A Scripture Line of Time, Treatise · Part 2 · Section 13

A Scripture Line of Time · Treatise · Part 2 · Section 13

p. 155SECT. XIII.

This Section enters into the Half Time of the Reformation, and by the Agreement of the Prophecy with the Event, demonſtrates the Beginning and End of that Time; on Rev. c. 10.

HAving thus far travers'd this Line of Time, there remains yet the laſt part of it, or the Half Time; very great, and remarkable in its Dawn, but to be much more remarkable in its Setting and Cloſe: and it is to be aſſign'd to the Reformation from 1517 to 1697.

We have found the order in which it hath come on, very clear, brought down by Prophecy, in Symbols ſo juſtly proportionate to matters of Fact, and Events all along Hiſtory, firſt to the Apoſtacy, and from thence, by as unqueſtionable a Chain of Events, during that Apostacy, as hath been before deſcrib'd, till the Reformation; and now we ſhall find the Reformation, as admirably ſet out, and no other things in the whole courſe of Time, anſwering to each Repreſentation, as thoſe Cardinal Points of History do. What greater Demonſtration then can we have, that we are upon the right ſenſe and ſcope of Prophecy? Since ſuch admirable Correſpondencies, p. 156as if we our ſelves by our own Judgments had been to contrive the one for the other, we could not, under Veils have deſired ſo much; and therefore they can no more be ſuſpected of chance, then that the Letters, Sillables, and Words of the Apocaliptick Prophecy, ſhould come out by chance into that exact System, wherein we now find them.

I pray therefore which of theſe grand Events can by Hiſtory be conteſted? or what fitter prophetical Symbols could be found out for them or in ſuch a Succeſſion? And ſo we ſhall find in this particular of the Reformation ſo recent and freſh in Hiſtory, and all moſt in Memory at this day; and at this day running on, ſo that the Inſtances of it are moſt notorious, confeſs'd, and even to be admired in the Wonders of Providence, that brought it to paſs, and yet ſuſtain it.

When therefore the Beſtian or Antichriſtian Kingdom was coming ſo near its number, as that the Image of Supremacy had been made to the Beaſt at the 606; confirmed to it, and Life given to it, to ſpeak, and to cauſe, &c. by the Lateran Councel at 649. come to its very number at 725. The War was between the Beaſt and the Witneſſes, repreſented by the Jeconoclaſtick Emperours, and their Conſtantinopolitan Councel, damning Image Worſhip, 754, but then the Witneſſes were overcome by the Ceſſation of thoſe Emperours, and by that Councel of Nice, 787; and ſo they lying dead till their firſt motion to a riſing, 1517.

While all theſe things were, the Judgment of God in juſt Degrees and Meaſures purſued with Vengeance this Antichristian Kindom.

Firſt by Mahomets ſetting up his falſe Prophetiſm, as near the Supremacy, given by Phocas, as 622, to 606, by the Locusts or Mahometan Saracens, ready to enter their first five Months, and to strike as a Serpion, about the Time of the War, with the Witneſſes, eſpecially at their Death, 787; And together with the Apoſtacy ſtrengthning it ſelf, they advanc'd into their ſecond five Months of hurting with the ſtings of their Tails, and when a winterly torpidneſs ſeiz'd them, then by the Turks as a far greater and more ſevere, as alſo p. 157more continuing Scourge. God Executed his Judgments on this Antichristian Empire.

But the Impenitency ſtill continuing, Chriſt Appears, as it were from Heaven, in the Reformation; and how evident is it, that the Reformation followed on ſuch a ſtate of the Latine, or ſtrictly Roman World; for can any pretend, there was after the taking of Conſtantinople, any ſhew of Repentance; Repentance of their worſhiping Demons, departed Spirits, or Images, and Pictures of Gold or Silver, Wood or Stone, which neither hear, ſee, or walk? nor did they repent of their Murthers, thoſe cruel Butcheries of the Saints and Servants of God, nor of their Sorceries, thoſe bewitchings of Men with a falſe ſenſual Religion, their lying or magical and Necromantick Miracles, aſcrib'd to Relicks, Images, and the Idolized Host, nor of their Fornications, allowed Concubinacies and Stews, nor of their Thefts, their pious Frauds, and wiping men of their Goods and Eſtates by Cheats, and to falſe and impious Ends; and that this high and avowed impenitency was not only then, but hath continued ever ſince, appears too much by the Councel of Trent, and the whole Tract of time after the Reformation.

1. Let us then conſider the Appearance, as it were of Chriſt from Heaven, againſt this Impenitency. He, the mighty ſupream Angel of the divine Preſence comes down from Heaven, though ſitting in Heaven, in his mighty Adminiſtrations.

2. He is cloathed with a Cloud, his Face as the Sun breaking out of the Cloud, and creating a Bow as in the day of Rain, Theſe Appearances are, as after a Flood, not yet removed; the Clouds were yet hovering and flying, the Rain not yet gon, the Brightneſs watery, and yet with ſignifications of Mercy and the Grace of the Covenant, That the Flood ſhould be drawn off, and return no more to cover the Earth.

3. His Feet as Pillars of Fire, ſignifying both the refining and purification of his Servants, as alſo their Vivi Comburin, their Death in the midſt of Flames, as we know how frequent they were at that Time.

p. 1584. He had in his Hand an open Book, the Book of his Kingdom, as if he were now ready to publiſh the Decree of his univerſal Pſal. 2. 7.Ps 2:7Reign, which had been ſo often ſtay'd by ſealing, and now after the Seals opened, and the ſix Trumpets ſounding ready to reveal it ſelf.

5. As a ſignal of his unbounded Dominion, He ſets his Dan. 12. 6.Dan 12:6right Foot on the Sea, and his left Foot on the Earth, as from the Sea to the end of the Earth.

6. He cried with a Loud Voice, as when a Lion roars; when he received the Book, He is call'd the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Then he prevail'd to open the ſeven Seals, now as the ſame Revel. 5. 5.Rev 5:5Lyon, he holds the Book open, ſhewing his just right to the Throne of David, the Throne and Empire of the new Jeruſalem, and roars from his Holy Habitation.

7. When he had thus roared, ſeven thunders utter their Voices, as in an Eccho, or reſound of Heaven above to his juſt 2 Sam. 2. 10.2 Sam 2:10claim; and as Hannah prophecyed of old, The Lord ſhall thunder from Heaven on his Adverſaries, ſo he on the Adverſaries of his Kingdom, when he comes to judge the end of the Earth, when God gives ſtrength to this his King, and exalts the Horn of his Anointed.

Now all theſe things were that powerful ſound of the Goſpel, and divine Truth, by Luther and the firſt Reformers, like the Angels coming down from Heaven, and rouling away the Stone in Preparation of the Lords Reſurrection; This arous'd Matt. 28. 1.Matt 28:1and amaz'd the World then, even as the Keepers of the Grave were as dead Men, when Chriſt aroſe, and this was more a dreadful ſtroke upon the Beſtian Kingdom, then Mahometaniſm it ſelf. For this was an Arrow levell'd at the Heart of his Kingdom, and declared it to be Antichristian, an Uſurpation upon the Glory of Chriſt, This was a dawn of the moſt terrifying Appearance of Christ, and ſhaked the very Foundations of his State: This accompanied, with the Separation of ſo many Princes and States from that Antichriſtian Empire, was more formidable then all the Aſſaults of a falſe and barbarous Religion, however accompanied with the Mahometan p. 159Force; and yet even that remains a ſcourge upon it ſince the Reformation, until now; and cannot ceaſe to be ſo, while Antichristianiſm it ſelf ſhall ſurvive.

But if things had thus gone on, The Kingdom of Christ had long 'ere now appear'd. Let us then conſider the Agreement of the Symbols of Prophecy with the ſtay of this Glory of Chriſt, that it did not proceed to the utmoſt in the Ruine of Antichrist, and the Revelation of his ſupream Dominion.

The firſt Eſtopple on the Kingdom of Chriſt, is the ſealing 1of the Thunders the conſtant Symbol of ſome breaking out of Christ's Kingdom; for they were ſuch powerful Voices of Higheſt and moſt Excellent Truth, that if they had been written, as John, in Zeal to the Glory of Chriſt, was about ſpeedily to write them, and not ſeal'd; They had rent the Heavens, and the Kingdom of Chriſt had been proclaim'd, as by the Voices of the ſeventh Trumpet.

The clear, ſhrill, and exalted Voice of Divine Truth, is Luc. 17. 24.Luke 17:24as the Lightning that with the Thunder ſhineth from one end of the Heaven, and that ſhineth to the other end of Heaven, and brings forth the Day of the Son of Man; which the Antichriſtian Kingdom trembles at, and is ſhiver'd by, as by the ſtroke of Thunder.

But written and ſeal'd are oppos'd in this Prophecy, as immediate 2coming to paſs, and reſerv'd to come to paſs hereafter, are oppos'd one to the other.

There is a Recognition, and Renewal of the Oath of Chriſt, 3concerning Time, Times, Half-Time, Dan. 12. 9. Indeed the Front and Aſpect of the Oath there is turn'd another way; for then it was directed upon theſe Times, as to come, and the Oath is, They ſhall be; here it points upon them, as paſt, and Chriſt ſwears, Time ſhall be no more, but till the ſeventh Trumpet, and then all ſhould be finiſh'd, ſpoken by the Prophets of his Kingdom; which is ſuch a Myſtery the World will not believe, however told them. They are angry whenever Christ takes his Power to him, and reigns; and much more angry at Rev. 11. 18.Rev 11:18any mention of it before hand, at any unlocking or reading, p. 160viz. interpreting Prophecy concerning it. But Christ ſwears, There ſhall be no more Time, Or no Kalendar of any Kingdom, but his own at the ſeventh Trumpet; it ſhall then immediately ſucceed, and be proclaim'd. Till then Time is allowed for the thunders to remain ſeal'd; Then they ſhall be opened, And if the Thunders had not been ſealed before the Oath, the Oath had cut off that Time alſo, but becauſe the half Time cannot be leſs then it ſelf, The Thunders remain ſeal'd, neither more nor leſs than the half Time. So it is not foreign a Time, but only a half Time, and a whole Time could be no more.

4. The eating the Book, Its being ſweet in the Mouth, and bitter in the Belly, and prophecying again ſignifie altogether the retirement of Chriſts Kingdom, anew into Prophecy in place of preſent Accompliſhment, and of that Kingdom then appearing.

For therefore was Its ſweet in the Mouth, becauſe the Diſcourſe of that Kingdom, as in the Voice of Thunder was exceeding ſweet, as importing its preſent Appearance. But the Diſcourſe of it, as matter of Prophecy, and the Re-abſconding it to that purpoſe into the Belly was exceeding bitter, as ſignifying its Delay and Secrecy, for longer time yet, as Belly imports ſecretly.

Whereas therefore the Book in regard of the half-ſeaſon ended, was opened, as if then to be accompliſh'd, and the things written in it to be finiſhed, Its remanding into the Belly of the Prophet, concludes its delay, and this was bitter. The Book therefore was ſweet in any preſence, bitter in any Delays of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is not to be yet, while the half day laſts; It muſt be, when that ends in the ſeventh Trumpet; therefore it remains in Prophecy. And of the Servants of God continuing to Prophecy in Sack cloth, becauſe of the delay of Chriſts Kingdom, and to prophecy again before many Peoples and Nations, and Tongues and Kings, whom this Kingdom concerns, John is here the Repreſentative, the prophetical Scheme or Symbol. For this Prophecy is unto, and ſo before many, who will not vouchſafe to hearken or attend p. 161to it; yet it is unto them, before them, and will take hold of them. But while the Book is in Prophecy, in the Belly, It is Bitter; and the Witneſſes prophecy in Sackcloth. So John Perſonates or Proxies for them.

The ſealing then of the Thunders, as alſo the Voice of the Roar of the Lion, by implication, retiring, the Eating of the open Book, or returning it into Prophecy, Argue, It muſt remain in Prophecy, as it had done the whole Time of the Trumpets, after the Seals opened, becauſe of the 144000 ſeal'd, and that the Kingdom did not appear when it had in the Christian Emperours made ſo loud a claim; And now by the Thunders utterances, a ſo publick challenge of its Right, yet it muſt return again into Prophecy, and be Bitter in the Belly. All theſe are the clear and evident Importance of theſe Symbols in a due compare of the Parts of this Prophecy between themſelves.

And if we look not only into History, but Knowledge, it cannot be denyed, but that the Kingdom of Christ hath not yet appear'd in Glory; The bleſſed Effects of Chriſtian Religion, The great Prophecies concerning thoſe Effects, that even ſwell the Womb of Prophecy, have not yet been brought forth; The Antichriſtianiſm, the Beſtianiſm, the Apostle Paul, the Apoſtle Pet. Epiſt. 2. c. 2. c. 3.Peter, the Apoſtle John, eſpecially in his Apocal. deſcribes, hath yet a too ſad Intereſt in the Chriſtian World. Mahometaniſm covers a great part of the habitable Earth, and till very lately, as in ſignification of the Time of Christ's Kingdom to be proclaim'd, near at hand, hath been the Scourge and Terror of Chriſtianity, but more particularly, as according to this Prophecy of the Antichriſtianity of Eaſt and Weſt, and holds a very conſiderable part of the Profeſſion of it under Slavery; Pagaiſm, we know poſſeſſes (except obſtinately blind interſpers'd Judaniſm) the reſt of the World; All which muſt remove at Chriſt's Kingdom.

And if we conſider the State of Chriſtianity more Reformed to it ſelf, to ſpeak in the Language, and Symbols of this Prophecy; There are very great Parts of the Reformation, that are within the Bowels of the yet Antichriſtian Princes, and ſo p. 162within the Dition and Kingdom of the Beaſt, when ever it pleaſes God to give ſcope to that Power, They are all manner of ways perſecuted, and harraſs'd, even as the Succeſſion or foreign of the Church of Thyatyra were to be, and their laſt Works and Sufferings thereby, became more than their Firſt, Rev. 2. 19. &c.Rev 2:19and are ſo far from being perfectly riſen, and out of Sack-cloth, that they make an appearance of the Witneſſes again Hungary. France.ſlain, as in Neighbour Countries of late.

Other Parts of the reform'd Church, have not purſued the true Principles of the Reformation, the Regulation of all Things in Doctrine, Worſhip, Converſation, and Diſcipline, according to the pure and perfect Rule of the Word of God; but that Word in many things is regulated by Antiquity, not conſidering how early the Mystery of Iniquity was at work, and where the Foot of the account of the Beaſt's Number ought to be plac'd even at 25 or 26, from the Reſurrection; Revel. 3. v. 1. &c.Rev 3:1ſo that theſe, as in the Church of Sardis, affecting too much outward Pomp and Grandieur, are to ſtrengthen the Remainders which are ready to dye, that are to fill up the Reformation, to endeavour to open the Voices of the Thunders among themſelves, and to prophecy more vigorouſly before Peoples, Nations, Tongues, and Kings; concerning which Things the generality are ſo aſleep, That there are but a few Names, who have not defiled their Garments, but will be in great danger, of a ſhameful Deveſtiture, or Degradation, when Chriſt appears. Revel. 3. 3. compar'd with Revel. 16. 15.

The Church of Philadelphia, although in a general Zeal to have a perfect Square with pure Evangelical Truth, be indeed v. 7. &c.in Being, yet not come to make the Apocalyptick Line of Time by its proper Interval or ſpace, nor can do before the end of the 1260 days, as it is drawn upon theſe Churches to the New Jeruſalem, which appears in Philadeph. and the Right of a Church, Their Door of the Profeſſion of Chriſt, according to his Word is endeavoured to be ſhut, although Chriſt as by immediate Power hath hitherto kept it open; yet They p. 163of this Church have but a little ſtrength, outward Power or Glory. Revel. 3. 7. &c.

The Synagogue of Sathan is ready on all Accounts, and at all Advantages to Diſſinagogue them and caſt them out, to controul and brow-beat them, and that Synagogue muſt be of the Reformed; ſo the naming them Jews imports, as in the Church of Smyrna, Jews ſignified Chriſtians in Profeſſion, but becoming Gentiles; ſo here it ſignifies Reformed, but ſo far relaps'd, as to be falſly ſo call'd; who are at the ſame elevation of Corruption, the Apoſtacy was at, in the Church of Smyrna; Not long before the 1260 dark days came in, ſo that though they diſallow the Apoſtacy ſince that time, yet they are ready to Cannonize it ſo far as to that Time it had proceeded, and might if they had Time, find the ſame Path to the ſame End; Yet ſtill they eſcape the Beaſts Number, 666.

Now in regard of all theſe things, it is moſt evident, The Witneſſes muſt be yet in Sack-cloth, but they are, if they are not wanting to their own Priviledges, and Office, like Moſes, and Aaron, commiſſion'd to ſmite with Plagues, as often at they will; that is, to declare the foulneſs of the Apoſtacy, to Revel. 11. 6.Rev 11:6remonſtrate the Beſtianiſm, and Antichriſtianiſm of it, and to foretel the ſeventh Trumpet, and its Voices and Vials in Ruine of the Kingdom of the Beast, and the great Judgments to be executed on his City, Church, Himſelf, and his falſe Prophet, and all the Impenitents of his Kingdom, from firſt to laſt; and alſo to declare the Redemption of the whole Iſrael of God from this ſpiritual Egypt and its Slavery, the opening the Temple, that the Ark of the Teſtament, the Tabernacle of Teſtimony, may be ſeen in Heaven, and the Kingdom of Chriſt appear in the New Jeruſalem.

And this they may do as often as they will, That is, There is abundant Evidence of Prophetick Truth to do it by; There are abundant Promiſes of Acceptance, Favour, and Support in the doing of it; ſo that it is a Remiſneſs of Will, that is, of Zeal not to do it. For Bleſſed is he that heareth, and they that p. 164read the Words of this Prophecy, eſpecially when the Time is ſo near at Hand.

The laſt part of this Time, is the moſt Glorious, becauſe Revel. 11. 11. &c.Rev 11:11it iſſues out into the ſeventh Trumpet, and then thoſe great things will come to paſs in Preparation, of which all that was at the beginning of that Time, was but a ſhade and ſemblance.

Then the Spirit of Life, in full and perfect meaſure, ſhall enter into the Witneſſes, and ſet them on their Feet; and great fear ſhall fall on them that ſee them; there will be then ſo wonderful an appearance of divine Power and Judgment; as upon the Apoſtles Doctrine and Miracles in the very firſt Times. Where if things had gone on with the ſame Power from Heaven as at firſt, the Kingdom of Christ had then appear'd, but the Myſtery of Iniquity ſurpris'd them at 25 or 26.

There ſhall be a Voice calling them up to Heaven, and as in the Cloud, wherein Chriſt himſelf aſcended, They ſhall Aſcend, and whereas only the Servants of Chriſt beheld Him, Their Enemies ſhall behold them, which ſpeaks the publickneſs of their Aſcention, and the mighty Influences, it will have.

And in the ſame Hour, the Tenth, that is, the Decem Principality of the great City, viz. moſt neceſſarily, That great City in which the Witneſſes lay dead in the breadth of it, fell; For when the Ten Horns, that give State and Altitude to the Beast, fall off from his ſeventh Head; the Woman that ſits on the Beaſt, which is this very ſame City-Church, muſt needs fall from that Height, with which the Beaſt carried it, while exalted with his Ten Horns; which ſubſtantial Reaſon, will recompence for the ſeeming Impropriety of ſuch a uſe of the Word foreign; This Tenth being both in Dan; and this Prophecy ſo eſſential to the Beaſt, that carries the Woman.

The Aſcent of the Witneſſes into Heaven, I underſtand to be ſome Exemplification on Earth of the Glory, and Triumph, The Witneſſes of Christ, that have gone out of the World, ſuffering for Chriſt in any degrees of Martyrdome, p. 165have at this time in Heaven, upon this change of the World to Christ's Kingdom, as undoubtedly, the Saints have on all ſuch Changes, even as the Angels joy in the Repentance of Sinners; As the Saints in Heaven triumph'd at the Deſolation of Heatheniſm, or the caſting down of the Dragon. The Exemplification then of this on Earth by the exalted ſtate of the true Servants of Chriſt there, is the Importance of theſe Symbols.

And in the ſame Hour oppos'd to the ſame, or one Hour of Revel. 17. 12, 13.Rev 17:12Rev 17:13the Ten Kings receiving Power with the Beast, and giving then their Kingdom to him, and therefore comes now into a fit Counter-parallel; There ſhall be an Earth-quake, ſuch a mighty Concuſſion, ſhake and change of the State of the Chriſtian World, that Cities ſhall be removed, as it were, and not be the ſame they were before; That great City, although it ſhall remain on its Heap, yet its tenthly or Ten Kingdom'd-ſtate ſhall utterly fall; ſeven thouſand, not Names only, but Names of Men, ſhall be ſlain; They ſhall be ſlain in their Corrupt Antichriſtian ſtate, and utterly aboliſhed, and an Apocalyptical, Evangelical ſeven ſhall take their Room, ſo that the Succeſſours in their Places, ſhall have ſuch a Senſe of this Great Judgment on them, as to Give Glory to God; For that at this Time, the whole Antichristian State was converted, and repented, I cannot underſtand, becauſe of the after courſe of this Prophecy; But a great alteraiion in the Poſture of the Chriſtian World will then be made; It will be of another Model, as great a change as ſeven thouſand Orders of Men, falling under the ſenſe and influence of this Apocalyptical Prophecy, and modelled according to that can make, ſhall then be, ſo that in the whole Succeſſion to the Kingdom of Chriſt, ſignified by the foreign, They ſhall give Glory to God, the God of Heaven, in place of the Man of Sin, who ſat in the Temple of God, ſhewing himſelf, that He is God, and in place of Idols of Gold and Silver.

Then the ſecond Woe ſhall paſs away, Mahometaniſm, whatever Exiſtence it may have in the World, ſhall no longer p. 166remain the Woe of the Chriſtian World, becauſe when Antichriſtianity, the Provocation of ſo great a Judgment is fallen, the Judgment it ſelf ſhall alſo remove; although Euphrates may yet continue a River, till at the ſixth Vial it is dried up, yet it ſhall not ſo overflow, as hitherto it hath done.

And this Woe is always to be eſteem'd the Boundary of the 1260 Days for their ending; for till that Woe is paſt, they cannot end; for till then the Witneſſes do not riſe perfectly, nor come out of Sackcloth; till then the Beaſts forty two Months of being a Beſtian Power do not end, nor the 1260 of the Woman in the Wilderneſs; but then they ſhall all end together. Therefore the Craſhings and Smoaking of the Mahometan Mountain at this Time, gives an alarm to the Expectation of theſe things: and however the Antichriſtian Power, by its Contributions, concurr with the Ten Kings to the paſſing away of that Woe; yet let it certainly know, that at that very ſame time, and by thoſe very Ten Kings falling off from it, its own Decarchy or Ten-horn'd Supremacy, ſhall fall into the Duſt alſo.

For, as we may be aſſured, The Reformation, the riſing of the Witneſſes, are not yet at their top, becauſe that Woe is not yet paſs'd; ſo we may be aſſur'd, All the Symbols, and Emblems of the Antichristian City, and Prince, as roll'd down from their height, and of the Kingdom of Christ riſing, although being future, we cannot ſo certainly expound them, yet they ſhall in their ſignificancy be fulfill'd, and made good to the utmoſt, as thoſe have been before them, which we more fully comprehend by Hiſtory. And that, all muſt be fulfill'd within the 180 Years from 1517, or from the Reformation begun then, which muſt be by 1697. For that ſo the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken by this Prophecy, I now proceed to argue.

I muſt rely upon the proof I have already offer'd along this Line; That I have made true motions and progreſſes upon it in Events of ſo great Concernment and univerſal Notoriety to the Chriſtian World, as to be moſt worthy to be the Diſcoveries p. 167of ſo Sovereign and Imperial a Prophecy, given by the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, receiv'd from his Father, to ſhew to his Servants; digeſted into a meth… and Series of Time moſt exact, and contriv'd into ſuch …onderful and ſelf-demonſtrating Symbols, as that they may be found out by them that are ſtirr'd up by God to Read, and ſo propos'd to thoſe whom God enclines to Hear, that Both may come to the Bleſſedneſs promis'd, by underſtanding them aright.Rev. 1. 3.Rev 1:3

In compariſon of which Events, and their order and ſeries, as I have preſented them; the little and cloſe, the private and particular points of Story without an equal and juſt Admenſuration to Apocalyptical Time, upon which ſome Names, ſo great, that for Reverence I dare not Name, have fallen, are but as Relations fit for private Diſcourſe and unfit for a grave Hiſtory, or like the Deſcription of ſmall Rivers, Hills, or Vills, unworthy the Title of a Geography, and yet ſuch a Prophecy, ſo much below its own Majeſty, do ſuch Interpretations make it.

Now according to this ſo illuſtrious, ſo orderly Series of Events, it will eaſily appear, by Reflection on what is written, The Reformation muſt neceſſarily be determin'd to the laſt 180 of the 1260 Years, ſo as to determine at 1697. But I ſhall yet offer theſe two particular Arguments.

The very Time of the Pillar of the Beaſts Number erected, Argu. 1 I date to 725 or 26, as the ſolemn Repreſentation of it by the beginning of the Iconoclaſtick War, and ſo of the Beasts War with the Witneſſes. The very Time of the Death of the Witneſſes I date to 787, repreſented by the ſecond Council of Nice, damning all that refus'd to worſhip Images; the one 72 Years before the two Times of 360 Years a-piece; the other only ten Years before. Let us now by proportion of the three Years and a half of Elijah's Drought, and the three days of our Lord's Death, adjuſt the Expiration of the Intimate Time, Times, half a Time; and as near Ten years after the two whole Times of intimate Time expir'd, at 1517; we find the Witneſſes ſtanding on their Feet, ſo eminently, as that they p. 168began to eſteem the Thunderbolts of Antichriſtian Excommunication, brutiſh; and foreign, in a ſolemn and Oracular manner, as from this very Prophecy to be called Proteſtants. Which Appellation, however it began on particular occaſion, and as only in a providential Repreſentation to agree Hiſtory with Prophecy, as I all along obſerve; yet it hath been eſpous'd by the whole Reformation: and it is by ſecret inſtinct derived probably beyond their Intention from theſe two Apocalyptical Witneſſes. For what is Proteſtation or Proteſtancy but a publick, avowed Witneſs againſt the Tyranny of the Beast?

And that ſo ſolemn a Denomination is of no ſmall Account, appears by that ſo great Memorial of the Diſciples being call'd Chriſtians, Acts 11. 26.

And as the Pillar of Intimate Time was erected at 725 or 26, 71 or 72 Years before the two whole Times; ſo ſeventy one or ſeventy two Years after the two whole Times at 1517, lead us to the famous 1588: from which Time, the most Catholick Kingdoms, ſo call'd, decay'd in Pomp and Reputation, not to ſay the whole Auſtrian Family. And had not the Thunders been ſeal'd, and the Book retired into Prophecy, the Parallels had been more illuſtrious; but Sixteen hundred ninety ſeven ſhall, I am fully aſſur'd, anſwer for all.

The Diſpoſal of this Time of the Reformation, as it hath Argu. 2 been given, is ſo demonſtrative, as not to be avoided; for the Witneſſes Prophecy in Sackcloth 1260 days; Twelve hundred ſixty days, we are aſſur'd are three times and a half at their full extent; for ſo long the Woman is in the Wilderneſs, coequally in both. Whenever the 1260 Days end, the Witneſſes Apoc. 12. 6. v. 14. Apoc. 11. 14.Rev 12:6Rev 11:14aſcend; then the ſixth Trumpet, and its Woe paſſes away: Then the ſeventh Trumpet ſounds; Let us lay all this to the Oath of Christ, Dan. 12. 7. There ſhall be Time, Times, half a Time, and all theſe things ſhall be finiſh'd, and to the Oath, Revel. 10. 6. Time ſhall be no more, but till the ſeventh Trumpet; then the Myſtery of Chriſt's Kingdom ſucceeding ſhall be finiſh'd. Theſe two Oaths ſo ſolemn as to have no parallels; p. 169ſo equal and even in all their aweful Rites, except we obſerve a difference in the mention of only, Hand in the Apocal. and the Right and Left in Dan. as if ſignifying in the Apocal.; The half-time was yet remaining; Theſe two ſo ſolemn Oaths can by no means contradict, but muſt confirm one another: one looks forward on Time to come, and aſſures there ſhall be Time, Times, half a Time, and all things ſhall be finiſh'd; the ſecond looks back on all (but the half-time) already paſt, and aſſures there ſhall be no more whole Time; but at the ſeventh Trumpet, to which there remain'd only half time, All ſhould be finiſh'd.

So the Half-time is ſecur'd to the Beast in a Party-Kingdom; 1. By ſealing the Thunders; for while they were ſeal'd the Kingdom of Chriſt could not perfectly appear, ſeeing their ſealing continues that Delay of it, all along ſignified by ſealing. 2. By the expreſs Allowance of time at large, till the ſeventh Trumpet: For when it is ſaid, Time ſhall be no more; But in the days of the ſeventh Trumpet All ſhall be finiſhed; It is a certain Implication, Till then there ſhall be ſome Allowance of Time, although not a whole Time, nor ſo much as a whole Half time, nor any Time at all of the Elevation, Intimate Time was of, or of a Kingdom ſo entire to the Beast.

Whoever then knows theſe two Oaths will compare them; whoever compares them will conclude, There muſt have been before the laſt Oath, Time, Times, and ſome part of Half-time, that the first Oath may be true; he will alſo conclude, There can be no more than Half-time, and not that whole; for there can be only an imperfect Remnant of time after this laſt Oath: elſe, How can this laſt Oath be true?

And yet it is impoſſible any part of the 1260 Days, or three times and a half equal to them, ſhould run beyond the end of the ſixth, or the very entrance of the ſeventh Trumpet; for it is expreſly ſaid, when the Witneſſes aſcended, which they could not do till the end of the 1260 Days Prophecy in Sackcloth, the ſeventh Trumpet immediately ſounded. Thus theſe 1260 Days are every way bounded by the ſeventh Trumpet: p. 170they cannot end ſooner; for then there would be Time after the Oath, more than the Half-time and the ſeventh Trumpet not ſound, which muſt not be. And they cannot run beyond the firſt of the ſeventh Trumpet, becauſe they muſt needs end when the VVitneſſes ſo perfectly riſe as to aſcend; as before ſaid; which is before the ſeventh Trumpet, or 1697.

Whither then muſt theſe 1260 days reflow from the ſeventh trumpet beginning to ſound? Into the ſpaces of what trumpet or trumpets, as into their proper Channel? Into the ſixth trumpet they certainly do, but that cannot receive them all; for allowing after the taking of Conſtantinople ſixty four Years for the making the Experiment of the Impenitency of the rest of Men, the half-day immediately appear'd: joyning then the half-time or day of 180 Years to 64, that Space receives only 244 by vertue of the Mahometan Hour, or a defined Space allowed them, beyond their Day, Month, and Year. To which day, month, year, being 395, add the 244, and they are 639, which is the whole, and that a very long ſpace of the ſixth trumpet, delaying the ſeventh alſo (that comes and quickly diſpatches) to hereafter. But ſeeing this trumpet holds but 639, ſomewhat above half of the 1260 Days, they muſt be thrown back into the fifth trumpet; which having room but for 435, as we have before found, from the Hegira 622, the remaining 186 muſt regurgitate into the four firſt trumpets, where they find juſt entertainment to 437; even as all theſe accounting forward determine from ſpace to ſpace at the ſame 1697.

Turning things thus every way then, we may find, how the order of this Apocalyptical Prophecy lies upon this Line of Time; and how, and with what ſecret Invitations, the Characters or Dates of Time are call'd after the Voice of the Lyon, and the Thunders-Voices, at the Reformation to every prophetical Symbol, either of the Sufferings of the Servants of God, or of the Apoſtacy and Tyranny of the Beſtian Kingdom, engraven with them; and firſt, why, although the Characters of Time began at the Beginning of the trumpets, they are not p. 171given till after the Viſion of the Reformation, Chapt. 10.

1. Firſt then, till after the opening of the Kingdom of Chriſt at the Reformation, it was neither Condecent to the prophetical types of either the dark, obſcure, and conceal'd ſtate of the Servants of God, nor the entireneſs of the Beast's Kingdom, that either the Servants of God ſhould be reſcued from their Death and Condemnation, nor the Beast diſcover'd to be the Beast, as he was at the Reformation; for how then ſhould his Kingdom ſtand, or the VVitneſſes lye dead, each their Time? Prophecy therefore obſerves the order of the Events themſelves, foreſeen and foretold, even as the Beast was believ'd to be no Beast, but the Vicar of Chriſt, all the Time of his Kingdom entire, and the VVitneſſes Hereticks and no VVitneſſes: ſo in the Prophecy, till the Book of the Kingdom open'd by the Claim of Chriſt, we neither read of the Beaſt, nor of the VVitneſſes, nor of the Gentiles, nor of the Woman in the Wilderneſs, but by ſome very ſilent Intimations. This Order became the Prophecy and its Emblems.

2. The Hiſtory of the trumpets, taking in in the ſixth trumpet, the entire Hiſtory of the 1260 Days, goes on to the end of the ſixth trumpet in particular, and of all the trumpets in general, even to the end of the ſeventh; and that grand Scope or Aim in its Eye, the hiſtory of the Witneſſes, comes hereby to be deliver'd whole and entire alſo; as alſo of the Beſtian Kingdom, in one ſummary Platform, very agreeable to the Compoſure of the beſt hiſtories, that delay any principal Subject its Treaty, till the due ſeaſon: whereas the end of the 1260 Days of the VVitneſſes, and of the Beſtian Fall, could not have been given as the end of the 1260 Days, if the whole had not been taken and comprehended together; ſeeing till the end of that ſixth trumpet, that end proper to each did not appear; and yet ſomething like it did appear before, at the Reformation.

3. The end of the ſixth trumpets Woe as it joyns the end of the witneſſes Sackcloth, the Fall of the great City, and makes one the Bound to the other, had not been ſet with ſo great advantage, ſo interlocking part of the 1260 with the ſixth p. 172trumpet; and eſpecially the Reformation, ſingled out, as ſo diſtinct a Time from both the time, and times, or the 1080 of the 1260 Days; and ſo made a half-time, or 180 to it ſelf, glorious in the Beginning, ſeal'd in the Middle, and glorious again in the End, if it had not been thus before the whole 1260 Days, given together.

For either there muſt have been more open and declar'd Diſtributions of the time by it ſelf, of the two times by themſelves, of the half-time by it ſelf, than agrees with the admirable Contrivance and Myſticneſs of this Prophecy, or elſe the diſtinction could not have been underſtood, nor made out, as now it may.

But the Appearance of Christ, the Lyon roaring, the Thunders proclaiming, What, but Chriſt's Kingdom? The Book open'd, and above all the Oath, time ſhould be no more, could no way comport with the former Oath, till the half-time dawning; The Beast's Kingdom could bear no ſuch ſhock ſooner; for how ſhould he then have had time, times, half-time, viz. a part of the firſt, and laſt, and the whole of the middle in entire Regnancy? So that Reading afterwards of 1260 Days, call'd alſo three days and a half, ſo ſignificantly to this purpoſe, and three times and a half, we know aſſuredly what Time of the Day it muſt be, when ſuch a roaring of the Lyon was, and of the Thunders, and ſuch an Oath, that Time ſhould be no more, and ſo much of the Beaſt's Kingdom torn from him, as a Pledge and Earneſt of the whole to be ſo rent from him. It muſt be at the Half-time.

And had there not been a ſealing of the Thunders, and an encloſing the Book in the Prophet's Belly, we might have ſuppos'd, Then had been the end of thoſe Days, and the Reformation to have been all that was to be expected of Chriſt's Kingdom till Eternity. But by both theſe determin'd, before the 1260 Days, or other Characters of Time given, we have a moſt certain Gauge of the half-time of the Reformation, and of the end of that ten-folded Kingdom, of the Turkiſh Woe, of the Witneſſes Sackcloth together: ſo that if the Beginning was p. 173at 1517, The end muſt be at 1697, which is the Thing undertaken to be ſhown.

To ſhew now in the ſecond Place how in the juſt order of the Prophecy, each Character or Date of Time may be aſſign'd to each State of the Servants of God, in their Sufferings under the Beſtian Kingdom. It may thus be made not only plain and intelligible, but admirably harmonious; and the interweaving of the Prophecy with it ſelf, and with the Prophecy of Daniel, be clearly underſtood.

After Christ's Claim of his Kingdom at the Reformation as deſcrib'd, Chap. 10. The Viſion of the Temple meaſured, and Chap. 11.of the Witneſſes in Sack-cloth, and dying under the victorious Beast, and ſo riſing is given entire, in ſignification, that the Beasts Kingdom could not be diſturb'd, nor his Time and two Times interrupted with any part of ſuch a Viſion, till the half Time appearing; when that, and the Viſion of that had been given, and the firſt Glory of it ſeal'd, Then things were ripe for this after Viſion; for any part of which, they were before unripe, unripe as to the Condemnation of the Beast, and the Vindication of the Witneſſes before the half Time. Unripe as to the riſing of the Witneſſes, till the ſeal'd Thunders had Poſt-pond that riſing. And ſo the Angel, that had bidden John, Eate the Book, Ordered him a Reed, bids him ariſe, and meaſure the Temple of God, &c. For the outward Court and City, the Gentiles ſhould tread under foot forty two Months; and then ſaith the Lord, I will give Power to my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Prophecy 1260 days, &c. Thus the Altar of Incenſe neceſſarily here intended, being the only Altar in the Temple, leads us back to the Altar of Incenſe juſt before the Trumpets, where the Prayers of All Saints were ſent up; and where attending without in the publick Worſhip, yet pure, They were commanded into the Temple, ſhut up at the Firſt Trumpet, as from that Time, the 1260 Rev. 8. 4.Rev 8:4days. Hereupon the Daily Service was Taken away at the very 1260 Beginning, joyn'd with the 30 more in the 1290; and ſo the 42 Months, and 1260 Days are related to ſo many p. 174Evenings and Mornings of the 2300 Evenings Mornings Dan. 12. 11. Dan. 8. 13, 14.Dan 12:11Dan 8:13Dan 8:14of the Viſion of the daily taken away, and the entring in of the Gentiles, firſt by Constantines Converſion, then by Theodoſius's Victory over them, forcing them into the Profeſſion of Chriſtianity, and completed by the Barbarians inrode into the Empire at the firſt Trumpet, ſemblanc'd gentiliz'd Chriſtianity.

At the ſame Time, and for the ſame Time of 1260 days, the Woman, the Church, after the deliverance from the Pharaoh-like Dragon, goes into the Wilderneſs. Her Seed the 144000 of the twelve Tribes, and Apoſtolical Church being Revel. 7.Rev 7ſeal'd, under the Witneſſes, herein like Moſes and Aaron alſo: But That Prophetick History being before this ſyſteme of the Trumpets is deriv'd higher from the Dragon, as neceſſary to Revel. 12.Rev 12introduce, and to derive down the Hiſtory of the Beast, that follows, Chap. 13. And having ſhewed both by the early ſealing, As deriv'd from the Dragon.and the ſudden Account of the Woman flying into the Wilderneſs, the violent Inclination of things to the Apoſtacy after the Gentiles coming into the Profeſſion of Chriſtianity with their Emperour; The very entrance into the Wilderneſs is juſt at the firſt Trumpet, where another ſort of Gentiles were crowding alſo, as well upon the Empire as the Church; For then, as hath been made out, the ſealing firſt obtain'd its Effect, although declar'd before.

At the Third Trumpets Complement of Effect, the Imperial Power ceaſing, The Beast enters his Exiſtence, and hath his forty two Months aſſign'd for that Exiſtence, from firſt to Rev. 8. 10. with chap. 13, 5.Rev 8:10laſt; which forty two Months uniting with thoſe of the Gentiles, run parallel with the 1260 days; All which hath been fully Argued.

At the Beaſts Number 666. Intimate Time enters, and conjoyns it ſelf with the Witneſſes three days and a Half, with Revel. 11. 9. c. 12. 14. c. 7. 25. Dan. c. 12. 7.Rev 11:9Dan 12:7the Womans Time, Times, and half Time; with Daniels Time, Times, half Time, of wearing out the Saints of the most high, and ſcattering the Power of the holy People.

At this Intimate Time, or Hour as it is alſo call'd Emphatickly, The Ten Kings, as his Horns receive Power with him; p. 175Rev. 17. 2.Rev 17:2He fulfils all Types of himſelf, both in Dan. and the Revelation; Arm'd with their Power, He commands Himſelf and his Revel. 13.Rev 13Image to be worſhiped by an Idolatry or Image Worſhip, ſo blaſphemous to God and his Saints, makes War with the Saints, and kills them.

Now in each of theſe Particulars, although they are as overflowings of the Prophecy beyond its Conduct of things within the Trumpets, yet it is moſt demonſtrable, They muſt all return within the Trumpets and Time at large begin with the Trumpets, and intimate Time be guided by the Pillar of Time, erected within the fifth Trumpet. For ſeeing the Woman and the Witneſſes 1260 days muſt needs be equal in their Beginning and Ending, and the Beaſts Intimate Time muſt be plac'd, where the Witneſſes Vanquiſhment and Death are, and that theſe muſt be within the Trumpets, nay in that all Time muſt be before the ſeventh Trumpet, and end at it; All Time therefore from thence in account, recoyls backward, ſo as to find room for it ſelf, even to the firſt of the 1260 Days within the firſt Trumpet, which beginning at 437, ends with 42, the Concent of all Periods, at 1697. All which ought to be evinc'd all along, and I do more then hope, hath been ſo evinc'd.

I have already prevented my ſelf in the Remarques of this whole Line, by placing them early in the firſt Views of it, and therefore now make only theſe ſhort ones, as a Concluſion.

We may be heal'd of any dangerous Wonder, that an Remark. 1 Apoſtacy from Chriſtian Religion, ſo foul and thick, as to need no Confutation of its Figments and Fables, the very Title, his Holineſs, Vicar of Chriſt do ſo loudly proclaim Antichriſt; That ſuch a one hath endur'd ſo long a Time, hath captivated, the Wiſe, the Learned, the Politick, the Noble, the Royal, the Imperial, we ſee in this Prophecy, It was to do ſo, and by this Oath of Chriſt it was, and is to laſt Time, Times, half Time, even till the end of it. It is to do ſo, e're its Decem Principality, Its ten horn'd Kingdom Fall. And although it p. 176began by degrees, yet it hath two moſt ſudden Downfalls, one at the Reformation, as but in preparation and beginning; the other at the end of that Half time then begun, viz. at 1697, when His Fall ſhall be exceeding great.

Seeing it is moſt impoſſible Intimate time ſhould return, Remark 2 whatever Sufferings there may be of the Church of Thyatyra, how great, how diſmal ſoever, yet there cannot be a ſlaying of the Witneſſes any more, for Chriſt hath ſworn with the Rainbow cap. 10. 1.on his Head, It ſhall be as the Waters of Noah to him: Iſa. 54. 9.Isa 54:9There ſhall be no ſuch Return for ever; nor can I apprehend the Church of Sardis can in any parts of the Reform'd Nations Rev. 3. 3. v. 9.Rev 3:3loſe its State by a Return of that Apoſtacy; its only danger is its ſhame, that without Repentance will befall it at the more glorious Appearance of Chriſt's Kingdom; and eſpecially thoſe Parts of it that have relapſed to a Synagogue of Sathan, ſhall with double ſhame be forc'd to come and worſhip at Philadelphia's Feet, and to know Christ hath lov'd it, who endeavour'd to ſhut its Door.

Seeing we are compaſſed about with ſo great a Cloud of Witneſſes, Remark 3 let us with great Confidence wait, hope, expect, pray for the great Glory that is to be brought unto us at that great Appearance that will be made of the Kingdom of Jeſus Christ at the end of the half time or half day, or at the laſt of the laſt 180 of 1260 Days, viz. at 1697, ſo often memorializ'd, although but in preparation to that Kingdom it ſelf 75 Years after: And if we ſhall not live to it in this World, yet we ſhall loſe nothing by it; for in Heaven, and with the Lamb on Mount Zion, we ſhall with the other Witneſſes rejoyce in Rev. 14. 1.Rev 14:1ſo happy a Change as will even then be made; and ſo rejoyce for ever, each in our Lot of the Land of Promiſe, or the New Jeruſalem.

The end of the ſecond Point of this Line of Time, or its Period.