The Revelation Unveiled, Postscript
A Poſtſcript.
THE Title of my Book is [The Revelation Ʋnvailed] becauſe it tendeth to free it from the aforeſaid miſinterpretations which Eclipſe and darken this ſacred Prophecy.
I know many are diſcouraged for ſearching into theſe myſteries by obſerving the miſtake of Writers in the computation of times. Whereas I account that one of the ſmalleſt matters in it ſelf, only it may prove great by its ill influence, upon a Mans own Spirit, in the diſappointment of his confidence, and ones Enemies, who ſeeing others error-as to time, may promiſe themſelves immunity, from threatned Judgments, and ſo may be hardened to their ruine and deſtruction, I know the expectations of ſome eminent men, are raiſed high of a deſtruction of the Beaſt or Rome, about four or five years hence, ſuppoſing that then will be the expiration of the 1260 days: whereas I think thoſe days expired ſome years ſince, but that this was not the event to be expected upon their expiration. If thoſe worthy Men ſhould ſuffer a fruſtration of expectation, yet there is no cauſe for a proſtration of their Spirits, or for Enemies triumphing: I do modeſtly, not confidently hope for ſome glorious events within in this Age, if not within few years, but it is upon other grounds, as
1. From the number of Vials already poured out: indeed the accompliſhments of foregoing Propheſies, are indications of what events are next to follow, and a ſure guiding thread for our direction, to diſcover where we are.
2. The ſtate and condition of the Turks: when the Turks ceaſe to be a woe to the Roman Idolaters: to ſcourge whom they were raiſed up, Rev. 9. 13. to the end, then the ſecond Woe paſſeth, Rev. 11. 14. and then the next revolution will be the Jews, will appear, and v. 15. the Kingdoms of the World will become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Chriſt, this muſt be either by a Peace with the Turk (which may delay the work) or elſe by loſing much of his Dominion▪ and if Rev. 9. 15. denote his time of prevailing: a month in the Revelation being 30 days, then if we begin their Empire with Oguzians, Ann. 1294. then his time allotted to ſlay the third part of men expired, Ann. 1685. ſince which time he hath been loſing ground, and it is hopeful his further fall may be approaching, Leonicus Chalcoconditos.
3. Eſpecially the death of the Witneſſes, by the darkneſs and dreadfulneſs of it▪ together with their Reſurrection, and the conſequences thereof are the moſt ſure prognoſticks and moſt ſignal marks of the approaching glorious ſtate, Rev. 11. 7. to 16.
And if any ſhould inquire whether the death of the Witneſſes be yet paſt? I anſwer, if remarkable occurrences ſince Ann. 1680. by Perſecutions in Germany, Hungary, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and eſpecially in Savoy and in France, in the unparallell'd ſufferings of the Proteſtants there, did not amount to the Death of the Witneſſes, then that fatal, black and gloomy day is yet to come. No preceding time which men have fixed upon can anſwer the character of it, but when I conſider the marvelous and almoſt miraculous return of the Vandois to their places together, with the wonderful liberty, here eſtabliſhed in England by Law, and elſe where with ſome other matters, I have ſome hopes that it is paſt, and that the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes is begun, until I ſee to the contrary. Neither doth the darkneſs of ſome preſent diſpenſations altogether daſh my hopes, for Luke 18. when the Son of Man cometh, there will be diſtreſs of Nations, ſo as it will be hard to find Faith (without fainting) on the Earth; I have now anſwered the deſire of friends in publiſhing theſe ſheets, and if any will be contentious I think not to reply without great neceſſity: if this may put others upon enquiring further into theſe propheſies to the encreaſing a knowledge of the times, and the encouraging the faith of Chriſtians, I have my deſign, and they may lift up their heads, for the redemption draweth near.
FINIS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
*⁎*THE Life and Death of that Old Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt, and Eminent Miniſter of the Goſpel, Mr. HANSERD KNOLLYS, Who Died in the Ninety Third year of his Age. Written with his own Hand to the Year 1672. and continued in General, in an Epiſtle by Mr. William Kiffin. To which is added, his laſt Legacy to the Church. Price Stitcht 6 d. or Bound 8▪ d.
Errata Corrigenda.
IN the Preface. Pag. 15. Marg. Lin. 7, 8. read, P. 103, 104. P. 24. l. 7. r. been. P. 53. l. 11. r. his. P. 60. l. 26. r. Roaſt. P. 62. l. 8. r. Man.
In the Contents. Pag. 5. Lin. 8, 9. read. Schecinah.
In the Book. Pag. 3. Marg. Lin. 18. dele ſine. P. 17. l. 4. r. as are not. P. 35. Marg. l. 22. r. cavi…. P. 50. l. 25. r. foreign. P. 58. l. 3. del. of. P. 70. l. 20. r. prevails. P. 75. Marg. l. 25. r. Baptizari in. P. 80. l. 14. r. Harmoniouſly. P. 91. l. 3. del. fore. and in the ſame line, r. offered for. P. 92. …. 27. r. were. P. 93. Marg. l. 4, 5. r. 48. 53. P. 94. Marg. l. 3. r. 46, 47. P. 100. Marg. … ▪ 4. r. 94. P. 120. Marg. l. 16. r. inſtituto. P. …27. l. ult. r. Antipaedobaptiſtic. P. 133 l. 3, 4. r. Obſtacle. P. 136. l. 21. del. they▪ P. 138. l. 15. del. the▪
End of the text · Samuel Petto, The Revelation Unveiled (1693)