The Mystery of the Two Witnesses Unveiled, Table of contents
The Contents of the following Treatiſe, concerning the principall things therein contained.
SIx things from the Book of the Revelation obſerved.
1. The Author, who indited it. Pag. 2.
2. The Meſſenger, who brought it. idem.
3. The Pen-man, which writt it. p. 3.
4. The forme into which it is caſt. id.
5. The matter that is containes. p. 4.
6. The parties, unto whom it's directed. id.
The ſumme of the whole Chapter. p. 5.
From verſe 1. we have;
1. Johns call to meaſure. p. 6, 7.
2. His qualification. p. 8.
3. The things to be meaſured.
1. The Temple. p. 9.
2. The Altar. p. 10.
3. The worſhippers. p. 11.
Obſervations from the words;
1. Ob: That the Lord doth ſuitably prepare his people to receive ſuch things, as himſelfe doth impart unto them. p. 12, 13, 14.
2. Ob: That the ſpirit of the Lord is the onelyonly Standard and rule of divine thing…. p. 15, 16.
Foure falſe rules of knowledge diſcovered.
1. Fl…ſhly wiſdome. p. 17.
2. Meer ſpeculation. p. 18.
3. Externall forme. p. 19.
4. Hiſtoricall knowledge. p. 20, 21.
Foure true principles of divine knowledg, whereby we come to know the truth.
1. By the Spirit. p. 22.
2. By divine impreſſions. p. 23.
3. In Jeſus. p. 24.
4. By tr… Conformity. p 25.
3 Ob: That the Lord hath alwayes afforded his preſence with his people, even in the darkeſt & ſaddeſt times of Antichriſt's reigne. p. 26.
4. Ob: That the Lord had alwayes a people, that did truly worſhip him. p. 27.
5. Ob: That the Lord doth accept of none to worſhip him, but ſuch as ſerve in his Temple, and offer upon his Altar. p. 28.
6. Ob: That the true Saints of God, have alwayes been meaſuring of divine things. p. 29.
From verſe 2. we have;
1. The outward Court explained, p. 31
2. The outward Court rejected, p. 32
3. The outward Court given to the Gentiles as their portion, p. 34
4. The holy City is trodden under-foot, by the Gentiles. p. 35
5. The time of forty-two mon…ths explained, and compared, p. 36, 37, 38
Obſervations from the word… opened;
1. Ob: That all externall formes and profeſſions of Chriſt, without life and power, are but ſhaddows, p. 39, 40, 41
2. Ob: That the true Temple, Altar, and worſhippers of God, are not to be meaſured by outward things, p. 42
3. Ob: That the outward forme of divine things is given for a time into the hands of Antichriſt, p. 43, 44. 45
4. Ob: The beſt uſe that Antichriſt doth make of the holy Citie, is to trample upon it, p. 46, 47
5. Ob: Antichriſt hath his prefix…d and limitted time, in which he ſhall reigne, p. 48
6. Ob: That the ſhapes and formes in which Antichriſt comes forth in, to act his part, are various and changeable, p. 49, 50
The ſpirit of Antichriſt diſcovered in four particulars, 51, 52, 53, 54
The forme of Antichriſt opened in ſeverall ſhapes, p. 55, 56
1. In the forme of a Dragon, p. 56, 57
2. In the ſhape of a Leopard, p. 58, 59
3. In the appearance of a Beaſt with two hornes, p. 60
4. In the ſhaddow of an Image, which the Beaſt cauſeth to be ſet up, p. 61
Thoſe that up the Image of the Beaſt, diſcovered by ſix Characters, p. 62, 63, 64, 65▪ 66, 67, 68
Antichriſt flies out of one forme into another, p. 69, 70
In verſe 3. we have the myſterie of the wi…neſſes in ſix things opened, p. 70
1. The witneſſes are enabled to pr…pheſie.
1. From God originally, p. 73
2. From Chriſt immediatly, p. 74
The meanes by which the witneſſes are impowered to propheſie:
1. By the word, p. 75
2. By the Spirit, p. 76
2. The title of witneſſes here given, and why, p. 77
3. The number of the witneſſes, and why they are called two, p. 78
4. The office of the witneſſes is to propheſie, wherein we have two things:
1. What it is to propheſie, explained in three things, p. 79, 80, 81
2. What teſtimony the witneſſes give forth:
1. Againſt the ſeed of the Serpent, p. 82
2. Againſt the power of the Beaſt, p 83
The Saints teſtifie againſt the power of the beaſt, by holding forth;
1. The propheſie of Chriſt, p. 83, 84
2. The Prieſthood of Chriſt, p. 85
3. The kingdome of Chriſt, p. 86, 87
5. The forme and ſtate of the witneſſes in ſackcloth, explained in three things, p. 88, 89
6 The duration of the witneſſes propheſie a thouſand, two hundred, and ſixtie dayes, opened, p. 90, 91
Obſervations from the words;
1. Ob: That none can give forth a teſtimony of Chriſt, but ſuch as are impowered thereto by Chriſt, p. 92
2. Ob: That all thoſe that hold forth the truth of Chriſt, oppoſing Antichriſt, are Chriſt's faithfull witneſſes, p 93
3. Ob: That the witneſſe of the Saints is a ſufficient teſtimony, p. 94
4. Ob: That the whole bent of the witneſſes propheſie, hath alwayes been to uphold the truth of Chriſt, againſt the falſhood of Antichriſt, p. 95
5 Ob: Thoſe that have been moſt faithfull unto Chriſt, and his truth, have been moſt rejected of the world, p. 96
6. Ob: That Chriſt hath alwayes had a people to beare witneſſe of his truth, even in the ſaddeſt and darkeſt time of Antichriſt's reigne, p. 97
From verſe 4. we have;
1. Various opinions concerning the two witneſſes, p. 98, 99, 100
2. A full and poſitive deſcription of the witneſſes, p. 101.
The two olive trees, as repreſenting Chriſt, explained in 4 particulars, from p. 102. unto p. 109.
The two Candleſticks, as repreſenting the Saints illuſtrated under 4 heads, p. 111, 112, 113
The ground why Chriſt was repreſented by two olive trees.
1. From his two-fold nature, p. 115, 116, 117
2. From his two fold diſpenſation, p. 118, 119, 120, 121
The reaſon why the Saints are called two Candleſticks.
1. They give forth an earthly teſtimony, p. 123, 124
2. They give out a heavenly teſtimony, p. 125, 126, 127
Chriſt and his Saints are joyned in one, and give forth one and the ſame teſtimony, as is ſhewen in foure particulars, p. 128 129, 130, 131
Obſervation from the whole.
That all the Saints, and faithfull ſervants of God, are his witneſſes, p. 132, 133, 134, 135
In verſe 5. we have a relation:
Firſt, the harmfull carriage of the enemy towards the witneſſes. p. 136
1. By reſtraining their perſons. p. 137
2. By rejecting their teſtimony, p. 138
Secondly, the witneſſes defence, by the fire iſſuing out of their mo…ths.
1. What is meant by fire, p. 139
2. How it deſtroys the Adverſary, p. 140
Obſervations from hence.
1. Ob: That the Adverſaries of Chriſt are alwayes ready to hurt his witneſſes, p. 141
2. Ob: They that goe about to hurt the witneſſes, or hinder them in the courſe of their propheſie, ſhall not goe unpuniſhed, p. 142
3. Ob: That the witneſſes ſhall prevaile againſt their enemies, by the word of their teſtimony, p. 143, 144
4. Ob: That the teſtimony of witneſſes is of great force, even while they propheſie in ſackcloth, p. 145
In verſe 6. we have a threefold power given to the witneſſes, p. 146
Firſt, to ſhut heaven that it raine not: where we have explained:
1. What is meant by raine, p. 147
2. What it is to ſhut heaven, that it raine not, p. 148, 149
Secondly, to turne waters into bloud; where we have opened:
1. What is meant by waters, p. 150
2. What it is to turne waters into bloud, p. 151
Thirdly, to ſmite the earth with all plagues, wherein we have;
1. The agreement between the ſeals opening, and the Trumpets ſounding, and the vialls powering forth, p. 152, 153
2. The ſeven vialls opened, together with the ſeven ſeals, and the ſeven Trumpets, from p. 155. unto p. 169.
Obſervations from the Text.
1. Ob: That the teſtimony of the witneſſes, againſt the wayes and practiſes of Antichriſt, doth exclude them from the heavenly influences and ſweet ſhowers of divine grace. p. 170 180
2. Ob: all the ſweet and refreſhing ſtreames of comfort and ſupply that Antichriſt liv…s upon, are turned into bitterneſſe and contention, at propheſie of the witneſſes, p. 172
3. Ob: That the propheſie of the witneſſes, though in a meane, low, and ſackcloth condition, i… of mightie force and power unto their adverſaries, p. 173
In verſ. 7. we have three particular things, p. 17…
Firſt, the time when the witneſſes are to be ſlaine, and when they have finiſhed their teſtimony, p. 176, 177
Secondly, by whom the witneſſes ſhall be ſlaine; wherein we have opened:
1. What is meant by the Beaſt that ſlayes them, p. 79
2. What is meant by the bottomles pit, from whence he comes, p. 180, 181, 182, 183
3. The manner of his aſcenſion, p. 184
Thirdly, the manner how, the witneſſes are ſlaine by the Beaſt.
1. He makes war againſt them, p. 185
2. Doth overcome them, p. 186, 187
3. Doth kill them, and how, p. 188, 189, 190
Obſervations from the verſe.
1. Ob: That the Saints of Chriſt, in every age and time, are enabled to finiſh their teſtimony, mauger all the oppoſition that is made againſt them, p. 191
2. Ob: That the rage and cruelty of the adverſary is great againſt the faithfull ſervants of Chriſt, p. 192 193
3. Ob: That the workings and deceits of Antichriſt are very deep and myſt…rious, p. 194
4. Ob: That there is a time when Antichriſt chriſt doth aſcend high in greatneſſe and power, p. 195, 196
5. Ob: That the witneſſes are continually overcome and ſlaying, all the time of the powerfull reigne of the Beaſt, p. 197, 198
In verſe 8. we have an account of the bodies of the witneſſes; where three ſpeciall things are noted, p. 199
Firſt, what is meant by the bodies of the witneſſes, p. 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205
Secondly, the place where their bodies lie: where we have explained:
1. What is meant by the great Citie. p. 206
2. What is meant by the ſtree…e of that Citie, p. 207
Thirdly, a deſcription of the Citie.
1. By it's reſemblance.
1. To Sodome, p. 208, 209
2. To Aegypt, p. 210
2. By it's carriage and action, p. 211
How Chriſt is ſayd to be crucified in Aegypt and Sodome, p. 212
Obſervations drawne from the words opened.
1. Ob: That the externall formes of worſhip that Antichriſt uſeth, are but as a dead body or carkaſ…. p. 213
2. Ob: That it's not ſo much the outward forme or figure of worſhip, that Antichriſt ſeeks to ſuppreſſe, as it's the ſpirit and teſtimony of the witneſſes, p. 214, 215
3. Ob: That Antichriſt is full of ſpirituall uncleanneſſe, and curſed cruelty, p. 216
4. Ob: It's the very life, ſpirit, and image of Chriſt that Antichriſt doth chiefly oppoſe in ſlaying the witneſſes, p. 217, 218
In verſe 9. we have three things noted concerning the carriage of the enemies towards the dead bodies of the witneſſes.
1. Who are meant, by people, kindreds, tongues, and nations, p. 220
2. Their exerciſe about the dead bodies.
1. What it is, to ſee the dead bodies of the witneſſes, p. 221
2. What it is, not to ſuffer them to be put in graves, p. 222
3. The time that theſe dead bodies ſhall lie unburied, and what is meant by three dayes and a halfe, p. 223
Obſervations from the Text.
1. Ob: That the power and greatneſſe, the wiſdome and abilities of men, are exerciſed about the dead bodies of the witneſſes, p. 224
2. Ob: That the great care, that thoſe of the nations and tongues, &c. take about the dead bodies of the witneſſes, is to keep them above ground, p. 225, 226
3. Ob: That the dead bodies of the witneſſes are kept above ground, all the time of Antichriſts reigne, p. 227, 228
In verſe 10. we have a farther carriage of the Adverſary towards the carkaſes of the witneſſes, p. 229
1 The perſons acting: thoſe that dwell upon the earth; of whom it's meant, p. 230
2. Their actions: they rejoyce, and make merry, &c. and what it meaneth p 231
3. The ground of their joy: becauſe theſe two Prophets tormented them; and how, p. 232, 233
Obſervations from the words:
1. Ob: That the people that ſerve Antichriſt are earthly & carnall, p. 234
2. Ob: That the greateſt joy of Antichriſt is over the dead bodies of the witneſſes, p. 235
3. Ob: That the witneſſes by their propheſie doe moſt of all torment the men of the earth, p 236, 237
In verſ. 11. we have the witneſſes reſurrection, p. 238
1. The time of their reſurrection, After three dayes and a halfe, explained, p. 239
2. The cauſe, viz. the ſpirit of life from God; and what it is, p. 240, 241
3. The reſurrection it ſelfe, and they ſtood upon their feet, explained in 3 particulars. p. 242, 243
4. The conſequent that follows their reſurrection; by the great feare that falls upon their enemies, p. 244, 245
Obſervations from hence.
1. Ob: That when the time of the witneſſes ſuffering and ſadneſſe drawes to an end, there is an earneſt expectation in them of their reſurrection, p. 246, 247
2. Ob: That the witneſſes are enabled to ariſe, by the mighty powerfull ſpirit of God, p. 248
3. Ob: As there is a time when the witneſſes lie ſlaine and dead; ſo alſo there is a time, when they ſhall revive and live againe, 249, 250
4. Ob: That the riſing of the witneſſes, is a moſt dreadfull ſight to the men of the earth, p. 251, 252
In verſe 12. we have the witneſſes aſcention; from whence is noted;
Firſt, the cauſe: they heard a voyce from heaven, p. 254
From whence is noted:
1. The voyce it ſelfe, p. 255
2. From whence it came, ibid
3. Ʋnto whom it's ſpoken, p. 256
4. What it ſpeakes. p 257
Secondly, the aſcention it ſelfe, p. 258
From whence is obſerved
1. Their action, p. 259
2. Their place, p. 260
3. The manner, and what is meant by the cloud in which they aſcend, p. 261
Thirdly, the Adjunct annexed to their aſcention, and in what manner their enemies ſhould behold them, p. 262
Obſervations drawne from hence.
1. Ob: That the witneſſes are enabled to aſcend by the powerfull voyce of the Spirit of God, p. 263, 264
2. Ob: That the witneſſes have their time of triumph and rejoycing, as well as they have a time of ſackcloth and mourning, p. 265
3. Ob: That the ſtate that the witneſſes ſhall aſcend unto, is moſt heavenly and glorious, p. 266
The externall libertie and peace that the witneſſes ſhall enjoy by their aſcention, conſiſteth,
1. In deliverance from oppreſſion, p. 267
2. Their enemies ſhall ſerve them, p 268
3. They ſhall enjoy peace and quietneſſe, p. 269, 270
4. Deliverance from ſhame, p. 271
The internall glory and excellency that the Saints ſhall be advanced unto.
1. They ſhall abound in knowledg p. 272
2. They ſhall exceed in joy and comfort, p. 273
3. They ſhaall live and act more in the power of God, p. 274, 278
4. They ſhall enjoy more immediate communion with God, p. 276, 277
4. Ob: That in the middeſt of the great confuſion and darkneſſe upon the face of the earth ſhall the witneſſes aſcend, p. 278, 279, 280
5. Ob: That all the power and policie of the enemies of the witneſſes, ſhall not be able to hinder their aſcenſion, p. 281, 282
In verſe 13. we have the great earthquake, that followeth the riſing of the witneſſes, p. 283
where we have opened:
1. The time of the earth-quake, p. 284
2. The nature of it, p. 285
3. The conſequents, p. 286
Which are three:
Firſt, the tenth part of the Citie fell: where is ſhewen what is meant:
1. By the Citie, p. 287
2. By the tenth part, ibid
3. By the fall thereof, p. 288, 289
Secondly, there were ſlaine ſeven thouſand men; where we have;
1. Their perſons, p. 291
2. Their manner of ſlaying, ibid.
3. Their number, p. 292
Thirdly, the Remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to God; where we conſider:
1. The perſons, p. 294
2. Their paſſions, ibid.
3. Their actions, p. 295
Obſervations from the words:
1. Ob: That the riſing and aſcending of the witneſſes, doth cauſe a great earth-quake in the world, p. 296, 297, 298
2. Ob: That all the time of this great earth-quake, the witneſſes are in …iſing and aſcending, p. 299, 300
3. Ob: That nation 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, p. 301, 302, 303, 304, 305
4. Ob: That thoſe principally and chiefly ſhall be ſlaine in the earthquake, that are the upholders and maintainers of Antichriſt's cauſe & quarrell, p. 306, 207, 308
5. Ob: That when God doth ſcatter the great and mighty ones of the earth, it doth much amaze and affrighten the poore and ignorant people, that have been ſeduced by them, p. 309, 310
6. Ob: That it's the poore affrighted remnant, that will give moſt glory to God, p. 311, 312, 313
In verſe 14. we have the ſecond woe, p. 313
Where wee have opened:
The firſt woe, p. 314
The ſecond woe, p. 315
The third woe, p. 316
Obſer: That great and terrible woes befall the world in the three laſt ages of Antichriſt, p 317, 318 319
In verſe 15. we have explained, what's meant:
1. By the Trumpet ſounding, p. 321
2. By the ſeventh Trumpet, p. 322
3. By the great voyces in heaven, p. 323
Theſe are ſayd to be:
1. Great voyces, 324
2. Voyces in heaven, p 325, 326
3. Plurality of voyces, p. 327
Obſervations from the words.
1. Ob: That the Lord hath alwayes had a people to declare his truth unto the world, p. 328
2. Ob: That the Lord hath manifeſted his truth by degrees, or in agraduall way, p. 329
3. Ob: There ſhall be a moſt compleat and glorious diſcovery and declaration of truth made out by the Saints under the ſeventh Trumpet, p. 330, 331
4. Ob: That the Saints fully riſen and aſcended up into heavenly enjoyments, at the finall deſtruction of Antichriſt, ſhall harmoniouſly ſing forth the glory & praiſes of Chriſt's kingdome, p. 332 333
How the kingdomes of the world ſhall become the kingdomes of Chriſt; wherin we have opened:
1. What is meant by the kingdomes of this world. p. 334
2. How theſe kingdomes have been detained from Chriſt, p. 335, 336
3. How Chriſt ſhall recover theſe kingdomes againe into his ownhand. p. 337, 338, 339▪ 340
4. By what right or title Chriſt will lay claime to the kingdomes of the world, p 341, 342, 343
5. The manner of Chriſt's reigne, wherein the ſpirituall reigne of Chriſt is illuſtrated in four particulars, p. 344, 345 346, 347
6. The duration of Chriſt's reigne and kingdome, p. 348, 349, 350
How the Saints ſhall reigne with Chriſt, p. 351, 352
How the Jewes ſhall be converted, p. 353
Obſervations from the whole:
That Chriſt will come and reigne gloriouſly in his people, ſubduing all his enemies, advancing his Saints unto the glory and dignity of his own kingdome, p. 354, 355
In verſe 16. we have ſhewed:
1. What is meant by the title given to Saints, being called Elders, p. 356
2. What's implyed by their number, being twenty-foure, p. 357
3. Their poſture and action, falling on their faces, p. 358
In verſe 17. we have:
1. The praiſes of the Elders, p. 359
2. The ſubject of their praiſes, ibid.
3. The ground of their praiſes, p. 360
In verſe 18. we have:
1. The Adver ſaries vexed, p. 361, 362
2. The Saints rewarded, p. 363
3. The Antichriſtian partie deſtroyed, p. 364
In verſe 19. we have;
1. The Temple opened, p. 365, 366
2. The Arke manifeſted, p. 367
3. The great irreſiſtible judgements that befall Antichriſt, p. 368
Laſtly, the cloſe of the whole Chapter, p. 369, 370