and against thy will to endure the Harnesse the Bridle and the Whip Such was the condition of that Kingdome by whose aid and succour his Love was protected For in the fifth yeer of the reign of Rehoboam when they had a little breathed after their former troubles Shishak the king of Egypt made war upon them having twelve hundred Chariots and a very great Hoste He took many fenced Cities and had proceeded to the utter wasting of the Land had not the Lord at the length pitied them and turned away the rage of his wrath from Jerusalem so that he would not utterly destroy it but only bring it in bondage to the Egyptians As he saith by the Prophet Shemaiah 2 Chron. 12. 8 9. Neverthelesse they shall be his servants that they may know my service and the service of the Kingdomes of the countries This Shishak entring into the City took away the treasures of the House of the Lord and the treasures of the Kings house he carried away also the shields of Gold which Salomon had made Behold the Church now like a Mare in the Chariots of Pharaoh The drawing Mare betokeneth servitude The Chariot that they should be compelled unto it by war Pharaoh by a common name the King whom they should serve how brief and plain it is described yet lest the Saints should faint altogether under the weight of such calamity their comfort is that he calleth her his Mare as if he should say although I deliver thee over to Shishak yet understand I have a care of thee I do challenge thee for mine own and thou shalt be safe under my protection Note that hee whom the holy Scripture calleth Shishak is called by prophane Writers Steroosis And hee joyned Kings together to draw his Chariot Diod. sic lib. 1. pag. 37. lin 23. Vers 9. Thy cheeks are comely with Turtles or withrows of Jewels Thy neck with chaines of Gold Wee heard in the Analysis that this and the two next verses did belong to the Kingdom of Abijah and Asa Abijah ruled but a while and therefore no great variety of matter hapned in his time therefore that which is common to both is delivered in the beginning of this Versâ— but that which concerneth the affaires of Asa is afterwards set forth more at large The Iewels like Turtles beâ—oken chastity and carefulnesse The two Cheeks are the most conspiâ—uous parts of the body these were the Tribes of Iuda and Benjamin in whom the Church at that time was chiefly known unto men This chastity and carefulnesse appeared first in Abijah who making warre with Ieroboam endeavoured with gentle speech to call back the ten Tribes from their wicked purpose warning them of their falling away from God There are with you saith he Golden Calves which Ieroboam made you for gods but wee have the Lord our God whom we have not forsaken and the Priests which minister unto the Lord are the sonnes of Aaron and the Levites wait upon their businesse 2 Chro. 13. 8. 10 c. for although this integrity was not pure without any pollution as appeareth 1 King 15. 3. yet was it Turtle-like chastity to that filthy whoredome of the Israelites so when Abijah and the two Tribes were beset both behind and before they cried unto to the Lord Behold the voyce of Turtles carefull doubtlesse in so great a strait but adorned with holinesse as with Jewels the Lord heard them and stroke Ieroboam and all Jsrael before Abijah and Iudah with a great slaughter 2 Chron. 13. 14 15. So Asa beset with almost infinite hosts of Zerah the Ethiopian called upon the Lord in the voyce of a Turtle saying It is nothing for thee to help either with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God for we rest on thee and in thy name we goe against this multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevaile against thee Whereby the enemies were put to â—light and the Church greatly inriched with their spoiles 2 Chron. 14. 11. c. Vers 10. Wee will make the borders of Gold with studs of Silver The Spirit proceedeth to shew the condition of the Church under Asa that hee might give her yet a more comely ornament as it is declared by the taking counsell of adorning the Spouse Wee will make thee saith he borders of Gold that is wont to be better which is brought to passe by the conjoyned studies of many then that which is done by one alone Furthermore Gold is now also added no lesse excellent in the singular workmanship then in the price it self for it should be chequered with silver studs This did openly foreshew that constrained meeting of the Kingdome by Asa and that consultation made by the common consent of the people and of all orders in the fifteenth yeer of â—is reigne of taking away all abominable gods out of the whole Land of Juda and Benjamin and a penalâ—y imposed on him that would not seek the Lord 2 Chro. 15. 9. 10. c. Now was order taken for adorning the spouse not by the Kings authority alone but by the decree of all orders And that Reformation which was begun in the beginning of his reigne was now more fully grown to a ripenesse The silver studs were that faithfull executing of the decree whereby the Kings grand-mother Mahaka was put from her regency for her horrible idolatry 2 Chro. 15. 16. Vers 11. Whilest the King was at his repast my Spikâ—nard gave smell thereof Ye have heard before that the gifts of the spirit are shadowed by oyntments and Spikenard which is chief among oyntments rightly betokeneth the most excellent gifts Therfore while the King sate the spouse as it were opening a Box perfumed all the neighbourhood with breathing out most holy graces But if any ask who the Prophet saith sate at this repast Behold King Asa compassed with a large garland of Iewes and Israelites in that assembly where he made borders of gold with studs of silver 2 Chrâ— 15. 9 10. A covenant was made but whâ—t mirth of a banquet could be compared with this delight Furthermore the joy in sacrificing which was great at that time had the holy pleasure of banqueting conjoyned to it by the Law As concerning the smell of the Spikenard how pleasant was it to make a covenant among so many people to worship the Lord with all their heart and with all their minde Many of Ephraim Manasses and Simeon stirred up by the sweetnesse of this smell clave to Asa seeing the Lord his God to be with him c. As it is said 2 Chr. 15. 9. Therfore whatsoever is spoken of the Church in the raign of Aâ—a is contained in these 3. little verses Vers 12. My wâ—lbeloved is as a bundle of Myrhe unto me He shall lie between my breasts Herein are three things signified sweetnesse of knowledge by Myrhe Administration of doctrine by breasts and the quiet and continuall use thereof by lying or
the excellencie of my beloved Thinke with your selves that I have not trifled nor done any thing unfit for a modest woman in that my earnest indeavour of seeking him and of charging you but the honour due to his merits far exceeds all my study These words do plainly teach that the Church in her true members at that time bestowed all diligence in seeking Christ And now wee see by this prophesie which with noted foot-steps hath exactly shewed the path-way through this Wildernesse by what degrees the knowledge of Christ appeared again from Frederick the second after infernall darknesse covering the world by the Bishop of Rome untill about the yeer 1420. Vers 16. Whither is thy bâ—loved â—one O thou fairest â—mong women whither is thy beloved turned aside that wee may seeke him with thee This sheweth the great desire of the faithfull to seek Christ offering their fellowship and promising common aid in seeking Which came in fashion when the Bohemians got their liberty for afterwards they were holpen with the writings of many learned men as the Waldâ—â—â—es Albingenses Wickliffe John Huâ—â—e and Hierome of Prague with all those before named Lastly the Bohemians by whose diligence the beauty of Christ by little and little appeared in his members to the world It was wonderfull how they were presently kindled to seeke the truth in England and Germany and many other places so that all corners of our coasts at least sounded againe with the voyces of them asking Whither is thy beloved gone thou fairest among women whither turneth thy beloved Yea this speech was so generally received that many daughters of Ierusalem which knew him not before nor touched with any desire of him now offered their ayde to seeke him The Art of Printing hapning at the same time 1440 by Gods singular benefit did greatly helpe to set forth his fame which continued 70. yeeres and more and could not be stayed by any meanes CHAP. VI. MY welbeloved is gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices to feede in the gâ—rdens and to gather lilies 2 I am my welbeloveds and my welbeloved is mine who feedeth among the lilies 3 Thou art beautifull my love as Tirzaâ— comely as Ierusalem terrible as an army with banners 4 Turne away thine eyes from me for they overcome me thine haire is like a flocke of goates which looke down from Gilead 5 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe which go up from the washing which every one bring out twins and none is barren among them 6 Thy temples are within thy lockes as a piece of a pomegranate 7 There are threescore Queens and fourescore concubines and of the damosels without number 8 But my Dove is alone and my undefiled she is the onely daughter of her mother and she is deare to her that bare her the daughters have seene her and counted her blessed even the Queenes and the concubines and they have praised her 9 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning â—aire as the moone pure as the â—un terrible as an army with banners 10 I went downe to the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley to see if the vine budded and if the pomegranates flourished 11 I knew nothing my soule set me as the charets of my noble people 12 Returne returne O Shulamite returne returne that we may behold thee What shall you see in the Shulamite but as the company of an Army The Resolution SO much of the Church cast down now of the Church restored in the whole and in the parts The whole as well summarily both in respect of the Bridegroome verse 1. 2. and in respect of the enemies verse 3. as severally by reason of certaine members of the whole body verse 4 5 6. The parts are particular Churches as Queenes Conâ—â—bines and Virgins verse 7. amongst all which one Dove excelleth verse 8. And such is the eldest Sister The younger are either a Princeâ—â—e or other inferiour Churches Her condition is partly growing partly of full age her beginning is summarily delivered vers 9. Afterwards severally expressed and how it was done verse 10. 11. 12. and what kinde of one she was when it was done Chap. 7. THE EXPOSITION Verse 1. My beloved is gone downâ— into his garden to the beds of spices to feede in the Gardens and to gather Lillies IN the beginning of the description the Spouse seeketh her beloved not knowing where he was as we have seene in the former Chapter Now she taketh on her to teach that which before she desired to learn To descend into the garden is onely as hath beene often said to be present as it were to be taught with the hands and seene with the eyes in purity of doctrine and integrity of all exâ—eâ—nall worship Which hapned in the times of Martin Luther 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 1â—â—7 At what time the Spouse began somewhat to recover her health and strength The Waldâ—nâ—es Wickâ—iâ—â— the Bohemiâ—ns and other daughters of Ierusalem had taken great paines in seeking the Bridegroome but the garden was never prepared with beds and borders for him till now when Frederike Duke of Saxonie by his own authority protected and defended the Church newly sprung up in Wittenberg a City of his dominion Here was the only garden at the first and therefore she faith My beloved is gone down into his garden The truth was plentifully sowne there but little reformation for the first four e yeeres therefore is there but one garden mentioned But shortly after more gardens were added to this one as Tigurum Argentoratum Basile Berne Geneva and also the Provinces of Hassia and Prussia so that the second part of the verse faith rightly He went downe to feede in the Gardens for now there were many gardens made by distinction of fence yet were all planted with the like fruite He came not into this garden any longer to behold the bare and naked beds but as it were feeding the elect by the nourishment of his word he at the length gathered lillies in baskets and separated them from the wicked world which Lillies were first gathered at Wittemberg when the Masse began to be discontinued and the Supper more purely to be administred in the yeere 1521. The yeere following the Images were cast out After three yeeres Tygâ—râ—m and Argentoratum were reformed This comming into the garden and gathering of Lillies is the harvest spoken of Rev. 14. 14 15. Verse 3. I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine he feedâ—th among the Lillies She triumpheth in the same words as she did upon her returne from Babylon Chap. 2. 16. by which free profession she declareth the boldnesse and constancie of those times wherein the truth need no more whisper in corners in feare and doubting but might publish her selfe openly and be publiquely celebrated by the common speech of many men Neither was the supportation of the Bridegroome lesse apparent in defenâ—ing her mightily against her enemies For if the hatred of the multitude
these breasts and shâ—ll earnestly beseech the Lord that they may never drie up They also shew how this Spouse ought to behave her self towards these new guests to whom she is bound to bestow her breasts as well as to her own And the smell of thy nose as Apples There words seem to concern holinesse of common life We alwayes breath with the nostrils as long as there is any power of life whence Jeremy saith The breath of our nostrils the anoynted of the Lord is taken in their pits Lam. 4. 20. She prayeth therefore that to the abundant doctrine which is laid up in the breasts as in Wells never to be drawn dry may be joyned the sweetnesse of manners and integrity of all holinesse Vers 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best Wine that goeth down sweetly causing the lips of those that are asleep to speake The force of this manner of wishing as yet remaineth The palate or roof of the mouth signifieth words which are formed by the help thereof it differeth from the breasts because they are the closet and store-house wherein as in a treasury great store of learning is laid up but the palate and lips are as keyes wherewith the Treasury is unlocked and the riches laid up is brought forth for use for it little profiteth to have riches heaped up unlesse they may be applied to use and profit when need requireth That we may then understand this Church to be not only rich and plentifull in all abundance but also happy in the use and fruit thereof he no lesse foresheweth the sweetnesse of the palate then the fertility of the breasts Iâ— causeth the lips of those that are asleep to speak This is an excellent commendation of this Wine so strong and powerfull that it can shake off drowsinesse in men half dead make the minde and sences more nimble loose the tongue before sticking to the jawes and make it wonderfull eloquent Esay expoundeth this riddle saying Chap. 35. 5. Then shall the the Cripple skip as the Hart and the tongue of the dumb shall sing Vers 10. I am my beloveds and his desire is towards me The Spouse at length concludeth this place as if she should say It needeth not that we should stand reckoning up every thing that condition briefly shall be such that the Church with all study and desire shall be altogether affected and consecrated to Christ and shâ—ll find him again so kinde and loving as if he wholly applied himself to this only Care Vers 11. Come my beloved let us go forth into the field let us â—odgâ— in the villages or among the Cypresse trees So much of the first calling now followeth the second that which remaineth of the Chapter is a preparation of this second calling which doth wholly set forth the Spouse her inviting the Bridegroome into the countrey shewing that these first fruits of the Jewes shall burne with great desire to win the rest of their nation and shall not cease till they bring it to passe But why doth the Spouse desire the countrey Is she weary of the city or doth desire a more fresh ayre Indeed they that are long pend up in the city are wont often times for their mindes sake to avoid company and desire solitary rest but this going into the fields or villages seeketh not pleasure so much as it stirreth up to new work and labour If she had desired it to avoid the heat of the Sunne or for pleasant banquetting whereto serveth this lodging abroad She therefore goeth a hunting not to catch wilde beasts but men very many Iewes were yet busied in the countrey without the holy City for whom all this watching and trouble shall be undertaken that they may be gathered into one sheeâ—fold and fitted into one body of Christ with their brethren This vocation shâ—ll so much exceed the former as the open fields exceed the city or the whole multitude a small company Daniel Chap. 12. 12. appointeth the time thereof 45. yeers after the first which will happen about the yeer 1700. The exact time cannot be set downe it is enough for us if we come neer the truth Vers 12. Let us get up early to the vineyards let â—s see if the vines flourish whether the tender grapes appear and the Pomegranats â—ud forth there will I give thee my love That which the Bride lately entreated now she urgeth with certain reasons The end of the journey and the full acquaintâ—nce in this verse The perfection of all delights in the veâ—se following The end of being in the country is that she might arise earlâ— to the vineyard It was some trouble to watch among the Cypresse trees but this addeth more to go forth so early to the vines wherein we learn her chiefest care was in gathering these citizens of the second order wherein she spared no labour or diligence she will goe into the country not refusing the tediousnesse of the long journey she will endure the discommodity of watching in the villages and that nothing be wanting by her will she will arise early in the morning to dispatch the businesse and which is more to be admired whiles yet no harvest appeareth which might worthily require the painfull labour Esay mentioneth this desire when after the fore-shewed great glory of the reformed and much adorned spouse beholding in the Spirit the full conversion of the whole nation he cryeth out Go thorovv go thorow â—he gates prepare you the vvay of the people cast â—p cast up the highvvay gather out the stones lift up a standard for the people Chap. 62. 10. By which doubled words he sheweth their incredible desire ofgathering the reliques and bringing them into one Church The vines grapes and Pomgranates are the elect of the Iews whose prone readines to imbrace the truth is like a moâ—t pleasant spring the elect had tried their winter which deprived them of fruit and leaves that they could scarce be known from dead trees The second member of the verse sheweth another reason of going into the country There saith she I will give my loves to thee that it is to say I will shew my self freely to thee that thou mayest delight thy self in my company for to give one my love honestly and shamefastly is to give him full power over me Therfore the glory of Christs Kingdom shall not be full till this rustication Vers 13. The Mandrakes give a smell and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits nâ—w and old which I have laid up for thee O my beloved Mandrakes saith Pliniâ— have a strong smell but here is no commendation of the sent but mention is made of it only to shew the budding and growth thereof It is a cold herb drowsie and lateward it seems it grew in the fields in the land of Canaan Ruben found Mandrakes in the field Gen. 30. 14. They are also opposed in this place to those more delicate fruits which are planted neer the house as
the Lumbards 56. yeers which at first were heathen and after Arrians and had but a part of the Empire In this time the Visigothes ruled in Spaine the Aleins in Guines and Gascoine the French men in the residue of France the Vandalls in Africke the Sâ—xons in Britain the Ostrogoths in Mise and Hungarie the Herules and Turinges in â—talie and Rome Only the name of the Empire remained with Zeno in the East Transamundus King of the Vandalls in Africke banished 220. Bishops Ann. 459. About the time was great alteration of States and Kingdomes Carolus magnus overthrowing the Gothes and Vandalls with Alaricus and the Lumbards was by Pope Honorius made Emperour of the West Anno 802. Mâ—lancthon and Lanqâ—et So from Augustulus to Carolus Magnus the Empire was void 325. yeers wherein saith Eraesmus Antichrist was to arise Downam Napier and Brightman say he rose when Constantine removed the Empire out of the way to Constantinople It is true then the whore conceived the monster but she bore him in her womb 35. yeers before she brought him forth to the fight of the world 2. Thess 2. He that withheld was taken away by Constantine 311 when he overthrew Dioclesian Maxentius and Maximinian the last of those Dragons neither is he there said presently to appear or be borne into the world Chap. 13. 11. and 12. The second Beast after his rising causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first Beast whose deadly wound was healed These were the Emperours as Phocus who gave the first title of universall-Bishop to Boniface the third Bale saith he was a Britain first named Wenefridus Anno. 606. Pepin and Charles the great who gave great revenews to Leo the third But these were of the Race of the second Beast and not of the Dragon About 100 yeers after the death of Charles the Roman Empire came to Otho the first German Emperor Ann. 9â—6 After in 996. the Eel ctors of the Empire were ordained by Pope Gregory the seventeenth and Otho the third Neither were Boniface or Leâ— the first Beast as some take it for the two Beasts were bred and born long before as hereafter will plainly appear Thus much shall suffice to distinguish between the Dragon the Beast the false prophet and the whore Rev. 20. 2. The Dragon called also the devill and Satan is bound for 1000. yeers his first binding by Constantine continued untill Zadok the first Emperour of the Turks which was 1310. This dragon began to breed Anno 1051. but was not of full growth untill Ottaman the first Emperour Anno 1300. Then the Dragon and Satan compassed the tents of the Saints and the beloved city Rev. 20. who were the Christians In this time the Christians recovered again Ierusalem and held it 92. yeers Chap. 11. 3. The two witnesses 〈◊〉 and their corpes lying in the streets of the great city unburied three dayes and a half is expounded by Brightman to be the decree of the Councell of Trent the Pope and Charles the fifth dated the eight of April 1546. Calling the scriptures a dead letter as Pope Innocent had before decreed And so the scriptures were but as a dead corpes for the space of three yeers and a half Sleydan untill the coming of Mauritius and the men of Magdeburg who made the said councell to â—â—ie the ninth of November 1549. This councell continued by fits 17 or 18 yeers The Emperour with the consent of his brother Ferdinando and the Princes of Germany suffered the Scriptures again to be read in their mother tongue by a decree at Ausburg the seventh of October 1555. when the two witnesses were set again upon theiâ— feet Chap. 11. 13. And then the tenth part of the city is said to fall which was England Denmark Swetia and a great part of Germany fell then away from the Romish Religion or sea Napier takes it to be meant of the councell of Constance which began Anno 1414. These two witnesses are to prophesie 1260 dayes clothed in sackcloth which are so many yeers and then they are to be slain Wherefore they must not begin at Constantines time as Napier and Brightman suppose but a little after his death at the Councell of Ariminum where above 200. good Bishops opposed the multitâ—de of the Arrians Lanquet saith it was held Anno 361 Melanâ—thon 362 from thence the 27 of September it was removed to Seleâ—cium From whence adding 1260 yeers it will fall out to be about 1620 or 1621. About which time was the losse and fall of those two famous Churches of Bohemia and the Palatinate or if you will the great afflictions that fell on the two Churches of France and Germany which caused a great rejoycing among Papists in all places But if I might see them upon their feet again either in Anno 1624 or 25. I shall be confident it was meant of them Parker who wrote upon the crosse and died at Frankford saith by learned Brightmans leave that by the Angel powring out his viall on the sun is meant some great affliction to fall upon some Church And the Angel shewing Iohn the destruction of the whore out of the wildernesse meaneth that he which shall destroy Rome his country must be first made a wildernes which he saith is some Protestant or Lutheran State Chap. 12. 14. The time times and half a time must agree with the sixth verse of the twelfth chapter where the woman is fed in the desart 1260. dayes which make three yeers and a half Also they say it was the custome of the Prophets to account yeers by moneths weeks and dayes as Num. 14 34. Ezeâ—h 4. 5 6. The 70. weekes in Daniel must of necessity be 490. yeers 40. dayes and Nineveâ— shall be destroyed Ionah 3. 4. which came to passe just 40. yeers after by Cyaxares And thirteene yeers before the desolation of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar Eusebius Of the times of the alteration of States Nineveh the Imperiall city of the Assyrians was distant from Jerusalem north-east 648. miles And Anno mundi 3238 and before Christ 730. Merodach a Chaldean slew Senacharib and his sonne Asarhaddon and made the Aâ—syrians subject to the Babylonians Babylon is 680. miles from Ierusalem towards the east About 536. yeers before Christ Babylon was taken by Cyrus And so the Empire of the Babylonians came to the Persians Persepolis their chief city was from Ierusalem 1240 miles towards the east about 302. yeers before Christ Alexander magnus overcame Darius and translated the Empire to the Grecians Their chief city Philippi was distant from Ierusalem 954 miles north-east A little before Christs time Iuliâ—â— gat thâ— name of Emperour but it was setled in Augustâ—â— at the birth of Christ So much of the sâ—cond of Daniel 1. In the eleventh chapter the two witnessâ—s prophesie clotheâ— in sackcloth 1260. dayes In the twelfth chapter the woman is nourished in the wildernesse 1260. dayes 2. In the eleventh the holy city shall they tread
swear to me by the Roes and Hindes of the field that if by your fault ye drive away my love from my imbracing Those Roes and Hindes shall revenge it on you with deserved punishment Not that it is lawfull to swear by enemies or by any other then God but figurativesy by the forme of an oath she teacheth it should be as certain that the citizens of the Church should avoid all grievous offences with no lesse diligent heed namely for fear of the enemies among whom they lived then if a convenant had been undertaken of that matter and confirmed by an oath wherefore the history of this oath is the rest of the time of the captivitie Vers 8. It is the voiâ—e of my wâ—lbeloved behold he â—ommeth leaping by the mountaines and skipping by the hills Now after the seventy yeers captivity followeth the delivery whose prepartion a far off is contained in this the verse following consisting of a threefold circumstance Of the voyce of her beloved His swift coming and his presence The voyce of my beloved Shee falleth into this speech abruptly as if she had heard the voyce of her beloved â—alling her from a far off and had been smitten with a sudden joy for the newnesse of the matter even that which she chiefly desired Now in this whole preparation King Cyrus representeth the person of her beloved whom God had stirred up to deliver the Church Then after a long time was the voyce of the beloved first heard when the rumor began to be spred abroad that the Medes and Persians would make war against Babylon The Prophets noted out Cyrus by name many yeers before that when they should heare him preparing for war they might not doubt but it was the voyce it self of the beloved Isay 44. 28. Thus saith the Lord of Cyrus He is my Shepheard and shall performe all my pleasure and 45. 1 2 3. Thus saith the Lord to his anoynted Cyrus whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations c. that thou mayest know that I the Lord which call thee by thy name am the God of Israel But the report was spred far and wide before the Kings brought their hosts to Babylon Isay 21. 3. I was bowed down at the hearing of it I was dismaied at the seeing of it my heart panted c. under the person of the Babylonians And Jeremiah 50. 43. The King of Babylon hath heard the report of them and his hands waxed feeble anguish took hold of him And 51. 29. As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth But this voyce so fearfull to the Babylonians was most pleasant and acceptable to the oppressed and banished Church Now for the swiftnesse of his comming it is said Hee came leaping as it were hastning over the Mountains on stilts so passing over the little hils that hee did not at all touch them In this manner was the comming of Cyrus swift and sudden How much businesse he brought to passe after he once undertook it he subdued the Armenians and Craesus the Lydian in a trice the Hyrcanians Bactrians Susians Carians Phrygians and Cappadocians he scarce touched with the tops of his toes they so readily yeelded to him of their own accord See Herodotus Clio Xenophon Cyropaed Vers 9. My wâ—lbeloved is like a Roe or a young Hart lo he standeth behind our waâ—â— looking forth of the windows shewing himself thorow the grates The first part of this verse declareth the swiftnesse of the coming of Cyâ—â—s the later part part describeth his presence and that by three circumstances His standing behind the wall his looking thorow the window and shewing himself thâ—row the grates All which set forth unto â—s tho beâ—ieging of Babylon by Câ—rus and Darius for these mountains and hils quickly past over the Tents were pitcht at the walls of Babylon there Cyrus stood a while behind the wall doubting what to do his retinue charging him and nothing prospering after his desire at length hee looked forth thorow the letties of the windows that is hee took crafty counsell and considered secretly how he might gain the City when turning the river Euphrates he brought his army into the City by the channell so privily that the City was take before any force of battery was felt Neither should any marvell that the name of the beloved is given to a heathen King for what and soever the Church hath the beloved himself yeeldeth it but hee useth divers instruments on whom hee bestoweth his own Name that all help may be properly understood to be of him whose name the instruments beare Vers 10. My welbeloved spakâ— and said unto me Arise my Love my fair one and come away Such was the preparation farther off that which is neerer followeth First declared universally in this verse then severally by parts in the verses following This sweet and pleasant salutation hapned at that time when Babylon was taken and Balshazzer slain the Medes and Persians obtaining the Empire See how the Edict of Câ—â—us of delivering the people agreeth with this pleasant calling Ezra 1. 3. 4. Who is there among you of all his people his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judâ— and build the house of the Lord God of Israel hee is the God whiâ—h is in Jerusalem And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sâ—â—ourneth let the men of his place help him with silver and with gold and with goods and with beasts besides the free-will offering for the house of God which is at Jerusalem Here the welbeloved boasteth or glorieth in the beauty of the Spouse and while he breaketh the bonds of her servitude and giveth her leave to depart hee maketh proclamation Arise and come away And verily though Ezra a most learned Priest relateth that matter for the worthinesse of it most plentifully in the whole Chapter yet there the thing done is scarce more plainly declared then it is here foretold to be done Vers 11. For behold Winter is past the rain is changed and is gone away The severall explication is manifested either in removing the hindring causes in this verse or by setting down the helping causes in the two verses following Winter or the violent storme is changed This Winter is twofold proper and figurative properly it teacheth that about the end of Winter the people prepared for their return stirred up thereunto by the Edict of Cyrus which may be confâ—â—med by probable reason for their first feast after their return was the Feast of Tabernacles To the celebrating of which Feast somâ— time passed before the people could come together scattered through the fields and Cities Ezra 3. 1. Then after certain yeâ—rs Hezra himself departing from Babylon with a readier or more prepared band spent four Moneths in the journey Hezra 7. 9. whence it is likely that those first betook themselves to the journey in the beginning of the
the rebukes of the Doctors the curses of the Popes the condemning of the Emperour the conspiracies of Princes the confiscation of goods the danger of life and all other things threaâ—ning present death could have terrified the Spouse from proâ—eâ—â—ing her beloved faith had bin utterly lost The Spouse claimeth her beloved to be hâ—â—s in the words of Melanâ—thon to Prince Frederick Let us go on coâ—stantly howsoever the world rage Such was the mutuall imbracing of Christ and the Church at that time Verse â— Thou art beautifâ—ll O my love as Tirâ—aâ— comely as Jerusalem terrible as aâ— Jerusalem Army with Banners The explanation of this verse is divided into three times The Beginning Middle and End In the beginning she was faire as â—iâ—â—â—h which Solomon without doubt foresaw should be the chiefe City of the Israelites after the ten Tribes fell from the other two It was a pleasant City whence it tooke the name 1 Reg. 14. 17. but as-well by the estimation of men as in truth it was but a l ortresse of Robbers and rebels And no other was the Church esteemed to be of her enemies when her beloved went downe into his garden and some time after but a rebellious City disobedient to â—rinces and Governors and to carry a cerâ—aine show of Tirzah And thus the Church remained like unto Tirzah from the yeere 1529. when the Argentinenses joyned with the Helvetians till the death of Charles the 5. in the yeere 1558. And then she began to be â—omely as Ierusalem when the unpleasant name of Tirzâ—h grew out of use which hapneâ— in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths Raign in England in the yeere 1558. And in the yeere following in Scotland Geneva the Helvetian and German Churches in Denmarke Norway and Sweveland and other places of the reformed Religion Not that they were altogether free from hostile invasion great troubles shortly arising in France and the Low-countries yet partly by her own increase partly her adversaries tyred and ceasing somewhat from outward force she was so much exalted that her very enemies could not but admire her beauty and comelinesse whose beginnings they despised The last age of the restored Church is terrible as an Army with Banners She shall bestow all her time in warlike preparations and undertakings For the hellish furies will not suffer her enemies to reâ—t neither will she endure her selfe to be rent and torne by the Wolves but resist the injury with an armed hand Whereby she shall become fearefull to her enemies as she hath done these many yeeâ—es in England France and the Low-Countries But this is nothing to that terrour which shall shortly follow when Antichrist himself and his Ensign-bâ—arer the King of Spaine and all that carry his marke shall be so dâ—â—troyed by the Spouse that no mention of theâ—â—â—all remaine Vers 4. Turn â—way thine eyes from me for they have overcome me thy Layre is as a flock of Goats that appeare from Gilead Now she enters into a speciall comâ—endation of ceâ—tain members whereby the civill government of the Church may the better be understood This cleernesse of sight without doubt was shewed in the doctrine of Justification by faith whereby the Church not with squint but right eyes beholdeth Christ and all his righteousnes and excelleâ—cy And whatsoever excelleth in the judgement of the world to be losse and dung to it Phil. 3. 8. This eye was very dim in former times untill Martin Luther divinely drew away those darke scales For he wiped away all humane satisfaâ—â—ionâ— merits supererogations indulgences confidence in their own received wicked superstitions and shewed the yoke of the law to be more grievous then all the Popes Buls were able to uphold neither afterwards could the wicked Councel of Trent nor the Germane Interim forged altogether with fraud and deceit dazle the sight of these eyes but that they could discerne the authors of these deceits spreading their nets in vain neither was our Englâ—nd lesse sharp-sighted when not only the Pope but also the Papacie was utterly rejected by the authority of our Josias that most holy King Edward the sixth of blessed memory We see the divine beauty of these eyes which at this day God be thanked is the same in all reformed Churches The common people of the faithfull signified by Hayre is altogether the same as it was in the first Church Chap. 4. 1. scattered contemned put in great danger which yet by no means could be compelled to leave Gilead and returne to Bethaven Vers 5. Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing whereof every one beareth twins and there is not one barren amongst them The Teeth are alwayes taken for the Pastors and Ministers of the Word as Chap. 4. 2. where they were sent forth two and two instructed with the like gifts and messages As Sheep are of a mildâ— and pleasant disposition and far remote from all ambition so should the restored Church shine with faithfull Pastors the true successors of those former adorned with the self-same Ensignes as neer as the time would suffer They which before boasted themselves to be Pastors had altogether cast away the charge of preaching and yet these men would be heires of the Apostles whereas they were strong teeth these filthy rotten bones they Sheep these Lyons But at the length sound teeth sprung up again such as were Luther Melancthon Bucer Zuinglius Oecolampadius Capito Calvin Peter Martyr and many others whose names are written in heaven And verily the truth of this Prophecie seemeth very apparent in the decree made at Geneva in the yeere 1550. namely that the Ministers not only in Sermons which some neglected some heard them with small profit but also severally through houses and families at a certain time of the yeere with a Magistrate of the City should instruct every one and require a reckoning of every ones faith And it is scarce credible what fruit followed as Beza sheweth in the life of Calvin Verâ— 6. As a piece of Pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks This is the fourth agreement of this Church with the first which we have shewed to belong to the Ecclesiasticall and civill government in the use whereof the Church restored should be happy which appeared by the holy Discipline restored again at Geneva by Gods singular benefit together with the Gospel in the yeer 1541. Which wee also see to be done in other Churches at this day as in Helvetia Rhaetia France the low Countries and Scotland wherein the government requiring holinesse of life according to the rule of doctrine the truth flourisheth fruitfullâ— and inviolably But you will say these times which we have described shine not in all Reformed Churches whereunto I answer It is sufficient if we finde some such thing in any one Congregation for this by a common necessity shall belong to the commendations of all And this is the summe of the agreement Vers 7. There are threescore Queens and fourscore
back the buds but at length in fit time the Sun of righteousnesse shall thaw that frozen earth and shall afford a more gentle aire whereby they may breake forth freely Vers 11. Or ever I was aware my soul made me like the Chariots or set me on the chariot of my willing people So shall the people be when Christ shall first visit them Now he teacheth the sufficient ability of the conversion The meaning is that I stand no longer refuting other mens opinions as if he should say I descended indeed into my garden but I verily did suppose no such thing as at length hapâ—ed I expected a stubborn and obstinate people but after that I found them easie and ready to receive me my minde inforâ—ed me to shew my self unto them in stead of chariots whâ—â—ewith I might quickly bring them into the Church and reckon them among her citizens Undoubtedly he added a spurre to them running neither would he be wanting to their study whereby he might supply that which might help forward the begun work Therefore Esay saith He shall bring all your brethren out of all nations for an â—ffering to the Lord with horses and chariots and litters and mules and swift beasts to the hiâ—â— of my holinesse Chap. 66. 20. These chariots seem to be the ready aide that the Gentiles should bring the Jews to recover their former seats But did not Christ know what the study and readinesse of this people should be The things are spoken historically that their conversion should be beyond all expectation for as Esay saith so that thou mayest say with thy minde who hath begotten me these seeing I am deprived and am desolate I have been a captâ—â—e and remain to and fro and who hath brought up these behold I was left alone these where have they been Chap. 49. 21 He sheweth a thing having great admiration for time will reach many things to be in the Prophets which we commonly interpret as though they were past whose event is yet to come and especially as it seemeth to me in the calling of the Jewes which verily little considered of ours hath darkned I will not say perverted the proper and naturall meaning of the Prophets in many places Vers 12. Return return O Shulamite return return that we may look upon thee What will ye see in the Shulamite as it were the company of two Armies The third member of the former câ—uses The effectuall calling Which shall be earnest and thrust on with great enforcement as the twice two doubled words do signifie whether that of Esay sâ—â—meth to belong How beaâ—tifull upon the mountâ—ins are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace that bringeth good tidings of good that publisheth salvation that saith unto Zion Thy God raigneth Thy watchmen c. Chap. 52. 7. 8. It is evident that that whole chapter entreateth of the last calling of the Jewes whose felicity should be eternall never to be interrupted vers 2. He also maketh mention of a threefold captivity The Egyptian the Assyrian and a voluntary vers 3. 4. 5. In which last hapned the most miserable condition of the Jewish people wherein they have been since Christs time For they were in times past inforced into Egyyt by hunger Into Assyriâ— they were drawn by force of war Only the Romanes did not compell them to tâ—rn but they dispersed themselves here and there through the whole world of their own accord Or rather that they were in that place and reâ—koning in this last â—aptivity as held for things of nothing whose greatest worth any man might purchase at the vilest price as Psa 44. 13. And who seethnot his people accounted for nothing in the mâ—ltitude of captives partly sent to the Egypâ—â—an mines partly slain upon the scaffolds of cities where they were compelled to fight eitherwith wild beasts or among themselvs to kill one another as it came to passe at the dcstruction of Ieruâ—alem by Titus Or if Adrian straightly forbad the Iews their country â—oil yet this captivity was free because the Romanes aimed not at any benefit by their service as the Egyptians and Assyrians did but only the quietnesse of the province Christ by the presence of his flesh brought them not deliverance from this captivity but will bring it at length by turning their hearts to the faith But perhaps Saint Paul saith the contrary who applieth the same to the Apostles sent in times past Rom. 10. 15. But I think it will seem otherwise if we well conâ—ider it his purpose in that place is to prevent an offence taken of the Iewes incredâ—lity Now there were chiefly two things which might make the Gentiles doubt The ancient Lawes of the Jewes and the present studie of piety Were not that most like to be the truth which a nation vouchafed so much honour before all others and no lesse fervent as yet with an earnest desire to worâ—hip God should not onely acknowledge but also pursue it most earnestly In the former chapter he opposeth election to the old Law here he entreateâ—h of the study of â—iety where he granteth them zeal but lest any should be deceived with the shew thereof he teacheth how farre distant it is from true piety or Religion The only rightâ—ousnesse of God is the righteousnesse of faith altogether diffâ—ring from the righteousnesse of the Law which alone while the Iewes sought for they obtained not what they desired and in the mean time missed of the truth This effect have the words from vers 3. to vers 14. Then making a difference of saving and legall righteous nesse lest any doubt should yeâ— sticke in their stomackes he teacheth yet a little more plainely why they could not approach to this saving righteousnesse which he saith is cheifly placed in calling upon the Lord vers 13. How saith he shall they call â— that is How shall the Iewes call c. But let us returne to Salomon It is to be observed that these words yeeld two arguments whereby they may appear properly to belong to the Church of the Iews First because the exhortation or incouragement is expressed in a word of returning wherby he granteth thâ—t the Nation which he now calleth had bin before turned away which cannot properly take place in any other but in the Iewish Nation Secondly of set purpose for difference sake he â—alleth hâ—r by her countrey name of the Old Salâ—m Whereas before confessedly through the whole Song he had notified all the â—itizens of the Church gathered together as well of the Gentiles as of the Iewes by the name of daughters of Ierusalâ—m That is to say by this difference it might plainly appeare that he now turned his speech to the old Countrey breed letting alone the new inhabitants which are free in the City by â—hrist Fouâ—thly after the Conversâ—on he sheweth the Shulamite by the sâ—militude of Tents that she â—â—all â—eliver her self by Armes from the power of her enemies whom she now
the end shall not be then at what moment it is to be expected Wherefore that of Christ remaineth without doubt in the same meaning as the words do properly shew The Angells themselves know not the very last day We verily believe this day by faith and have many tokens of its drawing neere but I suppose we fail of any account that may bring us to any neere knowledge thereof If any think I have opened a window to security by removing the bounds of it so far off let him know if the shortnesse of this life and the end uncertain move him not neither will the neerenesse of this day move him any whit at all What matter makes it whether Christ himself come to judgement in the sight of all men or thou be drawne to judgement at his Tribunall Seate or oughtest thou not be carefull of thine own end unlesse the end of the whole world do accompany it Let the wicked be filthy still yet this thought will easily shake off sâ—curity from the godly though this revealed truth may not a little bridle the tongues of the wicked which draw all things into doubt whiles they read of fixed termes in some mens workes and by use learn them to be deceived by conjecture As if the errour of blinde man and such verily are the sharpest sighted in Divine Matters should be a sufficient Argument to subvert the truth of God We may be deceived in obscure things and not plainly delivered to us of purpose yet the Divine Truth doth neither deceive nor is deceived as they too late shall finde which have despised it But let this be an end of this plain exposition A Prayer EXceeding praise be to thee O mercifull Father together with the Sonne and holy Ghost which hast so much respected our infirmity that thou hast vouchsafed to inform us of things to come even to the last end Whereby and by the vse of times past we may be confirmed in thy truth and not run headlong into unforeseen mischiefes in the knowledge of things to come Let not this knowledge vaniâ—â— without fruite I beseech thee but bestow the comfort thereof upon thy Church that she looking into the glory of thy Children may despise all the troubles and deceitfull delights of this life and may constantly proceed to that mark for which the Crowne is laid up in Christ Jesus To whom with thee O Father and with the holy Spirit â—e all honour praise and glory for ever and ever Amen The Popes SPECTACLES Or his CLJMACTERJCALL yeere calculated in August Anno 1623. BRiefe Notes out of severall Expositors of the Revelation touching the rising and fall progresse and finall destruction of the Enemies of the Church with some other observances out of divers writers St. John wrote his Revelation and sent it to the seven Churches in Asia minor now called Natolia He wrote it Anno 97. as Eusebius saith in 99. as Irenaeus saith He dyed under Trajan 109. as most say But Ierome and Nicephorus say in 100. This Prophesie is of things to come and not of things past as is well observed by Master Brightman It is to be observed for the better understanding of this Prophesie what names and Titles the Revelation giveth to the adversaries of the Church which are as followeth The first and last adversaries are called a dragon an open and perverse enemie to Christianity which were the heathen Emperors and now the Turkes as the best expositors understand it The second and third after the Dragon are two beasts the first out of the Sea the second out of the earth The fourth is called a Whore and Babylon chap. 17. 1. and 5. Also that Whore is called the great City c. which in Saint Iohns time was onely Rome The Dragon the first Adversary was destroyed by Constantine the great in overthrowing Dioclesian Maxentius and Maximinian Anno 311. he began his Raigne Anno 306. or 307. After the overthrow of the Dragon a Beast ariseth presently out of the Sea which Brightman expounds erroneous doctrine so likewise hath he Ecclesiasticall Government And in Constantines time Rome was called the first Sea Constantinople the second Alexandria the third Antioch the fourth and Jerusalem the fifth And so the Romanists at this day style the Popes jurisdiction The other beast riseth out of the Earth which is the Popes spirituall and Temporall power or rather his deare friends the Antichristian Emperours because it is said verse 11. that this beast caâ—â—â—th all that dwell in the earth to worship the first Beast which is the Pope for they were his first builders and are his chiefe pillars c. He is likewise called the Beast which was and is not Chap. 17. 11. by which is meant the Romane Empire in the West which lay voide three hundred twenty five yeeres from Augustulus to Carolus Magnus Also the Beast was taken and with him that false Prophet which wrought miracles c. Chap. 19. 20. which seeme to make them to be two distinct persons Thus also is Rome plainely described to be set on seven hills and ruling over the Kings of the earth which make Bellarmine and Râ—bira both Iesuites to confesse that Rome is the Whore there meant Rome also maintaines Idolatrie and Superstition in her Religion Government and Policie which in Scripture is called Whoredome then the Pope is not the Whore but one of the Beasts or Bawds rather if you will to the Whore For example he maintaines Stewes in Rome yeelding him yeerely 40000. Duckets and receiveth yeerely of Curtizans 50000. Duckets and granteth dispensations to his Cardinals to use Sodometry in the three hot moneths of the yeere I would know of any Iesuite whether the Pope can pardon a sinne before it be committed c. As he did Hâ—nry the 8. to marry his brothers wife the King of Spaine his Neece the Arch-dutches Albertus whom she might call Brother Uncle and Cozen. And so I leave it to the indifferent to judge whether he be the Whore the Beast or a Bawd The Whore is said to sit upon a Beast Revel 17. the Pope is this whores only stay and prop quis nescit And so Iunius Napier and Brightman take it but Downam thinks it meant of the Germane Emperours whose punishment and destruction is described Chap. 17. and 18. vers 3. and 4. In the thirteenth chapter it is said that the first beast is wounded and healed by a Dragon before the arising of the second Beast which Dragon some say was Athaulphus that wounded Honorius the Emperour Ann. 414. Others say Odoacer who overthrew Augustulus the last Romane Caesar Another viz. D. Forbes now a Bishop in Scotland saith it was Theodoricus the Ostrogoth Ann. 476. Others Alaricus a Goth that sackt Rome Anno 541. These were all heathen Kings and therefore accounted among the Dragons whereof one healed the first Beast viz. the Pope Quere After this Rome was under the Exarches of Ravenna 197. yeers which were Christians then under
under fooâ— 42. moneths In the 13 th power is given to the Beast to domineer 42. moneths A time times and half a time is expounded three yeers and a half Three yeers and a half contain 4â— moneths which make 1260 dâ—ies thirty dayes to a moneth Now for the time of the fall and destruction of the enemies of the Church By the account of Napier it shall be Anno 1639. Brightman faith before 1650. These two begin at Constantines time But I crave leave of these two worthies to begin 35. yeers after theirs my reasons are Fiâ—st they take the man childe to be Constantine and so do I but it is plain in the text that he is first taken up to God before the womans flying into the wildernesse which came not to passe untill 23. or 26. yeers after the death of Constantine Secondly in his time the Church most flourished and had no cause to hide But Conâ—â—antiâ—â—â— bâ—unty and leaving Rome to the Popes government was the cause that pâ—esently Rome grew proud and turned to be the great whorâ— â—or committing â—ornication with errouâ— and ambition â—he conceived and brought forth two sons that werâ— Beasts yiâ— Constantiâ—â— Emperours and Liberiâ—s Pope both Arriâ—â—s These are the fathers and Grandsires of the two Breasts viz. of all the Antichristian Emperour and Popes following So that it was erâ—our and pâ—rsecution which caused the Church to hide her selâ— The greatest difficulty is to know the time when the womans flying began to free my selâ— from envy and â—avill of Papists and Protâ—stants I will begiâ— at tâ—e Arâ—iaâ— councells And I will begin my computation at the horrible decâ—ee and councell of Antioch Anno 365. And add to it 1260 yeers the time of the womans hiding iâ— the wildernesse and the Beasts time of Domineering it makes 1625. At the end whereof I hope the woman or Church shâ—ll come forth as a virgine and Bride trim d for her husband and see all her enemies trod under foot which I pray God the father of all mercies and the God of all comfort to grant c. But I know many will say my calculation is incredible câ—nsidering the Popes and the Emperours late prevailings together with their and the King of Spaines power I answer The whores plagues are to come upon her at a day Chap. 17. which may well be undeâ—stood of a yeers warning or upon a suddain Also if Babylon be and were an Antitype of Rome as it is apparent Babylon was of an incredible strength and greatnesse The walls were 50. cubits thick and 200 high and 380 furlongs in compasse as Strabâ— saith which makes 48. miles The river Eâ—pâ—â—ateâ— ran thorow it The first founder was Nimrod like Romulus branded with the most perspicuous note of cruelty compelling his vassals like the Pope to worship him with divine woâ—ship and after his death to be honoured for one of the principall gods by the name of Saturne Chap. 18. And â—f Romes destruction be described by the name of Babylon and Babylon was destroyed upon a suddain when they were secure Belshazzar was merry in his cups The same night the city was taken destroyed and so may the Pope for any thing I know And if any ask by whom it shall come to passe It is said Rev. 17. that there are ten horns which are ten Kings who shall hate the whore and make her desolate If any demand who these ten Kings are let them reade Maxwells Iury of 24. Prophets whereof twelve â—re canonized by Popes for Saints Bale reckons them seven in England one in Scâ—tland one in Ireland and one in Wales These saith he shall hate the whore and make her desolate But I will cite two or three of Maxwâ—lls Prophets which are most to the purpose First Paulus Secundus and Grebnerus of Misma the Germane Astrologian He foretelling divers strange things which have since come to passe As the destuction and dissipation of the Spanish fleete in 88. The murther of Henry the third of France the preferment of Henry the fourth to the crown The besieging and winning of Grooning in Friezland and the death of Philip the second King of Spaine in his Sericum mundi filum He also doeth deliver that the Lyon having the rose and the lillies on his armes shall utterly destroy the Pope so that afterward there shall never be any more Pope Thus farre Maxwell out of Grebnerus This that follows of Grebâ—erâ—s is taken out of the Originall in Trinity Library Banner 173. The Romane Scepter and Diademe being laid down or taken away from the house of Austria by fatall necessity being oppressed of the Germanes and Forraigners French English Danish and Swevians flocking and flowing together hence and thence Whence shall a horrible bloody and most sharp battell arise wherewith all Europe being grievously shaken shall tremble and being sundry waies rent and wasted it shall be obnoxious to notable mutations and changes To this battaile and to the making of eruptions into the provinces of the Pomeranes Megapolensians and Danes the King of Swevia of that time shall be invited and drawne by the writings of the Legate of the Romane Sea to which if he shall obey he becomes the neerest Companion or fellow of War but evilly and unluckily by that propinquity or â—eerenesse Wherefore I counsell him to leave Suevia in that state he had received it So himsâ—â—â—e his stocke and Posterity shall quietly and peaceably enjoy it being content with their own condition Wherewith they do Governe they shall preserve their Nation and Subjects and keep them boâ—nd to them in duty But if he shall determine with his heart to perswade his people and to draw them from the way the Lord shall take him away by death And so of or from a Charles a Great Charles reigning is made who with great successe and fortune shall rule the Northerne people and as an Enemie fight luckily with hiâ— Navie against the Spanish power and Tyranny and their Navie or Armado And together with other Christian forces conjoyned shall fight stoutly and fiercely But God doth call out of this life the Popish wife of the King from whence the Romane High Priest shall conâ—eive great â—errour which shall the more mâ—rease and presse when Charles the King himself shall oppose Antichrist and bee adverse unto him and shall joyne his forces to the Bands of the Germanes and other neighbours and oppugne or fight against the Spanish Diademe And then the Swevian shall use his Navie with most happie successe and his people by Land and by Sea against the Enemie Bohemia doth feâ—le tumults and warlike noyses with a great falling away of her people At that time the last Caesar of the house of Austria shall put on the nose of the Elector of Saxonie Spanish sraâ—dulent deceiptfull flattering and treacherous Spectacles The nature of which spectacles at laft he knowes and by experience is taught that these spectacles of the house of Austria are colloguing or