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. II. Setting forth yet further the state of the Two Witnes∣ses, within their Prophecying time, and the time of their being Killed, from Rev. 12.

SECT. I.

HAving in the fore-going Chapter treated briefly of the Two Witnesses, by way of opening part of the 11 Chap. of the Revelations, it will not be impertinent in this, for the farther clearing up of this great truth, to add my own thoughts concerning the 12. Chapter likewise.

This 12. Chapter is on all hands interpreted to be a Prophecy of the state of the Church, within the time of the Dragons rule, or the time before the rise of the Beast, and accordingly the things here fore-told, are judged to have their compleat accomplishment within the first 400 years after Christ.

I must confess, when I consider how handsomely, follow∣ing this opinion, we have the whole Prophecy of the Re∣velations, from the time John wrote, even unto the time of Christs second coming, consisting of three distinct pe∣riods, comprized within three Chapters, viz.

1 The state of the Church within the first period, un∣der the Dragons rule, Chap. 12.

2 The state of the Church within the second period, under the Government of the Beast, Chap. 13.

3 The state of the Church, under the witnesses risen, from the end of the Beasts reign, untill the time of Christs

Second coming (where begins a fourth Period, viz. of the 1000 years) Chap. 14.

I am by this single consideration more inclined to be of the common opinion, as to this 12 Chapter, then by any thing that hitherto I have found laid down for the same, by the Authors and Assertors of it, who urge not this as an Ar∣gument, not indeed can they, because (as I shall hereafter shew) they make application of the 14 Chapter, not to the third Period, but another time; and as for what is commonly urged, there is nothing in it that I can observe, that has the force of an Argument, but what is founded up∣on begged principles.

Yet must I also acknowledge, that although this con∣sideration I have now hinted, could I make it out to my self, would sway very much with me, yet hath it the less weight, by how much I cannot satisfie my self, that such a Tripartite dovision of this Prophecy should be here in∣tended. And my reason is, because I find something in this 12 Chapter (which is the Prophecy of the Dragon) run∣ning down even into the time of the Beast; for the time of the Beast doth, yea must begin with the beginning of the 1260 dayes, as hath been before proved, Cha. 1. Sect. 2. Now supposing the time times, and a half, to be equiva∣lent to the 1260 dayes, yet it is clear from the Prophecie it self, that some attempts are made by the Dragon, after the time, times, and a half are begun; As,

1 The casting water out of his mouth as a flood after the Woman, vers. 15.

2 The attempting a war after this upon the remnant of her seed, vers. 17.

Both these things (I say) are done after the Beast was come into the world, and therefore may not be applied to the time of the Dragons rule, which ceased upon the Beasts coming in, he then resigning his power, seat, and great Au∣thority to the Beast, Chap. 13.2. If therefore we may ex∣tend

this Prophecy a little time downwards into the Beasts Kingdom, after the Dragon had surrendred to him, I see no reason why we may not as well extend it quite through the Beasts Kingdome, for the former order, yea and the common method too, is as much broken by the one, as by the other. Nor indeed can I see, unless we come down∣wards to the expiring time of the Beasts Kingdom, where a people, after the 1260 dayes were begun, will be found, that had (rightly interpreted) these two Characters upon them, that the remnant of the Womans seed, which the Dragon makes war upon, are described by.

And as these Considerations have gravelled me as to that opinion which makes application of the things here foretold to the time of the Dragons rule: So by other Considerations I am induced to think that the Prophecy of this Chapter doth bring us down to the very end of the Beasts Kingdom, the expiring time of the 42 months; and that indeed the last verse of this Chapter, being joyned to the first of the fourteeenth, and so descending, we have in these two Chapters alone (the thirteenth being cut off) all the aforesaid three Periods. 1 That of the Dragon and the state of the Church within that Period, set forth in the five first verses of this 12 Chap. 2 That of the Beasts 42 months, or 1260 dayes, and the state of the Church within that time, from vers. 6. to the end. 3 That of the Witnesses risen, or the state of the Gentile Churches from about the time of the Witnesses rise, until Christs second coming, Chap. 14.

And according to this method, as this 12 Chapter, and the 14 linked together, do run parallel with the whole of the 11, which treats of the Witnesses; so this 12 Chapter alone runs parallel with so much of the 11, as brings us to the end of the 1260 dayes, only some things handled there, are omitted here; and some things omit∣ted there are handled here; both together making the Pro∣phecy

of the Winesses Prophecying and Killing-time coun∣pleat.

And farther, as so much of the Prophecy of the 11 Chapter, as refers to the 1260 dayes, joyned to, and com∣pared with this 12, makes the Prophecy of the 1260 dayes, or second period, so far as the same respects the Witnesses, compleat; so that which follows in the 11 Chap. after the 1260 dayes are expired, joyned to, and com∣pared with Chap. 14. makes the Prophecy of the third Period, or the time from the Witnesses rise till Christs coming, full and compleat also. But now because the things done throughout the second Period, have a special relation as well to the Beast, as the Witnesses; which Beast, though named, Chap. 11.7. and his time of con∣tinuance also spoken of, vers. 2. had not been as yet particu∣larly described (the Holy Ghost hitherto having been chiefly intent to set forth the condition of the Witnesses and Woman) that therefore the things concerning this Beast might neither be passed over in silence, nor brought in promiscuously with the other, which would have bred confusion, the Holy Ghost passing over this ground again, and being come to the end of the 1260 dayes, makes a breach, by dis-joyning the 12 and 14 Chapters, to make way hereby for a description of that Beast, which in a more secret manner acted by the Dragon, should rage and make war against the Saints, causing them hereby to con∣tinue in the Wilderness all the 1260 dayes; telling us what manner of Beast this Beast should be, whence he should receive his power at first, what he should do with it, and how long. That the Dragon who was openly worshipped before, should in a more secret way be worshipped still under him, &c. These things, with many other particulars relating to this Beast, being handled, as it were, in the na∣ture of a digression, Chap. 13. there is a returning again Chap. 14.1. to that point where the discourse was bro∣ken

off, which now is carried on without interruption, to the end, and the time of Christs coming.

The result of all in brief is this; That the 12 and the 14 Chapters, are but a more full repetition of the 11, and that in these two Chapters joyned together (leaving out the 13.) we have all the three Periods from Johns time until Christs second coming, viz. The Pe∣riod of the Dragons rule; the Period of the Witnesses in fackcloth, or the Woman in the Wilderness; the Period of the Witnesses risen, compleatly and orderly handled. And that the 13 Chapter is no other, but a going over again (for the clearing up another subject referring to this time) the second Period, beinging us down the third time to that point, which twice before, once Chap. 11. and again in the repetition Ch. 12. we are come unto. In a word, that the last verse of the 12 Chapter, and the first of the 14, are in time and order immediately to follow each other; and therefore the appearing of the Lamb upon Mount Sion with the 144000 to be the immediate conse∣quent of, and indeed a thing caused by the Dragons at∣tempting a war, at the very end of the 42 months, or 1260 dayes upon that holy remiant of the Womans seed.

And indeed, according to this method (leaving out the 13 Chapter, which is a Prophecy more relating to the Beast, than the Woman) we have in the 12 and 14 Chapters excellently set forth the threefold state of the Woman, or true Church, according to that threefold Period she passeth through, from the time John wrote this Prophecy, until Christs second coming. 1 We have the Woman walking in her Primitive purity, dothed with the Sun, having the Moon underfoot, on her head a Crown of twelve Stars, Chap. 12.1. This was the state of the Church within the first Period before Antichrist crept in. In this estate, she is persecuted by a Great Rod Dragon, vers. 3. i.e. by the Pagan power of the Roman Empire.

2 We have the Woman in the Wilderness, vers. 6. to the end. This is her second state, after Antichrist was come forth, and had placed himself in the Temple of God, then the Woman, the true Church withdraws, retires her self into a corner. In this estate she suffers by the Beast, and to∣wards the end of it is persecuted again by the Dragon. What this Dragon is, and how different from the former, I may shew hereafter. 3 We have the Woman come out of the Wilderness again, and triumphing, being now delive∣red from the Beast and Dragon both, treading these her enemies under feet: This is her third state, and is set forth Chap. 14. which (as I have said) is but a continua∣tion of the Womans History, from the point of time where the 12 Chapter ends, until Christs coming.

This Method, as it doth not, so far as I am able to discern, infer any absurdity; so doth it not a little conduce to the clearing up the whole of these four Chapters (which ap∣pear to me to be the most knotty peece to carry a right Method through in this Book) yea, and many other Apo∣calyptical Mysteries depending upon these; and farther doth help us to the knowledge of some useful truths, which lye obscured and buried through a mistaken order.

And indeed when I consider, That as Chap. 11. presents us with two mystical numbers, one of 1260 dayes, the other of three dayes and a half; so also doth Chap. 12. with 1260 dayes, vers. 6. and a time, times, and a half, vers. 14. how that in either Chapters betwixt these two times, mention is made of a War; and farther, how that as the Witnesses, Chap. 11.9. within the three dayes and a half, have the People, Kindreds, Nations, and Tongues be∣friending them; so likewise the Woman, Chap. 12.16. within the time, times, and a half, hath the earth befriend∣ing her; I say, when I have considered this, I have some∣times wondred that none should attempt a way, to make these two, which carry so great a likelihood, to run parallel,

but should without any farther inquiry, conclude the 11 Chapter to bring us down to the end of the Beasts reign, yea lower, and yet the 12 Chap. to bring us but to the beginning.

SECT. II.

BEsides our grounds laid down in the former Section, that which yet further prevails with me to decline the common-road, is, that I cannot upon a rational account satisfie my self, that the time, times, and a half, should be the same with the 1260 days; and in case a flaw be found here, all that is or can be said for the general Tenent will amount to nothing; for if the time, times, and a half, be a distinct number, and not to be interpreted of the 1260 days; then of necessity cannot the things spoken of in this Chapter, be appliable to the time of the Dragons rule, or any time before the Beast arose; but must be brought down much lower, into the time of the Beasts Kingdom.

Now that the time, times, and a half, should be a num∣ber distinct from the 1260 days, appears to me upon these Reasons.

1 Because the different expressions used of the womans abode in the wilderness the first and the second time, ar∣gue them not to be one and the same, but two distinct numbers; for,

1 Of her first going into the wilderness, the 1260 days, it is said, v. 6. The woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God. Of the second, the time, times, and a half, it is said, She fled into her place, v. 14. as seeming to intimate her having been there be∣fore.

2 Of the first, it is said, They should feed her, ver. 6. noting a feeding by instruments and means; she should

have the enjoyment of Instruments, Means, and Ordi∣nances, though in a low and mournful condition all this time. Of the second, it is said, She is nourished, ver. 14. noting that God by some immediate way of working would all this time keep a principle of grace alive in his, though they should lye as dead, taking little or no food outwardly, by Instruments, Means, or Ordinances.

2 Because the Dragon by the war in Heaven being cast down to the earth, is said to have great rage, ver. 12. because he knoweth he hath but a short time: But if this war in Heaven were at the beginning of the 1260 days, as holds the common opinion, which makes application of this to Constantines war, he should then have a long time: if after they were begun, then must the time, times, and a half which are the consequent of this war, be a di∣stinct number from the 1260 days, which is the thing I am proving.

And certainly the calling of the time, times and an half, a short time, must be with respect to the fore-mentioned time of 1260 years, which was a long time; and if so, then will it follow, they cannot be one and the same num∣ber.

3 Because the first going into the Wilderness, is lei∣surely, by degrees, as the Beast by little and little crept in, being not so much a forced act, by outward violence offered to her, as a voluntary act, the woman retiring her self into a corner, that so by a separation she might be kept pure, and free from the defilements of that Beast she saw now rising. But the second is on the sudden, and she is for∣ced to it by the exasperated rage of the Dragon; and there∣fore she hath given to her two wings of a great Eagle, v. 14. to note her quick and speedy slight, lest she should be destroyed by the serpent.

4 Because upon the womans first going into the wil∣derness the earth was no friend to the woman; but ra∣ther

the Barbarous Nations, invading the Roman Empire, did prove her Enemy, by aiding the Beast, and giving their strength to him. But now upon this second going into the wilderness, the turth is the womans friend, and swallows up the flood the Serpent casts out of his mouth, to cause the woman to be carried away therewith, vers. 15.16. agreeing to that chap. 11.9.

These things added to the former grounds and method, perswade me to think, that the time, times, and an half, ver. 14. are not the same with the 1260 days, ver 6. but a distinct number, and in a word, the very same with the three days and a half, Chap. 11.9. signifying three years and a half, a time notes one year, times, in the plural num∣ber, two years, half a time, half a year; in all three years and a half; and to put a time for a year, is as well Scripture phrase as a day for a year, as Dan. 4.25. it is said of Nebuchad∣nezzar, he should eat grass like Oxen till seven times should pass over him, i.e. seven years.

SECT III.

AGainst this it may be objected. This cannot be, be∣cause, the war spoken of here which precedes the time, times and a half; and that war Chap. 11. which precedes the three days and a half, are vastly diffe∣rent.

1 That war against the Saints is headed by the Beast, but this by the Dragon.

Answ. This difference will be none at all, let but this be considered, that Chap. 11. speaks of the state or power acted by the Devil, but Chap. 12. of the Devil as acting that state or power. If this Answer be not sufficient, he that shall observe our future discourse, may find a farther, and more full.

2 I•• that war, chap. 11. the Beast evercomes, but in

this, is overcome, and the Dragon cast down.

Answ. True, the immediate success and issue of the war, chap. 12. is the vanquishing of the Dragon, and cast∣ing of him out; but yet the conclusion of the day is, the subtil Dragon, though cast out to the Earth, finds a way and means to persecute the Woman, and to drive her into the wilderness, notwithstanding immediately before she had vanquished him, and cast him out, vers. 13, And when the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man∣child. Vers. 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle, that she might flee into the wil∣derness— In conclusion therefore, the Dragon (or the Beast acted by the Dragon) overcomes, and so, as to drive the woman upon this War into the wilderness, and that for a time, times, and a half; which is no contradicti∣on at all: but rather a more full opening of that war, which is hinted chap. 11.7. as the immediate forerunner of the three days and a half. Onely the Witnesses victory at first over the Beast, is passed over in silence, chap. 11. and the Beasts overcoming and killing them, the thing expres∣sed; but chap. 12. their victory over the Beast is recorded first, and yet afterwards his persecuting of them, and dri∣ving them into the wilderness, for a time, times, and a half, or three days and a half.

If now the Question be put, What war I conceive this to be?

Ans. I judge it to be the war made by Gustavus A∣dolphus in Germany, which war for the remarkableness of it, hath been by many accounted the pouring forth of a Vial; but though (for some Reasons I have given in opening the Subject of the Second Vial) it could not be so: yet was it as remarkable under another consideration, name∣ly, as it was a forerunner of the Witnesses being killed. The Reasons of this my conjecture are,

1 Because the time of this War agrees exactly to the time of that War, which is the forerunner of the death of the Witnesses; that War is a war in the finishing time of their testimony, that is in the last 60 dayes or years of the 1260. which properly is the concluding time of their testimony; Accordingly this War made by Gustavus Adolphus fell out within that time.

2 Because this War must be supposed to be such a War as shall be headed by some eminent Christian Head on the one side, raised up, and acted by Christ; which Head is therefore represented by Michael, i. e. Christ himself who acts him; and the principal Head of the Beast on the other, set on, and acted by the Devil, and therefore re∣presented by the Dragon. Now this can be applied to no other War, so aptly as to the German War; for where hath there ever been, since the first rise of the Beast, the like, viz. of a War betwixt him, and the Professors of the true Religion, headed by the Beast himself of the one side, and a religious godly Prince of the other?

3 Because this War which precedes the killing of the Witnesses, must be such a War, as shall have great accla∣mations of Saints going along with it, and great expecta∣tions founded upon it, and that both as touching their de∣liverance from Antichristian bondage, and also concerning the setting up of Christs Kingdom by it: Therefore they cry, vers. 10. Now is come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ, i.e. Now the day of our deliverance, of Babylons downfal, is come. Now the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus shall bee exalted in the world. O now is the power of Christ manifested indeed. Such was the Swedish War in Germany. It is not yet out of the memory of many of Gods people, what high expectations were raised upon that War, in all the Protestant Churches; How did every eye almost then look for the downfal of Rome presently,

conceiving no other than that that most worthy Prince would be the ruine of the Antichristian Where? What wonderful triumphs and rejoycings were, there upon the re∣ports of his Victories, by all the godly party within our Gates? And how heavy a load did the news of his being cut off, lay upon the hearts of Gods people every where? Though the Author cannot testifie these things of his own knowledge, his age not serving him to remember things of this nature beyond the sadding news of his death; yet from what he hath read of this good Prince, and the reports he hath had from persons aged and faithful, he supposeth he may assert the thing, and doubts not but many this day alive will witness it.

4 Because the effect and issue of this War in Heaven, is, the casting down of the Dragon from Heaven to Earth, who yet by this, and partly for rage to see himself cast down, finds out a way to persecute the Woman anew. Accordingly the issue of the Swedish War was this, The proud German Emperor, who before in his pride was lifted up to Heaven, would stoop and buckle to none, is now glad by means of this War, to come down from his greatness, to condescend and stoop to such terms as he can for himself make with the Swede; by which agreement notwithstanding, and partly for madness to see himself made to creep on the earth, i.e. condescend to terms, who thought ever to have sate in Heaven, i. e. rule as absolute Lord over Christs heritage, doing to them what he list, he finds out a way to persecute the Woman, drive her into the Wilder∣ness for a time, times, and a half, i.e. kill the Witnesses for three dayes and a half. So that the Swedish War agrees exactly and fully to this War here mentioned, as the forerunner of the killing of the Witnesses.

And because the Witnesses were by this War to be kil∣led, and every death hath some struglings and girdings that attend it, answerable to that life and strength in the

thing killed, that therefore the Beast might feel what life and strength is in the Witnesses, he himself is almost broken to peeces, at first by this War, i.e. by the very struglings and girdings of the Witnesses, whilst he is going about to kil them

Object. But it may be said, more likely our late War in England should be this War.

Answ. I have sometimes thought that this War in Heaven might comprehend the whole War within the last 60 years of the Beast; and so take in the Swedish War, and our English War too; And this I confess, that in most things this War doth carry a likelihood as well to the Eng∣lish, as the Swedish War: And farther, I find my self much inclining to make this War, and the War betwixt the Lamb and the Kings of the Earth, Chap. 17.14. (which War (as I conceive) points at our English War, and no other) one and the same; but this I must also say, that I am more satisfied to look upon them as two Wars, both within the 60 years, and the one following the other; And so this War to be the German War only, and the other betwixt the Lamb and the Kings of the Earth to be the English War, yet both to fall within the last 60 years, and to be forerunners of the killing of the Witnesses.

And the Reasons why I conceive this War to be the German War only, and not the English also, are,

1 Because the English War hath been betwixt Pro∣testants only, but this War is a War betwixt some eminent Protestant Head on the one side, and some eminent and professed Popish Head on the other, as hath been before observed.

2 Because this War being made by the Dragon, is not so fitly appliable to any one Nation under Heaven, as the German Empire, which is (as I may say) the very Picture of the Old Dragon, for the Dragon is set forth as having seven heads & ten horns, v. 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold a great red Dragon, ha∣ving

seven heads, and ten horns. Accordingly the German Empire (as upon another occasion hath been be∣fore observed) consists of seven Electoral heads, and ten horns, i.e. so many Provinces. The Prophecy therefore of this Chapter, may without any forcing be applied in part to the Old Roman Empire, and also in part to the present German Empire, both of them bearing and giving the arms of the Dragon. So that by the ruine of the old Ro∣man Empire, the Dragon only changed his Seat, for∣sook Rome his old Seat, leaving that to the Beast, and be∣takes himself to Germany, where the Beast, for his wil∣lingness to surrender his old Seat to him, provides him a new. And indeed there may be these two Reasons given of it, why the Dragon, who governs the whole Papal Kingdom, doth yet betake himself to Germany, rather then any other place, choosing that for his Seat; 1 Be∣cause of all the Nations subjected to the Beast, none was found so like his old Seat, the Pagan Empire, as the new erected German Empire. 2 Because the Woman had in a manner for many ages together, taken up her dwelling there, bringing forth children, and sending them abroad from thence into other parts, therefore this old Persecutor of the Woman, that he might the more trouble her peace, placeth his Throne there.

What I have said, is a good confirmation of our me∣thod before laid down, that this Chapter brings us to the end of the Beasts Kingdom, and is not to be limited within the first four hundred yeers after Christ; for having spoken of the Old Dragon (or Roman Empire) in the be∣ginning of the Chapter, and the attempts that he made against the Woman, vers. 3.4. and then gliding over almost all the time of the one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes, because that time, as in reference to the Witnesses or Woman had been spoken to already, Ch. 11. in reference to the Beast, was to be spoken to Chap. 13. the Holy Ghost

comes to speak of the new Dragon (or German Empire) and the attempts that he in the end of this time should make against the Woman, and also what should follow thereupon, and so indeed this second attempt against the Woman, specially relates to him, as the first did to the old Dragon. And further observe, as the old Dragon about the beginning of the 1260 days is vanquished by the Woman, and yet afterwards politickly surrendring to the Beast is too hard for the Woman, and makes her flie for the Wilderness, for 1260 days; So in like manner, the New Dragon about the end of the 1260 daies is vanquish∣ed by the Woman, and yet afterwards by policy (like the old Dragon) finds a way to get the mastery of the Woman, and make her flie for the Wilderness for a time, times, and a half; or three years and a half.

Now according to this interpretation of this Prophecy, referring this second attempt of the Dragon to the German Empire, we see already the whole of this Prophecy fulfilled to two things.

1 The Dragons attempt to swallow up the Woman, by casting a flood out of his mouth, and the earth prevent∣ing him, vers. 15, 16. being the same with that endeavor, Chap. 11.9. to put the dead bodies of the Witnesses into graves, and the Peoples, Kindreds, Nations and Tongues, preventing him. This attempt is clear from each place, to be within the three years and a half. Whether some attempts that have been made against the Protestants in Germany not long since to extirpate them; and the appli∣cations that in their behalf have been made by some to the ruling powers of Germany, be a fulfilling of this Prophecy, or whether we are yet to expect some more eminent, and noted action than any we have hitherto seen, I cannot de∣termine.

2 Another attempt which shall be after this, and most probably towards the end of the three days and a half,

viz. to make war with a remnant of the Womans seed, that shall within this time stand up for Christ in some other cor∣ner of the world: But of this more anon.

SECT. IV.

OBjection 2. Against our former method it may be objected. That this our opinion supposeth the Wo∣man to be come out of the Wilderness, and afterwards to go in again; and if so, then must the Womans continu∣ance in the Wilderness the first, and the second time, be upwards of one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes, for so long she was the first time onely, vers. 6. and if so, then must the time of the Beasts reign, his treading under∣foot the Holy City, the Witnesses wearing sackcloth, (which for time are the same with this) be likewise upwards of One thousand two hundred and sixty dayes.

Answ. The first Supposition granted, the other indeed will necessarily follow; but that we deny, affirming, that the Woman is here spoken of, as if come out of the Wilderness at this time of the War in Heaven (though indeed in it) and that for one, or both these reasons, ei∣ther,

First, Because by her great victories, and successes a∣gainst her enemy, the Dragon, under the noble Swedish King, she seemed in a manner to be got out of the Wil∣derness, and to have put off her sackcloth, and therefore is spoken of, as if come out, because in appearance for a while she was so, giving check to the proud Dra∣gon.

Secondly, Because the time of her being in the Wilder∣ness after this (though short) yet was to be a more black and dismal time, than all the time before, and she was to meet with sufferings of another kind than ever yet she

had; and therefore it is spoken of, as though it were an∣other, and a new time; though yet indeed but a part of the other.

SECT. V.

OBjection 3. But it may be further objected, That the former Position and method makes the Apocalyptical time, times, and a half, repugnant to, and irreconcilable with Daniels time, times, and a half.

Answ. 1. It is a known maxim, that Scriptures more dark, are to be interpreted by Scriptures more clear. Now it being confessed on all hands, that Johns light is the more clear, we are therefore to make John interpretative of Daniel, and not Daniel of John.

Secondly, Compare Daniel with Daniel, and follow this rule, to ••nterpret that which is more dark, by that which is more clear, and Daniel himself speaks positively to our Assertion. Thrice in Daniel we have the word time or times used in a mystical sense, Dan. 4.32. Seven times shall pass over thee. Chap. 7.25. Ʋntill a time, times, and the dividing of time. Chap. 12.7. It shall be for a time, times, and a half. In the first of these we have little mystery, but the two last have in them much mystery. Now consider, whether it is most likely that we should interpret the two last places in a sense different from the first; or whether are we to interpret them by the first; surely, it is most safe to say that we are to interpret them by the first, not only because the first is the more clear, but also because the first seems to me to be therefore laid down before the other, that it might be a Standard of light to guide us in∣to the mind of the Holy Ghost in the other. If so, then the seven times that were to pass over Nebuchadnezzar, whilst he was to eat grass like Oxen, being no other but seven years, must we also understand the time, times,

and a half, or the time, times, and dividing of time, of three years and a half, onely, as I have formerly noted,

But thirdly, To come to the places themselves, where the bottom of this scruple lies, which are Dan. 7.25. chap. 12.7. I suppose, let them be throughly weighed, and it will appear, that the time, times, and a half, will as well, if not better, bear our sense of three years and a half, then the other which interprets them one thousand two hun∣dred and sixty years.

I shall begin with Chap. 12.7. and the rather, because the words there opened will help us to the mind of the Holy Ghost in the other.

Now the Question is, Whether are we to understand the time, times, and a half in that place, of one thousand two hundred and sixty years, or onely of three years and a half?

I answer, of three years and a half, and that appears upon this account. In vers. 6. we have a Question put in Daniels hearing, How long it should be unto the end of Wonders? To this Question we have a two-fold answer given; First, A more dark Answer, vers. 7. Secondly, A more clear Answer, vers. 11, 12. And observe, either Answer consists of two branches, suitable to the Wonders themselves spoken of, which were to have a double end, or fulfilling time. First, A partial. Secondly, A total, accordingly either answer hath (I say) two Branches. The first Answer, vers. 7. hath first, The time, times, and a half, as one Branch. Secondly, The scattering the power of the holy people, as another. The second, vers. 11, 12. hath, First, 1290 days, as one Branch. Secondly, 1335 days, as another.

Now that the same thing, and not things of a diverse nature is pointed at in both these Answers, is clear.

1 Because each Answer consists (as I have said) of two distinct Branches.

2 Because Daniel (as is clear) puts the Question the second time, concerning that very thing that the first Que∣stion was moved about, and the very reason of his putting the Question the second time, is for more light into that an∣swer, which he heard given, but did not understand, there∣fore saith he, vers. 8. And I heard, but I understood not; and therefore puts the Question again. The intent of the Question therefore in both being the same, the An∣swer is to be looked upon as the same also.

3 Because the very words of the Lord to Daniel be∣fore he gives him a second answer, import as much, for saith he, vers. 9. The words are closed and sealed up till the time of the end. What words? why, those words Daniel asked after, the words of the former answer more especially, for the sealing the words of the Prophecy in general, we had before, vers. 4. shewing plainly, that as the Querist, so the respondent was still upon one and the same thing, as to say, The thing, O Daniel, thou in∣quirest after is not to be revealed untill the time of the end; yet because thou art so desirous to know, thou shalt have it in a plainer, and more familiar Dialect, and what that is, the second answer tells us, Vers. 11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, shall be 1290 days, vers. 12. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the 1335 days.

The answer then being one and the same in both, the thing now to be inquired into is, How or in what sense can we make the time, times, and a half, to be one and the same with the 1290 days?

Answ. We cannot make them one and the same in dura∣tion, for the time, times, and a half, stretched out at that length Expositors would have them, make but 1260 days, which falls short by thirty days or years of 1290; they

must therefore be one and the same in termination, either terminating and ending at one and the same point; If so, then suppose we take the time, times, and a half, for three years and a half onely, namely, the last three years and a half, of Daniels 1290, will the time, times, and a half concur with the 1290 in their end, as well as if by time, times, and a half, we should understand 1260 years; for reckon three years and a half onely, or 1260 years compleat, and make either but to end at the same point, with Da∣niels 1290, it amounts all to one, and the one is as good, and as firm as the other.

Nay, that the time, times, and a half, is rather to be understood in our sense, viz. for three years and a half onely, than in the other, for 1260 years, seems to me up∣on this account; because the intent of the Holy Ghost in the first answer is, not to measure the length of the time, how long it should be until the performance of those things en∣quiry was made after, which is done in the second answer; but rather to give some knowledge of the thing, by hint∣ing two wonderful remarkable actions, as marks, of which two, the first should fall out at the beginning time, the last at the compleating time of the work. The first mark is the time, times, and a half, i.e. The black day of killing the Witnesses, which God in his all-wise Provi∣dence had so ordered, and would in his time so bring about, as that, that black day, and the 1290 days should expire together; Or thus, That the rise of the Witnesses at the end of the time, times, and a half, and the first stirring of the Jews at the end of 1290 years, should both concur, as it were, in the same point, fall out much about one and the same time.

The second mark (which relates to the latter number, viz. of 1335. days) is the accomplishing to scatter the power of the holy people; And when he shall have ac∣complished to scatter the power of the Holy people, all

these things shall be fulfilled. Two things ere we can make application of this mark to the number it relates to, are necessary to be cleared up; 1. Who are meant by this holy people? 2. What that scattering is which is here spoken of, and by whom?

To the first, By the holy people, we are undoubtedly to understand the Jews, and no other in this place, for the people whose deliverance Daniel is here so inquisitive after, are that people of whose deliverance Daniel had had a promise made to him, vers. 1. At that time shall thy people be delivered— but they were the Jews, there∣fore called thy people, i.e. Daniels people, the people of Daniels Nation.

To the second, This scattering is not to be understood of their present dispersed condition, in which they are a people dispersed and scattered by the Lord himself into all the corners of the earth, for in this state they are not the holy people, but a people for the present rejected of God, therefore called by God himself in this state Loammi, Not my people, Hos. 1.9. but in the scattering here spoken of, they are considered as the holy people, and therefore the scattering of them is called the scattering of the holy peo∣ple; intimating, that this scattering is not their scattering by God, whilst they continue in their rejected state; but a scattering by some other, after they come out of that state, and are again the chosen people of God; and indeed, were we to interpret this scattering to be the act of God, then surely (considering the person here speaking, is the Lord himself, as compare ver. 7. with Rev. 10.5, 6.) he would rather have spoken in the first person, when I shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, than in the third, when he shall.

Quest. But who then is this he?

Answ. That proud raging He, viz. the King of the North, spoken of Chap, 11, 40, 41, 42. who at the time

of Michaels standing up, which is the time called in the words, the fulfilling time, or rather the concluding time, when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be fulfilled, shall come raging mad into the Land of Judea, where the new∣ly come in Jews shall have seated themselves again, Chap. 11.45. which day shall be a time of such trouble (to that people more especially) as never was upon earth, Chap. 1••.1. At that time (that is, when this raging King of the North, spoken of in the close of the former Chapter shall have so distressed the Jews) shall Michael stand up, and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a Nation; by which trouble they shall be scattered, and in a manner broken to peeces, as appears by Zacharies description of this day, Zach. 14.1, 2, 3.

In a word therefore, as the time, times, and a half, which sets forth the most black day of the Gentiles is or∣dered by God so to fall out, as that it is here laid down in the more dark answer, as a mark of the first, viz. 1290 dayes, which notes the beginning time; so the scattering the power of the holy people, or the Jews black day, is laid down as a mark of the second, viz. the 1335 dayes, or the compleating time of Wonders, when (as saith the Text) all these things shall be fulfilled.

Now besides that reason that the thing it self carries with it as I have opened it, that what hath been said, viz. That the intent of the Holy Ghost in the first answer, is not to lay down any way, or rule for us to calculate the times by, but rather to give us evident marks, and signs of either time, appears to me for these Reasons.

1 Because as to the first branch of the Answer, name∣ly, the time, times, and a half, we have no head of ac∣count laid down where to begin them, if we begin them with the beginning of Johns 1260, they fall (as we have said) thirty years too short; if from the time Daniel saw

the Vision, above a thousand years too short; where there∣fore shall we begin them, or how shall we account if we cannot find a Head to begin our account upon? The Holy Ghost wheresoever he intends an account of times should be made up by us, doth either lay down some express Head for us to begin upon, as in the following verses. And also Dan. 9.24, 25. or else leaves us to begin from the time of the Vision, but here we have not the one, nor may we do the other.

2 Because the second branch, viz. the scattering of the power of the holy people, is no number, and therefore can be no other thing but a mark, ergo, must the first like∣wise.

3 Because if the intent of the first answer be to give us any account of the time how long; then considering that this is the main drift of the second answer, it will follow, that either we have two diverse accounts laid down in the two several answers, or but one; if two diverse, how then are the answers the same, which we have before pro∣ved; if one and the same, then is there Tautologie in the Text.

4 And lastly, This seems to me to be the very reason why the answer was so dark to Daniel, that he heard, but understood not, because the force of the answer lay in signs, which being not as then things visible, or in being, Daniel is confounded within himself, and knows not what to make of the answer.

This being so, that the time, times, and a half, are here laid down only by way of mark, it will much better agree to our sense, to take the time, times, and a half, for three years and a half, than to the other which interprets them, 1260 years; for that which is laid down purely as a mark, must not be drawn out at length, for then it ceaseth to be a mark, and becomes a rule to measure by, but must ever be held and accounted for some noted point,

some remarkable action, by observing which we may learn something else.

This Text being opened, there needs not much to be said to that other, Chap. 7.25. save only, that as the time, times, and a half, are here laid down by way of mark; so likewise are the time, times, and dividing of time there. The thing they point at is not the duration of the little Horns Kingdom, how long it should continue from the time of its first rise, but rather to shew (which who ob∣serves it shall find to be the very scope of the place) when this blasphemous, raging little Horn, who for a long time together had worn out the Saints, changed times and Laws, should have a period put to his boundless rage and ty∣ranny, which (I say) is set forth, not by measuring the time of his Kingdom, but by hinting (as a mark) a most re∣markable action which should be in the very concluding time of it, and indeed prove the break-neck of his King∣dom, and that is the black day of the witnesses killing, the end of which day should put a period to his Kingdom, the time of his rage and tyranny; which thing, though a great mystery in Daniel, therefore when Daniel heard this the second time, Chap. 12. he confesseth that he understood it not, yet it is a thing cleerly revealed in John (as we have formerly noted) viz. that the end of Antichrists Kingdom, and the end of the three dayes and a half (the limited time of the Witnesses lying dead) shall fall at one and the same point; and therefore well may the time, time, and dividing of time, he laid down as a mark to shew when a Period should be put to the Kingdom of the little Horn.

Thus we see that Daniels time, times, and a half, is so far from being repugnant to that Exposition I have given of Johns time, times, and a half, that indeed rightly ope∣ned, we have hence a strong confirmation of it, yea of our whole meth••d; for (as I said at first) if Johns time, times, and a half, be not to be understood of 1260 years,

but of three years and a half only, then of necessity must the method of this 12 Chapter be, as I have stated it.

If notwithstanding all, any should yet say, That surely it cannot be without something of the mind of God, that a time, times, and a half, that is, three years and a half re∣duced into dayes, and these dayes into years again, should make the very sum of 1260 dayes, or years.

Ans. Yes, I am verily perswaded that there is much of the mind and wisdome of God in it; but if I may nakedly speak what I think is the mind of God herein, I take it to be this, That men when they will be curious (which is a thing the best are prone unto, and as soon taken with as any one snare I know) shall even in the word it self find something to feed their curiosity, whereby the sim∣plicity of truth shall be hidden to them. And indeed whether to go from a certain Prophetical stile, a time for a year, to a new stile, no where clearly found in all the Word, namely, a time or year put for a year of years, only upon this account, because a time, times, and a half, i. e. three years and a half, will by this reduction amount to 1260 years; I say, whether it seem not to savour more of curiosity than truth, and might not possibly be by the wonderful wisdome of God so left in the Word on purpose, that truth till the discovering time should come, might be the more veiled; I leave to the Spiritual and understanding Reader to judge.

The result of the whole is, that the Prophecie of the twefth Chapter is not to be limited to the first period; but brings us down even to the end of the second period, namely of the 1260 years, and consequently the time, times, and a half; mentioned vers. 14. is the same with the three dayes and a half, Chap. 11.9.

SECT. VI.

FRom what hath been said, many useful truths arise, which confirm us in the things before asserted, upon Chap. 11. and also are a good confirmation by reason of that sweet harmony of truth it carries with it, of the method laid down in this Chapter; as,

1 That the three days and a half, Chap. 11.9. are not the s••me with the one thousand two hundred and sixty days, because we have a manifest difference here made betwixt the time, times, and a half (which answers to the three days and a half) and the 1260 days.

2 That the killing of the Witnesses shall not be a ge∣neral act, an act in all places at once, because within the time, times, and a half, which is the term of the Witnesses lying dead, there is elsewhere a remnant of the Womans Seed standing up for Christ, vers. 17.

3 That the particular place in which the Witnesses are to lye dead, is Germany, because the War leading to their killing, is in that Land.

4 That the Witnesses in their killing time shall be de∣prived (if not totally, yet in a great measure) of such outward Means and Ordinances as they enjoyed, though in a mournful and suffering condition all the time of their Prophecy, yet notwithstanding shall have a principle of life kept alive in them, by the way of Christs more secret working; therefore it is said of the Woman the 1260 days they fed her, v. 6. but in the time, times, and a half she is non-rished, vers. 14.

5 That the People, and Kindreds, and Nations, and Tongues, Chap. 11.9. are such persons who drive on a worldly and earthly interest, for they are here called the earth, vers. 16. And the earth helped the woman.

6 And last, That the people of God elsewhere, within

the time that the Witnesses lie dead, shall have a cloud upon them, and be brought into some straits, for a War is attempted within the time, times, and a half, by the Dragon, upon the remnant of the Womans seed, vers. 17.

SECT. VII.

I Shall conclude this Chapter with a word or two of en∣quiry, as touching this remnant of the Womans seed. Two things concerning them are worthy a search after.

1 What people are here meant by this remnant of the Womans seed, that the Dragon within the three days and a half makes war upon.

2 How, or in what fense we are to conceive of this War made upon this remnant of the Womans seed by the Dragon.

Concerning the first, I shall not presume to determine any thing of this people, any further than the Holy Ghost hath, who describes them by two notable distinguishing Characters, as willing thereby to mark them out from all the people, that within the time of the three days and a half, should be found in the world besides.

First, They are such who keep the Commandements of God. By Commandements we are to understand those Gospel-Institutions Christ gave to his people in command upon his Resurrection, so called, Act. 1.2. After that he through the Holy Ghost had given Commandements unto the Apostles whom he had chosen.

Secondly, They shall be such who have the restimony of Christ. What is that?

Answ. A Spirit of Prophecy amongst them, Revel. 19.10. the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy, i.e. they shall be a people much looking into the Prophe∣••ies of the last times, having a great in-sight into what

God is about to do in the world, and abundance of faith in behalf of the cause of Christ, so as not to fear it, though the same be opposed by all the world, yea, and all the De∣vils in Hell.

Such a People, who shall be eminent above all others for these Characters, shall be found in the world, at the time the Witnesses lye dead; these shall be as an eye-sore to the Dragon, who shall dread some mischief to arise to his Kingdom from them; and therefore he shall wonderously d••sire, and lay about him, if it may be to rid these out of the way, as fearing he shall not be secure in his seat whilst they are in the world, and therefore having killed the Wit∣nesses, his next attempt is upon these.

But now as to the second, How doth he attempt them, or what manner of wat is it that he makes upon them?

In order to my answer I premise;

1 That that Dragon which is the grand Persecutor of the Woman throughout this Chapter, from whom all her sufferings originally arise, is (according to the Holy Ghosts interpretation, vers. 9.) that old Serpent, the De∣vil, and Satan; He stands ready to devoure the Childe as soon as born, vers. 4. He wars with Michael, vers. 7. He drives the Woman into the Wilderness, vers. 13, 14. He casts a floud after her to drown her, vers. 15. He makes war after this with the remnant of her seed, vers. 17.

2 That this Dragon, Satan, being a spiritual and an invisible enemy, and all the sufferings of the Woman un∣til this day, having been ever caused by some outward and visible means; Wee may not therefore conclude that it is by any immediate hand or act of the Dragon that the Woman suffers, but by some mediate hand; that is, some thing or power acted by this Dragon, and made an instrument to serve his design against the Woman; therefore is the Dragon said in his fighting to make use of Angels, or Instruments, vers. 7. and also in his fal

hath Angels, or Instruments, falling with him, vers. 9.

3 This thing, or power acted by the Dragon to afflict the Woman, is sometimes one thing, sometimes another; sometimes one thing onely, sometimes more than one; accordingly as he hath permission to act this or that thing, and finds that by the acting of one thing, or of diverse, he may best effect his own design of distressing, and if it might be, destroying the Woman, therefore before the Beast comes in, he acts the power of the Pagan Empire; after the Beast is come in, the power of the Beast more in general, but more particularly, the power of the German Empire.

4 That thing or power which is most commonly or pro∣perly governed by him, is in a distinct consideration from all other things, or Powers, called by the name of the Dragon. So of all the Powers in the world, the Roman Power in the Primitive Ages goes under the name of the Dragon, vers. 3. of all the Powers subjected to the Beast, the Power of the German Empire, is called the Dragon, vers. 7.13.

5 Hence it follows, That those attempts made against the Woman, or any of her seed, by that power which the Dragon properly governs and rules, and which in the phrase of the Holy Ghost, used in this Chapter, takes denomination from him, are to be called the at∣tempt or war of the visible Dragon against the Woman; but those attempts which through the subtilty of the old Serpent, secretly creeping into, and acting other powers than those, which he properly and commonly rules and governs, and which do not take denomination from him, are made against the Woman, or any of her seed, it is more proper to call them the War of the invisible Dragon.

This ground gained from the manifest truth of the Text, I come now to give in my answer, which is;

That I conceive, That as the Dragon throughout his Chapter goes under a two-fold Notion, or conndera∣••••on.

1 The invisible Dragon, Satan, which is the Dragon governing.

2 The visible Dragon (in ancient times the Roman Empire, in latter times the German) which is the Dragon governed; so shall there be a double War raised against this remnant of the Womans seed.

First, The invisible Dragon, who acts the visible, and therefore is before him, shall in the first place attempt a War upon this remnant.

Quest. But how shall he do it?

Answ. Look how the invisible Dragon acts in killing of the Witnesses, so shall he act in this. The in∣visible Dragon kills the Witnesses, by acting the power of the visible Dragon, or the German Empire, to do it; accordingly the invisible Dragon shall attempt a War upon this remnant of the Womans seed, by acting in an in∣visible way those powers under whom this remnant of the Womans seed shall be.

Now that such a War within this time shall be made upon this remnant by the invisible Dragon, is clear, be∣cause (as I have formerly said) it is a thing both rational and of great use, That the whole mystical body should come under some measure of sufferings in that time wherein the Witnesses lye dead. Now because this rem∣nant shall not come into the mouth of the visible Dra∣gon, for therefore (as I conceive) are they called a remnant, because kept and reserved by God from the mouth of the visible Dragon, at the time their Fellow-Brethren are in it; it is therefore necessary, to the end there might bee in this remnant a sympathie with their Brethren in their afflictions, that they should within this time have some attempt made upon them by the invisible Dragon.

Secondly, The visible Dragon shall also towards the end of this time make an attempt upon this

remnant, which is clear, because that Dragen that kills the Witnesses, doth afterwards make an attempt upon this remnant; but the Dragon killing the Witnesses, was not the invisible only, but the visible also; therefore the vi∣sible Dragon, as well as the invisible, shall attempt a War upon this remnant.

Quest. But how shall he do it?

Answ. By drawing together the whole, or a prin∣cipal part of the Papal power, whereof the visible Dragon, or German Empire, shall bee chief, to in∣gage in an open War against this remnant, if it may bee, to cut them off; but what the issue of this at∣tempt shall be, we shall see presently, in opening the fourteenth Chapter, which (as I have said) follows as the next thing in order after this. I onely say here, That this remnant of the Womans Seed, shall not suffer greatly, either by the attempt of the invisible Dragon, or the visible; for observe, it is not said, He made War, but went to make War (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) i.e. endeavoured the thing, but ere the invisible Dragon, or the visible can do this remnant much hurt, Christ steps in, and prevents.

Thus much concerning the twelfth Chapter.