Truth with Time, Answers · Answer 5
Anſwer to the ſixth Reaſon.
This ſeems ſomewhat conſiderable, and genuous; yea, at first ſight, to have much force: yet I muſt confeſs, I am not ſatisfied with it. For, 1. I think, the Tabernacle of the Testimony is opened gradually, (as the Witneſs or Testimony riſe) out of which the Angels of the Vials go, Rev. 15. So that in every generation, ſuch a Tabernacle hath been opened, with the Testimony against the Beast, in proportion more or leſs, whence the Vials have iſſued: and therefore I must deny the Aſſumption of your Argument, and ſay, The Tabernacle of the Teſtimony was in a degree opened in Luther's time, in the Browniſts time, and is at this day againſt the Beaſt, in a proportionable purity and ſpirituality of Worſhip, amongſt the remnant of the womans ſeed; and ſo Wickliff, Huſs, Luther, Zuinglius, the Puritans (ſo called) Independents, and others, and now the holy and upright ones, called The Fifth Monarchy-men, were in the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony worſhipping, whence the Angels of the Vials come out.
Repl. 1. If I underſtand any thing of this Anſwer, it implies 2 things: 1. The Teſtimony of the Tabernacle in heaven, was never ſhut whileſt the ſack-cloth Witneſſes propheſied the 1260 dayes: for if in every generation, ſuch a Tabernacle hath been opened, with the Teſtimony againſt the Beaſt, in proportion more or leſs, &c. admit it were gradually; The Concluſion cannot be denied. 2. That the pouring out of the Vials, hath been ever ſince the ſack-cloth Witneſſes began to propheſie, and ſo began with the 1260 dayes. Neither is it ſtrange, that ſuch things ſhould paſs; for taking the Vials to begin before the riſing of the Witneſſes, it cannot be avoided.
2. Now the Reaſon (I conceive) of this miſtake, is, not obſerving (though the Scripture is cleer in it) the diſtinction which the Holy Ghoſt makes between the Temple and the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony. It is true, the Witneſſes, and the Woman in the Wilderneſs, had a Temple to worſhip God in, and an Altar, (which is Chriſt) by which to have acceſs to the Father: See Rev. 11.1. which ſeems to be the ſame, Chap. 12.6, 14. viz. the place prepared of God, for their feeding and nouriſhment. But for the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony; that is, the innermoſt part of the Tabernacle, called, the holy of holieſt, and the moſt holy place, where the 2 Tables were put in the Ark, Deut. 10.5. 1 King. 8.5. and that Ark placed in the innermoſt part of the Tabernacle or Temple, 1 King. 8.6. Heb. 9.3, 4. that remained ſhut; neither could men ſee into it, out of the Court or Temple.
But 3. and more plain, the Anſwerer is miſtaken, in taking the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony, for the Temple: for theſe are not only two, and diſtinct in ſound; but as much in ſence and ſignification. What is ſaid in the Anſwer of Lutherans, Browniſts, Independents, Puritans, &c. it is thus far true, That in every Generation a Temple hath been opened, that is, ſome good people (more or leſs) ſeeing the abominable Idolatries and Blaſphemies of the Beast, have ſeparated from the ſame, according to their preſent Light: and being thus far out of Babylon, have joyned together in a more holy Communion. And further, (as the Anſwerer ſaith very well) this hath been gradually: for if we conſider this Temple, that is, either Church, Ministery, Worſhip or Government, we ſhall finde it hath been gradual indeed, both in eſchewing the Errors of Antichriſt, and practiſing the Truths of the Goſpel.
But now for the Tabernacle of the Testimony, this is another thing within the Temple, and ſeldom ſeen, and by the High-Priest alone; which I underſtand to be the opening of the Propheſies of the laſt time, as Daniel and John's Viſions, ſuch as theſe, Dan. 12.4, 9, 11, 12. Rev. 11.2. & 12.6, 14. & 13.13. & 22.10. Heb. 2.3. It is not for you (ſaith Chriſt) to know the times or the ſeaſons, &c. Act. 1.7. Now it is not meant, as if the Queſtion there propounded by the Apostles, (namely, when the Kingdom ſhould be restored again to Iſrael) was a ſecret never to be revealed; but it was not then ſeaſonable, nor neceſſary or proper for them (as to their Generation) to have the knowledge of it. So the Tabernacle of the Testimony is ſhut, whilſt the Witneſſes propheſie in ſack-cloth, becauſe the things therein belong not to their Work or Age, yet to be opened neer or about the time of the end, as being then (and not till then) neceſſary and ſeaſonable.
Neither doth Mr. Tilling. in his 3 Propoſition, pag. 42. differ from this, ſpeaking, That God's call to the Angels of the Vials is to be principally looked for, out of the Temple. I underſtand (ſaith he) not ſo much of the general call, as a more particular and ſpecial Call, peculiar to this time of the Vials. The general Call to Generation-Work is diſpenſation; but now at this time, (beſides the Call of God's Diſpenſations) the inſtruments God ſhall raiſe up to ruine the Whore, ſhall have a more particular Call to this Work, to the end they may neither flag nor draw back, namely, the loud and unceſſant cry of the Temple.
Hence two things may be gathered: I. The Vials are not began; for ſuch a particular and ſpecial Call, hath not been yet out of the Temple. It is true, God hath raiſed up ſome men, and brought them forth againſt Babylon; as in France, Germany, England, &c. But this hath been no other than a General Call: for 1. They have not moved nor acted like Angels which had golden girdles upon their breaſts. Neither 2. hath God's preſence and appearance with them held forth ſuch a thing. Beſides, by the event it hath been well enough ſeen, both in the Work and Inſtruments, what the Call was. So that we need now no other witneſs or proof, viz. That neither by the Swedes or Engliſh any Vials were poured out, then the things themſelves. II. That this particular and ſpecial Call out of the Temple, cannot be until the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony be opened, and the Ark ſeen: for what elſe is God's Call to the Angels of the Vials to pour out their Vials, but Light and Life? that is, knowing the 42 months are expired, the witneſſes riſen; and that it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the yeer of Recompences for the controverſie of Sion; Now as the called of God, they come forth to pour out their golden Vials: not like Jehu, to raiſe up themſelves by other mens ruine, but to follow the Lord fully and faithfully. And this is according to the Prophet, I have commanded my ſanctified ones; I have alſo called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoyce in MY HIGHNESS, Iſa. 13.3.
Anſw. 2. I except against your proof, Rev. 11.19. for I do not take that for the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony, as you aſſert; but for a full opening of the Temple, in as primitive and purity of ſtate, as the Church was in before the Beaſt aroſe, or in the first 3 Centuries, which will not be at the riſing of the 2 Witneſſes, nor before the Armageddon-battel: but the Tabernacle is opened before the Temple, (as David's Tabernacle was before Solomon's Temple.) Now it is the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony which is opened, and from whence the Vials come; which Tabernacle grows up to the Temple, Eph. 2.21. by degrees: but the Temple, when it is opened, is opened all at once, (I conceive) and univerſally (not by degrees) and to all the faithful Saints; whereas the Tabernacle, to the Generation-Saints that are faithful to the Testimony.
Repl. 1. It is no marvel, that taking one thing for another, you may go on thus in miſtakes: 1. To ſuppoſe that Rev. 11.19. is not one with Rev. 15.5. there is no ground for it: why is it called, the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Numb. 1.5. & 17.17. but in regard of the 2 Tables of Stone, whereon was written (as I ſaid before) the Law of God, the Teſtimony of his will, Exod. 34.28. and theſe Tables put into the Ark, and that Ark placed in the uttermoſt part of the Temple? So that to ſay the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony was opened and ſeen, and not the Ark, in my Opinion is no other, than to imagine, what is within a Cheſt or Cloſet may be ſeen, and is open; but the Cheſt or Cloſet it ſelf, neither ſeen nor open. 2. Whereas you would have the Temple not open, till the Armageddon-battel, but the Tabernacle open before: If things here be duely weighed, the Temple was never ſhut, but onelyonly the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony: and therefore what you ſpeak of opening the Temple all at once univerſally, and not by degrees; I finde no Temple to apply ſuch matter to. Neither do I know any Tabernacle David had, otherwiſe than taking care to provide a place for the Ark, 2 Sam. 6.17. Pſal. 132.
Anſw. 3. This appears more plain from the time this Temple is opened, which the Holy Ghoſt tells us in Rev. 11.19. is after the ſeventh Trumpet ſounds, and Proclamation of the Kingdoms of the World to be Christ's, verſ. 15. or yet more expreſly under the 7 Vial, Rev. 16.17, 18, 21. under which we finde the very ſame voyces, thunders, lightnings, Earth-quakes, and hail, mentioned in the aforeſaid Rev. 11.19. But the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony muſt needs be opened before that, as none will deny it.
Repl. 1. That Rev. 11.19. contemporizes with Chap. 15.5. it is cleer to me; neither do I ſee weight of Reaſon in what is here objected, namely, That Rev. 11.19. is after the 7 trumpet ſounds, and proclamation of the Kingdoms, &c. If a man have ſeveral things to ſpeak, he muſt have time to deliver them one after another; he cannot ſpeak them all at once. Beſides, it is an excellent order, which the Spirit of God uſeth in ſetting down the Particulars. Having ſpoken of the riſen Witneſſes, he ſhews firſt what ſhall be ſome preſent effect, verſ. 13. then proceeds to the Concomitants, as the beginng of the third work, verſ. 14. with the ſounding of the 7 trumpet, verſ. 15. afterwards declares what joy there ſhall be in the Churches of the Saints, that the Kingdoms of the world are falling in to Chriſt, verſ. 16, 17, 18. Laſtly, that there might be no doubt made of theſe things, he ſhews how the work ſhall be managed and carried on. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was ſeen in his temple the ark of his teſtament, &c. verſ. 19. agreeing to Rev. 15.5. meaning a cleer light which the 7 Angels ſhall have of their Work, and when to begin.
2. To bring Rev. 11.19. under the 7 Vial, I think there is no ground for it, 1. Becauſe there is no mention made under that Vial, of the Ark of the Testament opened in heaven: ſuch a thing is not ſo much as expreſt. 2. To gather it from lightnings, voices, thunderings, &c. in both places; This will not hold: for, 1. Such Expreſſions in this Book are frequent, Rev. 4.5. & 8.5. belonging neither to one time, nor ſignifying one thing. Moreover, for theſe lightnings, thunders, voices, &c. they belong to every Vial. Hence in Rev. 11.19. they are firſt mentioned, as then beginning; afterward, Rev. 16.17, 18, 21. as the end: ſignifying, That all the time the Vials are pouring out, theſe things will be; as ſhewing thereby both the nature and effect of every Vial.
Laſtly, If the 1000 yeers take their beginning, (as M. Till. ſaith) from the battel of Armageddon; how ſhould the Temple be opened at that time, ſeeing John ſpeaking of the bleſſed new Jeruſalem-State, ſaith, and I ſaw no Temple therein? Rev. 21.22.
Anſw. 4. That is yet more amply expreſſed by the holy Ghoſt, that the Vials are begun, before the Temple is opened, Rev. 11.19. becauſe when the Witneſſes ariſe, the very ſame hour, verſ. 13. is the earthquake, that overthrows the tenth part of the Beaſts dominion, and ſeven thouſand men are ſlain. Now this muſt needs be a Vial or Plague; but this is before the ſeventh Trumpet blows, or the Temple he opened.
Repl. 1. How I take the order of things in Rev. 11. I ſhewed before. But I much marvel, why the Anſwerer ſhould be ſo ſtrict, as not to admit ſome things to contemporize, becauſe they ſtand three or four verſes diſtant one from another: he knows it is uſual with the Interpreters of this Book, (and himſelf doth it too) to carry places back from Chap. 16. to Chap. 9. & 10, 11, 12, &c. Why then ſo often it muſt needs be? as if that in v. 19. may not be joyned with the riſing of the Witneſſes; and ſo the third Wo, and ſounding of the ſeventh trumpet, fall in likewiſe with the ſame time.
2. I am of your opinion, that the earthquake, in which the tenth part of the city fell, is indeed a Vial: and truly I think it is meant of the firſt Vial,
1. Becauſe it is preſently upon the riſing of the Witneſſes, and ſo no other ſeems to be between it and their riſing.
2. It is an earthquake, or ſhaking of the earth; that is, earth is the ſubject of it, the ſame with Rev. 16.2. Now howſoever I never finde the word earth to be taken for the groſſer part of Popery, yet often for worldly and earthly perſons, as Apoſtates, Hypocrites, men of corrupt minds, who make gain their godlineſs, and carry on a ſelf-intereſt, and baſe ends, under a form of Religion. Gen. 6.11. Zeph. 3.8. Mal. 4.6. Joh. 3.31. Rev. 12.16. 1 Chron. 16.33. Pſal. 82.8. Iſai. 11.3. Rev. 13. and 14, 15, 19. This is that earth (I verily think) which Paul by the ſpirit of prophecie foretels: This know alſo, that in the laſt days perilous times ſhall come. For men ſhall be lovers of their own ſelves, covetous, boaſters, proud, blaſphemers, diſobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, falſe accuſers, incontinent, fierce, deſpiſers of thoſe that are good, traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleaſures more then lovers of God, having a form of godlineſs, but denying the power thereof. 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There are two great Apoſtacies foretold in Scripture: the firſt, of things, 1 Tim. 4.1. the later, of perſons. Now this later I take to be the earth, the ſubject of the firſt Vial, viz. THE GRAND APOSTATES OF THE LAST TIMES. And howſoever there be not in this ſubject of the firſt Vial, as much ſea, rivers, fountains of waters, &c, as in the following; Nevertheleſs, what is wanting here in ſuch particulars, is made up in having the more earth. For indeed, it is nothing but earth; an earthly and carnal intereſt.
3. My opinion is, where the Witneſſes lie three days and a half unburied, that place (as earth) ſhall be the ſubject of the firſt Vial. Now it is well obſerved by judicious Mede, that foreign of the City (which in Rev. 11.8. is tranſlated ſtreet) cannot be underſtood of a Market-place, or any ſtreet or broader place within the walls of the city; but without the city, as no part of the great citie: and he gives many Reaſons for it. So that it ſeems to me, the place where the Witneſſes lie ſlain being without the city, and ſo no part of it, cannot be meant of Germany, Italy, Spain, France, &c. for theſe are either buildings or ſtreets within the walls, but this is without, as bordering upon it; being an inlet or thorow-fare, whereby relief and proviſion is brought to the great Citie, and a great helper and prop of the Beaſt's dominion.
4. I cannot but take notice, how it is ſaid, Rev. 11.13. The tenth part of the citie fell: it is not ſaid, The great citie: Now I do not finde in all that Book, when the Beaſt's juriſdiction is mentioned by City, but it is always foreign, that great citie: which makes me think, that the Tyranny and Idolatry of the Beaſt, is not here ſo properly meant, as that earth-State-apoſtacie, mentioned before. And in very deed, the word GREAT here, is not left out without cauſe, as not worthy to have GREATNESS given to it, Becauſe, 1. It will be illegitimate, brought forth without law or conſcience. 2. It will have nothing of lovelineſs or beauty in it. 3. Not deſired, but by a few temporizers and turn-coats, ſuch as were nam'd before, 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5. 4. It will be ſcandalous to the whole world, and cauſe that glorious and fearful Name, Jehovah, thy God, everywhere to be blaſphemed. 5. It will be upheld by cruelty, injuſtice, arbitrary power, &c. 6. As it will have a ſandy foundation, ſo it ſhall ſoon fall; and great will be the fall thereof.
5. I think this earth-State-apoſtacie will be the ſubject of the firſt Vial, becauſe the Beaſt which aſcendeth out of the bottomleſs pit, and by whom the Teſtimony of Jeſus in his ſervants is ſlain, is that ſame Apoſtacie in 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, &c. and ſo not the Beaſt nor his image, Rev. 13. but another, diſtinct, and more proper to the later Apostacy. In the firſt Apoſtacy, viz. under the Beaſt, Rev. 13. the Faithful ſhall ſuffer in their Perſons, by burning, hanging, drowning, &c. but under the later Apoſtacy or Beaſt, rather the WITNESS it ſelf, than the Perſons: for through the depths of Satan, there ſhall be at this time ſuch an eminent, high, and glorious WITNESS ſlain, as the like before had not been from the riſe of the firſt Beaſt.
Beſides, it ſeems to me, that this Earth-State-Apoſtacy, doth contemporize with the ſlaying of the Witneſſes, and their lying unburied 3 dayes and an half:
1. Becauſe that Apoſtacy is to be in the laſt days, 2 Tim. 3.1. Now without doubt, the laſt days are the 3 days and an half, Rev. 11.8.11. for the Word of God doth not onelyonly diſtinguiſh between times and times, (viz. as there is a ſet time to every purpoſe under heaven) but ſhews that all Viſions and Propheſies ſhall have their due accompliſhment in their appointments. Thus there is a time for the Witneſſes to propheſie in ſackcloth, which time muſt be expired before they are ſlain in their Teſtimony. Again, their WITNESS being ſlain, they muſt lie ſo long unburied. To be brief, This later Apoſtacy cannot be referred to the 2 Witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloth; for that was not the laſt days, nor after their riſing; for then this firſt Vial is to be poured upon that Earth, as the Subject of it. Therefore of neceſſity (neither before nor after) it muſt contemporize with the 3 days and an half: ſo that three yeers and an half is the whole time of the later Apoſtacy, anſwerable to the time of the ſlain WITNESS.
2. Whereas it is ſaid, perillous times ſhall come, or hard, terrible, grievous, or difficult: this muſt be underſtood of a State or Government, not of ſingle perſons, who have no Rule or Authority in their hands. But as the firſt Apoſtacy or Beaſt, was a State, Kingdom, Dominion; ſo is the other.
My Reaſons are, 1. To apply the place to ſingle and inconſiderable perſons, (though lovers of themſelves, covetous, proud, &c.) this were no more than what hath been in all Ages before, and ſo to put ſomething impertinent and abſurd upon the Holy Spirit. Neither 2. would the time be terrible; for what hurt or damage could the WITNESS ſuffer by a few naked and unarmed perſons, as to the ſlaying of it?
It muſt therefore (to be terrible) be underſtood, as I ſaid, of a State-Apoſtacy; and ſo indeed it will be terrible and hard againſt the Witneſs, ſlay it outright, and let it lie like a dead body in the ſtreet.
Firſt, Becauſe of a multitude of Sycophants and Paraſites, who for their belly will ſay any thing againſt the WITNESS, having ſuch Earth to reward them for it.
Secondly, Terrible and hard, becauſe of the cruel Edicts and Laws made againſt the WITNESS; ſpecially, that it may have no Reſurrection.
Thirdly, this later Apoſtacy for ſubtilty and craft will exceed the former: ſo, that there ſhall be neither truſt nor truth in it. This will be found (*Sir Henry Vane meditat. c. 23. p. 380. ſaith a late writer) by experience, a moſt certain truth, that Hypocrites and Apoſtates, when once they come to wilful ſinning, and with Saul to diſcern that God hath left them, and is departed from them (as to what divine preſence and fruits of it they had before been made ſenſible of) none will be more ready to joyn avowedly with the Devil, and the worſt of his Inſtruments to accompliſh their rage againſt the ſuffering Saints of Chriſt. Hence the Beaſt is ſaid to aſcend out of the bottomleſs pit, Rev. 11.17. Therefore terrible to the VVITNESS.
Laſtly, The more perillous, becauſe the grand Apoſtacy of the laſt times ſhall be clothed over with a form of godlineſs, 2 Tim. 3.5. Hence the Beaſt having ſlain the VVITNESS, in Churches and Church-Officers, by Promotion, Honour, great Places, &c. he will make uſe of theſe Perſons to ſlay It in others: I ſay, By their Mouths, Pens, Examples, to murder It out-right in all places.
6. To open the words a little further: And the tenth part of the citie fell, and in the earthquake were ſlain of men ſeven thouſand; and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven, Rev. 11.13. There are four effects of this Vial.
1. It reacheth to the carnal Church, Miniſtery, Worſhip, and Government, as being part of the Apoſtacie, and which joyned with the Beaſt in ſlaying the WITNESS. This is ſet down in the word TENTH, wherein the holy Ghoſt cloſely intimates, how the riſe of this earth-apoſtacy, ſo far as the Clergy are concerned in it, and ſhould be carried forth with madneſs (not zeal, like Paul when he was a Perſecutor) to ſlay the WITNESS, both in themſelves and others, It would be for the TENTH: for otherwiſe they would not nave made ſhipwrack of Faith, and a good Conſcience, in betraying ſo glorious a Cauſe, to ſet up THAT SHAME.
And whereas it is ſaid, The tenth fell; in Scripture very uſual, falling is taken for ſlain, ſo the Word ſignifieth in Gen. 14.10. Joſh. 8.24, 25. Judg. 8.10. and many other places: in Chron. 21.15. it is ſaid there fell of Iſrael; for which in 2 Sam. 24.15. it is written there died. And probable, as this TENTH will be a main cauſe of ſlaying the VVITNESS: ſo when the Witneſſes ſhall ſtand upon their Feet, ſome eminent death will be executed upon it. We to him that coveteth an evil covetouſneſs to his houſe, Hab. 2.9. Behold thine end is come, and the meaſure of thy covetouſneſs, Jer. 51.13.
2. It is ſaid, in the Earth-quake was ſlain names of men, ſeven thouſand; that is, Men of note, renown, famous, Gen. 6.4. contrary hereto, is, men without name, Job. 30.8. It ſeems to allude to the Rebellion of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, with certain of the children of Iſrael, 250 Princes of the Congregation, the called of the Aſſembly, men of Name, Numb. 16.2. VVorthy Ainſworth here noteth, that theſe were States-Men, famous and renowned; whereby the Conſpiracy was the ſtronger. But what became of theſe men of name? they were ſlain by an Earth-quake, Numb. 16.32, 33. Here may be meant Souldiers and Lawyers, as Prieſts before.
3. And the Remnant were affrighted, &c. we do not finde the like effect of any Vial after: no giving glory to the God of Heaven; but blaſpheming the God of Heaven, Rev. 16.9, 11, 21. The Reaſon may be, becauſe the Subject of this Vial is Earth, that is, a meer Earthly and carnal Intereſt, and ſo no part of the Beaſt's Dominion; I mean, not ſo properly and directly as are the Subjects of the other Vials. Hence this Earth-Apoſtacy is not obeyed for Love and Conſcience, but either of fear, or for ſome worldly advantage: and therefore no marvel there will be a Remnant (howſoever with it before) ſeeing it ſwallowed up in the Earth-quake, ſhall bleſs God for it, and ſay, Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glory, and Honor, and Power unto the Lord our God.
The laſt Effect is in Rev. 16.2. And there fell a noyſome and grievous ſore upon the men which had the Mark of the Beaſt, and upon them which worſhipped his Image. Here it is to be obſerved, that theſe have the Mark of the Beaſt, and ſo diſtinct from the Remnant before. The Effects of this Vial extends further then the Subject.
And therefore whereas it is ſaid, The firſt Vial falls upon ſuch as had the Mark of the Beaſt, and worſhipped his Image; This is true, if we underſtand the Effects; otherwiſe, the Subject is onelyonly Earth, viz. the grand Apoſtacy of the laſt times.
As they that dwelt upon the Earth rejoyced, and made merry, when they ſaw the VVITNESS ſtain, being afraid it would have reach'd them, (as doubtleſs it would, had not that Apoſtacy been) ſo now they are much more tormented to hear the ſame VVITNESS is riſen again, and hath poured a Vial upon that Earth or Beaſt, by whom it was ſlain. The Canaanites, when they heard what the Iſraelites had done unto the two Kings of the Amorites that were on the other ſide Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom they utterly deſtroyed; aſſoon as they had heard theſe things, their hearts did melt: neither did there remain any more courage in any man, becauſe of Iſrael, Joſh. 2.10, 11. Such will be the effect of the firſt Vial: when Babylon ſhall hear by thoſe poſtes, Jer. 51.31. what the Lord by his riſen VVitneſſes hath done upon THAT EARTH, the other ſide Jordan; O what a noiſome and grievous ſore will be upon the Canaanites! their hearts will die within them, as fore-ſeeing their deſtruction, in ſeeing the drawn Sword of Jehovah in the hands of his Mighty Ones.
Thus I have given a ſhort Paraphraſe of the firſt Vial (it is indeed but ſhort, to what might be ſaid) onelyonly I have done it to ſhew, that taking the Vials not yet begun, but to begin at the riſing of the Witneſſes, there is (in my Opion) more Scripture-Ground for it, than to begin at Waldo, Wickliff, Armachan, &c. or by Earth to underſtand the groſſer part of Popery. But this I leave to the judicious and godly Reader.
Anſw. 5. Laſtly, Should I grant (which I do not) what you ſay, yet out of one and the ſame Temple, all the Angels go. 3 although not ſo opened to the firſt, as to the laſt. Now whereas you apprehend not a ſufficient ground to ſay the laſt Vials are more perfect, high, or accompliſhing than the firſt; I ſuppoſe there is, ſeeing the holy Ghoſt hath given ſuch a Character of perfection to the laſt, Rev. 16.17, &c. foreign, as he hath not given to the firſt. And beſides, it muſt needs be, that as the ſpirit of life comes down from on high more and more, the inſtruments will be purer and purer. And beſides, he is not always the beſt, that engageth the firſt, for the engagement may be greateſt and the work hardeſt at laſt; and then the Lord reſerves inſtruments of more excellent principles, and proportionable Faith and courage, as I believe he hath for the Armageddon-battle, and to bring up the rear under the ſeventh Vial. So far for your ſixth Reaſon, which I have been the larger in, becauſe I did take it for one of the Weightieſt.
Repl. 1. As the difference lies betwixt us, the matter is not much, whether the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony be not opened to the firſt, as to the last; ſeeing, till after the riſing of the Witneſſes, it is not opened at all, and ſo no Vial poured out by any of the Angels. This was the thing which I aſſerted, and finde nothing in the whole Anſwer to the contrary.
2. For the Characters of perfection, &c. if there be any thing meant by the holy Ghoſt, in the word (foreign) to prove it, You ſee more than I; for to me it is no more, than if ſeven men, having done ſeven ſeveral things one after another, the laſt, (knowing they have all done) ſaith, They have done. How this can prove the laſt to be a better inſtrument then the firſt, I know not.
I confeſs, ſome take the laſt Angel to be Chriſt: now in this ſenſe it is true, he is more perfect and high, &c. than the firſt; yea, than all the other ſix, put them all together.
3. Although, (as I ſaid before) we are here off from the matter, viz. that the Inſtruments of the laſt Vials ſhall have more excellent principles, and proportionable Faith, and courage, &c. yet for the thing it ſelf I queſtion: It is eaſier to overcome a diſmaid Enemy, and broken in his Forces, than when he is in heart, and whole. The first Vial (I conceive) ſhall be poured out upon the Earth, when Babylon ſhall ſay in her heart, I fit a Queen, and am no Widow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow, Rev. 18.7. the following Vials upon her, as being full of fear, terror and amazement; ſo that the work ſeeme to be hardeſt at firſt.