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 ...

CHAP. I. Wherein is set forth the state or condition of the Two Witnesses within their Prophecying time, and the time of their being killed, and that from Rev. 11. ver. 3. to 13.

SECT. 1.

HAving in the fore-going Preface delivered so much, as I judged meet by way of Pre∣amble unto this our Discourse: I shall here, without spinning out the time, or tiring the Readers patience, whilst I detain him upon the way, a∣bout things of lesser concernment, enter strait way upon the thing it self.

That the Two Witnesses are the Magistracy and the Ministry, appears to me a thing without dispute, the allusion is so clear to Zerubbabel and Joshua, compare Rev. 11 4. with Zech. 4 11, 14. of which two, one was chief Magistrate, the other chief Priest: and both these, Prince and Priest, were Sons of Oyl, i.e. anoin∣ted in times of old, therefore by Zechary and John both, called two Olive trees: Onely there is (as Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the Two Witnesses hath observed) this twofold difference betwixt the Type and the Anti∣tipe.

1 Ze••hary sees two Olive Trees, but no Temple; But John sees first a Temple, ver 1. and then two Olive trees. The reason is, they in Zecharies time had as yet no Tem∣ple built, but were to begin the world anew; But now

the work of Johns two Witnesses, is not to build a Tem∣ple anew, so much as to preserve and keep that they had.

2 Zechary seeth two Olive trees, and but one Candle∣stick: John two Olive Trees and two Candlesticks; the reason is this Zechary wrote in the time of the Law, whilst the Church was National, and so the two did belong to one Church, John in Gospel-times when Chur∣ches were Congregational, and so the two might be of several Churches.

Now the thing which doth yet further perswade me to hold to this Exposition, is, That excellent Ana∣logie it carries with it to that of the two Beasts, Chap. 13. which two Beasts (as I have made appear upon the Vials, p. 101, to 108.) are no other, but Antichrist in his Civil and Ecclesiastical State, or the Magistracy and Mini∣stry of Antichrist. Now observe it, as Antichrist by a twofold power, a power Magisterial and Ministerial, doth all the time of the Two and forty moneths oppress the Woman, drive her into the Wilderness, tread under foot the Holy City, i.e. the People, Truths, and Worship of Christ: so doth Christ all this time, by the very same two∣fold power, comfort and nourish the woman, bear witness unto, and maintain his own truth and worship alive in the world. So that in short, Christ raiseth up his Two Wit∣nesses in opposition to Antichrists two Beasts: Antichrist for Forty two moneths, or One thousand two hundred and sixty days, stands up with two Beasts to blaspheme God, persecute the Saints, tread under foot the Holy City; Christ against him stands up with Two Witnesses to main∣tain his name and honor, cherish his people, uphold his cause and worship in the world. And as Antichrists two Beasts are no other but the false Magistracy, and Ministry: so contrariwise Christs two Witnesses, are his true Magi∣stracy, and Ministry.

SECT. II.

THey are called Witnesses, their name being given them from their work, because their work is to bear witness for Christ against the Beast; and that each in his place all the Forty two months that the Beast doth Tyrannize, and the Holy City is trodden underfoot.

The Magistrate, as a Magistrate bearing publick witness against the unjust oppressions of the Beast, and his lawless Tyranny over the Estates and bodies of men, yea and consciences too. The Minister, as a Minister against the cursed institutions of Antichrist, either in Doctrine or Discipline.

Here its necessary we distinguish betwixt that general witness-bearing that is common to all ages; and that spe∣cial witness-bearing which is peculiar to these Witnesses, and to this time, viz. of the one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

There is a general Testimony which the people of God in all ages give for Christ against the World, Sin, Satan, Op∣pression, Error, &c. But that testimony barely doth not bring him who bears it within the number of these two Witnesses. A Magistrate in his place, may oppose Tyran∣ny, Oppression, &c. a Minister in his, error, and false Doct∣rine, and yet neither of them Christs two Witnesses, if there be not in both an opposing themselves to that special evill, whether it be in things Civill or Ecclesiastical that was at first brought in, or being brought in is upheld by the Beast; for the peculiar work of these witnesses, and the thing wherein lies the specifical difference betwixt these witnesses and others, is, That these bear witness for Christ against the Beast. Which is most evident,

1 Because Christ hath paired his Witnesses in the same manner as the Beast hath his. The Beast (as but now I

observed) stands up with two witnesses, viz, an Antichri∣stian Magistracy and Ministry, to maintain his cause. On the contrary, Christ stands up with two witnesse, (or a pair of Witnesses) viz. a true Magistracy and Ministry, to oppose the Beast, and maintain his cause.

2 Because Its for this Reason Christ entitles them my Witnesses—because in Christs behalf they shall stand up against Antichrist; as those are said to be such a mans witnesses, that bear witness for him against his Adversa∣ry. All that time the Beast stands up, and would per∣swade the world that he is in the truth, and his cause the right; these two Witnesses on the contrary stand up, and profess before the world, that he is the Beast, and his cause the cause of Antichrist, and not of Christ.

3 Which is the principal Reason, because the time that these Witnesses bear their witness, is the very time of the Beasts reign. The time of the Beasts reign, and treading under foot the Holy City, is Forty two months, Rev. 13.5, Chap. 11.2. The time of these two Witnesses is One thou∣sand two hundred and sixty days, Vers. 3. And I will give power to my two Witnesses, and they shall Prophecy one thousand two hundred and sixty days—

Now that the Forty two months, and the One thousand two hundred and sixty days are one and the same, I prove, not onely from the general consent of Expositors, who ac∣knowledge the thing, giving this reason for it, Because (say they) forty two mouths reduced into days, and reck∣oning thirty days to each month, which is the Grecian account, which John writing to the Church of GOD then resident among the Greeks did observe, make up the full sum of One thousand two hundred and sixty days, not a day over or under. But I prove it hence, that indeed this thing must needs be so; for let it be considered what is the very cause that these two Witnesses wear sackcloth this long term of one thousand two hundred and sixty years,

the cause is, not the sufferings of the Saints thoughout this time, for had that been the cause, then should these Wit∣nesses have put on their sackeloth more early, viz. with the time of the ten first Persecutions, which was a day of as sore sufferings as ever any hath been since, but then these two Witnesses here mentioned were not in their sackcloth; but contrariwise, the Woman all that time was cloathed with the Sun, Chap. 12.1. the two Witnesses in Sackcloth therefore were not then up: But the cause, yea, the very cause why the Witnesses wear mourning attire, is, because they hear the continual Blasphemies of the Beast against God, his name and Tabernacle, and them that dwel in Heaven: They see the Holy City, the Truths and Wor∣ship of Christ trodden under foot by the Beast, and they not able to rescue them out of his hands, this makes them put on sackcloth, and mourn before the Lord. Now con∣sider, the term of time that is given to the Beast to con∣tinue to do these things, is forty two months; this being so, it will follow, that in case this forty two months were a time either longer or shorter than the one thousand two hundred and sixty days; then must also the witnesses wear∣ing sackcloth be by so much longer or shorter then 1260 days: for continue the cause, and we continue the effect also; and contrariwise, take away the cause, and the effect ceaseth.

Upon this Principle, it being a thing manifestly clear that the 42 months, the 1260 days, make up but one and the same number of years, which also must of necessity be∣gin and end together; Hence it is evident, that that very act, which I may call the constitutive act, i. e. the act which makes these Witnesses to be such, is bearing witness against the Beast; take this away, though they may stand up against all the evill that is in the world besides, yet are they not Christs Witnesses, if they do not in particular ap∣pear against the evil of the Beast; for if this be not the meaning, what reason is or can be given, why their witness-Bearing

should be thus restrained onely to the time of the Beast; seeing in the other sense its a duty in all ages to bear witness, and those Instruments the Lord hath raised up in all ages have done it.

1 Hence a man may be a godly man, and in a more ge∣neral way bear witness for Christ, and yet none of Christs Two Witnesses.

2 Hence its of more concernment than many are aware of, to be inquiring into, and publickly appearing against whatsoever is of the Beast, though the thing be never so small. A man in publick place may cease to be a witness of Christ, if publickly he do not bear witness against these things.

3 Hence, such Laws, Principles, and Practices as tend to suppress this witness-bearing against the Beast, are themselves expressely Antichristian, and of the Beast,

SECT. III.

THese Witnesses are called two, because of the few∣ness of them, say some; Because two is a number sufficient to bear a witness, and without two a witness is invalid, say others. I no way disapprove these conjectures, but I must confess, I judge it most agreeable to the Text to say, they are therefore called two, because they consist of two sorts, or two ranks of men, viz. Christs Magi∣states and Ministers that he hath raised up to main∣tain his cause against Antichrists Magistrates and Mi∣nisters.

They are said to be clothed in sackcloth, to note thus much, That all the time of the 1260 days their condition shall be outwardly low, they being trampled upon, and tr••∣den under foot by the Beast: But more especially to fig∣nifie how that these Two Witnesses should all this time be inwardly law, wearing sackcloth (the mourning attite

in times of old) mourning before God, because (as I have said) they hear his glorious Name blasphemed, behold the Holy City trodden under foot, and the whole world deceived by the Beast.

They are said by fire to destroy their Enemies, ver. 5. To shut Heaven that it rain not in the days of their Pro∣phecy, ver. 6. both which things are taken out of the Histo∣ry of Elijah, 1 King. 1.10. 1 King. 17.1. Farther, they are said to have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will, ver. 6. which is taken out of the Story of Moses and Aaron in Aegypt.

The whole (as I conceive) sets forth this, the great damage that the Antichristian party shall sustain all the time of the 1260 days, by means of these two Witnesses: who shall have such power with God, as oftentimes to bring down his heavy wrath upon the persons of their per∣secutors, which is the thing noted ver. 5. by their devouring and killing their enemies by fire: and also upon their prin∣cipal interests, which I take to be the thing specially in∣tended, ver. 7. by their shutting Heaven, turning waters into blood, smiting the earth with plagues, i.e. The Popish Heaven, waters, earth, shall all suffer by means of these two Witnesses in the time of their prophecy.

By the whole description of the two Witnesses (as saith our German Author in his Cl. p. 66, 67.) God doth declare that what mercies in times of old he hath shewed unto his people, the Children of Israel, the same he will also shew in the New Testament unto them that beleeve. He will give them Joshuahs and Zerubbabels, saithful Teachers, and religious Rulers and Governors, who shall fit and edifie them unto the Temple of God, and as Candlesticks give light unto them with their pure doctrine, and as Olive trees assist them with powerful consolation. He will give them zealous Elija's, and Elisha's, who shall fight a∣gainst

the whore Jezabel, the Priests of Baal and other persecutors.

He will also at length send them his Moses's and Aarons, who shall deliver them, and bring them forth out of Anti∣christian bondage.

SECT. IV.

THe Witnesses, their testimony finished, are to be kil∣led, v. 7. And when they shall have finished their te∣stimony, the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless p••t shall make war against them, and shall overcome them and kill them. In this state they are to continue three days and a half, ver. 9, 11. Though our discourse of the three days and a half according to the strictness of order should come in afterwards, yet in regard the opening hereof will afford us light into some things that follow, I have chosen to place it before.

That these three days and a half cannot be (as is the opinion of many worthy men, who look upon the death of the Witnesses to be a corporal death) a time equiva∣lent to the 1260 is evident;

1 Bec. then there should be no distinction at all betwixt the time of their Prophecying and their being killed, if through all the 1 260 daies, which is the time of their Pro∣phecy, we should suppose them to be killed, Now the Text hath made a manifest distinction betwixt these two times.

2 Becanse its improper to say that Christs witnesses a∣gainst Antichrist should prophecy all the 1260 days and yet be killed too; For put case the Beast all this time did put some to death, yet so long as Christ at the same time, and in the same place had always others in their room, his witnes∣ses were not killed. A man is not without witness, though some witnesses are taken away, in case others stand up and appear in their room. Nay those witnesses which all the 1260 dayes were put to death by the Beast, did most o∣minently in dying bear witness for Christ, for to dis for

the truth, is a living standing testimony to it. That kil∣ling therefore could not be a killing as witnesses, he who for truths sake loves not his life to the death, is even in dying a most glorious witness of the truth.

3 Its said ver. 10. that when the two witnesses lie dead, the dwellers on the earth rejoyce, for this reason, because they are dead who tormented them. Now did the dwel∣lers on the earth thus rejoyce all the ••260 days? when were they then tormented? Will the Text bear it to say, they were tormented all this time, and yet rejoyced too? This the Authors or upholders of this opinion must neces∣sarily assert. Nay why do they rejoyce at their death? why, because being dead they fear no hurt from them, which whilst they prophecyed they did, for they felt of them, as ver. 5 6. therefore their prophecying and killing must be as two distinct things, and so at two distinct times.

4 Because, How could they be witnesses all this time if dead? Doth a man when he hath a cause to be tried go to dead men that they would stand witnesses for him, or to living? Or how did they Prophecy if dead? Can dead men prophecy, or are prophecying men dead?

5 Why are they said to be killed onely in the street (or one street) of the great City, ver. 8. and not in the whole City? seeing in this sense they have been within the 1260 days more or less killed all over the great City, i.e. through∣out the whole Papal Jurisdiction?

6 What difference will there be (according to this opi∣nion) betwixt their being killed and put into graves, if we take both for a bodily death, which this opinion doth?

7 And lastly, How (according to this opinion) are they all the three days and a half kept unbu∣ried? or how at the end of these three days and a half shall those Witnesses which were killed rise again? for shall we think thus, that the bodies of Saints martyred by divers means, and in sundry places, for the space of 1260

years together, shall all that time lie unburied, be kept out of graves? And then 2. This time expired, life enters into these bodies, and they rise again. The Text according to this interpretation doth strongly inforce both, for if we conceive their killing to be corporal, by the same reason must their burial and their resurrection also.

We are necessitated therefore from the clear Text, and reason it self, to reject this opinion, and seek another. That therefore which is more consonant to the words, and doth not wrap us up in such a labyrinth of Intricacies, is to in∣terpret the three dayes and a half (which is the time of their being killed) of ordinary Prophetical days, noting three years and a half, which three years and a half are not to be added to the 1260. as a lesser period, which takes beginning where the greater ends, because then (as one saith well) the Beast should Tyrannize above 42. months, the woman be in the Wilderness above 1260 days, namely 1263 and a half, whereas the utmost tyranny of the Beast is but 42 months, the utmost period of the womans being in the wilderness but 1260 days; but we are to look upon them as a smaller period comprehended within the greater; or to speak plainly, we are to understand them of the very last three days and a half of the 1260. and therefore M. Mede in his Cl and our German Author in his, both trans∣late those words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when they shall have finished their testimony, Chap. 11. thus, Cum finituri sint testimonium suum, When they are about to finish their testimony, the 1260 days now drawing to an end, then shall the Beast make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

As for that urged by a late Author, who calls in reason to be Umpire or Judge in this business, how the Beast now ready to die (as our Author supposeth he will at the end of the 1260 days) should be so magnanimous and warlike as to kill the Witnesses? how (the Sea being at this time

tempestnous, the earth terribly shaken) can it be imagined that the Sont of the Sea and Earth, i. e. wordly men, should be so jocund, and to banquet it, sport it, make mer∣ry, send gifts one to another, &c. as they shall do in the day the witnesses lye dead. I say no more but this, that all time upon a mistake, viz. That the rise of the Witnesses shall not be till the Empire of the ten-horned Beast (i.e. Civil power of Antichrist) is in a manner destroyed: and this upon another, that the subject of the fifth Vial is the poli∣tical state of the present Roman Empire (or Antichrists Civil State.) But as I have in my discourse upon the Vials proved the Subject of that Vial to be another thing: so let me say here to the first, it cannot be, because the Whore but a little before Romes fall is so high and proud, as that she fears no danger, but saith, I sit as a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow, which were her political State (where lyes her outward strength, and as for inward she hath none) destroyed, she should have little cause thus to brag and brave. Nay what do the wit∣nesses after their rise, if the Beasts power were destroyed before? onely kill him, whose sword was taken away be∣fore they came at him? Or how falls the tenth part of the City, upon their rise, if it were fallen before?

SECT. V.

AS for the particular time of the Witnesses slaughter, the most certain and convincing demonstration that can be given thereof, is, that which must be fetched from a right supputation of the 1260 days, which is the term of their Prophecy, their killing time being (as hath been faid) the very last three days and a half of the 1260. But be∣cause the doing hereof, to free the truth from the mists men have raised about it, will require in a manner a Treatise of it self; and also because no Mystical number, by rea∣son

of that glorious harmony that is in all, can carry with it that forcible demonstration going alone, as will appear to be in it, when accompanied with others; I shall there∣fore (that I may not make this single Section to become a Book) wave this enquiry in this place, contenting my self to lay down two or three more general Conclusions, con∣cerning this Grand Question, What time we are to pitch upon as the killing time of the Witnesses?

The Conclusions themselves are these:

1 CONCLUSION, That the killing of the Witnesses shall be in that very three years and a half, which shall immediately precede the Jews first stirring, which is manifestly clear hence, because Daniels 1290 dayes which point us to the time of the Jews first stirring, are con∣current in their end, with the end of he time, times, and a half, which is the time of the Witnesses rising, as shall be made appear in our following Discourse.

2 To this agrees what I have formerly written upon the Vials. The rise of the Witnesses I have there stated under the fourth Vial. The drying up of the Turkish Powers, thereby to instate the Jews in their own Land under the Sixth. Now as the first stirring of the Jews must needs be some little time before the sixth Vial is poured out, because their stirring is (as I have shewed) the chief moving cause to the Gentile Saints to engage in this War against the Turk: So also it is observable, that the time from the Witnesses rise until the pouring out of the sixth Vial, shall be but a very little time, the fourth and fifth Vials being both to be poured out in an instant upon the resurrection of the Witnesses, as may be seen with the reasons thereof in our Discourse upon the fifth Vial. Hence, in regard the first stirring of the Jews must of necessity be before the pouring out of the sixth Vial, as the cause is before the effect, and the time betwixt the Witnesses rise, and the sixth Vial is so short, we may very

well conclude, that the first workings among the Jews themselves in a way of stirring, will be upwards, even as high as the time of the Witnesses resurrection.

And for this reason, because the Jews shall about the time of Romes ruine (which falls in the middle time be∣twixt the fourth and sixth Vials) be stirring, are the praises rendred for Romes fall (as is Mr. Cottons conjecture) expressed by an Hebrew word, Hallelujah, Revel. 19.1, 2, 3, 4.

2 CONCLƲSION, That the killing of the Wit∣nesses shall be but a little before the downfal of Rome, which therefore presently falls upon their rise.

First, The Order of the Vials proves this, for under the fourth Vial the Witnesses rise, as upon the Vials I have shewed. This Vial is poured out in an instant, and therefore said to be in an hour; In the same hour the tenth part of the City fell, Rev. 11.13. that is, Germany, one of the ten Horns, and the very place (as shall appear by and by) where the Witnesses lye dead, is upon their re∣surrection, in an instant broken off, from being any longer a Horn in Antichrists Kingdome; and then as the next thing, and that in an instant too, is Rome ruined, by the pouring out of the fifth Vial. So that Romes ruine suc∣ceeding presently upon the rise of the Witnesses, their killing must be but a little before it.

Secondly, This is further clear, Rev. 18.7. where wee have the proud Whore instantly before her downfal glory∣ing, I sit as a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. What is the cause hereof? Ans. Undoubtedly the very same with the cause of that joy and triumph of the Papals, which is expressed by making merry, sending gifts one to another, Rev. 11.10. And what was that, but the death of the Witnesses? as the Text tells us. Upon this Victory over the Witnesses, that had been but a little be∣fore struggling with her, and like to have ruined her, the

Whore is now so imperiously proud, that as Nebuchad∣••ezzar of old, a little before his fall speaks out, Is not this great Babel that I have built; so she also in her pride cries out, I sit as a Queen, am no widow, and shall see no sorrow; as to say, I was lately afraid I should have been spoyled of my glory, been made a widow, and seen for∣row, but now it is otherwise, my enemies are under my feet, I am Mistress and Ruler, therefore I sit as a Queen, &c.

And that the killing of the Witnesses should be here noted, is yet more clear, if we consider, how that as those words are spoken in the present tense, and therefore cannot relate to former past boastings, so do they admirably agree in point of time to the killing of the Witnesses; for that (as I have said) is to be in the very last three days and a half of the Beasts Tyranny, and the Witnesses wearing Sackcloth, which time is no sooner expired, but, as one of the first things, Rome is ruined; accordingly this boast is immediately before Romes ruine. And therefore observe the words themselves, and you shall find, that even whilst the Whore is in this jolly fit, instantly and unex∣pectedly comes her ruine upon her, and the downfal of Rome her chief City, Rev. 18.8. Therefore shal her plagues come upon her in one day, death, and mourning, and fa∣mine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her; Vers. 10. For in one hour is thy judgement come. So Vers. 17.19. One day, one hour, that is from the time of her glorying, whilst she is thus glorying over the dead Winesses, up start the Wit∣nesses, down falls Rome.

3 CONCLƲSION, That the killing of the Witnesses shall be in the latter end of the third Vial.

Two things proved make this Conclusion firm.

1 That some Vials shall be poured out before the slaughter of the Witnesses.

2 That the Vials poured out, shall be only the three first.

The first of these is sufficiently proved by Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the two Witnesses, p. 20 21, 22, 23. I shal not here repeat his Arguments, but refer the Roader to the Author himself, with adding this farther word, that John being, by one of the seven Angels which had the 7 Vials, carried away into the Wilderness, there to have the inter∣pretation of the Vials, is to me a manifest Argument, that some of the Vials are poured out whilst yet the Woman remains in the wilderness; why else should the Angel of one of the Vials carry John into the wilderness, there to learn the meaning of this mystery, if the true Spouse of Christ, to whom he reveals these secrets, were not, and that even in the time of some of the Vials, abiding there? Yea let me adde (which will something more help us) that I conceive this Angel to be no other but the Angel of the third Vial; my reason is, because the interpretation of the Vials, which is the thing revealed to John, Chap. 17. Chap. 18. &c. begins with the third Vial, for the first thing after the description of the Whore her self, which is to be judged, that relates to her judgement, is the Lambs overcoming some of the Horns, vers. 14. which act is to be referred to the third Vial, as I shall shew presently. And indeed the reason why in the explication of the Vials, the two first are left out, and the Angel begins with the third, is, because (as I have observed upon the Viols, p. 260, 261, 262.) Christ in the two first Vials is but re∣gaining his own, not yet invading his Enemies Domi∣nions, till the third: Now because all that John in the ex∣plication hath shewed him, is only the judgement of the Beast and Whore, which (as I have said) are first described, then their judgement peece by peece declared; therefore the two first Vials are omitted, as being another thing, ra∣ther (I say) Christs getting his own, then as yet judging his Enemy, and he begins with the third, where the judge∣mens of the Where, the work of breaking the Great

Image, casting down the Thrones of the Fourth Beast begins.

This being so, as it teacheth us that the discovering-time of the Great Whore in her true Colours, and the judgements o•• God to be executed on her, and the glori∣ous Kingdom of Christ to follow thereupon, is to be looked for under the third Vial, the Angel of that Vial shewing John these things; So also it teacheth us, that under the third Vial, the Church is to be in the wilder∣ness, therefore John is carried thither to learn these things: But beyond this Vial she is not to be there, as also I shall shew by and by: The term therefore of the Womans being in the wilderness expiring under the third Vial, it hence follows, That the death of the witnesses, which is the concluding time of that long term, should likewise fall under the third Vial.

And indeed, because the blackest day, one of them that ever the Church of Christ met with, is to befal her under the third Vial, in the latter part of it, therefore (as I conceive) are the glorious discoveries of the judgement of the Great Whore, and the Beast her Enemy, and of the Kingdom of Christ, following thereupon, made known to the Saints under the third Vial, to bear up their spirits in this day; it being the way of God with his people, wh••n he brings any fore sufferings on them to forelay them with somewhat which may make them able to bear it. This I adde in the general only.

I come now more particularly to prove the thing, viz. That the killing of the Witnesses is to be under the third Vial, at the latter end thereof.

My Reasons are these;

1 Because the Angel of the fourth Vial hath this work committed to him by special dispensation, over and besides the pouring forth of his Vial (though he performs it together with that) viz. To give call to, and assist

the Witnesses rising. (See my Discourse upon the fourth Vial.) By consequence therefore, the Witnesses must lye dead in the latter end of the third, because the Angel of the fourth Vial, no sooner begins to pour out his Vial, but immediatel, they are rising.

2 Because the particular acts of the Witnesses imme∣diately preceding their killing (which killing therefore is recorded in the next verse after these acts, Rev. 11.6, 7.) seem to me to have a peculiar look unto the three first Vials, agreeing with them most exactly (according to that interpretation I gave of them, whilst yet I had no such thing in mine eye) both in their subjects and effects also. As let us compare each with other.

1 The subject of the first Vial is the Popish Earth; the effect, an infectious sore; accordingly the Witnesses are said to smite the Earth, and that with plagues, or infecti∣ous sores, as often as they will.

2 The subject of the second Vial is the Popish Sea, i.e. the Romish Ecclesiastical, or Church-State: The effect of it, a discovery of the same to be corrupt and mortal; accordingly the witnesses have a power to shut Heaven that it rain not, that is, they shall make it appear, that the Antichristian Heaven, or Church-State (so much boasted of as being the only Church) is a dry barren Hea∣ven, affording no rain, to give life or nourishment to those that live under it.

3 The subject of the third Vial is the Rivers and fountains of waters; the effect, they become blood; ac∣cordingly, the witnesses have a power to turn waters into blood. Now these acts performed by the witnesses im∣mediately before their killing, agreeing so fully to the three first Vials in their subjects and effects both; undoubtedly we are not to look upon this admirable Harmony, to be a thing falling by accident (especially considering too, that by these acts the witnesses are said to torment the Papals,

ver. 10. which to do by Saints and Witnesses, is the pro∣per work of the Vials,) but rather to have its rise in the all∣wise Counsel of God, who hereby would give his to under∣stand, that the three first Vials are to be poured out before the fourth, then the death of the Witnesses to be expected.

This Observation confirms me in two things.

1 That in stating our selves (in my discourse on the Vials) to be at this persent time under the third Vial, I was led to state the thing aright.

2 That the judgement there made of the subjects and effects of the three first Vials is truth, by reason of the an∣swerableness of the Vials, according to that interpretation, to the acts of the witnesses immediately preceding the time of their slaughter.

3 Reason, Because the slaughter of the witnesses is to fall in the interval betwixt the War of the Lamb with the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 17.14. and the ruin of Rome. This war of the Lamb is a Civil war, a war made by a Civil sword, because it is a war made with the Beasts ci∣vil Power, namely, his horns; And secondly, It is a Civil Power, namely, some of the ten Kings, that are vanquished by this war, He shall overcome them— that is, such of the ten horns, or Kings, as shall war against him, (the whole, or all the ten horns being here put for a part) and for this reason. I conceive, doth the Lamb at this day go under that Title, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, because in this war he shall vanquish and tread under foot Kings, Lords, &c.

Now this war must by all circumstances be a war with∣in the Vials.

1 Because Its the Angel of one of the Vials that shews it unto John, ver. 1.

2 Because Christ hath so many chosen ones accompany∣ing him in this war, which is an Argument that Christ had many in the world at this day who had got the victory

over the Beast, and could stand and face him in a war∣like way, which was not till the work of the Vials was begun.

3 Because Its the immediate forerunner of Romes ruin, the story of which therefore comes in, in the next Chapter.

It being so, this war can belong to no other but the Third Vial, the subject of which, I have shewed upon the Vials is some particular States and Kingdoms subject∣ed to the Beast, i.e. some of the ten horns, whose Heads, Rulers, &c, fall by the pouring forth of that Vial. Nay it must be so, because (as I have said before) this is the first thing revealed to John as touching the judgement of the Beast, whose judgement (in the explication of the Vials) begins with the Third Vial.

Now observe in the interval betwixt this war and Romes destruction, we have the proud Whore brought in glorying Chap. 18.7. I sit as a Queen, &c. and what's the cause hereof, but onely the Victory obtained now, in the concluding time of her Kingdom, over the witnesses, as we have already noted. I therefore conclude, the slaughter of the witnesses must fall in this interval. If in this in∣terval, then must it be in the latter end of the Third Vial; for upon the pouring out of the Fourth they rise; yea, the Fourth Vial being to fall upon Germany (as in open∣ing the Vials I have shewed) and Germany being (as shall appear) the place in which the witnesses lie dead, it cannot be thought that the death of the witnesses should or can come under the fourth Vial; for how improper, yea absurd would it be to say, Christs witnesses by the power of the Beast lye dead in Germany, even whilst Christ by his people is pouring out a Vial of wrath upon it? It must therefore of necessity be, seeing we are to place their killing betwivt the war of the Lamb with the Kings of the Earth, and Romes ruin, that we should place it

towards the end of the third Vial.

Obj. But it may be said, That the Vials are all to come under the seventh Trumpet; for upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, it is said, Thy wrath is come, Rev. 11.18. and what wrath should this be, but the Vials of wrath? if so, then must the killing of the Witnesses, which ap∣pertains to the woe of the sixth Trumpet, be past and over, and that before any one of the Vials are poured forth.

Ans. 1. For the matter of the Objection, it cannot be, that all the V••als should come under the seventh Trumpet,

1 Because Its expesly said of the seventh Trumpet, that in the days when the seventh Angel should begin to sound, time should be no longer, Chap. 10.7. But if af∣ter his sounding all the Vials were to be poured forth, which already in pouring forth have taken up above 100 years, time (even after his sounding) should be a great while.

2 Because Its also said in the same verse, That when the seventh Angel should begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished: but if all the Vialls, which compre∣hend within them the whole mystery of judging the Beast, conversion of the Jews, &c. were to be poured out after∣wards, then could not the time of the seventh Angels sounding be the finishing time of mysteries, but rather the beginning time. It cannot therefore be that the seventh Trumpet should comprehend within it all the Vials; it is therefore better to say that the seventh Trumpet is contem∣porary with the seventh and last Vial only; and indeed they very patly answer the one to the other, for

1 Upon the seventh Trumpets sounding, its said, The mystery of God is finished. So upon the seventh Angels pouring out his Vial, It is done, What is that? but the same with the other, it is finished.

2 Upon the seventh Angels sounding, the Kingdome of this world are all subject to Christ, Rev. 11.15. now the

doing of this is the proper and peculiar work of the seventh Vial, as our discourse on that Vial proveth.

3 The seventh Angels sounding, is the time of reward∣ing Saints, not some onely, but all of them, small and great, ver: 18. this comes under none of the Vials but the seventh onely, which comprehends within it the time of the New Jerusalem, the time of rewarding the dead and li∣ving Saints.

4 Upon the seventh Angels sounding there are light∣nings, and voyces, and thundrings, and an earthquake, and great hail, ver. 19. This is peculiar to the seventh and last Vial, and answers to the plague of it almost ver∣batim, Revel. 16.18, 21. Therefore I say the seventh Trumpet is contemporary with the seventh Vial, and no other. The matter of the Objection is therefore a mis∣take.

2 For the ground of it, which lyes in these words, Thy wrath is come.

Ans. This wrath is not to be understood of the wrath of all the Vials, but onely of the last, which because it shall be the greatest wrath, hath an emphasis put upon it, Thy wrath, as if Christ had never been angry till now, that is, comparatively the former wrath was but a Flea-bite to this. Hence (which confirms our sense) the day of the seventh Vial (which is all one with the Battel of Arma∣geddon) is called the day of Christs wrath, Psal. 110.5. The fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God, Revel. 19.15. The day of vengeance, Isa. 63.4. Of indignati∣on, chap. 66.14. The great and terrible day of the Lord, Joel. 2.31. Mal. 4.5. all confirming this, that this dread∣ful time of the Lambs wrath doth more properly re∣late to the last Vial onely, than to all the Vials in ge∣neral.

From all the three former Conclusions put together, I make up this, viz. That the day of the Witnesses killing

must in all likelihood be already begun, and not much more than begun. For sith from our first Conclusion, their rise must be concurrent with the end of Daniels 1290 days, which beginning from Julians time, expire A.D. 1656. as see Generation work, part 1. p. 51, 52, 53, 54. And sith from our second Conclusion, their killing must be a little before Romes ruin, which (for what I have said under our first) doth in a manner contemporise with the other. And sith from our third Conclusion, their killing must be under the Third Vial, which is manifest from our discourse upon the Vials, to be the Vial we stand under at present. I therefore from the whole conclude, That this black day is in all probability begun, and the Witnesses do at this present time lye dead.

Hence it is a thing we must expect, that yet a little while, until this cloud is toward blowing over, the work of Christ in the world wil go on but heavily, for there is reason for it (as I shall shew anon) that within the day the Wit∣nesses lye dead, though their killing be a particular act, an act restrained to one place onely, yet that the work and cause of Christ in general, should the greatest part of that day labour under a Cloud.

SECT. VI.

THe Beast killing the Witnesses, the Text tells us is the Beast ascending out of the bottomless pit, ver. 7. of which Beast I have discoursed upon the Vials, p. 97, 98, 99, 100. where this Beast is proved to be the Roman Ci∣vil and Ecclesiastical State, or the Antichristian Magi∣stracy and Ministry, both laying heads together, and joyn∣ing hands to kill the two Witnesses of Christ, viz. The true Magistracy and Ministry.

And here it is observable, that Antichrists Magistracy and Ministry, though two, yet are called but one Beast,

as also Rev. 13. last. One number is assigned to both the Beasts; whereas the Magistracy and Ministry of Christ, take them in the time of their Prophecie, when they are killed, or when they rise, they are still two, and spoken of in the plural number. What may be the reason hereof? Ans. Christs Magistracy and Ministry keep their powers distinct and therefore they are two; Antichrists mix their powers, and therefore they are one. That Magistracy and Ministry therefore, which weave and intermixe their powers, making and using in a manner but one sword, whereas they should do two, are neither of them Christs, but both the Limbs of Antichrist; nor are they in the ac∣count of the Holy Ghost witnesses, but beasts, who calls them so, Rev. 13. yea layes down this as the principal character of the two Beasts, that notwithstanding they were two, yet did the one exercise the others power, for the second Beast exerciseth all the power of the first, vers. 12. Now though the power of a Beast is ordinarily stronger then the power of a rational witness, yet by how much the rational creature is more honorable then the sensitive, by so much are those in whom the witnessing power remains, more honorable then those, whose power is only the power of Beasts.

SECT. VII.

AS touching the Nature of the Witnesses death; we are not to conceive thereof as though the same were to be a corporal killing, which no way agrees with this Prophecy, for,

1 Such as is their resurrection and ascension, such their death; but their resurrection and ascension is not corporal, therefore not their death.

2 This Killing must be such a Killing as that they may in the time of their being Killed, lye dead as witnesses; for

otherwise we cannot distinguish their killing, from their Prophecying, if we suppose them in both to give testi∣mony, and bear witness for Christ against the Beast; But a corporal killing of witnesses doth not make them cease to bear witness, but rather to bear witness in a more eminent manner, as hath been before obser∣ved. It is not a corporal killing therefore which is here meant.

Quest. What manner of Death then is it?

Answ. A Death (as I conceive) partly Civil, and partly Spiritual.

1 Partly Civil, which shall be a deprival of the witnesses, in a very great measure, if not totally, of their Civil Liberties, and the free exercise of their Religion. The godly Magistracy shall be put out of office, and so be in no capacity as Magistrates to bear witness; the godly Ministry, by penal Laws have their mouths stopped, and not suffered as Ministers of Christ to bear witness. This shall be their death, as to the Civil part of it.

2 This death shall be partly spiritual, and herein (as I conceive) the blackness of the day shall principally lye, and not in Bloodshedding; for observe, though the Beast hath a will to this latter, viz. to kill the witnesses out∣right, yet is he not permitted to do it, vers. 9. Now this spiritual death shall consist chiefly in this, viz. That the witnesses shall all this three yeers and a half be so left of God, as that they shall not have that courage that was in the people of God, al the time of the witnesses Prophecie; who then did not love their lives to the death, but mantained the truth, and opposed the Beast with their blood: But I say, now they shall want this courage, choosing rather coward∣ly to lye down (though stript of Liberty and Religion both) as men quite bereaved of spirit and life, then bold∣ly, as did their famous Predecessors, stand up for Christ, and protest against the Beast. And such a day as this, is by

far a worse day, then to see Saints killed with the sword, for whilst it is thus with them, they are honouring their Lord and Master, by bearing testimony, though with their bloods, but now they are shaming of him, yea Religion it self, by deserting their Colours.

And the Reasons why I conceive of the thing after this manner, are,

1 Because they cannot in any other way be said to lye dead as witnesses, which must be, because otherwise (as I have said) there is no distinction at all betwixt their Pro∣phecying and their Killing.

2 Because their resurrection at the end of the three dayes and a half, is by a spirit of life from God entring into them, vers. 11. i.e. a spirit of courage and boldness now to stand up for Christ, and Protest against the Beast, put into them by God, which before was wanting. There∣fore, I say, the death here spoken of is not a corporal, but another manner of death, and the wee of the day shall lye more in being forsaken of God within this time, then in being tormented or martyred by man.

SECT. VIII.

THe place in which the Witnesses lye dead, is not the whole Papal Kingdom, but some particular Nation, or some one of the ten Horns.

The Reasons are,

1 Because (as our German Author in his Cl. p. 73. hath well observed) they are said to lye dead, not in the streets of the Great City, in the plural number, but in the street, in the singular, Rev. 11.8. And their dead bodies shall lye in the street (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) of the Great City. Noting, that their killing shall be in one street, not in all the Papal Kingdom.

2 Because upon their resurrection, the whole City, i.e.

all the Papal Kingdom is not overthrown, but only a tenth part, vers. 13 And the same hour—the tenth part of the City fell. Now observe. There where the witnesses lye dead three dayes and a half, there this time expired they arise; where they rise, in that place doth the Papal power fall before them, upon their rise, or otherwise they could not rise, for that power would keep them down; so that look how far we extend the killing and rising again of the witnesses, so far must we extend the ruine of the Pa∣pal power, and that in the very same hour they rise. But now the Great City or Papal power is not wholly destroy∣ed upon the witnesses rise, but a tenth part only falls; therefore the rise of the witnesses, and so consequently their lying dead, which goeth before it, is not to be looked for all over the Papal Kingdom, but in a tenth part only. Or thus, we are not to conceive that all the witnesses Christ hath within any of the ten Horns, shall at this time lye dead; But Christs witnesses only in one of the ten Horns, the death of a part, being here put for the death of the whole, and well may it, considering how remark∣able this death shall be for the nature of it.

It would therefore be inquired into, seeing that this is to be but in one tenth part, what part or place that is.

Answ. I have in my Discourse upon the Vials, Vial 4. affirmed the place to be Germany; and I may truly say, that what I then affirmed more doubtfully, I am by looking more intently upon this subject of the witnesses, much perswaded of, and confirmed in. One reason which swayes with me is, because the Holy Ghost seems to speak of the place by way of eminency, as being the most noted place of the whole Papal Kingdom, vers. 8. The street of the great City, i.e. the noted street, the Market-street, or (as I may say) the Thorow-fare, so vers. 10. The tenth part of the City fell, the Original reads the words with an Article, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

That tenth part of the City, i.e. the most eminent, no∣ted part of all the Ten.

Now the place being spoken of by way of eminency, it must be understood either in relation to the witnesses, or the Beast that kills them, that is, it must be either the most eminent place for witnesses, or the most eminent King∣dom belonging to the beast, one of the two. Now take either of these, and it doth not so properly agree to any place in all Europe, as Germany; for,

1 In respect of Witnesses: Our Question now is not, where at this present day are most Witnesses; but the thing we must look after is, what place that is, which through all the time of the Beasts reign, hath been the most noted place for Witnesses, and there must we fix our Standard. Now that is Germany, which in this respect (until at this present day) hath ever excelled all the Nations in Europe. The Witnesses there began to appear for Christ openly against the Beast, before the year 900, against whom sud∣denly after was raised a most bloody persecution by the Beast; which per secution is the highest I can find in any History, that was made (to speak properly) by the Beast. Notwithstanding this persecution, the witnesses (as Ecclesi∣astical Writers affirm) grew and increased, and, like fire in a thatch, spread themselves over Germany, and neighbour∣ing Countries. Yea from that day to this, there ever have been more or less witnesses standing up, and sacrificing their lives for the cause of Christ, against the Beast, in Germany, so that Germany it hath been in a manner the Seed-plot of truth, and the very Nursery of witnesses, throughout all ages.

2 Look upon it in respect of the Beast, and it is also the most noted place, and above all, deserves to be called the street, that tenth part by way of eminency, being indeed the principal street of the great City, the first horn of the Beast, the chief Kingdom of the fourth Monarchy, as under Antichrist, as saith my worthy German Author, in his Cl. p. 78. giving these three Reasons for it.

1 Because It is called the Roman Empire.

2 Because It is, as it were, a figure and Image of the old Roman Empire, having seven Heads, in regard of the seven Princes Electors, and ten Provinces, in respect of the ten Circles into which it is distributed.

3 Because The Head of the German Empire hath still the name of a Roman Emperor, and hath the pre∣eminence above all other Kings adhering to the Papal State.

And truly, when I cast mine eie upon what hath about half a year, or three quarters of a year ago been done in Ger∣many; and also how the Saints there seem, at present, be∣reaved of life, lying down and couching under their burden, it appears to me, the time, place, and thing compared together, to be more than an ordinary dispensa∣tion.

And farther let me say, Though the Saints there at this day seem to have lost that noble spirit that was in their Ancestors, who for Christs sake loved not their lives unto death; yet surely, this consideration, That they are the Children and Off-spring of those famous blessed Wit∣nesses, who with undaunted resolution appeared for Christ, when our Fore-fathers, yea, and the whole world wondered after the Beast, should not a little draw out the Bowels of our compassion towards them.

Notwithstanding what I have said of Germany as the place, yet let me add this in the conclusion, that I conceive withall, that the condition of the people of God in other places, will not be so prosperous, but a cloud will be up∣on them, their comforts and expectations, a great part, if not the greatest of this time; for though the thick∣ness and blackness of this cloud is to hang over Germany, yet may it not be thought, but that so great a cloud will cast a shadow further, and thereby afflict, at the same time, though not in the same measure, the people of God else∣where.

And indeed, it is very reasonable to think it should be so; for if when but a member suffers in the natural body, all the members suffer with it; then surely, when not a member onely but a principal part of the mystical Body lies under so fore a pressure as the body of Christ never before lay under, cannot we think the other members should at that time have such cause of rejoycing, as those who feel no smart at all. How could there then be a sym∣pathy in the mystical body?

Nay, it is not onely reasonable, but a thing of great concernment, and special use it should be so; to the end, the other members by feeling smart and anguish, from a few onely of the scattered drops lighting upon them, might hereby be made the more sensible of the condition of their fellow brethren, who lie under the furious rage of the tempest; and also might from hence be stirred up to cry aloud to the Father of Mercies, for their poor Brethren, who now being thunder-struck, have for the present neither sense, nor life in a manner, and so cannot cry for themselves.

SECT. IX.

TWo things we have in an especiall manner noted by the Holy Ghost, both which concern the Witnesses, and are to have their fulfilling within the three days and a half of their lying dead.

First, They of the People, Kindreds, Nations and Tongues, see their dead bodies three days and a half, and will not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves, vers. 9. The putting of the dead bodies of the Witnesses into graves, notes a corporal death, it being Scripture phrase to put the grave for bodily death, 1 Cor. 15.55. 1 King. 14.13. 2 King. 22.20. This would the Beast do, but he is hindred.

Here a Controversie ariseth, Who those People, Kin∣dreds,

Nations and Tongues should be. Some will have them to be the Popish party, some, a reformed people; if the one, the act is an act of dis-favor, if the other, of favor.

Both these opinions you may see, with the rea∣sons of either, laid down by Mr. Woodcock in his Treatise of the Two Witnesses; who himself is for the first, that they are the Popish party. To bring here the Argu∣ments on both hands to the Touchstone, would be more tedious than profitable, in regard the thing it self is not a matter of so great moment, but that without any preju∣dice to all my other Principles, there may be an allowance of different conjectures; and therefore, to make a great contention for a little gain, I shall not do it, for it will not quit time and cost.

I shall therefore onely offer to consideration my own thoughts hereof, viz. That neither the Popish party, nor a reformed people, properly so called, or so esteemed by Christ, are here meant; but indeed, a third party; a party that cannot properly be said to worship the Beast, because him they disown; Nor a party that may properly be called a reformed people, because Reformation is a thing they have little regard unto: But if you would see them in their proper Character, They shall be persons of a worldly interest, or to speak plainly, pure Statists, who walking by the rules of State-policy, shall neither profes∣sedly own the Cause of Antichrist, nor Christ, beyond these principles. And therefore very emphatically hath the Scripture (as seems to me) set them forth by people, and Kindreds, and Nations, and Tongues, which as it is a mid∣dle name, neither so odious as the name of the worshippers of the Beast, nor so honorable, as that of the Witnesses; so doth it excellently agree to such persons, whose main de∣sign is a meer worldly interest; for of such, the great thing in their eye is the good of Common-wealths, the

regulating and ordering the affairs of People, and Na∣tions, and Kindreds, and Tongues, and though they may own and favor the cause of Christ, yet will they not appear for it a step farther than will stand with National interests, the good of People, and Nations, and Kindreds, and Tongues. Now such there shall bee in the world, in the time the Witnesses lie dead, who shall take notice of the Witnesses slaughter, and have a cast of their eye that way, and by their power so far awe the Beast, as that he shall not satisfie his lusts upon the Witnesses.

Secondly, Besides these, we have another sort of peo∣ple spoken of, who formerly being such as were tormented by the Witnesses in the time of their prophecy, shall now upon their death be jovial, make merry, send gifts one to another, as hoping they are now delivered from that danger they feared they should sustain by these Witnesses. These are called the dwellers on the Earth, ver. 10. And they that dwell on the earth shall rejoyce over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another, be∣cause these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth. The phrase needs no other interpretation than what we have, Chap. 13.8. And all that dwel upon the Earth shall worship him, i.e. the Beast. Ver. 14. And deceiveth them that dwel on the Earth; clearly shewing, that the dwellers on the Earth, are the Popish par∣ty, such as worship the Beast, and are deceived by him.

These, as well as the other, see the Witnesses lie dead; The difference is the other see them with an eie of care, and some kind of pitty; these, with an eie of scorn, and tri∣umph. Hence it is said, that at the Witnesses rise great fear fell on them that saw them, vers. 11. which words relate to these latter sort of beholders, who therefore vers. 12. are called enemies; these at the Witnesses rise shall fear, Why? Because having been tormented by them before, they shall now expect the same again.

The demeanor and carriage of this latter sort of behol∣ders, set forth by their rejoycing, making merry, send∣ing gifts one to another. &c. hath sometimes made me conceive that there should be within these three days and a half, a great calm upon the Nations, i.e. they should lay aside war and strife, at least, in a great measure, in comparison of what was in the days immediately before; For a time of tempest and war, when every man sees his interest going to wrack, is not a time of rejoycing and feasting, especially with the dwellers on the Earth, who serve no other God, nor mind nothing else, but their lusts and interests, but a time of howling and mourning. With∣all, the boast of the proud Whore, Revel. 18.7. (Of which I have spoken before) seems somewhat to counte∣nance this, for grant her to have killed the Witnesses, yet if when this is done, her followers were killing one another, and her outward strength tearing it self it peeces, she should have but little cause to boast. But she boasts and that in such manner, as seems to me to argue, that she hath her enemies, that before she feared, under her feet; and her own strength also, which before was broken and di∣vided, united: which two things do wonderously lift her up, and make her conceit her self (as indeed she is in an outward way) stronger, and more fast in her seat than ever. And as her boasting seems to argue, this general peace should not be till towards the end of the three days and a half, for this boasting of hers is the immediate fore-runner of her ruin, which comes in upon her inevita∣bly, upon the witnesses rise.

And to this its not improper to add the opinion of that eminent Servant of Christ, Mr. Archer, in his Personal Reign, Printed A.D. 1642. who speaking of the ten horns giving up their power to the Beast, Rev. 17.12, 13, 17. saith thus,

Here is a double giving up of their power to the Beast spoken of, though yet they may seem both

one, but will be found of him who ponders them, at two diverse and several times. For in the former its onely said they had one mind to give their power to the Beast; i.e. (saith he) they were at that time, all alike ignorant and superstitious, and so the Papacy easily devoured them: But in the latter place its said, God put it in∣to their minds to agree, and do it, i.e. at this time they were not all alike, some of the Kingdoms had light and reformation, and had withdrawn from Rome; yet by some special over-ruling Providence (in respect of which its said, God put it into their hearts, they who had depar∣ted from Popery, shall revolt and by some agreement or Covenant with the rest, all joyntly shal again give up their power to the Beast. So that (saith he) this act differs much from the former, and seems to be a second act of the ten Kings that is, of so many of them as were re∣volted from the Papacy; and it also appears to be so, because it is made the fore-runner, and the immediate fore-goer of Romes ruin, but the former giving up was at the beginning of the Papacy.

Hitherto the very words of Mr. Archer that eminent Witness of Christ, who for the testimony of Jesus, dyed in Exile fourteen or fifteen years ago, Pers. Reign, p. 50, 51.

Now this testimony is the more remarkable, as to us at this day, by how much the giving-up, vers. 17. (which he comments upon) followes that remarkable war betwixt the Lamb and the Kings of the Earth, which our eies have seen, but the worthy Author lived not to see it. Yet let me add this, that I do not conceive with the Author, that this giving up of power to the Beast, shall be a revolting of all the ten Horns to Popish Religion, for the power here spoken of, that is given up to the Beast, is civil power only (that being properly the power of the horns) which by way of League or Covenant with the Beast, or those who are consederate with him, may be given up to him, and

yet no receiving nor embracing Romish Religion.

From these grounds it is a thing conjectural, that a general peace shall be in that part of the world, common∣ly called Christendom, within the time of the three days and an half.

My first thoughts hereof were, whilst I considered this 11 Chapter onely, that this peace should be so general, as to take in all those Nations that were formerly under the power of the Beast; but since the time I weighed, and compared with the truth of this Chapter, the truth laid down in the 12, and 14 Chapt. it hath been a Question with me, whether that people whom the Holy Ghost sets forth by that Title of the remnant of the womans seed, Revel. 12.17. shall not be excluded from this agreement. One of these two (I suppose) we may conclude upon, that either they shall be excluded, or shall renounce this Co∣venant with Hell, before the three days and a half are com∣pleatly expired; for the Dragon at the end of the three days and a half makes war upon them. Which of these two will be, time will determine; but being more and more perswaded every day, that Christ is coming on upon his people apace, I shall not cause this little Book to wait to see the issue.

SECT. X.

THe three days and a half fully expired, the dead Witnesses rise again. The thing that sets them upon their feet, is said to be a Spirit of Life from God entering into them, vers. 11. And after three days and an half, the Spirit of Life from God entred into them, and they stood upon their feet, i.e. a Spirit of boldness, and courage, zeal, and undaunted resolution to appear for Christ against Antichrist, whatsoever it cost them shall now fall upon them, so that live or dye, having so good a

Cause, they will no longer be Cowards, and lurch their Cou∣lours; but in the name of the Lord into the field they will go, and see whether the Beast dare appear against them.

Quest. It will be here worth our inquiry, Whether this Noble Heroick Spirit shall come upon them from God immediately, or whether it shall be wrought in them me∣diately by some means.

Answ. I conceive, that look as the killing of the Wit∣nesses is partly mediate, being caused by the Beast, partly immediate, being deserted by God: so shall their resur∣rection also, that it may answer to their death, be; i.e. this Spirit of Life which sets them upon their feet shall be wrought in them, partly mediately, by some means that shall be used to that end, and partly immediately, by Gods accompanying those means with a more than ordinary power and efficacy, for the effecting this glorious work. So that Gods hand shall be much more visible in the thing, than the means it self, though yet means shall be used.

Now as for the means, I apprehend it shall be some loud call that shall be given to the Witnesses from some Saints, from out of some other place, who shal be very sen∣sible of their condition, and shall have it strongly set home upon their hearts, that the time is comein which they are to arise. This Call seems to me, to be that great voyce from Heaven, which bids the witnesses come up hither, ver. 12.

Now the reasons why this voyce from Heaven is brought in after their standing upon their feet, and not be∣fore, may be these.

1 Because the immediate hand of God in putting life and courage into the witnesses to answer their Call, shall be a thing (as I have said) much more remarkable and vi∣sible than the Call; and therefore is that named first, and the whole of their resurrection seemingly attributed therunto.

Or 2 Because (which I rather judge) it is very likely that the call given them shall be a continued call, not a

call to rise onely, but a call to some higher work, which work is here set forth by the phrase of ascending up to Heaven; which notes thus much to me, that the instru∣ments who shall give the Witnesses this call, being them∣selves a more refined people, in which respect their voyce is called a voyce from Heaven, they shall not onely call upon the Witnesses to arise, but when they are up, follow them still with their call to come up higher, into that state they themselves are in, therefore they say, Come up higher, i.e. shake off all Antichristian defilements, worldly interests, as you have seen us do: and now let us be no longer two, but joyn as one to ruin the Where, and carry on the work of Christ in the world. Now be∣cause this Call shall be a continued Call, therefore menti∣on is made of it, onely in the last and more glorious act, which indeed follows the witnesses standing upon their feet, and the first is omitted.

If you ask me, Who these Instruments shall be? I answer, The same with the Angel of the fourth Vi∣al, for what I have said in opening that Vial. And far∣ther, they shall be that Remnant of the Womans Seed, that the Holy Ghost hath characterized, chap. 12.17. Of whom I shall discourse more fully in the two following Chapters.