The Mystery of the Two Witnesses Unveiled, Verse 13
VERS. 13. And the ſame hour was there a great earth-quake, and the tenth part of the Citie fell, and in the Earthquake were ſlaine of men ſeven thouſand, and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heave.
HAving ſpoken of the reſurrection and aſcention of the Witneſſes, we now come to handle the great and notable effect that ſucceedeth thereon, together with ſeverall conſequents thereunto annexed. The ſame hour there was a great earth-quake, and the tenth part of the Citie fell, &c. In the handling of which we may conſider,
Firſt, the time of this Earth-quake, in theſe words; And the ſame hour, &c.
Secondly, the Earth-quake it ſelfe, mentioned in the Text, there was a great Earth-quake.
Thirdly, the conſequents thereunto annexed, and they are three.
1. The tenth part of the Citie fell.
2. Seven thouſand men are ſlain.
3. The affrighted remnant give glory to God.
But firſt, of the time, The ſame houre there was a great Earth quake. This terme of time is not to be taken reſtrictvely, as if it ſhould be meant of an hour conſiſting of ſo many minutes. Some read the ſame day; neither may wee take it for a naturall day of twenty foure hours. It is an indefinite ſpeech, and holds no certainty for the ſpace of time: but it imports, that the time of this great Earth-quake ſhould anſwer the time of the Witneſſes riſing and aſcending up to heaven. Thoſe words expreſſed in Chap. 17. 12. Theſe receive power one houre with the beaſt, import the ſame, meaning the whole terme of their raigne with the beaſt.
Secondly, the earth-quake it ſelfe follows: And there was a great Earthquake.
The naturall cauſe of an Earth-quake is, when the wind is pent up in the bowels of the earth, and ſeeking vent from thence, breaks forth into violent concuſſions and motions, ſo that the earth ſhakes and rends, contrary to its naturall firmeneſſe and ſtability. Of ſuch an Earth-quake we reed, Amos 1. 1. And the like appeared when Chriſt aroſe from the dead, as it's recorded, Mat. 28 2.
But here we are to underſtand a myſticall and ſpirituall Earth-quake, a ſhaking of Kings, Kingdomes, States, Powers, Formes, Goverments, and the very dignities, orders, ſtrengths, and comforts of men. The ſame Earthquake is meant, Chap. 6. 12. And Ch. 16. 18. Thus the Lord ſaith, He will ſhake the Heavens and the Earth, and the Sea, and the dry land, & all nations, Hag. 2. 6. This was partly fulfilled when Chriſt came in the fleſh, the heaven of Ceremonies and ſhadows, and of all the Jewiſh worſhip was ſhaken and aboliſhed; and alſo the earth was ſhaken, both Sea and dry land, all the whole earth was full of great commotions and ruines. But this is again to be fulfilled; yet once more will the Lord ſhake heaven and earth: The heaven of Antichriſts worſhip, Church, forme, order and government: And the earth alſo, all thoſe worldly powers that have engaged to uphold and manage the cauſe of the Beaſt; theſe powers, dominion, authorities and ſtates ſhall be ſhaken alſo. Thus we ſee what wee are to underſtand by this Earth-quake, the great commotions and troubles that ſhal even rend & tear the earth in pieces: all its order, power, government and dominion, both in Church and State ſhall be broken, all ſhalbe turned upſide down by theſe violent breakings forth, that ſhal happen upon the world at the riſing and aſcending of the Witneſſes.
In the third place we have the conſequents of this great Earth-quake in theſe words; The tenth part of the Citie fell, and in the Earth-quake were ſlaine of men ſeven thouſand; and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.
This firſt conſequent in order is this, The tenth part of the Citie fell. Whereof we are to take notice of three things, viz. what is meant,
Firſt, by the City.
Secondly, by the tenth part.
Thirdly, by the fall thereof.
Firſt, this City is great Babylon, mentioned in Chap. 17. 5. which is meant of the whole univerſall power, dominion and territories of the Antichriſtian Church and State. The nations combined together, and gathered into a Church, worſhipping the Beaſt and his image, ſubmitting to his rule and government; this is the great City Babylon, of which we have ſpoken already, from verſ. 8. Though Rome it ſelfe hath myſtically ruled over the Nations, hath been the riſe of abominations, and therefore in ſome ſenſe, is meant by the Citie: yet it cannot be taken ſo reſtrictively, but it takes in the whole State and Church of Antichriſt, that is called this Citie, the mother of Harlots, that hath corrupted the earth with her abominations.
Secondly, the tenth part of the Citie (the principall thing here to be enquired after) is variouſly interpreted. Some would have the tenth part to be meant of the Levites part, ſuch a part as was offered to the Prieſts under the Law, as a maintenance of the legall Prieſt-hood. So that hereby the lot or portion of the Prieſt-hood, the chiefeſt and moſt devoted part ſhould fall; that the tribute of Tythes on tenths, whereby the Antichriſtian Miniſtry was maintained, ſhould fall, and utterly be withheld at the riſing, and aſcending of the Witneſſes. But by the tenth part of the Citie, we may underſtand of the tenth part of the Nations and Peoples that were devoted to the ſervice of Antichriſt. In Chap. 17. 13. Ten kingdoms give up their power and ſtrength to the beaſt, to ſerve and worſhip him. Now the tenth part of thoſe Kingdomes, Nations, or Peoples, that have wholly given up themſelves to Antichriſt, and have reſigned up their rule, and authority, their worſhip and ſervice to the Beaſt, theſe are here called the tenth part of the Citie.
Thirdly, this tenth part ſhall fall by with-drawing themſelves from the yoake and bondage of the ſervice of Antichriſt, as it's foretold of them in Chap. 17. 16. Theſe ſhall hate the whore, eate her fleſh, and burne her with fire.
Thoſe tenne kingdomes or nations that had formerly given up all their ſtrength and power to the Beaſt, and did formerly ſupport Antichriſt, now they ſhall withdraw themſelves again, now they ſhall with one conſent prepare themſelves for her deſtruction. For God hath put into their hearts, to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdome unto the beaſt, untill the words of God ſhould be fulfilled, Chap. 17. 17. The Lord in juſtice gave over the nations to be ſervile to Antichriſt, for an appointed time, untill he had executed all his cruelties, and enjoyed his dominion and tyranny over them; ſo at the end of his determined time, God will put it into the hearts of the nations, to conſent and agree to riſe up unto the deſtruction of all Antichriſtian dominion and power. And though theſe nations ſhall not fully & wholly thus riſe up to effect this great worke, to hate the whore, eat her fleſh, and burne her with fire, untill the laſt ſeale be opened, the laſt Trumpet ſounded, and the laſt Viall powred out, when there ſhall be a finall and totall deſtruction of Antichriſt's power and raigne: yet there ſhall be a tenth part of the nations, that God will raiſe up to begin this worke, God will honour ſome nation or nations, firſt to withdraw their power and authority from the ſervice of the beaſt, and to oppoſe his tyranny and oppreſſion, and that at the opening of the ſixt ſeale, the founding of the ſixt Trumpet, the powring forth of the ſixt Viall, at the time in which the witneſſes ſhall begin to riſe and aſcend. Now theſe nations that the Lord ſhall firſt begin withall, to raiſe up, to oppoſe the power of the beaſt: I ſay this nation, or nations, is meant here by the tenth part of the Citie. For before that all Nations ſhall hate the whore, and caſt her off, and burne her fleſh with fire, there ſhall be ſome particular nations, that God will honour with the firſt of his worke, and this is called the tenth part of the Citie, that ſhould fall, not onelyonly, by withdrawing their owne power and aſſiſtance; but alſo oppoſing and ſuppreſſing the dominion and power of Antichriſt.
The ſecond conſequent followeth in theſe words; And in the earth-quake were ſlaine of men ſeven thouſand. In the opening hereof, it will be neceſſary, that we conſider of three things, concerning thoſe here that are ſayd to be ſlaine.
Firſt, the perſons.
Secondly, the manner.
Thirdly, their number.
The perſons here ſlaine are expreſſed by an elegancy, foreign, The names of men, put for men of name; that is, of power, greatneſſe, of office or dignity, of ſome place or eminency. The Hebrews expreſſe men of honour or renowne, by men of name, Gen. 6. 4. So here, names of men, being put for men of name, are meant men of note and quality, ſuch as are of place and dignity, men of worth and greatneſſe. Theſe men here ſlaine by the earthquake, are not of the meaner and lower ſort and quality, but men of renowne, for wiſdome, learning, parts and gifts, and men of place, of rule and authority. The names of men ſhall be ſlaine, their honour and greatneſſe ſhall lie in the duſt, their excellency ſtained, and their power broken. Theſe are the perſons that ſhall be ſlaine.
In the ſecond place, the manner of their ſlaying preſents it ſelfe. This cannot be meant of a reall and proper ſlaying; no more then that of the witneſſes: for if the ſlaying of the witneſſes be a myſticall ſlaying, the earthquake a myſticall earthquake, ſo the ſlaying of theſe men is myſticall alſo. The witneſſes were alwayes ſlaine in their teſtimony and cauſe, ſometimes they gave teſtimony alſo by their bloud. Sohere, theſe that are the abettors and upholders of Antichriſts cauſe, theſe I ſay are ſlaine in their cauſe and mannagement thereof; ſome of whom may alſo loſe their lives in the quarrell. Then this ſlaughter of theſe men of name, is in their honours and preferments, in their titles and offices, in their pomp and riches, in their rule and dominion, in their parts and nams, in all theſe they ſhall be ſlaine and ſuppreſſed, even as they themſelves formerly dealt with the witneſſes, in keeping them under: this now ſhall be their owne lot and portion.
Laſtly, we have the number of thoſe thus ſlaine, and that is ſeven thouſand: which doth imply a full and perfect number; and doth not here ſignifie juſt ſo many in an equall proportion, but is put indefinitely, as it's often, a certaine number, for an uncertaine: and may as well ſignifie, many more, or leſſe, then the preciſe number that is expreſſed.
The number here mentioned ſeven thouſand, doth imply the whole and perfect number, that doth mannage and uphold the cauſe of the beaſt: There were many of the people of all Nations, that were ſeduced and miſguided, and drawn to wonder after the beaſt; but theſe men of name, are thoſe that undertake to mannage and uphold the worſhip, forme, and power of Antichriſt; all theſe, the whole and perfect▪ number of them ſhall be ſlaine. Th…ſe be not the poore, vile, and baſe ſort of men, but thoſe of a more noble degree and ranke, men of fame, for wiſdome, learning, gifts, and offices; the full and compleat number of theſe ſhall be ſlaine and fall in this earthquake.
The third and laſt conſequent followeth, which is thus expreſſed; And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. In the unfolding theſe words we may conſider.
Firſt, the perſons here meant, called a remnant.
Secondly, their paſſions and actions.
1 They are affrighted.
2. They give glory to God.
The perſons here ſpecified are called a remnant. A remnant is ſo called in reſpect of it's ſmallneſſe or littleneſſe, it's moſt commonly attributed to a ſmall peice or fag end of cloth, that is ſome fragment or very ſmall peice left of the whole, and it's alwayes put for that which is, poor, few, and contemptible. Then by the remnant we are to underſtand, the poor, ignorant, ſeduced people, that by dependance upon, & complyance with thoſe men of name, that did mannage the cauſe of Antichr…, have been drawne to worſhip the beaſt, and to receive the marke of his image. Theſe poore ſottiſh people are called a remnant.
Their paſſions and actions follow.
Firſt, they are affrighted, and well they may, when they ſee all their props and pillars gon, the men of name & power throwne downe from their ſtation. When the Nobles and great ones of Iſrael were led captive into Babylon, the poore and weake of the people were left behinde: ſo the great undertakers of Antichriſts cauſe and quarrell are ſlaine, and throwne downe, now here is a poore company of ſeduced perſons that have wondered after the beaſt, they behold their great men ſlaine, and men of renowne and power throwne downe, and overthrowne, and now this poore remnant, they are very much affrighted and amazed, they are caſt downe and terrified at the fight thereof: when they ſhall ſee an utter ruine of thoſe that ſeduced them, whom they owned and beleeved, and had great dependance on, and therefore are ſtriken with exceeding great feare, when they ſee theſe taken away.
Secondly, this poore affrightned remnant, gave glory to the God of heaven. God was ſtiled, God of the earth, verſ. 4. And is called, The God of heaven and earth, Gen. 24. 3. Here called the God of heaven. Alſo in Dan. 2. 18. This notes the greatneſſe of his power and ſoveraignty, who is mightier then all the powers of the world. The remnant ſhall glorifie the God of heaven, that can ſubdue all the powers and dominions of the earth. But how ſhall the remnant glorifie God? That ſhall be, by acknowledging the juſt judgements of God, upon all thoſe men of name, that he had throwne downe and ſlaine. Suitably wee have the expreſſion in Joſh. 7. 19. My Son, confeſſe (ſaith Joſhua) and give glory to God, that is, by an acknowledgement of the truth and righteouſneſſe of Gods juſt judgement. So here the poore affrighted remnant, ſhall freely acknowledge the equitie and juſtneſſe of all thoſe evils enflicted upon the men of name, of greatneſſe, office, and power, theſe ſhall ſay, that they ſuffered juſtly and deſervedly; and though they be affrighted & terrified to ſee theſe great men of the earth, both in civill, and in eccleſiaſticall dignity and power, to fall and be caſt downe, yet they ſhall glorifie God, by acknowledging of the juſt hand of God in his judgements upon them.
The words being thus far opened, we proceed now to touch upon ſome obſervations clearly offered to us from them.
Firſt, obſerve from the earthquake it ſelfe, That the riſing and aſcending of the 1 Obſerv:witneſſes, doth cauſe a great earthquake in the world. No ſooner doe the witneſſes begin to riſe out of their ſackcloth, & aſcend up to heavē, but the earth ſhaks, the world trembles, great concuſſions and commotions are among the men of the earth, and upon all their affaires. States and Kingdomes, powers and governments, men and intereſts, theſe all ſhake and tremble. The very foundations of mans peace and joy are ſhattered and broken; the worſhips and wayes, the riches and preferments of the man of ſin, they all expire and die. The powers of the beaſt, whether civill or eccleſiaſticall, they are all ſubdued, and caſt to the earth. All the corruption of Magiſtracy, and all falſe ſhews and formes of worſhip ſhall be diſſipated and ſhaken in pieces. An earthquake is one of the greateſt evils and perplexities that can poſſibly befall the world; the earth being mans center and ſtay: when the very foundation of mans comfort and happineſs is ſhaken, it muſt mightily affrighten & aſtoniſh the men of the world. There is no ſhelter in an earth quake, for Kings, Parliaments, Armies, Nations, Commonwealths, it ſhakes all, yea, rich & poore, high and low, it throws downe every thing that ſtands in it's way, the very bottome and ground-work of the peoples joy, truſt, comfort, hope, it trembles and quakes: the root of all humane life, ſtrength, wiſdome, policy is cut in ſunder at once. The foundation of all power, eccleſiaſticall and civill, is ſhaken, the very ſtability of Church, State, Religion, order, government, ſhakes and falls downe unto the earth. And needs muſt it be ſo; for the witneſſes are the very baſis and pillars of the earth, they were the ſtrength and ſtability of the world: like unto the two pillars in Solomons Temple, the one called Jachin, the other Boaze, 1 King. 7. 21. that is as much as to ſay, ſtability and ſtrength, which indeed did prefigure the ſtedfaſtneſſe and ſtrength of the Saints. Theſe two Witneſſes while they lived below in the earth, they were the ſtrength and ſuccour of the world, but when they ariſe out of the earth, and aſcend to heaven, then the ſtrength and ſtability of the earth aſcends with them. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are diſſolved: I beare up the pillars of it, ſaith the Lord, Pſal. 75. 3. The Lord holds up the earth by theſe pillars, namely, his witneſſes, and when he calls them to heaven, to his kingdome, to live in the liberty and glory thereof, then the very pillars of the earth are removed, therefore the earth muſt needs quake and tremble. This ſore judgement is ſo terrible and amazing, that there is no ſhelter or ſuccour, nothing that man hath, or doth enjoy can be ſecure, it is the moſt ſweeping and affrighting evill, it pitties nor ſpares none, but carries all before it. As Sampſon carried away the gates of the Citie upon his ſhoulders; ſo theſe two witneſſes when they ariſe from the earth, and leave the world, they carry away with them, the ſtrength, the peace, the comfort, the order, the power of the earth, and ſo leave the world and Antichriſt in confuſion and diſtraction. The whole intereſt that the world hath, in all it's enjoyments, is but borrowed from the witneſſes; and when theſe are taken away, and raiſed up above their former ſtation, the world falls into ruine and confuſion.
Secondly, from the time of this earthquake. The ſame houre, &c. obſerve, That 2 Obſerv:all the time of this great earthquake, the witneſſes are riſing & aſcending. The ſame houre and time, yea and all the time of theſe great commotions and ſtirres upon the world, the witneſſes get ground, and aſcend higher and higher; though the world neither know it, nor perceive it. This great earthquake; that this very day, doth ſhake Kings, kingdomes, States, Churches, rules and dominions, doth plainly demonſtrate, that the witneſſes are now in riſing, that they begin to ſhake off their ſackcloth and mourning, they ſtand upon their owne feet, and doe not any longer depend upon other mens ſhoulders: they aſcend above the oppreſſion and powers of their adverſaries, into the glorious priviledges and liberty of Chriſts kingdome. Know that thorow this thicke and darke cloud, that God hath drawne over the earth, and in the midſt of theſe nationall ſtormes and earthquakes, the Lord will ſhine forth more and more, and the Sunſhine of his favour and love ſhall diſplay it's beams upon his Saints, in working out their ſalvation and liberty. God by the plentifull ſhowers of divine grace, and by his diſtillings of his ſpirit upon his people, will burne up that droſſe and fleſhlineſſe in them, which God doth manifeſt in ſome already. And by this great earthquake will ſo ſhake the powers of the world, that they ſhall not be able to oppreſſe the Saints any longer. O that we could with faith and patience waite a while, and we ſhall behold within a few yeares, yea, in a very ſhort ſpace, what deſolations and devaſtations God will make in the earth.; and what unexpected ſalvations and deliverances he will worke for his people, farre above what his enemies feare, or his people hope for. Therefore I ſay, wait but a while, ſtand ſtill and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord, the Lord will come and will not tarry; for in this very day, of the great earthquake, in the very time now of theſe nationall ſtormes and commotions, are the witneſſes riſing above their adverſaries, and aſcending up into the heavenly enjoyments & immunities of the kingdome of Chriſt.
Thirdly, from the firſt conſequent of this great earthquake: and the tenth part of the Citie fell: obſerve, That nation 3 Obſerv:that ſhall firſt of all ſhake off and diſclaime the power of Antichriſt, God will honour that nation firſt of all, in raiſing up his witneſſes in it. There is a tenth part of the nations, that have formerly given up their power and authority to the beaſt, that ſhall fall off, and diſown that man of ſin, that ſhall withdraw themſelves from the yoke and bondage of Antichriſts ſervice, and that in this earthquake, under the ſixt Trumpet; and that before the ten hornes ſhall hate the whore, and burne her fleſh with fire. Now I ſay, that nation, or nations, that ſhall firſt ſhake off the yoke of the oppreſſor, and the burden from off their ſhoulder, are the tenth part of the Citie, that here is ſayd to fall in the earthquake: The power and dominion of Antichriſt, that this nation, (or tenth part of the Citie) did once yeild and ſubmit unto: now that authority and rule is wholly diſſolved and aboliſhed. Now I verily believe that England is this tenth part of the Citie; or take England, Scotland, and Ireland, as being united together into one, as being ſubjected under one dominion and government to be the tenth part of the nations, that ſhall firſt withdraw from under the raigne of Antichriſt; for the tenth part is not tied to one nation, but to the tenth part of the nations, that were brought under the power of Antichriſt. And if the tenth part ſhould be meant of one nation onelyonly, yet this tenth part is but that nation, that the Lord doth begin his worke in; he will carry his deſigne from nation to nation, untill the ten hornes are all brought to hate the whore, and to burne her fleſh with fire. This indeed is the full accompliſhment, when the forty and two moneths ſhall be ended, and the word of God fulfilled, the whole ten kingdomes ſhall joyne together, to make war with the beaſt, & to give up their power to the ſervice of Chriſts kingdome. But the Lord doth firſt begin with a tenth part, that ſhall firſt withdraw it ſelfe from under the dominion and power of the beaſt. And I believe, that this Iſland, with the nations adjoyning to it, will be the firſt fruits of the world, that here ſhall appeare the new Jeruſalem, and the nations of them that be ſaved, ſhall walke in the light thereof, for many nations ſhall be joyned to the Lord, upon the coming downe of the new Jeruſalem, and finall downfall of Antichriſt. Now if it be demanded, why Germany or ſome of the reformed churches abroad may not be meant the tenth part of the Citie: to which I anſwer thus; That though thoſe called the reformed churches, have in ſome reſpect, and in ſome things caſt off the ſervice and dominion of the beaſt; yet they have not caſt off the image of the beaſt. For if we caſt our eyes upon the reformed Churches abroad, we ſhall ſee a national church, a carnall Miniſtry, worldly Chriſtians, invented ordinances of mans framing, civill and earthly lawes and inſtitutions, humane and naturall gifts & parts exerciſed: ſo that theſe reformed churches ſo much talked of, are but ſome politick and humane frame, that ſets up an image to the beaſt, or Antichriſt coming forth in another forme and ſhape, then that of downright Popery. And therefore we cannot judge any of them to be the tenth part of the Citie, neither can we expect the riſing of the witneſſes to be from thence. Now for as much as England is the firſt nation, that is wholly, & thorowly caſting off, and diſowning all Antichriſtian powers; and for as much as the Lord hath raiſed up his people in a great meaſure from their ſackcloth and mourning, & the Saints here begin to ſtand upon their feet, & to aſcend above the power of their adverſaries, into the liberty of Chriſts kingdome; and in that God hath begun this great earthquake here, ſhaking all powers, both accle…aſticall and civill: this I ſay, doth plainly demonſtrate, that England is that tenth part of the Citie, where the witneſſes ſhall firſt riſe out of their ſackcloth & bondage: Now this great earthquake, that had it's firſt beginning here, ſhall continue, and by degrees reach other nations, the Lord will from hence goe on, to ſhake all nations, the ſea, and the dry land; And though Dutch, and Dane, and French ſhall combine againſt us, and becompaſſe the Camp of the Saints, and the holy Citie, yet the fire of the Lord ſhall come from heaven and conſume them. The Lord ſhall be unto this Iſland a wall of fire round about, Zech. 2. 5. And thus the Lord will undoubtedly goe on, untill he hath ſubdued the power of the nations, & broken the ſtrength of the ten hornes, that they ſhall wholly withdraw their power and authority from the ſervice of Antichriſt; and ſhall devote all their ſtrength, riches, authority, to advance the kingdome of Chriſt. Thus not onelyonly a tenth part ſhall fall in the earthquake; but all the ten hornes by degrees ſhall be ſcattered and broken; and whereas they have given their power and ſervice to the beaſt: ſo now all their ſtrength and power ſhall ſerve Chriſt and his ends. The kingdomes of the world ſhall become Chriſts, at the ſound of the ſeventh Trumpet: of which we ſhall ſpeake in it's due place: now we proceed.
Fourthly, from the ſecond effect,4 Obſerv: and there were ſlaine of men ſeven thouſand. Obſerve: Thoſe principally and chiefly ſhall be ſlaine in the earthquake, that are the upholders and maintainers of Antichriſts cauſe and quarrell. Thoſe here ſayd to be ſlaine, are the names of men, or men of name, of fame, of note, of qualitie, of office, of dignity; ſuch as theſe are ſlaine: theſe are ſlaine in their offices,The Lord puls downe the mightie from their ſeats, and exalts the humble and m…eke. … powers, riches, honours; theſe are caſt out of eccleſiaſticall & civill power and rule (and as it's ſaid of the Dragon) they are caſt out of heaven down to the earth, they are degraded, and caſt out, as an abominable branch. This earthquake doth not ſo much ſhake and ſcatter the poore, ignorant, ſeduced people, as thoſe that are great in power, in office, in parts and renowne. There is not one of theſe ſhall eſcape, the ſeven thouſand, the full, perfect, and compleat number of thoſe chiefe props and ſtays of Antichriſt, ſuch as mannage his cauſe, and maintaine his quarrell, there is not one of thoſe, that ſhall eſcape, that ſhall not be throwne downe. How hath this earthquake ſhaken men out of their honours and dignities, out of offices & places; as thoſe that were in eccleſiaſticall juriſdiction, Biſhop… ▪ Deans, Chapters, C…ancellors, Commiſſaries, Ordinaries, Parſons, and Curates, with all the reſt of the Prelaticall crew: And then thoſe in civill power & dominion, King, Lords, Parliaments, and all others of place and power, that have ſet their hands to uphold the power of the beaſt, the Antichriſtian or Cleargie intereſt, they have been broken and ſ…ared. All men of name, of civil or eccleſiaſticall power and rule, that have ſet and engaged themſelves, to uphold or maintain the cauſe & intereſt of the beaſt, they have been all broken & ſlaine, in this great and …errible earthquake. Therefore let all States and powers take heed, how they mix their authority, with the uſurped eccleſiaſticall power, for whoſoever doth ſo, ſhall ſurely be deſtroyed. For the beaſt and the falſe Prophet ſhall be both taken together, and be caſt alive into the lake of fire, burning with brimſtone, Revel. 19. 20. The beaſt is corrupted Magiſtracy, or forme of power eccleſiaſticall and civill mix… together, compounded and joyned into one: and ſo acts and comes forth in the forme of a beaſt: The falſe Prophet is meant of thoſe Prieſts, that ſpeake lies in the name of the Lord, that ſeeme to work miracles, and cauſe fire to come downe from heaven in the ſight of men, counterfelting the ſpirit of God, when they ſpeake but a divination and falſhood of their own ſpirits. Now the beaſt and the falſe Prophet fall together. The one ſpeaking lies: and the other upholding him. The Clergie firſt ſtudying and inventing forme… of worſhip, and the earthly power main…aining them. O that the powers of the earth might ſee how much they are damnified by Cleargie intereſt, what a heavie burden it is, to carry the weight of ſpirituall juriſdiction, which will prove as a talent of lead upon the ſhoulders of all that ſtand under it. The woman is ſayd to ride upon the beaſt, Revel. 17. 7. The Antichriſtian church, carried upon the back of earthly powers. Hath not experience told us? that there hath not been any ſort of men, of what title or qualitie ſoever, that have layd hold of Antichriſts intereſt, and ſought to uphold and maintaine his cauſe, but they have been enſuared and broken in pieces. Why hath there been all thoſe turnings, and overturnings of men of note and place, but becauſe they have joyned intereſt and power with the beaſt, and have endeavoured to uphold that uſurped eccleſiaſticall power, either Prelaticall, or Claſſicall.
Fiftly, from the third conſequent, And the remnant were affrighted, &c. obſerve, That when God doth ſcatter the great 5 Obſerand mighty ones of the earth, it doth much amaze & affrighten the poore and ignorant people, that have been ſeduced by them. When the pillars of Antichriſt are ſhaken, it muſt needs perplex and trouble thoſe that depended upon them. For when the poore, miſled people, ſhall ſee the men of name, their great rulers throwne downe, and debaſed, this cannot but affright them; when that power that ruled them ſhall be ſubdued, when that wiſdome that led them, ſhall be turned into folly, when all the wayes and practiſes they have received ſhall be diſcovered to be frivolous and empty, this cannot chooſe but amaze and aſtoniſh the poore ſeduced remnant: now they know not what to doe, nor on whom to depend, neither unto whom to goe for counſell, or upon whoſe judgement to build. Hence it is, that theſe poore ignorant people aske ſuch queſtions as theſe; Of what religion ſhall we be of now? when ſhall we be ſetled? on whom ſhall we truſt? Theſe cannot live without ſome forme of religion preſcribed by man; therefore they thinke, religion, order, government to be gone, and that all is turned into confuſion, unleſſe they may enjoy the Lawes, platformes, directories, and cuſtomes of men, they thinke all to be loſt. Its no wonder then if this poore remnant be affrighted and aſtoniſhed.
Sixtly, and laſtly, obſerve, That it's 6 Obſerv…the poore affrighted remnant will give moſt glory to God. Theſe will ſo far glorifie God, as to acknowledge him juſt in all his judgements upon thoſe men of name, that were ſlaine in the earthquake. The experience of our times tells us, that God hath diſcovered ſo much wickedneſſe and oppreſſion in thoſe he hath taken off and ſlaine, that the remnant, and ſeduced multitude, (though they loved them well, and were much affrighted at their fall) cannot but glorifie God, and ſay, theſe were juſtly throwne downe for violence and oppreſſion, theſe have received their juſt demerit and deſerved vengeance: Thus will the common people glorifie the God of heaven, by acknowledging his juſt judgements upon them, that ruled over them. But as for theſe great and powerfull men themſelves, they never will acknowledge the juſt hand of God: they will ſay, of all theſe overturnings and ſhakings, they are but fatum belli: and thus it happened out unto them: Theſe indeed are filled with anger and madneſſe in their ſpirits, theſe have their hearts full of vexation and griefe; theſe open their mouths, & blaſpheme God, and his Tabernacle; calling light darkneſſe, and truth error, and the like. Their hearts even die within them with griefe and diſcontent, they weep and lament, becauſe their gaine and merchandiſe is taken away, their honour and profit is wholly aboliſhed: Theſe gnaw their tongues for paine, and ſtand, crying, alas, alas; how is the glorious Citie, with all her order, worſhip, gaine, honour, in one houre made deſolate. Thus ſhall the great ones lament their loſſes, but never come to repent of the works of their hands, that they had worſhipped Devils, and idols of gold, ſilver, braſſe, and ſtone, &c. Theſe never come to acknowledge the juſtneſſe of God, hand upon them; but the poore affrighted remnant; theſe, though much perplexed and troubled to ſee what is done, yet they acknowledge, that all thoſe men of name juſtly ſuffered, and ſo they glorifie the God of heaven in the juſtneſſe of his proceedings. And as tis externally, ſo it is inwardly and myſteriouſly in man: It's not the wiſdome and excellency of man, its not the parts and gifts, the learning, the greatneſſe of man, that will glorifie God: no, theſe excellent things in man, will ſpeak glory to it ſelfe, it will exalt the creature. But the low, waſted, crucified part of man, will give glory to God, man brought low in his owne conceit, and abaſed, and brought even to a remnant, will glorifie God, and ſuffer the Lord to make himſelfe glorious.