O what mad men are these that bereave themselves of a room in that City of pearl for a few carnall pleasures amp c. Pope Sixtus the fifth sold his soul to the devil to enjoy the Popedome for seven years Verse 17. He was rejected Or Repulsed For Isaac 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he saw that he had done unwilling justice in blessing Jacob he durst not reverse the blessing for he feared an exceeding great fear Gen. 27.33 Neither naturall affection nor Esau's importunity could make him repent and repeal what he had done Though he sought is carefully with tears Tears they were of discontent for he cries and at same time threatens his brother Jacob. Some weep for sin some for misery some for joy some for compassion some for revenge and in hypocrisie as Esau here who rued his deed but repented not his sin Vetse 18. For ye are not come c. q. d. You are not under the law but under grace beware therefore of prophanenesse and licentiousnesse For think you that God hath hired you to be wicked Are you delivered to do all these abominations Jer. 7.10 Ought you not to walk Gospel-high Phil. 1.27 Will not the Angel Christ that goeth along with you destroy you after that he hath done you good if ye turn not and repent according to the rules of his Law the Gospel Exodus 33.2 3 4 c. Verse 19. And the sound of a trumpet Shewing the nature of Gods Law to manifest Gods will mens sins and to warn them of the wrath deserved likewise to summon them to appear before the Judge The voice of Words That is The delivery of the Decalogue called the words of the Covenant Exodus 33.28 the ten words Verse 20. For they could not endure This shews the nature and use of the Law contrary to that of the Gospel It is a killing letter written in bloud holding forth justice only and no mercy Verse 21. Moses said I exceedingly This Paul might have by tradition or rather by revelation unlesse he gathered it from Exod. 19.19 compared with Dan. 108 16 17 19. Verse 22. But ye are come to Mount And the blessings that come out of Sion Grace and peace that come by Jesus Christ are better then all other the blessings of heaven and earth Psal 134.3 The heavenly Jerusalem As Jerusalem was distinguished into two Cities the superiour and the inferiour so is the Church into triumphant and militant yet both make up but one City of the living God To an innumerable company Gr. To Myriads or many ten thousands of Angels Some have said that they are 99. to one in comparison of the Saints grounding their conceit upon the Parable of the lost sheep Luk. 15. Verse 23. To the generall Assembly Or publike meeting of a whole Countrey as at a great Assize or some solemn celebrity The Roman Emperours raised up ample Amphitheatres in a circular form that the people sitting round about might have a commodious sight of such pleasant spectacles as were set before them That which Pompey erected was of such extent that it was able to receive 40000 men as Pliny witnesseth But O what a glorious Amphitheatre is that of heaven What a stately Congregation-house O praeclarum diem cum ad illud animorum concilium caetumque proficiscar cum ex hac turba colluvione discedam Cic desenectâ—te Surely if Cicero or some other Heathen could say so how much more may we exult and say O that dear day when we shall go out of this wretched world and wicked company to that generall Assembly of holy and happy souls And how should we in the mean while turn every solemnity into a school of Divinity as when Fulgentius saw the Nobility of Rome sit mounted in their bravery it mounted his meditation to the heavenly Jerusalem And another when he sat and heard a sweet consort of musick M. Esâ—y Art of Meditat. by D. Hall seemed upon this occasion carried up for the time before-hand to the place of his rest saying very passionately What musick may we think there is in heaven Which are written in heaven In Jerusalem records were kept of the names of all the Citizens Psal 48.3 so in heaven And as the Citizens of Rome might not accept of freedom in any other City so neither should we seek things on earth as those whose names are written in the earth Ier. 17. Verse 24. That speaketh better things Every drop whereof had a tongue to cry for vengeance whence it is called blouds in the plurall Gen. 4.10 Verse 25. See that ye refuse not c. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That ye shift him not off by frivolous pretences and excuses as those Recusant guests did Mat. 22. It is as much as your souls are worth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Look to it therefore That speaketh from heaven By his bloud Word Sacraments motions of his Spirit mercies c. If we turn our backs upon such bleeding embracements and so kick against his naked bowels what will become of us And mark that he speaketh of himself as one Verse 26. Whose voice then shook c. viz. When he gave the Law What shall he do when he comes to judgement Not the earth only c. Not men only but angels who stand amazed at the mystery of Christ As for men they will never truly desire Christ till they are shaken Hag. 2.7 Gods shaking ends in settling it is not to ruine but to refine us Verse 27. And this word Yet once more The Apostle commenteth upon the Prophet whom he citeth and from that word of his Yet once concludeth the dissolution of the present frame of the world by the last fire and the establishing of that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3.12 13. The force of Scripture-words is then well to be weighed by those that will draw there-hence right consequences And they have done singular good service to God and his Church that they have emploied their time and their talents for the finding out the sense of the Text by fishing out the full import and signification of the Originall words In which kinde learned Mr Leigh by his Critica Sacra upon both testaments hath merited much commendation Verse 28. A kingdome which cannot be moved As the mighty Monarchies of the world could for those had their times and their turns their ruine as well as their rise so that now they live but by fame only Not so the Kingdome of heaven You may write upon it the Venetian Motto Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur Neither windes nor waves can stir it With reverence Gr. With bashfulnesse as in Gods holy presence See Deut. 23.13 Verse 29. A consuming fire viz. To profligate professours ungirt Christians Isa 33.14 CHAP. XIII Verse 1. Let brotherly love continue IT shall continue in heaven pity therefore but it should on earth No such heaven upon earth next unto communion
of Scripture this verse saith he had been easie had not Commentatours made it knotty the like saith another of a Christians condition it is gracious happy clear sure sweet did not erroneous judgements vex and unsettle them Verse 16. Let not then your good That is Your Christian liberty purchased by Christ Be evil spoken of Gr. Be blasphemed Contumely cast upon the people of God is blasphemy in the second Table God for the honour that he beareth to his people counts and calls it so Verse 17. For the kingdome of God c. That was a swinish saying of Epicurus That eternall life should be nothing else but a continuall eating of the fat and drinking of the sweet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even unto an uncessant surfetting and drunkennesse The Turks at this day promise Paradise to such as die in warre for the Mahometan faith Blouâ—ts voiage p 37 â— where they shall have delicious fare pleasant gardens all sensuall delights eternally to be enjoyed not withstanding any former sins Fit lettice for such lips Verse 18. Is acceptable to God And he is an happy man that can be acquitted by himself in private in publike by others in both by God Verse 19. Wherewith one may edifie another Discords among good people do edificare in gehennam as Tertullian phraseth it build backwards One of the main scandals the Jews take from Protestants is their dissention Verse 20. The work of God That work of faith 1 Thess 1.3 wrought by the mighty power of God Ephes 1.19 who puts not forth great power but for great purposes Verse 21. It is good neither to eat c. It will be no grief of heart as she once told David in another case to have forborn in case of scandall A great grief it would be if by some rash word we should betray a brother or smite out the eie of our dearest childe 1 Sam. 25. Should we then destroy the life of grace in another by our unadvised walking Verse 22. Hast thou faith Posse nolle nobile est Forbear for fear of effence unlesse it be in point of necessary duty For then we may not doe evil that good may come Rom. 3 8. Verse 23. Is damned Both of his doubting conscience which soundeth heavily as a shauâ—m and of God who is greater then his conscience CHAP. XV. Verse 1. Ought to bear AS Porters do their burdens as pillars do the poise of the house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rather as parents bear their babes in their arms And not to please our selves Bis desipit qui sibi sapit Prov. 3.7 Verse 2. Please his neighbour Though he crosse himself this is true Christian love and driven almost out of the world by sinfull self-love which can eth men to dislike those things in others that they slatter in themselves Verse 3. For even Christ And we should expresse him to the world preach abroad his vertues by our practice 1 Pet. 2.9 Our lives should be as so many Sermons upon the life of Christ This is walk in Christ Col. 2 6. as Christ 1 Joh. 3.6 Verse 4. For whatsoever things c. Here the Apostle meets with an Objection For some man might say that that saying of the Psalme pertains to David how therefore is it applied to Christ He answers Whatsoever things c. q. d. We must learn to see Christ in David David in the history Christ in the mystery David as the type Christ the truth That we through patience Hence the Scriptures are called Râ—vel 2. The word of Christs patience because they patient the heart under Gods holy hand and are better called Physick for the soul then ever was the library of Alexandria 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And comfort of the Scriptures As the bloud and spirits are conveied by the veins and arteries so is the Spirit by the promises helping the soul to lay it self upon Christ by faith which is a grace of union and so of establishment Verse 5. Now the God of patience The soul is then only in good plight when the heaven answers the earth Hos 2.21 When. Christ the Sun of righteousnes shines into it Verse 6. With one minde and one mouth It is recorded to the high commendation of the Church of Scotland that for this 90 years and upwards they have kept unity with purity without schisme much lesse heresie Syntag. Confession praesat Verse 7. To the glory of God That is Of heaven the joyes whereof it is as impossible to comprehend as it is to compasse the heaven with a span or contain the Ocean in a nut-shell Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ though but in the womb as it made John to spring What then shall it be in heaven Verse 8. Now I say that Jesus Paul proveth particularly in this and the following verses that Christ hath taken both Jews and Gentiles to his glory Verse 9. And that the Gentiles Though they had no such promises might glorifie Gods free grace in the day of their visitation Verse 10. Rejoyce That your names also are written in heaven and that ye are enrolled in the records of the new Jerusalem Verse 11. All ye Gentiles As being received into the glory of God vers 7. Verse 12. In him shall the Gentiles trust I saith hath it To him shall the Gentiles seek To seek to God then argues trust in God He that hopes not praies not or but faintly Verse 13. Fill you with all joy c. Note here that joy and peace are the means whereby faith worketh hope Verse 14. Full of goodnesse The excellency of a godly man is to follow God fully as Caleb Numb 14.24 to have a heart full of goodnesse as these Romans a life full of good works as Tabitha Act. 9.36 These shall receive a full reward 2 Joh. 8. Verse 15. Chrysostome truly saith of St Paul that he was insatiabilis Dei cultor one that thought he could never do God or his Church service enough Verse 16. Ministring the Gospel Serving about holy things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doing sacred offices as the Priests under the Law to whom the Apostle all along this verse alludes in an elegant allegory the Ministery is a divine and heavenly function All other callings are for the world and draw to the world but this both in the preparation and execution draweth to God keepeth us with God and to be ever mindefull of the things of God Verse 17. I have therefore c. So have all Gods faithfull Ministers at this day against the contempts and contumelies cast upon them by the mad world ever besides it self in point of salvation There is a pamphlet lately published that sticks not to make that sacred and tremend function of the Ministery to be as meer an imposture as very a mystery of iniquity The Compass Samaritâ—n as arrant a juggle as the Paâ—acy it self Verse 18. To make the Gentiles c.
hypoerites punishment must needs be heavy Verse 17. 1 Cor. 3.2 Because thou saiest Sidixisti satis est periisti saith Augustine He that thinks he knows any thing knows nothing yet as he ought to know And knowest not What ever thou deemest and dreamest of thy self as setting up thy counter for a thousand pound and working thy self into the fools paradise of a sublime dotage Verse 18. I counsell thee Having first convinced thee vers 17. who before wert uncounsellable The Gibeonites sent not for Joshua till besieged The Gileadites sought not after Jephthah till distressed nor will men hearken after Christ till driven out of themselves To buy of me Buy the truth and sell it not Make a thorow sale of sin and all with the wise Merchant to purchase Christ the pearl of price for whom S. Paul that great trader both by sea and land 2 Cor. 11.23 25 26 counted all but dung and dogs-meat Phil. 3.7 8. Diogenes taxed the folly of the men of his times may not we the men of ours Quòdres pretiosas minimo emerent venderentque vilissimas plurimo that they undervalued the best things but overvalued the worst Gold tried in the fire Precious faith 1 Pet. 1.7 White raiment The righteousnesses of the Saints that of justification and the other of sanctification Eye-salve That unction 1 Joh. 2.20 Light and sight the saving knowledge of heavenly mysteries Verse 19. As many as I love q.d. Think not that I hate you because I thus chide you He that escapes reprehension may suspect his adoption God had one Son without corruption but none without correction We must look thorow the anger of his correction to the sweetnesse of his loving countenance as by a rain-bow we see the beautifull image of the Suns light in the midst of a dark and waterish cloud See more in my Treatise upon this verse the second Edition And repent So they did in likelihood for Eusebius commends this Church as greatly flourishing in his time Verse 20. Behold I stand Christ stands he doth not sit now whiles a man is standing he is going Christ is but a while with men in the opportunities of grace he will not alwaies wait their leâ—sure The Church sought him when once gone with many a heavy heart Cant. 3. And knock By the hammer of my Word and hand of my Spirit And he with me Christ is no niggardly or beggarly guest His reward is with him he brings better commodities then Abrahams servant did or the Queen of Sheba gold raiment eye-salve c. Verse 21. Even as I also That is Because I also overcame by vertue of my victory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See the like John 17.2 Luke 4.36 It is by Christ that we do over-overcome Rom. 8.37 CHAP. IV. Verse 1. A door was opened in heaven THat is Preparation was made for the manifestation of more heavenly mysteries Was as it were of a trumpet To rouse and raise up his attention For it might fare with him as with a drousie person who though awaked and set to work is ready to sleep at it Compare Zach. 4.1 Come up hither Not by locall motion but by mentall illumination I will shew thee That thou maist shew the Church that they have a most glorious and almighty deliverer Verse 2. I was in the spirit See Chap. 1.10 And behold a throne So Isaiah was prepared for his prophecy by such a sight Chap 6.1 And Ezekiel besides that stupendious vision chap. 1. heard behinde him a voice of great â—â—â—hing saying Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place Chap. 2.12 Sat on the throne As Judge of heaven and earth Gen. 18 25. Verse 3. Like a Jasper and a Sardine God is here resembled saith one by three precious stones holding forth the three persons in Trinity A Jasper having as they say a white circle round about it representing the eternity of the Father A Sardine-stone of a fleshy colour representing Jesus Christ who took our flesh upon him Cottons 7 viall p. 5. out of Brighâ—m An Emrald being of a green colour refreshing the eyes of them that look upon it representing the Spirit who is as the rain-bow a token of fair weather and is a comfortable refresher wheresoever he cometh Verse 4. And round about The Saints are round about God Psal 76.11 a people near unto him Psal 148.14 Four and twenty Elders A full Senate a stately Amphitheatre of the first-born whose names are written in heaven cloathed as Priests crowned as Kings and Conquerours Verse 5. Iob 31.3 Iob 9.4 Lightnings and thunderings Is not destruction to the wicked and a strange punishment to persecutours Who ever hardened himself against Gods Church and prospered Have these workers of inâ—quity no knowledge who â—at up Gods people as they eat bread Psal 144 Surâ—ly if they had but so much wit for themselves as Pilates wife had in a dream they would take heed of having any thing to do with just men If any man will hurt Gods Witnessâ—s fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies Revel 11.5 It was therefore no ill counsel that a Martyr gave his persecutour If thou wilt not spare us yet spare thy self It is a fearfull thing to fall into the punishing hands of the living God The seven spirits See Chap. 1. verse 4. Verse 6. A sâ—n of glasse The Word say some the World others Four beasts Oâ— living wights Not Angels but Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those earthly Angels who are set forth 1. Full of eyes for their perspicacity and vigilancy 2. Furnished with six wings apiece for their pernicity and promptitude to scoure about for the peoples benefit 3. Qualified with all necessary endowments for the discharge of their duties being bold as lions painfull as oxen prudent as men delighted in high flying as Eagles Verse 8. Full of eyes within To look to themselves also as well as to the flock Act. 20.28 lest whiles they preach to others c. 1 Cor. 9.27 They rest not Gr. They have no rest and yet they have no unrest neither the sweet content they take in their continuall emploiment is fitter to be believed then possible to be discoursed Holy holy This they double treble and warble upon In quibusdam exemplaribus nine times over Verse 9. And when those beasts When the Preachers are performing their office as Heralds of Gods praises Verse 10. The four and twenty Elders The people yeeld their assent and say Amen the want whereof S. Paul accounts no small losse 1 Cor. 14.16 And cast their crowns Canutus King of England set his crown upon the crucifix and proclaimed saying Hen. Huntingâ—â— Let all the inhabitants of the world know that there is no mortall man worthy the name of a King but he to whose beck heaven earth and sea by his laws eternall are obedient When the great Turk cometh into his Temple he laies by all his state and hath none to attend him all the while Solomons mother set the crown upon his head so doth the Church upon
Christs head in the day of his espousals Cant. 3.11 Verse 11. Thou art worthy If we would have our souls set as a pearl in that faiâ— ring of heavenly courtiers that compasse the lambs throne let us praise God as they do For thou hast created Our service must not be rash but reasonable Rom. 12.1 such as whereof we can render a reason Joh. 4. God hates a blinde sacrifice a Samaritan service when men worship they know not what nor why And were created Gods power put forth in the creation and administration of the world is twice here mentioned as that which can never be sufficiently admired and adored See my Notes on Genesis 1. CHAP. V. Verse 1. In the right hand GR. On or At the right hand There it lay ready but none could make ought of it till the Lamb took it not only at but out of the Fathers right hand and opened it ver 7. A book written This book of the Revelation which till the Son of man had received of his heavenly Father to shew unto his servants neither they nor he as Sonne of man knew so much at least of that day and hour of his second coming And on the back-side As wanting room within Verse 2. And I saw a strong Angel Angels are very desirous to know the mystery of Christ 1 Pet. 1.11 and to profit daily in that knowledge Ephes 3.10 Verse 3. Nor under the earth That is In the sea as Exodus 20.4 Neither to look thereon Or therein because sealed up Verse 4. And I wept Out of a deep desire of knowing the Contents of this book And as our Saviour going toward his crosse turned again to the weeping women and comforted them so he soon satisfied the desire of this his dejected Disciple Tears are effectuall Oratours Luther got much of his it â—sight inâ— to Gods matters by this means So did Melancthon when he wept out those words Quos fugiamus habemus Pontificios quos sequamur non intelligimus It is said of Sir Philip Sidney that when he met with any thing that he well understood not he would break out into tears faciles motus mens generosa capit The Spouse Cant 7.4 seeking him whom her soul loved had eyes like the pools of Heshbon glazed with tears And Daniel had greatest revelations after three weeks of heavines Chap. 10.2 Verse 5. And one of the Elders A common Christian points the Divine to the Arch-prophet whom for present he thought not on Act. 8 26. Râ—m 1.12 An eloquent Apollos may be better informed by a Tent-maker and a great Apostle be comforted by an ordinary Roman Behold the lion of the Tribe of Judah So Moses sets forth our Saviour The root of David So the Prophets They have Moses and the Prophets saith Abraham To the Law and to the Testimony Gen 49.9 Isa 11.1 Luk. 16.29 Isa 8.20 If any speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them nor to be gotten for them Hath prevailed Gr. Hath overcome or surpassed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sc all creatures in worth to do this great work Verse 6. In the midst of the Throne As a fit Mediatour betwixt God and men even the man Christ Jesus who gave a ransome 1 Tim. 2.5 8. c. A Lamb as it had been slain This form of speech is put saith an Interpreter to shew the continuall recent vertue of Christs death eternally effectuall before God as whereby once for all he hath purchased eternall redemption Some think that he still retains in heaven the prints and scars of those wounds that he received on earth in his hands feet and side His glorified body saith one is that golden censer which through the wounds that are in it as thorow chinks or holes fumeth forth alwaies a pleasant and sweet savour in the nostrils of his Father Having seven horâ—s Plenty of power Antichrist hath but two horns Chap. 13.11 And seven eyes No want of wisdome no need of a visible head to the Church or any other Vicar generall to Christ then the holy Ghost called here The seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth Verse 7. And he came and took As Mediatour he took it as God he gave it All things are delivered unto him of the Father and no man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son revealeth him Mat. 11.27 See the Note there Verse 8. Fell down before the Lamb As they had done before the throne Chap 4. See Joh. 5.23 Divine adoration is an honour due to the manhood of Christ also as it is taken into union with the God-head Full of odours Therefore sweet to God because Christ pours unto them of his odours Rev. 8.3 Which are the praiers of Saints That is their own praiers and praises recorded vers 9. And this is added as an Exposition to let us know what is meant by odours See the like Joh. 2.21 and 7.39 Rev. 1.20 Verse 9. And they sung A generall joy in heaven and earth Surely 2 Cor 4. â— it is a pleasant thing to see the light how much more to see the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ What a deal of triumph and exultation is here all the Church over upon the opening of this book upon the receit of this Revelation Should not this excite and kindle in our hearts a more earnest desire of understanding these mysteries Oh I could finde in my heart to fall afresh upon the study of the Revelation had I strength to do it said my Reverend old Master unto me a little afore his death Mr John Ballam I mean Minister of the Word for many years at Evesham where I heard him in my childehood preaching many a sweet Sermon upon the second and third Chapters of this Book A new song For the new work of redemption besides that old song Chap. 4. for that of creation Out of every kindred Let this be noted against the doctrine of universall Redemption that 's now again so violently cried up amongst us Verse 10. And we shall raign on the earth Raign over our lusts raign with and in Christ over all our enemies by a spirituall not secular scepter and at last judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 Verse 11. Round about the throne and the beasts That is round about the beasts and the Elders Angels encamp about the Saints as ministring spirits and are glad of the office that there God manifested in the flesh may be seen of them and the multivarious wisdome of God in mans redemption be displaied unto them 1 Tim. 2.16 Ephes 3. Verse 12. With a loud voice Betokening their earnest affection which also is here notably expressed by the many particulars they ascribe to Christ as if they could never give
Emperour much bewailed the matter at the Councel of Constance That neither he nor any of his great Courtiers and Councellours were able to answer a forraign Embassadour in the Latine tongue He began therefore to learn though it were late first And when some of his Nobles that had no learning and therefore hated it Anâ— Dom 1437. Bucholc Chron took it in great disdain and dudgin that he preferred before them some that were of mean degree meerly for their learning he answered That be had good reason to honour schollars above all as those that were singularly graced and gifted by God Knights and Lords said he I can make in a day as many as I list but schollars God only can make from whom comes every good gift and perfect giving which in the originall Greek is an Hexameter verse Iam. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet 2.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as that of S. Peter is an Iambick Et poeticum quid spirat The sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire c. Atheisme PSAL. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart There is no God THe fool hath said it and surely none but a fool would say it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One in whom common reason is faded and dried up as the sap is in a leaf in Autumn so the word signifies The Philosopher goes further Avicenna and saith He that denieth the one God and his providence in all things is not only void of reason but of sense And yet th s witlesse saplesse selflesse creature this wide asse-colt is every mothers childe of us by nature witnesse S. Paul Rom. 3. where going about to prove all naturall men to be sinners he fetcheth proof out of this Psalm and the tenth Psal 19.41 where the same thing is avowed It is I confesse an inviolable principle and indelebly stampt upon mans nature That there is a God The barbarous people of Brasil that are said to be Sine Fide sine Rege sine Lege that have neither Religion Rule nor Raiment Plin. l. 2. Nat. hist yet they have some knowledge of God some spice of religion such as it is Rather then want a god they worship the very devil not inwardly only for so the most among us do being acted and agitated by the devil who is therefore called the god of this World by whom he is as readily obeved as God was in the Creation Ephes 2.3 when he said Let there be light c but alto with an â—â—â—ward worship The devil himself though he be no Atheist nor can be for he feels the wrath of God and so believes and trembles yet he doth all he can to make men Atheists because when there is no fear of God before their eyes they will sinne all manner of sins the devil would have them sinne Psal 14.1 2 3. And Rom. 3.18 After a bedrole of sundry other sins this is subjoyned as the root of all the rest There is no fear of God before their eyes That is they are flat Atheists if not in opinion yet in practice Atheists in opinion are 1. Such as conclude there is no God 2. De dijs utrum sins non aâ—sim affirmare dâ—â—it â—â—Protagoras 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such as suspect as much Of the former fort was Pharaoh who knew no other God but himself and therefore asked Who is the Lord He should rather have asked Who is Pharaoh a miserable mortall creature a worme and no man a mixture and compound of dirt and sin Cods attributes shew both what he is and who he is To the Question of Moses What be is God gave a short answer I am To the second by Pharaoh Who be is he made a large reply till Pharaoh was forced to answer him The Lord is righteous Eliphaz alto accuseth Job that he should say How doth God know Can be judge through the thick cloud Darkclouds are a covering to him that he seeth not and he walketh in the circuit of heaven Job 2.13 14. As if he had had nothing to do or took no care at least of his earthly kingdome And doth not Job himself when once wet to the skin with the tempest of Gods wrath soaking into his soul seem to say so much Job 37.23 24. Diâ—â—arthus Protagoras de Deo a sit nâ—â—â—e madoò ser â—â—eat ossa inquirendum non 〈◊〉 tant Cic. But God steps forth as it were from behinde the hangings over-hearing and controuling him out of the whirlwinde Chap 38.2 Who is this saith he that talks thus How now peace and be still Histories tell us of some profest Atheists that utterly denied a Deity and that either out of sensuality as Epicurus and Lucretius or out of stomack as Diagoras who having written a book of verses and made it ready to be set forth was by stealth deprived of it And when he had called him that had stolen it before the Senate of Athens he sware that he did it not and so was quit and after wards set out the book in his own name Which when Diagoras saw and that he was not presently strucken with a thunderbolt he became an Atheist So did Porphyry and Lucian who were Christians at first but receiving injury by the Church the one by words the other by blows in spite became Atheists Porphyry wrote against the Bible and sought to disprove it So did Galen the great Physician He jears at Moses for saying That God made all things of nothing Egregiè dicis Domine Moses sed quomodo probas is said to have been the speech of Aristotle when he read Genesis For ex nibilo nibil fit saith Philosophy And Plato never cals God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Creatour but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if he had made the world of a praeexisting matter coaeternall with God himself But what saith the Apostle Credo non probo Thorow faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the bare word of God Heb. 11.3 And by the same mighty word are upheld Heb. 1.3 which else would soon shatter and fall asunder but that he hoops them as it were and holds them together This the Athenians knew not as S. Paul boldly tels them Act. 17.23 24. Whom there fire ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you God that made the world and all things therein seeing that be is Lord of heaven and earth dwelleth not in temples made with bands thus saith the Lord the heaven is my throne and the earth is my foot 2lool Where is the house that ye build unto me Isa 66.1 The Turks build their Moschâ—es or Churches without any rooâ— because they hold even as we doe Turk hist 342. That God is incomprehensible a circle whose center is every where whole circumference is no where as Empedocles described him Aristotle would confine him to heaven as if his presence and providence extended not to things
hard with the Church as the Host at Nola in the story made it who when â—e was commanded by the Roman Censor to go and call the good men of the City to appear before him went to the Church-yards and there called at the graves of the dead O ye good men of Nola come away for the Roman Censor cals for your appearance Anton di Guevara for he knew not where to call for a good man alive In the very midst of Popery there were many faithfull Witnesses and more of such as like those two hundred that went out of Ierusalem after Absolom went on in the simplicity of their hearts and knew not any thing 2 Sam. 15.11 Verse 10. Salvation to our God Not to this or that Popish Saint or Mediatour of all whom these triumphers might say as that Heathen once Contemno minutos istos Deos modò Iovem Iesum propitium haâ—eam I care not for all those small-gods so I may have Jesus on my side Verse 11. And all the Angels See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 11. Verse 12. Amen Blessing and glory c. The Angels assent to what the Saints had said and adde much more according to their greater measure of knowledge and love to God Write we after this fairer copy Verse 13. And one of the Elders See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 5. Verse 14 Which came out of great tribulation It is but a delicacy that men dream of to divide Christ and his crosse The Bishop of London when he had degraded Richard Bayfeild Martyr kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar he smote him so hard on the brest with his Crosier-stâ—ff that he threw him down backward and brake his head so that he swounded Act. and Mon. And when he came to himself again he thanked God that he was delivered from the malignant Church of Antichrist and that he was come into the true Church of Christ militant and I hope shall be anon with him in the Church triumphant c. And made them white Other bloud stains what is washed in it this bloud of the spotlesse Lamb whitens and putifies Verse 15. Therefore are they Not for the whitenesse of their robes but because they are washed in the meritoricus bloud of the Lamb. Before the throâ—â— of God A good man is like a good Angel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwaies standing before the face of God Shall dwell among them Gr. Shall pitch his tent or shall keep the feast of Tabernâ—cles amongst them or shall hover and cover over them as the cloud did over Israel in the wildernesse so that under his shadow they shall safely and sweetly repose themselves Verse 16. They shall hunger â—o more They shall be as it were in heaven afore-hard having Malorum ademptionem bonorum adeptionem freedome from evil and fruition of good here in part hereafter in all fulnessâ— Verse 17. Shall â—eed them and lead them An allusion to Psal 23.2 where David seems to resemble powerfull and flourishing doctrine to green pastures and the secret and sweet comforts of the Sacraments to the 〈◊〉 waters And Gâ—d shall Wipe away A metaphor from a nurse which not only suckleth her dear childe crying for hunger but also wipes off the tears CHAP. VIII Verse 1. The seventh seal THe businesse or parts whereof are the seven Trumpets that sound a dreadfull alarm against the Roman Empire ready now to be 〈◊〉 for the innocent bloud and upon the instant sait of the Martyrs Chap 6.10 There was silence in heaven That is in the Church on earth often called The kingdome of heaven This half-hours silence was either for horrour and admiration or for attent expectation or as some will have it for religious awe and devotion Christ the high-Priest being now about to offer incense those praiers of the Martyrs Chap. 6.10 there was in the Church as used to be in the Temple at such times Luk. 1.10 a deep silence So among the Romans the people in time of worship were enjoyned favere linguis to spare their tongues And in the Greek Church one stood up and cried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace people leave off your discourses Verse 2. Which stood before God In a waiting posture ready prâ—st to do his pleasure Seven trumpets To be sounded at seven severall times to shew that God suffereth not his whole wrath to arise at once against his creatures but piece-meal and by degrees proving if peradventure they will repent and recover out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Verse 3. And another Angel An Angel after another manner not by nature but by office Christ the Angel of the Covenant For I cannot be of his minde M Brightâ—â— who makes this Angel to be Constantine the odours given him to be the power of calling the Councel the golden Altar Christ in the midst of this holy Assembly the thick cloud of odours the whole matter brought most happily to effect which yet is a pious interpretation Much incense The merit of his own precious passion Heb. 9.24 13.5 Vpon the golden Altar viz. Himself as Chap. 6.9 Verse 4. The smoke of the incense The Saints praiers perfumed with Christs odours ascended that is were highly accepted in heaven Act. 10.4 Exod. 3.9 as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse The Church is said To ascend out of the wildernesse of this world with pillars of smoke Cant. 3.6 Elationibus fumi with raised affections and with strong supplications wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith as humility love c. All which would stinke worse in Gods nostrils then the onions and garlick of Egypt did not Christ perfume and present them Verse 5. And filled it with fire of the Altar Fire in token of fierce indignation and from the Altar for Christ came to send fire on the earth Luk. 12.49 Fire and sword Mat. 10.34 through mens singular corruption and obstinacy in not stooping to the scepter of this Kingdome Hence fire and brim-stone storme and tempest A fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10.27 From the same Altar Christ praiers go up vengeance comes down Verse 6. Prepared themselves Having got sign as it were by that which Christ did in the former verse they set too in order to sound their trumpets Verse 7. Hail and fire mingled with bloud In stead of the fire of love saith one mixed with the sweet rain of healthsome doctrine and spirit of Christian lenity the fire of contention M Forbes and frosty hail-stones of destruction ruled all Yea so far herein were the Bishops carried one against another as it is monstrous what malice falshood and cruelty they practised especially in the times of Constanâ— Constantius and Valens the Arrian Emperours And the third part of trees Men of maâ—k And all green grasse Meaner men
Polium is a preservative against serpents And they loved not their lives When one said to a certain Martyr Act. and Mon. Take heed t is an hard matter to burn Indeed said he it is for him that hath his soul linked to his body as a thiefs foot is in a pair of fetters In the daies of that bloudy persecutour Diocletian Certatim gloriosa in certamina â—uebatur saith Sulpitius multoque avidiùs tum martyria gloriosis mortibus quarebantur quà m nunc Episcopatus pravis ambitionibus appetuntur c. Those ancient Christians shewed as glorious power in the faith of Martyrdome Non majori unquam triumpho viâ—imus quam 〈◊〉 decem annorum stragibus vinci non pot◠〈◊〉 Sulpit. as in the faith of miracles the valour of the patients and the savagenes of the persecutours striving together till both exceeding nature and belief bred wonder and astonishment in beholders and readers Verse 12. Rejoyce ye heavens Ye that have your conversation in heaven and shall shortly remove your tents thither Woe to the inhabiters of the earth Earth-worms that load themselves with thick clay and strive with the toads who shall die with most earth in their mouths And of the sea Seamen are for most part very profane and godlesse See Jude 13. Isa 57.20 Mr Brightman by these inhabitants of the sea understandeth the Clergy-men as they call them who set abroach grosse troubled brackisâ— and sowrish doctrine which doth rather bring barrennes of godlines to their hearers and doth gnaw their entrals then quench their thirst or yeeld any other good fruit For the devil is come down Indeed he was cast down but that the devil dissembles and makes as if he came for his pleasure sake and so makes the best of an ill matter Having great wrath Indignation commotion of minde perturbation of spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inflammation or heaving of the bloud by apprehension of an injury Satans malevolence was a motive to his diligence Naturall motion is more swift and violent toward the end of it Because he knoweth By the signs of the last judgement which cannot be far off and by conjectures wherein he hath a singular sagacity That he hath but a short time He therefore makes all haste he can to out-work the children of light in a quick dispatch of deeds of darknes Verse 13. He persecuted the woman As the matter of his calamity The devil infinitely hates Christ and sins that sin against the holy Ghost every moment His instruments also carried with hellish malice cease not to maligne and molest the Church to their own utter ruine for Christ must raign when all 's done Verse 14. Two wings of a great Eagle That is sufficient means of safety and protection from petill Exod. 19.4 By this great Eagle some mighty personage seems to be designed Ezek. 17.3 7. And this may very well be Constantine whose peculiar sirname was Great but yet so saith an Interpreter as that the great honour and riches wherewith as with wings M Forbes he upon good intention endowed the Church is an occasion to make her flee to the wildernes all true and sincere Religion by degrees decaying in the visible Church Verse 15. Cast out of his mouth water Those barbarous Nations Goths Hunnes Vandals Lombards others stirred up by the devil to over-run the Empire and afflict the Church Or else it may mean those pestilent and poisonfull heresies Arrianisme and the rest wherewith the Church was infested according to that of Solomon The mouth of the wicked belcheth out evil things Prov. 14.28 Verse 16. And the earth helped the woman That is the multitude of Christians meeting in the generall Councels those four first especially held at Nice against Arrius at Constantinople against Macedonius and Eunomius at Ephesus against Nestorius and at Chalcedon against Eutychus These helped the Church exceedingly against inundations of heresies and were therefore by Gregory the great received and embraced as the four Gospels And the earth opened her mouth An allusion to Num. 16.22 Look how the earth swallowed up those malecontents so did God root out pernicious heresies with their authours and abettours by the power of the Scripture and the zeal of the orthodox Doctours so that they suddenly vanished out of sight after a marvellous manner Verse 17. Was wroth with the woman Who yet had done him no wrong but he and his are mad with malice when their designs miscarry especially and are ready to sue the Church as he in Tully did another Oral pro C. Râ—b Posâ—h Quod totum telum corpore non recepisset because he had not taken into his body the whole dagger wherewith he had stabbed him To make war That war which is mentioned Chap. 13.7 Which keep the Commandments A just deseription of a godly Christian Aug. Boni catholici sunt qui fidem integram sequuntur bonos more 's To be sound in faith and holy in life this is the kernel of Christianity CHAP. XIII Verse 1. And I stood VVHere I might best see the beast that came out of the sea I saw a beast The Church flying into the wildernes from the Dragon fals upon this Beast which is nothing better then the Dragon under a better shape Sic alind ex alio malum This beast is that Antichrist of Rome Rise up Not all at once but by degrees Out of the sea Out of the bottomlesse pit Chap. 11.7 2 Thess 2.9 Having seven heads To plot And ten horns To push Craft and cruelty go alwaies together in the Churches enemies The Asp never wanders alone and those birds of prey go â—ot without their mates Isa 34.16 And upon his horns The Kings that are the popes vassals See Rev. 17.11 These are the props of his power The name of blasphemy This is his true name his pretensed name is mystery Verse 2. Like unto a leopard Which is the female among the panthers the property wherof is as Pliny telleth us with her sweet smell to allure the beasts unto her hiding her terrible head till she hath them within her reach and then teareth them in pieces Just so dealeth Rome with her unhappy proselytes The Papacy is an alluring tempting bewitching Religion No sin past but the Pope can pardon it none to come but he can dispense with it Etiamsi per impossibile matrem Dei quis vitiasset said Tecelius As the feet of a Bear Which stands firm on her hinder feet and fights with her fore-feet so doth the Papacy with its Canons Decrees traditions c. As the mouth of a lion Wide ravenous roaring and â—â—satiable And the Dragon gave him his power This bargain was offered to Christ Mat. 4. but he would none of it The bramble in Jothams parable thought it a goodly thing to raign So did not the vine and fig-tree Verse 3. One of his heads as it were wounded Either by the invasion of the Gothes or by that fatall schisme
even a milstone which he letteth not barely fall but casteth and with impetuous force thrusteth into the bottome of the sea whence it cannot be boyed up Thus is set forth to the eye also the irreparable ruine of Rome Verse 22. And the voice of Harpers c. Thine Organs and Sackbuts thy chaunting and Church musick shall cease And the sound of a milstone Anciently they used hand-mils which did make a great noise in the Cities as Diodate here noteth Verse 13. And the light of a candle The candle of the wicked shall be put out they that here love darknesse better then light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall hereafter be thrust into outer darknesse where they shall never see the light again till they see all the world on a light fire For thy merchants were the great men The Pope creates his Cardinals by these words Estote fratres nostri Principes mundi Be ye brethren to us and Princes of the world They hold themselves Kings comperes Verse 24. And in her was found Rome hath ever been the slaughter-house of the Saints as Jerusalem was afore her Mat. 23. And of all that were slain For she hath a hand in all the wars of Europe besides all the Christian bloud shed by her instigation in those holy wars as they called them for the recovery of the Land of Canaan CHAP. XIX Verse 1. I heard a great voice IN obedience to that exhortation Chap. 18.20 Rejoyce over her thou heaven c. Saying Allelujah i. e. Praise the Lord. Was not he a wise man that gave this derivation of the word Al aâ—â—ssimus le levatus est lu lugebant Apostoli jajam resurrexit Acutum sanè decompositum This word is in the old Testament first used Psal 104.35 where consuming of sinners is mentioned as in the new Testament here where the destruction of Antichrist is fore-told Vnto the Lord Gr. Is the Lords as Psal 3.8 He is the true proprietary Verse 2. Which did corrupt the earth I read of one who journeying to Rome as soon as he came within the City shut his eyes and so kept them as resolving to see nothing in that City which he knew to be very corrupt and a corrupter of others but only the Church of S. Peter See the Note on Chap. 18.4 Suâ—inx 〈◊〉 p. 753. Verse 3. And again they said Allelujah As unsatisfiable in performing so divine a duty Some think that the Hebrew word is retained to import that after Rome is ruinated the Churches of the Gentiles shall by their uncessant praises provoke the Jews to joyn with them and concelebrate the mercy like as the Spouse by praising her beloved stirred up those dull daughters of Ierusalem to seek him with her Cant. 5.9 10 c. with Chap. 6.1 And her smoke rose up Like that of Sodom Yet wretched Romanists will not be warned whose judgement therefore is here revealed after that of the firing of Rome Verse 4. And the four and twenty Elders The former Allelujah was more privateâ— every good heart being lifted up with joy and thankfulnes when first they hear the good news of Antichrists overthrow Now this is the joint Allelujah of the publick Congregation praising and magnifying God This may bea further means to move the Jews to come in Verse 5. And a voice came out This is the Lambs voice his all-quickning voice which shall rouse and raise the dead and dedolent Iews powerfully pulling the vail from their hard hearts which yet were somewhat moved and mollified by the former Alleluja's so that now all the servants of God small and great Iew and Gentile shall praise him with one concent Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice See how morigerous the Saints are and ready hearted to obey God No sooner are they bidden to praise God but they are at it dicto citius See the like Psal 27 8. Saying Alleluja This was the Hosanna Rabba as the Iews call it D. 〈◊〉 1 de 〈…〉 word p. â—â—2 the victoria Hallelujatica as the old Brittans called their victory over the Saxons The story is this Under the conduct of Germanus here in Brittain who came over from France to subdue the Pelagian heresie which then prevailed amongst us against a mighty Army of Saxons and Picts the Brittains prevailed only by the three times pronouncing the word Hallelujah which voice ecchoing and redoubling from the acclamation of his followers among the mountains nigh to which the enemy had encamped frighted them and wonne the conquest upon which it was called victoria Hallelujatica Raigneth i. â— He now maketh it appear that he raigneth which Averroes and some other of the worlds wisards doubted of yea denied because they saw bad men prosper good men suffer Verse 7. Hath made her self ready Being first made ready by the grace of Christ Certum est nos facere quod facimus sed ille facit ut faciamus The bowles of the Candlestick had no oil Aug. but that which dropped from the Olive-branches Zach. 4. Verse 8. And to her was granted It is here clear saith an Interpreter that there shall be as great difference between the state of Gods Church now and that which is to come after Romes â—uine Bernard as between the time of honourable persons only betrothed and the high joyfull and glorious day of their publick marrying and as between the time of a King coming on to his Kingdome and his actuall and powerfull raigning as King indeed That she should be arraied This also is given her as well as her rich raiment which she can no more put on by her self then she can purchase it Clean and white Or Pure and bright Pure saith one because imputed righteousnesse is pure indeed and hath no spot in it M Cotton but not bright you can see no great matter in it it maketh no great shew before men as in herent righteousnesse doth Mat. 5 16. but before God A man may be very much defiled and subject to many scandals and yet be clothed with the garment of imputed righteousnesse The righteousnesse of Saints Gr. Righteousnesses that twofold righteousnes imputed and imparted Verse 9. Write To wit this ensuing sentence for the use of posterity worthy to be written in letters of gold Blessed are they that are called So they have hearts to come at Christs call and not shew themselves unworthy to taste of his Supper by framing excuse as those recusant guests did Luke 14. These are the true sayings of God q. d. This fore-going sentence is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation 1 Tim. 1.15 Verse 10. And I sell at his feet So taken he was with the joyfull tidings of his Countrey-men the Jews conversion that he fell down as Abraham did upon the good news of Isaac's birth Genesis 17.17 And it may be he took this Angel to be Christ the Angel of the Covenant Euphâ—r But that was his errour Triste
shall be the finest prey the greatest sinners the sorest sufferers CHAP. XX. Verse 1. And I saw an Angel COnstantine the great the Churches male-childe Chap. 12. Having the key Not that key Chap. 9.1 but another A great chain The succession of Christian Emperours Verse 2. And he laid hold on the Dragon Chap. 12.7 9. He took him in a field-fight and since then till now we have heard little of him more then that he substituted the Beast Chap. 13. whose destruction being declared the prophecy returns to shew the judgment of the Dragon And bound him From the open slaughtering of the Saints as he had done by the Heathen Emperours for from molesting and mischieving of Gods people other wise he is not bound one hour Job 1. 1 Pet. 5.8 And how his vicegerent the Beast hath bestirred him during the thousand years who knows not A thousand years Hos explicare fatâ—or trepidè mâ— aggredi saith Pareus He begins the thousand at the destructiâ—n of the Temple anno 73. and so it ends in Pope Hildebrand who stept into that chair of pestilence anno 1073. Others begin it at the birth of Christ and end in Silvester 2. Others at Christs passion and end in Benedict 9. But they do best in my opinion that begin at Constantine and end in Boniface the 8. who is of his own said to have entered like a fox raigned as a Lion and died as a dog He excommunicated the French King and published this decree That the Bishop of Rome ought to be judged of none although he should carry innumerable souls with him to hell Verse 3. And cast him into the bottomlesse pit That is into the earth Chap. 12.9 12. Chap. 13.11 the earth is the bottomlesse pit out of which the Beast was raised by the Dragon Deceive the Nations The Gentiles by defending Gentilisme and hindering the course of the Gospel amongst them And after that the must be losed He must because God hath so decreed it for the glory of his own name in the defence of his people but destruction of his enemies As also that the devil may shew his malice which God can restrain at his pleasure Roger Holland Martyr said to Bonner This I dare be bold in God to speak which by his Spirit I am moved to say that God will shorten your hand of cruelty that for a time you shall not molest his Church And after this day in this place shall there not any be by him put to the fire and faggot Aâ—â— and Monâ—â— 852. And it proved so for none after the suffered in Smithfield for the testimony of the Gospel Verse 4. And they sat upon them Resting from former pâ—rsecutions and raigning in righteousnesse even here upon earth And judgement was given unto them That is say some the spirit or discerning between Christianity and Antichristianisme Or the clearing of the innocency and doing them right say others Or they had their chairs seats and consistories wherein they did both preach the Word and execute the Churches censure as some sense it And I saw the souls This makes against the Millenaries Souls raign not but in heaven there are the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. Cotton his pouring out of the 7. vioâ—s p. 26. True it is as Mr Cotton well observeth that there are many devises in the mindes of some to think that Jesus Christ shall come from heaven again and raign here with his Saints upon earth a thousand years But they are saith he but the mistakes of some high expressions in Scripture which describe the judgments poured out upon Gods enemies in making way to the Jews conversion by the patern of the last judgment Thus he The souls here mentioned are the same I conceive that were seen under the Altar Revel 6.9 and doe cry How long Lord These are not capable of a bodily resurrection nor of an earthly raigne And they lived and raigned with Christ They that is those that sat on the thrones not they that were beheaded Lived and raigned as spirituall Kings after the same manner as they are Priests vers 6. for else there should be more Kings then Subjects With Christ It is not said with Christ upon earth this is an addition to the text or if the words did import a raigning upon earth yet this would not inferre an earthly raign for a thousand years in great worldly delights begetting many children eating and drinking and enjoying all lawfull pleasures as some dream now a-daies The conceit I confesse is as ancient as Cerinthâ—â— the heretike and Pâ—pias scholar to S. John a man much reverenced for opinion of his holinesse but yet homo ingenij pertenuiâ— saith Eusebius not oppressed with wit Hierom and Augustine explode it as a Jewish fable and declare it to be agreat errour if not an heresie so do all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at this day The Patrons of Christs personall raign upon earth Moses's choice p. 487. are Mr Archer and Mr Burroughes who tels us That if the opinion of some concerning Christs coming to raign here in the world before the day of judgement be not a truth he cannot make any thing of many places of Scripture as this place for one But if he cannot yet others can See an Answer to his and M. Archers chief Arguments in M. Baylâ— his disswasive from the errours of the times Chap. 21. p. 238. Verse 5. But the rest of the dead Dead in Baal-worship as Ephraim Hos 13.1 dead in sins as Sardis Rev. 3.1 Lived not again By repentance from dead works or they recovered not the life and immortality that is brought to light by the Gospel Vntill the thousand years Untill being taught better by Gods faithfull witnesses they abjured Popery This is the first resurrection From Romish superstitions M. Fox tels us Act. and Mon. fol 767. that by the reading of Chaucers books some were brought to the knowledge of the truth Verse 6. Blessed and happy is he The holy only have part in this resurrection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and are therefore happy or out of harms-way as the word signifies The second death hath no power For they are brought from the jaws of death to the joyes of eternall life where is mirth without mourning riches without rust c. But they shall be Priests See the Note on Chap. 1.6 They shall raign The righteous are Kings Mat. 13.17 compared with Luk. 10.24 Many righteous is the same with Many Kings See the Note on ver 4. A thousand years These thousand years begin saith Master Brightman where the former ended that is in the year 1300. whereby continuance thereof is promised for a thousand years forward among some of the Gentiles and how long it shall raign afterwards among the Jews he onely knows that knows all Verse 7. Satan shall be loosed i. e. Suffered to rise up in open rage against the open professours of the truth and to make havock
of them as he did of the Waldenses Hussites Huguenots Professours in Germany Netherlands Ireland England c. He hath laid about him lately to purpose Besides those seas of Christian bloud shed by the Turk since the thousand years expired Verse 8. Gog and Magog That is Pope and Turk saith Aretius the Pope a covert enemy to Christ the Turk an overt Ezek 38. 35. or open enemy as Gog and Magog signifie These are set forth by Ezekiel as the last enemies of Gods people before Shiloh came and presently after their utter overthrow the state of the City and Temple is notably described So after the Pope and Turk in that last great battle at Armageddon routed and foiled the new Jerusalem is in the following Chapters excellently pourtraied and depainted that being a speciall type of this Verse 9. And they went up As a sloud Ezek. 8.9 16. And compassed As resolved that none should escape them Ps 118.11 12. 2 King 6.14 15. 35.1 The camp of the Saints The Church militant And the beloved City The new Jerusalem Cap. 21.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The dearly beloved of Gods soul Jer. 12.7 or Gods dearly beloved soul as the Septuagint render it For present the Turk is the bridle that holds in the Pope with all his followers from any universall proceeding against the Protestants who herein are greatly advantaged above them in that their opposites lie between them and the Turk or in that their countreys coasting so much as they do toward the North as Denmark Swethland c. are out of his way Spec Eurâ—p and no part of his present aim Italy is the mark he shoots at And when once he shall rise against the true Church fire from heaven shall devour him Verse 10. And he devil This Mr Brightman interprets of the Turk called here the devil because instigated and set awork by the devil Albeit another learned Expositâ—ur is of opinion that by the fall of the Beast and conversion of the Jews the Turks and other States of the East shall be brought to imbrace the Gospel being first taught thereto by some notable foil What to think of this I know not but cannot but like well of Diodates note upon the fourth verse of this Chapter that in all this prophecy it is better and more sure to expect and stay for the explication by the event then to give it without any certain ground And shall be tormented 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Racked the devil and the damned have punishment without pity misery without mercy sorrow without succour crying without comfort mischief without measure torments without end and past imagination For ever and ever This is as another hell in the midst of hell and forceth them to cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Woe woe as if they should say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not ever not ever Lord. Whereto conscience answereth as an eccho 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ever ever Hence that dolefull 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Woe and alas for evermore Verse 11. And I saw a great white throne A lively description of the last Judgement to shew that henceforth since the last great battle the new Jerusalem should have no disturbance till Christ comes to judgment From Whose face the earth c. To shew either his terriblenes or their renovation 2 Pet. 3. 12. Rom. 8.21 Verse 12. Small and great It is the common opinion that men shall rise again in that tall and goodly stature of body wherein Adam was created or at least in that vigour of age that a perfect man is at about 33. years old each in their proper sex And hereunto some think the Apostle alludeth Ephes 4.13 But M. Brightman holds that in the resurrection every one shall appear in that stature in which he departed out of this life and that the contrary opinion doth manifestly contradict this Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the books were opened The books of conscience saith Origâ—n of the Scriptures saith Augustine of both say I for according to law written shall the Judge passe sentence the conscience either accusing or excusing The book of life That Gods elect may be seen and known God neither needeth nor useth books to judge by but this is spoken after the manner of men Mordecais name was registred in the Chronicles of Persia Tamâ—rlane had alwaies by him a Catalogue of his best servants and their good deserts Turk â—ist 22â— which he daily perused Verse 13. And the sea Those that perished in the waters and those whose ashes were scattered upon the waters as John Husses whom after they had burnt they beat his heart with their staves and cast his ashes into the river But there is a substance of the Saints bodies preserved by a secret influence from Christ their head and their dust is precious Verse 14. And death and hell There shall be an utter end of all evils and enemies nothing left to disquiet the Church She shall see them afar off as Lazarus did the rich man and be able to say of them as she did of her accusers Joh. 8. they are all gone Verse 15. And whosoever As those Priests were cashiered that could not prove their pedegree Ezr. 2.62 63. CHAP. XXI Verse 1. And I saw a new heaven NEw for form and state but the same as afore for matter and substance as an old garment translated is called a new one and as who so is in Christ is a new creature Passed away i. e Where purged from their vanity and defilements And there was no more sea i. e. Trouble and tumult The sea is of it self restlesse and oft tossed with storms and tempests Isa 57.20 As for the element of water it shall remain probably as earth air and fire doc Andreas thinks there shall be no more sea Verse 2. The holy City The Church in glory saith Diodate The Church wayfaring and warfaring saith Brightman whose interpretation of this text Nititur conjecturâ optabili magis quâm opinabili saith Pareus As a bride adorned c. Bishop Ridley the night before he suffered invited his hostesse and the rest at Table to his marriage for said he to morrow I must be married Some other Martyrs went as merrily to die as ever they did to dine Verse 3. And I heard a great voice To confirm the vision left it should be thought a delusion Behold the tabernacle His specially presence both of grace and glory is with his elect See Ezek. 37.27 28. He will dwell with them He will ind well in them 2 Cor. 6.16 See the Note there The enjoyment of God is heaven it self therefore God is called heaven I have sinned against heaven Verse 4. And God shall wipe away As mothers do their childrens tears Sorrow and sighing shall flee away Baâ—a shall be turned into Berachah sighing into singing misery into majesty as Qu. Elizabeth was exalted from a prisoner to a Princesse and as our Henry 4. was
crowned the very same day that the year before Daniel he had been banished the Realm No more death For mortality shall be swallowed up of life Neither sorrow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Properly for losse of friends for we shall inseparably and everlastingly enjoy them We shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob have communion with them not only as godly men but as such and such godly men And if with them why not with others whom we have known and loved in the body Nor crying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qualis est in tragaedijs saith Aretius Nor any more pain Or Hard labour for a livelyhood to be gotten with the sweat either of brow or brain For the former things c. The Latins call prosperous things Res secundas because they are to be had hereafter they are not the first things Verse 5. Write for these words are faithfull Though few men will believe them for if they did what would they not doe or sorgo to get heaven Cleombrotus reading Plato's book of the immortality of the soul was so ravished with the conceit thereof that he cast himself headlong into the sea But how many reading this better book of heavens happinesse are no whit wrought upon thereby or in the least measure moved to affect those things above that run parallel with the life of God and line of eternity Verse 6. It is done As the punishment of the wicked Chap. 16.17 See the Note there So the reward of the righteous is performed and accomplished I will give unto him Whereas some good soul might say I would it were once done Have patience saith God I will shortly give unto him that is athirst to drink of that torrent of pleasure that runs at my right hand without any either let or loathing Clitorio quicunque sitim de fonte levarit Vina fugit gaudetque meris abstemius undis Ovid Metamâ— Of the water of life freely But merit-mongers will not have it freely therefore they shall go without it Coelum gratis non accipiam saith Viega Verse 7. He that overcometh Gr. He that is overcoming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or not yeelding though he hath not yet overcome If he but doing at it and do not yeeld up the bucklers Shall inherit all things Tanquam haeres ex asse All Gods servants are sons and every son an heir Verse 8. But the fearfull Cowardly recreants white-livered milk-sops that pull in their horns for every pile of grasse that toucheth them that are afraid of every new step saying as Caesar at Rubicon Yet we may go back that follow Christ afar off as Peter that tremble after him as the people did after Saul 1 Sam. 13 7. and the next news is They were scattered from him vers 11. These lead the ring-dance of this rout of reprobates and are so hated of Christ that he will not imploy them so farre as to break a pitcher or to bear a torch Judg. 7. And unbelieving Therefore fearfull because unbelieving for faith fears no fray-bugs but why do ye fear ye small-faiths saith our Saviour Verse 9. One of the seven Angels The same likely that Chap. 17.1 had shewed him the damnation of the Whore So studious and officious are the Angels to serve the Saints Heb. 1.14 The Bride the lambs wife Vxor fulget radijs mariti saith the Civilian so is it here Verse 10. To a great and high mountain As Moses was carried up into mount Nebo that from thence he might view the promised land He that would contemplate heaven must soar aloft flie an high pitch c. Take a turn with Christ in mount Tabor and be transfigured Verse 11. Having the glory of God Who putteth upon her his own comelines Ezek 16. as Rachel was decked with Isaac's jewels Even like a Jasper And so like God himself who is set out by a Jasper Chap. 4.3 Clear as Crystall There is no such jasper in nature as is thus clear but such an one must here be imagined Nec Christus nec coelum patitur hyperbolen Verse 12. And had a wall Far better then that of Babylon Indeed this celestiall China needs no wall to divide it from the Tartars this is Arabia Foelix the people whereof live in security and fear no enemy And had twelve gates Thebes had an hundred gates and was therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but nothing so well set and so commodious for passengers as this City with twelve gates Twelve Angels As porters to let in not as swordmen to keep out as the Angel that stood Centinel at the porch of Paradise Gen. 3. Verse 13. On the East three gates The Church is collected and heaven filled from all quarters of the earth Hence it is by one compared to the Samaritans Inne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it receiveth and lodgeth all strangers that come In the Synagogue there was not lodging for all the Ammonites and the Moabites were excluded the Congregation of Israel But Christ was born in an Inne to signifie that in his Kingdom all may be entertained He is called the second Adam the Greek letters of which name as Cyprian noteth do severally signifie all the quarters of the earth His garments were divided into four parts because out of what coast or part soever we come saith a Divine Christ hath garments to cloath us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and room to receive us There are that have observed that the name of God in all the chief languages consisteth of four letters as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deâ— Dien Gott c. to intimate that he hath his people in all the four quarters of the earth out of all countries nations and languages Verse 24. And the wall A wall the Church hath about it and a well within it vers 6. A garden enclosed is my sister my spouse a spring shut up a fountain sealed Cant. 4.12 This wall of the Church hath twelve foundations that is Christ the only foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 first laid by the twelve Apostles In whose names also the summe of Christian faith is made up in those twelve Articles of the Creed Discessuri ab invicem Apostoli normam praedication is in commune constituunt saith Cyprian Cyp de symbâ—l Apost l. The Apostles being to be severed into severall Countries to preach the Gospel agreed upon this as the summe and substance of their Sermons It was called Symbolum a sign or badge to distinguish Christians from unbelievers Had twelve foundations Foundation is taken either for Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Mat. 16.16 or for the doctrine of the Apostles teaching salvation only by Jesus Christ as Ephes 2.20 and here The Papists have lately added twelve new Articles raised out of the Councel of Trent to be believed by as many as shall be saved as above hath been noted Verse 15. Had a golden reed Not those twelve Trent-Articles or any humane invention but
God is not in all his thoughts He sacrificeth to himself as Sejanus did and Polyphemus-like sets up himself for the sole doer Whereas God as he is the first authour and owner of all so to him as to the utmost end of all they ought all to return Quasi circulo quodam confecto and as the rivers doe to the sea whence they had their beginning See Rom. 11.36 Sith of him and through him and to him are all things to him alone be glory for ever His glory he will not give to any other Isa 42.8 what ever he part with none shall share with him in that It is his jewell his darling his own eye his wife with reverence to his Majesty be it spoken And as Abner might not see Davids face unlesse he brought him his wife Michal so neither may any stand before God that bereave him of his glory He comes down from heaven as it were and fights hand to hand with a proud person in single combate the whole world beholding 1 Pet. 5.5 Surely God resisteth the proud saith Peter He sets himself in battle-array against them as the originall hath it as he did against Pharaoh Herod and this Nebuchadnezzar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose minde was hardened in pride that hate of heaven and gate to hell as the Prophet tels his son Dan. 5.20 therefore besides the brutish change of his minde his body was much changed in seeding and living among wilde beasts It was not only a phrensie as Ericus King of Swethland being expeld his Kingdom for grief Willet on Dan. Turk hâ—st fell mad or as Bajazet taken by Tamberlane and Boniface the 8th by Charles of Burbon bit and tare themselves for grief and vexation but he was banished from the society of men by the just judgement of God And so lying in the wet and cold among beasts his garments rotted his hair grew hard his nails long c. his mans shape remaining his humane soul was changed to be brutish his body also mis-shapen and deformed not transformed as Dr Willet hath it in his Hexapha upon Daniel Willet on Daniel fol. 137. where you may read of divers like examples Surely the Lord of hosts hath purposed it to stain the pride of all glory and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth Isa 23.8 Isa 2.11 1â— Eras Apophtâ— Herod affecting to be a lousie god was eaten up of worms Pemble Don Mendoza printed a lying poem in France of a triumph before the victory Camd Elizab. fol. â—71 The Spaniards in the pride of their Monarchy are grown also now to swear by the life of their King Sands Relat. 18 Breerw Enqui p 50. Heyl Geog p. 30 Iren. l. 1. c. 24. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low The lofty looks of man shall be humbled and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day So saith Isaiah nay so saith Esop who being asked what God did in heaven He pulleth down the proud said he and lifteth up the lowly this is his work and businesse He bears an aking tooth a speciall spleen as I may say so to this sin of Arrogancy His heart hates it Prov. 6.16 17. His mouth curseth it Psal 119.21 and his hand plagueth it as he did Herod among others The people had fly-blown him with their flatteries This swels him and for his pride God turns those worms upon him to devour him as he did the lice upon that proud King of Spain that set forth the invincible Armado as they vainly called it against England The Spaniards are generally noted for an insolent people and their ambition hath been to settle their Catholike Monarchy over all Christendome but God hath hitherto crossed it and we trust will doe Their language they call Romance as if it were pure latine and themselves the right Hidalgoes as if they were the only Gentlemen So the Turks will needs be thought the only Musulmans or true believers as Papists the only Catholiks the Donatists affected the same title Gnosticks the only knowing men Anabaptists the only spirituall persons Jesuites the only scholars Imperium literarum est penes Iesuitas Casau ex Apologista Relat. of West Relig. Polititians and Oratours of the world They vaunt that the Church is the soul of the world the Clergy of the Church and they of the Clergy that a Jesuite cannot possibly be an heretike but that as the devil set up Luther that Arch-heretike so God sent forth them to oppose him The Chineses would perswade us That they only see with two eyes all other Nations but with one These proud Jesuites would have us believe the like of them Heyl Geog 662 And as it is reported of the great Cham of Tartary that he reputes himself the Monarch of the whole world and that therefore every day as soon as he hath dined he causeth his trumpets to be sounded by that sign giving leave to other Princes of the earth to go to dinner So would these Jesuites be held the only Worthies their main endeavour being to subject all to the Pope and the Pope to themselves Code of the Church p. 114. Their faction saith one is a most agile sharp sword whose blade is sheathed at pleasure in the bowels of every Common-wealth but the handle reacheth to Rome and Spain So that the very life death and fortunes of all Kings and Common-wealths hang upon the horoscopes of the Jesuites pleasure If the Jesuites be as lucky stars in the ascendent and culminant they may live continue and flourish if malevolent they perish but that Deus dominabitur astris Now may it not well be said to these croaking frogs and encroaching locusts of Rome Ye take too much upon you ye sons of Levi They teach That the state ecclesiasticall is so far more excellent then the civil as the Sun then the Moon even in temporall pomp and power and that therefore the chief of their Clergy is as far above the mightiest Emperour as the Sun above the Moon And as the Sun borrows her light of the Moon so doth the Emperour his State and power from the Pope Is not this that Man of sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that exalts himself above all that is called Augustus or above all Kings and Emperours trampling upon their necks 2 Thess 2.4 forcing them to hold his stirrop to dance attendance at his gate c. kicking off their crowns and crowning them again with his feet Act. and Mon. as Pandulphus the Popes Legat did King John of England As for King Henry the second of this land he was forced by the Pope to kneel and pray to Beckets shrine whom he had disgraced in his person and having had him above his will saith the Chronicler whiles he lived hath him now over his faith being dead Going