tihraxy of Che theological ^tminavy 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 
 •d^^D* 
 
 Donation of 
 
 Samuel Agnew 
 
 sec ffl745 
 
 rviiliennium : or the thousariu years ot 
 prosperity, promised to the Church of God 
 bid TesUimeiil and in the New, snorQy to . 
 

 ,-».'- -Vx >0''«^'J ' 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 ^^^^?x/l^ 
 
 M I L L E N NLI U M; 
 
 OR, T H E<iJ, YK^i^U^4Z^ 
 
 THOUSAND YEARS of PROSPERITY, 
 
 PROMI SE D TO THE 
 
 CHU.RGH OF GOD, 
 
 (H THE OLD TESTAMENT and in THE,,Iffi^ QF r-f.i, 
 
 .<f 
 
 SHORTLV TO 
 
 C O M M E N C 
 
 ^.;IUi 7 iy:> 
 
 AND TO BE CAR.RIED ON TO 
 
 PERFECTION^ 
 
 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF BIM, 
 
 WHO, IN THE VISION^ V/AS PRESENTED TO St." JOHNo 
 
 /tKD i SAW, AND, BEHOLD, A WHITE HORSE; AND HE THAT 
 SAT ON HIM HAD A BOW; AND A CROWN WAS GI^EN UNTO 
 him: AND HE WENT FORTH CONQUERING AND TO CONQUER, 
 
 iVs are journey.ng unto the place ^ of 'which the Lord f aid y I loill. 
 give it yo;i: come thou nvith t(s, and w<? ay/7/ do thee good, for the 
 Lord hathfpoken good cmcerning IfraeU m o s £ s ," 
 
 ELIZABETH TOIVN: , 
 Printed sySHEPARD K O LL O C K— 1794. 
 
yJ: 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IF the prophetic parts of the oracles ofGod^ 
 from what may bejtiled '' afacred Calen- 
 dar;'' or^ " an Almanac of Prophecy^' it is 
 -with the greatejl propriety, that the Watchmen 
 of Zion are difpofed, now and then, to confult 
 this f acred calendar, in view of determining 
 the watch of the night, and, ofconfequence, how 
 long before the arrival of the long-wifiedfor 
 promifed day. Frompromifes which the f acred 
 fcriptures afford, calculations may, with a good 
 degree of precifion, he made, refpeEling the time 
 of the accomplifliments of the prophecies which 
 relate to the future profperity of the Zion of 
 God. The redemption of the church of God 
 from the bondage of Papal Babylon, as xcell as 
 from the general dominion of the Powers of 
 Darknefs, is a glorious and anii^ating fubjeH 
 of prophecy. The Lord hathfpoken, and the 
 decree fiall be fulfilled. — If, in ancient tifne, 
 the people of God believed what the Lord had 
 fpoken refpe£ling the redemption of his people; 
 if, from the f acred calendar, they difcovered 
 the time of the promifed redemption — prayed 
 for, and actually f aw the fulfilment of the ob- 
 jed of their hopes, in temporal and infpiritu- 
 al deliverance, what forbids that^ in this day 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 of general captivity, the prophets of the Lord 
 Jlioidd look with the fame fiith and prayer f or 
 thefulfilmentofthofepromifes which refpe^the 
 fpiritual deliverance of the Chrifdan Church, 
 both from the bondage of Babylon, and from 
 the thraldom of Satan? — And more efpecially, 
 {^s we evidently fee marks of the divine progrefs 
 in this work, in his prefent judgments among 
 the nations of the earth, and particularly on 
 myjlicool Babylon; zohich all allow, are but a 
 little to precede the glorious redemption and 
 profperity of the Church in the Milleimial-day. 
 '. — " One circumftance, faith Dr. Halifax,^ 
 ought not to be pafled by unnoticed — - 
 namely, the menaces of certain vengeance tQ 
 be hereafter inflifted on the enemies of the 
 true religion, intimated by the deflruction of 
 the body of the fourth beaft ; tind fubfe que nt 
 to that the promife of the univerfal efiablifii- 
 mentofthe reign of Chrifl, when the f one 
 cut-out of the mountain withov^t hands, fhall 
 fir ike and break to pieces the image on its feet; 
 and become a great mountain, andfJl the 
 xohole earth. ^ This part of the prophecies is 
 yet unfulfilled; nor is it for us to afcertaiu 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 '* Hal]if-ix*s Sermon, preached at Biflicp Warbuvton*s LeclurCj 
 3L-incola's-irin Chape!, London, page 96, publiihed 1776. 
 
PREFACE. T 
 
 riie manner in which fo important a revolu- 
 tion, in the religious world, will be effefted: 
 The ufe intended by the obfervation here is, 
 from the fymptoms of decline which are now 
 difcernible in the fyflem of the Papal pow- 
 er, to point out to you the prefumptionthata- 
 rifes in favor of the truth of the prophetical de- 
 nunciations, and from the concufllons which 
 have already (hook the tottering throne of 
 fuperIlition,to learn to expect, in God's good 
 time, its full andjinal deinolitiGny 
 
 And if this celebrated Author, in his day, 
 thought there was ground to ufe thefollozoing 
 language, in view of prophecies already ful- 
 filed, and events then exifing, vjith how much 
 more reafcn may loc confidently adopt it now, 
 and fay, that, " under the aufpices of fuch 
 a guide we may hope to advance, fecurely, 
 in our projefled work ; and to have the plea- 
 fure of thofe, v/ho, after long travelling m a 
 dreary night, perceive, at laft, the darknefs 
 to diminifh, and the reddening ftreaks of the 
 morning, betokening to them, that the day 
 is at hand?" — r 
 
 The object in publifiing Dr. Bellarnys dif 
 courfe is to efablifi the doElrine of the Millen- 
 nium as to matter of fad: and by publfnng 
 Prefdent Edwards s '' Humble Attempt to 
 
^^1 
 
 P R E J^ A C E. 
 
 promote explicit Agreemerxt and vifible U- 
 nion in Prayer;" it is hoped attention will be 
 excited to the ufe of thofe means which God 
 hath ordained to be iifed in view of a gracious 
 
 filfilment of cv^ry prcmife made to his Church 
 and to his People, Thus faith the Lord, I will 
 yet for this be enquired of by the houfe of 
 Ifrael, to do it for them. 
 
 The dejign of the third and lajl difcourfe is 
 tofupport the objeds of the tivo former, by an 
 appeal to exifiing facts, to the demonjlration 
 ofprefcnt events. By thcfe it appears, that 
 what Dr. Halifax termed " the reddening 
 ftreaks of the morning/'have become entitled 
 to thejUle of the dawn, if not to the morning 
 of the day, — Hoxv does our faith groio — our 
 confidence increafe, and our joyful hearts ex- 
 ult at the fight, or rather Ojt the found of the 
 
 fia'elyfi.cppirigs of our God vn the prefent re- 
 volutions of his providence, fulfilling the pur- 
 pofes of his great decree! — From what we ob- 
 
 ferve to have-, already, taken place, may ice not 
 confideri ily a nticipate all tliat is to come ? — The 
 teftimony o{'\it[\x%, faith the angel to St. John, 
 is a fpirit of prophecy. — If, in a fpirit of pro- 
 phecy, the Great Head of the Church hathfpo- 
 ken of things to come, to firengthcn the faith ^ 
 and to cheer the hope of his followers, it can- 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 7iol be denied, but our time and talents are 
 vjell employed, whiljl, injludy, with mceknefs 
 and prayer, we labor to underjiand and topof- 
 fefs the blejj^ngs he hath fo gracioujly prepared, 
 andfo abundantly promifed to his Church, 
 
 If, in the day in which Prejident Edwards 
 lived, it zoas thought time for the Zion of God 
 to go into labor, in view of the approach of the 
 tirae of promifed redemption to Ifrael, with 
 how much more courage and confidence viay 
 the Church of God now proceed in the ardu- 
 ous^ yet noble and inter efing work? 
 
 The arguments which his invaluable trafl 
 fuggcfisfor explicit Agreement and vifble U- 
 nion of God's People in extraordinary Prayer^ 
 for the Revival of Religion, and the Advance- 
 ment of Chrifi's Kingdom on Earth, purfuant 
 to Scripture-promifes and Prophecies, concern- 
 ing the LAST TIME, are as applicable to the 
 flate of the Church, and of the world, 7iow, as 
 they were then, and the encouragement, from 
 prefent circumfances, much more animating. 
 
 If any individual Chnfian, any fociety of 
 Chrifian People, or any Mzni/ler, or affocia- 
 iion of Minifers,fhould be fofar imjyrefjed 
 with the propriety of a prefent compliance with 
 what Prefdent Edwards labored to bring about 
 in his day, as to defrc that meafuresfhould 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 be taken for the accoiwplifhment of theobjeEldf 
 his work, and exyrejs a willircgncfs to aid in 
 laying a foundation for a general and united 
 exertion in prayer throughout all the Chrijliah 
 Churches in our land; the Editor pledges his 
 whole heart in aid to anyfuch frcpofal, and 
 would think hira [elf highly favored by any com- 
 munications, from any quarter, on thefublivfie 
 and animating fubj eel. 
 
 That the Great Head of the Church zvould 
 gracioiifly take this humble attempt to the ho- 
 nor of his name, and for the interejts of his 
 Zion, under his holy proteElioni and profper, 
 and do his own hle/fed will in all things zvhich 
 itjirives to accoinpliJli,is the fervent prayer of 
 one, zvho knows no higher objeci ofprefcnt or 
 future ambition, than to approve himfelf, and 
 to be approved of his Lord and Mcijter, as an 
 indujtrious hezver ofzoood, and drawer of wa- 
 ter for the chiirch of God, 
 
 DAVID AUSTIN. 
 
 Elizabeth Tow^, 
 Itla^ I, I794« 
 
THE 
 
 MILLENNIUM. 
 
 JOSEPH BELLA MY> A. M. 
 
 MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT BBTHLEM* 
 
 l^FifJl puhlfjiosd at Bojlon m 1758.] 
 
 Hevelatiom XX. 1,2,3, 
 
 jind Ifaw an angel come down from heaven, having the kei 
 ■of the bottomlefs pit, and a great chain in his hand. And 
 he laid hold on the dragon, that old fer pent, which is the 
 Devil and Satan, and bound him a thoufand years* And, 
 cajl him into the bottomlefs pit, and JJiut him up, and fet 
 a feal upon him, that he Jhould deceive the nations n$ 
 more, till the thoufand years JJiould kefulfdUd. 
 
 TN agreat variety of refpefts the Bible is the 
 A moft remarkable book in the world. In 
 it we have God's moral charafter clearly ex- 
 hibited to view, by a hiftory of his conduft, 
 as moral governor of the world, from the be- 
 ginning; and the nature of fallen man paint- 
 ed to the life, by a hiftory of their behavi- 
 our for four thoufand years. In it we have 
 opened the glorious and aftonifhing method 
 that has been entered upon to difappoint all 
 
10 The millennium. 
 
 Satan's defigns, by the interpofition of the 
 Son of God ; and are informed of his birth, 
 life, death, refurreftion, afcenfion and exalt- 
 ation; and of the glorious defigns he has in 
 view. And the whole is fo contrived as to 
 be admirably fuited to all the circum.ftances 
 and needs of a good man, that, as it was de- 
 figned to be the good man's book, in a pe- 
 culiar fenfe, fo it is perfeflly fuited to his 
 cafe. It is profitable foi' docirine,for reproof, 
 for correction, for ivftruclion in right covfnefs, 
 thcit the man of God may be perfzB, thorough*' 
 ^lyfiirnified to all good zcorks. 
 
 That fincere concern for the caufe of truth 
 and virtue, for the honor of God and inte- 
 re^^ of true religion, which is peculiar to a 
 good man, whofe character it is to love 
 Chrift above father and mother, wife and 
 children, houfes and lands, yea, better than 
 his own life, muft naturally fubjeft him to a. 
 peculiar kind of folicitude; even as a child, 
 of a truly filial fpirit, is paired' whea it goes 
 ill with his father's family, to whofe inte reft. 
 he is clofely attached, and has a whole fyf- 
 tern of inward fenfations that a ftranger in- 
 termeddles not with. The Bible, the good, 
 man's book, is, therefore, wifely adapted to 
 eafe the good man's pained heart, and ^* 
 
The millennium. ix 
 
 ford confolation in this interePting and rn oft 
 important point, as it gives the ftrongeft af- 
 furances that the caufe of virtue fhall finally 
 prevail. 
 
 How infupportable muft the grief of the 
 pious Jews have been, fitting on the fides of 
 the rivers of Babylon? There zbe fat down, 
 fay they, yea, zve wept zohen we remembered 
 Zion, And on the willows they hung their 
 harps, nor could any thing divert their minds. 
 Jf I forget thee, Jerufalem, let my right hand 
 forget her cunning! If Ida not remember thee, 
 let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth! 
 — How infupportable, I fay, muft their grief 
 •have been, w^hile their glorious holy tem- 
 ple, and their holy city, the place of all their 
 facred folemnities, were lying defolate, and 
 God's people in captivity, had it not been 
 for that promife, fo often repeated, that af- 
 ter feventy years God would vifit them, and 
 caufe them to return to their own. land. God 
 knew before-hand the anguifti which would 
 be apt to fill their hearts, the finking difcour- 
 agements, and all the train of dark and gloo- 
 my thoughts they would be incident to, and 
 before-hand provided a remedy. Yea, no 
 fooner had he denounced their doom in the 
 Xxxixth chapter of Ifaiah, but immediately 
 
J2 The M I L L E N N I U M. 
 
 in the next chapter, and for ten or twenty 
 chapters together, does he provide for their 
 fupport. Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people ; 
 Jpeak comfortably to Jerufalem, &c, &c. 
 
 So, how infapportable would have been 
 the grief of the church of Chrift, through 
 the long, dark, cruel reign of myftical Baby 
 Ion, while they beheld error and wickednefs 
 univerfally prevail, Satan getting his will in 
 almoft every thing, and, to appearance, no 
 figns of better times, but a.11 things wearing 
 a dreadful afpefl: before their eyes :— How 
 great their grief? How finking their difcou- 
 ragements? How almoft infuperable their 
 temptations to apoftatize, and forfake a caufe 
 that heaven feemed to forfake, had not the 
 day of deliverance been exprefsly foretold, 
 and the glory that fnould follow opened to 
 view by the fpiritof prophefy? But in a firm 
 belief that the caufe they w^ere engaged in, 
 and for which they fpilt their blood, would 
 iinally prevail, and prevail in this world, 
 x\rhere they then beheld Satan reigning and 
 triumphing; I fay, in a firm belief of this, 
 the whole army of martyrs could march on 
 to battle courageoufly, willing to facrifice 
 their lives in the caufe, not doubting of final 
 yiftory, although they themfelves muft fall 
 in the field. 
 
The millennium. 13 
 
 Indeed, were the falvation of his own foul 
 the only thing the good man had in view, 
 he would naturally be quite eafy upon a full 
 affurance that this was fecured. So, had 
 Mofes cared for nothing but the welfare of 
 himfelf and of his pofterity, he might have 
 been fatisfied, M'hile the v/hole congregation 
 of Ifrael were dellroyed, if he might become 
 a great nation, and that without any folici- 
 tude for the honor of the great name of the 
 God of Ifrael; yea, although the idolatrous 
 nations round about were fully eftabliflied 
 in the belief of the divinity of their idols, 
 and brought to look upon the God of the 
 Hebrews with ever fo great contempt by the 
 means. But, attached as he was to the ho- 
 nor of the God of Ifrael, nothing could give 
 him fatisfaclion, but a profpeft that that 
 would be fecured. The welfare of himfelf 
 and of his family was of no importance in his 
 cfleem, compared with this. See Exod, xxxii. 
 
 It muft, therefore, be remembered, that, 
 as the Son of God left his father s bofom, 
 and the realms of light and glory, and ex- 
 pired on the crofs in the utmoft vifible con- 
 tempt, that he might fpoil principalities and 
 powers, bruife the ferpent's head, deftroy the 
 v^orks of the Devil, fo hi* true difciples have 
 
J4 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 imbibed a meafure of the fame fpirit, and, 
 as volunteers enlifted under his banner, have 
 the fame thing in view; they long for the 
 deftruftion of Satan's kingdom, and thefe 
 petitions are the genuine language of their 
 hearts ; " Our Father which art in heaven, 
 *^ hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, 
 ♦^ thy will be done on earth as it is in hea- 
 *' ven/* Nor can the falvation of their ovrn 
 fouls, although ever fo fafely fecured, fatisfy 
 their minds, without a clear view and fair 
 profpefl: of Chrift's final viftory over all his 
 enemies: " But if our great general, w^ho 
 *^ has facrificed his life in thecaufe, may but 
 *' at laft obtain a complete viftory, notwith- 
 *^^ (landing all the prefent dark appearances, 
 ^' this is enough," fays the Chriftian Soldier; 
 *' I am willing to rifque all in his fervice, and 
 " die in the battle too. But if Satan were 
 *^ always to carry the day. Oh, who could 
 •^ live under the thought!'* 
 
 This having been the temper of good men, 
 fnore or lefs, even from the early ages of the 
 world, and through all fuccefnve genera- 
 tions to this day, they have evidently want- 
 ed a peculiar fupport, which the reft of man- 
 kiiid ftood in no need of, to carry them 
 
Tme millennium. 15 
 
 comfortably through fuch a long fcene of 
 darkncfs ; wickednefs prevailing, God dif- 
 honored, Satan triumping, the world pe- 
 riHiing, tlie true church of God more gene- 
 rally in fackcloth. And accordingly the fi- 
 nal viftory of the caufe of truth and virtue 
 was intimated in the very firft promife made 
 to fallen man ; and, from time to time, God 
 repeated this comfortable prediftion to his 
 church and people ; and finally made it the 
 chief fubjetl of the laft book of holy Scrip- 
 ture he ordered to be wrote for the ufe of 
 his church. 
 
 Now let us take a brief view of the whole 
 feries of thefe divine prediftions, from the 
 beginning of the world, even down to this 
 in our text, contained in one of the laft chap- 
 ters in the Bible, that we may fee what full 
 evidence there is of this truth, and fo what 
 abundant caufe for confolation to all the 
 people of God. 
 
 1. Immediately after the fall, when the 
 ferpent, even the Old Serpent the Devil, had 
 juft feduced mankind to revolt from God; 
 and had, to all appearance, laid this whole 
 world in perpetual ruin, even in the depths 
 of this midnight darknefs, a ray of light 
 
i6 Th£ millennium 
 
 flione down from heaven — The feed of the' 
 Tjoomanfiall bruife theferpent's head. As if 
 God had faid, " I fee the fcheme that Satan 
 ** has laid to ruin the world, and eilablifli his 
 '' impious, malicious caufe : I fee it, and 
 " am determined to defeat it. The feebler 
 *' woman he has over-matched, but her al- 
 *^ mighty feed fhall conquer him, and as ef- 
 *' feClually fubdue him, and prevent all fu- 
 " ture mifchief by him, as a ferpent is fub- 
 *' dued and incapacitated for further mif- 
 ** chief when his head is crulhed to pieces, 
 ^' under the indignant heel of one determine 
 " ed on his death." This was a complete 
 doom, indeed, denounced againft Satan, at 
 the head of the kingdom of darknefs. And 
 it fully implied, that the caufe of light, truth 
 and righteoufnefs, fhould finally obtain di 
 complete viftory. 
 
 2. After this gracious and gl6rious pro- 
 mife had been the chief foundation of all 
 tlie hopes of God*s people for two thoufand 
 years, God was pleafed to point out the par- 
 ticular family from whence this mighty de- 
 liverer fhould fpring, and to intimate what 
 a univerfal bleffmg he fhould be to all the 
 nations of the earth. And in thy seed fiall 
 ALL the families of the earth be blef/ed^ iaid 
 
The millennium. 17 
 
 God to Abraham ; which again plainly 
 fuppofed, that the caufe of truth and right- 
 eOLifnefsj notwithftanding the dark Hate the 
 world then was in, all finking faft into idol- 
 atry, and would for many ages be in, buried 
 in heathenifh darknefs, fhould yet, in due 
 time, univerfally prevail over the whole 
 earth. For in thy s^ETiJkall all the fami- 
 lies of the earth be bleffed. This fame pro- 
 liiife was repeated again and again to Abra- 
 ham, and afterwards to Ifaac and to Jacob, 
 
 3. Hitherto God had fupported his peo- 
 ples' hopes chiefly with promifes, with verbal 
 prediftions ; but from the days of Mofes 
 to the days of Solomon king of Ifrael, to 
 affift his peoples' faith, God did^ befides 
 repeated promifes of the fame thing, by a 
 great variety of wonderful works, fhadow 
 forth the glorious day; and, at the fame 
 time, {hew. that he had fufficient wifdoni 
 and power to accomplifh the greateft de- 
 figns. That his people might be convinced 
 that he could eafily bring to pafs, for the 
 good of his c&urch, whatfoever feerned good 
 in his fiffht. 
 
 Ifrael, in the Egyptian bondage, were a 
 defigned type of a fallen world, uader the 
 dominion and tyranny of Satan ; nor \yag 
 
 B 
 
i8 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 Pharaoh more loth to let Ifrael go, than 
 Satan is to have his fubjefts deferthim, and 
 his kingdom go to ruin ; but notwithftand- 
 ing all the feeming impoffibilities in the way 
 of Ifrael's deliverance, infinite wifdom knew 
 how to accomplifh the divine defigns. God 
 could even caufe a member of Pharaoh's 
 family to educate one to be an inftrument 
 of this defigned deliverance. And, in due 
 time, behold all the armies of Ifrael march 
 forth from the land of Egypt, out of the 
 houfe of bondage ; and Pharaoh, and his 
 chariots, and all his hoft, lie buried in the 
 Red Sea! So eafily can God bring forth 
 his people, even out of the anti-chriftian 
 kingdom, which is fpiritually called Sodom 
 and Egypt ; and, if he pleafes, raife up the 
 inftruments of this glorious work, even in 
 the court of Rome. 
 
 And when the name of the true God was 
 almoft forgotten through all the earth, and 
 the Devil worlhipped in his room, in idols 
 of various names, through all the nations, 
 God knew how to make his name known, 
 and to caufe his fame to fpread abroad, and 
 fill the whole earth with his glory, by won- 
 ders wrought in the land of Ham ; by def- 
 cending on Mount Sinai; by leading the 
 
The millennium. 19 
 
 Armies of Ifrael forty years in the wilder- 
 nefs, in a pillar of cloud by day, and of fire 
 by night, giving them bread from heaven 
 and water out of the flinty rock ; dividing 
 Jordan ; delivering up one and thirty idol- 
 atrous kings to the fword of Jofhua ; raifing 
 up judges, one after another, in a miraculous 
 manner, to deliver his people, until the days 
 of David and Solomon, types of Chrift. — 
 Of David who, Meffiah-like, fubdued the 
 enemies of Ifrael all around; of Solomon, 
 who built the Holy Temple, and filled Jeru- 
 falem with riches and glory. — He who hath 
 done all thefe things, can eafily accomplifh 
 all the defigns of his heart, preferve his 
 church, raife up deliverance, break to pieces 
 the kingdoms of the earth for her fake, make 
 truth viflorious, and fet up the New-Jeru- 
 falem in all her fpiritual glory, build up his 
 church as a glorious Holy Temple, and fet 
 the Son of David upon the Throne ; by 
 whofe hands Satan, and all the powers of 
 darknefs, fhall be fubdued, chained, fealed 
 up in the bottomlefs pit, as much afraid, and 
 as much unable, to attempt any mifchief, as 
 the fubdued nations around Ifrael werean 
 the very height of David's power. 
 
 But when fhall the Son of David reign. 
 
20 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 and the church have reft ? When fliall the 
 caufe of truth and righteoufiiefs thus prevail? 
 Perhaps the very time was defigned to be 
 ftiadowed forth in the law of Mofe5, in the 
 inftitution of their holy days. The feventh 
 day, faid God, who always had this glorious 
 feafon of reft in view — " The feventh day fliall 
 be a Sabbath of Rejl, the feventh month fiall 
 he full of holy days, the feventh year fiall be a 
 yea.r of refiT — So^ perhaps, after fix thou- 
 fand years are fpent in labour and forrow by 
 the church of God, the fevea thoufandth 
 {hall be a feafon of fpiritual reft and joy, an 
 holy fabbath to the Lord. — And as God the 
 Creator was fix days in forming a confufed 
 chaos into a beautiful world, and refted the 
 feventh; fo God the Redeemer, after fix 
 thoufand years labour in the work of the 
 new creation, may reft on the feventh, and 
 then proclaim a general liberty to an enftav- 
 ed world, and grant a general pardon to a 
 guilty race ; as in the year of jubilee, among 
 the Jews, every enflaved Jew was fet at li- 
 berty, and the debts of all the indebted were 
 cancelled, 
 
 4. Thefe things, thus {hadowed forth in 
 types, were alfo exprefly declared by the^ 
 mouths of the ancient prophets, from the 
 
The millennium. 21. 
 
 iflays of David and forward, to the end of 
 that difpenfation ; and the fame things are 
 hinted here and there in the New-Tefta- 
 ment, and largely opened to view in the 
 Revelation of St. John. So that both the 
 Old and New Teftaments join to raife in us, 
 who live in thefe ages, the higheft aflurance 
 that it is God's defign to give his Son the 
 Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermojt 
 parts of the earth for his poffefjion. For all 
 kings f mil bow dozon before hivi, and all na- 
 tions fhall ferve him. And the mountain of 
 the Lord's houfe fliall be eftablified in the top 
 of the mountains, and JJiall be exalted above 
 the hills, and all nations fliall flow unto it. 
 Theyfiall beat their fwords into plough fhears 
 and their f pears into pruning-hooks, and learn 
 Tjoar no more. For the earth fiall be full of 
 the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover 
 the fea. A nation fiall be born in a day. 
 All thy people fhall be righteaiis, Theyfhall 
 all know the Lord, from the leajl to tlie great- 
 eft. And holinefs to the Lord fiall be written 
 on every thing. Kings fiall become nurfng 
 fathers, and queens nurfng mothers; and 
 there fiall be nothing to hurt or offend. The 
 inhabitants fiall not [fo much as]y^ I a^n 
 fck And this kingdom fiall f II the whole 
 
22 The millennium. 
 
 earth. And all nations and languages Jliall 
 ferve him. And the kingdom and dominion^ 
 and the greatnefs of the kingdom under the 
 xjohole heaven Jhall be given to the people of 
 the faints of the Mojt High God ; and the 
 Jewsfiallbe called iri, and thefulnefs of the 
 Gentiles. For the Gofpelfiall be preached to 
 every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and 
 people. And Satan Jhall be bound, and Chrijl 
 Jhall reign on earth a thoifandyears,^ And 
 as furely as the Jews were delivered out of 
 the Babylonifh captivity, and Babylon itfelf 
 deflroyed, even fo furely (hall all thefe things 
 be accompliflied in their time ; and myili- 
 
 MOTE. 
 
 * Satan Jhall helourj, Szc. " The church of Chnft fhall enjoy 
 purity of religion in peace, without any difturbance from thofe 
 old enemies of minkind, working in the children of difobedi- 
 efice." Daiihuz on the Place, 
 
 " And this feems to imply, that all fiiall be converted — However, 
 if there be any that remain unconverted, they will, during the im- 
 prifonment of Satan, be in fo fmall a number, and fo feeble in com- 
 parifon of the true Chriftians, that they fhall neither dare, nor be 
 able to difturb the peace of Chriil's kiagdom." 
 
 Lonuman on the Place, 
 
 A fpirit of itrift piety fhall rife fo high, and fo univerfally pre- 
 vail, that it fliall be as though all the martyrs of former ages were 
 rifen from the dead, and appeared upon the ftage all at once. This 
 feems to be tl-.e fenfe of thofe words in Rev. xx. 4. The martyrs 
 are faid to rife from the dead and reigi with Chrifl: a thoufand 
 years, much in the fame fenfe as John the Baptiji is called FMds^ 
 viz, becaufe he was a man fo nearly referabling that celebrated pio* 
 phet. See Lo'wmar. on ike Place. 
 
The millennium. 23 
 
 cal Babylon {hsdi^nk as a milljlone into the 
 fea, andjhall be found no more at all. 
 
 5. But when (hall thefe things be? I an- 
 fwer, in the firfl place, it is plain, as yet they 
 have not been ; thefe great things have not 
 been accomplifhed. They were not accom- 
 pliflied when the Jews were brought out of 
 their Babylonifli captivity ; for, from thence 
 to the coming of Chrift, they never were in 
 fo flouriHiing a (late as they had been before. 
 They were not accomplifhed in the apofto- 
 lic age; for St. John, when moft, if not all, 
 of the other apoftles were dead, fpake of 
 thefe things, in the Revelation, as yet to 
 come to pafs. They were not accompliflied 
 in the three firfl centuries, for that was al- 
 moft one continued fcene of blood. They 
 were not accomplifhed in the days of Con- 
 ftantine the Great; for it is fince then that 
 the Man of Sin has been revealed. Nor are 
 they accomplifhed to this day ; for Satan is 
 ftill walking to and fro through the earth, 
 and going up and down therein : Babylon 
 is not fallen ;>.the Jews are not called, nor is 
 the fulnefs of the Gentiles come in, but the 
 greateft part of the earth, to this day, fit in 
 hieathenira darkaefs. 
 
64 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 ' When then fliall they be accomplifhed? 
 Not till the holy city has been trodden under 
 foot forty and tzoo months. Not till the wit- 
 nejjes have prophefied a thoufand two hundred 
 and threefcore days, cloathed in fackcloth. 
 And not till the zooman has been in the wil- 
 dernefs a time, and times, and half a tiiJie* 
 Now a time, and times, and half a time, i. e* 
 three years and a'half is equal to forty-two 
 months, which is equal to one thoufand two 
 hundred and fixty days, which doubtlefs 
 means one thoufand two hundred and fixty 
 years, a day for a year; as the event has 
 proved, was the cafe in the prophecy of 
 Daniel, who declared it to be feventy weeks, 
 from the going forth of the commandment 
 to build Jerufalem to the death of Chrift; 
 for it proved to be four hundred and nine- 
 ty years, which is feven times feventy, a day 
 for a year. Ban, ix. 24. 
 
 So that there is no difficulty in determin- 
 ing the dov^nfall of Antichrift, but what a- 
 rifes from the uncertainty we are at when to 
 date the beginning of his rife and reign. — 
 The Bifliops of Rome were fome hundred 
 years rifmg gradually from the honeft cha- 
 rafter of a fcripture-bifliop to the grand title 
 of UNIVERSAL POPE, which was obtained. 
 
The millennium. 25 
 
 A. D. fix hundred and fix. And it was a 
 long time from this before they got to the 
 height of their grandeur, and the Pope was 
 conflituted a temporal prince, which 
 was not till a. d. feven hundred and fifty- 
 fix.* And perhaps he may fall as gradual- 
 ly as he rofe. And as now he has been fal- 
 ling two hundred and forty years, even ever 
 fince the beginning of the reformation", 
 fo we may rationally expeft he will conti- 
 nue to fall till BABYLON finks AS A MILL- 
 STONE INTO THE SEA. And then themoun-* 
 tains and the hills JJiall break forth intojing^ 
 ing, and all the trees of the field Jliall clap 
 their hands. And all the hofl:s of heaven, as 
 loud as thunder, fhall fay, Hallelujah! For 
 the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us 
 be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him ; 
 for the marriage of the Lamb is come, o.ndhis 
 wife hath made herf elf ready. 
 
 And thus we have taken a brief view of 
 the fcripture-evidence, that the caufe of 
 truth and righteoufnefs will finally become 
 glorioufly victorious. 
 
 6. Nor is there the leafl; reafon to doUbt 
 the accomplifliment of thefe things ; for God 
 
 C 
 
 NOTE, 
 
 See Bo\ver'3 Hiilory of rhe Popes, 
 
t6 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 in all times pad has been faithful to his worcf^. 
 and is evidently fufficiently engaged in this 
 affair — knows hov/, and can eafily accomplifh 
 it, and it will be mueh to the honor of his 
 great name to do it. 
 
 God has been faithful to his promifes ta 
 his church from the beginning of the world. 
 To all human appearance, it was a very un- 
 likely thing that the Hebrews, enflaved in 
 Egypt, under Pharaoh, a very powerful 
 monarch, and funk down into idolatry, and 
 very low-fpirited, fhould arife and go forth 
 with all their flocks and herds, and march 
 through the wildernefs, and conquer the fe- 
 ven nations of Canaan, and poflefs their 
 land. And fo it was, to all human appear- 
 ance, equally unlikely, that the Jews in Ba- 
 bylon fliould ever return to their own land, 
 « — But God had promifed in both cafes, and 
 God performed. And an event more fur- 
 prifmg than either of thefe, yea, the moft 
 aftonilhing that could have happened, has 
 alfo come to pafs, jufl as God had faid, — - 
 The promifed seed has been born, and the 
 ferpent has bruifed his heel; and methinks- 
 now not only God's faithfulnefs, but even 
 the nature of the cafe itfelf, fhould lead us 
 to believe, that the si.'E.i> Jliall bruife his hecL 
 
The millennium. 27 
 
 For after God has appeared to be fo in^ 
 finitely engaged to deftroy the works of the 
 Devil, as to give his only begotten Son, it 
 can furely never once be imagined that he 
 wants fufBcient refolution to carry him thro' 
 what yet remains to be done. 
 
 And he who could fend Pharaoh's daugh- 
 ter to take up Mofes, when an infant, out of 
 iiis baflvct of bulrufhes, and educate him in 
 Pharaoh's court, that he might be {killed in 
 all the arts of government ; and when he 
 had fpent forty years in this fituation banifh 
 him into the land of Midian, that in the fo- 
 litary life of a fhepherd for another forty 
 years, he might attain to the meekeft man 
 on earth, that he might, by both, be tho- 
 roughly qualified for the work defigned him ; 
 and he, who could take David from feed- 
 ing his father's fheep, and, after a courfe of 
 trials, fo exceeding neceffary to prepare 
 frail man for high honors and great ufeful- 
 nefs, exalt him to the throne of Ifrael, fo 
 thoroughly furniflied to head their armies 
 and fubdue their foes, advance their exter- 
 nal grandeur, and put great honor upon 
 their religion ; and he, who could take Da- 
 niel, one of the Jewifli captives in Babylon, 
 and raife him to fuch high honor and great 
 
^8 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 authority, to be a father to his people thro' 
 their fcventy years captivity, and by his 
 means, perhaps, influence Cyrus fo gene- 
 roully to releafe them, and afTift them in 
 their return;* and finally, he, who could 
 take a number of poor illiterate fifhermen, 
 and the perfecuting Saul, and by them lay 
 the foundation of the Chriflian church, in 
 fpite of the united oppofition of earth and 
 hell; and after their death gaufc the Chrif- 
 tian church to live through, yea, at laft to 
 triumph over the ten bloody perfecutions, 
 find even conquer the Roman empire; and 
 that which is ftill more wonderful, to fubfift 
 to this day, notwithftanding all the fubtle 
 and cruel methods which have, for fo many 
 hundred years, been t^ken by Antichrift tq 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * As Daniel underflood the prophecies of Jeremiah, which had 
 determined the time of the captivity to be feventy years, Dati. ix. 
 a. and had his heart fo much in the affair of their return, as \ofet 
 Ms face to feck the Lord hy fujiing and -pr.njer^ verfe 3; and being 
 t^ie chief man in the kingdom, muft have free accefs to Cyrus, 
 Tfau. vi. fo nothing could be more natural than to fhew him an an- 
 cient Jewifh prophecy, wherein he was mentioned byname, near 
 two hundred years age, and ^jointed out as the perfon who was to 
 let go the Jev/ifn captives, bbild Jerufalem, and lay the founda- 
 tion of the temple. Ifaiah xliv. 28. and chap. xlv. 1—3. To which 
 Cyrus no doubr refers in his proclamation. Ezra i. a, 3, 4. Thus 
 faith Cyrus king cf PerfiUy The Lord Gfd of heaven hath given 
 Trie all the klngdovis if the earthy and he hath chakged »ie tc build 
 Ufd an hcul3 at Jerufalem^, rf:hkh is in Judak, Who is there a^ 
 7Vcngyc:Ci &c. 
 
The millennium. 29 
 
 extirpate Chriftianity out of the world ; I 
 fay, he who could do thefe things, cannot 
 be at a lofs for means, or want power to ef- 
 feft the glorious things foretold^ which yet 
 remain to be accomplifhed. 
 
 And what if mankind are ever fo eftrang- 
 ed from God? And what if they are ever 
 fo averfe to a reconciliation? And what if 
 Satan reigns in the courts of princes, in the 
 councils of the clergy, as well as in the cot- 
 tages of the poor? And what if even the 
 whole world in a manner lies in wickednefs? 
 So that a general conflagration might ra- 
 ther be expefted, as it is fo eminently de- 
 ferved — are thefe things any bar in the way? 
 
 What if mankind have abufed divine grace 
 from the beginning of the world? What if 
 they have murdered his prophets, his Son, 
 and his apoftles ? What if they have refift- 
 ed and grieved the Holy Spirit, and pervert- 
 ed the doftrines, and gone counter to the 
 precepts of his holy word? Yea, what if it 
 appears that mankind are really on Satan's 
 fide? And this, after all the kind methods 
 God has taken to reclaim a guilty world, fo 
 that even the befl: man on earth, or the kind- 
 eft angel in heaven might be difcouraged, 
 totally and finally difcouraged, and think it 
 
ho The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 tiever worth while to take any more pains 
 with fuch a perverfe race, but that it were 
 liidre fuitable to the rules of good govern- 
 rhent to refign them to deftruftibn !~Are 
 any, or all thefe things together, a fufficient 
 bar to the accomplilhment of God's defigns, 
 whofe goodnefs is abfolutely infinite? Can 
 they be fo, after the Son of God has been 
 oiFeredasa facrifice of atonement, to fecure 
 the honour of the divine government, and 
 open a v/ay for the honourable exercife of 
 his grace ? — What ! after the Mefiiah has 
 been exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour^, 
 to give repentance and remiffion of fins ? — 
 And after all power and authority in hea- 
 ven and earth is given into his hands, on 
 purpofe to deftroy the kingdom of Satan, 
 and bring every nation, kindred and tongue, 
 to bow the knee to God ! Yea, when the in- 
 finitely wife Governor of the world has be- 
 fore determined to permit the wickednefs 
 of mankind to come out and fland in fo 
 (glaring a light, and to fuffer Satan fo long 
 tio praclife and profper, to this very purpofe, 
 that his power, wifdom and grace, might 
 be the more effeftually and the more glori- 
 oufly difplayed, in the accomplifnment of 
 all his dorious defi^ns ? 
 
 I 
 
The MILLENIUM. 31 
 
 Inftead of being difcouraged, from a view 
 of the paft, or the prefent (late of the world, 
 as without the light of divine revelation we 
 fhould naturally have been, methinks now, 
 viewing all things in the light of holy fcrip- 
 ture, it muft be perfeftly rational to con- 
 clude, that all thefe things are only prepa- 
 ratory, as an introduftion to the glorious 
 day ; even, as all the cruel bondage of Ifrael 
 in Egypt, and all the haughty conduft of 
 Pharaoh, were but preparatory as an intro- 
 duction to the glorious event that God had 
 then in his eye. And what unfpeakable ho- 
 nour will redound to God moft High, if 
 after all the vile conduft of this apoftate 
 world, and notwithllanding all their ill-de- 
 fert ; and after all the fubtle methods Satan 
 has taken to make his kingdom ftrong ; I 
 fay, what unfpeakable honour will redound 
 to God moft High, if, after all this, he fliould 
 accomplifh his glorious defigns ? And when 
 things have been ripening thefe five or fix 
 thoufand years, and are now fo'nearly every 
 way prepared for God, to get himfelf agreat 
 name in the total deftruftion of Satan's king- 
 dom, can we once imagine, that God will 
 let the opportunity flip ? Or rather, ought 
 
%2 The millennium. 
 
 we not firmly to believe, that when every 
 thing is quite ripe, then God will arife, make 
 bare his arm, and fill the whole world with 
 his glory? 
 
 Efpecially, confidering that, as things {land, 
 the honour of all his glorious perfeftions 
 lies at ftake ; for ever fince the Almigh- 
 ty gave out the word, that the seed of the 
 woman Jhould bruife theferpent's head, even 
 from that very day, that Old Serpent, with 
 all his fubtilty, has employed his whole 
 power to defeat the divine defigns, main- 
 tain his kingdom in the world, and efcape 
 the dreadful blow. He ftirred up Cain to 
 kill his brother, and never ceafed till the 
 whole earth was filled with violence, which 
 brought on the general deluge ; and after 
 the flood, he was induftrious to divert man- 
 kind from the knowledge and worfhip of 
 the true God, and to eftablifh idolatry and 
 the worfhip of the Devil, in all the kingdoms 
 of the earth ; and fince Chrifl:ianity ap- 
 peared, he has turned himfelf into every 
 {hape to defeat the gracious defigns of the 
 gofpel, and has prevailed and reigned above 
 a thoufand years, at the head of the grand 
 antichriftian apoftacy ; and Ihould the Al- 
 
The M I L L E N N I U M. 33 
 
 niighty fufFer him to go on and profper, and 
 finally prevail, what would become of his 
 own great name? and how great would be 
 their triumph inthe infernal regions, to think 
 that in fpite of God and of his Son, from 
 the beginning to the end of the world, they 
 have held out in a conftant war, kept the 
 field, and at laft come off victorious ? — 
 Wherefore, as when God repeats the won- 
 derful works which he had done for Ifrael 
 in the days of old, in the xxth chapter of 
 Ezekiel, he conftantly fays, / wrought for 
 mine own great name. So here, in this cafe, 
 will he do it again, and that in the mod 
 eminent manner; as it is written. The zeal 
 of the Lord of Hojls wilt perform this. 
 
 So that, in a word, if almighty power and 
 infinite wifdom, at the head of the univerfe, 
 infinitely engaged, are a fufficient match for 
 the guilty, impotent powers of darknefs, 
 then we may depend upon it, Satan will 
 meet with an overthrow, as notable as did 
 Pharaoh and his hoft in the Red Sea ; — 
 and as proud Babylon, once the mifl:refs of 
 kingdoms, is now no more, fo myftical Ba- 
 bylon fhall fink as a millftone in the fea, and 
 rife no more for ever. And, 
 
 D 
 
34 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 7. Whatever miftakes the Jewifli Rabbies 
 might fall into, in their interpretation of Da- 
 niel's feventy weeks, and in their attempts 
 to fix the precife time of the MefTiah's com- 
 ing ; and whatever miftaken notions any of 
 them had about the nature of his kingdom, 
 as though it was to be of this world, and he 
 to appear in all earthly grandeur ; and al- 
 though his coming, to fome, might feem to 
 be fo long delayed, that they began to give 
 up all hopes of it, and to contrive fome other 
 meaning to all the ancient prophecies, or 
 even to call in queftion the infpiration of 
 the prophets ; yet neither the miftakes of 
 fome, nor the infidelity of others, at all al- 
 tered the cafe. Days, and months, and years 
 haftened along, and one revolution among 
 the kingdoms of the earth followed upon 
 another, till the fulnefs of time was come, 
 till all things were ripe, and then, behold^ 
 the Mefliah was born. Even fo it {hall be 
 now. 
 
 Whatever miftakes Chriftian Divines may 
 fall into, in their interpretation of fix 
 hundred and fixty-fix, the number of the 
 beaft ; or in their endeavours to fix the pre- 
 cife time when the one thoufand two hun- 
 dred and fixty years of Antichrift's reign 
 
The millennium. 35 
 
 fliall begin and end; or whatever wrong 
 notions fome have had, or may have about 
 the nature of the Millennium, as though Chrifl 
 was to reign perfonally on earth ; and if 
 fome, mean while, begin to think, that all 
 things will go on as they have done, and to 
 conclude, that the expe&ation of thcfe glo- 
 rious days, which has prevailed in the Chrif- 
 tian Church from the beginning, is merely 
 a groundlefs fancy : Yet none of thefe things 
 will at all alter the cafe. Days, and months, 
 and years will haflen along, and one revo- 
 lution, among the kingdoms of the earth, 
 follow upon another, until the fulnefs of 
 time is come — till all things are ripe for the 
 event ; and then the minifters of Chrift will 
 accomplifh in reality, what St. Johnfaw in 
 his vifions : — If aw an angel Jly iji the midjt 
 of heaven, having the everlajling gofpel to 
 preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and 
 to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and 
 people. And then (hall it come to pafs that 
 the veil of ignorance, which hath fo long 
 fpread over all nations, (hall be deftroyed : 
 and knowledge fhall fo greatly increafe, that 
 it (liall be as though the light of the moon 
 were as the light of the fun, and the light of 
 the fun fevenfold ; until the knowledge of 
 
35 The M I L L E N N I U iC 
 
 the Lord cover the earth as the waters do the 
 fea; and then there Jliall be nothing to, hurt 
 or offend in all God's holy mountain ; for 
 Bab) Ion fhall fall,, Satan be bound, and 
 Chrifl will rei^n,' and truth and riorhteouf- 
 Afefs i^!iivei*fally prevail- a thoufand years. 
 
 REMARKS AND INFERENCES. 
 
 1. 'When, therefore, our Saviour, in the 
 days of hii flefli, denorninated his followers 
 a little Jlock, from the fmallnefs of their num- 
 ber, he had no deuga to teach us that this 
 would always be the cafe; for aUhough it 
 wa$ very true, that his flock was at that time 
 a Mule Jlock, yet the day was coming, when 
 that little leaven ^aonld. leaven the whole lumpy 
 and thcjlone ciit out without liands fliould be- 
 come a great mountain^ and Jill tlie whole 
 earth. So, although it was a faying very ap- 
 plicable, not only to our Saviour's day, but 
 to moil other periods of the church, that 
 many, are called, and Jew are chojen; yet it 
 docs not hence follow, that this will be the 
 cafe^ when a. nation Jliall he horn in a day^ 
 zwA all the people Jliall be righteous,— -And 
 although it has commonly been fo, that 
 of the MANY who have fought ta enter in at 
 
The millennium. 37 
 
 the fir ait gate, but few have been able, and 
 the GENERALITY havc, from age to agc» 
 gone in the broad way, which leads down to 
 dcjirudion; yet it fliall be qurre otherwife, 
 \vhen Satan is bound, that he may deceive the 
 nations no more; and when all Jkall know 
 the Lord, from the leajl to the greatejl, when 
 the kingdom, and the greatnefs of the king^ 
 dom, under the whole heavens, fiall be given 
 to the people of the faints of the Mofl High. 
 For it is very plain, that thefe, and fuch like 
 cxprefTions ufed by our Saviour, which v/ere 
 applicable to the then times, and to moft 
 other periods, when the number of true con- 
 verts hath been comparatively very fmall, 
 were never defigned to be applicable to that 
 glorious period yet to come, which is to be 
 the grand harveft time, when the Jews, ^Nfho are, 
 to this day, for that very purpofe, no doubt, 
 by divine Providence, preferved a diftinft 
 people, and the fulnefs of the Gentiles fliall 
 come in. Nor can it be right to interpret 
 fuch exprefiTions in fuch a fenfe, as to render 
 them inconfiftent with what the fcriptures 
 fo plainly teach fhall be the cafe in the lat- 
 ter days : Therefore, 
 
 2, Notwithftandiug hitherto but few have 
 
g8 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 been faved, there is no evidence but that yet 
 the greater part of mankind may be faved. 
 Nothing can be argued againft this frorn fuch 
 expreflions as have been jufl mentioned, for 
 the reafon already fuggefled. Nor can any 
 thing be argued from any other paffages of 
 feripture; for the fcripture no where teaches, 
 that the greateft part of the whole human 
 race will finally perifh. I am fenfible, many 
 feem to take this for granted, and they are 
 greatly ftrengthened in this belief from a 
 view of the awful flate mankind have been 
 in from the beginning of the world to this 
 day. But if we fhould even grant, that hi- 
 therto not one in ten thoufand have been 
 faved, yet it may come to pafs, (there may 
 be time enough for it, and men enough yet 
 born;) I fay, it may yet come to pafs, that 
 by far the greateft part of mankind may be 
 faved. 
 
 For as the fcriptures conftantly teach that, 
 in thefe glorious days, univerfal peace ft all 
 prevail, and inftead of war the nations flial] 
 employ their time in ufeful \dho\xr, JJiall beat 
 their [words into plow Jliares, and their f pears 
 into pruning hooks; fo it will naturally come 
 to pafs, that mankind, who are now in vaft 
 
The millennium. 39 
 
 multitudes deftroyed in the wars from one 
 generation to another, vvill be greatly in- 
 creafed in numbers, and plentifully provid- 
 ed for. Only remove Vv^ars, famines, and all 
 thofe defolating judgments, which the fins 
 of mankind have, from age to age, brought 
 down on a guilty world, and let that uni- 
 verfa! peace and profperity take place, which 
 indeed will naturally refult from the fincere 
 praftice of pure Chriftianity, and mankind 
 will naturally increafe and fpread, and fill 
 all the earth. And while every one im- 
 proves his time well, and is diligent in his 
 calling, according to the rules of our holy 
 religion, and all luxury, intemperance and 
 extrava^nce are banifhed from the nations 
 of the earth, it is certain that this globe will 
 be able to fuftain with food and raiment a 
 number of inhabitants, immenfely greater 
 than ever yet dwelt on it at a time. And 
 now if all thefe (hall knoxo the Lord from the 
 leajt to the greatejl, as the fcripture afferts, 
 fo that the knowledge of the Lor dfiall fill the 
 earth as the zoaters cover thefea, for a thou- 
 fand years together, it may eafily, yea, it will 
 naturally come to pafs, that there will be 
 more faved in thefe thoufand years, than ) 
 ever before dwelt upon the face of the earth 
 from the foundation of the world. 
 
40 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 Some indeed underftand the thoufand 
 years in the Revelation, agreeable to other 
 prophetical numbers in that book, a day for 
 a year; fo the time, and times, and half a 
 time, i. e. three years and an half, and the 
 forty two months, and the one thoufand two 
 hundred and fxiy days are no doubt to be 
 reckoned; and if the dark period is to be 
 reckoned by this rule, it fhould feem that 
 the light period fhould likewife ; for other- 
 wife the dark period, which in that book is 
 reprefented to be the fhorteft, will indeed be 
 the longeft — the one thoufand two hundred 
 and fixty days longer than the thoufand 
 years ; and if the thoufand years is reckon- 
 ed a day for a year, as the fcripture-year con- 
 tains three hundred and fixty days, fo the one 
 thoufand years will amount to three hun- 
 dred and fixty thoufand years; in which 
 there might be millions faved to one that has 
 been loft. But not to infift upon this, if this 
 glorious period is to laft only a thoufand 
 years literally, there may be many more fav- 
 ed than loft. 
 
 If it be granted, that it is difficult to com- 
 pute with any exaflnefs in fuch a cafe as 
 this, yet it is eafy to make fuch a computa- 
 tion as may fatisfy us in the point before us ; 
 
Th£ MILLENNIUM. 4! 
 
 fef in Egypt the Hebrews doubled at the 
 rate of about on^e in fourteen years ; in 
 New-England the inhabitants double in lefs 
 than twenty -five years; it will be moderate, 
 therefore^ to fuppofe mankind^ in the Mil- 
 lennium, when all the earth is full of peacfe 
 and profperity, will double every fifty years. 
 But at this rate, there will be time enough 
 in a thoufand years to double twenty times, 
 which would produce fuch a multitude of 
 people, as that although v/e fhould fuppofe 
 &1I who live before the Millennium begins 
 to be loft, yet if all thefe fliould be faved^ 
 there would he above feventeen thoufand 
 faved to one that would be loft; as may ap- 
 pear from the table below. 
 
 E 
 
 a 
 
 i» 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 16 
 
 15 
 
 3i 
 
 16 
 
 64 
 
 J7 
 
 ia8 
 
 iS 
 
 258 
 
 ^9 
 
 511 
 
 lO 
 
 1,024 
 
 
 a,048 
 
 
 16,384 
 32,768 
 65,536 
 
 262,144 
 
 5a4>2B8 
 1,048,576 
 
 Sum total 2,097,150 
 In tlifc firfl coliirtinj we have the twenty periods, whicli one 
 thonfand years wdl make at fifiy years to a petiod. In the feccnvl 
 column, \ve fee in what propoition mankind will increafe, if they 
 are fuppofed tO double in every fifiy y^ars. At the end of the firfl 
 fifty years there will be two for one, and fo on. At the end of the 
 twentieth period there will b« above st raillion for one. Now fup- 
 
42 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 3, The periods paft, that have been fa 
 dark, ought to be confidered as introduc- 
 tory to this bright and glorious fcene, and 
 in various refpefts as preparatory thereto. 
 
 An apoftate race, who had joined with 
 the fallen angels in a courfe of rebellion a- 
 gainft the Governor of the Univerfe, might 
 juftly have been forfaken of God, and giv- 
 en up to a ftate of perfeft darknefs and wo, 
 from generation to generation, entirely un- 
 
 pofe the world to (land lixthoufand years before the Millennium^ 
 and fappofe it in every age to be as full of inhabitants as it will be 
 when the Millennium begins. And fuppofe, through all the fix 
 thoufand years, all the inhabitants of the earth to have died off, 
 and new ones eorne in their room, at the rate of once in fifty years, 
 CiK thoufand years, at fifty years to a period, will be one hundred 
 and twenty periods — one hundred and tweaty worlds full, all loft; 
 fuppofe, yet by the table we fee, tha:t the feventh period alone, 
 \vhich is one hundred and twenty-eight, would more than coun-* 
 ter-balance the whole — 
 
 Suppofc all before the Millennium loft =r 120 
 Suppofe all in the Mlllennuim faved =» 4,097,150 
 Then 120 : 2,097,150 : : i : 17,456 iVo Q^E* D. 
 That is, above feventeen thoufand would be faved to one loft, 
 which was the point to be proved; therefore nothing hinders but 
 that the greatefc part of mankind may yet be faved if God fo pleaf- 
 es. There is time enough for it, and may bs men enough yet 
 born; and if thefe calculations may ferve to clear up this, they an- 
 fwer the propofed end. What proportion of mankind will finally 
 be faved, and Vv^hat loft, no one can tell — it is no where revealed; 
 God was not obliged to fave one out of all this guilty loft world. 
 Hitherto the generality may have perifhed, and the Lord is righi- 
 eov}!s; but who can tell to what a degree God may yet glorify his 
 grace? The holy fcriptares encourage us to look for things ex- 
 Cvicding great and glorious; even for fuch events as may put a ae^s> 
 fece on all God's pa»ft difpenfations. 
 
The millennium. 43 
 
 der the power of the Prince of Darknefs. — 
 What has happened in dark ages paft, may 
 help us a little to realize what might juftly 
 always have been the woful ftate of a fallen 
 world. We have had a fpecimen of the 
 dreadful nature and tendency of Satan's go- 
 vernment in all the idolatry, wickednefs and 
 wo which have filled the world; and we 
 have feen a little what is in the heart of fal- 
 len man, who have flain the Lord's pro- 
 phets, crucified his Son, and fhed the blood 
 of thoufands, yea, of millions of his fervants. 
 And what has happened may help us to 
 realize a little what muft have been the 
 ftate of a fallen world, if grace had never 
 interpofed. At the fame time it hath ap- 
 peared, after the befl contrived experiments 
 have been fufficiently tried, that it is not in 
 the heart of fallen man to repent, nor can 
 he be brought to it by any external means 
 whatfoever, whereby the abfolute neceffity 
 of the interpofition of fupernatural grace 
 hath been fet in the moft glaring light. And 
 DOW, if after all, God fhould effeftually iu- 
 terpofe, deRroy the influence of Satan, feat- 
 ter the darknefs which fills the world, re- 
 cover mankind to God, and caufe truth and 
 righteoufnefs at laft to prevail^ it would ap- 
 
44 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 pear to be altogether of God, of his own 
 mere felf-movin^ goodnefs and fovereign 
 grace. And after fo long and fore a boa- 
 dage mankind will be the more fenfible of 
 the greatnefs of the deliverance. Nor can 
 it ever be faid by a proud and haughty world, 
 ^' We did net need the influences of divine 
 ^^ grace to bring us right;" whereas all other 
 methods had been fufficiently tried, and tri- 
 ed in vain. But God may juflly fay, ■' What 
 *' could have been done more to reclaim 
 <• mankind that I have not done.^ And ta 
 *^ what purpofe would it have been to have 
 ^' taken one ftep further? I tried them e- 
 *^ nough — there w^as no hope — their heart 
 " was a heart of ftonc; therefore, behold I, 
 '' even I, will take away the heart of none, 
 *^ and give ap heart of flefii ; and an apoftate 
 " world fiiall be aihamed and confounded,, 
 " and fliall never open their mouth when I 
 ^■' {hall do all thefe things for them." 
 
 We are apt to wonder why thefe glorious- 
 days fnould be fo long delayed, if God, in-, 
 deed, intends fuch mercy to men ; but God, 
 infinitely wife, knows what is beft — knows, 
 liow to condufl: the affairs of the univerfe— 
 knows when is the fitteft time to introduce 
 this glorious ftate of things — knows w^hen 
 
The millennium. 45 
 
 matters will be all ripened, and every thing 
 in the moral world prepared, fo that this 
 glorious day may be ulhered in to the beft 
 advantage, in a manner moft fuited to honor 
 God and his Son, to humble a haughty 
 world, and to difappoint Satan moft griev- 
 oufly, after all his wily fchemes, great fuc- 
 cefs, and high expeftations ; I fay, God 
 knows when this will be ; and this is the very 
 time he has fixed upon for this glorious 
 work. 
 
 4. It therefore becomes all the followers 
 of Chrift, in their feveral fpheres, under firm 
 belief of thefe things, to be of good courage, 
 and exert themfelves to the utmoft, in the 
 ufe of all proper means, to fupprefs error 
 and vice of every kind, and promote the 
 caufe of truth and righteoufnefs in the world, 
 and fo be workers together with God. 
 
 If one flood at the head of this glorious 
 army, which has been in the wars above 
 thefe five thoufand years, and has lived thro' 
 many a dreadful campaign, and were allow- 
 ed to make a fpcech to thefe veteran troops 
 upon this glorious theme, he might lift up 
 his voice, and fay — " Hail, noble heroes ! 
 " Brave followers of the Lamb! Your Ge- 
 *' neral h?is facrificed his life in this glorious 
 
^6 The M I L L E N N I U M. 
 
 *^ caufe, and fpoiled principalities and pow- 
 *^ ers on the crofs, and now he lives and 
 ^^ reigns ! He reigns on high, with all power 
 *^ in heaven and earth in his hands ! Your 
 *' predeceflbrs, the prophets, apoftles and 
 *^ martyrs, with undaunted courage, have 
 *' marched into the field of battle, and con- 
 *^ quered dying, and now reign in heaven ! 
 *' Behold, ye are rifen up in their room, are 
 ^' engaged in the fame caufe, and the time 
 ** of the laft general battle draws on, when 
 *^ a glorious viftory is to be won. And al- 
 *^ though many a valiant foldier may be flain 
 *^ in the field, yet the army fhall drive all 
 *' before them at laft; and Satan being con- 
 *^ quered, and all the powers of darknefs 
 *^ driven out of the field, and confined to 
 •* the bottomlefs pit, ye fhall reign withChrift 
 *' a thoufand years-— reign in love and peace, 
 '* while truth and righteoufnefs ride triumph- 
 *^ ant through the earth ; w^herefore lay afide 
 " every weight, and, with your hearts whol- 
 *^ ly intent on this grand affair, gird up your 
 *' loins, and with all the fpiritual weapons of 
 *' faith, prayer, meditation, watchfulnefs, &c, 
 *^ with redoubled zeal and courage, fall on 
 " your fpiritual enemies: Slay every luft that 
 *' yet lurks within, ^s knowing your domef- 
 
The MILLENNIUM. 47 
 
 '^ dc foes are the moft dangerous ; and with 
 «' gentlenefs, raeeknefs and wifdom, by your 
 *' holy conduft, your pious examples, your 
 «* kind inftruftions, your friendly admoni- 
 '' tions, fpread the favour of divine know- 
 *' ledge all around you, as ye are fcattered 
 *' here and there through a benighted world, 
 ** labouring to win fouls to Chrift, to induct 
 " the deluded followers of Satan to defert 
 *' his camp, and enlift as volunteers under 
 *^ your prince Messiah. And if the pow- 
 " ers of darknefs ftiould rally all their for- 
 *' ces, and a general battle, through all the 
 " Chriflian world, come on, O love not your 
 *' lives to the death! Sacrifice every earthly 
 *' comfort in the glorious caufe ! Sing the 
 " triumphs of your viftorious General, in 
 prifons and at the ftake, and die courage- 
 oufly, firmly believing the caufe of truth 
 and righteoufnefs will finally prevail." 
 Surely it ig infinitely unbecoming the fol- 
 lowers of him who is King of Kings and 
 Lord of Lords, to turn afide to earthly pur- 
 fuits, or to fink down in unmanly difcou- 
 ragements, or to give way to floth and effe- 
 minacy, when there is fo much to be done, 
 and th£ glorious day is coming on. How 
 (hould thofe who handle the pen of the wri- 
 
 ti 
 
 €6 
 
48 The MILLENNIUM. 
 
 tet, exert themfelves to explain and vindi* 
 cate divine truths^ and paint the Chriftiari 
 Religion in all its native glories ! HoW 
 fliould the pulpit be animated, from Sabbath 
 to Sabbath, with fermons full of knowledge 
 and light, full of fpirit and life, full of zeal 
 for God and love to men, and tender pity 
 to infatuated finners! Chrift loves to hav6 
 his minifters faithful, whether the wicked 
 will hear or not. — And let pious parents be 
 unwearied in their prayers for, and inftruc-^ 
 tions of their children, and never faint un^ 
 der any difcouragements ; as knowing, that 
 Chrift is exalted to give repentance and re- 
 miffion of fms^ and can do it for whom he 
 will. Bring your children and friends, with 
 all their fpiritual difeafes, and lay them at 
 his feet ; as once they did their fick, when 
 this kind Saviour dwelt upon earth. — Let 
 pious perfons of every age, and in every ca- 
 pacity, awake from deep, and arife from the 
 dead, and live and a£l worthy their glorious 
 charafter and high expeftations ; and in 
 their feveral ftations exert themfelves to the 
 utmoft to promote the Redeemer's gloriou.^ 
 caufe. — Let this age do their fliare, as Da- 
 vid, although the temple was not to be built 
 in his day, yet exerted himfelf to lay up 
 
The MILLENNIUM. 49 
 
 materials for that magnificent edifice, on. 
 which his heart was intently fet; as know- 
 ing that, in his fon's day, it would be fet up 
 in all its glory. — So let us rife up, and with 
 the greateft alacrity, contribute our utmoft 
 towards this building, this living temple, 
 this temple all made of lively ftones, of 
 ftones alive, in which God is to dwell, and 
 which will infinitely exceed in glory the 
 Temple of Solomon, that was built of dead 
 timber and lifelefs ftones. — And let this be 
 our daily prayer, an anfwer to which we 
 may be affured of, whatever other requefts 
 are denied us, Our Father zohich art in Hea^ 
 ven, &Q.—for thine is the kingdom, the pow^ 
 er^ and the glory, for ever* Amen. 
 
 F 
 
A W 
 
 HUMBLE ATTEMPT 
 
 I TOPROMOTE 
 
 EXPLICIT AGREEMENT 
 
 AND 
 
 VISIBLE UNION of GOD's PEOPLE' 
 
 I N 
 
 EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER, 
 
 FOR T h'e 
 
 REVIVAL OF RELIGION 
 And the 
 
 ADVANCEMENT of CHRIST'S KINGDOM 
 
 O N 
 
 EARTH, 
 
 PURSUANT TO 
 
 SCRIPTURE-PROMISES and PROPHECIES 
 
 CONCERNING THE 
 
 LAST TIME. 
 
 By JONATHAN EDWARDS, A.M. 
 
 Minifte?- cf the G of p si at Northampton. 
 
 WITH A PREFACE BY SEVERAL MINISTERS. 
 
 Printed at Boftcn, in Ne-Jj -England, 1747. Reprinted at North, 
 at?: p tony in Old E7igland, 1789. 
 
 ELIZABETH TOWN: 
 Printed by chepard kollock, Printer and Bookfeller. 1794. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 B Y T H E 
 EDITOR, IN ENGLAND. 
 
 I 
 
 Olney, May 4, 1789. 
 
 F any enquire why the enfuing work is 
 repiiblijlied, I would beg leave to lay be^ 
 
 fore them the following intelligence : 
 
 At an afjbciation of the minijlers and mef 
 
 fengers of the Baptijl churches in the counties 
 of Northampton, Leicefer, &c. held at Not- 
 tingham, in the year 1784, a refolution was 
 
 formed to eflablifi, through the affociation, a 
 meeting of prayer for the general revival 
 and fpread of religion. This was to be ob- 
 
 ferved the firjl Monday evening in every ca- 
 lendar month, by all the churches. It Jlill 
 continues, — In 178S, another Baptif affocia- 
 tion, commonly called the Midland, held that 
 
 year at Aulcejter, in the county of Warwick, 
 entered into th-efame refolution. Many other 
 churches , particularly in Yorkfiire, have a- 
 dopted, and now follow the above praSiice. — 
 
liv PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. 
 
 We have the plea fare alfo to find, that fever al 
 P^do-Baptift churches Jlatedly rueet on thcfe 
 evenings, for the fame piirpofe. 
 
 The re-publication of the follovjing work, is 
 with the avowed defgn ofprmnoting the above 
 aggeenient and pradice, Thofc concerned in 
 itsfirfiinfiitution, never intended it fhould be 
 confined, to any peculiar connection, or parti-^ 
 cidar denojuination. Blather they ardently 
 wifiiedit might become general among thereat 
 friends of truth and holinefs. The advocates 
 of error are indefatigable in their endeavours 
 to ovevthrozo the diftinguifiing and inter efing 
 do5irines of Chrifuanity ; thofe doElrines which 
 are the grounds of our hope, and fourccs of 
 our joy. Surely it becomes the followers of 
 Chrift, to ufe every effort, in order tofirength-^ 
 en the things vAich remain. 
 
 By re-piibl'fliing the following work, I da 
 not confider myff as becoming anfcoerable for 
 every fentimcnt it contains. An author and 
 an editor are very d?finct characters. Should 
 any entertain different views refpecting fome 
 of the prophecies in the inf pir edf) age ~ from 
 thofe thai are here advanced, yet ftich may, 
 and I hope zoill,. approve of the general defgn. 
 
 In the prejent imperfect fate, xve-may rea- 
 
 fonably expect a d.iverfity of fenliments upon 
 
 'religious matters. Each ouglit to think for 
 
PREFACE &Y THE EDITOR. Iv 
 
 fimfelf; and every one has a rigkt, on proper 
 cccajons, toJJiezo his opinion, YetallJIioulcl 
 remember, thai there are but ttvo po.rtm in 
 the world, each enga.ged in oppofite ca/itjis ; 
 the caufe of God and of Satan ; of holimfs 
 and of fin ; of heaven and helL The advd^e- 
 ment of the one, and the downfall of the other ^ 
 rniifi appear exceedingly defrablc to every real 
 friend of God and man. Iffnch, infome re- 
 fpects entertain difexentfentiments, andprac- 
 tife dijlinguipjiing modes of worfiip, furely 
 they may unite in the above bvfnefs. for 
 thoifands upon thoifands, divided into f nail 
 hands in their refpective cities, towns, villa- 
 ges and neighbourhood, all met at the fame 
 time, and in purfnit of one end, offering up 
 their united prayers, like fo many afc ending 
 clouds ofincenfe before the Mof High! May 
 he fhower down bleffings on all thefcattered 
 tribes of Zion ! Grace, great grace be with all 
 them that love the Lord Jefus Chrijl infinceri- 
 
 ty ! Amen ! 
 
 JOHNSUTCLIFF- 
 
^- 
 
 M 
 
^^=^5^^==^ — -r^==v-i^ 
 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ^TPHE ruin of Satan's miferaljle kingdom^ 
 -^ and the advancement of the univerfal 
 and happy reign of Chrift on the earth, were 
 included and hinted in the fentence denoun- 
 ced on the ferpent, that they^^^ of the zoo- 
 man Jliould bruife. his head. What was a 
 terriblethreateningto Satan, in the furprized 
 ears of our firtl guilty parents, implied a joy- 
 ful prophecy, to keep them from defpair, and 
 enliven their hopes for themfelves and their 
 defcendants, of obtaining by this feed of her s 
 an eternal triumph over him who had fo fad- 
 ly foiled them. And it is likely, their hopes 
 and faith immediately arofe, laid hold on the 
 reviving prophecy, earneftly defired its hap- 
 py accompiifliment, and tranfmitted it to 
 their pofterity. 
 
 Biit though this prophecy was at firfl only 
 delivered in the form of a threatening to Sa- 
 tan ; it was afterwards direclly given in tlie 
 form of a promife to Abraham, though ftill 
 in general terms, that in his feed JJiould all 
 G 
 
Iviii ' The PREFACE. 
 
 the nations of the earth be blejfed. Yet this 
 general promife was more clearly by. de- 
 grees explained in the following ages, to 
 iTiCa-n a Divine King, no other than the Son 
 of God affuming human nature of the feed 
 of Abraham, Ifaac, Jacob and David ; that 
 fnouM be born of a virgin in Bethlehem of 
 Judah ; and at firft defpifed, abufed, rejefted, 
 and put to death ; but fliould rife to im- 
 mortal life, afcend to heaven, and thence 
 extend his bleffed kingdom over all nations ; 
 not by outward force, but inward overcom- 
 ing influence, by his Vvord and fpirit, mak- 
 ing them his zvilling people in the day, of his 
 poioer ; and reigning in glorious light and 
 holinefs, and love and peace for ever ; and 
 the advancement of this univerfal and hap- 
 py reign has been the earneft defire and 
 prayer of the faints in all ages to the prefent 
 day. 
 
 But hov^r great the honour and how lively 
 the encouragement given in fcripture to thofe 
 their prayers ; by reprefenting them as of- 
 fered by Chrift himfelf with the fragrant in- 
 cenfe of his own merits and intercefnon, on 
 the golden altar before the throne, and afcend- 
 ing together in one grateful perfuine to God! 
 And how cheering to every faint is that pro- 
 
The PREFACE, lix 
 
 mife of his — From the rijing ofthcfiin, even 
 to the going down of the fame, my name f tall 
 be great aviang the Gentiles, and in everyplace 
 ■incenfe fiall be offered unto my name, and a 
 pure offering! How plcafing to God^'and 
 the heavenly hofts to fee, as the fun goes 
 round the globe, this grateful incenfe rifing 
 from every part on high ! and the more ex- 
 tenfive and inceffant are thefe prayers, af- 
 cending from the circle of the earth, the 
 more does this bleffed promife go into its 
 defired fulfilment, and the holy God is more 
 pleafed and glorified. 
 
 To promote the increafe, concurrency, and 
 conftancy of thefe acceptable prayers, is 
 the great intention both of the pious me- 
 morial of our reverend and dear brethren 
 in Scotland, and of the worthy author of 
 this exciting effay. And this defign we 
 cannot but recommend to all who defire the 
 coming of this blifsful kingdom in its pro- 
 mifed extent and glory, in this wretched 
 world. 
 
 As to the author's ingenious obfervations 
 on the prophecies, we entirely leave them 
 to the reader's judgment : with only obferv- 
 ing, though it is the apprehenfion of many 
 learned men, that there is to be a very ge- 
 
\K The P R E FA C E. 
 
 neral fianghter of the witneffes of Chrift 
 about the time of their finifhing their tefti- 
 mony to the pure worfhip and truths of the * 
 gofpe!, about three or four years before the 
 feventh angel founds his trumpet for the ru- 
 in of AntichriR ; — yet we cannot fee that 
 this is any juft objeftion againft our joint 
 and earneft prayers for the glorious age fuc- 
 ceeding, or for the haftening of it. 
 
 For if fuch a terrible time is coming in 
 Europe, which we in depending America 
 are likely to (hare in ; the more need we 
 have of joining in earneft and conftant 
 prayers for extraordinary fuffering graces 
 for ourfelves and others. And that fuch a 
 time is coming on the members of Chrift, 
 is no more an objeflion againft their prayers 
 for the haftening of the follov/ing glory^ 
 than it was before the incarnation of him 
 their head, that his moft bitter fufferings 
 were to precede the fpreading of this joyous 
 kingdom among the nations. And the 
 nearer the day approaches, the more need 
 we have to be awakened to continual w^atch- 
 fulnefs and prayer. 
 
 May God pour out on all his people a- 
 bundantly, the fpirit of grace and fupplica- 
 tion, and prepare them for the amazing 
 
The PREFACE. Ixi 
 
 changes haftening on the earthy both for 
 previous trials and for following glories ! 
 
 Jofeph Sewall, "^ 
 
 Tfmnas Prince, l^jnifi^^ 
 
 John Webb, >inBofton, 
 
 Ikomas roxcrojt, \ 
 Jojliua Gee, J 
 
 Boston, N. E. January 12, 1747-8. 
 
^^ 
 
 trnmrmmKom 
 
 An HUMBLE ATTEMPT to pTomoU an explicit agree- 
 ment and vifible union of God's People through l he 
 World, in extraordinary prayer, yi?r the revi- 
 val ^/'religion, and the Advance?nent oj Christ's 
 Kingdom on Earth, purjuant to Scripture-Pro^nifcs and 
 Prophecies concerning the last time. 
 
 OCCASIONED 
 
 By a late Memorial piabliHied by a Number of Miniflers in Scot- 
 land, and fent over to Ameiica, giving an Account of a certain 
 Concert for Prayer, which has already been come into by many 
 Minifters and others in Great Britain and fume other Parts, and 
 in which they defire the general Concurrence of their Chriftian 
 Brethren every where. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A Copy of the faid Memorial, wiih a more particular View of the 
 Affair it relates to: a Variety of Arguments and Perfuafives to 
 comply with the Motion therein made, for united and extraor- 
 dinary Prayer; and Anfwers to fome Objedlions. 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 Seafonable Confiderations on the Afpeds of Providence in many 
 late wonderful Difpenfitions, and the prefent State of Things 
 in the Church and moral World; pointing out the Fulfilling of 
 the Scriptures, and the Voice of God to his People, in thefe 
 Events. 
 
 By JON Ar H an EDWARDS, A.M. 
 
 Mifiijisr oftk Cofpd in Northaj^iptct:, N. E. 
 
A 
 
 PART I. 
 
 The text opened, and an account given of the af- 
 fair propojed in the memorial from Scotland^ 
 
 Zechariah viii. 20, 21, 22. 
 Thus faith the Lordof Hojh — Itjhall yet come to pafs, that 
 there JJiall come people^ and the inhabitants of many cities ; 
 and the inhabitants of one cifyfhallgo unto, another, fay^ 
 ing—Let us go fpeedily to pray before the Lord, and to 
 feck the Lord oj Hnjis, I will go alfo. Yea, many peo- 
 ple andjirong nations fhall come tofeek the Lord of Hofs 
 in Jerufalem, and to pray before the Lord, 
 
 IN this chapter we have a prophecy of a fu- 
 ture glorious advancement of the church 
 of God; wherein it is evident, fomething 
 further is intended than ever was fulfilled to 
 the nation of the Jews under the Old Tef- 
 tament. For here are plain prophecies of 
 fuch things as never were fulfilled before 
 the coming of the Meffiah ; particularly what 
 is faid in the two laft verfes in the chapter, 
 of many people and Jlrong nations worjliip- 
 pnng andfeeking the true God, and of fo great 
 an acceffion of Gentile nations to the church 
 of God, that by far the greater part of the 
 vifible worfliippers of God fliould confift of 
 this new accelfion, fo that they fi:iould be to 
 the other as ten to one — a certain number 
 
S^ filE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 for an uncertain. There never happened 
 any thing, from the tirre of the prophet Ze- 
 chariah to the coming of Chrifl, to anfwer 
 this prophecy ; and it can have no fulfihuent 
 but either in the calling of the Gentiles, in 
 and after the days of the apoftles, or in the 
 future glorious enlargement of the church 
 of God in the latter ages of the world, fo 
 often foretold by the prophets of the Old 
 Teftament, and by the prophet Zechariah 
 in particular, in the latter part of his pro- 
 phecy. It is moft probable, that what the 
 fpirit of God has chief refpeft to, is that laft 
 and greatefl: enlargement and moft glorious 
 advancement of the church of God on earth, 
 in the benefits of vvdiich efpecially the Jewifli 
 nation wT-re to have a fiiare, and a very e- 
 mincnt and diftinguidiing fliare. There is 
 a great agreement between what is here faid 
 and other prophecies, that mull manifeftly 
 have refpefl to the church's latter-day-glory ; 
 as that in Ifaiah Ix. 2, 3, 4. The LordJIiall 
 arife upon thee, and his glory Jliall he feen up- 
 on tkee; and the Gentiles Jliall come to thy 
 light, and kings to the brightncfs of thy rijing. 
 Lift up thine eyes round about, and fee; all 
 they gather thevifelves together, they come t(y 
 ihcc. That whole chapter, beyond all dif- 
 
fUi. TEXT OPENED. Qr, 
 
 pute, has refpecl to the mofl: glorious ftate 
 of the church of God on earth. So chap. 
 Ixvi. 8. Shall the earth be made to bring 
 forth in one day ? Shall a nation be born at 
 once? — verfe lo. Rejoice ye with Jferiifalemy 
 and be glad with her, all ye tho.t love her. — 
 verfe 12. I will extend peace to her like a 
 nv€r, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flow- 
 ing Jlream, — Mich. iv. at the beginning: 
 but in the lajl day itfhall come to pafs, that 
 the mountain of the hoife of the Lordfhallbe 
 eftablifiied in the top of the mountain, and it 
 fiallbe exalted above the hills, and people fhall 
 flow unto it; and many nations fhall come 
 andfiy, come ^^ and let us go up unto the moun^ 
 tain of the Lord, and to the houfe of the God, 
 of Jacob. And hefiall judge among many 
 people, and rebuke Jlrong nations afar offx 
 and they fiall beat their fwords into plow- 
 fharesyand their f pears into pruning-hooks ; 
 nation f tail not lift upfnoord againjl 7iation, 
 neither flail they learn war any more.- — See 
 alfo, Ifaiah ii. at the beginning. There has 
 been nothing yet brought to pafs in any mea- 
 fare to anfwer thefe prophecies. And as 
 the prophecy in my text cind the following 
 verfe does agree with them^ fo there is rea- 
 
 H 
 
6^ THE TEXi OPENED. 
 
 foil to think it has a refpeft to the famf 
 times. And indeed there is a remarkable a- 
 greement in the defcription given through- 
 out the chapter, with the reprefentations 
 made of thofe times elfewhere in the pro- 
 phets, as may be feen by comparing ver. 3. 
 with Ifaiah Ix. 14. — ver, 4. with Ifaiah Ixv. 
 20, 22. and xxxiii. 24. — ver. 6, 7, 8. with 
 EzeLxxxv'ii. 2, 11, 12,21. — ver. 7. with 
 Ifaiah xliii. 5, 6. and xhx. 12. and lix. 19. 
 — ver. 12, 13. with Hofean. 21, 22. and 
 EzeL xxxiv. 22 — 29. — ver. 8, 12, 13. with 
 Ezek. xxxvi. 28 — 30. — ver. 13. with Zeph. 
 iii. 20. and Ifaiah xix. 24. — ver. ig. with 
 Ifaiah Lxi. 3. and Jer. xxxi. 12, 13, 14. 
 
 So that however the prophet, in fome 
 things that are faid in this chapter, may have 
 refpeft to future fmiles of heaven on the na- 
 tion of the Jews, lately returned from the 
 Babylonifh captivity, and refettled in the 
 land of Canaan, in a great increafe of their 
 numbers and wealth, and the return of more 
 captives from Chaldea and other countries, 
 &c. )'et the fpirit of God has doubtlefs re- 
 fpttl: to thmgs far greater than thefe, and of 
 which thefe were but faint refemblances. — 
 We find it common in the prophecies of the 
 Old Teltament, that when the prophets are 
 
THE TEXT OPENED. ^7 
 
 /peaking of the favours and bleflTings of God 
 on the Jews, attending or following their 
 return from the Babylonilh captivity, the 
 fpirit of God takes occafion from thence to 
 fpeak of the incomparably greater blefTings 
 on the church, that fhall attend and follow 
 her deliverance from the fpiritual or myfli- 
 cal Babylon, of which thofe w^ere a type ; 
 and is, as it were, led away to fpeak almoft 
 wholly of thefe latter, and vaflly greater 
 things, fo as to feem to forget the former. 
 
 And whereas the prophet, in this chap- 
 ter, fpeaks of God's bringing his people a- 
 gain from the eajl and wejl to Jerufalem, 
 (ver. 7, 8.) And multitudes of all nations 
 taking hold ofthefkirts of the Jews; fo far 
 as we may fuppofe that this means lilerally 
 that nation of the pofterity of Jacob, it can- 
 not have chief refpeft to any return of the 
 Jews from Babylon and other countries in 
 t*hofe ancient times before Chrift, for no fuch 
 things as are here fpoken of, attended any 
 fuch return ; but it muft have refpefl: to the 
 great calling and gathering of the Jews in- 
 to the fold of Chrift, and their being receiv- 
 ed to the blefhngs of his kingdom, after the 
 fall of Anticbrift, or the deftruftion of myf- 
 lical Babylon, 
 
68 THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 In the text we have an account how thi^ 
 future glorious advancement of the church 
 of God fliould be brought on, or introduce 
 edjviz. By great muhitudes in different towns 
 and countries taking up a joint refolution, 
 and coming into an exprefs and vifible a^ 
 greement, that they will, by united and ex^ 
 traordinary prayer, feek to God that he 
 would come and manifefl; himfelf, and grant 
 the tokens and fruits of his gracious pre- 
 fence.-— Particularly we mary obferve, 
 
 1 . The duty, with the attendance on v/hich 
 the glorious event foretold fhail be brought 
 on, viz. The duty of prayer.— Prayer, fome 
 fuppofe, is here to be taken fynechdochical- 
 ly, for the whole of the worfhip of God — ■ 
 ]j.rayer being a principal part of the worfhip 
 of the church of God in the days of the gofp 
 pel, when facrifices are aboliflied; and fo, 
 that this is to be underftood only as a pro- 
 phecy of a great revival of religion, and of 
 the true wcrfiiip of God among his vifible 
 people,theaceelTi on of others to the churchy 
 and turning of multitudes from idolatry to 
 the worlhip of the true God, But it appears 
 to me reafonable, to fuppofe, that fomething 
 more fpecial is intended, with regard to the 
 duty of prayer j confidering that prayer is 
 
THE TEXT OPENED. 6q 
 
 here exprefsly and repeatedly mentioned; 
 and alfo confidering how parallel this place 
 is with many other prophecies, that fpeak 
 of an extraordinary fpirit of prayer, as pre- 
 ceding and introducing that glorious day of 
 revival of religion, and advancement of the 
 church's peace and profperity, fo often fore- 
 told, (which I (hall have occafion to men- 
 tion hereafter) and particularly the agree- 
 ablenefs of what is here faid, with what is 
 faid afterwards by the fame prophet, of the 
 pouring out of a fpirit of grace andfupplica* 
 tions, as that with which this great revival 
 of religion fhall begin, chap. xii. lo. 
 
 2. The good, that fiiall be fought by 
 prayer ; which is God himfelf. — It is faid 
 once and again, They f tall go to pray before 
 the Lord, andtofeek the Lord of Hofts. This 
 is the good they afl?: for and feek by prayer. 
 The Lord of Hofls \i\m{t\L — To feek God, 
 as the expreflion may, perhaps, be fon;ietimes 
 ufed in fcripture, may figrvify no more than 
 feeking the flivour or mercy of God. And 
 if it be taken fo here, praying before the Lord, 
 diXidi feeking the Lord of Hofs, muft be look- 
 ed upon as fynonymous expreffions. And 
 it mull: be confefled to be a common thing 
 in fcripture. to fignify the fame thing re- 
 
70 -THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 peatedly, by various expreffions of the fame 
 import, for the greater emphafis.— But cer- 
 tainly that exprelTion oi feeking the Lord^ 
 is very commonly ufed to fignify fomething 
 more than merely, in general, to feek fome 
 mercy of God: It implies that God himfelf 
 is the great good defired and fought after » 
 that the bleHings purfued are God's gracious 
 prefence, the blefled manifeftations of him^ 
 union and intercourfe with him ; or,in (hort, 
 God's manifeftations and communications 
 of hi^Tiielf by his Holy Spirit. Thus the 
 pfalmift defired God, thirfled after him, and 
 Iciight liim. God, thou art my God ; early 
 xmll I feek thee, MyJieJIi longethfor thee, in 
 a dry and thirjly land, xoere no water is, to. 
 fee thy power and thy glory, Jo as Ihavefeen 
 thee in thefan^uary. — Myfoulfolloweth hard 
 after thee, — Whom have Tin heaven but thee? 
 And there is none upon earth that I defire he- 
 .fides thee. The pfalmifl earneftly purfued 
 after God, his foul tltirfted after him, he 
 fir etched forth his hands unto him, &c. And 
 therefore it is in fcripture the peculiar cha- 
 rafter of the faints, that they are thofe that 
 feek God. This is the generation of them that 
 feek him. Your heart fhall live that feek God, 
 And in many other places. If the ei^cpref- 
 
THE TEXT OPENED. 7I 
 
 Hon in the text be underftood agreeably to 
 this fenre,thenby feekingthe Lordof Hofts, 
 we muft underlland a feeking that God, who 
 had withdrawn, or as it were hid himfelf^ 
 for a long time^ would return to his church, 
 and grant the tokens and fruits of his gra- 
 cious prefence, and thofc bleffed communis 
 cations of his fpirit to his people, and to 
 mankind on the earth, which he had often 
 promifed, and which his church had long 
 waited for. 
 
 And it feems reafonable to underftand the 
 phrafe, feeking the Lord of Hofs, in this 
 fenfe here, and not as merely fignifying the 
 fame thing with praying to God ; not only 
 becaufe the expreffion is repeatedly added 
 to praying before the Lord, in the text, as 
 fignifying foraething more ; but alfo becaufe 
 the phrafe, taken in this fenfe, is cxaftly a- 
 greeable to other parallel prophetic repre- 
 ientations. Thus God's people's feeking, 
 by earneft prayer, the promifed reftoratiou 
 of the church of God, after the Babylonifh 
 captivity, and the great apoflacy that occa- 
 fioned it, is called their feeking God, and 
 fearchingfor him; and God's granting this 
 promifed revival and reftoration is called his 
 hGing found of them. For this faith the Lord, 
 
7^ THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 that after feventy years be accomplijlied at Bd^ 
 bylon^ I zoill vijit you^ and perform my good 
 word towards you, in caufing you to return 
 to this place. For I know the thoughts that I 
 think towards you^ faith the Lord, thoughts of 
 peace, and not of evil, to give you an expect- 
 id end. Thenfhallye go and call upon me^ 
 and I will hearken unto you; andyefiallfeek 
 me and find me, when ye fiall fear ch for me 
 with all your heart; and I will be found of 
 you, faith the Lord, and I will turn azvay 
 your captivity. And the prophets, from time 
 to thne, reprefent God, in a low and afiflift^ 
 ed ftate of his churchy as being withdrawn, 
 and hiding himfelf. Verily thou art a God 
 that hidefl thyfclf, God of Ifrael, the Savi^ 
 our. I hid me, and was wroth. And they 
 reprefent God's people, while his church is 
 in fuch a ftate, before God delivers and le- 
 ftores the fame, as feeking him, looking for' 
 him, fearching and w^aiting for him, and cal- 
 ling after him. / will go and return unto my 
 place, 'till they acknowledge their offence, and 
 feek my face from the houfe of Jacob, and I 
 will look for him. And when God, in an- 
 fwcr to their- prayers and fucceeding their 
 endeavors, delivers, reftores, and advances 
 his churchy according to his promife, thea 
 
THE TEXT OPENED* 7^ 
 
 he is faid to anfwer, and come, and fay, here 
 am I, and to fliew himfelf; and they are 
 faid to find him, and fee him plainly. Then 
 Jlialt thou cry, and he f mil fay, here i am. 
 But Ifraeljliall befaved m the Lord, with an 
 everlajling falvation. I faid not unto the feed 
 of Jacob, Seek ye 7ne in vain. The Lord will 
 wipe away the tears from off all faces, and the 
 rebuke of his people fiall he take away front 
 off the earth. And itfiall be faid in that day^ 
 Lo^ this IS our God, we have waited for him^ 
 and he willfave us : This is the Lord, we have 
 *waitedfor him; we will be glad, and rejoice 
 in his falvation. We have ivaitedfor thee : 
 The defire of our foul is to thy name, and t(^ 
 the remembrance of thee With my foul have 
 I defredthee in the night; yea^ withmyfpirit 
 within me will I feek thee early i For when 
 thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants 
 of the world will learn righteoufnefs. There- 
 fore my people fhall know my name; therefore 
 theyfliall know in that day^ that I am he that 
 doth f peak: behold, it is L How beautiful 
 vpon the mountains are the feet of him that 
 hringeth good tidings, that publifieth peace ^ 
 that bringeth good tidings of good, that pub- 
 Ifhcth falvation, that faith unto Zion—Thy 
 
 I 
 
74 THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 God reigneth! Thy watchmenjhall lift up the 
 voice, together Jhall theyjing; foi^ theyjhall 
 fee eye to eye, when the Lor djiiall bring again 
 Zion. 
 
 3. We may obferve who they are, that 
 lliall be united in thus feeking the Lord of 
 Hofts; the inhabitants of many cities, and of 
 many countries, jv^^, many people andflrong 
 nations-, great multitudes in different parts 
 of the world fhall Gonfpire in this bufinefs* 
 From the reprefentation made in the pro- 
 phecy, it appears rational to fuppofe, that it 
 will be fulfilled fomething after this man- 
 ner — Firft, that there (hall be given much of 
 a fpirit of prayer to God's people, in many 
 places, difpofing them to come into an ex- 
 prefs agreement, unitedly to pray to God in 
 an extraordinary manner, that he would ap- 
 pear for the help of his church, and in mer-- 
 cy to mankind, and pour out his Spirit, re- 
 vive his w^ork, and advance his fpiritual 
 kingdom in the world, as^ he has promifed \ 
 .. and that this difpofition to fuch prayer; and 
 union in it, will gradually fpread more and 
 more, and increafe to greater degrees ; widi 
 which at length will gradiiaUy be introdu- 
 ced a revival of religion, and a difpofition to 
 greater engagednefs in the worfhip and fer- 
 
THE TEXT OPENED, 75 
 
 vice of God, amongfl: his profefling people; 
 that this being obferved will be the means 
 of awakening others, making them fenfible 
 of the wants of their fouls, and exciting in 
 them a great concern for their fpiritual and 
 everlafting good, and putting them upon 
 earneftly crying to God for fpiritual mer- 
 cies, and difpofing them to join with God's 
 people in that extraordinary feeking and 
 ferving of God, which they fliall fee them 
 engaged in; and that in this manner reli- 
 gion Ihall be propagated, until the awakening 
 reaches thofe that are in the higheft Rations, 
 and until whole nations be awakened, and 
 there be at length an accelTion of many of 
 the chief nations of the world to the church 
 of God. Thus after the inhabitants of many 
 cities of Ifrael, or of God's profefling peo- 
 ple, have taken up, and purfued a joint re- 
 folution, to go and pray before the Lord, 
 and feek the Lord of Hofts, others fhall be 
 drawn to worfhip and ferve him with them ; 
 till at length many people and flrong na- 
 tions fliall join themfelves to them; and 
 there fliall, in procefs of time, be a vafl: ac- 
 ceflion to the church, fo that it fliall be ten 
 times as large as it was before ; yea, at length 
 all nations fliall be converted unto God.— 
 
^6, THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 Thus ten men fhall take hold, out of all lan^ 
 guages of the nations, of the flurt of him 
 that is a Jew, (in the {Quk of the Apoflle) 
 faying, " We will go with you, for we have 
 V heard that God is with you." And thus 
 that (hall be fulfilled,' thou that heareji 
 Sray-er, unto theejliall alljlejk come, 
 
 4. We may obferve the m^ode of their u- 
 nion in this duty. It is a vifible union, an 
 union by explicit agreement, a joint refolu- 
 tion declared by one to another, come into 
 by being Erft propofed by fome, and readi- 
 ly and exprefsly fallen in with by others.— 
 The inhabitants of one city fhall apply them- 
 felves to the inhabitants of another, faying, 
 Id lis go, &c. Thofe to whom the motion 
 is made, fliall comply with it, the propofal 
 {hall take \vith many, it fhall be a prevailing, 
 fp reading thing; one ihall follow another's 
 example, one and another fliall fay, / will 
 go al/v. Some fuppofe, that thofe words— 
 J zoillgo alfo — are to be taken as the words 
 of him that makes the propofal; as much as 
 to fay, I do not propofe that to you, which 
 1 am not wilhng to do myfelf, I defire you 
 to go, and I am ready to go with you. But 
 this is to fuppofe no more to be expreffed in 
 thefe latter words^ than was expreffed be- 
 
THE TEXT OPENED. fjj 
 
 fore in the propofal itfelf ; for thefe words, 
 let us go, fignify as much, as that I am wil- 
 ling to go, and dcfire you to go with me. It 
 feems to me much more natural, to under* 
 Hand thefe latter words as importing the 
 confent of thofe to whom the propofal is 
 m^de, or the reply of one and another that 
 falls in it. This is much more agreeable to 
 the plain defign of the text, which is to re- 
 prefent the concurrence of great num.bers in 
 ^this affair, and more agreeable to the repre- 
 ftntaaon made in the next veif?, of one fol- 
 lowing another, many taking hold of the 
 Hurt of him that is a Jew, And though if 
 the words are thus underftood, we mufl: fup- 
 pofe an ellipfis in the text, fomething un- 
 derftood that is not exprefled, as if it had 
 been faid — Thofe of other cities fliall fay — • 
 I will go alfo; — yet this is not diflScult to 
 be fuppofed, fuch ellipfis are very common 
 in fcripture. We have one exaflly parallel 
 with it in Jer. iii. 22. Return, ye backjliding 
 childi'en, and I xvill heal your backjlidings: 
 behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the 
 Lord our God, i. e. the backfliding children 
 fhall fay — " Behold we come unto thee," 
 &c. And in Cant. iv. Let my beloved come 
 into his garden^ and eat his pleafant fruits, — 
 
^8 THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 lam come into viy garden, myjijler, myfpoufe, 
 L e. her beloved (hall fay — '' I am come into 
 my garden." V/e have the like throughout 
 that fong! So Pfal. 1. 6, 7. The heavens Jhall 
 declare his righteoufnefs^ for God is judge 
 hivifelf. Hear, my people, a.nd Izvillfpeak, 
 i. e. the Judge fhall fay — '' Hear, O my peo- 
 ple/' &c. The pfalms and prophets abound 
 Vvith fuch figures of fpeech. 
 
 5. We may obferve the manner of prayer 
 agreed on, or the manner in which they 
 agree, to engage in and perform the duty. 
 Let us go fpeedily to pray ; or as it in the 
 margin, let us go continually. The words 
 literally tranilated are, /^^iij^om^^zn^. Such 
 an ingemination or doubling of v^ords, is 
 very common in the Hebrew language, v/hen 
 it is intended that a tiling fliall be very ftrong- 
 ly exprelied ; it generally implies the fuper- 
 lative degree of a thing; as the holy of ho- 
 lies fignifies the moft holy ; but it common, 
 ly denotes, not only the utmoll degree of a 
 thing, but alfo the utmoft certainty ; as when 
 God faid to, Abraham, in multiplying, I will 
 multiply thy feed. It implies both that God 
 would certainly multiply his feed, and alfo 
 mukiplyitexceedingly. So when Godfaidto 
 Adam, in the day that thou eat eft thereof in 
 
TH£ TEXT OPE^EJy^ jg 
 
 J^ing thouflialt die (as the words are in the 
 original ) it implies, both that he mould furely 
 die, and alfo that he fliould die molt terribly, 
 Ihould utterly periili, and be deftroyed to 
 the utmoft degree. Yea, fometimes it feems 
 to imply fomething elfe ftill ; and, in fhort, 
 as this ingemination of words in the He- 
 brew, in general, denotes theftrength of ex- 
 preflion, fo it is ufed to fignify almoft all thofe 
 things that are wont to be fignified by the 
 various forms of ftrong fpeech in other lan- 
 guages ; fometimes it fignifies the utmoft 
 degree of a thing; fometimes certainty; 
 fometimes peremptorinefs and terriblenefs 
 of a threatening, or the greatnefs and pofi- 
 tivenefs of a promife, the itriftnefs of a com- 
 mand, and the earneftnefs of a requeft. 
 
 When God fays to Adam, dying thou Jlialt 
 die, it is equivalent to fuch ftrong expreffi- 
 ons in Englifti, as, thou flialt die indeed, or, 
 thou ftialt die with a witnefs. So when it 
 is faid in the text, let us go in going, and 
 pray before the Lord, the ftrength of the ex- 
 prefTion reprefents the earneftnefs of thofe 
 that make the propofal, their great engaged- 
 Hefs in the affair; and with refpeft to the 
 duty propofed, it may be underftood to fig- 
 nify that they Ihould be fpeedy, fervent, and 
 
8o THE TEXT OPENED. 
 
 conftant in it ; or, in one word, that it fliould 
 be thoroughly performed. 
 
 6. We may learn from the tenor of this 
 prophecy, together with the context, that 
 this union in fuch prayer is foretold as a be- 
 coming and happy thing, and that which 
 would be acceptable to God, and attended 
 with glorious fuccefs. 
 
 From the whole we may infer, that it is 
 a very fuitable thing, and well pleafing to 
 God, for many people, in different parts of 
 the v/orld, by exprefs agreement, to com6 
 into a vifible union, in extraordinary, fpee- 
 dy, fervent, and conftant prayer, for thofe 
 o-reat effufions of the Holy Spirit, which 
 ihall bring on that advancement of Chrift's 
 church and kingdom, that God has fo often, 
 promifed {hail be in the latter ages of the 
 world. 
 
 And fo from hence I would infer the duty 
 of God's people, with regard to the memo- 
 rial lately fent over into America, from Scot- 
 land, by a number of minifters there, pro- 
 pofing a method for fuch an union as has 
 been fpoken of, in extraordinary prayer for 
 this great mercy. 
 
 And it being the fpecial defign of this 
 difcourfe, to perfuade fuch as are friends to 
 
the interefts of Chrift's kingdom, to a com- 
 pliance with the propofal and requeft made 
 in that memorial, I (hall firft give a fhort 
 hiftorical account of the affair it relates to, 
 from letters, papers, and pamphlets^ that 
 have come over from Scotland ; to which I 
 fhall annex the memorial itfelf * and then 
 I (hall offer fome arguments and motives;* 
 tending to induce the friends of religion to 
 fall in with what is propofed; and laftly^ 
 make anfwer to fome objeftions that may- 
 poflTibly be made againft it. 
 
 As to the firfl of thefe things^ viz, an hif^ 
 torical account of the concert, which the 
 memorial relates to, the following obferva- 
 tions may give a fufticient view of that af- 
 fair. 
 
 In Oftober. a. ei. 1744J a number of mi- 
 iiifters in Scotland, taking into confideration 
 the flate of God's church, and of the world 
 of mankind, judged that the providence of 
 God, at fuch a day, did loudly call fuch as 
 were concerned for the welfare of Zion, to 
 united extraordinary applications to the 
 God of all grace, fuitably acknowledging 
 Him as the fountain of all the fpiritual be-* 
 nefits and bleffin^s of his church, and ear^* 
 
 K 
 
82 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 neftly praying to him, that he would appear 
 in his glory, and favour Zion, and manifeft 
 his compaffion to the world of mankind, by 
 an abundant effufion of his Holy Spirit on- 
 all the churches, and the whole habitable 
 earth, to revive true religion in all parts of 
 Chriflendom, and to deliver all nations from 
 their great and manifold fpiritual calamities 
 and miferies, and blefs them with the un- 
 fpeakable benefits of the kingdom of our 
 glorious Redeemer, and fill the whole earth 
 with his glory. And confulting one another 
 on the fubjecl, they looked on themfelves, 
 for their own part, obliged to engage in this 
 duty ; and, as far as in them lay, to perfuade 
 others to the fame; and to endeavour to 
 find out, and fix on fome method, that fhould 
 moft effeftually tend to promote, and up- 
 hold fuch extraordinary application to heav* 
 tn among God's people. And after feek- 
 ing to God by prayer for direftion, they de- 
 termined on the following method, as what 
 they would conform to in their own prac- 
 tice, and propofe to be praSifed by others, 
 for the two years next following, viz. To 
 fet apart fome time oa Saturday evening, 
 and. Sabbath morning, every week, for the 
 purppfe aforefaid, as other duties would al- 
 
CONCERT FOR PRAYER^ 83 
 
 Jew to every one refpeftively ; and more fo- 
 lemnly, the firft Tuefday of each quarter, 
 (beginning with the firft Tuefday of Novem. 
 ber, then next enfuing) either the whole day, ^ 
 or part of the day, as perfons find them- 
 fclves difpofed, or think their circumftances 
 w^ill allow; the time to be fpent either in 
 private praying focieties, or in public meet- 
 ings, or alone in fecret, as (hall be found 
 moft prafticable, or judged moft conveni- 
 ent, by fuch as are willing, in fome way or 
 other, to join in this affair; but not that any 
 fhould make any promifes, or be looked up- 
 pn as under ftrift bonds in any refpeft, con- 
 ftantly and without fail to obferve every one 
 of thefe days, whatever their circumftances 
 fhould be, or however other duties and ne, 
 ceffary affairs might interfere; or that per- 
 fons fhould look upon themfelves bound 
 with regard to thefe days in any wife as tho» 
 the time were holy, or the fetting them a- 
 part for religious purpofes were eftablifhed 
 by facred authority; but yet, as a proper 
 guard againft negligence and unfteadinefs, 
 and a prudent prefervative, from yielding 
 to a difpofition, which perfons might be li- 
 able to, through the prevalence of indolence 
 
§4 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 &nd liftleflhefs^to excufethemfelves on trivial 
 occafions, it was propofed, that thofe who 
 unite in this affair fhould refolve with them- 
 felves, that if, by urgent bufinefs, or other- 
 wife, they are hindered from joining with 
 others, on the very day agreed on, yet they 
 would not wholly negleft bearing their part 
 in the duty propofed, but would take the 
 firft convenient day following, for that pur- 
 pofe, 
 
 ■ The reafon why Saturday evening and 
 Lord's-day morning were judged mod con- 
 venient for the weekly feafons, was, that 
 thefe times being fo near the time of dif-* 
 penfmggofpel ordinances through the Chrif- 
 tian world, M^hich are the great means, in 
 the ufe of which God is wont to grant his 
 Spirit to rnankind, and the principal means 
 that the Spirit of God makes ufe of to carry 
 on his work of grace, it may be well fuppof- 
 ed, that the minds of Chriftians, in general, 
 will, at thefe feafons, be efpecially difengag- 
 ed from fecular affairs, and difpofed to pious 
 meditations and the duties of devotion, and 
 more naturally led to feek communication^ 
 of the Holy Spirit, and fuccefsof the mean^ 
 of grace. And as to the quarterly times, it 
 was thought helpful to rnemory^ that they 
 
CONCERT FOR PRAYER. ^5 
 
 Ihould be on one or other of the firll days 
 of each quarter; Tuefday was preferred to 
 Monday, becaufe in fome places people 
 might have public prayers and fermon on 
 the dated day, which might not be fo con- 
 venient on Monday, as on fome day at a 
 greater diftance from the Sabbath, 
 
 It was reckoned a chief ufe of fuch an a- 
 greement and method as this, that it would 
 be a good expedient for the maintaining and 
 keeping up, amongft the people of God, that 
 great Chrillian duty of prayerfulnefs for the 
 Gomingof Chrift's kingdom, in general, which 
 Chrift hasdirefted his followers to be fomuch 
 in, that it may not be out of mind, and in a 
 great meafure funk. Things, that we are 
 too little inclined to, through floth, carnali- 
 ty, or a fulnefs of our own worldly and 
 private concerns, and that are to be attend- 
 ed at fome feafons or other, but have no fpe- 
 cial feafons ftated for them, are apt to be 
 forgotten, or put off from time to time, and, 
 as it were, adjourned without day; and fo, 
 if not wholly neglefted, yet too little attend- 
 ed. But when we fix certain feafons, which 
 we refolve, unlefs extraordinarily hindered, 
 to devote to the duty, it tends to prevent 
 
8o wA.N ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 forgetfulnefs, and a fettled negligence of it. 
 The certain returns of the feafon will natur- 
 ally refrefh the memory, v/ill tend to put us 
 in mind of the precept of Chrift, and the ob- 
 ligations that lie on all his followers, to a- 
 bound in fuch a duty, and renewedly en- 
 gage us to the confideration of the import- 
 ance, neceffity and unfpeakable value of the 
 mercy fought ; and fo, by frequent renova- 
 tion, to keep alive the confideration, and 
 fenfe of thefe things at all times. Thus the 
 firft promoters of this agreement judged that 
 it would be fubfervient to more abundant 
 prayerfulnefs foreffufions of the Holy Spir- 
 it at all times through the year, both in fe- 
 cret and focial worlhip ; particularly as to 
 this laft, in congregations, families, and o- 
 ther praying focieties. And then they alfo 
 judged, that fuch an agreed union would 
 tend to animate and encourage God's peo- 
 ple in the duty propofed ; and that particu- 
 lar perfons and focieties, knowing that great 
 multitudes of their fellow-Chriftians, in fo 
 many diftant places, were, at the fame time, 
 (as a token of the unionof their hearts with 
 them in this affair) by agreement, engaged 
 in the fame holy exercife, would naturally 
 be enlivened in the duty by fuch a confider- 
 ation. 
 
CONCERT FOR PRAYER. 8/ 
 
 It was not thought beft to propofe at firft 
 a longer time for the continuance of this pre- 
 cife method than two years ; it being confi- 
 dered, that it is not pofTible, before any trial, 
 fo well to judge of the expedience of a par- 
 ticular method and certain circumftances of 
 the managing and ordering fuch an affair, 
 as after fome time of experience. And it 
 was not known, but that, after long confi- 
 deration, and fome trial, it might be thought 
 bed to alter fome circumftance ; or whether 
 others that had not yet been confulted, might 
 not propofe a better method. The time firft 
 agreed on, though but fhort, was thought 
 fufficient to give opportunity for judgment 
 and experience, and for fuch as were dif- 
 pofed to union in an affair of fuch a nature, 
 in diftant places, mutually to communicate 
 their fentiments on the fubjeft. 
 
 The way, which thofe that firft projefted 
 and came into this agreement, thought beft 
 for the giving notice of it and propofing it 
 to others, was not by any thing publifhed 
 from the prefs, but by perfonal converfation 
 with fuch as they could conveniently have 
 immediate accefs to, and by private corref^ 
 pondence with others at a diftance. At firft 
 it was intended, that fome formal paper, pro- 
 
88 AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 pofing the matter, (hould be fent about for 
 proper amendments and improvements, and 
 then concurrence; but on more mature de- 
 liberation, it was confidered how this might 
 give a handle to objeftions, (which they tho't 
 it beft, to the utmoft, to avoid in the infan*- 
 cy of the affair j and how prafticable it was, 
 without any fuch formality, to fpread the 
 fubftance of the propofal by private letters, 
 together with a requeft to their correfpond- 
 ents, mutually to communicate their tho'ts. 
 Therefore this was fixed on, as the method 
 that was preferable at the beginning. Ac- 
 cordingly, they propofed and endeavoured 
 to promote the affair in this way, and with 
 fuch fuccefs, that great numbers in Scotland 
 and England fell in with the propofal, and 
 fome in North America. As to Scotland, 
 it was complied with by numbers, in the four 
 chief towns, Edinburgh, Glafgow, Aberdeen, 
 and Dundee, and many country towns 
 and congregations in various parts of the 
 land. One of the minifters, that was pri- 
 marily concerned in this affair, in a letter to 
 one of his correfpondents, fpeaks of an ex- 
 plicit declaration of the concurrence of the 
 praying focieties in Edinburgh, which they 
 had made in a letter. The number of the 
 
CONCERT FOR PRAYER. go 
 
 praying focieties in that city is very confi- 
 derable. Mr. Robe, of Kilfyth, (in a letter 
 to Mr. Prince, of Bofton, dated November 3, 
 1743,) fays — There were then above thirty 
 focieties of young people there, newly erefted, 
 fome of which confifted of upwards of thir- 
 ty members. — As to Glafgow, this union was 
 unanimoufly agreed to by about forty-five: 
 praying focieties there, as an eminent minif- 
 ter in that city informs, in a letter. 
 
 The two years, firft agreed on, ended laft 
 November. A little before this time expir- 
 ed, anumberofminiftersin Scotland agreed 
 on a memorial, to be printed and fent abroad 
 to their brethren in various parts, propofing 
 to them, and requefting of them, to join with 
 them in the continuance of this method of 
 united prayer, and in endeavours to pro- 
 mote it. Copies of which memorial have 
 lately been fent over into New-England, to 
 the number of near five hundred, direfted 
 to be diflributed in almoft every county in 
 this province of the Maffachufetts-Bay, and 
 alfo in feveral parts of Connecticut, Nev/- 
 Hampfhire, Rhode -Ifland, New- York, New- 
 Jerfey, Pennfylvania, Maryland, Virginia, 
 Carolina^ and Georgia. The moft, I fup- 
 
 L 
 
go The MEMORiAt/i^om sCotland. 
 
 pcfe, of thefe were fent to one of the con- 
 gregational minifters in Bofton, with a let- 
 ter fubfcribed by twelve minifters in Scot- 
 land, about the affair; many of them to an* 
 other of the faid minifters of Bofton, and 
 fome to a minifter in Connefticut. It being 
 fhort, I ftiall here infert a copy of it at length 
 —It is as follows: 
 
 A M £ M o R I A hfromfeveral Minijlers in ScoU 
 land, to their Brethren in different places, 
 for coiilimiing a concert for prayer, 
 Jirji entered into in the Year 1744. 
 
 WHEREAS it was the chief fcope of 
 this concert, to promote more a- 
 bundant application to a duty that is per* 
 petually binding, j^rajy^r that our Lord's king-' 
 dom may come, joined \^\th. praifos ; and it 
 contained fome circumftantial expedients, 
 apprehended to be very fubfervient to that 
 defign, relating to ftated times for fuch ex- 
 ercifes, fo far as this would not interfere with 
 other duties; particularly a part of Satur- 
 day evening and Sabbath morning, every 
 week; and more folemnly of fome one of 
 the firft days of each of the four great divi- 
 fions of the year, that is, of each quarter; as 
 the firft Tuefday, or firft convenient day af- 
 
The MEMORIALy"?'{??/i SCOTLAND. Ql 
 
 ter;* and the concert, as to this circum- 
 ftance, was extended only to two years ; it 
 being intended that, before thefe expired, 
 perfons engaged in the concert fhould reci- 
 procally communicate their fentiments and 
 inclinations, as to the prolonging of the time, 
 with or without alteration, ^s to the eircum- 
 ftancc mentioned ; and it was intended by 
 the firft promoters, that others at a diftance 
 fliould propofe fuch circumftantial amend- 
 ments or improvements, as they fliould 
 find proper; it is hereby earneftly intreated, 
 that fuch would jcommunicate their fenti- 
 ments accordingly, now that the time firft 
 propofed is near expiring. 
 
 2. To induce thofe already engaged to 
 adhere, and others to accede to this con- 
 cert, it feems of importance to obferve, that 
 declarations of concurrence, the communi- 
 cating and fpreading of which are fo evi, 
 dently ufeful, are to be underftood in fuch 
 a latitude, as to keep at the greateft diftance 
 from entangling mens' minds : not as bind- 
 ing men to fet apart any ftated days from 
 fecular affairs, or even to fix on any part of 
 
 O T E. 
 
 * The meaning is the firft Tuefdays of February, May, Augult 
 and November, or the firft convenient days after thcfe. 
 
g2 The MEMORIAL from Scotland* 
 
 fach and fuch precife days, whether it be 
 convenient or not; nor as abfolute promifes 
 in any refpeft, but as friendly, harmonious 
 refolutions, with liberty to alter circumftan^ 
 ces as fiiall be found expedient. On account 
 of all which latitude, and that the circum^ 
 ftantial part extends only to a few years, it 
 is apprehended, the concert cannot be Hable 
 to the objeftions againft periodical religious 
 times of human appointment. 
 
 3. It is alfo humbly offered to the confir 
 deration of miniilers, and others furniflied 
 with gifts for the moft public inflruftions, 
 whether it might not be of great ufe, by the 
 blefTmg of God, if fhort and nervous fcrip- 
 ture perfijafives and direftions to the duty in 
 view, were compofed and publifhed, (either 
 by particular authors, or feveral joining to- 
 gether, which laft way might fometimes have 
 peculiar advantages) and that, from time to 
 time, without too great intervals, the better 
 to keep alive on mens' minds a jufl fenfe of 
 the obligations to a duty fo important in it- 
 fclf, and m Vv'hich many may be in danger 
 to faint find turn remifs, without fuch re- 
 peated incitements; and whether it would 
 n,ot alfo be of great ufe, if roinifters would 
 be pleafed to preach frequently on the irn- 
 
The UEMORiAL froin Scotland, g^ 
 
 portance and neceflity of prayer for the com- 
 ing of our Lord's kingdom, particularly near 
 the quarterly days, or on thefe days them- 
 felves, where there is public worfhip at that 
 time. 
 
 4. They who have found it incumbent on 
 them to publifh this Memorial at this time, 
 having peculiar advantages for fpreading it, 
 do intreat that the defire of concurrence and 
 affiftance, contained in it, may, by no means, 
 be underflood as reftriSed to any particular 
 denomination or party, or to thofe who are 
 of fuch or fuch opinions about any former 
 inftances of remarkable religious concern; 
 but to be extended to all who (hall vouch- 
 fafe any attention, to this paper, and have at 
 heart the intereft of vital chriflianity, and 
 the power of godlinefs ; and who, ho\f ever 
 differing about other things, are convinced 
 of the importance of fervent prayer, to pro- 
 mote that common intereft, and of fcripture 
 perfuafives to promote fuch prayer. 
 
 5. As the firft printed account of this con- 
 cert was not a propofal of it, as a thing then 
 to begin, but a narration of it, as a defign 
 already fet on foot, which had been brought 
 about with much harmony, by means of pri- 
 vate letters^ fo the farther countinuance, and, 
 
54 The MEMORIAL/r07?l SCOTLAND. 
 
 it is hoped, the farther fp reading of it feems 
 in a promifing way of being promoted by 
 the fame means, as importunate defires of 
 the renewing the concert have been tranf- 
 mitted aheady from a very diftant corner a- 
 broad, where the regard to it has of late in- 
 creafed; but, notwithftanding of w^hat may 
 be done by private letters, it is humbly ex- 
 pefted, that a memorial fpread in this man- 
 ner may, by God's bleffing, farther promote 
 the good ends in view, as it may be ufefully 
 referred to in letters, and may reach where 
 ihey will not. 
 
 6. Whereas in a valuable letter, from the 
 corner juft now mentioned, as a place where 
 regard to the concert has lately increafed, it 
 is propofed, that it fliould be continued for 
 feven years, or at lead for a much longer 
 time than what was fpecified in the firft 3.^ 
 Sfreemcrdi'^thole concerned in this memo- 
 rial, who would wiui rather to receive and 
 fpread direclions and propofals on this head, 
 than to be the firft authors of any, appre- 
 hend no inconvenience, for their part, in a^ 
 greeing to the feven years, with the latitude 
 above defcribed, which referves liberty to 
 make fuch circumftantial alterations, as may 
 be hereafter found expedient; on the con- 
 
The MKMORiAtfrom Scotland. 95 
 
 trary, it feems of importance, that the la* 
 bour of fpreading a concert^ which has al- 
 ready extended to fo diftant parts, and may, 
 it is hoped, extend farther, may not need to 
 be renewed fooner, at leaft much fooner, as 
 it is uncertain but that may endanger the 
 dropping of it, and it feems probable, there 
 will be lefs zeal in fpreading of it, if the time 
 propofcd for its continuance be too incon- 
 fiderable. Mean time, declarations of con- 
 currence for a lefs number of years may 
 greatly promote the good ends inview, tho' 
 it feems very expedient, that it Ihould ex- 
 ceed what was firft agreed on, feeing it is 
 found on trial, that that time, inftead of be- 
 ing too long, was much too Ihort. 
 
 7. If perfons who formerly agreed to this 
 concert, fhould now difcontinue it, would it 
 not look too like that fainting in prayer, a- 
 gainft which we are fo exprefsly warned in 
 fcripture? And would not this be the more 
 unfuitable at this time, in any within the 
 Britifh dominions, when they have the u- 
 nited calls of fuch public chaftifements and 
 deliverances, to more concern than ever a- 
 bout public reformation, and confequently 
 about that which is the fource of all tho- 
 rough reformation, the regenerating and 
 
q6 The uEMORi AL fro7n Scotland. 
 
 fanftifying influence of the almighty Spirit 
 of God? 
 
 Augujl 26, 1746. 
 
 The minifter in Boflon afore-mentioned, 
 (io whom moft of the copies of this memo- 
 rial were fent) who, I fuppofe, has had later 
 and more full intelligence than I have had, 
 fays, concerning the propofal, in a letter — 
 " The motion feems to come from above^ 
 " and to be wonderfully fpreading in Scot- 
 «^ land, England, Wales, Ireland and North 
 ** America. 
 
PART II. 
 
 Motives to a Compliance with what is propO' 
 fed in the Memorial. 
 
 I NOW proceed to the fecond thing in- 
 tended in this difcourfe, viz. to offer to 
 confideration Tome things, which may tend 
 to induce the people of God to comply with 
 the propofal and requeft made to them iri 
 the Memorial. 
 
 And I dcfire that the following things may 
 be confidered: 
 
 1. It is evident, from the fcripture, that 
 there is yet remaining a great advancement 
 of the intereft of religion, and the kingdom 
 of Chrifl, in this world, by an abundant out- 
 pouring of the Spirit of God, far greater and 
 more extenfive than ever yet has been. It is 
 certain, that many things, which are fpokeit 
 concerning a glorious time of the chiirch s 
 enlargement and profpcrity, in the latter 
 days, have never yet been fulfilled. There 
 has never yet been any propagation and pre- 
 vailing of religion, in any wife, of that ex- 
 tent and univerfality, which the prophecies 
 
 M 
 
g8 THE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 reprefent. It is often foretold and fignified, 
 in a great variety of Ilrongexpreffions, that 
 there fliould a time come, when all nations, 
 through the whole habitable world, (hould 
 embrace the true religion, and be brought 
 into the church of God. It was often pro- 
 mifed to the patriarchs, that in their feed all 
 the nations, or, (as it is fometimes expreffed) 
 all thefaviilies of the earth Jhould be blejfed, 
 A greeably to this, it is faid of the MefTiah, 
 That all nations Jhallferve him, and menjhall 
 ke blejfed in him, and all nations JJiall call him 
 blejfed. And it is faid, that all nations Jliall 
 f.ow unto the mountain of the hoiife of the Lord. 
 And, that all nations Jliall be gathered unto 
 the name of the Lord to Jerifalem, andfiall 
 toalk no more after the imagination of their 
 evil heart. So it is faid, that all fief ifiall 
 come and wmfiip before the Lord, And that 
 allffh fiouldfee the glory of God together. 
 And that allfefifioidd come to hivi that hears 
 prayer. Chrift compares the kingdom of heav- 
 en, in this world, to leaven, which a woman 
 took and hid in three meafures of meal, till the 
 whole was leavened. It is natural and reafon- 
 able to fuppofe, that the whole world fhould 
 finally be given to Chrift, as one whofe right 
 it is to reign, as the proper heir of him who 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED. gg 
 
 is originally the king of all nations, and the 
 pofTefTor of heaven and earth ; and the fcrip- 
 lure teaches us, that God the Father had con- 
 ftituted his Son, as God-Man, and in his 
 kingdom of grace, or mediatorial kingdom, 
 to be the heir of the world, that he might in 
 this kingdom have the heathen for his inheri- 
 tance, and the utmojt ends of the earth for his 
 pofjeffion. Thus Abraham is faid to be tht 
 hcirofthevJorld,ViOim himfelf, but in Azi" 
 feed, which is Chrift. And how was this to 
 be fulfilled to Abraham, but by God's fulfill- 
 ing that great promife. that in Eis feed all 
 the nations of the earthfiould be hleffed? For 
 that promife is what the apoftle is fpeaking 
 of; which fliews, that God has appointed 
 Chrift to be the heir of the world in his king- 
 dom of grace, and to poffefs and reign over 
 all nations, through the propagation of his 
 gofpel, and the power of his Spirit commu- 
 nicating the bleflings of it. God had ap- 
 pointed him to this univerfal dominion by 
 a moft foiemn oath : Ihavefuoorn by niyfelf 
 the word is gone out of my mouth in righte- 
 oufnefs, andfiall not return, that unto me e- 
 very hieefhall bow, every tongue fhall fwear. 
 Though this foiemn oath of God the Father 
 is to be underftood in fo comprehenfive ^ 
 
10(^ THE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 fenfe, as to extend to what fliaH be accom^ 
 pli{lied at the day of judgment, yet it is evi- 
 dent by the foregoing and following verfeSs 
 that the thing moll directly intended, is what 
 fhall be fulfilled by the fp reading of thegof- 
 pel of his faivation, and power of the Spirit 
 of grace, bringing all the ends of the earth ta 
 look to him that they may he faved, and come 
 to him for righteoufnefs andjlrength that, in 
 him they might be jujlzjied, and might glory, 
 God has fuffered many earthly princes to ex- 
 tend their conquefts over a great part of the 
 face of the earth, and to pofTefs a dominion, 
 pf a vaft extent, and one monarchy to con- 
 quer and fucceed another, the latter being 
 ftill the greater; it is reafonable to fuppofe 
 that a much greater glory in this refpefl 
 fhould be referved for Chrift, God's own fon 
 and rightful heir, who has purchafed the do% 
 minion by fo great and hard a fervice ; it is, 
 reafonable to fuppofe, that hi^ dominion 
 fliould be far the largeft, and his conquefts 
 vaftly the greateft and moft extenfive. And 
 thus the fcriptures reprcfent the matter, in 
 Nebuchadnezzar's vifion, and the prophet's 
 interpretation, Dan. ii. There the four great 
 monarchies of the earth, one fucceeding an- 
 fither^ are reprcfented by the great image of 
 
KOT YET ACCOxMPLlSHED. lOl 
 
 gold,Jilver, brafs, iron and clay; but at laft a 
 Jlone, cut out of the mountains without hands ^ 
 finitcs the image upon his feet, which breaks 
 the iron, clay, brafs, fiver and gold in pieces^ 
 that all becomes as the chaff of the fummer 
 threfiing foors, and the wind carries them 
 azvay, that no place is found for them; but the 
 ftoJie loaxes great, becomes a great mountain, 
 and YiLLS THE WHOLE EARTH; fignifying 
 the kingdom which the Lord God of heav- 
 en Ihould fet up in the world, laft of all, 
 which fhould break in pieces and confume 
 all other kingdoms. Surely this reprefen- 
 tation leads us to fuppofe, that this laft king- 
 dom fliall be of vaftly greater extent than 
 any of the preceding. The like reprefen- 
 tation is made in the viith chapter of Daniel ; 
 there the four monarchies are reprefented 
 by four great beafts that arofe fucceflively, 
 one conquering and fubduing another; the 
 fourth and laft of thefe is faid to be dreadful 
 and terrible, ^nd frong exceedingly, and to 
 have great iron teeth, and to devour and break 
 in pieces, and ft amp the refidue with his feet; 
 yea, it is faid, verfe 23, that the kingdom 
 reprefented by this beaft fhall devour the 
 tvhole earth; but laft of all, ojie like the Son 
 of Man appears, coming to the Ancient of 
 
102 THE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 Days, and being brought near before him, a7id 
 receiving of hint a dominion, and glory, and 
 a kingdom, that all people, nations 
 AND L AN GV AGES fioiddferve him, Thislafl 
 circumftance, of the vaft extent and univer- 
 fality of his dominion, is manifefily fpoken 
 of as one thing greatly diflingin(hing this 
 holy kingdom from all the preceding mo- 
 narchies; although of one of the former it 
 was faid, that it Oiould devour the whole earthy 
 yet we are naturally led, both by the much 
 greater eraphafis and ftrength of the expref- 
 fions, as well as by the whole connexion and 
 tenor of the prophecy, to underfland the u- 
 niverfality here expreffedin a much more ex- 
 tenfive arxv}abfolute fenfe ; and terms ufeH in 
 the interpretation of this vifion are fuch, that 
 fcarcely any can be devifed more flrong, to 
 fignify an abfolute univerfality of dominion 
 over the inhabitants of the face of the earth; 
 ver. 27. And th^. kijigdom, and dominion, and 
 
 great NESS OF THE KINGDOM UNDER THE 
 
 WHOLE HEAVE N,fiall be given to the peo- 
 ple of the mojl high God, Agreeably to this, 
 the gofpel is reprefented as preached unto 
 them that dwell on the earth, and to every na^ 
 tion, andtongue, and kindred, andpeople. The 
 univerfality of the prevalance of true reli- 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED. I03 
 
 gion in the latter days, is fometimes expref- 
 fed by its reaching to the utmojl ends of the 
 earth. To all the ends of the earth, and of the 
 zvorld. All the ends of the earth with thofa 
 that are far off upon the fea. From the ri- 
 fug of the fun to the going down of the fame. 
 The outgoings of the morning and of the even^ 
 ing. It feems that all the moft ftrong ex- 
 prefTions, that were in ufe among the Jews 
 to fignify the habitable world in its utmoft 
 extent, are made ufe of to fignify the extent 
 of the church of God in the latter days, and 
 in many places a variety of thefe expreffions 
 are ufed, and there is an accumulation of 
 them, expreffed with great force. 
 
 It would be unreafonable to fay, thefe are 
 only bold figures, ufed after the manner of 
 the eafl:ern nations, to exprefs the great ex- 
 tent of the Chriftian church, at and after the 
 days of Confl:antine ; to fay fo, would be in 
 effefl: to fay, that it would have been irapof- 
 fible for God, if he had defired it, plainly 
 to have foretold any thing that fhould abfo- 
 lutely have extended to all nations of the 
 earth. I queftion whether it be poffible to 
 find out a more ftrong expreffion, to figni- 
 fy an abfolute univerfality of the knowledge 
 of the true religion through the habitable 
 
104 tUE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 world, than that in Ifai. xi. g. The earth Jhall 
 iefull of the knowledge of the Lorcl^ as the 
 WATERS COVER THE SEAS. Which is as 
 much as to fay, as there is no place in the 
 vafl: ocean where there is not water, fo there 
 fhall be no part of the world of mankind 
 where there is not the knowledge of the 
 Lord ; as there is no part of the wide bed 
 or cavity poflefTed by the fea, but what is 
 covered with water, fo there (hall be no part 
 of the habitable world, that fliall not be co- 
 vered by the light of the gofpel, and pof- 
 feffed by the true religion* Waters are of- 
 ten in prophecy put for nations and multi- 
 tudes of people ; fo the waters of the main 
 ocean feem fometimes to be put for the in- 
 habitants of the earth in general ; as in Eze- 
 kieFs vilion of the waters of the fanftuary 
 which flowed from the fanftuary, and ran 
 eaft, till they came to the ocean, and were 
 at firft a fmall ftream, but continually en- 
 creafed till they became a great river ; and 
 when they came to the fea, the water even 
 of the vafl ocean was healed, reprefenting 
 the converiion of the world to the true reli- 
 gion in the latter days. — It feems evident, 
 that the time will come, when there will not 
 be one nation remaining in the world, which 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED, IO5 
 
 fiiall not embrace the true religion, in that 
 God has exprefsly revealed, that no one fuch 
 nation (hall be left ftandincr on the earth; 
 
 The nation and kingdoyn that will not ferv6 
 theejliall perijli; yea, thofc nations Jliall be 
 utterly zoojied. — God has declared that hea- 
 then idolatry and all the worlhip of falfe 
 gods fliall be wholly abolidied, in the moft 
 univerfal manner, fo that it (hall be continu- 
 ed in no place under thfe heavens, or upon 
 the face of the earth ; the gods that have not 
 made the heavens and the earth, even theyjlialt 
 perijh from the earth, and from under thefe 
 heavens. They are vanity, and the zoork of 
 errors, in the time of their vifdation theyfnalL 
 perifi. This muft be underftood as what 
 fliall be brought to pafs v/hile this earth and 
 thefe heavens remain, f. e, before the end 
 of the vN^orld. Agreeable to this is that in. 
 Ifaiah. Sing, barren^ and thou that didfl not 
 hear ;— for more are the children of the defol- 
 iate than the children of the married zcifCf 
 faith the Lord. Enlarge the place of thy tent, 
 mid let them flr etch forth the curtains of thy 
 habitation; [pare not; lengthen thy cords, 
 flrengthen thy fta^kes. For thy maker is thy 
 hufband; the Lord of Hofls is his name; and 
 ^ N 
 
rob THE LATTER DAY GLORY 
 
 thy Redeemer the Holy One of Ifracl; the 
 
 GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH SHALL HE 
 BE CALLED. 
 
 The prophecies of the New Teftament do 
 no lefs evidently fhew, that a time will come 
 v/hen the gofpel iliall univerfally prevail^ 
 and thekinirdom of Chrifl: be extended over 
 the whole habitable earth, in the moft pro- 
 per fenfe. Chrift fays, I, if I be If ted up 
 from the earth, toill draio all vien unto me^ 
 It is fit, that v/hen the Son of God becomes 
 man, he fiiould have dominion over all 
 mankind : it is fit, that fince he became an 
 inhabitant of the earth, and fiied his blood 
 on the 'earth, he fliould poflefs the whole 
 earth : it is fit, feeing here he became a fer- 
 vant, and was fubjett to m^n, and was ar- 
 raigned before them, and judged, condemn- 
 ed and executed by them, and fuffered ig- 
 nominy and death in a moR public manner^ 
 before Jews and Gentiles, being lifted up to 
 view on the crofs upon an hill, near that 
 populous city Jerufatem, at a moft public 
 time, when there were many hui^dred thou- 
 {^md fpeilator.s, from all parts, that he fhould 
 be rewarded with an univerfal dominion 
 over mankind ; and it is here declared he 
 flaall be. The apoPile, in the xith of Ro- 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED, IO7 
 
 mans, teaches us to look on that great out- 
 pouring of the Spirit and in-gathering of 
 fouls into Chrift's kingdom, thaf was in thofe 
 days, firfl: of the Jews, and then of the Gen- 
 tiles, to be but as the firft-fruits of the in- 
 tended harveft, both with regard to Jews 
 and Gentiles ; and to look on the in-gather- 
 ing of thofe firft fruits as a fign that all the 
 remainder both of Jews and Gentiles fnall 
 in due time be gathered in. For if the firjl- 
 fruit be holy, the lump is alfo holy : and if 
 the root be holy, fo are the branches. And 
 in that context, the apoftle fpeaks of the 
 FULNESS of both Jews and Gentiles, as what 
 fliall hereafter be brought in, as diftinft 
 from that in-gathering from arnong both, 
 which was in thofe prim.itive ages of Chrif- 
 tianity; we read of the fulnefs of the Jews, 
 and of the fulnefs of the Gentiles ; and the 
 apoftle teaches us to look upon that infideli- 
 ty and darknefs, which firft prevailed over 
 all Gentile nations, before Chrift came, and 
 then over the Jew^s after Chrift came, as v/hat 
 was wifely permitted of God, as a prepara- 
 tion for the manifeftation of the glory of 
 God's mercy, in due time, on the whole 
 world, conftituted of Jews and Gentiles. 
 God hath concluded them all in unbelief. 
 
loS THE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 that he might have mercy upon all. Thefe 
 things plainly fnew, that the time is coming 
 when the whole world of mankind Ihall be 
 brought into the church of Chrift ; and not 
 only a part of the Jews, and a part of the 
 Gentile world, as the firft-fruits, as it was in 
 the hrft ages of the Chrillian church; but 
 the fulnefs of both, the whole lump, all the 
 Tiation of the Jews, and all the world of 
 Gentiles. 
 
 In the laft great conflift between the 
 church of Chrift and her enemies, before the 
 commencement of the glorious time of the 
 church's peace and reft, the kings of the 
 earth, and the whole warld, are reprefented 
 as gathered together, and then the feventh 
 angel pours out his vial into the air, which 
 limits that kingdom that Satan has, as god 
 of this v/orld, in its utmoft extent;— and 
 that kingdom is reprefented as utterly over- 
 thrown. In another delcription of that 
 great battle, Chrift is reprefented as riding 
 forth, having on his head many crowns, and 
 on his vefture and on his thigh a name writ- 
 
 f ten, KING OF KliVGS AND LORD OF LORDS, 
 
 Which v/e may well fuppofe fignifies, that 
 he is now going to that conqueft, whereby he 
 fhall fet up a kingdom, in which he Ihall be 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED. 10^ 
 
 king of kings, in a far more extenfive man- 
 ner than either the Babylonifh, Perfian, Gre- 
 cian, or Roman monarchs were. And an 
 angel appears (landing in the fun, that over- 
 looks the whole world, calling on all the 
 fowls that fly in the midft of heaven, to 
 come and eat the flefh of kings, &c. And 
 in confeqaence of the great viftory Chrift 
 gains at that time, an angel comes doivii from 
 heaven^ having the key of the bottomless pit, 
 and a great chain in his hand, and lays hold 
 on the devil, and binds him, and cajls him in-- 
 to the bottomlefs pit, andjliuts him up, and 
 Jets a feal upon him, that he fliould deceive 
 the nations no more, Satan's being difpof- 
 feffed of that higheft monarchy on earth, 
 the Roman empire, and caft out, in the time 
 of Conftantine, is reprefented by his being 
 caft down from heaven to the earth ; but 
 now there is fomething far beyond that ; he 
 is caft out of the earth, and is ftiut up in 
 hell, and confined to that alone, fo that he 
 has no place left him in this world of man- 
 kind, high or low. 
 
 Now will any be fo unreafonable as to fay, 
 that all thefe things do not fignify more than 
 that one third part of the world ftiould be 
 brought into the church of Chrift, beyond 
 
110 THE LATTER-DAY GLORY' 
 
 v/hich it cannot be pretended that the Chrif- 
 tian rehgionhas ever yet reached, in its great- 
 eft extent? Thofe countries, which belong- 
 ed to the Roman empire, that were brought 
 to the profeffion of Chriftianity, after the 
 reign of Conftantine, are but a fmall part of 
 what the habitable v»^orld now is; as to ex- 
 tent of ground, they altogether bear, I fup- 
 pofe, no greater proportion to it, than the 
 land of Canaan did to the Roman en pire. 
 — And our Redeemer, in his kingdom of 
 gi*ace, has hitherto poffefied but a little part 
 of the world, in its moft ilourifliing (late, 
 fince arts are arifen to their greateft height, 
 and a very great part of the world is but 
 lately difcovered, and much remains undif- 
 covered to this day. 
 
 Thefe things make it very evident, that 
 the main fulfilment of thofe prophecies that 
 fpeak of tjie glorious advancement of Chrift's 
 kingdom on earth, is ftill to come. 
 
 And as there has been nothing as yet, with 
 regard to the flourifhing of religion, and the 
 advancement of Chrift's kingdom, of fuch 
 extent as to anfv^er the prophecies, fo nei- 
 ther has there been any thing of that dura- 
 tion that is foretold. The prophecies fpeak 
 of Jerufalem's being made the joy of the whole 
 
NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED. m 
 
 earth, and alfo xhtjoy of viany generations. 
 That God's people Jhould long enjoy the loork 
 of their hands. That they fhould reign with 
 .Chri/t a thouf and years ; by which we muft 
 at lead undejftand a very long thne. But 
 it would be endlefs to mention all the pla- 
 ces, which fignify that the time of the church's 
 great peace and profperity fhould be of long 
 continuance: almoft all the prophecies that 
 fpeak of her latter-day glory, imply it; and 
 it is implied in very many of them, that when 
 once this day of the church's advancement 
 and peace is begun, it fhall never end, till 
 the world ends; or, at leaft, that there fhali 
 be no more a return of her troubles and ad^ 
 verfity for any confiderable continuance ; 
 that then the days of her 7nourning fiall be 
 ended; that her tribulations^Zz^w/^i then be as 
 the waters of Noah unto God; that as he has 
 fworn that the waters of Noahfiouldno more 
 pafs over the earth, fo he tvillfwear that he 
 vjill no more he wroth zoith his people, or re- 
 buke them; that God's people fiould no more 
 walk after the imagination of their evil heart; 
 that God would hide himfelfno more from the 
 houfe of Ifrael, becaufe he has poured out his 
 Spirit upon them; that their fun fiould no 
 more go down, nor the moon zoithdraxo ifelf; 
 
112 THE LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 that the light Jliould not be clear ajid dark; 
 (i. e. there fhould be no more an interchange 
 of light and darknefs, as ufed to be) but that 
 It Jliould be all one continued day ; not day 
 and night, (for fo the words are in the ori- 
 ginFxl in Zech. xiv. 7.) a.herna.tt\y , but itjliall 
 come to pafs, that at evening-tivie (i. e. at the 
 time that night and darknefs ufed to be) it 
 Jliall be light; and that the notions fliould beat 
 their fwords into plow-Jliares, and their fpears 
 into pruning-hooks ; and that nation Jhall 
 Qiot lift np floor d againjl nation, nor leant 
 war any more; but that thtx^Jliould be abun* 
 dance of peace Jo long as the moon endurHh„ 
 And innumerable things of this nature are 
 declared. 
 
 But the church of Chrift has never yet 
 enjoyed a (late of peace and profperity for 
 any long time ; on the contrary, the times of 
 her reft, and of the flourifliing Hate of reli- 
 gion, have ever been very fliort. Hitherto 
 the church may fay. Return, for thy ferv ants* 
 fake, the tribes of thine inheritance ; thepeo^ 
 pie of thy holinefs have poffeffed it but a little 
 while. The quietnefs that the church of God 
 enjoyed after the beginning of Conftantine's 
 reign was very fliort; the peace the empire 
 enjoyed, in freedom from war, was not more 
 
NOT YEf ACCOMPLISHED. Ho 
 
 thai! twenty years; no longer nor greater 
 . than it had enjoyed under Ibme of the hea- 
 then emperors. After this the empire was 
 rent in pieces by inteftine wars, and wafted 
 almoft every where by the invafions and ifi- 
 curfions of barbarous nations, and the Chrif- 
 tian -world was foon all in contention and 
 confufion, by herefies and divifions in mat- 
 ters of religion. And the church of Chrifl has 
 never as yet been for any long time, free 
 from perfecution; efpecially when truth has 
 prevailed, and true religion flourifhed. It k 
 manifeft, that hitherto the people of God 
 have been kept under, and Zionhas been in 
 .a low affliaed ftate, and her enemies have 
 had the chief fv/ay. 
 
 And another thing that makes it exceed- 
 ing manifef>, that that day of the church'5 
 greateft advancement on earth, which is fore- 
 told in fcripture, has never yet come, is that, 
 it is fo plainly and exprefsly revealed that 
 this day Ihould fucceed the laft of tlie four 
 monarchies, even the Roman, in its laft ftate, 
 wherein it is divided into ten kingdoms, and 
 after the deftruftion of Antichrift, fignified 
 by the little horn, whofe reigri is contempo- 
 rary with the reign of the ten kings. Thefe 
 
 O 
 
114 ^^^ LATTER-DAY GLORY 
 
 things are very plain in the fecond and fc- 
 venth chapters of Daniel, and alfo in the Re. 
 vela^nn of St. John. And it is alfo plain 
 by the ninth chapter of Romans, that it fhall 
 be after the national converfion of the Jews, 
 which fhall be as life from the dead to the 
 Gentiles, and the fulnefs of both Jews and 
 Gentiles fliould be come in, and all the nation 
 of the Jews, and all other nations, fhall ob- 
 tain mercy, and there fhall be that general 
 • in-gathering of the harvefl of the whole earth, 
 of which all that had been converted before, 
 either of Jews or Gentiles, were but the firfl 
 fruits. And many other evidences of this 
 point might be mentioned, which for brevi- 
 ty's fake I omit. 
 
 And thus it is meet, that the laft kingdom 
 which fliall take place on earth, fhould be 
 the kingdom of God's own Son and heir, 
 whofe right it is to rule and reign; and that 
 whatever revolutions and confufions there 
 may be in the world, for a long time, the 
 caufe of truth, the righteous eaufe, fhould 
 finally prevail, and God's holy people fliould 
 at lait inherit the earth, and reign on earth; 
 and that the world fhould continue in tu- 
 mults, and great revolutions, following one 
 ^mother, from age to age, the world being. 
 
UNSPEAKABLY GREAT. 11^ 
 
 as it were, in travail, till truth and holinefs 
 are brought forth; that all things fhould be 
 fliaken, till that comes which is true and 
 right, and agreeable to the mind of God, 
 which cannot be Ihaken ; and that the wif- 
 dom of the ruler of the world (hould be ma- 
 nifefted in the bringing all things ultimately 
 to fo good an iffue. The world is made for 
 the Son of God ; his kingdom is the end of 
 all changes that come to pafs in the (late of 
 the world of mankind ; all are only to pre- 
 pare the way for this ; it is fit therefore that 
 the laft kingdom on earth Ihould be his. — 
 It is wifely and mercifully ordered of God 
 that it fhould be fo, on this account, as well 
 as many others, viz. that the church of God, 
 under all preceding changes, fhould have this 
 confi deration to encourage her, and maintain 
 her hope, and animate her faith and prayers, 
 from generation to generation, that God has 
 promifed, her caufe fhould finally be main- 
 tained and prevail in this world. 
 
 Let it now be confidered, 
 
 2, The future promifed advancement of 
 the kingdom of Chrifl is an event unfpeak- 
 ably happy and glorious. The fcriptures 
 fpeak of that time, as a time wherein God 
 and his Son Jefus Chrifl will be mofl emi- 
 
ai6 THE GREAT GLORY 
 
 nently glorified on earth; a time, wherein 
 God, who till then had dwelt between the 
 cherubims, and concealed himfelf inthe ho- 
 ly of holies, in the fecret of his tabernacle, 
 beliind the veil, in the thick darknefs, fhould 
 openly fliine forth, and all flefla fhould fee 
 his glory, and God's people in general have 
 as great a privilege as the high prieft alone 
 had once a year, or as Mofes had in the 
 mount; a time, wherein the temple of God in 
 heaven Jhould be opened^ and there JJioiild be 
 feen the ark of his tejlament; a time, where^ 
 in both God will be greatly glorified, and 
 his faints made unfpeakably happy in the 
 view of his glory; a time, wherein God's 
 people fliould not only once fee the light of 
 God^s glory, as Mofes, or fee it once a year 
 with the high prieft, but fiiould dwell and 
 walk continually in it, and itfhould betheir 
 conftant daily light, inftead of the light of 
 the fun, which light fl^iould be fo much more 
 glorious than the light of the fun or moon, 
 that the nioonjliallbe confounded, and the fun 
 €jliamed,wheii the Lord of Hofsfiould reign 
 in Mount Zion, and in Jerufakm, before his 
 ancients glorioifly. 
 
 It is rrprefented as a time of vaft increafe 
 pf kiiowledgc and underftandipg, efpecially 
 
OF THE LATTER-DAYS. II7 
 
 in divine things; a time, wherein God would 
 dejlroy the face of the covering cajl over all 
 people, and the veilfpread over all nations ; 
 wherein the light of the moonfiallbe as the 
 light of the funy and the light of the fun 
 fevenfold. And the eyes of them that fee 
 fiall not he dim, and the heart of the rafh 
 fliall underfand knowledge. And theyfiall 
 no more teach every man his neighbour^ and 
 every man his brother, faying, Knozo the Lord, 
 becaufe they fiatl all know him from the leajl 
 to thegreatef. A time of general holinefs. 
 Thy people fiall be all righteous, A time of 
 great prevailing of eminent holinefs, when 
 little children ihould,infpiritual attainments, 
 be as though they were a hundred years old. 
 Wherein he that is feeble among God's peo^ 
 plefiould be as David. A time wherein ho- 
 linefs fhould be, as it were, infcribed on eve- 
 thing, on all mens' common bufinefs and em- 
 ployments, and the common utenfils of life, 
 all ftall be dedicated to God, and improved 
 to holy purpofes. Her merchandize and hire 
 fliall be holinefs to the Lord. In that day fhall 
 there be upon the bells of the horfes, holiness 
 UNTOTHELORD; and the pots in the Lord's 
 houfe fhall be like the bowls before the altar ; 
 yea, every pot in Jenfalevi and in Judahfiall 
 
It8 THE GREAT GLORY 
 
 he holinefs unto the Lord of Hojls, A time 
 wherein religion and true Chriftianity fhall, 
 in every refpeft, beuppermofl in the world; 
 wherein God will caufe his church to arije 
 andjhake herfclffrovi the dujl, and put on her 
 beautiful garvients, and ft down on a throne; 
 and the poor fhall be rafedfrom the duf^ and 
 the beggar frovi the dunghill, and f mil befet 
 among princes^ and r,iade to inherit the throne 
 cf God's glory. A time wherein vital piety 
 fhall take poffeffion of thrones and palaces, 
 and thofe that are in moft exalted ftations 
 fhall be eminent in holinefs. Andkingsfiall 
 he thy nurfng fathers, and their queens thy 
 nurfng mothers. Thou fialt fuck the breafls 
 of kiyig s. The daughter of Tyrefiall he there 
 tvith a gift, the rich among the people fJiall en- 
 treat thy favour. A time of wonderful union, 
 and the mod univerfal peace, love and fweet 
 harmony, wherein the nations fhall beat their 
 fwords into plow-fliares, &c. and God will 
 caufe wars to ceafe to the ends of the earth, and 
 break the bozo, and cut the f pear in [under, and 
 hum the chariot in the fire ; and the m ountains 
 fiall bring forth peace to God's people, and the 
 little hills by righteoufnefs ; wherein /A^ zoolf 
 fiould dtvell with the lavih, &c. and wherein 
 God's people fhall dwell in a peaceable hahita- 
 
OF THE LATTER-DAYS. ng 
 
 tion, andinfure dwellings, an d quiet rejlingpla- 
 ces, A time wherein all herefies, and falfe doc- 
 trines fhall be exploded, and the church of 
 God {hall not be rent with a variety of jar- 
 ring opinions. The Lord JIi all be king over 
 all the earth ; in that day there Jliall be one 
 Lord and his name one. And all fuperfti- 
 tious ways of worfliip fliall be aboliflied, and 
 all agree in worfhipping God in his own ap- 
 pointed way, and agreeable to the purity of 
 bis inftitutions. L will give them one heart 
 and one way, that they may fear me for ever, 
 for the good of them and their children after 
 them. A time wherein the whole earth fhall 
 be united as one holy city, one heavenly fa- 
 mily, men of all nations fhall as it were 
 dwell together, and fweetly correfpond one 
 with another as brethren and children of 
 the fame father ; as the prophecies often 
 fpeak of all God's people at that time as the 
 children of God, and brethren one to an- 
 other, all appointing over them one head, 
 gathered to one houfe of God, to worfhip 
 the king, the Lord of Hofts. — A time where- 
 in this whole great fociety fliall appear in 
 glorious beauty, in genuine amiable chrifti- 
 anity, and excellent order, as a city compaft 
 together, the perfeftion of beauty, and eter- 
 
20 THE GREAT GLORY 
 
 nal excellency, fhining with a refle£lion of 
 the glory of Jehovah rifen upon it, which 
 ihall be attraSive and ravifliing to all kings 
 and nations, and it fhall appear as a bride 
 adorned for her hufband. — A time of great 
 temporal profperity ; of great health. The 
 inhabitant jhall not fay, I am Jick. As the 
 days of a tree, are the days of my people, A 
 time wherein the earth (hall be abundantly 
 fruitful. A time wherein the world (hall be 
 delivered from that multitude of fore ca- 
 lamities that before had prevailed, and there 
 ihall be an univerfal bleffing of God upon 
 mankind, in foul and body, and in all their 
 concerns, and all manner of tokens of Gods 
 prefence and favour, and God Jhall rejoice 
 over them, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over his 
 bride, and the mountains Jhall as it were drop 
 down new wine, and the hills JJiall Jlow with 
 milk, A time of great and univerfal joy 
 throughout the earth, v^htnfrovi the utmojl 
 ends ojthe earth shall be heard Jongs, even glo- 
 ry to the righteous, and God's people shall 
 zoith joy draw water out of the well ofjalva- 
 tion, and God Jaall prepare in his holy moun- 
 tain, ajeajl ofjat things, ajeajl oj wines on 
 the lees, ojjat things Jull oJ marrow, oJ wines 
 on the lees well refined, which feafl is repre- 
 
bf TPiE Latter days. 121 
 
 lerited, as the marriage /upper of the Lamb. 
 Yea, the fcriptures reprefent it hot only as a 
 time of iiniverfal joy on earth, but extraor- 
 dinary joy in heaven, among the angels and 
 faintSi the holy apoftles and prophets there. 
 Yea, the fcriptures reprefent it as a time of 
 (extraordinary rejoicing with Chrift himfelf, 
 the glorious head, in whom all things in 
 heaven and earth Ihall then be gathered to- 
 gether in one. The Lord thy God in the midji 
 of thee is mighty; he will fave; he -will re- 
 joice over thee with joy; he will reft in his love; 
 he will joy over thee witkfmgijig. And the 
 very fields, trees and mountains fliall then, 
 as it were, rejoice, and break forth into fing- 
 ing. Yefliall go out zvithjoy^ and be led forth 
 with peace; the mountains and the hills fiall 
 break forth before you into fnging, and all 
 the trees of the field fhall clap their hands,— 
 Sing, heavens, for the Lord hath done it : 
 J7iout,ye lower parts of the earth; break forth 
 intofinging,ye mountains; for eft, and e- 
 very tree therein ; for the Lord hath redeem^ 
 ed Jacob, and glorified himfelf in IfraeL 
 
 Such being the ftate of things in this fu- 
 ture promifed glorious day of the church's 
 profperitv, furelv it is worth praying for, 
 
122 THE HOLY SPIRIT THE 
 
 Nor is there any one thing whatfoever, if 
 we viewed things aright, which a regard to 
 the glory of God, a concern for the king- 
 dom and honour of our Redeemer, a love 
 to his people, pity to perifliing finners, love 
 to our fellow^creatures in general, compaf- 
 fion to mankind under its various and fore 
 calamities and miferies, a defire of their tem- 
 poral and fpritual profperity, love to our 
 country, our neighbours and friends, yea, 
 and to our own fouls, would difpofe us to 
 be fo much in prayer for, as for the dawn- 
 ing of this happy day, and the accomplifii- 
 ment of that glorious event; 
 
 It may be worthy to be confidered, 
 
 3. How much Chrift prayed and labour- 
 ed and fuffered, in order to the glory and 
 happinefs of that day. 
 
 The fum of the biefiTmgs Chrift fought, by 
 what he did and fuffered in the w^ork of re- 
 demption, was the Holy Spirit. So is the 
 affair of our redemption conflituted ; the 
 Father provides and gives the Redeemer, 
 and the price of redemption is offered to 
 him, and he grants the benefit purchafed ; 
 thf Son is the redeemer who gives the price, 
 and alfo is the price offered ; and the Holy 
 Spirit is the grand bleffmg obtained by the 
 
SUM OF Christ's purchase. 123 
 
 price offered, and beftowed on the redeemed. 
 The Holy Spirit, in his in-dwelHng, his in- 
 fluences and fruits, is the fum of all grace, 
 holinefs, comfort and joy ; or in one word, 
 of all the fpiritual good Chrift pnrchafed 
 for men in this world ; and is alio the fum 
 of all perfeflion, glory and eternal joy, that 
 he piirchafed for them in another world. 
 The Holy Spirit is that great benefit, which 
 is the fubjeft-matter of the promifes, both 
 of the eternal covenant of redemption, and 
 alfo of the covenant of grace ; the grand 
 fubjefl: of the promifes of the Old Teflament, 
 in the prophecies of thebleffmgs of the Mef- 
 fiah's kingdom ; and the chief fubjeft of the 
 promifes of the New Teflament ; and par- 
 ticularly of the covenant of grace delivered 
 by Jefus Chrifl to his difciples, as his lafl 
 will and teflament, in the xiv. xv. and xvi. 
 chapters of John ; the grand legacy that he 
 bequeathed to them, in that his lafl and dy- 
 ing difcourfe with them. Therefore the H«- 
 ]y Spirit is fo often called the fpirit of pro- 
 mife,.and emphatically, the promife, the pro- 
 mife of the Father, &c. This being the great 
 bleffmg Chrifl purchafcd by his labours and 
 fufferings on earth, it was the bleffing he 
 received of the Father, when he afcended 
 
124 '^^^ HOLY SPIRIT THE 
 
 into heav^en, and entered into the holy of 
 holies with his own blood, to communicate 
 to thofe that he had redeemed. It is expe- 
 dient for you, that I go away ; for if I go not 
 away, the comforter zqHL not come ; but if I 
 depart, I will fend him unto you. Being by 
 the right hand of God exalted, and having re- 
 ceived of the Father the promife of the Holy 
 Ghofl, he ho^thfhed forth this which ye 7iozofee 
 and hear. This is the fum of thofe gifts, 
 which Chrift received for men, even for the 
 rebelliQ-"is, at his afcenfion. This is the fum 
 of the benefits Chrift obtains for men by his 
 interceffion. / will pray the Father, and he 
 fiiall give you a^nother comforter, that he may 
 ^ abide with you for ever — even the fpirit of 
 truth. Herein confifts Chrift's communica-: 
 live fulnefs,even in his being full of the Spirit, 
 and fo full of grace and truth, that we might 
 of this fulnefs receive, and grace for grace* 
 He is anointed with the Holy Ghoft; and 
 this is the ointment that goes down from the 
 head to the members. God gives the Spirit 
 Xiot by meafure unto him, that every one 
 that is his might receive a.ccording to the 
 meafure of the gift of Chrift. This, there- 
 fore, was the great blefting he pz^ayed for in 
 that wonderful prayer, that he uttei^d for 
 
SUM OF CHRIST S PURCHASE. I25 
 
 his difciples, and all his future church, the 
 evening before he died. The bleffing he prayr 
 ed for to the Father, in behalf of his difciples, 
 was the fame he had infifted on in his preced- 
 ing difcourfe with them; and this, doubtlefs, 
 was the blefhng he prayed for when, as our 
 High Prieft, he offered up flrong crying and 
 tears with his blood. The fame that he fhed 
 his blood for, he alfo Ihed tc^rs for, and pour- 
 ed out prayers for. 
 
 But the time that we have been fpeaking 
 of, is the chief time of the beflowment of 
 this bleffing — the main feafon of the fuccefs 
 of all that Chrift did ^nd fuffered in the work 
 of our redemption. Before this the Spirit 
 of God is given but very fparingly, and but 
 few are faved; but then it will be far other- 
 wife; wickednefs fiiall be rare then, as vir- 
 tue and piety had been before; and, un- 
 doubtedly, by far the greatefl: number of 
 them that ever receive the benefits of Chrift's 
 redemption, from the beginning of the world 
 to the end of it, will receive it in that time. 
 The number of the inhabitants of the earth 
 will, doubtlefs, then be vaftly multiplied, 
 and the number of redeemed ones much 
 more. If we (hould fuppofe that glorious 
 day to laft no more than (literally) a thou- 
 
126 THE LATTER-DAY EMINENTLY 
 
 fand years, and that at the beginning of that 
 thoufand years the world of mankind (hould 
 bebutjuftas numerous as it is now, and 
 that the number fliould be doubled, during 
 that time of great health and peace, and the 
 univerfal bleffmg of heaven, once only in an 
 hundred years, the number at the end of the 
 thoufand years would be more than a thou- 
 fand times greater than it is now ; and if it- 
 fliould be doubled once in fifty years, (which 
 probably the number of inhabitants of New- 
 England has ordinarily been, in about half 
 that time) then at the end of the thoufand 
 years, there would be more than a million 
 inhabitants on the face of the earth, where 
 there is one now. And there is reafon to 
 think, that through the greater part of this 
 period, at leaft, the number of famts will, in 
 their increafe, bear a proportion to the in- 
 creafe of the number of inhabitants. And 
 it muft be confidered, that if the number of 
 mankind at the beginning of this period be 
 no more than equal to the prefent number, 
 yet we may doubtlefs conclude, that the 
 number of true faints will be immenfely 
 greater, when inftead of the few true and 
 thorough Chriilians now in fome few coun- 
 tries, every nation on the face of the whole 
 
THE DAY 'OF SALVATION. 12/ 
 
 earth fliall be converted to Chriftianity, and 
 every country (ball be full of true Chrillians^ 
 fo that the fucceffive multiplication of true 
 faints through the thoufand years, will begin 
 with that vaft advantage, beyond the multi- 
 plication of mankind; where the latter is be- 
 gun from units, the other, doubtlefs, will be- 
 gin with hundreds, if not thoufands. How 
 much greater then will be the number of 
 true converts, that will be brought to a par- 
 ticipation of the benefits of Chrift's redemp- 
 tion, during that period, than in all other 
 times put together? I think, the foregoing 
 things confidered, we fhall be very mode- 
 rate in our conjeSures, if we fay, it is pro- 
 bable that there will be an hundred thou- 
 fand times more, that will actually be re- 
 deemed to God by Chrift's blood, during 
 that period of the church's profperity that 
 ,we have been fpeaking of, than ever had 
 been before, from the beginuing of the world 
 to that time. 
 
 That time is reprefented in fcripture, as 
 the proper appointed feafon of Chrift's fal- 
 vation; eminently the eleft feafon, the ac- 
 cepted time and day of falvation, the year 
 of Chrift's redeemed. This period is fpoken 
 of as the proper time of the dominion of the 
 
i28 THE LATTER-DAY EMINENttY 
 
 Redeemer, and reigri of his redeeming love, 
 in the fecond and feventh chapters of Da- 
 niel, and matiy other places ; the proper time 
 of his harveft, or in-gathering of his fruits 
 Irom this fallen world; the appointed day 
 of his triumph over Satan, the great deftroy- 
 tr, and the appointed day of his marriage; 
 with his eleft fpoufc; The time given to the 
 Sun of Righteoufnefs to rule, as the day is 
 the time God has appdirited for the natural 
 fun to beat rule • therefore the bringing on of 
 this time is called Clirijl's coming in his king- 
 ^om, wherein he xvillrent the heavens and come 
 downs and the Suji of Righteoufnefs Jfiall a-^ 
 
 The comparatively little faving good there 
 is in the world, as the fruit of Chrift's re- 
 demption, before that time, is, as it were, 
 granted by way of anticipation ; as we aiiti^ 
 cipate fomething of the fan's light by re*- 
 fleftion before the day-time, the proper time 
 of the fun's rule ; and as the firft- fruits are 
 gathered before the harveft : Then more ef- 
 pecially will be the fulfilment of thofe great 
 promifes, made by God the Father to the 
 Son, for his pouring out his foul unto death ; 
 then f mil he fee his feed, and the pleafure of 
 the Lordfiallprofper in his hand ; xhcxifhall 
 
THE DAY OF SALVATION. l2g 
 
 he fee of the travail of his foul, andbe fatis* 
 fed, and, fiall jifify maiiy by his knowledge ; 
 then will God divide him a portion zoith the 
 great, and he fhall divide thefpoil with the 
 flrong; then fhall Chrift, in an eminent man- 
 ner, obtain his chofen fpoufe, that he loved 
 and died for, that he might finEiify and cleanfe 
 her, with the zoafiing of water, by the word^ 
 and p'refent her to hivfelf a glorious church. 
 He will obtain the joy that wasfet before him^ 
 for xvhich he endured the crofs, and defpifed ^ 
 thefhame, chiefly in the events and confe- 
 quences of that day: That day, as was ob- 
 ferved before, is often reprefented as emi- 
 nently the timeof the rejoicing of the bride- 
 groom. The fore-knowledge and confider- 
 ation of it was what fupported him, and that 
 which his foul exulted in, at a time when 
 his foul had been troubled at the view of his 
 approaching fufferings; as may be feen in 
 Johnxii. 23, 24, 27,31, 32, 
 
 Now, therefore, if it be fo, that this is what 
 Jefus Chrift, our great Redeemer and the 
 Head of the Church, did fo much defire, and 
 fet his heart upon, from all eternity, and 
 which he did and fuffered fo much for, of- 
 fering up ftrong crving and tears, snd his 
 
 Q 
 
130 HOW THE CREATION 
 
 precious blood, to obtain it; furely his dif- 
 ciples and members fhould alfo earneftly 
 feek it, and be much and earneft in prayer 
 for it. 
 
 Let it be confidered, 
 
 4. The whole creation is, as it were, ear- 
 neftly waiting for that day, and conftantly 
 groaning and travailing in pain to bring 
 forth the felicity and glory of it. For that 
 day is above all other times, excepting the 
 day of judgment, the day of the manifefta- 
 tion of the fons of God, and of their glori- 
 ous liberty ; and, therefore, that elegant re- 
 prefentation the apoftle makes of the earneft • 
 expeClation and travail of the creation, in 
 Rom. viii. ig — 22 is applicable to the glo- 
 rious event of this day. The earneji expec^ 
 tation of the creature waiteth for the viani- 
 fejlation of the fons of God, For the creature 
 was made fuhjeB to vanity, not willingly , but 
 by reafon of him who hathfubjeHed the fame 
 in hope. Becaufe the creature itfelf alfofiall 
 be delivered from the bondage of corruption 
 into the glorious liberty of the childre^i of God. 
 For we know that the whole creation groaneth 
 and travaileth in pain together until now, — 
 The vifible world has now, for many ages. 
 
TRAVAILS IN PAIN. I3I 
 
 been fubjeQed to fin, and made, as it were, 
 a fervant to it, through the abufive improve- 
 ment that man, who has the dominion over 
 the creatures, puts the creatures to. Thus 
 the fun is a fort of fervant to all manner of 
 wickednefs, as its light, and other beneficial 
 influences are abufed by men, and made fub- 
 fervient to their lufts and finful purpofes. 
 So of the rain, and fruits of the earth, and 
 the brute animals, and all other parts of the 
 vifible creation ; they all ferve mens' cor- 
 ruption, and obey their finful will ; and God 
 doth, in a fort, fubjeft them to it, for he con- 
 tinues his influence and power to make them 
 to be obedient, according to the fame law of 
 nature, whereby they yield to mens' com- 
 mand when ufed to good purpofes. It is by 
 the immediate influence of God upon things, 
 afting upon them, according to thofe con- 
 ftant methods which we call the laws of na- 
 ture, that they are ever obedient to mens' 
 will, or that we can ufe them at all. This 
 influence God continues to make them obe- 
 dient to mens' will though wicked ; which 
 is a fure fign that the prefent fl:ate of things 
 isnotlafting, itis confufion, and God would 
 not fuffer it to be, but that he defigns, in a 
 little time, to put an end to it, when it fliall 
 
132 HOW THE CREATION 
 
 no more be fo. Seeing it is to be but a lit- 
 tle while, God chufes rather to fubjefl: the 
 creature to man's wickednefs, than to dif- 
 turb and interrupt the courfe of nature ac- 
 cording to its ftated laws ; but it is, as it 
 were, a force upon the creature; for the crea- 
 ture is abufed in it, perverted to far meaner 
 purpofes than thofe for which the author of 
 its nature made it, and to which he adapted 
 it. The creature, therefore, is, as it were^ 
 unwillingly fubjefl, and would not be fub- 
 jeft, but that it is but for a fnort time, and 
 it, as it v/ere, hopes for an alteration. It is 
 a bondage the creature is fubjecl to, from 
 which it was partly delivered when Chrift 
 came, and the gofpel was promulgated in the 
 %vorld, and will be m.ore fully delivered at 
 the commencement of the glorious day we 
 are fpeaking of, and perfeftly at the day of 
 judgment. This agrees with the context, 
 for the apoftle was fpeaking of the prefent 
 fuffering flate of the church. The reafon 
 why the church in this world is in a fuffer- 
 ing ftate, is, that the world is fubjefted to 
 the fm and corruption of mankind. By va- 
 nity, in fcripture, is very commonly meant 
 fin and wickednefs, and alfo by corruption, 
 as might be fliewn in many places would ray 
 intended brevity allow. 
 
TRAVAILS IN PAIN. ' igg 
 
 Though the creature is thus fubjeft to va- 
 nity, yet it does not reft in this fubjeflion, but 
 is conftantly afting and exerting itfelf, in or- 
 der to thjat glorious liberty that God has ap- 
 pointed at the time we are fpeaking of, and, 
 as it were, reaching forth towards it. All 
 the changes that are brought to pafs in the 
 world, from age to age, are ordered by in- 
 finite wifdom, in one refpeft or other, to 
 prepare the way for that glorious iffue of 
 things, that (hall be when truth and righte- 
 oufnefs (hall finally prevail, and he, whofe 
 right it i^, (hall take the kingdom. All the 
 creatures, in all their operations and mo- 
 tions, continually tend to this ; as in a clock, 
 all the motions of the whole fyftcm of wheels 
 and movements, tend to the ftriking of the 
 hammer at the appointed time. All the re- 
 volutions and reftlefs motions of the fiin and 
 and other heavenly bodies, from day to day, 
 from year to year, and from age to age, arc 
 continually tending thither; as all the many 
 turnings of the wheels of a chariot, in a jour- 
 ney, tend to the appointed journey's end.— 
 The mighty ftruggles and conflifts of na- 
 tions,and fliakings of kingdoms,and thofe vaft 
 fuccefiive changes that are brought to pafs, in 
 
134 HOW THE CREATION 
 
 the kingdoms and empires of the world, from 
 one age to another, are, as it were, travail- 
 pangs of the creation, in order to bring forth 
 this glorious event. And the fcriptures re- 
 prefent the laft ftruggles and changes that 
 fliall immediately precede this event, as be- 
 ing the greateft of all — as the laft pangs of 
 a woman in travail are the moft violent. 
 
 The creature thus earneftly expeftingthis 
 glorious manifeilation and liberty of the 
 children of God, and travailing in pain in 
 order to it, therefore the fcriptures, by a like 
 figure, do very often reprefent, that when 
 this (hall be accompliflied, the whole inani- 
 mate creation fhall greatly rejoice: That 
 the heavens fiall Jing, the earth be glad, the 
 mountains break forth into finging, the hills 
 he jo)iful together, the trees clap their hands ^ 
 the lower parts of the earthfiout, thefea roar 
 and the fulnefs thereof and the foods clap 
 their hands. 
 
 All the intelligent eleS creation, all God's 
 holy creatures in heaven and earth, are tru- 
 ly and properly waiting for, and earneftly 
 expecting that event. It is abundantly re- 
 prefented in fcripture as the fpirit and cha- 
 rafter of all true faints, that they fet their 
 hearts upon, love, long, wait and pray for 
 
TRAVAILS IN PAIN. I35 
 
 the promifed glory of that day ; they are 
 fpoken of as thofe that prefer Jerufalem to 
 their chief joy ; that takepleafure in theflones 
 of Zion, and favour the dujt thereof; that 
 wait for the confolation of IfraeL It is the 
 language of the church of God, and the 
 breathing of the foul of every true faint, 
 that we have in Pfal. xiv. 7. that thefal- 
 vation of Ifrael zvere come out of Zion f when 
 the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his 
 people, Jacob fiall rejoice, and Ifrael fhall be 
 glad. Agreeably to this was the fpirit of 
 old Jacob, which he expreffed when he was 
 dying, in faith in the great promife made to 
 him and Ifaac and Abraham, that in their 
 feed all the families of the earth fhould be 
 bleffed, I have loaited for thy falvation, 
 Lord, The fame is reprefented as the fpi- 
 rit of his true children, or the family of Ja- 
 cob. I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth 
 himf elf from the houfe of Jacob, and I will 
 look for him, — They that love Chrifl's appear- 
 ingl is a name that the apoftle gives to true 
 chriftians. 
 
 The glorious inhabitants of the heavenly 
 world, the faints and angels there, that re- 
 joice when one finner repents, are earneftly 
 waiting, in an affured and joyful depend- 
 
136 SCRIPTURE PRECEPTS, &C. 
 
 ance on God's promifes of that converfion 
 of the world, and marriage of the Lamb, 
 which (liall be when that glorious day 
 comes ; and therefore they are reprefented 
 as all with one accord rejoicing and praifing 
 God with fuch mighty exultation and tri- 
 umph, when it is accomliflied, in Rom. xix. 
 
 5. The word of God is full of precepts, 
 encouragements and examples, tending to 
 excite and induce the people of God to be 
 much in prayer for this mercy. 
 
 The fpirit of God is the chief of the blef- 
 fings that are the fubjeft-matter of chriflian 
 prayer ; for it is the fum of all fpiritual blef- 
 fings ; which are thofe that we need infinite- 
 ly more than others; and are thofe wherein 
 our true and eternal happinefs conGfts. — 
 That which is the fum of the blcffings that 
 Chrifl purchafed, is the fum of the blcffings 
 that Chriflians have to pray for ; but that, 
 as v;as obferved before, is the Holy Spirit ; 
 and therefore when the difciples came to 
 Chrift, and defired him to teach them to 
 pray, Luke xi. he accordingly gave them 
 particular direftions for the perform.ance of 
 this duty ;— theconclufion of his whole dif- 
 courfe, in the 13th verfe, plainly {[\qw^ that 
 the Holy Spirit is the fum of the blcffings 
 
FOR THE PRAYER PROPOSED. 137 
 
 that are the fubjeft-matter of that prayer 
 about which he had inftrufted them. Ifyc 
 then, being evil, know how to give good gifts 
 unto your children, how much morejliallyour 
 heavenly Father give the Holy Spi rit to them 
 that ajk him ? From which words of Chrift 
 we may alfo obferve, that there is no blef- 
 fing that we have fo great encouragement 
 to pray for, as the Spirit of God ; the words 
 imply, that our heavenly Father is efpecially 
 ready to beftow his Holy Spirit on them 
 that afk him. Of the more excellent na- 
 ture any benefit is, which we {land in need 
 of, the more ready God is to beftow it in 
 anfwer to prayer. The infinite goodnefs of 
 God's nature is the more gratified, and the 
 grand defign and aim of the contrivance 
 and work of our redemption, is the more 
 anfwered, and Jefus Chrift the Redeemer 
 has the greater fuccefs in his undertaking 
 and labours ; and thofe defires that are ex~ 
 preffed in prayer for the moft excelJent 
 bleftings are the moft excellent defires, and 
 confequently fuch as God moft approves of, 
 and is moft ready to gratify. 
 
 The fcriptures do not only direft and en- 
 courage us in general to pray for the Holy 
 Spirit above all tilings elfe, but it is the ex- 
 
 R 
 
138 SCRIPTURE PRECEPTS, &C, 
 
 prefsly revealed will of God, that his church 
 fiiould be very much in prayer for that glo- 
 rious out-pouring of the Spirit that is to be 
 in the latter days, and the things that fhall 
 be accornpliFned by it. God fpeaking of 
 that blefied event, Ezek. xxxvi. under the 
 figure olcleanjing the hoiife of Ifraelfrom all 
 their iniquities, planting and building their 
 xoajte and ruined places, and inaking them to 
 become like the garden of Eden,andfdlingtheni 
 rjoithmcn like a flock, like the holy flock, thefock 
 of Jerufalem in herfolemnfcafs ; wherein he, 
 doubtlefs, has refpefl: to the fame glorious 
 reftoration and advancement of his church 
 that is fpoken of in the next chapter, and in 
 all the following chapters to the end of the 
 book, he fays, ver. 37. Thus faith the Lord, 
 I will yet for this be enquired of by the houfe 
 of Ifrael, to do it for them. Which, doubt- 
 lefs, implies, that it is the will of God that 
 extraordinary prayerfulnefs in his people 
 for this mercy Ihould precede the beflow- 
 ment of it. 
 
 I know of no place in the Bible, where fo 
 ftrong an expreflion is made ufe of to figni- 
 fy importunity in prayer, as is ufed in Ifai. 
 Ixii. 6, 7. where the people of God are call- 
 ed upon to be importunate for this mercy: 
 
EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. 1 OQ 
 
 Ye that make mention of the Loixl, keep not 
 flence, and give him no rejl, till he ejlahlijli, 
 and till he make Jeriifalem a praife in the 
 earth, Hovv^ ftrong is the phrafe ? And how 
 loud is this call to the church of God, to be 
 fervent and incefTant in their cries to him for 
 this great mercy ? How wonderful are the 
 words to be ufed, concerning the manner in 
 which fuch worms of the duUrticuldaddrefs 
 the high and lofty One that inhabits eterni- 
 ty ? And what encouragement is here, to 
 approach the mercy-feat with the greatell 
 freedom, boldnefs, earneftnefs, conflancy, 
 and full affurance of faith, to feek of God 
 this greateft thing that can be fought in 
 chriftian prayer? 
 
 It is a juft obfervation of a certain emi- 
 nent minifler of the church of Scotland, in 
 a difcourfeof his, cuifocial prayer, in which, 
 fpeaking of pleading for the fuccefs of the 
 gofpel, as required by the Lord's prayer, he 
 fays, " That notwithftanding of its being fo 
 ** compendious, yet the one half of it, that 
 " is, three petitions in fix, and thefe the firft 
 " prefcribed, do all relate to this great cafe ; 
 *' fo that to put up any one of thefe petiti- 
 '' ons apart, or all of them together, is upon 
 " the matter, to pray that the difpenfation 
 
140 EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. 
 
 ^' of the gnfpel may be bleffed with divine 
 ^•' power." That glorious day we are fpeak- 
 ing of IS the proper and appointed time, a- 
 bove all others, for the bringing to pafs the 
 things requefied in each of thefe petitions ; 
 as the prophecies every where reprefent that 
 as the time, which God has efpecially ap- 
 pointed for the hallowing or glorifying his 
 own great name in this world, caufmg his 
 ^lary to be rev ceded, that all jlejh may fee it 
 tcgether, cauhng it openly to b€ mardfejled in 
 the fivht cf the heathen, filling the whole 
 world with the light of his glory to fuch a 
 degree, that the moonjiiallbe confounded and 
 thefiuiauiamedhefore that brighter glory ; the 
 appointed time for the glorifying and mag- 
 nffying the name of Jefus Chrift, caufmg 
 every knee to bow, and every tongue to confefs 
 to him. This is the proper time of God's 
 kijigdovis coming, or of Chriffs coming in his 
 kingdom: that is the very time foretold in 
 the iid of Daniel, when the Lord God of hea- 
 ven fliallfet up a kingdom,'\n the latter times 
 of the faft monarchy, w^hen-it is divided in- 
 to ten kingdoms ; and that is the very time ' 
 foretold in the viith of Daniel, when there 
 ftiouid be given to One like to the Son of Man^ 
 doinimon, glory, and a kingdom^ that all pea- 
 
EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. I41 
 
 pie, nations, a7id languages, Jhouldfcrve him ; 
 and the kingdom and dominion, and the great- 
 nefs of the kingdom under the whole heaven 
 fiiall be given to the people of the faints of the 
 mofi high God, after the deftruftion of the 
 little horn, that fhould continue y^?'(2 time^ 
 times, and the dividing of time. And that is 
 the time wherein God's zvillfiall be done on 
 earth, as it is done in heaven ; when heaven 
 fhall, as it were, be bowed, and come down 
 to the earth, as God's people fiall be all righ- 
 teous, and holinefs to the Lordfiall be written 
 on the bells of the horfes, Sec, So that the 
 three firft petitions of the Lord sprayer are, 
 in effeft, no other than requefts for the 
 bringing on this glorious day. — And as the 
 Lord's prayer begins with aflcing for this, in 
 the three firft petitions, fo it concludes with 
 it, in thefe words. For thine is the kingdom, 
 and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen. 
 Which words imply a requeft, that God 
 would take to himfelf his great power, and 
 reign, and manifeft his power and glory in 
 the world. Thus Chrift teaches us, that it 
 becomes his difciples to feek this above all 
 other things, and make it the firft and the 
 laft in their prayers, and that every petition 
 fhould be put up in a fubordination to th€ 
 
142 EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. 
 
 advancement of God's kingdom and glory 
 in the world. 
 
 Befides what has been obferved of the 
 Lord's prayer, if we look through the whole 
 Bible, and obferve all the examples of prayer 
 that we find there recorded, we (hall not find 
 fo many prayers for any other mercy, as for 
 the deliverance, reftoration, and profperity 
 of the church, and the advancement of God's 
 glory and kingdom of grace in the world. 
 If we well confider the prayers that we find 
 recorded in the book of Pfalms, I believe 
 we ihall fee reafon to think, that a very 
 great, if not the greater part of them, are 
 prayers uttered, either in the name of Chrift, 
 or in the name of the church, for fuch a 
 mercy ; and undoubtedly, the greatefl: part 
 of that book of Pfalms, is made up of prayers 
 for this mercy, prophecies of it, and pro- 
 phetical praifes for it. 
 
 The prophets, in their prophecies of the 
 relloration and advancement of the church, 
 very often fpeak of it as what fhall be done 
 in anfwer to the prayers of God's people. 
 Ifai. XXV. g. — xxvi. 9, 12, 13, 16, 17. to the 
 end. Chap, xxxiii. 2. PfaL cii. 13 — 22. 
 Jer. iii. 21. Ifai. Ixv. 24. — xli. 17. Hof. 
 V, 15. with vi. 1, 2, 3. and xiv, 2. to the 
 
EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. 1^3 
 
 end. — Zech. x. 6. — xii. x. and xiii. 9. Ifai. 
 Iv. 6. with ver. 12, 13. Jer. xxxiii. 3. The 
 prophecies of future glorious times of the 
 church, are often introduced with a prayer 
 of the church for her dehvcrance and ad- 
 vancement, prophetically uttered, as in Ifai. 
 li. 9, &c. Chap. Ixiii. 11. to the end, and 
 Ixiv. throughout. 
 
 In order to Chrift's being myftically born 
 into the world, m the advancement and flou- 
 rifhing of true religion, and great increafe 
 of the number of true converts who are fpo- 
 ken of as having Chrift formed in them, the 
 fcriptures reprefent it as requifite, that the 
 church fliould firft be in travail, crying, and 
 pained to be delivered. And one thing that 
 we have good reafon to underftand by it, is 
 her exercifing flrong defires, and wreflling 
 and agonizing with God in prayer for this 
 event ; becaufe we find fuch figures of fpeech 
 ufed in this fenfe elfewhere. My little chil- 
 dren, o/whoni I travail in birth again, until 
 Chrijl he formed in you. Lord, in trouble have 
 they vifited thee; they poured out a prayer 
 when thy chafiening was upon them. Like as 
 a woman zvith child, that draweth near the 
 time of her delivery, is zn pain, andcryeth out 
 in her pangs, fo have zve been in ihyfght, 
 
144 EXAMPLES OF SUCH PRAYER. 
 
 Lord, And certainly it is fit, that the church 
 of God fhould be in travail for that, which 
 (as I before obferved) the whole creation tra- 
 vails in pain for. 
 
 The fcriptures do not only abundantly 
 manifeft it to be the duty of God's peo- 
 ple to be much in prayer for this great mer- 
 cy, but they alfo abound with manifold confi- 
 derations to encourage them in it, and ani- 
 mate them with hopes of fuccefs. There is, 
 perhaps, no one thing that fo much of the 
 Bible is taken up in the promifes of, in or- 
 der to encourage the faith, hope, and pray- 
 ers of the faints as this, which at once af- 
 fords to God's people the cleared evidences 
 that it is their duty to be much in prayer 
 for this mercy, (for, undoubtedly, that which 
 God does abundantly make the fubjeft of 
 his promifes, God's people fhould abundant- 
 ly make the fubjeft of their prayers) and alfo 
 affords them the flrongeft alTurances that 
 their prayers fhall be fuccefsful. With what 
 confidence may we go before God, and pray 
 for that, of which we have fo many exceed- 
 ing precious and glorious promifes to plead ? 
 The very firfl promife of God to fallen man, 
 even that it Jliall bruife thy head, is a pro- 
 mife which is to have its chief fulfilmeut at 
 
SCRIPTURE ENCOURAGEMENTS, &C, 145 
 
 that day ; and the whole Bible concludes with 
 a promife of the glory of that day, and a 
 prayer for its fulfilment. He that tcjtifieth 
 thcfe things, faith — Surely, I coine quickly — 
 Amen.. Evenfo, conie, Lord J ejus. 
 
 The fcripture gives us great reafon to 
 think, that when once there comes to appear 
 much of a fpirit of prayer in the church of 
 God for this mercy, then it will foon beac- 
 complilhed. It is evidently with reference 
 to this mercy, that God makes that promife, 
 When the poor and needy fcek water, and there 
 is none i and their tongue failcth for thrift /, 
 the Lord, will hear them; L the God of If 
 rael, will not forfake them; Izoillopen rivers 
 in high places, and fountains in the midfi of 
 the vallies; Itoill make the wildernefs a pool 
 oficater, and. the dry landfprings of water ; 
 I will plant in the wildernefs the cedar, the 
 fiittah-tree, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; 
 Iicill fet in the defart the fir-tree, the pine, 
 and the box-tree together. Spiritual waters 
 and rivers are explained by the apoftle John, 
 to be the Holy Spirit. It is now a time of 
 fcarcity of thefe fpiritual waters; there are^ 
 as it were, none : If God's people, in this 
 time of great drought, were but made duly 
 
 S 
 
146 SCRIPTURE-ENCOURAGEMENT TO 
 
 fenfible of this calamity, and their own emp-. 
 tinefs and neceffity, and brought earneftly to 
 thirtt and cry for needed fuppIies^God woidd, 
 doubtlcfs, foon fulfil this blelFed promife. — 
 Wc have another promife much like this, in 
 Pfal. CH. 16, 17. Wheii the LordJIiall build 
 up Zion, hejiiall appear in his glory ; he will 
 regard the prayer of the dcjlitute, and not de- 
 
 fpife their prayer. And remarkable are the 
 words that follow in the next verfe : This 
 
 Jliall be written for the generation to come; 
 and the people zvhich fliall be created fiall 
 
 praife the Lord, Which feems to fignify, that 
 this promife fliall be left on record to en- 
 courage fome future generation of God's 
 people to pray and cry earneflly for this 
 mercy, to whom he would fulfil the promife, 
 and thereby give them, and great multitudes 
 of others, that fhould be converted through 
 their prayers, occafion to praife his name. 
 Who knows but that the generation here 
 fpoken of, may be this prefent generation? 
 One thing mentioned in the chara6ler of that 
 future generation, is certainly true concern- 
 ing the prefent, viz. That it is defHtute; the 
 church of God is in very low, forrowful and 
 needy circumflances; and if the next thing, 
 tliere fuppofed, were alfo verified in us, viz. 
 
PRAY FOR CHRIST S KINGDOM. I47 
 
 That we were made fenfible of our great ca- 
 lamity, and brought to cry earneRIy to God 
 for help, I am perfuaded that the third would 
 be alfo verified, viz. That our prayers would 
 be turned into joyful praifes, for God's gra- 
 cious anfwers of our prayers. It is fpoken 
 of as a fign and evidence, that the time to 
 favour Zion i^ come, when God's fervants 
 are brought, by their prayerfulnefs for her 
 refloration, in an eminent manner, to fliew 
 that they faxjoiir her Jiones and clujl. Thou 
 Jlialt arife, and have mercy upon 7Aon; for 
 the time to favour her, yea, thefet tune is come; 
 for thy fervants take pleafure in her f ones ^ 
 and favour the dufl thereof- 
 
 God has refpeft to the prayers of his faints 
 in all his government of the world, as we 
 may obferve by the reprefentation made. Re- 
 velations viii. at the beginning. There we 
 read of feven angels flanding before the 
 throne of God, and receiving of him feven 
 trumpets, at the founding of which great 
 and mighty changes were to be brought to 
 pafs in the world, through many fucceffive 
 ages. But when thefe angels had received 
 their trumpets, they muft fland ftill, and all 
 mufl be in filence, not one of them muft be 
 allowed to found, until the prayers of the 
 
148' SCRIPTURE-ENCOURAGEMENT TO 
 
 faints are attended to. The an^el of the co- 
 vcnant, as a glorious High Priefl, comes and 
 liands at the altar, with much incenfe, to of- 
 fer with the prayers of all faints upon the 
 golden altar, before the throne; and the 
 fmoke of the incenfe, with the prayers of 
 the faints, afcends up with acceptance be- 
 fore God, out of the angel's hand; and then 
 the angels prepare themfelves to found. — 
 And God, in the events of every trumpet^ 
 rea:embers thofe prayers, as appears at laft, 
 by the great and glorious things he accom- 
 pliflies for his church, in the iffue of all, in 
 anfwer to thefe prayers, in the event of the 
 laft trumpet, which brings the glory of the 
 latter days, when thefe prayers fhedl be turn- 
 ed into joyful praifes. Rev. xL 15, 16, 17. 
 AVfil thefeventh angel founded, and there were 
 great voices in heaven, faying — The kingdoms 
 of this world are become the kingdoms of our 
 Lord and of his Chriji ; and he fiall reign 
 for ever and ever. And thefour-and4xventy 
 elders, which fat before God on their feats, fell 
 iipon their faces, and zoorfaipped God, faying. 
 We give thee thanks, Lord God Abmghty, 
 %johich art, ajid wafl, and art to come, becaufe 
 thou haft taken to thee thy great forcer^ and. 
 
PRAY FOR Christ's kingdom. 14^ 
 
 hajl reigned. Since it is thus, that it is the 
 pleafure of God fo to honor his people, as 
 to carry on all the defigns of his kingdom 
 in this way, viz. by the prayers of his faints ; 
 this gives us great reafon to think, that 
 whenever the time comes that God gives an 
 extraordinary fpirit of prayer for the pro- 
 mifed advancement of his kingdom on earth, 
 (which is God's great aim in all preceding 
 providences, and which is the main thing 
 that the fpirit of prayer in the faints aims 
 at) then the fulfilling this event is nigh. 
 
 God, in wonderful grace, is pleafed to 
 reprefent himfelf, as it were, at the command 
 of his people, with regard to mercies of this 
 nature, fo as to be ready to beftow them 
 whenever they (hall earneftly pray for them. 
 Thus faith the Lord, the holy One of Ifrael, 
 and his maker, Afk of me of things to come, 
 concerning myfons, and concerning the work 
 of my hands, command ye me. What God is 
 fpeaking of in this context, is the reftoration 
 of his church ; not only a reftoration from 
 temporal calamity, and an outward captivi- 
 ty by Cyrus ; but alfo a fpiritual reftoration 
 and advancement, by God's commanding 
 the heavens to drop dovjii from above, and 
 thefkies to pour downrighteoufnefs, and can- 
 
150 EXAMPLES, &C. 
 
 Jing the earth to open and bring f or thfalvation^ 
 and righteoufnefs tofpring up together, God 
 would have his people afk of him, or en- 
 quire of him by earneft prayer, to do this 
 for them; and manifefts himfelf as being 
 at the command of earneft prayers for fuch 
 a mercy : and a reafon why God is fo rea- 
 dy to hear fuch prayers, is couched in the 
 w^ords, viz. Becaufe it is prayer for his own 
 church, his chofen and beloved people, his 
 fans and daughters, and the work of his hands; 
 and he cannot deny any thing that is afked 
 for their comfort and profperity. 
 
 God fpeaks of himfelf as flanding ready 
 to be gracious to his church, and to appear 
 for its refloration, and only waiting for fuch 
 an opportunity to beftow this mercy, when 
 he ihall hear the cries of his people for it, 
 that he may beftow it in anfwer to .their 
 prayers. Therefore zoill the Lord wait, that 
 he may be gracious to thee ; and therefore toilL 
 he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon 
 you: For the Lord is a God of judgment ; 
 bleffed are all they that wait for hird-. For the 
 people fiall dwell in Zion at Jcrifalevi. — 
 Thouflialt weep no more; he will be very 
 gracious unto thee, at the voice of thy cry : — 
 when he f hall hear it, he f mil anfwer thee, — 
 
EXAMPLES, &C. 151 
 
 The words imply as much as that when God 
 once fees his people much engaged in pray- 
 ing for this mercy, it (hall be no longer de- 
 layed. Chrilt defires to hear the voice of 
 his fpoufe, that is in the clefts of the rock, m 
 the fecret places of the flairs \ in a low and 
 obfcure flate, driven into fecret corners : he 
 only waits for this, in order to put an end 
 to her ftate of affliflion, and caufe the day 
 to break, -and thefhadows to flee away. If he 
 once heard her vo'ce in earnelt prayer, he 
 would come fwiftly over the viountains of 
 feparation between him and her, as a roe, or 
 yoimg hart. When his church is in a low 
 flate, and oppreffed by her enemies, and 
 cries to him, he will fwiftly fly to her relief, 
 as birds fly at the cry of their young. Yea, 
 when that glorious day comes, that I am 
 fpeaking of, before they call, he will anfwer 
 them, and while they are yet fpeaking, he will 
 hear ; and, in anfwer to their prayers, he 
 will make the zoo f and the lamb feed together, 
 &c. When the fpoufe prays for the effufion 
 of the Holy Spirit, and the coming of Chrifl:, 
 by granting the tokens of his fpiritual pre- 
 fence in the church, faying, Azvake, north 
 wind, and come, thou fouih, blow upon my 
 garden, that the f pices thereof may flow out; 
 
1^2 EXAMPLES, &C. 
 
 let my beloved come into his garden, and eat 
 his pleafant fruits ; there feems to be aii 
 immediate anfwer to her prayer, in the next 
 words, in abundant communications of the 
 Spirit, and beftowmentoffpiritual bleffings'; 
 lam come into my garden, viyjijler, myfpoiife; 
 I have gathered my ?nyrrh loith viy fpice ; / 
 have eaten my honey -comb with my honey ; I 
 have drunk my toine wkh my milk. Eat, 
 friends ; drink, yea, drink abundantly, he* 
 loved. 
 
 Scripture inftances and exarnples of fuc- 
 cefs in prayer, give great encouragement to 
 pray for this mercy. Mofl of the remiark- 
 able deliverances and reilorations of the 
 church of God, that we have account of in 
 the fcriptures, were in anfwer to prayer. So 
 was the redemption of the church of God 
 from the Egyptian bondage. The great 
 reftoration of the church in the latter day, 
 is fpoken of as refembied by this ; as in Ifai. 
 Ixiv. 1 — 4. xi. 11, 15, 16. xliii. 2, 3, 16 
 — 19. h. 10, 11, 15. Lxiii. 11, 12, 13. 
 Zech. X. 10, 11. Hof ii. 14, 15. It was 
 in anfwer to prayer, that the fun flood ftill 
 over Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of 
 Ajalon, and God's people obtained that 
 great viiiory over their enemies : in which 
 
EJ^AMPLES, &C. i^^ 
 
 Wonderful miracle, God feemed to have 
 fome refpcfl to a future more glorious event 
 to be accompli(bed for thechriftian churchy 
 in the day of her viftory over her enemies, 
 in the latter days ; even that event foretold, 
 Ifai. xl. 20. Thy fun Jliall no viorego down^ 
 neither Jliall thy moon zvithdrazv itfelj\ It 
 was in anfwer to prayer, that God delivered 
 his church from the mighty hoft of the Af- 
 fyrians, in Hezekiah's time ; which difj^en- 
 fation is abundantly made ufe of, ^s a type 
 of the great things God will do for the chri- 
 ftian church in the latter days, in the pro- 
 phecies of Ifaiah. The reftoration of the 
 church of God from the Baby lonifh captivity, 
 as abundantly appears both by fcripture- 
 prophecies and hiftories, was in anfwer to 
 extraordinary prayer ; feejer.xxix* 10— 14. 
 and 1. 4, 5. Dan. ix. throughout. Ezra 
 viii. 21, &c. Neh. i. 4. to the end.— iv. 4, 
 5. and chap. ix. throughout. This reftora- 
 tion of the Jewifh church, after the deftruc- 
 tion of Babylon, is evidently a type of the 
 glorious reftoration of the chriftian church, 
 after the deftruftion of the kingdom of Anti- 
 chrift ; which, as all know, is abundantly 
 fpoken of in the revelation of St. John, as 
 the anti-type of Babylon. Sampfon, out of 
 
 T 
 
154 EXAMPLES, &C. 
 
 weakncfs, received ftrength to pull down 
 Dagon's temple, through prayer. So the 
 people of God, in the latter days, will, out 
 of weaknefs, be made fl:rong,and will become 
 the inltruments of pulling down the king- 
 ' dom of Satan, by prayer. 
 
 The Spirit of God v/as poured out upon 
 Chrift himfelf, in anfwer to prayer. Now 
 when all the people were baptized, it came to 
 pafs, that Jefus alfo being baptized, and pray- 
 ing, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghoji 
 defcendcd in a boddly jhape like a dove, upon 
 hivi; and a voice came from heaven, which 
 faid, Thou art my beloved Son, in Thee I ant 
 ' well pleafed. The Spirit defcends on the 
 church of Chrift, the f^me way, in this re- 
 fpeft, that it defcended on the head of the 
 "church. The greateft effufion of the Spir- 
 ,it that ever yet has been, even that which 
 wa^s in the primitive times of the chriftian 
 church, which began in Jerufalem on the 
 (3ay of Pentecoft, was in anfwer to ex- 
 .traordinary prayer. When the difciples 
 were gathered together to their Lord, a lit- 
 tle before his afcenfion, he commanded them 
 that they Jlio^ild not depart from Jerufalem, 
 but wait for the promife of the Father, which, 
 faiih he, ye have heard of me, i. e. the pro- 
 
EXAMPLES, &C» 355 
 
 mife of the Holy Ghoft ; Afts i. 4. What 
 fhey had their hearts upon was the reftora- 
 tion of the kingdom of Ifrael : Lord, fay 
 they, wilt thou, at this time, rejiore again the 
 kingdom to Ifrael, ver. 6- And according 
 to Chrift's direftion, after his afcenfion, they 
 returned to Jerufalem, and continued in u- 
 nited fervent prayer and fupphcation. It 
 feems they fpent their time in it from day to 
 day, without ceafing ; until the fpirit came 
 down in a wonderful manner upon them, 
 and that work was begun which never ccaf- 
 ed, until the world was turned upfide down, 
 and all the chief nations of it were convert- 
 ed to chriftianity ; and that glorious deli- 
 verance and advancement of the chriftian 
 church, that was in the days of Conflantine 
 the Great, followed the extraordinary cries 
 of the church to God, as the matter is repre- 
 fented, Rev. vi. at the opening of the fifth 
 feal. The church, in her fuffering ftate, is 
 reprefented crying with a loud voice, How 
 long. Lord, holy and true, daft thou not judge, 
 and avenge our blood on them that divell on 
 the earth ? And the opening of the next 
 feal brings on that mighty revolution, in the 
 days of Conflantine, compared to thofe 
 great changes that (hall be at the end of the 
 
 w 
 
 orJd. 
 
156 OUR GREAT NEED OF 
 
 As there is fb great and manifold reafon 
 from the word of God, to think that if a 
 fpirit of earned prayer for that great effufi- 
 on of the Spirit of God which I am fpeak- 
 ing of, prevailed in the chriftian church, 
 the mercy would be foon granted ; fo thofe 
 that are engaged in fuch prayer might well 
 expect the lirft benefit. God will come to 
 thofe that are feeking him and waiting for 
 him; Ifai. xxv. 9. and xxxvi. 8. When 
 Chriil: came in the flefh, he was firfl reveal- 
 ed to them who were vjaitingfor the confo^ 
 Idtion of Ifrael, and looking for i^edemption 
 in Jerufalevi, And in that great out-pour- 
 ing of the Spirit that was in the days of the 
 apoflles, which was attended with fuch glo- 
 rious effefts among the Jews and Gentiies, 
 the Spirit came down firft on thofe that 
 were engaged in united earned prayer for 
 it. — x\ fpecial blefhng is promifed to them 
 that love and pray for the profperity of the 
 church of God. Pray for the peace of Je- 
 rufalem. They fhall prof per ^ that love thee. 
 
 y. We are prefented with many motive^ 
 in the difpenfations of Divine Providenc^ 
 at this day, to excite us to be much in pray, 
 er for this mercy. 
 
 There is much in Providence to fhew us 
 
THE MERCY SOUGHT. iry 
 
 our need of it, and put us on defiring it. — 
 The great outward calamities, in which the 
 world is involved, and particularly the bloo- 
 dy war that embroils and waftes the nations 
 of Chriftendom, and in which our nation 
 has fo great a fhare, may well make all that 
 believe God's word, and love mankind, ear- 
 neilly long and pray for that day, when the 
 wolf {hall dwell with the Iamb, and the na« 
 tions fhall beat their fwords into plow-fhares 
 &c. But efpecially do the fpiritual calami- 
 ties, and miferies of the prefent time, (hew 
 our great need of that bleffed effufion of 
 God's Spirit; there having been, for fo long 
 a time, fo great a witb-holding of the Spirit, 
 from the greater part of the Chriftian w^orld, 
 and fuch difmal confequences of it, in the 
 great decay of vital piety, and the exceed- 
 ing prevalence of infidelity, herefy, and all 
 manner of vice and wickednefs; and efpe- 
 cially in our land and nation; of which a 
 moft affefting account has lately been pub- 
 liftied in a pamphlet, printed in London, 
 and re-printed in Scotland, entitled, Britain's 
 Remembrancer; by which it feems that lux- 
 ury, and wickednefs of almoft every kind, is 
 well nigh come to the utmoft extremity in 
 the nation ; and if vice Ihould continue to 
 
158 OUR GREAT NEED OF 
 
 prevail and increafe for one generation more, 
 as it has the generation paft, it looks as tho' 
 the nation could hardly continue in being, 
 but mufl fink under the weight of its own 
 corruption and wickednefs. And the ftatc 
 of things in the other parts of the Britifh do- 
 minions, beGdes England, is very deplora- 
 ble. The church of Scotland has very much 
 loft her glory, greatly departing from her 
 ancient purity, and excellent order; and has 
 of late been bleeding with great and mani- 
 fold wounds, occafioned by their divifions 
 and hot contentions. And there are fre- 
 quent complaints from thence, by thofe that 
 lament the corruptions of that land, of fin 
 and v/ickednefs, of innumerable kinds, a- 
 bounding and prevailing of late, among all 
 mnks and forts of men there. And how la- 
 mentable is the moral and religious (late of 
 thefe American colonies? Of New-England 
 in particular! Hov/ much is that kind of re- 
 ligion, that was profefled and m.uch experi- 
 enced and practifcd, in the firft, and appa- 
 rently the beft times in New-England, grown 
 and growing out of credit ? What fierce and 
 violent contentions have been of late among 
 mini'fters and people, about things of a re- 
 ligious nature? How much is the gofpel- 
 
THE MERCY SOUGHT. 1^^ 
 
 miniftry grown into contempt ? and the work 
 of the ^miniftry, in many refpefts^ laid under 
 uncommon difficukies, and even in danger 
 of finking amongfl us? How many of our 
 congregations and churches rending in pie- 
 ces? Church-difcipline weakened, and ordi- 
 nances lefs and lefs regarded- What wild 
 and extravagant notions, grofs delufions of 
 the devil, and llrange pra6lices have prevail- 
 ed, and do ftill prevail, in many places, un- 
 der a pretext of extraordinary purity, fpirit- 
 uality, liberty, and zeal againft formality, 
 ufurpation, and conformity to the world? 
 How ftrong and deeply rooted and general 
 are the prejudices that prevail againft vital 
 religion, and the power of godlinefs, andal- 
 moft every thing that appertains to it, or 
 tends to it? How apparently jire the hearts 
 of people, every where, uncommonly (hut 
 up againfl: all means and endeavours to a- 
 -waken finners and revive religion? Vice 
 and immorality, of all kinds, withal increaf- 
 ing and unqfually prevailing? — May not an 
 attentive vievr and confideration of fuch a 
 flate of things well influence the people that 
 favour the duft of Zion, to earneftnefs in 
 their cries to God for a general out-pouring 
 of his Spirit, which only can be an effeftual 
 remedy for thefe evils? 
 
l6o OUR GREAT NEED OF 
 
 Befides the things that have been men- 
 tioned, the frefh attempts made by the Anti- 
 chriftian powers againft the Proteftant inte- 
 reft, in their late endeavours to reftore a 
 Popifti government in Great Britain, the 
 chief bulwark of the Proteftant caufe; as 
 alfo the perfecution lately revived againft 
 the Proteftants in France, may well give oc- 
 cafion to the people of God, to renewed and 
 extraordinary eaVneftnefs in their prayers to 
 him, for the fulfilment of the promifed down- 
 fall of Antichrift, and that liberty and glory 
 of his church that ftiall follow. 
 
 As there is much in the prefent ftate of 
 things to (hew us our great need of this mer- 
 cy, and to caufe us to defire it; fo there is 
 very much to convince us, that God alone: 
 . can bejlow it, and ftiew us our entire and ab- 
 folute dependence on him for it. The in- 
 fufficiency of human abilities to bring to pafs 
 any fuch happy change in the world as is 
 foretold, or to afford any remedy to man- 
 kind, from fuch miferies as have been men- 
 tioned, does now remarkably appear. Thofe 
 obfervations of the apoftle, i Cor. i. The 
 world by wifdovi knows not God, and God 
 makes foolijh the zoifdom of this ivorld, never 
 were verified to fuch a degree as they are 
 
THE MJERCY SOtJGHT. t6t 
 
 now. Great difcoveries have been made in 
 the arts and fciences, and never was human 
 learning carried to fuch a height, as in the 
 prefent age; and yet never did the caufe of 
 religion and virtue run fo low, in nations 
 profeffing the true religion. Never was an 
 age wherein fo many learned and elaborate 
 treatifes have been written, in proof of the 
 truth and divinity of the Chriftian religion; 
 yet never were there fo many infidels among 
 thofe that were brought up under the light 
 ofthegofpeL It is an age, as is fuppofed^ . 
 of great light, freedom of thought, and dif- 
 covery of truth in matters of religion, and 
 deteftion of the weaknefs and bigotry of our 
 anceftors, and of the folly and abfurdity of 
 the notions of thofe that were accounted e- 
 minent divines in former generations ; which 
 notions, it is imagined, did deftroy the very 
 foundations of virtue and religion, and ener- 
 vate all precepts of morality, and, in effeft^ 
 annul all difference between virtue and vice; 
 and yet vice and wickednefs did never fo 
 prevail, like an overflowing deluge. It is an 
 age wherein thofe mean and ffingy principles 
 as they are called, of our forefathers, which, 
 as is fuppofed, deformed religion, and led 
 
 U 
 
l62 OUR GREAT NEED, &C. 
 
 to unworthy thoughts of God, are very much 
 difcarded, and grown out of credit, and fup- 
 pofed more free, noble and generous tho'ts 
 of the nature of rehgion, and of the Chrifti- 
 an fcheme are entertained ; but yet never 
 was an age, wherein rehgion in general was 
 fo much defpifed and trampled on, and Je- 
 fus Chrift and God Almighty fo blafphem- 
 ed and treated with open daring contempt. 
 The exceeding weaknefs of mankind, and 
 their infufficiency in themfelves for the bring- 
 ing to pafs any thing great and good in the 
 world, with regard to its moral and fpiritu- 
 al (late, remarkably appears in many things 
 that have attended and followed the extra- 
 ordinary religious commotion, that has late- 
 ly been in many parts of Great Britain and 
 America. The infirmity of the human na- 
 ture has been manifefted, in a very affefting 
 manner, in the various paffions that men 
 have been the fubjefts of, and innumerable 
 ways that they have been moved, as a reed 
 fliaken with the wind, on occafion of the 
 changes and incidents, both public and pri- 
 vate, of fuch a ftate of things. How many 
 errors and extremes are we liable to? How 
 quickly over-topped, blinded, mifled, and 
 confounded? And how eafily does Satan 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT, &C. i6q 
 
 make fools of men, if confident in their own 
 wifdom and ftrength, and left to theinfel ves ? 
 Many, in the late tvonderful feafon, were 
 ready to admire and truft in men, as if all 
 depended on fuch and fuch inftruments, at 
 leafl: did afcribe too much to their (kill and 
 zeal, becaufe God was pleafed to improve 
 
 them a little while to do extraordinary things; 
 but what great things does the (kill and zeal 
 of inftruments do now, when the Spirit of 
 God is withdrawn? 
 
 As the prefent ftate of things? may well 
 excite earnell defires, after the promifed ge- 
 neral revival and advancement of true reli- 
 gion, and ferve to fhew our dependence on 
 God for it, fo there are many things in Pro- 
 vidence, of late, that tend to encourage us 
 in prayer for fuch a mercy. That infideli- 
 ty, herefy and vice do fo prevail, and that 
 corruption and wickednefs are rifen to fuch 
 an extreme height, is that v/hich is exceed- 
 ing deplorable; but yet, I think, confidering 
 God's promifes to his church, and the ordi- 
 nary method of his difpenfations, hope may 
 juftly be gathered from it, that the prefent 
 ftate of things will not laft lon^, but that a 
 happy change is nigh. We know, that God 
 Hcver will defert the caufe of truth and ho- 
 
164 ENCOURAGEMENT TO BE DRAWN 
 
 linefs, nor fufFer the gates of hell to prevail 
 againft the church; and that it has ufually 
 been fo from the beginning of the world, 
 that the ftate of the church has appeared 
 moft dark, juft before fome remarkable de- 
 liverance and advancement. Many a time 
 may Ifraelfay — Had not the Lord been on our 
 Jide, then our enemies would have fwallowed 
 us up quick — The zvaters had overwhelmed us. 
 The church's extremity has often been God's 
 opportunity for the magnifying his power, 
 mercy and faithfulnefs towards her. The 
 intereft of vital piety has long been in gene- 
 ral decaying, and error and wickednefs pre- 
 vailing; it looks as though the difeafe were 
 now come to a crifis, and that things can- 
 not long remain in fuch a ftate, but that a 
 change may be expected in one refpeft or 
 other. And not only God's manner of deal- 
 ing with his church in former ages, and many 
 things in the promifes and prophecies of his 
 word, but alfo feveral things appertaining to 
 prefent and late afpefts of Divine Provi- 
 dence, feem to give reafon to hope that the 
 change will be fuch, as to magnify God's 
 free grace and fovereign mercy, and not his 
 revenging juftice and wrath. There are cer* 
 tain times, that are days of vengeance, ap- 
 
JFROM LATE PROVIDENCES. 165 
 
 pointedfor the more fpecialdifplays of God's 
 juftice and indignation; and God has alfo 
 his days of mercy, accepted times, chofcn 
 feafons, wherein it is his pleafure to fliew 
 mercy, and nothing (hall hinder it; they are 
 times appointed for the magnifying of the 
 Redeemer and his merits, and the triumphs 
 of his grace, wherein his grace (hall triumph 
 overmens' unworthinefs initsgreateft height. 
 And if we confider God's late dealings with 
 our nation and this land, it appears to me 
 that there is much to make us think that 
 this day is fuch a day; particularly Gods 
 preferving and delivering the nation, when 
 in fo great danger of ruin by the late rebel- 
 lion, and his preferving New-England, and 
 the other Britifh colonies in America, in fo 
 remarkable a manner, from the great arma- 
 ment from France, prepared and fent againft 
 us the laft year; and the almoft miraculous 
 fuccefs given to us againft our enemies at 
 Cape-Breton the year before, difappointing 
 their renewed preparations and frelh attempt 
 againft thefe colonies, this prefent year 1747, 
 by delivering up the ftrength of their fleet 
 into the hands of the Englifti, as they were 
 in their way hither. And alfo in protefting 
 us, from time to time, from armies by land. 
 
l66 LATE ENCOURAGING 
 
 that have come againft us from Canada fince 
 the beginning of the prefent war with France. 
 Befides many flrange inftances of proteftion 
 of particular forts and fettlements, fhewing 
 a manifeft interpofition of the hand of hea- 
 ven, to the obfervation of fome of our ene- 
 mies, and even of the favages. And added 
 to thefe, the late unexpefted reftoring of 
 the greater part of our many captives in 
 Canada, by thofe that held them prifoners 
 there. It appears to me, that God has gone 
 much out of his ufual way, in his exercifes 
 of mercy, patience and long-fuffering in thefe 
 inftances. God's patience was very wonder- 
 ful of old, towards the ten tribes, and the 
 people of Judah and Jerufalem, and after- 
 wards to the Jews in Chrifl's and the apof- 
 tles times ; but it feems to me, all things con- 
 fidered, not equal to his patience and mercy 
 to us. God does not only forbear to deftroy 
 us, notwithftanding all our provocations and 
 their aggravations, which it would be endleft 
 to recount ; but he has, in the fore-mention- 
 ed inRances, wrought great things for us, 
 wherein his hand has been moft vifible, and 
 his arm made bare; efpecially thofe two in- 
 ftances in America, God's fucceeding us a- 
 gainft Cape-Breton, and confounding the ar- 
 
DISPENSATIONS OF PROVIDENCE. 167 
 
 mada from France the laft year; difpenfa- 
 tions of Providence which, if confidered in 
 all their circumllances, were fo wonderful, 
 and apparently manifefting an exti:aordina- 
 rv divine interpofition, that they come, per- 
 haps, the nearefl to a parallel with God s 
 wonderful works of old, in Mofes's, Jofhua's, 
 and Hezekiah's time, of any that have been 
 in thefe latter ages of the world. And it is 
 to my prefent purpofe to obferve, that God 
 was pleafed to do great things for us in both 
 thefe inflances, in anfwer to extraordinary 
 prayer. Such remarkable appearances of a 
 fpirit of prayer, on any particular public oc- 
 cafion, have not been in the land, at any 
 time within my obfervation and memory, as 
 an occafion of the affair of Cape-Breton. — 
 And it is worthy to be noted and remember- 
 ed, that God fent that great ftorm on the 
 fleet of our enemies the laft year, that final- 
 ly difperfed, and utterly confounded them, 
 and caufedthem w^holly to give over their de- 
 figns againft us, the very night after our day 
 of pubHc fafting and prayer, for our protec- 
 tion and their confufion. 
 
 Thus, although it be a day of great apof- 
 tacy and provocation, yet it is apparently a 
 dayof the wonderful works of God; w^onders 
 
^l68 LATE ENCOURAGING 
 
 of power and mercy, which may well lead US'* 
 to think on thofe two places of fcripture, 
 Pfal. cxix. 126. It is time for thee i Lord, 
 to work, for they have made void thy lazu. — ■ 
 And Pfal. Ixxv. 1. That thy name is near^ 
 thy zvonderous works declare. — God appears, 
 as it were, loth to deftroy us, or deal with 
 us according to our iniquities, as great and 
 aggravated as they are, and (liews that mer- 
 cy pleafes him. As corrupt a time as it is, 
 it is plain, by experience, that it is a time 
 wherein God may be found, and Hands rea- 
 dy to fhew mercy in anfwer to prayer. He 
 that has done fuch great things, and has fo 
 wonderfully and fpeedily anfwered prayer 
 for temporal mercies, will muc^ more give 
 the Holy Spirit if we afl-i him. He marvel- 
 loufly preferves us, and waits to be gracious 
 to us, as though he chofe to make us monu- 
 ments of his grace, and not his vengeance, 
 and waits only to have us open our mouths 
 wide, that he may fill them. 
 
 The late remarkable religious awaken- 
 ings, that have been in many parts of the 
 Chriftian world, are another thing that may 
 juftly encourage us in prayer for the pro- 
 mifed glorious and univerfal out-pouring of 
 
DICrENSATI )NS OF PROVIDENCE. l6g 
 
 the Spirit of God. '' In or about the year . 
 *' 173 -2 or 1733, God was plea fed to pour 
 *• oiu His Spirit on the people of Saltzburg, 
 *• in Germany, who were living under Fop- 
 '•' iHi darknefs, in a moH uncommon man- 
 '' ner; fo ihawabovc tv/cnty tboufand of 
 '• them, r)iii?fe^' by reading the Bible, which 
 '' they made a fhift to get in their own lan- 
 ** g^'-^g^? were determined to throw ofTPop- 
 "'' ery, and embrace the reformed Religion; 
 *' yea, and to become fo very ^zealous for 
 '•' the truth and gofpel of Jefus Chrid, as to 
 *•' be willing to fuffer the lofs of all things in 
 '•' the world, and actually to forfake their 
 '' houfes, lands, goods and relations, that 
 '' they might enjoy the pure preaching of 
 ''the gofpel;— wiih great earneflnefs, and » 
 *' tears in their eyes, befeeching Protedant 
 '* miniilers to preach to them, in different 
 '' places Vv'here they came, when banifhed 
 '• from their ov/n country.'' — In the year 
 1734 and 173,5, tliere appeared a very great '"' 
 and general awakening in the county of 
 Hampfnire, in the province of the Maffa- 
 chufetts-Bay, in New-England, and alfo in 
 many parts of Connefticut. Since this, there 
 
 X 
 
170 LATE ENCOURAGING El'ENTS. 
 
 has been a far more extenGve awakening of 
 many thoufands in England, Wales, and Scot- 
 land, and almofl: all the Britiili provinces in 
 North America. There has alfo been fdmc- 
 thing remarkable of the fame kind in fome 
 places of the United Netherlands ; and about 
 two years ago, a very great ^vakening and 
 reformation of many of the Indians in the 
 Jerfeys and Pennfylvania, even among fuch 
 as never embraced Chriilianity before; and 
 wfthin thefe two years, a great awakening 
 in Virginia and Maryland. Notwithitand- 
 ing the great diverii^y of opinions about the 
 iffue of fome of thefe awakenings, yet I know 
 of none that have denied that tliere have 
 been great awakenings of late, in thefe times 
 and places, and that multitudes have been 
 brought to more than comm.on concern for 
 their falvation, and for a time were made 
 more than ordinarily afraid of fm, and bro't 
 to reform their form.er vicious courfes, and 
 take m»uch pains for their fal^ition. If I 
 fhould be of the opinion qfthofethat think 
 thefe awakenings and ilrivings of God's Spi- 
 rit have been generally not well improved, 
 and lb, 2s to nofl:, have not iffued well, but 
 have ended in enthufiafm and delufion, yet. 
 
THE BEAUTY, &C. ini 
 
 that the Spirit of God has been of late To 
 v/onderfully awakening and (Irivino- wii!i 
 fuch multitudes, in fo many different parts 
 of the world, and even to this day, in one 
 place or other, continues to awaken men, is 
 what I fliould take great encouragement 
 from, that God Vv^as about to do fom.ething 
 more glorious, and would, before he finilhes, 
 bring things to a greater ripenefs, and not 
 finally fu3er this work of his to be fruflrat- 
 ed and rendered abortive by Satan's crafty 
 management; and that thcle unufual com- 
 motions are the forerunners of fomething ex- 
 ceeding glorious approaching; as the wind, 
 earthquake and fire, at Mount Sinai, v/ere 
 forerunners of that voice, v/herein God was, 
 in a more eminent manner; althoucrh they 
 aiiO were cauied by a divme power, as it is 
 reprefented, that thefe things were caufed by 
 the Lord p offing by. i Kings xix. ii. 12. 
 
 8. How condecent, how beautiful, and of 
 good tendency would it be, for multitudes 
 of Chriilians, in various parts of the world, 
 by explicit agreement, to unite in fuch pray- 
 er as is propofed to us. 
 
 Union is one of the mofl amiable thinp-s 
 that pertains to human fociety; yea, it is 
 
172 THE BEAUTY AND BENEFIT 
 
 one of the moft beautiful and happy things 
 on earth, Vv^hich indeed makes earth mod 
 like heaven. God has made of one blood 
 all nations of men, to dwell on all the face 
 of the earth; hereby teaching us this moral 
 leffon, that it becomes mankind all to be u- 
 nited as one family. And this is agreeable 
 >to the nature that God has given men, dJ- 
 ])ofing them to fociety; and tie circum- 
 ilanccs God has placed them in, fo many 
 Av^ays obliging and neceffitatlng them to it. 
 A civil uniQD, or an harmonious agreement 
 among men, in the managem^ent of their fe- 
 cular concerns, is amiable; but much more 
 a pious union, and fweet agreement in the 
 rreat bufinefs for which man was created, and 
 had powers given him beyond tlie brutes; 
 even the bufinefs of religion, the life and 
 foul of which is love. Union is fpoken of 
 ;n fcripture as the peculiar beauty of the 
 church of Chrill, Cant. vi. g. My dove, my 
 undifded is but oiic^Jlic is the only one of her 
 mother, JJie is the choice one of her that bare 
 her ; the daughters f aw her and blejjcd her, 
 yea, the queens and the concubines, and they 
 praifedher. Pfal. cxxii.5. Jerufalem is build- 
 cd as a city that is compact together. Eph. iv. 
 
OF THE PROPOSED CONCliRT. !-<> 
 
 / o 
 
 3 — 6. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the 
 Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body 
 and one fpirit; even as ye are called in one 
 hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, cnc 
 haptifm, one God, and Father of all, vclio is 
 above all, and through all, and in you all. 
 \^er. 10. The zchole body filly framed togeth- 
 er and compacted, by that zvhich' every joint 
 fvpplieth, according to the effcdttal working 
 in the nieafire of every part, niikelh increafe 
 cfthc body, unto the edifying iff If in love. . 
 As it is the glory of the church ofChriil, 
 that [lie, in all her members, however dif- 
 perfed, is thus one, one holy foiciety, one 
 city, one family, one body; fo it is wtry de- 
 firable, that this union fliould benianifefted, 
 and become vifible; and fo, that herdiilart 
 members (houldafl as one, in thofe things 
 that concern the common intcrefl oftlie 
 whole body, and in thofe duties and exer, 
 cifes wherein they have to do v»ith their 
 common lord and head, as feeking of l^im 
 the comnion profperity. It becomes all the 
 inembej's of a particular family, who are 
 liriftly united, and have in fomany refpefls 
 one common interefl, to unite in player to 
 God for the things they need ; it become: a 
 
174 ^^^ BEAUTY AND BENEFIT 
 
 nation, in days of prayer, appointed by na- 
 tional authority, at certain feafons, vifibly 
 to unite in prayer for thofe public mercies 
 that concern the intereft of the whole na- 
 tion; fo it becomes the church of Chrift, 
 which is one holy nation, a peculiar people, 
 one heavenly family, more ftri6lly united ? 
 in many relpe61:s, and having infinitely great- 
 er interefts that are common to the whole, 
 than any other fociety; I fay, it efpecially 
 becomes 'this fociety, vifibly to unite, and 
 exprefsly to agree together in prayer to God 
 for the common profperity; and above all, 
 that common profperity and advancement 
 that is fo unfpcakably great and glorious, 
 which God has fo abundantly promifed to 
 fulfil in the latter days. 
 
 It is becominof of Chriftians, with wliofe 
 character a narrow felfidi fpirit, above all 
 others, difagrees, to be much in prayer for 
 that public mercy, wherein confifts the wel- 
 fare and happinefs of the whole body of 
 Chrift, of which they are members, and the 
 greateft good of mankind. And union or 
 agreement in prayer is efpecially becoming, 
 when Chriftians pray for that mercy, which 
 above all other things concerns them unit- 
 
OF THE PROPOSED CONCERT. lyr 
 
 edly, and tends to the relief, profperity and 
 glory of the whole body, as well as of each 
 individual member. 
 
 Such an union in prayer for the general 
 out-pouring of the Spirit of God, would not 
 only be beautiful, but profitable too. It 
 would tend very much to promote union 
 and charity between diflant members of the 
 church of Chrifl, to promote public fpirit, 
 love to the church of God, and concern for 
 the intereil of Zion, as well as be an amiable 
 exercife and manifeftation of fuch a fpirit. — 
 Union in religious duties, efpecially in the 
 duty of prayer, in praying one with and for 
 another, and jointly for their common wel- 
 fare, above almoft all other thincrs, tends to 
 promote mutual affeftion and endearment. 
 And if miniflers and people (hould, by par- 
 ticular agreement and joint refolution, fet 
 themfelves, in a folemn and extraordinary 
 manner, from time to time, to pray for the 
 revival of religion in the world, it would na- 
 turally tend more to awaken in them a con- 
 cern about things of this nature, and more 
 of a defire after fuch a mercy; it would en- 
 gage them to more attention to fuch an af- 
 fair, make them more inquifitive about it, 
 mqre ready to ufe endeavours to promote 
 
^75 GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN 
 
 that which they, with fo many others, fpend 
 fo much time in praying for, and more rea- 
 dy to rejoice and praife God when they fee 
 or hear of any thing of that nature or ten- 
 dcTKy; and in a particular manner, would 
 it naturally tend to engage minifters (the 
 bufmefs of whofe life it is, to feek the vrel- 
 fare of the church of Chrift, and the advance- 
 ment af his kingdom) to greater diligence 
 and earneflnefs in their work; and it would 
 have a tendency to the fpiritual profit and 
 advantage of each particular perfon. For 
 perfons to be thus engaged in extraordinary 
 
 f)rayingfor the revival andflourilhing ofre- 
 igion m the world, will naturally lead each 
 one to refleft on himfelf, and confider hov/ 
 religion flouriflies in his own heart; and hov/ 
 farhisexam^ple contributes to the thing that 
 he is praying for. 
 
 g. There is great and particular encour- 
 agement given in the word of God, to ex- 
 prefs union and agreement in prayer. Da- 
 niel, when he had a great thing to requeft 
 . of God, viz. That God, by his Holy Spirit, 
 v;ould m:raculoufly reveal to him a great 
 fecret, which none of the wife men, aflrolo- 
 gers, magicians, or footh-faycrs of Babylon 
 could find out. he goes to Hananiah, Mi- 
 
TO EX^RESS AGREEMENT IN PRAYER. I77 
 
 Ihael and Azariah, his companions, and they 
 agree together, that they will unitedly defire 
 mercies of the God of heaven, concerning 
 this fecret; and tlieir joint requeft was foon 
 granted: and God put great honor upon 
 them^ above all the wife men of Babylon, 
 to the filling their mouths with praife, and 
 to the admiration and afionifhment of Ne- 
 buchadnezzar; infomuch,that that great and 
 haughty monarch, as we are told, fell upoa 
 his face and worfliipped Daniel, and ov/ned 
 that his God zcas of a truth a God cf gods ^ 
 and greatly promoted Daniel and his pray- 
 ing companions in the province of Babylon. 
 Edher, when fhe had a yet more important 
 requeft to make, for thefaving of the church 
 of God, and v/hole nation of the Jews, dif- 
 perfed through the empire of Perfia, when 
 on the brink of ruin, fends to all the JewsU' 
 in the city Shufhan, to pray 4nd faft with 
 her and her maidens ; and their united pray- 
 ers prevail, fo that the event was wonderful ; 
 inilead of the intended deftruftion of the 
 Jews, the Jews enemies are deflroyed every 
 where, and they are defended, honored and 
 promoted, and their forrow and diftrefs is 
 turned into great gladnefs, feafting, triumph, 
 and mutual joyful congratulation^;. 
 
 Y 
 
178 GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT, &C. 
 
 The encouragement to explicit agreement 
 in prayer is great from fiich inltances as 
 thefe; but it is yet greater from thofe won- 
 derful words of our bleffed Redeemer. Mat. 
 xviii. 19. I fay unto you, that if tiny tvjo of 
 youfiaU agree on earth touching any thing 
 thoot they f mil afk, itfiallbe done for them of 
 my Father -which is in heaven, Chriil is pleaf- 
 ecl to give this great encouragement to the 
 union of his followers in this excellent and 
 holy exercife of feeking and ferving God ; an 
 holy union and communion of his people 
 beinp^ that which he g^reatlv deiires and de- 
 ]i<Thts in, that which he came into the world 
 to bring to pafs, tliat which he efpecially 
 praved for with his dying breath, John xvii. 
 that which he died for, and which was one 
 chief end of the whole affair of our redemp- 
 tion by him. Eph. i. In zohovi zve have re- 
 dcnipiion thrditgh his blood, the forgivenefs of 
 fihs, according to the riches of his grace, where- 
 in he hath abounded towards us znallwifdovi 
 and briidence ; having made knozvn to us the 
 Dificry of his will, according to his good plea- 
 fare, which he hath prop of ed in hdnifef; that 
 tn /he difpenfation of the fulnefs of times, he 
 might gather together in one ail things in 
 Chrifl, both xchich are in heaven, and zvhich 
 are on earth, even in him. 
 
III. 
 
 tsr^imfWtKSailMSuem 
 
 OBJECTIONS A N S W P: R E D. 
 
 I COME now, as was propofed,in the third 
 place, to anfwer and obviate fome objec- 
 tions, which fome may be ready to make a- 
 gainft the thing that has been propofed to us. 
 
 Objecl. 1. Som.e may be ready to fay, That 
 for Chriftians, in fuch a manner tofet apart 
 certain feafons, every week, and every quar- 
 ter, to be religioufiy obferved and kept for 
 the purpofes propofed, from year to year, 
 would be, in effeft, to eftablifli certain peri- 
 odical times of human invention and ap- 
 pointment, to be kept holy to God, and fo 
 to do the very thing, that has ever been ob- 
 jected againfl, by a very great part of the 
 moft eminent Chriftians and Divines among 
 Proteftants, as what men have no ricdit to 
 do, it being for them to add to God's infti- 
 tutions, and introduce their own inventions 
 and eftablifhments into the ftated wordiip 
 of God, and lay unwarrantable bonds on 
 mens' confciences, and do w^hat naturally 
 tends to fuperHition. 
 
 Aiif To this I would fiy. There can be 
 nojuiiicein flich an objeftion againft this 
 
l8o NO SUPERSTITION IN THE 
 
 propofal, as made to us in the foremention- 
 ed memorial. Indeed, that caution and pru- 
 dence appears in the projefl:ion itfelf, and 
 in the manner in which it is propofed to us, 
 that there is not fo much as any colour for 
 the objetlion. The propofal is fuch, and fo 
 well guarded; that there feems to be no room 
 for the weakeR Chriilian that well qbferves 
 it, fo to miilake it, as to underfiand tbofe 
 things to be implied in it, that have, indeed, 
 been objected againit, by many eminent 
 Chriilians and Divines among Proteflants, 
 as entanghng mens'confciences, and adding 
 to divine inltitutions, &c. — Here is no pre- 
 tence of eltablifhing any thing by authority ; 
 no appearance of any claim of power in the 
 propofers, or right to have any regard paid 
 to their determnnations or propofals, by vir- 
 tue of any deference due to them, in any re- 
 fpeft, any more than to every individual 
 perfon of thofe that 'they apply themfelves 
 to. So far from that, that they exprefsly 
 mention that which they have thought of, 
 as what they would propofe to the thoughts 
 of others, for their amendments and im- 
 provements, declaring that they chufe rather 
 to receive and fpread the direfHons and pro- 
 pofals of others^ than to be the firll authors 
 
CONCERT AND MEMOKIAL. l8l 
 
 of any. — No times, not fanctified by God's 
 own inftituiion, are propofed tobeobferved 
 more than others, under any notion of fuch 
 times being, in any refpeft, more holy, or 
 more honorable, or worthy of any preference, 
 or diftinguifhingregard ; either as being fanc- 
 tified, or made honorable, by authority, or 
 by any great events of Divine Providence, 
 or any relation to any holy perfons or things ; 
 but only as circumflantially convenient, help- 
 ful to memory, efpecially free from worldly 
 bufinefs, near to the times of the adminiiira- 
 tion of public ordinances, &c. None at- 
 tempts to lay any bonds on others, with re- 
 fpe6l to this matter, or to defire that they 
 fnould lay any bonds onthemfelves, orlook 
 on themfelves as under any obligations, ei- 
 ther by power or promife ; or fo much as 
 come into any abfolute determination in 
 their own minds, to fet apart any ftated da) s 
 from fecular affairs, or even to fix on any 
 part of fuch days, without liberty to alter cir- 
 cumftances, as fliall be found expedient, and 
 alfo liberty left to a future alteration of judg- 
 ment, as to expediency, on further trial and 
 confideration. All that is propofed is, that 
 fuch as fall in with what is propofed in their 
 judgments and inclinations, while they do 
 
l82 NO SUPERSTITION IN THE CASE. 
 
 fo, Tnall ftrengthen, affift and encourage their 
 brethren that are of the fame mind, by vifi- 
 bly confenting and joining with them in the 
 affair. Is here any thing like making laws 
 in matters of confcience and religion, or ad- 
 ding mens' mftitutions to God's, or any fhew 
 of impofition, or fuperftitious efleeming and 
 preferring one day above another, or any 
 poffible ground of entanglement of any one's 
 confcience? 
 
 For men to go about by law to eftablifn 
 and limit circumftances of worfliip, notefta- 
 blifhed or limited by any law of God, fuch 
 as precife time, place, and order, may be in 
 many refpecls of dangerous tendency. But 
 furely it cannot be unlawful or improper for 
 Chriilians to come into fome agreement w^ith 
 regard to thefe circumftances, for it is impof- 
 fible to carry on any focial worfliip without 
 it. There is no inflitution of fcripture re- 
 quiring any people to meet together to wor- 
 Ihip God in fuch a fpot of ground, or at 
 fuch an hour of the day; but yet thefe m.uft 
 be determined by agreement, or elfe there 
 will be no focial worfhip, in any place, or 
 any hour. So we are not determined by in- 
 ftitution, what the precife order of the dif- 
 ferent parts of worfhip fliall be, what fhall 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 183 
 
 precede, and what fhall follow; whether 
 praying or finging (hall be firll, and what 
 fhall be next, and what fhall conclude; but 
 yet fome order mull be agreed on by the 
 congregation that unite in worflnp^otherwife 
 they cannot jointly carry on divine worfhip, 
 in any way or method at all. If a congre- 
 gation of Chriilians do agree to begin their 
 public worfhip with prayer, and next to nng, 
 and then to attend on the preaching of the 
 word, and to conclude with prayer; and do 
 by confcnt carry on their worfliip in this or- 
 der from year to year, though this order is 
 not appointed in fcripture, none will call 
 this fuperflition. And if a great number of 
 congregations, through a whole land, or more 
 lands than one do, by common confent, keep 
 the fame method of public worfhip, none 
 will pretend to find fault with it. But yet 
 for any to go about to bind all to fuch a me- 
 thod, would be ufurpation and impofition. 
 And if fuch a precife order fliould be regard- 
 ed as facred, as though no other could be 
 acceptable to God, this would be fuperftition. 
 — If a particular number of Chriflians fliall 
 agree, that befides the flated public worlhip 
 of the fabbath, they will, when their circum- 
 flances allow, meet together to carry on 
 
184 THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 
 
 feme religious exercifes on a fabbath-day 
 night, for their mutual edification; or if fe- 
 t^eral focieties agree to meet together in dif- 
 ferent places at that time, this is no fuper* 
 fiition, though there be no inflitution for it. 
 If people in different congregations volun- 
 tarily agree to ^ake turns to meet together 
 in the houfe of God, to worfliip him and 
 hear a public ,le6lure, once a month, or once 
 in fix weeks; it is not unlawful, though 
 there be no inflitution for it;^ but yet to do 
 this as a thing facred, indifpenfible, and bind- 
 "ing on mens' confciences, would be fuper- 
 ftition. If Chriftians of feveral neighbour- 
 ing congregations, initeadof alefture, agree 
 on fome fpecial occafion to keep a circular 
 faft, each congregation taking its turn in a 
 certain time and order, fixedonby confent; 
 or indead of keeping faft by turns, on diffe- 
 rent days, one on one week, and one on an- 
 other, they fhould all agree to keep a faft 
 on the fame day, and to do this either once 
 OF frequently, according as they flia-ll judge 
 their own circumftances, or the difpenfations 
 of the Divine Providence, or the importance 
 of the mercy they feek, do require; neither 
 is there any more fuperftitioa in this than 
 the other. 
 
THF. CONCERT NCt WHIMSICAL. 185 
 
 Objed. 2. Some may be ready to fay, therc 
 feems to be fometliinff whimfical in itsbeinir 
 infifled on that God's people, in diifercnt 
 places, fliould put up their prayers for this 
 mercy at the Tame time, as though their 
 prayers would be more forcible on that ac- 
 count, and as if God v/ould not be fo like- 
 ly to liear prayers oHcred up by many, tho' 
 they happened not to pray at the fam.e time, 
 as he would if he heard them all at the fame 
 moment. 
 
 Anf, To this I Vv'Ould fay, If fuch an ob- 
 jcftion be made, it muil be through mifun- 
 derftanding. It is not fi^nified or implied 
 in any thing faid in the propofal, or in any 
 arguments made ufe of to enforce it that I 
 have feen, that the prayers of a great num- 
 ber, in different places, will be more forci- 
 ble, merely becaufe of that circumftance, of 
 their being put up at tlie fa ire time. It is^ 
 indeed, fuppofed, that it will be very expedi- 
 ent, that certain times for united prayer 
 Ihouid be agreed on ; which it may be v/ith- 
 out im.plymg the thing fuppofed in the ob- 
 jeftion, on the following accounts. 
 
 1. This feems to be a proper expedient 
 for the promoting and m.aintaining an uni-^ 
 
 Z 
 
l85 THE CONSERT NOT WHIxMSIC AL. 
 
 on among Chridians of difiant places, in 
 extraordinary prayer for fuch a mercy. It 
 appears, from what was before obferved, that 
 there ought to be extraordinary prayers a- 
 mong Chriftians for this mercy ; and that it 
 is fit, that God's people fliould agree and 
 unite in it. Though there be no reafon to 
 fuppofe that prayers will be more prevalent, 
 merely from that circumflance, that differ- 
 ent perfons pray exatUy at the fame time-^ 
 yet there will be more reafon to hope, that 
 prayers for fuch mercy will be prevalent, 
 when God's people are very much in prayer 
 for it, and v/hen many of them are united 
 in it. If therefore agreeing on eertain times 
 for united and extraordinary praver, be a like- 
 ly means to promc>te an union of many in ex- 
 traordinary pra^^er, then there is more reafon 
 to hope that there will be prevalent prayer 
 for fuch a mercy, for certain times for extra- 
 ordinary prayer being agreed on. But, that 
 agreement on certain times for united ex- 
 traordinary prayer, is a likely and proper 
 means to promote and maintain fuch pray- 
 er, I think will be eafily evident to any one 
 that confiders the matter. If there fhould 
 be only a loofe agreement or confent to it as 
 a dutyj-or a thing fit and proper, that Chrif- 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 187 
 
 lians fliould be much in prayer for the re- 
 vival of rehgion, and much more in it than 
 they ufed to be, without agreeing on parti- 
 <:ular times, how liable would fuch a lax a- 
 greement be to be foon forgotten, and that 
 extraordinary prayerfulnefs, which is fixed 
 to no certain times, to be totally neglefted? 
 To be fure, diftant parts of the church of 
 Chrift could have no confidence in one an- 
 other, that this v/ould not be the cafe. If 
 thefe minifters in Scotland, infteadofthe 
 propofal they have m.ade, or any other mi- 
 niiters or Chr jftians in any part of the Chrif- 
 tian world, had fent abroad only a general 
 propofal, that God's people ihould, for the 
 time to come, be much more in prayer for 
 the advancement of Chrift's kingdom, than 
 had been common among Chriftians here- 
 tofore; and they fiiould hear their propofal 
 was generally allowed to be good, 'and that 
 minillers and people, in one place and an- 
 other, that hadoccafion to fpeak their minds 
 upon it, owned that it was a very proper 
 thing, that Chrifiians fliould pray more for 
 this mercy than they generally ufed to do; 
 could they, from this only, have, in any 
 meafure, the like grounds of dependent, 
 that God's people, in various parts of the 
 
l88 THE COx\CErs.T xNTOT WHIMSICAL. 
 
 Chrlftian world, would, indeed, hencefor- 
 ward aft unitedl)^ in maintaining extraor- 
 dinary prayer for this mercy, as if they fhould 
 not only hear that the duty in general was 
 approved of, but alfo that particular times 
 were aftually fixed on for the purpofe, and 
 an agreement and joint refolution was come 
 into, that they would, unlefs extraordinari- 
 ly hindered, fet apart fuch particular feafons 
 to be fpent in this duty, from time to time, 
 maintaining this praftice for a certain num- 
 ber of years? 
 
 2« For God's people, in difiant places, to 
 ag^ree on certain times for extraordinary pray- 
 er, wherein they will unitedly put up their 
 requefts to God, is a means fit and proper 
 to be ufed, in order to the viability of their 
 union in fuch prayer. Union am^ong God's 
 people in prayer is truly beautiful, as has 
 been before obferved and fnewn ; it is beau- 
 tiful in the eyes ofChrif!:, audit isjuilly 
 beautiful and amiable in the eyes of Chril- 
 tians. And if fo, then it muft needs be de~ 
 firable to Chriflians that fuch union fliould 
 be vifible. If it would be a lovely fight in 
 the eyes of the church of Chrift, and much 
 to their comfort, to behold various and dif-- 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 189 
 
 ferent parts of the church united in extraor- 
 dinary prayer for the general out-pouring 
 of the Spirit, then it muft be defirable to 
 them that fuch an union fhould be vifible, 
 that they may behold it; for if it be not vi- 
 fible, it cannot be beheld. But agreement 
 and union in a multitude in their worfhip 
 becomes vifible, by an agreement in fome 
 external vifible circumftances. Wcdhip it- 
 felf becomes vifible v/orfhip, by fomethin^ 
 external and vifible belonging to the wor- 
 fhip, and no other way ; therefore union aiid 
 agreement of many in v\^orfhip becomes vi- 
 fible no other vv^ay, but by union and agree- 
 ment in the external and vifible afts and cir- 
 cumftances of the worfliip. Such union and 
 agreement becomes vifible, particularly by 
 an agreement in thofe tw^o vifible circum.- 
 fiances, time and place. When a number 
 of Chrifiians live near together, and their 
 number and fituation is convenient, arid they 
 have a defire vifibly to unite in any acis of 
 worfhip, they are wont to make their union 
 llj^ and agreement vifible by an union in both 
 thefe circumilances. But when a much great- 
 er number of ChriPdans, dwelling in diflant 
 places, fo that they cannot unite by worfliip^ 
 ping in the fame place, yet defirc a vifible 
 
igo THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL, 
 
 union in feme extraordinary worfhip, they 
 are wont to make their union and agree- 
 ment vifible, by agreeing only in the former 
 of thofe circumftances, viz. that of time; as 
 is common in the appointment of public 
 Tafls and thankfgivirgs ; the fame day is ap- 
 pointed, for the performance of that extra- 
 ordinary worfnip, by all thofe Chriftians, in 
 different places, that it is intended fhouldbe 
 united therein, as a vifible note cf their uni- 
 on. This the common light and fenfe of 
 God's people leads Chriftians to in all coun- 
 tries. And the wifdom of Godfeems to dic- 
 tate the fame thing, in appointing that his 
 people, through the world, in all ages, in 
 their ftatcd and ordinary public worfhip, e- 
 very week, (hould manifcft this union and 
 communion one with another, in their wor- 
 {hip, as one holy fociety, and great congre- 
 gation of worfiiippers, and fervants of God, 
 by offering up their worOiip on the fame 
 day, for the greater glory of their common 
 Lord, and the greater edification and com- 
 fort of the whole body, jl 
 
 If any yet find fault with the propofal or 
 certain times to be agreed on by God's peo- 
 ple in different places, in the manner fet 
 forth in the memorial, I would afk whether 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL, igj 
 
 they objeft againfl any fuch thing, as a vifi- 
 ble agreement of God's people, in different 
 parts of the world, in extraordinary prayer, 
 for the coming of Chrifl's kingdom? Whe- 
 ther fuch a thing, being vifible, would not 
 be much for the public honor of God's name? 
 And whether it would not tend to Chriftians 
 afTiltance, quickening and encouragement in 
 the duty united in, by mutual example, and 
 alfo to their mutual comfort, by a manifeft- 
 ^tion of that union which is amiable to Chrift 
 and Chriflians, and to promote a Chriftian 
 union among profefiing Chriflians in gene- 
 ral? And whether we have not rcafon to 
 think, from the wOrd of God, that before 
 that great revival of religion foretold is ac- 
 complifhed, there will be a vifible union of 
 the people of God, in various parts of the 
 world, in extraordinary prayer, for this mer- 
 cy? If thefe things are allowed, I would 
 then afk further, whether any method can 
 be thought of or devifed, whereby an exprefs 
 agreement, and vifible union of God's peo- 
 ple, in different parts of the world, can be 
 come into, and maintained, but this, or fome 
 other equivalent to it? If there be any ex- 
 prefs agreement about any extraordinary 
 
Ig2 THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 
 
 prayer at all, it raafl firfl: be propofed by- 
 feme, and others muft fall in, in the manner 
 as is rcprefented in my text. And if extra- 
 ordinary prayer be agreed on and m.aintain- 
 ed by many in different places, vifibly one 
 to another, then it muft be Agreed in fome 
 refpeci, and with regard to fome circumftan- 
 ces, what extraordinary prayer ihall be kept 
 up; and it muft be feen and heard of, from 
 one to another, what extraordinary prayer 
 is kept up. But how fiiall this be, when no 
 times are agreed upon, and it is never known 
 nor heard, by thofe in different parts, nor is 
 in any refpeft vifible to them, when, or hov/ 
 often, thofe in one tov/n or country, and an- 
 other do attend this extraordinary prayer? 
 The confequence mufl neceffarily be, that it 
 can never be known how far, or in what re- 
 fpe6l others join with them in extraordina- 
 ry prayer, or whether they do it at all; and 
 not fo much as one cir'cumftance of extra- 
 ordinary prayer will be vifible; and indeed 
 nothing will be viftble about it. So that L 
 think any body that well confidcTs the m?.9 
 •ter, wnli fee, that he who determines to op- 
 pofe fuch a method as is propofed to us ia 
 the memorial, and all others equivalent to 
 
THE CONTCERT NOT \^%MIMSICAL. IQ3 
 
 it is, in cffeci, determined to oppofe tliere 
 ever being any fuch tiling at all, as an agreed 
 iand vifibly united extraordinary prayer, ill 
 the churcli of God, for a general out-pour- 
 tng of the Spirit. 
 
 3. Though it v/ould not be rrafonable to 
 fuppofe, that merely fuch a circumflance of 
 prayer, as many people's praying at the fame 
 time will dire£Hy have any influence or pre- 
 valence with God, to caufe him to be the 
 more ready to hear prayer; yet fuch a cir- 
 fcumflance may reafonably be fuppofed to 
 have influence on the minds of men ; as the 
 confideration of it may tend to encourage 
 and affift thofe in praying, that are united 
 in prayer. Will any deily, that it has any 
 reafonable tendency to encourage, animate, 
 br in any refpeft to help the mind of a Chrif- 
 tian in ferving God in any duty of religion j 
 to join with a Chriitian congregatioB, and 
 to fee an afTembly of his dear brethren 
 around him, at the fame time engaged with 
 him in the fame duty? And fuppofmg one 
 In this afTembly of faints is blind, and [cqr 
 ho one there, but has by ether m.eans ground 
 of fatisfaftion that there is prefent at that 
 A a 
 
194 I'HE CONXERt NOT WHIMSICAL^ 
 
 time a multitude of God's people, that are 
 united with him in the fame fervice, will 
 any deny, that his fuppofing this, and being 
 fatisfied of it, can have any reafonable influ- 
 ence upon his mind, to excite and encour- 
 age him, or in any refpeft to aflift him in 
 his worfliip? The encouragement or help 
 that one that joins with an affembly in wor- 
 {hipping God, has in his worfhip, by others 
 being united with him, is not merely by any 
 thing that he immediately perceives by fight, 
 or any other of the external fenfes (for uni- 
 on in worfhip is not a thing objefted to the 
 external fenfes ;) but by the notice or know- 
 ledge the mind has of that union, or the fa- 
 tisfaftion the underftanding has that others, 
 at that time, have their minds engaged with 
 him ill the fame fervice ; which may be when 
 thofc unitedly engaged are at a diflanceone 
 from another, as w^ell as when they are pre- 
 fent. If one be prefent in a worfhipping af- 
 femblv, and is not blind, and fees others pre- 
 'fent, and fees their external behaviour, their 
 union and engagednefs with him in w^orfhip 
 is ^'hat he does not fee, and w^hat he fees 
 encourages and aflifts him in his worfnip, 
 only as he takes it as an evidence of that 
 union and concurrence in his w^orfhip, that 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. IQ;^ 
 
 is out of his fight. And pcrfons may liave 
 evidence of this concerning perfons that are 
 abfent, that may give him as much fatisfac- 
 tion of their union with him, as if they were 
 prefent. And therefore the confideration 
 of others being at the fam*e time engaged 
 wdth him in wordiip, that are abfent, may 
 as reafonably animate and encourage him in 
 his worfhip as if they v/ere prefent. 
 
 There is no wifdom in finding fault v/ith 
 human nature, as God has made it. Things 
 th^t exift now, at this prefent time, are, in 
 themfelves, no m.ore weighty or important, 
 than like things, and of equal reality, that 
 Gxifted in time pad, or are to exift in time 
 K) come; yet it is evident, that the confider- 
 ation of things being prefent (at leaft in m.oll 
 cafes) does efpecially affefl human nature. 
 As for inftance, if a man fiiould be certainly 
 informed, that his dear chi'd. at a difcance, 
 v/as now under fom.e extreme fuffering, or 
 that an abfent m.oft. dear friend was at xlus 
 time thinking of him, and in the exercifeof 
 great affefiion towards him, or in the per- 
 formance of fome great deed of friendfhip ; 
 or if a pious parent fliould know that now 
 his child was in the aft of fome enormous 
 vrickednefs ; or that, on the contrary^ he was 
 
agS THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. 
 
 now in forne eminent exercife of grace, and 
 in the performance of an extraordinary deed 
 of virtue and piety; would not thofe thing^y 
 be more aflefting to tlie human nature, for be/ 1 
 incT confidered as things that are in exigence 
 at the prefent time, than if confidered as at 
 fome diftance of time, either pall or future? 
 Hundreds of other indances might be men- 
 tioned wherein it is no lefs plarin, that the 
 confideraticn of the prefent exiftence of 
 things gives them advantage to affeft the 
 -minds of men. Yea, it is undoubtedly fo 
 with things in genera!, that take any hold 
 at all of our afFeftions, and towards which 
 v/e are not indifFerent. And if the mind of 
 a particular child of God is difpofed to be 
 aiTe61ed by the confideration of the religion 
 of other faints, and with their union and con- 
 currence with him in any particular duty or 
 aQ: of religion, I can fee no rcafon why the 
 human mind (hould not be more moved by 
 the objeft of its afieciion, when confidered 
 as prefent, as well in this cafe, as in any o- 
 ther cafe ; yea, I think, we may on good 
 grounds determine there is none. 
 
 Nor mav we Iook uoon it as an inftance 
 of the peculiar weVknefs of the human na- 
 
THE CONCERT NOT WHIMSICAL. igj 
 
 turc, that men are more affe61cd with things 
 that are confidered as prefent, than thofe that 
 ^re diftant; but it feems to be a thing com- 
 mon to finite minds, and fo to all created in- 
 telligent beings. Thus, the angels in heaven 
 have peculiar joy, on occanon of the con- 
 verfion of a finner, when recent, beyond 
 what they have in that which has been long 
 paft. If any therefore ftall call it iiily and 
 whimfical in any, to value and regard fucli 
 ^ circumftance, in things of religion, as their 
 exifting at the prefent time, fo as to be the 
 more affefted with them for that, they mull 
 call the hoft of angels in heaven a parcel of 
 filly and w^himfical beings. 
 
 I remember, the Spe61:ator(v/hom none will 
 call a whimfical author) fomewhere fpeaking 
 of different w^ays of dear friends mutually 
 exprelfiqg their affe6iion,and maintaining a 
 kind of intercourfe, in abfence-one from an- 
 other, mentions fuch an inftance as this, with 
 much approbation, viz. That two friends, 
 that were greatly endeared one to another, 
 v/hen about to part, and to be for a confi- 
 derable time neceflariiy abfent, that they 
 might have tlie comfort of the enjoyment of 
 daily mutual exprefiions of friendfliip, in 
 their abfence, agreed that they would, eve- 
 
ig8 THE CONCLRT NOT PHARISAICAL. 
 
 ry day, precifely at fuch an hour, retire from 
 all company and bufnicfs, to pray for one 
 another. Which agreement they fo valued, 
 and fo ftriclly obferved, that when the hour 
 came, fcarce any thing would hinder them. 
 And rather than mifs this opportunity, they 
 would fuddenly break off converfation, and 
 abruptly leave thecompany they were engage 
 ed with. — If this be a defirable w^ay of inter- 
 courfe of particular friends, is it not a defir- 
 able and amiable way of maintaining inter- 
 courfe and fellowfiiip between brethren in 
 Chrift. Jefus, and the various members of the 
 Sioly family of God, in different parts of the 
 world, to come into an agreement, tliatthey 
 will fet apart certain times, which they w^ill 
 fpend with one accord, in extraordinary 
 prayer to their heavenly Father, for the ad- 
 vancement of the kingdom, and the glory of 
 their common dear Lord and Saviour, and 
 for each other's profperity and happinefs, 
 and the greateft good of all their fellow- 
 creatures through the world? 
 
 Object. 3. Some perhaps may objeft. That 
 it looks too much like Pharifaifm, when per- 
 fons engage in any fuch extraordinary reli- 
 gious exercifes, beyond what is appointed 
 by cxprefs inftitution, for them thus defign- 
 
THE CONCERT NOT PHARISAICAL, igg 
 
 edly to make it manifefl abroad in the wo^ld^ 
 and fo openly to dillinguifh themfelves from 
 others. 
 
 Aiif, 1. Allopenly engaging in extraordi- 
 nary exercifes of religion, not exprefsly en- 
 joined by inflitution, is not Pharifaifm, nor 
 has ever been fo reputed in the Chriftian 
 church. As when a particular church or 
 congregation of Chriftians agree together to 
 keep a day of fading and prayer, on fome 
 fpecial occafion; or when public days of 
 fading and thankfgiving are kept, through-* 
 out a Chriilian province or country; and 
 though it be ordinarily the manner for the 
 civil magiftrate to lead, in the fetting apait 
 fuch days, yet that alters not the cafe; if it 
 be Pharifaifm in the fociety openly to agree 
 in fuch extraordinary exercifes of religion^ 
 it is not lefs Pharifaifm for the heads of the 
 fociety leading in the affair. And if that 
 were now the cafe with the Chriflian church, 
 that once w^as, for about three hundred years 
 together, that the civil magiftrate was not 
 of the fociety of Chriftians, nor concerned 
 himfelf.in their affairs; yet this would not 
 render it the lefs fuitable for Chriftians, on 
 proper c^ccafions, jointly, and vifibly one to 
 another, to engage in fuch extraordinary ex- 
 
206 THE CONCERT NOt PHARISAICAL; 
 
 ^trcires of religion, and to keep days of faft- 
 ing and thankfgiving by agreement. 
 
 Anf, 2. As to the latter part of the objec» 
 tion, there can be no room for it in thi^ cafe; 
 It cannot be objecred againft what is propof- 
 ed in the memorial, that if perfons fhould 
 comply with it, it would look like affefting 
 fingularity, and open dillinflion from others 
 of God's profefiing people, in extraordinary 
 religion, fuch as was in the Pharifees of old- 
 becaufe it is evident^ the vfery defign of thei 
 memorial, is not to pron^ote Angularity and 
 diftinftion, but as mut:4^as poffible to avoid 
 and prevent it. The end of the memorial 
 is not to confine and limit the thing propo* 
 fed, that it may be praciifed only by a few, 
 in did inftion from the generality ; but on the 
 contrary to extend it, and make it as gene- 
 ral among profeffing Chriftians as poilible. 
 Some had complied with the extraordinary 
 duty propofed, and therein had been diftin- 
 guifned from others, for two years, before: 
 the m.emorial was publifhed; and they w^ere 
 more dirtinguifhed than they d^fired, and 
 therefore fend abroad this memorial, that 
 the pi-aflice might be more fpread, and be- 
 come more general, that they might be lefsr 
 diRinguifhed. What they evidently feek, is 
 
OF THE SLAVlMtJ, ScC. 201 
 
 to bring to pafs as general a compliance as 
 poffible of Chriflians of all denominations, 
 '' intreating, that the defire of concurrence 
 '" and affiftance, contained in the memorial, 
 *' may by no means be underflcod, as reflric- 
 " ting to any particular denomination or 
 *' party, or thofe who are of fuch or fuch 
 *' opinions about any former inftances of re- 
 '' niarkable religious concern; but to be ex- 
 " tended to all^ who (hall vouchfafe any at- 
 '•' tention to the propofal, and have at heart 
 *• the interefl of vital Chriilianity, and the 
 /' power of godlinefs; and who, however dif- 
 '' fering about other things^ are convinced 
 '' of the importance of fervent prayer^ to 
 *' promote that common intereft, and of 
 '' fcripture perfuafives, to promote fuch 
 ^"' pray en 
 
 Object, 4. Another objection^ that is very 
 likely to arife in the minds of many againfl 
 fuch extraordinary prayer as is propofedfor 
 the fpeedy coming of Chrift's kingdom, is 
 that we have no reafon to expeft it, until there 
 firft come a time of mod extreme calamity 
 to the church of God, and prevalence of her 
 anti-chridian enemies againfl her; even that 
 which is reprefented, Rev. xi. by the flaying 
 B b 
 
^02 OF TPIE SLAYING 
 
 of the witnefTes ; but have reafon to deter- 
 mine the contrary. 
 
 Anf. It is an opinion that .feems pretty 
 much to have obtained, that before the ful- 
 fihnent of the promifes relating to the church's 
 latter-day glory, there muft come a mofl ter- 
 rible time, a time of extreme fuffering, and 
 dreadful perfecution of the church ofChrift, 
 wherein Satan and Antichrift are to obtain 
 their greateft viftory over her, and Ihe is to be 
 bro't lower than ever by her enemies. Which 
 opinion has chiefly rifen from the manner 
 ■ of interpreting and applying the fore-men- 
 tioned prophecy of the flaying of the wit- 
 neffes. This opinion, with fuch perfons as 
 retain it, mull needs be a great reflraintand 
 hindrance, with regard to fuch an affair as 
 is propofed to us in the memorial. If per- 
 fons ex pe61 no other, than that the more 
 the glorious times of Chrift's kingdom are 
 haftened, the fooner will come this dreadful 
 time, wherein the generality of God's peo- 
 ple mufl: fuffer fo extremely, and the church 
 ofChrift be almoft extinguifhed, and blotted 
 out from under heaven; how can it be o- 
 therwife, than a great damp to their hope, 
 courage and activity, in praying for and 
 reaching after the fpeedy introduftion of 
 
 .^ "^ 
 
OF THE WITNESSES. 203 
 
 thofe glorious promifed times? As long as 
 this opinion is retained, it will undoubtedly 
 ever have this unhappy influence on the 
 minds of thofe that wifh well to Zion, and 
 favor her ftones and dull. It will tend to 
 damp, deaden, and keep down life, hope, 
 and joyful expeftation in prayer; and even 
 in great meafure, to prevent all eavneft, ani' 
 mated and encouraged prayer, in God's peo- 
 ple, for this mercy, at any time before it is 
 aftually fulfilled. For they that proceed on 
 tliis hypothefis in their prayers, muPc, at the 
 fame time that they pray for this glorious 
 day, naturally conclude within themfelves, 
 that they fliall never live to fee on the ea.rth 
 any dawning of it, but only to fee the dif- 
 mal time that fhall precede it, in which the 
 far greater part of God's people, that (hall 
 live until then, (hall die under the extreme 
 cruelties of their perfecutors. And the more 
 they expe61 that God wiil anfwer their pray- 
 ers, by fpeedy bringing on the promifed 
 glorious day, the more mull they withal ex- 
 peft themfelves to have a fhare in thofe 
 dreadful things, that nature fhrinks at the 
 thoughts of, and alfo expeft to fee things 
 that a renewed nature flirinks at and dreads ; 
 even the prevailing of God's enemies^ and 
 
204 -tij THE SLAYING 
 
 the almofl total extinguifhing the true reli-* 
 gion in the world. And on this hypothefis? 
 thefe difcouragemcnts are Hke to attend the 
 prayers of God's people, until that difrnal 
 time be aftually come; and when that is 
 come, thofe that had been prophefving and 
 praying in fackclolh, fhall generally beflain; 
 and after that time is over, then the glorious 
 day fliall immediately commence. So that 
 this notion tends to difeour^ge and hinder 
 all earneft prayer in the church of God far 
 that glorious coming of Chrift's kingdom, 
 until it be aftually come; and that is to hin- 
 der its ever being at all. 
 
 It being fb, this opinion being of fuch 
 hurtful tendency, certainly it is a thoufand 
 pities it fhoald prevail and be retained, if 
 truly there be no good ground for it. 
 
 Therefore in anfwer to this objeflion, I 
 would, with all humility and modefTy, ex- 
 amine the foundation of that opinion, of 
 fuch a dreadful time of victory of Antichrift 
 over the church, yet to be expefted; and 
 particularly fiiall endeavour to fliew that the 
 Jlaying of the witmejjes, foretold, Rev. xi, 7 
 — 10. is not an event that remains yet to be 
 fulfilled. — To this end, I would propofe the 
 following things to confideration. 
 
67 THE WIT^:ESSEs. 205 
 
 1. The time vv herein the witnrjfes lie dead 
 in thejlreets of the great city, doubtlefs, f3g~ 
 nifies the time wherein the true church of 
 Chrifl is lowed of all, mod of all prevailed 
 againft by Antichrift, and nearefl to an ut- 
 ter extinftion ; the time wherein there is left 
 the lead vifibility of the church of Chrift 
 yet fubfiding in the world, lead remains of 
 any thing appertaining to true religion, 
 whence a revival of it can be expefted, and 
 wherein all means of it are miod abolidied, 
 and the date of the church is, in all refpeQs, 
 furthed from any thing whence any hopes 
 of its ever flourii'hing again might arife. For 
 before this the \v'itnef[i^spropheJy infackcloth, 
 but now they are dead; before this they were 
 kept low indeed, yet there was life, and pov/- 
 er to bring plagues on theirenemies, and fo 
 much of true religion left, as to be a contin- 
 ual eye-fore and torment to tliem ; but novv^ 
 their enemies rejoice and fead, and have a 
 general public triumph, as having obtained 
 a full victory over them, and having entire-. 
 ly extirpated them, and being completely 
 delivered from them, and all that might give 
 them any fear of being troubled with them 
 any more. This time, wherever it be fixed, 
 doubtlefs, is the time, not only v/herein fewe-ft 
 
2oS WHETHER THE SLAYING OF THE 
 
 profeffors of the true religion are left in the 
 world, but a time wherein the truth (hall be 
 fanhefl out of fight, and Out of reach, and 
 moft forgotten ; wherein there are left few- 
 eft beams of light, or traces of truth, feweft 
 means of information, and opportunities of 
 coming to the knowledge of the truth; and 
 fo a time of the moft barbarous iraorance, 
 moft deftitute of all hiftory, reliques, monu- 
 ments and memory of things appertaining 
 to true religion, or things, the knowledge of 
 which hath any tendency to bring truth a- 
 gain to light, and moft deftitute of learning, 
 ftudy and enquiry. 
 
 Kov7, if we confidcr the prefent ftate of 
 mankind, it is credible tliat a time will yet 
 come in the Vv^orld, that in thefe refpefts ex- 
 ceeds all times that were before the Refor- 
 mation? And that fuch a time will come 
 before tlie fall of Antichrift, unlefs v/e fet that 
 at a much greater diftance, than the farih- 
 eit that any vet have fuppofed? It is next 
 to impoffibie, that fuch a change fhould be 
 brouGfht about in fo ftiort a time — it cannot 
 be v/ithout a miracle. In order to it, not 
 only muft the Fopifti nations fo prevail, as 
 utterly to extirpate the Proteftant religion 
 through the earthy but muft do many other 
 
WITNESSES BE A PAST EVENT. 207 
 
 things, far more impoffible for them to effefl 
 in order to cover the world with fo grofs 
 and confirmed a darknefs, and to bury all 
 light and truth in fo deep an oblivion, and 
 fo far out of all means and hopes of a revi- 
 val. And not only muft a vaft change be 
 made in the Protellant world, but the Popifh 
 nations muft be ftrangely metamorphofed, 
 and they themfelves muft be terribly perfe^ 
 cuted by fome other power, in order to bring 
 them to fuch a change; nor would perfe- 
 cution without extirpation be fufficient for 
 it. If there fhould be another univerfal de- 
 luge, it might be fuflBcient to bring things in 
 the world to fuch a pafs, provided a few ig- 
 norant barbjirous perfons only were pre- 
 ferved in an ark; and it would require fome 
 cataftrophe, not much fhort of this, to ef- 
 feft it, 
 
 2. In the Reformation, that was in the 
 days of Luther, Calvin, and others their 
 contemporaries, the threatened deftruftion 
 of Antichrill, that dreadful enemy that had 
 long oppreffed and worn out the faints, was 
 begun; nor was it a fmall beginning, but 
 Antichrift hath fallen, at leaft, halfvv^ay to 
 the ground, from that height of power and 
 
2o8 WHETHER THE SLAYING OF THE 
 
 grandeur, that he was in before. Then be- 
 gan the vials of God's wrath to be poured 
 ^ut on the throne of the beajl, to the great 
 {baking of its foundations, and diminution 
 of its extent; fo that the Pope loR near half 
 C of his former dominions^ and as to degree of 
 authority and influence over what is left, he 
 is not poffeffed of what he had before. God 
 nov7 at length, in anfwer to the long contin^ 
 ued cries of his people, awaked as one out 
 of fleep^ and began to deliver his church 
 from her exceeding low ftate, that Ihe had 
 continued in for many ages, under the great 
 oppreffion of this grand enemy, and to re^ 
 {tore her from her exile and bondage in the 
 fpiritual Babyloii and Egypt. And it is not 
 agreeable to the analogy of God's difpenfa- 
 tions, that after this, God fhould defert his 
 people, and hide himfelf fronl them, even 
 jTiore than before, and leave them mofe 
 than ever in the hands of their ehemy, and 
 all this advantage of the church againfl An- 
 tichrift (hould be entirely given up and loil, 
 and the power and tyranny of Antichrift be 
 more confirmed, and the church brought 
 more under, and more entirely fubdued than 
 ever before, and further from all help and 
 means to recover. This is not God's way 
 
WITNESSES BE A PAST EVENT. 2O9 
 
 of dealing with his people, or with their e- 
 nemies; his work of falvation is perfeft — 
 when he has began fuch a work he w:ill car- 
 ry it on — when he once caufes the day of 
 deliverance to dawn to his people, after fuch 
 a long night of difmal darknefs, he will not 
 'extinguifh the light, and caufe them to re- 
 turn again to midnight darknefs — when he 
 has begun to enkindle the bleffed fire, he 
 will not quench the fmoaking flax, until he 
 hath brought forth judgment unto viftory. 
 When once the church, after her long la- 
 bour and fore travail, has brought forth her 
 man-child, and wrought fome deliverance^ 
 her enemies fhall never be able to deflroy 
 this child, though an infant^ but it (hall af- 
 c^nd up to heaven, and be fet on high out 
 of their reach. 
 
 The deftruftion that God often foretold 
 and threatened to ancient Baby-Ion (which 
 is often referred to in the Revelation, as a 
 great type of the anti-chriflian church) was 
 gradually accompliflied, and fulfilled by va- 
 rious [}eps, at a great diilance of time one 
 from another; it was begun in the conqueft 
 of Cyrus, and was farther accompliflied by 
 Oariusj about eighteen years after, by a yet 
 Cc 
 
210 WHETHER'THE SLAYING OF THE 
 
 greater deftraftion, wherein it was brought 
 much nearer to utter defolation; but it was 
 about two hundred and twenty-three years 
 after this, before the ruin of it was perfeft- 
 ed, and the prophecies againft it fully ac- 
 complifhed, in its being made an utter and 
 perpetual defolation, without any human in- 
 habitant, becoming the dwelling-place for 
 owlsj dragons, and other doleful creatures. 
 But yet wlien God had once begun to de- 
 ftroy her, he went on until he finifhed, and 
 never fuffered her any more to recover and 
 eftabliih her former empire. So ihe refti- 
 tution of the Jewifh churth, after tlie Baby- 
 lonilh captivity, was gradual, by various 
 fteps; there v/ere feveral times of return of 
 the Jews from captivity, and feveral diftinft 
 decrees of the Perfian emperors, for the re- 
 ftoring and rebuilding Jerufalein, and re- 
 eflablifliing the Jewifli church and ftate; 
 and it was done in turbulent times, there 
 were great interruptions and checks, and 
 violent oppofitions, and times wherein the 
 enemy did much prevail: But yet, when 
 God had once begun the work he alfo made 
 an end: he never fuffered the enemies of 
 the Jews to bring Jerufalem to fiich a ftate 
 of defolation as it had been in before, until 
 
WITNESSES BE A PAST EVENT. 211% 
 
 the promifed reftoration was complete. A- 
 gain, the deliverance of God's church from 
 the opprefTion of Antiochus Epiphanes, (a- 
 nother known type of Antichrift) was gra- 
 dual; they were firft alhfled in a fmall de- 
 gree, by the Maccabees, and afterwards the 
 promifed deliverance was completed, in the 
 recovery of Jerufalem, the reftoration of the 
 temple, the miferable end of Antiochus, and 
 the confequent more full deliverance of the 
 w^hole land. But after God once began to 
 appear for the help of his church in that in- 
 ftance, after it feemed dead and paft all hope, 
 he never fuffered Antiochus to prevail a- 
 gainfl: his people, to that degree, again; 
 though the utmoft ftrength of this great mo- 
 narch was ufed, from time to time, in order 
 to it, and his vaft empire was engaged againft 
 an handful that oppofed them: God never 
 forfook the w^ork of his own hands; w^hen 
 he had begun to deliver his people, he alfo 
 made an end. And fo Haman, tliat proud 
 and inveterate enemy of the Jews, that tho't 
 to extirpate the whole nation, who alfb was 
 probab'y another type of Antichriir, when 
 he began to fall before Efther and Mordecai, 
 never flayed, until his ruin, and the church s 
 deliverance was complete. Haman's wife 
 
il2 WHETHER THE SLAYING OF THE 
 
 fpeaks of it, as an argument of his approach- 
 ing inevitable full deftruQion, that he had 
 begun to fall, Efth. vi. 15. 
 
 3. Ifitfhould be fo, that ant i-chriftian 
 tyranny and darknefs fhould hereafter fo 
 prevail againft the Proteftant church, and 
 the true religion, and every thing appertain- 
 ing to it, as to bring things to the pafs fore- 
 mentioned, this would hardly fo properly 
 anfwer the prophecy of flaying the two wit- 
 nefies ; for, doubtlefs, one reafon why they 
 are called two witnefles is, that the number 
 of the remaining witneffes for the truth was, 
 though fufBcient, yet very fmall. Which was 
 remarkably the cafe, in the dark times pi 
 Popery ; but fince the Reformation the num- 
 ber of thofe appearing on the fide of true 
 religion, has been far from being fo fmall,^ 
 -—The vifible church of Chrift has been 
 vaflly large, in comparifon of what it was 
 before; the number of Proteftants has fome- 
 times been thought nearly equal to that of the 
 Papifts; and, doubtlefs, the number of true 
 faints has been far greater than before. 
 
 4. It feems to be fignified in prophecy, 
 that after the Reformation, Antichriil fhould 
 never prevail againft the church of Chrift 
 any more, a3 he had done before. I cannot^ 
 
WITNESSES BE YET TO COME. 223 
 
 but think, that whoever reads and well con- 
 fiders what the learned Mr. Lowman has 
 written on the five firft vials, Rev. xvi. in 
 his late Expofition on the Revelation, mufl: 
 think it to be very manifeft, that what is 
 faid, verfe lo, of the pouring out of the fifth 
 vial on the throne of the beajl, (for fo it is in 
 the original) is a prophecy of the Reforma- 
 tion. Then the vial of God's wrath was 
 poured out on the throne of the beaft, i. e, 
 according to the language of fcripture, on 
 his authority and dominion, greatly to weak- 
 en and diminifh it, both in extent and de- 
 gree. But when this is reprefented in the 
 prophecy, then it is added, and, his kingdom 
 was fall of darkncfs, and they gnawed their 
 tongues for pain. If we confider what is com- 
 monly intended by fuch like phrafes in the 
 fcripture, I think we fhall be naturally, and, 
 as it were, necefTarily led to underfland thofe 
 words thus: Their policy, by w^hich here- 
 tofore they have prevailed, fliail now fail 
 them; their authority fhall be weakened, 
 and their dominion greatly diminifhed, and 
 all their craft and fubtilty fhall not avail 
 them to maintain and fupport the throne of 
 the beafl, or even again to extend his autho- 
 rity fo far as it had been before extended. 
 
214 WHETHER THE SLAYING OF THE 
 
 and to recover what it loft; but all their 
 crafty devices to this end (hall be attended 
 with vexatious tormenting difappointment; 
 they that have the management of the af- 
 fairs of the beaft's kingdom, fiiaH hencefor^ 
 ward grope as in the dark, and ftumble, and 
 be confounded in their purpofes, plots and 
 enterprizes ; formerly their policy was great- 
 ly fuccefsful, was as a light to guide thern 
 to tlieir ends, but now their kingdom fhall 
 be full of da.rknefs, and their wifdom (hall 
 fail them in all their devices to fubdue, and 
 again to bring under the church of God. — 
 The fcripture takes notice of the great po- 
 licy and fubtilty of the powers that fupcort 
 this kingdom, Dan. vn.'%.- -jj^-^dy behold, in 
 this horn ivere eyes like the eyes cf a 'man.' So • 
 it is (aid of Antiochus Epiphanes, that great 
 type of Antichrilt, Dan. viii. 23. A king of 
 fierce coimtenance, and underji.anding dark 
 fcntences.JIiaUJland up, Ver. 25. And thro' 
 his policy alfo.jliall he caiife craft to prof per 
 in his hand. This underftanding and poli- 
 cy is the light of this kingdom, as true wif- 
 dom is the light of the fpiritual Jerufalem^ 
 And, therefore, when the light fails, then 
 may the kingdom of this fpiritual Egypt be 
 faid to be full of darknefs. God hencefor- 
 
WITNESSES BE YET TO COME. 215 
 
 vfard v\^ill defend his people from thefe my- 
 ftical Egyptians, as he defended Ifrael of 
 old from Pharaoh and hjs hoft, when pur- 
 fuing afler them, by placing a cloud and 
 darknefs in their way, and i'o not fuffering 
 them to come nigh. So he will protect his 
 church from the men of that city that is fpi- 
 ritually called Sodom, as Lot's houfe, where- 
 in were the angels, was defended from the 
 men of Sodom, by their being fmitten with 
 darknefs or biindnefs, fo that they wearied 
 themfelves to find the door; and as God 
 defended the city in which was Eliflia the 
 prophet, and witnefs of the Lord, from the 
 Syrians, when they compafled it about with 
 horfes and chariots, and a great hoft to ap- 
 prehend him, by fmiting them with biind- 
 nefs. The fcripture teaches us, that God is 
 wont in this w^ay to defend his church and 
 people from their crafty and powerful ene- 
 mies. Job V. 11, &c, Tofet'itp on highthofe 
 that be low^ that thofe which mourn may be 
 exalted tofafety : He dijappointeth the devices^' 
 of the crafty, fo that their hands cannot per- 
 form their enter prize: He taketh the wife in 
 their own craftinefs, and the counfel of the 
 forward is carried headlong: They meet with 
 darknefs in the day-time, and grope in the 
 
2l6 WHETHER THE SLAYING, &C* 
 
 noon-day as in the night; but hefavcth Uw 
 poor from theftcord, from their mouth, and 
 from the hnnd of the mighty, PfaL- xxx v. 4.6* 
 Let then be confounded and put tofmme, that 
 feek after my foul; let them be turned back^ 
 and brought to cbnfufon. that devife my hurt 
 ^ — Let their wuy^ be dark andflippery. 
 
 Upon the account of fuch defence of God's 
 Proteftant church, and difappointment and 
 confufion of all the fubtle devices, deep- 
 laid fchemes, and furious attempts of their 
 anti-chriftian enemies, to bring them under^ 
 and root them out, and their feeing theni 
 ftill maintaining their ground, and fubfifting 
 Jn an independency on them, in fpite of all 
 that they do, it makes thein as it weregnafli' 
 their teeth, and bite their tongues for mere 
 rage and vexation; agreeable to Pfal. cxii. 
 p, 10. His righteoifnefs endurethfor evefy 
 
 ''his hornfhall be exalted with honour: The 
 wicked f tail fee it and be grieved, andgnafji 
 
 '^"^ with his teeth and melt away: The defire of 
 
 ^ the zoickedfnall perifi. 
 
 Hitherto this prophecy has been very fig- 
 tially fulfilled; fince the Reformation, the 
 kingdom of Antichrift has been remarkably 
 filled with darknefs in this refpeft. Innu- 
 
WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES, &C. 2I7 
 
 merable have been the crafty devices, and 
 great attempts of the churchof Rome, where- 
 in they have exerted their utmofl: policy and 
 power, to recover their loft dominions, and 
 again to fubjugate the Proteftant nations, 
 and fubdue the northern herefy, as they call 
 il* They have wearied themfelves in thefe 
 endeavours for more than two hundred years 
 paft; but have hitherto been difappointed^ 
 and have often been ftrangely confounded. 
 When their matters feemed to be brought 
 to a ripenefs^ and they triumphed as though 
 their point was gained, their joy and triumph 
 has fuddenly turned into vexation and tor- 
 ment* How many have been their politic 
 and powerful attempts againft the Proteftant 
 intcreftin our nation in particular? And how 
 wonderfully has God difappointed them from 
 time to time! And as God has hitherto fo 
 remarkably fulfilled his word in defending 
 his Proteftant church from Antichrift, fo I 
 think we have ground to truft in him, that 
 he will defend it to the end. 
 
 5, The hypothefis of thofe who fuppofe" 
 the flaying of the witnefles is a thing that 
 yet remains to be fulfilled, makes the pro- 
 phecies of the Revelation to be inconfiftent 
 Dd 
 
2l8 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES . 
 
 one with another. According to their hy- 
 pothefis, that battle. Rev. xi. 7. wherein the 
 beail makes war with the witnefTes, and o- 
 vercomes them^ and kills them, is the lafl 
 and greatell: conflift between Antichrift and 
 the church of Chrift, v/hieh is to precede the 
 titter overthrow of the anti-chriftian king- 
 dom. And they muft fuppofe fo, for they 
 fuppofe, that immediately after the fuffer- 
 ings the church fhall endure in that war, fhe 
 fliall arife, and, as it were, afcend into hea- 
 ven; i. e, as they interpret it, the church 
 fhall be direftly advanced to her latter-day 
 reft, profperity and glory. And confequent- 
 ly^ this conflift muft be the fame with that 
 great battle between Antichrift and the 
 Cfiurch, that is defcribed, chap, xvi. 13. to 
 the end, and more largely, chap. xix. 11. to 
 the end. For that which is defcribed in thefe 
 places, is moft evidently and indifputably 
 the greateft and laft battle or conflifl that 
 fliall be between the church and her anti- 
 ; ehriftian enemies, on which the utter down- 
 fall of Antichrift, and the church's advance- 
 ment to her latter-day glory, fiiall be imme- 
 diately confequent. And fo the earthquake 
 that attends the refurreftion of the wifnef- 
 fes, chap. xi. 13. muft be the fame with that 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAINT. 2lQ 
 
 great earthquake that is defcribed.chap. xvi. 
 18. And the falhng of the tenth part of the 
 city muft be the fame with that terrible and 
 utter defiruaion of Antichrill's kingdom, 
 chap. xvi. 17. to the end. 
 
 But thefe things cannot be. The battle, 
 chap. xi. 7. cannot be the fame v/ith that laft 
 and great battle between the Church and 
 Antichrift, defcribed, chap xvi. and xix.— 
 For the things that are faid of one and the 
 other, and their iffue, are in no wife confift- 
 ent. In that battle, chap. xi. the church of 
 God confiifts with her enemies in forrow, 
 fackcloth, and blood; but in the other the 
 matter is reprefented exceedingly otherwife 
 —the church goes forth to fight with Anti- 
 chrift, not in fackcloth and blood, but cloath- 
 ed in white raim.ent, Chrift himfelf before 
 them, as their captain, going forth in great 
 pomp and magnificence, u^on^i white horfe, 
 and on his head many crowns, and onhisvef- 
 ture, and on his thigh, a navie written, king 
 
 OF KINGS A^JD LORD OF LORDS; and the 
 
 faints who follow fo glorious a leader to this 
 great battle, follow him on white horfes, 
 cloathed in fine linen, white and clean, in 
 garments of ftrength, joy, glory and tri- 
 umph ; in the fame kind of raiment, that the 
 
220 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 faints appear in, when they are reprefented 
 as triumphing with Chrift, with palms in 
 their hands, chap. vii. g. And the iffue of 
 the latter of thefe conflifts, is quite the re- 
 verfe of the former. In the battle, chap, xi* 
 7. The beajt makes war with the witnejfes^ and 
 
 OVERCOMES THEM, AND KILLS THEM; the 
 
 fame is foretold, Dan. vii. 21. I beheld^ and 
 the fame horn made loar toith the faints, and 
 prevailed agaivfl them. — ^And Rev. xii. 7, 
 And it was given unto him to make war with 
 the faints, and to overcome them. But in the 
 iifue of that laft and great battle, which the 
 church {hall have with her anti-chriftian e-* 
 ricmies, the church (ball overcome them, 
 AND KILL THEM, Rcv. xvii. 14. Thefefhalt 
 ■"make war toiih the Lamby and the Lavibfliall 
 overcome them; for he is Lord of Lords, and 
 King of Kings; and they that are with him, 
 are called, and chofen, and faithful, compar- 
 ed with chapter xix. 16, and following verf- 
 es, and chapter xvi. 16, 17. In the conflift 
 that the bead fliall have with the wutneffes, 
 the beafl kills them^ and their dead bodies lit 
 %inburied; as though they were to be meat 
 for the beafts of the earth, and fowls of hea-» 
 yen; but in that laft battle, it is reprefented 
 that Chrift and his church fhallfay their e- 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. 221 
 
 nfiTiies, and give their dead bodies to be meat for 
 the fowls of heaven, chap. xix. 17. to the end. 
 There is no manner of appearance, in the 
 defcriptions which are given of that lafl; great 
 battle, of any advantages gained in it, by the 
 enemies of the church, before they themfelves 
 are overcome, but all appearance of the con- 
 trary. Be fure the defcriptions in the xvi. 
 and xix. chapters of the Revelation will, by 
 no means, allow of fuch an advantage, as the 
 overcoming God's people, and flaying them, 
 and their lying dead for fome time, and un- 
 buried, that their dead bodies may be for 
 their enemies to abufe, and trample on, and 
 make fport with. In chap. xvi. we read of 
 their being gathered together againft the 
 church, a mighty hoft, into the place called 
 Armageddon, and then the firft thing we 
 hear of, is the pouring out the feventh vial 
 of God s wrath, and a voice faying — It is 
 done. And fo in the xix. chap, we have an 
 account of the beaji, and the kings of the earth, 
 and their armies, being gathered together to 
 make war againfl him that fat on the horfe, 
 and againfl his army. And then the next 
 thing we hear of is, that the beafl is taken, 
 and with him the falfe prophet ; and that thefe 
 arc both cafl alive into the lake of fire; and 
 
222 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 that the remnant of their vafi army arejlain, 
 and all the fozvls filled with their fiefii. The 
 iffue of the conflict of the beafl with the wit- 
 neffes, is the triumph of the church's ene- 
 mies over God*s people, looking on them 
 as entirely vanquifhed, and their intereft ut- 
 terly ruined, pad all pofiibility of recovery : 
 They that dwell on the earth JJiall fee the dead 
 bodies of the faints lying in thejlreets of the 
 great city, andfiiaU rejoice over tJum, and 
 make merry, and fend gifts one to another. — 
 But the iflue of that great and laft battle is 
 quite the reverfe ; it is the church's triumph 
 over her enemies, as being utterly and for 
 ever deftroyed. 
 
 Here, if any one fhall fay, that the afcen- 
 fion of the witnefFes into heaven in the fight 
 of their enemies, may, as has more general- 
 ly been fuppofed, fignify the church's laft 
 viftory and triumph over her anti-chriftian 
 enemies, and final deliverance from them, 
 and yet the battle between Antichrift and 
 the witneffes, fpoken of, Rev. xi. 7. where- 
 in the witneffes are flain, may not be the 
 fame with that laft and greateft battle be- 
 tween Antichrift and the church, chap.xvi, 
 and xix. which immediately precedes and 
 iffues in the church's final vi6lorv and deli- 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. 223 
 
 verance; there may be two great battles, 
 foon following one another, though both are 
 not mentioned in the fame place ; one a con- 
 flift, wherein Antichrift prevails againft the 
 AvitnefTes, and overcomes them, and kills 
 them, and another that great battle defcrib- 
 ed, chap. xvi. and xix. after the witnefies 
 refurreftion, before their afcenfion into hea- 
 ven, wherein they fliall prevail and over- 
 come their enemies, and kill them; I fay, if 
 any one fhall fay thus, they will fay that 
 which the prophecies give no reafon, nor 
 -allow any room to fuppofe. Thatlaft battle 
 between the Church and Antichrift, w^herein 
 Chrift and his people obtain a complete vic- 
 tory, is evidently one of the greateft and re- 
 markable events foretold in all the Apoca- 
 lypfe; and there is no one thing, unlefs it 
 be the confummation of all things, in the 
 two laft chapters, that is defcribed in fo fo- 
 lemn and auguft a manner. And the de- 
 fcription (hev/s that it is an event which, 
 with its circumftances, muft take up much 
 time. There is vaft preparation made for 
 it by the church's enemies ; the devils, in or- 
 der to ftir men up, and gather them togeth- 
 er, to this battle of that great day of God Al- 
 mighty^ go forth unto the kings of the earth. 
 
224 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 and of the whole world, to propagate various 
 kinds of delufions, far and wide, all over the 
 world; which, undoubtedly, muft take up 
 many years time^ chap xvi. 13, 14. And 
 then great preparation is made in the church 
 of God, to make oppofition, chap. xix. 11 
 — 17. Now can any reafonably fuppofe, 
 that in what is reprefented, chap. xi. of a 
 great conflifl: between Antichrift and God s 
 people, wherein the latter are overcome and 
 flain, and lie dead three days (or three years) 
 and a half, and their enemies triumphing o- 
 ver them, but God's people rifing again from 
 the dead in the midft of this triumph of their 
 enemies, and afcending into heaven, while 
 the enemies ftand aftonifhed and arnazed 
 fpeclators — that the manner of the defcrip- 
 tion leaves fair room for us to fuppofe, that 
 after this refurreftion of God's people, they 
 continue long before they afcend, to encoun- 
 ter with Antichrift in a new confliQ, where- 
 in their enemies, after long time to prepare, 
 {hould engage with them with vaftly great- 
 er preparations, ftrength and violence than 
 before, and fhould wage war with the migh- 
 tieft army that ever was gathered againft the 
 church, and in the greateft battle that ever 
 was fought ! 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. S225 
 
 And befides, the witnefFes afcending into 
 heaven in the fight of their enemies, fpokcn 
 of chap. xi. cannot be the fame with the 
 church's gaining a glorious afcendant over 
 her enemies, in her final viciory over Anti- 
 chrift^ fpoken of chap. xvi. and xix. becaufe 
 the defcriptions of the events that attend the 
 one and the other do by no means anfwer 
 each other. For, obferve, it is faid, that when 
 the witnefies arofe, and.Jlood on their feet, 
 and afcended into heaven^ the fame hour there 
 "was a great earthquake ; but this does not 
 feem to anfwer to w^hat is defcribed, chap* 
 xvi. 18. Andtherewere voices^ and thunders^ 
 and lightnings, and there was a great earth-^ 
 quake, fuch as was not f nee men were upon 
 the earth, fo mighty an earthquake, andfo greats 
 —-It is faid, that at the fame time of the firfl 
 earthquake, chap, xi, 13* The tenth part of 
 the city fell; but hov/ far does this fall (hort 
 of what is defcribed, as attending the great 
 earthquake.^ chap. xv. ig, 20. And the great 
 city was divided into three parts, and the cities 
 of the nations fell ; and great Babylon came 
 into remembrance before God, to give unto her 
 the cup of the wine of the fiercenefs of his 
 wrath; and every if and fled away, and tkc 
 Ee 
 
226 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 moimtains were not found. It is faid of the 
 earthquake, chap. xi. And in the earthquake 
 were Jlain of men f even thoufand ; but how 
 far is this from anfwering the {laughter de- 
 fcribed, chap. xix. 17, &c. Which is repre- 
 fented as a general flaughter of the kings, 
 captains, mighty men, horfes, and armies of 
 the earth, and of the whole world; fo that 
 all the fowls that fly in the midfl: of heaven, 
 as far as the fun flxines, are filled with the 
 flelli of the dead carcafes, it being \hejlejli of 
 all men, both free and bond, both fnall and 
 great; (compare chap. xvi. 14.) who can 
 think, that this great flaughter, that is thus 
 reprefented, fliould, in chap. xi. be only caU 
 led 2i faying of f even thoifand men? 
 
 If we read this very eleventh chapter thro', 
 we (hall fee that the falling of the tenth part 
 of the city, and the witnefles rifing and af- 
 cending into heaven, are entirely difl:in6l 
 from the final deftruftion of Antichrift, and 
 that advancement of the church to her lat- 
 ter-day glory, that is confequent upon it. — 
 I'he judgments here fpoken of, as executed 
 on God's enemies, are under another woe; 
 and the benefits beftowed on the church, are 
 under another trumpet. For immediately 
 after the account of the rifing and afcend- 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. 227 
 
 ing of the witRefTes, and the tenth part of 
 the city's falling, and the flaying of L^f feven 
 thoufand men, and the affrighting ott,he rett, 
 and their giving glory to the God of heaven, 
 follow thefe words in the 14th and 15th 
 verfes, Thefecond woe is pajl, and behold the 
 third looe cometh quickly. And thefeventh 
 angel founded, and there were great voices in 
 heaven, faying — The kingdoms of this world 
 are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of 
 his Chrifl, and he f mil reign for ever and e- 
 ver. And in the following verfes, we have 
 an account of the praifes fung to God on 
 this occafion. And then in that lad verfe, 
 we have a brief hint of that fame earthquake, 
 and the gr^at hail, and tliofe thunders, and 
 lightnings, and voices, that we have an ac- 
 count of in the latter part of chap. xvi. So 
 that the earthquake mentioned in the laft 
 verfe of chap. xi. is that great earthquake 
 that attends the laft great conflift of the 
 church and her enemies, and not that men- 
 tioned ver. 13. 
 
 The three woes are the woes of God on 
 Antichrift and his fubjefts; and the third 
 and laft of them evidently fignifies the ter- 
 rible judgments of God on Antichrift, by 
 which God's wrath upon him fliall be ful-^ 
 
228 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 filled in his utter de{lru6iion; but the cala- 
 mities <f)n Antichrifl, fpoken of as attending 
 the rififrg and afcending of the witnefTes, fuch 
 as the falling of the tenth part of the city, 
 and fiaying feven thoufand men, do not be- 
 long to this laft woe, and therefore do not 
 fignify the final deftruQion of Antichrift; 
 for the words of verfe 14. will by no means 
 allow of fuch a fuppofition ; for there, imme- 
 diately after giving an account of thefe ca- 
 lamities, it is added — ThefecGnd zcoe ispajl; 
 and, behold, the third woe covieth quickly; 
 making a moR plain and exprefs diftin^Hon 
 between thefe calamities that had already 
 been mentioned, and efpecially- thefe that 
 werejuft then mentioned in tlf^ very laft 
 words, and the calamities that belong to the 
 third woe, that yet remain to be mentioned; 
 for by being paffed, the prophet is to be un* 
 derftood no othevwife than paffed in the de- 
 claration and reprefentation — it was not paft 
 m any other refpefli; it is as much as to fay. 
 Thus an account has been given of the ca-j 
 lamities upon Antichrifl that belong to the 
 fecond woe; now I proceed to give an ac- 
 count of thofe difpenfations of Providence 
 that belong to the third and laft woe, which 
 fhall prove Antichrift's final deftru6iion, eu^ 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. 229 
 
 in the kingdoms of this world becoming the 
 kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chrift. 
 
 What was fulfilled in the Reformation, 
 well anfwers the reprefentation made con- 
 cerning the witneffes. Rev xi. 1 1. 12. Of the 
 fpirit of If e from God entering into them, and 
 their fanding on their feet, and afcending up 
 to heaven, in thefght of their enemies. A lit- 
 tle before the Reformation, the Hate of the 
 church of God, and of true religion was low- 
 eft of all, and neareft to utter extinftion. — 
 Antichrift had, after great and long ftrug- 
 gles, prevailed againft the Waldenfes, Albi- 
 genfes, and Bohemians. The war with the 
 Albigerifes feems efpecially to be intended 
 by the war of the beaft with the witneffes, 
 fpoken of verfc 7. Thefe were witneffes to 
 the truth that were the moft numerous and 
 confiderable, and thofe that moft tormented 
 the church of Rome. And the war that was 
 maintained againft them, was, by far, the 
 greateft that ever Antichrift had againft any 
 of the profeffors of the truth, before the Re- 
 formation, and was properly the war of the 
 beaft; it was the Pope that proclaimed the 
 war, and that raifed the foldiers by his emif- 
 faries and priefts, preaching the crofs, ga- 
 thering innumerable multitudes of pilgrims 
 
230 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 from all parts of Chriftendom, and raifing 
 one croifade after another, which were con- 
 duced and managed by the Pope's legates ; 
 and it was the Pope that paid the foldiers 
 with pardons, indulgences, promifes of Pa- 
 radife, and fuch like trumpery. When An- 
 tichrift had gradually prevailed againft thefe 
 witnelfes, with much difficulty, and long 
 continued violent firuggling, and after in- 
 numerable vexatious difafters and difap- 
 pointments, the church of God, in the time 
 of Luther, and ether reformers, on a fud- 
 den, in a wonderful manner, revives, when 
 fuch an event was leaft expefted, (to the fur* 
 prize and amazement of their anti-chriftian 
 enemies) and appears in fuch ftrength, that 
 the reformed are able to ftand on their own 
 legs, and to withftand all the power and 
 rage of the church of Rome, Prefently af- 
 ter this revival, the people of God are fet 
 on high, having the civil magiftrate in many 
 countries on their fide, and henceforward 
 have the power of many potent princes en- 
 gaged for their proteftion. And this, in 
 fight of their enemies, and greatly to their 
 grief and vexation; who, though they, from 
 time to time, exert their utmoft, never are 
 able to prevail againft them, to bring thera 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN, 23! 
 
 under any more, as they had done in for- 
 mer wars. Oftentimes, in fcripture, God's 
 church's dwelling in fafety, out of the reach 
 of their enemies, is reprefented by their dwel- 
 ling on high, or being fet on high; as Pfal. 
 lix. 1. Ixix. 29. xci. 14. cvii. 41. Prov. 
 xxix. 25. Ifai. xxxiii. 16. The children 
 of Ifrael, in their deliverance out of Egypt, 
 from their cruel taflv-mafters, w^ho would 
 fain have brought them into bondage again, 
 w^ere faid to he carried on eagles wings, which 
 is lofty in its flight, flies away towards hea- 
 ven, fo that the Egyptians could not come 
 at them ; and they were protefted by the 
 cloud that went with them, as the witnefies 
 are faid to be caught up to heaven in a cloud. 
 Compare this with Ifai. iv. 5. And the Lord 
 will create upon every dzoelling-place of Mount 
 Zion, and upon her ajjcmhlies, a cloud and 
 fmoke by day, and thejhiningofajlamingjir^ 
 by night; for upon all the glory f hall be a de- 
 fence. 
 
 I fliall not pretend to explain the myftery 
 of the three days and a half of the witnefies 
 lying dead, or to determine the precife du- / 
 ration fignified by that myftical reprefenta- 
 tion. Poffibly no particular meafureoftimc 
 may be intended by it, and yet it may not 
 
232 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 be without fignificancy.* As no particular 
 numbcrof perfons is intended by the two wit- 
 neffes, but, in general, it intends a fmall num- 
 ber, and yet a lufficient number ; and as fmall 
 as might be, and yet be fufficient ; as lefs than 
 two witnefies was not fufficient, fo, perhaps, 
 no particular duration of that low ftate that 
 the church was in before the Reformation, 
 may be intended by three days and an half, 
 but, in general, it may be hereby fignified, 
 that this time of the triumphing of the wick- 
 ed, and extremity of God's church, ihould be 
 but fliort. Poihbly three days and an half 
 may be m^entioned, becaufe that is the utmoft 
 fpace of time that a dead body can be ordi- 
 narily fuppofed to lie without putrefaction, 
 fignifying that at this time the church fliould 
 be brought to the very brink of utter ruin, 
 and yet {hould be preferved, and revive a- 
 gain. And half a day may be mentioned to 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * IVJr. Lowman, In the preface to his Paraphrafe on the Reve* 
 lation, page 3, obferves as follows: Prophetic tiu7?ihers do net aU 
 ivays exprefs^ a determinate duration^ or fpace of time^ any Piora 
 than they alnvays exprefs a certain number. Prophecy^ I acknoiu- 
 ledge^ ufes nuvibers fo?netimes as other expreJionSi in a figurate 
 nieaningy as fymhols and hieroglyphics. Thus the number seven 
 fometimes does not denote the precife number feven; hut fgurative- 
 ly de7iotes perfe^ionyor a full and complete nu?nher; andthe?iu?K' 
 . her tenfo7netimss dots not mean precifely ten in nwnbsr^ hut ?/ia?ty 
 in general^ <fr a confidarahle rmmber^ 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN. 233 
 
 fignify the particular care of Providence in 
 exadlly determining this time of his church's 
 extremity. And probably there may be fome 
 reference to the three tim.es (or three years) 
 and an half of the witnefTes prophefying in 
 fackcloth : the more apparently to fliew the 
 difproportion between the time of the church's 
 welfare, and the time of her enemies viflory 
 and triumph; the time of the church's af- 
 fliftion and conflict may be long, and in the 
 iffue (he may be overcome; but the time of 
 this viftory (hall be but {hort, in comparifon 
 with the other, but as a day to a year; {he 
 may, as it v;ere, be killed, and lie dead, un- 
 til the comes to the very brink of utter and 
 hopelefs ruin, but yet God will not fuffer her 
 to fee corruption; but at that very time, 
 when her enemies expe6led that flie (hould 
 putrify, file fnall rife, and be fet on high, out 
 of their reach, greatly to their aflonifliment- 
 The grand objetlion againfl all this is, 
 that it is faid, that the -wiincffes faould pro-- 
 phefy twelve kiindred andjixty days cloathed 
 in fackcloth ; and when they havefiniflied their 
 tejlimony, the beaftJJioidd make zvar agaivji 
 them, and kill them, &c. and that it feems ma- 
 nifefl, that after this, they arc no longer m 
 
234 WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES 
 
 fackcloth, for henceforward they are in an 
 exalted ftate in heaven ; and that, therefore, 
 feeing the time of their v/earing fackcloth is 
 twelve hundred and fifty days, which is the 
 time of the continuance of Antichrift ; hence 
 their being flain and rifing again, muft be 
 at the conclufion of this period, and fo at 
 the end of Antichrift's reign. 
 
 In anfwer to which I would fay, that we 
 can juftly infer no more from this prophecy 
 than this, viz. That the twelve hundred and 
 fixty days is the proper lime of the church's 
 trouble and bondage, or being cloathed in 
 fackcloth, becaufe it is the appointed time 
 of the reign of Antichrift. But this does not 
 hinder but that God, out of his great com- 
 paffion to his church, ftiould, in fome refpecl, 
 {horten the days, and grant that fhe fhould, 
 in fome meafure, anticipate the appointed 
 great deliverance that Ihould be at the end 
 of thofe days; as he has, in faft, done in the 
 Reformation, whereby the church has had a 
 great degree of reftoration granted, from the 
 darknefs and power of Antichrift, before her 
 proper time of reftoration, which is at the 
 end of the twelve hundred and fixty days. 
 Thus the church of Chrift, through the ten- 
 der mercies of her Father and Redeemer, in 
 
REMAIN YET TO BE SLAIN, 235 
 
 fome refpefts, anticipates her deliverance 
 from her forro ws and fackcloth; as many- 
 parts of the church are hereby brought from 
 under the dominion of the anti-chriftian pow- 
 ers, into a ftate of power and liberty, though, 
 in other refpefts, the church may be faid to 
 continue in fackcloth, and in the wildernefs, 
 until the end of the days; many parts of it 
 flill remaining under grievous perfecution. 
 
 What we render, When theyjliall kaveji' 
 nijiied their tejlimony, Mr. Lowman, from Mr, 
 Daubuz, renders, Whiletheyjhallperforvitheir 
 tejlimony; and obferves, that the original 
 may mean the time of their teftimony, as 
 well as the end of it. 
 
 I might here obferve, that we have other 
 inflances of God's fhortening the days of his 
 church's captivity and bondage, either at the 
 beginning or end, very parallel with what 
 has been now fuppofed in the cafe of the wit- 
 neffes. Thus the proper time of the bondage 
 of the pofterity of Abraham in Egypt, was 
 four hundred years. Gen. xv. 13. But yet 
 God in mercy deferred the beginning of their 
 bondage, whereby the time was much fhort- 
 ened at the beginning. So the time where- 
 in it was foretold, that the whole hnd of If- 
 
BgS WHETHER THE TWO WITNESSES^ &G. 
 
 raeljliould he a defolation and an ajioniflivient, 
 and the landjliould enjoy herfabbaths, by the 
 Babyloniili captivity, v/as feventy years, Jer. 
 XXV. 11, 12. and thefe feventy years are dat- 
 ed in 2d Chro. xxxvi. 20, 21. from Zede- 
 kiah's captivity; and yet, from that captivi- 
 ty to Cyrus's decree, was but fifty-two years ; 
 though it was indeed feventy years before 
 the more full reftoration of the Jewifh church 
 and ilate by Barius's decree, Ezra vi. So the 
 proper time of the oppreflion and bondage 
 of the Jewifh church under Antipchus Epi- 
 phanes, wherein both the fandtuary and hojl 
 Jliould be trodden underfoot by him, was two 
 'thoufand three hundred days, Dan. viii. 13, 
 14, The time from Antiochus's taking Je- 
 rufalem, and polluting the fanftuary, to An- 
 tiochus's death, feems to have been about fo 
 long ; but God Ihortened the days, by grant- 
 ing remarkable help to his people by means 
 of the Maccabees, before that time ; yea, the 
 temple and fancluary were reftored, and the 
 altar rebuilt and dedicated before that time. 
 Upon the whole, I think there appears to 
 be no reafon from the prophecy concerning 
 the two v/itnefTes, Rev. xi. to expeft any 
 fuch general and terrible deftruftion of the 
 ^hurch of Chrift, before the utter downfal of 
 
OF THE SUPPOSED GREAT, &C. 237 
 
 Antichrifl;, as fome have fuppofed, but good 
 reafon to determine the contrary. It is true, 
 there is abundant evidence in fcripture, that 
 there is yet remaining a mighty conflift be- 
 tween the church and her enemies, the mofl 
 violent flruggle of Satan and his adherents, 
 in oppofition to true religion, and the mod 
 general commotion that ever was in the 
 world, fince the foundation of it to that time; 
 and many particular Chriftians, and fome 
 parts of the church of Chrift, may fuiTer hard 
 things in this conflift ; but, ii^ the general, 
 Satan and Antichrifl fliall not get the vic- 
 tory, nor greatly prevail, but, on the con- 
 trary, be entirely conquered, and utterly o- 
 verthrown, in this great battle. So that I 
 hope this prophecy of the flayingof the wit- 
 neffes will not ftand in the way of a com- 
 pliance with the propofal made to us in the 
 memorial, as a prevalent objeftion and dif- 
 couragement. 
 
 Object, 5. A late very learned and ingeni- 
 ous Expofitor of the Revelation, viz. Mr. 
 Lowman, fets the fall of Antichrifl, and con- 
 fequently the coming of Chrift's kingdom, 
 at a great diftance,fuppofing that the twelve 
 hundred and fixty years of Antichrifl 's reign 
 did not begin till the year feven hundred 
 
^238 OF THE SUPPOSED GREAT DISTANCE 
 
 ^ and fifty-fix; and confequently, that it will 
 /^ not end until after the year two thoufand, 
 more than two hundred and fifty years hence, 
 and this opinion he confirms by a great va- 
 riety of arguments. 
 
 Anf. 1. If this objeftion be allowed to be 
 valid, and that which ought to determine 
 perfons in an affair of this nature, and thofe 
 things concerning God's people praying for 
 this glorious event, be alfo allowed to be 
 true, which before were fliewn to be the will 
 of God abundantly revealed in his word, 
 then the following things mull be fuppofed, 
 viz. That it is the will of God that his peo- 
 ple be much in prayer for this event, and 
 particularly that it is God's revealed will 
 and purpofe, that, a little before the accom- 
 plifhment of it, his people be earnefl:ly feek- 
 ing and wriiting, and importunately and in- 
 ceffantly crying to God for it; but yet that 
 it was God's defign, that before this time 
 comes of extraordinary prayer and impor- 
 tunity of his church, for the bringing on this 
 glorious event, his church fhould have it giv- 
 en them to underfl:and precifely when the 
 appointed time fhould be, and that accord- 
 ingly he has now aftually brought the fixed 
 time to light by nieans of Mr. Lowman. — ^ 
 
OF antichrist's fall. 
 
 239 
 
 But is it reafonable to fu ppofe, that this fhould 
 be God's manner of dealing with his church, 
 firfl to make known to them the precife time 
 which he has unakerably fixed for the fliew- 
 ing this mercy to Zion, and then make it 
 the duty of his church, in an extraordinary 
 manner, to be, by prayer, enquiring of him 
 concerning it, and faying — Hozolong, Lord! 
 and waiting for it, day and night, crying to 
 him, with exceeding importunity, that he 
 would bring it on, that he would come quick- 
 ly, that he would hide himfelf no longer, 
 but would arif^ and have mercy upon Zion, 
 and awake as one out of fleep, openly ma- 
 nifeft himfelf, and make bare his holy arm 
 for the falvation of his people? That they 
 that make mention of the Lor djlioidd not keep 
 filence, nor give him any rejl, until heejlabljjji 
 and make Jerufalem a praife on the earth ? 
 And that the church fhould then fay to 
 Chrift, Make hajt.e, my beloved, and be thou 
 Like a roe or a young hart on the mountain 
 offpices? 
 
 It may be many w^ays for the comfort and 
 benefit of God's church in her afflifted ftate, 
 to know that the reign of Antichrifl is to be 
 no more than one thoufand tvv^o hundred 
 and fixty years ; and fome things in general 
 
240 THE TIME OF ANTICHRIST S FALL 
 
 may be argued concerning the approach of 
 it, when it is near; as the Jews could argue 
 the approach of Chrift's firfl: coming, from 
 Daniel's prophecy of the feventy weeks ^ 
 though they knew not precifely when that 
 feventy weeks would end. But it is not rea- 
 fonable to expefl: that God fiiould make 
 ^, known to us beforehand, th^ precife time of 
 Chrift's coming in his kingdom* The dif- 
 ciples defired to know this, and manifefted 
 their defire to their Lord, but he told them 
 plainly, that it was not for them to know the 
 times and feafons^ which the Father ■ hath 
 put in his own poioer, Afts i. 6, 7. and there 
 is no reafon to think that it is any more for • 
 us than for them, or for Chrift's difciples in 
 thefe days, any more than for his apoftles in 
 thofe days. God m.akes it the duty of his 
 church to be importunately praying for it, 
 and praying that it may come fpeedily; and 
 not only to be praying for it, but to be feek- 
 ing for it, in the ufe of proper means, en- 
 deavouring that religion may now revive e- 
 very where, and Satan's kingdom be over-^ 
 thrown ; and always to be waiting for it, be- 
 ing in a conftant preparation for it, as fer- 
 vants that wait for the coming of their lord^ 
 or virgins for the coming of the bridegroom, 
 
WILL NOT BE KNOWN BEFOREHAND. 24I 
 
 not knowing at what hour he will come. — < 
 But God's making known beforehand the 
 precife time of his coming, does not well 
 confift v/ith thefe thingr,. 
 
 It is the revealed will of God, that he 
 fliould be enquired of by his people, by ex- 
 traordinary prayer, concerning this great 
 mercy, to do it for them, before it be fulfill- 
 ed. And if any fuppofe, that it is now found 
 out precifely when the time is to be, and 
 (the time being at a confiderable diflance) 
 that now is not a proper feafon to begin this 
 extraordinary prayer, I would, on this fup- 
 pofition, afk — When we (liall begin? How 
 long before the fixed and known time of the 
 beftowment of this mercy comes, (hall we 
 begin to cry earneftly to God that this mer- 
 cy may come, and that Chiift would make 
 hafte and be like a roe^ &c. For us to de- 
 lay, fuppofing that we know the time to be 
 far ofT, is not agreeable to the language of 
 God's people in my text — Come, let its ga 
 SPEEDILY, and pray before the Lord, and 
 feek the Lord of Hojls. 
 
 Anf. 2. I acknowledg-e that Mr. Lowman'^s 
 Expofition of the Revelation is, on many ac- 
 counts, excellently written, giving great Yighi 
 
242 THE TIME UNKNOWN, &C. 
 
 into fome parts of that prophecy, and an in- 
 fiance of the fuIfiHrncnt of that precli61ion, 
 Dan. xii. 4. Manyjhall run to and fro, and 
 knowledge faall he increafed; and efpecially 
 in his Interpretation of the Five Firll Vials, 
 (which he fuppofeth already poured out) ex- 
 ceedingly fatisfying. But yet the opinion of 
 Mr. Lowman, with regard to the particular 
 time of the beginning and end of the time, 
 times, and an half of Antichrid's reign, and 
 of all others that pretend to fix the time, is 
 the leaft to b^ regarded, becaufe it is clearly 
 revealed, and exprefsly declared by God, 
 that that matter fliall be fealed up and hid, 
 and not known until the time of the end of 
 this time, times, and an half. Daniel, in the 
 laft chapter of his prophecy, gives us an ac- 
 count, how the angel told him of a future 
 time of great trouble and aftliftion to the 
 church of God, and then faid to him, ver. 4. 
 But thou, Daniel, shut up the words, 
 
 AND SEAL THE BOOK, EVEN TO THE TIME 
 
 OF THE END. And then the prophct pro- 
 ceeds to give an account of a vifion that he 
 had of one earneflly enquiring of the angel 
 of the Lord how long it would be to the end 
 of this remarkable and wonderful time of 
 the church's trouble^ faying, Boio long fliall 
 
THE TIME UNKNOWN, &C. 243 
 
 it be to the end ofthefe wonders? ver. 5, 6. 
 The anfwer was, that it/Iiould be for a time, 
 times, and an half, and that when fo long a 
 time was palt, then this wonderful affliftion 
 and fcattering of the holy people (hould be 
 finiflied, ver. 7. But then Daniel tells us, in 
 the next verfe, that he heard, but he under-' 
 flood not, and faid, 0, my Lord, whatfiallbt 
 the end of thefe things? He did not under- 
 ftand that general and myflical anfwer, that 
 thofe things fhould have an end at the end 
 of a time, times, and an half; he did not 
 know by it, v/hen this period would have an 
 end; and therefore he enquires more parti- 
 cularly v/hat the time of the end was. But 
 the angel replies, ver. g. Go thy way, Daniel, 
 the zcords are clofed and fealed up, until the 
 time of the end, I do not know what could • 
 have been more exprefs. The angel gently 
 rebukes this over inquifitivenefs of Daniel, 
 very much as Chrift did a like inquifitivenefs 
 of the difciples concerning the famxe matter, 
 when he faid to them— /^ is not for you to 
 know the times andfeafons, that the Father 
 hath put in his own power, — I think there 
 can be no doubt but that this fpace, of a time, 
 times, and an half of the church's great trou- 
 ble, about the end of which Daniel enquires. 
 
!g44 ^^^ TIME UNKNOWN, &G. 
 
 is the -fame with that time, times, and half, 
 that is fpoken of, chap. vii. 25. and Rev. xii. 
 14. as the time of Antich rift's reign, and the 
 church's being in the vv^ildernefs, and not 
 merely the time of the church's troubles by 
 Antiochus Epiphanes. But we fee, when 
 Daniel has a mind to know particularly 
 when this time would come to an end, he is 
 bid to go away, and reft contented in igno- 
 rance of this matter; for, fays the man cloath- 
 ed in linen, th£ words are closed up, 
 
 AND SEALED, UNTIL THE TIME OF THE 
 
 END. That is,- very plainly, the matter that 
 you enquire about, when the end of this time, 
 and times, and half &ail come, ihall not be 
 known, bu t be kept a great fecret, until the time 
 of the end actually comes, and all attempts 
 to find it out before that fliall be in vain. 
 And therefore wiren a particular divine ap- 
 pears, that thinks he has found it out, and 
 has unfealed this matter, and made it ma- 
 nifeft with very manifold and abundant er 
 vidence, we may well think he is m,iftaken, 
 and doubt whether thofe fuppofed eviden- 
 ces are truly folid ones, and fuch as are in- 
 deed fufficient to make that matter manifeft, 
 Vv^hich God has declared lliould be kept hid^ 
 and not made manifeft before it is accom- 
 
THE TIME UNKNOWN/ &C. 245 
 
 plifhed. Mr. Lowman's own words in hh 
 preface, p. 24, 25. are here worthy to be re- 
 peated: " It will (fays he) ever be a point 
 •" of wifdom, not to be over bufy, or over 
 *' confident in any thing, efpecially in fix- 
 *' ing periods of time, or determining fea- 
 ^^ fons, which it may be are not to be deter- 
 ^' mined, it may be are not fit to be known, 
 " It is a maxim, of greater wifdom than is 
 *' ufually thought, Seek not to know what 
 ^^Jliould not be j-evealed. Such are many 
 *' future events. Theprecife time of our Sa- 
 ^^ viour's coming to judgment, was not re^ 
 " vealed, becaufe not fit to be revealed. — 
 " The uncertainty of his appearance was of 
 ^^ greater fervice to preferve a care of reli- 
 '' gion, than the revelation of it would have 
 '^ been; for the uncertainty itfelf gives many 
 ." ufeful exhortations — Watch,foryeknow7iot 
 " zvhat hour the Son of Man cometh. S,iip- 
 '' pofe then fome of the events defcribed in 
 ^' this prophecy fhould be of doubtful ap- 
 '' plication; fuppofe the precife time of the 
 ** downfall of the beaft, the flaying and re^ 
 *' furre6iion of the witneffes, and the begini- 
 " ning of the thoufand years happy fl:ate of 
 "' the church, fiiould not be fo determined, 
 '' but it would admit of different calcula- 
 
Q^5 AntichrijTs Fall groundlefsly 
 
 '^ tions; may it not be wife, and therefore 
 ^^ fit, it fliould be fo? The certainty of thofe 
 *' events in a proper time, though that time 
 *^ fliouId not be precifely determined, will 
 *^ anfwer the greater ends of ufeful inftruc- 
 *' tion. And if the revelation {hould go no 
 *^ farther than this, it would yet be a revela- 
 ^^ tion, of great benefit and advantage, as the 
 *^ certainty of the day of judgment in its pro- 
 *^ per time furely is, though of that day and 
 *^ hour know^eth no man." 
 
 Anjl 3. Though it is not for us to know 
 the precife time of the fall of Antichrift, yet 
 I humbly conceive that w^e have no reafon 
 to fuppofe the event principally intended, in 
 the prophecies, of Antichrift's de(lru6lion, to 
 be at fo great a diftance, as Mr. Lowman 
 places it, but have reafon to think it to be 
 much nearer. Not that I v/ould fet up my- 
 felf as a perfon of equal judgment with Mr, 
 Lowman in matters of this nature. As he 
 diflPers from mod others of the m.oft approv- 
 ed expofitors of the Apocalypfe, in this mat- 
 ter, fo I hope it will not appear vanity and 
 prefumption in me, to differ from this par- 
 ticular expofitor, and to agree with the great- 
 er number. And fincc his opinion (lands fo 
 m.uch in the way of that great and import- 
 
fuppojecl at a very-great Diftance. 247 
 
 ^nt affair, to promote which is the very end 
 of this whole difcourfe, I hope it will not 
 look as though I affefted to appear confi- 
 derably among the interpreters of prophecy, 
 and as a perfon of (kill in thefe myfterious 
 matters, that I offer fome reafons againfl Mr, 
 Lo\vman's opinions. It is furely a great pity, 
 that it (hould be received as a thing clear 
 and abundantly confirmed, that the glorious 
 day of Antichrifl's fall is at fo great a dif- 
 tance, (fo direftly tending to damp and dif- 
 courage all earnefl prayers for, or endea- 
 vours after its fpeedy aecomplifliment) un- 
 lefs there be good and plain ground for it. I 
 would therefore offer fom.e things to coiifi- 
 deration, which, I think, may juflly make 
 us look upon the opinion of this learned in- 
 terpreter, of this happy event's being at fa 
 great a diftance, not fo certain and indubi- 
 table, iis to hinder our praying and hoping 
 for its being fulfilled much fooncr. 
 
 The period of Antichrift's reign, as this 
 author has fixed it, feems to be the main 
 point infifted on in his Expofition of the Re- 
 velation, which he fuppofes a great many 
 things in the fcheme of prophecies deliver- 
 .ed in that book do concur to eftabliCn. And, 
 indeed, it is fo, with refpeft to the fcheme 
 
248 Antichriffs Fall groundlefsly 
 
 6f interpretation of thefe prophecies, which 
 he goes into, and finds it requifite to main^ 
 tain, in order to confirm this point. But 
 there are feveral things in that fcheme, that 
 appear to me juflly liable to exception. 
 
 Whereas it is reprefented. Rev. xvii. 10^, 
 11. that there are feven different fucceffive 
 heads of the beafl; that five were paft, and 
 another was to come, and to continue a 
 ftiort fpace, that might, on fome accounts^ 
 be reckoned a feventh ; and that Antichrifl 
 was to follow next after this, as the eighth ; 
 but yet the foregoin'g not being properly one 
 of the heads of the beafl, he was properly 
 the feventh. Mr. Lowman does not think 
 with others, that by the feventh that was to 
 continue a fhort fpace, which would not be 
 properly one of the heads of the beaft^ is 
 meant Conftantine, and the other Chriflian 
 emperors ; (for he thinks they are reckoned 
 as properly belonging' to the fixth head of 
 the beafl) but that hereby is intended the 
 government that Rome was fubjeft to un-* 
 der the Gothic princes, and the exarchate 
 of Ravenna, after the imperial form of go- 
 vernment in Rome ceafed in ^^guftdlus, 
 until the Pope was invefled with ms tempo- 
 ral dominion, called St. Peter's Patximon/^ 
 
fiippofcd at a very great Dijlance. 249 
 
 by Pipin, king of Fi-ance, in the year fevcA' 
 hundred and firty-fix. And he fuppofeSj that 
 that wounding of one of the heads of the 
 beafl with a fword of death, that we read of, 
 chap. xiii. 3 and 14. was not fulfilled in the 
 deltruftion of the heathen empire^ and the 
 giving the imperial power unto Chriflians, 
 but in the deftruflion of the imperial form 
 of government, by the fword of the Goths, 
 in the time of Augufruius. But it feems to 
 me to be very unlikely, that the Spirit of 
 God fhould reckon Conftantine and the 
 Chriflian em.perors as proper mem.bers, and 
 belonging to one of the heads, ofthatmon- 
 ftrous wild and cruel beaf}, that is compar- 
 ed to a leopard and a bear, and a devouring 
 lion, and that had a mouth fj^eaking great 
 things and blafphemies, and that rules by 
 the power and authority of the dragon, or 
 the devil f^^ which bcaft is reprefentcd in 
 this 17th chapter, as full ofnam.es of blaf- 
 phemy, and of a bloody colour, denoting his 
 exceeding cruelty in perfecuting the Chrif- 
 tian church. For Conftantine, inftead of 
 Hh 
 
 Tf NOTE. 
 
 * The word Therion fipniiies a wild favage bead:, as Mr. Low- 
 man hlmfelf obferves, page n;. 
 
250 Antichrijl's Fall groundlefsly 
 
 this was a member of the Chriftian churchy 
 and fet by God in the mod eminent ftation 
 in his church, ar-d was honoured above all 
 other princes that ever had been in the world, 
 as the great proteftor of his church, and her 
 deliverer from the perfecuting power of that 
 cruel fcarlet-coloured bead. Mr. Lowman 
 himfelf ftyles him a Chri/iian Prince , and Pro^ 
 tedorof the Chrijlian Religion. God is very- 
 careful not to reckon his own people among 
 the Gentiles, the vifible fubjecls of Satan, 
 Num. X xiii. 9. The people Jlidl not he reckoned 
 ' among the nations, God will not enroll them 
 with them ; if they happen tobe among them, 
 he will be careful to fet a mark upon them, 
 as a note of diflinflion, Rev. vii. 3, &c. when 
 God is reckoning up his own people, he 
 leaves out thofe that have been noted for 
 idolatry. As among the tribes that were 
 fealed. Rev. viii. thofe idolatrous tribes of 
 Ephraim and Dan are left out, and in the 
 genealogy of Chrift, Matth. i. thofe princes 
 that were chiefly noted for idolatry, are left 
 out. Much more would God be careful not 
 to reckon his own people, efpecially fuch 
 Chriftian princes as have been the m.oft e- 
 minent initruments of overthrowing idola- 
 try, amongft idolaters, and as members and 
 
fuppojed at a very great Dijlance. 251 
 
 heads of that kingdom that is noted in fcrip- 
 ture as the moft notorious and infamous of 
 all, for abominable idolatry, and oppofition 
 and cruelty to the true worfhippers of God. 
 And efpecially not to reckon them as pro- 
 perly belonging to one of thofe feven heads 
 of this monarchy, of which very heads it is 
 particularly noted that they had on them 
 the names of blasphemy, which Mr. Low* 
 man himfelf fuppofes to fignify idolatry. It 
 was therefore worthy of God, agreeable to 
 his manner, and what might w^ell be expect- 
 ed, that when he was reckoning up the fe- 
 veral fucceffive heads of this beaft, and Con- 
 ftantine and his fucccffors came in the way, 
 and there was occafion to mention them, to 
 fet a mark, or note of diftinftion on them, 
 fignifying that they did not properly belong 
 to the bcaft, nor were to be reckoned as be- 
 longing to the heads, and therefore are to 
 be fkipped over in the reckoning, and Anti- 
 chrift, though the eighth head of the Roman 
 empire, is to be reckoned the feventh head 
 of the beaft. This appears to me abundant- 
 ly the moft juft and natural interpretation 
 ofRev. xvii. 10, it. It is reafonable to fup- 
 pofe, that God would take care to make 
 fuch 51 note in this prophetical defcriptioa 
 
252 Antichrijl's FoJl groundlefsly 
 
 of this dreadful beaft, and not, by any means 
 to reckon Conftantine as belonging properly 
 to him. — If we reckon Conftantineas a mem- 
 ber of this bead having feven heads and ten 
 horns, defcribed chap. xvii. and as properly 
 one of his heads, then he was alfo properly 
 a member of the great red dragon with fe- 
 ven heads and ten horns that warred with 
 the woman, chap. xii. For the feven heads 
 and ten horns of that dragon, are plainly 
 the fame with the feven heads and ten horns 
 of the bead. So that this makes Conftantine 
 a vifible member of the devil; for v;e are 
 told exprefsly of that dragon, ver g. that he 
 was that oldferpcnt, called the Devil and Sa- 
 tan, And to fuppofe that Conftantine is 
 reckoned as belonging to one of the heads 
 of that dragon, is to make thefe prophecies 
 inconhRent with themfelves. For here in this 
 12th chapter, we have reprefented a war be- 
 tween the dragon and the woman cloathed 
 with the fun • which woman, as all agree, is 
 the church; but Conftantine, as all do alfo 
 agree, belonged to the woman, was a mem- 
 ber of the Chriftian church, and was on that 
 fide in the war againflthe dragon; yea, was 
 the main indrument of that great viftory 
 that was obtained over the dragon there fpO' 
 
fuppofed at a very great Dijlance. 253 
 
 ken of, ver. 9 — 12. What aninconfiftency 
 therefore is it, to fuppofe that he was at the 
 fame time a member and head of that very- 
 dragon, which fought with the woman, and 
 yet which Conflantine himfelf fought with, 
 overcame, and glorioufly triumphed over! 
 It is not therefore to be wondered at, that 
 Gcd was careful to diflinguifh Conflantine 
 from the proper heads of the beaft ; it would 
 have been a wonder if he had not. God feems 
 to have been careful to diflinguifh him, not 
 only in his word, but in his providence, by 
 fo ordering it that this Chriftian emperor 
 ftiould be removed from Rome, the city that 
 God had given up to be the feat of the pow- 
 er of the beafl, and of its heads, and that 
 he fliould have the feat of his empire elfe- 
 where. 
 
 Conflantine was made the ihflrument of 
 givinga mortal wound to the heathen Roman 
 empire, and giving it a mortal wound in its 
 head, viz. the heathen emperors that were 
 then reigning, Maxentius and Licinius, — 
 But more eminently was this glorious change 
 in the empire owing to the power of God's 
 word, the prevalence of the glorious gofpel, 
 by which Conflantine himfelf was convert- 
 ed, and fo became the inftrument of the o- 
 
254 Aiitickrift's Fall groundlef sly 
 
 verthrow of the heathen empire in the eaft 
 and welT. The change that was then bro't 
 to pafs, is reprefented as the deftruftion of 
 the heathen empire, or the old heathen world, 
 and therefore feems to be compared to that 
 difTolution of heaven and earth that (hall be 
 at the day of judgment. Rev. vi. 12. to the 
 end. And the re fore" well might the heathen 
 empire, under the head which was then reign- 
 ing, be reprefented as wounded to death, 
 chap. xiii. 3, It is much more likely, that 
 the wound the beaft had by a fword, in his 
 head, fpoken of ver. 14, was the wound that 
 the heathen empire had in its head, by that 
 fword which we read of, chap. i. 16. and 
 xix. 15. that proceeds out of the mouth of 
 Chrift, than the wound that was given to the 
 Chriftian empire and emperor by the fword 
 of the heathen Goths. It is moft likely that 
 this deadly wound was by that fv\^ord with 
 which Michael made war with him, and o^ 
 vercame him, and caft him to the earth, chap, 
 xii. g. and that the deadly wound which was 
 given him, was given him at that very time. 
 It is moft likely, that the fword that gave him 
 this deadly wound, after which he llrangely 
 .revived, as though he rofe from the dead, was 
 the fame fword with that which is fpoken of. 
 
fwppoftd at a very great Dijlance. 25/j 
 
 as what fhall at lafi: utterly deftroy him, fo that 
 he fhall never rife more, chap. xix. 15, ig, 
 20, 21. This wounding of the head of the 
 beaft by the deilruction of the heathen em- 
 pire, and converfion of the emperor to the 
 Chriftian truth, was a glorious event indeed 
 of Divine Providence, worthy to be fo much 
 fpoken of in prophecy. It is natural to fup- 
 pofe, that the mortal wounding of the head 
 of that favage cruel beaft, that is reprefent- 
 ed as conRantly at war with the woman, and 
 perfecuting the church of Chrift, (hould be 
 ibme relief to the Chriftian church; but, on 
 the contrary, that w^ounding to death, that 
 Mr. Lowman fpeaks of, was the viftory of 
 the enemies of the Chriftian church over her^ 
 and the wound received from them. 
 
 It is faid of that head of the empire that 
 fliall be next after the fixth head, and . next 
 before Antichrift, and that is not reckoned 
 as properly one of the number of the heads 
 of the beaft, that when it comes, it JIi ill con- 
 tinue aJJiortfpace, chap. xvii. 10. By which 
 we may underftand, at leaft, that it fliall be 
 one of the (horteft, in its continuance, of the 
 fucceffive heads. But the government feat- 
 ed at Ravenna, in the hands of the Goths, 
 or of the deputies of the Greek emperors, 
 
2^6 Antic/iri/i's Fall groundlcfsly 
 
 (which Mr. Lowman fuppofes to be meant 
 by the head) continued, as Mr. Lowman 
 himfelf takes notice, very near three hundred 
 years. And if fo, its continuance was one 
 of the longefl of the heads mentioned. 
 
 And befides, if the government that Rome 
 was under, from the time that Augullulus 
 abdicated, to the tim.e when the Pope was 
 confirmed in his temporal dominion, was 
 meant by the feventh head that was to be 
 between the imperial head and the papal, 
 there would doubtlefs have been two differ- 
 ent heads mentioned, inftead of one, between 
 the Emperor 4nd the Pope, viz. Firfl, the 
 Gothic princes, which reigned near an hun- 
 dred years. Secondly, the Exarchs of Ra- 
 venna, which governed for about one hun- 
 dred and eighty-five years. The Gothic 
 kingdom was much more properly a diftinft 
 government from the Imperial, than the Ex- 
 archate of Ravenna; for during the Exar- 
 chate, Rome was under the government of 
 the emperor, as much as it v/as in Conftan- 
 tine's time. 
 
 In Rev, xvii. 12. it is faid, the ten koriis 
 are ten kings, which are to receive power as 
 kings one hour with the beajl, or (as Mr. Low- 
 man fays, it ought to have been tranflated) 
 
fuppofed at a very great Dijlancc. 257 
 
 the fame hour, ox point of time -with thebeajl. 
 This will not al'ow the time when Aniichrift 
 firfl receives power as king, to be fo late as 
 Mr. Lowman fuppofes. This divifionof the 
 empire into many kingdoms, denoted by the 
 number ten, was about the year four hun- 
 dred and fifty- fix, after Genfericus had tak- 
 en the city of Rome; but Mr. Lowman pla- 
 ces the beginning of the reign of Antichrift 
 in the year feven hundred and fifty-fix, which 
 is three hundred years later. I know, fuch 
 an expreffion as in one hour, of thefanie hour^ 
 may allow fome latitude, but furely not fuch 
 a latitude as this. This is a much longer 
 time, than it was from the time of the 
 vifion to Conftantirie : much longer than the 
 fpace of all the firil fix feals, longer than it 
 was from Chrift's afcenfion to Conftantine^ 
 and near as long as the time of all the reigns 
 of the heathen emperors put together, from 
 Aucruftas Csefar to Conftantine. An hour 
 is every where, in the other places in this 
 book of Revelation, ufed to fignify a very 
 fhort time, as may be feen in places cited in 
 the margin.*^ And the expreifion, the fame 
 
 li 
 
 N O T K. 
 
 * Rev. xviii. lo, ir, i9» Chap. iii. 3, r®.— viii. i.— ix. 1^.-— > 
 
 xiv. :, 
 
258 Antichrijt's Fall groundlef sly 
 
 hour, every where elfe in the Bible, intends 
 near the fame point o^ time.t The phrafe 
 one hour is ufed feveral times in the next 
 chapter, fpeaking of the downfall of Anti- 
 chrifl:;J and each time, evidently fignifies a 
 very fhort fpace of time. And there is no 
 reafon why we fhould not underfland the 
 fame phrafe in the fam.e fenfe, when it is 
 ufed here concerning the rife of Antichrift. 
 Mr. Lowman greatly infills upon it, that 
 Vv^hat is fpoken as continuing one thoufand 
 two hundred and fixty days, is not fo much 
 any fpiritual authority orecclefiaftical pow- 
 er of the Pope, over the nations of ChriHen- 
 dom, as his temporal government and domi- 
 nion in that individual city of Rome, and 
 therefore to determine v/hen thefe one thou- 
 fand two hundred and fixty days or years 
 began, and when they will end, we muft con- 
 fider when the Pope firft received this his 
 temporal povrer over tlie city of Rome, and 
 the neighbouring regions, called St. Peter's 
 patrimony. But I can fee no good reafon 
 for this. Indeed it is llrange, if it be fo. — 
 God has been pleafed in thefe revelations 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 f Dan. ill. 6.— iv. z:-,>—\. 5. Maith. viii. 13.— x. 19.— Luke 
 vlu II.— xii. 12.— XX. 19.— xxiv. .^3. Jolm iv. 53. Ads xvi» 
 18, 33.— xxii. 13. Her. xi. 13. X Ver. 10, 17, 19. 
 
fuppofed at a very great Dijlance. 259 
 
 and prophecies, which he has given for the 
 benefit of his church in general, to fpeak 
 much concerning an anti-chriftian power 
 that fhould arife, that (hould perfecute the 
 faints, andfcatter the power of the holy peo- 
 ple, and be an occafion of great affliftion to 
 the church ofChrift; and in thefe revela- 
 tions, in both Old Teftament and New, has 
 declared, and often repeated it, that his do- 
 minion fhall continue fo long, and no longer; 
 and for the comfort of his church in general, 
 Chrift hath fworn with great folemnity, that 
 the continuance of this perfecuting power 
 {hall be limited, Dan. xii. 7. Now it would 
 be ftrange if, in all this, the thing principal- 
 ly intended is not that dominion of this an- 
 ti-chriftian power which chiefly concerns the 
 church of Chrift in general, but merely his 
 temporal dominion over one province in I- 
 taly, called St. Peter's Patrimony. Doubt- 
 lefs, that dominion of Antichrift, which the 
 prophecies infift upon and defcribe, is the 
 dominion whofe duration and limits thofe 
 prophecies declare. But the dominion of 
 Antichrift which the prophecies infift upon 
 and defcribe, is not any dominion over a 
 particular province in Italy, but the domi- 
 nion by which he fucceeds the four great 
 
s6o Aniichriji's Fall groundlefsly 
 
 monarchies of the world, Dan. vii. The do- 
 minion by which hcfucceeds the dragon in. 
 Ms power, throne and great authority, Rev, 
 xiii, 2. The dominion in which he \i7x^ pow- 
 er nven him over all kindreds, tongues and. 
 nations, ver. 7. The dominion by which 
 the great whore Jits on many waters, chap, 
 xvii. 1. which the angel explains to h^pco-- 
 ples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues^ 
 ver. 15. and the dominion in which he reigns, 
 over the ten kings, into which the Romaa 
 empire is divided, Rev. xiii, 1. an4 xvii. 3, 
 1 2. 13. The beaft that had ten horns, is not 
 the city of Rome, and the neighbouring re- 
 gion, but the Roman empire; they are the 
 horns or the kings, not of the city, but of 
 the empirCe If we ccnfi der what is expreff- 
 ea in ths paffages themielves, v/hich fpeak 
 of the three years and an hah'' of Antichrift, 
 they will lead us to underftand»fomething 
 very diver (e from the duration of histem^ 
 poral dominion over St. Peter^s Patrimony. 
 In Dan. vii. 25. the time, times, and half of 
 the little horn, is exprefsly the continuance 
 of time, wherein it Jhall be given to him to 
 change times and lazvs, and wear out the faints 
 <>.f the Mofi High;- and in chap. xii. 7. it is 
 fpaken of as the time of hisfcattering the 
 
fuppofcd at a very great Dijlajice. 26 1 
 
 power of the holy people; in Rev. xi. 2. the 
 forty and two months is fpoken of as the 
 time of Antichrift's treading underfoot the 
 court of the temple and the holy city; i. e. the 
 external and vifible Chriftian church abroad 
 in the world, or the nations of Chriftendom. 
 In ver. 3. the one thoufand two hundred and 
 fixty days of Antichrifl are fpokenof as the 
 time of the witneff'es prophefying infackcloth; 
 and in chap. xii. 6. and 14. the time of the 
 zoomans being in the -wildernefs, which was 
 through the great power that Antichrifl: had 
 over the ChriRian world, and not his fmall 
 temporal dominion in Italy. 
 
 It is true, fome regard is had in the pro- 
 phecies to the city of Rome, the city built 
 on feven hills; which being the fountain of 
 all rule and authority in the Roman monar- 
 chy, and the capital city in the empire, from 
 w^hence the v/holeempire was denominated, 
 and the place where the head of the empire 
 ufually refided, was properly made ufc of 
 by the angel. Rev. xvii. g, 18. to (hew what 
 empire Antichrifl fhould rule over, and what 
 city he fliould ufually refide in. And this 
 is all tliat can be meant by the words of the 
 angel ; and not that thofe flreets and walls, 
 and the very ground, were fuch main and 
 
262 Ajiiichri/i's Fall groundlef sly 
 
 effential things in what the prophecy intend- 
 ed by the beafl ; that when Antichrift's do- 
 minion ceafes in that place, then the beaft 
 ceafes. For, if fo, then it will follow, that 
 the beaft had liis head wounded to death a 
 fecond time, and ceafed to be, when the 
 Popes redded at Avignon in France, for the 
 bfefl part of a century; w^hen not only the 
 Popes did not refide in Rome, nor in any 
 part of St. Peter's Patrimony, nor any part 
 of Italy, but fome of them were neither Ro- 
 mans nor Italians. Though the angel fays 
 of the great whore. Rev. xvii. 18. The wo- 
 7?ian which thoufaieejt, is the great city which 
 reigns over the kings of the earth; yet by the 
 city, in this cafe, is not meant fo much what 
 was contained wnthin thofe Roman walls, as 
 the Roman empire, as is evident by chap, 
 xi. 8. And their dead bodies Jliall lie in the 
 Jireet of the great city^ which isfpiritually coll- 
 ed Sodom and Egypt, Here,by that great city, 
 neither Mr. L owman himfelf^ nor, I fuppofe, 
 any other Proteftant interpreter, underftands 
 the city cf Rome, ftrifclly fpeaking, but the 
 Roman m.onarchy. 
 
 And though it fee true, as Mr. Lowman 
 obferves, the Pope's ecclefiaftical monarchy, 
 and power and influence through Chriften- 
 
fuppofcd at a very great Dijlance. 263 
 
 dom, was greatly eflablifhed and advanced 
 by Pepin's making him a temporal prince 
 over the Exarchate of Ravenna; yet, I would 
 afk, whether the Pope's power and influence 
 in the world, and his ability to difturb the 
 quiet of the nations of Chriftendom, and 
 (as it is expreffed in Daniel) to change times 
 and lazos^ and to carry his own defigns, in 
 the various countries and kingdoms of Eu- 
 rope, was not greater before Pepin, than it is 
 now, and has been for a long time? And yet 
 Mr. Lowman fuppofes that now is properly 
 the time of Antichrifl's reign, that the one 
 thoufand two hundred and fixty years of his 
 reign continues, and will continue for about 
 two hundred and feventy years longer; tho' 
 his power be now fo fmall, and has been de- 
 clining ever fince the reformation, and flill 
 declines continually. 
 
 One thing that Mr. Lowman fuppofes con* 
 firms his opinion of fo late a beginning of 
 the one thoufand two hundred and fixty years 
 of the reign of the beafl, is the order of the 
 feveral periods of this prophecy, and the man- 
 ner of their fucceeding one another. 
 
 As to his particular fcheme of the feven 
 periods, fo divided and limited, and fo ob- 
 vioufly ranked in fuch order, and following 
 
264 AntichriJTs Fall groundlefsty 
 
 one another in fuch direft and continual fuC- 
 cefTion, and each ending in a flateof peace^ 
 fafety and happinefs to the church of God, 
 it feems to me to be more ingenious than 
 folid, and that many things might be faid to 
 demonftrate it not to be founded in the truth 
 of things, and the real defign of the divine 
 author of this prophecy. But now to enter 
 into a particular and full examination of it, 
 would be to lengthen out this difcourfe far 
 beyond its proper limits. I would only ob- 
 ferve, (which direQly concerns my prefent 
 purpofe) that to rrake out this fcheme, Mr. 
 Lowman fuppofcs that the fifth and fixth 
 trumpets, that bring on the two firft woes, 
 and the whole ninth chapter of the Revela- 
 tion, altogether refpecls the Saracens. But 
 it appears to me not very credible, that the 
 Saracens fliould have fo much faid of them 
 in this prophecy, as to have a whole chap- 
 ter taken up about them, and not a word in 
 the prophecy be faid about the Turks, who 
 immediately fucceeded them* in the fame 
 
 K O T E. 
 
 * For though it be true, that the reign of Othman, or Ottomaff^ 
 \v'ho htgan what they call the Ottoman empire, was a long time 
 -after this; yet the Tmks themfelves, under other princes, in the 
 government they fet up in territories that had formerly been pof-- 
 ieilbd by Chriftians, and in their over-running and ravaging Chrif" 
 
fuppofed at a Very great BiJlarLce. sSj 
 
 J-eligioii, and proceedirig On the fiime prin- 
 tipies, and were fo muc^h more confiderable, 
 and brought vaftly greater calamities on the 
 Chrirtian world, and have fet up and long 
 maintained one of the greateil, ftrohgeft and 
 moft extraordinary empires that ever the 
 Vorld faw, and have been the moft terrible 
 fcourge to Chriftendom, that ever Divine 
 Providence made ufe of, and one of the great- 
 eft of all God's plagues oti the world of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Mr. Lov^^^man, in purfuance of his fcheme, 
 alfo fuppofes, (v/hich is yet more incredible) 
 this period of the trumpets ends in a flateof 
 fafcty, peace and hap pine fs to the church of 
 God; fo that, on that occafion, there are great 
 voices in heaven, faying, The kingdoms of this 
 world are become the kingdoms of our Lord^ 
 and of his Chrif, And yet he fuppofes, that 
 it ifl'ucs ill fetting up the kingdom of Aiiti- 
 chrift; and that about that very time, wheu 
 thefe heavenly voices fo joyfulh^ proclstim- 
 ed this, the bead was enthroned, arid the 
 time, times and half, or one thoufand twd 
 Kk 
 
 NOT F. 
 
 \\2X\ couritrie^, immediately facceeding the Saracens; and from' 
 thenceforward have been a terrible, rhu ahnr.ft continuai icourgr 
 *-'^ the church. 
 
266 THE FALL OF ANTICHRIST 
 
 hundred and fixty days of his reign began, 
 which is fpoken of every where, as the time 
 of the church's great'eft darknefs and trou- 
 ble, the time wherein the little hornjliould 
 wear out the faints of the Mojl High, The 
 time appointed for his fcattering the power of 
 the holy people. The time of the woi?iaris be- 
 ing in the zoildernefs. The time of treading 
 underfoot the court of the temple. And the 
 time of the witneffes prophefyinginfackdoth. 
 However, I do not deny that the time when 
 Mr. Lowman fuppofes the reign of the beall 
 began, even the time when Pepin confirm- 
 ed t6 the Pope his temporal dominions in 
 Italy, was a time of the great increafe and 
 advancement of the power of Antichrift in 
 the world, and a notable epoch. And if I 
 may be allowed humbly to offer what ap- 
 pears to me to be the truth with relation to 
 the rife and fall of Antichrift, it is this — As 
 the power of Antichrift, and the corruption 
 of the apoftate church, rofe not at once, but 
 by feveral notable fteps and degrees, fo it 
 will in the like manner fall; and that divers, 
 fteps and feafons of deftruciion tothefpirit- 
 ual Babylon, and revival and advancement 
 of the true church, are prophefied of under 
 one. Though it be true, that there is fome 
 
WILL BE GRADUAL. 267 
 
 particular event, that prevails above al! o- 
 thers in the intention of the prophecy, fome 
 remarkable feafon of the deftruclion of the 
 church of Rome, and the papal power and 
 corruption, and advancement of true reli- 
 gion, that the prophecies have a principa* 
 refpeft to. 
 
 It was certainly thus with regard to the 
 prophecies of the deftruftion of old Baby- 
 lon, and the church's deliverance from cap- 
 tivity and oppreffion by that city and king, 
 dom, which is abundantly alluded to in thefe 
 prophecies of the Revelation, as a noted 
 type of the oppreffion of the church of Chrift 
 by the church of Rome, calling the latter fo 
 often by the name of Baby Ion, and the church 
 of Chrift Jerufalem. The captivity of the 
 Jews by the Babylonians was not perfefted 
 at once, but was brought on by feveral not- 
 able fteps. So neither was the reftoration of 
 the Jewifh church, after the captivity, per- 
 fefled at once. It was feveral times fore- 
 told, that the duration of the captivity (hould 
 be feventy years ; and alfo, that after feven- 
 ty years were accomplifhed, God would de- 
 ftroy Babylon. But this period had mani- 
 feftly feveral different beginnings, and feve- 
 ral endings. Thus from Jehoiakim's capti- 
 
268 THE FALL OF ANTICHRIST, 8cC. 
 
 vity to Cyrus's decree, for the return of the 
 Jews, and the rebuilding of Jerufalem, was 
 feventy years. And from Zedekiah's capti- 
 vity to Darius's decree feventy years. And 
 from the laft carrying away of all, to the fi* 
 nifhing and dedication of the temple, was 
 alfo feventy years. So alio the prophecies 
 of Babylon's deftruftion were fuUilled by fe- 
 veral fleps. Thefe prophecies feem to have 
 a principal refpeft to that deftruftion that 
 was accomplifhed by Cyrus, at the end of 
 the firft feventy years fore-mentioned; but 
 there were other things in the very fame 
 prophecies, that were not fulfilled until the 
 fourth year of Darius, when what remainecJ^ 
 of Babylon was fubjefted to another dread-, 
 ful deftruftiona which, in a great meafure^^ 
 completed its defolation, which Vas at the- 
 end of the fecond feventy years, and at the 
 fame time that the reftoration of the Jew^s 
 was perfefted by the decree of Darius.*— ? 
 But yet, there were many other things con- 
 tained in the fame prophecies of Babylon's 
 deftruftion, rendering it thenceforward per- j 
 feflly and perpetually defolate^and the haunt 
 
 N O T B. 
 
 ♦ Prjdeaux^s Conne(?iion, part I. p. i8jj 184^5 and 267, 3^2^ 
 5(^,9. Edi;. 9» and p. 271 and aj^o 
 
antichrist's fall gradual. 269 
 
 offerpents and wild beafls, that were not 
 fulfilled until more than two hundred years 
 after, in the time of Seleucus king of Syria.* 
 So alfo it was with refpefl: to the prophe- 
 cies of the deflruftion of Tyre, in the xxvith, 
 xxviith and xxviiith chapters of Ezek. from 
 which many of the cxpreflions ufed in the Re- 
 velation, concerning the deflruftion of the 
 kingdom of Antichrift, arc taken, and which 
 is evidently made ufe of in fcripture as a type 
 of the latter. Thefe prophecies of the de- 
 ftruflion of Tyre were fulfilled by various 
 ftcps. Many things were fulfilled in the de- 
 ftruftion of the old city by Nebuchadnez- 
 zar,+ and yet other parts of the fame pro- 
 phecies were fulfilled by Alexander, J which 
 was about two hundred and forty years af- 
 terwards. And yet both thefe defolations 
 are prophefied of under one. 
 
 And thus it feems to me very probable, 
 that it will prove, with refpeft to the pro- 
 phecies of the defl:ru6iion of myftical Baby- 
 lon. It is, I think, pretty manifefl by the 
 prophecies, that this anti-chriftian hierarchy 
 and apoftate church will at laft be fo de- 
 ftroyed, that there fliall be no remainders of 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 * Prld, Connea. Part I. p. 808—812. f Ibid. nS, 129, 130. 
 i Ibid. p. 693, 
 
270 ANTICHRISTS FALL GRADUAL* 
 
 it left, and fhall have as perfeft a defolatiori, 
 before God has done with her, as old Baby- 
 lon had ; there fhall be no fuch thing as Pope 
 or church of Rome in the world.* It feems 
 alfo pretty manifeil, that after that event 
 that is chiefly intended in the prophecies of 
 Antichrift'sdeftruftion, there will befome re- 
 mains of the Romiili church. This appears 
 by that moft particular and large defcrip- 
 tion of that deftruftion, Rev. xviii. There 
 it feems to be implied, not only that many 
 fliall yet remain of the church of Rome, that 
 fhall bewail her overthrow, of her people 
 and clergy, but that there fliould be fome 
 princes among them, Kings of the earth, that 
 have committed fornication, and lived delici- 
 oifly with her. And it is exceeding improba- 
 ble in itfelf, that every Papift, in each quar- 
 ter of the world, fliould be defliroyed, or ceafe 
 from the world, at one blow. And as long 
 as fo confide rable a number remains, as may 
 be gathered from the prophecy, they will 
 doubtlefs have an hierarchy, and there will 
 be one among them that will bear the name 
 of a Pope, although the church of Rome 
 Ihall be mainly deilroyed, and the interefl: of 
 Popery fliall be funk very low in the v/orld, 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * See Rev. xviii. zi—z^- and xix. jo, 21. Daa. vii. a6, 27. 
 
The Beginning of the Millennium, Sec, 271 
 
 fo that there will yet remain fuch a thing as 
 a papal church and hierarchy in the world, 
 to be wholly extirpated at another period,* 
 fometime after that great overthrow princi- 
 pally infifted on in the prophecies. And 
 this fecond deftruftion of Antichrift, or ra- 
 ther extirpation of his remains, together with 
 the complete extirpation of all remains of 
 mahometanifm, heathenifm and herefy thro* 
 the world, and the finifhing ftroke towards 
 the overthrow of Satan's vifible kingdom on 
 earth, and fo the beginning of the Millen- 
 nium, or fpiritual reft of the world, may, for 
 ought I know, be about the time Mr. Low- 
 man fpeaks of; agreeable to the opinion of 
 the ancient Jews, and many Chriftian di- 
 vines that have followed them, that the 
 world would ftand fix thoufand years, and 
 then, the feventh thoufand years fhould be 
 the world's reft or fabbath. The ruin of the 
 Popifti intereft is but a fmall part of what is 
 requifite, in order to introduce and fettle 
 luch a ftate of things, as the world is repre- 
 fented as being in, in that Milk-nnium that 
 is defcribed. Rev. xx. wherein Satan's vifi- 
 ble kingdom is every where totally extir- 
 
 N O T E, 
 
 * At the pouring oat of the feventh vial upon the air,-ths pria- 
 cipahties and powers of Satan. 
 
272 The Beginning of the Millennium 
 
 pated, and a perfeft end put to all herefies^ 
 delufions, and falfe religions whatfoeven 
 through the whole earth, and Satan hence- 
 forward deceives the nations no more ^ andhass 
 no place any where but in hell. This is the 
 fabbatifm of the world, when all fhall be in 
 a holy reft; when the wolf fhall dwell with 
 the lamb, and there fhall be nothing to hurt 
 or offend, and there fhall be abundance of 
 peace, and the earth fhall be full of the know- 
 ledge of the Lord as the waters cover the 
 feas, and God's people fhall dwell in quiet 
 refting-places. There is not the leaft rea- 
 fon to think, that all this will be brought to 
 pafs as it were at one ftroke, or that from 
 the prefent lamentable ftate of things, there 
 fhould be brought about and completed the 
 deftruftion of the church of Rome, the en« 
 tire extirpation of all infidelity, herefies fu- 
 perftitions and fchifms, through all Chrift- 
 endom, and the converfion of all the Jews, 
 and the full, enlightening and converfion of 
 all Mahometan and heathen nations, thro* 
 the whole earth, on every fide of the globe, 
 and from the north to the fouth pole, and 
 the full fettlement of all in the pure Chrif- 
 tian faith and order, all as it were in the if- 
 fue of one battle, and by means of the vie- 
 
may he about the Year 2000* 273 
 
 tory of the church in one great conflifl with 
 her enemies. This would contradift many 
 things in fcripture, which reprefent this great 
 event to be brought to pafs by a gradual pro- 
 grefs of religion; as leaven that gradually 
 fpreads, until it has diffufed itfelf, through 
 the whole lump, and a plant of muftard, 
 which from a very fmall feed, gradually be- 
 comes a great tree. And like feed which a 
 man cajis upon the ground, that Jprings and 
 grows up, night and day ; and Jirjl brings 
 forth the blade, then the car, then the full coj^n 
 in the ear. And efpecially would this contra- 
 di6l the prophetical reprefentation in Ezek. 
 xlvii. where the progrefs of religion is repre* 
 fented by the gradual increafe of the waters 
 of the fanftuary; being firft a fmall fpring 
 iffuingout from under the threfliold of the 
 temple, and then after they had run a thoufand 
 cubits, being up to the ankles ; and at the 
 end of another thoufand cubits, up to the 
 knees; and at the end of another thoufand^ 
 up to the loins; and afterwards a great riv- 
 er, that could not be palled over; and being 
 finally brought into the fea, and healing the 
 waters even of the vaft ocean. If the Spirit 
 of God fliould be immediatclv poured out, 
 
 L 1 
 
274 '^^^^ Beginning of the Millennium 
 
 and that work of God's power and grace 
 fhould now begin, which, in its progrefs and 
 iffue, fhould complete this glorious efFeft ; 
 there muft be an amazing and unparalleled 
 progrefs of the work and manifeftation of 
 divine power to bring fo much to pafs, by 
 the year two thoufand. Would it not be a 
 great thing, to be accompliflied in one half 
 century, that religion, in the power and pu- 
 rity of it, Ihould fo prevail, as to gain the 
 conquell over all thofe many things that 
 ftand in oppofition to it among Proteftants, 
 and gain the upper hand through the Pro- 
 teftant world? And if in another, it fhould 
 go on fo to prevail, as to get the viftory o- 
 ver all the oppofition and flrength of the 
 kingdom of Antichrift, fo as to gain the af- 
 cendancy in that which is now the Popifh 
 world? And if in a third half century, it 
 {hould prevail and fubdue the greater part 
 of the Mahometan world, and bring in the 
 Jewifh nation, in all their difperfions? And 
 when in the next whole century, the whole 
 heathen world fhould be enlightened and 
 converted to the Chriltian faith, throughout 
 all parts of Africa, Afia, America and Terra 
 Aullralis, and be thoroughly fettled in Chrif- 
 tian faith and order, without any remainders 
 
may he about the Year 2000. 275 
 
 of their old delufions and faperftitions, and 
 this attended with an utter extirpation of the 
 remnant of the church of Rome, and all the 
 relicls of mahometanifm, herefy, fchifm and 
 enthufiafm, and a fuppreffion of all remains 
 of open vice and immorality^ and every fort 
 of vifible enemy to true religion, through the 
 whole earth, and bring to an end all the un- 
 happy commotions, tumults, and calamities 
 occafioned by fuch great changes, and all 
 things be fo adjulled and fettled through the 
 world, that the world henceforward fhould 
 enjoy an holy reft or fabbatifm, 
 
 I have thus diftinguifhed what belongs to 
 a bringing of the world from its prefent ftate, 
 to the happy ftate of the Millennium, the 
 better to give a view of the grestnefs of the 
 work; and not, that I pretend fo much as 
 to conjefture, that things will be accom- 
 pliftied juft in this order. The whole work 
 is not the lefs great and wonderful, to be ac- 
 compliftied in fuch a fpace of time, in what- 
 ever order the different parts of it fucceed 
 each other. They that think that what has 
 been mentioned would not be fwift progrefs, 
 yea, amazingly fwift, do not confider how 
 great the work is, and the vaft and innumer- 
 able obftacles that are in the way. It was 
 
N 
 
 276 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 a wonderful thing, when the Chriftian reli- 
 gion, after Chrift's afcenfion, fo prevailed, as 
 to get the afcendancy in^the Roman empire 
 in about three hundred years, but that was 
 nothing to this. 
 
 Anf, 4. There are, as I apprehend, good 
 reafons to hope, that that work of God's 
 Spirit will begin in a little time, which in the 
 progrefs of it will overthrow the kingdom 
 of Antichrift, and, in its iffue, deftroy Satan's 
 vifible kingdom on earth. 
 
 The prophecy of the fixth Vial, Rev. xvi. 
 22 — 16. if we take it in its connection with 
 the other Vials, and confider thofe provi- 
 dential events, by which the preceding Vials 
 have manifeftly been fulfilled, I humbly con- 
 ceive, affords juft ground for fuch a hope. 
 
 It is very plain, from this whole chapter, 
 as alfo the preceding and following, that all 
 thefe feven Vials are Vials of God's wrath on 
 Antichrift ; one is not poured out on the Jews, 
 another on the Turks, another on Pagans, 
 another on the church of Rome ; but they 
 all fignify God's fucceffive judgments or 
 plagues on the beaft and his kingdom, which 
 is in this chapter and almofl every wherein 
 this book, called great babylon. And 
 therefore undoubtedly, v\^hen it is faid. The 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 277 
 
 Jixlh angel poured out his Vial on the river 
 Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried 
 up, that the way of the kings of the eajt might 
 be prepared. By the river Euphrates is meant 
 fomething fome way appertaining to this 
 myftical Babylon, as that river that ran thro* 
 Chaldea, called Euphrates, was fomething 
 appertaining to the literal Babylon. And 
 it is very manifeft, that here is in the pro- 
 phecy of this Vial an allufion to that by 
 which the way was prepared for the deftruc- 
 tion of Babylon by Cyrus, which was by turn- 
 ing the channel of the river Euphrates, which 
 ran through the midft of the city, whereby 
 the way of the kings of the eaft, the princes 
 of Media and Perfia, was prepared to come 
 in under the walls of the city, at each end, 
 where the waters ufed to run, and deftroy 
 it; as they did that night wherein Daniel in- 
 terpreted the hand-writing on the wall, a- 
 gainft Belfliazzar, Dan. v. 30. The prophe- 
 cies of Babylon's deftruftion do, from time 
 to time, take notice of this way of deftroy- 
 ing her, by drying up the waters of the riv- 
 er Euphrates, to prepare the way for her 
 enemies, Ifai. xliv. 27, 28. That faith to the 
 deep — Be dry — and I will dry up thy rivers; 
 that faith of Cyrus — He is my fervant, and 
 
278 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 Jkall perform all my pleajure. Jer. li. 3 1, 32. 
 Onepojljhall run to meet another, tojlieio the 
 king of Babylon that his city is taken at one 
 end, and that the pafages arefopped, and the 
 reeds they have burnt with f re, and the men 
 of war are affrighted. And ver. 36. / will 
 dry up her fea, and make her fprings dry, — 
 The Medes and Perfians, the people that de- 
 ftroyed Babylon, dwelt to the eaftward of 
 Babylon, and are fpoken of as coming from ' 
 the eaft to her deftruftion, Ifai. xlvi. 11. 
 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the 
 man that executeth my counfel, from afar 
 country. And the princes that joined with 
 this ravenous bird from the eafl, in this affair 
 of deftroying Babylon, are called kings, Jer. 
 li. 11. The Lord hath raifed up thefpirit of 
 the KINGS of the Medes; for his device is a- 
 gainjl Babylon to defiroy it, Ver. 28. Pre- 
 pare agaivjl her the nations, zoith the kings 
 of the Medes, the captains thereof, and the 
 rulers thereof, — The drying the channel of 
 the river Euphrates, to prepare the way for 
 thefe kings and captains of the eaft, to enter 
 into that city, under its high walls, was the 
 laft thing done by the beCegers of Babylon, 
 before her a61ual deflruftion; as this fixth 
 Vial is the laR Vial of God's wratb but one. 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 279 
 
 on the myftical Babylon, and the effeft of it, 
 the drying up the channel of the river Eu- 
 phrates, is the laft thing done againft it, be- 
 fore its aftual deftruftion by the feventh Vial, 
 and opens the way for thofe that fight in a 
 fpiritual war againft it, fpeedily to bring on 
 its ruin. 
 
 Hence I think it may, without difpute, be 
 determined, that by the river Euphrates in 
 the prophecy of this Vial, is meant fome- 
 thing appertaining or relating to the myfti- 
 cal Babylon, or the anti-chriftian church and 
 kingdom, that ferves that, or is a benefit to 
 it, in a way anfwerable to that in which the 
 river Euphrates ferved old Babylon, and the 
 removal of which will in like manner pre- 
 pare the way for her enemies to deftroy her. 
 And therefore what we have to do in the 
 firft place, in order to find out what is in- 
 tended by the river Euphrates, in this pro- 
 phecy, is to confider how the literal Eu- 
 phrates ferved old Babylon. And it may be 
 noted, that Euphrates was of remarkable be- 
 nefit to that great city in tv/o refpefts; it 
 ferved the city as a fupply — it was let thro' 
 the midft of the city by an artificial canal^ 
 and ran through the midft of the palace of 
 the king of Babylon; that part of his pa- 
 
28o CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 lace called the Old Palace, {landing on one 
 fide, and the other part called the New Pa- 
 lace, on the other; with communications 
 from one part to another, above the waters 
 by a bridge, and under the waters, by a vault- 
 ed or arched pafTage, that the city, and ef- 
 pecially the palace, might have the conve- 
 nience of its waters, and be plentifully fup- 
 plied with water. And another way that 
 the waters of Euphrates ferved Babylon, was 
 as an impediment and obftacle in the way 
 of its enemies, to hinder their accefs to it to 
 deflroy it; for there was a vafl moat round 
 the city, without the walls, of prodigious 
 width and depth, filled with the water of 
 the river, to hinder the accefs of her befieg- 
 ers; and at each end of the city, the river 
 ferved inftead of walls. And therefore when 
 Cyrus had dried up the river, the moat was 
 emptied, and the channel of the river un- 
 der the walls left dry, and fo his way was 
 prepared. 
 
 And therefore it is natural to fuppofe, 
 that by drying up the waters of the river 
 Euphrates, in the prophecy of the deftruc- 
 tion of the new Babylon, to prepare the way 
 ^ of her enemies, is meant the drying up her 
 incomes and fupplies, and the removal of 
 
 V 
 
bU THE HIVER EUPHRATES. 281 
 
 thofe things that hitherto have been the chief 
 obftacles in the way of thofe that, in this 
 book, are reprefented as at war with her, 
 and Seeking her deftruftion, (fpoken of Rev. 
 xix. 11. to the end, and chap. xii. 7.) that 
 have hindered their progrefs and fuccefs^ or 
 that have been the chief impediments in the 
 way of the Proteftant religion* The firft 
 thing is the drying the dreams of the wealth 
 of the new Babylon, the temporal fupplies^ 
 revenues^ and vaft incomes oftheRomifh 
 church, and the riches of the PopiOi domi- 
 nions* Waters in fcripture language very 
 often fignify provifion and fupplies, both 
 temporal and fpiritual, as in Prov. ix. 17. 
 Ifai. xxxiii. 16. — xliii. 20. — Iv* i.andlviii. 
 11* Jer. ii. 13 and 18. — xvii. 8 and 13. and 
 in other places innumerable. The tempor- 
 al fupplies of a people are very often in fcrip- 
 ture called waters, as Ifai. v. 13. Therefore 
 my people u gone into captivity, and their ho- 
 nourable men are famijlied, and their riiulti- 
 tude dried up -with thirjl, i. e. deprived of 
 the fupports and fupplies of life. And the 
 drying up the waters of a city or kingdom, 
 is often ufed in fcripture prophecy, for the 
 depriving them of their wealth, asthefcrip- 
 M m 
 
282 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 ture explains itfelf^Hof.xiii. 15. His fprings 
 Jhall become dry, and his fountain jliall he dried 
 up: He Jhall fpoil the treafure of all pleajaixt 
 vejfels. Ifai. xv. 6, 7. The waters of Niin- 
 rivifliall be defolate, for the hay is withered^ . 
 the grafs faileth, there is no green thing, — 
 Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and 
 that which they have laid up,fhall they carry 
 away to the brook of the willows. By the 
 brook of the willows there feems to be a re- 
 ference to the waters of AfTyria orChaldea, 
 whofe ftreams abounded with willows. So 
 that the carrying away the treafures of Moab, 
 and adding of them to the treafures of Af- 
 fyria, is here reprefented by the figure of 
 turning away the waters of Nimrim from the 
 country of Moab, and adding them to the 
 waters of Affyria, as the prophecy explains 
 itfelf. Yea, even in the prophecies of the 
 deftruftion of Babylon itfelf, the depriving 
 her of her treafures, feems to be one thing 
 intended by the drying up of her waters. — 
 This feems manifeft by the words of the pro- 
 phecy in Jer. 1. 37, 38. Afword is upon her 
 treafures, and they fiall be robbed; a drought 
 is iLpoji her loaters, and they ft all be dried up. 
 Compared with chap, li, 15. thou that 
 dwellefl upon many waters^ abundant in trea^ 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 283 
 
 fares; with ver. 36. / will dry up her fea^ 
 and make her fprings dry. The wealth, re- 
 venues, and vaft incomes of the church of 
 Rome, are the waters by which that Baby- 
 lon has been nouriflied and fupported; thefe 
 are the waters which the Popifh clergy and 
 members of the Romifli hierarchy third af- 
 ter, and are continually drinking down, with 
 infatiable appetite; and they are waters that 
 have been flowing into that fpiritual city like 
 a great river ; ecclefiaftical perfons pofleffing 
 a very great part of the Popifh dominions ; as 
 this Babylon is reprefented as vaftly rich, in 
 the prophecy of the Apocalypfe, efpecially 
 in the 17th and 18th chapters. Thefe are 
 efpecially the waters that fupply the palace 
 of the king of this new Babylon, viz. the 
 Pope, as the river Euphrates ran through 
 the midft of the palace of the king of old 
 Babylon. The revenues of the Pope have 
 been like waters of a great river, coming in- 
 to his palace, from innumerable fountains, 
 and by innumerable branches and lefTer 
 ftreama, coming from many various and dif- 
 tant countries. 
 
 This prophecy reprefents to us two cities 
 very contrary the one to the other — viz. 
 New Babylon and the New Jerufalem^ and 
 
284 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 a river running through the midft of each, 
 - — The New Jerufalem, which fignifies the 
 church of Chrift, efpecially in her beft eftatg, 
 is defcribed as having a river running thro' 
 the midft of it, Rev. xxii. 1, 2. This river, 
 as might eafily be made moft evident, by 
 comparing this with abundance of other 
 fcriptures, undoubtedly fignifies the divine 
 fupplies, and rich and abundant fpiritual in- 
 comes and provifion of that holy city. Mr, 
 Lowman, in his late Expofition, faysr, *• It 
 ^' rcprefents a conftant provifion for the com- 
 **' fortable and happy life of all the inhabi- 
 ^' lants of this city of God." And in his 
 notes on the fame place, obferves as follows : 
 *' Water, (fays he), as neceffary to the fup- 
 ^•' port of life, and as it contributes in great 
 *' cities, efpecially in hot eaftern countries, 
 *' to the ornament of the place, and delight 
 ^' of the inhabitants, is a very proper repre- 
 ^^ fentation of the enjoyment of all things, 
 *' both for the fupport and pleafure of life." 
 As the river that runs through the new Je- 
 rufcilem, the church of Chrift, that refrefties 
 that holy fpiritual fociety, fignifies their fpi- 
 ntual fupplies, to fatisfy their fpiritual thirft, 
 fo the river that runs through the new Ba-^ 
 bylon, the anti-chriftian churchy that wick-^ 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 285 
 
 cd carnal fociety, fignifies, according to the 
 oppofite charafler of the city, her worldly, 
 carnal fupplies, to fatisfy their carnal de- 
 fires and thirftings. 
 
 This new Jerufalem is called in this book 
 the Paradife of God, and therefore is repre- 
 fented as having the tree of life growing in 
 it. And it being defcribed, as though a riv- 
 er ran through the midft of it, there feems 
 to be fome allufion to the ancient paradife 
 in Eden, of v/hich we are told that there ran 
 a river through the midft of it to water it ; 
 i, e. to fupply the plants of it with nourifli- 
 ment. And this river was this very fame ri- 
 ver Euphrates, that afterwards ran through 
 Babylon. And in one and the other, it re- 
 prefented the divers fupplies of two oppofite 
 cities; in Eden, it reprefented the fpiritual 
 fupplies and wealth of the true Chriftian 
 church, in her fpiritual advancement and 
 glory, and feems to be fo made ufe of. Rev. 
 xxii. 1, 2. In the other it reprefented the 
 outward carnal fupplies of the falfe anti- 
 chriftian church, in her worldly pomp and 
 vain glory, chap. xvi. 12. 
 
 When the waters, that fupply this myfli- 
 cal Babylon, come to be dried up in this 
 fenfe, it will prepare the way for the ene- 
 
f86 COKCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 mies of anti-chriflian corruption, that feek 
 her overthrow. The weakh of the church 
 of Rome, and of the powers that fupport it, 
 is very much its defence. After the ftreams 
 of her revenues ar)d riches are dried up, or 
 very greatly diminifhed, her walls will be 
 as it were broken down, and (he will become 
 weak and defencelefs, and expofed to eafy 
 ruin. 
 
 When Joab had taken that part of the 
 city of Rabbah, that was called the City of 
 Waters, whence the city had its fupply of 
 water, the fountains of the brook Jabbok 
 being probably there, and which was alfo 
 called the royal city, probably becaufe there 
 the king had his palace and gardens, on the 
 account of its peculiar pleafantnefs ; I fay, 
 when he had taken this, the conquefl of the 
 reft of the city was eafy ; his meffage to Da- 
 vid implies, that the city now might be tak- 
 en at pleafure, 2 Sam. xii. 27, 28. It is pof- 
 fible that by the pouring out of the fixth 
 Vial to dry up the river of the myftical Ba- 
 bylon, there might be fomething like the 
 \ taking the City of Waters in Rabbah ; fbme 
 one of the chief of the Popifh powers, that 
 has been the main ftrength and fupport of 
 the Popiih caufe, or from whence that church 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 287 
 
 has its chief fupplies, may be deftroyed, or 
 converted, or greatly reduced. But this e- 
 vents muft determine. 
 
 In the prophecies of Egypt's deflruftion, 
 it is fignified, that when their rivers and wa- 
 ters fhould be dried up, in that fenfe, that 
 the ftreams of their temporal fupplies fhould 
 be averted from them, their defence would 
 be gone, Ifai. xix. 4, &c. The Egyptians 
 will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord^ 
 and the water sjliall fail from thefea, and the 
 river Jfiall be wajled and dried up^ and the 
 brooks of DE^LNC Ejhall be emptied and dried 
 up, and the reeds and flags fliall zvither— 
 Every thing fown by the brooks fhall zvither: 
 ThefiJJiers alfo fliall mourn — 
 
 Thofe whofe way was prepared to come 
 in and deftroy Babylon, by the drying up 
 the river of Euphrates, were the army that 
 was at war with Babylon, Cyrus the king, 
 and his hoft, that fought her overthrow; fo 
 there feems to be all reafon to fuppofe, that 
 thofe whofe way will be prepared to come 
 in and deftroy myftical Babylon, by drying 
 up the myftical Euphrates, are that king and 
 army that are, in this book of Revelation, 
 reprefented as at war with Antichrift. And 
 what king and army that is, we may fee ia 
 
288 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 chap. xii. 7. and xix. 11. to the end — Mi- 
 chael the king of angels, and his angels ; he 
 lohofe name is called the Word of God, and 
 that has on his vejture, and on his thigh, a 
 name written, King of Kings, and Lord of 
 Lords; and the heavenly armies that follow 
 him, cloathed in fine linen, white and clean. 
 Cyrus, the chief of the kings of the eaft, that 
 deftroyed Babylon^ and redeemed God's 
 church from thence, and reftored Jerufalem, 
 feems, in that particular affair, very mani- 
 feftly to be fpoken of as a type of Chrift: 
 God calls him his fiiepherd, to perform his 
 pleafure, to fay to Jerufalem—Thoufialt be 
 built, and to the temple — Thyfoundationfhall 
 he laid. God calls him his Mefiiah. Thus 
 faith the Lord to his anointed, (in the origin- 
 al to his MeJJiah) to Cyrus. He is fpoken of 
 as one that God had raifed up in righteouf 
 nefs, that he might build his city, and freely 
 redeem his captives, or let them go without 
 price or reward. He is faid to be one whom 
 God had loved; in like manner as the Mef- 
 fiah is faid to be God^s eled, in whom his foul 
 delighteth. As by Babylon, in the Revela- 
 tion, is meant that anti-chriftian fociety that 
 is typified by old Babylon; fo by the kings 
 of the ead, that fnould deflroy this anti- 
 
ON tHE RIVER EUPHRATES. 28^ 
 
 chriftian church, mud be meant thofe ene- 
 mies of it that were typified by Cyrus, and 
 other chieftiaiis oFthe eaft, that deftroyed old 
 Babylon; viz. Chrift, who was born, livedo 
 died, and rofe in the call, together with thofe 
 fpiritual princes that follow him, the princi- 
 palities and powers in heavenly places, and 
 thofe minifters and faints that are kings and 
 priefts, and (hall reign on earth; efpecially 
 thofe leaders and heads of God's people— 
 thofe Chriftian minifters and magiftrates^ 
 that fliall be diftinguifhed as public bleffings 
 to his churchj and chief inftruments of the 
 overthrow of Antichrift* 
 
 As the river Euphrates ferved the city of 
 Babylon as a fupply^ fo it alfo was before 
 obferved, it ferved as an impediment or ob- 
 ftacle to hinder the accefs of its enemies; as 
 there was a vaft moat round the city^ filled 
 with the water of the river, which was left 
 empty when Euphrates was dried up. And 
 therefore we may fuppofe, that another thing 
 meant by the effeft of the fixth Vial, is the 
 removal of thofe things which hitherto have 
 been the chief obftacles in the way of the 
 progrefs of the true religion, and the viftory 
 of the church ofChrift over her enemies j 
 
2gO CONCERNING THE SIXTH UIAL 
 
 which have been the corrupt doftrines and 
 praftices that have prevailed in Proteftant 
 courktries, and the doubts and difficulties 
 that attend many doftrines of the true reli- 
 gion, and the many divifions and conten- 
 tions that fubfift among Proteftants. The 
 removal of thofe would wonderfully prepare 
 the way for Chrift and his armies, to go for- 
 ward and prevail againft their enemies, in a 
 glorious propagation of true religion. So 
 that this Vial^ which is to prepare the way 
 for Chrift and his people, feems to have re- 
 fpetl to that remarkable preparing the way 
 for Chrift, by levelling mountains, exalting 
 valleys, drying lup rivers, and removing fium* 
 bling-blocks, which is often fpoken of in the 
 prophecies, as what fliall next precede the 
 church's latter-day glory, aslfai. xlii. 13, &c» 
 The Lor dfaall go forth as a mighty man; he 
 Pialljlir up jealoiijy asamanofvjar; hejliall 
 prevail againjl his enemies, — Izoill make wajle 
 mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs ; 
 and I loill make the rivers ijlands, and I will 
 dry up the pools; and I will bring the blind 
 by a zoay that they know not, and I will lead 
 them in paths thai they have not known; I 
 will make darknefs light before them, and 
 crooked things Jtraight: thefe things xvilllda 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 2gl 
 
 unto them, and notforfake them. Chap. xL 
 3, 4, 5. Prepare y'e the way of the Lord; 
 makejlraight in the defart an high-way for 
 our God : every valley fiall be exalted, and 
 every mountain and hillfhall be made low, 
 and the crooked fliall be made flraight, and 
 rough places plain ; and the glory of the Lord 
 fliall he revealed, and allflefh fhallfee it to- 
 gether. Chap. xi. 15, 16. And the Lord fiall 
 deflroy the tongue of the Egyptian fea, and 
 with his mighty wind fiall he (Jiake his hand 
 over the river, and shall fmite it in the feven 
 f reams thereof, and make men go over dry 
 shod; and there shall be an high-way for the 
 remnant of his people which shall be left, from 
 Affyria, like as it was to Ifrael, in the day thai 
 he came out of the land of Egypt. Chap. Ivii. 
 14. Cafiye up, cafl ye up, prepare the way, 
 take up the fiumbling'block out of the way of 
 my people. And chap. Ixii. 10. Go through, 
 go through the gates; prepare ye the way of 
 the people ; cajl up, cafl up the high-way ; ga- 
 ther out the f ones ; lift up aflandardfor the 
 people. Zech. x. 10, ii, 12. I will bring 
 them again alfo out of the land of Egypt, and 
 gather them out of Affyria ; and L will bring 
 them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon ; 
 and place shall not be found for them. And 
 
2gZ CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 he shall pafs through thefea with offliElion^ 
 and shall finite the waves of thefea; and all 
 the deeps of the river shall dry up ; and the 
 pride of Afjyria shall be brought down y and 
 thefceptre of Egypt shall depart away : And 
 I Will frengthen them in the Lord, and they 
 shall walk up and down in his name, faith the 
 Lord. And it is worthy to be remarked, that 
 as Cyrus's dellroying Babylon, and letting 
 go God's captives from thence, and reftoring 
 jerufalem, is certainly typical ofChrift'sde- 
 ftroying myftical Babylon, and delivering 
 his people from her tyranny, and glorioufly 
 building up the fpiritual Jerufalem in the 
 latter days ; fo God's preparing Cyrus's way, 
 by drying up the river Euphrates, is fpoken 
 of in terms like thofe that are ufed in thofe 
 prophecies that have been mentioned, to fig- 
 nify the preparing Chrift's way, when he (hail 
 come to accomplifh the latter event. Thus 
 God fays concerning Cyrus, Ifai. xlv. 2. / 
 -will go before thee, and make crooked. 
 PLACES STRAIGHT. And vcr. 13. I will 
 diretl, or make fir aight (as it is in the margin) 
 all his zcays. This is like chap. xl. 2, 4. Pre- 
 pare ye the way of the Lord; niakeftraightin 
 i^he depart an high-way for our God. — The 
 ^rooked things fiall he made fir aight, Chap^ 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 293 
 
 xlii. 16. I will make darknefs light before them^ 
 and crooked things Jlraight, 
 
 If any fliould objeft againft underftanding 
 the river Euphrates, m Rev. xvi. 12. as fig- 
 nifying v/hat has been fuppofed, that when 
 mention is made of the river Euphrates, in 
 another place in this prophecy, it is mani- 
 feilly not fo to be underftood, viz. in chap, 
 ix. 14. Saying to thejixth angel -which had 
 the trumpet — Looje the four angels which are 
 hound in the great river Euphrates; and that 
 there is no reafon to underftand the river 
 Euphrates in the vifion of the fixth Vial., as 
 fignifying fomething diverfe from what is 
 meant by the fame river in the vifion of the 
 fixth trumpet. 
 
 I anfwer. That there appears to me to be 
 good reafon for a diverfe underftanding of 
 the river Euphrates in thefe two different 
 places; the diverfity of the fcene of the vi- 
 fion, and of the kind of reprefentation, in 
 thofe two divers parts of this prophecy, na- 
 turally leads to it, and requires it. It is in 
 this book as in the Old Teftament; when 
 the river Euphrates is fpoken of in the Old 
 Teftament, both in the hiftories and prophe- 
 cies, it is mentioned, with refpeft to the two- 
 fold relation of th^it river, viz. ift, with re- 
 
 / 
 
294 CONCERNING THE SIXTH VIAL 
 
 gard to its relation to Babylon. And as it 
 was related to that, it was fomething belong- 
 ing to that city, as its defence and fupply, as 
 has been reprefented. Thus the river Eu- 
 phrates is fpoken of in many places that have 
 been already obferved, and others that might 
 be mentioned. 2dly. This river is fpoken 
 of with regard to its relation to the land of 
 Ifrael, God's vifible people ; and as it was re- 
 lated to that, it was its eaftern boundary. It 
 is fo fpoken of, Gen. xv. 18. Exod. xxiii. 3 1. 
 Deut. i. 7. and xi, 24. Jofh. i. 4. 2 Sam. 
 viii, 3. 1 Chron. xviii. 3. 1 Kings iv. 21. 
 Ezra iv. 20. Agreeable to this diverfe re- 
 fpeft or relation of this river, under which 
 
 it is mentioned in the Old Tellament, fo 
 muft we underfland it difiFerently in different 
 parts of the prophecy of this book of Reve- 
 lation, according as the nature and fubjeft 
 of the vixion requires. In the xvth chapter, 
 where the prophecy is about Babylon, and 
 the vifion is of God's plagues on Babylon, 
 preparing the way forherde{lru6lion,there^ 
 when the river Euphrates is mentioned, we 
 are naturally and neceffarily led to confider 
 it as fomething belonging to Babylon, ap- 
 pertaining to the myflical Babylon, as Eu- 
 phrates did to old Babylon. But we cannot 
 
ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES. 295 
 
 underftand it fo in the ixth chapter, for there 
 the prophecy is not about Babylon. To men- 
 tion Euphrates there, as fomething belong- 
 ing to Babylon, would have been improper; 
 for the nature of the vifion, and prophetical 
 reprefentation, did not lead to it, nor allo\\r 
 it. John had hadno vifion of Babylon; that 
 kind of reprefentation had not been made 
 to him; there is not a word faid about Ba- 
 bylon till we come to the fecond part of this 
 prophecy, after John had the vifion of the 
 fecond book, and Chrift had faid to him — 
 Thou viujl prophecy again before peoples^ and 
 nations, and kings, chap. xi. The fcene of 
 the vifion, in the former part of the prophe- 
 cy, had been more efpecially the land of If- 
 rael, and the vifion is concerning two forts 
 of perfons there, viz. thofe of the tribes of 
 Ifrael that had the feal of God in their fore- 
 heads, and thofe wicked apoftate Ifraelites 
 that had not this mark. Compare chap. vii. 
 3 — 8. and chap. ix. 4. The vifion in this ixth 
 chapter, is of God's jndgments on thofe of 
 the tribes of Ifrael, or in the land of Ifrael, 
 which had not the feal of God in their fore- 
 heads ; and therefore when mention is made, 
 ver. 14. of a judgment coming on them from 
 the river Euphrates, this river is here fpokea 
 
296 CONCERNING TME Sli^TH VIAL 
 
 of in the former refpeft, viz. with regard 10 
 its relation to the land of Ifrael, as its eaft- 
 ern border; and thereby we muft underftand 
 that God would bring fome terrible calahii^ 
 ty on Chriftendom from its eaftern border, 
 as he did when the Turks were let loofe up- 
 on Chriftendom. 
 
 If thefe things that have been fpoken of^ 
 are intended in the prophecy of the fixth 
 Vial, it affords, as I conceive, great reafoil 
 to hope that the beginning of that glorious 
 work of God's Spirit, which, in the progrefs 
 and iffu^ of it, will overthrow Antichrift, 
 and introduce the glory of the latter days^ 
 is not very far oflF. 
 
 Mr. Lowman has, I think, put it beyond 
 all reafonable doubt, that the fifth Vial was 
 poured out in the time of the Reformation, 
 It alfo appears fatisfyingly,by his late Expo- 
 fition, that take one Vial with another, it has 
 not been two hundred years from the begin- 
 ning of one Vial to the beginning of ano- 
 ther, but about one hundred and eighty 
 years. But it is now two hundred and twen- 
 ty years fmce the fifth Vial began to be 
 poured, and it is a long time fince the main 
 effefts of it have been finilhed. And there- 
 fore if the fixth Vial has not already began 
 
ITS BEGINNING TO BE FULFILLED. 297 
 
 to be poured out, it may well be fpeedily 
 lexpefted. 
 
 But with regJlrd to the firft thing that I 
 have fuppofcd to be fignified by the efFeft of 
 lliis Vial, viz. The dning up the fountains 
 and ftreams of the wealth and temporal in- 
 comes ^ndfupplies of the antichrifHan church 
 and territories, I would propofe it to confi- 
 tlerationj whether or no many things that 
 have cbme to pafs within thefe twenty 
 years paft, may not be looked upon as pro- 
 bable begiilnings of a fulfilment of this pro- 
 phecy; particularly what the kings of Spain 
 and Portugal did fome years fince, when dii- 
 pleafed with the Pope, forbidding any thence- 
 forward going to Rome for inveltitures, &c, 
 thereby cutting off two great ftream.s of the 
 Pope's wealth, from fo great and rich a part 
 ofthePopifii world; and its becoming fo 
 frequent a thing of late for Popi(h prmces, 
 in their wars, to make bold Vvith the trea- 
 fure of the church, and to tax the clergy 
 within their dominions, as well as laity; or 
 which is equivalent, to oblige them to con- 
 tribute great fums, under tlie na-xe of a free 
 gift; and alfo the late peeling and im.pove- 
 riihing the Pope's temporal dominions in 
 Oq 
 
298 Aiitichrijr s Ruin fpeedily follotos* 
 
 Italy, by the armies of the Auftrians, Nea- 
 politans and Spaniards, pafiingand repaffing 
 through them, and living fo much at difcre- 
 tion in them, of which the Pope has fo loud- 
 ly complained, and in vain; receiving no- 
 thing but menaces, when he has objefted a- 
 gainfl giving liberty for the like p-ifTage for 
 the future. Thefe things make it hopeful 
 that the time is coming when the princes of 
 Europe, the ten horns, Jliall hate the whore y 
 and make her defolate and naked, and eat her 
 fiefli, as Rev. xvii. 16. which will prepare the 
 way for what next follows, her being burnt 
 -with fire; even as the fixth Vial poured out, 
 to confume the fupplies of Antichrift, and 
 ftrip him.naked of his wealth, and, as it were, 
 to pick his fleOi off from his bones, will make 
 way for vs^hat next follows, thefeventh Vial, 
 that will confume Antichrift, by the fierce- 
 nefs of God's wrath. 
 
 Thefe things duly confidered, I imagine? 
 afford us ground to fuppofe, not only that 
 the efiFeS of this fixth Vial is already begun, 
 but that fome progrefs is already miade in 
 it, and that this Vial is now running apace. 
 And when it fhall be finiflied, there is all rea- 
 fon to fuppofe that the deftrutlion of Anti- 
 chrift will very fpeedily follow, and that the 
 
AniichriJiS Ruin fpeedily follows. 200 
 
 two laft Vials will fucceed one another more 
 clofely than the other Vials. When once 
 the river Euphrates was dried up, and Cy- 
 rus's way was prepared, he delayed not, but 
 immediately entered into the city to defiroy 
 it. Nor is it God's manner, when once his 
 way is prepared, to delay to deliver his 
 church, and (hew mercy to Zion. When 
 once impediments are removed, Chrifl will 
 no longer remain at a diilance, but will be 
 like a roe or a young hart, coming fwiftly 
 to the help of his people. When that cry 
 is made, Cajl ye up, ccijl ye up, prepare the 
 zoay, &c. The high and lofty One that inha- 
 bits eternity, is reprefented as very near to re- 
 vive thefpirit of the contrite, and deliver his 
 people with whom he had been wroth. When 
 that cry is made, Ifai. xl. Prepare ye the 
 way of the Lord, make fraight in the dcfart 
 an high-way for our God; every valley f mil 
 be exalted, See, God tells \\\^ ch\xrQh,that 
 her loarfare is accomplified, and the time to 
 comfort her is come, and that the glory of the 
 Lord noxofiall be revealed, and allflrfi fee it 
 together. And agreeably to theie things, 
 Chriil:, on the pouring ou tthe fixth Vial, 
 fays. Behold I come. The fixth Vial is the 
 forerunner of the fcventh or laft, to prepare 
 
300 A great Revival of Religion 
 
 its way. The angel that pours out this Vial^ 
 is the harbinger of Chrift, and when the har- 
 binger is come, the king is at hand. John 
 the Baptift, that vv:as Chrift's harbinger, who 
 came to level mountains and fill up vallies, 
 proclaimed, The kingdom of heaven is at hand; 
 and when lie had prepared Chrift's way, then, 
 the Lordfuddenly ca'me into his temple, even 
 the meJfenger of the covenant, Mai. iii. i. 
 
 It is true, that we do noj: know how long 
 this Vial may continue running, and fo Chrift's 
 w^ay preparing, before it is fully prepared; 
 bur yet if there be reafon to think the eflFcft 
 of this Vial is begun, or is near, then there 
 is reafon alfo to think that the beginning of 
 that great work of God's Spirit, in reviving 
 of religion, which, before it is finidied, w41l 
 idue in Antichrift's ruin, is not far off. For 
 it is pretty manifefl, that the beginning of 
 this work will accompany the fixth Vial; 
 for the gathering together of the armies on 
 both fides, on the fide of Chriil and Anti- 
 : chrilt, to that great battle that fliali iiTue in 
 the overthrow of the latter, will be under 
 this Vial; (compare Rev. xvi. 12, 13, 14. 
 with chap. ,xix. 11. to the ^vA.) And it is 
 plain, tluit Chrin's manifefling himfelf, anc" 
 wonderfully appearing after longhidinghiin- 
 
toill accompany thejixth Vial, 301 
 
 [elf, to plead his own and his people's cauf'% 
 and riding forth againd his enemies in a glo- 
 rious manner, and his people's foJlov/ing 
 him in pure linen, or the praftice of righte^. 
 oufnefs and pure religion, will be the thing 
 that w^ill give the alarm to Antichrifl, and 
 caufe him to gather that vaft holt to make 
 the utmoft oppofition. But this alarm and 
 gathering together is reprefented as being 
 under the fixth Vial; fo that it will be a 
 great revival, and mighty pro^Tefs of true 
 religion under the fixth Vial, eminently 
 threatening the fpeedy and utter overthrow 
 of Satan's kingdom on earth, that will fa 
 mightily roufe the old ferpent, to exert him- 
 felfwith fuch exceeding violence, in that 
 greatefl: conflift and flruggle that ever he 
 had with Chrift and the church, fince the 
 world flood.* 
 
 All the feven Vials bring terrible judo-„ 
 ments upon Antichrifl; but there feems to 
 be fomething diflinguifhing of the three lafl: 
 the fifth, fixth and feventh, viz. That they 
 
 NOT E. 
 
 * If there be any miflake here, it is an anticipption of the de- 
 f^rudion of Antichrifl, through the prevalence ofvit:-!] rehgicn, 
 inftead of the prcfent rod of tlie divine indignation; hut, it raiiy be, 
 there is a warfare between truth and error yet to come, towards 
 v/hich our author's views might Le diixa^d, and for which it be- 
 comes us ail to be piepared. Eun or. 
 
302 A great Revival of Religion 
 
 more direftly tend to the overthrow of his 
 , kingdom, and accordingly each of them is 
 • attended with a great revivino[ of reliorion. 
 The fifth Vial was attended with fuch a re- 
 vival and reformation, that greatly weaken- 
 ed and diminiflied the throne or kingdom, 
 of the beaft, and went far towards its ruin. 
 It feems as though the fixth Vial (hould be 
 much more fo, for it is the diftmguilhing 
 Bote of this Vial, that it is the preparatory 
 Vial, which more than any other Vial pre- 
 pares the way forChrift's coming todellroy 
 the kingdom of Antichrift, and to fet up his 
 own kingd^-^m in the world. A great out- 
 pouring of the Spirit accompanied that dif- 
 penfation which Vv'as preparatory to Chrift's 
 coming in his public miniftry, in the days of 
 his flelh; fo, much more, will a great out- 
 pouring of the Spirit accompany the dif- 
 penfation that will be preparatory to Chrill s 
 coming in his kingdom. 
 
 And befides thofe things which belong to 
 the preparation of Chrifl's way, which are 
 fo often reprefented by levelling mountains, 
 drying up rivers, c&c. viz. The unravelling 
 intricacies, and removing difficulties attend- 
 ing Chriftian doftrines, the diftinguilhing 
 between true religion and its falfe appear- 
 
will accompany thefixth Vial. 303 
 
 ances, the deteaing and exploding errors 
 and corrupt principles, and the reformmg 
 the wicked lives of profeffors, which have 
 been the chief ftumbling-blocks and obfia- 
 cles that have hitherto hindered the progrefs 
 of true religion; I fay, thefe things, which 
 feera to belong to this preparatory Vial, are 
 the proper work of the Spirit of God, pro- 
 moting and advancing divine light and true 
 piety, and can be the effedl of nothing elfe. 
 Ao-reeably to what has been fuppofed, that 
 an extraordinary out-pouring of the Spirit 
 of God is to accompany this fixth Vial; fo 
 the beginning of a work of extraordinary a- 
 wakening has already attended the probable 
 beginning of this Vial; and has been con- 
 tinued intone place or other, for many years 
 paft; although it has been, in fome places, 
 mingled with much enthufiafm, after the 
 manner of things in their firft beginnings, 
 unripe, and mixed with much crudity. But 
 it is to be hoped, a far more pure, exten- 
 five and glorious revival of religion is not 
 far off, which will more properly be the be- 
 ginning of that work, which, in its iffue, 
 ftall overthrow the kingdom of Antichrift, 
 and of Satan through the world. But God 
 will be enquired of for this, by thxhoufe of If 
 rad to do it for than. 
 
304 Prayer mill not be in Vain. 
 
 Anf, 5. If, notwithflanding all that I hav^ 
 ftid, it be flill judged that there is fufficient 
 i*eafon to determine that the ruia-of Anti.. 
 chrifl; is at a very great diftance, and if all 
 that I have faid^ as arguing that there is rea- 
 fon to hope the beginning of that glorious 
 revival of religion, which, in its continuance 
 and progrefs, will deftroy the kingdom of 
 Antichrift, is not very far off, be judged 10 
 be of no force; yet it will not follow, that 
 our complying v/ith what is propofed to us 
 in the late memorial from Scotland^ will be 
 in vain, or not followed with fuch fpiritual 
 bleffings, as will richly recompence the pains 
 of fuch extraordinary prayer for the Holy 
 Spirit, and the revival of religion. If God 
 does not grant that greateft of all effufions 
 of his Spirit, fo foon as we defire, yet we 
 {hall have the iatisfaclion of a confcioufnefs 
 of our having employed ourfelves in a mait- 
 ner that is certainly agreeable to Chrift's 
 will and frequent commands, in being much 
 in prayer for this mercy, and much more in 
 it than has heretofore been common with 
 Chriftians; and there will be all reafon to 
 hope, that we (hall receive fome bleffed to- 
 ken of his acceptance. If the fall of myfti- 
 cal Babylon, and the work of God's Spirit 
 
What is prdpofed in the Memorial, &.c, 30.5 
 
 that (hall bring it to pafs, be at feveral hun- 
 dred years diftance, yet it follows not that 
 there will be no happy reviv?^ls of religion 
 before that tinae, which flialhbe richly worth 
 the mod diligent, earned and condant pray- 
 ing for. 
 
 I would fay fomething to one objeftion 
 more, and then haden to a concludon of this 
 difcourfe. 
 
 Object, 6, Some may be ready to objefta 
 that what is propofed in this memorial is a 
 new thing, fuch as never was put inpra6lice 
 in the church of God before. 
 
 Anjl 1. If there be fomething circumdan- 
 tially new in it, this cannot be a fufficient 
 'objefticni The duty of prayer is no new 
 duty; for many of God's people exprefsly 
 to agreCj as touching fomething they diall 
 aflv in prayer, is no nev/ thing; for God's 
 people to agree on circumdances of time and 
 place for united prayer, according to their 
 own difcretion, is no new thing; for many, 
 in different places, to agree to offer up ex- 
 traordinary prayers to God, at the fame time, 
 as a token of their union, is no new things 
 but has been commonly praftifed in the ap- 
 pointment of days of fading and prayer for 
 
QoS What is propofed in the 
 
 fpecial mercies. And if the people of God 
 fhould engage in the duty of prayer, for the 
 coming of Chrift's kingdom, in a new man- 
 ner, in that refpeft, that they refolve they 
 will not be fo negligent of this duty, as has 
 been common with profefTors of religion 
 heretofore, but will be more frequent and 
 fervent in it; this would be fuch a new 
 thing as ought to be, and would be only to 
 reform a former ncghgence. And for the 
 people of God, in various parts of the world, 
 vifibly, and by exprefs agreement, to unite 
 for this extraordinary prayer, is no more 
 than their duty, and no more than what it 
 is foretold the people of God fhould actual- 
 ly do, before the time comes of the church's 
 promifed glory on earth. And if this be a 
 duty, then it is a duty to come into fome 
 method to render this prafticable; but it is 
 not practicable (as was fhewn before) but by 
 this method, or fome other equivalent. 
 
 Anf. 2. As to this particular method, pro- 
 pofed to promote union in extraordinary 
 prayer, viz. God's people, in various parts, 
 letting apart fixed feafons, to return at cer- 
 tain periods, wherein they agree to offer up 
 their prayers at the fame time, it is not fo 
 new as fome may poflTibly imagine* This 
 
Memorial is no nezo Thing. 307 
 
 may appear by what follows, which is part 
 of a paper, difperfed abroad in Great Bri< 
 tain and Ireland, from London, in the year 
 1712, being the latter end of queen Anne's 
 reign, and very extenfively complied with, 
 entitled, " A ferious Call from the City to 
 " the Country, to join with them in fetting 
 *' apart fome time, viz. from feven to eight, 
 " every Tuefday morning, for folemn feek- 
 " ino- of God, each one in his clofet, now ia 
 " this fo critical a junfture," 
 
 Jonah i. 6, Call upon God, iffo be that 
 God will think upon us, that loepcrijli not. — 
 What follows is an extraft from it. 
 
 " You have formerly been called upon to 
 *' the like duty, and have complied with it, 
 ^•' and that not without fuccefs. It is now 
 '' thought highly feafonable to renew the 
 " call. It is hoped that you will not be more 
 '' backw^ard, when it is fo apparent that there 
 " is even greater need. It is fcarce imagin- 
 '' able how a profeffing people fhould Itand 
 " in greater need of prayer, than we do at 
 '' this day. You were formerly bcfpoke from 
 '' that very pertinent text, Zech. viii. 21. 
 '•' The inhabitants of one cityJJiallgo to ano- 
 " ther, faying, Let us go fpeedily to pray be- 
 ''fore the Lord, or, (as the marginal reading. 
 
308 What is prop of ed in the 
 
 *^more exprelTive of the original reading, 
 *' is,) co7itinually,from day to day, to entreat 
 *' the face of the Lord, According to this ex- 
 '' cellent pattern, we of this city, the metro- 
 *' polis of our land, think ourfelves obliged 
 ^- to call upon our brethren in Great Britain 
 '^•' and Ireland, at a time when our hearts can- 
 ^' not but meditate terror, and our flefh trem- 
 '' ble for fear of God, and are afraid of his 
 " righteous judgments; thofe pafl being for 
 •' the moft part forgotten, and the figns of 
 *' the times foreboding evil to come, being 
 *' by the generality little, if at all, regarded; 
 " w^e cannot therefore but renew our earneft 
 *' requeft, that all who make confcience of 
 '' praying for the peace of Jerufalem, who 
 " widi well to Zion, who would have us and 
 ''our poflerity a nation of Britifh Protef- 
 '' tants, and not of Popifh bigots and French 
 '' {laves, would give us (as far as real and 
 ''' not pretended neceffity will give leave) a 
 ^' meeting at the throne of grace, at the hour 
 " mentioned, there to wreftle with God for 
 '•' the turning away his anger from us, for 
 " our deliverance from the hands of his and 
 " our enemies, for the turninor the councils 
 " of all Ahitophels, at home and abroad, in- 
 ^^ to fooliflmeiy, for mercy to the queen and 
 
Memorial is no nezo Thing, 309 
 
 ^' kingdom, for a happy peace or fuccefsful 
 ^' war, fo long as the matter {hall continue 
 ■^ undetermined; for fecuringthe Proteftant 
 -' fucceffion in the illultrious houfeofHa- 
 -' nover, (by good and evil wilhes to which, 
 -" the friends and enemies of our religion and 
 " civil rights, are fo effentially diilinguifh- 
 ^^ ed,) and efpecially for the influences of di- 
 ^' vine grace upon the rifing generation, par- 
 " ticularly the feed of the righteous, that the 
 ^\ offspring of our Chriftian heroes may ne- 
 ^' ver be the plague of our church and coun- 
 '' try. And we defire that this folemn pray- 
 " er be begun the firfl Tuefday after fight, 
 '' and continued at leafl the fummer of this, 
 " prefent year 1712, And we think, every 
 ^' modeft, reafonable and jufl requefl, fuck 
 '' as this, fliould not on any account be de- 
 " nied us, fince we are not laying a burden 
 " on others, to which we will not mofl wil- 
 ." lingly put our own fhoulders ; nay, indeed, 
 " count it much more a blefhng than a bur- 
 '' den. We hope this will not be efleemed, 
 *' by ferious Proteftants, of any denomina- 
 ** tion, a needlefs ilep ; much lefs do we fear 
 *' being cenfured by any fuch, as fanciful 
 " and melancholy, on account of fuch a pro- 
 " pofal. We, with them, believe a provi- 
 
€( 
 
 2 lo What ispropofed in the Memorial^ &c. 
 
 ^' dence, know and acknowledge that our 
 God is a God hearing prayen Scripture 
 " recordeth, and our age is not barren of in- 
 *^ fiances of God's working marvellous deli- 
 ** verances for his people in anfwer to hum- 
 ** ble, believing and importunate prayer, ef» 
 ** pecially when prayer and reformation go 
 *•' together, which is what we defire. Let 
 *^ this counfel be acceptable to us, in this 
 ** day of the church's calamity, and our com- 
 " mon fears. Let us feek the Lord while he 
 ^' may be found, and call upon him while he 
 ** is near. Let us humble ourfelves under 
 *^ the mighty hand of God. Let us go and 
 *^ pray unto our God, and he will hearken 
 *' unto us. We fhall feek him and find him, 
 *^ when we fearch for him with all our hearts. 
 " Pray for the peace of Jerufaiem ; tl:iey fhall 
 ** profper that love her. And may Zion's 
 " friends and enemies both cry out with won- 
 '• der, when they fee the work of God — Be- 
 ''• hold they pray! — What hath God wrought! 
 ^^ Verily there is a God that judgeth in the 
 ^'^ earth. 
 
 •' Pojlfcript. It is defired and hoped, that 
 ** if any are hindered from attending this 
 '* work at the above-mentioned hour, they 
 '' Will neverthelefs fet apart an hour week- 
 '' ly for it.". 
 
tnt coNCLustor?. gii 
 
 God fpeedily and wonderfully heard and 
 anfwered thofe who were united in that ex- 
 traordinary prayer, propofed in the above^ 
 mentioned paper, in fuddenly fcattering thofe 
 black clouds which threatened the nation 
 and the Proteftant interefl: with ruin, at that 
 time; in bringing about, in fo remarkable a 
 manner, that happy change in the ftate of 
 affairs in the nation, which was after the 
 queen's death, by the bringing in king George 
 the Firft. jufl at the time when the enemies 
 of the religion and liberties of the nation 
 had ripened their defigns to be put in fpee- 
 dy execution. And we fee in the beginning 
 of this extraft, this which is propofed, is 
 mentioned as being no new thing, but that 
 God's people in Great Britain had former- 
 ly been called upon to the like duty, and 
 had complied, and that not without fuccefs. 
 Such like concerts or agreements havefeve- 
 ral times been propofed in Scotland, before 
 this which is now propofed to us, particu- 
 larly there was a propofal publifhed for this 
 very praftice, in the year 1732, and another 
 in 1735; fo that it appears that this objec- 
 tion of novelty is built on a miftake, 
 
 THE CONCLUSION- 
 
 And now, upon the whole, I defire every 
 
312 THE CONCLUSidNi 
 
 ferious Chriftian, that may read this difcourfe^ 
 cahnly and deliberately to confider whether 
 he can excufe himfelf from complying with 
 what has been propofed to us and requefted 
 of us, by thofe minifters of Chrift in Scot- 
 land, who are the authors of the late memo- 
 rial. God has flirred up a part of his churchy 
 in a diflant part of the world, to be in an 
 extraordinary manner feeking and crying to 
 him, that he would appear to favour Zion^i 
 as he has promifed. And they are applying 
 themfelves to us, to join with them, and make 
 that very propofal to us which is fpoken of 
 in my text, and in like manner and circum- 
 ftances. The members of one church, in 
 one country, are coming to others^ in other 
 diftant countries, faying, Let us gofpeedily 
 and conjtantly to pray before the Lord, and to 
 feek the Lord ofHoJls. Will it not become 
 us readily to fay, Iwill goalfo? Whatthefe 
 fervants of Chrift afk of us, is not filver or 
 gold, or any of our outward fubftance, or 
 that we would put ourfelves to any coft, or 
 do any thing that will be likely to expofe 
 us to any remarkable trouble, difficulty or 
 fuffering in our outward intereft, but only 
 that we would, help together with them, by 
 our prayers to God, for the greateft mercy 
 
THE CONCLUSION. 313 
 
 in the world, and that a mercy which as much 
 concerns us as them, for the glory of their 
 Lord and ours, foi"^ the great advancement of 
 our common intereft and happinefs^ and the 
 happinefs of our fellow-creatures through all 
 nations; a mercy, which, at this day efpe- 
 ciaily, there is great need of; a mercy, which 
 we, in this land, do ftand in particularneed 
 of; a mercy, which the word of God re- 
 quires us to* make the fubjeft-raatter of our 
 prayers, above all other mercies, and gives 
 us more encouragement to pray earneltly 
 and unitedly to him for, than any other mer- 
 cy ; and a mercy, which the providence of 
 God towards the world of mankind, at this 
 day, does loudly call the people of God to 
 pray for. I think we cannot reafonably doubt 
 but that thefe minifters have afted a part be- 
 coming difciples of the great Meffiah, and 
 minifters of his kingdom, and have done the 
 will of God, and according to his word, in 
 fetting forward fuch an affair at this day, and 
 in propofing it to us; and therefore I defire 
 it may be confidered, whether we fiiall not 
 really fm againll God, in refufmg to com- 
 ply with their propofal and requeft, or m 
 neglecting it, and turning it by, with but lit- 
 
 O q' 
 
314 ^J-HE CONCLUSION. 
 
 tie notice and attention, therein difregard- 
 ing that which is truly a call of God to us. 
 The miniHers that make this pfopofal to 
 us, are no feparatifts or fciiifmatics, promo- 
 ters of no public diforders, nor of any wild- 
 riefs or extravagance in matters of religion, 
 but are quiet and peaceable members and 
 minillers of the church of Scotland, that 
 have lamented the late divifions and breach- 
 es of that church. If any {hall fay, that they 
 are under no advantage to judge of their 
 charafter, but muft take it on truft from o- 
 thers, becaufe they conceal their names ; in 
 anfwer to this, I would fay, That I prefume 
 no fober perfon will fay that he has any rea- 
 fon to fufpeft them, to be any other than 
 crentlemen of honeft intention. Befure there 
 is no appearance of any thing elfe, but an 
 upright defign in their propofal, and that 
 they have not mentioned their names, is an 
 argument of it. It may welt be prefumed, 
 from the manner of their expreffing them- 
 felves, in the memorial itfelf, they conceals 
 ed their names from that, which, perhaps, 
 may be called an excefs of modelly, chufmg 
 to be at the greaieft diRance from appear- 
 ing to fet forth themfelves to the view of the 
 world, as the heads of a great affair, and the 
 
THE CONCLUSION, 3I/5 
 
 firfl projeclors and movers of fometliing ex- 
 traordinary, that they defire (hould become 
 genera], and that God's people, in various 
 diftant parts of the world, fliould agree in. 
 And therefore, they are moreover careful 
 to tell us, that they do not propofe the af- 
 f^iir, as now fetting it on foot, but as a thing 
 already fet on foot, and do not tell us who 
 firft projefted and moved it. The propofal 
 is made to us in a very proper and prudent 
 manner, with all appearance of Chrillian 
 modefty and fincerity, and with a very pru- 
 dent guard againft any thing that looks like 
 fuperftition, or whatfoever might entangle a 
 tender confcience, and far from any appear- 
 ance of a defign to promote any particular 
 party or denomination of Chriftians, in op^ 
 pofition to others, but with all appearance 
 to the contrary, in their charitable requeft, 
 that none would, by any means, conceive of 
 any fuch thing to be in their view, and that 
 all, of every denomination and opinion con- 
 cci ning the late religious commotions, would 
 join with them, in feeking the common inte- 
 reft of the kingdom of Chrifi; and, there-r 
 fore, I think, none can be in the way of their 
 duty, in neglefling a propofal in itfeif exceK 
 lent, and that which they have reafon to 
 
3l6 THE CONCLUSION, 
 
 think is made with upright intentions, mere- 
 ly becaufe the propofcrs modeflly conceal 
 their names. I do not fee how any ferious 
 perfon, that has an ill opinion of late reli- 
 gious flirs, can have any colour of reafon to 
 refufe a compliance with this propofal, on 
 that account; the more diforders, extrava- 
 gancies and delufions of the devil ha\'^ late- 
 ly prevailed, the more need have we to pray 
 earneftly to God, for his Holy Spirit, to pro- 
 mote true religion, in oppofition to the grand 
 deceiver, and all his works; and the more 
 fuch prayer, as is propofed,is anfvv^ered, the 
 more efFeftually w^ill all that is contrary to 
 fober and pure religion be extirpated and 
 exploded. 
 
 One would think that every one who fa- 
 vours the duft of Zion, when he hears that 
 God is ftirring up a confiderable number of 
 his miniflers and people, to unite in extra- 
 ordinary prayer, for the revival of religion 
 and advancement of his kingdom, fhould 
 greatly rejoice on this occalion. If we lay 
 to heart the prefent calamities of the church 
 ofChrift, and lon^ for that bleffed altera- 
 tion which God has promifed, one would 
 think it fliould be natural to rejoice at the 
 appearance of forr.ething in fo dark a day, 
 
THE CONCLUSIOiN. 317 
 
 which is fo promifing a token. Would not 
 our friends that were lately in captivity in 
 Canada, who earneflly longed for deliver- 
 ance, have rejoiced to have heard of any 
 thing that feemed to forebode the approach 
 of their redemption? And particularly may 
 we not fuppofe fuch of them as were religi- 
 ous perfons, would greatly have rejoiced to 
 have underftood that there was ftirred up in 
 God's people an extraordinary fpirit of pray- 
 er for their redemption ? And I do not know 
 why it would not be as natural for us to re- 
 joice at the like hopeful token of the redemp- 
 tion of Zion, if we made her intereft our own, 
 and preferred Jerufalem above our chief joy. 
 If we are indeed called of God to comply 
 with the propofal now made to us, then let 
 me befeech all that do fmcerely love the in- 
 tereft of real Chriftianity, notwithftanding 
 any diverfity of opinion, and former dif- 
 putes, now to unite in this affair, with one 
 heart and voice— and let us go fpeedily io 
 pray before the Lord. There is no need that 
 one (liould wait for another. If we can o-et 
 others, that are our neighbours, to join with 
 us, and fo can conveniently fpend the quar- 
 terly feafons with praying focieties, this is 
 defirable; but if not, vrhy fhould we \vholly 
 
318 THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 negleft the duty propofed? Why (hould not 
 we perform it by ourfelves, uniting in heart 
 and praQice, as far as we are able, with thofe 
 who, in diflant places, are engaged in that 
 duty at that time? 
 
 If it be agreeable to the mind and will of 
 God, that we fhould comply with the memo- 
 rial, by praying for the coming of Chrift's 
 kingdom, in the m.anner therein propofed, 
 then doubtlefs it is the duty of all to comply 
 with the memorial, in that refpetl alfo, viz. 
 in endeavouring, as far as in us lies, to pro- 
 mote others joining in fuch prayer, and to 
 render this union and agreement as exten- 
 five as may be. Private ChriRians may have 
 many advantages and opportunities for this ; 
 but efpecially minifters, inafmuch as they 
 not only are by office overfeers qf whole 
 congregations of God's people, and their 
 guides in matters of religion, but ordinarily 
 have a far more extenfive acquaintance and 
 influence abroad, than private Chriflians in 
 common have. 
 
 And I hope that fuch as are convinced it 
 is their duty to comply with and encourage 
 this defign, will remember we ought not on- 
 ly to go fpeedily to pray before the Lord, 
 and to feek his mercy, but alfo to go con- 
 
THE CONCLUSION. 319 
 
 itantly. We (hould unite in our praftice 
 thefe two things, which our Saviour unites 
 in his precept, praying and not fainting. If 
 we fhould continue fome years, and nothing 
 remarkable in Providence (hould appear, as 
 though God heard and anfwered, we (hould 
 aft very unbecoming believers, if we (hould 
 therefore begin to be di(heartened, and grow 
 dull and (lack, in our feeking of God fo great 
 a mercy. It is very apparent from the w^ord 
 of God, that God is wont often to try the 
 faith and patience of his people, when cry- 
 ing to him for fome great and important 
 mercy, by with-holding the mercy fought, 
 for a feafon, and not only fo, but at (irft to 
 caufe an increafe of dark appearances, and 
 yet, without fail, at laft, to fucceed thcfe who 
 continue inftant in prayer with all perfever- 
 ance, and will not let God go except he blef- 
 fes. It is now propofed that this extraordi- 
 nary united prayer (liould continue for fe- 
 ven years, from November, 1746. Perhaps 
 fome that appear forward to engage, may 
 begin to think the time long, before the fe- 
 ven years are out, and may account it a dull 
 (lory, to go on, for fo long a time, praying 
 in this extraordinary method, while all yet 
 continues dark and dead, without any dawn- 
 
320 THE CONCLUSION. 
 
 ings of the wifhed-for light, or new promill 
 ing appearance in Providence of the near 
 approach of the defired mercy. But let it 
 be confidered, whether it will not be a poor 
 bufinefs, if our faith and patience is fo fhort- 
 winded, that w^e cannot be willing to wait 
 upon God one feven years, in a way of tak- 
 ing this little pains, in feeking a mercy fo 
 infinitely vaft. For my part, I fincerely wifli 
 and hope, that there may not be an end of 
 extraordinary united prayer, among God's 
 people, for the efFufions of the bleffed Spi- 
 rit, when the feven years are ended, but that 
 it will be continued, either in this method^ 
 or fome other, by a new agreement, that 
 will be entered into, with greater engaged- 
 nefs, and more abundant alacrity, than this 
 is ; and that extraordinary united prayer for 
 fuch a mercy will be further propagated and 
 extended, than it can be expefted to be in 
 one feven years. But yet, at the fame time, 
 I hope, God's people, that unite in this a- 
 greement, will fee fome tokens for good, be- 
 fore thefe feven years are out, thatfliall give 
 them to fee, that God has not faid to the 
 feed of Jacob — Seek ye me in vain; and 
 fhall ferve greatly to animate and encou- 
 rage them to go on in united prayers for the 
 
THE CONCLUSION'; 321 
 
 advancement of Chrifl's kingdom, with en- 
 creafing fervency. But whatever our hopes 
 may be in this refpeft, we muft be content 
 to be ignorant of the times and feafons, 
 which the Father hath put in his own pow- 
 er; andmufl.be willing that God fhould 
 anfwer prayer, and fulfil his own glorious 
 promifes, in his own time; remembering 
 fuch inftru6lions, counfels and promifes of 
 the word oPGpd as thefe — Wait on the Lord, 
 he of Good courage, and hejliall Jlrengtheii 
 thine heart; zvaity I Jay, on the Lord. For 
 the vijion is yet for an appointed time; but in 
 the end it -will jipeak, and not lie: though it 
 tarry ^ xoaitfor it, becaufe it -will fur ely come, 
 it will not tarry. Itoill look unto the Lord, 
 I tdll waiitfor the God ofmyfalvation; my 
 God zcili hear me. God xcill zcipe away tears 
 fy^m off m faces', and the rebuke of his people 
 fliall he take azvayfrom off all the earth; for 
 the LoM hathfpoken it, Anditfiall be [aid 
 in thai day, Lo, this is irur God! zoe have 
 rjoaited for Jiivi, and he xcillfave us: This is 
 JEHOVAH r cve have zvaitedfor hini^ zee %viU 
 be glad and rejoice in his falvation. Amen, 
 
 Rr 
 
T H 1' 
 
 DOWNFALL 
 
 O V 
 
 MYSTICAL BABYLON; 
 
 O R> A 
 
 KEY TO THE PROVIDENCE of GOD, 
 
 IN THE 
 
 POLITICAL OPERATIONS of 1793-4, 
 
 BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A DISCOURSE, PREACHED, 
 FIRST, AT ELIZABETH TOWN, AND AFTERV/ARDS 
 AT NEW-YORK, ON THE EVENING OF THE LORD's 
 DAY, APRIL 7, 1793., AND NOW OFFERED, VvITH 
 NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, IN EVIDENCE OF THE 
 
 . SENTIMENTS THEN DELIVERED. 
 
 By DjIVID /lUSTINy A.M. 
 Minlfter of the Firll Prefbyterian Church at Elizabeth Tov/n. 
 
APOLOGY. 
 
 AS the folio-wing difcourfe was delivered 
 from Jhort notes, it is hoped that any 
 Utile difference in arrangement, or any addi- 
 tional proof s or illuf rations, now obferved^ 
 will be readily excufed by any who heard the 
 difcourfe preached; efpecially, whiljl it is re* 
 member ed, that in a printed difcourfe much 
 higher authorities are expeEled, than what is 
 neceffary in the common courfe of parochial 
 preaching. 
 
 For any fentiments obferved to be omitted, 
 the reader is referred to the tenor of the pre- 
 ceding difcourfes; and ifanyfhould be ready 
 to fay, that proofs and illuflrations are need- 
 lefsly multiplied, it may not be improper to 
 anfwer, that on thefubjeB, of prophecy, as well 
 as in refpeSt to every other, the truth gains in 
 proportion to the evidence by which it is aitefl- 
 ed; andfhines much brighter whilfl fupported 
 by a cloud of approved witneffes, than whilfl 
 refiing on the opinion of anyfngle interpret 
 tcr^ 
 
i i iLiwiw p »i ! i»j«ua.yj i mj 8ggi[ 
 
 T H 3- 
 
 D O W N F A L L 
 
 o s 
 
 MYSTICAL BABYLON- 
 
 Revelatiom XVlii, 20. 
 
 Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy a^ 
 pojlles and prophets, for God hath avenged 
 you on her^ 
 
 IN all the calamities which it pleafes God 
 to bring upon his enemies, or upon the 
 enemies of his church, all holy beings have 
 caufe to rejoice. The ground of their joy, 
 in fiich events, however awful to the fuffer- 
 ers, is founded in the reafon and nature of 
 things as well as in the exprefs appointment 
 and call of God. 
 
 The caufe of God in heaven, and the caufe 
 of Chrill: and of his church on the earth are 
 one and the fame ; and fo far as either the 
 former or the latter, or both unitedly, may 
 be employed, in their ufual methods of ex- 
 ertion, in counterafting, and in overturning 
 
328 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 the purpofes of the Grand Adverfary or of 
 his inftruments ; in the fame degree may the 
 ftruggle be ftiled a common caufe, or a ge- 
 neral war. The enemies of God are the e- 
 nemies of his church, and they who feek the 
 overthrow of the latter, would, if poffible, 
 dethrone the former. On this account, there- 
 fore, it is, that all holy beings, whether in 
 the heaven of heavens, on high, or whether 
 in the heavens of the Chriftian church, (for 
 fo, in prophetic ftile, the word fometimes 
 fignifies,) are called upon to rejoice at the 
 calamities which God, in judgment for their 
 fins, brings on his enemies, and on the ene* 
 mies of his Zion. 
 
 All holy beings have caufe to rejoice in 
 the downfall of the wicked, as fuch a difaf- 
 ter, under the management of heaven, may 
 tend to the upbuilding of the kingdom of 
 Chrift, and of the truth in the world. By 
 fuch events viftory is, renewedly, afcribed to 
 God. The faith and hope of the pious are 
 revived and confirmed. — That fuch effefts, 
 by fuch difaflers upon the wicked, have been 
 produced, the fcriptures plainly teach. The 
 drowning of the old world, and the deftruc- 
 lion of Pharaoh and his hoft are inftances 
 in point. In view of the latter,y^?2^ Mofes, 
 
Mystical babylon-. q2q 
 
 ^nd the children of Ifrael this fong unto the 
 Lord, aMf pake, faying — / zoilljing unto the 
 Lord, for he hath triumphed glorioujly: the 
 horfe and his rider hath he thrown into the 
 Jed, The Lord is my^Jlrength andfong^ and 
 he is become my falvation : he is my God, and 
 1 will prepare him an habitation ; my father's 
 God, and I will exalt htm. The Lord is a man 
 of war: the Lord is his name. 
 
 Not only is the confidence of the righte- 
 ous maintained by fuch difplays of vindic^ 
 live powder, but the fame events load, with 
 increafing danger, the interefls of Sataii and 
 of the wicked in-general. 
 
 To revive the interells of truth and of 
 grace— to fupport the caufe of God in the 
 bofoms of the righteous, and to accumulate 
 the degrees of danger, apprehenfion and fi- 
 nal deftruflion, on the part of the wicked, 
 have no doubt been important, if not lead- 
 ing objeQs to be accompliihed, in all the 
 denunciations and executions which^ in all 
 ages^ have been, in a higher or lefs degree, 
 emptied forth upon the wicked, from the 
 vials of the divine indignation. 
 
 In purfuance of the fame important ob- 
 jefts^ a call is iffued, on a mighty and folemn 
 
 S s 
 
53^ THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 occafion, to all friends to God, and to hi§ 
 government to rejoice. Rejoice over her thou 
 heaven, and ye holy apojtles and prophets^ for 
 God hath avenged you on her. 
 
 Unfolding this paffage I propofe tolliew, 
 
 I. Who it is over whofe deilruftion holy 
 beings are called upon to rejoice. 
 
 II. The caufe of this difafler. 
 
 III. Notice the means employed to bring 
 this event to pafs. And, 
 
 IV. Shew the foundation the event lays 
 for univerfal joy; concluding with fome re- 
 flexions from the whole. 
 
 And will a very gracious God fo enlight- 
 en the mind, both of the fpeaker and of the 
 hearers, that truths may be opened, impref- 
 fions made, and effefts wrought anfwerable 
 to the nature and import of fo folemn and 
 momentous a fubjeft. — I am, 
 
 I. To fliew who it is over whofe deftruc- 
 tion, or downfall, all holy beings are called 
 upon to rejoice. 
 
 For this knowledge we muft repair to the 
 firft and fecond verfes of the context. And 
 after thefe things, faith the infpired ajx)flle. 
 If aw another angel come doxonfrom heaven^ 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLOiY. ggt 
 
 having great power , and the earth was light* 
 enedwith his glory. And he cried mightily 
 mth a Jlrong voice, faying, babylon the 
 
 GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN. 
 
 It is very generally, if not unanimoufly, 
 agreed by ProteRant writers, that by Baby- 
 lon, as ufed in this place, you are to under- 
 fland the extenfive, once triumphant, and 
 peiTecuting power of anti-chrillian Papal 
 Rome, filled babylon, becaufe there are fo 
 many appendages to this idolatrous power, 
 which fo nearly refemble, and fo exaflly 
 anfwer the prophetic defcription of Baby- 
 lon, of the Chaldees — the inveterate, the pow- 
 erful, and, for a feafon, the fuccefsful ene* 
 my of the people of God, in ancient time. 
 
 Figures of fpeech, efpecially in the pro- 
 phetic parts, are very frequent in the fcrip- 
 tures. Indeed, almofl the whole of this book 
 of the Revelation of Jefus Chrif vjhich God 
 gave unto him, to fliew unto hisfervants things 
 zohich mufifiortly come to pafs, is made up 
 of figures. Sometimes, left the figure (hould 
 be unintelligible, the angel fent to commu- 
 nicate the very interefting intelligence of 
 this invaluable book, explains the figure. — 
 And fometimes the prophetic herald gives 
 a different view of the fame object in differ* 
 
332 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 ent figures. Of this method we have an ex- 
 ample in the fubjeft before us. 
 
 Papal Rome, here ftiled babylon the 
 GREAT, in the chapter preceding is called,, 
 becaufe of her idolatrous praftices, and be- 
 caufe of her forfaking her original faithful 
 Lord and Hufband — ^the great whore: 
 And that it might be known to be the fame 
 power, as is here defcribed, the word Baby- 
 lon is annexed or interwoven with the o- 
 ther charafters of this myftical harlot. This 
 fa6l will be yet more clear if you liften to 
 the teftimony itfelf So he carried me away 
 in thefpirit into the zvildernefs: and I Jaw a 
 roomanjit upon a fcarlet-coloured beaJi^fulL 
 of navies ojblajphemy, having f even heads and 
 ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in 
 purple and fear let-colour, and. decked loith 
 gold, and precious Jiones, and pearls, having 
 a golden cup in her hand, full of abomina- 
 tions a.ndfilthinefs of her fornication. And 
 upon her forehead zvas a name^'written, mys- 
 tery, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MO- 
 THER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS 
 OF THE EARTH. 
 
 In fupporting the allufion, or in running 
 the parallel between ancient heathenifii and 
 modern anti-chriftian Papal Babylon, yea 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLO.V. g^^ 
 
 will permit, that I but touch upon the dif- 
 ferent branches of fimilarity, leaving the 
 more full illuftration to be fupplied by your 
 own recolleftion and ftudy. 
 
 As in the prophetic writings the words 
 Jerufalem, Zion, the Temple of the living 
 God, &c. are ufed to exprefs the ftate of 
 the church under the Jevv^ifh, fo the fame 
 words are fometimes applied to exprefs the 
 ftate and charafter of the church under the 
 Chriftian difpenfation. On the other hand^ 
 as Sodom, Egypt and Babylon were names 
 given to the enemies of God, and of his 
 church, in ancient time, fo, under the fame 
 names, their fucceffors are fet forth and de- 
 fcribed as to exift in later times. 
 
 All thefe dark (hades of national charac- 
 ter, and many more, did time allow, might 
 be proved to be, with juftice, applicable to 
 this anti-chriflian power of Papal Rome. — 
 To Sodom this power may be likened for 
 her fin, and to Egypt for her darknefs, ido- 
 latry and oppreiTion. And, without doubt, 
 by the angel of God, in his addrefs to St. 
 John on the fubje6l of the (laughter of the 
 witneffes, thefe dark fiiades are applied to 
 this tyrannical dominion. And their dead 
 bodies JJiall lie in the Jireet cf the great city. 
 
334 '^^^^ DOWNFALL OF 
 
 xohich fpiritually is called Sodom and Egypt ^ 
 tohere, alfo, our Lord was crucijied^ On thefe 
 words, faith an approved commentator* — • 
 *' The place where this was done is ftiled 
 " Sodom and Egypt, and the great city 
 *' xohere our Lord was crucified; which, if 
 *' literally underftood, fignifies Jerufalem, 
 ^' but if myftically underftood, ROME,orthe 
 *^ Roman empire." — And no one, I may add, 
 will fuppofe it is perverting the prophetic 
 emblem, if it be applied, folely, to Rome; 
 efpecially, if it be recollefted, that as Jeru- 
 falem was the head of the Jevvifh, fo Rome 
 profefTes to be the head of the Chriftian em- 
 pire; and alfo, that the once crucifying of 
 our Lord at Jerufalem, is but a faint emblem 
 of the thoufand crucifixions he has fince un- 
 dergone in the multiplied perfecutions and 
 tortures of the members of his myftical bo- 
 dy; and, I may add, which he ftill under- 
 goes in the daily offerings, the myflical fer- 
 vices, the fuperftitious maffes of the church 
 of Rome. 
 
 Hear, alfo, to this point, the teftimony of 
 a late very refpeclable writer on the fubjeft 
 of prophecy.t " As to the great city, men- 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 * Buikit in loco, f Langdon in loco« 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. ggg 
 
 *' tioned under the figurative names of So- 
 *' dom and Egypt, and comparedalfo to Je- 
 •* falem, where our Lord was crucified, we 
 *' {hall find by following vifions that Rome, 
 *^ with its empire, is meant. It is called So- 
 " dom, on account of the abominable crimes 
 *' committed in it; Egypt, on account of 
 *^ abounding fuperfiition and idolatry, and 
 *' the cruel bondage in which it holds the 
 *' people of God: And it is compared to 
 *' Jerufalem, being faid to be the city where 
 •' our Lord was crucified ; becaufe w'hile it 
 " pretended to be an holy city, it had killed 
 *^ the prophets and faints, and crucified Chrill 
 *^ afrefh in his members. Here it may be 
 '' more efpecially obferved, that as in the 
 *' beginning of the chapter the temple is the 
 *' emblem of the Chriflian church, that city, 
 " with its empire, in which the church is com- 
 *' prehended, may very properly be compar- 
 " ed to Jerufalem, the city in which the Jew- 
 " ifli temple flood: And as our Lord was 
 " crucified within thejurifdiftionof theRo- 
 *' man empire, and by the Roman authori- 
 " ty, and the Papal empire has fucceeded to 
 " the other, and claims an equal extent, there, 
 " is a propriety in faying that our Lord was 
 ^^ crucified in the great city Rome, confi- 
 
33^ THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 *^ dered in connexion with the empire of 
 " which it is the capital." 
 
 Having laid this foundation as to the ufe 
 and application of prophetic figures, to which 
 much might be added, were it neceffary, the 
 way is plain to proceed v/ith my fubjeft, in 
 an attempt to fliew, that by babylon the 
 GREAT, whofe fall is predifted in the text^ 
 is meant the prefent anti-chriftian power of 
 Papal Rome* 
 
 This fafl: will, at once, appear moft pal- 
 pably evident, if, with attention, you are 
 pleafed to follow me in a confideration of 
 thefeveral articles of analogy, between anci* 
 ent and modern Babylon, defigned to juftify 
 the prophetic allufion. 
 
 1. Did Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Ba* 
 bylon, fet up an image^ and call upon the 
 fubjecls of his empire to fall down and wor- 
 fhip it, fo hath the Nebuchadnezzar of the 
 church of Rome, fupported by the magi of 
 his kingdom, fet up, and continued to fet 
 up images innumerable, to which the ho- 
 mage of bowing and kneeling is continually 
 paid in churches, in many public places, and 
 even on the common country roads, by the 
 fubjecls of this myftical empire, as is well 
 known to thofe who have paffed through 
 this idolatrous country. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 337 
 
 2. Did the decree of the king of Babylon 
 enjoin homage to this image on pain of be- 
 ing ccifiiiito the midjl of a burning Jiery fur- 
 nace; fo doth the church of Rome enjoin 
 homage to her idols on pain of exclufion 
 from her communion, with the tortures of 
 the inquifition in this world, and the pains of 
 purgatory and damnation in the next.* 
 
 3. Did Nebuchadnezzar a6lually inf]i61-, 
 or attempt to inflifl:, the pains of the fiery 
 furnace on fome who refufed to bow down 
 to his image; fo hath the church of Rome 
 aftually inflicted, on thoufands of innocent 
 Proteftants, refufing to partake in her idola- 
 tries, all the tortures which imagination could 
 invent. 
 
 Let the hiftory of her perfecutions, maf- 
 facres, flaughters and burnings teftify to this 
 
 faa.t 
 
 Tt 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 * The Author once had his own hat knocked ofr by the bayO" 
 net of a ibidier, belonging to a party who efcoried and proteded 
 a Bi(hop and his confederates, during a very thronged procefiion, 
 at Nantes, becaufe he would not do culloraary h.arnage at the pre- 
 fence of the Holl, which was carried along the llreet?, claiming re- 
 ligious homage, during the farcical exhibitions on the celebra- 
 tion of the Fete de Dieu. 
 
 f ** Satan has oppofed the Reformation with cruel perfscu- 
 tions. The perfecutions with which the Proteftants, in one king- 
 dom and another, have been tormented, by the church of Rome, 
 
338 ' THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 4. Was ancient Babylon the feat and fource 
 of idolatry in the Pagan ; fo is Rome in the 
 Chriftian world. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 have been, in many refpeds, beyond any that were before. So 
 that Antichrift has proved the greateil and moil cruel enemy the 
 church of Chrlll ever had; agreeable to the defcriptlon given of 
 the church of Rome, jhii I fa-iM the ^.v-imaji drmikcn imth tbe 
 Ihodof the faints^ and '•^nth the blood' of the martyrs of Jefus. — 
 jlTid /;; her <was found th' blood of prophets ^ and of faints, a?id of 
 c.ll them that ivere^flain upon the earth. 
 
 The heathen perfecutions !iad been very dreadful ; but now per. 
 fecntion, by the church of Rome, was improved, and fludied, and 
 cultivated as an art or fcience. Such methods of tormenting were 
 found out, that were beyond the invention of former ages. And, 
 that perfecution might be managed more effeflually, there were 
 certain focieties efcabliftied in various pnrts of the Popifii domi- 
 nions, whofe bufinefs it rtiould be to ftudy,' improve, and pradife 
 perfecution in its highefl perfev3ion, which are called the courts 
 of inquifition.* A perufal of the hiilories of the Romilh perfecu- 
 tion, and their courts of inquifition, will give that idea, vv'hich a 
 few worc!'^ cannot exprefs. 
 
 * Thefe infernal tribunals were firfc ere.51ed in the twelfth cen- 
 tury by th^2 infamous Father Dominic, under the patronage of 
 Pope Innocent IH. ia order more completely to extirpate the 
 Waldenfes, and other pretended lieretics. It is difhcuit to con. 
 ceive, tivat if God had delivered the world entirely into the Devil's 
 hands, {as Satan once pretended) tliat his ingenuity and niaHce 
 could have invented any ihing more dsteilable and (hocking. In 
 faft, there is fcarcely a method that could delay or pervert juftice, 
 but they have adopted it in their forms ; nor does there feem a 
 pofiible method of touure but they have invented and repeatedly 
 exercifed. "1 he reader, whofe nerves can bear fuch reiterated 
 fcenes of cruelty, mav read Baker's Hiftory of the Inquifition — the 
 Hiilcry of the Inquifition at Goa, written by a Papiil, and fimilar 
 works. But to flicw how far it is pcJTible for human nature to go, 
 let him read the following e.xtradt from a fermon preached at E- 
 vora, on occafion of one cf the moft horrid fcenes the fun ever be- 
 held, an tf«/i? ;/^'^/^j when they burn or rather roafc heretics (as 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. gog 
 
 Did her kings rule over many kingdoms 
 and provinces; io this anti-cKriftian idola- 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 they call them) alive, from a principle of religion- " Beloved 
 Portuguefe," laid the inhuman wretch, ** let us return thanks to 
 Heaven, for his great goodnefs in giving us this holv tribunal (the 
 Inquiiition.) Had it not been for this tribunal out kingdom would 
 have become a tree without flowers or fruits, fit only to be com- 
 mitted to the flames. What progrefs has herefy made, for want 
 of an Inquifition, in England, France, Germany, and the Nether- 
 lands ! It is evident, had it not been for fo great a blefling, our 
 country would have b^en like tothofe above-mentioned.'* 
 
 When the Reformation began, the bcaft with feven heads and 
 ten horns began to rage in a dieadful manner. After the Refor- 
 mation, the church of Rome renewed its perfecutfon of the poor 
 Waldenfes, and great multitudes of them were cruelly tortured 
 and put to death. Soon after the Reformation, there were alfo 
 terrible perfecutions in various parts of Germany, and efpecrally 
 in Bohemia, which lafted for thirty years together, in which fo 
 much blood was (bed for the fake of religion, that a cenain v/riter 
 compares it to the plenty of waters of the great rivers of Germany, 
 The countries of Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary \^'ere, in like 
 manner, deluged wiih Protellant bJood.* 
 
 * *' If Rome Pagan hath fl.iin her ihoufands of innocent Chrif- 
 tians, Rome Chrijlian hath flain her ten thoufp.nds. lor, not to 
 mention other outrageous flaughters and barbarities, the croifades 
 againfl; the Waldenfes ?ia<\ Aibigenfes, the murders committed by 
 the Duke of Alva in the Netherlands, the maiTacres in France 
 and Ireland, will probably amount to above ten times the number 
 of all the Chriftians fl.rln in all the ten perfccutioriS of the Roman 
 emperors put together.'' 
 
 " By means of ihefe and other cruel perfecutions, the ProteH:- 
 ar.i religion was in a great meafure fuppi efTed in Bohemia, and the 
 Palatinate, and Hungary, which before were Protedant countries. 
 Thus was fulfilled what was foretold of the little horn." Jndof 
 tks ten horns that vjdre in his head, and of tJ)a other nyyhich came 
 upland before ^hom three f II, even t^f thai horn that had eyes » 
 and a mouth thatfpake g-reut things y ^hofi look "aias vi'irejloiit 
 than hisfelbz^js: I bdeld and the fame horn, made vjar '■j^ith ths 
 
340 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 trous harlot is faid to Jit upon many waters; 
 with whom the kings of the earth have commit- 
 
 note; 
 faint Si and prevailed stgainjl them. And what was foretold of the 
 beaft having feven heads and ten horns. And it 'was given unto 
 him to make 'war 'with the faints, and to overcome them ; andpo'-w- 
 er 'was given hiyn over alt kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
 
 Alfo Holland, and the other low countries, were,for many years, 
 a fcene cf nothing but the nsoft affecting and amazing cruelties, 
 being deluged with the blood of Protefiants, under the mercilefs 
 hanris of the Spaniards, to whom they were then in fuhjedion. — 
 But in this perfecution the Devil in a great raeafure failed of his 
 purpofe, as it i/Tiicd in a great part of the Netherlands cafting off 
 the Spanifh yoke, and fettiag up a wealthy and powerful Proteft- 
 ant fiate, to the great defence of the Proteftani caufeever fince. 
 
 France alfo is another country which, fince the Reformation, 
 in fome refpe<^s, perhaps, more than any other, has been a fcene 
 of dreadful cruelties fuffered by the Proteftants there. After many 
 cruellies had been exercifed towards the Protefiants in that king- 
 dom, there was begun a perfecution of them in the year 15 71, in 
 the reign of Charles the IX. king of France. 
 
 It began with a cruel mafTacre, wherein feventy thoufand Pro- 
 teftants were flain in a few days time, as the king bcafted; and 
 in all this perfecution, he fiew, as is fiippofed, three hundred 
 thoufand martyrs. And it is reckoned, that about this time, with- 
 in thirty years, there were martyred in this kingdom, for the Pro- 
 . teftant religion, thirty-nine princes, one hundred and forty-eight 
 / counts, two hundred and thirty-four barons, one hundred and 
 forty-feven thoufand five hundred and eighteen gentlemen, and 
 feven hundred and fixty thoufand of the common people. 
 
 The Parifian mafTacre was aggravated with feveral circumflan- 
 ces of wantonnefs and treachery; but we hope that the above num- 
 bers are exaggerated. Thuanus, their own hiftorian, reckons 
 thirty thoufand lives deftroyed in this flaughter; but Proteflant 
 anthors feem to have reafon for fuppofing them not lefs than one 
 hundred thoufand in the whole. But the moii horrid circumftance 
 in the hiflory is, that when tlic news of this event reached Rome, 
 pope Gregory XUL inftitaicd the moit fclemn rejoicings, giving 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 
 
 tedfornication, and the inhabitoMts of tlie earth 
 have been made drunk with the wine of her 
 fornication. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 thanks to Almighty God for this glorious vi<Slory ! ! ! — An in- 
 fiance that has no parallel, even in hell. 
 
 But all thefe perfecutions were, for exquifite cruelty, far ex- 
 ceeded by thofe which followed in the reign of Lewis XIV. which, 
 indeed, are fuppofed to exceed all others that ever have been; 
 and being long continued by reafon of the long reign of that king, 
 almoft wholly extirpated the Proteftant religion out of that king- 
 dom, where had been before a multitude of famous Proteftant 
 churches all over the country.* Thus it was given to the beafl 
 to make war with the faints, and to overcome them. 
 
 * The Perfeciition U7ider Lenjcis XIF. — This followed the re- 
 vocation of the Edi6t of Nantes, a. d. 1685. The following ex- 
 tra6l is taken from a French work of reputation. 
 
 " The troopers, foldiers and dragoons went into the Proteftants* 
 houfes, where they marred and defaced their Iioufehold ftufF 
 broke their looking-glafTes, and other utenfils and ornan-.ents, let 
 their wine run about their cellars, and threw about their corn, 
 and fpoiled it. And as to thofe things which they could notxle- 
 ftroy in this manner, fuch as furniture of beds, linen, wearing ap- 
 parel, plate, &c. they carried them to the market place, and fold 
 them to the Jefuits and other Roman Catholics. By thefe means 
 the Proteflants in Montaubon alone were, in four or five days, 
 flripped of above a million of money. But this was not the worfl. 
 
 ** They turned the dining-rooms of gentlemen into flables for 
 their horfes, and treated the owners of the houfes where they 
 quartered with the highefl indignity and cruelty, lafhing them a- 
 bout from one to another, day and night, without intermiflicn, 
 notfufFering them to eat or drink; and when they began to fink 
 under the fatigue and pains they had undergone, they laid them 
 on a bed, and when they thought them fomewhat recovered, made 
 them rife, and repeated the fame tortures. When they faw the 
 blood and fweat run down their faces and other parts of their bo- 
 dies, they fluiced them with waterj and putting over their heads 
 
342 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 5. Was ancient Babylon a fcourge to the 
 people of God, and did (he bring them into 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 kettle-drums, turned npfide down, they made a continual din upon 
 th^m till thofe unhappy creatures loft their fenfes. When one 
 party of thefe tormentors were weary they were relieved b^^ ano- 
 iher, who pradifed the fame cruelties with frelh vigor. 
 
 At NegrepiiiTe, a town near Montaubon, they hung up Ifaac 
 Favin, 2 Piotsftant citizen of that place, by his arm-pits, and tor- 
 Fnented him a whole night by pinching and tearing off his flefli 
 with pincers. They made a great fire round a boy about twelve 
 years old, who, with hands and eyes lifted up to heaven, cried 
 out — " il> God, help me!" — And when they found the youth 
 Fcfolved to die rather than renounce his religion, they fnatched 
 tim from the firejud as he was on the point of being burnt. 
 
 *' In feveral places the foldiers applied red hot irons to the 
 Lands and feet of men, and the breads of women. At Nantes 
 they hung up fjveval women and maids by their feet, and others 
 by their arm-pits, and thus expofed them to public view llark- 
 naked. They bound mothers that gave fuck to pofts, and let their 
 fucking infants lie idnguifliing in their fight for feveral days and 
 nights, Giying, mourning and gafplng for life. Some they bound 
 before a great fire, and, being half roailed, let them go — a puniHi- 
 nient worie than death. Amidil a tlioufand hideous cries, and a 
 ihouiand blafphemies, they hung up men and women by the hair, 
 and foxf by their feet, on hooks in chimneys, and fmoaked them 
 with wifps of wet hay till they werfe fuffocated. They tied feme 
 under the arms with ropes, and plunged theai again and again in- 
 to wells. They bound others like criminals, put diem to the tor- 
 tuje, and with a funnel filled them v/ith wine, till the fumes of it 
 took avv'ay their reafon, when they made ihem fay rhey confented 
 to be Catholics. They fcripped them nakeJ, ana, after a thouf- 
 iind indignities, fluck them with pins and needles ftom head to 
 foot. They cut and flafhed them with knives, and fometimes with 
 red-hot pincers took hold of them by the nofe and other parts of 
 the body, and dragged them about the rooms till they made them 
 proraife to be Catholics, or till the cries of thefe miferable wretch- 
 es, calling upon God for help, forced them to let them go. They 
 beat them with ftaves; and thus bruifcdj and with broken bcnes. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 343 
 
 a feventy years captivity? fo this anti-chrir- 
 tian power hath been a fcourge to the true 
 worlhippers of God in modern times, and 
 hath had a great part of the Chriftian church 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 dragc^ed them to church, where their forced prefence was taken 
 for an abjuration. In fome places they tied fathers and hufoands 
 to their bed-pofts, and, before their eyes, ravaged their wives and 
 daughters with impunity. They blew up men and women with 
 bellows till they burll them. If any, to efcape thefe barbarities, 
 endeavoured to fave themfelves by flight, they purfued them into 
 the fields and woods, where they (liot them like wild beafts, ajid 
 prohibited them from departing the kingdom, (a cruelty n^ver 
 pradifed by Nero or Dioclefian) wpon pain of conhfcation of ef- 
 tedts, thegallies, the lafh, and ^rpeiual imprifonment; infomuch 
 that the prifons of the fea-port t^owns were crammed v/ith men, 
 women and children, who endeavoured to fave themfelves by 
 fiiglit from this dreadful perfecution. With thefe fcenes of dcfo- 
 iation and horror, the popifh clergy feafted their eyes, and made 
 only a matter of laughter ar 1 fport of them.'* 
 
 0/Z'fr <:r«^///>/.~Befide the Proteftant blood Hied in thefe per- 
 fecutions, Popery has to anfwer for the lives of millions of Jews, 
 Mahometans, and barbarians. When the Moors conquered Spaio 
 in the eighth century, they allowed the Chriftians the free exer- 
 cife of their religion. But in the fifteenth century, when the ta- 
 bles were turned, and Ferdinand fubdued the Morifcoes, (thede- 
 fcendants of the a^ove Moors) many hundred thoufands of them 
 were forced to be baptized, or burnt, mafTacred, or baniHied, and 
 their children fold for flaves; befides an innumerable multitude of 
 Jews, who fhared the fame cruelties, chiefly by means of the infer- 
 nal Inquifition. A worfe flaiighter, if poffible, was made among 
 the natives of Spanin\ America, where fifteen millions are faid to 
 have been facrificed to the genius of Popery in the courfe of about 
 forty year?. Well, therefore, miglit the infpired apoflle fay, that 
 at my flic Babylon's deflrudion — hi her 'was found ths blood of 
 prophets^ a7id of faint s ^ and of all that nverd fain upon ths earthly 
 
 Rev. xviii. 24 [Sec Edv;ards's Hifcory of Redemption, with 
 
 notes, page 452, 459, of the London, or new American edition.') 
 
344 '^^^ DOWNFALL OF 
 
 in more than Egyptian bondage for tv/elve 
 hundred years. 
 
 During this bondage it is that the two 
 WITNESSES — they^^ri) faithful, who, in every 
 age, have teftified to the truth ; (as fome have 
 fuppofed) but if fo, there may be alfo an al- 
 lufion, and perhaps a primary one, to the 
 TWO OLIVE TREES of the prophet's vifiou, 
 the anointed ones thatjiand by the Lord of the 
 whole earth. 
 
 The olive tree afforded light from its fat- 
 nefs, and nourifhm.ent from its fruit. Un- 
 derftanding, therefore, the purport of the 
 TWO WITNESSES, as explained by the an- 
 gel, to be the two olive trees, and the 
 Tv/o CANDLESTICKS, Jianding before the 
 God of the earthy I am rather inclined to 
 think, that they have a more extenfive, myf- 
 tical, and important meaning than v/hat they 
 have been generally underllood to imply. 
 If the olive trees and candlefticks were an 
 emblem of fpiritual and divine communica- 
 tions during their {landing in the Jewifh, 
 v/hat fhould hinder the fame application 
 whilfl they (land in the Chriftian church? 
 
 As the gifts and graces fhed down upon 
 the minifters of our bleffed Lord, and upon 
 his churches, after his afcenfion, were fup- 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. ^45 
 
 pofed to have been typified or prefigured 
 by the anointing and common oil of the 
 fanfluary; fo the olive tree as giving light 
 and heat, and, I may add, nourilhment too. 
 Was found in the ufage and appointment of 
 heaven, no unbecoming reprefentation or 
 emblem of thofe fpiritual communications 
 which were then fhed upon the true wor- 
 fhippers, and which will ever be continued 
 as long as Chrift is the vine, or true olive, 
 and his people the needy branches. 
 
 May we not then fuppofe, that by thefe 
 
 TWO OLIVE TREES and the two candle- 
 stick S,j/?a7Z(iz?2^ before the God of the earthy 
 is meant the fources of divine and fpiritual 
 fupplies to his church, the mediiivi of com- 
 munication, or methods of outward and o- 
 pen exhibition; or {hall we fay, that the em- 
 blem may partake a little of each, andftand 
 a lively figure of them all? 
 
 If you afiv how this interpretation can cdrt- 
 fift with the epithet, with their being called 
 xvitnejfes, it may be anfwered, they are juftly 
 and literally fo to be ftiled. Are not the 
 Word of God preached, and his ordinance^ 
 adminiftered, by his faithful minifters, pro- 
 perly to be (tiled witnesses for God?-^ 
 Uu 
 
346 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 And if you choofe to retain the number tico, 
 may we not fay the^m^ and the word,v7\\\\ 
 their ufual and outward methods of admini- 
 ftration^ are fignified; or fay the word, and 
 the ordinances of God in general, or the 
 whole exhibition of the teftimony of God? 
 whether in things inward and fpiritual, or 
 in things outward and vifible? 
 
 With this interpretation agrees well the 
 idea of their prophefying 2?ij^<;/^(:/^^/z; for 
 no one can pretend, but the adminiftration 
 of the word and worfliip of God, in the Ro- 
 milh church, is fo beclouded by ignorance, 
 ftiled darknefs ; by fuperftition and error, 
 and by the miniftry of a corrupt priefthood, 
 as to layjuft foundation to fay, that the wit- 
 nefles, with this interpretation, are empha- 
 tically prophefying in fackcloth. 
 
 With the fame ideaconfifts, very exaQIy, 
 the term of time in which thefe witneffes are 
 appointed to prophefy: — It is during the 
 whole reign of Antichrift, the forty-two 
 months, or twelve hundred and fixty years. 
 And J zvill give, or appoint, unto my tzco zoit- 
 nejfes, and they jliall prophefy a thoufand tzco 
 hundred and threefcore days, clothed in fack- 
 cloth. 
 
 With the fame interpx'etation agrees the 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 347 
 
 declai'ation or expofition of the angel in the 
 next verfe. Thefe are //z^ t w o o l i v e t r e e s 
 and the two candlesticks Jianding be- 
 fore the God of the earth. And, in faft, there 
 feems nothing in the chapter but what may, 
 with as great apparent truth, be reconciled 
 to this interpretation, as to any other; and 
 there are forne things in it which cannot, 
 with eafe, be interpreted as applicable to the 
 witneffes, in any other fenfe, underftood or 
 explained. 
 
 And if any fhould be difpofed to believe, 
 that the prefent reigning perfecuting infidel 
 power, now waging war againfl: all revealed 
 religion, in France, is likely to be the death 
 of thefe fame witneffes, who, for a long time, 
 have already been made to prophefy in fack- 
 cloth, perhaps the opinion may find fupport 
 from the declaration of the angel : And when 
 they Jliall have fijiijlicd tluir tejlimony, the 
 beajl that afoendeth out of the bottomlefs pit^ 
 fiall make war againjl them, andfliall over- 
 come them, and kill them. If this interpre- 
 tation be true, the mourning witneffes are 
 now fuflfering death in thofe parts of myfli- 
 cal Babylon, where the exifling exterminate / 
 ing power has prevailed. 
 
 Did time allow, and was the prefent a 
 
348 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 proper place in the order of my difcourfe, I 
 might expound upon the whole chapter, and 
 eahly reconcile any expreflions which, at firft 
 view, might appear intricate, or doubtful, 
 to the fpirit of this interpretation. Suffice 
 it, for the prefent, to fay, that \vith this in^ 
 terpretation agrees well the declaration made 
 refpefting the injury thefe witnefTes are able 
 to do their enemies. And if any man will 
 hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouthy 
 and devoureth their enevnes. And of no- 
 thing (hort of the adminiftration of Heaven 
 can it be faid : Thefe have power tofiut hea* 
 ven, that it rain not in the days of their pro-! 
 phecVc And of nothing {hort of this can it 
 |)e [sLid-^They have power over waters to turn 
 them to blood, and to finite the earth with ail 
 plagues as often as they wilL And very cor- 
 refpondent to the death of the witneffes, and 
 10 the lying of their dead bodies inihejlreet 
 qf the great city, is the death, the broken 
 and demolifhed ftate of external religion 
 in thofe parts of Papal Rome, in which the 
 prefent exterminating power hath prevail- 
 ed. And equally correfpondent is the decla- 
 rauon, that they of the people, and tongues, and 
 nations; probably thofe nations and churches 
 out of the communion of the church of Rome^ 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. g^g 
 
 Jhallfee their dead bodies three days and an 
 half, andyhy a more lively adminiftration of 
 the word and ordinances of God, J/iall not 
 fuffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 
 
 And over the death of thefe witnefTes it 
 is, that the men of this world Jliall rejoice, 
 and make merry, and Jliall fend gifts 'one to 
 another; becaiife thefe two prophets torment- - 
 ed them that dwelt on the earth. 
 
 To the refurreftion and final exaltation 
 of thefe witneffes well applies the verfes 
 fucceeding. And after three days arid an 
 half, thefpirit of life from God entered into 
 them, and they food upon their feet, andp-reat 
 fear fell upon them thatfaw them. And they 
 heard a great voice from heaven, fayino- unto 
 them — Come up hither » And they afcended 
 up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies be- 
 held them. During thefe events it is faid 
 
 And the fame hour was there an earthquake. 
 May it not mean the earthquake now begun 
 — the prefent convulfions amongft the na- 
 tions, (for fo in prophetic ftile the word fig- 
 nifies) which are to be fucceeded by the op- 
 ening of the temple of God in heaven. And 
 the temple of God was opened in heaven, and 
 there was feen, in his temple, the ark of his 
 tejlament; and there were lightnings, andvoi- 
 
250 Antichrijl's Fall groundlefsly 
 
 'this was a member of the Chriftian churchy 
 and fet by God in the moft eminent ftation 
 in his church, ar<d was honoured above all 
 other princes that ever had been in the world, 
 as the great proteflor of his church, and her 
 deliverer from the perfecuting power of that 
 cruel fcarlet-coloured bead. Mr. Lowman 
 himfelf ftyles him a Chriftian Prince ^ and Pro^ 
 teElorof the Chrijiian Religion. God is very- 
 careful not to reckon his own people among 
 
 ■ the Gentiles, the vifible fubjecls of Satan, 
 Num. X xiii. 9. The people Jliall not be reckoned 
 among the nations. God will not enroll them 
 with them ; if they happen to be among them, 
 he will be careful to fet a mark upon them, 
 
 . as a note of diftinftion, Rev. vii. 3, &c. when 
 God is reckoning up his own people, he 
 leaves out thofe that have been noted for 
 idolatry. As among the tribes that were 
 fealed. Rev. viii. thofe idolatrous tribes of 
 Ephraim and Dan are left out, and in the 
 genealogy of Chrift, Matth. i. thofe princes 
 that were chiefly noted for idolatry, are left 
 
 ' out. Much more would God be careful not 
 to reckon his own people, efpecially fuch 
 Chriflian princes as have been the moft e- 
 minent inilruments of overthrowing idola- 
 try, amongft idolaters, and as members and 
 
fuppofed at a very great Dijlance. 251 
 
 heads of that kingdom that is noted in fcrip- 
 ture as the moft notorious and infamous of 
 all, for abominable idolatry, and oppofition 
 and cruelty to the true worfhippers of God. 
 And efpecially not to reckon them as pro- 
 perly belonging to one of thofe feven heads 
 of this monarchy, of which very heads it is 
 particularly noted that they had on them 
 the names of blasphemy, which Mr. Low* 
 man himfelf fuppofes to fignify idolatry. It 
 was therefore worthy of God, agreeable to 
 his manner, and what might w^ell be expeft- 
 ed, that when he was reckoning up the fe^ 
 veral fucceffive heads of this beaft, and Con- 
 ftantine and his fucccfTors came in the way, 
 and there was occafion to mention them, to 
 fet a mark, or note of diftinftion on them, 
 fignifying that they did not properly belong 
 to the bcafl, nor were to be reckoned as be- 
 longing to the heads, and therefore are to 
 be fkipped over in the reckoning, and Anti- 
 chrift, though the eighth head of the Roman 
 empire, is to be reckoned the feventh head 
 of the beaft. This appears to me abundant- 
 ly the moft juft and natural interpretation 
 ofRev. xvii. 10, u. It is reafonable to fup- 
 pofe, that God would take care to make 
 fuch a uote in this prophetical defcription 
 
252 Antichrijl's Fall groundlefsly 
 
 of this dreadful beaft, and not, by any means 
 to reckon Conftantine as belonging properly 
 to him. — If we reckon Conftantineas a mem- 
 ber of this bcaft having feven heads and ten 
 horns, defcribed chap. xvii. and as properly 
 one of his heads, then he was alfo properly 
 a member of the great red dragon with fe- 
 ven heads and ten horns that warred with 
 the woman, chap. xii. For the feven heads 
 and ten horns of that dragon, are plainly 
 the fame with the feven heads and ten horns 
 of the bead. So that this makes Conftantine 
 a vifible member of the devil; for v/e are 
 told exprefsly of that dragon, ver g. that he 
 was that old fer pent, called the Devil and Sa- 
 tan. And to fuppofe that Conftantine is 
 reckoned as belonging to one of the heads 
 of that dragon, is to make thefe prophecies 
 inconfiflent with themfelves. For herein this 
 12th chapter, we have reprefented a war be- 
 tween the dragon and the woman cloathed 
 with the fun; which woman, as all agree, is 
 the church; but Conftantine, as all do alfo 
 agree, belonged to the woman, was a mem- 
 ber of the Chriftian church, and was on that 
 fide in the war againftthe dragon; yea,w^as 
 the main inRrument of that great viftory 
 that was obtained over the dragon there fpo* 
 
fappofed at a very great Dijiance. 253 
 
 ken of, ver. g — 12. What aninconfiftency 
 therefore is it, to fuppofe that he was at the 
 fame time a member and head of that very 
 dragon, which fought with the woman, and 
 yet which Conflantine himfelf fought with, 
 overcame, and glorioufly triumphed over! 
 It is not therefore to be wondered at, that 
 God was careful to diflinguifh Conftantine 
 from the proper heads of the beaft ; it would 
 have been a wonder if he had not. God feems 
 to have been careful to diflinguifh him, not 
 only in his word, but in his providence, by 
 fo ordering it that this Chriflian emperor 
 fhould be removed from Rome, the city that 
 God had given up to be the feat of the pow- 
 er of the beafl, and of its heads, and that 
 he fhould have the feat of his em.pire elfe- 
 where. 
 
 Conflantine was made the ihflrument of 
 givinga mortal wound to the heathen Roman 
 empire, and giving it a mortal wound in its 
 head, viz. the heathen emperors that were 
 then reigning, Maxentius and Licinius. — 
 Butmore eminently was this glorious change 
 in the empire owing to the power of God's 
 word, the prevalence of the glorious gofpel, 
 by which Conftantine himfelf was convert- 
 ed, and fo became the inflrument of the o- 
 
254 Aiytichrijl's Fall groundlef sly 
 
 verthrow of the heathen empire in the eafl 
 and weft'. The change that was then bro't 
 to pafs, is reprefented as the deftru6tion of 
 the heathen empire, or the old heathen world, 
 and therefore feems to be compared to that 
 diflblution of heaven and earth that (hall be 
 at the day of judgment. Rev. vi. 12. to the 
 end. And therefore^ well might the heathen 
 empire, under the head which was then reign- 
 ing, be reprefented as wounded to death, 
 chap. xiii. 3. It is much more likely, that 
 the wound the beaft had by a fword, in his 
 head, fpoken of ver. 14, was the wound that 
 the heathen empire had in its head, by that 
 fword w^hich we read of, chap. i. 16. and 
 xix. 15. that proceeds out of the mouth of 
 Chrift, than the wound that was given to the 
 Chriftian empire and emperor by the fworci 
 of the heathen Goths. It is moft likely that 
 this deadly wound w^as by that fvv^ord w^ith 
 which Michael made war with him, and o- 
 vercame him, and caft him to the earth, chap, 
 xii. g, and that the deadly wound which was 
 given him, was given him at that very time. 
 It is moft likely, that the fword that gave hirn 
 this deadly wound, after which he llrangely 
 revived, as though he rofe from the dead, was 
 the fame fword with that which is fpoken of. 
 
fwppofd at d very great Dijiance. 25/j 
 
 as what fhall at lafl utterly deflroy him, (b that 
 he fhall never rife more, chap, xix. 15, 19, 
 20, 21. This wounding of the head of the 
 bead by the deitruction of the heathen em- 
 pire, and converfion of the emperor to the 
 Chriftian truth, w^as a glorious event indeed 
 of Divine Providence, worthy to be fo much 
 fpoken of in prophecy. It is natural to fup- 
 pofe, that the mortal vv^ounding of the head 
 of that favage cruel beaft, that is reprefent- 
 ed as conflantly at w^ar with the woman, and 
 perfecuting the church of Chrift, fhould be 
 fome relief to the Chriftian church; but, on 
 the contrary, that w^ounding to death, that 
 Mr. Lowman fpeaks of, was the viftory of 
 the enemies of the Chriftian church over her^ 
 and the wound received from them. 
 
 It is faid of that head of the empire that 
 (liall be next after the fixth head, and . next 
 before Antichrift, and that is not reckoned 
 as properly one of the number of the heads 
 of the beaft, that when it comes, it JliaU con- 
 tinue ajlwrtfpace, chap. xvii. 10. By w^hich 
 we may undcrftand, at leaft, that it fhall be 
 one of the (horteft, in its continuance, of the 
 fucceffive heads. But the government feat- 
 ed at Ravenna, in the hands of the Goths, 
 or of the deputies of the Greek emperors,' 
 
gg6 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 that thoujlialt take up this proverb againjl the 
 king of Babylon, and fay — How hath the op^ 
 preffor ceafed! The golden city ceafed! — The 
 jjohoLe earth is at ref, and is quiet, they break 
 forth into fin ging : Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at 
 thee, and the cedars of Lebanon fiaying — Since 
 thou art laid down, no feller has come up a^ 
 gainfi us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee, 
 to meet thee at thy coming: itfiirreth up the 
 dead for thee. 
 
 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and 
 the nofe of thy viols; the wormis fpreadun^ 
 flcr thee, and the worms cover thee. 
 
 How art thou fallen from, heaven, Luci^ 
 fir! Son of the Morning, hovj art thou cut 
 down to the ground, ^ohich d.id tveahcn the 
 nations! 
 
 TJiey tliatfie theefiiall narrowly look upon 
 thee and confider thee,fiaying — Is this the man 
 that made tlie earth to tremble? thatdidfiiake 
 kingdoms? that m.ade the world as a zoilder- 
 nefs? and defiroyed the cities thereof? tJiat 
 opened not the houfc of the pr if oners? 
 ' For I tvtll arife up aga.infi t/iem faith the 
 LordofiHqfts, and cut off rom Babylon the 
 name and remnant, thefion and nephew fiatth 
 the Lord. Iwillalfio make it a poffeffionfor 
 ihc bittern, and pools ofi zvater; and I will 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 357 
 
 fweep it with the befovi of deJlniElion faith the 
 Lord of Hofls, 
 
 Having thus taken but a very brief fur- 
 vey oith^ joyful, though aioful expreffions 
 of exultation at the deftruftion of ancient 
 Babylon, let us, for a moment, examine what 
 there is, upon facred record, to anfwer this 
 emblem in refpeft to the downfall of myfti- 
 cal Babylon. — And after thefc things Ifaw 
 another angel come dozonfrom heaven, hav- 
 ing great power ; and the earth was lightened 
 with his glory. And he cried mightily with a 
 firong voice, faying, Babylon the great is fal- 
 len, is fallen, and is become the habitation of 
 devils, and the hold of every foul fpirit, and a 
 cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For 
 all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath 
 cf her fornication, and the kings of the earth 
 have committed fornication with her, and the 
 merchants of the earth are zvaxed rich thro' 
 the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard 
 another voice from heaven, faying, Come out 
 of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of 
 her fins, and that ye receive not of her plagues : 
 For her fins have reached unto heaven, and 
 God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward 
 her even as fie rewarded you, and double un- 
 to her double^ according to her works: in the 
 
358 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 cup ivhichjlie hath filled, Jill to her double. 
 How much file hath glorified herfielf, and lived 
 delicioufiy , fio much torment and fiorrozo give 
 her: for fiie faith m her heart, I fit a queens 
 and am no xoidozv, and fiiall fiee no fiorrow. 
 Therefore fiiall her plagues come in one day, 
 death, and mourning, and famine; andfiie 
 
 Jhall be utterly burnt with fire: for firong is 
 the Lord God loho judgeth her. And the kings 
 of the earth, zoho have committed fornication 
 and lived delicioufiy zoith her , fiiall bezoail her , 
 and lament for her, zjohen they fiiall fee the 
 
 fnoke of her burning. Standing afar of for 
 the fear of her torment, faying, Alas, alas! 
 that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for 
 in one Iioiir is thy judgment come. And the 
 merchants of tlie earth fiiall zoeep and mourn 
 over Jier : for no man buyeth their merclian- 
 dife any more: The merchandife of gold, and 
 
 fdoer, and precious fiones, and of pearls, and 
 
 fine linen, and purple, andfilk, andfcarlet, 
 and all thyme zuood, and all manner vcffels of 
 ivory, and all manner vefi'els of mofi precious 
 
 zuood, and ofbrafs, and iron, and marble, and 
 cinnainon, and odours, and ointments, and 
 
 frankincenfe, and zjcine, and oil, and fine fiour, 
 and zjoheat, and beafis, andfiieep, and horfes,, 
 andchm'iots, andfitaves, and fouls of men, — 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. ^59 
 
 And the fruits that thy foul lufeth after are 
 departed from thee^ and all things which were 
 ■dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and 
 thoufialt find them no more at alL The merch- 
 ants ofthefe things, which were made rich by 
 her, fiall fand afar off, for the fear of her 
 torment, weeping and wailing. And faying, 
 Alas, alas! that great city, that was clothed 
 in fine linen, and purple, and fcarlet, and 
 decked with gold, and precious fanes, and 
 pearls! For in one hour fo great riches is come 
 to nought. And every fiip-mafer, and all the 
 company in flips, andfailors, and as many as 
 trade by fe a, food afar off, and cried, when 
 they f 110 the f nolle oflier burning, faying — 
 What city is like unto this great city! And 
 they caf difl on their lieads, and cried, weep- 
 ing and wailing, faying, Alas, alas! that great 
 city, wlierein were made rich all that had flips 
 intliefea by reafon of her coflinefs! for in 
 one hour fie is made defolate. Rejoice over 
 licr, thou heaven, and ye holy apofles andpro- 
 pliets; for God hath avenged you on her. And 
 a miglity angel took up afone like a great mil- 
 ftone, and cofi it into tliefea, faying. Thus 
 with violence fiall tliat great city Babylon be 
 tlirown down, and fiall be found no more at 
 all. And the voice of harpers, and mificians, 
 
366 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 and of pipers, and trumpeters, piall be heard 
 
 no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of 
 
 whatfoever craft he be, shall be found any 
 
 more in thee; and the found of a milfone shall 
 
 be heard no more at all in thee; and the light 
 
 of a candle shall shfne no more at all in thee; 
 
 and the voice of the bridegroom and of the 
 
 bride shall be heard no more at all iri thee: 
 
 for thy merchants were the great men of the 
 
 earth; for by thy forceries were all nations 
 
 deceived^ And in her wasfound^the blood of 
 
 prophets, and of faints^ and of all that zvere 
 
 flain upon the earth, 
 
 " And after thefe things I heard a great 
 " voice of much people in heaven, faying, 
 " Alleluia! Salvation, and glory, and honor, 
 " and power, unto the Lord our God: For 
 " true and righteous are hi^ judgments; for 
 " he hath judged the great whore, which did 
 ** corrupt the earth with her fornication, 
 " and hath avenged the blood of his fervants 
 ** at her hand. And again they faid, Alle- 
 " luia! And her fmoke rofe up for ever and 
 " ever. And the four and twenty elders, and 
 *' the four beafts, fell down and worfliipped 
 " God that fat on the throne faying, Amen ; 
 "Alleluia! — And a voice came out of the 
 " throne^ frying, Praife our God, all ye hb 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLOiNT* 3S1 
 
 **. fervants, ftnd ye that fear him^ both fmall 
 *' and great. And I heard as it were the voice 
 " of a great mukitude, and as the voice of 
 *' many waters, and as the voice of mighty 
 " thunderings, fay ingj Alleluia! for the Lord 
 " God omnipotent reigneth. 
 
 Did time allow, I might follow feveral o- 
 ther prophecies in their application to this 
 fame anti-chriftian churchy and fhew the e-- 
 vidence they all carry of a threatened over- 
 throw; but I fliall wave this fortheprefent^ 
 expreffing all neceffary to be expreffed in 
 this place, in the vv^ords of an eminent Eng- 
 lilh writer on this fubjeft,* 
 
 '' The prophecies of Daniel, St. Paul, and 
 St. John^ though /%^ of great weight, re- 
 ceive additional force if brought near and 
 illuftrated by each other. Having already 
 examined them feparately, and apart, let us 
 now confider them together, and colle6lthe 
 evidence that arifes when they are taken in 
 one view, and form an entire and perfect 
 whole. 
 
 From the moft curfory vie\\r of the three 
 prediftions it is evident, that the fame fchemS 
 Yy 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * Sec Hallifax*3 Sermons, page 3*8* 
 
362 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 and conflitution of things, the fame events^, 
 perfons and times, the origin, continuance 
 and deftruftion of the fame tyrannical pow- 
 er, (which power, by Daniel, is noted by the 
 appellation of the little horn, by St. Paul is 
 denominated the vian i?/'^,?;!, and by St. John 
 is branded with the titles of the beajl, and 
 xh^falfe prophet:) are ^?/?m^/); foretold ia 
 alL 
 
 If Daniel defcribes the kingdom in which 
 the little horn was to arife, by fuch emblems 
 as can belong to none but the Roman, the 
 fame emblems, to pre-figure the kingdom of 
 the beafl and the falfe prophet, are alfo em- 
 ployed by St. John, from whom we farther 
 learn, thathis appropriated place of refidence 
 is the city of Rome. 
 
 If Daniel reftrains the fovereignty of this 
 Roman pov/er to the European or weftern 
 . part of the empire, after it was divided into 
 ten (hares, the fame reftriftion is intimated 
 in one of the epiftles of St. Paul, and is more 
 explicitly declared by the beloved difciple 
 in the Apocalypfe. If Daniel reprefents the 
 ^nature of this ufurped dominion as different 
 from any other, St. Paul and St. John in- 
 flruct u,s, that this diverfity confifls in its be- 
 ing fpiritual, not a civil dominion, whicl^is^ 
 
MtSTlCAL BABYLON/ ^Sj^ 
 
 therefore to be fought for, not m the Heath- 
 en, but in Chriftiaii Rome. If the inftanccs 
 in which this fpiritual dominion is exerted, 
 according to Daniel, be chiefly thefe — afpir- 
 ing to fupreme and uncontroulable authori- 
 ty over the inhabitants of the earth — affeft- 
 ing divine titles and honors — enjoining the 
 worfliip of daemons and departed faints — 
 prohibiting marriage — working falfe mira- 
 cles — and perfecuting and killing thofe who 
 oppofe its claims; the fame particulars are 
 related, and with new additions and expli- 
 cations in the writings of St. Paul and St. 
 John. If the duration of this ecclefiaftical 
 polity be limited by Daniel to a time, and 
 times, and the dividing of time, the fame dura- 
 tion is expreffed, and, in a variety of phrafes, 
 by St. John, by whom the reign of the beaft 
 is fixed to a time, and times, and half a time, 
 or to three years and an half, or forty-two 
 months, or twelve hundred and fixty days. 
 And laftly, if the demolition of this ex- 
 traordinary polity be denounced by the pro- 
 phet of the Old Teftament, the fame inte- 
 refting event is promifed by the two apof- 
 tles of the Nevv^ Such a number of coinci- 
 dencies, all fo ftrange and unufual in their 
 kinds, to be found in the compofitions of 
 
364 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 three perfons, living in diffei^nt, and one in 
 a very remote period, cannot fairly be a- 
 fcribed to any other caufe than to the im- 
 pulfe oS. \h^ felf-fmie Jpirit, who taught them 
 all things, which it was neceffary fhould be 
 communicated for the admonition of the 
 church of Chrid, upon whom the ends of the 
 zcorld fnould covie. 
 
 Now of the eharafters recorded in fcrip- 
 ture, as the undoubted marks of Antichrift, 
 many, at leaf!:, have been (hew^n to belong, 
 exclufively, to tjie tyranny nov/ exifting in 
 Papal Rome. Yox^firji of all, this power 
 is certainly a Roman one: Secondly, it is 
 confined to the limits cf the Latin, or wefl^ 
 ern empire: Thirdly, it arofe among the ten 
 kingdoms into which that empire was parted 
 by the northern barbarians; Fourthly, its 
 throne or feat is in the city of Rome: Fifth- 
 ly, it is a Chriftian power; ?LnA,fixthly, it is 
 difcriminated from all others, by being of the 
 fpirituai or ecclefiaftic kind. Thefe are cir- 
 cumllances fo plainly realized in that part 
 of Chriftendom which is fubjefl to the Ro- 
 man Pontiff, that it is not poflible, by any 
 ait or fubtilty of our adverfaries, they cau 
 be evaded or denied."* 
 
 NOTE.. 
 
 * See the eleventh of Bilhop Hurd's Sermons on \\\t Proihg- 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 365 
 
 After fuch teftimony and volumes to the 
 fame effefl: which might be produced, if ne- 
 cefTary, you will not deem it harlh, uncha- 
 ritable, or unfair, if I fay, the objeft pointed 
 at in thefe prophecies, muft infallibly be the 
 prefent tyrannical, though, blefled be God! 
 the tottering church of Papal Rome. This 
 is the haughty Babylon, and this is the zoo- 
 man arrayed in purple andfcarlet-colour, and 
 decked with gold andpreciousjlones, and pear Is, 
 having a golden cup in her hand,full of abo- 
 minations, and filthincfs of her fornication. 
 And this is the ivonian,u^on whok forehead 
 zcasaname written, mystery, babylon 
 
 THE GP.EAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, 
 <l?Z^ ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And 
 
 this is the woman that was feen drunken with 
 the blood of the faints, and with the blood of 
 the martyrs of Jefus, And this is thtioovian 
 ■ that is denominated by the great city which 
 reigneth over the kings of the earth. 
 
 If, in this place, you think proper to afk 
 any thing refpefting the rife, continuance, 
 and final deftruclicn of this multi-formed 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 cies, where the prophetic characters of Antichrlft, above defcrib- 
 ed, are fiiewn, and in a very fatisf'adlory way, to be, fairly, appli- 
 cable to the chuich of Rome. 
 
366 ^HE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 devouring monfter, I anfwer, briePiy, that 
 according to the prefent mod approved cal- 
 culations we are authorized to lay, that the 
 origin of this anti-chriftian power was gra- 
 dual, though its aftual continuance is feve^ : 
 ral times plainly expreffed by the prophets 
 to be tioelve hundred and Jixty years, 
 
 " Sometime between a. d. 500, and tha 
 end of the reign of the Goths, w^hich was a, . 
 D. 553, when Narfes tool^ Rome and their 
 dominions in Italy from them, and began 
 the exarchate of Ravenna, the reckoning of 
 tw^elve hundred and fixty years mufl begin. 
 But Antichrift cannot be fuppofed to Hart 
 up into view at once, in ^ fudden manner, 
 as he will not fall without many preparatory 
 circumjlances. He becan^e, by degrees, dif- 
 tineuifhable. and doubtlefs his ruin will be 
 brought on by feveral fleps in Providence. 
 
 Therefore, if we begin at the earlieft date^ 
 when we may fuppofe he fird prefented him- 
 felf to view, the end of the period will bring 
 us to the firil fleps towards his fall ; but if 
 we begin at the lateft time, twelve hundred 
 and Jixty years, will bringus to the complete 
 ruin of his power. 
 
 The firft open breach between the weft- 
 em and eaftern churches was, as w^e have 
 
AfYSTICAL BABYLOr. 367 
 
 faid, about the year 500. To reckon: twelve 
 hundred and fixty years from that time brings 
 us to A. D. 1760. And it is remarkable that 
 from that very year, v/hen the Jefuits had 
 excited the refentments of the kings of Eu- 
 rope, which finally brought on the diffolu- 
 tion of that order,, the power of the church 
 of Rome has been very apparently declin- 
 ing,, and feveral plain fleps have been taken 
 by the providence of God toward her ut- 
 ter deflruftion. Convents have been fup- 
 prefied, and their revenues feized in king- 
 doms w^here fuperflition had long reigned 
 without controuL 
 
 The infernal Courts of Inquifition have 
 received fevere checks, by which they are 
 likely to be foon annihilated, in countries 
 moft noted for Romifh bigotry. 
 
 Liberty of confcience has been given tO 
 Proteftants in nations which had loner beea 
 devoted to the papacy. 
 
 Roman Catholic princes begin to with- 
 hold from Rome the cuftomary revenues. 
 Even a late Pope, by his liberal writing??, 
 lias lent his help to render Romifh fuperftr- 
 tion ridiculous. And appearances arejiill 
 proceedings^ 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * Langdon en RereJatlon, page 2.66- 
 
368 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 If, on the ground of the calculation juft 
 now mentioned, we proceed, the conclufion 
 obvioully is, that the deftruftion of Babylon 
 \% very near at hand. If to 1760, the date 
 of the commencement of her fall, be added 
 fifty years, the term in which (he is fuppof- 
 ed to be falling, the fum will be the period 
 of her expefted overthrow. And from ap- 
 pearances, now before us, we have good 
 ground to conclude, that, if the decree of 
 Heaven goes on for fixteen years to come, 
 until 1810, as it has for four years paft, the 
 denunciation for the deftruftion of Babylon 
 will be fully accomplifhed. 
 
 As to times and feafons, it is not for us 
 exaflly to know; and whatever miftakes we 
 make in our calculation of numbers, it does 
 not however, at all alter the decree, or poft- 
 pone the effeft. 
 
 Hear the tedimony of an eminent divine 
 on this fubjed.* 
 
 " Whatever miflakes the Jewifh Rabbles 
 " might fall into in their interpretation of Da- 
 '* niel's feventy weeks, and in their attempts 
 " to fix the precife time of the Meffiah's com- 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * Dodor Bellamy's difcourfe on the Millennium, piibliihed ti* 
 X75S>— piige 34 of this work. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 3^9 
 
 „ mg; and whatever miftaken notions any of 
 " them had about the nature of his kincrdom, 
 •' as though it was to be of this world, and 
 *' he to appear in all earthly grandeur, and 
 '' although his coming, to (bme, might feem 
 '* to be fo long delayed, that they b gan to 
 *' give up all hopes of it, and to ccntrive 
 *' fome other meaning to the ancient pro- 
 '^ phecies, or even to call in queftion the in- 
 *' fpiration of the prophets; yet neither the 
 *' mijlakes of fome, nor the infidelity of o- 
 ** thers, at all, altered the cafe. Days, and 
 ** months, and years haftened along, and one 
 ** revolution, among the kingdoms of the 
 *' earth, followed upon another, till the ful" 
 " nefs of time was come, till all things were 
 " ripe, and then, behold, the Meffiah was 
 " born! Even fo it fhall be now. 
 
 " Whatever miftakes Chriftian Divines 
 " may fall into, in their interpretation of fix 
 ** hundred and fixty-fix, the number of the 
 " beail, or in their endeavors to fix the pre- 
 '^ cife time when the twelve hundred and 
 *^ fixty years of Antichrill's reign fiiall begin 
 " and end ; or whatever wrong notions fome 
 *^ may have had, or may have about the na- 
 ** ture of the Millennium, a^ though Chrill 
 
 Zz 
 
370 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 " was to reign, perfonally, on earth; and if. 
 '^ fome, mean while, begin to think that all 
 " things will go on as they have done, and to 
 '•' conclude, that the expedation of thefeglori- 
 " ous days which has prevailed in the Chrif- 
 *' tian church, from the beginning, is merely 
 ^' agroundlefsfancy; yet none of thefe things 
 " w^iil at all alter the cafe. Days, and months/ 
 " and years, will haflen along, and one revo- 
 " lution, among the kingdoms of the earthy 
 " follow upon another, until the fitlnefs of 
 *' tivie is come; till all things are ripe for 
 ^' the event; and then the miniflers of Chrift 
 *^ will accomplifh, in reality, what St. John 
 *^ faw in his vifions : Ifazo an angel Jly in the 
 *^ viidji of heaven, having the everlajiing gof- 
 *' pel to preach unto them that dwell on the 
 " earth, and to every 7iatiooi, and kindred, and 
 ^' tongue, and people. And then fhall it come 
 " to pafs, that the veil of ignorance which 
 *' hath fo long fpread over all na.UonsJIiali 
 " be dejiroyed, and knowledge fliall fo great- 
 *' ly increafe, that it fliall be as though the 
 *' light of the moon were as the light of the 
 '-fun; and the light of the fan fev enfold, un- 
 " til the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth 
 ^' as the waiters do thefea. And then there 
 ^'fliall be nothing to hurt or offend in all God's 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 37I 
 
 " holy mountain. For Babylon (liall fall, Sa- 
 *' tan be bound, and Chrift will reign, and 
 *' truth and righteoufnefs univerfally prevail 
 *' a tliouf and years.'' 
 
 Having, thus, confidered who it is over 
 whofe deftruftion all holy beings are called 
 to rejoice, and fa id fomething of the origin, 
 continuance, and expefted downfall of this 
 power, I proceed, 
 
 11. To confider the caiife of this awful dif- 
 after. 
 
 Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy 
 apojlles and prophets ; for God hath avenged 
 you on her. 
 
 If we confine our refearchcs after the pro- 
 curing caufe of this difafter to the appenda- 
 ges of Babylon, we fhall find it in her ozon 
 guilt. 
 
 Permit me to point out her guilt as hint- 
 ed at in the chapter from which my text is 
 taken. 
 
 1. Babylon is charged with the extent of 
 her idolatry. 
 
 The kings of the earth have committed for- 
 nication with her; that is, have been em- 
 braced by her idolatrous communion — unit- 
 ed with her in a general apoftacy from God. 
 
 2. She is charged with a felfifh, mercena" 
 
372 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 r\^ fpirit in the concerns of her adminiftra« 
 tion. The merchants of the earth are waxed 
 rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 
 *' By the merchants underftand all fuch as 
 trade in Babylon's wares; her pleafing and 
 CO ly wares of pardons, mafTes and indul- 
 gencies, by which fo many are enriched; as 
 well as thofe who trade in images, and in all 
 the coftly trappings of their idolatrous wor-! 
 iliip, and efpecially in the fouls of men." 
 
 3, She is fpoken of as contaminating ?^nA 
 endangering thofe who tarried within her li- 
 mits, expofmg the people of God to be be- 
 witched by her forceries. And I heard an-, 
 other voice from heaven, faying, Come out of 
 her my people, that ye he not partakers of her 
 fns, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 
 
 My brethren, doth not this folemn decree,, 
 for the feparation of God's people from the 
 fins and abominations of Babylon^ preach 
 to us in thefe United States, even to us, who 
 inhabit this afylurn of the diftreffed, to be- 
 ware of the habits, cufloms, influence and 
 inchanting prerogatives of thofe who are 
 fleeing before the vengeance of an incenfed 
 God ? Be not partakers of her fins, that ye re- 
 ceive not of her plagues. 
 
 Xbis caution is fupported by the annum- 
 
MYSTICAL BAB/LON. 373 
 
 elation of the angel of God. And there foU 
 
 lowed another angel, faying, Babylon is fallen, 
 
 is fallen, that great city, becaufefie made all 
 
 nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her 
 
 fornication. And the third angel followed 
 
 them, faying with a loud voice, If any man 
 
 zoorjhtp the heafl and his image, and receive 
 
 his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the 
 
 famefiall drink of the-wine of the wrath of 
 
 God, which is poured out without mixture in-* 
 
 to the cup of his indignation: and hefiallbe 
 
 torjnented loithfire and brimfone in the pre" 
 
 fence of the holy angels, and iii the prefence of 
 
 the Lamb, 
 
 4. The guilt of Babylon is Ipoken of as 
 fending forth a cry: For her fns have reach- 
 ed unto heaven, and God hath remembered her 
 iniquities. Either a cry of the perfecuted 
 and fuffering church, or a cry for vengeance. 
 And when he had opened^ the fifth feal, I faio 
 under the altar the fouls of them that were 
 fain for the word of God, and for the tefiimo- 
 ny which they held. And they cried toith a loud 
 voice, faying. How long, holy ojnd true, dojt 
 thou not judge and avenge our blood on them 
 that dwell on the earth? And white robes were 
 given unto every one of them; and it was [aid 
 imto t/ieiUs thattheyffiouldrefl yet for a little 
 
374 ^^^ DOWNFALL OF 
 
 feafon, until their fellow-fervants alfo, and 
 their brethren, that fJiould be killed as they 
 toere^JIiould be fulfilled, 
 
 5. A remembrance of the perfecuting fpi- 
 rit of this anti-chriftian power is fpoken of 
 as warranting a decree for vengeance from 
 the Court of lieaven. Reward her even as 
 
 file rewarded you, and double unto her double^ 
 according to her work; in the cup which fiie 
 hath filled, fill to her double. 
 
 It is probable this injunction or command 
 is given to the minifters— to the miniflering 
 angels of God's judgments, in behalf of his 
 church; and though it doth not call for the 
 peaceful followers of the Lamb to wage a 
 carnal warfare wnth this intolerant power, 
 yet it doubtlefs authorifes our prayers that 
 her dellruflion may be fpeedy and inevit- 
 able. 
 
 6. The lad inherent caufe of this awful 
 calamity I (hall mention, is found in the pride 
 and haughtinefs, luxury and voluptuoufnefs 
 of this felf exalted anti-chriftian powder. — > 
 How much file hath glorificcd herfielfi and liv- 
 ed delicioufiy,fio much torment and fiorrozo 
 give her. For fine fiaith in her heart — Ifiit a 
 queen, ayid am no widow, and fiiall fiee nofior- 
 rovj. Thercfiore fiiall her plagues come in one 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON, 375 
 
 day, death, and mourning, and famine: and 
 fiejhall be utterly burned with fire : for Jlrong 
 is the Lord God loho judgeth her. 
 
 I am led to conclude this branch of my 
 difcourfe, by adding, that they??Z(2/caufe of 
 the deftruftion of Babylon is ihefentence of 
 God againil her. This fentence is pronoun- 
 ced by an angel from the court, from the tri- 
 bunal of heaven. And he cried inightily with 
 afirong voice, faying, Babylon the great is 
 fallen, is fallen. And a mighty angel took up 
 afione like a great milftone, and caft it into 
 the fe a, faying. Thus toith violence fiiall that 
 great city Babylon be thrown down, andfhall 
 be found no more at all. If you afk the rea- 
 fon of this judicial fentence from the tribu- 
 nal of heaven, it is faid — For by thy forcer ies 
 were all nations deceived. And in her was 
 found the blood of prophets, and of faints, and 
 of all that zcerefiain upon the earth* 
 
 Having pointed out who it is over whofe 
 deftrufiion holy angels and men are called 
 upon to rejoice, and conhdered the caifeoi 
 this awful cataftrophe, my fubjeft leads, 
 
 III. To confider the means by which this 
 event fhall be brought about. 
 
 And what 7neans, my audience, fhould you 
 fuppofe might be adequate to fuch a talk? 
 
376 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 to the tafl^ of overturning a power which hath 
 fubfifted more than twelve hundred years, 
 fupported by the kings of the earth, who 
 drink of her cup, and delight in her force- 
 ries — who have long fince lent their aid for 
 her fupport againft the voice of reafon — the 
 demands of Heaven, and the cries of per- 
 ifning thoufands? — What pow^r is equal to 
 the talk of accomplifhing even the decree of 
 Heaven againil fuch might, fuch united force 
 as Babylon is able to bring into the field? 
 more efpecially, when you confider that for 
 the terror of her enemies, and for the com- 
 fort of her friends, this intolerant power pro- 
 feffes to have in poffeffion the keys of hea- 
 ven and of hell? 
 
 Retreat you will be ready to fay from fuch 
 a taPis.! Let no one be fo prefumptuous as to 
 provoke her to anger, as to flir up her fury ! 
 — Many have been devoured by this levia- 
 than, by this multi-formed, infatiable mon- 
 fter; and God forbid that any more fhould 
 befwallowed up, whilfl: they are able to make 
 but a feeble, though honed attempt! 
 
 Our fears, my friends, are relieved whilft 
 I read to you, from the infpiration of God, 
 that the angel that pronounces the decree of 
 deftruftion is commiffioned from the Court 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 377 
 
 of Heaven ; has great power, and that the 
 earth is lightened zoith his glory. And to 
 fupport the executioner of the fentence it is 
 a.ddcd,forJtrong is the Lord God zoho judg- 
 eth her^ 
 
 As then the decree hath its origin inhea- 
 veri, and the promulgation of it is by a mef- 
 fenger from Heaven, we are authorifed to 
 look to Heaven for means to accompHfii 
 what its decree hath ordained. 
 
 Did it pleafe the Lord of Hofts, in an- 
 cient time, to promife dehverance to the He- 
 brews in Egyptian bondage; and did he not 
 gracioufly provide the means of deliverance? 
 —Was it in after times threatened againfl 
 this rebellious people that, for their hypo- 
 crify and fins, they fliould go into captivi- 
 ty ; and did not a righteous God provide the 
 means to execute the fentence? — Hear the 
 appointment of heaven to this taflc. AJfy- 
 rian! the rod of mine anger, and thejlaff in 
 their hand is mine indignation! I will fend 
 him againfl an hypocritical nation, and againjt 
 the people of my wrath will I give him a charge 
 to take thefpoil, and to toJie the prey, and to 
 tread them down like the mire in the ftreets. 
 Howbcit he meaneth not fo, neither doth his 
 
 A3 
 
\ 
 
 378 .THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 heart think fo ; but it is iii his heart to dejlroyf 
 and cut off- nations not a/ew, 
 . Vikerefwe itjliall come to pafs, that, roheit 
 the Lord hath performed his whole work upon 
 Mount Zion, and on Jerufalem, Iroill punijk 
 ihejTuit ofthejtout heart of the king of AJjy- 
 Q'ia, and the glory of his high looks; for hs 
 faith, bytheftrength ofiny hand I have done 
 it, and by my wifdovi ; for I am prudent : and 
 I have removed the bounds of the people, and 
 have robbed their treafures, and I have put 
 down the inhabitants like a valiant man, 
 
 I cite this paffage at length, not only that 
 the fentiments under confi deration may be 
 fiipported, as to ineans of execution, appoint- 
 ed by the decree of Heaven; but to teach 
 that means may be appointed, and m.ay e- 
 ven execute the v/ill of Heaven, and yet be 
 themfeU'cs wholly ignorant of the God they 
 are ferving-— be vaftly finful in what they 
 do, and be, final]y, forely puniPned for the 
 ungodly deed. 
 
 Again, did it pleafe God to promife de- 
 liverance to the captive Jews from Babylon ;. 
 and did he not gird his man for the purpofe? 
 Thus faith the Lord to his oMointed, to Cyrus^ 
 xchofe right hand I have holden, to fub due na- 
 tions bfore him; and I zvill loofe the loins of 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. r^J^ 
 
 kings, to Open before him the two-leaved gates, 
 and the gates Jliall not be Jliut : I loill go be- 
 fore thee, and make the crooked places Jlraight : 
 I will break in pieces the gates ofbrafs, ajid 
 cut in funder the bars of iron. For Jacob 
 my ferv ant's fake, and Ifraelmine eled, Ihavt 
 even called thee by thy name: Ihavefarnam^ 
 ed thee though thou haft not known me. I ani 
 the Lord, and there is none elfe, there is no 
 God befAes me: I girded thee, though thoU 
 hafl not known me. 
 
 Thefe examples of means provided for 
 the accomplifnment of mercies promifed, or 
 for the execution of judgments denounced, 
 in the wifdom of God, lay good foundation 
 for us to proceed, and afford unerring di^ 
 Teftion to us in our enqurics after the means 
 or methods which God will provide and ufe, 
 for the execution of the awful fentence of 
 which our fubjeft treats. 
 
 Babylon is fallen, is fallen! But by what 
 means is (he to be brought down? 
 
 The ftate of this anti-chriRian church is 
 fpoken of under feveral figures or emblems, 
 all of Vvdiich are to ^ave their end in fome 
 method fuited to the deftruftion of the ori- 
 ginal figure. 
 
 If we afk after the deftruftion of this 
 
g8o THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 church under the figure of Babylon, we fhalj 
 find the means pre-figured under the pour- 
 ins: out of the fixth vial — -the vial Vv^hichall 
 
 o 
 
 prefent expofitors allow to be now running. 
 ' And thejixth angel poured out his vial up- 
 on the great river Euphrates; and the water 
 thereof toas dried up, that the way of the king^ 
 of the eaft might be prepared. 
 
 I need not detain you here to fay that the 
 river Euphrates fignifies the wealth, the re- 
 venues, the ftrength and fupport of what- 
 ever kind, by which Papal Babylon hath, in 
 time paft, been upheld : — -And if you wilh to 
 ' know whether this river hath been, or is 
 now drying up, you may be informed by 
 aflung thofe who can tell to what end the 
 revenues of the church of Rome have late- 
 ly come. You may ad; where are her pri- 
 vileges and prerogatives, her churches, her 
 church-lands, her wonted revenues from 
 princes and from fubjefts, efpecially, in re- 
 fpeft to thofe parts of the empire on whicli 
 the contents of this vial have already been 
 poured? — -You may alk, where is that faith, 
 that implicit faith which Vv^as once put in 
 her?— that domination which flie maintain- 
 ed over the confciences of men ? — Wher^ 
 are her idols^ — her mafies-— her fuperfcitions 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 381 
 
 .—her minifters? — As to her revenues, it 
 will be anfwered, they have ceafed; — as to 
 fdith, confidence and truft in this once re- 
 puted fountain of truth and infallibility, it 
 will be faid, it is departed; her fubjefts have 
 thrown off the mafk, and refufe to be hood- 
 v/inked any longer. As to her idols, fo far 
 as there was any value in them, they are now 
 paffing in coin ; and as to her minillers, they 
 are executed and difperfed. Even the col- 
 lege of Sorbonne* is obliged to yield up her 
 magi, and give them, to her foes, a prey. 
 
 If you afl^ why the drying up of the river 
 Euphrates is fpoken of, that the zv ay of the 
 kings of the eajl may be prepared? I anfwer, 
 in a word, that as ancient Euphrates was 
 dried up, that the way of her enemies, who 
 ^'eame from the eaft, might be prepared, in 
 their approach to her de{l:ru6lion ; fo this 
 myftical river is dried up, that the city itfelf 
 may become. an eafy prey. 
 
 On this pafiage hear the language of a ju- 
 dicious divine.t 
 
 *' In the drying up of the river Euphrates, 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 '^ A celebrated in{lltution,or college, for the refidence of doc- 
 tors, profefTors, and {ludents in divinity, at Paris, who fufFered ip 
 the general calamity. 
 
 t B.urkit in loeo. 
 
3S2 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 manifefl: allufion is had to the manner of old 
 Babylon's deftruftion. The river Euphrates 
 rail through eld Babylon, and vs^as a greater 
 defence to it than its celebrated walls, which, 
 for thicknefs and height, were the wonder 
 of the world. Cyrus, " the leader of the 
 Kings of the EaR," whea he took Babylon, 
 cut many ditches, and let the river Euphra- 
 tes run out, and fo he and his foldiers enter- 
 ed the city, and took it. As the drying up 
 of Euphrates, theii, was^an immediate fore- 
 runner of the dellruQion of Babylon ; in HIkj 
 manner, the drying up of Euphrates, fignify 
 it what it will, fiiall be the immediate fore- 
 runner of the deftruftion .of anti-chriftiaq 
 Babylon, whenever it (hall be. The RoiBiflj 
 Euphrates being dried up, the Romifii Bar 
 bylon will hallen^ amain., tpwaiids itS: final 
 
 ruin.'* 
 
 Vv'hether the Euphrates of the R6mifh 
 Babylon is not already fo far dried up, a^. 
 that the Kings of the E a ft have made a breach 
 upon her, let fa61s and daily intelligence dcr 
 
 ieanine. 
 
 What though you call the inftruments of 
 this fuccefsful attack upon Rome a lawlefs 
 banditti — a race of infidels — men, whopro- 
 fefs to '' knov/ no God but Liberty, and no 
 
. MYSTICAL 3A3YL0N. 383 
 
 pofpel but their ConlHtution.'' — What then! 
 are th^y not, in the hand of God, as well cho- 
 fen inftruments for the execution of threaten- 
 ed vengeance upon myflical Babylon, as the 
 heathenifli kings of the eaft were, for the fame 
 defign, upon Babylon of the Chaldees? 
 
 Thofe who look through the great plan, 
 viewingthcpurpofesofHeavenuponabroad 
 fcale, believe and know that Kings and Cap- 
 tains, in all ages ; nay, that even wicked men 
 and devils, in the fullnefs of their rage, are 
 yet under the divine controul ; that the wrath 
 of tile whole, in the end, VnaWpraife him, and 
 the remainder he is able to reftrain. 
 
 In runnins: throucfh with the deftruclion 
 of Babylon, the prophet notices a movement 
 of a very extraordinary nature; an exertion 
 made to oppofe the deluge which Almighty 
 God is caufmg to overfpread the anti-chrif- 
 tian world. But, alas ! a feeble exertion, and, 
 in the end, does but expedite the overthrow 
 denounced. 
 
 And Ifcizv three iincleanjpirits, likefrogs^ 
 xovie out of the mouth of the dragod, uiid^oM. 
 of the mouth of the beajl, and out of the moiak 
 rf the falfe prophet. The apoftle proceeds 
 .to interpret tl:e objefls prefentcd. For they 
 are the fpirits of devils, zoorking miracles^ 
 
384 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 ioohich go forth unto the kings of the earth, and 
 cf the whole world, to gather them to the hat- 
 tie of that great day of God Almighty. 
 
 *' In the foregoing verfes,'*' fakh the author 
 juft now cited, '' an account was given of the 
 " fubjed upon which the fxth vial was pour- 
 *' ed out, namely, upon the river Euphrates. 
 " Here we have an effeft that followed there- 
 *' upon; a warlike expedition, or gathering 
 *' to battle. Where, note 1. The principal 
 •^ commanders, in this battle, the Dragon^ 
 " the Bead, and the Falfe Prophet. 
 
 " 2. The inftruments employed and made 
 ^' ufe of by them who are faid to be, for their 
 " xiB-iure, fpirits; for their qm.Vily, unclean; 
 " for their number^ j^Ar^^; for their fmilitude 
 " and refemblance like frogs; namely, with 
 " refpefl: to their corrupt origin, and their 
 *' numbers — they fwarm and croak in all 
 <* places, and live both in the v/ater and up- 
 " on the earth:— by all which, many inter- 
 " preters underfland emiffaries, miffionaries^ 
 " negociators, folicitors and legates, fent 
 '' forth, and employed by Antichrift for th^^ 
 '' fupport and flrengthening of him and his 
 ^' kingdom, by foliciting the kings of ths 
 *' earth to join together in battle againfl: his 
 *' enemies," 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLOI^. 385 
 
 We need no teflimony to fupport the o- 
 pinion that the nuncios, legates, bifiiops and 
 monks of the church of Rome have been in- 
 dullrioufly, and, fpeaking after the manner 
 of men, but too fuccefsfuUy employed in 
 ranging the prefent combination of kings a- 
 gainft the progrefs of the divine decree. — 
 But Babylon is fallen, is fallen in the coun- 
 cils of heaven, and no popifh emiifaries fhall 
 prevail to parry the fatal blow. True, they 
 have boafted their art and fuccefs in parry- 
 ing the arguments, and the appeals of Pro- 
 teftants in time pad, but they cannot parry 
 the judgments of God. 
 
 And he gathered them together into aplace^ 
 called in the Hebreio tongue Armageddon. 
 
 '' He, that is Almighty God, by his per- 
 *' midive providence, fuffered the kings of 
 " the earth to hearken to Antichriil's miffion- 
 « aries, and to affemble and gather together^ 
 '' as Jabin and Sifera gathered together a- 
 *' gainft Ifrael to their own defl:ru6lion : And 
 '' whereas the place of their gathering to- 
 «' gether and deftruSion is called a r m a g e d- 
 ** DON, that is fo named from the event of 
 '' the battle, fignifying fuch a place where 
 •' the enemies of the Lord Ihall be deilroy- 
 
 '' ed." 
 
 Bq 
 
386 THE DOWNFALL 6f 
 
 If any are difpofed to enquire after this 
 place of deftruftion, let them perufe the ac- 
 counts of the many bloody battles which 
 have been fought fmce refiftance has been 
 made to the purpofes of heaven in the exijl- 
 ing decree, and anticipate the deflru6lion yet 
 to follow.— One hundred and fifty, if not 
 two hundred thoufand, are fuppofed to have 
 perifhed in all the conflifts, battles, fieges, af- 
 fafmations and executions which have tak- 
 en place fince the prefent vial has begun to 
 run. Vv^itnefs, efpecially, the late very feri- 
 ous rencounters between the forces of France 
 and the allied armies, in and about the Auf- 
 trian Netherlands, as well as upon all their 
 frontiers, and we may add alfo the maffacres 
 of internal commotion. — Muft not fuch tor- 
 rents of blood be placed to the account of 
 the battle of the great day of God Almighty? 
 
 If this anti-chriftian power, for her apof- 
 tacy from God, and for her idolatry, be fi- 
 gured forth to us under the degrading and 
 abominable idea of a proftitute. herdellruc- 
 tion is find to come from the hatred of the 
 itn kings or kingdoms heretofore in her 
 idolatrous communion. 
 
 And iiie ten horns which thoiifawejl are ten 
 kings, zvhich have received no kingdom as yet; 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLOK. 387 
 
 but receive power as kings one hdur,OY<iX.\\\Q 
 fame time, with the beajl, Thefe have one 
 mind, and Jhall give their pozoer and Jlrength 
 unto the beajl. 
 
 But, in the day of God's wrath, whilft the 
 Jixth vial continues to deliver its myfterious? 
 but avenging contents, the ten kings Jliall hate 
 the whore, and Jliall make her defolate and 
 naked, and Jliall eat herjlejli, and burn her 
 with fire. 
 
 If it pleafe God to fet forth this anti- 
 chriftian power under the denomination of 
 a beaft, his deflruftion, with his adherents, 
 is threatened by an angel of God, not only 
 as to this life, but as to the life to come. 
 
 And the third angel Jollowed them, faying 
 with a loud voice. If any man zoorfiip the beaft.^ 
 and his image, and receive his mark in his 
 forehead, or in his hand, the fame fiall drink 
 of the wine of the wrath of God, zohich is pour- 
 ed out without 7nixture into the cup of his in- 
 dignation: and he Jhall be tormented with fire 
 and brimfione in the prejence of the holy an- 
 gels, and in the prefenceofthe Lamb, 
 
 If it pleafe God to fpeak of this idolatrous 
 and intolerant power under the character of 
 the man of fin, whofie coming is after the work- 
 ing of Satan, xvith all power, andfigns, and 
 
388 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 lying zoonders; his deftruftion is denounced 
 as being brought about by the vindiQivejuf- 
 tice of God; — W/ioiii the Lordjliall conjumt 
 Tcith thcfpirit of his Tfiouth, ayid Jhall dejtroy 
 zviih the brightncfs of his coming. 
 
 If this power is reprefented as interwoven 
 with the civil power oith^ fourth great king^ 
 dom of the world ; if the civil and ecclefiaf- 
 tical power of Rome forms the iron and the 
 cla^\ well m^y its deflruftion be predicled by 
 the rolling of the ftone (cut out, not with 
 human hands, but by the providence of God.) 
 apainft the legs, or rather the feet and toes 
 of this kingdom, wdiich is founded of iron 
 and clay- — partly firong and partly -voeak — 
 partly true and ^dinlyfalfe: well, I fay, may 
 deftruftion come from the ftone prepared of 
 God with this defign. Thou fazvfl, faith 
 Paniel to Nebuchadnezzar, till that ajlone 
 was cut out without hands, zvhichfmote the 
 image upon his feet that zvere of iron and clay^ 
 and brake them to pieces: And the f one that 
 fviote the image became a great moimtain, and 
 filed the whole earrth. 
 
 Can I better fet before you the interpre- 
 tation of this portion of prophecy, than in 
 the words of Bifiiop Newton, fupported by 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 389 
 
 the celebrated Mr. Mede?* " As the fourth 
 kingdom, or the Roman empire, was repre, 
 fented in a twofold ftate; firft, ftrong and 
 flourifhing, with legs of iron, cinAxhtn weak- 
 ened and divided, withy^r^^ and toes, part of 
 iron and part of clay ; fo ihisffth kingdom, 
 or the kingdom of Chrift, is defcribed like- 
 wife in tzvo ftates, which Mr. Mede rightly 
 diftinguifheth by the names of regnum lapi- 
 dis, the kingdom of the ftone, and regnum 
 montis, the kingdom of the mountain; the 
 fyf, when the Jione was cut out of the moun- 
 tain without hands; the fecond, when it be- 
 came itfelf a mountain, and filed the whole 
 earth, 
 
 " Thefonewas cut out of the mount ainwith^ 
 out hands. The kingdom of Chrift was firft 
 fet up while the Roman empire was in its 
 full ftrength, with legs of iron. The Roman 
 empire was afterwards divided into ten lef- 
 fer kingdoms, the remains of which are fub- 
 fifting at prefent. The image is ftill ftand- 
 ing upon h\?>feet and toes of iron and clay. 
 The kingdom of Chrift is yet afoneoffwU" 
 bling, and a rock of offence. But the ftone 
 will, one day, fmite the image upon the feet 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * Newton on the Prophecies, vol. ii. page 244, 
 
3gO THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 and toes, and deftroy it utterly, and will it- 
 it\i become a great mountain, and fill the whole 
 earth: or, in other words, the kingdoms of 
 this world JIialL become the kingdoms of our 
 Lord and of his Clmjf, a.nd hefiallreignfor 
 ever and ever. 
 
 " We have, therefore feen the kingdom of 
 xh^Jlone, but v/e have not yet feen \h^ king- 
 dom OF THE MOUNTAIN. Some parts of 
 this prophecy ftill remain to be fulfilled; but 
 the exaft completion of the other parts will 
 not fuffer us to doubt of the accomplilhment 
 of the reft alfo, in due feafon." 
 
 And what period of time, ray brethren, 
 hath ever looked fo likely to be introduflo- 
 ry to the regnum montis, to the kingdom of 
 the mountain, as the prefent? Is not the 
 flone now rolling againft the feet and toes of 
 the mighty image? And when it fliall have 
 fplit in funder the heterogeneous and unna- 
 tural mixture, of which the empire of Rome 
 is now compofed ; when the civil and eccle- 
 liaftical authority (v/hich hath fo long com- 
 pofed what, in the dignity and pride of an- 
 ti-chrillian glory, hath been ftiled the ho- 
 ly ROMAN EMPIRE,) (hall bc fcparatcd or 
 diffolved, there will be good ground to be- 
 lieve, that the empire of Jefus Chrift — the 
 regnum montis, w^ill begin. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. ggi 
 
 The rolling of the ftone, then, and the in- 
 creafe of it to the fize of a mountain, may 
 JLiftly be placed to the account of means or- 
 dained of God for the deftruftion of myfti- 
 cal Babylon — the empire of the church of 
 Rome. 
 
 And if it may not be prefuming too far, 
 I would venture to aflert, that appearances 
 are not only now favoring the introdu£tion 
 of the REGNUM MONTIS, but that it has al- 
 ready begun, and is confiderably advanced 
 in its progrefs. But, 
 
 How {hall the IzUleJlcnebzcQmc 3. moun- 
 tain, and how fhall it deftroy this mighty 
 image, this anti-chriflian colofTus, which hath 
 flood fo many a florm? 
 
 Muft it not acquire a power — gain a mo- 
 mentwn equal to the tafk? 
 
 Muft there not be fome power applied be- 
 fide reafon and argument; the force of which 
 this power hath found means fo long to with- 
 ftand? — Undoubtedly, you will fay, there 
 muft be fuch a power — but wliere is it to be 
 found, and from what quarter muft it come? 
 
 Behold, my brethren, behold in the fcenes 
 now paffing in the drama of Europe— an- 
 other Aft'yrian and his hoft!— another axm 
 the hand oi him that heiodh thereicith, and 
 
392 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 anothery2iZ(; in the hand of Am thatjhaketli 
 Hi— 
 
 In the fame group behold another Cyrus, 
 xohofe right hand the Lord hath holden tofub-- 
 due nations before him — before whom the 
 Lord loofened the loins of kings, and opened 
 before him the two-leaved gates. Before whom 
 the Lord went to make crooked places Jtr aight ; 
 to break in pieces the gates of brafs, and cut 
 in f under the bars of iron : — Whom the Lord 
 furnamed, and whom he girded with power, 
 though the AiTyrian knew him not. 
 
 If this language feem too myfterious to 
 any, let them receive a familiar itile, and be- 
 hold the regnum montis, the kingdom of the 
 mountain, begun on the Fourth of July, 
 177S, when the birth of the man-child — ■ 
 the hero of civil and religious liberty took 
 place in thefe United States. Let them read 
 the prediftions-of heaven refpe6iing the in- 
 creafe of his dominion — that he was to rule 
 all nations with a rod of iron; that is, bring 
 them into complete and abfolutefubjeftion; 
 and that the young hero might be equal to 
 this mighty conqueft, he is fupported by an 
 omnipotent arm ; he is caught up unto God^ 
 and to his throne. Behold, then, this hero 
 of America wielding the ftandard of civil 
 
iMYSTICAL BABYLON. 393 
 
 and religious liberty overthefe United States! 
 — Follow him, in his flrides,acrofs the Atlan- 
 tic! — See him, with his fpear already in the 
 heart of the beail! — See tyranny, civil and 
 ecclefiaftical, bleeding at every pore! — See 
 the votaries of the tyrants; of the beafts; of 
 the falfe prophets, and ferpents of the earth, 
 ranged in battle array, to withfland the pro- 
 grefs and dominion of him, who hath com- 
 miffion to break down the ufurpations of ty- 
 ranny — to let i\\t prifoner out of the prifon- 
 houfe; and to fet the vafTal in bondage free 
 from his chains— -to level the mountains — 
 to raife the valleys, and to prepare an high 
 way for the Lord! 
 
 Againft all oppofiiion to the execution of 
 this decree, the Lord, from the heavens, will 
 laugh. He that Jitteth in the heavens Jhall 
 uiugh, the Lord Jhall have them in dcrijion* 
 — ThoUjfhalt break them with a rod of ii^on; 
 thou fJiCvlt daji them in pieces like a potter s 
 vcfeL Be zoife now, therefore, ye kings, be 
 injtruded ye judges of the earth. 
 
 It feems no unnatural conclufion from an- 
 cient prophecy, and from prefent appear- 
 ances, that in order to ufher in the domi- 
 nion of our glorious Immanuel, as predic- 
 
254 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 ted to take place, and ufually called the to- 
 tcT' day -glory, two great revolutions 
 are to take place; i^n^firjl outward and po- 
 litical; the y^C6)7i^ inward and fpintual. — 
 Thejirjl is now taking place; its happy ef- 
 fecis we, in this country, already enjoy; and 
 O that the Lord would gracioudy put it in- 
 to the hearts of his miniilers and churches, 
 nay, of all now under the dominion of civil 
 and religious liberty, to begin th^fecond re- 
 volution, that which is inzoard and fpiritual^ 
 even the revolution of the heart. Come forth 
 then, may we not pray, all ye votaries of 
 truth! ye advocates for the foiritual empire 
 oithe latter day, come forth !^ — 
 
 Let the ftandard of truth and of duty, the 
 flandard of allegiance to God, through faith 
 in his beloved Son, be fet up ! Let us preach, 
 let us pray, let us fight, manfully, the war- 
 fare of faith— not doubting, but in God's owu 
 time, the glorious things, of which the pro- 
 phets have fpoken, (hall be fulfilled ! 
 
 Behold the firjl revolution, (through the 
 agency of the hero of America] in this coun- 
 try, already begun, nay, already accompliih- 
 ed! — why not then now begifi thefecond? 
 
 What encouragement is there to proceed, 
 v/hilft we fee feme of the lafl events taking 
 
Mystical ba^yLOW og^ 
 
 place, under the fixth vial, which are to pre- 
 cede the glory of the latter day, to hcti/Jier- 
 ed in.imrnediately on the pouring out of the 
 feventh! 
 
 I have now gone through with aconfider- 
 ation of the means appointed of God for the 
 overthrow of my Rical Babylon. Thefe means, 
 I make no doubt, you will believe fully ade- 
 quate to the execution of the decree. It now 
 cnly remains that I confider, 
 
 Lajily, The foundation which the execu- 
 tion of this decree lays for univerfal joy. 
 
 Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy 
 apojlles and prophets ; for God hath avenp-ed 
 
 you Oil her. 
 
 If there was no other caufe of rejoicino- 
 on this mighty occafion, but the invitation 
 of heaven to the general concert, fufficient 
 caufe might be found for the emotion the 
 event demands. 
 
 But we are not called to rejoice without 
 fufficient light afforded, to guide us in this 
 rational and Chriftian exercife. 
 
 1. There is caufe of univerfal joy on this 
 occafion, becaufe by the deftru6tion of myRi- 
 Qhl Babylon, the great Michael ofthe churcli 
 hath gained a v^ry important viclory over 
 the principalities and powers of helh The 
 
39'S THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 placing of one, bearing horns like a lamb, and 
 fpeaking with the mouth of a dragon, in high- 
 eft authority in the church of Chrift, is al- 
 lowed, on all hands, to be a mafter-piece a- 
 mong all the devices of Satan; the highelt, 
 the moll crafty and fuccefsful effort which 
 the wicked one hath ever played off againft 
 the interells of Chrift in any age of the world. 
 — Well then may the dete6iion and over- 
 throw of Satan, in this fcherae of ruling the 
 church, in the garb of an angel of light, de- 
 mand the iivelieft acclamations of general 
 
 2. A participation in this general anthem 
 of praife, at the downfall of Babylon, is de- 
 manded, as matter of exultation on the part 
 of the holy prophets, apofties and martyrs, 
 whofe blood (he had formerly flied. Rejoice 
 over her thou heaven, and ye holy apojlles and 
 prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 
 
 And in her loas found the blood of prophets , 
 and of faints, and of all that wereflain upon 
 the earth, 
 
 v\ There is caufe of joy, at this event, on 
 the partof the church, as in her advancings to 
 her promifed perfection and glory, ftie ft^all 
 not be obftrutled by the perfecutions, maffa- 
 cres, inquifitions, tortures, and thunders of 
 thisapoftate church of Rome. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 397 
 
 4. On the part of all who have received, 
 and now maintain the teftirnony of God, as 
 recorded in his holy word, there is caufe of 
 joy, that the fulfilment of the many prophe- 
 cies refpefling Antichrijl, the man of Jin, &c. 
 are fulfilled, and thereby an accumulation 
 of evidence is obtained of the authenticity 
 of the fcriptures, as being in deed and in 
 truth the lively oracles of god. 
 
 5. There is caufe of joy, in this folemn 
 and afFefting event, becaufe it is one of the 
 lajl things to tnke place, before it fliall be 
 proclaimed — The kijigdoms of this zoorld are 
 become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his 
 Ckrift, and hefhalL reign for ever^and ever. 
 
 And I heard a loud voice faying in heaven. 
 
 Now is come falvation, and flreiigth, and the 
 
 kingdom of our God, andthepower of his Ckrifi ; 
 
 for the accufer of our brethren is cafi out, which 
 
 accufed them before God day and night. 
 
 This fubjeft being a leading objeft, in this 
 w^ork, you will permit me to prefent, in a 
 very brief manner, the feveral denunciations 
 of wrath againft myftical Babylon, and (hew 
 the acclamations of joy that immediately fol- 
 low, on account of the important and inte- 
 reding events which follow, 
 
 Is the anti-chriilian power of Rome fet 
 
gg8 THE DOWN/ALL OF 
 
 forth by the ii'oii and clay of the great image? 
 and is it to be dafhed in pieces by the (lone 
 cut out without hands? immediately it is 
 .predicled, that the ftone that fmote the image 
 became a. great mountain and Jilled the whole 
 earth. 
 
 Is this intolerant pov/er reprefented by the 
 horn which came up among the ten horns;— 
 by the horn which had. eyes like the eyes of a 
 man, and a mouth f peaking great things, I 
 beheld, then, faith the prophet, hecaiife of the 
 great words which the ]iorn [pake: I beheld 
 even till the beafl was fain, and his body de- 
 firoyed, amd given to the burning fame. , If aw 
 in the night vifons, and behold, one like the 
 Son of Man came in the clouds of heaven, and 
 came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought 
 him near before him. And there was given 
 him dominion, and glojy, and a kingdom, that 
 all people, and nations, and languages fiould 
 ferve him. His dorrdnion is an everlafing 
 dominion, zohichfiall not pafs away, and his 
 kingdom that xohichfiallnot be dejiroyed. 
 
 Is this power fpoken of as to rife, after the 
 
 falling away, in the cha rafter of the man of 
 
 SIN — the fonaf perdition, ivho oppofeth and 
 
 exalteth himfef above all that is called God^ 
 
 or loorf lipped; fo i/iat he as God,ftteth in the 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. ngg 
 
 temple of God, J/iewing himfelf-that he is God 
 — it is the fame whom the Lordfliall con fume 
 xvith the/pint of his' mouth, aiidfliaUdeftroy 
 
 •with the BRIGHTNESS OF HIS COMING. 
 
 And after the deflruftion of Babylon, as 
 recorded in this ninteenth chapter, I heard, 
 faith the apoftle, a great voice of niiich peo- 
 ple in heaven, faying, AUekcia: Salvation^ 
 and glory, and honor ^ and pozoer, unto the 
 Lord our God: for true and righteous are his 
 judgments ; for he hath judged the great whore, 
 zvhich did corrufjt the earth xvith herfprnicd- 
 tion, and hath avenged the blood of lusftr- 
 vants at her hand. 
 
 In the conclufion of the whole fcene of 
 diftrefs, of which the ninteenth chapter of 
 this book is a lively pifture, the twentieth 
 chapter begins with the introduaion of the 
 Millennial-da\^ 
 
 And Ifiw an angel come down from hea- 
 ven, fmving the key of the bottomlefs jyit, and 
 a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold 
 on the dragon, that oldferfent, zo/uch is the 
 Devil, andSatoJz, and bound him a thou - 
 
 SAND YEARS, 
 
 After Rich defcriptions of fuccef^, and ioy 
 to follow, in favor of the church of Chrid, 
 after the dov/nfall of Babylon, yoa will not 
 
400 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 wonder that the church fhould be called, nor 
 that fhe fhould be difpofed to rejoice at the 
 overthrow. 
 
 I have now gone through with the doftri- 
 nal part of my difcourfe: I have confidered 
 who it is, over whofe deftruftion holy beings 
 are called upon to rejoice — the caufe o^ilv.^ 
 difafter — the means employed to bring it a- 
 boutj.andthe foundation it lays for univer- 
 fal joy. 
 
 If, after fuch lengthy illuftrations, any re- 
 flexions might be admitted, may they not, 
 briefly, in view of the objefts of this work, 
 be fuch as follow? 
 
 1. If the general fcope of our fubjeft is 
 allowed to be confonant to the word of God, 
 and be truly applicable to thofe objefts to- 
 wards which it has been direfted ; no one 
 carl be at a lofs for a key to the providence 
 of God in the national, civil, and ecclefiafli- 
 cal coiivulfions which are now fliaking, to 
 the foundation, fome of the moft potent pow^ 
 ers in Europe. 
 
 Is not the day of the divine vengeance 
 come? — Are not the vials of the divine in- 
 dignation now pouring out? — Is not Baby- 
 lon, like a millflone', finking into the fea?~ 
 Is not this the time of the falling of the flars 
 
MYSTICAL ^ABYLONF. 40I 
 
 ---tlie dethroning, in church and ftate, of thofe 
 who, by their iniquities and tyrannies, have^ 
 .Out-ran the compafTion of their God? And 
 iheftars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as 
 a fig-tree caf.dh her untimely figs, when file is 
 fiiaken ofi a mighty wind. 
 
 Is not tliis the time of the rife of the bead 
 from the bottomlefs pit, who (hall make war 
 againfl the witneffes, and fhall overcome 
 them, and kill them? 
 
 Is not the time now introducing, in which 
 
 It fhall be faid by the ^ngt\~Thrvfi in thy 
 
 fickle, and reap; fior the time is come fior thee 
 
 to reap; for the harvefi ofi the earth is ripe? 
 
 And the angel thruji in his fickle into the 
 eojth, and gathered the vine ofi the earth, and 
 cajl It into the great zvine-prefis ofi the zorcitk 
 ofi God, 
 
 And have v/e not caufe to fear, that after 
 the finidiing of the prefent fixtli vial, which 
 dries up the myfticai Euphrates, the order 
 vriil be iffued to pour out the feventh into 
 the air — as fome fuppofe, upon all the fub- 
 jefls of the Prince of the Power of the Air, 
 throughout the world? A.nd the fieventh an- 
 gel poured out his viaiinto the air; andthere 
 came a great voice out ofi the tcmble of heaven^ 
 I>3 
 
402 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 from the tkrone,faying~Itis done. And there 
 were voices^ and thunders, and lightnings ; 
 and there toas a great earthquake, fuch as was ^ 
 notjince men were upon the earthy Jo mighty 
 an earthquake, and Jo great. 
 
 And do we not begin to fee the chara£iers 
 and proceedings opening to view, which ful- 
 fil the prophetic declaration, immediately on 
 the fall of Babylon ?—/472ii is become the ha- 
 hitation of devils, and the hold of every foul 
 fpirit, and a cage of every unclean and hate- 
 ful bird? 
 
 Is not the time- now come, in which, from 
 the many flaughters which are continually 
 taking place, the fcene may be fuppofed to 
 be begun, in view of which faith St. John, 
 And If aw an angel fanding in the fun; and 
 he cried voith a loud voice, fiying to all the 
 fowls thatfy in the midfc of heaven. Come and 
 gather your fives together unto the flipper of 
 the great God, thai ye may eat theftefi of kings, 
 andthefefi of captains, and the fief i of mighty 
 7nen, and thcfcJJi of horfcs, and of them that 
 ft on them, and the fief i of all men, both free ' 
 and bond, both f nail c^nd great. 
 
 To v/hat height of diftrefs the world may 
 yet, in judgment for their difobedicnce to 
 God, be allowed to com.e, God only knows ;: 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 403 
 
 But in view of the awRil, judicial profpeft, 
 vrell may we cry out, Lord rebuke r,ie not 
 in thine anger, neither chajlen rue in thy hot 
 difplecifure ! Governs, Othou gracious and 
 companionate Redeemer, by the broad hand 
 of thy prote61ing providence, until the indig- 
 nation be over-pafi ! 
 
 But from thefe folemn fcenes we are all, 
 but efpecially as many as have good hope 
 in God, allov/ed to turn off our eye, whilft, 
 on equally fure ground, we are called to con- 
 template the hlejjedne.fs which Jliallfpeedily 
 follow, — To fupport your confidence on this 
 fubjeft, I need but refer you to the general 
 annunciation of praife from the choirs of 
 heaven, which our fubjeft hath noted, as im- 
 mediately to follow the defiruflion of the 
 enemies of God, and of his people. We give 
 thee thanks, Lord God Almighty, which art^ 
 and zoajl, and art to come, beciufe thou hajt 
 taken to thee thy grea.t power, and hajl reign- 
 ed! — 
 
 2. In viev7 of our fubjeft may we not re- 
 flefl, that, hov/ever the doctrine of the Mil- 
 lennium — the doftrine of the thoufand years 
 of profperity,promifed to the church of Chrifl, 
 iriay have been negleQed, decried or mifun« 
 derflood, yet it is a doPirine plainly contain- 
 
404 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 ed, and folidly eftabliflied in the wordof God 
 — and as fach is entitled to the credit, the 
 fludy and embrace of a:l who believe the 
 fcriptures to be the unchanging oracles of 
 God. 
 
 3. If this doftrine be true, we juPdy con^ 
 dude, thatthofe miniflers of Chriii, who, ia 
 the feveral ages of the church, have been 
 purfuing and enquiring after the glorious. 
 Millennial-day, have not been purfuing a 
 fhadow, nor following a phantorr.. 
 
 4. If they are to be juftified in their re- 
 fearches, and if, w^iilft under the clouds of 
 antiquity, they rejoiced in view of the dif- 
 tant, yet affurcdly approaching fcene,, how 
 much more may we be jullified in fuch pur- 
 fuit, and in increafmg joy, v/hilft the '' red- 
 dening flreaks of the morning betoken to 
 the weary traveller, that the day is at hand?'* 
 
 5. If the great Michael of the church in- 
 tends to u(her in his glorious dominion by 
 the previous accompliOiingof two great 
 KEVOLUTIONS — thcfirjl outward and poli- 
 tical — ihcfecond inward and fpiritual ; and 
 if he hath already advanced fo far in the 
 majefty of his power, as to have completed 
 xhtjirji revolution in this country, through 
 the inilrumentalitv of the fons of men, how 
 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 405 
 
 necefTary and proper, that they/r^^T^fliould 
 now be undertaken, and carried on tlirough 
 the inflrumentality of the fons of God? 
 
 Can we, who are nniniRers of ChriU — can 
 the churches of our Lord, througlicut this 
 our dehghtfiil land — can we unitedly or fe- 
 verally be w^illing to fuffer, that the civil and 
 military exertions of our country (liould con- 
 tribute more to the profperity of the Zion of 
 God, than the fons of Zion themfelves? — • 
 Can we be willing that, with th-e prov/efs and 
 dignity ofraen,thefe fhould fo worthily and 
 valiantly have difcharged the duties allotted 
 them, whilfl: we, loitering upon our pofts, 
 refufe to hear the voice of our illuRrious 
 Leader, in his word and providence, com- 
 manding us to imitate his example, and to 
 prefs forward to exertion, to viflory, and to 
 renov/n? 
 
 For a moment let us caft our eye upon 
 the vifion of St. John refpefling this mat- 
 ter. And If aw heaven opened — that is, the 
 ordinances of heaven, or the fcenes difplay- 
 ed in the church of Chrift, by the minifiers 
 and churches of Chrift, which, in the lan- 
 guage of prophecy, fignify liea ven ; as a peo- 
 ple of a contrary fpirit and cbaraQer are fet 
 forth by the earth, or nations of the earth: 
 
4o6 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 And behold a zohitc horfe, and he that fat up- 
 on him teas called Faithful ojid True; and 
 in righteoufnefs he doth judge and make war. 
 And the armies which toere in heaven, that is, 
 in the church militant, and, it may be, tri- 
 \xm^\idini,folloioed him upon white horfes — 
 emblems of valor, of viftory, and of triumph 
 — cloathed in fine linen, white and clean, — 
 And out of his mouth goeth a fliarp fword, 
 that with it he fiould fnite the iiations; and 
 hefhall rule them with a rod of iron: and he 
 treadeth the zoine-prefs of thefiercenefs and 
 -wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his 
 veflure and on his thigh a name zvritten, king 
 
 OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. ^^ 
 
 If, my Chriftian Brethren, we profefs to 
 belong to the armies of the living God — to 
 be in the train of the great Michael of the 
 church, why not prefs on? — Why not keep 
 clofe to our Leader, that we may be within 
 the hearing of his orders- — may imitate his 
 example — may perform exploits before him 
 — may prove ourfelves worthy to hold rank 
 in fuch an heavenly train? 
 
 But hozo, in what manner follow on, you 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * For an expofition of this paiTage, fee Lowman, Burkit, or 
 Langdon in loco. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 407 
 
 may be ready to fay? — Muft we take arms? 
 — Muft we go to war? — Muft we commence 
 hoftilities againft the empires, the kings, the 
 tyrants, the civil and ecclefiaftical eftablifh- 
 ments of the world? — Yes, my brethren, this 
 is our duty, and here is our employment: 
 But always remember, with our valiant file- 
 leader, that, in the accomplifliment of this 
 fccond revolution, the weapons of our zoar- 
 fare are not carnal^ but mighty, through God, 
 to the pulling down of flrong holds; cafling 
 down ima^ginations , and every high thing that 
 exalteth itfelf againfl the knowledge of God ^ 
 and bringing into captivity every thought into 
 the obedience of Chrifl. 
 
 Such, my brethren, are our weapons, and 
 fuch is our warfare. Happy for the true fer- 
 vants of Chrifi, that, as yet, they are not cal- 
 led, in this prefent conflift, to engage in the 
 bloody contefts of ungodly men — not to wel- 
 ter in the fcenes of war, where the battle of 
 the warrior is, and garments rolled in blood. 
 It may be in the accomplifliment of ih^firft 
 great political revolution, fomething like 
 this may be necefiary ; but, in this land, at 
 prefent, we have little to do, but with an ar- 
 mour of truth, of righteoufnefs, and of peace. 
 
 But if, in the general conflift, it fhould 
 
|o8 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 happen that the once vanquifhed Lion — the 
 poUtical and, I may add too, the Proteftant 
 Dragon, (hould return to perfecute the wo- 
 man which brought forth the man-cpiild — 
 the warrior of the world — thepionierof the 
 church; we need not a fpirit of prophecy to 
 fay, that the jav/s of this infatiable leviathan 
 {hall again be broken, in a manner anfwer- 
 able to the fpirit — to the redoubled fury and 
 reiterated ftrokes of thofe who, under God^ 
 at firft gave the promifcd hero of civil and 
 religious liberty birth. 
 
 If any (hould aflc on what authority we 
 ground an allulion to the Proteftant perfe- 
 cuting power under the idea or figure of c^ 
 dragon — I anfv/er. That the chapter from 
 w^hence this language is taken is of a very 
 extenfive and momentous fignification. 
 
 It truly is enveloped in fome degree of 
 jnyftery, as it was undoubtedly defigned to 
 be, efpecially, under the characters of the 
 woman — the eagle s wings — the wildernefs — 
 the man-child, and the dragon, who feeks to 
 devour the ftruggler as foon as he fhall be 
 born. 
 
 But as a key to this chapter, I would hum- 
 bly, and in the fear of God, prefume to fay, 
 that, under the charafter of the woman and 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLOM. 4OC) 
 
 her forrows, we have exhibited the ftate and 
 llrugghngs of the true church of Chrift, in 
 every age of the world, in which fhe hath, 
 or may be called to]fufFer, from the Chrifti- 
 an ^ra until the confummation of all things. 
 That under the general figure of the dragon 
 we have exhibited the moft confiderable e- 
 nemies and perfecutors of the church of 
 Chritt in every age; Satan himfelf;that old 
 ferpent, the Devil, being the prime inftru- 
 ment, and firfl mover of the whole. That by 
 the wildernefs, we are to underfland a ftate 
 of fpiritua! dearth and barrennefs, orthofe 
 leaves, {hades, and darkening boughs of fu- 
 perftition, which have been as the (hades of 
 a wildernefs to hinder the fpirituai growth; 
 or, laftly, a wildernefs in the literal and com- 
 mon acceptation of the word. And, by the 
 general figure of*a maxNT-child, you are to 
 underfland the particular and feverai deli- 
 ances, which the church of Chrift, in any, 
 and in every age of the world, hath enjoy- 
 ed, from its firll inftitution until theprefent 
 moment. And, by the two wings of the 
 great eagle, may we not underuand thefpe- 
 cial providence and agency of Almighty 
 God m thefe feverai very imerefling events? 
 
 E3 
 
410 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 In this fenfe, denoting the power of God In 
 conquering the enemies of his people, and 
 in fecuring them under the banner of his 
 own prote6iion—the phrafe is ufed in Exo- 
 dus xix. 4. Ye have feen what I did unto the 
 Egyptians, and how 1 hrire you on eagle's 
 WINGS, and brought you unto viyifelf. And 
 after a long courfeof prottftion afforded to 
 the people of God, througli the wildernefs 
 of Sinai, and their fettlement in the promif- 
 ed land, it is again faid, Dent, xxxii. g — 12. 
 For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is 
 the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a 
 defert land, and in the wajle howling tvilder- 
 nefs: he led him about, he inJlruSied him, he 
 kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle 
 fiirreth up her nef, flutter eth over her young, 
 fpreadeth abroad her zvings, taketh them, bear- 
 eth them on her wings; fo the Lord alone did 
 lead him, and there was nojlrange god with 
 him. 
 
 Under the fame idea of the divine agency 
 and proteftion afforded, faith the Pfalmift — 
 Becaife thou liojl been my help, therefore, in 
 thefiadow of thy loings, will Lrejoice. 
 
 This foundation being laid as a key to the 
 chapter, may we not proceed, and fay, that 
 the woman denotes the Hate of the church 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 4II 
 
 in its firfl iriflitiitif^n? And there appeo.red a 
 great wonder in heaven, a woman cloathed 
 with the fun; it may be with the veftments 
 of the fun of righteoufnefs; and the via on 
 under her feet;, the earth and other fublu- 
 nary things in their proper place; and upon 
 her head a crown oftzoelvefars; guided and 
 governed by the unadukerated doftrines of 
 the twelve apoflles. In this charafter, the 
 church of Chrill at firfl flood forth; but fo 
 foon was the truth beclouded — her privi- 
 leges reflrained, and her members perfecut- 
 ed, that fhe, flruggling for civil and religi- 
 ous liberty, is denominated as being zoith 
 child, as travailing in birth, and pained to be 
 delivered. The charafter of a woman the 
 church is fuppofed to take, as denoting her 
 delicacy — her fi uitfulnefs, and her need of 
 proteftion. 
 
 But under the laflies of paganifm and hea- 
 thenifh tyranny, flie was obliged to groan 
 out the ten perfecutions, v.vx\], in the perfon 
 of Conftantine the Great, the firfl Chnflian 
 emperor, fhe brought fanh her firft-bcrn, 
 and lived, for a while, und^r the happy do- 
 minion of civil and religious liberty. 
 
 And v;ho would have thougrht that, in 
 procefs of time, profperity would have pro- 
 
412 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 duced fuch pride, dominion and tyranny in 
 fpiritual, and in earthly things ; even in thofe 
 who have but jail tiow emerged from a fuf- 
 fering and pe^fecuted ftate? 
 
 But, alas! behold the Pagan Dragon re- 
 ftored to life, in the papal, anti-chriftian im- 
 age ! And under this papal, perfecuting po v/< 
 er behold the feries of heathenifh perfecu- 
 tion again renewed! 
 
 How did the woman again labor to be de- 
 livered, and v/hat were the effeftsof her la- 
 bor, under papal tyranny, but the glorious 
 reformation v/hich took place in thefixteenth 
 century, under the preaching of WicklifF, 
 John Hufs, and Jerom; and afterwards car- 
 ried on by Luther, Calvin, and others? 
 
 And fiiall it, may it now^ be faid, that the 
 fpirit of proteftantifm — the hero of deliver- 
 ance from the thraldom of Popery, ever be- 
 come fo degenerated as, in the fmalleft de- 
 gree, to aft over the part of its Papal and 
 Pagan predeceffors ? Let the perfecutions of 
 civil and ecclefiaftical powder, under Mary, 
 James, Laud, and others, whilft they flrug- 
 gled for uncontrouled dominion in church 
 and ftate, '' m things civil and ecclefiafti- 
 cal," anfwer to this point! 
 
 The fufferings of the Proteftants, under 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON, 413 
 
 this new-formed intolerant power, do well 
 anfwer to the charafter of the cluirch — of 
 tlie woman in lier fuffering and perfecuted 
 ftate. 
 
 But, behold! howfoon does the perfecut- 
 ed woman receive an anfwer to her folema 
 appeals, and reiterated cries? See, on the 
 wings of a bounteous providence, how fne 
 is wafted acrofs the Atlantic, and fettled in 
 thefe peaceful American abodes! — Happy, 
 that as the time of general redemption comes, 
 her enemies are held in partial reifraint. — 
 Here {he is purfued and perfecuted only in 
 outvfard and civil things; though what de- 
 figns might have been formed againft her 
 religious freedom v/e cannot fay. 
 
 In a word, behold the hero of civil and 
 religious liberty born in thefe weftern climesl 
 And fee him already on his way back to de- 
 molifh the proud and haughty eUablifhrnents 
 of civil and ecclefiaflical tyranny, which have 
 in thefe feveral forms, perfecuted his mo- 
 ther, whilft fhe labored to give him birth! 
 
 And is it too much to fuppofe, that, in 
 his progrefs back, he will demolilh all that 
 is contrary to the fpirit of the truth — to the 
 intent and defign of that power, under whofe 
 aufpiccs he now proceeds, conquering and 
 
414 THE DOWxNFALL OF 
 
 to conquer; whether fuch counterfeits of 
 truth be found in Proteftant, in Papal, or in 
 Pagan Rome? Efpecially, whilft you read, 
 that this hero is to rule all nations with a 
 rod of iron, and is caught up to God and to 
 his throne? — If you requeft any further il- 
 luftrations to authenticate this interpreta- 
 tion, attend to the declaration, that when the 
 Dragon, in his multi-formed charafter, was 
 caft out, was conquered, difappointed, or dif- 
 graced, he perfecuted the woman that bro't 
 forth the man-child. And thus, my audi- 
 ence did the Pagan Dragon, in the perfon 
 and perfecutions of Julian the Apoflate ; and 
 thus did the Papal Dragon, in all the perfe- 
 cutions, thunders, and councils, by which he 
 hath vexed and deflroyed the Proteftants; 
 and thus has the Proteftant Dragon done, not 
 only in heavy perfecutions for confcience 
 fake, but, efpecially, in the flood of troops, 
 armies and fleets — Britons andIrirn,Brunf- 
 wickers and Waldeckers, Heffians and Anf- 
 pachers, which this red dragon vomited forth 
 for the deftruftion of the woman in the A- 
 nierican wiidernefs, during the late unpro- 
 voked and cruel v;ar; and thus is this Pro- 
 teftant Dragon, even nov/, but too ready to 
 exprefs of his perfccuting temper, in open^ 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLO^;. 415 
 
 ing upon thefe defencelefs ftates the Alge- 
 riiie Corfairs — in committing depredations 
 upon our commerce, and in letting loole, or 
 in countenancing their f'avagc allies, in mak- 
 ing war upon our weftern frontiers. But we 
 believe in God, our hope and confidence is 
 in him, and to his protefting power and pro- 
 vidence do we, therefore, humbly appeal. 
 
 You will not nov/ doubt of the propriety 
 of the allufion, juft now hinted at, refpefting 
 ing the perfecuting power of the ProteRant 
 Dragon — nor at all deny the propriety of 
 our holding ourfelves in lively and animat- 
 ed readinefs to break the jaws of this levia- 
 than, as God may give us power, fhould he 
 attempt again to break our peace. 
 
 And if any fhould be difpofed to afk what 
 has become of the eagle, on whofe wnngs the 
 perfecuted woman was born into the Ame- 
 rican wildernefs, may it not be anfwered, 
 that (he bath taken her ftation upon the 
 broad feal of the United States; and from 
 thence has perched upon the pediment of 
 the firft government-houfe, dedicated to the 
 dominion of civil and religious liberty, where 
 fhe is flill to be feen, an emblem of thepro- 
 teftion of Providence towards our prefent 
 government, and towards this our happy 
 land. 
 
^l6 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 If any fliould be difpored, further, to aflc 
 whether the dragon of the regions below, 
 even that old ferpent called the Devil, and 
 Satan, is to be feen in any other form than 
 as animating the dragons — the combinations 
 of civil and ecclefiaftical power, in the many 
 external injuries they have wrought againft 
 the church of God on the earth? I anfwer, 
 yes, in every age of the church, whether her 
 external ftate has been peaceful or trouble- 
 fome: The errors in doftrine — the breaches 
 upon the purity of Chriftian praflice — the 
 fcifms, divifions and difcords in churches — 
 the prejudice, hatred and malice which have, 
 at times, prevailed in the church, have been, 
 for the moft part, but the ebullitions of Satan, 
 the great dragon of dragons, who continually 
 goeth about, as a roaring lion, feeking whom 
 he may devour; and haplefs ftate the church, 
 too frequently, has been in, that even with- 
 in her own bofom, the Devil himfelf fhould 
 find fo many willing inftruments of his plea- 
 fure; agents of his infernal crafto Look a- 
 broad upon our churches, and behold the 
 dearth of religion — the want of unity, ani- 
 mation and zeal amongft both minifters and 
 people; and pray, oh fervently pray, that 
 when, as at the prefent time^ the enemy (hall 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 4I7 
 
 tome in like a flood, the fpirit of the Lord, 
 in his word, in his minifters and churches, 
 may lift up a ftandard againft him. 
 
 But returning to the important fubjeft of 
 i\\^ fecond great revolution, after which it is 
 our duty conftantly to labor, may we not 
 add, in view of the example of our late po- 
 litical ftruggle— 
 
 If, then, noble exerrions for the firft revo- 
 lution have been made by our brethren, guid^ 
 ed by heaven in the field, and in the cabi- 
 net; are not we now, as Chriftians, and as 
 iiiinifters, to be guided? — Is it not full time, 
 that we fliould be led, by the zeal of their 
 tioble example, whilft we fight the battles of 
 the Lord of Hods, in our clofets and in our 
 families — in our churches and in our pul-* 
 pits? 
 
 Purfuing this objeft, let us reafon the point, 
 for a moment, with yonder infidel — Let us 
 aflc what more evidence he needs of the truth 
 of the fcriptures, than to fee the events, long 
 Cnce predifted, daily fulfilling before his 
 eyes ? — Let us afk him to read a page or two 
 in a late publication, on the fubjeft of pro- 
 phecy, as the teftimony of Jefus.* 
 
 K O T E. 
 
 * See Hinfdale's Difco. A. P. voL iv. page laJ. 
 
^l8 THE DOWNFALL OF 
 
 ■ " Where ai^e now ihoie renounced cities^ 
 Nineveh, Babylon and Tyre, v/hofe defola- 
 tion was fo often Jenoanced by the prophets ? 
 — What is now the condition of Jerufalem 
 and Jadea? — Are they not trodden dozon of 
 the Gentiles, and likely to be Itill trodden 
 down, until the times that the G entiles Jliall he 
 fiiljilled? How remarkably do the aftions 
 and ftate of the Turks, who have To long 
 trodden them down, agree to what was pre- 
 difted of them ? Hejliall covie xoith horfevieny 
 and manyjiups, and Jliall overfuoio and pafs o- 
 ver. He (hall enter into the glorious land, 
 and many countries (hall- be overthrown. 
 Do you not find it even fo ? And that he hath 
 ftretched out his hand over the land of E- 
 gypt, with the Lyhian at hisjleps, whilft the 
 Arabians /till efco.pe out of his hand. 
 
 Hath not the Rate of Egypt, for many paft 
 ages, been juft as was foretold? a hafe, and 
 the bafefi of kingdoms, without a ruler of her 
 own, and zcajted byjlrangers? 
 
 Obferve the fourth kingdom of Daniel's 
 vifion broken into ten. Behold that won- 
 derful power, diverfe from the Jirfl, which 
 hath arifen up among them, with a lookmore 
 Jlout than his fellows, and a mouth fpeaking 
 great things^ even great words againft the 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 419 
 
 MOST HIGH: thatpowerwhich wearetli out 
 the faints of the most high, and changeth 
 times and laws. Behold him cajling down 
 the truth to the ground; forbidding to Jjiar- 
 ry, and commanding to abjiain from meats: 
 Yea, behold hxmjitting in the temple, in the 
 church of God, an d fiezoi ng himfe If ihdit he is 
 God, whofe coming is with fgns and lying 
 zvonders. And remember that the feat of this 
 horrid tyrannical power is ^/i^j^^rm^^a^jVtt'AzV/^ 
 fandeth on feven mountains, and vs^hich, in 
 the days of the prophecy, reigned over all 
 the kings of the earth. — In fine, 
 
 " You fee the church of God fubfifting, 
 at this day, in the world— the fame church 
 which, before Chrift, w^as continued in the 
 feed of Abraham, and which, at and after 
 his coming, took that nesv form which Da- 
 niel faw under the name of the kingdom 
 OF HEAVEN; and hath ever fmce fubfifted 
 among the Gentiles. You know the prefer- 
 vation and final prevalence of this fociety, 
 together with the hoflile attempts, and final 
 ruin of all her enemies, have been predifted 
 by all the prophets from Mofes to St. John. 
 
 " Now, when ye fee this very church prefent 
 in exiRence and enlargement, afier al! the at- 
 tempts v/hich liave been made, in all man- 
 
42Q THE DOWNFALL QF 
 
 ner of ways, and through a long fuccefTion 
 of ages, for her deftruftion; and notwith- 
 ftanding (lie has all the feeds of defolation 
 in herfelf, has often been extremely feeble, 
 and in the hand of her enemies, and at the 
 point of death: When you fee this, you be- 
 hold an event, which, though perfectly cor-^ 
 refponding to hundreds of fcripture-prophe- 
 cies and promifes, is yet unparalleled 
 
 IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. Suffer 
 
 me to repeat, it is unparalleled in the 
 HISTORY OF THE WORLD. The mofl Un- 
 likely event, when it was foretold, ever to 
 have exifted, and which indeed never could 
 have exifted, but by the marvellous provi- 
 dence of God, defeating the influence of na- 
 tural caufes, that he might fulfil the defigns 
 of his mercy — that he might confirm the 
 words of hisfervants, and perform the counfel 
 of his vieffengers; and, at the fame time, that 
 he might f^ii/irafe the tokens of the liars, and 
 make diviners mad, and clofe the mouth of 
 infidels m perpetual flence, 
 
 '• Thus is the fpirit of prophecy the tefli- 
 mony of Jehovah to the facred fcripturesas 
 his ovv'N ORACLES,andtoJefusas theChrift, 
 ^nd of confequence to the Chriltian Religion 
 
 ^S DIYINE." 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 42I 
 
 And where fhall the minifters of Chrift 
 next turn their attention, in order fuccefs- 
 fully to carry on the purpofes of this fecond, 
 this inward and fpiritual revolution of the 
 heart? 
 
 Unlefs the great Michael of the church 
 fiiould aid, our hopes of fuccefs would be 
 loft ; but fo long as we have his promife — 
 Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of 
 the world — we are encouraged to go on» 
 
 Let us, then, make our addrefles to men 
 of underftanding — to men of found judg- 
 ment, and reftitude of heart, and folicit the 
 force of their intereft and example. 
 
 Let us even attempt to touch the ambi- 
 tion of the ambitious, by pointing them to 
 the robes of diftinftion, and inconceivable 
 marks of favor in the regions of glory, which 
 await the man whom the king delights to 
 honor. 
 
 Let us affail the caftle of the mifer, and 
 tell him, that in the regions of glory are riv- 
 ers of treafure, floods of falvation, a thoufand 
 fold more regaling to the appetites of the 
 foul, than earthly fubftance can be to the 
 body. 
 
 Let us guide the wandering views of the 
 man of bufinefs, by fetting before him thene- 
 
422 TPIE DOV/NFALL OF 
 
 cmTity of feekingj^r/? the kingdom of God and 
 his righteoufnefs, that all thefe things may be 
 added. 
 
 May we not aroufe the attention of the 
 ftupid, the obftinate, and fenfual, by paint- 
 ing to them, in lively colours, the danger to 
 which they are expofed, as well as the bafe- 
 nefs oi earthly Z-Tid fenfual gratifications, in 
 comparifon v/ith thofe which are intelleflual 
 and heavenly? ,, 
 
 May we not folicit the aid of the improv- 
 ed, the elevated, and the polite, by affuring 
 them that a field of improvement, profpefts 
 of elevation, and the moR finifhed examples 
 of heavenly grace, are all prefented to their 
 embrace, in the purfuit of the rewards pro- 
 mifed by our exalted king? 
 
 And, laft of all, may v/e not, Vvith high 
 profpefts of fuccefs, humbly fuggeft, that by 
 the example and influence of the female 
 world, even of the mofl delicate and refin- 
 ed, much might be done to further the pur- 
 pofes of heaven? — If any of our fair audi- 
 ence ihould fay, '^ We have not yet learned 
 the paths of piety ourfelves: we are, alas! 
 but too far from hope of fetting good exam- 
 ple to others, or of aiding the interefts of 
 vntue, by the feeble efforts of what, at beft. 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLON. 423 
 
 can be only ftiled the improvements cf na- 
 ture, deflitute of the refinements of heaven- 
 ly grace:" — Let us pray th.em to lend their 
 hand to fome guardian angel, v/ho may lead 
 them, perhaps, abroad to view the v/ondrous 
 traces of wifdom, and of power, in all crea- 
 tion's handy works; and when, from the o- 
 racles of truth, they become farther convinc- 
 ed of the being of a God — of his equitable^ 
 holy, juft and good laws — of their ovv^n im- 
 perfeclions of heart and life — of their final 
 accountablenefs at the bar of an impartial 
 judge; they maybe willing to follow their 
 heavenly guide into the retirements of fecret 
 devotion, and there unbofom the foul to 
 God, imploring the pardon and ablution of 
 fin, through the blood of the Lamb. What 
 though a tear of contrition find its way, e- 
 vincing the deep woundings of the heart, 
 purfued by an upbraiding confcience, for 
 time and talents mifimproved — for negleft 
 of God, the univerfal Creator— for neglecl 
 of the overtures of proffered mercy — for the 
 grievings of the holy fpirit of God, occa- 
 fioned by the pride of the heart, refufing to 
 bow to thefceptre of fovereign grace? What 
 though, from caufes likethefe, a tear of con- 
 trition might fall, and the bofom heave in 
 
424 THE DOWNFALL Of 
 
 fighs ofpenitence and prayer? If pardon fof 
 the foul, and acceptance with God fliould be 
 the happy fruit, and a life of unexampled 
 piety the permanent effefts- — how interefting 
 the change — how promifmg the profpecl ! 
 
 With fupport of numbers, and example of 
 graces fuch as thefe, with what fuccefs might 
 the advocates of truth plead the caufe of 
 heaven, and how foon might we expeft that 
 in the place of unbelief, ftupor, infenfibility 
 and hardnefs of heart; we Ihould difcover 
 the feeds of the happy wifhed-for revolution 
 already to be fov/n, and the effefts to appear 
 in full and abundant fheaves of heavenly 
 grace ! 
 
 But — whither do I run, leading my au- 
 dience — fathers and brethren, it may be^ 
 into paths lefs promifmg than thofe in which 
 they have been accullomed, fuccefsfully to 
 tread ! — -I paufe, then ; nay, I draw to a con- 
 clufion by faying, in the words of a refpefted 
 father in the church of God, on the fubjeft 
 of Minifterial Charafter and Duty,* — " It 
 requires no fmall attention and labor to feek 
 out fit and acceptable words, as the preacher 
 expreffes it, to ftir up the attention of the 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 * Witherfpoon, voK i. A» P. page 19, 
 
MYSTICAL BABYLONT. 425 
 
 inconfiderate — to awaken, fecure, and con- 
 vince obftinate Tinners — to unmafk the co- 
 vered hearts of hypocrites — to fet right the 
 erring, and encourage the fearful." 
 
 Notwithftanding this^, may we not all, ani- 
 mated by the profpefts of promifed aid, go 
 forth manfully, to fight the battles of the 
 Lord — to play the man for God, and for 
 the cities of our God; knowing that in our 
 faithful exertions the name of the Lord' is 
 honored, though Ifrael be not gathered. 
 
 Finally, my brethren, " Have we feen the 
 fcriptures fealed by paft events ; let it exalt 
 our faith into a full affurance, that all the 
 prophecies which remain, and efpecially 
 thofe which fpeak of jesus' future 01.0-= 
 HY, ftiall receive, in due time^ their perfe6t 
 accomplifhment. 
 
 " This GRAND ^RAis approaching with 
 k fpeed rapid as the flight of time. The 
 night is far fpent, the day is at hand. In 
 this profpecl, with what ardour fliould we 
 pray — thy kingdom come;"'^ and in the 
 fervency of our united devotions, may we 
 
 G3 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 ? HInfdale, A. P. vol. iv. p. 133, 134, 
 
426 THE DOWNFALL, &C. 
 
 not add— /A); will be done on earth, as it is 
 done in heaven; for thine, gracious God! is 
 the kingdom, and thine is the power, and thine 
 {hall be i\it glory, world without end. Amen, 
 
 END OF inz FIRST VOLUM 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 A DIfcourfe bytheReverendDr . Bellamy,fbunded on Revelation 
 XX. I, 2, 3. And I f^i-xv an angel comi do^jju from heaven ^ having 
 the key of the bottomlefs pity occ. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 9. The Scriptures, by their Promifes and Prophecies of good 
 Things to come, are well calculated to keep alive the Faith 
 of God*s People in the Day of Trial. 
 
 ai. A Summary of Promifes refpev5ling the Increafeof the Re- 
 deemer's Kingdom. 
 
 ii3. When fliall thefe 1 hings be? 
 
 2S' From the Faithfulnefs of God we have no Caufe to daubt the 
 Fulfilment of his gracious Promifes to his People. 
 
 34. Human Miftakes, as to Time, no Bar in the Way of the final 
 Event. 
 
 36. Becaufe Chrift once ftiled his People a little Flock, it is no 
 Sign they will always appear f:>. 
 
 4Z. Seventeen Thouland may be faved to one Soul iinaily lofi:. 
 
 44. God knows beft wiien to bring thv^f^ Things to pais. 
 
 45. A Veteran in the Service of God, animating the Followers of 
 
 the Lamb. 
 
 48. Chrift loves to hare his Minifters and People faithful. 
 
 49. As David gathered Materials for the Temple, to be bulk in 
 
 Solomon's Day, fo we are to do our Endeavor to favor the 
 great Building of God. 
 
 PART IL 
 A Treatife by the late learned and highly e(i?emed Prefidcnt 
 Edwards, entitled, '* An Humble Attempt to promote explicit A- 
 greement and vihble Union of God's People in extraordinary Pray- 
 er, for the Revival of Pveligion, and the Advancement of Chrifl*3 
 Kingdom on Earth, purfuant to Scripture-prdmifes and Prophe- 
 cies concerning the lall Time" — founded on Zechariah viii- ao, 
 a I, 22. Thus faith the Lord of hojlsy It fo all yet covis to pafsy 
 that there fhali come peophy and the inhabitants of many cities : — - 
 And the inhabitants of one city /hall go to another, faying ^ Let us 
 gofpsedilytoprciy hefcre thg Lordj andtofeek the Lord of Hojls' 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 I 'Will go alfo. Tea^ many people and Jlrong nations JhaU come t% 
 /eek the Lord of Hojls in Jerujakmy and ta pray before th^ 
 Lord. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 dy Text is opened, and Union in Prayer recommended. 
 8 1. An \ccount of the Concert for Prayer, 
 90. A Memorial from Scotland. 
 
 Motives to a Compliance 'with fwhat is propofed in the Mejua^ 
 
 rial. 
 97. The Latter-Day Glory not yet accomplifhed. 
 
 iij. The great Glory of the latter Day. 
 
 \x%. The Holy Spirit the Sum of Chrift's Purchafe. 
 
 127. The latter Day, eminently the Day of Salvation. 
 
 130. How the Creation travaileth in Pain for that Day. 
 
 J36. Scripture Precepts, Encouragements and Examples of Pray- 
 er for Chrift's Kingdom. 
 
 i^(). Dlfpenfations of Providence at this Day, prefent with many 
 Motives to Prayer for it. 
 
 171. The Beauty and good Tendency of uniting in fuch Prayer. 
 
 176. The particular and great Encouragement in the V^Tord of Gqc5 
 ^0 exprefs Agreement in Prayer. 
 
 Ohje£IioT2s anfivered^ 
 ijg. No Superftition in the Cafe. 
 185. The Concert not whimfical. 
 198. The Concert not Pharifaical. 
 aoi. The flaying of the WitnefTes confiJered. 
 237. The Fall of Antichrift approaching. 
 «4i. The Time not known beforehand. 
 246. The Time not at a very great Diflance, 
 a66. His Fall will be gradual- 
 ayO. Good reafon to hope that that Work of God's Spirit will 
 
 foon begin, which will, in its Progrefs, overthrow Anti- 
 
 chriftand Satan's Kingdom on Earth. 
 Ihid. The fixth Vial probably now in fulfilHng. 
 896. Antichriit's Ruin fpeedily follows it. 
 
 304. However if other wife, yet our Prayer will not be in vain. 
 
 305. Such an Agreement in Prayer no new Thing. 
 The Duty of agreein- to pray no new Duty. 
 
 The like pradifed in ijUt with the wonderful Confequence. 
 311, The Conclufion. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 PART III. 
 A Difcourfe by the Reverend Mr. Auftin, entitled — The Down- 
 fall of MYSTICAL BABYLON; Of, a Key to the Providcnce of God 
 in the political Operations of 1 793-4 — founded on Revelation xviii. 
 ao. Rejoice over her thou hetveii^ ar.d ye holy apojlks and prophet si 
 fer God hath avenged yeu on her. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 328. All Holy Beings are called upon to rejoice in the Calamities 
 which God brings on his and their Enemies. 
 
 330. Plan of the Difcourfe. 
 
 331. Prophetic Figures point us to Papal Rome, as the Object of 
 
 the divine Decree. 
 
 336. A Parallel run between ancient Heathcnifh, and modern An- 
 
 ti chriflian Rome. 
 
 337. Sketch of the awful Perfecutions of Papal Rome, in a note. 
 344. The two WitnefTes. 
 
 350. The prefent is the Time of the flaying of the WitnefTes, and 
 
 affords a Key to the Caufe of the prefent Dearth of Reli- 
 
 ligion in many Parts of the Chriflian Church. 
 361. The Prophecies of Daniel, of St. Paul, and of St. John re- 
 
 fpeding Babylon brought to a Point. 
 365. Of the Rife, Continuance, and probable Deflrudtion of this 
 
 anti-chriflian Power. 
 371. Caufes of this Difafler. 
 375. Means by which it fhallbe brought about. 
 388. The little Stone fmiting the Image, and becoming itfelfa 
 
 great Mountain. 
 393. Two great Revolutions to ufher in the Latter-Day Glory; 
 
 outnuard and political — innvard 2i^Afpiritual. 
 395. The foundation of univerfal Joy in the Profped. 
 401. The Time of the Falling of the Stars of Heaven is come. 
 403. The Dodlrine of the Millennium is true. 
 405. Duty of Miniflers and Churches, 
 408. The Proteflant Dragon. 
 413' The Hero of America on his Way to demolifh the Ufurpa- 
 
 tions of Proteflant, Papal and Pagan Rome. 
 4 '5- '^he Eagle and her Station. 
 416. The Dragon of Dragons, and his efforts againfl the Church 
 
 of God. 
 4i7« Addrefs to an Infidel. 
 4ii. to Men of underflanding. 
 
C O N T E K T a> 
 
 4ii. Addrefs to the Ambicious. 
 
 to the Miftr. 
 
 ■ to the Man of Biifinefs* 
 
 ^33. .» to the Stupid and Obilinate, 
 
 to the Elevated and Polite. 
 
 Hopes from the Example and Influence of the Fair. 
 45^3. The Fair Penitent led by a Gu«irdiaa Angel to the Throne of 
 Grace* 
 
 Erratum.— ?age 344* line 5, after th? v/ovd. fuppofeJ^ add^ 
 havs prophejicd infackctoth. 
 
rpHE fubfcribing editor to the American preacher pre- 
 ^ fents his moft afFe(51ionate and Chriftian regards to all his 
 Fathers and Brethren in the Miniftry; and, efpecially, to thofe 
 ■who have aided in contributing Materials for the Execution of the 
 Plan of that Woiji thus far; and is happy in being able to affure 
 them, that their Labors have been, to fuch a degree, acceptable 
 to the Public, that fcarcely a Copy of the three Firft Volumes is 
 to be found for Sale; and repeated applications are made to the 
 Printer for farther fupplies. The Fourth Volume is now circu- 
 lating, and promifes fair to fecure, and to increafe the Reputation 
 cf this, generally, interefting Work. 
 
 As the prefent is a Day full of great Events, and a general at- 
 tention to the di6lates of Prophecy feems to be gone forth, it is 
 propofed, that a Volume of Difcourfes, on the Subjed of Prophe- 
 cy, with particular application to Predidlions. now fulfilling, or yet 
 to be fulfilled, fliall be prepared, and ilTued, perhaps, at the clofe 
 of the prefent Year. 
 
 Any of our Chriflian Brethren, who would contribute to the 
 Execution cf fuch a Plan, might be inflrumental in reviving the 
 Caufe of Truth— in animating their Brethren, and of comforting 
 the Church cf God ; and would receive the mofl grateful Acknow- 
 ledgments from the Friends and Promoters of the propofed Vo- 
 lume. 
 
 Shortly will be put to Prefs a Volume of Difcourfes, preached 
 on occalion of the late Vifitation of the City of Philadelphia by the 
 Yellow Fever, entitled, *' A Comment on the Providence of God, 
 Jn the lare Vifitation of the City of Philadelphia, by the Yellow 
 Fever: or, InflructiveLefTons to the People of the United States, 
 on the Subjed of that folemn Event, comprifed, in a Number of 
 Difcouifes, preached by feveral Minifters of Chrifl:, oh that Oc- 
 cafion, who are willing to leave this Teflimony as a Memorial of 
 the tragical Scene which gave it Birth." 
 
 Any of our Chriflian Miniflers, who are willing to aid in the 
 fuitherance of either of the foregoing Defigns, may be affured that 
 their Contributions will meet a mofl: friendly welcome, and be du- 
 ly noticed in View of forwarding the Defign for which they may 
 ps fent. 
 
 Elizabeth Town, May j, 1794, 
 
DATE DUE