this verse the Holy Ghost is meant by seven spirits because grace is prayed for from them Also Pareus agrees with me that in chap. 4. ver 5. created angels may be understood but not here Vers 5. And from Iesus Christ Peace cometh by Christ Eph. 2.15 Christ here is treated of as the Mediatour and therefore is put last the order is sometimes in the Scripture omitted as 2 Cor. 13. ult Who is the faithfull witnesse Faithful because he confirmed the truth not only by preaching and miracles but by suffering Witnesse because by way of Prerogative he is so though there be three that bare record in heaven 1 Iohn chap. 5. because he first also and only shed his blood for his own testimony therefore on earth he is the witnesse The first begotten of the dead because Christ first and only raised up himself by his own power to immortal life others were raised by his power and became subject to death again And the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is as chapter 19. verse 16. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Who loved us and washed us from our sins by his own blood Vers 6. And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his father He concludeth his dedication with a Thanksgiving First because Christ loved his People and became man for * See my Glimps of Christs love p. 36 37. them Secondly because he died for them justifying them by his blood nay sanctifying them Thirdly making us Priests and Kings Priests to consecrate our selves as a living sacrifice to God through him Kings not only in a dopting us to be heyrs of his Kingdome above but through his power making us Conquerours of Sinne and Satan To him be glory either understand the glory of his Godhead or that glorious exaltation of his manhood at the right hand of his father For ever and ever shews Christs Eternity Amen That is be it so Vers 7. Behold he cometh with clouds This may comfort the Saints though the wicked tyrannize a while he cometh to judgement This also proves against the Papist that the humanity of Christ is not everywhere because he cometh with clouds and they are not every where Every eye shall see him that is every man his Crucifiers Scoffers also the righteous the former to their confusion the larter to their comfort And they that pierced him as in Zach. 12.10 to wit the Souldiers Iohn here and in his Gospel applies that of Zechary to Christ and teaches us two things 1. That Christ is God 2. That Iohn writ this Revelation Even so Amen it shews that there is no doubt but Christ will come to end the afflictions of the Church and to punish the wicked with whose coming the Saints are well pleased Vers 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end Alpha is the first letter of the Greek tongue Omega the last it shews Christ is first and chief the verse proves Christs deity See Isa 41.4 Vers 9. I John who am your brother t is no vain-glory to name himself here otherwise we might have thought 't was Christ spoke also Paul repeats his name twice in one Epistle I Paul with my own hands his name being prefixt before Brother there is a spiritual brotherhood among the members of Christ Iohn is their brother in three things named in the text 1. In tribution 2. In the spiritual Kingdome of Christ which we being Kings and Priests ought to maintain 3. In sufference Was in the Isle that is called Patmos Domitian the Emperour first cast him into a Caldron of boyling oyle but receiving no hurt banished him into this Isle where he received this Vision The Emperour being slain he returned to Ephesus and ministred to the seven Churches For the Word of God Iohn sheweth the true cause of his banishment and 't is worth observation that the Romanes as they conquered worshipped the gods of every nation Jesus only excepted it seems the devil was content that they should worship any god but the true For the Word of God to wit Christ For the Testimony To wit the doctrine of Jesus Christ Vers 10. Was in the spirit Iohn was in spiritual meditations when he saw the Revelation which he saw not with mortal eyes but being ravished in spirit his mind was carried beyond it self On the Lords day the first day of the week on which Christ arose from the dead which by the example and command of the Apostles 1 Cor. 16.1 Christians keep and observe as holy T is not probable Christ would burden the mind of Iohn with all the Vision or Revelation at once especially considering ch 4. ver 1 2. and ch 17.3 Iohn confesseth he was in the spirit at other time but doubtles John as all true Prophets understood every particular of the Revelation I heard a great voice behind me great either in regard of the great mystery of the vision or in regard 't was the voice of the great God Behind me Shews the freenesse of Gods love to Iohn in the voice he not expecting any such voice or Vision As of a Trumpet in respect of its shrilnesse and being heard afarre off it notes the terrour and power of his Word Ver. 11. Saying I am Alpha and Omega in the voice three things are contained 1. The Eternity of Christ 2. Johns commission to write warranted by divine Authority 3. To send the Vision wtitten to the seven Churches What Christ carefully commands John to write it becomes us carefully to read for though particularly this Vision concerne the seven Churches yet all Scripture is written for our instruction Ephesus Where Paul constituted a Church to whom he after writ an Epistle 't was in Asia the lesser Smyrna a sea-coast-towne now called Smeer where Iohn or some other Apostle constituted a Church And to Pergamus Here Paul Acts 20. raised up Entychus dead and happily planted a Church Thyatira of this city was Lydia a seller of purple who was converted to the faith by Pauls preaching at Philippi Act. 16.12 14. To those of Sardis the once famous city of Craesus Philadelphia a city of Mysia of the lesser Asia And unto Laodicea a city near Ephesus Paul preached here and commanded his Epistle written to the Colossians to be read here Col. 4. ver 16. The Pastor hereof was an hypocrite neither hot nor cold with whom Christ was much displeased Note though Paul had preached the Gospel at Rome long before this yet that Church not remembred perchance because Christ foresaw her usurping authority The Apostles are ever very silent of the Virgin Mary the spirit foreseeing the Church of Romes idolizing her But what say I Christ sends not to the Church of Rome truly with some difference of time considered great part of this book concerns the whorish or Antichristian Church of Rome who boasts her self to be Christs Vers 12. I turned to see the voyce That is him that spake Seven golden Candlesticks
expound it though some have anciently supposed this Book to be forged by the Heretick Cerinthus because seemingly favouring the errour of the Millenaries though it be indeed full of divine testimonies of Christs divine nature and no way favours that Millenary errour as will appear in the progresse if the objections of Hereticks and others had presently been beleeved we should long since have had little or nothing entire in the whole Scripture Among all Commentators Pareus who borrowed much of Brightman and Bullinger by his own Confession but especially of Anonymus upon whom he seemes sometimes to be but a large Commentary most affects me yet sometimes I borrow light of a seemingly lesse glorious torch then his This book is a Prophesie as Mr Goodwin observes it out of Mr Mede of the destruction of the Romane Empire either as heathenish in the whole or else Christian yet persecuting in both the parts of it East and West The Book is tragi-comedy which begins with a kingdom given to be won by conquest Rev. 6. and ends with the Coronation of a King and the Marriage of his Bride and all between is but the removing of all such lets and impediments namely of the Roman Monarchy and all other kingdomes which that was broken into so far as they stand in the way and possesse the roome of that kingdome which is to beset up When Christ first began the whole world then worshipping Idols he sets upon conquering the whole Romane Empire as it was heathenish and the worship of Satan and Idols in it and in three hundred yeares he dispatcheth that and throws down all both Idoll worship and Princes that did uphold it And then when the whole Empire was turned Christian yet the devill as one ewll said did not turne Christian but under the name and profession of Christ he stirreth up the Arrian Christian world to prosecute the Orthodox Christians as much as heathenish Rome had done but Christ takes further vengeance for this persecution under both these Heathenish and Arrian Rome it was the cry of the bloud of the Saints slaine under both that brought on them the vengeance that followed see Chap. 6. vers 10.11 The Empire having been afore divided into two parts the Easterne all which now the Turk possesseth and the Westerne this in Europe he fals first on the Westerne Europian part breaking that by the incursion of those barbarous nations * Which the foure first Trumpets did sound forth as M. Goodwyn affirms Rev. 8. the Goths and Vandals then for the Easterne part of the Empire although his revenge was slower yet he reserved them for the forest vengeance that could befall the Christian world the Conquest and Tyranny of the * The 6. Trumpet sounded forth this ch 9.13 Saracens first afterwards the Turks Thus here is an end of the Romane Monarchy under the Emperours in the whole and in the parts of it The Westerne part in Europe was by occasion of the Goths invasion broken into seven Kingdoms which though helping the Woman against the floud of Arrian persecution yet through Satans seducing of them they set up the Beast or Antichristian Rome And these altogether did joine to make us as great a war against the Saints in Ch. 13. as the Heathens and Arrians had done and so Christ in a manner was as far off his Kingdome as at first The next counterplot of Jesus Christ is to overcome these Kingdomes so you find Rev. 17.14 They shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called chosen and faithful Thus far he Which generall methodicall division I in the general like and allow of though in particular I have shewed upon Chapter eight that the first foure Trumpets did not signifie the incursion of those Nations Goths and Vandals neither indeed came they to help the Woman but to destroy her though they embraced her faith when most corrupted of which more in order and place See Chap. 12. I desire the Reader to remember that though the Revelation may seeme to be one continued Vision yet indeed it is not one nor revealed at one time but seven as so many sights exhibited to John in the Spirit John was not once only but oft times ravished in the Spirit neither saw he all in one place but some things in Patmos some things in heaven some things at the seashore some things in the Wildernesse Note the Revelation sayes Pareus out of Augustine speakes the same things after a diverse manner the former Visions are for the most part more obscure the latter bring clearer light to the darknesse of the former if one rightly observe them sayes Pareus for example in the second Vision the black horse denotes the Church made black with heresies after Constantines time the pale horse having death sitting on and drawing hell after him the Church sick even unto death towards Antichrists rising In the third Vision by the sounding of the third fourth and fifth Trumpets the same state of the Church is indeed represented yet more especially the declining corruption and lastly the Apostacy of the Sea of Rome plainer Some Visions represent the foure conditions or the foure acts of the Church to wit of its flourishing and groaning under Roman Tyrants till peace brought in by Constantine 2. Of the Church raigning and rioting under Christian Emperours till the rising of the Westerne Antichrist Boniface third Pope of Rome and of the Easterne in Mahomet six yeares after 3. Of the Church trodden upon and oppressed by Antichrist especially the Westerne till the measuring of the Temple which began to be effected by the Two witnesses John Husse and Ierome of Prague who were slain by the Beast in the Councel of Constance Anno 1414. and thence untill Luther by whose Ministry the measuring of the Temple hindered through the tyranny of Popes began to be continued Anno 1517. The fourth of the Church reformed from Popery and of the declining of Papacy to endure till the end Some Visions represent not the entire but only the two * The 2 3 4 and 7. Visions containe the 4. Acts or estates of the Church the 5. and 6. Visions are more particular containing the 7. last plagues and the judgment of the Whore latter conditions of the Church Thus the most excellent Pareus It is safest expounding the Revelation by the Revelation one thing explaining another yet much of this Book the Lord hath yet reserved in his own power yet this latter age hath had better help of experience then that of the Fathers many things being fulfilled which they dived not into The fourth Actor condition of the Church with its accomplishment is secret Because the seventh Trumpet hath not yet sounded Neither is the seventh Viall yet poured out into the aire a great part also of the third Act is reserved unto posterity which in time shall see
the gathering together the Kings of the earth into Armageddon the burning of the whorish woman the desolation of Babylon the event of the Goggish war More then the beginning we have seen and further shall see E. H. The Errata of moment are these CHap. 1. page 2. line 10. Alcasar should be set in the margin against that line l. 13. read changeable causes for unchangeable cause ch 3. p. 30. l. 6. after doth r. not l. 26. for spiritual r. spirit ch 8. p. 54. l. 31. r. Bishops successors ch 9. p. 66. l. 30. for eye r. use ch 9. l. last for withdraw r. wrath ch 10. p. 72. l last after locusts r. doctrine ch 11. p. 83. l. 37. for shew r. flew ch 12. p. 88. l. 11. for of Christs birth r. at Christs birth AN EXPOSITION OR A short but full plaine and perfect Epitome of the most choice Commentaries upon the REVELATION Of Saint JOHN Especially of the most learnedly judicious DAV PAREVS CHAP. 1. Vision 1. Vers 1. The Revelation of Iesus Christ .. THE Word Revelation or Apocalypse signifies the unfolding of a secret T is called a Revelation for two reasons First because we need the knowledge of it Secondly it shews the divine authority of it for the title answereth the title of the ancient Prophets as the vision of Isaiah so the Revelation of John Of Jesus Christ which God gave him God may be said to give it to Christ as he was man nay as God for the father is the fountaine of the Godhead So Christs wisedome is from the father by an eternal generation it shews Christ to be God because it belongs to God only to reveal secrets Isa 41.23 now t is Christ office to reveal to his People the Will of his father His servants To wit Christ This proves Christs divine nature because all the faithfull are his servants Which must shortly come to passe therefore this book doth not treat of things then past as some would perswade but things to come Must come shews the unchangeable decree of God Also secondary causes as the malice and rage of Satan and his instruments against the Church though unchangeable causes if not hindred by the over-ruling Power of God bring forth necessarily an effect Shortly That is shall begin suddainly to take effect though the things herein mentioned were not in a very short time to be all performed for many hundred years are past already and yet many things are not come to passe yet the time is short in respect of the age of the world already past or in respect of eternity Alcazar or God with whom a thousand years are but as one day And signified it by his Angel God gave him the Revelation not to keep for himself but to shew it to his servants now is expressed the faithfulnesse of Christ in executing his charge committed to him of God And he sent This proves Christs Divinity in that he commands the Angels and they obey him This is Pauls argument of the Deity of the Son Heb. 1.6 His servant John Christ takes notice of nay doth register the names of his servants Poor Lazarus is mentioned when the rich mans name is buried in Oblivion only there was a certain rich man Happy are his servants whom he hath graven unto their comfort be it spoken on the palmes of his hands not on iron but flesh not on his back parts but his hands not the back of them but the palmes of his hands Vers 2. Who bare record of the Word of God That is of Christ the Word note three things 1. That the Penman was one that writ of Christ 2. That 't was Iohn who in the entrance of his Gospel says In the beginning was the Word to wit Christ 3. That Iohn wrote his Gospel before he wrote the Revelation who bare Record of the Word And of the Testimony of Iesus Christ the doctrine of Christ the death and martyrdome of Christ for Iohn stood by and saw him crucified And of all things that he saw to wit now in visions also he alludeth to a place in his Gospel where he says he that saw it bare record and his record is true Vers 3. Blessed is he that readeth because by reading comes faith and observance also he commendeth the reading of this book to all men And which heare those then that cannot read may be blessed let them procure others to read to them this and other books of the Scripture especially explained And keep the things reading and hearing without observance will availe little yet it may be both a means to remove what may hinder our happinesse and to direct us in the right way of attaining the same Of this Prophecie This shews it is from God for all Prophecie is of him 2 Pet. 1.20 it may also the sooner stirre up our hearts to feek the knowledge of this book for men do covet to know the things to come See my little book called A glimpse of Christs love p. 14. concerning a Prophet and Prophecie in part For the time is at hand The time of the beginning of the performance The time both of the fury of the adversary and the deliverance of the Church this should stirre up in us a diligent care to read this Prophecie for the knowledge of good and evill at the doore ought not to be neglected Vers 4. Iohn to the seven Churches gathered in Asia the lesse by the preaching of the Word chiefly by Paul to whom Iohn dedicates and sends his book because the first Vision directly concerns them Grace he to you and Peace by grace understand the free love of God in pardoning sin by peace chiefly that of conscience but also all temporal blessings included in that word peace he is to reprove these to whom he wisheth thus well it teacheth that reproofe should be the effect of love not of malice From him which is which was and which is to come that is from the father alluding to that name in Exod. 3. I am which is because the father is from none which was because he was before all time in eternity which is to come because he shall come to judge the world by the Sonne the Sonne also is one with his father was for in the beginning was the Word is to come to judge immediately the quick and the dead yet I rather understand this of the father because by the seven spirits before the throne is meant the holy Spirit as Christ is expressed in the next verse From the seven Spirits before the throne the holy Spirit is called seven because he is perfect in working for seven is used for a perfect number in this book In my quoted book pag. 43. I proved that by Angels excelling in strength arch-angels are meant Psal 103.20 the rather because the ordinary Angels are meant in ver 21. yee his host Also I affirmed that by seven spirits ch 3. v. 5. happily these angels may be meant but in
His unwearied paines is again mentioned that all might imitate his diligence who is a patterne of a faithfull Pastour Vers 4. But neverthelesse I have somewhat against thee The Judge of all hearts sees not perfection in any Saint Because thou hast left thy first love To wit in not being liberall to poor and hospiâ—able which is a choyce duty in a Pastour or Bishop Note Christ commends many excellent vertues in this Angel yet is so far from taking notice of his merits that he reproves him This verse also teacheth that perseverance is required in a good Pastour and how one vice doth spot the other vertues Vers 5. Remember from whence thou art fallen Here is briefly the nature of repentance 1. To take notice of sin committed 2. To eschew the evil and do the good 3. To manifest repentance by works of piety and love to the poor From whence thou art fallen c. Shewes his going back from his former zeal in godlinesse and love to the poor perchance his ambition may be thought on for covetousnesse and ambition are usuall companions of Church-men here is however no finall falling from grace See my book called A Glimps of Christs love pag. 28.72 Or else I will come quickly To punish thee before thou art aware Here note two things 1. T is equity with God to punish more for the sin of one especially considering this particular Church might be fallen from her first love to the poor 1 Cor. 5.6 as well as Pastour 2. That a particular Church as this may fall to peices and be destroyed but not the Church in the generall Out of his place except thou repent Notes the manner of this Churches destruction not but that each member upon repentance might be saved for 't was destroyed and visibly removed by a barbarous nation afterward upon her impenitency and security This teaches that the abode of the Church in this world is uncertaine we nor the Church have in this world any continuing place Vers 6. But this thou hast that thou hatest c. This shewes he was not in a desperate condition you see the Angel had vertues which the Lord takes notice of and commends The deeds of the Nicholaitans Thier heresie was that fornication and eating things offered to Idols was no sin which also was that cursed doctrine of Balaam See Numb 25. compared with chap. 31. vers 8.16 This heresie was not as as some suppose taught by Nicholas one of the 7. Deacons for he is commended both for piety and continency as also his son and daughters by Clem. Alexandrinus but by some other Nicholas or fathered upon him by the upholders of this heresie as a cloak for their wickednesse We all hold the doctrine of Christ and are called by his name and not after the name of any other teacher Vers 7. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear This is to stir up attention to observe the things formerly written to the teacher of the Church of Ephesus What the Spirit saith to the Churches Because Christ speaks by the spirit as proceeding from him which proves Christs deity to the Churches The things you see concerne the Churches and not the Pastour alone and indeed t is usually like Priest like people To him that overcometh will I give c. He is said to overcome who manfully to the end fights against the world flesh and devil Here is nothing promised to fallers away Christ promises a reward to those that overcome though with his own power To eat of the tree of life c. Alluding to the tree which stood in the midst of Paradise so called afterward because had our first Parents eaten of it once they had lived or because it signified Christ who is the truth and the life So 't is but thus much he that overcomes shall be restored to life by Christ to whom he will communicate himself 'T is an argument of Christs deity Vers 8. Vnto the Angel of the Church in Smyrna It was writ to this next because next to Ephesus to the Angel to to-wit Polycarpus Johns disciple who was by him ordained Pastor of this Church whom Christ reproves not but encourages to be constant foretelling the persecution of the Jewes raised against him for they were the cheise agents preparing the fire wherein he was afterward burned These things saith the first and last c. Christ is first and last according to his divinity but dyed according to his humanity Vers 9. I know thy workes That is I approve thy works Christ sees and takes notice with delight of whatsoever is good Thy tribulation Which thou hast sustained both of Jewes and Gentiles for my name sake And poverty Being spoyled of thy earthly estate by the adversaries of the truth for publike sale was usually made of the goods of Christians But thou art rich The faithfull are possessors of heavenly riches for by faith they inherit Christ who is to them all things and heir of all things And the blasphemy of them who say they are Jewes The Jews who persecuted the Christians blasphemed Christ counting him a deceiver a magician and justly crucifyed saying the Christians were foolish men and worthy of nothing but stripes But Christ affirmes them to be a blasphemous congregation led by Satan to their destruction And are not He is not a Jew who is only outwardly one We see titles availe nothing when men are degenerated from the truth Vers 10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer This is a forewarning and a forearming against troubles at hand None of those things Shewing that they must not expect one but many sorts of tryals Satan shall cast Christ shewes that Satan is the author of these miseries as torments banishments martyrdoms which the word prison notes Some of you Not all for Christ bridles him and restraines him Hence learn three things 1. The godly in this world must suffer affliction 2. The deity of Christ in foretelling afflictions 3. The devill the cheif author of all persecution who hates Christ and envyes mans salvation Tyrants are but Satans instruments That ye may be tryed Here is the end of afflictions that your faith and constancy may be more approved and more apparent for though Christ know the hearts of his Saints yet he will have their faith more apparent that those without and those within the Church may take notice of it this should teach the Saints to approve themselves to God when tryed by patient suffering Satan then though he intend hurt in casting some of them into prison yet God whose serjeant Satan is intends good And ye shall have tribulation ten dayes Some comfort Christ gives them in this expression shewing the shortnesse of the continuance of their tribulation By ten dayes I understand a short time and not the ten years persecutions of the Emperours which might rather terrify then comfort them Be thou faithfull unto death Christ exhorts him to constancy for
second Commandement that is in the water under the earth By heaven earth seas unablenesse to open the Book is understood but thus much no creature could Vers 4. And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open c He concluded sure some worthy matter is in the Book therefore wept because it could not be opened and known this weeping was not in vaine for by prayers and teares he hath his desire granted him Let this instruct us how to attaine to the knowledge of the mysteries of God Vers 5. Then one of the Elders said unto me weep not c. Who is unknown the Papists would needs perswade it was Peter but it was one the Jewish Church not Christian as is observed perchance he that was next to Iohn Behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Alluding to Iacobs blessing where Iudah is called a Lyons Whelp it notes Christs dignity strength and Kingly power Christs mother was of this Tribe The root of David Mary came of David Hath prevailed Being found worthy observe here Christs manhood of the root of David Christ Godhead since he was worthy and overcame admitting no creature with him into the Society of his function Vers 6. A Lamb Before a Lyon conquering sin hell death now a Lamb noting Christs innocency In the midst To wit between the Throne and the Elders as Mediator betwixt God and the Church also it notes Christs exaltation at the right hand of God Stood as it had been slaine His standing notes his Resurrection being staine his death a Lamb slaine noting his manhood a Lion and a Lamb standing noting his Godhead victory Resurrection Having seven hornes Seven is taken indefinitely for many or answering the seaven seales hornes note power eyes Divine insight so that Christ wants neither skill nor power to open the seven seales of the Book His eyes are said to be the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth meaning seven choice created Angels which proves Christs divine nature since the Angels are his servants who give him account of the sons of men whose hearts however he knows without them and which they know not whom he uses not for need but majesty and comfort to the godly Ver. 7. And he came took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne to wit out of the midst and went to the throne and took the book to open it Thus that is fulfilled chap. 1. ver 1. God gave the Revelation to Christ and he to Iohn Christ gives it to John as God receivs it of his father as God-man Sits on the throne as God goes to the throne for the book as God-man Vers 8. When he had taken the book which was not yet opened though the Latine version read it so which Alcusar would faine excuse Here is noted the cause of the heavenly inhabitants joy because Christ had received the book wherein the whole counsell of God touching the good of the Church and the destruction of the adversaries to the end of the world is contained And fell down before the Lambe giving him divine worship which proves his deity Having every one of them harps not as if God were pleased with musick but because it stirred up the affections of Saints to God-ward with such instruments the holy Prophets and Kings were wont to praise God and to delight themselves and others for the same instrument might praise God and please others And golden vials full of odours which are the Prayers of the Saints as perfumes ascend upward and give forth a sweet smell so Saints in Prayer seek for heavenly things and are pleasing to God through Christ Now as gold excels so Prayers from a pure heart Let the viol of our hearts be pure and the Prayers of thy People be as sweet odours in thy sight O Lord. Vers 9. And they sung a new Song A most excellent Song containing the new benefits of Christ They both Churches see the consent of both Covenants Know by the way the Prayers carried by the Elders in vials were their own Prayers only Saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof excluding worth from any other the worth is the preciousnesse of his blood which we should well consider For thou wert slaine Christ by his death hath merited for others and he only can give salvation Vers 10. Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood c. Here the Church applies the price of our redemption to her self with the effects For he hath made them Kings and Priests of which already And we shall reign on earth not only mortifying our earthly desires and trampling them under feet but also as Christ our head doth raigne here not by a secular power for his Kingdome is not of this world and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal for the head reigning the members reign but this we understand not of an earthly but spiritual dominion Vers 11. And round about the throne The Angels whose number is even infinite only known to God joyne with the Church triumphant of which they are members in the praising Christ who though they had not a redeemer as man yet had benefit by Christs death See Col. 1.20 compared with 16. praise him for mans redemption and perchance their own gathering together Eph. 1.10 is thought on Vers 12. Saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb. c. These Angels with Songs set forth seven divine Titles of the Lamb yet his ubiquity as Pareus notes is not mentioned To receive power because he is omnipotent And riches because in him are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge And wisedome being the eternal wisedome of the father And strength because he hath overcome the world and Satan And glory because he raigneth gloriously And blessing he is worthy of blessing in whom we are all blest Vers 13. And every creature which is in heaven all the creatures nay divel and all do in some sort set forth the praises of God Now here is another argument of Christs deity since all the creatures worship him with religious worship Vers 14. And the foure beasts said Amen here the Beasts and Elders manifest their joy and consent to the praises of Christ sung by the Angels to speak to capacity by saying Amen that is so be it and the Elders by worshipping Christ who liveth for ever and ever What joy and companions in praise what holy members hath the Church triumphant in heaven that t is even heaven to us below to think of it CHAP. VI. J. Act of the second Vision Vers 1. And I saw when the Lambe opened one of the Seals c. NOw the book begins to be opened for Christ now reveals unto John the Councels of God which were yet hidden and shut he shewed to John in types which he made him understand but he shews us the types only concealing the mysteries that we might exercise
our selves in the diligent observation of things both from histories and events One of the foure beasts saying come and see the beasts it seems performed the office of publike Cryers whose work it is to call Persons neerer the Throne of Judgement-seat they in order call Iohn who stood afarre off either for reverence or that he might more certainly write down what he saw As the voice of thunder The first beast was like a Lyon who now called to Iohn to come and see requiring hereby great Attention and hence this Lyon-like voice as of thunder Vers 2. And I saw and behold a white horse to wit went out of the book or seale for indeed as all the mysteries were in the book so upon opening it they came out that is were expounded to Iohn now if the book were so great to contain a horse and man how great was he that held the book how great he that opened it how great were the mysteries and events The white horse denotes the Purity of the Primitive Church compared to that warlike creature an horse because the Church militant should fight against the world flesh and divel The rider is Christ who was swiftly carried on in the Ministry of the Apostles and other faithful Teachers in the first times Thus Paul bare his name before the Gentiles the Bowe is the Word by which he wounds the hearts of the Elect that he may heale and restore them to life the Crown notes his Regal Crown of triumph because he goes forth conquering by his death he conquered sinne by his resurrection death hell Satan and the world and tyrants Iulian the Apostate confessed so much in his blasphemous speech thou hast overcome O Galilaean he conquers hereticks he conquers converting sinners many ways he conquers which for brevity sake I omit Christ in one respect opens the book in another comes forth conquering the first as the chief Prophet God-man the last as God and King Vers 3. And when he had opened the second Seale behold a red horse John is called to see the future condition of the Church under persecution behold t is blood-red under many tyrants t is the same Church though called another because of its differing colour the rider I take to be Christ not Satan who is with his People in all misery He came not to send peace on the earth but a sword and fire yet by accident not in himself because of the malice of Tyrants and Hereticks opposing truth Vers 4. And that they should kill one another Hereticks under a colour and pretence of Christ persecute and kill the servants of Christ learn hence the divel can do no more then Christ will suffer for our good to wit the exercise of faith Christ suffers tyrants to afflict his Saints Vers 5. Loe a black horse and he that sate on him had a paire of ballances in his hand To wit the Church in her afflicted condition by wicked hereticks who cloud the light of the truth with their black heresies and bring in a deformity upon the Church who was formerly white I omit the names of the Hereticks who in the age following the Apostles till the time of Greg. the first though they professed themselves Christians overthrew Christianity after also the faith of Christ was oppressed and way made for Antichrist who shortly after came into the Temple of God when Boniface the third obtained the primacy over all Churches from Phocas the usurper Thus the white horse became black yet Christ rides on it with the ballance of holy Scripture in his hands Rides For the worst and grossest Heretick professeth Christ 2. By his providence rules them for in greatest confusion of heresies he is not wanting to his Church as they came not unawares but for the tryall of his Church so they are continually examined and confuted by the ballance of his word he so ordering it for a ballance is the tryall of just or unjust weights so Scripture is a true touchstone to try gold and brasse Vers 6. And I heard a voyce in the midst of the 4. beasts c 'T was the Lambs voyce in the midst of the Throne and foure beasts Chap. 5.6 proclaiming a famine of the Gospel for through the ambition Luxury covetousnesse and negligence of Bishops the Gospel should be so corrupted and by Here ticks so adulterated that nothing should be pure and sound by wheat in this place sincere teachers are meant who should be rare by barley the comforts of the Gospel which should be scarce though some understand a plenty hereby since a measure of wheat and three measures of barley should be sold for a penny a measure containted a quart being a mans allowance for a day a penny was neer 7 pence with us if so then Christ in the midst of all heresies had truth * The penny was wages for the day as Mat 20.13 now a measure being as much as a man could cat in a day was to be had for the penny or dayes labour enough for his people See thou hurt not the Oyle and the Wine By Wine and Olye some understand the Orthodox faith which should not be totally obscured by heretical blacknesse Now as Wine Cherishes and Oyle clenses so sound doctrine doth glad and cleanse the conscience Alcasar applies Oyle to the light and true knowledge of happinesse and wine to spirituall joy which the Lambs voice promiseth the Elect shall not be deprived of notwithstanding the dearth of truth by the darknesse of heresie Which happened partly when the whole world groaned under Arrianisme Vers 7 8. And I looked and behold a pale horse c. This fourth beast having the for me of a flying Eagle with quick fighted eyes having spied something as it were on high cals to John for I beleeve hereby may be signifyed these plagues coming from above to revenge the injuries done to the Saints and to punish the impenitent This pale horse is the same Church of Christ in the succeeding age though of another colour Pale because it is infirme weak sickly neer unto death and hell it by accident was occasioned by Constantines excessive bounty to the Church for then Pastors began to be proud luxurious idle and fertile in vices Jerome complained in his time that after Princes became Christians the Church indeed was greater in power and riches but lesse in vertue the remote cause was the guile and malice of that old serpent the devil Also now Bishops by infinite ceremonies and human traditions increased the pale disease Nay Monks whose at first solitary hard life wrought much upon the people increased this palenesse for people that desired pardon for sin were sent to the Monks dennes not to Christ whereby this mortall wound came upon the Church drawing more to hell then either the blacknes of heresies or sword of tyrants though this might seeme rather to be expressed under the notion of the darkning the Sun and rolling up the heaven then by
untimely figs fall to the earth or earthly and worldly affaires by Antichrist or the Popes mighty wind or threatnings as excommunication or the like Vers 14. The heaven departed as a scrowle when it is rolled together The light to wit departed alluding to the old custome of rolling up their books not binding as now so being shut they could not be read but enough to be expound this place either the true Church of Christ shall be hid in the time of Antichrist or the light of the Scripture shall be darkned and it forbidden to be read or in summe shall be shut up And every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places That is Kings for as mountains are higher then the rest of the earth so Kings are above other People Kings are interpreted mountains Rev. 17.9 10. The Empire of Rome is the mountain chap 8. ver 8 the Persian Kingdome is a mountain before Zerubbabel Zach. 4.7 the mountains or Empires were moved by Antichrist Ecclesiastically when Kings and Emperours were made to kisse his feet Civilly when deposed by him and some trampled under foot witnesse Alexander the third trampling on Frederick the first many of the like nature I omit and of his boasting himselfe above Councels Islands were moved As waters note People chap. 17 15. so Islands are nations and subjects of Princes now necessitated upon pain of salvation to be subject to the Romish Bishop Act. 4. Vision second Vers 15. And the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rirh men and the mighty men c. This Act consists of joy here being treated of the final punishment of the wicked in the general at the last day here the servants of Antichrist of all sorts who have been instruments of his advancement and tyranny over the Saints or who have drawn their swords for him against them by reason of Antichrist are brought to miserable destruction and desire to hide at the last day from the sight of the Lamb who formerly made the poore servants of God thus hide in dens and caves Now what shall become of the series of Antichrists if their instruments be thus punished if the serpent be cursed woe to the divel himself The wrath of the Lambe Christ is never said to have wrath until now Here is the judgement of the last day treated of when Christ the Lamb shall poure forth his wrath upon the wicked Go yee cursed Now this proves Christs divine nature for Antichrist sure and his adherents shall be afraid of none else but God Vers 17. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand To wit the day of judgement here is the reason of the wickeds horrour because of the day of judgement because of their evil conscience against God Christ and the spouse of the Lamb to wit the Church Thus the wicked shall not stand in judgement CHAP. VII Act. 4. Vision second Vers 1. I saw foure Angels standing on the foure corners of the earth holding c. THese Angels were the wicked instruments of Satan and Antichrist who by fire and sword did endeavour to hinder the preaching of the Gospel whether Kings Emperours Cardinals Bishops Jesuites Fryars or the like Now as good teachers are the Angels as ch 1.20 so bad instruments as those Ministers of Antichrist are understood by those Angels here Foure Alluding to the foure corners of the earth Now by foure corners of the earth all the earth is understood so by foure Angels many instruments of Antichrist are to be understood in many parts of the earth by wind the Gospel is understood by which the spirit is conveyed to the hearts of men the wind bloweth whether it listeth to blow the wind is to sound forth the Gospel to hinder the blowing of the wind is to hinder the preaching of the Gospel the wind cherishes keeps the aire from corrupting by its means the trees bud together with the Sunne t is piercing and vehement the Gospel comforts sanctifies by conveying the spirit is the incorruptible seed by which we are regenerated Now certainly those Angels were wicked ones for Christ in the following words says to them Hurt not those that blowed were such teachers as preached Christ sincerely even for many hundred years ago as John Scotus my * In my native Countrey Ireland there is a noted place called Down where Scotus taught School called from thence Scotus dunensis or Duns by Contraction yet other places challeng right to Scotus his birth Country-man as is beleeved Bereagarius Bernard Hierome of Prague who strongly have blown by their Sermons and Writings against the idol of the Masse and transubstantiation and here I might bring in Luther and Melancthon with others who began to blow the Gospel of Christ By Earth Sea Trees I understand particular Churches either in midland wooddy hilly countreys or near sea-coasts as Islands not the faithful particularly because Christ forbids these Churches to be hurt till the faithful in them were sealed Now the Bishops Cardinals and the like who have their Colledges and Fraternities fixed or standings upon the earth forbid these teachers by their edicts excommunications persecutions forbidding the reading of Scripture here note two things 1. Christ hath Preachers of truth in the midst of Antichrists Kingdome 2. The way Antichrist had to set up his kingdome was by hindring the preaching of the Gospel Vers 2. And I saw another Angel ascending from the East This is Christ who came from the East from an high from heaven though born at Hierusalem He hath the broad seale of heaven with him by seale I understand that of Election as 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God stands sure having this Seale he knows who are his Now in Christ we are all sealed or chosen before the foundation of the world allusion is had to Ezech. 9. Christ sealing here is justifying regenerating giving his the Seale that is the assurance of Election Now though all the members of these Churches were not Elected yet were they seperated from the hurt of Antichrist Aloud voice This notes the power of Christ above Anti-christ Till This notes Christs care of his people forbidding the hurting of the Churches till his Saints were called home lest they might be promiscuously wrapt in the danger of seducement but afterwards they might hurt them Vers 3. Till we have sealed the servants of God c. Meaning his Ministers with him not the Angels before mentioned which hinder the blowing of the wind In their foreheads alluding unto Ezech. 9.4 but the Seale here is internal imprinted in the elect by Gods eternal purpose together by sealing them in vocation justification sanctification invocation on the name of God hating Antichrist and Idolatry so that one may run and read whose servants they are as plaine as if it were written in their foreheads hence observe twelve things flowing from these three verses 1. Antichrist hates the truth of the Gospel for
or the Gospel which Christ held open ver 2. in all the time of the hereticks tyrants and the kingdome of the locusts that within the Revelation This eating the book is a Preparation to the act of the two witnesses fighting with Antichrist of which in ch 11. which in some sort is acting in this age Hence observe that the open book doth manifestly set forth the mysteries of God not the canons or traditions of Papists Vers 9. And eat it up c. So John did however in the vision to eat it is to read preach meditate digest so all ministers should be devourers of books understand them before they preach Christ bids Iohn eat the book and then prophecy We must not then presumptuously relie upon the extraordinary revelation of the spirit without reading Vers 10. And I took the little book c. 'T was foretold Iohn it should be in his belly bitter yet he readily takes the book So the bitternesse of the events should not dishearten us from preaching now the word in it selfe is most sweet comfortable bringing peace but in the event it brings by accident bitternesse gripings hating the world fighting with sinne nay and persecutions banishments martyrdomes This bitternesse to follow in the third act of this vision is foretold Iohn that he might not be thereby troubled being already an exile Vers 11. And he said to me thou must prophesie againe c. The true pteaching of the Gospel was destroyed by Antichrist but now to be renewed purged from the dregs of Antichrist And the locusts reformed meant by Iohns prophesying again Thou must prophecie hence I beleeve John was restored in time and performed his office ministring to the Churches but this proves not that Iohn is alive and reserved to preach towards the end of the world for Iohns prophesying again did not so much concern himself as other witnesses to be raised up to reform religion as he tels us in chap. 11. for since the seven thunders wrought little on the enemy Christ raises up his two Witnesses as defenders and maintainers of his truth CHAP. XI Act. 3. 4. Vision 3. Vers 1. And there was given me a rod like a reed HEre Reformation is treated of This rod was a measuring staste such as builders use to mete ground with when about building to which the reed was like Of this rod see Ezech. 40.5 by it is meant the Word of God by which the Temple that is the Church of Christ was to be reformed and t is the very little book of which before Now the Word as a rod chastiseth sinners and reforms them Here observe that the Temple or Church was ruined and wasted then observe that the visible Church could erre since it wanted this reed Lastly observe the Word is the best means and rule for Reformation And the Altar The Altar is Christ as is said now Christ needed to be reformed how because under the pretence of the name of Christ he was thrown out of doors and the true doctrine of Christ as the Sun was darkned before Now by the Altar the whole worship of Christ is to be understood which by the corruption of hereticks and Antichrist needed measuring rebuilding or reformation And them that worship therein meaning the true worshippers of God in the midst of Antichristian defilements now to measure them is to sever them as chosen members or to seale them as t is said of them ch 7. for these are the very sealed ones Therein Though none but the chief Priest worshipped in the Temple other worshippers stood in the Court yet here the true worshippers because of their coming near to Christ are said to worship in the Temple being indeed the very Temple of the holy spirit Concerning the Temple Altar and Courts to which here is a plain reference see 1 Kings 6. and Ezek. 40. where the Temple is described Vers 2. The Court which is within cast forth and measure it not The inner Court in the time of the Law was holy and for the Priests and sacrifice the outward was common and therefore not to be cast out now the Masle-priests have an inner room hallowed in allusion to the old in the law into which the common People are not to come Iohn must not mete this Court but cast forth certainly by the Court the People are meant So those seemingly holy Priests of Rome are not to be measured or reformed but to be declared as cast out by the word as none of the Church For 't is given to the Gentiles Antichrist and his ministers are Gentiles to whom the inner Courts are given to possesse and pollute Thus those seemingly holy Priests are Antichrists servants nay are Gentiles being as idolatrous almost as they worshipping images and are cast out in the sight of God and counted as heathens though they colour and cover their idolatry It is given God hath given this inner Court of Priests to Gentilisme and Idolatry by a just judgement And the Holy City shall they tread underfoot fourty two moneths Ierusalem who should have been holy and was by the Jews esteemed so was a type of the Christian Church which was by the Romanes burnt and destroyed which nation now again under Antichrist was to tread under foot Christs Church Nay thus the man of sin in particular hath exalted himself to be the Temple of God trampling under foot the Church of Rome making himself king of it Fourty and two moneths God be thanked 't will not last always Doubtlesse by fourty two moneths a shorter time then to the end of the world is meant else what needed the limitation at all yet I confesse Antichrist after Romes burning of which chap. 18. shall survive and not be fully destroyed nor his false Church till Christs coming for he must destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes 2.9 11. yet his tyrannizing shall end before that indeed if I may be allowed my judgement I conceive the fourty two moneths shall expire when Rome shall be litterally burnt which we expect daily Though I confesse to the praise of God be it spoken Antichrist hath in a great measure ceased to tread underfoot the holy City or Church in England Scotland Ireland France Germany Sweethland long since and perchance can't last but to the firing of Rome which if wise men conjecture aright will be 216 years hence Doubtlesse here is a definite number of moneths laid down for an indefinite certain to God but unknown to us Learned men resolve the fourty two moneths into years each moneth containing thirty years and the whole to arise to 1260 years begin then at the time when the Gentiles began to trample underfoot the Church or holy city which was when Boniface usurped the chayre An. 606. from what time to this the Romane Antichrist and his Gentiles have trodden underfoot the Church or holy City the space of 1044 years this being the yeare of our Lord 1650. So there remains 216
ages as Luther have thus spiritually undone and devoured poperie and the beast severall Kingdomes of late in some measure being enlightened and Antichrist there destroyed by the witnesses and faithfull Ministers of Christ notwithstanding all the plots armes threatnings of the Adversaries So then as the witnesses have as it were weapons so they are not carnall but spirituall Vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not c. Alluding to the Ministery of Elias 1 King 17.1 this is not to be taken literally for then there should be no rain during Antichrists kingdom which according to the letter is false Spiritually the witnesses by the power of the keyes shut heaven so that the raine of grace doth not mollifie the hearts of opposers and contemners either the spirituall rain of the Cospel comes not to them or works not upon they trusting in merits pilgrimages masses thus the word hardens accidentally though it soften the heart of the Elect. Here also may be thought on the imprecations of the Saints against the utter enemies of the Church as Antichrist which with God is of great force They have power over waters to turne them into blood c. Alluding to Moses and Aaron turning the waters of Egypt into blood So when the spirituall Pharaoh of Rome kept the Church in spirituall bondage God raised up witnesses as Mofes and Aaron to gain home his people but upon Antichrists refusall the witnesses by their sighes teares prayers procured great famines pestilences which have been common upon the adversaries for the contempt of the word thus also the witnesses spiritually smite the earth with plagues Where observe the reason and cause of great punishment by famine plague war was contempt of the word and witnesses thus the word and witnesses accidentally bring miseries Vers 7. Moreover when they have finished their testimonie c. The preaching of the Gospel is called a prophecy and a testimony of Christ and the Truth Which when the witnesses shall have finished for before Antichrist shall not overcome them and then only them not their testimony for the Gospel cannot perish the beast arising out of the bottomlesse pit out of which the locusts came chap. 9. v. 3. and Antichrist or the Pope too shall make war with them and kill them the war here is by disputations in behalfe of Antichrists Sermons branding the witnesses as hereticks seducers by councels condemning the witnesses by excommunications and buls cursing and casting them out by force by fire and faggot and the like not by the word of truth for so the witnesses shall kill Antichrist and the Locusts or the goodnesse of the cause Thus Jerom of Prague was overcome and Wickcliffes bones were taken up and burnt so was John Husse destroyed after he had prophecyed even literally 42 moneths for from the first time he began to maintain Wickcliffes opinions being Anno. 1412. to his martyrdom were precisely say his friends 1260 dayes or two and forty moneths Now though some famous witnesses were put to death suddenly after their finishing their testimonie and so the beasts treading down the holy city to be a time larger then that of the witnesses whereas the text gives both the same space of 42. moneths or 1260. dayes remember that the two witnesses in their successours revived and prophecyed again vers 11. So God has not lest himself without a witnesse to this houre nor will not till the Peast ceaseth to tread under foot the holy city or give over tyrannising at least Vers 8. And their dend bodies shall lye in the street of the great city c. This must not be quite taken literally for the bodies of the witnesses were burnt and needed no buriall but as the Church of Rome is the great city consisting of many Kingdomes and is spiritually called Sodom because of her uncleannesse among the Clergie and other sins and as Rome is spiritually called Egypt in respect of the spirituall slavery she keeps the people as Egypt did Israel and in respect of the thousands of Idols of Rome like that most Idolatrous Egypt and as Rome spiritually crucified Christ not because Pilate a Roman and the souldiers did it though that is somewhat but because Christ is recrucified at Rome and in the Idol of the Masse where they of Rome say they crucifie him daily as being say they bodily present but especially because she spiritually crucifies Christ in his members and is as wretched and as ready to do it as Ierusalem that literally did it So spiritually their carcases lie unburied that is their names are cursed and exposed to shame their books burnt condemned and not suffered to be bought their friends abused and their very houses made jakes Thus the great city or Church of Rome is in respect of her Idolatry tyranny over the people darknesse in the matters of saving faith obstinacy in matters of obedience to the witnesses and word contempt of God and his messengers and judgements notwithstanding the pure water of life is become puddle to them and other judgments meant by the waters turned into blood called spiritually or allegorically Egypt Vers 9. And they of the People tongues shall see their dead bodies c. To wit all those that adhered to Antichrist should applaud their King Abaddon and see with joy the dead bodies of the Saints cast forth as dung into the street in the fore quoted sense Three days and an half If the Popish Councel of Constance where many of several nations met be the kinâ—ed and people that rejoyced over the witnesses as our Iohn Fox thinks then by three days and an half may be understood three years and an half for so long that Councell sate Now days sometimes signifie years as Ezek. 4.6 each day for a year However the witnesses shall be exposed to reproach but for a short time this is for the comfort of the Saints and in the first place for Iohn that he might not be troubled Ver. 10. And the inhabitants of the earth shall rejoyce over them c Meaning those servants of Antichrist called inhabitants of the earth as having nothing to do with Heaven 'T is bad to do ill worse to rejoyce in it Now behold 't is come to passe in a strange manner that men in killing them shal tink they do God service 'T is said during the Antichristian councell of Constance publick shows and feasts were kept at the burning of Martyrs And the Romish locusts when they condemne a Saint to the fire use to feast gratulate each other and send presents one to another Well Lazarus saw Dives in hell in torment in the Parable The reason follows Because these two Prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth The word Prophet here is taken in a large sense sometimes in Scripture to prophecy is to interpret here 't is to preach c. Here remember what Ahab said to Elijah thou troublest Israel when he was the troubler of Israel Indeed the little book
brethren for so much the Greek word signifies Satan because an adversary and hater of mankind Lastly he is called the Seducer of the whole earth c. for he hath deceived mankind generally now this shews the greatnesse of the benefit obtained by the victory since such an enemy and his Angels whereof Baalzebub is Prince should be spoyled signified by his being cast out of heaven in the Vision How Christ by his birth and death spoyled Satan see farther my quoted book p 48. Vers 10. And I heard a great voice in heaven c. Here follows the Song of the Church The great voice notes the multitude of rejoycers and the greatnes of their joy The cause because the accuser is cast out neither our sin ill conscience the law nor Satan can cast those out of favour who are in Christ Jesus I mean their former sinne and ill conscience of which 1 John 3.20 If our heart condemne us God is greater then our heart and knows all things if we can truly say we love the brethren to wit as the preceding verses speak Now concerning Satans accusing see Iob 1. from vers 7. forward These things being easie to ver 13 I passe them for brevity sake with these notes 1. The heavenly host call us brethren the accuser of our brethren a great dignity 2. They rejoyce because we shall not be accused see their love to us for Satans accusation could not hurt them but us who have not finished our warfare but now by Christs victory there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. Of which very largely see my Glimpse of Christs love pag. 60 67. Where the particulars life death are examined 3. Christ manifested his love power salvation when he drew us as a lost prey out of the Dragons jaws Of which see the quoted book everywhere 4. Though Satan cannot prevail with God by his accusation yet he stirs up many adversaries in the world against us therefore we should walk very carefully for Satan is not dead though overcome 5. The blood of Christ is the cause or means of our victory by the blood of the Lamb they overcome the Lamb and Michael you see are the same by whose death passion resurrection the victory is obtained 6. Since Satan cannot prevail with God but is cast out of heaven and the Church hee 'l domineer the more over the nations the inhabitants of the earth by making them idolatrous and bringing woes and miseries on them Wo to the inhabiters of the earth 7. Satans greatest malice is against the manchild the Church and Saints whose happinesse he envies but hee 'l play at smal game rather then sit out disturb the earth rather then do no hurt This Prophecy concerns the times of Antichrists rising Anno Dom. 606. and after when Satan by Antichrist and his Locusts troubled sea and land Priests and people of Antichrists Church known by the name of Inhabitants of the earth Vers 13 And when the Dragon saw he was cast unto the earth he persecuted the woman c Here the persecuting of the woman is renewed by the Dragon notwithstanding the Church had got Constantine the Emperour that man-child in some sense to profect her for his excessive bounty to the Church did much hurt as I noted chap. 6. v. 7 8. about the pale horse by which meanes the venome of Pride Ambition Coveteousnesse Luxury was breathed into the Clergy which ministred occasion of new persecution Now also Arrrius whose name is enough to tell the misery of that age most beyond thought vexed the Church here the Dragon persecuted the woman for oft times the Emperours were Arrians Vers 14. And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle c. The Church after her many battles with hereticks and Tyrants obtained Constantine to defend her but by means of that peace brought to the Church by Constantine many sins reigned in the Clergy and the Church then began to take her flight into the Wildernesse by that time Antichrist arose she was gotten thither Anno 606. for her flight was long therefore she is said to have Eagles wings which Fowle flies longest and strongest So that Church which formerly was the woman cloathed with Christ having as it were a Crown of Apostolical faith to adorne her is now fled into the Wildernesse by it we are not to conceive any local flight as into Arabia deserta or the like But the wildernesse here is opposed to heaven now when the woman cast off the graces of Christ and his robes wherewith she was clad and put on the whorish attire she so altered her visage that she seemed not the same thus she became invisible more and more true there were many that feared God in every Age but they as the Church in Elias time were contemned and invisible or unknown rather keeping private in Families then publike in Congregations Now as we say in our proverbial speech of any thing that is confused or unweeded or overgrown as a neglected garden it is a meere wildernesse so the Church by reason of her spiritual confusion is said to be a wildernesse though formerly a chaste Virgin Note the Popish Church hath ever been visible and flowrishing but not this woman therefore that Church is not this woman for she became by little and little to live as those seven thousand in Israel in the time of Idolatry private and retired hating the whore and her poluted Garments Doctrine Worship and wayes though she were perchance in the literal or local Rome or that spiritual Wildernesse Eagles wings Note the power of her deliverance for they have strong wings not as a small bird By wings then I understand not so much the two Testaments by which she preserved her selfe but an allusion to that foule who by her strong wings flies far and strongly out of danger so the Church by faith flies toward heaven or out of danger into some private retiring place like Elijahs where she is to be spiritually fed as he was literally A time and times and halfe a time So Antichrist shall triumph not for ever yet not a very small time neither but a time yea and times known to God not to us I conceive as my Paraeus by this time the same space is noted as formerly to wit of 1260. yeares which time is given to the reigne of Antichrist So this Antichristian Church of Rome succeeded in the roome of this chaste woman who was fled into the wildernesse or gotten out of sight by that time he arose and abode and is to abide there till Antichrist leaves off treading down the holy City God be thanked she hath been in some measure visible a good while and Antichrists daies are partly expired when their date is quite out we doubtlesse shall see the woman much more glorious and visible for the time of Antichrist reigning is her hiding and as he decreases she increases Thus we have heard of Romes corruption
perswade the wonderers so in some sense you see the Images have life as Bell and the Dragon had they applying that to the Image which is in the party represented in some sense And cause that as many as will not worship the Image be slaine This the Pope or Antichrist causeth Babylons Law is universally to be observed by all Romanists Whosoever will not fall down and worship the Image let him Dan 3.5 6. Constantine the Pope caused John the Emperour of the Easts Generall to be slaine and his Master the Emperour to be deposed because of this viz. refusing and prohibiting the Image of the Beast to be worshipped Vers 16. And he causeth all to receive a marke in their right hand or in their fore-heads Christ sealed his as is said ch 7. now Antichrist imitates the marke is nothing but the confession and acknowledgment of the beast In the right hand Meaning by oath for lifting up the hand is meant or swearing to obey the Pope and openly professe his worship meant by having the mark or character in their fore-head as chap. 7. I have noted The laity adore the beast and worship the image but there is a most strict tye of oathes and vowes laid upon the Clergy Vers 17. And that none might buy and sell but he that has the character of the beast c. This is to be understood of a spirituall traffique Now the Priests Jesuits and Bishops sworne vassals of Antichrist are the only merchants to trade in the sea of Rome None else may preach sell the wares of Masses absolutions for it is a mony matter Yet literally Martin the fifth in a Bull commanded not so much as any commerce to be had with any that professed not themselves servants to the Romish Church that is that had not the badge or mark of the beast Vers 18. Here is wisedome let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for 't is the number of a man The character differs from the number of the beast the former cheifly belongs to the Clergy by Oathes and speciall Vowes the latter is more generall to all the laity to acknowledge the Kingdom and Religion of Antichrist for the character seems to look at the spirituall merchants specially the holy Ghost propounds it as easie to find out this name being but the number of a man or for a man to reckon then the finding it out is commended for wisedom to stirre up people to reckon and search to find it Now if John received the Revelation in Hebrew then the number must be in Hebrew and this fits in  ש ו × ×– × ×¨ Romanus a Romane 666. 300. 6. 50. 70. 40. 200.  For the beasts seate is Rome of which more in its place Put Iohn writ in Greek See then the word λ α Ï„ ε ι ν ο Ï‚  30. 1. 300. 5. 10. 50. 70. 200. 666. The former our Iohn Fox found out Ireneus 1400 years ago the latter But since the Latine tongue was known much in Iohns time perchance the Spirit might shew it to Iohn in that tongue of which they so boast and have their prayers mâ—sses in it Now the Pope commonly ascribes this name to himselfe v i c a r i u s  g e n e r a l i s  D e i  i n  t e r r i s. 5. 1. 100.   1. 5.         50. 1.   600.  1.  1.       1.  Christs Vicar generall in earth 666. The numerall letters of these names make up 666. I have examined the Papists objections against Luthers name out of Pareus but find their objections nothing to the purpose This name and the Popes practice according to every passage in this book concerning him shew him to be Antichrist that sits pretended head of the Church CHAP. XIV Act 3. continued Vers 1. And I looked and loe a Lamb stood on Mount Sion .. CHIRST is the Lamb who stands as a watchman looking to the Churches safety Mount Sion is the Church which cannot be quite removed but stands fast for ever for the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it the Mount is high so the Church is advanced many ways The 144000. are the sealed ones chap. 7. Now Christ appears after the cruell beast to shew he had not nor should devour all Christ had a Church of sealed ones though the woman were as it were quite fled Thus Christ as in the time of Elias has his people before Luther on mount Sion 144000. This standing on mount Sion belongs to all the time from Antichrist or the beasts rising Thus the latter part of the Act is comfort against the womans flight and the beasts arising Having his Fathers name written in their fore heads His to wit the Lambs Now as the beasts followers had their character so Christ's have theirs openly professing true Religion and separating from Idolatry Vers 2. And I heard a voice from heaven As chap. 7. v. 9. where a multitude clothed in white robs sing praises to God so now the harpers some of the same company As the voice of many waters That is of many Nations Ch. 17.15 the waters are Nations Tongues People who being redeemed by Christ sing praises to him not as if these were the very Nations or waters over whom the whore sitteth of whose salvation I doubt As it were the voice of thunder Denoting the vehemency of the joy and praises of the blessed compared to thunder And harpers c. Where note here is mention made of two companies these are a company of martyrs and professours who dyed before Antichrists arising and sing before the other company Vers 3. Singing as it were a new song To praise God I perceive is great part of the joy of the heavenly inhabitants a new song is an excellent song See chap. 5.9 expounded Note that the 144000. are the remnant of the womans seed mentioned Chap. 12. who were to make war with the beast Chap. 13. who were not as yet received into glory for here some things are spoken of them as if they were yet on earth to wit their docibility Before the throne and before the four beasts and the Elders Then observe this voyce was in heaven the voyce of the Church triumphant though distinct from the Elders and beasts they being the faithfull of the Jewish Church and of the Primitive Beleevers as is observed already these sing before the beasts and Elders who were in blisse before them Note the hundred forty thousand are said to stand upon mount Sion but when Antichrist arose or thereabout And no man could learn that song but the one hundred forty and four thousand which were brought from the earth Learning belongs to this life not to heaven Note the sealed ones are docible the adopted are taught of God they know only the mysteries of God or the harpers song The
thing remarkable from henceforth blessed are the dead to wit since Reformation by the three Angels for now purgatory-lyes are confounded and men are taught to be presently happy after death and are taught justifying faith which brings comfort at death now men are taught works follow the workers to heaven not to justifie or save absolutely yet they follow for Christ out of mercy and promises annext to good works will reward them with glory This white cloud signifies Christs divine Majesty for God because of his heavenly power is often in the Psalmes said to ride on the clouds But here Christ comes according to his promise Math 26.64 upon the clouds to judge the world the clouds being his throne Thus comes in Act fourth containing comforts for the godly shewing the joyfull change of the Churches afflictions at the day of judgment Having a crown of gold upon his head c. This notes Christs Kingly Majesty As the sharp reapers sickle in his hand notes his judging and destroying the ungodly as it were mowing them down at the last day for the sickle is to reap the ungodly Vers 15. And another Angel came out of the temple Noting the desire of Angels and Saints at the last day to see the destruction of the wicked Which Angel John in the Vision saw coming out of the temple viz. heaven Thrust in thy sickle and reap Judging is the office of Christ yet the Saints and Angels shall come with Christ to waite on him and approve his righteous sentence Thrust Desiring Christ not commanding to do his office Because the time is come c. To wit the time prefixed in the counsell of God to judge the world which the Angels and Saints noted by the Angel coming out of heaven knew because they saw Christ on the clouds as on a throne and the signes of the last day fulfilling and fulfilled To reap To gather the good into heaven the barne the tares in bundles for the fire The harvest is ripe The measure of the Churches miseries and the sins of the wicked was full And he that late on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth c Thus Christ fulfills the desire of the Saints and reaps the earth saying come ye blessed go ye cursed thus the harvest is the end of the world Matth. 13. The reapers are the Angels yet Christ is said to do what they do because they act by Christs authority Vers 17. And another Angel came out of the temple which is in heaven c. Heaven Noting how Angels shall be reapers and gatherers of the vintage the wicked Yet perchance Christ is here meant to whom power of the sickle or judging is only committed Note all over this book severall persons come in acting as in some Comedy Vers 18. And another Angel came out from the Altar which had power over fire c. In the Vision that is out of heaven from God Yet Christ is the Altar from whom and by whose power the Angels act at the last day This Angel so all the Saints as is noted Chap. 6.10 cry how long hastens the judge who is not slack to reap the earth and gather the sowre wild grapes thereof meaning the wicked for the good grapes in Scripture and the vine are taken in a good sence but the grapes of the earth as the graps of Gomorrah in a bad sense But why doth the Angel who has power over fire demand this Answ Because God by the Angels will cast the wicked or grapes into hell fire now the Angels have power over fire thus to wit by Christs command to burne the grapes tares wicked Also perchance over particular elements Vers 19. And the Angel thrust in his sickle and cast the Vine of the earth into the great Wine-presse To wit into hell For as clusters are trodden in the wine-presse so the reprobates in the lake of hell Vers 20. And the Wine-presse was broken which was without the City To wit Heaven of which City in ' its place chap. 22.15 And blood came out of the Wine-presse Alluding to the blood of the grape called so in Scripture Noting the bloody that is horrible punishments to befal the wicked in hel that spiritual winepresse Vnto the horses bridles c Innumerable multitudes of clusters are to be pressed of all the wicked from the Creation which however shall be quickly done that in the Vision the blood flowed a thousand six hundred furlongs each furlong being a hundred twenty five paces able to make a sea of blood Now Christ uses no horses but the blood in the Vision so streamed out as it would have run a great many miles for length understood by furlongs and reached the bridles of horses for depth had there been any Perchance alluding to Conquerours who after a battel ride up in the blood of the slain to view the enemy Thus the Antichristian Tyrants rode to see the Martyrs die Thus Christ triumphs over them CHAP. XV Vision 5. being but a Preparation to the Vision Vers 1. I saw another signe JOhn was informed by many signes or visions one expounding another The acts of which bring at last ever either joy to the Saints after sorrow by shewing heaven Angels Martyrs and their blisse and protection or destruction of the adversary To this purpose the Reader may see this book speak In heaven So John saw them in heaven which were to be performed on earth on the Antichristian Church Great shadowing out great things Admirable shadowing forth the admirable judgements of God Seven Angels meaning a perfect company these note ministers in the Church by whom God in some sense poures forth his wrath as in some sense he did by the witnesses chap. 11. Having the seven plagues Of which see ver 7. Last plagues because to be poured out in the last age when Popery declined much Filled up The Plagues are to continue in the several Angels till the judgement day when the Arch-angel shall sound and the wicked have the full wrath of God on them for ever Vers 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glasse mingled with fire c. A sea of glasse as ch 4.6 the word is noted brittle as glasse troublesome as the sea full of fiery persecutions afflictions contentions in which the Saints are involved Of glasse again because all the actions of men there are apparent before God the throne But behold many Harpers praising God for his judgements or seven vials to be poured out justly on the wicked behold a company standing as Conquerors by faith on the sea or world They overcame the Beast his images mark of subjection or obedience and the number of his name of all which already chap. 13. Here note the beast is in the singular number therefore but one though of two formes chap. 13. Observe many Saints had obtained victory over Antichrist already the seven vials not being poured out which would not be suddainly finished when pouring out therefore
had more when Antichrist was at the highest Vers 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast c. Meaning ten Kings of the West of which already shall hate the whore when God shall put it into their hearts The occasion of these horns of the Beasts hating the Beast and Whore was the Lambs victory convincing them of the truth God be thanked all kingdomes Spain and Italy excepted more or lesse hate the whore and oppose Idolatry Shall make her desolate By leaving the great City and with their Kingdomes and Dominions turn to Christ And make her naked Detect her abominations by confession writing and keeping back her gold riches pearle c. that should adorn her And shall eat her flesh Her flesh here is her annuities riches rents possessions wherewith she was fatted which they shall imploy upon their own territories Churches and several better uses And shall burn her with fire Rome to wit the nest of Antichrist and whorish Seat So that the Pope shall flie to some of the Kings of the earth for shelter as the Spaniard perchance who may be called one of the Kings of the earth contradistinct to the Kings of the East and may joyn with the other named Kings of the earth to his destruction now Antichrist is not thus to be quite ruined though his Palace be but in the succession of Popes shall live some where or other till Christs coming to judgement 2 Thes 2.8 whose brightnesse shall destroy him and the remaining Kings of the earth Vers 17. For God hath put it into the Kings hearts They were ready enough else to have continued in idolatry with Antichrist so that God must have the glory Here England Germany in part Scotland Swethland and other places recovered from Antichrist and hating him may be thought on once of the ten Kings Obj. What is putting into their heart and how it is done Answ God moves the heart of them by his divine cooperating spirit effectually so that it cannot but act yet leaves it free because the divine determination hinders not the judgement of reason about choosing or refusing note God put it into their hearts first to do his will or pleasure in executing his mind for the Beast as chap. 13. to agree and give their Kingdome to the Beast of which largely vers 13. of this chapter fighting with their might for his spiritual Empire Vntill the Words of God were fulfilled That is his decree touching the rising of Antichrist in this book and in the Apostles often Now he hath altered their minds convinced their consciences and they do his Will in executing his judgements upon the Whore after she was at the height and the Word of God was fulfilled that Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God or in the Church for God and oracle and after the Worshippers had admired after the Beast The Lord put it into more of their hearts to their salvation Amen Ver. 8. And the woman which thou sawst is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth To wit Rome for no other city in Johns time mark it had dominion over the Kings of the earth to whom they were tributary but Rome And thus the Church of Rome at her height held all and ruled all either by the sword or under pretence of Religion note God by his revealed Will grace coworking put it into these kings hearts to fulfil his will formerly God put it into their hearts to do his will in serving the Whore The action and motion materially is from God always the forme or obliquity of the action is from Satan and mans corrupt nature in which and by which God hath a secret working and end If a man ride well upon a lame horse the going or action is good as from the man the lamenesse is from the horse so the action in the Kings when they were for the Whore is from God the lameness and pravity of it serving the Whore is from their corruption by which however God wrought his pleasure The summe is the Angels or Preachers and Kings shall divert Euphrates of Rome the Preachers noted by Angels having made Rome weak in part and odious before then the three unclean spirits gather the Kings of the earth to helpe her but her former Vassals shall many of them hate her and burne Rome yet the Pope with the Kings that are left shall be gathered to battle against Christ and these converted ones but the bloody feild of Armageddon or the day of judgment shall overtake them CHAP. XVIII The sixth Vision continued Act 2. Vers 1. After these things I saw another Angel come down from heaven TO wit after the sight of the woman upon the Beast another Angel for this book is as a Trage-comedy where several persons come in as Actors here Angels signifie no Preachers as formerly the Angels bid but are real Angels one perchance Christ publishing future events to John they come from heaven and so do the judgments upon Babylon Having great power All the Angels are great in power how great in power is God then whose servants these are it notes the greatnesse of the matter in hand to wit great Romes overthrow who is not invincible And the earth was lightned with his glory This notes that he was a glorious messenger from heaven 2. That the judgement of Rome shall be publike and open Vers 2. He cryed with a loud voyce saying It notes 1. That the inhabitants of the earth and worshippers of the Beast shall not plead ignorance for so the Gospel hath long cryed down Rome and threatned her destruction 2. It notes the stupidity of Rome lying in pleasure though her judgments were at door Babylon is fallen is fallen c. As in Esay 21.9 concerning the literal Babylon it notes the certainty of its destruction therefore 't is doubled The Angel chap. 14.8 who proclaimed its ruine did it as a Preacher by the Gospel battering that spiritual City which about Luthers time began to decay and decrease in honour and greatnesse Here the destruction of the City of Rome is foretold by a heavenly Herauld because she rejected the former warning the Gospel-truth and killed the witnesses this Babylon is Rome having seven heads or governments sitting on seven mountains making drunk the Kings of the earth with her fornication being the seate of Antichrist and which in Johns time ruled over Nations And is become the habitation of Devils See Esay 13.16 to 22. or of Satyrs it was formerly Satans dwelling place being a Kingdome of Idolatry and Antichrists seat but now this notes its utter desolation as that place of Esay shews This Angels Proclamation belongs to the time a little before Romes destruction and is not yet come And the hold of every foule spirit Noting the apparitions of Devils to be there after its destruction not only Fairies and Satyrs And cage of every unclean and hateful bird As Kites Owles Vultures Ravens This
to the things that were written Gods Word as it is the rule of our life so it shall bee of our judgement According to their works Good or bad but the just are not judged or saved because of their works Good or bad works are known to all and by them as open testimonies shall all be judged The good works of Saints Christ wrought in them yet hee 'l reward them for what he has wrought O blessed Jesus work thy work in us Vers 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in her c. Sentence being pronounced all the Elements give up their dead the Water those that were drowned the Earth those that were buried whether Saints bodyes or Reprobates but the Saints so long before the rest that they might meet Christ and the rest of their brethren in the Aire and come to see and approve Christs judgment of the wicked by Hell I understand how the damned shal appear to receive their final sentence who are called dead because they were dead in sin and once bodily dead By death I understand the grave or the earth as before the effect of death All that were burnt eaten by birds of the Aire or fishes of the Sea shall appear the Angels shall gather the ashes of the Elect from the four corners of the earth Vers 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire That is the devil who brought death and caused destruction or enticeth to hell Thus death shall be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 in vers 10. by an anticipation of time the devil was said to be cast into the lake of hell which indeed was but now fulfilled This is the second death Or eternall death The first was a temporall death if it may be called one or rather a separating man by sin from God Vers 15. Is easie All but the elect are damned being not written in the book of life If any man demand why so oft this book speaks of the last judgment 'T is answered because the Saints my be comforted and patiently endure persecution for a while This Act answers the harvest and vintage chap. 14. latter end And to the seventh Viall of the haile chap. 16.21 and to chap. 19.20 concerning the armyes of the Kings of the earth together with the Beast and the Kings casting into the lake of Hell CHAP. XXI Being the seventh Vision continued AFter the Renovation if not destruction of the world the heavenly glory is shewed to John under a twofold simile First As a glorious bride adorned Secondly As a most excellent choyce City which is set forth by things which are most rare and precious to man to give a glimps of the Saints glory in the glorious heaven Vers 1. And I saw a new Heaven The devils and the reprobates being cast into hell being mentioned Now follows the description of the Saints glory And I saw Iohn as Moses saw the promised land sees heaven before death into which Paul was wrap'd and heard unspeakable things A new heaven Esay foretold of a new heaven and earth chap. 65.17 which began to be accomplished after the shaking heaven and earth Heb. 12.26 by a Reformation by Christ and the Apostles when all things became new men became new creatures here the new heaven may signifie the Churches glory in heaven with Christ and the earth the bodies of the Saints most glorious Master Brightman applies the latter to the glorious condition of the Church after the Jews Conversion which cannot hold though we expect their Conversion but do not beleeve it to be tyed to Judaea as he supposes who in some measure are daily gained to the faith The Millenaries apply this to their golden age of whose opinion in part Augustine confesseth he once was but our Saviour tels us of no such brave time in earth towards the end but says when the Sonne of man comes shall he find faith in earth and though Rome shall be burnt yet both Antichrist and Gog shall rage to the end Concerning the new heaven and earth though I almost stagger in the point I will follow the most common opinion notwithstanding what elsewhere I have said in this book concerning the dissolution of all things and by a new heaven and new earth prophesied by Esay and in some sense fulfilled by the renewing of the Church I understand the renewed condition of heaven and earth literally to be fulfilled according to Esay and Peter 2.3 13. The substance whereof shall not be utterly abolished but the corruptible qualities and it shall be pure bright glorious Thus the first heaven and earth were passed away being not vanished quite for substance but quality being to be renewed and purified by fire A new heaven and a new earth c. John saw not the very glory of heaven which eye hath not seen but types and similies of it And the sea was no more According ro corrupt qualities and rolling with waves as now but made solid and in a globe though I know no use of these things unlesse to remaine as monuments of the great works of God and of his Power and to be renewed as having in their nature and course faithfully served their Creator as a reward for their service being delivered from bondage into the liberty of the sonnes of God according to their capacity And perchance the heavens may not as now compasse the earth or move there being no use of it But the brightnesse and lustre thereof shall be much augmented as of the Sun and Moon Vers 2. And I saw the holy City Here is the glory of the renewed Church shewed to Iohn after he had seen the renewed world and indeed this renovation of the Church seems distinct from that of heaven and earth renewed therefore one cannot be well the other or the new heaven and new earth the glorified condition of the Church for t is said And I saw as distinct from the former Let the Reader perpend this also Iohn seems to insert his name to confirm it saying I Iohn saw the Holy City Ierusalem Meaning the Church which the Scripture cals Ierusalem A City Because of its choyce and rare building such was Ierusalem built by Salomon more rare is this which is not built of common stones but as Esay 54.13 which I may apply in some sense here the Citizens are Saints who know one another as Citizens do She is called holy Because glorious in heaven and perfectly holy so appearing to Iohn in the Vision she in some sort is holy here below for Christ sanctifies her washing her by water regenerates her by faith and the spirit The old Ierusalem was polluted this is new newly glorified in heaven in the Vision perfect holy Coming down from heaven So chap. 3.12 noting her original to be from God this must not be understood of local motion her abode is heaven as chap. 12. vers 1. a woman in heaven but here is noted her heavenly grace and
the overcommers chap. 2.28 as is expounded he being the morning starre Vers 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say come That is the Spirit in every Saint sayes come Every Saint having the Spirit longs after Christ so David Psal 42.2 As the heart pants after the water brookes that hot and therefore dry or thirsty creature so doth my soule after thee O God And the Bride or Church longs after Christ to be fully gloryfied by him and to live ever with her husband the Church Militant Cant. 8. vers last cals for Christ saying be like the Roe that nimble creature and come in haste The coming of Christ is fearfull to the wicked but the regenerate long for him Let him that heareth say come As the Bride doth Truly the reading and hearing this book will make every spiritual man say come Lord Jesus such sweetnesse is here Let him that is a thirst come That is the qualification required in the commers come to me for redemption salvation glory if athirst for a thirsty man is fit to drink of the fountain of water of life Now he that is athirst is he that has the Spirit crying to Christ to come to perfect him and the Church in glory And whosoever will Being qualified and a thirst none else can come these the father draweth Let him take the water of life freely Being a thirst and drawen by the Father The invitation is generall Isa 55.1 Hoe all but note the qualification that thirst come ye to the waters but note God worketh in us to will and do Phil. 2.13 whosoever commeth then God draweth Vers 18. For I testifie This depends upon vers 7. blessed are they that keep the words of this Prophecy now he threatens those who any way corrupt or abuse it Sure Antichristian falsifyers of the truth are here meant For I also testify or testifie together sayes the Greek Because the Angel had spoken now Christ confirmes the Angels testimony witnessing also with the Angel Vnto every man that heareth Not the Pope excepted If any man shall adde By false interpretations as 2 Peter 3.16 adulterating the Text. Let the Papists take heed how they mingle traditions and lyes with the Text. Vnto him God shall adde the plagues To wit not only the seven last plagues but to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for ever with the dragon and false Prophet chap. 19 20. O Arrius and Engedinus where are ye O Popelings and Hereticks take heed Vers 19 If any man shall take away from the words of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of life c. To the adders he will adde plagues to the takers away he sayes hee 'll take away his part out of the book of life That is what part he seemes to have or will utterly condemne him one day Indeed they may be said to take away from the Book that deprave it allow not of it sleight it or the like The overcommers were promised choyce rewards in the seven Churches these deprayers shall have no share with them nor with the glorious Bride in heaven Some have denyed Saint James his Epistle some this book through mistake not malice being otherwise true Christians and are not to be comprehended here Luther doubted of James many ancient Christians through weaknesse of the authority of this most Divine book on whom I dare not doubt but God had mercy But note not only the integrity but perfection of Scripture is hence proved since nothing is to be added away then with traditions the written word is perfect and only to be followed to salvation Deut. 4.2 Moses gives the same command let no man adde by which it is plain the holy Scriptures of the Old-Testament were full enough and perfect to salvation Now our Saviour not John takes this passage from Moses and other things in this book are taken from the Prophets everywhere To note the perfect agreement of the New-Testament and Old and also to shew how this Book sayes my Pareus is a summe of holy Scripture Well we must not depend upon Revelations but the written Word By this Christ proved himself and his death to his disciples Luke 24.27 see my Glimps of Christs Love pag. 57. Vers 20. He that testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly c. They be the words of Christ not of Iohn who testified and revealed this Prophecy to Iohn being the true and faithfull Witnesse chap. 3.14 who promises to come quickly to confute those who make a mock of his coming to judgment 2 Pet 3.2 3 4. and to stirre us to patience and watchfulnesse And truly if when Iohn writ this book Christ promised to haste then now he is even at the door many Jews are daily converted the Gospel much spread Antichrist manifested and spiritually killed by the Witnesses forsaken by the Kings of the earth or many of them nay and Christ has powerfully reigned by the Reformation of many Kingdomes in matters of Religion We expect to hear of Romes literall desolation but the utter ruine of Turke and Pope we expect not till the seventh Viall be poured out into the aire or the seventh Angel sound at the last day other things are most fulfilled and we hope God for the Elect sake will hasten his coming Surely I come 'T is an asseveration confirming his promised coming to comfort the godly and to stir them up to watchfulnesse and patience in well doing and ill suffering Vers 21. Even so come Lord Jesus Sayes Iohn after all the most joyfull glorious things in the Prophecy the Beast and Dragon in the Vision cast into the lake of hell longing for the consummation of glory Indeed Christ is the good Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 18.27 that brings true and good tydings here in this life but cheifly hereafter of perfect redemption which all the creation groanes for and perfect glory for the Elect. Or Iohn may be understood to desire Christ to hasten Antichrists destruction to hasten comforts to Syon and lastly to come to judgment to condemne the Dragon and Beast and deliver the Saints redeeming their bodies out of their graves consummating them in glory Thus the Spirit in all the Saints teaches to long after Christ and say come Lord Jesus come quickly even so Amen Hanc epitomen praecipuorum Commentariorum supra Revelationem JOHANNIS unà cum annotatiunculis quibusdam feliciter peregi 30 Martii 1650. Ann aetat meae 31. Trinitati gloria sempiterna Amen FINIS