againe and the Papists looke for a day It stands vs then all vpon which loue Christ and his Gospell that wee should be well appointed and throughly armed against them And for this purpose the Reuelation of S. Iohn is of great vse necessitie As I said before so I say againe that it is the Prophesie of our time written to this speciall ende that by it wee might bee both fore-warned and fore-armed If wee doo consider the whole matter of this booke wee shall easily finde out the vse and end of it For the excellent matter of it doth argue the excellent ende and vse of it Now then as concerning the generall matter of this booke here are to bee founde very large and liuely descriptions of the most glorious person of Christ chapter 1 and all his excellent offices both of King Priest and Prophet and also most notable descriptions of the Church and of the Ministers of it and of the persecutions and afflictions which it must of necessitie passe through in this world Also of Gods mercifull prouidence for his Church and most vigilant care ouer it in the middest of all extremities Here are set before our eyes very liuely descriptions of the Churches deadly enemies both of Sathan himselfe and his three great instruments the Romaine Emperour the Pope and the Turke Here are set downe all their cruell persecutions of the Church and their vtter ouerthrowe in the ende Here are described hell death the resurrection and the last iudgement Here also the very kingdome of heauen is at large described with all those great rewards infinite glory and endlesse felicitie which remaine for all the faithfull worshippers of God I conclude therefore that for as much as this Prophesie is of such excellent contents therefore the vse and necessitie of it must needes bee verie great And for this cause Iohn is willed and commaunded by Alpha and Omega chapter 1.19 to write the things which hee had seene the things that were and the things that shall come hereafter By the things which he had seene is meant that glorious vision mentioned in the first Chapter vers 13 14 15 16. wherein Iesus Christ did appeare vnto him in the middest of the seuen golden Candlestickes in most glorious manner as is there described And all this was in the I le of Pathmos where Iohn was first called and authorised to this worke and therfore he is willed first of all to record this vision which hee had alreadie seene By the things that are hee meaneth the present state of the seuen Churches of Asia which were then the most flourishing Churches in the world as they are described in the second and third Chapters and in them the estate of all other Churches By the things that shal be he meaneth all the prophesies of this booke which were to bee fulfilled in their time al those strange accidents which should come to passe in processe of time and the seuerall ages of the Church euen vnto the end of the world Thus we see how Iohn receiueth a precise commandement from the sonne of God to write things past present to come that they might stand in record vnto all posterities from generation to generation Thus much touching the fift circumstance which is the ende and vse of this booke Now followeth to speake of the last circumstantiall point which is the authoritie of this Prophesie which is strongly confirmed from the Author of it which is Iesus Christ and therefore it is called the Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue vnto him chapter 1.1 And againe it is written I Iesus sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches chapter 22 16. Here wee see plainely that Iesus Christ the very sonne of God the Alpha and Omega is the Author of this booke for hee subscribes his name vnto it and sets his hand and seale vnto it Needes therefore must the authoritie of it bee very great which commeth from so great a personage for looke what dignitie and authoritie he is of from whom the booke commeth of the same dignitie authoritie is the booke it selfe An other strong argument to confirme the authoritie of this booke may be taken from the protestation of Iesus Christ in these words I protest vnto euery man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this booke chapter 22 18. if any man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this booke And if any shall diminish of the words of the booke of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the booke of life Here wee see how Iesus Christ maketh the authoritie of this booke equall to all other the Oracles of God to the which it is not lawfull for any man to adde or detract vnder paine of condemnatiō It maketh much also for the authoritie of this booke that S. Iohn doth so often repeate reiterate and inculcate his owne name I Iohn I Iohn I Iohn I Iohn the Apostle I Iohn the Euangelist I Iohn the Diuine Shewing by all these repetitions how needfull a thing it was that the faithfull should bee throughly instructed who he was euen one of the Lambes twelue Apostles and therefore to be voide of all suspition and doubt concerning the authoritie of this booke and not once to imagine it to bee any inuention of man or faigned deuice sith it was penned by so great an Apostle Moreouer the authoritie of this Prophesie is confirmed by foure reasons in the last chapter The first is the affirmatiō of the Angell who saith chapter 22.6 7 8. These words are faithfull true The second is the authoritie of the most high God himselfe in these wordes vers 6 The Lorde God of the holy Prophets sent his Angell to shewe vnto his seruants the things which must shortly bee fulfilled The third is the testimonie of Iesus who pronounceth them blessed which keepe the words of this Prophesie For saith he Behold I come shortly vers 7 Blessed is hee that keepeth the words of his Prophesie The fourth and last is the witnesse of Iohn in these words I am Iohn which heard and sawe these things vers 8 Now it may bee demaunded what is the cause that here are so many things heaped vp for the confirmation of the authoritie of this booke Surely wee must thinke there is some speciall cause and reason of it For the holy Ghost dooth not vse to deale so much and so earnestly in a matter but vpon great cause We may easily gather what the cause is This booke painteth out the whore of Babylon and the whole kingdome of the great Antichrist together with all Sathans cunning and sleight therein and for this cause Sathan hath laboured especially to weaken the credit and authoritie of this booke Hee by some meanes in olde time preuailed thus farre that euen among some Churches of true Christians the authoritie and truth of it was doubted
Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last ver 14 Blessed are they that doe his commandements that their right may bee in the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the citie For without shall bee dogges and enchanters and whooremongers and murtherers and Idolaters and whosoeuer loueth or maketh lies Heere is first an exhortation to publish and proclaime the knowledge of this booke to all people and in no wise to conceale it or keepe it close as formerly hath beene shewed in the epistle Heere is a further admonition that they which are vnrighteous should bee vnrighteous still c. Which is no allowance or encouragement granted vnto wicked men to continue in their euill waies but is rather a terrible threat if wee take all the wordes together in this and the next verse as if he should say if men will needes continue in their filthines yet certainely Christ will come shortly and reward them according to their workes Or else it may bee a phrase of speach which they call an ironicall concession as in another place the holy ghost saith to the young man Walke in the wayes of thine owne heart and in the sight of thine eies but know that for all these things God will bring thee vnto iudgement So likewise in other places After this heere is blessednesse pronounced vpon all such as keepe the commandements of God and it is said that there right is in the tree of life not meaning thereby that their keeping of the commandements is the cause of their right in Christ but onely an effect or consequence For our good works doe not goe beefore as causes of our iustification but follow after as declarations of the same For by doing wee are not made iust in the sight of God but onely declared to bee iust in the sight of men And as for the keeping of the commandements wee doe it not in such perfection as Gods iustice requireth but in such measure as his mercie accepteth through Christ And heere the holy ghost saith that all they which haue a right in Christ which is the tree of life and indeauour to keepe the commandements shall enter in through the gates into the new Ierusalem but on the contrarie all the rout of reprobates whom hee calleth dogges enchanters whooremongers c. shall bee vtterly shut out as hauing nothing to do in this euerlasting citie their portion beeing allotted in the infernall lake ver 16 I Iesus haue sent mine Angell to testifie vnto you these things I am the root and the generation of Dauid and the bright morning star ver 17 And the spirit and the bride say Come And let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thrift come and let whosoeuer will take of the water of life freely ver 18 For I protest vnto euery man that heareth the words of the prophesie of this booke If any man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagues that are written in this booke ver 19 And if any man shall diminish of the wordes of the booke of this prophesie God shall take away his part out of the booke of life and out of the holy citie and from those things which are written in this booke ver 20 Hee which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Amen Euen so come Lord Iesus ver 21 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with you all Amen The authoritie of this booke is heere againe ratified from the person of him vvho is the author of it that is Iesus Christ vvho is heere called the root and generation of Dauid both because he is discended of the house of Dauid according to the flesh and also because the eternall kingdome vvhich all the prophets did foretell should spring out of the house of Dauid vvas indeed and in truth established in Christ vvho is our true Dauid and our righteous braunch and as it is heere said the bright morning starre vvhich hath most gloriously risen vpon the vvorld to dispell all darknesse and to bring the great and euerlasting light Moreouer heere is great protestation made in the eightene and ninteene verses of great plagues to bee inflicted vpon all such as shall adde any thing vnto this booke or take away any thing from it Which also maketh greatly for the confirmation of the authoritie of this booke for that to the which nothing may be added and from the which nothing may be taken away must needes bee absolute and perfect But this booke is such a one therefore this booke is absolute and perfect being a part of Gods euerlasting truth Last of all heere is set downe the feruent desire of the bride after the bridgrome for shee being inflamed with the spirit desireth him to come and make vp the match betwixt them that shee may bee ioyned to him in marriage celebrate the solemnization and liue together with him in the eternall triumph Which is the sence of these words the spirit and the bride say come and let him that heareth say come For it is proper and peculiar onely to the brid to heare waite and long for the comming of Christ And let him that is a thirst come That is all such as thirst after righteousnesse may truely say come sweet Iesus For they are allowed freely to drinke of the water of life The plaine menaing of all this is that the Church being directed by the holy ghost most vehemently prayeth and longeth for the comming of Christ that shee may haue her topfull happinesse and full fruition of all those super excellent things which are prouided and purchased for her through him And therefore to satisfie her desire Iesus Christ the heauenly bridegroome saith I come shortly To the which the bride saith Amen Amen Euen so be it Come Lord Iesus come quickly and make an end of these sinfull and conflicting daies that all thy deer ones may haue and enioy their long â—â—ked for happinesse and felicitie in the heauens for euer and euer FINIS Apo. 1.3 Gen. 3. Gen. 15. Ier. 25. Dan. 7. Ezech. 38. Dan. 8. Dan. 9. Dan. 11. Apoc. 9 11. Esa 29 11. Dan. 12.9 Apoc. 4.1 Apoc. 10.4 Apoc. 1.1 Apoc. 1.11 Deut. 19. Apoc. 1. â— Apoc. 22 7. Apoc. 22.10 1. Cor. 2. Apoc. 22. verse 8. Apoc. 1. verse 19. Apoc. 1. verse 11. 2. Pet. 1. verse 21 Gal. 1. ver 12. Apoc. 1. ver 10.11 Esay 6. Ezech. 1. Dan. 10. Apoc. 1.10 1. Cor. 6.2 Act. 20.7 Dan. 7.2 Ezec. 3.12.14 Act. 10.10 2. Cor. 12.2 Iohn 15.15 Apoc. 1.9 Apoc. 1.1 Rom 15.4 2. Tim. 3.16 Mal. 3.6 Esa 46.10 Math. 24.35 Apoc. 22.7 Cap. 2. Cap. 3. Cap 7. Cap. 12. Cap. 7. Cap. 8. Cap. 15. Cap. 12. Cap. 1â— Cap. 9. Cap. 18. Cap 19. Cap. 14. Cap 20. Cap. 21. Cap. 22. Cap. 1.1 Cap. 1.4 Cap. 1.9 Cap. 22.8 Heb. 9.12 Heb. 9.14 Iohn 18 37. 1. Tim. 6.13 1. Iohn 5. Coll 1 1â— Heb.
THE RVINE OF ROME OR AN EXPOSITION vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued that the Popish Religion together with all the power and authoritie of Rome shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the Churches of Europe and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world Written especially for the comfort of Protestants and the daunting of Papists Seminary Priests Iesuites and all that cursed rabble Published by Arthur Dent Preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex Apoc. 18. vers 7.8 She saith in her heart I sit as a Queene and am no widow and shall see no mourning Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow and famine and shee shall be burned with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. LONDON THE EPISTLE TO THE Christian Reader BEing often requested gentle Reader and much importuned by sundry both learned and godly to publish that doctrine of the Apocalyps which diuers of them with liuely voyce heard publikely deliuered I did at last vpon my most mature deliberation yeeld vnto their reasonable request I meane the reasons of their request Indeed I doe ingeniously confesse that I am the vnmeetest of many which this age God be thanked doth afford to deale in a matter of so great importance or any wise to be imployed in so great and honourable a seruice as this is But if I doe industriously vse my small talent and be found faithfull in a little I hope it shall haue both chearefull and comfortable acceptation with the Church of God For this I presume will bee granted of all that hee which hath but a little strength and yet putteth it forth to the vttermost to doe good withall is more to be commended then he which hath thrise his strength and vseth it not to the helpe and benefit of others And true it is indeed that sundry worthy labours of diuers excellent men vpon the Apocalyps are already extant so as he may seeme to powre water into the Sea or goe about to mend the crowes eyes that will attempt to adde any thing to that which is already published But know this O Christian Reader that the Lords garden is so large and plentifull of all most sweete and pleasant flowers that where any one hath gathered a Nosegay most fragrant and delectable another may come after and gather another not to be contemned For the wisedome of God is such an vndrainable fountaine and head-spring that where one hath drawne much before another may come happely and draw as much afterward yea though thousands doe succeede yet can this fountaine neuer be drawne drie Be it farre from me to arrogate any thing to my selfe aboue others for I am priuy inough to mine owne meanes and do freely confesse that in this worke I haue receiued much light from others and therefore do not as a iudge giue sentence vpon other mens workes but as one that would furnish the same feast bring in my dish among them Or as one that in the same cause would come in as a third or a fourth witnesse to testifie and confirme the same thing And verily through the gracious assistance of Gods spirit my simple purpose and indeuor is to giue a lift to the vttermost of my power to further that which is already happily begun and to prouoke others of greater gifts to come after with their great lights and Lanternes in their hands to discry and discouer whatsoeuer in this Prophesie is not yet fully seene into I am not ignorant that some would not haue this booke medled withall nor in any wise to be expounded among the common people because say they it is so darke and hard to vnderstand But let all such leaue their owne opinions and hearken what the holy Ghost saith Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy c. What can be said more or more effectually to stirre vs vp to heare and reade and with all gladnesse to embrace this booke then to tell vs that in so doing we shall be blessed For the thinges contained in this booke be no trifles they be not things onely for a shew to mooue wonderment or to delight the curious minds of men but such as indeed do giue true blessednesse vnto all those that are well instructed in them What thing is greater then to bee blessed for euermore If we be not exceeding dull yea euen like stockes and stones it must needs moue vs stir vs vp For who will wittingly willingly loose his own blessednes or suffer it to be taken from him when as he may haue it If any will obiect that a man may be blessed well inough without the knowledge of this booke and that there bee bookes inough in the Scripture to procure our blessednesse without this and that thousands are now in heauen which neuer knew what this booke meant I answere that all this doth not take away the necessary vse of this booke for the holy Ghost doth pronounce a blessing vpon the heads of those that reade and studie this booke not because a man cannot be saued without it but because of the great comfort which it ministreth vnto vs of this age and hath ministred vnto all the Churches since the Apostles times For it is the Prophesie of this age and the Prophesie of all the ages since Christ wherein is fully shewed what shall be the estate and conditiō of the Church in the seuerall ages thereof vnto the ende of the worlde For God according to his admirable wisdome mercy hath neuer from the beginning left his church without a Prophesie for the great comfort thereof For we know that immediately after the fall of our first parents God himselfe for the great comfort of his Church did foretell and foreprophesie long before of that restauration which should be made by the Messias his sonne according as it came to passe in the fulnesse of time Afterward he did foretell his people of Israel of their great seruitude and intollerable bondage in Egypt and also of the ende and full determination thereof after foure hundred and thirtie yeares After all this he foretold by his seruants the Prophets of the captiuitie in Babylon and the full expiration thereof at the end and tearme of seuentie yeares And yet further for the comfort and consolation of his people he foretold by Daniel and Ezechiel of the great afflictions troubles which his Church should endure by the persecutions of the diuided Greeke Empire I meane Alexanders posteritie especially the Kings of Egypt and Siria which descended of Ptolomeus and Seleucus whom the scripture calleth the Kings of the North and of the South by the space of 294 yeares and of the precise determination thereof at the comming of the Messias Loe then what care God hath had of his Church in all ages before the comming
of his sonne in the flesh so to foretell both of the affliction it selfe and also of the iust period and determination thereof And shall we not thinke that God hath the like care now for his church which then he had or hath he not as great and as prouident care for the good of his Church since the promised Messias was actually exhibited as before Yes assuredly and much more too for if his care and prouidence was so great for his Church being in her ward-ship and minoritie then much more now being come to her ripenesse and full age If when it was lesse glorious then much more now being farre more glorious Therefore now vnto vs he foretelleth by his seruant Iohn what shall be the estate of the Church vnto the end of the world and therefore Blessed is hee that heareth and readeth this booke sith it foretelleth of the Churches afflictions in this age by the whoore of Babylon and of the full end and determination thereof It sheweth iustly and precisely what the Church hath suffered since the Apostles times in seueral ages and what it shall suffer and also how all the enemies thereof shall shortly be troden vnder foote What can be more ioyfull or comfortable to all the people of God then to know afore-hand that Babylon shall fall Rome shall downe Antichrist the great persecutor of the Church shal be vtterly confounded and consumed in this world notwithstanding all plottes and policies crafts and deuises to the contrary notwithstanding all forces armies cunningly contriued and raised vp against the Church by Seminary Priests Iesuites Pope Cardinall and King of Spaine For all these in this age do very busily bestirre them and ransacke all corners of their wits to repaire the ruines of Rome and to make vp the breaches which are made in the walles of Babylon their great citie But alas all in vaine for it shall fall It shal fall It shal fall as Dagon before the presence of the Arke do what they can spight of their hearts maugre their beards it shall fall finally it shall without all hope of recouery for hath the Lord spoken it and shall it not come to passe or can any word of his euer fall to the ground Sith therefore the Iesuits and Secular Priests do so fiske about and croake in euery corner as greatly fearing the fall of their Babylon and the drying vp of their Euphrates it standes vs all in hand to be as resolute for Christ as they are for Antichrist and as studious to vphold the kingdome of God as they are to vphold the kingdome of the diuel And for this purpose it is very requisite and necessary that all the Lords people should be acquainted with this booke and armed against them with the things reueald in this Prophesie For this booke is a most precious Iewell which God hath bestowed vpon his Church in this last age and it is great pitie that all the seruants of God are not better acquainted with it especially in these times for now in this age is and shall be the very heate of the warre and brunt of the battell betwixt Papists and Protestants betwixt God and Belial betwixt the armies of Christ and the armies of Antichrist Now this Prophesie laieth all open and plainly telleth vs what shal be the issue and successe in the day of battaile which side shall haue the victory and which side shall goe downe And therefore very needfull it is that it should be expounded againe and againe and all the Lords people made throughly aaquainted with it For in this age wherein we liue this Prophesie can neuer be inough opened and beaten vpon that all good Protestants may bee armed with it against future times euen as it were with an armour of proofe S. Iohn plainly telleth the people of his time euen the Churches of Asia that they should be blessed by reading and studying this booke because they should thereby be both forewarned and forearmed against many eminent troubles and future dangers For saith he The time is at hand that is to say some things were euen then to be fulfilled For some matters foretold in this booke did begin to be fulfilled euen presently after they were shewed vnto Iohn for the mistery of iniquitie did euen then begin to worke The Church in the Apostles time had her conflicts The ten great persecutions began euen then to be raised vp Heresies shortly after beganne to spring and sprout Afterward by degrees the great Antichrist did approach towards his cursed seate And after all this S. Iohn foretelleth how hee should take possession of his abhominable and most execrable seate and sea of Rome How he should raigne and rule for a time as the Monarche of the world How he should preuaile against the Church and make warre against the Saintes How he should raigne but a short time and afterward come tumbling downe as fast as euer he rose vp and decrease as fast as euer he increased Therefore Blessed is he saith S. Iohn that diligently readeth and peruseth this booke that thereby hee may foresee all these thinges and bee armed against them For as the Heathen man saith Leuius laedit quicquid praeuideris antè Foreseeing daungers do least hurt Now to apply all this to our times I say they are twise happie that are studious and painfull in searching out the true sense and meaning of this Prophesie that thereby they may be strengthned against all the assaults of the Papists our professed enemies and the enemies of Gods Church and stick fast to the euerlasting truth of God knowing for a certaintie that these sonnes of Belial shall not long preuaile The date of their raigne is almost out and the time draweth on apace wherein both they and their king Abaddon shal be laide in the dust But I will now proceed to a new reasō to proue that this booke of the Reuelations ought not to be concealed but openly preached and published to the whole Church of God in this age My reason is taken out of the 22. chapter of this booke ver 10. in these words Seale not the words of the Prophesie of this booke for the time is at hand Here is a flat commandement from God that this booke and the doctrine of it may not be sealed vp that is to say kept close from the knowledge of Gods people but it must lie alwaies vnsealed that all men may open it read it and see what is in it for it is a borrowed speech taken from sealing of Letters For we all knowe that when Letters are sealed none may open them or reade them but onely those whom it doth concerne but if they be of purpose left vnsealed then any man may reade them without daunger So the Lorde willeth and commaundeth that this booke of the Reuelations should of purpose be left vnsealed that all the people of God might reade it studie it and knowe it If any man doubt whether the Metaphor
of Sealing be thus taken in the scripture let him reade the places quoted in the margent and in all these places hee shall finde it taken in this sense Whereby it doth euidently appeare that the minde and meaning of God is that this booke should be proclaimed and published in all the Churches And vpon this grounde I holde that euery Minister of the Gospell standeth bounde as much as in him lyeth to Preach the doctrine of the Apocalyps to his particular charge and congregation for euery Minister of the Gospell must shewe vnto his people all the counsell of God and keepe backe nothing as Paul testifieth that hee did to the great comfort of his conscience But the doctrine of the Reuelations is a part and parcell of the counsell and will of God therefore it must not be concealed or kept backe from the knowledge of the people of God And in these dayes I thinke it not only meete and conuenient that it should be so but in truth absolutely necessary But now me thinketh I heare some man say what must this book of the Apocalyps be preached made knowne to the commō people alas what should they do with it It is not for them to meddle withall It is not for their diet I answere and yet not I but the holy Ghost that this booke must be made knowne to all the seruāts of God For Saint Iohn calleth it the Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue him to shew vnto all his seruants It is plaine therefore that al the seruantes of God both men and women yong and old rich and poore must be made acquainted with this booke Moreouer Iohn is commaunded by the God of heauen to set downe all the visions which the Angell shewed him and to write them all in a booke and send them to the seuen Churches of Asia that is to people of all sortes and conditions And therefore this booke doth not only concerne preachers and deep diuines but euen all the Lords people whatsoeuer for it doth minister great comfort and strength of faith to all the people of God that liue in this age But here the Papists obiect that this booke is full of darkenesse and obscuritie and therefore not for the common people to meddle withall nay say they there are as many misteries as words in it and therefore what should men trouble their heads about it But no maruell though the Papists say so much for it is the wound of their kingdom and the battery of their Babylon As for others both learned and godly which in this point are almost of the same mind that they will not meddle with this booke of the Reuelations I cannot but maruell at it The modesty and humility of some very rare and reuerend men for learning great variety of gifts which notwithstanding scotch much at this book is greatly to be commended But if I were worthy to giue them aduice I would wish them in this behalfe to change their minde and to be of another resolution for I dare auouch it that there is nothing in this Prophesie which study and diligence with prayer and humility may not ouercome True it is indeed that the shell is thicke and hard to breake but being broken the kernell is most sweet and pleasant If any be discouraged with the darkenesse obscurity of it let him hearken to these reasons following First it is called a Reuelation which is as much to say as an vncouering of things which did lie hid if it be an vncouering and reuealing of things then no doubt it may be knowne and seene into For reuealed thinges are for vs and our children If it be a Reuelation how say some that it cannot be vnderstood For it is contrary to the nature of a Reuelation to be so darke that none can vnderstand it But shall we say that the holy Ghost which is the spirit of truth hath giuen a wrong name vnto it God forbid For if it hide matters or so set them forth that it cannot be vnderstood then it is not rightly called a Reuelation If this booke be so mysticall that it cannot be vnderstood If the interpretation of it be vncertaine If the common people cannot be taught to vnderstand it how then should the holy Ghost say Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophesie c. Let any man iudge that hath common sense Can any man be blessed by hearing and reading those things which he vnderstandeth not I trow no. Then it followeth that this booke may be vnderstood and no doubt is vnderstood of many and might bee better vnderstood of many moe if they would bend their wittes and studies vnto it The holy Ghost as I said before willeth and commaundeth that the words of this Prophesie should not be sealed vp Whereby it is euident that he would haue them read and made knowne to all Then I reason thus That which is open and vnsealed may be read and knowne But this booke is open and vnsealed Therefore it may be read and knowne If men say the matters of this Prophesie are sealed and hid and God say they be vnsealed and open whether shall we beleeue men or God If any shall reply say we feele finde by experience that the words of this booke are hard to be vnderstood I answere that the fault is in our selues because we are so negligent in the search and study thereof For if we did with that humilitie and reuerend care that ought to be in vs search after the things reuealed in this booke we should finde that they be not sealed vp but lie open to bee read and knowne True it is indeed that if any man light vpon some peece and take it by it selfe he shall finde it very darke But if he looke vpon the whole course of matters throughout the booke and marke and obserue diligently how things be iterated hee shall finde no such darknesse as he feareth for there is a notable coherence of matters and course of times obserued in this booke euen from the first chapter vnto the last as God willing shall more fully plainly appeare in the particular opening and interpretation thereof One great obiection against this Prophesie is that the Fathers confesse it is full of mysteries and that they could not vnderstand it If they could not vnderstand it say some how how shall we vnderstand it Is it not great arrogancy for vs to say wee vnderstand it better then they did I answer no. For a man of meane learning in comparison may now in these daies more easily vnderstand expound this booke then the learnedest Doctors and Fathers in auncient time The reason is this we liue in an age wherein the most of the things prophesied in this booke are fulfilled Now the fulfilling of a prophesie is the best exposition of it But as for the Fathers they liued in a time wherein many of these things were not come
of The holy Ghost did well foresee this practise of Sathan and therefore bringeth the moe reasons for the confirmation therof If the credit and authoritie of this booke should neuer haue bene impugned there needed not any such special confirmatiō But now God be thanked there is no question or controuersie concerning the authoritie of this Prophesie It is receiued as authenticall by the common consent of all the Churches Almost all the auncient Fathers do acknowledge it to bee Canonicall The new writers doo with one voice giue their consent approbation vnto it The Papists themselues do acknowledge it to bee the sacred vndoubted word of God though of al scriptures they cannot endure it should be medled withall because it cutteth them so neare the bone Moreouer it may not be omitted that God is called the Lord God of the holy Prophets chapter 22. verse 6. which proueth that this Prophesie is of equall authoritie with the Prophesies which were of olde in as much as the same God is the Author of it And this booke is to be held in the same account with the bookes of Moses and of the Prophets for all things contained in it shall as certainly be fulfilled in their time as theirs were In Esay in Ieremie in Ezechiel in Daniel and in the rest we find many things which the Lord shewed by thē lōg before they came to passe Euē so there be many things foreshewed fore-prophesied in this booke which in their time shal be assuredly fulfilled Nay we see and know that many things here fore-tolde are already fulfilled some things are come to passe euen in these our daies Hee that shall looke into the times that are past since this Prophesie was giuē shal finde that all things haue fallen out agreeable to the Prophesie of this booke And surely if there were none other thing to perswade vs touching the authoritie thereof this might suffice that euery thing hath fallen out iust and iumpe as this Prophesie did foreshewe It is our great negligence that we do not clearely see so much And I do humbly entreate all the people of God to looke more diligently and narrowly into it in all time to come And thus much concerning the circumstances Now as concerning the booke it selfe it may very fitly be deuided into three visions as it were into three generall parts The first vision is contained in the three first Chapters The second vision is contained in the next eight Chapters following from the 4. to the 12. Chapter And the last vision is contained in all the Chapters following from the 12. to the ende As concerning the first vision my purpose is not to stand much vpon it because it is plaine and easie to vnderstand and because it containeth no Prophesies of things to come but onely openeth the present state of the Church at that time also because I haue alreadie touched the summe of it in handling the circumstantiall points I will therefore content my selfe with a very briefe opening and resolution of it beginning at the first Chapter CHAP. I. The summe of the first Chapter THe first Chapter containeth foure principall things The Title of the booke The salutation of the Churches The maner of Iohns calling to receiue this Prophesie The description of Christ the person that calleth him The Title of the booke is set downe in these words The Reuelation of Iesus Christ which God gaue him vers 1 It containeth three things First the Author of the booke which is Iesus Christ receiuing it from God the Father vers 1.2 Secondly the end and vse of this booke which is to shewe vnto all the seruants of God the things which must shortly be done vers 3 Thirdly the singular fruite and benefite which the Church shall receiue by it in these words Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophesie c. vers 4 The salutation is in these words Iohn to the seuen Churches which are in Asia Grace bee with you peace c. It containeth a description of the Trinitie or three persons in the God-head The Father is described of his eternitie namely to be he which is which was and which is to come vers 4 The holy Ghost is described of his diuerse gifts and operations and therefore is called the seuen spirits which are before the Throne or which proceed from the Throne but S. Iohn speaketh here of the holy Ghost according to the vision shewed him in the fift chapter where Christ is said to haue seuen eyes which are the seuen spirits of God sent into all the the world Of the which afterward vers 5 6. Iesus Christ is described of his three great offices of King Priest and Prophet and also of his glorious power and eternitie vers 7.8 First touching his kingly office hee is called the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is vers 5 King of Kings for he is King of Sion He is a King to rule and gouerne his Church Hee must raigne ouer the house of Iudah for euer Hee must raigne ouer all his enemies and in the middest of all his enemies euen till he haue trode them all vnder his feete And this benefite we haue by it that we are made Kings in him in this life to raigne ouer our corrupt affections and after this life to raigne as crowned kings foreuer with him in infinite glorie and endlesse felicitie Secondly touching his Priest-hood vers 5 hee is said to loue vs and wash vs from our sinnes in his bloud For hee is our onely high Priest which by his owne bloud hath once entred into the holy place and obtained eternall redemption for vs. Hee onely it is which through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without fault to God to purge our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God So then by vertue of his Priest-hood and sacrifice wee are reconciled vnto God haue free accesse vnto the throne of grace and are made Priests in him to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through him vers 6 For hee hath made vs Kings and Priests vnto God euen his Father Thirdly concerning his Propheticall office hee is called that faithfull witnesse For hee said to Pilate vers 5 For this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I might beare witnesse vnto the truth And the Apostle saith Hee witnessed vnder Pontius Pilate a good confession So then Iesus Christ is one of those three great witnesses which beare record in heauen Iesus Christ is the Prince of Prophets euen that great Prophet that should come into the world through whom all the counsels of God are reuealed vnto vs he is that only begotten son which is come downe from the bosome of his Father and hath made knowne vnto vs whatsoeuer he hath receiued of his Father Hee both by his doctrine life and miracles hath borne witnesse vnto the truth
all the cursed helhounds that barke and bite and take their part shall euer bee able to stand in his hands For rage they neuer so much hee will hamper them all well enough For though he haue giuen them the reine a long time and let them alone and suffred them to play the tyrants with the woman his spouse yet now he will no longer put it vp at their hands but will vp and maintaine the womans cause and beare her out against them all nay hee will make readie his bow that he may shoote off and make his arrowes drunke in the bloud of her and his enemies and will whette his glittering sword that hee may sheath it in the heart of Antichrist and all his adherents Therefore now let both the great beasts and their Sire looke to themselues for heere comes in one that will knocke them all downe and lay them in the dust that they shall neuer rise vp againe For this cause now at length Saint Iohn in a vision seeth a Lambe stand vpon mount Sion that is Christ present with his Church For mount Sion was an ancient figure of the Church as it is written Mount Sion lying Northward is faire in situation it is the ioy of the whole earth and the citie of the great king And againe The law shall goe forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem Moreouer Saint Iohn seeth heere with the Lambe an hundred fortie and foure thousand that is the particular members of the Church putting a certaine number for an vncertaine and specially alluding to the sealing of the twelue tribes of Israel as before hath beene shewed For it might bee demaunded where the Church was chapter 7.4 when all the world wondred and followed the first Beast and also when all both small and great rich and poore receiued the marke of the second Beast Saint Iohn answereth that euen then in the middest of the heate of persecutions God had his hid inuisible church whom Iesus Christ did protect and preserue euen in the verie flames of persecutions being alwayes present with them and amongst them as he said to his Disciples a little before his bodily departure from them Lo I am with you euen vnto the end of the world And heere hee is said to stand vpon mount Sion with his hundred fortie and foure thousand And it is added that this number of Gods faithfull elect children had the Fathers name written in their foreheads That is they did professe and practise the doctrine and religion of God their Father onely vtterly renouncing and abhorring the worship and religion of the Beast For the Fathers name in this place is set opposite to the marke of the Beast to signifie that as the worshippers of Antichrist receiued his marke so the true worshippers of God receiued his brand which is his Spirit and the fruits therof whereby they were perfectly discerned from those which had the beasts marke So then it cleerely appeareth from this place that God preserued many thousands of his true worshippers euen in the daies of the great Antichrist when there seemed to bee verie fewe or none remaining vppon the earth as it was in the dayes of Elias In vaine therefore doe the Papists aske vs where our Church was before Luthers time sith the holy Apostle heere stoppeth their mouth and telleth vs plainely that Christ had his little flocke in the wildernesse euen then when it was in greatest streightes and as wee say driuen to the wals And therfore visibilitie is no sound note of the Church as the Papists doe most ignorantly dispute For it is a fond and absurd kind of reasoning to say there is no Church at all because it doth not visibly appeare as if a man should reason that there is no Moone in the heauens because sometimes there is none seene as in the change And I heard a voice from heauen vers 2 as the sound of manie waters and as the sound of a great thunder and I heard the voyce of Harpers harping with their harpes Heere is set forth how this companie of true worshippers doe magnifie and praise God for his great mercies towards them First Iohn heareth a voyce from heauen that is an heauenly voice or the voice of the Church praising and glorifying God For wee haue heard before chapter 8.1 that heauen in this Booke is sometimes put for the Church vppon the earth and the reasons thereof Whersoeuer therfore the Church is assembled to heare the word and to pray and giue thanks there is a voice from heauen or an heauenly voice Now this voice is compared to three things first to the sound of manie waters Secondly to the sound of a great thunder Thirdly to y e voice of harpers harping with their harps It is likened to manie waters because it proceedeth from sundrie sorts of people of sundrie nations countries and kingdomes as the word Waters is taken afterwards in this Prophesie It is compared to Thunder because the prayers and inuocations of the true Church are as loud in the eares of God as any thundercracke It is compared to Harpers harping with their harpes both because their spirituall worship and seruice is as sweete vnto God as any musicke vnto men as also because all Gods faithfull people doe tune together among themselues and in their worship as the strings of a well tuned instrument of musicke or as manie musitians playing together which make a sweete harmonie and most melodious dittie vers 3 And they sung as it were a newe song before the throne and before the foure beasts and the Elders and no man could learne that song but the hundred fourtie and foure thousand which were bought from the earth Now is shewed how this holy societie of the faithful do continue their praising and glorifying of God They are not weary of well doing but hold on constantly in the course of Gods worship hauing new songs of thanksgiuing in their mouthes and seruing God dayly with renewed affections as men inflamed with the zeale of Gods glory and all this they doe performe before the throne before the foure beasts and the Elders that is in the presence of God and his Angels and his holy congregation And no man could learne that song but the hundred fortie and foure thousand that is none of the reprobates and vngodly worldlings could inwardly feele and vnderstand this spirituall worship but onely the elect to whom it is giuen to vnderstand the secrets of God and the mysteries of his sonnes kingdome These are they vers 4 which are not defiled with women for they are virgins these follow the Lambe wheresoeuer he goeth these are bought from men being the first fruits vnto God and to the Lambe And in their mouthes was found no guile vers 5 for they are without spot before the throne of God This holy cōpany are not defiled with women that is with grosse diuers sins or rather with idolatrous pollutions
giue all glory to him alone and not to any creatures And the reason is yeelded because the houre of his iudgement is come that is the time of the manifestation of the Gospel or lawes of the most high God for so the word iudgement is often taken in the scriptures Here we are to obserue one speciall thing to wit that the Gospel which this Angel flyeth withal containeth the briefe summe of al the doctrine which Luther Caluin Peter Martyr and the rest haue taught out of Gods word agreeth in al points with it For what other thing did they al preach teach and write but that men should turne from idols to the liuing God from fearing glorifying worshipping creatures to feare worship and glorifie God alone which hath made al things What other thing doo all the Preachers of this age publish proclaime in al their sermons but this Feare God and giue glory onely to him Is not this the Epirome and short summe of the doctrine of all the Preachers of England Scotland Germany Fraunce Denmarke and all the rest and therefore I conclude that this Angel must needes be vnderstood of the preachers of this last age which now these fourescore yeares haue founded the Trumpet of the Gospell against all the inuentions of Popery And blessed bee God wee see these thinges fall out in our daies and are eye-witnesses of the fulfilling of them And there followed another Angell saying It is fallen it is fallen Babylon that great City for she gaue to all nations to drinke the wine of the wrath of her fornication Here is set downe the blessed effect of the preaching of this euerlasting Gospel which is the downefall of Babylon For as when the cleere sunne ariseth vppon the earth the thick mists and cloudes are dispersed euen so when the bright beames of the Gospel do shine forth vnto the world Babylon that darke kingdome vanisheth away incontinently And as it is writtē in the eighteenth Chapter chapter 18.1.2 So soone as the earth was lightened with the glory of this euerlasting Gospell Babylon immediately falleth Therefore now before I goe any further my purpose through the assistance of God is to prooue these fiue points out of this verse and that which follweth vnto the twentith Chapter to wit First that Babylon here signifieth Rome Secondly that Rome shal fall and how Thirdly that Rome shal fal finally and come to vtter desolation in this life Fourthly by whom and when it shall be ouerthrowne Lastly the causes of the vtter ruine and ouerthrow thereof But before I go about to prooue that Babylon here is Rome I would haue it carefully obserued what is meant by Rome viz. not the topographie of Rome that is so much groūd only as is compassed within the wals of that City but the regimēt gouerment prerogatiue that is claimed by vertue of that monarchie whereof Rome is the head By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome or to speake plainelie by Rome is meant the Romane monarchy Further we are here to obserue the reason why the Holy-Ghost calleth Rome Babylon for Rome litterally properly taken is not Babylon in as much as they were two diuers Cities one in Italy the other in Chaldaea But Rome is called Babylon mystically figuratiuely as the Holy-ghost speaketh spiritually and by a kind of allusion For as the old Easterne Babylon did a long time oppresse the church of the Iewes so Rome this Westerne Babylō hath long oppressed the church of the Christians As the Easterne Babylon did many yeeres hold downe the people of God in miserable bondage and seruitude so the Westerne Babylon did a long time keepe the Christian Church in spiritual thraldome and misery In which respectes Rome is spiritually compared to Sodome and Egypt chapter 11.8 To Sodome for filthinesse and to Egypt for idolatry and keeping Gods Church in spirituall bondage and slauery And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon which is not simply and properly but after a sort that is by a phrase of speech or trope which they call a Metonymie or changing of names when that is giuē to one thing which is proper to another for the likenesse of quality that it hath with it or adioined vnto it Now hauing shewed the reason why Rome is called Babylon and what is meant by Rome we are to proceed to the first point which is to prooue that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome which although it bee granted of all sound diuines and auouched in the writings of the best learned both new and olde so as it shal need no great proofe yet I wil ad three or foure reasons out of this booke to make it more plaine and apparant First therefore I doe thus reason out of the seuenteenth Chapter and laste verse chapter 17.18 Babylon is that great City which reigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth but there was no other City which did reigne ouer the Kings of the earth when Iohn writte this book but only Rome Therefore Rome is Babylon For as for Ierusalem it was at that time made an heap of stones The first proposition is auouched by the Angel of God expounding vnto Iohn what is meant by the great whoore chapter 17.1 whose damnation he had shewed him before and by the woman which sate vppon a scarlet coloured beast The woman which thou sawest saith the Angel to Saint Iohn is the great City which raigneth ouer the Kinges of the earth That is to say Rome or the Romish synagogue and malignant Church For the Angel could not speake more plainely except he should haue named Rome then to say thus The woman the great whoore of Babylon is the great City which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth For if one should say the great City of Englād euery man knoweth that thereby is meant London if one should say the great City of France euery one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris so when the Angell sayth the great city which raigneth ouer the Kings of the earth all that liued in those times knew that therby was meant Rome For Rome was the chiefe City of the monarchie and is put in this booke for the whole monarchie and the religion thereof as hath beene sayd before My second reason is this chapter 17 verse 5. Babylon is the mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Babylon is that great whoore with whom haue cōmitted fornication the Kings of the earth chapter 17. verse 2. the inhabitants of the earth made drunke with the wind of her fornication But Rome none but Rome is such a one Therfore Rome is Babylon My third argument is this Babylon is that City which hath had seuen seuerall gouerments But only Rome hath had seuen seueral kind of gouermēts therfore Rome is Babylon The proposition is prooued from the words of the Angel expounding vnto Iohn what is meant by the seuen heads of the scarlet
fiercenesse of his wrath both vpon her and her whole kingdome yea and that in such terrible and wrathfull maner that there shall bee no place of refuge no place to flie vnto for succour vers 20 For Saint saith Euerie I le fled away and the mountaines were not found Meaning that the Papists in that day shall haue neither moutaine nor Iland to flie vnto And last of all the holy Ghost saith that there fell a great haile like talents out of heauen vpon the Idolaters chapter 16.21 insomuch that they blasphemed God because of the plague of the haile For the plague thereof was exceeding great A taleÌ„t was about the weight of threescore pound as some write Then it followeth that this haile of Gods wrath vpon the Papists shal be most terrible and fearfull and beate them all downe to the ground as it were an haile of milstones or plough-irons Nowe when this haile of talents commeth as assuredly come it shall then shall the kingdome of Poperie bee beaten to dust and powder and therfore no maruell though the idolaters seeing all this bee in a most horrible rage and blaspheme God as Saint Iohn saith vers 21 because of this exceeding and most extraordinarie plague which shall then come vpon them But nowe to conclude and wind vp all together For as mucâ— as this last viall is powred into the aire God saith it is done an extraordinarie earthquake followeth the great citie of Rome is rent Babylon called into question and feareful hailestones of wrath poured down vpon the Idolaters I do conclude that Rome shal fall finally and come to vtter destruction in this life Nowe let vs proceede to further proofe In the eighteenth chapter of this booke the whoore of Babylon saith in her heart chapter 18.8.9 I sit being a Queene and am no widowe and shall see no sorrowe Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow and famine and shee shall be burnt with fire For that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. First here Rome is described as shee was in the height and toppe of her pride and securitie when shee held the dominion of the kings of the earth and boasted that shee was the head of the Catholike Church carying her selfe very insolently aboue all kings and Emperours treading vppon their neckes and making them attend at her gates barefoote in the middest of winter as the stories report Yea and that shee was no widow that is no solitarie or desolate person but one that had manie louers which were strong to defende her so as shee should feele no want nor see any sorowe But the time will come and draweth on apace wherein shee shal be throughly punished for her haughtinesse and intolerable pride security For the holy Ghost saith her plagues shal come at one day that is sodainly shortly and speedily euen death sorow and famine and she shall 〈◊〉 burnt with fire For that God which condemneth her â—â— a strong Lord. If this bee not plaine enough to proue an vtter ouerthrow of Rome I know not what can be plaine enough For if death famine and fire will not pul her downe I knowe not what shal pul her downe But Saint Iohn saith flatly that God himselfe who is a strong Lord will oppose himselfe against Rome and condemne her If this strong God take against her who can vpholde her Can the king of Spaine can the Cardinalles can the Emperour can all the Dukes of Italy and al the potentates of the earth that take part with her No no they are al too weake For if God take against a man who can reclaime him sayth the Holy-Ghost For he dooth whatsoeuer he will And againe God is wise in heart and mighty in strength who euer hardened his hart against him and prospered If God call not backe his anger the most proud helpes are bowed vnder him And God sayth by the Prophet Can thy hands be strong or can thy hart endure in the day that I shal haue to do with thee Then it followeth that though Babylon sit as a Queene al her louers take part with her yet because the strong Lord is against her therefore shee shal come to vtter destruction Some of good iudgement in the truth haue gathered from this place that the very City of Rome shal be burnt with fire which assuredly may wel bee But this I am sure of that the phrase of burning with fire doth in the Prophets alwaies signifie an vtter destruction and desolation of a City or a kingdome and therefore it followeth that Rome shal be vtterly destroied But behold yet stronger and plainer proofe chapter 18. verse 2. For Saint Iohn sayth a mighty Angel tooke vp a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the sea saying with such violence shal that great City Babylon be cast downe and shal be found no more Al men know that old Babylon in Chaldaea was destroied by the Medes and Persians long before Saint Iohn writte this booke and therefore that is not here meant but the new Babylon which is Rome as afore hath bin prooued The Phrases of speech and the signes which the Prophets vsed to declare the destruction and desolation of olde Babylon are heere alluded vnto in the destruction of Rome For we reade in the prophecy of Ieremy that the Prophet hauing written in a booke al the euil that should come vpon Babel for holding Gods people so long in most miserable captiuity sayd to Seraiah When thou commest vnto Babel thou shalt reade all these words and when thou hast made an end of reading this book thou shalt bind a stone to it and cast it into the middest of Euphrates and shalt say Thus shall Babel be drowned and shall not rise vp from the euill that I will bring vpon her although they wearie themselues Now let vs consider how this agreeth with the same which is heere set downe and wee shal finde that all thinges are here set downe with greater force to expresse as it were a deeper vengeance and a more heauie and vnrecouerable destruction First there is a man here is a mighty Angel there the man taketh vp a stone heere the Angell taketh vp a great stone like a milstone there the stone is caste into the riuer here into the deepe sea Al these circumstances being applied to Rome doo greatly aggrauate the matter and verie plainely shewe that it shal fal Without al hope of recouery For the Lorde declareth by this forcible signe of casting a milstone into the sea that the City and kingdome of Antichrist shal bee cast deepe downe into perdition and shall lie ouerwhelmed and drowned in the same for euer For if olde Babylon was vtterly destroied and came to a final desolation in this life much more shal Rome as the Holy Ghost disputeth But olde Babylon came to vtter ruine and desolatition in this life as both Isay and Ieremy doe witnesse Therefore