The Mystery of the Two Witnesses Unveiled, Verse 3
Verſ. 3. And I will give power unto my two witneſſes, and they ſhall propheſie a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes, clothed in ſackcloth.
HAving ſhewed, that by the Temple, Altar, and worſhippers, are meant, Gods divine preſence with his people, the pure ſervices, and true worſhippers: theſe the Lord would have meaſured, for ſuch as he would owne, during the whole raigne of Antichriſt. But for the outward Court, all falſe worſhip, and all externall formes, that the Gentiles were exerciſed in: neither of theſe would the Lord owne, but that they ſhould be caſt forth, and not meaſured at all. Now wee are to proceed to open the myſtery of the witneſſes.
In this verſe we are to take notice of theſe particulars.
Firſt, From whom theſe witneſſes receive power to teſtifie againſt Antichriſt; that is from the Lord; I will give power, &c.
Secondly, The title given unto them; they are called Witneſſes.
Thirdly, Their number; they are two.
Fourthly, Their office, in which they are to be imployed; they ſhall propheſie.
Fiftly, The manner and ſtate, in which they ſhall officiate; that is, in ſackcloth.
Sixtly, and laſtly, The duration and continuance of their propheſie; and that is a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes.
The firſt thing, that we are to enquire of, is who doth impower theſe witneſſes to performe their office of propheſie; and that is the Lord himſelfe; I will give (ſaith the Lord) God gives what the witneſſes have. The Lord doth impower them, to give forth their teſtimony, and none beſides himſelfe can inable them for that worke.
Now I ſhall firſt ſhew, who doth enable the witneſſes to propheſie: and then ſecondly, by what meanes he doth ſo enable them.
Firſt, The Lord gives forth the ſpirit of propeeſie, and that two wayes. Firſt, originally from himſelfe: ſecondly, mediately by Chriſt as Mediator.
Firſt, The gift of propheſie cometh originally from God himſelfe; he being the father of lights, from whom every good gift deſcendeth, Jam. 1. 17. Hence it is, that thoſe ſpeeches are ſo frequently uſed in the old Teſtament: Heare the word of the Lord: Thus ſaith the Lord: and the word of the Lord came unto me, and the like. All which doth ſignifie, that the Prophets received their prophetical revelations from the Lord. To this purpoſe we may obſerve that phraſe in Ezek. 20. 46. Son of man, ſet thy face toward the South, and drop thy word toward the South, and propheſie, &c. And the like ſpeech is that of Moſes; My doctrine ſhall drop as the raine: my ſpeech ſhall diſtill as the dew, as the ſmall raine upon the tender hearb, as the ſhowers upon the graſſe, Deut. 32. 2. Now from this phraſe of dropping, we may argue, that both Moſes and Ezekiel, had their propheſie from the Lord. For looke as the clouds, from whence raine deſcends (to mollifie the earth, and to cauſe graſſe and flowers to ſpring) have not their water originally and natively in themſelves, but from the Sea, and moiſtned places of the earth, exhal'd and drawn up by the heat of the Sun: ſo have not the Prophets a ſpirit of propheſie, whereby they of themſelves are able to diſcover divine myſtery and revelation: but it is drawne out of a full ſea of that excellent knowledge and wiſdome, that is in God himſelfe. Then the Prophets muſt of neceſſity receive their meſſage originally from God himſelfe. But
Secondly, They receive propheſie mediatly from Chriſt, unto whom the Lord hath committed the whole adminiſtration of all things, concerning his Church and kingdome. And we have that paſſage, 1 Sam. 3. 21. The Lord revealed himſelfe unto Samuel in Shiloh, by the word of the Lord. By the word of the Lord is here meant Chriſt, the eternall word, by whom the Lord doth reveale himſelfe, as in Joh. 1. 18. So that Chriſt is brought in by way of mediation, as by whom the Lord ſhould reveale himſelfe. Suitable unto this is that paſſage in Geneſ. 19. 24. The Lord rained upon Sodome and Gomorrah brimſtone and fire, from the Lord out of heaven. The Lord raining brimſtone by the Lord is meat, that the Lord did adminiſter judgement by Chriſt as Mediator. Chriſt is here brought forth acting in the office of his mediatorſhip: though according to his divine nature, he acts immediatly from himſelfe, without ſuch dependance or ſubordination: yet I ſay, as Mediator he receives from the father, and ſo communicates what he receives unto his Saints. Thus you ſee from whom theſe Prophets receive power to propheſie; and that's from the Lord himſelfe. Firſt, from God originally: Secondly, from Chriſt as Mediator.
Secondly, by what meanes the Lord doth thus impower theſe Prophets, and that is, firſt, by his word. Secondly, by his Spirit.
Firſt, It is by the word, that theſe Prophets are enabled to give forth their teſtimony. Chriſts Commiſſion to his Diſciples was to preach the word, Matth. 28. 19, 20. And Chriſt is ſayd to ride proſperouſly on the word of truth, Pſal. 45. 4. John beares record of the word of God, Revel. 1. 2. The Saints were ſlaine for the word of God, Revel. 12. 11. This word is the ſword, that proceeds out of Chriſts mouth, Revel. 1. 16. The word being called the ſword of Chriſt; imports, that it is full of efficacy and power, of great force and prevalency, diſcerning the thoughts, and ſubduing the imaginations of the heart. This is that ſpirituall weapon, whereby the Saints are able to encounter with their enemies, and to overcome the evill one, & to teſtifie againſt Antichriſt.
Secondly, by the Spirit, which gives life and power unto the word. The Goſpel is called the miniſtration of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 8. becauſe the Spirit joynes it ſelfe with the word, and makes it a quickning and powerfull word. And therefore it is, that Chriſt ſaith; My words are ſpirit and life, Joh. 6. 63. Chriſts word doth not go forth as a dead thing, but as a quickning power; not as a killing letter, but as a powerfull ſpirit. So that the word cannot be ſeparated from the Spirit, nor the Spirit from the word, they both joyntly concur and agree in one: The word is the habit or clothing of the ſpirit, and the ſpirit is the life and power of the word: by theſe meanes, namely, the word and ſpirit, are the witneſſes impowered to propheſie.
Secondly, the title given unto thoſe that teſtifie againſt Antichriſt, they are called witneſſes. This appellation is given to Chriſt, being called the faithfull witnes, Revel 1. 5. And the true witneſſe, Chap. 3. 14. Likewiſe he was promiſed to be given as a witneſſe to the people, Iſa. 55. 4. Therefore he tells Pilate, that he came into the world, to beare witneſſe of the truth, Joh. 18. 37. In like manner are the Saints called Witneſſes, as being called forth to teſtifie of the will & minde of God before the world. Thus it was ſayd of John Baptiſt, that he was ſent as a witneſſe of the light, Joh. 1. 7. And to him (meaning to Chriſt) gave all the Prophets witneſſe, Act. 10. 43. The Saints that ſuffered for Chriſt, ſuffered for the witneſſe of Jeſus, Revel. 20. 4. There is one place where by the Prophet, both Chriſt and the Saints are brought in as joynt witneſſes; where the Lord ſpeaking of his people ſayth; Ye are my witneſſes: and ſignifying of Chriſt, farther ſaith, And my ſervant, that I have choſen, Eſa. 43. 10. So that as Chriſt doth receive a meſſage from the Father, he doth truly and faithfully give forth his teſtimony, as appeares in Joh. 3. 32. So alſo the Saints that receive his word, and declare their teſtimony of his truth, do ſet to their ſeal, and witneſſe of the truth, as it is in Jeſus, and doe give forth teſtimony thereof before the world.
Thirdly, The number of theſe witneſſes, and they are two. Some ſay, that there are onelyonly two eminent perſons here meant, not exceeding the number expreſſed. Others, that thereby are meant the two Teſtaments, & ſo make the Scripture to be the witneſſe here ſpoken of: or elſe two in regard of their types, which are preſented to us by paires, as Zerubbabel, and Joſhua, the two anoynted ones: and Moſes and Elias, that cauſed fire to come downe from heaven. Alſo Moſes and Aaron, by whom the water in Aegypt was turned into bloud, as we ſhall underſtand more in the ſequell. Or more eſpecially, they are called two witneſſes, in proportion to the Law, that would not take an accuſation, unleſſe aſſerted by two witneſſes, Matth. 18. 16. So here becauſe there ſhall be a ſufficient teſtimony given forth againſt Antichriſt, by the faithfull witneſſes of Chriſt, they are called two, as moſt compleat and anſwerable to the Law, Deut. 17. 6. Thus you have their number, they are two Witneſſes.
Fourthly, Their office and employment follows. They Propheſie. Now in that they are ſtiled Witneſſes, and doe Propheſie: wee are to conſider two things.
Firſt, What we are to underſtand here by Propheſie.
Secondly, What is the teſtimony they give forth.
By Propheſie, wee may underſtand three things.
Firſt, to propheſie, it is to foretell things to come, to declare things that ſhall come to paſſe: according to that ſaying in Eſa 42. 9. Behold former things are come to paſſe, and new things doe I declare; before they ſpring forth, I tell you of them. Now though this be chiefly meant of Chriſt, yet it is foretold by the Prophet, as being firſt revealed to him. So that propheſie is a dlvine prediction, or a foretelling of things to come, by a heavenly revelation.
Secondly, to propheſie, ſometimes is meant of underſtanding the myſtery of propheſie, or of ſuch things, as are foreſpoken of: as to open and declare the myſtery of truth from divine propheſies. And in this reſpect the Saints under the new Teſtament are called Prophets, 1 Cor. 14. 29. Theſe were not ſo called, in relation to any divine predictions, that they could declare; but rather from that dexterity & readineſſe they had to interpret and open the myſtery of thoſe truths propheſied of before. From ſuch gifts as theſe, were they called Prophets.
Thirdly, to Propheſie, is when beleevers by their experience can give teſtimony of the fulfilling of propheſies. And thus thoſe primitive Saints were ſayd to propheſie; when the propheſie of Joel was fulfilled in them, and they were able by experience to teſtifie of the truth foreſpoken of: Act. 2. 16, 17. where it's ſayd; I will powre out my ſpirit upon all fleſh, and your ſonnes and your daughters ſhall propheſie, &c. Theſe by an alluſion to the former manner of diſcovery of God to the Prophets, are ſaid to propheſie, becauſe by a divine revelation of truth, and glorious diſcovery of grace upon their hearts, they could by experience ſay, this day is the Scripture fulfilled, and the grace of the propheſie powred forth upon us. So beholding the viſion of divine grace, they are ſayd to propheſie.
In each of theſe ſences the Saints under the raigne of Antichriſt, may be ſayd to propheſie. Firſt, from a ſpirituall inſpiration and glorious diſcovery of heavenly things: they are able to …oretell, and propheſie, that Babylon ſhall fall: This is their meſſage: and this they teſtifie continually. Secondly, They by a ſpirituall judgement and apprehenſion of the things of God, are able to underſtand enigmaticall and difficult things; and make glorious diſcoveries of the myſteries of truth, and alſo of the myſteries of Antichriſt. Thirdly, in every age, according to their light and experience, they give forth a teſtimony, of the fulfilling of thoſe propheſies, both of the raigne and ruine of Antichriſt. And thus the Witneſſes are ſaid to propheſie.
Secondly, for the teſtimony that they give forth, and that is, they hold forth the truth and authoritie of Chriſt, againſt the falſhood and uſurpation of Antichriſt. Theſe witneſſes give forth a double teſtimony.
Firſt, againſt the ſeed of the Serpent.
Secondly, againſt the power of the beaſt.
Firſt, they teſtifie againſt the ſeed of the Serpent, by holding forth the nature and grace of Chriſt; whereby he ſhould break the head of the Serpent, as it was foretold in Gen. 3. Theſe acknowledge, that Chriſt tooke the ſeed of Abraham, was clothed with our nature, was made fleſh, and came forth in our habit and forme; became Emanuel, God with us, or in our fleſh; but ſo filled with heavenly anoyntings, and ſo clothed with the divine nature, that he was able to ſubdue Satan, and to tread him under his feet, he was impowered to breake the head of this Leviathan, and to caſt him forth into the earth. Thus the Apoſtle teſtified to the Romans, that the God of peace ſhould bruiſe Satan under their feet, Rom. 16. 20. By yertue of that Evangelicall promiſe, Chriſt ſhould overcome and cruſh the curſed ſeed of the Serpent. Of this the witneſſes doe teſtiſie, by holding forth Chriſt to be the ſeed of the woman: in whom dwelt the anoynting, by which all wickedneſſe is ſubdued.
Secondly, They teſtifie againſt the power of the beaſt: and that is, by holding forth the office & dignity of Chriſt, againſt the power, government, rule, & dominion of Antichriſt; for though he acknowledge verbally, that Chriſt hath the ſole power and government in his Church, yet vertually he doth deny it; by uſurping thoſe dignities and offices to himſelfe. The teſtimony that the Saints doe eſpecially give out againſt the rule and domination of Antichriſt, is of the propheſie, Prieſthood, and kingdome of Chriſt.
Firſt, Of the propheſie of Chriſt; they acknowledge Chriſt to be the great Prophet of his Church, Act. 7. 37. To be the great Doctor & teacher of his people; according to that expteſſion in Cant. 5. 13. His lips like L…es, dropping ſweet ſmelling myrrb: By Chriſts lips are meant his divine propheſies and heavenly teachings, by which he doth inſtruct teachings, his people: his words are beautifull as the lilie, and odoriferous as myrrhe. Now the Saints holding forth the ſufficiency and power of Chriſts teachings, doe overthrow the fleſhly wiſdome, carnall knowledge, and humane teachings of Antichriſt: accordding as the Lord hath ſaid; I will deſtroy the wiſdome of the wiſe, and bring to nothing the underſtanding of the prudent, 1 Cor. 1. 19. And the Apoſtle tells us in verſ. 27, 28. That God hath choſen the poore, weake, and deſpiſed things of the world, to bring to nought things that were high and mighty. Hence it is, that we have that ſaying of the Apoſtle in 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7. We ſpeake wiſdome to them that are perfect, (ſaith he) yet not the wiſdome of this world, nor of the Princes of this world, that come to nought; but we ſpeake the wiſdome of God in a myſtery, &c. By them that are perfect, the Apoſtle meaneth, thoſe that are of full age, that are men in underſtanding of divine myſteries: ſo that his preaching was wiſdome to the wiſe: but it was not humane wiſdome, ſuch as the world accounted of; nor politi…ll wiſdome of Princes; but a hidden and ſecret wiſdome; a divine myſtery of heavenly wiſdome, ſuch as the reaſon and underſtanding of carnall men cannot reach or comprehend. And thus theſe witneſſes teſtifying of the propheſie and wiſdome of Chriſt, doe oppoſe the wiſdome and underſtanding of Antichriſt.
Secondly, They teſtifie of the Prieſthood of Chriſt: acknowledging him to be the eternall Prieſt of God, ſet over the houſe of God, Heb. 10. 21. And that he is a Prieſt after the order of Melchiſedec, Heb. 7. 11, 12. And not after the manner of Aaron, therefore of neceſſitie, there is a change of the Law. So that hereby they give a teſtimony againſt all the Jewiſh rites and ceremonies, that Antichriſt doth ſet up, and enforce an obſervation of. And thus the Apoſtle doth teſtifie againſt Circumciſion, when he ſayth; If ye be circumciſed, Chriſt ſhall profit you nothing: for (ſaith he) I teſtifie to every man, that is circumciſed, that he is a debtor to the whole law: and Chriſt is become of none effect, &c. Gal. 5. 2, 3. That which is here ſaid of Circumciſion, is true of all other Levicicall rites: if men will Judaize and ſtick now to Moſaicall rudiments, Chriſt will be unprofitable unto them, for they are againe enthralled and bound to keep the whole law: and if they will be juſtified by ſuch legall obſervations, then Chriſt ſhall availe them nothing; they hold not the head, when they cleave to ſuch ordinances. They that will againe ſet up the Pedigogie of Moſes, and bring men under Jud…icall rites and ceremonies; theſe doe in effect deny Chriſt come in the fleſh, and therefore are of Antichriſt; according to that Text, 1 Joh. 4. 2, 3. So that the Saints bearing witneſſe of the Prieſthood of Chriſt, doe oppoſe Antichriſt in all his legall obſervances.
Thirdly, and laſtly, they teſtifie of the kingdome of Chriſt: and doe antribute all headſhip, power, rule and domination to Chriſt; they make him alone to be coput eccleſiae, the ſupreame head of his Church; and ridiculous is the Popes challenge to be the Miniſteriall head; whereas Chriſt hath not inſtituted any ſuch image of his government. The witneſſes doe acknowledge the whole dominion and government to be upon Chriſts owne ſhoulders, Eſa. 9. 6. he alone to have the ſoveraigne power and authority in governing of his Church, he onelyonly to have the ſupremacy of Regiment. Hereby the witneſſes doe teſtifie againſt the authority, power, and domination, that Antichriſt doth exerciſe, and againſt thoſe Cannon lawes, and humane inſtitutions, that he doth ſet up. Great hath been then ſurpation of Antichriſt in this kinde, he undertakes to rule over the ſoules and conſciences of men; one of the chiefeſt of all Babylons merchandizes, are the ſoules of men, Revel. 18. 13. But this practice was never tollerated by Chriſt. Antichriſt doth rule by an earthly and humane power; accordingly we have it expreſſed in Revel. 17. 1, 2. That the kings of the Earth committed fornication with the whore: that is, by joyning their power with her; they give up their power to uphold her intereſt, for this who riſh woman doth ride on the beaſt, verſ. 7. The woman is the Antichriſtian ſtate, riding upon the powers of the world, in the forme of a beaſt, unto whom the kings give their power. So that when Antichriſt, and the kings of the earth have mixed and knit cheir power together, that kingdome, or that Empire, that doth uphold the power of the whore, becomes as a beaſt, being inſlaved to her, yeilding unto her all their ſtrength and dominion. Then the power of States and Kingdomes, thus begotten and brought forth by ſpirituall fornication, is but a falſe and whoriſh power, a corrupted and perſecuting power; by which meanes the idolatrous woman becomes drunken with the bloud of the Saints, and of the Martyrs of Jeſus. Now the Saints giving teſtimony of the kingdome and dominion of Chriſt, doe oppoſe all the falſe and tyrannicall powers of Antichriſt. And thus we have deſcribed, what is the propheſie of the witneſſe; and the teſtimony that they give forth.
Fiſtly, we are to conſider the forme and ſtate in which theſe witneſſes propheſie, and that is in ſackcloth. To propheſie in ſackcloth, denotes that ſad and mournfull condition of the witneſſes under the power and raigne of Antichriſt. Thus ſackcloth and mourning is ſet forth as a badge or ſigne of ſadneſſe and diſtreſſe, in 2 King. 6. 30. and Amos 8. 10. This ſtate of the witneſſes doth hold forth unto us theſe three things.
Firſt, that the witneſſes give out their teſtimony in a poor, weak, low, and deſpicable way; there being in ſome meaſure the abſence of the bridegroome; according to that ſpeech of Chriſt, in Matth. 9. 15. When the Bridegroome ſhall be taken away, they ſhall mourn. So that the reaſon why the witneſſes mourne, and put on ſackcloth, is, becauſe in a great meaſure the Bridegroome is abſent, and at a great diſtance, and they in a very ſad, weak and meane condition; and they doe but propheſie, or foretell things to come, beholding things a far off, and not fully enjoying that glory, that they propheſie of.
Secondly, it imports, that their perſons were under reſtraint and perſecution. The beaſt alwayes making warre with them, by fines, impriſonment, baniſhment, and death; they were continually under perſecution, trouble and vexation, all the time of the raigne and dominion of Antichriſt.
Thirdly, it argues, that their teſtimony was alwayes rejected, caſt forth, and trampled under foot. The world hath alwayes ſlighted and caſt off the reſtimony of the witneſſes, as of old the Jewes did neglect the teſtimony of Chriſt, of whom it is ſaid; No man received his teſtimony, Job. 3. 32. So that the … cannot but mourne and lament, as it were in ſackcloth, when their bridegroome is in a great meaſure abſent, when their perſons are reſtrained, and their teſtimony rejected. Thus much for their ſtate, being clothed in ſackcloth.
Sixtly, and laſtly, the duration and continuance of their propheſie: and that is a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes. In the former verſe, when we opened the terme of forty two moneths (accounting th…ty days for a monethmonth, make juſt three yeers and a halfe) holds proportion with the terme of 1260 dayes. The Gentiles ſhall …read under foot the holy Citie forty two moneths. The witneſſes ſhall propheſie in ſackcloth 1260 dayes. The woman nouriſhed in the wilderneſſe, 1260 dayes. The terme mentioned by Daniel, A time, times, and halfe a time. The witneſſes lie ſlaine three dayes and a halfe: all theſe termes of time hold one and the ſame proportion. So that the witneſſes propheſying 1260 dayes, is meant, they ſhall propheſie the whole time of the viſible raigne of Antichriſt, in ſackcloth. But here we may note, that Antichriſts time is counted by moneths, which are reckoned by the courſe of the Moon, unconſtant and changeable: and it ſhews forth thus much, that all the worſhips, formes, and actions of Antichriſt are brought forth by a weak and dim light, a light borrowed from the Sun, they are workes of darkneſſe and of the night, wherein the Moone ruleth, Gen. 1. 16. It is not a light of the Sun, it ariſeth not from Chriſt, it ſhineth not immediatly from the Lord. But on the contrary, the propheſie of the witneſſes is accounted by dayes: a day is meaſured by the Sun, as a monethmonth is by the Moone; and notes, that it is a day time, more conſtant, more brightſome, and full of light, as appeares in Act. 26. 18. The true ſervants of Chriſt are brought out of darkneſſe into light; and are children of the day, and of the light; and therefore it is, their propheſie is meaſured out, not by moneths, but by dayes. But however the witneſſes time is accounted by dayes; it holds the ſame proportion of time with forty two moneths; that ſo long as Antichriſt ſhall raigne and domineer, ſo long ſhall the witneſſes propheſie in ſackcloth, continually powering forth their teſtimony againſt the wickedneſſe of the man of ſin. So much for the time of the witneſſes propheſſe.
Having opened the words, give me leave now to draw forth ſome obſervations from them.
Firſt, Obſerve, That none can give 1 Obſerv:forth a teſtimony of Chriſt, but ſuch as are impowered thereto by Chriſt. I will give, &c. The Lord gives what the witneſſes have. Chriſt himſelfe, the great and faithfull witneſſe, ſaith, As the Father hath ſaid unto me, ſo I ſpeake, Joh. 12. 50. Thus we have the Apoſtle ſpeaking in 1 Joh. 1. 5. This is the meſſage which we have heard of him, and declare unto you: The ſervants of Chriſt can onelyonly declare, what they have received of him, and that upon the ſureſt evidence, and cleareſt demonſtration. And hence it is, that the Apoſtle ſaith; What we have heard and ſeen, we declare unto you, ver. 3. So that onelyonly thoſe that receive from the Lord a gift, a revelation, or ſpirituall underſtanding, ſuch onelyonly are able to give forth a teſtimony of Chriſt and of his truth. Theſe witneſſes can admoniſter the things of God, ſuitably to what they have received of the gift or meaſure of Chriſt.
Secondly, Obſerve, That all thoſe that 2 Obſerv:bold forth the truth of Chriſt, oppoſing Antichriſt, are his witneſſes: This is the title the Lord gives them here; theſe are my two witneſſes; theſe teſtifie of me; theſe hold forth my truth, by declaration, and by profeſſion; as if the Lord had ſaid; theſe are mine; they owne me; they ſuffer for me; they indure the word of my patience; and I will own them for my witneſſes; they bearing witneſſe of my truth. Therefore every individuall Saint, that doth according to his meaſure and ability, either by preaching, praying, writing, or profeſſion, hold forth the power and authority of Chriſt, againſt the uſurpation and tyranny of Antichriſt, whoſoever he be, of what quality or degree ſoever, the ſame is a witneſſe of Chriſt, to teſtifie againſt the man of ſin, that wicked one, that ſon of perdition.
Thirdly, Obſerve, That the witneſſe 3 Obſerv:of the Saints is a ſufficient teſtimony: They are called two witneſſes, by whom a thing is confirmed and ratified. Therefore God hath not left himſelfe without witneſſe; but hath alwayes ſent forth ſuch as would have healed Babylon, but ſhe refuſed to be healed, and repented not of her deeds, ſtill perſiſting in her abominations. Hence it is, that the Apoſtle ſaith, God ſhould ſend them ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhouldforeign beleeve a lie: that they might be damned (or judged) that beleeved not the truth, but had pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe, 2 Theſ. 2. 11, 12. That is, becauſe of their obdurate malice and incredulity, ſhutting their eyes againſt the truth, that was ſufficiently held forth by theſe witneſſes; therefore the Lord would blinde their eyes, by a reſtraint of his grace, and wholly give them up to Satan, to captivate their mindes, and ſeduce their underſtandings, that they ſhould beleeve lying & falſe doctrines, to take pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe, ſo as by their prodigious lies, and forged ſuperſtitions, they ſhould mightily oppoſe the truth.
Fourthly, Obſerve, That the whole 4 Obſerv:been of the witneſſes propheſie hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Chriſt, againſt the falſhood of antichriſt. The things they propheſie ſhall come to paſſe, is, the kingdome of Chriſt, and the ruine of Antichriſt. The teſtimony they give forth, is, that the power of the anointing, in the anointed, ſhall ſubdue the ſeed of the Serpent; and that Chriſt, as Prophet, Prieſt, and King, ſhall overcome the wiſdome, worſhip, and dominion of the beaſt. Thus they propheſie, and continually powre forth their teſtimony, bearing witneſſe unto the truth; this is their meſſage they have to declare, and they make it their continuall ſtudy and practice, faithfully to diſcharge this meſſage and truſt. Thus Chriſt tells Pilate; For this cauſe (ſaith he) came I into the world, to beare witneſſe of the truth, Joh. 18. 37. This was Chriſts worke and buſineſſe; and this is the great arrand and embaſſage of all his people, to beare witneſſe of the truth, and to ſet to their ſcales that Chriſt is true: and that Antichriſt is a lier, a ſeducer, full of untruth and unrighteouſneſſe.
Fiftly, Obſerve, Thoſe that have been 5 Obſerv:most faithfull unto Chriſt and his truth, have been moſt rejected of the world. Theſe witneſſes being perſecuted in their perſons, and flighted in their teſtimony, they are made to mourne, and put on ſackcloth. Thus it was with Chriſt, while he was on earth, he did as it were propheſie in ſackcloth; being rejected Eſa. 53. 3.and deſpiſed of men, was a man of ſorrows and griefe; his teſtimony was rejected; his words contradicted; his perſon ſet at nought; and all becauſe he did teſtifie of the truth. The ſame meaſure is given forth to all his faithfull ſervants; the true ground of all their ſufferings, is the teſtimony they give forth, for bearing witneſſe unto the truth. The ſoules under the Altar were ſlaine for the teſtimony that they held, Revel. 6. 9. Sackcloth and mourning have been the portion of all ſuch as witneſſed the truth, in the time of the powerfull raigne of Antichriſt.
Sixtly, and laſtly, Obſerve, That Chriſt 6 Obſerv:hath alwayes had a people to beare witneſſe of his truth, even in the ſaddeſt and darkeſt time of Antichriſts raigne. The time of the witneſſes propheſie in ſackcloth, is as long as the time, as the man of ſin hath to trample under the holy Citie. Though the times werenever ſo dark, and perſecutions never ſo cruell, yet ſtill there was alwayes a remnant, that were neither ſo farre blinded, nor ſo much diſcouraged, as to give out, as that they ſhould withhold their witneſſe unto the truth. When Elijah thought he had been left alone, the Lord had preſerved to himſelfe ſeven thouſand, that had not bowed the knee to Baal, nor kiſſed him, I King. 19. 18. So all the time of the generall apoſtacie and defection, under the man of ſin, the Lord hath reſerved to himſelfe, ſuch as he hath kept from the evill of the time, that would not yeeld to the worſhip, nor conforme to the idolatrous courſes of Antichriſt.