The Revelation Unveiled, Chapter 9

The Revelation Unveiled · Chapter 9

p. 98CHAP. IX. Of the Vials, and how many are already poured out.

THe [Seven Vials] are ſo many Diſpenſations or Tempests of Divine Wrath; not upon the Saints, but upon the Papal and Antichriſtian World; upon the Worſhippers of the Beaſt, and thoſe p. 99that receive his mark, Rev. 16. 2. upon ſuch as ſhed the Blood of the Saints, v. 6. upon ſuch as Blaſpheme the Lord, v. 9, 11, 21.

Hence [Earth, Sea, Rivers, Sun, &c.] cannot here be taken literally; for that would bring as much hurt to the true Church, as to the Antichriſtian Party; but myſtically: for that which in the Papal or Antichriſtian World beareth a reſemblance unto Earth, Sea, Rivers, Sun—in the Natural World; and ſo the Beaſt's Earth is the Subject of the firſt Vial, his Sea the Subject of the ſecond Vial, &c.

And obſerve that none of the Vials are poured out, until after the ſecond Two-horned Beaſt, the Pope was up, Rev. 13. 11. for till then, the Image of the Beaſt was not made, nor worſhipped, v. 14. it was he that cauſed all to receive a mark, v. 16. 17. and the very firſt Vial falleth upon thoſe that had the mark of the Beaſt, and did worſhip his Image, Rev. 16. 2. and he was not up in his Firſt Horn till Phocas, Ann. 606. and had not his Mark till after Ann. 1000. as I have proved; and ſeeing Seals were opened, and divers Trumpets ſounded before this time, hence they are much miſtaken who think that the firſt Seal, and the firſt Trumpet, and the firſt Vial do contemporate, and ſo of the reſt.

Alſo note, that the former Vials do alter, but do not utterly deſtroy the Subjects of them: and therefore it is not to be wondred at, if after theſe have been poured out, yet the Beaſt hath recovered again, and ſeemed to regain what he loſt; for even the fifth Vial is p. 100not ſaid to deſtroy the Seat of the Beaſt, but to fill his Kingdom with Darkneſs, and only the ſixth and ſeventh Vials do deſtroy the Subjects of them.

Rule 10 That we are under the latter end of the fifth, or the beginning of the ſixth Vial.

I have before manifeſted that we are in the latter end of the ſixth Trumpet; and how many Vials are already poured out, cometh now to be conſidered. I ſhall briefly declare when the Vials (as I conceive) began to be poured out, and thereby it will appear, that now, Ann. 1680. we are either under the latter end of the fifth, or the beginning of the ſixth Vial.

1. The [first Vial] was poured out upon [the Earth] i. e. the Popiſh Earth, Rev. 16. 2. [Earth] is the moſt groſs, inferiour part, Air of a more ſubtile Nature, and ſo muſt either be the groſſer Doctrines of Popery, or the common Popiſh people, thoſe Earthly Church-men out of which the Two-horned Beaſt ariſeth, Rev. 13. 11. Hence, the effect of this Vial is, v. 2. a noiſom Sore upon thoſe that have the mark of the Beaſt, and worſhip his Image, i. e. they are filled with inward torments and vexation, and alſo rendred noiſome and very loathſome unto others, as thoſe that are full of grievous and filthy Sores.

This Vial began to be poured out by Berengarius, Peter Bruis and others, who witneſſed, ſome ſay, Ann. 1039. others, about Ann. 1049. and after, againſt the groſſer Corruptions of p. 101Rome; as, Tranſubſtantiation, Adoration of the Hoſt, bowing the Knees before it, &c. and called the Church of Rome, Eccleſiam ma…gnantium, Concilium vanitatis & ſedem Satanae & Leonem nonum—non Pontificem, ſed Pompiſicem at que Pulpificem dictitabat.

Yea, an Anonymous Author mentioneth their Conventicles in Tours, who denied the Subſtance of the Bread and Wine, to have Tranſmutation into the Body and Blood of Chriſt; ſo that here was the firſt viſible or open Separation from Rome: And a very great Multitude in divers Nations imbraced their Doctrine, and were drawn off from Romiſh Errours by their means, whereupon the Goſpellers were called Berengarians and Petro-Bruſians; they oppoſed Antichriſt not in one place only, but filled moſt noble Countries, Matth. Weſtm. Roffenſ. Hiſt. ſaith, Eodem tempore Berengarius Turonenſis in haereticam prolapſus pravitatem, omnes Gallos, Italos & Anglos ſuis jam penè corruperat pravitatibus. See much more of this, B. Uſher, Graviſſ. Quaeſt. Hiſtor. Explic. c. 7.

And this alone may argue, that the Beaſtmarked ones, and his Image-worſhippers, were now ſmitten as with a noiſome Sore; For the Pope and his Party were ſo tormented, that it's ſaid, they condemned the Opinion and the Fautors of it as Hereticks, ſeeking their Extirpation, warning Princes to take heed of them and baniſh them out of their Territories; they called Councils againſt Berengarius: One at Rome, by Leo IX. about An. 1050. where upon his Letters to Lanfrancus, they condemned him p. 102(though abſent) as an Heretick. Another the ſame Year at Vercellis. Another by Victor II. at Tours, about An. 1055. Another Council aſſembled by Pope Nicolaus II. at Rome, about An. 1059. where Berengarius was preſent, and ſome ſay, they forced him to a Recantation; Others write, that he never recanted, or that he died in his Opinion about An. 1083. ib. and Bertold. Const.

The Recantation of Berengarius (if he made any) cannot hinder his being inſtrumental in pouring out this Vial, ſeeing he diſowned his Recantation; and there were many others beſides him, that firmly taught the ſame true Doctrine, and many Thouſands in ſeveral Nations ſtedfaſtly owned it, and couragiouſly oppoſed thoſe Corruptions of the Romiſh Church, to their great vexation.

As Aaron and Peter had their Falls, their Blemiſhes; ſo may Pourers out of Vials, for the hardening of their Enemies, and humbling of themſelves; which here I intimate once for all.

And I conclude, that the firſt Vial was poured out by theſe Berengarians and Petro-Bruſians, becauſe this was the firſt eminent Storm of Wrath upon the Worſhippers and Marked ones of the Beaſt, or the firſt riſing out of the Dregs of Popery; the firſt remarkable open Separation from Rome, and is anſwerable to all that is ſaid of that Vial.

2. The ſecond Vial was poured out upon the Sea, Rev. 16. 3. i. e. upon the Popiſh Sea; and the Effect is, [it became as the Blood of a dead p. 103Man] i. e. without ſpirit, corrupt, filthy and deadly; for [every living ſoul in the Sea died] i. e. many in, or that were maintained by the Popiſh Sea, could no longer live and breath there.

This [Sea] muſt either be the whole Papal Religion and Corrupt Doctrine wherein they Trade and Traffick about the Souls of Men, Rev. 18. 13. with all their corrupt Eccleſiaſtical Conſtitutions, Forms, Ordinances and Worſhip taken together. Or elſe [Sea] is the whole compaſs of the Papal Society, the Nations, People, Kingdoms and Provinces of the Papal Dominion or Juriſdiction; thus Waters are taken, Rev. 17. 15. and Sea is a confluence or the gathering together of Waters. The Explication of this ſecond Vial, and the manner of its pouring out is found, Rev. 14. 6, 7. and it reacheth to many Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and People.

This ſecond Vial was poured out by the Albingenſes and Waldenſes; for, (after the Berengarians) they were the next which were famous for making Oppoſition againſt, and Separation from the Pope and corrupt Church of Rome, and in them, all that is ſpoken of this Vial, was exactly fulfilled: For Waldus being converted about Ann. 1160. he Preached ſound Doctrine, as, Rev. 14. 7. Fear God, and worſhip him, i. e. do not worſhip Images, he and others called off from the Idolatry of Rome; Some called it the New Goſpel the Holy-Ghoſt, in oppoſition thereunto called it, the Everlaſting Goſpel, or poſſibly in oppoſition to what was falſly ſo called; p. 104for, Matth. Pariſ. about An. 1256. mentioneth a wicked Book made by the Jacobin Preaching-Friars, entituled. [The Everlaſting Goſpel] the deſign of which was to ſuppreſs the Goſpel of Chriſt, teaching that the ſtate of Grace did not proceed from the Law of the Goſpel, but from the Law of the Spirit; for ſo they called their Dreams and Revelations. Indeed this Book was ſo peſtiferous, that Platina ſaith, Alexander IV. cauſed it to be burnt; but it's ſaid▪ this Burning it was ſecretly, and by conſtraint; for he baniſhed Will▪ de S. Amore who complained of it.

Whether [Sea] be the whole Papal Doctrine, or the Papal Society, made up of many Nations, either way theſe Waldenſes poured out a Vial upon it; ſhewing the corruptneſs and deadlineſs of their Religion and Worſhip in the complex Body of it, and this in many Nations of the Papal Kingdom, whereby many Thouſands were converted, and durſt drink no more of thoſe corrupt Doctrines, than of the Blood of a dead Man, and many that Traded in the Papal Sea, and had dependance upon it, loſt their Livelihoods, and ſo died civilly; as may be ſeen in the Hiſtories of them. Yea, even literally it was in part fulfilled; for when they raiſed Wars againſt theſe Waldenſes, multitudes of the Papal Party periſhed; it's ſaid, that in the Siege of Avignion were deſtroyed by Famine, Peſtilence and Drowning, more than Two and twenty Thouſand of the French Souldiers, Acts and Mon. Part 1. p. 352. and many more died elſewhere; though afterward, by various p. 105ways, they did ſorely perſecute thoſe faithful Creatures.

Reinerius a Writer about their time, and an extream Enemy againſt them, yet is driven to confeſs this of them; That the Sect of the Leoniſts hath a great ſhew of Holineſs, in that they both live juſtly before men, and believe all things contained in the Creed, only they do Blaſpheme the Romiſh Church, and hate it, &c. ib. p. 301, 302. And he and others do conclude theſe Leoniſts to be of all other Sects (as they call them) moſt pernicious to Rome, and that for three cauſes. 1. Becauſe of longer continuance. 2. Becauſe more general almoſt in all Lands. 3. Becauſe of a ſhew of Piety, &c. So that this was upon the Papal Sea, even the Papal party themſelves being Judges. So Popliner. Hiſtor. Franc. l. 1. It was never more ſharply oppugned than by the Waldenſes, their Doctrine (ſaith he) differeth but little from the now Proteſtants; Non per Galliam ſolum totam, ſed etiam per omnes penè Europae or as diſſeminarunt, nam Galli, Hiſpani, Angli, Scoti, Itali, Germani, Bohemi, Saxones, Poloni, Lithuani & gentes aliae eam ad hunc diem pertinaciter defenderunt. So that Nations, Kindreds, Tongues and People, received the pure Goſpel, and forſook the deadly Roman See by their means. They ſpread into Picaray, whence they were called Picards; by Perſecution they did flie into Germany and Alſatia, where they ſpread their Doctrine: they had goodly Churches in Bulgary, Croatia, Dalmatia and Hungary. Clarks Martyr. Where alſo ſee what their Doctrines and Opinions were, as p. 106that the Maſs was an Abomination, the Hoſt an Idol, and Purgatory a Fable, they declaimed againſt Popiſh Holy Oil with Baptiſm, Canonical hours, Auricular Confeſſion, Adoration of Images▪ Indulgences. Praying for the Dead, and many others, even the See of the Romiſh corrupt Doctrines, and made it as a Dead Sea, and ſo was the ſecond Vial.

3. The Third Vial was poured out upon the Rivers and Fountains of Waters, Rev. 16. 4. which come from the Sea, and return thither again. And if Sea in the former Vial be the confluence of corrupt Doctrine (as Waters▪ ſignifie Doctrine Ezek. 47. 4, 5. Iſa. 11. 9. and 55. 1.) then the Rivers are ſome particular corrupt Doctrines, or ſome Doctors or Emiſſaries of the Romiſh Church. Or if Sea there was the confluence of Nations and Kingdoms, making up the Papal juriſdiction, as Waters ſignifie Rev. 17. 15. Then Rivers and Fountains denote ſome particular Nations or Kingdoms within the Papal Dominion.

And the effect of this Vial is, that theſe Rivers, Rev. 16. 4. become blood, i. e. they become bloody much of the Blood of the Papal party is ſhed there, as v. 6. thou haſt given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. And there is a double atteſtation of the righteouſneſs and equity of it: the Lord is declared True and Righteous in his …udgments twice over, v. 5, 6, 7. Thou art righteous, O Lord—becauſe thou haſt judged thus—righteous, are thy judgments. Which being the ſame cry that will be in giving glory to God, at the great deſtruction of Babylon, p. 107Rev. 19. 2. Hence I take this Vial to be as a Seſſions or a Preludium, as it were a Type, and that Fall of Babylon (Rev. 18.) like a great Aſſize. And therefore this third Vial is notified, Rev. 14 8. Babylon is fallen, is fallen—this cannot be the great fall of it, for after this ſeveral other Angels have Vial work, v. 9▪ to end, whereas after the great Fall of Babylon, Rev. 18. there is only one Vial to follow at Armageddon, Rev. 19.

This Third Vial was poured out by the Wickliffites and Huſſites, and Jerom of Prague, and others about Ann. 1370 and after: for, then there was a diſtinct guſt of wrath upon the Papal Party and Doctrine, as the next remarkable blow after that of the Albingenſes and Waldenſes; and this was anſwerable to all that is ſaid of this Vial, which falleth only upon the Rivers and Fountains, not upon the Popiſh Sea. In that dark time they did famouſly Witneſs for Chriſt againſt the Pomp, Avarice, &c. of the Pope, to the bringing multitudes off from his corruptions. They held ſuch doctrines as theſe, That the ſubſtance of Bread remained in the Sacrament, after the words of Conſecration, that the People ſhould have it in both kinds; they declared againſt Popiſh Pardons, Indulgences and Corporal Unction, as a Sacrament, &c.

A Council at Conſtance was aſſembled by the Emperour Sigiſmund and Pope John 23. Ann. 1414. where a Sentence of Condemnation was given out againſt the Doctrine of John Wickliffe, and his Bones ordained to be raiſed out of his Sepulchre, p. 108and to be Burnt. Alſo notwithſtanding the Emperour Sigiſmund ſent for John Huſs to the Council, and promiſed him ſafe conduct, yet they condemned John Huſs, and though the Nobles and Lords of Bohemia, did challenge the ſafe Conduct, yet they Condemned and Burnt him, and Jerome of Prague was Burnt alſo.

And I cannot without admiration obſerve, how anſwerable the event was to the effect of this Vial, as Rev. 16. 4, 5, 6. 7. which may further confirm it, and render it undoubted, that now this Vial was poured out;

For a Nobleman named Ziſca, being ſore grieved for the Death of John Huſs and Jerom of Prague, minding to revenge the injuries which the Council had done greatly to the diſhonour of Bohemia, he gathered together a number of Men of War, and ſubverted the Monaſteries, and Idolatrous Tem…es, pulling down and breaking in pieces the Images and Idols, driving away the Prieſts and Monks, having gathered together about 40000 Men, took Towns, obtained the City of Prague, where the number of the Reformers was increaſed: Sigiſmund the Emperour beſieged that City, but loſt many men▪ and was forced to raiſe his Siege, and after had a great overthrow by Ziſca; in that Conflict were ſlain fourteen Noblemen of the Moravians and Hungarians, and others a great number▪ Ziſca took many Places, deſtroyed Monaſteries in the Territory of Pelzina, put the Emperour to Flight. He with his power entreth again into Bohemia with a great Army, p. 109but the Emperour afraid of Ziſca, fled again, and many of his Nobles were ſlain. Ziſca purſuing the Emperour a days journey, and having obtained this Victory, would not ſuffer any Image or Idol to be in the Churches, nor Prieſts to Miniſter with Copes or Veſtments. The Reformed obtained another great victory, many Nobles of their Enemies ſlain, and 9000 common Souldiers. In the Epitaph of Ziſca, it is ſaid that he was a ſevere puniſher of the Pride and Avarice of the Clergy, that eleven times in joining Battel he went Victor out of Field. See Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 848, &c. out of Aeneas Silvius.

After the Death of Ziſca, Sigiſmund the Emperour which Burned Huſs and Jerom, is fain to intreat for his Kingdom. Pope Martin then perceiving the Goſpel to increaſe daily more and more, ſent into Germany to move them unto War againſt the Bohemians, whereunto alſo the Emperour did aſſiſt. There were three Armies provided, which joined together, but when the news came that the Reformed had gathered an Army and came with all ſpeed towards them, they fled before they ſaw their Enemies, leaving great Prey. The Cardinal meeting them in their flight, marvelled at their Cowardlineſs, and intreated them to turn again to their Enemies, but all in vain: The Bohehemians coming upon the rereward, and then their flight was more diſordered and fearful than before, neither did they leave flying▪ before the Bohemians left following; the Hoſt of the Bohemians was greatly enriched. Sigiſmund p. 110the Emperour having news of theſe things gathered new help; alſo Pope Martin ſent into Germany, and a new Expedition is decreed againſt the Bohemians, and ſeveral Biſhops, as of Mentz, Trevers and Cologne—ſent their aids. The Bohemians made ready, but there fell ſuch a ſudden fear amongſt all the Papiſts throughout the whole Camp, that they began moſt ſhamefully to run away before any Enemy appeared in ſight, and by all the intreaties of Cardinal Julianus would not return. Thus the Reformed by the fear of their Enemies made the more bold, and couragious, purſued them, and had great prey and ſpoil, and the Bohemians proſpered ſo long, as they could agree among themſelves.

And now judge whether theſe acts of Ziſca, and other Bohemians upon a reformed account, ſo wonderfully prevailing againſt the Popiſh party, were not the pouring out of the Third Vial upon the Rivers and Fountains, and the effect thereof, whereby they became blood, Rev. 16. 4. and the Angel of the Waters giveth glory to God for judging thus, rendering this reaſon, v. 6. for they have ſhed the Blood of thy Saints and Prophets, and thou haſt given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. So v. 7. It was for ſhedding the Blood of the Saints, John Huſs, and Jerome of Prague, and others, that theſe Wars were raiſed by Ziſca and the Bohemians, and here the Lord gave the Popiſh party, (who are the proper ſubjects of this Vial) of their own blood to drink, and therefore doubtleſs here was the third Vial poured out.

p. 111I have the more inſiſted upon it, becauſe it is given by the Holy Spirit, as an emblem or lively reſemblance of the great deſtruction of Babylon at Rome, Rev. 18.

Theſe exploits of Ziſca and the Bohemians, I am apt to think were a lively picture or repreſentation thereof, even in the very manner of it, viz. by ſome purely profeſſing Commander like Ziſca, upon a religious account for injuries offered to the Saints, and ſo as the mighty Romiſh Armies ſhall be ſtruck with conſternation or a pannick fear, and flee before the ſight of their Enemies.

4. The fourth Vial was poured out upon the [Sun,] Rev. 16. 8, 9. the effect is, [Power was given him to ſcorch men with fire.] That which in the Antichriſtian World, reſembleth the Sun in the Natural World, muſt be the ſubject of this Vial: and therefore the Pope is this [Sun] upon which the wrath of this Vial falleth: For, he is the greateſt, moſt illuſtrious, and glorious light there, which they ſay, ſo derives light to the very Scriptures, that they are counted authentical, and their ſenſe, received Doctrine, Worſhip, Councils, Decrees, only as they borrow light from him for their ratification, and therefore he is this Sun. Yea as if it were purpoſely to intimate ſo much, the Emperour writeth to the Pope and ſaith, We are both appointed of God as two great lights, &c. Sleidan. Comment. l. 6. and after Innocent. III. maketh the Biſhop or Prieſt much more excellent than the other. Look what difference is betwixt the Sun and the p. 112Moon, ſo great a diverſity is there betwixt the office of a High-Biſhop, and a Kings Office, ib li. 6.

Upon this [Sun] the Pope, did Luther and other Worthies about Ann. 1517. and after pour out ſuch a Vial of Wrath, as never any did the like before, Papiſts themſelves being Judges. He writ a Book wherein he ſaith, that the See of Rome is nothing elſe but the Kingdom of Babylon, and the power of the ſtrong hunter Nimroth; when they Burnt Luthers works, he burnt the Biſhop of Romes Law, and the Decree then lately publiſhed openly. Ib. l. 2.

So Calvin, Melancthon, Zwinglius, and many others, as well as Luther, ſcorched men with Fire, as Rev. 16. 8. and this is a ſure Direction when this Vial was poured out, viz. when men by their Preachings, Writings, Diſputations, &c. denounced Fire and Brimſtone, and the greateſt Torments againſt ſuch Worſhippers, and ſo it is explained, Rev. 14. v. 9, 10, 11. If any worſhip the Beaſt and his Image, and receive his mark in his fore-head, i. e. openly, or in his hand, i. e. ſecretly, v. 10. The ſame ſhall drink the Wine of the Wrath of God poured out without mixture—and ſhall be [tormented with Fire and Brimſtone] which was clearly fulfilled in Luther and Calvins time.

How many Countreys and Kingdoms by ſuch Preaching fell off from Rome, and took up Reformation, as deſiring to preſerve themſelves from that Fire, which therefore ſcorched the Papal party?

p. 113After a Diſputation, Religion was Reformed, not only at Bernes, but alſo proclaimed by Magiſtrates in ſundry places thereabouts, Maſſes, Altars, Images, aboliſhed in all places. They wrote the day and year wherein they forſook the Popiſh Religion upon a Pillar, in Golden Letters, that it might be an everlaſting memorial to their Poſterity.

Likewiſe they of Geneva did imitate them of Bernes, wherefore the Biſhop and Clergy forſook the City in anger. Then the Reformers began to be called Proteſtants, of whom there were ſeven Princes. The Proteſtants made a League, that if any did ſtand in danger for Religion one might help another, Ib. li. 6.

Another ſymptom of its being then poured out is, the great following perſecutions, raiſed by the Beſtians being incenſed by the torment of this fire, as Rev. 14. 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints, i. e. here at this time is the tryal of their patience, that even death it ſelf ſhall be deſireable, v. 14. Bleſſed are the dead—anſwerable to which, in the fourth Vial, it is ſaid, Rev. 16. 9. men were ſcorched with great heat, and blaſphemed the name of God—and repented not—

All which was manifeſtly accompliſhed, for after Luther and Calvin and others had proclaimed fire againſt the worſhippers of the Beaſt, they repented not, witneſs the Council of Trent, wherein they ſought to eſtabliſh their Abominations, and then followed the great and ſore Perſecutions in moſt Kingdoms of the p. 114Beaſt, in the Weſt, as France, Spain, Germany, Bohemia, England, all which give evidence that then the fourth Vial was poured out.

5. The fifth Vial is poured out upon the Throne of the Beaſt, Rev. 16. 10. and the effect is, [his Kingdom is full of Darkneſs,] and they have anguiſh and indignation, [gnawed their Tongues—]

[Throne] either is, the Government of the Beaſt, his Soveraignty and Authority, (as Pſal. 89. 36, 37. Pſal. 122. 5.) and if it be taken thus, then this Vial might be poured when the Popes Supremacy was caſt off by Proteſtant Princes, as Hen. VIII. Edw. VI. Q. Eliz. Duke of Saxony, Brandenburgh—and when Popiſh Orders, and Branches of that Government were rejected. The German Princes told the Popes Ambaſſadors they acknowledged not his authority in ſuch matters, and Q. Elizabeth would not ſuffer them to come into the Land. Sympſon of the Church, p. 408.

Or the [Throne] of the Beaſt, moſt properly is, the chief place of his reſidence, wherein he appeareth in his higheſt Majeſty and Glory.

And this Vial was poured out upon Germany or the German Empire, ſince Ann. 1600. eſpecially by Guſtavus Adolphus.

I know many think the City of Rome to be the Throne of the Beaſt which this Vial falleth upon; but the City of Rome is the Woman, Rev. 17. 18. or whore of Babylon, which ſitteth upon the Beaſt, v. 3. and ſo cannot be the Throne which the Beaſt ſitteth upon. And the more improbable is it, that Rome ſhould be p. 115this Throne, for when a Vial cometh upon that, it is with an utter deſtruction, Rev. 18. and ſo it is by the ſixth Vial, whereas the fifth Vial doth not deſtroy, but darken the Kingdom of the Beaſt. It will be hard, or impoſſible to prove, that the Throne of the Two-horned Beaſt, the Pope, is intended here; and if it be of the Ten-Horned Beaſt, then, although the Throne of the Dragon was given into his poſſeſſion, yet he made it not as his Throne; For, when the Beaſt was very young, the Emperour did not take up his reſidence at Rome, but at Ravenna, Sigon. de Reg. Ital. 1. ſpeaking of Ravenna ſaith, Poſtremo Honorius eam ſibi at que Occidentis Imperio ſedem urbe Rom. relicta conſtituit, quod inſtitutum Succeſſores quo que illius tam Imperatores Rom; quam Reges Gotthorum cuſtodierunt.

That as Honorius was enthroned (not at Rome, but) at Ravenna, ſo other Emperours till Auguſtulus, Ann. 475. and then there were no Emperours in the Weſt or at Rome till Carol. Magn. Ann. 800. Neither have the Emperours ever ſince to this day, made the City of Rome their Seat or Throne, but Germany, and there are ſeven Electoral Heads, and Ten Horns or Provinces in the Weſt, as the Beaſt.

Let the Throne then, upon which this fifth Vial falleth, be Germany, eſpecially, ſeeing the event doth admirably anſwer there, to all that is ſaid of this fifth Vial.

For the Caſe was thus, as it's ſaid. Some Seeds of Diviſion being ſown by the proſcribing and forcing Donawerdt (on the occaſion of p. 116a Tumult at a Proceſſion there,) and maſtering Gulick: the German Proteſtants received the Alarm, and aſſembled at Hall, and the Catholicks at Wirtsburgh. This quickly did fly like Wild-fire, filled all Germany, and involved all Europe in a prodigious War; ſome compare it with that of Ziſca and the Bohemians.

I ſhall give ſome ſhort account of it, out of J. Parival. Hiſtory of the Iron Age, and ſhall refer to the Book it ſelf, for a larger and fuller diſcovery of it.

He ſpeaketh much in favour of the Papiſts, but declareth himſelf in this manner.

I abhor to begin the Diſcourſe of the longeſt and moſt cruel War, that ever was in Chriſtendom, and which drew more Blood, more altered the Chriſtian Faith, and cauſed more ruine and deſolation, than all that ever were in Europe, ib li. 3. c. 1.

And Ann. 1630. Guſtavus Adolphus King of Sweden, invited by the Germans, incited by France, England, Venice, the United Provinces, as alſo by his own peculiar intereſts, entered Germany with an Army, was ſure of his Allies, and of the inclination of all the Proteſtants, whoſe Cauſe and Religion he came to defend.

King Guſtave takes Francfort, beats the Imperialiſts, cleanſed Pomerania. Ambaſſadours of the Princes, Imperial Towns, and Proteſtants States, treated an Alliance with King Guſtave. Theſe ſparkles encompaſſed all Germany with a Fire, which laſted till the year 1649. ib. cap. 17, 18, 19, 20.

Guſtave worſted Tilly, before the Fort of p. 117Werbern, being joined to the forces of the Electors; had a great Battle with Tilly, the Emperours General at Leipſick. This Battel wherein were hazarded the Caps of two Electours, the Liberty of the Princes of Germany, the conqueſts of ſo many years, and the whole hope of the Roman Catholicks, was very bloody, and the old Bands which had never been ſeen fly, gave gound here, ib. c. 21. King Guſtave hath the Victory, and Tilly with the Imperialiſts were put to flight; An Army of Four and Twenty Thouſand Captains, (that is old Souldiers) were broken in the Plain and open Field—This Bloody Battel was Sept. 7. 1631. which was called a day of Blood—and changed the Countenance of the Affairs of Germany. And the news of this victory—unſpeakably rejoiced not only all the Proteſtants, but alſo all ſuch as to whom thoſe glorious Eagles, ſeemed too proud, and too much undertaking, Ib. c. 21.

The firſt Poſt which arrived at Vienna, brought news of the defeat of the Saxons, the ſecond that of Tilly, which diſturbed the joy, and the Third filled the whole Court with ſadneſs, and made it think of a way how to repair this great loſs. If the Africans—were much amazed to ſee them, i. e. the Romans before Carthage, ſo to ſay the truth, the Biſhops and the Roman Catholicks were not a whit leſs, by the deſtruction of this Army, which had always been victorious and by means whereof after the gaining of one Battel they hoped to ſee the Maſs, and the Imperial Authority reſtored, p. 118throughout all Germany. A flock of Sheep is is not more ſcattered when it ſees itſelf environed by Wolves, and without a Shepherd, than were the Eccleſiaſticks by this accident, for terrour having thruſt it ſelf in amongſt them, they betook themſelves all to flight, ſome to the other ſide of the Danube, and others by the Rheyn to Cologne, &c. ib. c. 21.

Italy was Alarmed by the report of ſo great proſperity—

The Swede ſtill goeth on (though not without ſome checks) and even after the death of Guſtave, yet often had great ſucceſſes, and prevailed much againſt the German Emperour, and at laſt forced him to ſtoop to ſuch terms, as he could make with him.

And now judge whether the fifth Vial was not here poured out upon Germany, as the Throne, or Chief Kingdom of the Ten-horned Beaſt? For this War was ſtated between the [Beaſts party] of the one part, to the ſtriking great terrour into the Hearts, and overthrowing ſo many thouſands of them, and the [Proteſtants] as the other party. And ſeeing this is a diſtinct ſtorm upon that party, after four Vials had been poured out, what can this be but the fifth Vial? and the rather becauſe all things anſwer to it, even as to effects. As,

The whole Kingdom of the Beaſt was darkned, as Rev. 16. 10. even by that one blow given by Guſtavus Adolphus; did it not ſuffer a greater Eclipſe of its eſteem and glory at that day, than ever before? even at Jankow Battel, p. 119March 6. 1645. there was a moſt ſenſible Defeat to the Imperial Party; for▪ it left Bohemia as a Prey, and opened the Paſſage into Moravia, and the Emperours Hereditary Lands, as far as the Danube. Every one thought that the Emperour was loſt, if the Swedes chanced to paſs the Danube. They were in great amazement to ſee the Swedes at one and the ſame time at the Gates of Vienna, Copenhaghen and Bremen, every where treading down their Enemies, …b. Part 2. c. 16. This therefore was the fifth Vial, which ſeemed to have ſpent its greateſt Strength, and to be drawing towards a Concluſion, when the Pacification was made in Germany, or Peace, Ann. 1649. but ſome Effects may have continued ſince.

Neither will this deny it to be that Vial, that the Effect of the German War fell as heavy upon God's People there, as his Enemies.

For, at the firſt hand, here was a great diſtinction between the People of God and others. And however, in ſome of the firſt Plagues in Egypt (to which the Vials allude) the Lord made no diſtinction between the Iſraelites and the Egyptians, till Exod. 8. 22.

And further, the Effect of this Vial is, Rev. 16. 10, 11. they gnawed their Tongues for pain, and blaſphemed God—and repented not. Which argue the indignation, vexation, rancour and extremity of Rage, which the Beaſts Party ſhall be filled with, by the pouring out of this Vial upon them, and ſo they not only perſiſt in their Evil way without repentance, blaſpheming God, but like diſtracted Mad-men▪ p. 120they ſeek to revenge their own quarrel by falling upon and raiſing bitter Perſecutions againſt the Proteſtant Party; and therefore, this is but an expected iſſue of the Kingdom-filling darkneſs and Tongue-gnawing Pain, an event of this Vial, and ſo rather a Confirmation of its being then poured out.

Neither will this deny that German War to be a Vial, becauſe the Empire is yet ſtanding.

For, I ſee no Scripture-Evidence, that any Vial (except the 6th or 7th) do bring a Total Deſtruction upon the Subjects on which they fall: for if the Beaſts Earth, Sea, Rivers and Fountains, had been utterly deſtroyed by the three former Vials, there could have remained nothing for ſeveral other Vials to be poured out upon▪ theſe compriſing the whole Antichriſtian World. And this fifth Vial doth but darken, not utterly deſtroy the Kingdom of the Beaſt, Rev. 16. 10. and ſo the German Empire may be yet ſtanding after that Vial is poured out upon it, as Egypt was darkened before Pharaoh and the Egyptians were deſtroyed. And immediately before that Vial which deſtroyeth the Whore, ſhe fitteth as a Queen, ſaying, ſhe ſhall ſee no ſorrow, Rev. 18. 7. and how could ſhe ſit in ſuch Pomp, if former Vials had cauſed an utter Deſtruction of what they fell upon?

In ſhort, either Rome cannot be the Throne which this fifth Vial is poured out upon, (ſeeing then they repented not, Rev. 16. 10, 11.) or elſe it cannot be the Tenth part, Rev. 11. 13. p. 121for then they repent. And if the fifth Vial was poured out in Germany, then we are under the latter part of that, or the beginning of the ſixth Vial.

That which followeth is moſtly hereafter to be fulfilled, or in a great part to come.

6. The ſixth Vial is poured out upon the great River Euphrates, Rev. 16. 12. The Effects of it are, the drying up the Waters thereof, and war-like Preparations, v. 12. to 17.

The Subjects of the other Vials are not Literal, but Myſtical or Metaphorical; and therefore Euphrates is not to be underſtood literally here, of that very River, eſpecially ſeeing all the ſeven are Plag…es or Vials of the Wrath of God, Rev. 15. 1, 6, 8. and the drying up that River is no ſuch Plague, neither is the Wrath of God kindled againſt it, more than againſt any other River.

Therefore the River [Euphrates] here muſt notifie, either, that which is the ſtrength of Myſtical Babylon, as Euphrates was of Literal Babylon:

Or elſe the People inhabiting about Euphrates, which are the Turks. The Event will be the beſt Interpreter of the Propheſie.

If [Euphrates] be the ſtrength of Myſtical Babylon; then as the drying up literal Euphrates by Cyrus, was the means of taking Literal Babylon; ſo the drying up here importeth the great means of the deſolation or downfall of Myſtical Babylon. And [Waters] being Multitudes, People, Nations and Tongues, Rev. 17. 15. hence the drying up of theſe, is by the p. 122Converſion of many, and their coming into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, Rev. 11. 15. or by ſome great deſtruction or deſolation and waſting of People about Vienna and Auſtria, the ſtrength of Myſtical Babylon, and this may be a Provocation to the Nations, that they are angry, v. 18. and make preparation againſt Chriſt. And the Triumph for the Ruin of Babylon being Vial-work, and being the immediate fore-runner of Armageddon, Rev. 19▪ 1, 2, 3. the Preparation to which is in the cloſe of the ſixth Vial, Rev. 16. 12. to the end. hence it ſeemeth that the deſolation of Babylon at Rome, is by that ſixth Vial, and before the ſeventh; elſe there muſt be two Earthquakes under that one ſeventh Vial, viz. one at that, and the Exaltation of the Witneſſes under the ſixth Trumpet, Rev. 11. 13. and another the greateſt under the ſeventh, v. 19. Rev. 16. 18.

Or elſe [Euphrates] muſt be the Turks the People that inhabit about Euphrates, which is but once more mentioned in this Book, (Rev. 9. 14.) and there referreth to the Turks.

The [Waters] are, as Rev. 17. 15. People, Multitudes, Nations and Tongues—

By this Vial theſe Waters are dried up, i. e. waſted, conſumed, vaſt Numbers, great Multitudes of the Turkiſh People are deſtroyed, or many Nations fall off from the Turks, ſo as they loſe much of their Power and Dominion, and ceaſe to be a Wo to the Romaniſts; when this cometh to paſs, the ſixth Vial is pouring out. By what ways and means this will be; whether by Inteſtine Diſcords, or ſome exterraneous p. 123Enemy, the Event muſt determine. The Angel that poureth out this Vial cometh out of the Temple, as well as others, and is clothed in pure and white Linnen, Rev. 15. 6. and ſo it ſeemeth not to be primarily or only by Inteſtine Diſcord, nor by the Antichriſtian Romaniſts, as Vial Angels; but Jeſus Chriſt may imploy theſe in the deſtructive work, daſhing Enemies as Potſheards one againſt another, as a fruit of the Prayers of Saints.

As the former Vials were much poured out by Preaching; ſo the two laſt by Prayer. A Vial Angel out of the Temple ſolliciteth Jeſus Chriſt (the Angel on the white Cloud) to thruſt in his Sickle and reap a Harveſt, by cutting down his Enemies, and he doth it as a return of Prayer, Rev. 14. 14, 15, 16. and this, I think, doth contemporate with, and is an Explication of this ſixth Vial. And thus the Angel is in white Linnen under a pure Profeſſion, who poureth out the Vial in a way of Prayer, but it is referred to Jeſus Chriſt to do the work, and he may and oft doth make Enemies Executioners of his Wrath upon one an…er.

The drying up this Euphrates, is [… the way of the Kings of the Eaſt may be Prepared].

By [Kings of the Eaſt] many underſtand the Jews, and near this time they ſhall return and be converted, elſe how ſhould they eſcape the Wrath of the ſeventh Vial? and they ſhall come not only from the Eaſt, but from all Quarters, Iſai. 43. 6. and 49. 12. Jer. 31. 8. Zech. 8. 7. and then the import of it is, that p. 124the drying up of Euphrates, either of Myſtical Babylon, Rome, or the conſuming of Turkiſh People and Power, it is to this intent, it is deſigned for this end, to make way for that ancient People of God the Jews, to return to their own Land, and unto God. [That] the Kings of the Eaſt, that the Jews may be reduced, God, in ruining Rome, or waſting the Turks, prepareth a way for the Jews. And as God dried up the Red-Sea of old, to make a Paſſage over for his People; ſo, what if the Lord ſhould dry up the very River Euphrates, to make a Paſſage for the Jews to come to their own Land? Iſai. 11. 15, 16. and thus indeed it might be a Judgment or Wrath upon the Turk, letting in an Enemy upon them for their Deſtruction.

But let it be conſidered, whether theſe Kings of the Eaſt, or, as it may be rendred, from the riſing of the Sun; may not be meant of thoſe Enemies, Dragon, Beaſt, and Falſe Prophet? Seeing the very next thing mentioned is a Preparation of them unto Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13▪ … 15, 16. and that out of all Parts of the … World, from the riſing of the Sun▪ which noteth the greateſt diſtance; as, Iſai 45. 6. and 59. 19. Mal. 1. 11. And then it importeth, that the ruine of Rome, or waſting the Euphratean People, the Turks, will provoke all the Enemies of Chriſt to make a Combination againſt him. The return and Converſion of the Jews, the firſt ſetting up the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, will be ſuch a grievance to Enemies, that they which were at variance before, p. 125ſhall reckon themſelves ſo concerned, that all ſhall joyn their Forces againſt Chriſt to their ruine, Rev. 19.

Whether theſe three, Dragon, Beaſt, and Falſe Prophet, ſhall be gathered together in three Parts or Places, or only in one Place, viz. about Jeruſalem, time will manifeſt.

7. The ſeventh Vial is poured into the Air, Rev. 16. 17.

[Air] Is Univerſal, and ſo noteth that this Vial bringeth general Wrath upon the Dragon, Beaſt, and falſe Prophet, all taſt of the Wrath of this Vial.

One Adjunct is, [A great Voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne] ſaying, [It is done] i. e. the Myſtery of God is finiſhed, Rev. 10. 7. the Jews are converted, or the New Jeruſalem Throne is now ſet, as, Rev. 21. 5, 6. where we have the ſame Throne, and the ſame Voice from it [It is done] now is the New Heaven and New Earth, v. 1. not yet Conſummate, and in the fulneſs of its Latitude and Glory, but inchoate, in the beginning … it, v. 2. prepared as a Bride, adorned for her …sband, now is the Preparation, as Rev. 19. 7. …

The Effects are, v. 16. Voices and Thunders, and a great Earthquake, ſuch as was not ſince Men were upon the face of the Earth, i. e. great Commotions and Alterations in the Nations. And v. 19. [the great City was divided into three Parts].

The [City] is the whole Juriſdiction of the ancient Roman Empire, [is divided] and ſo overthrown; I think, the [three Parts] are p. 126thoſe before mentioned, v. 13. poſſibly rendevouzed in three ſeveral places. Some ſhall belong to the Dragon, i. e. be Pagans, or not profeſſedly Chriſtian; Others to the Beaſt, i. e. Civil-Crowned Horns; Others to the Falſe-Prophet, i. e. Eccleſiaſtical Men, or belonging to the Pope.

And the Calamities of divers are pointed out, v. 19. [the Cities of the Nations fell] i. e. they of the Nations who Engage and lend Aſſiſtance here againſt Chriſt are overthrown, or experience great Deſolations.

[And great Babylon came into remembrance before God]—

Some think that the Deſtruction of Rome is not till this ſeventh Vial, becauſe of this Expreſſion.

But there is Babylon at Rome, and Babylon in the Nations. The former falleth by the ſixth Vial, as I proved the latter by the ſeventh Vial, after the gathering together to Armageddon, v. 16. with the greateſt Earthquake, v. 18. by which the Cities of the Nations fall, v. 19. which cannot be till the Armageddon Battel; yet … that, there is a rejoycing for the deſolation of the Whore of Babylon, Rev. 19. which this Opinion would leave no room for.

I therefore ſay, there is a double remembrance of Babylon, one under the ſixth, the other under the ſeventh Vial. The former bringeth wrath upon Rome, and cauſeth the Nations to lament her burning, and ſtand afar off for fear of her torment, Rev. 18. 9, 10. the latter cauſe the Nations to feel what before p. 127they had feared, they fall, which before they did not. The former is a particular deſolation at Rome; this more general, Rev. 16. 19. The former is a partial, this a total or an utter deſtruction. The former brought [Wrath] but this, under the ſeventh Vial, bringeth [fierceneſs of Wrath] v. 19▪ as at Armageddon, Rev. 19. 15.

And thus the Holy-Ghoſt diſtinguiſheth, Rev. 14. 15. to the end. The Fall of Babylon at Rome is the Harveſt; the utter Extirpation of Babylon at the ſeventh Vial is the Vintage, which will quickly follow the other, as the Vintage doth the Harveſt.

The [Hail] out of Heaven, Rev. 16. 21. denotes the more immediate Judgments of God on the Enemies at that Day.

The Concluſion of all then is, that we are to wait by Faith and Patience, for thoſe great things which are yet unfulfilled; for the great Day of the Lord is near. And the things that are ſtill unaccompliſhed, and yet to come, An. 1680, and ſo to be expected, are ſuch as theſe that follow:

1. The Death-ſtate of the Witneſſes, their Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, Rev. 11. 7. to v. 13.

Their Death is ſignalized by various Characters aforementioned; eſpecially by the darkneſs, blackneſs and gloomineſs of the Day, with the loſs of a Witneſſing-Spirit after finiſhing their Teſtimony. This is the Comfort, that it will be ſhort, and the iſſue glorious. Their recovery is notified by a great Earthquake p. 128or Commotion, v. 13. we may know they are riſen, if after that there be a Fall of a famous Tenth part of the Old Roman Juriſdiction, and the Ruine of a vaſt Number of Dignitaries, Officers, Men of Eminency and Renown by the Earthquake, and the repenting of a Remnant, ſo as to give Glory to God.

2. The waſting and diminiſhing of Turkiſh Power, ſo as it ceaſeth to be a Wo to the Idolatrous Romaniſts, Rev. 11. 14. the ſecond Wo is paſt—This is an immediate iſſue of the Witneſſes Aſcenſion, not only in Viſion, but in Execution; for the fifth, or former Wo-Trumpet was concluded in the ſame manner, with reſpect to the Event; and alſo it is added expreſly, the Third Wo cometh quickly.

Not that the utter Deſtruction of the Turks, or of his whole Dominion every where, will be at the Aſcenſion of the Witneſſes; no, that is not till afterwards at the ſeventh Vial, as I ſhall evidence: but they ſhall abundantly loſe Ground and ſuffer a Conſumption of a vaſt Number of People, (by revolt, or otherwiſe) not only in Europe, in Hungaria, but in Africa or in Aſia, near the River Euphrates, where they were firſt looſe, and did over-run the Nations to the killing a third part of Men, Rev. 9. 14, 15. and this waſting or deſtroying their Power and Dominion about Euphrates, this drying up that deluge of Inhabitants there, is▪ Rev. 16. 12. [that the way of the Kings of the Eaſt may be prepared] i. e. either as an occaſion for Enemies combining againſt Chriſt; or that a p. 129paſſage may be open for the Jews return to their own Land, (Iſai. 49. 22.) which they ſtood in the way of, Iſai. 11. 14. They ſhall fly upon the Shoulders of the Philiſtines towards the Weſt, they ſhall ſpoil them of the Eaſt together, i. e. thoſe that have been Enemies to the People of God, as the Philiſtines were, ſhall march towards the Weſt, and ſpoil the Turks of the Eaſt, ſo as to make way for the Jews repoſſeſſing of their own Land. Whether theſe Philiſtines ſhall do it intentionally or accidentally, God ſo over-ruling by his Providence, as their ſpoiling of the Turk ſhall give advantage to the Jews return; wonderfully removing all impediments and hindrances that were in the way of it; this I ſhall not here determine.

All the Twelve Tribes ſhall return from all Quarters, v. 11, 14, 15. from Aſſyria, from Egypt—Edom, Moab, and the Children of Ammon ſhall be ſubject to them. And when the Turkiſh Power ſhall be thus waſted, either in Pathros and Egypt, or about Euphrates, or both, then I ſhall expect the ſpeedy riſing or reſtitution of the Jews.

3. The downfall of Myſtical Babylon at Rome, Rev. 11. 13. Rev. 18. 2. Babylon the Great, is fallen, is fallen; ſo throughout the Chapter. Not only her Superſtition and Idolatry, her corrupt Offices, Orders, Ways, Worſhip, Merchandize there, will be deſtroyed as a Mercy, but the City it ſelf of Rome for her Sins will irrecoverably fall under ſudden and unavoidable Divine Wrath as a Sore Judgment, utter Deſolation, p. 130ſhall be burnt with Fire; ſo as the People of God are to avoid her Plagues, v. 4. and even her Friends ſhall be afraid of her Torments, v. 5, 8, 9, 10.—She is threatned with the ceaſing of the Voice of Mirth of the Bridegroom, and of the ſounding of the Milſtone, and of the ſhining of Light, v. 22, 23. which Phraſes generally note an utter Deſolation, as Jer. 7. 34. and 16. 9. and 25. 10, 11. Iſai. 24. 8, 9. and it is expreſly declared, Rev. 17. 16. where we have the way and means of her Ruine and Deſtruction. [The Ten Horns ſhall hate the Whore, and ſhall make her deſolate, and ſhall eat her Fleſh, and ſhall burn her with Fire] i. e. Some of the Ten Horns who abominate her Idolatry ſhall make her deſolate, whether ſome in the Eaſtern Parts, or in the Weſt, or both, time muſt diſcover; others adhere ſtill in their Spirits to, and make Lamentation for her, Rev. 18. 9. even thoſe that committed Fornication with her, and are thus diſtinguiſhed from thoſe who make her deſolate.

Now the Symptoms and Signs of Romes approaching Ruine, are ſuch as theſe: The aggravated, meaſure-filling Sins of Babylon, her Plagues come, Rev. 18. 5. [for her Sins have reached unto Heaven] her hainous Evils as new invented Cruelties—haſten her ruine, eſpecially the hand ſhe hath in ſlaying the Witneſſes, Rev. 11. 8, 11. their death preſage her ruine, v. 13. as well as her own triumph, Rev. 18 8. Behold, I ſit a Queen—her ſinging a Requiem to her ſelf. Alſo the Lord's raiſing up p. 131ſuddenly ſome famous Inſtrument in the World to appear for his Intereſt, Rev. 18. 1. ſo as the Earth will be filled with his Glory. Alſo Chriſt's appearing in his Regal Dignity in greater Splendor, Purity, Brightneſs and Glory than heretofore, on a white Cloud, Rev. 14. 14, 15, 16. with a golden Crown, and in his hand a ſharp Sickle; and here is ſpeedily a Vial-Angel out of the Temple, out of his pure Church, applying it ſelf to Chriſt, having not only an expectation of, but an extraordinary Spirit of Prayer, crying to him, for the reaping the Harveſt of Babylon, and it was done accordingly, v. 16. ſo that this is an immediate forerunner of her Ruine.

4. A Triumphant Song among the Saints, for the Ruine of Rome or Babylon there, Rev. 19. 1, 2, 3, 4. This ſeemeth to be about the latter end of the ſixth, or beginning of the ſeve…th Vial, near, or in the time of preparation to Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13, 14.

And it muſt ever be obſerved, that the Effects of one Vial do oftentimes run into another Vial, or laſt and continue after another Vial is begun to be poured out, like the Scales of Fiſhes, one partly covereth another.

5. The Reſtauration and Return of the Jews and Iſraelites, together with their Converſion as well as others:

Ezek. 37. under the Emblem of dry Bones living, is ſignified the reſtitution of the Jews; and by two Sticks, one for Ephraim the Head of (and often put for) the Ten Tribes; and another for Judah, or the Two Tribes, v. 16, &c. p. 130duplicate page p. 131duplicate page p. 130duplicate page p. 131duplicate page p. 132is repreſented the recovery of all the Twelve Tribes of Iſrael, and bringing them to their own Land, v. 21. and this was never yet accompliſhed; For when it is, ſaith the Lord, v. 22. I will make them one Nation upon the Mountains of Iſrael, and one King ſhall be to them all, and they ſhall be no more two Nations, neither ſhall they be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all. So that when this is made good, all the Twelve Tribes, the Body of them, are re-united, ſo as they ſhall never be ſeparated any more, and one King ſhall be over them, David, v. 24. and that is Jeſus Chriſt, for David was dead long before this Propheſie. Few here yet know where the Ten Tribes are, and the two are ſtill ſcattered; ſo that this never was accompliſhed to this day, and therefore it muſt hereafter be fulfilled, becauſe God is true. This then is certain, That all the Twelve Tribes of Iſrael ſhall have a Poſſeſſion of their own Land again, and be under Converſion there; ſome think they ſhall not be converted till after they are there, Iſai. 61. 7. Jer. 31. 17. and 32. 41. Ezek. 37. 21, 22, 25. Am. 9. 14, 15. Zech. 2. 12.

So Rom. 11. 25, 26. he ſaith, the fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall come in, [and ſo all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved]. So that in Goſpel-times, after breaking off the Jews for Unbelief, yet there is a time when all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved. And this will be compleated at the beginning of the ſeventh Trumpet, Rev. 10. 7.

The Way and Means of Iſraels return and Converſion, will be partly Extraordinary by p. 133Impreſſions from the Lord, like wind breathing upon them, which will be to them as life from the dead, Ezek. 37. 9, 11, 12. it will be a ſudden, unexpected thing, a Nation to be born in one day, Iſai. 66. 8.

Their Call will be partly by Ordinary means, the Preaching of the Goſpel, Jer. 31. 6, 8, 9, 10, &c. by Watchmen on Mount Ephraim, Iſai. 52. 7, 8. and 59. 20. Iſai. 60. 16. Thou ſhalt alſo Suck the Milk of the Gentiles, Rom. 11. 25, 26. The deliverer ſhall come out of Sion, i. e. by Miniſters out of Gentile Churches, ſo he will turn away Ungodlineſs from Jacob. And the Faith of the Gentiles ſhall provoke the Jews to Jealouſie and Emulation, v. 11, 12. poſſibly at the riſing of the Witneſſes, Rev. 11. 11, 12.

Their firſt Converſion will not be by the perſonal appearance of Jeſus Chriſt; for that is not till the ſeventh Vial, Rev. 16. 15, 16. Behold I come as a Thief—Mat. 24. 29, 30. when they ſhall welcom him, Mat. 23. 39. whereas they are converted before under the ſixth Vial, v. 12. and prepared as a Bride before the ſeventh, Rev. 19. 7. to end.

As to the time; ſome ſay, before the Salvation of Iſrael, the Pope and Turk ſhall be overthrown and deſtroyed.

And indeed, a partial Fall of the Turk will be by the ſixth Vial, but their total Deſtruction is not till the ſeventh.

And the Miſtake that the Fall of Rome will be by the fifth Vial, I have diſproved.

As to that great Queſtion,

p. 134Whether Rome ſhall firſt be deſtroyed, before the Calling or Converſion of the Jews?

I would not abſolutely determine, but conſider, the firſt Triumphant Song for Judgment upon Babylon, is with various Hallelujahs, Rev. 18. and Rev. 19. 1, 3, 4, 6. which is an Hebrew word never before uſed in the Apocalyps, and ſo importeth, that the Hebrews are concerned and ingaged in the firſt Praiſes for the Fall of Rome; and therefore the Hebrews ſeem to be Converted before, without which, they could not rightly ſhew forth theſe Praiſes, (Iſai. 43. 21▪) and this is in order of time after thoſe things concerning its Deſtruction. And the next thing is the Lamb's Wife (which eſpecially muſt be the Jews) maketh her ſelf ready, Rev. 19. 7.

Yea, the Angel which filleth the Earth with his Glory near the downfall of Babylon, Rev. 18. 1, 2. ſeemeth to be the very ſame with that at the firſt reſtoration of Iſrael, Ezek. 43. 2. And ſo why may not the Jews have ſome hand alſo (with others) in the Ruine of Rome, Dan. 2. 34, 35. 44, 45. Zech. 12. 2, 3, 4, 6.

I know the Idolatry and Abomination of Rome, have been agreat Stumbling-block in the way of the Converſion of the Jews.

But, the ſpecial Goſpel Manifeſtation and Divine drawings, rending the Veil upon the Heart, will be enough to remove all theſe Stumbling-blocks, 2 Cor. 3. 15, 16. Joh. 6. 44, 45. Act. 2. 37, 38.

And that Rev. 15. 8. is not to be underſtood abſolutely; as if none entred into the Temple p. 135or pure Church▪ſtate, till all the Vials be poured out; for all the ſeven Vial-Angels come out of the Temple, and with pure and white Linnen, v. 6. and ſo there was then a pure Temple, that ſome, yea many, entred into; but it muſt be underſtood Comparatively, few enter in compariſon of what ſhall enter at the latter Vials.

6. A general Combination of Enemies against Jeſus Chriſt and his Intereſt, to their own Deſtruction: After the Fall of Babylon, ſome will ſurvive to lament her burning, Rev. 18. 9. and being of the ſame Spirit they were, hence the Witneſſes after their riſing (Rev. 11. 11.) in ſuch places may have Trouble and Sufferings from their hands, and the watchword and warning to keep their Garments, intimate danger then of ſpiritual Drowſineſs, (Mat. 25. 1, &c.) and of Self-pollution; however Enemies will be exaſperated, ſo as all will conſpire againſt Jeſus Chriſt and his Members, Rev. 16. 13, 14 15, 16. Dragon, Beaſt, and Falſe Prophet, but the iſſue is their Deſtruction.

The…e was a partial Deſtruction before, but the total Deſtruction is reſerved to this ſeventh Vial at Armageddon. The Tenth part fell before, but the Beaſt the Fourth Monarchy, continued, and the little Horn till now. At the ſeventh Vial (and not before) the Beaſt is ſlain, and his Body deſtroyed, and given to the burning flame, Dan. 7. 11. and then is ſeen one like the Son of Man in the Clouds—v. 13, 14.

So John telleth us of the End of [the Beaſt and Falſe Prophet] (the firſt and ſecond Beaſt) p. 136they are then caſt into the Wine-preſs of the fierceneſs of the Wrath of God, Rev. 19. 15. caſt alive into a Lake of Fire burning with Brimſtone, v. 20.

As to the [Dragon] the Turk and all Pagan Powers, thoſe that are not profeſſedly Chriſtian, what become of them? They are waſted by the ſixth Vial, and their Power deſtroyed by the ſeventh, to an utter Subjection, Rev. 20. 2, 3. the Dragon is caſt into the bottomleſs Pit, and he bound a Thouſand Years. A wonderful reſtraint is laid upon him, that he may not hurt the Church as heretofore. And, v▪ 3. after that he muſt be looſed for a little ſeaſon, and go to deceive the Nations in the Four Quarters of the Earth, [Gog and Magog] v. 8. And theſe being the Dragon looſed at the End of the Thouſand Years; it plainly telleth us what is [the Gog and Magog] at the beginning of the Thouſand Years, Ezek. 38. and 38. even the ſame; they are principally the Turks and their Aſſociates at Armageddon, or the remains of the Enemies of Chriſt from all Parts; for the deſcription agreeth to the Turk and his Confederates, Ezek. 38. 2, 3. he is the Chief Prince of Meſhech and Tubal—If Tubal be the Spaniards and Italians, yet Meſhech may be the Moſchici or Cappadocians. And the Turk hath a vaſt Number of Horſemen, as▪ v. 4. is a bitter Enemy to Iſrael, v. 9, 16, 18. and hath a Situation Northward, or in the North Country; as v. 15. and Ezek. 39. 2. yea, he hath Syria under him, which denominated the Seleucians Kings of the North, Dan. 11. 6, 13, 15.

p. 137The attempt of this Gog and Magog, the Turk and his Adherents, will be ſpeedily after the reſtoration or return of Iſrael, and dwelling ſafely in their own Land, Ezek. 38. 8, 9, 11, 15. Ezek. 39. 25, 26, 28, 29. when all the Twelve Tribes ſhall be newly gathered out of the Nations after their long ſcattering.

And it will be a very dreadful and terrible deſtruction, by the fierceneſs of the wrath of God, Ezek. 38. 18. by a general Earth-quake or Commotion; by ſetting every Mans Sword among the Men of Gog againſt his Brother, by Peſtilence, Blood, and immediate Judgments, Hail-Stones, Fire and Brimſtone, v. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. So as they ſhall be a long time in burying the Dead, and burning the Inſtruments of War, Ezek. 39. 17, 19, 20. and therefore it will be before the thouſand years, for it is not like there will be ſuch a ſpace after the end of them, to the end of time, Rev. 20. 11, 12.

And this great deſtruction of Gog or the Turk, will not be in Hungaria (though he may before have great loſſes there) but eſpecially in the Land of Canaan; his great and laſt utter ruine and deſtruction ſhall be there, Ezek. 39. 4. thou ſhalt fall upon the Mountains of Iſrael.

This is further confirmed from, Dan. 11. where the Kings of Egypt are called Kings of the South, and thoſe of Syria, Kings of the North, till both were tranſlated to the Romans, and then even in order of ſtory it is ſaid, v. 36. And a King ſhall do according to his Will—there being but one King, becauſe both Egypt and Syria, were under the Romans, till they p. 138divided and ſplit again, that the Saracens obtained Egypt, and became King of the South, and the Turks obtained Aſſyria, v. 40. and ſo became King of the North. All the deſcription of the King of the North there agree to the Turk; as, he in the latter days hath Egypt under him, and the precious things thereof, v. 43. and ſo he is the King of the North.

Therefore the Turks ſhall hear tidings out of the Eaſt, and the North▪ and ſhall go forth with fury to deſtroy, and then he ſhall come to his end, v. 44, 45.

The laſt ſignal thing of it is, v. 45. and he ſhall plant his Aphadno, the Tabernacle of his Palace or Tent for this War [between the Seas in the glorious Holy Mountain; yet he ſhall come to his End, and none ſhall help him]. None hath obtained (eſpecially from Daniel) that title of Renown [glorious Holy Mountain] but J…ruſalem, or, the Land of Promiſe, Dan. 9. 16, 20. Zcch. 8. 3. And that is [between the Seas]. Jeruſalem is ſituate between the Egyptian Sea on the Weſt, and the Dead-Sea, or the Aſphali…is on the Eaſt. Alſo Samaria hath the Egyptian-Sea Weſtward, and the Dead-Sea Eaſtward▪ Alſo the Territory of Aſſur and Zabulon▪ are between the Sea of Galilee on the Eaſt▪ and the Phoenician, Syrian or Mediterranean-Sea on the Weſt.

When Gog or the Turk ſhall plant the Tabernacle of his Palace or his Tent for War in Judea or about Jeruſalem, and ſhall go forth furiouſly to deſtroy, upon the Mountains of Iſrael, then he ſhall come to his end, and none ſhall help him.

p. 1397. A time of general and ſtupendious Alterations in the World: When all thoſe Enemies ſhall conſpire againſt Chriſt, as, Rev. 16. 14, 16. Ezek. 38 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15. it cannot but be a time of Trouble every where, eſpecially ſeeing it will be attended with ſuch aſtoniſhing Mutations, Mat 24. 29. the Sun ſhall be darkened and the Moon ſhall not give her Light, and the Stars ſhall fall from Heaven, and the Powers of Heaven ſhall be ſhaken. And this referreth to the ſame time, for as the next thing, v. 30. then ſhall appear the ſign of the Son of Man in Heaven.—And Jeſus Chriſt himſelf explaineth this, Luk. 21. 25, 26, 27. There ſhall be ſigns in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, and upon the Earth diſtreſs of Nations, with perplexity, Mens hearts failing for fear—and then they ſhall ſee the Son of Man coming in the Clouds,—i. e. for their relief and ſuccour.

Theſe Univerſal Commotions will occaſion a very great conſternation and affrightment, yet Jeſus Chriſt giveth them as a Comforting Cordial to the Faith of the Saints, like the budding of the Fig-tree; which evidenceth that the Summer is near, v. 28. 29, 30, 31.

So theſe terrible things argue that the Redemption of Believers draweth nigh, v. 32. Verily,—this Generation ſhall not paſs away till all be fulfilled.

[This Generation] cannot be meant of that wherein this was▪ ſpoken by Chriſt on Earth; for that, and many Generations are paſſed ſince, and yet the things are unfulfilled: But in p. 140other Evangeliſts, eſpecially Luke, it is applied to the Parable of the Fig-tree, [that Generation] v. 28. when the Fig-tree ſhall begin to put forth by theſe Diſtreſſes of Nations and Mens hearts failing for fear of thoſe things, which are coming on the Earth, [this Generation] wherein theſe things begin, ſhall not paſs until all be fulfilled, i. e. till the Kingdom of God ſhall come, v. 31. till they ſhall ſee the Son of Man coming in a Cloud, v. 27. All ſhall be accompliſhed in the very ſame Age or Generation wherein they have their beginning. Thoſe things will have a terrible Aſpect even to the Saints; yet they will iſſue in their Redemption, v. 28. and the blow will fall upon Enemies in their great deſtruction, Ezek. 38. 20, 21, 22. and 39. 4, 5. Rev. 19. 18, 19, 20. ſo that this will be the greateſt trouble to the Enemies of Chriſt and his Church.

It ſeemeth that the greateſt trouble to the Jewiſh Nation will be over before this; For it is ſaid, Mat. 24. 29, 30. Immediately after the Tribulation of thoſe days, ſhall the Sun be darkened—and then ſhall appear the ſigns of the Son of Man.—

This foregoing trouble is applied to the Jews, v. 16, 17. and is expreſly declared to be their greateſt Tribulation, v. 21. for then ſhall be great Tribulation: ſuch as was not ſince the beginning of the World to this time, nor ever ſhall be. So then, the Eclipſing of all Earthly Glory by diſtreſs of Nations (about the time of Armageddon) is not before, but immediately after that greateſt Tribulation to the Jewiſh Nation p. 141is over and at an end. It began at Veſpatian about Ann. 70. that was their greateſt in reſpect of the ſeverity and ſharpneſs of it; the Hiſtory is very Tragical, many Hundred thouſands of the Jews periſhed, and were made miſerable, by Famine, Sword and Captivity; their Houſes and Streets were filled with dead Men, Women and Children, ſo that thoſe alive could not Bury the Dead, that it was unparallelled, it paſſed any Plague formerly ſent by God, Joſeph. lib. 6. c. 14, 16. and lib. 7. c. 17. Then might be fulfilled, Zech. 14. v. 1, 2, 3. And that is their greateſt Tribulation in reſpect of Duration, it hath laſted above 1600 Years, and the Jews are not yet delivered.

It is hard to conceive that any future trouble of theirs ſhould exceed that which is paſt, and eſpecially ſeeing there are ſo many Promiſes, that after their return, they ſhould have no more ſuch Sorrow and Captivity as before, Jer. 31. 10, 11, 12. Ezek. 34. 12. 22. Zeph. 3. 15. Zech. 9. 8. Am. 9. 14, 15. they ſhall no more be pulled out of their Land; and ſo they ſhall not again have their Houſes rifled and Women raviſhed, nor go again into Captivity; as, Zech. 14. 2. And if ſo, then their greateſt trouble mentioned, Dan. 12. 1. muſt be begun at Veſpatian, and is almoſt expired, the worſt of it is over; for there cannot be two greateſt troubles to them, and Chriſt ſaith, there ſhall never be like to them, (Mat. 24. 21.) It is uſual for the Prophets in a few Lines, to expreſs that which is fulfilling many Hundred Years; and ſo here in a Verſe or two, may decipher the great and p. 142long Tribulations of the Jews, and alſo their deliverance, and reach even to the laſt Reſurrection, v. 2.

In ſhort, thoſe words [And there ſhall be a time of Trouble, ſuch as never was ſince there was a Nation] may come in by a Parentheſis, diſcovering what ſhall intervene between Iſrael's rejection, and Michael's ſtanding up for their deliverance, even a long and ſore Tribulation.

Or elſe they muſt refer to this general Commotion, which will be unparallelled in reſpect of aſtoniſhment and affrightment, but they will be more afraid than hurt, for then at that time they ſhall be delivered.

8. The ſetting up of the glorious Kingdom of Jeſus Christ, the New Jeruſalem, or the Glory of the Church here a Thouſand Years, Rev. 20▪ and 21. and 22.

The Riſe or firſt State of this Kingdom, will be ſpeedily after the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, and the firſt Converſion of the Jews, Rev. 11. 12, 15. and before the Thouſand Years begin. This is the Kingdom of the Stone, Dan. 2. 34, 45. whoſe beginning will be ſmall, and its way unpeaceable and troubleſom, conflicting with Enemies, yet prevailing againſt and breaking of them▪ v. 45. So that this is not begun, ſo long as the Enemies of Chriſt are the prevailing Party, every where.

The ſecond State of this Kingdom, will begin next after the Battel at Armageddon, this will be more Peaceable and Glorious, Iſai. 2. 4. p. 143Mic. 4. 3, 4, 6, 7. The Church will enjoy great Liberty; for, her grand Enemy, the Dragon, will be under a wonderful Reſtraint, will be Bound a Thouſand Years, Rev. 20 2.

It cannot note the State of the Saints to come in Heaven upon the Judgment of the Great Day; for, after that Satan will be looſed no more; whereas, after this, v. 3 8. he ſhall be looſed for a little ſeaſon to deceive the Nations, after which, will ſpeedily follow that laſt Day of Judgment, v. 7, 9, 11, 12. but of that day and hour knoweth no man, Mat. 24. 36.

And it cannot be paſt; for the Dragon hath never been bound a Thouſand Years hitherto. The firſt Three hundred Years of Chriſt, he he was looſe, ruling by Pagan Emperours, Rev. 12. 3. 4. And ſince hath been looſe, ſending forth not only Papiſm, but Mahumetiſm, out of the bottomleſs Pit after An. 600. Rev. 9. 1, 2, &c. which continue to this day; therefore he is not yet ſhut up in the bottomleſs Pit, and bound there, as Rev. 20. 1, 2, 3. and conſequently the Thouſand Years are not yet begun. And beſides, when the Thouſand Years are expired, Satan is looſed again, and his Party is deſtroyed in an immediate way, by fire from God out of Heaven, v. 9. and he is caſt into the lake of fire and brimſtone [where the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet are]. Therefore the Beaſt and falſe Prophet muſt be deſtroyed before the Thouſand Years begin; elſe how could the Dragon be caſt into the Lake where they were, if they had not been there before? and they are not there as yet, and ſo that time is not yet begun. They p. 144cannot be caſt in during the Thouſand Years, for Satan is bound all that time; whereas he is looſe till they be in the Lake, and immediately before the Beaſt and falſe Prophet were caſt in, the Dragon was not bound there, but aſſiſted them at the Battel at Armageddon, Rev. 16. 13. 16. and ſo that time of a Thouſand Years is not yet begun.

And this Thouſand Years will be a glorious time; not Abſolutely, as if Sinleſs; but Comparatively, or compared with any former ſtate of the Church ſince the Fall of Adam; ſo it will be a ſtate of Bleſſedneſs, Dan. 12. 11, 12. Poſſibly it may be uſhered in by a perſonal appearance of Chriſt in the Clouds; but I cannot ſay, that it will be by the perſonal preſence and continuance or reigning of Chriſt on Earth. Now will Ezekiel's City and Temple be erected, Ezek. 40. to the End of that Book, the glory of which will be, that the Name of it from that day ſhall be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, Ezek. 48. 35. This is the time of finiſhing the Myſtery of God in the ſeventh Trumpet, Rev. 10. 7. and 11. 15, &c.

Here will begin the State of the New Jeruſalem, which cometh down out of Heaven, Rev. 21, 1, 2. and is not by our going up to Heaven.

Here, will be ſuch a new face of things, as if there were a New Heaven, and a New Earth. Rev. 21. 1. and great Changes for the better in the Civil, and Eccleſiaſtical State, great Purity of Adminiſtrations and Ordinances, and a glorious Divine Preſence, v. 3. Zeph. 3. 9. Zech. 14. 20, 21.

p. 145Then there ſhall be given to Chriſt as, Dan▪ 7. 14. 22, 27. Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People, Nations and Languages ſhould ſerve him; and his Dominion is an everlaſting Dominion, which ſhall not paſs away, and his Kingdom that ſhall not be deſtroyed.