A DEMONSTRATION OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE Protestant Applications OF THE APOCALYPSE .

Together with the Consent of the Ancients Concerning the Fourth Beast in the 7th of Daniel , and The Beast in the Revelations .

By DRUE CRESSENER , D. D.

LONDON : Printed for Thomas Cockerill , at the Three Legs in the Poultrey over-against Stocks-Market . M DC XC .

THE Intent of these Papers is to make a more certain Discovery of the Sense of some Divine Oracles , which have foretold the Successive Revolutions of all the Great Empires , in which the Church of God was to sojourn , till it should come to triumph over the Kingdoms of this World . If they prove to be satisfactorily clear , Religion and Empire being the Subject-matter of them , They seem to be the most proper Object of the Meditation of Christian Princes . We are now in the concluding part of the Last of these Empires ; And Your Majesty's Late Wonderful Successes have so promising an Aspect on that part of the Predictions , That they seem to appropriate all Addresses of this kind to Your Royal Court.

I have therefore thought it a duty to offer that , which I have already published on this Subject , to the Hands of His Majesty ; And Your Majesty's peculiar Share in the Throne does seem to demand This of me , as the Remainder of a Debt from one that has once approached it .

This Part is indeed the whole Strength and Foundation of the former , and for that reason ought to attend it to the same Place , to confirm the Hopes of a Glorious Success of both Your Majesties Endeavours for the Revival of the Oppressed Reformation . Madam , We have already seen a very surprizing beginning of this Recovery , in the late Providential manner of the Return of the Protestants of Savoy through the midst of their most Inveterate , and most Powerful Opposers . The first date of that General Suppression of the Protestant Profession in Roman States , which in the Prophecy is called , The Death of the Witnesses in Sackcloth , is supposed to commence from the Last Considerable Abjurations of the new Converts abroad , some while after the Revocation of the Edict of Nants ; And then , That which in the Prophecy is called , Their Resurrection three days and an half after their Death , must fall just about the time that the Vaudois did Revive , and Resettle the Publick Profession of their Religion , after their return to their Ancient Habitations .

The Vaudois , and their Neighbours , have been so much the Main Body of the Witnesses for many Ages before the Reformation , That since the first Revival is agreed from the Prophecy to be in one particular place only , they may safely be allowed to be the first promising beginning at least of that Revolution . The Proper Kingdom of France did indeed seem from the present Posture of Affairs , to be the most likely to be the first Scene of this Revival . The other Treatise , pag. 139 , 140. But it has been shewn , that there is nothing in the Prophecy that does fix the first beginning of it there ; And that the Persecution in France , and Savoy , being executed by the same Instruments , may very well pass for one and the same thing .

This , Madam , is the first encouraging Earnest of that Great Deliverance , which the Oppressed Church does groan for , and look up to Heaven , and to Your Protection to accomplish .

But whatever may become of these remote Conclusions relating to present Affairs , it will be no prejudice to what I here offer , which is the only necessary and Great Concern of the Protestant Interpretations , and the sole foundation of them . It will here appear to remain still firm , and unshaken , That the Church of Rome is the main Object of the Judgments of this Prophecy . The Foundation of a Building may be setled upon a Rock , though some parts of the Superstructure should fall for want of an immediate and close coherence with it . And if this first Foundation be but once agreed on , and well regarded by all Parties of Protestants , it is easie to see how influential it must needs be for the strengthening of the Common Interest of the Reformation . The dreadful Characters that are here set upon the Common Enemy , and the Divine Intimations of the joint concern of all the Reformed Churches in the League against them , as the Witnesses , and People of God , And the Present Crying Miseries of their Enslaved Brethren , are more than sufficient to make them silence all their little Unnecessary Heats and Animosities against one another , and to make them unite with zeal to strengthen the Hands of Your Majesties against the most refined Barbarities of the Great Oppressor , that were ever yet heard of .

There are indeed but small Grounds to hope , That Protestants will of a sudden agree upon this Foundation , whatever Evidence there may be for it . The Enquiry into these matters is so out of fashion , and lies under so general a prejudice , that I found the Press every-where affrighted from undertaking the Charge of this Publication . And I am bound to acknowledge , That nothing less could persuade them to it , than the warm Recommendations of a Person , whom Your Majesty's Favour has eminently rewarded for his Long continued Labours in all the ways , by which the Church can be either piously edified , or learnedly defended . It is indeed owing to My Lord Bishop of Chichester , if any thing here does prove to be of Publick Use .

MOST Writers are so happy , as to be able to think themselves sure of Readers enow ; and all their care is to make them Courteous and gentle by a Preface . But there are so few that can have the patience to hear of any thing about the Revelations , that the great difficulty here is to get any Readers at all , and to prevent the being sentenc'd without a Tryal .

That which does so affright the World from these things , is the usual fancifulness , and looseness of Discourses of this nature , and their great Confidence and Assurance , with little or no care to make sure of their foundation . I do therefore think it requisite to assure all those that look upon this , That the whole aim of my Endeavours here , is to restrain all kind of Liberty of Imagination , and to force an Assent by close , and clear proof , instead of surprizing it by an Ingenious Scheme , and by the tempting agreements , and lucky likenesses of Characters . My great fear indeed is , that the dry strictness of the Reasonings in it , will turn away more from perusing it , than the strength and cautiousness of it will please . But that will still the more clear my Attempt from the common Prejudice .

It may be some motive to the belief of this , That the only end of this Vndertaking was to find out a more satisfactory foundation for what the Excellent Mr. Mede has endeavoured to demonstrate in this way ; Whose known Reputation for his impartial and cautious Judgment in the interpretation of other parts of Scripture , is sufficient to silence all inconsiderate Prejudices against his Performances of this kind .

There have indeed been some very great Names of late Grotius , Dr. Hammond , &c. amongst our selves , who have excused the Church of Rome from any concern in the Judgments of this Prophecy ; and that , only by laying down another Scheme of Interpretation without any tolerable proof of it . But it is a sufficient prejudice against their Authority , that they are forced to such shifts for their foundation , as the most Judicious , and the most skilful of the Romish Interpreters themselves do cry See the Preface to my former Treatise . out against , as things , that none , but Men out of their Wits , would own , and such as they affirm to be contrary to the general sense of all kinds of Interpreters , Jews and Christians , Ancient and Modern . And when they come to speak of the like kind of Phrases , do declare that sense of them , which these New Men account monstrous in the Interpretations of their Brethren , to be so clear , that all , but those that are blind , may easily see it ; Or such , as is agreeable both to the usage of common Speech , and to the usage of Scripture ; Or such , as must necessarily be allowed : Which is a sufficient Vindication of those Learned Interpreters of our own , who have brought the same Charge against these Ingenious Innovators .

It would at the first much surprize any man to see these Learned Protestants so busie to ease the Church of Rome of this trouble from their Brethren , when all the thanks that they can get for it from the most Judicious of those , whose Cause they oblige by it , is to be called Madmen , and fools for their pains .

But in this they themselves do satisfy us . They acknowledge that they came to the Interpretation of the Revelations with a design to serve by it ; It was more to answer Objections against some singular Notions , than to unfold the Mystery of that Prophecy . They came to force their way through the Difficulties , that the plain and obvious sense of the Visions did lay in their way . And nothing is more ordinary than to see men wrest any part of Scripture , that will not comply with their fancy , for some particular Opinions . Their Expedient for Catholick Vnion of all Christian Churches by the Compliance of the Roman ; Their Assurace of the necessity of the conveyance of a Right Succession , and Ordination by a Church that was not formally Idolatrous , &c. were altogether inconsistent with the Protestant sense of the Apocalypse .

It is as evident on the other side from the closeness and cautiousness of Mr. Mede's Explications , and the impartiality of his Judgment upon all other Occasions , that his whole aim was to make sure of the clear and certain sense of these Mysteries . He bad no private Opinion that he came to advance by it , or to make it a drudge to : And his way of life , and the wariness , and the Ingenuity of his Spirit in all his other Expositions of Scripture , did sufficiently secure him that Character of himself , which his Modesty would only own , viz. his freedom from studium partium .

But the present Age is so generally prepossessed with the Interpretations of these Learned Men , That it is further necessary to remind those , that look upon them as a great service to the Church of England , That they are great Novelties See Dr. Bernard 's Discourses , p. 139 , to 160. in its Doctrine ; and if continued in , will but expose it to the rest of the Reformed Churches for departing from them , and from its own first Faith , only to uphold some Prerogatives of its own Reformation , to the undervaluing , and undermining of the grounds of theirs . It is manifest * * Third Part of the Sermon against Idolatry , p. 69. And 6th Part of the Sermon against Rebellion , p. 316. by the Homilies approved of in our Articles as the faith of our Church , That the Charge of Babylon upon the Church of Rome is the standing Profession of the Church of England ; And it continued to be the † † Bishop Jewell , p. 373. Bishop Abbot , Antichristi Demonstratio , Archbishop Whitgift , Tract. 8. p. 349. Bishop Andrews , Tortura Torti . Bishop Bilson , p. 527. Bishop Morton . Mr. R. Hooker 's Treatise of Justification , sect. 10 , 57. currant Judgment of all the best Learned Members of it till the end of the Reign of King James the First : It was really believed in his time to be so clear and important a part of their Faith , That both the Church , and the Court , did applaud the King in his publick defence of it , though he did thereby plainly endanger the honour of his Character , and the Interest of his Kingdom amongst all Roman-Catholick Princes . As appears by Lessius's Epistle Monitory to them :

After that time , This Doctrine of the Homilies came to be more out of fashion , either to be civil to the Marriages of the succeeding Reigns , or to take away all the advantage that the Serapatists might have from hence against the necessity of an uninterrupted Succession and Ordination in every Lawfully-constituted Church ; Which might also shew them the necessity of uniting with the Church of England . It is certain , that the extravagant Heats of those times were enough to make Learned Men run into unnecessary Extremes .

But the common Danger of late has now revived the Ancient Doctrine of the Church again , which these Novelties did contradict . All the best Learned in the Church have been engaged in charging the Church of Rome with formal Idolatry , in exposing all Expedients for Vnion with it ; in demonstrating the necessity of a Separation from them , whatever becomes of the Succession ; in disowning of all kind of Right of Supremacy there , &c.

If therefore the Authority of these New Interpreters does still prejudice any ( that are otherwise curious ) against these kind of Enquiries , here is all this to make them very uneasie under it , viz. That they rely upon such for it , as the best Judges amongst those , whose Cause they most befriend by it , do impartially cry out against , as Men void of common Sense , for the grounds that they go upon for it ; and that they prefer the Judgment of these men in opposition to the Doctrine of the Church of England it self , and of the best Learned , and the most impartial Defenders of it almost ever since the Reformation , and also in opposition to the Judgment of all Reformed Churches besides .

I do moreover here pretend to lay a surer and deeper foundation for the demonstration of the Protestant Applications , than has yet been offered ; which may make my endeavours for it at least worth the examining . And for the better apprehending of the force of all , I will here give a general Idea of my whole process in it .

The chief foundation of my Design , is the constant usage of Figures of the like kind in the Prophecy of Daniel . For there is this great advantage from Daniel's Figures , That they are both the Original Copy of that in the Revelations , and have also a great variety of like Schemes , and were almost all of them fulfilled before the writing of the Apocalypse , as it has been by the Consent of the Learned See Consent of the Ancients at the end . of almost all Parties , and Ages , agreed upon . This makes the signification of the Schemes of Daniel to be certainly determined , and to be so many Data , and Rules for the determination of the like , but less known , Phrases in the Revelations . I have therefore taken some pains to make sure of the Interpretation of the Figures of Daniel in such a way of proof , as I hope may bear the most critical Examination , which was never before clearly done , but is the most requisite of any thing for a full satisfaction about the sense of the Apocalypse . For by this means I have reduced all the kinds of Schemes , signifying Dominion , to certain and uniform Definitions , which is a much larger Basis to establish the Interpretation of these Mysteries upon , and which I found much wanting in Mr. Mede's , and Dr. More's Method . The Prophetical Terms in the Revelations do by this appear to have been well known to the Apostle before ; and the signification of the chief of them , to contain in them so large a space of time , as determines their accomplishment to many Ages after his time , which is a great confirmation of the Divine Authority of the Prophecy . This is the whole business of the Second Book , which ought to be the most nicely , and attentively examined .

But to make the demonstration of this the more secure , I thought it most convenient to make use of some of the most undoubted , and acknowledged things about Babylon , and the Figure of the Beast in the Revelations , which do the most openly and unquestionably determine the scene of these things to one certain Empire ; Whereby the Fourth Beast in the 7th of Daniel , which is proved necessarily to be the same with that in the Apocalypse , is more certainly made known ; and all the rest of the Kingdoms there mentioned , more unavoidably confined in their particular significations . This therefore was thought fit to be premised in the First Book .

In the doing of this , I had another aim , which I apprehended to be of very useful importance ; and that was to make sure of the foundation of Mr. Mede's Syncronisms ; that is , That the Term of the Beast all over the Revelations , does denote but one and the same particular state of it ; the want of a close proof of which , gives a great advantage to the Grotian Interpretation , to evade the force of his Demonstrations by taking that Term in various acceptations . Dr. Moor has indeed taken great pains for this purpose ; but I could not be satisfied , till I found it more absolutely necessary for that term to be every-where but the same particular state , than his Eighteen Congruities , or Likenesses , do seem to make it .

The Third Book does apply the general Notions in the Two former , to the Beast in the Revelations . Thus far I have generally endeavoured to carry on my whole Process upon Principles common to all the several ways of Protestant Interpreters ; and have therefore offered mine own particular Apprehensions about the Application , and first date of the Reign of the Beast , by way of Queries only ; that I might lay the stress of the business upon a foundation large enough to fit almost all the different Judgments of Protestant Interpreters , and not venture it upon the narrow bottom of one particular man's Fancy and Method ; And I have made use of no Authorities to confirm any thing of moment , but the Consent of Papists themselves ; And their Consent about almost all the Propositions in the First and Second Book , which are the Principles and foundation of the Design , was a very great confirmation to me of the strength and certainty of all that follows .

But yet I am so throughly sensible of the strange and violent heats , that the study of these things do generally possess all men with , that engage in it , that I must desire that Justice of the Reader not to be deterred from the perusal of this performance , by the confident Censures of any that may observe some small Conclusions here , not so agreeable to their own Fancies . For the most eminent and admired in other parts of Learning , have been found to be the most absurd and gross in their Confident Mistakes about these matters . Nothing indeed does make men so obnoxious to mistakes here , as a more than ordinary measure of quickness of Parts , and of assurance from great improvements in other ways . If I have at all succeeded in this Attempt , I must wholly attribute it , under God's assistance , to the peculiar scepticalness of my nature , and the continual distrust of my own Apprehensions and Performances , which would not suffer me to fix upon scarce any thing , before I had by often repeated corrections of my first thoughts about it , made it appear not only clear , but necessary to me .

It is enough to revive the Curiosity of the present Age for the examination of this Attempt , to reflect but upon the peculiar advantages of it , if performed . My Design The Usefulness of the Design . is to give a clear and necessary proof , That the Church of Rome is that Great Enemy of God's Church , which is much the business of the Revelations .

And one very great advantage of this would be , That it would cut off many voluminous and intricate Disputes , which take up so much of the choicest time of the Best Men. If it were once made sure , That God had here so openly exposed the distinguishing marks of that Church , almost every one of Bellarmin's Notes of his Church ought , without any dispute , to be granted him . Nay , If that alone be but yielded , which the Jesuit Alcasar * * In v. 2. c. 11. Apocalyps . Notat . 4. item ante Notation . See Preface to the Judgments of God upon the R. C. affirms to be necessary , and the contrary of it to be not at all agreeable to the Enigmatical style of the Revelations ; that is , That the 1260 days are to be taken in a Mystical , and not in the literal sense ; Those Notes would be the surest confirmation , that that Church must be the Great Babylon . For as the Mystical acceptation of a Day in Scripture , is a Year , so is it impossible to apply the Characters answering to those Marks in the Revelations to any Ruling Power besides , for the space of 1260 together , since the writing of the Prophecy .

Ex. gr . Where-ever was there an Empire since the writing of the Prophecy , but that of the Roman Church , that Note 1 was so Universal for 1260 years together , as to have all that dwell upon Earth , Peoples , and Multitudes , and Rev. 13. 8. &c. 17. 15. Nations , and Tongues , to worship it ? What Ruling Power , but that , so Ancient , as to have the Blood of Prophets , and Saints , and of all that were slain upon Earth , of Note 2 that kind for that space of time , to be found in it ? What Rev. 18. 24. Rule but that , had ever so long a duration in the World , as to continue set upon an Hill , much less upon seven Hills , Note 3 for so great a space of time , or so as to answer the whole length of the time of the Saracen , and Turkish Empires Rev. 9. 1 , 13. in the Two first Woes ? Never had any other Church Note 4 such an Amplitude , or variety of Believers , as to have all Nations drink of the Wine of her Fornication ; or so Rev. 18. 3 , & c. 13. 7. as to have a blasphemous power over all Kindreds , and Tongues , and Nations . None , but that , was ever so eminently conspicuous for so long a time for the Succession Note 5 of its Bishops under one Supreme Patriarch , as to be the Living Image of all the Civil Dignities of the Empire , where Rev. 13. 12 , 14 , 15. it was under one Supreme Church-Head exercising all the power of the Civil Head , or with Imperium in Imperio . Nor did ever any Enemy of God's Church act for so long a time like the Red Dragon in its bloody Laws against the Note 6 Followers of the Lamb : And yet so far agree with the Primitive Church in fundamental Doctrines , as to answer the Character of a False Prophet with the Horns of Rev. 13. 11. the Lamb ( Christ ) , but speaking like the Red Dragon to his Followers , as the Church of Rome has done . Whereever , but there , has there been such an union of Head and Note 7 Members for that length of time , to apply the one mind Rev. 17. 13 , 17. of the Ten Kings to for their agreement together to give their power , and strength , and their whole Kingdoms to the Beast ? Never did any , but that Church , appear so long together with such a medly of Sanctity in some Doctrines , Note 8 , & 10. and outward appearances of a strict holiness of life , joined with other abominable Doctrines , and Practises ; to qualify it for the Horns of the Lamb , and the Speech of the Dragon for the Idolatrous and cruel Commands of the Rev. 13. 12 , 15. Image ; Or for having the Form of Godliness in the latter 2 Tim. 3. 1 , 7. times , and yet denying the power thereof ; Or for forbidding 1 Tim. 4. 3. to marry , and commanding to abstain from Meats , and yet maintaining Doctrines of Devils . What Deceiving Power , but that , did ever shew so wonderful an efficacy Note 9 of its Doctrine , as to make the Kings of the Earth , and Rev. 17. 2. all Nations , drunk with the Wine of its Fornication ? Or where did God ever send such an efficacious Delusion , as to make men so strongly to believe a lye ; things clear contrary 2 Thess. 2. 11. to the common Sense and Reason of all Mankind ? Note 11 The Glory of Miracles never appeared any where so long , Rev. 13. 14. to make good the False Prophet's lying Wonders , and his Matth. 7. 22. deceiving all that dwell upon Earth by the means of them ; And never was there , but in the Roman Church , so long a Reign of those that prophesied in the name of Note 12 Christ , with Signs and Wonders , to assure the Gift of Prophecy to them , and so to answer the Character of the False Rev. 13. 14. & Mat. 24. 24. Prophet working Miracles to deceive the World , and even , if it were possible , the very Elect. Nor ever had any Power upon Earth so numerous Confessions of its Note 13 Adversaries for the application of these Notes of his Church in the Revelations , to verify the Testimony of the Witnesses ; Rev. 11. 3. no Church or State in the World beside has made such an unhappy end of any thing near so many of its Enemies , Note 14 as the Roman , to assure us , That it can be nowhere but there , that the Image caused all to be killed Rev. 13. 15 , 16 , 17. that would not worship it , nor receive its mark , and name ; Nor did Temporal Felicity ever attend any other Note 15 Religion for half the time of the Roman Reign to make it possible to understand the Riches and Glory of Babylon to Rev. 18. 16 , 17. her last hour , of any thing else .

If it should here be said , That these 1260 years are to be verified of some Empire yet to come ; It must however be allowed , That the present Roman Church is as like that Antichristian Empire for all the time that it is to continue , and that for 1260 years , as one thing can well be like another .

This would make one apprehend , That Bellarmin was perfectly infatuated to make choice of such things for the marks of his Church , as make it the very picture of Babylon the Great in the Revelations ; and shews the Use , and great moment of the Notes of the Church , as delivered by Cardinal Bellarmin .

So also for other Intricate Controversies .

E. G. If this Application of the Apocalypse were once secured , who would much trouble himself to prove the formal Idolatry of the Church of Rome ? when it appears here to be the Mother of Harlots , that has made all Nations Rev. 18. 3. drink of the Wine of her Fornication ; Or to defend any Reformed Church from the imputation of Schism ? when there is such an express Command to the People of v. 4. God to come out of her , any ways , with , or without the countenance of Authority , that they be not partakers of her Sins , and so receive of her Plagues . Or to contend much for the perpetual visibility of the true People of God ? when the Prophecy does so expresly distinguish betwixt them as unknown , and a False , Idolatrous , and Apostate Church , Ibidem . Rev. 18. 4. & c. 7. wherein they sojourn , and does set them forth as persons no ways to be known from those , where they are , but by the Seal of God upon them , Rev. 9. 4. Or to fence off the Charge of Novelty ? when all Nations are described to worship a False Church for so many Ages together : Or to prove the Fallibility , or Actual Errors of the General Councils of that Church ? when it appears to have forced all the World to commit Fornication with it . Or to spend v. 3. much time against the Pope's Supremacy ? when the mischief Rev. 13. 11 , 12. of it is so openly , and so fully here set forth .

It is another great Advantage of the proof of this Application , That the Evidence , by which it is to be proved , is such , as the Capacities of all , that are curious , are most fitted to apprehend , and to be the most delighted with , viz. the Histories of the Changes of Empires and Kingdoms ; Figures that are easie Objects of the Fancies and Imaginations of men , and are diverting Resemblances of real things . So that nothing does seem to be more likely to engage the Attention of all Protestants to the understanding of the difference of their Religion from Popery , than this Method .

All the Controversial part of the proof against the Romanists , has little or no critical curiosity in it ; little else but what is known by the common usage of words in the Vulgar Tongue . In almost every thing that is material we agree about the Translation , which in many other Controversies makes a great part of the Dispute . There is nothing here of Scholastical intricacy , as most other ways have . The Text , which is the ground of all , is generally agreed upon ; The Histories , that the Application refers to , are on both sides granted ; many Explications of Figures allowed to be plainly expressed in the Text in general words ; And the almost only thing in Controversie , is , What particular Interpretation is the necessary sense of those general words compared with what is clearly known from the Text , and from the frequent use of those words in Prophecies fulfilled , and from unquestionable matter of fact in History . So that a man of the slowest parts , that can but reason warily and attentively about common Affairs , or apprehend the like Reasonings of others , may be able enough with a short Chronology of the Times and Actions that these things refer to , to understand with ease all the proof that is necessary for this matter . The only thing requisite indeed for this , is a patient Attention , which the quickest Apprehensions are the least disposed for .

There is also this further advantage in this way of setling mens minds , viz. That no Reasonings will be more easily retained in Memory , because these are generally about things which are wholly the objects of Imagination and Sense ; nor will any thing more fix and determine the thoughts of men to it , when it is once apprehended to be clear , without any apparent ground of doubt about it . For what can be a nobler , or more pleasing entertainment of a mans mind , than to find the most considerable actions of the civilized World for so many Ages ( and of the greatest importance for himself to be acquainted with ) so particularly foretold , so long before , and with such accurate Figures of things exactly agreeable to them ?

One peculiar Advantage I must acknowledg to have received from it my self , which possibly may be also of use to others in the like condition ; and that was , The freeing me from all vain deluding hopes of any such Reformation in the Church of Rome , as might make way for a general Vnion of All Christians . For we see it impossible from this Prophecy , that Babylon should ever so change it self , before its final destruction . I was once very much taken with the mollifying Pleas of Grotius , and others of the Reconciling way ; and apprehended it possible for the chief Heads of the Roman Communion to condescend to an expedient for a general Reconciliation . But when I came to be acquainted with Mr. Mede's Demonstrations , and had compared them with the monstrous evasions , and absurd strains of wit , that Grotius and others were fain to flye to , to turn off the force of them , I gave over all thoughts of the comprehending way , and made it my business to examine the strength of his Foundation with all the critical caution that I could bring to it . Nothing did more confirm me in my hopes to meet with a perfect satisfaction in this way , than the great opinion I had of the abilities of the eminent Grotius , and the unnatural Artifices and Evasions that I saw him forced to , in contradiction to the known use of words , and sometimes to his own acceptation of them ; one egregious instance of which , is that against the use of a day for a year , in the Prophecy of the 70 weeks ; where he affirms that the original word for the Weeks , does always signifie a week of Years , and not of days ; whereas it is plain to the contrary , that in all the places of Scripture where it is used , it signifies literally only a week of days , as the Learned Dr. More has very expresly proved . Mystery of Godliness , lib. 5. chap. 15. Sect. 2.

Another great advantage of this Interpretation , consequent upon the former , and more immediately influencing the present state of Affairs , is , The great efficacy of it , for the uniting of all sober Protestants together , for their common Interest : For here may they the most livelily perceive themselves to be all Brethren , and the People of God , supposed to be in one Common League together against that formidable Dragon , that stands always ready either to deceive and inchant them , or to destroy them . This shews them not only the great folly , but also the ungodliness of Schisms and Divisions upon unnecessary grounds , and of their lukewarm unconcern for the means of uniting themselves together in one body .

I will not mention other advantages in common to all the Prophetical parts of the N. T. These are enough to incline the Reader to make a tryal of what is here offered ; especially when it is withal considered , that my aim is still further to improve the strongest and clearest method of reasoning about these things .

I am not insensible , That the ground of many mens prejudices against this study , is , That the Interpreters are so fanciful , as to apply the Prophecy to Times and Places near ourselves But the only fault in this , is the Application of things to particular places and times , without any clear express determination to them in the Prophecy . It is manifest , That if the Church of Rome be the main concern of this Prophecy , then both the times , and that quarter of the world wherein we live , must be the subject matter of some of the Predictions in it : For they reach to the last end of Babylon , and therefore must comprehend in them both the present Fortunes and Dominions of that Church , which are now no where to any purpose , but in these Western Parts of Europe . And since I have my self appeared in this way , I am thereby obliged to remove all grounds of Prejudice , upon the account of any thing that I may seem to have been too venturous in .

I have accounted it the truest Rule for the Application of Prophecy , that concerns the whole Christian Church , ever since the writing of it , to chuse out only the most eminent Events , and such as were of the largest Extent over Christendom , both for Time and Place , and that do withal the best answer the Characters of the Text. And this Rule I make account , I have been so careful to observe , that I question not , but that the Events which I have pitched upon , will by all impartial Judges be allowed to have had a fair and strong Temptation to them from the Prophecy it self .

This may appear first from my Explication of the Vials . The Judgments of God upon the Roman Church pag. 219. I thought my self forced by the close and immediate Consequences in the 14th Chapter of my former Treatise , to fix the first date of the Vials , to the Time soon after the Reformation , That being the first Victory over the Beast , after Rev. 15. 2. which the Plauges that were to humble the Roman Church , in order to its last ruin , did begin . And the Vials being agreed , not to end before the Ruin of Babylon , they must therefore measure out the chief Mortifications of the Roman Church from the Reformation till that time ; and I cannot but be confident , That I have pitched upon the most eminent Mortifications , and those withal , that do the most justly answer the Characters of their respective Vial in the Text.

Indeed , from the Consideration of those great Humiliations of the Roman Interest since the Reformation , which seem to be equal to the Plagues of the first Trumpets ; and were at the same time with the Plague of the sixth Trumpet , and yet uncapable of being signified by it ; I cannot think it possible for them not to be signified by the Vials ; since otherwise , those eminent Plagues upon that Church , since the Reformation will have nothing in the Prophecy that represents them ; which yet were at least as great Plagues to the Romanists , as the three first Trumpets .

The Death , and the Resurrection of the Witnesses Rev. 11. 7 , 11. See the Judgments of God upon the Roman Church , pag. 100. in Sackcloth , is the chief of my Applications to present times . And I have taken such care in this , that I think I have proved it impossible to have happened before our times ; and by its nearness in the Prophecy to the end of the second Woe , which all considerable Protestants agree to be the Turkish Hostilities ; and by the time assigned Ibid. chap. 8 , & 9. to the continuance of that woe , I have not without sufficient warrant for it , confined it to this present time .

I see nothing yet , but what does very surprisingly confirm that Application . And it will not be improper , nor unpleasant upon this occasion , to reflect upon the Confirmation that has been given of them by the Event , contrary to what in all humane appearance might have been expected .

The Resurrection of the Witnesses is there determined Chap. 7. p. 107. to three years and an half , after the general Apostacy of the French Church . For the Death of the Witnesses is proved to be the perfect Suppression of the Profession of Protestantism ; and that is not , till the Professors of it Chap. 6. p 91. that remain behind , renounce that Profession . And as the Character of their being in Sackcloth , does confine the place of this to a Roman State ; So also has this been most unexpectedly fulfilled by the return of the Protestants of Savoy , through the midst of their Enemies , contrary to all humane appearance . They resetled their publick Worship there , just about that distance of time from the last considerable Abjurations of the new Converts , which was the most proper Death of their witnessing Profession .

I have indeed declared , That I thought it much more likely from the outward appearances of things , that this Revolution should begin first in the proper Kingdom of France . But I took care at the same time , to shew that there was nothing P. 107 , 139 , 140. clear in the Prophecy that did fix it there . And Providence has accordingly thought fit to make choice of a more unthought-of manner of bringing this to pass ; And yet the Savoy-persecution being carried on by the French Troops , P. 140. and Counsels , I did then signify , that it was to be accounted but the same place of the death of the Witnesses .