The Two Witnesses, Tract · Part

The Two Witnesses · Tract · Part

I Have hitherto kept my ſelf almoſt to a Grammaticall expoſition of this Propheſie, ſcarce at all glancing at that queſtion, ſo mu…h longed for to be anſwered, Whether the Witneſſes are ſlain yea or no. But now the Propheſie being gone over, and the reaſon why I forbore formerly to give my reſolution, (namely becauſe we had not heard the whole Propheſie ſpeak in the buſineſſe;) now no more taking place, I ſhould pr…ve very injurious, if after keeping the matter in ſuſpence all this time, I ſhould not now at laſt (as Samſon once preſſed with Judg. 16. 16, 17.Judg 16:16Judg 16:17importunity) tell all my whole heart, and diſcover whatſoever light I have received in this buſineſſe.

I ſhall therefore now cheerfully ſet upon it, in mannaging whereof, I ſhall not dare to be peremptory in any thing, expecting that any ſhould be concluded by what is propounded, farther then drawn to it by the ſtrength of reaſon conſonant to Scripture; and if I miſtake, for who am I, but I ſhould, eſpecially in a matter ſo intricate, and perplex as this is, ſuch as are candid, and Chriſtian will paſſe it by being confident (which they may be) that upon diſcovery, I ſhall moſt readily recide from it.

This premiſed, come we now a little neerer to our purpoſe, The great queſtion after all remains, Whether theſe Witneſſes are ſlain, yea or no; which once reſolved, accordingly we ſhall be p. 76better able to anſwer that common queſtion, almoſt in every ones mouth. What will become of us? What do you think of theſe times? The deſire to anſwer which, was one main reaſon why we undertook this Propheſie of the Witneſſes.

And for our more orderly diſcuſſing of this queſtion, we ſhall firſt take a view of their ſeverall thoughts, that tell us this ſlaughter of the Witneſſes is paſt, and paſt a good while agone, and ſee if any of theſe will abide the tryall. If not, then further enquire, if any ſuch thing hath been done in theſe latter times, which may appear to be the killing of theſe Witneſſes, which if we finde not, the queſtion is then cleerly anſwered, the Witneſſes are not ſlain: If we can, then the Witneſſes are ſlain, That which every one of us would ſo fain have to be ſo.

The ſeverall opinions that bear us in hand the Witneſſes are ſlain, and ſlain a good while agone, are ſuch as theſe: Some tell us this was done, when ſo many thouſands of thoſe poor men of Lions (commonly ſo called) were deſtroyed by the procurement of Pope Boniface the eighth, about the yeer 1300. Others there are, that ſay, they were ſlain, when John Huſſe, and Jerome of Prague were burnt by the Councell of Conſtance, about the yeer 1418. Others making the two Testaments, the two Witneſſes, tell us this ſlaughter was then, when they of the Councell of Trent, took away the perfection and authority of the Scriptures from them, about the yeer one thouſand five hundred forty ſixe; neer which time alſo, Charls the fifth, then the Popes moſt ſtout Champion, did overthrow, and vanquiſh the ſtrength of the godly party, at that time with all their might contending againſt Antichriſt.

Some referre this ſame to the Maſſacre of Paris, others to the troubles of Germany.

And indeed what place of the Weſtern world, but hath had ſome thing done in it, like a ſlaying of the Witneſſes; which perhaps is the ground, why ſome think this killing of the Witneſſes muſt be done ſucceſſively, in one Kingdom after another, and no other certain, and determinate killing beſides this, to be expected; but of this perhaps more anon.

Among all theſe opinions, for the Witneſſes being ſlain ſo long ago, I ſhall ſingle out that from all the others, which p. 77ſeems indeed the moſt likely of them all: I mean that which ayms it upon the Counſell of Trent, bringing this to the touch, which if it ſhall appear, is not the ſlaying of the Witneſſes, and this by any arguments, which ſhall as forceably come againſt the other alſo, (I mean that which makes it the ſame with the deſtroying of the Waldenſes, as alſo the ſame with the burning of John Huſſe, and Jerome of Prague,) then this opinion falls, and with it, thoſe other alſo. And for the Maſſacre of Paris, the troubles of Germany, they are not ſo contended for by any, that we ſhould be at the trouble particularly to examine them.

That this therefore cannot be the ſlaying of the Witneſſes, I mean that which was done againſt the Scriptures, and the godly, about the time of the Councell of Trent (beſides the Arguments proving the Scriptures, are not the Witneſſes) ſeems evident thus:

1. Becauſe the Reſurrection of the Witneſſes, together with the Earth-quake thereto appertaining, bring in the ſeventh Trumpet, which appears from the 13. 14. and 15 Verſes of this Chapter, and the ſeventh Trumpet brings in the utter deſtruction of Antichriſt, as is evident from the 10 Chap. ver. 6, 7, where the Angel ſwears, That when the ſeventh Trumpet ſhall begin to blow, there ſhall be time no more, Antichriſts time ſhall then be no more: But now we do not ſee Antichriſt deſtroyed, notwithſtanding an hundred yeers paſt, and gone ſince this pretended ſlaughter, and riſing again of theſe Witneſſes. I ſay once more, the riſing again of the Witneſſes, brings in the ſeventh Trumpet, utterly deſtroying Antichriſt, and here's a hundred yeers paſt, ſince tis ſaid theſe Witneſſes roſe again, and yet Antichriſt in ſtrength undeſtroyed at this day.

2. If the Witneſſes muſt pour forth at leaſt two or three Vials before they be ſlain, then could they not be ſlain, about the time of the Trent Counſell, when 'tis confeſſed, That either none, or but one of the Vials, was then poured forth. The conſequent is cleer; and that at leaſt two, or three Vials muſt be poured forth, before they can be ſlain; hence appears, otherwayes, How are they ſaid, before they are ſlain, to torment them that dwell upon the earth, at the tenth verſe of this Chapter, and this (as we there ſhewed) by pouring forth the Vials.

p. 78If any ſhall ſay, the tormenting there mentioned may mean onelyonly the firſt Vial, and this will be granted was poured forth before, mark the inconventences by thus ſaying we run upon:

1. The term of the Beaſt his continuing, and of the Witneſſes propheſying in Sackeloth, beginning and ending at the ſame time (as is commonly believed) by this reckoning we leave the Beaſt the ſpace while ſix Vials are a pouring forth, after that the term of the Witneſſes Propheſie is paſt and ended.

2. If but one Vial be poured forth when they are ſlain, and the ſixth and ſeventh Vial fall neer their Reſurrection, which they do, what becomes of the ſecond, third, fourth, and fifth Vials, where finde we any room for them? they hereby become utterly excluded. To ſay they are poured forth in the three yeers and an half, betwixt the ſlaying and Reſurrection of the Witneſſes; ſure this time is too ſcant for four Vials to be poured forth in: And beſides, the Witneſſes (who as we have ſhewn formerly, do pour forth all the Vials) do lie dead during all that ſpace, and therefore thoſe Vials cannot then be poured forth.

To gather up all this in brief. The Witneſſes torment the earth, with four or five Vials before they are ſlain (the ſixth and ſeventh Vial falling in with the time of their Reſurrection) and therefore that time wherein either none, or but one of the Vials was poured forth, as was the time of the Counſell of Trent, cannot be the time of the ſlaying of the Witneſſes.

3. If the ſlaying and riſing again of the Witneſſes was then, Whence is it that ſince that time theſe Witneſſes have been ſo grievouſly perſecuted? how is it that ſince that time ſo many have continued to propheſie in Sackcloth? yea, ſo many have been ſilenc'd, and ſuſpended in this Kingdom, in other places? Had they been once ſlain, and riſen again, afterward they propheſie in Sackcloth no more, are ſlain no more: If they roſe again then, how is it that for a hundred yeers ſpace ſince that time, we have found them ſtill continuing to propheſie in Sackcloth?

4. If it can be cleared, that the one thouſand two hundred and threeſcore yeers (the term of the Witneſſes Propheſie) cannot begin ſo high as Conſtantine the Great, ſo as to end about the p. 79time of the Councell of Trent (as thoſe that favour this opinion contend) but muſt begin after Conſtantine, and ſo reach over the Councell of Trent, neerer to our times, then the buſineſſe is at an end, there will be no further queſtion in this matter.

To cleer this ſame therefore, and ſo I ſhall eſſay to ſhew you when this one thouſand two hundred and threeſcore yeers of the Witneſſes Propheſie doth begin (that which every one ſo greedily enquires after.) For this purpoſe, I muſt remember you of what I formerly hinted, namely, That the time of the Gentiles treading down the holy City; the time of the Beaſt his reigning, forty two moneths; the time of the woman in the Wilderneſſe, time, times, and half a time; and the time of the Witneſſes Propheſying in Sackcloth, a thouſand two hundred and threeſcore dayes, ſeem all of them to be the ſame time; ſo that if we can finde where any of theſe either begin or end we ſhall finde where every of them begin, and end alſo. This ſtated (which none need queſtion, proof being ſo obvious Vid Mede. Clav. Apo. Napier Paraus.to any that ſhall make enquiry, and which only for brevity ſake, I do not produce,) I ſay this granted. Let us eſſay to finde when the beaſt begins his forty two moneths, which ſeems eaſieſt of the reſt, and for our better direction, in this work, we ſhall make theſe enquiries.

1. When that [foreign, that Let] which the Apoſtle tells 2 Theſ. …. 6, 7.the Theſſalonians hindred Antichriſt his coming) was removed out of the way: For if we can finde when that hinderance was removed, we ſhall certainly finde when Antichriſt comes, whoſe coming is juſt upon the removall of the hinderance.

2. When the Beaſt had his deadly wound with the ſword, Revel. 13. 4, 5.Rev 13:4Rev 13:5and that healed up again; for from that time forward, the Beaſt hath power to continue forty and two moneths.

3. When the Beaſt became ten-horned; for however the Chap. 17.horns in nature are ſomewhat after the Beaſt, and ſo here, yet not ſo long, but that by this enquiry we may gain ſome light, and direction in this buſineſſe.

For the firſt of theſe, viz. When that Let that hindered Antichriſt his coming, was taken out of the way. Sure this could not be when Conſtantine came to be Emperour, (which quaſhes the former opinion) for after him the Roman Emperours p. 76duplicate page p. 77duplicate page p. 78duplicate page p. 79duplicate page p. 80(which were the Let the Apoſtle ſpeaks of) continued a good ſpace.

Ob. But, may ſome ſay, the Pagan Emperours, were the [foreign, the hinderance,] which determining in Conſtantines time, then the hinderance became removed.

Resp. I anſwer, no, It was the Emperours, whether Pagans, or Chriſtians that were the hinderance: For both theſe, making but the ſixth head, I mean the ſixth kinde of Government the Roman Empire was to be caſt into, while theſe ſtaid on, they hindered the riſing up of the ſeventh. It was the ſixth head ſtanding on, that hindered the riſing up, and appearance of the ſeventh: To make this more plain, conceive it all thus; The Roman Empire is preſented in this Propheſie as a Beaſt, with Chap. 17. Verſe 3.ſeven heads; which ſeven heads, are ſeven kinds of Governments, one in order ſucceeding an other. Five of theſe heads were gone, and the ſixth, namely, That of Emperours was in Verſe 10.being, then when John wrote this Revelation: Which kinde of Government (I mean of Emperours) being but heatheniſh at preſent, was afterward to become Chriſtian, yet ſtill continuing the ſixth head, notwithſtanding all this alteration, otherwayes the Beaſt muſt have more heads then ſeven. Till this head was wounded to death, as it was to be, there was no place for the ſeventh: The Emperours, the ſixth head, muſt be wounded to death, before the ſeventh, viz. That of Popes could ſucceed in the room of it.

But then it will be asked, when had this ſixth head the deadly wound, (The ſecond thing we were to enquire concerning.)

But before I ſpeak directly to this query, give me leave to note theſe two things. 1. This deadly wound of the ſixth head was made by the ſword; ſo you read expreſly at the fifteenth Chapter, 14 verſe. 2. Upon this deadly wound, this ſixth head dies not, declines not, but by degrees, every ſtep of its declining, advancing the ſeventh head accordingly that was to ſucceed.

This premiſed, we ſay, Then ſeems this deadly wound of the ſixth head, the head of Emperours begun to be made, when in the yeer 365 or there about. Thoſe barbarous Nations, the Almains, Quades, Gothes, with ſeverall other, broke in upon p. 81the Roman Empire, burning and deſtroying where they came, from this time ſeems laid the ground-work of the ruine of the Weſtern Emperours.

Not long after this, about the yeer 412 (as Sl…idan reckons) Sleid…n, Sum: Imper: lib. 2.or 410 (as others) Alaricus the Goth ſacks Rome it ſelf; ſure this was a deadly blow to the Emperours indeed, when the Seat of the Empire it ſelf becomes conquered. It could not be …ut at this time the ſixth head ſhould lie a bleeding. And indeed it did ſo; for juſt this very yeer (as ſome obſerve) ſeverall of the ten horns began to appear upon the ſeventh head (the third thing we were to enquire) I ſay, ſeverall of thoſe ten horns, thoſe ten Kingdoms into which the Roman Empire became divided, even this very yeer began to riſe up, upon the ruines of the now diſſolved Empire. And ſure the ſix…h head at this time muſt be very low, when ſeverall of the horns of the ſeventh head (which as was in nature, ſo here, are after the head) were now become viſible and conſpicuous; ſure much more the ſeventh head it ſelf, upon which theſe horns grow, was by this time in being, and viſible alſo.

Yet by the way, not in being a hundred yeers at leaſt before this time of the firſt horns ſpringing up, which yet they muſt ſay, who will begin the Beaſt his 42 months as high as Conſtantine: For though the horns are to be conceived after the head, yet 'tis an unreaſonable thing to imagine them a hundred yeers, after, eſpecially when we are told, That theſe receive power at one hour with the Beaſt, Chap. 17. ver. 12. But this on the by: To our purpoſe therefo…e again.

The Empire after this, had ſome ſtruglings with the pangs of death for the ſpace of forty yeers, or there…bout; but when Genſerious the Vand…l came, about the yeer 455, and ſacks Rome a…ain, and now burns it: at which time, all the ten horns were grown out, the ten Kingdoms grown compleat, then beca…e the Roman Empire utterly extinct.

But now the queſtion will be, From which of theſe periods muſt we begin to reckon the Beaſt his forty and two months; whether from the firſt incurſions of the Goths upon the Roman Empire, in the yeer 365, or when they ſacked Rome▪ in the yeer 410, or elſe in 455, when the Empire of the Weſt expired, or from any point of time, between any of theſe.

p. 82I anſwer, To begin with it from this or that preciſe yeer I dare not; when the fulfilling of this ſame is cleerer, then may we be more bold; onelyonly I ſhould aim it to begin ſometime between the firſt Invaſion of the Empire, 365, and the ſacking of Rom, 410. Sometime neer Theodoſius the Great his coming to the Empire, which Hiſtorians will tell you, was about the yeer 380. And the rather I ſhould pitch it thereabout, becauſe neer this time the woman ſeems to fli… into the Wilderneſſe alſo: Rev. 12.Rev 12I ſay, the woman (taking the opportunity of this good Prince, and by him being holpen with the to Eagles wings) ſcapes into the Wilderneſſe from the Dragon; who in purſuing of her, had juſt before, when Valens was Emperour, caſt forth the Floods of Arrianiſme after her, hoping (though in vain) ſhe would have been utterly overwhelmed by them. About this time, I mean ſome period between 370 and 380, I ſhould begin to reckon the Beaſts 42 months, as alſo make it the common Epocha of all theſe ſeverall times. In which doing (beſides the former proof made hereof) I am not altogether deſtitute of Authority wherewith to back it, but could produce Vid. Alſted. Chron. Napier.others herein readily conſenting alſo.

And if ſo, and we begin the Beaſt his forty and two months, alſo the Witneſſes one thouſand two hundred and threeſcore yeers, neer that time (I mean 380) which in all likelyhood we muſt do, then cleerly they reach over Councel of Trent, and ſo much more the Councell of Constance, and the time of the Waldenſes, and fall into the lap of theſe times we now are converſant in.

By this reckoning, I ſay, beginning this one thouſand two hundred and threeſcore yeers of the Witneſſes Propheſie, about 380, (which I pitch upon, becauſe it is a full number, not thinking but this term may perhaps begin two or three yeers before) At what time the Beaſt his forty and two months, and the womans time, times, and half a time in the Wilderneſſe begin) and it not on…ly ſhews us the Witneſſes could not be ſlain about the time of th… Councell of Trent, (which was the thing in queſtion) but alſo further acquaints us, That we in theſe times muſt look for its fulfilling.

But then every one will ask me. Hath there any ſuch thing as the ſlaying and riſing again of theſe Witneſſes been p. 83done in our dayes, yea or no?

I anſwer, There hath, and face doth not more anſwer face, then ſomething done in our times, doth anſwer the ſlaying, and riſing again of theſe Witneſſes: And ſure I muſt ſay ingeniouſly (and ſo I ſhall ſhrive my ſelf in the buſineſſe) If this be not the ſalying, and riſing again of the Witneſſes, I am now about to offer, I cannot imagine any thing already come to paſſe that can be, but muſt tell you, if this ſhould not prove, for any thing hitherto done more likely then this ſame, we are yet to look for it. But I keep you too long from ſight of this, that ſeems ſo like to be the killing, and riſing again of the Witneſſes, you ſhall be delayed no longer, you ſhall have a full view of it; and perhaps when you have, you may not a little be taken with it.

The Scene wherein theſe great things of the Witneſſes ſlaying, Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion have been acted, appears to be this Iſland of great Britain; and the time, ſome yeers before the calling, and ſince the calling of this Parliament.

In this Kingdom therefore (yet in this not excluding other places) for many yeers laſt paſt there have been godly Miniſters, and others, who by their Preaching, Writing, and other wayes teſtifying againſt Antichriſt, and his wickedneſſes, have hereby diſcovered themſelves to be of theſe Witneſſes: who in regard they mourned to ſee Antichriſtianiſme ſo farre prevail; as alſo becauſe kept under without countenance, eſteem, maintenance, Verſ. 3.by a Popiſh Prelaticall party (themſelves the mean while living in all height of honour and exceſſe) might with good congruity be ſaid to Propheſie in Sackcloth: And ſure he that had ſeen the condition of the godly Miniſters in this Kingdom not many yeers ago, eſpecially ſuch who were ſo bold as to meddle with either Prelacie, or the Ceremonies, without the help of an Interpreter, would have readily pronounced, There are no other then the Witneſſes in Sackcloth.

But forward; When the date of theſe Witneſſes propheſying draws toward an end (which excluding their three yeers and an half lying dead, will fall about five or ſix yeers agone) Then the Antichriſtian power ſlayes the Witneſſes, ſilences, ſuſpends, throws them from their places, thus ſlaying them. And hath not all this been fulfilled in our eyes? Were not all the bold p. 84oppoſers of Prela…y, and the Ceremonies, the great remains of Verſ. 7.Popery in this Kingdom left undemoliſhed, were they not all ſilenced, had their mouths ſtopped, and ſo ſlain in this Kingdom? There wereindeed ſome godly Miniſters left; but was there left a Witneſſ (I mean a bold and open oppoſer of Prelacy and the C…remoni…s any emminent one that openly h…ld forth any ſuch thing in all this Kingdom?) And ſay freely, doth this look like the ſlaying of the Witneſſes, yea or no? You have godly Miniſters, and others, oppoſing what of Antichriſt remains in the Kingdom, ſilenced, ſuſpended, thrown out of place, thus killed: You have all done ſo to, all the bold oppoſers through the Kingdom thus killed: You have it done by the Prelacy, no …oubt an Antichriſtian power, and this juſt about the time when by the li…lieſt computation it ſhould be done: That every thing ſhould with ſuch conſent, fall in: Witneſſes ſlain, all ſlain, ſlain by the beaſt, and this then when the courſe of times tells us they ſhould be ſlain. Can it be, but we muſt confeſſe this is the ſlaying of the Witneſſes?

Further. After they are ſlain, they lye dead in the ſtreet, that Verſ. 8.is, They continue in that ſtate of civill death, their killing brought them into, they remain for ſome ſpace ſuſpended, their mouths ſ…aled up; whom in this caſe, if any ſhould attempt to give ſhelter, ſuccour honour to; it muſt not be, for they will Verſ 9.not ſuffer their dead bodies to be put in graves: And hath not all this come to paſſe accordingly. And when all the Witneſſes were thus ſilenced, and ſlain; did they not for ſome good ſpace ſo continue; was not the Pulpit ſhut againſt them, yea the Preſſe alſo; no breath of their former life of Witneſſes now coming from them? And then, did not the Prelaticall faction forbid any to ſhelter, countenance, or ſuccour theſe ſilenced Witneſſes? You know what ſearch hath been made for theſe ſame, what care that none ſhould ſhelter then. Thus not ſuffering their dead bodies to be put in graves.

When they have brought things to this paſſe, and ſlain all the Witneſſes, then they rejoyce, and make merry: And did not Verſ. 10.that faction do ſo here? Did they not triumph they had made ſu…h a hand of the Puritan Preachers through the Kingdom? Have I not heard ſome of them have boaſted, and hugg'd themſelves in it, They had not left a Puritan Preacher in their Dioceſſe? p. 85This was the ſad condition of the godly Miniſters, and ſome others well affected; for ſome three or four yeers before this Parliament. How think you now, doth this appear like a ſlaying of the Witneſſes, yea or no. But proceed.

After three yeers and an half, the Spirit of life from God, enters Verſ. 11.into the Witneſſes, and they ſtand upon their feet: God by his ſpeciall hand restores the Witneſſes to their liberty again, which the Antichriſtian faction beholdi…, thereupon become greatly afraid. And ha…h not all this been made good among us alſo; doth any queſtion, when after the three yeers and an half ſilencing and impriſonment of thoſe who ſuffered more publikely, (for juſt ſo long to a day theſe ſuffered.) They together with many other ſilenced, and dead Witneſſes, were again reſtored to liberty, the beginning of this Parliament. At the beholding whereof, and to ſee ſuch a ſudden and unexpected tu…n of things. I appeal to any man; did not the Popiſh Pr…laticall faction become no little affrighted? How think you now, Was not this like a reſurrection of the Witneſſes?

But yet further, being riſen again, they are called up to Heaven, whither aſcending in a cloud, their enemies beheld them. Some act of them in place in calling the Witneſſes to ſome more ample condition, this is the voice, calling the Witneſſes up Verſ. 12.to heaven. The multitude of people congratulating with them for their freedom; as alſo ſetting to their ſhoulders to help forward their advancement, This is the cloud wherein thèy aſcend thither. And was not this made good alſo, was it not a great voice from heaven which fetch ſome of theſe Witneſſes from the uttermoſt parts of this Kingdom, where they were impriſoned to this place? And did not thouſands of people, a cloud of Witneſſes, rejoycing, and with triumph accompany them hither? where alſo hath it not been conſulted for the enlargement of their maintenance and their better accommodation, that ſo they might never more Propheſie in Sackcloth? Of all which alſo, were not their enemies the Popiſh Prelaticall party, as the Text further addes, The no whit over-joyed beholders? All which put together, ſeems it not to be the Witneſſes Aſcenſion?

Once more. The ſame hour there is a great Earthquake: About Verſ. 13.the time of the riſing of the Witneſſes there are great ſtirs, p. 86and Commotions. And ſince that time, have their not been ſuch in this Kingdom, nay do they not continue with us to this day. All which, what other thing are, they then the great Earthquake accompanying the riſing again of the Witneſſes?

But further in this Earthquake, The tenth part of the great Citie falls, Antichriſtianiſme in one of the ten Kingdoms falls; Verſ. 13.And is not this a doing? Prelacy and the Ceremonies, the only remains of Popery, have they not been falling ever ſince? They are gone in Scotland, and are they not a going in this Kingdom alſo?

And then laſtly, Seven thouſand men of name ſlain in the Verſ. 13.Earthquake: That is many deprived of power, honour, maintenance which they had before: And is not this a doing alſo, And when ſo many Prelates, Deans and Chapters, with all their appurtenances, ſhall have their honour, place, maintenance taken from them, which then is done when the bill is once paſſed, drawn up for this purpoſe, Then is the ſlaughter of the ſeven thouſand men of name fully accompliſhed.

The ſumme of all this, that I may give it you at one view, is thus much. The godly Miniſters, or others oppoſing Antichriſtianiſme, and being kept under thereby, are the Witneſſes Propheſying in Sackcloth. Their ſilencing, ſuſpending, This is their ſlaughter. Their reſtoring to liberty again is there reſurrection. The ſtate calling them to more freedom, and honour, is the voyce from heaven, calling them thither: The multitude of people congratulating with them, the cloud wherein they do aſcend. The Commotions now in the Kingdom, are the great Earthquake, Prelacy, and the Ceremonies taken away, this is the tenth part of the Citie falling, and the Biſhops, Deans and Chapters with all their rabble being utterly deprived of Authority, honour, maintenance, are the Seven thouſand men ſlain in the Earthquake.

And now ſpeak every one his thought, ſeems not this indeed the ſlaying and riſing again of the Witneſſes, and do not things fall in, and anſwer beyond all expectation? It cannot be denyed but this ſame hath likelyneſſe of event to commend it, none more, and then for the time, where elſe would a man have pitch'd, had he been to chooſe? And indeed what can be objected againſt it?

p. 87Ob. You will ſay, this ſame doth too much ſtraiten this Propheſie in regard of time and place: It ſeems a buſineſſe more generall then to be confined to this Kingdom, or to thoſe we aym at in it.

Reſp. I anſwer, for place, the holy Ghoſt ſeems cleerly to limit it to the tenth part of the great City, viz. to one of the ten Kingdoms; and if I ſay, England is this tenth part, doth not the Article tell me ſo, foreign, that tenth part, That one of the ten Kingdoms; which ſeems moſt diſcernable from the reſt; and which is ſo eaſily differenced from the reſt, as is this Penitus toto diviſi ab.Iſland?

And let any ſay (which is well worthy our obſerving) where have the Witneſſes of latter times been perſecuted, ſave onelyonly in this Kingdom? In France, in the Low Countreyes, and ſo in other places, they have been quiet, onelyonly perſecuted here in theſe Kingdoms.

I ſhould not deny but the Witneſſes propheſying in Sackcloth, takes in other places, and hath been done either at once, or ſucceſſively in moſt of theſe Weſtern Kingdoms, yet withall it ſeems to me evident, the cloſe, and Chataſtrophe of this ſame, I mean the ſlaying and riſing again of theſe Witneſſes, muſt be acted in one Kingdom onelyonly. Otherwiſe, why do not five, or ſix parts or more, or all the parts of the City fall, and not onelyonly the tenth part, if ſo be we ſay the Witneſſes ſhould be ſlain and riſe again at once in ſo many? But one part of the City falls, upon their riſing which could not be imagined, if the Witneſſes were ſlain and roſe again at once in all the parts.

Which ſame (if I may ſtep ſo far aſide) may help to anſwer that queſtion, which I perceive ſome make in this buſineſſe, viz. Whether this ſlaughter of the Witneſſes may not be ſucceſſive, and ſo acted in one Kingdom after another: And this anſwer I ſhould give to it: Granting the Witneſſes may propheſie in Sackcloth, in one Kingdom after another, in regard it is not limited to place; as alſo is a buſineſſe of long continuance, and ſo hath time enough to move from one place to another: but for their killing and reſurrection, in regard theſe are limited to a certain place, namely, To the Tenth part of the City (as we ſaw before) as alſo farther, to a certain and fixed time, namely, To the end and term of the Witneſſes Propheſie in Sackcloth, and to the p. 88end of the ſixth Trumpet, as a full ſtop and period to both of them; unleſſe we can conceive, The thouſand two hundred and threeſcore yeers of the Witneſſes Propheſie may end in one Kingdom after another, and the time of the ſixth Trumpet, expire in one Kingdom after another, and alſo the ſeventh Trumpet begin to ſound in one Kingdom after another, which we cannot: we may not conceive the ſlaying, and riſing again of the Witneſſes, which are the exact periods of theſe certain, and fixed times, can be accompliſhed in one Kingdom after another neither.

But enough of the former part of the objection, urging us, as too much reſtraining the killing of the Witneſſes, in regard of place, and for reſtraining it to particular perſons, which was the thing objected, I further anſwer:

I ſhould not reſtrain it to two or three men, I would be unwilling to put ſo much envy upon any. Some indeed there were that ſuffered more publikely then others, yet all the ſufferers, Miniſters and others, for there were others alſo of quality were at an under before this Parliament, yea Parliaments themſelves roſe up as from the dead, in this Parliament. All theſe together make the two Witneſſes.

Ob. But if they be ſlain, and riſen again alſo, how is it▪ That ſince they are ſo miſerably perſecuted, whence it is this warre is ſince raiſed againſt them, and ſome of them ſuffer more deeply now then ever they did before?

Resp. To which it may be anſwered, This is nothing elſe but the great Earthquake upon the Witneſſes reſurrection; Tis nothing but the Popiſh Prelaticall faction, ſtruggling for life, now overthrown in the fall of the tenth part of the City. It is not any ſolemne Authoritative perſecution, ſuch as was the former, 'tis the Earthquake only, and their ſtrugglings for life, all which ere long are like to end in their utter ruine.

Ob. If the Witneſſes have thrown of their Sackcloth, how is it that Antichriſt is not yet deſtroyed, the time of Antichriſt's continuance, and of the Witneſſes Propheſying in Sackcloth ending …oth together?

Resp. The tenth part of Antichriſts Kingdom is fallen, at leaſt a falling, which being a leading …aſe to the other, they moulder down apace after. And as we do not begin the account of p. 89Antichriſt his time, from his full growth, but from his birth, ſo neither do we end it with the utter ruine, and overthrow of Antichriſt, but with that great and viſible declining of his, when he utterly looſes a whole Kingdom, this breaking the Ice, for all the other to follow after. In ſhort, Then ſeems the Beaſt his forty two moneths to end, when the tenth part of the City falls, wherein is laid the ground-work of the ruine of all the other alſo.

You have now the conceived ſlaying and riſing again of the Witneſſes which hath fallen out in our times at large repreſented, you have ſeen it in all the likelyhood, and advantage I could hold it forth withall: Now let every one take their liberty to ſpeak their apprehenſion in the buſineſſe; for my part, I cannot but think this ſame is like to be the ſlaying, and riſing again of the Witneſſes; only that I may not diſſemble, where I am at a ſtand, give me leave after all, to make theſe two or three queries.

1. When did they of the Kinreds, and people, and tongues, and nations, look upon the ſilenced Miniſters, and others of this Kingdom, who yet at the nineth verſe of this Chapter, are ſaid to look upon the dead Witneſſes?

2. If with the riſing of the Witneſſes, the ſecond Wo paſſes, Verſ 13. 14.and this ſecond Wo is the Turk, how is it we ſay the Witneſſes are riſen, and yet the Turk ſtill continuing, and like enough for ſome ſpace yet to continue?

3. If with the riſing of the Witneſſes the ſecond Wo paſſes, and the third Wo (viz. The ſeventh Trumpet bringing in with the beginning of it, the utter deſtruction of Antichriſt, as alſo the glorious coming and Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt) quickly follows after. Can our times be ſo neer the accompliſhment of theſe, as is the end of the ſecond Wo, which is the ſixth Trumpet, to the beginning of the third Wo, which is the ſeventh Trumpet?

Somewhat I could anſwer unto theſe, but not that which would quietare, (as the Schoolmen ſpeak) but theſe anſwered, I know little elſe materiall, and of weight further to be excepted.

And now to draw toward a concluſion, and from all this to ſay ſomewhat to that queſtion, viz. What will become of us? which was indeed the occaſion of it all. Why if the Witneſſes p. 90be yet to be ſlain, and ſlain in this Kingdom; Then yet a little while expect and prepare for a ſuffering condition; I ſay, yet a while expect the times ſhould frown and look black upon us; yet being in no wiſe diſcouraged; for be aſſured, either this killing will never come ancer us, or if it do, being an unbloody killing, we need not carry our ſelves with ſo much ſolicitouſneſſe in the buſineſſe. And certainly for fear of this ſame, to think to pack up, and be gone, while any work here remains, and while there is yet hope concerning us, what were it but to deſert the Cauſe, weaken the already feeble hands, and run our ſelves upon a reall danger, while we flie perhaps but from an imaginary.

But if they be ſlain, and riſen again, which you have ſeen how very likely, then cheer up, ſtrengthen thoſe weak hands, certainly the bitterneſſe of death is already over, and from hence forward expect better dayes, then either our eyes, or the eyes ou… of forefathers ever ſaw.

If this which we ſaw ere while be indeed the ſlaying and riſing again of the Witneſſes, expect this ſtorm now over our heads ſhould break up ere long, and the latter part of it fall very foul on them who firſt raiſed it.

Expect, That Prelacy after a while, ſhould be utterly diſſelved in this Kingdom; Indeed it was ſo rooted here, that nothing leſſe then an earthquake could throw it up by the roots, and we may perhaps be ſhaken worſe yet; but by that time the earthquake is ended, then expect aſſuredly to be freed from root and branch alſo.

Expect the tyde of Idolatry, Superſtition, and Tyranny turning here, ſhould back, not onelyonly to low water, but till utterly dried up in all theſe Weſtern Kingdoms.

Expect ere long much greater thing then I ſhall dare to ſpeak of.

Exp…ct the little ſtone beginning to fall upon the toes of the Dan. 2. 34, 35Dan 2:34Dan 2:35great image, and ſo diſſolving all, ſhould riſe up upon their ruines a Kingdom imcomparably more great, and glorious then they all. Expect that when the Earthquake his ended her…, and hath ſhaken the Nations on a row alſo, That then the d…ſire of all Hag. 27 Heb. 8, …7.Heb 8:7the Nations ſhould come; for then, but a litte while, and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry.