Truth with Time, Answers · Answer 6
Anſwer to the ſeventh Reaſon.
I ſhall not need to ſay much to this: for not only we have it out of Cardinals and Papiſts mouths, as to the firſt Vial; and ſo as to the Swedes under the ſecond: but now as to the third Vial in the ende wars in Britain (to which indeed it properly appertains) the very Enemies, as well as Friends, have ſaid, True and righteous are thy judgements, O God, againſt the King, Prelates; yea, the very Cavaliers and Malignants, acknowledging, That the hand of God▪ was againſt them; and that it could be no other than the finger of the Lord: and in time (as the plagues go out) it will appear without diſpute, on whoſe ſide the truth is, to ſuch as will ſee.
Repl. 1. That the three firſt Vials are thus placed, I never yet ſaw ground for it. To forbear the firſt, (having already ſpoken of it) why ſhould the ſecond Vial be applied to the Swedes, and not rather to the Civil Wars in France, or Bohemia, or to the long Wars of the Albigenſes againſt the Papiſts? Sure I am, there was as much of God (if not more) ſeen in theſe wars; and his judgements a… manifeſt, as in the Swedes. So for the third Vial, which properly appertains (you ſay) to Britain: and why not to Scotland in their Maries Reign? or, to the Netherlands? ſeeing as much was done there in point of Reformation, as here in England. Methinks to take in the Swedes, and leave out others more conſiderable, ſignificant, and Vial-like, (in your own way) is not well. But ſome may ſay, There are not Vials enough to give ſuch allowance.
2. For Cardinals, Prelates, Cavilliers, &c. we have had little yet out of their mouthes. It may be, ſome few, now and then (as it hath been ſo, ſince there were ſuch men) have acknowledged Gods appearing againſt them in ſome remarkable providence. But how? as a Vial of wrath? No; but as the Corrections of a Father, making uſe of bad men (as Roundheads, Browniſts, Anabaptiſts, Sectaries, &c.) as his Rod or Inſtruments: hoping, for all this, to recover their loſſes, and to have their former Places and Superſtition reſtored. So that Gods judgements have not been manifeſt, as to the conviction of enemies: n… was there more acknowledged amongſt them of God finger, under the two ſuppoſed Vials, then what hath been often at other times. And therefore from ſuch a Principle, I do not ſee but every Fight or Battel muſt be one of the ſeven laſt Plagues; I mean, when a few amongſt the Captives and Priſoners ſhall acknowledge that the hand of the Lord was out againſt them.
3. And laſtly, For the place, Rev. 15.4. For thy judgements are manifeſt; It doth not concern ſo much the Enemies of the Truth, what they confeſs, as how manifeſt Gods judgements are in themſelves. Howſoever therefore ſomething was manifeſted in the Swedes and in Britain againſt the Beaſt, (as at other times as much) yet this doth not prove that the ſecond and third Vials were then poured out. I deny that: for when ſuch Plagues ſhall come forth, Gods judgements then will be manifeſt indeed. Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: juſt and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.
That the ſeven Vials allude to the plagues of Egypt, it is granted by all. Now howſoever without doubt, whilſt the Iſraelites abode in Egypt, God ſmote the Egyptians with many plagues, yet none were ſo manifest, as the ten last. It is my opinion, (and methinks the Scripture is clear for it) that there will be as great difference between Gods judgements already executed upon the Beast, and what ſhall be made manifeſt when the Vials begin to be poured out, as between the twinkling of a Star, and the ſhining Sun at noon-day. As that which lies loweſt at the bottom of the Cask, are the dregs: ſo the ſeven last plagues are the deepeſt, greateſt, and heavieſt, all dregs, wrath without mixture, Rev. 18.8, 10, 15, &c. Iſa. 13.9, 10, 15, 19, 20. & 14.19, 20. & 34.8, 9, 10. & 63.1, 2, &c. Jer. 50.25, 26, &c. & 51. Pſal. 137.7, 8, 9. Pſa. 75.8. Rev. 14.8, 10.
Here were a fit occaſion for me to deliver my ſenſe concerning the ſecond and third Vials; which the Anſwerer confidently carries to the Swedes and Engliſh. But becauſe I deſire firſt to know what ſatisfaction Gods people have, by this which I have publiſhed in differing from the common received opinion, I ſhall not treat thereof at this time.