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

The Epistle to the Reader.

Christian Reader,

IT was not in my thoughts when I put forth my former peece, which I was moved to do, partly for the encourage∣ment of some, who had ventured far in the work of their Generation, and part∣ly for the provocation of others, that I should have appeared again upon the publick Stage, whence few that climb up, come down any better than losers, if not from men, yet through that corruption that lodgeth in their own hearts: But being by more than one or two, upon the coming forth thereof, desired to speak my thoughts more clearly and particularly as touching the Design or Designs of God in the Age we live in: And to that end, some proposing this Prophecy of the Vials, as a subject most suitable for such a disco∣very, which opened, they conceived would further un∣fold the Werk of this Generation; and being added as an Appendix to the other, might be of use: Although considering how great the Task was, how mystical that Prophecy in particular, upon which the thoughts of good men were so various, and how unskilful I my self was in the general knowledge of the Prophets, which was a thing most necessary to such an undertaking, I did for a while lay aside wholly the thoughts of satisfying their desires; yet finding desires renewed, after I had given them over, I knew not but that it might be some call unto me, seeing nothing but my own discouragements lying in the way to hinder: Whereupon I resolved to

make a trial, and as the Lord should come in with light, so to proceed, or give over; being incouraged hereto from that of Daniel, Chap. 12.4. That the Book was to be sealed up but to the time of the end, when by the run∣ning too and fro of many (which implies a kind of duty) knowledge shall be increased; And also considering that a special blessing (surely to quicken our dull hearts to this Work) is annexed to the Book of the Revelations, both at the beginning and ending, whereas no Book besides it in Scripture hath the like, Chap. 1.3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, Chap. 22.7. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book. These things were at first some encourage∣ment to me, and are still refreshment to my spirit, as touching what I have done; for though I will not say, I have in all things found the truth, (which yet I per∣swade my self is through Grace in some things here done) yet do I judge a liberty left for me, as well as others, to croud into the number of that many, who run too and fro to finde it; and also do beleeve it is a thing may be done without prejudice to a mans grace, comfort, or communion with God, yea, as a help to all these, seeing that a special blessing from Heaven is pronounced to such as read, hear, and keep these things.

And as to the Treatise it self, I may give this account of it, That when I began, my thoughts were not upon a second Part, but onely to have added this, as a brief Appendix to my first. But after I had taken a serious view of the Prophets and the Revelations, comparing one with the other. I saw so many precious ears of Corn lye scattered every where, that an eager desire of gleaning, made me forget my first resolutions, and this little Peece (which I had in my thoughts, laid out but for two

or three sheets at most) upon the sudden to swell into a second Part, more large than the former. And truly in doing of it, I have been so far from moulding things ac∣cording to any pre-conceived opinion (which I find a thing most apt to deceive) as that (setting aside some general perswasions, which I had before as touching Christs coming) I have upon deliberate consideration, seen real cause to forsake some things formerly taken up by me; and to alter those general conceptions which be∣fore I had of the Vials, almost in every thing.

And notwithstanding I had some thoughts at first positively to lay down my own opinion in things referring to the Vials, without mentioning the opinion of others, yet did I afterwards judge it convenient for the satis∣faction of such who delight to turn over Expositors, not only to lay down my own, but also briefly to insert those reasons, which pondered in my thoughts, made me see a necessity to forsake the old beaten paths, and seek a new; wherein I can speak it truly, I have not desired to besingular (though oft necessitated so to be) nor for∣saken any man, so far as by right reason I have been able in my most serious thoughts, to bring his opinion, and the truth together; and where I could not, though I highly reverence the men, as inestimable of more worth for grace and abilities both, then a hundred such as my self, yet have I not durst to follow them, because I have taken it up as my resolution in this day (which through the grace of God assisting, I shall hold unto) not to follow any man, or men living, though I honor their holiness, and love their parts, any farther then I can see the truth, and them to follow that, nor for any respect whatsoever to forsake any man, so far as he appears to me to go with that; And in this resolution (as to the present work) I am confirmed, by considering that the knowledge of those Prophecies which relate to the last

times, is to be attained, not so much by settling upon old received Principles, as by running to and fro to seek new Light and further Discoveries.

If any inquire of me as touching the reasons, why I have forborn to mention the names of such Authors, as I have had occasion in this Discourse to deal with; my answer is, because I would not appear as an opposer of men, though for the love of truth I am an opposer of false Principles, which may be in the best man; and al∣so because I would not give just cause, by bringing the names of good men upon the stage, to any who yet are living, or the friends or lovers of such as are deceased to be offended. I might adde another reason (with wishes it were otherwise) because many Professors in our dayes, are grown so wanten, that the very naming a good man, and shewing him to be in a mistake, is enough to make his name of little esteem, if not odious with some of them. And yet although I have suppressed names, have I alwayes laid the weight of their Reasons in the bal∣lance; not willingly concealing, nor extenuating by my laying it down, the strength of any one Argument, that whilst I was composing this Discourse, I could meet with making against me; which for any to do, I have alwayes judged a manifest sign of one, who rather seeks to make others think him a Victor, than to finde the truth.

Having given thee (Christian Reader) this brief ac∣count of the rise of this enterprise, and my progress in it, I have only two or three things to adde.

First, In case thou art one who art a young beginner, whose face is but newly set towards Truth, to seek it, let me commend to thee this one rule amongst many (which those who wait for the Spirit shall learn) it being that which the Author (being such a one as thy self) finding himself wearied, and quite tired out in seeking

after truth, whilst he hath addicted himself to follow now the opinion of this man, now of that; being able all this while to settle upon nothing, hath in the end been forced (as in other things, so in this) to have recourse unto; which is, to take the naked Scripture, and read it over, and by some distinguishing mark made in the Bible to sever those Scriptures, which in the Prophets and elsewhere treat of the last times, from other Scrip∣tures whose subjects are different; which done, thou shalt then be able, by the help of thy mark to turn thy Bible over, and in a few hours to consider all that from one end of the Scripture to another, hath special relation to the last times (or by making a different mark to any subject into which thou desirest light) whence having first by comparing the whole together founded thy self upon such Principles as are contradictory to no part, thou shalt then be able to pass a right judgement upon the different minds and sayings of Writers, knowing when and where to chuse and refuse, as they agree with, or differ from the substance of that truth which in Scripture hath special relation, either to such a Time, or such a Sub∣ject, and as where this is carefully and understandingly done, there will be little need of the multitude of Au∣thors; so where it is omitted, there will be little else save confusion to him that shall turn them over. And this let me say further, in doing of it, thou mayest pro∣mise thy self (through the help of the good Spirit) more full sat is faction then I will promise thee, from what I have written, or from any Book extant that ever I met with besides the Bible, and willingly I would have been here at the pains to have pointed out to thee those Scrip∣tures whose subject is the last times, but that I judge that to read over thy Bible diligently thy self, and mark them out, will do thee much more good.

Secondly, In case thou art one whose delight and

study runs this way, to pry into the mysteries of the last times, if he might teach, who indeed hath more need to learn, I would say, make stops sometimes, and look round about thee, lest while thou art running on, supposing thou seest thy way before thee, thou dost unawares out run thy Leader, which if thou dost, thou wilt streightway be woodded, and wildred, and go to work with thy reason only, (which will never make good work) to hew the way thou shouldst go in; And further, never fear to make a turn out of the common road (though standers by cry, you are out of the way) if so be thou perceivest truth to have taken that path before thee.

Thirdly, If thou art one who art offended at the vi∣sible dispensations of this age, and upon that account no friend to studies of this nature, I only say, perhaps thy readiness, to be offended at what is done, and doing at this day in the world, ariseth hence from a not observing the signs of the times; study therefore these things a little; and more, take a wise mans counsel, Act. 5.36. Refrain from censuring and opposing, for if the work now doing in the world be of men, it will assuredly come to nought; but if of God, happily whilst ye oppose, ye shall be found to fight against God.

Fourthly, and lastly, Whatsoever thou art, receive not what is written without triall, nor throw it away (upon a loose triall) with a Tush; the one is an enemy to thy comfort, for he that swallows meat whole, tastes not the sweetness of it; the other may be to thy light, for he that's resolved to open his eyes but half way, must ex∣pect to see men like trees. And as things are not writ∣ten with a spirit of infallibility, so as that all must be re∣ceived; so neither (I hope) is any thing put in with so much levity as deserves to be cast out with a Tush; but rather lay Scriptures together, w••igh things well, and then judge; Thus the Bereans did, and are called

noble for so doing; whereas those who take things upon meer trust, and those who throw them away without any triall, are neither of them noble.

Only in case of trial, do not for one single Scripture, which may seem to thee to contradict any part, reject the whole, but rather lay Scripture to Scripture, till the whole of Scriptures is brought to some harmony, by which time possibly thou mayest see reason to be of my mind; if not, a better harmony being found, I shall (I so hope at least) with thanks for light, willingly relin∣quish my own, and come to thine.

And further, In case some things upon diligent fearch do evidently appear to be mistakes, do not there∣fore because of some weeds, throw away all the corn; he that will eat no corn, but what grew up without weeds must eat none at all; he that thinks to have truth from such imperfect creatures as we are, without error, erres himself whilst he so thinks.

And lastly, In case thou seeing reason for it, dost re∣ceive things, receive them not as bare notions, which will be little benefit to thee, or comfort to me, that I have laboured only to fill mens heads; but now and then suck upon them in thy Meditations, perhaps thou mayest find some sweetness in them, they have not been all dry bones to the Author in composing; who there fore in his com∣posure hath studied plaineness and brevity (so far as will stand with weak capacities) that things might be fitted the more (without being tiresome or tedious) for thy meditations.

Let none wonder I have written out so many Scrip∣tures at large, they were sent to me in writing, I thought they might be so to thee in reading, and it hath been sometimes a question with me, whether a defect in this, and a bare quotation of Chapter and Verse, hath not made the Writings of some more dry to the

Reader, then otherwise they would have been?

I have no more (Christian Reader) save to beg thy prayers for me, in doing which, let me obtain thus much; That in case the Lord make any thing either in this, or my former part useful to thee, and affecting to thy heart, that in the midst of thy joyes, thou wouldest not forget to send a groan or two to Heaven in the behalf of the poor unworthy Author (who would not, had he not much need thereof, so publickly make this request, and having need, is glad he can do it) that the Lord would make, and keep him very humble, that the improvement of a talent of gifts, may not at all be prejudicial unto grace; Withall, that he may not at last, having pressed others to the work of their Generation, be himself found negligent, and as an unprofit able instrument be laid by therein, which he can never look down into his own heart, but he seeth real cause to fear, from which yet he hopeth (Saints helping together with prayers for him) he shall be kept, who is,

One that esteems it a most glorious Privi∣ledge to be of the number of those who follow the Lamb withersoever he goes. J. T.