their agreement with the Christian Church do fall down in great humility and submission before him that sat on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne in token of Subjection and Homage saying 11 Thou art worthy and thou only O Lord to receive the Acknowledgement of Glory and Honour and Power for thou hast created all things by thy Power and for thy pleasure or Will the only Motive to it they are preserved in their Being and were at first created Nehem. 9.6 CHAP. V. The Text. 1 AND I saw in the Right 1 Hand of him that sate on the Throne i. e. of God the Father a 2 Book or Roll Ezek. 2.9 10. written within and on the back-side i. e. containing a long Series of Events 3 sealed with 4 Seven Seals to denote the Obscurity of the Prophecy and the Delay of its Accomplishment Dan. 12.4 Annotations on CHAP. V. 1 God held the Book in his Right Hand to shew his Power and his Readiness to deliver it 2 This Book seems to have consisted of seven several Rolls rolled up into one in the Form of a Cylinder (a) Poli Synops Hammond on Luke 4.17 and on the place Mede pag. 789 790 791. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 21. ubi formam libri videas according to the Custom of the Antients having seven Labels sealed with seven Seals which being opened in order there appeared in each of them the Seulptures or Hieroglyphicks hereafter mentioned and the back side of the last Roll which is the outermost in rolling was written upon to shew that there was a long series of Events contained in this Book it being not the Custom of the Ancients to write on the back side of the Roll but when the inside could not contain all their Writing We may divide for Order and Memories sake the whole Prophecy of this Book into Two Tomes as Mr. Mede calls them the first of which contained in the foregoing Chapters may be called The (b) See on Chap. 4.1 Church Prophecy wherein Symbols of Churches then in being are used the Second which begins here may be called The Book-Prophecy because its Events are represented by Hieroglyphicks in a Book And both Prophecies are of the same Extent this latter reaching to the End of Time and determining and distinguishing Church Successions and Affairs as well as the former only with this difference that they are represented in the latter by future Occurrences and Circumstances of the Civil State and Empire that so the Times of their Accomplishment might be the better known and taken notice of by the illustrious Events represented in them For as it pleased God to describe and foretel by his Prophets the Fall of Babylon and other Events under several Symbols and Representations for the greater assurance of the Prediction as in Pharaoh's Dream Gen. 41.32 and that the thing might be the more deeply imprinted on Mens Minds by the Variety of the Figures by which they are described so hath the Divine Spirit upon the same account given divers Emblems of one and the same thing in this Prophecy 3 I shall here once for all endeavour to give the true import of Sealing which seems to have these several Acceptations in Scripture 1. It denotes a secret or an hidden Condition as we seal up things which we would keep secret 2. It denotes Security Thus the Stone at the mouth of Daniel's Den and our Saviour's Sepulchre were sealed with Seals 3. It signifies Hindrance and Restraint Thus God Job 37.7 is said to seal up the Hand of every man i. e. to hinder their Work by Storms and wet weather and to seal up the Stars Job 9.7 i. e. to restrain their Influences as Satan is said Rev. 20.3 to be shut up and to have a Seal set upon him to restrain him 4. Propriety is signified by sealing in Scripture from the Custom of sealing Goods and Servants when they were bought thereby to denote their propriety in them and to distinguish them from other Mens Servants Hammond on Eph. 4.30 5. Lastly From these and other Metaphors it often in Prophetical Scripture signifies the Obscurity of a Prophecy and the concealing of it in dark terms from the Generality of the People Isa 8.16 and the stopping or hindring the Events foretold by it so that sealing and writing and sealing and opening are opposed in prophetical Language to one another and signifie as much as concealing and revealing delaying the Accomplishment of a Prophecy and bringing it into effect See the Notes on Chap. 7.2 3 4. 4 With reference to the seven states of Christ's Church which were hindred from coming into event whilst the Book was sealed and were to be by degrees accomplished and discovered upon the gradual opening of each of them 2 And I saw a strong 5 Angel or a mighty one Psalm 103.20 proclaiming with a loud 5 voice after the manner of a Herald Dan. 3.4 who is worthy for Authority and Ability to open 6 the Book and to loose the Seals thereof i. e. to bring into event the things there delivered 5 5 To shew the Weight and Concern of the thing to be delivered as worthy to be heard of all Creatures 6 To open it by unsealing it or when it is unsealed 3 And no 7 man or no creature Isa 41.28 in Heaven i. e. neither Saint nor Angel nor in Earth nor under the Earth i. e. in the State of departed Souls from whence Christ was just come was able to open the Book i. e. to bring to pass the Events of it neither so much as to look thereon if it were opened that is of himself to understand foresee and govern the course of the Prophecy and conduct it into Event 7 Here by a Hebraism consisting in describing the whole by an enumeration of its parts is signified that no Creature whatsoever was able to open the Book or so much as to understand it of himself 4 And I wept * much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon as fearing that I should not be shewn those things that were promised me Chap. 4.1 * This weeping seems to be rather from a Despair that things would not be carried on to the great Kingdom of Redemption as the Two Apostles Luke 24.21 were sorrowful least Christ was not he which should have redeemed Israel and were astonished as Mary also was John 20.13 15. because the Lord could not be found for which she wept For Christ is represented at the sixth Verse as just risen from the dead and therefore in congruity to that appearance what is here said must relate to the time before he appeared as risen which is also a Circumstance that confirms the fixing of the Epocha of this Book at the Resurrection 5 And one or the 8 first and chief of the 9 Elders or Representatives of the Jewish Church Chap. 4.4 saith unto me Weep
lawful for the Gentiles to pray there and therefore it could not properly be said to be given unto them now or to be polluted by them as having been always accounted unclean whereas they were never admitted into the other Courts And by the Court without the Temple is very appositely understood the Visible Christian Worship because the Visible Worship of God was performed in that place under the Law whereas all the Temple-Worship was hid from the People See the Books before quoted and Mr. (b) Pag. 19 20 478 479 480. and Ainsworth on Exod. 40.33 Mede's Works 8 Grotius on the places notes That this is called Extracludere by the Ancient Writers concerning the Limits and measuring of Grounds But the Word also denoting in (c) John 9.34 Acts 7 58 13 50. Grotius in loca Scripture an Ignominious casting out or an Excommunication it may also here signifie the leaving or casting it out of the Sacred Enclosure or Limits as unsacred and polluted as Mr. (d) Pag. 587. Mede speaks 9 So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is of the past Sense and not of the present may be translated whereby is signified that it had been given up or delivered by God before the time in which it was measured although it must be confessed that the past Tense is often used for the present in Scripture 10 By (a) Hammond on Matth. 23.15 Grot. on John 12.20 Acts 21.28 Gentiles or Nations the Jews understand all but themselves and Proselytes of Justice who were circumcised and accounted as Jews which were the Proselytes of the Gates as they call them who had renounced Idolatry but had not embraced the whole Jewish Religion and were permitted to come no further than into the Outer Court called the Court of the Gentiles and were thought to prophane and pollute the Temple if they did as appears from Acts 21 28 29.24 6. But by Gentiles are most commonly meant in Scripture the Heathen Nations round about them who whilst they continued in open Idolatry were not to live amongst them especially those who persecuted them and laid their Country City and Temple waste such as Nebuchadnezzar and Antiochus whose Desolations are bewailed and described in (b) Psalm 74. and 79. Dan. 8.1 Maccab. from Chap. 1. to Ver. 16 of the 6th Scripture and such were also the Four Successive Monarchies of the Assyrians Persians Grecians and Romans whose Times 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or appointed Seasons the word made use of by Daniel and Jeremiah Chap. 27.7 are called by our Saviour (c) See Grotius on the place and Mr. Mede's Works pag. 709 753. Luke 21.24 the Times of the Gentiles at the ending of which fort of Times in the Expiration of the Roman Monarchy continued in the Antichristian the Jews are to be restored as our Saviour there plainly asserts and the Holy City is no more to be trodden under foot by the Gentiles Now the like Expressions and some of the Words here made use of being plainly taken from the (a) Psalm 79.1 Dan. 8.10 1 Maccab. 1.37 38 39.3 45 51.4 60. Luke 21.24 Scriptures quoted in the Margin it is manifest that they have an Allusion to them especially to the Story of Antiochus a lively Type of Antichrist who is therefore prophesied of in him as a Type by Daniel and of the Gentile Times and Actions here foretold and therefore the like Actions committed by some Christians must be here referred to called Gentiles for bringing the (b) Mr. Mede's Apostasy of the latter Times Gentile Worship into the Church together with Tyranny and crafty Baits to entice to Idolatry according to the Example of Antiochus the Type of Antichrist and the Paganizing Jews who did after the Ordinances of the Heathens and built a Place of Exercise at Jerusalem according to their Customes and thereby gave a great occasion to the Tyrant to take Jerusalem and to enter proudly into the Sanctuary and pollute it and lay it waste like a Wilderness and to make the City an habitation of Strangers or Gentiles and to become strange to those that were born in it as you may read in the places of the Book of Maccabes before quoted All which agrees plainly to the Apostasy which has introduced a Pagan Christianity into the Church 11 Jerusalem is called so which is the Type of the whole Christian Church whereby is signified a Vniversal Apostasy in the Visible Church the latent or invisible one having been before measured and secured by God 12 A Day is put for a Year in this Book as hath been before shewn on Chap. 2.10 and then by consequence a Month must be put for a Month of prophetical Days consisting of as many common years as a common month doth of days But for the better understanding of the Nature of these prophetical Times and Seasons it will be very convenient to deduce this matter from the very Beginning and Original of it And accordingly it is to be observed that out of the whole space of Time assigned by God to the Transactions of this World which is thought to be about Seven Thousand Years there is a certain part allotted by him for the Times of the Apostasy and the Reign of the Beast called by Daniel Time Times and half a Time Chap. 7 25.12 7. of which it hath been discoursed already on Chap. 10.6 which are reduced into 1260. Days and Forty Two Months in the Revelations Into Days with respect to the Witnesses and the Seed of the Woman in the Wilderness who are the Children of the (a) Mede pag. 481 492. Mori Oper. Theol. pag. 614 616. Gen. 1. Luke 16.8 Acts 26.18 2 Cor. 6.14 Eph. 5.8 1 Thes 5.5 8. 2 Pet. 1.19 Rev. 22 16. See the Notes on Rev. 12.1 Day and into Nights with respect to the Gentiles and the Beast whose Antichristian Deeds are Works of Darkness and they the Children of the Night of which the Moon has the Government And as the Natural Day is divided in Scripture into Evening and Morning so is this Line of Time in proportion to that Distinction divided into Days which answer to the Morning of the Natural Day and into Months which answer to the Evening or Night of it the Days and Months making up one and the same Line of Time as the Evening and Morning make up One Natural Day whence the Time allotted in Daniel Chap. 8.13 14. for the Course of Affairs from Cyrus to the cleansing of the Sanctuary is called Evening-Morning out of which for it principally respects the Apostasy which defiled the Sanctuary this Line is taken the Months out of its Evenings and the Days out of its Mornings which way of Speech is taken from Gen. 1.5 16. where the Light is called Day and the Darkness Night and the Moon is said to rule the one and the Sun the other and the Natural Day is called Evening-Morning the Evening being put before the Morning because the Darkness o◠Night of
Abbas Ursperg ad an 1298. Crakenthorp of the Pope's temporal monarchy Boniface the Eighth appear to be when he rode in Imperial Robes with a Naked Sword carried before him one proclaiming with a loud Voice Ecce hic duo Gladii Behold here are Two Swords the Spiritual and the Temporal and when to (c) Overal's Convocat Book pag. 314. make his infinite Soveraignty more conspicuous and memorable to all Posterity he came forth one day amongst the people to be admired of them with a Sword by his side and a Crown upon his Head strutting like an Image in vain Pageantry 2. When a (d) Mr. Mede's Apostasy of the latter times Dr. Moor's Mystery of Iniquity part 2 lib. 1.17 Bishop Stillingfleet's Discourses of Idolatry Pagano Christian Idolatry was established which is an Image or Representation of Heathen Idolatry 3. This Image of the Roman Imperialism which is chiefly represented by it consisting of Antichristianism as well as Supremacy may be also lookt upon as an Image of Christianity as being the Counterfeit of it assuming Supremacy under the pretence of Christ's Soveraignty whose Vicar he pretends to be and introducing a Religion which substitutes an imaginary counterfeit Christianity in the place of the true one when it is indeed opposite to it in which the Nature of Antichristianism consists 16 And he causeth all both small 37 and great rich and poor free and bond i. e. all of all Ranks and Conditions Dan. 3.4 5 6. to receive a 38 mark in their 39 right hand i. e. to be obliged to engage and act for him or in their 40 foreheads i. e. or openly to avow and own him and his profession 37 A distinction of (a) Grot. in Locum persons in use in the Roman Empire comprizing all Ages and Conditions 38 As the Followers of the Lamb have their Seal or Mark so have the Followers of Antichrist whereby is denoted his Propriety in them their Service of him and their open profession of his Name or Doctrine by which they are to be known and distinguished from others An Expression taken as (b) Grot. Ham. Poli Synops Criticks think from the Marks which the Romans were wont to put upon their Possessions Slaves and Soldiers but may be rather an Allusion to Cain's Mark or which seems to be most probable to the (c) 3 of Maccab. See Grotius on that place and Hammond on this Verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Mark of an Ivy-leaf which Ptolemy Philopator caused to be burnt with Fire upon the Bodies of those Jews who were to enjoy the priviledges of the Common people of Aegypt in token of their being the Servants and Worshippers of Bacchus For the same Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used in both places and several passages of the Books of Maccabees have been before alluded to in this Prophecy as hath been already (a) Pag. 203 204. observed concerning the Story of Antiochus those Apochryphal Books being preserved as Dr. (b) Scripture Line of Time part 2. pag. 43 44. Beverley has ingeniously and judiciously observed not without a Design of Providence and put into the Canon of the Church of Rome That a Prophet of their own or a Scripture of their own Canonizing might be a Witness against them 39 The Right hand being most in use and the strongest denotes Action whereupon God commanded the Jews that the Law should be a sign unto them upon their hands that is should be obeyed and kept by them 40 That is that they should not be ashamed of professing his Doctrine but should make their Relation unto him be as open and as remarkable as if it had been written upon their Foreheads as the Jews were commanded to have the Law upon their Foreheads and betwixt their Eyes Exod. 13.9 Deut. 6.8 17 And he causeth also that no man might 41 buy or sell i. e. partake or dispose of any Advantages or Preferments save he that had the mark i. e. was engaged in his Cause and profession and was active in it or the Name i. e. 42 Nature of the Beast or the Number of his Name i. e. the Number which shall shew his Nature 41 This Phrase has a relation to the Commodities or Merchandizes of the Beast's Kingdom and the Priviledges of his City reckoned up Chap. 18. of which the Papacy debars all Men by (a) Vid. Poli Synops in locum Medum Brightman Excommunications Interdictions and Civil Penalties who will not own and profess its Doctrine And here is a further Allusion to the Story of Ptolemy Philopator in the Book of Maccabees before quoted who seems to be a Type of Antichrist as Antiochus is confessedly owned to have been who took away from all those Jews the Priviledges belonging to Alexandrians which they before enjoyed who would not embrace his Idolatrous Religion and admitted only those into his Court and the higher Rank of Citizens of Alexandria who would be initiated into it thrusting even the Jews who complyed so far as to take the Mark of Bacchus into the Inferiour Rank of the Vulgar Aegyptians which is an Instance exactly agreeing to the Proceedings of the Antichristian King as all (b) See Foulis of Popish Vsurpations History testifies 42 So (c) Hammond on Matth. 2.23 Mr. Mede Disc 2. Name signifies in Scripture as Divines usually shew on the first Petition of the Lord's Prayer 18 Here is what requires and will exercise 43 Wisdom let him that hath understanding in such matters count 44 or calculate the number of the 45 Beast i. e. the Number which shall shew when he became an Idolatrous Beast for it is the Number of 46 a man i. e. such an one as Men of Wisdom and Understanding may and are wont to calculate and his number is six 47 hundred threescore and six 43 By Wisdom is meant here such Wisdom or Skill as the Aegyptians and the Skillful Jews and other Wise Men of the Eastern Nations had and for which Moses is so renowned in Scripture Acts 7.22 of which Knowledge in (a) See Bongus de Numeris Meursius de denario Pythagorico Wendelinus and other Authors who have witten of Pythagora's Tetractys Grot. in Act. 7.22 Hammond on 2 Tim. 3.8 Dr. Moor's Cabbala Mr. Potter of the Number of the Beast Numbers was none of the least And that such like mystical and obscure Knowledge was anciently called Wisdom is plain from the Author of the Book of Ecclesiasticus who tells us Chap. 6.22 that Wisdom is according to her Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not manifest unto many alluding as Philo also often does to the (b) Dr. Moor's mystery of Iniq. part 2. lib. 1. cap. 14. Etymology of the Greek Word as if it were derived from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to cover or hide 44 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word signifies to calculate as Arithmeticians were wont to do of old with Stones or Counters 45 The Numbers
dwell What more grateful Entertainment for an Ingenious Mind than to have a prospect of all the great Transactions of the World since Christ's Resurrection represented as in Scenes shifted by the Ministry of Angels at each great change upon the Stage of this World For this Book is a Divine Drama full of holy Art and sacred Ornaments taken from Prophetick Symbols and Eastern Hieroglyphicks into which the Holy Spirit hath transferred most of the Beauties Excellencies and Magnificence of the Old Testamens and the greatest part of the Types and Figures of the Law the Throne of God and the Kingdom of Christ being the True Tabernacle of which Moses saw the Pattern in the Mount And the Art observed in it is very admirable and much like that of a true and just Poem the design of it being one great Action viz. The Kingdom of Christ to which all the lesser Actions are Subservient as to one great End which is carried on after a delightful as well as an Instructive manner by Descriptions Narrations a Chorus of Angels and blessed Spirits and by Christ himself speaking on great occasions as by so many Episodical Ornaments And may God inspire some Pious and Devout Soul with a Poetical Spirit suitable to the greatnest of the Subject with a Spirit like that which came from him upon his Servants David and Solomon when in Divine Raptures they set forth the glories of his Kingdom for the Subject well deserves an inspired Pen and will outlive all which have been hitherto undertaken as affording the most proper matter for the Devotion and Contemplation of the New World and therefore may be justly recommended to all Ingenious Persons as worthy their most serious Thoughts and pious Meditations Ribera a learned Romanist resembles this Prophecy to a vast Ocean full of Deep Gulphs receiving and swallowing up all Human Wisdom and the Metaphor although something bold hath much of Truth in it there being few of the Liberal Arts and Scienâ—es which the Eternal Word the Wisdom of God hath not made use of in it to exercise the understanding of those who have Spiritual Wisdom and to confound the Wisdom of those who are wise in their own conceits Here the Sacred Orator may find the most Magnificent Idea's of Divine things and the most lively Images of what can most effectually raise Admiration Love and Fear the most prevailing Passions of Mankind viz. the Glory of God and of Christ's Kingdom and the horror and dread of the Punishments denounced and executed in it And all this expressed in a Style (a) Stylus five Structura Orationis qualis nunquam à Mortalibus usurpata fuit nec apud quenquam Humanum Auctorem Extat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic vides non Humanam Cotton apud Poli Syn. more than Human whereby some of the wisest and best of all Ages have been induced to search into it for the Providential Fate of God's Church and to admire and acknowledg its profound depth and Divine Authority as that great Critick (b) Euseb Hist Eccles 7.25 Dionysius Alexandrinus did even when they professed that they could not fathom the meaning of it which is no slight Argument of the peculiar Majesty and Excellen of this Book Neither let nice VVits be offended at the Paronomastical Allusions may he found in it for they are frequent in (c) Vid. Maimonid Duct Dubit 2.43 Gen 9 27.49 8 16 19. Jerem. 1.11 12. Dan. 5.25 29. Zephan 2.4 and the Notes on Chap. 2. 1 3. Scripture as they know who have skill in the Original Languages and were much in use in the Eastern Nations Those who have skill in History and Chronology may here exercise it with great Delight and Satisfaction and every mind that hath Wisdom whether it be in Numbers Geometry Architecture Colours Precious Stones Meteors or any other parts of Knowledge here hinted at or alluded to ought to contribute their skill to it For united Endeavours best promote Knowledge and God himself usually joyned (a) Exod. 31.2 3 6. 36 1 2. Eccles 4.9 Mark 6.7 1 Cor. 12.8 many together Two at least in every great and Weighty Work He gave Aholiab to Bezaleel joyned Aaron to Moses and Christ sent forth his Disciples by Two and Two and raised up Two Witnesses to testify to the Truths of this Prophecy And therefore I cannot but earnestly entreat all that are Wise-hearted in whose Hearts God hath put Wisdom and skill in Arts for they are from him and may thereby be Sanctified to stir up the Gifts which are in them and to joyn heartily and unanimously together for the service of the approaching Sanctuary and Kingdom of Christ for the work hath been long retarded by the noise of (b) 1 Kings 6.7 Axes and Hammers that is by Divisions and Contentions amongst Christians which ought not to be heard in the Building of God's House whatsoever hath been hitherto permitted under imperfect and lower Dispensations But further if the Hypothesis here advanced prove true and this Book be found to contain the great Events belonging to the Christian Church from the Reformation to the End of Time and to the Kingdoms of this World as they have a relation to it will it not afford a most cogent and most illustrious Proof for the Being of a God and a Providence and for the Divine Authority of the Scriptures and most effectually silence the little and unreasonable Cavils of Atheists and Antiscripturists For how could so long a Series and so great a variety of Events depending on rational Instruments and free Agents seemingly independent on each other and yet all tending to One End be revealed so long before their accomplishment but by One Infinite Mind or Understanding comprehending all things at one View and over-ruling and conducting them all to One End What but infinite Mind and Wisdom could foresee and so exactly describe the Orderly (a) See Chap. 6. Succession of the Roman Emperours by the very particular Countries from which they came and the great occurrences which happened under them or so exactly (b) See Chap. 2 10 6 9-17 foretell the very Period of the Persecution under Dioclesian and at so long a distance shew the Souls of the Martyrs under the Altar and the fatal overthrow of Paganism What else but the Eternal Knowledg could foretel and that so particularly in exact agreement with all History the Destruction of the Roman Empire and the (a) See Chap 8. Various Fate of Rome so often taken and retaken so often Burnt and yet not utterly Consumed What else but Wisdom it self could so livelily (b) See Chap. 9. represent the innumerable swarms of Tormenting Saracens the Locusts and Scorpions of the Earth and the mighty inroads of the Turkish Cavalry passing the River Euphrates and foretel the very manner and precise time of their taking Constantinople which cannot therefore be the Beloved City as Dr. Hammond supposes in agreement with the Opinions of the
p. 47. l. ult r. 1 Cor. 2. p. 55. l. 26. r. Gospels p 64. l. 15. blot out an indifference p. 66. l 23. r. wilt p. 72. l. ult r. compare p. 82. l. 21. r. slain p. 83. l. 30. r. haveing p. 84. l. 30. f. in the Earth r. on p. 85. l. 13. r. 19. l. 23. r and that because l. 30. r. brought in l. 31. r. objects p. 86. l. 20. r. also as well as p. 88. l. 10. f. whence r. where l. 26. f. his r. Gods p. 113. l. 16. f. Psalm r. Palm p. 149. l. 3. r. in a Cave p. 158. l. 3. r. about it p. 170. l. 25. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 174. l. 7. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 191. l. 22. r. much indebted p. 177. l. 14. r. that it l. 15. f. that r. the p. 205. l. 7. f. Times r. Time p. 283. l. 4. r. each of which Heads p. 300. l. 7. r. Σ. p. 344. l. 20. r. were Types p. 402. l. 7. r. the Lord God p. 415. l. 17. insert see thou do it not I am p. 235. blot out these words A.D. 1507. within ten years of p. 236. l. 4. r. 1529. ANNOTATIONS ON THE REVELATION CHAP. I. The Text. 1 THE Revelation of Jesus Christ i.e. the Discovery and Manifestation of Divine Secrets in a Prophetical Vision from Jesus Christ which God the Father gave unto him the Great Prophet and Mediatour to shew or make known by Prophetical Symbols and Representations and actually to * So the word is taken John 5 20.14 8. and in this sense God is said to shew Christ and he to be Revealed when he came into the World exhibit or produce the Effect of every Vision in its proper time unto his Servants i. e. those Eminent and Faithful Christians especially Ministers who dedicate themselves to his Service things which must shortly i. e. suddenly and speedily begin 1 to come to pass one after another and or which †And is here according to the Custom of the Hebrew Language put for the Pronoun Relative which he Christ sent and signified it i. e. made known the Prophetical Visions of this Book by his 2 Angel sometimes one special Angel sent for this purpose and sometimes another unto his Servant John The Annotations 1 Thus Grotius Dr. Hammond and most Interpreters expound these Words this Prophecy containing a Discovery of things which were to come to pass in a Succession of time one after another of which it may be very appositely said That they must come to pass shortly when they are shortly to begin to pass into Event as an Army is said to be coming when only the Van-Guard begins to appear With which Interpretation these Words of Dr. Pocock agree on Joel pag. 145 150. Of those last things which were to be done or in doing to the last of time in this world St. John by reason of the certainty of their being fulfilled in due time saith that they should be fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or shortly come to pass 2 Michael and Gabriel are employed in Daniel but in this Prophecy several Angels are made use of but none by Name which together with the Humane Subordinate Ministry employed under them are generally called by the Name of Angel in this Book From this Verse we may observe the Order of Divine Revelation which proceeds from God the Father as the Fountain and Original and is committed by him to Christ unto whom all Power is given in the Church by whom it is sent to his Servants especially Ministers by the Ministration of his Angels who are under him as their Head and Lord and his Ministers to whom the Prophecy is principally directed are also stiled Angels from their Ministring to him in this Prophecy together with the Angels See on ver 20. 2 Who bare record i. e. hath testified and declared by his Preaching and Sufferings vers 9. and in this Book of Christ the Word of God John 1.1 Chap. 19.13 and of the Testimony of Jesus Christ i. e. the 3 Gospel 1 Cor. 1.6 and of all things that he saw 4 concerning Christ while he abode on Earth and afterwards in this and the following Visions 3 Called his Testimony because it testified of him declared the Will of God and was testified unto or confirmed by his Miracles 4 Here the Apostle plainly discovers himself to be the Writer of this Book from many Characters peculiar unto himself as that he had given Testimony which is part of the Office of an Apostle in Scripture Acts 1.8 22 c. unto the Gospel of Christ and to the Divinity of the Word of God by his Preaching and by his Sufferings for it and that he had delivered many things concerning Christ of which he had been a peculiar Eye-witness which are now upon Record in his Gospel in the like manner of Speech and way of Assurance John 1 14.19 35. And moreover this being a Preface to the whole Book of Visions he had already seen these Words may very well refer unto them 3 5 Blessed here and here after is he that readeth and expoundeth with diligence and understanding and they that hear with attention the words of this Prophecy and keep in their Minds observe and practise those things which are written therein for the time of their beginning to be successively compleated is at hand and therefore to be regarded and the Consideration of it not to be put off unto a further Day as the Jews were wont to do Ezek. 12 21-28 5 The Divine Authority of the Revelation the Author of the Book and the Subject-matter of it having been delivered in brief in the foregoing Verses St. John here declares the Fruit and Benefit which the Readers and Observers of it shall reap by it and very probably gives an intimation That it ought to be read in publick Assemblies here being mention of one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Reader and of many as it were assembled to hear him Read and Interpret according to the Custom of the Church And without doubt great is the blessing attending the sober Study of this Book and the due Observation of the Correspondence betwixt it and the Events foretold in it must needs be a matter of extraordinary comfort especially to those who shall be so happy as to live near the Times of its full completion as Christ told Daniel chap. 12. 12. And even what is not so fully understood is nevertheless according to the Example of Daniel and of the Blessed Virgin Luke 2.19 50 51. to be pondered upon and kept in our Minds lest we be found wholly ignorant of the great Truths contained in this Book when the Times of their Consummation appear and that thereby God may be wrought upon to make known unto us what we do not understand seeing he hath declared That he that seeketh shall find and to him that knocketh it shall be opened But chiefly the Blessedness here pronounced
shall not be hurt of the second death but shall escape it Rev. 20.6 12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos 26 write These things saith he who hath the sharp 27 Sword of the Word and the Spirit with two edges to inflict severe and sharp Judgments chap. 1.16 26 Pergamos is distant from Smyrna Northwards about five hundred and Forty Furlongs and there are in it now but a few Families of miserable Christians and but one Church although it was anciently the most Famous and Chief City of Asia the Less having been the Seat of the Attalidae who were rich and potent Kings and of the Roman Proconsuls For which Reason as well as in Allusion to its Name it may be put to denote here The exalted State of the Church High and Lofty Fabricks and Things being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Asiaticks And because of its (a) Andr. Caesar in locum excessive Idolatry it is a fit Type of the Apostate state of this Succession in which the Apostasy was exalted to a Throne 27 Corruptions daily encreasing under this State the Styleis here changed and Christ is represented with a sharp sword in his Hand 13 I know thy good works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's 28 Seat or Throne is i. e. under the Dominion of the Antichristian Apostasy and I know that nevertheless thou holdest fast or retainest the profession of my Name and hast not renounced it by becoming Antichristian and hast not denied my Faith or Gospel no not even in those days or Times of Darkness and Cruelty wherein Antipas 29 i. e. the Opposers of Popery was my faithful Martyr or Witness who was flain by Decrees Anathemas and frequent Deaths among you or under your Jurisdiction where Satan or Antichrist dwelleth or has his constant Residence in great State and Power 2 Thes 2.4 9 28 The Apostasy is now called Satan's Seat or Throne because that upon the Churches Exaltation under the Christian Emperors a Worldly Kingdom and a Paganizing Christianity arose by degrees especially at Rome to such an heighth that it became at last to have a Supremacy or a Throne in it to which Satan's power in this World is likened in Scripture viz. Isa 14 12-14 Luke 10.18 John 12.31 With which the History of those Times agrees it being evident that from about the year 400. and odd the precise year I shall endeavour to determine hereafter when Satan's Synagogue seems to have arrived to its maturity that the Apostasy daily increased chiefly upon the Growth of the Papacy which came to have a Throne about the year 606 when Boniface the Third Usurped the Title of Vniversal Bishop 29 There might have been perhaps a Martyr of this Name at Pergamus although the Story of him related in the Greek Menologies is vehemently to be suspected as Grotius has well noted a Brazen Bull being not a Punishment amongst the Romans whose Laws were then observed at Pergamus and the Relations of those early Martyrdoms being justly called in question by some of the Learnedst Men of the Romish Church But howsoever the Names made use of in this Book having constantly a mystical signification this also must be understood after the same manner and it will then plainly denote The Opposer of the Pope that is by a Figure usual in this Prophecy the whole Body or succession of those who during this period witnessed against the Apostasy of that See a Catalogue of whom you may find in Illyricus Vsher and other Authors For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies against or contrary and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Old Word for Father from whence by a Reduplication of Letters comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Pope or Holy Father for which consult what is said by the Etymoligists out of Eustathius And the Word Antipas is made use of and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because this was a Common Name which the others were not And because those Names would have given a too open intimation of the Mystery designed designed by them contrary to the Holy Secrecy and Reserve usually observed in this Prophecy 14 But yet I have a few or some little small things to object against thee because thou hast 30 there where thou dwellest and amongst you them or a prevailing Party that hold profess and practise the Doctrine Precept and Counsel of 31 Balaam i. e. the False Antichristian Prophet who taught Balack i. e. the Princes subject to Antichrist to cast a stumbling-block or an Occasion to commit Sin before the Children of Israel that is the Christians of that Age the Spiritual Israel to * eat things sacrificed unto Idols and to commit Spiritual Fornication which is Idolatry 30 Although the Apostate Church had the Throne that is the Antichristian Power and Preheminence yet the pure Church-State is here blamed for having them or that prevailing party amongst them although they could not help it because that it had not arrived to that perfection of Gifts and Graces as must necessarily have cast out the corrupt party by its power and efficacy Thus the Apostle blames the Corinthians 1 Cor. 5. and 2 Cor. 7. that they had not mourned that the incestuous person might be cast out from among them and for want of vehement Affections of godly Sorrow Desire Revenge c. by which alone they could approve and clear themselves in that matter 31 Concerning this wicked advice of Balaam who counselled Balack to draw the Israelites to Idolatry by enticing them with the Conversation of strange Women you may read the 22d 23d 24th 25th Chapters of Numbers and the 16th Verse of the 31st as also Micah 6.5 2 Pet. 2.15 and Jude 11. together with the Expositors on those places Whereby is plainly signified the wicked Counsel of the Antichristian Party especially of the Papacy which like Balaam pretends to Prophecy and Infallibility whereby the Secular Powers Represented by King Balack were perswaded to entice the people to Idolatry by worshipping Bread and Saints and Images So that this Period comprehends the Times in which these Doctrines were controverted and at last imposed and seems to reach until about the year 1100. when Antipas or the faithful Witnesses against these and other Errors which had been before slain by the Anathemas of several Councils and lay mostly concealed and hid within the Apostate Church began to unite into an open and visible Body and to appear under the Name of the Waldenses and Albigenses in a more direct Opposition to that Satanical or Antichristian Authority which had hitherto over-powered them Upon which as History testifies vast Numbers of all Ranks and Qualities united themselves unto them * To eat things sacrificed unto Idols as appears from the Apostles Discourse 1 Cor. 8. and 12. was accounted by the Corinthians no fault and was defended by them as Grotius notes upon the place by very subtile Distinctions not
and knowest not such is the ignorance of Man when left to himself that thou art wretched or The wretched full of wants and defects and miserable or The miserable in a helpless condition and poor in grace and glory and blind or ignorant seeing not thy wants nor the remedy of them and naked or iâ— a shameful condition in respect of the former now the Bride and her Husband are retired and God dwelleth not with thee Rev. 20 11.21 2 3 4. 39 Here is shewn the Ground of their Lukewarmness and the Reason why Christ would spew them out because they thought that their present State was as Glorious as their former and as much to be chosen as that which had the full Glory of the New Jerusalem 18 And therefore I counsel thee out of my Love to thee verse 19. to buy or obtain and procure of me what I will freely give thee if thou will be sensible of thy own unworthiness and inability of thy self to procure it Isa 55.1 2. Gold tried in the fire i. e. the most precious and most pure Wisdom of my Kingdom in Heaven above Prov. 2 4.3 14. Zeck 13.9 Math. 13.44 45 46. 1 Pet. 1.7 that thou mayest be rich in good and perfect works before God Luke 12.21 1 Tim. 6.17 18. and white raiment i. e. unspotted and perfect Holiness such as is required in my Kingdom that thou mayest be Cloathed with my Righteousness Rev. 19.8 and the shame of thy nakedness or thy shameful nakedness do not appear when I come to Judgment Rev. 20 12-15 and anoint thy eyes with Eye-Salve i. e. with clear knowledg that thou mayst see and discern betwixt the dark and imperfect state thou art in and the glorious entire light and perfection of the former Rev. 21.23 24.22 5. 19 Thou art the Camp of my Saints upon Earth and the beloved City and therefore have I permitted the Nations to gather themselves to Battel against thee and to encompass thee Rev. 20.8 9. for as many as I Love and whom I Love I Love unto the end John 13.1 I rebuke as I have done thee for thy lukewarmness and chasten by afflictions as thou hast been by the coming up of Gog and Magog against thee Rev. 20.8 9. be zealous therefore after a higher and a more glorious state and that in Heaven and repent of thy lukewarmness for to this end have I rebuked and chastened thee 20 And to shew what Love I have for thee Behold and let it be taken special notice of I stand waiting with an unwearied patience at the door of the Heart and Conscience of each person amongst you and 40 knock or use frequent and loud importunities by the motions of my Holy Spirit Cant. 5.2 Prov. 1.20 if any 41 man or any one of the Saints of this beloved City for to them and concerning them I now speak and not of their Church State which I will certainly spew out of my Mouth hear and obey my 40 voice and all that I have loved will do so John 10.27 28 29.13 1. and open the door of his Heart by removing all wilful impediments I who have now withdrawn my glorious presence will come unto him and will sup with him and he with me i. e. I will dwell with him possessing his Soul with my Gifts and Graces and will communicate my self after a friendly and a familiar manner unto him in my Heavenly Kingdom Luke 14.15 John 14.20 23. Rev. 19 9.21 3. 40 40 It was the antient custom to knock and call aloud at the same time 41 Christ before spoke to the Church of Laodicea here he speaks to the Members of it to whom he promises higher and more intimate communications of himself altho he had resolved to ease himself of their imperfect Church State 21 To him or that person that overcometh the evils of this State by hearing and obeying my voice and opening unto me will I grant to sit with 42 me in my Throne in my Kingdom whilst I judg the Nations Satan Death and Hell and then to reign with me to all Eternity John 17 22-24 Rev. 20 8-15 even as I also overcame Temptations Sin Death and Hell and am 43 set down with my Father in his Throne in Heaven John 17.5 42 Here Christ and his Saints are represented as sitting in one and the same Throne in allusion to the Thrones of the antient Eastern Kings which were very large and in the form of a Bed or Couch so that many persons might sit in them at once Cant. 3.7 43 Mr. Mede (a) Pag. 905. observes on this verse that although the glorified Saints are said to sit here with Christ on his Throne that yet none but Christ God-Man is said to sit with the Father on his Throne because no Creature is capable of the priviledge of sitting on God the Father's Right Hand in his Throne that being a Godlike Royalty altogether incommunicable 22 He that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches CHAP. IV. The Text. 1 AFter this * first Prophetick Vision of the Seven Churches I looked or I was seeing 1 in a Prophetical Vision Dan. 4.10 and behold a door was opened in Heaven i. e. a Discovery was made of Divine secrets and the first voice or the former 2 voice of Christ which I heard at first Chap. 1.10 was as of a Trumpet i. e. full of Power and Authority Chap. 1.10 talking with me which said come up hither unto me to have a nearer access to and participation of Heavenly Secrets and I for none else can will shew thee in Symbols and representations things which must be hereafter in a Succession one after another Annotations on CHAP. IV. * The foregoing Vision contained in the Second and Third Chapters may be called The Church-Prophecy because that in it the several successive States and Periods of the Church from the beginning of it at Christ's Resurrection until the Kingdom of Christ and the End of all things are represented under the Types of Churches the most proper Emblem of them and that the following Vision which may be called the Book-Prophecy from its Events being represented in a Book with Seals to which this and the next Chapter are a Preface is of the same signification and extent shall be argued hereafter as occasion shall require and may at present be gathered from some Congruities observable in the Prefaces to each of them as that John is spoken to here by a Trumpet as he was in the former Preface in the first Chapter and is in the like Spiritual Extasie as he was then in which being Circumstances peculiar to these Two Visions may argue them to be of the like Nature and Import And here it is not improper to observe that in this and the following Chapter is chiefly contained 1. A Representation of the Throne Divine Consistory or Court of Judicature of Almighty God which is to pass Judgment upon the State of
thousands i. e. innumerale Heb. 12.22 12 Saying with a loud Voice and suitable affection worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the Acknowledgment and Possession of power and Authority over all things especially his Church Matth. 11.27.28 18. John 17.2 and of Riches i. e. the inheritance of all things Heb. 1.2 and of Wisdom to govern his Church as being the Eternal Wisdom of his Father Prov. 3.16 and of strength to conquer his Enemies and honour from all Creatures and glory from his Father John 17.1 5. and blessing from Angels and Saints and all creatures Psalm 145.10 11. Psalm 148. 13 And every 16 Creature Phil. 2.10 which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb i e. to God the Father and his Son Christ for ever and ever 16 Even inanimatt Creatures are frequently in Scripture called upon to praise God by a common Figure usual to all Authors and Nations that because they would praise him if they could and are the Objects and Occasions of Praise to Angels and Men and are under the command of God and subservient to his Glory and his Churches good and because the very Order and Beauty of the Creatures especially as they shall be in the Restitution of all things is a Real and Virtual Praising of God And all Creatures Saints and Angels themselves are here brought as making this Acknowledgment to signifie that God and Christ are the alone Objests of Worship and not any Creature whatsoever Exod. 20.4 5. 14 And the four Beasts i. e. the Christian Church said Amen to this new Song i. e. consented and approved of it And after the Christian Church to shew that they received the clear and explicit Knowledge of Chrisi from the Christian Church and to testifie the Agreement there is betwixt the Old and New Testament the Four and Twenty Elders i. e. the Jewish Church fell down and worshipped him 17 that liveth for ever i. e. God the Father 17 Here it is to be observed that as the Christian Church began Chap. 4.8 9. with Hymns and Worship to God the Father so the Jewish Church here Ends after they had joyned with the Christian Church in Praises and Acts of Worship to Christ who has the same Worship here given him with the Father with an Act of Worship to the Father to shew that as all things are Of Him so are they also To Him and His Glory and that the Kingdom is to be delivered up unto him and that all things are to be subject unto him who is All in All 1 Cor. 15 24-28 which is signified by their falling down and worshipping him in token of their Obedience and of the Subjection of all things unto him all Creatures also are as themselves bowing or being subject unto him in the sense that they praise him Psal 2.10 11. CHAP. VI. The Text. 1 AND Christ being now possessed of the Right to his Kingdom and his sole and absolute Power and Dominion having been acknowledged by all Creatures in the former Chapter I saw or was in a Vision when the Lamb i. e. Christ having now the Right and Administration of the Affairs of his Kingdom opened 1 one i. e. the first Chap. 5. 5. of the Seals i. e. he revealed what was before hid and accomplished what was represented under each Seal and I heard as it was the noise or a Clap of 2 Thunder i. e. a powerful and a terrible Voice and efficaciously productive of its Effects See on Chap. 1. 10. 3 one i. e. the first of the four Beasts or the Apostolical Ministry saying Come and see and consider the Mysterious Sculpture which is to be seen in the first Roll of the Book and the great Event represented by it Annotations on CHAP. VI. 1 The Seals are as so many Stops and Delays to Christ's Kingdom and the opening of them signifies not only the making of the Visions known wnich before were concealed whereupon Prophecy is called a sealed Book but also the Effect of every Vision as the Prophet Ezekiel Chap. 12.23 Phrases it or the several Steps and Advances made towards the Kingdom of Christ this being the Book of Christ's Kingdom whirh he opened as King with Power and Authority and by actually effecting the things signified in their due and proper times 2 Hereby is signified the great Power and Efficacy which accompanied the first preaching of the Gospel whence Mark 3.17 James and John are called the Sons of Thunder and the utmost Force of God's Power is called the Thunder of God's Power Job 26.14 3 One as is usual in this Prophecy signifies the first of the Beasts like a Lyon whose Station being in the Eastern part of the Jewish Camp hereby is signified the coming forth of the Gospel from Jerusalem which is in the Eastern parts of the World whence the Gospel was first preached and the first Apostolical Church gathered according to the Prediction of the Prophets Isa 28.16 Micah 4.2 Acts 2.41 2 And I saw and behold I perceiv'd engraven on the first Roll a white 4 Horse signifying the pure and merciful power and conquest of the Gospel Dispensation Psal 45.4 and he 5 i. e. Christ that sat on him i. e. who had the Power and management of that Dispensation had a Bow 6 i. e. the Gospel Psal 45.5 and a Crown was given unto him as King and Conqueror and he went forth from Jerusalem Mic 4.2 conquering 7 by the efficacy of his Gospel and his Ministers and to conquer by degrees untill the completion of his Kingdom Psal 2 6.-8 4 Horses being a swift and warlike Creature according to the admirable Description of them given in Job Chap. 39. the Scripture does signifie by them some active and powerful Dispensation of his Providence brought to pass by his Angels and Ministers the Nature and Quality of which is denoted by the divers Colours attributed to those Horses as appears plainly from Zach. 1.8 10.6.2 3.10 3. Now the Dispensation here pointed at being that of Christ's Kingdom a (a) Bochart Hieros 2.7 white Horse is attributed unto him 1. to denote his Power Princes and Honourable Persons being used to Ride and that on White Beasts whilst Inferiours went on Foot as appears from Judg. 5.10 Eccles 10.7 2. To signifie the Mercifulness of his Conquest Psalm 45.4 Zech. 9 9.10 3. it being usual for Conquerors to ride on white Horses on the Days of Triumph Rev. 19.11 14. 5 That Christ is hereby signified is evident from Rev. 19.11 12 13. compared with Psalm 2. and 45. from whence these Symbols are taken 6 As an Archer with his Bow according to the Description given by the Psalmist 7 12.11 2. first menaces and threatens at a distance before he shoots so Christ first appeared with a peaceable
Continent which lay Eastward of them and by Sea whatsoever lay to the West Continent as well as Sea Which way of Speech is to this day Observed by the Chinese who upon that account call all the World except Tartary Si Yam or the VVestern Sea from whence Siam a Countrey in the Indies takes it's Name as being Situated towards the Sea Westerly of China And therefore by this action of our Saviour seeing that in all other Places of Scripture the Earth is mentioned before the Sea may be Intimated that the Gospel which was now almost extinguished in the Eastern parts by Mahometism Should appear First in its Purity and Strength in the Sea or the VVestern Parts of the World signified by the mention of the Sea in the First Place and by Christ's putting his right Foot upon it the Strongest and the Honourablest of the two Which came to pass at the Reformation foretold in this Vision as shall beshewn hereafter And that there sbould be in the latter Days which Doctor Pocock (a) On Hosea 3.5 Pag. 618. extends from Christs First to his Second Coming some Wonderfull and Amazing motion of the People of God from the VVest is evident from Hosea 11.10 Where the Prophet foretells that the Lord shall roar like a Lion an Expreson which very Remarkably Answers to the Roaring and Thundring in this Vision and that thereupon or then the Children shall tremble from the VVest or from the (b) Dr. Pâ—cock on the Place Sea as the Word in the Hebrew Signfies that is from the VVestern Parts and from Remote and Distant Countreys and even the uttermost parts of the Earth which is encompassed with the Sea Which strange motion or conversion is to come to pass near Christ's Second Coming which Dr. Pocock asserts to be a Received Opinion as to the Jews in his Kingdom which was to have appeared when Christ set his Right Foot upon the Sea if the Thunders the Effect of the Lord 's Roaring had not been sealed that is if a stop had not been put to the Efficacy of them for Christ's Kingdom when it comes in its full force will prevail to the placing of the Jews in their Houses Verse 11. and to the bringing in the fulness and perfection of the Gentiles 3 And cried with a loud Voice i. e. proclaimed his Right as when a Lion 8 roareth i. e. terribly and with Majesty Isa 31.4 Amos 3.8 Joel 3.16 Prov. 20.2 and when he had cryed seven Thunders 9 uttered their Voices declaring the appearance of his Kingdom 8 Christ called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev. 5.5 is here understood whose Roaring denotes as Dr. Pocock has shewn upon Hos 11.10 the Efficacious power of the preaching of the Gospel resembled to the Voice of a Lyon because of its calling Christians together to partake of it and its Promises as the Lyon does those of its own kind to partake of the prey and because it is accompanied with a Terror and an Awe and extends it self to the uttermost parts of the Earth with great power as the Voice of a Lyon is terrible and loud And hereby also as appears from the Texts I have quoted is signified the Anger of God when he appears for the Vindication of his Kingdom against the Enemies of it 9 Thunders as I have before shewn on Chap. 6 1.8 5. signifie the Power and Efficacy and signal Appearances of Christ's Kingdom which Seven the Number of Perfection peculiarly denotes and which Hannah prophesied would be exalted by the Lord's Thundering out of Heaven 1 Sam. 2.10 4 And when the seven Thunders had uttered their Voices I was about to write that which they had uttered and I heard a Voice from Heaven saying unto me 10 Seal up those things which the Seven Thunders uttered and write them not i. e. conceal them as things which are to come to pass hereafter and hinder them from coming immediately into Effect Dan. 8 26.12 4 9. 10 Here Sealing and Writing are plainly opposed Writing signifying the bringing of the Vision into Effect and Sealing the delaying of the Acccmplishment of it as I have shewn on Chap. 5.1 So that here is a plain stop put to the Kingdom of Christ insomuch that his Roaring did not prevail to make the Children come trembling from the West 5 And the Angel which I saw stand upon the Sea and upon the Earth lifted up his hand to Heaven the Throne of God in the posture and manner of Swearing Gen. 14.22 Dan. 12.7 6 And swore by him that liveth for ever and ever who created Heaven and the things that therein are and the Sea and the things which are therein i. e. by the Eternal Omnipotent God who created all things and therefore can alter them and their Times and Seasons that there should be such time 11 no longer as that which the Prophet Daniel foretold Chap. 7 25.12 7. 11 Time in general here called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is divided by Daniel into several distinct 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is appointed Times or Seasons which he calls Time Times and the Dividing of Time or a part that is an half of Time which Distribution is also used in this Book Chap. 12.14 By Time is meant in Daniel the most signal and perfect part of the appointed Times and seasons viz. a Year as appears from Dan. 4.16 and 11.13 where Times plainly signifie Years By Times absolutely put must be meant Two Times or Two Years because it is the Dual Number i. e. the next Plural Number to Time or One Year and then by consequence by The Division or cutting off or Half of Time must be meant Half a Year as I think all Interpreters agree Now The Prophetical Day being put for a Year in Scripture the Prophetical Year must by consequence be put for a Year of Prophetical Days that is a year of years consisting of as many years as a Year doth of Days viz. of Three hundred and Sixty Years in round and equal Numbers according to the degrees of a Circle and then (a) 360 a Time 720 Times 180 half a Time 1260. Times must be Two Years of Years i.e. Seven hundred and Twenty Years and the half Time must be half a year of years that is One hundred and Eighty Years all which amounts to Twelve hundred and Sixty Years Rev. 11 3.12 6. Now Christ's Oath here having a clear reference to Daniel 12.7 by no more Time must be meant no more such Time or of the same Nature with the Times there given to Antichrist which were to cease and no more time to be except when Christ's Kingdom appeared which is the import of the following Verse when there should be Time indeed but of a quite different Nature dated and reckoned from the glorious Reign of Christ and not from the Abominations and Servitude of Antichrist and ending in that which is not so properly Time as the completion and perfection of it Eternity For
Isa Chap. 54. and 62. Hos 2. Psalm 45. the Book of Canticles and Bp. Patrick's Preface to it in Scripture as a Bridgegroom and the Church as his Spouse and Wife to whom he is actually married when his Kingdom appears in its Glory as is plainly asserted Chap. 21.2 The Time from his Death and Resurrection until then being rather the Time of betrothing or Espousals than of Marriage Consider Canticles 3.11 and the Mystical Sense of the Captive Spouse Deut. 21 10-14 which may perhaps have some reference to this matter 8 And to her was granted 7 by Christ in virtue of his Death Eph. 5.25 26. that she should be arrayed in fine Linen clean and white or bright and Royal 8 Garments see on chap. 3.4 For the fine Linen is i. e. signifies the 9 Righteousness of the Saints who now come down from Heaven with Christ in his Kingdom chap. 21.2 7 Her Nuptial Garments and Ornaments are here said to be Granted or Given unto her to shew that all the Righteousness we have is of Free Gift and Grace even the preparing or making our selves ready by putting on Christ's Righteousness by Faith which as subjected in our Faculties may be called Our Righteousness whereby we become perfect through the Comliness which God puts upon us Jerem. 23.6 Ezek. 16.14 Zech. 3.4 Rom. 3. and 10.3 4. Phil. 2.12 13. 8 See Grotius on the place Christ was now about to present his Church without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. and therefore is she cloathed in fine white Linen of which sort also Royal Robes were wont to be whereby is signified that the Saints were now to Reign with Christ. 9 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant in Scripture the (a) Grot. in Matth. 22.11 Luke 1.6 and Hammond on Rom. 8.4 Rom. 2.26 Precepts of the Law and Holy Actions conformable to those Precepts in which sense it is here taken which are said to be given unto the Saints to shew that the Justification and also the inherent Holiness of Saints is wholly from Christ our Righteousness and is given and communicated unto them out of his Fullness 1 Cor. 1 30.15 10. Gal. 2.20 John 1.16 Doctor Hammond's Interpretation of these Words The Ordinances of the Sanctuary cannot possibly be true because the Holy Spirit expresly says that the fine Linen which the Priest used when he went into the Sanctuary which is here alluded to is that is signifies which is the constant meaning of that word in this Prophecy Righteousness and therefore the fine Linen it self cannot be here meant but the Righteousnesses of Saints signified by those Ordinances of the Sanctuary 9 And he i. e. an Angel chap. 22. 8. saith unto me write this Truth and seal it not for it will immediately be brought into effect see on chap. 5 1.10 4. blessed are they which are 10 called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 22.2 and he i.e. the Angel saith unto me (a) Or these true words are of or from God these 11 are the true sayings of God i. e. certain infallible and most important Truths as incredible and as inconsiderable as they may seem to men 10 The Righteous Saints who are called the Wife of the Lamb that is the Church of Saints collectively taken in the Two foregoing Verses come down with Christ out of Heaven as is evident from comparing those Verses with Chapt. 21.2 and therefore by the called in this Verse seems to be meant the Saints who shall then be alive upon Earth who are said to have but a part in the first Resurrection Chap. 20.6 and are represented here only as Guests bidden but not as the Companions and Followers of the Bridegroom See on Chap. 20.6 11 These being not ordinary Scripture-Truths but of an high and Prophetick Nature therefore a particular Asseveration of the Truth of them is here used that they might gain belief the more easily and to ascertain the Revelation of them as the Angel particularly asserts the Truth of Daniel's Visions Dan. 8 26.10 21.11 2. And this Phrase is afterwards twice used upon the same account in this very Prophecy Chap. 21 5.22 6. 10 And I being transported 12 with the Vision I had seen of the glorious state of Christ's Kingdom fell through incogitancy and surprise at his i. e. the Angel Feet to Worship 13 him And he i. e. the Angel said immediately with 14 great Zeal and in great haste to prevent me as soon as he could I am thy fellow 15 Servant and therefore am not to be Worshipped Worship being to be given to Superiors and not Equals not to Angels who are but Fellow Servan s and Fellow Creatures with Men and Ministring Spirits to the great God and I am the Fellow Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and Witnesses chap. 12 17. 22 9 that have received the Testimony of Jesus in his Gospel chap. 1. 2. Worship therefore * God and him alone and not his Servants and Instruments whatsoever their Excellencies and Perfections may be for they are but your Fellow Creatures And even as to their Ministrations and Offices they are not Superior to you for the 16 Testimony of Jesus which your Brethren the Witnesses have from the Scriptures concerning things future chap. 1. 1 2 3. is of the same esteem and value with immediate Prophecy it self because that the very 16 Spirit and Life of Prophesy consists in the Communication of it from Christ and it matters not as to the value of the Prophecy or of the Persons who recive it whether it come from the Testimony of Christ in Scripture or from immediate Revelation And therefore seeing that thou and thy Brethren here received the Testimony of Christ you are equal unto us although you have it not immediately from Christ but by our Ministration or from his Apostles and Disciples chap. 1. 1-4 22 6. 12 This Action seems to be chiefly (a) Of this Nature are many Actions of the Patriarchs thought to be by Justin Martyr who calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dial. cum Tryphon pag. 364 371. Symbolical and is transferred as in a Figure to the Apostle to teach and represent unto us under the Person of the Apostle himself that the best men are very apt to he surprized and drawn by the Example of others and by false pretences into Creature-Worship and that such Worship is unlawful let the pretences be never so plausible and that the only way to avoid all manner of Idolatry is to keep to the Precept here given of Worshipping God alone See on Chap. 22.8 9. 13 As being an Angel employed in a great Ministry and upon the most pleasing and most grateful Message of shewing him the New Jerusalem-State consisting of Gentiles and Jews his Countreymen Brethren and Kinsmen for whom the Apostle Paul could have wisht himself accursed from Christ Rom. 9.3 united together and reigning with Christ in his Kingdom 14 All this seems to be included
of the Witnesses especially at the Reformation 1517. 46 This refers to some second space of Repentance afforded the Apostasie before the pouring out of the Vials which may be probably the time allotted to the uttering of the Voices Chap. 14. by which Babylon was called to Repentance 23 And I will kill her Idolatrous Children 47 i. e. her Proselytes and Followers with death i. e. I will certainly and utterly destroy them and by the greatness of the Punishment all the Churches of the World shall know that I am he which 48 searcheth the Râ—iâ—s i. e. the Desires and Hearts i. e. the Thoughts and can discern the Sincerity of them and I will give unto every one of you according to your works and not according to your subtile and fair pretences 47 As the Disciples of the Prophets are called the Sons of the Prophets and as Timothy and Mark are called Paul's Sons in Scripture because they were his Disciples and were converted by him so are the Proselytes of Jezebel called here the Children of her spiritual Whoredom as being brought over to the Apostasie by her subtile Enticements and by the power of those Kings and Princes especially who were of her Communion and thereby had committed Adultery with her 48 From whence it appears that the Apostasie made use of plausible Insinuations to seduce Men to their Communion and an appearance of Piety and Religion 24 But unto you I say and 49 to the rest in Thyatyra that is the Remnant of this Succession which shall continue until I come in my Kingdom Verse 25 26. as many of you I mean as have not held and approved this Idolatrous 50 Doctrine of the Apostasie before-mentioned Verse 20. and which have not known so as to hold and approve the depths 51 of Satan i. e. the Antichristian Mysteries and Policies as 52 they of the pure Church of Thyatira speak or call them I will put upon you no other burthen 53 of Command 49 The Church of Thyatira is distinguished into Two Intervals viz. one before and at the Reformation the other after it which is to last until Christ's Coming in his Kingdom when upon the appearance of that Succession their last works shall be greater than their former The first Interval is denoted here by You that is you who are now in being the second by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Rest or the Remnant See Chap. 3 2.11 13. 50 By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are meant in Scripture Sentences or Parables and Precepts or Discourses tending to Doctrine and Manners for so the Word is frequently used in the New Testament of which sort there were many false and erroneous ones amongst the Jews as appears from Heb. 13.9 and amongst the Primitive Christians falsly attributed to the Apostles and Apostolical Men. 51 The profound Mysteries such as Transubstantiation and Infallibity and the deep Politick Devices of the Apostasie are called here Satanical Depths in opposition to the Mysteries of Christianity called deep things of God and the Depth Rom. 11.33 1 Cor. 2.10 52 It was the chief Accusation of the Waldenses the pure Christians of this Succession that they called the Papacy Babylon and Antichrist and adapted the Prophecies of this Book to that Church as may be seen in a Treatise put forth by them A. D. 1120. and printed in Perrin's History of them 53 A Phrase taken from Acts 15.28 Where Ordinances or Commandments are called Burthens as they are also Matth. 23.4 And Christ here assures them that he would not charge them with any Injunctions of doing their first Works or repenting as he had done the other Churches but bids them only stick close to what they held and maintained approving thereby their Integrity and Purity 25 But that or those necessary things Acts 15.28 which ye have already believed and held hold fast till I come in my Kingdom 26 And he i. e. that Body of Men or those Persons that overcometh the Corruptions of this State and keepeth my 54 Works or the Precepts and Commandments which I have given them and enabled them to perform unto the end of time when Christ's Kingdom shall come Rev. 10.6 7. to him will I then give power over the 55 Nations or Gentiles that is the Apostasie and their Abettors 54 They are called Christ's Works in opposition to the Depths of Satan which are the Works of the Devil John 8.41 44. And by his Works are meant Holy Worship and Practice and the most vigorous Opposition of the Apostasie 55 As being no better than meer Gentiles by reason of their Idolatry 27 And he or the Saints of this Church-State shall rule them the Antichristian Party and their Abettors with a Rod of Iron that is with just Severity and as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers i. e. their Church-State shall be dissolved easily and irreparably and I will give him power over the Nations even as I received Power of my Father Psalm 2.9 for they shall reign with me 28 And I will give him the 56 Morning-Star i. e. these Witnesses shall first arise and give early Notice of the approaching glorious State of Christ's Kingdom 56 A Phrase made use of by the Holy Ghost in 2 Pet. 1.19 with reference to this very matter where Prophetical Scripture is likened unto a light shining in a dark place which yet notwithstanding its Obscurity was a more sure word then a Private Voice from Heaven and which might be understood notwithstanding the dark state we are in provided they be not interpreted according to our own Natural Vnderstanding called there the VVill of Man nor according to a Private Interpretation but according to the VVill of God speaking in and by the Holy Penmen which is a Publick Interpretation because it is taken from the Common Analogy of Scripture Rom. 12.6 and is agreeable to the VVritings of All the Holy Men of God whose Spiritual Things are to be compared one with another that so we may have a Publick Standard of Interpretation in the Church and because it proceeds although in an ordinary manner from the same (a) 1 Cor. 6-16 12 4. spirit which alone knows the things of God which at first moved the Holy Prophets which is One and agreeable to it self in all its Gifts and Operations and which when it incited them to speak and write gave them not Prophecies of a private Sense as relating only to private and particular persons but which were to be understood in a Publick Sense concerning Christ his Church and Kingdom But although they may be understood by us yet the Apostle tells us that it will not be without great difficulty until the Day shall dawn and the Day Star arise in our Hearts by which the appearance of Christ in his Kingdom is meant who is called Rev. 22.16 the bright and Morning Star the first Dawnings and Approachings of whose Kingdom may be meant by the Morning Star as the Kingdom in its
not for thy own sake or the sake of the Church which thou fearest will be deprived of what is contained in this Book for behold the Lyon 10 of the Tribe of Judah i. e. Christ Gen. 49.9 Heb. 7.13 14. who is also the root of David Isa 11.1 10. Rom. 15.12 hath prevailed with the Father by his Blood and Merits to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Vers 2 4. i. e. to declare what is in it and to accomplish it 8 For so One seems to signifie in this Prophecy as also it does Dan. 10.13 Gen. 1.4 Matth. 28.1 9 The Jewish Church having been entrusted with the Oracles and Prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Kingdom of Christ it is very proper that their Ministry should be here made use of to declare unto John the import of what had been delivered therein concerning the Merits and Power of Christ in revealing and erecting his Kingdom and therefore Christ is here described by Titles taken from what relates to the Jews as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah because he came from that Tribe which is resembled to a Lyon in Scripture and the Root of David because he proceeded from his Stock as from a Root 10 No Creature whatsoever as Man signifies Verse 7. and Isa 41.28 was able to open this Book or look into it but only Christ by Vertue of his Merits whereby that extravagant Knowledge which is ascribed unto Angels and Saints in the Romish Church and their Mediatorship is plainly exploded as appears also from the 11th 12th 13th and 14th Verses 6 And I beheld with great concern and expectation and lo on a sudden in the midst of the Throne i. e. just before it and next unto it and of the Four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders i. e. betwixt God the Father and his Church stood 11 in a posture of Defence as Mediator and Advocate and in a readiness to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14. a Lamb i. e. Christ John 1.29.36 as it had been newly stain and just risen from the dead having seven Horns 12 i. e. perfect Regal Authority especially over the sevenfold State of the Church and seven Eyes signifying perfection of Knowledge and Providential Administrations Zech. 3.9 which are or represent the seven Spirits of God i. e. the perfect Operations of Gods Spirit Zech. 4.6 10. See on Rev. 1.4 sent forth into all the Earth to superintend dispose and conduct all things 2 Chron. 46.9 Isa 11.2 11 From Christ's being here represented as just risen from the dead with the Signs of his Sufferings fresh and bleeding it may be gathered that the Epocha of these Visions is to be taken from Christ's Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven as we have observed before on Chap. 1.10 And he is represented as standing to denote that he was not as yet in possession of his Kingdom which was due to him at his Resurrection as the Psalmist plainly affirms Psalm 2 7 8. but that he stood ready to receive it to which end he was brought unto the Father as appears plainly from Dan. 7.13 14. 12 Horns being the Weapons of Beasts they are put to signifie Strength and Power in Scripture as Psalm 75.5 10. and in Daniel and this Prophecy they denote Kings and their Regal Power as the Scripture interprets it self Dan. 8.20 21. Rev. 17.12 7 And he i. e. Christ being now entring upon his Kingly Office came to the Father being brought near before him to receive his Kingdom Dan. 7.13 14 and took the Book * out of the Right Hand of him that sate upon the Throne i. e. received his Kingdom from the Father and power to reveal and execute what was contained in that Book concerning it * This answers to Dan. 7.14 where upon his being brought to the Father a Kingdom is given him of which this Book is a Symbol as being the Book of the Kingdom of Christ only we are to take notice that the Book is sealed the Kingdom being not to appear but by steps and degrees according to the opening of the Seals until the seventh Trumpet of the seventh Seal during which time Christ was to sit in the patience and expectation of his Kingdom at the Right Hand of God until his Father made his Foes his Footstool according to Psalm 110.1 and 1 Cor. 15.25 27. 8 And when he had taken the Boâ—k the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders i. e. the Christian and the Jewish Church perceiving th t all Power was now given unto him of the Father fell down before the Lamb to worship him bearing every one of them Harps to praise him and golden Vials or Bowls to hold Incense in 2 Chron. 4.22 full of 13 Odours which are i. e. signifie the Prayers Psalm 141.2 of Saints i. e. of the living Creatures and Elders and all Saints and Members of the pure Church in his Kingdom Rev. 20.4 13 The Ascent of the Incense signifies the Ascent of Prayers to Heaven and the Odour of it their Acceptableness with God for which see Dr. Hammond on the place and on Luke 1.10 And here Christ appearing for his Saints as in his Kingdom makes them Priests to God by giving them Incense See Chap. 8.3 4.20 6. 9 And they sung a new Song of 14 singular Love and Gratitude upon the occasion of Christ's Redemption and Kingdom saying Thou art worthy and thou alone Verse 23. to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God i. e. to be his Servants and Worshippers by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation to be a Catholick Church and Kingdom 14 In this sense this Word is taken Psalm 33.3 Isa 42.9 10. But it is rather called a New Song here because it will have been for a long time out of use during the Apostacy which will have perverted the Doctrine of Redemption and Kingdom of Christ therein celebrated of which Kingdom there is here given an Appearance and Representation signified by Musick and Harps which are the Attendants of it in this Prophecy Songs and Musick being not made use of in it but upon some such Pre-appearance until the Apostasie is at an end as if during the Absence of the Bridegroom Mourning were more suitable for the Church 10 And hast made us unto the Service and Glory of our God Kings and Priests i. e. a Priestly Kingdom Chap. 1.6 and we shall reign 15 in the Earth in thy Kingdom Rev. 20.4 15 From hence it is plain that Christ's Kingdom is to be upon Earth Rev. 20.4 11 And I beheld or was still in Vision and I heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and round about the Beasts and the Elders i. e. the whole Church consisting of Angels and Men Christians and Jews Heb. 12.22 23 24. and the number of them i. e. of the Angels was ten tbousand times ten thousand and thousands of
very favourable to the Christians 6 And I heard a Voice 13 in the midst of the Four Beasts i. e. from Christ in his Apostolical Church Chap. 5. 6. say A 15 Measure of Wheat for a penny and Three Measures of Barley for a penny i. e. let exact care be observed about necessary Food for eating and see thou hurt or diminish not the Oil and the Wine i e. let no Fraud be used in Drinks and 16 Medicines 15 A Famine cannot be here described because that scarcity could not be great where Barley and Wheat were not wanting nor even Wine and Oyl which are rather the Comforts of Life than the Necessaries And therefore this Verse refers to the strict Justice and diligent Care observed by Severus and Alexander about publick Provisions for which they are signally remarkable in History But this Voice being heard so remarkably amongst the Four Beasts that is as spoken by Christ who is represented as in the midst of them Chap. 5.6 seems to intimate something relating to Christ's Church and that very remarkable which I shall endeavour to explain by what is offered by Dr. Beverley a Person of deep thought and of great insight in these matters He thinks then that by the Ballances in the Rider's hand is figured Christ's weighing the Churches Purity in the exact Ballances of the Sanctuary according to what is prophesied of him by Ezekiel Chap. 25.9 10-25 that he the Prince shall take care in the New Jerusalem state there prefigured that their Oblations or Worship shall be exact according to the Old Standard of the Sanctuary from which they had swerved of which Worship or Daily Service Wheat Oyl and Wine are the Symbols they being the constant Attendants of the Daily Sacrifice as appears from Exod. 29.40 Numb 28.7 Barley also denoting the Christian Oblation in the Sacrament and their Praises and Thanksgivings because Barley was used in no Oblation except in that of the suspected Wife Numb 5.15 but in the Oblation of the First Fruits of their Harvest Lev. 23.9 which was a Type of the Christian Eucharistical Oblations as Mr. * Book 1. Disc 51. and in his Christian Sacrifice Mâ—de has shewn And 2dly He thinks that the whole Time of the Seals is as it were weighed in the Two Scales of this Ballance the one half of it being run out at the time when these Ballances appeared to wit A. D. 235. when Alexander Severus's Death put an End to this Seal for the first Seal beginning at the Resurrection A. D. 33. if you add to that 202 years the Moyety of the whole Seals the first half-Time will fall upon the year 235. the other half extending to 437 where he dates the beginning of the 1260 Years of the Apostasie which will be made out more fully in the Process of these Annotations 16 Wine and Oyl were also used in the curing of Wounds and for Medicines Isa 1.6 Luke 10.34 7 And when he had opened the fourth Seal I heard the Voice of the foâ—rth Beast 17 say come and see what Judgments God will bring upon the Heathen Empire for their impenitence 17 The Church continues still Apostolical because the Living Creature still speaks although the Thunder or mighty Power and Efficacy of the Gospel was departed from it And the Apostolical Ministry here calls upon him to consider the Obstinacy and Impenitency of the Pagan Empire notwithstanding the Gospel had been preached amongst them for so long a time and that therefore God had resolved utterly to destroy them after he had tried whether he could reclaim them by his severe Judgments amongst whom yet he preserved a Remnant of Christians to be a Holy Seed according to God's Denunciations in a parallel Case Ezek. 14 12-23 Now the voices of the living Creatures or of the Apostolical Representatives of the Christian Church still continuing we may reasonably conclude that the Ephesine or Apostolical Succession lasted during these four first Seals amongst the Apostolical Ministry of which Succession we may justly reckon not only the Apostles and Apostolical Men but the Primitive Writers and Witnesses of these times from Justin Martyr to Origen who by their Apologies exemplary Lives and Deaths and Learned Writings Justified the Christian Religion confuted Judaism and Paganism and called upon the Empire to Repent many of them foreteling its fall and the rise of Antichristianism upon it and speaking plainly concerning the Thousand Years Kingdom of Christ for which see Mr. Mede Dr. Burnet's Theory of the Earth and Dr. Cressener 8 And I looked and beheld a 18 pale Horse i. e. great slaughter and mortality and his Name that sat thereon was Death and Hell or the grave followed with him as his Attendant and power was given unto them over the fourth 19 part of the Earth i. e. the Roman Empire to kill with the Sword i. e. by War and with Hunger i e. by Famine and with Death i. e. by the Pestilence Jer. 9.21 and with the Beasts of the Earth 18 The State of the Empire from Maximin to Diocletian that is from A. D. 235. to A. D. 284. is here plainly Characterised For 1. Maximin was a Thracian whose Countrey lay Northward according to the Station of the Fourth Beast the Eagle 2. In that small space of time there were above Twenty Emperours not reckoning the Thirty Tyrants under Gallienus most of them very short-lived and coming to untimely Ends which is very appositely represented by Death's sitting upon a pale Horse instead of a Rider 3. Besides the persecution of the Christians the whole Roman Empire was then grievously harrass'd by Cruel and Barbarous Emperours by Civil VVars and Forreign Invasions the Persians and Asiatick Scythians breaking in upon the Eastern part of the Empire and the Goths about the same time invading the Western after a most terrible manner about the beginning of the Reign of Gallus A. D. 251. (a) Pagi in Baron or 252. as Zozimus observes 4. In this Period there was a dreadful Plague that lasted for Fifteen Years together which beginning in Aethiopia went through most of the Provinces of the Roman Empire upon the occasion of which Cyprian wrote his Books de Mortalitate and against Demetrian where that Holy Gospel-Witness attributes that Mortality to the impiety and persecution of the Pagans and not to the Innocent Religion of the Christians and seriously exhorts the Heathens to a speedy Repentance And there was a Famine also as Dionysius (b) Euseb 7.22 Alexandrinus testifies who lived at that time After which Desolations it was a frequent thing in those Countries for the Wild Beasts to ravage and to break in into their very Cities and commit great Slaughters which is a Judgment threatned in Scripture Lev. 26.22 Deut. 32.24 Ezek. 14.15 19 The Roman Empire seems to be called the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Fourth of the Earth because it was the Fourth Earthly Monarchy prophesied of by Daniel after which the Heavenly Kingdom was
to be set up See on Chap. 8.7 9 And when he i. e. the Lamb Christ had opened 20 the fifth Seal I saw under the Altar 21 of sacrifice Lev. 4.7 i. e. under the Power in the presence of and in Communion with God and Christ the Souls of them see on Chap. 20.4 that were slain for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held i e. the Christian Martyrs especially under Diocletian Chap. 2 10.20 4. 20 The Beasts Voice or the Apostolick Ministry here ceases to shew that Satan's Synagogue was now rising in the Smyrnaean Succession upon the Honours paid to Martyrs under this Seal 21 When Altar is put indefinitely the Altar of Sacrifice is usually understood where the Blood of the Sacrifice was wont to be poured out and by being under the Altar is signified the happy state of Martyrs under the protection and in the presence of God and Christ as appears from Heb. 13.10 Colos 3.3 4. compared with 2 Maccab. 7.36 Psalm 27.5 Phil. 2.17 And here is given a plain Character of this Seal from the Voice of the Blood of the Martyrs and from the change of Things immediately following it in the next Seal whereby is evidently signified the great Persecution under Diocletian whereupon the Aera Martyrum was instituted and the overthrow of Paganism under Constantine from whence also it is very manifest that the Smyrnaean Succession is contemporary with this Seal from the like appearances Chap. 2.10 10 And they 22 cryed instead of the Apostolical Voices with a loud Voice thereby shewing their Number their Zeal and the importance of their Complaint saying How long O Lord Christ holy and therefore hateing Cruelty and Bloodshed and true to thy promises of avenging thy people Luke 18.7 8. dost thou not judge and avenge our Blood to vindicate thy Honour and thy Truth on them that dwell on the Earth i. e. the Pagan Empire for our Persecution has been long and cruel Revel 2.10 22 As Abel's Blood did Gen. 2.10 Heb. 12.24 11 And white Robes denoting Reward Honour and Purity Chap. 3.4 were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet in quiet patiently expecting the time of God's Vengeance for a little season until their Fellow Servants also and their Brethren in Christ that should be killed as they were should be fullfilled 23 i. e. until the Times and the Number of Martyrs determined by God should be compleated 23 Hereby is signified the Martyrdoms which were to follow under Licinius Julian the Arrians and the Apostasie until God's signal and last Vengeance upon the Antichristian Tyranny under the Vials 12 And I beheld when he had opened the Sixth Seal and lo there was a great Earth-quake 24 i. e. a great commotion and a strange change of Affairs Hag. 2.6 7. Heb. 12.26 and the Sun 25 i. e. the chief God of the Pagans and the Heathen Emperour the chief Magistrate became black 26 as sackcloath of hair Isa 50.3 and the Moon i. e. the next in dignity became as 27 Bloâ—d i. e. were Eclypsed and lost their former Glory 24 It will not be altogether unseasonable to remark in this place what * Histor 4.11 Socrates the Ecclesiastical Historian notes from frequent Observation that Earthquakes are the Signs and Forerunners of Changes and Commotions in the Church 25 Here by Metaphors taken from the Prophetical Descriptions of the Day of Judgment and the last Conflagration of the World to which several of them seem plainly to refer as Dr. Burnet has observed in his ingenious Theory of the Earth and when the things described here by several Prophetical Accumulations shall be fully verified God's Judgments under Constantine and his Successors upon the Heathen Religion and Empire are set out unto us Although the Political World being described in Scripture by Metaphors taken from the Natural as appears from Isa 51.16 Dan. 8.10 the Heavens here may denote what is superiour in it and the Earth what is inferiour and the Sun may be taken for the Supreme in the State the Moon for the next and the Stars for those which are next in order unto them according to the Ancient Symbolical and Hieroglyphical Learning of the Eastern Nations of which we have an Example Gen. 37.9 10. Where Joseph's Dream concerning the Sun Moon and Stars is interpreted by Jacob of himself as Father and Chief of the Family of his Wife as next and of his Children as subject unto them And Sun Moon and Stars Hills and Mountains being the Objects and Places of Idolatry Hereby may be also signified the final Overthrow of Pagan Idolatry as well as of the Pagan Civil Powers 26 A Metaphor taken from an Eclipse in which the Sun appears black and the Moon of a dark Red like black Blood 13 And the Stars of Heaven i. e. the inferiour Deities and Magistrates fell unto the Earth i. e. were cast out and displaced by the mighty Power of God even as a Figtree casteth her untimely Figs Nahum 3.12 when she is shaken of a mighty wind e.e. as easily and in as great abundance Isa 34.4 14 And the Heaven i. e. the whole superior State of the Heathen World Civil and Religious departed 27 out of sight as a scroll that is rolled together so that they could not be seen i. e. they had no Authority nor Esteem and every Mountain i. e. all the places of Idolatry and of great strength and security Isa 2 14-18 Jerem. 51.25 Zech. 4.7 and Island 28 i. e. all their Provinces and Places beyond the Seas were moved out of their places i. e. the Government and Religion of them was changed and overturned 27 A Metaphor from the Ancient Manner of Writing upon one long Scroll which being rolled up according to their Custom what was written in it could not be seen 28 The Jews called all Maritime Places Islands and all places beyond the Mediterranean Consult the Interpreters on Gen. 10.5 and Mr. * Book 1. Disc 49. Mede And hereby is meant that no places escaped altho never so strong or remote 15 And the Kings 29 of the Earth i. e. the supreme Powers subject to the Roman Empire Isa 10.8 Acts 4.26 and the great men or Nobles Dan. 4.36 Mark 6.21 and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men or Soldiers Judg. 5.22 and every bond man and every free man i. e. all of every rank and quality hid themselves for fear Isa 2.19 in the dens and rocks of the Mountains i. e. the most secret and most inaccessible places Judg. 6.2 29 Here by an enumeration of the several Ranks and Degrees of Men according to the Scripture-Phrase all the Members of the Roman Empire are reckoned up From a due consideration of these Six Seals it will be manifest that they are Synchronous with the two first Churches ending in that of Smyrna when that Period received a Crown of Life under Constantine and his
the great River 21 Euphrates i. e. hindered by Divine Restraint and the Providential course of things from making any considerable Progress in the parts of the Roman Empire beyond that River 19 The Bad as well as Good Spirits which God makes use of are called in Scripture Angels which in this Book are put to denote the Men and Instruments used by and under them in their executing the Commands of God And because there is great Reason to believe as I shall shew hereafter that the Turkish Potentacy is meant in this place which immediately followed the Saracenical I shall therefore endeavour to give you a brief Account of its Original and Progress The Turks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by (a) Lib. 4. pag. 232. Mela 1. ult Plin. 6 7. Herodotus and Turcae by Mela and Pliny are by all Accounts a Northern People called therefore The King of the North Dan. 11.40 as the Saracens are The King of the South because they lie Southward of Palestine They were Orignally Natives of Tartary which is called Turchestân by the Eastern Writers and is a Countrey of a vast Extent reaching from the River Volga to the extreme East consisting of Two sorts of Tartars the Eastern or Mogul Tartars lying above China beyond the Mountain Imaus or Emodus and the Western Tartars on this side Imaus whose Language is different from the former and from these latter came the Turks as appears from their Language the Ground of which is Tartar and those Tartars also which inhabit the lesser Tartary upon the Black or Euxin Sea called the Crim Tartary or Tartaria Precopensis from a great Dike near which its Chief City stands Crim signifying a great Bank with a Ditch in the Tartar Language as Precop does in the Polish who were originally of the same Race with the Turks although they are now a mixt people because their Prince is by Compact to succeed the Grand Signior upon defect of Heir Male which the Turks would not have consented to if they had not been of the same Line Now the Turks made their Excursions from all parts at first some of them from beyond a Tanais where those Turks seem to have lived who sent an Embassy to Justin Junior and were employed by Heraclius against the Persians when he sailed through the Euxin Sea into Georgia and by degrees into Armenia but the greatest and most Famous Body of them came from Mawaralnà hra or the Regions beyond the River Oxus and from that part of it above the Caspian Sea which is particularly denominated from them Turchestân the Chief Seat whereof is Samarchand from whence they were called into Persia and not from Armenia as Abul-Pharajai and Elmacinus both testifie who make frequent mention of them and their Kings long hefore their setling in Persia They at first fell into Chorasân a Countrey lying betwixt Persia and India and ravaged some parts of (b) Petav. Rationar Tempor 9 7. Persia about A. D. 625. and afterwards (c) Abul-Phar pag. 115 116. assisted the Persians against the Saracens about A. D. 643. About (d) Sabellic Ennead 9. lib. 2. A. D. 800. they made great Incursions through the Portae Caspiae which is a narrow Passage near Derbent which signifies in the Persian Language a streight betwixt Mountains called by the Turks Demir Capi or the Iron Gate near the Caspian Sea betwixt Armenia and Persia and is part of that vast Ridge of Hills at least 1500 Miles long which runneth from West to East from Armenia to India where the Branches of it run several ways one great one of them separating the hithermost Tartary from that above China or the Mogul Tartary and is called Imaus these Hills receiving different Names in the different Counteies through which they run sometimes being called Mount (b) Nicephor Bryenn pag. 21. Du Cange in Not. ad Calcem Cinnami pag. 299. Excerpt e Legat. pag. 106. ed. Paris Leunclav Histor Mussulm pag. 22 23. Elmacin pag. 332. Abul-Phar pag. 222. Abul-Pheda per Gravium Knoll's History of the Turks Taurus sometimes Mount Caucasus and near Tartary Imaus Through this Natural Barrier of Nations there is a Narrow Passage which the Turks passed and possessed themselves of the Northern part of Armenia called perhaps from them Turcomania From whence and about the same time some of them went and settled in Caramania in Asia Minor anciently called Cilicia whilst others of them who were Stipendiaries to the Saracenick Chaliphs prevailed mightily at Bagdâd betwixt the Year 863. and 900. insomuch that although they had been often slain in great Numbers and were driven out of Chorasana they yet Rallied their Forces under Tugrol or Togrul-Beg (a) Du Cange ad calcem Cinnami pag. 300. called Tangrolipix and by several other Names by the Greeks who came from the Countries beyond the River Gihon or Jihun which is the same with Oxus as (b) Pag. 222. Du Cange ibid. Abul-Pharajai distinctly affims and passed that River and not Araxes which divides Armenia from Media except those Two Rivers are confounded by the Greeks as Du Cange thinks This great Captain together with the rest of his Brethren of the Family of the (c) Elmacin lib. 3.7 pag. 331. Abul-Phar 226 227. Leunclav Histor Musul pag 69 Niceph. Bryen pag. 21. Du Cange ubi supra Seljukidae who began to be Famous about A. D. 1038. being called into the Assistance of the Persians at last conquered them taking Ispahan about A. D. 1050. and having embraced Mahometism the Religion of that Countrey they proceeded so far as to conquer Bagdad A. D. 1055. and to put an end to the Empire of the Saracens in those parts Betwixt the years (d) Du Cange ad Calcem Cianam pag. 316. Histor Byzant illustrat pag. 354-358 1070 and 1080. they made great progress in Asia Minor some of the Family of the Seljukidae who came thither from Persia fixing their Imperial Seat at Iconium who are from thence called the Sultans of Iconium and are distinguished from the other Turkish Sultans who Reigned in Asia the Great whose chief Seats were in Persia where Tangrolipix * Elmac. pag. 342. died A. D. 1063. and at Bagdad But the (a) Tyrius de Bello sacro lib. 5. 6. Abul-phar pag. 242. Christians in the Holy War about A. D. 1097. having broken their power in those parts and what through the Divisions which arose amongst the Sons of Cutlumuses (b) Abul-phar pag. 245 290 312. the Cousin German of Tangrolipix and the first who made considerable Inroads into Asia Minor about A.D. 1108 We hear little considerable of the Actions of these Sultans until their Credit and Power came to be advanced by Sultan Aladdin Caicobad who was made Sultan A. D. 1219. and died about A. D. 1236. In the mean time the Eastern Turkish Empire mightily encreased especially under the Arms of Saladin (c) Abul-phar pag. 264-276 Fuller 's Holy War lib. 2. Chap. 35
Minor out of which they were also beaten first by the Christians and then by the Tartars until that famous loosing them by God to punish the Antichristian Babylon about A. D. 1300. after which time their Success was swift and prodigious 15 And the Four Angels were loosed i. e. permitted to pass that River which were prepared by God from the first Erection of their Empire for an 12 Hour and a 23 Day i. e. a Year and a Month of Days which are Years and a Year of Prophetical Days for Years for to slay the 24 third part of Men i. e. to destroy utterly the Constantinopolitan or Greek Roman Empire 22 The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated Hour signifies Dan. 4 33.5 5. Time or Season in which sense it is often used by John in his Gospel and in this Book particularly John 2 4.4 52.5 25.7 30. and Rev. 11 13.17 12. And thus also it is to be understood in this place because it is familiarly used in this Sense by the Writer of this Book and no where by him in the other for an Hour which is but of little use to ascertaining a Line of Time which is not wont to descend to such minute portions of it And therefore it is here to be understood that it may bear a proporâ—ion to its Use in other places concerning A certain portion of Time not here particularly limited and determined beyond those particularly specified q. d. that they were prepared for a certain Time or Season and also for a Day a Month and a Year over and above that Time And the Remark concerning the Acceptation of the Word Hour for Time receives great Light from the Observation of (a) De Emendat Temp. lib. 2. pag. 131. Scaliger who notes that Hours were a Devise of the Greeks and so consequently were not in use amongst the Jews during the Times of the Old Testament from whence the Words and Phrases of this Book are taken 23 This Prophetical Time for which see Chap. 11. num 12. makes up 396 years which is the exact space of Time from the beginning of the Turkish Empire A. D. 1057. as we have before shewn to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks A. D. 1453. the very year assigned by the latest (a) De Emendat Temp. lib. 2. pag. 131. and most accurate Chronologers for the taking of that City after much doubt concerning it Which is an Observation that ought to be taken notice of to Excite Learned Men to the Study of Scripture-Chronology 24 We have before shewn on Chap. 8.7 that this is the Mystical Symbol of the Greek or Constantinopolitan Roman Empire which was killed or destroyed at the taking of Constantinople the Chief Seat of it when as Chronologers note the Eastern Empire of the Christians ceased and came into the hands of the Turks which was only tormented by the Saracens who could never kill it by taking its Imperial City when an Empire in the account of Prophecy is at an End See before on Verse 5. (b) Ricciol Chronol Reform Tom. 1. pag. 59 60 146 211. Pocock Supplem. ad Abul-phar pag. 47. Crucii Turco-Graec pag. 75. 107. Leunclav Histor Musulm pag. 579. 583. 16 And the number of the Army 25 of the Horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand i. e. a vast number Psalm 68.17 Dan. 7.10 and I heard 26 the number of them as if they had been repeated out of a Muster-Roll 25 Thus the Army of Gog and Magog is described by Ezek 38 4 15. And here is another Character of the Turks whose chief Strength and Numbers consisted at first in their Cavalry as that also of the Tartars from whom they originally came and of the Persians did with whom they are confounded and are called by their Name in History after they had conquered them And from some such reason perhaps as this is the Horses Tail still carried before their Chief Officers as an Ensign of Honour and Authority in Memory that their Strength consisted chiefly in Horse of which they were wont to bring vast Numbers into the Field as they also did at the taking of (a) Laonic. Chalcondyl pag. 202. ed. Paris Constantinople 26 When a thing is most certain and very remarkable some such vehement Expression is wont to be used in this Prophecy 17 And thus or after this following manner in which I shall describe them I saw the Horses in the Vision and them that sate on them having 27 breast-plates of fire and of jacinth and brimstone and the Heads of their Horses were as the Heads of Lions i. e. fierce and terrible and making a roaring noise and out of their mouths issued 28 fire and smoke and brimstone 27 That is Breastplates of Armour excellently polished like flaming fire which will cast the Colours of Jacinth and Brimstone when the Sun shines on them For the Turks and their Horses were perhaps at first in polished Armour of Iron which is of a Violet Colour according to the Custom of the (a) Histor. August in Alex. Sever. pag. 1019. ed. Lugd. Bat. Heliod Aethiop lib. 8. Persians from whose Countrey they came when they passed Euphrates and amongst whom they had lived for a long time 28 This is a plain Description of the discharging of Guns by Men on Horseback when the Smoak and Fire of the Gun-powder seems to issue out of their Horses Mouths and the Smell of Brimstone of which mixed with Nitre and Charcoal it is made is so very prevalent 18 By these three 29 was the third part of men killed i. e. the Constantinopolian Empire was destroyed by the fire and by the smoak and by the Brimstone which issued out at their mouths when the Riders discharged their Guns 29 Here is also another evident Character for the Holy Ghost represents the Turkish Army by those Warlike Instruments which were invented about the time of their being let loose upon the Empire Guns being found out A. D. (b) Ricciol Chronol reform Chronic. pag. 179. 1354. or 1380. at furthest and brought to perfection about 1415 by the use of which the (c) Leunclav Hist. pag. 296. 485. Turks enlarged their Conquests and as all Historians (d) Laonic. Chalcondyl pag. 123 124 202 204 206. Crusâ— Turco-Graec pag. 9 relate took Constantinople the prodigious Great Cannon and Guns which they used at that Siege being very Remarkable and very Fatal 19 For their power is in their mouth Verse 18. i. e. in their Arms and in their Tails i. e. in false pretences to Prophecy Verse 10. for their Tails were like unto Serpents i.e. they were crafty and Venemous and had heads with mouths speaking great things promoting and spreading their false Doctrines and with them i. e. their 30 headed Tails they do hurt to the Souls of Men. 30 They had Two Heads like the Serpent Amphisâ—â—na by which the spreading Venome of their poysonous Religion is described together with their manner of propagating it viz. by
Fire issuing out of their mouths that is by Force of Arms and by their Tails or crafty pretences for they are noted to have at first entred Europe (a) Lord Nepeir on the Revel humanely although they proceeded after to oppression And lastly for their high and Vain-glorious Words and Titles and the fair pretences they made use of against Idolatry which was then too visible and predominant in the Church 20 And the rest of 31 the men i. e. the remaining part of the Empire viz. the Western which were not killed i.e. utterly destroyed by these foregoing Plagues inflicted by the Saracens and Turks yet repented not notwithstanding these Judgments which were designed by God for that End of the Work of their Hands i. e. their Idolatry 2 Kings 22.17 Jerem. 25.6 7. that they should not worship 32 Devils i. e. Daemons Lev. 17.7 and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and of Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk i. e. Images Psalm 115 4.135 15. 31 The Third of men i. e. the Eastern Empire being killed the rest of men must signifie the remaining part that is the Western Empire which was usurped by the Papal Antichrist whilst the Mahometan Antichrist Tyrannized in the Eastern 32 By Daemons are meant Spirits of a middle Nature betwixt God and Men that is Angels and Souls departed See Mr. Mede on the place and his Apostasy of the Latter Times 21 Neither repented they of their Murthers i. e. Persecutions nor of their 33 Sorceries i. e. Wicked Arts and False Devices to deceive Souls Nahum 3.4 Isa 47.9 12. nor of their Fornication or Unclean and Idolatrous Doctrines and Practices nor of their Thefts i. e. cheating of Men by sanctified pretences 33 Such as Exorcisms Relicks Anointings and her lying Signs and Wonders together with all her bewitching and intoxicating Doctrines and Practices CHAP. X. 1 AND I saw 1 another mighty or powerful Psalm 103.20 Angel i. e. 2 Christ come 3 down from Heaven i. e. appear upon some extraordinary matter cloathed with a 4 cloud of Power and Glory Chap. 1.7 and a 5 Rainbow was upon his He d to shew his mindfulness of his Covenant notwithstanding the Deluge of Antichristianism and Mahometism and his face was as it were the Sun i e. the manifestations of himself were glorious Chap. 1.16 and his Feet i. e. his actions and comings to Judgment as Pillars of Fire i. e. terrible Chap. 1.15 Dan. 10.6 Annotations on CHAP. X. 1 And therefore a distinct one from the Seven Angels with Trumpets 2 Christ the Angel of the Covenant here appears for to him might or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Attributed Chap. 5.10 and this very Angel altho in a distinct appearance Chap. 11.3 declares that He will give Power unto His two Witnesses which Words can agree to none but Christ as well as the following description taken from Dan. Chap. 10 and 12. which are to be understood of Him 3 A Phrase frequent in Scripture Signifying God's more than Ordinary notice of the Actions of Men and that he was about to say or do some Extraordinary Thing Gen. 11 5.18 20 21. Exod. 3.7 8. Psal 144.5 Isa 64.1 Maimonid Ductor Dubit 1.10 4 A White Bright Cloud answerable to the White Linnen Dan. 10 5.12 6. 5 From hence it is Evident that this Angel was Christ the Angel of the Covenant Malac. 3.1 Who appears thus Cloathed to the Comfort of His Servants and to shew them that he was mindfull of His Promise and that His Kingdom of which the Rainbow a sign of mercy is the Symbol should Come notwithstanding he had Permitted a Deluge of Antichristianism to overflow the Church and Mahometism to prevail after so Extraordinary a Manner See Notes on Chap. 4 3. 2 And he had in his Hand a little 6 Book opened shewing that the Effects and Eâ—ents contained in it were now ready to be Revealed and fulfilled and he set his right Foot 7 upon the Sea and his left Foot upon the Earth as Lord of both and to take Possession of them Psal 2 8.72 8. Dan. 12.7 6 It was called a Book before Chap. 5. but is now called a Little Book to shew that many of its Visions were already fulfilled whereupon it 's bulk was contracted into a lesser space And it was before Sealed but now is Opened to shew that what was contained in it was at the present to have some Notable Appearance and Effect 7 To Place ones Foot upon a Thing signifies Dominion (a) Deut. 11.24 Psalm 60.8 or to have in Subjection as it were under ones Feet whereupon God bids Abraham Gen. 13.17 to walk through the Land and thereby take Possession of it Now Christs Kingdom being according to Prophecy to be Vniversal he here fixes his Feet upon the Whole Terraqueous Globe shewing by Actions as well as by Speech in the third Verse according to the Custom of the Eastern People who in matters of Moment joyn both that his Kingdom was not only from Sea to Sea as the Type of it David's was Psal 72.8 but that all the World the Sea and all that is in it upon which account he stands upon or over the Waters Dan. 12.6 7. were his Possession as well as the uttermost Parts of the Earth Psal 5.8 So that by this Action is signified that Christ was Lord of all of Sea and Land and of all the Creatures in them which he here again as it were takes Possession of His Kingdom haveing been interrupted chiefly by Antichristianism and by the spreading of Mahometism which yet was a judgment upon the other But methinks it is worth considering every Action and Word being Weighty in Prophecy why Christ is more peculiarly represented as upon the Waters of the River Tigris Dan. 12.6 7 Whilst only two Angels stood on each side of its banks and that he here sets his right Foot the stronger and the more honorable of the two upon the Sea but his left upon the Land which Grotius himself thinks to have some signification who supposes the right Foot to signifie the Greater Part of the People who are often Represented by Waters Seas Rivers in this Book We are therefore to understand that by the Sea in Scripture is meant the Western Parts of the World because the Mediterranean Sea was the Western (a) Numb 34.6 Border of the Land of Canaan Whereupon our Versions Translate what is to the Sea or Sea-ward in the Original to the West and Westward Gen. 12 8.28 14. Exod. 10.19 Ezek. 48.1 2. and in many other Places And the Scripture not only calls all the Places to which the Jews were to pass by Sea Islands as I have already noted and particularly our European Parts at least those in the Archipelago the Islands of the Gentiles Gen. 10.5 but also divides the whole World into East and West or according to the Phrase of their Language into Land and Sea meaning by Land all the
upon this happy and glorious change of things 50 Here is an Acknowledgment of Praise and Thanksgiving to God according to the usual manner in this Prophecy as hath been before frequently observed and that made by the Twenty Four Elders the Representatives of the Jewish Church and by Voices in the former Verse which perhaps proceeded from the Four Living Creatures who are the Voices or Speakers in the sixth Chapter 17 Saying We give thee thanks O God Almighty which art and wast and art to come i. e. the Eternal Jehovah because thou hast taken 51 unto thee thy great or extraordinary power which hath been hitherto usurped by Satan Mahometism Antichistianism and the wicked Powers of this World and hâ—th reigned visibly and powerfully in Truth and Judgment without any rival 51 Here is declared the Succession of Christ's Kingdom as it is the manner to proclaim the Succession of Princes 18 And or although 52 the Nations or Gentiles that is the Paganizing Christians verse 2. were angry for being cast out of the visible Church which they had defiled and usurped verse 2. Psal 2. and 99.1 and or but 52 thy wrath 53 is come or is ready to be poured forth and executed upon the living and the time of the Dead is come that they should be Judged both good and bad according to their Deeds and that thou shouldst in that time of Judgment give reward unto thy Servants the Prophets or Witnesses of the Jewish Church or Ministers Dan. 12.3 and to the Saints or eminently holy Persons of the Christian Church and to all them that fear thy Name in every Nation according to the light and talents God hath given them Acts 10.2 34 35. small and great in Office or Graces who shall be rewarded according to what they have received and the use they have made of it Mat. 25. and shouldst destroy them of all sorts which destroy or corrupt the Earth by their Tyranny Wickedness and Antichristian Apostasy 52 In both these Senses the Article is used in Scripture according to its Acceptation in the Hebrew of the Old Testament Gen. 15 10.17 5. Job 17.10 Jerem. 11.17 and in several other places 53 This Verse relates to the Time of Trouble mentioned Dan. 12.1 and the great Battle Rev. 16. and the Resurrection and Judgment mentioned in the last Chapters which shall be particularly discoursed of in their proper places 19 And the Temple of God i. e. his pure Worship was opened in Heaven i. e. became visible in the Church and there was now seen in his Temple which before was measured sealed and shut up verse 2. the Ark 54 of his Testament i. e. the greatest Mysteries of Religion which were before obscured by Antichristianism were most clearly made known and there were lightnings and voices and thundrings and an Earthquake and great hail i. e. high and clear Manifestations and signs of Christ's Kingdom Mat. 24 Rev. 4 5.8 5. 54 The Ark of the (a) Numb 4.5 20. 1 Sam. 6.19 Exod. 25. Testament was always kept secret and covered and was to be seen only by the High Priest once a year whereby the Mysteries of Religion are Typified which the Angels desire to look into and were not Revealed unto them but by the Church 1 Peter 1.12 Ephes 3.10 Now these Mysteries called here the Ark of His that is Christ's Testament or New Covenant which were mightily obscured and perverted under the Reign of Antichristianism appear opened that is clearly manifested unto all Jews as well as Christians now united into One Body from whom also they had been for a long time hid by Types and Veils and a Judicial Blindness 1 Cor. 3 13-16 Rom. 11.25 Which Temple here opened and the Ark seen it are more fully and largely prophesied of by Ezekiel from Chapter the 40th to the End of his Prophecy CHAP. XII The Text. 1 AND * there appeared in vision a great wonder or prodigious sign portending great things in Heaven †or in the pure Primitive Church State a Woman i. e. the Church the Spouse of Christ Isa 54.1 2 Cor. 11.2 Eph. 5.32 cloathed or Environed wich the Sun beams shining all about her i. e. full of Communications of Glory Purity and Holiness from Christ the Sun of Righteousness Malac. 4.2 and the Moon 1 i. e. Antichristianism under her feet i. e. in comtempt and in subjection to her and upon her Head a Crown 2 of twelve 3 Stars representing the twelve Apostles chap. 1.20 Annotations on CHAP. XII * The Beast having been but just mentioned in the former Chapter Verse 7. the Holy Spirit doth here according to the Custom of Scripture which takes occasion from the bare mention of a thing to give a larger Account of it begin to set forth who he was and from whence he had his Original and how he came to be so powerful as to make War with and kill the Witnesses which Subject is prosecuted in this the following and the seventeenth Chapter And here we may observe that the Vision of the VVoman is Cotemporary with the Fifth Seal Chap. 6.9 when the pangs of Persecution were at the heighth the Child being brought forth in the Christian Empire in the next Seal †Heaven as hath been cursorily observed on Chap. 11.12 num 41. is not to be understood always in this Book only and perhaps not primarily of the Church-State on Earth but of the Archetype or State of it now in Heaven there seeming to be in Heaven a Kingdom of Christ and an Heavenly Tabernacle and Sanctuary which is an Archetypal and Exemplar State of what is to be performed on Earth in the Church Whereupon a Door was opened to John in Heaven Chap. 4 1. and the Temple of God was opened in Heaven Chap. 11.19 Which Interpretation will be much strengthned by a due Consideration of Hebr. 9. where the Apostle distinguishes betwixt a VVorldly (a) See Grotius on Heb. 9. and Mr. Dodwell of One Altar Sanctuary and a Heavenly one and calls the Jewish a pattern of things in the Heavens And there is also in this Book a Consessus Synedrium or Seat of Judgment in Heaven described in the Fourth and Fifth Chapters before which Satan as God and Prince of this VVorld was as it were tryed and after his Accusation of God's Servants and Defence of himself adjudged to be cast from the power of Godship which he had in those parts of the World which are concerned in this Prophecy Whereupon there is Joy in Heaven verse 12. upon the Brethrens being acquitted upon Satan's Fall from the Rule he had by God's Justice over the wicked World the Glory which accrued to God by his Wise and Holy Administrations and the present Advance of Christ's Kingdom Upon the increase of which the Saints may receive increase of Glory in that Heavenly Tabernacle which shall come down from Heaven in the New Jerusalem State 1 Worldly things because of their Mutability may be reprseented by the
Mede ou the place to the deep and flowing waters of a Man's Mouth and the Mahometans having been peculiarly described by their Subtilty as well as their Power and Force Chap. 9. 7 8 10 19. 2. Because this their violent and sudden Invasion like that of a Torrent or water as a Flood was just before the Death of the Witnesses at the second Council of Nice when the Woman was flying into her closest and most retired state answerable to that of the sealed or secured from the hurt of the Mahometan Locusts Chap. 9.4 for she was as yet visible to the Serpent when he cast the flood after her and was then flying into her invisible state the Church being as is plain from hence sometimes totally over-spread with thick darkness and at other times more or less Visible as the Sun is in cloudy days or the Stars in overcast Evenings when they can scarcely be discerned but by a piercing and stedfast Eye or through Telescopes 16 And the Earth i. e. the corrupt and apostatized part of the Church helped the Woman by opposing this inundation and the Earth 33 opened her Mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his Mouth i. e. received and suffered the mischeif of their invasions 33 These words are taken from Numb 16.32 and allude to what has sometimes happened in Earthquakes in which Rivers have been swallowed up by the Earth And it may be observed that it is not said that the Earth swallowed the waters which might indeed denote the conversion of the Barbarous Nations and their incorporating into the Apostasy but that it swallowed up the Flood whereby the Mischief of the Waters or People is more properly signified which indeed fell severely as hath been observed on Chap. 9. on the Idolatrous Apostasy whilst the pure Church was sealed or secured and preserved from the hurt of the Locusts 17 And the Dragon was wrath with the Woman i. e. the pure Church and he went to make War by means of the Beast chap. 11 7. to whom he gave his Authority chap. 13.2 with the small remnant 34 of her seed i. e. the Witnesses who became visible by separating from the Apostasy chap. 11. which keep the Commandments of God purely and entirely without additions and corruptions and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of Prophecy chap. 19.10 i. e. are Witness Churches chap. 11.3 34 The Seed of the woman are plainly the Witnesses Chap. 11. which small Remnant was warred with and killed whilst the Church in general or the Woman was preserved by God CHAP. XIII The Text. 1 AND 1 John stood upon the 1 sand of the Sea and saw in Vision a 2 wild savage 3 Beast i. e. an Idolatrous cruel and persecuting Body of Men under a Chief Head rise up out of the 4 Sea i. e. taking its beginning out of the Commotions and Confusions of Nations and People Dan. 7.2 3 having seven 5 heads or Forms of Government Chap. 12 3.17 10 and ten horns or Kingdoms Chap. 5 6.12 3.17 12. and upon his horns ten 6 crowns or Diadems to denote their Soveraign Power and upon his heads the name of Blasphemy signifying that they were Idolatrous Governments Chap. 2.9 Annotations on CHAP. XIII 1 The most proper place to receive a Vision of a Beast rising out of the Sea 2 So the Word should be translated for it is of a distinct signification from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which also ought to be rendred Living Creature and not Beast 3 It appears plainly from Dan. 7.3 17 23. that this is the true (a) See Grotius on Dan. 7.3 Mat. 20.26 Moor's mystery of Iniquity Part 2. in the Word Beast Scriptural Notion of a Beast in general 4 This is taken from Dan. 7.3 where Four great Beasts or Kingdoms are represented as coming up out of the Sea upon which the Winds had striven whereby a Troublesome state of Affairs is aptly signified out of which Empires and Kingdoms have generally risen See num 6. 5 From hence it appears evidently that this Beast is the Roman Empire which was under seven Forms of Government See on Chap. 12 3. 17 10. 6 These Horns are the Kingdoms into which the Roman Empire was divided as appears from Chap. 17.10 which are here represented as Crowned to denote that this was the State of the Empire under which that Division should come to pass whereby it is distinguished from the State of the Empire given as Pagan in the foregoing Chapter where its Ten Horns are not Crowned For although Prophecy with Respect to the Vision in Daniel Chap. 7.8 generally represents the Fourth Beast or Roman Empire in its full and compleat Portraiture as well with Relation to what it was to be as to what it actually was at the time of each Vision yet that a distinction of the Times of its particular States and Conditions might he the better observed each Representation is generally diversified by some particular circumstances relating to it Whereupon the Ten Horns are represented as Crowned to shew that this was the Beast with which the Ten Kings were to receive Power From whence it appears that this Beast is the Papacy as is shewn on Rev. 17.12 which also rose out of the Sea or out of the Confusions of the Roman City and Empire when it was cast like a burning Mountain into the Sea Chap. 8.8 It being plain from (a) Morney du Plessi's Mystery of Iniquity pag. 81 85. Heidegger Histor Papatus pars 1. cap. 2. Bp. Overal's Convocat Book pag. 291 292. History that the Papacy rose upon the Ruines of the Empire which beginning with the the Invasions of the Northern Nations about 400 we may well date its first rising out of the Sea from about that time when (a) Epist ad Gaudentium in Prefat ad libr. Didym de Sp. S. where by the See thing Pot out of the North he understands the Northern Nations Jerom expected Antichrist whom (b) This is confessed by Bellarmine de Roman Pontif. 3. 5. See Mornay's mystery of Iniquity Downham of Antichrist B. 1. c. 3. Dr. Cressener's Append. to his Demonstrat of the Apocal. he and the Ancient Fathers believed should rise upon the Fall of the Empire which they took to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that which withheld the Man of Sin 2 And the Beast which I saw was in its Body like unto a 7 Leopard which represents the Grecian Monarchy Dan. 7.6 and his Feet were as the Feet of a 7 Bear the Emblem of the Medo-Persian Monarchy Dan. 7.5 and his Mouth as the Mouth of a 7 Lion which was the Symbol of the Babylonian or Assyrian Monarchy Dan. 7.4 and the 8 Dragon i. e. the Pagan Roman Emperours Chap. 12. 3 9 13. gave him i. e. the Beast his 9 power i e. his Diabolical Arts and Forces to entice and constrain Men to Idolatry his 10 Seat or Throne i. e. his
Lombards and the Franks were removed by him to make way for his Dominion in Italy VVhich is plainly foretold Dan. 7.8 24. by the coming up of a Little Horn amongst the Ten Horns by whom three of them were humbled subdued and pluckt up by the Roots 8. May not the Pope according to Daniel 7.24 be fitly called a King diverse from all the rest of the Kings which are united with him Is not his Supremacy an Image as it is called Rev. 13.14 of Imperatorial power not a true and real one and does not he subsist meerly by the Will of the Princes and Kingdoms of whom he is the Spiritual Head so that they may according to (b) Dan. 8.24 Prophecy be fitly said to give their power to him and his power to be mighty but not by his own power 9. Antichrist is called the Son of Perdition in Scripture And is it not notorious in all (c) See the Lives of the Popes and the Histories of the Papacy before quoted Foulis of RomishVsurpat Overals Convocat Book lib. 3. Bp. Stillingfl of Idolatry p. 314-337 History that Perdition Mischief Wars and Bloodshed has attended the Rise and Progress of the Papacy For it was founded upon the Perdition and Ruines of the Empire it was raised to a Supremacy by approving the Murther of the Good Emperour Mauritius and advanced it self above the Civil powers and all that is called God by trampling upon Kings and Emperours raising VVars and Seditions against them and by anathematizing persecuting and killing all that opposed it 10. The Times of the Beast are most admirably divided in Scripture into a Time Times and an half Time to de note the several Steps and Advances of it and its Declination in the half Time which being a Division or breaking of Time is an intimation of its broken and divided State as hath been shewn on Chap. 12. Now it is plain from the History of the Papacy that its Power was most considerably broken at the Reformation A. D. 1517 So that we may very well date its half Time from that Year after which so many Nations fell off from it if from that Year we ascend to the beginning of its Two Vnited Times which are 720 Years we arrive at A. D. 797. when his first time ended consisting of 360 Years the half of which is 180 Years and there according to Expectation we find this Man of Sin in the great strength and vigour of Manly Age having conquered all the Obstacles which opposed his Establishment For in that very (a) Zonar Cedren Sigebert Petav. Rationar Tempor Year remarkable for a horrible Darkness for Seventeen Days together the whole Race of Leo Conon called Iconomachus was utterly extinguished by the cruel Empress Irene who had all along opposed the Pope in the Controversie about Images whereby he was freed from his Enemies on all hands his Power in the West being then also setled by the (b) Mezeray pag. 99. It may be observed that the Kings of France were the first Kings that embraced Christian Religion as it was professed at Rome and that they contributed the most of any Kings upon the Earth to the raising and supporting of the Papacy as appears from an Inscription on a Marble-Stone still extant at Ravenna where it is acknowledged that Pepin was the first King who gave example to Posterity how the power of Holy Church was to be amplified and encreased and as they have all along afforded Refuge to Persecuted Popes as Monsieur Mezeray speaks so is it a thing remarkable that France although it hath no great Obligation or dependency upon Rome except with relation to the priviledges of the Gallican Church yet interests her self more warmly in her Affairs and sends more Stately Embassies thither than any other Princes whence it may be observed that it is upon all accounts the chief part of the Decem-principality and that her Kings are the most remarkable of the Ten. Mezeray pag. 15. 223. Rycaut's Preface to the Lives of the Popes Kings of the Franks to whom as we may observe by the way the Popes chiefly owe their Temporal Grandeur And if we ascend again from thence to the beginning of its first Time which must accordingly be A. D. 437. we arrive to a very remarkable Year in which we find the World very busie in setling the Lunar Year as on purpose to point out unto us that the Beast's Months were then just entring in whose Times compared with the Days of the Witnesses there is observed the exact Mathematical proportion betwixt the Motion of the Sun and Moon a thing very (a) See before on Chap. 11. 2. admirable and worthy observation And further not only the beginning and end of the first Time where the Two Times also begin are remarkable for some notable things relating to the Papacy but also the Year 1157 the very Joynt of Time in which the Two Vnited Times meet is very Famous for (b) Baron Heidegger histor Papat cap. 4. Foulis of Romish Vsurpat 4.4 Pope Hadrian's setting up in the Vatican a Picture of the Emperour's Vassalage who was fain to hold the Pope's Stirrup before he could be crowned and for his insolent Letters to him wherein he asserts that he was set up by God to destroy Kingdoms and Countreys and that the Roman Empire was held as a Feif of the Papacy whereby he sufficiently shewed his Antichristian Spirit and his Mouth speaking great things So remarkable is each Joynt of the Beast's Times divided by the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit into a Time Times or Two Times united into One and half a Time to denote the different States of Antichrist and his Kingdom who was the whole first Time in his Growth and Ascent to an Idolatrous Power which he was fully established in at A. D. 797 ten Years after his finishing the Iconoclastick War in the Second Council of Nice and because after that Time until 1517. his Kingdom continually encreased and received no decay and he went on and prospered in one and the same Kingly State therefore are the Two next Times given in One united Line of Time called Times because it was One and the same Kingly State the first Time measuring out a different State from this having a distinct Time to it self and being then ended And his last State beginning at the Reformation A D. 1517. is very appositely measured by half a Time because it was a divided and a broken one Seeing therefore that the Doctrine Name Number Image Place Times and all the other Characters and Notes of Antichrist given in Scripture do all agree to the Papacy and to that alone it will follow that the Papacy is The Antichrist Q E D. But that the Rise Progress and Times of Antichrist may be the better understood I shall give this brief Scheme of them referring to the several places in the Annotations where they are particularly discoursed of 1. Antichrist (a) See
revealed in Flames of Fire It being very (a) Luke 17 26-31 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom c. Even thus shall it be in the Day when the Son of Man is revealed i. e. to make good the parallel in the very self same Day in which he is revealed 2 Thess 1.7 8. 2 Pet. 3.10 12. See Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 3. and 4. Mather de Signo Filii Homin 2. 5. plain from Doctrinal Scripture that the present World shall be burnt before the end of all things and probably at Christ's very first coming to his Kingdom to which Conflagration there will be many preceeding Dispositions and Preparations which are called the Signs of Christs Coming in Scripture and are probably the Vials in this Prophecy before insisted on Chap. 16. This New (b) Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 4. 3 8. Heaven and Earth which are to arise out of the Remains of the Old ones as out of a Second Chaos are no other than the Seat of the Kingdom of the Blessed Millennium in which the Saints are to Reign with Christ Chap. 20. because according to the plain words of the Apostle Peter it is that New Heaven and Earth in which Righteousness is to dwell i. e. Righteous Saints are to Reign in Holiness and Righteousness during the Day of Judgment which is a Day of the Lords consisting of a Thousand Years which is as plain a Description of the Blessed Millenium as can well be given of which Truth also the following Verses will administer many Proofs 3 The very word made use of by the Apostle Peter 2 Ep. 3.10 concerning the passing away of the Heavens of this World at the general Conflagration For it is to be observed that the Scriptures make mention of Three Worlds 1. The World before the Flood reaching from the beginning of the Creation to its perishing by Water Which the Apostle (a) 2 Ep. 2 5.3 5 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peter calls the Heavens and Earth of Old the World that then was and the Old or Original World concerning which see the (b) Burnet's Theory B. 1. and 2. and the Append to the 4th Book ingenious Theory of the Earth 2. The present World reserved for fire called in (c) 2 Pet. 3.7 Rom. 8 19-24 Gal. 1.4 John 12 31.14 30. 1 Cor. 2.6 8. 2 Cor. 4.4 Mather de Signo Fil. Homin 1. 2. Scripture the Heavens and Earth which are now this present evil World and this VVorld by way of Contempt and to distinguish it from the world to come 3. The New (d) 2 Pet. 3.13 Heb. 2.5 Eph. 1.21 Luke 20 34-38 and Chap. 17. Heavens and New Earth called in Scripture the VVorld to come that VVorld the VVorld of the Resurrection from the Dead and the Kingdom of God and of the Son of Man at his coming which is to succeed when (a) 1 Cor. 7.31 Psalm 102.26 2 Pet. 3. Psalm 104.30 Matth. 19.28 Acts 3.21 Rom. 8 19-24 Mather de Signo c. 2.5 Burnet 's Theory the Form Fashion and Disposition of the parts of this VVorld shall pass away and be changed upon its dissolution by fire and there shall be a Restitution Regeneration Delivery Redemption and Restauration of all things in the Natural as well as Moral VVorld into the Primitive State from which they had fallen by Sin 4 This is a very surprising confirmation of Doctor Burnet's Hypothesis viz. That the VVorld shall be restored to its Primitive Paradisiacal State in which there was no Sea and that the Sea shall be devoured by the Conflagration which latter is also alluded to by the Prophet Amos Chap. 7.4 where he supposes that Fire shall devour the great Deep of which it had already eaten up or devoured a part in Vision And the VVicked being separated by God from the Righteous now strictly united into one Body and living together in perfect Peace and Unity it seems to be very congruous there should be No Sea in that State which as it is the Type of unquiet multitudes so also is it an hinderance to the mutual communication of Men one with another And here it may be convenient to give a brief Account of the Series and Order of things according to Scripture from the Time of the Approach of Christ's Kingdom until the End and Delivery up of it to God 1. Antichrist will fall as soon as ever the Months of the Beast are expired and Mahometanism which was designed as a Scourge to it shall consequently afterwards cease to be a VVo to the Christian VVorld See Chapter 9 12.11 2 3 14. 2. The Jews also will be restored to their own Countrey after the fullfilling of the Times of the Gentiles i. e. at the End of Antichristian Times Matth. 21.24 3. There will be Days of Great Tribulation and immediately after them there will be many signs of Christ's coming and of the End of the VVorld and very great Preparations for the general Conflagration Matth. 24.3 29. Mather de Signo Filii Hominis Dr. Burnet's Theory B. 3. Chap. 10 11 12. 4. Then will appear some Extraordinary Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven upon which all the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn and the Son of Man shall be seen coming in the Clouds of Heaven Matth. 24.30 5. As soon as ever Christ shall appear the Dead will be raised and the Earth and Heavens of this present World will at the same time be dissolved by Fire in which the Wicked Living and Raised are punished (a) 2 Thes 1.8 9. 2 Pet. 3.7 Vengeance being to be taken on them and they suffering Perdition in and by this Conflagration of the Heavens and Earth which were kept in store and preserved by God for the perdition of ungodly men and that not only of the wicked men of that Generation which shall be then alive but of all who have died in their sins it being plain that our Saviour bids all of every Generation watch least that Day surprize them and that he supposes that Sodom and Gomorrah which were set forth for an Example of Eternal Fire should suffer again in the Day of Judgment and that all which repent not must perish (a) Luke 13.3 5. Matth. 11.24 Jude 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the like manner with the Galileans and those on whom the Tower of Siloam fell that is by sudden Bodily Judgments which can happen to all impenitents only at this General Judgment by Fire 6. The whole Antichristian State will be utterly annihilated at the first appearance of Christ Satan will be bound for a Thousand Years and the Wicked will not be consumed in the Conflagration but having Bodies capable of undergoing it will be brought thereby into a state of Confinement and that as it were in the (b) See the Opinions of the Ancients about Limbus Patrum in Bp. Usher's answer to the Jesuit Ends and Corners of the New Earth during the
13 I Christ come 14 quickly in Judgment to my Kingdom for the 15 Vials are now ready to be poured forth Blessed therefore and this admonition is at this time of all others the most seasonable when the severest Judgments of God are ready to be executed is he that keepeth the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book See Chap. 1 3.3 11. 13 Here Christ himself speaks this being a Sacred Drama in which according to the Nature of such Representations several Persons are introduced and there are many interlocutory passages as is observable in the Song of Solomon which is a Dramatick Poem in the Form of a Pastoral Eclogue 14 This Epilogue or Conclusion seems to refer to some of the most important and remarkable passages of the whole Vision which it behoved all to take the chiefest notice of according to the Method observed in the first Chapter which is as it were a Prologue or Introduction to it And accordingly the sudden Coming of Christ to take Vengeance of his Enemies in the pouring forth of the Vials being one of the most remarkable Events foretold in this Vision is here again mentioned as it had been before Chap. 1.7 15 For it seems probable from Chap. 21.9 that this part of the Vision was seen and heard by John just before he had the Representation of the pouring forth of the Vials when the Admonition to keep and observe the Words of this Prophecy was most highly seasonable For by a close consideration of Chap. 17 1.19 7-11 21 9. it seems as if the first or principal Angel of the Vials which shewed John the Judgment of the Whore and the New Jerusalem gave him also this Conclusion at the same time aptly fitted to the time just before the pouring forth of the Vials when it was necessary that the Saints should not only have a comfortable View of the blessed State but also be assured of the sudden coming of it that they might be sustained under the dismal Tribulation then approaching whereupon they are again assured of his quick coming Verse 12. 8 And I John the Apocalyptick Apostle and Servant of Christ See on Chap. 21.2 saw these foregoing things relating to the New Jerusalem and heard the Voice of Jesus and of his Angel Verse 6 7. and 16 both saw and heard all the Sayings and Vision of this Book and therefore am worthy of belief as having been an Eye and Ear-witness of them And when I had heard and sâ—â—â— the glorious State of the New Jerusalem I fell 17 down to worship before the Feet of the Angel which shewed me these things and who had also brought me the glad tidings of a Judgment on God's Enemy the Whore Chap. 17.1 and of the Marriage-Supper Chap. 19 9. 1â— Although these Words have an immediate reference to â—hâ—â— had been seen just before yet they may also refer to all the 〈◊〉 going Visions of this Book 17 It is something difficult to determine whether this passage be the same with the former related Chap. 19 7-21 and only twice repeated to shew the Importance of the Matter and the great danger of falling into the sin of Idolatry although the Relation be something different from the former according to the manner of the Evangelists the latter of whom deliver some things more fully and compleatly than the former and the Two Representations although of the same thing are very different the one being upon the View of the New Jerusalem State in its full Glory and compleat Description the other Chap. 19. only upon the sight of the preparation of the Bride and her coming down out of Heaven 9 Then saith he unto me immediately in great haste and with great Zeal and Vehemency See Chap. 19 10 See thou do it not for I am thy Fellow-Servant and therefore am not to be worsh pped and the Fellow-Servant of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep 18 the sayings of this Book i. e. I although an Angel of so great Rank and Ministry am yet but a Fellow-Creature with thee and the Holy Saints and Witnesses and their Fellow-Servant also in the New Jerusalem State in which you and they shall be equal unto Angels and therefore I am nâ—t to be worshipped Worship being due to Superiors not Equals Creatures and Servants See on Chap. 19.10 Worship therefore God and him alone Matth. 4.10 18 Here the Angel seems to intimate as if the sayings of this Book were a Caution against the Apostatical State and the Worship of Angels and also the Rule and Model of Divine Worship from the first Apostolical State of the Church typified by Ephesus to the highest State of it in the New Jerusalem according to which as he could not receive such Worship so ought not John also to have given it unto him And this passage also affords a clear proof of the Divinity of Christ in Humane Nature because Divine Worship is paid unto him all along in this Book 10 And he i. c. Christ Ver. 12 13 16 20. saith unto me Seal 19 not the Sayings of the Prophecy of this Book for the time of the completion of all the Sealings mentioned in this Book is now at hand 19 These words must refer to the times of the seventh Trumpet when all the Thunders were unsealed Chap. 14. just before the pouring forth of the Vials until when it could not properly be used it being expresly commanded that every one of the Thunders should be sealed 11 He that 20 is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy i e. guilty of any other sin all of which defile a Man Mat. 15.18 Jam. 1 21.3 6 let him be filthy still and he that is righteous or justified let him be righteous still and he that is holy or sanctified let him be holy still i. e. the time and place of Repentance is no more to be found but he that is unjust and filthy will not repent and he that is just and holy shall continue so still 20 These words seem to have a respect to the Times just before the pouring forth of the Vials when those Men who had been proof against the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel were judicially delivered over to punishment because of the willful Obstinacy and Hardness af their Hearts whereupon they blasphemed and repented not See Chap. 16.9 12 And behold I come 21 quickly to Judgment in my Kingdom and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be good or bad Matth. 16.27 Rev. 10.18.20 12-15 21 This must be supposed to be spoken before the pouring forth of the Vials in which the Wicked receive their Reward in Punishments 13 I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last i. e. I am the Eternal God who as I gave Being to all things so do I put an end to them too and I am more especially shewing this my Divine Power in bringing all things to perfection
in my Kingdom and thereby putting an end to Prophecy whose main scope and design was with reference unto it See on Chap. 1 8.21 6 14 Blessed 22 in Christ's Kingdom Dan. 12.12 See on Chap. 14.13 are they that (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments do his Commandments i. e. are now found and appear to have kept them that they may have right by virtue of the Covenant of Grace and upon their appearing in the fine (a) The King's M S. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wash their garments white Linnen of Christ's Righteousness See on Chap. 19.7 8. to the Tree of Life i. e. to the incorruptibility of the new Jerusalem State verse 2. and many enter in through the Gates of the City i. e. be admitted into that State See on chap. 21.6 12 21. 15 For without this blessed State in the four corners of the new Earth see on chap. 20.8 are Dogs i. e. the Members of the Antichristian (b) A Dog is thought by the best interpreters to signify a Sodomite Deut. 23.18 Canes qui Supra cap. 21.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut Hebrei exponunt id quod est Deut. 23.18 Grot. in Locum Sodom chap. 11.8 and those who are without the Covenant Matt. 15.26 Profane Bruitish and Persecuting Apostates Matt. 7.6 2 Pet. 2.22 and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever liveth and maketh a Lie i. e. all wicked Persons but especially the Antichristian Party to which these Characters eminently agree see on Chap. 21.8 27. 16 I Jesus have sent my Angel from the beginning (c) Chap. 1.1 of this Prophecy all along to this present conclusion of it to testify unto you John and all my other Servants chap. 1.1 these things in the Churches i. e. in or concerning the seven Successions of my Church see the Notes on chap. 1.4 and on chap. second and third I am the root and the off-spring of David i. e. the Messias proceeding from David as from a root to whom the Kingdom (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Promised see on chap. 5.5 and the bright and morning Star which only dawned in the Church Succession of Thyatira but now shews in full brightness at the succession of my Kingdom see the Notes on chap. 2.28 17 And the Shirit speaking to and in the several Successions of the Church chap. 2. and 3. and makeing intercession for the Saints Rom. 8.26 27. and the Bride i. e. the Saints chap 19.7 8.21 2 say come Lord Jesus come quickly in thy Kingdom And let him that heareth and obeyeth the words of this Prophecy say joyning as in consort come Lord Jesus And (a) These are Christ's Words and are a kind of Antiphon◠in ths Divine Anthem or Sacred Dialogue wherein Christ in Answer to the Saints says as it were if you so desire my coming I will not be backward in inviting you let him say I that is a thirst come let him that is a thirst for the comforts and refreshments of the new Jerusalem State see on chap. 21.6 come And whosoever will or has a sincere desire for these times of full refreshments let him take the Water of Life freely for the incorruptibility of this State is of my free grace and favour chap. 21 6.22 1. 18 For I Christ verse 20. testify and declare (b) All this is frequently the import of the word Testifie in Scripture openly with the greatest earnestness zeal and holy Asseveration as with an Oath John 13.21 Rom. 1.9 Acts 18.5 unto every man of what (c) Nullo excepto pontifice vel concilio Paraeus in loc quality or dignity soever that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book that it is a Book of so great perfection and life that if any man shall (d)(d) Elegans est allusio in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grot. in Loc. add unto these things contained in this Book of Revelations and by consequence to any other part of Scripture by 22 Traditions and rash (e) Rashly to be the Authority of a false Interpretation of Scripture is to take God's Name in vain in a high degree Mr. Mede This is the last authoritative Prophecy that is likely to come from Heaven to be a rule of Faith to the Church and whosoever shall go about to infuse any other expectations into men than usually are agreeable to these Visions God shall bring on him the Judgments here denounced against his greatest Enemies and so in like manner whosoever shall derogate from the authority of this Prophecy or occasion mens not receiving the admonition of Christ here contained in every part thereof God shall cast him off c. Dr. Hammond's Paraphr or wilfully false Interpretations God shall add unto him besides the retributions of his ordinary Justice and Wrath the dreadful plagues that are written in this Book 22 Here is a change of Persons and John speaks whose words plainly refer to the admittance and entrance of the Saints into the new Jerusalem State and therefore must have respect to the times after the Pouring forth of the Vials when the Wicked were shut out of the City 19 And if any man shall take 23 away as the Antichristian Party hath even the Scriptures themselves from the words or authority of this of Prophecy God shall take away his part and the Book of Life i. e. he shall not be found written in the Book of Life among the Living in the New Jerusalem and out of the Holy City from which he shall be debarred and excommunicated and from the Things promises and blessings which are written in this Baok 23 As the Antichristian Party hath done 20 He which testifies these things i e. Christ who is Truth it self saith surely believe it for it is a certain and infallible Truth I come quickly i. e. all my comings are unexpected and by Surprize I begin very suddenly after the date of this Vision to bring it into effect I hasten all things to an end in the just and due time and am now just upon coming to put an end to this and all other Prophecies being not slack in performing them as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 Amen saith John the beloved Apostle and Servant of Christ in the Name and Person of Angels and Saints his fellow Servants even so be it come Lord Jesus in thy Kingdom come quickly 21 The 24 Justifying Sanctifying and efficaciously operative Grace Proceeding from the undeserved Love Favour and Assistances of our Lord God Jesus Christ our Saviour and anointed Prophet Priest and King be with you all Churches and Saints to whom this great Prophetical Epistle is Written Amen So be it and so it will certainly be 24 This whole Book of Prophecies being as it were one entire Epistle Monitory to the Church of God throughout all Ages of the World it is concluded as it was begun according to the custom of the Apostles with the usual Form of Valediction in their Epistles AMEN AMEN COME LORD JESUS COME QUICKLY FINIS