The Mystery of the Two Witnesses Unveiled, Verse 7
VERS. 7. And when they have finiſhed their teſtimony, the beaſt that aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit, ſhall make warre againſt them, and ſhall overcome them, and kill them.
HAving ſpoken of the active part of theſe witneſſes, how they were impowered to propheſie; and thereby enabled to reſiſt their enemies; now here we are to proceed to ſpeake of their paſſive part, in that they ſhould ſuffer from their enemies.
As theſe witneſſes did moſt grievouſly torment Antichriſt, by ſmiting the earth with all plagues; ſo in revenge, we have Antichriſt about to repay theſe witneſſes, for all the wrongs he doth receive.
The words hold forth the ſlaying and death of the witneſſes, and that when they have finiſhed their teſtimony: in which thing we have a plaine alluſion unto the ſtory of Chriſt's death, reſurrection, and aſcenſion: as Chriſt finiſhed his teſtimony, and was ſlaine; after which he roſe againe, and aſcended; ſo it falleth out with theſe witneſſes. Now from the words here, concerning the death of the witneſſes, by the war made againſt them; Conſider theſe particulars.
Firſt, the time when they are ſlaine; and that is, when they had finiſhed their teſtimony.
Secondly, by whom they ſhould be ſlaine; and that is by the beaſt that aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit.
Thirdly, the manner how they are ſlaine; and that is expreſſed gradually, by a threefold action of the beaſt, who is ſayd.
Firſt, to make war againſt them.
Secondly, to overcome them.
Thirdly, to kill them.
Firſt, of the time when theſe witneſſes ſhould be ſlaine, and that's declared to be, when they have finiſhed their teſtimony. Theſe witneſſes have a time to propheſie, and alſo a time when they ſhall finiſh their teſtimony, and then they are ſlaine. The maine thing we are to quire after, is to know when theſe have finiſhed their teſtimony; and then we ſhall eaſily know, when they are to be ſlaine. Now the moſt received opinion is, that theſe witneſſes never come to finiſh their teſtimony, untill neer the end and period of Antichriſts raigne, that there ſhould be ſome great and eminent ſlaughter at the latter end of their propheſie, upon the declining of Antichriſt's ſtate and kingdome; but this is far remote from the true ſcope and ſence of …he truth in this place; for ſo the ſlaying of the witneſſes ſhould be reſtrained to ſome particular perſons, and to ſome particular time, and that neer the end of Antichriſts raigne: whereas the ſlaving of the witneſſes, is a continued act, even all the dayes of the powerfull raigne of the beaſt, who doth alwayes make war againſt theſe, and doth alwayes overcome and kill the holy people, (all the time, that the holy Citie is given into his hand) to trample upon them and abuſe them.
Then the time when theſe witneſſes have finiſhed their teſtimony is meant no more then this, that when any of the faithfull ſervants of Chriſt, ſhall in any age or time of Antichriſt, faithfully and fully diſcharge their truſt, deliver their meſſage, give forth their teſtimony of thoſe truths of Chriſt, that they are convinced of, againſt Antichriſt, and the preſent evills of the times they live under: then they are ſayd to finiſh their teſtimony. foreign is variouſly tranſlated, the moſt accute render it, when they are about to finiſh their teſtimony. This they doe, before they are ſlaine; and becauſe they doe this, therefore they are ſlaine; for they are ſlaine becauſe of the teſtimony they give forth. Thus Chriſt was ſayd to finiſh hu worke, Joh. 17. 4. by that faithfull teſtimony he gave of the Father. And Paul tells us, he had finiſhed his courſe, 2 Tim. 4. 7. when he had faithfully diſcharged his truſt, by preaching the Goſpel, according to his Commiſſion. So the Saints in every age and time, when they have faithfully given in their evidence and teſtimony of that truth they know, then they have finiſhed their teſtimony: and not that all the witneſſes ſhould firſt give in their teſtimony, and at the laſt a few of them ſhould be ſlaine; but that, I ſay, every Saint, every witneſſe of the Lord, in every age and time ſhall faithfully give in his teſtimony, and then is ſlaine: ſo that the ſlaying of the witneſſes is not confined to one time, or the laſt period of Antichriſt; but their ſlaying continues as long, as their propheſie in ſackcloth, as we ſhall ſhew more hereafter.
Secondly, by whom ſhall theſe witneſſes be ſlaine; and that is, by the beaſt that aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit. Now for the opening of this paſſage, conſider three things.
Firſt, who is meant by this beaſt
Secondly, from whence he cometh.
Thirdly, the forme or manner of his coming.
Firſt, by this beaſt is meant Antichriſt, who is ſo called from his beaſtly nature, being moſt fierce and cruell, moſt barbarous and dangerous. So he is called a beaſt in Chap. 13. 4, 5. becauſe his mouth is full of blaſphemy, and his carriage full of inhumanity: for his rage, fury, and madneſſe he is like unto a beaſt; being of a devouring nature, and of a beaſtly diſpoſition. The whoriſh woman is ſayd to ride upon the beaſt, Chap. 17. 7. The woman is that whoriſh and Antichriſtian ſpirit, that doth ride forth, and act by a beaſtly, inhumane power, and as a beaſt doth devour and deſtroy; and the Kings of the earth give their power unto the beaſt, and ſo they become beaſtly, fierce and untractable alſo The beaſt then is no other, then that wicked one, that ſon of perdition, that ſpirit of wickedneſſe, that myſtery of iniquity, putting it ſelfe forth in ſome corrupt and beaſtlike power and carriage, moſt fierce and devouring; it is Antichriſt in his power and greatneſſe, oppreſſing and deſtroying the Saints of the moſt high. So much for the deſcription of the beaſt.
Secondly, from whence this beaſt doth ariſe, and that is from the bottomleſſe pit, or deep Abyſſe. The beaſt mentioned in Chapt. 13. 1. is ſayd to ariſe out of the ſea, that is, out of many peoples and nations. And the beaſt in verſ. 13. is ſayd to ariſe out of the earth; from a kingly or earthly power. But this beaſt that ſlayeth the witneſſes ſhall ariſe out of the bottomleſſe pit.
Three things are ſayd to aſcend out of the bottomeeſſe pit. Firſt, the ſmoke of the bottomleſſe pit, Chap. 9. 2. which is meant of all Antichriſtian darkneſſe and confuſion. Secondly, we read of the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit, Chap. 9. 11. which is Satan, called therefore Apollyon, that is to ſay, a deſtroyer, whoſe worke is to deſtroy others. Laſtly, we have the beaſt that aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit; ſpoken of here; and alſo in Chap. 17. 8.
Firſt, the ſmoke of the bottomleſſe pit, is meant of that darkneſſe and confuſion, of that ignorance & blindneſſe, that doth ariſe upon the ſoule as a thicke cloud, from the fleſhly acting of the heart; whereby the minde and underſtanding is wholly darkned and obſcured; according to that of the Apoſtle, ſpeaking of the Gentiles, ſaith, Having their underſtanding darkned, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſſe of their heart, Epheſ. 4. 18. Blindneſſe and darkneſſe is upon all the thoughts and inventions, upon all the carnall actings of the fleſh.
Secondly, the Angel of the bottomleſſe pit, is Satan, that Prince of darkneſſe, that evill ſpirit, that rules in the children of diſobedience, Epheſ. 2. 2. The Prince and power of darkneſſe, by his inſtigations and ſuggeſtions doth rule and ſway mans heart. By the cloſe of mans heart with Satan, he is captivated & enſnared, and ſo brought into ſubjection unto him, as unto a mighty Prince or Ruler. Thus we ſee who is ment by the Angel of the bottomles pit.
Thirdly, the beaſt of the bottomleſſe pit, is Antichriſt in the forme of a beaſt, or acting in his beaſtly, inhumane power, with much cruelty and fierceneſſe. Now what is this bottomleſſe pit, or deep Abyſſe, that hath no bottome, it cannot be meaſured, none can take a dimention of it; now I ſay, what is this, but that helliſh working, thoſe fleſhly imaginations, thoſe blacke and beaſtly devices of mans heart; whereof there is no meaſure or end, none can fadome them, none can ſearch the bottome of them. Wee told you before, that the frame and image of Antichriſt, did ariſe from the ſpirit of Antichriſt; ſo here this beaſt, or power of darkneſſe that ſlayeth the witneſſes, ariſeth out of that helliſh wickedneſſe, that rage and cruelty, from that darkneſſe and confuſion in the heart of man; this is the pit that hath no bottome; this beaſt or forme of wickednes, this beaſtlike power, that ſlayeth the witneſſes, hath no foundation, it is not brought forth by any inſtitution of Chriſt, it hath no ſuch bottom to faſten it ſelfe on, but doth ariſe from the evill imaginations of mans heart: this wickedneſſe & rage hath no limits or bounds: the heart of man cloſing with Satan, doth hatch & bring forth all the moſt abominable & hideous, the moſt black and monſtrous wickedneſſe, that is acted in the world: This wickedneſſe ariſing into power and greatneſſe, breaketh forth into cruelty and rage, into madneſſe and beaſtlineſſe: Antichriſt acting upon this principall, becomes as a beaſt, and is fierce and cruell; he being in power doth kill and ſlay the witneſſes and faithfull ſervants of Chriſt. And this beaſt ariſeth out of the bottomleſſe pit, that is without breadth or length, ſuch as cannot be fathomed or meaſured, being full of darkneſſe and blackneſſe of torment and confuſion. Thus we ſee what is meant by the bottomleſſe pit; from whence this beaſt cometh, that maketh war with the Saints. Hence it is; that the Apoſtle ſayth; The coming of the man of ſin, is after the working of Satan, 2 Theſ. 2. 9. It is Satan that doth captivate the mindes and underſtandings of men, and powerfully ſeduce and deceive them: So that Satans working upon the hearts of men, doth produce all thoſe ſtrange inventions & deceits, all that darkneſſe and confuſion, all thoſe horrid deſignes and plots: that cauſeth all that rage and cruelty, that mans heart doth hatch & bring forth, even all that killing and ſlaying enmity, that Antichriſt doth exerciſe againſt the witneſſes. So much for the deſcription of the bottomles pit, from whence the beaſt cometh.
Thirdly, the manner of this beaſts coming; he doth aſcend up, &c. that is into greatneſſe and power, he doth ariſe up high in dignity and dominion. This beaſt doth aſcend from the bottomleſſe pit of the workings of Satan, from that darkneſſe, blackneſſe, confution, rage, cruelty in mans heart, up unto greatneſſe, power, and dominion. This wickedneſſe doth not lye in the helliſh imaginations of mans heart, cloſed up in thoſe unfathomed and endleſſe thoughts and inventions; but it aſcendeth up into power and action, it ariſeth into height and dominion, and then breaketh forth into cruelty and oppreſſion. Thus the beaſt is ſayd to aſcend out of the ſea, Chap. 13. 1. that is, he as being greedy of ſupremacy and greatneſſe, did aſcend by little and little, untill he was lifted up into the higheſt power and dominion. So this beaſt doth aſcend out of the bottomleſs pit, to a ſtate of ſtrength and power: As it is ſayd in Chap. 13. 2. The Dragon gave unto the beaſt his power, and his ſeat, and great authority, that ſo he might make war with the Saints and overcome them, and kill them. Thus much for the manner of the beaſts aſcenſion.
The third thing to be conſidered, is the manner how the witneſſes are to be ſlaine; and that is expreſſed by a threefold action of the beaſt, that aſcendeth out of the bottomleſſe pit; he ſhall,
Firſt, make warre againſt them.
Secondly, ſhall overcome them.
Thirdly, he ſhall kill them.
Firſt, we have the war, that this beaſt makes againſt the witneſſes. This is the war in heaven, ſpoken of in Chap. 12. 7. between Michael and his Angels, fighting with the Dragon and his Angels; That is, Chriſt and his people waging a ſpirituall war, againſt the Devill and his agents. This repreſents us with the ſpirit of enmity and malice of the Serpent, put forth in the power and authority of the Dragon: here is the ſeede of the Serpent, and the ſeed of the woman, conflicting and fighting one againſt the other. When the woman is fled into the wilderneſs, and Antichriſt himſelfe having taken the poſſeſſion of the outward Court, yet the Dragon makes war with the remnant of her ſeed, Chap. 12. ult. This war is in heaven, being a ſpirituall Combate between Chriſt and Antichriſt. The envie, the malice, and the inveterate hatred of the ſeed of the Serpent is alwayes putting it ſelfe forth againſt Chriſt, his ſervants, his image, and truth. Hence it was, that Chriſt told the Jewes, That they were of their father the Devill, who was a murtherer from the beginning, Joh. 8. 44. They received the root and ſeed of malice and hatred from Satan, the accuſer of the ſervants of Chriſt, who doth alwayes raiſe calumny, war, and contention againſt them. Thus the beaſt being filled with the curſed ſeed of the envie and malice of the Serpent, doth alwayes make war with the Saints.
Secondly, this beaſt ſhall overcome the witneſſes. This repreſents us with the craft and ſubtilty of the Serpent, whereby he ſhall enſnare and intrap the Saints for the time that they ſhall be given into his hand. Thus it is ſaid of the King of a fierce countenance, that through his policy he ſhould cauſe craft to proſper in his hand, Dan. 8. 25. And ſo in Dan. 11. 31. He ſhall corrupt with flatteries. Such is the craft and ſubtilty of Antichriſt, who by faire pretenies, and ſubtill devices doth betray the Saint. And thus he doth, by tranſlating himſelfe into an Angel of light, taking up the forme of Chriſt, to perſecute the ſpirit and life of Chriſt. The beaſt comes forth with faire pretences, like a woman in ſome glorious dreſſe, arayed in purple, and ſcarlet colour, decked with gold and precious ſtones, and pearles, Revel. 17. 4. having many excellencies of nature, and formes of worſhip, humane gifts, and a counterfeit ſpirit; that ſo the whole world wander after the beaſt, ſaying, Who is like unto the beaſt? But when he hath by ſubtilty and deceit brought about his owne ends, then he openeth his mouth in blaſphemy againſt God, to blaſpheme his name, and abuſe his people, by Eccleſiaſticall Cannons, Lawes, and Conſtitutions; ſo that, to the malice, here is added the ſubtilty of the beaſt to overcome, and enſnare the Saints, and to bring them under his power and juriſdiction, all the appoynted time, while they are given into his hand. Thus the beaſt by turning Religion into a Law, and by eſtabliſhing his formes of worſhip by civill ſanction, and humane authority, taking into his aſſiſtance the powers of the world, he doth prevaile againſt, and overcome the witneſſes.
Thirdly, the beaſt is ſayd to kill theſe witneſſes. And this repreſents us with the ſpirit of cruelty; herein he doth beaſt-like, devour and deſtroy the faithfull ſervants of Chriſt. Now we muſt not underſtand this killing of the witneſſes, of a literall or outward ſlaying, but of a Myſticall ſlaying; for they are not here ſlaine as men; but they are ſlaine as witneſſes: and ſo their killing here imports two things.
Firſt, a reſtraint layd upon their perſons; ſometimes by impriſonment and baniſhment, ſometimes by throwing them from place and office, from rule and government, by ſilencing and ſuſpending of them; ſome way or other hindering them in the courſe of their propheſie. Thus the Jewes caſt out the poore man out of the Synagogue, that Chriſt made to ſee, Job. 9. And all becauſe he gave a teſtimony of the power of Chriſt, who opened his eyes. Thus the high Prieſts & Phariſees did beate, miſuſe, and impriſon the Apoſtles, in Act. Chap. 4. and Chap. 5. Thus the beaſt doth put in execution all the politick Laws, and Eccleſiaſticall Conſtitutions, to hinder, reſtraine, and wholly to diſturb the witneſſes in the courſe of their propheſie. Thus firſt, they are civilly ſlaine, by reſtraint upon their perſons.
Secondly, they are ſpiritually ſlaine, by the caſting forth and rejecting of their teſtimony. It is the practice and endeavour of the beaſt to turne the truth of their teſtimony into a lie, and into falſhood, by reproaching, contemning, and ſcandalizing the word of their teſtimony, by the reproachfull names of error and ſciſme. There hath been all the dayes of the raigne of Antichriſt, ſome truth that the Saints have teſtified of, that hath been under much ſhame and reproach, that hath been moſt rejected by the world. Hence it is, that the Lord ſaith unto the Church of Philadelphia, that ſhe had kept the word of his patience, Revel. 3. 10. Now what is the word of Gods patience; but that word and teſtimony, that the world doth reject, caſt forth as dung, and trample upon. That truth which is moſt under contempt and ſcorne of the world; which the Saints ſuffer moſt by, & for which they are made the off-ſcouring of all things: That word of truth that is moſt oppoſed in each age of the world, is the word of Chriſts patience. Thus wee ſee how the witneſſes are ſlaine, firſt, civilly, by a reſtraint layd upon their perſons. Secondly, ſpiritually, by the world, caſting forth, and rejecting of their teſtimony. This of their teſtimony is that, which moſt principally, and moſt conſtantly theſe witneſſes are ſlaine in; for all the enmity of the fleſh, and the power of the world hath alwayes been oppoſing the truth they aſſert, not at all owning, but alwayes condemning, ſlighting, and caſting forth the teſtimony that theſe give forth of Chriſt, or of his Spirit. As the Jewes firſt killed the perſon of Chriſt, and afterwards ſought againſt his Goſpel and truth: ſo Antichriſt doth not onelyonly by Eccleſiaſtiall Cannons and humane Inſtitutions, reſtraine the perſons of the witneſſes, exerciſing a civill death over their perſons; but alſo they ſuppreſſe and ſlay the very truths and teſtimonies that they beare witneſs unto. Thus we ſee how the beaſt doth kill theſe witneſſes; and what manner of ſlaying they ſuffer.
The Text being thus far opened; we are now to come to give you ſome obſervations from it.
Firſt, Obſerve, That the Saints of Chriſt 1 Obſerv:in every age and time, are enabled to finiſh their teſtimony, maugre all the oppoſition that is made againſt them. Antichriſt by all his fury and rage cannot ſo farre hinder theſe witneſſes, as that they ſhould not finiſh their teſtimony. The Lord doth give opportunity to every one of his faithfull ſervants, that they may finiſh their worke, deliver their meſſage, and faithfully declare that committed to their truſt, before they are taken off, or wholly reſtrained by the power of the beaſt. This was manifeſted in Chriſt, when the Jewes had a minde to apprehend him in the Temple, but could not lay hands on him, becauſe his houre was not come, Joh. 8. 20. It was not in their power to put Chriſt to death, untill he had finiſhed his teſtimony: and therefore he ſaith, When I was daily with you in the Temple, ye ſtretehed forth no hands againſt me: but this is your houre, and the power of darkneſſe, Luk. 22. 53. As if Chriſt had ſayd, When I was daily with you in the Temple, preaching the kingdome of God, and performing the worke, that the Father gave me to doe, ye did not, ye could not lay hands on me, to take me: but this is your houre, or time wherein God hath permitted you to rage againſt me, and the Priace of darkneſſe hath power, that by your hands I ſhould be taken, and put to death. In the ſame manner the Lord doth firſt impower his faithfull witneſſes, to deliver their meſſage, to finiſh their teſti-mony, by aſſerting the truth of Chriſt, oppoſing the wickedneſſe and falſhood of Antichriſt, before they are ſlaine or taken off by the adverſary.
Secondly, in that Antichriſt is called2 Obſerv: a beaſt, Obſerve, That the rage and cruelty of the adverſary is very great againſt the faithfull ſervants of Chriſt. Antichriſt is of a cruell, fierce, corrupt, beaſtly, and inhumane nature; and therefore compared to all the moſt ravenous and devouring beaſts, as to a Serpent for ſubtilty, to a Lyon for ſtrength and rage, to a Beare for devouring, to a Leopard for his fierceneſſe, and the like. We have the Apoſtle teſtifying of this, when he ſaith of himſelfe; I fought with beaſts at Epheſus, 1 Cor. 15. 32. Some interpret theſe words literally, in that of old the Chriſtians were often Damnati ad beſtias, being condemned to be devoured by wild beaſts: whereupon it was a common ſpeech in the dayes of Tertullian, Christianos ad leones. But I rather conceive the ſpeech of the Apoſtle to be figurative and metaphoricall; and by beaſt he meaneth beaſtly …nded men: Such as the Cretians were, whom he calls evill beaſts, Tit. 1. 12. They were intractable and dangerous to deale withall, being of a raging and fierce nature. The ſame inhumane nature, and cruelty is found in Antichriſt, alwayes endeavouring to devoure the faithfull witneſſes of Chriſt.
Thirdly, doth the beaſt that killeth the witneſſes, aſcend out of the bottomleſſe 3 Obſerv:leſſe pit, Then Obſerve, That the workings and deceits of Antichriſt are very deep and myſterious. This inquity is brought forth by the working of Satan, upon the heart of man; exciting and ſtirring up ſo many fleſhly workings, & ſtrange inventions, acting in ſo much ſubtilty and craft, exerciſed in ſuch a deep myſtery of iniquity, that none can fathome the depth, or reach the bottome of the wickedneſſe thereof. It is not like a cleare ſtreame, that we may ſee the bottome; but there is ſo much mud and filth, that none can ſee the depth of all that ſubtilty and craft, of all that pride and ſelfe love, of all that hypocriticall deceit and wickedneſſe, that is the very ſourſe and ſpring of all the actings of Antichriſt. This pit that hath no bottome, is all that hellifh darkneſs, all that beaſtly filthineſs, all that outragious cruelty, that doth ariſe in the hearts of men, fighting againſt and oppoſing the very light, life, and image of Chriſt in his people. This pit is as deep as hell, and full of hiddeous darkneſſe; it is inexorable as the grave, and never ſatisfied in it's pride and abominable wickedneſſe. This is the deepeſt myſtery of iniquity; Satan transforming of himſelfe into an Angel of light; ſuggeſting the moſt curſed wickedneſſe into the heart of man, under the very forme of zeale and holineſſe, thereby ſeeking to diſhonour God, and ruine his people. Hence it is, that myſtery is written upon the head of the whoriſh woman, Chap. 17. 15. when in her ornaments of purple, and decking of ſilver, gold, and precious ſtones; ſhe is full of abominations, and filthineſſe of fornication; being but the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth. Here is the fountaine of all deceivableneſſe of unrighteouſneſſe that the world ſeeth not the depth of, neither can it fathome the bottome of this wickedneſſe, of this myſtery; it aſcendeth from the pit as deep as hell it ſelfe.
Fourthly, doth this beaſt aſcend upward: Then Obſerve, There is a time 4 Obſerv…when Antichriſt doth aſcend high in greatneſſe and power. All that wickedneſſe and abomination, all that blackneſſe and darkneſſe, all that deceivableneſſe and iniquity, ſuggeſted by Satan, into mans heart, that we ſpake of before: it is gathered up, and acted in greatneſſe, power, and dominion: The ſpirit of ſelfe-righteouſneſſe, pride, malice and envie; now comes forth in the forme and power of a beaſt. There is a time when this wickedneſs ſhall raigne and beare ſway: this is the houre and the day of the powerfull raigne of the beaſt; according to that ſaying in Revel 13. 5. Power was given unto the beaſt, to continue forty and two msneths. And therefore it is permitted, that he ſhould for a time, act according to his will, becauſe he is great, as it is ſpoken by Daniel, of the king of a fierce countenance, Dan. 8. 4. Thus we have it in Revel. 17. 13. The ten hornes, doe with one minde give their power and ſtrength unto the beaſt. They do with one conſent uſe all their perſonall and royall authority to uphold the power and dominion of the beaſt. By this meanes the beaſt doth aſcend, becomes great, and mighty in power. But as there is a time of the beaſts aſcenſion, ſo alſo there is a time of his deſcenſion and declining; when the ten Kings ſhall withdraw their power againe, and hate the whore, and burne her fleſh with fire, Revel. 17. 16. There will be times when theſe ſhall no longer ſubmit to the tyranny of the beaſt, but ſhall conſpire againſt him, and ſtrip him of his ornaments, and prey upon his ſpoyles and ruines. Then ſhall the beaſt deſcend into the pit of perdition and deſtruction, from whence he did aſcend: and as Solomon ſaith: The righteous ſhall be delivered, & the wicked ſhal come in their ſteed. Thus Antichriſt hath his time… of riſing into power and greatneſſe, and ſhall alſo have his declinings, & time of falling, when he ſhall grow weak and feeble, and ſhall not be able to ſtand,
Fiftly, and laſtly, doth the beaſt make war againſt, overcome and kill theſe witneſſes: then obſerve, That the witneſſes 5 Obſerv…are continually overcome and ſlaying, all the time of the powerfull raigne of the beaſt. The ſlaying of the witneſſes cannot be confined to one age or time, towards the latter end of their propheſie; and that onelyonly ſome particular perſons ſhould be ſlain… (and that by martyrdome onelyonly) but the beaſt doth alwayes make war with the Saints, and by civill power, and eccleſiaſticall law, doth alwayes overcome them, and by the execution of that law, doth kill them, by hindering them in the courſe of their propheſie, and rejecting their teſtimony, turning the truth into a lie: thus I ſay, the witneſſes are alwayes ſlaying, the whole time of Antichriſts raigne. Hence it is ſayd, that the little horne ſhould weary out thg Saints of the moſt high, Dan. 7. 25. by continuall vexing and tormenting of them. It is ſayd of the Locuſts that aſcended out of the ſmoke of the bottomleſſe pit, That they had faces like men: having a ſhew of humanity; and their haire was as the haire of women: by reaſon of their perſwaſive flatteries, and faire ſhewes of gentleneſſe and meekneſſe: but they had the teeth of Lyons, rending and devouring the Saints by their cruell exactions, and tyrannicall governments, whereby they have alwayes ſuppreſſed the Saints. And thus have the faithful witneſſes of Chriſt been continually in ſlaying under the powerfull raigne of the beaſt.