he Id. in Apoc. 17. writes Cum liber signatus puta Apocalypsis sit prophetia de futuris in fine mundi c. Seeing the Book of the Revelation is a prophesie of things to be done in th' end of the world under Antichrist it follows that these things are to be understood of the City of Rome which shall be towards th' end of the world consequently saith he Rome must return to her pristine splendor Idolatry c. And further Hii odient fornicariam c. these shal hate the Whore that is Babylon i. e. Rome saith this Jesuite To them subscribes Suarez and confirms it in these words Sub Suar. T. 2. Qu. 59 Disput 56. Sect. 2. aenigmate purpuratae Meretricis Apoc. 17. exprimitur Roma c. Vnder the figure of Babylon Apoc. 17. is represented Rome as 't is manifest from the last words of the Chapter And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth for no other City had then universal dominion besides Rome And concerning her ruine thus he Idem contra Praef. monit Doctis Regis Jacobi l. 5. c. 7. writes Desolatio Romae quae praedicitur Apoc. 18. erit sempiterna c. The desolation of Rome foretold Apoc. 18. will be perpetual therefore 't is certain that this prophesie was not fulfill'd in any of the former destructions or calamities that befell Rome Thus Suarez one of the chiefest late Writers of that side To these I might add Lessius Salmeron Tirinus Estius Malvenda Alcasar with their two Cardinals Baronius their Annalist and Bellarmine their Goliaâ— to make up the Jury full who all unanimously agree and give up their verdict that Rome is signified and figur'd under the name of Babylon yea and divers of them affirm that she being guilty of the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus must be burnt with fire and made desolate by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power strength unto the Beast before th' end of the world But their words at present I omit and refer the Reader to their Writings and Commentaries on the Thess Apoc. and other Scriptures relating to this particular or to the Treatise entituled Romae Ruina finalis An. D. 1666. c. 4. where he may finde them and others with their words and judgements in this matter cited and produced at large And now I submit it to the judgement of the Reader to determine whether of the twain have delt more fair and honest in this particular the deluded Jesuits or blasphemous horrible Familists and resume the consideration of this excellent Author his incomparable writings 21. After he had laid before Q Eliz. the absolute necessity of Repentance and shewed what graces she must attain and way she must walk in to obtain that everlasting Crown and Inheritance promised the Fathers and all their faithful Seed he thus Advert to Q. Eliz. p. 51. 52. concludeth And this is the generation of the Counsel wisedome of God the true description of all her Children which if you understand and do thereafter then shall you discern those reprobate times and save your self from the visitation to come What man is he that travelling by desert places and seeing the day at his going down hasteth not to recover his Inn for fear leâ—t the night leave him in distresse Hasten then after the Counsel and Correction of God while yet the Day lasteth for behold the Night commeth And these are all which I advertise you few as they be and simple as they go yet if truth deceive me not their right understanding is far finer Gold then is your Scepter and much more honouraâ—le then your Fathers House And this shall be for a SIGN that I speak not of my self Behold the Mountain which you fear so much I mean the Beast the Man of sin Lucifer son of the morning the Horn that hath so many hundred years blasphemed Heaven and oppressed Earth behold I say though now he be so great as that he makes the Earth to tremble and shake with a word only the very roots of Kingdomes the time hasteth and is at hand wherein he shall be made so little as neither name nor remnant of him nor son nor sons son shall be found upon the Earth For his days are numbred sign'd and seal'd up in the Book of God and yet Seaventy and seven Viz. 77. years which added to 1589. the year wherein this Author writ that Treatise reacheth to the year 1666. days and his number 666. shall be fulfilled And all his Princes his Sorcerers and multitudes of People which now rejoyce and clap their hands drunken with the whordoms and prosperity of Babel shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands as fast for Beltis their God is dead And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion c. 22. In which passage this is remarkeable that he gives this for a SIGN that he speaks not of himself namely the destruction of Rome in 1666. By which 't is clear that he puts the credit and truth of those other great and weighty matters throughout his writings concerning the Principles of the doctrine of Christ regeneration way to salvation so much now questioned and gainsaid upon this conclusion that is to say to be receiv'd as the very truth if that come to passe but rejected if not as if he had said If iâ— come not to passe that Rome the Seat of Antichrist be destroyed and burnt with fire by the Kings of the earth that formerly had given their power and strength to the Beast at th' end of 77 years after this viz. in the year Apoc. 17. 666. then look upon my writings as no other then my own private conclusions But if you see the judgement foretold executed on that great City in that year 666. then receive what I have writ as the truth concerning those other things far more excellent of greater concernment then this But hitherto his writings have bin by all sober discerning Christians that have seen them receiv'd and imbrac'd as a great Treasure containing in them most spiritual and heavenly truths consonant and agreeable to the doctrine of Christ his Prophets and Apostles And p. 32. To the Church of Rome he saith And this is the high and holy one To the Church of Rome p. 32. that beareth record with his poor Servant that wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighs and tears And that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out uuto you testifying with him these things are true And p. 19. he asks his Adversaries Which of you reproveth him that writeth of a lie And yet none of them ever answer'd or convinc'd him of a lie though divers whereof some now living have in vain attempted it to their
tragicall succession of all the Eagles wings from her first fether Iulius Caesar in whom the power of her pride began to the third Valentinian with whom it ended who after they had shewed themselves and trodden downe the earth 500 and 30 years they departed for ever the stage of this world al their pomp and glory descended appeared no more And here my pen like to th' earth which being delivered from her oppressors did thirst to be refreshed so having overcome this part of her task did think to find some ease but in their hopes they are both deceived for after the Eagles fethers descended the sorrows of the earth increased more and more and there arose as seldomes comes the better a race of Sodomiticall and unnatural Kings who under the visar of Successors to Peter and Vicars to the Lambe so far excelled the whordoms of their fathers the Emperors whose Vicars and Successors indeed they are that they inforced the highest to pour his determined vengeance upon the children of men Who according to the judgement fore-denounced by his servant Iohn Poured out his wrath upon the Sea that it became like to the blood of the dead that is Revel 16. to say upon the great City and Empres of the world by scourge after scourge how often and grievous in the â—iew of her contrary fethers may appear so at the full avenging himselfe there was not a drop of Roman blood to be found on earth these many hundred years And as the defection and uncleannes wasâ— generall so was the punishment for as the Apostle in the same cha prophesied The wrath of the highest was poured out upon Revel 16. the rivers and fountains likewise and they were turned into blood also that is upon all people and nations whatsoever in such sort as there is not a Kingdom this day on earth to be found that hath not been since the rising of the beast cut down by sword and yeelded her stock to strange griffs as by the bloody Registers of every particular nation doth so cleerly appear as if it were written with the beams of the sunne And as the days were evill above measure so they exceeded in darknes and ignorance that my pen hath no lesse trouble to be delivered of the rest of her labour then had the then-dwellers on earth to indure the pains of their oppression and travel but to take into my way again the Prophet addeth Nor the two wings Figuring by the two wings the two first contrary fethers Alaricus and Attalas The first arose in the 19 of Honorius predecessor to the third Valentinian And was the first that slew the great City the murtheres of all the world measuring â—â—er by famine sword and fire according to the square whereby she had judged others almost twelve hundred years Which wofull end or rather beginning of her wofâ—â—ll end made a certain ancient friend of hers bewâ—iling the night wherein she was smitten to cry Nocte Moab capta est nocte cecidit murus eius quis cladem illius noctis quis funera fando explicet And when this fether Hierout had thus trodden down the pride of the Eagle in the year 410. a 1157 years after Romulus had raised her wals with the blood of his brother proceeded to rip up her bowels spoyling and burning her principall parts Latium Campania Apulia Luâ—ania Calabria where raging in his highest thoughts devising how to spread his glory over all was by sodain death blown away and his place appeared no more Th' other arose in the 27. of the third Valentinian in greater fear then did the first devouring at his entrance all that rest of Italy which Alaricus had left uneaten Aquileia Verona Mantua Cremona Brixia Concordia with all the now territory of Venice but by the cunning dealing of the deceitfull King whose name was then Pope Leo was entreated to sell the great City and to depart Italy which he left as a wast stinking in her fiery ruins and so repassing the Danub returned into his Scythia again where the year following in top of his fulnâ—s was in a night found strangled in his own blood whereinto he was dissolved by th' intemperate use of a wedding feast and a new Spouse And thus perished this son of Mundzuccus the scourge of God and terrour of men for so he called himselfe and which not only the fiâ—rs of Italy but his very shape may well justifie for he is described a man of little stature square set great head little eyes thin hair'd thinner bearded a nose great and prominent his colour fowl and gypson like Ver. 23. And there was no more upon the Eagles body but two heads that rested and six wings And there were no more triumphing fethers to be found on her for all her glorious power was descended to two weak and feeble heads which for they reigned not in the strength of their predecessors the Prophet dayneth not to call ruling fethers but resting heads Th' one slept in th' east at Constantinople whom Gen. Martiâ—n serick the third contrary fether not long before had dishonorably taken prisoner Th' other in the west at Ravenna taken with such a Valontin Lethargy that he neither heard nor felt the Massacre of Ungary committed by Hunns nor the loud and pitifull cry of his chiefest provinces Spain and Africa devoured by Gothes and Vandals nor the tears and deep lament of Gaul and Britain overflown with Franks and Angles people from beyond the Rhene who not onely with their blood and posteritie but with their name also have stain'd both Kingdoms to this day So as the Prophet well concludeth there was no more to be found upon th' Eagles body but these two drowsie heads which rested and six contrary fethers viz. 1 Genserique 2 Odoacer 3 Theodorick 4 Totilas 5 The Longbards 6 And th' intestine faction Of which in the verses following Ver. 24 Then I saw also the two wings divided themselves from the six and remained under the head that was upon the right side but the four continued in their place And the Prophet saw that two of the six divided themselves in counsel manner of proceeding from th' other four for whereas the four sought to be Lords of Rome in fee resolving in their thoughts t' extinguish the name and majesty of her Empire for ever these 2. were of an other mind for they agreed to remain under the countenance favour of th'eagles right head contented to wear a crown tho with leave of it meaning by the right head th' east Empire so called in regard it was far stronger in power then the west whose broad-speading honor as in the verse foregoing was now become a starv'ling only his name and appellation continued some ten successions viz. 1 Valentinian 2 Maximus 3 Avitus 4 Majorianus 5 Severus 6 Anthemius 7 Olybrius 8 Glycerius 9 Iulius Nepos 10 Momyllus Which all also vanished as before is Toucht in 20
years And th' Eagles pomp which was at full in Augustus was interred with Augustulus for so was Momyllus called and with him descended the name and title of Imperium Romanum for ever And the two wings thus divided in policy from the the four were Genserick and Theodorick Of which the first trained into Italy by treason of th'Empres entred Rome 43. years after she had been humbled by the Goths and led into captivity all her treasure and as is the fatal reward of such offenders the traitres also her selfe And after 14 days thus loaden departed into his Africa again where-over he reigned in peace and pleasure 51 years Th' other having obtained of th'east-head the scepter of Italy according to his patent proceeded and got it by Conquest from Odoacer But after he had reigned there-over 30 years descended also leaving his 494. fame and kingdom to his posterity having fulfild his pleasures 42 more But this Counsel pleased not th' other 4. for as the verse concludeth they remained in other thoughts drifting in their place to rise and reigne without leave or license of any Ver. 25. So I looked and behold the under-wings thought to set up themselves and to have the rule And as the Prophet beheld the four contrary fethers which were left he saw how they also strove in their hearts to establish themselves but like a dream their purpose vanished in the next immediate ver following Ver. 26. Then was there one set up but shortly it appeared no more Then arose Odoacer the first of the four leading a people begotten in the bowels and inmost parts of the North who hearing of the divided and weake estate of the Empire was encouraged to move from beyond 476. the Danub in much fear blood descended into Italy slew her last Lord and Emperor Momillus Augustulus destroyed the name of her Consuler dignity and blotted â—ut for ever the memory of her holy Senate the murderer of Romulus their first King and Julius their first Keysar and not daring as base begotten to put on the presence and stile of an Emperor which name this fether fatally resisted contented himself with the title of King of Italy But his glory indured not for after he had reigned eighteen yeers Theodorick as in the 24 verse took his Kingdom from him by force and his lise by fraud and he descended and appeared no more Ver. 27. And the second was sooner gone then the first After him arose Totilas the second fether of the four by birth a Spaniard by blood a West-gothe whose fearfull fires burn in Rome to this day but these daies were more in trouble and as the Prophet fore-saw in number fewer then Odoacers from his first rising alway in arms and after many hopes and as many dispaires was at last put to flight by Narses whom the East-head had made Governour of Italy and flying was wounded so deadly that as soon as he gat his Inne he lost his life after he had worne the Crown if to fight for a Crown be to wear a Crown 11 yeares Ver. 28. Then I beheld and loe the two that remained did think also in themselves to reign So as of all th' eight there remained but th' Longâ—bards and th' intestine faction which thought also in themselves to reigne The fâ—rst in flamed by the letters of Narses and with the goodness of Italy left their northern denns and like a fearfull storme fell downe upon it and in two yeares overthrew it crowning their Leader Alboinus 570 King thereof at Milan who after he had spread himselfe over the great City and over all her Italy three years and a halfe was murthered by the treason of Rosamond his wife leaving his Kingdom but not his honor to his successors who possessed it for 24. generations The eight and last and of all other the most dangerous was a home conspiracy plotting to raise from the dead th' ancient long-before buried government of Rome to reedifie her S. P. Q. R. and to root out the Priestly preheminence and Church-superiority which had so cunningly eaten and destroyed the secular which faction after it had taken fire in the hearts of many and secretly burned a long time at length brake out like the fury and violence of a risen stream so as it might not be quencht but with much blood and exceeding labour as in the 31. verse appeareth Ver. 29. But whilst they so thought behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest which was in the midst for that was greater then the two And whilst they thus thought behold there awaked one of the three Kingdoms appointed to finish and end the wickednesse of th' Eagle figuring by this resting head the new west Empire which title of Supremacy the beast bestowed as hath been alwayes his practise to run with the strongest upon Charls King of France and son to Pepin the Traitor This head is said to be awaked when it was first raised which was in the year 801. wherein it received his Augustal robe his crown and stile viz. Carolo Augusto a Deo Coronato magno piissimo Imperatori Romanorum vita victoria And the title of dignity Imperiall which had laien dead above three hundred years was in this year on Christmas day thus raised up to life again to the end it might defend the proceedings of the great adulteres and murderes of the earth as by the form of oath exhibited at his consecration appeareth In nomine Christi spondeo atque polliceor ego A. Imperator coram Deo beato Petro Apostolo me protectorem ac defensorem fore bujus Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae in omnibus utilitatibus quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio pro-ut sciero poteroque In that this head is said to be in the midest is meant that it should be chosen from among the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth as by experience hath been proved First from France then from divers Kingdoms and parts of Germany where it still remaineth And that the fear and power of this head hath been greater then any other Christian King or Kingdome whatsoever is it not sufficiently read in the particular registers of every Nation Vers 30. And I saw that the two heads were joyned there-with By the two heads are shadowed the two Kingdoms of France and Spaine whose unhallowed league the Prophet fore-seeing saith they should be joyned with this middle-head and like three parts in one accord and agree together to humble themselves their authority and power before the beast and for their idolshepheard should fight against the Highest till by the breath of his mouth they be scattered like the dust which the winde disperseth And these are the three heads mentioned in the first fourth and ninth verses of this chapter and are therefore said to finish and determine the last end and wickednesse of the whore because tho all other Kingdoms hate her and make her desolate and naked and
others before them at his instigation have done the cause whereof I shall now a little enquire into When this unwearied Enemy of mankind after whose ruine he thirsteth perceived that by means of the wonders lies and delusions of Antichrist a great multitude even the third part of the sons of men were to be Apoc. 9. 18. subdu'd and invassal'd to him and so perish he took care to conceal him and give in a wrong and false information of him to the world well knowing that many would follow him headlong to destruction being partakers of his sins must also partake of his misery and judgments who otherwise had they understood who he was might have been aware of his Deceipts and escaped Wherefore he craftily infused into mens minds a false notion of Antichrist setting him out in counterfeit lying colours one while perswading the world that he must be a Spirit otherwhile that he should be Nero who in th' end of the world a little before the Day of judgment should be rais'd up to torment th' inhabitants of the Earth And then which most prevail'd that he must be a Jew of the Tribe of Dan and at 30. years old appear with a vast Army and in three civil years and an half over-run and subdue all the Kingdomes of Europe and bring in subjection most of th' other habitable parts of the Earth as it is written Power was given to him over all kinreds tongues and Nations and that he should be a most potent Monarch Apoc. 13. 7. far exceeding all that were before him and raign from sea to sea and from the River to th' ends of the Earth and that he must raign in Jerusalem and kill Enoch and Elias and at last mount Oliveâ— cleaving asunder be there swallowed up and sink down quick into Hell with divers other such Legendary fancies as our In Apoc. 13. 18. Author noteth never ment not sent from God And all this hath been chiefly mannag'd and carry'd on by th' art and contrivance of Fryers Monks Jesuits and others sworn Vassals of the Beast on design purpose thereby to raise a dust and cause a mist to darken the truth divert the worlds eye from beholding the great and very Antichrist sitting at Rome and domineering in the Church of God unto a fictitious imaginary one that must never come 19. But all these proving forgeries and devises and the Romanists case being grown desperate and past recovery they are at last befriended by the subtle Familists who have the forehead to affirm in their canting language that Antichrist is the Tower of Babel or the self-will of the Ham-like man c. and that the Babylonish Whore is Sin or the Soul captivated in vanity or the self-born will c. with other like idle ridiculous fancies absurd inventions as you may see in Behmens Mysterium magnum and the rest of his monstrous writings And herein whether the very Jesuits and other learned writers of the Church of Rome have not been far more honest and ingenuous I refer my self to th' impartial Reader For they being convinc'd and overborn by the light of truth and many direct evident places of Scripture do in their Commentaries on the Revelation and other writings confesse the matter and plainly tell us that by Babylon in the Apocalyps is to be understood no other then the very City of Rome in Italy where the Pope now reigns and which they also grant and affirm must be burnt with fire and utterly laid wast before th' end of the world by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power to the Beast Two or three of the chief whereof for the Readers satisfaction and to put the matter out of doubt I shall here produce and cite their very words as they fairly lie in their own writings 20. And first let Ribera the Jesuite speak Scriptores qui aliter interpretati fuerant veritate coguntur nobis favere Romam esse hanc urbem fornicariam vastandam c. The writers Saith Ribera Com. in Apoc. 17. n. 20. 22. he who did otherwise interpret are forc'd by the truth to yield to us that this whorish City to be destroyed and laid wast is Rome Et verba praecedentia Deus dedit in corda eorum ad desolationem incendium Romae pertinent c. And the following words God hath put into their hearts have respect saith he to the desolation and burning of Rome c. And Id. in Apoc. 14. n. 39. elswhere he writeth That under the name of Babylon is to be understood Rome non solum qualis sub ethnicis Imperatoribus olim fuit sed etiam qualis in fine Seculi futura est not only as it was under the heathen Emperors but as it shall be towards th' end of the world Again whereas she saith in her heart I 〈◊〉 a Queen and am no Widow c. he clearly alludes saith Id in Apoc. 18. n. 18. 19. he to the words of Isaiah c. 47. concerning the Chaldean Babylon which was a figure of this second Babylon c. And he addeth concerning her punishment he likewise saith These two things shall come upon thee in one day losse of Children and Widdow-hood But the words of John saith he are not to be taken as spoken of Rome when the Apostle lived but they are to be understood of the latter age of the world when the servants of God are commanded to depart out of her lest they be punished with her c. Thus Ribera To him consents Viega of the same Society Vt intelligeremus saith Blas de Vieg in Apoc. 17. Com. 1. Sect. 3. n. 5. he sermonem esse de urbe Romana c. That we may understand that the words are concerning Rome the Angel concludeth And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth For in St. John's time the City of Rome had command over almost all the Kings of the earth Again Cum fidelibus Id. in Apoc. 18. Com. 1. Sect. 1. n. 16. praecipitur c. When the faithful are commanded to depart out of Rome lest they be involved in her calamity 't is thence evident saith he that not onely Ethnick Rome is there by ment but that which shall flourish in the latter end of the world With them accords Cornelius a Lapide Dico Babylonem saith Cornel. à Lap. in Apoc. 17. 1. he hic Capite sequenti est Roma c. I affirm that Babylon both here and in the following Chapter is Rome as it was in the time of St. John and as it will again â—e in the time of Antichrist In another place thus he Id. in Apoc. 18. 4. writes Audivi aliam vocem è coelo dicentem c. I heard a voice from heaven saying depart out of her my people He warns the Christians saith he to flee out of Rome heathenish in th' end of the world when it is to be destroyed Again
over all the Earth in great feare fitting on it And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intellection these twelve onely both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her as also because they onely were native Romans descended of the Julij Seruij Saluij Flauij c. unlike therein unto the rest which were all or almost all like changeâ—ble stuffe of diverse colours so of diverse Nations Their rising continuance and end is toucht in their proper place And three heads Her three heads are three Kingdomes fore ordaiued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride when all her wings and feathers should faile her And are reserved to execute her last will and finish her Funeralls as shall be hereafter more at full declared Vers 2. And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the Earth and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings And of necessity it must goe well with her whom every wind doth blow to good Witnesse the limits of her territories from Ganges to Gades and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope as testifieth one of her owne which saith that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean and the feare of her name unto the Heavens Vers 3. And I saw that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers but they became little feathers and small And the Prophet saw that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her marking such aâ— intended to root up the Crowne and dignitâ— of her Empire to plant themselves therein and their house for ever But their thoughts prevailed not for as the verse concludeth their power waned and they perished like the rest what those contrary Kings were their number names attempts and end shall be delivered in their place Vers 4. But her heads rested and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t' accomplish and finish the wickednesse of this great City were quiet and at rest as not yet during the raigne of her feathers conceived and brought forth And the Prophet observed that th' one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows yet rested it with them Concerning these three Kings their names their greatnesse and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place Vers 5. Then I saw and behold the Eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon the earth and over them that dwelt therein Vers 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth And the Prophet beheld that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neighbours subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her in such sort as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven that was not either rooted out by her or enforced to receive their Governors from her Vers 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes and spake to her feathers saying Vers 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his owne place and watch by course Vers 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last And the Prophet observed that this powerfull Citie in the dayes wherein over gorged with pride she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes took such order for in evill she was very methodicall that her Kings and Kaysers should neither sleep nor watch that is neither perish nor rule all at once but rise in a successive course as in the verses following is manifested And she further commanded that the three last Kingdomes ordained to conclude the number of her fins should take their ease and not awake till their time appointed Vers 10. Neverthelesse I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body As he that undertakes a dangerous leap doth first retire the better t' advance his strength so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth under the forme of a ten-horned beast signifying thereby that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings for the hornes betoken Kings and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite Aâ—d addeth further that his teeth were of iron his nails of brasse inferring thereby the unresistable force of his lâ—gions and Leaders And proceeding saith that there arose amongst his Kings one of an exceeding strange nature signifying by that one a strange race and succession of Princes far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predecessors obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and brazen nails as did th' Emperors which arose before them but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high blaspheming his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven who by a hidden and unknowne force should subdue the third part of the world meaning all Europe with her Princes By which delineation it is evident that the holy-Ghost accounteth the challenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome all one power all one Empire whether it obtaine the spoile by force or by fraud that is by power of Emperors Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes who should be far unlike them as Daniel himselfe saith And he shall be unliketo he first Meaning in sorme of claiming obtaining and maintaining Jurisdiction not in pride purpose and determination So as wemay behold such an unlikely likenesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters of whom it is said facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen qualem decet esse Sororum And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th' Empire of Rome whence we note that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes teeth and nails our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle with wings fethers and heads whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt as she could no longer flye over all in her proper colours and stile of Roma triumphante devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne for to be high was all her care and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa And this is it which this verse teacheth that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt as the feare of her armes and forces might no longer flie into all Kingdomes commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum lying
eat her flesh as England and others have done yet these three heads shall love her still and to their dying day shall burne in delight with her but when those three and every of them shall also forsake her thâ—re shall not be found either Kingdom or creature under heaven that shall fall downe and worship her Vers 31. And behold the middle head was turned with them that were turned with it and did eat up the two under wings which thought to reigne And the Prophet saw this middle head the head of evill impart his fellowship to all Princes and Kingdoms which desired to be in league with it But my taske which hasteth to an end will not suffer me now and here to sound this gulfe of Santa Liega sufficeth that for Sions sake the Prophet passing by doth point thereat And the Prophet beheld that this middle head did devour and eat up the under wings namely the power of the Longohards and th' intestine faction which thought also to reigne The first by the sword of Charls surnamed for his exceeding power the great who at the command of Babylon his god aseended into Italy took her King Desiderius prisoner and led him captive into France and gave his Kingdome to another And thus vanished this seventh contrary fether after it had humbled the whore and spread it selfe over all her quarters 200. and 4 years and the fear thereof descended it appeared no more Th' other first began in the days of Cono th' Emperor who having an action of contrary opinion against Gregory the second for so the beast was then called followed it so hotly that he brought his holines into such disgrace as that he kindled a desire in the hearts of many to change their Prelate for a Prince and to edifie their first and ancient forme of government again This desire thus begun by time as naturally all conspiration doth 798. gathered stâ—ength and adventured but somewhat too young to check the beast who by reason he was so wel guarded by his foreâ—aid head champion Charles easily neckt it Notwithstanding some 100 and 50 years after this ulcâ—r now grown to a riper head under the practise of one Alberique and Octavian his son brake out anew and charg'd the beast in so sharpe a manner as without doubt he had received the maâ—e had not his head in the midst avoided it once againe whose name was now chang'd from Charles the great to Otho the great who as being by oath devoted came to Rome banisht her new risen Consuls hang'd her Tribuns and mounted her Prefectus urbis Mr. of misrule naked on an Asse crowned and aâ—tended through the city with great derision from thence committed to prision and there executed with exquisite torments And by this means the heat of this defection was so asswag'd that it 967. appeared not for 7 years after but then under the leading of one Cincius flam'd out anew in so furious a sort as it had doubtles fir'd the beast out of alâ— his holds had 974. not his middle head Otho the second hasted into Italy to quench the same who knowing how much it imported to punish exemplarily so dangerous an evill prepared in the Vatican a â—umptuous feast invited therto all the nobility and chief of the City when all were come saluted and set caused forthwith to be proclaim'd that no man on pain of death should either speak or move at any thing that should be seen or heard presently entred armed men and compassed the place â—ound where the guests were whereat whilst every one amazed doubting what this first course meant this middle-head drew forth a paper and whose names were therein written commanded to be drawn from the table and in presence of all there to be slaine The rest were courteously entertained and were as merry as the fear of so cruel a feast would give them leave Ne yet for all this the feaver so left these patients but that 1136. they fell some 162. years after into relapse again but Frederique the first for so was now this head called with the blood of 1000. and the wounds and imprisonment of as many more so branded this Hydra which had been so often headed as it could never after recover head againe but her breath departed and her purpose vanished and appeared no more Ver 32. And this head did put the whole earth in fear and ruled therein and over the dwellers thereof with much labour and it held the government of the world more then all the wings that had been That this head and his fellows have more maintained and advanc'd the rage and blasphemy of the beast then all the fethers that arose before them and made more diligent and cunning inquisition after the blood of Sion then they is it not eternally cronicled in the registers of every particular Nation And therefore they are called the heads of th'eagle and who knoweth not that heads are more able in evil then fethers And the Prophet beheld that this head continued longer held the government of the world more then all the fethers that had been for from the rising of the first fether Julius Caesar to the end and expiration of Momyllus Augustulus the last were not 560 years whereas this head arose in the year 801 and hath already continued above 700 and 90. and yet still continueth and shall till he that now is be taken away Vers 33. And after this I saw and behold this middle head sodenly vanished as did the wings In that the Prophet saw this middle head sodenly vanish as did the wings he signifieth that it shall not be rooted out by force or sword of any but depart quietly and die as it were in bed but yet as the truth fore-saith in the chap. following not without paine meaning that th'Electors shall not choose to the liking of the beast nor the beast consecâ—ate to the liking of them And in this difference this head shall die ne shall this difference be exempted from paine Vers 34. But the two heads remained which also reigned over the earth and over the inhabitants thereof And when the power of this great head which is now so little like a tale thaâ—'s told shal be clean ended yet the fear of th' other two shall still remain and have dominion over the earth those that dwel therein â—ill the fulnesse of their malice and tiranny be accomplisht also which may not long be unfulfild for behold in the very next verse their destruction cometh Vers 35. And I saw and beheld whilst the head on the right side devouâ—ed that which was on the left By the right head is ment as through all this prophecy the strongest so as the Prophet implyeth that the sword of Spaine shall dâ—vide the strength of France that her pride by division made lesse may at the last as every divided Kingdom doth returne to nothing Neither shall the prosperity of this right head
For may Israel dwel safe and the kings of th' East not know it Nay verily they shall arise and Dan. 12. 12. Ezek. 39. come downe like a storme and like a cloud shall cover the earth and compasse round the tents of the Saints and the beloved City till fire descend from God out of Rev. 20. 9. heaven as it is written and devoure them And in those days shall be finished the mistery of God fore-declared to his servants the Prophets and witnessed by the mighty Angel which came down from heaven stood upon the sea and upon the earth and raised up his hand and voice to heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold it is come and it is Rev 10. Ezek. 39. done saith the Lord this is the day whereof I have spoken For the hope of which day the stones of Syon dye day by day tho little â—steeming seven thousand deaths in regard of the precious assurance ingraven in their breasts that they shall then and in that day behold the L. that hath so mercifully gathered them from among the Nations That hath so wonderfully preserved them from the sorcery of Babylon which hath destroyed all the earth That daily leadeth them in and out before the scorners the covetous and foolish wise of this world so prudently and so invisibly that they seeing are not seen and living are not known That hath bestowed on them a thousand treasures more then these so secretly as no man suspecteth but they that have them That hath so surely and fully perswaded them that tho they now goe on their way weeping yet they shall then returne againe with joy and bring their sheafes with them and all the earth shall then know which now is hid how much the Lord their Redeemer loved them and night and day shall praise and magnifie the just judgement and mercy of him that â—ath done all these things for them Which day in due time He that is Highest shall manifest to all He that is Prince and Lord above all who onely hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light which none can attain unto whom no man ever saw nor can see unto whom be all honour and power everlasting Amen Zach. 2. 7. Save thy selfe O Zion thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babel ANd thus my Lord at length I am come a shoar delivered from a dangerous scopulous sea as any is in all the Ocean of the scripture praying if I have made too bold t' impart my voyage to your Lordship you would be pleased to ascribe it to the common humour of Travailers who cannot chuse but tell what adventures they have passed and what wonders they have seen Strange and long were it to tell your Honour all I saw and I fear in respect of your hours I have been too long to tell so much too much doubtlesse in regard of my Pen which is so sad and so uncourtly as were it not for that naturall engraven Noble courtesie wherewith your Honour is beautified above all comparison your Honour might not endure her plaine and carelesse apparition And thus most humbly commending my service to your Honours disposing take a shorter leave then else I would because I am setting forth to sea againe in hope God willing if bread and water fail me not to discover the Revelation and to make knowne to my gracious Soveraigne Princesse that I also among the rest may be bold to speake though I care not to be known FINIS A BREIFE EXPOSITION OF THE XI XII and XIII Chapters of THE REVELATION WHEREIN MOST OF THE GREATEST MYSTERIES conteined in the whole Book are unfolded The Contents are in the next Page LONDON Printed by M Simmons in Alderse-gate-Street 1651. The Contents of these Three CHAPTERS TH' estate of the Primitive Church before her dispersion The Churches first persecution by the Heathen Emperours The Flight of the Church into the Wildernesse The two Witnesses The rising of Antichrist his seven heads and ten hornes The second Beast and his two hornes The practise of Antichrist and his Clergy against the Church The Image of the Beast The Marke of the Beast The Name and Number of the Beast The End of the Beast and destruction of his City The yeare of th' End of the World discovered by th' Author TO His dread and Soveraigne Lord JAMES the first of England Scotland France and Ireland King c. Grace and Peace HOw many there are most Noble King that have aimed at the unfolding of this divine and hidden Prophecy would require the skill and vertue of a Prophet to refer 'T sufficeth to know they have all left the mark very faire and open for others to hit Wherein howsoever their Zeale by priviledge of charity may find excuse yet their ignorance and errour within these cases â—â— no lesse hurtfull to the Reader then dangerous to the Writer may not find the like grace What I have seen or dreamt I feare not to offer to the censure of time the discoverer of error and Mother of truâ—h appointed from above th' only indubitate touch stone of all divine and Propheticall enterprises And although your Highnesse may doubt of my bold and hardy direction in this dangerous and scopulous sea wherein so many great and learned Pilots have overshot the Cape as one that feareth all Physitians for that he hath fallen into the hands of so many unskillfull yet forasmuch as the Church is sicke and the physick of this prophesie needfull I could not chuse but speak the things I know leaving to your Princely gust to iudge whether the Needle of my Compasse bee truer toucht then theirs And for this prophesie was directed chiefly unto Kings unto a King I have the rather presumed to recommend the same and unto You most noble King before all other whofe fame of wisedome Justice and goodnesse hath advanc'd your name and Scepter higher then any power of greatnesse can doe And although it bee presented by one awaked out of time yet if it may find but litle protection under your gracious favour for a season yeares and age I doubt not will give it aâ—â—â—iration and honour enough 〈◊〉 hope of which grace most humbly I reverence your most Princely hands commending all their labours to the God of Heaven who hath exalted your arme so high and made you so honourable throughout his world CHAP. XI 1. The regenerate Christians only are the Church and heritage of God 3. The residue are outcasts and refused 7. Of the two testifiers and preservers of truth 13. Antichrist killeth them but the Lord restoreth them life againe 15. Great dissention ariseth thereupon the day of judgement is foreshewed VERS 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a mete yard and the Angel that stood by me said Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that adore therein AS in a common field a good Surveyor doth measureout
to their use of honour and dishonour when he shall come in glory to judge and reward the world separate the stranger from the child the goaâ— from the sheep the sinner from the just and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written Many are called Lords of Sodome may it then pleaâ—e your dead and dry eyes to consider that in this great company of hearers two speciall differing companies are commended unto yee th' one that hearing the voyce obeyeth and doth it th' other that hearing transgresseth and doth not called in Scripture Haâ—ed bond forsaken cast out children of evill vessells of wrath and such like compared to a Man who built a house and laid no foundation and when the day of reckoning the day of tempest came the building fell and the fall thereof was great and lamentable for ever But they that heaâ—ing the Commandements of God observe and do them are called in Scripture beloved free chosen beautifull children of promise vessells of mercy Israel Jacob his people his heritage a holy Nation a holy City a kingly holy Priest-hood his house his Temple his Tabernacle Saints Sion Hierusalem from above the pillar and upholder of truth his vine his Church his Body his Spouse and such like compared to a Builder that digged deep and laid his foundation on the Rock whose work endured the day to come and gave glory to the worker to a Graine of Mustard-seede whose great increase for his little body is marvellous compared with other hearbs to Leaven which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid to a Pearle of price for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea by Land by fire by water to attaine to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality that the possessor selleth all he hath to make a purchase thereof to a Seede prospering from Blade to stalk from stalk to head the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how And this is the generation of them that seek him the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written But few are chosen And of this company and no other speaketh the Scripture which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And againe And behold I am with you from day to ever even to the worlds end And againe Feare not little flocke for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome And againe And I will intreate the Father and he shall give you another Comforter who shall remaine with you for ever And againe But when the Spirit of truth commeth he shall leade you into all truth And this is the City and house spirituall built upon the head of the corner which through the strength and glory of the foundation remaineth and liveth for ever as it is written And upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God the stones of life and glory everlasting disdained and trodden under of worldly builders prepared notwithstanding from above and appointed to serve for his Tabernacle and place of his dwelling for he that is highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as testifieth the Prophet Heaven is my seat and earth is my foot-stoole what place of rest will yee build unto me saith the Lord O house of Israel These things had yee understood then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes and like unto the housholder which bringeth forth of his store and provision as time and occasion serveth old and new And this is she which erreth not dissenteth not for all her Children are endued with a tongue and taster of truth all are prepared with one and selfe-same water all are purged by one and self-same fire all are Servants to one and self same Lord who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified and made them of sinners Sonnes of God as it is written He that sanctifieth and they which are sanctified are all of one And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding arrayed in a white and righteous garment which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day waiteth and attendeth his comming whose modest countenance whose chast and comely steps walk in our streets and the world regardeth not for her name is hidden written in the heart not in the skinne and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within not in the 〈◊〉 without whose praise is not of men but of God And yet thou sayest let me see her behold he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells that he knoweth not any one this day after the flesh that taketh part with him what then shall I say I am left alone God forbid for I see and heare with th' ears and eyes of my soule the groans the chains and tears of seven thousand whose obedience is greater then mine and of which number I am the least and as a poore and miserable and borne out of time am not worthy to be one of them And this is she who once Balaam walkt in thy streets and all th' earth was filled with her beauty untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head pursuing her blood and generation for there is enmity betweene him and her her seed and his for ever but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury And in those dayes her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings whose Feathers were made of the word of truth and she flew into the Wildernesse where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her enemy a time and times and halfe a time and there remaineth shee her houre her day her moneth and her yeare eating no other thing then that which God giveth her And thy Father fell heavy exceeding wroth thereat and sat him downe by the Sea side in a Throne newly erected to th' honour of his name mourning and pining that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so And calling his powers and counsell about him devising found out a way t' appease his wrath namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind and while he sat in Consistory seeking best means t' accomplish his purpose thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters and presently his dump was turn'd to a dance thy heads and hornes were so like his owne that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day and having nothing greater to shew his love parted with thee his Kingdomes and glory thereof planted thee in his old and ancient Throne where once his name was honoured and gave into thy hand his great power and chiefest of his hoast Wonders Lyes Murder and bad thee warre and have no feare for it was appointed the third borne among the Sons of men should be subdued unto thee And it pleased
covered with white with Crimson and pavonats 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written on thy head before and on thy scull behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desireth he thy gold thy pots thy puddings and thy purples which thou hast bought so deare nay Balaam he serveth that Lord whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof hath he sadled his Asse at any time and posted after Balaks preferment like unto thee Nay Balaam then let his soule be given up to an unrepentance like as is thine hast thou any thing to give that he desires to receive no Balaam he seeks not thine but thee and this is his desire that thou and all the world this day were like unto him excepting his sinne Murtherers and dare yee talke of mercy then tell us when have ye seene Christ hungry and given him t' eate when have ye seene him thirstie and given him to drinke when have ye found him a stranger and opened unto him when have ye met him naked and cloathed him when have yee knowne him weake and comforted him in prison and visited him Can ye minister to whom yee know not can ye feed harbor cover comfort visit whom yee see not behold Pharises I tell ye a mysterie yee shall never see nor know those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them have ye not read ye wisards that the blind shall see and they that see shall be made blind This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world and it is marvellous this day in our eyes behold this man as touching the mercy which he ought to doe eateth his bread with the empty and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he the pilgrim and the sojourner are ever found within his Courts his gates are never shut with the naked fitteth he and with his garment covereth his shame with the broken and imprisoned passeth he his time with plentifull and many teares comforting them nay who hungreth and he not pined who thirsteth and he not dryed up which is a stranger and he not throwne out who naked and he not confounded who weake and he not spent who lyeth imprisoned and he not tormented And as concerning the mercy which he ought not to leave undone this man if he have according to the Commandement of his Lord to him that asketh giveth and to the borrower lendeth looking for his reward and interest in the resurrection of the just if he have not applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour in great patience and thankfulnesse turning over the leaves of his life so richly contented as if his Royalties were as large as are the dominions of the little bird who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her and wheresoever dismounting setteth her little foote looketh about for her provision as if she were at home And this is the first the next and last of the living stones and temples of God which he before the day knew his comming up or going downe chose and adopted in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament to be unto him a House a Church a Tabernacle and everlasting possession And he that writeth beareth witnesse and testifieth unto the world all those whether Kings or Servants wise or simple learned or Ideots rich or poore old or young bond or free that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast received the print of his name and set up in their Tents and dwellings his Table and imitation rejoyce and clap their hands thereover shall be throwne out and have their part with blasphemers whose fire quencheth not whose stinke is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy Citie And all those that so poyson doctrines of death lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor eye to the blind as Arrians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to them shall be cast out and reape their part with lyars and Sorcerers whose worme dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies marching under names and titles whatsoever as Hussit's Lutherans Calvinists Evangelists Protestants Praecisians or any such other like to these have not their parts in great sorrow and fear the preparation and beginning of the wisdome from above shall stand without among the Dogges the Covetous the Murderer th' Adulterer and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And now I trust Balaam thou seest what thou art not it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art There was a booke written by the finger of God and as a Table in a good and perfect light placed in the midst of th' aire that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery foretold by the Spirit his Prophets and Apostles to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house And had her proud and prudent Children but wip't their eyes wiâ—h sackcloath they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this and loosed from the bonds of thy father the great jugler and Planer of the World had departed thy Courts and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God where the Lamb doth sit Neverthelesse for Sions sake and for to still her cryes The morning star the branch and begotten of David will open the mouth of one of his servants and give him power to disvaile the Revelation and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse and shew unto the world the things which thou thy witches and thy Wise had hop't to be past finding out Thy conception Thy birth Thy nurture Thy perfection Thy name Thy marke Thy number Thy heads Thy hornes Thy vicardome Thy keys Thy swords Thy succession Thy Guardrobe Thy Church her Ornaments Idols Altars Gold Silver Pearle Stone Silk Copes Banners Stincks Processions Reliques Oyle Wine Wafers Musick Lights lies Thy end Thy death Thy judgement And in that day thy name and generation shall stinke from the Center of th' earth unto the highest Heaven And thou that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome not consider'd that though it begin to destroy in Canaan it shall assuredly end in Chaldea shalt now be called into battell thy selfe and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more behold the dayes which were prophesied are come into the world and such voices shall rise up against thee as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre or to returne th'
by meanes of this distres very weake and in danger of falling her counsell and body politique devised by lies and witch-craft wherein was all her pleasure from her youth to restore the supremacy and honor of her name under the colour of Ecclesia Dei Wherein this race of presumptuous hornes excelled the sin of all the hornes that foretime ruled in her for they as in whom Satan dwelt but literally did but in open hostility fight against the highest setting before him a God made of a wicked man whose fathers blood cryeth out for vengeance night and day whose bed-fellow was Soror conjux and whose wife was id quod di cere nolo But this race of presumptuous and deceitfull Kings as in whom Satan dwelleth spiritually in a hidden treasure of blasphemy sets up the highest against himselâ—e and under the Visor of the Church and the name of God blasphemeth his Sanctuary and the Lord thereof No marvaile then tho she and Sion be at ods for as gold can body it selfe with any mettall lique fiable latten excepted which notwithstanding in outward face and shew of all mettalls is most like unto it so no Church is more capitall enemy to the true Church then she who in outward gesture grace and countenance is likest like the chast and virgine spouse and is indeed a whore Vers 11. Then I numbred her contrary feathers and behold they were eight of them In the third verse of this Chapter the Prophet made mention of these contrary feathers which in their thoughts conspired to raise their house with the ruins of Rome And here proceedeth more particularly to declare their number foretelling there should be eight of them whom we will here call out by name that if occasion serve we may the better know them The first were West gothes under the leading of Alaricus 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 The second Hunnes whose King was Attalas The third Vandals their head Genserick The fourth Odoacer The sist East gothes their chiefe Theodoricke The sixt Totilas bred in Spaine with such followers as for those times that Countrey yeilded The seventh Longobards with their guide Alboinus The eighth and last a home conspiracy more to be feared as all included diseases are most dangerous then all the rest And altho many others besides these as Radagaise the Alani now called Almans the Burgonians conducted by Gundibald the Vngers Saracens c. were all in their time as costly enemies to the Empire as some of these yet none did humble the great City the mother of wickednesse but these eight onely And therefore the rest may not be allowed to sit at this table but may serve to justifie the judgement of the Beast which was thus wounded againe and stricken of all as she had wounded and stricken all And if in reading doubt arise how these eight fethers may be contrary to the Eagle that is resisters of her power and dominion and yet be feathers of the Eagle that is mainteiners of the same The answer is that they were adversaries and contrary unto her as she stood upon tearmes of Imperium orbis terrae but after she had chang'd her coppy and claimed supremacy under the cloake of Mater Ecclesia they were for the most maintainers of her pride and became drunke also with her worship as other Kings and Princes of th' earth And thus much for their numbers and names their severall attemp's their prosperities and end shall be presented in their place Vers 12. After this I saw and behold upon the right side there arose one feather and raigned over all the earth This feather here described is the first of the twelve namely Julius Caesar who like an ill interpreter translated Senatum populumque Romanum into Caesarem Augustum Whose image which in this verse is so lively resembled consisteth of two features the first sheweth the manner of his rising in these words And behold upon the right side there arose one feather Which serve instead of art to discover the very true lâ—nes and cast off his happiness For the house of Cornelii was as eloquent as he and Marius doubtles as good a leader as he and Catilin as nobly borne as he and all these arose t' invade the Common wealth and to traâ—slate it into a Kingdom as well as he but none of them rose on the right side but he And thus much for the manner of this speech so we take thâ—s wâ—th all that these words rightside in their naturall and proper intent doe signifie as through all this chap. the surest and strongest side The second feature in this resemblance to be observed is his power set forth in these words And he reigned over all the earth For after he had subdued France broken the heart of Germany made his name known to England he returned into Italy overthrew the great Protector of the liberty Sr. Pompey and his host in the fields of Pharsalie And like the fire of heaven as one of her Poets saith with such celerity drew after the reliques of that stricken faction both in Africa and Spaine that in two years space he brought to passe that neither City nor creature durst open against him which done he ascended into Italy and took upon him as Lord thereof triumphing in the spoiles of the world and the blood of his Country And knowing that the name of a King which he so much affected was odious to the quality and nature of that people invaded the government under the Maske of a perpetual Dictator preserving thereunder for he was wise above all the feathers some â—â—pe of recovering their lâ—te slâ—ine liberty but indeed establishing a Kingdome from which it could never redeem it self again Ver. 13. And when it had reigned the end of it came and the place thereof appeared no more But this new borne prosperity as is the nature of all â—his worlds felicity lasted but a while for in the third year of his Dictatoâ—ship he was slaine in the Senate by the conspiration of 24. of whom the most both in his own so dangerous is the name of trust and other mens opinions were thought his chiefest friends And thus was this feather blown away after it had enjoyed his pleasure 56 years and reigned 3. A man for letters arms and counsel famous far above all his succeeders and in discreet bounty and Princely clemency rare vertues in such a fortune without controversie surpassing all Princes made of earth Ver. 14. So the next stood up and reigned and it continued a long time but after it had reigned his end also came and as the first it appeared no more Next after him arose Octavius the adopted son of Iulius otherwise also neer him in bloud as being the son of his neece Accia who having taken revenge upon the murtherers of his father and obtained in all his wars forreine and at home triumphed Lord over all adding to his fathers pompe which he had bought so dear th'
also two Candlesticks which carry in them the light of my truth and power of my Spirit the great Moderator of heaven and earth VERS 5. And if any man will hurt them fire shall come forth of their mouth and devoure their enemies and if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine ANd if any man shall wrest their word from the aime and intention of their meaning saith the Lord or turne their Prophesie out of the way by perverting or clipping the honour or purpose of their word the fire of my wrath denounced by the the mouth of these my two Testaments for though they be two yet they have but one mouth shall surely judge and execute those lovers and makers of lies and for the more assurance of this sentence against them the Lord doth iterate the curse and vengeance of his heavy displeasure saying And if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine meaning I say by hurting all manner diminishing of the words of their testmonie by fals blasphemous and lying expositions as some have done VERS 6. These have power to shat heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and they have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all manner of plagues so often as they will FOr the Lord hath touched the mouth of these his two Prophets as he did the mouth of Jeremy the rest of his servants of whom he saith Behold this day have I set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to pluâ—k up root out destroy and throâ— down build and plant And in another place Therefore have I cut them downe by my Prophets and slaine them by the words of my mouth Such priviledges the Lord hath given to these his two Testaments that if they once shut the heavens that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesy that is to say if they denounce a famine of the bread of liâ—e to wit the word and knowledge of God or pronounce a sword to come upon a Nation Kingdome or People which the Lord here signifieth by turning waters into blood or if it pleaseth them to Prophesie which the Lord here calleth to strike of any Pestilence Earth quake or other judgement to come such power is given them that if they say the word it is done as it is written Heaven and earth shall perish but the words of their Prophesie shall not passe till all be fulllfiled VERS 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the beast which ascendeth from the depth shall wage battell against them and kill them ANd when his servants the Prophets and Apostles shall have fulfilled their course and be translated from the land of their labours to the land of rest leaving to the world the inheritance as it were of their ministry sealed up in the two Testaments of God to preserve the feare of his Name and the knowledge of his pleasure among the Sons of men which the holy Ghost calleth finishing their testimony Ant christ the Beast whose proper p'ace whence he is and whither he must is here described by the name of the depth shall not onely hurt and wound them by slanderous and lying Expositions as his Clerks and Assects doe but shall set his feet upon their Necks and tread downe their divine authority by the advancing of his cursed keyes and the beauty of his whorish Church above them which the Spirit calleth waging battell inhibiting them to Prophesie or teach the words of their testimony vulgarly And not onely putting them to silence but also reproving condemning them for corrupters seducers and sowers of heresies among the people which presumpâ—uous blasphemy and murder the Spirit discovereth in saying that he shall overcome them and kill them VERS 8. And their carkasses shall remaine in the street of the great City which is spiritually called Sodome and Egypt where their Lord also was crucified ANd the letter or text of their testimony which the Spirit calleth their corps or carkasses shall remaine in their Hoâ—ses Cels Temples hang at their girdles through all the Cities and Kingdomes where the Beast and his Church is adored which in regard of their number be here named the great City so in respect of their execrable worship and adulterous service contrary to God and his holy City they are here called also spiritually Sodome meaning that as Sodome her Sister did for sake the lawfull use and prescription of nature and wrought filthinesse against nature so these loathing truth and loving lies should erect strange oblations and propitiations as contrary to the offerings and satisfactions of the Saints as was the sin of Sodome opposire to nature And the Spirit further calleth them by the name of Egypt for that in blindnesse and hardnesse of heart they every way match the presumptuous and indorate Egyptians still pursuing and persecuting the truth as Pharaoh did Israel till the God of Israel destroy them by the Spirit of his mouth as he did Pharaoh and his hoast by water And in further detestation of the cruell murther and immanitie of this Beast and his adherents the holy Ghost layeth the blood of the Prince of the Covenant to theiâ— charge also as cunningly as they think to convey his murther and post it over to Jerusalem For as the Lord doth lay the blood of his servant Abel to the charge of the Scribes and Pharisees of his own time although he were slaine long before those Pharisees were borne or Jerusalem builded because they were the very image and lively imitation of his brother that murthered him so the holy Ghost doth here lay the innocent blood of the Lord of glory to the Charge of this Crucifier and his Citizens because they are the Children and Generation of that high Priest and those murtherers which cryed Away with him crucifie him crucifie him And that we should not marvell thereat the holy Ghost in another place goeth further and saith In her shall be found the blood of the Apostles and Prophets also and all that ever for the testimonie of the truth were staine on earth VERS 9. And there shall of the tribes and people and Gentiles see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their corps to be laid in monuments ANd all Nations and Kingdoms where the Beast is worshipped whom the holy Ghost for their prophanation in life and Religion calleth Gentiles shall have handle and gaze upon the letter and corps of his two witnesles three days and a halfe that is to say the time times and halfe a time wherein the Beast shall Reigne and persecute even three propheticall yeares and 〈◊〉 accounting as in Ezekiel all dayes 〈◊〉 Neither shall they suffer the word of 〈◊〉 Proâ—â—efie to be read opened understood and â—â—d up in the hearts of the people the true and naturall monuments and sepulchers wherein the testimonie of their words ought to be interred VERS 10. And the inhabitants of
the earth shall be glad over them and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwell upon the earth ANd all the worshippers of the Beast here noted for their number by the inhabitants of the earth shall clap their hands over their owne inventions and rejoyce in the death of the truth and make merry with Bonefires Vigils Festivals Processions and in token of joy they shall send as the Spirit saith gifts one to another Kings and Princes and people shall present and endow the Beast and his Church with donations immunities possessions gold and silver offerings c. and the Beast on the other side shall requite their kindnesse with titles bels pardons buls and such like and the Spirit yeildeth a reason of this their wicked and ungodly comfort because they had put out the eyes of his two Prophets that their whoredomes and pâ—ophanations might not be reproved then which nothing can be greater torment to the wicked nor more unsavoury to them that perâ—sh VERS 11. And after three dayes and a halfe the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great feare fell upon all that saw them ANd forasmuch as in the death and extermination of Antichrist by way of dependencie consisteth the life and resurrection as it were of the Scriptures the Spirit foresheweth that after the reigne and persecution of the Beast which here as in the ninth verse is determined by three dayes and a halfe God will raise up faithfull and prudent Priests Shepheards of understanding hearts who shal rightly â—ivide the words and testimonies of his two witnesses which the holy Ghost signifieth in saying that the Spirit of life from God entred into them for as the letter text of the Scripture is the corps thereof so their true intent and meaning is the Spirit and life of them and by the faithfull ministry of such as the Lord shall raise in and about that time and for that purpose the testimony of his two Prophets shall be restored to their strength and as it were to their walking againe which the Spirit signifieth in saying They stood upon their feet as well to the terror and astonishment of all lying and stupidious expositors as to the fear and admiration of the children and justifiers of wisdome as the holy Ghost concludeth saying And great feare fell upon all that saw them VERS 12. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying Come up hither and they went up into heaven in a cloud and their enemies saw them ANd the restauration of the true meaning of the Scriptures which their enemies so long kept under by all unjust and cunning shifts shall be more famously knowne and published then that they may any longer hinder or stop the glorious course of their wonderfull instauration which the Spirit intendeth in saying that I heard a voice from heaven saying Come up hither meaning that it should be more possible for their enemies to stay Elias Chariot from ascending or pull the wind back from pursuing his point then to resist the wisdome of the same the which shall vindicate the abuse of the Scriptures and by the power of their ministry as in the strength of a cloud shall hold them up and restore them to their spirituall and heavenly meaning againe and the Beast with all his Sorcerers and lyers which have been their long and ancient enemies shall see the glory of their regeneration and wonder and die VERS 13. And in that houre there was made a great earthquake and the teâ—â—h part of the City fell and there were slaâ—â—â— in the earth-quake names of men seven thousand and the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven ANd at such time as it pleased God to begin his work of instauration and to cause the day-spring of his Gospel to shine out of the night of Antichrists darknesse the abominable and desolate profanation of the Beast which had so long time over-cast the earth was in such sort discovered that the very root of his throne and usurped authoritie was dangerously shaken which the holy Ghost closely foldeth up in saying There was made a great earth-quake And further fore sheweth that out of this concussion there should arise so great defection that the tenth part of his worshippers should revolt from him and that this revolt and defection must cost the lives of many thousand men which the Spirit uttereth in a manner of speech strange to us butusual with the Scriptures calling men names of men as Chap. 3. 4. and meaning by seven thousand many thousand using the determinate number of seven indefinitly and for a number indeterminate as it is also in Scripture often Which broils and bloodshed concerning the institution of religion are so sufficiently reported in the Commentaries of Bohemia and Germanie and in the troubles of France and Flanders and other Nations as if it were purposely registred in proofe of this prophesie Lastly the Spirit concluding foretelleth that many kingdoms in this defection should quite forsake the Beast and haste them out of Babylon home again to build the walls of Ierusalem and to restore the morning and the evening Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as in the former time and in the dayes of old in saying And the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven VERS 14. The second Woe is gone and behold the third Woe will come quickly THe first woe was the blasphemy of Arianisme which the holy Ghost in the niâ—th Chapter most aptly resembleth unto a smoake ascending from the depth saying That the Sun was darkned and the aire with the smoake of the pit meaning by the Sunne the Son of God and by the aire the word of his truth by whose onely meane and interposition the object of his Deitie was truly discerned and in regard of this first woe which was kindled by Arius wherewith the inhabitants of the earth as the Spirit foretold us should be tormented five moneths meaning moneths of yeares which by Propheticall account amounteth to one hundred and fifty years which was the time of the Arian persecution as in the Ecâ—lesiasticall Histories more plainly appeareth The holy Ghost I say in regard of this first woe calleth the tragicall reigne of Antichrist the second woe whose long time of tyranny within this Chapter in a generall manner is declared and in the 13. Chapter following more particularly and exactly discovered though at the writing of this Prophesie it had his being onely in the foreknowledge of God and was not yet begun to be acted much lesse fully ended yet in respect it is here in a geneâ—all manner fully revealed the Lord to whom all things past and to come are present saith The second woe is gone upon determination whereof the third woe must ensue which for it surpasseth both the former in terror and greatnesse the holy Ghost bringeth it in
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth VERS 18. And the Dragon was wroth against the Woman and went to make battell with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ ANd notwithstanding the Dragon by his taile of Caesars had thus massâ—cred and dispersed the Church yet was he not so satisfied but for very rage fell into a melancholâ— mood for cause he could not quite consume and root her hâ—nouâ— out as the Spirit dâ—â—â—loseth saying And the Dragon was wroth against the woman And forasmuch as the Churches beauty did most shine in the East Syria Greece Asia where she was borne and bred the Dragon thought it his best in policie which evermore with him was held for chiefest Religion to iâ—ch and set forward his den and hold his Court further East which purpose of his as close as it was the holy Ghost discovereth in saying And he went and noteâ—h the true end wherefore he went not so much to barricade and stop the flâ—at and incursion of the barbarous enemie as he foreâ—ooth pretended as to pursue and consume the dispersed remainder of the Spouse as the spirit unfoldeth saying to make battell with the remnant of her seed who for that they were just of the making and growth of the Churches first â—nd priâ—itive fruit holding the mystery of faith in a good Conscience as the first-borne did the Spirit setteth them forth in the same lively colourâ— saying which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ VERS 19. And he stood upon the sand of the Sea ANd the Dragon removed his throne and left his ancient seat and City of Rome where he had now kept Court almost a thousand years and went and pitched his Throne anew in a haveâ— Towne between Pontus Euxinus and Propontis in the East of Thracia ancientâ—y caâ—led Byzance and there erected the new City of Rome and called it after his owne name Constantinople the City of Constantme which translation of his râ—sidence and chair of estate one of his owne also noteth Constantinus apud Thraces qua Bosphorus aequor Thracius Euxinis Aegaeum ingurgitat undis Constituit sedem Imperii CHAP. XIII The description of Antichrist and his Devotaries The description of his Clergy and of his Religion The Character of Antichrist The number of his Dayes and the end of his Reigne The year of th' End of the World discovered out of Dan. 12. VERS 1. And I saw a Beast ascending from the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten Diadems and upon his heads names of blasphemy AND presently upon the remove and translation of the Empire the Apostle espied that wicked one Antichrist man of sin in saying And I sâ—w who in regard of the tyrannous power and bloody use of the unbridled jurisdiction that should be given him he is here termed as in holy Scriptures other Monarchs are a Beast that is to say a kind of Government Kingdome dominion or power exercised and acted by a succession of tyrannous bloody and beastly men And albeit his perfection in evill stood yet aloof and was very far off young and tender as lying in swathing clouts yet the Apostle descryeth him as it were through a chink in saying comming up For aâ—ter the translaâ—ion of the Empire and that now Ethnick Rome began to play the Christian he was well nigh a hundred years closely creeping climbing up before he could advance his cursed head and claim of super-eminency Concerning which ambitious puffe of vaine priority so fair and evident mention is made in the monuments of time that the incredible boldnesse of the adversary is no lesse marvellous then his incurable blindnesse that hath so long time stumbled at this stone and so often spurred us by way of vaunting to shew them if we dare or can when this apostasie of Antichrist tooke her rise and first commencement which daring vaunt of theirs the holy Ghost tripping over as a thing which is or ought to be knowne unto us namely that the horne of Antichrist and his apostasie did then first sprout out when his Church first obtained at the Dragons hand priority of place suffrage and censure over all For as the Tree puls up the creeping Ivie so the primacie of the Church of Rome pulled up th' aspiring supremacie of the Bishop thereof which Church preheminence and prelation after long ruffling and shouldring was first obtained at the hands of Honorius tho afterwards upon greater concertation and daggers drawing it was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and ampliated who by th' advantage of the weaknesse and death of his elder brother Arcadius having obtained power and protector-ship East and West subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Romane supremacie with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea oâ— Rome at the instant suit and importunity of the now Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the first in the first year of his creation and in the yeare of Redemption 406. But the holy Ghost I say passing over the punctuall and exact moment of time when the Egge of Antichrist and his apostacie was first laid as otherwhere sufficiently preserved unto us proceedeth to detect the place where and from whence he should arise saying that he saw him lift up his hardie head from the sea meaning by the sea as in the sixteenth of this Prophecie the surging tumbling and raging Sea and City of Rome where also by a like loquution he calleth all Kingdomes subjected to her by the name of Rivers And that this Beast should thence arise and there and not elsewhere keep Court and residence the Spirit proveth by an argument drawne from the shape and proportion of the Beast for he had the seven heads and ten hornes of the Dragon meaning that he should sit upon the Dragons hills and reigne in and over the Dâ—agons City and aray himselfe with the spoâ—ls of the world and hold in subjection the Kings and States on earth as the Dragon did for so much the Spirit intendeth in saying having seven heads and ten hornes And least the unwary Reader should mistake this great Antichrist for that great Dragon or this Beasts supremacie and his pestilent succession for that Beasts super-eminencie and his execrable taile as many unwarily have done the holy Ghost in emblazoning his coat giveth him a mâ—st exquisite difference in saying that he wore his diadems not upon his heads as the Dragon did but upon his hornes signifying thereby that he should not come to his Crown and vain-glory by the strength of his sword his leaders and his legions as the Dragon did but by the base and voluntary submission of all such Caesars Kâ—ng and Princes as should with one counsell and sorce deliver up their authority and power secuiar to the devotion and pleasure of the