The Little Horns Downfall, Treatise 1 – Treatise 2
THE LITTLE HORNES DOOM and DOVVNFALL.
Dan. 7. 24, 25, 26, 27.
And another, another ſhall riſe after them which ſhall be divers from the firſt, and he ſhall ſubdue three Kings.
And he ſhall ſpeak great words againſt the moſt high, and think to change Times and Laws, and they ſhall be given into his hand, untill a time, and times, and the dividing of time.
But the Judgement ſhall fit, and they ſhall take away his Dominion, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
And the Kingdom, and Dominion, and the greatneſse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven, ſhall be given unto the people of the Saints of the moſt High, whoſe Kingdome is an everlaſting Kingdom, and all Dominions ſhall ſerve and obey him.
THe Coherence of theſe verſes with the former part of this Chapter being obſerved, the meaning of them will the more clearely appeare, which is briefly thus.
The Prophet Daniel in the firſt yeare of Belſhazzar had a Dream, and Viſions, wherin the all-diſpoſer of all things was pleaſed to reveale unto him (not for his ſake only, but for ours alſo) many things which were to come to paſſe in a very long time after: ſome of which things are not yet, but ſhall be fulfilled in their ſeaſon.
The ſum of the Viſion is this: The Prophet ſaw foure great beaſts riſe one after another, being divers one from another; and the firſt was like a Lion, the ſecond like a Beare, the third like a Leopard, and the fourth beaſt was ſuch a Monſter, as he compares it to no beaſt, being unlike any beaſt that could be named; and its ſaid to be exceeding dreadful, and terrible, having ten hornes, and among theſe hornes there came up another little horne, before whom three were pluckt up, and in this horne were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth ſpeaking great things, And at laſt the Prophet in his Viſion ſaw a finall end of all theſe beaſts, and all their Power, and Dominion taken from them, and ſaw the Lord Jeſus Chriſt (there ſtiled, The Son of man) ſet up to be the only Monarch of all the World.
The Prophet having ſeen this Viſion: and it being dark, and myſterious to him, he was troubled, and deſired to know the truth of it, whereupon the interpretation of the Viſion was given to him, as it is at the 16 verſe, and ſo on. And it was declared to him, that the foure great beaſts, were foure Kings that ſhould ariſe out of the earth; and when the Prophet deſired more particularly to know what the meaning of the fourth beaſt was, which was ſo different from the reſt, and ſo exceeding dreadfull, and what was the meaning of the ten Hornes which were in his Head, and of the other Horne which came up, before whom three fell. It was revealed to him that the fourth beaſt ſhould be the fourth Kingdome upon earth, which ſhould be different from all Kingdomes, and ſhould devour the whole Earth, and ſhould tread it down, and break it in peeces; and that the ten Hornes ſhould be ten Kings which ſhould ariſe out of it, and that the other Horne which came up, before whom three fell, was another King, which ſhould ariſe after the ten Kings, which ſhould be divers from the firſt, and ſhould ſubdue three Kings, &c.
Now that this Propheſie hath been accompliſhed, exactly, clearly and fully, in the former part of it, viz. in the riſing of the foure Univerſall Monarchs, which have acted their parts in the world, ſince the time that the Prophet Daniel ſaw this Viſion;
The firſt being the Babylonian which was then in being.
The ſecond the Perſian which ſucceeded the Babylonian.
The third the Grecian which ſucceeded the Perſian; And
The fourth which was the worſt, the moſt dreadfull, and terrible, and the laſt of the foure, was the Roman which ſucceeded the Grecian.
I ſay, that in theſe foure Monarchs, this Propheſie hath been in that part of it fulfilled, is very cleare, and acknowledged by all that acknowledge any thing.
And moreover, in that ſince the breaking of the great power of the Roman Monarchy, there hath riſen ten Kings out of it, which have been the Hornes, which the beaſt hath made uſe of to puſh the Saints, thoſe Kings being ſubject to the Roman Beaſt, which was firſt Emperiall, and afterward Papal, that Roman Beaſt, whether Emperiall, or Papall, having alwaies had when leaſt the number of ten Kings ſubjected to it, Spain, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Denmark, being a part of that number. In this alſo is that part of this Propheſie fulfilled, which ſaies, that the fourth Monarch ſhould have ten Hornes, or ten Kings: and this is very plaine and undeniable, and confeſt by all that have explained this Propheſie.
And thus having obſerved the Coherence, I ſhall by divine aſſiſtance, proceed to explaine the remaining part of this Propheſie, which is contained in theſe foure verſes.
And another ſhall ariſe after them, and he ſhall be divers from the firſt, and he ſhall ſubdue three Kings.]
Having obſerved how the former part of of this Propheſie hath been already clearly fulfilled, and that the ten Hornes were ten Kings, belonging to the Roman Monarch; and this part of this verſe telling us that another King ſhould ariſe after the other ten Kings, which ſhould be divers from the reſt, and ſhould ſubdue three Kings. And comparing this with the eighth verſe, to which this verſe hath reference, where Daniel ſaies that he conſidered the ten Hornes, and behold there came up among them another little Horne, before whom there were three of the firſt hornes pluckt up by the roots … before whom three fell, as in the … verſe: The reſult of all will be this, that this King, mentioned in this verſe, is the late King that reigned over England, Scotland and Ireland, and that appeares thus. The King mentioned in this verſe, is ſaid to be among the ten horns, or Kings, or to be of them, and have three hornes, or Kings pluckt up by the roots before him, (ver. 8.) or to have three of the ten Kings fall before hee comes up; and this one to ſucceed three, (verſe 20.)
Now this directly was the condition of the late King; he came up in the roome of three of the hornes, and reigned over three of the Kingdoms *That Kingdom may be ſaid to bee, and is indeed ſubjected to the Roman Beaſt (the Pope,) when the King or thoſe in authority in the Kingdom gives liberty to Prelates, or to any of the Clergymen (as they are called) to exerciſe any unwarrantable power over the conſciences of Saints; and to binde Saints to worſhip God in that way and method which they preſſcribe, and no other way but ſo, (which God abhors, Eſa. 29. 13. Matth. 15. 9.) Exerciſing Lordſhip over the conſciences of Saints: and this is that for which Rome is called Babylon, becauſe it proved in this reſpect a houſe of bondage to ehe Saints. And thus England Scotland and Ireland, were ſubjected to the Roman Beaſt, the Pope, untill the late Kings power was taken from him: and even ſo was England as well as the other Kingdomes ſubjected to the Beaſt, even in Queen Elizabeths daies; for though ſhee was in many reſpects … vertuous Queen; yet herein ſhee failed, in ſuffering Biſhops to Lord it over the conſciences of Saints, and therein was England one of the hornes, even then as it hath bin ever ſince, untill of late yeers.ſubjected to the Roman Beaſt: and before him three Hornes were pluckt up by the roots: For Elizabeth of England, and *This was he that cauſed the combuſtions in Ireland in Queen Elizabeths time, and was wholly overcome at that time.Hugh Baron of Dungannon and Earle of Tir-Oen, whoſe predeceſſors claimed the Kingdome of Ireland; and James of Scotland, were all three fallen: and the late King was he that came in the roome of theſe three, and entirely poſſeſſed the Kingdomes of all three. So that this part of this Propheſie is exactly fulfilled in that King, and not in any other of the Kings; nor in any other perſon can theſe things be ſaid to be ſo exactly fulfilled as in him. So that if the Spirit of God here had no further deſcribed this little horne, it would have been evident that this Propheſie had been fulfilled in this King; theſe three Kingdomes being thus ſubjected to one King or Prince, that formerly were governed by three; before whom three were plucked up, &c. But it is made more apparent, that this Propheſie was fulfilled in him, by that further deſcription, which the Spirit of God in this Scripture gives, of the diſpoſitions, actions and end, or death of this King; which we have as it followes.
Verſ. 25.
And hee ſhall ſpeak great words against the moſt High, and ſhall wear out the Saints of the moſt High, &c.]
Our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, John 15. tels his Diſciples, that whoſoever deſpiſed them, deſpiſed him, and whoſoever deſpiſed him, deſpiſed him that ſent him: Whereby its clear, that that perſon that ſpeaks great words againſt the Saints of the moſt High, doth therein ſpeak great words againſt the moſt High. That this King did ſpeak great words againſt the Saints of the moſt High: threatning the ruine and deſtruction of all Puritans, and Round heads as hee termed the ſaints of God, is ſo well known, as there needs nothing to be further ſpoken to make it appear; nor need I mention the the perſons which long before the wars, which meerely for their being ſervants of God, were perſecuted, impriſoned, fined, baniſhed, and otherwiſe threatned: and as he ſpake great words againſt the moſt High in his ſaints; ſo hee ſpake great words againſt the Lawes and Ordinances of God, prohibiting of them, requiring godly and faithfull Miniſters to refrain from the worſhipping of God, from publike praying, and preaching of the Word of God, upon the firſt day of the Week: Whereas many a poor ſoul might have been converted to, and confirmed in the waies of God in thoſe ordinances; but hee conſtraind (as it were) the people of the Kingdom to a prophane & looſe life, to diſhonour God, by inviting and requiring of them to practice prophane and wicked ſports upon that day, which was appointed for a holy worſhipping of God: Whereas many poore ſoules needed rather to hauehave been encouraged, and call'd upon to have more frequently attended upon the Ordinances of God, for they periſhed for want of knowledge. And as he thus ſpake great words againſt the ordinances of the moſt High, ſo he nouriſhed and ſupported many wicked and abominable Prieſts, (when many holy and faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt were rejected) who did moſt profanely abuſe the Scriptures, and deſpiſe the very ſpirit of God, and that publikely; of which ſort there were many among thoſe Centuries of ſcandalous Miniſters, that were in the beginning of this Parliament ſequeſtred for their delinquencies.
Thus in that this King ſpake great words againſt the ſaints, and ordinances, and ſpirit of God, and had pleaſure in ſuch as ſo did; he therein did as here is ſaid of him, ſpeake great words againſt the moſt high.
And ſhall wear out the Saints of the moſt High.]
Was it not long before the ſitting of this Parliament given out by this King, that hee would not leave untill hee had left no more Puritans in England, then there were Proteſtants in Rome? and is it not generally known what meanes and waies were uſed to wear them out, and to make them weary of living in the Kingdom? inſomuch as many godly and faithfull people being weary of the impoſitions upon their conſciences, of thoſe things which were evill, and the prohibitions of them, from that which was good, (as their meetings to call upon the name of the Lord, and to confer one with another of the things of God, and the repetitions of Sermons,) did being thus wearied, leave their native Kingdom, though in all outward reſpects to their great diſadvantage; and thoſe that remained how did they groan under their burthens, and complain to heaven day and night, againſt the inſufferable and wearying proceedings of that unworthy King? Thus did hee wear out the Saints of the moſt high.
And ſhall think to change times and lawes, and they ſhall be given into his hand untill, &c.]
Therein alſo, he is more exactly characterized and deſcribed: for it is well known, that hee did think, and intend to change times, and lawes, he thought to have made ſad times for all circumſpect and holy Chriſtians, whom he called Puritans; and times of joy, and rejoycing for all popiſh and prophane perſons. And hee thought to have changed thoſe Lawes, which had been by preceeding Princes made for the priviledges of the people, in civil, and ſpirituall reſpects; and to have impoſed lawes deſtructive to the peoples freedom and liberty, and to have ruled all by his own will, and made the people ſlaves thereunto.
And they ſhall bee given into his hand untill, &c.]
As hee thought to change Lawes, and times, ſo he did; they were given into his hand for a while, he had times and lawes in his hand to change them at his pleaſure, and he thought to have done ſo alwaies: And to this end, conſulted with wicked Biſhops, Popiſh Lords, and profane Judges; and to this end alſo he raiſed Armies, firſt againſt the Scots, and afterward againſt all well-affected people in Ireland, and alſo in England: Thus this Horn that came up in the room of three, did in all things anſwer this deſcription of him, which is given in theſe 24 and 25 verſes, and hee comes in no tittle ſhort of it.
There is but one thing more ſpoken of him in this Chapter, whereby he is any further deſcribed then as in theſe three verſes; and that is in the 21 verſe, which I will here take in before I proceed to what followes: It is in theſe words.
And I beheld and the ſame horne made war with the Saints, and prevailed againſt them untill, &c.]
And herein alſo did this Horne or King, moſt exactly act according to this which the Spirit of God by Daniel, ſo long ſince predeclared of him: For he did make War againſt the Saints, and that in ſuch a manner, as no King, Prince, or Potentate ever yet did: For no Hiſtory can declare, nor in any age, or time can it be ſaid, that ever armies were raiſed more properly to fight againſt, and to make war with the Saints, as being Saints, then theſe late Armies raiſed by him, and by authority from him have been. Many combuſtions have been in the World, and many wars in this and ſeverall other Kingdoms; but was ever the quarrell ſo exactly againſt Saints, and ſaintſhip in any War as in this? For it was againſt Saints in a more eſpeciall manner that this horn made War, and they under the notions of Puritans, Roundheads, and Sectaries: So that where ever his Armies came, their greateſt hatred and malice was againſt ſuch as they ſo termed. And in Ireland, all ſuch as had but the name of Proteſtants, were moſt cruelly and barbarouſly dealt withall, that they might be ſure to cut off all Puritans, as the moſt reall Saints were then termed: Thus he made War with the Saints.
And I beheld, and the ſame Horne made war with the Saints, and prevailed againſt them untill, &c.]
As it is true of him that he made war with the Saints; ſo it is true alſo that he prevailed againſt them for a time: ſo that many faithfull Saints, whoſe memories are ſtill precious among thoſe that remaine, loſt their lives in that War, and he continued for a time, mightily prevailing againſt them, both in Ireland, and alſo in England, and had once got ſuch ſtrength, both in Garriſons, and in the Field, when Oxford, Briſtol, Exeter, and almoſt all conſiderable places in this Kingdome, both Weſt, and North were in his hand: I ſay, he had then got ſuch ſtrength, as it was neere to be, (if it were not) put to the vote in Parliament, whether all ſhould be delivered to his mercy or not; (whereby it appeares that he had prevailed far.) Thus in all the particulars already mentioned, was this Propheſie fulfilled in him. But to proceed.
And they ſhall be given into his hand, untill a time, and times, and the dividing of time.]
This expreſſion of a time, and times, and the dividing of time, is in it ſelfe a riddle hard to be underſtood; but it is the more eaſie to unfold, becauſe it is againe uſed in the New Teſtament, in another Propheſie of the ſame ten Horned Beaſt, that is here ſpoken of in this Chapter: for there this expreſſion, which is here in Daniel ſo hard to be underſtood, is more plainely explained. It is in the twelfth Chapter of the Revelation, at the fourteenth verſe, where it is ſaid, That the woman fled into the Wilderneſs from the perſecution of the Dragon, where ſhe was nouriſhed for a time, times, and halfe a time; and in the ſixth verſe of that Chapter where there is another mention of the womans flying into the Wilderneſs, where ſhe was to be fed or nouriſhed; it is ſaid to be for a thouſand two hundred, and ſixty daies. Now what the meaning of theſe two expreſſions, which are uſed to expreſs one and the ſame time, is, doth more clearely appeare in the 11 and 13 Chapters of that Propheſie. In the 11 Chapter at the 13 verſe, it is ſaid, That the holy City, (that is the Church and people of God,) ſhould be trodden under foot of the Gentiles, forty and two months; and at the 3 verſe, that the witneſſes ſhould prophecy in ſackcloath, a thouſand two hundred and and ſixty daies; which is one and the ſame period of time with that in the 12 Chapter: for a thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies, accounting 30 dayes to a monethmonth, is juſt 42 Moneths, and forty two Moneths, accounting twelve months to the yeare, is three years and a halfe, …o that theſe three,
1 A time, times, and half a time.
2 Forty two Moneths.
3 A thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies;
Theſe three are but various expreſſions of one and the ſame thing.
Now in the 13 Chapter, at the 5 verſe, there is againe mention made of this one thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies, for there it is ſaid, that the beaſt that had ten Hornes, that was to perſecute the Saints, was to continue a thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies, that is, ſo long as in the 11, and 12 Chapters the Church was ſaid to be given up to the Gentiles, and to be perſecuted and trodden under foot. Now by this one thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies, is to be underſtood ſo many yeares, as it is uſuall in the Prophets to put a day for a yeare. *Ezek. 4. 56. Dan. 12. 11, 12.So that when the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeares, in which the Romiſh beaſt, (of whom that Propheſie ſpeakes) was to continue prevailing againſt the Saints, did expire, then the
One thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeares. Or,
Fourty two moneths, or
Time, times, and half a time:
(For ſo it is variouſly expreſt) of the Saints ſuffering perſecution, did expire alſo.
So that this then is the meaning of this expreſſion in Daniel; And they ſhall be given into his hand, untill a time, and times, and the dividing of times.
That is, they ſhall be given into his hand, untill the end of the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers, in which the Romiſh Beaſt was to be permitted to perſecute the Church or Saints of God, and to overcome them, and tread them under foot.
So that, ſo long, this horne was to go on ſpeaking great words againſt the moſt High, and wearying out the Saints; and indeavouring to change times and lawes, and to have them given into his hand, even untill that time was to be expired.
Now that this one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers, in which the Romiſh Beaſt was to be permitted to perſecute the Church, and to tread it under foot, is very neer come to a period: *As Brightman, and Cotton, and Archer, and others.Is the concurrent judgement of all the learned, and godly men that have written, and publiſht any thing of it: and alſo the judgement of many private, faithfull, and precious Chriſtians in theſe times.
But that it is not onelyonly very near, but is already fully expired, I have already in another Treatiſe, upon another ſubject, *See the Reſurrection of the witneſſes, publiſhed in 1648.cleerly declared: there laying down my grounds for it, to which I ſhall now only adde this ground, which this Scripture in hand preſents, which is this.
The Holy Ghoſt here declares, that this horn ſhould continue, untill a time, times, and the dividing of time; ſo that when this Kings power of wearing out the Saints, and changing times, and lawes, and making war againſt the Saints is taken away: then is the time, times, and half a time, or fourty two moneths, or one thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies come to a period. For he was to continue untill then.
But this Kings power to wear out the Saints, and to change lawes, and times, and to make war againſt the Saints is taken away, Therefore the time, times, and dividing of time, or one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres is come to a period.
Object. But it may bee objected, that though this Kings power be taken away; yet the Pope, the Beaſt, remains, and the reſt of the horns remain; how then is the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres of the continuance of the Beaſt expired?
I anſwer, that this period of time is expired, is clear from the former ground; For the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh expſteſly, that this horn ſhould continue untill a time, times, and the dividing of time: which is to bee underſtood (as is evident in the Revelation) of that period of time, of one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres there mentioned: and in as much as it is ſaid thut the horne muſt continue untill then; The meaning muſt needs be untill that time is expired, otherwiſe there can bee no ſenſe in it: For if the horn ſhould continue but untill one thouſand two hundred and twenty, or one thouſand two hundred and thirty, or any other term of time, that comes ſhort of this one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres; then it could not be ſaid to continue, and to have power given into his hand, to change lawes and make War, &c. Untill a time, times, and the dividing of time, or one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres, for one thouſand two hundred and twenty, or thirty, is not one thouſand two hundred and ſixty.
But ſince it is ſaid that the horn ſhould have power to change lawes, and make War, &c. untill one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres, or a time, times, and the dividing of time; it muſt neceſſarily follow, that when that power was taken from the horn, that then the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeers, or time, times, and dividing of times, was come to an end.
But more particularly, to anſwer the objection: Whereas it was objected that the Beaſt, and ſome of his hornes do ſtill remain undeſtroyed, and therefore it is queſtioned how the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres can be to bee ſaid to come to a period?
I anſwer that it may very well bee, that the one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres are expired, though the Beaſt and ſome of his hornes do yet remain; For the Holy Ghoſt ſaies not that the continuance of the Beaſt ſhould bee but fourty two moneths, or one thouſand two hundred and ſixty yeeres; but ſaies this, that the Beaſt ſhould no longer make War againſt the Saints, ſo as to overcome them, and ſhould no longer tread the holy City under foot; for ſo the Text runs, Rev. 11. 2. And the holy City ſhall they tread under foot fourty and two moneths; and Rev. 13. 5. Where (ſpeaking of the Beaſt) the Holy Ghoſt ſaies thus of him: And there was given to him a mouth ſpeaking great things, and blasphemies, and power was given to him to make war fourty and two moneths, even to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them, ver. 7.
So that the fourty and two moneths are then expired, when the holy City can be no no longer ſaid to be trodden under foot; and when the Beaſt doth no longer overcome, in his making War with the Saints; but they overcome him, as hee hath overcome them.
And now if it do appear that it is already ſo come to paſſe, that God hath lifted up the heads of his people, and that they are no longer *And this no man can or durſt deny, but the man that wilfully ſhuts his eyes againſt the truth of it.trodden under-foot, nor overcome by the Beaſt nor his adherents, but that they overcome the Beaſt, in all thoſe that defend his quarrell. THEN CERTAINLY, theſe fourty and two moneths are already expired, although the Beaſt and ſome of the hornes are not yet fully overcome.
But now it doth appeare, and is evident to the eyes of all the Chriſtians all the world over, who have had their eyes upon the late wonderfull and ſtrange paſſages of providence in England, that God hath lifted up the heads of his Saints, and his Church, thoſe whom the beaſt, and his adherents the Popiſh, and prophane party in England, Scotland, and Ireland moſt oppoſed, and hated, even ſuch as were moſt faithfull, and moſt circumſpect in their way, and who moſt deſired to worſhip God in his Ordinances in their purity, ſuch as they tearmed Roundheads, Puritans, Independents, Preſbyterians, Anabaptiſts, Sectaries, Preciſians, and what not? Theſe the Pope made war againſt, and thought to have alwaies trodden under foot; But God hath owned them, and heard their prayers, and delivered them from the perſecution of the Beaſt, and given to them power to overcome and bring down the Beaſt, ſo that for this ſixe yeares time, they have never been overcome in any battle, but ever ſince, they have wonderfully overcome the beaſt, and his adherents, both in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to the admiration of all that heare of it: And this they have done, whither their outward ſtrength were little or much, and ever ſince have they enjoyed freedome, and liberty to worſhip God, according to the rules of the Goſpell without oppoſition, or moleſtation, whereby it is (I ſay) evident, that that limited time, even that forty two moneths of the Saints ſuffering perſecution, and being trodden under foot is expired; although the beaſt and ſome of the other Hornes do yet remaine; ſo that henceforth the Saints ſhall be overcommers, untill great Babylon be ruined. So much for anſwer to that Objection, and for the Expoſition of the 24 and 25 verſes.
Only here remember, that the only Argument which we have in this place to prove that the 1260 yeares of the Saints ſuffering perſecution under the beaſt (which is alſo expreſt by a time, times, and dividing of time) is now expired, is this: Becauſe the little Horne is deſtroyed, which the Spirit of God in this Propheſie ſaid ſhould continue untill then. And that now we ſee it made good that the Saints bow down their backs to the beaſt no longer, but are enlarged, and delivered, and begin to reward her as ſhe hath done unto them. I proceed.
Verſe 26.
But the Judgement ſhall ſit, and they ſhall take away his Dominion, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
There being in the preceding verſes a declaration of the horrible things which this Horne ſhould do againſt the Saints, as to change Times and Laws, and to weare out the Saints, and to make war againſt them: In this verſe we have a comforting and refreſhing word for thoſe wearied, and perſecuted ones, that were ſo greatly afflicted, and that is brought in with this word, BUT, a word uſuall in all caſes, as when any thing is bad, or ſad, its uſually declared to be ſo and ſo, BUT, we uſe to ſay, this or that mitigates it, or this or that is a comfort againſt it: So here, God having appointed a time for his people to ſuffer in, tels them, that ſo and ſo it ſhall be, that this little Horne ſhall make war againſt them, &c. But for their comfort againſt that affliction, he tels them that the judgement ſhall ſit, and ſhall take away his Dominion, to conſume and to deſtroy it unto the end.
That which is firſt to be done in the expoſition of this verſe, is to explaine what is meant by the ſitting of the judgement, which both with plaineneſſe and brevity I ſhall endeavour to do.
To this end, I ſhall compare all the paſſages in this Chapter which have relation to it, together with this verſe: leſt being not compared with each other they be miſtaken.
The firſt is in the 9. 10, 11. verſes of this Chapter, where Daniel ſpeaking briefly of this Viſion, and the manner how he ſaw it; before the more cleare interpretation was given to him, he ſpeakes of this Judgement thus: That the Ancient of daies came, whoſe garment was white as ſnow &c. and the judgment was ſet; And further he ſaies, that the Ancient of daies being come, and the Judgement being ſet, that then becauſe of the voice of the great words which the Horne ſpake the beaſt was ſlaine, and his body deſtroyed, &c.
Againe, in the 21, 22. verſes, where Daniel deſires further to know the meaning of what he ſaw before, he ſpeakes thus of it, I beheld, and the ſame Horne made war with the Saints, and prevailed againſt them untill the Ancient of daies came, and judgement was given unto the Saints of the moſt High, and the time came that the Saints poſſeſſed the Kingdome.
And in the 26 verſe after it had been ſaid that the Horne ſhould do ſo and ſo, as in the two former verſes, its here ſaid, that the judgement ſhould ſit, and ſhould take away his Dominion, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
Now theſe paſſages being compared together, the reſult of them all will be clearely thus.
Firſt, That becauſe this little Horne ſhould ſpeake great words againſt the moſt High, and think to change Times, and Laws, and weare out the Saints of the moſt High, and make war againſt them, that therefore the moſt high ſhould appeare for to own and deliver his own people.
And ſecondly, that a certaine number of Saints ſhould be convened together, and have a ſpirit of Judgement by the moſt High given unto them, and power and authority whereby they ſhould take away the Dominion of this Horne, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
This in briefe is the ſenſe of theſe verſes, which I ſhall more fully illuſtrate thus.
I ſay firſt that becauſe this little horne ſhould ſpeake great words, &c. That therefore the moſt high ſhould appear for to own, and deliver his own people. Now by this appearing of the moſt high is meant,
Firſt his appearing in
Secondly his appearing for
his people.
Firſt I ſay that by the appearing, or comming of the moſt High, ſpoken of in this Chapter, is meant his appearing in, and among his people, and this ſhall by and by be made evident: for though at the firſt view of the 9, 10, 11. verſes, it might ſeem to bee a deſcription of that viſible, and glorious appearance of the moſt high at the great day of Judgement: For thus it runs, I beheld till the Thrones were caſt down, and the Ancient of daies did ſit, whoſe garment was white as ſnow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool, his Throne like the fiery flame, and … wheels as burning fire, a fiery ſtream iſſued and came forth from before him, thouſand thouſands miniſtred unto him, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtood before him: the Judgement was ſet, and the bookes were opened. I beheld then becauſe of the voice of the great words which the horne ſpake; I beheld even till the Beaſt was ſlain, and his body deſtroyed, and given to the burning flame: as concerning the reſt of the Beaſts, they had their Dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a ſeaſon, and time. I ſay though at the firſt view of theſe words, they ſeem to be a deſcription of the laſt and great day of Judgement, mentioned Rev. 20. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Yet in obſerving the laſt of theſe verſes, (viz. ver. 12) it will cleerly appear, that this is not, nor cannot bee the meaning of the Spirit of God in this place, for there it is ſaid, that though by this appearance of God, the Beaſt or little Horne was ſlain, and his body deſtroyed, becauſe of the voice of the great words which the little Horne ſpake; that yet, the reſt of the Beaſts (or of the hornes) had their lives prolonged for a little ſeaſon: Which could not have been, if that had been the generall day of Judgement; and this is undeniable.
But now that this glorious appearance of the moſt High, (in garments as white as ſnow, and hair of his head as pure *That is in pure and unſpotted righteouſneſs.Wool, upon a Throne like the fiery flame, and wheeles as burning fire, with a *That is impartiall and zealous juſtice.fiery ſtream iſſuing before him, and thouſand thouſands miniſtring unto him, &c.) is his appearing in and among his Saints, is very clear, by obſerving theſe paſſages; ver. 10. its ſaid, the Judgement was ſet, and the Books were opened; and ver. 11. that the Beaſt becauſe of the voice of his great words, was adjudged to be ſlain, and was ſlaine. Now the 22 verſe explaines the meaning of the judgement here ſpoken of; and ſaies expreſly, that Judgement was given to the Saints of the moſt high: So that this appearing of the moſt high, is his appearing in, and among his people; in giving a ſpirit of judgement, and righteouſneſſe unto them, whereby they ſhall act ſo purely, and righteouſly, and withall ſo juſtly, and impartially; as that thoſe actions of theirs in themſelves, ſhall bee as white as ſnow, as pure wooll; and withall to the enemies of Chriſt, as fiery flames, and burning fire. This is the appearance of God in his people; ſo that when the judgement was ſet, and the books were opened, that is, all the horrid cruelties, and cruell curſed practiſes of the Beaſt were declared; that then, not unjuſtly or without juſt cauſe, but (ſaies the Spirit of God) becauſe of the voice of the great words which the horne ſpake, the Beaſt was ſlaine, and his body deſtroyed. Thus God appeares in his Saints, Judgement was given to the Saints of the moſt high, and the Judgement ſhall ſit, and they (that is, a company of Saints) they ſhall take away his Dominion, to conſume and deſtroy it unto the end. So that, God giving judgement to his ſaints, he brings to paſſe the great deſignes he hath in the world by them, as his inſtruments: ſo that he does it, and they do it; and they muſt doe it, and are alwaies ready, and ſhall be ſo: For he hath thouſand thouſands miniſtring unto him; and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtanding before him, ready to execute his will, and do his pleaſure.
But ſecondly, as by this appearance of God is to be underſtood his appearance in his people; ſo it is alſo to be underſtood of his appearing for his people, viz. in manifeſting, evidently manifeſting his power, and wiſdome, and faithfulneſſe, in delivering of them from the tyranny, fury, and cruelty of their oppreſſors, and owning of them for his own people: So that though the Beaſt ſeemed to be, and was very potent, and very great, and ſpake great words, and thought not onelyonly to wear out, but utterly to root out the Saints, in his making War againſt them: Yet God ſo appears for their help, and their deliverance, as he gives them to overcome him, and his complices, that thought to overcome them: And in this worke hee hath thouſand thouſands miniſtring unto him, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtanding before him: hee hath all his Saints, all men elſe, and all his holy Angels at his beck, to execute his will, and doe his pleaſure; And as once the ſtars in their courſes fought againſt Siſera; ſo God in doing this great work for his Saints deliverance, and making way for the ſetting up of the Kingdom of his beloved Sonne, hath multitudes, multitudes, both of Celeſtiall, and terreſtiall creatures to attend him. And certainly ſuch great things could never have been done, if the Ancient of daies had not moſt gloriouſly, and wonderfully appeared, for the help and ſupport of his people. How could they which are ſo few in number, and in the eies of the world deſpiſed, and deſpicable creatures, have carried on that work ſo effectually, as to have cut off the late King; though it was verily beleeved, and it is very probable, there was at that very time, twenty to one in this Nation of England, that were againſt it; had not the Lord aſſiſted them with thouſands of Angels, and evidently manifeſted himſelfe to bee with them?
Thus it is evident, that by the appearing of the Ancient of daies, mentioned in this Chapter, is meant his appearing in his people, in that ſpirit of judgement, and juſtice that he gives unto them; and his appearing for his people, to own and defend, and deliver them; and to lay their enemies in the duſt, while hee raiſes them up, and makes them ſit in high places.
Secondly, whereas I ſaid that this poſition was likewiſe the ſenſe of this verſe, together with thoſe other verſes which I compared with it; viz. That a certain number of Saints ſhould be convened together, and have a ſpirit of judgement given unto them by the moſt High; together with power and authority, whereby they ſhould take away the dominion of the little horn, to conſume and to deſtroy it unto the end.
I ſhall illuſtrate that, thus:
In the 10 verſe its ſaid, that thouſands thouſands miniſtred unto the Ancient of daies, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand ſtood before him, the judgement was ſet, and the bookes were opened: and becauſe of the voice of the great words which the Horn ſpake the Beaſt was ſlaine. Here it is evident that the beaſt or horne was ſlaine by ſome that did ſit in judgement, before whom the books of his evill deeds were opened, becauſe of which his evill deeds and ſayings, he was adjudged to be ſlaine. And at the 22 verſe it is plainely declared who they were that did ſit in judgement: That they were not Angels, but Saints; the Saints of the moſt High: for there its ſaid, that the horne made war with the Saints, and prevailed againſt them untill the Ancient of daies came, and judgement was given to the Saints of the moſt high, and then was his power taken off, for then the time came that the Saints poſſeſſed the Kingdome. And that thoſe Saints that have judgement given to them, and that are ſaid to ſit in judgement; that they are the inſtruments by whom the beaſt was to be judged, and ſlaine, is further cleare in this 26 verſe, where (it having been declared in the former verſe, how evilly the horne ſhould deale with the Saints) its ſaid, But the judgement ſhall ſit, and THEY ſhall take away his Dominion, to, conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
Thus it is alſo evidently the ſenſe of theſe verſes compared together, that by the judgment ſitting is meant, a certaine number of Saints, that by the wiſdome, providence, and power of the moſt High, were convened together, and inveſted with power and authority, and a Spirit of Judgement for this end, to judge this little Horne, and do juſtice upon him, and to take away his Dominion, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
And this need not ſeem ſtrange, that the Saints ſhould thus ſit in judgement, and do ſuch things as theſe, for do ye not know, ſaies the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 6. 2. that the Saints ſhall judge the World? And (verſe 3.) Know ye not (ſaies he) that we ſhall judge Angels? This being a known truth, it is no wonder among thoſe that know truth, that God ſhould put ſuch power and authority, and ſuch a ſpirit of judgement upon Saints, whereby they ſhould be enabled to do theſe things.
And to this purpoſe that paſſage of the Pſalmiſt is alſo very conſiderable, Pſa. 149. 4, 5 6, 7, 8. The Lord taketh pleaſure in his people, he will beautifie the meek with ſalvation. Let the Saints be joyfull in glory, let them ſing aloud upon their beds: Let the high praiſes of God be in their mouths, and a twoedged ſword in their hands, to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and puniſhment upon the people, to bind their Kings with chaines, and their Nobles with fetters of Iron, to execute upon them the judgement written, this honour have all his Saints; praiſe yee the Lord.
Now I ſay, ſince it is certaine that the Saints ſhall one day judge not only the world, but the wicked Angels, the Devils alſo, and it being moſt certaine that this Propheſie of the Pſalmiſt, wherein he ſpeaks of a time when God will beautifie the meek of the earth with ſalvation, and put his high praiſes in their mouths, and a two edged ſword into their hands to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and puniſhment upon the people, to bind their Kings and Nobles in Chaines and Fetters of Iron, and to execute upon them the judgement written: Marke it, the judgement written; theſe things being ſo, it is no wonder that this written judgement ſhould be thus executed upon this horne or King.
Thus it is cleare that a company of Saints convened together by the wiſe providence of the moſt high, and inveſted with power and authority, and a ſpirit of judgement, were to do this work upon the horne. And what particularly they are, is by providence now made very conſpicuous, (the things that are here ſpoken of, being now in a great meaſure accompliſhed: for all propheſies are beſt underſtood in the fulfilling of them,) Namely, that they are thoſe precious and gracious ones, that by the wiſe and gracious diſpoſall of the moſt high have been called to ſit in Parliament, and the high Court of Juſtice which they erected, who have had a ſpirit of wiſdome, of judgement, and faithfulneſſe put upon them, whereby they have acted faithfully and zealouſly for the glory of God, and the peace and welfare of all their brethren, I ſay, it is the Parliament, and thoſe imployed by their Authority, who have hazarded all that was deare unto them, rather than to ſuffer the free people of this Kingdome, and amongſt them the Saints and people of God, to be betrayed or given up to the power of thoſe that would have ruled tyranically and cruelly over them.
But here let me not be underſtood, as though I hereby aſſerted, that every individuall perſon, that hath been, or is in Parliament, is a Saint, becauſe I ſay, that by the judgement ſitting, here ſpoken of, is meant a company of Saints, that by the wiſdome and goodneſſe of the moſt high were convened together, and have a ſpirit of judgement given to them: and that the Parliament are this company of Saints, who have had this ſpirit of Judgement, and have acted faithfully, &c. But this I affirme, that thoſe Saints that have been, and are in Parliament, and have been, and are imployed in counſels, and otherwiſe by their Authority, are the judgement here ſpoken of. Now that there have been, and are among theſe a choice and precious company of Gods deare Saints, there is none that truly knowes what it is to be a Saint, will or can deny. And theſe are they that chiefly and principally have carried on theſe great and glorious deſignes that have been ſo acceptable to God and to his Saints, (though it may be they have been many times, if not alwaies, leſſe in number than thoſe others that have been among them, that have not been reall Saints) and it is they to whom God hath afforded his preſence in their counſels and undertakings, and they whom God hath bleſſed, and whom none can curſe, and the reſt have fared the better for their ſakes, they ſitting in Parliament held all together from being broken in peeces, even from the beginning of their ſitting: and admirable is that goodneſs and wiſdome of God, that knew what his own determinations concerning them were, that ſo brought it to paſſe, as to cauſe the late King, (ſo contrary to his own intentions, and his own ends and purpoſes) to paſſe an act for the continuation of this Parliament; ſo as though he would, yet he had not that power which once he had to diſſolve this Parliament as he had done all others at his own pleaſure. But this Parliament muſt not, this Parliament could not poſſibly be diſſolved by him: for God had reſerved this Parliament for further worke.
Now it was not poſſible for the adverſe party by all their ſtruglings to diſſolve it, for the judgement muſt ſit.
But the judgement ſhall ſit, and they ſhall take away his Dominion, to conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
In theſe words, (having ſeen what is meant by the Judgement) here is now to be declared what the work was which they had to do, and the manner in which it was to be done,
The worke which they had to do is expreſt in theſe words: And they ſhall take away his Dominion. And the manner of doing it, in theſe words: To conſume, and to deſtroy it unto the end.
Their work then was to take away the Dominion of that little Horne that ſpake great words againſt the moſt high, and made war againſt the Saints: that whereas he had had Dominion, and great power, and authority, whereby he perſecuted, and grieved, and afflicted the Saints, and endeavoured to weare them out. This Judgement being ſet, this Parliament being aſſembled, they were to take away his Dominion, even his authority, and power of ruling, and governing according to his own will: yea all his ſtrength of Armes, and Ammunition: of Forts, and Caſtles, and places of ſtrength, his Crown, Throne, and ſeat of Honour; all and whatſoever appertaines to his Dominion: Thats the worke they were to do.
Now the manner in which they were to doe it, was to conſume and to deſtroy it unto the end. I ſay to conſume it, it was not to be done by them in a ſhort time, not at an inſtant; but they were to bee long in doing of it, and to doe it by degrees; for ſo the word conſume implyeth: for when a thing is ſaid to conſume, that thing is waſted away by degrees, and in continuance of time it comes to nothing: So this dominion, and greatneſſe, and power, and authority, and ſtrength, which this horn had, was to conſume away by little and little, and in the end wholly to be deſtroyed. And thus exactly it came to paſſe.
When the Parliament firſt began to oppoſe the late King, he had great power, and ſtrength, and authority, whereby hee made war, and prevailed for a while; but at laſt by degrees, and as it were inſenſibly, they prevail'd againſt him, and began to take away his ſtrength, and power and greatneſſe from him: ſo that by degrees, he loſt City after City, and Towne after Towne, and County after County, untill he came to have dominion over none at all; but his dominion was wholly taken away, and conſumed and deſtroyed unto the end. And as here his dominion was ſaid to be conſumed, and deſtroyed: ſo in the 11 verſe the beaſt, or the horne, or King himſelfe, was ſaid to be ſlaine, and his body deſtroyed: ſo it came to paſſe that his blood was alſo juſtly required at his hands, having cauſed ſo much innocent blood to bee ſhed, both of old men, young men and babes in France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. God ſuffered not ſuch a man to die in his bed, but as he was a man of blood, ſo gave hee him blood to drink. For as the Parliament, God having given him up into their hands, took away his dominion; ſo they alſo did juſtice upon his perſon; and executed upon him THE JUDGEMENT WRITTEN. For ſo it was written, verſe 11; that he ſhould be ſlain, and his body deſtroyed and given to the burning flame of juſtice.
And thus this part of this prophecie being thus opened and explained: It is made evident that the late King of theſe three Nations, that is by ſome called the None-ſuch Charles, for his deſperate impiety and hypocriſie, was long ago Propheſied of as well as (he that was by him ſtiled) his holy Father the Pope; to whom hee was as firm a ſon, as any King ever was; though he played the greateſt hypocrite in profeſſing the contrary, as ever any King did.
I ſay it is evident, that the late King was long ago propheſied of, as well as the Pope; and that as the Pope was fore-propheſied of, as being the beaſt that ſhould be deſperately wicked and maliciouſly cruell againſt the Saints. So is this King fore propheſied of, as being of the ten hornes of the beaſt, and more ſtout then his fellows: as exceeding them for wretched wicked dealing with the Saints and cruelty to them.
Whereby the proceedings of the Parliament with and againſt him, is cleared from having the leſt ſtain or ſpot of injuſtice or unrighteouſneſſe in it, which ſome would faſten upon them.
For it is here evident, that as the afflicted condition of the Church for twelve hundred yeeres and more under the Pope, was long ago propheſied of; ſo this Parliament which were to be the inſtruments of the Churches deliverance in their meaſure, were alſo long ago propheſied of: In which propheſie, it was ſo long ago declared, that to them judgment ſhould be given, and that they ſhould do juſtice upon that wicked King; take away his Dominion, and deſtroy him unto the end: And what the iſſue of all this will be, is diſcovered in the following verſe; but of that in its place.
But now it may bee ſome may ſlight this interpretation, ſaying that it is not to be regarded; ſeeing ſeverall have given ſeverall Interpretations of Scriptures, and moſt of them have been beſides the truth; and ſo may this will they ſay,
But to thoſe, I have but this to ſay; firſt, that upon this account they may continually ſleight all that ſhall bee ſaid in opening the Scriptures, though it be never ſo conſonant unto the Truth and minde of the Spirit of God, the Author of the Scriptures: And ſo God (with ſuch ſleight ſpirits) will not have the glory of his pre-decreeing of the things he will have to come to paſſe many hundred yeeres after; and of his exact bringing things to paſſe according to the counſels of his own will ſo many hundred yeeres before reſolved upon.
And ſecondly, they in ſo doing, doe give leſſe honour to God then the heathens did to their Deviliſh Oracles; which would pretend to foreſhew things to come: and leſſe then they doe to Aſtronomers, who from the ſtars do pretend to foretell things: whereas God oftentimes fruſtrateth the tokens of thoſe lyars, and maketh thoſe diviners mad, (Iſa. 44. 25.) and they cannot foreſhew any thing infallibly; (though poſſibly from the ſtars, they may give ſome uncertain hints of things) but it is that which is proper to God alone, infallibly to fore-tell things to come. (As appeares, Iſa, 48. 3, 4, 5. and Iſa, 46. 9, 10.) and which hee doth from time to time do by his ſervants the Prophets; and therefore what they have declared from God, hath been done for our obſervation; Rom. 15. 4 Pſa. 107. 43. Deut. 29. 29. Wherein we may ſee that what God hath done from age to age; hath all along bin the fulfilling of his word, of which we are to give him the glory.
And thirdly, though ſome Interpreters have failed of truth, which it may bee hath been the hardening of the hearts of ſome: yet this will not be a ſufficient diſcharge for any from their duty of obſerving theſe things; that when the truth appeares, God may have the glory.
But fourthly, it is true things have often been ancertainely hit at by ſome men, before they came to paſſe: but theſe things are come to paſſe, and all prophecies are beſt underſtood, when they are fulfilled, or neer to be fulfilled: not but that oftentimes prophecies have been cleerely underſtood, long beforehand by many precious Saints.
But fifthly, this is certaine, that when the very minde of God in Prophecies is unerringly laid open, being cleerly and convincingly diſcovered to his Saints and ſervants, that deſire to pry into, and obſerve theſe things according to their dutie; that even then ſome will not receive them: neither the wiſe of the world, nor the wicked of the world; as appeares, Mat. 11 25. and Dan. 12. 10. But though the worldly-wiſe do not, yet they that have wiſdome from above, ſhall have theſe things revealed to them, and ſhall underſtand them, as appeares in the ſame Scriptures; for when truth is revealed, the children of truth, having one and the ſame ſpirit, ſhall ſee it with the ſame eye, and rejoyce with the ſame joy, in ſeeing of it; My Sheepe know my voice. John 10. 27. They know that it is my voice, and not anothers voice: and indeed it is chiefly for their ſakes, who know his voice, who have his ſpirit, that all truths are revealed.
But all theſe are generall anſwers, but for this particular Interpretation, I have onelyonly this to ſay.
That I do not pretend to be any more exempted from uncertainty, then any other of the deare ſervants of God have been, to whom God hath very often revealed his ſecrets; though ſometimes, ſome things of their owne ſuppoſitions have ſlipt from them: and therefore I ſhall not preſſe any to believe theſe things, becauſe I have ſaid them, unleſſe they do therein hear the voice of Chriſt and his ſpirit ſetting them home upon them. For this I know, that truth is powerfull enough to to prevaile with Saints; and for the truth of theſe things of which I have ſpoken, or of whatever is laid down in the following diſcourſe, I leave them to the great God, who hath put me upon the publiſhing of them, to make them prevalent with as many as hee intends good unto by them.
And further, this I muſt profeſſe, that it hath not been a few daies only, or ſince the laſt Kings death onelyonly, that I have thus been made to underſtand this Scripture; But I thus underſtood it, for above nine yeeres ago; and to this the Lord is witneſſe, and ſeverall godly people, whom I have made acquainted with it, at ſeverall times: ſo that when the late King was in his height, I declared my confidence, that the Parliament ſhould prevaile over him, and at laſt deſtroy him. But ſeeing as I have ſaid, that all Propheſies are beſt underſtood in the fulfilling of them; the truth of theſe things will therefore doubtleſſe now be the more prevailing with Saints.
But one word more, and that is this; That though it is true, that uſually Saints know the voice of Chriſt, and are able to ſay certainly, this is (or this is not) the voice of Chriſt. I ſay, though it be thus uſually with them, yet there are ſome caſes, in which they are uncertaine; and ſome truths about which they can neither ſay, that it is truth, or that it is not truth. And now if this be the caſe of any, about theſe things I have ſpoken of; I have onelyonly this to ſay to them, that though they cannot receive them preſently, yet let them beware how they ſleight them: and this I muſt tell them, that if the Lord had not all along hitherto, in the workes of his providence (which in many particulars were very obſervable) evidenced the truth hereof; and if hee doe not demonſtrate it more and more, it might bee the more tollerable for them thus to ſleight it: but conſidering how wonderfully from day to day, this is cleared, and will be cleared. Oh let them beware, how they wilfully ſhut their eyes againſt the light of it, for any private intereſt whatſoever; leſt in ſhutting their eyes againſt light, they be ſhut up in Babylonian darkneſſe, and conſequently, partake with Babylon, both in her ſins and in her plagues.
And now I ſhould here proceed to the 27 verſe, but becauſe it treateth of the glorious Kingdom which Jeſus Chriſt ſhall have in the world; and that being a ſubject, which my ſpirit is drawn out to treat more largely and amply of it, then any yet have done, I ſhall therefore handle it in an intire book by it ſelfe, cloſing up this diſcourſe, with thoſe expreſſions of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 92. 5, 6, 7. O Lord how great are thy workes! thy thoughts are very deep. A bruitiſh man knoweth not, neither doth a foole underſtand this; when the wicked ſpring as the graſſe, and when all the workers of iniquity doe flouriſh: It is that they may be deſtroyed for ever; but thou Lord art moſt high for evermore.
A new AND MORE EXACT MAPPE OR, DESCRIPTION OF New Ieruſalems GLORY when Jeſus Chriſt and his Saints with him ſhall reign on earth a Thouſand years, and poſſeſs all Kingdoms. WHEREIN Is diſcovered the glorious eſtate into which the Church ſhall be then put both in reſpect of externall and internall glory, and the time when. And alſo, What hath been done theſe eight yeares laſt paſt, and what is now a doing, and what ſhall be done within a few years now following in order to this great work. Wherein alſo That great Queſtion, whether it be lawfull for Saints to make uſe of the materiall Sword in the ruining of the enemies of Chriſt, and whether it be the mind of Chriſt to have it ſo, is at large debated and reſolved in the Affirmative from clear Scriptures, and all others anſwered.
By M. Cary a ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt.
Rev. 22 6, 7.
And he ſaid unto me, Theſe ſayings are faithfull and true, and the Lord God of the holy Prophets ſent his Angell to ſhew unto his Servants the thing which muſt ſhortly be done. Behold, I come quickly.
LONDON, Printed by W. H. and are to be ſold at the ſign of the Black ſpread-Eagle at the Weſt end of Pauls. 1651.
A deſcription of new Jeruſalems GLORY, when Jeſus Chriſt and his Saints with him ſhall reign on earth a thouſand yeares and poſſeſſe all Kingdoms.
Dan. 7. 27.
And the Kingdom, and Dominion, and the greatneſs of the Kingdom under the whole heaven, ſhall be given unto the people of the Saints of the moſt high; whoſe Kingdom is an everlaſting Kingdom, and all Dominions ſhall ſerve and obey him.