Gospel Churches a Standing Ordinance, Treatise · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
The Book of the Revelaetion containes a Prophetick diſcovery of the State of the Church, from the time of its being given forth to the glorious perſonal appearance of Chriſt. The continuance of Goſpel-Churches propheſied of in this Book, to the time of Chriſt's coming. The ſeven Churches of Aſia, a Type of Goſpel-Churches, and their continuation to that time. Four ſignal periods of time mentioned in the Revelation. viz. The time of the Roman-Pagan Empire; of the Propheſying of the Witneſſes; of the laſt Dragon-War; of the Witneſſes riſe, and pouring forth of the Vials, which periods in the perſonal coming of Chriſt. The continuation of the Church-ſtate through theſe ſeveral periods of time, demonſtrated. The Womans (or Church's) flight into the Wilderneſs, and the Witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloath contemporize. Her feeding in the Wilderneſs, what, the manner of it. An Objection anſwered. The two Witneſſes are not two particular Perſons, proved. They are before the laſt of the laſt dayes. Who meant by the Gentiles, Rev. 11.2. Why call'd Gentiles. The Court without the Temple, and the Holy City, the treading under foot of the Holy City, the Temple of God, the Altar, and Worſhippers therein, Explained. The fourty-two Months, or 1260 Dayes, not ordinary Months, or Dayes, evinced. The Antichriſt is long ſince come. The Papal Kingdom is the Antichriſt. Rev. 12.17. at large explained. The Dragon, Woman, remnant of her Seed, who they are: to what period of time that Propheſie hath relation, The ſlaughter of the Witneſſes, not a corporeal ſlaughter, proved. The riſen Witneſſes, and the Vial-Angels Contemporize. None of the Vials yet poured forth, Rev. 15.5. at large opened. What's meant by the Temple: Why call'd the Temple of the Teſtimony. What the opening of the Temple ſignifies.
Demonſtration. IV.
THroughout the Book of the Revelation, we have a plain, and full account, of a Church-ſtate, or Saints Worſhipping God in Goſpel-Churches, till the Perſonal appearance of Chriſt.
Two things muſt be premiſed.
1. This Book of the Revelation is a diſcovery from God the Father to Jeſus Chriſt, of things (eſpecially relating to his Churches) that were ſhortly to come to paſs, Rev. 1.1. i. e. the accompliſhment of ſome of the things there propheſied of, was immediately to take place. Yet,
2. It containes a prophetick diſcovery of the State of the Church, from that time to the perſonal coming of the Lord Jeſus, Rev. 20.1. And I ſaw an Angel [Conſtantine, ſay ſome; an Arch-Angel, ſo others; Chriſt, the Angel of the Covenant, ſo rather] come down from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomleſs Pit. (Chriſt alone hath ſo, Rev. 1.18.) chap. 21.3. The Tabernacle of God is with men. And 22.20. He which teſtifieth theſe things ſaith, Surely I come quickly, Amen; even ſo come Lord Jeſus.
So then, if we demonſtrate, that the Continuance of a Church-ſtate, or Goſpel-Churches, is propheſied of throughout this Book, the continuation of Goſpel-Churches, with the Worſhip, Ordinances, Inſtitutions peculiar to them, cannot be denied.
A late learned Author (and ſome others before him) aſſerts, that by the ſeven Churches of Aſia (Rev. 2. & 3.) the State of the Church of Chriſt downwards, to the end of all things, is repreſented. And the truth is, with that ſtrength of Arguments, that I know not how it can be refelled. The Church of Epheſus repreſenting the State of the Church of Chriſt to the tenth of Nero's raign, A.D. 63. Smyrna, the State of the Church from 63. tell A.D. 324. (when Conſtantine had ſubdued the moſt potent Enemies of the Church) and compriſes the Ten Preſecutions. Pergamos, the ſtate of the Church from 324. to A.D. 1242. when the Popes Legate Amelin, made an end of the Albigenſian War, with Trancavel, Baſtard of the Earl of Beziers. Thyatira, the State of the Church from 1242. till whole Nations fell off from the Papacy. Sardis, from the riſe of the Witneſſes to the laſt Vial. Philadelphia, from the time of the Laſt Vial, to the fourth Thunder. Laodicea, the State of the Church from the fourth and fifth Thunders, i. e. from the looſing of Satan, to the appearing of Chriſt's coming to Judgment under the ſixth Thunder. Now, though I have ſeveral reaſons why I cannot comply with this Learned Author, as touching the computation of time; yet his Arguments, to prove the State of the Church, from that time to the Confummation of the World, to be repreſented by the ſeven Churches of Aſia, ſeem unanſwerable As, 1. The title of the Revelation, ver. 1. The Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt— to ſhew unto his Servants things which muſt ſhortly come to paſs. The Aſiatick Churches then were; this Book containes a Revelation of things that were to be. 2.. John's preſent ſaluting of the Seven Churches upon his calling this a Book of Propheſies, with this Salutation, Grace be unto you, and Peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, manifeſts as much. 3. The deſcription he gives of Chriſt, which is, and which was, and which is to come, ver. 4.8, 11. doth intimate that he is treating of what reaches from the beginning of the Church to the lateſt Ages thereof (even to the coming of Chriſt, ver. 7.) 4. The preamble into the Viſion of the ſeven Churches, ver. 10. and that of the ſeven Seales is ſo like, that it ſeems they are both of like extent and importance. 5. Elſe no Reaſon can be given, 1. Why, after the Spirit had given notice, that this Book is a propheſie of things to come, he ſhould preſently ſtart from the title, and intended ſubject, to write Seven Epiſtles that have nothing conſiderable of Propheſie in them; and that he ſhould do this, with as great pomp, and as high a preamble, as when he begins the Propheſie of the Seals, and the open'd Book. 2. Why the Epiſtles ſhould be writ to the Churches of Aſia, rather than to the Churches of Europe, and Affrick. 3. Why he gives the precedency to this Church rather than that. 4. Why juſt Seven, neither more, nor leſs. 5. Why theſe ſeven, rather than any others, which might have the very ſame Vertues and Vices. 6. Why Chriſt is deſcribed holding the Seven Stars in his right hand, in the Epiſtles to the Churches of Epheſus, and Sardis. 7. Why the Church of Epheſus of all others, ſhould be commended for their trying falſe Apoſtles. 8. Why 'tis ſaid to the Church of Smyrna, more than to any other, Be thou faithful nnto Death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life. 9. Why ſuch an Ataxy in the ranging of the Churches, that the two irreprehenſible Churches, Smyrna, and Philadelphia, are not joyned together; Epheſus, Sardis, and Laodicea againſt whom there is no complaint of eating things offer'd to Idols; and then Pergamos and Thy…tira, in which there is. 10. Why Chriſt, before the Epiſtle to the Church in Pergamos, is ſet out by a two-edged Sword; and in the Church of Thyatira, by his feet like fine Braſs [as if they burned in the Furnace; for that ſupplement muſt be added.] 11. Why Antypas ſhould be named by name (in a Book ſo full of aenigmatical involutions.) 12. Why Chriſt expreſſeth a greater diſguſt againſt the Church of Laodicea, than that of Sardis, which is ſaid to be quite dead. 13. Why in every Epiſtle, that phraſe is uſed, I know thy works; which is a thing of ſmall importance in the literal ſenſe; but in the prophetical, it ſeems on purpoſe ſo repeated, to intimate an alluſion in Aſia, to the Hebrew word foreign (as if foreign, was intended to anſwer foreign) that Aſia may alſo be ſignificant, as well as the names of the Seven Churches. 14. Why a particular Woman ſhould be taken notice of by name in the Church of Thyatira, more than others. 15. Why the promiſe of ruling over the Nations, and receiving the Morning-Star, ſhould be made to the Church of Thyatira more than others. 16. Why the temptation that was to come upon all the World, ſhould be mention'd rather to the Church in Phyladelphia, than others. 17. Why upon her ſhould be written the Name of the City of God, &c. 18. Why the Church of the Laodiceans ſhould account her ſelf ſo hugely rich, increaſed in goods, and to have no want in any thing. 19. Why that phraſe, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear—which our Saviour is found ſo often to add at the end of his Parables, ſhould be uſed in every Epiſtle; they being no Parables, but Epiſtles ſent to each of thoſe Churches in Aſia reſpectively—
The ſum is, the ſeven Aſiatick Churches were Types of the State of the Church (or the Churches of Chriſt) from that time to the end of all things. There muſt then all along be Churches to anſwer to theſe Types. Sometimes ('tis true) more Pure, Spiritual, Splendid, Viſible; ſometimes leſs, as the Types of them repreſent; but alwayes ſuch as Chriſt ownes for his Churches, and as ſuch walks in the midſt of them.
But further, The State of the Churches as repreſented in the Book of the Revelation, may be conſider'd under a fourfold period of time.
I. The time of the Roman-Pagan Empire: That then there were true Churches of Chriſt, will not be denied. Againſt them, Satan the great red Dragon, in that Pagan-ſtate, ſet himſelf with all the cruelty imaginable, pouring out the blood of Myriads of the Lords faithful Ones. Theſe Churches wreſtle with God night and day, in Faith, Prayer, Supplication; and at laſt the whole State (as a juſt Judgment of God upon them, for their cruelties exerciſed upon his Children) paſſes away, Rev. 6. Theſe Churches, are the Woman cloathed with the Sun, having the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a Crown of Twelve Stars, Rev. 12.1.
II. The time of the propheſying of the Witneſſes, which Synchronizes with the time of the Wild-Beaſt, or Antichriſt. That during this time, which is one thouſand two hundred and ſixty Dayes, or fourty-two Months (which according to the Grecian account, thirty dayes to a Month is the ſame.) There were Goſpel-Churches, is evident. For,
1. The Witneſſes themſelves are ſuch; therefore call'd Two Candleſticks, Rev. 11.4. Theſe are the two Olive-Trees, and the two Candleſticks ſtanding before the Lord of the Earth. Candleſticks! Who, or what are they? The Palmoni, wonderful numberer, the interpreter, one of a thouſand, ſhall anſwer for us (and one would think the interpretation he gives, ſhould paſs without queſtion among thoſe who call themſelves by his name) Rev. 1.20. The ſeven Candleſticks which thou ſaweſt, are ſeven Churches. Object. But why here but two Candleſticks? Anſw. The Antichriſtian apoſtacy had now ſo far prevailed, that Chriſt could own but a few as ſtanding in ſuch a relation unto himſelf.
2. During this period, there is a Temple of God, an Altar, and ſuch as Worſhip therein: which can denote nothing leſs than a Goſpel-Church-ſtate, and Goſpel-Worſhippers therein; in oppoſition to the Court without, and Holy City which is given to the Gentiles, (or Antichriſtians) to tread under foot, Rev. 11.1, 2. And this Temple, &c. is to be meaſured with a Rod, ver. 1. 'Twill not be altogether impertinent to enquire; what's held forth by the Meaſuring of the Temple, &c. Five things I humbly conceive the Spirit of the Lord intends by it.
1. The Churches of Chriſt that were in a Witneſs for him, being reduced to more Purity, and Scripture-ſimplicity than was with them a little before. Through the cunning working of the man of Sin (though then in a Myſtery) profeſſors had not a little ſwerved from Scripture-rule. The body, generality of theſe are ſwallowed up in the Antichriſtian Apoſtacy; a little remnant are awakened to ſtand up, as Witneſſes for Chriſt; and they perceiving diſorders amongſt themſelves, reduce all to the Scripture-ſtandard; The only way to heal all the differences amongſt Chriſtians, touching Worſhip at this day.
2. The paucity of true, ſincere Worſhippers, ſo few, that they might eaſily be Meaſured.
3. The difference God makes betwixt Profeſſors; ſome he curiouſly Meaſures, others he deals not ſo with, as not worth minding, being Virgins, Nullius Pretii, of no reckoning, value.
4. That the building of the Church is Gods work; his meaſuring-line, not Man's muſt be ſtretcht over it.
5. His care to preſerve this remnant in that purity, ſimplicity of Worſhip, that was according to his Will, and they had attain'd to, during the whole time of the Antichriſtian Apoſtacy, and Propheſying of the Witneſſes againſt it. Meaſuring in Scripture (ſomtimes at leaſt) denotes the care, concern of Jehovah for the thing meaſured.
III. All the time of Antichriſt's rampancy, there are two Witneſſes that have Power given them from the Lord (at leaſt till the time of their ſlaughter) to propheſie againſt Antichriſt; i. e. to ſtand by the Lord of the whole Earth againſt him, Rev. 11.3, 4. viz. to take Chriſt's part againſt Antichriſt; maintain, defend the things of Chriſt againſt the incroachments, devices, carnal inventions of Antichriſt. Now this man of Sin made not onelyonly advances againſt the Doctrine of the Goſpel, but againſt the oeconomy, order thereof, with reſpect to Worſhip, Chriſt hath his particular Churches with fixed Officers in them (Inſtitutions, Orders, of his own affixed to them) all gather'd by the Power of the Spirit, and voluntarily giving up themſelves, to the Lord and one another: Paſtors, Teachers, choſen by them from amongſt themſelves, He the Head of them all: Antichriſt hath his oecumenical, Univerſal Church, Officers, Inſtitutions, Ordinances, Forraign, contrary to Chriſt's: He ſets up himſelf as Head of this Antichriſtian-Church; gathers into it, by force, violence; rules, governs it, by Canons, Laws of his own. If then Chriſt hath his Witneſſes, and their work be to Witneſs for him againſt Antichriſt's innovations; they muſt be found not only pleading againſt theſe, (which would be only a negative teſtimony) but witneſſing for the Order, Inſtitutions of Chriſt; and ſo conſequently be in the practice of theſe. For it cannot be imagin'd, that Chriſt's Witneſſes ſhould own that in Principle, and plead for it, which they are themſelves out of the practice of. Nay the truth is, this laſt is that, wherein their witneſs ſignally lyes.
IV. That the Woman's flight into the Wilderneſs ▪ Rev. 12.6. and the Witneſſes propheſying in Sackcloth, contemporize, is not onelyonly generally granted; but 'tis from hence evident, becauſe the time of the Witneſſes propheſying in Sackcloth, and the Womans continuing in the Wilderneſs, is the ſame. Rev. 11.3. They ſhall Propheſie a thouſand two hundred and ſixty dayes clothed in ſackcloth. Rev. 12.6. And the Woman fled into the Wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a place prepared of God that they ſhould feed her there one thouſand two hundred and three-ſcore dayes. That ſhe was in the Wilderneſs in a Church-ſtate waiting upon the Lord, in Inſtitutions, Ordinances of his own appointment, is evident.
1. She is therefore call'd the Woman; as the falſe Church is call'd the whoriſh Woman, becauſe of her Antichriſtian Church-ſtate, Worſhip, Ordinances.
2. 'Tis ſaid, They ſhould feed her there. Queſt. Who ſhall feed her there? Anſw. Perſons appointed by the Lord, and choſen by the Church in this her Wilderneſs-ſtate ſhall do it. Queſt. How ſhould they feed her? Anſw. There's no extraordinary way of feeding pointed at by the Spirit of the Lord; therefore ſhe's to be fed in God's Ordinary way; in her attendment on Inſtitutions of his own appointment for that end.
So that evidently there were Churches, Church-Inſtitutions, Worſhip, all the time of the Witneſſes propheſying.
Object. All this may be granted, and yet the continuance of Goſpel-Churches not proved; for the Witneſſes began not to Propheſie till a few years ago.
Anſw. Though this Objection be very weak, frivolous, the baſis upon which it is built, generally exploded by all Reformed Chriſtians, and therefore may ſeem not worthy our notice: yet reſolving not willingly to paſs by any thing, that may ſeem to have the leaſt ſhadow of Argument in it, againſt what we are pleading for; and for the ſake of ſome that are (or may be) in danger to be led aſide, by ſuch pretenſions as theſe, we ſhall particularly examine it. Several things are ſuppoſed, as the baſis upon which this Objection is built, that are evidently falſe; which being demonſtrated to be ſo, the Objection will preſently evaporate into ſmoke, and vanity. As,
1. That the two Witneſſes ſpoken of, are two particular Perſons.
2. That they are to come in the laſt of the laſt dayes.
3. That the time of their Propheſie is but One thouſand two hundred, and three-ſcore natural dayes. Now the Heterodoxy of all this, will preſently appear.
I. As touching the firſt, 'tis true, Bellarmine the Jeſuite, and others, tell us, not only that they are two particular Perſons, (whom ſome of late follow) but alſo who they are, viz. Enoch and Elias (who they ſay ſhall come, and fight againſt Antichriſt in Jeruſalem, and there be put to death by him, Bellar. de Rom. Pontif. l. 3. c. 13.): But that they are not, cannot be two particular Perſons, is evident.
1. The Two Witneſſes are call'd, two Candleſticks; which Chriſt interprets to be Churches (as was ſaid before.)
2. The Two Witneſſes Propheſie, all the Wild Beaſt's (Antichriſt's) Reign, viz. Fourty-two Months, or One thouſand two hundred ſixty dayes, viz. prophetick dayes, i. e. Years, as ſhall by and by be demonſtrated. 'Tis not to be imagined, that any two particular Perſons ſhould ever live ſo long.
3. During the time of their Propheſie, They torment them that dwell upon the Earth, Rev. 11.10. i. e. the Antichriſtian Kingdom: which 'tis not probable, two particular Perſons (eſpecially conſidering that thoſe which hold this notion, aſſert alſo, that the 1260. dayes, are natural dayes, or three Years and an half) ſhould do in ſo ſhort a time.
4. When they are ſlain, and lye dead in the ſtreet of the great City three dayes and an half, (natural dayes as they'l have it) they of the People, and Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations (viz. the multitude over which Antichriſt preſides) ſee their dead bodies, and rejoyce over them—Which that they ſhould do, if but two particular perſons, and they lye dead for ſo ſhort a time, is the firſt-born of abſurdities. 'Tis impoſſible, within that limit, the perſons mention'd ſhould all hear of it, much more come to ſee it.
II. That the two Witneſſes are to come in the laſt of the laſt dayes, is alſo an unſcriptural-vanity, as is evident.
1. The two Witneſſes Propheſying, and the Gentiles treading under foot the Holy City, contemporize, Rev. 11.2, 3. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out, and meaſure it not: for it's given unto the Gentiles, and the holy City ſhall they tread under foot fourty and two Months. And I will give Power unto my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Propheſie 1260 Dayes cloathed in Sackcloth. The fourty two Months, according to the Grecian account, are exactly 1260. Dayes: ſo long then as the Gentiles tread down the Holy City, ſo long are the Witneſſes to Propheſie. A few things muſt further be enquir'd into. 1. Who we are to underſtand by the Gentiles. 2. What by the Holy City. 3. What their treading under foot the Holy City, means. 4. What ſpace of time the fourty-two Months take up, in which 'tis ſaid, the Gentiles ſhall tread down the Holy City.
1. By the Gentiles, we are to underſtand the Antichriſtians; particularly the bloody Papiſts, headed by the Pope [That foreign, Man of Sin, that Son of Perdition, that Lawleſs One, 2. Theſ. 2.3, 8.] Theſe are call'd Gentiles, becauſe, 1. Of their Introduction of Idolatrous Worſhip practiſed amongſt the Gentiles. I mean not only the Worſhip of Statues, Idols of Wood, Stone, Braſs, Silver, Gold; but the Worſhip of Heroes, (or Saints) in imitation of the Gentile-Heroes, whom they Worſhip'd. 2. Of their being actuated by the ſame Spirit of bloody cruelty, againſt the Worſhippers within the Temple and Altar (or the true Spiritual Worſhipers), with which the Gentiles before them were actuated againſt the Primitive Believers; and actually murdering the true Servants of the Lord, as they did.
2. The Court without the Temple, and the Holy City (which Type out the ſame thing) is the Antichriſtian Church-ſtate, Worſhip, Worſhippers, Orders, Ordinances. The Temple of God, the Altar, and the Worſhippers therein, v. 1. are the Goſpel-Church-ſtate, with the Worſhip, and Worſhippers thereunto belonging (as hath been proved.) The Court then without the Temple, and the Holy City, to be left out (as a matter of no worth) is the falſe Church-ſtate, with its Worſhip and Worſhippers.
3. Their treading under foot the Holy City, denotes.
1. The numerouſneſs of the Antichriſtian Worſhippers.
2. Their frequency in their Antichriſtian Service, as the Phraſe is taken, Iſa. 1.12. Pſal. 121.2. q. d. Meaſure not the Court—. The falſe Worſhip, Worſhippers, are ſo contemptible, vile, they deſerve not to be taken notice of: are ſo numerous, that they cannot well be meaſured—They throng the City, as if they would tread it under foot at once.
4. The fourty-two Months cannot poſſibly denote fourty-two ordinary Months, or One thouſand two hundred and ſixty natural Dayes, or three years and an half, for theſe Reaſons.
1. The Papacy (repreſented under the notion of the Gentiles—) have been already rampant hundreds of Years; perſecuted, murder'd, deſtroyed millions of Saints, for not treading together with them, the Holy City.
2. As was ſaid, The forty-two Months, and the One thouſand two hundred ſixty dayes are the ſame: Now, a day for a year is the prophetick reckoning. See Num. 14.34. Ezek. 4.6. So in the propheſie of Daniel, Chap. 8.21, 23. and 9.24. and 12.11, 12▪ And for ought I find in all Prophetick Books, where any ſignal time is ſpoken of.
3. That the Gentiles treading down the Holy City, and the wild Beaſt, Rev. 13.2, 3. are the ſame, hath hitherto been taken for granted; and 'tis evident they are ſo; as from other conſiderations, ſo from this, that the ſame term is given to them both, ver. 5. And Power was given to him forty-two Months (or One thouſand two hundred and ſixty Dayes, as was before intimated.) Now, tis impoſſible, that what is ſaid to be done by, and aſcribed to, this wild Beaſt, ſhould be ſhut up in ſo ſhort a period, as three years and an half. For,
1. He brings the whole world under his ſubjection, is a dread and terror to them; grows ſo conſiderable, that none is able to make War with him, ver. 4, 7. And they Worſhipped the Beaſt, ſaying, Who is like unto the Beaſt? Who is able to make War with him.
2. All the World wonders after the Beaſt. ver. 3. foreign—. The Word is very emphatick, denoting honour, reverence, fear of any one, upon the account of ſome wonderful ſtrange thing done by him. 'Tis tranſlated Jude. 16. The having (mens perſons) in admiration. It comes from the Hebrew foreign greatly to obſerve, reverence, worſhip, to magnify, have in great eſteem. Some read it, He was admired in the whole Earth. The Arabick tranſlates it, The whole Earth wondring, followed the Beaſt. Which is indeed the ſenſe of the place. q. d. ſuch wonderful things ſhall be done by the Beaſt in the ſight of the World, that with the greateſt admiration, higheſt approbation and conſent, they ſhall take the Beaſts part, liſt themſelves under his ſtandard. The Aethiopick reads, And the whole Earth wondred, and followed this Beaſt; to the ſame purpoſe.
3. He makes War with the Saints, and overcomes them, v. 7. Acts that muſt certainly take up more time than three Years and an half for their production.
III. Antichriſt, who is the ſame with the Wild Beaſt, but now mentioned (as is granted by all) was in the womb in the Apoſtles dayes; wrought then under ground in a myſtery, labouring to come forth; which he at laſt did, Exalting himſelf above all that is called God, or worſhipped, ſhewing himſelf that he is God, 2 Theſ. 2.4, 7. He more openly ſhew'd himſelf, whilſt the Apoſtle John was yet alive, than he did in Paul's dayes, John 2.22, 23. and 4.2, 3. So that it's evident, that the Antichriſt was in the womb in the Apoſtles dayes; and openly diſcover'd himſelf not long after the foreign (that which letted) call'd the foreign (the Letter, or he which letteth) 2 Theſ. 2.6, 7. was taken out of the way. Various are the ſentiments of the Learned touching this Letter. The Learned Brightman makes him to be the ſixth head of the Roman Empire: others think him to be the Holy Spirit, who by his ſignal preſence, power with the Primitive believers, kept Antichriſt from aſcending to that heighth of dignity, ſupremacy, he aimed at. Some adjudge it to be the apoſtaſie ſpoken of, ver. 3. Except there come a falling away firſt, and that man of Sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition. q. d. The general Apoſtacy muſt firſt be, ere the man of Sin (or Antichriſt) openly manifeſt himſelf; when that is, he will quickly appear to head it. Its not yet coming, is that which lets his Revelation. The generality take it for the Roman-Pagan-Empire, or Emperour, in his full Power, and Majeſty, flouriſhing, and living at his ſeat in Rome. Which I humbly conceive is Paul's intendment. For, 1. No reaſon can be given, why Paul expreſſes himſelf in ſo dark terms; that which letteth this Letter, if the Roman-Pagan-Empire be not intended; but if ſo, the reaſon is obvious: They had an opinion, that this Empire was everlaſting; to have talk'd of its removal, would have ſtirr'd them up to have perſecuted the Saints, as the Enemies of it. Leſs occaſions they many times took ſo to do. 2. Antichriſt's ſeat was to be Rome, Rev. 17.9. The ſeven heads are ſeven Mountains on which the Woman ſitteth, i. e. The City built on ſeven Hills, is Antichriſts Seat, viz. Rome, alone famous amongſt Hiſtorians upon that account.
Septem urbs alta jugis, toti quae praeſidet orbi.
The Seven-hill'd City that governs the World, ſaith Propertius.
But take the Letter, or that which Letteth, in either of the forementioned ſences, and he hath been actually taken away for above this thouſand Years. Immediately upon which Antichriſt was revealed; whoſe time, and the Beaſt's, are the ſame; for they themſelves are the ſame. Therefore the fourty-two Months cannot poſſibly denote fourty-two Ordinary Months, or One thouſand two hundred and ſixty natural dayes, viz. Three Years, and a half; but a much longer tract of time.
By what hath hitherto in this matter been offered, the Judicious Reader will find a plain probation of the main Theſis, we are now in the confirmation of, viz. that the two Witneſſes come before the laſt of the laſt dayes. For,
2. The two Witneſſes are expreſly ſaid to propheſie One thouſand two hundred and ſixty Dayes, i. e. Years, according to the Prophetick reckoning, as we have proved.
3. The Witneſſes Propheſying▪ and the rampancy of the Wild-Beaſt, Rev. 13.2, 3.—take up the ſame time of fourty two Months, or, One thouſand two hundred and ſixty Dayes; but it hath been demonſtrated, that the term of the Wild Beaſt is not ſo ſhort as three Years and an half; therefore the Witneſſes Propheſying cannot be thruſt into ſo narrow a compaſs.
4. The time of the Witneſſes Propheſying, and Antichriſts day (after his Revelation) are the ſame: For Antichriſt, and the Wild Beaſt, Rev. 13. are the ſame. And the Witneſſes Propheſying, and the rampancy of the Wild Beaſt take up the ſame time, as hath been proved. That Antichriſt hath been reveal'd in the World for hundreds of Years paſt, hath alſo been demonſtrated. Therefore the Witneſſes Propheſying hath been alſo thus long, ſo muſt have their exiſtence as Propheſying Witneſſes before the laſt of the laſt Dayes; Quod erat demonſtrandum.
As touching the third ſuppoſition upon which the Objection is built, viz.
III. That the time of the Witneſſes Propheſie; is but for One thouſand two hundred and ſixty natural dayes: the contrary hath been, from what hath been ſaid touching the ſecond particular, abundantly evinc'd; to which add, The Witneſſes are to Propheſie all the time of Antichriſt (as hath been proved:) The truth is, they are raiſed up, Spirited by the Lord as witneſſes to propheſie againſt him, and his incroachments upon the Soveraign Authority of Chriſt. Tis true, the Papiſts, that they may clear the Pope of the charge hath been by the Proteſtants laid againſt him as the Antichriſt, aſſert, That Antichriſt is not yet come; that he is not to come till towards the period of time; to continue, when he comes, but three years, and an half. Thus Bellarmin l.3. De Pontif. Antichriſtus debet regnare non niſi tres annos cum medio praeciſe. Antichriſti adventus erit paulo ante finem mundi: continuo poſt mortem ejus mundus finetur. i. e. Antichriſt ought to raign but three years, and an half preciſely. The coming of Antichriſt, ſhall be a little before the end of the World: By and by, after his death, the World ſhall terminate.
Two things in this matter are eaſily demonſtrated.
1. That Antichriſt is long ſince come.
I. That the Papal Kingdom is the Antichriſt ſpoken of: which, if plainly from Scripture demonſtrated, it undeniably follows, that the time of the witneſſes propheſie cannot be ſhut up within the limits of one Thouſand two Hundred and Sixty natural days.
1. That Antichriſt is long ſince come, is evident; for,
1. He is Propheſied of, as to come when the Apoſtacy ſhould break forth, 2. Theſ. 2.3. Except there come a falling away firſt, and that man of ſin be revealed: So that evidently upon the coming in of the Apoſtacy, the man of ſin, or Antichriſt, is to be revealed. But the Apoſtack hath been already for ſeveral hundreds of years: witneſs the corruption in doctrine, viz. Juſtification by Works, Tranſubſtantiation, &c. in Worſhip, viz. the veneration of Reliques, the invocation of Saints, the Worſhip of the breaden God, Images, &c.
2. The Myſtery of Iniquity wrought (viz. in Order to the bringing forth of the man of Sin) in the Apoſtles Dayes, 2 Theſ. 2.7. It cannot then be imagin'd, but his birth was near. What? in the Womb then, and not to be brought forth for hundreds of years after? credat Appella! 'Tis a figment, that the repetition of, is refutation ſufficient.
3. The foreign, or that which letted his Revelation, 2 Theſ. 2.6. was long ſince removed out of the way, as hath been demonſtrated. Immediately upon which, he was to be revealed, ver. 8. The truth of this, will more evidently appear in our diſcuſſions of the ſecond particular, viz.
2. That the Papal Kingdom, is THE ANTICHRIST ſpoken of in the Scripture: Which we ſhall in a diſtinct Treatiſe foreign fully demonſtrate.
The third Period of time mentioned in the Revelation is,
III. The time of the laſt Dragon-War: When we have an account alſo of a Goſpel-Church-ſtate; Churches Worſhipping God, according to the appointment of Chriſt. Of this War we have an account, Rev. 12.17. And the Dragon was Wroth with the Woman, and went about to make War with the remnant of her Seed. V.L. And the Dragon was Wroth againſt the Woman, and went to make War with the reſt of her ſeed. Ar. Therefore that Serpent was wroth againſt the Woman; and went to wage War with the Seed of the Woman, that was left. Syr. And that Dragon was wroth againſt the Woman, and went to make War with them, who are the reſidue of her Seed. Aeth. And this Beaſt was wroth againſt this Woman, and went that he might oppugn the reſt of her Sons. Much to the ſame purpoſe.
A few things muſt be conſidered.
1. Who is meant by the Dragon. 2. Who by the Woman. 3. Who are the Remnant of her Seed. 4. What this War is. 5. To what Period of time it hath Relation. 6. That in the time of this War, there is a Goſpel-Church-ſtate of the appointment of Chriſt, to which Saints are found in Conformity.
I. As touching the firſt, by the Dragon we are to underſtand the Devil. So the Spirit interprets, ver. 9. And the great Dragon was caſt out, that Old Serpent call'd the Devil, and Satan. So alſo, Rev. 20.2. So call'd upon the account of duplicate page duplicate page his, 1. Sublety. 2. Malice, Enmity againſt mankind, eſpecially the Saints. 3. Cruelty, in devouring, ſwallowing them up. 4. Strength, Power to put in Execution (by Divine ſufferance) his enmity againſt them. But yet the Devil as acting not in the Roman-Pagan-ſtate, but in the Antichriſtian; wherein he moſt evidently diſplayes his enmity, bloody cruelty, ſubtilty, and Power. Now this ſeems to be very evident. For this Dragon is ſaid to have Seven Heads, and Ten Horns, and Ten Crowns upon his Heads. The Seven Heads are interpreted, Rev. 17.9, 10. not only to be Seven Mountains, but alſo Seven Kings, or ſeven ſorts of Government; whereof five were fallen, when John writ, viz. Kings, Conſuls, Tribunes, Decemvirs, Dictators; and one then was, viz. Pagan-Emperours; and the Seventh was not yet come, viz. Chriſtian Emperours; amongſt whom ſprings Antichriſt, who is ſaid to be the Eighth and yet of the Seventh, ver. 11. So then during the time of the Roman-Pagan-Emperors, the Dragon had but Six Heads; therefore by the Dragon we are not to underſtanding the Devil as acting in that ſtate, but in the Antichriſtian, when he had his Seven Heads compleat. The Ten Horns are alſo interpreted, Rev. 17.12. to be Ten Kings which had at that time of Johns writing, received no Kingdom: They reſpect a time when the Roman-Empire ſhould be divided into Ten Kingdoms, which was not while the Empire was Pagan, but under the Seventh Head, about the Year Four Hundred fifty ſix. To which add that John doth painly enough intimate, that theſe Ten Horns did not appertain to the Sixth Head that then was, or the Roman-Pagan-Empire, but to the Seventh, which was to come; for though he tells us, they were Ten Kings, yet he adds, that they had received no Kingdom at that time; i. e. they were Kings not actually, but only in the purpoſe of God, to be produced as ſuch under the Seventh Head, or Roman-Chriſtian-Empire. Beſides, the Beaſt with Seven Heads, and Ten Horns, is expreſly ſaid to carry the Whore, or Antichriſtian-Church, Rev. 17.3. From all which its moſt clear, that the Dragon with Seven Heads, and Ten Horns, is to be underſtood the Devil, as acting not in the Roman-Pagan, but Chriſtian (or rather Antichriſtian) State.
2. By the Woman, we are to underſtand the Churches of Chriſt: So call'd upon the account of their viſible eſpouſal to him, or giving up themſelves to him as their Lord, and Husband; owning his deſpotick Authority, in their profeſt Subjection to all his Inſtitutions. This ſeems evident. Becauſe,
1. By Woman in the firſt verſe, is meant the Churches of Chriſt (as is generally granted) the Primitive Churches, ſay moſt; the Churches of Chriſt, as appearing in a latter-day-glory, ſay others: And as the Woman was at firſt call'd of foreign, Iſh the Man, foreign Iſha Woman, becauſe ſhe was of him: So are the Churches of Chriſt call'd, foreign, Haſhulammith, Shulamiteſſe, or Salomona, or ſhe that is peaceable, of him who is the true foreign Sheloma, Cant. 6.12.
2. Theſe are frequently, as is already proved, call'd the Bride, the Wife of Chriſt, ſaid to be betrothed, eſpouſed to him: He is call'd their foreign Iſh, Lord, Husband.
3. The Woman (as related to Chriſt) is in the Book of the Revelation, ſet in oppoſition to the Whore, or Mother of Harlots, Rev. 17. Now ſhe types out the falſe Churches: therefore by the Woman we are to underſtand the true Churches of Chriſt.
3. By the remnant of the Womans Seed, ſome underſtand ſuch as were brought forth by her in the Wilderneſs, or particular members of the Church (as others) who by reaſon of the iniquity of the times, cannot come together to Worſhip God in the Solemn Aſſemblies openly, as formerly, yet ſeperately and apart, they do worſhip him. Now there are ſeveral things that I humbly conceive lye in the way of theſe interpretations.
I. This War is not in, but out of the Wilderneſs: For into the Wilderneſs the Dragon could not, it ſeems, purſue her. Therefore he caſts a Flood of VVater out of his mouth, to ſwallow her up, but with little Succeſs, for the Earth helps her, opens her mouth and ſwallows up the Flood, Rev. 12.15, 16. Beſides, he would (if he could) have attaqu't the Mother in the VVilderneſs, as well as the Children brought forth by her there; whereas this is a particular VVar againſt the remnant of her ſeed. Nor,
2. Can I ſee, how their Worſhipping ſeverally, and a part, is conſiſtent with the Characters given of the remnant of the Womans ſeed, ver. 17. who are expreſly ſaid to Keep the Commandments of God, and to have the Teſtimony of Jeſus Chriſt. Nor,
3. Would Satan have lookt upon them in their divided State, to be ſo conſiderable, as to go about to make ſo formal a War againſt them, as is intimated: could he diſunite, break, diſſipate, ſcatter the Diſciples of Chriſt, he would think he had done his work; at leaſt ſo far, that he might pick them up by degrees, as he ſaw meet; and not put himſelf to the coſt and trouble [foreign] of raiſing a War againſt them. Little do ſome think, how much they ſerve Satan, by driving on a deſign of ſcattering the Saints, and calling them off their Church-Aſſemblies: A work he hath been attempting by various artifices, and methods, ever ſince Chriſt had his Churches in the World; but hitherto without ſucceſs.
This matter then muſt farther be conſidered. By the ſeed of the Woman (in the firſt Scripture-Notion of that expreſſion) we are to underſtand the Meſſiah, Chriſt, Gen. 3.15. Here it hath reſpect to the Saints, begotten by the Word, and Spirit of Jeſus: call'd the ſeed of the Woman, becauſe born in the midſt of the Churches of Chriſt, before that their flight into the Wilderneſs, mention'd, v. 14. As alſo becauſe like her, of the ſame nature, ſpirit, temper, walking in the ſame footſteps, owning the ſame Principles, Doctrine, practiſing the ſame Worſhip, found in the obſervation of the ſame Inſtitutions, Ordinances, with her. By the remnant then of her ſeed, we are to underſtand, ſuch as remain behind her, when ſhe flies into the Wilderneſs, go not with her thither. The Wilderneſs points out a ſtate of ſecrecy, retirement, and ſo ſafety: The Woman (i. e. the body of the Churches) Flies into the Wilderneſs from the face of the Serpent, Worſhips in holes, corners; whileſt this remnant keep on in their viſible owning the Wayes, Ordinances, Inſtitutions of Chriſt as formerly. Who (with ſubmiſſion I ſpeak it) I conceive to be moſt ſtrictly the Witneſſes in their laſt teſtimony to Jeſus.
4. As touching the fourth and fifth particular, what this War is, and to what period of time it hath relation; It ſeems (at leaſt to me) evident from what hath been already offer'd, that 'tis the laſt advance of the Dragon, or Devil, acting in the Papal-Antichriſtian-Wilde-Beaſt, aſcending out of the bottomleſs Pit (or coming forth in more than ordinary malice, fury) againſt the two Witneſſes, or ſuch of the Womans ſeed, who ſhall at this time moſt ſtrictly have the Spirit of Propheſie with them; and ſo bear up for a ſeaſon, in a teſtimony for Chriſt againſt him; the iſſue whereof, ſhall be their ſlaughter, or the driving them off that publick teſtimony they are bearing, into the Wilderneſs, whether the Woman, or the body of the Churches was before fled. And this ſeems more than Probable. Becauſe,
1. Though here's mention of the Dragons going about to make War with the remnant of the Womans ſeed; yet there's no intimation of the leaſt execution, as to any corporeal ſlaughter he makes upon them: but they ſeem rather (with reſpect to that) in as great ſafety as the Woman that before was fled into the Wilderneſs: In anſwer to which, the ſlaughter of the Witneſſes is not, cannot be a corporeal ſlaughter, as amongſt others is moſt evident from this ſingle conſideration: viz. Such as their ſlaughter is, ſuch will their Reſurrection be; if their ſlaughter be corporeal, their Reſurrection muſt be ſo: But their Reſurrection is not, cannot be a corporeal Reſurrection; becauſe it croſſes the Scripture, 1 Cor. 15.23. Every one in his own order, Chriſt the firſt-fruits, afterwards thoſe that are Chriſt's at his coming: clearly aſſerting, that the Saints riſe not till the perſonal coming of Chriſt: But now the Witneſſes riſe before; as is granted by all.
2. After this advance of the Dragon, you hear no more of this remnant of the Womans ſeed, till the great Randezvouz upon Mount Sion, Rev. 14.1. Where they are the riſen Witneſſes, repreſented under the notion of One Hundred forty and four Thouſand, with their fathers name upon their foreheads— going forth under the conduct of the Lamb, to execute the Judgements written againſt Antichriſt, ver. 7.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. to the end. And no wonder, for all this while, viz. from the time of their ſlaughter, to the time of their riſe, they lie Dead, as to any publick viſible witneſs for Chriſt; which formerly they bear, till the Spirit of Life, from God, re-enters into them; and they ſtand upon their feet—.
3. This War againſt the remnant of the Womans ſeed, is much about the ſame time with her ſecond flight into the Wilderneſs, ver. 14. That that flight of the Woman into the Wilderneſs is a ſecond flight, is evident. For,
1. She is repreſented, ver. 10, 12. as coming out of it with Tryumph, Shouting, having greatned confidence, that ſhe ſhould never return thither again; for ſhe ſings, ver. 10. Now is come Salvation, and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Chriſt.
2. The Wilderneſs whether ſhe flies, is call'd HER PLACE, ver. 14. viz. with reſpect to what's ſaid, ver. 6. with relation to her firſt flying thither. And the Woman fled into the Wilderneſs, where ſhe hath a place prepared of God. Into this place, which is now call'd, her place, becauſe before prepar'd for her of God, doth ſhe now fly. Now that ſecond flight of the Woman into the Wilderneſs, is exactly the ſame with the time of the Witneſſes lying dead; She is nouriſh't for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the Serpent: So the Witneſſes lye dead a time [one Year] times [two Years] and half a time [half a Year] viz. Three Years and a half which is congruous to the Scripture-Notion of time, or times, Dan. 4.23, 25.
VI. That in the time of this War, there is a Goſpel-Church-ſtate, is evident. For,
1. There's the Woman, i. e. the Saints in Church-Communion Worſhipping God in the wayes of Chriſts Inſtitution (for upon this account ſhe's call'd the Woman, Bride of Chriſt, as hath been proved) fled into the Wilderneſs, juſt (as 'twere) upon its commencement.
2. The Remnant of the Womans ſeed which keep the Commandments of God, ver. 17. If by the Commandments of God, we underſtand the Commandments of God the Father, or of Jeſus Chriſt, it comes all to one. For one great Commandment of the Father to the Sons of Men, is to hear Chriſt, Deut. 18.18, 19. And on the Holy Mount, a voice is heard to the ſame purpoſe, Mat. 17.5. And Chriſt tells us, that thoſe that have heard, and learnt of the Father, come to him; viz. to be inſtucted by him, John 6.45. And he that hears him, i. e. obey's, ſubjects to him, his in-doctrinations, teachings, hears the Father.
3. They are alſo ſaid to have the Teſtimony of Jeſus. i. e.
1. Negatively, they hold not to the Decrees, Canons, Laws, Inſtitutions of Pope, Councils, Fathers, &c. They abhor to comply with any Antichriſtian Superſtitions, Worſhip, Orders, Ordinances: would they have done ſo, the Devil had never gon about to make War againſt them. The Spirit teſtifyes of them, that they were not defiled with Woman, Rev. 14.4. i. e. with none of the Idolatries, Superſtitions, Fornications of the great Whore, or any of her Daughters.
2. Poſitively, they do viſibly own Jeſus Chriſt, in all his Offices, Laws, Inſtitutions; nor will they be perſwaded to leave them, or ceaſe to conform to them whatever it coſt them. The Lord teſtifies of them in their riſen-ſtate, that they are Virgins, Rev. 14.4. i. e. chaſt to Chriſt, faithful to his Inſtitutions.
And thus much touching the Third Period of time, in which it's evident, there are Churches of the inſtitution of Chriſt. That there are ſo,
4. At the Witneſſes riſe, and all along the pouring out of the Vials, is very evident by the ſame Book of the Revelation: By the way I would modeſtly give my Judgment touching Two things.
I. That the riſen-Witneſſes, and the Vial-Angels, contemporize. This ſeems evident. For,
1. The time of the Witneſſes Propheſying, is a time of Mourning to them, being in their Sack-cloth-ſtate, and for the moſt part the time of Antichriſt. rampancy: but at the time of their riſe, the ſcene begins to alter; and the Vengance of God falls ſo fearfully upon the Antichriſtians, that the tenth part of the City falls; or one of the Ten Kingdoms totally draws off from Antichriſt, and is brought into ſubjection to Chriſt: The time of the beginning of the pouring out of the Vials, is a time of Mourning to the Antichriſtians: for the Vials are Vials of the Pure Wrath of God Almighty pour'd forth in his Authority, and by his Appointment, upon them.
2. From the Witneſſes riſe, the deſtruction of the Kingdom of the Beaſt, or of Antichriſt goe's on, till he be wholly deſtroyed, and the Kingdoms become the Lords, Rev. 11.14, 15, 16, 17, 18. The ſame fate befals the Antichriſtians under the pouring forth of the Vials: their Kingdom is gradually waſted, conſumed, till it ceaſe to be, Rev. 16 from firſt to laſt. But this is not a place fully to proſecute this matter.
II. That there are none of the Vials yet poured forth: Theſe few things (amongſt others) which muſt not now be mentioned) lead me captive to the belief of this Aſſertion.
1. The Witneſſes, I humbly conceive, are not yet riſen, 'tis to be feared not yet ſlain. Now the riſen-witneſſes, and Vial-Angels ſynchronizing, they not being riſen, theſe have not pour'd forth one Vial.
2. We have not yet ſeen the preparatory work, to the powring forth of the Vials mentioned, Rev. 15.
3. The ſubject of the Vials are the perſons, or things of Antichriſt. The Vials being Vials of pure Wrath; on whatever perſons, or things, they fall, they totally conſume them; ſo, as that they ſhall never ſtand up, or exiſt more. What of the Perſons, things of Antichriſt have been thus removed, deſtroyed; Are they not all in their ſplendour, height, glory at this day?
4. The Vial-Angels, and the Stone-ſmiting, Dan. 2. ſynchronize: the effects of the one, and the other, are the ſame; viz. the total deſtruction of Antichriſt, and introduction, exaltment, of the Kingdom of the Lord Jeſus. But the Stone hath yet not begun to ſmite; for when it begins ſo to do, it ſhall never ceaſe, till the Image be wholly deſtroyed; and it (the Stone) become a great Mountain filling the whole Earth, Dan. 2.34, 35. Therefore none of the Vials are yet poured out. But of this matter we muſt not now ſpeak at large.
That there are particular Churches upon the riſe of the Witneſſes, and the pouring out of the Vials, will receive a ſpeedy diſpatch.
1. Now the Witneſſes (which we have proved to be particular Churches) ſtand upon their feet—. Begin openly, with their wonted, and perhaps, greater courage and boldneſs to aſſert, and give Witneſs to the Wayes, and Inſtitutions of Chriſt; which all the time of their Propheſying, they were publickly, and in the time of their ſlaughter, they were privately found in the practice of, Rev. 11.11.
2. Now the Woman that had fled into the Wilderness, and was nouriſht there all the time of the Witneſſes ſlaughter, comes out from thence, and ſhews her ſelf as the true Loyal Spouſe of Chriſt, in her viſible ſubjection to him; in all his glorious Inſtitutions, and Appointments. To which time, that propheſie ſeems to have reſpect, Cant. 8.5.
3. Now the Temple, of the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony in Heaven is open'd, Rev. 15.5. A few things muſt be enquired into.
1. What we are to underſtand by the Temple.
2. Why 'tis call'd, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony.
3. In what ſenſe it's ſaid, to be opened.
1. By the Temple, we are to underſtand the Goſpel-Church-ſtate, the Churches, Ordinances, Inſtitutions of CHRIST: which hath been before proved, are repreſented under that notion, with the Reaſons thereof.
2. 'Tis call'd, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony; becauſe the preſence of God, his Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, were with them, amongſt them, in a ſpecial peculiar manner. The Tabernacle of Old was a Type of his ſpecial preſence with his people then, Exod. 25.8. and 29.45, 46. Levit. 26.11, 12. Therefore God is ſaid to dwell in the Tabernacle; its call'd his Habitation, 2 Sam. 15.25. There he promiſed to meet with, and ſpeak to his People, Exod. 29.42, 43. This Tabernacle is call'd, the Tabernacle of Teſtimony, Exod. 38.21. Acts 7.44. becauſe in it was the Ark, wherein was the Law, or Teſtimony. 'Twas at laſt brought into the Temple at Jeruſalem, 1 Chron. 8.4.—2 Chron. 5.5. This here is ſaid to be in Heaven (or appertaining to the Goſpel-Miniſtration) perhaps on purpoſe to obviate any miſtake, the Jews might have of the reſtitution of their Temple-Worſhip; q. d. Though I ſpeak of the Temple of the Tabernacle of Teſtimony; don't think, that I intend that which was built, by Moſes, Solomon, and that your Old-Worſhip thereto affixed, ſhall be reſtored; no, I am treating of another kind of Temple, under another Miniſtration, viz. an Heavenly, which he that ſpeaks from Heaven hath introduced. To which appertains the Teſtimony, Laws, Inſtitutions, he hath given forth; wherein he hath promiſed to meet his People, bleſs them, fill them with his Company, Preſence, Glory.
3. By the Opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle in Heaven, we are not to underſtand, the introduction of a New-Goſpel-Miniſtration: The vanity, emptineſs, ridicule of ſuch an interpretation is from hence manifeſt; that John ſaith not, that there ſhall be a New-Temple built; but only, that the Temple ſhall be opened, i. e. the Old Temple of the Tabernacle that was ſtanding all the times of the Pagan-Antichriſtian perſecutions. And this very Scripture is of it ſelf evidence ſufficient, that at leaſt all the times of Antichriſt, there was an abiding Temple, or Goſpel-Church-ſtate, Worſhip, Worſhippers therein. For at the riſe of Antichriſt we find a Temple, Rev. 11.1. and now at the going forth of the Vial-Angels, this very Temple is open'd: not the leaſt tittle, ſyllable, of the conſtituting a new one; but the opening the old. The word is not foreign to build; no, nor ſo much foreign, to reſtore, or repair; but foreign, to open that which was already built, and ſufficiently beautified by the Lord. The words are perhaps an alluſion to 2 Chron. 28.24. & 29.3. The firſt Scripture tells us, that Ahaz had ſhut up the doors of the Houſe of the Lord; the latter, that good Hezekiah open'd them ▪ 'Twas the ſame Houſe, the ſame doors (not others) that was ſhut up and opened. The meaning is, Goſpel-Churches that a little before were Worſhipping more retiredly, privately, are now again brought to publick view; returned from their Wilderneſs, retired-ſtate, to an open profeſſion, owning of the Laws, Wayes of JESƲS.
4. The Vial-Angels come out of this Temple thus opened, Rev. 15.6. For they are ſome of the moſt Spiritual, principal of the Temple-Worſhippers (or members of theſe Churches) as is evident from their Prieſtly-array, they are clothed in pure and White-linnen, having their breaſts girded with Golden-Girdles: The attire of the Prieſts, Exod. 28.6, 8. Temple-Worſhippers are a Royal Prieſthood, 1 Pet. 2.9.
5. During the whole time of the pouring out of the Vials (at the cloſe of which, as is generally granted, Chriſt comes) we find the continuance of this Temple, ver 8. And the Temple was filled with Smoak from the Glory of God, and from his Power, (i. e. there was a more than ordinary preſence of God, with theſe Temple-Worſhippers) and no man was able to enter into the Temple (viz. to interrupt, diſturb the Worſhippers there, as formerly they had done) till the ſeven Plagues of the ſeven-Angels were fulfilled, (i. e. till they were all pour'd out) Antichriſt by them perfectly deſtroyed, the Glorious Kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOƲR introduced.