A voice from the temple to the higher povvers. Wherein is shewed, that it is the work and duty of saints, to search the prophesies and visions of holy Scripture, which concern the later times: and that Jesus Christ will reveal the understanding of them, neer the end of their accomplishment. And so much, is here clearly proved, and the objections to the contrary answered. Also severall prophesies are here opened, concerning the time of the end; as what is the present work of the Lord in the world: and wherein the saints (whether the higher powers or others) are now to move and follow him. Likwise [sic] what will be the work of the Lord forward, and all along from year to year, till the mysterie of God be finished, both among the Christian gentiles, and Jewes. By John Canne.

A Post-script.

Reader,

I Have considered that there are two things, wherein thou maist be much unsatisfied concerning this subject.

1. How to destroy the little horne, or Antichristian King∣dome, can stand with Tolleration of Religion, and liberty of Con∣science, allowed by the present Government, and upon just and good grounds.

2. To break the fourth Monarchy, tends not to make this Common-wealth happy and flourishing, which the higher Powers are to seek after: but to preserve Peace, and so Trade with other Nations, is much better for our prosperity, wel∣fare, and happinesse. I shall answer both.

1. The Antichristian Kingdom, is a State guilty of blood, and accordingly to be arreigned and executed. In Rev. 18. after Babylon is said to be destroyed, the reason of it is shewed in the last verse. In her was found the blood of the Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth: So that hence it doth ap∣pear, that no wilfull murtherer, more justly can be put to death, then the power of the Beast destroyed, for shedding in∣nocent blood.

2. As the times may be, some acts of Justice may be for∣born, which afterward ought, and must be done. David com∣plains, that the sonnes of Zerviah were too hard for him: yet So∣lomon following (being in a better capacity) put one of them to death, and justly too. For a more cleare illustration: Though murther be discovered, and the person known, yet no execution can be done upon him, till he fall into the hands

of Justice. Indeed then, if the Magistrate neglect his duty, and suffer him to escape, he wraps himself in the blood and guilt of the Malefactor. That blood-guiltinesse, lies on the Antichri∣stian Kingdome, this hath been known to Saints in former a∣ges, but the sonnes of Zerviah were alwayes too hard for them: but now, when the power shall be in their hands, not to exe∣cute judgment upon the murtherer, is (as I conceive) to be no otherwise then accessary to the blood of the Prophets, and of the Saints, in the great City Babylon.

3. To give liberty & tolleration I am clearly for; yet so, as the known will of God be fulfilled concerning the work of this present time: And therefore we must distingush between persons and things. Persons are to be tollerated, though di∣versly minded in point of Religion; but where the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple, is expresly cal'd for, and to be executed thus, and thus: What tolleration is to be granted here in such a case, I desire those to consider of, who are specially concerned in it.

Lastly, seeing I have mentioned so often the Antichristian Kingdom, to be destroyed by the Ancient of dayes, sitting upon his Throne, &c. It will not be amisse, that I give the Reader my meaning more fully.

This Antichristian Kingdom, or State, was first erected against Jesus Christ, that is, to corrupt his word, and worship, and to destroy his people, under a pretence of blasphemy, heresie, schisme, &c. The which in Popery, Prelacy, and Presbytery, hath been both profest and prosecuted; whereby much inno∣cent blood hath been shed, and would be still, if the Magistrate would give his power to them. Besides, by this Antichristian State, against the Lord Jesus Christ, a Church, Ministery, Wor∣ship, & Government hath been devised, and set up: All which the Saints neer the end, will call to an account; and finding the same to be guilty of innocent blood, and a main let to the present exaltation of Christs Kingdome, will judicially give sentence, that it be thrown downe, and be no more at all.

Reward her, even as she hath rewarded you: and double unto her double according to her works: In the cup which she hath filled, fill her double. As if he should say; whereas this bloody Kingdome,

most falsly judged you in the Saints which were before, to be Hereticks, Blasphemers, Schismaticks, and persecuted you by imprisonment, banishment, confiscation of goods, yea death it self: And would not suffer you to walk in the faith and or∣der of the Gospel, Reward her, even as she rewarded you; that is, as God hath put the power of Nations into your hand, and the day and judgement of Babylon being now come. Wheresoe∣ver the Lord carries you forth, execute the vengeance of the Lord, and of his temple upon the Antichristian Kingdome. Here still I speak of things, and not of persons.

To the other Objection I answer thus.

1. The glory of God in fulfilling his word, is to be pre∣fer'd before all outward prosperity. A Heathen could say, Let Justice be done, and the world perish: Shall Saints then, hold back their hands, from executing the righteous Judgments of the Lord, only through a base fear of worldly inconveniences.

2. There is no wisdome, nor understanding, nor counsell against the Lord. If he be breaking now (as certainly he is) the fourth Monarch, we and they may take counsel together, but it shall come to nought. What man, seeing his neighbours house on fire, would willingly set his own by it, for so they would both burn and fall together. The Lords fire is already kind∣led in Thrones and Kingdomes: And therefore the further off we keep, from associating our selves with them, from coming near them in Leagues and Covenants, the more likely it is, that our Common-wealth wil be happy, and flourish.

But 3. I would not have the people of this Nation to i∣magine, that these Changings and Turnings in the world, are in order to their better trading; God intends it otherwise: It's for trading indeed, but for his owne: To breake the Kings, Merchants, and great men of the Earth, that the Kingdomes of this world may be his, and his Christs. Worldly men have had their time for Trade, and they have had a long time of it. The Lord now is putting an end to that, and setting up a better.

I write this for my Countrey-mens sake, to let them know, howsoever I hope, Those which shall be next in place, will doe just and good things, take off what burthens they

can, and make the Nation as happy and prosperous as they are able: Yet I have no hope, that the Times will be any bet∣ter for civill Trade, but more troublesome, and warrs daily increase: And therefore they should now begin to look up to God, and after his work, and the Great Trade which he is carrying on: and with-draw their minds from this old world, which is perishing, and going out, and prepare for the world to come whereof we speake, wherein dwelleth righteousnesse, and which will be much better for them, if they be of that number, who looke for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

For Conclusion, there is one word more from the Temple to the higher Powers, and so I have done. And it concerns a main thing, in order to our late great victory at Sea, which the Lord gave us over the Dutch. It was some trouble unto many, when they heard that the Holland Merchant Ships were returned safely home, and not met with by our Fleet: It is true, the Lord could have given them into our hands, but he would not. And why not the one, as well as the other? The reason is (as the Lord hath put it strongly on my heart to have it known) In this he tels us, what our proper worke is, namely not to look after Merchants, as to grow great and rich by the wealth of other Nations, but to break their power & strength in pieces. The Lord gave their men of Warr into our hands, not their Merchant Ships. Speaking here I say, as it were from heaven, that it is not prizes, or the Enemies goods, our hearts or hands should desirously be upon: But to destroy Babylon, stain the glory of Kings and Kingdoms, and lay low the high and great mountains of the earth.

Rev. 22.10. Seale not the sayings of the Prophesie of this Book, for the time is at hand.

Hos. 14.9. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and hee shall know them? For the wayes of the Lord are right, and the just shall walke in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.

FINIS.

Notes

• 2 Sam. 3.29.
• Rev. 18.6.
• Rev. 18.6.
• Prov. 21.30.
• Heb. 2.5.
• Tit. 2.13.