Supplement to Christs Peaceful Kingdom on Earth to Come, Comparisons 2

Supplement to Christs Peaceful Kingdom on Earth to Come · Comparisons 2

The Parallel between Daniels Viſions and the Book of the Revelations of Jeſus Chriſt, which is meerly a Divine, Myſtical Comment or Expoſition of the two laſt Monarchies, viz. the Roman Monarchy and Chriſts: from the time the Revelation took place: and firſt of the Parallel, of what concerns the Roman Monarchy in both Daniel and Revelation.

IN order unto which ſaid Parallel, we muſt take notice, that the greateſt part of the Revelations of Jeſus Chriſt from the beginning of the firſt chapter, ſetting forth the glorious perſon, whom then John ſaw, who (as he calls himſelf afterward, and) appears to be the foreign & foreign therein, in whoſe ſecond comeing the Propheſies reſpecting that Monarchy, are to be fulfilled and compleated, being then to be utterly and for ever deſtroyed, and to go into perdition, as Rev. 17 is ſaid; from which period he will ſet up his own Kingdom, as chapt. 20. and ſo forward, except what is ſpoken briefly from v. 14. of Chap. 11. of the Revelation, to the end of it: where is ſet down a p. 24ſhort Abridgment of the ſtate of the World, and the Church, after the ſeventh Trumpet begins to ſound: onelyonly many incouragements are intermixt all along for all ſorts of faithful, ſuffering Chriſtians, from the promiſes and encouragements, referring to the thouſand years, enſuing the ſounding of the ſeventh Trumpet, which promiſes and incouragements are either contained in the firſt Viſion, reſpecting the times then preſent, or paſt, to the end of the third chapter, concerning the ſeven Churches of Aſia, then in being: or thoſe that were to come in the following Viſions from the 4th and 5th Chapters; which Viſions are contained firſt in the Seal-Propheſie, chapters 6, 7, 8, 9. and in the 11th from v. 14 to the end of that Chapter: In the 6th chapter, are the firſt, ſecond, third, fourth, fifth and ſixth Seals contained, which laſt ſets forth the Dragons caſting down from his heaven of Paganiſh worſhip, to the earth: whereupon after the ſealing of the firſt 144000 in the Eaſtern parts, chap. 7. which were to ariſe there and be delivered from ſpiritual ruine (as chap. 9.4.) by Mahumetan impoſtures under the two firſt woe-Trumpets, chap. 9. with the decyphering the innumerable companies of all nations to ariſe in the Church after the ſounding of the 7th Trumpet, in thoſe peaceable times, with palms in their hands. Then in the beginning of the 8th chapter, is the opening of the 7th ſeal, out of which all the ſeven Angels with their ſeven Trumpets, proceed: and after interceſſion made by the Angel of the Covenant for the faithful ſufferers under the four firſt Trumpets which blew out wrath, for the moſt part upon the Weſtern Empire, till he that letted the coming of Antichriſt there, namely, the Weſtern Emperour was taken out of the way, 1 Theſ. 2.7. By the incurſions of the Barbarous Nations, ſo making way for the man of ſin, and ſo by degrees to end that Empire there: Then in the two firſt woe-Trumpets, (as we noted before) was brought on the like wrath, or rather much worſe, in bringing in that woful Mahumetan impoſture by the Saracens and Turks (in chap. 9.) upon the Eaſtern Empire (as before upon the Weſtern) both for their former cruel Perſecutions of the Saints, and their Antichriſtian Idolatries and Wickedneſs, as in the two laſt verſes of that ninth Chapter is expreſly ſet down. That they that eſcaped thoſe Plagues (ſaving the green graſs and trees, v. 4. of chap. 9. before ſealed, ch. 7.) repented not of the Works of their hands, that they ſhould not worſhip Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver, &c. nor repented of their Murthers, and Sorceries, and Fornications, and Thefts, but to be deſtroyed at the ſeventh Trumpet, as they had deſtroyed the Earth, Chap. 11.18.

And after thoſe Antichriſtian Abominations had been ſo long advanced in the Weſt under the Man of Sin, and his Ten Crowned Horns, in the time of divers Trumpets, but eſpecially the two firſt ſaid Wo-Trumpets, under that two-fold Beaſt, by new-coined Paganiſm and Idolatry, under a ſeeming Chriſtian diſguiſe; The Dragon after his former caſting down to the Earth under the ſixth Seal (having given his Power, and Seat, and great Authority to the ſaid two-fold Beaſt; there are ſeven Angels, having ſeven Golden Vials filled with the Wrath of Almighty God, prepared to pour them out to the ſaid Beaſts deſtruction, under the ſecond Wo-Trumpet, and beginning of the 3d Chap. 15, & 16. whereupon the Kingdoms of the World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Chriſt, Chap. 11.16. and Chap. 20.

As may more fully appear in the fore-named Abridgment on Rev. 5. in the foreign, and in the Letter of May 20. 1664, in the Forerunner, to which the Reader may be referred; and in the foreign, pag. 27, 28, 29, 30, &c.

Now what we read to be recorded of the Roman Empire in Daniels Viſions, is ſometimes ſet down more generally, and ſometimes more particularly, as ſeemed good to the Spirit of God to make them known to him for the benefit of his Church then, and for the better and more orderly application of what was there more darkly delivered to Daniel, to what our Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath more fully (though myſtically) revealed to St. John his beloved Diſciple, for his Chriſtian Church to the end of the ſaid Empire, we ſhall (by Gods gracious aſſiſtance) endeavour to proceed in the enſuing order.

Firſt, To ſet down what Daniel ſets forth of the beginning and riſe of that Empire.

Secondly, Of the Time and Continuance of it.

Thirdly, Of the general temper, quality or nature of it.

Fourthly, Of the ſeveral States and Parts of it.

Fifthly, Of the Extent and Largeneſs of it.

Sixtly, Of the End, Ruine and Deſtruction of it.

Referring thereunto the ſeveral parts of the Book of the Revelations, more fully explaining each particular accordingly; and ſo proceed to ſome general Obſervations and Improvements, as Gods Spirit and Word ſhall direct.

Firſt then, to conſider what Daniel ſets down of the beginning and riſe of that Roman Empire; and that is done remarkably, when he comes in Chap. 11. to ſet down how by degrees it began to ariſe upon p. 26the decay of the Greek Empire, when the two Heads of Egypt and Syria had long battered each other, then Rome had advantage firſt to ſhew her ſelf in anothers Right, whom as her Pupil ſhe had taken the defence of, namely, of Ptolomeus Epiphanes, the Son of Ptolomy Philopator, againſt Antiochus the Great, when his Father had left him, being a Child of four years old, as the Stories applied to the 13 and 17 verſes in the Abridgment, makes to appear; and therefore afterwards the Romans in v. 18. are called the Prince, and act afterwards againſt Antiochus the Great, [on their own behalf;] and to take away thoſe reproaches he had caſt upon them, Vide Abridgment, v. 18. But in v. 30. the Ships of Chittim, that is, the Romans Navy, as was propheſied by Balaam, Numb 24.24. c…me againſt Antiochus the Vile, by the appearance whereof before Alexandria, he was forced away; which was the ancient mark for the Jews to know their laſt Oppreſſor was at hand, under the Title of the Ships of Chittim; ſo conquering that Adverſary at preſent, vide Abridgment. But after Antiochus the Vile had perfected his outragious wickedneſs againſt the Jews, by reaſon of tranſgreſſions, chap. 8.23. until Javans rage ended, as in the latter end of v. 35.

At the 36 ver. the Spirit of God entitles the Romans, of whom he there ſpeaks, and deſcribes them by [the King;] Not now with limitation (as before) to North or South, or any other Quarter, but abſolutely [The King] to whom belonged the ſaid Ships of Chittim before, v. 30. Now having obtained the Soveraignty which was to continue until the indignation of God againſt the Jews was ended, ver. 36. Chap. 9.27. So that now he began to exalt himſelf above every god, as he did eminently till Chriſt was born; and then ſpake marvellous things againſt the God of gods, by his Authority blaſpheming, rejecting, killing the Son of God; the Stories whereof are contained in the Goſpels, and that time thoſe things were acted, and before the Revelation was given; yet the Spirit of God leads Daniel by ſteps to ſet forth in ſuch manner the riſe, and ſuch proceedings of the Roman Monarchy, till then, &c.

Secondly, For the time of the enduring and continuance of the Roman Empire, Daniel ſhews, chap. 9. laſt; That the Ships of Chittim being (as was obſerved, chap. 11.30.) that laſt Oppreſſor of the Jews, (as Numb. 24.24.) that ſhould afflict Aſhur, and ſhould afflict Eber, and that he alſo ſhould periſh for ever, ſo that no Oppreſſor of Eber ſhould remain after him) ſets forth his time in theſe words, holding out the continuance of the Deſolation of Jeruſalem, and the Jewiſh diſperſion therewith, under the Roman Tyranny and Cruelty, [for the over ſpreading of abominations, he ſhall make it deſolate,] (after he had ſpoken ſuch marvellous things againſt the God of gods) when in the midſt of the laſt week of years Chriſt dying, by his Authority ſhou'd cauſe the Sacrifice and Oblation to ceaſe [Jure & intentionaliter, by Right, and intentionally] in regard of Gods inſtitution thereof (though not efficaciter, effectually;) But then it follows, how long ſuch deſolation ſhould continue, even after his efficatious cauſingof Sacrifice and Oblation to ceaſe, (as in the Abridgment) even until the conſummation (ſaith he) and that determined ſhall be poured upon the Deſolate, by that laſt Oppreſſor, to periſh for ever: Or by ſuch as were to bring on his perdition in the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets, viz. The Saracens and Turks, Revel. 9. chap. namely, as Dan. 11.40, 41. The Saracens by puſhing at his Borders about the times of the Holy Wars (ſo called) and the Turk after them over flowing a great part of his Dominions, by his multitudes help to bring him down, which is called by our Saviour the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles, whilſt (from Jeruſalems deſtruction) the Jews ſhould fall by the edg of the Sword, and be led away captive into all Nations, and Jeruſalem ſhould be trodden down of the Gentiles, Luk. 21.24. that is, to the end of the dayes, wherein (ſaith Daniel likewiſe) Antichriſts (the wicked little Horns) time, (as chap. 7.) wherein he ſhall have accompliſhed to have ſcattered the power of the holy people, at the end of his time, times, and the dividing of a time, being the Clayie feet of the Iron legs, chap. 12.6. and chap. 7.25. and till Michael ſtand up for the deliverance of Daniels people at that ſeaſon, chap. 12 1. And again, when from Gods eminent making of publike Sacrifice and Oblation laſt, to ceaſe openly (as is probable) was in Julian the Apoſtate Emperors dayes, there ſhould from thence be fulfilled 1290 dayes of years (even about theſe times) when the Civil …nd Spiritual Reſurrection of all Iſrael ſhould begin, and to 1335 dayes of years or forty five years more, it ſhould be perfected; and when Daniel ſhould ſtand up in his Lot with the Fathers, chap. 12.11, 12, 13. which continuance contains the times of the Roman Monarchy, from the beginning of the opening of the firſt Seal, when the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt began to be publiſhed through the whole World, and ſo all along through the ſeries of the Book of Revelations, wherein are all things contained, reſpecting the Civil State, and the Affairs of Gods Church from thence, during the time of the Roman Monarchie, which ſhould be accompliſhed (as was foreſhewed) until the King of Kings with his Armies in white, Rev. 19.11, 12, 13, &c. ſhould ſlaughter the Enemies, and (as Ezek. 38, & 39 chapters) delivering all his people, ſhould ſet up his own, and his Saints Kingdom, Rev. 20. But in the mean time, many by tryals and ſufferings under the Roman Tyrannous yoke, ſhould be purified, and made white, chap. 12.10. having waſhed their Robes in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7.14. as alſo thoſe undefiled Lamb-followers redeemed from among men, Rev. 14.4. which had his Fathers Name written on their foreheads, be redeemed alſo from the Earth, ver. 3, 4. So that the conſummation, and that determined to be p ured upon the deſolate, See Ire…ic. pag. 27, 28, &c.Dan. 9.27. contained all the time of the ſix firſt Seals, after Jeruſalems deſtruction, Rev. 6. and the ſix firſt Trumpets proceeding out of the ſixth Seal, Rev. 8.9. with the ſeven Vials under the ſixth Trumpet; or, which is the ſame time, the Churches Ten Perſecutions, till Co…ſtantine's time, with the Arrian Perſecutions afterwards, until Antichriſts forty two months were fulfilled, together with the Womans Wi…derneſs condition, a time, times, and half a time, Rev. 12. and the Contemporarie two Witneſſes propheſying in ſackcloth 1260 dayes, Rev. 11. and from thence through the ſeven Vials at the end of the Armageddon Battel, Rev. 19.11. even to the beginning of the thouſand years, Rev. 20.

Thirdly, For the general temper and quality of the Roman Monarchy, and the actings thereof ſuitable to its nature. Firſt, the nature of it is deſcribed in the great Image, to be of Iron, ſtrong and durable, to the feet and toes, wherewith a weakneſs of Myrie Clay was mixed in the Popes time, chap. 2. where (ver. 40.) the uſe of it is expreſſed, namely, that it ſhould break and bruiſe all the other in pieces.

Again, chap. 7. whereas the three preceding Kingdoms are ſet forth by ſeveral Beaſts; firſt, the Caldean by its Lyon-like ſtrength, and by its proud high-ſoaring Eagles wings, before they were pluckt, and it made to ſtand on the feet as a man, v. 4. 2dly, The Perſian by a ravenous devouring Bear, with three ribs in the mouth, of Babylon, Media and Perſia, ver. 5. 3dly, The Grecian by a Leopard, ſwift to ſnatch the prey; with four wings upon the back, and four heads, under which it ſhould afterwards rule, v. 6. But the 4th, viz. the Roman Monarchy, Daniel ſaw in the night Viſions, a Monſtrous, Myſterious Beaſt, divers from all others; it was exceeding dreadful, terrible and ſtrong, and it had great Iron teeth, and devoured, and brake in pieces, and ſtamped the reſidue in pieces with the feet; wherein is compriſed the ſeven Heads of Government, Rev. 17. with the Nayles of Braſs (the Senate) deſtroyed by the Fourth Trumpet, Rev. 8. all of them before the 8th, which was alſo of the 7th, and adjoineth that to them, as the feet, wherewith it at laſt ſtamped, and that together with the ten Horns, as the toes of the feet, whereby the Body is enabled to walk upright, ſaying in the end of the 7th v. And it had ten Horns, wherewith to puſh and ſubdue, and vvherein the ſt…ength and power of its ſo doing did conſiſt; by which ten Ho…s, ſeem not onelyonly to be underſtood the ten crowned Kings that p. 29gave their power to the beaſt, as Rev. 17. but all ſuch tens wherein the Roman Power before conſiſted, as that Decem-virate, till the Twelve Tables of their Laws were compoſed, the Decuriones, or Commanders of Tens, ten of which were put under the Roman Centurions, conſiſting of Ten times ten, and ſo of all greater numbers of Ten; and the Ten Provinces, before they were crowned Horns, and all Roman Power under the number of Ten, as in their ſtories is obſervable; of which it might be ſaid it had ten Horns. And it is obſervable, that Daniel ch. 2. 34, 41, 42, 43. deſcribes it, that the feet and toes thereof were mixed with Myrie Clay; which are the ſame with the ten Horns crowned in the Popes time, which had much weakneſs in them, and could not mix themſelves with the Seed of men; and they were ſo diſtinguiſhed from ſuch former ſtrength of the Romans, in that they were the laſt and the loweſt part in that Image to help (as was ſaid) for a time to make that Beaſt ſtand, or go on the feet, as the ten toes thereof, though mixed with Myrie Clay; and with theſe ten Horns or Toes, the little Horn which Daniel obſerved, came up amongſt them, or behind them, at one hour with them, as is explained Rev. 17. before whom there were three of the firſt Horns plucked up by the Roots, viz. ſaith Mr. Mede, the Lumbards, Franks and Greeks; which Horn had eyes as a man, and a mouth ſpeaking great things; and that, ſaith Dan. chap. 7.25. againſt the Moſt High [by blaſphemies and wicked errors] and did think to change times and laws, and have the Saints given into his hands for a time, times, and the dividing of a time, or 42 months, Rev. 13. Dan. 12.6.

Again in chap. 11. v. 36. Daniel deſcribes the proud Uſurpation, Blaſphemy and Tyranny of the Roman Monarchy, before Antichriſts time, and in his time, v. 37, 38, 39. he more eſpecially ſpeaks of his neglect of the true God, and his Inſtitution of Marriage, with all his errors in both reſpects, with his Pride, Idolatry, and falſe Worſhip, his wicked Uſurpations and Perſecutions, to advance his Creatures to honor his Breaden God, and do all for the advancing of his Worldly deſigns, and outward glory.

Now in all theſe deſcriptions of the nature and qualities of the Roman Monarchy, both from its riſe under the firſt Heads of Government by Kings, Conſuls, Tribunes, Decemvires, Dictators, Coeſars, five of which were paſſed in a few years; but even in them, and more in the two longeſt and laſt, have thoſe qualities deciphered in general, been very obſervable in their ſtrength, pride, blaſphemy, tyranny, idolatry, perſecution of Jews and Gentiles, and actings againſt the God of gods, as was hinted before in the Abridgment, but might largely out of the Stories of them, be ſet forth both from Heathen and Chriſtian Writers, p. 30before and ſince the Revelation was given by Jeſus Chriſt; but chiefly, ſince their doings have been recorded by the Evangeliſts in the Goſpels, and the Apoſtles in all the New-Teſtament; and above all, in Chriſts infallible Propheſies concerning the Affairs of the Roman Monarchy in the greateſt part of the Book of Revelations; for after the Romans were at their height under the Emperors, beſides their Tyranny over the known parts of the world; what perſecutions were raiſed by their Emperors againſt the primative Chriſtians, executed in ſuch Savage and inexpreſſible tortures all along in the primative times under moſt of the Seals, thoſe ages that ſuffered under them, have had ſad experience, which hath ſince under the Trumpets procured that wrath of God upon the Empire both Eaſt and Weſt, that hath long ſince extinguiſhed the Power and Authority of the Roman Emperours. And though ſince that Roman Antichriſt the Pope, of the ſame fierce, tyrannous and wicked nature and qualities, by the Dragons Aſſignment did wind himſelf ſubtilly into their place, under a Chriſtian Viſor to ſet up his new formed Idolatry; yet he hath ſhewed himſelf their Succeſſor in his kind, in their wicked and abominable proceedings, as well as in place, as the large Comments witneſs, that have been made by his perſecutions, as the Writers of them teſtifie, according to what our Saviour foreſhewed, Rev. 13, & 17. of the Popes making War with the Saints, and the Whores drunkenneſs with their blood, and making the World, and the Kings of the Earth drunk with the Cup of her ſpiritual Fornications, and bewitching them with her Sorceries in ſuch an evident manner, as that the Myſteries of her iniquities are now in large Characters ſo legible to the whole Chriſtian World, and have been many ages, that as the Prophets Viſions of old, who ſo runneth may read them; and that in the long continued ſeries of many hundreds of years paſt, and which makes the horrid wickedneſs of theſe Antichriſtians ſo much the more abominable, that under the Name of Chriſt, they have all along fought againſt Chriſt, while ſuch horrid wickedneſſes of all ſorts have been varniſhed over with pretences of Chriſtianity, Piety and Charity, whereby they are the more ripened for heavier Judgments than fell upon their Heatheniſh Predeceſſors, which could not be guilty of their hypocriſie and fighting againſt God and Chriſt in his Saints, in ſo abundant clearneſs of light, againſt all conviction of Conſcience; ſo that whether we conſider the nature and quality of the Roman Monarchy in general, or their ſeveral Heads, paſſing in order to Antichriſts (the Popes) forty two Months, and weigh their actings and proceedings accordingly, (as in large Volumes might be made evident) the deſcriptions of them are ſo natural, which Daniel by the Spirit of Propheſie ſet down afore-hand p. 31of them, as we ſay, [non ovum ovo ſimilius] nothing is more like then what their doings have proved them to be, as all the Orders of times under the former Heads of the Roman Monarchy, from the firſt Seals, to the end of the Armageddon Battel, Rev. 19.11. See Iren. p. 27, 28, &c.both have for the time by-paſt, and will for what remains, according to Gods Word, abundantly make evident through all thoſe Ages.

Fourthly, Paſs we then to the Fourth Head conſiderable in the Roman Monarchy, and that is the ſeveral Stat…s and Parts of it: Many of theſe indeed are not ſo evident from Daniel, being (as Mr. Mede obſerves) ſet down by him but in imagine confuſa, and not ſecundum ſeries rerum gerendarum, as they are by Chriſt in the Revelation; yet the greateſt things to be fulfilled after the Revelations took place, which did concern the Chriſtian churches ſince, and preſent, under this conſideration of the ſtates and parts of the Roman Empire, are ſince the diviſion thereof into the Eaſt and Weſt, whereof we have theſe diſtinct informations, that the Pope ariſing with the ten Kings at one hour, Rev. 17. are particularly decyphered Dan. 7.8. where the wicked little Horn is obſerved by Daniel to ariſe among the other ten; before whom three of the firſt horns (as was ſhewed) were pluckt up by the roots; in which Horn were eyes like a man, and a mouth ſpeaking great things; and v. 25. againſt the Moſt High; and ſhall wear out the Saints of the Moſt High, and ſhall think to change Times and Laws, and that the Saints ſhould be given into his hand for a time, times, and the dividing of a time, by Chriſt plainly expounded, which the fulfilling of it hath plainly manifeſted to have been acted in the Weſtern Empire many hundred years paſt, of which chap. 2. of the feet and toes of the Image, mixed with Myrie clay, Daniel likewiſe ſpeaketh, and of the Pope, and his ſcattering the Power of the holy people a time, times, and the dividing of a time, ch. 12.6. and what we obſerved to be ſpoken of him, chap. 11.37, 38, 39. the like we have of the other part and ſtate of the Roman Empire in the Eaſt, when God raiſed thoſe two Wo-Trumpets of Mahumetans, the Saracens and Turks, that by degrees firſt in the time of the holy War (ſo called) ſo puſhed in the Eaſtern Empire; and ſince the ſecond Wo Trumpet by the Turks, hath ſo utterly caſt it down, that nothing remains of it to the laſt Head, now onelyonly confin'd to the Weſt, and theſe Parts and States of it are manifeſtly explain'd in Rev. 9 and Rev. 13. and 17. chap. and many other places.

Fifthly, It remains that we obſerve what Daniel informs us of the extent and largeneſs of the Roman Monarchy, which (as he obſerved) had the ſtrength of Iron to beat in pieces all other Metals, chap. 2. and that of all the Beaſts it was moſt dreadful, terrible and ſtrange, chap. 7.7. p. 32and had teeth of Iron, and nails of Braſs, to devour the whole earth, and tear it down, and break it in pieces; ſo it hath appeared in actions accordingly, as in part was ſhewed in the Abridgment, and Stories may at large manifeſt, till it grew to its height in Auguſtus his time, when he Decreed foreign, That all the world ſhould be taxed by his Authority, that is, ſo far as his power extended, and as far, in a manner, as we read the Apoſtles went their circuits in publiſhing the Goſpel to Jews or Gentiles. And as the former Monarchies ſubduing thoſe they ſucceeded, entred upon their Dominions, and joined them to their own, as the Perſian Bear had the three Ribs of Babylon, Media and Perſia, in his mouth; ſo the Grecian much of the Perſian, together with its own; though many Limbs and Parts remained of them after their greateſt breakings, as Daniel alſo ſpeaketh, their Lives were prolonged for a time and ſeaſon, chap. 17.12. So when the Roman, of all others the ſtrongeſt, terribleſt and fierceſt, came upon the Stage to act its part, beſides its own nature ſo rapacious and cruel, it had advantage after all, to make uſe of all the broken parts of the former Three, above any before it; and therefore ſo proudly and cruelly triumphed ever their ruinous ſtates on all parts, on Eaſt, and South, and North, and after, and above all, extended its Dominions very far in the Weſt likewiſe, even ad toto diviſos Orbe Britannos, to theſe furtheſt known Brittiſh Iſlands, and in thoſe known parts of the World of Afia, Africa and Europe, was the ſpreading of the Goſpel by the Apoſtles, in ſo many Countreys mentioned in their Writings, whoſe boundary ſhewed them to be the Roman Empire (in a manner) and the encouraging alſo afterward the profeſſion thereof in Eaſt and Weſt, by Conſtantine the Great, when he threw down Idolatry, and ſet up, and encouraged Chriſtianity in all the Empire. And this alſo is further manifeſt by what hath been ſince taken away by the Saracens and Turks after his time, from thoſe Roman Dominions; beſides the conſiderations of thoſe many Conqueſts the Romans obtained, till they came to the height, about our Saviours life-time, (as in the Abridgment in part is ſet down) whence it is manifeſt upon all the ſaid conſiderations, that the Roman Monarchy was of the largeſt …tent of all the other, and therefore by that Emperors command, the whole World was ſaid to be taxed. The Roman Empire for its largeneſs then containing (in ſome ſort) the known habitable World, or which none could withſtand; which Daniels former expreſſions do eminently foreſhew, and even of the Pope, Rev. 13. it was ſaid the World wondered after the Beaſt, and who is able to make war with him? But when the Dragon himſelf ſate in that ſeat, with his ſeven Heads, and ten Horns of Paganiſh Perſecutions, with ſuch ample p. 33Dominions before the Popes time. How much more might it have been ſaid, The whole world wondred after the Dragon, and who was able to make war with him? had not Chriſt himſelf in the firſt Seal, undertaken that encounter, and ſet him his line, how far he ſhould go, and his limits of time under the ſixth Seal, when his term ſhould end, by caſting him from his Heaven of Paganiſh Worſhip, to the Earth, Rev. 6. later end.

Sixthly, And ſo we proceed to the laſt ſtep, or period of our Parallel of Daniels Propheſie, and the Book of Revelations, as reſpecting what they ſay jointly of the end, ruine and deſtruction of the Roman Monarchy; and firſt for the ruine of the Beaſt, chap. 7.9. the Ancient of Dayes is ſaid to have the Judgment ſet, and that with a fiery Throne, with Wheels of burning fire; and to that end a ſtream of fire iſſued and came forth from before him, and for the execution of the Judgment thoſe thouſands miniſtred unto him, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtood before him; and the Books were opened, and the firſt part of the execution, and the ſpecial occaſions thereof, ſeems to be upon the provocation of the Beaſt, ver. 11. becauſe of the great words which the Horn ſpake; which execution is done firſt upon the Beaſt, to ſlay him, and deſtroy his body with the burning flame; and ſo again ver. 26. the end of the Judgment is declared to be, to take away the Dominion of the Beaſt, to conſume and deſtroy it unto the end. And Daniel then further ſaw, ver. 13. one coming in the clouds of Heaven like the Son of man, the ſame which Rev. 1.7. is ſaid to come with clouds, and every eye ſhall ſee him, and they alſo that pierced him; with [Even ſo, Am…] added; ſhewing then, that promiſed Mercy is then to be fulfilled to the Jews, Zac. 12.10. That they ſhall then mourn with penitent contrition, though many others with woful lamentation at that time; and unto this was the glorious deſcription of the Alpha and Omega; the ſaid Son of Man ſet before him, who at the finiſhing of the things of this Book, ſaith, he comes quickly; and of this coming of Chriſt, ſpeaks the Apoſtle Paul, 2 Theſſ. 1.7. When the Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when on the other hand, he ſhall be admired of his Saints, and glorified in all them that believe: And in the next Chapter, ver. 3, 4. he deſcribes the man of ſin, againſt whoſe wickedneſs, the Apoſtle ſhews (with Daniel) he will …ially be revealed; whom (ſaith he) ver. 5. the Lord ſhall deſtr… … the appearance of his coming; and in like manner when that p. 34King of Kings, with his Armies in the Armageddon Battel, Rev. 19.11. cometh againſt the Beaſt and his Armies; and then takes the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet, they are both ſaid to be caſt alive into a Lake of fire and brimſtone, thereby deſcribing the Helliſh deſtruction that then will fall upon that Roman Monarchy for ever. Now as the Roman Monarchy, the ſtrongeſt and fierceſt, and of much the longeſt continuance, hath been the moſt wicked, having attempted by abominable Idolatries, Bla…phemies, and unheard of cruelties in their perſecutions, ſo highly againſt Chriſt and his Saints, in thoſe ten moſt barbarous Perſecutions, notwith…anding all the light tendered in their Dominions by the Preaching of Chriſt himſelf, and his Apoſ…les, whom they likewiſe had rejected, pe…ecuted and killed, for the moſt part; and ſo all along the prim…tive times bu…ed their power, to extinguiſh the Chriſtian Religion, until God raiſed up Conſtantine the Great, to put a period to their Paganiſh proceedings, in that …readful manner that the wrath of the Lamb, as it is ſaid, was executed upon them, that is, for the terribleneſs of it reſembled to the day of Judgment, as is largely ſet down under the ſixth Seal, Rev. 6. latter end: But when upon the taking away of the Succeſſions of thoſe Heatheniſh Perſecutors, the afterwards Apoſtatical Church of Rome did become Antichriſtian, though the extent of their power hath been leſſened, yet their wickedneſs, ſo far as they then could reach, hath been many wayes greater, and more notorious, and that for a longer time after their former owning of the Truth, and again revolting from it, and even perverting it to their own and others ruine in ſuch a myſterious, contrived Helliſh Apoſtaſie, by ſuch Artifice of bloody cruelty and wickedneſs, ſo monſtrouſly executed above their Paganiſh Predeceſſors, ſo many hundred years together, by their long holding out the Cup of Spiritual Abominations by Myſtery Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth, who by how much more ſhe hath taken pleaſure in her wickedneſs, ſo much …he more torment ſhall be given her, Rev. 18.7. But beſides the laſt fiery deſtruction of the whole Monarchy, by the fiery ſtreams, Dan. 7. there is a further dreadful deſcription of that Wrath and Judgment, Dan. 12.1. at the time when Michael ſhall ſtand up for Daniels people, and when his people ſhall be delivered, which ſhall be ſuch a time of trouble as never was ſince there was a Nation; whereof Babylon muſt have her portion; for both Gog and Magog, that is, Turk and Pope, whoſe deſtruction was revealed to Ezekiel, chap. 38, 39. to precede the ſaid deliverance promiſed, chap. 37. and building of the New Jeruſalem, chap. 40. to the end of the Book; whoſe Name is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there, appears to be the ſame with that Jeruſalem coming down out of p. 35Heaven from God, Rev. 21. when the Tabernacle of God will be with men, when the Lamb will be the light of that City, ver. 23. after the Armageddon battel was ended, Rev. 19.11, to the end; and that the Turk and Pope are meant in Ezek. 38, 39. may appear by many paſſages, ſome whereof we may point out by the way, as chap. 38.8. it is ſaid of Gog, That he ſhall come into the Land that is brought back from the Sword, and gathered out of many people, againſt the Mountains of Iſrael, which have been always vvaſt for ſo very long a time; and yet (he ſaith) being brought out of the Nations, they ſhall dwell, ſafely all of them. Again it is ſald, He ſhall come out, and many people with him, out of the North parts, and that in the latter days, ver. 16. with many other notes decyphering the Turk, as Daniel alſo did, chap. 11.44, 45. And for Magog the Pope, (ſaith he alſo) chap. 39.6. I will ſend a fire on Magog, and amongſt them that dwell careleſly in the Iſles, (as the Jews reckoned ſuch remote parts under the Name of the Iſles) and then he adds, They ſhall know that I am the Lord; namely, to their coſt at the Beaſts deſtruction, more fully ſet forth in the New-T…ſtament, as was ſhewed before; and then in the next Chapter the Prophet adjoins the glorious City, whoſe Name ſhould be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there; and to this likewiſe agrees that Propheſie of Joel, chap. 3.12. when God vvill bring again the captivity of Judah and Jeruſalem, and as follows, vvith all Iſrael; when he vvil ſo dreadfully viſit the World, as Joel 2.30, 31, 32. Joel 3.1, 2, &c. as in a great part of that chapter ſetting forth the gathering to the Armageddon Battel; and Gods Judgments on them there, may be evident, as Rev. 16, 18, & 19. chapters; vvhereupon the happy eſtate of the Jewiſh Church (with others) is deſcribed, when the Lord ſhall dwel among them. Conſider theſe particulars in the laſt of Joel, and as they are explained in the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt; ſo alſo Rev. 11.15, 16, 17. Now that the time of the accompliſhment of that terrible laſt deſtruction of the Roman Monarchy doth near approach, beſides many former conjectures of many Learned Authors, as Mr. Brightmans, Dr. Alſteds, Mr. Medes, Mr. Parkers, and other accounts, which upon ſundry grounds they drew to ſome nearneſs to what we ſhall briefly ſet down, as Dr. Homes in his Dawning of the Day-Star, Lib. 7. judiciouſly explaineth them, and as daily more and more by Gods Mercy towards his people, is like to be diſcovered of the clearneſs of ſuch myſteries concerning theſe laſt days. We ſhall, I ſay, onelyonly add four concurring computations of Scripture, of the time which may bring the laſt deſtruction of Antichriſt, at the appearing of Chriſts coming, (as 2 Theſ. 2.8.) to be nearer then their former accounts riſe unto.

p. 36Not here to inſiſt upon ſome late Authors computations, vvho have brought the accounts of the laſt things nearer than the former, viz. Concerning the Appearance of Chriſt to be at, or about Ann. Dom. 1700; whoſe grounds, becauſe I know not what they are, I ſhall here ſay no more of them. But I find four computations of holy Scriptures tending to ſuch purpoſes: Firſt, two of the Old-Teſtament, reſpecting the end of the Jews Bondage, Dan. 8. and Dan. 12. ch. Secondly, two in the New-Teſtament, for the uſe of the Gentile Chriſtians, holding out firſt the ruine both general and compleat, of the great Myſtical Oppreſſor of the two Sack-cloath Propheſiers, and the contemporary Saints with them, till then, namely, of the Pope, Rev. 11. and 13, & 16. The other the ruine of the Great Tyrant over the Jews, and Antichriſtians too, Rev. 9. namely, the Turk, though not over them alone, but over the outward man of the 444000 ſealed ones, Rev. 7. in the Eaſt, who after his day, hour, month and year, or 396 years, to deſtroy the third part of men, muſt come to his end, when none ſhall help him, as Rev. 11.45. (very probably) at, or about the ſame time. Which two Ends, namely, the ruine of Chriſts Enemies, and the deliverance of his people, Dan. 12.1. See plain Diſcov. after the Parallels.are the joint work of ſuch Chriſts perſonal Appearance (then) as afterward by the goodneſs of God may more fully appear.

And though the concurrence of the ſaid four Periods, ſeemed ſtrange at my firſt apprehenſions of them; yet upon ſerious conſideration ſince, I have found them exceeding probably to point out unto us the meaning of Gods Spirit therein, (in a latitude at leaſt;) and let all ſerious Chriſtians beware of ſlighting of them. It had been a very remarkable thing, if four ſuch Numbers had ſo concurred onelyonly at one period, had the holy Ghoſt done no more; ſince it was his own Divine Work ſo to ſet them down, and eſpecially, having ſuch diſtinct Epochaes, or beginnings, many hundred of years diſtant; but when he hath expreſly, and remarkably too, cauſed the Context to ſpeak much to the like purpoſe, we are to take notice more groundedly of ſuch hints of Gods own giving, or rather Divine Foundations of ſuch kind of Truths reſpecting his own times and ſeaſons; which as they are always both for diſcovery and execution too, in his own power; yet in what degrees he pleaſes, he uſeth to make them known unto his ſervants in ſeveral ages, as in his wiſe counſel is beſt and moſt ſeaſonable (many times) to ſtir up his ſervants to Chriſtian watchfulneſs and obedience. I ſhall therefore endeavour as briefly and clearly as God ſhall enable me, to ſet them down for the uſe of faithful Chriſtians, and ſo leave them, onelyonly adding my prayers for them, firſt to beware of that ſlight overlooking of ſuch Gods Warnings, as I find too many too apt to p. 37do. See plain Diſcov. after the Patal. in 9. uſe of ſuch Doctrines once for all in writing, to be enlarged in Diſcourſes, &c. for the benefit of all ſorts.Secondly, That they may really endeavour to make their due improvements of them; to which purpoſes we may (if God will) afford ſome brief hints at leaſt, by reaſon of many preſent reſtraints from enlarging, as judicious perſons will eaſily apprehend.

Firſt then, to ſpeak ſomething more particularly concerning the 2300 days, Dan. 8. in the Original Evening-mornings, which may as well, yea, better appear, (as I doubt not after is manifeſt) to be intended for ſo many natural days, whereby we are prophetically to underſtand ſo many dayes of years (as is uſual in this kind) allowing an Evening and Morning to every day, rather than to put them (as ſome ſeem to do) for half the time: And they evidently appear from divers paſſages in the Context, to have a further intention, than to be limited to the wicked Tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes, or about his time, (which before in the Abridgment we made mention of) which evil time (happily) might be typical of the long diſperſion, and miſerable bondage of both Jews and Iſraclites through all their whole captivity, [that is, from the time that the captivity of both took place] to wit, from Nebuchadnezzars beginning of the ſeventy years of his Kingdoms Tyranny over that captivated people, Anno Mundi 3398. and through a great part of the Perſian Monarchy, to the beginning of Daniels Weeks, Anno Mundi 3549. which was 80 years more; which with the former 70 of the Babylonian captivity, amount to 150 years thus reckoned; Cambyſes with the Magi, 8 years; Darius Hiſtaſpis 34, Xerxes 20, Artaxerxes Longimanus, current 20, not compleat; which with ſome other deductings of one year, makes in Chronology 80 years, from Cyrus his taking of Babylon, Ann. Mundi. 3469, to the beginning of Daniels Wecks, An. 3549. when the Decree to build Jeruſalem, not the Temple, (that being built before that time) was ſet forth, as Neh. 9.25. in the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, as Neh. 1.2, 4. and 2.1, 2, 3, &c. unto which, if we add the 490 in Daniels Weeks, extending 34 years after Chriſts Birth [beſides the laſt half Week after his death] in both which, namely 150, and 490, are contained 640 years, where by the way, take thoſe 34 years from Chriſts aſcention, and add them to this preſent Anno Dom. 1666. (and according to what is obſervable from our four Scriptural Numbers, reſpecting both Jews and Gentiles) they reach juſt to 1700, and ſo there will be 1666 years from Chriſts aſcending, to his deſcending the ſecond time of his coming, when will be the final ruine of the Beaſt, (by the ſaid numbers, and as far as we can gueſs by the Series of Daniel and Revelation) (which ſeems remarkable in the wonderful Numberers Accounts, &c.) according as the Angel told the Diſciples when he was taken by the Clouds out of their ſight. p. 38Acts 1.11, 12. that he ſhould ſo come again, and not onelyonly in the clouds of Heaven, Rev. 1.7. but probably then alſo his feet may ſtand again on Mount Olivet to fulfil that Propheſie Zach. 14.4. when the great things there ſpoken of largely, may be fulfilled, and the Nation of the Jews born in a day, Eſ. 66.8. Zac. 3.9.

Now that the whole time from the beginning of the compleat captivity of all the twelve Tribes, at the carrying of the two laſt Tribes to Babylon, was the time thenceforward to be meaſured out by the 2300 years, Dan. 8.14. may appear evident from the context, thus, as is further explained in ver. 17, and 19. and conſidered with the former; and that both (firſt) for the matter or things held out in the Viſion. Secondly, For the time of it, and that in two reſpects; 1. For continuance thereof 2300 years. 2dly, Of the determination of the period thereof, at the laſt end of the indignation the end ſhall be; and for the matter of the Viſion, that is ſet forth, ver. 14. upon a queſtion of one Saint to another, How long? concerning the daily Sacrifice, and the tranſgreſſion of deſolation, or making deſolate, (as the Hebrew word denotes) to give both the Sanctuary and the Hoſt to be trodden under foot. And further, in reſpect of the time both for the continuance and period thereof (as was obſerved) there is further added, What ſhall then be done? ver. 14. Then ſhall the Sanctuary be cleanſed, (Hebr. juſtified;) as if it was ſaid, The purpoſe of all before ſet forth formerly in the Sanctuary, will then be made evident, when the myſtery of God will be finiſhed. And afterwards one in the appearance of a man (which it ſeems was Chriſt) ſpake unto the Angel Gabriel to make Daniel underſtand the Viſion, as Rev. 10.7. to wit, when the period thereof ſhould be; which firſt he ſaith, ver. 17. it ſhall be at the time of the end; and ver. 19. he ſaith further, it ſhall be at the laſt end of the indignation, which is again ſpoken of, and further explained, chap. 11.36. and alſo comparing v. 40. of that 11th chap. with chap. 12.4, 9. and with theſe three laſt Verſes, compare the laſt ver. of ch. 12. when Daniel ſhall ſtand up in his lot. And although the two Tribes, to fulfil Gods promiſe, were ſent back in part from Babylon after ſeventy years; yet never were thoſe two of Judah, or the ten Tribes of Iſrael, in any great meaſure comparatively to the whole, either any long time freed from their bondage and oppreſſions, or had free Governors, not tributary or ſubordinate unto others; and what multitudes of them remained in the 127 Provinces of the Perſian Dominions, not much above 70 years afterwards, in the time of Ahaſuerus (who is probably conceived to be Artaxerxes Longimanus) from whom the Decree came to build Jeruſalem (as we ſhewed from Dan. 9.25.) Beſides, they wanted the Ark where God formerly manifeſted his preſence p. 39with them, and his pleaſure to them, with many excellencies they formerly had; yet God was pleaſed to uphold that unworthy people in their low condition divers hundreds of years, until the Tyranny of three great Oppreſſors, viz. the Perſians, Greeks and Romans, till his time of Shiloh his coming, when that bleſſed promiſed Seed of the Woman, that Seed of Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob, in whom all Nations ſhould be bleſſed; that off-ſpring of David according to the fleſh, ſhould take our narure upon him from a pure Virgin, being conceived by the Holy Ghoſt, and in all other particulars foretold and promiſed to be the Great Meſſiah, at that appointed time to come and take upon him ſo wonderfully and holily the humane nature, that he might therein fulfil all righteouſneſs, make attonement for iniquity; and bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs, &c. Dan. 9.24. And becauſe neither Mercies nor Puniſhments wrought in any ſuitable meaſure upon thoſe that were reduced; but rather they grew for the moſt part worſe and worſe, and did but more fill up the meaſure of their wickedneſs, by abuſing of ſuch wonderful mercies from firſt to laſt, even ſo that they, with their Rulers, againſt all light and conviction, would joyn in killing that Lord of Life that ſo wonderfully came into, and lived in the World to ſave their ſouls; and therefore they have ſeemed almoſt ever ſince to have had ſo much a worſe Captivity and ſcattering throughout the World, and ſo much the more heavy wrath lying upon them, than before; and ſeem more like to be given up to a reprobate ſenſe, till the end of the Indignation, (as it is ſeveral times called, Dan. 8.19. and Dan. 11.36.) ſo that a more evident manifeſtation of the drift of this Viſion to reach to the laſt end of the indignation, (as will alſo be manifeſt in all the following Myſtical Numbers) and when the end ſhall be, and in the end, as Chap. 8. v. 19. laſt words. I ſay, a greater manifeſtation thereof than this, I know not hovv, vvhere, or upon what ground vve can in reaſon expect to find.

The Second is, from the years revealed to Daniel for the benefit of his own people the Jews, namely, The 1290 days of years, the Epocha whereof ſhould be from the time the publike daylie Sacrifice was laſt and moſt effectually taken away, and the Abomination of Deſolation ſet up, after our Saviour (Jure, by his death had put an end to it, being the Anti-type of all ſuch Sacrifice) it was again done providentially by many ſteps afterwards; and that not only at the great Deſolation by Titus and Veſpatian, but as we ſhewed in the Abridgment on Dan. 9.27. at ſeveral times afterwards, as by Adrian the Emperor, about 130 years after Chriſts birth. Again, by Conſtantine the Great, vvhen he drave the Jews from Mamre, and ſet up a Temple for Chriſtians there: But moſt remarkable in Julian the Apoſtates time, when the wonderful hand of p. 40God about 366, or as learned Dr. Ʋſher, 363. ſhewed it ſelf in cauſing the Jewiſh publike Sacrifice, eſpecially at the Temple at Jeruſalem, efficaciouſly to ceaſe, even until there be an awakening of the Jews or Iſraelites to their Civil and Spiritual reſurrection, foreſhewed Ezek. 37. unto which ſaid Epocha, if we add the 1290 years, they will reach to 1656. about which time, or ſooner, relations were made by Travellers, of their private actings, by a ſecret character, ſending to their Brethren in many parts, upon ſome ſuppoſed deſign, probably conceived to be that in Dan. 11.44, of their riſing to ſeek their Land, &c. the effect whereof we have had many times confirmed this year, 1665. So that from their beginning to look towards Sion, in hearkening after the tenders of Chriſts Grace (as by late information there ſeems to be hopes of in ſome meaſure) whereunto, if we add again the bleſſed time of Chriſts perfecting ſuch a work about the 13 35th year after, which is 45 years more, Dan. 12.11, 12. when Dan. 12.1. Michael their Prince ſhould ſtand up for their full deliverance at the ruine of the Turk, in the end of chap. 11. So theſe and the late Authors computations agree together about An. Dom. 1700.

Thirdly, We may add another concurrent Account of the Turks time, in Rev. 9. who is reckoned the ſecond Wo Trumpet upon the Roman Empire, whoſe hour, day, month and year, Mr. Mede ſums up to be 396 years, beginning ſoon after 1300, as Chronologers compute his beginning; ſo by that reckoning about 35 years from this 1665th year, his time will be out at, or about 1700.

Fourthly, The like reckoning may probably be made from the Popes riſe and ruine, and from the probable proceeding of the pouring out the Viols, and the killing and riſing of the Witneſſes.

Firſt, From the Popes riſe at one hour, with the ten crowned Horns, Rev. 17. about 406, as [Excidium Antichriſti] makes to appear very probable; and accordidgly his ruine likely eminently to begin about 1666. To which purpoſe further take notice, That Pope I nocent the firſt, at 406, or ſooner, (as ſome conceive) did not only challenge Appeals to be made to him from all Churches, Secundum Patrum illorum inflituta, &c. upon a pretence of a Decree in the Council of Nice, which afterwards proved but a falſification, as divers Authors witneſs; but being Pope, ſaith Helvic. An. Dom. 402, alſo exalted himſelf above all that is called God, manifeſt by his Excommunicating the Emperor Arcadius in the Eaſt: See Dan. Pareus in Medulla Hiſtoriae Eccleſiae Ʋniverſal, and the Eaſtern Churches with him. See Roſſe Hiſtory of the World, lib. 3. ch. 3.

p. 41He alſo is ſtoried to have obtained of Honnorius Emperor of the Weſt, an Exemption of the Clergy from the Civil Juriſdiction, making them a diſtinct Body with the Pope their Head, as the two Horned Beaſt, Rev. 13. as in reſpect of the ten crowned Horns that aroſe with him, he was the ten Horned Beaſt alſo; beſides many other badges to diſcover him both before, and about 406, and before in many things, as Idolatry in worſhipping Images, Saints and their Reliques, &c. See Wolfius, Cent. 4. forbidding Marriage, Simſon Hiſt. Lib. 4. Cent. 4. in …d Councel of Carthage. An. (ſaith Helvic.) 396. Siricius (ſaith Melanct. on Carion. Lib. 3.) forbad the married Clergy to company with their Wives, elſe to be deprived of their Offices; abuſively citing St. Paul's words, They that are in the fleſh, cannot pleaſe God: About 398. With ſundry other Superſtitions and Traditions, which Hiſtories record then to be received and promoted by the Popes in thoſe times; ſhewing the Beaſt to be riſen at that time, whereof many Authors give large Evidence.

Secondly, From the pouring out of the Viols; the third whereof Mr. Mede conceived to be the Laws againſt the Popes Emiſſaries in Qu. Elizabeths days, with other like actings elſewhere; ſince which begun that 3d, 4th and 5th; are conceived to have paſſed in almoſt 100 years; and the 6th to be begun, both by drying up the Popes Euphrates of the German Emperors Dominions by the Turk lately; and thereby ſo preparing the way for the Kings of the Eaſt, the Iſraelites and Jews, as is now more then probable; and ſo to the Popes utter ruine, remains the time for gathering to the Battel of the great God, to be at the end of the 6th Viol, Rev. 16. which may probably be about the ſaid time, between 30 or 40 years.

Laſtly, The riſing of the Witneſſes will precede the falling of the tenth part of the Dition of the great City, wherein will be ſlain 7000 Names of men, at the Popes eminent beginning to fall.

Now with the Date of the Beaſts 42 Months, or the Womans time, times, and half a time in her wilderneſs condition, or the witneſſes 1260 years, will probably be thoſe great changes about 1666. which the Holy Ghoſt ſeems to make the ending term or number of the Beaſt, Rev. 13. the laſt ver. as Belſhazzar's Kingdom was ſaid to be numbred when it ended, Dan. 5. when Antichriſt will have probably accompliſhed to have ſcattered the power of the holy people the Saints; but then Chriſtian Churches both of Jews and Gentiles, will be able to ſtand up and maintain their open conflicts with both their great Adverſaries the Turk and Pope, the Myſtical Antichriſt, until Chriſts appearing, not improbable to be about the ſame time aforeſaid, (for ſome few years difference there is in the Computations of years in Authors) concerning the laſt p. 42cauſing of Sacrifice to ceaſe in Julians time (as was obſerved) and of the time of the fixth Viol, the end whereof may happily be ſooner felt of many, then known or believed, when the 7th Viol will be poured out to fulfil that terrible deſtruction, which both Old and New-Teſtament (as was ſhewed) give witneſs unto. But all circumſtances conſidered, it may ſeem very probable upon all theſe ſaid accounts ſo concurring in a joint period, That the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord, to the wicked World, approaches nigh, before which an Elias was to be ſent to his ancient people of Iſrael, Mal. 4.5. happily already come to the Iſraelites we now hear of, &c. Upon all which conſiderations it behoves all ſorts of men wiſely to weigh in the ballance of the Sanctuary both theſe and ſuch like Scriptural Advertiſements, and all other providential ſigns of the times; otherwiſe our manifold Warnings both from the Word and Providence, will make our Judgment the more heavy, and our neglect thereof will make us the more inexcuſable; and wo be unto us if we unfaithfully go about to put off the evil day far from us, when God is about to bring it ſuddenly upon us: His Judgments begin now to appear terrible in the World, and he ſeems to begin his great Earth-quake to come, when the Beaſts eminent fall is to begin. Therefore let all the Inhabitants of the World learn righteouſneſs, both righteouſneſs of Juſtification, by the right knowledg and application of the Doctrine of Faith in Jeſus Chriſt alone, as Dan. 12.3. and righteouſneſs of new obedience, being led by the Spirit of Sanctification, by the Rule of the Word, in the pathes of Holineſs, Righteouſneſs and Sobriety in their whole life and converſation, which are thoſe Garments moſt needful at ſuch times to be kept cloſe to us, Rev. 16.15. againſt theſe times wherein the ſtorms of Gods wrath begin to ariſe upon the wicked world in theſe laſt of dayes.

And ſo we have done with the ſixth and laſt Conſideration, to wit, of the utter ruine and perdition of the Roman Kingdom, and all the broken Limbs of the other with it; whereunto the Monarchy of Chriſt is ſolely to ſucceed, in the next place to be conſidered.

Here onelyonly let me add the Conſideration of the proportioned Degrees of Gods proceedings againſt three ſorts of men in three great revolutions of times, wherein partly he hath manifeſted, and partly he will manifeſt moſt eminently his wonderful Grace, ſince the old Worlds drowning by water, and Sodom and Gomorrahs deſtruction by fire, ſet forth for examples to all ſucceeding ages; and yet, for ought we find, they had not the like tenders of Grace that thoſe ſince their deſtruction have had, and yet will have; Firſt, Againſt the Jews at their laſt deſolation and captivity. Secondly, Againſt Antichriſt at his utter perdition. Thirdly, What his word declares ſhall be againſt that laſt Gog and Magog, at the worlds laſt deſtruction; (for theſe terms of Gog and Magog, are taken for the great, reſolved and implacable Enemies of Gods Church:) Firſt, The Nation of the Jews were brought near to God after all the twelve Tribes deliverance out of Egypt, and ſetling in Canaaan, enjoying above their Brethren, a peculiar nearneſs to God, more than any other people, a long time; having his Oracles, and Ordinances, and Meſſengers amongſt them, and many tokens of his gracious preſence with them, great things revealed to them, great things done for them, and long patience exerciſed towards them; but when they continued not onelyonly unreformed, but obſtinate, that they ſet themſelves againſt God and his Meſſengers, in ſuch a notorious, rebellious manner, that there was no remedy, they were led Captive to Babylon; but yet with a gracious promiſe of returning again after 70 years. But afterwards, when neither Mercy nor Judgments did them good, but after all their wickedneſs and tranſgreſſions, they killed the Lord of Life, and perſecuted his Meſſengers that ſought to ſave their fouls; ſuch an horrible deſolation befell them, as in all the world the like had not been heard. But 2dly, Since the Romans have rejected greater tenders of Grace, wherein both Chriſts and his Apoſtles both Preachings and Miracles, were performed, and whereby the Jews Deſolation was accompliſhed for reſiſting of Chriſt and his Goſpel, which after the wicked Example of the Jews, they have ſo rejected, deſpiſed, yea oppoſed and perſecuted both the Goſpel, and all that owned it, in ſuch bloody, cruel and ſavage manner, that the juſt wrath and vengeance of Almighty God, hath almoſt all along purſued them; but eſpecially it will appear in the utter ruine of the Roman Kingdom, at Antichriſts deſtruction, who hath of all others abuſed the greateſt, cleareſt and moſt glorious light of Goſpel-Grace, after his fore-fathers owning of it, and taking up a profeſſion thereof; yet after by his abominable Apoſtaſie, ſo wickedly to pervert ſuch precious Truth, and ſo many hundred years to proceed in ſuch abominable, helliſh practiſes of Atheiſm, Blaſphemy, Idolatry, with all varieties of VVickedneſs, Perſecution and Bloodſhed of the Saints, his laſt utter ruine will (according to the VVord) be ſo much the more terrible, by an immediate hand of Chriſt, by Fire and Sword, and otherways to make it ſo dreadful to all ſucceeding Generations, as is ſaid Dan. 12.1. and Ezek. 38, 39. in reference both to him and the Turk, who hath likewiſe got ſo great a ſhare in the Empire, (where the falſe Prophet Mahomet is alſo ſet up) that it will be a time of trouble, ſuch as never was ſince there was a Nation; more fully again explained of the Pope, and (happily) that falſe Prophet too, Rev. 19, 11, to the end.

But 3dly, VVhen the Hypocriſie of the laſt Gog and Magog, ſo long reſtrained by the wonderful Glory, and powerful Grace of Chriſtmanifeſt, both before in the deſtruction of Antichriſt, and all along the thouſand years, not onelyonly to all the Generations of the faithful, for the inward and outward man; but to the raiſed Saints, in ſo bleſſed and holy an Eſtate, continued that time on Earth all under that Univerſal Dominion of Chriſt and his Saints; yet notwithſtanding all reaſons and motives to the contrary, when at laſt by Satans ſeducement upon the advantage of the numerouſneſs of thoſe hypocritical ſlaves (formerly) to the Church, they ſhall ſo Atheiſtically, after all dare to break out into open Enmity and Hoſtility (probably to free themſelves from Chriſts and his Churches outward yoke) to think and attempt to compaſs the Camp of Saints from all the Quarters of the Earth, by the Conduct of the Devil, and even to beſiege (as it were) Heaven it ſelf upon Earth, the beloved City, it will be an Attempt ſo far beyond all parallel in the height of wickedneſs both of Men and Devils in the world, that the Vengeance of God will no longer ſuffer it to continue, nor them to have longer time further to attempt any other Evil in it; but both at once, or near together, ſhall be deſtroyed from the face of it, and ſent thence to their own place of torments, and thereupon the diſſolution of the world to enſue: Such VViſdom, Power, Holineſs, and Goodneſs of ſuch Gods great Proceedings in the world, the Sacred Scriptures ſeem clearly to hold out to be obſerved and improved by all men.