Generation-work, or, A brief and seasonable word offered to the view and consideration of the saints and people of God in this generation, relating to the work of the present age, or generation we live in wherein is shewed, I. What generation-work is, and how it differs from other works, II. That saints in the several generations they have lived in, have had the proper and peculiar works of their generations, III. That it is a thing of very great concernment for a saint to attend to and be industrious in, the work of his generation, IV. Wherein doth the work of the present generation lye, V. How each one in particular may find out that part or parcel of it, that is properly his work in his generation, VI. How generation-work may be so carried on, as that God may be served in the generation / by John Tillinghast ...

The Table of the Second Part.

The Introduction containing six gene∣ral Propositions in order to the whole.

• Proposition 1. THat we are there to begin the pouring forth of the Vials, where Anti∣christ first began to go off the Stage, p. 1, 2
• Prop. 2. That the Vials are all to be poured forth by such Angels only as come out of the Temple, p. 2
• Prop. 3. That Gods call to the Angels to pour out their Vials is to be looked for out of the Temple, p. 3
• Prop. 4. That the sub∣jects of each Vial, are things standing in pp∣sition to Christs King∣dome, chiefly things per∣taining to Antichrist, p. 4
• Prop. 5. That the effects of one Vial do oft-times run into another Vial, p. 5
• Prop. 6. That the Terms and Phrases relating to the Vials are to be under∣stood not in a litteral, but a metaphorical sense, p. 6

VIAL 1.

• 1 The subject of it, the Popish earth, or the corrupt Doctrine of Anti∣christ, p. 7
• 2 The effect; An in∣fectious stinking sore, (causing in others a loath∣ing, and withdrawing) upon the Assertors of Po∣pish principles, p. 8
• ...It began to be poured

• out about Luthers time, ib.

VIAL 2.

• 1. The subject of it, the Sea; 1. Not meant of Na∣tions in general, p. 9
• 2 Nor of the corrupt Doctrines of Antichrist concluded upon in the Council of Trent ib.
• 3 Nor of the Political State of the Roman Em∣pire, p. 10
• But,
• The Romish Discipline, or the Hierarchy and Cler∣gy of Rome, upon whom this Vial was poured out in England, Anno Dom. 1641. p. 10, 11, 12
• Two Objections answered,
• 1 Obj. The Hierarchy and Clergy of England, but an inferior part of the Ro∣mish Hierarchy and Cler∣gy, answered, ibid.
• 2 Obj England but one of the ten Horus answered, ib.
• 2 The Effects.
• 1 Effect; The Antichri∣stian Discipline appears cru∣el, corrupt, and becomes loathsom, p. 13.
• 2 Effect; All those that live and breath in this corrupted sea, die a civil death. ibid.
• Some remaining drops of this Vial yet to come, p. 14

VIAL 3.

• 1. The Subject of it; the Rivers and Fountains of waters.
• 1. Not to be understood of the Romish Bishops and Doctors, p. 14
• 2 Nor particularly of the Jesuits, ib.
• But of
• Some particular States and Kingdoms subjected to the Beast, with their heads and Rulers, p. 15, 16
• 2 The Effect; Bloody Wars arise in those Na∣tions, by which their Heads and chief Rulers are cut off, ib.
• 3 An Adjunct; A ju∣stification of God in the ex∣ecution of his wrath upon those Nations and their Heads,
• 1 By the instruments u∣sed to do the work, p. 17
• 2 By suffering Saints from some more remote

• place, p. 18
• A reason given why this Vial hath a double te∣stimony of the righteous∣ness of it, which none of the other Vials have, p. 19
• A reason also given why only the Instruments Christ useth, and suffering Saints give this testimony, ib.
• Two reasons given why Saints that have suffered in Scotland, do at present in Holland, do not with their fellow Brethren joyn in this testimony, p. 20
• The particular Nations this Vial falls upon, are England, the Low-Coun∣tries, and France, and the reason why, ibid.
• An Objection answered; How it can be just with God to punish these Nati∣ons, and their present Heads, for what was done formerly, seeing they can∣not help what their Fore∣fathers did, yea, are refor∣med and do disclaim it? p. 21
• This third Vial is the Vial we stand under, it hath for the greatest part passed over England alrea∣dy, is now passing upon Holland, and will shortly up∣on France, p. 22, 23

VIAL 4.

• 1. The Subject of it the Sun; 1. Not Christ, 2 Nor the Scriptures, p. 23
• But the German Empire, yet not the war past, wrath suddenly to come, p. 24, 25
• 2. An Adjunct, A power given to the Angels to scorch with fire, interpre∣ted of the Call the Angels of this Vial shall give to the Witnesses now lying dead in Germany, to arise, p. 26, 27, 28
• 3 The Effects;
• 1. Rage and vexation up∣on the Popish party, ibid.
• 2. Blaspheming God, ib.

VIAL 5.

• 1 The subject, the seat of the Beast;
• 1 Not Antichrists King∣dom in general, p. 29
• 2. Not the Popes Supre∣macy, ibid.
• 3. Not Episcopacy, p. 30
• But the City of Rome, p. 30, 31

• Two Objections answe∣red, ibid.
• 2 The Effects;
• 1. Effect, An eclipse of the glory of the Papal King∣dom, p. 32
• 2 Effect, Rage and mad∣ness upon the Papals, ib.
• 3. Effect, Blaspheming God, p. 33
• 3 The time when this Vial shall be poured forth, about the year 1656, ib.
• Two Reasons given why the Fourth and Fifth Vi∣als have so little time al∣lowed them for pouring forth, when the former have taken up much more, p. ib. 34

VIAL 6.

• 1 The Subject; The great River Euphrates; first not litterally to be un∣derstood, p. 35
• 2 Not meant of the riches and revenues of An∣tichrist, ib.
• 3 Not of the streams of Popish corruption, p. 36
• But,
• The Turkish Empire, p. 37
• Here is shewed why the Turkish Empire is called the Great River, and why the Great River Euphra∣tes.
• 2 The effect, a wasting the Turks power and mul∣titude. p. 38
• 3 The moving cause; To prepare a way for the Jews, both to their possessi∣on of their Land again, and also their receiving of Christ, p. 38, 39, Here is shewed why the Jews are called Kings, why Kings of the East,
• That the Jews con version shall be before the pouring out of the seventh Vial, proved p. 40, 41
• ...Three Objections answe∣red.
• Obj. 1. The words speak not of conversion, but pre∣paring a way thereto, an∣swered. p. 42
• Obj. 2. The Jews cannot be converted till after all the Vials, because no man could enter into the Tem∣ple till all the Vials were poured forth answered ib.
• Obj 3. The 21 and 22 Chapters of the Revela∣tion

• (which follow upon the seventh Vial) hold forth the Jews conversion, answered, p. 43
• 4 The Angel of this Vial.
• 1 Not the Jews them∣selves p 44
• 2 Not the Turk perfor∣ming it
• 1. Either by civil broyles, ibid.
• 2. Nor by a diversion of his forces to some other place, making way thereby for the Jews to rise, p. 45
• 3 Not Christ by any im∣mediate hand from hea∣ven, ib.
• But
• ...The Gentile Churches.
• Proved, p. 45. to 52. where also is shewed, the cause of this attempt made by the Gentile Saints upon the Turk, and the man∣ner how they shall carry it on. Here also the Prophe∣cies of the Stone, Dan. 2. and of the four Carpenters, Zach. 1. are opened; in do∣ing which, both are shew∣ed to be one, both are ap∣plyed to the Gentile-Saints; the Reason given why the Gentile-Saints are by Da∣niel called a Stone, by Zacharie, four Carpen∣ters.
• Quest, Who among the Gentile-Saints shall under∣take this enterprise.
• Answ. 1. The same In∣struments that shall ruin Rome, p. 52, 53. Here is shewed who they are that in all likelihood shall ruin Rome.
• 2 Four Characters ta∣ken out of the Prophets, and applyed to that people who shall have the princi∣pal hand in this great work p. 53, 54
• The Question propoun∣ded, Whether the Jewes first stirring shall be upon a bare Civil account, or not? Resolved at large, p. 54. to 62

The Interval betwixt the sixth and seventh VIALS.

• ...Four remarkable things falling within this Inter∣val.
• 1 Agents and Ambas∣sadors are sent forth from

• the Dragon, Beast and false Prophet unto the Kings of the earth, p. 63
• ... Here,
• 1 The terms are opened, and it is shewed
• 1. Who meant by Dragon ibid.
• 2. What we are to under∣stand by Beast, and false Prophet, Explained.
• 1 Beast in the Revela∣tion is sometimes spoken of without distinction, as though he were but one; When so, Beast denotes An∣tichrists twofold power, Civil and Ecclesiastical, p. 64. to 68. Here is shew∣ed, what is meant by Beast ascending out of the bot∣tomless pit, Chap. 11.7. why called, Chap. 17.8. the Beast that was, is not, yet is, shall ascend out of the bottomless pit. What meant by the seven Heads of the Beast. In what sense this Beast is called the Eighth, yet said to be of the Se∣ven.
• 2 Beast is sometimes spoken of with distinction, as though he were two; when so, one part denotes Antichrists Civil power, the other his Ecclesiasti∣cal, p. 68 to 69. 1 In this sense we read of two Beasts, Chap. 13. One Beast arising out of the Sea; this shewed to be An∣tichrist in his pure Civil State, why the seven Heads of the Beast are interpre∣ted, first of the seven Mountains of Rome, and secondly, of the seven di∣stinct Governments in the Roman Empire. Another Beast arising out of the Earth, this shewed to be Antichrist in his Eccle∣siastical State.
• That the first Beast can∣not be the whole body of the Roman Empire, p. 69
• These two Beasts did both rise together, p. 72
• And how ib.
• These Beasts, though two, are really one, and make up but one Antichrist ib.
• 2 In this sense, we al∣so read of a Beast and a Woman, Chap. 17. What meant by Beast, and Wo∣man.

• Why the second Beast is here called a Wo∣man? In what sense the Woman is interpreted the Great City, p. 72
• 3 In this sense we have in the Text a Beast, and a false Prophet mentioned. The false Prophets shewed to be the same with the se∣cond Beast, p. 110
• Why the second Beast in his third estate is called a false Prophet, p. 73, 74
• 2 The manner of the Dragon, Beast, and false Prophets sending forth their Agents; namely by a ge∣neral Convention of the Popish party. Two things debated in this General Assembly; from whence this result of sending forth Agents and Ambassadors all over the world doth a∣rise, p. 75
• 3 Their grand design in this Ambassy, p. 76
• 4 The Agents imployed in this Ambassy, why said to be three.
• ... Why said to come out of the mouth of the Dragon, Beast, and false Prophet.
• Five Characters given of them, p. 77, 78
• The second thing with∣in this Interval, viz. The Personal coming of Christ.
• 1 Proved to be within the Interval betwixt the sixth and and seventh Vi∣als.
• 1 Argument, Christ shall Personally come at the battle of Armageddon, grounded upon eight Pro∣phecies, which are opened, p. 79 to 88
• 2 Argument, Christs Personal coming shall be at the time of the Kingdoms restoring to Israel, proved from sundry Scriptures, Here is shewed that the time of restitution of all things, Act. 3.21. cannot be the General Judgement, p. 88, to 97
• Two Arguments to prove the former Position urged from the words themselves, p. 97 98
• ... Two Arguments more laid down in the General, tending to prove Christs

• Personal coming cannot be far off, ib.
• This coming we speak of is shewed to be the same ••th that coming common∣•••• called a coming to Judge∣••ent, p. 101 to 111. Where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shewed that there are but ••o Personal comings; ••ut not Martyrs onely, but ••l the Saints shall come ••ith Christ at this day. The ••ace Rev. 20.4, 5. answe∣••d.
• The difference of this ••inciple from the common ••ceived opinion, is shewed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be onely this; that af∣••ms the General Judge∣••ent to be instantly upon ••hrists coming: this main∣••ins that the thousand ••ars, Revel. 20. are to ••sue first, and after that ••e General Judgement.
• ... Here is discussed the ••ousand years, concern∣••g which it is assert∣••••,
• 1 That the thousand ••ars, six times repeated ••ap. 20. are one and the ••ins thousand years in all, p. 111
• 2 That the thousand years are a definite time, p. 111, 112
• 3 That they are yet to come, and to take their beginning from the Bat∣tel of Armageddon, p. 112, 113, 114
  • 1 Proved by three Ar∣guments.
  • 2 Answer is given to their Arguments, who reckon them past, and the grounds of them shewed to be mistakes p. 114, to 119
• The whole time from Christs appearing to the end of the world may be called in a large sense a day of Judgement, p. 119
• Two special differences betwixt the Judgement passed in the time of the thousand years, and that which shall be at the last day, p. 119, to 122. Where the manner of Saints ru∣ling, and reigning, and judging the world is open∣ed.
• ...Two Objections answe∣red.
  • 1 Objection, How can

• ...
  • this be, seeing the world is to be destroy∣ed by fire at Christs coming, Answered, p. 122, to 124
  • 2 Objection, How can this agree to the state of glorified souls, or how will it stand with Saints glory and spi∣rituality, answered, p. 124, to 127
• The whole concluded, with three Rules laid down to judge of such Scrip∣tures as speak of Christs Second coming, p. 127 to 129
• 3 Christs Watel word to his people. Five Reasons given of it, why the duty of watchfulness is by Christ annexed to the Dictrine of his second coming, p. 129, to 138. Inhandling these the steep of the ten Virgins spo∣ken of Mat 25. is opened.
• 4 Christs providential disposing of his enemies, p. 139, to 142. Here is shew∣ed what is meant by Arma∣geddon.

VIAL 7.

• 1 The Angel pouring it forth, Christ himself, p, 142
• 2 The Subject of it, the Air, nothing the pouring forth of this Vial to be universal, upon 1 The whole Kingdom of the Dragon. 2 The whole Kingdom of Antichrist. 3 The King∣dom of the Great Turk. 4 The Kingdoms of this world, p. 142, 143, 144. Here is shewed why a change of speech is used in this Vial, different from all the rest.
• 3 The Adjunct. A great voyce shewed,
• 1 Whose voyce this is, p. 144
• 2 The meaning of the voyce, p. 145
• 3 Why said to come from the Throne, p. 146
• 4 Why the Throne the voyce comes from, is said to be in the Temple of Heaven, p. 148
• Here is shewed that the New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21. Chap. 22. can∣not

• be meant of Heavenly glory, but must be a glo∣rious state of the Church on Earth proved by seven Arguments, p. 148, to 152
• No outward Ordinances to be in the New Jerusalem p. 152, to 157
• An Objection answered, where is shewed what is meant by the going up to Jerusalem Zach. 14. to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, p. 157
• The reason given why a particular description of New Jerusalems glory is forborn, p. 158
• Three Rules laid down to judge of such Prophe∣cies as concern the New Jerusalem, p. 160, to 166. Here is shewed under our first Rule, That Ezekiel in his eight last Chapters treats of the same thing that John doth in his two last and that Ezekiels Tem∣ple is no other but that Throne of God, and of the Lamb spoken of by John.
• 4 The Effects.
• 1 Effect, Terror, p. 166
• 2 Effect, Ruin, where∣in we have
• 1 A particular List of the things ruined, which are,
• 1 The Great City which cannot be meant of the Ci∣ty Rome, but of the whole power of the Beast p. 170
• 2 The Cities of the Nati∣ons, shewed what meant by them, p. 171
• 3 Great Babylon, ib.
• 1 Not the City Rome, ib.
• 2 Not Antichrists King∣dom in general, ib.
• But,
• The Turkish power, or Constantinople his Royal Seat p. 172
• A reason given for this Interpretation, ibid.
• A reason also given why at this time the Fur∣kish Seat should be called Great Babylon, together with some Scriptures that carry in them a probability of the thing esserted, p. 173
• In order to the discussing the things spoken of, in opening this second Effect, it is premised and proved, That the Turk shall be one principal Enemy in the bat∣tel

• of Armageddon, p. 167, to 169. Here Gog and Magog is treated of, and the gathering together of Gog and Magog, mentioned Rev. 20. shewed to be not that gathering together of Gog and Magog spoken of by Ezekiel, but another. Here also is shewed that many of those places in the Prophets where mention is made of the Assyrians rage, have reference to the Great Turk, and are to be under∣stood of him.
• 2 The inevitableness of this ruin, p. 173
• ...What meant by Moun∣tains and Islands, and by their flying away.
• 3 The greatness of this ruin, p. 174
• Why hailstones said to weigh a talent, ib.
• 3 Effect, Blaspheming God, p. 175
• ...The Conclusion of the whole,
• The Reason added of the Order observed in pouring forth the VIALS. p. 176

The end of the second Table.