A Discourse Concerning the Witnesses, Part 1
REV. XI. 12. And they heard a great Voice from Heaven, ſaying unto them, Come up hither; And they aſcended up to Heaven in a Cloud, and their Enemies beheld them.
IN the former Verſe we find the Witneſſes upon their feet, in this we find them upon the wing. In the words you may obſerve,
1. A Call given them, and it is by a Voice.
2. It is a great Call, for it is a great Voice.
3. From whence it cometh, from Heaven.
4. The Witneſſes hearing it, They heard a great voice.
5. What it ſaith, viz. Come up hither.
I ſhall only paraphraſe upon the verſe, and conclude with application.
And they heard a great Voice from Heaven.] Heaven is put for the Church here upon Earth. For as the Church is diſtinguiſhed from her ſeed; Chap. 12.17. So here, from her Witneſſes. The meaning therefore is, There comes a voice out of the Church to the Churches and Miniſters, to riſe up yet higher and nearer Heaven. For the Spirit ſpeaketh in the Churches to the Churches, as you may ſee in the ſecond and third Chapters of this Book of the Revelations. This I take to be the meaning of the words.
1. It ſeems to be ſet here in oppoſition to the Beaſt, who is ſaid to aſcend out of the bottomleſs pit, ver. 7. The Beaſt lives in Hell upon Earth, the Saints in Heaven.
2. It ſtands alſo in oppoſition to the former condition that the Witneſſes were in, who but now lay dead (as it were) upon the earth, and now, behold, they are called up to Heaven.
3. This Heaven is the ſame that is mentioned ver. 19. but that is the Church of God, and therefore ſo is this.
Now the voice that calls to them from this Heaven, is a great Voice, declaring a loud call. Here then is a Commiſſion and Warrant given them to propheſie again, and to follow their former employment, and not in the leaſt to be diſcouraged, for their Call is very clear, diſtinct, and audible, it being a great voice. And ſome do conceive, that this Call comes from men in publick place; and I ſhould be glad it might prove ſo; but I much doubt of it, upon theſe grounds.
1. Becauſe it is ſaid, That when they aſcended up to Heaven in a cloud, their Enemies beheld them. Now theſe enemies are thoſe who lately ſlew them, and therefore were men of Place and Power. And ſtill they are the men they were, as very Enemies at the Reſurrection and Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes, as when they ſlew them; Therefore ſurely theſe could not call them; They who beheld them as Enemies when they aſcended up to Heaven, would never call them up to Heaven.
2. It is ſaid in the following words, That in the ſame hour there was a great Earthquake, and the tenth part of the City fell, and in the Earthquake were ſlain of men ſeven thouſand. Theſe are the enemies ſpoken of in my Text, as I ſhall further ſhew you when I come to ver. 13. So that this call here comes not from men in publick place, they are enemies (you ſee) after the Reſurrection, and at the Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes; And the Voice here comes from Heaven, which is no place for the enemies of the Witneſſes.
This Voice then comes from the Spirit of God in the Churches, working an inward powerful inſtinct and impreſſion in theſe Witneſſes, &c.
They heard a great Voice.] It is not ſaid, that others heard it. It is ſomewhat like the voice which Pau… heard from Heaven,Act. 22.5. when he was near unto Damaſ…; They that were with him ſaw the light that ſhined about him, but they heard not the voice of …im that ſpake to him: That is, They did not hear it diſti…tly; for the men that journeyed with him ſt…od ſpeechleſs, hearing a Voice, Act. 9.7.but ſeeing no man. It was a Voice, and a great, clear, diſtinct voice, but in Paul's ears only, not in theirs. So here, &c. But what is the ſubject matter of this call? Come up hither;] Not l…g ago, there was a great voice, or vote, from He… againſt theſe Witneſſes; and now there is a voice from Heaven to them, and fo… …em; The firſt was from the Beaſt aſcending out of the Bottomleſs p…, this is from the Spirit ſpeaking from Heaven to them; The firſt cryed, D… with them: This from Heaven cries, Up with them; Come up hither; The firſt laid them as it were upon the Earth in the ſtreets; This calls them up to Heaven.
Queſt. But what ſhall they do there? Anſw. Wherefore, as if the voice ſhould ſay, Here is more work for you, the Church is riſing higher than it was; It is nearer Heaven, more pure and refined, more ſet upon Separation, more elevated above the world, and preparing for more glorious times approaching under the ſeventh Trumpet; and therefore, Come up hither; which intimateth, that formerly they preached, lived, and converſed at a lower rate than now they muſt, and are here called to do; For the Churches are riſen, and all things in the Churches are higher, and got up nearer unto Heaven, and the Saints muſt now live far above their former ſelves; Wherefore, abide no longer where you are, but Come up hither.
And in this Call, there is a motion implyed, Come, which hath a term from which.
1. The Earth, or a lower condition of living before, when the Witneſſes ſavoured too much of the Earth, and when their Spirits lay proſtrate during the time of their ſlaughter; For as the death of the Witneſſes was in a ſpecial manner Spiritual, their ſpirits being low and dead, ſo now their Spirits are raiſed up higher.
2. They move and riſe up from Antichriſt and his Pollutions, and all his earthly and helliſh waies of Worſhip, Mixtures, and baſe converſations.
3. From that Bondage and ſervitude which the Witneſſes were lately in unto the Wills of men, before their Reſurrection; ſo that ſometime after their Reſurrection there will be a very great change in the Churches of Chriſt, as to purity of Doctrine and Worſhip, and Holineſs of walking, and Goſpel-liberty, far beyond what was before. Thus you ſee their Call cleared.
2. I come now to their Obedience to this Call, or great Voice from Heaven.
And they aſcended up to Heaven in a cloud, and their Enemies beheld them.] In which words, there are three things conſiderable.
1. Their Aſcent to Heaven.
2. In what manner, in a Cloud.
3. Who ſaw them thus aſcending; their Enemies beheld them.
1. They aſcended up to Heaven. The great Voice is accompanied with great Power, that the thing commanded is ſoon accompliſhed. They willingly and readily attend the Call, declaring that their hearts were wholly in it. Come up hither; Lo, we come; and muſt we yet be more ſeparate from ſin and ſinners, as to communion with them, and from Antichriſtian pollutions, and from the world? We deſire nothing more. And muſt we be more conform to Rule, in Church, in Family, and in all our Relations, Conditions, and Converſations in this world? We chearfully attend this call from Heaven. They are not therefore paſſive in aſcending, as men that are haled up from the Earth ſo as if their feet ſtuck in the mire, and as Jeremy's body was drawn up by cords out of the Dungeon; but they ſeem to leap up Heaven-ward. Only this is not done preſently after their Reſurrection, but like unto Chriſt's Aſcenſion to Heaven in a cloud, ſome good ſpace of time after his Reſurrection.
2. For the Manner; They aſcended in a cloud; Act. 1.9.wherein there is an alluſion unto the manner of Chriſt's Aſcenſion into Heaven. But what doth this Cloud here ſignifie?
1. It noteth their aſcending in a Degree of glory. Matth. 24.30. There is now a Spirit of glory reſting upon them. As it was with Chriſt when he roſe from the dead, he layd aſide for ever his ſtate of Humiliation: So do theſe Witneſſes; they ſhall now propheſie in ſackcloath no more, they ſhall henceforth be cloathed with a cloud of glory. And as Chriſt's Reſurrection was the firſt degree of his Exaltation, and his Aſcenſion the ſecond; even ſo it is here with his Witneſſes; For this is the ſecond degree of their Exaltation, the third will be when they ſhall dye and enter into glory; and the laſt, when they ſhall come with Chriſt to judge the world.
2. Here is alſo Power denoted in this cloud, as you may ſee from the former Text, Matth. 24.30. For the Witneſſes were ſlain in diſhonour, but they ſhall be raiſed (eſpecially aſcend) in glory; ſlain in weakneſs, but raiſed and aſcend in power, as it is alſo ſaid of Chriſt,2 Cor. 13.4. that he was crucified through weakneſs, but he liveth by the power of God.
3. Hereby is ſignified their Protection and ſafe paſſage and proceedings in the way of further Reformation, like as the Cloud in the Wilderneſs was a defence upon Iſrael when they were come up out of Egypt; for thus now, upon all the glory there ſhall be a Defence. The caſe alſo is ſomewhat like as when the Egyptians purſued the Iſraelites into the Red Sea, at what time the pillar of cloud removed from before the Iſraelites, and ſtood between them and the Egyptians; For thus, here is a cloud of Protection between the aſcending Witneſſes and their Enemies.
4. This cloud ſignifieth the Obſcurity of this aſcenſion, as to their enemies who ſtand here looking on them. For clouds are ſometimes put for darkneſs. Pſ. 97.2. And as it is ſaid of the Pillar of cloud that ſtood between the Iſraelites and the Egyptians, Exod. 14.20.It was a cloud and darkneſs to the Egyptians, but it gave light by night unto the Iſraelites: Even ſo, &c. And therefore though there are many lookers on here to ſee the aſcending Witneſſes, yet they do not underſtand what God is about to do in this ſo glorious a diſpenſation, but are ready to ſay as Samballat, Neh. 4.2.What do theſe feeble Jews? Will they fortify themſelves? Will they ſacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? will they revive the ſtones out of the heaps of the rubbiſh which are burnt? Why? What is that which blindeth their eyes? It is their malice, envy and hatred; for you ſee they are ſtill called Enemies, even when the Witneſſes aſcend. God hath hardened their hearts, and blinded their eyes, and given them up to a reprobate ſence, and to the power of prevailing enmity. Beſides which, They look upon there Aſcenders as clouded with reproaches and calumnies, which hath ſtill been the Lot of the Saints in all times of Reformation. So that, neither the Reſarrection, nor Aſcenſion have altered them, nor opened their eyes in the leaſt. Thus much for the Manner of the Witneſſes Aſcenſion.
3. Here follows the Spectators of this Aſcenſion.
And their Enemies beheld them.] There is a fo…r-fold Beholding of them by their Enemies.
1. They beheld them propheſying, and that was with Torment, ver. 10.
2. They beheld them ſ…ain, and this was with joy, for they rejoiced over them, and made merry, and ſent gifts one to another.
3. They beheld them riſen, and that was with fear, ver. 11.
4. They here behold them aſcending, and that is with grief and Indignation.
But that which is here remarkable is, 1. The Progreſs which the Witneſſes make in their Reformation after their ſlaughter is finiſhed; for,
1. The Spirit of Life from God enter…th into them.
2. They ſtand upon their feet.
3. They aſcend up to Heaven. For ſurely ſuch a progreſſion there will be.
2. It is obſervable, that as the Witneſſes are called to this Reformation by a great Voice from Heaven, ſo a great power attends the work, inſomuch that their Enemies cannot hinder it by any means, though the perſons and their work are very viſible to their eyes; for they ſee both them and it with fear, grief, and Indignation, like as Tobiah, Sanballat, Goſhem, and the reſt of their companions, beheld the repairing the Wall of Jeruſalem, but could not put a ſtop to it: For juſt ſo it is here with theſe Enemies. The caſe is ſomewhat like that which the Pſalmiſt mentioneth concerning the Kings of the Nations, who came up againſt Zion; Pſ. 48.4, 5, ….ſaith he, Lo, the Kings were aſſembled, they paſſed by together; they ſaw it, and ſo they marvelled, they were troubled and haſted away; fear took hold upon them there, and pain as of a Woman in Travel. They ſaw Zion, and were troubled, affrighted, and pained greatly, and that was all that they could do. And like as the Souldiers, who guarded the Sepulchre of Chriſt, ſaw him as he aroſe, and feared,Marth. 23.4. and ſhook, and became like dead men, but were not able to lift up a weapon againſt him: Even ſo it … here, &c. Whereas in the time of the ſlaughter, a Child of God could ſcarce ſtir, but theſe Enemies preſently beheld it, and not only ſo, but alſo oppoſed and hindered it; but after their Reſurrection, eſpecially their Aſcenſion, they ſhall behold the Witneſſes, and do little or nothing more to ſpeak of.
3. It is remarkable, that the Enemies of the Witneſſes do ſtill retain their Enmity unto the laſt, even though they do moſt evidently behold that their ſlaying of the Witneſſes is come to nothing, but (notwithſtanding all endeavours to the contrary) they are up and upon their feet again, yea, and aſcending alſo, as reſolved upon a further Reformation; For yet ſtill you ſee that here they are called Enemies, even when the Witneſſes are upon the wing for Heaven. They are a Generation of Vipers, the ſeed of the Serpent, whoſe malice is implacable. And why are they ſuch Enemies? Not for any hurt that the Witneſſes and people of God have done them, for theſe would fain be quiet and live peaceably, for they oppoſe not Government here, but endeavour further to reform among themſelves. Their condition is much like that of David; ſaith he, They that render evil for good are mine Adverſaries, becauſe I follow the thing that good is. Oh what a dreadful account will theſe Enemies have, when neither the wonderful Providences of God, nor notable Diſappointments, nor Reformation, nor Holineſs in Churches and Saints, can by any means turn them from their Enmity and oppoſition even againſt God himſelf! And thus much for the explication of this 12th. verſe; Let me add a few Uſes, and conclude.
USES.
1. We are ſhewed, that when the Witneſſes are riſen, God calls them after a while to an higher pitch of Reformation: I ſay, After a while; For their Reſurrection (as you have heard) is gradual, and when they are arrived ſo far that they ſtand upon their feet, and have attained to ſome ſtrength and ſtability, then God calls them by a great Voice from Heaven to Come up higher, and to approach nearer unto Heaven. God doth not raiſe up his Witneſſes, that now they ſhould ſit down, and content themſelves to live as they did before; the Reſurrection is the firſt degree of Glory, and God doth now expect that they ſhould live above the world.
What the Apoſtle ſaith, Col. 3.1. may well be applyed to the purpoſe in hand; If ye be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek thoſe things which are above. Churches muſt now reform, and be riſing up nearer and nearer towards Heaven; and ſo it muſt be alſo with Families and Perſons. Eſpecially Miniſters, Churches and Church-members muſt be advancing forward, and preſſing after an higher point of holineſs and conformity to the Goſpel; for the Witneſs and teſtimony lyeth eſpecially among theſe; And God calls from Heaven to them with a loud voice to aſcend; Surely, if the Churches and Saints were at their ſet pirch, God would not ſay to them, as here he doth, Come up hither. It is not therefore …ough that they are ri…on from the dead, and have the ſpirit of life in them, but they muſt alſo …and upon their feet; ſtand faſt, grow ſtrong, and … laſt aſcend … ward. They muſt now grow and encrea…,*1 King. 22.35. as the …ame word in the Original is rendred both to aſcend and increaſe; they muſt be going and growing†2 …am. ….1…. as it is ſaid of David when he came to the Kingdom. And doth God call from Heaven? take heed then that … refu…e not him that ſpeaketh for how ſhall they eſcape who tu…h awa; from him that ſpeaketh from Heaven?
As for publick and general Reformation, God calls aloud this day for it; but it is our duty to leave that unto our Superiours; As for our ſelves, we ſhall be left wholly without excuſe, if we take up our ſtand and …ndeavour not to aſcend yet higher. As touching others, … not this Voice, nor will they hear it when it ſhall hereafter come to … great Voice; for they are like the People who ſtood cloſe by Chriſt when there came a voice from Heaven,Joh. 12.28. ſaying unto him, I have both glo…ed my Name, and will glorify it again; which when the ſtanders by heard, they ſaid, that it Thundered. It ſeemeth therefore that it was a very great voice, and yet the matter ſpoken was hidden from them. Others ſaid, An Angel ſpake unto him; how beit Chriſt tells them, That voice came for their ſakes, but (you ſee) they underſtood it not.
But let us hear what the Lord ſpeaketh; for we have this day a voice from Heaven, though the great Voice is not as yet come. Let us hear what is come, and though it be but a ſtill ſmall voice, yet God is in it, and therefore let us wrap our faces in our mantles, fear God, and obey his voice.
For ſurely God calls now for a more full Reformation in the Churches, and more exact walking according to Goſpel-pattern; and why ſhould we ſtay till the great voice cometh? When that cometh, the Witneſſes will hear, as the Text declareth, as much as to ſay, Till then they will not hear, at leaſt be ſo attentive. For thus God calls, and calls, and few will hear, that at laſt he is fain to call with a loud voice; In the mean while it is the ſin of ſuch who are thus dull of hearing. Do not therefore ſay as ſometimes the Jews did concerning the building of the Temple, The time is not yet come; ſo, the great voice hath not, as yet, ſpoken; but if there be any thing of a Reſurrection-ſpirit in us, let us live at an higher rate, and far above our ſlain ſelves. Surely, when the Witneſſes are riſen from the dead (whether it be done, or as yet to come) they will preach, and ſpeak, and pray, and partake of Ordinances, and buy, and ſell, and converſe, at a Reſurrection-rate, eſpecially when once they begin to ſtand upon their feet, and to be warmed with the Spirit of life from God in them. And God will go on with a further Reformation before the 7th Trumpet ſoundeth; yea, you ſee that he calls for aſcending higher immediately before the coming of the Earthquake, ſaying, as ſometimes …ſhua to the Iſraelites, Joſh. 3.5.Sanctify your ſelves, for to morrow God will do wonders among you. Make haſt, get ye up with all ſpeed, and ſtand clear of the Earthquake.
2. We are further informed, That when the Witneſſes are riſen, they ſhall not dye again, they are now beyond any more ſlaughters; And as it is ſaid of Chriſt in another kind, ſo it may be ſaid of his Witneſſes, Chriſt being raiſed from the dead, Rom. 6.5.dyeth no more.
And as there was Counſel in the former point of Information, ſo there is Comfort in this. The Teſtiomony of Jeſus after its Reſurrection ſhall live for ever, that as Chriſt ſaith of his own death and Reſurrection, his Teſtimony may ſpeak likewiſe, I am be that live…h and was dead, Rev. 1.18.and behold, I am alive for evermore. The joy and mirth of the Beaſt at the ſlaughter of the Witneſſes could not keep them down from riſing again; nor ſhall their fears, and griefs, and wrath, and indignation at their Reſurrection prevail to ſlay them a ſecond time. This is great mercy, and not a little comfort.
When the Iſra…lites roſe up out of their boudage in Egypt, they roſe (as you have heard) by degrees, and were not compleatly riſen till they came up out of the Red Sea; and though all the power of Egypt purſued them to reduce them to their former ſervitude, and to ſlay them once again, they could not prevail, God would not ſuffer Pharaoh and his hoſt to come near them, but he interpoſeth by the Pillar of cloud between them, as if he ſhould ſay, You ſhall as ſoon ſlay me as them; not an hair of their heads ſhall periſh. Yea, but ſhall not the Witneſſes meet with oppoſitions and exerciſes from the men of the world after their Reſurrection? Yes, they may have many attempts made againſt them to deſtroy them, for even to their very Aſcenſion (as you ſee here in the Text) they have their Enemies, for their Enemies behold them; They behold them both riſing and aſcending, they have ſtill an eye upon them.
The Enmity therefore doth not ceaſe at the Reſurrection or Aſcenſion, but rather increaſe upon that very account; for the Witneſſes riſe, and (at laſt) aſcend, and their …emies cannot help it, they can behold them, as the Text ſhe weth us, and that is all that is here ſpoken of them. The Witneſſes ſhall meet with enm…y enough, but with no more ſlaughters, attempts perhaps that way, … ſtill f…uſtraueous. We muſt not therefore judge of the Reſurrection … Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes by the enmity and affronts which they …ay meet with, for what … can be expected from Enemies? The priviledge of the ri…en Witneſſes is, not that they ſhall ſuffer no more, but that they ſhall be ſlain no more.*Joh. 12.10. When Lazarus was riſen from the dead, the chief Prieſts conſulted to take away his life, but they could not do it; will any therefore ſay, that Lazarus was not riſen from the dead, becauſe the Hierarchy conſulted to kill him? No; Do not therefore miſgive as to the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, upon every petty or particular indignity that ſome one or more of them may meet with from their enemies. When the children of Iſrael were riſen up out of the Red Sea, they were gone no further than to Rephidim, *Exod. 19 1, 2.which was within three months, e're they met with an hoſt of Amalekites, who gave them a ſore aſſault, and when Moſes let down his hands, prevailed againſt them; but Iſrael had the day, and diſcomſited them, who were afterwards devoted to utter deſtruction for this their cruel and wicked attempt.*Exod. 19 4. Iſrael was now born up on Eagles Wings, out of the reach of deſtroying dangers, and of fear of Reduction into Egyptian bondage; and now they paſs on ſtill from Journey to Journey in the Wilderneſs, and though at laſt they meet with Og and Sihon in the way, yet they ſubdue them, and never ſtop till they arrive in Canaan. Thus it will be with the Witneſſes after their Reſurrection.
The Churches and Saints will meet with ſome ſhakings after the Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, becauſe there is a great Earthquake preſently to follow; ver. 13. After Chriſt's Aſcenſion, the Goſpel, its Preachers and Profeſſors had many encounters with their enemies; for preſently*Act. 4.26 The Kings of the Earth ſtood up, and the Rulers were gathered together againſt the Lord, and againſt his Chriſt; but in all the ſtory of the Acts of the Apoſtles, you find the Goſpel growing and getting ground by oppoſition, and they were but two, Stephen and James, who loſt their lives. And though we have an expectation of a great Earthquake, yet it is comfortable to conſider, that immediately before it cometh, a great Voice ſaith unto the Witneſſes, Come up hither, and that the aſcend up to Heaven in a cloud. It is a mercy, and will prove a means of the greater ſecurity, that they are got up nearer unto Heaven, and unto an higher degree of Holineſs, Purity of Doctrine, Worſhip, Diſcipline, and manner of living, before the ſtorm cometh. The ſafeſt living is above the Earth, in the Heaven of holineſs, when the Earth ſhall ſhake and reel to and fro like a drunken man; And this ſhall be the caſe of the Witneſſes aſcended.
You never find a Reformation in the Scriptures, but if there followed a ſhaking time, the People of God ſped well, or much the better for it.
When the Iſraelites put away their ſtrange Gods and Aſhteroth from among them,1 Sam. 7.4— and prepared their hearts unto the Lord, and ſerved him onelyonly, and poured out water before him, and faſted, and confeſſed their ſins, preſently the Philiſtines are gathered together againſt them, and draw neer to battel; but the Lord thundered upon them and diſcomfiteth them, and they are ſmitten before Iſrael.
When Jchoſaphat had reformed his Kingdom, 2 Chron. 19. it came to paſs afterwards that the Inhabitants of Moah, Ammon and Mount Seir, came up to war againſt Judah, but God turned their ſwords againſt one another, and deſtroyed them without a ſtroke ſtruck by the men of Judah, 2 Chro. 20.
*2 Chro. 29.30, 31. 2 Chro. 30.When Hezekiah had finiſhed an eminent Reformation in Judah, Sennacherib comes up againſt the land with a very formidable Army; but the Angel of the Lord ſlew therein an hundred fourſcore and five thouſand in one night.
And in all theſe confuſions of the enemies of God and his People, after a Reformation wrought, it is obſervable, that God doth work wonders from Heaven, his People do little or nothing but pray and ſtand ſtill; And I am thinking whether God will not work wonderfully from Heaven by his own immediate hand when the great Earthquake cometh, ſoon after the Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes.
The Enemy cometh upon a very great diſadvantage to himſelf againſt the People of God, when once they are in an aſcending way of Reformation. It is great preſumption in theſe enemies here to ſlay the Witneſſes; to oppoſe them and oppreſs them in their ſackcloath is a cruel and accur…ed thing; what then will God account it, if they ſhall dare to deſign againſt them when cloathed with a Cloud? This is a very high degree of Th…omachy. For, as for the Dragon and the Beaſt, they will not be quiet till the ſeventh Vyal is poured out, and both are ſhut up in the bottomleſs Pit; yea, when the Devil is looſed out of priſon at the end of the thouſand years, the firſt thing he doth, is, he gathereth Gog and Magog together againſt the Camp of the Saints. He and his Inſtruments will never ceaſe their oppoſition, till they are thrown together into Hell, there to remain for ever. Wherefore, after the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, the Saints may meet, and are like ſo to do, with many troubles to the pouring out of the laſt Vial, but yet they ſhall meet with no more ſlaughters. For what do we meet with as to theſe Enemies, after the riſing of the Witneſſes?
1. It is ſaid of them, that great fear fell upon them.
2. That, when the Witneſſes aſcended, they beheld them.
3. When the Earthquake cometh, many fall, and the remnant is affrighted.
4. When the ſeventh Trumpet ſoundeth, they are angry.
5. When the fourth Vial is poured out, they blaſpheme.
6. When the fifth, they gnaw their tongues and blaſpheme.
7. When the ſixth, they gather themſelves together to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.
So that here is fear, anger, ſhewing of teeth, blaſpheming and gnawing of tongues, and great preparations to ſight, kill and conquer; and this is all that I find after the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes unto the laſt Vial, which will end in their everlaſting confuſion. Make therefore the Reſurrection ſure, and though there will be ſtirrs and ſtruglings, attempts and oppoſitions, and ſome particular ſufferings now and then, yet no great or conſiderable hurt will be done unto the very laſt.
3. If the Witneſſes ſhall thus riſe and afterward aſcend, then it will follow, that from thence forwards the Beaſt will not riſe higher, but be continually in the declining hand unto the very laſt; During which time will be made good in a pecial manner what is propheſied of him by the Apoſtle,2 Theſ. 2.8. The Lord ſhall conſume that wicke …on… with the breath of his mouth. And this consi…ption ſhall more eminently begin with the fall of the tenth part of the City, and when the ſeventh Vial is poured out, he ſhall be deſtroyed with the brightneſs of Chriſt's coming.
He ſhall never thrive more after the ſlaughter of the Witneſſes, he ſhall never digeſt the ſhedding of their blood, which ſhall cry night and day to Heaven againſt him for vengeance. Let us but riſe and aſcend, let once a Reſurrection Spirit appear amongſt us, a Spirit of Faith, Love, Power and Zeal, a Spirit of Prayer, Praiſe, Reformation, holy walking, and it will prove a Bleſſed Omen to us of the coming of Chriſt's Kingdom, and of the declenſion of the Beaſt's dominion. If we aſcend, he will of courſe deſced; for we and he cannot aſcend, nor deſcend together, we are ſo diametrically oppoſire, that contrary fates do of neceſſity attend us.
Now then, out of all that hath been ſaid, you may gather up theſe Conſequents of the Witneſſes Reſurrection.
1. That as the Spirit of Life from God entreth into them, ſo now they will be more bold, active and zealous for God; only as the Reſurrection is gradual, ſo this Spirit of Life cometh on by degrees.
2. They attain, at laſt, to ſome ſtability, and begin to ſtand upon their feet, as being more fixed, ſtrengthned and reſolved.
3. When it is come thus far, grear fear falls upon them that ſee them, and their enemies begin now to be affrighted; As the Witneſſes grow ſtronger in faith, their enemies grow weaker with fear.
4. When thus they begin to gather ſtrength, and their enemies to grow more and more feeble, the Spirit of God gives the Witneſſes a loud call to embrace the opportunity, and to aſcend to an higher pitch of Reformation, raiſing them up above the earth and earthly things, and ſeparating them more from the world and the things of Antichriſt.
5. And now, inſtead of ſackcloath, they are cloathed with a cloud, and a Spirit of power and glory reſteth on them.
6. They ſhall ſtill have enemies notwithſtanding all this, and their enemies eyes ſhall be much upon them with vexation and anguiſh, but yet they ſhall not know how to help themſelves, nor how to hinder this work of God, the external face whereof they ſhall ſee, but not the meaning of the diſpenſation, the Cloud interpoſing between them and that, ſo that they ſhall be blinded and hardened like Pharaon and the Egyptian, they ſhall be under the power of a dedolent Spirit, and ſtill …ain their enmity.
7. This Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes immediately foreruns the Earthquake, giving hopes of greater ſecurity to the Witneſſes in ſuch a day of dreadful concuſſion, when God will make ſome notable diſtinction between them and their enemies.
If therefore you ſhould live to ſee the Witneſſes upon their feet, expect after a while to ſee them upon the wing; and if you ſee them aſcending, expect ere long that Earthquake, whereof I ſhall ſpeak in the next diſcourſe, which will cauſe great ruines, and effect ſtrange alterations. When the Witneſſes begin to aſcend, the great City will begin to deſcend, and pay the rithe of it ſelf to divine Vengeance for its late blood-guiltineſs, of which more upon the next Verſe. So much for this.