A Scripture-line of time drawin in brief from the lapsed creation to the restitution of all things ... / by T. Beverley.

AN EXPLICATION OF Daniel's Grand Line of Time , or of his 2300 Evenings and Mornings , as given in his four last Chapters . In these following Sections .

SECT. I. Of the Vision of the Daily taken away , and therein of the 2300 Ev. Morn . or the Vision call'd the Vision of the Ev. Morn . in general . On Dan. chap. 8.

THE Vision of the 2300 Evenings and Mornings , dates most exactly , and precisely the Time from the very Beginning of the Persian Monarchy or the First of Cyrus to the cleansing of the Sanctuary , at the new Jerusalem , and the breaking of Antichrist without hand , or by the stone cut out of the Mountains without hand , at the Kingdom of Christ , Dan. 8. 14. 25.

The order of the former Visions , duely consider'd , gives great light to this .

For first , there is in the course of Ezekiels Visions a long allotment of Time , till the New Jerusalem , and a peculiar Sanction of the prophetical Cypher of Time , or of a Day for a Year , Ezek. 4. 6.

That gives full scope aed room to those Monarchies to run their Time , as in the Image , and the four Beasts in Daniel's two precedent Visions . 〈◊〉 . 2. c. 7.

The former of those two , or the Vision of the Image , gives only a general Appearance of so many Monarchies or Kingdoms , or rather of a Monarchy universal , shifting from one People and their Kingdom to another , and all adverse to the Kingdom of Christ ; for that could not appear while they were in Play .

From hence arises such a Line of Time ; as necessarily is requir'd for four Monarchies to display themselves ; but because they may be shorter or longer in their duration , they give no certain measures ; only , as that there is no History of Action elder than Moses's of the Creation , appearing in the World ; it is an Argument of weight against the World's Eternity : so on the other side , the daily matter of History arising from many other Kings and Kingdoms , and particularly of the Romans , assure us , the Kingdom of Christ is not yet come ; because while that lasts , the grand foretold Kingdom of Christ cannot come .

But now the next Vision of the Four Beasts , gives us in Prophetick Cypher the very measure of the Beast's Duration , as that Beast is symboll'd by the little Horn , viz. Time , Times , and half a Time .

But because this does not assure us when those Days begin , nor consequently , where they end , the Vision we are now entring upon will teach us that .

And it hath a threefold Aspect upon Time to this end .

1. It continues the principal Line of Time from Creation , which , because there will not be Scripture History to maintain it , and also because , and especially because , the Times of the Gentiles , ( in whose History Scripture little concerns it self , ) are drawn by it without lesser Periods , but as the Accounts of the Churches Case in relation to them after requires it ; they are given in one entire Line or Sum , 2300 Days , beginning contiguously from Ezekiel's 430 Days , and continuously also to so many Days for Years uniting with the former parcel-lines , and with the 430 , as the last given Line ; and so one whole Line from the Creation is constituted by uniting these several Parcels , by a divine Certainty .

2. It determines the particular Time from the beginning of the Persian Monarchy , at literal Babylon fallen , to mystical Babylon falling , as also at literal Jerusalem restor'd , to new Jerusalem appearing ; for Antichrist broken intends the former , and the Sanctuary cleans'd the latter .

3. It is a measure of the length of particular Lines given after this from Time to Time , as they are given in Scripture , that , as it self is distinguish'd into several Periods by them , so it is a Boundary to them , when to begin and end ; that together they may be symmetral to this whole Line , neither longer , nor shorter , and therein be justly proportion'd to one another ; even till this Line , call'd most emphatically by our Lord , the Times of the Gentiles , Luc. 21. 24. be fulfill'd .

That the Vision then , and the Line of Time it carries away , be rightly understood , these things are necessary to be premised .

1. That the principal thing in these Visions of Daniel ( except that single Vision next in order to that we are upon , that centers in Messiah's Coming and Death , ) is the glorious Kingdom of Christ , and of his Saints , having the Dominion throughout the Earth , and the Destruction of that peculiar Enemy of his Kingdom , who is justly call'd Antichrist , immediately preceeding his Kingdom , and before which it could not appear .

Upon the Account of this Kingdom of Christ , having its way made by the Destruction of Antichrist , there are so many Representations of the other Monarchies , of which else we may conceive , the Holy Spirit had no more touch'd their Prophecy , than it does their History , which it never does , but in relation to the Church , or to set out God's Government Universal over the World , and his Judgment on sinful Nations .

We find therefore in these Visions of the Monarchies , Antichrist , next to the Kingdom of Christ , is the greatest Subject ; and more Words laid out upon him , than upon all the rest : so it is in Nebuchadnezzar's Dream , The Feet and Toes Dan. 2. v. 34. 41. &c. take up a greater Proportion of the Dream and Exposition , than all the rest ; and then the Kingdom of Christ flows out upon the Image broken in the Feet . So in the Vision of the four Beasts , the fourth Beast , and in that the little Horn imploys the greatest part of the whole Vision in its Description and Judgment : and the Kingdom of Christ then breaks out upon it ; so proportionably in this Vision : He then that would understand it , must be arm'd with this Rule , as preparatory .

2. It must be worthy our Advertency , that the Antichristian State in these Prophecies , and in the Revelation , is rank'd with Heathenism and Gentilism , and treated with much less regard than even Idolatrous Israel , or Judah ; God not taking any notice of them , as his People , but as mere Gentiles : so that I do not remember any Parallelism of them with the People of Israel , even in their Apostacy , but altogether with those that were Aliens , as Balaam , Jezebel , the Daughter of Elth Baal King of the Sydonians ; with Sodom , Egypt , and most notoriously Babylon , and so is represented by the Gentiles treading the outward Court . And thus the Corruptions of Divine Worship among the Jews were express'd by entertaining the manners of the Gentiles , defiling themselves with them , falling in love with them , bringing them into the Sanctuary . The Beast united with the heathen idolatrous Monarchy , coming into the Seat of the Dragon , is the grand Apocalyptick Figure for Antichrist , and nothing of Christ allow'd him , except to the other Beast having borns , as a Lamb , while he spake as a Dragon , nor of the Jews to the Antichristian Rev. 13. 11. Gentiles , but that in the Beginning of the Apostacy within the prophetical Church of Smyrna , Rev. 2. 9. They said , They were Jews , but were not , but lyed , and were the Synagogue of Sathan ; nor any thing of Jerusalem to the Seat of Antichrist , except one only allusion to the City , where Our Lord was crucified ( where a Heathen Power presided in Revel. 11. 8. his Condemnation , and that a Roman too ) to signifie its extream Hate to the True Christ . It s deep dye in Blood , and its irrecoverable Destruction , for which Jerusalem was so infamous , and for which the Roman Church like the Jewish Church , was broken off from the true Olive ; and all consider'd as a Church in Conjunction with it , as the Apostle had foretold . Rom. 11. 6. make the Allusion .

On the other side , The True Christianity and Worship of it are symboliz'd by the pure Jewish Worship ; The Temple , its Measures , Ordinances , as they stood in Israels best Estate , are the Ichnography of the Perfect , Pure , Christian Church ; But the drawing men from True Christianity , to Antichristianism ; the Persecution of Men for it , the last Deliverance from Anti-Christianism , and its Persecutions are continually given out in Parallellismes , betwixt the same Things heretofore between the Jews , and the Gentiles , and unite with the Jews great Deliverance , and the New Jerusalem at last .

These two things are most necessary to be premonish'd , for the true Interpretation of this Vision , and other Visions also , as we shall see , as we pass along , to preserve all clear and free from Confusion .

And upon this Premonition , I say , this Vision beginning with the Persian Reign , goes on through the Grecian , and so passes through the whole Roman Monarchy , first and last , and describes a Line running parallel with the whole Times of the Gentiles , after the Babylonish Empire , at the end of which , Ezekiels 430 Days ended , as hath been made to appear . And they being the last Joynt of the Line from Creation , this Line of 230 Days joyns with it , and continues the whole Acts. 3. 21. Line from Creation to the Restitution of all Things .

Upon this Premonition I say further , That Antiochus , as the most Infamous Heathen Prince for treading down the holy and pure Jewish Worship , from the Days of Cyrus , while that Worship remain'd to be Gods Worship ; from which impure Pessundation , that Holy Worship was most wonderfully vindicated ; and the Time of his Tyranny being in the most intimate part of it in literal or natural Account , near the Time of Antichrists 1260. Days , at a day for a year , and near the whole 2300 in the whole of it , and being broken by an immediate Hand from Heaven , without an earthly Hand , as Antichrist shall be ; He is made a most notable and eminent Type of Antichrist , and so with Relation to Him , and his Time , a Line is drawn from Cyrus to the cleansing of the Sanstuary , polluted by Antichristian Gentiles , and to the breaking of Antichrist without Hand ; Antiochus standing all this while in open view , as a Type , and his Time , as a Typical Line of Time .

And yet while his Time will serve a Typical End , It is not exact enough to either main Intention , to be the principal Thing to be measured by that Line of Time .

And for the making good these Assertions , I shall now apply my self to the solemn Proof of these two Propositions .

1. That the 2300 Days are a definitive Line of Time , from the beginning of the Persian Monarchy , to the very End of the Monarchies , and till the Supream Monarchy of Christ ; and so are to be joyn'd to the end of the last Line , and thereby to the several Lines from the Creation ; that altogether may reach that End .

2. That the Vision principally intends Antichrist in every Part , wherein Antiochus stands , as a Type .

For the Proof of the first Assertion I use this first Argument . Argu. 1

There is a plain Concatenation or Connexion of this Vision with the former , as following orderly upon or after it ; For that purpose and to make it known it is so , Daniel tells us , This Vision appear'd unto him , after that , which appear'd c. 8. v. 1. unto him at the first ; Now that this was not intended , as any Date of the Vision , is very plain , in that It is more particularly dated by assigning it to the third Year of Belshazzar , whereas the first was assign'd to the first year of the same Belshazzar , and so must needs be after the first Vision , even as Belshazzars Third Year must be after his First .

These words therefore cannot , but be of further Importance , and signifie to us ; This Vision comes after the Former in a just Order , and promotes the scope of it , and adds further Light to it ; Now it is most evident , the four Beasts intending four Kingdoms , and Antichrist , the little Horn with his Time , Times , and half a Time , and then his being destroy'd , and the Kingdom of Christ succeeding , are the Principal Objects of that Vision , and therefore they must be so of This. And in some notable Instance thereof , It must exceed the Notices of the former , and what can that be but in the Notices of Time ? Wherein it is so particular as to 2300 Evenings , Mornings , for to shew it one Line of Time , It is in the Hebrew 2300 Evening Morning , not 2300 Evenings Mornings , although for Arguments sake with Ordinary Language , and in Agreement with the sence we may express them in the plural Number , and it is also call'd the Vision of the Evening Morning , as so many Evenings and Mornings combin'd into one , from the Monarchy of Cyrus , the Persian , to the Monarchy of Christs Vniversal Kingdom .

The Vision begins at the Persian Monarchy , goes on General Argu. 2. through the Grecian Monarchy , and so to the End ; and the Line of Time runs parallel with the Vision , therefore the Line of 2300 Evenings Mornings must reach from the Beginning of the Persian Monarchy to the Monarchy of Christ , which is the known and most undoubted End of the Four Monarchies , and of all Monarchy , but under him .

This Argument consists of these three main Propositions .

1. That the Vision begins at the Persian Monarchy . 2. That it runs on through the Grecian Monarchy to the End . 3. That the Line of Time runs Parallel with the Vision .

SECT. II. That this Vision begins at the Persian Monarchy , and the Proof of it .

THat the Vision begins at the Persian Monarchy , I give these undoubted Reasons :

It is most apparent in the very Portal of the Vision , it was Reason 1 given at Shushan the Pallace , by the River Vlai , a River of Persia , whither the Prophet was visionally convey'd out of Babylon , to shew the Translation of the Monarchy from the Babylonian to the Persian Prince .

The Babylonian Monarchy was yet standing , the Prophet a Subject of it in principal Place ; for he continued in his Preferment in Babylon till Cyrus the Persian . He must therefore Dan. 1. 21. be resident at the time of the Vision in Babylon , and not a Runnagate from it , and his Loyalty ; but was prophetically and visionally set down at the Pallace of Persia , to shew where the Visions Date was to commence , viz. from the Persian Monarchy .

If this were not enough , the Exposition of the Vision begins Reason 2 with the King of Persia , and where the Exposition begins the Vision begins ; neither of these can be contested .

The Vision crops off the Babylonian Monarchy ; The Head Reason 3 of Gold ; and the first Beast like a Lyon does not under any Symbol or Representation appear in it .

The Monarchy was now indeed just expiring in Belshazzar's Third , which Scripture counts upon as his last Year , and whereas the former Visions were deliver'd to us in the Language of that Empire ; that thereby All People , Tongues , and Languages , which take care by one means or other to have knowledge of the Imperial Language , might have notice of them . The Holy Spirit returns in this Vision to the Hebrew Tongue , peculiar to the Church of God in the Old Testament .

But the Monarchy was not yet fully expir'd , nor was the Image in all succeeding Ages to be bereft of its Head ; while therefore the Image , and the Iconism of the four Beasts , compleating the Image stood in the Eye of Prophecy ; Nebuchadnezzer is the principal in the first Monarchy , with the Heart of a Man , after his Eagles Wings were pluck'd , importing his sober Acknowledgments of God , upon the Humiliation , into which his Frenzy dejected him , even into a state among the Beasts , but he seems to have risen out of Bestianism it self by abasing himself before God . Dan. 4. ult.

The Beast in the Revelation , To shew , the Monarchick Power of the Image translated into that of the Beasts Kingdom survived whole and entire in him , is resembled with every one of the Beasts , himself being the fourth ; and to assure us , he is the very fourth , he hath neither in Daniel , nor the Apocalips , any shape , peculiar to him , but what in the Apocalips is compounded of the Three , as it were to say , All the Three existed in him , as in one Image . Revel. 13. 2.

The principal Reason therefore of omitting the Babylonian Monarchy , is , because , The Prophetical Type of the four Monarchies , being fully satisfied , and replenished , The great attendance of the Divine Spirit is to the Line of Time , which it joyns to the Jewish Lines , that went before , and particularly to Ezekiels 430 Days , or Years , which just comprehended , and ended with the Babylonish Monarchy , which Monarchy in a real Calendar I have before , more than once said , began the Gentiles Times , during which Jerusalem lay , and was to lye under Foot ; but just here the Babylonish Monarchy is no farther given in Type , although it remains in the former Types , to the last ; but the Future Line of Time is given in 2300 Evenings Mornings from the Persian Monarchy , beginning ; And this latter could not have been given with Prophetick Secrecy , and yet also without Confusion , if the former had not been omitted , whose Time given before could not enter into this , but it must confound Time every way .

But thus this principal Line reaches from Literal Babylon fallen to mystical Babylon fallen , from Literal Jerusalem near to be rebuilt with its Temple , to the New Jerusalem , which much adorns this Line of Time , and sets these two just even from Point to Point .

It is true , The Four , as Vniversal Monarchies , are together the great Canale of Time , till the glorious Kingdom of Christ , whatever great States or Kingdoms were coexistent with them or any of them at any Time , or have arisen since , do not mingle with this Stream , which runs strait on to this end , nor are any of themselves adopted into it sooner than the just Time of their Succession into Vniversal Monarchy ; nor do they abide any longer in it , as a Calendar of Time , after once they are fallen from that Vniversal Monarchy , each successive Monarchy subduing the precedent , takes it up ; and in the Roman Monarchy the Dragon resigns his Seat and Power to the Beast , the Imperial to the Antichristian , without any Conquest , to whom , as the seventh Roman Head and Vniversal King , the ten Kings giving their Power , the fourth Beast still survives ; differently from all the rest of the Successions ; for each Succession was by Force besides this ; so in This the whole Line is continued to the Kingdom of Christ : But if any of these Kingdoms falls in its order of Succession , and becomes great afterwards on another Bottom , as the Persian subdued by the Grecian , the Grecian by the Roman , the one afterwards rising in its own Name , the other in Mahomet's , yet they disturb not this order , nor so much as enter a-new into this Calendar of Time .

And because of this real substantial Calendar of Time in these Monarchies , the first Act of Christ's Kingdom is recorded by the Apostle Paul to be the putting down all Rule , Authority , 1 Cor. 15. ●6 . and Power , referring especially to these four Monarchies , the great Emblem of such Rule and Power ; viz. when the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ , Rev. 11. 15. Then all this Calendar of Rule and Power is at an end .

That therefore which is most considerable in the Explanation of this Course of Time farther to us , is , That whereas the Gentiles Times , viz. this substantial Calendar of the four Monarchies , began in the Babylonian , so long as that Calendar is in presenting , the Babylonian is never omitted , but is the Capital in it ; but when it comes to this Numeral Line , or the 2300 Ev. Mor. it is then omitted , because the Numeral Line runs not upon any Revolutions of these Monarchies , but upon some eminent Providence of God towards his Church , either of Mercy towards it , or its suffering under the Tyranny of some of these Monarchies , especially the Bestian ; as will be seen all along ; which is a very clear Reason why the Babylonian is first so chief in the Calendar of the Monarchies ; for that being one , and the first , it must be so in the Real : But when it comes to the Numeral , it is of no use , because it had been given in the last numeral Line , as then existing ; it is not given in the following Numeral , because it was then past , and would disorder the Account . The real Calendar is taken from each Vniversal Monarchy that had the Jews , particularly the Tribe of Judah , in Subjection , and so oppress'd Christ's Kingdom ; here the Babylonian was the first , the Persian the second , the Grecian the third , the fourth the Roman : under which , as Imperial , first , the Jews were desolated ; The manly Birth , or Christ , as King , was watch'd , as by a Dragon ; Christians lay , as martyr'd under the Altar , and then under it , as Antichristian , lies subdued the spiritual Israel , till both That , and the Twelve Tribes , are restor'd by Christ's Kingdom . So these are the Times of the Gentiles , before which neither the twelve Tribes , nor the Apostolical Church are fully restor'd , or can be .

From all which , it is most evident , that though the Vision is not dated from the Persian Monarchy , as if it was given for the Persian Monarchy's sake ; yet the 2300 Ev. Morn . begin just when that begins , and very fitly , because the Persian Cyrus found the Temple fallen , and the daily Service of the Jews taken away , and proclaims the Restoration , which makes the Date , as we shall see . And this is the first thing that was to be prov'd .

The second Proposition follows ; viz. That the twenty Propos. 2. three hundred days of this Vision , as also the Things contained in it , run down , and reach to the end of All , or to the Glorious Kingdom of Christ .

Of this we have many Arguments in the Vision it self , which having briefly directed first unto , I will endeavour by farther strong Proof from the whole course of Prophecy to establish it .

Every Vision of Daniel's , except the following Vision of the Argu. 1 seventy Weeks , which hath the high and noble Subject of the Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ , making an end of Sin , and bringing in everlasting Righteousness ; but else every Vision runs expresly to the last End and Kingdom of Christ .

And whether even that does not after the Desolation of Judaism give a Prospect of their Restoration also , signified by 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or until the Consummation , until which their Desolations are to last , and no longer , I leave to the Learned ; however , It certainly bears its part in carrying on Time to that end .

But the very Shape and Design of all the other Visions is most apparently That End , and therefore I conclude , of This also .

The often mention of the End ; Three Times the Vision , and Argu. 2 the End are conjoyn'd ; At the time of the End , the Vision shall Dan. 8. be ; and the Exposition of the Vision is to make Daniel know , what shall be in the last end of the Indignation , and at the Time appointed , the End shall be . Now what End can be so absolute , as to be understood by its naming only , except that End of Christ's Kingdom , so well known by the former Visions , and by the following Vision , chap. 11. v. 27. ? When because of this End , to which every thing has led , and made no delay beyond its Time , therefore all Designs of the two Kings , designing a longer Monarchy , and to that end speaking Lyes at one Table , could not prosper ; for the End appointed did not allow it to either of them , the universal Empire of the Romans , spoken of in the Ships of Chittim , coming on .

And what last end of the Indignation can be meant , but that of the Desolation determin'd on the Jews in the very next Vision , that explains it together with Ezekiel's bearing their Iniquity , till the New Jerusalem ?

So the Vision being for many days , its being commanded Dan. 8. v. 26 27. 28. to be shut up , the asserting it to be true , as John , Apoc. 21. 5. These Sayings are true , Daniel's deep Sleep , Sickness , Fainting , being astonish'd for days , answerable to the Visions being for Days , viz. many Days , argues to how great a Period the Vision tends , and what a fatal course of things it was to run .

And to conclude this Reason ; That very Title of the Vision , of the Evening and Morning , or of 2300 Ev. Morn . collected all into one , shew the long Night of three Idolatrous Monarchies , and longest in the Roman Antichristian , and the glorious Morning of Christ's Kingdom .

There cannot be two Expressions of the noted End of Argu. 3 Daniel's Visions , more full and adequate than those two , however brief ; The Sanctuary shall be cleans'd in correspondence with Ezekiel's Vision of the New Jerusalem , and its Sanctuary , and of the Saints taking the Kingdom . And the insolent King . shall be broken without hand , even the Prince of fierce Countenance , Dan. 8. 23. compar'd with c. 7. v. 8. c. 2. 33 , 34. whose Look was more stout than his Fellows , who had the Eyes of a man , to understand dark Sentences , growing great , but not by his own power , but as the Toes of Clay , and Iron , broken without hand , or by the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hand .

Nor can any thing be more agreeable to the two Inscriptions on the End in the Apocalyptical Prophecy , It is done , Revel. c. 16 , 17. c. 21. 6. It is done , one the End of the Beast's Kingdom , the other on the Kingdom of Christ , or the New Jerusalem ?

Now from all this of the Vision beginning with its 2300 Propos. 3. Ev. Mor. at the first of the Persian Monarchy , and so running to the end , it plainly follows , Those 2300 are not the Gauge of the daily Sacrifice taken away , but of the whole Vision , from the Persian through the Grecian , to the end of the Roman , Antichristian Monarchy , and the Kingdom of Christ ; and so the Vision , and the 2300 Ev. Mor. are equal .

So that the most literal sense of those Words , ( Vnto how long , or unto when , the Vision of the Daily , and of the Transgression of Desolation , to give both the Sanctuary , and the Host to be trodden under foot ? And he said unto me , unto 2300 Ev. Morn . Then shall the Sanctuary be cleans'd . ) The literal sense of the Question , I say , cannot be , Unto how long does the Taking away , &c. endure ? For so are not the Words ; But , Unto how long that whole Vision , whose principal Visum , or Thing seen , is the taking away , &c. amidst many other Visa in the whole Frame , as the Tares was of that excellent Parable , Matt. 13. 36. that had several other Materials to compose it , and yet is call'd the Parable of the Tares , and is indeed of the very same Import with this Antichristianism , and Prophecy of it .

Now when such a Question is ask'd , and the Answer is given , to so long , the most natural sense is , When no Time is fix'd for the Beginning , that the present Time should be understood to be it ; and when it is added , And then shall the Sanctuary be cleans'd , it is plain , a cleansing of the Sanctuary , proportionable to the treading it under foot , must be understood to be the end of the Vision , and of its 2300 Days . From all which , it is evident , The 2300 begin and end with the Vision . And it will be farther evident upon these following Reasons .

The Vision is one entire Vision , though it consists of several Reason 1 Members ; and however , They may be distinguish'd in the Vision , and be divided in the Events , what Date of Time is given with the Vision , as this one Vision , agrees to the whole Vision and not to any single part , but as so united with the whole ; however therefore the Vision may be denominated from any single part , as principally to be remark'd , as the Vision of the Daily , &c. The Vision of the Ev. Mor. yet in any thing relating to the Vision , as the Vision it self , the whole must be intended , and not that part . The several parts of the Vision have indeed several spaces of Time cut out of the whole space , proper to themselves .

But as the Vision is one entire Vision , so the Date is one entire Date , and can be no other to agree with the whole Vision .

The Vision is call'd ten times , The Vision , to shew it is all one and the same Vision , and the several parts of it are but as the parts of one and the same Body , Lines of the same Image .

The Exposition of the Vision answers part for part to the Vision it self , first given ; saving , that in the Vision Antiochus the Type appears uppermost , but in the Exposition the Anti-type appears uppermost , and , as in Reason it should be , is most apparent : and the whole Vision being expounded , is call'd , The Vision of the Even . and Morn . all the 2300 being united into one , as it were to unite the whole Vision , and the whole Line of Time , as close and entire as possibly may be .

And which is most remarkable , Before the Exposition of the Vision , the space of Time allowed to the whole Vision , of which the Taking away , &c. was the chief ( as in the Anti-type however couched under the Type ) is given before the Exposition , or just between the Vision and the Exposition , that it might distribute it self to the whole of both ; and in the Exposition , it is therefore so summ'd up , that it cannot be divided , but must remain entire to the whole ; for it is , as was said , but one Ev. and one Mor. applied to all the Vision ; and afterward , we shall find the Dividend , or Allotment to each part , and most particularly to the Daily taken away ; to each , I say , their part , of the 2300 Ev. Mor.

And lest any one should insist too hard on the Daily , understanding it of the Jewish daily Sacrifice ; besides , that any Word importing Sacrifice is prescinded , and only Tammith , or the Continual , applicable either to Sacrifice , or Service and Worship in general , used ; it is also to be observ'd in the Exposition , in the place of many Words concerning the daily taken away , we have the whole Action in Expressions most proper to the Bestian Prince , according to all Prophecy of the Old and New Testament , and not at all proper to Antiochus , and nothing said of the daily at all ; but the entire Vision is summ'd up in Ev. and Mor. And all this we may conceive , least the 2300 Ev. Mor. should be misapplied to that part , viz. of the Daily ; which is proper only to the whole .

So then if the Line be commensurate with the Vision , it must begin with the Persian Monarchy , and not with the daily taken away , for That , in whatever sense expounded , was not till long after : in the same manner , If the Vision goes on to the great visional End in Daniel , viz. the breaking of all the Monarchies in Antichrist , and the Kingdom of Christ appearing in the Sanctuary cleans'd , it cannot be applied to any taking that was begun , and ended long before that End , as all takings away , of what kind soever , that have been thought of , did , ( and most particularly that of Antiochus ) except that taking away by Antichrist ; which therefore is the only taking away here to be understood .

And from every Particular of this Discourse it undeniably appears , These Ev. and Mor. are not mere Natural Nycthemers , but 2300 Ev. and Mor. importing so many Years ; for a less space of Time could not contain so great a Vision and its Charge .

If a Line of Time were given applicable only to the Time Argu. 3 of the daily Sacrifice taken away , there would be some certain Time fix'd when that taking away was to begin , according to all Usage in this Prophecy . The 70 Weeks are dated from the going forth of the Word ; the 1335 , from the taking away of the daily : And in the Apocalyptick Prophecy we shall find some certain Epoch of each numeral Line : but there being no Epoch to these 2300 Ev. Mor. but the general Epoch of the Vision one and the same , as we shall find , with the seventy Weeks , That must be the Epoch .

Seeing the Answer ( And the Sanctuary shall ba cleans'd ) Argu. 4 and the Exposition of the Vision , touching the King exercising the Tyranny , Broken without hand , gives the full End of all Tyranny on the Saints , and of all taking away their daily Worship , as it was under Babylon continued to be taken away at that Time , and after by Antiochus , last of all by Antichrist ; it is plain , according to Scripture-Usage , The End is principally intended , which such a course of Time is to attain ; As the complemental End of the 70 Weeks making an end of Sin , &c. is chiefly pursued in the next Vision , The end of Wonders , and the State of Blessedness in the 1335 Days of the last Vision : and here the Sanctuary cleans'd and Antichrist broken , is the main Intention ; and from the present Vision , at that NOW given , to those Ends , there would be 2300 Ev. and Mor.

So that the taking away the daily does not spread it self upon the whole 2300 Ev. Mor. and so end with them , but e're all such Things as a tyrannous taking away the daily Worship of the Saints would be at an end , it would be so many : for the Vision indeed spreads it self upon all the 2300 , being for those many days ; but the taking away begun but at its own Time , as we shall see , and ended at the 2300 ending ; so many from the Time of the Vision , and so was unto them ; that is , whenever it began it reached to the end of the 2300 of the whole Vision , e're the Sanctuary was cleans'd .

That these 2300 Ev. Mor. are a Line of Time of so great Argu. 5 comprehension , as from Literal to Mystical Babylon's Fall , from the Restoration of Literal Jerusalem to the New Jerusalem , may be argued from several extraordinary Notes of Honour upon this Line , and the Vision of it .

1. The very drawing it out to so great and unusual a length , is unparallel'd in all the Scripture ; so that if it were not great in its Beginning , as that State of Things would admit , great in the End , as that State of Things imports , and great in its subordinate Lines , it could no ways answer the Magnificence of so great a Number , especially when the prophetical Abbreviation of Time was come into use by so peculiar an Ordination of God in Ezekiel .

Even this does sufficiently argue , where it begins , whither it tends , what space of Time it spans : Cypher or short-hand was of Old in prophetick use ; a Week for seven Years , Gen. 29. 27. c. 41. v. 26. Numb. 14. 34. fourty Days for forty Years in the Wilderness , seven Ears of Corn for seven Years , seven Times for seven Years , Dan. 4. 22. But God declar'd , and promulg'd it as the Law of Interpretation of prophetick Time , Ezek. 4. So we understand seventy Weeks , Weeks of Years without controul , or 490 Years , Dan. 9. 24. Now if contrary to so many Instances of the prophetical Usage of such Abbreviatures , it should draw out Years into their full Length , or Number of Days , How could we understand the Divine Mind in it , especially on no greater occasion than Antiochus's Tyranny , as shall be after argued ? Prophecy , that amasses Time by giving Years in Days , cannot rationally be suppos'd to wiredraw Years into Days .

But this is not All : There are fourty Days for fourty Years , 390 and 40 Days for so many Years ; seventy Weeks for 490 Years ; 1260 Days for so many Years , and Months proportionable : But 2300 Ev. Mor. taken for so many Years , is very august , and speaks a divine Zeal to grasp that great End of putting down all Rule , and Authority , and Power , and Christ taking his Power to himself , and Reigning , yet not so as to diminish from Government , but to perfect it to its highest Ends , under himself , and his Supreme , and Universal Monarchy . To grasp this , I say , within so great a Line given , from the very Time in which it was given : This great Number is given by the divine Numberer .

2. For Jesus Christ the Lord of this Prophecy hath the peculiar Title of Palmoni , to which whatever sense we give , it Dan. 8. 13. admonishes us to enquire for something extraordinary ; and if we rest in what is every way nearest , The wonderful Numberer , it comes exactly to the wonderful Line , and the great Secrets to be found in it .

3. Gabriel , the heavenly Envoy upon all Declarations of the Kingdom of Christ , as Dan. 9. Luc. 1. is employ'd in its Exposition .

4. Daniel's extraordinary Title ( Son of Man ) allowed him only in this Vision , as bringing to him the glorious Appearance of Christ ; of which Glory , Ezekiel , being more often an Eye-witness , Cap. 1. Cap. 10. Cap. 43. 2 , 3. is more often call'd Son of Man . For if the Learned Dr. Lightfoot's Account of this Title , as a Chaldaism , were good , Daniel , who was the more eminent Chaldean , should be oftnest invested with it . On the contrary , He only in this Vision is so stiled , but Ezekiel often : and they alone enjoy it under the supreme Son of Man of all the Prophets ; and Daniel never , but here , shewing the high pitch this Vision makes , and its close approach to Christ's Kingdom : from which his other Visions do but derive , or are but preparatory to it .

Nor is Daniel's Attention , and signalizing himself unworthy Cap. 8. v. 1 , 2 , 3. v. 15. Notice , I looked and saw , I Daniel , and to me Daniel , very agreeable to parallel Expressions of the Apocalyptick Prophet , I John .

But in short , I conclude from the whole , The prophetical Contexture hath given all possible Advantage to the Greatness of this Vision , and its Line : I will now briefly add the Arguments from the whole Course of prophetical Scripture , which will much fortifie these Textual Arguments , even as they receive Strength from them .

Every Scripture Line of Time argues this so great a Line Argu. 1 from Adam to the Flood , from the Flood to Abraham , from Abraham to the Redemption out of Egypt , from thence to Solomon , and so to his Death , are indisputable ; and general Sense of Interpreters carries the 390 Days or Years as far as the Temple burnt . After the Captivity , few , if any , Christian Interpreters , doubt of the seventy Weeks , as 490 Years , reaching to Messiah . Now if these Lines are not continued , fill'd up throughout the whole space of Time , even as a Vacuum is in Nature , so would such an empty space be in Time ; it turns all to Confusion , we see how hard it is to fix the beginning or end of any Line , for want of acknowledged continued Lines ; as we find by Experience , how few agree in either the Beginning or Period of the Weeks while they universally agree in the definiteness of the Line . Let then Ezekiels 430 days reach to Cyrus , as I have endeavoured to prove , and how justly will these 2300 days joyn them which were prepar'd as a medium betwixt Historical and Prophetical Time .

And why should we think , God , who hath taken Care for some parts of Time , hath not taken Care of all ? Seeing the Provision else is maim'd , and unequal ; or why for Historical Time , and not for Prophetick ? Seeing Prophecy and History are alike present to him ; and to us Prophecy is the more noble , and requires that assurance most : Why for the Church of the Old Testament , and not for that under the Gospel , when Revelational is higher , and more perfect .

It is a vain subterfuge , That , when the Times of these Gentile Monarchies came in , God trusted the Records of Time with them , which he did not trust with his own People , without a supream Hand of Revelation , fixing such Lines of Time , as were most exact , either before by Prophecy , or after by History , as we see .

Now if this Argument have strength in it , where can we find such a Line , as this , so aggrandiz'd , so extended from its Epoch to the last end of all ?

We shall find this long Line of Time , distributed into its Argu. 2 parcel , and collateral Lines , and supported by them .

Daniel in the very next Vision gives us the first , in the Time , or space of the words going forth , and from thence seventy weeks . Then follows the sealed Time , which by the revelational Prophecy , we knew certainly laying it to History , to be 400 years . Then follow immediately the thirteen hundred thirty five ; twelve hundred sixty of which are given , as we shall see in a ninefold variety , and yet consent .

Now those two , four hundred Ninety of the 70 Weeks , and thirteen hundred thirty five , can allow space but for 475 more . Having then so good ground to fix four hundred between the Weeks , and the 1335 , we may find in the Time of the Words going forth space for the seventy five , but for no more . All which I propose rationally to make out .

So then we have this great Proof of the 2300 Evenings Mornings , as 2300 years , That we find them in the direct stream of Scripture Prophecy , and the Conspiration of History hitherto , which is more satisfactory then History giving us a course of Time , and its Events , one answering the other , for here History and Prophecy meet , as we shall see .

After so solemniz'd a Prophecy , or Vision of the daily , or Tammith taken away , we find the last seventy five in the thirteen hundred thirty five , so remarkably epoch'd with the Tammith , daily , or continual taken away ; and Daniel assured his Lot at the end of them , as it were in the New Jerusalem , or the Sanctuary cleans'd , to either of which , as the Inheritance of the sealed Tribes , or the courses of the truly holy Priesthood , the word , Lot , invites very lively our Thoughts ; so that from hence we know in this after Vision , what might else puzzle our Thoughts ; viz. How many of 2300 days are to be assign'd to the daily taken away , seeing the whole Number appertains not to the taking away , but to the whole Vision . We know , I say , the Daily taken away , begins at the first of those 1335 , and ends in the last of them , viz. in the Sanctuary cleans'd perfectly , and not in the preparation only , at the 1335 , ended .

And so having finished the first Position , concerning the Posi . 2. just measure of this Line , I come to the second , viz. That the Vision intends Antichrist in every Part , wherein Antiochus stands as a Type ; And these two last Positions confirm , and strengthen one another ; For if the Vision and its 2300 days run to the end , they must run to Antichrist , seeing Antichrist is at the End of all Things . And if Antichrist be at the end of the Vision , Antiochus can stand in the Vision , but as a Type to Antichrist , who is at the End .

Further , if the Roman Antichristian Power be not the Anti-Type to Antiochus , The Head of the Image is not only lopp'd off in this Vision , but the Roman Entayl , which appears the principal , and at the End , in the former Vision , is dock'd in this , even where the End is so often memoir'd , whereas indeed the Imperial , Roman Power , given in the former Visions Revel. 13. 4. as preceeding the Antichristian , is in this Vision set in the Antichristian Power , as the Dragon in the Beast , and so in the last Vision , c. 11. that we may know , He is the principal in it , and so may understand him in the Apocalyps accordingly .

Further yet , Antiochus is every way too small to be any more , than the Type in so great a Vision ; What remarkable End did Antiochus give , that-the End is so often recorded in his Vision , he gave none to the Monarchies of the former Visions , or to the Indignation against the Jews , nor to the delay of Christs Kingdom , there is no Monumental End , but of himself , and that not deserving this Prophecy . His Days were not many , why then should the Prophecy be shut up ? Nor were they so far off , as the Things seen in the following Vision , c. 9. nor till we encounter the same again , c. 11. c. 12. as running to the same End , do we meet with any such mentions of the End .

Why was Daniel so faint , sick , astonish'd , in a dead sleep at Antiochus's Tyranny ? Who had known the daily so long taken away in the Captivity , who foresaw the Romans desolating Wing of Abomination , and the Jews after Troubles , recounted Dan. 9. after Antiochus Epiphanes , in the Maccabean Story , betwixt these Visions and the Messiah . But the so strange , the so unaccountable , foul , longsome , Apostacy of Antichrist , lying so long , on the so excellent Religion of the Gospel , ecclipsing the Kingdom of Christ , Full of all the most pernicious Effects is deservedly Astonishing to Angels and Men , and captivating the Many , the Wise and the Great against all Scripture , Reason , and even common Sense , and were it not for that Captivation , as unworthy Confutation , as the Alchoran .

The very History of Antiochus , as it were proper to Antichrist , is only to be found in the Antichristian Canon of Scripture , and only Typically given in Daniels Prophecy , shewing it of no great Account with God .

The Time , The understanding dark Sentences , the growing great not by his own Power , are no way applicable to any historical Memoirs of Antiochus . A Prince furious , active , enterprising , at the Head of his warlike Affairs .

Lastly , the very Ev. Mor. of this Line , a manner of Speech not used in Scripture from the very first of Genesis , till now , lead us to the new Creation , to the Restitution of all things , to the bright Mornings Stars display of his Beams , and in the mean time , even as Days compounded of Ev. and Mor. so these Ev. Mor. with equal Fitness and Naturalness , sustain the prophetical Type of Time , Days for Years .

Of all which , let this be the applicatory Remark , to lead Remark . us with Confidence , Assurance , due Preparation , Faith , Prayer , and earnest Desire , to him who saith , Behold , I make all things new , and immediately after , as it were in remembrance Dan. 8. 26. compar'd with Rev. 21. 5. of his Declarative Amen , upon the Vision of the Ev. and Mor. It is true ; imposes his perfectory Finitive Amen . When he says no longer , Seal , but write in Capital Letters , These Sayings are faithful and true .

Whoso then by following the Lamb whithersoever he goes , overcomes , shall inherit all Things . Christ will be his Father ; He shall be the Son of God and of Christ . But the Fearful , who are frighted into Antichristian Cympliances ; the Abominable , &c. sunk down into the Defilements of all sorts proper to the foul State , Falshood , and the great Lye of the Apostacy , shall have their part in the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone , where the Beast and the False Prophet are .

Let us then live by Faith , and not draw back ; for He that shall come , will come , and will not tarry . Even so , Come Lord Jesus , Come quickly . Amen .

SECT. III. In which a Line of Seventy Five Years , precedent to the seventy Weeks , is asserted , and endeavour'd to be prov'd . Dan. 9.

HAving in the precedent Sections establish'd the Grand Line of 2300 Ev. Mor. and their Determination to the Kingdom of Christ ; I now proceed to the Distribution of this Line , and first to the Line that must , however subordinate and collateral , yet set out at the very same instant with the 2300 Ev. Mor. and that is , of the Word going forth .

Now of this , It is most evident by Scripture , that it must begin at the Persian Monarchy , or the Monarchy of Cyrus ; for at Darius , the Mede , to whom Scripture allows only one Dan. 9. Year , it did not begin ; for in that Year Daniel prayed , and had this Vision in Return of Prayer , as appears enough throughout this Chap. At Cyrus's first year it did begin ; for so Ezra assures us , chap. 1. For must not that most necessarily be the going forth of the Word , when Cyrus sent forth his Proclamation , and put it in Writing , v. 1 , 2. & c ?

But although the Word began here to go forth , yet it is most manifest , It did not here attain its effect ; for then would it not have rested , and ceased to go forth any farther ? But we find it stop'd after the Altar set up , and the Foundations laid all the Reign of Ahasuerus , and in the Days of Artaxerxes ; which two , as we shall after reason , must be Cambyses Ezra c. 4. 24. the Son of Cyrus , and the Counterfeit Smerdis : so that it as plainly went forth again in the Reign of Darius , known in common History by the Name of Darius Hystaspis . After that , although it came much nearer its Perfection , yet it was contradicted in the Days of Xerxes Ahasuerus , by so severe a Decree for the Destruction of the Jews , throughout all the Provinces ; so that Artaxerxes , call'd by Historians Longimanus , Esth. 3. 8. illustrated his seventh Year with the Word compleatly going forth ; The Eccho of which for the building of the Wall , was in his twentieth , and in his thirty second the Quavers of that same Word , in leave to Nehemiah to restore Jerusalem into its perfect Order and Polity : which plainly argue the Word gone forth in his seventh Year .

Now although the great Perplexities of the Persian Chronology are no way to my main Intention to be concern'd in , yet the making it Evident , that the Going forth of the Word must take up such a Time , as 75 Years , is of very deep behoof in that Intention , both as it gives great Assurance to the former principal Line of 2300 Years ; shewing how seventy five of them were spent , and also as it will inlighten some Concernments of the Kingdom of Christ , to which all Accounts of Time tend . Upon this whole Consideration I shall endeavour the proof of such a space implied in the word going forth .

And first I shall observe that which I do not look upon so considerable as to call it an Argument . The very Phrase of going forth implies some protracted and prolonged going Mich. 5 2. forth by the Word . The same Word is us'd of him , whose goings forth are from everlasting . But more enforcingly to press this , I thus argue .

It is impossible to spare any of those great Decrees we have Argu. 1 so specially recorded , Ezra 1. c. 1. c. 6. c. 7. from the words going forth .

Not the first , because it was the first , so much foretold of formerly by the Prophet Esay , of so famous Memory , and that first broke the Bonds of the Jewish Captivity . Who can with possible Reason suppose , That had no Interest in the words going forth , in which Prophecy gloried so long before-hand , that was even pointed upon by Gabriel , and from which the other Decrees were deriv'd , as is expresly mention'd in Darius's Decree , Ezra c. 6. compar'd with Dan. 9. 21 ?

Nor can the second Decree of Darius be denied a place in it , which so united it self with Cyrus's Decree , that if either was the word going forth , both must be so ; for tho they were distant in Time , they were one in Substance , and by it the Temple was built .

And least of all can the Decree of Artaxerxes in his seventh Ezra 7. year , be impeached as to this Right ; for it was the perfective Decree , so liberal and ample , with such Peculiarities in it all along , that there is not a word in the whole but yields an Argument : It excells all that went before , and leaves no Room for any to come after ; It carries a great Sense of God , revives all his Statutes and Judgments ; It gives the last Hand of Beauty , as Ezra expresses it , to beautifie the House of Jehovah ; Ezr. 7. 25. and all this by the Decree of the King , his seven Counsellors , and Great Princes . Such a Decree , as there was none like it before it ; nor after it any such . The King only writ Letters after it , to the Keepers of the Forest , and after that Neh. 2. 8. gave only a Paroll Leave to Nehemiah , without writing any thing : so that this must be the Conclusive , Terminative Decree , after which the seventy Weeks proceeded immediately .

By the building and restoring Jerusalem , we are to understand the Temple in the first and most eminent sense ; so the Argu. 2 Enemies of the Jews remonstrated to the Princes of Persia , because the Temple was the Glory of the City , and carried the Building of that with it : this therefore they accus'd , but the Ezra 4. Building of their own Houses was quickly permitted . God upbraids the People therefore by Haggai , Is it Time for you , Hag. 1. 4. Oh ye , to build your own Houses , and to let this House lye waste ?

Now the Temple was said to be finish'd by the Command of the God of Israel , of Cyrus , Darius , and Artaxerxes , King Ez. 6. 14. of Persia , and does as it were point to the Angels Embassy to Daniel upon his Prayer , that the Commandment was come Dan. 9. 23. forth , that is , from God , and was to run , as a Line of Time , through these three Kings , who are every one nam'd , and the Kings between them comprehended in Time , but left out as to the Building of the Temple . The Decrees of these three Kings are most distinctly , and by this peculiar History of Ezra , given , as an Explication of Daniel's Prophecy , and God's peculiar Care over it ; the want of which Care over Antiochus's History , argues him only a Type of Antichrist , to whose Bible his Story is rejected .

This then is the natural Order of the words going forth , by which the Temple was built . The original , and supreme Commandment was God's : The subordinate , and ministerial Commandment was of Cyrus , Darius , and after them of Artaxerxes , King of Persia , Ezr. 6. 14. Which last is indeed proleptically nam'd , or before hand , but is so remark'd , The King of Persia , that he could be no other than that Artaxerxes , whose Decree immediately follows , chap. 7. the History of whose long Reign , and as long-liv'd Friendship to the People of God , makes so great a Figure in the sacred Persian Story . And although it must be acknowledg'd we have no Evidence from those sacred Records , that this Artaxerxes was the Son of Esther by the Great Xerxes , yet his long continuance to restore Jerusalem by his Decree , his Letter , his Leave to Nehemiah , first restoring it fully in its Temple , then Neh. 2. 8. c. 13. 6. in its Wall , lastly in its Order , and all with such a strain of Piety , Love to God and his Church , savours of such a Descent , and that God honour'd his Servant Esther with such a princely Son : however , his Education in a Pagan Court , the Interests of Government , the Permission of Providence to Things to go on in their own Course , the very Current of Prophecy in this second , Persian Monarchy , might surprise his Proselitism to the Religion of the true God , and so he is no farther honoured in Sacred Story , than with that general notice he took of the Laws of God , and his fear of his displeasure : for why , saith he , should there be Wrath against the Realm of the King , and his Son ; viz. from that God whom he solemnly styles The God of Heaven ?

SECT. IV. Gives the proof , That the Time of the Words going forth was the first Seventy Five Years of the 2300 Evenings and Mornings .

HAving now settled the natural Order of the Words going forth , and finding that it must needs possess such a distance of Time , as from the first of Cyrus to the seventh of that Artaxerxes , who succeeded a Darius , in his Decree for the Building of the Temple after the Estoppage of the Building Ezr. 4. 5 , 6 , 7. in the Reign of Ahasuerus , and in the days of a former Artaxerxes , and , as we shall see , of another Ahasuerus , Esth . 1. I come now to offer proof , This Space was a Space of seventy five Years .

The first Proof I derive from the chief Scope of the Vision Argu. 1 of the seventy weeks , which was the Allowance of such a space of Time for Daniel's People , and Holy City , to continue such a People of God , and such a Holy City , until Messiah came , and fulfill'd all the Types of the Law and Prophecies concerning Himself ; which could only be fulfilled during the State especially of the Tribe of Judah , till Shiloh came , and of the Temple of Jerusalem , and the Worship of it in its ancient State and before the rejection of it : So that , whereas often in Ezekiel and the other Prophets , the Babylonish Captivity and the Ezek. 16. 53. Desolation by the Romans , are tack'd one to another ; The Waters or Ocean is divided for these 70 Weeks , and then They return and close again till the End of the Indignation , when these Weeks expire , ebbing back till the Flood by Titus Vespasian desolated All.

Before therefore these seventy Weeks could begin , Jerusalem must be restor'd , so far , as in its Temple ; Its Wall , and its whole Order and State , must be returning within the seven first Weeks of the 70 , according to the Prophecy : Now what more probable Proportion , than just so many Years , as Prophecy hath so evidently destin'd for the Space between the Fall of the Great City , Mystical Babylon , and the Restoration of all Things in the New Jerusalem , which by the general view we may see , and shall farther see , is a Space of 75 Years added to 1260 , and making 1335. This may be therefore an introductive Argument .

We see most demonstratively , The Time must be so long Argu. 2 as from Cyrus's first Year , to Artaxerxes's seventh : now seventy five Years , according to the best Chronologers , is about such a space . That Grave and most Learned Emendator of Time , Tho. Lydiatt , who was very industrious in this very Joynt of Time , allows seventy Years , and others come nearer . If then in that great Maze of Chronology at this very Period , Scripture umpires so with the best Timists for Seventy five , we have reason to accept it ; and that it does so , under the next and last of Daniel's Visions , we shall have farther Advantage to prove ; in the mean time , It is no insolent Presumption .

That great Line of 2300 Ev. Mor. as we have found it , Argu. 3 distributed so necessarily by Prophecy and History , giving space for seventy five , and no more , may stand as a strong Argument , That this was a space of so many , and no more : For when we find every way , this bids fairest to be the Number , and that for the ascertaining the Beginning of the seventy weeks , which can never else be determin'd , it is necessary some space must be determin'd , and no Number so fit 2 Pet. 1. 19. as this Number , to make that Word of Prophecy so sure as to be more sure than Eye-witness it self . This principal Line so satisfied , compleats all proof .

It is not unworthy Observation , That when the whole Argu. 4 space of the Words going forth , before the seventy weeks , for the restoring of that eminent State of Jerusalem , its Temple and Worship , and the first seven of the seventy for building the Wall , full of Clefts and Breaches , justly to be accounted restoring Jerusalem , the first by solemn Decrees , the second by some last sounds of those words of Decree ; The Years of the Persian Monarchy for the Transaction of this whole Matter are just seventy five , as may be accounted .

Cyrus before the stop on Dan. 10. 1. v. 13. the Building , 3 years . The Time of the Estoppage , 21 years . Darius to the Temples Ez. 6. 15. first Finiture , 6 years . Ahasuerus Xerxes of giving Esth. 3. 7. Esth. 6. 15. and reversing his Massacring Decree , 13 years . To Artaxerxes his Decree in Ezr. 7. 8. his seventh year , 7 years . To his Leave to Nehemiah , Neh. 13. 6. 25 years .

When therefore , They have done the symbolical Service of accounting the seventy five years , not otherwise accounted ; The Time from the Weeks Beginning pointed out to seven Weeks , or 49 Years in the Vision , hath a Room allowed for it in the Story , viz. 25 years from the Decree in Artaxerxes his seventh throughout his Reign , which by all Historians , is agreed to be near forty six ; and from thence Lett into the Reign of Darius Nothus , which seems on purpose nam'd to continue the 49 years current , for which there had been space , more than enough , if the Weeks had begun sooner , then Artaxerxes his seventh , and not enough , if they then begun without being Lett into the Reign of Darius Nothus , nor Nehem. 12. 22. enough if they did not then begin , but at his 20th only .

Now it is enough known , Scripture thus improves its mention , or not mention of Things , it s so much mention and no more , into symbolismes , and so may very well be suppos'd to do on these Persian years . For it minds not Heathen Chronology , but to some great purposes ; I shall give one Instance among others , and it is that most visible one of Melchisedec , who in Shem standing at the Head of the second Roll of Patriarks , without Father , Mother , Beginning of Days , or End of Life , is so represented , by vertue of this Symbolism . Hebr. 7. 3. Compare with Gen. 11. 10.

Arg. 4. There is nothing more evident , then that the Restoring Jerusalem in its Temple , and the BVILDING of the Wall are two most distinct Things , both in Daniels Prophecy , and in the History of Ezra and Nehemiah ; so that they cannot be confounded either in the valuableness of their Character , or in their Time .

One , viz. of the Temple is most distinctly recorded by Ezra , Ez. 1. &c. Neham . 2. &c. Ezr. 9. 9. the other by Nehemiah , The one is call'd a Reviving to lift up the House of our Lord , and to repair the Desolations thereof , and this he calls giving a Wall in Judah and Jerusalem ; The other is call'd by Nehemiah repairing the City of his Fathers Sepultures , which was no Dissimulation of the Intention in more acceptable Words as some have thought ; for no such needed to him , who had given so munificent a Decree for the Temple of the God of Heaven at Jerusalem . That of the Word going forth for the Temple is before the Weeks . That of the Wall is within the Weeks , and so of Nehemiahs leave to settle the Order .

And yet all these are so united in the common Interests of Jerusalem , and in some Air of the Word going forth for them , so that there may be most fitly from the real Line of the forty nine years for building the Wall , so far as it is given in Number , a Communication of a symbolical Line , according to the Years of the Persian Monarchy , so as that 75 may be collected from the whole Number , even as the word going forth , that is proper especially to the Restoring the Temple is communicated also to the Royal Letter , for Timber to build the Wall , and the word of Princely leave for Nehemiahs going up to settle the Order ; so that from the words first going forth to the Time within the Reign of Darius Nothus may be conceived a Line of the whole word going forth before the Weeks , and to the end of the seven weeks , viz. of 75 and 49 years which is the Point to be made good .

SECT. V. Of the Seventy Weeks themselves in brief . On Dan. 9. 20.

THis Line of the seventy Weeks is not only so generally allowed and agreed by all Christian Interpreters , but also insisted upon , as a most fundamental , demonstrative , and undeniable Proof of Jesus Christ the true Messiah , come in the Flesh , against the perverse Obstinacy of the Jews , that I shall not levy any Argument for the proof of it ; nor say more for the Definitiveness of it to 490 Years , than that the distribution of it into seven weeks , sixty two weeks , one week , and that one week into a half week , and a half week cannot possibly stand , but in a most certain Determination of Time to greatest exactness .

Nor is it possible to be disputed , when those Years end , or what Situation they have in Time , since they run so undoubtedly in the first half of the last Week to Messiah being cut off , and to the causing Sacrifice to cease by the Sacrifice of himself , and in the last half Week to the confirming the Gospel Covenant with many ; at the end of which , the Jewish Nation was rejected , and their former Desolations in Babylon reflow upon them , and cover them with the Ten Tribes in a general Cessation of being God's People or a Holy City any longer .

The seventy Weeks then are divided into the seven Weeks of building the Wall after the Temple restor'd ; * * And viz. from Building the Wall Times with Straightness or in Trouble . v. 25. sixty two Weeks of Troubles allowing fome lucid Intervals ; of which Antiochus's Tyranny must be allowed a principal Instance : on which , as a Type , is founded the prophetical Symbol of Antichristianism . Then comes the half week of Messiah , of finishing Transgression , making an end of Sin , making Reconciliation for Iniquity , bringing in everlasting Righteousness : All which Expressions , I look upon as an exuberant setting forth the Absoluteness , Perfection , and highest Effect of that one Sacrifice which Christ offer'd once for All , by which he hath for ever perfected them who are sanctified ; by which , Jewish Sacrifice and Oblation was made to cease , even by the offering of himself by the Eternal Spirit , as a Lamb without spot , effectively purging the Conscience from Guilt of dead Works , to serve the Living God ; which Sacrifice , in the Revelation is translated into that Propriety and Peculiarity of Expression , The Lamb , slain from the Foundation of the World , Rev. 13. 8. and the corrupting and annulling that Supreme Point of Christian Religion , and the Service founded on it , and regulated by it , according to its own Purity , Simplicity , and Transcendency , free from idolatrous Defilements , is a Cardinal Point of Antichristianism , and a most proper Sense of taking away the daily Sacrifice ; of which I am often to make mention , and desire that from hence it may be carried all along with the Notion of the daily Sacrifice , ( though mentioned but this once . ) even this Sacrifice of Daily or Eternal Vertue .

The sealing Prophecy , and Vision , is not only the Ratification and confirming all Prophecy by finishing of it , as Christ Joh. 19. 30. declar'd , It is finish'd , so far as was requisite to that coming of Christ into his Mediatory and Redemptory Kingdom ; but signifies also the sealing of Prophecy at that present Time , so , as thta the second Coming of Christ into his glorious Kingdom Rev. 6. 1. & c. Rev. 7. 1. &c. Rev. 10. 4. &c. should not at that Time be , but run through that course of sealing first , during the Time of the seven Seals , then during the Time of 144000 sealed , then during the seven Thunders sealed , under which Sealing we yet must remain these next following Ten Years : Then all Things shall be finish'd spoken of in that yet sealed Prophecy for the Glorious Kingdom of Rev. 16. 17. ch. 21. 6. Christ , till those two words of Finiture are pronounced , It is done , It is done .

Yet notwithstanding This , The most Holy is Anointed in his Resurrection , made Lord and Christ , the true Messiah , Acts 2. 36. Act. 13. 3● . even by Him who said , Thou art my Son , this day have I begotten thee .

The Covenant of Grace in his Blood , and the Sacrifice of himself , He Confirms for one Week . viz. the First half week by himself , For so it begun to be spoken by the Lord , and then it was confirmed by them that heard him . Heb. 2. 1. &c.

To which the Body of the Jewish Nation , being so heinously Enemies , first in cutting off Messiah , then in resisting all the Ministry of his Apostles , and persecuting them to the Death . The Flood of Desolations returned upon them , by that very Roman , Power , People , and Wing of Idolatrous Abomination , and Desolation , that they invocated for the Death of Messiah , and so they remain , and shall remain desolated till the End of that Indignation , during the Times of the Gentiles , till that City , spiritual Sodom and Egypt , in which our Lord was Crucified , shall be burnt with Everlasting Burnings , and the Captivity never be returned , till the Captivity of the Old Jerusalem , the bloody , and filthy City be returned , which shall never be ; for the New Jerusalem shall come down from Heaven , and constitute a Holy City below . Ezek. 16. 54.

This Richest Line of Time , laden with the Redemption of Remark . our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , invites us to it self , with admiring , and adoring Thoughts , and commands the World to Kiss the Son with a Kiss of Homage and Obedience : Great Occasions derive agreeable Names , Daniel is therefore suitable to the Vision call'd a Man of desires , or belov'd , expressing the infinite Love , from which Redemption , flows , and which it begets in us back to God and Christ with vehement Passions of Desire . And he is not only call'd so in this Vision , but ever after it , to shew the Honour put upon him by it . Dan. 10. 11. 19. And as this Vision stands in this Prophetick Line of Time , it ensures it to us ; For as at the fulness of Time , treasur'd up in it , Christ came against all contrary Appearances , against all the Indisposition of the World to receive him , and the Indesert of so Divine a Condescention ; He came according to the sure word of this Prophecy , Determining him as to the very self same day , in comparison of which the Transfiguration before the Apostles , as Eye-witnesses was less sure , according to this he came , and did not tarry ; and though his Transfiguration remonstrated his Right , yet it was in private ; His Decease as a Cloud receiv'd it , and though vindicated by his Resurrection , yet the sitting down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on High was on the Throne of his Father , He shall sit on his own Throne , The Father will shew him whom the Heavens yet contain and Hide , the Transfiguration was an earnest of it , and does assure it ; yet we have a more sure Word of Prophecy , unto which if we take heed and pursue its Conduct , as a Light in the dark , and obscure , the fuliginous and dusky State of the Apostacy , it will bring us to that bright Morning Star , as the Wise Men were by a lesser Star led to this Morning Star , even to him , who Matt. 2. as the King of his whole Church is to be acknowledged with those Presents of Gold , Myrrh , and Frankincense . Whatever most speaks Royalty , Dignity on his part , Love , and Obedience on ours ; and he will return it a Thousand Fold by shewing himself , and exalting us to the Mountain of Spices . Cantic. 8. ult.

SECT. VI. Brief Remarques on Daniels last and largest Vision are made , from part to part . c. 10. c. 11. c. 12.

THis last , and longest of Daniels Visions , I shall most briefly pass over , Because the chief Things in it , that concern the Kingdom of Christ , have either been already given , and are here recollected with some Explanations , or the Line of Time to Christ is just Travers'd , especially to introduce the End ; or else when it comes beyond the Weeks , the Death , and Resurrection of Christ ; Things are gone over again in the Evidence , and clearness of a New Testament Prophecy ; yet sundry things of greatest Use , and Remarque , to the fuller understanding of what went before , and is to follow , will arise to us .

This last and longest Vision measures more particularly and distinctly the whole space of the 2300 days , abating the two or three first years of Cyrus , and so brings down Time to the End , so as that from the sealing of Prophecy , at the End of the first half and the last of the seventy Weeks , Lines of Time are given , the First implicitely along the Time of the sealed Book to be open'd in its seven Seals in the Apocalyps ; Or in express Numbers . viz. the 1335 , which just at the end of the seventh Seal , begin in the Trumpets , and continue until all Finished , or , IT IS DONE , IT IS DONE , and so arise to One thousand three hundred thirty five years .

This Vision , according to the Pleasure of the infinitely wise Spirit of Prophecy , varies from the precedent in this , That it is rather Enigmatical in vail'd and covert Expressions , then Iconical , or by way of Imagery ; The first Vision was perfectly Dan. 2. an Image , whose Anatomical Distributions by the Head , the Arms and Breast ; the Belly and Thighs , the Legs , Feet and Toes , distributed Time : The second Iconiz'd by four Beasts , had a Line of Time , in the Cypher of Time , Times , half a c. 7. Time , applyed to a little Horn of the fourth Beast : The third pourtrays Three Beasts , and makes a little Horn of the Third of them , a Type to the little Horn of the fourth Beast of the c. 8. former Vision , and the Veil of a Type being thrown over , There is a Line of 2302 Days drawn out by the Action of the Type * * Antiochus Epiphanes . bearing some Resemblance , both in Action and Duration ( of Time naturally and not prophetically understood ) to that Anti ▪ typical little Horn ; It is drawn , I say , to the Kingdom of Christ , rising on that little Horns Ruine at the End of the 2300 Ev. Mor.

The State of the four Monarchies , in the fourth of which the Kingdom of Christ breaks the whole Image , is much the same in the main , in this Vision , as in the former , The Antichristian King is guilty of the same Blasphemy against the God of Gods , or the Lord of Lords , and King of Kings , as in the former Visions against the Prince of Princes , and the most high , and lastly the same Date of Time , Times , half a Time is applied to him : yet notwithstanding there are some peculiar Things which this Vision carries all along upon the whole Line of the 2300 Ev. Morn . by way of farther Explication , as also of the excellent Vision of the seventy weeks , and of the Word going forth before it : which Vision of the seventy weeks most resembles this Vision in this , that it is rather a prophetical History , than Imagery .

The prefatory Description of Christ hath several Magnificencies of Presence , like those Revel. 1. and also Dan. 7. wherein the Divine Nature of Christ appears in his Mediatorship . But in this they differ from the Majesty of Christ , as on his Throne , wherein Ezekiel's Visions exceed , and for the sake of which He is so often honour'd with the Title , Son of Man , so peculiar to Christ's Kingdom , and wherein Daniel came nearest in the Vision of the Sanctuary cleans'd , and the Corrival to Christ's Princedome broken without hand , at the end of the 2300 Ev Morn . All which shall be then fulfill'd in the State of the Jews restor'd , of the New Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Christ , Rev. 20. 4. and therefore there he is peculiarly call'd Son of Man , as before noted .

To shew it measures the same Time , as that of the Ev. Mor. Daniel , is much in the same manner affected : It begins in its very Date , near the Beginning of the Persian Monarchy ; it runs most evidently to the same End . And having now made these general Remarks upon it , I come to observe what is most particular in it , in the way of a short Elenchus , or Table of it .

1. It is peculiar to this Vision , that tho Christ calls to mind in it His supreme Assistance to His , at the first Year of Darius , who to distinguish him , is call'd Darius the Mede , and of the Seed of the Medes , at the very Entrance of Cyrus's Persian Monarchy ; yet his third Year is the critical and precise Date of it ; for then that wonderful and unexpected stop upon so Royal a Decree by the divine Permission was made , Ezr. c. 3. compar'd with c. 4. shewing the leisurely Progresses of the divine Kingdom , and , as is most probably conceiv'd , Cyrus in his third Year making foreign Expeditions , Cambyses or Artaxerxes his Son , was left Viceroy ; upon whom the Enemies of the Jews gain'd so far , that though they could not plainly command a Cessation , yet by Sleights and Artifices , They eluded the Decree , and frustrated the Work all the days of Cyrus .

But Cyrus being dead in the days of the proper Reign of Artaxerxes , or Cambyses the Son of Cyrus , the Adversaries of the Jews writ to him , and obtain'd his Edict against the Progress of the Building . And in the Reign of Ahasuerus , in the beginning of his Reign , wrote they also an Accusation , and still prevail'd .

Now by Ahasuerus , I understand the Counterfeit Smerdis , Ezr. 4. v. 5 , 6 , 7. whose Reign being very short , it is said , In the beginning of his Reign : And by Artaxerxes I understand Cambyses , who reign'd indeed before Ahasuerus : yet the Sacred History intending a fuller Account of the whole matter , gives first the general Account , that all the days of Cyrus the Work was frustrated ; then takes in Ahasuerus first , because his Reign was short , and then gives the true Series of Things in Artaxerxes , who was first in the days of Cyrus , possess'd against the Jews , and suffer'd an artificial Impedition of them . When he came to Reign , he laid a Prohibition on their Building . When Ahasuerus began to Reign , after the Death of Artaxerxes , the Jews , upon that change , attempted to revive their Work , but on Letters to Ahasuerus , by their Enemies , were still prohibited . At the Reign of Darius being twice discouraged , they lay still , till arous'd by Haggai and Zechariah the Prophets , and confirm'd by Darius in a new Enterprise , they begin the Work again .

That which justifies this , as the True Order , is , That the History expresly tells us , upon the Letter to Artaxerxes , The work ceas'd , and that it ceas'd till the second Year of Darius the Persian , all the Days of Artaxerxes Cambyses , all the short Reign of Ahasuerus , or the Counterfeit Smerdis ; Under Artaxerxes then , it began to cease ; and till then the Cessation continued . And thus often , Sacred Story postpones that , on which it intends to place the full and largest Accounts , and therein directs the true Order yet ; As here , Artaxerxes is postpond to Ahasuerus , although before him .

And of this Delay of the Building , the Space otherwise unknown , is made known in this Vision by the one and twenty days Resistance Christ found from the Angel-Prince of Persia , against whom Michael the Angel-Prince of the Jews stood with Christ .

Now these twenty one days , viz. days for years ; for what could twenty one days Resistance signifie to such a stop of the Building , if naturally taken ? Daniel observ'd a symbolical Fast ; three weeks of days , a day for a year , as Ezekiel observ'd on each side ; so that it is true , The weeks of days do distinguish those weeks of days from the seventy weeks of years , and yet they are a Type of twenty one days for years also : so that here we have an Explanation of so much Time as the stop of the Building amounted to , as so many years of the Persian Time , as was before explain'd of the Word going forth , and it justifies that Account so far towards 75 , where it is possibly most needed .

2. Here we have also the Intimation of the whole History of Esther , as pertaining to the Decree of the Jews Destruction and Deliverance , compris'd in the short Note of Christ's speedy dispatch of this Vision to Daniel , and returning to sight for the Jews with the same Angel prince of Persia , who , Zec. 3. 1. as Sathan , stood at their right-hand to resist them , and this Reason to believe , That Ahasuerus was Xerxes , who was the fourth King , richer than all the former ; viz. In compliance with that Character , The History of Esther thus describes him , This is that Ahasuerus that Reigned from India to Ethiopia : Esth. 1. 1. and according to best History , He was the fourth to the three from Cyrus ; for Darius being of the Seed of the Medes , and the Mede is not accounted among the Persian Kings , the Three after Cyrus then regnant , are Cambyses , Smerdis , Darius Hystaspis , and Xerxes the fourth ; who as stirring up all against the Realm of Grecia , near the very Time of the Jews Danger , ( as Christ signifies by the King of Grecia coming when he return'd to fight with the Prince of Persia concerning Haman's Decree , ) laid the Foundation of that War , Alexander the Great , a Prince doing after his own Will , pursued so as to put an end to the Persian Monarchy , and the Grecian succeeded .

And this I have treated the more largely , because it confirms and farther clears what hath been said of the Words going forth .

3. This Vision being drawn out of the Scripture of Truth , that is , out of the former Visions of Daniel , which can be only Cap. 10. 21. suppos'd Scripture of Truth in relation to these things . The Vision , I say , passes on to the Successors of Alexander , and especially stays in the King of the South , and the North , the Egyptian , and Graeco-Syrian Kingdoms , the DHIL-KARNAIN Cap. 11. 5. &c. or two Horns , as the Mahometans call it , or as this Prophecy also , the two Thighs of the Grecian Empire , in whose Motions the 62 weeks ran , and the Troubles of the Jews were , as Historians observe , most concern'd ; but especially as Types of those after-Kings of the South and North , to which the Prophecy tends .

For in that Acarith of the Grecian Monarchy , as the former Vision ch. 8. v. 23. expresses it , that long after part , the King of fierce Countenance , and understanding dark Sentences , arose , viz. in the Time of the Southern Saracens , Heirs of the Egyptian Potentacy , and the Northern Turks , Inheritors after , of the Grecian Empire , to which the Prophecy especially directs it self ; so leading on also the space of the Weeks to the Roman Empire , till all things went forward to the Antichristian State ; wherein these three principal Things are especially in our Eye , that are prepar'd to clear to us the Apocalyptical Prophecy , into which this of Daniel Disembogues it self .

1. The Confederacies betwixt Antiochus , and the Apostatizing Jews are lively set out , as very prophetically descriptive of the Gentiles , and the other Beast , first preparing for and after conspiring with the Grand Beast of the Revelation , and so by all manner of Arts corrupting the Minds of Men into the Apostacy , that the daily Service of God may be taken away , and the Abomination , that maketh desolate , establish'd in its place : and as They , who in the Days of Antiochus fell under that Tyranny by Sufferings , and would not accept Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection ; ( for even Heb. 11. 35 then the End was known , and was for an appointed Time : ) even so the Witnesses and sealed Servants of God were in the same manner resolv'd not to defile themselves , but were purified , and made white by Sufferings , for the Glory of that End . And thus in this Vision , these shaded Lines of the Gentiles and the other Beast , not given in the former Visions , are now given , and the End vigorously represented , as encouraging the Saints of God in their Opposition to those Corruptions .

2. The Agency of the Antichristian King is more fully set out in some Particulars , that had been given some not at all , some not so clear as before , as in these three things .

1. We have the Exaltation of himself above all Magistrates or deputed Gods , every 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or August Name , that calls Properly the Name of August Majesty , as Acts 27. 1. for civil Worship and Reverence , according to God's Ordination : so the Apostle out of this very Prophecy describes him . 2 Thess. 2. 4.

2. His marvellous Pretension to be the Vicar and Vice-Gerent of Christ on Earth , in so absolute and immediate a manner , as to swallow up Christ's own true Power . This is a speaking marvellous Things against Christ , the God of Gods , or supreme Prince ; an opening his Mouth in Blasphemy against the most High , because such a Power is a Blasphemy against Christ's Divine Power : for it is to sit in the Temple of God , as God , shewing himself that he is God ,

3. His Prohibition of Marriage is shaded under the Not regarding the Desire of Women , taking it either as what Women of Vertue and Honour desire , Marriage honourable in all , or Mens lawful Desire of Women in that Estate of Honour and the Bed undefiled , in Detestation of Concubinacies and Stews : and this Prohibition yet is on the pretended Accounts of Virginity , and immoderately honour'd single Life ; but indeed for base Advantages of Riches and Power ; to which those Pretences are made serviceable , while in the mean time all Impurities , even the Deeds of the Nicolaitans , are so allowed , as to be made a Doctrine . Thus the Apostle also brands the Apostasie as forbidding to marry ; 1 Tim. 4. 3. compar'd with Rev. 2. 14.

4. The Idolatry introduc'd by him , formerly unheard of and unknown in the World : an Idolatry committed under the Pretence of honouring Saints and Holy Angels , the Mother of Christ , and even Christ , the Spirit , God , the Trinity ; Names , the lowest of which are indeed of true and real Honour and Excellency , according to the Scriptures ; but as thus manag'd , A Blaspeming God , his Tabernacle , viz. The whole Worship of the Gospel , call'd after the Language of pure Israelitism , His Tabernacle , and them that dwell in Heaven , Saints and Angels , who are especially thus blasphem'd under the Name of Worship , by putting upon them the Notion of Patrons , Patronesses , Defenders , Tutelary Powers , Presidiary , Munitional , or Municipal Saints ; which is such a new Host of Heaven , such a new way of Idolatry , so proper to this State of Antichrist , as in just Propriety to be said , A God , that his Fathers , not only of the Roman Ancestors of the Beast , but even his first Father of Babylon , Nebuchadnezzar , had not known , a God strange to the whole Auncestry of Idolaters , that it is most fitly and livelily express'd by the Prophecy : The Silver , Gold , precious Things , with which their Shrines are honour'd , Their Presidency over such Countries , the Land or whole Territory of the Beast being divided to them for gain , each Saint in his proper District or Division , and so as to bring in Gain most advantageously . And all these are thus honour'd upon the Account of a Supreme over them in Name and Title , however often not only equal'd , but even submitted under them in Veneration and Resort , as we know the Name of CHRIST bears up the whole weight , and yet is not only competitor'd by such or such a Saint , in such a place , or as they speak by our Lady , but even by that very sort of Idolatrous Worship of Christ ecclips'd and drowned . And all this was fulfill'd , especially from that War concerning the Worship of Saints and Images , 725 or 26 , at the famous 666 , as is after to be shewn .

Now the Pourtray of these Things is admirable in this prophetical Table , and the Travers from the God , who is superiour , that is , Christ , to the whole Gentry of Saints , in such a confused manner , as the Text gives it , The Maozzim , and the strange God whom he shall acknowledge , and encrease with Glory , and shall cause them to rule over many , so passing out of one into another , that the very Frame of the Context does above all Expression , by the Elegancy of the Scheme , exquisitely present it , and it hath been with wonderful Fidelity expounded by that ever to be acknowledg'd Duumvirate of Prophetical Interpreters , Dr. More and Mr. Mede .

5. It is very extraordinary in this Prophecy , that upon this very Idolatry , and at the very Time when it was contested by the Iconoclastick Emperours , so profess'd Enemies to Images , and Worship of Saints , and yet sanction'd by the second Council of Nice , however palliated by that of Frankford , Cabbasut . Notitia Eccles. p. 314. which Palliation is yet abhorr'd , and the Truth of the History of that Council decried at this Day ; At that very Time the Mahometan King of the South , by the Saracens or Locusts , and after the King of the North , the Turkish Horsemen according to the Military Language of Daniel's Time , with his Chariots and Horsemen , like a Whirlwind , and with his Gallies or Ships pass'd and overflow'd . And this , in the same order , the Apocalyps after describes ; and at the same Degrees of Elevation : The King of the South first does but push ; he torments and hurts , but does not kill or swallow up in Conquest : The King of the North comes after , and does overflow and pass over , and inherit a great part of the Antichristian Territory , as the Beast would have it ; that is the Grecian Empire , and yet leaves to the Beast his proper Bestian Demesne still : for the sake of which Mahometan Kings of the South and the North , as well as to draw a Line of prophetick History upon the sixty two Weeks , from the Wall built to Messiah , There is so much said of the King of the North and the South , the Seleucidean and Lagidean Potentacies in the Prophecy .

6. It is very observable , after a Description of the very great Conquests and vast Tracts of the Turkish Empire , v. 42. &c. given , His End is foretold upon the Mountains of Tzebi , or the pleasant Holy Land ; and from thence the last end of Things , and the glorious state of the Kingdom of Christ , in the Lustre of his Saints , and the Shame and Contempt of his Enemies , seems to be given ; and not from the breaking the Image in the Bestian State of it ; which both here and in the Revelation is the most definite Thing that can be , that the End should be so plac'd on the Beast . These two Considerations yet will make a perfect Reconciliation of that Objection .

1. That indeed , The End of Things is not given from the Turkish End , but from the Day of great Trouble , such as never Dan. 12. 1. was since there was a Nation . Now that Day of Trouble is the same with the Battel of Armageddon under the seventh Rev. 16. 16. &c. v. 12. Vial. The Turkish Power therefore coming to its End , and none helping it , is under the sixth Vial , poured out upon the River Euphrates , that the way of the Kings of the East , the Jews upon the Mountains of Tzebi , might be prepar'd , where the Turk receives his final Overthrow , except the last Remainders of him rallied from this Fatal Blow , on the Mountains of Tzebi may be congregated by the Spirit , like a Frog , ( that shall immediately after it go out of the mouth of the Dragon ) to the Battel of Armageddon , upon which immediately follows that Resurrection describ'd in the Glory of the Saints , the Ministers of Divine Truth , who have turn'd many to Righteousness , in an Excellency , and the Enemies of Christ rising to everlasting Shame and Contempt , according to Dan. 12. 1 , 2. &c. and Revel. 20. 4. &c. to v. 7. Where we may observe the use of the Word Many , to shew , there is another Determination of the Future State of Mankind at the end of the 1000 Years ; both of them written in the Book , and whose Names are not found in the Book of Life : compare this with Apoc. 20. 15.

From hence therefore , compar'd with the Turkish Woe going off at the end of the sixth Trumpet , Rev. 11. 14. It seems most probable , but I dare not in Particulars be too definitive ; There is a reducing of the Turkish Power at that Trumpets end sending it to Euphrates from whence it came at the Beginning of it ; and a DE-PORTING it from Constantinople . At the sixth Vial there is a drying it up in his proper Euphrates , in some Encounter on the Mountains of Tzebi or Judea ; and what Mahometan Tail may remain , shall be wholly cut off at Armageddon , when neither Head , nor Tail , Tyranny , nor False Prophetism , to hurt with , shall be left in the World .

2. After the End had been thus given leading from the sixth Vial to the seventh , Then the true orderly native course of that End is drawn within its proper Channels and Successions of Prophetick Time ; as is now in the next place to be demonstrated upon this Danielian Prophecy .

SECT. VII . Of the whole Line of Time from the Resurrection of Messiah , unto the Time of Blessedness in the Lotts of the New Jerusalem , and its Royal Priesthood : On Dan. 12. v. 4. &c. to the End .

AFter the full and ample Discovery , according to the Allowance of Prophecy , of the State of the Honourable Resurrection of the Servants of Christ , and the despicable Resuscitation of the Wicked , inclusive of all Misery , follows the Delineation of Time .

Immediately upon this Declaration of this Resurrection , Christ commands Daniel to shut the Book , and seal it to the time of the End ; which End must be that End , When many of them that sleep shall so awake . But in regard of the Laxitude of the Expression , [ The Time of the End ] we must understand , The whole Time from Christ's Resurrection to this Resurrection , is call'd The last Time , The End , The End of the World , The last Days , frequently in Scripture ; All Progresses in which Time are still yet nearer the End , and so more the Time of the End , and the last Days , than the former Parts are . This then being first conceiv'd ; Under some sealing , more or less , The Book must continue till Christ says , Seal not the Sayings of this Book , for the Time is at hand ; relating just to the Time of the Vials , when the Kingdom of Christ was not only entred , and proclaim'd , and all Things were in finishing in the seventh Trumpet ; but the Time of the Dead , that they should be judged , was nigh : when the Voices had now prepar'd for the Vials , and the Thunders then were unseal'd for the Vials pouring out , Rev. 22. 10.

And this agrees with the sealing Vision and Prophecy at the very cutting off of Messiah , altho there was a Time of farther Tryal of the Jews , the last Half-week , yet it was then indeed seal'd , the Jews having rejected and crucified their King , who yet even by Pilate's Inscription , in Hebrew , Greek , and Latin , [ This is the King of the Jews , ] by his Resurrection , Ascension , and sending down the Spirit , was Anointed . But till the End of the Indignation , The Prophecy of his Kingdom was seal'd from its Glorious Appearance , altho this Sealing had several new Sealings , after some partial and momentary Discoveries of the Kingdom ; which are most necessary to be here understood , and carried all along .

It is most evident , It was here seal'd , and answerably in the Revelation , c. 5. It was a Book seal'd with seven Seals when Christ took it , at his very Resurrection : and though the opening the first Seal was a Publication of his Kingdom to the Jews and Gentiles , and he went out conquering and to conquer , c 6. 1 , 2. after the opening the first Seal ; yet it could not then appear , for there were six Seals still upon it ; Now these Seals carry most evidently , as we shall see , a Course of 400 years from the last half week , when the sealing was complete in the final rejection of the Jews ; For the first Seal opened , and the Gospel not received by the Jews , the rest had greater Force of Sealing , which Sealing yet was determinately made at the very Death of Christ , and the Indignation upon that Parricide ; And though these Seals carry a Course of Time , yet condecent to the Type of the great secrecy of the seven Seals , There is no express Line of Time drawn till the Kingdom of Our God is celebrated as come after the sixth of the Seals opened , and the Rev. 12. 10. compar'd with c. 6. 12. c. 8. 3. 4. seventh also opened as compleating that whole Vision of the manly Birth , Caught up to the Throne , and the Dragon cast down , Revel. 12. in Theodosius the Great's last Victory over Heathenism , as we shall see in those Visions .

But then immediately at the sixth Seal , as it were by way of prevention of the Kingdom of Christ , breaking out at the seventh ; The 144000 were first sealed , and this was such an c. 7. obscuring Christs Kingdom , under the Apostasie , That the Lines of Time were according to the Decency of the Type concealed till the Thunders uttering their Voices , and the Book opened . Apoc. c. 10. c. 11. without which Apocalyptick Lines , these Numbers of Daniel could not be understood .

So till the End , viz. the seventh Trumpet , finishing all , and the Kingdom of Christ proclaim'd , there is a continuance of this sealing , in some Degrees , even till the Thunders unseal'd . Chap. 14.

But yet there are convenient Notations of Time along the Seals , For every Event upon their opening leads us demonstratively enough from Time to Time , and that general Character of this First space of Time of the Seals , after Christs Resurrection , is most significantly imprinted by that Motto , Many shall run to and fro , and Knowledge shall be increased , Dan. 12. 4. which was so notably fulfill'd in the Apocalyptical Ministry it self , and after that , especially during the Three following Seals in those Gospel Voices , of a yet continuing Apostolical Ministry , though inferior to the Apostles , and daily growing flatter , but still saying Come and see , All labouring to have then proclaim'd Christs Kingdom . For so Come and see imports all along c. 6. till the Fifth Seal .

Christ having now commanded the sealing of the Book , with that Latitude , not , to the End , but to the Time or whole Current of Time to the End , The Two Angels on either Bank attending Christ , the Man in Linnen upon the Waters of the great River Hiddekel , as in the Preface . c. 10. v. 4. These two by divine Ordination from that very word [ The End ] start this Question , Vnto how long the End of these Wonders ? viz. That End , until , the Time of which Christ had just now signifyed The Book was seal'd ; To this Christ is pleas'd , intending to reveal this Course of Time to his Church by Daniel , to return an answer in the very sight of Daniel by lifting up both his Hands to Heaven , and swearing by the Eternal Being , living for ever , to whom all Time is but as the Drop of the Bucket . That there should be Time , Times , half a Time , for the scattering of the holy People , or the Revel. 12. Womans being in the Wilderness , which is the Apocalyptick Comment on it , and when that was accomplished , According to the Correspondent Oath in the Revel. c. 10. All these things should be finished in the Days of the seventh Trumpet . Now it is most observable Christ gives an answer by this Oath , not of the Time from the End of the Weeks , or at his Resurrection , but from the Time of the Seals opened , confirming that sealing the Book to make a Line of Time in its unsealing ; For who can think Time , Times , &c. were together with the Seals , seeing those three Times and Half are so plainly given after the Seals .

But because the Divine Spirit knew , that neither could the Cypher of Time , Times , half a Time , be truly discypher'd but by it self , and that the Half Time would open in some appearance of the Kingdom , and that this very Oath , that now Lett out this Time , would be revers'd upon it , at that very prophetical Juncture , Daniel is mov'd by the same Spirit , as not enough intelligenc'd by this Oracle to desire a further Divine Responsal . I heard , saith he , but I understood not ; and therefore I said , Lord , what the End of these things ? Upon which , Christ declares first a second sealing , and discharges Daniel from farther Attendance in this matter after this last Oracle given him ; v. 9. which is again repeated v. 13. Go thy way Daniel , saith Christ ; [ that is , the way of all Flesh , or Dye at thy Time , ] till Thou stand in thy Lot at the end of the Days . Not the Book now , but the Words referring to the Thunders Vtterances , and the Words within the open Book , are seal'd , or stay'd from an immediate coming to pass till the very Time of the End , much farther promoted ; viz. to the Vials .

And then Christ is pleas'd to give first this Emblem of the Time of the Vnsealing , in these Words , Many shall be purified , and made white , and tryed , or refin'd , viz. by the Voices , and by the Efficacy of Divine Truth then breaking out ; but , as is discover'd in the Vials , The wicked will do wickedly , and will not understand by so great a Thunder of Truth ; and therefore it is so eminently noted of them in the Vials , They Repented not , but blasphem'd : and in proper Application to the same Time , it is said , He that is Vnrighteous , and Vnjust , let him be so still , and He that is Righteous let him be farther justified , that is , clear'd from the Imputations laid upon him by the Apostacy , and let him farther also vindicate and justifie himself from it by a Ministration of the Vials on the Beast , and doubling to the infamous Woman the Cup she had given and thereby making Preparation to the Kingdom of Christ . Thus is that great Time in its curious Emblematism in Prophecy . c. 22. 11. compar'd with Rev. c. 15. c. 18. v. 6.

And because all this should by the Will of Christ be yet drawn out more definitively , He is pleas'd to add , From the Time of the Daily , or Continual , in the very same only word Tammith , ( no where applied alone to Sacrifice ; ) from that taken away by the Apostacy , I say are given exactly till the seven Thunders unseal'd thirty additional Days to the 1260 Days , viz. 1290 Days ; and to that very End so often mention'd of the Lots of Blessedness , by the Addition of 45 more are given 1335 ; and all cast into Indictions ; or eighty nine Fifteens ; a way of accounting Time so notoriously known to have come into use after Constantine , as elsewhere shall be farther urg'd , and most evidently characterizing this Time .

And it is much to be observ'd , This so clear Line is given here , as in the Revelat. after a Supposition of the Book open'd at the Half-time , and not before , except in this Cypher of Daniel's Time , Times , Half-Time , not to be understood but by the 1260 Days , and other Apocalyptical Lines .

Now from all this may be collected , by compare with the Apocalyptick Prophecy , a Line of Time , as exact as from the very Ages of the Patriarks , allowing the Hebrew Copies there , and the prophetical Days for Years here .

For first , the 2300 Ev. Mor. are so exact undoubted an entire Number , as to leave no Dispute , if granted to be a Line of Time : The Weeks ending at the Resurrection is so very full and compleat a Vision , before this Vision not only in the Order of Prophecy , but of the express Dates of Darius's First , and Cyrus's Third . The sealing of Prophecy in that Vision just at the End of that Vision of the Weeks , and the Book shut and seal'd in this Vision , joyn those two Visions close together .

The sealed Time and of the Book shut , by the Apocalyptick Prophecy , in so orderly a Progress as by compare with History it is found , cannot but be acknowledg'd to be 400 Years from the last half-week ending . Then the 1335 are so close joyn'd , that they cannot be forc'd asunder , and so riveted into the End , both by being a farther Resolution to Daniel ( in his Complaint of not understanding ) for his Knowledge of the End of Wonders , as also by the Blessedness , and Daniel's standing in his Lot .

Besides , the Evidence from the Indictions so open and industrious , is not small : But what could Daniel's Lot in the End of the Days be of or in , but of and in the New Jerusalem , and its holy Priesthood ? It is impossible then the days should fly back from the End : these therefore being the whole of the 2300 , except 75 , the 75 must be plac'd in the Forefront of all the Number , as we have seen , what Reason from the Vision of the Words going forth hath been found so to place just so many : And if we allow that Number to be 75 , there is as great a certainty the sealed Time must be just four hundred ; for one adjusts the other necessarily ; if 75 before the Weeks , there must be 400 between the Weeks or 490 Years , and the 1335 ; if 400 there , then 75 here ; for so the 2300 require . Now how each of these Spaces of Time , the 400 of the Seals , the Time , Times , Half-time , or twelve hundred sixty days of the Trumpets , the Thirty of the Voices , the forty five of the Vials ; how these , I say , are all replenish'd with their proper Furniture , we must be instructed by the Prophecy of the Revelation .

What great Reason have we now to adore the Spirit of Remark . Jesus Christ in this Prophecy of Daniel , and to search what or what manner of Time it signifies in this sure Word of Prophecy , giving in prophetick Schemes the very same Thing that the Transfiguration in so glorious a majestick Appearance represented ; viz. Christ the Sun of Righteousness with his Stars of the first Magnitude , Prophets and Apostles , those wise turning many to Righteousness , and then the lesser ministerial Stars , and the sporadick Fellowship of Saints included , appear therein , as those who are so turn'd to Righteousness . And this Prophecy having been so long in the World , and traversing such spaces of Time , like a vast Tract of Earth , with Charts , Maps , and Sculptures fitted to them , and that came with such Certainty and Assurance into every hand , is inlighten'd and enlivened with new and fresh Delineatories of the New Testament Prophecy , or the Revelation : Certainly , had not God in Justice upon the Apostacy diverted the Thoughts and Labours of his Servants from the Illustration and Demonstration of them , so that they have not travell'd herein , as in other parts of Christian Verity , nor by such a Concert of Minds and Judgments herein ; the Evidences both against Atheism , and the Apostacy had much exceeded , what they arise to now ; No Miracles except in constant and present Motion before our Eyes , nor hardly then , being so intellectually sensible Arguments of the Divine Being , of Christianity , and against Antichristianism , as these Prophecies from Time to Time fulfill'd . And this very Prophecy of Daniel is a most certain Ground to expect such a Prophecy as that of the Revelation ; for one cannot be understood without the other : and how admirably do they conspire ? For just at that sealing at the end of the last half Week , begins the unsealing also , or the Events coming to pass in their just order , and the Apostolical Ministry , running to and fro to increase Knowledge ; and just Scals 400. Rev. c. 6. then 1260 in the six first Trumpets c. 8. c. 9 Then 30 & 45 in the Voices c. 14. and Vials of the 7th Trumpet . c. 15. c. 16. as they have hitherto proceeded exactly according to their Time and Place , so far as within ten years end of the sixth Trumpet , so shall they proceed in the seventh Trumpet in the Voices , and the Vials , till the last end of Wonders be produced and perfected . Blessed , therefore , is He that waiteth , and cometh thereunto ; he shall , tho out of this Body , certainly then stand in his Lot of that New Jerusalem State and Priesthood , in a Body of the First Resurrection .

SECT. VIII . Wherein is given a Prefatory Survey of the whole Apocalyptical Prophecy .

I Am now brought down , by the course of prophetick Time , to that very Point of Time where the Series of Apocalyptical Visions begins ; so that although the Line of Time was by Daniel stretch'd over whole Apocalyptick Time , in the Number given to him , and in a general way , some Umbrages of those Visions had been presented by Ezekiel , and even by all the Prophets since the World began , that so in the Mouth of not only two or three but many Witnesses , every word might be establish'd ; yet it appertains to the Glory of the New Testament , the Gospel , and Kingdom of the Mediator , there should be so great and stupendious a Prophecy peculiar to it , as that of the Revelation , wherein God and Jesus Christ are for ever to be ador'd , and had in reverence of all that approach the Profession of Christianity .

I say , It must be of necessity agreeable to the Excellency of the New Testament , there should be , besides many Incidental Prophecies , so divinely majestick a Prophecy , as this of the Apocalyps , such a Temple of Prophecies , whose Symbols should be so high and lofty , its Light more clear and full , its Lines of Time , in what it pleas'd to give , more evident and certain ; the Doctrines intermingled more spiritual , the Promises more heavenly , and explain'd ; the Threats more dreadful and more open ; that in every thing there may be a Becomingness of All to the Old Testament , unveil'd , fulfill'd , and excell'd in the New .

And accordingly , we shall find all these , to the very height , taken care of and adjusted ; we shall see this all along the Iconisms and Figures of Things in the Churches , in the several Visions , in the Doctrines , in the solemn mentions of the Lamb , of his Blood so often memorializ'd , as an Antidote against the Poison of Antichrist , as also the Ministeries of Angels and their most peremptory Abhorrence of all Worship offer'd to them ; It s only numbred Line of Time , till the 1000 Years , is so often repeated and ascertain'd ; that it does in all things illustriously shew it self to be that grand Revelation of Jesus Christ , which God gave him to shew to his Servants to the transcendent Honour of the Son , by whom he thus spake last of all ; Who is the Heir of all things , especially of the World to Heb. 1. 1. come , of which this Prophecy speaks .

So that to ravish this from the Search and Enquiry of his Church , or by Imputations of immodest Presumption to bar from it the utmost Endeavours of his Servants , to compare so great a Prophecy , and its Events , is to take from them one of the principal Props of Christian Faith and Obedience , and to devest the New Testament of so high a Glory as this sure Word of Prophecy , to which we ought to take heed , as to a Light that shineth in the obscure and even squalid Ayr of the Apostasie , till the Bright Morning-Star appear ; and therefore notwithstanding all Prejudices the Apostacy hath rais'd against Researches into it , Blessed is he that Readeth , and they who hear the Words of this Prophecy .

That which this Prophecy reveals , is the glorious Restitution of all things in the Kingdom of Christ , and his Reign with his Saints , the Destruction and Consumption of all the wicked , so as to be no more as they have been in God's Creation and Earth , Psal. 104. 35.

The Sense , in which it reveals , is not only Prophetical , Doctrinal , and Verbal , but Real and Eventual ; and that immediately from the very Beginning of it . All the Visions in their own Order , each in their Season , come quickly or shortly to pass ; that is , begin to come to pass , and so go on to their End , according to the Types wherein they are imprinted .

This Revelation begins justly at the Resurrection of Christ , conjoyn'd as in one entire Act and Time with his Ascension , when all power in Heaven and Earth was given to him , at the Lord's Day , dedicated by himself to the Glory of his Rising , and the Publication of his Anointing , by the coming down of Act. 1. c. 2. the Holy Spirit . Then could he say , Behold I was dead , am alive , and live for evermore : Then he was brought near to the Ancient of Days , and receiv'd the Assurance of his Kingdom ; Then had he Right to be the Prince of the Kings of the Earth , though he was pleas'd to stay , and to joyn Patience to and with his Kingdom . And this was as in the middle Rev. 1. 9. of the Five hundred sixty second Ev. Mor. from Cyrus , and in the middle of the last of the seventieth of the seventy Weeks , and at the Time the Roman Empire was come to Maturity in the AUTONOMY of Augustus and Tiberius , in the Time of which the first Right of his Kingdom began : and e're that Empire in its last State ends , it shall be set up in Glory .

For though the Apocalytical Prophecy was not actually given to the Apostle John till some years after ; yet , as Prophecy calls the future , so that which is past , to the present Time ; and represents in an entire Frame both together , a Priviledge , as to that which is past , necessarily allowed to History and to a prophetick Frame much more , when it hath occasion for it .

The Period of the Revelation ( till the thousand years ) is most evidently those two Apocalyptical Pillars , bearing the two answering Inscriptions , IT IS DONE , IT IS DONE , Apoc. 16. 17. c. 22. 6. from whence the Kingdom begins .

So that this Book of the Revelation is justly to be styl'd the Book of the Kingdom of Christ in its several Offers of Appearance , and rending the very Clouds to shew it self , in the Acts 1. 7. Dan. 12. 7. Justice of its Claim ; and yet retiring it self till the very moments appointed by the Father , and sworn by himself . In which Regards , this Prophecy is call'd ( A Book ) both in Daniel and here in the Apocalyps , on all occasions .

So that the thousand Years are properly within this Book , as the Book of the Kingdom . There is also beyond the thousand Years a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a little Space , as it were the Revel. 20. Hour of the thousand-years-day of the Lord , or of the Son of Man , in which the natural Apostacy of Humane Nature shews it self in the lukewarm Laodicean Church , and in Gog and Magog , as at a blush ; but the whole of any State , either 1 Cor. 15. of Church , or Nation below , immediately is swallow'd up in Flames , and Death and Hell , with their whole Propriety , shut up within themselves , and the Kingdom resign'd to God ALL in ALL.

The Passage or Conveyance of this Apocalyptical Time , is through the seven Churches , comprehending the whole Time within themselves , as also Symbols proper to the Prophecy , as peculiar to the Christian Church ; and then the whole Time begins again , and runs in seven Seals , seven Trumpets , seven Voices , as unseal'd Thunders , seven Vials , as so many Conduits , Tubes , or Pipes of the whole Prophecy , under the Conduct and Government of the Lamb with seven eyes , and the guiding Operations of the seven Lamps , the seven Spirits of God , that is , of the Divine Spirit in its sevenfold Operations . And in all I understand the sabbatical Number deriv'd from the first Sabbath , and terminating in the last great Sabbatism of Christ's Kingdom , continued with the Sabbatism of Eternity .

Thus the Prophecy is divided into two Systemes , or Complexes of Visions ; The Systeme of the seven Churches , that is proper and particular to the Church , wherein the Churches , as Symbols sustain the whole Prophecy , which is worthy the Spirituality and Clearness of a New Testament Prophecy , so to Order , and of great Grace , Elegancy , and Condecency to God's great Regard to his Church : The Second is that which embraces the whole State of the Church , but propp'd and supported with such Imperial Events , as most nearly related to the Church , adorn'd with such Symbols , such Notes of Time , such Events , as agree to those Times , whereby History , both Common and Ecclesiastick , may be adjusted to , and concerted with both , and the Truth of the Prophecy , and its true Interpretation justisted before , and by all the World . And this is that Systeme , or Complex of Prophecies , that first by the Seals runs through the Roman Empire ; till the sixth Seal , Pagan ; and Christian in the sixth and seventh Seals ; in those things wherein the Kingdom and Church of Christ are most interessed , until the Empire was blasted in the first Trumpet , and true publick Worship also , by the 1260 Days of the Daily taken away entring ; The Imperial City was thrown like a Mountain into the Sea in the second and in the third Trumpet , when the Roman Empire expiring in the West was surrogated , or new founded in the Beast succeeding in his forty two Months : and so the Prophecy goes on in the other Trumpets , till it comes to the Kingdom of Christ in the seventh Trumpet , in its just Succession , to the last State of the Roman fourth Monarchy , according to all Prophecy . And this till the thousand Years runs through the Voices of Preparation into the Vials , and the Vials prepare to the thousand Years glorious Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ .

So then this is the only true proper Division of this Prophecy into its two Systemes of the Churches , and then rise the Seals , Trumpets , Voices , Vials , in another Systeme , supporting all things relating to the Church by Imperial Motions , Mutations , and Times . And in the latter Systeme , all these Tubes of Time are each Sett of them , and each of each Sett so united one to another , that they can neither be disjoyn'd from their immediate sequence one upon another , nor mov'd out of their order ; so that the Trumpets follow the Seals ; the Voices the Trumpets ; the Vials the Voices ; and each Seal , Trumpet , Voice , and Vial , follows immediately upon its foregoing Seal , Trumpet , Voice , and Vial ; and every seventh comprehends the following Sevens , the seventh Seal , the seven Trumpets , the seventh Trumpet , the seven Voices , the seventh Voice , the seven Vials ; and each precedent Seventh hath some grasp on all the following Sevens . So the seventh Seal comprehends the Trumpets , the Voices , the Vials ; the seventh Trumpet the Voices and Vials ; the seventh Voice the seven Vials ; so admirably is this Prophecy united and interwoven .

And to other Division than this of the second Systeme of Prophecies , I can by no means subscribe ; as of the Prophecy divided into the sealed and open Book-prophecy ; or the Prophecy of the Empire first , and then of the Church . For that remarkable part of the sealed Book-prophecy , viz. the palm-bearing Company , by peculiar Right pertains to the open Book , or that must be so , if there were such an open Book-prophecy ; and much of the open Book-prophecy , allowing such a one , must needs pertain to the sealed : but indeed there is no such Thing as an open Book-prophecy in that place , where it is said to be open'd ; for the Book was no sooner open'd but it was eaten , and so absconded assoon as open'd , till open'd by the Voices , c. 14. as shall be farther clear'd : nor is there any Prophecy of the second Systeme , but pertains properly to the Church , as within first the Pagan , then the Christian , then the Bestian State of the one Roman Empire , and lastly of the Vniversal Empire and Kingdom of Christ .

Now in this Order apocalyptical , Both Visions and Times in the first Systeme , run through the six Churches , In the second through those four Sets of prophetical Tubes , Seals c. 6. c. 7. c. 8. to v. of Trumpets , c. 8. v. 8. to the end of c. 11. of Voices , c. 14. of the Vials , c. 15. c. 16. and so laying these Chapters together , the order is most exact , except that in c. 7. There is an Anticipation of the Triumph of the New Jerusalem from v. 9. to the end . In c. 11. there is a Collection of the whole State of the Apostasie , during the six Trumpets , into one Body together , as it consists of the Sufferings of the Witnesses , and the Tyranny of the Bestian Apostasie , excepting some close Intimations in the very Composure of the Symbolisms of those Trumpets [ for the great Reasons hereafter to be given , ] that refer to the same Apostacy , and begin at the first Trumpet .

And then in the twelfth and thirteenth Chapters the extravasated Account of the Dragon , watching the Woman , and her manly Birth , the Dragon cast down , and the manly Birth caught up , is to be reduc'd within its most proper Channel ; viz. the fifth and sixth Seals . And this prepares for the right understanding of the Beast mention'd ch. 11. as deriv'd from the Dragon , c. 13. arriving his Number 666 , which belongs to the six first Trumpets ; and it is there fitly set to prepare for the Vision of the Lambs Number . c. 14.

And as to the Chapters 17. 18. and 19. they are most evidently the Progress of the History of the seventh Vial , and the full Relation of its Effects . To prepare for which , an extraordinary Description of the Woman , or Great City reigning over the Kings of the Earth , opposite to the Woman in the Wilderness , is prefix'd ; and on her occasion a more perfect Portraicture of the Beast , and of his ten Horns or Kings is given , in preparation to the Judgment executed on all , c. 19. And then the Milennial State being drawn up , c. 20. it is carried on to the end of Apocalyptical Time , as it reaches into the complemental State of Eternity , which the Prophecy briefly absolves , and then returns upon its more proper Subject , or the 1000 Years of the New Jerusalem . c. 21. c. 22.

Now this Order began with the Preface to the Churches Vision of the first Systeme , c. 1. and then the Preface of the second Systeme , and lastly a Postscript , returning especially c. 4. c. 5. c. 22. 16. to the Vials as given by the first Angel of the Vials . This Order is , I say , the whole entire natural Order of this Apocalyptical Prophecy ; which is contriv'd indeed suitable to the Secrecy and Mysticness of the Prophecy , so as often symbolically to declare , when these Prophecies would have the clearest and most efficacious Discoveries in the Church , viz. after the Half Time , when the Thunders had utter'd their Voices , and the Book open , was shewn in the hand of Christ . That was the just Season for the Discovery of the Apostacy in the suffering of the Witnesses , and the Tenthly Fall of the City ; and then after the seventh Trumpet the whole Series of Visions concerning the Beast , deriv'd from the Dragon , will be best understood , and most fully believ'd ; even as at the Reformation there was most necessarily an Acknowledgment of a long Apostacy , of the cruel Tyranny of the Beast over true Christians , and a visible Pledge ; The Ten Kings on the Head of the Beast , that carries the Woman , would at length fall from it : but the End of that Half-Time will make a farther , both Notoriety and Assurance of these things .

This allowed , the Prophecy takes no Freedome , but what is due to the gravest History , to place , by way sometimes of Anticipation , sometimes of Recollection , the Parts of the History so , as may best serve the Purposes of the History : And yet we cannot deferr so little to the Majesty of Divine Prophecy , as is even challengeable by Humane History ; For that is justly entitled to a Right of secret and insensible Transitions , Connexions , Transpositions from one part to another , which require leisurely Meditation and thoughtful Pauses , to find them ; and yet are so plac'd , as when found they give Light one to another with Vsury .

Altho therefore I rise up with greatest Reverence and Honour to those great Names , who have thought otherwise , I can allow no Beginning of Apocalyptical Time anew , either at the open Book ch. 11. or at ch. 12. but only a Recollection of those things after their redundant Swellings out of their Channels , one to the first Trumpet , the latter to the fifth Seal ; Only The two Systemes have each one and the same Epoch , given particularly to each : The Churches are close and evenly cemented , and souldered one to another , and so the Seals , Trumpets , &c. and their Connexion even hermetically seal'd ; And Both from the same Epoch , the Resurrection of Christ , derive themselves .

And as to the Interpretation of the whole , even as it is a Rule of great use in the Interpreting General Scripture , that the literal Sense is to be preferr'd where no Analogy of Faith or Scripture-Reason is destroy'd by it ; so here the mystical sense is rather to be chosen , where no such Injury is committed upon the Analogy of Scripture Truth : and yet as in the one case a subordinate mystical sense may be allowed ; so in this , a subordinate literal sense may be allowed .

To give only two or three Instances . Hearing and Reading this Prophecy hath first the mystical sense of a close Conformity to the Rules of Faith , Worship , and Practice , according to it ; which makes All Blessed who so read and so hear , tho' they do not interpret , nor concern themselves in the Interpretation of this Prophecy ; and yet there is in the literal sense an Accumulative Honour and Happiness on those who joyn both these Senses in themselves together . As on the other side , They who add and take away by Antichristianism from the Words of it , by breaking its Holy Measures in Faith , Worship , and Practice , shall lose their part in its Promises , and have their part in its Plagues ; altho they neither added nor took away in the litteral sense , and yet They shall receive accumulative Plagues who have done the first , and then by false and distorted Interpretations added the latter also .

Thus Opening the Book of this Prophecy and its Seals , are principally the several Effects of the Kingdom of Christ , and that principal one at the Reformation , and not the Exposition of the Book , or a new course of Prophecy : and yet it is subordinately true , There was then a greater Clearness and Illustration of the whole Doctrine of the Christian Religion , and a new order , as it were , of Holy Prophecy and Instruction ; And this Prophecy did then Recall its own Discovery of Things at that Time , after the Apostacy so long darkning it and the Gospel , and enlarge its former brief Notes .

And so Coming quickly to pass hath the literal sense , That then immediately began Apocalyptical Events each in their own order , to come speedily and immediately to pass , altho' so many hundred years run out 'ere all come to pass ; As an Army may be said to come presently when the Avaunt Corriers first appear , altho' the Rere may be long in coming , because of the numerous Body coming on orderly and in just Files . Thus every Apocalyptical Event was on the Wing , and darted it self into Existence , without the least of slumbring or lingring , when its Time was , to come .

But the mystical sense is , that whereas that sublime Event of the Death and Resurrection of Christ rose up , as a Mountain dividing and parting the former World and Time , from the latter Time , or the last Days , and All beyond the Resurrection was as a Book clos'd and seal'd up , so as that it could not , till the Resurrection , make an offer of Appearance ; Then it did , and therefore then properly seal'd down with seven Seals : and yet by their opening it was in a daily motion to its Appearance . But those two Worlds were of such different Lines of Communications , that nothing pass'd in prophetical Account into Existence or Being , out of one into the other ; even as the World , on the one and the other side of the Equinoctial Line , are remarkably taken notice of , as two distinct Parts of the World , how near soever they joyn who are on each side next to it . Thus nothing on the other side the Line before the Resurrection was so much as coming to pass that was to be after the Resurrection , or to have any motion accounted to it . But after that Resurrection every thing pertaining to the latter days is describ'd as coming quickly to pass , each in its own Order , and Time , and knowing its Place , and marching in its own Distances ; none as that Army , Joel 2. 7 , 8. thrusting another , or breaking rank ; but all duely plac'd in their Climes , as on this side the Line .

And now having given this general view of the Apocalyptical Prophecy , and its Order of Times , I will discourse briefly first on the Systeme of the Church-Prophecy , or of the seven Churches , and observe their Concert with those Lines of Time , that rule the Evenings and Mornings , or Nights and Days of Apocalyptical Time .

SECT. IX . Wherein a Proof is given , The seven Churches carry with them a Line of Time contemporizing with whole Apocalyptick Time . Apoc. c. 2. c. 3.

THat these seven Churches are intended to bear by their Symbolismes a Line of Time , equal to the whole Apocalyptick Time , I shall at present use no other Argument , but these general ones , reserving the more particular Treaty upon these Churches , to another part of this Discourse .

These Churches are , as the whole Prophecy , of a Mystical Argu. 1 Sense , and Importance ; Christ therefore prefixes , I will shew you the Mystery of the seven Candlesticks , the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches ; where the meaning is not , that the expounding the Stars into Angels of the Churches , and the Candlesticks into Churches , is all the Mystery opened ; For even Angels of the Churches must be acknowledged to be still Mystery , or a mystical Expression ; except we would understand them of natural Angels , as few or none do : But the meaning is , The seven Churches contain a very great Mystery throughout the Vision of the Churches ; Even as upon the forehead of the Woman . Rev. 17. 5. was a Title written , Mystery , Babylon the Great , &c. that is , Understand that whole Inscription in a mystical Sense , or to carry the Mystery of the Apostate Church in all Successions ; so Understand the seven Churches , carrying the Mystery of the Christian Church throughout . And it is observable , the word Mystery is expresly applyed to the True and False Church , As it is said here ; The Mystery of the seven Churches and their Stars or Angels ; So there , I will tell thee the Mystery of the Woman , and of the Beast , the Fallen Star , with the Key of the bottomless Pit , that carries her , And proportionably this whole Prophecy of the Kingdom draws down into it self the Great Mystery of that Kingdom spoken of by all the Prophets since the World began , viz. THE TRUE CHURCH IN GLORY .

The particularizing upon the Churches , the so Apocalyptick Argu. 2 number , Seven , assures us , It will bear its proportion to all the other Sevens . And seeing , there are no sevens to introduce them , nor to receive them , and carry them on ; They must themselves by their own Time , Sevens and Symbols embrace the whole Apocalyptical Time , and its Sevens .

For the Book of it is the Book of the Kingdom , the Kingdom is the Mystery of God , The Churches are the true Kingdoms , when they come to their Glory ; and so a Mystery . The Apostate Church is a Mock Kingdom , the Kingdom of Antichrist foisted into the place of Christs Kingdom , and so a Mystery , but a Mystery of Iniquity . The Kingdom of Christ and his universal Monarchy is an Empire in a Church , of which He is the Head ; The last State of the Roman Monarchy is an Imperialism by vertue of an Ecclesiastical Image made to it , which is a false Christship that is an Empire in an Apostate Church , of which Antichrist is the Head . How fitly therefore are these Things displayed in the Symbolisms of Churches ?

It is certain , There hath been a Christian Church in all Argu. 3 Ages from the Resurrection of Christ , to this Day , and shall be to the New Jerusalem , and to the End of the World . This is grounded upon those two Places , Matt. 16. 18. Vpon this Rock will I build my Church , and the Gates of Hell , either of Hell , as it signifies the Grave , Mortality , and Death , or the Powers of Darkness shall not prevail against it : and Matt. 28. ult. . Lo I am with you always unto the end of the World . Nor is this controverted among any Christians . From hence it follows , we cannot be Time-bound , or straitned in space of Time , to place these Successions in , For there must necessarily be a Succession of this Christian Church in several Ages , and States , and so must continue till the End , which must as necessarily run a long Apocalyptical Time , and so give a bottom to found such Symbols upon , if it pleas'd , ( as we suppose it did ) the Prophetick Spirit to give them .

As there must necessarily have been a Variety of States of Arg. 4 this one Church , so the first of them must needs have been settled and founded in Doctrine , Worship , Rules of Life , Order , and Discipline , by immediate Inspiration , divine Authority , and Institution through the Ministry of the Apostles . This is most evident from that Book of Scripture , written to that purpose , The Acts of the Apostles ; as also from all the Apostolical Epistles . From hence it follows , the Apostolical Church , in its Apostolical State , was first in order : whether therefore we will allow it to be symbollically represented or not in that first Church of Ephesus , it is certain , that Labour and Patience twice repeated , that trying them , which said , they were Apostles , and were not , and finding them Lyars , importing the exact consigning all Apostolical Truths and Rules into an authentick Canon of Scripture , does most admirably represent that truly Primitive , Apostolical State .

Besides the daily or every days Miscarriages from this excellent Arg. 5 State , by Heresies , Errors , and bad Practises , to which degenerate and deeply corrupted Humane Nature is so subject , and of which Apostolical Writings take so continual notice ; there was foretold an eminent visible , and notorious Apostacy , fix'd , and settled upon its own Base , out of which Antichrist was to come , and so very fit to be taken notice of in this Book of the Kingdom .

Now this Apostacy was declar'd expresly by the Apostle Paul to be at work in a mystery of Iniquity ; and the Spirit saith expresly , that in the latter Times , which latter Times , as we have before affirm'd , were then begun , though every day more , and more , latter ; Some , that is , not a few , but a certain sort of men , that should make a Body or Species of Men , should depart from the Faith . If then it had begun so 1 Tim. 4. 1. Written to Timothy , as then at Ephesus . early , in some Lineaments of it , although not in that of Nicolaitanism , and that it daily proceeded , and grew much higher after the Apostles Departure or Death , ravening Wolves and Men teaching perverse things arising from Christians themselves , Act. 20. 28. &c. remonstrated also to this very Church of Ephesus ; Their leaving their first Love , the removing this Candlestick out of the Superiority and Excellency of Primo-geniture , and conferring it on Smyrna , in the Crown of Life , and Philadelphia in the Scepter of the New Jerusalem , are most lively Symbols to such a purpose , though yet the Overcomers of this protoplast Church are assur'd to eat of the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God .

This Apostacy being to become so grand an Apostacy , it Arg. 6 must needs proceed and work on by degrees , so as that some Church and its Bishop deriving it self from the Apostles , should very elderly vere towards a Synagogue of Satan , and there should be such an Assumption by it , and Deference of Advantages to it , by many in the whole Christian Church , tending towards and preparing for such an Apostacy , that it gain'd Pretensions ( undesign'd yet to it particularly ) to intitle it self to such a blooming Antichristian Power as was foretold to come out of the Apostacy ; for if it could not derive high from Antiquity , it could not rise to that Grandeur of Apostacy under the Profession of Christianity : And yet in the mean time the Vniversal publick Christian Church may not only remain pure , but be first in deep Sufferings for Christ , and so fill up the Number of Martyrs dying under the Pagan Draconick Empire , but also receive the Crown of Life , and of the Glory of the New Jerusalem in a Figure , by the Empire becoming Christian , as it did in Constantine .

Now what Type of such a State of the Church could be more express in all this , than the Church of Smyrna ? For whether it was so design'd by the Spirit , or not , it is certain , in Reason , such an Apostasie , Apostate Church , and falling Star must have a Foundation in Antiquity , even while the Church was pure , and in Sufferings ; and that very Church and its Bishop bore a part in it , and yet was every day more and more under the Aspect of that Caution given to it Rom. 11. 17 , 18 , &c. and cspecially when it was crown'd in Constantine .

The Apostasie must come to be such a high , enthron'd Apostacy , Arg. 7 and so obscuring , over-shadowing , covering the true Church under its self , that the very Apostatiz'd Synagogue usurp'd the Title of the true Church ; and yet because God owns the true Church only , he speaks only to that , as having under it , in his Account , the false Church , and as bearing in the Type of the false Church , polluted with Idolatry , spiritual Fornication , horrible Corruption of Manners , while indeed the true Church is oppress'd , and its Members martyred and slain as Antipapal Witnesses , by the false Church ; and the Antipas . true Church carries the Name of the enthron'd false Church , the high and lofty Pergamus ; and therefore the Things that would be great if the Church were directly guilty of them , are call'd small things , and the threatning diverts from that true Church , and falls on the false Church only , I will come to thee and slay THEM with the Sword of my Mouth , and as a Church partly abhorring the Pollutions of the false Church , partly excommunicated , and anathematiz'd , hath the Promise of hidden Manna , in the former case , and of the white Stone of Absolution , as to the latter .

Now I appeal to all Protestants , Whether this was not truly the State of Things in the depth of the Apostasie ? And I appeal to all judicious Considerers of the Epistle to the Church of Pergamus , Whether such a State could be given in more expressive and significant Shades .

It is then most evident , There must be a Time wherein the Mystery of Iniquity began to work , seeing it did begin gradually ; and that Beginning must be within the Apostolical Times , for the Apostle declares it so to begin : besides , from this Neighbourhood it derives a Pretence of Authority , tho' indeed there can be from thence no Authority gain'd to Antichristianism , seeing the Scripture , and not Neighbourhood to the Apostles Time , is our Rule , and seeing any Authority no higher deriv'd , is stain'd and blemish'd by that Apostolical Declaration , yet a Face , a Countenance of Authority , will be thence deriv'd , to deceive and delude with .

It is also most evident , The Progress of it must afterwards grow so high to be a Synagogue of Sathan , and after to be a Throne of Sathan ; so that from hence may arise the Symbols of Ephesus , Smyrna , Pergamus .

After the Time that Antichristianism did thus prevail , seeing Argu. 8 it was not to be perpetual , and everlasting , however long ; and that the Ruine of it is first to be gradual , and then at last sudden ; there must be some preparatory Wrestles and Struggles for the Eluctation and Recovery of the true Church after this Oppression , and being muffled up under the Name of a false Church , call'd Catholick and Vniversal , and HOLY MOTHER CHURCH , at the same Time ; yet in regard of the remaining Power of Antichristianism united with the Powers of the Kings of the Earth , the state of the true Church must needs be still cover'd , under the Appearance of such a false Vniversal Church , over and above it , and so must in that regard bear in Type the Name of that apostate Daughter , Thyatyra , while in the mean time , its Charity , Jezebel Daughter of Ethbaal . &c. Faith , Patience , Service , Works , against that false Church , grow continually greater and greater to the very last : and its disownings of the Depths of Sathan , and not accepting them for Deeps of Religion , are very evident and eminent to its Praise : The suffering Jezebel therefore , or the false Church regnant over it because it cannot help it , are small things against it , because but Types ; for yet it is accounted so perfect , as to be commanded only to hold its own , and no other Burden of Command impos'd on it , but to hold fast what it had already ; whereas to suffer Jezebel , had it not been over-power'd , had been a very heinous thing .

Now so much therefore of this True Church as did so eluctate and force its way out of the False , was , while it was forcing its way under one Notion , or Denomination , and when it had forc'd its way under another , and while it in any parts and portions of it continues in the midst , and within the Bowels of Kingdoms and States still keeping up , and submitting themselves to the Power of Antichrist . It may still retain its name Thyatyra , and although the Time , or interval , it properly measures , when the whole True Church was compris'd in it , may be past , yet it may continue in Being , in no higher State , then of Thyatyra , till the appearance of the Morning Star , and the fall of the Tenth of the Great City .

Now it is most evident , there have been such earnest Motions of the True Church from under the Tyranny of Antichristianism , There still continue such in Antichristian States and Kingdoms , according to their Power , I demand therefore , what more agreeable and expressive Lineaments hereof could be given , then in the Church of Thyatyra first espying , and as under Affliction , looking for the first dawns of Light , and after advanc'd to Rule the Nations , &c. in the New Jerusalem .

After the Emersion , and actual manumission of several parts of the True Church from Antichristianism , and a settlement Argu. 9 in Recess , and Separation from it , some Churches through the Favour of Princes , States , and their Laws entred into a Condition of outward Splendor and Glory , Riches , Power , and Authority , of which the Sardius Stone may be a fit emblem ; But this outward Elevation not so becoming , nor agreeable to the Patience of Christs Kingdom , such a Church may be too much taken up about Rites and Jurisdictions , and such extern Decencies , and not press forward upon Things , that remain in an order , and sequence to the Kingdom of Christ , and so fall under severe Censures .

This Church represents Churches which are yet accepted by Christ , as True Churches , they have on their own proper Title , Names , though but few , that have not defiled their Garments . And these few , though best , are not yet made the Church , but the whole though in a sleepy and defiled State are the Church , that has the few Names , that had not defiled their Garments ; contrariwise in Pergamus and Thyatyra , the false Church , that calls it self the universal , is not the Church , but the Few , suppress'd , overcome Witnesses are yet the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the whole Earth , which is a most remarkable Difference , shewing Sardis a True Church .

Now since the Reformation , it is known by general Observation , There are such Churches , that are in a State and Splendor Sardian , but let the Application of the Characters remain , till he comes , that says , He will Come at an Hour , this Splendid , secure , Symbolical Church thinks not of , except the few undefiled Names , and they of it that overcome , who have Promises of greater Glory with Christ , then this outward ; but this Church in its own Name hath the Honour to make a Line of Time from the Reformation to this Day , and shall till that sudden coming of Christ upon it , when such a State will be at an End .

There have been Societies of Christians , that since the Reformation Arg. 10 have subsisted only upon the Principles of brotherly Love , whose Door hath been attempted to be shut upon them , as not allowed Churches of Christ , or not in such a way of Worship , who have had little outward strength , who have yet kept the word of Christ , and not denyed his Name , in a strict adherence to his word only , who have Enemies even of the Reformed , who are relaps'd down to the same Pitch the Apostacy was at , when styl'd the Synagogue of Sathan , in the Church of Smyrna , not receiving indeed the Beasts Number of 666. but too far link'd with the Corruptions of Antiquity , after the Empire becoming Christian soon Antichristianis'd ; who though for the present at least seem irreconcileable with the Apostacy advanc'd to its Number ; yet have great Indignation against Philadelphia and its Members : These shall at the Kingdom of Christ appearing , come and worship at this Churches Feet , and be forc'd to acknowledge , Christ lov'd it , whose Crown of Honour it is , that it hath kept the Word of Christ's patience , embrac'd the Purity of Christianity in a low and mean State ; and therefore the Glory , the Kingdom the New Jerusalem shall crown it , when the Hour of Temptation comes upon all the rest of the Earth , and detects the Vanity of their Religion , even of their false or defiled Christianity , and the Church-state of those who have not overcome the Impurities of them who call'd themselves Churches , Christians , Reform'd , and were not so , but did lye .

This Church is not yet come to its proper space upon the Line of Time , nor can do , till the Witnesses rise out of their Sackcloth , and the Kingdom of Christ be proclaim'd at the seventh Trumpet : And how excellent a Type of all this , is the Church Philadelphia ?

There shall be a most perfect , happy , and glorious State Arg. 11 of the Church before the Resignation of the Kingdom to God and the Father , during the thousand years ; the very first Recidivations from which , shall be spew'd out of Christ's Mouth , and the whole of Church-States drawn up into Eternity : of which Loadicea is a clear Emblem , viz. of the Recidivation and spewing out in that last State .

Now from All this , it is most evident , The Church of Ephesus may have place from the first preaching the Gospel till the cruel Persecution of Dioclesian ; into which last and most cruel One , All the Christian Blood shed from the Resurrection sunk down , as the Blood from Abel to Zacharias upon the Generation of the Jews in the Time of our Saviour , and was requir'd of it : therefore , here Smyrna began to compleat the Churches Sufferings in being faithful unto Death , and receiv'd the Crown of Life , in the Symbol of Constantine's Christian Empire , and so down to Theodosius the Great ; all which Time the Church continued pure , although it began to be check'd by a Synagogue of Sathan . Thus these two Churches contemporiz'd with the Seals : Pergamus and Thyatyra ran along with the six first Trumpets under the Apostasie and Bestian Tyranny , till in the latter part of the sixth Trumpet , Thyatyra eluctated into the Reformation ; then several of the reform'd Churches settled into the Sardian state , and draw the Line of Time , with the last 180 of the 1260 Years , in Conjunction with Thyatyra , still existent , tho' not intitled any longer to bear this Line , and with Philadelphia not yet come to bear the Line of Time , which last shall bear the last 75 Years from the Witnesses Rising , and the Kingdom of Christ proclaim'd , till the New Jerusalem and its thousand Years settle upon it , and that new Cube of Time begin : at the End of which , the Laodicean Church no sooner begins , but ends , and an Amen is set to all Time by Eternity receiving it . All which makes apparent , There is no Inconsistency , but a high Condecency in these seven representative Churches , bearing a Line of Time contemporary with all Apocalyptical Time ; which ought to be shewn .

Hereby we see , The Excellency of the Christian Church , Remark . and of our Union with it , and Freedom from Schism , depends not upon the Greatness , the Antiquity , the Primitiveness of Churches , but upon the Divine Apostolickness of the Doctrine , Worship , Rules of Holy Life , truly Christian Discipline , wherein we unite with them : The overcoming that evil of leaving the first Love , that Christ had against the very first Church of Ephesus , not made diminutive , as in Pergamus and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , small or few things . Thyatyra , was more as to the Excellency of true Christianity , than being of that Church : The not mingling with the Synagogue of Sathan , in the Church of Smyrna , gave the Inculpableness and Honour to it and its Members : The not being of the Apostate Church , when it call'd its self Catholick in Pergamus and Thyatyra , but keeping to the Truth of the Gospel , constituted the true Church ; when the Proselites and Disciples of that Apostacy were the Proselites and Disciples of Balaam , and the Children of Jezebel . The few undefiled Names and Overcomers in Sardis , tho' a Reform'd Church , were of greater Estimation with Christ than the whole Church besides ; some of whose rigid Zealots of its Splendour and Power , Uniformity of Rites , it is to be fear'd , made the Synagogue of Sathan ; and Philadelphia , tho' of little outward Power or Splendour , yet holding fast the Word of Christ , and not denying his Name , and keeping the Word of Christ's Patience , is preferr'd much before it , and honour'd with the New Jerusalem : from which Blessed State Laodicea abating , and growing cool , All Church-states in this World are so distasted by Christ , that He spews them out of his Mouth , and receives only the Overcomers to his Throne , and his whole Church into Eternity .

SECT. X. Of the Third Line of Time in the Grand Line of 2300 Even . Morn . or of the Seven Seals from the Resurrection : shewing it extends to a space of 400 Years . Apoc. Cap. 4. cap. 5. cap. 6. cap. 7. cap. 8.

I Have now finish'd the first Real and General Line of Time that runs from Stem to Stern , from the Beginning to the End of Apocalyptical Time . I come now to the second giving of the same Lines , which is not uniform and entire , as the former of the Churches ; but made up , not only of various Parts as that was of seven Churches , but of various Representations of each part , as Seals , Trumpets , Voices , and Vials , and each of these comprehends its following Order , viz. the Seals , the Trumpets , the Voices , the Vials , under the Seventh of each former , as hath been already clear'd , by which they are all kept in a close successional Connexion one with another , and the seventh Seal hath its Hold upon the whole , even to the last Day of Judgment , when the whole Book of the Kingdom is resign'd back into the Hand of God , out of whose Hand it was received by Christ , seal'd . 1 Cor. 15. 24. &c.

I am therefore now , and in the first place , to speak of the first part of this second giving of the Line of Time , and that as in the Seals , before it came to the Trumpets .

1. And because there is one general Preface to this whole Repetition of the Line of Time , I shall first consider , how adequate it is to the whole Line , and to the great Administrations of it , in a brief or summary Survey of it ; For to assure us , The Preface was to the whole Apocalyptical Book or Time , adorn'd with new Figures and Sculptures ; John heard the first Voice that spake to him , and it was as it were of a Trumpet , saying to him , I will shew thee Things that must be hereafter , Rev. 4. v. 1 , 2. and immediately he was the second time in the Spirit , where the Distinction of things hereafter from the things that are , as Rev. 1. 19. was made only , as the Types of the Churches had a real Existence at that Time , as Types in the then begun Christian Church ; but the following were deriv'd from things to come . And after this there was no more any such Voice of a Trumpet speaking to John : no more being in the Spirit , except a being carried in the Spirit into the Wilderness , to see the Apostate Church , and then to a Mountain to behold the Holy City . The Voice speaking again , c. 10. v. 8. evidently relates to the first Voice in that chap. saying , seal and write not , v. 4. and then take the Book and eat , &c. and c. 1. 10. c. 4. 1 , 2. not to these Trumpet-Voices .

2. At this second Apocalyptical Volume , we have the great Theatre of the Throne , and the whole Grandeur of it , and adorn'd every way suitable to the Doctrine of the Gospel , and as it were in the first Apostolical Church settled first in God ; as the Doctrine of the One God , made known in the Father , the Son , and the Spirit , is the Foundation of Christianity . For the Father , the Word , and the Spirit , bear Record of it in Heaven ; and these three are one in that Record , as they are in themselves ONE .

3. About this Throne , at each Angle , or at each of the four Points of it , are four Living Creatures , so I choose to translate 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; not Beasts properly and distinguishingly in this Prophecy call'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; and these four Living Creatures represent the Apostolical Church of the New Testament , as in four Ternaries , or Threes of the twelve Apostles , in perpetual Action , and therein as it were encircling the twenty four Elders of the pure Israelitish Church . The Elders are upon Seats round about the Throne , and with Crowns on their Heads , as being of old a Kingdom of Priests , and they are in this Prophecy introduc'd in Service to the Kingdom of Christ , that shall be at the New Jerusalem together with , and as by the Apostolick Church , who shall be Kings and Priests together with them represented by these four and twenty Elders , Heads of the priestly Courses , who are first plac'd , as leading the Gospel of Jesus Christ , and his Kingdom by Prophecy , but yet in the very first Action the Order is revers'd , and the living Creatures are first in giving Glory . First , there is the particular Song to the Divine Nature on the Throne , as the absolute Creator and Lord of all ; ending in this , For thy Pleasure all things are and were created , and so are absolutely under his Dominion and Dispose , before whom they cast their Crowns .

4. The grand Symbol of the whole Apocalyptical Time , and its Events , and of the supreme Conduct and Government , till they issue into the Kingdom of Christ , is the seal'd Book in the Hand of Him that sat on the Throne , seal ▪ d with the seven Seals , which Seals have under them the whole Course of preparatory Events to this Kingdom , and the Kingdom it self , till it be resign'd back to God . Thus Daniel saw Prophecy and Vision seal'd up , Dan. 9. and the Book seal'd , Chap. 12.

5. There is Proclamation made by the loud Voice of a strong Angel , for the finding out a worthy Person to open the Book , and loose its Seals : And none in Heaven or Earth was found worthy to open the Seals , or so much as look thereon .

All which , is certainly as Divine a Symbol to set out the supream and sole Excellency of the Lord Jesus Christ , as far above all Principalities and Powers , and every Name in Heaven or Earth , as could be found out , and surpassing all Understanding or Invention finite , and is in surprize of any Admissions of Angels or Saints into any parts of his Mediatory Office , the very least , so much as an Ability to look thereon ; as also to foreclose that grand Antichristian Assumption of the man of Sin , for his very Supremacy is hereby plainly declar'd to be Antichristianism , who undertakes not only to look upon this Book , but to open the Seals ; and herein he shews himself in the Temple of God , as God .

6. The much weeping of John , that none was found worthy to open the Book , does most exactly and critically point to the time of the Death of Christ , or his lying in the Grave , when there seem'd a Despair upon all the Creation in that dark Interval , and a suspension of the Consolation of Israel , and when all the Apostles had given up , as it were , the hopes of it , of which the Apostle John was here a Symbol , and represented all the Apostles .

7. The same Article of Time is farther assur'd and confirm'd by the one of the Elders , as a Representative of the whole Israelitish Church , who lead to Christ . Thus Christ open'd the Scriptures of the Old Testament , especially of Daniel , That Christ was thus to suffer , and to enter into his Glory , viz. of sitting first at the Right-hand of God , till his Foes should be made his Footstool . He sate down on his Fathers Throne , in his Father's Kingdom : He shall have a Throne and Kingdom properly his own .

8. Christ hereupon exactly as in the Time , according to the History of the Gospel , appears as on the sudden , and unexpectedly in the midst of the Throne of the Elders , and the living Creatures , a Lamb , as it had been newly slain , and now risen and ascended ; and so the Epoch of the Apocalyptical Time is most strictly defin'd and fully assur'd . And at this Point of Time he receives the Book ; which is the very same with sitting on God's Right-hand , till his Foes shall be made his Footstool : for when the Book is unseal'd , and the thousand Years begin , Then there is a putting down all Rule and Authority . At the End of the thousand Year , and the Day of final Judgment over , the Book is quite unseal'd in Death , the last Enemy overcome ; and then the Book , the Symbol of the Kingdom , is resign'd with the Kingdom it self , into the Hand of the Father .

9. Hereupon the State of the Christian Church in its Apostolical Purity , with the Order of the Living Creatures first , and then drawing that of the Elders along with it , in a Song of Redemption , in Praise of the Lamb , with a Prophecy of his Kingdom , in which his Servants and Saints shall reign above the Earth , or over it , as 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifies in several Places of the New Testament , joyn'd with a Genitive Case , particularly Matt. 25. 21. 23. I will make thee Ruler over many things , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

10. To sum up all ; The State of the Church in the thousand Years Kingdom of Christ is given in a second Song of Praise , wherein all things bow in the Name of Christ , as Lord , and that not ceremonially , but in real Subjection , Phil. 2. 10. Things in Heaven and in Earth , and under the Earth , and that to the Glory of the Father , For the four Living Creatures having said Amen to this high Celebration of Christ , the four and twenty Elders , as having by the Apostolical Church receiv'd an explicate Knowledge of Christ ; to shew , The New Testament did not at all derogate from the Old ; The four and twenty Elders , after they had fallen down with the four Living Creatures , and joyn'd in a Song of Praise to the Lamb , now as making up the Concent , worship him that liveth for ever and ever ; and conclude that which the four Living Creatures , or the Apostolical Ministry began , and herein shew the Resignation of the Kingdom of God at last , that he may be All in All , Rev. 4. 10. compar'd with Rev. 5. 8. 14. For as all began in God that made all things , so here it ends in him .

The sealed Book being now in the Hands of Christ , and all due Acknowledgments made to him that sits on the Throne , and to the Lamb , immediately follows the opening of the Seals , and therein the Course of Time flows out , and so flows on ; of which we are now to take a particular and strict Account : only I would desire every Person that sets his Mind and Thoughts to view this so august Inthronization of God and of the Lamb , That he would ponder within himself , Whether the desolating either the Jews or the Heathen Empire , can be Events great enough for so stupendious a Pre-Representation ; or any thing less than the Glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ could answer to it .

And now , that we may establish the Line of Time according to these Seals , and the Time of their opening , there are three Things to be consider'd ;

1. What it is that is the principal Jewel and Treasure that lies under these Seals ; and so to be set free by the unloosing them .

2. What is the principal and supream Visum or Thing to be seen in every Seal , and the opening of it , and how it serves the disclosing that Jewel .

3. What is the true method of fixing the certain Time that the whole Course of the Seals took up , and how it is to be measur'd and fix'd .

If we can now determine and settle aright upon the Resolution of each of these Particulars , we shall be able to understand this first Sett of Apocalyptical Visions , and to have ample satisfaction concerning them , and have great Light into the following Visions also .

1. As to the First then , That great Treasure and Jewel of Truth that is inclos'd within these Seals , and so also , as we shall see , that the Trumpets ultimately sounded unto , is the Glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ .

Every Event , and the Stage of Time it was to pass over , is as a Seal or Stop upon this Kingdom , till it opens into Glory ; and the opening of every Seal was an Advance towards it : and although when the seven Seals were open'd , there appeared a greater and more prodigious Cause of Delay , viz. the Antichristian Kingdom ; yet every Trumpet was as an Alarm of War to the subduing that Mock-Kingdom that rose in Despight and Opposition to the Kingdom of Christ . And because all things were so set , and placed in their Season and Order , that no one thing could come to pass before that which was set before it had had its free Egress and Event , therefore every of these Events , and the opening of the Seals to let them out , though they did not in the Issue open to the true Appearance of that Kingdom , yet because they did as it were , what they could , and there was a Remove of so many Prohibents , or Obstacles to that Kingdom ; and Time so advanc'd from Point to Point , that by the opening every Seal the Kingdom of Christ might be nearer to its Appearance ; therefore they are justly understood , and expounded to be Seals , unloos'd , and opening to the Kingdom of Christ .

Now besides those 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or IT IS DONE , IT IS DONE , at the End of the Apocalyptical Time and all its Events , whither they one and all run together ; besides this , there is this absolute Assurance , That the Kingdom of Christ was under the Seals ; The Kingdom made so magnificent a show of it self at the sixth Seal , that had not the Servants of God been seal'd in their Fore-heads , that they should not then appear with him in Glory , the Kingdom had even then appear'd ; for in Constantine's Christian Empire , to the End of the Reign , or at the Victory of Theodosius the Great over Heathenism , of which he endeavour'd the utter Extirpation , that Kingdom so far came out of its Retirement , that there was a solemn and loud Doxology in Heaven , that the Kingdom of God , and the Power of Christ were come ; and yet at the very same time , the Woman , is recorded as fled into the Wilderness , Rev. 12. 10.

2. The first Particular then being resolved with so much Evidence and Assurance , we may with the greatest Clearness resolve concerning the second or the principal Visum of every Seal open'd : for it must be some State of the Kingdom of Christ defin'd by the joyning together the Voices that summoned to the Sight and Observation so far , as these Voices continued ; and then , when they ceased , the State of the Kingdom of Christ must be considered by the Visa themselves , as under the Cessation of those Voices , and by any sort of Voices we can find equivalent to them . And in this Method , and no other , that I can understand , we may justly and truly comprehend the Intention and Signification of the Seals .

For if all the Seals carry on the Kingdom of Christ by so many Degrees and Steps of Advance , as I have in some measure , I hope , made evident they do ; By undeniable Proof then it must needs be , That every Seal hath some State of that Kingdom protuberant or swelling out in its Appearance upon that opening , and that the Voice that says , Come and see , calls to observe it , and the silence of any such Voice moves Enquiry , Why there is no such Voice ? and every Visum , or Thing to be seen in both sorts of Seals , the Voic'd , or the seemingly silent Seals , are to be judg'd of , as they have Relation to the Kingdom of Christ , especially because we shall find the three last Seals without Voices , have something to supply the want of the Voices of those four Living Creatures .

3. As to the Time , and its Space , that is measur'd out by these Seals ; seeing no Line of Time is expresly given with them , it is impossible to be found out , but either , first , by some of the Visa , or things seen at the opening of these Seals , that are so certain , as to be necessarily agreed in , and thereby measuring from them , on each side of them , to take the whole Course ; or secondly , by the having good Assurance , what are the Visa of the first , and last of these Seals , that thereby we may know , when they begin , and when they end , by the most undoubted Accounts of History ; or thirdly , by observing if there be any Light concerning the just middle Point of their Time ; or lastly , by some other Line of Time , that may ( how much larger soever so as to comprehend it , yet ) set Limits to it in its Beginning , Middle , and End , by some certain Line of Time that must end just before it , and some other Line of Time that must follow it ; and that all taken together can answer that whole Line : And all these ways I shall use , to come to the exact Measure of the Space of the seven Seals , and what Measures of Time are and ought to be allow'd to them .

Let us then examine the Importance of every Seal , first by what it discovers of the Kingdom of Christ , upon the joyning of the Visum or thing to be seen , and the Voice together , or remarking upon the No Voice , and the equivalent Supply with the Visum or thing to be seen , and then collect the Time of these seven Seals .

The Visum , or thing to be seen of the first Seal , is , as is Seal 1 hardly controverted by any , The riding out of Christ on his white Horse , with his Bow , and the Right of a Crown , conquering and to conquer . This then was the Aim of Christ to obtain his Crown , in the first place by the pure and holy Arms , and Power of his Gospel , in the Vniversal , Perfect Ministry of the Apostles ; and till the Effect of that was tryed , he makes shew of no other , whatever farther Aim Christ might have , if his Gospel was not submitted to .

Thus is Christ riding out prophesied of , of Old ; Ride prosperously because of Truth , Meekness , and Righteousness , Ps. 45. 3. And upon this Horse he rides out with final Victory , Rev. 19. whose Name is the Word of God . This then , was then the State of Christ's Kingdom , the making an Universal Offer of it self to Jews and Gentiles , by that high Ministry of Persons immediately guided and infallibly inspir'd , and accomplish'd with the Gift of Tongues , and Power of Miracles , to make the Publication of that Decree , Thou art my Son ; This Day have I begotten thee : Ask of me , and as I have set Thee upon my Holy Hill of Zion by thy Resurrection , so I will give Thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance , and the uttermost Ends of the Earth for thy Possession : And if they will not submit , Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron , and dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel , Psal. 2. 6.

The Apostolical Voice , deep and loud as Thunder , royal as of a Lyon , the first Living Creature , Come and see , is a farther Assurance , That this was then the State of Christ's Kingdom in this free and universal Offer of it self : It bespoke the World therefore in the Language of the rest of that Psalm , Be Wise now , O ye Kings ; Be Instructed , ye Judges of the Earth , Serve the Lord with Fear , Rejoyce with Trembling ; Kiss the Son , lest He be angry , and for breaking his Bands , and casting his Cords from you , He break you at last as a Potters Vessel , with a Rod of Iron , or as the Stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands shivers the Image , of which the next Seal gives a Type .

Now this Appearance of Christs Kingdom , and the most Holy declar'd Annointed in it , was absolutely necessary to make known the thing seal'd , and to be unseal'd ; and that the End might be known by the Beginning , and the whole Compass of the Time of the Seals by Both. For nothing could make all these more known , nor the stay , the sealing had on this Kingdom from appearing more manifest , than this its offer to appear at the end of the last half week in the Apostolical Preaching , and yet Prophecy and Vision concerning it seal'd up so , that it could not bring forth this Kingdom , till its just Time constituted by the Father , and the Oath of Christ himself ; and that in regard of the Obstinacy of the Body of the Jewish Nation , and of the World of the Gentiles .

Immediately upon the refusal of this King upon the Holy Seal 2 Hill of Zion , He began to use his Rod of Iron , and sent out the Red Horse of War , the Visum or Thing to be seen under the second Seal , joyned with the Voice of the Gospel , Come and See ; but abated and weakened , not a Voice of Thunder ; Whereas had the Kingdom been accepted , the Thunder should not only have continued , but multiplyed into Thunders and Voices , and grown lowder and lowder to introduce the Kingdom ; But the Antichristian Kingdom , upon the True Kingdom , rejected , work'd on , and enervated the Voice though it was still Apostolical , Come , and See ; As the Voice of an Ox , as if it self were Falling a Sacrifice at the Altar , deploring the slaughter then coming upon the World ; So this second living Creature .

The State of the Kingdom therefore was as retreated in the Gracious and Merciful Offer ; The Voice was not so Grand , and Sounding , but instead of it , He that sat on the Red Horse of War , had a Great Sword given him , and It was Given to Him , that He should take Peace from the Earth , and that Men should kill one another : This certainly was especially verified in those Desolations of the Jews under Vespasian , and Titus , and those succeeding War-like Emperours , Trajan , and Hadrian ; under the first of which the Destruction of Jerusalem was so dreadful and bloody , till the last ruines by Hadrian ; That no Time , nor History was ever deeper dyed in Blood , nor could this be without dismal Recoyls of the Great Sword upon the Empire it self , within the Bowels of which it was continually sheath'd ; insomuch , that Hadrian in his account of the final Wars with the Jews , omitted the usual Preface in his Letters to the Senate , Ego quidem , & exercitus valemus , We and our Army are well . This he suppressed , as not agreeing to that Season of so great loss of Blood to the Romans .

This was a very affrightful appearance of this Kingdom , and of great Evidence of its Greatness and Power of Revenges , especially upon the Jews , those Murtherers and Enemies that would not have Christ reign over them , and it returned back upon the Gentiles also , and the Roman Empire , guilty of the same Opposition to the Kingdom of Christ , though not against the same Light , nor with the same unnaturalness ; for as to them , He came more particularly to his own , and his own receiv'd him not , and therefore having after the crucifying of him , rejected his Dominion , the People of that Prince Vespasian Came and destroyed the City , and the Sanctuary as with a Flood , and Torrent of Vengeance , and now unto the End of the War , Desolations upon the Jews were determin'd , and by the overspread of the abominable Armies was pour'd upon the Desolate by Hadrian after the Desolation of Titus , Daniel . 9. ult.

Now this great Judgment and Desolation , as a grand Argument of the Truth of Christianity , in Revenge of which this Desolation came upon the Jews , and the Reverberations or Repercussions , and Returnings of it upon the Heathen Empire , and their Persecutions of Christians , was a great Subject for the Apostolical Voice to enlarge it self upon , and to perswade Men to pay Homage to the King of Kings , who could thus avenge himself ; and so of great Use was that Sound of the Voice , Come and See , that beholding the Desolations that were made by Christ in the Earth , they might be still , and know , that He was God , and exalt him in the very Heathen Earth .

After this severe Vengeance of Christ by the Rider of the Seal 3 Red Horse , there ensues the opening of the third Seal , and the Thing to be seen under it was a Black Horse , and He that sat upon it had a pair of Ballances in his Hand , and the Apostolical Voice continuing as under the last former Seals , Come and See , and it was the Voice of the third living Creature , the Voice , as of a Man .

Now that we may judge of the State of the Kingdom , under this Seal , it is to be closely examined , what this Visum , or Thing to be seen imports , even the Black Horse , and the Rider with a Pair of Ballances in his Hand ; and then the distinct Voice in the midst of the Living Creatures .

It hath been generally interpreted , all to Famine , as if the Seals were a Course of Judgments , but besides that , neither the First , nor the Fifth Seals carry any Signification of Judgment , by a more sagacious Inspection into the spectacle of this Seal , after that forenam'd excellent Duumvirate of Apocalyptical Interpreters , Mr. Mede , and Dr. More , and compare of it with the Voice of the third living Creature , as of a Man ; I am abundantly satisfied , the Black Horse , and the Ballances in the Hand of the Rider , are an Emblem of that solemn Imperatorial Justice of the Emperours of this Third Seal , the Antonines , especially that great Mirror of Justice to Magistrates , Alexander Severus , in whom I account the interval of this Seal to End , who bore in his Hand continually in all Administrations , that great Ballance of the World , that Ballance of commutative Justice , given by our Saviour ; Do as you would have done to you , and no otherwise ; and this , as so remarkable in it self , and of a higher Prophetical Vse , as we shall Discourse , when we come to the Time affix'd to these Seals , and particularly to this ; A Voice in the midst of the living Creatures calls to the more solemn Observation of a Measure of Wheat for a Penny , Three Measures of Barley for a Penny , and see that thou hurt not the Oyl , and the Wine .

And now the State of the Kingdom , in Relation to this Visum , I estimate by those highly Rational , and Apocalyptick Discourses for Christianity , by Justin , Martyr , Athenagoras , Apollonius , in his publick Account of Christianity to the Roman Senate , Clemens Alexandrius , Tertullian , Origen , Minutius Felix , who all appeal'd to these Just and Manly Emperors , and offer'd to lay Christianity before them , as Equal Judges , and that would but shew themselves Men. And Alexander Son of Mammaea , a Christian Lady . Severus was so far prevail'd upon by those weighty Reasons , that History hath reported him to have decided for Christianity ; and as he shewed a constant Reverence to that great Apothegme , of the Saviour of the World , so to have built a Temple in Honour to him , upon which very last particular yet , I lay no weight , as being too doubtful .

But the other Parts of the State of this Kingdom of Christ , born up by the manliest Efforts of Reason , manag'd by those Apostolick Persons before nam'd , before those forenam'd Emperours , and Alexander particularly , are so beyond all Historical Dispute , as to sway me much more , than those inquisitive searches for some Dearth or Famine , that might be adjusted to the Time of this Seal ; For I account it a Rule in this , and all other parts of this Prophecy , That the Interpretation depend , not upon dark and obscure Parts of History , but upon the most Conspicuous , Open , and Clear , and that are most known , and notorious in it ; And it is to me a just Suspition upon any Interpretation , that is otherwise grounded .

After this gracious Tryal and Essay upon the Heathen Empire , Seal . 4 to draw it by the Cords of a Man , and by the Bands of Reason , immediately follows the Fourth Seal , In which open'd , the Visum , or Thing to be seen is the Pale Horse , and in the Place of any Imperial Rider sits Death , and Hades the Grave , or Hell followes it as its attendant Emblem , and the Voice of the Fourth living Creature , as an Eagle drawn by the Carcase , says , Come and see , This imports that Complication of Evils and Judgments ; The Sword , the Famine , the Pestilence , and the Beasts of the Earth , and Power was given to Death over a fourth part of the Earth , or every fourth of it , that is upon all Quarters of it .

Under this Seal then , in the Time of those many , cruel , and short liv'd Emperours , between Alexander Severus , and Dioclesian , which were as Beasts of the Earth , for savageness , and so are a most famous Historical Commentary upon this Seal , is shewen the mighty Vengeance and Wrath of God , upon an impenitent and imperswasible Empire , and this by that Apostolical Voice , to Come and See , or to consider it , the State of the Kingdom vindicating it self is so far declar'd , that it was even ready to break in with Fury upon the Heathen World , and that Patience so much injur'd and abus'd was now about to flame out in utmost Wrath ; so far therefore the Kingdom of Christ was advanc'd , as to have made its last Tryal of Grace upon Pagan Rome ; and upon this undoubtedly , the Apostolical Ministry insisted , in its , Come and See , as Ezekiel Ezek. 14. from 12 to 22. of old ; as God saith there , When I bring my four great Judgments , The Sword , Pestilence , Famine , and the Beasts of the Earth , though Noah , Job , and Daniel stood before me , to turn away my Wrath , They should deliver only their own Souls .

And now as to the State of the Church , all along these Seals past , There was a plain Appearance of it in the Apostolick Voices , till just the Entrance of the fourth Seal ; From that Time these Voices ceas'd , which had so far , as supported by the Characters of Imperial History , declar'd to us the Times and States of the Church , as before drawn out in the Labour , and Patience , and Sufferings of the Ephesine Church , while those Apostolical Voices lasted , although there was such a Leaven of the Apostacy hid in it , that it was charg'd to have left its first Love ; one great Instance of which , was in Victor's Excommunication of the Asian Churches upon the score of the unwritten Ceremony of keeping Easter at all , much more unwritten as to Criticism of Time , which made that so great Fewd .

The Fifth Seal so plainly opens in the Sufferings of the Seal 5 Christian Martyrs , as to assure us , This Prophecy , as also other Scripture-prophecies , and Notes of Time , are for the sake of the Church , and not of Heathen Empires and States : yet by the Course of the Seals , we may easily know at what hour of the Empire it was , as by referring to the peculiar foregoing Church-prophecy , we know under what Symbol of the Church it lies ; and from both , That it was the last and cruel ten Years Persecution , or ten Days Tribulation , begun by Dioclesian , while the Christian Church was under that peculiar Symbol of the Church of Smyrna .

That it was about the Time of Dioclesian , the Current of the former Seals , and the immediately following Desolation of Heathenism under Constantine assure us .

That it was under the Symbol of the Church of Smyrna , its peculiar Character of Sufferings , and ten Days Tribulation , make out ; as also , in that there was no longer any Apostolical Voice , but the Voice of Souls , that were gone out of martyr'd Bodies , it signifies the Synagogue of Sathan near an height ; and from that very occasion of the Tombs , Relicks , Memories , and Veneration of Martyrs , and Trust in their Negotiation out of the Body for those they left behind in it , growing much higher . However , God graciously accepts this Suffering Church , and lays no Imputation upon it , but only on the Sathanick Synagogue . He seems to have more respect to the Souls Complaint than to the Survivers of that Church ; He appoints them white Robes , but as unconcern'd in Mediations for any in this World , they are commanded to rest ; and there is on their Instance a Signification of a new Roll of Martyrs under Antichrist , when the whole Number of those of the first Resurrection should be compleat , over whom the second Death should have no Power .

This Seal then is the very Joynt betwixt the Kingdom of Paganism falling , but not yet fallen ; and that short Appearance of Christ's Kingdom in the Christian Empire till Theodosius the Great . The Army of Martyrs had not yet overcome by the Word of the Testimony , which they held ; The Kingdom of Christ was not yet celebrated with that Doxology , chap. 12. But there was nothing came between this Cry of the Souls and that Kingdom , although speedily surpris'd by Antichristianism , into which Pagan Demonolatry was first transplanted on this very occasion of Martyrs Sufferings , compleated within this Seal especially .

And thus we have the State of the Kingdom of Christ in the Church within this Seal assur'd by one of the most famous Monuments of Ecclesiastick History .

The sixth Seal is that great Seal opened , by which the Heathen Seal . 6 State of the Roman Empire was demolish'd ; and which carries most abundant Instruction of this whole Time of the Seals , and also of the Kingdom of Christ in his Church during that Time .

1. That Heathen Idolatry that had seated it self , as in the Heavens , and from thence reach'd down it self into the Earth , and in the Deep , is as by an Earthquake remov'd from below , and as by a Tempest above is dismounted and deposed from thence : so that here Sathan , as the Dragon , was cast down from Heaven , as by Lightning , according to the Vision , chap. 12.

2. The Emperours , or Kings of the Earth , and all its great Men , lay'd aside their Greatness , even to their Imperial Purple and Diadems , as particularly Dioclesian the Arch-Persecutor , and Maximian with him ; mov'd not so much by any thing as by a divine Terror , by the Fear of him that sate on the Throne , and of the Lamb. And this is given as a lively Type of Christ's glorious Appearance in the Destruction of his Enemies ; Who will be able to stand in that Day of his Wrath ? What Mountains , Dens , or Caves , will then open to receive affrighted men ?

3. From hence it plainly appears , What was to be open'd by Christ's opening of these Seals , even no other , than the glorious visible Kingdom of Christ , and not his spiritual Kingdom only ; As an eminent Assurance of which , He declar'd himself in the preaching of the Gospel , and a Crown was given to him , as an Acknowledgment of his Right , though to obtain it , he was to go out conquering and to conquer . Here then in this Christian Empire , beginning at the sixth Seal , and so going on in the seventh Seal to Theodostus's Victory over all the Remains of Heathenism ( after Julian ) in the Senate , Magistracy , and People of Rome gather'd to a Head in Eugenius and Argobastes , This Kingdom appear'd as in an Emblem , and earnest of it self ; and so it is celebrated chap. 12. with Praise and Triumph as in Heaven , though even there surpris'd .

4. Here the State of Christ's Kingdom in the Church is solemnly declar'd , and also as in the Christian Empire . In the Church , to shew the high towring Synagogue of Sathan , There is no Voice of the Church , but of an Angel , crying to the four Angels not to hurt , &c. a certain Indication of bad Symptoms appearing at this , in it self , happy Change . 2. There was a pure Church and Kingdom of Christ yet publick and visible , but upon the Retreat ; for it was just now retiring , and about to be seal'd , that is , under that over-growing Synagogue . 3. This Kingdom of Christ in his Church was to have ( abating the general Unhappiness of fallen sinful Man ) a more quiet and illustrious State than heretofore , viz. in a Christian Empire ; for till the whole Time of sealing the Servants of God was past , the four Angels , that had the four first Trumpets , were commanded to hold the Wind , that no such Hurt could be done upon the Empire , as was after to be done when they sounded . This was Smyrna's Crown . So that tho' God had determin'd the Period of the Blood-guilty Roman Western Empire , as Imperial , yet it was kept off , till it became Pagan-Antichristian ( a new Paganism ; ) Then God gave it in Wrath , after a Time , an Antichristian King , its former Imperial King being taken away in Wrath first .

5. The precise Time of Sealing , that is of covering all the True , visible Glory of Christianity in the Christian Empire is hereby set , viz. until the First Trumpet ; For till all was sealed , no Wind could stir ; when therefore the first blasting Trumpet sounded , all true Christian Glory was cover'd , shut , and seal'd ; and Apostate Christianity alone in any splendid publick Appearance could be hurt .

6. At this very joynt of Time , upon the Christian Empire is grafted a Pre-Appearance of the Glory of the New Jerusalem in the innumerable Palm-bearing Company .

7. That Glorious Kingdom is notwithstanding the sixth Seal open'd , apparently stay'd , and estopped in sealing the 144000 of Gods Servants , that the Glory of Christ in them could not appear . For the Glory of a King is in the Multitude of his People , the sealing therefore this square Israelitish Apostolical Number is the sealing , and estoppage of the Kingdom it self .

The seventh Seal is the last Portion of this sealed Time , and it keeps its hold on all future Time , till the Book and Kingdom are resign'd . In which the Visum or Thing seen was the seven Angels , that stood before God , to whom were given seven Trumpets , and these Angels preparing themselves to sound , till they just began to sound make up the Representation of this Seal .

The State of Christs Kingdom is to be understood , 1. By the Silence , as Characteristick a Note , as any of the former Voices ; For in the structure of this Divine Prophecy , the symbols are not only drawn and taken from the Events ; but He that both manages the Events by his supream Power , and erects the Schemes upon them , hath design'd , provided , and contriv'd so much of Event , and Symbol , one for another , that it is a great Symbol , that there is no more of such , or such Event , That , while it looks , as if it were a Reason , why the Symbol goes no further , because the Event goes no further , It is even yet a Symbol through the admirableness of this Mystick Prophecy , that just then , and there , where the Event ceases , the Cessation of the Event comes in the place , where that Cessation may create a Symbol ; And this could be no way thus modelled , but by so supream an Authour , who is not only the Artificer of the Symbols , but the Opifex the absolute Operator of the Events themselves , The Reason , why the living Creatures spoke no more after the Fourth Seal , was , not only because there were but Four living Creatures , but also because the Pure Apostolical Ministry there ceas'd ; The Reason , why the Souls cryed under the Altar , was not only because the Martyrdomes under the Pagan Empire were then compleated , That all of that Roll might joyn in that appeal to God , but because that was the most Pure and Excellent Voice the Church had then left to speak to God in , the Voice of Martyrs Blood , that when they were dead , yet spoke , for after this the Church spoke no more , so as to be heard till after the Apostacy ; nor did the four living Creatures or twenty four Elders appear any more after this Seal till then ; c. 11. 20. And this Cry was tim'd just before that amazing change in the World , that Constantines Conversion produc'd . The Reason why an Angels Voice remarqu'd the sixth Seal , except only as that so wonderful Event of the Desolation of Heathenism spoke it self , was because the Kingdom of Christ was greater in the sealing of so many of his Servants to be hidden under the Antichristian Kingdom , then , that very Conversion of Constantine , which as it let out the Kingdom of Christ , so far as in an Emblem , let out the Apostacy and Antichristian Kingdom also by accident , that just then the 144000 were seal'd , and the Woman took her Flight into the Wilderness . Lastly , the Reason why Silence and Prayers without any audible Voice solemnize this Seal , is , because the pure Service was reducing to the silent , private Prayers of the measured Temple , Altar , and its Worshipers , and the publick Tammith Daily , or continual Pure Worship was about to be taken away by the Gentiles Intrusion into the outward Court . Chap. 11. 1. Compar'd with Chap. 8. 1.

Yet at this Time the Worship was both publick and pure in Gods Account , and the Prayers of all Saints came up as Incense before him , and the Prosecution , the Kingdom opened in all the Seals , had made against Heathenism , was completed in Theodosius's Famous Victory against it , imported in the scatter'd Altar-Incens'd Fire of his and all Christians memorializ'd Prayer , in the midst of the Battel with Eugenius ; upon which followed Voices , Thunderings , Lightnings , and an Earthquake , the usual Symbols in this Prophecy of all the Acquists and Prevalencies of Christs Kingdom .

So the State of the Empire was during this Time a State of Respite , Quiet , Peace , or Victoriousness , and Greatness under the Favour of the Precept given to the four Angels , that held the four Winds , which Precept was yet in full Force and Vertue .

But all this was but for an Half-hour , an imperfect , decurtated Time , seiz'd and surpriz'd from its Perfection , [ as the Beast's Times have been , and much more shall be yet within the Half ▪ time : ] The Purity of Worship was surpris'd by the Apostacy , the Kingdom of Christ by the Antichristian Kingdom , being immediately in Preparation ; The Glory and Peace of the Empire no sooner vindicated from Paganism , but merg'd in Antichristianism , and so pursued by Vengeance that punish'd the former in the latter ; and so also made way by a high mysterious Counsel of Justice , for the Antichristian King , while it destroy'd the Antichristianiz'd Empire .

Now the just Time of the whole Course of the Seals opened , from the last half Week , I estimate at 400 Years ; For the Decency of the Type of sealed Time , it is indeed given in no numeral Account : Even as the seven Thunders seal'd are ever after conceal'd , and under the Name and explicite Series of seven Thunders never open'd , and yet , as we shall see , produc'd in the seven Voices ; So this sealed Time , and of this seventh Seal ending , may be understood ;

1. By comparing that great opening of the Kingdom of Christ at the first Seal in the Apostolical Preaching , and the magnificent Appearance of it in the sixth Seal in Constantine's Conversion , [ and except that short Nubecle , ] that little Cloud of Julian's Apostasie , all along the Christian Empire to Theodosius's Death . Parallels to each of which , nothing appears throughout the Time , either in Common or Ecclesiastick History , wherein the Christian Church is concerned , as shewing Christ's Kingdom .

2. By comparing all along the 2300 Ev. and Mor. the 75 of the Word going forth , the 490 of the Weeks , the 1260 of the Witnesses , and its concurrent Numbers , and the 75 of the Voices and Vials we have , and shall farther find the sealed Time determin'd to 400 Years , and ending at 437 , when the Trumpets began to sound ; which ought to be shewn .

3. By the Signature of the half Time of the Churches Purity , and of the Western Roman Empires Duration before the Vacancy ; at which Vacancy it enter'd in the New and last In Augustulus . form , viz. the Bestian , we may compute the Sealed Time .

This I account given by the Voice in the midst of the four Beasts in the third Seal , in the very Reign of that Mirror of Magistratical Justice , Alexander Severus , presented with the Ballances in his Hand weighing out this Time just at the half Time , or 202 years from the Resurrection , or 237 of Vulgar Account from the Incarnation : to which 202 Years added , as the other half Time , the Apostacy enter'd at 437 , and then the Trumpets sounded to the Empires Ruine .

And how fitly is the daily Service , at its just and even Ballance , symbol'd by the exact care of just Weight and Measure , ( according to the Charge on the Prince in the Prophet Ezek. ) without any Injury to the Wheat , Barley , Oyl , and ( by Concomitancy no daily Oblation being without it ) Wine , and as it were on purpose to shew us it was not the Levitical but according to the Unceremonial Simplicity of Gospel Worship , the spiritual Sacrifice that is intended , Barley is added , which had no Place in the daily Levitical Oblation . Now to explain this Symbol , I desire a diligent Compare of Rev. 6. 6. Exod. 29. 40. Numb. 28. 7. Ezek. 45. 9 , 10. &c.

Oh infinite and supream Dispose , that changes Times and Remark . Seasons as it pleases , having first drawn them in an entire Table , lying always before it ; where every Thing is beautiful in its own season , and so every thing shall at last appear before Holy Angels and Saints ; and even extort the Confessions of Angry and Male-content Spirits . How admirably hath it seal'd and open'd in this course of Seals , and for his own Glory suffer'd a new sealing , by surprise , upon his Kingdom when that first sealing was taken off , that he might bring Good out of Evil , Light out of so long obscurity of the Apostacy , that even then when the Empire or Vniversal Monarchy of the World was risen out of Heathenism into the Acknowledgment of the only true God , and the one Mediator Jesus Christ , suffered it to relapse into the new Heathenism of Antichristianism : Even so Father , who hast hid these things from the wise and prudent , and revealed them to Babes , it seemed good in thy sight . For thou hast what Time thou pleasest , [ to whom a Day and a thousand Years are equal ] to display thy Kingdom in , within the most perfect Measure of Time , viz. a cubical thousand Years , and then in a boundless Eternity .

To him then who sits on the Throne , and to the Lamb , who hath the sealed Book yet in his Hand , and is even ready to unseal it into his Kingdom , within Ten Years to be proclaim'd , be Glory , Blessing , Salvation , Dominion , Obedience , for ever and ever . Amen .

An Explication of Daniel 's Grand Line of Time , as given in his four last Chapters .

SECT. I. OF the Vision of the Daily taken away , and therein of the 2300 Ev. Morn . or the Vision call'd the Vision of the Ev. Morn . in general , on Dan. chap. 8. Page 1. SECT. II. That this Vision begins at the Persian Monarchy , and the Proof of it . Page 8. SECT. III. In which a Line of 75 Years , precedent to the 70 Weeks , is asserted , and endeavour'd to be proved , Dan. 9. Page 24. SECT. IV. Gives the Proof , that the Time of the Words going forth was the first 75 Years of the 2300 Ev. Mor. Page 28. SECT. V. Of the 70 Weeks themselves in brief : the second Line of the 2300 Even . Morn . Page 32. SECT. VI. Brief Remarks on Daniel's last and longest Vision , are made from Part to Part. Page 35. SECT. VII . Of the whole Line of Time from the Resurrection of Messiah , unto the Time of Blessedness , in the Lotts of the New Jerusalem ; and its Royal Priesthood : on Dan. 12. v. 4. &c. to the end . Page 45. SECT. VIII . Wherein is given a Prefatory Survey of the whole Apocalyptical Prophecy . Page 52. SECT. IX . Wherein a Proof is given , The seven Churches carry with them a Line of Time contemporizing with the whole Apocalyptick Time . Page 62. SECT. X. Of the third Line of Time in the Grand Line of 2300 Even . Morn . or of the seven Seals from the Resurrection ; shewing it extends to a space of 400 Years . Apoc. c. 4 c. 5. c. 6. c. 7. c. 8. Page 72.

Of the Great LINE OF Prophetical Time , In XXII . Sections . viz. The 1260 Days of the Witnesses , and the Woman in the Wilderness . Apoc. c. 11. 3. & 12. 6.

SECT. I. Of the Ninefold Repetition of this Line , and its several Characters ; shewing , 1. That Time , Times , Half a Time , must each signifie , first Years , then Years of Years . 2. That Days must signifie , either first , Days of Years , in the 1260 Days , and then each of the three Days , a Year of Years , and proportionably in the Half Time , and Half Day . 3. The Months can be no other than Lunar Months , and so must signifie such Months of Lunar Years , as are proportion'd to the 1260 Days , as Lunar Time is to Solar .

THE Great Line of Time , in the Eye of Prophecy , Position . and upon which it is most intent , as drawn for the latter Times , and approaching so near the final Accomplishment of all Prophecy at this very Time , is the Time , Times , and Half Time , call'd also , Three Days and a half , Twelve hundred Sixty Days , and Forty two Months ; All of which , even as each of them concurr , though in different manner , as shall be seen , into One Line of Twelve Hundred and sixty Years , and are coeval to the space of the six first Apocalyptical Trumpets .

That this Line may be better understood , and Apprehended , It is first to be well observ'd : in these following Grand Heads , or Generals of Discourse .

This Line of Time is nine times to be found in Sacred First General . Prophecy ; Twice in Daniel it is called Time , Times , Half a Time ; once 1260 Days , though concealed somewhat by Dan. 7. 25. and Dan. 12. 7. Dan. 12. 11. joyning it with Thirty more ; for twelve hundred and sixty are made to lye in the complex of Twelve hundred ninety Dayes , In the Apocalyptick Prophecy , it is first made known by Forty two Months* , then by Twelve hundred sixty Days* , Apoc. 11. 2. Apoc. 11. 3. Apoc. 11. 9. Apoc. 12. 6. Apo. 12. 14. Apoc. 13. 5. then by Three dayes and a half* , then again by Twelve hundred sixty Dayes* ; then is again reassum'd , the Time , Times , Half a Time* ; and lastly , the Forty two Months are the second time assign'd ; the observation of which Repetition , and Variation , and Order of both ; in giving this space of Time , is of great Instruction ( as we shall see in its proper place ) for the understanding Prophecy .

That then , which I shall first address our Thoughts unto , shall be to consider every Character of Time , given us in Prophecy , by its self , with its Signification and Extent , and the Assurances it is of such signification and Extent ; then the Balances of the Characters one with another ; and lastly , their several Epochs and Periods .

The first Character of Prophetick Time , is Time , Times , Half a Time , or if translated exactly , either according to the Character first . Originals of the Old or New Testament , and according to the very Design of Prophecy , it is Appointed Time , Appointed Times , Appointed Half Time , or , Season , Seasons , half a Season ; and so in that first Distribution of Time according to the Motion of the Sun , and the Moon , the great Luminaries of Heaven , it is used Genes. 1. 14. for Design'd and Appointed Times ; and this is very necessary to be layd in the Foundation ; For accordingly it will follow , The measures of this Season , Seasons , half a Season , must be found out by observing the measures of the other Notes of Time wherewith they are joyned ; for that Character of Season it self speaks high , and notorious Designation of this Time , Times , Half a Time ; and that most remarkable Season ( of which after-use is to be made ) arises from such a Designation , and not an immediate Definition of the Space .

But then secondarily , Because a Year , and a Day , are the most natural and ready Measures of designed Time , and so may in that forenam'd Scripture be the Explanation of Seasons , Gen. 1. 14. or remarkable and signaliz'd Times , as they are immediately added to Seasons : and because in all probability , seven Times passing over Nebuchadnezzar under his Delirium , Dan , 4. 23. mean seven Years , since they cannot mean Days or Months , or less than Years , nor more , we may first consider Time , Times , Half a Time , as three Years and a half , and that with Authority , because they are diversifyed into other such Extents of Time or Spaces , as we shall see , that point to so much .

So then the signification of Time , Times , Half a Time , is taken from that first most known and honourable Account of Time , the Suns Motion from Point to Point in its annual Circle : This is a more honourable Circulation than that of a Day , because the Sun more knownly varies every day from the Point from which , and the Point to which it daily moves , which makes the change of the Year to those several Seasons ; so that although , as Solomon tells us , The Sun riseth and goeth down , and hasteth to the place where he arose , distributing Day and Night to the World ; yet he neither sets nor rises two Days together at the same exact Point , but veres towards one of the Tropicks ; although therefore a Day of the Suns being with us is the most noble measure of Time next to the Year , yet it cannot deserve the Name of a Time , of a signaliz'd Time , as a Year doth ; both because it is not so exact to a Point of Revolution , and because it is not so full ; a Year excelling a Day in being the greater and ampler , and so the most perfect , known , and generally observ'd Circle for a Season , comprehending that of a Day above three hundred sixty five times within it self ; and is the Suns perfect Emensuration of its way from one end to the other end of the Heavens , and of its Visitation of the whole Earth with its Beams .

A Year must yet more excel a Month than it does a Day , because the Sun hath the Government of the Day , and of the Year ; but the Moon , the much more ignoble Planet , and Governess only of the Night , gives to the Months their Character and Measure ; and tho there are twelve Points of the Space the Sun emensurates in a Year , viz. the twelve Signs in the Zodiack , and the Suns first Touch upon Aries , to its gliding off from it to the next Sign , may be call'd a Solar Month ; yet neither is it the proper Month , which is defin'd by Lunations , nor is it any Circulation of the Sun with it self , or with its own Motion , or with its great end of encompassing the World with its enlivening Beams : there is no space therefore that can properly merit the Name of a Time or Season in the first place , but a Year first , and then a Day .

Times , absolutely so call'd , must needs also be most properly two Times , for the first Plurality , or more than one is two ; and the more so , because it is set betwixt one Time , and half a time ; for that Number , which exceeds , and removes from Unity first , is two ; and that which is bounded by half a Time in its remove from one Time , can be no more than two ; for if it had proceeded to more than two , and had not been stop'd or cut off , as the Hebrew significantly , It had been three Times .

Half a Time therefore , as it refers to the Beasts Time , must be Time decurtated , or cut off at the middle , ( as the Garments and Beards of David's Servants , half'd by Hanun in Disgrace and Dishonour ) to the Beasts eternal Infamy , and in recompence to his surprise of the Churches Peace , and Purity , at its half Hour , as shall be noted . Apoc. 8. 1.

Time then , as One , denotes Beginning , as One is the beginning of Number ; Times , as Two , denotes Increase and Consistency , as it is a progress of Time from One , and settles in the first even Number ; Half speaks an endeavour of Motion to be continued , but surpris'd , and cut off at its middle .

Now these Time , Times , Half a Time , might signifie only the three Years and a half they first import ; but that they must signifie more , we shall find very full assurance : when therefore we shall have reason'd that it must be more than three Years and a half , it will then appear most reasonable , that each Time should have its most perfect Circle : And if a Year be the perfectest Circle of Time , then a Year of Years must be the most perfect and full Circle , beyond which there can be nothing , but a Repetition , or Multiplication of the same again and again : so then the Time must be a Year of Years , the two Times must be the same Circle twice told , and the Half Time the same Circle attempted the third Time , and clip'd off at the Semicircle ; which is the Account of this Character of Time , Times , Half a Time , and which is the first , and , as will appear , the most comprehensive of the Characters of this Line : and tho there may be other Revolutions of the Heavens , and of the Sun , particularly known to learned Astronomers , containing greater numbers of Years , and there is a more perfect Number also of Years , viz. the thousand Years given us in this Prophecy , as we shall see afterwards ; yet there is none so fit to the present Purpose as Days and Years , nor so full as a Year of Days , and then a Year of Years , or of prophetical Days , most agreeable to Prophecy every way .

I come now to the second Character of Days : A Day then Character the Second . is the first most known and observable date of Time , as it was first in use to measure Time by ; The Evening and the Morning were the first Day , assoon as Time began : A Day Gen. 1. 5. &c. then is the Time in which the Sun performs his Motion ( speaking as the Scripture does to general Apprehension , without regard to strictnesses of Philosophy , whether the Motion be of the Sun or of the Earth ) from East to West , and gives Light to one of the Hemispheres , and then from West to East , and so hastens to the Place where he arose as near as the aforesaid Variation will allow , and gives Light to the other Hemisphere , as Lord of the Day to the World of both Hemispheres .

As then on this Account Days are in all Languages expressive of length of Time , so one Day was by God made choice of to signifie a Year , and one Day by Moses , Psal. 90. and by the Apostle Peter is singled out to parallel with a thousand Years ; and Man's Day , by the Apostle Paul , is us'd to express the whole course of Man's time of judging , in opposition 2 Pet. 2. 8. to the Day of Judgment : and the whole course of 1 Cor. 4. 3. Judgment is call'd frequently the Day of Judgment , as one Day ; and as it is taken a Day for a Year in this Line of Time , so we shall find in the three Days and a half it is taken for a Day of Years , equal to a Year of Years .

Day threfore is a Standard of Time fairly to be accommodated to any Measure of Time , the Conjunction it hath with such Measure otherwise given requires : when therefore three Days and a half are joyn'd with twelve hundred sixty Days , with twice forty two Months , and all these within Time , Times , Half a time , there is a fair Reason to understand them of the very same Tenor of Time with what they are so conjoyn'd .

But as for the accounting a Day for a Year , that rests upon that Divine Institution of a Day for a Year , first in a Case near and parallel ; of the Forty Years Commoration of the Church of Israel , Numb. 14. v. 34. ( to omit Jacob's old Stile of Time , a Week of Years ) in the Wilderness , and after that by the solemn Institution , as of a prophetical Key , Ezek. 4. I have appointed a Day for a Year ; so that when there is a concurrence of Prophecy , and Things to be transacted , that cannot be transacted in so short a space as of Days litterally and naturally understood ; they must be so understood , as we are directed by Prophecy to understand them ; viz. a Day for a Year , even as without Hesitation we compute into Weeks of Years Daniel's seventy Weeks , and so into 490 Years .

Now we shall find such Transactions , fitted to the twelve hundred and sixty days , that cannot possibly be suppos'd to have their Motion in three years and a half , so that they must be Prophetical days , or days for years .

And thus we have settled the two first , and most noble Characters of Time ; A year signified by a time , and a day , as it is used in the three dayes and a half , and in the twelve hundred and sixty days , with their most truly Prophetical Indications , viz. three years and a half of years , in the three times , and three days and a half , and twelve hundred and sixty years in the 1260 days .

Let us then proceed to the third Character of Months , or the forty two Months .

A Month then , we know , is that Space of Time the Moon describes by Night , in its progress through the Zodiack ; Third Character . For whatever Hemisphere it moves in , it is still Night it rules in , which Motion is indeed so full of Variation and Incertainty in its Remove from the Ecliptick Line , the Sun 's certain Path , that it is said , The Sun knows its way , but the Moon does not ; even as the Phasis , or figure of the Moon is upon perpetual change , even to a Proverb , upon the unadjustableness of any ones Humour or Manners ; Who can ( saith the Proverb ) fit a Coat to the Moon ? and so is excellently adapted to describe the Antichristian Tyranny that changes Times and Laws . Not onely by rescinding the truly Christian Laws , by mens own Additions , contrary to those Laws themselves ; but also making perpetually changeable , even the Counterfeits of them , by innumerable new Traditions ; whereas the Religion of Jesus Christ is yesterday , and to day , the same for ever . Besides that Judaisme and Heathenisme , that had so many dependencies on the Moon , is the Constitution of Antichristianism , and therefore the true Church , so distant from it , is cloathed with the Sun , and hath the Moon under its feet , and therein abdicates Judaism , Heathenism , and Mahometanism , ( that also claims a Kindred with the Moon ) as the Votaries of the Moon .

Now this Moon , as Governess of the Night , as so variable in its Motions and Measures , gives no Rule of Time by Motion from East to West , but only from one Lunation to another , it denominates Months or Moons , being certain onely in this , to return from one Conjunction of the Sun to another ; which , because it gives a new Phase to the Moon , is therefore called in the Hebrew Novitas , and the Lunations Novitates , or New Moons .

But I understand No Way that it can describe the Circle of a Year , but by its Attendance on the Sun in its Motion , by so many new Conjunctions as will most agree with the Annual Motion of the Sun ; and the nearest This can be brought to by the Natural Motions of the Moon , there will be between Ten and Eleven Days betwixt the Motion of the Sun and the motion of the Moon upon twelve Conjunctions ( call'd therefore Synodical Months ) of the Moon with the Sun ; For so many the Sun requires more to the finishing its Annual Course , than the Moon needs to its twelve Conjunctions with the Sun . And this be spoken of Months , as they are most properly to be understood of Lunations . For if we would interpret them of Solar Months , besides another greater Obstruction , or Caution to be entred against that Interpretation hereafter , they could be only progressive , not Circular , and so not agreeable with a day or a year , there being more of a Circulation of motion by that most Illustrious Prince of Time in a day than in a Month. And therefore we account a Day the first Circle of the Sun's motion , with Light from East to West , and so to East again ; and a Year the most perfect Circle of his motion , in going forth from one end of Heaven , and in Circuit to the other end thereof , with Heat and Influential Vertue ; in neither of which Solar Months correspond , as to any Complement , and therefore not so fit Symbols of Time as the Lunar Months , which have a circle from one Conjunction to the Sun with another .

Now these Lunar Months are in conjunction with Time , Times , Half a Time , or three years and a half of Years ; and with Twelve hundred sixty Days or Years ; Twice Forty two Months of Years also , but the former coalescing , or falling into One within the latter , as a River that had been a River before may be suppos'd to do into a new Cut , or Channel , prepar'd to receive the confluence of neighbouring Waters , lying in the way of that former River , so near , that by the great confluence of Waters , and the more ample Channel of the new River , the old may be deriv'd into it , and so make the much greater River , and having made their way , as so united , some Leagues , the Old River , its Name , and Memory , are swallow'd up in the New : so are the Gentiles forty two months merg'd in the Forty two months of the Beast , and both coextend the Twelve hundred sixty days , and no more .

SECT. II. Of the two Communities , and their two-fold state described , within this Line of Time , viz. The Church of Christ and its Sufferings , the Kingdom of the Beast , and its Tyranny : shewing also , there must be Season , or intimate Time within Time , at large .

I Have thus far settled the General Sciagraphy , or Land-Scaph of this Prophetical Line of Time , and shall now endeavour to make a farther penetration into the understanding of it , and its several Characters , by enquiry into its signification , its extent in every one of these Characters , and the Balance of every one of them , each with the other , and that not by an over-critical restraint of the following Disscourse to every Head , but in such a communication of the Extent , the balance of the Characters one with another , that the most perfect knowledge of the whole may arise from them together , as they most naturally fall one into the other .

It is then to be known in the Second General ;

There are two states of Things , and two kinds of Personages ; Second General . and in successive Communities , and Incorporations , each of them are to be found ; both which appertain to this Line of Time , and the Characters of Time are distinctly suited to each , viz. to the tyranny of that King , the Scripture-Prophecy calls the Beast , and his Gentiles , and to the Sufferings of the true Church and Servants of God , under that Tyranny .

The whole mass of Time is therefore divided into the Time of the Night , under the Conduct of the Moon , the Governess , as hath been said , of the Night , and into the Time of the Day , and the Light under the Government of the Sun , the Prince of the Day . And this is agreeable to that long Line of Time , Dan. 8. 14. viz. The twenty three hundred Evening-Morning ; for so they are expressed in the Hebrew , that while the twenty three hundred notes by such a number , the length of the space , the Evening-Morning is all but one Evening , and one Morning ; and so it is call'd , The Vision of the Evening . and of the Morning , verse 26.

As then it is called the Vision of the Evening and the Morning , so the Evening is but One , and the Morning but One. As they are 2300 Evening-Morning , ver. 14. it is signified , the lesser portions of Time are taken out of that great Number ; Again , As they are One Evening and One Morning , it speaks the Time , One continued Evening , with a bright Morning at the end of it ; As they are twenty three hundred Evening-Morning , it signifies so many Nights and Days , or natural Nycthemers , or prophetical Years , in which the Children of darkness take the Evenings , or Night , under the Moon , and the Children of Light have the Mornings , or Dayes , for their portion , under the Sun of Righteousness , with which the Church is cloath'd , and hath the Moon , even when it seems most to have the Ascendent , under its Feet ; but their Morning or Day does not appear in its Brightness , till All night's past , and the bright Morning-Star shall appear .

The whole Mass of Time , I say then , or the Time , Times , Half Time , is distributed into twelve hundred sixty dayes , twice nam'd , but can be but one and the same Twelve hundred and sixty ; and twice forty two months , which , taken as Lunar Time , and single , cannot be equal to Twelve hundred sixty dayes , or so much Solar Time , and taken double , exceeds it , and therefore must , as hath been said , and shall be prov'd , coalesce , and knit one into another , as a due Point , and so may be Two forty two Months , and this , as proper to the Children of the Night , must be peculiar to the Beasts Tyranny ; and the Days distinct to the Children of Light , and their Holy Martyry , or Testimony , though under Sufferings , and Death it self .

The first of these , or the Tyranny of the Beast , is expressed by changing Laws and Times , and wearing out the Saints of the most High , by accomplishing to scatter the power of the Holy People , by the Gentiles treading the Court , and the Holy City under foot , whereby the Tammith , viz. the daily , or continual Publick Service of God is taken away , by making War with the Witnesses and Saints , the Womans Seed , and overcoming , and killing them , as may be seen by a compare of Dan. c. 7. c. 8. c. 11. c. 12. and Apocal. c. 11. c. 12. c. 13.

The second State of Things , or the Sufferings of the Church and Servants of God , is expressed by the Witnesses , and Servants of God worn out , given into the Hand of the little Horn , or Beast , ( for he is call'd both , Dan. 7. v. 8. 12. 25. compar'd ) lying dead , cast down , stamped upon , scattered , the Witnesses in Sackcloth , and the Woman in the Wilderness , so as to be hid from the Face of the Serpent . All which appears in the places fore-cited .

Now that we may see , how these States , and so the Characters of Time are Implex'd , and Enfolded one within the other ;

First , the Time , Times , Half Time , are the common Womb and Continent of the whole Time ; And this Character is therefore given first , Dan. 7. 25. And that it might be the more observable , it is given again the second time , Dan. 12. 7. And then to give a farther notice to it , it is given a third time in the Revelation , Apoc. 12. 14.

But because the just space and duration of time , times , semi time , cannot be concluded certainly by themselves , they are slid into twelve hundred sixty dayes , lying , as I have said , in the Bosome of twelve hundred ninety dayes , as the just size , and exact standard of the whole Time , so that in its utmost Extent , It , and all its Characters must be equal ; and they can neither exceed , nor fall short of Twelve hundred sixty Prophetical Days , or Years , that is , neither the Time , Times , Semi , or Half Time , nor the three Dayes and a half , which are but other words , as we shall see , for the Three Times and a Half ; Nor the twice Forty two Months can be either longer or shorter than the Twelve hundred sixty Years ; because therefore Fourty two Months of Lunar Time ( as they ought to be interpreted , as hath been shewn ) are not equal to twelve hundred sixty Days , or Years ; and that twice Forty two Months will much more exceed , therefore the Forty two Months , twice given , must be two Forty two Months , which , by the Characters we shall be guided to , we shall find at an exact Point , coalescing , or uniting into One , as hath been already said .

And because Time , Times , Semi Time , are both as long , and as broad as the twelve hundred and sixty dayes , and yet have a more pregnant Intimate part , viz. the Season within the Time , in regard of which , or as referring to that Season , they are call'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or Seasons , We shall find the States suited to that Character , viz. Time within Time , or to Season , which is a more pregnant intimate Time within a larger Time ; so that they may both fill the Character at its utmost breadth and length , of Twelve hundred sixty Years , and twice Forty two Months , and yet more fruitfully Impregnate it with Season , within its more intimate space ; Every part therefore of this Character , time , times , semi-time , hath the full extent of Twelve hundred and sixty dayes , and yet a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or an intimate Kernel of Time within it . And that we may be led to this Observation , not only the words , Season , Seasons , half a Season , but those other words in place of them , viz. three dayes and a half , are on purpose chosen , as we shall see , when we compare the States , viz. of the Beasts Tyranny , and the Churches Sufferings , with each Character of Time , which I come next to do in the Third General .

SECT. III. Of the matching each Character of Time with each of those States , as in a General View .

THat the States of the Beasts Tyranny , and the Churches Third General . Sufferings , may then be beheld at nearer Lights , in their Implication with the Characters of Time , Let us in the next place Remark each Character of Time , match'd with its State , and the Order wherein the Characters are given , and then collect their certain Enfoldedness within one another , and how justly inferrible the Sameness and Oneness of the whole space is , although given under so many various Characters , in the Union of the States ; Each of which hath yet its singular Use : For they are not vain Repetitions , or mere Flourishes of Symbolical Prophecy , but each Character , and each Repetition of each Character , hath its great particular Service .

First then , after the Real Line of Time given , as it were in Substance , in four Successive Monarchies , and those represented in an Image , or Immense Statue , Dan. 2. and then under the Iconisme of four Beasts , Dan. 7. The Regnancy of a Prince under the Type of a Little Horn , is made the principal Aim of Prophecy , and hath the first Character of Time set upon his duration , viz. time , times , half a time ; and these are made so proper to him , that whenever these are nam'd , He , as the Proprietor , or Lessee of them from God , is to be understood : For changing Laws and Times , and wearing out the Saints of the most High , are so long given into his Hand .

Furthermore , because any fixed Limits of Time could not be known by Time , Times , Semi Time , being Hieroglyphical , and a Number Vague , and Floating in the vast Compass of four Monarchies ; There is therefore a Third Vision , in which the Babylonian Monarchy , as having no farther Place in Time , is cut off altogether , Dan. 8. 1. &c. For it had been accounted in a Former Scripture-Line of Time , viz. the 390 , and forty five Days for Years , Ezeck. 4. 5 , 6. And therefore if it had not been cut off , when a new Line of Time was to be given ; it must needs have disturbed that Line , and all Account by it . The Persian therefore , the Grecian , and the Roman Monarchies are given in new Symbols , and a Line of twenty three hundred Even . Morn . of Prophetical Time , till the Cleansing of the Sanctuary , and the Breaking of that Prince , so Insolent against Christ , the Prince of Princes , broken without Hand , fitted to them .

And still to shew the principal drift of Prophecy , at the Little Horn ; it is first particularly , and notably pourtraied in Antiochus , as a Type , and therefore call'd , a Little Horn , and his principal Action is recorded to be the taking away the daily ; For so I translate it exactly according to the Hebrew Verity , the Divine Spirit seeming to have design'd a Liberty for the supplying the Sense , either with Sacrifice before the Death of Christ , or with Service , or daily Worship after Christ , according to the Rules of the Gospel ; And it is Remarkable , except in this Place , and its parallels , Dan. 11. and Dan. 12. there is not any Example of Tammith , or the Continual , without the Addition of Sacrifice ; so that I cannot but suppose it so plac'd for an especial significancy .

Now for the sake of Taking away the Daily , the Vision is call'd , the Vision of the Daily , even as in regard of the 2300 Even . Morn . It is called the Vision of the Evening and of the Morning ; although it is most evident , the Vision contains much more matter , than just of the Daily taken away , viz. of the Persian Monarchy , and the former parts of the Grecian ; and the 2300 Even . Morn . embrace much more Time , than the mere duration of the Daily taken away by Antiochus , as a Type , or even by the Antichristian taking away , as is made to appear upon that Vision . For in the Explanation of that Type , when Daniel was made to understand the Vision ; in the Explanation of that Type , I say , All is so expounded , as to be most agreeable to the little Horn , and his Action in the former Vision , Dan. 7. and to his Bestian Apocaliptick Tyranny ; Now this taking away , first by the Gentiles begun , then continued by the Beast , lays a Foundation for the beginning this Line of Time we are upon .

For , by reason of the length of a Line of Twenty three hundred Years , seeing no particular Time can be ascertain'd by it ; Therefore the next Visions , either explicitely in the 70 weeks of years , viz. 490 till the end of the half Week , or three years and a half after Messiah cut off , and in the 1335 , in which the Antitypical , Antichristian taking away of the Daily , begins , and endures these very 1260 Days , which we are upon , or implicitly , viz. 75 years , during the Words going forth to restore and build Jerusalem , first by Cyrus , ( though immediately interrupted by Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes , till the second of Darius ) then by the same Darius , and after him , by Artaxerxes , called Longimanus , completed . All which is fully expounded on the Vision , Dan. 9. And implicitly also in 400 years , from the last half week after the Resurrection , which is plainly the Epoch of Apocalyptical Time ( as is also made good on that part ) during the Time of the Seals opened , till the Trumpets began , and with the very first of them the 1260 dayes ; All which make up together the 2300 Even . morning , the 1260 leaving 75 , for the finishing all things to the blessed and happy State ; which is Daniel's end of wonders , Dan. 12. and the State of the New Jerusalem after the destruction of the Beast , Revel . chap. 19. chap. 20 , &c. even as it is the cleansing of the Sanctuary , and breaking that proud Prince without hand . Dan. 8.

All these things being so fix'd , that they cannot be otherwise , for a Time there must be for the word going forth , by a full Evidence of Sacred Prophecy in Daniel , and History in Ezra , Nehemiah , and Esther , and this Time is fairly resolved into 75 years , and then the 490 years of the 70 Weeks , agreed by all Christians , after which , the 1335 must needs be , and they must be the last of the 2300. So there is onely space for 400 necessary , which during the Seals opening until the Trumpets sounding , viz. from three years and a half , or the last half week , so long after the Resurrection , to the Vulgar Year of our Lord , 437. when the Western Empire under Valentinian , the Son of Placidia , began to be violently shaken by the Wind of the Trumpets , and its Flourish blasted by the Fire and Hail of the first Trumpet mingled with Blood , by the agreement of all History , was four hundred years . By all which Account , we must needs be in or about the Twelve hundred and fiftieth year of those dark Twelve hundred and sixty , and no more of them then about Ten remain , when Christianity shall grow much brighter and clearer , till the full cleansing of the Sanctuary , or the New Jerusalem , at 1772.

Let us now then proceed to the Apocalyptical Account of this Line , and the first Note of the Time is the Forty two Months , and that is first given , that it might exactly touch the taking away the Daily .

For whereas the Priests of Jesus Christ , even all his pure Worshippers , were to come into the Outward Court , the Type of Publick Evangelical Worship , or Spiritual Sacrifice , and to fill it , and his Kings , under his Universal Kingdom or Monarchy were to Reign ; They were all seal'd up into a Beginning Retirement immediately after the Christian Empire of Constantine , and the desolation of Heathenism by him ; in signification , that that perfectly cleans'd Sanctuary , nor that Kingdom should not yet appear in Glory , but at the first Trumpet , the Paganiz'd Antichristians crowded in under the very Title of Christs Priests , or Servants , and so took away the Daily , and prepar'd the way to the Beasts surprisal of the Kingdom , upon which the Witnesses put on Sack-cloth , and the Woman , or Church , fled into the wilderness ; so that the Forty two months , and the twelve hundred sixty dayes began together , at the daily taking away , as that Divine Person , Jesus Christ , the man in linnen , had declared to the Prophet Daniel , Dan. 12. and Apoc. 11. 2 , 3.

And whereas there is in Daniel no mention of the Forty two months of the Gentiles , nor of the Beasts forty two months , which we shall be to consider in this Line also , it is with admirable contrivance of the Divine Prophetick Spirit ; For in as much as the Time , Times , Semi-Time , are so appropriated to the Beast , as that they are never alienated from his Action , and the Servants of God suffering under him , and are as descriptive of him as the very Name , Beast ; for Times in some cases are as descriptive of Persons and Things as Names ; as we all know , what is meant by our last 41 , or 71 , apply'd either to Persons or Things ; Further , in that Season , Seasons , Half-Season , are absolutely proper to the Beast ; and that yet they respect principally the intimate part Time , of which hath been spoken ; therefore Time , Times , Half Time , could not be attributed to the Gentiles , or the other Beast , Rev. 13. For that had been an Entrenchment upon the Grand Beast .

And yet because the Beasts time of duration , much more of his Regnancy , was not so early as the Twelve hundred sixty dayes , begun in the Sufferings of the Servants of God , and that the Daily Service is no where said to be taken away by him , but rather from him , or before him , and as in preparation to Dan. 8. 11. Marg. his rising ; there is of necessity some additional Character of Time to coextend the Time , Times , Semi Time , as at large , and equal to the 1260 dayes ; when the Line comes into so distinct a Fixation ; and none so fit , as taken out of the 2300 Even . and so declaring their Linage , as these Forty two months of the Gentiles under the Influence of him whom the Scripture calls the other Beast , both of the Eastern and Western Empire , of which two Horns , for the sake of that so notorious Dicholomy or Division of the Roman Empire into those two parts , and of a Lamb , for the pretensions they made to Christ , are the Embleme ; of which Beast more is after to be spoken ; and whereof the Beast himself was no small part before , from the first till his Regnancy . Ap● . 13. 10.

Now these Gentiles , and this other Beast , which were to be Subjects of the Grand Beast , have these Forty two months assign'd to them to prepare for this Grand Beast , till his Rising , to cause an Image to be made to him , and to give Life to the Image , that so the Beast , that had been wounded in its sixth head might recover , and live in its seventh head , although it did not appear in his Infancy , nor till He came to his Number , or manly Age , viz. at 666. when He took upon him , as Prince , and Lord of the intimate part of Time , which is most precisely 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Season , Seasons , Half Season . All which is a full Answer to any Objection that the Universal Monarchy of the Beast cannot be trac'd so early as the Prophecy supposes .

Thus therefore the Gentiles tread the Court , and Holy City , the first Forty two months , that is , so long of them , as till the Beasts Existence especially , and indeed till his Time of Regnancy , and that as Principals in the Apostacy ; After that their Forty two months are merg'd in the Beasts forty two months , although for the Decorum , or Grace of the Type , they are given intire Forty two months .

And because the Beasts intimate Time or Season will be spent and exhausted , and the Gentiles forty two months also expired before the 1260 dayes be expir'd ; He , the Beast , hath therefore full Forty two months power of duration , Revel. 13. 5. into which , as was said , the Gentiles forty two months fall , and subside at the Beasts Regnant Time . And by these is the Time at large furnished out for his Action , to keep the Witnesses in Sack-cloth , and the Woman in the Wilderness , and also to continue the Gentiles treading the Holy Court , and that the Daily Service may remain Taken away , and to do many great Acts of Cruelty upon the Servants of God , even after his intimate Time , and possibly to give in little , and as in Epitome , a Recollection of the 1260 years , in the last three years and half , or some such proportion of Time when the Time of the Witnesses Testimony is so near finished , and all this by vertue of his large permissory Commission , given to him by God , above that given to his Gentiles ; though He cannot expand , or spread , nor culminate , or rise any more to the height of his intimate Time , when it is once past .

And if there be such a Prince , whom the Scripture calls a Beast , that is , a Paganiz'd Idolatrous Monarch ; the Gentiles must needs be his People , and in his Service , else he must be a Prince without a People ; so that though the Gentiles forty two months are necessary before the Beasts forty two months , yet they are not necessary to be a distinct time after ; for the Beasts Power necessarily supposes them ; they serve therefore not only the Grace of the Type , as was said , but the Secresie of the Prophesie ; both which require , these numbers should be given entire , and parallel , even as Adams years of Life ran along to his Death with the common Line of Time to the Flood , though it was necessary only until the Time of his Begetting , and after that the Line was set upon a succeeding Patriarke , and so in the whole Roll , every ones Life , though it did not support the Line , yet corroborated it after the Paidogony or Begetting , and so concurred with it to the last , even thus the Gentiles Fourty two months support the Bestial Line , till the Beasts rising , and concurr in it with the Beast , while they last , and when they are ended , there is no alteration , because the Bestian Times include to the very last of them the gross Gentilisme of them that dwell on the Earth ; and the false Prophetisme , into which the other Beast sunk down , as into a proper Character after the Beasts 666 , as Apoc. 19. v. 20. He is called , and c. 20. v. 10.

But further than this , the Beasts forty two months have a certain Epoch , viz. at the Year of our Lord 475 , in the cessation of the Christian Empire in Augustulus . Compare 2 Thess. 2. with Revel. 17. 10 , 11. For the Christian Emperours being the sixth King , but none of the seven Heads , was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or he that letted or with-held , as the Empire was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or the thing that letted or with-held , that the eighth King , that was yet of the seven Heads , could not succeed : for an after King cannot succeed till the former is gone off the Stage , especially where God holds the Line of Succession firm : so that by adjusting the forty two Months of the Beast , as lunar Time to the 1260 Days of solar Time , we find thirty eight Years difference ; and seeing All the whole Line must end with the 1260 , the Time of the Beasts forty two Months beginning exactly agrees with 475 , thirty eight Years after the 1260 Years of the Witnesses Sackcloath , at 437 , and All end at 1697.

And because we have spoke much of the Intimate Time of the Beast , or of his Season , Seasons , Half-season , within time , times , half a time , we have the Pillar of that Time erected , Revel. 13. 17 , 18. when his first Season was well , or about eighteen Years enter'd , viz. at 666 , when his Name or Nature was come to his Number , and when he was come to his Age of 666 from his Conception , which by searching the Root , and as the Vnderstanding and Reason of a Man searches Number , we find to be Twenty Five by the consent of all Arithmetick , as the Time of his Conception , when the Mystery of Iniquity , like a Womb , was at work for him , who , as a man of those Characters , 2 Thess. 2. was indeed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or a Beast ; and from Twenty Five , after the Resurrection or Apocalyptical Epoch , the first visible Variation from the Apostolical Twelve , both in Time and Nature , when it became the Base of another Doctrine , Kingdom , the Root of another Name , the Apostacy conceiv'd , and wrought within the Mystery of Iniquity , not openly , but secretly , and as in the lower parts of the Abyss , out of which the Beast comes , as a Womb at 725 , when the War concerning Images began , and continued till all that refus'd that Worship were anathematiz'd by the second Council of Nice ; I say , to that 725 , when Leo Conon , the Grecian Emperour , was struck by the Thunderbolt of Excommunication , interceeded just 666 Years from twenty five Years after the Resurrection : and if by the three days and a half by themselves , as also by many other Circumstances leading us to the three days of our Lord's Death , we ballance Time , we shall find the Proportions ; for , as Christ died in the last fourth part of the first day , and rose in the first fourth of the third day ; so was the Condition of the Witnesses . Begin their 1260 days at 437 , and at 707 began the last fourth part of the first Day or Time ; viz. the last 90 of the first 360 , as Christ's Death began at the sixth Hour , or at twelve , the last fourth part of the Nycthemer , and was perfected by the end of it to his Burial ; so the Witnesses from 707 to 797 , the end of the first day , lay dead in the Street of the great City . But it did not become the Type they should be buried : and so to 1517 ; then their first motion to a Resurrection began , and their compleat Resurrection at 1697 , even to admiration answering the last half day .

And lastly , because Imperial Revolutions , as being under the eye of all History , most livelily represented by their Emblems , and fixed upon their just Rests of Time , must needs strengthen Prophecy concerning the Church of God , when one joyn Hand in Hand with the other ; there is therefore the Fall of the Western Empire given by the Divine Apocalyptical Prophecy to the Fall of the Eastern Empire , or the taking of Constantinople , by such wonderful Types and Figures of the gradual Impressions on the Western Empire , ( Apoc. 8. v. 7. to the end ) by such Images of the Mahometan Saracens , as Locusts , c. 9. to v. 13. and of the Turkish Horsemen , to the end of the Chap. and with such a Relation to the Antichristian Idolatries , and their Impenitency therein ; adorn'd with such Notes of Time , as the five months , and five months , to the Locusts , and the hour , the day , the month , and the year , to the Horse-men call'd for by the Voice , from the Golden Altar of Incense within the measur'd Temple , when the Daily of publick Worship was taken away , as makes the Line out of measure excellent , and adorable , as given by the Holy Spirit ; to the killing the third part of men , or taking Constantinople , 1453.

Behold then , as at a Review , the admirable Structure of it , and the great Instructions arising from its order of Repetitions upon these short Particulars .

1. The intimate Time of this Line is especially most solemnly appointed and design'd , and the whole , as united with it ; for it is made , and constituted not without an Oath , Dan. 12. 7. to be Time , Times , half a Time , and therein Season , Seasons , half a Season : and it is cut off , not without an Oath , at the end of intimate Time , though the whole of the Time , Times , half time , be first supposed to run out at large , and the whole both of Time at large and intimate Time also cut off for ever at that end . Apoc. 10. 6.

2. The whole of this Line , and of the last seventy five Years , is measured by even Indictions , or Fifteens of Years ; the use of which Rising in the Reign of Constantine became well known by the beginning of this Line , which is one great Confirmation , that we are upon the true Time of it ; for to declare this , as it were with Industry , there are even thirty joyn'd to the 1260 , and more openly Three Fifteens , or Forty Five to the 1290 , that we may thereby be engag'd to look back upon the whole Line , and find it throughout so compacted , as may be easily computed , and hath been before observ'd on Daniel's Vision .

3. Each Community hath its just share in the intimate and full extended Time of this Line , and each twice given : The Beast hath first his intimate Time , twice given in Daniel ; and by two forty two months , given first to his Gentiles , till his own rising , and then forty two Months to himself ; he hath the utmost extent of Time , Times , half time , as before declared ; and drawn out of the 2300 Evenings : In just correspondence with which , the Servants of God , as collected and congregated in the Woman , the Church , that they might not be accused as having Relation to no Church ; and single in the Witnesses , and the Seed , who have the Witness , that Apo. 12. 17. the Church might not seem a Notion onely , have each one and the same 1260 da. drawn out of the 2300 mornings assign'd to them ; and the Witnesses three dayes and a half , and the Woman three times and a half , or season , or intimate Time , answering the Beasts intimate Time , who must have the Servants of God as a subject to work upon while his Tyranny lasts .

Now that the Time at large , or the Twice 1260 Days , must needs be the same , and differ only in notion , as the Church , and the Witnesses , or the Seed that have the Witness of Jesus do , is most evident ; because lying within the same Continent of Time , Times , Semi Time , and being both of the longest reach , and exactly of the same size , it is not possible they should begin or end sooner one than another , as we have found it possible the Gentiles and the Beasts months may do ; For neither are they so united as the Woman and the Witnesses ; And their months , though of the same size one with another , are yet not of an equal extent to time , times , half time , at their full length ; nor to the 1260 dayes , the just measure of the three times and half ; although both the Forty two months uniting , as we have said , are neither longer nor shorter than the 1260 dayes , nor than the Three Times and half , the common Womb of all .

And even so the three Times and half of the Woman , and the three dayes and half of the Witnesses must be the same also , seeing the Witnesses and the Woman are the same , and the 1260 dayes the same , and no difference , but only notional , as was explain'd . For if they were different , the Woman should have no parallel to the three dayes and half of the Witnesses , nor the Witnesses have any parallel with the three times and half of the Witnesses , which , as most unbecoming so Uniform a Type , are impossible also in such a sameness .

Thus the Marches , or Out-lying Borders , as well as the Intimate Time are full , on the side of both Communities , the Beasts Tyranny , and the Sufferings of the Servants of God .

The last Seventy five years , by the Voices , Revel. 14. and by the Vials , Rev. 16. move on to the two utmost Pillars of Time . It is done , It is done , Rev. 16. 17. Rev. 21. 6.

Object . In the former or after Parts of this Discourse , I offer , as I hope , most Convictive Proofs of all these things in particular , and answer all Objections ; I shall only at this time remove this one , viz. There seems no more reason to understand the forty two Months , as Lunar Months , than the days of Years , as Lunar Years .

Answ. There is very great difference , for if we look throughout the Scripture , and the whole manner of Jewish Computation of Time , we shall find , They always understood Months , Lunar Months ; and the very Solemnity of their New Moons absolutely requir'd it , so that to understand them otherwise , must needs be to understand against that constant use of Scripture , and the Importance of the Name of their Months Scripture uses .

But now their Years were so necessarily Solar Years , for there can indeed be no Year but strictly Solar , that they most industriously provided to Adequate their Lunar Time to their Solar ; by Intercalations , and Inserted Months , or a double Adar , which was their last Month of the Year ; we every Leap-Year by a double Twenty Eighth of February ; As may be seen by the Learned , in that Excellent Tract of Maimonides of Intercalations ; which gives great light to this whole Matter : As shall be farther taken notice of in the after Management of this Discourse .

Having given this general View of this Grand Prophetical Line of Time , which appears to be of sovereign Use to the Church of God , by the so often Repetition of it ; I think it necessary to make these Practical Remarks upon it , for the universal profit of all that read it .

It ought to administer no Scandal to us , that Christianity Remark 1 hath yet had no greater Effect in the Universe upon Jews , Mahometans , Pagans ; That it hath not won upon the world to an universal Conversion to it ; That it hath not prevail'd upon Christians themselves , to higher degrees of Religious and Holy Affections and Actions ; That it hath not reconcil'd Men more to one another , and made the Wolf and the Lamb to lye down together ; That it hath not fill'd the Earth with the knowledge of God , as the Waters cover the Sea ; That it hath not deriv'd down a more universal state of outward Blessing , Prosperity , Peace and Happiness ; For these are the great Promises , and Pretentions of the Kingdom , Christ design'd to erect in the World ; now an Enemy hath done all this ; in the Wisdom of God and Christ , the old Dragon , the Serpent , Satan hath inhabited , and acted a Bestian Empire , first as Pagan , and in the very appearance of a Dragon , watching to devour the manly Birth of Christianity ; and since That Empire became Christian ; in a Bestian Kingdom of Apostasie ; and this hath surpris'd and cut off the blessed Emanations of Christianity and the Gospel , and made the Christian World , except in some small chosen Parts of it , like the Wilderness , like Heathen , Pagan Nations and Kingdoms , full of Scandals , to the great hinderance of the other parts of the World from submission to the Scepter of Christ , or taking upon them his Name and Profession , and made ineffectual this Profession to the very Professors of it .

And this hath been , lo these twelve hundred and fifty years , wait only , till the ten are run out also , and you shall see a greater change in the World , than ever yet it hath known ; Christianity shall then prevail more in a little time , than it hath done ever yet ; The Light of one day shall be as the Light of seven , till it grows brighter and brighter , to the perfect Day of Christs Kingdom ; the first Conversions to Christianity , though so great , as to be a very strong Argument of its Truth , were small , in comparison of what this shall be ; for the Mistery of Iniquity began early to work ; Ephesus , the Type of the Apostolical Church left its first love , as soon as the Apostles went off the World ; and notwithstanding all the sufferings of the Primitive Christians , under the Type of Smyrna , yet a Synagogue of Satan , an authoritative Ecclesiastick Apostasie then overshaded it , till in the times figur'd by Pergamus , all was cover'd with the Throne of Sathan , a Supremacy of Apostacy ; and so things went on , and they are not yet recover'd in the Best Christian Churches ; but they shall be after the space of ten prophetical Days , that is , years ; to that degree , that the Kingdoms of this World shall be proclaim'd to be the Kingdoms of the Lord , and of his Christ , and so things shall go on amain to the Restitution of all things , as God hath spoken by his Prophets , since the World began , the Lord will hasten all this in his own time ; and if it be wonderful in our Eyes , should it be therefore wonderful in Gods ?

The Witnesses shall then put off their Sack-cloth , the everlasting Gospel shall be preached to every People and Language ; the Monarchy of Christ Jesus shall be an Vniversal Monarchy , and the Tenfold Principality , the ten Kings shall fall perfectly off from the Beast , and the City , that is born up on high by it , that hath so long reign'd over the Nations and Kings of the Earth , shall fall .

Stay then you Atheists , and Despisers of all Religion , and asswage the high Atheistical Humour , see whether God hath not call'd the end , and declar'd it from the beginning , and declar'd all along the great things to come , that you and all may know that he is God , have so much Patience , as to see what these ten years will produce at their end ; but if you will not be perswaded , take your fill of Atheism , and your farewel also ; for the very Air you breath in , will be too bright , and hot for Atheism to live any longer in .

Let us , considering at what Door this fatal Apostasie Remark 2 enter'd , even at a departure from the Apostolical twelve , and so grew up to its number 666 ; let us , I say , fear the least remove in Doctrine , Worship , and Practice from the foundation of the Prophets , and Apostles , or from Christ , the chief corner stone .

We need not so much mind combating Parties in Religion , by names hateful or reproachful to them ; much less those little snatches at them by trifling Reflections upon them ; let us center our selves upon Truth it self , in the word of God , and grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; and that will secure us from this Error of the Wicked , and from falling from our own stedfastness ; this will cut off Offence from all but those , who are resolved to take Offence ; this will preserve us in due regard to Authority , if we dissent from it , in matters of Religion ; and yet we shall preserve our Religion , while we keep close to those Images of things , Scripture hath given us , and observe those notes of Time it hath fitted to them , and suffer History , which is every mans Priviledge to read , to hear , or to know , even by the Law of Nature , to declare what fell out ; and this we cannot be deny'd , since God hath furnished us in all things , and commands us to search his word , and to hear and read the Words of his Prophesie , and count the numbers he hath given , with Wisdom and Vnderstanding ; and his Ministers are to expound to us , and then we are to search and try whether those things are so or not ; and in all things receiv'd from the word of God we know , and all know , it is more reasonable to obey God than Men.

These are two things , in which the Happiness and Welfare of Man consists , for this World , and for that to come ; both which he hath made , as certain and evident to us , as the Light .

One , and the First , and Principal , is true Religion , fix'd in his Word , with the present Consent of Natural Conscience , and the Awes of that , even whether we will or no. If we would but rest in the clear , plain , and undoubted Truths of it , and not be hasty of removing from them , till we have full Evidence from them to conduct us farther into Divine Knowledge , without suffering our own Fancy to mislead us , or our Credulity and sudden Belief of others , to hurry us according to their Impositions .

The Second is Loyalty , or Subjection to the Sovereign Power set over us by God , and what that is , we may easily know ; For the Sword of Justice is Supremely in the Hands of it , and the Government of that World in which we live , that the Disorders of Mankind may not swallow up it self , depends upon it ; It carries before it a Terrour to evil works , and a praise to them that do well ; Upon which account we must be subject , not only for wrath , but for Conscience sake . And when this is in the Hand of a Prince , whose Ancestors have been Princes throughout many Ages , when the Succession is Clear and Lineal ; we can have no greater Assurance , The Power that is , is ordain'd of God ; And such , blessed be God , is the Case of our Nation , that we can have no possible Scruple .

Now our Subjection is clear , what it ought to be , even in all things , but our Religion , whether Reveal'd or Natural , for that is Gods ; and to be rendered to him onely ; All things else are Caesar's . A Christian , as a Christian , can have no Scruple or Doubt in any thing else , whatever it be ; This he can by no means submit ; It is to impeach Sovereignty in its highest Orb , even as it is to obey a Subordinate Magistrate , sent by the King , against the King and his Supremacy . But in all things else , he needs as a Christian ask no Question for Conscience sake . What men may , as men , as the Subjects of such Laws , such Establishments , as every Nation hath peculiar to it self , insist upon , I leave to those Laws . I know as Christians , the rendering our Lives , our Estates , if call'd for by God , and the Edicts of Princes , cannot hurt our Consciences , but rendering our Religion to any but God and his Word , will .

So these two things , Religion and Loyalty , can never clash , can never interfere ; for to deny the surrender of our Religion , can never hurt our Loyalty ; for to be Religious according to the Word of God onely , and Natural Conscience guided by that , is the highest Loyalty : This is all the Loyalty Man can require ; to render All things else without Resistance , and to Love , Honour , Pray for the Prince that requires all ; our Loss God will recompence in the Resurrection of the Just . So a Christian hath no need to be Disloyal , if he understand his Religion aright : It is not our Loyalty to our Prince , to be of our Prince's Religion , though it be right , it is our Loyalty to God in the first place ; so it is not Disloyalty not to be of the Princes Religion , if it be not according to the Word of God , when we render All but our Religion , He can require ; And this we need not fear to do , because we cannot lose by it , our Reward will be great from our Father , who is in Heaven ; and as Christians we should be asham'd to deny it ; but in Religion , even to the least Ceremony of it , except determined by natural decency or order , we have but one Father and Master , God and Christ , and here he hath neither Vicar , nor Vice-gerent , but his Spirit in his Word .

We should be content in this time of the Apostasie , with a Remark 3 mean Condition upon the account of Religion , not to seek Grandeur and Honour upon that Title ; If God casts it on us , we should improve it to his Glory and the support of the Service , and Servants of Christ , it is the Beast and his Adherents , that carry the Pomp and Greatness of this World in a Religious Equipage ; it is even a suspition upon what is high , and stately , and in Opulency by Christianity ; for Christs Witnesses are in Sack-cloch , it is the Time of the Delay of his Kingdom , and all his Servants are with him in the Patience of it ; they ought not to ravish Glory , and surprise Dignity before the time , but to stay for it , till the appearance of Jesus Christ , the 1260 Days of Mourning , and of the Church in the Wilderness are not yet run out , the Beast is yet in Power ; the Tenthliness of the City is not yet fallen , the Kingdom of Christ is not yet proclaimed .

It is no wonder , there is yet so great a Rent and Division Remark 4 in Christian Religion , that any thing unreasonable , or a frame of things most contrary to it , bears up against all the urgencies of Scripture and Reason , and will not be bafled nor ashamed ; but vouches high , and pretends aloft ; so it should be , that Prophesie may be fulfilled , The Beast and his Adherents are obstinate to the last , even when the Elevation of things against them shall be much higher then now , when Evidences from Heaven shall be much more sensible , they blaspheme and repent not . Christianity from so long an Antiquity , and the profession of it shields and defends their Pretensions , and carries a shade over them , even wherein they depart from it , and most Apostatize , this keeps up the Controversie , and perpetuates the Dispute .

But within a Time , a short Time it will be decided ; it will come to that publick Declaration of the Witnesses Ascention , of their Song before the Throne , the positive Denunciation , If any man worship the Beast , and his Image , He shall drink of the wrath of God , and &c , will put an end to all Dispute , Revel. 14. 9.

In the mean time , let not any pretence stagger us , The man of sin ought to sit in the Temple of God ; his seat then must be founded in a profession of the true Religion ; his Antiquity signifies nothing ; for he ought to be a Beast of forty two months of years , or above twelve hundred years standing . His Pretences from any thing said or done before that 1260 , how early soever , if it be not found evident in Scripture , is of no avail ; for the Mystery of Iniquity , the Womb out of which He came , was at work , and in a Mystery so secret , so cunning , as not to be discern'd by many good men ; and all to bring him to what he was , and is ; the Spirit of Antichrist was then in the World .

It is no wonder Princes continue so devoted to him , and his City , he calls a Church ; the words of God are not yet fulfilled concerning him , but they shall consider , and change their Minds when God puts it into their Hearts ; and therefore we ought earnestly to pray for them , whatever their Perswasions are now ; that God would continue their Lives , for they shall then be Instruments in his hand ; that change so near approaching shall be most orderly , most regularly by Princes themselves induced by Evidences from Heaven , of an extraordinary nature ; God will not be help'd herein , but by his own Vicegerents , whom he hath appointed , whom he hath ordain'd ; no Sedition , Rebellion , may grow from hence ; It is to be quieted , appeas'd , and even rooted up by this Doctrine , even as it is utterly condem'd by it , for God will appear , and Princes with him .

But yet on this , nor on any other Account , can there be a Reconciliation , a Composition with this false state of Christianity : there may be such Attempts , for there will be a Synagogue of Satan rising a-new at the very approach of Christ's Kingdom , before the end yet of the 1260 Days : It appears as if there would be so ; for Philadelphia , the best State of the Christian Church before the New Jerusalem , and with which it united , shall receive Acknowledgment from such a Synagogue , that Christ hath lov'd it . Revel. 3. 9.

But this Representation of Bestianism , obstinate , impenitent to the Last in the Body of it , as it is the decisive Argument , and beyond all Volumes of Dispute , because it is divine , perpendicular , down-right , swift , and sudden in its Determination ; so it shews the impossibility of meeting half-way , accepting Terms to any good Effect .

We know not what may be between this present Time , though but a Remnant , and the end of the 1260 Days . There may be an Eye of the Witnesses kill'd , and lying dead , three days and a half , a return of former Darkness in some parts at least : I apprehend it not in this Nation ; yet God only knoweth ; it is not so far reveal'd , so far as I have found ; but I hope not : There may be a Synagogue of Satan ; a Project of Compounding ; this I more fear : but let us obtain and maintain a full Victory over the Image , the Mark , the Name , and the Number of the Name . But it is certain , it is but ten prophetical Days , and the Witnesses shall not only every where rise , but every where come out of their Sackcloath , out of which , the true Witnesses of God are no where yet come : Then they shall , for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it .

So many certain Notes , Characters , and Boundaries of Time as I have drawn together in the compute of this Line of Time with it self , and that are given as Assistants to it , though not immediately of the Essence and Body of it ; can be no more by chance than many Pictures exactly resembling several Persons pertaining to a Family , and found in the Mansion of such a Family , and at such Times when such Persons were known to be so appertaining to it , can be by chance : Forc'd they are not ; for things themselves conspire : Fancyful and Arbitrary they are not ; for they cannot be chang'd , or remov'd at Pleasure , nor any like them made .

If then they are truly Scriptural and Divine , How certainly shall they be fulfilled in their Season ? All counter-Appearances can signifie no more , than the Israelites severer Usage by Pharaoh argued against their Deliverance by Moses . All the Disaffection in the Age to Interpretation of Prophecies , or its insensibleness of them , can no more disprove them than Christ's coming as a Thief upon Sardis at an Hour it knew not , shall be disprov'd by the Sleepiness and Unwatchfulness of that Church .

Let us then with Resolution , Constancy of Obedience , Strength of Faith , Labour of Love , Patience of Hope , wait for , and come to the end of these ten days , and from them to the 1335 Days , where Blessedness shall certainly be .

But if we should say , We may dye before those Ten Years are come to their Period , and there is no Probability or Possibility we should live to the seventy five beyond , or the 1335 of Blessedness :

I answer ; The Saints of God living on Earth shall receive their share in all the Glories of his Kingdom , and the several degrees of it : and they that dye , hoping , waiting , desiring , praying , shall be rais'd in the very same posture of Soul wherein they died : so that they , who by a general Faith and Obedience waited , and came in Daniel's Time , and ever since , viz. by earnest Prayers , Come Lord Jesus , Come quickly , shall be blessed ; even as they who by particular Faith and Obedience wait , and come at the Time it self .

And in the mean time , the Souls of Saints above , the Spirits of just men , who shall be perfected at that time , celebrate in Heaven all the Advances of Christ's Kingdom , even as they pray for it : as the Souls under the Altar , cry , How long Lord , &c. so they rejoyce at every Rising of Christ's Kingdom ; so do the same Souls , Rev. 12. 10. So Rev. 14. 3. They , that sing that new song , harping with their Harps . So They , Rev. 15. 3. So they , Rev. 19 , &c. Such is the universal Song of Triumph of the Palm-bearing company , Revel. 7. 10. Let us not therefore despond , but be abundant in the work of the Lord , knowing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord .

Why should it be thought an incredible thing ▪ that God Remark 6 should draw in his Word the Plot of Future Time to so great a Period as the Kingdom of Christ ? That all Futurity is within the Grasp of Infinite Omniscience , cannot be doubted , Known to God are all his Works from the beginning to the end . The Scheme of all that hath been , before it was , or that shall be , is always with Him , as if it just now was , in all the circumstances and Life of a present Appearance , in whose Eternity , All present , past , to come , are all one . The whole Table of Time is always before Him .

Does it then pertain to the Prerogative of Omniscience , that Future Things should be known only to himself ? It does so indeed , any further than he is pleas'd to reveal them . But He that challenges the false Divinities of the Heathen , that they could not declare things to come , hath certainly given Isa. 42. 23. Instances of his own Prescience , and Demonstrations of it to his People . Hath he not done so in all Ages , by his Servants the Prophets ? Is he not as Liberal to the Ages of Christianity , to the state of things under the Gospel of his Son , whom he hath constituted Heir of all things , and put in subjection to him the World to come , of which we speak .

Or , is the Glory of Divine Truth so great , that even as immediate Appearances , the Power of Miracles , and extraordinary Revelations have ceas'd since the full Settlement and Sealing the Volume of Truth in the Gospel , so Prophecy needs not now . This indeed hath much of Reason , yet even as all Truth is compriz'd in that Volume , so are the Grand Revolutions pertaining to the Christian Church , in the same Volume ; and therefore whatever God hath done for the former World , the very same hath he summ'd up in the New Testament .

When therefore we have , besides the Interspersion of Prophecy in several places of it , a Book wholly Dedicated to Prophecy , Blessed is he that heareth and readeth the words of this Prophecy ; Have we not reason then to expect the course of things to the very end in it ?

But does not the Prophecy it self say , The Things were shortly to come to pass ? So that what is to be found in it pertain'd to the primitive Age , the Destruction of Jerusalem , to the Time when Christianity was well settled , and till Pagan Rome became Christian .

It is true indeed , The Divine Revelator , Jesus Christ our Lord , does say , the things were shortly to come to pass , that is , to begin to come to pass . They were then upon motion ; but as a great Army is said to come immediately , when the Avant-Corriers are coming , or come , although the whole Body and Rear may be considerable distances off , so this whole Series , and Chain of Events in the Revelation come quickly , although the first and the last part differ so many Ages . Is it not clear and visible , that there is the Beginning of Things , and the End of Things in every mans Apprehension plain and evident , that is , from the Resurrection , and to the Day of Judgment ? and why then should we not believe , there is the Middle of Things also ? Why should we imagine , Prophecy hath made such a Leap over the Between Lying Times , seeing they were very great ? Did it not behove his Church and Servants to know of so great , and wide spreading an Imposture as Mahometanisme ? Was it nothing to it , Christianity should be in so low and dark a state , as it was from the lowest Fall of the Western Empire to the Ruine of the Eastern Empire , in both which the principal Residences of it were ; and so long space as from 666 , to 1453.

But still , it may be said , If such a Prophecy be , it does not become us to pry into it ; it is the Ark of secret things , that do not belong to us . Why then does Christ say , Blessed is he that heareth the words of this Prophecy ? Why doth he command him that hath Wisdom and Vnderstanding , to count the Number of the Beast ? Why doth He , in explication of the Seven Heads say , Here is the Mind that hath Wisdom ? Why had Christ the Revelation to shew to his Servants ?

But was it not all one , as if they had not been reveal'd , since the Revelation was not pretended to be understood in former Times ? I answer , we do not know what was understood , the Apostacy so cover'd and muffled all Things , and does yet so darken them ; The universal prejudice against the Explanation of this Prophecy is , I doubt not , the effects of this Apostasie : But that there hath gone a stream of Light from hence to the Servants of Christ , by the Witnesses in every Age , is to me out of all question , and that it hath discover'd the Things most necessary to that Age , although the Light hath been not only clearer , but the knowledge that such a Light hath been , more certain to us since the last Age and Half , and shall be every day clearer and clearer .

When therefore there are so many Types so very proportionable to Events , so agreeable to the Notes of Time , and even so scituated in the Course and Series of the Revelation , except that in some Chapters , as 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 21 , there are on great occasions Recollections , and yet even those , in order to going on , as I have abandantly shewn ; I cannot understand , why these things , and their Explications should appear so strange and unreasonable to us .

But however , the Glory of God , and of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be unspeakably Great , when the whole Administration of his Kingdom delay'd shall be drawn out of what he had so curiously depainted in the Prophecy of the beloved Daniel , and the Apocalypse of the beloved Apostle John , and with Admiration and Ravishment His Servants shall behold the one in the other .

Let all this perswade us , to have kinder , and more benign Inclinations to the Interpretation of this Prophecy ; which , if we are the true Servants , and Lovers of Christs Kingdom , we have no reason to fear : only the Apostasie , and Enemies of it , have reason to fear it . And they indeed have , and do still operate against its Exposition , as knowing it speaks no good of them nor to them , and , which is wonderful , convey , inject , and insinuate the same Disgust into the minds of many good men .

Seeing one great Reason of the unholiness of Life among Remark 7 the generality of Christians , is the Apostasie , prevailing against the Power of Christianity and Godliness , under the Form of it ; in this we ought above all to overcome it . It is impossible so excellent a Doctrine , as of the Gospel , should be environed and cover'd with such an outrage of Prophaneness and Wickedness , if the force of its Beams were not intercepted and eclipsed . In this therefore , I say , we ought most particularly to overcome , in all the lustre of Christian Graces , whereby we may shine as Lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation . For to this Overcomming all the Promises are made . Rev. 21. 7.

If we do not overcome the Apostasie in this , we do not overcome it at all ; but sink into it , while we never so much profess to abhorr it ; but if we overcome it by sincere Faith and Repentance , and Fruits meet for those Graces , so that we thus wash our Robes white in the Blood of the Lamb , we may , notwithstanding darkness and mistake in some things , have right to enter through the Gates into the City , to eat of the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradice of God , to drink of the Water of Life that runs through the midst of it ; but if we are in the foul Impurities of the Apostasie , our dreadful doom is to be without the City , as Dogs , and to have our part in the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone , where the Beast , and the false Prophet are , and the Devil , that deceived them , is at the end of all cast for ever . Rev. 20. 10. ch. 21. 8.

SECT. IV. A more particular Allocation , or just placing of the States and Times one to another , shewing the necessity of their enfolded Equality to , and with one another .

I Have thus far in a more general view of the Particulars of this Line , presented the compute of the Times , and of each of their Characters , with the correspondent States : I will now more amply and particularly remonstrate upon the States , and so adjust them to the Times , and their Characters , as may fully evince their close Connexion , and the absolute and most necessary equality of all the States and Characters of this Line , one to and with another .

And that we may plainly have together , and under one Glance , that which hath been spoken of , and is farther to be spoken of and made good , I thus delineate it .

The States are the Beasts Tyranny , and the Sufferings of the Servants of God under it ; distinguish'd by various lively Remarks .

The Characters are those Notes of Time God hath affix'd to , and determin'd upon these States , making up one Line of Continuance , or Duration of those States .

These two ▪ the States and the Characters , are thus to be suited one to the other .

There is one common Continent , or Womb of Time , that incloses each State , and all the Characters of Time given to each State , that is , Time , Times , half a Time , with three days and a half , declaring Time at large , and intimate Time , or Seasons .

There is one equal Standard-Line , making certain and definite the space of that common Continent , taken out of the 2300 Ev. Morn , viz. 1260 going on to 1290. The State fitted to it is the taking away of the Daily , Dan. 12. v. 11.

Intimate Time taken out of that common Continent is twice given on the Beast's side , viz. Season , Seasons , Half Season . The States fitted to each are wearing out the Saints of the most High , changing Times and Laws given into his hand , Dan. 7. 25. scattering the Power of the holy People , Dan. 12. 7. doing all these to the utmost , or accomplishing to do them in the highest degree .

The same intimate Time is twice given to the Servants of God also ; viz. Three days and half to the Witnesses . The State fitted to it is to be kill'd , and to lye dead , but not to be suffer'd to be buried or extinguish'd , Revel. 11. 7 , 8 , 9. and three Times and a half to the Woman , whose State fitted to it is to be so in the Wilderness , as to be hid from the Face of the Serpent , but yet to be nourished , Rev. 12. 14.

The Time at large is twice assign'd on the Beasts part , Forty two Months taken out of the 2300 Even . or Nights , given to the Gentiles . The State fitted to them is treading the outward Court , and Holy City , whereby the Daily is taken away , at the very Beginning of the 1260 , lying in 1290 , according to Dan. 12. 11. compar'd with Revel. 11. 2 , 3. The second Time Forty two Months to the Beast himself , Doing all he does to the last Continuance or Accomplishment to the last Moment , is the State fitted to them , Revel. 13. 5. and both these Forty two Months twist into one Space , equal to 1260 Days .

The same Time at large is twice adjusted to the Servants of God in twelve hundred sixty Days , taken out of the 2300 Morn . or Days ; once to the Witnesses ; and the State fitted to it is Prophecy in Sackcloth , yet with great Vertues and Powers resident in them , Revel. 11. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7. and once to the Woman in the Wilderness , yet as in a Place prepared by God , where they should feed her , Revel. 12. 6. And these two 1260 Days are perfectly both one , neither longer nor shorter than themselves .

Between the Time at large , and Intimate Time , or Season , there is a Pillar erected to shew where Season begins , and by proportion where it ends , viz. The Beasts Number , as Lord of the intimate Time especially , and it is 666 , from its Root 25 , after the Resurrection , to 725 ; and the State of it is , That no man may buy or sell that hath not the Mark , or Name on his Right-hand , or on his Fore-head , or the Name , or the Number of the Name , nor so much as live if he doth not worship the Image . The end of which intimate Time is by Proportion 1517 , and so on , Rev. 13. 15. to the end .

But now besides this measure of intimate Time , because the Beast is Lord of Time , Times , Half a Time , and so constituted by God , his Forty two Months are an exact Measure also of the whole Line , beginning at that most famous Epoch , so well known to History , the Cessation of the Western Empire 475 , whence his Forty two Months , to be set as Lunar Time to the 1260 Days of Solar Time , must be 1222 , and so beginning at 475 , must end at 1697 , with the 1260 Days beginning 437 , thirty eight Years before them with the Gentiles Forty two Months ; according to the Laws of this Line of Time , and of the Sun 's and Moon 's Motion , collated one with another .

And to confirm the right Calculation of this whole Time to us , Imperial Time is adjusted to it by the Emblems of the falling Empire in the West , till the vulgar 606 , when the Beast , as a Star falling to the Earth , enlightned that Western Empire , so darkned before , that neither Sun , nor Moon , or Stars , shined in its third part , and presently after arose the Mahometan Hegira , or Account of Time at 626 ; the which Imperial Time is accounted till the Fall of the Eastern Empire , under the same Emblem of the third part of Men , which also is to be cleared : within seventy Years of which , intimate Time ceases , and that Change we call the Reformation ensu'd at 1517 , represented by its most significant Emblems , and the Mahometan Power still continued , and yet is to continue to the end of the whole Line 1260 , which goes to 1290 , and so to 1335 , the happy end of all the 2300 Ev. Morn . All which I cannot but hope will be acknowledg'd a rational and clear Account of this admirable Line .

Now of every of these particulars , I undertake particularly to discourse ; and although , I confess the Order of Nature is first to speak of the Kernel of Time , or the intimate Time , to which the Fore-going Time at large is but a Preparation , and After-Time but an Accomplishment ; yet because I must follow , as the Divine Spirit hath gone before , I begin with the Ambient Time of the Gentiles Forty two Months , and of the Witnesses twelve hundred sixty Days in Sack-cloth , and of the Woman in the Wilderness , that first appear , and are plac'd as in Complex one with another , before the Inner Time , or Season . In beginning with which , Sacred Prophecy is pleas'd to make the way plainer to us .

To begin then first with the Gentiles , Treading the Holy Court and City , which , as hath been declared , does not run as a principal Character , but at farthest , to the first part of the intimate State , or Season , and there is supported by the latter Forty two Months of the Beast to the very end of the whole 1260 dayes .

Now the knowledge of this either State or Character of Time , is peculiarly given by the Apocalypse , and hath no other Intimation in Daniel , than what is common to the Time , Times , Semi-Time , and to the Twelve hundred sixty , joyn'd with the Thirty more , and so making Twelve hundred ninety , at the taking away the Daily , and yet , because it is of very great Use and Necessity in this Account of Time , therefore is given so distinct and express in this excellent Apocalyptick Prophecy , which surpasses Daniel , even as the New Testament exceeds the Old , and as Revelation , however mystical , excells Type , and Figure of an older date .

Now the great Use of this Character is this , When the Beast does neither in the Account of Prophecy , nor Accord of History , rise , till some years after the Twelve hundred sixty years began , nor reach his State especially design'd to be set out by Daniels Prophecy , till many years after the 1260 years began , viz. the very beginning of his most intimate State , at his so often mentioned 666 , in prevision of which , it is said , The Saints , Times and Laws are given into his hand , Season , Seasons , Dan. 7. 25 and half a Season , meaning this intimate Time . Upon all this , it may well be ask'd , How came the Daily to be Taken so early away ? what is the occasion of the Witnesses putting on Sack-cloth , or the Womans flying into the wilderness , seeing all these belong to the Beasts Tyranny , who did not yet exist , nor till so long after appear'd Regnant , or why are the Twelve hundred sixty days made to begin so much sooner than the Beasts Forty two months ?

Now in Answer to this , The Gentiles treading under foot the holy Court and City , appears timely , to give cause to all these things ; and to shew the Agreement of Prophecy herein with it self ; These Gentiles are no other , than they , that are said , Revel. 13. to dwell on the Earth , whose Names are not written from the foundation of the world in the Lambs Book of Life , whom that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that other Beast , ver. 11. ( of whose two Horns like a Lamb was spoken before , and who is hereafter further to be explain'd ) instructed to worship the Grand Apocalyptick Beast , as one with the Pagan Roman Empire in its Idolatrous Universality , call'd therefore the First Beast , and to make an Image to it , viz. an Image unto its Idolatry , and to its Monarchy ; which Things are hereafter to be explain'd upon the Beast ; but at present it is easie to be understood . The newly Christianiz'd Pagans of the Roman Empire , were , under the Change of the Emperours to Christians , violently chang'd to the Profession of Christianity , and yet at the same time fond of their Ancient Pagan Rites and Customs , as also , of the Glory of their Vniversal Empire , East , and West : Now meeting with that Two-horn'd Lamb-like Beast , fond of the same Sensual Religion , but in another sort of Imagery , as also of the Earthly Universality and Glory , but of it , in another Appearance also ; it may very readily be conceiv'd , how complyant they were one with the other in both these things , so as immediately to fill up the Outward Court , and to Take away the true Datly Publick Worship of God , and so to prepare for the Bestian Kingdom under the Seventh Head , before his Existence in his own Forty two months , and much more before his Regnancy , to which he himself , as a principal or chief Member of the other Beast , though not yet the Grand Beast , and after in his own Infancy , when his 42 Months began , as that Grand Beast , was never wanting in his Contributions ; All which rightly conceiv'd , does wonderfully conciliate the Prophecy to the History ; especially when I come to clear all Doubts upon those two Beasts , Apoc. 13.

For thus , according to Daniel , All these things were negotiating for the Beast , who was the Prince design'd , and on whom all redounded in the Issue , and these Gentiles under the other Beast were to be his Subjects , and the other Beast his False Prophet , zealous of him and of his worship , and so the Daily worship was Taken away from before him , or out of his way , the way of his Rising , as Daniel foretold .

And thus , according to the Revel. the Gentiles tread the Holy Court , and the Witnesses put on Sack-cloth upon it , and the Woman flyes into the Wilderness ; for what these Gentiles do , they do by the Conduct of that other Beast , who from his Lamb-like Horns , yet spake as a Dragon , in resemblance of the Pagan Dragon , while they convey his Power to the Grand Beast of the Seventh Head .

How fitly then , the Gentiles Forty two months of treading the Holy Court are made the First note of Time , will be easily understood , if we consider these particulars .

1. That the Holy City first , and then the Outer-Court of the Temple was the onely due place of Sacrifice , of the Jews Daily of Publick Worship , after God had plac'd his Name there ; So that no fitter Type of the Daily Christian Services and Sacrifices , than the Holy City , and the Outward Court of the Temple .

2. That nothing could more express the Taking away the Jews Daily Sacrifice , than the Gentiles invading , crowding in , and filling the City and Court ; For how great a violation and defilement , even according to the Divine Appointment , that was , appears by the uproar against the Apostle Paul , upon a supposition of a Gentile brought by him into the Temple ; so their Daily Sacrifice must cease of necessity , upon the Gentiles coming into the Holy City and Court , by an Authoriz'd Violence , like a Flood , and continuing so to do ; therefore the Gentiles Treading the Court , makes a fit Symbole of the Jewish Daily Service Taken away ; Proportionably these Gentiles , or Paganiz'd Christians , taking up the whole room of it , as if they were the Church and People of God , do as notably answer the Type , as can be conceiv'd by defiling the whole Christian Publick Service , and thrusting out the true Worshippers ; These uncircumcised , in Heart and in Flesh , not inwardly Gracious , nor keeping so much as to the outward circumcision of the pure Worship of God , break the very Covenant of Sacrifice , and Holy Service to God ; for no such are to enter the true Christian Temple , Ezekiel 45. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , what placing together can there be of the Temple of God and Idols ? Of True Christians and Pagan Christians , it is a very unequal Yoke . 2. Cor. 6. 16.

This most admirably also answers the prophetical Type of the daily Sacrifice taken away by Antiochus , * * Call'd Epiphanes . for first the false and revolting Jews would make a Covenant with the Heathen , and obtained Licence of the King to do after the Ordinances of the Heathen ; because the Land had more Peace then , whereupon they built a Place of Exercise at Jerusalem , according to the Custom of the Heathen ; and then in Gods Account the daily was taken away from , or before that wicked Prince Antiochus , Dan. 8. 11. Then he entred Proudly into the Sanctuary , and so things went on to the utmost Extremity and height ; that all should leave their own Laws , and the People be one , and whoever would not do according to the Commandment of the King , should dye , and the daily Service was openly forbidden ; so Jerusalem became 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Habitation of Strangers or Gentiles , then the Sanctuary became a Desolation , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , It was desolated as a Wilderness , and became 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an alien to its Off-spring and they to it , and then all was turned , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , into the Mourning and squalor of sackcloth at the Appearance of the Abomination that maketh desolate , which was set up the fifteenth of the Month Casleu , in the 145th year of the Grecian Kingdom ; and on the five and twentieth day of the same Month , they sacrific'd upon the Idolatrous Altar , and that this might be done without controul , and the true Religion banished ; they rent in pieces the Books of the Law , wherever they were found , and wheresoever was found with any the Book of the Testament , or if any consented to the Law , the Kings Commandment was , that they should put him to death . Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved , and confirm'd in themselves to keep close to the Divine Law and Rule , in all things , and accordingly suffer'd .

But exactly three years after , as the History reports , the sanctuary was cleans'd , and the daily service restored ; and a year after that Antiochus dyed as a Prince broken without hand . This is the sum of the Relation , 1 Macc. c. 1. c. 4. cap. 6.

Now how admirably this prophetical Type of Antiochus's enacting the taking away the daily Jewish service , the way being prepared by the paganiz'd Jews , the Methods and Degrees by which all was done , the Restoration that followed , and then the divine Judgment upon the Tyrannous Prince himself , how admirably I say all this Answers the Table of things before us , is even amazing ; as also that the History was not onely preserved by Providence ( Divine Revelation being then intermitted , till Christ , which is not without its significancy ) that it hath not been only , I say , preserved , but inserted however unduely into the sacred Records , by those , by whomsoever it was done , that by a Witness and Prophet of their own , a Scripture of their own Canonizing , such an Eye of time though much shorter , and such a Typical Delinetion , allowing for some lesser Disagreements , so wonderfully exact should be ratifyed , and that this Map of things might be not only extant , but so illustrious , as to have become in their Account part of the Bible , and bound up so generally with it by their Influence who were indeed concern'd , it should have been blotted out from under Heaven .

But that in which we are at present most interessed , is , That by the Apostacy of the Gentiliz'd Christians , the Daily of the publick Worship of Christians first ceas'd ; and so in God's Account , the Mourning or Sackcloth of the Witnesses , and the Wilderness-state of the Woman the Church , by that Gymnasium , that Place of Exercise , or Academy for Idolatry , to train and school men up to it , was brought into the Holy City : even thus the remaining Love to Paganism began the Covenant or Composition between Gentilism and false Christianity , exchanging the one into the other , and on the very same Account , because the Land then infested with the barbarous Irruptions , needed such Maozzim , or Patrons , and Defenders , as Idols before , and the Saints Departed now . And so all things went on to the 666 , the Number of the Beast , his Image , Mark , Name , and the Number of his Name ; so that one would be prone to think , The * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Treading the Holy City under foot by the Gentiles , † † 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the Witnesses Sackcloth , ‖ ‖ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the Wilderness of the Woman , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Her Seed at the same time aggress'd , were all taken from the Maccabean Words we mention'd before ; although it is evident , they have their Ground of Allusion chiefly from Sacred Writ it self , yet by way of Argument , ad Homines , to the Men themselves , this is no unworthy Observation , nor can it seem undesign'd by Providence .

4. There is in this very Epoch of the wonderful Line we are upon , such a Concurrence of Prophetical Notes both of the States , and of the Times adjusted , that it is as if the Holy Spirit of Prophecy had said to us , Observe it ; This is the Beginning , the Era , and Epoch of it .

For first , the treading the Holy City and the Court , is in words the very same with the place of the Sanctuary cast down , and the Sanctuary , and the Host given to be trodden under foot , Dan. 8. v. 11. 13. in the Vision of the Daily taken away , and of the 2300 Ev. Morn . From whence is to be concluded , that the Forty two Months must , as was before asserted , be detach'd from the 2300 Even . and that there the Daily taken away begins .

The 1260 Days immediately following in Account , as concurrent with the 42 Months , shew , They are taken out of the 2300 Morn . and confirm this to be the Time of the Daily taken away , because the Daily taken away is the Character of the first Point of Time to the Twelve hundred ninety ; of which Twelve hundred , sixty must needs be part , seeing they go on to 1335 at the end of all ; and so many cannot be found in the 2300 , which is the Date of the whole Vision of the daily taken away , or in so great a Number , but in these 1290 , joyn'd with 1335.

The twelve hundred sixty being joyn'd , and the same twelve hundred sixty , with those of the Womans dwelling in the Wilderness , do both set the Era , or beginning of that State , to be even with the Daily taken away , and do also shew the Equality of Time , Times , half a Time , with the twelve hundred sixty days , if taken at their full extent ; for they are joyn'd , Dan. 12. with the scattering the Power of the Holy People , which scattering was 1260 Days , Revel. 12. 6. * * And Time , Times , half Time , compare v. 14. there being not a plainer Expression of the Wilderness-state in an Old Testament mystical Prophecy , than scattering ; and that Word , accomplishing to scatter , does subindicate some Power that began this scattering , which was this of the Gentiles , and then that the Antichristian Prince accomplish'd this scattering , both to the highest degree , and to the utmost moment it was to last ; and because he , as hath been said , is Lord of the Time , Times , Half Time , the very naming them is naming of him : And now , if all this be not demonstrative of the Epoch , or Beginning of these 1260 Days , I shall be bold to say , Nothing in Prophetical Scripture is capable of being demonstrated , so much as by , and within Prophetick Scripture it self ; which to assert , must needs weaken the Evidence of Scripture by and from it self throughout .

I confess , it may seem , the Church is sooner in the Wilderness than the Witnesses are in Sackcloth ; for assoon as the Woman brought forth the Man-child , it was caught up to the Throne of God ; which Bringing forth and Enthroning was certainly when the Empire became Christian in Constantine ; and that was long before 437 , when the Witnesses put on Sackcloth , as I assert .

But to clear this , it is to be consider'd , there are three synchronous Descriptions of the very Beginning of this Line of Time , or of the Apostacy .

The first is bottom'd upon the substantial and sensible Foundations of Imperial History , under prophetick Figures ; viz. Of the blasted Western Empire , embellish'd with very curious Types of the Apostacy then beginning , as shall be shewn upon the first Trumpet sounding , when we come to it .

The second is by the more Scriptural Images of the Witnesses putting on Sackcloth , on account of the Gentiles treading the Holy City , or Court .

And the third by the parallel Shade of the Woman flying into the Wilderness .

The First hath a plain distinct Indication of things preparing to the Apostate State , in the Declaration of a new Roll of Martyrs , * * Revel. 6. 11. c. 7. c. 8. v. 1. in the sealing the 144000 Sufferings after the Christian Empire , in the Silence in Heaven for only half an Hour , in the Angels preparing to sound ; all which were so many distinct Steps towards the Apostacy . This is the most full and clear .

The Second hath one like it , in the Reed given to John , with a Command to measure the Temple , which was parallel and contemporary to the Sealing , by all Rules of Proportion ; as we shall see .

The Third is , the Womans flying into the Wilderness ; where indeed there is no open mention of a Preparation , but the Event is given in one view , viz. The Woman flying into the Wilderness ; yet in that the Woman having been first spoken of , her History , as to the utmost extended Time of the Apostacy , is given together ; so , as to make it evident , the so sudden Assignation of the 1260 Days in the Wilderness is given both to match the Preparation of the two former Types to the Apostacy , as also to joyn the Witnesses , and the Womans twelve hundred sixty Days into one ; and the true Order both of that Preparation and Vergency , as also of the 1260 Days beginning is given in the second giving of the Womans Times and Half Time , as shall be made most clear , when we come to parallel these three synchronous Descriptions in their Events at the First Trumpet .

Now as to the Involution of these Three States , and Characters , as necessarily contemporizing one with another , it is even self-demonstrative : for when the Daily Service of God is taken away , and the Bestian Gentiles delay the Kingdom of Christ in Preparation to the Antichristian Prince ; the Witnesses must , if there be such a prophetick Type , prophecy in Sackcloth , and retire to the Altar of Incense , as to private Worship : and if the Woman be the same with the Witnesses or her Seed ; if They are hid in Sackcloth , and there be such a Type as of her self in the Wilderness fed with hidden Manna ; how can both be , but at the same Time ? And if the Witnesses be in Sackcloth , and the Woman in the Wilderness , and there be such a Type as of the Gentiles treading the Holy Court , That , and That only , being then in view ( the Beast being not risen ) must be the occasion of it : And if there be such a Type as Sealing , which signifies Secrecy , Retirement , and Delay , the efficacy of that must be at the same Time with the parallel Symbols : for this ought to be a Standard throughout ; The Gentiles and the Beast causing the Sufferings of God's Servants , and the Servants of God , the Sufferers must in all things parallel one another , according to the Degrees of Elevation ; for the Action of the one necessarily produces Sufferings , the State of the other receives Sufferings , as necessarily ; so their several Symbols require there must be the Efficients to work ; there must be the Subjects to work upon , Both at the same Time .

There are yet two Symbols more , Tangents , or immedidiately joyn'd with the beginning of this Line , that come in to our Assistance ; and they are the true Worshippers , retiring within the Temple , enfolded with the Gentiles entring the outer Court , and the Servants of God under the efficacy of their Seal , at the first Trumpet .

That we may make all things then most clear , with relation to this Epoch , let us more distinctly compare all the Symbols of this Prophecy , that immediately touch it , and pierce as far as we can into their sense and meaning , and joyn therewith that their immediate Touch of this Epoch : For if by all these we can well fix it , it is an absolute , and undoubted foundation of the whole Time .

Now there are four Symbols , all meeting to begin this Time , upon each of which , we may either Recollect the Substance of what hath been already spoken upon any of them , or dilate our Thoughts upon what in any of them hath not yet been explain'd , and see how any Intimations , or Notes of Compare among themselves reflect Light from one to another .

1. That which comes first in the order of the Prophecy , as also in order of nature , is , the sealing the hundred forty four thousand , into a Secresie and close Retirement ; For a Seal on their Foreheads , and the Name of the Lambs Father written on their Foreheads , differ , as a Writing seal'd , and a Title open , and in Capital Letters ; compare Revel. 7. v. 1. &c. and Revel. 14. v. 1. &c.

2. The Temple , the Altar , and the Worshippers therein , Reduc'd within close , and confin'd measures , is the next given Symbol . And here it is necessary to inquire , what is meant by the Temple , and the Altar , because the Temple sometimes is taken for the whole Area or ground , upon which it self , and all its Courts and Avenues stood , yea , even the whole City Jerusalem was reputed a Court to it , and the Holy City thereupon we find it styl'd . But the Temple at other times is taken strictly for that retyr'd part of it that was under covert , and into which the Priests only came ; There were also two Altars , one in the Outer Court , which was the Altar of Burnt-offering and Sacrifice ; in approach to which the Congregation came : and the Altar of Incense within the Temple , to which the Priests only drew near , and the People stood without . Luke 1. 9 , 10. 2. 22.

Now it may be a Doubt , what Temple , and what Altar are here intended , and the deciding of the Altar will much contribute to the deciding of the Temple ; And that the Altar of Incense is alone intended , and the Inward Cover'd Temple , in which it stood , before the Vail , or the Holy of Holies , these three things do enough assure us .

1. The Altar of Incense is brought into view and observation , just before this Time , of the measuring the Temple , ( as shall be prov'd ) and in distinction from that Altar , under which the Souls lay as Sacrifices , compare Revel. 6. ver. 9. ca. 8. v. 5. &c : as it were to intimate , that the Daily Publick Worship , under the Type of Sacrifice , was near its Taking away , and the private close Worship at the Altar of Incense succeeding , and within the Temple , with both which the silence agrees .

2. The Cry for the loosing the four Angels , bound in Euphrates , sounds from this Golden Altar of Incense , whither the True Worshippers had been long retir'd before the Time of that Cry , and were close within the Temple . c. 9. 13.

3. The very Symbol it self speaks an inwardest Retirement within the Temple , and to the Altar enclosed within that ; For whatsoever was outward , viz. the Outward Court and City , was cast out to the Gentiles , who trode under foot the Sanctuary , and Holy place of Publick Sacrifice , viz. the Court , where the Sacrifices and People had place , and so make up this Symbol : For the Gentiles having the Outward Court of Sacrifice under their Feet , the Daily Service became taken away ; so the True Worshippers retir'd to secret Service at the Altar of Incense , the Apocalyptick Type of Prayers , c. 8. v. 3.

3. The third Symbol is the Witnesses in Sackcloth , that , as hath been said , is a mournful Habit , and covers that Glory and Excellency wherewith they were endued by the great Powers committed to them ; and their Prophecy imports a Delay of some admirable Things they declar'd , which till Twelve hundred sixty dayes past could not come to pass .

4. The Woman in the wilderness , yet in a place prepared by God , where she shall be Fed , as Elijah in the wilderness , in a high and wonderful manner , 1 Kings c. 19. v. 5. 6. makes the fourth and last Symbol . Revel. 12. 6. Now a Wilderness condition is out of view , seemingly lost and forlorn ; the Church therefore in the wilderness , fed like Elijah , couples the Church with the Witnesses , who are so eminently resembled to Elijah ; and shews , they are the same in substance Revel. 11. 6. with the Woman , under onely the different Notions of single , and collected , as was before explain'd .

Now all these Symbols are of nearest Importance ; for all speak Invisibility , Secresie , and a State out of view and sight , and which conceales its true Excellency within it self ; so does being Sealed , so does worshipping at the Altar of Incense , and within the Temple , so does the Sackcloth of two so great Prophets , so does a Church , or Woman in the wilderness , and all these are upon Personages of the same Character ; For so are the Servants of God , so are the true worshippers at the Altar in the Temple , so are the Martyrs or Witnesses , so is the Woman that brought forth the manly Child , and whose Seed keep the Commandments of God , and hold the Martyry or Testimony of Jesus : And then all these we shall find cope , and bind with the Gentiles Months in some or other Prophetical Point and Regard .

All these so closely coordinated Symbols , would of themselves much incline us to suppose , that they all begin together , especially when two of them have the same measure of Time , viz. 1260 d. But because there can be no proof so great of the Beginning of these Twelve hundred sixty dayes , nor of their whole , full , and entire length , and the several other Notes of Time that will fall in , each in their due place , as the Beasts forty two months , His Number 666 , within his Season , Seasons , half Season of intimate Time , the Five months , and Five months granted to the Locusts , Revel. 9. v. 5. 10. the Hour , Day , Month and Year given to the two hundred thousand thousand Horsemen , v. 15. 19 , and that great Period , at which Christ swore , Time should be no more , but that in the days of the 7th Trumpet , &c. Revel. 10. 6 , 7. Because , I say , all these things can no way be so satisfactorily prov'd , as by subtending or stretching out under them , and applying to them the course of historical Time and its Events all along , so curiously painted out in this Prophecy , I propose this Method of Progress .

1. To apply to the sealing , to the Altar of Incense , and the Temple-worshipers , to the Witnesses in Sack-cloth , and to the Woman in the Wilderness , the Notes of History correspondent to their Beginning , according to the Prophetical Symbols , and beginning together with the Gentiles forty two Months .

2. From this Epoch or beginning to pass by the Prophetical Symbols in agreement with the historical Records to the Beasts forty two Months , and to demonstrate their Epoch , Continuance , and Period .

3. By the same supports from Prophecy , and History , to pass to the beginning of the five and five Months , and the space of Time thereby denoted , granted to the Locusts , Revel. 9. 5. 10.

4. Within which space , the beginning of intimate Time , the reason of it , and its whole duration will fall under Examination , and its 666 , by Prophecy and History .

5. About the midst of intimate Time , the Hour , Day , Month , and Year of that vast Army of the Horsemen , will encounter our Enquiry , and the whole Duration require to be stated from their beginning to the killing the third part of men , or the end of that space of Time , but not of that Power figured by them , nor of the Woe they brought .

6. At the end of intimate Time , and after the killing the third part of men , we shall be brought upon the Time of the aforesaid solemn Oath , that Time shall be no more , which will carry us to the end of this whole Line , and wind us up with its self , and by every one of these we shall find the Line of this black Time must end at 1697 , as it began 437.

All which , by the guidance of the Prophecy it self , and the assistance of the Holy Spirit of it will assure us by the most illustrious and stately products of that whole Time and of greatest Concernment to the Christian World , that these 1260 years are a most definite space of so many , and no fewer , nor more in number , and that seeing they must be either Natural or Prophetical Time , according to the Standard of a day for a year , for the Scripture-Register knows no other sort of Time , nor can any instance be given of any other , therefore they must be prophetical days , or days of years , and months of years , since the Events destin'd by God to them , are so much too great and large for natural Time in their own Nature , and in the prophetical descyphar , that no more , then a year can be a year , and yet be crowded up within a Month , a Day , or Hour ; no more can those long Tracts of Time-some Action be fettered within three years and a half , the highest amount of those Characters of Time , if naturally understood , without a Contradiction in the very Nature of things .

SECT. V. WHerein it is proved , the sealing so intermatched with the inner Temple and Altar measured , with the Witnesses in Sack-cloth , and with the Woman in the Wilderness ; and the three first Trumpets ( in which the Efficacy of the sealing entered ) intermatched with the Gentiles treading the outer Court , with the Dragons persecution of the Woman , at her first flight into the Wilderness , must according to History , begin the whole Time , Times , half Time , the Gentiles forty two Months , the 1260 of the 1290 Days , when the daily Service , Dan , 12. 11. was taken away , and the Witnesses and the Womans 1260 Days altogether at 437 , and so move forward till the fourth Trumpet , when the Beasts forty two months began at 475.

THat I may settle the beginning of the 1260 Days , &c. aright ; the Contents of this Section must be answered , and made good in the Body of the Discourse within it : I must endeavour these five things then to attain that End by these Enquiries .

1. How far the seven Seals had brought down Time from Enquiry 1 our Lord's Resurrection to the first of the seven Trumpets , must be diligently enquir'd and settled , seeing one follow on the other .

2. The Importance of the sealing the Sevants of God after the seven Seals open'd , and the conspiring of that Symbol with the Retirement of the Worshippers within the Temple , the Witnesses under Sackcloth , and the Woman into the Wilderness , must be determin'd and settled ; for the Sealing's Efficacy begins All , even the very Trumpets which could not sound till the sealing over .

3. The Scope and Intention of the Trumpets is to be carefully estimated in the strict Attention to the Emblem it self ; and seeing the first four and the sixth display upon third part of Men , what third part of Men it is they play upon , must be found : for the Trumpets play upon that Third of Men runs along the whole Line we are upon ; and why all this Play upon a Christian Empire ?

4. It must be duely research'd , what the Symbols of the three first Trumpets convey to our notice , to what Time History directs us , that we may find their Effects .

5. It must be justly stated , what the Dragon means , and how his Persecution of the Woman can agree with the Explanation of the Trumpets , seeing both must be at the beginning of the Line , because then was the Womans first Flight into the Wilderness , which was at the first of the 1260 Days .

Now if all these can be rationally according to this Prophecy , and the Argument of History resolv'd , so as to unite with the Gentiles forty two Months , and all of them to determine the beginning of this Line to be at the beginning of the Trumpets sounding ; and both to be at Ann. Dom. 437 , and to reach in the three first Trumpets to the Beasts rising , at 475 ; then that will be done which ought to be done : for by necessary Consequence , the Line must end at 1697.

I begin with the first ; viz. to enquire , How far the seven Seals open'd had brought down Time from our Lord's Resurrection to the first of the Trumpets sounding : for the Trumpets must needs follow upon the Seals , as is most apparent .

Now , since it is very evident , the Resurrection of Christ begins the whole course of Apocalyptical Time , I know not what can be more demonstrative of any point of Time , than to find the Prophecy by the most lively Pictures , and Emblems to draw the course of Events from a Time given , as from the Resurrection Ann. Dom , Vul. 33 , to a Time given , viz. to the Trumpets suppos'd to be Ann. Dom. Vul. 437. that is from the Resurrection the Apocalyptical Epoch or Time beginning 404 Years .

Now what could more congruously , and even undeniably , follow the Resurrection , than Christ riding out in his Majesty and Glory in the universal preaching of the Gospel by an Apostolical Ministry , and thereby claiming his Kingdom according to the first Seal opened ?

What follows more uninterruptedly upon that than that warlike sett of Emperours , and upon the red Horse of War , arm'd with a great Sword given them ; viz. Vespasian , Titus , Trajan , Hadrian , respecting especially the Desolations of the Jewish Nation , according to the Prophecy , Dan. 9. ult. which was perfectly fulfill'd by the last of these nam'd Emperours , according to the second Seal .

Can any thing more justifiably follow this Train of Emperours , than the grave , just , rational Succession of the Antonines , or close with greater Esclatt and Renown than in Alexander Severus , so fam'd for Justice , that the Ballances are most worthily put into his Hand , and by a Voice from the Throne in the midst of the Beasts , the whole Scheme is directed upon the Church , and the Half-Time fix'd from the Resurrection to the Apostacy or taking away the Daily Service of God ; under the Type of the Wheat , Barly , Oyl , and Wine , the Materials of Sacrifice , the Type of the Christian Service ; all which are the Result of the third Seal opened ?

Who can deny , that a Chain of salvage Emperours press'd upon the Heels of Alexander , in whose Equipage , Famine , Pestilence , the Sword attended , and was most fitly given with the Device of Hell and Death waiting upon the dismal Pomp of these Beasts of the Earth in the fourth Seal .

Is it possible to oversee the Persecution rais'd by Dioclesian , that ceased not by the space of ten Years , in which all the Christian Blood shed by the Pagan Emperour was summ'd up ; Is it , I say , possible to oversee this in the fifth Seal , the Emblem of which is the Cry of the Souls under the Altar ?

No more can it be denied , That that great Shake of the Power of the Spirits of the Air above , and of the Heathen Idolatrous Powers below , is admirably pourtrayed in the sixth Seal opened .

After which , we find an industrious Delay to the seventh Seal in the new sealing ; and the seventh Seal , when opened , did most leisurely produce the very sounding of the Trumpets ; for first , There was the silence of half an hour , a short and imperfect Time indeed , but it stay'd the Effect of the Sealing ; for not till that half Hour past , the Trumpets were deliver'd to the Angels . After that there was a solemn Service of Christian Religion , signifying the daily Service yet continuing , and upon the Acceptance of it a second demolishing of Paganism by Theodosius Defeat of the last Rallyings of it ; by Eugenius and Argobastis ; after Julian and other Heathenizers upon his Prayers .

Now from that Time , or Theodosius the Great 's Death , within a Year after , at 395 , or near it , all History dates the Declination of the Western Empire , and Prophecy agreeably denotes the Angels preparing to sound , in the many Impressions upon the Empire by foreign Invasions upon it , yet respiting the very date of their Sound from the Time Theodosius died to 437 , or 404 from the Resurrection , somewhat above forty Years , but according to the Half time exactly before observ'd , at Alexander Severus's death , An. Vulg. 237 , or 202 , from the general Epoch , the Resurrection , with this half 404.

Let us now Review the wonderful Consent and Harmony between the Relation of History in Things so undoubted , as to be incumbred with no Controversie , and the Schemes of this Prophecy , the one keeping hand in hand with the other , in such an even , uninterrupted , and just sucession , and course of Time , as does abundantly prove this Line , and its Beginning , so far as is necessary in this first particular , to be at 437 , and consequently its End at 1697 : All which have been more fully Treated , and are here only summ'd up , to make the Perspective the clearer and more entire .

I come now to the Second Enquiry , viz. into the Importance Enquiry 2 of the Sealing ; wherein these two things will deserve our particular Examination .

1. What the most natural and ready significations of Sealing are , and which is here to be chosen , as most agreeable with the other Symbols of the Worshippers Retir'd into the Secret of the Temple , the Witnesses Sackcloth , the Woman in the Wilderness , upon the Gentiles Treading the Outer Court .

2. When the Efficacy of this Sealing began ; for that leads the Time of the Trumpets , even as the Trumpets fix the Time of the Sealings Efficacy .

As to the First ; it is to be known , that Sealing imports three things ;

1. Secrecy , and Retirement from general and ordinary observation . Thus the Servants of God , by the Antichristian , Apostatical Times coming on , are hidden ; no eye but the eye of God , or of men inlightned by him , could discern all of them : The Disguise put upon them by Antichristians casting them out for Gods name sake , their Retiring from the common corruption of Publick Worship , their mourning for the Gentilisme brought in , and the Kingdom of Christ not appearing , their not being suffered to meet as a Church , a Body , or Congregation of Saints , and the Glory of God and Christ not shining out yet upon them , brought them into the Secresie of a sealed condition , immur'd them within the Temple , and at the Altar of Incense , cas'd them in Sackcloth , and scatter'd them as into a Wilderness ; so that at length the Serpent himself could not find them ; and all this from the beginning of the first Trumpets sound , at 437 , till 1697 , more or less .

2. Sealing intends Security and Preservation ; Thus Treasures are sealed up in Safety , and defended from violation and rapine ; thus the Servants of God are safeguarded by their Sealing , the Temple being the Secret of Gods Presence , their Sackcloth Prophecy arm'd them , as by vertue of the Sealing , with a mighty power of Miracles , and Fire going out of their Mouths to destroy their Adversaries ; the Church , even in the Wilderness , is deposited in a place prepared by God for her , that she might be fed : and all to this purpose , That they might , though they might suffer in the common Calamity of the several Trumpets , yet not be hurt in their true Essential Glory by the Dragon , but that they shall Reign when He is Bound ; nor so shut up , but that the Temple shall be opened , &c. nor be so overcome by the Beast , but that they shall Rise again , ascend to Heaven in a Cloud , their Enemies beholding them with terrour , and appear in Mount Zion with the Name of God written in legible Characters on their Foreheads , and at last , in an innumerable company , cloath'd in white Robes , and Palmes in their Hands , and the Church it self , as the Bride , the Lambs Wife , be admirably Glorious .

3. Most immediately , and close to the purpose of the present Symboll , Sealing speaks Delay , and Estoppage from a present Exposal or publick Shew . And thus the Symbol of sealing is provided to claspe and indent with the former Symbol of the Seals ; for the whole Symbol is taken from sealing the Book of Christ's Kingdom , Dan. 12. 4. till the end : when therefore at the sixth Seal opened , the Empire became Christian , the manly Birth was caught up to the Throne of God , the Dragon was cast down , and a Song of Victory sung upon it , immediately this sealing followed to stay this Glory , and as it were to arrest its Appearance : it was therefore hid from hurt , because the Glory did not appear to be hurt , during the time , times , half a time , according to the Oath of Christ ; immediately therefore , in pursuance of the former Symbol , the Servants of God are seal'd , the Worshippers worship not in an open , but reserv'd Temple ; the Witnesses do not enjoy , but prophecy , and that in Sackcloth ; the Woman flies to her close Receptacle in the Wilderness ; and even in pursuance of this same Symbol , the seven thunders are seal'd , as we shall see , Cap. 10.

And all this to that very purpose , that the Beast may have his time , times , till the Morning of the half-time , when in Declaration of the Right of Christ , even then to take the Kingdom , because the half-time was entred , as the third Day was in the Morning of Christ's Resurrection , the Thunders began . But that the Beast might have his whole half-time also , the Thunders were again seal'd down .

For were not the Kingdom of Christ thus under Seal , its Brightness would immediately consume the man of Sin and his Bestian Kingdom , as will be seen at the end of the 1260 Days , viz. Ann. 1697 , in the first appearance of Christ's Kingdom , and more fully at the Appearance it self 75 Years after .

Let us now inquire when this sealing had its Efficacy , and we shall find it hath its Efficacy distinguishingly , as to the fixing its Epoch , or Beginning , at the first of the first Trumpet , and so on , during the whole Time of the first and second Trumpets , until the falling of the Star in the third Trumpet ; So that the Trumpets and the sealing necessarily begin together , as they ought .

For we find it is thus expresly determin'd to the first of the first two Trumpets ; for nothing that was hurt in those two first Trumpets , viz. the Earth , nor the Sea , nor any Tree , was to be hurt till the sealing past : And why was it so ? but that the Seal might have its defensive Vertue on the sealed ; which Defence was certainly as early as the hurt , else it could not defend . It is expresly continu'd all the first and second Trumpet by naming the Earth , Sea , and Trees ; for all these were hurt in the two first Trumpets . But the Fountains are not nam'd , nor the Sun , &c. not because the sealing did not continue ; for we find the express mention of it , rising within the Time of the first woe Trumpet , Revel. 9. 4. as of a thing suppos'd to have continued all along .

But because the Spirit of God would lead us to the new date of Time , viz. the Beasts forty two Months , negotiated by the event of the third Trumpet , or the Imperial Star falling ; which Star , as all History knows , fell at 475 , immediately on which , the Beast in prophetical Account succeeded , as the eighth King . So that then , in the very space of the third Trumpet those Months began , and the fourth Trumpet ran upon that new Line of the forty two Months , concurrent with the 1260 Days , and so forward , till Both end at 1697 : the one as Time of the Moon , or Months ; the other as Time of the Sun , or Days : by which we know also when the 1260 days began ; viz. by computing and adjusting the Lunar Time of forty two months to the Solar Time 1260 days . If the months began so famously at 475 , The days , that both may end together within time , times , half a time , must begin thirty eight Years before , or at 437 , as hath been before intimated , so as to be plainly understood , but shall be fully proved .

Now because of all this , the Spirit of God comprehends only what pertain'd to the first two Trumpets within the express security of not being hurt ; viz. the Earth and Trees of the first Trumpet , and the Sea of the second Trumpet , till the Servants of God were seal'd , Revel. 7. 2 , 3. shewing plainly , that then the Efficacy of the sealing began : where first , the Earth , and all green things were hurt in the first , and the Sea in the second Trumpet , and as it were , to hint the Beasts forty two months , falling within the third Trumpet , and so going on in the fourth ; There is no mention of the securing the Fountains , nor the Lights of Heaven , until the Servants of God were seal'd ; which the Beast could not yet surrogate for , being in his Infancy till a Star fell to the Earth , Revel. 9. 1. which , by all Count , was at the Time Phocas gave Universality to the Bishop of Rome .

Then Rome seems to be again enlightned , not long before the Mahometan Hegire , when the Locusts came forth ; and therefore then Divine Judgment pursues by three woe Trumpets , because then the surprise of the Kingdom of Christ , by the cheat of Antichrist reigning , more appear'd .

But after another concurrent date of Time , viz. the Five , and five Months of the Locusts , Revel. 9. 15. 10. given new in the fifth Trumpet , the sealing is there mention'd again ; and in the sixth Trumpet , where the Hour , Day , Month , and Year of the Horsemen began , there is a parallel Symbol of Secresie and Security with the sealing , viz. the true Worshippers crying out from the Altar of Incense , where they were hid , Revel. 9. 13. within the first of which , viz. of the Locusts , fell in the Beasts intimate Time , or Season , with his Number 666 , as shall be shewn , Revel. 13. ult.

Now , by all these the Spirit of God does interpoint and distinguish the beginning of the Lines of several Times , that fall in with the great entire Line of the 1260 Days ; and notes when they began ; which new Lines , do some way or other note when that great Line began , and when it shall end ; viz. by the Proportion those other Lines , however beginning after , hold to it ; all joyning with it , when they are once begun : and by that Proportion , The Beginning must be 437 , and the end of it 1697 , as shall be shewn upon all of them . Wherein also the Time remark'd with the Voices of the seven Thunders seal'd , will admirably shew it self at 1517 , when the last 180 Years , or Half-time , began ; at which Time the Division of so many States from Rome first appear'd also . And the End of all at 1697 , will declare it self .

So strongly , although requiring strict Attention and Observation , hath God secur'd the fixing of this Line , both in its Beginning and End , as shall be all along by Gods gracious permission to proceed , made evident .

I shall but just salute the Third Enquiry , and finish the first Point discours'd , viz. its Beginning : And because it joyns in assuring this Beginning , I must , as I say , salute it .

And this Third Enquiry is to Research what is the meaning Enquiry 3 of this Grand Apocalyptical Symbol , the Trumpets .

Now from the general Use , and universal Signification of a Trumpet , as an Alarm to War , and the dismal consequences of it , these Trumpets certainly signifie the same , as appears by the course of the Trumpets ; for every Trumpet calls to some War , and the seventh to the Battel of Armageddon ; They are therefore so many loud Sounds of the Indignation of God upon those against whom the Sounds are Directed .

These two first Trumpets then , as beginning at 437 , summon the Barbarian Nations to fall on , on all parts of the Empire , as they had began to do , by the vertue of the Angels preparing themselves to sound . About this time , Gensericus the Vandal-King took Carthage , the Hunns over-ran the upper and lower Pannonia , ( now called Hungary ) Thrace , and Illyricum ; the Brittish Provinces soon after fell into the Hands of Strangers and Barbarians . Thus the Glory and Greenness , the Flourish and Verdure of the Roman Empire , was universally blasted by the Hail and Fire mingled with Blood of the first Trumpet , running every way . At the same time , no Green of true Christianity was unblasted by the Apostacy , and Rome it self , as a great Mountain burning with Fire , was thrown into the Sea , that is , it had been indeed taken under Honorius , in the preparation to Sound , and immediately recover'd : But now , at the Second Trumpet , it was made the Ball of War , in a continual Taking and Retaking for many years after ; so that the Flames of War from several Parts of the World , and the People of it compar'd to a Sea , congregated about it , and in the midst of the fearful Broil , the Imperial Starr , Augustulus , the last Emperour , fell .

From hence therefore we obtain the clear Agreement of Time with the Symbol of the First three Trumpets , as their Blast fell upon the third part of men , the Figure of the Roman Empire , in Agreement with the Dragon , or Roman Emperours drawing down the third part of the Starrs with his Tayl. Revel. 12. 14. Where all Interpreters understand that Imperial Power . Now at the very time of the Barbarous Nations , coming like the Gentiles into the chief Residences of the Christian Religion , is the Symbol of the Apostacy of the Gentiles , treading the Holy City and Court , and the Dragon Rev. 11. 2. c. 12. 13. 14. persecuting the Woman , just now taking her flight into the Wilderness , fairly made out , both as to Similitude and Time .

But that the Ministration of the Trumpets may answer the Ministration by the Servants of God in his Church , at the Seals opened ; besides this Semblance of the Trumpets with War , Holy Writing leads us to another , viz. the Sacred use of Trumpets in the giving of the Law , Exod. 19. And they were instituted by God to call the Congregation of the Servants of God together , which was now not into Publick , but in Private at the Altar of Incense ; There was also the Feast of Trumpets , on the First Day of the Seventh Month , joyn'd with the Reading of that Law , upon which follow'd the Solemn Fast , on the Tenth Day , Levit. 23. 23 , &c. and Numb. 29. 2. Thus by these Trumpets , the Witnesses began their Prophecy , and Testimony for the Commandments of God , and Doctrine of Jesus , and in Sackcloth and Fasting . These Prophets and Watchmen blew the Trumpet according to the charge laid upon them , Ezek. 32. v. 1 , &c. And according to this Blowing the trumpets , the Camp , the Congregation , the Woman the Church , made its motions in the Wilderness , according to Numb. 10. v. 1 , &c. So admirably does this Symbol agree with the Gentiles forty two Months of treading the Holy Court , with the Worshippers at the Altar of Incense , with the Witnesses Prophecy in Sackcloth , and the Womans Flight into the Wilderness , as on Eagles wings , in regard of Divine Providence , as well as of the Roman Eastern and Western Empire Apostatizing .

And how fitly does the whole Apocalyptical Time answer the Jews Feast of the Passover at the Resurrection of Christ , united with the Feast of Weeks , at the giving of the Spirit , and John's being in the Spirit when he receiv'd the Revelation : and then follows the Interval of the Seals opened , like that Interval of Feasts , till the day of blowing the Trumpets , and the Fast , or Sackcloth ; after which , follows the Triumphant Feast of Tabernacles , so celebrated Numb. 29. by the Ennumeration of every Day 's Services , like the cleansing of the Sanctuary , by the solemn Observation of it at the restoring Jerusalem , Ezra 3. 4. in Image of the New Jerusalem ; and Nehemiah 8. after the Feast of Trumpets , with Olive-branches , Pine , Myrrh , Palm-branches , ver. 15. like dwelling in a Garden of Eden , and in Resemblance of the Palms , Revel. 7. 9. and as a prophetical Emblem of the Paradise of God , Revel. 2. 7. c. 22. 2. compar'd : according to all which , the Prophet Zechar. so distinguishly proclaims in that wonderful Prophecy of the Glory of Christ's Kingdom , Zech. 14. this Feast of Tabernacles , v. 16. and as if it were the entring a Caution against understanding that , as the True Feast of Tabernacles , Nehem. 8. 4. A solemn Fast follows , as it were irregularly upon it , Nehem. 9. to shew , the True Feast of Tabernacles was not yet come , but a long Mourning to intervene . And how excellently do the seven Thunders uttering their Voices , agree with the Trumpets sounding so long ? For towards the latter Time of the sixth Trumpet , and at the last 180 Days beginning , the Gospel Law was given in these Thunders , like those of the Law , Exodus 20. v. 28.

Thus all things concurring , even to Miracle , or a Demonstration of the Almighty Wisdom and Power of God , I cannot doubt , I have fix'd upon the true Epoch , or Beginning of the Line of 1260 days , at 437 , and so upon the end of it at 1697.

Let it then be certainly apprehended by all that love Christs Remark on the whole . Kingdom , what God hath so determin'd shall come to pass , and that He the Lord will hasten it in its own Time , He will work , and none shall let it ; The Israelites went out of Egypt to a Day , at the 430 years end of their sojourning , and no sinful Exod. 12. 41. unsensibleness that God would deliver them by Moses , or their other sins could interpose : Christ wrought Redemption at the very night of the Fulness of Time , viz. at the middle of the last half Week , and no unworthiness of the Age could Dan. 9. 27. hinder it , though never so great : so nothing shall hinder the Rising of the Witnesses and their Ascension at the 1260 days , Revel. 11. 9. Ten years hence , no though there should be Three dayes and a half , not only signifying the intimate Time , as hath been declared , but a Blush , a Recollection , a drawing the whole Time past again in little at the end : For no Appearances , how great soever , shall surprise the Divine Decrees upon Time ; Nullum tempus occurrit Regi . There may be a deep Reshrouding Christianity , at least in some Parts ; The Israelites slavery sate closest upon them when their Redemption was so nigh . We see what a change was begun 1517 , by those seven Thunders , when all was one Night piece ; and the Voice so little from Man , and wholly from Heaven ; much more at 1697.

We see how at this day the Turkish Power , that hath been so long the Terrour , Scourge , and Woe of the World , call'd Christian , Falls when God pleases ; their strong Holds are like the first ripe Figs , that fall into the Mouth of the Eater . Their Nahum . 3. 12. Warlike People are as Women . This is a visible Pledge God will be ready with all things else ; the Tenth of the great City falling , and that Turkish woe passing away , when his Witnesses shall rise Revel .. 13. 11.

Our Duty is to stand still , to be in our Station of Subjection to the Powers that are over us , and to see the Salvation of God , and He , that put it into the Hearts of Princes to agree , and give their Power to the Beast , untill His words shall be fulfill'd , will also put it into their Heart to agree to do , what shall then be to be done by his Appointment . Our right sense of which , and suitable Obedience to our Prince , will be an Honour to Christianity , to our Hearing and Reading this Prophecy and a Safety to our Souls , ( if it should not be , as it is most likely to be , and we have the Royal Promise it shall be , and I much hope it in these Nations , even according to this Prophecy ) to our Concernments in this World .

And thus I have brought to a Point the Beginning of this Line , at 437 , which is the Foundation of all , and accordingly we shall find the whole going on to 1697.

The End of this first Point , settling the Epoch or Beginning of this Line of 1260 Dayes .

ERRATA .

PAge 20. Line 3. for sixth read seventh . p. 23. 6th line before the last , for Witnesses read Woman . p. 24. l. 15. As every Leap-Year we double February 24 , to equal the Suns Year to our Account . p. 58. l. 1. blot all of . p. 64. l. 14. read Myrtle .

SECT. VI. Wherein , The Third Part of Men , upon which the Trumpets have their Effects , is more fully made clear to be the Roman Imperialness , and that the Symbols of the Three first Trumpets do most plainly agree with the History , in full Answer to the second and third Enquiry .

HAving given a general Account of the things nam'd in the Contents , so far as is necessary to settle the Beginning of that Line , upon the beginning of which we have been so intent ; it is now necessary to give a more ample Satisfaction concerning the Third part of men , both that , It means the Roman Imperial Power , as also why , the Empire being Christian , there was such an Effusion or Wrath upon it , that so the whole Line may be thereby ascertain'd .

The first Time then , in true order of nature in this Prophecy , though not in Place , or in the Contexture of it , this Third Part is found and made use of , is in that Vision of the Dragon , Revel. 12. 3. Where , I think , hardly any Interpreter does not think there is a Representation of the Roman Pagan Empire , in one Line or other of that Table .

And indeed , when we consider the Prophecy hath the Roman Empire for its great Subject , seeing in the Days of that , and at the end of that , Christ's glorious Kingdom is to be establish'd , it is every where ( where it can be ) to be suppos'd ; and seeing here All things agree to it , and that the Careir of Time was guided directly to it in the parallel Vision to this , viz. of the fifth and sixth Seals , upon the Dragon watching to destroy the Prince , the Christian Church was to bring forth , and to devour it , in which Cause so many Souls lay under the Altar , and yet that the Lamb was on the Throne ; from all this , we cannot but suppose the Roman Pagan Empire intended .

The third part then of the Stars brush'd down as it were with the Tail of the Dragon , whatever spiritual Signification it hath of the Sathanick Power , does also suppose those Supreme Princes and States that the Roman Imperialism dismounted , and made tributary , stamping upon them with its Legs of Iron , according to Daniel . The Emblem is lively , Dan. 7. 7. and elegant to present their Dominions , converted into Provinces , subjected to the Roman Dominion .

So that from hence ; That Empire Thirding the East and West of the Sovereignties of the habitable known World , in the divine Judgment of it , is symbol'd by a third part of Nature it self , viz. Earth , Trees , Sea , Fountains , Sun , &c. for of the third part of the Stars brought under its universal Monarchy , it was constituted .

And in this very Vision , where the Holy Spirit , who fore-knew and fore-saw what Interpretations would be made of what he writ , and what Interpretations he would have to be made , and in what Time , and to what degrees of Certainty and Assurance these Interpretations should rise ; and so from thence , what was fit to be laid in the Foundations , and what to be superstracted : The Holy Spirit that knew all this , knew that in the Vision of the Dragon there would be found the Roman Monarchy agreedly ; so that there would be a fair Conduct to its third part in Dominion : and wherever that Imperialness resided , whether in the East or the West , it was mounted upon the Ruine or Subjection of the third part of the Stars ; and so the third part became the Figure of the Roman Imperialness , not of the whole Territory of the Empire , but of the Imperialism or Grandeur of Supremacy .

And what was most immediately and properly to touch that , is according to the most solemn Symbolicks of this Prophecy said to touch and impeach that third part .

For otherwise , the whole Empire is call'd in the Evang. Luke the whole Habitable World , and in the course of the Luke 2. 1. four Judgments of the fourth Seal , which rang'd equally , as it were over the whole Territory and Dominion of the Empire . Death is said to have Power given it over four parts of men , or over every fourth part with each Judgment , signifying the free Expatiation of those Judgments upon the whole Latitude of the Empire , and , as it were , quartering it with a judiciary staff . But here the Territory of the Empire , with its far and wide Dominion over the Earth , was under the Ravage of Death , without any touch upon the Imperialisme it self , although so many Emperours fell under it , and so there is no mention of the third part , Revel. 6. 8.

So in the change of the Empire from Heathenism to Christianity , there was no Change upon the Imperiality , which continued as high still in the Christian Emperours from Constantine to the Death of the Great Theodosius , as it was before : the Description therefore is as if Heaven and Earth were concern'd in the Mutation ; but there is no mention of a third , Revel. 6. ult.

The opening of the bottomless Pit darkned the Sun and the Air , with the Smoak , out of which the Locusts came upon the Earth , and they had Power to hurt men universally : but Revel. 9. 6. because the Imperial Sovereignty was not to be hurt in the very Imperiality , there is no mention of the third part ; but when the Turkish Number was to seise upon the Eastern Throne , that had its first Establishment upon the third part of the Stars in the East and West , the third part of men are said to be kill'd : and thus the third part was under the force Rev. 9. 18. of every one of the first four Trumpets , because every Trumpet was in an order or series to the destruction of the Western Empire in the three first of them , and upon the Remains of Senatorian and Consular Power in the last of them .

All which I look upon as a fair Resolution of that part of this Enquiry . As to what remains , why so severe a Procedure upon a Christian Empire ? If it had been the Pagan Empire that had been under this Pursuit , it had not been strange : but it looks so unreasonable upon a Christian Empire , as to call in question the whole frame of the Exposition . Hereunto I therefore offer these two Solutions .

It having been decreed long ago by the determinate Counsel Solut. 1 of God , and sworn by Christ himself , that the Accomplishment of the Wonders of his Kingdom should be delay'd after the Seals of the Book open'd , for the Time , Times , and half Time of the Beast , or Antichrist ; the Roman Empire did no otherwise pass into Christian , but that it Antichristianiz'd at the same time gradually , and insensibly covered the former Paganism with the disguise of Antichristianism , worshipping Maozzim , and a God , their Fathers had not known , but Idolatrously ; and so on the other side it degenerated true Dan. 11. 38. Christianity into a kind of Paganism , whereby they intitled themselves to the Blood , Paganism had shed , even as the Jews by the Murther of Christ did to all the Blood shed from Righteous Abel , &c. This went forward even from Constantine , by silent and deaf steps ; but by the year 437 , when the Trumpets first sounded , the Measure was fill'd up , and the Talent down weight , and then the Imposture of suppositing the Kingdom of Antichrist for the true Kingdom of Christ was compleat : so that the Vengeance of God arose , and chased down that Empire that was call'd Christian , but was now indeed become Antichristian .

God , that changes Times , and Seasons , and the States of Solut. 2 Kingdoms , giving them , as he pleases , had destin'd to the Beast , the Seat , and Power of the Western Empire , and the Eastern , as a kind of tributary Commendam , for forty two Months , does by these Judgments void the Room for him , by taking away the Western Imperialism , first , in its seventh King , that he , the Beast might succeed , into his forty two Months . Then taking away all Consular and Senaterian Power , so that it shined not the third part of the day , nor of the night , that he , as the falling Star , might inlighten Revel. 9. 1. it , and grow up to his Regnancy , or Number 666.

Upon both these Accounts therefore , the Eastern Empire was so much longer spar'd ; first , That it was not to be so deep in the Guilt of Antichristianism , and Supplantation of the Kingdom of Christ , and as it were for his Servant Constantine's sake ; and then , the Room of it was not necessary for the receiving a Successor till the Mahometan Emperour , a thousand Years after ; although it was many Times under dreadful Rebukes of Divine Judgment , as also under the Claims and endeavour'd Usurpations of the Antichristian King .

Having thus far endeavour'd to satisfie the third Enquiry , Enquiry 4 there will be the less necessary to add to the Resolution of the fourth ; for the course of Events is in History most notorious . The Event of the first Trumpet was the Irruptions of the Barbarians on the whole Latitude of the Western Empire , which thereby was as much blasted , as the Glory of Summer is by a Storm of Hail and Lightning mix'd with Fire .

The Event of the second Trumpet connected with the first , was , That that great Mountain Rome , the City upon seven Hills , that had been under so many Emperours , Pagan and Christian , the Mistress of the Nations ; that had been under the Pagan Emperours , Pagan Mystical Babylon , and was now becoming Antichristian , Mystical Babylon ; this Babylon was in the very Beginning of the Apostacy arrested by Divine Judgment ; for that City , which had been so lately purg'd from Heathen Idolatry , and was to be the Antichristian City for so long a Time after , God erects the Pillar of his Judgment early upon it ; so that he cast it into the Sea , as a flaming Mountain , not as Babylon of old , burnt , but a burning Mountain , into the Sea of continual Turmoil and Estuation ; so that in regard of the Warriors of that Time , in their dreadful Disputes concerning it , All Waters were turn'd into Blood . And yet because it was to be born aloft upon the Beast of ten Horns , that it might not be consum'd it burns as in a Sea , wherein it was preserv'd , though burning ; often it was taken , and sack'd , and made in the very literal sense a burning Mountain : but it was rescu'd , and surviv'd ; for so it was decreed , till its final Desolation and Burning , Rev. 18.

At the Voice of the third Trumpet , the very Heavens of the Western Government were so shaken , that the great Star of Imperialism fell , like Wormwood , into the Rivers , and made them so bitter that many died of that Imbitterment of the Waters , that became even Wormwood it self .

Whilst Rome , as a burning Mountain in the midst of the Sea made it to boyl , even into Blood , with a prodigious noise through the Nations , and made that Tumult and Commotion in the midst of People , a burning Mountain , like Etna , or Vesuvius , may be suppos'd to do ; the Star falling imbitter'd so deadlily the Inland private State of the Empire , that although it was quickly quench'd it self when it fell ; yet in the Time it was burning as a Lamp , which was some time before its Fall into the Water , and when it fell it was like a Lamp burning in Water , every moment ready to dye , and yet not presently extinct , that it so consum'd the sweeter Juyces , and benign Spirits of Government and Commerce , that many Men died , that is , innumerable Families and Persons were ruin'd , and utterly impoverish'd within the Empire , both by the loss of the Aspect , and influence of such a Star , as also by the Confusion its Fall made , and the Struggles it had with Death in its Fall and in the Water , all which made the malign Effects much greater while the Fire and Water were in contest .

Now all these Symbols are so very evident in History , that there needs no more than the very Appeal to it concerning them , and so wonderfully accomplish'd in their Gravity , Significancy , and Sprightliness , as to speak Divine Inspiration : What History of that Time knows not , These things were so ? That first , all the Glory and Honour of the Empires Grandeur was struck all over , as it were at once , as with Fire and Hail from Heaven , every day bringing the News of Invasions , and Revolts every where , That Rome was in the Flames , and in a Sea , and yet by contrary Agencies of the several Interests of Princes like Fire and Water , still preserv'd ; on the other side , that the Imperial Torch , however Flaming , yet falling into the Water would be soon quenched , while a burning Mountain resisted the contrary Element ; so Rome liv'd , but the Emperour dy'd ; Rome Burns as a Mountain in the Sea , and though it turn'd the Waters into Blood , yet it surviv'd to ride aloft upon a new Universality . The Flaming Taper did hurt , while it flam'd , but falling into Water must needs be short-liv'd ; And it was to dye that another sort of Principality might succeed it , upon which Romes Grandeur , a City Reigning over the Kings of the Earth , might have the Guaranty of Prophecy , even as of Providence to secure it , for a longer time than by all Computation it had made the Epoch of Vrbs Condita , or it had been Built .

I am yet to state justly , and more at large , what the Dragon Enquiry 5 means , and how his Persecution of the Woman can agree with the Explanation of the Trumpets ; seeing both must be at the beginning of the Line , because then was the Woman's first flight into the Wilderness , when the Dragon persecuted her ; from whence arise these two Doubts .

How can these Trumpets , that are the Alarms of Divine Doubt . 1 Judgment and Displeasure upon the Antichristianiz'd Empire , as was before declared , be the Dragons Persecution of the Woman .

When the Beast , or his Gentiles have the whole Time , Doubt . 2 Times , Half Time , and so the 1260 of the Womans Wilderness-state , under their Domination and Tyranny ; does not the Dragons Persecution of the Woman , and then of the Seed , contradict the Assertion of this Time to the Beast ?

That these two Doubts may be substantially resolved , and so , as to clear the whole progress of this Time with Relation to the Beast ; we must understand aright concerning the Dragon ; for a mistake in that confounds the whole order of the Prophecy .

The Dragon then , , as it is presented , Revel. 12. 3. with Seven Heads , and Ten Horns , hath a double meaning ; One proper to it , as the sixth , or Imperial Head of the Roman Empire , which headship is always accounted to the whole Roman Beast , in this Prophecy : But when the Christian Emperour arose , That Head became wounded , and by degrees , the Power and Conduct of it Transmigrated from the sixth to the seventh Head , and Eighth King ; as is to be shewn upon the Symbols of the Beast .

But in all this , it is of great Influence to the right understanding of this Prophecy to be known , there is a more abstract signification of Draconism , or of the Dragon , viz. the Old Serpent , deceiving the Nations into the Worship of himself , under the disguise of those many Idol Gods and Demons , they sacrificed and did service to ; when therefore this Idolatry and Demonolatry was demolished by Constantine , and the Christian Emperours , and the only True God in Jesus Christ , and his Kingdom acknowledg'd at the Head of the Roman Empire : Satan , that Old Serpent was cast down from Heaven , and Christ the manly Birth caught up thither ; Satan , therefore , as an Intelligence within , at the Head and Spring of all is to be understood in this Dragon , Revel. 12. 7.

The Roman Cesars , as having the Imperial Monarchick Government of so great a part of the World , at the Birth of Christ , so along in the first Times of Christianity , lay indeed in the midst of Nations and People , and watched all the effects of the Kingdom of Christ , and were ready to devour the manly Birth , that was to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron , and who had right to do so at his Resurrection , and all along since .

But at the Time , this Cesarian Dragon was acted by that Satan , that invisible Spiritual Dragon , and his Angels , who made War against Christ , who carried the Cesarian Dragon in a perpetual Hostility to the Kingdom of Christ , and also most devoted to Idolatry ; While therefore Devils were worshipped under those several Names of Jupiter , Mars , &c. and an Idolatrous Power was at the Head of the Roman Power , Satan is accounted in Heaven , and the rather so , because the Title of Satan is not reckon'd purely of Fraud and Usurpation , but By Permission , and not only so , but even in regard of Justice , and divine displeasure against the Apostacy of humane Nature , as it were of Commission ; so that he was overcome and cast down by the Blood of the Lamb , as the true meritorious Cause , appeasing that Wrath , satisfying that Justice , expiating the World ; by the Word of his Testimony , as the Grand instrumental Cause , and by the Martyrdom of Christians , who loved not their Lives unto Death , as a subordinate dispose of God in honour to his Justice against the horrible degeneracy of Mankind .

From hence , whatever Power acted by Sathan , to an aspiring to a supreme Residency in the Fourth , or Roman Monarchy , in the days of which Christ's Kingdom was foretold to be set up , and of all Right ought to have been so , speaking as to the Duty and Obligation of all Mankind , because of his Sovereign Resurrection after his Death and Sacrifice of himself for the Life of the World , and that then the Roman Monarchy was the Monarchy of the Oecumene , or habitable Earth in Symbol of Prophecy ; whatever Power therefore did not then acknowledge that Kingdom , nor that Truth of Christianity , any way either seated in , or attempting that Monarchy , is under a Character of Draconick ; the Notion of which came into especial date since that Resurrection of Christ , and his Right thereby to an universal Monarchy : at which Time the Roman Cesareate arisen to that universal Monarchy from the Time of the more publick Notices of the Right of Christ , inspir'd by Sathan with a Draconick Subtilty , and watchfulness waited to devour that princely Birth ( of which Pharaoh's Cruelty to Gods typical first-born , lying as a Dragon in the Egyptian Nile was a Type ) and was therefore by the most notable signancy of the Symbol invested with the Draconick Title .

But when the Acknowledgment of Jesus , as Christ and Lord , was made by the Christian Roman Emperour , Constantine , and his Successors , Christ was then in eminent Type caught up to the Throne of God , never to be dethron'd , as we see he is not to this day , notwithstanding the Combat of the Dragon and his Angels by Julian , Argobastes the Roman Senate , and others , with Michael and his Angels . But for all this the Woman , the Church was persecuted by the rolling of the barbarous Nations upon that Empire , who were Enemies to the Profession of Christianity at the first , and so to the Kingdom of Christ , and their Invasion upon the Rights of the Empire as Christs , and on the Roman Church , as eminent in the Profession of Christianity , and having produc'd the Christian Emperour was both as design'd by Satan , and reputed by God a Draconick Persecution of the Woman ; even as after , the Mahometan Flood which came out of the Dragon's mouth , to have swallowed up Christianity , and that Empire together , as it were , wherever it could be found , was on the very same Account a Persecution of the Dragon ; for the Mahometans were from their very original , Adversaries to this Sovereignty of the Lord 's Anointed , substituting an Imposture of Sovereignty , and Prophetism in the place of it ; and all this within the universal Roman Monarchy , the Propriety of Christ . Their Deluge of Power and People impetuously overflowing with a false Religion , is then most justly call'd a Flood out of Sathan's mouth , acting as a Dragon according to the Notion of abstract Draconism , and so raging and foaming with hostile Opposition to the Kingdom of Christ , notwithstanding some seeming Acknowledgment of him in Mahometanism as a Prophet , but truckling under that infamous false Prophet .

This then being the first Account of Draconism , it is very easie to give Satisfaction to the first Doubt ; for the same things that are remonstrated as the Judgments of God , as permitted and order'd by him in his holy Government of the World , and Execution of Justice and Judgment upon Offenders , are also most maliciously and hellishly negotiated by Satan , as is most evident in the History of David's numbring the People ; that same misdoing of David is attributed to the displeasure of God , and to Sathan , as may be seen by comparing 2 Sam. 24. 1. and 1 Chron. 21. 1. yea in that different Case , viz. the Transaction of our Lord's Sufferings , Satan enter'd into Judas , to embolden him to do what supreme Wisdom and Goodness had contriv'd to redeem lost Man . It is therefore nothing strange , the Holy Angels and Sathan met in these Trumpets , each in their Place and Orb , that while the Holy Angels sounded an Alarm to the Instruments of the divine Vengeance , Sathan had his Contrivance to persecute the Woman , both by the Barbarians and Mahometans .

But besides this Draconism of profess'd Enemies to Christianity , there is the Draconism of the Beast , or the Dragon living , and being worshipped in the Beast , or Antichristianism , beginning by the other Beast , who is afterwards call'd the false Prophet , speaking as a Dragon , which was the Synagogue of Sathan in the first growth , and his Throne in the farther Growth , when the Beast came to his Image and Number , and the depths of Sathan or his Government in his ripest Age : and thus the Dragon gave his Seat or Throne , and great Authority to the Beast ; that is , Sathan the Supreme Dragon in the idolatrous and bloody Cesareate , now became Residentiary in the Beast , and conveyed both the Hostility to the Kingdom of Christ , the Idolatry and the Bloodiness into the Beast , and by his Negotiation under divine Permission order'd the very Seat and Power of the Imperial Cesareate to the Beast , as the Heir both of his Idolatry , Enmity to Christ's Kingdom , and persecutory Tyranny , and for the sake of all these : in all Revel. 16. 13. which Regards , it may well be esteem'd Draconism to the last . And God in just Indignation brings upon this Serpentinism of this Beast a Counter-Serpentinism of Infidelism , a Counter Draconism , for serpens serpentem devorans fit Draco , as before explain'd .

But yet the Draconism of the Beast is a diverse Draconism , its Hostility to the Kingdom of Christ is not by down-right Force and Resistance of open War to the Name of Christianity , but by way of Surprise out of his Hand , and held , as in his Right , and to his Glory , and yet in such real Opposition to him , that he hath sworn , His Kingdom shall not come , till that be at the full end of Time , Times , and half Time . Its Idolatry is an Idolatry as it were consecrating it self to the Honour of Christ , and is therefore , as in it self , so in the prophetical Symbol , full in all its heads of the Names of Blasphemy ; under this Head , all the former Heads are flower'd , and , as it were powder'd with the Names of Blasphemy ; all former gross Idolatries and Demonolatries are dissembled under True Religion , and Heathenism under Christianity , or more truly , True Religion and Christianity are Travestied and Burlesqu'd into Heathenism and Paganism , and therefore it is not Simple-Idolatry , but Blasphemy , as we shall see .

But yet notwithstanding all this , Sathan is but on Earth ; for the Beast holding the Kingdom , as in the Right of Christ , Christ thereby is still acknowledg'd to be on the Throne , and in that the true God , Holy Angels , and Saints , are thus blasphem'd by Antichristian Idolatries , and that Sathan and wicked Spirits are abandon'd and detested in Profession generally , though his Kingdom hath sometimes portentously broken out in Acknowledgments , as it were to the Devil himself , by some of the Antichristian Cheifs . His Seat is not then as before , as in a Heaven ; he therefore in a Rage dashes one part of his Kingdom against another , the Barbarian against the Antichristian , the Mahometan against the Bestian ; because he , as a subtil Computator of his own Time , knows , It can be but short compar'd with above four thousand Years Reign before , and that as in Heaven too ; in the Idolatry perform'd to Devils , viz. Fallen Angels , or Damned Souls . And for so great a Pledge of the future Fall of Sathan is that Doxology and Song of Praise concerted in Heaven , Rev. 12. 10. as also in Prevision of the full Glory of Christ's Kingdom decreed to him by God , from the infinite value of his own Blood , and as a Retribution for the Sufferings of his Servants , maugre all Sathan's Accusations , in which the Accuser himself was condemn'd and cast out ; and notwithstanding the succeeding Antichristianism .

And from all this arises a full Solution to the second Doubt , and not only a Solution , but an admirable Harmony and Consent of the whole Prophetical Symbolism . For when Satan fell from Heaven , in that desolation of Heathenism , not only by the Christian Empire of Constantine , but the perfect Victory over it by Theodosius ; When the Devil and his Angels after the War in Heaven were finally cast down , A Victory obtained by the Incense offered with the Revel. 8. 3. Prayers of all Saints , as a Signal of the Church , yet continuing pure in the publick Worship , and that then was so great Expectation of the Glory of Christs Kingdom , as that Doxology exprsses , now mention'd ; Now is the Kingdom of our Rev. 12. 10. God come ; At this very Moment , to shew , that though God was pleas'd to account the Church pure , to the very moment , it could in his Righteous Judgment be so accounted ; yet I say to shew its Purity was at a very low Ebb , and that it had long wan'd , as also to shew , that God had design'd to permit a very different state of Things to the Kingdom of Christ , the very next news of the Church , is , that the two wings , Western , Eastern of the Great Roman Eagle had convey'd the Church , the True Church into the wilderness , that Rev. 12. 14. it could not be found .

This had been mention'd before , assoon as ever the manly v. 6. Birth was caught up to the Throne of God ; but that was only in preparation , and to match with the other Symbols ; But now the Church was indeed out of view , by the Apostasie , introduc'd by the Gentiles the Beasts people under the other Beast ; so that the False Church hid the True , as in a wilderness : The Gentiles crowded the True worshippers into a clos'd Temple , The Daily was taken away ; The witnesses were in Sackcloth , where then could the True Church be seen ? All was scatter'd , no Body of a Church appear'd , but the Antichristian ; to this state things grew more and more under the Regnancy of the Beast till the Woman was fled from the Serpent himself . All this is then to be accounted to the Beast , serving the True Church by Gods overruling Hand so far , as that it was out of the Dragons reach who was deceived , thinking to strike the True , but the False lay bleeding .

In the mean time , Satan , however in his Serpentine , and draconick Nature , jealous of any thing of Christ even in his own Kingdom , first persecutes the Empire by the Barbarians , where He knew , the woman very lately was by her bringing forth the Manly Birth ; He struck at it by way of distinction in his own Aym , but finding He could not reach it by the rude strokes of the Barbarians , but the Eagles wings had convey'd it away , and finding that those Barbarous Nations , setled by degrees into the Antichristian Christianity , and so help'd it forward into the wilderness , He then resolved to be sure of it , attempted to swallow it by the Mahometan Flood ; But This neither distinguishing it , nor succeeding because the Bestian Earth drunk up the Flood , not only receiving it upon it self , but maintaining the name , Doctrine , Profession , and Church state of Christianity , so far as is necessary absolutely to Antichristianisme and its Kingdom , so drunk up the Flood by setting it self against the blasphemous , monstrous , Mahometan Imposture , and with a deadly hate , because Mahometanism is no less against Antichristianity , than Christianity , so the Serpent disappointed is wroth , and , as so necessitated , determines now to sift for his Ends , by Draconism refin'd into Beastianism , Heathenism guilded with Christianity , but pointed and edg'd with Antichristianisme , which is a compound of the Dragon and the Beast : And because this Antichristian state allowed such a thing as a Christian Church , tho but it self only , He can make war only with the womans seed ; And to the purpose , and , as we say , with a Vengeance . He makes War with the womans seed , who keep the Commandments God , and hold as witnesses , the Martyry of Jesus ; that is , by the Beast , whose History immediately follows . cap. 13. and to whom the Dragon deputed his power and seat , even Great Authority ; which Delegation , the other Beast that spake as a Dragon , viz. the False Prophecy received and managed for him the Grand Beast , until He came to his Image and Number ; and so the Dragon and the Beast continue together , till the Beast is taken and cast into the Lake , and the Dragon and all his Draconism , Bound , Chain'd , and Seal'd up by the Kingdom of Christ appearing , Rev. c. 19. c. 20. v. 1.

And this is the True History of Draconism , as entred into Bestianism , by which it plainly appears , the scattering of the Power of the Holy People , or the state of the Woman in the Wilderness , is wholly owing to the Beast and his Bestianism , whose are Time , Times , Half Time , and that the Dragon and his Persecution were wholly defeated by the Bestian Apostacy , conveying the Church from the Serpent , till He wrought by the Beast , and made over his Power to Him , in revenge upon the Womans Seed , it self being still safe .

Now how admirable is all this , according to the Symbols , the Beast still in all appearance and semblance secures Christ on the Throne , while it supplants his true Kingdom and Power : for how could Antichrist's Kingdom stand if Christ were not in Title upon the Throne ? But how could it stand if Christ did indeed reign ? No , it presently falls then , or rather vanisheth away .

Again , the Wings of the Apostatiz'd Empire , while they convey the true Church out of all ordinary Visibility , yet secure it in the Name and Notion of a Church : the Beast's Earth thus helps it ; for a Christian Church is his Claim , and Title to his Kingdom : but it must be hidden ; for a true Christian Church visible destroys his Kingdom . Thus all things even to Astonishment at the divine Prophetick Wisdom have a Harmony in Truth , greater than that of the Spheres in Imagination .

Mahometans and Pagan Infidels by subverting Christianity necessarily overthrow Antichrist's Kingdom also : it is in indispensable need of Christianity so far as a Pretence goes , but the Brightness and native Glory consumes it ; while Christianity under a false mask supports it , true Christianity scorches it to nothing , as will be seen at the Vial pour'd into the Sun ; true Christianity and the Church therefore must be hidden , and in the Wilderness , and its Seed persecuted as if not of the Church , that false Christianity and the false Church may reign in its Absence under its Name and Appearance .

Thus while the Dragon persecutes in his Aim and Intention the Christian Church , the Apostacy pretending it self the Vniversal Church conveys the true Church into a Wilderness , and so befriends the Notion of a Church , while it conveys it out of sight ; the Dragon by the Beast makes War with the Seed , and scatters them , that they could not possibly be found in the Body of a Church ; not but that the Church was truly visible in the single Witnesses , however anathematiz'd : but it could not be reach'd in a Body , even by the Serpent himself ; for it was not in a Body ; and yet the Notion of a Church was dear to the Antichristians , for They and the Beast usurp'd it . At this Time therefore , according to this Prophecy , it could be no Argument against the Church , Where was it ? or , It was not visible in a Body ; for it was not to be visible in a Body , but in the Suffering , scatter'd Seed . So that it was hid from the very Serpent . And yet even to the end of the 1260 Days there is a Mahometan Draconism levelling at Christ , Christianity , and the true Church , but falling almost wholly upon the false Church , and the Antichristian King , and his Subjects ; who is therefore always principally concern'd to drink up this Flood , and so helps the true Church by his Earth .

There is nothing at the present I can think necessary to add to this Explication of the Apocalyptical Dragon , but that the whole Vision , Rev. 12. to v. 13. is presented as in Heaven : so that the Assumption of the manly Birth , the Joy upon the Dragon 's casting down , upon the Kingdom of our God being come , &c. is given , as in Heaven , and is reserved also in Heaven , till the glorious Appearance of Christ ; and there is no more but such an imperfect cognisance of those great Things upon Earth as was given by the Christian short Empire , to be expected , till that glorious Kingdom of Christ at the end of the Beast's Reign , which may remove any seeming Objection arising from the sudden change from such a Glory into the Apostacy , so soon after entring , and the Witnesses going into Sackcloth , and the Woman into the Wilderness .

SECT. VII . In which is given the description of the other Beast , and his first Administration ; of the Witnesses and their first manner of Testimony , both before the Beast's forty two Months ; with the Answer of an Objection , and Reflections upon this Interval .

IN these Enquiries I have now explain'd , whatever I can conceive needful from the Beginning of the Trumpets to the forty two Months of the Beast , except the Delineation of that , which the Prophecy calls the other Beast , under whose Conduct the Gentiles were brought into the outer Court and Holy City , so far as the Action of that other Beast led to the grand Apocalyptick Beast .

And to inlighten this Interval of Time the more , viz. from the Apostasie beginning in the 1260 Days at 437 , unto the Beasts 42 Months 475 , I find it most convenient to consider most accurately the State of the Witnesses , as Prophecy hath given any Light to the pointing of the Time of their whole Testimony , and distinguishing the various States of it : which Method I will endeavour to follow through this whole Line of Time ; viz. to observe the Advances and Declinations of the Bestian Kingdom , and to adjust thereunto the Declinations and Descents of the Witnesses into the deepest of their obscure State , and their Re-advances till their Resurrection and Ascension : for the one and the other States rise and fall alternately ; whose motion herein , the Woman , the Church was exactly conform'd to , being indeed the very same one with another , except the Notion of Single and Collected , Single in the Witnesses , Collected in the Church , as before said . But because the Action especially was sustain'd by the Seed , or the Witnesses , the Line of that Action is most particularly drawn over them , the Witnesses .

I begin then with the other Beast : but I will adventure to lay no stress upon the Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or Another , as if it did necessarily imply Another Order , or a various Sub-specification of these two Beasts ; because I find this Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , may be , according to this Prophecy , significant of no more than a numerical , individuating Difference . But yet that these two are so different , so solemn , and great , so momentously different Iconisms , as are given of each of them , and their Action by the holy Spirit sufficiently argue .

That we may then have the perfect Pourtracture of this other Beast , who manag'd all things from the Beginning of the Apostacy , during the wounded State of the Grand Beast in one , viz. the sixth of its Heads , call'd the Dragon , and the Infancy of the Grand Beast , viz. as united to its seventh Head , call'd in this Prophecy most often , The Beast ; We may thus behold Him the other Beast , so far as his Description reaches , while the Grand Beast lay wounded , which was till the forty two Months began : by which great Preparation will be made to understand that Grand Beast .

1. This other Beast must , as Beast does every where in Prophecy , import a Body of Men under some Superiority of Power . I must here remember again , to except to the Translation of the Four , not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , salvage Beasts , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , gentle Animals , or living Creatures , Revel. 4. and elsewhere , least it should cause any mistake ; but else both in Daniel and the Apocal. Beast does imply a People under , united to some Principality above : and because here the Principality was in a Peerage or Aristocracy , it resides in the two Horns .

2. Because it is a Beast of Continuance , as plainly appears by its Action from the very Apostasie to the Number of the Beast , viz. from 437 to 725 ; and after that to the very Destruction of the Beast and false Prophet ; it must be a fluid , successive Body , as other Prophetical Beasts are .

3. The inward sense of it must be a Body of False Prophets under Chiefs , mitred Prophets ; for all the marks of false Prophetism are upon them : this Beast therefore rises low , mean , feeble , stilly out of the Earth , without warlike force , or noise : it works Miracles , pretends to call for Fire from Heaven , like Elias ; that is , it threatens Men with the Wrath and Judgments of God ; it deceives , it caused men to do by saying , or teaching . After its Administration , as a Beast , is past , because swallowed up in the Grand Bestianism , it is several Times call'd the False Prophet , as being expressive of its very Essence , and wherein it is most nearly united to the Beast , Revel. c. 16. 13. c. 19 20. c. 20. 10.

4. It must be Antichristian ; and seeing Antichristianism is a false , mock , abused Christianity , it must have of Christian also in it , else it could not be Antichristian ; it hath therefore the Resemblance of a Lamb in its two Horns : but it is Antichristian specifickly , working by Fraud to surprise the Kingdom of Christ ; ambitious , haughty , idolatrous , persecutory , cruel , thirsting after blood ; for it spake as a Dragon : altho therefore , it hath two Horns , like a Lamb , yet not the Lamb Christ Jesus ; for he hath seven Horns , Revel. 5. 6. agreeable to all the Apocalyptical Sevens , except the Dragon's , and the Beast's seven Heads : Seven , not because They were symbolically , but literally seven Successions of Government , as the Rev. 17. Womans seven Mountains .

5. Seeing the great Subject of the Apocalype is the Roman Empire in its last State , when the Kingdom of Christ was begun in the Gospel , and to appear in Glory after that last State of the Roman Empire , the last of those four Imperial Canales of Time ; it must therefore be , that this pseudo prophetical Beast under its two Horns is compounded of the upper and under , the dignified and inferiour False Prophets of the Eastern and Western Empire . And seeing we shall find , that the Grand Beast is Roman , it will thence appear , This Beast must be so , seeing its whole Ministry is about that Grand Beast , which is Roman .

6. It must be after the Grand Beast in some prophetical Respect or Notion of that Grand Beast , for it is call'd the first Beast in compare with this other Beast ; yet this other Beast must be before it in regard of Action ; for it does all for it ; viz. It is after it , as the Grand Beast is one from its very Beginning , or Foundation of the Roman Empire , under its seven Heads successively ; it is after it in regard of Procuration , of the Cure of its Wound , of the Exercise of its Power , while it lay wounded : all which speak it in being before this other Beast . But it is before this very grand Beast , as under its seventh Head ; for it erects it into its Headship , by speaking as a Dragon , by keeping alive the Bestian Power , and in exercise while the sixth Head lay wounded , till the Wound was heal'd by the seventh Head succeeding , and then it protected the Infancy , or low beginning of that seventh Head , as will be seen under the beginning of the forty two Months ; to which it hath led us .

From the whole then , these two Things arise to our main Purpose : 1. That this other Beast must be the whole prophetick Office of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire under its Superiors , or Hierarchy , so far as it was grown Apostatical , Antichristian , and Pseudo prophetick , or into false Prophecy , from the very beginning of the Apostacy at 437 , to the end of it at 1697 , and beyond that , in what State soever it shall be , till it is cast into the Lake with the Beast . With this Exception , before the Beasts coming to the Image , and Number of it self , this Beast hath the Regency , and so the Type of a Beast ; after that it subsides into bare false Prophetism , but such as is inseparable from the Beast , and the Beast from it ; so that they rule together , but the Supremacy is in the Beast ; and they fall , and are cast into the Lake together .

2. The Action of this other Beast , till the forty two months , is its shaping its own Bestianism , both into the Body under it , and its Superiority over its own Body . It s speaking as a Dragon , and governing the Gentiles , who are call'd the Earth , and them that dwell therein , herein exercising the Power of the wounded Beast before him , viz. the former Paganish Beast , , that with all its Heads and Populacy , according to the prophetical Emblem , liv'd in a wounded State for want of a Bestian Head , or Prince , from the Empire becoming Christian , till the Antichristian King became its Head at the beginning of the forty two Months . And this other Beast guided them , rul'd , and conducted them , as paganishly affected to a new Antichristian Paganism in preparation for the seventh Head , without whose Succession the Grand Beast had been extinct . In all which , by Head is meant Head in Power .

It may be objected against this whole State of Things , Object . That here is no view of that Arrian Heresie and Persecution , which could not be untaken in the Notices of this Prophecy .

This Prophecy is not to be suppos'd to take notice of All Answer . the disorders in the Profession of Christianity , any more than of all the Governments , or Changes of Government in the World . It minds its own Pursuit , runs in its own Channel , which was the fourth Monarchy , and in that , the Antichristian Surprisal of the Kingdom of Christ after the Destruction of pure Paganism : so that Paganism first , under the Pagan Empire , Antichristian Paganism punish'd with the Barbarian , and Mahometan Inundations from which the True Church was hidden , and its Seed persecuted under the Bestian Kingdom , is the only Symmetral , Even , Proportionate Course of this Prophecy , till the end of the 1260 Days .

I come now to the last Thing necessary before the Entry into the Beasts forty two Months ; that is , to settle the State of the Witnesses , as in its general view under the whole 1260 Days , and more particularly in this Interval from the Apostacy beginning unto the Beasts forty two Months .

The Witnesses , as hath been already declar'd , are the Seed of the Woman , the True Church , who keep the Commandments of God , and hold the Testimony , the Witness , the Martyry of Jesus .

These are in Sackcloth , as the best of their State , the whole 1260 Days ; but their Time is distinguish'd by three great Pairs of Witnesses in the Old Testament , whose History explains the varying Types of their Condition ; Joshua and Zerubbabel , Elijah and Elisha , Moses and Aaron .

The first is of Joshua and Zerubbabel , who though in mournful Garments , as Joshua , and in union with him , Zerubbabel , is represented , Zech. 3. 1. &c. yet They were as two Olive Branches to the Church of the Jews , which was at that Time , the Candlestick standing before the God of the whole Earth . And this is the first Representation of the Witnesses ; for they are also the two Olive Trees , and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth , Revel. 11. 6. compar'd with Zech. c. 4. And it comprises the certain Assurance and Expectation of the New Jerusalem , and its glorious Sanctuary , even as the typical Temple , and its Jerusalem were so far settled by those two great personages : But beyond that , They had the Promises of the New Jerusalem State , peculiarly made to them ; to Joshua , Zech. 3. 7. places among the Angels standing by in that Vision , as Attendants on Christ , to Zerubbabel , Haggai 2. 21. &c. When that Overthrow of Kingdoms should be , which could be no other than that at the seventh Vial. Zerubbabel shall be a Signet ; and to all God's People throughout the Prophecy of Zechar. the same Promises are confirmed ; and so to these two Witnesses .

The Witnesses then at this Time , by holy Doctrine , pure Worship , unspotted Sanctity , begin their Testimony , and are truly Christian Prophets , or Persons of a magistratical Character and Eminency , or truly fit for such a Dignity ; and as the Sons of Oyl , or anointed ones , Zech. 4. ult. . They empty the golden Oyl into the two golden Candlesticks , into the Souls of the Servants and People of God , the Seed of the Woman , who from the beginning of the Apostacy to the end of it , are Members , and make up those two Churches , Pergamus and Thyatyra ; which , as I have shewn in its Place , run parallel in Pergamus at the beginning , and Thyatyra in the latter part with the whole Apostacy , although the Church of Sardis first , and Philadelphia at last , do indeed undertake the Line drawn by the Churches through the whole Apocalypse , before the Church of Thyatyra , in its real Subsistence , shall cease to bear that Type of the Christian Church , it is appointed to sustain .

Now how admirably does this agree with the state of the true Christian Witnesses for some considerable space after the Apostacy beginning ? They did indeed put on Sackcloth in God's Account , assoon as the Gentiles came into the holy ground with their unhallowed feet , shod with Paganish Superstition .

But They at first , and for some space of time , rather emptied the golden Oyl out of themselves , than were under Persecution and Sufferings ; They sent out the Holy Doctrine , and chrystal Stream of Evangelical Truth ; The Worship of God they directed , was transparent , clear , and pure , without Paganish Mixtures and Ceremonies ; and the Conversation they preach'd and gave Example of , was not foul , ranck , fetid , but holy , gracious , pellucid , of an excellent Odour and Fragrancy .

And although History is not just , and sincere enough to give account hereof , passing through the Feculencies of the beginning Apostacy , and suffering under all its particular Injuries more than those of Time , and obscur'd , as under that cover'd State , in which the Church now was ; yet we are not under a total want of such Monuments of the Witnesses Testimony . But for the Corruptions they were to testifie against , they are too notorious to be denied , as such Beginnings of the Apostacy , even at this very joynt of Time ; and therefore by the constant care of God in preserving a Seed that is accovnted to the Lord for a Generation , and particularly by the Types of this Prophecy , we are most assured there must be such Witnesses , and such must be their Testimony .

SECT. VIII . Wherein , The Forty Two Months are measur'd by the exactest Rules of Prophecy , and found by express Concurrencies of those Prophecies to begin at the Cessation of the Christian Western Empire , and to end whenever the 1260 Days end , ( the Date of the Kingdom of Christ immediately ensuing ) and therefore to begin at 475 , and by compare with the 1260 Days to end at 1697. According to which , the State of the Empire , of the Administration of the First Beast , and of the Witnesses during the Fourth Trumpet , viz. from 475 to 606 , is represented .

THE Point of Time I am now entring upon , hath had a just Approach made to it according to its Importance , which is very great : I shall now , through the Assistance of the Divine Spirit , duely consider the most weighty sense of it self ; there being no Line of Time , whose Bounds are so definitive , the Beginning so uncontestably evident in History , the End so illustrious , as this must be to sense it self , in the very nature of the thing .

That I may therefore discourse hereof most regularly , I propose these four Heads to fix the Intendment upon .

1. To shew , That the Apostle Paul hath affirm'd , the coming of the Man of Sin , or Beast , ( whose End is according to all Prophecies concerning him , Destruction by the immediate Appearance of Christ's Kingdom at that his end ) hath an unmoveable Bar to his Manifestation till his own Time ; and that the Apostle John declares that Bar to be an indefeisable Succession of a seventh King , not come in his Time , to a sixth King , then in Being in his Time , and that seventh King to endure a short time , and that then the Beast , the eighth King should succeed , and that he could succeed neither sooner nor later . When therefore it will appear that such a seventh King did succeed the sixth , and that that seventh did decease at 475 ; if it shall also appear , as it will , that this is the very same Beast to whom forty two months are determin'd , it will then be most evident , his forty two months must begin at 475.

2. To shew , That the Kingdom of the Beast must last till the Kingdom of Christ , according to the same Laws of Succession , can succeed , and it can last no longer ; as also , that the Kingdom of Christ must succeed when that Kingdom ends , and it can succeed no sooner ; if then , it is expresly said , the Kingdom of Christ shall immediately succeed the 1260 Days ; and that according to this Law of Succession , and the course of all Prophecy , it must also succeed the forty two months : it then will plainly follow , the 42 Months and the 1260 Days end together .

3. To shew , That the 1260 Days must be Time of the Sun , and the forty two months must be Time of the Moon ; and seeing they must be adjusted to one another , as ending together , and lying both within one common Womb of Time , Times , Half Time ; The forty two months , by the most exact compare of Lunar and Solar Time , can be but 1222 Years ; and therefore besides all Advantages of Scripture-use of round Number , beginning at 475 , they most exactly and most necessarily must end at 1697.

4. To shew , That the Beast indeed must have every way the Seminal , fundamental Nature of such a Beast as he is describ'd to be , at the very beginning of his forty two Months , as the Infant hath of a Man , but need not , nor cannot be suppos'd to attain full prophetical Proportions , till long after , which Time Prophecy hath also dated to him by his Number 666. So that the description of the Empire , according to the Fourth Trumpet , the Administration of the other Beast , and the State of the Witnesses , may continue many Years after as they stood at the forty two Months entring , and so Prophecy determines of them .

To begin then with the first of these , I find this Order and Head 1 Concert of the Parts of it will be most convictive and demonstrative : 1. That Daniel , the Apostle Paul , and the Apostle John , speak all of one and the same Beast . 2. That this one and the same Beast hath forty two months determin'd upon him , as the just State of his Duration . 3. That the Apostle John hath declared that peremptory , positive Law of Succession , that was the Let of the coming of the Beast into his forty two months .

For the first , Although a multitude of Proofs from the Concert of all Prophecy , which either have been or will be farther taken notice of , may be given ; yet , That which I will rest upon alone at this time , shall be that most convictive one , That his End is Destruction by the glorious Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ ; so that his eminent Character is Son of Perdition , in Conformity to that Apostate Apostle , Judas , so near the Glory of Christ's Resurrection ; so the Apostle John twice describes him , by his going into Perdition , Apoc. 17. v. 8. v. 11. and his Destruction is solemnly declared , c. 19. and then the Kingdom of Christ succeeds , c. 20. c. 21. Thus Daniel in every Vision ; The great Image was smitten by the Stone cut out of the Mountains without hands , growing to a great Mountain , filling the Earth by a Kingdom never ending , in its ten-toed feet , part of Iron and part of Clay , so exactly compounded of the Beast out of the Sea , with his ten crowned Horns , inseparably united with his false Prophetism , a Beast out of the Earth , Revel. 13. The little Horn is a Beast , deliver'd to the Flames , and the Kingdom under the whole Heaven given to the Saints . The King standing up against the Prince of Princes shall be broken without hand . At the Accomplishing to scatter the Holy People , viz. by this Beast , as hath been made to appear ; All the Wonders of Christ's Kingdom shall be finished , Dan. c. 2. v. 24. &c. compar'd with Dan. c. 7. 11. &c. c. 8. 24 , 25. c. 12. 7. The Apostle Paul , 2 Thess. 2 , 3. &c. stiles him the Son of Perdition , and foretels his being consumed with the Brightness of the Lords ; viz. Christ's coming , and the Glory of his Appearance . Whoever then considers the most notable and notorious Destruction always affix'd to one and the same kind of Power , so even in all its manners of Description , and such a kind of Destruction as is always declar'd to issue and flow out from the Glory of Christ at his coming to his Kingdom , will find , It must be one and the same Beast , since Christ hath but one such Coming and one such Kingdom , as these are describ'd to be ; nor indeed is there any more than one such Beast so scituated in Time , Place , and Succession , as this will appear to be .

It is in the second place to be made out , that this is the same Beast that hath Fourty two Months determin'd to Him ; and though there needs nothing to make that good , but to take the two Chaps . c. 13. and c. 17. of the Apocal. and to write down all the particulars of agreement between those two Beasts ; and it will be impossible for so much as the thinking Mind to doubt of their being one and the same : But I will only insist upon the former Argument in this matter , that Beast , that is so destroyed as the Beast in the c. 17. is to be destroyed , must needs according to the former Argument be the same Beast . But the Beast that hath Fourty two Months , determin'd to his Continuunce c. 13. v. 5. hath such a Destruction affix'd to him as the Beast , c. 17. hath : For who can assume the Effrontery , or Boldness to deny , that the Beast , c. 19. who is taken and cast into the Lake , v. 20. is the same with the Beast . c. 17. And the Beast c. 13. hath this very same Destruction foretold to him ; For he is to be Taken , and to go into that Eternal Captivity of the Lake with his False Prophet inseparable from him , according to v. 10. and his Ten Crowned Horns , or whole Circle of Kings are to be killed with the Sword of Christ's Mouth , c. 19. v. 21. compar'd with ch. 13. v. 10. he that leadeth into Captivity shall go , &c. and he that kills with the Sword , &c. now Christ's Captivation and Killing are such as argues Divine Justice and Power , and such is that declar'd , c. 19 , 20.

The Apostle John hath declar'd that so obstinate unyielding Bar to the Man of Sin , being reveal'd , still in his Time , as the Apostle Paul most emphatically speaks , signifying the impossibility of his Coming , till that his own proper Time ; Now the occasion of that great Apostolical Paragraph was an Expectation of a sudden Appearance of the 2 Thess. 2. Glory of Christ's Kingdom ; this very Kingdom , of which we are now speaking ; which was the great Expectation of the Apostles , till they were better Instructed , and of other Christians after them upon a general , but not particular Apprehension of Scripture Prophecy ; For that this Day was the day of Judgment , there is no Sense for , in those lightsome Days before the Apostacy , seeing all the Prophecies are big with a Glorious state of Christianity in this World . To this the Apost. for their Information , and of after Ages much more , speaks punctually ; That it could not be expected so soon , and does most vehemently obtestate by the very coming of Christ , and our gathering unto him against the Expectation : for saith he , There must be an Apostacy first , and the Man of Sin must be reveal'd ; but that must be in his own proper Time , and not before ; for there is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Person witholding , and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an effectual Thing , witholding , or each of these taking such Fast Hold of their proper Space and Time , that the Bestian Prince cannot come forward till they by going off let go their Hold , and then shall be reveal'd that lawless one , that Man of Sin , which is an Exposition of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , when it is to be understood of a Body of Successors . So this is the Apostle's Sense , The day of Christ , viz. of his Glory and Kingdom , cannot come , till the Man of Sin come : The Man of Sin comes indeed out of the Apostacy as out of a Womb ; but as no Birth can , so he cannot come till his own Time : Sathan is eager enough ; every thing works to it as fast as it can : the Mystery of Iniquity is now already at this very moment at work . But every Thing that God hath ordain'd will hold its own , it s own Time , it s own Place ; and such a Holding Thing there is , and such a Holding Person there is that possesses , and fills that Time and Place .

Thus far the Apostle Paul goes in his Epistle , so far he was order'd by the Holy Spirit to go , and no farther ; the rest he refers to former Personal Discourse . Now whatever prudential reason there might be of saying no more ; The great Reason was , the Holy dictating Spirit order'd no more ; but that all Scripture might be search'd and compar'd : Holy Writers say so much in one place , so much in another ; so much one Holy Writer says , so much more is said by another ; by every ones part the Harmony is made up .

The Apostle John therefore speaking ; as I have prov'd of the same great Matter , and aiming at the Glorious Kingdom of Christ , the grand scope of all Prophecy , declares the Reason why the Kingdom of Christ could not Come , because there was an unalterable Succession determin'd by God before that Kingdom : There were seven Kings , five of them he gives in the Lump , because Prophecy was not concern'd in them , or in the manner or order of their Succession ; they are only a Character of the Monarchy , a distinctive of the Fourth Beast by its seven Heads , or Forms of Government , in a Succession as Kings signifie , Dan. 7. But in three of them the Prophecy then in motion by the Apostle John was highly interested ; The first was then , and it was in its course according to five of the seven Seals : The seventh King was not yet Come , it was not very far off comparatively , but it was not as yet Come , it was to come in the sixth Seal , and when it came , there was a necessity upon him , he must continue by the same Comparativeness but a short space , viz. during only the time of the sixth and seventh Seals ; Now this seventh the Spirit is industrious to assure us , He was the Christian Emperour ; though he was a King of that great City , and Empire , yet he pertain'd not to the Beast ; indeed there was a Declination to the Apostacy in his time , but the Church was yet pure all those Seals , as appears by them ; it appears too it was declining , the Apostacy drew near ; a declining from one Degree to another there had been from the first Operation of the Mystery of Iniquity , forming the Antichristian Prince no with great Curiosity in the lowest parts of the Earth , where no Eye saw the way of the Sathanick Spirit , but he , before whom Hell and Destruction have no Covering . However , this Christian Emperour was none of the Heads , but wounded the Pagan sixth Draconick Head . The Beast , he is the eighth , and is of the seven ; Seven , what but Heads ? Clearly joyning this Vision with the seven Heads , of Chap. 13. He , that as the Son of Perdition goes into Perdition ; I say again , Goeth into Perdition , that Perdition just before the Kingdom of Christ , and so hath no Successor , but Christ consuming him .

Now this Succession stands firm ; God himself had fix'd it . As then no Prince can succeed till the former is avaunted , in so exact a Succession one cannot crowd out another , no more than one Month or a Day following can crowd out the precedent ; but when any goes off , the next succeeds immediately : there can be no Vacuity , Rex nunquam moritur , where God holds the Succession , and its Law firm ; and so it is to the very Kingdom of Christ .

Just then when the Christian Emperour deceas'd , tht Bestian Emperour succeeded ; and that was indisputably at 475 , and then his forty two Months of Duration succeeded : and it was a large Time , as Prophecy draws them out ; and they are still current ; they must have been yet a long time ago begun , for there was the sixth King in Being when the Apostle wrote , signifying his Time then in spending . The seventh had no long time ; That end of things the Apostle declares , Ch. 18. c. 19. c. 20. c. 21. is beyond all Controversie upon due , yea , but small Consideration , not yet come . Therefore this eighth King must have been long upon the Throne , and now near the end of his forty two months .

For he came at the very first of them : He came then , though as an Infant Prince a Prince as in the Cradle , yet then he came . Humane History is not more competent to declare the Time when Antichrist was born , than the Jews could pronounce aright when the Christ was born ; yet some chosen Observers there were of the one and of the other , some or alarming Indications : The Father Jerom sounded it aloud , or rather by Inspiration before hand proclaim'd it ; but God hath judg'd it , he hath declar'd it , and there can be no incertainty in it ; When the short-liv'd Christian Emperours and their Empire dyed in the West , then it was ; The true Seat of the Roman Empire , being at seven headed seven hill'd Rome , was by a wonderful Operation of Providence , quitted by the Dragon to be the Seat of the Beast ; the Christian Emperours resided elsewhere most , for still that was the Metropolis of the Bestian Empire ; Constantinople did but borrow the Name by a secret of Providence , of Nova Roma , as useful for some Types of Prophecy ; when the Christian Western Empire was cessated ; then the Eighth King succeeded , his Fourty two Months then began .

I come now to the second Head of this Discourse ; The Head 2 Kingdom of Christ must come immediately after the Beasts Fourty two months ended ; The Law of the Succession requires it , it must be then immediately proclaim'd ; It does not appear all at once , no Kingdom does so : But its Preparations are seventy five Years ; So great , so glorious an Empire , so just , so even , and cubical in its Thousand Years , must have an honourable Preparation ; And it is but short in comparison ; During this time all sorts of warnings are given by the seven Thunders unseal'd , Revel. 14. all kind of Justice done upon Offenders by the Vials , c. 16. The Beast hath a kind of dying Life , as an outdated Usurper not yet executed , but that hath lost his usurped Empire , and then Lak'd for Ever .

This Succession of the Kingdom of Christ is dated by Prophecy to the end of the 1260 Days . For then the Witnesses rise , go out of their Sackcloth , are array'd in a white Cloud , Ascend to Heaven ; they cannot Ascend in Sackcloth ; but for 1260 Days Sackcloth was their Shrowd ; it is then certain , the 1260 Days End ; It is certain also , the Kingdom of Christ is then proclaim'd , for when the second woe past away , the third comes quickly ; No delay , and the third woe Trumpet brought it , and the first Sound or Report is , The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord , and of his Christ , therefore lastly , the forty two months must end with the 1260 days , for Christ abated nothing of them by his Kingdom , overhastily , as is to be shewn , and the Beast was to have so many for his Reign .

The 1260 days , and the forty two months ending together , Head . 3 and the forty two Months beginning at 475 , they must be adjusted one to the other , as one being Time of the Sun , the other , as Time of the Moon .

For as in all Languages , and parts of the World , Days must , and do signifie most properly the Time , measured by the Sun ; so in the eastern , and most especially the Jewish , and Scripture Language ; Months signifie only , and solely the Time , as measured by the Moon , and are call'd Novitates Newnesses , or Times measured by each new Congress of the Moon with the Sun , or new Moons : so that however another way of speaking hath prevailed with us , a Month of the Sun is as improper , as a day of the night , or a day measured by the Moon ; so that if words can signifie as they are always in Scripture us'd to signifie , Months must signifie Time according to the motion of the Moon .

And further , as hath been already shewn , the Symbol is of the peculiar use in this Prophecy to semble Time of the Night , of the Moon , that the True Church hath under its Feet , and as shall be more seen in a great Remarque upon the Mahometan Moon .

Because therefore days , months , years , as they are within this Line of Time , must all lye within Time , Times , half Time , and equal 1260 days , or years ; There are twice Forty two Months , that knitting one within another , will supply the shortness to 1260 Days , or Years , of the Forty two Months , either of the Gentiles , ending thirty eight years sooner , or those of the Beast , beginning thirty eight years later than those 1260 Days .

And , as the Moon could be no Moon , if there were no Sun to lend it Light ; so the Sun on a body prepared , and moving to it , as the Moon , casts a Light like that of the Moon , certainly and without fail : In the same manner there could be no Antichristian months , or Church , if there were not a true Church , and its Seed , the Witnesses cloth'd with the Sun of Righteousness , all those 1260 Years , which cast those Months ; And if there be such a body as the Antichristian Church , moving to the Christian Church , as that does , it must needs derive Months from its Days , equal one to the other .

And it is most apparent , that waving Scriptures round Number ; Unto the exactness of considerably less than a Years difference , the Time of Forty two prophetical months , adjusted by the strictest Accountant to the time of 1260 prophetical Days , measured by the Moon 's motion , from one new Conjunction with the Sun to another , will be as 1222 Years to 1260 Years ; so that if the forty two months of the Beast begin at 475 , the 1260 days beginning at 437 , they will both end necessarily at 1697 ; which is the thing that ought to be shewn , so great an Exactness , so surely arguing the true Calculalation of this Line , I hope , all will agree , cannot be bychance .

I request then , I say , a strictness of Account , which to avoid both longsomness and perplexity in this Discourse , I do not give , but by so strict Account , two mistakes will be escaped , which may arise from a general apprehension of this Matter ; For it will then be found , the Calculation is not to be made by accounting the Time of a Synodical Month to twenty nine days , so many hours , &c. which makes the Lunar year 354 days so many Hours and Scruples , nor by rating the 1260 days , as three Years and half , which wants about five days of the true Solar Year , and then proportioning the Lunar Year of 364 Days , odd Hours and Scruples to a Year of only 360 days ; But the true Scale of Time between the Sun and Moons motion in that which is call'd the middle course of each , respecting their Conjunction one with another , is to be taken ; and I affirm to the most rigid Arithmetician concerning it , it will prove exact to about half a years distance . That 1260 years of the Sun will exceed forty two Months space of the Moon prophetically understood thirty eight years . For as Maimonides , the most learned accountant of Jewish Time , settles this matter in his severe computation of Time , in order to their new moons Solemnities . There is eleven days within some hours difference betwixt the lunar year and the solar , naturally given as 365 days ; judge then how little can the want of the five days to make up the solar year 365 days , alter the account of 11 days difference in a year betwixt the Sun and Moon , which rises from above 72 five days in a year , to make them nearer equal one to the other , than eleven days difference carries with it of inequality .

But I fear to be over tedious in this matter , although the wonderful exactness of the account does detain my Thoughts , assuring a Line of Time , confirmed so many ways besides , to have its Epoch at 437 , and its Period at 1697 ; by even so unexpected an agreement of the Beasts forty two months , certainly beginning at 475 , and therefore the Witnesses twelve hundred sixty days thirty eight years before them , while the Gentiles forty two months are ready to set out with those 1260 days , that so the time of the Bestian Tyranny , and the sufferings of the Servants of God may begin and end together , as they ought to do .

I come therefore to the fourth head , to consider the state of the Empire of the Beast at his first rising , or his forty two Months beginning thus at 475 , and to compare therewith the Administration of the other Beast and the Prophecy of the Witnesses , as they stood in the interval from 475 to 606 ; For indeed there is very little of a new scene of things opening till then ; and therefore the great business of this head will be to settle the essential Lineaments of the grand Apocalyptical Beast according to the prophetical Iconismes of chap. 11. c. 13. c. 17. of the Revel. and to compare therewith the Imagery , given Dan. c. 2. c. 7. c. 8. c. 11. and the Apostle Paul's Prediction . 2. Thes. 2. and the Apostle John's short Accounts of Antichrist in his Epistles ; wherein I do not yet so much intend to display the Quality and Action of the Beast which will be more advantagiously done hereafter ; for at this time they were but seminal , and so not discoverable , nor open , and there was an accidental Variableness therein . But I design those invariable and unalterable Essentials which are unmoveable , although they appear each in their just Seasons , and which are fundamental to the Beast .

Now herein I do solemnly avow , I will bring no preconceiv'd Idea , or Shape of the Beast to the Prophecy , but search for that true one Prophecy gives , and receive it from its hand as wholly unpossess'd of any Notions of Him before-hand ; and then referr to general and uncontroverted History , as to an Umpirage most impartial , the Agreement of Things with Prophecy .

Nor do I design to prove any Name or kind of Power in the World to be this Beast , but only to prove , That there hath been and must be such a one to sustain the Prophetick Characters during these forty two Months ; and what will necessarily follow , I can't Fore-Fend .

To this Purpose I must make these three Premisals :

1. That when Prophecy gives an entire prophetical Scheme of a Monarchy or this Bestianism , it represents , as entire and essential to that Scheme , Things that did not fill it first ; as History , giving the Character of an Empire , gives it at full ; or so of any Prince , and not as things were in their mere Infancy . Thus those things are given into the Possession of the Beast at his forty two Months beginning , which were not compleat till many Years after ; as his Ten Horns , his Great Power and Authority , &c. Now this ought to be no prejudice to the Prophetick Scheme , no more than that the Picture of Charles the Great , as a Man or an Emperour , would not fit his Infancy , especially when Prophecy defines the Time when he shall attain that Image , viz. 666.

2. When Prophecy gives the Portraicture of a particular last state of a Monarchy that had a variety of States before it , it unites that last State as so one with the former , and especially with that just before it , as that they are spoken of as one common State just at one Time ; for this belongs to the Glory of Prophecies Prescience and Omniscience , to which , past , and present , and to come , are one , to give things thus entire in one .

Thus Prophecy gives the Dragon , the sixth Head in the Beast of seven Heads , seven Heads , when it wanted one as to present Event : and if it had to do with any of the five fallen Heads in the Time of the Apocalypse given , it had done the same undoubtedly , because the Scheme is but one although it be at several Times filled up : so the Scheme has always 7 Heads .

And thus it gives the grand Apocalyptick Beast whatever was before it ; the five fallen Heads in the Lump , that they make a Character of it ; nay , the whole Image , Dan. 2. in the three Beasts , Dan. 7. the Grecian Leopard , the Persian Bear , and the Babylonian Lyon , are united to this last State of the Rev. 13. 2. fourth Monarchy , and even whole entire Bestianism ; because in it that Image was to be beaten to Powder , Dan. 2. 34 , 35. and the Lyon , the Bear , and the Leopard , who had their Lives prolonged , Time at large , and intimate Time or Season , were now to be kill'd with the Sword of Christ's Mouth , when the Beast , the Little Horn , is given to the consuming Flames , or to the Lake , Dan. 7. 11 , 12. with Apoc. 19. v. 21. So that it is no wonder it is called the Beast wounded in one of its Heads , viz. the sixth Head , before it came unto its Succession or forty two months ; that it is called in the same manner the first Beast twice , Revel. 13. 12. for all Bestianism is so totally his , that the Dragon , with whom he is more especially united , as his immediate Predecessor , that hath the seven Heads and ten Horns because it was the Roman Beast under the sixth Head , yet is carefully forepriz'd from the Name Beast , that it might not derogate from the Universal Bestianism of this grand Beast ; yea though it is he in whom this Beast was wounded . There is only a short Allowance of the Name of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the other Beast to him who is erecting this seventh Head into its Supremacy and Dignity , because he is so one with him , as the false Prophet , and but for the time he is so erecting him .

3. That the prophetical Scheme may be understood concerning this Beast , it is to be duely stated , where the Situation of each part of this multiplice Scheme is to be ; there must be the Trunk or Body of this Beast , and that hath its feet of many Nations and People spread far and wide , the People of the Ten Horns , like the feet of a Bear , and by those many sorts of People , its Body is variously spotted about like a Leopard ; this is the Populacy with their subordinate Magistrates . There are the seven Heads , or supreme crowned Authorities , each having successive Dignity and Sovereignty , as the Romans had Kings , Consuls , Decemvirs , Tribunes of the People , perpetual Dictators , all fallen in the Apostles Time , and so they signifie no farther than the making a Character of the Monarchy intended . In the Apostles Time were the Emperours , or the Dragon in the Language of Prophecy , and the sixth Head ; and the Beast , the seventh and last , whose Mouth speaking as the Lyon , Nebuchadnezzar , acts the Body and Feet to the Cruelty of the Leopard , and Bear by his idolatrous and fiery Decrees . There are the ten crowned Horns , whose Scite is in this Head , absolute , independant Monarchs and Princes , only as they agree to give their Strength and Power to the Beast .

Now all these have so close an Union with the Grand Beast , that the Body is so his , that he is the Beast , because he is the Head of the Body ; the ten Horns are his while they are Horns , for their Situation must be in the Head : the former Heads are his , the five fallen to make him a Character ; the sixth , the Imperial Dragon , lives in him , is worshipped in him , continues to the last in him , viz. the Monarchickness , the Idolatry , the Enmity to Christ's Kingdom especially , even as he at the first is wounded in him . And the other Beast is his , negotiating his Dignity and Supremacy , and at that compleat , subsiding into his False Prophet ; the Dragon , the Beast , the False Prophet , sending out , each the Spirit of Devils ; and the False Prophet , taken as inseparable one from the other , with him , and cast into the Lake . Thus he is every way the grand Apocalyptick Beast .

Having laid this Foundation by way of Premisal , I come now to define this Grand Apocalyptick Beast , according to his certain , essential , invariable Characters , most eminent in Prophecy , most conspicuous in History : for I dare not adventure so great a weight on History without Prophecy , nor suspend it on my Interpretation of Prophecy without observing Divine Providence , conducting the Event at every swelling Period , into most undoubted History . When both meet to such Perfection , it is hard to doubt , and even sullen Obstinacy to deny .

The Beast must be the Apostle John's Great Antichrist , that Charact. 1. was to come into the World , agreeing with the false Christs our Lord prophesied of , and the Apostle John's many Antichrists , 1 John 4. 2 , 3. Mat. 24. 24. who would steal the Kingdom of the Messiah from Him , by pretending themselves to be Christs ; and so denying that great Article , that Christ was come in the Flesh , to which the Kingdom of his Father David is assur'd without end , as being his Root and Off-spring .

Now this can be no way so effectually done , as by pretending to be the Vicar of Christ , and holding his Kingdom in his Right , and as in Honour of him . And he that does that , is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Opposite to Christ ; and if it should be disguis'd under Servus Servorum Dei , it would not excuse it . Now those open , bare-fac'd , False Christs , the Judgment of God immediately seiz'd , and gave up to Destruction . But of such an Antichrist as this , Christ hath sworn , There shall be Time , Times , Half a Time , for Him , and that Christs Kingdom should not come , or the Wonders of it be accomplish'd , till these are past and fully past .

And the Apostle Paul assures us , before the Day of Christ can come , the Apostacy must bring forth such an Antichrist , who must therefore sit in the Temple of God , viz. the outward Court and Holy City , or the Profession of Christian Religion , and in Christendome , and there must exalt Himself , must usurp above All that is called God , viz. Christ , even in his humane Nature , called and carrying the Name on his Vesture , and on his Thigh , ( but not Written , or set in publick view , till just before the Beast's Ruine ) King of Kings , Lord of Lords ; whom God Sanctified , and sent into the World , as Supreme Prince , and under him truly Christian Supremes , who are also called Gods , John 10. 35 , 36.

If then all History , and all Knowledge of Time , successively , for several Ages , declare such a pretended Vicar of Christ ; This is the most essential and original Character of Antichrist , without searching farther into his Quality and Action ; For as whoever should pretend to be deputed to be a Divine God , is an Idol ; so whoever pretends to be a Spiritual Plenipotentiary Lord of Lords , and above Princes , as Vicar of Christ , is Antichrist ; for whoever says thus of Himself , says , He is God ; For Christ can have no Vicar General on Earth , any more than God one Universal Deputy of his Power , claiming Divine Honour .

Such an Antichrist must needs Sit at Rome ; For he must Charact. 2. bear aloft the Woman , as a false Church , that was a Wilderness to the True Church , when it was Hid , and yet Fed with hidden Manna ; a howling Wilderness , where the Lyon , the Leopard , and the Bear Inhabit : In this Wilderness , John saw sitting on the Beast this Woman , under the Name of that City , that in the Appocalyptical Time , or when that Prophecy was Given , sate upon many Waters , or People , and upon the Seven Mountains , or the City so fam'd for being Septi-Collis , or seven Hill'd Rome , and which Reign'd over the Kings of the Earth , as no other City at that Time could be once suppos'd to do , so Character'd either by its Hills , or being Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus , * * Call'd on that Account Sancta Roma . , as that City in all Ages hath been ; A City , whose Freedom was purchas'd at great rates in all parts of the World , and so fitly said to sit on many Waters ; and to draw the Confluence of People to it to receive Law from it . Here therefore for the fulfilling Prophecy , the Beast must have his Throne , even , as under Pontius Pilate , the Governour of Judea , constituted by the Emperour of Rome , Christ suffer'd , and Rose again into his Kingdom , according to the Prophecy of Daniel ; That in the Days of those Kings , God would set up an everlasting Kingdom , the right of which then began ; so that till Constantine , that Roman Empire was a Dragon , watching to devour the manly Birth , that had Right to Rule all Nations .

Now with this Dragon , the Beast was to be united , to receive his Throne , Power , and great Authority from him ; and in Him , the Dragon must Live and be Worshipped ; Therefore He that is the Beast , must be Roman , and Sit at Rome , from which the Christian Emperours by Divine Conduct receded , that this Character of the Beast might be left free to the Beast alone : And under Him it must be Antichristian , until the very Glorious Kingdom of Christ , and then is to be Burnt , when the Beast is Taken , and Cast into the Lake , that it may answer the whole Ichnography , or Description , Rev. c. 17. c. 18.

Now that we may throughly understand this Character , and the certainty of it ; By the Woman that sits on the Beast , must be Apprehended Rome , as a City and a Church , a False and Antichristian Church , fix'd in , and made inseparable from this City . No other can answer the Prophecy , so that the other Beast , called the False Prophet , cannot be conceived by it ; For whereas this City must be burnt , as from Heaven , the False Prophet was taken with the Beast , and cast into the Lake .

That it must be the very City , is plain by the whole Prophetical Type : This had the Seven Kings , united with the whole Empire , that by their Residence in it did also carry it and bear it aloft ; This Sate on many Waters ; This Reigned over the Kings of the Earth : This had its Merchants , and its various Merchandises , its Pomp and its Pleasures ; This is the Eternal Rome , that after its being Thrown a burning Mountain into the Sea , at above twelve hundred Years old was preserv'd and rescu'd , and hath stood twelve hundred Years more , so Great as it is at this Day , and shall not be totally Destroy'd , till the Appearance of Christ . It s Epoch of Restitution is in Sacred Prophecy , as Chronicular and Monumental as is its Building , or Vrbs Condita .

But , as it is a City , so is it an Apostatiz'd Church , fix'd to that City ; For on its Forhead is written , Mystery , the sense of which is , Church in a City , opposite to the Mystery of the Seven Churches , but agreeable to the mystery of Iniquity : It is the Great Whore , and mother of Harlots , with which the Kings and People of the Earth have committed Fornication ; And this we know , is the constant description of an Idolatrous Church in the Old Testament , as of Aholiab and Aholibah , Ezek. 23. It is Babylon the Great in this Mystery , and it is spiritually call'd Sodom , the Impure City in its Spiritual Fornications , as well as corporeal Nicolaitanism , and Aegypt , the enslaving cruel City , holding the Israel of God in Bondage ; It is Spiritually that Apostate Jerusalem , that is in Bondage with its Children , where our Lord was Crucified . It covers the true Church , call'd for its sake Pergamus , and the high-rais'd Throne of Satan : so it is Thyatyra , the Spiritual Jezebel , Daughter of Eth. Baal , King of the Sidonians , Daughter of an Ethnick Idolatrous City , whose Merchandises are the Instruments of Idolatry and Superstition , sum'd up in the Bodies of men , not only attending its State , as the Scarlet , Fine Linnen , Gold , Silver , Ivory , Precious Wood , does ; but its blind dark Religion , requiring servile stupid Brutes for men , and Souls of men perishing for ever in its service against Light , and Convictions of Truth , and defending it with a violated distorted Reason , abus'd Parts and Learning , Revel. 18. 13.

And this Rome must be both the City and Church , for here , and in it the Primacy of St. Peter , residing as Bishop , laid the Foundation of its so long Greatness , under the Name of the Apostolick See : Constantinople was but an Eminence , as small as the Fame of it Seven Hills , but as little Risings compar'd with this , Eternal Church of Eternal Rome : The Ottoman Port has swallowed that ; Flames from Heaven rest upon this , so that the Smoke of its Burning shall ascend for ever and ever , as both City and Church ; For so Prophecy hath read its destiny , and it cannot be revers'd . Strong is the Lord that Judgeth it .

This City then is to be a Pyramid Pile of Smoke and Flame , ascending for ever and ever , an eternal City of burning , as the City Sodome , a Lake of Brimstone settling in its very Room , Place , and Scituation ; a Jerico so curs'd , as to be no more built , and an Apostate Church , suffering as spiritual Sodome the vengeance of eternal Fire .

He , The Beast , must carry universal monarchy , as the Emperours 〈…〉 . of Rome did over as it were , the habitable World , for so his Union with the Dragon imports ; and yet that this may not be mistaken , it must be in an Image ; a real , martial , natural Cesareate is not in the prophetical Portraicture of Antichrist , but in the Image of a Pontificate , or a Vicarship to Christ on Earth , even as the Caesars carried a Pontificate enchas'd into their Imperialism or Cesareate ; so the Beast bears a Cesareate or imperial Power , enchas'd into his Pontificate .

The other Beast therefore , ministring to the Worship of the first Beast , viz. the Roman Empire , as to be under the seventh head , but not yet erected into publick Dignity and Supremacy , found no way to do it , but by saying to the Antichristian Earth , and its Inhabitants , that they should make an Revel. 13. v. 14 , 15. &c. Image to the first Beast , that was wounded with a sword , and did live , was wounded in the sixth head , liv'd in the seventh , but was not yet in Dignity to be worshipped ; to this entire Beast as in the seventh head was to be made an Image of Idolatry , and an Image of Imperiality ; an universal Power under the Image of an ( in ordine ad spiritualia ) resident in a pontifical supremacy and infallibility . And when this Image had by the continuing service of that other Beast , Life given to it , to speak and to cause , That all that would not worship this Image , c. 14. v. 9. c. 15. v. 2. c. 16. v. 2. c. 19. v. 20. c. 20. v. 4 , should be kill'd ; and that all should receive a mark , &c. Here arose the universal monarchy in an Image , and from this time , the Prophecy joyns continually the Beast and his Image together .

The Beast must answer that prophetick motto , or Inscription Caract. 5. upon him , thrice given , and pointing at three several Seasons .

1. The Beast that Was , Is not , he is the eighth , and is of the Ch. 17. 11. seven , and goeth into Perdition ; this is determin'd to the point of time proper to his Succession , and then he must answer it .

2. The Beast that was , is not , shall ascend out of the bottomless v. 8. Pit , &c. This is determined to the times in which the Beast first bore the Woman . For the Beast that thou sawest , viz. with the Woman sitting upon him , was , &c. Then therefore he must answer that Inscription .

3. The Beast that was , is not , yet is , This is determined to v. 8. the time , when the Inhabitants of the Earth wonder , whose Names were not written , &c. When they behold the Beast that was , &c. This by compare with c. 13. must be , when he came to be worshipped , and that was not till he came to his number when the Image had Life given to it , spoke , and caus'd , and then it must be answer'd .

And in this very Inscription the Wisdom of God is much to be ador'd , shewing so exactly the gradual rising of the Beast first out of the Sea in his Succession , then out of the Abyss or bottomless Pit at his Vniversality , then at his number 666 , when he came to be worshipped as a Head .

4. For in the first , he is truly said to be the Beast , that was , that is , subsisted in the general Bestianism of the Roman Monarchy , that had been in six heads , was to survive forty two months under this seventh head ; and so in the prophetick Scheme had a Being : Is not , for the Beast had at this time as little appearance as could possibly consist with his Succession : succeed he did , because that name of headship , under which the Beast was to live so long , was left at that Time to Him , the supream Name alone in Rome , and so continued ever since . For after the Cessation of the Christian Emperour , neither the Kings of the barbarous Nations , nor the Greek Emperour , ravish'd the Title of Rome , but contented themselves with that of Italy , Lombardy , Exarchy of Ravenna , in which the care of Providence over Prophecy , is worthy admiration ; yet in the Time of the Chasm , Interreign , or Gap between the sixth Head , the Pagan Emperour wounded by the Christian Emperour , the seventh King , and no Head , and the Beast , the seventh Head , but eighth King ; It might well be said , Is not ; For this Beastian Head in Prophetical Scheme , felt that Wound , both by Sympathy , as the Beast , that having no Head , in Dignity was truly Mottoed Is not , as also upon himself , as seventh Head , the Wound fell , because he succeeded not , being fore Let ; and when he did succeed , he was but in Infancy , the Kings of Italy , and the Grecian Exarch held him under , that it might well be said of him Is not ; but yet he so Is , that he goeth into Perdition ; that is , he is in his forty two months current ; which end in his Perdition , and of which the State under the Christian Emperour was a great Pledge , as of Christs Kingdom , so of his Perdition .

In the second place , when he riseth out of the bottomless Pit , and hath universal Supremacy , as Head of Rome , he eminently carrieth the Roman Woman aloft in the same Supremacy , and yet in the former senses may be said , Was , Is not , but shall ascend at his Time 606 , out of the bottomless Pit ; and as a Character most evident upon him , as always inseparable from him , goes into Perdition ; for out of the Abyss he rises , into it he is thrown for ever ; this was after Phocas gave universality to him , as is next to be discoursed .

In the third , when the Dragon lives in the Beast , who converts Paganism into Antichristianism , exercising the same Idolatrous universal Power in the Earth , in an Image at 666 , as we shall see ; They worship both the Dragon , and wonder after the Beast , admiring the artifice , when they see the Beast that Was , viz. in the Draconick Head , Is not the very same Pagan idolatrous or imperial Dragon , and yet Is is All. That very same thing is an Antichristian and Pontifical Image at 666. His Perdition is not herein named , both for the Grace of the Type , at his Inauguration , and because it is express'd before and after in this engraving upon him . I leave therefore every one to judge , how admirably Prophecy and matter of Fact agree in these Inscriptions .

He must be a Horn in the Seed , and Bud at his very Charact. 5. Succession , so design'd by Providence , so of right , as a supreme , though but in Infancy , and in an Image ; yet being a small and feeble Horn , he could not get up , but under the favour and shelter , behind , and in the midst of the other Horns , and then they became his Horns in open view .

Then he was one among Ten , into which the Empire being variously divided , fell ; so as to make that number at any time after its division ; and Ten as a complemental number is chosen .

Three were pulled up by him , by his Influence and Instance , before him , by the strength and martial Prowess of others .

Let History then declare , what Three eminent Horns were pull'd up , and we shall find the Gothick Horn pull'd up by Justinian the Emperour , the Lombards a second , and the Greek Exarchy the Third for this little Horn , by Charls Martill ; by Pipin his Son , who was made King of France , by him Charles the Great , Son , and Grand-son to the two former , invested with the titularity of Western Emperour ; For let History further declare , for whose sake they were pull'd up , and whose Patrimony they became .

Nor let it be any blemish in Prophecy , that Daniel does not speak openly of the Headship of this little Horn , nor John of the Hornship of this Head ; for one Type was peculiar to one Prophet , the other to the other , and could not without manifest Injury to either Type , be conjoyn'd , or confounded .

But Daniel subindicates his Headship , whom he stiles a little Dan. 7. 8. Dan , 8. 23. Dan. 11. 36. c 7. 24. Horn , by the Eyes of a Man , by a Countenance stout above his Fellows , by a Mouth speaking great things , by his understanding dark Sentences , by his being a King , doing after his own Will ; in all which he was a Horn diverse from all the rest .

On the other side the Apocaliptick Prophet does not dissemble his being a little Horn , while a Head ; for the Dragon gave him his Seat , the Ten Kings agree to give him their Power and Kingdom , neither of which he could win by puissance , and when the Words of God are fulfilled , they resume all with ease , and at Pleasure ; for he prosper'd only by Craft and Serpentine Dan. 8. 24. Subtilty , inspir'd into him by Sathan .

The Beast is always united with false Prophecy , that he Charct . 6. himself is the Head , and principal of it from the first , and therein negotiated his own universal Monarchy , Within his Purple there lies a rough Garment to deceive ; he is full of the Spirit of Antichrist , and so surprises the Kingdom of the true Prophet , Priest , and King ; He is Sathan transform'd into an Angel of Light , a false Apostle coming with lying Signs and Wonders ; his Eyes are as a Seers , his Mouth speaketh great things , His Efficacy is by the deceivableness of Vnrighteousness in them , that perish ; his Name , Son of Perdition , is deriv'd from the Traytor Apostle Judas , who betrays Christ with the hail Master , and a Kiss ; he Blasphemes , he is worshiped by those who are not written in the Lambs Book of Life ; he is made supreme by calling Fire from Heaven in false Anathemaes ; he is inseparably united with the false Prophet , and cast into the Lake with him . He is consumed with the Spirit of Christs Mouth , and disappears , vanishes , as a counterfeit at the sight of the true Christ himself , being a false Christ , an Antichrist comprehending and embracing false Prophetism , within his Tyranny of changing Laws and Times , and doing after his own Will .

Now whether such a Tyranny in the Image of Pseudo Prophetism , hath been in the World , gradually rising according to Prophecy , since the decease of the Christian Emperour , and supporting the forty two months , for above these last twelve hundred years , ( and especially from 606 , and 725 , ) that hath been no Fantom , Ghost , or Mormo , but Flesh and Bones , hard substantial Tyranny ? Let all the Christian World judge .

And thus I have settled every way the forty two months , as Bestianism lyes under them , without any new Distinction of Time , under which nothing so remarkably transcendent to the former account of the other Beast , and the Witnesses appears , as will come into consideration in the Progress of things , to which therefore I adjoyn the farther Treaty of them , and close this part of Discourse with these few short Remarks .

Let the Prophetick Symbols be laid either to Ecclesiastick or Remark 1 General History , and we shall find , History hath nothing , relating to things , Prophecy hath been suppos'd to have design'd its Symbols to and for ; but that both in the Frame and Structure of the whole Prophecy , in its Series , and Notes of Time , there is a most exact and wonderful Co-ordination of one to and with the other . I mean in Cardinal Points .

To ascribe them then to Chance or Fancy , what does it speak , but an Obstinacy semblable to that of the Atheist , against all proof of a Divine Being , or to the Pharisaick Despightful accounting to the Prince of Devils what was too evident to be denied , and too great to be devolv'd upon natural Causes .

If the Mystery of Iniquity began in the very Time of the Remark 2 Apostles ; if the Apostacy began at 437 ; and that then the Gentiles had invaded the outward Court of the Christian Profession , as within their forty two months , so to do ; if the Beast was at 475 in his forty two months , under the Guardianship of the other Beast , with the two Horns of East and West , however pretending to the Lamb ; What Dependance can there be upon Antiquity , not supported by Divine Authority of Scripture , or firm solid Reason ? How much better are close Researches into this Divine Prophecy to determine those Controversies , than Search into Antiquity only ?

As certainly as the Gentiles Power of entring the Holy Remark 3 Ground , and treading it down with unhallowed Feet ; as certainly as the Beast came into his forty two Months at the due time ; so certainly shall the Kingdom of the Lord , and of his Christ , succeed at the end of these forty two Months : for it is not only so according to the Word of the Watchers , and Demand of the Holy ones , but according to the solemn Oath of Christ , with hands lifted up to Heaven , That after Time , Times , Half a Time , Time shall be no more , but of the seventh Trumpet finishing All , and the Beast going into Perdition .

There is no Injury done to Persons of Royal Dignity , or Remark 4 of any other Character of Dominion , by deriving upon them what Divine Prophecy hath affix'd to them : their Persons , their Places , may receive all due Honour and Christian Subjection notwithstanding . Prayers may be made for them , as any way deputed by God ; their personal Vertues and worthy Actions may be had in due esteem , even as the Princes of the Heathen , by Daniel , Ezra , Nehemiah , or of the Caesars by the Apostles .

SECT. IX . In which the Time from the Forty two Months beginning is set out till 622 , or the Mahometan Hegira , by Rome 's dark State in the Fourth Trumpet ; by the Angel proclaiming the three Woe Trumpets ; by the Beast becoming a fallen Star at 606 , and the Key of the Abyss given him , viz. in the Universal Pastorship by Phocas ; and the Ministry of the other Beast to him herein , and the state of the Witnesses are also declar'd . Revel. c. 8. v. 12. &c. c. 9. v. 1. &c.

I Have in the former Section settled that so considerable Period of the Beast's Forty two Months , and settled them upon their own Base ; the Beast in his most essential and fundamental Delineation : but this Part , rested upon the Point of Time , that was even with his Succession ; His Rising out of the Sea , that Sea , into which Rome was thrown ; into which those Fountains ran , where into the Imperial Star , Wormwood fell , and imbitter'd them : This gave opportunity to the Beasts Succession , to his rising out of that very Sea , as hath been argued : for when Augustulus thus fell , the Name and Head into which the Beast succeeded , was in the midst of the Tumults of the Winds striving upon the Great Sea ; the Winds rais'd by the three first Trumpets left supreme : so He succeeded .

The Judgment of God upon the apostatiz'd Christian Empire , made way for him to rise to a supreme Apostate . God took away that apostatiz'd indeed Imperial King , but no Head , and gave the Apostacy a proper both Head and King in his Wrath.

But he was at this time , and long after , a Beast , that Was and yet Is not . There being therefore no other Name of Potency and Augustness , Rome , the Absolute Rome , ( for Constantinople was but a mutuatitious Rome , it borrowed in Emulation the Name , Rome only ; ) because , I say , there was no other Name but that of the Bestian Succession , in the time when he was under the Inscription , Is not ; Rome was very dark . All other Names , not only of Supremacy , but even of Subordinacy , by degrees were ecclips'd ; yea , the Ecclipse was total , 'ere the Light returned : no Emperour , no Senate , no Kings , under the Denomination of Rome , no Consuls . And Rome it self became a Provincial City under the Exarchat of Ravenna , as low a State as the Mistress of the World could be depress'd into ; more inglorious than an utter Extinction . Thus it was from 475 beginning , to about 550 , under Justinian the Emperour . Herein all History is at Peace , at one with it self : and so things continued some time .

And how elegantly does Prophecy represent this under the symbolical Account of the fourth Trumpet ! The fourth Angel sounded , and the third part of the Sun , of the Moon , and of the Stars , were smitten ; and the Day shined not for a third part thereof , and the Night likewise . The Bestian Name being as yet in a Peerage , and out of that very Peerage to come in an Image into its lustre , ( and the Image not yet made ) could not inlighten this great Orb ; for its Name however , the only Name of Supremacy , was not yet known in its Bestian Supremacy , but was yet as of another Order and Claim .

But now at the end of the fourth , and in the beginning of the fifth Trumpet , it began to dawn ; and so Prophecy will by its Dawn convey us upon this Line , this wonderful Line , we have discoursed so long upon , the Line of the 1260 Days ; with which the forty two Months of the Beast are now combin'd . Prophecy will , I say , very speedily in the fifth Trumpet convey and set us upon a new Line of the Mahometan Hegira or Computation of Time ; so that we shall run upon it for the space of eight hundred and thirty Years together , with the 1260 Days , and with the Bestian Line , comprehending in short the most Oecumenical and illustrious Points of History at that Time in the Universe ; viz. of the Bestian and the Mahometan Grassation , or Invasion into the same kind of Universal Power ; and both upon the Account of Pseudo-Prophetism , the due Observation of which , will persuade us of the Divineness of this Prophecy , and that we are upon the true Explication of it .

As it were then , between the ending of the Time of the fourth , and the beginning of the Time of the fifth Trumpet ; there was a loud Voice , as of an Angels flying through the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that upper Region , like the Voice of Thunder , reaching down to the Earth , and saying , Woe , Woe , Woe , to the Inhabiters of the Earth , because of the Voices of the Angels that are yet to sound .

Now it were wonderful , if merely by the chance of Imagination , running such a Path , so great and remarkable Configurations both of Prophecy and History should meet it so often , just where it would choose and desire to be so met .

For at this very Time , Gregory call'd the Great , Bishop of Rome , a Personage of so great Eminence for Vertue , Learning , and Eloquence , declar'd aloud in his Epistles to the Emperour Mauricius , and to John the Bishop of Constantinople , So also to the Bishops of Alexand. and Antioch . That Antichrist was near ; That the Title of Vniversal Bishop was a certain Indication of him ; That it was Pride to assume such a Title ; It was like Lucifer , Son of the Morning , ascending the heights of the Stars , setting his Throne above the other Angels , above the other Stars , affecting to be like the Most High .

Now seeing no such could be fix'd in the Firmament or Heaven of the Gospel , he must needs Fall : How close then is this to the prophetick Language , I saw a Star fall from Heaven ; or as Christ in a like case speaks , I saw Satan fall as Lightning from Heaven , as the Dragon fell , but found in the Beast a Kingdom on Earth , as before said .

Just as when Satan fell from Heaven he had a Kingdom assign'd him by the Divine Permission and Decree ; viz. God of this World , Ruler of the Darkness of this World ; This Star who is the Son of Perdition , whose coming is after the manner of Satan , had the same in Proportion ; the Key of the bottomless pit is given to him , that is , permitted to him , given judiciarily into his hand by God's wise and holy sufferance , and over-rule of all things to his Glory .

This Fall then of this Star , is like the Angels leaving their own Habitation , their first Estate , or true original Principality : Jude v. 6. a Fall , not like that of the Stars , the Dragon swept down with his Tail , or of the Star Wormwood , an involuntary Fall , a Fall from the Heaven of a political Order and Supremacy , to a low State without Power ; but a Fall of Apostacy from his due Station , a planetary Defection from his own Orb , v. 16. into a Kingdom of the bottomless Pit , to which Darkness is reserv'd for ever .

And whenever the Antichrist came , the Beast rose out of the bottomless pit , or which is the same , this Star had fallen : there must be then Woe , Woe , Woe , for the Vengeance of God at the same time made him way , and pursued him : every Trumpet sounded against him ; The first was to hurt only the Revel. 9. 4. Men that were not seal'd , of which he was the Prince : the second was upon those who were guilty of Murthers , Sorceries , v. 20. Thefts , Idolatries . The Woman whom the Beast carried was guilty of all these ; was impenitent in them , although c. 11. v. 15. compar'd with c. 14. c. 15. c. 16. God gave her space to repent . The Third Woe-Trumpet brought with it the Kingdom of Christ , and the Destruction of Antichrist , or the Bestian Kingdom : so there was Woe , Woe , Woe , on the Bestian Earth whenever Antichrist came .

Immediately after this Remonstrance of the Bishop Gregory , the Bishop Boniface accepts from the parricidick Emperour Phocas , this Vniversality : so that in his sense , Antichrist then came , and the first Woe-Trumpet , according to Prophecy , is dated from his Fall . What can be more wonderful ? as Gregory was at all a good Man , his Prediction must be own'd to a better Spirit , and to the Knowledge Divine Prophecy gave him , and to the Impression it had made upon him ; As he was himself part of that Body , upon which his own Prediction ran , it was like Nebuchadnezzar's prophetick Dream of Dan. 2. the Ruine of that Image by the Stone , of which he was the head of Gold ; or like the Prophecy of Caiaphas , a very bad Joh. 11. 51. part of which himself was concern'd in : however his eminent Station gave the Rebound of his Prediction , as through the World . And the time of Rome lying so low , is noted most emphatically by Prophecy ; viz. Rome without any eminent Light of Government : and then follows such an immediate Appearance of Antichrist , according to the Signal given of him by that Bishop of Rome , and according to Prophecy the Star Fell. This is in some sense , I may say , but too remarkable in so plainly declaring who is Antichrist , and that his Kingdom holds by the Key of the bottomless Pit .

It is true , the Beast had been in his forty two months above a hundred Years ; yet , as a Tyrant , prophetically declar'd to be a Tyrant , is not yet so in his Infancy or Under-state , no more than Hazael was a Tyrant when Elisha told him what 1 Kin. 8. 11. he , as such a Tyrant , should do ; no more was the Beast such a Beast while he was under the Inscription , Is not . So that though he was a Beast by way of Succession , and some presagious Actions , He might yet not be a falling Star till he now fell , and receiv'd this Key : for the whole Bestian Body , or Succession , is consider'd in the whole Beast , not in its several Ages , nor in the single Persons making it , some better some worse : all that enter its Composition , are consider'd as one Beast in the prophetick Scheme , in any Age , in any Bestian Qualities , more or less ; yea though so moderate , as that they should only bear up the Title , and maintain the Succession . And this removes all possible Objection ; as thus , Was he , that had been a Beast so long , a Star yet to Fall ? You see , he might be so while he was the Beast ; Is not ; and yet not a falling Star ; for this fall prepar'd his rising out of the bottomless Pit , and so to shew himself a Beast , whereas yet he could not appear so , but must remain in his State , Is not , till this fall , and after it too , even till he came to his number , that Prophecy might be fulfilled , when he ascends out of this Abyss .

And though his fall was but to the Earth , yet because instead of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven , he pretended to , he had only the Key of the bottomless Pit , he is justly said to rise out of it , for that he ascended , what was it , as the Apostle argues in a much better Case , but that he descended first ; Ephes. 4. 9. for seeing he rises to his Power by the Efficacy of his deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish , by his sathanick Signs and Wonders , by his excommunicational Thunders from beneath , by which he affrights men downwards ; and that much of his Potentacy lies in the management of a false Hell of his own founding ; It is very proper to him to ascend out of the bottomless Pit , and the Power of the Keys , he assumes , is very ominous to him ; for what he calls Keys , is this , one Key of the bottomless Pit , and so in just derision of him he carries this device in Prophecy , The Key of the bottomless Pit was given him .

I confess , The Patriark of Constantinople was the First in this Assumption , the Emulation of which mov'd Gregory , it is to be fear'd , as a lower cause to so high an Exclamation ; but though he was First , yet he was not to have the Key of the Abyss in Supremacy ; for Prophecy sees not as Man sees by degrees , and as in parcels , but at once ; it therefore calls him , that fallen Star alone , who was to have this Key , although the other was a falling Star also , and spake as a Dragon .

He is then , and he alone , He that hath under Sathan the Key of the bottomless Pit , and though an Angel is call'd afterwards the Angel of the bottomless Pit , whom we shall find in its due place very diverse from this Star , who may seem to have a better right to this Key ; we shall yet find he was only a Warlike King of the Locusts , under the Title of a Prophet , the false Prophet Mahomet , but was not , could not be this Star , whose fall must be from Heaven perpetual , even as his aspiring Pretensions to Heaven are so continual ; ( as shall be further declared ) as one who once had a fixation in Heaven , which Mahomet never had .

He , that ascends out of the bottomless Pit , is he that open'd it , and let out the Smoke , he opens it , he lets out the Smoke , out of which the Locusts came , but against his own Intention , he intended himself to ride in this Cloud , as in an infernal Chariot alone ; but with the Smoke Sathan also ascended , and became an Angel of the bottomless Pit in the King of the Locusts , who were the Flood out of his Mouth , propagating his Kingdom by both the Star , and by the King of the Locusts ; The latter of which was principally a great Judgment of God on the Antichristian Star , as shall be shewn at large .

In the mean Time we find , the other Beast ministring to this delivery of the Key of the bottomless Pit , under the decree and judicial Ordination of God . For they made Trial for him , of the Efficacy of the Lamb-like Horns , joyn'd with the draconick Idolatry , and Persecution , and so exercis'd the Power of the first Beast before him , while he , as one , and the chief Revel. 13. among them , look'd on . They essayed the calling fire from Heaven , and working lying Miracles in his sight , to establish the Grandeur of false Prophecy ; they stirred up all to worship the first Beast , viz. The Roman idolatrous Supremacy , and to make an Image of Vniversality to it in such a Roman Catholick Supremacy , as of the Vicar of Christ on Earth .

And even the Eastern Horn that aspired for it self above this Beast , yet by approving the Idea , by making the Experiment , by assuming the Title , provok'd and inkindled the Ambition of him , who by the divine Decree had the Permission , got the Possession , and hath for many Ages wedg'd himself fast into it , and left the other Horn leisure only to be angry at his defeat , while his vain claim justifies the thing as lawful , and desirable ; and therefore gave the occasion to the High sounding Voice of Gregory the Great .

And it is very observable , on this very account the Divine Justice fell all along severely upon the Eastern Empire , and Patriarchate , by the two first woe-Trumpets , especially at the taking of Constantinople , and to this day lies heavy upon them : so that as the Grecian Emperours gave first to the Constantinopolitan Patriarch , and then to the Bishop of Rome , this Antichristian Vniversality ; so most distinctly the Wrath of God was very dreadful upon both the Empire , and the whole Hierarchy as so antichristianizing ; and so it continues , and will so far conjoyn them in the Punishment of the Beast and false Prophet , as they shall not divorce themselves from them by Repentance .

For this Prophecy looks upon both the Eastern and Western Hierarchy , as one and the same Beast with two Horns , under the same grand Beast , and their People , as one Body of Men , Gentiles , Inhabitants of the Antichristian Earth , and Sea , and as two Wings of the same Eagle . And they all along are both punish'd in , and with one another . 'T is not the lesser Controversies among themselves concerning Primacy , or some other matters , that can dissolve the Antichristian Vnion , wherein this Prophecy leaves them ; it must be sincere Repentance , turning from Idolatry , Superstition , Enmity to the pure Religion ; and from Pride and Tyranny , enjoyed only by one , one of the Horns indeed for many years as most nearly allied to the Grand Beast , but affected by both , that must make that Wall of Partition , that hath not yet been made , between the Eastern and Western Antichristians , or between any parts of each and their Antichristianism .

In the Interim from this very Time we are upon , the Beast , falling as a Star to the Antichristian Earth , receives , as Latin , that is , strictly Roman , the Universality of both East and West , as was always design'd by God to be so given or permitted , and so by degrees enlightens Rome , when all the Rulers of the Day , and even of the Night , were smitten , gone down , and set ; and now he begins to carry the Woman on high , even at his first ascending , and so gradually as he ascends to his Number .

And hereby the fallen Star appears to be the same Beast that rises out of the bottomless Pit , to war with the Witnesses ; and therefore must be the same that wars with the Saints , who are the Witnesses , and who is led captive or taken by the Lamb , and his Army of the faithful and true , and goes into Perdition ; that is , is cast into the Lake : and so the same throughout .

And when he is so cast into the Lake , an Angel of another Character does not fall , but descends from Heaven , having the Key of the bottomless Pit not judicially given , but committed to him ; not to open the bottomless Pit , and let out the Smoak ; not to loose nor draw out at greater liberty , and by provoking God to give the Malice of Devils greater scope , by the Angel of that Pit , raging like a roaring Lyon , in a hellish Mahometanism ; but to lay hold on him , to bind him , to cast him into the bottomless Pit , to shut him up , and to set a Seal upon him , that he may deceive the Nations no more for the 1000 Years : which very Consideration of that so opposite Vision does much inlighten this of the fifth Trumpet we are now upon .

It remains , that we consider now , what the Service of the two Witnesses might at this time most agreeably with Prophecy be ; and as so considering it , I look upon this joynt of Time , this Proclamation of the three woe Trumpets , to be the very entrance of the Witnesses in the second Type of that eminent Binary , or Pair of Witnesses , and Prophets , Elijah and Elisha .

The Witnesses had now a long time , as the Sons of Oyl , emptied their golden Oyl by way of preparatory Furniture of those two golden Candlesticks , the true Churches of Pergamus and Thyatyra , that stood , this whole Line of Time , before the God of the whole Earth ; and though we have not the clear and unmixed Records of any such Testimony ; for that were to lessen the Prophecy ; besides that the Indignation of the Apostate Church must needs have suppress'd them : they must needs have suffer'd more so than under the Injuries of Time : but I say it were to lessen Prophecy , which says , They were cover'd with Sackcloth , they were seal'd , they were retir'd within the Temple , the Church was in the Wilderness through the scattering of its Seed . It is not then possible , according to the Prophecy , there should be pure , liquid Remains of their Testimony .

But now the Antichristians , like Sanballat and Tobiah , and other the Enemies of the Jews , disturb'd their Service , and in building with them hinder'd the Operation , and infus'd their Venome in some part into the Writings and Discourses of Persons of a much more excellent temper in the main .

Now the Witnesses therefore , as we may in part see by Gregory ( praised before ) passed into the Spirit and Power of Elijah and Elisha ; they began now to have fire proceed out of their Mouths , to devour their Adversaries ; They began to declare the Wrath of God against Idolatry , and Antichristian Pride , and Blasphemy : And this entred as Fire into the Consciences of their Enemies , that in this manner they were kill'd , as it were by the Sword of Christ's Mouth , which he threatens to the Balamites in the Church of Pergamus ; and herein they imitated the Zeal of Moses and Phincas against the spiritual Fornication and Nicolaitanism of that time ; and also prepar'd the Servants of God in Thyatyra with a holy Zeal against the Jezebelism , and Idolatry , and Fornication of that Time also , when the Apostacy was increas'd .

But how can we hope for much of Monument hereof ? The Prophecy of Gregory is more than we could expect ; and were it not that he serv'd the Apostacy to many other great purposes , we had not had so much of him ; but God over-rul'd so far . Now the Witnesses were coming into the closest time of being seal'd ; and therefore we have the mention of it reviv'd within the fifth Trumpet ; They were sed with hidden Manna , They were hardly known one to another at the very Time ; Elijah knew not of the seven thousand Knees that had not bowed to Baal , nor their Mouths kiss'd him , but thought himself alone : How much less then can we now know them ?

And which is very characteristical of this Period of the Witnesses Prophecy and Testimony ; They have Power to shut Heaven , that it rain not in the Days of their Prophecy ; so that there arises a Famine , not of Bread , but of hearing the Word of the Lord : and this endured for the intimate Time , of which we are to speak in the next Period of the Witnesses , and the Remark of shutting Heaven for three Years and six Months will be of great Conduct to us .

SECT. X. Wherein is undertaken to be prov'd , That the Mahometan Sarazens are the Locusts design'd in the fifth Apocalyptick Trumpet ; and that the five Months given to them comprehend Four hundred-thirty five Years from the Mahometan Hegira at 622 , and so reach to 1057. upon Rev. c. 9. v. 1. &c.

I Pass on from this joynt of Time , engraven with the real and substantial Characters of the Angel proclaiming the three Woes , the Star falling , the Key of the bottomless Pit given to him . All which I have explain'd .

I come now to speak of the Descent of this Star to the opening the bottomless Pit , and of that Smoak that issued out upon it , and the unexpected Events of Locusts coming out of the Smoak ; which produce a new Line of Time beginning at 622 , and not ending till 1453 ; but divided by Prophecy into two parts , the five Months , and five Months of the Locusts , and the Hour , Day , Month , and Year of the Army of Horsemen ; between which will come in the Account of intimate Time : and so we will discourse each in their order .

Antichrist then appearing in the Star fallen to the Earth to shine there , as an universal Pastor , of which sort the Firmament of Heaven knows none , nor can bear any such , so he must needs fall to the Earth ; and the Beast here transmigrated into by the Dragon , and beginning to exalt the Woman by carrying his Vniversality in an Image , inscrib'd with the Name of the Woman , and having receiv'd the Key of the bottomless Pit , in place of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven , he immediately proceeds to open it , and le ts out Error , Falsehood , Blasphemy , the Doctrine of Balam , Nicolaitanism , Antichristianism , spiritual Pride and Tyranny , like the Smoke or perpetual Vapour of the Abyss , and its open Mouth , that darkned the whole Air of the Christian Doctrine and Profession ; and in this by degrees he ascends higher and higher , till he comes to his number 666.

But Sathan above him in this bottomless Pit , turning every way , and moving more ways than one to advance his Kingdom , especially over-rul'd , and govern'd by God in fulfilling the course of his Judgment , so impregnates this Smoke , in that time of spiritual drought , and of the Heaven shut as Brass , and the Earth as Iron , a Time specifick for these Locusts as drought is for the natural ones , that unawares to this fallen Star , there comes a swarm of Locusts out of the Smoke , and they prove armed , crowned Locusts , dreadfully annoying , and Tormenting the Antichristian World . viz. by the Mahometan Saracens .

Having thus far then prepar'd to it , I come to the main position of this Section , the proof of which I am to undertake ; that these Locusts are the Mahometan Saracens , whose five , and five Months measure from 622 to 1057 ,

The first Argument I derive from the Style , in which this Argu. 1 Prophecy speaks of their King . He is the Angel of the bottomless Pit , whose Name is Abaddon in the Hebrew Tongue , and in the Greek , Apollion .

Now by this Description it is most evident some Potentacy is describ'd , that hath its place in the World , and whose very Constitution should of all that hath ever been in the World , be such a one , as Sathan himself , who is the only proper Angel of the bottomless Pit , hath , and would choose to appear in , be the immediate Intelligence of , and the Spirit that acts it , above any Potentacy , that hath been in the World to this day .

But it is in the first place to be consider'd , that as the Locusts and Horse-men , we shall find plainly united in their empoyson'd Tayls of Serpents , so they are in their King , and his Title is therefore set in the joynt between the fifth and sixth Trumpet , to communicate with both .

The Potentacy then must be a Potentacy on Earth , and it must seat it self in the Hebrew and Grecian Acropoles , or chief Cities , as the Hebrew and Greek Tongues imports ; like as the Inscription upon our Saviour , This is the King of the Jews , was providentially written in Latin , Greek , and Hebrew , to shew the chief Residency of his Kingdom , in those so known parts of the World .

I appeal then to all Christians , whether since the days of Christ , or indeed since the Creation ; there hath been an Empire in the World , that may be compris'd in one word , viz. Mahometan , that for the foule , fordid , base Impostures of its Religion , and Alchoran , the ignorance and bruitishness of its very Profession , the Cruelty and ravage it hath made upon humane Nature , to the utmost signification of the Words , Abaddon or Apollion , or wherein Sathan hath most immediately appear'd as the Enemy and Destroyer of Mankind , can be said to be under the Angel of the bottomless Pit , as its King ; with such propriety as the Mahometan ; Abating the confession of one God , and the abhorrence of Image-Idolatry , there is not any thing , in which the utmost Effects of the Angel of the bottomless Pit have not been seen ; and even that good in that Confession of one God is improv'd by his Malice , against the Knowledge of the true God in the Son and Holy Spirit , and so may well be couch'd in the very Words Abaddon and Apollion , as the every way most incomparable Dr. More hath with highest Ingeny and Learning observ'd .

The fallen Star , that had the Key of the bottomless Pit , who is sathanick enough , in whom the Dragon also inhabits ; who hath been bloody to great Extremities , yet is even essentially enough distinguished from him ; He is a Star fallen from another Sphere , descends with the Key , and ascends and lets out the Smoke , but is in regard of the true Religion , he professes still , and maintains , however debauch'd by Antichristianism , not a Native of the Abyss , as this Angel is ; he holds the Scripture , while he lets out the Smoke also . But this Angel of the bottomless Pit , hath no more of God , but what Hell hath , that believes one God , trembles in the acknowledge of him . All else is perfect Hell .

The Time most eminently and illustriously agrees . For after the Roman Western State was in Justinians Time so wholly unenlightned ; after the Christian three Woes proclaimed by Pope Gregory the first ; after Vniversality given by Phocas , and receiv'd by Boniface , and that there was some time for opening the bottomless Pit , and letting out the Smoke ; out of that Smoke comes Mahomet the false Prophet , and King of the Locusts , inhabited and possessed by the Angel of the bottomless Pit , of which his Epileptick Fits were an Emblem , if not the Effects of a very possession , according to the eminently judicious Mede upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the possessed in the Gospel , he comes , I say , a false Prophet in Armour , leading these Men-locusts , who have a King over them ; for Solomon observes , Proverbs 30. 27. those natural Insects have no King that we may thereby know , These are Men-locusts .

This Mahomet upon his Persecution for his hellish Imposture makes a flight from Mecha , and sets up for Prophet and King ; that flight becomes in the Judgment of God , a famous Hegira ; an Era or Date of Time at Anno Dom. 622. from thence this Prophecy draws a Line , to the taking Constantinople 1453. of just 830 years , of which allowing five Months , and five Months to the Locusts and their Action , and an interspers'd five months after the manner of Locusts before , between , and after the heat and height of their Action ; their share will be to 1057 ; that is , Four hundred thirty five Years , when the Turkish Sultany entred into a remarkable Appearance in the World in Tangrolipix , as then prepar'd for an Hour , a Day , a Month , and a Year . Which is most exact as to point of Time , as will appear in that part to 1453 , when Constantinople became the Ottoman Port.

The Symbols or Parables of the Prophecy , and the Parallels of History are most exact . The Locusts came out of the Drought and Smoak of the Apostacy . Thus Mahometanism sprung , as is observ'd , out of the Idleness , Stupidity , and Superstition of Monkery : for Sergius the Monk incubated the Alcoran . Their Power , as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power ; their having Stings in their Tails , and their hurting with them , are all significant of their false serpentine Religion , and their false Prophetism , which Scripture compares to a Tail . Now the propagation of this their Venome , is the great pretence for their Cruelty , and this envenom'd Syrma of a devilish Religion strikes ; under , and for the sake of which , their enslaving is worse than Death it self .

Their hurting neither the Grass of the Earth , nor any green thing nor any Tree , speaks the universal Blast of the Apostacy , and its Drought ; that there was no such thing in Appearance to be hurt , the Witnesses , the Worshippers , the Servants of God , were all close ; The Woman in the Wilderness , where the Serpent could not find her , as before explain'd . No green Olive Tree appeared , tho' still secretly they emptied their Oyl : but in the Time of these Locusts , Elijah's Drought had withered all Appearances , but what was secretly in the Temple , in the House of God , Psal. 52. 8.

The Emblems of their Warlikeness are very admirable ; their Likenesses were , as Horses prepar'd to the Battel ; on their Head was the Glister of their Helmets , like Crowns of Gold ; their Faces as of Men ; their Arabian Locks like the Hair of Women ; their Teeth as of Lyons , their Breastplates of Iron , the noise of their Wings was as the sound of Chariots and Horses running to the Battel , and a warlike King over them : All these are demonstrative Emblems of armed men : The description of Locusts , Joel 2. is so like this of the Apocal. 9. that I cannot think , but that besides the litteral sense , it had a prospect upon them ; And These , as They came out of the Drought describ'd c. 1. of that Prophecy , viz. the universal Wither of all the Greenness of Religion ; For so Scripture Prophecy both designs before-hand for , and after derives from it self .

The Distribution of their dreadful Effects to a five months of Torment upon men , like the stroke of a Scorpion , while it was a vexation to understand the Report ; we suppose , according to History , was their first invading the World in general , and hovering over the Apostate Kingdom . The swiftness of their Success was so prodigious , that it could not but be thought , that the Lord uttered his Voice before his Army ; and that as his Camp was very great , so he was strong that executed his Word , that the Day of the Lord was very terrible , and none could abide it : before their Face all People were much pained , and all Faces gather'd Blackness . The continual Tidings of their Victories and Successes was to be continually tormented , as with Job's Messengers , or with the stroak of a Scorpion , a not being kill'd , but a living in pain .

But when this Army drew nearer into Italy , and even to Rome it self , in the second five Months ; when it enter'd the very Gates of that great City , they ran up the Walls , and enter'd in at the Windows to pillage and plunder , and were also perpetually striking with the Tails of not only their false Religion , but in Contempt and Scorn of the Antichristian Idolatry , and Image-worship : it was worse than a speedy Death , or a total Conquest , the prophetical Death here intended , especially when it came to cruel Slavery .

It was no wonder then , men sought for Death , that is , a quiet State , although of being conquered , and in Subjection , and could not find it , it fled from them ; for God had determin'd them this lingring Torment , and not a speedy Death or Conquest over them ; and even these Locusts could do no more than what was commanded them and given to them . Now their Power the five second Months was more than the first ; it was not only to torment with their terrour and report , but to hurt with a real Presence ; but it was only to hurt , and not to kill , ( as the Turkish Cavalry was to do at Constantinople ; ) so they could do no more than hurt , they could not kill : the Bestian Rome and Empire were to survive them .

Thus they had five Months , and five Months of Action , eminent grand Action ; but seeing they had the space of five Months more in their Fourhundred and thirty years , they must be suppos'd to come out of a first Formation , and rude Preparations ; or to be at a distance from the effects of Torment and Hurt upon the unsealed , Anticbristian , especially Western State : And at their latter end of Power a winterly Torpor and Deadness seis'd them , and the Turkish Power drove them into a desolate Land , and their stink , as of an Army of dead Serpents , came up , that yet in their Time had done great things ; and so is their Memory at this day . And thus History and Prophecy will agree in the account of their Time , at least in relation to the Bestian Kingdom , besides supposable Interspersions or Truces of their Impressions upon the Earth of the fallen Star or Antichrist .

The just , and natural , ensuing Woe upon this first , as close Arg. 4 as the two Bestian Times one to another , and yet distinguish'd too , under the very same Mahometan King , or Angel of the bottomless Pit , and in the Entail of the same serpentine Religion , is a very persuasive Argument of the due Explication of these things in Prophecy , whose Situation , Connexion , and Sequence one upon another , even as the Hour , Day , Month , and Year , upon their Five Months , Five Months , and their Vacation , or Non-Term of Action , is close and inseparable : but this will rise into a farther Observation upon that part of the Line ; in the mean time , as a strong support , it helps to sustain the Point we are upon .

The very great fitness of these Locusts under their King Mahomet , is every way most admirable to be a Scourge and Arg. 5 Woe upon the Antichristian Empire , and their Months or Half-Moon to be a portentous Paraselene or another Moon upon them . They are a mock-state every way to them by the severe Vengeance of God ; an Antichrist to Antichrist , coming by Sergius the Monk out of their very Smoak , let out by the Key-bearing fallen Star . Their King an Angel of the bottomless Pit rivals the Star of the bottomless Pit : the Monarchy of the Beast , and his ten Horns , is mated by the Monarchy of this King , and one Vniversality by the other ; the pseudo or false Prophetism of the one by that of the other ; the Miracles of the one by those of the other ; the Superstition of the one , and the Cruelty and Bloodiness of the one , by those of the other : both are sharers in the Roman Empire ; each hath his Rome , one old Rome , the other new Rome ; each of which Imperial Cities are in this prophetick Emblem Thirds of Men. Both aspire to the Possession of Jerusalem , as having the promise of Universal Monarchy and Dominion ; but both mistake the Jerusalem in Bondage , for that which comes down from above , at which both will be vanish'd . Both are Draconick , and oppose and stave off the true Kingdom of Christ ; both oppress the Witnesses and Servants of God , but the Beast by single War with them , the King of the Locusts , in the general , and mistaking the false Church for the true , and its earthly Glory for the Glory of Christ , and so cannot hurt the true Glory ; both last , the one as a Bestian Kingdom , the other as a Woe , till the end of the 1260 Days . Both are to be utterly destroy'd before the Glorious Kingdom of Christ .

But the latter is a Judgment , and a Woe-Trumpet on the former , both , as it is Christian in Pretence and Profession , to which Mahomet is a profess'd Foe ; and , as it is Antichristian , Idolatrous , and Superstitious ; for so it is scorned , and abused , and derided , as well as persecuted by Mahometanism .

Now to ballance these two Antichristianisms one with another , and the Interest of Satan in them , it is thus to be settled : in one , Satan is as an Angel of Light , falling from Heaven , and making use of the Key of the bottomless Pit , as if it were the Key of the Kingdom of Heaven ; in the other he is plainly the Angel of the bottomless Pit , and acts as the Destroy●r . Now the first must be necessarily the most hateful to God , because it is the greatest Blasphemy ; its Moon eclipses the Kingdom of Christ most directly ; and as it were in the Draconick Nodi , surpris'd it when it was to appear , at the casting down Satan from Heaven , and the manly Birth caught up to the Throne of God : upon which Antichristianism , as the Finess of Sathanism , Mahometanism was provided , as a Scourge and Woe of the coursest and thickest of the bottomless Pit , and the blackest Appearance of the Angel of it : and therefore , though Mahometanism shall be finally destroyed , and sent back to the bottomless Pit , yet Antichristianism shall receive greater Damnation .

And so much for the fifth Trumpet that gives way to the sixth , even as the Saracenick Caliphate did to the Turkish Sultany .

SECT. XI . Of the Number 666. Shewing the certainty it gives to this whole Line of Time , both as to the Nature and Time of the Beast , upon a true and right Explanation of it , Revel. 13. v. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18.

I Cannot move farther upon the Mahometan Time , or from the Fifth to the Sixth Trumpet , until I have consider'd that famous Number in this Prophecy , Six hundred sixty six , which I have affirm'd to be a Pillar erected within Intimate Time or Season ; to which Anterior , outward Time is but an Ante-Room , or Portico .

This appears to us about 103 Years after the Mahometan Hegira , and so early within the Period of the Saracens ; viz. at 725. According to the order therefore I have propos'd , I must settle that so illustrious Notation of Time .

For by it the Divine Prophecy hath girdled this Tree of the spiritual Babylonish Monarch , and given its measure from its Conception to its Akme , its Top , or Height ; and from thence till it shall be hewed down , although the Stump shall continue some time after , till it is rooted wholly up , and cast to the Flames .

It could not rise higher , although since then it hath spread its Roots every way to confirm it self , and dilated its Boughs to enlarge its Shade and its Authority .

Now because this Number 666 , as it rolls in the whole space of the Apocalyptick Prophecy , is incertain and fugitive , and apt to be laid hold upon here or there , according to variety of Apprehensions concerning it ; It must first be fix'd , as Prophecy design'd it . Now to do this , Prophecy it self hath enabled us these two ways to take it .

1. It must be taken from its Height to its Root , and from its Root back to its Height ; and so we shall certainly find where it rises to 666 , and from whence , and how far it can spread .

2. It must be endeavour'd by observing the prophetical delineation of the whole intimate Time or Season , to make a Judgment where this Pillar of it can be only justly , and with due proportion fix'd , so as to find from it the whole Longitude both of intimate Time , or Season , Seasons , half Season , as also of Time , Times , Half-time , or time at the utmost extent of 1260 Days , and the twice forty two months . And this by solid Reasons from this Prophecy .

For the first Prophecy hath admirably enabled us , and to Head 1 very great purposes , to measure from its Height to its Root , by shewing us , we are to do so according to the general Wisdom of a man , that is , of a man of Reason . It styles this Number the Number of a man .

For as much then , as the numerative Faculty , and the notion of Number springing from it , is peculiar to Man , as a Creature of Reason , and a Beast can be suppos'd to have nothing of it ; and because men of more acute and excellent Reason treat Number otherwise than men of vulgar Apprehension doe , the counting of the Beast's Number is call'd Wisdom ; and He that hath that Wisdom is call'd in a peculiar manner to count it , as by stones , the ancient way of numbring ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and so he shall find the Number of the Name of the Beast , and the Number of his Time .

As Moses then was skill'd in all the Learning of the Egyptians , so this mystical Book is pleas'd to make use of the Pythagorean Learning in mystical Numbers , and of the wisest knowledge of Arithmetick .

And as the Pythagorick Philosophy found out Proportions by reducing Numbers to their square Root , so to adjust all things in mathematical Science ; and then gave the nature of things in the Hieroglyphick of Number , sometimes from the Congruity they have imagin'd couch'd in Number , with such and such Natures , as Ten was call'd the Number of the World , Four of Justice , &c. sometimes from any chief Action in Time , or Times , of such a numeral Denomination , as the very mention of such Years wherein any Potentacy stood highest , or fell lowest , is a Cypher for those very things famous at such Times .

Just in the same manner Divine Prophecy must be suppos'd to remand us to the Root of the Beasts Number , to find both his Name , that is , his Nature , as Name in Scripture signifies , and his Times by both the Top and Root of his Number , and what was most memorable at each .

Although therefore I shall willingly allow any use that can be made of the numeral Letters of the Name , suppos'd most proper to the Beast , as 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or any that can be with truth made of any 666 , with the Millenary omitted ; as some suppose 666 with the Millenary omitted , as accounted in the present Century , not from the Incarnation , but from the Resurrection , which will be 1699 : yet , because these things are too slippery and incertain , and may be adapted several other ways ; I lay no stress upon them : nor do they so much require a man of Wisdom in Numeration , to count them ( which is a Portal to convey us into the true sense of this Number , ) as any kind of conjectural Skill .

Agreedly then among all Arithmeticians , the nearest to the square Root of Six hundred sixty six , is Twenty five , as that excellent Apocalyptical * Arithmetician hath elaborated Mr. Potter . it .

And that this may be better understood , and more confirm'd , it is made most certain by the opposite Number Twelve , and 144 constructed upon it ; the Import of this Number Twelve , is pure Israelitism , and perfect Apostolism . It rises to Rev. 21. its perfection at 144 , in the New Jerusalem , when that Number comes to its cubical , solid Perfection ; and it rises evenly and justly , till it comes to be not only the measure of a Man , but even Angelical and Divine : the measure of a Man , that is , of the Angel . Twenty Five is uneven , fractional , out of square , sur'd , both from Twelve and from it self . Assoon as ever it becomes the Base , the Root , and pretends to be the Square of another Number , It becomes a Variation from the pure Israelitism , and the perfect Apostolical Doctrine , Worship , Discipline , and Conversation , and in every Progress , as it mounts higher , so retaining all along a likeness and pretension to it , it varies yet more from it , till it attains its compleat Number 666. and is Antichristianism and Bestianism at the full stature or number of a Man in this sense , that is , at manly Age , and fully opposes the true Evangelical Measures , and comfounds them so much the more , as it pretends to them . Till this Time it is trac'd as between 25 and 26. Its ways are till then moveable , and not so well to be ascertain'd and known .

This being so far adjustable in Nature , is also as adjustable in Time ; for from Twenty five after the Resurrection , the certain Apocalyptick Epoch , it rises to its Top at 666 , from that Twenty five , and then appears at its true Elevation , as we shall see presently . Now that it so began at Twenty five or six , we have a threefold Testimony ; Of the Apostle Paul , that the Mystery of Iniquity , viz. the Apostacy , as a Womb , in which the Man of Sin was curiously form'd , as in the lower parts of 2 Thess. 2. 7. 1 John 4. 3. Revel. 2. 4. the Earth was then at work , that it might bring forth the Man at his full growth , at 666. The Apostle John assures us , Antichrist was then in the World , and the supreme Apocalyptes , Christ , tells us , Ephesus , the Image of the Apostolical Church , had even in the Apostles Times left its first Love ; when therefore Apostolical Time had doubled it self from Twelve to Twenty Four , and was moving onward , as at a precise Time from Conception ; the Mystery of Iniquity began to work at 25 or 26.

And it is no wonder , the Man of Sin , beheld by the Apostle in Spirit , when no Eye saw him in this his Embrional Condition in his first Principles , was thus remark'd by him ; For then every thing receives its nature ; Even as Jacob in the Womb , as John the Baptist , as our Lord in his Conception is celebrated ; so this Man of Sin is dated from the conceiving of Sin , as well as from the manly State , from the Conception as well as from the grown Man , till then Iniquity fully accomplishing its Time brings forth Death . This Psendo Abrahamite , this spiritual Edom , and Esau , struggled as another Nation in the Womb of the Apostacy , while the pure Israelitism , without guile , lay in the Womb of true Christianity ; to both which , the outward Profession was a common Womb. This prophane Esau is he that sold the Birth-right of the Gospel for a Mess os Pottage , and the Heavenly Kingdom for an Earthly Dukedom ; and wherein he got the start .

Thus the Number of the Name of the Beast , and the number of the Beast , or the time of his adult and man-like Bestianism , so closely related , so closely joyn'd , as not possible they should lead two several ways , both being the Time of worshipping the Image , receiving the Mark , the Name , and the Number of the Name , assure , beyond all doubt , that they are both one Nature , appearing manifestly at one and the same Time ; and by both mathematical and prophetical Certainty , if the Top of the Number be 666 , Twenty five must be the Root and Bottom ; and if the Root be Twenty five from the Resurrection , the top must be 666 , from that twenty five , viz. 725 , or 726 ; and so both from the nature counter-Apostolical , under the pretence of Apostolical , as also the Root and the top of Time being compar'd , It can neither be Mahometan , not so early up , as twenty five ; nor Pagan that did not live so long as 725 , but must be Antichristian , or the Beast .

And by this wonderful Hieroglyphick of Number , God hath surpris'd all defence from Antiquity , out of the hand of Antichrist , that is not built upon his Word , Truth , and solid Reason ; for seeing the Mystery of Iniquity wrought so soon as 25 , from the Resurrection ; all Proof from Antiquity only , is but proof for Antichrist , taken from the Mystery of Iniquity , beginning to work , and so not to be for that cause allowed .

I come therefore now to the second point , viz. To see Head . 2 where this Pillar of intimate Time , this six hundred sixty six can be only , duely , and proportionably plac'd ; And we shall find evidently where it is thus to be plac'd .

That we may then understand this , we must consider , that there is in Time , Times , Half Time , an intimate Time or Season signified to us 3 ways .

1. By the force of the Words us'd in the Chalde , in the Dan. 7. 25. Dan. 12. 7. Rev. 12. 14. Hebrew and in the Greek Originals to express this Line ; It is indicted , appointed Time , or Season , Seasons , half Season . Now Season is the most virtual , lively point of Time ; for though all Season must have Time to support it , yet Time is only Season to those things , whereunto it is especially appointed , and gives advantage ; the very words therefore import Season within Time ; and thus the Apostle says , The Man of Sin is reveal'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as it were in the same Words with that of the three Seasons and half , in his own Season .

2. The intending and elevation of the Events speak the same ; for as much as Prophecying in Sackcloth is transcended by lying dead , as much as being in the Wilderness , so as to be hid from the face of the Serpent , exceeds being in the Wilderness only in general , as much as changing Times and Laws , and wearing out the Saints , and scattering the holy People by the Antichristian Prince himself , exceed the rude Gentiles , trampling the holy Court , or the Beasts mere Power of Continuance ; so does the intimate Time , or season of seasons . , seasons , half season , transcend the Time at large , and in general ; and therefore all these Notes of Time are first given , and then Inward time with this Exaltation of the Effects .

3. The Three times and a half pointing and propending towards , though not rigidly denoting three years and a half , ( even as twelve hundred sixty days do , and as forty two months of Lunar years do ) they have two great Paralels ; one of Years , the other of Days ; and both fitted to the very 1260 days of the Witnesses .

The first of years is that of Elijah , declaring that there 1 Kings , 17. 1. should not be these years Rain nor Dew , but according to his Word ; Now the Time of this Drought is most expresly affirmed twice , that we might take the more notice of it , to be three years and six months ; once by Christ himself , a second Luc. 4. 25. Jam. 5. 17. Time by the Apostle James .

And yet by the History we cannot find , that the Drought was any longer than a part of the three years , and a part of 1 King . 18. 1. the six months ; for it is said , in the third year Elijah appeared to Ahab , and Rain ensued ; accounting then from the latter end of the first year , to the beginning of the six months after two years , there might be no Rain , a part of the first year , the whole of the two years , nor till the six months began ; and yet it might be in the third year , according to precise account of years ; as may be easily understood . For there may be three full years within a part of the first of the three years , and of the six months , viz. the latter part of the first year , and the beginning of the last six Months , comprehending two whole years in the middle .

That of Days is the instance of our Lords three days in the heart of the Earth ; which by the full evidence of the Evangelists , we know , was but a part of the first day , the whole of the second , and a part , or the first part only of the third .

Now these three days both lay as an intimate part of Time within the three full years and half of our Lords Ministry ; and also a part of the three days of his Death , was an intimate Time , within the three days at large of his state of Death or dying .

According then to these paralels , but especially that of our Lords three days of Death , to which the Death of the Witnesses is more eminently paralel'd , we may find the intimate part of Time , Times , half a Time , we are upon .

Observing then our Lords three days , we find the half Matt. 28. 1. Marc. 15. 1. Luc. 22. 66. day of the first of the three began early in the Morning , with Proceedings against him ; which were as Legal , Judiciary Proceedings by the Priests and Elders in Council ; they had by a private way examined him in the Night ; in the Morning as soon as it way Day , they held the Council Ecclesiastick and proper to themselves , and condemned him as guilty of Death . About the third Hour they led him to Pilate , that he might be legally and juridically condemned by him , as the Roman Governour , like delivering over to the secular Power . At the sixth hour they began the actual Crucifixion ; viz. about twelve ; but after the ninth hour , that is , our three in Matt. 27. 46. Marc. 19. 34. the Afternoon , our Lord died as a Sacrifice between the two Evenings , and before that day ended , which was the first of the three he was laid in the Earth , and there he continued the whole second Night , and the Day following ; which was the Jewish Sabbath ; and till within the Night of the third Day , Matt. 28. 1. Mar. 16. 2. Luc. 24. 1. which was the first part of it ; and was our Christian Sabbath or Lords day , and the first of the Week .

This is now the Scripture-sense of the three Days , of our Matt. 12. 40. Lords being in the Grave , or Heart of the Earth , and so by Proportion we are taught to understand the three days and half of the Witnesses lying dead , viz. a part of each first and last , and the whole of the middle .

The very precise Time of the Night , at which Christ arose , is not indeed revealed ; but it was a part of the Third Day ' ere he rose . For it is well known , the Night going before , and the Day or Light coming after , according to the order of Creation , made the Jewish day ; although therefore we know not the very Moment , yet it is most agreeable to believe ; In the very first part of the Night , as soon as Christ had lain long enough to fulfill the Prediction , He arose ; for early in the Morning , while it was yet dark , the Women coming John 20. 1. to embalm him , found him risen .

It is very plain then , the intimate time of the dying sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ entred at the second half , or the Morning of the first of the three days , and grew more intimate , and was more fill'd with that transaction by the second fourth part of that half ; for the Evangelist Mark says , it was Marc. 15. v. 25. the third hour , viz. our nine of the Clock , and the Jews crucified him , intending the whole proceeding before Pilate to his Crucifixion ; at the third fourth part , or the sixth hour , which is our Noon , after some short debate with Pilate , They led him away , bearing the Cross to Golgotha ; and then he was lift John 19. 49. Matt. 27. 45. v. 46. Marc. 13. 34. up to the Cross , and the Heavens were cover'd with blacks , as at his Crucifixion ; soon after the last fourth part , or the ninth hour , which is our three of the Clock , He gave up his Spirit , and was speedily after entombed .

I do not intend to pursue this Paralel too close , or too minutely , nor to rely too hard on History , to give the motions of time exactly enough ; but I rest securely on Prophecy , that there was a sufficient agreement between that and the Event , at every just Time ; The Idolatry and Tyranny , or Usurpation of the Beast was risen by the Morning of the second 180 , of the first 360 , about 617 , eleven years after the Vniversality given by Phocas , when the Star fell , and received the Key of the bottomless Pit . It was further advanc'd , and strengthned by the first Council of Lateran 649 , against the second fourth of this 180 years , viz. 659 ; To answer the third fourth , viz. 717 , it was promoted so much further , that God who justly weighs all such Motions , sets up 18 years after , viz. at 725 , or 726 , the Pillar of intimate Time 666. Between the two Evenings , or within the last fourth part , viz. 787 , at the second Councel of Nice , the Beast overcame , the Witnesses were slain , and so they lay dead for two whole Days , or twice 360 years , till 1517 ; when after the half day begun , The first motion to a Resurrection manifested it self , which could not be till they had continued dead such a part of this last half day , as suffic'd to fulfill the Prophecy , that says , their dead Bodies should lye three days and a half in the street of the great City .

And without laying too much weight upon Particles of Time , it is out of measure certain , the Power of the Beast , the Idolatry and Tyranny of the Man of Sin , within due distance of the time signified by this Prophecy , and of which History near enough to Time , gives some very remarkable watch-word , or rather loud Voice , were at an elevation every way adequate to the suffering , dying state of the Witnesses , according to the Predictions , that went before , concerning both , in this Symbol or Exemplar of that great Proto-Martyr , the chief and supream Witness , the faithful Martyr , Jesus Christ , and those Gradations or Steps of his dying , and rising again , so exactly measured out in time within his three days , and their three days and a half ; abating only for the difference of the Paralels , our Lord was buried , they were not to be so , as we shall presently observe .

Now for the further proving these things , I thus Argue .

Whenever the Beasts Name , and the number of his Name began , Arg. 1 the Receiving the Name , and the number of the Name began also ; For these are so essentially joyned together , as not to be divided , and indeed the Name and the Number do not come into Record , but for the receivings sake of them , and then the Worship of the Image , the receiving a Mark in the Forehead , or the right Hand , began also . For all these are here of equivalent Satisfaction to the Beast , and they are all along through the after Prophecy joyn'd , as of equal Guilt , Sin and Danger ; however then , they may denote several Posts and Stations in the service of the Beast , as it is indeed a great and wonderful Court , and hath a most stupendious diversity of Offices , Ministrations , Subordinations , and Dependencies , and as vast a Populace ; yet all these speak the same Devotion , Subjection , Vassalage , to the Beast in one kind or other ; and therefore the Priviledge of those who abjure any of these , as therein abjuring all , is allowed equal by Christ : so that they are all indifferently and promiscuously by this Prophecy used in all Cases , as we may see . If then the Number of the Name , co-eval with the Number of the Beast , was at 725 , all the rest must be also at that Time . Seeing then it is evident All must begin together ; If by Evidence from History one was at 725 , or as between 725 and 726 , we may conclude All the rest were so too .

But that one was , viz. the Worship of the Image , we have that so illustrious Icono-Clastick History , at that Time . Now besides the force of the Allusion between Worship of Images and the worshipping the Beasts Image ; if we examine it well , we shall find both united .

For as in the worship of Nebuchadnezzar's Image , to which pattern the Prophecy undoubtedly refers , It seems the Worship of an Image made to his Glory , even of that Image he saw in a Dream , of which he was the Head of Gold ; or however most certainly , his universal Power , and Monarchy commanding all Nations was celebrated by the Worship of the Image , he had made ; and therefore the Edict runs in that Imperial Style ; Unto you it is commanded , O People , Nations , Tongues , and Languages .

But besides this , The worshipping this Image is call'd both by Nebuchadnezzar himself , and by the Servants of the true Dan. 3. 14. 18. God , The serving of his Gods .

Even thus , The worshipping the Image made to the Beast was both a Worship of the Beast as part of that old Image made up of Idolatry and Tyranny , a Worship of his Universal Power , commanding Nations , Tongues , and People , and also justly call'd a Worship of his Gods , represented by Images ; As worshipping his Image , in the last Time of the fourth Beast or Monarchy , gives so significant an Allusion to the Worship of Images set up at that time by his exorbitant Power , in whom the whole Image and Bestianism shall perish .

Of all this Leo Conon Isaurus , and after him his Son Constantine Copronymus , and the Successors of them , from 725 or 726 , the Beasts 666 , until the second Council of Nice , are a notable Indication ; for although we read not of any precedent Decree by the Beast , commanding the Worship of Images , yet , the general usage of so doing , made Image-worship , as an Idolatrous Colossus , to which every one , in obedience to this Bestian Monarch , paid Devotion . And when the Emperour denied thus to worship , it was an Offence as high , as against that express Lyon-mouth'd Command of that King of Babylon , Vnto You , &c.

And in that these Emperours were out of Rome's Diocese and Jurisdiction , it was a style like that , Vnto you it is commanded , O Tongues , People , and Languages . And the Disobedience a Denial to worship the Image of Vniversality made to the Beast in a Monarchy so universal , as to be above Emperours .

And if things were thus with so great Personages as Emperours , how must they prevail in general upon Nations , Tongues , and Languages of an inferiour Character , and what must the Rage be against them ?

Whenever the Number was compleat , the War so often Arg. 2 : foretold , that the Beast should make with the Witnesses , with the Seed , with the Saints must needs be also : for then was the Obligation to worship , and to receive a mark , the Name , or the number of the Name , carrying the Nature .

But the 144000 sealed , who had not defiled themselves with Women , of a Virgin-worship , and obedience to the Lamb , distinct from the Beast and his Woman of Fornications , he carries ; The Seed , who keep the Commandments of God , and hold the Testimony of Jesus ; The Saints and Holy Worshippers in the Temple must certainly remonstrate to this Idolatrous Tyranny , and abominate it : They are those , who neither worship'd the Beast , nor his Image , nor receiv'd his Mark , Name , nor Number , as is after the mention of this Number , often recorded to their Honour .

Upon this , the Beast risen out of the bottomless Pit , who was to make War with all these , and into whose hand they were given , would in his Rage and his Fury make the War , that was given to him , to make with them .

And by wonderful Providence , without which a Hairfalls not to the ground , The Name of the high Feud in this matter is in all Historical Records call'd a War ; From 725 , or 726 , or the Beasts 666 , Icono-Machia , or Bellum Iconoclasticum , The War of destroying Images Loade's History . And though Leo the Emperour may seem to be the Aggressor , and to have begun the War ; yet because the Cause on his side was just , it is in Prophetical Censure , the Beast , that made the War , and Leo Canon , is herein a Representative of all the Witnesses .

Speedily after the War must follow the dying of the Witnesses ; Arg. 4 for whenever the War began , it was given to the Beast to overcome and to kill : and this was , as was said , solemnly declar'd by the second Council of Nice , as also by the Excommunication of the Emperour , and violating his Rights in Italy from him , as in Capital Letters , Greek and Latin , as it were like the Jews Superscription on Christ , All that worship not the Beast nor Received , &c. are damned Hereticks .

And this , according to the known Blast of Excommunication , was both a religious , a civil , and also a natural Death , as often as the Tyranny of the Beast could make it so . This Interdict , Proscription , and Outlawry upon men , joyn'd with the Anathema , or Curse of Excommunication , like casting into the fiery Furnace , was the very dying of the Witnesses , the dispiriting and invalidating their Testimony ; so that it was esteem'd , not only dangerous as to worldly Concerns , but a deadly Sin to hold with them : They were cursed , even as he was , that was hanged on a Tree ; All detested and abhorr'd them , as damned Hereticks , hated of God and Men.

And when the Beast had this Victory , They then cried out , Who is like the Beast ? Who is able to make War with him ? They then in token of Triumph , sent Gifts one to another , rejoyced , and made merry , because of these Prophets , who tormented them , that dwell on the Antichristian Earth .

But tho' they died , As their Lord did , they could not , as he , be buried : His Death was to be so assur'd by Burial ; but these Witnesses , being a successive Body , were to continue dying , and prophecying , as Christ did at his Death , viz. in their continual Successions : Part of this first day , the whole two following days , or twice 360 Years , joyn'd therefore as two Times , till within 1517 , the last half day , or 180 Years ; then the first motion to a Resurrection began , and could not begin sooner . So that when that Resurrection began , we may know assuredly , Intimate Time was expir'd . The last 180 Years , on which it was to make an Impression , was come , and that therefore the twice 360 days were past , or the two Times ; and that some part of the first 360 days or first Time , had also past , since Intimate Time began , so as to come from thence forward to 1517 , and so to 1697 ; which is the Period to be prov'd .

Till that 1517 then , They lay dead in the Street , or Breadth of that Great City , which extended it self over Nations , Tongues , People , as the old City Rome did . The Sons of the Church-Rome were , as the Burgesses and Citizens of that City every where : This spiritual Sodom , and Egypt , is for the sake of this very Type call'd the City where our Lord was crucified , and lay dead , three days as the three Witnesses three and a half , and is the very same City and Church .

But the Nations , Tongues , and People , furnishing new Successions of them , suffer'd them not to be buried ; that their Prophecy might continue 1260 Years : for the finishing their Testimony was not the finishing their Prophecy , which was to last the 1260 Days , but their Testimony , as it was Testimony without Martyrdom , was finish'd , and the Testimony of Martyrdom and dying begun , which from its Beginning was to continue three days and a half , or the inward season part of Time , Times , Half a Time , viz. to 1697.

And to shew when it began , Prophecy , besides killing , makes use of the Propriety of the Interdict , Proscription , or Outlawry of Excommunication ; That none should buy or sell who did not receive , &c. whether Great , Rich , or Free , pointing on the Emperours , on whom the Interdict so conspicuously fell ; then on Small , Poor , Bond , signifying the universal Death of the Witnesses by the extent of the Nicean Anathema's at 787. All which is so clear a notice of the Time , that one would think it impossible to be denied .

Now that the Beast might be every way mounted to the height , to compleat his Number 666 at 725 or 26 ; and that the Divine Prophecy is cautious in not setting it too hastily , may be easily believ'd , when we consider the early aspirings of the Bishop of Rome , who before the Year 200 , in the Controversie concerning the time of celebrating Easter , had by Victor , otherwise a good man , and Martyr , by way of Presage began to mannage the Key of the bottomless Pit in the Excommunication of the Eastern Churches ; or if we consider what Accounts Ammianus Marcellinus , a grave Heathen Historian in the Time of Julian the Apostate , about 360 , gives of the State and Grandeur of that Bishop in his Time ; insomuch , that he does profess the secular Glory , Richess , and Splendour of it might tempt him to embrace Christianity , if that Bishoprick might be the Reward of his Conversion . And although this Greatness must needs in the calamitous State of Rome be much depress'd ; yet it is plain , it waited all opportunities of lifting up its Head , and at this Time to that height , that by infallible Judgment of this Prophecy , the Beast was come to his Number at 725.

And to conclude this matter ; from all that hath been spoken of this Number , It cannot except by accident predict the end of the Beasts Time ; for however that Denunciation , Revel. 14. 9. intimates the possibility of worshipping the Beast , and his Image , and receiving his Mark ; viz. by impenitent Perseverance in that Apostacy , even after not only his intimate Time expir'd , but even after the end of his 1260 Days , as I expound that Voice of the Angel ; yet it is not to be suppos'd , that the Holy Spirit would give the Number of the Name that was to be receiv'd as a Test of Subjection to the Beast , as a Hieroglyphick of his End : For what service were it to the Beast , or what dishonour to Christ , to carry the Hieroglyphick of the Time God had determin'd to the Beast's Destruction ? Seeing the Mark , the Name , the Number of the Name , and of the Beast , are , as hath been declar'd , all substantially wreath'd and wrought one into another , and import close and deep Subjection to the Beast .

When we compare intimate Time in its beginning , and Arg. 5 ending with the other Symbol of the Witnesses shutting Heaven , that it should not rain in the days of their Prophecy ; it is a very visible Resemblance of that Time with the Apostacy of the ten Tribes , through the Seduction of Jezebel in the days of Elijah , and of that Drought of three Years and six Months at his Word .

As then the Seducements of a spiritual Jezebel , that maketh her self a Prophetess , led away those , that by the Profession of Christ should be his Servants , to Idolatry and Fornication , even so the same Jezebel , Rev. 17. is plainly declar'd as in the Church of Thyatyra ; so the Witnesses contemporary with Rev. 2. 20. this Jezebel have a power to shut Heaven that it should not rain in the twelve hundred sixty Days of their Prophecy , but at their Word .

But then , as we have shewed , Elijah's three Years and six Months comprehended such an Intimate Time , that a part of the first year , and a part also of the last six months , and the two years whole , comprehended the whole Time .

And thus in the Parallel of the Witnesses , we may begin the first Year near the Time of the Star falling , when the Heaven became shut as to any Rain or Dew of pure Evangelical truth : but we most certainly know , that when there was a great sound of Rain , as of the seven Thunders , viz. from 1517. Although it was but a Cloud , as big as a man's hand , that then appear'd , we know , I say , that Intimate Time was past , and that there could be from thence but 180 Years , which must end at 1697.

Then it was , Thou , O God , didst send a plentiful Rain , whereby Psal. 68. 9. thou didst renew thy Inheritance , when it seem'd as it were quite lost , and become perfect Heath and Wilnerness . And had not the Thunders been seal'd , the Rain had been by this time as the great Ocean , swelling with the Knowledge of the Lord , as the Waters cover the Sea ; but at the prefix'd Time , the seventh Trumpet shall sound , as the seventh Look of Elijah's Servant ; 1 King . 18. 33 , 34. and the Rain shall be so great , as to put a final stop to the spiritual Ahab , the great Antichristian King .

How much farther this Pillar , erected within Intimate Time , may guide us upon the Periods of Time , remarkable after the Reformation , we shall have opportunity to research upon that Juncture , as also concerning the due Application of the Number of the Beast , upon both that and the next distribution of the Line we are to entreat upon .

I conclude then this great Character of Time , viz. 666. under the Apprehension of its Root at 25 from the Resurrection , to 725 , with this short Remark .

By this sure Word of Prophecy we may see the danger of returning Remark . to Antiquity , Antiquity not Cannoniz'd , Antiquity without the Assurance of the Word of God , and solid Reason to bear it up in all its Behests . It would be to repeat over again the steps of the Apostacy , and to produce the Number of the Beast a second Time : it would be no better than Nicodemus's returning to his Mothers Womb to be born ; from whence he would certainly come with the same Corruption , double .

Even such would be the State of Christian Religion , if roll'd back into the same Womb of Antiquity , not keeping close to the absolute measure of the Word of Jesus Christ . It would prove a renewed Womb of Apostacy ; it would grow up to a second Six hundred sixty six .

SECT. 12. In which is given an Explication of the Woe of the sixth Trumpet , especially to the taking of Constantinople , and by Proportion to the Reformation , and the end of that Woe , and an adjustment of the Hour , Day , Month , and Year , to the whole Time , upon Revel. 9. 12 , 13 , 14 , &c.

HAving now settled the whole space of Intimate Time , by the number 666 , as it reaches from 725 , to 1517 ; and also the Times of the first Woe Trumpet by the Reign , and Ravage of the Mahometan Locusts , or Saracens , I come now to the second Woe , or of the Turkish Horsemen , and to observe the prophetical Gauge of Time , or that most notorious Period , they made by taking Constantinople , styl'd , as we have prov'd , killing the third part of Men at 1453 ; and so to judge of their Gourse of Time , running down to 1697 , which they complete there , with the ending of the Witnesses 1260 days , and of this whole Line of Time in all its Denominations , and joyn in the proof , that then it must end .

Now that this Trumpet is the Symbol of the Turkish Horsemen , I shall first by the compare of the universal Knowledge , ( that not only History , but even common Experience gives of them ) with the prophetical Scheme , make it most credible , they are here intended .

1. They are describ'd , as four Angels bound in the River Euphrates , that is , according to this mystick Prophecy , wherein the invisible angelical Powers represented the Powers of this World , as guided and conducted by them , like the Spirit of Ezekiels four living Creatures in the Wheeles of worldly Events Ezek. 10. 13. and Mutations , so various , so full of Revolution , that it is cry'd to them , Oh Whele , Oh World .

2. A People , they were near the River Euphrates , both in their Original , and their after Potentacy , always ready to overflow , but that they were bound , till their due Time appointed by God ; and four , either as a number of Universality , or that they eminently appeared in four Branches , till the Ottoman surmounted them all , and strengthen'd it self into Glory and Power .

3. They were loosed at the Voice , that sounded from the Altar of Incense , from the Prayers of the Servants of God worshiping there while the Gentiles trod the holy Court and City of outward Profession . There was a cry of the souls under the Altar of Sacrifice in the fifth Seal , while the Church Revel. 6. 9. Revel. 8. 5. was in a State of Purity , though declining . On which followed the first desolation of Heathenism by Constantine ; there was much Incense offered with the Prayers of all Saints , under the seventh Seal , and by Coales taken from the Altar of Incense , while the Church was retiring hither , as at its last Gaspes of general Purity the Effect of all was the final Desolation of Heathenism by Theodosius's Victory over Eugenius and Argobastes as before expounded ; at the measuring the Temple , the Altar , viz. of Incense within it , and casting Revel. 11. 19. out the outward Court , and its Altar of Sacrifice , to be us'd by the Gentile-professors of Christianity , ( which was the taking away the daily Sacrifice ) the Servants of God retired to the Altar of Incense , as in a Temple shut and not opened , till the seventh Trumpet ▪ and from hence as in the deepth of their retired State the Voice came , as the Effect of their Prayers , and the Vengeance of the Temple upon the profane Gentiles ; treading the holy Court under their bestian Princes Protection .

4. The vast number of Horses agrees to the huge numbers , of Horsemen , the Turkish Princes have by general Custom brought into the Field , and used in all their warlike Expeditions and Assaults ; and as this Prophecy , when it would have any point of Truth , made both most certain , and most remarkable ; it uses some such vehement Remark , as this , I Revel. 7. 4. heard their number , and saw their Horses in a Vision , as I heard the number of the sealed , I John saw the New Jerusalem , c. 21. 2. &c. so here , I heard their Number .

5. Their excellent polished Armor , like Brest-plates of Jacinct and Fire , or the blue and livid Flame of Brimstone , Their insolent and terrifying Grand loquence , Their false and serpentine tayl'd Religion , or imposture , which with its Success was become Head of Policy , pretended Argument , and Reason of Imperial Power and Grandeur , on pretence of which , they claim'd universal Power , and with which they made so loud a noise in Disdain of Christianity , that with their Mouths and Tails they were so hurtful ; and which is most critical of the Time near the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet the Great , those Guns and great Pieces . formerly unknown Engines , vomiting out Brimstone , or the sulphurean Powder , Fire , and Smoak were of signal use in the taking Constantinople , or killing the third of men . All these agree .

6. That monumental period it self determines all ; for what so great , as the final desolation of the Grecian Imperialism , call'd the killing the third part of men .

And herein is the difference most remarkable betwixt Casting Rome , as a burning Mountain into the Sea , and smiting the third of the Lights of Heaven , Then Rome reviv'd , and the Bestian Glory inlight'nd it . But this third of men are kill'd , and shall n'ere revive , to be an Antichristian Empire .

7. Now to all these so lively Emblems and Pictures of this Ottomanick Power , in which the Turkish Dynasties both centred , and ascended their height ; let us adjust the Assignation of the Time ; The Day , the Month , the Year , make in prophetical Account 395 years , and they both ascertain , joyn'd with the former years from the Mahometan Hegira , so great a space as 830 years of the 1260 ; they parallel the days of years , the Month of years , the year of years , us'd in descyphering the Times of the sufferings of Gods Servants , and of the Beasts Tyranny , and are therefore compounded of lunar and solar Time , and as in signification of the cleaving and parting the Bestian Night-piece , there is most of solar Time .

The Hour is of most particular and signal Importance both as it is set , as it were on purpose , to answer the one Hour of the ten Kings receiving Power with the Beast ; and also as an Hour signifying an intire Season at the setting out of the Turkish Time , and when the Day , the Month , the Year are run out , the Hour remains an Hour still , and makes a just season to the passing away of this second Woe , at the end of the 1260 days , which long Time of Duration seems imported in that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or hereafter , signifying a liesurely Motion ; but the seventh Trumpets Motion is as we shall find , very sudden , quick , and dispatchful .

The Hour , the Day , the Month , the Year reaches then to the taking Constantinople , and then going on , there remain just sixty years to the Reformation , during which Time God expected the Repentance of the other , or Western part of the Antichristian World upon so great a Judgment on that Eastern part , in which the Western had so great an Interest by such an Union in Antichristianism , while the Eastern Horn so earnestly affected , and aspir'd to the same Primacy , and Universality , and also were guilty of much the same Idolatry and Superstition , and as the Union was thus near , so the claim of Dominion by the Western Horn over the Eastern , was very bold , confident , and impatient of denyal , and submitted to at that Councel of Florence , 1439 , just before this killing the third part of men ( as it were providentially ) the more apparently to interest the Western Antichristian State in this Woe , by the Greeks which made them one before men , as they were always before God .

Immediately after the severe censure upon the impenitency of the whole Bestian State , compar'd with the very worst of the Gentiles in all manner of Idolatry , Sorcery of Seduction , Sensuality , Blood , hateful sacrilegious Thefts , Cheats , Frauds , and Emunction of mens Estates on religious Pretences ; on all these , I say , follows the divine Portraicture of the Reformation under the next Head .

Now the Argument confirming this true Motion of things upon the Line of Time , as hath been stated , is very forcible , for it shews the descent of it so many years from that famous date of Mahometanism , at 622 , so often mention'd ; and it leads to a Period so very grand in History , as the Expiration of the Grecian Monarchy ; after that , The continuing Impenitency of the Western Apostacy , and Eastern also , as we shall see , was so notorious , as to improve it self , rather than to abate any thing .

This Impenitency , the very essential Character of the Apostacy to its final Destruction , draws the course of Time at this present Juncture down to the Reformation , or the last 180 years ; in the mean while , the Turkish Woe continues its hour as an Evidence ; That the 1260 days of the Witnesses Prophecy in Sackcloth are not yet at an end ; nor are they yet in full sense risen ; nor can the seventh Trumpet yet have sounded ; because the second Woe , however in this face of Affairs now in the World , it seems upon its remove , is not yet gone , nor shall go ; till all other things declar'd to come to pass , before that shall have pass'd , shall be ready to their proper motion also .

The People of God at the beginning of this Trumpet seem like the Israelites under the Egyptian Slavery , when the Conduct of those two Witnesses , Moses and Aaron , appear'd to them ; they cry out to Heaven , groaning under their Burdens : And there are many loud Sounds by way of Return from many eminent Servants of God , declaring his Judgments upon spiritual Egypt , and smiting it with Plagues in a free publication of the Vials of this Prophecy , to be fulfill'd in their Season ; The Mahometan Woes were the first Plagues , and the Vials the last : and from this Time especially , the Strokes of these Plagues , were as often , as it were , as they would , call'd down first by Prayer , and then foretold by the Witnesses ; but much more it shall be done , and much more their Duty to do thus in the next State of the Witnesses within the Reformation , as we shall then shew .

By all which , by way of Remark , we may see , God did not leave himself without Witness of his dreadful Displeasure upon the Apostacy , and Antichristianism of the Bestian Earth , and Prince ; against whom , these two Trumpets sounded ; the second of which cannot expire , nor cease its Sound and Blast till the Tenth of this anathematiz'd City Jericho fall , in the full Revolt of its ten Kings , till the Earthquake slay the 7000 , and the rest give Glory to God in the Conversion that shall be at that time in the midst of a yet persevering general Impenitency : and the Beasts forty two Months end , as to his Monarchick Power , however he survive till the Brightness of the coming of Christ , in some low state of Being and Attempt to recover his Power .

And even as the Grecian , Antichristian Empire was now desolated , the third part of men kill'd , and the Imperial Seat turn'd to the Ottoman Port , so in a much higher degree of Judgment Babylon shall then be burnt with a perpetual burning ; and not only the third part of men , but the whole rest of men , who have not repented shall be kill'd with the Sword of Christ's Mouth , that is , so utterly subdued , and condemn'd , as never to return to Empire any more , and the Beast himself , and false Prophet , who had deceiv'd them , cast into the Lake .

In the time of the second Trumpet , Rome had been thrown as a burning Mountain into the Sea ; where it was not only preserv'd , but as it were , new cast for a future Glory under the Beast . But at that time its Smoak shall ascend for ever , and its Glory sink as a Mill-stone , not to be recover'd .

In the third Trumpet many men died , but not so many , as to rise to a third part of men , shewing the Imperial Bestianism Rev. 8. 7. did immediately succeed , and keep that Imperialism alive , according to our Explication of the third part .

In this sixth Trumpet , the third part of men died ; the Grecian Empire is irrecoverably ceas'd , but the Western Empire lives still in the Beast and his ten Kings . But the whole Residue of men are kill'd , to shew the utter end of Bestianism , Eastern and Western also , when the seventh Trumpet shall have its full effect . In the fourth Trumpet the Sun and the Stars were smitten in their third part ; The supreme and subordinate Magistrates , so that the day shined not for a third part , and the Night likewise . Yet within a space after , the Bestian Star fell from Heaven to Earth , and gave a new Light ; but at that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , It is done . The Beast and all such impure Lights , such wandring Stars , are deliver'd up to the Blackness of Darkness for ever .

And as a Pledge of such a Desolation , The Grecian Antichristianism , so far as not repented of , so far as the Members of the Grecian Churches are not Witnesses in Sackcloth , is kept up by God , in so despicable and ruin'd a condition to this day , as a monument prophetical of the last Judgment on Antichristianism : within the Number of which , I fear all such Impenitents fall . All which may serve as a brief Remark on this joynt of Time .

SECT. XIII . This Section enters into the Half Time of the Reformation , and by the Agreement of the Prophecy with the Event , demonstrates the Beginning and End of that Time ; on Rev. c. 10.

HAving thus far travers'd this Line of Time , there remains yet the last part of it , or the Half Time ; very great , and remarkable in its Dawn , but to be much more remarkable in its Setting and Close : and it is to be assign'd to the Reformation from 1517 to 1697.

We have found the order in which it hath come on , very clear , brought down by Prophecy , in Symbols so justly proportionate to matters of Fact , and Events all along History , first to the Apostacy , and from thence , by as unquestionable a Chain of Events , during that Apostacy , as hath been before describ'd , till the Reformation ; and now we shall find the Reformation , as admirably set out , and no other things in the whole course of Time , answering to each Representation , as those Cardinal Points of History do . What greater Demonstration then can we have , that we are upon the right sense and scope of Prophecy ? Since such admirable Correspondencies , as if we our selves by our own Judgments had been to contrive the one for the other , we could not , under Veils have desired so much ; and therefore they can no more be suspected of chance , then that the Letters , Sillables , and Words of the Apocaliptick Prophecy , should come out by chance into that exact System , wherein we now find them .

I pray therefore which of these grand Events can by History be contested ? or what fitter prophetical Symbols could be found out for them or in such a Succession ? And so we shall find in this particular of the Reformation so recent and fresh in History , and all most in Memory at this day ; and at this day running on , so that the Instances of it are most notorious , confess'd , and even to be admired in the Wonders of Providence , that brought it to pass , and yet sustain it .

When therefore the Bestian or Antichristian Kingdom was coming so near its number , as that the Image of Supremacy had been made to the Beast at the 606 ; confirmed to it , and Life given to it , to speak , and to cause , &c. by the Lateran Councel at 649. come to its very number at 725. The War was between the Beast and the Witnesses , represented by the Jeconoclastick Emperours , and their Constantinopolitan Councel , damning Image Worship , 754 , but then the Witnesses were overcome by the Cessation of those Emperours , and by that Councel of Nice , 787 ; and so they lying dead till their first motion to a rising , 1517.

While all these things were , the Judgment of God in just Degrees and Measures pursued with Vengeance this Antichristian Kindom .

First by Mahomets setting up his false Prophetism , as near the Supremacy , given by Phocas , as 622 , to 606 , by the Locusts or Mahometan Saracens , ready to enter their first five Months , and to strike as a Serpion , about the Time of the War , with the Witnesses , especially at their Death , 787 ; And together with the Apostacy strengthning it self , they advanc'd into their second five Months of hurting with the stings of their Tails , and when a winterly torpidness seiz'd them , then by the Turks as a far greater and more severe , as also more continuing Scourge . God Executed his Judgments on this Antichristian Empire .

But the Impenitency still continuing , Christ Appears , as it were from Heaven , in the Reformation ; and how evident is it , that the Reformation followed on such a state of the Latine , or strictly Roman World ; for can any pretend , there was after the taking of Constantinople , any shew of Repentance ; Repentance of their worshiping Demons , departed Spirits , or Images , and Pictures of Gold or Silver , Wood or Stone , which neither hear , see , or walk ? nor did they repent of their Murthers , those cruel Butcheries of the Saints and Servants of God , nor of their Sorceries , those bewitchings of Men with a false sensual Religion , their lying or magical and Necromantick Miracles , ascrib'd to Relicks , Images , and the Idolized Host , nor of their Fornications , allowed Concubinacies and Stews , nor of their Thefts , their pious Frauds , and wiping men of their Goods and Estates by Cheats , and to false and impious Ends ; and that this high and avowed impenitency was not only then , but hath continued ever since , appears too much by the Councel of Trent , and the whole Tract of time after the Reformation .

1. Let us then consider the Appearance , as it were of Christ from Heaven , against this Impenitency . He , the mighty supream Angel of the divine Presence comes down from Heaven , though sitting in Heaven , in his mighty Administrations .

2. He is cloathed with a Cloud , his Face as the Sun breaking out of the Cloud , and creating a Bow as in the day of Rain , These Appearances are , as after a Flood , not yet removed ; the Clouds were yet hovering and flying , the Rain not yet gon , the Brightness watery , and yet with significations of Mercy and the Grace of the Covenant , That the Flood should be drawn off , and return no more to cover the Earth .

3. His Feet as Pillars of Fire , signifying both the refining and purification of his Servants , as also their Vivi Comburin , their Death in the midst of Flames , as we know how frequent they were at that Time .

4. He had in his Hand an open Book , the Book of his Kingdom , as if he were now ready to publish the Decree of his universal Psal. 2. 7. Reign , which had been so often stay'd by sealing , and now after the Seals opened , and the six Trumpets sounding ready to reveal it self .

5. As a signal of his unbounded Dominion , He sets his Dan. 12. 6. right Foot on the Sea , and his left Foot on the Earth , as from the Sea to the end of the Earth .

6. He cried with a Loud Voice , as when a Lion roars ; when he received the Book , He is call'd the Lion of the Tribe of Judah , Then he prevail'd to open the seven Seals , now as the same Revel. 5. 5. Lyon , he holds the Book open , shewing his just right to the Throne of David , the Throne and Empire of the new Jerusalem , and roars from his Holy Habitation .

7. When he had thus roared , seven thunders utter their Voices , as in an Eccho , or resound of Heaven above to his just 2 Sam. 2. 10. claim ; and as Hannah prophecyed of old , The Lord shall thunder from Heaven on his Adversaries , so he on the Adversaries of his Kingdom , when he comes to judge the end of the Earth , when God gives strength to this his King , and exalts the Horn of his Anointed .

Now all these things were that powerful sound of the Gospel , and divine Truth , by Luther and the first Reformers , like the Angels coming down from Heaven , and rouling away the Stone in Preparation of the Lords Resurrection ; This arous'd Matt. 28. 1. and amaz'd the World then , even as the Keepers of the Grave were as dead Men , when Christ arose , and this was more a dreadful stroke upon the Bestian Kingdom , then Mahometanism it self . For this was an Arrow levell'd at the Heart of his Kingdom , and declared it to be Antichristian , an Usurpation upon the Glory of Christ , This was a dawn of the most terrifying Appearance of Christ , and shaked the very Foundations of his State : This accompanied , with the Separation of so many Princes and States from that Antichristian Empire , was more formidable then all the Assaults of a false and barbarous Religion , however accompanied with the Mahometan Force ; and yet even that remains a scourge upon it since the Reformation , until now ; and cannot cease to be so , while Antichristianism it self shall survive .

But if things had thus gone on , The Kingdom of Christ had long 'ere now appear'd . Let us then consider the Agreement of the Symbols of Prophecy with the stay of this Glory of Christ , that it did not proceed to the utmost in the Ruine of Antichrist , and the Revelation of his supream Dominion .

The first Estopple on the Kingdom of Christ , is the sealing of the Thunders the constant Symbol of some breaking out of Christ's Kingdom ; for they were such powerful Voices of Highest and most Excellent Truth , that if they had been written , as John , in Zeal to the Glory of Christ , was about speedily to write them , and not seal'd ; They had rent the Heavens , and the Kingdom of Christ had been proclaim'd , as by the Voices of the seventh Trumpet .

The clear , shrill , and exalted Voice of Divine Truth , is Luc. 17. 24. as the Lightning that with the Thunder shineth from one end of the Heaven , and that shineth to the other end of Heaven , and brings forth the Day of the Son of Man ; which the Antichristian Kingdom trembles at , and is shiver'd by , as by the stroke of Thunder .

But written and seal'd are oppos'd in this Prophecy , as immediate coming to pass , and reserv'd to come to pass hereafter , are oppos'd one to the other .

There is a Recognition , and Renewal of the Oath of Christ , concerning Time , Times , Half-Time , Dan. 12. 9. Indeed the Front and Aspect of the Oath there is turn'd another way ; for then it was directed upon these Times , as to come , and the Oath is , They shall be ; here it points upon them , as past , and Christ swears , Time shall be no more , but till the seventh Trumpet , and then all should be finish'd , spoken by the Prophets of his Kingdom ; which is such a Mystery the World will not believe , however told them . They are angry whenever Christ takes his Power to him , and reigns ; and much more angry at Rev. 11. 18. any mention of it before hand , at any unlocking or reading , viz. interpreting Prophecy concerning it . But Christ swears , There shall be no more Time , Or no Kalendar of any Kingdom , but his own at the seventh Trumpet ; it shall then immediately succeed , and be proclaim'd . Till then Time is allowed for the thunders to remain seal'd ; Then they shall be opened , And if the Thunders had not been sealed before the Oath , the Oath had cut off that Time also , but because the half Time cannot be less then it self , The Thunders remain seal'd , neither more nor less than the half Time . So it is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Time , but only a half Time , and a whole Time could be no more .

4. The eating the Book , It s being sweet in the Mouth , and bitter in the Belly , and prophecying again signifie altogether the retirement of Christs Kingdom , anew into Prophecy in place of present Accomplishment , and of that Kingdom then appearing .

For therefore was Its sweet in the Mouth , because the Discourse of that Kingdom , as in the Voice of Thunder was exceeding sweet , as importing its present Appearance . But the Discourse of it , as matter of Prophecy , and the Re-absconding it to that purpose into the Belly was exceeding bitter , as signifying its Delay and Secrecy , for longer time yet , as Belly imports secretly .

Whereas therefore the Book in regard of the half-season ended , was opened , as if then to be accomplish'd , and the things written in it to be finished , It s remanding into the Belly of the Prophet , concludes its delay , and this was bitter . The Book therefore was sweet in any presence , bitter in any Delays of the Kingdom . The Kingdom is not to be yet , while the half day lasts ; It must be , when that ends in the seventh Trumpet ; therefore it remains in Prophecy . And of the Servants of God continuing to Prophecy in Sack cloth , because of the delay of Christs Kingdom , and to prophecy again before many Peoples and Nations , and Tongues and Kings , whom this Kingdom concerns , John is here the Representative , the prophetical Scheme or Symbol . For this Prophecy is unto , and so before many , who will not vouchsafe to hearken or attend to it ; yet it is unto them , before them , and will take hold of them . But while the Book is in Prophecy , in the Belly , It is Bitter ; and the Witnesses prophecy in Sackcloth . So John Personates or Proxies for them .

The sealing then of the Thunders , as also the Voice of the Roar of the Lion , by implication , retiring , the Eating of the open Book , or returning it into Prophecy , Argue , It must remain in Prophecy , as it had done the whole Time of the Trumpets , after the Seals opened , because of the 144000 seal'd , and that the Kingdom did not appear when it had in the Christian Emperours made so loud a claim ; And now by the Thunders utterances , a so publick challenge of its Right , yet it must return again into Prophecy , and be Bitter in the Belly . All these are the clear and evident Importance of these Symbols in a due compare of the Parts of this Prophecy between themselves .

And if we look not only into History , but Knowledge , it cannot be denyed , but that the Kingdom of Christ hath not yet appear'd in Glory ; The blessed Effects of Christian Religion , The great Prophecies concerning those Effects , that even swell the Womb of Prophecy , have not yet been brought forth ; The Antichristianism , the Bestianism , the Apostle Paul , the Apostle Pet. Epist. 2. c. 2. c. 3. Peter , the Apostle John , especially in his Apocal. describes , hath yet a too sad Interest in the Christian World . Mahometanism covers a great part of the habitable Earth , and till very lately , as in signification of the Time of Christ's Kingdom to be proclaim'd , near at hand , hath been the Scourge and Terror of Christianity , but more particularly , as according to this Prophecy of the Antichristianity of East and West , and holds a very considerable part of the Profession of it under Slavery ; Pagaism , we know possesses ( except obstinately blind interspers'd Judanism ) the rest of the World ; All which must remove at Christ's Kingdom .

And if we consider the State of Christianity more Reformed to it self , to speak in the Language , and Symbols of this Prophecy ; There are very great Parts of the Reformation , that are within the Bowels of the yet Antichristian Princes , and so within the Dition and Kingdom of the Beast , when ever it pleases God to give scope to that Power , They are all manner of ways persecuted , and harrass'd , even as the Succession or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Church of Thyatyra were to be , and their last Works and Sufferings thereby , became more than their First , Rev. 2. 19. &c. and are so far from being perfectly risen , and out of Sack-cloth , that they make an appearance of the Witnesses again Hungary . France . slain , as in Neighbour Countries of late .

Other Parts of the reform'd Church , have not pursued the true Principles of the Reformation , the Regulation of all Things in Doctrine , Worship , Conversation , and Discipline , according to the pure and perfect Rule of the Word of God ; but that Word in many things is regulated by Antiquity , not considering how early the Mystery of Iniquity was at work , and where the Foot of the account of the Beast's Number ought to be plac'd even at 25 or 26 , from the Resurrection ; Revel. 3. v. 1. &c. so that these , as in the Church of Sardis , affecting too much outward Pomp and Grandieur , are to strengthen the Remainders which are ready to dye , that are to fill up the Reformation , to endeavour to open the Voices of the Thunders among themselves , and to prophecy more vigorously before Peoples , Nations , Tongues , and Kings ; concerning which Things the generality are so asleep , That there are but a few Names , who have not defiled their Garments , but will be in great danger , of a shameful Devestiture , or Degradation , when Christ appears . Revel. 3. 3. compar'd with Revel. 16. 15.

The Church of Philadelphia , although in a general Zeal to have a perfect Square with pure Evangelical Truth , be indeed v. 7. &c. in Being , yet not come to make the Apocalyptick Line of Time by its proper Interval or space , nor can do before the end of the 1260 days , as it is drawn upon these Churches to the New Jerusalem , which appears in Philadeph . and the Right of a Church , Their Door of the Profession of Christ , according to his Word is endeavoured to be shut , although Christ as by immediate Power hath hitherto kept it open ; yet They of this Church have but a little strength , outward Power or Glory . Revel. 3. 7. &c.

The Synagogue of Sathan is ready on all Accounts , and at all Advantages to Dissinagogue them and cast them out , to controul and brow-beat them , and that Synagogue must be of the Reformed ; so the naming them Jews imports , as in the Church of Smyrna , Jews signified Christians in Profession , but becoming Gentiles ; so here it signifies Reformed , but so far relaps'd , as to be falsly so call'd ; who are at the same elevation of Corruption , the Apostacy was at , in the Church of Smyrna ; Not long before the 1260 dark days came in , so that though they disallow the Apostacy since that time , yet they are ready to Cannonize it so far as to that Time it had proceeded , and might if they had Time , find the same Path to the same End ; Yet still they escape the Beasts Number , 666.

Now in regard of all these things , it is most evident , The Witnesses must be yet in Sack-cloth , but they are , if they are not wanting to their own Priviledges , and Office , like Moses , and Aaron , commission'd to smite with Plagues , as often at they will ; that is , to declare the foulness of the Apostacy , to Revel. 11. 6. remonstrate the Bestianism , and Antichristianism of it , and to foretel the seventh Trumpet , and its Voices and Vials in Ruine of the Kingdom of the Beast , and the great Judgments to be executed on his City , Church , Himself , and his false Prophet , and all the Impenitents of his Kingdom , from first to last ; and also to declare the Redemption of the whole Israel of God from this spiritual Egypt and its Slavery , the opening the Temple , that the Ark of the Testament , the Tabernacle of Testimony , may be seen in Heaven , and the Kingdom of Christ appear in the New Jerusalem .

And this they may do as often as they will , That is , There is abundant Evidence of Prophetick Truth to do it by ; There are abundant Promises of Acceptance , Favour , and Support in the doing of it ; so that it is a Remisness of Will , that is , of Zeal not to do it . For Blessed is he that heareth , and they that read the Words of this Prophecy , especially when the Time is so near at Hand .

The last part of this Time , is the most Glorious , because Revel. 11. 11. &c. it issues out into the seventh Trumpet , and then those great things will come to pass in Preparation , of which all that was at the beginning of that Time , was but a shade and semblance .

Then the Spirit of Life , in full and perfect measure , shall enter into the Witnesses , and set them on their Feet ; and great fear shall fall on them that see them ; there will be then so wonderful an appearance of divine Power and Judgment ; as upon the Apostles Doctrine and Miracles in the very first Times . Where if things had gone on with the same Power from Heaven as at first , the Kingdom of Christ had then appear'd , but the Mystery of Iniquity surpris'd them at 25 or 26.

There shall be a Voice calling them up to Heaven , and as in the Cloud , wherein Christ himself ascended , They shall Ascend , and whereas only the Servants of Christ beheld Him , Their Enemies shall behold them , which speaks the publickness of their Ascention , and the mighty Influences , it will have .

And in the same Hour , the Tenth , that is , the Decem Principality of the great City , viz. most necessarily , That great City in which the Witnesses lay dead in the breadth of it , fell ; For when the Ten Horns , that give State and Altitude to the Beast , fall off from his seventh Head ; the Woman that sits on the Beast , which is this very same City-Church , must needs fall from that Height , with which the Beast carried it , while exalted with his Ten Horns ; which substantial Reason , will recompence for the seeming Impropriety of such a use of the Word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; This Tenth being both in Dan ; and this Prophecy so essential to the Beast , that carries the Woman .

The Ascent of the Witnesses into Heaven , I understand to be some Exemplification on Earth of the Glory , and Triumph , The Witnesses of Christ , that have gone out of the World , suffering for Christ in any degrees of Martyrdome , have at this time in Heaven , upon this change of the World to Christ's Kingdom , as undoubtedly , the Saints have on all such Changes , even as the Angels joy in the Repentance of Sinners ; As the Saints in Heaven triumph'd at the Desolation of Heathenism , or the casting down of the Dragon . The Exemplification then of this on Earth by the exalted state of the true Servants of Christ there , is the Importance of these Symbols .

And in the same Hour oppos'd to the same , or one Hour of Revel. 17. 12 , 13. the Ten Kings receiving Power with the Beast , and giving then their Kingdom to him , and therefore comes now into a fit Counter-parallel ; There shall be an Earth-quake , such a mighty Concussion , shake and change of the State of the Christian World , that Cities shall be removed , as it were , and not be the same they were before ; That great City , although it shall remain on its Heap , yet its tenthly or Ten Kingdom'd-state shall utterly fall ; seven thousand , not Names only , but Names of Men , shall be slain ; They shall be slain in their Corrupt Antichristian state , and utterly abolished , and an Apocalyptical , Evangelical seven shall take their Room , so that the Successours in their Places , shall have such a Sense of this Great Judgment on them , as to Give Glory to God ; For that at this Time , the whole Antichristian State was converted , and repented , I cannot understand , because of the after course of this Prophecy ; But a great alteraiion in the Posture of the Christian World will then be made ; It will be of another Model , as great a change as seven thousand Orders of Men , falling under the sense and influence of this Apocalyptical Prophecy , and modelled according to that can make , shall then be , so that in the whole Succession to the Kingdom of Christ , signified by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , They shall give Glory to God , the God of Heaven , in place of the Man of Sin , who sat in the Temple of God , shewing himself , that He is God , and in place of Idols of Gold and Silver .

Then the second Woe shall pass away , Mahometanism , whatever Existence it may have in the World , shall no longer remain the Woe of the Christian World , because when Antichristianity , the Provocation of so great a Judgment is fallen , the Judgment it self shall also remove ; although Euphrates may yet continue a River , till at the sixth Vial it is dried up , yet it shall not so overflow , as hitherto it hath done .

And this Woe is always to be esteem'd the Boundary of the 1260 Days for their ending ; for till that Woe is past , they cannot end ; for till then the Witnesses do not rise perfectly , nor come out of Sackcloth ; till then the Beasts forty two Months of being a Bestian Power do not end , nor the 1260 of the Woman in the Wilderness ; but then they shall all end together . Therefore the Crashings and Smoaking of the Mahometan Mountain at this Time , gives an alarm to the Expectation of these things : and however the Antichristian Power , by its Contributions , concurr with the Ten Kings to the passing away of that Woe ; yet let it certainly know , that at that very same time , and by those very Ten Kings falling off from it , it s own Decarchy or Ten-horn'd Supremacy , shall fall into the Dust also .

For , as we may be assured , The Reformation , the rising of the Witnesses , are not yet at their top , because that Woe is not yet pass'd ; so we may be assur'd , All the Symbols , and Emblems of the Antichristian City , and Prince , as roll'd down from their height , and of the Kingdom of Christ rising , although being future , we cannot so certainly expound them , yet they shall in their significancy be fulfill'd , and made good to the utmost , as those have been before them , which we more fully comprehend by History . And that , all must be fulfill'd within the 180 Years from 1517 , or from the Reformation begun then , which must be by 1697. For that so the mouth of the Lord hath spoken by this Prophecy , I now proceed to argue .

I must rely upon the proof I have already offer'd along this Line ; That I have made true motions and progresses upon it in Events of so great Concernment and universal Notoriety to the Christian World , as to be most worthy to be the Discoveries of so Sovereign and Imperial a Prophecy , given by the Prince of the Kings of the Earth , receiv'd from his Father , to shew to his Servants ; digested into a meth●●● and Series of Time most exact , and contriv'd into such ●onderful and self-demonstrating Symbols , as that they may be found out by them that are stirr'd up by God to Read , and so propos'd to those whom God enclines to Hear , that Both may come to the Blessedness promis'd , by understanding them aright . Rev. 1. 3.

In comparison of which Events , and their order and series , as I have presented them ; the little and close , the private and particular points of Story without an equal and just Admensuration to Apocalyptical Time , upon which some Names , so great , that for Reverence I dare not Name , have fallen , are but as Relations fit for private Discourse and unfit for a grave History , or like the Description of small Rivers , Hills , or Vills , unworthy the Title of a Geography , and yet such a Prophecy , so much below its own Majesty , do such Interpretations make it .

Now according to this so illustrious , so orderly Series of Events , it will easily appear , by Reflection on what is written , The Reformation must necessarily be determin'd to the last 180 of the 1260 Years , so as to determine at 1697. But I shall yet offer these two particular Arguments .

The very Time of the Pillar of the Beasts Number erected , Argu. 1 I date to 725 or 26 , as the solemn Representation of it by the beginning of the Iconoclastick War , and so of the Beasts War with the Witnesses . The very Time of the Death of the Witnesses I date to 787 , represented by the second Council of Nice , damning all that refus'd to worship Images ; the one 72 Years before the two Times of 360 Years a-piece ; the other only ten Years before . Let us now by proportion of the three Years and a half of Elijah's Drought , and the three days of our Lord's Death , adjust the Expiration of the Intimate Time , Times , half a Time ; and as near Ten years after the two whole Times of intimate Time expir'd , at 1517 ; we find the Witnesses standing on their Feet , so eminently , as that they began to esteem the Thunderbolts of Antichristian Excommunication , brutish ; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , in a solemn and Oracular manner , as from this very Prophecy to be called Protestants . Which Appellation , however it began on particular occasion , and as only in a providential Representation to agree History with Prophecy , as I all along observe ; yet it hath been espous'd by the whole Reformation : and it is by secret instinct derived probably beyond their Intention from these two Apocalyptical Witnesses . For what is Protestation or Protestancy but a publick , avowed Witness against the Tyranny of the Beast ?

And that so solemn a Denomination is of no small Account , appears by that so great Memorial of the Disciples being call'd Christians , Acts 11. 26.

And as the Pillar of Intimate Time was erected at 725 or 26 , 71 or 72 Years before the two whole Times ; so seventy one or seventy two Years after the two whole Times at 1517 , lead us to the famous 1588 : from which Time , the most Catholick Kingdoms , so call'd , decay'd in Pomp and Reputation , not to say the whole Austrian Family . And had not the Thunders been seal'd , and the Book retired into Prophecy , the Parallels had been more illustrious ; but Sixteen hundred ninety seven shall , I am fully assur'd , answer for all .

The Disposal of this Time of the Reformation , as it hath Argu. 2 been given , is so demonstrative , as not to be avoided ; for the Witnesses Prophecy in Sackcloth 1260 days ; Twelve hundred sixty days , we are assur'd are three times and a half at their full extent ; for so long the Woman is in the Wilderness , coequally in both . Whenever the 1260 Days end , the Witnesses Apoc. 12. 6. v. 14. Apoc. 11. 14. ascend ; then the sixth Trumpet , and its Woe passes away : Then the seventh Trumpet sounds ; Let us lay all this to the Oath of Christ , Dan. 12. 7. There shall be Time , Times , half a Time , and all these things shall be finish'd , and to the Oath , Revel. 10. 6. Time shall be no more , but till the seventh Trumpet ; then the Mystery of Christ's Kingdom succeeding shall be finish'd . These two Oaths so solemn as to have no parallels ; so equal and even in all their aweful Rites , except we observe a difference in the mention of only , Hand in the Apocal. and the Right and Left in Dan. as if signifying in the Apocal. ; The half-time was yet remaining ; These two so solemn Oaths can by no means contradict , but must confirm one another : one looks forward on Time to come , and assures there shall be Time , Times , half a Time , and all things shall be finish'd ; the second looks back on all ( but the half-time ) already past , and assures there shall be no more whole Time ; but at the seventh Trumpet , to which there remain'd only half time , All should be finish'd .

So the Half-time is secur'd to the Beast in a Party-Kingdom ; 1. By sealing the Thunders ; for while they were seal'd the Kingdom of Christ could not perfectly appear , seeing their sealing continues that Delay of it , all along signified by sealing . 2. By the express Allowance of time at large , till the seventh Trumpet : For when it is said , Time shall be no more ; But in the days of the seventh Trumpet All shall be finished ; It is a certain Implication , Till then there shall be some Allowance of Time , although not a whole Time , nor so much as a whole Half time , nor any Time at all of the Elevation , Intimate Time was of , or of a Kingdom so entire to the Beast .

Whoever then knows these two Oaths will compare them ; whoever compares them will conclude , There must have been before the last Oath , Time , Times , and some part of Half-time , that the first Oath may be true ; he will also conclude , There can be no more than Half-time , and not that whole ; for there can be only an imperfect Remnant of time after this last Oath : else , How can this last Oath be true ?

And yet it is impossible any part of the 1260 Days , or three times and a half equal to them , should run beyond the end of the sixth , or the very entrance of the seventh Trumpet ; for it is expresly said , when the Witnesses ascended , which they could not do till the end of the 1260 Days Prophecy in Sackcloth , the seventh Trumpet immediately sounded . Thus these 1260 Days are every way bounded by the seventh Trumpet : they cannot end sooner ; for then there would be Time after the Oath , more than the Half-time and the seventh Trumpet not sound , which must not be . And they cannot run beyond the first of the seventh Trumpet , because they must needs end when the Witnesses so perfectly rise as to ascend ; as before said ; which is before the seventh Trumpet , or 1697.

Whither then must these 1260 days reflow from the seventh trumpet beginning to sound ? Into the spaces of what trumpet or trumpets , as into their proper Channel ? Into the sixth trumpet they certainly do , but that cannot receive them all ; for allowing after the taking of Constantinople sixty four Years for the making the Experiment of the Impenitency of the rest of Men , the half-day immediately appear'd : joyning then the half-time or day of 180 Years to 64 , that Space receives only 244 by vertue of the Mahometan Hour , or a defined Space allowed them , beyond their Day , Month , and Year . To which day , month , year , being 395 , add the 244 , and they are 639 , which is the whole , and that a very long space of the sixth trumpet , delaying the seventh also ( that comes and quickly dispatches ) to hereafter . But seeing this trumpet holds but 639 , somewhat above half of the 1260 Days , they must be thrown back into the fifth trumpet ; which having room but for 435 , as we have before found , from the Hegira 622 , the remaining 186 must regurgitate into the four first trumpets , where they find just entertainment to 437 ; even as all these accounting forward determine from space to space at the same 1697.

Turning things thus every way then , we may find , how the order of this Apocalyptical Prophecy lies upon this Line of Time ; and how , and with what secret Invitations , the Characters or Dates of Time are call'd after the Voice of the Lyon , and the Thunders-Voices , at the Reformation to every prophetical Symbol , either of the Sufferings of the Servants of God , or of the Apostacy and Tyranny of the Bestian Kingdom , engraven with them ; and first , why , although the Characters of Time began at the Beginning of the trumpets , they are not given till after the Vision of the Reformation , Chapt. 10.

1. First then , till after the opening of the Kingdom of Christ at the Reformation , it was neither Condecent to the prophetical types of either the dark , obscure , and conceal'd state of the Servants of God , nor the entireness of the Beast's Kingdom , that either the Servants of God should be rescued from their Death and Condemnation , nor the Beast discover'd to be the Beast , as he was at the Reformation ; for how then should his Kingdom stand , or the Witnesses lye dead , each their Time ? Prophecy therefore observes the order of the Events themselves , foreseen and foretold , even as the Beast was believ'd to be no Beast , but the Vicar of Christ , all the Time of his Kingdom entire , and the Witnesses Hereticks and no Witnesses : so in the Prophecy , till the Book of the Kingdom open'd by the Claim of Christ , we neither read of the Beast , nor of the Witnesses , nor of the Gentiles , nor of the Woman in the Wilderness , but by some very silent Intimations . This Order became the Prophecy and its Emblems .

2. The History of the trumpets , taking in in the sixth trumpet , the entire History of the 1260 Days , goes on to the end of the sixth trumpet in particular , and of all the trumpets in general , even to the end of the seventh ; and that grand Scope or Aim in its Eye , the history of the Witnesses , comes hereby to be deliver'd whole and entire also ; as also of the Bestian Kingdom , in one summary Platform , very agreeable to the Composure of the best histories , that delay any principal Subject its Treaty , till the due season : whereas the end of the 1260 Days of the Witnesses , and of the Bestian Fall , could not have been given as the end of the 1260 Days , if the whole had not been taken and comprehended together ; seeing till the end of that sixth trumpet , that end proper to each did not appear ; and yet something like it did appear before , at the Reformation .

3. The end of the sixth trumpets Woe as it joyns the end of the witnesses Sackcloth , the Fall of the great City , and makes one the Bound to the other , had not been set with so great advantage , so interlocking part of the 1260 with the sixth trumpet ; and especially the Reformation , singled out , as so distinct a Time from both the time , and times , or the 1080 of the 1260 Days ; and so made a half-time , or 180 to it self , glorious in the Beginning , seal'd in the Middle , and glorious again in the End , if it had not been thus before the whole 1260 Days , given together .

For either there must have been more open and declar'd Distributions of the time by it self , of the two times by themselves , of the half-time by it self , than agrees with the admirable Contrivance and Mysticness of this Prophecy , or else the distinction could not have been understood , nor made out , as now it may .

But the Appearance of Christ , the Lyon roaring , the Thunders proclaiming , What , but Christ's Kingdom ? The Book open'd , and above all the Oath , time should be no more , could no way comport with the former Oath , till the half-time dawning ; The Beast's Kingdom could bear no such shock sooner ; for how should he then have had time , times , half-time , viz. a part of the first , and last , and the whole of the middle in entire Regnancy ? So that Reading afterwards of 1260 Days , call'd also three days and a half , so significantly to this purpose , and three times and a half , we know assuredly what Time of the Day it must be , when such a roaring of the Lyon was , and of the Thunders , and such an Oath , that Time should be no more , and so much of the Beast's Kingdom torn from him , as a Pledge and Earnest of the whole to be so rent from him . It must be at the Half-time .

And had there not been a sealing of the Thunders , and an enclosing the Book in the Prophet's Belly , we might have suppos'd , Then had been the end of those Days , and the Reformation to have been all that was to be expected of Christ's Kingdom till Eternity . But by both these determin'd , before the 1260 Days , or other Characters of Time given , we have a most certain Gauge of the half-time of the Reformation , and of the end of that ten-folded Kingdom , of the Turkish Woe , of the Witnesses Sackcloth together : so that if the Beginning was at 1517 , The end must be at 1697 , which is the Thing undertaken to be shown .

To shew now in the second Place how in the just order of the Prophecy , each Character or Date of Time may be assign'd to each State of the Servants of God , in their Sufferings under the Bestian Kingdom . It may thus be made not only plain and intelligible , but admirably harmonious ; and the interweaving of the Prophecy with it self , and with the Prophecy of Daniel , be clearly understood .

After Christ's Claim of his Kingdom at the Reformation as describ'd , Chap. 10. The Vision of the Temple measured , and Chap. 11. of the Witnesses in Sack-cloth , and dying under the victorious Beast , and so rising is given entire , in signification , that the Beasts Kingdom could not be disturb'd , nor his Time and two Times interrupted with any part of such a Vision , till the half Time appearing ; when that , and the Vision of that had been given , and the first Glory of it seal'd , Then things were ripe for this after Vision ; for any part of which , they were before unripe , unripe as to the Condemnation of the Beast , and the Vindication of the Witnesses before the half Time . Unripe as to the rising of the Witnesses , till the seal'd Thunders had Post-pond that rising . And so the Angel , that had bidden John , Eate the Book , Ordered him a Reed , bids him arise , and measure the Temple of God , &c. For the outward Court and City , the Gentiles should tread under foot forty two Months ; and then saith the Lord , I will give Power to my two Witnesses , and they shall Prophecy 1260 days , &c. Thus the Altar of Incense necessarily here intended , being the only Altar in the Temple , leads us back to the Altar of Incense just before the Trumpets , where the Prayers of All Saints were sent up ; and where attending without in the publick Worship , yet pure , They were commanded into the Temple , shut up at the First Trumpet , as from that Time , the 1260 Rev. 8. 4. days . Hereupon the Daily Service was Taken away at the very 1260 Beginning , joyn'd with the 30 more in the 1290 ; and so the 42 Months , and 1260 Days are related to so many Evenings and Mornings of the 2300 Evenings Mornings Dan. 12. 11. Dan. 8. 13 , 14. of the Vision of the daily taken away , and the entring in of the Gentiles , first by Constantines Conversion , then by Theodosius's Victory over them , forcing them into the Profession of Christianity , and completed by the Barbarians inrode into the Empire at the first Trumpet , semblanc'd gentiliz'd Christianity .

At the same Time , and for the same Time of 1260 days , the Woman , the Church , after the deliverance from the Pharaoh-like Dragon , goes into the Wilderness . Her Seed the 144000 of the twelve Tribes , and Apostolical Church being Revel. 7. seal'd , under the Witnesses , herein like Moses and Aaron also : But That Prophetick History being before this systeme of the Trumpets is deriv'd higher from the Dragon , as necessary to Revel. 12. introduce , and to derive down the History of the Beast , that follows , Chap. 13. And having shewed both by the early sealing , As deriv'd from the Dragon . and the sudden Account of the Woman flying into the Wilderness , the violent Inclination of things to the Apostacy after the Gentiles coming into the Profession of Christianity with their Emperour ; The very entrance into the Wilderness is just at the first Trumpet , where another sort of Gentiles were crowding also , as well upon the Empire as the Church ; For then , as hath been made out , the sealing first obtain'd its Effect , although declar'd before .

At the Third Trumpets Complement of Effect , the Imperial Power ceasing , The Beast enters his Existence , and hath his forty two Months assign'd for that Existence , from first to Rev. 8. 10. with chap. 13 , 5. last ; which forty two Months uniting with those of the Gentiles , run parallel with the 1260 days ; All which hath been fully Argued .

At the Beasts Number 666. Intimate Time enters , and conjoyns it self with the Witnesses three days and a Half , with Revel. 11. 9. c. 12. 14. c. 7. 25. Dan. c. 12. 7. the Womans Time , Times , and half Time ; with Daniels Time , Times , half Time , of wearing out the Saints of the most high , and scattering the Power of the holy People .

At this Intimate Time , or Hour as it is also call'd Emphatickly , The Ten Kings , as his Horns receive Power with him ; Rev. 17. 2. He fulfils all Types of himself , both in Dan. and the Revelation ; Arm'd with their Power , He commands Himself and his Revel. 13. Image to be worshiped by an Idolatry or Image Worship , so blasphemous to God and his Saints , makes War with the Saints , and kills them .

Now in each of these Particulars , although they are as overflowings of the Prophecy beyond its Conduct of things within the Trumpets , yet it is most demonstrable , They must all return within the Trumpets and Time at large begin with the Trumpets , and intimate Time be guided by the Pillar of Time , erected within the fifth Trumpet . For seeing the Woman and the Witnesses 1260 days must needs be equal in their Beginning and Ending , and the Beasts Intimate Time must be plac'd , where the Witnesses Vanquishment and Death are , and that these must be within the Trumpets , nay in that all Time must be before the seventh Trumpet , and end at it ; All Time therefore from thence in account , recoyls backward , so as to find room for it self , even to the first of the 1260 Days within the first Trumpet , which beginning at 437 , ends with 42 , the Concent of all Periods , at 1697. All which ought to be evinc'd all along , and I do more then hope , hath been so evinc'd .

I have already prevented my self in the Remarques of this whole Line , by placing them early in the first Views of it , and therefore now make only these short ones , as a Conclusion .

We may be heal'd of any dangerous Wonder , that an Remark . 1 Apostacy from Christian Religion , so foul and thick , as to need no Confutation of its Figments and Fables , the very Title , his Holiness , Vicar of Christ do so loudly proclaim Antichrist ; That such a one hath endur'd so long a Time , hath captivated , the Wise , the Learned , the Politick , the Noble , the Royal , the Imperial , we see in this Prophecy , It was to do so , and by this Oath of Christ it was , and is to last Time , Times , half Time , even till the end of it . It is to do so , e're its Decem Principality , It s ten horn'd Kingdom Fall . And although it began by degrees , yet it hath two most sudden Downfalls , one at the Reformation , as but in preparation and beginning ; the other at the end of that Half time then begun , viz. at 1697 , when His Fall shall be exceeding great .

Seeing it is most impossible Intimate time should return , Remark 2 whatever Sufferings there may be of the Church of Thyatyra , how great , how dismal soever , yet there cannot be a slaying of the Witnesses any more , for Christ hath sworn with the Rainbow cap. 10. 1. on his Head , It shall be as the Waters of Noah to him : Isa. 54. 9. There shall be no such Return for ever ; nor can I apprehend the Church of Sardis can in any parts of the Reform'd Nations Rev. 3. 3. v. 9. lose its State by a Return of that Apostacy ; its only danger is its shame , that without Repentance will befall it at the more glorious Appearance of Christ's Kingdom ; and especially those Parts of it that have relapsed to a Synagogue of Sathan , shall with double shame be forc'd to come and worship at Philadelphia's Feet , and to know Christ hath lov'd it , who endeavour'd to shut its Door .

Seeing we are compassed about with so great a Cloud of Witnesses , Remark 3 let us with great Confidence wait , hope , expect , pray for the great Glory that is to be brought unto us at that great Appearance that will be made of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ at the end of the half time or half day , or at the last of the last 180 of 1260 Days , viz. at 1697 , so often memorializ'd , although but in preparation to that Kingdom it self 75 Years after : And if we shall not live to it in this World , yet we shall lose nothing by it ; for in Heaven , and with the Lamb on Mount Zion , we shall with the other Witnesses rejoyce in Rev. 14. 1. so happy a Change as will even then be made ; and so rejoyce for ever , each in our Lot of the Land of Promise , or the New Jerusalem .

The end of the second Point of this Line of Time , or its Period .

SECT. XIV . Wherein is contained a brief Disquisition upon the seven Voices , as they run along . Apoc. ch. 14.

THE last Line of Time upon the grand Line of Daniel's 2300 Ev. Mor. stretches out it self beyond the so often repeated Prophetical Line we have been upon ; and yet it is most justly , and according to the Reason of the Line to be joyned with it , because the holy Spirit hath in Daniel so joyned to 1260 , 30 more , making 1290 , and then 45 , making 1335 , as hath been so often observ'd : so that from hence , however joyn'd , rises a distinct Line of 75 Years , consisting of its lesser Distinctions , 30 , and 45.

And with great Wisdom and Design they are undoubtedly thus joyn'd , and yet distinguish'd ; for hereby is shewn , 1. That it is the same principal Line of 2300 Ev. Mor. thus protended ; 2. That the managements of Divine Power , as to the Divine Kingdom , are of a distinct nature from what they were , any part , even the last and best part , ( that is , the Half-time ) of the 1260 Days , or since the Reformation , and yet that there is an Agreement too ; so that the Kingdom is distinctly advanc'd in the first 30 , above the State of it along the Half-time , and still farther and higher advanc'd in the last Distinction , or the forty five ; and yet that the Kingdom does not appear in Glory , until the End of the 1335 : all which appears very plainly both in Daniel and this Apocalyptick Prophecy : where seeing the Voices and the Vials come after the 1260 Days , we may conclude by the Union , and by the Distinction together , That the latter end of the sixth Trumpet adheres close to the seventh , and then by the Voices first , and the Vials after them [ both of the seventh Trumpet ] following so close one upon another , and by the Blessed State coming upon all , we may be most assur'd , the Voices and the Vials answer to the Thirty and the Forty five Years of Surplusage to the 1260 Days , so distinguish'd and so conjoyn'd .

Now that these Voices and Vials of the seventh Trumpet are yet to come , and to come in the Order laid down , and within the Time laid down ; these six Things may indubitably convince us :

1. We may be fully assur'd , nothing so great , as the seven Thunders , could be heard before the Reformation , so high , so loud for the Kingdom of Christ ; so they must be with the Reformation beginning .

2. There is most apparently a space allowed for the Thunders , remaining seal'd , after their Voices uttered ; which space hath so great reason , as hath been given , to be rated at a Half-time , or 180 Years , and so cannot be run out yet since the Reformation .

3. Nothing so eminent since the Reformation , as the Fall of the Tenth of the Great City , or the Turkish Woe ceasing , ( whatever hopes now appear , ) nor of the seventh Trumpet so closely lynck'd with both , hath yet been seen .

4. The Oath of Christ , that Time should be no more , cannot possibly allow such a space of Time , or Delay , as the Half-time after Time , Times , Half-Time , within the seventh Trumpet ; or indeed , any Time at all , wherein every thing should not be in motion , and zealous of finishing the Mystery of God , and that within so short a Time , as 75 Years : so that as the Voices and Vials cannot have yet been since the Reformation , so they cannot take up above 75 Years after it . For to shew them quick , they are styl'd Voices , soon given , and Vials suddenly pour'd out ; and what is quicker than the Voice of God's Thunder , than the Spouts and Cataracts of Heaven ?

5. If there be seven Voices or Thunders , they must needs unite with the seventh Trumpet , and the seven Vials must issue from the seventh Voice , or else the admirable Contexture of this Prophecy , its Symmetry , and Harmony , must needs be lost ; as therefore the seventh Seal comprehends the seven Trumpets , during which the Kingdom remains seal'd ; even so must the seventh Trumpet , the Voices , and to shew the Voices are seven Voices , the seven Vials are fill'd from the Blood of the Wine-press of the seventh Voice .

6. It is most impossible the Bestian or Antichristian Power should be in such a State as at this day it is ; If the seventh Trumpet , with its Voices and Vials , had made their Impressions on it , it must needs have been torn and rent in pieces thereby .

But because that so illustrious End of the sixth Trumpet and the seventh Trumpet are to come , and that the seventh Trumpet is so expresly styl'd Mystery , I shall with all Humility , Modesty , and Brevity , undertake not any thing in their Explication , as to the very manner , or precise sense of Particulars , but only in the general , demonstrate their Order and Sequence , and observe their necessary main Importance : but whether even that Fall of the Tenth of the City , and the concomitant mighty Works , do not with a great notice of themselves , only given at the end of the sixth , issue into the seventh Trumpet , and so are gradually fulfill'd in the Voices and the Vials , and how the Bestian Power , or the spiritual Pharaoh and his Egypt , is so much as kept in a State of Being or Existence at all , and survives ( as Pharaoh and Egypt of old ) under such Voices and Vials to the last , or as the City where our Lord was crucified did under such a Ministry , and a course of Miracles , and Prophecies fulfilling upon it , till destroy'd by Titus , I confess my self unable to account ; but must leave it to that Time it self , that will be so full of Light to explain it .

But that the Prophecy gives us an orderly course of seven Voices , although , in reverence , as it were , of the Prophecy it self to its own Type of the Thunders once seal'd , they and their Order is so much cover'd , I shall thus argue :

There are in this Apocal. Prophecy , ch. 14. seven distinct Issues Arg. 1 or Emanations , following in a Connexion , and yet to v. 1. v. 13. v. 6. v. 14 , 15. each is annex'd its signal Note of Distinction ; so that while they are in a Connexion , they are also under a Distinction , v. 8. v. 18. v. 9. and they are just seven , and most undeniably so . From hence it appears they concert with all the Apocalyptick Sevens , in which Number the whole Prophecy is all along conveyed .

To each of these , there is applied either a Voice from Heaven , Arg. 2 a loud Voice , or a loud Cry , according to the Note of the seventh Trumpet , There were great Voices in Heaven . Every one of these Sevens hath therefore this Note , except the Third , concerning the Fall of Babylon , omitted then , as it were on purpose to distinguish it , and that it might not be mistaken for the Execution of this Voice by the seventh Vial , c. 18. else it cannot but be thought , That Angel discharg'd his Office and Trust with the same Zeal the other Angels did , and that a Point of so great Concernment to the Kingdom of Christ as Babylon's Fall , was neither whisper'd in a low Accent , nor coolley , or so much as calmly pronounced .

To shew there is a Connexion of the Seven , when there had been no mention of any Angel in the first Voice ; yet it is Arg. 3 said in the second Voice , Another Angel . Now seeing he cannot be call'd Another with respect to any precedent Angel , it must undoubtedly be with Relation to the first Voice : and thus as there is a Connexion , so there is an Order ; in the fourth Voice therefore , the Angel is call'd the third Angel , to shew there is a design'd Order . And as to shew the same Order also , the first Angel was called not the first , but another ; and if Another , there must be a former ; another can't be without a first other ; for Another is a second other . So it appears again , there is an order of Voices signified in this third Angel but fourth Voice ; for the Order is again express'd by Third , a most express Note of Order .

The very Importance of each Voice carries a Succession to Arg. 4 the Kingdom of Christ ; which that we may better understand , we must consider , Voice , and Voices , and Thunder in their general Notation in Scripture , signifie Doctrine , and an Emanation of Doctrine ; so John Baptist is called a Voice , and those two Apostles Boanerges , or Sons of Thunder ; and especially in this Prophecy , Thunders , and Voices are always big with some Appearance of Christ's Kingdom ; This course of Voices must therefore be a course of Doctrines very productive of Christ's Kingdom , and in the two last of earnest Prayers for it , that were returned to ( as Christ's Prayer , Glorifie Joh. 12. 28. thy Name , ) by a Voice of Thunder , I have both glorified it , and will glorifie it again ; and as the Place where the Apostles prayed , was shaken , so these Petitions will be to the Acts 4. 31. World as a Thunder and Earthquake , and yet the Kingdom it self , after these Preparations , is in a still Voice of Grace and Peace .

We must then enquire from whence these Voices rise and spring , and we may find three Origins of them .

1. They rise from the Church of Philadelphia , whose proper Interval , or Support of the Line of Time , is at the seventh Trumpet , as hath been affirmed ; And it is said , Christ set it an open door , viz. of divine Doctrine , reaching to Christ's Kingdom . So the Apostle calls the Propagation of the Gospel 1 Cor. 16. 9. Col. 4. 3. by his Ministry , the opening to him a door , wide and effectual , and the very Publication it self , a door of Vtterance .

2. They spring from the seven Thunders , that uttered their Voices but , as not in due time to proceed , nor in the order of the Apocal. Sevens , were then sealed , but are now written . The first Voice therefore , as the Voice of Thunder , allies the whole Course of them to the Thunders ; and the Persons from whom the Voice of the first Thunder proceeds , had the Name of the Lambs Father Written ; which Number was first under Seal at the Apostacy beginning ; then they shewed themselves at the Thunders , but immediately were seal'd again , and now unseal'd , and written at the Thunders unseal'd and written in these Voices . So in the fifth Voice , Write . Now Writing in this Prophecy , as contrary to the Sealing , signifies an Impresencing of Things ; so unsealing and writing most naturally begin together .

3. These Voices are begotten by the seventh Trumpets fruitful sound : for tho' there were many Voices and Thundrings before and after , yet none made a course of Apocalyptick Sevens but these .

I have thus far settled this divine Sett of Visions , or the seven Voices , as they conduct the course of Time , or the first thirty of the seventy five Years ; which are not indeed numerally given in this Apocalyptical Prophecy , either for the secrecy of Prophecy or for the distinctest securing the right understanding of that alone given Number , the great prophetical Line before discoursed , which fall upon a Time of greatest Obscurity , and of all other least discernable ; and lastly , be-because this Time , when it comes , will be fullest of Light . But this notwithstanding by that whole Symmetry of Prophecy , and the compare of Daniel's Numbers , viz. the Grand one of 2300 Ev. Mor. and the 1290 Days , and 1335 Days ; and comparing them with this Complex of Voices , it is enough clear and demonstrative , This is an Order of seven Voices .

I will not do so much injury to so divine a Mount of Vision , as to give an imperfect Landscaph of it , nor of the following awful one of the Vials ; a Mountain , in some Regards , like that which burn'd with Fire , and was not to be touch'd ; nor of that glorious Mountain of the Heavenly Tzebi , the Mountain of Spices and Delights on which the New Jerurusalem is planted , as to give imperfect Landscaphs of them by half Treaties upon the Delineations of them in this and other Prophecies . Seeing therefore that part of the Discourse which I design chiefly to the Line of Time , will not allow me a full Treaty , I will satisfie my self with the Evidences of Prophecy concerning the spaces of Time , destin'd to each , and the naked Summary of them , and reserve the fuller draughts to another Treatise ( if God shall vouchsafe me opportunity , ) concerning the seven Churches , of which I have only also given a short view , and as in perspective . The seven Churches , the seven Voices , the seven Vials , and the cubical thousand Years , I reserve to a distinct full Discourse .

This Sett of Voices therefore , is the wide door , and effectual , c. 14. that will be open'd at those thirty Years ensuing the Rising of the Witnesses at 1697 , who are here set as a contrary Number to the Men mark'd with the Beast's Number , and at that Number expir'd at the 1260 Days ending , and the 75 beginning in the Gospel , discover'd first in that purest clearest Doctrine of the Redemption of Jesus Christ the Lamb , in that , as it were , new Song of Praise , communicated from the c. 13. ult. triumphant Witnesses with the Lamb on Mount Zion , by the Holy Spirit to the Servants of God here below , who are Followers of Christ in the Philadelphian Church , in that , as it were , new Song , so long out of use , or not sung by skillful Musicians that excell'd , that shall now be full of all Sweetness and Delight ; upon which shall follow a Propagation of it to the whole World , as if a flying Sermon were borne thro' the midst of Heaven , that all Nations , People , and Tongues , under Heaven , might hear , founded on that grand Principle [ The one God Creator of Heaven , Earth , &c. ] that had been so long abused by Heathen and Antichristian Idolatry , dividing their Gods and Mediators to the several parts of the Creation ; upon which the Fall of Babylon , the City of Graven Images , mad of Idols , mad of false Mediators , must needs ensue , as most naturally to be declared next ; And that Declaration is most worthily attended with that righteous Denunciation , That if any one shall continue , upon so clear Evidences from Heaven against it , to worship the Beast , their Case is irremediable , and becomes like the unpardonable Sin . Which Denunciation shews the just and necessary Situation of this Voice in space of Time , and so of the other Voices so orderly connex'd with it : it could not be before the Beasts 42 Months ended ; for it must have immediately broken his Kingdom , as the Cedars of Lebanon are broken with the force of Thunder : nor can we suppose it after the Effusion of the Vials ; for God gives warning before he destroys . Within these thirty Years therefore it is necessarily plac'd together with the other Voices .

Between this , and the following Voice of the Saints Resurrection , is Recall'd an Inscription , engraven upon , as it were a Boundary-pillar of the Beasts Tyranny , and the Saints Sufferings , c. 13. 10. Here , or thus far reach the Faith and Patience of the Saints , viz. to the Beasts Captivation , and his Party kill'd with the Sword . Between these two Voices of the Eternal Burnings of the Lake , into which the taken Beast and his Worshippers are cast , and of the declar'd Resurrection of the Saints , that Inscription here Recall'd is declar'd , as appearing in its Verification , Here , viz. Recorded in Glory , and speedily to be Rewarded is the Faith and Patience of the Saints . Here appear , as ready to enter into Glory , those suffering Witnesses spoken of c. 12. 17. who keep the Commandments of God , and the Faith of Jesus .

Next in order follows the Promulgation of the first Resurrection so nearly approaching , which is not trusted only to a created Ministry , nor to a Sound only , but the Holy Spirit takes it at the Rebound , and declares it by it self , and commands it to Writing . Upon this follows a loud Voice of Prayer and Supplication to the crowned Son of Man , Lord of the Harvest , to reap the Earth by an abundant Conversion of Jews and Gentiles ; which is graciously answer'd by him to whom the Crown was given at the first preaching of the Gospel in the first Seal , and at this Harvest he appears crown'd , as the ultimate preaching of it . And as the last of Remedies , a Supplication for Vengeance upon irreconcilable Enemies follows , on which the Guilt of former and present Ages of such Enemies , who as the Grapes of Sodom , or the Fruit of the degenerate Vine , are cast into the Wine-press of the Wrath of God , the Demerit and Guilt , comes out like Blood , from which are fill'd the Vials of the Wrath of God ; and that in the seventh Vial flows out upon the whole Circumference or Quadrature of 1600 Furlongs , the whole Latitude of the City of Sathan , even to the Horse Bridles of the Armies of Heaven , with Christ , the supreme Prince , treading this Wine-press , and executing ●● . 19 , ● the Vengeance of this Vial when he appears with many Crowns .

How glorious , and how terrible , will God be at this Remark . Time in his Word ? How admirable , and how dreadful , will be the Spirit of Christ's Mouth , and the Breath and Rod of his Lips ? That which is now accounted the Foolishness of Preaching , and the Burden of Prophecy , grown into a Proverb of Contempt , shall then be the perfect fulfilling of that Prophecy on his profess'd Enemies , Isa. 30. 27. which I desire may be turn'd to , and pondered by every considering Person that reads these Lines ; And on mere Sardian Professors , that are not among the Few Names , nor the Overcomers , It will be Christ coming as a Thief , and they not knowing at what hour he comes ; but to all his Servants it will be with Tabrets and Harps , a Song of Praise , excelling the imaginary Musick of the Spheres .

SECT. XV. Wherein is given a very brief Display upon the Vials . Vpon c. 15. c. 16.

I Am now come to the last part of the 75 Years , or the 40 of the Vials , at the end of which is Blessedness ; and yet it self is a Time of Trouble , such as never was since there was a Nation even to that same Time : and it is yet that Time in which shall be the Deliverance of Daniel's People , even of Dan. 12. 1. every one of them that is found written in the Book .

It is most evidently the Time of the course of the last Plagues , in which the Wrath of God is fill'd up . But who can declare before-hand his Judgments , that are as the deep Waters ? I will therefore warily pass by the Banks , and remonstrate only upon what is most plain .

And first , besides the contiguous , and even continuous Issue of the Vials out of the last Voice , we shall find the Sword of Christ's Mouth fighting against the Balaamites and the Nicolaitans , and the Rod of Iron assur'd to Thyatyra , brought forth in the last Vial ; and then the Hour of Temptation , that shall come on all the Earth , foretold to the Church of Philadelphia , comes ; from which , by peculiar Favour , Christ will preserve it : Then the Days of Vengeance prophecied of by our Lord ( which shall yet be shortned for the Elects sake , ) are to be fulfilled in these Vials , to which that shortned Time agrees : Of which Vengeance , the Destruction of Jerusalem was but an Exemplar ; for in that Destruction all things written were not accomplish'd , but in these , all that is written shall be accomplish'd .

And yet there is a closer Relation this whole Vision hath , and it is to be found in those very first Words of this Vision , I saw another sign in Heaven , great , and marvellous . This may indeed seem to be another sign , with regard to the precedent course of the Voices ; but because there is a very lively Juncture betwixt a former Vision and the Entrance to this , and the beginning of that Vision was call'd a great sign , and c 12. v. 1. v. 3. c. 13. ult. c. 14. 1. there is added another sign , viz. of the Dragon , from whose both History and Power is deriv'd that of the Beast , that leads to his End , viz. his Captivity and his Armies and People being kill'd with the Sword . The Vials are introduced as another third sign to that , and consequently derives it self from the Voices , and the Voices begin at the End of the Whatever divine Instruments lye under this Type , it is certain , They are of unexceptionate Authority and Commission from God , and of an undeniable Purity . Beasts Number , and so go on to his being taken , and his Partisans kill'd by the Sword of Christ . So the Angels coming out of the Temple in Linnen pure and white , and the Witnesses standing on the Sea of Glass before the Throne , having the Harps of God , are the Continuation of the Vision of the Voices , advancing to greater Glory and Perfection at the Time of the Vials : as shall be farther manifested in a full Treaty of these Things , if God permit . This only may suffice to the settling the Time , and the Continuation of both the Time , and History of the Vials , to that of the Voices .

That only is to be by no means omitted , or inobserv'd : Till the seventh Trumpet , and its Voices , and Vials , there is no mention of the four living Creatures and the twenty four Elders , nor of the Temple , as opened , but only as shut ; viz. from the Half-time of the Churches Purity ballanced by the Symbol of the third Seal , which ended and the fourth just begun , was the last Voice of the fourth living Creature , or of any mention of them , but only a farewel mention in the sixth Seal , as proper to the Time of the sixth Seal , but as there is grafted on the Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ in the Christian Empire as an Emblem of it , a Scheme of the New Jerusalem : and here , as a Signal of the Calling of the Jews , the Order grows towards an Inversion , and the Elders are set first and before the Apostolical Church , represented by the four living Creatures , and extending it self over the Christian Empire , [ as is intended in a future Treatise to be more particularly clear'd , ] whereas the Elders present the true Israelitish Church . Rev. 7. 11. with c. 19. 4.

But to proceed to a summary Enumeration of the Vials , That they are an orderly individed course of seven Vials , is so evident , that I shall not offer one Word in Confirmation beyond the most visible Letter of the Prophecy . But the sense and importance of this course of Divine Judgments , I conceive so heavenly and spiritual , as to be impossible to be explain'd but by either immediate Revelation , or the nearer Approach of themselves ; only God hath assign'd to them 45 Years , and hath given Lineaments of each of them ; the Particulars whereof I referr to a farther Discussion , and present only this Breviate of them .

But that we may know , they are not yet begun , whenever they begin they move with so swift a Course , that it is impossible there should be any delay in them after they are begun , or that Any of them should be enter'd , and not All of them in their order swiftly pour'd out .

That Earth out of which Antichristianism and the Worship c. 16. v. 1. of the Beast rises , that earthly and sensual Religion that is his Foundation , by Divine Judgment upon him , sends out a poysonous Vapour , that becomes a most loathsome and tormenting Boyle upon his Worshippers ; His Foreign Dominion compared to a Sea , is not only staguated , but corrupts as the v. 3. Blood of a dead Man : His inward Fountains of Riches , Power , and Pleasure , are made like drinking of Blood , in just Recompence v. 4. 5. of the Blood of Saints and Martyrs .

The supreme Kingdom and Monarchy of Christ , like the Sun , which Antichrist surpris'd , and borrowed from it , as the v. 8. Moon , his false Glory , now intollerably searches him . His Throne of Supremacy is by the Vengeance of God made a Hell of utter Darkness to him . And in all these He and his Bestians v. 10. repent not , but gnaw their Tongues , and blaspheme . The beginning Glory of Christ in the Jews returning to be the Imperial v. 12. Metropolitan Church on Earth , and to reign as Kings , is made use of by God , in just Judgment , to call to Armageddon the whole World of Enemies , as acted by Furies , the v. 13 , 14. Spirits of Devils . Upon which Christ with his mighty ones , according to Rev. 19. comes down , and the whole Air is full of Divine Judgments : so that this Battel just before the Kingdom v. 17. of Christ , is with Burning and Fewel of Fire , and not Garments roll'd in Blood , of which all the immediate Judgments from Heaven , as on Midian , as on the Assyrians , Esa. 9. 5. are Types ; which last is joyn'd to a clear Prophecy of this Glorious Kingdom of Christ .

I can give no fitter Remark upon so unfathomable a course Remark . of Judgments than the recording that Song of Moses , the Servant of God , at the final Overthrow of the Egpptians in the Red Sea , and of the Lamb , c. 15. 9. Great and marvellous are thy Works , Lord God Almighty , just and true are thy ways oh King of Saints . Who shall not fear thee , Oh Lord , and glorifie thy Name ? for thou only art Holy , and all Nations shall come and worship before thee ; for thy Judgments are made manifest . And this course of Judgments comprehends all the Dead , both small and great , to that very 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , IT IS DONE , and at last to these Dead at the seventh Vial are gathered , All , whose Names are not found written in the Book of Life ; and are cast with Death it self into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone , which is the second Death .

SECT. XVI . Wherein is given , in a most brief Account , the state of the thousand Years , both as to Time and Excellency . On c. 20.

THE Time of the Duration of the Kingdom , which is the Sabbath of Time , when all Anti-sabbatical Time shall be at an end , and NO MORE , is a thousand Years .

Now it may be a great doubt , How this Time is to be understood , whether literally or mystically : if literally , How then will it agree with the whole Frame of the Prophecy , which hath very little that is not mystical , and of a typical Signification , and most particularly all the Lines of Time ? But if the thousand Years be mystical , either they shall express no definite Time , or they shall , if mystically multiplied , set the State of Eternity at incomputable Distances yet from the last Time and Ends of the World we are now subsisting upon , contrary to all the Reason and Faith of Christians , and the whole Analogy of the Scriptures .

Now that which I would reconcile the Thoughts of all the serious Considerers of Prophecy in this matter by , is , That here The literal and the mystical Sense conspire , and closely embrace one another , The literal 1000 Years comprises highest Mystery in it ; for besides that in round Number as we compute Time , it comes in as the sabbatical thousand , for which I perceive there is a general Favour of all Christians , if not Jews , that have any Estimation of mystick Types of Prophecy . Besides this , and that , the millenary Number hath great Reputation in Pythagorick mystick Numbers , as a cubical Number rising from 10 , and filling up the Perfection of Number ; even as the millenary State is the perfectest State of Conformity to the Law of Creation , given by God in the 10 Words we call the Decalogue , in which Sabbatism hath so great Place and Reason . It is also the Time , wherein Sathan is bound , chain'd , and seal'd up ; the Sanctuary is cleans'd , in the other 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or IT IS DONE , in the New Jerusalem . Besides all this , It is the great Emblem God hath chosen to represent his own and his Servants blessed Eternity in . This thousand Years is as one day to him , to represent his and his

SECT. VIII . Wherein the 42 Months are measur'd by the exactest Rule of Prophecy , and found to begin at the Cessation of the Christian Western Empire and to end whenever the 1260 Days end ( the Date of the Kingdom of Christ immediately ensuing ) and by compare with the 1260 Days at 1697. Page 90. SECT. IX . In which the Time from the 42 Months beginning is set out till 622 , or the Mahometan Hegira , by Rome's dark State in the fourth Trumpet , by the Angels proclaiming the three Woe Trumpets , by the Beast becoming a fallen Star , at 606 , and the Key of the Abyss given him , viz. in the universal Pastorship by Phocas , and the Ministry of the other Beast to him herein , and the State of the Witnesses are also declar'd . Revel. c. 8. v. 12. &c. c. 9. v. 1. &c. Page 114. SECT. X. Wherein is undertaken to be proved , That the Mahometan Saracens are the Locusts design'd in the fifth Apocalyptical Trumpet , and that the 25 Months given to them comprehend 435 Years from the Mahometan Hegire at 622 , and so reach ●o 1057. Vpon Rev. c. 9. v. 1. &c. Page 124. SECT. XI . Of the Number 666 , shewing the Certainty it gives to the whole Line of Time , both as to the Nature and Time of the Beast , upon a true and right Explanation of it . Rev. 13. v. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. Page 132. SECT. XII . In which is given an Explication of the Woe of the sixth Trumpet , especially to the taking of Constantinople , and by proportion to the Reformation , and to the End of that Woe , and an Adjustment of the Hour , Day , Month , and Year , to the whole Time . Vpon Revel. 9. 12 , 13 , 14 , &c. Page 149. SECT. XIII . This Section enters into the Half-time of the Reformation , and by the Agreement of Prophecy with the Event , demonstrates the Beginning and End of that Time . On Rev. c. 10. Page 155. SECT. XIV . Wherein is contained a brief Disquisition upon the seven Voices as they run along . Apoc. c. 14. Page 177. SECT. XV. Wherein is given a very brief Display on the Vials . Page 185. SECT. XVI . Wherein is given in most brief Account the Time of the 1000 Years , both as to Time and Excellency Page 189.

FINIS .