by the Romish Gentiles, (the mystery of Iniquity being now acting in the Chayr of Pestilence) but so obscurely and secretly, that it was hardly discernable at first.

4. We have also seen a glimps of the exces­sive Pomp, Pride, Luxury, and Cruelty of the man of sin all this dismall time of black ob­scurity.

5. The nature of the War raised and prose­cuted, to the overcoming of the Witnesses, as they were about to finish their testimony.

6. How, and when they were overcome and killed by those soul-murdering Butchers in the Slaughter-house of Trent, and the bellowing Bull of Pope Pius the 4. Ann. 1564. And if we add hereunto the three years and half of their lieing dead in the streets of the great City, which will be terminated in the year 1568. we shall fit (from the time of Sylvester, when they put on their sackcloth, Anno 308. to this time of Pius, when they put it off, Ann. 1568) the Account exactly perfected, viz. 1260 years of the womans exile, and the Witnesses Prophesie in Sackcloth.

For it cannot be imagined (I suppose) that [Page 83]their Prophesie should cease (in Sackcloth) till they had ended their sufferings at their Resurrection.

The eighth Verse. And their dead bodies shall lie in the streets of the great City, which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

That is, the City of Rome, by whose power our Lord also was crucified under Pilate the Roman Governor; through the streets or Provinces of this spiritual Sodom and Egypt, are the mangled, A fit Cha­racter for that Scar­let Strum­pet, except it fall too short, in regard of her more dreadfull abominations then either Sodoms filthiness or Egypts gross Idolatry or inhuman cruelty. massacred bo­dies of these Witnesses hurried and tum­bled in a dead letter, which the people understand not.

The ninth Verse. And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall see their dead bodies three dayes and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

The kindreds and tongues assembled in the Conventicle of Trent having overcome and killed them, Brightman saith, that unless the Angel had named the Councel of Trent in express words, he could not have spo­ken more plainly, pag. 119. as hath been declared, they now (as assured they have taken their life and power away) cast them out (thus mangled in a dead Character) to the peo­ple and Nations, devoted to the Whore, and all agree to keep them out of Graves, that they may exult and rejoyce in the tri­umph of their victory over them.

Will you have a brief Character of this accursed Crew in their Slaughter-house of Trent where the Witnesses were slain? Conc. Tri­d [...]nt. pag. 840.

The Councel of Trent was a meer pain­ted Sepulchre with a beautiful outside of specious pretences, Bp. 5 Chur­ches, pag. 849. nothing within but rot­tenness and putrefaction; or as one of their own Bishops said, the Councel seemed to consist, not of Bishops, but of disguised Masquers, Images rather then men, all striving to maintain the Popes inordinate [Page 85]and shameful domination; here poyson was caroused in a golden Cup.

Or to use the words of the French Queen Mother, nothing but a fair appearance of Flowers, without any fruit at all, their pro­ceedings being quite contrary to their ex­pressions, two thirds of the Bishops con­spiring and subscribing to hinder Refor­mation, &c.

In this filthy heap of mud and dirt whited over, are these blessed Witnesses strangled, and then (not suffered to remain in this painted Sepulchre, nor by the peo­ple to be finally buried) they are exposed to the scorn, derision and reproach of their enemies, with their tongues cut out, their breath stopt, overcome and killed.

The tenth Verse. And they that dwell upon the earth shall re­joyce over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another, because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

If you have taken notice of the dealings of the Philistines with Samson, you have a picture drawn to the life of these Anti­christian [Page 86]miscreants, in their abominable practices against the Scriptures, in the Councel of Trent, whereat they smile to this day in their triumph of their own wits, as at a Master-stratagem; let us compare them together.

Thus run these grand Enemies of Truth exact­ly parallel in their Actons, and are therefore de­sign'd to the like ruine.

I shal not further enlarge upon this verse, save onely on the latter part of it a little; and were there no other ground to evince the truth of what hath been delivered, this passage would abundantly satisfie that the Witnesses are none other then the ho­ly Scriptures; for these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

And what is it that hath power to tor­ment the consciences of wicked men on earth, but the Word of God? this, and only this (being the engine of the spirit) tormenteth them that dwell on the earth; Heb. 4.12. For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper then any two-edged Sword, pier­cing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts: No wonder if earthly men rejoyce and make merry at the overthrow of such opposites as these. At the hearing of the Word Ananias fell down dead, Foelix trembled, the Officers that came to appre­hend Christ fell backward to the ground; and by this Word shall wicked men be judged; and therefore no marvel that Antichrist and his Adherents should ex­alt, rejoyce, be glad, and send gifts one to another, when these blessed Witnesses that [Page 89]have so tormented them, are overcome and suppressed.

The eleventh Vers. And after three dayes and a half the Spirit of life from God entred into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell up­on them that saw them.

Three years and a half they continued in a dead letter suspended, suppressed, pro­hibited by Antichrist; and after this, in despight of all his Thunderbolts, the spi­rit of life from God entred into them, be­ing translated into many common Langua­ges about this time, and amongst the rest into English; yea the Papists themselves at Rhemes (seeing the multitude of people depart from them, and embrace the Scrip­tures) were at last constrained to translate them also, though in a corrupt manner and with most abominable Annotations upon them; yet even from hence did many a precious soul draw life and salvation, con­verting that into Honey which was the bane and poyson of others; and it is won­derful to me, that at this very exact time, both this and many other Translations of [Page 90]the Scriptures should come abroad in the open view of the world, Pref. Rhem. Test. Sect. 1. Compa­red with title page. Fulk. cont. Mar. Epist. Dedic. received and countenanced by many Christian Princes, to the great fear and terror of their Ene­mies who saw them thus raised from the dead.

But as yet, they ascended not into Hea­ven; only they were raised and lived, and stood upon their feet; that so in every thing they might resemble the Lord Je­sus (their Fountain,) who after his Resur­rection stood also upon his feet on this Earth fourty days, before he ascended up to Heaven; so these having stood a pro­portionable time upon their feet, not in that glory they were to have, but in ex­pectation of it.

The twelfth Verse. And they heard a great voyce from Heaven, saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

That the two Testaments are the Wit­nesses, and that they were overcome, lay dead, and rose again (as hath been de­clared) I have good ground to be confi­dently assured of; but how long they [Page 91]stood upon their feet before they ascended up into Heaven, I am not so clear in; yet if I may deliver what my serious thoughts (grounded upon fair probabilities) prompt me to, I shall declare; namely, the great voyce, calling up the Witnesses, is this present famous and renowned Parliament of England, which I believe for sundry reasons.

First, The Scriptures never appeared in their true lustre, splendor and glory (since their suppression) till now, that this blessed voyce hath called them up to the Throne where these Worthies sit.

Secondly, They ascended up to Hea­ven in a cloud of much trouble, won­derfull Commotions, and violent oppo­sitions.

Thirdly, Their Enemies beheld them, and would gladly have pulled them down; which they endeavored by all possible in­dustry, policy and violence; and to their perpetual shame be it spoken, they never beheld them but as Enemies; King, Pre­lates, Papists, and the whole rabble of Ca­valliers, restless in their spirits, from the first ascending of the Witnesses into Hea­ven to this very day.

The thirteenth Verse.

Fourthly, And the same hour was there a great earthquake.

Which certainly cannot be forgotten; the whole Land, yea, the three Nations trembled; nay, which of the Kingdoms of Europe, were free from Commotions? so great was the Earthquake this same hour of the Witnesses ascension.

Fifthly, And the tenth part of the City fell.

Great Brittain (the tenth part of Romes Dominions) had long before separated from Antichrist in Doctrine, but never fell from Rome totally till now; we kept close to her detestable Discipline till this happy Parliament; (the joy of Saints, & the honour of Christ:) Now the day breaks, and shadows fly away; down go Crosses, Altars, Images; away pack Surpless, Ser­vice-Book, Organs, and the whole bundle of Popish Superstitious Ceremonies.

Sixthly, And in the Earthquake were slain of names of men seven thousand.

Arch-bishops, Diocesan Bishops, Chan­cellors, Commissaries, Deans, Chapters, [Page 93]Arch-deacons, Ordinaries, Prebends, Sum­ners, Choristers, Parrators, Parsons, Vi­cars, Curats, Clarks, and I know not how many names devised by Antichrist.

He that shall diligently consider the particular persons in this Land distin­guished by these and such like Babylonish Titles, will finde no less a number then seven thousand, all slain in this terrible Earthquake.

Seventhly, And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.

The late terrible Earthquake (that great Commotion) wherein the seven thousand names of men were slain, did so affright the rest of the long Robe, that they were glad to change their names, and their clothes; and instead of that of Parson, Vicar, &c. to call themselves Ministers of the Gospel; and get into the Parlia­ments favour for a Benefice; their last re­fuge was the craft of the Gibeonites; Joshu. 9 4. if this wile prevail not, they see they are undone, Vers. 6. and therefore (say they) we are not of the Prelatical Faction; Vers. 8. Vers. 10. we are the Parliaments friends, that rejoyce in the ruine of their Enemies; by these and the like expressions, [Page 94]many a crafty Gibeonite got both protecti­on and provision.

But after a little time they are discove­red to have only denyed their names, Vers. 16. but retain the natures of those seven thousand, by bowing the knee to Christ, whilst they lay Principles of persecution against his poor members.

They were (saith the Text) affrighted; my fear is that their profession of Refor­mation was more out of fear then love, as their persecuting Principles declare, and their practises verifie; but the time is at hand that our Princes who were beguiled by them, Vers. 19. to confer favors upon them, shall cut them short of their expected flourishing Estate: Yea, their own designs shall reduce them to a low and mean con­dition: For why should they be fostered in the Parliaments bosome, who refuse subscription and subjection, and upon the rising of every Scottish mist, may again attempt their ruine and destruction? But through the Lords goodness, moving this renowned Parliament, the Decree is gone forth for the extirpation of the vilest sort of these, (as the infection, rape and poyson of poor silly sheep) in Wales and the Northen Counties, and is expected all [Page 95]over England. Upon these grounds (a­mong others) I am induced to believe that this present unparalleld Parliament is the great Voyce, which hath (to their ever­lasting honour) calld up these blessed Witnesses, (the Scriptures) to a heavenly freedom, and blessed flourishing estate in the Heaven of the Saints Society. And long may these Worthies sit together, flou­rishing with true Felicity, and all blessings of peace and piety; and let their indefati­gable labors and dear expressions of un­exampled love, and faithfulness to the poor members of Jesus Christ, with their opposition and final ejection of those se­ven thousand names of men of the Train of Antichrist, be recorded in golden Cha­racters, among their successful and won­derful Achievements, with that excellent piece of Justice, in cutting of the late Ty­rant, (with some chief Incendiaries) which shall eternize their names and make them famous by the acclamations of all true­hearted Saints, while they have power to pray or spirits to prayse, which also raised and with joy transported the spirit of their faithful professed servant, to Pen these plain Verses, upon the death of the late [Page 96]bloudy, perjured, persecuting Tyrant King.

The fourteenth Verse. The second wo is past, and behold the third wo cometh quickly.

And if I may deliver my judgement, I think the second wo is past indeed, in the slaughter of those seven thousand names of men, with the death of the Tyrant, and many other grand Enemies in the three Nations, who had so long oppressed the Reformed Churches.

And I do also conceive that the third wo (yet to come) doth properly belong to, and shall miserably torment the Antichristian Train, and all prophane wicked men and false Professors, who will slight, and re­ject, and contemn the voyces of the fe­venth Angel.

For the seventh Viall, Rev. 16.17. which will pro­duce this wo, is to be poured forth into the common Ayr, in which all the cursed brood do breath.

So that those who will not receive & em­brace the voyces of the seventh Trumpet (proclaiming the Lord Christs personal Reign now at hand) must shortly, quickly, (whether they will or no) receive the voice of the seventh Vial; and that wil be a dread­ful, [Page 101]direful voyce, saying, It is Done; That is, all power of the Enemy is destroyed, Ba­bylon is ruined, and all the Prophesies and Promises made to Saints are accompli­shed, in this glorious coming of our King, and the utter ruine of the king of pride.

And that which makes this voyce woful and dreadful to purpose, is, Math. 25.10. Rev. 18.19. with Rev. 11.19 that it is attend­ed with that soul-confounding voyce, that will reach the hearts of those fools, that now slight the Gospel of Grace, viz. The door is shut.

Mercies door is shut, never to be opened any more; nothing remains now, but Thunders, Lightnings, terrible Earth­quakes (such as never was) fierceness of wrath, blackness of darkness, Jude 13. wo and alas for evermore.

Wherefore my humble advise, and earnest request is, that you will diligently hearken to, receive, embrace, and walk up to the ensuing voyce of the seventh Trumpet; Ah dear friends, The door will be shut!

THus have I endeavoured to hold forth the Light I have received (by those soft, sweet, soul refreshing gales of the blessed Spirit) concerning this deep Mystery of the Prophesy, Slaughter, Resurrection and Ascention of the two Witnesses.

With the rise, raign, and ruine of Antichrist, which will be fully com­pleated in the days of the Voyce of the seventh Angel.

Whereof I shall now speak, as of the second part of the eleventh Chapter of the Revelation.

The Fifteenth Verse. And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great voyces in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the king­doms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.

TO give an account of my judgement concerning the Seals, Trumpets, and Vials; it appears cleer to my understand­ing, that the opening of each Seal is the Discovery of some Gospel-light, one glorious Truth after another as the day approacheth; and no sooner is one Gospel-Truth made known (by the secret brea­things of the Spirit according to his word) but presently the Trumpet sounds; that is, The Ministers of the Gospel pub­lish it abroad, as the Prophet speaketh, The Lord gave the word, Psal. 68.11.great was the com­pany of those that published it.

Thus did Luther (upon the discovery of new Light) sound such an alarum, as made the Throne of the Beast to stagger like a drunken man; I will not say the first Seal was opened to Luther, nor that he was the first Trumpet; but this I can speak [Page 104]that a further degree of Gospel-glory (new light, though the word be odious amongst some) was discovered to Calvin; and after him, to others, who as they re­ceived it, presently became the Lords Trumpets to declare it to the world, upon whose refusal of it, the Vials are successive­ly poured forth; so that first a Seal is ope­ned; secondly, a Trumpet sounds, decla­ring the truth discovered within that o­pened Roll; thirdly, a Vial of wrath is poured forth upon those that hear and re­ject it: but because the Seals, Trumpets, & Vials are not contained in this Chapter, I shall forbear to enlarge upon them at this time, and prosecute the work of this pre­sent Chapter.

If we look back to the former Dis­course of the Witnesses, and consider the seven thousand names of men (there dis­covered to be) slain or supprest by this present Parliament, and observe the sweet consent of things attending, it will be no harsh or improbable Conclusion, that the seventh and last Trumpet is at this instant sounding; yea, sounding (at present) such an Alarum that there are scarce any other voyces heard among watchful Saints, but the Lords at hand, the Bridegroom is [Page 105]coming, The Kingdoms of this world are be­come the Kingdoms of our Lord, &c.

Which as it is the earnest expectation of all waking Virgins, and the unspeakable support of many a poor dejected, disconso­late, drooping soul, to think (in the midst of afflictions, temptations and fiery tryals) My Lord is a coming to put an end to all my sorrows, to wipe all tears from mine eyes, to tread Satan under his feet, to set me free from sin and sorrow; and so I shall (by way of improvement of my small Ta­lent, least it be found hid in a Napkin) for the augumentation of the joy of every waiting, longing, breathing, panting spirit; and for the information of such poor souls (belonging to Christ) who are yet in the Dark, as touching this great Mystery, hold forth what the Lord hath entrusted in this earthen vessel, of the unconceivable Glory of this his universal soveraignty: In which glorious discovery I shall shew,

• 1. That he will come to reign upon earth.
• 2. How, and in what manner he will come.
• 3. Where he will establish his Throne at his coming.
• 4. When he wil take his great power & reign.
• 5. The signes of his coming.
• 6. His ends in thus coming.
• 7. Events succeeding.
• 8. The uses we are to make of all.

And if these and each of these shall be fully cleared by the pure Word of the Lord without wresting, or any other sub­tile invention of mans brain; then let all the sons and daughters of Sion with joy embrace them as intelligence and sweet tokens of love from their King and Hus­band, whose bowels yearn, whose high endeared affections are upon the wing, unsatisfied with his present glory in Hea­ven till the fulness of time come that he may be inebriated and overcome with the soul ravishing embraces of his pur­chased Spouse on Earth. But if any cir­cumstance belonging to this glorious Subject shall be found wanting of cleer testimony from the fountain of truth, Let it be detested, abhorred, and rejected, as the froath and vanity of a deceived and deluded creature; but to the parti­culars.

First, That the Lord Jesus Christ (who did ascend into Heaven) shall come again to reign upon the Earth, is clear from di­vers Scriptures; Jer. 23.6.33.16. Isai. 4.2. first, that of Jeremiah, Behold the days come saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a Righteous branch, and [Page 107]a King shall reign and prosper, and shall exe­cute Judgement and Justice in the Earth,—and he shall be called the Lord our Righteous­ness. Secondly, That in Rev. 5.10. where the glorified Saints in Heaven do exceed­ingly exult and rejoyce, not only that they are redeemed from amongst men and possest of heavenly glory, but (as an additi­on to their felicity) that they are made Kings and Priests unto God, that they may reign (with Christ) upon the Earth.

For where they reign, Christ shall reign; Apoc. 5.10. & 20.4. where his Throne is erected, there they are enthroned, To him that overcometh, Apoc. 3.21.will I grant to sit with me in my Throne, &c.

Sing and rejoyce, O Daughter of Sion; Zech. 2.10.for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, the Lord.

And the Lord shall inherit Judah, Vers. 12.his portion, in the holy Land.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem. Zeeh. 14.4. Vers. 9.

And the Lord shall be King over all the Earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, Jer. 30.9.33.15. Ezech. 34.33, 34.37.22, 24. Dan. 7.14. Mich. 4.7. Zeph. 3 17. Zech. 2.20.6.13.and his name one.

Many more Scriptures might be pro­duced to confirm this Gospel-truth, that the same Lord Jesus Christ (who did ascend into Heaven) shall come again to [Page 108]reign upon the Earth, Luk. 19.12. But if these do not satisfie, neither will credit be given if an Angel speak from Heaven, or one should rise from the dead to affirm it: For my own part, I do not know any point of Faith throughout the whole Book of God more clearly proved then this in hand; as certain as he ascended, and is now receiving his Kingdom, Luk. 19.11, 12. so sure will he return again to reign in his Kingdom; Read Psalm. 72. And these and many more Scriptures do superabundantly rati­fie this assertion.

Ʋse. 1. What then remains on our part, but first to believe this truth of his com­ing here to reign? we can do him no greater honour then to believe his Word; nor no greater disgrace then to reject and refuse so great a cloud of Witnesses (of himself, his Prophets, and Apostles.)

Ʋse. 2. To pray fervently as himself hath taught us, Mat. Thy kingdom come, for though it is true that neither this nor any other mercy shall be detained from us one minute longer then the appointed season; Yet know O house of Israel, Ezech. (saith the Lord) I will for this be enquired of.

Ʋse. 3. And thrice blessed those that are counted worthy to be the Lords [Page 109]Remembrancers, to watch, wait for, and constantly expect the coming of this King of Glory. Blessed is that servant, Mat.whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing; Isai. 30.18Yea, blessed are all they that wait for him.

Secondly, how and in what manner shall this King (our Christ) come to reign upon the Earth?

First, he shall come in Majesty, Power, Mat. 24.30 2 Thes. 1.9 and great Glory, not in the form of a ser­vant, not riding upon a Colt the foal of an Ass; not to be laid in a Manger, abused, condemned, and crucified, but now the voyce is, Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh, Psal. 45.3, 4, 8.O most mighty with thy glory and thy Majesty, and in thy Majesty ride prosperously; All Gar­ments smell of Myrrh, his Aloes and Cassia out of the Ivory Palaces. He shall also have dominion from sea to sea,Psal. 72.8.and from the River to the ends of the Earth, yea all Kings shall fall down before him, 11.all Nations shall serve him.

Secondly, 2 Thes. 1.7 Mat. 24.31 25, 31. Zech. 14.5. Jude 14. He shall come attended with all the Angels in Heaven, and all his Saints that ever were, now are, or ever shall be; ne­ver such a King, never such a train.

Thirdly, Mat. 24.27 1 Cor. 15.52. He shall come swift as the Light­ning, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at unawares; O dear Christians, watch for your lives.

Fourthly, Mat. 24 30 Apoc. 1.7. 2 Thes. 1.8 1 Cor. 3.13 He shall come in Clouds, and flaming fire; look carefully to your works, actions, and conversation; for this fire will try every mans work of what sort it is.

Fifthly, Mat. 24 30 Apoc. 1.7. He will come in view of all the world, and every eye shall behold him; And what wilt thou do? or how wilt thou be able to look on his glorious face, that canst not now endure the sight of his Saints?

Sixthly and lastly, He will come in person, with the same body that was born of the Virgin, crucified upon the Cross, raised from the dead, and ascended into Glory; only here's all the difference, it will be a Spirituall, Immortal, Glorious Body, but the same Body; If we believe that he was a perfect man, and had a real Substantial Body here on earth, and that he hath ex­alted the same Body to the right hand of the Majesty on high, then certainly he shall come in person here to reign in the same Body with his Saints; for proof hereof many Scriptures might be alled­ged; I shall only produce two, and they are very full and clear; the first is in the first of the Acts, Acts 1.11.vers. 11. and it is the Do­ctrine of Angels, which also said, Ye men [Page 111]of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Hea­ven, This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven. I am even amazed, that men professing godli­ness should have a vayl so thick upon their hearts, and their understanding so wonder­fully obscured, as to reject the serene brightness of this impregnable Testi­mony.

The second Scripture, is the first to the Thes. 4.16. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, &c. 1 Thes. 4.16. there needs no further proof; if these two convince not, what will?

If any shall yet continue in darkness and unbelief of this so necessary glorious truth, thus measured by the line of the Word, and weighed in the ballance of the sanct­uary, it is because there is no light in them.

The use that I would have my fellowbre­thren to make of the personal Reign of Christ, is this, if ever we expect to see his face with joy, if ever we hope to be sharers in his Glory, at his personal coming, in his Kingdom; let us get a large proportion of his spirit in our hearts; his personal pre­sence will be no comfort to us then, unless [Page 112]we are filled with his spirituall presence now; Gen. 43.5. Ye shall not see my face (saith Joseph) except your Brother be with you.

Can we think of entertainment in his Royal Palace without the wedding gar­ment? the Lord make us wise betimes.

Thirdly, the next thing to be enquired into, is, where this King of Glory will e­stablish his Throne at his coming; and this hath been proved already (in general) to be upon the earth, but more particular­ly I affirm (because the Word of truth affirms) it will be in the Valley of Jehosa­phat; for so the Prophet Joel speaks in plain words; Joel 3.2. I will also gather all Nations, and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehosaphat, and will plead with them there; Thither cause thy mighty ones to come, O Lord.

11.12 Let the Heathen be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehosaphat, for there will I sit to judge all the Heathen round about; the Heathens must come up to the Valley, the Saints must come down.

And it will be worth our labours to consider the rest of this third Chapter of Joel, which will give much light to this truth; for after the Lords Throne is thus erected in the Valley of Jehosaphat, it is [Page 113]said, that the Lord will dwell in Zion, and that there shall be abundance of rich bles­sings there, 17, 18. And that for ever, as long as the Moon endureth.

But because the Valley of Jehosaphat, Psal. 72. Dan 7.14. as it now is, hath not capacity, or extent to receive the New Jerusalem, therefore the Prophet Zachary tells us, that it shall be wonderfully enlarged by the dividing of the Mount of Olives. Zech. 14.4

And the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the East and toward the West, and there shall be a very great Valley; For the valley of the Mountains shall reach unto Azal; Vers. 5All the land shall be turned as a Plain from Geba to Rimmon, 10.— and it shal be inhabited in her place; 11.And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited; and how should it be other­wise, when the Prince of Peace shal reign (in Glory) in the midst of it?

This then is the place of which the Lord speaketh, Isa. 65 10. Rev. 24.4. I will rejoyce in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the voyce of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voyce of crying: here Lord let my soul flourish with thee and thy Saints, according to thy Word, Rev. 3.21.

Fourthly, the fourth thing to be disco­vered, is, when (this Lord of Glory and King of Saints) will come to reign in this his Kingdom on Earth; and first, it is plain, that it was not in the dayes of his humiliation; for as he is answering his Disciples question about his coming to Judgement, Mat. 24.25.6. he tells them the time of it is then when all the Virgins (seeing the signs, and hearing the voyce or cry) Go forth to meet him, coming as a Bride­groom, to marry his Church, that is, the whole body of his Saints (which will be then compleated and) brought together into one place, Mat. 24.28. Joh 10.16 where, in the view of all the world, the Marriage will be glori­ously solemnized.

And secondly, it is as plain, that this Glorious Reign cannot be after the day of Judgement; for then there would be a change in Heaven; 1 Cor. 15.24. since it is clear, that after Christs Reign, and subduing of all his enemies, he must give up the King­dome to his Father.

Then thirdly, it cannot be the spirituall Reign of Christ (in that way as most dream) which they conceive is now in be­ing, and that Christ will never come to Reign any other way (save onely in [Page 115]greater purity) then he doth now by his Spirit.

Which fond imaginations, as they have not the least substantial Pillar from the word of Truth to support them: so the contrary is plain and evident from the clear current of that pure fountain: name­ly, that the Lord Jesus Christ will come then, and not till then, to take to himself his great Power and Reign, when all the signs that are to precede his coming, are visibly discovered, which I am sure are not yet, as shall be shewed in its place.

Again, the Spirit was given in a most glorious eminent manner, (far exceed­ing present dispensations) when the A­postles Generally (and Saint John more particularly) waited for, Act. 3.20, 21. Rom. 8.23. 1 Thes. 4.17. Rev. 1 7. and yet expected this Glorious Personal Reign of Christ, as abundance of unerring Witnesses do testi­fie, but in special the present Scripture that I am now opening, namely Rev. 11.15. which plainly declareth that the Per­sonal * See Rev. 1.7. Reign of Christ is to begin when the seventh Trumpet is sounding; at that time (and not before) when the seventh Trumpet begins to sound, Rev. 10.7. shall this great Mystery be accomplished.

And certain I am, that the Spirituall [Page 116]Kingdome of Christ was gloriously emi­nent, before any of the seven Angels be­gan to sound; and therefore it cannot be only the spiritual Kingdom of Christ that is here spoken of, and so the time is not yet in being of this Reign of Christ.

As therefore we must not cast off our expectation of, nor our diligent constant watching, waiting for this Personal Glo­rious manifestation on the one hand, say­ing with that evil servant, My Lord de­layeth his coming, and so split our selves up­on the desperate rock of carnal security;

Neither must we run upon that other shelf of a vain ungrounded conceit, that he is already come, Mat. 24.23, 24, 25, 26, 27. whereof our Lord him­self hath given us fair warning, the Lord give us hearts to receive and embrace it. It is not then the spiritual Reign w^ch we now enjoy, but the personal, glorious, truly spi­ritual Reign, which we shall shortly enjoy, that is, the Life, and Crown, and Hope, and Comfort of many precious enlight­ned Saints, who have found such sweet support, succour, and solace from this sure Pillar of divine truth, that all the de­lusions of Sathan in this luxurious, giddy Age, hath not been able to shake.

The ignorance of this soul-ravishing [Page 117]Gospel-truth is that horrible Gulph that hath swallowed up thousands, who (find­ing in the words of truth such glorious things spoken of this day of the Lord, but through ignorance in this Mystery, and the cunning slights of Sathan, who trans­forms himself to an Angel of Light) are deluded in their sence, and all their intel­lectuals, beleeving that Christ is come al­ready, and doth Reign already, whereup­on they conclude to throw away all Ordinances; for, say they, Christ hath commanded us to use them till his com­ing, and no longer, Do this till I come; hold fast till I come; Occupy till I come; Nay, so far hath this restless spirit of error prevailed with some, as to beleeve that Christ hath already Reigned, that he hath already given up the Kingdom to his Fa­ther, and that now God is all in all, that they live in God, that they are God, &c. And now this Prince of darkness hath plaid his part to purpose; now he hath possessed them, not only with a distast of Ordinances, and slighting of them, but now away go Scriptures, Christ and all, they are a lye, an Allegory, he a shadow, a Type, &c. and now Sathan hath his will, having deceived them so far, as to [Page 118]deny the Lord that bought them; for he well knows that there is no other name given under heaven to bring salvation, but this Christ whom they thus reject; and now he is cock sure of them, and now they are ripe for any mischief, drunken­ness, whoring, swearing, cursing, blas­pheming, any thing.

And that which exceeds admiration, this cursed Serpent hath so wonderfully led them away captive at his will, that they beleeve these abominations are law­ful, and not sinful at all; Nay, amongst many of them the most bloody execrati­ons, and most desperate wickedness is counted the highest attainment.

And all this arising (principally) from their ignorance of this wonderful Myste­ry of Christs Personal Reign.

Now here the poor Saint (wondring at the free distinguishing Love of God, in leaving such through ignorance, to wal­low in all kind of filthiness, and revealing this profound Mystery so sweetly and clearly to him) Cryes out, My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; nothing (through thy strength) shall shake my re­solution; then, and not till then will I be­leeve my Lord is come, when I shall see [Page 119]the departed Saints raised, the living changed, thine ancient People called, Antichrist and his Babel destroyed, the whole Creation restored, universal peace established, the world combined, Satan chained, the Mount of Olives divided, Jehosaphats Vale enlarged, the holy City erected, the Marriage Royal solemnized, the Saints immortalized, and gloriously enthroned, the Nations all subdued; then, and not till then shall Gospel Ordinances be abolished, or rather contracted into those Gospel-Exercises that shall abide to all eternity, as love and praise, and joy unconceivable, till these glorious wonders be clearly manifested. I shall keep close to the Mountains of Myrrh, and the Hils of Frankincense, where I have so often enjoyed the beloved of my soul from whose chaste embraces and heavenly (continued) delights, I must not (through the riches of his love I shall not) be en­tised by the fond conceits of any deluded Notionist.

Though they tell me he's here, there, Mat. 24. nowhere, I stir not; though thousands are deluded, I flinch not, Vers. 23. though they say he is in the Desart, I move not; Vers. 24.in the se­cret Chambers, I believe it not; Vers. 26.I know the [Page 120]coming of my Lord will be more glorious then so: Vers. 27.which coming is now at hand, and the precise time, though no mortal creature doth know, yet the Saints are so far acquainted with his minde and will re­vealed, that they can tell he will come.

1. When sinners are in their highest jollity, Mat. 24.43 44. and will take them in the midst of their carnal security when they little think of it, he will come and break the house upon them, and destroy all their mirth for ever.

2. He will come when wicked Mini­sters are laying Principles of Persecu­tion, Luk. 12.45. and contriving miseries to the poor Saints.

3. Ephes. 4.12, 13. Z [...]ch. 14.5. He will come when the number of his Elect are compleated; he will bring all his Elect with him when he comes; he cannot come while one Saint is unborn, uncalled.

4. He will come at midnight, when most of the Virgins are asleep, and the one half of those sleepy Virgins (like false professors) do either hide their Talents, Mat. 25.5, 6. or are unfruitful, unholy in their conver­sation; their vessels empty, which will make themselves most miserable.

So that between the drowsiness, and [Page 121]stupidity of the wise, and the barrenness and hyprocrisie of the foolish Virgins; Luk. 18.8. the Lord makes a great question whether or no he shall finde Faith on the Earth at his coming.

I do therefore in the name and fear of the Lord, advise you my dear fellow members, who shall share with me in that exceeding eternal weight of glory, be diligent to employ and improve your Talents.

As every man hath received the gift, 1 Pet. 4.10. even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Wherefore gird up the loynes of your minde, be sober and hope to the end, 1 Pet. 1.13 Luk. 12.35, 36. for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

5. He will come when many of his ser­vants are waiting, watching for his coming, diligently employed and busie in the work of their Lord, — Lord, Luk. 12.37. why should not I be found so doing?

6. And lastly, Mat. 24.32, 33, 34. he will come in that same Generation wherein the fig-tree buddeth; that is, when all the signs are accomplish­ed that are mentioned in his word.

Fifthly, And these signs are either re­mote or immediate.

The first sort, Are 1. the rise, raign, and decay of Antichrist.

Secondly, The Churches exile, and slaughter of the Witnesses.

Thirdly, Wars, Treachery, Villany, Cruelty, Persecution, &c.

Fourthly, Idolatry, Heresy, Supersti­tion, and all kind of abomination.

Fifthly, False Prophets that shall affirm he is come already, that he hath reigned, given up the Kingdom to his Father, that he is here, there, not at all, deny his Di­vinity, &c. These and many others are already accomplished.

The second sort of signs that do more immediately precede his coming, Rev. 16.12. Dr. Browns Enquiry, pag. 313. are,

1. The drying of the great River Eu­phrates, one of whose streams are already dryed up, and how soon the rest may be, is uncertain.

2. The Sun darkned, some think this will be a wonderful Ecclips, or some more extraordinary obscurity: Mat. 24.29. Joel 2.31. & 3.15. Which others conceive is meant of Turk and Pope, the latter pretending to be the glorious light of the world, whose false raves have by degrees been extinguishing these many years upon the blessed discovery of the pure heavenly light of the Gospel; before [Page 123]which true light all his juglings have been detected, as once Simons were by the preaching of Philip; Acts 8.9. and at last shall be universally obscured, all the glistering stars of this defiled heaven (of Rome) fal­ling as untimely fruit, when at the same time the other grand enemy of Jesus Christ (who bears for his Crest, the Moon) that hath so greedily hunted and delight­ed in blood, shall be overwhelmed and swallowed up in blood.

3. The third sign immediately preceding this glorious personal appearance & reign of our Lord, is the secret sign displayed, whether this be Elias or the Lord Jesus himself in the clouds, Mat. 24.30. restoring all things to their primitive purity and perfection before he descend to the Earth; Rom. 11.26. or what else it may be, I shall not presume to de­termine, as having no cleer Scripture-Light to direct me; and I should be loth to deliver any thing but with good war­rant from the Law and the Testimony, especially in a point of such waight and concernment.

4. The world shall be purified by fire, all combustible matter must be burnt up; 1 Cor 3.12. 2 Pet. 3.6.7. Peter (in allusion to the old world) cals this a perishing, that is, all wood, hay, and [Page 124]stubble must perish in this fire, while the gold, silver, and precious stones shall abide: If we be not (dear Christians) found of this sort, what shall we do? how shall we stand, when the Lord shall be revealed with his mighty Angels in flaming fire? 2 Thes. 1.7.8.

For further illustration and confirmati­on of this glorious truth, I shall now par­ticularly cleer by Scriptures, those fifteen remarkable Changes, which as so many Trophees of Victory shall attend this Prince of prayses, at his taking to him­self this his great power and Sove­raignty.

The eighteenth Verse. And the Nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Pro­phets, and to the Saints, and them that fear thy Name smal and great, and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Here the portion of the Saints is far different from that of the dead, and earthy-minded men, and therefore there must be different returns from them: While (then) the Nations are an­gry at the wrath and judgements of that Lord whom they have so much sleighted, let the Prophets and Saints, and them that fear the Name of the Lord, exceedingly triumph; for the time is at hand that they shall be supera­boundantly rewarded for all their pains and la­bours of Love and Charity, for all their re­proaches, scorns, and affronts that the world hath cast upon them for all their sufferings, and cruel mockings, and all manner of persecuti­ons; for it is to them that the following words pertain.

The ninteenth Verse. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament;—

This is the lot and portion of the Righteous, which because we cannot conceive or under­stand, I shall pass over in silence, hoping that our spirits will be raised to admire what can­not [Page 166]be expressed in word, or conceived in the heart, pressing forward by a Christian conver­sation to the sweet fruition of that glory which will be the sure portion of those that have part in the first Resurrection, while the wicked (that continue to do wickedly) have nothing to ex­pect, or hope for in that day, but that where­with the Spirit closeth this Chapter.

This will be the terrible portion of those of whom the Apostle Jude speaketh; Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints, to ex­ecute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 14.15.

The mouths of wicked men will then be stopped and put to silence, though now they bark and belch forth blasphemies (at pleasure) against the Saints; yet will it then be proved to their faces, that all their wicked actions, and hard speeches are done and spoken against him, whose doctrine they now reject, whose yoak they will not now bend to, whose perso­nal Reign they contemn as a Fable: but then, will they, L [...]ke 19. [...]. nill they, this voyce shal reach them;

But those mine Enemies which would not that I [Page 167]should reign over them, bring them hither and slay them before me.

And this will be such a slaughter, where they will be ever killing and never dead, but shall live in death to all eternity.

As this is ground of wo and alas to the wicked sort, Mat. 25.10. against whom the door is now shut, never to be opened any more, never more tenders of Grace, never more offers of Mercy in the Gospel, but howling and wailing with­out ceasing world without end.

So is it true matter of unspeakable joy to all Saints, no ground of Joy like this, it comes with a Rather; Luke 10.20.But rather rejoyce because your names are written in heaven: This is the poor souls fulness of joy, 1 Joh. 1.3, 4. to know his interest in that society that shall continue rejoycing to all eternity.

I give a word of advice (in the wordsof the Spirit) to every man that hath this hope in him, 1 Joh. 3.3. to purifie himself, even as he is pure; for since our expectation is such, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation & godliness, 2 Pet. 3.11, 12looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God; wherefore gird up the loyns of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ: 1 Pet. 1.13. Luk 2.36.And ye your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he wil return from the wedding. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he [Page 168]comes shall find watching;Isa. 30.18.yea blessed are all they that waite for him. Its no matter (deer Chri­stians) how much pains we take in the way, nor what our trouble and misery is; for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not wor­thy to be compared with the glory which shall be re­vealed in us: Rom. 8.18. When Christ our King shall say, Well done thou good and faithful Servant, Mat. 25.21.enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

How then should our hearts be transported with holy Ravishments in expectation of this his Appearance, singing in Consort, with the Heavens, Earth, Sea, Fields and Trees, (in the sweet Singers heavenly Rapture) For he com­eth,Psa. 96.for he cometh to judge the Earth; he shall judge the world with Righteousness, and the people with his Truth: Even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly.