Seasonable Truths in Evil Times, Sermon 4
SERM. IV. The two VVitneſſes, their Teſtimony.
Rev. 11. ver. 3, &c.
And I will give Power unto my two Witneſſes, &c.
AND I will give Power unto my two Witneſſes; That is, unto the inner Court, and thoſe that Worſhip there, ſpoken of before—The whole Church of God under the name of the Temple, ſpeaking in the Jewiſh Language.
The whole Church of God under the name of a Temple, is divided into the outer, and the inner Court. The Inner Court is meaſured, and the Altar, and thoſe that Worſhip there, in ver. 1.
The outward Court is left out, and given unto the Gentiles, and they tread down the Holy City fourty and two Moneths, ver. 2. But ſaith Chriſt, I will give power unto my two Witneſſes: that is, unto the inner Court, and thoſe that were meaſured, of which he had ſpoken before.
Called Witneſſes. No ſooner is the Holy City troden underfoot by the Gentiles, but Chriſts Witneſſes do begin to bear their teſtimony to Chriſt.
The Witneſſing time is divided into three parts:—A Propheſying time. The time of their Propheſie, from the third verſe unto the ſeventh.
The Slaying time, from the third verſe unto the 11th.
The riſing time, and reſtoring time, from the 11. verſe unto the 14. So that in this Scripture that I have now read, you have the ſtate of the Church Propheſying, or Witneſſing in the dayes of Anti-Chriſt, called Witneſſes: who are here deſcribed,
Firſt by their number Two. I will give power unto my two Witneſſes.
Secondly by their Work and Office, And they ſhall Propheſie.
Thirdly, By their mournful and ſad habit and condition, and the time thereof, They ſhall Propheſie 1260 dayes cloathed in Sackcloth.
Fourthly, By their quality. Theſe are the two Olive Trees, and the two Candleſticks ſtanding before the G…d of the Earth, ver. 4.
Fifthly, By their Guard, and by their Defence, And if any man will hurt them, Fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their Enemies, ver. 5.
Sixthly, By the great things that they ſhall do, in the latter end of their Propheſie, Theſe have power to ſhut Heaven, that it rain not in the dayes of their Propheſie, and have power over waters to turn them into Bloud, &c. So that now from all this, I take up this one Obſervation.
Obſerv. Though the Saints and Faithful Witneſſes of J…ſus Chriſt muſt lye in Sackcloth 1260 daies, or years, yet in that time they ſhall be very fruitful, and Propheſie, and do great things in the end of thoſe day…s.
For the clearing whereof, five or ſix things will fall under our conſideration.
Firſt, Why the Saints and People of God are called Witneſſes.
Secondly, What theſe Witneſſes are: more eſpecially in reſpect of their number, and quality.
Thirdly, How and in what reſpect they are cloathed in Sackcloth, and how long.
Fourthly, What this Propheſie is, and how it comes to paſs that they Propheſie in the time of their Sackcloth.
Fifthly, What is their Defence and Guard wherewith they are Guarded and Defended in the daies of their Propheſie.
Sixthly, What are the great things that they ſhall do in the latter end of their Propheſie. (I ſhall run through theſe particulars as briefly as I may), And
Firſt, If you ask why the Saints and people of God are here called Witneſſes.
I anſwer, Becauſe it is their work and buſineſs to bear Witneſs to the truths and wayes of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the wayes of Anti-Chriſt. If you look into this Book of the Revelations, you will find they are ſo deſcribed, by bearing witneſs unto the waies and the truths of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the waies of Anti-Chriſt. For look but a little into this Book, and you ſhall find that there are two ſorts of people that are marked: The followers of the Beaſt are marked, and the followers of the Lamb are marked in their Foreheads.
The followers of the Beaſt are marked, in Rev. 13. 16. And he cauſeth all, both ſmall and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a Mark in their right hand, or in their Foreheads.
The Followers of the Lamb are marked in their Foreheads too, chap. 14. ver. 1. And I looked, and lo a Lamb ſtood on the Mount Sion, and with him 144000 having his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads. But now though the followers of the Lamb are thus marked with their Fathers Name written in their Foreheads, yet their mark doth not only conſiſt in ſome thing that is poſitive, but in Refuſing the mark of the Beaſt, Rev. 20.—why, but to ſhew thus much, That they are witneſſes upon this account, becauſe they do bear witneſs unto Chriſt, the truth and wayes of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the wayes of Anti-Chriſt. Thus they are conformed unto Jeſus Chriſt, who is the True and the Faithful witneſs, Rev. 3. write, Theſe things ſaith the Amen, the true and Faithful witneſs. That is, Chriſt: Chriſt is the true and the faithful witneſs, and therefore thoſe that are his, they muſt be witneſſes too, that they may be conformed to him.
Thereby they alſo overcome, as you have it in Rev. 12. And they overcame him by the Bloud of the Lamb, and by the word of their teſtimony. They overcome by the Bloud of the Lamb, and by the word of their teſtimony, by witneſs-bearing. So then, the Saints and people of God, they are Chriſts witneſſes. In Anti-Chriſtian times, they are Chriſts witneſſes: and if they be thus deſcribed, why then ſhould not we look unto this work eſpecially, Bearing of witneſs to the truths and wayes of Chriſt.
This is the work that we are born for: For this cauſe, ſaith Chriſt, was I born, and for this cauſe came I into the World, that I might bear witneſs unto the truth.
This is the work of our Generation, witneſs-bearing to the truths of Chriſt in oppoſition to the waies of Anti-Chriſt, in Anti-Chriſtian times. This is the work of our Generation.
This is the work which there is a thouſand years of glory and comfort promiſed unto above other things, as you read in Rev. 20.
This is the work, Witneſs-bearing to the truths of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the wayes of Anti-Chriſt. This is the work that hath the Crown and Name of Martyrdom. A Martyr, whats that but a Witneſs. Every witneſs more or leſs, is a Martyr: We take the word only for them that dye, But every witneſs is a Martyr.
This is that work which ſometimes is neceſſary to Salvation, Rom. 10. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteouſneſs, and with the mouth confeſſion is made unto Salvation. This is the work I ſay therefore that ſometimes is neceſſary unto Salvation.
And this is that work which Jeſus Chriſt will own, and acknowledg before all the world. He that confeſſeth me before men, him will I confeſs before my Father and all the Angels in Heaven.
And if this be the great work, why ſhould we not all of us look to this work eſpecially, this witneſs-bearing?
You will ſay, what ſhall I do that I may be found faithful in this witneſs-bearing? what ſhall I do that I may witneſs a good confeſſion in theſe dayes of ours?
Something by way of Rule—Something by way of means; and yet not long, becauſe I muſt paſs on to other things.
Rule 1. Something by way of Rule. Be ſure that your teſtimonies do agree. Though there be 100 Witneſſes about a buſineſs, if their witneſs don't agree, 'twill be of little worth. And now ſo it is, Chriſts Witneſſes this day are divided into many Opinions and Perſwaſions, but they may agree in the main for Chriſt, they may all agree in oppoſition unto Anti-Chriſt. If that you wou… …ave your witneſs valid and good, labour you tha… are the witneſſes, for unity in your teſtimony. T…re are three, ſaith the Apoſtle John, that bear witneſs in Heaven, ſpeaking of Gods teſtifying of the truth of Grace. There are three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt: theſe bear witneſs of Chriſt, and their witneſs is good,—why—For theſe three are One, 1 Joh. 5. 7. And ſaith he at the 8. v. There are three that bear witneſs on earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Bloud. The Spirit: I come to know that I am the child of God by the teſtimony of the Spirit, bearing witneſs with my Spirit that I am the child of God.—And I come to know that I am the child of God by the witneſs of water, by the teſtimony of Sanctification.—And I come to know that I am the child of God by the teſtimony of Bloud, by the teſtimony of my Faith, relying upon the Bloud of Chriſt. And theſe three agree: and theſe three agree in One. The teſtimony is good, becauſe they agree in one. So in our teſtifying of Chriſt, If our teſtimonies do agree, our teſtimony is good: thats the firſt thing. We have bin too much divided, God knows we have, and he hath puniſht our Diviſions with Diviſions; 'tis time to unite our teſtimony: If you would bear witneſs, unite your teſtimony.
2. If you would witneſs a good confeſſion in theſe dayes of ours, then you muſt be willing to own the truth of Chriſt, to own it whenſoever you are called thereunto: 'tis ſaid, our Saviour Chriſt he witneſſed a good Confeſſion before Pontius Pilate.—Pray what kind of witneſs was it—was it any long confeſſion, or large,—n…, …ut the manner on't was this, when they call'd him before them to give an account of any fact, he left them to prove it. When they called him to give an account of the Doctrine that he held, Art thou the King of the Jews? then he owned it. He left them to prove the fact, and he owned the truth; ſo ſhould we do. And indeed, if that we be not willing for to own the truth when we are called thereunto, why how can it be that the mark of the Father ſhould be written upon our Foreheads only. We read of the followers of the Beaſt, that they received a mark in their right hands, and in their Foreheads both:—why in the Forehead, and why in the hand? In the Forehead, ſometimes to wear it openly—And in their right hands, to put it into their pockets, and to hide it. They can own it ſometimes, and ſometimes they can hide it: but the followers of the Lamb, they have the mark of their Father only in their Forehead. Therefore I ſay, If we would witneſs a good Confeſſion, we muſt be willing to own the truth whenſoever we are called thereunto.
3. If you would witneſs a good confeſſion in theſe dayes of ours, then you muſt be willing alſo for to ſuffer for the truth of Chriſt. Thoſe that cannot ſuffer for the truth of Chriſt, and run the hazard of a ſuffering, they cannot bear their witneſs fully. See how they go together, in Rev. 13. 10. Here is the patience and Faith of the Saints. The Faith of the Saints, and their Patience, do go together. So in chap. 14. ver. 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints, here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jeſus. Patience, and keeping the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jeſus, they go together: And therefore thats a third thing.
4. If you would witneſs a good Confeſſion, then take heed that when you hav born your teſtimony, you do nothing that may revoke the ſame, either directly or by conſequence. Some bear a good teſtimony to the truths of Chriſt, but then they revoke their teſtimony by ſomthing that they do afterwards, either directly or by conſequence. Mark what is ſaid of John in Joh. 1. 20. 'tis ſaid of him, He confeſſed and denyed not, but confeſſed, I am not the Chriſt. He confeſſed, and did not revoke his teſtimony. He confeſſed, & denyed not, but confeſſed. I know there's an Hebraiſm in it, but theres more than ſo.—And he confeſſed and denyed not: He bare his teſtimony, and did nothing that might revoke that teſtimony, either directly or by conſequence. And therefore if you would bear your teſtimony for the truth of Chriſt, take heed that when you have given in your teſtimony, you do nothing that may revoke it, either directly or by conſequence. Thus by way of Rule.
And ſecondly by way of Means. If you would be Faithful in bearing your teſtimony, in bearing witneſs to the truths of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the wayes of Anti-Chriſt: Obſerve what the root is that a good confeſſion grows upon, and labour for to ſtrengthen that.
Now what is the root that a good confeſſion grows upon, but Faith working by Love.
As for Faith, I believed, and therefore have I ſpoken.
And as for Love, Much Water cannot quench Love. Faith working by Love, is the root that a good Confeſſion grows upon, and therefore ſtrengthen that.
Secondly, Labour in the work of Self-denyal, and uſe your ſelf now to deny your ſelf. There are two denyals that you read of in the Goſpel—one commanded, and the other forbidden, directly contrary one to another.
Self-denyal—and denyal of Chriſt.
Self-denyal is commanded, If any man will be my Diſciple, let him deny himſelf.
Denying of Chriſt is forbidden: He that denyes me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven. The more you deny your ſelves, the leſs you will deny Chriſt: And the more you deny Chriſt, the leſs you deny your ſelves. Will you not deny Chriſt, but witneſs fully to Chriſt, and the truths and wayes of Chriſt; labour now to be found in the wayes of ſelf-denyal, that you may be kept from Chriſt-denyal.
Thirdly, In the next place, Take heed that you be not feared or ſcared too much with the ſcare-crowes of the times, but go to God for boldneſs, that you may be emboldned with the boldneſs of the Holy Ghoſt. A timerous fearful Spirit will ſhrink in witneſs-bearing, if God come not in with boldneſs. You may ſee how they would have made Nehemiah to have ceaſed from the work of God, even by ſcaring and fearing of him, in Neh. 6. Tobiah and Sanball…t, they ſend unto him that they might make him ceaſe from the work of God that was in his hand; and they ſay unto him, 'Tis reported that thou haſt appointed to Preach at Jeruſalem, ſaying, There is a King in Jeruſalem, and now ſhall it be reported to the King according to theſe words, ver. 7. here they cry out, A Plot, a Plot: But while they cry out a Plot upon Nehemiah, the truth is, it was their own Plot. Then I ſent unto them (at ver. 8.) ſaying, There are no ſuch things done as thou ſayeſt, but thou feigneſt them of thine own heart. They cry A Plot, and they made a Plot.
Well, what was their Plot?—It was to make him ceaſe from the work of the Lord.—And how did they lay the Plot, ſay they at ver. 9. For they all made us afraid, ſaying, Their hands ſhall be weakned from the work. They all made us afraid, v. 13. (ſpeaking of falſe Prophets) Therefore was he hired, that I ſhould be afraid, and do ſo, and ſin. And ſaith he, ver. 14. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat, according to theſe their works, and on the Propheteſs Noadiah, and the reſt of the Prophets that would have put me in fear. This was the way to make Nehemiah ceaſe from the work of God that was in his hand, to put him in fear, to ſcare him. And therefore take heed of the ſcares of the time, but go to God for boldneſs, that you may be emboldned with the boldneſs of the Holy Ghoſt. And therefore do but read the fourth of the Acts, where you find, that when the Apoſtles were threatned, they returned unto their own company, and fell to Prayer, at ver. 23. And being let go, they went to their own company, and there they fall to Prayer, And they lift up their voice,—And what did they pray for? the great thing that they prayed for in their Prayer, was, That God would give them boldneſs. And now Lord, ſay they, ver. 29. Behold their threatnings, and grant unto thy Servants, that with all boldneſs they may ſpeak thy Word. And what was the Anſwer, ver. 3…. And when they had prayed, the place was ſhaken where they were aſſembled together, and they were all f…lled with the Holy Ghoſt, and they ſpake the Word of God with boldneſs. This was the Petition put up, Behold Lord their threatnings, now give boldneſs to thy Servants. Preſently God anſwered, and they were filled with the boldneſs of the Holy Ghoſt, and ſo they bare their teſtimony. And ſo I ſay, If you would bear your teſtimony in theſe dayes of ours, Take heed of being ſcared and feared with the ſcare-Crowes of the times: But rather go to God, and beg boldneſs of him, that you may be emboldned with the boldneſs of the Holy Ghoſt; and thus ſhall you do this great work, which is the work that we have to do in this day of ours. And ſo I have done with the firſt thing, why the Saints and people of God are called witneſſes, Namely, becauſe it is their work in Anti-Chriſtian times to bear witneſs to the truths and wayes of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the wayes of Anti-Chriſt.
But then ſecondly, What are theſe Witneſſes more expreſly in regard of their number, and in regard of their quality?
Firſt in regard of their number, They are two, And I will give power unto my TWO Witneſſes.
Two is but a Few, and yet it is enough to bear witneſs, For out of the mouths of two or three Witneſſes ſhall every word be eſtabliſhed.
Two, a Few, and yet enough. The Note is this.
Obſerv. Chriſt will alwayes have enough to bea… witneſs to his Truth in the darkeſt times. When the Gentiles tread underfeet the Holy City; yet here are two, 'tis but a few; and indeed Chriſt's Witneſſes they are not very many, they are but few.
In the Old Teſtament, unleſs the Lord had left us a Remnant, a very little Remnant.
And in the New Teſtament, Nevertheleſs there are a … E W Name… in Sardis. Chriſts Witneſſes are not very many, they are but few, Two:
And yet they are enough, Two are enough to bear witneſs unto a thing, they are enough. Chriſt, though he have but few to bear witneſs to his truth, he will alwayes have enough to bear witneſs to his truth in the darkeſt times: in the darkeſt times of Anti-Chriſt.
What then? though many fall off, and go over unto Anti-chriſt's Colours, Chriſt will have enough to bear witneſs: In the 24. of Matth. 'tis ſaid, Many ſhall be offended; And Many ſhall be deceived; And the Love of Many ſhall grow cold. But [he] that endures to the end: he doth not ſay, but They that endure to the end, but He. There is an He upon that. Many ſhall be deceived, and Many ſhall be offended, and the love of Many ſhall grow cold. But He that ſhall endure to the end; But yet an He;
Why ſhould we be afraid and diſcouraged in reference to the Cauſe of God, and the Affairs of the Church: It may be we think few or none will ſtand in this dark and gloomy day, few or none will ſtand.
But I pray now, have you caſt up the account, how many are wanting upon the Muſter? In the 14. Rev. In the 7th. chap. The Saints are muſtered before they go into the times of Anti-chriſt ver. 4. And I heard the number of them which were ſealed, and there were ſealed 144000. And then in the 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. chapters comes in the times of Anti-chriſt, and bloody times. Now in the 14. chap. verſ. 1. They are accounted over after the times of Anti-chriſt; and how many are wanting: And I looked, and lo a Lamb ſtood on the Mount Sion, and with him 144000. having his Fathers Name written in their foreheads, here's not one wanting: Chriſt will loſe not one; not o…e loſt. By all the perſecution of Anti-chriſt, th… Church ſhall not loſe one: In the letter end, here's juſt as many to a One, as was in the beginning. We think few or none will ſtand in theſe daies: So Eliah thought And I only am left alone, but he was deceived: There's 7000. men that will not bow the knee to Baal. And ſo we may think, few or none will ſtand, but we may be deceived, God hath his ſeven thouſands that we know not off. Though but few, yet enough, Chriſt will alwaies have enough to bear witneſs to his Truth in the darkeſt times, Two Witneſſes. This for their Number.
But then Secondly, As for their qualification.
For their quality: Theſe are the two Olive trees, at the 4. verſe (I ſhall ſpeak to all theſe things, within the compaſs of my Doctrine) And the two Candle-ſticks ſtanding before the God of the Earth.
Wat's that? Theſe are the Olive-trees: Why if you look into Zech. from whence this is taken, you ſhall find the two Olive-trees are the godly Magiſtrates and Miniſters, by whoſe aſſiſtance the golden Oyl is emptied into the Candle-ſticks, and Lamps. Having ſpoken of the Candleſtick of gold, at the 2d. verſ. of that 4. of Zech. And of two Olive-trees by it; at the 3d. verſ. At the 11. verſe: Then anſwered I, and ſaid unto him, what are theſe two Olive-trees upon the right ſide of the Candleſtick, and upon the left ſide thereof? And I anſwered again, and ſaid unto him, what be theſe two Olive-branches which through the two golden pipes, empty the golden Oyle out of themſelves? And he anſwered me, and ſaid, knoweſt thou not what theſe be? And I ſaid, No my Lord: Then ſaid he, Theſe are the two annointed ones, that ſtand by the Lord of the whole Earth—The two annointed ones—What's that?-Why the Magiſtrates were annointed, and the High-Prieſts were annointed. Zerubbabel and Joſhua were the two annointed ones—
That ſtand by the Lord of the whole Earth. What's that? that are publick Miniſters. So then, theſe two Olive-trees are the godly Magiſtrate, and the godly Miniſter.
But what are the two Candleſticks? Theſe are the two Olive-trees, and the two Candleſticks.
Our Saviour tells you that the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, are the ſeven Churches. They were ſeven: Now in Anti-chriſtian times reduced to a leſſer company, two Candleſticks: Though as I ſaid before, Chriſt will loſe none in the latter times, yet in Antichriſtian times reduced unto two.
Theſe are the two Candleſticks: Chriſt tells you the Candleſticks are the Churches: So then put this together: Would you know what theſe two Olive trees are and the two Candleſticks? They are the godly Magiſtrate and godly Miniſter in conjunction with the Saints of God and Churches of Chriſt. The two Olive-trees are the godly Magiſtrate and the Miniſtry: The Candleſticks are the Churches and Saints of God. The godly Magiſtrate and Miniſter, in conjunction with the Churches and Saints of God. The godly Magiſtrate alone, is not it: Nor the Miniſtry alone, is not it: Nor good people and Saints alone, is not it; Here are two Olive-trees, and two Candleſticks: So that would you know what theſe are? They are the godly Magiſtrate, and Miniſter, in conjunction with the Saints of God, and Churches of Jeſus Chriſt.
And then if ſo, That theſe be the Witneſſes.
Here we may ſee who thoſe are that are fit to bear witneſs of Chriſt in Antichriſtian times, to bear their Teſtimony.—They are to be a fruitful, profitable people, And a lightſom people, that can hold forth light unto others in ſome meaſure:—What more fruitful and profitable than the Olive-tree? There's nothing unprofitable; The Bark, Oyl; the Leaf, Oyl; the Body, Oyl; the Fruit, Oyl; nothing unprofitable: So the Saints of God, they are the Sons and Daughters of Oyl, nothing but profit. The wicked indeed are compared to the green Bay-tree; barren, unprofitable: But the Godly are compared in Scripture to the Olive-tree, nothing not profitable: The Wicked are compared to Goats, the Saints are compared to Sheep: Sheep, nothing not profitable: Their wool profitable, their fleſh profitable; their very dung profitable: Nothing not profitable: And here, the Witneſſes of Chriſt, they are the Olive-tree; fruitful, and a profitable people; and a people in ſome meaſure fit to give light to others, as the Candleſtick, to hold forth light unto others.
Beloved, Truely every one is not fit to bear witneſs to the Cauſe, and the Truths, and the Waies of Jeſus Chriſt: A man may be a Proteſtant, in oppoſition to the Papiſts, and yet an ignorant man; A man may be a Profeſſor, in oppoſition unto others, and yet barren in his life. No, no, none are fit to bear teſtimony to the Truths of Chriſt, and the Waies of Chriſt, in oppoſition to the waies of Anti-chriſt, but the Olive and the Candleſtick; The profitable man and the lightſom man: and therefore in evil times that you may be fit to bear witneſs to the Waies of Jeſus Chriſt in oppoſition to the Waies of Anti-chriſt, labour to be Sons and Daughters of Oyl; labour to be more fruitful and profitable in your life; And let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. And ſo now I have done with the ſecond thing, What theſe Witneſſes are, More particularly in reſpect of their number, Two; In reſpect of their q…ality, They are two Olive-trees, and two Candleſticks.
3. But then Thirdly, It it here ſaid that th…y ſhall Propheſie 1260. daies, clothed in Sackcloth; that they ſhall lie in Sackcloth, and lie in Sackcloth 1260 daies.
In Sackcloth,—What's that—And how 1260 daies?
If you ask what this Sackcloth means: It repreſents the ſad, and afflicted, and mournful condition that the Saints and people of God ſhall be in, in Antichriſtian times. When the Jews of old mourned, and were afflicted, they put on Sackcloth: The Princes put on Sackcloth, and the Prieſts put on Sackcloth, and the people put on Sackcloth: So here, the Witneſſes clothed in Sackcloth;—What doth this mean, but their ſad, and afflicted, and mournful condition? Such it is, and muſt be in Antichriſtian times.
For is it not a ſad thing, and mournful, for the holy City to be troden underfoot by the Gentiles? ſo it ſhall be in Antichriſti…n times.
Is it not a ſad and mournful thing for the Church of God to be hidden, the inner Court to be hidden? Indeed a hidden Church is a true Church; a ſcattered Flock is a true Flock, and a ſcattered Church is a true Church: But is it not a ſad thing for Churches to be hidden; the Church of God to be hidden? Why ſo it muſt be in Antichriſtian times. I remember Mr. Brightman ſaith, when the Woman is in the Wilderneſs, ſhe muſt not think that there will be Congregations ſo viſible; but in a Wilderneſs here and there, or in a Forreſt, here and there is a houſe; and here and there you meet with a man; But you meet not with great Towns, and Corporations in a Wilderneſs, or in a Forreſt: So when the Church is in the Wilderneſs, here and there a knot of Saints, and here and there a knot of meeting: But Corporations and Churches then are hidden: Is it not a ſad thing now I ſay? Yet thus it muſt be.
Is it not a ſad thing for the Veſſels of the Temple to be defiled? So it muſt be in Antichriſtian times.
Is it not a ſad thing for the ſolemn Aſſemblies to lie under reproach? So it is and muſt be in Antichriſtian times.
Is it not a ſad thing for the Saints and People of God, and the Daughters and Sons of Sion to be perſecuted to the very Gates of Sion, yea into the very Gates of their Trade? So it is and muſt be in Antichriſtian times: and therefore no wonder that the Witneſſes lie in Sackcloth.
But then they lie in Sackcloth 1260 daies, —what's that? That is 1260 years, a day being put for a year, as it is ordinary in Scripture.
And if you ask, When doth this time begin, or end, that we may know where we are?
I anſwer: If you can find the beginning from whence this time doth commence, you will ſoon find the end: —now theſe 1260 daies or years, are all one with the 42 Months (ſpoken of before) that the Gentiles ſhall tread down the holy City: They are all one with the 42 months of the Beaſt. Take a day for a year, and 42 months come to 1260 years; take a day for a month, and then 1260 daies comes to 42 months.
Theſe 42 months of the Beaſt then, and the 1260 daies or years that the Witneſſes are clothed in Sackcloth are all one.
Now, when did the 42 months of the Beaſt begin?
In likelyhood about the year 400 or 406 or 10 or thereabouts, for to ſpeak to a year or ſo, is not ſafe, Chronologers have been deceived: I ſay in the year of our Lord 400, or thereabouts.
For look when that that hinders was taken away, then the man of ſin was diſcovered: The miſtery of iniquity did work in the Apoſtles time: In 2 Theſ. 2. The myſtery of iniquity doth already work verſe 7. Only he who now letteth, will let until he be taken out of the way, and then ſhall that wicked one be revealed:—When is that? As Jerom and all agree, the Roman Empire was the thing that let, and about thoſe times was the Roman Empire taken out of the way; In 410. the Goths and Vandals broke in upon Rome it ſelf, about that time was that that let taken away.
And Secondly, (I do but touch upon this, and touch I muſt upon it) look when the Roman Empire did fall aſunder into ten Kingdoms, then did the Beaſt begin his forty two months, Rev. 17. 12. And the ten horns which thou ſaweſt are ten Kings, which have received no Kingdom as yet, But receive power as Kings one hour with the Beaſt.
But when did the Roman Empire fall aſunder into ten Kingdoms? About the year 400. 'Tis obſerved by good Hiſtorians, and divers, that in the year 406. Brittany and theſe Nations fell off from the Roman Empire, to be a Kingdom ſtanding by it ſelf.—Now then, if the time did begin about 400. ſurely the end of the time we muſt needs be about. I confeſs indeed: It is a ſad thing for Chriſt's Witneſſes to lie in Sackcloth; and to lie in Sackcloth 1260. years, but ſo it muſt be, not a day abated, but to a year, to a day. Why ſhould you be offended friends then, at the Sackcloth and mourning condition of the Church, and Saints, and People of God?—Why, is not this the habit of the Witneſſes, Sackcloth: and will not you be content to be habited as they are habited, as Chriſt's Witneſſes are habited, to wear the ſame clothes that Chriſt's Witneſſes do? And if Chriſt's Witneſſes ſhall lie in Sackcloth 1260. years, will not you be contented to be in Sackcloth three or four years? Chriſtians, will not you be contented to be in Sackcloth three or four years? Me thinks we ſhould rather look to the duty of a Sackcloth condition; there ſhould our hearts and our thoughts be: But we are very apt evermore, (and conſider what I ſay, not only in reference to this point, but to others) we are very apt to mind Gods work, and neglect our own: 'Tis Gods work to ful…l the Promiſe, 'tis our work to apply the Promiſe; but we mind the fulfilling on't, and neglect the applying on't; mind Gods work, and neglect our own work!
'Tis Gods work to deliver his people, 'tis their work to be humbled under the mighty hand of God: But we mind deliverance, which is Gods work, and neglect our own work, humiliation under the mighty hand of God.
'Tis Gods work (ſaith the Martyr) to take care, 'tis our work to caſt care: Caſt all your care upon God; there's your work: for he careth for you, that's Gods work. To take care is Gods work, to caſt care is our work, but we mind Gods work, and are taking care, and neglect our own work, which is to caſt all our care upon God.
'Tis Gods work to take off our Sackcloth, 'tis our work to wear it; but we mind Gods work, the taking of it off: When ſhall this Sackcloth be off? and neglect our own work, to wear it handſomly.—Why ſhould we not I ſay, mind our buſineſs? what is the duty of a Sackcloth condition more?
Why then, when we are in Sackcloth, ſurely then 'tis our duty for to lay by our Ornaments: Let the Bridegroom go out of his Chamber, in the day of Sackcloth; if any body may rejoyce, the Bridegroom may; But let the Bridegroom go forth of his chamber in a Sackcloth day: Lay aſide your Ornaments friends, lay aſide your Ornaments: In the time of Sackcloth, 'tis our duty then for to faſt and pray, and cry mightily unto the Lord.
Then 'tis our duty to put our mouths in the duſt, if ſo be there may be hope.
Then it is our duty for to bear our Teſtimony.
Then it is our duty for to wait on God; though the Witneſſes wear Sackcloth for a time, yet there are white Robes provided for them, and they come out with Palms in their hands.
And the nearer the time of Deliverance grows, the leſs time for waiting, the more we are ingaged to wait: Why now according to the calculation, there is not much of the time to come; there is but a little of the Sackcloth time to come, ſhall we not watch with him one hour, and wear Sackcloth with him one hour? wait a while, he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry. And ſo I have done with the third thing; namely, what this Sackcloth is, and their lying in Sackcloth for 1260. years.
4. But then in the fourth place, It is ſaid here, that theſe Witneſſes did Propheſie: I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Pr…pheſie—Propheſie—What's that? and how did it come to paſs, that they ſhall Propheſie in the time of their Sackcloth.
Propheſie,—What's that?
Why Propheſying is ſometimes taken in Scripture for the Revelation of the mind of God, whereby a man doth foretel things to come, and ſo Daniel and Ezekiel, and others were called Prophets.
Sometimes Propheſying is taken more largely in Scripture, for Preaching the Word of God in a way of Office; Preaching the Word by Office: And ſo the Miniſters and Preachers of the Word of God in Office, they are called Prophets in Scripture.
But Thirdly, yet more largely: Propheſie is took for a declaring and making known of the Mind and Will of God, and ſo all thoſe that do declare and make known the Mind and Will of Jeſus Chriſt, they are ſaid to be Prophets, and ſo I take it here: For I pray do but mark, This their Propheſying and Witneſs-bearing ſeems to be all one: I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Propheſie:—And when they ſhall have finiſhed their Teſtimony, their witneſs bearing; He ſhould have ſaid, when they have finiſhed their Propheſie: True, But he would ſhew that their Witneſs-bearing and Propheſie is all one; And ſo compare chap. 19. and chap. 22. of the Revelations together, and you will find the ſame, I fell at his feet and worſhipped him, and he ſaid unto me, ſee thou do it not, I am thy fellow ſervant, and of thy Brethren, that have the teſtimony of Jeſus: and chap. 22. I fell at his feet, and he ſaid unto me ſee thou do it not, for I am thy fellow ſervant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets; Of thy Brethren the Prophets, here in chap. 22. is all one, with thy Brethren that have the Teſtimony of Jeſus, In the 19th. and ſaith he there, Worſhip God, for the Teſtimony of Jeſus, is the Spirit of Propheſie: It's the ſame word that's uſed, when they had finiſhed their Teſtimony, or Witneſs-bearing: The witneſs of Jeſus, is the Spirit of Propheſie: This bearing witneſs to the truths of Jeſus, this is Propheſie: And thus now the Witneſſes, they are ſaid to Propheſie.
Well, but how come they to Propheſie in the times of their Sackcloth.
Behold, I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Propheſie 1260. daies clothed in Sackcloth: How comes it to paſs that they ſhall Propheſie in Sackcloth?
It's clearly anſwered, I will give power (ſaith Chriſt) I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, and they ſhall Propheſie in Sackcloth. I will give power to them; they ſhall have their Orders to Preach from my ſelf; They ſhall have power from Me to Preach and to Propheſie, and to bear their Teſtimony: Some have their Orders and their Power to Propheſie from Men; from Prelates, from the Beaſt; but (ſaith he) I will give power unto my two Witneſſes to Propheſie: It's ſaid of the Beaſt, That Power was given him: It's ſaid of the Witneſſes, I will give Power unto my two Witneſſes: They ſhall have their Orders, they ſhall have their Power of Propheſie and Witneſs-bearing from my ſelf: I will give Power unto my two Witneſſes. Plainly then thus much.
Obſ. There's none can bear witneſs to the Truths of Jeſus Chriſt, but thoſe that are impowred by Chriſt, and if that Jeſus Chriſt will give power unto his two Witneſſes for to Propheſie, and to bear their Teſtimony, then why ſhould we not depend on God? why ſhould we not go unto Chriſt, and depend on Chriſt, for our very Power to bear Witneſs to the Truths of Chriſt.
It may be you are afraid, and you will ſay thus: I am a poor weak Creature, man or woman, and I ſhall never be able for to bear a Teſtimony in theſe witneſs-bearing times?
I but you know what the Martyr ſaid, I'le ſet my foot againſt the Alce Driver.foot of the proudeſt Prelate of them all in the cauſe of Chriſt: But who gave power unto her;—Jeſus Chriſt that ſaith, I will give power unto my two Witneſſes; and he hath ſaid ſo concerning all his Witneſſes: I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, that they ſhall Propheſie, and bear witneſs; and he is faithful: and therefore why ſhould you not go to Chriſt, and lay your ſelves flat upon this Promiſe, and ſay to him: O Lord, I am a poor weak Creature; I fear I ſhall never be able for to bear my Teſtimony, but thou haſt ſaid, I will give power unto my two Witneſſes; I am one of thy Witneſſes: Now then O Lord, give power to me, for I am poor; O remember this Promiſe, here's a gracious and a bleſſed Promiſe: Chriſt ſaith himſelf, I will give power unto my two Witneſſes, and he is faithful, and will make it good. And ſo I have done with the fourth thing, namely, what Propheſying is, and how the Witneſſes come to Propheſie in the times of their Sackcloth; Chriſt gives them power.
5. But then Fifthly, what is the defence and guard that theſe Witneſſes have, whereby they are guarded and defended in their Propheſie.
The Text ſaith, If any man will hurt them, fire Proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies:—What's that? Fire proceedeth out of their mouth; It may relate unto Moſes; but eſpecially it relates unto Elijah, a Prophet, a Miniſter, that when the Captain and his fifty came to do him hurt, he called for fire from Heaven, and deſtroyed the Captain and his fifty; fire came out of his mouth by his prayers: and when another Captain came, and his fifty, Elijah prayed, and fire came down and deſtroyed him and his fifty: Fire came out of his mouth; plainly it relates to this of Elijah.
What then is this fire that proceeds out of the month of the Witneſſes, but the ſcorching and devouring Judgements of God, whereby the Enemies of Gods people are blaſted and deſtroyed by the prayers and threatnings of the people of God, that come out of their mouth.
But if any man will hurt them, mind a little.
It ſeems then firſt, That there will alwaies be ſome in readineſs to hurt the witneſſing people of Chriſt, though they be impowered to witneſs from Chriſt himſelf. Though the Saints and People of God be impowered by Chriſt himſelf for to bear their Teſtimony: There will alwaies be ſome or other to hurt the witneſſing people of God. If any man will hurt them, Them that are Witneſſes.
But Secondly, though men do hurt the witneſſing people of God, they ſhall not go unpuniſhed: If any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouths, and devoureth their enemies: Though the enemies may hurt the witneſſing people of Chriſt, the enemies ſhall be hurt themſelves, they ſhall not go unpuniſhed.
But Thirdly, They ſhall not only be puniſhed that hurt the witneſſing people of God: But they ſhall be puniſhed with a So; He muſt in this manner, or So, he muſt So be puniſhed:—So—how ſo? So, look in what way he thought to have hurt the witneſſing people of God: So ſhall he be hurt, look by what mens he ſought to hurt the people of God, by the ſame hand and means ſhall he be hurt himſelf.
But So, ſo by fire coming out of their mouth; by the prayers of the people of God, they ſhall be blaſted and conſumed; not by ſword, not by might, nor by ſtrength, but by fire coming out of their mouth, So, So, he ſhall not only be puniſhed, but be puniſhed with a ſo, that hurts the witneſſing people of God.
Oh my beloved friends, why do you ſhut your mouths? why ſhould you not be much in prayer? what doth fire come out of the mouth of the witneſſing people of God to devour their enemies, and will you ſhut your mouth, and not pray?
Oh! where will Oppoſers appear; what will become of thoſe that hurt the witneſſing people of God, O wo to them?
Oh! what a dangerous thing is it to oppoſe the prayers of the people of God? This is the fire that comes out of their mouth, whereby thoſe that hurt them are ſcorched: And therefore let men take heed how they hurt any of the witneſſing people of Chriſt; and let all thoſe that are witneſſes pray; You that are witneſſes now open your mouths, for fire proceedeth out of your mouths, to devour the enemies that hurt the witneſſing people of God; Open your mouths wide. And ſo I have done with the fifth thing; The Guard whereby the Witneſſes are guarded in the daies of their Propheſie.
6. The ſixth thing remains, and that is, what are the great things that theſe Witneſſes will do, in the end of the daies of their Propheſie, and of their Sackcloth.
Why briefly thus: In the general 'tis ſaid: Theſe have power to ſmite the Earth with all plagues, as often as they will: That is, as I humbly conceive, pouring out the ſeven Vials, in Rev. 16. the ſeven Vials are poured out upon the earth: and why is it ſpoken of here, That they have power to ſmite the earth with all Plagues? But to ſhew that at leaſt ſome of the Vials ſhall be poured out, before the Witneſſes are ſlain: But not to fix there, more particularly.
Firſt, Theſe have a power to ſhut Heaven, that it rain not, in the daies of their Propheſie: What's that? Certainly, it muſt relate unto Elijah: That Elijah prayed, and by his prayer he ſhut the Heavens that it rained not for three years and an half: Plainly it relates unto Elijah as can be: Elijah prayed, and by his prayer he ſhut the Heavens that it rained not for three years and a half.
Well, but what are the Heavens here?
Thoſe cannot be underſtood litterally, but ſpiritually: As it is ſaid in the 8th verſe, Their dead bodies ſhall lie in the ſtreet of the great City, which Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt: The Heavens here cannot be underſtood litterally, but ſpiritually; what then? what are the Heavens then, and what is the ſhutting of the Heavens that it rain not.
The Heavens are the higheſt power, ſo that look when the Witneſſes have power to reſtrain the higheſt power in Church and State from their wonted influence; then is this word fulfilled, that they have power to ſhut Heaven that it rain not in the days of their Propheſie: I ſay the Heavens are the higheſt powers: look when the Witneſſes do reſtrain the higheſt power in Church and State from their wonted influence, Then is this word fulfilled.
Secondly, They have power alſo to turn water into blood. What's that? plainly it muſt relate to Moſes, who turned Rivers, and turned waters into blood: What's that? It cannot be underſtood litterally, but ſpiritually ſtill: What's that then? Why thus: Theſe waters are to be underſtood ſpiritually, and ſo you read in Revel. 16. The Sea, and Rivers were turned into blood: Look therefore when the Witneſſes ſhall have power to turn the ſtill waters of a State or Nation into War and Blood; Then is this Word fulfilled.
But how came the Witneſſes to have power to do this?
It may be, not legally, for it is not ſaid here, And I will give power unto them to ſhut the Heavens: but theſe have power to ſhut the Heavens, and theſe have power to turn waters into blood; 'tis not ſaid here, I will give them power, as 'tis ſaid before: it may be this may be done, and not legally.
But when ſhall this be done?
It muſt be done immediately before their ſlaying. I pray mark the coherence here: They ſhall have power to ſhut the Heavens immediately before they are ſlain, and to turn water into blood immediately before they are ſlain, juſt before the three years and a half, that they lye dead upon the earth: For when did Elijah ſhut the Heavens but immediately before the three years and a half of drought: When did Moſes turn the waters into blood, but immediately before the coming out of the Children of Iſrael out of Egypt: So here, immediately before the Witneſſes are ſlain, and they lye three years and a half as dead, immediately before, they have power to ſhut the Heavens that it rain not, and to turn waters into blood.
Now therefore to draw to a Concluſion; whenſoever you ſee all theſe things come to paſs. I will not apply them to times or places, this or that time or place: But when you ſhall ſee all theſe things come to paſs, one treading upon the heel of another: when you ſhall ſee that the Witneſſes have power to ſhut the Heavens that it rain not: to reſtrain the higheſt powers both in Church and State from their wonted influence. And that they have power to turn water into bloud, and ſtill Nations into War; and then immediately upon it they ſhall be ſlain, and ſo lye dead, deprived of their functions and vital operations, as if they lay dead. Then lift up your heads, and comfortably ſay, hopefully ſay, Now, now comes the three years and half, which is the laſt time: Now is our Salvation near, for God will bring near his righteouſneſs, and his Salvation ſhall not tarry. And he will place Salvation in Sion, for Iſrael his glory.
Only for the preſent, let me conclude and leave an Exhortation with you, which I will draw up from all which hath bin ſaid.
The firſt part on't is this: The Saints and people of God in Anti-Chriſtian times, they are Witneſſes.
Firſt therefore, be ſure that you bear your teſtimony faithfully. Be faithful now in your Witneſs-bearing, Chriſtians. Chriſt will pay all the charge that you are at in Witneſs-bearing. If a man have a Suit at Law, and have five or ſix Witneſſes, and carry them a hundred Miles, he bears all the charge of their Witneſs-bearing. Saith Chriſt, I will give power to My Witneſſes, they are My Witneſſes. Ye are Chriſts Witneſſes, and look whatſoever charge you are at, he will bear the charge, he will bear all the charge of your Witneſs-bearing: And if your Faith come not home enough, as it ſhould be, yet Chriſt is Faithful though we believe not, and therefore be faithful in your Witneſs-bearing.
Secondly, Though you be but few, be not afraid, be not diſcouraged, for Chriſt will alwaies have enough to bear Witneſs to his truth in the darkeſt times.-Comfort ye one another with thoſe words.
Thirdly, Be fruitful as the Olive tree; And be lightſome as the Candleſtick. O that God would roul away the reproach of a barren heart from every one of you, and of a barren life. Tis time now to be fruitful that you may be as the Olive-Tree, and as the Candleſtick, to hold forth your light to others.
Fourthly, Pray now have a care that you wear your Sackcloth handſomly. Truly theſe Meetings that now we do enjoy, they have a Sack-cloth on them: there is a Sack-cloth upon the loyns of every ſuch meeting as this. Chriſtians, you have your Sack-cloth on, pray wear your Sack-cloth handſomly, for in due time you ſhall have Robes, you ſhall come forth in white Robes, having your Palmes in your hands, only for the preſent wear your Sack-cloth handſomly. I mean, carry your ſad and mournful condition as you ought.
Fifthly, If you find that you be not able for to bear your teſtimony as you would, and as you ſhould: Go then to Chriſt, and remember this promiſe, I will give power unto my Two VVitn…ſſes. O plead this promiſe Chriſtians, it is a great promiſe: I will give power unto my two VVitneſſes. Though men take away power from you for Propheſy; They will not let you Pray, nor Propheſie, yet I will give power.] I will give power in oppoſition to your own weakneſs. And I will give power in oppoſition to mens Malice. Therefore go to Chriſt and preſs this promiſe, Lord, I am one of thy poor Witneſſes, therefore give power according to thy Word, for thou haſt ſaid I will give power, and they ſhall Propheſie.
Sixthly, Let not your mouth be ſhut, but open in Prayer: For it is ſaid here, If any man will hurt them, Fire proceedeth out of his mouth. That was the Prayer of Elijah, It brought dovvn fire, ſcorching and blaſting Judgments. Chriſtians, is there a Fire, a Fire in your mouth? O you that have any credit in Heaven, pray now. If there were any here that I could ſpeak to, I would ſay thus, You that never prayed, pray now: but I hope there is none ſuch; but if there ſhould be any ſuch, I would ſay, you that never prayed, pray now; and you that have any credit in Heaven, improve it in this day of tryal for the poor Witneſſes.
And to conclude all: If that you ſhould ſee that the Witneſſes ſhall have done ſuch great things, that they have ſhut Heaven that it rain not; that they have turned water into bloud, and yet immediately upon it they have bin ſlain, and lye dead: If you ſee all theſe things come to paſs one after another, then lift up your heads oh ye Saints, and wait, and wait; for he that doth come, will come, and will not tarry. And when he comes, he will not only pay you your principle-money, but he vvill pay you all your forbearance money too: And therefore what I ſay to one, I ſay unto you all, and to my ovvn ſoul, Let us wait upon the Lord and keep his vvay. And thus novv I have done with the firſt time of the Witneſſes, their Propheſying time, their ſlaying time follovvs: But that you will conjecture at ſomthing by what hath bin ſaid.