CHAP. I. Of the general scope of the Revelation, and the Enemies of the Church, especially the Dragon.

IT is a singular demonstration of the Love of Christ to his Church, that he hath vouchsafed the Book of the Revela­tion, which affordeth not only useful Moral Observations, but [...]rophetic [...] Con­clusions of the great Events from [...] days of John until the end of all things; Rev. 1. v 1, 3. It is called [ a Prophecy] of what was shortly to come to pass, and that until the general Resurre­ction; Rev. 20. v. 10, 11, 12. when [...]esus shall sit on his great white Throne, and the dead, small and great, shall be judged according to their works.

Here is a Prediction of the state and con­dition, of actions and passions, doings and suf­ferings both of the Church and People of God, and also of their Enemies during that whole time.

And note there are,

• 1. Seven Seals, Rev. 6. six of which lasted [Page 2] during the time of Pagan Emperours, till after Anno 300. See Mr. Mede. And the seventh delivered it self into
• 2. Seven Trumpets, Rev. 8. and 9. Some of which began to sound Judgment against the Roman Empire before Ann. 400.
• 3. Seven Vials or l [...]t Plagues▪ Rev. 15. and 16. and all other dispensations are for time redu­cible to some of these.

That the Roman State or Empire is the chief boundary of all these matters, is evident, seeing the description undeniably agreeth to that, and [...]o no [...]o other Place or State in the World; for Rome was that great City, Rev. 17. v. 18▪ which was built upon seven Hills or Moun­tains, v. 9. and had seven heads, seven several supream Governments, v. 10 [five of which were fallen] in the days of John, viz. 1. Kings; 2. Consul [...]; 3. Tribunes; 4. Decem-vi [...]i; 5. Di­ctators, and it's said [one is] viz. 6. Caesars or Emperours. And another was yet to come, viz. 7. Popes: And in that Territory were the ten Horns or Kings, viz. that after received power as Kings, which in the days of John they had not.

The principal Enemies here described are four; 1. A Dragon, Rev. 12. 3. 2. A ten­horned Beast, Rev. 13. 1. 3. A two-horned Beast, Rev. 13. 11. [...]. A Whore, Rev. 17.

Seven Heads and ten Horns the Dragon had, and so the Beast crowned, and upon the Beast the Who [...]e rideth, Rev. 17. 7. and therefore all of them belong to the Roman Empire.

The Church till after Ann. 300. is deci­phered [Page 3] by a Woman clothed with the Sun, Rev. 12. 1. and then the red Dragon was her grand Enemy, v. 3.

Afterward she is described under the notion of two Witnesses, Rev. 11. and of 144000 sealed ones, Rev. 7. and 14. 1. and then her great Ene­mies were the first and second Beast and the Whore, Rev. 13 and 17.

The grand Opposite to the true Church, is [ the Whore of Mystical Babylon]▪ which there­fore must be the corrupt Church of Rome, Rev. c. 17. v. 1, to 6. For who else can these Cha­racters agree to? Who else did sit upon many Waters, with whom the Kings of the Earth committed Spiritual Fornication? Is the Mo­ther of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, and drunk with the Blood of the Saints? Who else hath sate upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns?

Yea it is expresly said, v. 18. The Woman [...] the great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth; which could not in the days of John be asserted of any other in the World but only the City of Rome, and so the Romish Church is here intended.

For the right understanding or clearing of these Prophetical Mysteries, I shall lay down divers Rules▪ with the proof of the [...].

Rule 1. That [the Dragon] notifieth Pagan Rome persecuting, or such as are not professedly Christian.

As a Key to a considerable part of th [...] Pro­phecy, I take [ Dragon] throughout the Reve­lation, for Satan [...] i [...] and by Paganish [Page 4] Power, or not Christian. It cannot be the Devil himself for the description here of his seven Heads and ten Horns, Rev. 12. 3. We have otherwise expounded of Instruments of Satan Rev. 17. 9, 10. (as Ezek. 29 3. Jer. 51. v. 34.) and it aptly agreeth to Heathen Rome, when there were [ seven Crowns] (Emblems of Majesty, Supream Power and Soveraignty) and these upon the heads. Satan acted like a Dragon by fierce and cruel Persecutions against the Church under Ethnick Emperors before Ann. 300. and not long after the Man-child Christ (not personally considered, but mystical­ly in his Church and Gospel-administrations) was brought forth (by his Captain General Con­statine the Great) notwithstanding all Pagan attempts to destroy him, or hinder turning from Paganism to Christianity. And several acts or works of the Dragon or Paganish Powers are mentioned. As

1. A Dragon War with Michael, i. e. with Je­sus Christ, whilst the Empire was Pagan, Rev. 12. v. 7. And there was War in Heaven, Michael and his Angels, and the Dragon and his Angels.

This War is before the rising of the Beast, and before the 1260 days begin, as appeareth in that he had but seven Crowns, and these upon the Heads, v. 3. whereas upon the Beast are ten Crowns, and these upon the Horns, Rev. 13. 1. and in that in this War the Dragon is over­come, and cast out, or down, so as his place is no more found in Heaven, Rev. 12. 7, 8. whereas, had he been then turned Beast, he would have been a Conqueror, Rev. 13. 7▪ It was given to him [Page 5] to make War with the Saints, and to overcome them, and should after have had the same place in Heaven as before. It is therefore a War that casteth the Dragon down from his Impe­rial Throne and Headship, not from his acting in Horns of the Beast that is intended. It usher­eth in a great Triumph for the erecting or set­ing up at present another Kingdom, Rev. 12. 10. Now is come Salvation and Strength, and the King­dom of our God, and the Power of his Christ, for the accuser of our Brethren is cast down—Whereas such a Triumph is inconsistent with the Sack­cloth Wilderness-state of the 1260 days, and cannot be during the Reign of the Beast, or till those days are ended, and the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 15.

This War and Triumph is before the Woe to the Inhabiters of the Earth and Sea, Rev. 12. v. 12. i. e. probably before the first & second Trumpets which fall upon the Earth and Sea, Rev. 8. v. 7, 8. and so before the 7th Seal, v. 1, 2. and before the safe sealing, Rev. 7. v. 2, 3.

Therefore this Dragon-War was that be­tween Constantine the Great, and the Pagans, wherein he had a glorious Victory over Maxen­tius, Maximinianus and Lict [...]ius, and this ad­mirably agreeth with, or answereth to the sixth Seal, Rev. 6 12. to the end: And the rather, be­cause the Dragon was enraged at his being cast down, Rev. 12. 12. knowing that he had but a short time; for but one Pagan more, viz. Julian, was ever advanced to the enjoyment of the Imperial Throne, and he ruled but two or three years (some say less) a very short time▪

[Page 6]Neither doth the mentioning a flying into the Wilderness 1260 days before this War, v. 6, 7. argue that the War is after; For, often things are inserted by way of anticipation, and that mentioned in a former place, which was done after; as divers matters, Rev. 11. are not in time before those, Rev. 12. and here is a special reason for it in the Case in hand: For having asserted that the Dragon watched to de­stroy the Man-child, and yet he was brought forth, and was caught up to God, and to his Throne, i. e. had safety, power, eminent exal­tation, and yet the Woman flieth into the Wil­derness for so long a time, v. 4, 5, 6. A Que­stion ariseth,

How all this cometh to pass? and how after such advanceme [...] she cometh into the Wilderness?

He answereth, by declaring, that there is a War wherein Michael overcometh the Dragon, and so the Woman the Church hath advancement; but the Dragon being enraged raiseth a Persecu­tion, and driveth the Woman into the Wil­derness, v. 13, 14. (and so she was not there before) and it is [into her place] i. e. into the place which God had prepared for her, no necessity of its implying that she had been in that place before. And let it be observed what the provocation was, to that Persecution; [...]. 13. And when the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth, he persecuted the Woman that brought sorth the Man-child. Which argueth, that this casting down the Dragon from his Im­perial Seat, and the bringing forth the Man­child by Constantine, were fresh in memory, and [Page 7] not many hundred years before, as they must be, if this War were towards the end of the 1260 days, as some would have it.

And seeing this War was before the rising of the Beast, and seeing the going into the Wil­derness, which next ensued Michael's Victory over the Dragon, is that going into the Wil­derness for a time, times and half, v. 7, 1 [...], 14. Hence that going into the Wilderness for 1260 days, is the going into the Wilderness for a time, times, and half a time; or these are the same measure of time.

2. A Dragon, or Pagan Persecution (after the Empire became a Beast) driving the Church into the Wilderness, Rev. 12. v. 13. When the Dra­gon saw that he was cast to the Earth, he per­secured the Woman.

The Dragon now persecuted the Church, not by a Headship which he was already cast down from, but in the form of Crowned Horns of the Beast, divers of which at first were Pa­ganish, as the Goths, Vandals, &c. And let it be observed, that they then did not give their Power to the second Beast the Pope (who was not then up) by way of professed subjection either to him, or to the Christian Religion.

3. A Dragon flood cast out after the Woman the Church, Rev. 12. 15. A multitude of Pagans, as well as Errors, which were dried up, that She was not drowned thereby.

4. A New Dragon War raised upon this, a­gainst a Remnant of the purest Worshippers, Rev. 12. 17. I shall it to Consideration, whe­ther this was at the next Persecution by the [Page 8] Horns, after the Woman was in the Wilder­ness, and the Flood was over; or by the Sar­racens and Turks, who over-run the Eastern Churches and raised Persecutions there, and although they own God, yet it is in so carnal a way, as they deny him by their Religion, and not so much as professing Christianity may be deemed Paganish, though not professedly Pagans.

Thus we see the work of the Dragon a­gainst the Church, both before the 1260 days, and in that time.

5. A Dragon Combination, as one Partner at the Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13. Where Dragon, I think▪ is especially Turkish Power and Infidels, and so is distinguished from the Beast and false Prophet; and the issue as to the Dragon, is, Rev. 20. That he is bound 1000 Years, i▪ e. restrained from former Persecuti­ons, and at last is utterly destroyed, v. 10.

CHAP. II. Of the Ten Horned Crowned Beast, Rev. 13. 1.

IT is impossible to regulate our Knowledge in these Prophetical Matters, or our ensuing Practice without rectified Apprehensions, in what state the Roman Empire must be conside­red, when it became a Beast.

I cannot concur with an eminent Writer, in thinking the first [...]east, Rev. 13. 1. to be [ the Roman Catholick Visible Church▪]

[Page 9]For I cannot find that the claim of Univer­sal Churchship, was first before the claim of Universal Supremacy or Headship, to make a second Beast. Nor do the other Characters, v. 3. 5, 7. agree to that.

If that were the first Beast, then who is the Whore that rideth upon the Beast, Rev. 17. 3, 7. Surely that is the pretended Roman Catholick Church, and so that cannot be the Beast that is ridden upon. Nor is the Church one of the eight Kings or seven Heads, v. 11. and so can­not be the first Beast.

Nor is this first Beast Rome, as under Pagan Emperours. For then it had but seven Crowns, and these upon the Heads, Rev. 12. 3. Where­as this first Beast hath Ten Crowns, and these upon the Horns, Rev. 13. [...] Because the Ten Horns assumed a Supremacy and Soveraignty (which Crowns are Emblems of) to them­selves. And this Beast is the Dragons Succes­sor, v. 2. and received a deadly wound in one of his Heads, v. 3. Whereas although [...]aga­nism was wounded by Const [...]ne the Great, yet the sixth Head of Emperours was not wounded, much less unto Death during the Dragon or Pagan State; it was [...] this Beast, nor wounded until the [...] were upon the Horns; nor did Pagan Emperours continue forty two Months, as this Beast doth, Rev. 13. 5.

Nor is the Pope the first Beast. I am perswa­ded that the accounting him so hath caused di­vers mistakes in the matters of the Revelation, as seeking the E [...]ocha of the Prophetical days in [Page 10] him, which should be found in another, as this first Beast. I grant that the Pope is the second two Horned Beast, Rev. 13. 11, 12. and An­tichristian; but I humbly conceive, that there was a first Antichristian persecuting Beast, up above two hundred years before the second Beast arose, and so before the Pope became the two horned Beast, and seventh Head.

Take my Notion under this Rule.

Rule 2. That the first ten horned Crowned Beast is a Civil State of the Roman Empire, as broken or divided into ten persecuting Kingdoms.

For 1. The first Beast is distinct from the two horned Beast; or these are two distinct Beasts, and not barely a double Power Temporal and Ec­clesiastical of the same Beast: Here are many Notes of Distinction. They have a different manner of rising. One [ out of the Sea,] Rev. 13. 1. the Other [ out of the Earth,] v. 11. the former is wounded in one of his Heads, v. 3. the latter is another Beast, v. 1. 11, 14. they are differing in Shape, the first hath ten Horns Crowned, v. 1. the second hath two Horns, v. 11. Nay, the second Beast exerci­seth all the Power of the first Beast, and that before him, i. e. before the first Beast, and therefore they are distinct, yet some part of the time exist together, i. e. the second Beast is up before the first is down, else it could not be [before him:] And hence it cannot be the same Beast, considered as wounded as the first [Page 11] Beast, and as healed as the second Beast: For, how could the second Beast, as healed, exercise the Power of the first Beast before him as wounded? Seeing the wounded State, as well as that before the wound is past, when the healing time cometh, and so it could not be [before him] if after the second Beast were up, the first were not up also. How can one act before another, if both be not up toge­ther, as distinct each from other, even still in some respects? And hence it is evident, that it cannot be limited only to a double Power of the same Beast; seeing whatsoever Power the first Beast hath, the same the second hath also; (and so the first is in some degree subje­cted to the second) if the first Beast did exer­cise Temporal Power, then so did the second also; for, the second exerciseth not only some, but all the Power of the first Beast, v. 12. From all which it is evident, that they are two distinct Beasts, and that therefore the first Beast cannot be the Pope or seventh Head. For, there are but seven Heads in all, Rev. 13. 1. Chap▪ 17. 3, 9. And if the Pope be the first Beast and seventh Head, how can another distinct Beast come after and exercise all the Power of the first without making eight Heads? And who should that second Beast be after Popes or seventh Head, if the Pope be the first Beast?

2. He to whom the Dragon resigned or gave his Power, Throne and great Authority about the time of Crowning the Horns, he is the first Beast, Rev. 13. 1. Ʋpon his Horns ten Crowns. And [Page 12] v. 2. The Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat and great Authority.

Now the Pope had not from the Dragon ( i. e. from Pagan Rome) his Throne, Power or Military Forces, nor great Authority, he had the same Seat before, and at Crowning the Horns, and therefore the Pope is not the first Beast, but the Crowned Horns, who had these, as Alaricus.

3. That which was Head of the Roman Em­pire, after the rising of the first Beast, received a deadly wound, which afterward was healed, Rev. 13. 1, 2, 3. I saw one of [his] i. e. of the Beasts Heads—wounded as it were unto Death. It was then one of the first Beasts Heads that was wounded, and so in his time, after he was up.

And therefore the Pope cannot be the first Beast, or the seventh Head then, for the Head of [...]opes (as it was not up so early, as the Crowning of the Horns, so) did not receive a deadly wound, he was rather in a rising than a falling posture thence forward.

But there was a manifest wound, in the sixth Head of Emperours by Alaricus about Ann. 410. and others afterwards, till about Ann. 475. in Augustulus; that wound was so great, that there were no Emperours in the West, or at Rome, till Charles the Great, about Ann. 800. when the wound was after a sort heal­ed again, yet it had not the extent of the for­mer Empire. The manner and occasion take thus.

Alaricus took Rome, and set up a Mock Em­perour, [Page 13] that he might bring the Majesty of the Imperial Scepter into Contempt and Derision, he proclaimed Emperour One, whose Name was Attalus, and the same day they carried him up and down the Streets in the habit of an Emperour, and the next day they made him serve as a Slave. It's said to be occasioned thus; Alaricus having over-run many places, sent Messengers to Honorius, declaring, that if Lands were granted to him and his to dwell in, he would cease spoiling of the Country: Honorius not knowing how to recover France and Spain from the Suevians, Vandals, &c. giv­eth Alaricus Power to go into France, confir­med this Grant with an Oath. Alaricus steer­ing his Course towards France, Sti [...]ico against the Covenant followeth him, and made a great slaughter, Alaricus not the least suspecting it before: Hereupon the Goths snatching up their Arms, and Alaricus exasperated by this injury and violation of Covenant, turned back into Italy was [...]ing with Fire and Sword, and at last Rome it self was taken by him. Socrat. 1. 7. c. 10. Cent. 5. c. 16. Funcc [...]—

And whereas some grant that the sixth Head of Emperours was wounded, and would have the Popes obtaining Headship to be the healing.

I confess I understand not, how a wound in one Head should be healed by the rising up of another. I think the wound is never heal­ed, unless the same Head that was wounded, recovereth again. But this is a granting the thing, for it is not a Head of the Dragon, but [Page 14] a Head of the Beast that is wounded, Rev. 13. 3. One of [his] Heads—and therefore if it be the sixth Head of Emperours that is wounded, then that first Beast is not the Ro­man State under the seventh Head, but under the sixth Head of Emperours.

4. The first Beast is the Whore-ridden Beast, Rev. 17. 3. I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-co­loured Beast, v. 4. 5. Rev. 13. 1. Now the Pope is rather carried by the Whore, than the Beast that carrieth her, and therefore this Beast is not the Pope.

Nor is the Turk this first Beast, for this Whore doth not ride upon the Turk, nor is Constantinople the City, which in the days of John reigned over the Kings of the Earth; nor did the Turk arise the same hour with the Crowning of the Horns, as Rev. 17. 12. but hundreds of years after; yet I deny not that the Turk may belong to the Beast, after he ob­tained some Territories belonging to the Horns of the Beast. It is therefore a Civil State of the Roman Empire.

5. The Beast is both an eighth King and of the seven Heads, Rev. 13. 1. And Rev. 17. 3, 11. The Beast that was and is not, even he is the eighth and [...] the seven—There were but six, when the [...] did arise, and the wound was of the sixth [...], as I have proved, and so must the ei [...]th be some distinct new kind of Govern­ment, and if the [...] Beast, Rev. 13. 1. were Popes, and the sev [...]th Head at his first rising, then the Beast could not be the eighth and of the seven; For, I ask what distinct kind of [Page 15] Government or State of the Empire came after Popes to make an eighth King?

If it be said, the Christian Emperours, be­fore the rising of the Beast. I add, that it was the same State of Government under Pagan and Christian Emperours, though the qualifi­cations and Actions of Governours were dif­ferent, both were Emperours. And seeing af­ter the sixth Head of Emperours, two Beasts so different each from other are mentioned, Rev. 13. 1, 11. It is to me a wonder, that men should not seek a way how the other six might by these two Beasts be made up eight Kings. Thus the first Beast ( Rev. 13. 1.) hath Ten Crowns upon the Horns; or Kingly Govern­ment there, which made a different sort of Government from the other six, and so may be deemed a seventh King or sort of Go­vernment or an eighth, if we will count it after Popes, who maketh another, as 2 Pet. 2. 5. God saved Noah [the eighth] Person; the meaning is, that there were seven saved besides Noah, he was not the last of them in order, but did make up that number. So Rev. 17. 11. The Beast is the eighth, that is, there are seven besides, seven others, and so with him there are eight. The Beast is the eighth in number, not necessarily that he is eighth or last in order: Hence he a [...]deth [and of the seven] he doth not say he is the [se­venth] so warily doth the Apostle speak here.

It is said of this Beast, it [was, is not, and yet is] Rev. 17. 8, 11. [was] in its Ten Horns crowned before the deadly Wound, [is not] [Page 16] in respect of perfect Headship when wounded, for the Head is said to be wounded as it were unto death, Rev. 13. 3. [and yet is] when the Wound was healed, Rev. 13. 3.

6. The Pope obtained not any Civil Supremacy over the Empire, till hundreds of years after the Horns were crowned, and so after the first Beast was [...]; therefore the first Beast (Rev. 13. 1.) is not the Pope or seventh Head: For the crowning of the Horns, or their receiving Power as Kings, is the same hour, or the first hour with the Beast, Rev. 17. 12. All the former Heads were Civil Heads, as Kings, Consuls, &c. and therefore so must the seventh be also.

And indeed how is it possible that Popes should be reckoned a Head of the Roman State or Civil Monarchy, or succeed and come in the place and stead of the sixth Head of Em­perors, (which was a Civil Head) until they obtain a Civil Supremacy, as Emperors and others had? [...]hocas his constituting Boniface the third Universal Bishop Anno 606. is evi­dence enough that the Bishop of Rome had not then obtained a Civil Supremacy, but was un­der the Head of Emperors still, seeing he was beholden to them even for his Ecclesiastical Supremacy; and yet the first Ten Horned Crowned Beast was up long before this.

Indeed there is evidence that a long time af­ter the crowning of the Horns, yet Emperors were the Supream Head, and the Popes of Rome subordinate or subject to them. Bonifacius writing to Honorius, saith [God hath given you the Regiment of worldly things, and the Priest­hood to me—]

[Page 17]Even the Councils for spiritual matters were called by the command of Emperors many years after, as Phil. Morney Knight, in his Mystery of Iniquity, hath largely proved. And claiming Su­premacy, or aspiring after Civil Headship, is no obtaining it, any more than John Bishop of Constantinople his claiming and assuming the Title of Universal Bishop about Anno 590. did make him Ecclesiastical Head over the Bishop of Rome in that day. The Temporal Supremacy of the Pope cannot be proved until a long time after, and so he could not be the first Beast. And to say that his Ecclesiastical Power made him the first Beast, and his Tem­poral the second, is to invert the Order of Rev. 13. 17. which ascribeth that to him as a second Beast.

7. All the other Characters of the first Beast agree to the Civil State of the Empire with ten Horns crowned persecuting, and so the complex body of them, or as headed by Emperours, make that Beast, Rev. 13. v. 3, 4. When the Wound was healed, then all the World wondred after the Beast. Charles was called the Great, be­cause then he was so much admired. And they worshipped the Beast. To [ worship] him is eidem subjici, i. e. by civil subjection to him noted by worship, Gen. 27. 7. and 37. 7. and 49. 8. Isa. 45. 14. Saying, [ Who is like unto the Beast? who is able to make War with him?] So early they admired the Horns of the Beast, as the Goths and Vandals, and their great Power, and others, as Attila King of the Hunns, who after the death of Ecius grew so mighty, that [Page 18] he overthrew the Imperial General and Army, took many Cities, and was held for the most powerful Prince in the World, and was so much feared, that Martianus the Emperor sent to sue for Peace, and sent him Presents. See Imper. Histor. and v. 5, 6, 7. made War with the Saints.

Obj. 1. It's a mark of Perdition to worship the first Beast, Rev. 13. 8. but it is not so to yield civil subjection to Civil Power.

A. 1. It is not made a mark of Perdition. The Text doth not shew the danger of worshipping the Beast, but describes him by the multitude of Reprobates that are admirers of him. See Brightman. Civil subjection may lawfully be yielded to the Civil Power of those who are over-much honoured by many who shall perish.

2. If a corrupt Religious Worship must be in­tended (which is not proved) yet this agreeth to the first as a Civil Persecuting Beast: For it is a Scarlet-coloured Beast, i. e. a cruel Persecutor, Rev. 17. 3. warreth with the Saints, Rev. 13. 7. a blasphemer of God, v. 6. And divers of the Ten Horns in their first rising were such, being either Pagans, or in Pagan Worship, or Arrians, blaspheming his Name and Tabernacle, i. e. Je­sus Christ; and latter-ward it was a Whore­ridden Beast, Rev. 17. 7. And to magnifie him in these corruptions, or in that wherein he is a Beast, is pernicious; yea compliance with him in Persecution is an evident token of Perdition, Phil. 1. v. 28, 29. And thus it may be a mark of Perdition, though the Pope be not the first Beast.

[Page 19]Obj. 2. There is but one Beast mentioned, Rev. 17. 8. which is the interpretation of Rev. 13.

A. [Beast] is a name common both to the first and second, and so Rev. 17. may notifie the whole Beast-state in distinction from Dra­gon-state, Rev. 12. they are sufficiently diver­sified, Rev. 13. and need not be so again in Rev. 17. When compared each with other, they are two Beasts differenced from each other by many notes of distinction, but when differenced from Dragon, both agree in the common name of Beast. As the Roman Monarchy from first to last is called a fourth Beast, Dan. 7. v. 3, 19, 23. yet that will not deny Dragon and Beast to be distinct each from other part of its time. But their being two is implied, Rev. 17. v. 10, 11. There is another, and an eighth, which agrees with the word King in gender, and there can­not be an eighth King ( i. e. different Govern­ment) if there were not two Beasts.

In short [ Beast] without distinction may be taken promiscuously either for the first or se­cond Beast, as the matter enforceth, but it noteth most commonly the first Beast, or whole Roman State after it ceased to be under Dra­gon, i. e. after Pagan Headship ended, and may be understood either of its after Headship, or the complex body of the crowned Horns com­prizing the Roman Territory, or Provinces in East and West, the same that the Dragon had before.

But [ Beast] when with distinction is usually taken for the first Beast: Thus when [Beast and false Prophet] are distinguished, the false [Page 20] Prophet is he that worketh Miracles, Rev. 19. v. 20. which is the second Beast, Rev. 13. v. 14. and therefore the Beast distinguished from him must be the first Ten-horned Beast.

So when [Beast and Image] are distinguished, Rev. 14 9, 11. and 15. 2. and 16. 2. and 19. 20. and 20. 4. The first with Ten Horns crowned is intended by Beast, for it is an Image of him that received a Wound by a Sword, and did live, Rev. 13. 14. which was the first Beast, v. 1, 3. not the second. It is the second Beast which had power to give life to the Image of the Beast, and work Miracles, and that in his sight, v. 15▪ and so he cannot be the Beast it self whose Image is animated, and hath life given to it, and in whose sight those Miracles are wrought, but the first.

Also when [ Beast and Woman] are distin­guished, as Rev. 17. there [Beast] signifieth the first Beast, at least till the rising of the seventh Head, and this in so many of the Horns as were ridden by the Whore of Babylon after she arose, v. 3.

So when [ Beast and Dragon] are distinguish­ed, Rev. 13. 1. and 16. 13. there [Beast] noteth the first Beast, or so many of the Horns as were professedly Christian, and were ridden by the Whore, and [Dragon] noteth such as were not professedly Christian; for we must note, that all the Horns of the Beast were not of the same Spirit or Religion. About the time of their first crowning, some were Dragonish Pagans, Rev. 12. v. 13, 14. Others professedly Christian and corrupt; some Arrians, as Goths, Vandals, &c. [Page 21] and towards the latter end of the Beasts Do­minion some Horns or Provinces are Drago­nish, not professedly Christian, Rev. 16. 13.

The Turk has part of the Territory of the first Beast, Rev. 13. 1. others are Popishly af­fected. By all which it appeareth, that there is no necessity that the Pope should be the first Beast.

And although herein I differ from other In­terpreters, yet I am more for them than against them, the matter being rightly stated, especially seeing hereby I extricate them out of many difficulties where they are at a loss for a ground in their fixing the Epocha of the Prophetical days on the Pope, which I hereby prove should be taken from another Beast, viz. The first Ci­vil Ten-horned, crowned, persecuting Beast.

CHAP. III. Of the Two-Horned Beast the Pope, Rev. 13. 11▪

Rule 3. THAT the Two-Horned Beast is the Horn of Ecclesiastical Power is a false Prophet, by his second Horn of Temporal Supremacy became the seventh Head of the Roman Empire.

This appeareth, for all the Characters of this second Beast agree to the Pope, and to none else: As,

1. He arose out of the Earth, Rev. 13. 11. not from Heaven, but from below, from Satan and carnal earthly men and means. Not out of the [Page 22] Sea, or Confluence of People and Nations, as the other, v. 1. but had a mean Original, from a poor Bishop at last ascended to this dignity.

2. He hath Two Horns like a Lamb. Horns denote Power, Rev. 17. 12. Dan. 8. 5.

So the Pope usurpeth a twofold Power, Tempo­ral and Spiritual.

The first Horn of [ Ecclesiastical Power] arose in the time of Phocas Anno 606. who made Bo­niface the Third Universal Bishop. This was a new Institution, and not only a Declaration, for Statuit he ordained. Hic (i. e. Phocas) se­dem Romanae & Apostolicae Ecclesiae caput esse om­nium Ecclesiarum, quia Ecclesia Constantinopoli­tana, primam se omnium Ecclesiarum scribebat. P. W. Diacon. P. de Gest. Longobard. l. 4. c. 37.

If Justinian a little before decreed that the Pope of Rome should be the first of Priests to keep footing at Rome, or because of Old Rome was the Imperial Seat, yet not as Peter's Suc­cessor, for the same Justinian pronounced by Law the Church of Constantinople the Head of all the holy Churches.

And John Bishop of Constantinople assuming the name of Ʋniversal Bishop about Ann. 590. Gregory Bishop of Rome so disclaimed this Title, as he concluded the time of Antichrist to be at hand, because John usurped it. L. Dupless. Histor. of Pap. Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7. It being the Con­troversie of that day, he obtained not that first Horn till the time of Phocas.

As to the second Horn of [Temporal Supremacy] he obtained not that so early. Indeed Celestinus Bishop of Rome about Ann. 424. began to aspire [Page 23] after it [passing the bounds of his Priestly Or­der, presumed to challenge unto himself Secu­lar Power and Authority] Saith Socrat. Hist. l. 7. c. 11. He saith the same of the Bishop of Alex­andria, ib. & l. 7. c. 7.

But after Anno 500. Anastasius sent this An­swer to Pope Horsmida [Imperatoris proprium esse Imperare, non imperata Pontificis accipere] Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7.

And after the Popes of Rome had Confirmation from the Emperors, Cent. 7. Magd. c. 7. Et suit ipsa Ʋrbs Roma non in Pontificum, sed Imperatorum potestate & dominio, ib. Under Justinian by Narses turning out the Goths, both Italy and Rome were annexed to the Eastern Empire.

His Temporal Power and Headship must have its first date either from the Donation of Rome to him (which of old was the Imperial Seat) or from his obtaining Superiority either over the Head of Emperors, or over some of the Ten Horns.

Now, about Ann. 725. the City of Rome came under the Power of the Pope. Leo the Emperor forbidding the use of Images in Churches, Pope Gregory forbad the Tribute of Italy and Rome: Removit Roman, & Italiam, nec­non & omnia reip. quam Ecclesiastica jura in He­speriis ab obedientia Leonis & Imperii sub ipso con­stituti—Romam cum tota Italia ab illius Imperio recedere faciens—Paul. Diacon. Anast. l. 21. Saith Platina, Leonem tertium Imperatorem Constantino­politanum Imperio simul & communione fidelium privat, quiae Sanctas Imagines è Sacris adibus ab­rasisset. Which sufficiently evidenceth that the [Page 24] pretended Donation of Constantine the Great, was but a fiction, they belonging to the Eastern Empire till now they were usurped by the Pope, who made himself Prince of Rome: And afterward Pope Zechary deposing Childerick, set up Pipinus the French King, who in requital compelled Aistulphus King of the Lumbards to restore all the Towns and Lands which he had taken, and by his Donation bestowed on him the Exarchate or Princedom of Ravenna and Pentapolis, and a very large Dominion and Pos­session which afterwards were confirmed by others, with Additions, as by Charles the Great Anno 800.

All which argue that now the Pope was be­come not only a Temporal Prince by the Duke­dom of Rome—but by getting power over some of the Crowned Horns, and opposing and over­topping Emperours so as without their consent, by degrees, they had their elections, and swelled in their power, till at last they disannulled the Inauguration, placing and displacing Emperours at their pleasure. This appeared most mani­festly in Hildebrand or Gregory the Seventh, Ann. 1073. who not only Excommunicated Henry the Emperour, but deposed him, and gave away his Kingdom to Rodolphus Duke of Suevia. And now Emperours had their confirmation from Popes whereas of old the Popes had con­firmation from the Emperours. Whether this were the first of his being Regnant (as some assert) or the time of his being Triumphant in the Temporal Power I leave it to others to judge.

[Page 25]3. He spake as a Dragon, so did Hildebrand and other Popes, not only in their Excommuni­cations and Depositions, but also in those they call Hildebrands Dictates or Canons and De­crees, as [That no Book may be accounted Canonical without his Authority.] [That he ought to be judged of none.] Vid. Onuphr. in vita Greg. 7.

4. He exerciseth all the Power of the first Beast before him, and causeth the Earth to worship the first Beast, Rev. 13. 12. This the Pope doth by letting none be Emperours without his confirmation, deposing Emperours, and send­ing the Imperial Crown to others; as Rodolphus, setting up persecuting Emperours at his pleasure, and causing the Earth to obey their decrees, by influencing the Horns to persecute: As Pope Martin perceiving the Gospel prevailed in Bo­hemia, stirred up the Emperour and German Princes to making War against the Bohemians, and thus exercised the power of the first perse­cuting Beast, and caused Earthly men to wor­ship him.

5. He doth Wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven, and deceiveth the Earth with his Miracles, Rev. 13. v. 13. 14. So the Pope as a false Prophet pretendeth to Miracles. One saith that the garments of Hildebrand or Gregory after his death wrought Miracles.

Cardinal Benno (who lived at the same time) saith of Hildebrand, that when he list he would shake his Skirts and fire would come out like sparks, and by such Miracles he abused the eyes of simple People; and therefore when [Page 26] the Devil could not persecute publickly Jesus Christ by Painims, he disposed himself fraudu­lently to destroy his name by this false Monk, under the shew and colour of Religion. Estate of the Church. p. 298. Benno in vit. Hildebrandi. Ʋsher Graviss. Quaest. Hist. Explic.

Also to incourage Rodolph in War against the true Emperour Henry, which he had deposed, Hildebrand, foretold that the false King, (whom he interpreted to be Henry) should die the same year before the Feast of St. Peter. But Rodolph lost his life before the day, and Henry lived after; and so Hildebrand not only by false Miracles but by foretelling what did not come to pass was proved to be a false prophet, Deut. 18. 20, 21, 22. Rev. 19. 20. Matth. Paris. Onuphr. B. Ʋsher Graviss. Quaest. Histor. Explic,

6. He saith to them that dwell on the Earth, that he would or they should make an Image to the Beast. Rev. 13. v. 8. 14▪

What this [Image] is, it is a great questi­on?

It must be an [Image] not of the second, but of the first Beast that was Wounded, v. 14. and so it is not the first Beast it self (and the rather because the Beast and Image are made distinct, Rev. 14. 9.) but a representation or resem­blance of him, yet such as the false Miracles were to win Credit and Honour to this Image, v. 14. saying that they should make an Image—(which in making is [to] when once made [of] the Beast, v. 15.) or that he had made it, and he urgeth worshipping of it upon pain of death, v. 15.

[Page 27]This is not Image worship, for Images are dead things, but this is living, it can speak and do, v. 15.

Therefore this [Image] must be either the Pope himself, or some new Constitution of his, or else the German Empire.

It seemeth not to be this second Beast or Pope himself, for he maketh it, and so is be­fore and is not it that is made, unless it noteth his exciting or causing others to give Imperial Honour and Dignity to him.

Or this [ Image] may be especially the Car­dinals, who are said to succeed in the place of Consuls, and to be Principes mundi & veri mundi Cardines, resembling Emperours in their Habit and power; and who obtained a new Princi­pality of Election of Popes about Ann. 1059 or 1061. When Nicolaus Papa sancit Pontificem Eligendum à Cardinalibus; and bear such Autho­rity as threatneth those with death who will not submit. B. Ʋsher ib. and others.

Or else the German Empire is this [Image] as wanting diverse Kingdoms that did belong to it, yet is an Image of the old Roman Empire by a Constitution of Otho the third, and Pope Gre­gory the fifth, seven Electors were Erected, and and as saith Hondy, ten, Provinces or Circuits, resembling the old Seven Heads and TenHorns. And the Pope hath instigated Emperours as Si­gismond against the Bohemians to persecute, and so he giveth life to the Image and maketh it speak terribly against his opposers.

7. He causeth as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast to he killed, Rev. 13. 15. So [Page 28] the Pope not only excited others, but himself, raised Wars, killing many as in the time of Leo the ninth: And Pope Ʋrban had a great hand in that which is called the Holy War, Ann▪ 1099. for gaining Jerusalem. Also by his Thunderbolts, Anathema's, Excommunications, Canons and Decrees, seeketh to exterminate those which yield not subjection to him. Potestates seculares perpetui vel temporales jura­re tenentur universos haereticos ab ecclesia damnatos pro viribus exterminare. Decret. Gregor. lib. 5. Ti. 7. Lateran Council Ann. 1215.

And accordingingly the Council of Constans Ann. 1414. condemned and burnt John Huss and Jerom of Prague as Hereticks, notwithstand­ing the Emperours safe Conduct. Thus they that yield not obedience to him are killed.

8. He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond to receive a Mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads, Rev. 13. v. 16. So as none must hold Communion, buy or sell with­out it.

So the Pope hath his [...] or universal Character in various notes of distinction of his followers from others, some in [ the forehead] by an Open Profession that they are Ro­man Catholicks, it was one of Hildebrands De­crees or Dictates, Catholicus non habeatur qui non concordat Romanae Ecclesiae; Others in [the hand] more privately, or by [the number of his name] so resembling him, his ways and customs as they are to be deemed of that num­ber, though they do not own the name. Such Marks are his Confirmation, Transubstantia [...]ion▪ [Page 29] the Sign of the Cross, &c. Their Council of Trent saith, Si quis dixerit in tribus Sacramentis Baptismo scil. Confirmatione & Ordine non imprimi Characterem in anima, hoc est, signum quoddam Spi­rituale & indelebile unde ea iterari non possunt Anathema sit. Sess. 7. Can. 9. They then make Confirmation to be one Character or Mark.

The first imposing this Mark was not at the first rising of the Beast, but at the first eminent restoration of the Church. The Beast marketh his for distinctions sake from the opposite nu­merous party of the Lamb, compare Rev. 13. 16. with Rev. 14. 1.

As to the Popish Chrisme or Confirmation which they call a Sacrament consecrated by a Bishop compounded of Oyl Olive and of Balm to be applyed to the person baptised upon the forehead with the sign of the Cross—This is witnessed and declared against by the Barbes or Pastors of the Valleys, as having no ground in Scripture. See Mr. Morlands Extract of Treatises and Antiquities; where many other Romish corruptions are discovered about Ann. 1120.

Also of that confirmation see Decret. Gregorli. 1. Ti. 15. Referring to the times of Inno­cent 3.

As to Transubstantiation, that they have made that another Mark or Test is undeniable. The Martyrdom of Hundreds in Queen Mary's time, by Fire▪ and Faggot for denying it, as well as their [...]ateran Council, asserting it as a [Page 30] special business under Innocent the third Ann. 1215. is a sufficient proof of it.

And it was a Mark long before; For, it is said Berengarius arose Ann. 1039. and Ann. 1049. and 1050. And after there were Councils cal­led by Pope Leo the Ninth, Benedict and Nicho­las, for the condemning that Heresie (as they call it) of Berengarius who denyed Transub­stantiation.

Some say that Pope Nicholas the Second assem­bled a Council called the Council of Lateran, Ann. 1059. and in the same Council was hatched and invented the new found device and term of Transubstantiation. Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. p. 217.

It is said then Berengarius was driven to a Recantation: Others say he never Recan [...] ­ed.

If Eleutherius Archbishop of Sens did begin it, as Binius affirmeth, yet that might be more privately, how long before the time aforesaid it became visible and publick I leave to others to judge.

Now by Berengarius and others the opposite party appeared openly with the Lamb on Mount Sion, as Rev. 14. 1. and that with the full number 144000 (which were all that were long before safely sealed, Rev. 7. 4.) and that [having his Fathers name on their fore­heads] in opposition to their foregoing more latent State: For before, though the Church did not utterly fail, (as Rom. 11. 4.) yet it was [ more private.] It was a horrid time of darkness as to Religion in the World, some [Page 31] Hundreds of years till after Ann. 1000. But then about Thirty or Fourty Years after there be­gan the first open restoration of the Church when they had the name of God upon their [foreheads] i. e. publickly, openly, and as in Nick-name they were called Berengarians; so the Beast by Councils—By Marks differenced his from these.

Also it's said that in Alexander the third his time an Oath of fidelity was imposed on Bishops, by which they did swear Obedience to the Papacy, to maintain the Church of Rome in all Councils, in all Times and Places; was not this a mark in opposition to the Waldenses?

And that Lateran Council further saith, the Catholicks that taking the Badge of the Cross, shall give themselves to the exterminating of Hereticks, shall injoy indulgence—And they Decree to Subject to Excommunication the Be­lievers and Receivers, Defenders and Favourers of Hereticks—Not to be admitted to any publick Offices or Councils, nor to chuse any to such, or to be a witness, and let him not have power to make a will—And if any after such [a mark] by the Church shall contemn to avoid them be smitten with the Sentence of Excom­munication.—

What is the meaning of all this? but that none shall have Commerce, buy or sell with­out being marked by the Beast?

9. He hath the number of the Beast 666. Rev. 13. v. 18. Various interpretations hereof differing each from other, yet agree to the Pope▪

[Page 32] Ireneus would find the meaning in the nume­ral Letters in the name Latinos, but some an­swer, this is too Cabalistical and agreeth to Heathen Rome as well as Antichristian, and to many other names as Mahometes, Gensericus, Titan—Neither is there any warrant to take other Numeral Letters making up the same with [...] and then conclude them Synonymous.

I cannot assent to the way of learned and in­genious Mr. Potter, making the square root of 25 the Beasts number; for few Christians are such Arithmeticians as to find out the mystery by the extraction of Roots, nor are they oblig­ed to be such; whereas all Christians are bound to count and apply this number, so as to avoid compliance with the Beast or being of his num­ber, [ Here is Wisdom let him that hath under­standing Count.—]

And that we may find out the true meaning of this difficult Text, observe; it is [ the num­ber of the Beast] not only [ the number of his name] (which some confound with it) but of the Beast himself, which is distinct from the name, Rev. 15. 1. Victory over the Beast is one thing, and over the number of his name is ano­ther. And it is known by computation [ let him—count] it must then be found out by reckoning or counting, and so is a real number. And it is [ The number of a Man] i. e. common­ly in use among men as, Rev. 21. 17. [The measure of a man] is that which man is wont to use, and so it must not be a mystical, pro­phetical number, a day being put for a year as elsewhere in this prophesy, but the very num­ber, 666.

[Page 33]It remaineth then that it must (according to Scripture denote either the number of persons the followers of the Beast, or else a number of his years a time.

If it be a description of the Beast by the num­ber of his followers, it is applied to him not as if they were precisely so many, for it is known they are many, many more in Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and People; but as an op­posite number to that of the Lamb, Rev. 14 1. and there 144000 is fixed on, not for its own sake, but for the sake of 12 as the Basis of it, for it is not imaginable that every Tribe parcel­led out ( Rev. 7.) had exactly 12000. But 12 is befitted to all the concernments of the Lamb both great and small, all matters of Faith and Worship are measured by 12 the doctrine of the 12 Apostles, hence so many things run upon 12. as Rev. 21. v. 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21. there 12 Angels, 12 Gates, &c.

Answerably the number of the Beast 666 is chosen for the sake of six, which is diametri­cally opposite to 12 the number of the Lamb, and can neither by Multiplication or Division be reduced to 12 the Apostolical number; the Beast (some observe) had six books of De­cretals, and his matters great and small in Faith and Worship are not squared by the Rule of the Scriptures or the 12 Apostles, and so run upon six an opposite number.

Or say some, Numerus homi [...]is is an Hebraism, homines numeri a great multitude, as Gen. 34. 30. Deut. 4. 27. and 33. 6. Isa. 10. 19.

But 666 may be a number of years of this second [Page 34] Beast, yet cannot denote the whole time of his duration, for I have evidenced that he hath already been up longer than so in both his Horns of Spiritual and temporal power.

Some refer it to the time of his beginning others to the time of his end.

Of the former sort, Mr. Stephens finding that the Pope had his Title of Universal Bishop, Ann. 606. looketh back 60 years before Christ, when the Romans subdued the Church of the Jews, to make up the number.

But I cannot assent to it, for as I cannot find any Scripture where numbering applied to any person referreth to the beginning, but to the end, as Dan. 5. 26. God hath [numbred] thy Kingdom and finished it; so I see no war­rant for Faith to count from that Epocha of the Romans or Pompey. 666. is none of Da­niels numbers, nor is there a syllable in the Re­velation putting upon counting thence; rather the contrary, Rev. 1. 1. The things were to come, therefore it is wholly groundless. If it must note the time when the Beast began, I should much rather take the Epocha from the time of John's writing the Revelation in Patmos, about Ann. 89 and add 666. it bringeth us to Ann. 755. about which time some think the Pope obtained from Pepin King of France his second horn of Temporal Power and began to be an Earthly Prince, and so became a two-horn­ed Beast.

Some referring it to the time of his Fall had raised expectations on the year 1666. suppo­sing that John left out the Millenary number, [Page 35] but time hath confuted this, that year being past and he not fallen; unless you will begin either at the Passion of Jesus Christ, or the time of writing the Revelation, which yet is ungrounded.

I rather think it referreth to the time of his End, for the reason aforesaid from Dan. 5. 26. and that the Epocha of the 666 when it begin­neth is not from the first rising of the Beast, but from his first marking time: from the Beasts ma­king War with the first reformed Churches, or first causing his followers to receive a Mark in their forehead or hand, a note of distinction of the Bestians from the opposite party appear­ing against him openly with the Lamb in Mount Sion.

None that I know of have observed this no­tion, yet methinks the Text it self giveth great countenance to it; for immediately after he had mentioned causing those that would not Worship the Image of the Beast [ to be killed] Rev. 13. 15. (which is by his Warring against them) and his [ causing all his to receive a mark in their Foreheads or Right-hand] v. 16, 17. im­mediately it follows [ Here is Wisdom—count the number of the Beast—] i. e. count from this time of his open marking his followers to difference them from others, and thence to the time of his fall or of receiving some deadly blow will be 666 years.

And further to confirm this, as the next thing after mentioning the mark and number of the Beast, he subjoineth or addeth by way of opposition as of the same time that an oppo [Page 36] site party were visibly, openly marked for Christ, Rev. 14. 1. And I looked, and lo a lamb stood on Mount ion and with him 144000. having his Fa­thers name written on their foreheads. So that this referreth not to the time when a few, but a vast number appeared for Christ, even 144000 and not privately, but publickly in Sion, in the Church, with the Fathers name upon their foreheads, and not when they were first sealed, but when they made the first open separation from the Beast, and appeared for the restoration of the Church. It is when they rejoice with singing for redemption from, and victory over Antichristian Pollutions, v 2, 3, 4. which plain­ly must be at the beginning time of pouring out the Vials, for then a like Song of Moses and the Lamb is sung upon the same account, Rev. 15. 1, 2, 3. for victory over the Beast, his Image and Mark and the number of his Name—it was then after some getting out of Spiri­tual Egypt. So that the imposing the Mark of the Beast and the Churches first restoration by the Fathers name on their foreheads in an open profession are of the same date, beginning at the first Vial and thence the number of the Beast is 666 years to the time of his Fall.

And the first Vial I think began about the time of Berengarius whose opinion was con­demned by Popish Councils at Vercellis and Rome about Ann. 1049 or 1050 &c. therefore his [...] [...]rofession was before; how many years [...] [...]udge.

CHAP. IV. Of the Little Horn.

Rule 4. THAT the Two-Horned Beast the Pope is the Little Horn, Dan. 7.

Note that there is a little Horn, Dan. 8. 5, 9. growing on the Hee-Goat, which is express­ly there said to be the King of Graecia, v. 21. that Horn is Antiochus Epiphanes.

But the Little Horn, Dan. 7. groweth on another Beast, the fourth Monarchy, v. 7, 8, 19, 20, 24. and all the Characters of him agree to the Pope; therefore he is that Little Horn.

As the Pope in his Original or Rise was [a little Horn] v. 8. a poor Bishop, yet grew in his looks more stout than his fellows, v. 20, 25. he did grow up among the ten Horns, and was diverse from them, v. 8, 24. Another had Eyes like a Man, i. e. full of Policy and Wis­dom, hath a mouth speaking great things against the Most High. v. 8. 11, 25. making himself supream Judge in matters of faith▪ a Vice God. He Warreth with the Saints by Persecutions, and prevaileth, v. 21. weareth out the Saints, as a Garment, by long rubbing, fretting and ill using of them. And he thinketh to change Times and Laws, i. e. change Gods Laws for his own, as in Doctrine, Worship and Discipline, par­ticularly in Marriages, Meats, Festivals—all which obviously agree to the Pope; and also,

1. The little Horn prevaileth against three [Page 38] of the other, Dan. 7. 8. before him three of the first Horns were plucked up by the Roots, and v. 20. fell. V. 24. he shall subdue three Kingdoms.

This agreeth to the Pope; for, he was a means of rooting out the Grecian Exarchs, the Lombards and also the Goths, who ruled in Italy and had Soveraignty over Rome; Silverius the Bishop brought this to pass saith Evagr. l. 4. c. 18. and these were precisely three; and this doth not lessen the number of Horns, or re­duce them to seven, but giveth him more Pow­er at Rome. Or Mr. Parker thinketh they were three Mahumetan Kings, viz. Solyman in Asia, Cassianus in Syria, the Egyptian Caliph in Judea, which were subdued by the Pope who raised the War, and this was one of the greatest acts that ever he did, and these are precisely three, and properly subdued by him, and these were of the Ten Horns or their Territory belong­ing to Daniels fourth Beast.

2. The Little Horn continueth until a time, times and the dividing of time, wearing out the Saints, Dan. 7. 25. yea after till he over­cometh them, v. 21, 22, 27.

Neither doth the word [...] [until] deny its being longer, as one observeth donec signi­fieth Consecutionem, non exceptionem vel exclusio­nem futuri temporis, Genebr. in Psal. 109. So [until] is not exclusive, Psal. 110. 1. and 57. 1. Cant. 2. 16, 17. Mat. 12. 20.

And besides, the Little Horn is up, Dan. 7. 22. Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High, and the time came that the Saints possessed the [Page 39] Kingdom, which is not till after the Death and Resurrection of the Witnesses and sound­ing of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 14, 15.

Daniels Beast is comprehensive of the whole fourth Monarchy from first to last, and so may clearly enough be distinguished from the little Horn, as Dan. 7. 11. though the Pope be it, he hath but a part thereof, not all the Ten Horns.

CHAP. V. Of the first rising of the Ten-Horned Beast.

Rule 5. THat the first rising of the Ten Horn­ed Beast in all probability was in the time of Valens, however before Ann. 400.

It is a great mistake, that a knowledge of the day of his Birth will give a certain know­ledge of the day of his death; for he may not so early be in that work which giveth the first date to the Prophetical numbers, and he sur­viveth some of these, viz. the 42 months which many would have to be the whole of his time; yet seeing he must be up before he can act, it is of great importance to enquire after the time of his first rising, and take it thus.

1. When the Roman State or Empire became like a troubled Sea after the Dragons downfal, then did the Beast arise, and this was before Ann. 400▪

I saw [ A Beast] rise out of the Sea, Rev. 13. 1. [Sea] is the gathering together of Waters, Gen. 1. 10. and Rev. 17. 15. [Waters] are people, and multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues—

[Page 40] Ammianus Marc [...]llinus, who lived at the very time of Valens and Valentinian, and was a Soul­dier then, useth these words.

[At this time as if the Trumpets had sound­ed the Battel throughout all the Roman World, most Fell and Savage Nations rose up in Arms and Invaded the next limits to them; the Alemanes wasted at once both Gaule and Rhae [...]ia; the Sarma [...]ians and Quadi made spoil in Pannonia both the one and the other. The Ticts, Saxons, Scots and Allacots, infested the Brittains with continual troubles The An­storians and other Manrite Nations made Rodes more fiercely than they had wont into Africk certain Bands of Gothick Brigands and Rovers rifled and ransacked Thracia, the King of Persia laid violent hands upon the Ar­menians, &c. thus far he lib. 26. cap. 5.]

And now judge whether the Roman Em­pire was not at this time like a troubled Sea, and so whether the Beast did not rise out of it, especially, seeing some of the Horns were Crowned in this time of Valens, about Ann. 376, and 378. as is proved. Antichristi exci­dium.

But further the Alemanes brake through the limits of Germany, provoked thereto with a more mischievous mind than usually, &c. about that time or not long after Procopius in the East rose up in arms, and plotted to usurp the Em­pire, &c. There were most woful Tempests and Storms up in both parts of the Empire at one and the self same time—in the same Months both in the West, and also in the East [Page 41] part of the World, &c. Ib. lib. 26. c 6. See much more lib. 27. c. 8. The State of Rome. most corrupt in those days. [...]b. lib. 28. c. 8.

Yea they over-ran those parts even to the Suburbs of Constantinople and besieged that, but at last were repulsed Sccrat. lib. 4. c. 31. and others.

2. When the Body of the Roman Empire was changed from its Ancient form of Provinces, into the form and shape of Crowned Horns; then the Beast was up: For it's said in the days of John, Rev. 17. 17. They have received no King­dom as yet, but receive power as Kings one hour, or the first hour with the Beast.

The rising then of the Beast and the crown­ing of the Horns, are about the same time. This Beast is differenced thus from the Dra­gon, that he, the Beast, hath his Crowns (Em­blems of Soveraignty) upon his Horns, Rev. 13. 1. and from the two Horned Beast, that he hath more than two, even Ten, [and up­on his Horns Ten Crowns.]

Not that they must all be up first, so as the rising of the tenth Horn should give the first date to the Beast: For they are all Horns of the Beast; and therefore speak a Beast up for them to grow upon, and they receive Power as Kings: [ One hour with the Beast,] Rev. 17. v. 12. Not the Beast one hour with them, intimating the Beast to be first in order rather than otherwise. But as the Dragon is said to have seven Heads, Rev. 12. 3. When as the seventh Head of Popes was not up till Dragon (Pagan Power) was down; so as well [Page 42] may this be called a Ten Horned Crowned Beast, Rev. 13. 1. Before all the ten were Crowned, because there were to be so many principal ones; and ten may not be taken pre­cisely, neither more nor fewer, but indefinitely for many, as Numb. 14. 22. Job. 19. 3. Gen. 31. 7.

Now before Ann. 400. diverse Horns were Crowned, see an Elaborate book Entituled Antichrists Excidium, which proveth the rise­ing of the Kingdom of the Alemanes Ann. 356. the Ostrogoths Ann. 377. the Visogoths Ann. 378. the Hunns Ann. 378. and others even ten about Ann. 410.

Therefore then the Beast was up.

3. When the Dragon gave unto Crowned Horns in the Roman Empire, his Power, Throne and great Authority, then the Beast was up: For it is the Beast he gave these to, Rev. 13. 2. the Dra­gon gave him ( i. e. the Beast) his [power, [...]] strength or force, distinguished from authority, and so it is outward strength or mi­litary power, [his Throne] i. e. the City of Rome, or a Government there. [and great Authority] so as to become a lawful ruler within the Roman Empire.

Now all this was given before, or soon after, Ann. 400. For Crowned Horns had [power] such military power as they did wage War with the Emperours, as the Goths and others, and after the death of Valens they over-run Thracia and spread themselves even to the Su­burbs of Constantinople, and besieged that. Am. Marcell. l. 31. c. 14. 15, 16, 17. Alaricus [Page 43] King of the Goths occupyeth Thracia, Graecia, Athens, Corinth and other Cities, &c. Return­eth to Italy. Calvis. Ann 395.

The Hunns destroyed Armenia and other Countries of the East, Socrat. l. 6. c. 1. By Armenia brake into Asia, and besieged Antioch, Calvis. Ann. 395. Gainas with an Army of Goths over-ran the Eastern Empire and Constan­tinople was in great danger. Socrat. l. [...]. c. 6. Gildo usurped Africa. Magd. Cent. 5. C. 16.

And his [Throne] the City of Rome was given to crowned Horns, for Alaricus King of the Goths took it about Ann. 410. It is true this was a little after Ann. 400. But it prov­eth the Beast to be up before, having such great power as aforesaid. It is true Alaricus then did not keep Rome long, but then he took possession of the Throne: And it is not said the Beast [kept] the Throne, but that the Dragon [gave] it to him, and afterward also Gensericus King of the Vandals, sacked Rome. And after the Goths reigned over Italy about 70 years.

Yea Crowned Horns obtained in the Roman Empire [ great Authority] for before Ann. 400. Valentinian the Emperour made a league with Macrianus King of the Alemanes, and rati­fied it by [...]ath about Ann. 374. Am. Marcell. lib. 30. c. 4. Afterwards Valens granted some Countries in Thracia to the King of the Goths about Ann. 376. and so he became a crowned Horn. ib. lib. 31. c. 4. Socrat. Diacon. and consider whether this was not the birth-day of the Beast, this being the first crowned Horn [Page 44] that received not only Power, but Authority in the Roman Empire. I might mention other Leagues, as between the Emperour Honorius and the Goths, and so with Theodosius, and o­thers. All this argueth that the Beast was up before Ann. 400.

4. When the deadly wound was given to one of the Heads, then the Beast was up; For it was a Head of the Ten-Horned Beast that was wound­ed as it were unto death, Rev. 13. v. 1, 2. And so the Beast must then exist and be up to receive the wound.

Now this deadly wound was made when Alaricus sacked Rome, and perfected at Augus­tulus. Indeed this act was after Ann. 400. but it presupposeth the Beast to be up, and so we may reckon that he did rise before Ann. 400. And here note

1. It is not the Pope, but this ten Horned Beast, who in respect of his first State is said to continue [a short space,] Rev. 17. 10. For it is not said the seventh Head, but [ [...] another] i. e. another of the eight Kings (with whom the word agreeth) not another Head. There were eight Kings, and but seven Heads, this was another King, or State of Go­vernment when the Empire was so broken and changed from its antient form and shape of Provinces, into crowned Horns, and this was but [a short time] before it was wounded even unto death; Whereas the seventh Head, the Pope, hath continued a longer time, than any of the other Heads if compared with them. And further to confirm this, he immediately [Page 45] addeth the different States of the first Beast, v. 11. [ was, and is not, and yet is] as before, v. 9. and so [ was] is before wounding this short space, [ is not] is when wounded, [ yet is] is after healed.

2. If the first Beast be [the man of sin,] 2 Thes. 2. 6, 7. Then the [lett] which hin­dred, not meerly his rising, but his revelation, must be imperial power, which was removed by the aforementioned breakings and wound­ings of it.

But if it be the second Beast, then the [...] is their Imperial Authority, and it was removed when Popes over-topped and assumed power over Emperours, as Hildebrand and others.

Rule 6. That the Eastern parts belong to the first Ten-Horned Beast as well as the Western.

This is denyed by some, but seeing it condu­ceth to the clearing up of truths, and some ma­terial points, I shall give these grounds of it.

1. The same Dominion which the Dragon (i. e. Pagan Emperours) had, the same the Beast hath: Compare Rev. 12. 2. and 13. v. 2. He is Successor to the Dragon; with the same number of Seven Heads, and Ten Horns, all the Constitutive parts.

And seeing undenyably the Dragon had the Eastern Empire as well as the West, so must the Beast have, the whole territory al­so.

[Page 46]2. There were Crowned Horns in the Eastern parts, as is undeniable; and this differenceth the Beast from the Dragon; compare Rev. 12. 3. and 13. 1. and 17. v. 3, 12. That Crowned Horns over-ran the Eastern Empire, and en­dangered Constantinople, is before proved; and these acted in persecution, the work of the Beast.

3. The East and West made but one undivided Empire, till after Horns of the Beast were up in Valens time: though Valentinian was associated with him, yet the Empire was one till divi­ded between Arcadius and Honorius, and diverse Horns up.

Yea when the Woman fleeth into the Wil­derness▪ Rev. 12. it is upon the two Wings of the Eagle, the East and West Roman Empire. It will be hard to assert that there might have been a Roman Empire distinct from the Beast at the same time.

4. The irruption of the Turks into the Eastern parts, or sixth Trumpet, Rev. 9. 14, 15. should not have had the Beast as the proper subject thereof, if the Eastern parts had not belonged to the Beast, where this Tragedy was principally acted. Whereas the Lord expected the Beasts Repen­tance of his Idolatry and Persecution; as the issue thereof, v. 20, 21.

5. How could the act of an Eastern Emperour Phocas, make Boniface 3 Ʋniversal Bishop; if the Eastern Empire did not belong to the first or second Beast, or both? for both have the same Power Rev. 13. 12. as to extent.

6. The seventh head of Popes did extend their [Page 47] Power into the Eastern parts; witness not only Victor the Bishop of Rome his Excommunicating all Asia about the observation of Easter. So­crat. lib. 5. c. 21. Greek 27. but also from that which is called the Holy War, chiefly raised by the Pope; and from his Excommunicating the Grecians, upon the account of the diffe­rences between them and the Latin Church about Anselms time: and the Greek Church and the Latin Church, were in some mean agreement under subjection to the See of Rome, until the time of Pope Gregory IX. Ann. 1230. saith Fox Acts and Monuments, Vol. 1. p. 244, 365. and then were dissevered from them.

But it is objected against the Grecian Em­pire belonging to the Beast, as followeth.

Obj. 1. The Greek Empire was up long before the deadly wound, out of which the seventh head with ten horns arose, and so that cannot be of the Ten.

Answ. This laboureth with or is built upon a double mistake, viz. that this Beast cannot be up before the deadly wound; whereas it was the Beast that was wounded, Rev. 13. 3. and so must be up before to receive the Wound. Another mistake is, that the seventh Head did arise at the same time with the ten Horns, which I deny, see Rule 3.

Obj. 2. The Ten Kings receive power the same hour with the Beast: but the Greek Empire arose near 100 years before, and so is none of the Ten.

Ans. When the Roman Empire in its other parts changed its antient form, and was divided into [Page 48] Crowned Horns, then the same hour the Grecian Empire was changed from what it was before: now it had a new distinct Soveraignty of its own, with­out dependence on the rest of the Empire as for­merly, and so thence might be deemed one of the ten Horns; especially seeing some of those Horns made such Incursions into the Eastern parts, as is before discovered. If the Alemanes arose Ann. 356. why might not another be up a little sooner? Some of them received power as Kings, the same hour with the Beast, and that is enough▪ Rev. 17. 16.

Obj. 3. The Greek Empire often withstood the Pope of Rome, and so did not give his power to the Beast, Rev. 17. 12.

Answ. This first Beast I proved is not the Pope, but a Civil persecuting Beast; and the Eastern Empire had its share in the Work of Persecu­tion as Anastasius and others. Yea the Greek Churches we heard did for some time give their power to the Pope of Rome.

And further, in the time of the Lutheran Reformation, many Churches were planted in Germany, England, Scotland, France, Flanders, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, so that diverse of the Western Princes and Kingdoms, withstood the Pope of Rome, yet that will not prove that they never were of the ten Horns, the like may be said of the Grecian Empire.

And further, as the ten Horns are said to hate the Whore, and Burn her with Fire, Rev. 17. 12. when onely some of them do it; not all, for there are others who committed For­nication with her, that lament her burning, [Page 49] Rev. 18 9. which seemeth to intimate, that those who destroy her had not lately committed Fornication with her. However it argueth there is no necessity that every Horn should give power always to the Beast, and the Greek Empire may be of that number; which also answereth the next objection.

Obj. 4. If the Greek Empire were among the Ten Horns, then it must last 1260 years; Whereas it came into the hands of the Turks before it had been up such a time.

Answ. No necessity that there should be precise­ly Ten Horns, neither more nor fewer, and that every one of these should last 1260 years, either in the same place, Rule or Religion, as at first.

It is sufficient that the Body of them, or some continue so long in the work of the Beast, per­secution. The Goths ruled a long time in Italy, and then were expelled thence, yet that is one of the Ten Horns still; at first some of the Horns were Pagans, others Arians, others since Popish, others became Protestants, fell off from Rome, did not continue 1260. Some of the Horns at last must be of another Spirit, so opposite as to hate and destroy the Whore, Rev. 17. 12. In short, the whole Roman Do­minion, as of old, in East and West, make the boundary of the Ten Horns, and so the Gre­cians make one Horn; though the Greek Em­pire be at an end, yet those that are or rule there make the Horn.

The conclusion then is, that the quondam Eastern Empire, or Eastern parts, belong to the Ten Horns, some of them may be found [Page 50] there; and so those three Horns, Dan. 7. 8. might be there, and persecutions there may make the Epocha of the 1260 days, and some Eastern Powers (though not under the notion of a Grecian Empire, as before) may hate the Whore, and Burn her with fire, Rev. 17. 16. or have a hand in her destruction.

CHAP. VI. Of the Epocha of the Mystical Numbers.

Rule 7. THat the 42 months, the time, times, and half, and 1260 days did in all probability begin before Ann. 400.

Here I must premise, or take three things for granted.

1. That those various numbers are the same mea­sure of time diversely computed, they begin and end together: for as the Witnesses Prophecying in sackcloth is 1260 days, Rev. 11. 3. So the cause or means of it was the Gentiles treading the Holy City under foot 42 months, v. 2▪ which being resolved into days (30 days to every month) is the same time. And as the Womans being in the Wilderness is said to be 1260 days, Rev. 12. 6. So the same Wilder­ness state is expressed, v. 14. by the time, times, and half, and one being resolved into the other explaineth Dan. 7. v. 25. and 12. 7. which otherwise would have remained very dark; now plainly [time] is a Prophetical year; [times] two years, and [half] half a [Page 51] year, (as Dan. 4. 16▪ 23, 25, 32.) which is the same with 1260 years. And the Beast also having 42 months assigned to him for like work, Rev. 13. 5. it strongly proveth that all these are equal numbers, and of the same date.

2. That they are not taken indefinitely for an uncertain or long time, but definitely, for a certain determined time: For though round numbers, as 10, 100. &c. may be indeterminately used, yet such broken numbers cannot be so taken for an uncertain time, without special reason enforcing it. And seeing three several expres­sions are used five times ( Rev. 11. 2, 3. and 12. 6, 14. and 13. 5.) to set forth the same space of time, and all of them broken num­bers, it must be a certain definite time; else why is it 1260, and not 2000 days, or 42 months, rather than 40 or 60. or time, times, and half, rather than four times? and what difference were there between the 1290 and the 1335 days, Dan. 12. 11, 12. or how could a head of account be laid down, v. 11. and that pur­posely in answer to that question▪ v. 6. how long shall it be to the end of these Wonders, if they were an uncertain number which no ac­count could be made up from?

3. That they are not Natural or Common Days or Months, but Prophetical, every day noting a Year; as Numb. 14. 33, 34. Ezek. 4. 5, 6. Dan. 4. 16, 23, 25, 32. and Dan. 9. 24▪ 25, 26, 27. which last are 70 Weeks of Years reaching to the Messias; when natural days are intended there is a note of distinction, as of Evenings and [Page 52] Mornings, Dan. 8. 4, 14, 26. which concern the Hee-Goat, v. 8. the King of Graecia, v. 21. but those in the Revelation cannot be natural days, or only three years and half, for the Beast is of long continuance, and hath been hun­dreds of years in the work of the 42 Months, treading down the Church, Rev. 11. 2. and his Wounding and Healing, Rev. 13. and the Earths wondring after the Beast, and his being ridden by Mystical Babylon, so as to have all Nations Drunk with the Wine of her Forni­cation, Rev. 17. 2, 3, 4, 5. hath been hundreds of years, and the Churches Sack-cloth State very long; these things cannot be confined to 1260 natural days, but must be so many years.

Many have been mistaken in their Compu­tations, and therefore I would not be too po­sitive therein, but in probability those Days and Months began before Ann. 400. this ap­peareth diverse ways.

1. The 42 Months and 1260 days must begin after the utter dethroning of the Dragon, or casting down Pagans from their Imperial Seat and Worship: for upon that provocation and the triumph, the Beast as his Successor driveth the Church in­to the Wilderness for such a time, Rev. 12. 6, 13, 14. They cannot begin upon his firsT overthrow by Constantine the Great, but so as his [...]l [...]ce was no more found in Heaven, v. 8. and therefore not till after Julian, who was the last professedly Pagan Emperor, and reign­ed Ann. 360 or not long after, and these Days must begin after this, and not before, for the Horns were not Crowned, and in the Work [Page 53] of the Beast till then, yet before Ann. 400.

2. The 1260 Days had their beginning soon af­ter the first rising of the Ten-Horned Crowned Beast: For, the 42 Months are assigned or allotted to him, Rev. 13. 1, 5. power was given him to do 42 Months; he being of such a Savage Nature, v. 2. like a Leopard, a Bear, a Lion, would take the first opportunity offered for being in his Work; there is no evidence that he delay­ed till the deadly Wound was made, much less to the time of Healing, which was hun­dreds of years after. His receiving his Power, and Throne, and great Authority, v. 2. (whence ensued the Worshiping him, v. 4.) is men­tioned before the deadly Wound; but that Wound being given soon after his first rising, that is the reason why so little of his Work is mentioned till after that; yet doubtless he was found in it soon after his first rising or be­fore Ann 400.

3. Some say that the 1260 Days probably must so begin, as Daniels 1290 days may expire or end with them, and so begin in likeliness before Ann. 400.

Daniel hearing of a time of unparallelled trouble, and that then his People (the Jews) should be delivered, Dan. 12. 1. enquireth v. 6. How long shall it be to the end of these Wonders? the answer was, in two branches, the one by a Gentile number [of time, times, and half,] v. 7. which is the same with 1260 days. Daniel not understanding enquireth a­gain after the end, v. 8. and hath an answer again, v. 11, 12. in two branches; the former is [Page 54] by 1290 days, which discovereth when the time, times, and half were to end, else it were no explication thereof, seeing they are diffe­rent times, cannot begin and end together. And whether they end with the 1260 days or not, yet he giveth a direction when those 1290 days are to begin v. 11. from the time that the daily Sacrifice shall be taken away and the abo­mination that maketh desolate set up, shall be 1290 days▪

Now this must be either the Epiphanean or a Roman abomination; there is no third ima­ginable to make the Epocha.

I cannot think that the Epiphanean, i. e. When Antiochus Epiphanes prophaned the Jew­ish Temple, 167. years before Christ, is in­tended: For the abomination of desolation in Daniel is mentioned as to come, Mat. 24. 15. in words agreeing not only to Dan. 9. 27. but as aptly to Dan. 12. 11. where the time, times, and half, to be explained, clearly refer to the fourth Monarchy. And it is as rational that he should look back to another Vision, given to himself as to another third Monarchy from the fourth. And if we begin the 1290 days at Antiochus Epiphanes, they must end about Ann. 1123. where was no suitable event for their expiration; some would have it to be, the first Revelation of Antichrist. But it is an answer to Daniels question which twice was not con­cerning the beginning or revelation of him, but the end of those Wonders, v. 6, 7. And besides, the Revelation of Antichrist was long before Ann. 1123. if not Ann. 606. yet to be sure [Page 55] when Eerengarius and others openly witnessed against him, An. 1049. Neither should the 1335 Days then usher in Blessedness, (as v. 12.) but great Persecution.

It must then refer to a Roman Abomination; not at Titus and Vespasian about An. 70. Mat. 24. 15, 16. compared with Luk 21. 20, 21. for then not only the 1290. but also the 1335, were expired long ago, and yet the Blessedness entailed is not come.

It remaineth then, that it must either be from the Antichristian Abomination, viz. from the taking away of the true Gospel-Sacrifice, and setting up the Abomination of Mystical- Babylon, making desolate, Rev. 17. 19. and 19. v. 19. and this seemeth not to be intended; for Daniel using that Phrase two or three times, never applieth it that way, nor doth he, or John, assign any such Number as 1290 days to her, or to the Beast that carrieth her; yet if other accounts fail, this must stand; because God is true.

Or it must be the Julian Abomination; those days cannot begin since upon any Jewish ac­count, for there hath never been any Jewish Temple since to sacrifice in or at and to be taken away. Also that Stupendious Dispensa­tion in the time of Julian, seemeth to many sutable for the 1290 days (a Jewish, not a Gen­tile Number) to begin with: For, he armed the Jews against the Christians, demanded why they did not use Sacrificing, seeing the Law commanded it? When they answered, it was permitted to them only to Sacrifice in one [Page 56] place, the Temple. Then suddenly he com­manded the Temple to be Rebuilt, and by ter­rible Earthquake, Thunder, Lightning and Fire, the Foundation Stones of the Temple (till that day unstirred) were thrown out of their places, and their Tools and Instruments burnt up, so as Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem then remembred the Prophesie, that there should not be one Stone of the Temple le [...]t upon another, Matth. 24. See Socrat. lib. 3. c. 17. or 20. Ammianus Marcellinus, who lived in the very time of Julian, lib 23▪ c. 1. saith, That certain flaming Balls of Fire issuing near unto the Foundations, and making many terrible Assaults, consumed sundry times the Work­men, and made the place unaccessible. Now, to attempt to re-edify a Jewish Temple pur­posely for Jewish Worship, and Sacrificing in Gospel Times, and that in direct Opposition to Christ and Christianity, thereby to take away the true Gospel-Sacrifice and Worship, was a heighth of Abomination, and such as in a mi­raculous way brought Desolation: and although there be no account of any Sacrifice then of­fered, yet it was designed, and the Temple then being made utterly desolate, hence the daily Sacrifice (which depended upon the Tem­ple, Dan. 12. 5, 6, 7.) must needs be taken away also. And though Julian was not per­sonally or with an Army in the holy Place or City; yet then he perfected the Desolation be­gun in the time of Titus and Vespasian by his E­dict about the Third Year of his Reign. Am. Marcell. lib. 23. c. 1. 6.

[Page 57]And this is still the more considerable in that the Abomination of Pagan Worship being set up about the Second Year of his Reign, the Lord made it desolate also by a miraculous Earthquake or Fire; the Ethnick Temple in Delphos was overwhelmed and burnt down when Julian had sent a Legate to offer Sacri­fice therein, and to consult with the Oracle of Apollo there, of the Event of the Persian War. Chron Carion. l. 3. Am. Marcell. lib. 22 c 4. 12. [On the 11th. day before the Kalends of No­vember (i. e. 21. of October) the most stately Temple of Apollo Daphnaeus which Antiochus Epiphanes, (that ireful and cruel King built) together with the Image therein of Jupiter Clympicus, equal in bigness to the Patron it resembled, by sudden Violence of Fire was burnt]. And the Abomination of Heathen and Jewish Worship being attempted to be set up by Julian (as another Antiochus Epiphanes) were made a Desolation near the same time, viz. between An. 360. and 366.

And indeed there was a sutable Event about the time of their Expiration, For Ann. 1650. there was a Preludium of Israel's Salvation, (whose Deliverance was the thing enquired af­ter, v. 1.) if Julian's act was a little after An. 360. often God doth cut short his work, and omit small Numbers (as Gen. 15. 13.) in a great Number. And according to Mr. Brett's Narrative by the leave of the Turk and the King of Hungaria, there was Octob. 12. 1650. a Council of the Jews consisting of about 300, and Spectators near 3000, to enquire after the [Page 58] Messiah, whether he were come or not? whe­ther Christ were he or not?

After Seven or Eight days Conference, some of the Roman Clergy mentioning the use of Images and Praying to the Virgin Mary—they brake up in disorder; yet it's said, the Jews agreed upon another Meeting which was to be Three Years after, and in Syria.

But if the 1290 days ended there, then whe­ther 45 more will make up the 1335 days, and usher in the Blessedness of their Deliverance, let the Event determine.

4. The 1260 days must begin about the time when there were two Wings of the Roman Eagle, for the Woman the Church to flee by into the Wil­derness, Rev. 12. v. 14. i. e. when the Empire (the Ensign whereof was the Eagle) was divi­ded into East—West: So it was between Arcadius and Honorius, about An. 395. Helvic.

5. The 1260 days must begin before the Dragon poured out his Flood to drown the Woman, Rev. 12. v. 14. for this Flood was cast out, v. 15. [...]—[after her, or upon her Back] and therefore the was upon her Journey going into the Wil­derness, or gone, gotten thither, when this Flood was poured out, but the Earth swallowed up the Flood, v. 16. and the Dragon was dis­appointed.

Now many think it was a Flood of corrupt Doctrines, called Heresies, and about An. 395. and after, these did swarm, the Eastern Churches were even over-run with Arianism yea▪ in the West the Barbarian persecuting Vandals turned Arians! so there were Nestorians, Pelagians, [Page 59] Eutychians, &c. which Earthly Men, i. e. Civil Emperours by calling Councils did in some measure dry up.

I cannot say that this was the Flood, consi­dering that the chiefest of these corrupt Do­ctrines, viz. Arianism, did prevail in the time of Constantine and Constantius, before the Beast was up, before the Womans going into the Wilderness, and Emperours themselves did Countenance Arianism, as Constantius, and after him Valens, who were Arians and Per­secutors.

I think it was a Dragonish, Paganish Flood; for it is [out of the Mouth of the Serpent]. v. 15. and [Waters] in this Book are ex­pounded to be Rev. 17. 15. [People, and Mul­titudes, and Nations, and Tongues]. Let it then be a Flood or Multitudes of barbarous People, and that not every Inundation of them wherein they prevailed against the Empire; but some particular overflow of them (after the Beast was up) wherein their design was chiefly against the Woman, or Christian Church, and wherein they were unsuccessful, the Earth helping the Woman, they are swal­lowed up, as v. 16.

And where we find this, we may conclude that the Woman was now going, or gone into the Wilderness; and so the 1260 days did begin a little before.

Now this Flood of Barbarians was either at the Attempt of Eugenius and Arbogastes, or else at Rhadagaisus, or both; which Actions I shall here add, and judge whether they do [Page 60] not aptly answer to all that is said of this Flood.

It must be remembred that about this time the Contest was afresh about Pagan Worship, which Constantine had thrown down; and saith Calvis. An. 384. Gentiles petunt restitui Romae cul­tum Ethnicum; Ambrosius resistit & obtinet. And An. 394. he saith, Eugenius cum suis claustra Alpinm contra Theodosium munit, minitatur (que) Christianae religioni exitium si victor rediret; the like say others. It is apparent then that the very design of Eugenius was against Christia­nity, and to restore Paganism in the Roman Empire, and having Usurped the Supremacy in the West Parts of the World, Theodosius the Civil Emperour, after spending the Night in Prayer to God, waged War with him, and though the Enemy were so many that it seemed impossible to encounter them, yet there arose so violent a Wind and Tempest, as the like never had been seen by any Man then living, which without annoyance to the Emperour's People, did turn the Darts of. Eugenius Soul­diers to light in their own side, that Theodosius obtained a compleat Victory. See Socrat. Oros. Funccius.—

And thus this Dragon Flood cast out pur­posely to drown the Woman, the Church, was swallowed up, not by Ecclesiastical Councils, but (through Divine Concurrence) by the Earthly, Civil or Military Power of Theodosius.

Also Rhadagaisus with Two hundred Thou­sand [...]oths, for the Restoration of Ethnick wor­ship, came into Italy, over-ran Thracia, Illyri­cum, [Page 61] Noricum, &c. with Fire and Sword made great Devastations; the Romans affrighted here­at, called in the help of Ʋldinus and Sarus (Earthly Pagan Men) with an Army of Hunns and Goths, and partly by Hunger, partly other­wise, that so great a Multitude was destroyed, few escaped, Cent. 5. c. 3 16. Diacon. Funcc. Calvis. An. 406. And if this be the Dragons Floud, then the Woman must be in the Wil­derness, An. 406. and so the 1260 days began before.

6. The 1260 days must begin upon a Persecution raised by the revengeful overthrown Dragon in the form of a Beast, by which the Woman (the Church) was driven into a VVilderness Condition: This [ Persecution] thus limited I take to be the clearest, firmest and most Signal Character of all, for the discovering when the 1260 days and 42 Months must begin, and yet not insisted on by Writers, I suppose from their Mistake thinking the first Beast to be the Pope, and so making an Apostacy of his to be the Epocha; whereas he is the second Beast, and there is another first Beast which those 42 Months and Prophetical Days are to begin with; and that at a Persecution, as all the Three Chapters where those Days and Months are mentioned, do clearly evidence; as, Rev. 11. v. 2, 3. the holy City shall they ( i. e the Gentiles) tread under foot 42 Months. That [treading down] importeth Subjection, great Sufferings by Ene­mies insulting over them with contempt; and also the Witnesses being in Sack-cloth speak­eth the like.

[Page 62]So Rev. 12. 6. The Woman fleeth into the Wilderness—1260 days. It is an allusion to the flight of the Israelites from an enraged Ene­my, persecuting Pharaoh; with such a flight (which importeth Tribulation, Mat. 24. 20, 21.) do the 1260 days begin, and therefore with Persecution; and expresly, v. 13, 14. [he per­secuted the Woman—] and this is mentioned as the very Cause of her fleeing into the Wil­derness, v. 14. for a time, times and half a time, i. e. for 1260 days▪ What can be more plain, than that these days do begin with or by a Persecution.

The third place is, Rev. 13. 5. Power was given him [...], to do, another Version hath it [...], to make War 42 Months; and the warring with the Saints is expresly men­tioned with the same word, v. 7.

And note, it is not every Persecution that doth make the Epocha: it is not any till Dra­gon, i. e. Pagan headship was cast down, and so not any of the Ten Persecutions, not any till after Julian; but after the first Beast with crowned Horns was up, v. 1, 2. which was many Years before the sixth Head of Emperours went down. Yea, it is [a Persecution] raised in way of revenge for the Dragon, i. e. Pagan over­throw, Rev. 12. 13. [he] i. e. the Dragon [when he saw he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the Woman—]. It was then a fresh Persecution, upon that Provocation, his casting down. And note, it is not every War­like Irruption (as that of Alaricus) which ma­keth the Epocha, but [a Persecution] and such [Page 63] as driveth the Woman into a Wilderness-con­dition, v. 6, 13, 14. which noteth not a change of Place, so much as of State▪ answerable to that of the Israelites in the Wilderness. It mporteth a solitary, afflicted, yet safe condi­tion; full of Wants, Dangers, Trials, Tempta­tions, and yet having Divine Protections, Pro­visions and Preservations.

And hence, none need be stumbled at the seeming or real Godliness, either of some Em­perours, (or Popes) after the Beast was up; For, if the Head of Emperours did not perse­cute, yet if some of the Crowned Horns did, though others did not; yet, it may be deemed a Persecution of the Beast. Often an action of a part is reckoned to the whole, as Achan's to Israel, Josh. 7. 1, 11. So 1 King. 14. 22. Am. 2. 5. Rev. 17. 16. compared with Rev. 18. 9. So whether Head or Horns, some of them perse­cute the Church into the Wilderness, and this giveth the first Date to the 1260 days. The great Question then here, is,

When did that Persecution begin by the Dragon in form of a Beast, with Crowned Horns, out of revenge for his Overthrow, whereby the Church was driven into a Wil­derness-Condition? For, at such a Persecu­tion, or at the Churches being fully in the Wilderness thereby, we must begin the 42 Months and 1260 Days.

And upon a diligent Search into History, it is to admiration that the Event should so aptly agree to fix the Epocha before Ann. 400.

[Page 64]For such Persecutions there were about that time, by the Head of Emperours, and by Crowned Horns; as Goths, Vandals, Hunns—they destroyed the Churches, and were feared every where.

It must be remembred, that Theodosius the First, caused the Pagan Temples to be de­stroyed, which Constantine shut up, Tripart. Hist. lib. 9. c. 33. Calvis. An. 395. and Dra­gon-worship being decreed to be plucked up by the Roots; this occasioned the fleeing of many into the Wilderness by their Persecu­tions both in East and West. See Magdeburg. Cent. 5. c. 3. take their and others words.

1. The Church in the West was grievously smitten, because of Publick Tumults,—as saith Sozomen; for very many barbarous Na­tions rushing chiefly into the Roman Regions, have vehemently afflicted the Churches, as Jerom maketh a great Complaint of the thing. How many Matrons, how many Godly Vir­gins, and comely and noble Bodies were Mocking-stocks to those Beasts? (he speaketh of barbarous Nations:) The Bishops taken, and divers Orders of the Clergy slain, &c. Ubi (que) lucuts, ubi (que) gemitus & plurima mortis imago. In these People, the chief were the Goths and Vandals; whereof, seeing part were Strangers to Christianity, and given to the Superstition of the Gentiles, taking some occasion, they did not only extreamly persecute Christians, but also endeavoured utterly to abolish them; but part, although in Profession they were num­bred among Christians, yet because they were [Page 65] Infected with the Poison of Arius, they also did no less sharply oftentimes afflict the Church. There is every where a meeting of Pagans, there are heard Roarings and Blasphemies a­gainst the Christian Faith, Complaints of the Neglect of the Religion of their Forefathers; therefore so great Evils hung over them; be­cause omitting the Ancient Rites of sacri­ficing, and rejecting their Father's Gods, many imbraced Christ.—Immediately therefore leaving all things, they consult of reiterating their Sacrifices, of repairing of Altars, and re­storing wholly all the Idolatry of the Ancients, and devise to abolish Christianity every where. Paul. Diacon. Oros.—

About the same time, the Churches also of France sustained great Persecutions; for the Vandals over-running, destroying France, over­turned many both Cities and Churches, and made many famous godly Men Martyrs, &c. See also Jerom Epist. ad Geront.

Also the Churches in Spain experienced their Calamities and Afflictions; for the Van­dals about 16. Honor. occupied Spain, and when some of them were Arians, and others Gentiles Catholicos more suo afflixerunt, &c. See more, Cent. 5. c. 3.

And now Judge whether the Woman was not in Sackcloth and the holy City trodden and persecuted by a revengeful Dragon turned into a Beast with Crowned Horns, at that Day, and so whether the 42 Months and 1260 Days were not begun?

[Page 66]2. The Church also in the East Empire under Arcadius, sustained like Persecution about the very same time, Cent. 5. c. 3. Gainus a Barbarous, Cruel and Military Man, of the Nation of the Scythians, troubled the Church before An. 400. being by Profession an Arian, desired one Temple of the Emperour within the Walls; Chrysostom told the Emperour, it must not be to Blasphemers; Gainus did get an Army, he going by Thracia, destroyed all as he went; Constantinople was in eminent danger. A little after, Chrysostom saw the most corrupt state and dissolute Discipline of the Churches, and began the Correction of these things; he was deposed and twice banished, and at last died in Banishment; presently after he was gone out of the City, there was a great Fire, which they laid to the Charge of Chrysostom's Follow­ers, they take and Imprison many; some were carried to Chalcedon Prison, and neighbouring places, and others carried beyond Sea to divers Islands, being first vexed with divers Torments, others fled—The Governour, because a Pa­gan, and out of Hatred of that Religion, took great Pleasure in the Misery of Christians; many had great Tortures, and were tormented unto Death, and not only in the City, but in other places, was Trouble. The Friends of Chrysostom could not communicate with his Enemies, and therefore a great Persecution was raised against the Churches of God, by the instinct of Atticus, and there was a Law made for their Banishment— lb. Cent. 5. c. 3. out of Sozom. Nicephor.

[Page 67]And since there hath been a Continuation of the Persecution of the Beast by its Heads or Crowned Horns. As,

The cruel Vandals passing out of Spain into Africk, under [ Genserick] their Captain, an Arian, about An. 427. as Calvis. or 430 as others, being one of the Crowned Horns, rai­sed a sore Persecution against the Christians; they wasted and destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword, but especially raged a­gainst the Churches; the Bishops and Mini­sters they destroyed with many kinds of Tor­ments.—When he had taken Carthage, all the Ministers were thrust into weather-broken Ships, and so banished; all in the Province were despoiled of all their Substance, and turned out of their Churches.—After Gense­rick, his Son Hunnerick succeeded, who also used Tortures, and became a great Persecuter; he banished into [the Wilderness] of Bishops, Ministers, Deacons, and other Members of Christ 4976.—By an Edict, in one day he caused all Christian Churches throughout A­frick to be shut up, giving to the Arians all the Goods and Churches of the Orthodox—and some of them were told, that they should be banished into the Wilderness. He also sent abroad through all Africk his cruel Tor­mentors; so that no Place, no House remain­ed free from Lamentation, Screeching, and Out-cryes.

These things, and many more are written by Victor Bishop of Utica, who lived at the same time, and was himself a Sufferer, under [Page 68] this Persecution. And it is remarkable, that the Suffering is once and again expressed by being in the Wilderness, which is the very Notion it is under, Rev. 12. 6. 14. as if it were literally to be fulfilled.

Attila King of the Hunns, when he wasted both Empires, did also not a little trouble the Church, 9000 Virgins were made Martyrs and many others, Cent. 5. c. 3.

So Anastasius Emperour about Ann. 492. raised great Persecutions. See Cent. 6. c. 3.

It were almost endless to mention the After-Persecutions under Emperours and Crowned Horns. But whether any Acts of either afore­mentioned, or some other Acts, did give the first Date to the 1260 days, I must leave to others to judge. I am comfortably perswaded that these days of their Sack-cloth state are come to their Period, and end some Years since. As a small Act, Ishmael's Mocking might be the Epocha of the 400 Years ( Gen. 15. 13.) so some less obvious Act possibly might begin these Prophetical Days.

CHAP. VII. Of what Ensueth after the 1260 Days are at an End.

IT is confidently concluded by many Wri­ters, that exactly and immediately after the Perioding of the 42 Months and 1260 Days, there is an end of the Dominion [Page 69] of the Beast, and of the Sufferings of the Saints; whereas I am confident they are mi­staken in both; another Event was to be ex­pected. It's true, then the Witnesses come out of their Sackcloth-state, but soon after they pass into a worse state; as will appear under the next Rule.

Rule 8. That after the Expiration of the 1260 Days, and finishing of the Testimony, there is a Wit­ness-killing War, the Death and Resurrection of the Witnesses, and a great Commotion before the sound­ing of the Seventh Trumpet.

This appeareth: For,

It's clear that Daniel's little Horn continueth after the time, times and half, Dan. 7. 25, 26. the Judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his Dominion, to consume and destroy it to the End.

Therefore his losing his Dominion and his Destruction, will be by a Consumption after those times (which are the same with 1260 Days) are ended. Yea, he is prevalent, think­eth to change Times and Laws; How long? v. 21, 22. until the ancient of days came,—and the Saints possessed the Kingdom, i. e. until the Seventh Trumpet.

And further to confirm this, after the time, times and half, it is added, Dan. 12. 7. [and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the Power of the holy People, all these things shall be finished] viz. Daniel's People, the Jews, shall be delivered, v. 1.

[Page 70]So then, the accomplishing to scatter the Power of the holy People, is after the time, times and half are expired. And seeing we read not of any new scattering of the Jews, and this belongeth to the Fourth Monarchy, and is a Gentile Number, it may possibly re­fer to Gentile Christians, and be in part ex­pressive of the way of slaying the Witnesses by a scattering them and their Church-Assemblies, after these times or 1260 days are expired.

Also John in the Revelation clearly placeth what concerneth the Death of the Witnesses after the 1260 days are ended, Revel. 11. 7. [...], when they have finished their Te­stimony,—then, and not before, doth the Witness-killing War begin. I had rather ren­der it so in the time past, being in the Aorist than [when they are about to finish]. And their Testimony was not finished till the 1260 days of their Prophesying expired; seeing the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophe­sie, ( Rev. 19. 10.) so long as they Prophesie, (though in Sackcloth) it is not finished either for time or work. And not only the import of the word [...], but the Nature of the thing maketh that War and Death subsequent. For during the 1260 days of their prophesying the Witnesses are Overcomers, and their Ene­mies are killed. Rev. 11. 5, 6. [if any Man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their Mouth, and devoureth their Enemies]—and [he must in this manner be killed]—and this [in the days of their Prophesie]—

Whereas the issue of this War is, the Wit­nesses [Page 71] are overcome and killed, v. 7. the Beast—shall overcome and kill them, Rev. 13. 7.

Yea, the Prophesying state, in the very mentioning of it, is inconsistent with the Death­state, and the Death far worse than the Pro­phesying, though in Sackcloth; so long as they Prophesie they are alive, not dead. Neither do the Witnesses in the time of their lying dead, torment the Earth-dwellers, as they do in the time of their Prophesying, v. 5, 6, 10.

The Conclusion then is, that the finishing of the Testimony, however the Witness-killing War, and the Death of the Witnesses are after the 42 Months and 1260 days are expired and at an end.

For the further discovering who are the Witnesses, and what their Death; how, where, and when they are to be Slain, taken Seven Propositions.

Prop. I. That the [Two Witnesses] are faith­ful Ministers, and pure Professors or Beast-opposing Churches.

For they are [two Candlesticks] Rev. 11. 4. (which are interpreted Churches, Rev. 1. 20▪ the seven Candlesticks are seven Churches), and they are [two Olive Trees] which is but an Allusion to Zech. 4. 3, 11, 14. and cannot be confined to Magistrates and Ministers, see­ing they are never called a Candlestick, and pure Professors and Churches are anointed [Page 72] ones, Rom. 11. 17, 18, 19, 20. 1 John 2. 20. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Yea, these are such as Prophecy (1 Cor. 14. 24, 31. Rev. 19. 10.) and that 1260 Rev. 11. 3. not only making a Profession at large, but bearing and finishing a Testimony for Christ and his Kingdom against the Beast, as v. 7. so as he becometh their Enemy, and maketh War with them. The Two Testa­ments are their Testimony, and so cannot be the Witnesses; however it cometh to the same in Effect; for if these, or Magistrates and Ministers lye dead, then so will such pure Professors and Churches also, and so are to be deemed Witnesses.

Prop. II. That [the Death of the Witnesses] is an Extremity of Suffering: Or, it consisteth in an unparallell'd Cessation of Testimony and Depri­vation of Means and Comforts of Life.

The various Phrases of overcoming and kil­ling them, may intimate its being attended with much Bloodshed: but it is not chiefly a corporal Death, for then such must be the re­surrection or recovery out of it, and that under the sixth Trumpet, Rev. 11 11. 14. whereas the corporal resurrection is not until the seventh Trumpet, v. 18. And their Enemies behold them with pleasure three Prophetical days or years and half, which they could not do if it were a corporal Death. It must then be a metaphorical Death, by the Churches being in a state and condition full of Extremity, of Affliction and Suffering, which often is called [Page 73] a Death, 2 Cor. 1. 10. and 11. v. 23. Psal. 71. 20. and 80. 18. Isai. 26. 19. Ezek. 37. 10.—35. Rom. 11. 15. It will not only be a civil death, by deprivation of Publick Ministration and Employment, as to the exercise of office; but also a spiritual Death, by an unparallelled Cessation of Testimony, for they dye not meer­ly as Men, but as Witnesses they lose much of their witnessing Spirit, Rev 11. 7. Their state is far worse than in their prophesying time, possibly by military Men having Power over, ( v. 9, 10.) and forcibly disabling of them for former actual witnessing work; and thus it will be not only their Sin, but their Suffer­ing, that there is a failing of their Testimony. And although Spiritual Life it self will not utterly fail, yet they will in an extraordinary unpresidented way, be cut short of external means for the support of it, so as they are deemed as dead Corps, v. 8, 9. and their re­stauration or recovery, is by the Spirit of Life from God entring into them, which importeth a precedent want of it. As the dead-state of the Jews or Israelites, Ezek. 37. importeth not only the ruin of their City, destruction of their Temple, despoiling of them of out­ward Comforts, Houses, Lands, Relations. Accommodations;—but the Profaning of the solemn Worship of God, the trampling under foot his Ordinances, the casting down from Church-state or work, and subjecting them to the wills of merciless Men, and their own drawing up despairing Conclusions, v. 11. our hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts: [Page 74] and the restoring of them, is a recovery out of this condition, v. 8. to 15.

So the Death of the Witnesses importeth the like; an unparallelled, unwonted loss of a wit­nessing Spirit, deprivation of the external Wor­ship and Ordinances of Christ and Church-state, by scattering, loss of Communion, and all ag­gravated with the triumphant Blasphemies of Enemies, and Insultations over them, Rev. 11. 10. and their own despairing Conclusions, from their seeing no visible possibility of coming into a better condition afterward; all which, will be attended with a variety of other Afflictions and Sufferings, rendring their conditions so de­plorable, as is hardly to be pre-conceived of before experienced.

Prop. III. That it is by a latter Victorious War of the First Beast that the Witnesses are slain.

Rev. 11. 7.—The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit, shall make War against them, and shall overcome and kill them.

Where note, It was not by [the Dragon] i. e. not by any of the Ten Persecutions in the First three hundred Years after Christ, under Pagan Emperours, but by [the Beast] who was the Dragon's Successor; he is the slayer of the Witnesses: and not the second Beast, the Pope (though it may be by his Instigation) but by the first Civil, Persecuting, Ten-horned, Crowned, Whore-ridden Beast: for, it is by him which ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit; Compare [Page 75] Rev. 17. v. 3, 7, 8. with Rev. 13. 1, 2. and 11. 7.

And it is by [a War] not a meer worldly literal War, but a Spiritual, Mystical War, by a difference stated between the Witnesses and the Bestians; and so, not where the pow­er of the Beast hath wholly prevailed, but where Christ hath a potent party to make op­position. And, not any War soon after the rising of the Ten-Horned Beast, or during the 1260 days, but when the Witnesses have finish­ed their testimony as to time and work, and are overcome and the War ended; and hence this [Death of the Witnesses] was not by any National distresses and calamities, which equal­ly betide Bestians and the true Witnesses; nor could the Death of the Witnesses be before or at the Smalcaldian War, nor at the Council of Trent, Ann. 1546. nor at the Massacre at Paris, Ann. 1572. for from the rising of the Horns to those times, the 1260 days could not be ended, or testimony finished, and so the Witness-killing War was not then so much as begun.

Prop. IV. That it is in an open place of Mysti­cal Babylon that the Witnesses lie dead: How long this Witness-killing War lasteth, the Scripture doth not determine, but the event must, but it leaveth Spiritless, Lifeless, Rev. 11. 8. their dead bodies shall lye in the Street of the great City, which Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was Crucified.

[Page 76]This [great City] is Mystical Babylon, see Rev. 14. 8. and 16. v. 19. and 17. v. 18. and 18. v. 10, 16, 18, 19, 21. and the description agreeth to that, for it is [Spiritually] i. e. not literally, but mystically called [ Sodom] for spiritual Whoredom and Idolatry, ( Rev. 17. 5.) and [ Egypt] for tyranny and cruelty ( Rev 17. 6.) [where our Lord was Crucified] which was under Pontius Pilate a Roman Deputy, and in that Jurisdiction.

It cannot be literally [ Jerusalem] for that was not a great City in the days of John, nor ever after till the New Jerusalem, (Rev. 21. 10.) after which there will be no more sorrow or death (v. 4.) Z [...]ph. 3. 15. Z [...]ch. 9. 8. Amos 9. 14, 15. Ezekiel's measuring is after restauration, not before, Ezek. 40. 17, 19, 20. and 48. 15, 16. and therefore that is under the Seventh Trum­pet, after which they will not lye dead, and therefore that is not the same, nor at the same time with Johns measuring, for that and the death of the Witnesses, is before the end of the Sixth Trumpet, Rev. 11. 1, 7, 14. They lye dead in the great City, the Roman dominion, not in the whole compass of it, but in [a Street] thereof, where some eminent testimony was held for Christ and his Kingdom, against the Beast, not in Streets. Yet [...], though distinguished from City, as being only a part thereof ( Luk. 10. 10. and 14. 21.) noteth a publick, broad and open place, in opposition to what is private, as Mat. 6. 5. and 7. 13. [wide] is the Gate— Rev. 21. 21. and 22. 3.

So that the Witnesses shall lye dead in [the [Page 77] Street] i. e. in a most open place of Mystical Babylon, exposed to the view of all, even of Enemies. The openness of it is such, as v. 9. [they of the People, Kindreds, Tongues and Nations, shall see their dead bodies, and not suffer them to be put in the Grave.] Denying Burial to the Dead, generally soundeth disfa­vour, and being barbarous ( Am. 8. 3. Psal. 79. 2, 3. Jer. 16. 4, 6. and 22. 19. and 25. 33.) but if it be an act of favour here, securing them from utter destruction, yet it is a very publick business, the sadness of their condition is noto­riously known to those of various Nations and Kingdoms▪ by the dead Witnesses being per­sonally present there. And so, either they are slain in diverse Nations and Kingdoms, or else after dead, they are transported, exiled, banish­ed, and by flight dispersed and driven for re­fuge thither, and finding welcome there, by their kindness are sheltred, and secured from burial, from utter ruin and destruction. Or else (as some think) military men of all gatherings of seve­ral Nations, Kindreds and Tongues, will have power over them, and hold them under their death; and the Bestians are expressed under the same notions, Rev. 13. 7, 8. and the Earth­dwellers rejoice over them, Rev. 11. 10 and to be sure these are Enemies.

Prop. 5. That when the Witnesses have lain dead three years and half, they shall be eminently revived and advanced, Rev. 11. 11, 12. After three days and half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them—and they heard a voice [Page 78] from Heaven, saying unto them, Come up hi­ther—It is a determinate time, else it might have been said as well after three or four days, if only a short uncertain time had been intend­ed; whereas it is three days and half, and so twice mentioned. Nor can they be Natural days, for the Earth-dwellers could not so con­gratulate one another at a distance, in three natural days and half. Nor are they the same with the 1260 days; For, who can imagine that so many days should signifie no more than three days and half in the same breath? And besides, they are different states, the one of Sackcloth the other of Death. Neither are they dead when they begin their testimony (as that would have it) nor till they finish it. It remaineth then that the time of the Witnesses lying dead is [three years and half] not to be counted from the first beginning of trouble, that is longer, for the witness-killing War bringeth trouble, but from the end of the War, when it can be said, Now the Witnesses are overcome and killed, are able to make no more considerable opposition against the Bestians, but are Spiritless, their power is gone; thence be­gin those days.

And hence, where the Witnesses remain in the same deplorable and sad condition, or go into a worse, a longer space, as four or six years, that is not the time of the Witnesses lying dead▪ For it is said [After three days and half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them] Rev. 11. 11. Some extraordinary if not immediate hand of God beyond all expectation [Page 79] before the fourth year is come giveth some re­viving, removeth that wherein the Death of the Witnesses did consist.

[And they stood upon their feet] they were fallen down, but now are recovered into a bet­ter posture, to the affrightment, and astonish­ment of Spectators; [Great fear fell upon them which saw them.] This second step followeth not long after their reviving, a resurrection.

Afterwards they have an invitation or call into a more honourable condition, v. 12. [and they heard a great voice from Heaven, saying, Come up hither.] It is not the highest Heaven, for the call thither is not till the end of the Seventh Trumpet; but [the Church] is [the Heaven] they are called up to, which they were greatly cast down from, during the time of their Death, now they are called to publick exercises again, in a Church State of exaltation and advancement, [and they ascended] their Resurrection is immediately after the half day, but their Ascention may be some time after, more gradual, and [in a Cloud] i. e. with a great multitude, as Heb. 12. 1. a Cloud of Wit­nesses; a vast number, who at their death seemed fewer: what if this Cloud should be that fulness of the Gentiles coming in, as an immediate fore-runner of the Jews return, and Is­raels being saved? Rom. 11. v. 25, 26. [and their Ene­mies beheld them] Rev. 11. v. 11. 12. this expres­sion at the second view differeing so much from the first, v. 11. maketh me question, whether the great fear after the resurrection of the Witnesses when they stand upon their feet be [Page 80] not of friends as Enemies, answerable to that great fear at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (all alluding to him) which fell upon those that kept the Watch to hinder his rising, as well as upon those Disciples that sought him after risen, Matth. 28. v. 2, 3, 4, 8. Mark 16. v. 5, 6, 7.

So after the Resurrection of the Witnesses at first hand, not only those that have kept the Watch, and by Edicts and Acts, in the time of their Death sought to hinder their rising, are struck into a pannick fear, but as well many Friends and Witnesses may be filled with great trembling, fear and amazement, at the first hand, by the Earth-quake and terrible dispensations. The rising of the Witnesses at first, may not be obvious to eminent Christians, so as to de­liver them from fear, or great workings of un­belief: but at their Ascention, their exalta­tion by that call is so eminent and publick, that then [the Enemies] of the Witnesses only fall under astonishing fears.

And observe, that whilst the Witnesses lie dead, there is a remnant that is secured from that death; all the Witnesses in all places do not die, it is not so general; God hath a reserve in that day, of a number that shall bear some testimony, and not suffer at the rate that others do, where the stage of this Tragedy is, in the time of lying dead; For those that lay dead (all of them for ought I know) are cal­led up into Heaven, into a state of exaltation, Rev. 11. 12. and therefore there are others who give the call, and not those that lay [Page 81] dead; these do not call themselves but are called, therefore there are others who did not fall under that Death: but these Witnesses or Friends who are reserved, shall not appear so eminently till about the time of their Ascension, then the Witnesses had that call, [and they Ascended up to Heaven in a Cloud.]

Prop. 6. That there is an Earth-quake or stu­pendious alterations, to the desolating a famous tenth part of the City, about the time of the Wit­nesses restoration: Rev. 11. 13. [and the same hour (or day, as in some copies) there was a great Earth-quake—] i. e. at the same time with the Witnesses Resurrection; possibly as a means of their rising, it alludeth to Mat. 28. 1, 2. or at their Ascension.

There was [an Earth quake] i. e. commo­tions or wonderful alterations in the face of things, (as Rev. 6. 12.) and would hardly be called [a great Earth-quake] if it did not ex­tend to many Nations and Kingdoms. This seemeth to be a Turkish Earth-quake, for it is closed thus, Rev. 11. 14. The second Woe is past— i. e. the Sixth Trumpet is over, which sounded by the Turk, as is generally granted and proved, in that all matters of it aptly agree to him. So that this is a sure di­rection, to tell us where we are at the Wit­nesses Ascension, viz. at the conclusion of the Sixth Trumpet.

And it is very observable, that the fifth [Page 80] [...] [Page 81] [...] [Page 82] Trumpet is closed thus, Rev. 9. 12. One Woe is past; but when he had mentioned much work of the sixth Trumpet, v. 13, &c. he doth not end the chapter in the same manner, but suspendeth and deferreth that, till he had men­tioned some other eminent occurences, chap▪ 10, & 11. and then addeth, v. 14. The second Woe is past, i. e. the Witnesses being Risen, Ascended, and the Earth-quake over, now the Turks have done their work of the sixth Trum­pet, the punishing the Romanists for their Ido­latry, Worshiping Images of Gold and Silver, ( Rev. 9. 20, 21.) now the Turks will cease to be a Woe as formerly to them; no more fa­mous exploits of theirs against Papists are to be expected. The Turks then may lose their domi­nion, or much of it, though their utter ruine and destruction may not be till afterwards, and that upon the Mountains of Israel, (Ezek. 39. 4.) but they will be much concerned in this Earth­quake, as the last part of their work against the Romanists.

Now this Earth-quake is signalized, by the destruction of a vast number of Dignitaries, either of the Turks or Romanists, Rev. 11. 14. and in the Earth-quake were slain of men 7000. names of men, i. e. men of Name and Office (many more than of Enemies of the common sort) possibly parallel to Rev. 18. 6, 8, 15, 16. and by the Repentance of some, Rev. 11. 14. [And the remnant were affrighted, and gave Glory to the God of Heaven;] and especially by the Destruction of a famous tenth part, [And the tenth part of the City fell.] To [fall] [Page 83] is to be ruined, overthrown, destroyed, made desolate, as Rev. 18. 10, 17, 19, 21. This [Tenth part] which falleth, some think to be one Kingdom where the Witnesses did lye Dead, which is not proved, and is unlikely, seeing their Death and the effect of their As­cension reacheth other Kingdoms, v. 15. it is then, either Constantinople or some other famous Kingdom belonging to the Turks (as Hungary, or Greece.—) Seeing the Turkish Woe now soon passeth and loseth ground before the se­venth Trumpet; Or else seeing it is a tenth part of the City; I think it rather is Rome it self; not upon Mr. M. too curious notion of that being but a tenth part now, of what it was of old; but as being emphatically the [...], and because its fall is an immediate fore-runner of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20. There is a Triumphant Song, that [the Kingdoms of the World, are become the Kingdoms of the Lord a [...] of his Christ:] which is the same that is [...] the destructi­on of the Whore of Babylon, and by the same persons; compare it with Rev. 19. 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, 20.

And hence, Rev. 18. is an explication, not of the fifth Vial, but the sixth, and the rather be­cause after the Witnesses Restoration, a rem­nant repented, Rev. 11. 13. and so their rising cannot be under the fourth, or fifth, or se­venth Vials, for then they repented not, but blasphemed God, Rev. 16. 9, 11, 21. Their Resurrection and Ascension then must be un­der the sixth Vial.

[Page 84]It must be before the seventh Vial at Ar­mageddon; For, at the seventh Vial, the whole fourth Kingdom of the Beast falleth, whereas at the rising of the Witnesses, it is but a tenth part that falleth, and that upon an Earth-quake under the sixth Trumpet, Rev. 11. 13. after which there is another, and the greatest Earth­quake under the seventh Trumpet, v. 19. Whereas the seventh Vial is the last of the last Plagues, and bringeth the greatest Earth-quake, Rev. 16. 18. and so cannot be that at the rising of the Witnesses, for that is not the last nor greatest. And further after the destruction of the Whore, there is an interval for the lamen­tation of some of her friends which survive, Rev. 18. 9, 10. and for the rejoycing of others, her Enemies, and making themselves ready, Rev. 19. 8, 9. when the great supper at Arma­geddon by the seventh Vial is to come, ver. 19, 20.

Only we must distinguish between the de­struction [of Babylon at Rome] (which is at the Earth-quake, near the rising of the Witnesses, under the sixth Vial, Rev. 11. 13.) and the Perdition [of Babylon, as extending into the Nations] or the whole compass of the Roman Dominion, which is not till the Earth-quake at the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 9. and at the seventh Vial, when the Cities of the Nations fall, Rev. 16. 19. and then great Babylon com­eth into remembrance, to give her the fiercest wrath; but Babylon at Rome was destroyed be­fore, Rev. 18.

Some not observing this distinction, run [Page 85] upon mistakes, either to think that Rev. 18. be­longeth to the seventh Vial, which is the last wrath, whereas, that Rev. 19. 19, 20▪ cometh after; Or else say, that the Turks and Constantino­ple, are the Babylon mentioned under the se­venth Vial; which I dare not think; they be­ing no where called Babylon in the Apocalyps, but rather belong to the Beast or Dragon; And it is untrue, for the Ten-Horned Beast carrieth the Whore of Babylon, Rev. 17. 3, 5, 7. where­as the Ten-Horned Beast never carried the Turks, nor did the corrupt Church of Rome Ride upon the Turks; neither was Constantino­ple the great City, which in the days of John did Reign over the Kings of the Earth, v. 18. but Rome was that City, and stretching into the Nations; so it is the Babylon mentioned in the seventh Vial.

And here observe, that this slaying or lying dead of the Witnesses three days and half, can­not be successively in one Kingdom after ano­ther: For, at their Resurrection or Ascension, the tenth part of the City falleth, Rev. 11. 13. the sixth Trumpet passeth, v. 14. and soon the se­venth Trumpet soundeth, v. 15. that notion would make divers slaughters, resurrections and falls: whereas the Scripture maketh but one slaughter, one resurrection, one Earth-quake, one fall of the Tenth part; neither can the sixth Trumpet pass, or the seventh sound in one Kingdom after another, for when that soundeth, not onely one Kingdom, but the Kingdoms of the World, become the King­doms of our Lord and of his Christ, v. 15.

[Page 86]Prop. VII. That the Death of the Witnesses, Ann. 1680. was not past, but to come.

There are various thoughts among learned Men, whether this black and dismal day of the Witnesses Death be past or yet to come? I think it is near approaching, not only because the days of their Sackcloth in all probability are finished, and the Warring time seemeth near at an end; but because the sixth Trumpet hath sounded a long time, above 200 years, if it be­gan when the Turk obtained Constantinople, Ann 1453. therefore the conclusion of it can­not be far off.

I do not think the Church to be the proper subject, which the Trumpets sound judgment against, but the Civil State of the Roman Em­pire; and clearly the seventh bloweth good to the Church, Rev. 11. 15. I shall refer the Reader to Mr. Mede and others, to see how and when the several Trumpets sounded. All things concerning the sixth agree to the Turk; and if [the hour, day, month and year] Rev. 9. 15. notifie the time allotted to the Turkish Tyranny, then the end of his work is hasten­ing; for the time must be counted, not from the time of their being [prepared,] but of their being [loosed] to do the work of slaying the third part of Men, v. 14, 15. This loosing of four Angels, or Sultans, seemeth to be before Ann. 1300. for then they fell into one Ottoman Family; however, (taking a day for a year as elfewhere) the time for that Woe will expire [Page 87] within a few years, which is after the Witnes­ses Resurrection and Ascension.

But my opinion is, that the Death of the Witnesses is yet to come 1680 I should be glad herein to be mistaken; my grounds are these.

I. Ʋntil the 1260 days, and the Warring State be at an end, their death-state is not come: for it is after finishing their Testimony, that the Beast maketh War with them and killeth them, Rev. 11. 7. So long as their Testimony is not finished, and the War not ended, so long they are not Dead, nor the three days and half begun; And therefore Ann. 1680. their Death was yet to come.

It's true, in the time of their Death there may be Edicts or Acts (as after the Death of Christ, Sealing the Tomb—) to hinder the Witnesses Resurrection, but till there be a sup­pression of their Testimony, they are not dead.

II. The Condition of the Witnesses since finish­ing of their testimony, hath not been for three years and half, far worse than it was before, by a great­er suppression of Testimony, and other unpa­rallelled sufferings; therefore Ann. 1680. their Death was not past, but to come.

The consequence is clear, because the Death­state is far worse than the Sack-cloth-state, as death is far worse than life, though in a mourn­ful condition; this hath been proved before. Prop. 2.

III. Whatever the Death of the Witnesses con­sisteth in, some recovery out of that is the immediate issue of the three days and half; For, else they [Page 88] must be longer dead, whereas Rev. 11. 11. [after three days and half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them, & c.] This [life] standeth in opposition to the [Death] and no medium between them; no moment wherein they are not either dead or alive; at the ex­piration of these days, before the fourth day, they live. If their Death consisteth in an un­parallell'd cessation of Testimony, then there is some recovering into witnessing work again, before four years be expired, and so whatever else their Death may be placed in.

But no such recovery out of that which is their Death, or no removal of that wherein it doth consist, hath been the immediate issue of three years and half, of any supposed time for their death already past, and so that is yet to come.

I see no Scripture evidence for a gradual re­viving or resurrection, yet there may be a gra­dual Ascension.

IV. There hath not been such a triumphant state of Earth-dwellers, for freedom from former Tor­ments, which they felt by the Witnesses Prophesying, as answereth Rev. 11. 10. They that dwell up­on the Earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another, be­cause these two Prophets tormented them—It was by their Prophesying and Praying as Elias did, that they tormented the Bestians, Carnal, Earthly minded Men; and whilst the Witnesses lye dead, the Earth-dwellers are in a very prosperous flourishing condition, keep a Jubilee, with more than ordinary signs of joy, [Page 89] (as the variety of Expressions intimates) and this for freedom from their former Torments.

But no such triumphant State of Earth­dwellers hath been experienced in the time past, since finishing their Testimony. There­fore their Death is yet to come.

The like might be said of the Nations, Kin­dreds and Tongues not seeing their dead Bodies, so as to hinder their Burial, v. 9.

5. Immediately after the reviving of the Wit­nesses from their Death-state, there is such a resti­tution to their former Posture, as is to the great affrightment of Spectators, Rev. 11. 11, 12.—Great fear fell upon them which saw them.

But this is not yet experienced by Friends or Enemies, and so their Death-state is not past, but yet to come.

6. There hath not been Ann. 1680. such a great Earthquake or Commotion as ushers in the Conse­quents of the Witnesses resurrection. And so it is not past, but yet to come.

Rev. 11. 13. The same Hour there was a great Earthquake—

There is not yet a fall of that famous Tenth part of the City, nor the Slaughter of 7000. a vast number of Men of Name; nor the Re­pentance of a Remnant, so as to give Glory to God; nor is the Turkish Wo yet past, as v. 14.

Therefore the Death, Resurrection, and Ascention of the Witnesses cannot be yet past, but to come.

7. The seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded; Therefore the Witnesses are not yet ascended.

[Page 90]For then that cometh quickly, Rev. 11. 14, 15. though not the same moment with their Resurrection, yet very speedily after their Ascension, and so their Death could not be at the time many fix upon; as at the Council of Trent—which are past above 100 years past.

It's true, the great Reformation about the time of Luther, hath its place in the words of this Book, so as one of the seven Vials (I think the fourth Vial) was then eminently poured out; but that was not the sounding of the seventh Trumpet.

There are invincible Arguments to prove, that the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded.

For, when that doth begin to sound, the Mystery of God is finished, Rev. 10 7. as he hath declared to his Servants the Prophets. And what can this be, or is called so in Scrip­ture, that it can be applied to, but the Con­version of the Jews? Rom. 11. 25, 26 And it is evident, the Jews are not yet converted and saved.

And further, the second Turkish Wo is not yet past; they do not yet cease to be a Wo to the Roman Idolaters, which must be be­fore the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 14, 15.

And there is a Resurrection and Ascension of the Witnesses before the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 11, 12, 15. after which, it can never be proved that they shall pass under a Death any more, or such an extre­mity of Suffering as they are under at this day, in France and elsewhere.

[Page 91]And once more, immediately after the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, not only a Jewish Nation, but the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, Rev. 11. 15. and that so, as he reigneth for ever and ever. And therefore after the sounding of the seventh Trumpet Antichrist shall never recover, to regain any of the King­doms to submit to him again, as he hath done since the Reformation. Therefore the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded; and conse­quently the Witnesses are not yet ascended.

I have wondred that this seventh Trumpet beginneth thus, and not with terrible Dis­pensations; but possibly the aforementioned great Earthquake, Rev. 11. 13. did much of the first destructive work, so as to usher in this triumph, v. 15, 16, 17. and so the first sounding of it is with Praises, and much of the Wo of the Trumpet is reserved to the latter part of it, v. 18, 19.

CHAP. VIII. Of the seven Vials, and that they are not all under the seventh Trumpet.

AS the seven Seals were several degrees of Judgment upon Rome Dragon or Pagan; and the seven Trumpets sounded an Alarm of Judgment upon the Civil State of the Empire; so the seven Vials are several degrees of Judg­ment coming upon it after its Papal State; [Page 92] and also upon other Enemies of Jesus Christ at last.

Rev. 14 relateth to the time of the Vials; For there is the Song of the Lamb, v. 1. which answereth Rev. 15. 1.

It referreth to a time of visible Separation from Antichristian Pollutions and Victory over the Beast and his mark, Rev. 14. 1, 4, 9. So the Vials, Rev. 15. 1, 2, 6.

It relateth to the time of witnessing against, and crying down Babylon, Rev. 14. 8, 9, 10. Babylon is fallen, if any Man worship the Beast—he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God: and it is under the Vials that there is this Victory over the Beast, Rev. 15. 1, 2.

It concerneth a time wherein an Angel hath Power over fire, Rev. 14. 8. and this is the An­gel of the fourth Vial, Rev. 16. 8.

And it mentioneth a Harvest and Vintage, Rev. 14. v. 15. to the end; which must relate to the latter Vials, Rev. 16. 19. and 19. v. 15.

And so, Rev. 14. declareth the work of the Angels, or how they pour out the Vials, as well as the Condition of the Church under them.

As to Rev. 15. I take it to be no Prophesie of what shall be accomplished before the Vials begin to be poured out; but it giveth a Com­pendium or general view of Matters relating to the Vials, from the beginning to the end; like the Contents of a Chapter set before it; and it discovereth the State and Condition of the Church and People of God during the time of the Vials in a general way. It con­taineth [Page 93] a Description of the Virgin Saints, v. 2, 3, 4, 5. by their Conquest over the Beast, and triumphant Song for that Victory, and a sub­sequent Privilege; [The Temple of the Taber­nacle of the Testimony in Heaven was opened] v. 5. i. e. not before, but after Vial Judgments, v. 4.

And the Vial Angels more particularly are described, v. 5. 6, 7, 8. by their place from which they come; not out of the World, but the Church, [out of the Temple] v. 6. by their Qualifications, [clothed in pure and white Linnen] by the Instruments given them, v. 7. [golden Vials] by the Persons from whom they receive these Vials, v. 7. by a token of a Divine Presence during the Vials, v. 8.

Some think that none of the Vials are yet poured out, others are otherwise minded; for clearing this Matter, take a Rule or two.

Rule 9. That the seventh Trumpet doth not con­tain all the seven Vials.

Some say, that none of the Vials are poured out, till the Resurrection of the Witnesses is past, and that all the Vials are under the seventh Trumpet.

On the other hand, I am perswaded that most of the Vials are poured out before the Witnesses Resurrection, and that only the latter part of the sixth and the seventh Vial do fall under the seventh Trumpet; and that upon these Grounds.

1. The Consummation of the Mystery of God [Page 94] (the Jews Conversion) is at the beginning of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 10. 7. Rom. 11. 25, 26. Rev. 11. 15. Therefore before the beginning of the seventh Trumpet most of the Vials must be poured out; for the Conversion of the Jews is not till latter Vials, as the sixth. And indeed by Vials the Kingdoms of the World must be brought off from the Beast, else they cannot become the Lords and his Christs.

2. There have been Storms of Wrath upon, and remarkable decays of the Papal Kingdom, answe­rable to the Vials (as will be proved in the next Rule) Therefore some Vials are poured out; whereas the Witnesses are not yet ascended, and the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sound­ed, Rev. 11. 15.

3. All the wrath of the seventh Trumpet is con­tained in the sixth or seventh Vial, Rev. 11. 18, 19. The anger of the Nations, Lightnings, Voices, Thundrings, Earthquake, great Hail—All are found under the sixth or seventh Vials, Rev. 16. 12, 14, 16, to the end.

4. There is no Scripture-Evidence that all the Vials must come under the seventh Trumpet; with­out which, the Supposition is groundless,

The contrary seemeth to be asserted; for, before the Witnesses Death or seventh Trum­pet, they have Power to turn Waters into Blood, Rev. 11. 6. which is the work of the second and third Vials, and to smite the Earth with all Plagues, which reacheth other Vial­work.

It's true, The seventh Seal delivereth itself [Page 95] into seven Trumpets, as its work, Rev. 8. 1, 2, 6. But so doth not the seventh Trumpet deliver it self into seven Vials, that hath much other work of its own; and Men must not coyn such a Method there, without a Divine Warrant.

The Vial-Angels fine and white Linnen, speaketh their Purity and Freedom from An­tichristian pollution, and their having the Righteousness of the Saints, Rev. 19. 8. but this is no way unsutable to the Witnesses in their Sackcloth-state, Rev. 14. 4. Their having Harps in their hands, and rejoycing under the Vials, Rev. 15. 2, 3, 4. is not inconsistent with the Witnesses Sackcloth-state, for they may have sometimes and cause of rejoycing there, Philip. 4. 4. Hab. 3. 17, 18. Rev. 16. 4, 5, 6. al­though the highest rejoycing is reserved to the latter Vials. Rev. 19. 1. to 8. and 11. 15, 16, 17.

That the seven Vials are the seven last Plagues, is no Proof that all of them must come under the seventh Trumpet; that diffe­renceth them from the seven Seals and seven Trumpets, there were no more Seven distinct Dispensations to succeed or come after; and indeed the seventh Seal was opened, and divers Trumpets had sounded before the first Vial was poured out, and so they may well be cal­led, the seven last Plagues, though only the wrath of the seventh Vial should come under the seventh Trumpet.

Obj. 1. Then there are Two Wo's in the se­cond Wo; one by the Vials, the other by Eu­phrates [Page 96] Angels; and the Subject of the second Wo, and of the Vials differ.

A. 1. No absurdity, if there be two diffe­rent Dispensations of Wrath in the time of one Wo; viz. Vial-wrath, and Trumpet-wrath: as it's undeniable, under the sixth Trumpet there is great Wrath, Rev. 9. 15. to the end; and yet also another great Earthquake, Rev. 11. 13. Yea, it must be so, if all the Vials came under the seventh Trumpet; for then there would be there, the Wo of that Trumpet, and also of all those Vials.

2. They may contemporate, and yet the Subjects of the second Wo and of the Vials differ; what should hinder this? a Trumpet may blow Wrath to the Roman Civil Empire, and yet at the same time, Vials may pour out Wrath upon the Roman Papal State.

But the grand Objection is,

Obj. 2. The seven Vial Angels come not out of the Temple till it be opened, Rev. 15. 5, 6. but the Temple is not opened till the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 19. and so on Vials poured out till then.

A. As to Rev. 15. It is an Epitome or gene­ral View of Vial-Matters; as, of all the seven Angels coming out, v. 6. which they never did together, but at several seasons; and Mr. M. observeth, That the Complutens Edition readeth not, come out of the Temple, but out of Heaven. Some think, Rev. 15. speaketh only of an opening of the Temple [of the Tabernacle] v. 5. noting an unsetled condition, or mixture of Tabernacle and Temple, sutable [Page 97] to the former Vials, before the Sackcloth-state was ended, answerable to which, the Song is mixed of Moses, (whilst yet in the Wilderness, Exod. 15. 1, 2.) and of the Lamb, v. 3. and that it doth not refer to the opening under the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 19. [of the Tem­ple] which concerneth a New Jerusalem state of Settlement; and so it's far from proving that all the Vials come under the seventh Trumpet. My Answer is,

1. The seven Angels come out of the Tem­ple, before that opening of it under the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 11. 19. that opening is not to let Vial Angels out, but to let a vast number in, and to give the highest and most glorious Discoveries of Jesus Christ and his Matters, and not till the seventh Vial, [The Temple of God was opened in Heaven] and what was the Effect of it? [There was seen in this Temple the Ark of his Testament] which was a most eminent Symbol of his Presence. This open­ing was to give the choicest Manifestations of his Presence; it noteth the unloosing or open­ing the most hidden and Glorious Mysteries of all, even Christ himself. It cannot be proved that this opening is before any Angels going forth to pour out Vials; but rather after the seventh Vial was pouring out.

Then there cometh a great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven, [from the Throne] saying, [It is done], Rev. 16. 17. And this is, when the New Jerusalem cometh down from Heaven, for there the like Phrase is used, Rev. 21. 5, 6. [It is done] and, v. 25. the Gates of it shall [Page 98] not be shut at all.—Here is an opening at the seventh Vial; the New Jerusalem standeth open, in opposition to some shutting in the time of former Vials. Then the Lord maketh highest discoveries of his Glory, v. 11, 23. and 22. 4, 5. they shall see his Face.

2. I say therefore, there is a double opening of the Temple: One before the Vial Angels go forth to let them out, Rev. 15. 6. Another, after the Vials are poured out, Rev. 11. 19. joined with judging the Dead and rewarding the Saints, v. 18. Or often things are spoken absolutely, which are to be understood com­paratively; and so he doth not deny absolutely that there is any opening of the Temple till the seventh Trumpet, but comparatively. At the former opening before the Vials, few in Comparison enter, Rev. 15. 8. no Man could enter, till the seven Plagues of the seven Vials were fulfilled, i. e. till the latter Vials, few entred; but at the latter opening, many enter, Rev. 11. 15, 19. the Kingdoms of the World are the Lord's and his Christ's; and this is not before the seventh Vial.

CHAP. IX. Of the Vials, and how many are already poured out.

THe [Seven Vials] are so many Dispensations or Tempests of Divine Wrath; not upon the Saints, but upon the Papal and Antichristian World; upon the Worshippers of the Beast, and those [Page 99] that receive his mark, Rev. 16. 2. upon such as shed the Blood of the Saints, v. 6. upon such as Blaspheme the Lord, v. 9, 11, 21.

Hence [Earth, Sea, Rivers, Sun, & c.] can­not here be taken literally; for that would bring as much hurt to the true Church, as to the Antichristian Party; but mystically: for that which in the Papal or Antichristian World beareth a resemblance unto Earth, Sea, Rivers, Sun—in the Natural World; and so the Beast's Earth is the Subject of the first Vial, his Sea the Subject of the second Vial, & c.

And observe that none of the Vials are pour­ed out, until after the second Two-horned Beast, the Pope was up, Rev. 13. 11. for till then, the Image of the Beast was not made, nor worshipped, v. 14. it was he that caused all to receive a mark, v. 16. 17. and the very first Vial falleth upon those that had the mark of the Beast, and did worship his Image, Rev. 16. 2. and he was not up in his First Horn till Phocas, Ann. 606. and had not his Mark till after Ann. 1000. as I have proved; and seeing Seals were opened, and divers Trumpets sounded be­fore this time, hence they are much mistaken who think that the first Seal, and the first Trumpet, and the first Vial do contemporate, and so of the rest.

Also note, that the former Vials do alter, but do not utterly destroy the Subjects of them: and therefore it is not to be wondred at, if after these have been poured out, yet the Beast hath recovered again, and seemed to regain what he lost; for even the fifth Vial is [Page 100] not said to destroy the Seat of the Beast, but to fill his Kingdom with Darkness, and only the sixth and seventh Vials do destroy the Sub­jects of them.

Rule 10 That we are under the latter end of the fifth, or the beginning of the sixth Vial.

I have before manifested that we are in the latter end of the sixth Trumpet; and how ma­ny Vials are already poured out, cometh now to be considered. I shall briefly declare when the Vials (as I conceive) began to be poured out, and thereby it will appear, that now, Ann. 1680. we are either under the latter end of the fifth, or the beginning of the sixth Vial.

1. The [first Vial] was poured out upon [the Earth] i. e. the Popish Earth, Rev. 16. 2. [Earth] is the most gross, inferiour part, Air of a more subtile Nature, and so must either be the grosser Doctrines of Popery, or the common Popish people, those Earthly Church-men out of which the Two-horned Beast ariseth, Rev. 13. 11. Hence, the effect of this Vial is, v. 2. a noisom Sore upon those that have the mark of the Beast, and worship his Image, i. e. they are filled with inward torments and vexation, and also rendred noisome and very loathsome unto others, as those that are full of grievous and filthy Sores.

This Vial began to be poured out by Beren­garius, Peter Bruis and others, who witnessed, some say, Ann. 1039. others, about Ann. 1049. and after, against the grosser Corruptions of [Page 101] Rome; as, Transubstantiation, Adoration of the Host, bowing the Knees before it, & c. and called the Church of Rome, Ecclesiam ma [...]gnan­tium, Concilium vanitatis & sedem Satanae & Leo­nem nonum—non Pontificem, sed Pompisicem at (que) Pulpificem dictitabat.

Yea, an Anonymous Author mentioneth their Conventicles in Tours, who denied the Substance of the Bread and Wine, to have Transmutation into the Body and Blood of Christ; so that here was the first visible or open Separation from Rome: And a very great Multi­tude in divers Nations imbraced their Doctrine, and were drawn off from Romish Errours by their means, whereupon the Gospellers were called Berengarians and Petro-Brusians; they op­posed Antichrist not in one place only, but fil­led most noble Countries, Matth. Westm. Roffens. Hist. saith, Eodem tempore Berengarius Turonen­sis in haereticam prolapsus pravitatem, omnes Gal­los, Italos & Anglos suis jam penè corruperat pravitatibus. See much more of this, B. Usher, Graviss. Quaest. Histor. Explic. c. 7.

And this alone may argue, that the Beast­marked ones, and his Image-worshippers, were now smitten as with a noisome Sore; For the Pope and his Party were so tormented, that it's said, they condemned the Opinion and the Fautors of it as Hereticks, seeking their Extir­pation, warning Princes to take heed of them and banish them out of their Territories; they called Councils against Berengarius: One at Rome, by Leo IX. about An. 1050. where upon his Letters to Lanfrancus, they condemned him [Page 102] (though absent) as an Heretick. Another the same Year at Vercellis. Another by Victor II. at Tours, about An. 1055. Another Council assembled by Pope Nicolaus II. at Rome, about An. 1059. where Berengarius was present, and some say, they forced him to a Recantation; Others write, that he never recanted, or that he died in his Opinion about An. 1083. ib. and Bertold. Const.

The Recantation of Berengarius (if he made any) cannot hinder his being instrumental in pouring out this Vial, seeing he disowned his Recantation; and there were many others be­sides him, that firmly taught the same true Do­ctrine, and many Thousands in several Nations stedfastly owned it, and couragiously opposed those Corruptions of the Romish Church, to their great vexation.

As Aaron and Peter had their Falls, their Blemishes; so may Pourers out of Vials, for the hardening of their Enemies, and humbling of themselves; which here I intimate once for all.

And I conclude, that the first Vial was poured out by these Berengarians and Petro-Brusians, because this was the first eminent Storm of Wrath upon the Worshippers and Marked ones of the Beast, or the first rising out of the Dregs of Popery; the first remarkable open Separation from Rome, and is answerable to all that is said of that Vial.

2. The second Vial was poured out upon the Sea, Rev. 16. 3. i. e. upon the Popish Sea; and the Effect is, [it became as the Blood of a dead [Page 103] Man] i. e. without spirit, corrupt, filthy and deadly; for [every living soul in the Sea died] i. e. many in, or that were maintained by the Popish Sea, could no longer live and breath there.

This [Sea] must either be the whole Papal Religion and Corrupt Doctrine wherein they Trade and Traffick about the Souls of Men, Rev. 18. 13. with all their corrupt Ecclesiasti­cal Constitutions, Forms, Ordinances and Wor­ship taken together. Or else [Sea] is the whole compass of the Papal Society, the Nations, Peo­ple, Kingdoms and Provinces of the Papal Do­minion or Jurisdiction; thus Waters are taken, Rev. 17. 15. and Sea is a confluence or the ga­thering together of Waters. The Explication of this second Vial, and the manner of its pour­ing out is found, Rev. 14. 6, 7. and it reach­eth to many Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and People.

This second Vial was poured out by the Al­bingenses and Waldenses; for, (after the Beren­garians) they were the next which were famous for making Opposition against, and Separation from the Pope and corrupt Church of Rome, and in them, all that is spoken of this Vial, was exactly fulfilled: For Waldus being converted about Ann. 1160. he Preached sound Doctrine, as, Rev. 14. 7. Fear God, and worship him, i. e. do not worship Images, he and others called off from the Idolatry of Rome; Some called it the New Gospel the Holy-Ghost, in opposition thereunto called it, the Everlasting Gospel, or possibly in opposition to what was falsly so cal­led; [Page 104] for, Matth. Paris. about An. 1256. men­tioneth a wicked Book made by the Jacobin Preaching-Friars, entituled. [ The Everlasting Gospel] the design of which was to suppress the Gospel of Christ, teaching that the state of Grace did not proceed from the Law of the Gospel, but from the Law of the Spirit; for so they called their Dreams and Revelations. Indeed this Book was so pestiferous, that Pla­tina saith, Alexander IV. caused it to be burnt; but it's said▪ this Burning it was secretly, and by constraint; for he banished Will▪ de S. Amore who complained of it.

Whether [Sea] be the whole Papal Do­ctrine, or the Papal Society, made up of many Nations, either way these Waldenses poured out a Vial upon it; shewing the corruptness and deadliness of their Religion and Worship in the complex Body of it, and this in many Na­tions of the Papal Kingdom, whereby many Thousands were converted, and durst drink no more of those corrupt Doctrines, than of the Blood of a dead Man, and many that Traded in the Papal Sea, and had dependance upon it, lost their Livelihoods, and so died civilly; as may be seen in the Histories of them. Yea, even literally it was in part fulfilled; for when they raised Wars against these Waldenses, mul­titudes of the Papal Party perished; it's said, that in the Siege of Avignion were destroyed by Famine, Pestilence and Drowning, more than Two and twenty Thousand of the French Soul­diers, Acts and Mon. Part 1. p. 352. and many more died elsewhere; though afterward, by various [Page 105] ways, they did sorely persecute those faithful Creatures.

Reinerius a Writer about their time, and an extream Enemy against them, yet is driven to confess this of them; That the Sect of the Leo­nists hath a great shew of Holiness, in that they both live justly before men, and believe all things contained in the Creed, only they do Blaspheme the Romish Church, and hate it, &c. ib. p. 301, 302. And he and others do conclude these Leonists to be of all other Sects (as they call them) most pernicious to Rome, and that for three causes. 1. Because of longer continuance. 2. Because more general almost in all Lands. 3. Because of a shew of Piety, &c. So that this was upon the Papal Sea, even the Papal party themselves being Judges. So Popliner. Histor. Franc. l. 1. It was never more sharply oppugned than by the Waldenses, their Doctrine (saith he) differeth but little from the now Protestants; Non per Galliam solum totam, sed etiam per omnes penè Europae or as disseminarunt, nam Galli, Hispani, Angli, Scoti, Itali, Germani, Bohemi, Saxones, Poloni, Lithuani & gentes aliae eam ad hunc diem pertinaciter defenderunt. So that Nations, Kin­dreds, Tongues and People, received the pure Gospel, and forsook the deadly Roman See by their means. They spread into Picaray, whence they were called Picards; by Persecution they did flie into Germany and Alsatia, where they spread their Doctrine: they had goodly Churches in Bulgary, Croatia, Dalmatia and Hungary. Clarks Martyr. Where also see what their Doctrines and Opinions were, as [Page 106] that the Mass was an Abomination, the Host an Idol, and Purgatory a Fable, they declaim­ed against Popish Holy Oil with Baptism, Canonical hours, Auricular Confession, Adora­tion of Images▪ Indulgences. Praying for the Dead, and many others, even the See of the Romish corrupt Doctrines, and made it as a Dead Sea, and so was the second Vial.

3. The Third Vial was poured out upon the Ri­vers and Fountains of Waters, Rev. 16. 4. which come from the Sea, and return thither again. And if Sea in the former Vial be the confluence of corrupt Doctrine (as Waters▪ signifie Doctrine Ezek. 47. 4, 5. Isa. 11. 9. and 55. 1.) then the Rivers are some particular corrupt Doctrines, or some Doctors or Emissaries of the Romish Church. Or if Sea there was the confluence of Nations and Kingdoms, making up the Pa­pal jurisdiction, as Waters signifie Rev. 17. 15. Then Rivers and Fountains denote some par­ticular Nations or Kingdoms within the Pa­pal Dominion.

And the effect of this Vial is, that these Ri­vers, Rev. 16. 4. become blood, i. e. they become bloody much of the Blood of the Papal party is shed there, as v. 6. thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. And there is a double attestation of the righteousness and equity of it: the Lord is declared True and Righteous in his [...]udgments twice over, v. 5, 6, 7. Thou art righteous, O Lord—because thou hast judged thus—righteous, are thy judgments. Which being the same cry that will be in giving glory to God, at the great destruction of Babylon, [Page 107] Rev. 19. 2. Hence I take this Vial to be as a Sessions or a Preludium, as it were a Type, and that Fall of Babylon (Rev. 18.) like a great Assize. And therefore this third Vial is no­tified, Rev. 14 8. Babylon is fallen, is fallen—this cannot be the great fall of it, for after this several other Angels have Vial work, v. 9▪ to end, whereas after the great Fall of Babylon, Rev. 18. there is only one Vial to follow at Armageddon, Rev. 19.

This Third Vial was poured out by the Wick­liffites and Hussites, and Jerom of Prague, and others about Ann. 1370 and after: for, then there was a distinct gust of wrath upon the Pa­pal Party and Doctrine, as the next remarka­ble blow after that of the Albingenses and Wal­denses; and this was answerable to all that is said of this Vial, which falleth only upon the Rivers and Fountains, not upon the Popish Sea. In that dark time they did famously Witness for Christ against the Pomp, Ava­rice, & c. of the Pope, to the bringing multi­tudes off from his corruptions. They held such doctrines as these, That the substance of Bread remained in the Sacrament, after the words of Consecration, that the People should have it in both kinds; they declared against Popish Pardons, Indulgences and Corporal Unction, as a Sacrament, & c.

A Council at Constance was assembled by the Emperour Sigismund and Pope John 23. Ann. 1414. where a Sentence of Condemnation was gi­ven out against the Doctrine of John Wickliffe, and his Bones ordained to be raised out of his Sepul­chre, [Page 108] and to be Burnt. Also notwithstanding the Emperour Sigismund sent for John Huss to the Council, and promised him safe conduct, yet they condemned John Huss, and though the Nobles and Lords of Bohemia, did challenge the safe Conduct, yet they Condemned and Burnt him, and Jerome of Prague was Burnt also.

And I cannot without admiration observe, how answerable the event was to the effect of this Vial, as Rev. 16. 4, 5, 6. 7. which may further confirm it, and render it undoubted, that now this Vial was poured out;

For a Nobleman named Zisca, being sore grieved for the Death of John Huss and Jerom of Prague, minding to revenge the injuries which the Council had done greatly to the dishonour of Bohemia, he gathered together a number of Men of War, and subverted the Monasteries, and Idolatrous Tem [...]es, pulling down and breaking in pieces the Images and Idols, driv­ing away the Priests and Monks, having ga­thered together about 40000 Men, took Towns, obtained the City of Prague, where the number of the Reformers was increased: Sigismund the Emperour besieged that City, but lost ma­ny men▪ and was forced to raise his Siege, and after had a great overthrow by Zisca; in that Conflict were slain fourteen Noblemen of the Moravians and Hungarians, and others a great number▪ Zisca took many Places, destroyed Monasteries in the Territory of Pelzina, put the Emperour to Flight. He with his power entreth again into Bohemia with a great Army, [Page 109] but the Emperour afraid of Zisca, fled again, and many of his Nobles were slain. Zisca pur­suing the Emperour a days journey, and hav­ing obtained this Victory, would not suffer any Image or Idol to be in the Churches, nor Priests to Minister with Copes or Vestments. The Reformed obtained another great victory, ma­ny Nobles of their Enemies slain, and 9000 common Souldiers. In the Epitaph of Zisca, it is said that he was a severe punisher of the Pride and Avarice of the Clergy, that eleven times in joining Battel he went Victor out of Field. See Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 848, &c. out of Aeneas Silvius.

After the Death of Zisca, Sigismund the Em­perour which Burned Huss and Jerom, is fain to intreat for his Kingdom. Pope Martin then perceiving the Gospel to increase daily more and more, sent into Germany to move them un­to War against the Bohemians, whereunto also the Emperour did assist. There were three Armies provided, which joined together, but when the news came that the Reformed had ga­thered an Army and came with all speed to­wards them, they fled before they saw their Enemies, leaving great Prey. The Cardinal meeting them in their flight, marvelled at their Cowardliness, and intreated them to turn again to their Enemies, but all in vain: The Bohe­hemians coming upon the rereward, and then their flight was more disordered and fearful than before, neither did they leave flying▪ be­fore the Bohemians left following; the Host of the Bohemians was greatly enriched. Sigismund [Page 110] the Emperour having news of these things ga­thered new help; also Pope Martin sent into Germany, and a new Expedition is decreed against the Bohemians, and several Bishops, as of Mentz, Trevers and Cologne—sent their aids. The Bohemians made ready, but there fell such a sudden fear amongst all the Papists throughout the whole Camp, that they began most shame­fully to run away before any Enemy appeared in sight, and by all the intreaties of Cardinal Julianus would not return. Thus the Reform­ed by the fear of their Enemies made the more bold, and couragious, pursued them, and had great prey and spoil, and the Bohemians pro­spered so long, as they could agree among them­selves.

And now judge whether these acts of Zisca, and other Bohemians upon a reformed account, so wonderfully prevailing against the Popish party, were not the pouring out of the Third Vial upon the Rivers and Fountains, and the effect thereof, whereby they became blood, Rev. 16. 4. and the Angel of the Waters giv­eth glory to God for judging thus, rendering this reason, v. 6. for they have shed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. So v. 7. It was for shedding the Blood of the Saints, John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, and others, that these Wars were raised by Zisca and the Bohemians, and here the Lord gave the Popish party, (who are the proper subjects of this Vial) of their own blood to drink, and therefore doubtless here was the third Vial poured out.

[Page 111]I have the more insisted upon it, because it is given by the Holy Spirit, as an emblem or lively resemblance of the great destruction of Babylon at Rome, Rev. 18.

These exploits of Zisca and the Bohemians, I am apt to think were a lively picture or re­presentation thereof, even in the very manner of it, viz. by some purely professing Comman­der like Zisca, upon a religious account for injuries offered to the Saints, and so as the mighty Romish Armies shall be struck with consternation or a pannick fear, and flee be­fore the sight of their Enemies.

4. The fourth Vial was poured out upon the [Sun,] Rev. 16. 8, 9. the effect is, [Power was given him to scorch men with fire.] That which in the Antichristian World, resembleth the Sun in the Natural World, must be the subject of this Vial: and therefore the Pope is this [Sun] upon which the wrath of this Vial falleth: For, he is the greatest, most il­lustrious, and glorious light there, which they say, so derives light to the very Scriptures, that they are counted authentical, and their sense, received Doctrine, Worship, Councils, Decrees, only as they borrow light from him for their ratification, and therefore he is this Sun. Yea as if it were purposely to intimate so much, the Emperour writeth to the Pope and saith, We are both appointed of God as two great lights, &c. Sleidan. Comment. l. 6. and after Innocent. III. maketh the Bishop or Priest much more excellent than the other. Look what difference is betwixt the Sun and the [Page 112] Moon, so great a diversity is there betwixt the office of a High-Bishop, and a Kings Office, ib li. 6.

Upon this [Sun] the Pope, did Luther and other Worthies about Ann. 1517. and after pour out such a Vial of Wrath, as never any did the like before, Papists themselves being Judges. He writ a Book wherein he saith, that the See of Rome is nothing else but the Kingdom of Babylon, and the power of the strong hunter Nimroth; when they Burnt Lu­thers works, he burnt the Bishop of Romes Law, and the Decree then lately published openly. Ib. l. 2.

So Calvin, Melancthon, Zwinglius, and many others, as well as Luther, scorched men with Fire, as Rev. 16. 8. and this is a sure Direction when this Vial was poured out, viz. when men by their Preachings, Writings, Disputations, & c. denounced Fire and Brimstone, and the greatest Torments against such Worshippers, and so it is explained, Rev. 14. v. 9, 10, 11. If any wor­ship the Beast and his Image, and receive his mark in his fore-head, i. e. openly, or in his hand, i. e. secretly, v. 10. The same shall drink the Wine of the Wrath of God poured out without mixture—and shall be [torment­ed with Fire and Brimstone] which was clearly fulfilled in Luther and Calvins time.

How many Countreys and Kingdoms by such Preaching fell off from Rome, and took up Re­formation, as desiring to preserve themselves from that Fire, which therefore scorched the Papal party?

[Page 113]After a Disputation, Religion was Reform­ed, not only at Bernes, but also proclaimed by Magistrates in sundry places thereabouts, Masses, Altars, Images, abolished in all places. They wrote the day and year wherein they forsook the Popish Religion upon a Pillar, in Golden Letters, that it might be an everlast­ing memorial to their Posterity.

Likewise they of Geneva did imitate them of Bernes, wherefore the Bishop and Clergy forsook the City in anger. Then the Refor­mers began to be called Protestants, of whom there were seven Princes. The Protestants made a League, that if any did stand in dan­ger for Religion one might help another, Ib. li. 6.

Another symptom of its being then poured out is, the great following persecutions, raised by the Bestians being incensed by the torment of this fire, as Rev. 14. 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints, i. e. here at this time is the try­al of their patience, that even death it self shall be desireable, v. 14. Blessed are the dead—answerable to which, in the fourth Vial, it is said, Rev. 16. 9. men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God—and repented not—

All which was manifestly accomplished, for after Luther and Calvin and others had proclaim­ed fire against the worshippers of the Beast, they repented not, witness the Council of Trent, wherein they sought to establish their Abominations, and then followed the great and sore Persecutions in most Kingdoms of the [Page 114] Beast, in the West, as France, Spain, Germany, Bohemia, England, all which give evidence that then the fourth Vial was poured out.

5. The fifth Vial is poured out upon the Throne of the Beast, Rev. 16. 10. and the effect is, [his Kingdom is full of Darkness,] and they have anguish and indignation, [gnawed their Tongues—]

[Throne] either is, the Government of the Beast, his Soveraignty and Authority, (as Psal. 89. 36, 37. Psal. 122. 5.) and if it be taken thus, then this Vial might be poured when the Popes Supremacy was cast off by Protestant Princes, as Hen. VIII. Edw. VI. Q. Eliz. Duke of Saxony, Brandenburgh—and when Po­pish Orders, and Branches of that Government were rejected. The German Princes told the Popes Ambassadors they acknowledged not his authority in such matters, and Q. Elizabeth would not suffer them to come into the Land. Sympson of the Church, p. 408.

Or the [ Throne] of the Beast, most properly is, the chief place of his residence, wherein he appeareth in his highest Majesty and Glory.

And this Vial was poured out upon Germany or the German Empire, since Ann. 1600. es­pecially by Gustavus Adolphus.

I know many think the City of Rome to be the Throne of the Beast which this Vial falleth upon; but the City of Rome is the Woman, Rev. 17. 18. or whore of Babylon, which sitteth upon the Beast, v. 3. and so cannot be the Throne which the Beast sitteth upon. And the more improbable is it, that Rome should be [Page 115] this Throne, for when a Vial cometh upon that, it is with an utter destruction, Rev. 18. and so it is by the sixth Vial, whereas the fifth Vial doth not destroy, but darken the Kingdom of the Beast. It will be hard, or impossible to prove, that the Throne of the Two-horned Beast, the Pope, is intended here; and if it be of the Ten-Horned Beast, then, although the Throne of the Dragon was given into his pos­session, yet he made it not as his Throne; For, when the Beast was very young, the Empe­rour did not take up his residence at Rome, but at Ravenna, Sigon. de Reg. Ital. 1. speaking of Ravenna saith, Postremo Honorius eam sibi at (que) Occidentis Imperio sedem urbe Rom. relicta con­stituit, quod institutum Successores quo (que) illius tam Imperatores Rom; quam Reges Gotthorum custo­dierunt.

That as Honorius was enthroned (not at Rome, but) at Ravenna, so other Emperours till Augustulus, Ann. 475. and then there were no Emperours in the West or at Rome till Carol. Magn. Ann. 800. Neither have the Emperours ever since to this day, made the City of Rome their Seat or Throne, but Germany, and there are seven Electoral Heads, and Ten Horns or Provinces in the West, as the Beast.

Let the Throne then, upon which this fifth Vial falleth, be Germany, especially, seeing the event doth admirably answer there, to all that is said of this fifth Vial.

For the Case was thus, as it's said. Some Seeds of Division being sown by the proscrib­ing and forcing Donawerdt (on the occasion of [Page 116] a Tumult at a Procession there,) and master­ing Gulick: the German Protestants received the Alarm, and assembled at Hall, and the Ca­tholicks at Wirtsburgh. This quickly did fly like Wild-fire, filled all Germany, and invol­ved all Europe in a prodigious War; some compare it with that of Zisca and the Bohemians.

I shall give some short account of it, out of J. Parival. History of the Iron Age, and shall refer to the Book it self, for a larger and fuller discovery of it.

He speaketh much in favour of the Papists, but declareth himself in this manner.

I abhor to begin the Discourse of the longest and most cruel War, that ever was in Christen­dom, and which drew more Blood, more al­tered the Christian Faith, and caused more ruine and desolation, than all that ever were in Europe, ib li. 3. c. 1.

And Ann. 1630. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, invited by the Germans, incited by France, England, Venice, the United Provinces, as also by his own peculiar interests, entered Germany with an Army, was sure of his Allies, and of the inclination of all the Protestants, whose Cause and Religion he came to defend.

King Gustave takes Francfort, beats the Im­perialists, cleansed Pomerania. Ambassadours of the Princes, Imperial Towns, and Prote­stants States, treated an Alliance with King Gustave. These sparkles encompassed all Ger­many with a Fire, which lasted till the year 1649. ib. cap. 17, 18, 19, 20.

Gustave worsted Tilly, before the Fort of [Page 117] Werbern, being joined to the forces of the E­lectors; had a great Battle with Tilly, the Em­perours General at Leipsick. This Battel where­in were hazarded the Caps of two Electours, the Liberty of the Princes of Germany, the con­quests of so many years, and the whole hope of the Roman Catholicks, was very bloody, and the old Bands which had never been seen fly, gave gound here, ib. c. 21. King Gustave hath the Victory, and Tilly with the Imperialists were put to flight; An Army of Four and Twenty Thousand Captains, (that is old Soul­diers) were broken in the Plain and open Field—This Bloody Battel was Sept. 7. 1631. which was called a day of Blood—and chan­ged the Countenance of the Affairs of Germa­ny. And the news of this victory—unspeak­ably rejoiced not only all the Protestants, but also all such as to whom those glorious Eagles, seemed too proud, and too much undertaking, Ib. c. 21.

The first Post which arrived at Vienna, brought news of the defeat of the Saxons, the second that of Tilly, which disturbed the joy, and the Third filled the whole Court with sad­ness, and made it think of a way how to repair this great loss. If the Africans—were much amazed to see them, i. e. the Romans before Carthage, so to say the truth, the Bishops and the Roman Catholicks were not a whit less, by the destruction of this Army, which had always been victorious and by means whereof after the gaining of one Battel they hoped to see the Mass, and the Imperial Authority restored, [Page 118] throughout all Germany. A flock of Sheep is is not more scattered when it sees itself envi­roned by Wolves, and without a Shepherd, than were the Ecclesiasticks by this accident, for terrour having thrust it self in amongst them, they betook themselves all to flight, some to the other side of the Danube, and others by the Rheyn to Cologne, &c. ib. c. 21.

Italy was Alarmed by the report of so great prosperity—

The Swede still goeth on (though not with­out some checks) and even after the death of Gustave, yet often had great successes, and pre­vailed much against the German Emperour, and at last forced him to stoop to such terms, as he could make with him.

And now judge whether the fifth Vial was not here poured out upon Germany, as the Throne, or Chief Kingdom of the Ten-horn­ed Beast? For this War was stated between the [Beasts party] of the one part, to the strik­ing great terrour into the Hearts, and over­throwing so many thousands of them, and the [Protestants] as the other party. And seeing this is a distinct storm upon that party, after four Vials had been poured out, what can this be but the fifth Vial? and the rather because all things answer to it, even as to effects. As,

The whole Kingdom of the Beast was dark­ned, as Rev. 16. 10. even by that one blow gi­ven by Gustavus Adolphus; did it not suffer a greater Eclipse of its esteem and glory at that day, than ever before? even at Jankow Battel, [Page 119] March 6. 1645. there was a most sensible De­feat to the Imperial Party; for▪ it left Bohe­mia as a Prey, and opened the Passage into Mo­ravia, and the Emperours Hereditary Lands, as far as the Danube. Every one thought that the Emperour was lost, if the Swedes chanced to pass the Danube. They were in great amaze­ment to see the Swedes at one and the same time at the Gates of Vienna, Copenhaghen and Bremen, every where treading down their E­nemies, [...]b. Part 2. c. 16. This therefore was the fifth Vial, which seemed to have spent its greatest Strength, and to be drawing towards a Conclusion, when the Pacification was made in Germany, or Peace, Ann. 1649. but some Effects may have continued since.

Neither will this deny it to be that Vial, that the Effect of the German War fell as heavy upon God's People there, as his Enemies.

For, at the first hand, here was a great di­stinction between the People of God and others. And however, in some of the first Plagues in Egypt (to which the Vials allude) the Lord made no distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, till Exod. 8. 22.

And further, the Effect of this Vial is, Rev. 16. 10, 11. they gnawed their Tongues for pain, and blasphemed God—and repented not. Which argue the indignation, vexation, rancour and extremity of Rage, which the Beasts Party shall be filled with, by the pouring out of this Vial upon them, and so they not only per­sist in their Evil way without repentance, blas­pheming God, but like distracted Mad-men▪ [Page 120] they seek to revenge their own quarrel by fal­ling upon and raising bitter Persecutions against the Protestant Party; and therefore, this is but an expected issue of the Kingdom-filling dark­ness and Tongue-gnawing Pain, an event of this Vial, and so rather a Confirmation of its being then poured out.

Neither will this deny that German War to be a Vial, because the Empire is yet standing.

For, I see no Scripture-Evidence, that any Vial (except the 6th or 7th) do bring a Total Destruction upon the Subjects on which they fall: for if the Beasts Earth, Sea, Rivers and Fountains, had been utterly destroyed by the three former Vials, there could have remained nothing for several other Vials to be poured out upon▪ these comprising the whole Anti­christian World. And this fifth Vial doth but darken, not utterly destroy the Kingdom of the Beast, Rev. 16. 10. and so the German Empire may be yet standing after that Vial is poured out upon it, as Egypt was darkened before Pha­raoh and the Egyptians were destroyed. And immediately before that Vial which destroy­eth the Whore, she fitteth as a Queen, saying, she shall see no sorrow, Rev. 18. 7. and how could she sit in such Pomp, if former Vials had caused an utter Destruction of what they fell upon?

In short, either Rome cannot be the Throne which this fifth Vial is poured out upon, (see­ing then they repented not, Rev. 16. 10, 11.) or else it cannot be the Tenth part, Rev. 11. 13. [Page 121] for then they repent. And if the fifth Vial was poured out in Germany, then we are un­der the latter part of that, or the beginning of the sixth Vial.

That which followeth is mostly hereafter to be fulfilled, or in a great part to come.

6. The sixth Vial is poured out upon the great River Euphrates, Rev. 16. 12. The Effects of it are, the drying up the Waters thereof, and war-like Preparations, v. 12. to 17.

The Subjects of the other Vials are not Lite­ral, but Mystical or Metaphorical; and there­fore Euphrates is not to be understood literally here, of that very River, especially seeing all the seven are Plag [...]es or Vials of the Wrath of God, Rev. 15. 1, 6, 8. and the drying up that River is no such Plague, neither is the Wrath of God kindled against it, more than against any other River.

Therefore the River [ Euphrates] here must notifie, either, that which is the strength of Mystical Babylon, as Euphrates was of Literal Babylon:

Or else the People inhabiting about Euphra­tes, which are the Turks. The Event will be the best Interpreter of the Prophesie.

If [ Euphrates] be the strength of Mystical Babylon; then as the drying up literal Euphra­tes by Cyrus, was the means of taking Literal Babylon; so the drying up here importeth the great means of the desolation or downfall of Mystical Babylon. And [Waters] being Mul­titudes, People, Nations and Tongues, Rev. 17. 15. hence the drying up of these, is by the [Page 122] Conversion of many, and their coming into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Rev. 11. 15. or by some great destruction or desolation and wast­ing of People about Vienna and Austria, the strength of Mystical Babylon, and this may be a Provocation to the Nations, that they are angry, v. 18. and make preparation against Christ. And the Triumph for the Ruin of Babylon being Vial-work, and being the im­mediate fore-runner of Armageddon, Rev. 19▪ 1, 2, 3. the Preparation to which is in the close of the sixth Vial, Rev. 16. 12. to the end. hence it seemeth that the desolation of Babylon at Rome, is by that sixth Vial, and before the seventh; else there must be two Earthquakes under that one seventh Vial, viz. one at that, and the Exaltation of the Witnesses under the sixth Trumpet, Rev. 11. 13. and another the greatest under the seventh, v. 19. Rev. 16. 18.

Or else [ Euphrates] must be the Turks the People that inhabit about Euphrates, which is but once more mentioned in this Book, ( Rev. 9. 14.) and there referreth to the Turks.

The [Waters] are, as Rev. 17. 15. People, Multitudes, Nations and Tongues—

By this Vial these Waters are dried up, i. e. wasted, consumed, vast Numbers, great Mul­titudes of the Turkish People are destroyed, or many Nations fall off from the Turks, so as they lose much of their Power and Dominion, and cease to be a Wo to the Romanists; when this cometh to pass, the sixth Vial is pouring out. By what ways and means this will be; whether by Intestine Discords, or some exterra­neous [Page 123] Enemy, the Event must determine. The Angel that poureth out this Vial cometh out of the Temple, as well as others, and is clothed in pure and white Linnen, Rev. 15. 6. and so it seemeth not to be primarily or only by In­testine Discord, nor by the Antichristian Ro­manists, as Vial Angels; but Jesus Christ may imploy these in the destructive work, dashing Enemies as Potsheards one against another, as a fruit of the Prayers of Saints.

As the former Vials were much poured out by Preaching; so the two last by Prayer. A Vial Angel out of the Temple solliciteth Jesus Christ (the Angel on the white Cloud) to thrust in his Sickle and reap a Harvest, by cut­ting down his Enemies, and he doth it as a return of Prayer, Rev. 14. 14, 15, 16. and this, I think, doth contemporate with, and is an Ex­plication of this sixth Vial. And thus the An­gel is in white Linnen under a pure Profession, who poureth out the Vial in a way of Prayer, but it is referred to Jesus Christ to do the work, and he may and oft doth make Enemies Executioners of his Wrath upon one an [...]er.

The drying up this Euphrates, is [ [...] the way of the Kings of the East may be Pre­pared].

By [Kings of the East] many understand the Jews, and near this time they shall return and be converted, else how should they escape the Wrath of the seventh Vial? and they shall come not only from the East, but from all Quarters, Isai. 43. 6. and 49. 12. Jer. 31. 8. Zech. 8. 7. and then the import of it is, that [Page 124] the drying up of Euphrates, either of Mystical Babylon, Rome, or the consuming of Turkish People and Power, it is to this intent, it is de­signed for this end, to make way for that an­cient People of God the Jews, to return to their own Land, and unto God. [That] the Kings of the East, that the Jews may be redu­ced, God, in ruining Rome, or wasting the Turks, prepareth a way for the Jews. And as God dried up the Red-Sea of old, to make a Passage over for his People; so, what if the Lord should dry up the very River Euphrates, to make a Passage for the Jews to come to their own Land? Isai. 11. 15, 16. and thus in­deed it might be a Judgment or Wrath upon the Turk, letting in an Enemy upon them for their Destruction.

But let it be considered, whether these Kings of the East, or, as it may be rendred, from the rising of the Sun; may not be meant of those Enemies, Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet? Seeing the very next thing mentioned is a Pre­paration of them unto Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13▪ [...] 15, 16. and that out of all Parts of the [...] World, from the rising of the Sun▪ which noteth the greatest distance; as, Isai 45. 6. and 59. 19. Mal. 1. 11. And then it im­porteth, that the ruine of Rome, or wasting the Euphratean People, the Turks, will pro­voke all the Enemies of Christ to make a Com­bination against him. The return and Conver­sion of the Jews, the first setting up the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, will be such a grievance to Ene­mies, that they which were at variance before, [Page 125] shall reckon themselves so concerned, that all shall joyn their Forces against Christ to their ruine, Rev. 19.

Whether these three, Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet, shall be gathered together in three Parts or Places, or only in one Place, viz. about Jerusalem, time will manifest.

7. The seventh Vial is poured into the Air, Rev. 16. 17.

[ Air] Is Universal, and so noteth that this Vial bringeth general Wrath upon the Dragon, Beast, and false Prophet, all tast of the Wrath of this Vial.

One Adjunct is, [A great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne] saying, [It is done] i. e. the Mystery of God is finished, Rev. 10. 7. the Jews are converted, or the New Jerusalem Throne is now set, as, Rev. 21. 5, 6. where we have the same Throne, and the same Voice from it [It is done] now is the New Heaven and New Earth, v. 1. not yet Con­summate, and in the fulness of its Latitude and Glory, but inchoate, in the beginning [...] it, v. 2. prepared as a Bride, adorned for her [...]sband, now is the Preparation, as Rev. 19. 7. [...]

The Effects are, v. 16. Voices and Thunders, and a great Earthquake, such as was not since Men were upon the face of the Earth, i. e. great Commotions and Alterations in the Na­tions. And v. 19. [the great City was divided into three Parts].

The [City] is the whole Jurisdiction of the ancient Roman Empire, [is divided] and so overthrown; I think, the [three Parts] are [Page 126] those before mentioned, v. 13. possibly rende­vouzed in three several places. Some shall be­long to the Dragon, i. e. be Pagans, or not professedly Christian; Others to the Beast, i. e. Civil-Crowned Horns; Others to the False-Prophet, i. e. Ecclesiastical Men, or belonging to the Pope.

And the Calamities of divers are pointed out, v. 19. [the Cities of the Nations fell] i. e. they of the Nations who Engage and lend Assi­stance here against Christ are overthrown, or experience great Desolations.

[And great Babylon came into remembrance before God]—

Some think that the Destruction of Rome is not till this seventh Vial, because of this Ex­pression.

But there is Babylon at Rome, and Babylon in the Nations. The former falleth by the sixth Vial, as I proved the latter by the seventh Vial, after the gathering together to Armaged­don, v. 16. with the greatest Earthquake, v. 18. by which the Cities of the Nations fall, v. 19. which cannot be till the Armageddon Battel; yet [...] that, there is a rejoycing for the desolation of the Whore of Babylon, Rev. 19. which this Opinion would leave no room for.

I therefore say, there is a double remem­brance of Babylon, one under the sixth, the other under the seventh Vial. The former bringeth wrath upon Rome, and causeth the Nations to lament her burning, and stand afar off for fear of her torment, Rev. 18. 9, 10. the latter cause the Nations to feel what be­fore [Page 127] they had feared, they fall, which before they did not. The former is a particular desolation at Rome; this more general, Rev. 16. 19. The former is a partial, this a total or an utter de­struction. The former brought [Wrath] but this, under the seventh Vial, bringeth [fierce­ness of Wrath] v. 19▪ as at Armageddon, Rev. 19. 15.

And thus the Holy-Ghost distinguisheth, Rev. 14. 15. to the end. The Fall of Babylon at Rome is the Harvest; the utter Extirpation of Babylon at the seventh Vial is the Vintage, which will quickly follow the other, as the Vintage doth the Harvest.

The [Hail] out of Heaven, Rev. 16. 21. de­notes the more immediate Judgments of God on the Enemies at that Day.

The Conclusion of all then is, that we are to wait by Faith and Patience, for those great things which are yet unfulfilled; for the great Day of the Lord is near. And the things that are still unaccomplished, and yet to come, An. 1680, and so to be expected, are such as these that follow:

1. The Death-state of the Witnesses, their Re­surrection and Ascension, Rev. 11. 7. to v. 13.

Their Death is signalized by various Cha­racters aforementioned; especially by the dark­ness, blackness and gloominess of the Day, with the loss of a Witnessing-Spirit after fi­nishing their Testimony. This is the Comfort, that it will be short, and the issue glorious. Their recovery is notified by a great Earth­quake [Page 128] or Commotion, v. 13. we may know they are risen, if after that there be a Fall of a famous Tenth part of the Old Roman Juris­diction, and the Ruine of a vast Number of Dignitaries, Officers, Men of Eminency and Renown by the Earthquake, and the repent­ing of a Remnant, so as to give Glory to God.

2. The wasting and diminishing of Turkish Power, so as it ceaseth to be a Wo to the Idolatrous Roma­nists, Rev. 11. 14. the second Wo is past—This is an immediate issue of the Witnesses Ascension, not only in Vision, but in Execu­tion; for the fifth, or former Wo-Trumpet was concluded in the same manner, with re­spect to the Event; and also it is added ex­presly, the Third Wo cometh quickly.

Not that the utter Destruction of the Turks, or of his whole Dominion every where, will be at the Ascension of the Witnesses; no, that is not till afterwards at the seventh Vial, as I shall evidence: but they shall abundantly lose Ground and suffer a Consumption of a vast Number of People, (by revolt, or otherwise) not only in Europe, in Hungaria, but in Africa or in Asia, near the River Euphrates, where they were first loose, and did over-run the Nations to the killing a third part of Men, Rev. 9. 14, 15. and this wasting or destroying their Power and Dominion about Euphrates, this drying up that deluge of Inhabitants there, is▪ Rev. 16. 12. [that the way of the Kings of the East may be prepared] i. e. either as an occasion for Enemies combining against Christ; or that a [Page 129] passage may be open for the Jews return to their own Land, ( Isai. 49. 22.) which they stood in the way of, Isai. 11. 14. They shall fly upon the Shoulders of the Philistines to­wards the West, they shall spoil them of the East together, i. e. those that have been Ene­mies to the People of God, as the Philistines were, shall march towards the West, and spoil the Turks of the East, so as to make way for the Jews repossessing of their own Land. Whe­ther these Philistines shall do it intentionally or accidentally, God so over-ruling by his Pro­vidence, as their spoiling of the Turk shall give advantage to the Jews return; wonder­fully removing all impediments and hindrances that were in the way of it; this I shall not here determine.

All the Twelve Tribes shall return from all Quarters, v. 11, 14, 15. from Assyria, from Egypt—Edom, Moab, and the Children of Ammon shall be subject to them. And when the Turkish Power shall be thus wasted, either in Pathros and Egypt, or about Euphrates, or both, then I shall expect the speedy rising or restitution of the Jews.

3. The downfall of Mystical Babylon at Rome, Rev. 11. 13. Rev. 18. 2. Babylon the Great, is fallen, is fallen; so throughout the Chapter. Not only her Superstition and Idolatry, her corrupt Offices, Orders, Ways, Worship, Mer­chandize there, will be destroyed as a Mercy, but the City it self of Rome for her Sins will ir­recoverably fall under sudden and unavoidable Divine Wrath as a Sore Judgment, utter De­solation, [Page 130] shall be burnt with Fire; so as the People of God are to avoid her Plagues, v. 4. and even her Friends shall be afraid of her Torments, v. 5, 8, 9, 10.—She is threatned with the ceasing of the Voice of Mirth of the Bridegroom, and of the sounding of the Mil­stone, and of the shining of Light, v. 22, 23. which Phrases generally note an utter Desola­tion, as Jer. 7. 34. and 16. 9. and 25. 10, 11. Isai. 24. 8, 9. and it is expresly declared, Rev. 17. 16. where we have the way and means of her Ruine and Destruction. [The Ten Horns shall hate the Whore, and shall make her de­solate, and shall eat her Flesh, and shall burn her with Fire] i. e. Some of the Ten Horns who abominate her Idolatry shall make her desolate, whether some in the Eastern Parts, or in the West, or both, time must discover; others adhere still in their Spirits to, and make Lamentation for her, Rev. 18. 9. even those that committed Fornication with her, and are thus distinguished from those who make her desolate.

Now the Symptoms and Signs of Romes ap­proaching Ruine, are such as these: The ag­gravated, measure-filling Sins of Babylon, her Plagues come, Rev. 18. 5. [for her Sins have reached unto Heaven] her hainous Evils as new invented Cruelties—hasten her ruine, especi­ally the hand she hath in slaying the Witnesses, Rev. 11. 8, 11. their death presage her ruine, v. 13. as well as her own triumph, Rev. 18 8. Behold, I sit a Queen—her singing a Re­quiem to her self. Also the Lord's raising up [Page 131] suddenly some famous Instrument in the World to appear for his Interest, Rev. 18. 1. so as the Earth will be filled with his Glory. Also Christ's appearing in his Regal Dignity in greater Splendor, Purity, Brightness and Glory than heretofore, on a white Cloud, Rev. 14. 14, 15, 16. with a golden Crown, and in his hand a sharp Sickle; and here is speedily a Vial-Angel out of the Temple, out of his pure Church, applying it self to Christ, having not only an expectation of, but an extraordinary Spirit of Prayer, crying to him, for the reaping the Harvest of Babylon, and it was done accor­dingly, v. 16. so that this is an immediate fore­runner of her Ruine.

4. A Triumphant Song among the Saints, for the Ruine of Rome or Babylon there, Rev. 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. This seemeth to be about the latter end of the sixth, or beginning of the seve [...]th Vial, near, or in the time of preparation to Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13, 14.

And it must ever be observed, that the Ef­fects of one Vial do oftentimes run into ano­ther Vial, or last and continue after another Vial is begun to be poured out, like the Scales of Fishes, one partly covereth another.

5. The Restauration and Return of the Jews and Israelites, together with their Conversion as well as others:

Ezek. 37. under the Emblem of dry Bones living, is signified the restitution of the Jews; and by two Sticks, one for Ephraim the Head of (and often put for) the Ten Tribes; and ano­ther for Judah, or the Two Tribes, v. 16, &c. [Page 130] [...] [Page 131] [...] [Page 130] [...] [Page 131] [...] [Page 132] is represented the recovery of all the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and bringing them to their own Land, v. 21. and this was never yet accom­plished; For when it is, saith the Lord, v. 22. I will make them one Nation upon the Moun­tains of Israel, and one King shall be to them all, and they shall be no more two Nations, neither shall they be divided into two King­doms any more at all. So that when this is made good, all the Twelve Tribes, the Body of them, are re-united, so as they shall never be separated any more, and one King shall be over them, David, v. 24. and that is Jesus Christ, for David was dead long before this Prophesie. Few here yet know where the Ten Tribes are, and the two are still scattered; so that this never was accomplished to this day, and there­fore it must hereafter be fulfilled, because God is true. This then is certain, That all the Twelve Tribes of Israel shall have a Possession of their own Land again, and be under Con­version there; some think they shall not be converted till after they are there, Isai. 61. 7. Jer. 31. 17. and 32. 41. Ezek. 37. 21, 22, 25. Am. 9. 14, 15. Zech. 2. 12.

So Rom. 11. 25, 26. he saith, the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, [and so all Israel shall be saved]. So that in Gospel-times, after breaking off the Jews for Unbelief, yet there is a time when all Israel shall be saved. And this will be compleated at the beginning of the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 10. 7.

The Way and Means of Israels return and Conversion, will be partly Extraordinary by [Page 133] Impressions from the Lord, like wind breath­ing upon them, which will be to them as life from the dead, Ezek. 37. 9, 11, 12. it will be a sudden, unexpected thing, a Nation to be born in one day, Isai. 66. 8.

Their Call will be partly by Ordinary means, the Preaching of the Gospel, Jer. 31. 6, 8, 9, 10, &c. by Watchmen on Mount Ephraim, Isai. 52. 7, 8. and 59. 20. Isai. 60. 16. Thou shalt also Suck the Milk of the Gentiles, Rom. 11. 25, 26. The deliverer shall come out of Sion, i. e. by Ministers out of Gentile Churches, so he will turn away Ungodliness from Jacob. And the Faith of the Gentiles shall provoke the Jews to Jealousie and Emulation, v. 11, 12. possibly at the rising of the Witnesses, Rev. 11. 11, 12.

Their first Conversion will not be by the personal appearance of Jesus Christ; for that is not till the seventh Vial, Rev. 16. 15, 16. Behold I come as a Thief— Mat. 24. 29, 30. when they shall welcom him, Mat. 23. 39. whereas they are converted before under the sixth Vial, v. 12. and prepared as a Bride before the seventh, Rev. 19. 7. to end.

As to the time; some say, before the Salva­tion of Israel, the Pope and Turk shall be over­thrown and destroyed.

And indeed, a partial Fall of the Turk will be by the sixth Vial, but their total Destruction is not till the seventh.

And the Mistake that the Fall of Rome will be by the fifth Vial, I have disproved.

As to that great Question,

[Page 134]Whether Rome shall first be destroyed, before the Calling or Conversion of the Jews?

I would not absolutely determine, but con­sider, the first Triumphant Song for Judgment upon Babylon, is with various Hallelujahs, Rev. 18. and Rev. 19. 1, 3, 4, 6. which is an He­brew word never before used in the Apocalyps, and so importeth, that the Hebrews are con­cerned and ingaged in the first Praises for the Fall of Rome; and therefore the Hebrews seem to be Converted before, without which, they could not rightly shew forth these Praises, ( Isai. 43. 21▪) and this is in order of time after those things concerning its Destruction. And the next thing is the Lamb's Wife (which especi­ally must be the Jews) maketh her self ready, Rev. 19. 7.

Yea, the Angel which filleth the Earth with his Glory near the downfall of Babylon, Rev. 18. 1, 2. seemeth to be the very same with that at the first restoration of Israel, Ezek. 43. 2. And so why may not the Jews have some hand also (with others) in the Ruine of Rome, Dan. 2. 34, 35. 44, 45. Zech. 12. 2, 3, 4, 6.

I know the Idolatry and Abomination of Rome, have been agreat Stumbling-block in the way of the Conversion of the Jews.

But, the special Gospel Manifestation and Divine drawings, rending the Veil upon the Heart, will be enough to remove all these Stumbling-blocks, 2 Cor. 3. 15, 16. Joh. 6. 44, 45. Act. 2. 37, 38.

And that Rev. 15. 8. is not to be understood absolutely; as if none entred into the Tem­ple [Page 135] or pure Church▪state, till all the Vials be poured out; for all the seven Vial-Angels come out of the Temple, and with pure and white Linnen, v. 6. and so there was then a pure Temple, that some, yea many, entred in­to; but it must be understood Comparatively, few enter in comparison of what shall enter at the latter Vials.

6. A general Combination of Enemies against Jesus Christ and his Interest, to their own Destru­ction: After the Fall of Babylon, some will survive to lament her burning, Rev. 18. 9. and being of the same Spirit they were, hence the Witnesses after their rising ( Rev. 11. 11.) in such places may have Trouble and Sufferings from their hands, and the watchword and warning to keep their Garments, intimate danger then of spiritual Drowsiness, ( Mat. 25. 1, &c.) and of Self-pollution; however Ene­mies will be exasperated, so as all will con­spire against Jesus Christ and his Members, Rev. 16. 13, 14 15, 16. Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet, but the issue is their Destruction.

The [...]e was a partial Destruction before, but the total Destruction is reserved to this seventh Vial at Armageddon. The Tenth part fell before, but the Beast the Fourth Monarchy, continued, and the little Horn till now. At the seventh Vial (and not before) the Beast is slain, and his Body destroyed, and given to the burning flame, Dan. 7. 11. and then is seen one like the Son of Man in the Clouds— v. 13, 14.

So John telleth us of the End of [the Beast and False Prophet] (the first and second Beast) [Page 136] they are then cast into the Wine-press of the fierceness of the Wrath of God, Rev. 19. 15. cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with Brimstone, v. 20.

As to the [Dragon] the Turk and all Pagan Powers, those that are not professedly Chri­stian, what become of them? They are wasted by the sixth Vial, and their Power destroyed by the seventh, to an utter Subjection, Rev. 20. 2, 3. the Dragon is cast into the bottomless Pit, and he bound a Thousand Years. A wonderful restraint is laid upon him, that he may not hurt the Church as heretofore. And, v▪ 3. after that he must be loosed for a little sea­son, and go to deceive the Nations in the Four Quarters of the Earth, [ Gog and Magog] v. 8. And these being the Dragon loosed at the End of the Thousand Years; it plainly telleth us what is [the Gog and Magog] at the beginning of the Thousand Years, Ezek. 38. and 38. even the same; they are principally the Turks and their Associates at Armageddon, or the remains of the Enemies of Christ from all Parts; for the description agreeth to the Turk and his Confe­derates, Ezek. 38. 2, 3. he is the Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal—If Tubal be the Spa­niards and Italians, yet Meshech may be the Moschici or Cappadocians. And the Turk hath a vast Number of Horsemen, as▪ v. 4. is a bitter Enemy to Israel, v. 9, 16, 18. and hath a Situation Northward, or in the North Country; as v. 15. and Ezek. 39. 2. yea, he hath Syria under him, which denominated the Seleucians Kings of the North, Dan. 11. 6, 13, 15.

[Page 137]The attempt of this Gog and Magog, the Turk and his Adherents, will be speedily after the restoration or return of Israel, and dwelling safely in their own Land, Ezek. 38. 8, 9, 11, 15. Ezek. 39. 25, 26, 28, 29. when all the Twelve Tribes shall be newly gathered out of the Nations after their long scattering.

And it will be a very dreadful and terrible destruction, by the fierceness of the wrath of God, Ezek. 38. 18. by a general Earth-quake or Commotion; by setting every Mans Sword among the Men of Gog against his Brother, by Pestilence, Blood, and immediate Judgments, Hail-Stones, Fire and Brimstone, v. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. So as they shall be a long time in burying the Dead, and burning the Instruments of War, Ezek. 39. 17, 19, 20. and therefore it will be before the thousand years, for it is not like there will be such a space after the end of them, to the end of time, Rev. 20. 11, 12.

And this great destruction of Gog or the Turk, will not be in Hungaria (though he may before have great losses there) but especially in the Land of Canaan; his great and last utter ruine and destruction shall be there, Ezek. 39. 4. thou shalt fall upon the Mountains of Israel.

This is further confirmed from, Dan. 11. where the Kings of Egypt are called Kings of the South, and those of Syria, Kings of the North, till both were translated to the Romans, and then even in order of story it is said, v. 36. And a King shall do according to his Will—there being but one King, because both Egypt and Syria, were under the Romans, till they [Page 138] divided and split again, that the Saracens ob­tained Egypt, and became King of the South, and the Turks obtained Assyria, v. 40. and so became King of the North. All the descrip­tion of the King of the North there agree to the Turk; as, he in the latter days hath Egypt under him, and the precious things thereof, v. 43. and so he is the King of the North.

Therefore the Turks shall hear tidings out of the East, and the North▪ and shall go forth with fury to destroy, and then he shall come to his end, v. 44, 45.

The last signal thing of it is, v. 45. and he shall plant his Aphadno, the Tabernacle of his Palace or Tent for this War [between the Seas in the glorious Holy Mountain; yet he shall come to his End, and none shall help him]. None hath obtained (especially from Daniel) that title of Renown [glorious Holy Moun­tain] but J [...]rusalem, or, the Land of Promise, Dan. 9. 16, 20. Zcch. 8. 3. And that is [be­tween the Seas]. Jerusalem is situate between the Egyptian Sea on the West, and the Dead-Sea, or the Asphali [...]is on the East. Also Sama­ria hath the Egyptian-Sea Westward, and the Dead-Sea Eastward▪ Also the Territory of Assur and Zabulon▪ are between the Sea of Galilee on the East▪ and the Phoenician, Syrian or Mediterranean-Sea on the West.

When Gog or the Turk shall plant the Ta­bernacle of his Palace or his Tent for War in Judea or about Jerusalem, and shall go forth furiously to destroy, upon the Mountains of Is­rael, then he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

[Page 139]7. A time of general and stupendious Altera­tions in the World: When all those Enemies shall conspire against Christ, as, Rev. 16. 14, 16. Ezek. 38 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15. it cannot but be a time of Trouble every where, especially seeing it will be attended with such astonishing Mu­tations, Mat 24. 29. the Sun shall be darkened and the Moon shall not give her Light, and the Stars shall fall from Heaven, and the Pow­ers of Heaven shall be shaken. And this refer­reth to the same time, for as the next thing, v. 30. then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven.—And Jesus Christ himself explaineth this, Luk. 21. 25, 26, 27. There shall be signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, and upon the Earth distress of Na­tions, with perplexity, Mens hearts failing for fear—and then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds,— i. e. for their relief and succour.

These Universal Commotions will occasion a very great consternation and affrightment, yet Jesus Christ giveth them as a Comforting Cordial to the Faith of the Saints, like the budding of the Fig-tree; which evidenceth that the Summer is near, v. 28. 29, 30, 31.

So these terrible things argue that the Redemption of Believers draweth nigh, v. 32. Verily,—this Generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.

[This Generation] cannot be meant of that wherein this was▪ spoken by Christ on Earth; for that, and many Generations are passed since, and yet the things are unfulfilled: But in [Page 140] other Evangelists, especially Luke, it is applied to the Parable of the Fig-tree, [that Genera­tion] v. 28. when the Fig-tree shall begin to put forth by these Distresses of Nations and Mens hearts failing for fear of those things, which are coming on the Earth, [this Genera­tion] wherein these things begin, shall not pass until all be fulfilled, i. e. till the King­dom of God shall come, v. 31. till they shall see the Son of Man coming in a Cloud, v. 27. All shall be accomplished in the very same Age or Generation wherein they have their begin­ning. Those things will have a terrible Aspect even to the Saints; yet they will issue in their Redemption, v. 28. and the blow will fall upon Enemies in their great destruction, Ezek. 38. 20, 21, 22. and 39. 4, 5. Rev. 19. 18, 19, 20. so that this will be the greatest trouble to the Enemies of Christ and his Church.

It seemeth that the greatest trouble to the Jewish Nation will be over before this; For it is said, Mat. 24. 29, 30. Immediately after the Tribulation of those days, shall the Sun be dar­kened—and then shall appear the signs of the Son of Man.—

This foregoing trouble is applied to the Jews, v. 16, 17. and is expresly declared to be their greatest Tribulation, v. 21. for then shall be great Tribulation: such as was not since the be­ginning of the World to this time, nor ever shall be. So then, the Eclipsing of all Earthly Glory by distress of Nations (about the time of Armageddon) is not before, but immediately after that greatest Tribulation to the Jewish Na­tion [Page 141] is over and at an end. It began at Vespa­tian about Ann. 70. that was their greatest in respect of the severity and sharpness of it; the History is very Tragical, many Hundred thou­sands of the Jews perished, and were made mi­serable, by Famine, Sword and Captivity; their Houses and Streets were filled with dead Men, Women and Children, so that those alive could not Bury the Dead, that it was unparal­lelled, it passed any Plague formerly sent by God, Joseph. lib. 6. c. 14, 16. and lib. 7. c. 17. Then might be fulfilled, Zech. 14. v. 1, 2, 3. And that is their greatest Tribulation in respect of Duration, it hath lasted above 1600 Years, and the Jews are not yet delivered.

It is hard to conceive that any future trou­ble of theirs should exceed that which is past, and especially seeing there are so many Promi­ses, that after their return, they should have no more such Sorrow and Captivity as before, Jer. 31. 10, 11, 12. Ezek. 34. 12. 22. Zeph. 3. 15. Zech. 9. 8. Am. 9. 14, 15. they shall no more be pulled out of their Land; and so they shall not again have their Houses rifled and Women ravished, nor go again into Captivity; as, Zech. 14. 2. And if so, then their greatest trouble mentioned, Dan. 12. 1. must be begun at Vespa­tian, and is almost expired, the worst of it is over; for there cannot be two greatest troubles to them, and Christ saith, there shall never be like to them, ( Mat. 24. 21.) It is usual for the Prophets in a few Lines, to express that which is fulfilling many Hundred Years; and so here in a Verse or two, may decipher the great and [Page 142] long Tribulations of the Jews, and also their deliverance, and reach even to the last Resur­rection, v. 2.

In short, those words [And there shall be a time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a Nation] may come in by a Parenthesis, discovering what shall intervene between Is­rael's rejection, and Michael's standing up for their deliverance, even a long and sore Tri­bulation.

Or else they must refer to this general Com­motion, which will be unparallelled in respect of astonishment and affrightment, but they will be more afraid than hurt, for then at that time they shall be delivered.

8. The setting up of the glorious Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the New Jerusalem, or the Glory of the Church here a Thousand Years, Rev. 20▪ and 21. and 22.

The Rise or first State of this Kingdom, will be speedily after the Resurrection of the Witnesses, and the first Conversion of the Jews, Rev. 11. 12, 15. and before the Thou­sand Years begin. This is the Kingdom of the Stone, Dan. 2. 34, 45. whose beginning will be small, and its way unpeaceable and trou­blesom, conflicting with Enemies, yet pre­vailing against and breaking of them▪ v. 45. So that this is not begun, so long as the Enemies of Christ are the prevailing Party, every where.

The second State of this Kingdom, will be­gin next after the Battel at Armageddon, this will be more Peaceable and Glorious, Isai. 2. 4. [Page 143] Mic. 4. 3, 4, 6, 7. The Church will enjoy great Liberty; for, her grand Enemy, the Dra­gon, will be under a wonderful Restraint, will be Bound a Thousand Years, Rev. 20 2.

It cannot note the State of the Saints to come in Heaven upon the Judgment of the Great Day; for, after that Satan will be loosed no more; whereas, after this, v. 3 8. he shall be loosed for a little season to deceive the Na­tions, after which, will speedily follow that last Day of Judgment, v. 7, 9, 11, 12. but of that day and hour knoweth no man, Mat. 24. 36.

And it cannot be past; for the Dragon hath never been bound a Thousand Years hitherto. The first Three hundred Years of Christ, he he was loose, ruling by Pagan Emperours, Rev. 12. 3. 4. And since hath been loose, sending forth not only Papism, but Mahumetism, out of the bottomless Pit after An. 600. Rev. 9. 1, 2, &c. which continue to this day; therefore he is not yet shut up in the bottomless Pit, and bound there, as Rev. 20. 1, 2, 3. and consequently the Thousand Years are not yet begun. And besides, when the Thousand Years are expired, Satan is loosed again, and his Party is destroyed in an immediate way, by fire from God out of Hea­ven, v. 9. and he is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone [where the Beast and the false Pro­phet are]. Therefore the Beast and false Pro­phet must be destroyed before the Thousand Years begin; else how could the Dragon be cast into the Lake where they were, if they had not been there before? and they are not there as yet, and so that time is not yet begun. They [Page 144] cannot be cast in during the Thousand Years, for Satan is bound all that time; whereas he is loose till they be in the Lake, and immediately before the Beast and false Prophet were cast in, the Dragon was not bound there, but assisted them at the Battel at Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13. 16. and so that time of a Thousand Years is not yet begun.

And this Thousand Years will be a glorious time; not Absolutely, as if Sinless; but Com­paratively, or compared with any former state of the Church since the Fall of Adam; so it will be a state of Blessedness, Dan. 12. 11, 12. Possi­bly it may be ushered in by a personal appea­rance of Christ in the Clouds; but I cannot say, that it will be by the personal presence and con­tinuance or reigning of Christ on Earth. Now will Ezekiel's City and Temple be erected, Ezek. 40. to the End of that Book, the glory of which will be, that the Name of it from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, Ezek. 48. 35. This is the time of finishing the Myste­ry of God in the seventh Trumpet, Rev. 10. 7. and 11. 15, &c.

Here will begin the State of the New Jeru­salem, which cometh down out of Heaven, Rev. 21, 1, 2. and is not by our going up to Heaven.

Here, will be such a new face of things, as if there were a New Heaven, and a New Earth. Rev. 21. 1. and great Changes for the better in the Civil, and Ecclesiastical State, great Purity of Administrations and Ordinances, and a glorious Divine Presence, v. 3. Zeph. 3. 9. Zech. 14. 20, 21.

[Page 145]Then there shall be given to Christ as, Dan▪ 7. 14. 22, 27. Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People, Nations and Lan­guages should serve him; and his Domi­nion is an everlasting Dominion, which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom that shall not be destroyed.