The Late Great Revolution in this Nation, Arguments

The Late Great Revolution in this Nation · Arguments

p. 3Argument 1 I argue firſt, That this great change of Affairs is the Divine Prologue to the accompliſhment of this Propheſie from Chriſts Condemning both Teachers, and People, when they knew not the Signs of the Time. The Signs of the Times are not only Religious, or Moral Characters, as the Holineſs of Chriſts Doctrine, Life, great Zeal in doing good was ſuch a ſort of Signs of the M…ſſiah that could not be abſent; and Chriſt ſays in Relation to them. And why of yo…ſelves judge you not, what is Right? viz. from the Laws of Reaſon, of Natural and Religious Conſcience, inſtead of a S…gn f…om Heaven; but beſides theſe, there are the Signs of the Times, the ſure word of Propheſie gives, as Daniels Seventy Weeks gave of Meſſi…h; With theſe His Miraculous Birth early Wiſdom at Twelve Years old, great works concerted, and theſe compar'd p. 4could not deceive concerning Meſſiahs's times then on Earth.

I preſume to ſay, I have found a Line of Time in Propheſie reaching to near as within about Eight Years of this great Propheſie fulfilled, I gave it out a Year ago. Here comes out a Providence before us ſo great, ſo ſtupendious, to the very purpoſe of this Propheſie, the equal of which is hardly to be found in Story, that was yet but an Embryo in the Womb of this Propheſie at that time, I made the Line Public; far off from all proſpect, no Cloud as Big as a Mans Hand to Divine by.

If now one may not, if one cannot diſcern the Signs of the Times by ſuch a Conjuncture of Propheſie, and Providence, I may humbly ſay, why ſhould any one be condemn'd of Hypocriſie for not diſcerning thoſe Signs, when on ſo great a Configuration one may be miſtaken. Then may it be ſaid, all Signs of the Times are Fugitive, Fallacious, and Incertain, but they are not ſo; therefore I am not miſtaken; event will juſtifie it at 97. as it hath ſo, beyond conjecture, already begun.

Argument 2 There is but one great Phenomenon, one great appearance in Propheſie, that ſeems to forbid this Interpretation of the preſent glor…ous Providence; that is, that juſt before, viz. Three Years, and a half before the fall of the great City, Babylon in a Myſtery, this Roman Infamous Woman; the Witneſſes muſt be kill'd▪ and by the Beaſt on which ſhe Sits.

I have Anticipated this Objection by ſhewing, it is impoſſible the Beaſt ſhould have Forty Two Moons of Years, and have that work to do at his Three laſt Years and a half, nor does the Analogy of ſo great an event agree with ſo Puſil, ſo ſmall a time. But the Three Days and a half are equal to the Three Times and a half, and both to Twelve Hundred Sixty Days; They are in the Habit of Three Days, &c. only to ſhew a deep time of the Sack-cloath Proph…ſie in being kill'd, as there was a deep time of our Lords Death, in his not whole, but part of Three Days as I am conſcious I have abundantly made out.

But further, I argue from this Providence. This Church of England, Comprehending, as God does, all his Servants; holding the Teſtimony of Jeſus, whether, what we ſtyle Eſtablish'd by Law or Proteſtant D…ſſ…nters, is a Land of Gods Witneſſes, if there be any ſuch under Heaven; if God hath then ſo reſcued them from being in any ſenſe kill'd by the Beaſt any more, as he has; it is certain, that Propheſie of the Witneſſes cannot be in the way of this Propheſie of the Ten Kings hating this Whore, that it ſhould not come to paſs in it's juſt ſeaſon of 1697.

p. 5For God hath ſo Conſolidated the Nation in this reſcue, that this Kingdom of the Firſt Three among the Ten Kingdoms muſt be deſtroyed in all Human ſpeaking, e're it can be ſo ſubdued, as to beare a killing of the Witneſſes in it, ſuch as the Propheſie imports.

Indeed ſome reſemblance there hath been of it in thoſe ſevere Proſecutions of the Proteſtant Diſſenters, the guilt of which the Church of England hath, (I pray) truely unloaded from it ſelf upon Popiſh Cabals. Beſides Anti-chriſt hath poiz'd the weight of his Hand very notoriouſly upon the Church of England it ſelf, to try what it could do upon it. But I doubt not at all; the Bitterneſs of that Death of the Witneſſes is paſt; the differences being always great in my eſteem betwixt the Church of Thyatyra Proteſtants, lying in the midſt of Popiſh Laws, and Powers, and betwixt thoſe Churches whoſe Laws, and Princes have given not only a Legality, but Sardian ſplendor and ſecurity to the Reformation, whoſe onelyonly danger is too Deep a repoſe therein, and ſlumber upon it.

Indeed I have been always much aſſur'd, and God hath verified it, Each Kingdom, that repriz'd it ſelf from the Power of the Beaſt ſhall be a Proteſtant Kingdom to the very laſt; and that it could not have any Eſtabliſh'd Prince, that was not Proteſtant alſo; for God will not give back what he hath reſcued; ſo that among them the killing of the Witneſſes can have no proper place any more, I am aſſured according to Propheſie.

The Proteſtant Churches in Hungary, Savoy, France have too much made good ſome ſenſes of killing the Witneſſes but under another Symbol in Propheſie, then of the Witneſſes ſlain, viz. the Thyatyrian Churches.

Argument. 3 That exceeding Infatuation of Jeſuitic Councils, which are the depths of Sathan, and as the laſt ſinking Pillar of a decaying Kingdom, argue it ſo near the end, as Propheſie hath made it; when Achitophels Wiſdom is turned into fooliſhneſs, it argues a fatal ruin near. Their ſeeking to hide their Counſels deep from the Lord by the golden pretence of Liberty of Conſ…ience, as if they would Cajole the Reformation; and Gods ſo great Abomination of it, and enſnating them in it ſhows, the laſt remedies, or healing Medicines of Babylon have proved vain. God hath made their turning things upſide down to be as the Potters Clay, that immediately receiv'd another ſhape, and mould, then they deſigned it.

Now as when Haman began to fall before Mordecai, he fell apace; ſo this great defeat God hath begun to give them declares their final zuin approaching.

p. 6And indeed the Kingdom of the Beaſt hath more Years upon it. then moſt Kingdoms or Monarchies in the World have had, except the Ancient Babylon, as deriving it from Nimrod, the beginning of whoſe Kingdom was Babel. Had not God decreed ſo long aGen. 10. 10.Gen 10:10 State; In the courſe of Human Powers, it had fallen long ago, but Rome Eternal is one of it's Blaſphemies, and though it ſays, it ſhall Sit a Lady for ever, yet it's Idols have deceiv'd it; For it's Menet…kel is e'en at the Doors. The dephth of it's ſo old Kingdom ſhall now become Dotage, therefore God hath begun the Pattern among us, and it ſhall go through the whole breadth of the gre… City.

Argument 4 This ſudden and ſpeedy change with ſo little noiſe, with ſo little confuſion, with ſo little, or no blood is a Landſchaph or Mirror of an extraordinary intention or deſign of Providence, God ſeems to have wrought every thing by an Immediate Preſence, by a coming down, he appears to have Bowed the Heavens, and to have come down; ſo, though mountains of contrary appearances, have flowed down at his preſence, he hath anſwer'd us by amazing things in righteouſneſs; he hath done things, that we looked not for, that Eye hath very ſcarcely ſeen, or ear heard, or the heart of Man conceiv'd of. All hath been, as when a Melting Fire Burneth, and things of themſelves have run into the Form, God would have them, as the Clay or Wax turns to the Scale.

Certainly, when God does ſuch things in ſo great a manner, it Portends more, than the late terrible Earthquakes in Popiſh Territories; God is more in this ſtill voice: Every Battel of the Warriour is with confus'd noiſe, and Garments rolled in Blood; this hath been as with Fewe…, and burning of Fire; and it is a Preſage, that to us a Child is born, a Son is given, who ſhall within few ſpaces, take the Government Eſ…y. 9.on his Shoulders, and appear the Father of the World to come, his Kingdom of Righteouſneſs and Peace is near.

It is not to be preſum'd, that all ſhall go on juſt thus, God hath done this, that he might give notice what he is about to do; and this concerted with the Prophetical Line is a great Sign of the T…me, and declares his Kingdom is near to be Proclaim'd; for when Papacy falls, as the laſt part of the laſt, viz. the Roman Monarchy, to which Chriſts Succeeds, his Kingdom ſhall be Proclaim'd; and he invites all to take notice of it, his Kingdom of Righteouſneſs and Peace, I ſay is near. For the Feet of Clay Crumble, and the Iron parts from them.

Argument 5 Things ſeem ſo to be layd by God, as if the very Merits of the Cauſe betwixt the Romans, and the Proteſtant Chriſtianity p. 7were to be tryed, and very natural Reaſon, if it were to be Umpire, would eaſily tell us, what the determination from Heaven would be.

In the beginning of the Reformation, there was a Diſpute, whether Proteſtancy ſhould have any place or Being in the World, in that which is call'd the Smalcaldic War. And God determin'd in favour of Proteſtancy; it hath not been poſſible yet to make it loſe one Nation, or Kingdom Eſtabliſh'd on Proteſtant Laws.

The time is near, when the Queſtion ſhall be put, whether Anti-chriſtianiſm ſhall have a longer State in this World, and it is very dangerous, a Critical Time for ſuch a Queſtion to be put ſo near the end of the Beaſts Moons. Every publick Watch man then ſhould be skill'd in the Time of Babylons falling, in the burden of that Dumah, that Edomitiſh Chriſtianity, or Anti chriſtianiſm; we ſhould know what of the Night, what of the Night, what the Age ofIſa. 21. 9. 10. 11.Isa 21:9Isa 21:10Isa 21:11 the Roman Moon, of that Governeſs of the Night is; what the hour of it's Night is; for the Morning cometh to the True Churches of Chriſt, and the Night the blackneſs of the Night on that Lady of the Night.

God hath ſtirred up the Spirit of Proteſtant Princes; and it is moſt likely he will ſo Embroyl things, betwixt them and the Princes, who are yet with the Beaſt, as ſhall be ſerviceable to make an univerſal change, and all contrary Aſſ…ciations ſhall be broken in peices.

God hath given therefore, as in the beginning, a Sentence from Heaven in this Nation, and out of his great goodneſs hath herein exalted it above the other Proteſtant Nations to give a Pattern here firſt. And it cannot but be remarkable, that a Deſcendent of that great Prince of Orange, whoſe Aſſaſſination at his Death, gave him the Name of Martyr, as his great Conduct in his Life, the Honour of one of the great Captains, who were at that time with the Lamb, and with his Called and Choſen and Faithful.

Argument 6 I doubt not at all we may ſay, Providence hath ſent that Fire upon Earth; concerning which it ſays, what will I, if it be already kindled? That is, it inſiſts no longer upon a ſeeming velleity, or as we ſpeak a willing, and woulding to have the Fire kindled, It is already kindled; It is in Act, and in Motion. It hath ſhed or Inſenſibly diſtributed it ſelf into all the veins of our Nation, and will do ſo through all the Chriſtian World, till as a Refiners Fire, it Purifie it from that Ant-ichriſtian Apoſtacy, that ſhall not be able to abide the Day of Chriſts coming; for which this Fire is to prepare: By this I underſtand the great Zeal againſt that Impure Anti-chriſtianism. And there is to be found upon p. 8this Zeal as it were the very Image, Seal and Impreſs of this Propheſie. It here ſpread it ſelf upon all ſorts, and degrees of this Nation from the higheſt to the loweſt; what is it then but to ſay? This is one of the Ten Kingdoms, that ſhould hate the Whore, and Execute the Judgment of God upon it, that is Written, in it's due Times.

And that the Soveraign of the Nation, becauſe he cannot at the preſent underſtand the Reaſon of complying with ſo great a Propheſie, ſhould voluntarily retire from the Government; till he ſhall ſee, and conſider what he hath not yet duely ſeen, and conſider'd. It being indeed Impoſſible according to this Propheſie, but this Proteſtant Nation muſt have a Proteſtant Head, no other can reſt upon it.

Certainly this is a very Memorable fulfilling of this Propheſie, and I am moſt aſſur'd, it is for a Sign to the Lord, that ſhall not be Cut off, till the whole be fulfilled, and it ought to be ſet up for a Memorial before the Lord, as in the Temple of the Proteſtant Churches.

I know, ſomething like it fell out in our Neighbour Kingdom, concerning Henry the Fourth, and the Great of France, Grand-father of our King, and Great Grand-father of our Prince of Orange, There was at that time in that Nation an univerſal Zeal againſt the Reformation, which they call'd Hereſie, ſo that they would by no means receive a Prince, how great ſoever his Character was, as it was indeed, as great as any Princes of his time, though there was at that time a Complex of great Princes in the World; they could not receive him how undoubted ſoever his Right according to their Salique Law: But he was under a neceſſity to forfeit his Right, to live in a perpetual War, or to change his Communion, upon what he did, Draw a Curtain in Honour to the Memory of ſo Heroick a Name.

But was not this alſo a great fulfilling of this very Propheſie according to that ſeaſon? For at that time, when ſeveral Princes had withdrawn themſelves and their Kingdoms from the Anti-chriſtian Uſurpation, if all had done ſo, how had the words of God been fulfill'd, giving the Beaſt Forty Two Months of ſuch a Decem-Principality or Ten Horned Power when above an Hundred Years at that time were unexpir'd? It pleaſed God to take the advantage to Revulſe ſome of them from him, to give public notice thereby, It was the Morning of the half Time, and we are even now to be admoniſh'd by it; on the other ſide ſome great Kings were to continue united to him, to ſhow the half Time was not run p. 9out, but the end of it to be expected for the making Deſolate, and Naked, and Judging her, that hath ſo violated the Wedlock of True Chriſtianity.

In another regard alſo Propheſie was hereby fulfilled; for by that Great Henry the Fourth of France, that Famous Edict of Nants was Granted, and Confirm'd in favour of the Reformation, of which he had been ſo great a Confeſſour and Champion; that thereby, in France, as in Germany, and Poland and ſome other Countries, Churches of Thyatyra might be ſettled, lying among the Nations, where the Counſels of the Ignatian, or Jeſuits Order, ſuperadded to other Orders, juſtly eſteem'd, and call'd by Proteſtants (or as They, viz. Proteſtants ſpeak) the depths of Sathan would yet take place, according to which, ſpringing up in a juſt Seaſon for it, viz. 1528. advantages have been taken to Perſecute Chriſt in his Servants of thoſe Churches, and to cauſe his Feet to Burn, as in a Furnace, as they have done moſt dreadfully ſome time paſt in that Nation, in violation of that Edict; and as more conſtantly, where the Helliſh Inquiſition hath been always, as an Oven, or Furnace kept hot, and burning, in Countries wholly given up to the Beaſt ſtill.

And thus wonderfully hath God Counterpoiz'd the State of the Beaſts Kingdom, and the Reformation, during this half Time acccording to Propheſie, giving yet the inclining, and heavyer Scale to the Beaſt, that his words may be fulfilled, until the Beaſts Meaſure be heaped up, and running over.

Argument. 6 That which greatly further perſuades me, the preſent Providence over theſe Nations ſhall be in order to the fulfilling of Propheſie, is, that it ſo wonderfully Synchronizes, or keeps time with the State of the Turk…ſh Empire.

I have given Eighteen Months ago public Teſtimony from Propheſie, that the Tenth part of this great City ſhall fall before the Mahometan Sultany is Diſ-mounted from the Conſtantine-politan Heighths, and De-ported from the Confluence of People, as of Rivers; ſince that, two Champagnes have paſs'd full of ſuch Action, as hath exceedingly humbled the O…toman Mountain; and yet it ſtands, though ſhaking, and as in a trembling expectation of the fall of that Anti-chriſtianiſm, that gave the demeritorious provocation to the Wrath, and Juſtice of God, that ſwell'd it to ſuch a loftineſs.

As Rome, and Conſtantinople were ſuch Siſters in the Apoſtacy, as Aholah, and Aholibah in an Idolatrous defection from God, ſo God prepar'd for them ſo ſore a ſcourge as the Mahometan Impoſture, p. 10that ſhould both deride their Superſtition, and miſerably Affl…ct them together; It came abroad ſoon after the conteſt of thoſe Two Biſhops, both fallen Stars, for Supremacy, and Ʋniverſality; wherein Rome had the fatal pre-eminence to obtain the Key of the bottomleſs Pit. Immediately broke out thoſe Judgments of that Mahometan Impoſture, which this Sacred Propheſie calls Two woes, which have layn upon them Both, from that very time, more, or leſs: Judgments prepar'd on purpoſe for the Anti chriſtian Apoſtacy, in which the Eaſtern Churches ſhar'd deep, and which is to this day too cloſely Incorporated with the remains of the Chriſtianity, that is found among them, that are indeed rather dark Mentions of, than that Excellent Doctrine it ſelf and Holy Religion of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

As therefore this Armed and violent Impoſture ſeiz'd above Two Hundred Years ago on that Imperial City, Conſtantinople, that ſo unhappily affected to be called New Rome, and therefore hath Dru…k ſo deep of it's Cup, both of Sin, and Judgment, ſo it ſhall continue under that Tyranny, as a Witneſs of the more dreadful vengeance, that is to fall upon that fouler Proſtitute, Old Rome, and ſtands as a Pillar of Salt to warn it hereof.

Yet, ſo that, that Grecian Acropolis is ſubjected in Hope, and waits, as the groaning Creation for the Liberty of the Sons of God, ſo for that happy Day of the fall of the Tenth of that great City, the coming of the Witneſſes out of their Sach-cloth, and their Aſcent to Glory, as it were to Heaven in a Bright Cloud: For then that Second w…e of the Turkiſh Ʋſurpation upon that City, and thoſe Churches ſhall paſs off from them, and ſo muſt be near.

And now that God hath ſo ſuddenly ſhaken the Foundations of that Ott…man Empire and made it to Totter, gave me expectations; the Anti …hriſt…an ſhould obſerve Time, that the Provocation, and the ſcourge might paſs off together, and it is to me moſt undoubted, this R…v…lution is in Motion thereunto; nor can I ſlight the notices from Nature, as in Convulſive Fits, in the laſt Summers Earthq…akes, giving the Alarm to both theſe Tyrannies, as together, and at Times near one to another to be overturned by other kind of Earthquakes.

I add, the ſpeedineſs of the Motion in the two wonderful changes in our Nation, and in Turky ſhew; Providence is moving on thoſe Wheels, and on thoſe Wings, that it uſes in the fulfilling Proph…ſie, Ezek. 1.Ezek 1as was in Ezekiels Viſion drawn to the Life; ſo that upon th…ſe two Revolutions may be Written that Prophetic Motto; I the E…y. …1. ….Lord have haſten'd them in their own Time.

p. 11Argument 7 The dreadfulneſs of the Perſecution in France▪ of ſo black, and Inhuman a Barbarity, and even Helliſh Cruelty, ſpeaks ſome great Judgment near upon that Beastianiſm, that hath the Horns of a Lamb, but the Mouth of a Dragon, viz. under the Name of a Chriſtian Hierarchy, the likeneſs of a Lyon, a Bear, and a Leopard, and on that Imperious Whoriſh Woman, that is, under the Myſtery on it's Fore head of Mother-Church, the Mother of the Abominations of the Earth, and in whom the Blood of the Saints, Martyrs, and Prophets is to be found, whoſe Adulterous Religion is Arm'd with a Salvageneſs moſt contrary to the Natural tenderneſs of Manly Nature, and moſt eſpecially to the Laws of Chriſtianity, and yet whatever is done for the propagating it's Golden Cup of Fornication, though by the moſt Feral force, is called doing God Service. Now before the Judgment Executed upon Babylon, ſhe is to fill her Ephah, that ſhe may be Rewarded double for all, that ſhe is to do; who then can but think, that her Day is near, and that God will be a ſwift Witneſs againſt her, not for Three Tranſgreſſions or Four, but for her Seventy Times Seven Abominations?

God does not uſe to bear long with Atrocious wickedneſſes, nor give up to ſuch un-naturalneſs, but when he is ready to take vengance, He allows not the wonted Truce of patience in ſuch outrages of Blood, but riſes, now, to the Prey.

I confeſs, this Perſecution would incline one to think, were there not deep Reaſons in Proph…ſie to the contrary, with that ſo Zealous Confeſſ…ur, and in great degrees Martyr Mounſieur Jurien, that the Witneſſes are Slaying, as in a Three laſt Days and half, of the 1260. and lying dead in France, as in that Street of the great City, and that when this Laſt is Scene perfectly Repreſented, the Witneſſes ſhall riſe, and that great City, viz. it's Tenth, or Hierarchy ſhall fall from it's Tenfolded Dominion fully, and finally, and undoubtedly All this is an Epitome, or ſhort review of that Slaughter of the Witneſſ…s, and the happy Reſurrection ſhall be in fewer Years, then that Excellent Perſon hath warily taken in, as the largeſt compaſs of time for the doing it.

And I am very deſirous to believe, this French Perſecution is that laſt effort of Anti-chriſtianiſm, revealed to our great and Holy Arch biſhop Ʋſher, the foreſt, but ſhorteſt Ravage of the Beaſt upon the Proteſt…nt World, wherein by Sympathy every Nation ſhould bear a deep ſhare, and we particularly, ſeeing it hath pleaſed our Good and Gracious God to pull us as Brands out of the burning, and who knows but we are Deliver'd for ſuch a time as this? Even for their Deliverance alſo; and that if we altogether h…ld our peace, p. 12and think to be quiet in our own Nation, Light & Deliverance ſhall ariſe to thoſe Slain Witneſſes of France from ſome other place; But our S…n will find us out, If we forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto Death, and thoſe that are ready to be Slain; If we ſay, behold we know it not, we are not concern'd, doth not he that pondereth the heart conſider it? He that keepeth our Nation doth not he know it? And w…ll he not remember it in the Day, when he maketh Inquiſition for Blood?

Argument 8 There is great hope, this Revolution will be the Buoying up ſubſtantial Chriſtianity, and Proteſtancy, (which is Chriſtianity return'd to it's own Dignity, and Excellency) and that Form and Ceremony are dropping off from us, at leaſt ſo far, as it hath been matter of diſtinction, and moſt of all of difference, and diviſion, or breach of Love, and Charity.

Now ſuch a S…ate Borders near upon the State of the Philadelphian Church, the Church Temper'd, Cemented, United by Brotherly Love, when the Envy and Vexation one of another, on ſuch accounts ſhall depart, and we ſhall exerciſe them no more; when this ſhall indeed be, the time of the Philadelphian Church ſhall be; Every glimps of one is the glimps of the other, and when the Time of that Church is, the Time of the Apoſtacy is expir'd: Hence therefore I hope the Time of all is near.

Two things moſt expreſs that State; Eſſence of Chriſtianity, and Ʋniverſality.

The Principles, and Conſtitutions of ſome Proteſtant Churches are too full of Ceremony, Ritu…liſm, and Formality, theſe eſpecially, when rigorouſly preſſed to an Ʋniformity are nearer to Anti-chriſtianiſm then to true Chriſtianity, Proteſtantiſm, or to the Kingdom of Chriſt.

Theſe when Luxuriant, and over ſpreading, when Zealouſly inſiſted upon, when Perſecutorily urg'd are then call'd the Synagogue of Sathan; viz. in the Church of Smyrna at the Entrance of the Ap…ſtacy, and in the Church of Pbiladelphia, when the Apoſtacy ſhall expire; The firſt Entrances, the Avenues of Anti-chriſtianiſm were un-written obſervances; over affection to Places, Days, Forms, Rites, Titles, ſwelling beyond the Apoſtolic Simplicity, hence it came to Superſtition, Idolatry, Supremacy, this State the Holy Spirit Brands, firſt the Synagogue of Sathan, becauſe ſome were Authoritative, Juriſdictive, Excommunicative upon them; although not to be vouched from the word of Chriſt; & though they were before the very Apoſtacy, or Church it ſelf in the Wilderneſs, before the Throne of Sathan: Again, ſuch a State of things falls p. 13under the ſame Brand towards the end of the Apoſtacy, near and at the very Philidelphian State, when ſome are ſticking in theſe, as if the Reformation were not to move them, but that they ought to continue for the ſake of Reverence to Antiquity, this ſeems to me a miſtake like that, but in a much greater concern, with which ſome Learned Mathematicians charge Pope Gregory the Thirteenth, his Reformation of the Calendar, He Reform'd down to the Nicene Council, but not to the Days of Julius Ceſar, by whom the Calendar was firſt Formed, on which Account even new Style is, not perfect, as to Time; ſo ſome Proteſtants would Reform down to the Four firſt General Councils; but they ought to Reform down to Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, by whom as the Author and Infallible Miniſters Chriſtianity was Originally Planted; they forget the Myſtery of Iniquity Began to work even in the Apoſtles Days, and was Counter wrought by their Infallible Writings, in which all things are to be tryed, to Inſiſt upon any thing not Written there, is a Redivival of that Synagogue, when over Zealouſly affected, much more, Impos'd under the Awe of Penalties, and Excommunications, which is the Form of a Synagogue of Sathan. But with this difference; the Apoſtacy was in the Church of Smyrna in the Aſcendency, ſo it went on to a Throne of Sathan. It is now towards it's loweſt Declination, ſo the laſt Synagogue ſhall come to Worſhip at Philadelphiaes Feet, and to acknowledge, Chriſt Loves that Church. And I hope that Day is now Springing; and no ſure… Sign of the Apoſtacy expiring. This very Synagogue Seal'd the Thunders, that had utter'd their voices at the firſt Reformation; It hath near this Hundred and Eighty Years retarded the Ki…gdom of Chriſt, and Shut up the Book as hid in the Bowels of Propheſie then opened, and ready to have come into Act, but when that Synagogue begins to acknowledge it's Error, that Kingdom is near: But on the other ſide Ʋniverſality is another principle of the Philadelphian Church; ſome Proteſtant Churches are too narrow, and Circumſcrib'd within their own Congr…gations; and will not own, nor receive thoſe as the Church of Chriſt, whom Chriſt hath receiv'd, although they even as themſelves, are among the undefiled Names of Sardis how few ſoever: They ſhould go and Learn what that meaneth, Chriſt pleaſed not himſelf: For it is Written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell upon me, that is, our very Sins, not by way of complyance, but by way of Compaſſion, union to the perſons notwithſtanding their Sins, or Infirmities; Chriſt is the Head of a Church under many remaining evils, we ſhould own our ſelves the Members of ſuch a Church; An Univerſal p. 14Spirit is moſt of the Spirit of Chriſts Kingdom opening to receive the fulneſs of the Gentiles, and Jews, how much more real Chriſtians and Proteſtants; Not encloſing Auſterely our ſelves in pend up Congregations; ſo as not to unite in Spirit with all true Chriſtianity and Proteſtancy though not of our Model.

Argument 9 It is in the place of a great Argument, that the greateſt Objection againſt the hope of ſo great a Mercy, ſo happy a Revolution as we are Diſcourſing of near us, is remov'd by this preſent Revolution, that our Eyes have ſeen, our Ears heard, and our Hands handled; that is, that all our Senſes are fully aſſur'd of; the ſins, the unworthineſs, the unpreparedneſs of the Age for ſo happy a Revolution is the great Argument againſt it.

But it that could have interpos'd, we of this Nation had not receiv'd ſo great a wonder of Providence in favour of us; I delight not to inſiſt on ſo ungrateful a part, but leave it to every one in their own ſerious Reflexions to Calculate the greatneſs of this work in mercy to us, by Ballancing all the unworthineſs, that might have oppoſed it; but when God is pleaſed thus to work; As his work is before him in his own determination to do it; ſo his reward is with him, he expects it only from himſelf; He ſecures all, that his own Wiſdom and Holineſs requires, and prevails over the remainder of unworthineſs by his own Names ſake.

And of this I take the more earneſt notice, that we may know Pr…phetical events are like the Rain, that waits not for the Sons of Men, but having ſuch a Generation of the Juſt, of the Children of God in the World, whom Fatherly Providence hath a peculiar Eye upon, it falls on the unjuſt alſo.

Yet this is to be underſtood with three Limitations.

1. There are yet Eight Years for a variety of diſpoſes to ſhow themſelves in, either of Mercy, or Judgment; In this Time the Carcaſes of many of the mixed Multitude may fall, as in a Wilder…ſs: There may be Wars, noiſes of War, Commotions, diſtreſs of Nations, and great p…plexity with many evils, that may conſume prophane, and un ref…rm'd Perſons, we ought not therefore to be ſ…cure, or preſuming becauſe of ſo great a Mercy, nor on the other ſide be diſcourag'd at contrary appearances; For whatever waving of things may be in this Interval, the end ſhall yet be certain, as Propheſie hath declar'd.

2. There will be nothing, there can be nothing more dreadful to the un-holy, to the ſleepy, and ſecure, to the Ignorant, and Abominable, then that approach, then thoſe loud voices from Heaven of the Kingdom of Chriſt, when theſe things come to paſs; p. 15Chriſt expreſſes it in brief to all thoſe in defiled Garments in Sard… ▪ except thou watch, I will come upon thee as a Thief, and thou ſhalt not know, at what hour I will come upon thee, bleſſ…d are they then, or even at this Time, (though it ſhall have a greater fulfilling juſt at the Seventh Vial) who watch, and keep their Garments, viz. from defilements, becauſe Chriſt comes now alſo as a Thief, and on ſuch a ſurprizal, the unprepar'd, …hrowing off their defiled Garments in haſte walk naked, and Men ſee their ſhame. The greateſt Zeal of Proteſtancy, if un-reform'd in heart and Life will be affrighted even to endleſs diſtraction, and confuſion, at this approach of Chriſt, if Men do not before watch, that is, reſolve what manner of Perſons they ought to be in all Holineſs and Godlineſs of Converſation not ſur-charg'd with Drunkenneſs, Gluttony, the cares of this Life, &c.

3. With Relation to the Grand Appearance of Chriſt, there are between the Loud Voices in Heaven, that the Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, between the end of Time, Times, and half a Time, which are the 1260. D. and the Kingdom it ſelf, Thirty Days for Years, making 1290. wherein the Seven Thunders ſo long ſeal'd ſhall be open'd in Seven Succeſſive Voices for the Reforming, the purifying, the Converting the World, the World of all ſorts of Men, that whatever remains filthy may be filthy ſtill, even forever; becauſe it would not be cleans'd, when God would have cleans'd it, which Voices we may find in their due order Revel. 14. compare the Time of Thirty Years, Dan. 12. And theſe ſhall be, before Chriſt comes to Smite the Earth with a Curſe; For immediately upon thoſe Voices come Forty Five Years of the V…als, making up 1335. in Daniel▪ theſe are the Execution of the Holy and pure Wrath of Almighty God without mixture of any Human Paſſions, or Ends. Then at the end of them is the Glorious Kingdom of Chriſt, the New Jeruſalem, wherein all his Saints, and Servants from firſt to laſt ſtand in their Lots, and whereinto nothing, that is defiled ſhall Enter: Thus God hath ſecured his Mercies, though vouchſaf▪d to an Impure World now.

All which conſiderations exceedingly ſtrengthen the Arguments, and remove the Objections ariſing from ſo Impure, and indiſpos'd a State of the World in General, and of this Nation in particular, for ſo Gracious Manifeſtations of God, as this Propheſie Predicts.

Argument 10 There is one Note in this Propheſie, that gives a further glance upon the near approach of the Time, and that this Revolution looks to the very juſt Complement of the words of God p. 16to be fulfilled; And that is, that whereas the Propheſie had ſaid; The Ten Kings ſhould agree to give their Kingdom to the Beaſt, till the Words of God ſhould be fulfilled; It without any notice of their withdrawing their Kingdom from the Beaſt tells us, they ſhall hate the Wh…re.

Now it is True, Their being Drunk with the Wine of the Whores Fornication is the Reaſon of their gi…ing their Kingdom to the Beaſt that carries her, as hath been before obſerv'd, and therefore when e're they hate the Whore, they will certainly withdraw their Power from the Beaſt; But becauſe it is ſaid, they ſhall hate the Whore without any mention, how they ſhall behave themſelves to the Beaſt, and that it ſeems to be the peculiar note of the Propheſie fulfi…led, that they hate the Whore, it mov'd my enquiry, whether either in the firſt Reformation, or at the Time of this Revolution, there be any ſhade of any King, dividing the Beaſt, and the Whore, that is, of a Retrenchment of their Power from the Beaſt, and yet continuing their kindneſs to the Whore, that the diſtinct particular Hatred might, as I may ſay, Perpendicularly fall on the Whore, the minds of any Princes Jealous of their Power, and the Honour of their Kingdom having any ways been mov'd with an Indignation at the Curtalling their Power, and Kingdom by giving it to the Beaſt, and ſo have re-call'd it: For if ſuch can be found, it ſeem'd to me a great note of the fulfilling this Propheſie, viz. If the Whore was firſt ſo diſtinctly loved, that then by her ſelf ſhe might be expos'd to Univerſal hatred afterward.

And I find, that there have been ſome Specimens of it all along, and in the beginning of the Reformation by out King Henry the Eighth, who retain'd his kindneſs to the Roman Catholic Church in it's Doctrine▪ and Worſhip▪ and veneration of it, and Monſtrous Zeal for it in all theſe, and yet remov'd the Power of the Beaſt from his Regalia in all Points; But never was there ſo Ample, and Illuſtrious a Repreſentation of it, as in the preſent French King, who hath ſo with his Clergy Lower'd, and even Annul'd the Power of the Beaſt, or the Pope in their Gallicane Church, and yet ſo cloſely eſpous'd the Apoſtacy of the Whore, and under the very Name of the Roman Catholic Church, and ſo In-humanly Perſecuted the Reformed, as H…retics, as if that King would himſelf take upon him to be the Beaſt bearing that Church, and to Relieve the Pope from ſo ungentile, as well as A…ti chriſtian Office: By which he, and his Clergy have offer'd theſe great Inſtructions to the World.

1. That the Roman Catholick Church, as call'd, whatever hands p. 17the Adminiſtration of it be in, will ſhew it ſelf to be the Whore, the Mother of the Abominations of the Earth, of Superſtitions and Idolatries, and that drinks it ſelf drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and of the Martyrs of Jeſus; and that whoever ſerves it ſhall be intoxicated with the foreign, the Sting, the High Rage, and Fury of its Fornication, and ſhall enforce the ſame Cup with utmoſt Barbarity into the Hands, and Mouths of thoſe, who refuſe it.

2. That the diſtinction betwixt the Court of Rome, and the Church of Rome is a vain and frivolous ſhift, an Apron of Fig▪leaves to hide the impurity and filthineſs of the Whore; for at this day in France are found, however palliated, the Sorceries, Idolatries, and Murthers of the Church of Rome, where the Court of Rome is ſo much defied. This is, as it were, on purpoſe ordered by Providence to expoſe the Whore, by her ſelf alone.

3. That there ſhall be as great an Inſtance, as can be, of Hating the Whore, or Church of Rome by it ſelf; and as diſtinct, as can be ſuppoſed in that cloſe Conjunction it hath with the Beaſt, and the Beaſt with it: The very abſtracted Religion of the Roman Communion ſhall be deteſted for its own ſake, without Relation to Politics, or to the Uſurpation of the Beaſt or Papacy over National Rights. And whenever this is, It is the watch word of this Prophecy, that It is near fulfilling. And becauſe things are ſo much prepared in France hereunto, It is a very great ground of Expectation, that there this great Prophecy ſhall begin to be fulfilled, above any of the Kingdoms devoted to the Beaſt and Whore as united; and that the Time is as near, as I have from this Prophecy declared, and that by ſome wonderful Hand of God, parallel to what hath been in our Nation, the Action ſhall go on there, to which there are many other Prognoſtics leading, not fit to be here recounted, where we inſiſt wholly on Prophecy and Providence compar'd.