The Time of the End, Commentary 3

The Time of the End · Commentary 3

p. 129THE CHARACTERS. OF THE Little Horn, OPENED.

HAving ended the latter Apoſtacy, I come now to the Little Horn. And here wee will conſider three things.

1 What this little Horn is?

2 How it doth appear, that the raign (or rather Tyranny) of the little Horn, ſhall bee in the three years and half?

3 Whether the preſent ſtate-Apoſtacy be the little Horn?

p. 130In handling theſe particulars, I intend to do no otherwiſe, then I did before. Explain the matter as I humbly conceive to bee the meaning of the Holy Spirit, and leave the application to the judgement of the ſober Reader. Granting withall, if hee finde not all things here ſet down exactly to agree with the State-Apoſtacy of our time, and never till now fulfilled, with ſo much clearneſſe and certainty, wee are not yet come to the time and reign of the little Horn.

For the firſt, I do not underſtand, by the Little Horn, any ſingle perſon, as Antiochus Epiphanes, Julius Caeſar, Domician, Mahomet, William the Conquerour, King Charles, &c. But a Kingdome, or State, and ſo the moſt judicious generally take it. Hence it is verſ. 11. that his body, is mentioned, and ver. 26. his dominion. So then, as the ten Horns, are ten Governments, or States, ſo I think is the little Horn, a State, or Government, which may thus be deſcribed.

A company of men in the laſt dayes, having left their former principles of juſtice, Law, and Conſcience, ſhall aſſume unto themſelves, laſtate or body politick, appointing one as Head, and framing an inſtrument p. 131of Government ſuitable to it.

This Horn is ſaid to bee Little.

1 Obſcuro loco natum et plebium. Jacobus T…rin. Of his low birth, ſmall and mean beginning, which ſhews that this little Horn cannot bee the fourth Monarch. Chap. 11. 21.

2 Becauſe The Kingdome doth not by right belong unto him. Diodate, that is, this Government ſhall bee ſet up by a few perſons, without the conſent of the people, yea againſt their will.

3 Little, becauſe it will not have the faithful prayers of the Saints for it, nor the hearts or hands of other people: but ſuch Apoſtates, as are named, 2 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5.

4 Little, becauſe among other Horns, or Kingdomes, this will not bee allowed for a Lawful State, otherwiſe then to ſerve their own turn, and to make advantage and gain by it.

5 Little, becauſe the Lord will not ſuffer him to bee great, but will blaſt his deſigns and actions both at home and abroad.

6 Little, becauſe of the ſhort time this State is to continue. viz. Three years and an half; no longer.

p. 122I know ſome have thought, that by the word Little, A younger brother is meant. I confeſſe there may bee ſomething in it, for many do read, Cornu ultimum & parvun, a horn, the laſt and little; Signifying that this Horn ſhall ariſe, neer or about the time, when the Elder, or former States and Kingdomes are going down, and ready to be pluckt up by the roots.

But howſoever it be Little in ſuch conſiderations, yet it is ſaid to be a Horn, that is, a State, or Government.

1 Becauſe, it ſhall have the name and Title of a civil power or Government given to it.

2 It will puſh as hard as other Horns have done, againſt the Laws and Liberties of the Nation, yea, and againſt the intereſt of Chriſt and his people.

3 This State will make Laws and Ordinances, which ſhall bee as duly kept and obſerved by the Apoſtates under it, as if they had been enacted by the greater Horns, that is, by a more Lawful and juſt power.

Touching the ſecond point, viz. that the Tyranny of the Little Horn ſhall bee in the three years and half; To prove this, p. 133the Text ſaith, untill a time and times, and the dividing of times, Dan. 7. 25. The ſenſe (I conceive) is thus. From his riſe, hee ſhall have ſo much time allowed, or he ſhall ſo long continue by the Lords ſufferance, to exerciſe the cruelty and wickedneſſe mentioned in the Viſion. That the meaning is ſo, appears by the Queſtion and Anſwer, Dan. 12. 6, 7. How long ſhall it be to the end of theſe wonders? for a time, times and an half. As if hee ſhould ſay, For the viſion of the little Horn it ſhall bee for a time, times, and an half, ſo long hee is to continue, to ſcatter the power of the Holy People, and when that time ſhall bee expired, the words of the Propheſy are fulfilled concerning him: For ſoon after the judgement ſhall ſit, and they ſhall take away his Dominion, &c.

Qu. But by a time, and times, and dividing of time what time is there meant, or how much is this time? The common received opinion is, three years and an half. Theſe perſecutions (ſaith Diodate) ſhall laſt, one year, two years, and halfe one year, that is to ſay, three years and half.

I confeſſe in the application, I finde few to agree with me, yet for the time, tobee three years and an half, (neither p. 134more nor leſſe) few writers which I have ſeen, but take it ſo as I do. And for theſe few which underſtand it otherwiſe, as making firſt, a time, times, and dividing of time, to bee three years and an half, and then out of the three years and half, to reckon each day for a year▪ this I conceive neither agrees with Daniels manner of reckoning the time, nor with other Prophets. That three daies and an half, ſhould be taken, for three years and an half. So forty two months, for ſo many years, as there are dayes in the months. Again One thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes for ſo many years: this is right, and according to the Scriptures, Numb. 14. 34. Ezek. 4. 5. But by a time, to underſtand a year, by times two years, and dividing of time▪ an half year, and afterward, from theſe three years and an half, to number years by daies. There is not for this (I think) any ground in the word of God.

Beſides, why ſhould not Daniel when hee uſeth words and terms alike: be alike underſtood: in chap. 4▪ 25. it is ſaid ſeven times ſhall paſſe over …hee; here it is not queſtioned but by ſeven times; ſeven years are meant, no raiſing of another number from daies, to years: Now I p. 135ſee no reaſon why the Prophet in one place ſhould bee underſtood, by Time, ſtrictly a year, and in another, as many years, as a year hath daves, eſpecially ſeeing it is familiar with Daniel to ſet down his account in this manner, as ch. 11. 13. in the end, Haghi…tim ſhan…m, of the times of years, ſee chap. 7. 12. and 8. 17. and 11. 14, 35, 40. and 12. 4, 9. I might add, how three years and half was the term of Chriſts perſecution in the fleſh: the which being expired, immediately begunne (upon his reſurrection) the ſetting up of his ſpiritual kingdome all the world over. So three years and an half is the time of the ſufferings of his witneſſes under the little Horn, the which being ended, they ſhall riſe and ſtand upon their feet again, and then beginnes, that which you have Rev. 11. 13, 14. the great earth-quake, and the ſounding of the ſeventh Trumpet, and the kingdomes of this world becomming the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Chriſt.

Queſt. But how doth it appear, if by time, and times, and dividing of time, three years and half are meant, that theſe are the three years and half, which period the number of one thouſand two hundred p. 136and threeſcore years, and contemporiſes with the latter Apoſtacy, and ſlaying of the witneſſes.

Anſw. 1 Graſerns againſt Junius, gives many reaſons, that the Viſion ſhewed Daniel concerning the Little Horn is to have its accompliſhment in Noviſſim. diebus, in the very laſt times toward the end of the world, and judgement ſhall not paſſe upon him, uſ que ad conſummationem irae, untill the indignation bee accompliſhed. Dan. 11. 36. that is unt ill the forty two months are expired. Hiſtor. Antichriſt. pag. 115. 119. &c.

If this bee ſo (as I ſee nothing againſt it) then muſt this little Horn, be before the riſe of the witneſſes, and the forty two months are expired: for hee ſhall have no Dominion or Power after that time.

2 Upon the deſtruction of the Little Horn, the Saints poſſeſſe the kingdome: but this they do not, neither is the Kingdome theirs, till the witneſſes riſe, and the time of the Beaſts Tyranny is expired. Hence I gather, that the three years and an half, allowed the Little Horn, and the three years and an half, in which the witneſſes lye ſlain, muſt needs contemporiſe. p. 137I would have the reader obſerve this, for I think there is ſome weight in it. If the taking of the kingdom by the Saints, bee upon the ruine of the Little Horn, and the riſing of the witneſſes (as clearly it is ſo to me) then it muſt follow neceſſarily, that the three years and half, given to the Little Horn, and the three years and half ſpoken of the ſlain witneſſes, are all one, ſee Dan. 7. 25, 26, 27. compare Rev. 11. 8. 11, 12, 13, 15, &c.

3 Another Argument, I lay down thus, the book is not to bee opened, untill the time of the end; which is in the three years and half, and the underſtanding of it will bee partly by the Characters of a little Horn. Now it is the Lords uſual manner not to lead his people back to things paſt, but to teach them the underſtanding of Propheſies, by what is preſent, and doing in their own time, when yee ſhall ſee the abomination of deſolation ſpoken of, by Daniel the Prophet, ſtand in the holy place &c.

Again, when yee ſhall ſee all theſe things, &c. Mat. 24. 15. 33. So the little Horn muſt be ſeen before the wiſe will underſtand the end, and this is proper to the three years and half.

p. 1384 It ſeems by Daniel, that the cauſe and ground of the Little Horns, making warre againſt the Saints, wearying them out, and ſcattering their power, will bee for bearing witneſſe to Chriſts viſible and glorious kingdome, ſo that the controverſy now, will not bee (as formerly it was) about the Church, Miniſtery, worſhip, and diſcipline, but about the whole Rule, Dominion, and government under the Sunne, that is whether the kingdoms of the world ſhall continue (as they are) in the hands of Tyrants, and oppreſſors, or they ſhall bee Chriſts, and the Saints of the moſt high, according to that promiſe, And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdome, that all People, Nations, and Languages ſhould ſerve him, and his Dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhall not paſſe away, and his kingdom that which ſhall not bee deſtroyed. Again, And the Kingdom, and Dominion, and the greatneſs of the kingdom under the whole heaven, ſhall be given to the people of the Saints of the moſt high, whoſe kingdom is an everlaſting kingdome, and all power ſhall ſerve and obey it, Dan. 7. 14▪ 27. And this proves likewiſe, that the three years and half of this Little Horn muſt bee the p. 139laſt of the one thouſand two hundred and threeſcore years, it being the laſt teſtimony of the witneſſes, in the behalf of Chriſt, and the main cauſe of their ſlaying by the Beaſt.

And here the Reader may underſtand not onelyonly the Time when the Little Horn ſhall ſtand up, but one manifeſt Character to know him by: under his government there will bee a large tolleration of Religion, for hee will pretend great care to tender conſciences, as that every one may have liberty to worſhip God in what form hee liſteth: onelyonly hee will not allow that any ſhould aſſert, what the Scriptures plainly teſtify, concerning the breaking of the Image, and in particular, that hee ſhall bee ſlain, and his body deſtroyed, and given to the burning flame: The Saints ſhall take away his dominion to conſume it, and to deſtroy it▪ unto the end, any thing but this: but this will not bee ſuffered: no tolleration here of tender conſciences: any lye rather will be born then this truth, and how to ſuppreſſe it will bee the great buſineſſe. And therefore crafty councel will bee taken againſt Jehovah and his Chriſt.

p. 140I have handled the former points the more briefly, becauſe I think they lye open to very little exception. That which follows next is, whether the preſent State-Apoſtacy bee the Little Horn? I have ſaid often before, I undertake not the APPLYING PART: I ſhall onelyonly ſhew (going over all the Characters) what this Little Horn will be, as to his deportment and carriage, when he comes upon the ſtage, to act a ſad tragedy.

Behold there came up among them another little Horn, Dan. 7. 8.] Though this little Horn bee not one of the Ten; yet hee grows upon the body of the fourth beaſt, verſ. 7. and ſo is part of the Image, Dan. 2. And here I would have the Reader obſerve (which indeed hath not been heeded by Expoſitors) that the little Horn cannot be the perſons or ſtates, to which moſt men formerly have applied it: for either they have taken it for a perſon or ſtate: which was not upon the head of the fourth beaſt, as Antiochus Epiphanes, Mahomet, the Turkiſh Empire, Antichriſt, or one of the ten Horns, as the Norman race, William the Conqueror, Charls Stuart▪ &c. And thus both wayes have miſ'd the mark. For however (as I ſaid before) p. 141this little Horn, is not one of the ten, yet among them, that is, upon the head of the Beast, as the reſt are. Hence (I think) this certainly may bee aſſerted, that if the preſent ſtate-Apostacy bee not the little Horn, it hath not yet riſen; For Daniels deſcripttion of it in this place (among them, and yet another) agrees not with any perſon or State hitherto mentioned by any writer that I have ſeen.

Queſt. But why is he ſaid to bee among the ten Horns on the body of the Beaſt?

Anſ. 1 Though he be none of them, yet through ambition hee will ſeek to be like them in ſtate pompe, and all waſtful vanities, hee will aſſume their Titles, Power, Priviledges, be as abſolute a Monarch as any of them; in a word, either he will follow the former Horns, in all their exorbitancies, riot, and exceſs, or will ſtrive what he can to have it ſo.

2 That he is ſaid to bee upon the Beaſt, it is to ſhew; notwithſtanding his former Declarations and Engagements, and warring a long time againſt Kingſhip, when he comes to bee the Horn, hee ſhall uphold the rotten intereſt of the fourth Beaſt (as her members) namely Prieſts and Lawyers, her moth-eaten cuſtomes, and Traditions, p. 142and what elſe that filthy part of the image (viz. feet and toes) is compounded of.

Another Little Horn] Junius, Piſcator, and many others tranſlate, the laſt horn, being little, achari (ſaith Willet) ſignifieth the laſt as well as another. The wiſdome of the Holy Ghoſt is to be minded here, in making choice of a word, whereby to ſhew what this little Horn ſhall be.

1 Another; here is ſignified, though this horn bee a State, or Government (as was ſaid before) yet ſhall it not have the conſtitution and form of a civil State, it ſhall not have (I ſay) any ſtamp upon it, ſuitable either to a kingdome, or a Commonwealth, as the ten Horns had: for howſoever ſome of them at firſt were not fairly conſtituted, yet within a while that queſtion was taken off, and the government acknowledged by the People, to bee juſt and lawful. But this little Horn for all his policy and craft, will be Another ſtill, never able to wipe off uſurpation and Tyranny, by gaining a formal conſtitution of a State; And hence I take it hee is ſaid to bee another.

But ſecondly, That hee is ſaid to be the Laſt, me thinks here I cannot but ſay p. 143with Paul, O the depth both of the wiſdom & knowledge of God: As there are two Apoſtacies, the firſt and the laſt: ſo there are the firſt Horns, and the laſt Horn: the firſt Apoſtacy, and the firſt Horns riſe together, So ſaith the Scriptures: And the ten Horns which thou ſawest are ten Kings, which have received no kingdome as yet; but receive power as Kings, one hour with the Beaſt, Rev. 17. 12. The Kings and Horns I underſtand to bee all one. The Roman Empire broken to peeces, that is ſeverall Nations and people caſting off the Roman yoke, and conſtituting themſelves abſolute and free States: The Beaſt to be the firſt Apoſtacy, or Antichriſtian kingdom, now theſe two have their riſe, & beginning at one time; ſo the laſt Apoſtacy and the laſt Horn riſe together; I hope the Reader will heed the ſweet harmony of Scripture Prophecies; ſurely it is not for nothing, that the little Horn is called the Laſt; for as the firſt Apoſtacy & firſt Horns came up at one time, ſo the laſt Apoſtacy, and the laſt Horn will bee in one hour.

But again (for great is the myſtery of godlineſſe) here alſo may bee meant as the little Horn ſhall not grow upon the body of the Beaſt, till in the laſt daies, p. 144when perillous times ſhall come, and the former Horns neer cutting, off. So he ſhall bee the laſt indeed, as verſ. 24. For I think Gods hand, will bee ſo viſible and eminently lifted up againſt him, in giving his body to the burning flame, that none after him will preſume to ſet up any State or government any more upon the old Beaſt

Before whom there were three of the firſt Horns] I think it would rather darken than lighten the matter, to mention the ſeveral opinions of men about theſe three Horns. Some (underſtand the Turkiſh State to bee meant by the little Horn) will have Aſia, Grecia, and Syria, to be theſe three Horns. Others Egypt, Syria, and Cylicia. Others Siria, Egypt and Africa.

Again, ſuch as take Antiochus Epiphanes, for the little Horn, are various in their account. Some number Seleucus his elder brother, and Demetrius ſon to Seleucus, and Philopater, his ſiſters ſon. Others leaving out Demetrius, chuſe Antiochus the great, father to this Antiochus the vile. And a third ſort leave it indifferent which bee nam'd. So for others applying the little Horn to the Pope; One takes it for the excommunication of this King, and that p. 145Emperour; another for the depoſing of ſuch and ſuch: Now that which I ſhall ſay to all is this, whether wee conſider Kings or Kingdomes named by them, they were not any of the ten Horns: neither were they broken by a little Horn, which grew upon the fourth Beast, nor in three years and half, neither together, and at one time: Nor doth it appear by any Hiſtory, that ſo many Horns (more nor leſſe) were pluckt up by the perſons named by them: nor that it was the laſt Horn, which grew upon the fourth Beaſt, and another from the ten Horns.

Therefore I ſhall propound this to the Reader, to bee conſidered and weighed by him. whether England, Scotland, and Ireland, are not three kingdomes: and theſe three at one time (as to their Priviledges▪ Laws, Rights, Freedomes, &c.) broken? And whether this bee not done by men, who have the Characters of the laſt Apoſtacy upon them; and ſuch as call themſelves a State and Government, but never could formally put themſelves either into a Kingdom or Commonwealth. And whither the time in which all this was done, were not (as probably it may be thought) neer or about the period of the forty-two p. 146months. But it is likely ſome will queſtion, whether England, Scotland, and Ireland, are three of the ten Horns, in the diviſion of the Roman Empire.

To this I Anſwer. 1 All know that are acquainted with Hiſtories and Interpreters, ſuch difference there is among them in the enumeration of the ten Horns, whether underſtood of perſons, or States, that nothing from them can be certainly concluded.

And therefore I may ſay, and as groundedly (granting there were ten diſſtinct diviſions) that England was one, Scotland another, and Ireland a third, as others who name either this or that Countrey.

But 2. My opinion is, (and ſo is the judgement of moſt) by ten, no preciſe and certain number is meant, but an uncertain and indefinite: that is, the Roman Empire diſſolved into ſeveral States and Kingdomes. And thus was England one, Scotland another, Ireland another. Neither doth the Holy Ghoſt (I think) intend any thing further; But many Nations and Countries ſhould withdraw from the Power of Rome, and become Independents, free and abſolute in and among p. 147themſelves. So that by ten many are underſtood, as it is often ſo in ſcripture. Numb. 14. 22. Job 19. 2.

Pluckt up by the rootes] The Angel opening theſe words▪ verſ. 24. ſaith, hee ſhall ſubdue three Kings, Humiliabit, ſaith Rob. Steven, and Pagnim, bring them low, or humble them, as if hee ſhould ſay three Kingdomes, which ſhall ariſe after the diviſion of the Roman Empire (I would have the reader to conſider whether theſe may not bee England, Scotland, and Ireland) being by the mighty hand of God brought off, and raiſed up from a great deal of Tyranny, and arbitrary Poner, under which they were enſlaved, and having obtained much of their ancient freedome, rights and Priviledges, and in a hopeful way to a thorow Reformation at home, and to have been inſtruments abroad of much good us other Nations, in ſuppreſſing Tyranny and Idolatry: Behold on a ſudden out of the laſt Apoſtacy (as the bottomleſſe pit) up ſtarts the laſt Little Horn, who humbles them, and brings them down under the oppreſſion and bondage wherein they were before (or rather more) hinders them in going on, in the work of Reformation, and inſtead of doing good to other Nations, makes theſe three Countries p. 148a reproach and ſcorn every where.

Now howſoever this Humbling & bringing down, may largely bee taken. Yet, I think the holy Ghoſt chiefly intends religious things, that is, this laſt Horn, ſhall be an occaſion of rendring the bleſſed name of God, and the cauſe of his dear Sonne, contemptible to the World: The which before, was not onelyonly mightily cried up and pretended to, but gloriouſly held forth, as a burning light, before all people and kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations.

In this Horn were eyes, like the eyes of a man] This may bee taken two wayes. 1 Of his Carnal Wiſdome worldly prudence, ſubtlety, policy, making an outward ſhew to bee a great lover of Laws, of juſtice, and Equity, and the intereſt of the People, hereby the eaſier and ſooner to effect his own deſign. That he is ſaid to have Eyes, and no ſuch thing mentioned of the Ten; This I underſtand comparatively: For they did ſee, that is, they were crafty and politick, yet ſo, as blind to what ſight this Horn ſhall have, in all cunning devices. Hee will exceed all that were before him, both for matter and manner of deceits; their craft was ſhewed, but now and then, and onelyonly in p. 149ſome of their publick affairs, and tranſactions, they ſtudied other things, beſides carnal policy, and carried on ſome of their Actions without deceit, ſimply and honeſtly. In a word, their Policies were but rough draughts at the belt. Whereas this Horn (whoſoever hee be) will mannage none of his actions without deceit, his head and heart will never bee off from ſtudying craft, and for all his projects and contrivements, they will be moſt artificial works.

But 2. And this I rather take to bee the meaning. The Little Horn hath Eyes, the other none; Here is ſignified, that hee will, by a ſubtle Practice, cal'd Religion; Liberty of Conſcience, Gods glory the advancement of Chriſts kingdom, &c. ſet up himſelf, and his own Intereſt. A thing which the ten Horns never ſaw, ſuch eyes will bee proper to this Horn: for hee ſhall joyn himſelf to the people of God, and take part with them againſt Tyranny and Idolatry, as ſeeing it to bee the way for his own advantage: As the Pope, Mahomet, and others, brought their deſigns to paſs by ſuch Eyes: to wit religious pretences.

In the ſame way will this Horn exalt p. 150himſelf: It will not bee ſo much by carnal Policy and the Wiſdome of this World (for in this reſpect the other Horns were not blinde) but hee gets power, place, and authority, another way into his hands▪ namely, by ſtanding up, for, And with a good Intereſt, and ſo gains the hearts, and prayers of Gods people▪ and afterwards having what hee deſired, turns his HORN, that is, his Power, Army, and Councel, againſt the holy People, and the good old Cauſe, by which he was firſt raiſed.

Eyes of a man] Not of an Angel, this is added, to ſhew, that all the time of his Saint-like carriage, and when hee appeared moſt earneſtly zealous for the intereſt of Chriſt and his people: like another John, his heart is not upright before the Lord, but is a very Hypocrite, even that Fool, who ſaith in his heart, there is no God: For under all his Proteſtations, Oaths, Covenants, great undertakings, &c. The Plot and Deſign which hee will carry on, is how to make himſelf, and his Family great, by the ruine of that CAUSE ſo much before pretended to.

In a word, that hee is ſaid, to have Mans Eyes▪ I take the meaning thus: p. 151This Horn ſhall bee a notorious Hypocrite, a very Atheiſt, a Monſter, a monſtrous Monſter, one that ſhall diſcover more Hypocriſy, and Atheiſme, (if his former and latter actions be compared together) then ever was done before him, by any perſon upon the face of the earth.

And a mouth ſpeaking great things] This is often mentioned. I beh…ld then▪ becauſe of the voice of the great words which the Horn ſpake, verſ. 11. Again, A mouth that ſpake very great things, verſ. 20. the which is afterward explained by the Angel, He ſhall ſpeak great words againſt the moſt high, verſ. 25. So indeed many Interpreters read. But others Tranſlate it otherwiſe, as Vatablu…, Pagnim, Montanus, Ro. Steven, &c. Men known to bee skilful in the Tongues: Not againſt the moſt high, but ex parte altiſſimi, Letzad. On the part of the Almighty: for the Moſt High, or in his behalf. Symmachus renders it, foreign, Hee ſhall ſpeak as the high God, That is, his words ſhall be of Holineſs, Righteouſneſſe, Goodneſs, and Truth. Though in his Actions and Practice there be no ſuch thing. And if the matter be conſidered, p. 152there is good ground for this reading. That which doth moſt aſtoniſh Daniel, are the words of the Little Horn.

Now there is little cauſe of Admiration, to hear a man ſpeak wickedly, that doth wickedly. But to ſee a man make warre againſt the Saints, weary them out, by Bonds, and Impriſonment, deſtroy the Laws, Liberties, and Rights, of the People, and commit all kinde of Tyranny, and yet in words to Profeſſe, hee is for God, and for the intereſt of Chriſt, and his people, and for the Priviledges, ſafety, and publick good of the Nation, this indeed is enough to amaze a Prophet. Therefore as Graſerus rightly obſerves, this Horn, is one qui impietati ſu…e Dei nomen pretendit, which ſhall pretend the name of God in all his Impieties. Hee ſhall not caſt a Saint into Priſon, but will pretend Gods glory for it. Hee ſhall not pluck up three Kingdomes by the roots: but will ſay it is for the honour of God. If hee break his Vows, Promiſes, Oaths, &c. Really ſaith hee, it is for the ſake of the moſt high: Thus every thing hee doth, though it bee for Babylon, and the great Whore, and to keep up any baſe corrupt intereſt in the Nation, it is for Chriſts ſake, as he ſaith▪

p. 153Again, the reaſon why the word Letzad, hath been rendred againſt the moſt high. I conceive it to bee thus, the little Horn hath been taken by Interpreters, for the open profeſſed enemie of the Truth, as Antiochus Ephiphanes, Mahomet, the Pope, &c. where as hee is a ſubtle Hypocrite, alwaies ſpeaking for God, and good things, though in his Actions (if you obſerve him there) he ſhall plainly demonſtrate that hee regards neither God nor goodneſs.

I would not have men to bee raſh and heady Cenſurers, ſpecially in the Application of this little Horn. For truely I think, one of the cleareſt Characters of him, is ſet forth in this place. Whenſoever this Dominion of his ſhall bee erected, if any complaint bee made againſt it, for unrighteous doings, (and for doing worſe than any men did before) what will they ſay for excuſe; ex parte altiſſimi, it is in the behalf of Chriſt, for the ſake of the godly party, to prevent new warres, and effuſion of bloud: Briefly all the impleties and wickedneſſes committed againſt God and man, ſhall bee defended this way.

And to ſay the truth, except it bee p. 154this ſhift, they will not find a fig-leaf to cover their Nakedneſſe.

And here it will not be a miſſe to give the Reader notice, that this little Horn ſhall bee ſo famous and notorious in his day, concerning the matter here mentioned, that the ſame in ſcripture is often foretold. Your brethren that hated you, that caſt you out for my name ſake, ſaid, let the Lord bee glorified, &c. Iſa. …6. 5. Obſerve here four things.

1 This caſting out muſt bee by a Government, men who have gotten Power into their hands, and ſo are ſtronger than their brethren.

2 They were Brethren, either in ſome Church, Army, Councel, Parliament, Equals and Companions.

3 How unjuſt, and ſinful ſoever their proceedings are againſt their brethren, by baniſhing ſome, or impriſoning others, &c. Gods Glory is pretended, as if all were done of Conſcience, and to do God good ſervice.

4 Though this Apoſtate-State, thinks to cover their Malice and Cruelty by mocking God: yet God will not bee mocked, but as hee ſees their Hypocriſy and Deceit, ſo hee will diſcover it to p. 155their everlaſting ſhame, and the honour and comfort of the other.

This little Horn or Apoſtate-State, is likewiſe (as I take it) foretold by our Saviour. But and if that evil ſervant ſhall ſay in his heart, my Lord delayeth his comming, and ſhall begin to ſmite his fellow ſervants, and to eat and drink with the drunken▪ &c. Mat. 24 48, 49. Firſt, this ſmiting muſt bee underſtood (as I ſaid before) of perſons that have gotten power into their hands, and ſo exerciſe tyranny by authority. 2 They are fellow-ſervants. All profeſſors of the Goſpel, the perſecutors have a form of Godlineſſe, as the ſufferers have both form and Power. 3 That the wicked ſervant, ſmites his fellows, he pretends, Juſtice, Conſcience▪ and neceſſity for it: For ſo I take the ſence: as if hee ſhould ſay: I acknowledge Jeſus Chriſt to bee your Lord, and mine, and do expect his comming as well as you, and that hee ſhall bee the onelyonly Potentate, King of Kings. and Lord of Lords, have all power and Dominion given him: notwithſtanding ſeeing it will bee a long while before that time comes, and you would perſwade the people that day is at hand, whereby occaſion is given of warres and Commotions, and to p. 156have my Dominion (as the LITTLE HORN) taken away and conſumed: theſe things I cannot ſuffer, as being againſt the honour of God, and the good of his people; and therefore muſt correct ſuch perſons as diſturbers of our preſent Government.

4 Notwithſtanding the ſpecious pretences of this wicked ſervant, as if hee did not ſmite his fellow-ſervants, but out of tenderneſs and Conſcience to the glory of God: yet this, all the while apparently ſhall bee ſeen in him, that hee eats and drinks with the drunken, all the vices and ſinnes which Paul reckons up of the Laſt-Apoſtates, are as viſibly to bee ſeen in him, as was the Leproſy in Gehezies forehead.

For the cloſe of this Character: it ſeems to mee that Iſa. 66. 5. and Mat. 24. 48. with the little Horn, Dan. 7. and the laſt Apoſtacy, 2 Tim. 3. are parallel Texts of Scripture-propheſies.

His looks were more ſtout then his felows] If this Character had been well minded, William the Conqueror, Charls Stuart, and the like, had never been pitch upon: For it is expreſly ſaid, that this Horn muſt bee ſtouter than any of the ten.

I ſhall open the words in three things.

p. 1571 Howſoever wee read of many ſtout Horns among the Ten, which were very Tyrants, and for their oppreſſion and cruelty, ſome of them were depoſed, others baniſhed; ſome impriſoned; ſome put to death (as Charls Stewart in our time) yet hee cannot bee the little Horn, who doth not in an arbitrary and lawleſs way exceed them all, how tyrannical ſoever their Government was. And therefore unleſſe wee ſee a State, that hath more violated and broken the Laws of the Nation, deſtroyed the priviledges of Parliaments, and Rights of the People, more than ever Charls Stewart did, yea than ever was done ſince the Conqueſt, or ſince the riſe of the Beaſt; the Holy Ghoſt acquits it here from being the little Horn. Nay, I ſay more (for God forbid, I ſhould condemn the righteous) if ſince the riſe of the Ten Horns, it can appear that for plucking up by the roots, the Laws, Liberties, and Freedome of the people, and ruling according to will and luſt, there hath been done, by any of the Ten, what hath been done in our Time, wee are not yet come, (I ſpeak as I think) to the daies of the little Horn.

p. 1582 That hee is ſaid to have his looks ſto…ter then his fellows, here I think the ſpirit of God, intends the likeneſſe between the heads of the two Apoſtacies▪ how ſtout the firſt was, wee have ſhewed; now much more might be added. As thus

aaPope Innoc. 72 Ar. 17 q 4 Siquis.No man (ſaith hee) muſt diſpute or doubt of my actions. bbPope D…maſe. 25. q. …. C. omnia.Thoſe that will not obey my Decrees are to be diſpoſſeſſed, and ſequeſtred of all Honours and Eſtates without reſtitution. ccAuto-m…n. Sum. par. …. Tit. 22. c. 5.My power is greater than all created powers. ddPop. Nich. 15. q. 6. Aut. de elect. et elect. ſignifica▪ in Gloſ.I can aispenſe with Laws, Vows, Oaths, Covenants, &c. eeBellar. de verb. dei.What I ſay that muſt bee reverenced and received for Truth. ffGreg. diſtin 81 c. ſiquis et Leo cauſ. q 6. cap. multa.And whoſoever speaketh againſt it, is forthwith an Heretick, yea, a very Pagan, a Witch, an I do later, an Infidel. ggBellar. de Rom. pont. l. 2. c. 26.In a word, I cannot bee judged by any Prince or Prelate upon the Earth. Neque ab omn bus ſimul in Concilio congregatis, not by all the Princes and Prelates in the world, though in Councel together. hhGloſ. in c. 24. q. 3 ſi inimicus.And ſuch as I take to bee my enemies, others are to take their enemies, and forthwith to withdraw from them, and not ſo much as to look upon them.

I would have all men very carefull whom they make the Little Horn: For p. 159I am perſwaded, what perſon ſoever he ſhall bee, for Stoutneſſe, hee will bee like the head of the firſt Apoſtacy, that is, what the former hath ſaid, the latter will attempt to do.

3 It is obſerved by ſome Expoſitors; that in verſe 8. there is no mention made of his Stunt looks. But afterward, verſe 20. Hence they conceive, that hee will bee worſe at laſt, than at the beginning, grow more fierce and tyrannous againſt the intereſt of Chriſt, and his people, towards his end, than hee was before: Indeed Evil men and ſeaue…rs ſhall wax worſe and worſe, 2 Tim. 3. 13.

And the ſame Horn made war with the Saints, and prevailed againſt them …] As the Characters of this Horn are proper to him: ſo in opening each particular, if the meaning of the ſpirit bee underſtood, wee muſt finde out ſuch things to bee done by him, as were not done before by any other. Touching this war.

1 The ground of it will bee (as hath been ſaid) about Chriſts intereſt and right to the Kingdome: For in the dayes of this Horn, the Saints will bee raiſed up very high in bearing witneſſe for the ſon of David, againſt the Rulers of the p. 160World, that the Time is at hand▪ in which all their Power and Dominion, ſhall bee taken from them. But more eſpecially, will they ſtand up againſt the Horn, as taking him to be the little Horn, and the firſt Enemy that muſt bee deſtroyed (as the ſubject of the firſt vial) and the greateſt obſtructer to the work of the laſt times, in execnting the vengance of the Lord, and of his Temple upon Babylon; whereupon hee will uſe all the Policy and Power hee hath (to keep his body from the burning flame) by perſecuting the Saints many ways, in appearing thus for the Lamb.

That ſuch a Controverſy ſhall be before Chriſts Perſonal comming is manifeſt. But thoſe my enemies which would not that I ſhould reign over them, bring hither and ſlay them before wee, Luk. 19. 27. I know the place is uſually interpreted of Chriſts ſpiritual reigning in the hearts of Beleevers: But the ſcope and ſeries of the Parable carries it otherwiſe, read verſ. 11. 12. and foreward. The meaning I take thus, towards the end of the forty two months, in the three years and half, the diſpute will grow high about Chriſts viſible Kingdome: Some will p. 161aſſert it, others oppoſe it, and here beginnes the warre between the Horn and the Saints, which was never before in the world.

2 Though the warre bee raiſed upon this occaſion, yet will the Horn ſo palliate the ſame with pious pretences, as it may well have the name of the Holy War. For here the Perſecutors, Smiters of their Brethren, and who caſt them out…t theſe muſt bee Saints, and the well affected, and the good people: And they that are impriſoned, baniſhed, and overcome, theſe Malignants, Traitors, Fools, Beaſts, not worthy to live in Church or Common-wealth. So that for Hypocriſy, the like was never ſhewed before.

3 For this, War, I…o not conceive, that the Saints ſhall come forth into the field, and fight the little Horn, and ſo bee overcome by him; For till his three years and half are expired, The Lord of Hosts will not muſter the Hoſt of the battle againſt him. But by making warre is meant, hee ſhall oppreſſe them many wayes, for bearing witneſſe to Chriſts Kingdome, againſt his power and ſtanding. See Jam. 4. 1.

Queſt. But why is it called a war, if p. 162nothing bee more intended, than the Horn perſecuting the Saints, they making no reſiſtance.

I anſwer, the Holy Ghoſt (I conceive) calls it a making war, becauſe this Horn ſhall have his greateſt aid, and help by an Army; Theſe kinde of men will principally do his Commands againſt the Saints, bee they never ſo unrighteous and cruel. For other men in Civil places, as they will not care to ſerve him in ſuch a way, ſo hee will not make uſe of them as of Souldiers under him. Theſe will bee moſt for his turn, whether it bee to baniſh, or impriſon, or to put a Saint to death.

Truely for this Reaſon (I think) though the Saints are meer Patients, yet it is called a war. To ſignifye if it bee this little Horn: Then 1 The inſtruments which he ſhall chiefly imploy againſt Gods people will bee Army-men. 2 His Souldiers will bee ſo degenerate and mercinary, as they will not ſpare any of the Lords pretious ones, but whomſoever hee bids them, to baniſh, impriſon, murder: they will do it, though they know no offence or fault they have committed. Reader, the Application is thy part.

p. 163And prevailed againſt them] How this is done is ſhewed, chap. 12. 7. hee ſhall ſcatter the Power of the Holy people: the which place hath reference to Moſes words: when hee ſees their Power is gone, Deut. 32. 36. Not onelyonly may the ſlaying of the Witneſſes bee here meant: but this Horn ſhall proceed and proſper ſo farre in this war, as all hope will bee taken away from Chriſts cauſe ever to riſe again. I ſhall give the Reader my thoughts of the thing. As the darkeſt time of the Night, is about the dawning, ſo a little before the expiration of the three years and half: The intereſt of Chriſt and his People will bee at the loweſt ebb, and the Horn-State at the higheſt ſpring of glory and greatneſſe: For the Lord ſhall judge his people, and repent himſelf for his ſervants, when he ſeeeth that their power is gone, and there is none ſhut up or left. Thus Moſes and Daniel, ſpeak of one thing, that the Horn will not bee to the height of his perſecution, till his body bee ready to bee given to the burning flame, and therefore whoſoever ſhall live under his Dominion, muſt expect that hee will bee moſt fierce and cruel, when the period and end p. 164of his time is come.

And ſhall wear (or tire) out the Saints, of the moſt high] Here wee have the Angels explanation of the words before, how hee ſhall prevail, namely, weary out the Saints, that is▪ by keeping ſome of them under bonds and baniſhment, as thinking thereby to yre them out, and ſo compel them to deny Chriſt, as himſelf had done before.

Others by poverty and outward wants being forced to leave their former imployment, and maintenance, that they might not be partakers of his ſins. Re. 13. 16, 17.

This makes mee think, that the Lord will not ſuffer him to ſhed much bloud: for howſoever hee will not fear God nor man, and bee moſt wrathſul, ſpecially towards the end of his time: Nevertheleſſe, hee ſhall but fulfil the Councell and purpoſe of God (as did Pharoah, Judas, Herod, and Pontius P…late) that is, not put the Saints to death, but … eary them out; no further (or very little) ſhall hee go, in ſpight of his Stont looks.

But again, they are not onelyonly Saints, but of the moſt high; which ſeems to import that ſome Saints ſhal do well enough p. 165under this Horn: as to their peace, liberty, and worldly enjoyments; onelyonly thoſe who are (not for him but) for the moſt High, he will make war againſt. And in this, his Hypocriſy, and other wickedneſs, will bee …he leſſe ſeen and noted. In honouring ſome Profeſſors of Religion: promoting them to great places and offices in his Councel, Army, Colledges, and making them his familiar friends, ſuch I mean as will have fellowſhip with him in the works of darkneſſe, and juſtifie his unrighteous wayes. howſoever in the mean time, hee ſhall perſecute others, who are in truth, and really for the cauſe and intereſt of Chriſt.

I would have the Reader likewiſe to obſerve this, as a ſpecial thing whereby to know the time of the Little Horn. There will bee then two ſorts of Saints▪ the one hee will hate, the other ſeem to love: the one he will take into his Palace, the other caſt into Priſon: the one ſhall be raiſed from one degree of preſerment to another, the other thrown out of all. And the Reaſon is▪ becauſe the former are Saints of the moſt high: The latter are not, according to the meaning of the text: The former like Moſes will eſteem the reproach p. 166of Chriſt, greater riches than the treaſures in Egypt: The latter like Demas, will imbrace the preſent world: and not care what becomes of the Kingdome of the moſt high, ſo they may reign as Kings themſelves in Pomp, Pride, and Pleaſure, &c. with the HORN.

And think to change times and Laws] To know what is here meant, it muſt bee obſerved, what the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaks of this Horn, as to bee his great work and buſineſſe: and this is ſet down in two things: viz. making warre againſt the Saints of the moſt high, and plucking up by the roots three Kingdomes: ſo that as he takes twoſorts of people for his greateſt enemies. The fift Monarchy-men, and the Common-wealth-men: ſo hee is fallen upon a deſign, whereby he thinks to keep up his Power and Dominion, in ſpight of both Parties: that it, by changing times and Laws: where note, how in the firſt hee ſhews himſelf a very Atheiſt: in the latter, a deep Polititian. We will ſpeak of both diſtinctly.

By Times in this place, I underſtand the ſet Time, in which the father hath promiſed to give his ſon, and the Saints with him, the Kingdome and Dominion, p. 167and the greatneſſe of the Kingdome, under the whole heaven, Pſal. 102. 13. Iſa. 14. 31. Hab. 2. 3. Rev. 10. 6, 7, and 22. 10. Dan. 8. 19. and 10. 1. and 11. 27, 29, 35. As the Iſraelites after four hundred and thirty years were ſet free from the Egyptian bondage. And afterward delivered from the Captivity of Babylon, the ſeventy years, being expired. So the forty two months, and the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty dayes, and the three years and half being ſulfilled, it is Gods purpoſe to begin the deliverance of his people from Tyrants, and Oppreſſours, and to make them his battle Axe, and rod of his ſtrength to break the Image to peices, and take the Kingdome, Dan. 7. 18. Now the little Horn, reading ſuch propheſies, and what great things are promiſed the Saints, after a Time, Times, and dividing of time, and when three dayes and an half are ended. And perceiving what encouragement ſome take from ſuch places, as intending to follow the call of God, when that Appointed time ſhall come. What doth he I (not beleeving the holy Propheſies▪) bee thinks to change the Times: that is, wheras after three years and half, the Saints make account the Times will bee Chriſts p. 168and Theirs, he on the contrary THINKS, to have it his ſtill▪ and to continue the Little Horn, as he was before; Yea, and to have his ſon a Horn, after his deceaſe.

That the Reader may clearly underſtand, what my meaning is, This I think. When the dayes of the Little Horn are almoſt expired: the Wiſe ſhall underſtand, that hee is the Horn, and God will put in their hearts to fulfill his Will upon him, which is to take away his Dominion, to conſume it, and to deſtroy it unto the End, Dan. 7. 26. This being perceived by him, hee ſhall perſwade himſelf to fruſtrate what the Scriptures teſtify, and the Saints beleeve concerning him, by ſome crafty deviſes which he hath thought upon.

As Herod (a Type of this Horn) when hee heard of the birth of the King of the Jews, gathered all the chief Prieſts, and Scribes of the people together, to know of them where hee ſhould be born. Though hee intended onelyonly the death of the Holy Child Jeſus: yet hee ſeeks to know, what the Scriptures had foretold of the place and time; And why ſo; to change the time, that is, to make void the Councel of God. The like may be done p. 169by the Little Horn: being Troubled to hear, that Chriſt is appearing againſt him, to take away his Dominion, hee gathers the Prieſts and Scribes together, and inquires of them about the Time: who can inform him, (ſome of them at Leaſt) that after three years and half, the Horn muſt bee deſtroyed: what doth hee now? Thinking to change the Time, hee doth all that hee can, by power and craft to eſcape the revenging hand of God.

Again, it is worth the noting, though the chief Prieſts and Scribes, had not the Grace, to go with the Wiſe men unto Chriſt, yet had they ſo much knowledge in the Scriptures, as they could tell the Tyrant, the place where hee ſhould bee born, whereby to further his bloudy deſign.

So ſome Miniſters of the laſt Apoſtacy, by the light which they have of the Propheſies of the Laſt Times, may bee able to inform the Horn, when his three years and half are ended, and yet remain ſtill with him, and not go forth with the Wiſe to follow the Lamb.

Queſt. How will hee think to change the Times, that it may not bee Chriſts p. 170time, but His after the three years and an half are expired.

Anſw. My opinion is, theſe three wayes.

1 As the Saints of the moſt high will riſe in their Teſtimony againſt him (eſpecially about the Time of his End:) So on the other hand, hee will ingage, revolted Profeſſours, to appear for him more than they did, in juſtifying his Government and wayes: aſperſing their Diſſenting Brethren, to ſpeak things, of ſpight, ignorance, Prepoſterous zeal, and what will they have? men may be as good as they will, &c. And thus getting the Apoſtates every where to cry him up, for a Nurſing Father, and his Government, the prop and pillar of Religion, he will think to change the times.

As a little before Iſraels deliverance out of Egypt, Moſes and the Magitia…s had a ſore conflict; and the like between Elias and Baals Prieſts, a little before they were put to death▪ So I conceive, a little before his Dominion is taken from him, the Controverſy will grow high between the Witneſſes of Chriſt, and Apoſtates, on whoſe ſide the Truth is.

p. 1712 Hee will ſcatter the Power of the holy people, grow ſo high in Pride and Stoutneſſe, neer his end, that it ſhall ſeem their Power is gone, and there is none ſhut up or left. So farre ſhall hee prevail againſt the remnant of the womans ſeed; that having before ſtain the witneſſes, hee ſhall think there are none left, either in priſon, or out of Priſon, to take away his Dominion, and caſt his body to the burning flames, when the three years and half are expired. As the ſcum and droſſe is wiped off, and thrown into the fire, when it hath ſpread it ſelf over the Pot, and nothing of the liquor ſeen: ſo the deſtruction of this Horn will bee, when he thinks hee hath the cauſe of Chriſt down under him, and no appearance or ſight thereof is left, Pſal. 119. 119.

But laſtly, Hee thinks to change the Times by his Army: And indeed his greateſt hope will bee in this.

For firſt, The Army muſt bee purg'd, that is to ſay, not a conſcientious Souldier left in it, ſpecially an Officer: not a Man if known that his Principles are for ſmiting the Image. Secondly, Such mercinary fellows ſhall bee raked together▪ as like the Turkiſh Janazaries, and Spaniſh p. 172ſlaves in the Indies, they will ſerve his turn in any thing. As thoſe Bloud-ſuckers which are applied to mens bodies. Whereſoever they are laid (be the place well or ill) there they ſtick, and do the work they are applied for: So the Souldiers of this Horn, whatſoever they are Commanded, that they will do, bee the party good or bad, ſick or ſound, all is one to them: The will and Luſt of their great Maſter ſhall bee obeyed, though it bee againſt the expreſſe Law of God.

3 Their main buſineſſe is now, to hunt after the Saints of the moſt high, break their meetings, and impriſon ſuch as they think might promote the intereſt of Chriſt, and his people, againſt the Little Horn, had they liberty. Fourthly, it is probable hee will cauſe his ſouldiers to take away from ſome of the Fift Monarchy-men, their Armes, and Weapons, not leave them a Sword, Musket, Piſtol, Pike, &c. it may bee not a Horſe, nor Money to buy them bread: And having done all this, now hee thinks (and hath hee not reaſon for it) he hath changed the Times.

It is obſerved by ſome, when Ahab was told by the Prophet, that the Lord p. 173would bring evil upon him, and cut off his poſterity, 1 King. 21. 21. that hee takes more Wives and Concubines, and begets no leſſe than ſeventy Sons, 2 King. 10. 1. Thinking thereby either to have prevented what the Lord had threatned, or to make him the more work: So the Horn underſtanding, that his Power and Dominion is to bee deſtroyed: now hee will beſtir himſelf: deviſing and practiſing all hee can, either to croſs the Lords decree againſt him (change the Time,) or put him hard to it. Thus vain man would be wiſe, though man bee born like a wild aſſes colt. Job 11. 12.

For the other particular: Wee are to conſider 1 What is meant by Laws? 2 How he thinks to change them?

Quest. What are theſe Laws which he thinks to change?

Anſw. 1 That Form of Government, which was eſtabliſhed before, and to which the People had ſubmitted and engaged to maintain. This I think is meant by changing the Laws, the abrogating of that kinde of Government, which by the Legiſlative Power of the Nation, was ordained, and the good people every where had conſented to.

p. 1742 A change in all Fundamentals. As to that Power, and Right which is in the people, to chuſe their▪ own Repreſentatives, and the Priviledges of Parliaments. Theſe two things hee will pluck up by the roots, viz. take away from people and Parliaments, their power and priviledges: and aſſume all to himſelf: yea, ſo Arbytrary and Lawleſſe will hee bee herein, that never a Tyrant before him (governing the Nations where hee ſhall bee) ever durſt to attempt the like. And ſo much the Reader is to obſerve: For my minde gives mee, whoſoever doth not this, hee is not the little Horn in Daniel. If the foundations be deſtroyed, what can the righteous do? Pſal, 11. 3.

3 Such laws as were made for every individual perſon, wherby every private man before had ways and means to help himſelf in caſe of wrong and oppreſſion, whether it concern'd his perſon or Eſtate: But theſe hee will make void, and inſtead thereof his Will ſhall be for a Law, as to impriſon and baniſh whom he will, and keep them there as long as hee will: And to take mens Goods and Eſtates from them, when, and how much hee pleaſeth: So that onelyonly his will, and p. 175nothing elſe ſhall be a Law for men to walk by, and truſt to, neither will they have any other defence (whiles this Horn raigns) to preſerve themſelves and families from ruine.

Queſt. But how doth hee think thus to change the Laws?

Anſw. 1 Ex parte altiſſimi, in the behalf of God, as following providence and neceſſity, and that he could do no otherwiſe, to preſerve the Nations in Peace: Eſpecially the godly party, and tender Conſciences, who above all earthly things hee hath a fatherly care of. And this will bee (in the time of the Horn) the greateſt plea among Apoſtates. How much it concern'd the honour of God, and the intereſt of Chriſt, and his people, to take away from the People their Power, and from Parliaments their ancient Priviledges: Remove foundations, lay the Law aſide, and Rule by Will and Luſt, leave the People nothing to help themſelves from violence and wrong, in reſpect of their Perſons, or Eſtates: yea, the Impudence of Turn-Coats and Hypocrites at this time will bee ſuch▪ that whoſoever grieves and Complains becauſe the Laws are changed, ſhall bee branded for Malignants, p. 176men that ſeek themſelves, and are diſcontented becauſe the Power is not in their hands.

2 Whereas it is ſaid hee will change Laws, the meaning ſeems to bee, when hee hath laid the former aſide, hee will (to uſe the Scripture phraſe) Invent to himſelf the INSTRƲMENT of a fooliſh ſhepheard: ſtuff up ſome thing (as Michal did the Bolſter with goats-hair) and lay it in the place of the other. Not that hee ſhall think what hee hath done, is worth any thing (for he will laugh at it himſelf, and before the three years and half are expired, call it all to nought) But as men to quiet fools and children, when they have taken good things from them, put a bable or trifle into their hands: So it is ſome BABLE or Trifle▪ which hee will give the People: of purpoſe (as Children and fools) to ſtill them and that they may not cry after the GOOD OLD LAWS which hee hath taken from them.

3 My Opinion is (when this Horn ſhall reign) in changing the Law, he will do as D. Alva did, chuſe a Councel. And in this hee will be very ſubtle, as taking the perſons (whom hee will have to be of his p. 177Councel) out of ſeveral ſects and parties. It may bee from the Anabaptiſts one, from the Independents two or three, and ſo from the Presbyterians, and Cavileers, more or leſſe.

By which means hee makes account that his changing of the Law: will be the ſooner allowed by all ſides and ſects.

4 In this change of the Law, he will make uſe of Corrupt Lawyers: a thing eaſy to bee done (for I verily think when this Horn ſhall rule, there will bee few Lawyers but as rotten as dirt) Theſe Wretches and Traitours to God and their Country (to have preferment and places under him, and to keep up old rotten Cuſtomes and Corruptions in the Law) will bend their tongue like their bow for lyes: Countenance him, and go along with him, in the worſt o… his Actions, contrary to all Law, and againſt their Knowledge, and Conſcience, and Oathes which they had often taken. To this might bee added, what a watchful Eye the Horn will have on ſuch, as ſhall appear for Laws and Freedome of their poor Countrey, not onelyonly thruſt them out of place and practice, but impriſon them, and poſſibly more too (when that time p. 178is) before it do expire. But

5 And Laſtly, as no People have had their Laws changed, and an Arbytrary Power ſet over them, and ſo enſlaved to the unlimited Commands of ſome men, but it hath been by the Power of the ſword: ſo queſtionleſſe, whatſoever this Horn ſhall do, he will do it by an Army, which will readily put in execution all his Orders and Appointments, bee they never ſo unreaſonable, illegal, and unjuſt, as was ſaid before.

It is ſaid of Chriſts enemy, Mat. 13. 25. that he ſowed Tares among the wheat: Hee pluckt not up the wheat, though he mixed his Tares with it. But this Horn doth worſe: For though other Tyrants before him, ſowed Tares, that is, brought in many things which were Arbytrary, and Illegal: yet they pluckt not up the Wheat: but this MIGHTY MAN will not leave any good Corn ſtanding: nothing but his bitter Tares for the people to feed upon.

But for all this, the Holy Ghoſt tells us, he doth but think to change Times, and Laws: for no ſuch think indeed can hee do. But like a man in his ſleep, dreams hee hath great things, and when p. 179hee awakes findes it altogether otherwiſe. So will his actions bee, hee builds Caſtles in the Air, promiſeth a great deal to himſelf, but hee that ſits in heaven, do…h laugh him to ſcorn, and will ſcatter this proud Horn in the imagination of his heart. So that in the three years and half, nothing is done for him (as to the changing of Laws and times, though his own creatures bee imployed in the work, read Pſalm 52. and 75. Exod. 15. 9, 10. as appliable to this.

That it was no more but Thinking in reſpect of changing the Times, will appear by and by, when wee come to ſpeak of his End. Neither will it bee more than thinking, in reſpect of changing Laws: For never ſhall he bee able to eſtabliſh his Government: nor will any of his Acts or Ordinances (made by him in the three years and half) bee acknowledged for LAW, when that ſhort time is expired, but thrown out as things execrable and abominable.

This too, is very conſiderable; howſoever the main work of the Horn, in the three years and half, will bee about his own intereſt, how to ſecure himſelf and ſettle the Government of the three Pro…ince… p. 180(which hee hath pluckt up by the roots) in his own Family, yet ſhall his Dominion bee taken from him, before any thing is perfected. So that hee is but a THINKER and DREAMER at moſt: Nothing ſhall hee bring to paſs for his own turn and purpoſe. Thus ſhall the Scriptures bee fulfilled in him. A man ſhall not bee eſtabliſhed by wickedneſſe, Prov. 12. 3. The expectation of the wicked ſhall periſh, Prov. 10. 28. The wicked ſhall fall by his own wickedneſſe, Prov. 11. 5. The houſe of the wicked ſhall bee overthrown. Prov. 14. 11. The Lord will deſtroy the houſe of the Proud, Prov. 15. 25. An inheritance may bee gotten haſtily at the beginning: But the end thereof ſhall not bee bleſſed, Prov. 20. 21.

And they ſhall bee given into his hand] This may be meant

1 Of God, by whoſe ſufferance the Horn ſhall proſper, yea take root and grow as the Prophet ſaith, Jer. 12. 2. and ſo doubts not, but to bring to paſs all his deſignes in reſpect of changing both Times, and Laws.

2 They ſhall bee given him by men, viz: the Apoſtates of that time: And theſe the moſt eminent and heads of the people, p. 181whether Miniſters, Magiſtrates, Lawyers, Souldiers. It was told David, that Ahitophel was among the Conſpirators with Abſolom. Hee had but one Ahitophel with him, this Horn will have many, ſuttle and crafty foxes. But I wiſh them a better end. So then by this giving, is ſignified, that he will plead Right to his Dominion and Government, as appointed thereto by God and man, no Intruder or Uſurper: neither in attempting to change times and Laws, doth he more, then he hath warrant and ground for it.

I would have this likewiſe to be heeded: whoſoever this Horn is, hee will plead hard for the lawfulneſſe of his power, as Given by God and man into his hand. Howſoever in truth, hee receives it from Gods only permiſſively. As a Theif may take a purſe from men by force and fraud.

Thus I have done with the Little Horn as to his Action: That which follows is his ſuffering. Thus the Spirit of God gives us a full hiſtory of his life and death. In his end and puniſhment wee may conſider. 1 The Time. 2 The Author. 3 The Inſtrument. 4 The Judgement it ſelf. And laſtly, How and in what manner. Some thing I will ſpeak p. 182(though briefly) to each particular.

For the Time] It will be immediately upon the expiration of the three years and half. Though the Lord did not ſhorten the term of his peoples abode in Egypt (viz. four hundred and thirty years, Fxod. 12. 41.) nor their ſeventy years captivity in Babylon, but let it run out to a day: yet being out, hee preſently delivered them according to his promiſe: So the little Horn ſhall have his full time of three years and half (bearing date from the day he was conſtituted a Horn) but no more may hee expect, for the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it. Bee ſilent O all fleſh before the Lord: for hee is raiſed up out of his holy habitation, Zach. 2. 13. This Time contemporiſes with the womans ſecond comming out of the wilderneſſe, Rev. 12. 14. and the riſing of the witneſſes, Rev. 11. 11. and with that ſet Time in the Prophet, Pſal. 102. 13. So likewiſe, Rev. 16. 1. And I heard a 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. And the firſt went and poured out his vial upon the earth, &c.

It is an Alluſion to Souldiers, who p. 183are ready to charge and fight the enemy, but do it not till they have the word of Command. So Gods people will bee prepared for the work, before the years bee expired. But as no word of Command will bee given them to go out, till then: ſo they will wait (as a people prepared for the Lord) untill that time ſhall come.

But howſoever by the Scriptures we may know the beginning of this judgement, yet how long the time will bee in the execution, that is not certain; but probably a very ſhort time, yet ſo, as gradually. Firſt, A dawning, and afterwards the light more and more appearing.

2 For the Time, The Little Horn is to bee deſtroyed before the other ten. I beheld till the beaſt was ſlain, and his body deſtroyed, and given to the burning flame, As concerning the reſt of the Beasts, they had their Dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a ſeaſon and Time, Dan. 7. 11. 12. The meaning I take to bee thus. The Term of the ten Horns do expire with the little Horn; and in that reſpect, their Dominion is ſaid to bee taken away: yet their lives were prolonged: that is, their Power and Government is not p. 184to bee broken to pieces, till the little Horn bee firſt conſumed. Hence it is that the little Horn or State-Apoſtacy, (for I tak it to bee all one) is the ſubject of the firſt vial, as I have ſhewed and provedelſewhere. (ſee the Book Truth with Time.)

Queſt. But why is the little Horn to be deſtroyed before the other ten?

Anſw. 1 As the Iſraelites overthrew Moah and Ammon (Lots poſterity and neer of kin to them) becauſe they ſought to hinder them from going into the good Land, to fight the Lords Battles againſt the Kings of Canaan. So this Horn (by profeſſion a brother) in that hee will hinder the Saints of the moſt high, from going forth againſt Babylon, and the Kings of the earth, it is a righteous thing with God that hee ſhould fall firſt by the hands of the mighty O…es, Iſa. 63. 1, 2, 3, 6. I take the meaning thus, The Lord will ſmite Edom firſt, that is, falſe brethren and Apoſtates, and afterward tread down other people in his anger.

2 This Horn and latter Apoſtacy, is a luke warm State, neither hot nor cold, and therefore the Lord will ſpue it out of his p. 185mouth, not cold becauſe it hath a form of godlineſſe, not hot, becauſe it denies the power of it.

A thing offenſive to the Stomack cannot bee born, but a man will bee rid of it as ſoon as may bee. When the forty two months are ended, the Horn will bee deſtroyed firſt: And no marvel▪ for hee is more offenſive and odious to God than the reſt (I would thou wert cold or hot) and therefore the Lord will eaſe himſelf of this Enemy, as one that hee cannot bear, nor ſuffer to have his life prolonged, as the other Ten.

And here Gods order in pouring out the laſt Vials is to bee noted: he will not begin with Spain, France, Germany, &c. But with the little Horn; Neither may wee reckon any warre paſt, or to come, to bee the war of the Lamb againſt the ten Kings, Rev. 17. 14. or the ſmiting of the Image, Dan. 2. or rewarding Babylon, Rev. 18. 5, 6. till this Horns Dominion bee taken away, and utterly conſumed. Not obſerving this, great miſtakes have been about former warres, in bringing them under the Vials, as the Sweden, Engliſh, Holland, to the ſecond, third, and fourth vials. Whereas to mee it ſeems clear by p. 186Scripture, the firſt thing which will bee done in fulfilling the Prophecys of the laſt times (I ſpeak of warre) is the cutting off of this Horn, and nothing will bee done againſt Babylon and the ten Kings (as the proper work which the hundred forty and four thouſand, and the called choſen, and faithful ſhall bee put upon) till this thing be done.

2 For the Author of his judgement? It is God and Chriſt, as appears Dan. 7. 9, 10, 11, and afterward more briefly, verſ. 26. But the judgement ſhall ſit. That this Horn, by a divine judicatory, is to have his dominion taken from him, and his body given to the burning flame: there are many memorable things in it.

1 Here is ſhewed, that the Lord will give him no more time, nor bee patient any longer, neither ſuffer him to proceed any further in his Tyranny, and Hypocriſy, but ſet all his former ſins before his face, and tear him in peeces, and there ſhall bee none to deliver him. He thought to have gone beyond his time, yea, and God too, but now vengeance hath reached him, notwithſtanding all his former cunning ſhifts in hope to have prevented it. Lo this is the man that made p. 187not God his ſtrength, but truſteth in the abundance of his riches, and ſtrengthneth himſelf in his wickedneſſe, Pſal. 52. 7. and 9. 6, 7. and 94. 20.

2 That the Lord from his Throne judgeth him. Here is ſignified, what God is about to do: viz. deſtroy Tyrants and all unrighteouſneſſe of men, and to eſtabliſh Peace and Righteouſneſſe in the earth: And indeed now is the way made for it, and never the like before in the World. Open yee the gates, that the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth may enter in, Iſa. 26. 2. This leſt Horn, or Apoſtacy, kept ſhut the gates of righteouſneſſe: Other Nations becauſe of him, could not come into the wayes of Truth, therefore he that loveth Righteouſneſſe, and hateth Wickedneſſe, brings him before his Throne, and cuts him off for a worker of iniquity, Pſal. 45. 6, 7. & 79. 2.

3 This ſhews, that the Saints in taking away his Dominion, and caſting his body to the burning flame, ſhall therein do no more but what is juſt and right, and what ought to be done. No man can juſtly blame an Officer for putting in execution the juſt ſentence of a lawful Judge: But the judgement ſhall ſit. Though Hypocrites, p. 188and Apoſtates may cry out againſt them of cruelty, and ſelf revenge, when they ſhall ſee the Horn trampled under their feet like dirt: his Abetters and Followers bound in Chains and Fetters of iron, and made exemplary to the World, for cauſing the name of God and his Truth to bee blaſphemed: yet will they bee faultleſſe in all this before the Throne of God: for they onelyonly execute the judgement written; for his baniſhing and impriſoning of the Saints, he had neither the Law of God nor Man for it; but what is done to him, is from the throne Pſal. 89. 14.

4 Here likewiſe is ſignified what knowledge and light, Saints ſhall have, in pouring out the vial upon him, and how free they will bee in that work. It grieves Officers many times, and troubles their Conſciences, to do what they are commanded about puniſhing of others. But here will lye no ſcruple in the way: for the Judgement ſhall ſ…, they ſhall certainly know it is the mind and will of the Lord that they ſhould do ſo. The ſervants of the Horn, when they perſecuted the Saints, knew indeed, therein they pleaſed him, but not the Lord. It will p. 189now bee quite otherwiſe, they who deſtroy the Horn, will know they pleaſe God, though not him.

5 This ſhews how impoſſible it is for the Horn to eſcape deſtruction, when the three years and an half are ended. As a Malefactor being condemned at the Bar, and delivered up into the Executioners hand, hath ſmall hope to br…ak away from him. So this Horn (his time being out) as a condemned perſon in the Court o Heaven is given up to the Saints of the moſt High, and they ſhall take away his Dominion, &c. Now i… he can get out of their hands let him.

6 That hee hath his judgement from the throne, It denotes, in what an amazement, and fright the Apoſtates will be round about him, as having neither Hope nor Heart to ſtand any longer by him. Who will dare attempt the reſcuing of a Murderer or Theif, being by the judgement of the Court delivered over to the Executioner. THE JUDGEMENT SHALL SIT. It is ſaid verſe 11. His body ſhall bee given to the burning flame. Men flye from fire: If a Houſe be burning, and in a flame, who will venture to run into the burning flame to fetch out the p. 190richeſt Treaſure. It will bee here with the Horns confederates, as it is ſaid of the Merchants of Babylon. They ſhall ſtand a farre off, for the fear of his torment, weeping and wailing, and ſaying alas, alas, that great Apostacy, and head of it, that was cloathed in fine linen, and purple, and Scarlet, and decked with gold, and pretious ſtones, and pearles: For in one hour ſo great riches is come to nought. Of this Horn and Apoſtacy, given to the burning flame, and what dreadful terrour it will cauſe among the Apoſtates: The Prophet ſpeaks, The ſinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulneſſe hath ſurpriſed the Hypocrites: who among us ſhall dwell with devouring fire? who amongſt us ſhall dwell with everlaſting burnings? Iſa. 33. 14. when the earth opened and ſwallowed up Kora…h, Dathan, and Abiram, it is ſaid, all Iſrael that were round about them, fled at the cry of them, for they ſaid, leſt the earth ſwallow us up alſo, Numb. 16. 34. That the Horn hath his judgement from ſo glorious a Throne: Read Dan. 7. 9, 10, 11. No doubt is ſignifyed, that his deſtruction will bee ſo terrible, ſtrange, and unheard of, as thoſe neer him will bee at their wits end, ſtriving who can bee p. 191fartheſt off, Revel. 11. 13.

7 And Laſtly, That the Horn is thus judged: it is to ſhew how the Lord will acquit his innocent ſervants, from all the falſe aſperſions of Apoſtates formerly raiſed againſt them. In the dayes of the Horns reign, how were the faithful ſervants of Chriſt abuſed, called Traitors, Beaſts, Devils: thrown into Priſon, and ſcattered every where; for witneſſing againſt their Hypocriſy, Apoſtacy, Covenant breaking, and nothing thought bad enough to inflict upon them. But the judgement ſhall ſit. Now it ſhall bee diſcerned between the Righteous and the Wicked, who were ſincere, and on the Lords ſide, and who were diſſemblers, and ſought onelyonly themſelves and their own intereſt. Now as Jannes and Jambres with ſtood Moſes; ſo do theſe alſo reſiſt the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they ſhall proceed no further: For their folly ſhall bee manifeſt unto all men, as theirs alſo was. 2 Tim. 3. 8, 9. But how was the folly of Jannes, and Jambres made manifeſt? I Anſwer, when they could not do with their enchantments as Moſes did, but were forc't to confeſſe unto Pharoah, This is the p. 192finger of God, Exod. 8. 18, 19. And when they could not ſtand before Moſes, becauſe of the boils, chap. 9. 11. So ſhall their folly be manifeſt (hee means directly the laſt Apoſtates) their ſpiritual inchantments ſhall fail them, and Gods ſtroke will lve (like a boil) ſo heavy upon them, as they ſhall bee forc't to ſay, wee have been Apoſtates, and plaid the Hypocrits, and theſe that witneſſed againſt us, kept the Commandements of God, and had the teſtimony of Jeſus Chriſt.

Wee come now to the next particular; namely, the inſtruments, by whoſe hand the Lord will deſtroy him. It is ſaid, they ſhall take away his dominion, to conſume it, and deſtroy it unto the end, Dan. 7. 26. Obſerve here, it muſt bee taken from him, hee will not freely give it up. As theeves, and pirates, having by unjuſt ways taken great bootys, will not let them go, unleſs by a ſtronger party, they are forc't from them. By the word (they) Saints are meant, verſ. 18. And particularly I take it to bee the Angel, which ſhall pour out the firſt vial, Rev. 16. 2. under that Angel are ſpecially comprehended, ſuch who before witneſſed againſt his Apoſtacy; and Tyranny, and ſuffered under him, for p. 193their teſtimony, Iſa. 14. 2. and 33. 1. Ezek. 39. 10. As Gideon with three hundred men, broke the Hoſts of the Midiarites, and others afterward came in to them, and purſued the enemy, and ſo obtained a full and perfect victory: Thus ſome may beginne the work, and then others fall in with it, till his Power and Government bee utterly deſtroyed.

Queſt. But ſhall none but Saints, bee uſed as inſtruments, to execute Gods judgement upon him?

Anſw. Some indeed think ſo, and give theſe Reaſons. 1 This honour have all his Saints, Pſal. 149. 9. as if this were their priviledge alone, to execute the judgement written: the which relates (ſay they) unto the Vials.

2 If the hundred forty and four thouſand, Rev. 14. 1. do take in the whole number which the Lord will imploy againſt the Dominion of the Beaſt, Civil, and Eccleſiaſtical, then it muſt follow, that Saints onelyonly ſhall deſtroy him. But the firſt is clear, and cannot bee denyed. Ergo, &c.

3 They read no where in ſcripture, that Chriſt will take any Inſtruments with him, to execute his laſt plagues upon the p. 194Kingdomes of the World, but holy perſons, neither are wicked men, in any place ſo much as once named, Pſal. 149. 5, 6. 7. …ſa. 13. 3. Dan. 7. 18. Joel 3. 11. Rev. 17. 14. Pſal. 110. 2. Pſal. 50. 5.

4 The work it ſelf, (they think) will not admit of any but Saints. For, Firſt, It is to deſtroy all manner of ungodlineſs and unrighteouſneſſe in perſons and things. Secondly, It ſhall bee done fully and faithfully, not by halves, and haltingly, as things formerly were, which cannot bee ſo, if prophane perſons ſhould bee uſed. Thirdly, The work is properly Chriſts and for Chriſt, that hee alone may bee exalted, and therefore very unlikely it is that hee will bee beholden to his Enemies for it. Fourthly, It is a work that requires ſpiritual principles: neither can it bee done without Faith, which wicked men have not. Thus ſome.

Howſoever I do agree with theſe men. that the Kingdome-work ſhall bee in the hands of Saints, and by them managed, and carried on: And therefore called the Warre of the Lamb.

Yet two things are to bee minded.

1 Though they ſhall all have (I think) p. 195the Characters of viſible Saints, yet not all alike: Some will bee weaklings, men very low, and of little light, and life, to the work, to what others have: and yet received. Again Secondly, howſoever in the judgement of Charity all may bee reputed Godly, yet there may be ſome not enlightned further, than for Reformation in Civil things: And in that reſpect, to wit, upon Common-wealth principles, will joyn with their brethren, the fift Kingdome men, againſt the Little Horn, and Babylon, thereby to recover their Ancient Liberties and Rights. As the Two Tribes and half, went armed over Jordan, before their Brethren, and left them not, till the other Tribes were ſet and ſetled in Canaan; and then returned back to the Country which they had choſen. So it is probable, ſome who have choſen the Land on this ſide Jordan (I mean) COMMONWEALTH-PRIVILEDGES will not onelyonly joyn with their Brethren, whoſe Lot is on the other ſide: but it may bee, bee before them in the Warre: and when the Canaanites are ſubdued, will be content to ſit down in their Lot of Freedome and Liberty.

Object. But ſome ſay, that Saints ſhall p. 196not deſtroy the Little Horn, nor the ten Horns, neither the Image, Babylon, &c. neither muſt they (as Saints, and to advance the cauſe and Kingdome of Chriſt) make Warre at all. But ſuffer all things, and bee patient under Tyrants and Oppreſſours, till Chriſt himſelf appear, and march in the head of his Army.

When the Ziphites had treacherouſly betrayed David, unto Saul, what ſaith the Tyrant? bleſſed bee yee of the Lord, for yee have compaſſion on mee, 1 Sam. 23. 21. I muſt confeſſe, theſe men ſhew a great deal of Compaſſion to Tyrants and Perſecutors, as to hearten and incourage them in their cruel and bloody waies: But in the mean time let them know (whether it bee done of knowledge or through ignorance, that I leave) They do moſt unworthily betray the ſon of David, as to his Cauſe, Kingdome, and People, into the hands of Bloud-thirſty Sauls.

That much work ſhall bee done by Saints (as Saints) and upon the account of the fift Kingdome, before Chriſt perſonally appear, I prove thus:

1 Chriſts perſonal comming will not bee, till after the pouring out of the ſixth Vial, at the great battle of Arma-geddon, p. 197againſt Gog and Magog, ſpecially in the Jews behalf, Rev. 16. 15. and 19. 11, 12. &c. Ezek. 38. 12. Joel 2. 11. Zach. 14. 1, 2, 3. Dan. 12. 1. But before that time, the Little Horn and the ten Horns, and the great Whore, or Babylon, are to bee deſtroyed as the ſubjects of the five firſt Vials.

2 The Ten Kings which ſhall hate the Whore, and make her deſolate, &c. Rev. 17. 16. do not this, untill the Lamb overcomes them, verſ. 14. Now by the Lamb, Chriſt perſonally, cannot bee underſtood, but his powerful preſence with his called, choſen and faithfull, as inſtruments in that work. For if Chriſt overcome them perſonally, how can it bee ſaid, that they afterward have burnt the Whore, and yet Chriſt not come; Reader note this, it ſeems clear by the Scripture, that the Whore (I mean the State and Dominion of the Beaſt) muſt fall by the ten Kings, before Chriſt come in perſon, ſee Revela. 18. with Chapter 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. where the Lord is praiſed for that victory, and this is before Chriſt appears, verſ. 11, 12. &c. Now then, what more abſurd than to ſay, Christ in perſon ſhall overcome the ten Kings, and they afterward ruine p. 198Babylon, and yet Chriſt doth not come till Babylon be ruined.

3 In Pſal. 110. The Prophet ſhews how and in what manner the Father will ſet his Son upon his holy hill of Zion, and the Throne of David, to order it, and to eſtabliſh it with judgement and with Juſtice. The Lord ſhall ſend the rod of thy ſtrength out of Zion, ve. 2. By the rod of his ſtrength, ſurely hee means the Saints, called the Rod of his inheritance, Pſal. 74. 2. Jer. 10. 16. with which Rod hee will ſmite the earth, Iſa. 11. 2. break the Powers of Nations and Kingdomes to peeces, like a potters veſſel▪ Pſal. 2. 9. ler. 51. 19, 20, 21. &c. Then follows, The Lord at thy right hand, ſhall ſtrike through Kings in the day of his wrath, verſ. 5. meaning no doubt at the Arnia-geddon Battle, where the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole World are gathred together, Rev. 16. 14. In the former Warre, Chriſt ſits at the fathers right hand, whilſt hee is making the enemys of his Son, his foot-ſtool, that is, by the rod of his ſtrength ſent out of Zion. But in the latter warre, the Father is at the Sonnes right hand. Beſides, in that hee ſaith, I will make, &c. this cannot bee underſtood of Chriſt, as the inſtrument of the p. 199work, but Saints. And this ſame order and manner of proceeding we find every where in ſcripture, that the executing of the laſt judgements upon the Kingdomes of the world, ſhall be by Gods people firſt, theſe ſhall cut off the Little Horn, be new threſhing inſtruments and weapons of war, Carpenters, Reapers, the Angels of the Vials, &c. by whom Jehovah will make Chriſts enemies his foot-ſtool, Dan. 7. 26. Iſa. 41. 15. Jer. 51. 19. Zach. 1. 21 Rev. 14.

4 Upon the riſing of the witneſſes, there follows an Earth-quake, and the tenth part of the City fell, Rev. 11. 13. This cannot be meant as done by Chriſt perſonally, for afterwards it is ſaid, The Kingdomes of this World are become his, and …ee reigns, verſ. 15. 17. Therefore (I think) the Earth-quake, and the Earth, Rev. 16. 2. is one thing, viz. The earthly Apoſtacy headed with the little Horn, on which ſhall bee poured out the firſt Vial, as ſoon as the Witneſſes are aſcended up into Heaven.

5 When Chriſt ſhall come, and all his Saints with him. Zach. 14. 5. The enemy, ſhall not bee deſtroyed by any materiall weapon. And the Armies, which were p. 200in heaven followed him, upon white horſes, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, Rev. 19. 14. No armour is mentioned, neither do I think that any ſuch thing will bee uſed, or that the followers of the Lamb ſhall ſtrike a ſtroke, but the enemies ſhall fall and periſh by ſome extraordinary judgement. And there ſell upon men a great hail out of Heaven, every stone about the weight of a Talent, Rev. 16. 21. Again I will plead againſt him with peſtilence, and with Bloud, and I will rain upon him an overflowing raine, great hail ſtones, fire and bloud, Ezek. 38. 21. But in ſubduing the little Horn, and the ten Kings, in ſmiting the Image, and the Dominion of the Beaſt; here ſhall be fighting, and inſtruments of war uſed, Iſa. 13. 18. Jer. 50. 9. 14. 22. 35, 36, 37, 42. and chap. 51. 3. 11. Rev. 13. 10. & 18.

Now I come to the fourth head, which is the judgement it ſelf. The Beaſt was ſlain and his body deſtroyed, and given to the burning ſlame, Dan. 7. verſe 11. And they ſhall take away his dominion to conſume it, and deſtroy it even to the end, verſ. 26.

1 Being now come to his end, that he is called the Beaſt, and a little Horn before. p. 201The Reaſons may be: Firſt, to ſignify that he is fatted for deſtruction; His Hypocriſies, Deceits, Mockings of God and men, and other abominable ſinnes, are full and ripe, Jer. 12. 1, 2, 3. and Jer. 51. 40.

2 Seeing the Witneſſes, are to bee ſlain by him, the Wiſdome of God thinks good, to give him here, the ſame name which hee hath, Rev. 11. 7.

3 That hee periſheth under the name of a Beaſt, though formerly a Horn, it ſhews how little his death will bee pittied any where: No more than if a bloudy Lyon, or crafty Fox had been killed by hunters. Moreover, what rejoycing there will bee among the Saints: that ſo cruel and fierce a Creature is taken out of the way. Allelu-jah, and again, Allelu-jah, Pſal. 58. 1….

2 Though it bee true, whatſoever is ſpoken of his end, is no more, (if we take the words in general) then that his government and Pouer ſhall bee broken to peeces: yet I think there is ſomething in every word, as to a particular kind of puniſhment; and how ſeveral parties (as diſtinct) ſhall be puniſhed ſome in one kind, and ſome in another. This State or Government p. 202to be deſtroyed, is made up of three ſorts of people. 1 Souldiers to fight for it. 2 Lawyers and Prieſts to plead for it. 3 The Authors and Inventers of it. Now obſerve, how the Lord in deſtroying the whole, fits his judgement to each party.

1 The Beaſt is ſlain. This reſpects the Souldiery. And probable it is, that many of them will be ſlain. For howſoever the greater part of them (at leaſt the better part: ſuch as have any thing of God left in them) will lay down their arms, and forſake him neer his end: yet ſome deſperate and prophane wretches (newly raiſ'd) will ſtand it out, and ſo fall by the ſword of the Lord in the hand of his mighty ones. It is ſaid, in the earth-quake were ſlain of men ſeven thouſand, Rev. 11. 13 what number of ſouldiers will bee ſlain at this time, it is not expreſt: a great ſlaughter no doubt: Every one (I think) put to the ſword, that ſhall bee found in Armes, for the Horn: they having warning given them before to come out, and not to fight in his behalf. ſee Iſa. 34. 2, 3.

And his body destroyed] This ſeems to bee another kind of puniſhment; as p. 203beheading▪ hanging, and putting to death by a Judicatory, and the word imports ſo much. This follows the ſlain Army. But who is the body of the Horn? The later Apoſtacy of which we ſpake; ſo that Judgment will now begin at the houſe of God, at the ſanctuary. Woe now to Apoſtates; Woe to you Scribes, and Phariſees, Hypocrites, The Lords day is upon you: ſuch as did juſtifye and encourage the Horn, when hee thought to change Times and Laws. Acted unrighteouſly under him, Executed his unlawful Orders and Commands againſt the Saints of the moſt High, made to themſelves, an advantage of his Tyranny and Oppreſſion: Oh how are the ſinners in Zion afraid, and fearfulneſſe ſurprized the Hypocrites.

Now Church members, and Church Officers, are likely to experience, the ſoul that ſins ſhall dye, and that the righteous God loves Righteouſneſſe: And it is not, faſting, praying, propheſying, &c. will deliver corrupt men, and ſuch as have baſely betrayed the cauſe of Chriſt, in the day of the Lords wrath, Mal. 3. 2, 3. Iſa. 33. 14. & 66. 5.

Thus the Lords hand at this time will p. 204lye heavy upon Profeſſours, they are the body of the little Horn (Apoſtates I mean) which muſt bee deſtroyed. It will bee their turn (I verily think) to drink firſt of the Vials, 1 Cor. 3. 15. And by this means, the Lord will make his way the more plain, and his Judgements manifeſt: when he ſhall afterwards go forth againſt the Ten Kings, and the great Whore: for what may Idolaters, and men viſibly Prophane, and wicked expect, but dregs and wrath, without mixture, ſeeing the Lord before, ſpared not Church-members and ſuch as had a form of Godlineſſe, Jer. 25. …8, 29.

And given to the burning flame] As this judgement is greater than the former: ſo it is for the Horn himſelf, and the chief inſtruments which raiſed him up by whoſe means, Souldiers, Lawyers, Miniſters and others, were brought into the Snare: This kind of puniſhment I take to bee the ſame, with that of the Beaſt, and falſe Prophet; a lake of fire burning with Brimſtone, Rev. 19. 20. Now howſoever this bee not Hell, properly ſo called, yet it is ſome temporal Judgement more than ordinary; I will not p. 205ſay directly what it is, nor declare at preſent my own thoughts: yet this I ſhall ſay, (it being a truth I think) when this Horn ſhall reign, whoſoever ſhall be the Inventers and ſetters up of his Power and Government, they will not dye the death of all men: not bee ſlain or diſmembred as the former were: but ſome extraordinary puniſhment will bee inflicted upon them. If theſe men dye the common death of all men: or if they bee viſued after the viſitation of all men, then the Lord hath not ſent mee, Numb. 16. 29. And ſo much the word ſignifies.

And they ſhall take away his dominion] As the former reſpecteth perſons, ſo this doth things: that is, the State and Government it ſelf. The meaning I conceive to bee thus. After the Army is deſtroyed, and many put to death by a Judicatory: for juſtifying the Horn, in his unlawful actions, and himſelf and his MAKERS, given to the burning flame: Such a ſtink will that HORN leave behind him, as ſome ſpeedy courſe ſhall bee taken to have the very remembrance of him blotted out under the whole heaven.

It remains now to ſhew how, and in p. 206what manner it ſhall bee done? To take the Scripture for our light. It ſeems thus: When the three years and half are fully expired, the wiſe ſhall underſtand▪ that hee is the Little Horn foretold in Daniel, and to bee deſtroyed: and this light ſhall ſpread it ſelf among the Saints of the Moſt High: yea, ſo clear and certain will the thing bee (they having the word of God and his ſpirit for it, providence likewiſe leading the way) that they ſhall publikely declare, what they intend to do, The work beginnes with an Earthquake, Rev. 11. 13. And it ſhall bee ſuch an Earth-quake, as will ſhake the Horn to purpoſe, in his Councel, Guards, Army, and relations every where: Inſomuch as hee will bee miſerably forſaken and left by moſt people. Few abiding with him, unleſſe deſperate men, and ſuch who are ſo deeply ingaged with him, as have no hope to ſave themſelves, (from bodily puniſhment) by Repentance.

The Saints knowing the ſet Time is come, that the Lord will have mercy upon Zion; and being called out of the Temple, to pour out the Vial upon the Earth-Apoſtacy p. 207(being ready) go forth in the Name and ſtrength of the Lord. And though they may have ſome oppoſition at firſt, yet I think they will be Conquerors at laſt without much loſſe, I ſay fighting for the Lamb; For ſo wonderfull will the preſence of God bee with them, and ſo dreadful to the enemy, that this warre will bee ſhort, and none of them after once broken to peices, will durſt lift up their hands any more in the Horns behalf.

Thus I have ended with the Little Horn. And in the cloſe, this I can truely ſay, what I have written, is (my Conſcience bearing mee Witneſſe) no otherwiſe than I underſtand the Propheſy: neither have I ſaid any thing, but what I conceive to bee the Truth in Jeſus. And further, I have all along with Sighs and Groans, beſought the father of Light, That I might bee lead by his Spirit into the way of Truth.

The meek will hee guide in Judgement; and the meek will hee teach his p. 208way, Pſal. 25. 9. Call unto mee, and I will anſwer thee, and ſhew thee great and mighty things, which thou knoweſt not, Jer. 33. 3.

Job 20. v. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Knoweſt thou not this of old, ſince man was placed upon earth. That the triumphing of the wicked is ſhort, and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment? though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds. Yet he ſhall periſh for ever, like his own dung: they that have ſeen him, ſhall ſay, where is he? He ſhall flee away like a dream, and ſhall not bee found, yea, hee ſhall bee chaſed away; as a viſion of the night. The eye alſo which ſaw him, ſhall ſee him no more, neither ſhall his place any more be hold him.