The Time of the End, Commentary 1

The Time of the End · Commentary 1

p. 1The time of the End.

Wherein is ſhewed, that until the three years and half begin, (which are the laſt of the 1260 days) Gods people will not underſtand the period of the Fourth Monarchy, and the Beaſts dominion. But when that Time ſhall come, they ſhall have (before its expiration) the certain knowledge of it, by the appearing of a Little Horn, the later Apoſtacie, and a Beaſt. The particular Characters of which little Horn, Apoſtacie and Beaſt (as the holy Ghoſt in Scripture ſets them down) are here opened, and ſo left for the Wiſe to underſtand, by application.

THe great Buſineſs of Chriſts Little Flock at this time, is about1 Chro. 12, 32.1 Chr 12:32 the underſtanding of the Times, to know what Iſrael ought to do; when Daniel and John's Numbers ſhall end, the Spoiler ceaſe to ſpoil, p. 2and the STONE begins to ſmite the Image. Many of the Lords Worthies have ſpent their ſtudie, and much time in the ſearch thereof. And no marvel, conſidering how neceſſary it is that the SET-TIME be underſtood, before any Action can ſafely be undertaken by the Saints of the moſt High againſt Babylon. Among others, I (who am one of the least of the flock) accordingJer. 50. 58.Jer 50:58 to the meaſure of grace given me, have, with a broken and humble ſpirit, ſought the Lord, and ſearched diligently the Prophecies, to finde out the end of theſe Wonders. Now after much ſeeking, and long waiting upon the great Revealer of Secrets, what I finde upon my heart (as given in I hope from God) to be Truth, I ſhall willingly make it known unto my brethren and companions in tribulation. And becauſe the way which I ſhall take, hath not been (I think) obſerved before, I ſhall therefore endeavour to expreſs my minde, and meditations of my heart, the more plainly: and will p. 3firſt lay down certain General Conſiderations; to the end, what I ſhall ſay afterward (as more home and proper to the TIME) may the better be underſtood.

CONSID. I.

To underſtand the Times, it is of great uſe, that the Prophetical Numbers be diſtinguiſhed, and rightly applied: that is, to know what Numbers are proper to the Gentile-Chriſtians, and what to the Jews. Theſe, Viz. Until a time, times, and the dividing of time, Dan. 7. 25. So Chap. 12. 7. It ſhall be for a time, times, and half. Again, the fourty and two months, Rev. 11. 2. and the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days, v. 3. and the Witneſſes lying dead three days and an half, v. 9. So again, the 1260 days, Rev. 12. 6. and the time, and times, and half a time, V. 14. theſe Numbers (I conceive) concern the Gentiles, as proper to their work and time. But the two thouſand and three hundred days, Dan. 8. 14. and p. 4the one thouſand two hundred and ninety days, Dan. 12. 11. and one thouſand three hundred thirty and five days, verſ. 12. are to be underſtood of the Jews onelyonly.

Again, as theſe Numbers are to be diſtinguiſhed, ſo they muſt be kept apart. For the Gentiles account and the Jews, do not (as I take it) contemporize. The Gentile-Saints will be upon their work (how long I ſhall not ſay, but) before there will be any life or viſible ſtirring amongſt the dry bones. This to me is evident, by the order of the Vials, if well conſidered: five of the ſeven, are to be poured out by the Chriſtian Gentiles, before the Jews awake under the ſixth Vial. And as for theſe Vials, or ſeven laſt plagues, I humbly conceive (though many good men are otherwiſe minded) that none of them are yet poured our. Beſides, I take it, Moſes words, Deut. 32. 21. have this meaning, that the Jews ſhall be provoked to riſe, and ſeek their own enlargement and liberty, partly by p. 5the example of the Gentile-Saints, when they ſhall ſee the Lords work proſper in their hands, againſt the Western Beast: and partly, by the aſſiſtance and help which they ſhall have from the Gentiles many ways, Iſat. 60. 9.

CONSID. II.

It will not be known, when the fourty and two months and one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days ſhall end, (the Time of the Beasts reign, and the womans abiding in the wilderneſs) until the three years and half are come. For howſoever theſe three years and half are to be reckoned in the number of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years; yet muſt this last time begin (yea, I think, well-nigh expire) before the Wiſe will underſtand that the ſet and appointed Time is come. This to me ſeems very clear, by the Angel's words to Daniel: But thou, O Daniel, ſhut up the words, and ſeal the book, even unto the Time of the end, p. 6Chap. 12. 4. Again: Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are cloſed up, and ſealed, till the time of the end, Chap. 12. 9.

Three things are here obſervable: 1. The opening and underſtanding of the Viſion, is referr'd to a certain and prefixt time; and not to be reveal'd till then. 2. In both places, it is called, The time of the End: which methinks muſt needs be, the three years and half: for I know no other time but this, that periods the number of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years. 3. He faith not times, but time; intimating, howſoever the whole account ſhould have ſeveral times, or periods, (in reſpect of the divers actions of the Beaſt Civil and Eccleſiaſtical; and the various changes and condition of the Witneſſes and Woman, all the time of his Tyranny) yet the unſealing of the Book ſhould not be, till the last time of all the ſeveral periods. So Habak. 2. 3. The viſion is yet for an appointed time: at the end, it ſhall ſpeak, and not lye. p. 7What can we underſtand by the end, and the appointed time, but as Daniel hath it, the time of the end; that is, the three years and half: then is the viſion to ſpeak, and not before. So Rev. 1. 3. For the time is at hand. And Chap. 22. 10. Seal not up the ſayings of the prophecie of this book: for the time is at hand. For my part, I cannot conceive what time may be taken, as diſtinct from other times, and proper to the places, if not the three years and half. But that in Daniel ſeems yet to be more full: It ſhall be for a time, times, and an half, Chap. 12. 7. What ſhall be for a time, times, and an half? till the end of theſe wonders; that is, before they ſhall be opened. As if he ſhould ſay, So far forth as the Chriſtian Gentiles are concerued in theſe wonders, the manifeſtation of them is reſerved, till the three years and half; and then the wiſe ſhall underſtand.

Here obſerve, 1. It ſhould be no cauſe of ſtumbling unto any perſon, that many good men have miſs'd p. 8of the time in their accounts, ſeeing in their time, the words were cloſed up and ſealed. 2. The cauſe of their miſtake, was not (as ſome think) of an impoſſibility, as if the time of the end were not to be known: but becauſe the appointed time, or end, was not then come, in which the viſion was to ſpeak. 3. Such as are now enquiring into the numbers of Daniel and John, to know when the Beasts dominion ſhall end; ought to minde whether they are come to the time of the end, in which (and not before) that great Myſtery is to be known.

CONSID. III.

The way which ſome good men have taken, to finde out the period of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years, viz. by beginning at the head of the account, is not (in my opinion) the beſt nor ſureſt. For here we muſt credit (and depend on) humane Hiſtories, and Records of Nations; things ſo uncertain and diſagreeing among themſelves, p. 9as nothing but conjectures and gheſſes can be concluded and gathered from them. And hence it is, that many have been miſled concerning the times: whereby others have taken advantage to condemn all, which ſearch the times, and the Prophetical Numbers of the Scripture, as medling with things too high and ſecret.

If any ſhould ask, Why are theſe Numbers mentioned as fourty and two months, and one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days? I anſwer▪ The Lord would have it known, how long the Beast ſhould reign, and the woman continue in the wilderneſs; that his people might wait with the more faith and patience till their enlargement came. Not that when the time of the end ſhould come, he would carry them back to enquire what was done ſome thouſands of years before, or ſearch uncertain Stories for the riſe of the Beast: I take it, he hath a neerer and better way to lead them in; more free from doubts and miſtakes p. 10then the other, and eaſier to be found out and known by babes and ſucklings: The way-faring men, though fools, ſhall not erre therein, Iſa. 35. 8.

CONSID. IV.

So for the Signes of the times, which are much ſpoken of, and matter of ſingular joy amongſt Saints everywhere. Theſe ſhew us without doubt, that the kingdom of God is nigh, and that the great work of the Lord is approaching upon us: but as to the ſet time they come not home. And therefore we muſt have more light then theſe, to order our motions by. For example: be it granted, that the Lord hath a people enquiring after the Numbers in Daniel and John; much enlightned in the work of their generation; take pleaſure in Zion's ſtones, and favour her duſt; are a willing people, and a praying people; and ſuch as have their hearts raiſed up againſt Babylon to take vengeance on her. I ſay, p. 11grant all this (as bleſſed be Jehovah it is all true, and more too) yet it will not follow, that the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years (the time of Antichriſts tyranny, and the Womans perſecution) muſt therefore end this year or the next. I confeſs, theſe are bleſſed Signes, and tidings of great joy; and do evidently declare (like the tender branches and leaves of the fig-tree that Summer is nigh) that the Lord will ariſe and have mercy upon Zion; and that the breaking work of the Stone is not far off: But yet they do not tell us how nigh the time is: this muſt be known ſome other way. When the Dove brought to Noah in her mouth an Olive-leaf, he knew that the waters were abated from off the earth: yet he went not forth of the Ark till the Lord did call him, Gen 8. 11, 15. Indeed theſe ſignes (like the olive-leaf) do plainly demonſtrate, that the Antichriſtian deluge (which hath ſo long covered the face of the earth) is towards an end: nevertheleſs, we p. 12muſt abide where we are, till we hear that great voice out of the temple, ſaying to the ſeven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth, Rev. 16. 1.

CONSID. V.

So again, howſoever Providence is to be obſerved, and followed, when people are called forth to their work; yet we muſt take heed that we make no… Providence alone our call. Moſes, Gedeon, David, and others, improved providences; but it was after they were confirmed, that the time was come wherein they were to ſerve their generation ſo and ſo: and in ſuch caſes, we are ſtill to follow Providence. When we know the fourty and two months are expired, and ſo the time come, in which the Lord God of heaven and earth will ſet up his kingdom, take away the dominion of the little Horn, and execute vengeance upon Babylon. Here we muſt, in the proſecution p. 13of the judgement written, eye and follow the leadings of God in his providential diſpenſations. It hath been the practice of worldly powers, to juſtifie their unrighteous Wars and Murthers, by crying up Providence: As if their Victories and Conqueſts muſt needs be lawful, becauſe of the Oportunities and advantages which they had; though yet no otherwiſe then what Thieves and Highway-robbers may pretend to. Saul fell twice into David's hands: might not this be thought a Providence, as leading him to take the kingdom? but there was ſomething more in David's eye, (as he waited for the kingdom) namely, the Appointed time.

CONSID. VI.

Therefore neer or about the period of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years; that is to ſay, in the laſt three years and an half of that Number, certain moſt remarkable and wonderful things will come to p. 14paſs: for there ſhall appear then a Little Horn, of which Daniel ſpeaks, Chap. 7. the later Apoſtacie, foretold by the Apoſtle, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2, &c. and a Beast aſcending out of the bottomleſs pit, who ſhall ſlay the Witneſſes, Rev. 11. 7. Theſe things ſhall be ſo obvious and plain, not onelyonly in reſpect of the certain time when they did riſe; but ſo exactly agreeing in all things with the Scriptures, as hereby the wiſe ſhall underſtand, that now The Time of the End is come. Concerning this notable Time, I finde many Writers both ancient and modern to mention it; although not agreeing in their Application. Some think theſe three years and an half ſhall be immediately before the ultimate or laſt Judgement: Others, a little before Chriſt▪s perſonal coming to reign on earth. Others think (of which opinion I am) that theſe three years and an half (in which will be the Little Horn, the later Apoſtacie and Beaſt) ſhall be a long time before the Judgement of the great p. 15day; yea, and many years before Chriſt's perſonal appearing. But howſoever in application they differ; yet in theſe two great points, they agree: 1. That theſe three years and an half do period the forty and two months, and one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days; and that there ſhall be in this Time a Little Horn, a great Apoſtacie, and a Beaſt aſcending out of the bottomleſs pit. 2. Immediately after theſe three years and half, there will be a viſible and univerſal change of things thorow the whole world: For the little Horn ſhall be deſtroyed, Babylon fall, all earthly powers broken to pieces, and the Saints of the moſt High raiſed up, to a moſt glorious and bleſſed eſtate. Neither is it to be thought ſtrange, that this hath been the opinion of ſome men in all ages, ſince the Primitive time, even hitherto: for if the Prophecies be read with heed and obſervation, ſo much (in my underſtanding) lies open and very clear in them. But of this more hereafter.

p. 16CONSID. VII.

Now for the characters of the little Horn, the later Apoſtacie and Beaſt; this muſt be heeded: Look as the Scriptures ſet them down, ſo they muſt have all their full and due accompliſhment: yea more; theſe Characters (at leaſt moſt of them) cannot be applied to any perſons or things, (without force to the Text) but onelyonly to THAT little Horn, THAT Apoſtacie, and THAT Beast, which are to be in the three years and an half. Hence I may ſay, (though with much tenderneſs) ſome have very much wreſted the Prophecies, in applying the Little Horn to this man and that man; the Apoſtacie to be meant of ſuch perſons, and the Beaſt to be underſtood ſo and ſo: the which applications in many particulars have no ways parallel'd. But there is no need of doing ſo: for when the three years and half come, there ſhall appear ſuch a Little Horn, Apoſtacie, and p. 17Beaſt, as all the Scripture-characters ſhall fall in, altogether and every way with them.

CONSID. VIII.

Though we might finde out a littile Horn, characterized according to Daniel; but no Apoſtacie: or ſuppoſe an Apoſtacie, and a little Horn; but no Beaſt ſlaying the Witneſſes: This could not be the three years and an half: for (I conceive) all three muſt be at one time, begin and end together. Not minding this, ſome have been miſtaken, in taking the little Horn ſingle and apart from the Apoſtacie and Beaſt; and would have him to be, many hundred years before the two later were in the world. Whereas to me, the one ſhall not be before nor after the other, but (as I ſaid before) contemporize. Of this likewiſe I ſhall ſpeak more, when I come to the particulars.

p. 18CONSID. IX.

But the great Queſtion is: Seeing the period of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days ſhall be (as I think) in this way and manner made known, (viz. by a little Horn, an Apoſtacie, and Beaſt, appearing in the laſt three years and half) By whom and how will the Lord do it? This (methinks) is ſhewed in Daniel, chap. 12. 5, 6, 7, &c. Two are ſaid to ſtand by the river, the one on this ſide of the bank, and the other on that ſide of the river. Theſe two, I take to be Types: the one of the Gentile-Churches, the other of the Jews; to whom Jeſus Chriſt (the Man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river) being ask'd of both (for the word one is not in the text) How long ſhall it be to the end of theſe wonders? the Gentile-type is anſwered firſt, verſ. 7. It ſhall be for a time, times, and an half; and ſo referr'd to the three years and an half: as if he ſhould ſay, What concerns p. 19you Gentiles as to the underſtanding of the Viſions and Prophecies of this book, the words are ſealed up for a time, times, and an half; and when that time ſhall come, namely, the laſt three years and an half of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years, I will put of my Spirit into ſome of my ſervants, (repreſented here by one of the two ſtanding on the bank of the river) whereby they ſhall open this great myſtery to the Churches of the Saints among the Gentiles. Fulfilling herein what is ſaid in the Prophet, Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his ſecret unto his ſervants the prophets, Amos 3. 7. As for the other, (carrying the type of the Jews) he hath his anſwer, verſ. 11, 12.

Again, (I conceive) the Gentiletype in Daniel, is the ſame with Rev. 18. 1. that angel which cometh down from heaven having great power, and the earth was enlightned with his glory. If the order of things be duly obſerved, enlightning goes before p. 20the work: I ſay, before ſmi…ing the Image, and rendering vengeance upon Babylon. It is true, the followers of the Lamb are bid to reward her as ſhe hath rewarded you, and double unto her double, &c. verſ. 6. yet ſo, as to be enlightned firſt; the which enlightning muſt needs be underſtood (part at leaſt) of the ſet and appointed time, when to begin to reward her.

That none of the ſeven laſt plagues are yet poured out, I have given ſome Reaſons publikely.See a Book intituled Truth with Time. Now whereas unto John is ſhewed in the wilderneſs the judgement of the great whore, by one of the ange's which had the ſeven vials, Rev. 17. 1, 3. this may be gathered: That neer or about the time of the womans coming out of the wilderneſs, (John carrying the type of the Church in that preſent ſtate) the deſtruction of Babylon (as to the ſet time) ſhall be made known unto ſome of the Lords faithful ſervants; by whom others ſhall have it revealed to them, and whom he will employ, p. 21to pour out vials of wrath upon the kingdom of the Beast.

CONSID. X.

The time being known, when the three years and half ſhall end; that which follows next (and immediately upon the expiration of the foreſaid time) will be to do, what the Lord commands his ſanctiſied ones. Li…t ye a banner upon the high mountains, exalt the voice unto them, ſhake the hand, that ye may go into the gates of the nobles, Iſa. 13. 2. So Jer. 50. 2. Declare ye among the nations, and publiſh, and ſet up a ſtandard; publiſh and conceal not, that Babylon is taken. The publiſhing of this war againſt Babylon, will be (I conceive) by the angels, Rev. 14. 6, 8, 9. and that voice from heaven, Rev. 18. 4. Theſe ſhall gather the Saints together, Pſal. 50. 5. the hundred fourty and four thouſand, Rev. 14. 1. the called, choſen, and faithful, Rev. 17. 4. at their rendevouz to the Lamb on mount Sion, where the Lord of hosts will muſter the hoſt of p. 22Iſa. 52 12.Isa 52:12the battel, Iſai. 13. 4. So that the Lords people ſhall not go forth in haſte, nor conceal their work, or do things covertly; but come out in the light, and boldly, as Iſrael did out of Egypt. They ſhall have Gods preſence ſo viſibly and powerfully with them, that the enemies, through a dreadful fear, ſhall not know what to do for their own ſafety, nor how to oppoſe the work of God in the hands of his mighty ones. As it is ſaid of Barak, Gideon, Samſon, &c. that the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and in that Spirit they went forth, conquering and to conquer: ſo now, the time being, come, and known, the like Spirit will be in the Lambs followers, a faith to which all things are poſſible, And in this Spirit and faith (I believe) thoſe who are now waiting for to ſee that day of the Son of man, ſhall riſe up in the places where they are, and joyn together againſt Babylon and all her helpers.

Hence the preſent worldly powers may take notice, how plainly that p. 23Scripture is fulfilled upon them: THEY IMAGINE A VAIN THING, Pſal. 2. 1. Ah poor wretches! ye do ſo indeed, in taking counſel againſt the fifth kingdom. For, 1. Theſe men which are for that Kingdom, will not ſtir till the ſet time be come and known. Then 2. They will publikely proclaim war againſt Babylon, and ſay, The day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controverſie of Zion, is come. 3. As it is the Lords cauſe and work, ſo they are ſure, whoſoever reſiſteth ſhall be broken to pieces, and become as the chaff of the Summer-threſhing-floor. Did not the firſt Monarchy fall before the ſecond, ſo that before the third, ſo again the third before the fourth, when their times ended: and muſt not this fourth fall likewiſe before the fifth, in the appointed time? The zeal of the Lord of hoſts will perform this. But it ſeems they have no Gamaliel now in their Councels: I ſay unto you, Refrain from theſe men, and let them alone: for if this p. 24counſel▪ or this work, be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight againſt God. Acts. 5. 38, 39.

CONSID. XI.

Though I ſhall here but ſpeak over, what hath been hinted before; yet becauſe the Conſideration is weighty, and much to our purpoſe, I will adde a little. Howſoever it be true, (as I am perſwaded) that the Viſions and Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning the period of the Beaſts dominion, will not certainly be known till the three years and half begin, (and probably the greater part expir'd.) As Daniel knew not the deliverance of Gods people to be ſo nigh, till the very year (or leſs) in which they were delivered: ſee Dan. 9. 1, 2. with Ezra 6. 1. nevertheleſs when this time comes, before it expires, the knowledge of it ſhall be given in to ſome, as they are ſeeking the Lord p. 25by faſting and prayer, and ſearching the Prophecies, 2 Chron. 20 13, 14. This appears,

Firſt, by Dan. 12. 10. The wiſe ſhall underſtand. If the ſeries and ſcope of the place be noted, two great Truths are there ſet down. 1. The holy Ghoſt ſpeaks not of underſtanding in a large ſenſe, but reſtrains it to a ſpecial and proper underſtanding; that is, they ſhall know the end of theſe wonders, verſ. 6. As Noah knew the time when the ſloud would come, (before it came) of which the world was ignorant: ſo the end of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days (before it is finiſhed) ſhall be revealed to the wiſe: but none of the wicked ſhall underſtand. 2. The wiſe ſhall not underſtand this, till the time of the end: ſo much likewiſe is held forth in the place. The three years and half muſt begin: and to know that ſuch a time is come, there will be a little Horn, an Apoſtacie, and Beaſt: whereby the wiſe ſhall have ſuch underſtanding.

p. 262. That the time will be known, before the fourty and two months expire. I think ſo much is manifeſt, by comparing Dan. 12. 9. with Rev. 10. 6. The firſt tells us, that the words are to be opened at the time of the end: now this muſt be, before the fourty and two months are expired: for the other tells us, After that, there ſhall be time no longer. Beſides, if the two texts be obſerved, they belong to one matter & time. The one ſaith, the opening of the Myſtery of God is left to the three years and half: the other, that it ſhall be opened before that time goes out.

3. I finde, that one of the four living creatures gives unto the ſeven angels ſeven golden vials full of the wrath of God, Rev. 15. 7. but theſe angels are not bid by him to pour them out; that is done afterwards, by a voice out of the temple, Rev. 16. 1. The giving of the vials (I conceive) is the opening of the myſtery of them, as to the time when, and the work how to be done; & ſo to prepare p. 27the angels for the execution of the wrath: and all this before the end. But their call to it, ſeems to be after the fourty and two months are expired: He hath ſhewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. Pſal. 111. 6.

CONSID. XII.

Seeing, according to the determinate purpoſe and counſel of God, to the little Horn, the later Apoſtacie, and Beaſt, three years and an half are allowed; this I would gather, as my own apprehenſion, That the Lord of hoſts will not make his worm Jacob a new ſharp threſhinginſtrument having teeth; nor Iſrael his battle-ax and weapons of war, with which he will threſh the mountains, and break in pieces Nations, deſtroy Kingdoms, &c. until the foreſaid time, that is, the three years and half, are accompliſhed. The ſaws came not forth from Babylon, by the Proclamation of Cyrus, p. 28till the ſeventy years were fulfilled. Neither were their fathers before them, … brought ou… of Egypt, till the whole time was run out, which the Lord had foreappointed for their ſojourning there: And it came to paſs▪ (ſaith the text) at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, EVEN THE SAME DAY, it came to paſs, that all the hoſts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt, Exod. 12. 41. So now, in the ſpirit of meekneſs be it ſpoken, it is not the Lord's minde (I verily think) that the Stone ſhould be ſmiting the Image, or the little Horn, to take away his dominion, and to conſume and deſtroy it, until the times, time, and dividing of time, be out; which by divine counſel they are to have.

Now whereas ſome may object that ſaying of Chriſt, For the elects ſake theſe days ſhall be ſhortned, Matth. 24. 22. Mar. 13. 19, 20. as if this might be gathered from it, That the ſet▪time mentioned in Scripture, viz. p. 29the fourty and two months, and the three years and half, may be ſhortned, and ſo Gods people go forth before it be expired: I anſwer: There is (I conceive) a great miſtake in the underſtanding of that place. For Chriſt ſpeaks not of any ſhortning of the ſet and fixed time allowed the little Horn, or Babylon, or the Witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloth, or their lying ſlain: but the meaning is, There would be ſuch calamities and miſeries in the world, that unleſs the Lord ſhould ſhorten the time, no fleſh could be ſaved. But of what time ſpeaks he? not of the fixed time; that is, he means not the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty days, or fourty and two months, or the three days and half: but ſpeaks of Time largely; as if he ſhould ſay, If the Lord ſhould permit theſe calamities to continue many thouſand generations, there would be a conſumption and end of all mankinde: but for the love he bears to his choſen, he hath ſhortned the time: that is, in his holy counſel determined: p. 30the woman in the wilderneſs, and the Witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloth, ſhall not exceed ſuch a time. So the little Horn, the Beaſt and Babylon, &c. So that by ſhortning the time, he means not any ſet time of years mentioned in Scripture; but ſhortned, that is, it ſhall not exceed the years ſo and ſo appointed.

CONSID. XIII.

But that I may not be miſtaken in ſome things I ſaid before; as firſt, Beginning at the head of the account: thus I would be underſtood. Howſoever (I think) it is very uncertain, to know exactly the period of the Beaſts dominion, beginning at the head of the account; neither doth the Spirit of God intend to lead his people in ſuch a way, viz. through the confuſion and contradiction of humane Hiſtories, to finde out CERTAINLY the time of the end; but in the way here mentioned. Notwithſtanding, if it p. 31come to paſs, that ſome good men, by their labours and ſtudie (beginning at the head) do period their account with our three years and half, (or miſs not much) the bleſſed truth by this is the more confirmed, and the Lords good hand and wonderful providence greatly ſeen in it. Again, heretofore, both others, and my ſelf too, have ſought to finde out the end of the Numbers, by ſearching the riſe of the Beaſt; becauſe then we underſtood no other way: and in that reſpect (following the light we had) the Lord no doubt was well pleaſed with our upright endeavours, yea and gave a bleſſing to it; witneſs the fruit and advantage which many precious ſouls in this Nation have had thereby. So that I am ſo far from ſeeking to have the bleſſed memory of our former Worthies any way darkned, as I profeſs in the fear of God, I judge my ſelf to come ſhort of many of them: and if any thing delivered by me, be clearer in reſpect of the time, it is becauſe THE p. 32TIME OF THE END, is now neerer then when they wrote.

So for the Signes of the Times, I am for them (rightly improv'd) as much as any man: When theſe things begin to come to paſs, then look up (ſaith Chriſt) and liſt up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. Luk. 21. 28. Indeed theſe Signes by Saints in all places ought much to be minded. Chriſt blamed the Jews, for their neglect of this thing, Matth. 16. 3. And I muſt confeſs, from the Signes of the times, I have had much light and encouragement in this preſent Undertaking. OnelyOnly my opinion is: To know when the ſet-time is come, for the Stone to begin to ſmite, and the laſt plagues to be poured out, we have no Scripture-light to be guided by, but the three years and a… half. And when this time is come, it will be as eaſie to know the beginning and ending of it, as to diſcern the Little Horn, the later Apoſtacie, and Beaſt.

p. 33CONSID. XIV.

To conclude with an humble and brotherly word …o all, in all places, who are for the Kingdom-work, and deſire to follow the Truth in love and light: I have no deſigne (O ye precious ones) to weaken your hearts or hands, in the work of your Generation, and your appearing for your KING and mine; but rather to ſtrengthen and encourage you, in whatſoever is from him and for him. Theſe CONSIDER ATIONS▪ I ſhall leave with you, as a Manuduction to the other Part. All which gathered together, ſpeak thus:

1. It ſeems to me, (as grounded on Scripture) until the three years and half begin, and are wellnigh expir'd, (which are the laſt of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty years) Gods people will not underſtand the period of the Time.

Neither … may we ſay, that ſuch a time is come, unleſs we ſee the p. 34Little Horn in Daniel, the Apoſtacie foretold of Paul, and the Beaſt ſlaying the Witneſſes; all theſe muſt appear together, with all the Characters ſpecified in the places, and contemporize.

3. When ſuch a time is come, Saints ſhall certainly know it, before it doth expire.

4. By all the ſearch and enquiry I have made, I do not ſee any way but this, to finde out the time of the End; if we take the Word of God for our light and guide.

5. Until theſe three years and half are finiſhed, the rod of the Lords ſtrength will not go out of Zion. So that to begin war againſt Babylon, or any of the Powers of this world, upon the account of the fifth kingdom, is not (I humbly conceive) to follow the Lamb, but to go before him: I ſay, if the aforeſaid three years and an half be not come and ended.

Laſtly, ſeeing we are not ſent back to ſearch the erring Hiſtories of old times, and to enquire what was done many hundred years ago; p. 35it doth therefore behove all ſuch, who are running to and fro, that knowledge may encreaſe; to STUDIE THE PRESENT TIME, whether the things which muſt be in the laſt three years and half, are already come, or not.