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 ...

Numbers of the first Rank.

THESIS XVI.

The Numbers that belong to the first Rank, are the 1290 days, the 1260. and the forty two Months, the same with the 1260.

THESIS XVII.

The 1290 days, and the 1260 (alias forty two months) are both to end at one and the same point; that is, the Jews delivery from their long Captivity, which is the thing set forth by the 1290 days, is to begin at that point where the Gentile Churches delivery from the tyranny of Anti∣christ, set forth by the forty two month, the 1260 days is to end, and so consequently either number concenter in their end, and terminate at the same point, which is clear.

1 Because the time, times, and a half, Dan. 12.7. Rev.

12.14. which ends at the same point with the 1260. ends also at the same point with the 1290, as I have proved at large in my fore-going Discourse, Chap. 2. Sect. 5.

2 Because our Saviour, Luk. 21.24. fore-telling the time how long the Jews Captivity should continue, and Jerusalem should be trodden under foot of the Gentiles, tels us, that the same should be untill the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled. And they shall fall by the edge of the Sword; and shall be led away captive into all Nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, untill the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled; the meaning whereof is not, that the Jewish Captivity should continue, untill such time as the Gentiles should cease to be Gods people any longer, for the stream of the Prophets run against such a conjecture, they every where fore-telling of a wonderful access of Gentiles to the Lord, about the time of the Jews coming in, from which day the Gentiles are not to be rejected, but Jew and Gentile together to be the people of God. But the meaning I conceive to be this, until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, that is, untill the time of the Gentiles Captivity, and sufferings under Antichrist is at an end, so long shall the Jews Captivity remain, but with the end of the one, shall the other also have end. Now the Gentiles Captivity ending at the end of the forty two months, the 1260 days, which is the term of the Beasts Tyranny, and the Womans being in the Wilderness, therefore must the Jews also, and so consequently the 1260 days, and the 1290. end to∣gether.

3 Because Daniel, chap. 9.26. telling us how long de∣solations are determined upon the Jewish Nation, makes their desolations to end with the end of the War, Unto the end of the War desolations are determined.

Quest. What War is this?

Answ. Doubtless the War he had spoken of before,

chap. 7.21. viz. the War of the little Horn against the Saints; I beheld, and the same Horn made War with the Saints, and prevailed against them; the continuance of which War is but untill the end of the time, times, and a half, where the time of the little Horns reign and Tyranny expires, vers. 25. He shall wear out the Saints of the most High, and think to change times and Laws, and they shall be given into his hand, until a time, and times, and the dividing of time.

Now observe, with the end of this War the Jewish de∣solations end, and their restauration begins; now this War ending with the end of the time, times, and a half, and the end of the time, times, and a half, and the 1260 days being one and the same, it necessarily follows, that the 1260 days, and the 1290 should end together.

THESIS XVIII.

The point of time where either ends is in the year of our Lord, 1656.

THESIS XIX.

The true beginnings of either number do necessarily in∣fer this to be the end.

THESIS XX.

The 1290 days are to be begun Anno Dom. 366, with that noted act of Julian, of setting the Jews about re∣edifying the Temple, and furnishing them out of the pub∣lick Treasury with all necessaries for this work, when by a terrible Earth quake all they built was thrown up, yea, the very foundation-stones of the Temple, which never till that day were moved, thrown out of their places, and by ter∣rible Thunder and Lightning, and Fire falling from Hea∣ven, all their tools and instruments were burnt up. So that as Socrates (in his third Book, cap. 20. according to

the Greek, the 17. according to the Translation) saith, That there a man might have beheld Hammers, Graving-Irons, Saws, Axes, Hatchets, &c. consumed with fire; which fire (saith he) ceased not to burn the space of a whole day, and the Jews themselves being amazed hereat, confessed Christ to be the omnipotent God.

Yea farther (saith the aforesaid Author) Cyril, then Bishop of Jerusalem when they began the work, remem∣bred this Prophecy of Daniel, and urging Christs words with it, Matth. 24.2. did prophecy unto many, that now the time was come that our Saviours words should be fulfilled, which he spake of the Temple, that not one stone should be left upon another. Thus much out of the very words of Socrates, who wrote above 1200 years ago.

The truth of this act is also testified by many other an∣cient Writers; as

Ammianus Marcellinus, who lived in the very time of Julian, and was a Souldier under him, lib. 23.

Theodoret (who wrote his Ecclesiastical History, Anno Dom. 430.) Lib. 3. cap. 17.

Sozomene (who was contemporary with Socrates) lib. 5. cap. 21, yea by most Chronologers and Historians, both Ancient and Modern, that have written any thing of this time.

Yea, which is also a thing very observable, and noted by Socrates, and most of the aforesaid Authors, viz. That as wicked Julian did set the Jews upon re-edifying the Tem∣ple, so did he also about the same time send his Legates to offer Sacrifice in the chief Heathen Temple of the Gentiles in Delphos, and there to consult with the Oracle of Apollo; and as God by Earth-quake, Thunder and Lightning did over-turn the one, so did he also in the same manner, and about that very time, the other; thereby overwhel∣ming at once both the cheif Temples, the one of the Jews

he other of the Gentiles, putting an end to the Jewish daily Sacrifice, and the Gentile Superstitions, at one and the same time; and therefore no time may so fitly be called a time of Desolation, and that because of abominati∣on, as this.

Now the Reasons why we are to fix the Head of our Account upon this act, rather than any other before it, or since it, are.

1 Because if we begin with any act before it, the time is expired, and the Jews not yet delivered, experience therefore proves such beginnings false.

2 Because we may not begin lower for these Rea∣sons;

First, Because if we begin lower, the 1290 days cannot be made concurrent in their end with Johns 1260. which for the fore-going grounds must be.

Secondly, Because Daniel being a Prophet of the Jews, and the things he fore-told having a more especial respect to that Nation, there cannot in any History of any time since Christ be found an act so famous, and that with a relation to that Nation, as was this act of Julians, with which therefore we must begin, or none.

Thirdly, Because no beginning lower (that will agree to Daniels words) either can be found, or is stated by any that ever yet I have met with; and it is a thing that I have much observed, how that all those, who because the time is near, and so little likelihood of any such thing ap∣pears as yet, have not faith enough to beleeve this begin∣ning, have also not light enough to make out another, but are silent, laying down no Head to begin this account up∣on, which yet the Holy Ghost hath marked out, by as eminent and noted Characters, to shew us where we are to begin it, as any account in all the Scripture, vers. 11. From the time that the daily Sacrifice shall be taken a∣way, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, shall be 1290 days.

And these Characters do most exactly agree to the act of Julian, as I have proved in my first part, pag. 52, 53. and indeed are not so fitly appliable to any act that ever was before or since it; I judge my self therefore to have much reason still to hold to that opinion, I then more doubtfully laid down, viz. That we are with Julians act of setting the Jews about re-edifying of the Temple, to begin the 1290 days.

The reason why I pitch upon the year three hundred six∣ty fix, to be the year in which this was done (when as there is amongst Historians three or four years variance in stating the year) is not this onely, because Historians of best ac∣count report this to be the year, and Authors of no little esteem adhere rather to this report than any of the other; but my reason is, because the one thousand three hundred thirty five days, vers. 12. (whose Head is the same with the one thousand two hundred and ninety) cannot be made, as they must (as shall straight-way appear) concurrent in their end with the two thousand three hundred days, in case we fix this act of Julian upon any other year than the aforesaid year three hundred sixty six; that therefore I conclude (as formerly) to be the year; To three hun∣dred sixty six, add one thousand two hundred and ninety, the whole is one thousand six hundred fitly six.

THESIS XXI.

The 1260 days are to be begun, A.D. 396. for to that year are the Characters, the Scripture gives us both of the time in which the Beast was to rise, and the Characters of the Beast himself, most fitly appliable.

THESIS XXII.

Two clear Characters we have laid down by the Apo∣stle Paul, 2 Thes. 2. of the time in which the man of sin was to be midwifed into the world.

First, In the time of the Churches first most eminent Apostacy from Primitive purity. This we have, vers. 3. That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the Son of perditi∣on; as if he had said, the revelation of the man of sin, i.e the bringing him forth into the world, is then to be expected, when you shall see some eminent falling away; for he thrusts himself forth into the world, in, or with this falling away. Now this defection though it began and was in part more early, because the mystery of iniquity did work and en∣deavor to thrust it self in, even from the Apostles daies, as ver. 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; yet did it not become eminent, so as that corruption began to have the Major Vote in Councils, and to be confirmed by their Decrees, till in and near about this year. What Canons that never passed Councils before the second Council of Carthage, and other Council sin and about this year did produce, I shall shew presently.

Secondly, The rise of the Antichristian Beast is there to be placed, where the ancient Roman Empire (which is that the Apostle tells us did then with-hold and let) began to fall to decay, and to be taken away, Vers. 6, 7, 8. And now yee know what with-holdeth, that he might be re∣vealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth al∣ready work; onely he who now letteth will let untill he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed— But this was A.D. 396 for the Emperor Theodosius dying A.D. 395. as saith Helvicus in Thea∣tro Historico, Alsted. in Chronologia Monarch. Rom. the Empire was thereupon divided betwixt Arcadius and Honorius, his two Sons; so that the year 396. was the very first yeer of the division of the Roman Empire. Now division being the beginning of ruin, we may say there be∣gan the ruin of the Roman Empire, where it began so to be divided as never to be united more. Hence Dan. Pareus

calls this the consummate Division, which did so distract the Empire now broken into two, as that it never after∣wards became united under one Emperor again. Par. in Medulla Historiae profanae.

About this very time also, by the general consent of Hi∣storians, did the Goths and Vandals invade the Empire, in such sort, as that, A.D. 410. Alaricus King of the Goths takes Rome it self. Alsted. in Chronologia Regno∣rum Veterum, Helvicus in Theat. Hist. Ross in his Chronology at the end of his Worlds History. And so mightily was the Roman Empire weakned by the former division, and this invasion falling out together, that Rome never recovered its former strength and beauty since.

THESIS XXIII.

The Characters of the Beast himself do also agree most punctually to this time of any: Or take it thus, Those very things which gave breath and being (as I may so say) to the man of sin, came forth in, or neer about this very year, as,

1 Idolatry, in worshipping Images, the Virgin Mary, Saints, the Reliques of Saints, &c. is the principal Character of the Beast. All these things had beginning neer about, if not in this very year, as may bee seen at large in Wolfius his Centinaries, Cent. 4. in treating upon the particular year 396.

2 Prohibition of Marriage, this the Apostle makes an express badge of Antichrist, 1 Tim 4.3. Forbidding to marry. This began about this very time. The second Council of Carthage was the first Council that ever made it a Law that Ministers should not marry, as may bee seen in Alsted. in Chronol. Conciliorum, Simson, History of the Church, lib. 4. Cent. 4. This Council was held (saith Helvicus) in the very year 396.

Also in the first Council held at Toledo in Spain, a little

after, viz. A. D. 400. (as saith Helvieus) was the same Decree confirmed, as may be seen in Ecclesiastial Chronology at the end of the Tirpartite History. Yea (which was worse) in this Council was not only prohi∣bition of Mariage, but allowance given therewithall to have Concubines. Simson Hist. of the Church, lib. 4. Cent. 5.

Siricius who was made Bishop of Rome, A.D. 385. and so continued until the year 398. (as saith Alsted. in Chronologia Paparum. Helvicus in Theatro Historico, Joan. Wolfius Cent. 4. Prideaux in his Introduction to the reading of Ecclesiastical History, p. 78.) was the first (as the aforesaid Authors, with many others, affirm) that imposed single life upon the Clergy. Yea this rage of Siricius was such (as saith Melancthon upon Carion, lib. 3.) as that he removed from their office all such as being unmaried did marry; forbad such as were married to company with their wives, and in case of disobedience, re∣moved them from their places and functions; and in an unsavoury manner cites that of Paul, in his Decree, They that are in the flesh cannot please God.

3 Exalting himself above the Civil Magistrate. This is another badge of Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2.4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God.—This began presently after this time, for Pope Innocent the first, who was made Pope A.D. 402. saith Alstede, 403. saith Helvicus, did so take upon him, as to excomunicate the Emperor Arcadius (though Emperor not of Rome, but Constantinople, another place) as saith Dan. Pareus in Medulla Hist. Eccles. universali. Yea at the same time together with the Emperor he excom∣municated the Eastern Churches also, as faith Ross, History of the world, lib. 3. cap. 3.

4 Humane Traditions is another badge of Antichrist. These began about this very time. Ross in his Chronology,

at the end of his History of the World saith, That be∣twixt the years 390. and 400. It was first Ordained that the Gospel should be heard standing, also Canonical hours for prayer were first instituted; Also that the third Coun∣cil of Carthage which was held within this time (viz. A.D. 398. saith Alsted.) ordained that the Eucharist should be received fasting. My Author pitcheth upon no particular year, but affirms all these things to have their first rise within this Decad.

The same Author also presently after saith, That about the year 400. began first the rights of Patronages in the Council of Mela. Joan. Wolfius in his Centenaries, Cent. 4. upon the year 393. saith, About this time began Traditions, Monkish life, &c. Alstede saith, That A.D. 398. the Order of Regular Priests was first instituted. In Chronologia Ordinum inter Monachos. This is also testified by Wolfius, who treats more largely of the thing, Cent. 4.

5 Abstinence from meats is another badge of Anti∣christ. 1 Tim. 4.3. — commanding to abstain from meats. Socrates who wrote the Ecclesiastical History of the Church, from Constantines time until the time of Theodosius junior, discoursing in his fifth Book of the state the Church was in, the year before, or this very year 396. tells us, of the great strise that was made by some at this time about Holy-dayes; what divers sorts of Fasts were now instituted and kept; and what Laws were laid upon men, and men laid upon themselves, about meats, some refusing all living Creatures, some feeding upon Fish only, &c. which things the aforesaid Author zealously disclames against, calling them Jewish Rites, and the As∣sertors of them favourers of Jewish Customes, and proves these things to bee contrary to Scripture, quoting many Texts out of Paul to that end.

THESIS XXIV.

The foregoing Characters, although they do as well, yea better (take them in the general) agree to the year 396. then any other year, yet do they not all jump with that particular year; the reason is, because the coming forth of the Beast was by degrees, not all at once, for then the knowledge of the time of his rise would have been no Mystery; Its necessary therefore that some other reason be given, why I fixe on this year rather than any other within the Decad.

THESIS XXV.

The most substantial reason that can be given hereof, is, The Head of the 1260 dayes must so be placed, as that the 1260 may concur in their end with the 1290. Now the 1290 beginning from Julian A.D. 366, the 1260 (which hath in it thirty years less) to the end either may terminate at the same point, must necessarily have its Head fixed thirty years lower, viz. with the year 396, the year I have before stated.

THESIS XXVI.

Here I cannot but observe a very signal hand of Pro∣vidence in fixing such a Standard as this is, to give us light into this great Mystery, where we are to begin the time of the Beast; for the Beast coming forth by degrees, it is a thing most difficult from bare Histories only, to fixe upon any particular year, within the number of many, so as thence positively to conclude, here, and no where else are we topitch our Standard: But now Julians act being a more particular thing, and restrained to a particular time, the very time of that may be found. This found, our Standard is fixed already, it is now but coming thirty years lower, and we have the rise of the Beast.

THESIS XXVII.

The thing I am speaking of affords us a notable con∣firmation of the truth of either beginning; for they must be so placed as that both Numbers may end together: by consequence therefore the heads of either Number must be set at thirty years distance from each other; and in this distance too, the head of the 1290 must be by so many years the higher, and the head of the one thou∣sand two hundred and sixty the lower, or else they cannot end together. Now is it not a thing very observable, that two things so remarkable, and made famous by so many Histories, the one a thing so like the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation, that no particular act recorded in any History former or latter, doth more patly agree to Daniels words than this of Julian doth: The other a thing so like the rise of the Beast, that we cannot, should we search Histories over and over, find a time, which in all things will afford us more proper Characters than this doth, should fall out at thirty years distance each from other? And also which is very observable in this distance too, that that which looks most like the 1290 dayes, the greater number by thirty years, should be the highest, and that which looks most like the 1260 the lowest? Cer∣tainly this Harmony is not a thing accidental, but so or∣dered by the All-wise Disposer of times and seasons, who through all the actions of the sons of men carries on his own Designs, and performs his own eternal Will.

If either of these beginnings be disallowed by any, let it by them be considered where they will find Heads, if not here, to begin these two Numbers upon, so as that the Harmony may not be broken, but either made from such beginnings as they shall state, to Terminate at the same point.

Now compute the years from either beginning, as we have before stated them, and the concluding time of each number will be A.D. 1656.

THESIS XXVIII.

The neerness of the time to the fulfilling of these things, is no more an impediment to our beleeving and looking for them at this day, then it would be to the peo∣ple of God at any other time, supposing them to live as neer the time as we.

Nay, what if I say, Our faith may hence take encou∣ragement the rather to beleeve these things, and expect them; seeing Gods ordinary way with his people in former ages hath been, whensoever he hath had any special delive∣rance to work for them, to conceal the time of it from his people, till the work was ripe, and now ready to bee put in execution. To give instance in two only, both fa∣mous Types of the Deliverance I am now treating of.

First, Israels deliverance from Egypt. Moses is sent of God to do the work before any of them dream of de∣liverance, or once think, that the four hundred and thirty years were so neer run out, as indeed they were.

Secondly, The deliverance from Babylon. Holy Da∣niel, although he was the only man of that age that knew the times and seasons, yet doth not he know the deliverance of Gods people to be so nigh, as indeed it was, until (as I may say) the very day before their deliverance, or untill that very year was come in which they were delivered, D••niel 9.1, 2. compared with Ezra 1.1, 2, 3, &c.

THESIS XXIX.

The great unlikelihood in an eye of reason of bringing such great and wonderful things about, within so short a time, to which as yet we see so little visible preparation, may well be a block in the way of carnal reason; but why should it be so to Faith? Seeing God hath assured us again, again, and again, Rev. 18. that from that time wherein the proud Whore shall bee glorying, boast∣ing, triumphing, conceiting her self far enough from danger, it shall bee but an hour (i. e. a very little time) to Gods passing judgement upon her, in the overthrow and ruine of Rome, the glory of her Kingdom.

THESIS XXX.

The sentence of death, that is, upon this work at pre∣sent, is matter of incouragement to faith, no matter of discouragement; seeing that from what I have laid down in many places of my foregoing Discourse, it is a thing manifestly clear, that a very black cloud (to the end the work may come forth upon the sudden from under it with the greater glory and brightness) is to come upon the work and cause of Christ among the Gentiles, at the very ending time of the 42 Months, the 1260 dayes; as a like dismal cloud is to befall the Jews, and Gods work among them, at the very ending time of the 2300, the 1335 dayes. If no such cloud did begin to appear, there would bee cause of questioning our for∣mer principles, but that it doth, is a confirmation of them.

THESIS XXXI.

The fixedness of the time, and certainty of the thing when the time is expired, is no more an Argument for

us at this day to sit still and do nothing in order to the effecting these glorious things, than it would be to say in another case, did I know the time of a mercy, I may now sit still, be idle, sleep, do what I will, for I can∣not have my mercy before, and I shall have it at such a time.

THESIS XXXII.

The end of the 1290 dayes, the 1260, the 42 months, being so neer,

1 Hence the several Discourses and hints laid down in our first Part, our second, and third, tending to per∣swade, That the day of the resurrection of the dry bones, or the Jews stirring, is neer, are confirmed, and made good.

2 Hence, what I have written, Vial 5. p. 52. ap∣pears to be a truth, viz. That the suffering of the Gen∣tile Churches will shortly bee at an end; for the 42 Months of the Beasts tyranny, and treading underfoot the holy City, the 1260 Dayes of the Witnesses pro∣phesying in sackcloth, the Womans being in the Wil∣derness, will shortly expire. Now the Beasts Tyranny and treading under foot the holy City, the Womans be∣ing in the Wilderness, the Witnesses wearing sackcloth, being the original cause of all the sufferings of the Gen∣tile Churches, their sufferings shall therefore end with the end of these; for the Beasts limited time being once cut, he shall have no new Lease of time to persecute the Woman, tread the holy City underfoot; the Woman once out of the Wilderness shall not return thither again, the Witnesses having once put off their sackcloth shall not put it on again.

3 Hence that which I have said Chap. 1. Sect. 5. viz. That the Witnesses do in all likelihood at this present

day lie dead, appears a truth, for their killing is to be (as I have proved Chap. 1 sect. 4.) in the last three years and a half of the 1260; and according to this our com∣putation there are not at the utmost above three years of the 1260 to expire.

4 Hence, the glorious Rendezvouz of the 144000 (of which our third Chapter treats) cannot be full three years off: for that is to be some little time before the com∣pleat expiration of the 1260 days. Thus much as touching the Numbers of the first Rank.