Here, shall they say, did
once the lion dwell; and there once a dragon inhabited: here did
they live that were the murderers of the saints; and there another
that did use to set his throat against the heavens: but now in the
places where these ravenous creatures lay, grows grass, with reeds
and rushes; now their habitation is cursed; nettles grow, and so do
thorns and brambles, where their palaces were wont to be.
A day is coming when antichrist shall be unknown; not seen nor felt
by the church of God. There are men to be born who shall not know
antichrist, but as they read in the word that such a thing has been.
These shall talk of her as Israel's children's children were to talk
of Pharaoh--of his cruelty, of his tasks, of his pride, of the Red
sea, and how he was drowned there. They shall talk of them as of
those that have been long dead; as of those who, for their horrible
wickedness, are laid in the pit's mouth. This will be some of that
sweet chat that the saints shall at their spare hours have, in time
to come.
There will he a strange alteration when antichrist is dead; and that
both in the church and in the world. The church and the members of
it then shall wear the name of their God in their foreheads; that
is, they shall be bold in the profession of their King and God, yea,
it shall be their glory to be godly, and carnal men shall praise
them for it; the praise of the whole earth shall the church of God
be in those days.
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