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 ...

1 The Subject of it.

The Seat of the Beast.

AND the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the Seat of the Beast. [Vers. 10]

That by Seat of the Beast should here be meant An∣tichrists Kingdom in general (as some conceive) seems inconsistent with the very words themselves, which speak not of destroying the whole, but rather a darkning of the whole, by ruining some eminent part, yea, according to this interpretation, no need would be (unless we sup∣pose this Vial alone too weak) of any more Vials to be poured forth upon the Kingdom of the Beast, which yet notwithstanding after this hath a greater storm falling up∣on it, and that to its final ruin, than ever any before.

Those who by Seat of the Beast understand the Popes Supremacy; The Angel pouring forth this Vial, to be King James in that Paraphrase of his upon this Book, but chiefly his premonition, To all most Mighty Mo∣narches, Kings. Free-Princes, and States of Christen∣dom, James, by the Grace of God, &c. are certainly

mistaken, as appears by our second Proposition.

A man whom Gods people in this age are much be∣holding to, doth by Seat of the Beast understand Episco∣pacy, his principal reason is, because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is sometimes in Scripture put for that form of Government and Autho∣rity, which a person of State sitting upon the Throne may administer; the pouring out this Vial to be about the year, 1639. when the Scots entred into Covenant to withstand and abolish Episcopacy; but though I highly honor the memory of the pious and grave Author of this opinion, yet canl not receive it.

1 Because this Vial speaks wholly of things to come, not past, as this is.

2 Because we have already seen the downfal of Epis∣copacy under another Vial.

3 Because although the downfal of Bishops in our Isle was a blow to be noted, yet not such a blow as filled the Kingdom of the Beast with darkness, making the Papals to gnaw their tongues for pain, as this doth.

4 Because not this but another thing is, yea must be the subject of this Vial, namely.

The City Rome.

The very thing here intended, a is evident.

1 Because the original word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Seat, is but once more used in all the Revelations, where the same is applied to the Beast, chap. 13.2. The Dragon gave him his Power and his Seat, and great Authority, and that there it cannot in the former sense, but must in this lat∣ter be understood, is manifest; because Seat is distinguish∣ed from Power and Authority, as being a thing distinct from them; therefore the Beasts form of Government, or Authority cannot be the thing intended thereby, but it must be interpreted of his place of residence, namely, the City Rome.

2 Because the order that the Holy Ghost observes af∣terwards

in declaring more fully what under the Vials is but briefly hinted at, agrees most exactly to this sense, but by the other is broken to pecces; for Chap. 18. relates to Romes ruin, and Chap 19. concludes with the battle of Armageedon, accordingly the City Rome is the Subject of this Vial, and suddenly after Ver. 16. comes in the battle of Armageddon, whereas if the ruin of the City Rome (as judgeth the worthy Author) were not to be till the seventh Vial, the order of the Holy Ghost in Chap∣ters the 18, 19. which relates the ruin of the City Rome before, yet preparation is made to that battle, would be manifestly broken.

3 Because no interpretation can better-sute the words themselves; for what may more properly be called An∣tichrists Soat, then Rome the place where the Chair he sits in stands? or what thing can befall the Beast, which is more likely to fill his whole Kingdom with darkness, yea, make the Papals gnaw their tongues for pain, than the de∣struction of Rome, the Metropolis of that Kingdom?

4 To these I may adde a fourth Argument, urged by a learned Writer to our purpose. Where the purpled Wo∣man sits, there is Antichrists Seat, because she sits on the Beast, that is, Antichrist the purpled Woman sits at Rome, because she sits on the seven Head; of the Beast. which are the seven Mountains of Rome, Chap. 17.9 The se∣ven Heads are seven Mountains, on which the Woman sitteth. Rome, therefore is, yea, must be the Seat of Antichrist.

Now as to the Objection, That this City Rome comes under the seventh Vial, where mention is made of Great Babylon coming into remembrance before God, and that therefore it cannot be the Subject of this. I shall to that say nothing here, onely refer the Reader to our opening of that place for his answer.

Neither let any say (as some object) that this interpre∣tation

is literal, contrary to the scope of the Vials, which carry things in a mystery; for it is easie to reply, That did we by Seat, understand the Seat or Chair it self that An∣tichrist fits in, it would so be; but whilst, (as here) Seat is put for the place in which his Seat or Chair doth stand; it is manifest enough, that there is a figure, and a myste∣ry in the words.