THE Prophetical History OF THE Reformation; OR THE REFORMATION to be reformed; IN THAT Great Re-Reformation: That is to be 1697. According to the Divine Table, or Vision of it. Revel. 10. Compared with other Visions, especially of the Churches; for the further Assuring that Grand joint of the Line of Time. viz. The 1260 Years Allowed to the Beastian Kingdom, or to the Roman apostasy:( which because It is to End 1697. must therefore have begun 437.) To which is adjoined the Apocalyptical Vision of the Witnesses. By T. Beverley, a most Humble Reader in the Prophesies of Jesus Christ. Heb. 9: 10. Carnal Ordinances Imposed until the Time of Reformation. Printed in the Year 1689. The most Humble Confession of the most unworthy Reader in these Prophesies of Jesus Christ. HAving so Fully, so Faithfully, so Truly, prepared to give the Severest senses of prophesy concerning so Honourable, and Valuable Things, as the Reformation, and the Reformed Churches; It becomes me first to Roll myself, as in the Dust, with Greatest Humility, and self Abhorrence; and to Remember with Confusion of Face my own Great offences, and to aclowledge the Just, and Righteous Hand of God upon me in my Confinement; and to Aggravate against myself the Just Scandal of my Great Unrighteousnesses,( from which I am no way able to Redeem myself in my present state) contracted chiefly through that Great sin, and Evil of Affecting the vain Glory of this World; I with Greatest self Abasement aclowledge the just Offence, that may hence arise against my Christian Profession, ministry, and particularly in these Prophesies; and so shall by his Assistance most patiently bear the sharpest, and most Aculeate reflections upon myself, or this work, as it proceeds from me, and whatever I might say, return only acknowledgements. I do most Humbly beg pardon of All the Servants of Christ, of All Men, and most especially of Those, whom I have most particularly sinned against, both as a Just Due to them, and also in order to the Divine Forgiveness; But principally I Bow my Knees to the Father of Mercies, and Forgivenesses thro' the Great Satisfaction, and Intercession of Jesus Christ; For in the supreme sense; Against Him, Against Him have I sinned, and done these Evils in his sight, Psal. 51. 4. who only can so supremely Forgive, as therein to be Justified, when He Speaketh, and to be Clear when He Judgeth, though Men may not Forgive. But All this Evil notwithstanding God hath been pleased to incline, and to Enable my Re-searches into prophesy in this Wilderness Condition; A Mercy to be acknowledged to the Freeness, Richess, and un-accountableness of his Grace, which Triumphs, as it pleases over Guilt in the Chief of Sinners. I am far yet from looking, upon what He hath herein Enabled me, as any Assurance of his saving Grace; I sadly Remember the man whose Eyes were open, and who Heard the words of the most High, and yet did not die the death of the Righteous, nor was his Latter end, as His; but Died in his Sin as an enemy of the People of whose Glory He declared; Numb. 23. 3. 4. c. 31. 8. I consider what the Apostle saith, that the Gift of prophesy and Understanding all Mysteries without Love, and so without Righteousness, profits nothing, 1 Cor. 13. 2. But this Testimony I have within me by his Grace, that I have in All Things written Faithfully, according to the Light I have received,( even in the Late Reign so perilous to such Expositions of prophesy;) that I most Affectionately Love, and desire the Approaching Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ; that I hearty Love, and Honour all his Holy Servants of the Reformation, of what distinction soever therein; although I have in any of their Representations not varied the least from prophesy according to what was Given to me. I am also most Assured in the Evidence of Divine Light vouchsafed to me, I am misled from Truth in no main Point; And that All Things will Answer in their own Times. If now it shall please God to Humble me into the Lowest of a Sackcloth Condition, and to enable me with his Grace, I shall not Refuse the Life of Mephibosheth, during Davids Absence from Jerusalem upon the Conspiracy of Absalom, and Achitophel, till his Return; which was a Figure of the Antichristian Sam. 19. 24. Undermine of the Kingdom of Christ that hath so long been, and that still continues; And I shall Humbly wait for a Restoration of my state, and an Ability for Righteousness, in the nearer Approaches of the Return of Christ in his Kingdom of Glory; when what He hath enabled me to writ for it, shall be recalled, as the Act of Mordecai toward that Great Prince Ahasuerus; when that Est. 6. 1. Greater, then He, shall please to Remember me for Good, and to spare me in the Multitude of his Mercies, Nehem. 13. 22. Or that sooner dying, as I have most Reason to expect; He will in Infinite Grace, and Pardon Receive me as the Thief on the across into Paradise with Himself; and Remember me, when Luke 23. 42. He Comes in( not into) His Kingdom. This makes me earnestly pray according to the Prayer of the Kingdom, for that state of universal Reconciliation in Him, even in Him: when All the sinful Scandals of his Servants shall be removed; and their Sins in those Days of Colos. 1. 20. New Life shall be Blotted out so; that They shall All indeed Forgive one another; Even as They are Forgiven by God, and by one Another; and so shall Acts 3. 19. be Forgiven, as They Forgive; which Petition will never be Rightly, Truly, and Fully Prayed nor Heard, till that Time; even when the Name of God shall be Sanctified, His Kingdom come, and His will be done as in Heaven, and upon Earth; the New Heaven, and New Earth, wherein Righteousness of All sorts shall Dwell; Now to the Eternal Father in the Eternal Son, and Spirit; Our Father in the Heavens be so the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory as in Everlasting Hallelujahs, that the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth, Amen, and Amen. TO THE Ecclesiastic Commissioners Sitting in the Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster, 1689. My most Honoured, THE Commission by which you sit, is such a down of Fulfilling a part of the prophesy, the following Treatise is upon; and that was prepared before any notice of such a Commission was public; that I cannot but present it to you; and in you to the sovereign Authority, by which you consult; that it may lie as a Chart of that Region, or State, to which you are to steer: I know very well, such an Exposition of prophesy will look to many, like an Apocalyptical Romance; But who, that considers, can believe, that so many Prophetic Symbols, and Matters of Fact could be contrived so to agree; Had not He who is Supreme in prophesy, been Supreme governor in all events also; But prophesy hath been always thus entertained, even when Great Moments of it have been fulfilled, till the Mystery come to be finished; I am sensible also by the Apologetic Discourse concerning this Commission; There are Those, that Fear, you should do too much; But you will see there are much Greater Things, Christ expects from you, and from all his Servants, then may lie within your Commission; and the Greatest Fear is on the other side, that is, of doing too little; There is indeed such a space of Time, lying between the present, and the Expiration of the Days of the apostasy, that It will not I fear be so Happy, as that there should be a perfect Displace of all the clay Footing; I know it will be a High Act of the sovereignty of Christ, who hath the Seven Spirits of God, that shall be sent out into all the Earth; to Guid the Courses of the Seven Stars; and to Appear with the Key of David; that shall make Them of the Synagygue to Worship at Philadelphia's Feet; Yet that you may be Ready in your own Minds to Remember the first principles of the Reformation, conveyed in the Thunders; to Strengthen the Things, that Remain to be done, or to have place in order to the Kingeom of Christ; and to fill up your works before God; And that you may Overcome and walk with Christ in White as 〈◇〉, Worthies, or Dignitaries of a Higher order, shall be the most Humble, and Earnest paayer of Him, who in the Testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophesy, is My most Honoured, Your most Faithful Humble Servant, T. Beverley. AND to that most Reverend, and Learned Assembly; The Convocation; as being now Convend before the Publication; and of which the Ecclesiastic Commissioners are Most of Them, an Honourable part; I according to Ablity present an Hundred Books; both as a Testimony of ALL DUE Veneration; as also that Regard may be had to so Grand a prophesy( wherein the Reformed Churches, and particularly, This of England, as in such an Eminence, are deeply Interested) and to the Exposition of it; if according to wha● the supreme Apocalyptes hath signified; But if it can be made out otherwise, notwithstanding so Great a● Agreement betwixt prophesy, and Providence that it may be Re-argued; and that the Writer, a● He shall be most willing, may make a Retractation, as public as He desires, his Exposition, whil● He believes it True, may be; For he most Humbly Acknowledges, although he does Firmly now Believe; He hath been in the Exposition Graciously and in Extraordinary manner assisted by God, yet tha● it hath only been to find the admirable Commissures and Key of prophesy in Agreement with A prophesy, and Indisputable Moments of History; I either of which if he can be convinced of mistak● He knows it his duty to be most Subject to the Spirits of the Prophets, Guided by the Testimony ●f Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophesy; and which hath in All Ages Justified itself by Providential Events. But if right, how great must the Sin be of not Hearing, in Those, whose particular Obligation it is to Hear what the Spirit hath said to the Churches; Or how can they be Trusted to deliver the whole Counsel of God, when so great part of it, as the Prophetical Scripture, and especially this great Pro●hecy of the New Testament the Revelation is, ●ho ' red, un-considered; which cannot but in all the Reason of the World be designed to the Churches of Christ, a Light in a Dark place; And It is only the Remaining apostasy, that obscures it, till the Day●tar arise. Wherefore I most Humbly pray; That He, who is walking now in the midst of those Candlesticks, or Churches; Symboliz'd of old by Thyatyra, Sardis, and Philadelphia, that are at this Time in their Course according to this prophesy; would by his Seven Eyes; which are the Seven Spirits sent out ●nto all the Earth, open All Eyes, to see what he is ●ow doing; and give them an Ear to Hear what the Spirit now saith to the Churches, and that they may be ●n All Things Guided according to it. The Preface to the Hearers of prophesy. I Have so presented the Following Prophetic History of the Reformation, that I Foresee, I shall please none of the Reformed, that are Hot, and Intemperate in their Zeal for a Party; But I hope, I shall be Recommended to the Consciences of All; and to the Acceptation of Those, who are of a loathness of Spirit, Commensurate to the Love, and Regard of Christ to all the Churches of the Reformation. For I have closely followed the Guidance of the Prophetic Symbols, and started neither to the Right Hand, nor to the Left from them, for either Fear, Favour, or Affection; I can truly say in the presence of God, I did not design before Hand, what to say; but as I received from the prophesy in its whole Analogy, what to Speak; I have in All Things endeavoured so to Speak even according to those Characters compared together, that prophesy had so long ago engraven; And I cannot but be persuaded whoever considers, will see it by my care to weigh every the smallest Notice of such a Character, and to be lead along by it, neither bowing it contrary to itself, nor Balking its proper Tendencies: But so far as I could obtain Light from the Word, and Assistance from the Spirit of prophesy, whither that was to go, I have gone; and gone strait forward, and have neither Diverted, nor Returned. I Would not presume to say, if any one be offended, let Him be offended; But I must say to All so offended, whether it be Right to please God, or to please Men, judge ye. And surely the Observation of Prophetical Types above 1600 Years old, and Matters of Fact following them, as it were on the King's High way, without any Turning; must be as great an Argument, that the Interpretation is of God; as it was to the Philistines of old, an Argument of the Hand of God upon them, for detaining the Ark; when the Kine, that drew the Cart, loaden with the Ark took the strait way to Bethshemesh or into the Land of Israel, as to its own proper place. 1 Sam. 6. 9. &c. It is certain prophesy is like a writing in cipher, or generally unknown Characters; and not only so, but in Mystical, and Hieroglyphical Figures for persons, and Things; Now what Greater Assurance can there be? And it is an Assurance that satisfies; that any one hath found a Key, when He De-cyphars so, as to make a Coherent sense to arise from the Agreement of those Characters among themselves; and in Agreement with the Counsels, and Design, and Action of the Persons, between whom the Correspondence is; and adjusted to every Person, and Action, that can be supposed, such a writing should refer to; first, by the Characters leading to them; and then by the Knowledge, that the persons are, or may be so concerned, as those Characters guide to apprehended of them, and of their Actions. Now if any should say, we have always had other Apprehensions, as suppose, of the Reformation, then according to these Prophetic Symbols offered concerning it; It is then to be considered, when those Characters standing in the midst of such Characters, as we bave great Assurance of; as of the Time, when it began, the measures which it attained, and the continuing state of it; such Former Sentiments must be over-ruled by them, even as such a writing in cipher, leading us to any other Thought of Persons, then we have heretofore had, would change those former Thoughts; when All the Concurrences of those Mystical Letters, and the Coherencies of sense according to them, urge us to it. Besides we are always to consider, the Thoughts of God concerning Things are not as our Thoughts; and we should have had other Thoughts of many persons, and Things, if human History had drawn their portraitures, then we now must needs have, as the Divine Hand hath given Them; And so it must be concerning the Reformation; The Prophetic History must needs give us clearer Light, then human can; and yet when we have red it in Divine, we may find human History much more agreeiag in the Reasons of the Divine, then we could have imagined, had not Divine Light given us Understanding in both. That the method therefore in which I have proceeded may be better understood, I shall here present a Brief Table of it. 1. After a Brief Introduction p. 1. p. 2. I undertake the proofs, that the Tenth Chapter of the Apocalyptical prophesy is a most solemn Vision of the Reformation; this I argue from p. 3. to p. 13. 2. I then observe the Types, and Figures of the Reformation, according to the Vision, to be of Two sorts, 1. Types of the Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ, 2. Types of that Kingdom Estopp'd; and that according to what we know in matter of Fact concerning the Reformation, the Vision ought to consist of both: These Two sorts of Types are discoursed from p. 13. to p. 19. 3. I come then to consider that singular Type; viz. the Time of this Vision, which is Inlay'd with that Oath in it; Time shall be no more; the precise Time of which I endeavour to demonstrate by a compare of the Oath in the Vision with that Oath of Time, Times, and Half a Time, Dan. 12. and from thence to show, the Time of the Reformation was the proper Time of this Vision; For the very Reformation assures by matter of Fact in it, it might then and not till then be sworn, Time shall be no more; And if it could not have been so sworn then, the Reformation itself could not have been then according to prophesy; And because this is of so Mighty concern to the Visions being the Vision of the Reformation, I discourse it so largely, as from p. 19. to p. 39. 4. I proceed to show, that the Reformation did Actually bear Types of the Appearance of the Kingdom; This is with its due Limitations discoursed from p. 39. to p. 43. 5. I am then under a necessity to show, we even of the Reformed Churches are obliged to humble ourselves, to behold the Types of the Estoppage of the Kingdom of Christ amongst us. 6. And because I know this is an exceeding Tender point, and requires Great Exactness; I first lay together the Types of Estoppage, and then take in the Vision of the Churches to our Assistance; and Argue, it ought to be so done; and therein pitch upon the Three Churches, Thyatyra, Sardis, Philadelphia, Symbols of Reformed Churches from p. 43. to p. 47. 7. Having done this, I consider the Kingdom of Christ is to succeed the Feet of Iron, and the Feet of day, as in Nebuchadnezzars Image; and then I observe, how it is Estopp'd in its succeeding the Feet of Iron, both with Relation to the Reformed Churches under the Princes, yet continuing Popish; and even under Princes of the Reformation; And this is done with due Modesty from p. 47. to p. 50. 8. I observe further in the Type of the Church of Thyatyra, the Estoppage of the Kingdom of Christ, as it is to succeed the Feet of day, or the Spiritual( falsely so called) or Ecclesiastical Tyranny within the Kingdoms, and States still Remaining to the Beast; and how it is Estopp'd there, in very s●ort, because easy to apprehended, p. 50. 9. I come then upon the Tenderest point of the discourse, to consider the Kingdom of Christ, as it is to succeed the Feet of day, or that Ecclesiastical Tyranny under Reformed Princes, and how it is there Estopp'd: And that I may manage so nice a point of Discourse with all care. 1. I lay down 12 preparatory Remarks upon all the Prophetical Types both in the Visions and in the Churches from p. 51. to p. 54. 2. I find it Requis●te to consider the Types of the Seven Thunders in the great Truths, they are charged with; and that the Kingdom of Christ even in the Churches of the Reformation must needs be Estopp'd by their Sealing from p. 54. to p. 56. 3. I find it further necessary to make a more distinct judgement upon the Book, that was Open and then enclosed in the Prophets Bowels; and that the Kingdom of Christ must needs be Estopp'd by that Enclosure of the Book; even in the Churches of the Reformation from p. 56. to p 60. 4. Upon this Preparation I proceed to that Great point of Beholding the Kingdom of Christ in the Types of the Two Churches of the Reformation, and both under Reformed Princes; viz. Sardis and Philadelphia; and first to Argue, that the Kingdom of Christ consists in Purity, and Power together; but that in these Two Churches prophesy hath crossed its Hands; Sardis, wherein it hatb most Power hath least Purity; and Philadelphia( and Sardis also in its Undefiled Names) hath least Power, but Greatest Purity; so the Kingdom of Christ, while Things are thus must needs be Estopp'd, as appears by the opposite Parallels of these Two Churches, which I therefore give from p. 60. to p. 64. Upon the Parallels of the Two Churches of the Reformation under Reformed Princes, I argue, seeing there is nothing betwixt the apostasy having place, and the Kingdom of Christ succeeding; There must be some Remainder of the apostasy upon that one of these Churches, that is least perfect in the Reformation; and that withstands that Church, that is Highest in the Reformation: And that such a Remainder of the apostasy is symbol▪ d by the Synagogue of satan; I make therefore close Research into the nature of the Synagogue of satan, p. 64. 65. 66. 1. In the general sense, and Representation of such a Synagogue, p. 66. 67: 2. In the place, such a Synagogue could have in the Time of the Church of Smyrna, as a Symbolical Church about the Time of Heathenism desolated, and the Christian Empire succeeding from p. 67. to p. 70. 3. In Some of the Reformation, standing up in defence of that Synagogue, so far as to oppose Philadelphia, or the Higher Church of the Reformation by it, from p. 70. to p. 72. Hereupon I set the balance Even, betwixt the Reformation and the Remainder of the apostasy upon it, by Reason of the Synagogue of satan, from p. 72. to p. 80. I conclude the Discourse with Inferential Corollaries from p. 80. to the End. Having now presented the whole Model of the ensuing discourse, I must most Humbly Appeal to the Judicious Reader, whether the Method be not natural, and Argumentative; as also in reading the Treatise of itself, whether Matters of Fact do not Rise up and aclowledge the Prophesies, that went of them before. And especially in the Churches of the Reformation, is it not out of all controversy; That there are some of these Churches, that are still under the Tyranny of Antichristianism; and that they have stood, and do stand to this day against all the violence of their Enemies? and seeing that is so, I Humbly desire the Thoughtful Reader to consider, whether the Types of the Church of Thyatyra, and their state do not exactly answer one another, as the Treatise Resembles them? Is it not out of measure evident, that the Churches of the Reformation, that are patronized by the Greatest Princes, and Nations, and their Laws, are nearest to the State, of what may be justly called the Synagogue in the days of the Christian Empire; and yet high Enemies, and so Truly called a Bulwark against the Throne and Depths of Antichrist by reason of the Favour of those Mighty Princes, and States. Is it not very well known to us, that those Churches, that are most reformed from the Synagogue, as well, as from the Throne, and Depths are under the Smallest Names? Is it not evident to us, that some Churches of the Reformation have not been under the Favour, and patronage of Reformed Princes, Nations, and their Laws; and that They of the Synagogue have thereupon been severe upon them? And is it not Apparent within our own particular Knowledge, that when They of the Synagogue have Grown too High, and Severe; and have been endeavouring to the utmost, being incited by Those, whose the Synagogue most properly is, to shut the Door of those Churches, un-established by Law; called by prophesy, Philadelphian; as being only gathered by mutual Assent; That there hath appeared a Providence from Heaven, bringing down Those of the Synagogue, so that They have been in extreme danger themselves? Let but our own Recollection of Things within these last Fifty Years Give the Answer herein. The Continuance then of Things so much according to the first effect of the Thunders speaking, and then sealed; and most Eminently; That no Reformed state, or Prince, that hath established the Reformation could ever be persuaded to Relinquish it, or to Receive back the Papal domination are to be duly weighed. From all which considerations, how great are the Assurances? There is so much a Greater, and more perfect Reformation at the end of Half Time, Ready to appear, when All Things that are Written shall be fulfilled. For God will fill up and perfect his own works( which are Imperfect yet) seeing He so earnestly calls upon Sardis to fill up its works; and on Thyatyra, and Philadelphia to Hold fast what They have, but till He comes; which coming, he assures, whenever the Time is, shall not Tarry, but be quickly, and now the Time is very near. Let us therefore with Faith, Patience, Hope, and Prayer, and by particular self-Reformation, wait for that Great Re-Reformation, of which prophesy gives so great Assurances. ADVERTISEMENT. I desire the Reader to red first, and then to have continual Recourse to Rev. 10. on which the Discourse is mainly Grounded; as also when He comes to the Churches, to c. 2. and c. 3. THE Prophetical History OF THE Reformation; Or the Reformation to be Reformed 1697. According to that Divine Table, or Vision of it. Revel. 10. I HAVE presented many Things to public Consideration concerning the near Approaching Kingdom of Christ; I shall at this Time under the Conduct of the Spirit of prophesy offer the Prophetical History of the Reformation in that Divine Vision, or Table of it, which we have Revel. 10. Because there is nothing that may probably more move, or more assure us concerning that Kingdom, than a deep Inspection into this portraiture given by Inspiration of the State of Protestancy, or the Reformation;( If it shall be found to be so;) or that may more enable us to make the truest judgement, and to fix the most just Character, far beyond human Story, or the most authentic Records of matters of Fact upon that Reformation, wherein we All profess ourselves so highly concerned, and so affectionately engaged, as to defend it with the hazard of whatever is most dear to us in this World. When therefore by the close and near Reviews of this Vision, we shall find the just Reasons we have to set such an estimate upon the Reformation, as an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ; and yet shall by research into this very same Vision find, how far short it is from the near approaching succession of that Kingdom in the days of the seventh Trumpet, wherein the Mystery of God shall be finished, much more of the very Glory of the Kingdom itself; and that a Time is fixed in this Vision, How long this low state shall continue, and upon what accounts the state is so low, and when Things shall move by a much higher Key, I hope by the Blessing of him, who is on the Throne, and of the Lamb, and by the mighty Influences of the seven Spirits before the Throne, we may have a much clearer Apprehension of, and more holy passionate Affections for, and desires after the Kingdom of Christ to appear, and so nigh its Appearing. For the due management therefore of so great a Discourse, I lay down this Method. 1. As the foundation of the whole, I will endeavour to make good, that this Tenth Chapter of the Revelation is the Visionary Table of the Reformation, in this Great prophesy concerning the Church of Christ under the New Testament. 2. I will consider the Types; or Figures of the Vision, and show, that They are such Types, as we know in matter of Fact to be most agreeable, at least upon due Reflection, to the Reformation. 3. I will endeavour to Evince; The Time of this Vision does most exactly agree with the Time, wherein the Reformation or Protestancy;( on which word I lay some weight, as most proper to prophesy;) according to prophesy must begin; and when the present state of it shall end; and this I shall treat of, as a further demonstration this Vision must be the Vision of the Reformation. 4 I will then consider according to the Types, and according to matter of fact, the true Elevation of the Reformation; and wherein It is a Symbol of the Kingdom of Christ making an appearance, and giving a pledge of itself; and wherein, and on what Accounts, It bears the Types of the Kingdom of Christ Estop'd, or retired from that appearance, and shall do so, till there be a Reformation of the Reformation, and Protestation at its full Dimensions; that is, till the Witnesses shall give their Testimony; or make their Protestation on Mount Zion. In the last place, I will subjoin some things by way of Corollary, or Inference. I begin with the first point to be secured, and made good, as the Foundation; viz. That this Tenth Chapter is the Visionary Table of the Reformation, which I shall undertake to settle upon these Arguments. Argum. 1. The great design of the Apocalyptical prophesy, or which we style, The Revelation, is to represent the Fall of the Fourth or last of Daniels Monarchies in its two states; of the Legs of Iron; and in its state of the Feet and Toes of Iron, and of day; or in its state of the fourth Beast consider▪ d, as in its single or simplo Head; and in the Ten horns Rising on its Head, and a little Horn Rising among them; or if we take the thing out of the prophetical mystic Language, and give it in our vulgar way of speaking; The Apocalypse is the Revelation of the Fall of the last of the four Roman Monarchies in Daniel, in order to the Kingdom of Christ; first in its pagan Imperial state; and then in its Antichristian papal state, united with the Ten Kings, that gave their power and Kingdom to the Papacy, as the universal spiritual Head of the Church on Earth; which is universal monarchy, or Empire in an Image. And this last is the principal end of prophesy. Now the truly universal Kingdom, being due to Jesus Christ at his Resurrection, Christ had his Churches, as witnesses against the Paganism of the Roman Empire in the first part of this prophesy; and against the Antichristianism in the latter part of it; and then the glorious Kingdom of Christ, as the last 〈◇〉 and compliment of prophesy, or It is Done; As 〈◇〉, It is finished, was the compliment of prophesy so far as to his Death, until his Resurrection; As therefore the one is set at the end of the Evangelists, So the other at the end of the Revelation, and indeed of all Scripture. But between these Two; the Pagan Empire, and the Antichristian Papacy; three is a Christian Empire, an Emblem of the last Glorious Kingdom of our God, wherein the Dragon was cast down, and the whole Beast of the Roman Idolatrous Monarchy lay wounded; In the pagan part, because that was vanquished entirely, and to rise no more; In the Antichristian part, because the Apostle Paul's 〈◇〉, and 〈◇〉 * Detain●. was this Christian Empire, that 2 Thess. 2. prevented its coming on in the Man of sin; though but till its own Time; This Christian Empire was short; for even before It ended, It grew Antichristian, and though Antichristianism was to come on with a fuller Sail by its removal; yet in the deep judgement of God, It was Done, as the Apostle speaks, out of the midst; both that that man of sin or Antichrist might be revealed in his own Time; as also because of the just Indignation, and abhorrence of our God; that the Emblem of his own Kingdom should be so debauched by that greatest opposite to his Kingdom; Antichristianism. These Things I am bold to say, I have abundantly cleared, and proved in other Discourses; and therefore I now presume upon them, and Any one will, I am assured acquiesce, whoever shall observe the Roman City so plainly charactered by the seven Mountains, on which It sitteth, and itis having a Kingdom over the Kings of the Earth at the Time, when the Revelation was given; and itis Three Last Kings,( for Five had been before) viz. The pagan Emperor, that then was, even at the same Time of the prophesy given; The Christian Emperor, that was not then Come, but was to Come, and not very far off, but was no Head, and was to continue but a short space, and the Eighth King, and seventh Head. viz. the Papacy, called the Beast, who was to succeed the Christian Emperor; and first, as Rising out of the Troubled Sea of this worlds Changes; and then to Rise out of the bottonles Pit, as his Appearance in power; and He, and his City then to go into utter perdition; and after that the State of the New Jerusalem opens in the Kingdom of Christ. Whoever, I say, shall but with glancing Thoughts observe these Things, will find the very bounds of this Great prophesy of the New Testament, the Revelation, to be fixed in the King that then was, along by the short spac'd King, through the King, that hath continued ever since, unto his going with the City into perdition, just before the Kingdom of Christ; except that final delivery up of the Thousand years Kingdom to God and the Father, the ultimate Issue of All Things, though indeed Transcendental to this prophesy, chiefly Aiming at that Kingdom of the Thousand years. To bring all this then home to the Argument, we are upon; if the Roman Antichristian Kingdom be the principal scene of prophesy, as It is to be destroyed before the Kingdom of Christ, and that the Reformation was such a Thunder-clap on the Beastian Kingdom, and City, that they blaspheme and rage to this day against it; and on the other side, such an Appearance, opening, and presence of the Kingdom of Christ, as All the Reformed Churches valewing it above Estate, Life, Liberty, and ready to suffer greatest Extremities, rather then to loose it, aclowledge it to be; It cannot but have place in so great prophesy so principally relating to both, the Kingdom of Christ, and to the Abolition of the Papacy in order to it. And further seeing Christ had Witnesses bearing out even to Death their Testimony against that Beastian, and Antichristian Kingdom, whose prophetical History is so particularly, and exactly given, c. 11. If the Reformation brought some of those Witnesses out of that Death, and even as it may seem out of their very Sackcloth, Though some shall continue in both, till the end of the 1260 days. How can we possibly supppse, but that prophesy hath given a Vision both of this Retrenchment of the Beastian Kingdom, and of such an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ; and of such a motion of the Witnesses to a Resurrection, and Ascent as the Reformation carried with it; and is therefore so providentially according to prophesy, called Protestation, or Protestancy from the public, and open Avowment of the Testimony of the Witnesses against the Papacy; So that however the occasion was particular, and the Protestation particular among the German Princes at first, yet the Appellation hath spread, God so guiding Things, upon the whole Reformation, as it were a monument of prophesy. Now if when the Empire became Christian, and the Roman Beastianism, or Idolatrous Monarchy lay wounded upon it, even while Paganism was prostrate, and Antichristianism not yet ready to Rise; prophesy took such an Illustrious notice of it, as to give several Visions of it, as in the sixth Seal, in the seventh Seal, in the Grand Vision of the Dragon, and in the Vision of the seven Heads and Eight Kings, of which the seventh was the Christian Emperor. How can we think, there could be such an Infraction upon the Beastian Kingdom, during his Forty Two Months, wherein It was Given to Him to have power over all Kindreds, Tongues and Nations; That so many States, and Kingdoms, even amongst his Ten, should at the Reformation fall off from Him; while yet so many continued firm to Him, because His Forty two Months were not yet expired; and that prophesy should pass it over in silence, and give no satisfaction, This might be, and was in a peculiar Juncture of Time, wherein It might be Born, and prophesy yet stand good, as to the Forty two Months, or Time, Times, and Half Time of the Beast? I confess; The Empire becoming Christian was in many Regards a greater Event towards, and Emblem of the Kingdom of Christ, in that It was an End of Paganism in the Roman Empire, and a change more indisputable among all, that would be called Christians, as a most lively Idea of Christs universal Monarchy. Yet there may be found some Things wherein the Reformation excels. But However, when there are so many Visions of the one, we may be assured, there is one Representation, and that to the Life too, of the other; and that therefore It may be this Great Vision of this 10th Chap. if All Things agree. Argum. 2. If then the Vision of the Reformation be to be found in this prophesy, It is certainly to be found in its due situation, place, and order with Relation to the other Visions of this prophesy, and so as to be known to be in the proper place of it; This will be easily Allowed in Honour to so divine a prophesy, which certainly were it Fully understood, as it will be in the State of the Kingdom of Christ, and more and more, the nearer we come to it, will appear a mirror of Infinite understanding in the most exact mixture of Lights and Shades, Revealing and yet concealing, that Things could receive, or the minds of Angels, and of Men be presented with, as we may easily apprehended, by what every Eye may with wonder and Astonishment behold in it. Among which are the highest points of Truth for the Glory of Immense wisdom, Justice and Mercy, and for the Happiness and Exaltation of Christ, and his Saints, and profoundest judgement on his Enemies. But the order of the Visions of this prophesy is not so much in the Contexture of the parts, as they lie in Chapters, but in the Adjustment of each Vision from Chap. 5. to the end, to those great Aque-ducts or Conduits of prophesy, the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Thunders opened and unsealed in Voices, and the Seven Vials. Each of which sets of Tubes, or Apocalyptical Pipes; and each single Tube or Pipe is to be joined to the precedent Tube or Pipe, as at their full length, Reaching from one end of the prophesy and of its Times to the other; So that from the first Seal to the last Vial poured out, the prophesy extends till the Thousand years Kingdom of Christ, as its utmost reach; the Kingdom delivered up to God, and the Fathers, at the white Throne being briefly subjoined; Except only, that the Seventh Trumpet is Concorporated with the Thunders and Vials, so that the Seventh Trumpet Issues wholly into them, and the Seven Thunders or Voices, and the Seven Vials are the Seventh Trumpet discharging itself; All which may be demonstratively made out either in a progressive, or Retrograde motion, were it not too large for this purpose, and is in readiness to offer to any considerer, that shall desire it. But though these prophetical Conveyances are the True Rule of the order of the Visions, yet very often the Contexture of the prophesy, as it lies in Chapters, gives the true order also, which being tried by that sure Rule of those Conduitss of prophesy, and found to be so, is to be owned, and acknowledged as so, and here it is so. For the Vision of the Reformation stands in its just place, and Time, within the Sixth Trumpet and in the Tenth Chapter. For this Tenth Chapter lies within the Sixth Trumpet or Second woe-Trumpet beginning to sound, c. 9. 1. 12. and being passed c. 11. 4. Now this sixth Trumpet is the judgement of the Turkish tyranny upon the whole Anthristian World, but especially, as it seized upon the grecian Empire, and its Imperial City, Constantinople, called also New Rome; and the Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, Become, when the whole Roman Empire grew Antichristian, by the division of it into East and West, as the other Iron Leg in Nebuchadnezzar's Idolatrous Image; and to the same purpose recorded in this prophesy as Two Wings of the Great Eagle, carrying by its Antichristianizing the True Church of Christ into the Wilderness, as into a Lost, Hidden, out of sight Condition; that it might well be asked, where was it? For the apostasy had eclipse▪ d and close muffled it, even from the Eye of the Serpent c. 12. Now this Seizure of the Eastern Empire and City, in the possession of which the Revelation found that Empire, as having drawn down the Third of the Stars, so Impropiated by Rome, as a part of itself, and challenged at the very Time by the Beast, as one of his Horns, that ought to give its Power, and Kingdom to Him; The prophesy, that Traces the whole Empire of Rome from its King, that then was, when the Revelation was given, or the Pagan Emperour, through the Christian Emperour, no Head, that was to come, and then to endure a short space, and be done out of the way; to make way for the Beast its Eighth King and Head so long a space till He Goes into perdition; The prophesy, I say, could not omit this Turkish Impression upon the Roman Eastern Empire, and especially the Papacy, as making the chief City of one of its Legs, and a Horn of the Beast the Port of the Rival False Prophet, and the Antichrist to the Antichrist; Mahomet. For Mahomet is not the Antichrist to Christ immediately, but the Antichrist to the Antichrist to Christ, viz. to the Pope. And if that Turkish seizure be not omitted, where can the place of it be, but in this Sixth Trumpet, where the Types so agree? As from Euphrates, in so great a number of Horsemen, armed with Guns then newly Invented, with the poisonous Religion of Mahomet in their tails, Killing the Third of Men, or making to cease the Eastern Roman Empire, Hieroglophic'd by the Third of Men( as Engrossing Daniels Third Monarchy; and therefore called drawing down the Third of the Stars, Revel. 12. 2.) Following upon Mahomets armed Locusts, the Saracens, who were the First woe, and rose with Mahomet Himself, A. D. 622. Who came into the World, that was prepared to receive so poisonous an Imposture, by having before received the Great lie of Antichrist, Hoys'd into Supremacy by that great Fable of having the Keys of Heaven and Hell. called justly the Key of the Bottomless-pit, from which the Papacy Ascended, at 606. Attended with that even whole Air of smoke, Legendary Miracles, that an Alcoran and its Locusts, might be properly said to come out of it; Now this Supremacy follow▪ d, upon Rome and its Western Empire brought to an utter Inglorious darkness by the Four first Trumpets, and its Glory utterly extinguished, had not that Apostate B●shop fell as a Star to enlighten it with that Supremacy. And All this followed upon the Roman Pagan Empire, changed to be a Christian Empire, from Constantine the Great becoming Christian, till the Death of Theodose the Great; when Antichristianism was near its Times; satan the supreme Spirit and Intelligence of that Pagan Empire, giving the Succession to Antichrist, after having been cast down from Heaven; as overcome by the Martyrdoms of Saints summed up in the Fifth Seal, who loved not their Lives unto Death; and by the word of their Testimony, or the universal preaching of the Gospel, symbol'd by those Voices, Come and see in the Four first Seals; till we come down to the Fountain of all Victory, the Epoch of the Revelation, viz. the Death and Resurrection of the Lamb, who was Dead, is Alive, lives for evermore. All which I give in this Running View, having elsewhere discoursed the Particulars at Large. Thus Demonstrative is the order of the Turkish Woe in the Sixth Trumpet, into which the Reformation is enchased upon so great Evidence of matter of Fact, and on so great Reason. The Evidence of Fact is, That within about Sixty Four years, after Constantinople that Imperial City of Greece became the Ottoman Port, viz. 1453. The Reformation dawn'd, viz. 1517. The Time between was no longer, then that the Impenitency of Western Rome in all its Idolatry, murders, Blood, Sorceries, and Thefts could give the Experiments of itself; as the prophesy observes, Cap. 9. the last. And with this particular remark, The very occasion of the Reformation Taken, was detecting the Thefts of Indulgences, as prophesy calls them, by Luther's Preaching against them, at that Time exposed to Sale, to raise a Fond for the Turkish War, as if Providence lined out Events, and chained them exactly according to prophesy. And so the Turkish woe, and the Reformation have continued together ever since waiting the great change of Things at the end of this Sixth Trumpet; This is matter of Fact. Now the Evidence of Reason, and Argument, that the Turkish Woe should be so soon followed by the Reformation, is; 1. That the Turkish Empire placing itself so in the Imperial Seat, and Territories of Greece did seem exceedingly Derogative to the Kingdom of Christ, and to the Acquist it had madc upon the Pagan Empire, when in Symblols of Christ's Universal Monarchy, as it were owned, and Ratified in Heaven, The Manly Birth was caught up to the Throne of God, and as a Counterpart of it, the Name of Christ was to be for ever after the Supreme Imperial name in the Roman Empire. For Antichristianism, though it be the most close, and Diametrical Enemy of all others to the Kingdom of Christ, yet it is by way of eclipse, surprise and Stealth of the Glory of Christ, which it pretends to Advance; and is therefore figured most Elegantly by the Moon under the Churches Feet, stealing the Rays of the Sun with which the True Christian Church is clothed and Investing the false Antichristian Church with them; So that itself is not seen in Glory, but still the Glory is Christian, even as Christian is rolled up in Antichristian, and Christ furled up in Antichrist. But now the Turkish Empire, however it make some Collatteral acknowledgement of Christ, yet it Advances the False Mahomet above Him; and that openly, and Avowedly, and displays its Banners in his Name; And to do this in New Rome look▪ d like an government upon the manly Birth caught up to the Throne of God. Because indeed Mahometism is Infidelism. Of this even Antichristianism hath been always so sensible, and of its own concern in it, pretending to an Universal Kingdom as Vicarious to Christ, That as It hath from the first Rising of that Paraselene, or Mock-moon to itself made all service against these Infidels, as for the Honour of Christ, highly meritorious; as appears by all the History of Indulgences, Croisades, Orders of Knighthood, and other Titles of Glory given by the Popish See on that Account of War against Mahomet; whence, as prophesy speaks, The Earth helped the Woman against these professed Infidels, though They call Themselves Believers; And They are indeed a sort of Mock-believers to the Antichristian Believers in the Esteem of Christ. Now then to vindicate this Appearance, Christ is pleased to make that Sally of his Kingdom, presented in the Reformation at no Time so seasonable, as when a Name so openly, and avowedly an Enemy to Christ had possessed one of Romes Imperial Names; For hereby Christ remonstrated, that his True Glory, and Kingdom was not that which was open in Rome and its Ten Kingdoms about it, but Hidden; that He had a Church in the Wilderness, and witnesses in sackcloth, who were indeed his Kingdom in the World, and that Rome and its Supremacy, wherein as in a Spiritual Universal Mornarchy, The Ten Kings were united, was the same Beastian Fourth Monarchy, that the Pagan had been before it; and that the Turkish Woe upon it was upon that very Kingdom,, that was to be destroyed before his Kingdom, and that City, Rome, that was to be Burnt as a Sodom from Heaven; of which the Turkish Woe was some pledge tho' afar off. Yet partly for the sake of Christs Imperial Name rolled up in Antichrist's Name, and partly for the Time allowed to the Beasts Kingdom; That Piercing Turkish Leviathan could never nor ever shall Reach the Western Roman Empire or City, but is placed in an out-lying Imperialism, that Rome Antichristian, always challenged an Empire over, as one of its Horns: But as a Pawn, and Pledge, and Earnest of his Kingdom, It pleased the Supreme King of Kings, and Lord of Lords to bring some of his Witnesses out of Sackcloth into an open Witness, or Protestation with Authority; and so a part of his Church out of the Wilderness to appear visible in the Reformation, so immediately after the Turkish Sultany fixed in the Eastern Rome; as it were by way of reprisal from Rome in the West, so much of a Kingdom, which by the Reformation should become real to Him there, as upon the Account of Antichristianism, and in judgement upon it, He had given up in the East, as a Port to Mahomet; an Enemy acknowledged his Enemy by his pretended Subjects of the Antichristianism, though indeed his most Diametrical Enemies themselves; to convince and move them to Repentance. For that both the Eastern, and Western Antichristian Empire was, as All one Body of men, in the same Condemnation of Idolatries, murders, Thefts, Sorceries, It is witness▪ d; In that it is said, notwithstanding the judgement of God on the Eastern Empire for these Sins; The Rest of men, viz. of the Western Empire Repented not; So the Reformation was a Remonstrance from God, and Christ, the Antichristian Empire of neither East nor West was his Kingdom; but a Church, He brought out of the Wilderness, and her Seed out of Sackcloth, that lay hide in that Western Beastian Kingdom, were so brought out, as a small, and Imperfect Map of his Kingdom; And this Remonstrance was then seasonably given after the Eastern Empire so seized. 2. The Reformation was thus situated in the sixth Trumpet, and Second woe, Continuing till the seventh Trumpet; that it might be known, that even the Reformation itself was but a dark, and Imperfect Table of Christs Kingdom; For so Great a Kingdom as Christs, cannot bear such an usurpation, as the Mahometan Imposture and Tyranny to have Invaded that, which was once the Residence of his Imperial Name. So that while the Popish Supremacy calls itself the Kingdom of Christ, and damns the Reformation, as heresy; and while the Reformation knows itself, if it does aright understand itself, a first breaking out of the Kingdom of Christ; Yet by the so universally acknowledged enemy of the Christian Name, as the Mahometan Signiory upon so Eminent a Mountain, as Constantinople; There might be Assurance to the Antichristian Kingdom, It cannot be the Kingdom of Christ, but that it eclipses it; and to the Reformation, that is was, and is but as the first Essay to the Kingdom of Christ. And thus by the Infinite wisdom of the Spirit of prophesy, the whole Time of the Reformation was Inlay'd with the sixth Trumpet, after the Great Execution of it upon the Eastern Empire; And its Woe still continued as a Woe, but by an unmovable decree so stopped, that it could notwithstanding all its Attempts never extend itself to Rome, to Fix there; nor so much as to possess itself of that so called Imperial City of Vienna; But itis Proud Waves are ebbing Back now, so as by the end of the sixth Trumpet to return to their Original Euphrates. Thus on one side, the Reformation appeared soon after the Seizure of the Greek Empire, to show, Christ was not unmindful of his Kingdom; Though He suffered that part of the Kingdom proper to Him during the Beastian Kingdom to be usurped, not immediately from Himself, but from the first usurper, the Beastian Kingdom, as a Brand upon its first usurpation from the Kingdom of Christ; And to show, that although it is not the Time of his Kingdom, yet that He is mindful of it; He therefore gave that Earnest, and beginning of it in the Reformation: But on the other side, the Woe continues after the Reformation, to show; Even the Reformation is but a very dark Idea of the Kingdom of Christ; that besides the Imperfections in itself, He suffers not onely such a Continuance of the Counterfeit Christ, the Papacy, but that more professed enemy of his Name Mahometanism; Two such to one another, as well as to his own Kingdom Counter usurpations; and both of them such, that while either continues, his Kingdom cannot Come. Argum. 3. The Vision we have before us, must be by all the Figures of it, a Vision of very Great significancy, and Importance; It must stand in its due order, and situation after the seizure of the Eastern Empire; Let then any one produce out of all History an Event of such Lustre, and Remark, as that of the Reformatio●, that may Answer this Vision, and the Types of it, as in the next place are to be presented; and at the Time, that is also to be demonstrated to be the Time of this Vision; In both which, It is to be further proved, that this Vision can be no other, then the Vision of the Reformation; So that if there be no Types in this prophesy that can so exactly, as these, Answer the Revolution of the Reformation, or at all in its due order, and Time,( which as hath been proved, must have such a Vision somewhere in this prophesy) And on the other side if there be no event) in History, that can in that order, and that Time be produced to answer these Types; we have all the security that can be given in a mystical prophesy, that this Vision, and the Reformation do most certainly Answer, and Indent, the one with the other. That which alone can be pretended to Answer one side of this Argument, viz. The Reformation not having any other place, then of this Vision in this prophesy is; That the Vision of the Reformation is Included in the Rising of the Witnesses, as the proper place of it; the Reformation being a beginning Resurrection and the complete Resurrection being at the end of the 1260 days; and so that Reformation, which is acknowledged worthy to be honoured with a Vision, and to have a place in this prophesy shall find it, and that in the most proper place, viz. as a part in the whole, that is, this partial Resurrection in the Plenary Resurrection of the Witnesses. But besides, that this Supposition leaves the other side of the Argument; viz. That there is no event in due order, and Time to be found in History, that may answer the Vis●on of Chap. 10. It is also unsatisfactory in this Regard; viz. That the Reformation is of such peculiar nature, and at such a peculiar Time; That it must have a Vision, as peculiar to it;( though it be also Included in that of the witnesses Resurrection) and no less could satisfy it, as shall be further made good in the Types of the Time; wherein also any seeming objection from part of the Resurrection of the Witnesses, and of their History being given before the whole, shall be not only answered, but be shown to be Enforcive of the main point; That this Vision is the Vision of the Reformation, both( as hath been said) from the Types, and from the Time of the Vision. I come therefore to the second point, viz. To consider the Types of this Vision, which are to be distributed into two kinds. 1. Those which are proper to the breaking out and to the appearance of the Kingdom of Christ. 2. Those which are prepared to signify the Estoppage of that Kingdom; That it should not Appear in Glory according to the Hopes at first given. There is also another peculiar Type, proper to neither sort, but mediating between both, viz. of Time; But that pertains to the Third point, to which I defer it. 1. I Begin with the first sort of Types, viz. Those, which are proper to the opening, and Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ; And they are those, which we find in the very Vision, viz. A Mighty Angel coming down from Heaven, appearing as to Daniel of old, as an Angel; though it was Indeed Christ the Lord of Angels; who in regard of the greatness of his work is said to make a descent from Heaven; which is according to the General manner of Scripture speaking, when God does any great thing in the World; He Bows, and rents the Heavens, and comes down. And such expressions are not onely according to Scripture Eloquence; But they have all something Prophetical also of that great Opening, and Bowing the Heavens, that shall be at the Kingdom of Christ. It is with all greatly Conducing to the present purpose, to observe, that the Types of this Vision are with great Allusiveness to the vision of Daniel, c. 10. and especially c. 12. even as the Visions are closely allied, and in some things even united: The Angel here is clothed with a Cloud, a Bright, white Cloud, as it were parallel to the linen in Daniel: He had a Rain-bow on his Head, the great Symbol of the Kingdom of Christ from the days of Noah into the very Appearance of it in the New Jerusalem; and therefore was also Round about the Throne in Ezek. c. 1. and in this prophesy, c. 4. and does Admirably Represent the Glory of the Divinity as the Father of Lights reflected by the Humanity in that Kingdom of Christ, as it were distinct, and at a distance, and as obverted to the Sun, the Divine nature; and so making a Kingdom distinct, and as it were separate for the 1000 Years, until it be again delivered up to God and the Father, and the Divinity be All in All as in the Kingdom of Eternity. 1 Cor. 15. 24. The Face of Christ, as God, was, as the Sun even as the Lightning in Daniel, and Lamps of Fire sending out the Rays, from which the Rain-bow sprung upon the Humanity, as it were the Cloud, with which He was covered, Beautified with all the Colours of the Rain-bow, or as the beryl; His Feet were as Pillars of Fire, or Pollish'd Brass, Burning in a Furnace; signifying an Irresistible power, with which He Tramples the Nations of his Enemies, and Treads them in Fury, while His own Servants and members are High refined, and purified; And He had in his Hand the Book of his Kingdom, which He declares sealed in Daniel, and so received sealed c. 5. open now, as it were to the immediate Appearance of his Kingdom; and as in Daniel, He was on or over above the waters of the River; so here He sets his right Foot on the Sea, and his left Foot on the Earth, to show, They were both of his Right, and under his dominion: and He cried, as a lion roareth in his Dread, and Majesty upon the whole Wilderness of the Beasts: ●o the lion of the Tribe of Judah in token of his dread Majesty and Supreme power, cried with a Loud voice, and Seven Thunders, as Issuing out of the Roar of the lion uttered their Voices; And as when Christ went out on his white Horse, c. 6. 1. Conquering and to Conquer, in the First Seal, The Voice, come and see was as of Thunder; so all along the prophesy So here seven Thunders, now all these are evidently Types of the Kingdom of Christ. But as it were over against these, are the Types of the Kingdom of Christ, stayed or Estopp'd in this its Appearance. 1. The first of which is John's being Commanded to Not writ, but to Seal the Utterances of the Thunders. Now writing, and sealing are opposed in this prophesy as Delay, and immediately Coming to pass are opposed: The seal on the Foreheads of the 144000. was a Reserve of their Glory to a Future Time, or after the 1260 days; The writing the Fathers Name on their Foreheads was for a present appearance with the Lamb on Mount Zion, in order to Glory, after the 1260 days ended; Thus it is said to John, as at the Time of the Vials; For the Angel of the Vials was then with, Revel. 22. 10. and by him; Seal not the sayings of this Book, for the Time is at Hand. Seeing then the Thunders were great Promulgations in order to the Kingdom of Christ; the feeling and not writing was a certain Estopple put to the Kingdom of Christ, that it should not then Appear. 2. The Command upon John to Eat the Book that was held open in the Hand of the Angel, is a very plain Symbol of the retiring the Kingdom, and so a stop of it: For the opening the Book, and losing the seven seals was opening to the Kingdom; and accordingly, when Paganism was desolated by the sixth seal opened; the Kingdom c. 12. 10. c. 7. 4. of our God gave an Ombrage of itself, within the seventh seal; But then for the stay of the Kingdom, The 144000, of the same Import, and at the same Time with the Witnesses in sackcloth, and with the Church in the Wilderness, were Seal▪ d, and so the Book at that Time was not seen open. At this Vision of the Reformation therefore, the Time being so much nearer, and the Reformation so great a pledge of the Kingdom of Christ, The Book was seen open; But then itis being Eaten and conveyed down into the Belly, a Scripture Emblem of secrecy was certainly in arrest Prov. 20. 27. &c. of the Kingdom of Christ, that at that Time it should not Appear; And therefore tho' the Book was sweet in the Mouth, as signifying a publication of the Kingdom of Christ certainly to come, yet it was in the Belly very Bitter, signifying the delay of that Kingdom, as John assures us. What is more Bitter to the Servants of Christ, in whom the Spirit and the Bride say, come, then the delay of the Kingdom of Christ; and yet what more sweet then the Publications of it, as certainly to come? 3. The prophesying again is the last Type of the Kingdom of Christ under Estoppage: For that Kingdom being the utmost 〈◇〉, the It is Finished of all prophesy; prophesy must continue, till that Kingdom come; Then, as the Apostle says, It Fails, or ceases; For the prophesy is of things to come; But when they are come, to what end is prophesy any longer? To say therefore, John is to prophesy again, is to say, the Time was not yet come for the last Finishing of the Mystery, which God had declared by all his Servants the Prophets. Let us then look on the Reformation in its undoubted Matter of fact and we must needs allow, it was a Revolution of wonder, at least as of a pre-appearance, or pledge of the Kingdom of Christ itself; There had been indeed Motions towards it a far off, like those, we call Farly Thunders by the Albigenses, and Waldenses, but they were by the Papal power destroyed with prodigious slaughters, and so the Witnesses deeper in Sackcloth; There were the Attempts of the Bohemians nearer Hand: But these with some others however Remarkable in themselves could not( the Time appointed by God being not yet come) sustain themselves in a certain Train, and Series to that settled state, we call the Reformation, whatever preparations they might be to it. But when that Time was Come, though the Papacy Sat like the Strong man Armed in the Gospel, with its Ten Kings about it, and its Goods, dominion over Consciences, Infallibility, Subjection to Idolatrous decrees, Superstitions, Canons, Indulgences, Pardons, vast revenues were all in Peace; Princes and People lay deeply charmed and Enchanted by that Sorceress, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations, Intoxicated with the Golden Cup of Fornications Held in the Hand of that Anticristian Church of Rome, which the prophesy in just detestation Calls The Whore. Yet at this very Time by the Appearance of Luther, * first an Augustine friar. a Marked Servant of the Beast, single, and Inconsiderable to that Purpose, Preaching against Indulgences; There was such a Roar, or Cry of the lion, that so many Princes, and States, as we know, one after another Aroused Themselves, and vindicated their Kingdom and Power from the Beast, and their Consciences from the Sorceries of that Apostate Church, to whom for so many Ages They had given them; and so far changed the Face of the Christian Church, and Western World, as since then hath been seen; And if Things had Gon on, as They began, The Kingdom of Christ had long since appeared. But we must aclowledge, Least we be wise in our own Conceits, and we know it by sad Experienc; that according to the Schems of prophesy, the Kingdom of Christ that gave such an Appearance, and that as It pleases, works its signs, and Wonders in Heaven and Earth, in what a sudden, and by what Inconsiderable means It pleaseth, and None can Stay it, but itself, was stayed; We must not Therefore Think of the Protestant Churches above what we ought to Think, and above what is written and so be prejudiced against a Reformation of the Reformation, or against a much Higher Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ, that is so near us; We have not, however we Talk of the best Reformed Churches in the World, sealed up the Sum of Beauty, and Perfection in our Christian Wisdom; we have not been in Eden the Ezek. 28. 13. Garden of God, the paradise of the new Jerusalem, nor are the Precious Stones of it the Covering of any of our Churches; It is only that Man of Sin, that babylonian Queen, that may Arrogate thus; The apostasy is still inits Half-Time not fully expired. We see Mahometanism still unerring the Greek Churches; The Tabernacle of Testimony and the ark of the Testament are not yet seen; The Thunders utterances, since their Sealing are not yet Unsealed, much less the Sanctuary Cleans▪ d: Nay indeed Our Churches are very Low. Whoever then shall Attend to the Types of this Vision, and to both sides of Things in the Reformation, viz as It is a pledge and Pre-Appearance of the Kingdom, and yet stayed and Estop'd, will Find, that Both Agree; And that the Types of the Vision are Types of the Kingdom of Christ, not as It should then Appear, but as It shall Appear at the Last: For if The Types had been Absolutely of the Kingdom, as then Appearing, There had been no Estoppage. So the Reformation was not the Appearance of the Kingdom itself, but a Pre-Appearance: The Kingdom therefore is not to be measured by the Reformation, because There was a Stop put; Nor can the Reformation be measured by the Types of the Kingdom itself, or Single, and by themselves Alone; For so They are much too High, and too Great; But It is to be measured by the Types of the Kingdom, and by the Types of the Estoppage of the Kingdom together; It is therefore no Argument The Vision is not the Vision of the Reformation, Because the Types of the Kingdom by themselves are much too Large for what the Reformation hath yet proved; But It is to be considered There are Types of the Estoppage of the Kingdom, as well as of the Kingdom itself, and Both are to be Equally applied to the Reformation; And then we shall, when we come after to Compare the Types of the Kingdom and of the Estoppage, and of the State of the Reformation, Respectivly Each to other, in a more Discursive, Applicatory Review, Find how Exact One is to the other. For in the very same manner, the Christian Empire, Revil. 12. 10. was Given in Vision, as the very Glorious Kingdom of Christ; Now is Come Salvation, and Strength, and the Kingdom of Our God. One would hence Think, It was the Kingdom of our God itself. But even that Christian Empire was far too Low, and much too short for those Types; and so much more for the Kingdom itself; we must therefore Attend to the other Types Given with it; viz. to the Churches Flight into the Wilderness, to the Devil Coming down with Great Wrath; to the Dra●ons Persecuting the Woman the True Church and her Flight again Repeated; and then Casting out a Flood after Her, and when He Could not overtake her, then making war by the Beast with her Seed, Keeping the Commandments of God, and Holding the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Now none of These Things could Agree with the Kingdom of Christ itself; The Types therefore Taken together show, the Christian Empire was only a Fore-Runner, a Pledge, an Emblem of That Kingdom, however Great It was, and not the Kingdom itself. And so Proportinably the double Types Teach us to Esteem of the Reformation as a Pre-Appearance a Precursion, and Pledge, and not the Kingdom itself; And so the Vision and the Reformation will to Admiration Concert. I Come then to the Third Point of this Discourse; viz. To Point 3. demonstrate the Time of this Vision, or the definition, and determination of the Time; when this Vision was first to Take place; and how long It is to Continue in Date; or when the Kingdom of Christ Appearing in it, first made that Appearance, and then was Estop'd; and how Long It will Continue under that Estoppage, till all Things shall be in Motion for the Finishing the Mystery, or the very Full Appearance of the Kingdom itself: Which truly explained will make according to this prophesy a farther, and most Undeniable Argument, This Vision is the Vision of the Reformation. Now the Resolution of this Point is to be Found in that most peculiar Type of the Angels lifting up his Right-Hand to Heaven, and Swearing by Him, that made Heaven, and all Things that therein are( So Solemn is this Oath) and the Earth, and All Things, that therein are; and the Sea, and the Things that therein are; That there should be Time no Longer, but that in the days of the Seventh angel, when He shall Begin to Sound, The mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath Gospelliz'd by his Servants the Prophets; which Type as I have said mediates betwixt the Two sorts of Types, viz. of the Kingdom Appearing, and of the Kingdom Estop'd; and defines the Time both of the Appearance, and of the Estoppage. Now of this Great Type or this most solemn Oath, I Affirm these three Things as drawn from it. 1. That this Oath must be definitive of a certain Time when this Vision was to Take place, and when to End. 2. That That Time is such, as must most necessary according to this Vision compared with the whole prophesy be the Time of the Reformation, and Can be no Other. 3. That that Time so demonstrated must determine this Time, when the Reformation shall be no Longer in so Low a State, but when the Reformation, itself shall be reformed by the Action under the Seventh Trumpet, Hastening All Things to the Finishing of the mystery, or to the Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ in Glory: For at that Seventh Trumpet The Kingdom of Christ shall be in its Succession, but not immediately Appear in Glory. Affirm, 1. This Oath, must be definitive of the certain Times, When This Vision was to Take Place; For the making out of which, I will proceed by these Three Gradations of Argument. Argument, 1, The Oath, and the Vision are so Enfolded, United, and combined, that if the Time of the Oath Taking Place Can be defined by the Oath itself, The Time of the Visions Taking Place, may also be defined by the Time of the Oaths Taking Place; because they are so United, that they must Take Place together. Now the Oath we Find so carved, and Engraven into the Vision itself, that They can in nothing be Separated the one from the other. The Vision Evidently Began in the Mighty Angels Coming down from Heaven, That Angel Stands upon the Sea, and the Earth; That Angel that stood upon the Sea, and the Earth Lifts up his Hand to Heaven, and Swears this Oath at the same Time: Thus what ever Pertain'd to the description of the Angel, Pertain'd also to the Oath by virtue of the Angel Swearing it. Again this Angel had a Little Book open in his Hand, and cried as a Lion Roaring: Upon his Cry, either as Issuing out of it, or as Attendant upon it Seven Thunders Uttered their Voices; John is Commanded by a Voice from Heaven to Not writ, but to Seal the Thunders Utterances. The same Voice, that Bid him not writ but seal, spake to Him again, and Commanded Him to Take that Book, which was Open in the Hand of that very Angel, that Stood upon the Sea, and the Earth, and Eat it; and the Angel told Him, It would be sweet in the Mouth, and Bitter in the Belly, and Commissioned him to prophesy again. So the Angel, and Voice from Heaven Enfolded thus in the Vision, Enfold the Vision, and All parts of it one with Another; that without losing the Harmony and Tone of the whole Vision, None can be Separated: The design of one, is the design of all. The Time of one is the Time of All. And for this End and as on purpose, prophesy is most Careful, to tell us, The Angel is the same, and concerned in every pointof the Vision; and the Voice from Heaven the same, Running throughout it also: Twice the Angel is assured to be the Same, that stood on the Sea and the Earth: Twice the Voice is said to be from Heaven, and to be the same the Second Time, that spoken to John the First: and Both so Entwin'd with all parts of the Vision, as no way to be partend; and therefore the Vision and the Oath, a Principal Act of the Angel and a Principal part of the Vision cannot be partend from one Another; For an Oath is a Principal Act, and must be so in Him, that Swears, and must be so in the Vision, that Represents it. Thus all Things relating to Each must Go together, and therefore Particularly the Time of the one Taking place must be the Time of the other Taking place; that is within the due order of the Vision. Argum. 2. The Oath, and the Vision and the several parts of the Vision Taking Place together, as so united, as hath been already Shown; Each Type of Each sort viz. of the Kingdom Appearing, and of the Kingdom Estop'd must Take their Places within the Bounds of the Vision according to the Oath; So that the Angel might so Appear first in the Proper Time of the Vision with his Face as the Sun, Holding the Book of his Kingdom open; He might then Cry as a lion, and Seven Thunders Utter their Voices. And then the Thunders must be sealed, the Book must be closed; And all must Retreat again into prophesy, and this according to the Time, that the Oath shall direct us to, in the very Proper Time of the Vision. And the Oath is a Vision Relating to Time; For the Thing Sworn is; Time shall be no more, but in the days of the Seventh Angel, when He shall Begin to Sound, The mystery of God shall be Finished; So then the Bounds of the Time of the Vision and of the Oath are from the Time, In which It could truly be Sworn, Time shall be no more, till the days of the Seventh Angel and his Beginning to Sound. For then the Visions of Estoppage Cease and All is Finishing. And seeing an Oath and an Oath of Christ, that must Certainly be an End of all Strife Cannot be supposed to Give an Incertain Sound; There is Certainly then by assured, however Secret Characters Some Key to be Found, by which the Time, when this Oath and so this Vision might according to it Take Place, and when It is to End, or Issue into the Seventh Trumpet. Argum. 3. That we may Find this determinate Time of the Oath and Vision, we can have no Key, but the Key of Scripture, and because, we are upon Prophetical Scripture, the Key must be Found in Prophetical Scriptures. Now in dealing with Scripture, we know, It is a Great and Necessary duty to Compare Scripture with Scripture, and so Prophetical Scripture with Prophetical Scripture, when we are upon prophesy. No One then, that Considers this Oath, and hath red, and Remembers that Oath, or will be but Guided by the Margin of his Bible, to Dan. 12. 7. and minds to Compare Scripturo with Scripture Can Choose, but Compare the Oath there and the Oath here, to see how far they Agree; And first He will Find an Angel clothed, there with linen, here with a cloued, a Bright cloued, as it were Fine linen; there Standing on the Waters, or over them, here on the Sea, and on the Earth; Lifting up both his Hands to Heaven there, his Right Hand here, as the principal, and Inclusive of Both; Swearing by Him, that Liveth for Ever and Ever there, and here by Him that Liveth for Ever and Ever, and that made the whole Universe; In all these there is so Little Variation, that the Harmony is as Great as among the Evangelists. And yet these Agreements are Small in Comparison of these Three Essential Congruities. 1. Both the Oaths are with Relation to Time; the Oath in Dan. is, There shall be Time, Times, and Half a Time: The Oath here is, There shall be Time no More; and in a Neighberhood to this Oath( though indeed, as we shall Find; They make up with it the Time allowed to this Vision, as precedent, or Foregoing parts of the whole) Time, Times, half Time viz. the Twice Forty Two Months, the Twice 1260. Days, and once the very Time, Times, and Half Time; and to the same sense, though with Variation of words, once also Three days, and a Half; That Oath in Dan. having therefore determined, Such Times shall be; This Oath determines; There shall be no more Time, than these Times and Half; and all with Relation to Scattering the Holy Peoples Power. 2. Both the Oaths have a Close Relation to an ultimate Finiture or Finishing; For the Oath in Dan. Says; All these Things, called Wonders Dan. 12. Shall be Finished. And in this Oath the mystery of God shall be Finished. 3. Both the Oaths led to some Time allowed further for Great Action in order to a Blessed State or End. For upon the Oath in Dan. There is an Addition of 30. Days to the 1260. Days, into which the Times and Half are Expounded, Dan. 12. 11. 12. 13. making 1290, and then 45. more, making 1335; the waitng and Coming to which is pronounced Blessed; and Dan. is promised a Lot therein: Accordingly in this Oath ●here are the Days of the Seventh Angel, when He Shall Begin to Sound; And the Seventh Trumpet Finishes the mystery, One Principal Branch of which is Giving Reward to the Servants of God, the Prophets, Revel. 11. 18. Among which Daniel was Greatly beloved; Thus Certain It is These Two Oaths do Essentially Convene and Unite one in Another. They Cannot therefore Possibly Encounter, but must be to one Another, as the Impress, and Reverse in the same Medal: The Impress, There shall be Time, Times, and a Half; The Reverse, There shall be no more Time, then those Times, and Half; except the Time of the Seventh Trumpet for Finishing, till the Sabbathism, Time of Another Species, Ensues. We must enter therefore into a strict Enquiry of the Time, when this latter Oath, Time shall be no more, Could take Place, without any Infraction upon the Former; which we are sure, It could not make, because the Oaths are so suited one to the other, as that the latter is in Confirmation, and compliment also of the Former. Let us then in the First place State concerning the Two Oaths, and what It is, that Each Oath Requires; and what will Follow from the Things required by Them; And that therefore must be Certainly Answered, and so we shall be directed upon the very Time of this Vision, and Oath, taking place, and behold the Admirable Agreement of the Two Oaths between Themselves, and of the Vision with them Both. The First Oath then Requires, that there should be Time, Times, and Half a Time, as a Time of Delay, or before the Finishing of Wonders; And that at the Finishing of the Scattering the Power of the Holy People, There should be a Finishing of all Those, viz. Wonders. This is expressed in Daniel, For the Angel Answers the Question, Unto how Long or at what Length of Time shall be the End of Wonders? The Answer is, That for Time, Times, and Half a Time, and at the ●inishing Dan. 12. 6. 7. of the Scattering the Power of the Holy People, All These, that is, Wonders, Concerning which the Question was, shall be finished. In which Answer, there must be some supply to fill up the sense; For the Oath runs thus, That unto Time, and Times, and unto the Half of Time, and when He shall Accomplish or in the Accomplishing to Scatter the Power of the Holy People, All shall be finished: Now these words make not up Full sense without Assuming most naturally from the latter clause; There shall be a scattering the Holy People for Time, Times, and Half of a Time, and in the Accomplishing to scatter, All these wonders shall be finished. And those words ( shall be finished) must be Expounded,( shall be in an immediate Course of Finishing:) to which are Allowed the 75 Years in Daniel just now spoken of; which therefore must needs be the Days of the Seventh Angel in this Chapter, wherein the mystery shall be finished into the Kingdom, by the Voices and the Vials; whose Motion is swift, sudden, and Immediate, according to the quick Coming of the Seventh Trumpet: And thus the First Oath in Daniel requires. The latter Oath in this prophesy, in full Agreement with the former requires, there should be no more Time, Times, nor Half Time, which the former Oath Allowed; But that at the Seventh Angel Beginning,( as we well translate 〈◇〉) to sound, and all the while, He is sounding, the Mystery should be in Finishing, till finished in the Kingdom in Glory. It follows then from the first Oath, that the Time, Times, and Half a Time, and the scattering the Holy People must be together; and that all that Time, Finishing the wonders should have no place; But then it requires also, that the Times and Half, and the scattering should end together; and that at the very end of the scattering, or in the Finishing of that, the wonders should be in Finishing also, and come on immediately in those Forenam'd Seventy five years to be finished. From the latter Oath it follows; That there must be a Point of Time, when it might be sworn, Time should be no more; So a point of Time, wherein in the Sense, It was Sworn, It might be actually said, Time is no more; That that Time must be a Time of Finishing; and that it must be, as soon, as ever the Days of the Seventh Angels sounding Begin. From both these Oaths in Agreement it follows; that whenever the Seventh Trumpet begins to Finish, the Times, and Half, and the scattering the Power of the Holy People must be at an end; For during those, there could be no Finishing; But by the First Oath, when they end, there must be Finishing, and by the latter Oath, there must be no more such Times of scattering, but the Seventh Trumpet must Finish; Accordingly we find the Holy Peoples scattering to cease by the Witnesses Rising, and Ascending; and the Church Consequentially Coming out of the Wilderness, just before the Seventh Trumpet sounds, and proceeds to Finish by the Voices, and the Vials; wherein Rev. 11. 11. 14. the Harmony of Prophesies is Admirable; Then therefore must be the end of Times, and a Half. Now from All this that cannot be denied, It is so express in prophesy; One must needs be very prove to think, there could be no Time, wherein it could be Sworn, Time shall be no more, but at the very end of Times and Half; when really and Actually, Time of those sorts of Times and Half shall be no more. And here give leave to Interpose a Caution against the Supposing, as some pious minds in Contemplation of Eternity may be apt to do, that the meaning of the Oath is; There shall be no more Time at all, but Eternity shall ensue. Now though the Meditation hereupon may be High, Holy, Spiritual, and Heavenly, and certainly shall be True in its Time; Yet it is certain by the compare of the Oaths, the Rule of Interpretation; The Oath Intends Time of such a kind, as the Time, Times, and Half were; shall be no more. And whereas it may be very well thought, there could no such Oath, as this, have place; Till those Times and Half, are actually Run out; and that therefore the Vision, and Oath so closely joined must take their place at that Time; Yet by the three Notes of Estoppage of Finishing, we are assured; Both the Oath and the Vision find their place of Entry before. 1. For the Sealing the Thunders of so great service to Finishing, must be most contrary to Finishing, which yet is commanded in the Vision; Finishing therefore could not be at the same Time with the Vision; and therefore ●● not at the Half Time ended, when Finishing must be. 2. The Book eaten and bitter in the Belly is most contrary to Finishing; For else the Book had been as sweet jo the Belly, as in the Mouth, as was before explained: But that also the Vision commands, and therefore is not at the Half Time ended to have its place, but before. 3. prophesying again is most contrary to Finishing; For as to prophesy of the sufferings of Christ, after he had said, It is finished, had been to deny Him the Redeemer; So contradictory would it be to his Kingdom, to prophesy of it, when it is Come; But the Vision at the same Time with the Oath Commissionates John to prophesy again: Therefore it must be before Finishing had place, therefore before the Seventh Trumpet, therefore before the Times, and Half Time ended. The Vision and Oath must have place therefore within some part of Half Time, else it could not have been sworn; Time shall be no more, without overthrowing the former Oath, that such Times and Half should be; It must be in the very beginning of Half Time, else the Notes of Estoppage so essential to the Vision could not have had Time to be decently Born. It must therefore in the very Beginning of Half Time, even as soon as ever there was such a diminution of Half Time, as that any of the Atoms, or sands of it were Run out, and that it was no longer an entire Canton of Time according to the Oath of Time, Times, Half Time;( For Half Time, though it be but Half Time, is as entire a Canton of Time according to the Oath, as any of the rest) As soon as ever Half Time was broken, that it was no longer Half Time it gave place, and yielded to this Oath of Christ, Time shall be no more; As soon as ever It was not a due just Half Time, this Oath of Christ entred; There shall never to Eternity any morebe such a Half Time, much less Time, or Times. Christ took the very first Advantage, as soon as Half Time had lost it self, and swore; Now Time, viz. any Canton of Time, not Time, nor Times, nay, not so much as Half Time shall be any more for ever. It is true, This was Implyed in the first Oath, as hath been shown: But here it is not only seconded, but made more open; and it is true also, this Vision and so the Oath was Represented to John long before, either Times, or Half Time entred, even when this prophesy was given; But it was but in Vision and not supposed to be, till the Vision and Oath took place together; As we well know according to the Nature of Vision, which Represents things as in being, and yet not to be, till their Appointed Time; So this Vision, and Oath of Christ are given, as if they were then, and yet not to be, till their just season. As soon therefore, as one Minute of Half Time was gone, It is according to the Law of Vision to be supposed; Christ swore, and not till then; For when one Minute of Half Time was gone, it was broken immediately; It could not then be, so much as Half Time any more for ever; For though Leave was given to it to run out its last dust, e're the Time of Finishing shall enter; Yet as soon as ever the first dust of it was spent, it Abated of, it departed from itself; and ever after every minute it spends, it is still less, and less Half Time, till it is no Time at all in any sense. But as soon, as ever the Web of Half Time had but an edge, a Border, a Selvage of it clipped, or rather worn off by running out; It was no longer the Half Time of prophesy as a day is not a day, when any the smallest particle of the Twenty Four Hours is to be defalk'd, as spent, when the first Minute is spent; For prophesy is exact to a Grain, a Scruple, a Minute, a Second, every Fraction of a Second, even as Astronomy would be: And as soon as ever the first, the least Ramentum or shaving of Half Time was taken off, the Oath of Christ interposed; There shall never be Time any more according to those distributions of Time, Times, or the last, and least part, Half Time. It is therefore most demonstrative, this Oath according to the Oath of Time, Times, and Half Time could be no sooner, then the morning of Half Time: It could not be so much as a minute before it; For then the Half Time had been entire, and if so, it had been Time according to the Sense of prophesy, and then one of the Oaths must have failed; For either the Half Time had been cut off by the last Oath, and no Half Time had ensued, contrary to the Former Oath; or it had stood according to the Former Oath, and the latter Oath had effected nothing but fallen to the Ground by Half Time, which in the sense of prophesy is Time, coming in its order, notwithstanding this last Oath; But either of these Supposals is impossible, for if Heaven and Earth shall pass, but not a Jot of the words of Christ shall pass; How much less of his Oath, it being the Greater and more Immutable of those Two things, wherein It is impossible for him to lie. But when Half Time by spending any, the least part of itself was degraded, dismounted from being Half Time; Then there was not any of those Cantons of Time left, that could in the balance of the former Oath be called Time, but only a Remainder of Half Time already entred, and some part spent of it; Christ might then well Swear, there shall never now be Time any more; not so much a Canton of Time, as Half Time was, and yet this Oath might very well also Reserve to Half Time the Allowance to run out itself; As on the very down of the last day of a mans Life, It may be truly said to him; He shall never have a day more, tho' he live to the very last minute of that day already entred. At the very possibility therefore, it could be done with Justice to the former Oath, Christ zealous of his Kingdom Foreclos'd all Future Time for delay; He entred his Caution, his Protestation against any more Time, or so much as Half Time; Here then may this Oath take place, not before some of Half Time expended for his former Oaths sake; but as soon as any of it was expended, that it was not Time according to any, the least Canton of Time in that Oath, for his Kingdoms sake, he swore, Time shall be no more. As He settled Time, Times, Half a Time with an Oath according to his Fathers Counsel concerning the delay of his Kingdom; so according to the same Counsel He Jealous for his Kingdom fixed an Immovable bar against any more Time, Times, or so much as Half Time with an Oath also. Affirm. 2. Having thus far established my first Affirmation concerning this Type of Time, viz. That there is a definite Time, when this Vision, and Oath are to take place, and that It is at Half Time so entred, as to be the entire Time of Half Time no longer; And that this Half Time is to end together with the Types of this Vision for Estoppage of the Kingdom, when the Seventh Angel shall, but Begin to sound; I come now to the second Affirmation; That this Time is such, as must necessary according to this Vision compared with the whole prophesy, be the Time of the Reformation, and that It can be no other Time. To Argue this, I will only Remember the proof, I have already given, that this Vision is the Vision of the Reformation; But because I would further promote from this Type the Arguments already given, that this Vision is the Vision of the of the Reformation, I will not Insist upon what I have done, but go on to prove further; That as this Oath hath been even Demonstrated according to this prophesy, to have been at the Half Time, and that it could be at no Point else; So I shall now Argue, that the Reformation could be at no other Point of Time, but of Half Time begun; and therefore also that this Vision must needs be the Vision of the Reformation. And the Argument is this: The Little Horn, who is also called the Beast in Daniel, even as in this prophesy, had assured to him Time, and Times, and Half a Time, which are in this prophesy, cap. 13. Expounded into Forty two Months; and he was to Rise to a Kingdom by degrees; And when He should Ascend from the bottonles Pit, and attain his Number 666. It was given to him, that he should have Times, and Laws in his Hand, or an Universal Monarchy; or as in this prophesy, Power was given to him over all Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations; and that because of his Kingdom, either as prepared for by the Gentiles, or erected from its Infant state, or come to its height, the Witnesses should put on Sackcloth for 1260 Days; and by Consequence the Church should be in the Wilderness, or in a lost hidden or scattered State; and that in some Deep part of this Time, the Witnesses should be war'd with, overcome and killed by Him; and thereby the Church hide so close, that the Serpent knew not how to find it. It Becomes therefore a Great doubt, how there should be such an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ, such a coming of some part of the witnesses, as it were out of sackcloth, and some parts of the Church, as it seems, out of the Wilderness into so Visible a State, as in the Reformation; and thereby a Retrenchment of the Kingdom of the Beast by so many of Tongues, Kindreds, and Nations, Refusing to serve Him any Longer: and that too within Half Time and before the Seventh Trumpet for Finishing. One must be here again very inclined to deem, that as in the former Case, we might be Ready to Think It could not be Sworn, Time shall be no more, till Half Time was Run out; So that this Change of Things could neither be till then: Each of them seems a like, hardly reconcilable with prophesy; which yet yields such a Resemblance of the Oath with the Reformation in this matter, that may make us Apt to Believe, They are Closely Related in point of Time, and Both one and the same way, to be reconciled to that Seemingly encountering prophesy. The wisdom of the Lord God of the Holy Prophets is therefore to be observed by the Minds, that Have Wisdom. For the space allowed to the Beasts Kingdom, and to the Sufferings of his Church, and of his Witnesses under it, hath not Fortuitously, by Accident, or on any small Reason been distributed into Three Cantons, viz. Time, Times, or Two Times so combined, as to be Two in One, or One in Two, in regard of Uniformness; and into Half Time. But upon this Great Reason they are so distributed; Because It was Fore-determin'd, and so also Fore-seen, and so also foretold, that the Beast would be almost the whole First Time Climbing up to his Kingdom; And this must needs be a different State from his supreme Regnancy. For First He hath Gentiles, who were to be his People, pressing into the Empire and so into the outer Court at 437. Then He Rises out of the Sea at his Succession at 475. or 476. But He was a Long Time Obscure, Un-Notable; Then He Rises out of the Bottemless Pit, by the name of Universal Bishop, Supreme Pastor at 606; then He Attains his Number at 725. Then He makes War, Overcomes, Kills by that Council of Nice 787. within Ten Years of the End of his First Time. From thence as a Grown established Prince, His Kingdom is Equal, and alike in the main, however Spreading and Encroaching during the Two Times. At the Half Time There is a Retrenchment of his Kingdom by the Reformation both as to the Universality, and uncontroleableness of his Kingdom, as we shall see, Beginning 1517. And thus It is Proportionably in the Sufferings of the Witnesses, the Seed of the Woman the Church, and by necessary Consequence upon her self; These are Greater or Less according to the Beasts tyranny; First, The Witnesses Bear a Testimony in sackcloth; Then they Finish their Testimony; Then they are Overcome, Kill▪ d, lie Dead, till a part moved to a Rising; according to which the Church was more or Less out of Sight in the Wilderness. Now to Convey us into all this variety, There is first the distribution of the Twice 1260. days, and twice Forty two Months into Time, Times, Half a Time, that the Changes, which the entire Uniformness of the Months and Days could not Represent; the Time, Times, and Half Time, as in a General view might Give us: A Stupendious Contrivance of prophesy. But Least this might not Enough Inform us; By a Close observation of the words chosen in the Originals, Hebrew and Greek, There is a Significancy of Time with Opportunity or Seasons, and Indicted Appointed Times; A Contrivance yet more Stupendious. But behold still the further Manifold Wisdom of prophesy, Least we might Think, All and the whole of Time, and Times, and Half Time, was Season or Deep Time, These Times, or Seasons, and Half are, as I may say, put into the Habit, and dress of Three days, and a Half, and into so Close an Imitation of, and Allusion to our Lords Three days in the Grave, that we may not miss to Take notice, that there was a Great difference between the First and the Last Part of the First of those Three days; That the Second day was a like; and that the Precedent part until the very morning of the Third day, while It was yet dark, and all the Rest of that Third day Exceedingly differed from one another; So differed the First and the Last part of the First Time, or day of the Witnesses and of the Church; The Two days or Times were much alike; But then very different were the very Entrance of the Last Half Time, and the Following Part of it till the End, in regard of some of the Churches, and Witnesses by the Reformation: Oh the height, and the Depth of this prophetic Wisdom! Now whoever misses this Key of prophesy, and especially that of our Lords Time of Death, Leading us to make a distinction betwixt 〈◇〉 the General word for Time; and 〈◇〉 the Close word for opportunity, Can never understand Apocalyptical Time, nor Find, how the apostasy Should Begin so Early as 437. by the Gentiles entering the Outward Court; the succession so Early as 475. and yet the Beast gained not the Ascendent till 606. From thence indeed he proceed-amain to have have his Image worshipped at his Number as it were in words at length, viz. from 725 downward till 787. Nor without this Key can the Reformation at 1517 be reconciled to prophesy, that Assigns an Universal Monarchy, and the Saints and Church to be scattered, to the Papacy for Forty two Months when lo so many Protestant Princes, States, and persons have turned themselves from him so much sooner; and so many Witnesses and Churches have withstood the pretended Successor of Peter to the Face; and he knows not, however enraged he be, how to help it, while they are patronized, by powers out of his reach so to do. It is therefore far from the Extravagancy, the Reverend and Learned Dr. Cressener charges, thus to Interpret Three days, and a Half, to signify Three Times, and a Half. It is True 1260 Days in the same Vision, and so near, signify no more Time, then those Three days and a Half; But when the Fundamental Reason of things necessitates us to seek another Key for them, then according to the ordinary cipher of a Day for a Year,( which fully serves the purpose of the 1260. but can no way serve the Three days and a Half,) we are justified in so doing; For neither would the Beast lose so much Time of his Forty two Months as to stay till the last Three Years, and Half to Kill, and expose the Witnesses dead; nor would that Time possibly serve, as is fully discoursed in the Vision of the Witnesses. And to what I have there said, I here super-add, if as we ought, we fetch the Three Times, and a Half of the Church in the Wilderness out of c. 12. 14. and match them with the Three days, and a Half of the Witnesses lying dead, and in open view; The Variation is very easy and even with Reference c. 11. 9. to our Lords three days, even graceful; For there ought to be a Correspondence in each point of Time in Time at large, and in deep season or Intimate Opportunity betwixt the Witnesses, and the Church, both on the Witnesses, and the Churches part; as in the 1260 days, so in the Witnesses three days, and Half; which there would not be, if the Three days, and Half are not the same with Three Times and a Half; But if they are so taken, the Correspondence is Illustrious on both sides. For Day, we know throughout Scripture, Applys itself to all portions of Time. Indeed if we go about to match the Three days, and Half with the Twelve hundred Sixty dayes, as we ought not,( because though the word days is the same, and the space the same, yet the Scheme of Time designed is vastly distant) the variation of so great and so small a number of days, while yet the same space is Intended is very Rough, Harsh, and even intolerable. But thus explained, as I have set out before every eye, the whole plot of Time Allowed to the Beastian Kingdom is understood by it; For to the utmost stretch of Times and Half at large, or 1260 days; The Beast is to have a Tyranny over the Power of the holy People, either preparing, or rising; or Remaining after Retrenchment; or else in full Supremacy. But for the deep and Intimate part, or deep Season of Times, and Halfs he must have a full, and Absolute Autonomy, or Supremacy to do after his own will. And of this there seems to me to be an Eye, Dan. 12. 7.( There shall be Times, and Half for Dispersion; and when he shall have accomplished to Disperse so or Scatter;) As if there would be a deep Time of dispersion, Answering the deep of Times and Half, and then an exhausting, a drawing down to the very dregs that dispersion, as in the last part of Time at large; at the end of which would ensue the seventh Trumpet for Finishing. And this perfectly agrees to the Vision, we are upon, for Jesus Christ zealous of his Kingdom and of all the Appearances of it, according to his Fathers Counsel, and according to his own Oath in Daniel, knowing that the deep Time, the Time of the Absolute Supremacy of the Beast was expired; even as soon as ever the Little Horn, or Antichrist had had any part of the 〈◇〉 of the Half season, and so that Antichristian Kingdom might be retrenched by a party Appearance of his own Kingdom; He loses no Time, but makes his Claim; This is Represented in this Vision by all the forenam▪ d Types of the Kingdom, His coming down from Heaven, His Face, as the Sun, &c. Roaring as a lion, Commanding the Attendance of Seven Thunders, the Book of his Kingdom, as the great patent of it open in his Hand: And at the same Time with his Right Hand Lifted up to Heaven he swore, 〈◇〉, or Time at large shall be no more: much less Intimate Time. Now the Twelve hundred Sixty days contained Times, and Half Time, both as Time at large, and as strict Time, and opportunity; At the Time of this Vision, Deep, and Intimate Time in the 1260 days was so near spent, that the Kingdom of Christ Appears in the forementioned Types, together with that Oath, Time shall be no more; Hereon follows by the German Protestation, about Ten yeaars after a Famous Retrenchment of the Beasts Kingdom. But in Regard of the most exact Justice of Christ to the Times, and Half Time at large, determined by his Father, and sworn by himself, as it hath been shown; The Oath Included a Reserve for Half Time at large, to run out itself; So here are those Notes of Estoppage set to the Kingdom of Christ, that as the Resurrection of Christ was not known except to Chosen Witnesses, till after his Ascension; so his Kingdom should not Appear in its Succession, nor Finishing begin, till the very last of Time at large, or the very last of Half Time, and of the 1260 days was also expired; when his Witne●●es shall Ascend and the Mystery shall be so far finished, that his Kingdom shall be in its succession, and effectively Finishing all to the Glory of his Appearance. And thus I hope it will be clear, and evident to the Minds, that have Wisdom, that there is in this Vision a Manifestation both of the Appearance, and of the Estoppage of the Kingdom of Christ in the Reformation, according to the Oath of Christ, and according to undoubted experiment. And thus Christ took the opportunity before this, at the opening of the Sixth and Seventh seals, to make the Appearance of his Kingdom in the Christian Empire of Constantine and his Successors; Although he knew there were the Twelve Hundred Sixty days to come, as an Estoppage of his Kingdom; and that in the first of them, the Remainder of that very Christian Kingdom would be Antichristianiz'd; which Antichristianism was to be, and hath been a long, and a most Pressing Estoppage of his Kingdom: And yet to this he yielded, according as hath been said, to his Fathers Counsel, and his own Oath in Daniel; so that he gave the Appearance of his Kingdom in those Illustrious Types of the Manly Birth, Jesus Christ, Caught up not only to Heaven, but to the very Throne of God; And so that he Retains the Imperial Name, however undermined by Antichrist to this day; The Dragon, or satan in the Pagan Empire was so cast out of Heaven, that his place is found there no more; the Paganism being either Antichristianiz'd, which carries the name of Christ under it; or Mahometiz'd, which is, as hath been said an Antichristianism rather to Antichrist then to Christ, a Mock-state Intruding as a judgement, and as a Paraselene during the Beasts Moons. There was therefore so Great a Doxology; The Kingdom of our God is come, &c. Yet together with these Notes of the Kingdom were given also the Notes of Estoppage in the 144000 Immediately Seal▪ d, in the Churches Flight into the Wilderness; All which just there Hunt or tread in the very Footsteps of the Types of the Lords anointed in the Christian Empire; From all which it appears, It is the manner of this prophesy to omit no just season of showing the Kingdom of Christ; but till the Finishing, to give together with the Types of the Kingdom the Types of Estoppage, and so here in the Reformation. And thus the Second Affirmation being Established, I come to the Third. Affirm. 3. The Time of the Vision, and of the Oath thus demonstrated must determine the Time, when the Reformation shall be no Longer in so Low a State, or indeed, when the Reformation itself shall be reformed by the Action of the Seventh Trumpet, hastening All Things to the Finishing the mystery, or to the Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ in Glory; For at the Seventh Trumpet, the Kingdom of Christ shall be in its Succession, but not Immediately Appear in Glory. And this Follows with Ease, and of itself; For if, as hath been proved, the very down of the Reformation be the down also of Half Time, and of this Vision and Oath Taking Place; seeing we know the Reformation so dawn'd at ●517. in Luther, we easily Compute the Just distribution of the 1260 days into Time 360 years; Two Times 720 years; and Half Time 180 years. So the present State of Things Beginning at 1517. and having an hundred Eighty years for their Race; They must needs End at at 1697; when the Reformation shall be under a Reformation, and the Seventh Trumpet succeed to Finish the mystery into the Kingdom of Christ Appearing in Glory; In the mean time Things are to be under Estoppage, and delay. There Remains nothing upon this part of the Discourse in my Thoughts, but to Remove, what may seem a Great objection to this Adjustment of the Oath of Christ, this Vision, the Reformation, and Half Time one to Another. And that is; That immediately after the Commission renewed to John to prophesy again; the whole, and Entire Vision of the Witnesses and of the 1260 days from their putting on Sackcloth to their Rising, Ascension, and the Great Consequence, or Concurrents of them are Given together, Chap. 11. So the Reformation shall have a Vision, and in its Just place; And It is unreasonable to Give it any other Vision, or so Antedated to the Proper Order, and place of it as in the Vision of the Witnesses to which It properly Belongs; whereas the Relation of the Reformation to the Mahometan Seizure of Constantinople is in an Undue Order of Time, and therefore not the Real Order of the Vision. Ans. To this objection I will advance a very brief Anwer in these Six particulars. 1. By way of Concession, or Allowance, that the Reformation must be supposed to have virtually a place in the Vision of the Witnesses, and by this Vision we know where it must be; Even as soon, as ever the Deep Time of the 1260 days, that is, at the down, or Morning of the Half day; For then the Witnesses and Churches of the Reformation Gave a down, and a Pre-Appearance, and a pledge of the Full Rising of the Witnesses, and of the whole Christian Church coming out of the Wilderness, by their open Avowed Testimony, and Protestancy. 2. This notwithstanding, So Great an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ, as was at the Reformation, required such a particular Vision of it, as in this Chapter, to which nothing Else Answers in Time, or order in History; Nor is that necessary supposed place, the Reformation hath in the Vision of the Witnesses, Clear, Illustious Enough for the Reformation, as hath already been urged on all sides of this matter. 3. This Vision of the Reformation hath not only a Just pursuance in order, and Time to the seizure of the Antichristian Eastern Empire by Mahomet, but a stricter and nearer one to the Impenitency, being the Beginning, and a pledge of those Specific Judgments of the Seventh Trumpet for the utter destruction of the Antichristian Kingdom; viz by the Appearance of Christ Himself; according to 2 Thess. 2. for which the Mahometan Woes were too foreign, and Aloof; And so the occasion Taken is that Impenitency of the Western, more Antichristian Empire, notwithstanding that so dreadful Woe, upon which a Kingdom of Christ, specific for destroying that Antichristian Kingdom and Mahometan Tyranny, the mock of it together, is in its Pre-Appearance displayed in this Vision; Thus as Christ says Concerning that very Church of Thyatyra, in which the Reformation first appeared; I Gave to the Spiritual Jezebel space to Repent, and she Repented not; So she is to be Cast into the Bed of Flames, into which the Vials shall bring that Roman Apostate Church, of which the Reformation is the Pledge. 4. It is very natural to History,( besides the secrecy of prophesy) to Give the Relation of an Illustrious Event in its just Place, and order; and then to give the whole Family, as it were, and pedigree, and full History of that Event together, Leaving out in that Fuller Relation, what had been first Given of it; This prophesy Gives the Vision of the Reformation, just in the due order, the Time, and Place; and Gives the Vision of the Witnesses, which Comprehends the Reformation indeed in the latter part, and yet Leaves out any one Open Mention of the Reformation there, because, It was Given before. 5. The Vision of the Witne●●es Touches the Vis●on of the Reformation in the just proper, precise, and as it were Indivisible Point of the Command to John to prophesy again before People, Tongues, and Kings. For the Vision of the Witnesses Giving a prophesy of 1260 days prophesy in Sackcloth before People, Tongues, and Nations,( For before whom, They Lay Dead, They also prophesy) which Course of Sackcloth prophesy Seeming to be Interupted by the Reformation, and by the Kingdom of Christ Appearing, as in a pledge of it; John Sustaining the person of the Witnesses in prophetic Type is made to Know; The Time of Sackcloth prophesy by a Great part of the Witnesses was not past, but must upon that seeming Interruption( as in Vision only) Begin again, till the 1260 days quiter Ended. Thus these Two Visions are Fitly jointed one into Another at a just Point. 6. This Vision of the Reformation, and of the Witnesses compared together, sets the whole State of the Prophetical Time, with Relation to the Beastian Kingdom, and to the Suffering of the Holy People, Right, and straight; and Keeps it Tight to its Just Epoch, or Beginning, and to its Period or End: which can no way be so Easily, and manifestly assured as by this Vision. For the Witnesses have 1260 days, wherein They must prophesy in sackcloth; and the Woman, or Church in the Wilderness, as so united with the Witnesses, must needs have 1260 days also; and the Gentiles and the Beast 42 Months, Answering together the 1260 days as the Cause of the Witnesses and of the Churches Sufferings: These days, and Months on the Beasts part and on the Witnssees, and on the Cburches part are cantoned into Three Times, and a Half; and for that Peculiar Reason already Given, called Three Days, and a Half on the Witnesses sole part; but from Parity of Reason must needs be the same with Time, Times, and a Half as hath been shown. Who now can Believe with any show of Reason, that so many, and so distinct Characters of Time should be Given only to crucify search and Inquiry, by that Spirit, that hath Commanded us to Search Scripture; and that the Beginning, and the End of these Times can by no certain Test of this prophesy be cettainly Known? I aclowledge, There are many other ways by which we may be assured, as I have elsewhere Argued; And it cannot according to Common Computation, from the very Intimations prophesy Gives to Search, as High, as Constantine but be every day expected, The 1260 days should End, the Witnesses Rise, and Ascend, the Beastian Power and of his City Fall, and the Seventh Trumpet Sound to Finishing; Seeing by All Signs we Know; They must needs be near their End; and that They are not yet Ended; as by all things else, so particularly by that, that the Turkish Woe is not yet removed from Constantinople, nor from the Greek Churches; which is the most Loughty Pirami'd of Time, distinguishing betwixt the Sixth, and the Seventh Trumpet, that could be by prophesy Given. But what is there more plain than what I have now offered to Fix this whole Time? At no other Time, but Half Time Could the Oath, or the Reformation according to the Types of this Vision be; If then the Reformation be at the Half Time, and the Half Time at the Reformation; we must necessary Know, how far back the Vision of the Witnesses must Run with all its Concurrents even to the Year of General Christian Account 437. where also the First Trumpet Began, and so End at 1697. All which cannot be so Readily, plainly, and Demonstratively, and to Full satisfaction Known, as by this Vision; So that with Admirable Conduct of the Divine prophetic Spirit was It prefixed to the Vision of the Witnesses, as Unridling the 42 Months, the 1260 days, and the Three days, and Half in it; and so Proportionably the same Times, assigned to the Church, as the 42 Months; also to the Beast, and withal unlocking the Times of Daniel to us: viz. the Times, and Half Twice Given; and the 1290 and the 1335 days at the Time of Blessedness. I cannot Find any place of doubt in this matter, Except we should Startle at dating the Reformation, and Half Time, so Early as Luthers Appearance at 1517. But if we Consider the undoubtedness of the Reformation Beginning in that Cloud, but as Big as a Mans Hand, and yet Going on so Continuedly; and that the very Earliest Time according to our Lords Resurrection, while It was yet dark, is to be Taken, for the Angels Coming down, in Allusion clothed in White, and as it were Rolling away the ston from the Winesses Dead State, however Unbury'd; sure our doubt must be resolved, though the Kingdom of Christ took some Further Time to display its Appearance, and when deep Time was more expired, as at that Solemn Protestation of the German Princes about Ten years after; where I Think, the End of deep Time, as in the First Retrencement of the Beasts Universal Monarchy is most conspicuously fixed; For Deep Time might have a place in Half Time, after Christ had sworn, Time of either sort could by the Oath be no longer Time according to the first Oath; that is, entire; For Deep Time, as it ought, was almost wholly spent, and Half Time at large was so impaired as to be Half Time no longer: as hath been fully set out; and yet each might run out, whatever was left to either; which yet must needs be less then entire Time in the sense of that first Oath, even less then Time at large; much more so of deep Time, now almost wholly spent. I come now to the Fourth Point or General Head of discourse; that is, to consider, and to Argue according to the Types of this Vision, and according to matter of Fact, what must needs be the True Elevation of the Reformation; and wherein it all along ought to have born the Symbols of the Kingdom of Christ and its appearance, according to such the True Elevation of it; and wherein also on the same Account, It must needs fall below the Types of that Kingdom, as Estopp'd, and retired from its Appearance; and how long it must do so, and when there shall be a Reformation of the Reformation, and Protestation at its full dimensions: Or wehn the Witnesses Rising, and Ascending on Mount Sion with the Lamb, shall give their Testimony with his Fathers Name written on their Foreheads. I begin then to Argue, that the Reformation according to its True Elevation ought to bear, and did bear the Types of the Kingdom of Christ. 1. The Reformation in its Fundamental Nature was, and is a disowning, and Ab-Renunciation of the power, and usurpation of the Papacy, and of the pretended Catholicness of the Church of Rome. And even as it was, so it ought to be by some of the Ten Kings, and States, that had been the defensive Horns of the Beast, that carried that Mystical Babylonish Woman and Whore, who made the Kings drunken with her Cup of Fornication, and so they gave their Kingdom, and Power to Him; But when their Hearts are turned to Hate the Whore, They Renounce the Beast also: And as it ought, so it did and hath come to pass in several States and Kingdoms, and particularly in these Kingdoms, to which we belong. Now to make out, that this Ab-renunciation ought to bear the Types of the Kingdom of Christ making an Appearance, Two things according to prophesy are to be remembered. 1. That this last State of the Roman Monarchy was composed of Feet, and Toes, part of Iron, part of day; that is, of the Ten Warlike Kings; and a Hierarchy of Cardinals, Archbishops Bishops, and the Spiritual Emperour, the Pope( a Spirituality falsely so called.) And these Two, the Iron, and the day mingle indeed, but do not cleave; There is nothing therefore necessary to dissolve this State, but the dis-union of these Two; or the Kings hating the Whore, and so giving no longer the Kingdom, and Power to the Beast, they had Given; And this is called taking away the Dominion of the Little Horn from Him, Dan. 2. 42. 43. with Dan. 7. 26. till it be Consumed unto the End. showing the thing is done by degrees, first at the Reformation in a Beginning; then at the end of the 1260 days, when the Witnesses Rise, and Ascend; and by an utter Abolition in the Glorious Appearance of Jesus Christ. 2. There can be nothing between this Renunciation of the Papacy and its Hierarchy,( when it shall be Universal,) and the Kingdom of Christ; so that whenever the first is, the Last must Immediately Follow, or Enter its Succession: So in Daniel, c. 2. c. 7. So in this Prorhecy, c. 19. If therefore the Renunciation could have been Universal and entire in the Ten Kings together; as by Reason of the Half Time Remaining It could not; It had been impossible the Kingdom of Christ should not have succeeded; Seeing then some of the dominion of the Little Horn was taken away by those of the Ten Kings Resuming their Power, who had before given it; There were most duly such Types of the Kingdom of Christ, as ready Immediately to Appear; viz. of a Mighty Angel coming down from Heaven, &c. and Crying as with the Roar of a lion. 2. The Reformation was a disengaging, and disencumbring of Christianity from the Abominable Idolatries, hateful Superstitions, Paganish Ignorance, many practical Impurities of that Nicolaitanism, and its Indulgences; as also lastly from the Affectation of a sensual, worldly Grandieur upon the Account of Christian Religion, even to that degree, as to turn it into a great Fable. The Reformation was the Illuminating Christianity with its own Lustre, with its own native Beauties of Truth, Purity of worship, Holiness of Action, Spirituality, and Heavenliness; and thereby restoring it in some degree to itself, after it had been overgrown with Antichristianism, Corruption and Barbarity. Upon this Account Seven Thunders in this Vision uttered their Voices; That is, there were mighty Eruptions of Truth, and the sounds of it Heard a far; There were wonderful Purgations of the Christian Air from the black vapour, and Smoke of the Bottomless-Pit, that had darkened it, ever since the first Letting it out by the Key of that Fallen Star, the Apostate Bishop of Rome: Such a Type as this of the Thunders was in the Grace of God an Honour condign to the Lightsome, and purer state, or down of his Kingdom in the Protestant Churches. 3. The Reformation hath brought forth very Remarkable Ministerial unsealings of the Book of the Kingdom; of the Prophesies of Scripture, especially of the prophesy of Daniel, and of the Revelation; Among whom I cannot forbear to Name Mr. meed, ●r. More, monsieur Jurieu, Dr. Burnet the most Worthy Master of the Charter-House, in that his Admirable late Theory of the New Heavens and the New Earth and of the Conflagration before it; and the just now appearing Dr. Cressener, besides many others of deserved Estimation. And I hope General Report does not deceive as general Expectation, and desire, that a most Judicious, and Learned Bishop is giving further Light to the Churches in so Grand a Point, as of the Apocalyptical prophesy so solemnly directed to them. Upon this Aceount then in subordination to that higher one of the Kingdom advanced so near its Appearance; the Book was Held open in the Hand of the Angel; viz. that Book of the Kingdom, commanded to be sealed, Dan. 12. 4. received sealed from the Hand of Him, that Sate on the Throne by the Lamb, Revel. 5. 7. Gradually opened c. 6. c. 7. and now shown Open in the Angels Hand. 4. The Reformation was at the Half Time or Morning of the Half day; There must be then in proportion to the Rising of our Lord the Third day, while It was yet dark, some motion to the Rising of the Witnesses; as we know hath come to pass, in the Protection, and Patronage of so many Eminent ministers of Christ; Preachers, and writers under puissant Princes, and States; who have secured them in the publication of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all the displays of Eloquence, Free Reason, and Admirable Learning in general; and also particularly detecting, and exposing the Frauds, the Cheats, the Impurities, the Irrationalities, the Unlearnednesses, as well as Antiscripturisms and Antichristianisms of the Roman apostasy. And They have not been only secured, but set in Honor, and had in Great Veneration, and Esteem; while their Enemies have even beholded it with Terror, though so much short of the Rising and Ascension of the Witnesses in a cloued, that shall be. And That there should be such a Beginning of the Witnesses Rising, The Three days, and Half do, as Types of it Absolutely, as I have shown, Require; For it is too poor, and private a design for Providence, to Confine so Great Events, as the Death, Exposal, and Rising of the Witnesses to so Stinted a Term, as Three Years, and a Half, neither more nor Less; only for the sake of Conformity to the Larger spaces of 1260 days 42 Months, and Three Times and a Half; Each determined to a Ternary, or Three and a Half; And It cannot be supposed without a particular designation of Providence, so vast, and so narrow spaces, as 1260 Years, and but Three Years and a Half should Chime so Exactly, not only in the three, but in the Halfs also; which would be much below the majesty, both of Providence and of prophesy to take care of; But the Prophetical Platform is very Great, if Expounded, as I have just now done. Further, as if there was an Eye of the Witnesses Coming out of their very Sackcloth, and that there was an Interruption of that Mournful prophesy, John is Commanded to prophesy again. And thus we have seen the Light, or Bright side of the Pillar, that hath Conducted us so far out of Spiritual Egypt; And It calls to mind the Coming of some of the Captivity from babylon with an offering of Gold to the House of the Lord, of which Zeck. 6 9. Crowns of both the Royalty, and of the Priesthood, to unite in the Great Melchisedeck, were made, and set on the Head of Joshua, the High Priest of that Time; and the Crowns were to Remain, as Memorials in the House of the Lord to those Offerers; though both the Priest-hood, and the Royalty were in a low Condition, until the coming of Christ in the Flesh, and his Ascention in the Spiritual Glory; and much longer, till the Appearance of both in the new Jerusalem. Even Thus, The coming of some Reformed Princes, and Churches out of Mystical babylon was honoured with these Types of the Kingdom, that Remain as Memorials in the Temple of this prophesy to them; though the Kingdom itself be not in it so much as its Finiture for Glory, till the End of the Half Time. And therefore still In Relation to that Half Time we are obliged to Consider the Dark side of the Pillar, whose Shade indeed Falls especially upon the Egyptions, the Resolved Votaries of Antichrist; and the mixed Multitude of the Reformation; and those of the Synagogue of Satan, who say, They are Jews, and best Reformed, but are not, but do lie; All which are purblind, and cannot see afar off, nor look to the Glory that is to be revealed; which is to them a Land that is very Far off, out of their Ken, and Belief: But alas, Even the Churches and Servants of Christ are Envelop'd, and covered, and Kept Low; waiting for that Glory, that is to be Revealed, and yet Hidden by the Courseness of the Remaining Time of Sackcloth; And they are Themselves too much in the dark by it, as to their own present State, and with regard to the Illustriousness of that which is so near to Ensue, and of which there are Generally so very small Sentiments. But indeed, If the Thing were to be considered only in Reason; It could not be supposed, that so Great a work, as the Reformation was; if measured, and compared with the State of the Papacy, and that Thick, and Vast Picce of Night before it; should be left so Imperfect by Christ Jesus the Truly Chief Bishop, and shepherd of his Church, as also the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, and more especially, when we duly observe the stout Resistance, and Vehement Motion, That Anti, christian Policy both in the Beast, or Papacy itself, as also by the Remainder of the Ten Kings hath made to a self Restitution; the Great Effect of an Impenitency, that is Represented like that of Pharoahs, and which is raised up, made to stand up, as a Rock against God; and that maintins to the Last an Antitypy or Repercussion, and bold Resistance to the very Plagues and Vials powered out; and therefore may well be understood to Resist the Reformation, as Jannes and Jambres did Moses before the Plagues themselves, that followed: But what Reason then have we to expect, that God will not give over, till he hath Cast that Beast and its Rider into the read Sea of the Everlasting Burnings; and till babylon and the Papacy that carries her, sink as a ston, and as led into the Lake of Fire? and till He also bring his Servants of the Reformation into that purity, and perfection of it, to sing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, and to behold the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony opened in Heaven. But yet in the mean Time, and for that little Remaining space of the 180 Days, or Half Time and day, It is our Duty to Humble ourselves to behold the Reformation, as It Bears the Types of the Kingdom of Christ in Retirement, and Estoppage according to this Vision. But because, This is a very Nice, and Tender point, and I am most sensible of it; Least I should Offend against the Generation of The Righteous, while yet I present the truth of things agreeable with the Divine-Oracles; and with a due Regard to the Reformation of the Reformation assured to us; I will heedfully; 1. Lay down together; as in a Table the Types of the Kingdom in Estoppage, as they are found in this Vision: 2. I will search out for a Correspondent Representation of the Reformation in the Vision of the Churches; having first Argued It ought to be so done: 3. I will Endeaver to Argue both according to this Vision, and according to the Vision of the Churches, that the Kingdom of Christ is, even in the Reformation, under a Suspension, till the End of Half Time, and the Fuller Rising of the Witnesses; on which the Finishing of the Seventh Trumpet shall Immediately press on: And least as I say I should Offend against, or Condemn the Generation of Gods Children, I will be careful to balance the Remaining virtue of each Type of the Kingdom of Christ in Appearance( which sustains the Reformation to be the Reformation still; notwithstanding that Estoppage) with the Types of the Kingdom of Christ in Estoppage; and this I will Endeavour in the Arguing on each Type of Estoppage, to do, that no shade may be without its Light. 1. The Types of Estoppage are. 1. The Kingdom Appearing, yet not in its Succession. 2. The Thunders Words sealed. 3. The Open Book enclosed in the Prophets Bowels, with which is to be joined. 4. The Commission to prophesy again. 2. That there are Churches among the Apocalyptical Septenary, or Seven of Churches, that Bear a Parallel Symbol of the Reformation with this Vision, is next to be argued. And the Arguments I shall Insist upon, are these Two. Argum. 1. If the Seven Churches are a First Tome of this prophesy of the Revelation, which Runs along with the After Visions, both in Time, and in the Brief Character of each Time, with strict Relation to the Church of Christ; Then certainly the Reformation that is so peculiar a Concern to the Church of Christ, and that hath so particular a Visson, as hath been Insisted, must have a Resemblance in those Churches. And that the Churches are such a First Tome, I very Briefly Argue, Because It is not the Proper Business of this place. 1. There are Two distinct notes prefixed to Each, that are not Found in the whole prophesy besides. 1. The Voice of a Trumpet Talking, or Speaking singly, and Solely to the Atocalyptical Apostle. 2. His Being in the Spirit; Both these we Find first before the Vision of the Churches, c. 1. 10. and so before the Vision of the sealed Book, c. 4. 1. 2. And neither of them are found any more, either together, or so much as single in the whole prophesy after. The Excellent Mr. meed Endevor'd, but very Succeslesly, to have found the Trumpet Speaking to John in the Vision, c. 10. 8. and therefore would have supplied the words ( as of a Trumpet) to the Text, that have no shade in it; Reading thus, And the Voice which I heard from Heaven as of a Trumpet again spoken to me, and said, Take the Book, &c. And if so, There had yet wanted the other note of distinction, viz. of the Apostles being in the Spirit; But indeed his whole Foundation is mistaken. For neither doth the Book prophesy begin here; as shall presently Appear; Nor does the Voice from Heaven Refer so far off, but very Close; For the Voice from Heaven in this very same Vision, c 10. v. 4. Bid him first Seal the Thunders; Then, as of the same design, It again Bids him Take the Book, and Eat it, v. 8. I confess it is wonderful, that that Admirable Apocalyptic Interpreter, to whom God gave to see so much, did not see this; But God gives, as he pleases; Blessed be his name for All. Here then are the Two Tomes of prophesy; The Church-Prophecy; And the Book-Prophecy, beginning in the Seals, and going on to the end; Mr. meed excellently divined at Two Apocalyptical Tomes, and one of the Book-Prophecy; but did not rightly fix on the Two; missing the first, and misplacing the second. Now if these Two, the Churches and the sealed Book are only Two distinct Visions, and not two Tomes of prophesy, why are these Two peculiar Notes found here, and no where else? And if the Churches were not Prophetic, why are All the Prophetic Solemnities placed upon them? 2. There is great reason, the Vision of the Churches should be Prophetic; For seeing the Kingdom of Christ is a General Assembly and Church of the first Born, and a Sanctuary cleansed; And also a Church enfolded in a Dominion given under the whole Heaven; There is Reason, so great a prophesy should have Types suitable to each; So that the first Tome is strictly the prophesy of the Kingdom, under the Type of the Churches separately; and the latter is the Book prophesy of the State of the Kingdom of Christ, under the Type of Empire, but always Inclusive of the State of his Church within it. Argum. 2. The Agreement betwixt the Symbols of some of the Churches, and of the Reformation in this Visiom so admirable as we shall find Argues a Parallel. If then the Churches run along with the prophesy, They are to be distributed into these four Classes, or Ranks of Time. 1. Before the apostasy, and Beastian Kingdom; And those Churches are Ephesus, 1. As in its pure Apostolic State, when the Voice of the Gospel was as Thunder in the Opening of the First seal: 2. As Gradually it Lost its first Love, by the First workings of the Mystery of Iniquity. And the Church of Smyrna, when it summed up the Christian Martyrdoms under the Pagan Emperors, and then receive▪ d the Crown of Life in an Emblem under the Christian Empire; but all its Time the Mystery of Iniquity was Rising to a more Authoritative Synagogue of satan. 2. The Churches under the apostasy, or the Churches of the Witnesses; Pergamus, under the entire Night-piece of the Time, and Two Times of the Beastian Kingdom; or of Balaam and Balac the Beast, and his Hierarchy the False Prophet, and the Ten Kings; when the true Church could not make a Separation, but Had Them of Balam: And Thyatyra, that is under a necessity to suffer the Jezebelian Idolatrous Church, because of the Potish Princes to this very day, ruling over them, and too often with great Tyranny; and so shall continue more, or less till the end of the 1260 days, or Time, even Half Time, be in Absolute sense no more, but the Witnesses fully Rise. 3. The Churches under the Vision of the Reformation; where the Princes have Renunciated to the Beast, and his Usurpataion. And they are Sardis, and Philadelphia; Philadelphia first in a low state, when it hath small strength; and many would shut its door that Christ had set open to it, before the Succession of the Kingdom of Christ; and then the Higher state of Philadelphia, when They of the Synagogue of satan shall worship at its Feet; that is, all Churches shall fall into Union with it; and the New Jerusalem comes down upon it. 4. The Church of Laodicea is Admirably Adjusted to the Little Time of satan loosed, as were it not out of the proper Bounds of this prophesy, and so of this discourse, reaching onely to the Thousand Years, might be made out. And thus far I have laid the general Ground-work of discourse on the Types, from which we are to judge of the Suspension of the Kingdom of Christ during this low state of the Reformation. I come therefore in the third place to argue upon this Foundation the Kingdom of Christ in a Suspension. Argum. 1. I Argue first from the Types of the Angels Appearance, as if the Kingdom of Christ was just then breaking out in Glory; But it is most evident, that these Types are not Types, that imported a Kingdom of Christ in any more then a pre-appearance in this Vision; This is most express in prophesy. For this Vision is plainly before the Seventh Trumpet, as I have beyond Contradiction proved from the Notes of Estoppage of Finishing, which is to be in the days of that Trumpet; But it is the Seventh Trumpet, in which the Succession is proclaimed; Then it is c. 11. 15. that there are heard Loud Voices in Heaven, Saying, The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ; and not before. These Types of Glory are therefore Types of the Kingdom, as it shall be in the days of the Seventh Trumpet, not as now in the Reformation: These Types therefore wait the Seventh Trumpet for their compliment, and are not yet come into Act, and Life; How then stands the Estoppage? Why, we are to consider, what it is, the Kingdom of Christ hath its Succession to; and as hath been already declared; It is to the Feet of Iron and to the Feet of day, or to the Ten warlike Kings, and to the Papacy, and its Hierarchy. As to the first, the Feet of Iron; The Kingdom of Christ hath certainly yet had no Succession, where the Princes, and States have not yet withdrawn their Kingdom and Power from the Beast: But under all such Powers according to the Types of the Church, the Church of Thyatyra is forc▪ d to suffer Jezebel, and is therefore so highly commended for its Service, and Patience, or Suffering, as well as Faith and Charity; and while it is reproved in a Type for suffering Jezebel, yet the Fate of that Idolatrous Queen,( if I may so speak) is related to it; And it hath no other Burden put upon it but to Hold fast, till Christ comes in his Kingdom; and its Last works are Foretold to be Greater, then the First; viz. in the First Reformation; That it shall with Christ Rule the Nations with a Rod of Iron, and see the Morning star of his Kingdom. It is no wonder therefore, that so many of the Servants of Christ have been under so great Tyranny; as not long since in Hungary, in France, in the Savoy yet continuing; in Ireland heretofore; and now, under the Inquisition in Italy, Spain, and other places: Thus It ought to be more or less, that prophesy might be fulfil▪ d; until the Witnesses fully Rise and Ascend, and the Tenth, the Hicrolyphic of the Great City, fall by the rest of the Ten Kings falling off from it, But yet from them, we are now to expect Greater works for the Kingdom of Christ, then even those, when Princes and States and Churches with them first flung off the Yoke of Antichrist. In those Kingdoms, Nations, and States where the Whore is Hated; It must with all Reverence, Honour, Fear and duty to the Supreme and Subordinate Powers over them, as Beloved, and Partakers of the Benefit be yet acknowledged; The Glory of Christ does not shine out in their Government, as It shall do at the end of Half Time; All Men now seek their own, and not the Things of Jesus Christ; The Philadelphian State most valued by Christ hath little strength from them; that is, only so far, as they with it are separated from Rome; But at the Half Time ended and in the Succession of Christ Kingdom, Even Princes, their Nobles, Chief counsellors and Ministers of State shall seek to Christ, as their Sovereign Lord; and in Spirit as David did his Son, Call him Lord, and not only at the Low Rate of present profession; The power of Christianity shall be the Highest Loyalty, Honor, and Interest. But now in balance to this, and to give the Light with the shade; As when the Manly Birth was Caught up to the Throne of God, The Name of Christ became Imperial, and however wrapped up in Antichristianism could never, shall never be deposed; so in the Protestant Kingdoms and States Repriz'd from Antichrist, There shall be no Reversal of those Royal Appearances in this Vision. And I am most assured, Our late King James stumbled at this Rock of Offence, viz. A design of Refunding his Kingdoms to the Be●st, which had so often Avowed their Princes under God, and Christ, Supreme Governors; and on which according to the Types of this Vision, Christ had in Token of his Right set his Right and his Lest Foot. Intentions therefore made so manifest by that crwoned Head, so contrary to this Appearing Kingdom of Christ were so vindicated, as by an Immediate Hand from Heaven; as we have seen; In which Light of prophesy, It were much to be desired, All the Conscientiously dissatisfied might behold the present Juncture. And yet all this notwithstanding, It is Evident; The Kingdom of Christ is in Abatement, even in Relation to the Reformed Powers; For were but one of them Inspir▪ d with that very Magnanimity, where with the Kingdom of Christ in its Succession shall Inform them All; He would be as David, and David as an Angel of God, so that all the Popish Force in the World should not be able to stand before him: But It is the want of the truly Philadelphian Spirit, and an Eye to him, that hath the Key of David, that keeps the Reformed States Low: So much of the Sardian Glory, of this Worlds policy, and small Regard to the Kingdom of Christ, Hangs yet upon them; yet even this shade hath its Light, in order to that Glory that is to come; There are Undefiled Names in Sardis, that shall walk with Christ in White with those Armies of Heaven; Although they are yet but Low; And especially the Philadelphian State is drawing near, when the more defiled State of Sardianism shall be Reformed also. I come now to the Second part of the Beastian Kingdom, to which the Kingdom of Christ is to succeed; and that is, the Feet of day; the Cadinals and other parts of the Roman Hierarchy, or the False Prophetism; the falsely called Spiritual Powers, undivided from the Beast, the Spiritual Emperor, or Caesar in an Image; For the making of which Image by the Inhabitants of the Earth, the other Beast, who is also the False Prophet, wrought Miracles before the Grand Beast: as Appears by Revel. 13. 11, &c. compared with Revil. 19. 20. Now this Hierarchy is; being interpnted, or by Interpretation; Holy Rule, or Dominion derived from, and of the same nature, and Blasphemous Cognomination, as his Holiness the Pope; And we know, the Reformation hath not yet brought forth the Kingdom of Christ in Succession; Because This Hierarchy hath place in so many of the Ten Kingdoms at this day, and is putting in practise the Depths of Satan in his now Ancient Kingdom against Thyatyra, or the Protestant Churches under Popish Princes; and as far further as it can Reach in despite of the Reformation. But Blessed be God,( which enlightens this shade) we have seen the Counsels of them, who work so deep as it were, to hid them from the Lord, esteemed as the Potters day, easily turned into another Mould; And so it shall be, till the Beast, and his False Prophet the Hierarchy are taken, and Cast into the Lake together. But we must further yet examine, how far even the Reformed Church-Power, or Holy Rule is in Abatement of the Kingdom of Christ; and that even in regard of that, It plainly Appears, It cannot be yet in Succession. Now this Point of discourse will, I foresee, launch immediately into a deep Consideration of the Prophetic Figures of the Churches, and so into the present State of the Reformed Churches under the Princes of the Reformation. Here especially therefore, I would be most tender, and cautious of Offending against any of the Generation of the Reformed; I will therefore keep most close to the Symbols of prophesy; and by laying them together, or comparing Spiritual Things with Spiritual, endeavour to find the just Standard of the Sanctuary; without set Aplication to any particular Orders, or Names of Men, as the prophesy speaks; But where the Application will seem obvious of itself; I must Humbly, and Earnestly Beg, Respect may be had to the dust and Guidance of prophesy, and not to the mean and unworthy Expositor; who is sincere from all design and Intention of Offending. To come then to that, which is Truly the Intention, and design; that is, to find out the mind, and judgement of prophesy concerning the present state of the Reformation; that we may with all Humility compose ourselves to what is most Approved by it: These following Remarks are to be duly weighed, arising from a Collation of the Types of Estoppage of the Kingdom of Christ as given in the foregoing Table of them. 1. The Kingdom of Christ makes its way by the Seven Thunders: For immediately, as out of the Open Book and the Cry of the Gloriously Appearing Angel, Symbols of his Kingdom Appearing, Seven Thunders utter their Voices, or speak their Voices. 2. The Thunders had as it were a general, and unform'd sound, and Articulate, and distinct words. For there were the Voices of the Thunders, and the Things, the Thunders spake; which John was about to writ, and was Commanded not to writ but to Seal. 3. When the Kingdom of Christ was Estopp'd in the Appearances; the first thing that was done by way of Estoppage, was the Sealing of the Thunders; For the Book as enclosed, and retired into secrecy is transposed out of its order; It was seen Open before the Thunders spake; But it is enclosed after the Thunders sealed, and after the Oath; Intimating, how long they should be sealed; even till the days of the Seventh Angel sounding, and then no longer; For then Finishing ensued: Now this order teaches us, when the Book was open, the Services of the Thunders were required; But when the Services of the Thunders were suspended; The Book must have also a Co-Temporary enclosure, and prophesy be continued so long also; as shall after be further cleared, as to the reason of it, Fundamentally resting in the Book, and declaratively( and so consequentially) in the Thunders sealed. 4. The Thunders must needs be reserved under their Seals till the Seventh Trumpet, when the Mystery or Kingdom shall be in Finishing; For because the Kingdom made an Appearance, They spake, or Uttered their Voices; But because Finishing should not be till the Seventh Trumpet, They were sealed; So their service attends Finishing. 5. Seeing then, as I have argued, the Churches are Co-Temporary, and run along with the whole prophesy; In whatever Church State of the Reformation we find Finishing, there the Thunders must have had the fullest effect, when they did utter their Voices, though what they distinctly spake, was after sealed; and in that Church state also they must be unsealed, because there Finishing is to be. 6. The Church of the Reformation, that bears the most clear and evident Characters of Finishing the Mystery in the Sanctuary cleans▪ d, and of the Kingdom of Christ, is the Philadelphian Church; For that hath a Door opened to it by the Key of David, that cannot be shut: That hath a Crown; That hath above all, the Names, saith Christ, of my God, and of the New Jerusalem the City of my God, that cometh down from my God out of Heaven, and my new Name. All which we know are found in the ultimate Finishing of the Mysteuy, c. ●9. cap. 21. c. 22. It is true indeed, the Overcomers, of every Church have promises derived from the New Jerusalem state; but none so High and Orient, or so Intimately conjoined with the Church state itself, as Philadelph; as were it not too long for the present purpose might be made out, though very visible of itself. 7. Seeing the Thunders are so serviceable to the Kingdom; The Church of the Reformation of the clearest, and most unbalm'd Acceptance with Christ, must have most of the power of the Thunders. Now Thyatyra is blamed, tho' only in Type, for suffering Jezebel; showing it was not, nor would be of that Mighty virtue, Elevation and Power as to cast her quiter out; while oppressed by Popish Princes; though it separated from it; Because the Time was not yet come, else it had been not a small, but a great thing against it; Its last works would yet be greater towards Jezebels casting out, then of the first Reformation; which last works so great are therefore to be expected suddenly from among those Reformed Churches, though yet they are suffering under Popish Powers. And then All Thyatyra shall fall into the Philadelphian Church, having held fast, what it had till the coming of Christ, that is till the succession of his Kingdom: The Church of Sardis is, except in the undefiled Names blamed throughout. The Philadelphian Church is alone Illustrated with the un-allayed Commendations of Christ vouchsafed to it; That then must have most of the Thunders. 8. Seeing what words the Thunders spake were sealed, there must needs be a lower, and a higher state, even of the Philadelphian Church; a lower, while the Thunders words are sealed; a higher, when they are unsealed; some things therefore in the Character of Philadelphia speak it in a state of conflict, viz. till the Seventh Trumpet and the succession of Christs Kingdom; Some things speak it in a state of Exaltation, as in that Kingdom in its Succession; and as of the Witnesses rising on Mount Sion, and the Thunders fully unsealed. 9. The Sardian so imperfect, or Faded state of, and in the Reformation, does, as it must, and according to this Frame of things ought, show, that the Thunders did not make the due dint, and Impression upon it, as we shall see. 10. The Impression of the Sardian state, will be best understood by the opposition, it carries to the Graces of the Philadelphian state, even now in its Conflict; And so the undefiled Names of the Church of Sardis may be also understood by their Agreement with the Graces of the Philadelphian Church; Because it is so much the Pattern. 11. These things are strictly, and critically to be applied to the Church-states, and not to particular persons; but as they are vitally inspired by the Truly Philadelphian graces; or deeply, and viciously immersed in the Sardian defilements; For there may be Hypocrites even in the Philadelphian, and there may be in the Sardian Church overcomers, that surmount the state, wherein they are involved, in Holiness, and in the virtues of the Thunders upon their Hearts, and Lives, as I may be allowed here to speak. For though all these Types of prophesy are to be stripped out of the Ciphar, and Figure, into plain practical Truths, and documents by our Minds; yet in discourses upon them, It is very decent to speak according to the Laws of Prophetical Iconism, and Imagery; as leading to those spiritual senses included in them. 12. The Kingdom of Christ making its way by mighty powers of Truth, symbol'd by these Thunders sounds; And these Thunders having been used by God to produce the Reformed Churches; and of several Elevations according to the deeper dints, and Impressions, or participation of these Thunders in their general, only, or particular distinct sounds; All this having been already laid down, it may be very necessary that we may judge the better of the state of the Reformed Churches to consider, and Contemplate these Thunders in their most distinct, and Articulate speakings: For it is certain, tho' they were sealed in this Vision, yet they are to be found in a Vision of this prophesy under the Sevenih Trumpet, that is to Finish to the Kingdom of Christ in Glory. And further, there are some things in them, that are to be aspired to by the Churches of the Reformation now; Tho' there are others to be waited and prayed for at the end of the Half Time, or at that Seventh Trumpet; By a very brief prospect over them as they lie before us, c. 14. I shall therefore so Represent them. Thunder 1. The first Thunder is, the, as it were, new Song played, or Harped to the 144000, or the Witnesses appearing v. 1, &c. on Mount Zion with the Fathers Name on their Foreheads. Now this Song, because it is only, as a New song is to be understood, as the highest Key of Gospel Truth, even that great Song of Redemption; For it was learned by the Redeemed from the Earth; who are in the purest, and most separate state from the apostasy; For they are Virgins, not defiled with women, the Symbol of the Whoredoms of Babylon; They are resigned up perfectly to thc Lamb; Following him, wherever he goes; They are redeemed from among men, from the common state of Mankind; and are the first Fruits to God, and to the Lamb; that is the Philadelphian state in its height; before the New Jerusalem comes down upon it; and there is no Guile, no Antichristian falsehood in their Mouths, but they are without any blame before Gods Throne; This is the highest Philadelphian state of the Reformation reformed; at the Rising of the Witnesses, at the end of Half Time, and of the 1260 days, when the Thunders shall be unsealed; This state indeed cannot be attained yet; But the greatest participations of it are in the present Philadelphian state, and yet in every thing possible, it is to be aspired to by all the reformed. Thund. 2. The second Thunder, or Loud voice is of that new v. 6. mission, that is to communicate men with the Everlasting Gospel: or which is the same though in other words with the Mystery, viz. the Kingdom of Christ, which God Evangeliz'd, or Gospel'd by all the Prophets now in Finishing; and with the duties of fearing God, who is the Creator of the universe, that was first cantoned out by the Pagans to several Deities; then by the Antichristians to several Saints; This New mission we are not able to erect, but he will instruct it, when the Time appointed by him comes: Yet herein also we are to make the nearest Approach we can. To show an order of Voices or Thunders, This, though the first Angel is called Another: Because it was Another, or the second Voice, though the first Angel. Thund. 3. conjoined with this universal Preacher is the v. 8. second Angel proclaiming Babylon fallen, even that Babylon, that at that Time reigned over the Kings of the Earth, and is born up by the Papacy to this day; This is then to be spoken with a full Voice, which many reformed have been scrupulous hitherto in declaring; But then it shall be pronounced with the Voice of Thunder, and it is united, as it were in one, with the Voice of the Everlasting Gospel; that the Hour of his judgement, or Government is come; Because if Babylon had not been fallen, the Hour of his Kingdom could not have been come; For the Kingdom of Christ waits for that fourth Monarchy, and its Babylon falling. And because the Half Time was ended and Christ had sworn, there should be no more Time, but that Half Time expiring; therefore Babylon must needs have fallen in its principality: And this is a doctrine, wherein the Reformation must needs be in a great measure clear; That Antichristian Rome is Babylon, because of the high separation from it; Yet it needs more clear Elocution; That Babylon is actually fallen, needs the Confirmation of this Thunder unsealed, e're it can be so said; The Voice therefore of this Angel comes in, as a Reason, why the hour of his judgement or Kingdom is come, because Babylon is fallen; This Thunder then issues out of the fall of that Tenth of the Great City fallen; that is, the Hierogliphic of the whole Fallen, and from the Loud voices of the seventh Trumpet; The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ; and till this Trumpet, the Philadelphian Church arises not into its own height. Thund. 4. Immediately upon the Fall of the City,( the Third v. 9. Angel Expresses a certain order, Another and Another, and a Third making a Fourth) For the First Another, must have one before it of the same kind; not Angel, but Voice or Thunder Unseal'd; And this Fourth Voice Denounces the Dreadfulness of the judgement upon the Worshippors of the Beast. The Beast that Carries the City, and the City cannot be divided; and so one follows Close on the other: But the Doctrine of this Thunder did not now begin to be true, But in the opening of these Thunders It is now first fully proclaimed; And the whole state of things, which cannot now, shall then Proclaim it; Yet it had been declared; Those who wonder after the Beast, and worship his Image, had not their Names written in the Lambs Book of Life; and to the same purpose, all along the prophesy, we meet with Instructions of their danger, and Doom. Thund. 5. The Fifth Voice from Heaven, of Thunder, Teaches the Blessedness of the First Resurrection; Concerning v. 13. which, the Spirit( in a parenthesis) says; It is just now at Hand or from hence forth according to Revel. 20. Even of all the Dead in Christ, whom God will bring with Him, 1. Thess. 4. 14. Thund. 6. The Sixth is an Earnest Supplication to the crwoned Lord of the Harvest for the Reaping the Earth, or Gathering v. 15. the whole Harvest of the World by the Abundance of the Jews and of the Gentiles Converted; And this Petition is declared Heard, and Answered; For the Earth was reaped; which shows the mighty power of this Thunder Unseal'd. 7. Thund. The last dreadful Thunder is the Treading of the v. 18. winepress of the wrath of Almighty God in vengeance on his Enemies; Their Wine and Clusters are of Sodom, and their Grapes the Grapes of Gomorrah; according to that Ancient prophesy of Moses. Deut. 32. 32, These Three last Thunders call for Earnest prayers, and free Supplications; which is all we can do, and the more we do so, the Higher we are in the Reformation; but however till these Thurnders are in action, the Kingdom of Christ is Estop'd. Now in these Thunders sealed; It is most Evident, the Kingdom of Christ must be under Suspension; For seeing Christs Kingdom mov's not by outward Force, or at least not by outward Force Alone, but by the mighty power of Divine Truth; How can it be otherwise, but that while such mighty and wonderful Truths, and Concernments of his Kingdom, as these were restrained in the Sealed Thunders; the Kingdom must be Estop'd; And when these Thunders are opened; The Kingdom cannot but be in its mighty Activity of Succession, and in order to its Glory: And with a Fore-sight of this mighty Voice of God in the power of Truth to be Resembled by Thunders, I cannot but think; David in a whole Psalm, Celebrates Psal. 29. Thunders, as the Voice of God in many mighty Effects. Having thus fully remarked on the Types of the Thunders, I now come in the second place in due order to consider the Church-State in the Reformation, Succeeding the Feet of day; and that more particularly under Reformed Princes, and States; according to the second Type, joined with the Third; that is, the Book, that was Open in the Hand of the Angel, and after retired, and enclosed; and thereupon a Commission to prophesy again; And therein I am to show, that in it there is a clear Signification; The Reformation is but in an Imperfect State, as yet: and that It shall certainly at the End of Half Time, be, as it were a new Reformation. The Type of the Book is therefore diligently to be considered; For it is the Book of the Kingdom sealed at the Death of Christ, when Vision, and prophesy were sealed: The seals were Gradually opened under the Pagan Emperors by the Blood of the Lamb, by the word of his Testimony, by his Saints not Loving their Lives unto Death, as hath been already Discoursed: and the Seals were all Unsealed in the Christian Empire, when the Kingdom of o●r God came into Appearance. But then the whole Course of the Six Trumpets, and of the Antichristian State, which were Lamentation, Mourning, and Woe, were written in it, within, and without, as in Ezekiels Roll; All which were to have their Course, before It opened into the Kingdom. At the Morning of the Half Time, There remained nothing written, but the Remaining part of the Witnesses Sackcloth prophesy; before the Kingdom of Christ would be in Succession by the Witnesses Rising, and its Grand Concurrents, at the Seventh Trumpet Sounding, when the Book would be fully Open: So near therefore to the Fulfilling of all things written in the Book, and at the Remaining of none of the Time, Times, or so much as Half Time Entire; The Angel had the Book Open in his Hand. And as it were out of the Book, wherein the Kingdom was written, He makes the Loud Cry of that his Kingdom, as the lion of the Tribe of Judah; and so out of that Cry from that Book, the Thunders derived the things, They spoken in order to that Kingdom; The Kingdom and the Book of the Kingdom being always the same. But when the Thunders words, as they are called, Dan. 12. 9. and in this prophesy( The things which they spake) were Commanded to be sealed; which was the first stay of the Kingdom, after this its Appearance; And when the Angel had Sworn the utmost Time of this Estoppage viz. Till the Seventh Trumpet; Then the Book itself, from whence the Thunders were taken by the Mediation of the Angels Cry, was conveyed into Secrecy also; And this Secrecy was the Belly of the Prophet; And a Commission was given to prophesy again, with this Express signification; John sustaining the person of the Witnesses, whose History of whole prophesy for 1260 days immediately ensued, ought to prophesy again; viz. In regard of the Remaining part of the 1260 days, or Half Time. And so this was to signify; The Time of the delay of the Kingdom was during the Remainder of the Witnesses prophesy, and so during the Remainder of the 1260 days; and so the Book concealed, and prophesy out of, or according to it continue together, till they Open in the Witnesses Rising, and Ascension just before the Seventh Trumpet; And then the Kingdom of Christ is in its Succession, so prophesy ceases in Finishing; and the Book of the Kingdom, and the Kingdom open together by the Witnesses open and Unsealed Testimony, and Ministration of the Thunders Unsealed also; when the 144000 Appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion. This is the true History of the Sealed Book, become as in Symbol a Little Book in this Vision, by so much being fulfilled; which Book in the Seals of it, in the things written in it, within, and without, are of the same measure with the whole Apocelyptick prophesy; But the Kingdom being so near at the Reformation, it was held Open, and then enclosed; At the Succession of the Kingdom of Christ, It shall be fully Open, and so lie Open for Ever. And thus there is indeed the Book prophesy distinct from the Church prophesy; But it must needs begin at the Seals; For the Opened Seals were Essential to the Kingdom, so to the Book of the Kingdom, and so to the prophesy of the Kingdom according to the Book: And there can be no difference between the Book; c. 5. and c. 10. Except itis being called a Little Book, which is no difference, but most Agreeable to the Symbol of so much of it fulfilled, as was just now noted; So the remainder was Little. Now that which will Redound to us from this Type of the Book Open, and then enclosed, as in Relation to the Kingdom of Christ; is. 1. That there was a necessity of the Sealing the Thunders; For such mighty powers of the World to come, in the display of themselves, must needs have brought forth the Kingdom of Christ; which is the World to come; If they had not been sealed. But because, there was yet so much written in the Book to be accomplished in order to that Kingdom; The Book could not be opened, as fulfilled in that Grand Effect. But it was still to be committed to prophesy, as was figured by the Prophets Eating it, and finding it Bitter in his Belly; Therefore the Thunders must needs be sealed for that Time also. Hence it follows; This state of the Reformation cannot be the Kingdom of Christ in its Succession, nor can be Capable of the High Actuation of the powers of it; The Thunders cannot be in their Operation, or at work, because the Kingdom of Christ cannot yet come. 2. Those Witnesses of the Church of Thyatyra, or of the Reformed Churches under the Popish Princes, yet united with the Feet of day, cannot but be in Sackcloth, and not Risen; For the Kingdom of Christ hath no Appearance of Succession there; Though in those Reformed Churches mighty powers of the Thunders first Speaking still show forth themselves. But what the Thunders then spake, hath been ever since so sealed, and shall be; That they cannot prevail, as they did at the first Reformation; But as if the Thunders were to open again first among them; Their last works are to be expected Greater than the First, as Christ hath Fore-tol'd: As yet then they are under a necessity to suffer Jezebel, which they shall not then be. All which hath been before Intimated, but is hereby in this Reason of it further explained. 3. There cannot be even in the best Reformed Churches, and under the most reformed Prince, Princes, or States, such a perfection of the Reformation, as should bring the Kingdom of Christ into a Succession among them; For if it were so in Succession in one place, It would immediately spread every where; whereby we know, It is not so in Succession any where; And because the Book is so enclosed, as not fulfilled, and the Thunders thereupon sealed, we know, it cannot be so. 4. So much of the Kingdom of Christ, as appears in the Reformation, or of the Enjoyment of the Gospel, is to all the servants of Christ, as the Book sweet in the Mouth; But what is wanting, is as the Book bitter in the Belly; whether in Regard of Remaining Darkness, and Impurity; or in Regard of Afffliction, and Remaining Sackcloth; All which causes a High value, of what they enjoy; And earnest Faith, Hope, and Prayer, for what they want, are in Action. 5. By way of Allusion, It may be added; The Book Hidden in the Prophets Belly shows, how little prophesy would be understood, during the Sealed Thunders; And that those whom God inclines, and Enables to red, find a Sweetness in the Mouth, or in declaring, what they have found; But in regard of the unwelcome Reception by Hearers, It Returs, as not well entertained, with Bitterness into their own bosoms. But I offer this only by way of Allusion; For the second Thunder, first speaking and then sealed, gives the most substantial Reason; why prophesy is either so well, or no better red, or Heard; Even because, that Thunder did speak, there hath been since the Reformation all along, some light Concerning this Kingdom, and the Prophecies of it; But it is no greater a light; Because That new Mission of prophesy, of that Excellent order of the Everlasting Gospel, is not yet gone out, or the Book open in the Succession of the Kingdom; All which shallcome to pass in its own Season, and that very shortly, to enlighten this shade. And so I come to the last point of judgement upon the Reformation by its Types, viz. By an Inspection into the Types of the Churches of the Reformation, under Reformed Princes also; which as I have before laid down, are Sardi● and Philadelphia; wherein it will appear the Kingdom of Christ is under Suspension and Estoppage, even by the compare of these Two Churches. Now It is most Evident by this prophesy, and by all other prophesy; The Kingdom of Christ consists in two things, 1. All Purity, holiness; Spirituality, Heavenlyness, as the intrinsic, or inward Form, Spirit, and Constitution of it; and 2. In an Illustrious Appearance of Happiness, peace, and Visible Greatness, and Excellency, as the outward Attendant Glory. If then, and so long as these two stand divided; and that there is the greatest outward Appearance of power and Lustre, where there is least of Inward purity, and spirituality; and most Inward purity, and Spirituality, where there is least outward power and Lustre; So long we may know, the Kingdom of Christ is under a Suspension, and Abatement; Even although It hath made some Appearance. Thus It was during the Pagan Empire; There were High measures of purity, and of the power of the Gospel, but then the outward Appearance was dark, Gloomy, and under suffering, and Persecution; The Kingdom of Christ is therefore Represented under Seals. And till those Seals were opened, It could not Appear. In the Christian Empire, the Seals were Opened, and the Church having an outward Glory in that Imperial State, and the apostasy not yet Risen to a Throne; The Kingdam of our God is said to be Come, viz. only in an Emblem of itself; not as it then was, but as it shall Come; But because the apostasy was now Risen to a Synagogue of Satan, and that the Church was taking its Flight into the Wilderness, therefore the Kingdom of Christ was under an Estoppage for Twelve Hundred and Sixty Days; and Antichrist surprised the outward Glory( so far as it appeared) without the purity, and Spirituality; And so eclipsed the Kingdom of Christ by his foul Corruptions of Christian Religion. Thus in the Reformation, there being an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ in the power of Truth, breaking out by the Thunders; and the Princes of the Reformatlon Giving some degrees of outward Glory, and peace to it; tho' far below, what shall shine outwith the Kingdom of Christ itself; we shall find by these two Churches Types, how the Estoppage arises; The Supreme, and Infinitely holy Cause is; That Jesus Christ will not bring forth his Kingdom, till the full end of Half Time, and till all written in the Book be accomplished for it; But the defective, or sinful Cause is to be found in the Churches themselves; that is, as not prepared, nor rising high enough in the power of Truth: as in Thyatyra, or the Reformed Churches under Popish Princes, it was a Sin of Infirmity to suffer Jezebel; and under Reformed Princes, there is a Type of Reformed Churches, that loose the high Spirit of the Thunders in the Reformation; a sin of a much higher degree, and therefore not call▪ d, a Little Thing; yet that Christ will visit in the mercy of a further Reformation, and not in wrath, as upon the apostasy, as we shall see presently. And these two so different Causes concurring, we may plainly see, how the Kingdom of Christ is stayed from its glory; Even when the Princes, and the Churches are both reformed: For Philadelphia, that hath evidently the greatest Symbols of Purity, and of the power of Truth, and so of the Thunders, hath least of outward glory, and peace; For it hath least strength or Protection from Princes; and there appears a Synagogue, tho' not a Throne of satan, that would shut its door, that Christ had opened to it; And it keeps the word of Christs patience, showing, it is in a low and depressed estate, even as the Kingdom of Christ yet is, in the world. On the other side Sardi●, that had least of the power of Truth, had most of outward Glory. And to make this the more Apparent, it is added in Sardis; The Undefiled Names in it were, not only Few, but Small, as the word Imports. Here then is the state of the Suspension of the Kingdom of Christ in the Reformation; Either there is more of the power of the Kingdom of Christ, as in Philadelphia, and the Undefiled names of Sardis, and less of outward splendour, and strength; through disinclination of Reformed Princes, very low in the truly Philadelphian Spirit, and too prove to the Sardian; Or there is more of outward splendour and strength, but less of the power of Truth, and purity by having Forgotten the things, the Thunders spake at the first Reformation, as in Sardis: and either way there must be a stop upon the Kingdom of Christ; which consists in the Abundance of Truth, and Peace, of Righteousness, and of Glory, Psal. 85. 8. &c. Let us then set these Two Churches, as in the the Types given here by prophesy, in Parallels opposite one to the other; and then let us in our minds compare them with the Churches of the Reformation, we know by experience now in the world; and after argue by reason upon them, that we may know, what keeps the Kingdom of Christ under Estoppage, as it is to succeed the Feet of day, or the Antichristian Hierarchy. Philadelphia, Revel. 3. 7. Sardis, Revel. 3. 1. The Type of Reformed Churches, under Reformed Powers, Highest in the power of the Thunders, of Gospel Truth, and Purity; tho' lowest in outward strength, and splendour. The Type of the Churches of the Reformation under reformed Powers, highest in outward power, and splendour; but lowest in the true spirit, and power of the Reformation. 1. formed according to its name in Brotherly Love, and consent, and Little outward strength, and power. 1. formed according to its name in the Glory of this world, and the strength of human Laws, or by Law established. 2. Keeping the word of Christ as the Boanerges Church, or Church of the Thunders in Preaching, and Prayer. 2. It hath a name to live, and is dead; or from which the spirit of Thunder is in too sad measure departed, as to preaching, and prayer. 3. Not denying the Name of Christ, or Receding from his Supremacy in the least Iota of worship to yield to human Imposition; but aspiing to the Virgin Purity, of Following the Lamb wherever he goes, and to be without Blame before the Throne. 3. Forgetting that great principle of the Reformation; Implyed in the Command to Remember, how it had received and heard, as from the Thunders; The Undefiled names( for all human mixtures in worship are defilements) are also excepted by way of sharp rebuk to Sardis in general. 4. Having an open door to a more through, and perfect Reformation in the Appearance of Christ, as in his Kingdom. 4. Suffering the things, that remain, and are in order to that Kingdom to die; and not filling them, or Perfecting its works before God therein. 5. In an afflicted, and low state, keeping the word of Christs patience, or containing itself, as( his Kingdom does) in a low state, till it appears. 5. Secure and drowsy in prosperity, and the things of the present world: without respect to such a Kingdom, but as looking on itself as the best, because the Richest reformed Church in the world. 6. It hath some pertaining to the Synagogue of satan, endeavouring to shut its door by Excommunications, and civil Prosecutions, for refusing their Canons, but cannot, never shall effect it. 6. This pertaining to the most Rigidof Sardis, is not charged on the whole Sardian state; but Intimated in some such, of the Synagogue on Philadelphia, for honors sake to the Reformation, not mentioned in Sardis. 7. It shall be kept from the Severe Temptation or Purgation by Fire, that shall come on all defiled states of worship. 7. Christ will come, as a Thief upon it, and it shall not know, at what Hour he will come upon it. 8. It shall so Ascend in the Succession of the Kingdom of Christ; that as Joseph's Brethren, so those of its Brotherhood in the Reformation, that had Imitated the Synagogue of satan, shall Bow before it, learn from it, aclowledge that Christ loved it, and seek Christ with it, cant. 6. 1. 8. Then shall Sardis, and the Synagogue even by Acknowledging Philadelphia Beloved by Christ, Remember, how it Received and heard at the first Reformation, and undergo a New Reformation. The Few and Small undesiled Names of Sardis Participate with Philadelphia in all these excellent Things. Having thus given the Types of the Churches of the Reformation considered every way, both reformed as Churches, and under Powers of the Reformation also; I come to argue by Reason upon them in a Conjunction with the Types of the Book and of prophesy, and of the Thunders sealed, 1. Seing there is nothing betwixt the apostasy, and the Kingdom of Christ; whenever the apostasy is removed, the Kingdom of Christ must ensue; For there can be no Vacuity, or empty space in prophesy on this Account. The apostasy therefore must have some Remain, even in the Churches reformed under Reformed Princes: Because the full Number of its Months was not yet Run out, nor the days of those Months yet out. 2. Seing though the space of Half Time Remaining to the Beastian Kingdom is the Fundamental Reason of the Thunders sealed; Yet some jailor of the Churches, and Princes of the Reformation towards that great manifestation of God, that was in the first Reformation, is the faulty, Culpable cause of those Thunders sealed; That Culpable cause therefore, is to be found out by close Inspection into the Churches. 3. When we find two Typical Churches of the Reformation, and under Reformed Princes also, of two very different Elevations in the Reformation; and the state of one symbol▪ d to be that, on which the new Jerusalem is to Come down; and the other very Imperfect; and not only so, but even declined in the Principles, and Action of the Reformation, as it tends to the Kingdom of Christ; All which we have seen in the Parallels; we are then to consider what it is in the first place, that Interposes against that Church, that hath the Principles of the Reformation so high, that the new Jerusalem comes down upon it, so that it cannot yet appear like to itself; And whatever Interposes against that, we have reason to think, It keeps the other Church of the Reformation so Low, as it is here described. 4. The great wisdom therefore of prophesy is; Besides that it would cast a veil on Sardis, as a Church of the Reformation, and not charge a Synagogue of Satan, upon it downright, the reason before given; Besides this, I say, the Synagogue of Satan is in the wisdom of prophesy most fitly placed in that Typical Church, that is so every way fitted to receive the new Jerusalem: to show, why the new Jerusalem did not come down upon it immediately; The Synagogue of Satan is therefore figured, as in the midst of that Church, not as of it, but as withstanding its Power, Efficacy, and Glory. From all this It then Appears; On what Culpable, and deficient or sinful cause; The Kingdom of Christ did not, and does not yet Appear in the reformation: But the Thunders and their mighty powers of Truth have been, and yet are sealed; Even because, as in the Christian Empire, when the Church of Christ was ready to Appear in Glory, and the Kingdom of our God to come; The Antichristian apostasy surprised it; Even thus, when the Kingdom of Christ was ready to Appear in the Reformation; the Synagogue of Satan by some, that too much favoured it, and would Redivive, or Return it on the Churches of Christ; was as a great dark Cloud, falling upon the Reformation, and obscuring it, and so stayed the Kingdom of Christ from being in its Succession. Our next great Enquiry therefore must be Concerning the Synagogue of Satan, what it is; and who they are, that Appertain to it, and yet are not call▪ d expressly, the Synagogue itself; and how this Synagogue stops the Succession of Christ's Kingdom, particularly with respect to the Feet of day; how it Gauges the Sardian Church, and surprises the strength of Great Princes, and Magistrates from running in a full stream into the Philadelphian Channel; So that the small Names in Sardis are of themselves, and alone not potent enough to Erect the Philadelphian Frame; Although they are so clear in the Reformation, as that they, and the Churches under them, have not defiled their Garments, as Sardis in general hath done. That I may then find out the sense of prophesy in this Synagogue of satan in all these things, I must consider it. 1. In the general notion of it, made use of, as a Symbol by this prophesy. 2. In the Prophetical Symbol in the Church of Smyrna. 3. In the Prophetical Symbol in the Church of Philadelphia. 1. In the general notion of it, as a Symbol in this prophesy, It is very observable; judaisme, or Israelitism in the divine purity, and Institution, is the figure of pure Christianity, or the true Evangelical Estate also; as it tends to, and issues into the New Jerusalem: This is so manifest all along in the prophesy, that I use no more words in it. But then, as It came to be in the full sense Antichristian, and a professed enemy to Jesus Christ, the true Messiah, and his Gospel; It became a Synagogue of satan, and so degenerate from the seed of Abraham; that when that Syn●gogue said, we are Jews, They lied, and were not; Thus then it became a just and fit Symbol of the Antichristian apostasy, and so it stands in both these Churches, as in the general notion, giving an Image to Antichristianism in these four particulars. 1. In its loss of the high Key of the divine Truth, and of Christianity; thereupon degrading that excellent, spiritual Frame into Ceremony, Ritualism, and human Tradition; For so from the days of Jesus Christ the Synagogue was detected to do. 2. In its hoisting up to the very Top Ecclesiastical power, and Jurisdiction, without the extraordinary Assistances of the Holy spirit; For so also the Synagogue of the Jewish Church Power made itself the standard in its decrees, or the Traditions of the Elders, when the Spirit of prophesy was departed from it. 3. In rejecting first the spiritual Kingdom of Jesus Christ within Men, and also his Glorious Kingdom of the World to come; but suppositing to it a present, pompous Appearance in this world, and in the midst of all the Corruption, and sensuality, that is in it; And thus also the Synagogue did of old: The Kingdom of God in the spiritual ministry of Christ, coming as a Redeemer, and great Prophet, with a Kingdom of God in the midst of them, and that would have been within them, they rejected with a deadly hatred, and scorn; and the future Kingdom, and Glory of Messiah they dis-believed, because not present, and of this world. 4. In De-synagogueing, or casting out of the Church, and causing to die when it rose to a Throne the true servants of Jesus Christ, who receive his present spiritual Kingdom, and wait for that to come, and oppose that Mock Kingdom of Antichrist. Thus the Synagogue of old Cast out of the Jewish Synagogue all, that confessed Jesus Christ the true Messiah; and when they Killed them, They Thought, they did God good Service. Let us now apply these things to the Prophetical Symbol of the church of Smyrna; when the Antichristian apostasy, or Mystery of Iniquity, as it is called; had wrought on so far, Beginning in ●he Apostles Days; that Ephesus or the first Apostolic Church in the Symbol, had let go its first Love of Christ in his pure word; That apostasy rose so high in the Church of Smyrna, as to become a Synagogue; first to bring in a Low spirited Discourse of Christianity, compared with Scripture; and hereupon rushed in a crowd of Traditional Doctrines, a multitude of Ceremonies Introductory of the Invocation of Saints, and Martyrs, keeping days, in honour of them; Consecrating Places to their Memories, and in their Names; Feigning Miracles wrought by their relics or Bones in the dust, to ingratiate these things to Devotion; strange and uncouth Expressions, and superstitious conceits concerning the Dead, and Rites towards them; concerning the Lords Supper, Liturgies, and jangling Forms of Prayer; Repetitions of the Lords Prayer, Formal, and Insignificant, and most contrary to the Institution: Fopperies about the sign of the across, with so many others; that austin in his Epistle to Januarius expresses, as in words of the same import, this very Synagogue come in these respects; Then varieties of Vestments, of Postures, and Gestures in Worship, Bowings toward distinct places, made a great noise and stir in the rising Antichristianism; Now all these things surprised the Kingdom of Christ, which is not Meat, and Drink, &c. Nothing of Ceremony, but Righteousness, Peace, Joy in the holy spirit; These things therefore only prepared Sathans Throne. In this Synagogue also began Hierarchy, or Holy Rule and Dominion to rise to a Top-Gallant, when the fullness of the Blessing of the Gospel, the Glory of its Ministry was now departing: But without some extraordinary Mission, the Elating of Titles, and the Pre-lating persons is most contrary to the express Ordination of Christ; and becomes like, as our Saviour calls it, the Power, and Dominion of the Gentiles; a mere Power, and Dominion without service, use, and benefit to the Church; Luke 2●. 25. This Hierarchic Character Some always Carry with Domination enough; Others may seem to justify themselves by Temper, Moderation, and great shows of Condescension; But our Lord to obviate them, commands, His servants should not be called 〈◇〉, very Good Lords, or Benefactors. All their Rule must be Service; The word of God is their sole Rule, and Authority; Their part is only Speaking it, which is Service, Work, Ministry, Labour; All else in the Church of Christ is but, orderly Consent. It Pleased the Apostles, Elders, Brethren, even the whole Church, Acts 15. 22. The Apostles and Elders are name first for orders sake, but the Brethren, and whole Church are as essential in the Consent, as They; Even in all things, wherein the word of God, and the pleasure of the Holy Ghost is not made apparent by them, as Ministers of it only, and commending themselves▪ to Consciences; that they speak, as Oracles of God from itself: All else I say ought to be Philadelphian Consent. This Hierarchy is also most contrary to the Kingdom of Christ, which appears only in Philadelphianism, the Evenness, and Equality of Brotherliness; So that when the Chief shepherd appears and gives to the Elders, Ensamples of the Flock, not Lords, the Crown of Life, that Fades not away; All the Flock are made Kings and Pri●sts. So the Philadelphianism and Equality, or Parity, where there is highest order, is yet preserved; But yet more strange, if it can be more, where all is so much, so is a Sym-Presbyter, above another Presbyter; And Peter, except not his Titular, but real Apostolical Mission, was no more; This therefore was properly the Luciferian Pride of Sathans Synagogue, who was Ascending on the sides of the North to the Throne. In this Synagogue therefore Began the great Clashes about Titles, Precincts, Districts, Primacies of this or that Patriarch; Things utterly unknown to the Humility, and Simplicity of Christ's spiritual Kingdom now; and that will vanish in the Succession of his Kingdom to come, and be swallowed up in the universal Glory of all his Ministers, and Saints in that Kingdom, in its perfect Glory. Further in this Synagogue Began a zeal, as for a Messiah in this worlds Glory, in a pompous Equipage, and Retinue; Splendid Houses and Entertainments, disguised under an Episcopal Hospitality; but far from that of the Apostles Intention, a matter only of this worlds Grandieur, and Port; And now began that Glorious Kingdom of Christ to come to be counted a Millenarian heresy; even as the Spiritual Kingdom too mean, and simplo; Now the Hierarchy began to clasp about human Governments, to put in for a share, to Protest their Right to at least a Joynt-Lordship over the world; to make up a Conjunction with the Feet of Iron, as day; a Juncture nigh at Hand, in the Vicar of Christ to become a caesar in Christs Right; This brought in, and Hallowed the Love of this Present World, even in the midst of Christian Religion, during the Patience of Christ for his Kingdom, which is greatest Antichristianism; And the example hath mightily prevailed to this day; So that extreme Ambition, and Covetousness are become Sacra Fames, by Holy Persons and Prelates reaching so earnestly after, and grasping these things so close; And it will prevail, till the Apostasies Last Days or nights of its Moons be expired; such Holy persons were then gazed upon, and had in Admiration; not so much for Holiness, as for Advantage sake; not so much for the Image of Christ upon them, as for their situation These were to arrive to, in Nebuchadnezzar's great Image, whose Brightness was excellent, and its form Terrible; so that it Tempted worldlings, Dan. 2. 31. and strangers to Christianity, to say; Give me but one of your Hierarchic preferments, and I will be one of you: Here Christianity began to become a Fable of profit, and worldly Glory. Lastly, now began to rise in this Synagogue the Sons of Thunder, but not of the Thunders of this Vision we have been upon; but rather of the brutish Thunder, of the causeless curse, that shall not come; I mean the Excommunicators, the De-synagoguers, or the casters of Men out of the Church; For now this dreadful Rod began to be so misplaced, and the Saints, as heretics, and schismatics to Bleed under it; That it came now to be rather the mark of pure Christianity, then of an offender against the Rules of it; So that from that Time to this day it hath been debauched into an Ecclesiastical Engine, and cannot be recovered, till a New Reformation. And to repair the loss of Awe, and want of Efficacy upon consciences, it began now to entwist itself with the Civil Arm, or power; that so those Thunders might Roar more to the purpose. This Synagogue, as it stood in the days of the Church of Smyrna; I account from the Memories of the Dioclesian Martyrs to the very days of the apostasy rising to a Throne, or the beginning of the Witnesses 1260 days; when the Beastian People first came into the outward Court, in order to erect him a Throne in that outward Court, call▪ d often the Temple; that the Man of sin might, as the Apostle Paul prophesied of him, sit in it * viz. in the Temple of the outward Christian Profession. ; But in regard, some great, and excellent Names fall within the Time of this Synagogue, as Austin, Jerome, Chrysostome, Theodoret, and were indeed contributaries to it; I therefore as all along, so here Remember; These Prophetical symbols are to be applied only to Church-states, and persons deeply plunged down into them; and not to the particular persons, who were Overcomers; and so I make not the least Doubt, Those otherwise excellent men were. I come therefore to the third Thing, the Prophetical symbol of this Synagogue in the Church of Philadelphia. 3. The Synagogue of satan in the Church of Philadelphia arose on this wise; Some of first Reformers observed, that the Antichristian apostasy had since the Time of the Four first councils( as they speak) Amassed, and heaped up corruptions, and foulest pollutions in doctrine, worship, and their Hierarchic Government, as well as in matters of practise; which in the Language of prophesy was superstructing, or setting a Throne of satan upon the Synagogue of satan; and fortifying this Throne of satan into an Ancient Kingdom by those Hellish policies, applied to all purposes; which the prophesy calls depths of satan, as it were the Arcana Imperii, or the Cabals of the Conclave: Those first Reformers, either out of Prudence,( as they thought) not to remove all at once; or being really persuaded of the good state of things in the Christian Church so far; There they set the bounds of Primitive; It reached so far, and no farther: They then modeled a Reformation, at first at least, that should remove all that had entred since that Time, and Left the Rest standing. Or if they turned out foam courser things, that at least bid very fair for Invocation of Saints, and veneration, though not worship of their Images; They received in other things of a finer thread, though of an after date; especially relating to Jurisdiction, and the defiled Springs of Profit, rising from thence: Now what the first Reformers might prudentially contrive, not to do all at once; Their Posterity so approved, as to coninue to this day as a standard for all Ages. Thus there remained the Loss of the true, close practical, Applicatory methods of Preaching, and Prayer according to the most concernful Points of the Interest of Consciences; both as to matter and manner given us in Scripture; There remained Liturgies and great Quantities of Ritualism; An Exalted state of Hierarchy remained in a great Face of Grandieur, and Opportunities of worldly wealth; very distant from keeping the Words of Christs Patience; and locking fast even the reformed Christian world into a Belief, that the Kingdom of Christ is of this world; and that a prosperity in it, too often, even to sensuality is an Argument of such a Kingdom to be enjoyed here. To these things Others of the Reformers, even at first, Remonstrated, and continually Declared against; and were zealous of a through, and perfect Reformation according to the word of God; Accounting nothing Primitive, under any pretention of being the practise of the Apostles, or Ancient Christians; if not to be made out by clear and evident assurances from thence; And a Generation of such Reformed, have sprung from them, and risen higher and higher to this very day, as a Philadelphian Church. Hereupon from the very first, and so on to this Time, There hath been a Cleft in the Reformation, Earnest Endeavours were to Reduce this latter sort of Reformers by Arguments, by Severe reflections upon them, as Schismatics; and where these would not prevail by Censures, Suspensions, and Excommunications, all proper to a Synagogue; Now in all these things It could not be Avoided, but that the Civil Reformed powers must be concerned; And so it hath hitherto been, that the First sort of Reformers have had the greatest favour, and Countenance; and the Latter fallen under displeasure, as Factious, Turbulent, and even Rebellions, a sort of men, odd, and uncouth, Troublers of States, and Enemies of Kings; So the Former were by Law established. Except some of the Lower and less Puissant Protestant Princes, or States, that have espoused, and settled by their Laws, the desires of the Latter sort of Reformers. These things are Notorious Matters of Fact, both in the Lutheran Churches, and Others; which for honours sake I do not name, but leave to general knowledge, and Recollection. Now with what ease do all these Things run into the Mould of prophesy? For here is first the Synagogue of satan, that the Antichristian apostasy hath so far surmounted by its Throne, and by its Depths, as to make no account at all of as catholic, as they call it; that he who will be a catholic no further, They Damn him as a heretic; and though they Hold it as their own; and it is indeed so far as it went, in the esteem of prophesy, the very propriety of the Antichristian apostasy, and not the Right of so much, as the First sort of Reformers, as I shall presently show. But yet this Synagogue by that kind of Reformers is endeavoured to be vindicated, to be given, as the true Pattern of the Reformation; to which All are to comform, and is therefore argued so earnestly upon by them, to Reduce both Papists and schismatics to it; And so it is Rediviv'd; It is brought again upon the stage of Time in all the particulars before name. This projects, or casts by its shade a Sardian Church, made splendid, and beautiful by the favour of the greatest Reformed Princes, and so draws the multitude to it; But hereby the true principles of the Reformation, at which it began, are Forgotten; and the 〈◇〉 the things that Remain, and are in order to the Kingdom of Christ, are suffered to be ready to die. The Philadelphian Door, or the latter sort of Reformers Freedom of Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline is endeavoured to be surprised, and shut; except in Those Few, and Small States, that have by Law established them, and their Frame of Reformation. And had not Jesus Christ himself by wonderful Providences, as well by Bearing up their Spirits, interposed; It must needs have been done; For Philadelphia having such a Synagogue over it had but * Little outward Strength from It had great inward 〈◇〉 or Might, It was therefore outward Might, that was Small. Princes, to sustain it; whereas the Glory, the worldly Grandieur, the Learning, the to be acknowledged Piety of many of that Synagogue, their Interest in Government and Favour with Nobles, and People were all ready to overhear it; had not the Key of David been on its side: And He that said, I have set before Thee an open Door, and none can Shut it, hath taken care, it hath not yet, it shall never be done, but Another State shall ensue, as I am to show. For He will keep his word in the behalf of them, that have Kept his word and not denied his Name; and have been his Witnesses in Sackcloth against this Synagogue; And then He will keep their main Frame and Constitution as according to his Word and Name, from that very Hour of Temptation, that shall remove All Things, not Agreeing with that Word, and Name; which Things indeed have in great degree hitherto filled All the Earth. Now whoever shall consider, how these known and undoubted Matters of Fact Indent with prophesy, and shall duly consider them, can I Think, hardly Believe, but that prophesy was prepared for them; or if He can gain of Himself not to think so; Yet He cannot but think, It is very unhappy, or rather, if He favour, what prophesy favours, Happy; Every Thing in Event should find so proper a place, and Reception in the Symbols of prophesy. Now herein let us behold the Great Mystery of prophesy, and Divine Providence in this Last Age, viz. Since the Reformation in bringing Things to pass according to it. The Reformation was such an Appearance of the Kingdom of Christ, that was under a peculiar dispensation, and under some such Symbols Agreeable, as assured it could never be recalled. And yet the Antichristian apostasy was to have, as much as could be in a consistency with such an Appearance, the full Remnant of its Half Time, or 42 Months, and the Witnesses their Sackcloth the Full of the 1260 Days. Now how could These Two Things be Reconciled? lo then the Depths of the Divine ways, testified before hand by prophesy, and accordingly brought forth by Providence. Because the Book of the Kingdom contained that full Half Time of the Beast, and the Remainder of the 1260 Days; the Thunders as mighty Powers of Truth in their Articulate Declarations are stayed or sealed; as hath been said; the Book is enclosed, prophesy continues, and the Kingdom of Christ is Estopp'd, and the Church eclipsed partially, even within the Reformation. Hereupon satan observes this Opportunity, and makes the best of it for his Kingdom, yet Resting to Him. He observed his Kingdom or Throne Rebated beyond Recall, and his Depths proclaimed to be the Depths of satan; of these He despaired; But He considered, his Synagogue was framed, during the Christian Empire, before the apostasy entred with its Thick, and Foul Corruptions; that it had the plausibleness of the Elder Times of Christianity; And yet, that it was an Essential part of the apostasy, and was his own Synanagogue; and that in Regard of it in its own proper Time, The 144000 were Seal▪ d as soon as ever Heathenism was demolished; and the Churches Flight into the Wilderness was declared, as soon as ever the Manly Child was Caught up to the Throne of God, both importing the very beginning of that Christian Empire; And also that it was Guilded over with his so oft proved, Successful Temptation; the Glory of this world going along with it; wherein his Kingdom so much consists. God now leaving the Reformed Churches to themselves, as at large, and in general, to prove Them, and to See, what was in their Hearts; satan so prevailed, that his Synagogue was Recommenc'd by a ( They) that took the part of it, as not of the apostasy, but of the Primitive, pure Christianity; Hereby the Beast hath some Appearance of his own apostasy, as anew, but so Refracted, and Attenuated; that while it is his Synagogue, it is not his Kingdom; and He Hates it, divided from that: And there is a Resemblance in the Hierarchy, even of the Reformation, of the Feet of day; but yet They are not those Feet; And the Witnesses even under this Synagogue, as Philadelphian, though not as reformed Witnesses have been under Sufferings, Incredible to be Inflicted by Reformed powers, either Civil, or Ecclesiastic; had not this Synagogue of satan imposed upon them. All this notwithstanding, the Reformation, even by the ( They) of this Synagogue, as both prophesy, and Providence hath shown us, hath been secured; as we are now to Behold, by strictly comparing the Prophetical mentions of this Synagogue in the Church of Smyrna, and in the Church of Philadelphia. I know, saith Christ to the Church of Smyrna, the Blasphemy of Them, which say, They are Jews, and are not; But They are the Synagogue of satan. To the Church of Philadelphia Christ speaks thus, I will make Them of the Synagogue of satan; the Synagogue of Them, as is to be supplied, or as in a Parenthesis, who say, They are Jews, and are not, but do lie; Behold I will make them to come, and Worship, &c. The Interpretation I give of these Two speakings of Christ is; That in the first, there was the proper Synagogue of satan in its own just Time, and order, before the Throne, and before the Depths of satan; In the Latter Christ only speaks of Them, who were on the side, of the Justifying party of that Syagogue, as if it were not a Synagogue of satan, but the Church pure. And for such Interpretation I give this Proof, The Antichristian apostasy is one entire Thing with itself; and consists of those only, whose Names are not Written in the Lambs Book of Life; They were therefore in the first Workings of the Mystery of Iniquity in the Apostles Time; in Ephesus Leaving its First Love, in Smyrna's Synagogue, Sathans Throne, and Thyatyra's depths of satan; One entire Body, and of one Spirit so far, as they could either reach forward, or take hold backward; as the Papists do this day, contending so earnestly, that all backward to the Apostles Times are their own; and All, in whom was the Power of the apostasy, were indeed so; They that were so many Ages backward, reached forward by the Spirit of apostasy to the Throne and Depths; But good Men in All Ages, however in some part deceived, yet in the main Overcame and were not of that Spirit of the apostasy. But now, They who have lived since the Reformation, and look at present on the Depths of satan, and abhor them; and on the Throne of satan backward, and at present, and utterly detest it; Although They are deceived in Allowing too much of the Synagogue, and in being too much upon the side and part of vindicating it in such Things. Yet they cannot be the Synagogue of satan itself; Because whoever is so, must be now professedly of All these together; of the Mystery of Iniquity, leaving the First Love of Christians, of the Synagogue in All Things, of the Throne, of the Depths: And none can Return to Rome, and be, as They call it, reconciled; But They must be All together; As Christ speaks of Swearing in another Case, so I may in this; They must Swear to the Throne, and to Him that sitteth thereon; to the Jezebelian Church, and to all therein; They that will go no further, then to the Synagogue shall be damned for heretics, by the Throne, and by the Depths. 2. I understand those words, who say, They are Jews, &c. as a Description in a Parenthesis, of that Synagogue, * 〈◇〉 in Apposition with 〈◇〉 ( who say, They are Jews, and are not, but do lie,) as giving Account, what deceived those of the Reformation to be of the part of this Synagogue; Because that Synagogue lied in pretending to have received Those Things from the Apostles, which they never did; And the Reason, why what is called Blasphemies in the Church of Smyrna is only called a lie in the Church of Philadelphia is this; Blasphemy is the Prophetical word for Idolatry, which as it began to Appear in Invocation, and veneration of Images, and relics; Even These of the Synagogue reject, and do not justify it in; But every human mixture, and Addition to Worship, not commanded is a lie, as Solomon Admonishes; Add not to his Words, least Thou be Found a Prov. 30. 6. liar, and Additions they too much justify. But further, to enlighten this shade, and to show, that I have a sincere Love, and Honour for All of the Reformation, by what Names, or Titles soever, as reformed, they are Distinguished; though I endeavour thus close to Follow and to Lay together the Prophetical Types of it in hope and desire of that Great Re-Reformation; I therefore add these Prophetic Notes in favour of it. 1. I observe, Sardis, in the larger, and more General compass of it, is Reprov▪ d very severely by Chrisi; and itis Fewer, * For the Over-ruling, and Greatest were also the most. Smaller Names are commended; And yet to show, They made both one True Church of the Reformation, The larger, and more faulty Sardis is said to have the Fewer, Smaller, and Better within itself; Contrary wise Pergamus, and Thyatyra, that were the Churches in the Wilderness, and the Witnesses in Sackcloth, and so alone as a Beacon on a Hill, are said, one to Have, and the other to Suffer, that large, and wide Spreading, False Apostate, called catholic Church; as a schism, Faction, and heresy, whether they would or no; But because God how Small, how Hidden soever, owned no Church besides them, the few are the Church there, but not here. 2. I observe, though by all as hath been said, the[ They] of the - Synagogue must be supposed to Rise from Sardis; Yet for Honors sake to it, It is not mentioned in the Letter, or Epistle of Christ to it, but in that to Philadelphia, so clear from it, as to have separated wholly from it; as if Christ would not have it known, from whence it arose. 3. I observe, where that apostasy only was, either Had, or suffered; though the True Church could not vindicate itself, and so the Having, or Suffering are imputed only, as Small Things; Yet on purpose to make Infamous that apostasy, the Excellent Symbolic Witness Churches, to which Christ professes yet so Great Love, and Esteem, are blamed; but neithe Few undefiled Names in Sardis, are taxed for the General Defilements of Sardis; Nor is Philadelphia blamed for Them of the Synagogue; showing that neither Sardis, nor They of the Synagogue were under the apostasy, though the Synagogue itself, as hath been shown, was under the apostasy, even as Smyrna was not. 4. I observe, whereas the apostasy is devoted to Ruin, and goeth into Perdition; Sardis is only threatened with Christ coming upon it, and shaming its Defiled State into Repentance, and a fuller Reformation; as Persons are ashamed of Defiled Garments, or walking naked; and so obtains of Christ to be clothed in White raiment, by Overcoming at the last, even as in a Church state. And even They of the Synagogue are only mentioned, as coming under that second Reformation, and comforming to Philadelphia; whose Conformity to the Synagogue before they had so severely urged, and Confess that Christ loved it; when They would have Excommunicated, and shut its Door; and so undoubtedly must be ashamed, that they had been so imposed upon with the false Appearances of that Synagogue, whose Authority They would have imposed on Philadelphia also. But none of these Things take off from the sin, and Condemnation of persons, who do not Overcome; For They sink down in their Individuals into the sin, and Perdition of the apostasy; although the Church state be so Rescued by Grace; For the best Church state can redeem no particular person from destruction, who does not by the divine spirit Overcome; Even as no Church state, how bad so ever, shall wrap up in its own ruin the person, that is by being an Overcomer snatched out of that Fire, and pulled as a Brand from that Burning; which sets the Beam even, as to Good men, though somewhat Blacken'd with being in the Tents of Kedar; and as to bad Men, who in a Land of Uprightness deal perversely, and will not Behold the Majesty of the Lord. Lastly, Philadelphia itself is admonished to Hold fast, that None may Take its Crown; which seeing the Church state is by Christ so secured, is especially an Admonition to persons, not only in particular, but even in their Generality; Least They become Dead, Languid, and Formal in their Profession; least They grow Sensual, Carnal, and vain-Glorious, Spiritually proud, or Lovers of the Present world, and conformed in their Spirits, Manners, and Fashions to it; least They are Rigid, Consorious, even above Christ Himself, towards Sardis, and Them of the Synagogue; whom Christ will convert and not destroy. For thus though the Philadelphian State itself, shall never have its Door shut; The New Jerusalem shall come down upon it; Yet an Age, a Generation, a Time of such persons may be Thrust out, and others taken into their places; even into the same Philadelphian State, which they were of; and so great Numbers may Lose the Crown of the New Jerusalem coming down upon them as their peculiar Glory; nay, and if they do not Overcome, may loose for ever their portion in it; For many such First are Last, and the Last First, even many such Children of the Kingdom may be Thrust out. And certainly that Glory, and Crown hath not yet come down, nor been given, because Philadelphia itself in its present State, or in the persons, and Churches of that Name, is not high as it ought to be, and clear in the Power of the Thunders; and particularly in searching the prophesy and declaring the Everlasting Gospel, or the Hour of the judgement of Christ, or of his Kingdom near at Hand. Nay, it may be feared by Them, They are so degenerate from the Phidelphian Power, Spirituality, Brotherly Love, Holiness, Heavenliness, Strictness of Conversation, Mortification, self-denial; That many shall come from East, and West, from Thyatyra, even from Sardis and from them of the Synagogue, and enter into the Philadelpoian state, and They may be, if not Overcomers, Thrust out; and if They are Overcomers, if not so Spiritual, and Truly zealous of the Things of the New Jerusalem, They may yet be Postpond. It is very hopeful; Many of those Venerable, Learned, and Holy men; who as yet stand on the side of the Synagogue, may when They come to be enlightened in the Love of Christ to the Philadelphian state; and so Humbly, and Affectionately to Worship, as before the Feet of Christ Appearing in that Church; Labour more Abundantly, then They All, of it before; as Born out of due Time, or too late into it, but therefore of speedier, and more sudden growth up, then those before them; and shall as the Labourers called at the Last Hour, be so Accepted by Christ, and bring so much Glory to his Grace, as to be Set, even before Those, who have born the Heat of the Day in the Philadelphian state; For the Fountain of all Grace may do what He will with his Own. Thus may it be with the Persons, but so it can never be with the State; For the Synagogue shall Fall down with the Throne, and with the Depths, to which it is united; All upon their own Base in the Land of Mystical Shinar, or Babylon; and the Sardian state in the Reformation, projected from this Synagogue shall be suddenly deserted, They of it leaving Sardianism behind shall fly into Philadelphianism, as persons Naked, or in defiled Garments into White raiment. And thus, what I have undertaken upon these Two great Visions of c. 10. and upon these Churches, Thyatyra, Sardis, and Philadelphia, as They stand in this prophesy a Table of the Reformation; I have according to the Grace given to me, finished. And now I Confess, If Providence should not bring forth Events answering these Types, It would be a Confutation to my Exposition of them. And it is the only Confutation, an Exposition Grounded upon such Admirable Correspondences of prophesy, and Providence also,( thus far) can receive; From whence I am Humbly confident such a Confutation shall neever be given. And what is said, If it be of God, however despicable it may be on all other Accounts; It will prove True, and all that can be said against it, will be of no Force; For whatever Men may say, It will be easily decided, and in a short Time; whose words shall stand, Gods or Theirs. I Conclude therefore; the present Low State of the Reformation, and Particularly the Old Synagogue, that hath been played back upon it with its Rituals, its Liturgyes, its Ceremonies, its Hierarchy, itis worldly Grandieur, and False Thunders, shall be perfectly removed of from all the Churches of Christ in the World; Yea whatever of them is found upon those so dark Rudera, or almost effaced mentions of Churches in the Eastern or Remoter parts of the world, shall be removed, even as the Papa●y, and Mahomatanism themselves; and this by a new order of Thunders, not from beneath, but from above; that shall in the dayes of the Seventh Angel Coming quickly to sound, make a speedy Preparation for the Kingdom of our God. In the mean Time, from all that hath been spoken, I would Recommend these Few Inferential Corollaries. coral. 1. We ought not to wonder, that Things are so Low, as we yet see Them, either in the State of Christian Religion, or in the Keformation; Because The Kingdom of Christ is not yet in its Succession; Then Christianity, and the Reformation, as United into one pure Religion shall Rise, and be still Rising into Full Glory. coral. 2. Let us look upon the Original State of each Reformed Church in the world, or upon it, at its First Reformatian; and then consider those Churches as they are at this day; and we shall have Reason to believe, They then, whilst the Thunders were Speaking, and the Book open, Took that Form; which they have most since, notwithstanding some Waves, and Checkerings of the Clouds, retained, and shall Retain, till the Thunders are Unsealed, and the Book again Open; whether Thyatyrian, Sardian, in the general, or in the Few Undefiled Names, or Philadelphian; Then by those mighty powers, working anew, and a Fresh, They shall be reformed, even Phyladelphia itself into a much Higher State. coral. 3. Whatever Preparatory motions may Fly, as in the Air; yet we have Reason to believe, the Grand Revolution of the Kingdom of Christ in Succession can be neither sooner, nor Later, than 1697. by Considering this Vision of the Reformation at the Morning of Half Time, whiie it was yet dark; as being the Hundred, and Eightieth Year, or the just Half Time, from 1517. when the Reformation first broken, as in the Twilight of the Morning, in Luthers ministry. coral. 4. It is no Argument: The Synagogue of satan hath no place in such, or such Illustrious Churches of the Reformation, either Lutheran, or others; Because even They of the Synagogue are most zealous against the Popish apostasy, and because together with that zeal in regard of outward strength, and favour, with Puissant Princes any Church may be called the Bulwark of the Protestant Religion. For so They of the Synagogue are according to this prophesy to be; For the apostasy now is not only a Synagogue, but a Throne, and an Ancient Polity called the Roman catholic Church; And They, who cannot be for the Throne, and for the Polity, or catholic Roman Church, can never be now for the apostasy, as to their Church State; Now They of the Synagogue are Limited, and as I may say, staunched there by prophesy; and can go no further, nor higher that way; and so must be as Irreconcilable Enemies to the apostasy, as Philadelphta itself; and so according to prophesy These have proved, which very Observation exceedingly justifies this Interpretation of it. And yet even these persons, may have a zeal also for this Synagogue; and however They may be admirably learned, it may not be in this particular a Zeal according to knowledge. coral. 5. We have here fixed the lowest State, to which the Reformation can descend, as to the purity of its Church States; None of the Reformed Churches can worship the Beast, or his Image, or Receive his mark on their Forehead, or Right Hand, or His Name, or so much, as the Number of his Name; as some have much mistaken; For even that Imports Idolatry, or the Worship of Images; which no Reformed Church can bear; nor can They be that Synagogue of satan, nor so much as of it, as it is His, or as united with His Throne, or with His Depths; But They are only of it, or on the part of it, or vindicating it as not His; in which point They are indeed mistaken; For prophesy hath determined, It is His; and therefore they must let it go for the Philadelphian State, and Resign it up to Him, whose prophesy saith, It is, when that perfect Reformation shall be. coral. 6. It is therefore a great want of deep Insight into prophesy, so much, as to suppose; that any part of the Reformed Churches can return to Rome; For what is Rescued by Christ, can never be Repriz'd by Antichrist, so far as it is Rescued. I speak not of Persons, but of States; For Persons are under another Type of prophesy, viz. as Overcomers, or not Overcomers; States are under Types of Churches fixed in their Generals: Persons are left to the alone All discerning Eye of God in their particulars. coral. 7. Here is Reason to cry out; Oh the Depth of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God in this State of the Reformation, on These Two Accounts. 1. In suffering Antichrist to have such a Footing upon the Reformatien, with Regard to the Oath of Christ; That He should have Time, Times, and Half Time; He hath so much therefore, as that some of the Reformation should be on the side of his Synagogue, as if it were not his Synagogue: And yet because it was Lawful for the Kingdom of Christ to appear in such Symbols, and the Thunders to open their Mouths; It is no more, It can be no more, then such a Being on the side of that Synagogue, and not an entire Antichristian Kingdom, or so much, as the Synagogue. 2. That the weakest, and darkest part of the Reformation should▪( according to the Great Sanction, 1 Cor. 1. 26.) Fall upon the Wise, the Mighty, the Noble, the Learned, the Splendid according to the Flesh; and according to the measures of this World, to which Gods Mind and Heart cannot be; For his Sons Kingdom is not of it, nor is it of the Father; The Small Names in Sardis, viz. the Impuissant Princes or States; and Philadelphia, that had but Small strength of that Kind, and preferred before the Greater and more Illustrious Sardians, or those Hierarchists, not the Synagogue itself, but They of it. coral. 8. It is most necessary to Persons to look to their particular State of Overcoming; For Men may be of the most excellent Church-state, and not be Overcomers; and in every Church-state, there are Overcomers of the Evil of that State; Many now of the part of the Synagogue, even as of old, are much above the spirit of it; And it is as necessary to Overcome in Philadelphia, as in Sardis; And the privileges are equal to the Overcomers in one, as in the other; All are of deep Interest in the New Jerusalem state; And in every State, whoever Overcometh shall Inherit All Things; He that Overcometh, saith, He that sits on the Throne, shall Inherit All Things; And I will be his Father, and He shall be my Son; They, who do not Overcome, whatever Church state▪ They are of, are the Fearful, and Unbelieving, &c. who shall have their part in the Lake. coral. 9. There is a most certain, and assured Expectation of a much Higher Reformation; And it must be joined with, and cannot be separated from a much Higher Holiness of Conversation, then we see now; For Christ in the Succession of His Kingdom will not bear Provoocations in the Professors of his Name, that in this distance he now bears with; Wickedness can no more, then False worship or the Greatest lie against his Truth, have any toleration then; What manner of Persons ought we therefore to be in all preparation to it? coral. 10. Let him that desires to search the Great Mysteries of prophesy retire Himself; He that would behold the apostasy, as prophesy hath drawn it, and be persuaded of it, must be Carried away, as John was, by the spirit into the Wilderness; For the very world, even the Reformed world is so Full of it, He will certainly be deceived concerning it; except He be so withdrawn from the Manners, and Sentiments also of it; He that would behold the Kingdom, and Glory of Jesus Christ, must be Carried up by the Spirit with John also into an exceeding High Mountain; For if He remain upon Earth, He will be Lost in the Vulgar error; That that Kingdom is no other, but as it now rises up in the world with all the Sardian Glory, that surrounds it; and the Hierarchic Grandieur, that eclipses it, while it pretends to bear its Glory openly, and on High; Although it be indeed no other, then the Print, the Feet of Iron, and of day have left behind them: But we wait, and look for the Lord from Heaven, and for new Heavens and a new Earth, wherein Righteousness shall dwell; to be created by Him, who shall make All Things new, when He comes; and when the Days of Refreshment, or Breathing in that purest Air shall come from the Face of God and of the Lamb; and in the Times of Restitution, when the Mystery, that God hath preached as an Everlasting Gospel by all his Prophets, shall be finished; And it shall be pronounced upon it, IT IS DONE. coral. 11. Seeing our duty Rests so much in Earnest prayer for the Kingdom of Christ; what happier Rule, or Greater Encouragement can we have, then that Three-fold Cord of Petitions in the Prayer, we so general style the Lords prayer; and which may justly be styled also the Prayer of the Kingdom; The Formal Repetition of which hath been too much idolised by the apostasy, contrary to the very end of the Institution, viz. to banish vain Repetitions from the Church of Christ, and to leave that practise wholly to the Gentiles; But when the Gentiles entred the Outward Court, They brought in their Gentilism upon that very Prayer, which was given to surprise it, and to keep it out; its entrance being Foreseen, and in some measure Foretold by Christ in this very Institution. And I wish They of the Synagogue do not in that very part offend. In the mean Time, the High sense is too much un-understood, and particularly that Correspondent state signified in those words; As in Heaven, viz the new Heaven, and upon Earth, viz. the new Earth. And it is a certain Assurance to us; There shall be such a state, as in the New Heaven, so on the New Earth, wherein Righteousness shall dwell; Because our Lord hath Taught his Ser-so to Pray; and we are sure, what He Taught, is according to the Will of God; And it is our duty to pray so with Understanding, Faith and Desire; and therefore we shall, it is certain be Heard, for his Mediation is always upon the divine senses of this Prayer. Now the Hallowing the Name of God, the Kingdom of God coming, and His will done, are so Lynck'd, or even united, that one cannot be on Earth without the other. And it is certain as in Heaven, and on Earth, Imports Correspondence of places; and more significantly, then if it had been only said, Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven; For the Petitions 〈◇〉, not 〈◇〉 is so prepared, that in distinction from the Highest Heavens, where God, Christ, Angels, and Saints now are,( called plurally 〈◇〉) the Petition is framed, as well for such a State, of perfect Sanctification of the Name of God, as in Heaven,( 〈◇〉 the New Heaven singularly) as on the New Earth; and not only the doing of Gods will Exemplarily on Earth, as it is now in the Heavens; but Correspondently, tho' indeed Exemplarily also, in the New Heaven, and on the New Earth. And that no more should be intended then only sincerely on Earth, as in Heaven now, is most unreasonable; For the Correspondence of places must at least signify the universality also of that sincerity on Earth, as in Heaven; and so must have its Answer to the Prayers of Saints in all Ages here on Earth. And because, This State hath never yet been; It is most certain, it is yet to come, and so Earnestly to be prayed for by the Assistance of the Spirit with the Bride,( Come Lord Jesus, Quickly come,) by all who love and wait for his Appearance. The fuller Exposition of these Three Petitions, and of all the Petitions in agreement therewith, I have all Ready prepared( if the Lord so please) to offer to the public. THE END.