The Ruine of Rome OR An Exposition upon the whole REVELATION VVherein is plainly shewed and proved that the Popish Religion together with all the power and authority of Rome shall ebbe and decay more and more throughout all the Churches of Europe and come to an utter overthrow even in this life before the end of the World Written especially for the comfort of Protestants and the dancing of Papâ—sts Sâ—minary Priests Jesuâ—tes and all that cursed rabble Published by Arthur Dent Preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobury in Essex To which is added an Epitome of Reverend Mr. Brightman his Exposition upon the Revelation LONDON Printed by T. H. and I. Y. for Jo. Waterson and are to be sold by Charles Greene at his shop in Ivie Lane 1644. TO THE RIGHT Honourable his very good Lord ROBERT Lord RICH everlasting consolation and good hope through Grace TO be a father to the fatherlesse is properly the vertue of the most high and therefore meet for those who beare his name and office upon earth Among whom Right Honourable seeing it hath pleased his Majesty to count your Lordship faithfull and to put you in so high a service it shall I assure my selfe be matter of rejoycing unto your Lordship to take the Patronage of this poore Orphane which knoweth not whither to flye for succour but to you who did so many waies commend your favour to his late deceased Father that if he had lived to the birth of this his last off-spring it was his full purpose as many can witnesse to have committed it unto your Lordships protection as most meete among many to take this Patronage upon you that this young Infant growing up under your roofe may in time effect that indeed whereof it beares the name to be The ruine of Rome To speake of the excellent parts thereof and of what hope it is like to be in the Church of Christ I thinke needlesse and I feare the note of partiality it shall speake for it selfe I doubt will commend to all posterity his worthy fathers memory Now for my selfe right Honorable being so straightly bound to this duty in regard of my neere conjunction with my late Brother Master Dent and great importunity of his poore Widdow was the more willingly drawne hereunto in two respects The one to give some publike testimony of my love towards him and reverence of the rare grace which we all who injoyed his sweete society did continually in our comfort behold in him Whose learning his labours do shew whose diligence yea extreme and unwearied paines in his ministery publikely privately at home and abroade for foure and twenty yeares at least all our Countrey can testifie All which being adorned with so speciall humility do make his name the greater and our losse the more grievous I may not leave out this which I avow to be as certaine as it is singular that besides all other his great labours he had with the Apostle a speciall care of all the Churches night and day by study and fervent Prayer procuring the prosperity of Syon and the ruine of Rome And to end with his blessed end his life was not more profitable to others then his death is peaceable to himself scarce a grone to be heard though his Fever must needes be violent which dispatched him in three dayes And having made a pithy confession of his Faith this Faith said he have I Preached this Faith have I lived in this Faith I do live in and this Faith would I have sealed with my blood if God had so thought it good and tell my brethren so and drawing neere his end he sayd I have fought the good Fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith and now is that Crowne of righteousnesse layd up for mee the which the Lord that righteous Judge shall give me in that day and so gave up his last breath with these words I have seene an end of all perfection but thy Law is exceeding large The other respect my speciall good Lord for the which I am the more willing to come thus upon the Stage though my part be small full sutable to my ability is that I might be as the mouth of many to publish to posterity what high account all that know the truth among us at least do make of your Lordship that I dare say not the loynes onely but the soules of thousands do blesse you and God for you praying for a riâ—h reward to be given you of the Lord and that with your ancient predecessor honourable Nâ—hemiah the Lord would remember you herein and wipe not out all the kindnesse you have shewed on the house of you God and on the Ministers thereof For in the zeale of God and uprightnesse of my heart not to give titles unto men which is not my wont but to provoke all of like honorable condition to follow your Godly practice this I say that as your pure Religion is the Crowne of your nobility so this is the Crowne of your Religion that besides your ordinary presence in the publicke assemblies of the Church your zeale to God and lovâ— to his people hath herein especially bin manifested to the world in your continuall câ—râ— to plant faithfull Preachers in all those livings which have been in your Lordships gift or which by all your friends you could procure What is the worthy fruite thereof cannot indeede be valued much lesse by me now uttered yet this I say with common consent of all found-hearted Protestants that if the true Prophets of God be the chariots and horsemen of Israel then may we refer to this honourable practice of your Lordship and of other like Christian Patrones as to a chiefe meanes under God and under the Religious regiment of our gracious Soveraigne the safety of his Highnesse person this admirable tranquility of the Realme that notable ruine of Rome which is so worthily with us effected and shall be assuredly elsewhere in due time accomplished And to say all in few words to this may we referre the safety of soule and body of many thousands in the Land who though they doe and shall live by faith yet doth their righteousnesse farre exceed the righteousnesse of all Popish hypocrites both in duty to God and to their dread Soveraigne our noble King Whereupon I may conclude that I scarce thinke of any service more honourable to God and profitable to his Church then this care to bring into the Lords Temple such painefull Labourers as both by life and Doctrine do faithfully build up the same Goe on therefore Right Honourable and cease not to shine out in this darke World with such light of good example And withall rest upon his word who cannot lye that you shall shine in the Kingdome of light where into shall enter no uncleane thing neyther whatsoever worketh abomination or lies but they which are written in the Lambs Booke of life To which blessed inheritance immortall undefiled and that
Booke heere are to be found very large and lively descriptions of the most glorious Person of Christ Chap. 1. Chap. 2. Chap. 3. and all his excellent offices both of King Priest and Prophet and also most notable descriptions of the Church and of the Ministers of it and of the persecutions and afflictions which it must of necessity passe through in the World Also of Gods mercifull providence for his Church and most vigilant care over it in the middest of all extremities Here are set before our eyes very lively descriptions of the Churches deadly enemies both of Satan himselfe and his three great instruments the Roman Emperour the Pope and the Turke Here are set down all their cruell persecutions of the Church and their utter overthrow in the end Here are described Hell Death the resurrection and the last judgement Here also the very Kingdome of Heaven is at large described with all those great rewards infinite glory and endlesse felicity which remaine for all the faithfull worshippers of God I conclude therefore that for as much as this Prophesie is of such excellent contents therefore the use and necessity of it must needes be very great And for this cause Iohn is willed and commanded by Alpha and Omega to write the things which he had seene the things that were and the things that shall come hereafter By the things which he had seene is meant that glorious vision mentioned in the first Chapter wherein Jesus Christ did appeare unto him in the middest of the seven golden Candlesticks â—erse 13. â—4 15.16 in most glorious manner as is there described And all this was in the Isle of Pathmos where Iohn was first called and authorized to this worke and therefore he is willed first of all to record this vision which hee had already seene By the things that are hee meaneth the present state of the seven Churches of Asia which were then the most flourishing Churches in the World as they are described in the second and third Chapters and in them the estate of all other Churches By the things that shall be he meaneth all the prophesie of this booke which were to be fulfilled in their time and all those strange accidents which should come to passe in processe of time and the severall ages of the Church even unto the end of the world Thus we see how Iohn received a precise commandement from the Sonne of God to write things past present and to come that they might stand in record unto all posterities from generation to generation Thus much touching the fift circumstance which is the end and use of this booke Now followeth to speake of the last circumstantiall point which is the authority of this Prophesie which is strongly confirmed from the Author of it which is JESUS CHRIST and therefore it is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ which GOD gave unto him And againe it is written I Jesus sent mine Angell to testifie these things in the Churches Here wee see plainly Chap. 22.16 that Jesus Christ the very Sonne of God the Alpha and Omega is the Author of this booke for he subscribes his name unto it and set his hand and seale unto it Needs therefore must the authority of it be very great which commeth from so great a personage for looke what dignity and auâ—hority he is of from whom the booke commeth of the same dignity and authority is the book it selfe Another strong argument to confirme the authority of this book may be taken from the protestation of Jesus Christ in these words I protest unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Booke Cha 22.18 if any man shall adde unto those sayings God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Booke And if any shall diminish of the words of the Booke of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Booke of life Heere we see how Jesus Christ maketh the authority to this Booke equall to all other the Oracle of God to the which it is not lawfull for any man to adde or detract under paine of condemnation It maketh much also for the authority of this booke that S. John doth so often repeat reiterate and inculcate his owne name I John I John I John I John the Apostle I John the Evangelist I John the Divine shewing by all these repetitions how needfull a thing it was that the faithfull should bee throughly instructed who he was even one of the Lambs twelve Apostles and therefore to be void of all suspition and doubt concerning the authority of this booke and not once to imagine it to bee any invention of man or feigned device sith it was penned by so great an Apostle Moreover the authority of this Prophesie is confirmed by foure reasons in the last Chapter The first is the affirmation of the Angell who saith The words are faithfull and true Chap. 22.6 7 8. The second is the authority of the most high GOD himselfe in these words The Lord GOD of the holy Prophets sent his Angell to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled The third is the testimony of Jesus ver 6 7. who pronounceth them blessed which keepe the words of this Prophesie For saith he Behold I come shortly Blessed is he that keepeth the words of this Prophesie The fourth and last is the witnes of John in these words I am John which heard and saw these things Now it may bee demanded what is the cause that here are so many things heaped up for the confirmation of the authority of this Booke Surely we must thinke there is some speciall cause and reason of it For the Holy Ghost doth not use to deale so much and so earnestly in a matter but upon great cause Wee may easily gather what the cause is The Booke painteth out the Whore of Babylon and the whole Kingdome of the great Antichrist together with all Sathans cunning and fleight therein and for this cause Sathan hath laboured especially to weaken the credit and authority of this Booke He by some meanes in old time prevailed thus farre that even among some Churches of true Christians the authority and truth of it was doubted of The Holy Ghost did well foresee the practice of Sathan and therefore bringeth the more reasons for the confirmation thereof If the credit and authority of this Booke should never have been impugned there needed not any such speciall confirmation But now God be thanked there is no question or controversie concerning the authority of this Prophesie It is received as authenticall by the common consent of all the Churches Almost all the ancient Fathers doe acknowledge it to be canonicall The new Writers doe with one voyce give their consent and approbation unto it The Papists themselves doe acknowledge it to be the sacred and undoubted Word of God though of all Scriptures they cannot endure it should be medled withall
of Prophets in whom the will of God and all the counsels of the Father are revealed unto us The manner of Johns calling to receive this Prophesie is set downe in these words I John even your brother Ver. 9 10 11. and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of Jesus Christ was in the I le of Pathmos for the Word of God and for the witnessing of Jesus Christ And I was ravished in the Spirit on the Lords day and heard behinde me a great voice as it had beene of a Trumpet saying I am Alpha and Omega that first and that last and that which thou seest write in a booke and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia c. Now out of these three verses five things are to be observed First that John is commanded by the voyce of Christ which he heard behinde him as loud as a Trumpet to write and record the visions which he saw being so writen and recorded to commend them to all the Churches for the common benefit and use thereof So that herein John doth nothing of himselfe nothing of his owne braine but all things by speciall warrant and authority from Jesus Christ and that Alpha and Omega which doth call him and authorize him to this great businesse which now he is set about Secondly Johns ravishment in spirit to the end he might be made more capable of all these heavenly visions which were shewed unto him Thirdly his great humiliation whereby also he was fitted to receive and understand these great mysteries For God will guide the meeke in judgement and teach the humble his wayes Psal 25. yea his secrets are with them that feare him Therefore although John was a great Apostle and hath seene wonderfull visions yet he is not thereby puft up with pride and conceit of himselfe but in the greatest humiliation of his soule calleth himselfe a brother and companion of all the faithfull Ver. 9. but specially of such as patiently suffer for Iesus Christ and his Kingdome Fourthly the time when Iohn was called which was the Lords day Fiftly and lastly the place where he was called which was the I le of Pathmos as formerly hath been shewed The description of Christ the Person that called Iohn to this new office is set downe in the next five Verses following wherein the excellent glory of Christs Person is described First Ver. 13 14 15 16. from the place where Christ did appeare unto him Secondly from the severall parts and members of his royall Person Thirdly from his provident care over his true Ministers and all his faithfull people Touching the place where Christ in a vision did appeare to Iohn he saith it was in the middest of the seven golden Candlestickes For saith hee I turned backe to see the voice that spake with me and when I was turned I saw seven golden Candlestickes and in the middest of the seven Candlestickes one like the Sonne of man c. The seven golden Candlesticks are interpreted by Christ himselfe in the last Verse of the Chapter to be the seven Churches The Churches are said to be of gold because Christ delighteth in them as we doe in gold he valueth every true member thereof as we doe gold for every beleever is all glorious within every true Christian is very faire and beautifull every regenerate man is as gold even as most pure gold It is said afterward that Christ walketh in the middest of the seven golden Candlestickes Ver. 11.13 that is Hee is alwayes present with His Church to feed it governe it defend it and comfort it The Prophet saith that Christ hath seven eyes which goe through the whole world whereby is signified his watchfull providence for his Church for he is alwayes looking out for the good of it to defend and protect it against all adversary power Which thing was figured in the Rammes skins wherewithall the Arke was covered to defend it against all violence of winde and weather Even so the mercifull protection of Christ as it were the continall covering of his Church As touching the parts and members of his royall Person he is described of his head and haire of his face of his eyes of his voyce of his feet of his garments and of his girdle As concerning his head and haire they are said to be as white as wooll and in snow which signifieth his great wisdome and knowledge to performe all things in his Church for wisdome and knowledge for the most part doe accompany white heads and gray haires His face shineth as the Sun in his strength Which signifieth that Christ is the same to his Church that the Sunne is to the World For as the Sun lightneth the whole World with his brightnesse so Christ with the brightnesse of his face enlightneth his whole Church His eyes are like a flame of fire that is exceeding bright and piercing into all places yea the very heart of men for nothing is hid from his sight with whom we have to doe Hee hath Eagles eyes to foresee all dangers intended and plotted against his Church that he may in due time prevent them His voyce is compared to the sound of many waters because it should sound throughout all the World by the preaching of the Gospell Waters is expounded Chapter 17. verse 15. of multitudes nations and tongues Christs voyce therefore is like many Waters because his voice should goe through many Countries and Kingdomes His feet are compared to fine brasse to signifie both the perfection of all his wayes and also his mighty power to tread downe all his enemies He is clothed with a garment downe to the ground to signifie that hee walked as King and Priest in the midst of the 7. golden Candlesticks For Kings and Priest in old time did weare long garments especially in the execution of their offices He is girded about the paps with a golden girdle For as Kings and Priests did gird their garments close unto them lest otherwise they might be hindred in the execution of their offices so Christ girdeth himselfe close to his businesse for he is no idle beholder of the state of his Church but one that continually worketh out the good thereof Concerning his provident care over his faithfull Ministers he is said to carry them in his right hand for he had in his right hand seven starres Ver. 16. Ver. 10. that is the Ministers of the Churches As Christ saith The seven starres are the Angels that is the Ministers of the seven Churches Ministers are compared to Starres because they should shine as bright Starres in this darke world both by life and doctrine Christ is said to hold them in his right hand because he alwayes defended them against the malice and fury of the World which of all others is most outragiously bent against them and their favorites But let men take heed of over-bold presuming to pull the Stars out of Christs right
Babylon that he may be fully revenged and execute the fiercenesse of his wrath both upon her and her whole kingdom yea and that in such terrible and wrathfull manner that there shall be no place of refuge no place to flie into for succour for Saint John saith Verse 20. Every I le fled away and the mountaines were not found Meaning that the Papists in that day shall have neither mountain nor Iland to fly unto And last of all the holy Ghost saith that there fell a great haile like talents out of heaven upon the Idolaters Chap. 16.21 insomuch that they blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail for the plague thereof was exceeding great A talent was about the weight of threescore pound as some write Then it followeth that this hail of Gods wrath upon the Papists shall be most terrible and fearfull and beat them down to the ground as it were an haile of mil-stones or plough-irons Now when this hail of talents cometh as assuredly come it shall then shall the kingdome of Popery be beaten to dust and powder and therefore no marvell though the Idolaters seeing all this be in a most horrible rage and blaspheme God Verse 21. as Saint John saith because of this exceeding and most extraordinary plague which shall then come upon them But now to conclude and wind up all together for as much as this last viall is powred into the aire God saith It is done an extraordinary earth-quake followeth the great citie of Rome is rent Babylon called into question and fearful hailstones of wrath powred downe upon the Idolaters I doe conclude that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter destruction in this life Now let us proceed to further proofe In the eighteenth chapter of this book the whore of Babylon saith in heart I sit being a Queen and am no widow Chap. 18.8 9. Isa 47. and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow and famine and shee shall be burnt with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. First here Rome is described as shee was in the height and top of her pride and security when shee held the dominion of the kings of the earth and boasted that she was the head of the Catholick Church carrying her selfe very insolently above all kings and Emperors treading upon their necks and making them attend at her gates bare-foot in the middest of winter as the stories report Yea and that shee was no widow that is no solitary or desolate person but one that had many lovers which were strong to defend her so as she should feel no want nor see any sorrow But the time will come and draweth on apace wherein shee shall be throughly punished for her haughtinesse and intolerable pride and security For the holy Ghost saith her plagues shall come in one day that is suddenly shortly and speedily even death sorrow and famine and shee shall be burnt with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong Lord. If this be not plain enough to prove an utter overthrow of Rome I know not what can be plain enough For if death famine and fire will not pull her downe I know not what shall pull her downe But Saint John saith flatly that God himselfe who is a strong Lord will oppose himselfe against Rome and condemne her Who can uphold her Can the king of Spaine can the Cardinals can the Emperour can all the Dukes of Italie and all the potentates of the earth that take part with her No no they are all too weake For if God take against a man Job 23. who can reclaim him saith the holy Ghost For hee doth whatsoever hee will And againe God is wise in heart and mighty in strength who ever hardned his heart against him and prospered If God call not back his anger the most proud hearts are bowed under him And God saith in Ezek 22. Can thy hands be strong or can thy heart endure in the day that I shall have to doe with thee Then it followeth that though Babylon fit as a Queen and all her lovers take part with her yet because the strong Lord is against her therefore shee shall come to utter destruction Some of good judgement in the truth have gathered from this place that the very city of Rome shall be burnt with fire which assuredly may well be but this I am sure of that the phrase of burning with fire doth in the Prophets alwaies signifie an utter destruction and desolation of a city or a kingdom Amos 5.6 and therefore it followeth that Rome shall be utterly destroyed But behold yet a stronger and plainer proofe For Saint John saith Chap. 17.21 A mighty Angel took up a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the sea saying With such a violence shall that great city Babylon be cast downe and shall be found no more All men know that old Babylon in Chaldea was destroyed by the Medes and Persians long before Saint John wrote this book and therefore that is not here meant but the new Babylon which is Rome as before hath been proved The phrases of speech and the signes which the Prophets used to declare the destruction and desolation of old Babylon are here alluded unto the destruction of Rome For wee read in the Prophecie of Jeremie that the Prophet having written in a book all the evil that should come upon Babel for holding Gods people so long in most miserable captivity Jer. 51.61 said to Serajah When thou comest unto Babel thou shalt reade all these words and when thou hast made an end of reading this booke thou shalt binde a stone to it and cast it into the middest of Euphrates and shalt say Thus shall Babel be drowned and shall not rise up from the evill that I will bring upon her although they weary themselves Now let us consider how this agreeth with the same which is here set down and wee shall find that all things are here set down with greater force to expresse as it were a deeper vengeance and a more heavie and unrecoverable destruction First there is a man here is a mighty Angel there the man taketh up a stone here the Angel taketh up a great stone like a mil-stone there the stone is cast into the river here into the deep sea All these circumstances being applied to Rome do greatly aggravate the matter and very plainly shew that it shall fall without all hope of recovery Rome shall fall without all hope of recovery For the Lord declareth by this forcible signe of casting a mil-stone into the sea that the citie and kingdome of Antichrist shall bee cast deep down into perdition and shall lie overwhelmed and drowned in the same for ever For if old Babylon was utterly destroyed and came to a finall desolation in this life much more shall Rome as the holy Ghost disputeth But
Prophet saith In thy presence is the fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore Verse 6. And hee said unto mee These words are faithfull and true and the Lord God of the holy Prophets sent his Angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be fulfilled Verse 7. Behold I come shortly Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophecie of this book Verse 8. And I am John which saw and heard these things and when I had heard and seen I fell downe to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Verse 9. But he said unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the words of this book worship God In these foure verses are four principall reasons brought to confirme and ratifie the authority of this book The first of them is the affirmation of the Angel The second is the authority of the most high God The third is the testimony of Jesus pronouncing them blessed which keep this Prophecie The fourth is the testimony of Saint John who heard and saw these things But because in the Epistle to the Reader I have more at large handled this Argument and these same verses therefore here I doe of purpose relinquish them and that also of Johns adoration and the Angels refusall being things most manifest and easie to understand And hee said unto mee Verse 10. Seale not the words of the Prophecie of this booke for the time is at hand Hee that is unjust let him be unjust still Verse 11. and he which is filthy let him be filthy still and hee that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still And behold I come shortly Verse 12. and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be I am Alpha and Omega Verse 13. the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that do his commandements Verse 14. that their right may be in the tree of life and may enter in thorow the gates into the city For without shall be dogs and enchanters Verse 15. and whoremongers and murtherers and idolaters and whosoever loveth or maketh lies Here is first an exhortation to publish and proclaime the knowledge of this book to all people and in no wise to conceale it or keep it close as formerly hath been shewed in the Epistle Here is a further admonition that they which are unrighteous should be unrighteous still c. Which is no allowance or encouragement granted unto wicked men to continue in their evill wayes but is rather a terrible threat if wee take all the words together in this and the next verse as if hee should say If men will needs continue in their filthinesse yet certainly Christ will come shortly and reward them according to their works Or else it may be a phrase of speech which they call an ironicall concession as in another place the holy Ghost saith to the yong man Eccles 11. 1 Kin. 22.15 Matth. 6.45 Walk in the wayes of thine own heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know that for all these things God will bring thee unto judgment So likewise in other places After this here is blessednesse pronounced upon all such as keep the commandements of God as it is said that their right is in the tree of life not meaning thereby that their keeping of the commandements is the cause of their right in Christ but onely an effect or consequence For our good works do not go before as causes of our justification but follow after as declarations of the same For by doing we are not made just in the sight of God but only declared to be just in the sight of men And as for the keeping the commandements wee do it not in such perfection as Gods justice requireth but in such measure as his mercy accepteth through Christ And here the holy Ghost saith that all they which have a right in Christ which is the Tree of life and endeavour to keepe the commandements shall enter in thorow the gates into the new Jerusalem But on the contrary all the rout of reprobates whom hee calleth dogs enchanters whoremongers c. shall be utterly shut out as having nothing to do in the everlasting citie their portion being allotted in the infernall lake I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things Verse 16. I am the root and generation of David and the bright morning Star And the Spirit and the Bride say Come Verse 17. And let him that heareth say Come And let him that is athirst come And let whosoever will take of the water of life freely For I protest unto every man that heareth the Verse 18. words of the Prophecie of this booke If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book Verse 19. And if any man shall diminish of the words of the book of this Prophecie God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy city and from those things which are written in the book of life Verse 20. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus Verse 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen The authority of this book is here again ratified from the person of him who is the Authour of it that is Jesus Christ who is here called The root and generation of David both because hee is descended of the house of David according to the flesh and also because the eternall kingdome which all the Prophets did fore-tell should spring out of the house of David was indeed and in truth established in Christ who is our true David and our righteous branch and as it is here said the bright morning Star which hath most gloriously risen upon the world to dispell all darknesse and to bring the great and everlasting light Moreover here is great protestation made in the 18 and 19 verses of great plagues to be inflicted upon all such as shall add any thing unto this booke or take away any thing from it Which also maketh greatly for the confirmation of the authority of this book For that to the which nothing may be added and from the which nothing may be taken away must needs be absolute and perfect But this book is such a one Therefore this book is absolute and perfect being a part of Gods everlasting truth Last of all here is set down the fervent desire of the Bride after the Bridegroome for she being inflamed with the Spirit desireth him to come and make up the match betwixt them that shee may be joyned to him in marriage celebrate the solemnization and live together
fadeth not that God of his mercy would bring you my hearts desire and prayer is and shall be and in the meane season that the yeeres of your life being multiplied your life may be full of honour to God profit to his Church and comfort to your owne soule Your Honours most deeply bound Ezekiel Culverwell The Epistle to the Christian READER BEing often requested Gentle Reader and much importuned by sundry both learned and godly to publish that Doctrine of the Apocalyps which divers of them with lively voyce heard publickely delivered I did at last upon my most mature deliberation yeeld unto their reasonable request I meane the reasons of their request Indeed I doe ingeniously confesse that I am the unmeetest of many which this age God be thanked doth afford to deale in a matter of so great importance or any wise to be imployed in so great and honourable a service as this is But if I doe industriously use my small talent and be found faithfull in a little I hope it shall have both cheerefull and comfortable acceptation with the Church of God For this I presume will be granted of all that he which hath but a little strength and yet putteth it forth to the uttermost to do good withall is more to bee commended then hee which hath thrice his strength and useth it not to the helpe and benefit of others And true it is indeed that sundry worthy labours of divers excellent men upon the Apocalyps are already extant so as hee may seeme to powre water into the Sea or goe about to mend the Crowes eyes that will attempt to adde any thing to that which is already published But know this O Christian Reader that the Lords garden is so large and plentifull of all most sweet and pleasant flowers that where any one hath gathered a Nosegay most fragrant and delectable another may come after and gather another not to bee contemned For the wisdome of God is such an undraineable Fountaine and head-spring that where one hath drawne much before another may come happily and draw as much afterward yea though thousand doe succeede yet can this fountaine never be drawne dry Be it farre from me to arrogate any thing to my selfe above others for I am privy inough to mine owne meanes and doe freely confesse that in this worke I have received much light from others and therefore doe not as a Judge give sentence upon other mens workes but as one that would furnish the same feast bring in my dish among them Or as one that in the same cause would come in as a third or a fourth witnesse to testifie and confirme the same thing And verily through the gratious assistance of Gods Spirit my simple purpose and indeavour is to give a lift to the uttermost of my power to further that which is already happily begun and to provoke others of greater gifts to come after with their great lights and lanthornes in their hands to discry and discover whatsoever in this Prophesie is not yet fully seene into I am not ignorant that some would not have this booke meddled withall nor in any wise to be expounded among the common people because say they it is so darke and hard to understand But let all such leave their owne opinions and hearken what the Holy Ghost saith Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophesie c. What can be sayd more or more effectually to stirre us up to heare and reade and with all gladnes to imbrace this Booke then to tell us that in so doing wee shall bee blessed For the things contayned in this booke be no trifles they be not things only for a shew to moove wonderment or to delight the curious minde of men but such as indeede doe give true blessednesse unto all those that are well instructed in them What thing is greater then to be blessed for evermore If we be not exceeding dull yea even like stockes and stones it must needs move us and stirre us up For who will wittingly and willingly lose his owne blessednesse or suffer it to bee taken from him when as he may have it If any will object that a man may be blessed well inough without the knowledge of this booke and that there be Bookes inough in the Scripture to procure our blessednesse without this And that thousands are now in Heaven which never knew what this Booke meant I answer that all this doth not take away the necessary use of this Booke for the holy Ghost doth pronounce a blessing upon the heads of those that Reade and Study this Booke not because a man cannot be saved without it But because of the great comfort which it ministereth unto us of this age and hath ministred unto all the Churches since the Apostles times For it is the Prophesie of this age and the Prophesie of all the ages since Christ Wherein is fully shewed what shall be the estate and condition of the Church in the severall Ages thereof unto the end of the World For God according to his admirable wisdome and mercy hath never from the beginning left his Church without a Prophesie for the great comfort thereof For we know that immediately after the fall of our first parents God himselfe for the great comfort of his Church did foretell and fore-prophesie long before of that restauration which should be made by the Mâ—ssias his Sonne according as it came to passe in the fulnesse of time Afterward he did fore-tell his people of Isael Genesis 3 Gen. 15 of their great servitude and intollerable bondage in Aegypt and also of the end and full determination therefore after foure hundred and thirty yeeres After all this he foretold by his servants the Prophets of the Captivity in Babylon and the full expiration thereof at the end and tearme of seventy yeeres Ieremy 2â— And yet further for the comfort and consolation of his people he fore-told by Daniel Daniel 7 Ezech. 3 and Ezechiel of the great afflictions and troubles which his Church should endure by the Persecutions of the dâ—vided Greeke Empire I meane Alexanders Posterity especially the Kings of Aegypt and Syria which descended of Ptolomeus and Seleucus Daniel 8 Daniel 9 Daniel 1â— whom the Scripture calleth the Kings of the North and of the South by the space of 194. yeeres and of the precise determination thereof at the comming of the Mâ—ssias 〈◊〉 then what care God hath had of his Church in all ages before the comming of his sonne in the flesh so to foretell both of the affliction it selfe and also of the just period and determination thereof And shall we not thinke that God hath the like care now for his Church which then he had or hath he not as great and provident care for the good of his Church since the promised Messias was actually exhibited as before Yes assuredly and much more too for if his care and providence
was so great for his Church being in her ward-shippe and minority then much more now being come to her ripenesse and full age If then it was lesse glorious then much more now being farre more glorious Therefore now unto us he foretelleth by his servant John what shall be the estate of the Church unto the end of the world and therefore Blessed is he that heareth and readeth this booke sith it foretelleth of the Churches affliction in this age by the whoore of Babylon and of the full end and determination thereof It sheweth justly and precisely what the Church hath suffered since the Apostles time in severall ages and what it shall suffer and also how all the enemies thereof shall shortly bee troden under foote What can be more joyfull or comfortable to all the people of God then to know afore-hand that Babylon shall fall Rome shall downe Antichrist the great persecutor of the Church shall bee utterly confounded and consumed in this world notwithstanding all plots and policies crafts and devices to the contraâ—y notwithstanding all forces and armâ—es cunningly contrived and raised up against the Chuâ—ch by Seminary Priests Jesuites Pope Cardiâ—all and King of Spaine For all these in this age do very busily bestirre them and ransacke all corners of their wits to repaire the ruines of Rome and to make up the breaches which are made in the walles of Babylon their great City But alas all in vaine for it shall fall It shall fall it shall as Dagon before the presence of the Arke doe what they can spite of their hearts maugre their beards it shall without all hope of recovery For hath the Lord spoken it and shall it not come to passe or any word of his ever fall to the ground Sith therefore the Jesuites and Secular Priâ—sts do so fiske about and croake in every corner as greatly fearing the fall of their Babylon and the drying up of their Euphrates it stands us all in hand to bee of resolute for Christ as they are for Antichrist and as studious to uphold the Kingdome of God as they are to uphold the kingdome of the divell And for this purpose it is very requisite and necessary that all the Lords people should bee acquainted with this Booke and armed against them with the things revealed in this Prophesie For this booke is a most precious Jewell which God hath bestowed upon his Church in this last age and it is great pitty that all the servants of God are not better acquainted with it especially in these times for now in this age is and shall bee the very heat of the warre and brunt of the battle betwixt Papists and Protestants betwixt God and Belial betwixt the armies of Christ and the armies of Antichrist Now this Prophesie layeth all open and plainly telleth us what shall be the issue and successe in the day of battell which side shall have the victory and which side shall goo downe And therefore very needfull it is that it should be expounded againe and againe and all the Lords people made throughly acquainted with it For in this age wherein we live this Prophesie can never be enough opened and beaten upon that all good Protestants may bee armed with it against future times even as it were with an armour of proofe Saint John plainely telleth the people of his time even the Churches of Asia that they should be blessed by reading and studying this Booke because they should thereby bee fore-warned and fore-armed against many eminent troubles and future dangers For saith he The time is at hand that is to say some things were even then to bee fulfilled For some matters foretold in this booke did begin to bee fulfilled even presently after they were shewed unto John for the Mystery of iniquity did even then begin to worke The Church in the Apostles time had her conflictes The Tenne great persecutions began even then to bee raised up Heresies shortly after began to spring and sprout Afterwards by degrees the great Antichrist did aproach toward his cursed seat And after all this Saint John foretelleth how hee should take possession of his abhominable and most execrable seat and sea of Rome How hee should raigne and rule for a time as the Monarchy of the world How hee should prevaile against the Church and make warre against the Saints How he should raigne but a short time and afterward come tumbling downe as fast as ever he rose up and decrease as fast as ever he increased Therefore Blessed is he saith S. John that diligently readeth and peruseth this booke that thereby he may foresee all these things and be armed against them For as the heathen man saith Levius laedit quicquid previderis ante Foreseeing dangers doe least hurt Now to apply all this to our times I say they are twice happy that are studious and painefull in searching out the true sense and meaning of this Prophesie that thereby they may be strengthned against all the assaults of the Papists our professed enemies and the enemies of Gods Church and sticke fast to the everlasting truth of God knowing for a certainty that the sonnes of Belial shall not long prevaile Apo. 9.11 The date of their raigne is almost out and the time draweth on apace wherein both they and their King Abbadon shall bee laid in the dust But I will now proceed to a new reason to prove that this Booke of the Revelation ought not to be concealed but openly preached and published to the whole Church of God in this age My reason is taken out of the 22. Chapter of this Booke verse 10. in these words Seale not the words of the Prophesie of this Booke for the time is at hand Here is a flat commandement from God that this Booke and Doctrine of it may not bee sealed up that is to say kept close from the knowledge of Gods people but it must lie alwaies unsealed that all men may open it reade it and see what is in it for it is a borrowed speech taken from sealing of Letters For we all know that wooing Letters are sealed none may open them or reade them but onely those whom it doth concerne but if they bee of purpose left unsealed then any man may reade them without danger So the Lord willeth and commandeth that this Booke of the Revelation should of purpose bee left unsealed that all the people of God might reade it study it and know it If any man doubt whether the Metaphor of sealing be thus taken in the Scripture let him reade the places quoted in the Margent and in all those places hee shall finde it taken in this sense Whereby it doth evidently appeare that the mind and meaning of God is that this Booke should bee proclaimed and published in all the Churches And upon this ground Esa 29.11 Dan. 1â— 9 Apoc 4 1. Apo. 10.4 I hold that every Minister of the Gospell standeth bound as much as in him lyeth to
preach the Doctrine of the Apocalyps to his particular charge and congregation for every Minister of the Gospell must shew unto his people all the counsâ—ll of God and keepe backe nothing as Paul testifieth that he did to the great comfort of his conscience But the doctrine of the Revelation is a part and parcell of the Counsell and Will of God therefore it must not be concealed or kept backe from the knowledge of the people of God And in these daies I thinke it not onely meete and convenient that it should be so but in truth absolutely necessary But now me thinketh I heare some men say What must this booke of the Apocalyps bee preached and made knowne to the common people alas what should they doe with it It is not for them to meddle with all It is not for their diet I answer and yet not I but the holy Ghost that this booke must be made knowne to all the servants of God For Saint John calleth it the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to shew unto all his servants It is plaine therefore that all the servants of God both men and women young and old rich and poore must be made acquainted with this Booke Moreover John is commanded by the God of Heaven to set downe all the visions which the Angell shewed him and to write them all in a booke and send them to the seven Churches of Asia that is to people of all sorts and conditions And therefore this Booke doth not onely concerne Preachers and deepe Divines but even all the Lords people whatsoever for it doth minister great comfort and strength of faith to all the people of God that live in this age But here the Papists object that this booke is full of darkenesse and obscurity and therefore not for the common people to meddle withall nay say they there are as many mysteries as words in it and therefore what should men trouble their heads about it But no marvaile though the Papists say so much for it is the wound of their Kingdome and the battery of their Babylon As for others both learned and Godly which in this point are almost of the same mind that they will not meddle with this Booke of the Revelation I cannot but marvell at it The modesty and humility of some very rare and reverend men for learning and great variety of gifts which notwithstanding scotch much at this Booke is greatly to be commended But if I were worthy to give them advice I would wish them in this behalfe to change their minde and to bee of another resolution for I dare avouch it that there is nothâ—ng in this Prophesie which study and diligence with prayer and humility may not overcome True it is indeed that the shell is thick and hard to break but being broken the kirnell is most sweet and pleasant If any be discouraged with the darkenes and obscurity of it let him harken to these reasons following First it is called a Revelation which is as much to say as an uncovering of things which did lie hid if it be an uncovering and revealing of things no doubt it may be knowne and seene into For revealed things are for us and our children If it be a Revelation how say some that it cannot be understood For it is contrary to the nature of a Revelation to be so darke that none can understand it But shall we say that the holy Ghost which is the spirit of truth hath given a wrong name unto it God forbid For if it hide matters or set them forth that it cannot be understood then it is not rightly called a Revelation If this Booke be so mysticall that it cannot be understood If the interpretation of it be uncertaine If the common people cannot bee taught to understand it How then should the holy Ghost Apoc. 1.3 Apo. 12.7 Blessed is he â—hat readeth the words of this Prophesie c. Let any man judge that hath common sense Can any man be blessed by hearing and reading those things which hee understandâ—th not I trow no. Then it followeth that this Booke may be understood and no doubt is understood of many and might be better understood of many moe if they would bend their wits and studies unto it Apoc. 22.10 The hâ—ly Ghost as is said before willeth and commandeth that the words of this Prophesie should not bee sealed up Whereby it is evident that hee would have them reade and made knowne to all Then I reason thus that which is open and unsealed may bee read and knowne But this booke is open and unsealed Therefore it may be read and knowne If men say the matters of this Prophesie are sealed and hid and God say they bee unsealed and open whether shall we beleeve men or God If any will reply and say wee feele and finde by experâ—ence that the words of this booke are hard to bee understood I answer that the fault is in our selves because we are so negligent in the search and study thereof For if we did wâ—th that humility and reverend care that ought to be in us search after the things revealed in this booke wee should finde that they bee not sealed up but lie open to be read and knowne True it is indeed that if any man light upon some peâ—ce and take it by it selfe hee shall finde it very darke But if he looke upon the whole course of matters through the booke and marke and observe diligently how things be iterated hee shall finde no such darkenesse as he feareth for there is a notable coherence of matters and course of times observed in this booke even from the first Chapter unto the last as God willing shall more fully and plainely appeare in the particular opening and interpretation thereof One great objection against this Prophesie is that the Fathers profesie it is full of mysteries and that they could not understand it If they could not understand it say some how shall wee understand it Is it not great arrogancy for for us to say wee understand it better then they did I answer noe For a man of meane learning in comparison may now in these daies more easily understand and expound this booke than the learned doctor and Fathers in ancient time The reason is this wee live in an age wherein the most of the things Prophesied in this booke are fulfilled Now the fulfilling of a Prophesie is the best exposition of it But as for the fathers they lived in a time wherein many of these things were not come to passe nor fulfilled and therefore more hard for them to interpret and understand for these things in this prophesie which are not yet fulfilled are hardest for us of this age to understand and resolve of But when a Prophesie is fulfilled it is an easie matter to say this was the meaning of the Prophet Some things in this booke were fulfilled before the dayes of the Fathers and some things in
the dayes wherein they lived and both those they did cleerely understand Some things were fulfilled after their dayes as the rising and raigning of the great Antichrist which they did not so cleerely see into Hereupon it commeth to passe that many things which unto them were very obscure are unto us most cleere and manifest 〈◊〉 beeing already fulfilled insomuch that all which are not wilfully blinded may see and understand them yea the most unlearned Bee not therefore discouraged gentle Reader at the darknesse and difficulty of this booke Doe not prejudicially resolve and set downe with thy selfe that the naturall sense of this booke cannot be given nor the tute meaning found out but that we must be faine when we have done all that we can to rest in uncertaine conjectures some following one sense and some another as seemeth most like and profitable But no man can say confidently and precisely this is the meaning of the holy Ghost Oh be not of that minde good Christian brother for if we have not an undoubted certainety for the sense and meaning of this Prophesie we are never the neerer and that is it which the Papists would drive us unto But know for a certainty that the naturall sense of this booke is to be found out as well as of other bookes of the Scripture And that wee might not be left to our selves in the darke and to our uncertaine conjectures and doubtfull interpretations Behold the mercifull goodnesse of God to his Church who himselfe doth expound the darkest and most mysticall things in this Prophesie or at least so many of them and so far as the rest are thereby layd open and made manifest The Lord himselfe expoundeth some things in chap. 1. which give cleare light to the first vision The Angell expoundeth divers other things In the 17. Chapter which is the key of this Prophesie the Angell doth of purpose open and interpret all the greatest doubts of this booke as who is the whore of Babylon who is the Beast what be his seven heads what be his ten Hornes what be the waters which the woman that is the Whoore of Rome sitteth upon Moreover for the better understanding of this Prophesie we must note that the writings of Moses and the Prophets unto which there bee sundry allusions and from the which sundry things are drawne doe cleere divers things in this Revelation The knowledge of antiquities ministreth much aide to the understanding of this Prophesie The knowledge of the Histories of the Church and the particular state thereof in divers ages bringeth great light The observation of the phrases and manner of speech used by the old Prophets doth helpe also not a little The serious and deepe weighing of all the circumstances of the Text and conferring one thing with another the consequents with the antecedents and the antecedents with the consequents furthereth greatly for the bolting out of the true and naturall sense And furthermore as the spirit of God is the Author of the Prophesie so the same spirit is the best interpreter of it and doth open and reveale it to all such as using all other good meanes are earnest and humble suiters unto God for the illumination thereof whereby they may all understand both this and other the mysteries of his will which the Apostle saith God hath revealed unto us by his spirit For the spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things of God To all this may be added the knowledge of Arts Tongues and the learned writings and interpretations of sundry excellent men which all doe bring great furtherance to the understanding of this Prophesie Sith then there bee so many helpes for the opening and expounding of this Revelation why should any bee discouraged from the reading and study thereof But if any man demand a reason why Saint John writeth this Revelation in such mysticall and allegoricall manner I answere that there may be divers reasons yeelded hereof First that the world being blinded might fulfill the things herein specâ—fied Secondly because John was to publish this Revelation in such manner and forme as he had received it from Jesus Christ which was figurative and allegoricall Thirdly because it was much more wisedome to foretell the destruction of the Romane Empire which all that time bare the sway almost over all the world under covert and figurative speeches then in plaine tearmes lest the Romane Princes should rage more against the Christians even in that respect The like also may bee sayd for Daniels darke manner of delivering his Prophesie For if hee had uttered those things in plaine tearmes which hee spake darkely and allegorically it might have cost him his life For the Heathen enemies would never have endured to heare that all their Empyres glory and renowne should fall one after another and one by another and that the Jewes were the only holy people whom God did defend and to whom in the end God would not onely give a quiet possession of their owne Land and Kingdome but also a Kingdome everlasting and that through their Messias and great deliverer But to grow to a conclusion gentle Reader thou shalt find in this poore travell First an Exposition of the first thirteene Chapters unto the twentieth reduced all to one head which is to prove the five points propounded and last of all the three Chapters following briefely and plainely expounded If any through lazinesse will not or through want of leasure cannot reade over this short travell yet for his comfort let him read chose things onely which are written upon the fourteenth Chapter And thus Christian Reader hoping that thou wilt not neglect that which may be for thine owne good I commend theee to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build further and to give thee an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Thine in the Lord Arthur Dent. Vpon the 14. Chapter of this Booke These five points are handled FIrst that Babylon in this Booke of the Revelation is called Rome Secondly that Rome shall fall and how Thirdly that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter desolation in this life before the last Judgement Fourthly by whom and when it shall be overthrowne Fiftly the causes of the utter ruine and overthrow thereof APOC. 18. verse 4. I heard a voice from Heaven say Goe out of heâ— my People that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receive not of her Plagues THE RVINE of Rome or an Exposition upon the Revelation Wherein is plainely shewed and proved that the Popish Religion together with all the power and authority of Rome shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the Churches of Europe and come to an utter overthrow even in this life BEfore I enter into the exposition of this Prophesie I thinke it not amisse to handle sixe circumstantiall points which may give some light to the whole matter following and they be these First the instrument that writ
and receive a greater largnesse of supernaturall things for Daniel in prison Peter in a Tanners house Paul in a broken ship received a superabundant measure of grace more to bee esteemed then all the Gold of India Some write that this Isle of Pathmos is accounted amongst the Islands called Sporados which lie over against Asia and the City of Ephesus and was in the sight both of Europe and Affrica so that it sâ—emed to bee as it were a middle seat or Holy chaire out of the which CHRIST preached by John from heaven to the whole world And indeed the counsels of God are wonderfull and his goodnesse unspeakeable which revealeth so great mysteries to his faithfull as it were out of the Romish prison and Babylonicall captivity Moreover John declareth the cause of his comming into the same Iland for he sayth he was there for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ that is for the preaching and constant profession of the Gospell of Christ Histories do report that John was apprehended in Asia and by Souldiers led to Rome that he might pleade his cause before the Emperour Domitian who most savagely and cruelly condemned the innocent and caused him to be put into a cauldron of hot boyling Oyle out of the which when he by miraculous providence escaped without harme he was carried and conveied into the Isle of Pathmos But immediatly after Johns banishment God met well enough with this persecuting Emperor Domitian For in the fifteenth yeare of his raigne he was cruelly and most shamefully murdered by his owne Servants And thus much for the third circumstance Now it followeth to speake of the fourth circumstance which is the persons to whom this prophesie is written and that is set down in the first Chapter and first verse to be all the servants of God As many therefore as be the servants of God must attend unto this booke heare it reade it and remember it for to all such it is dedicated by the holy Ghost to all such it belongeth for all such it is written and recorded Some do falsely and foolishly imagine that it was given onely to John and that it might likewise bee given to some speciall men as to some great Scholers or deepe Divines which could tell how to use it and how to weild it But wee see how grossely they erre for the holy Ghost saith it belongeth to all the Servants of God And moreover John is willed and commanded to write all the things which hee saw in sundry visions in a booke together Cha. 1.11 and to send it to the seven Churches which is in Asia be-because the Lord would have it remaine in perfect record unto the use of the whole Church both that the Church might have the custody of this booke and allso that it might be a faithfull witnesse unto the end of the world that this booke was written and penned by Iohn the Apostle of whose truth sincerity the church had sufficient experience True it is indeed that there are but seven Churches named but under these 7. Churches all others are comprehended It had bin an infinite matter to reckon up all the particular Churches which were then in the world to have opened their severall estates therefore under these seven Churches of Asia and their particular severall estates the state of the universall Church militant is layd open I conclude therefore that the whole doctrine of Saint Iohns Revelation appertaineth to the Universall Church of Christ throughout all the World and in all times and ages since it was written and recorded And that as all Scripture is written for our instruction and comfort Rom. 15.4 2 Ti. 3.16 and as all Scripture given by divine inspiration is profitable to teach and convince c. so this booke of the Apocalyps is written for the speciall comfort and instruction of the Church in these last dayes And so I doe conclude this fourth point The fift circumstantiall point is the end and use of this prophesie Chap. 1.1 which is to publish and blaze abroad the things which must shortly come to passe that is all things prophesied in this booke and to be fulfilled even to the end of the World and whereas hee saith that these things must come to passe he doth us to understand how great the stablenesse and assurednesse of Gods determination is For looke what things are fore-appointed by Gods determinate purpose they are altogether unchangeable for the Lord is God and hee is not changed And he saith My determination shall stand Mal. 3.6 Esay 45 1â— Ma. 24.35 And Christ sayth Heaven and earth shall passe away c. It is therefore most certaine that every particular thing contained in this prophesie shall be fulfilled in Gods appointed time For GOD hath disclosed these things to hâ—s Sonne CHRIST not to the end he should shut then up againe in himselfe but that he should shew them forth to the Godly that the whole Church might fare the better by them It doth then stand us all upon to enquire and search into these things which must so shortly come to passe that thereby we may be strengthned and comforted against all future dangers And Christ saith Behold I come shortly Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the Prophesie c. Apo. 22.7 But how shall wee keepe them except wee know them And how shall we know them except we reade them and studdy them If therefore wee meane bee partakers of this blessednesse we must not onely esteeme this booke to bee very profitable but absolutely necessary for all the servants of God to be exercised in And if ever there were any time wherein it behoved to set forth to urge and to beare in this Doctrine to all the people of God then it is chiefly necessary to be done in this our time For this age of ours hath in the Popes Kingdome many sharpe and quicke wits which commend with marvellous praises both the Pope and the popish Church and buzze into the eares of the common people and unlearned sort many things cleane contrary to the Doctrine of the Scriptures The Jesuites and Priests are growne exceeding crafty and cunning The Papists are rich wealthy and full of armour and munition Popery seemeth to make a head againe and the Papists looke for a day It stands us then upon which love Christ and his Gospell that we should be well appointed and thorowly armed against them And for this purpose the Revelation of Saint John is of great use and necessity As I said before so I say againe that it is the Prophesie of our time written to this speciall end that by it wee might be both fore-warned and fore-armed If wee doe consider the whole matter of this booke we shall easily finde out the use and end of it For the excellent matter of it doth argue the excellent end and use of it Now then as concerning the generall matter of this
because it cutteth them so neere the bone Moreover it may not be omited that God is called the Lord God of the holy Prophets which proveth that this Prophesie is of equall authority with the Prophesies which were of old in as much as the same God is the Author of it And this Book is to be held in the same account with the Books of Moses and of the Prophets for all things contained in it shall as certainly be fulfilled in their times as theirs were In Esay in Jeremy in Ezechiel in Daniel and in the rest we finde many things which the Lord shewed by them long before they came to passe Even so there bee many things fore-shewed and fore-prophesied in this Booke which in their time shall be assuredly fulfilled Nay we see and know that many things here fore-told are already fulfilled and some things are come to passe even in these our dayes He that shall look into the times that are past since this Prophesie was given shall finde that all things have fallen out agreeable to the Prophesie of this Booke And surely if there were none other thing to perswade us touching the authority thereof this might suffice that every thing hath fallen out just and jumpe as the Prophesie did fore-shew It is our great negligence that wee doe not cleerly see so much And I doe humbly entreat all the people of God to looke more diligently and narrowly into it in all time to come And thus much as concerning the circumstances Now as concerning the Booke it self it may very fitly be divided into three visions as it were into three generall parts The first vision is contained in the three first Chapters The second vision is contained in the next eight Chapters following from the fourth to the twelfth Chapter And the last vision is contained in all the Chapters following from the twelfth to the end As concerning the first vision my purpose is not to stand much upon it because it is plain and easie to understand and because it containeth no Prophesies of things to come but only openeth the present state of the Church at that time and also because I have already touched the summe of it in handling the circumstantiall points I will therefore content my self with a very briefe opening and resolution of it beginning at the first Chapter CHAP. I. The summe of the first Chapter THe first Chapter containeth foure principall things The Title of the Book The salutation of the Churches The manner of Johns calling to receive this Prophesie The description of Christ the person that called him The Title of the Book is set downe in these words The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him It containeth three things First the Author of the Booke which is Jesus Christ receiving it from God the Father Secondly the end and use of this Booke Ver. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. which is to shew unto all the Servants of God the things which must shortly bee done Thirdly the singular fruit and benefit which the Church shall receive by it in these words Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophesie c. The salutation is in these words John to the seven Churches which are in Asia Grace be with you and peace c. It containeth a description of the Trinity or three Persons in the Godhead The Father is described of his eternity namely to be Hee which is which was and which is to come The Holy Ghost is described of his divers gifts and operations and therefore is called the seven Spirits which are before the Throne or which proceed from the Throne but S. John speaketh here of the holy Ghost according to the vision shewed him in the fifth Chapter where Christ is said to have seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent into all the world Of the which afterward Jesus Christ is described of his three great offices of King Priest and Prophet and also of his glorious power and eternity First touching his Kingly office he is called the Prince of the Kings of the earth that is King of Kings for he is King of Sion He is a King to rule and governe his Church He must reigne over the house of Judah for ever Hee must reigne over all his enemies and in the middest of his enemies even till hee have trode them all under his feet And this benefit wee have by it that we are made Kings in him in this life to reigne over our corrupt affections and after this life to reigne as crowned Kings for ever with him in infinite glory and endlesse felicity Secondly touching his Priest-hood Ver. 5. he is said to love us and wash us from our sinnes in his bloud For he is our only high Priest which by his owne blood hath once entred into the holy place and obtained eternall redemption for us Hee onely it is Heb. 9.12 which through the eternall Spirit offered himselfe without fault to God to purge our consciences from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 So then by vertue of his Priesthood and sacrifice we are reconciled unto God have free accesse unto the Throne of Grace and are made Priests in him to offer us spirituall sacrifices acceptable to GOD through him Verse 6. For he hath made us Kings and Priests unto God even his Father Thirdly Veâ—se 5. concerning his Propheticall Office he is called that faithfull witnesse For He is said to Pilate John 18.37 For this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I might beare witnesse unto the Truth And the Apostle saith Hee witnesseth under Pontius Pilate a good confession Tim. 9.13 So then Jesus Christ is one of those three great witnesses which beare record in Heaven Jesus Christ is the Prince of Prophets even that great Prophet that should come into the world through whom all the counsells of God are revealed to us He is that only begotten Sonne which is come downe from the bosome of his Father and hath made knowne unto us whatsoever he hath received of his Father Hee both by his Doctrine Life and Miracles hath borne witnesse unto the truth and by the vertue of his Propheticall Office the whole will of God is made knowne unto us For GOD hath sent him as the great Prophet to instruct the world in Righteousnesse and hath revealed himselfe to us in him and therefore he is called the Image of GOD the brightnesse of his Glory Col. 1.15 Heb. 1.3 and the ingraven forme of His Person And therefore Hee said to Philip Hee that hath seene Mee hath seene my Father also John 14.7 And if you had knowne Mee you should have knowne my Father also Mat. 11. â—7 And againe No man knoweth the Father but the Sonne and hee to whom the Son will reveale him Thus we see that Jesus Christ is that faithfull witnes and Prince
blessed for ever For otherwise the Angels of Heaven both Cherubins and Seraphins would not thus fall down and worship him ascribing unto him both deity and divine honour Consider then how great he is of whom it is said Let all the Angels of God worship him Psal 97.7 Moreover these Angels and Saints are sayd to have every one Harpes and golden Vials Verse 8. full of Odours which are the prayers of the Saints These Harpes doe signifie the sweet consent and harmony both of men and Angels in sounding forth the praises of the Lambe for herein the whole Church both militant and triumphant do accord and tune together as many harpers harping upon their harpes Apo. 14.2 as is written also in another place Hereby also they do plainly testifie that inward peace and spirituall joy which all the faithfull have through Christ which is more sweet and delightsome to the soule then any musick is unto the eares The Vialls full of Odours are expounded to be the prayers of the Saints which are therefore compared to odours because they smell sweet in the nostrils of God and are more fragrant then any nosegay or perfume whatsoever for he taketh great pleasure in the prayers of his people especially when they came out of golden vials that is sanctified hearts and consciences for every sanctified heart is a golden heart in the sight of God and every regenerate conscience is a Jewell of price guilt with gold and enameled with pearle For this cause the holy man David wisheth earnestly that his heart might be so renewed and cleansed inwardly that his prayer might be directed as incense in Gods sight Psal 14.1 and the lifting up of his hands as a sweet smelling sacrifice Furthermore these Saints and Angels do sing a new song That is they do sing to the prayses of the Lambe with renued affections and unwearied desires Their inward joy continueth alwaies fresh and greene as the Bay-tree They never wither or waxe weary of the service of God Their song is evermore new and therefore evermore delightsome For the more new any thing is the more pleasant and delactable for men are not affected with old but altogether with new things Now then Jesus Christ having taken this booke into his hand to open and expound is applauded unto by the generall consent and voyces of the whole Church for say they Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales thereof Wherein they do all with common consent give their voyces unto Christ acknowledging him to be the onely fit person in Heaven or earth to take upon him the function of opening a booke so closed so clasped so shut so sealed and they do yeeld a reason of their proceedings because say they thou wast killed and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Meaning hereby that he was put to death to pay the price of our redemption in whom all beleevers both Jewes and Gentiles are saved Their reason then is this he that hath died and risen againe and is now exalted farre above all principalities and powers c. is the most fit instrument to open and interpret this booke but thou O Christ the Lambe of God art such an one therefore thou of all others art most meete to take the matter upon thee and to enter into this businesse Further they amplifie their reason thus Verse 10. that he hath made us of slaves and servants Kings and of prophane persons Priests unto the most high God And last of all that we shall raigne upon the earth Not meaning hereby that we shall raigne as earthly Kings or onely enjoy an earthly Kingdome For out of all doubt the Saints shall raigne with Christ in the Heavens for evermore But heere is mention made of raigning in the earth because after this life Gods Children shall have the fruition and inheritance both of Heaven and earth that is to say that new Heaven and new Earth 2 Pet. 3.12 wherein dwelleth righteousnesse for the Heavens and the earth being redintegrated and purged from corruption shall be the portion of the Saints and the habitation of the Elect for evermore After all this Ver. 11. John heareth the voice of innumerable Angels besides the foure Beasts That is the Cherubines and Seraphins or chiefe Angels that is Angels deputed to chiefe offices round about the throne which all with a loud voice doe acknowledge the Lambe which was killed Ver. 12. to bee worthy of all honour glory and praise c. And not only these innumerable Angels being 20. thousand times ten thousand but also all other creatures both in Heaven and Earth As the Sun Moone and Starres the fishes in the Sea and the beasts in the earth do all in their kinde sing the same song acknowledging all honour and glory praise and power to belong unto him that sitteth upon the throne Ver. 13. and unto the Lambe for evermore For although the creature is as yet subject to the bondage of corruption and therefore groneth and travelleth in paine waiting when the Sonnes of God shall be revealed yet it standeth in assured expectation of restitution to liberty and incorruption and therefore here all the creatures do praise the Lambe for that restauration which they had so lovingly and wishly looked for And the foure beasts said Amen That is they do subscribe to those prayses which the creature yeeldeth to their Creator And not onely the Angels do subscribe and consent unto it but the foure and twenty Elders also that fall downe and worshp him that liveth for evermore So that the Lambe is praysed and worshipped of all hands both of men and Angels and all other creatures as God everlasting and blessed for evermore CHAP. VI. IN the fourth Chapter wee have heard the description of God the Father which holdeth the sealed booke in his right hand In the fift Chapter we have also had the description of Jesus Christ the opener and interpreter of this seven sealed Book Now in this sixth Chapter wee are to understand of the mattter and contents of this Booke and of the strange accidents and events which followed upon the opening of every severall Scale For in this Chapter sixe of the Seals are opened by the Sonne of God and the Mysteries thereof disclosed unto John that he might declare them to the Church for the comfort and instruction thereof This Chapter containeth sixe principall things arising from the severall opening of the sixe seales and they are these The spreading of the Gospell Great persecutions following therupon Famine Pestilence Complaints of the Martyrs Ver. 1.2.3.4 c. Fearefull revenge upon the world for shedding the blood of Gods Saints After Verse 1. I beheld when the Lambe had opened one of the seales and I heard one of the foure beasts say as it were the noise of thunder Come and see Now after all these former
might is Christ as appeareth by the description of him and by all the consequents following Mat. 24. for he is said to be cloathed with a Cloud which signifieth his great glory and Majesty For he shall come in the clouds of heaven to judge the world that is with great pomp and glory The Raine-bow was upon his head which signifieth the covenant of peace with his Church as before Chap. 4. verse 3. His face was as the Sunne which signifieth comfort and deliverance to his Church and the dispelling of all the smoake of the bottomlesse Pit as the Sunne Scattereth and driveth away the thick mists His feete are pillers of brasse which signifieth that he should tread downe all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 19. both Pope and Turke For he must raigne till he have destroyed them all The Pope along time kept all the Kings of Europe in awe The Locusts were of great power The Turkes prevailed exceedingly But what are they all to this mightie and glorious Angell Christ What is their power to withstand him What can Abaddon the King of the Locusts do against this mighty King of Sion What can the Turkes most terrible Horses and Horse-men doe against this Angell which sitteth upon the white Horse Alas alas they are able to do nothing They must all be trodden down under his feet of brasse ver 2. And he had in his hand a little book open and He put his right foot upon the Sea and his left upon the earth This little Booke signifieth the Bible It is called little in respect of the great and huge volumes of Popish bookes though in it selfe it be large It is sayd to be open that all men might looke into it because it had been shut a long time before even during all the time of the darkning of the Sunne and Aire by the smoke which came out of the bottomlesse pit But although it was long shut up in the time of Popery and lay buried in a strange tongue yet now it is opened and publikely preached unto all the servants of God And all this no doubt is to be understood of Luthers time and all the times ever since the Gospell was spread abroad after the great darkenesse For some hundred yeares agoe it was hard to finde an English Bible but now God be thanked there are thousands to be found in the hands of Gods people And therefore the things here Prophesied of are fulfilled in our daies for we live under the opening of the seaventh Seale and the blowing of the sixth Trumpet and the powring foorth of the sixth Viall as here doth partly appeare and shall God willing bee made more manifest when we come to the sixteenth Chapter Now we are diligently to obserue that as the opening of this Booke and the preaching of the Gospell by Luther and his successors hath dispersed the former darknesse and beaten down Popery so also hath it driven backe the Turke and taken from us all feare of him which in former ages was the terrour of the World for since men have looked into this book repented of their Idolatry and turned unto God with all their hearts the Turke and his power hath not been feared especially in these parts where the Gospell is preached For God in his mercifull providence towards his Church hath diverted his power another way and set him a worke else where So that if men cannot be brought to beleeve that God raised him up as a scourge for Idolaters and a plague for Idolatrie and other soule sinnes according to the words in the former Chap. where it is said They repented not of the workes of their hands c. yet when they see that at the opening of the Booke of God and forsaking Idolatry the feare of him is removed let them beleeve it What can be more plaine than that this open Booke in the hand of the Angell hath delivered us from the Pope and from the Turke A most happy opening of this blessed booke More it is said that he put his right foot upon the Sea and his left on the Earth The setting of Christs right foot upon the Sea signifieth that he is ruler of the Sea and standeth as firmely upon the Sea as upon the Land The setting of his left foot upon the Earth doth signifie that he is Lord of the Earth and true heire to all things in it And cryed with a loud voice verse 3. as when a Lion roareth and when he had cryed seven thunders utterd their voyces This crying with a loud voice like the roaring of a Lion doth signifie the manifestation of the wrath of Christ against all his enemies for now he beginneth to roare against them as a Lion when he is hungry roareth for his prey Therefore now both the Scorpion Locusts and the fierce Horses and horsmen are like to goe to the pot By the seven thunders which uttered their voyces is meant those perfect and exquisite judgements which now were to be inflicted both upon the Kingdome of the Pope and the Turke We have heard before that seven is a perfect number in this book and that thunder is put for the thundring of Gods wrath and all such broiles and plagues as follow thereupon and this is the reason of this interpretation verse 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voyces I was about to write but I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me Seale up these things which the seven thunders have spoken and write them not It should seeme these seven thunders did so speake as they might be understood for John was about to write the things which they spake thinking that they were uttered for that end and purpose that he should deliver them in writing to the Churches But he receiveth a commandement to the contrary for he is willed not to write them but to conceale them untill the appointed time But some man may say Why were they uttered seeing they must be concealed and kepâ— close I answer it was not in vaine for first though the particulars be not expressed what the thunders speake yet here we are taught that there remaine most fearfull Judgements against all the oppressors of the Church which Christ hath thundred out with terrour against them And when the time determined is come they shall be seene and understood but in the meane time they be sealed up and kept close according to that of Job Why should not the times be hid of the Almighty so as they which know him should not perceive the times appointed of him and that of Daniel These things are Sealed up untill the time determined And the Angell which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven verse 5. And sware by him that liveth for evermore ver 6. which created heaven and the things that therein are and the earth and the things that therein are and the sea and the things that
therein are that time should be no more But in the daies of the voice of the seventh Angell ver 7. when he shall begin to blow the trumpet even the ministery of God shall be finished as he hath declared unto his servants the Prophets The summe of these three verses is that Christ giveth warning of the last judgement that men might awake and looke out in time Amo. 6 1. And because men for the most part are carelesse and secure putting the evill day far from them as the Prophet speaketh therefore here Christ bindeth it with a solemne oath and solemne gestures thereunto annexed as was the lifting up of the hand in antient time Genesis 14.22 The thing that our Lord Jesus disposeth is that time shall be no more that is Time as it is now or the state of things as they be now but he telleth us flatly that as six Angels have already blowne their Trumpets so when the seventh Angell should blow the Mystery of God shall be finished that is the time of punishing the wicked and rewarding the godly should come which is therefore called a Mystery because the world understandeth it not They thinke there is no such matter Mal. 3.14 They imagine there is no reward for the just or punishment for the wicked as the Prophet saith But the holy Ghost saith Verily there is a reward for the righteous Psa 58.18 doubtlesse there is a God which judgeth the Earth And here it is said that God hath declared it to his servants the Prophets And the voice which I heard from Heaven spake unto me agine verse 8. and said goe and take the little booke which is open in the hand of the Angell which standeth upon the Sea and upon the Earth So I went unto the Angell and said unto him give me the little booke vâ—rse 9. And he said unto me take it and eat it up and it shall make thy belly bitter but it shall be in thy mouth as sweet as hony Then I tooke the little booke out of the Angels hand and eat it up ver 10. and it was in my mouth as sweet as hony but when I had eaten it my belly was bitter And he said unto me verse 11. Thou must prophesie againe among the people and nations and tongues and to many Kings The briefe sence of these foure verses is that the Preachers of the Gospell being called allowed and authorized by Christ unto their ministery should study the Scriptures with great diligence even untill they had eaten up the booke of God and they should preach and publish unto all nations and Kingdomes that truth of God and doctrine of the Gospell which now a long time had lien hid in the raigne of Antichrist It is to be observed that John in this place representeth the person of all the ministers of the Gospell which should be raised up in these last daies for the overthrow of Antichrist and the restauration of true Religion for John himselfe did not live to these times Further it is to be noted that all godly Students and zealous Ministers do eate up the booke of God by reading study prayer and meditation and they find it sweet in their mouth that is they find and feele great joy and comfort in the study and meditation thereof especially when God revealeth therby great and hid secrets unto them and giveth them to understand the mysteries of the Gospell and counsels of his will which are locked up from the wise and prudent of this world This I say is sweeter unto their mouth than hony and the hony combe Concerning their phrase of eating up the Booke looke Ezek. 2.9 for here the holy Ghost alludeth thereunto This booke being so sweet in the mouth yet being eaten and digested is better in the belly There may be three reasons yeelded of this bitternesse First because it being once taken downe into our soule by godly meditation doth mortifie our corrupt nature and bring under our lust and therefore seemeth bitter to flesh and blood Secondly because afflictions and trialls do alwaies necessarily follow the sound digestion of the Gospell Thirdly because the doctrine of the Gospel being swallowed by the ministers therof must not be kept to themselves as it were closed up in their stomacks but they must out with it againe as if it were some loathsome and bitter thing which must needs be cast up againe And for this cause it is sayd in the last verse that they must prophesie againe among the people and nations and tongues and many Kings Now blessed be the name of the Lord our God who hath given us to live in this age wherein we do with our eies behold and see the fulfilling of all these things let us therefore praise God for this great worke which we see wrought in our daies and let us still more and more magnifie this little Booke which will utterly destroy Popery and bring downe the proud Antichrist do all that fight for him what they can CHAP. XI VVE have heard that the little Booke should be opened and the Gospel preached and published to many nations and Kingdomes after the great darknesse of Popery and that this was done by Luther Melancthon Calvin Peter Virit Peter Martyr Bullinger Bucer and all their faithfull successors unto this day Now in this Chapter we are to understand the effect and good successe of their preaching and publishing the Gospell which was that the Church should be restored reformed and built up thereby which a long time had been wasted and oppressed by the tyranny of Antichrist and that many should embrace this Gospell forsake their Idolatries and turne unto God with all their hearts yea whole Nations and Kingdomes in Europe should be converted to the faith as we see this day God be praised So then the principall drift of this Chapter is to shew those things which yet remaine to be fulfilled under the blowing of the sixth Trumpet which is the preaching and prevailing of the Gospel even unto the worlds end and also the things which follow upon the blowing of the seventh trumpet which is the resurrection and last judgement This Chapter containeth six principall things as it were six parts thereof First it sheweth how the true Church should be gathered together ver 1.2 and built up by the preaching of the Gospell and all the wicked refused and cast out ver 3.4.5.6 Secondly it describeth the builders that is all the faithfull Ministers which had and should resist Antichrist Thirdly ver 7.8 it sheweth how Antichrist should persecute the Preachers and Professors of the Gospell unto death and murther them by heapes Fourthly it sheweth that Papists Atheists and wicked worldlings ver 9.10 should rejoyce in the death of Gods people and not vouchsafe them so much as the honour of buriall but sends gifts one to another for joy that they were rid out of the Earth Fifthly it sheweth that
this their cheer and their dainties are reckoned up to be the flesh of Kings and Captains c. Now out of this may be strongly concluded that hereafter in all time to come when the armies of the Pope which is the beast the armies of the king of Spain who hath given his power and authority unto the beast and is his great upholder when the armies of the Cardinall his great confederate when the armies of the Leaguers his great adherents yea when all these and all other Popish armies shall joyne and band themselves together against the Christian kings and defenders of the Gospel they shall have a notable overthrow insomuch that their dead carcasses shall even cover the earth and the fowles of the air shall come to their great supper which the Lord of hosts will make ready for them For assuredly and out of doubt they that live shall see the fulfilling of all this and shall see the Popish armies goe down by heaps in all countries and kingdomes and be made meat for the fowles of the air The Popish armies shall go down by heaps Chap. 16.6 Chap. 13.10 For the holy Ghost saith They shall come to Armageddon that is the place where their armies shall be destroyed And again If any lead into captivity hee shall go into captivity If any kill with a sword he must be killed with a sword For as the Popish forces have in former times taken captive the people of God and cruelly murthered them so now the time draweth on apace wherein themselves shall be taken and put to the sword And therefore now at last I conclude that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter destruction in this life For as Rome did rise up by degrees in this life so Rome shall fall by degrees in this life as Rome grew up to her full height and highest pitch in this life so it shall come to her lowest ebb and greatest declination in this life I meane before the coming of Christ unto judgement For the falling down of haile like talents upon the kingdome of the beast shall be in this life The extraordinary earth-quake upon the dominions of Antichrist shall be in this life Rome shall be utterly destroyed in this life The coming of the Popish armies to Armageddon shall be in this life The mourning of the kings merchants and mariners for the overthrow of Babylon shall be in this life The great battell betwixt the beast and him that sitteth upon the white horse shall be in this life before the day of judgment The powring forth of all the seven vials of Gods wrath upon the kingdome of the beast shall be even in this life For it were an absurd thing to say any of these things shall be after this life or to say that these things shall not be till the very coming of Christ for they are all things to be effected here in this earth and the holy Ghost doth describe them as things to be done upon the face of the earth for otherwise we could have small comfort in any of these things if they should not be done here in earth or if they should all be deferred till the very coming of Christ and in the meane time Antichrist shall prevaile But it will be objected that S. Paul saith The Lord shall consume Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and abolish him with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes 2. Therefore before his coming he shall not be utterly abolished True it is indeed An objection answered he shall not utterly be cut off in all his members till the very coming of Christ For there will be some Papists remaining in all countries even unto the end there be some nay many that will carry the beasts mark even untill the last day But the holy Ghost in this Prophecie speaketh of the revolting and falling away of kingdomes and countries from the See of Rome whereby it shall come to passe that it shall be exceedingly weakned and brought so low that the kings of the earth shall easily take it or as the holy Ghost speaketh Chap. 16.26 shall easily passe over their Euphrates being dryed up and enter their Babylon But then will some man say Shall there be no Pope at all a little before the coming of Christ I answer and not I but the holy Ghost for me hee shall be a poor Pope a naked Pope Chap. 17.16 The Pope shall bee brought very low 2 Sam. 3. a desolate Pope a Pope whose flesh shall be torn whose flesh shall wither as we shall hear anon Hee shall be such a Pope as Ishbosheth was a King when Abner and all Israel fell away from him He shall be such a Pope as the king of Portugal is a king But it will be objected How know you this are you a prophet can you fore-tell of things to come I answer Saint John was a Prophet and indued with a Propheticall spirit in this matter of his visions and revelations and I speak no more then Saint John hath set down And therefore I hope I speak within my compasse for I doe but relate Saint Johns words and explain them in such measure as I am able This Prophecie doth plainly declare that Babylon shall fall Rome shall come down the Pope shall never be esteemed again and I do beleeve it to be so I beleeve God I beleeve his word I beleeve all that is spoken in Scripture and I do indeavour to perswade others also For sith the holy Ghost hath so plainly and so fully fore-told it why should we not beleeve it why are wee so slow to beleeve all that is written in the Scriptures Hath God spoken it and shall it not come to passe shall any jot of his word fail shall we think he jesteth with us when he doth so often and so seriously tell us of the downe fall of Rome Surely surely the cause why men are not fully perswaded of the finall fall of Rome is because they do not diligently peruse this book of the Apocalypse But let them be studious and diligent in this book and they shall be out of all doubt that Rome is the great whore of Babylon that the Pope is Antichrist and the Papacy the beast But now me thinketh I hear some men say How is it like that Popery shall fall down more and more here among us sith it hath so many friends backers and upholders and seemeth to gather strength and make an head again I answer that all is but a lightning before death I answer that all is but the stopping of a water-brook or making a dam overthwart it which will cause it to swell more and to break over with great violence I answer that all is no more then is fore-told that the Jesuits shall come forth like frogs out of their puddles and marish grounds and keep a croaking for a time till they have croaked their own destruction and many others For they shall
hath deceived all nations Then let the matter be referred to the judgment of any indifferent man to determine and set downe what punishment sorcerers and inchanters are worthy of especially spirituall sorcerers and inchanters Besides all this the holy Ghost saith Chap. 18. â— that Rome is the habitation of Divels and the hold of all foule spirits and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird What thinke you is like to come of an habitation of Divels What trow yee will be the end of a shoale of foule fiends and a company of most ugly monstrous hel-cats What is like to become of a cage of howlets ravens and vultures yea a nest of vipers toads snakes adders cockatrices and all the most stinging serpents and venemous vermine in the world What will be the end of pild Priests filthy Friers mangy Monks rogning Jesuites Are not these a cage of unclean birds What do they study what do they plot what doe they practise every day but seditions perjuries murthers conspiracies treacheries and all manner of villanies If I had no other reasons to perswade me that Rome shall fall and come to a miserable end yet this onely would make mee so to think that these villanous Jesuites do teach and conclude in their cursed conventicles that it is not only lawfull but also meritorious to murther any Christian Prince that is not of their catholick religion Oh monstrous villains O most hideous hel-hounds have not these monsters suborned divers desperate caitifs to embrue their hands in the bloud of Christian Princes How many have been their plots How desperate have been their practices to murther and poyson our late Queen Elisabeth the French King and our most gracious and late Soveraigne King James and other Christian Princes But can such proceedings prosper can such courses be blessed can a man be established by iniquity No no let them know for a certainty that God will crosse and curse all such divelish proceedings as hitherto hee hath done his most holy name be praised But if any man list to know more of the practices and proceedings of Jesuits let him read M. Doctor Sutcliffe his answer to Parsons ward-Ward-word a book worthy to be read and known of all men But now to grow to a conclusion of this point and to wind up together all the reasons and causes of Romes ruine thus I do determine that forasmuch as Rome is the great whore Chapt. 1.17.2 with whom have committed fornication the kings of the earth forasmuch as Rome hath made all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication forasmuch as Rome hath deceived all nations with her inchantments forasmuch as Rome is a den of divels and a cage of unclean birds forasmuch as Rome hath shed the bloud of the Apostles Num. 14.24 Martyrs and Saints forasmuch as Rome hath murthered the Son of God therefore it shall at last come to most miserable destruction being that Chittim which in the end must needs perish for what punishment what paine what torture what torment can be enough for this damnable whore which hath committed such execrable and most outragious villanies Be it therefore known unto all men by these presents that Rome for all her monstrous and prodigious sins shall fall still more and more and come to a fearfull destruction even in this life But some man may say What shall become of Rome and of all her friends after this life Ch. 14.9 10 11. Saint John answereth that if any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or on his hand the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God and hee shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment shall ascend and they shall have no rest day nor night which worship the beast c. Here is sentence of eternall damnation passed upon all the friends of Rome O that all Papists would consider this in time and think with themselves what a wofull thing it is to be a Papist for they and their kingdome must goe down in this life and in the life to come they must be tormented in hell-fire for ever For Saint John saith flatly that all Papists shall be cast into the great wine-presse of the wrath of God Chap. 14.20 where they shall be strained and tryed till bloud come out of the wine-presse unto the horses bridles by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs And again hee saith Chap. 19.20 that the beast and the false prophet were taken alive and cast into a lake of fire burning with brimstone Let all men therefore take heed how they joyn with the Papists for wee see what shall be their end both in this life and the life to come Therefore let all Gods people come out of Babylon and hasten out of Sodom lest they be wound up in their judgements Let all wise men practise the policie of the Gibeonites who when they saw that Joshua did so mightily prevaile against the Canaanites and beate downe all before him did very politickly provide for their owne safety and by subtill means enter into league with Joshua and the Israel of God So let all that have any care of their owne salvation speedily forsake Babylon which otherwise will fall upon their heads and flye to Zion which shall stand fast for evermore And thus having reduced all the five following Chapters to prove these foresaid points I will proceed unto the twentieth Chapter for there is almost nothing of any moment or difficulty in the 15 16 17 18 and 19 Chapters but it hath been already opened and expounded CHAP. XX. SAint John having in the former Chapters plainly and plentifully set down the utter overthrow both of the beast and false prophet that is the Roman Empire and the Papacy doth now in this Chapter set forth the condemnation of the Dragon their grand Captain which set them all on work For there hath as yet been no motion of him which hath been the beginner and raiser up of the rest and the great worker of all mischiefe therefore now cometh his judgment and condemnation Now because he hath been a more generall worker and his mischiefe hath extended larger then the kingdome of Antichrist therefore in this twentieth chapter there is an history of him set forth by it self First how he seduced the nations before the coming of Christ afterward how Christ at his coming bindeth him by the light of his Gospel from seducing the nations and so holdeth him shut up for the space of a thousand yeeres in which the Church did greatly flourish and many were raised up unto the spirituall life But when the thousand yeers were expired Satan was let loose and went forth again to seduce and by the great Antichrist and the Turk gathered innumerable multitudes into his armies to fight against the Church which armies are called Gog and Magog