Truth with Time, Answers · Answer 3
Anſwer to the fourth Reaſon. There is (I conceive) conſiderable reaſon to allow more time to the firſt Vial then to the last, for their pouring out; ſeeing firſt, every true motus eſt velocior in fine.
Repl. 1. This Anſwer is two ways defective. For, 1. The Queſtion is not, Why more time is allowed to the firſt; but, Why more to the firſt, then to the ſix other Vials. 2. Neither is the Queſtion ſimply about the time, but why four or five hundred years are allowed to the firſt Vial, and not one hundred to all the reſt.
2. For the Rule which you bring from a Natural Cauſe, as it proves nothing in things Spiritual and Divine, ſo it is not rationally true, as you apply it. For ſuppoſe ſeven men ſhoot one after another, (or together) it will not follow, that his Arrow which went out laſt, flies faſter and ſwifter then the firſt. It is true, as every Arrow comes nearer the Centre, ſo the motion may be ſaid to be the ſpeedier. Theſe ſeven Angels are diſtinct; they have not one motion: and therefore if any thing may be gathered from that Rule, it is applicable onelyonly to each Vial, as a part and independent.
Anſw. 2. Seeing the ſubject of the firſt Vial, viz. the earth, was ſo univerſal, and took up ſo much ground at that day.
Repl. Not to repeat things over and over, how ungroundedly (in my opinion) the firſt Vial is interpreted; I ſay, 1. By earth, Rev. 16.2. to underſtand it univerſal, is againſt the Text. True it is, verſ. 1. earth there is univerſal; but as the ſubjects of the other Vials, viz. ſea, fountains, ſun, the Throne of the Beaſt, Euphrates, are not univerſal, but limited: ſo earth, Rev. 16.2. is not univerſal, but reſtrained to a particular ſubject. 2. Be it granted, (though it is not ſo) that the earth is univerſal; yet I ſee no reaſon therefore to conclude, that it muſt take up ſo much time, viz. three or four hundred years more then the other Vials: eſpecially conſidering, 1. That the ſubject of the firſt Vial is onelyonly the groſſer part of Popery, the leſſer part, and ſo the eaſier and ſooner to be ſmitten. Then 2. The last Vials contain the whole affairs of the Jews; a thing more univerſal, and for importance far beyond the firſt, as it is applied.
Laſtly, to take the earth for the groſſer part of Popery, and univerſal; ſeeing ſince the firſt Vial began to be poured forth, there are paſt four or five hundred years, and this earth notwithſtanding in moſt places yet untouch'd; there may be allowed as much time more, (viz. four or five hundred years) before by the effects it may prove to be a Vial.
Anſw. 3. Seeing the effects of the firſt Vial aroſe in a different manner from the following, namely, ex ſe, as the Greek intimates, the ulcers ariſing out of their own bodies, were the ſubjects of this firſt Vial; whereas the effects of the following Vials, were from others; theirs from within, them from without. Now the ſubſequent Vials muſt needs be with quicker diſpatch then this Vial, becauſe a ſore or ulcer is riſing by degrees to a head or perfection, and ſo takes up a long time; whereas the cutting off with the ſword, and by other hands, &c. makes a quicker work and end of it.
Repl. Not knowing where the ſtrength of this Anſwer lies, it is poſſible I may not hit it. Howſoever,
1. Though the holy Ghoſt, ſpeaking of the effects of the firſt Vial, mentioneth a noyſom and grievous ſore, (or, as the Greek reads, evil and wicked) alluding to the ſixth plague of Egypt, Exod. 9.10. yet I think this is not to be taken in the letter, but metaphorically; and ſo the application impertinent and improper. Some indeed expound the ſores to be the Neapolitan diſeaſe that came upon the Beaſts warriors, Anno 1494. But the Anſwerer (I know) doth not take it ſo.
2. Should I grant the Compariſon, viz. between a ſore riſing by degrees, &c. and cutting off with the ſword; yet I do not ſee, that therefore the ſubſequent Vials muſt needs be with quicker diſpatch then the firſt. For, 1. My opinion is, that the effects of every Vial, will be cutting off by the ſword; and ſo all alike, as to the matter and kinde of plagues; though as to perſons and things, more may be cut off under one Vial, then under another. 2. Neither is the compariſon always true: for a Plague-ſore may aſſoon diſpatch a man, as the ſword; and without taking up longer time.
Anſw. 5. Another Reaſon is, the want of the meaſure of the ſpirit of life in the firſt and ſecond Vials, which is given to them that execute the laſt. Now the more Spirit, the more ſpeed. So that it muſt needs be, that more time is allowed for the pouring out of the firſt, then of the laſt, according as the Spirit from on high, in a more greater meaſure.
Repl. 1. It was a great fault, which is charged on ſome of the Spies, that they brought up an evil report of the Land which they had ſearched, unto the children of Iſrael, Num. 13.32. I think there is more here, then is meet, imputed to the firſt Angels, as if the work in their hands would go the ſlower and harder on, in not having that meaſure of the Spirit which ſhall be given afterward to others. I am ſure, the Scripture countenanceth no ſuch thing; but they are all alike gifted, ſpirited, and qualified for the work.
2. To ſay that it must needs be, &c. the Conſequence follows not: for a man may have the Spirit from on high in more and a greater meaſure then another, and yet not finiſh his work aſſoon as he. The twelve Apoſtles (and Paul too) after Chriſt's aſcenſion, had as much of the Spirit (if not more) then the Baptist had; yet more time was allowed them, then to John. There needs no Application.
Anſw. 6. And for that God will cut ſhort his work in righteouſneſs, Rom. 9.28. which is not meant at the beginning, but at the later end God will do it: ſo that in the last Vials a ſhorter work is to be expected, according to Gods promiſe, then in the firſt; and then it is, that for the elects ſake, the days ſhall be ſhortned. So that in my judgement, there is much reaſon to allow more time to the firſt then to the laſt Vials.
Repl. 1. Under favour, it is more I think then can be proved, 1. To ſay poſitively, By God's cutting ſhort his work, is not meant at the beginning. 2. For the Elects ſake, that this muſt be applied to the laſt Vials, ſhould a man with the Prophet go into the Sanctuary of God, and humbly enquire in his Temple, I believe he would be taught otherwiſe. As theſe are the ſeven laſt plagues, ſo this cutting ſhort is meant from the beginning, till the whole myſtery of God be finiſhed: and ſo for the elects ſake, Rev. 11.14. & 10.6, 7. Matth. 24.22.
2. Touching your judgement, viz. that there is much reaſon to allow more time to the firſt, &c. beſides what is ſaid, I adde, 1. You have miſs'd the Queſtion, which is (as I ſaid before) Why more to the firſt, then to all the reſt? and why ſo much? 2. Should a man take the like liberty, he might, for your ſix Reaſons, give out as many more, to prove that more time ought to he allowed to the laſt Vials then to the firſt, and as much weight and reaſon in them as I finde there.
Anſw. Nor do I finde much weight in your alluſion to what Willet from Pererius aſſerts of the 27 or 30 days-time, when the ten plagues fell upon Egypt, intending a day for a year; ſeeing the holy Ghoſt made no mention of it there, of the Vials in Scripture: and ſeeing from the 1290 (which I ſuppoſe periods, as Mr Till. ſaith, with the 1260 days, when you judge the Vials begin) to the year 1335, is 45 years: and ſeeing it is grounded (in my poor opinion) upon meer preſumption and ſuppoſition.
1. It is true, I cited Willet: now whether the holy Ghoſt doth intend any thing in it, as to the time of the Vials, as I do not affirm it, ſo, for your ſaying it is grounded upon meer preſumption, &c. that ſignifies as little. Howſoever, this further: Adde to the thirty days, the days from the laſt plague of Egypt, to their drowning in the Red-ſea, (which might be a Type of the laſt Vial) I think the number will amount to yours here, viz. 45.
2. It is true alſo, that Mr. Till. periods the 1290 with 1260: Not to gainſay what he hath ſaid in the thing; here ſome Cautions might be minded: 1. Then the 1290 muſt not be carried to the ſixth Vial; for the 1260 periods, before that Vial begins to be poured out. 2. Neither muſt the coming in of the ten Tribes, be underſtood of this Period, (whoſe return in ſpecial I think is meant) Rev. 16.12. by the kings of the eaſt, coming from the Land of Sinim, Iſai. 49.12. (which we call China) the furtheſt Empire in all the Eaſt. 3. Seeing blindneſs is to remain on the Jews, until the fulneſs of the Gentiles come in, Rom. 11.25. I conceive the Beaſt's dominion muſt be deſtroyed, and the everlaſting Goſpel preached, before any thing very conſiderable will appear amongſt the Jewiſh nation. So then, taking the 1290 to end with 1260, it muſt be ſome lowe ſtirring among ſome few of that People, not appearing ſo eminent and glorious as the riſen Witneſſes in their work.
But laſtly, the Anſwer is ſhort of the Reaſon: for alluding to the plagues of Egypt, I ſaid, It is probable, when the Vials begin, they will be ſuddenly all poured out, as were the ten Egyptian plagues. And this is probable: for the Scripture ſeems plainly to expreſs as much, Rev. 18.8, 10, 17.9.21. Iſa. 47.9, 11. But to allow three or four hundred years to the firſt plague upon the Beaſts dominion, before the ſecond begins; I think it is not probable, but as far from Scripture as from the Alluſion.