wee will pray for you So that labouring to hide other mens sinnes they shall wholly forget their owne And o grievous thing they will receive anie thinge from vagabonds pilferers extortioners theeves and robbers by the high waies from church-robbers usurers adulterers Heretiques Shismatiques revolters harlots bawdes of Noble men periured merchants corrupt iudges souldiers tyrants and such as live in trades contrarie to the lawe of God They are perverse and wicked embracing the persuasion of the Devill the sweetnesse of sinne an easie and delicate life and a certaine abundance of thinges even unto eternall damnation All these things shall appeare manifestly in them all everie daie they shall growe more wicked and more hardened in their heartes And when their fraude shal be founde out and their naughtiâ—esse then gifts shall cease and they shall goe about to houses hungrie like ravening dogges their countenances cast downe upon the grounde and their neckes made short as doves that they maie be satisfied with bread Then the people shall prosecute them with an outcrie woe be to you wretches children of sorrow the world hath deceived you the Devill hath ruled you hitherto by his power you have a fraile flesh and hart utterly without wisdome and unstable wavering mindes and eyes delighted with much vanity and folly your idle paunches have coveted dainty dishes of meate and your feete have ben swift to wickednesse Remember the time when you were openlie blessed but secretlie envious abroad poore but rich at home curteous in shew but in verie trueth great flaterers false traitours perverse back biters holie Hypocrites supplaÌ„ters of the trueth iust beiond measure proude unchast unconstant teachers delicate Martyrs confessours desirous of much lucre gentle but false accusâ—rs religious but covetous humble but yet proude mercifull but shamelesse liars pleasant flatterers peaceable persequutours oppressours of the poore bringing newe sects invented of your selves counted mercifull but knowne by experience to be wicked lovers of the world conspiratours drunkards ambitious patrons of wickednesse robbers of the whole earth unsatiable preachers men pleasers beguiling simple women sowers of privie grudges Of whom Moses that excellent Prophet spake well in his Songe a people without councell and understanding Oh that they would knowe that they would understand and consider their latter ende Yee have built indeede on high and when it was not graunted you to rise higher yee have fallen downe togither even as Simon Magus whom God cast to the grounde and smote with an huge blowe so at length you have ben throwne downe from your false doctrine naughtinesse lyes slaunders villanies out of the cloudes unto the verie earth Then the people speaketh to them get yee hence you teachers of abominations destroiers of the trueth brethren Shunamites fathers of heresies false Apostles who counterfaited the life of the Apostles the followers of whom you have ben in noe sorte You are the children of iniquitie wee will not follow your maner of courses For pride and arrogancie have deceaved you and unsatiable covetousnes hath wrapped in her snares your erring mindes And after that yee would clime higher then was meete and reasonable by the iust iudgement of God yee have fallen downe headlong into eternall shame and reproch These thinges Hildegardis foretolde about the yeere 1146 three skore yeeres before the begging fryers were bred whom notwithstanding shee painteth out so cunningly and lively that shee may seeme not so much to have foretolde a thinge to come as to have reported a thing past Who can describe more clearly the beginning and disposition of these Locusts Who can speake more plaine of their destruction even of us who have seen the thing declared to be true by the event Neither onely treated shee of those which should spring up next after her age but also of the Iâ—suites of our time and the other company of vile persons of that sorte which doth annoy in these dayes For all these Locusts belonge to the same pit are of the same manners and shal be in the same destruction 12 One woe is past The first of the three more grievous For the second followeth in chap. 11.14 as it hath ben observed before that one with the Hebrewes is as well a nowne of order as of number in chap. 6.1 This woe is past not because noe remnants should remaine when the next trumpet should come after the other but because the heate of it should be much cooled againe so as it wanted but a little but that it might seeme to have bâ—n utterly quenched For this Angell of the bottomelesse pit shall not be abolished wholly togither with all his servants before the bright comming of the Lord 2 Thes 2.8 There is the same meaning of this word chap. 11.14 For the veâ—ation of the sixt trumpet should not vanish away altogither forthwith at the first sounding of the seventh but should tarie after that for some longe time But the space of this trumpet is of sixe hundred yeeres and more to wit from the yeere 406. unto the yeere one thousand three hundreth and fiftieth or there about 13 Then the sixt Angâ—ll blâ—we the trumpet Nowe the sixt trumpet followeth and thâ— sâ—coâ—â— woe of which first is declared the commandement secondly the Execution In that is to be considered the Authour the Administratour and the meaniâ—g of the commandement it selfe The Authour is one voice from the foure hornâ— of the golden Altar Wee have shewed at chap. 8.3 what manner of altar this is Properly it signifyeth Christ in whom by whom onely our prayers doe please God as once was shadowed out by the golden Altar of incense set before the vaile upon which alone it was lawfull to burne the holie incense This Altar had foure hornes upon which onelie once a yeere reconciliation was to be made of Aaron and with the blood of the sâ—câ—ifice for sinne in the day of reconciliations Exod. 30.10 For albeit the daylie prayers were sweete and had also a good savour the incense of which was dayly offerred on the altar yet these yeerly prayers which were made upoÌ„ the hornes of the altar were most fervent of chiefe moment But it is to be observed that the voice which is heard coming from the hornes of the altar is not a praying but a commanding voice saying loose those foure Angels From whence this voice is not of the faithfull praying but rather of Christ hearing their prayers For therefore it is made from the hornes of the altar both that hee may teach that this voice is an answere given to the supplications of the saincts and also that wee may knowe that by him alone is obtained that which wee aske by whom in whom onely wee offer up our prayers to God Therefore when the godly desire earnestly that God would provide for his Church being troubled this of loosing the 4 Angels cometh from the hornes of the altar that while they should handle the stiffe enemies of syncere religioÌ„ according to
quite away before his times speaking of the Elders at length inferreth most clearly Whereupon saith he both the Synagogue and also afterward the Church had Elders without whose counsell nothing was done in the Church Which by what negligence it is growen out of use I know not unlesse peradventure by the slouthfulnes or rather pride of the teachers while they alone will be thought to be somwhat upon the 1. at Tim. chap. 5. He was not long after that time which we call the Primitive Church Yet he so speaketh as though some ages before his time this wholesome custome had bin abolished Which thinges doe clearly shew how in the later times the first love waxed cold altogether and at length went to nothing 5 Remember from whence thou art fallen Such was their sinne the remedie coÌ„sisteth of three members a iust consideration of their fall repentance and redressing of the discipline Which all together are required unto amendement and in the same order in which they are rehearsed Because we fall by little little we perceave not almost into how deep a pit we are fallen but let us looke back to the high toppe from whence we are fallen and we shall mervayle at the low gulfe in which we ly Wherupon he warneth that he minde from whence he was fallen Neither is it enough to perceive that we are fallen but very quickly we must get out of the gulfe by repentance He adioineth therfore repent But many doe deceave themselves and thinke that they have repented well when in very deed they have done nothing lesse Therefore last of all he requireth that the first workes be done For then thou shalt prove thy repentance iust if it shall bring forth true holines of workes and either shall returne to the first love if it were sincere or shal increase the same by adding a greater vnto it But why doth he require instantly the first workes especially in the Antitype which conteineth the space of about three hundred yeares Would he that the Church that was spred farre abroad and encreased with an innumerable multitude of citizens should returne againe to their cradell Or whether will he that there should be the same reason and respect of the whole eâ—rth which is of one city Now also it was nigh when the Church should have a Christian Magistrate Constantine being about to come straite way to the Empire and governement of the world What need should they then have of that former ancient discipline It was meet peradventure that Christ had waited for a little time and had not urged so earnestly the first beginnings of which there should be no use in shart time But these are the dreames of such as are sicke of a fever He that knoweth what is most fit for his Spouse requireth earnestly the first workes after so many yeares after the dispersing of his Church in so many places he willeth that shee labour againe in the word and that shee punish wicked men with the Ecclesiasticall Discipline He knew that the order appointed by him should fit aswell Provinces as Cities neither should hinder any whit the civill administration but further and adorne the same above all From hence then let us learne that that first governemeÌ„t is coÌ„mon to all times and places Neither to be permitted to mens pleasure to folow the way that they will but that alway in reforming the Church we must have recourse to the first beginnings unto which rule must be recalled whatsoever erres from the right way and not to frame it according to the corruption of the following Churches ¶ Or else I will come against thee quickly The threatning putteth to spurres and stirreth up the feeble strength of the remedy Often times the feare of perill prevaileth more with men then the hatred of wickednes He threatneth that he will come quickly and remove the candlesticke out of his place But what need is there that he should come who walketh in the middes of the candlestickes He dwelleth not among his as a revenger but as a brother defender from whence as often as he must take punishement he putteth on a new person and forme in which he appeared not before and is said to come from another place and to seeme now another from him whom before time they did know In the Greeke it is J will come to thee for against thee Now to remove the candlesticke out of his place is to take away the truth and dignity of the Church Which though it be not noted expressely by the Historiographers yet we may not doubt but that according to this coÌ„minatioÌ„ Ephesê° lost a while after the forme honour of a Church I coÌ„teÌ„d not about the name of a Church which I know shee have retained for many ages but for the first puritie by which alone God measureth a holy Church and not by coloured and naked names Much lesse is the candlestick to be understood of the Episcopall dignitie as the Iesuite would have it which wee reade to have continued from those times eight hundred yeares at least Therefore this candlestick was not quickly removed Did the Angel peradventure repent It is not likely seeing in the Antitype it is certen that that folowed in a shorte time which is threatned here to come to passe For the Angels proceeding in negligence as we have learned from those thinges which have bin before spoken Christ tooke out of mens sight the first golden candlestick by taking away his most holy ordinances of which the world was most unworthy on which the primitive Church was founded by himselfe and by his Apostles For there was a new face of things when Constantine came there remained yet the desire of preaching in the Bishops but the doctrine was fowlly contaminated in many points Reliques begaÌ„ to be in reckoning Temples to be adorned more magnificently all kinde of superstition to increase besides the pride of the teachers as a little before Ambrose have taught spoiled the Church of a necessarie helpe to rule their maÌ„ners In stead whereof Ecclesiasticall dignities were encreased all things being curiously sought out more for pompe then for truth And while men gave themselves to thinges of this nature the golden Candlestick which among the candlesticks did obteine worthyly the chiefe praise was removed out of his place This shall be more cleare then the light at noone day in the rest of the booke In the meane time let men see how evill they provide for themselves and the truth which thinke every thing right which they reade to have bin used in those times Rather let them goe to the entire age in which the candlesticke stoode in his place which after it was set in an other place the same was overwhelmed with darkenes neither could he give light to others 6 But this thou hast c This also availeth to quicken their carefulnes they might have bin proude of their present happines as though their owne godlines had procured it
guidance arriving at the very truth I may holily and religiously reverence maintaine it being found out not conceale it through any shamefull fearfulnes corrupt it for any eyther hatred or favour but may bring it forth purely and syncerely into the viewe of every man to the glory of thy most great name and consolation of thy Church yet grievously mourning graunt this through our Lord Iesus Christ AmeÌ„ The Resolution THE Revelation after the Proheme is included whole in an Epistle The Proheme in the three first verses declareth the Argument Authours both principall and also Ministers and the Fruit. The Epistle is speÌ„t about an Inscription Propheticall narration and conclusion The InscriptioÌ„ is excellent for the person of the wrighter and of those to whom he writeth of him especially from whom salvation is wished the eternall verity of which one God the Father the manifold grace of the Holy Spirit vers 4. of the Sonne as the triple office vers 5. so especially his very great benefitâ— on the elect both present vers 6. to be expected in his glorious comming is celebrated which the kinreds of the earth shall receive with wailing and the saints in the meane time desyre most earnestly as is expressed in those wordes even so Amen vers 7. The Propheticall narration respecteth eyther the particular Churches or the whole Them partly jointly in the rest of this chapter partly severally in the two next The thinges which are declared ioyntly are to the end that the seaven Churches may knowe that Iohn undertooke not this wriring at his owne pleasure but was called and commanded of God Wherof the person calling may cause a full persuasion which cannot be of any other but of God himself vers 8. Lykewise the person called vers 9.10 Lastly the manner of calling him by hearing vers 11. theÌ„ by visioÌ„ The type wherof is shewed v. 12.13.14.15.16 certeyne things following therof are declared on Iohns parte a great feare and astonying on Christs part a consolation ver 17.18 then a commaunding to write ver 19. and the interpretation of the vision ver 20. A shorte exposition ver 1. Apocalyps The Argument of the booke signifying a Revelation made of God the coverings being taken away which before did hinder the eyes of mortall men Which sort of thinges were wont to be called in old time visions and prophesyes but in the writings of the Apostles the word of Revelation is more frequent I will come saith Paul to Visions and Revelations of the Lord 2 Cor. 12.1 And againe that J should not be lifted up above measure with excellency of Revelations ver 7. So whosoever of you hath a song hath doctrine hath a tongue hath a Revelation 1 Cor. 14.26 Furthermore the knowledge of the Gospell is attributed to Revelation of seeing which there is no greater power before it shall be revealed then of understanding future thinges I give thee thankes saith Christ O Father because thou hast hidden these thinges from the wise revealed them to babes Mat. 11.25 Whether is then this not the sense of this word that no new thing is published but as the Gospell is an open revealâ—d lawe so the coverings being removed that onely to be shewed which before lay hydde under the olde shadowes And so it might paradventure be thought unlesse this were also a word of the olâ—e testament The saying of him saith Balaam that heareth the wordes of the strong God which seeth the vision of the Almighty falling downe but having his eyes opened or revealed Num. 24.4 So the man of God spake unto Heli in the name of the Lord Did not I reveale my selfe playnâ—ly to the house of thy father 1 Sam. 2.27 Wherfore there is no argumeÌ„t from heÌ„ce to this purpose This may be without doubt that this kinde of speaking used as well here as there doth shewe that it neither was in the beginninge nor yet is proper to the witte of mortall men to finde out such mysteries by searching Neverthelesse that now all things are easy to be passed through by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ so farre as is behoveable for his Church Doe thou therfore most high Day-starre open our eyes that we may behold thy wonderfull things ¶ Of Iesus Christ Who is one of the chiefe authours of the Revelation the Mediatour betweene God and men All the olde Prophecies flowed alwayes from the same Christ but in these last dayes God hath spoken unto us by his Sonne after a singular and speciall manner Heb. 1.1 Wherupon there is a difference betweene the auncient inscriptions of the the Prophecies and of this There the vision of Isaias the vision of Obadias the booke of the vision of Nahum The Prophecy which Habbakuke saw never before the vision or Revelation of Iesus Christ This Prophecy must needes be most full of maiesty which is notable before others for the title neither is it to be doubted but that according to the proportion of the light of the Gospell all things are delivered here more distinctly and more clearely then ever before ¶ Which God gave unto him To wit the Father the authour fountayne of all things And he gave these thinges to Jesus Christ in asmuch as he is Mediatour not as to his coessentiall Sonne For these thinges doe shewe rather the order in which God doth give knowledge to his Church then the originall of knowing in respect of his Sonne as Th. Beza declareth most learnedly He is the pipe by vvhom is derived unto us men from the unmeasurable depth of his goodnes whatsoever may be profitable for us Although the verbe to give ioyned with the infinitive mode signifyeth often to permitte as thou wilt not give thy holy one to see corruption that is thou wilt not suffer him to see Psal 16.10 And Edom râ—fused to give to passe through that is permitte Num. 21.21 After which manner Demosthenes speaketh the word of permitting being ioyned with it Give and permitte me to speake of these thinges unto you But it comes all to one whether we make it the beginning of knowledge or of power Therefore we must rest in the first answere ¶ That he might shewe to his servants Therefore the understanding of those thinges is peculiar to these You prophane be ye farre o be ye farre fâ—om hence Why o ye Iesuites doe ye touch this booke These mysteries are shutte and sealed to you whatsoever diligence in interpreting you may pretend Here is nothing for the sworne slaves of Antichrist Leave off to trouble your selves and to deceave others Yf yee desyre indeed to understande these thinges renounce the Lord whom yee serve to the end that he whose name ye counterfaite may impert these secrets to you returning againe into his family ¶ Which must shortly be done An explication of the thinges whereof it is a Râ—velation not of those which were past a good while since but which should be done afterward and shortly For he
say notion of things as is the disordered and confused noise of waters which storming with contrary waves rushing against the shoare rockes yeilde a certaine huge noise yet no maÌ„ distinctly perceaveth what all that noise meaneth Such should by Christs administration be the word of truth in the same Churches in which the feete should be like to burning lebanons brasse To the heathenish men that lived yea in most pure Ephesus the truth was a certaine unsavoury and untastable thing neither sounded it any other thing then barbarous and unpleasant Cornelius Tacitus calleth the doctrine of the Gospell a certeine deadly superstition shewing by his wicked blasphemy not so much his owne as the comon hatred of all the GeÌ„tiles book 15. Suetonius recite that the ChristiaÌ„s were afflicted by torments that they were a kinde of men of strong wicked superstitioÌ„ in Nâ—ron ch 16. Pline a very learned wise maÌ„ in a certaine Epistle to Traiane singes the same song he writes that when he had enquired of 2 mades which were said to be the servantes of certaine Chrestians by tormentes what was the truth he founde no other thing than wicked unreasonable superstition the infection whereof had not onely runne thorough the cities but also the villages couÌ„trey c. How doeth the sounde of the truth to such men seeme a certaine rude vaine beating of waves Their eares were filled with a sounde wherof they conceaved no sence And we shall see in the next chapter how these although Gentiles perteined to Ephesus But not alone of this kinde of men the wholesome truth was accounted barbarous but also of many of Christian profesâ—ion in the Church of Smyrna Pergamus and the neighbour Churches Errours perverse opinions so possessed many that they were altogither deafe to wholesome doctrine neither tasted any sweetenes of it as it will be more plaine in the next chapter And he had in his right hand seaven starres He did so defend with his mighty right hand the Teachers of the truth for these are the starres as beneath iâ— taught vers 20. afflicted with many evills that in all miseries they were conquerours Although this thing be common to all Churchches yet in those it is cheefly seene Where the feete doe burne in an oven and the truth either not heard or not understood Even there we shall see many delivered to death but for one many forthwith to arise neither onely doeth the power of his defending right hand so manifest it selfe but also in repelling the conspiracies which the wicked doe make to his Ambassadours ¶ And out of his mouth a two edged sworde This sworde is the most mightie word of God more percing than any two edged sworde It searcheth the reines and pronounced sentence against the wicked and unbeleevers Neither doth one iote or any note become voide and of no effect It wondeth and killeth bringing upon the wicked those calamities which it threatneth Now it cometh out of the mouth because in the Church of Pergamus Christ would approve his most holy severity to the world in punishing sinnes unlesse saith he they repent J will fight against them with the sworde of my mouth chah 2.16 as it shall more fully be spoken of there ¶ And his face shineth as the Sunne in his strength The face or counteance of Christ is his worship appointed from God in which he is seene of his as cleerly as we doe beholde thinges before us Wherto perteine those exhortations Seeke yee my face Psal 27.8 Seeke the Lord and his strength Seeke his face alwayes Psal 150.4 Asthough he should say trust alway in the Lord and apply your selves to the holy study of those thinges with which he hath taugh that he himselfe is to be worshiped As long as we bestowe our labour thus we are conversant in the sight of the Lord but as soone as the fucalty to be at his publike worship is taken away we are banished from his face as Cain complaineth being cast out of the Church for the murther of his brother that he was hidden from his face Gen. 4.14 Therefore the whole religion of Christ perteining either to doctrine or to prayers sacraments discipline should shine most purely in these Churches For the reason of order requireth that in the last place the shining face should signify that the last of the seaven Churches should be famous by the cleere vision of Christ And among these as we shall see Philadelphia obtaineth the chiefe praise the other so beholde the open face of Christ that they may rather perceive that Christ is angry with them then reioyce in any of his favorable beholding or countenance Therefore the whole type or figure hath this summe That the first of the seaven Churches is no table by the righteousnes of Christ thorough the faith and holines of the people and mervailous quicknes of understanding of the teachers by whose bright eyes the darknes of errours are driven far away that those Churches in the middes are on fyre through greate affliction yet that the truth was not altogether overwhelmed but did make a lowde noise as the fall of the river Nilus although to very many it was but as the unconstant dashing of the waves That the last Churches had their teachers whole sound kept the trueth mighty to subdue the enemies and a great purity of the whole religion For nowe it shal be sufficient to distinguish them in to three degrees for plainesse sake we will folow a more accurate distribution when we shall intreate of them severally 17 I fell at his feete as dead Thus was the type from the consequents First the great feare of John offers it selfe such as in the like matter hath befallen other holy men So great is the infirmity of our nature and conscience of depravation that it can in noe wise endure the least shewe of Gods maiesty Dan. 8.9 c. which is another argument for the credit of the heavenly vision ¶ Feare not A consolation very necessary coÌ„sidering that Ihon had not bin able to perceive the things either heard or seen unlesse he had first bin recreated and confirmed from his feare And so it is wont to come to passe in holy visions the evill spirits contrarywise doe increase feare asmuch as they can desiring to overwhelme men with feare and desperation The places of consolation are from his universall power over all things created in this verse by name from his victory and power over death in the verse following Those wordes first last have great power to confort for why may not John be of good courage when he biddeth not to feare who in the beginning created all things and is able to bring them to nothing againe at his pleasure unlesse peradventure the words first and last are to be referred to glory and humility then he is the first nowe among all things created or rather above all things in honour and maiesty who once
counselled them well And touching Ephesus it can not be uncerten but that this holy rule did holde there seeing Paul taught theire the space of three yeares who gave commaundement to Timotheus touching this matter so diligently and exactly The observation therof was famous in the primitive Church as even Pline testifyeth in an Epistle unto Traian The Christians are wont saith he to ryse betimes in the morning to praise Christ as God for the preserving of their religion to prohibite murthers adulteries avarice cousenage and the like unto those Euseb kook 3. chap. 33. of the Eccles Hist from Tertullian Out of all doubt they did not onely prohibit in word by teaching but also did restraine them by holy discipline And they did determine rightly that Religion could not be preserved otherwise unlesse vices be cut of by this spirituall sworde Iustin testifyeth that no man was admitted to the Sacrament of the supper but he whose life should answer and accord with his profession Apol. 2. But more plainly Tertullian writing thus There are also exhortations corrections and divine censure for it is shewed with great gravitie if anie have offended that he maie be sent awaie from communicating in praier both of the assembly and all holy soâ—iety where all most approved Elders have authoritie having obtained that honour not by money but by good report Apologet. ch 39. Origenes in his 35. treatise on Mat. In the Churches of Christ saith he such a custom hath held that they which are manifest in great sinnes thereof convicted should be cast out froÌ„ comon prayer least a little leaven of such as pray not from their heart should corrupt the whole sprinkling and consent of truth So in Hom. 7. upon Ioshua Him that the third time being admonished refuseth to repent he commandeth to be cut of from the body of the Church by the rulers of the Church where also he sheweth that the Priests sparing one and neglecting their Priestlie severitie doe worke the ruine of the whole Church The Epistles of Cyprian are most cleare witnesses how holilie and regiously he kept it in his Church yea they do prove how purely the discipline abod hitherto at Rome as is cleare by the Epistles of Cyprian to the clergie of Rome and to Cornelius and againe of them to Cyprian It is therefore an excellent praise of that time that conioined togither with the puritie of doctrine sanctity of manners by most holsome discipline ¶ And hast tried them which say thy are Apostles The other part of discipline is toward Ecclesiasticall men who were reproved not onelie for sinne in life but also they did undergoe punishmeÌ„ts meet for their ungodlines if they brought anie new thing and divers from the truth which after lawfull examinatioÌ„ was founde not to agree to the rule of the sanctuarie And great was the courage of the Angell in this matter who was not skared froÌ„ his duty by great names but did bring them backe to a wholy examining who did vaunt that they were Apostles Of which sorte that there were meÌ„ at Ephesus it is cleare from that instruction given unto Timotheus That thou wouldest abyde at Ephesus saith he that thou mayest give warning to some that they teach none other doctrine neither give eare to fables and genealogies being endlesse which doe breed questioÌ„s rather then godly edifying which is by faith 1 Tim. 1.3 And the same Paul warneth the Bishops of Ephesus to take heed to themselves and the whole flocke For I know this that after my departure grievous wolves not sparing the flocke will enter in among you and of your selves shall aryse some which shall speake perverse thinges that they may draw disciples after them Act 20.29.30 But the diligence of the Pastours did plucke the vizzards from the hypocrites and did not suffer their craftes to spread to the destruction of the flock so the Church continued uncorrupted even to the coÌ„ming of Iohn who ruled the same many yeares who at length for a time being removed it staked somewhat of that former care as we shall shew by by Likewise in the fâ—rst church ther was such a troupe of heretiques as scarce hath bin in all other times There arose Simonians Menandrians Ebionites Cerinthians Pseudoapostolins Gnostickes Sabellians Samosatenians Manichees c. Some of which the Apostles themselves did perce through with the dart of trueth Paul delivered Hymeneus and Alexander to Sathan So Phygellus and Hermogenes and as it seemeth Philetus And he taught Titus that he should shunne an hereticall man after once or twice admonition Tit. 3.10 But after they were gone to Christ many other excellent lightes rose up which did dispell diligently all hereticall darknes Among which Agrippa Castor as Eusebius reporteth Iustin Martyr Ireneus Tertulianus Cyprianus c. Who all fought egerly for the truth against couÌ„terfait Apostles Wherfore as both the city that former age were perillous because of the impudency of those who with false titles made a shew that they were Apostles so were they no lesse happy by the faithfulnes and industrie of such defenders who would not be deceaved with a vaine shew but bringing the matter to the touchstone manifested to the whole Church that they were most filâ—hy fellowes who would be counted the principall maisters ¶ And thou wast burdened Hitherto his faithfulnes in executing his office now he rehearseth his vertue against externe evils which were many and great both of that city and of all the Christian world The battailes of Paul against beasts at Ephesus are famous 1 Cor. 15.32 But what tranquillity could be to the Angels following who should have to doe with grievous wolves not sparing the flocke Act. 20.29.30 It was therefore the coÌ„mendation of this Angell that he did susteine and endure calamity stoutly which is declared in a triple degree that he bare the burden that he laboured under the burden and yet was not tyred as though he should say a great weight in deede of trouble did ly upon thee under the burden whereof thou gronedst yet thou wast not discouraged that thou shouldest pluck thy neck from the yoke and betray the trueth It is a manlie fortitude to beare out manfully troubles and torment Many beare the yoke cheerfully as long as they feele but a little griefe But to goe on constantly among the stinges of grief and sorowe is a point of great courage and of heavenly fortitude Such was this Angell such also was the whole Primitive Church Nero and Domitian had greatly persecuted the Church before Iohn wrote these thinges And besides Nero and Domitian it abode patiently under TraiaÌ„ Adrian Antonin Severus Diocletian The times were never more miserable when the EMPEROVRS did let their labour to hire to the Devill for to shed the Christian blood which he doeth alwaies thirst after Yet the faithfull revolted not but coÌ„tinued coÌ„staÌ„tly unto the end becoming at leÌ„gth coÌ„querers setting up the signe of victory against the Devill al foes
gathereth the teares of his children in his bottle knoweth that I have not viewed round about this Laodicea with dry eyes I could not but morne from the bottome of myne heart when I beheld in her Christ lothing us and very greatly provoked against us Wherfore let no man blame me for that which not so much my wil as the duty of a faithfull Interpreter compelleth me to bring forth And I hope that the lovers of the truth will not despise and refuse so equall and reasonable request with which hope supported but especially with his ayde who is the leader of my way and life I will gird and make my selfe ready unto the thing it selfe The Antitype I say is the third reformed Church that is ours of England For all the purer Churches are comprehended in this threefolde difference For either they presist and continue in those steppes which Luther hath traced out such as are the Churches of Germany especially of Saxony and those next bordering of Suerland and Danemarke or they abhorre that errour of Consubstantiation as all the rest with one consent which yet doe not agree in all things but follow a differing manner of governing and administring the French and their companions one our English another a certen propre and peculiar one Whereupon there are three distinct severally unto which the three types Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea after that Iezabell was overthrowne that is the yoke of the Romish tyranny shaken of doe answere And to the last Laodicea the English doth agree whose last original taketh her beginning at the yeare 1547. when Edward the King of most famous memory came to the rule and governement of the common wealth but then at length shee was confirmed and stablished when 11 yeares after our most peaceable Queene Elisabeth begā the kingdome Most mighty King Henry her father had expelled the Pope but reteyned the Popish superstition And before he began to stirre any whit even against the Pope the Churches of Germany and Helvetia were founded The Scotish Church is later in beginning then ours yet by right it is numbred with them with which it agreeth in ordinances into whose times shee is cast which is to be esteemed rather from the agreement of things then alone from the difference of time Wherfore our English Church alone constituteth the Antitype answering to Laodicea as shee which began last of those in which there appeareth noe difference of any moment ¶ These things saith that Amen Amen is used as a proper name and unchāgeable as before he that is he that was he that cometh This threefoulde property perteineth therto that it may teach what manner of one Christ would shew him selfe in governing this Church The first is fetched out of the first chap. ver 18. although Amen there wanteth the article neither is it read at all of the comon Interpreter yet notwithstanding this place giveth coniecture that it ought to be read The second is taken not out of the vision of the same chapter but from the inscription of the comon Epistle ver 5. Neither is the third found in expresse wordes but in the 8. ver he is called the beginning and the end from whence this seemeth to proceed the beginning of the creature The two first propertyes perteine to the double truth one of promising the other of teaching in respect of that he is called that Amen according to that of the Apostle In him are all the promises of God yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.20 in respect of this a faithfull true witnesse As touching that Christ taketh this name upon him now because he should shew himselfe very cleare famous in performing his promises But what are they All blessings of heaven of earth of cattell of children of peace of warre of good health the like to them that obey the voyce of the Lord but all cōtrary things to thē that refuse Deut. 28. Which how they were performed to the Laodiceans is not plainly apparent to us being destitute in this point of the light of the History As touching our England nothing can be more cleare then the excellent goodnes of God in this thing For the space of these 42. yeares more what aboundance of all good things hath ben powred forth upon our Iland He hath given us a most peaceable Queene excelling so in all prayse as no age hath seene the like Togither with her he hath given peace What good thing hath not issued frō thence Frō hēce the lawes are in force iudgemēts are exercised every one ēioyeth his owne iniuries are restrayned wātonnes is repressed the nobility is honoured the comon people goeth about their worke with all diligence arts doe flourish handicraftes are used cities are built excellently riches increased infinite youth groweth up the fieldes abunde with corne the pastures with cattel the moutaines with sheepe What should I use many words hence is a porte place of refuge opened to the banished for Christs sake affoardeth ayde to them that are oppressed by tyrants neither have wee almost any other labour thē that wee may helpe thē that neede all this even while our eares doe ringe of the noise tumulte of the nations round about us no lesse then as the waves of the sea England never had so long quietnesse of dayes At which our felicity strangers are astonished our enemies are grieved wee our selves almost knowe it not But prayse be to thee most true Amen who hath given us this ease and rest In bestowing largely upon us so many good thinges thou hast shewed truly to the world that thy Gospell is a guest not going away scot free which dot so aboundantly blesse those that receive entertaine it Keepe continue these good thinge unto us yea thou wilt keepe them which art Amen if wee shall keepe and defende thy trueth ¶ That faithfull witnesse true The second property is of trueth in teaching For these thinges perteine to the propheticall office of Christ as hath bin said in the first verse of the first chap. where he is called faithfull because of the diligence of labour wherby he is exercised in his office with very great faithfulnes to whom the FATHER hath well commited a businesse of so great momēt true for the soundnes and syncerity of speach without all even the least spot of falshood In this kinde of trueth he should manifest him selfe in wonderfull manner in this Church But touching the city of LAODICEA we have noe more then before In the Antitype those former riches of his grace are in this thing if it may be surmounted and excelled And to what end were all the good thinges if wee could not have the wholesome doctrine of trueth But ever since the first times of our most peaceable Queene he hath raysed up continually diligent and learned Pastours and Teachers who have preached the worde purely and syncerely Neither at this day are many wanting by his infinite mercy who bestowe
of Oxen the prudence of men last of all the contempt of earthly things of the Eagles Yet not without cause some proper thing here is applyed to every one severally Peradventure that therby the Spirit may shewe in what principall vertues the Pastors should excell others according to the foure diverse seasons The first age after Iohn gave famous men in all those vertues chap. 6.1.3.5.7 Whose fortitude yet most of all appeared wherby they did both suffer and overcome the most fierce cruelty of the tyrants The age following after Constantine ministred Oxen when liberty was taken from the Ministers every excellent man was oppressed under the yoke of Antichrist with the burdens of humane ceremonies The Ghospell recovering life againe by Wicklefe Luther affoarded men who being weary of the Romish bondage both desyred earnestly and at length obtayned the Christian freedome Wee doe expect yet Eagles which the calling of the Jewes will give at length when the Ghospell shal be restored fully and brought to his perfit glory which this Prophecy will shewe shall come shortly Thē the Bishops shall beholde the Sunne with steddy sight and shall search out with mervaylous quicknes of understanding whatsoever yet lyeth hydde in the trueth of God neither frō our times māners shall they basely creepe on the earth minding earthly things but shall fly upon high having all their conversation in heaven 8 And every of the Beasts c. Hitherto of the form of their body the form of their winges is described by a triple property nūber stāding eyes Every Every one hath six winges so many as had also the Angels in Isaiah 6.2 but not of like use as it seemeth For the Angels with two did cover their face with two their feete with two they did fly But the placing of them of the Beasts is such as it is not fit for this thing For they are rounde about them behind on their sides before them that they cannot serve fitly to cover either the face or feete Neither in deede are they given them for flight For what neede have they to fly who have the place of their abode betweene the throne and the circuite of the Elders Therefore they belōge to ayde succour by which they fly most readily into every parte to helpe others Such an office is twofold in the Church one of Helpers an other of Governours 1 Cor. 12.28 That belongeth to the Deacons and Widowes whom once the Apostles appointed to looke to the poore and those that had any infirmity of body by a divine ordinance least that they attending to such businesse should become lesse carefull about prayers and the administration of the word Act. 6.2 c. 1 Tim. 5.9 This office belongeth to the Elders who are appointed to governe onely mens manners and are moderators of the discipline Teir office is shewed by the eyes of which the winges are full within For to what ende els should there be newe eyes in the winges when before the whole body was beset with eyes In deede those eyes of the body are of knowledge and science and therfore doe sticke neerer being in the body it selfe which the Ministers may as well want as their owne eyes wich are ioyned to their body with so neere a coniunction but these eyes of the winges being removed a little farther of are placed as it were in a watch tower to search out every on s manners executing the Office of watches and wardes as the Apostle sheweth saying Obey your Teachers submitte your selves to them for they watch for your soules as they that must give account Heb. 13.17 And how fitly is it that this kind of eyes is within and under the winges For they must looke onely to the flocke which dependeth upon them as Peter warneth 1 Epist 5.2 They ought not to care for anothers flocke or at least they must watch over the Christian people For what have wee to doe to iudge thē that are without wee must iudge them that are within God iudged them that are without 1 Cor. 5.12.13 Such a Tabernacle was seene in the mount as touching his ministers according to which patterne the Christian Church was framed by the Apostles whose besides the Pastors ordained also these Helpers in every congregation which should governe the reformation of manners togither with the Pastors whom Paul mentioneth commaunding that the Elders which rule well should be had in double honou◠specially they that labour in the word doctrine 1 Tim. 5.17 For such are blinde and which in understanding doe not understand who avouch that this two kinde of Elders can not be proved from this place Further what else shall wee understand to be those Governements in the 1 Cor. 12.28 then the office of them who are appointed to this charge In the beginning of the verse Paul reckened up Apostles Prophets and Teachers upon whom lyeth the administration of the word unto which after some other things interposed namely namely Powers Gifts of healings and Helpes at length he adioyneth Governements that by this order interrupted and discontinued by so great a space wee might knowe that these Governements is a certen distinct thing from the charge of teaching Furthermore of what sorte were those Elders which were conversant togither with the Apostles in the Church of Ierusalem Act. 15.4.6 Were they such as bestowed all their labour in teaching the people in the publike assemblyes It is likely that the Apostles abiding there layed asyde this care of teaching and gave thēselves to execute a certen Lordshippe A few yeeres before they suffered not them selves to be pulled from prayers and teaching Act. 6.4 but at length peradventure this exceeding love was abated they followed their ease and gave over the duty and charge gladly to the Elders Away with this folly the holy mē were not sleepy with slouthfulnes neither did they affect ambitious dominion over others which they forbad others by their example 1 Pet. 5.7 But to their power labouring in that which was the principall they used those Elders as the eyes of the winges to take good heede to the holines of their flocke It is also evident from the use of the primitive Church as was sayd before in chap 2.2 But first of all Ambrose is a substantiall witnesse in this matter upon the 1 to Tim. chap. 2.4 Whēce also the Synagogue and afterward the Church had Elders without whose counsell nothing was done in the Church which by what negligence it is growne out of use J know not unlesse by the slouthfulnes or rather pride of the Teachers while they alone wil be thought some what Such are his wordes from which it doth most clearly appeare what sorte of Elders the Primitive Church had such in deede who with ioint studyes and counsels regarded the dignity of every one togither with the Pastors Ambrose complayneth that these were worne away whē those other preaching Elders fayled not in his time neyther could fayle and
after a Councill being gathered in the same place under Gratian and Theodosius the elder shee ordained in plaine wordes that the Bishop of the City of Constantinople ought to have the honour of Primacy next after the Romane Bishop because that it is newe Rome see the first Councill at Constantinople Canon the fift By which things both shee bewrayed her owne ambition and also shewed some what more fully what those some thing obscure circunstances of wordes in the Nicene decree meant ¶ And the third part of the Sea became blood The Second effect is the corruption of Doctrine the death of the things in the Sea The Doctrine is turned into blood that is into a nature wholy growing out of kinde Before indeede it began to be foule and thicke defiled with many superstitions but afâ—er the desire of Lordship Primacy was mixed with it it became an horrible blood But what this third part is the History sheweth clearly In the former sounding of the trumpet the East was smitten with the haile nowe the West is punished with the bloody waters as some time Egypte Now Rome must play her part which not content with the Primacy of Order the which the Niâ—â—ne Fathers gave her strove as much as shee was able to get her selfe the highest estate also of power over all the rest And shee had many opportuniâ—â—es doubtlesse before others as to be the head City of olde time and noâ— y t longe agoe that preiudice of the Nicene Decree the exceeding peace the which shee enioyâ—d when in the meane time the whole East was inflamed with the deadly firâ—brandes of dissentions finally ordained as it were a sanctuary the orthodoxes being driven out of their seâ—tes under a coulour of defending of whom shee crept in by stealth to that dominion which in her heart shee sought so greedily For while both the banished Bishops of whom shee seemeth to deserve well praysed her of a gratefull good will more then was meete and shee vaunting her selfe the more freely in a good cause shee exercised a certen empire and dominion unwarres over all men Which coming of hers appeareth evidently in Sozomenus in his 3. booke chap. 8. Athanasius of Alexandria Paulus of Constantinople Marcellus of Ancyra and Asclepa Gazensis being cast out of their people fled for succour to Rome the defence of whom Iulius Romain tooke freely neither was that to be reprooved unlesse he had made craftily to himselfe from hence a steppe unto tyranny For so he writeth to the Churches in their behalfe as though the power were his owne to command any thing imperiously As if it were meete that he because of the dignity of his seate should be carefull for all he restored to every one his owne Church But when letters were sent every where touching this matter through the East being as I said full of authority and power which he arrogated to his seat the Easterne Bishops in other things not to be approved did this well and according to their duty that they thought the arrogancy of the man was to be convinced of them and the Romish ambition to be reprooved freely And from hence is that which they answere that the Romane Church doth strive and contende with all men about honour as if shee were the schole of the Apostles made at the beginning the mother City of Godlines although the teachers themselves of the doctrine came from the East and were men of that country c. There was added to his cunning of boasting so insolently of the Apostolike Chaire a crafty interpretation of all duty as of due obedience the saluting of his brethren and fellowes in office by the name of honourable Sonnes and other notable fraudes of that sorte as Damasus in his Epistle to the Constantinopolitane Councill doe shewe in these wordes In that saith he your charity most honourable sonnes giveth due reverence to the Apostolike Chaire by the same thing you procure very much reverence to your selves For although it apperteineth to us chiefly to order the sterne and rudder which wee have taken upon us to governe in the holy Church in which the holy Apostle sate a teacher yet wee confesse our selves to be unworthy of so great an honnour Theodor. booke 5. chap. 9. Incredible is the charity of the Romane Pope who embraceth noe otherwise then as Sonnes so many Bishops present in the Councill In the next age his unsatiable desyre brake forth more evidently Three most Holy Popes who could not erre Zozimus Bonifacius and Celestinus are convinced of falshood belying the Nicene Councill to stablish their owne Principality The sixt Councill of Carthage albeit they reprove so great a naughty act more gently then was meete writeth to Celestinus that they could not finde any such thinge in the truer Councils which are received for Nicene being sent them from holy Cyrill and Atticus of Constantinople out of the originall which they long a goe sent from thence by Faustinus as out of a part of the Nicene Council and therefore they warne him that he would not doe that wherby he may seeme to bring into the Church of Christ the smokie pride of the world So in short time their impudency increased neither from hence forth did they cease before that Rome the conqueresse had taken from all the rest the apple of contention The Nicene Fathers tought to provide for the peace of the Church by placing some chiefe Patriarches as it were in a watchtower above the rest but the issue convinceth them both of an exceeding great errour and aberration and of their labour to be very ill and unprofitably bestowed and togither also it teacheth howe much safer and better it is to continue and keepe within the boundes and simplicity of the divine and most holy word of GOD then that wee should alter or change any thing in it leaning unto humane wisdome and inventions of men Such is this third part into which the burning montaine was cast and that the doctrine afterward became most fouly corrupted marred now it is mor knowne thankes be to God theÌ„ that is needfull to spende time in proving it Wee shall finde that this is the continuall Cokou song of all the Papists an immoderate boasting of the Apostolique Seate whether they doe refferre all things wrestingly the Sunne and Moone the two swordes and the Church built upon Peter 9 And the third part of the creatures dyed There remaine yet two partes of the second effect one touching the death of the creatures in this Sea the other of the dâ—stroying of the shippes The creatures in the Sea are all that basest company of the Clergie as they call them of which sorte are the Doore-keepers Râ—â—ders Singers Exorcists Acobythes Subdeacons Deacons Archdeacons Deanes Religious Monkâ—s Brethren and the rest of that kinde The Shippes are those of a higher degree whose office was to take paines in preaching the word and to transporte it hither and thither as merchants
the rest of the world following their wicked and vaine studies The voice which was heard is set foorth by a triple similitude of waters thunders Harpers Which three fold similitude noteth the progresse of the Church The first voice belongeth to the Church declining being confused and not distinct such as is the noise of waters which signifyeth nothing teacheth nothing but beateth the eares with a certen unprofitable roaring For when the woman went first into the wildernes although farre most learned men flourished in the Church as Athanasius Basilius Nazianzene Chrysostome Ambrose Hieronymus Augustine and others whose very learned workes made a great noise through the whole world how notwithstanding was all this doctrine in every place not understood not perceived of many men every one neverthelesse earnestly inclining to their superstitions Yea the teachers themselves did not speake distinctly and plainely sometime preaching righteousnes by Christ onely sometime attributing the same to their own workes sometime taking away free will sometime leaving the same whole in word condemning Idolatry in very deede stablishing it by the invocation of Saincts worshipping of reliques and such wicked superstitions Certenly there was scarce any point of doctrine which they did maintaine constantly alwayes in the same manner Therefore that was a disordered noise which rather oppressed the sense then informed the minde with profitable knowledge For as the wordes of a man giving up the ghost die in his iawes and make no distinct sounde for the understanding of the hearers so the trueth being now readie to die sounded so confusedly in the conflict of contrary opinions that scarce any word of it could be understood Yâ—t notwithstanding in this disordered noise the Saincts learned some thing which avayled to the furthering of their salvation If wee follow this interpretation which the event maketh good you may observe what is the judgement of the Spirit concerning the writers of that age thâ—t pure doctrine can no more be drawen from their writings then any profitable knowledge be gathered from the noise of the dashing together of waves I would have nothing taken away from their prayses for that which they wanted was long of the time not of their learning wit wherein they excelled But I cannot but wonder at the daintinesse of our age that the good corne being found out it would feede againe with akers The second voice is of thunder roaring terrible making a cracking by certaine respites This voice is proper to the Church reviving uttered by the Waldenses the Albingenses VVickliefe and Husse These did thunder vehemently and the world was abashed with the great noise but all feare vanished away togither with the roaring while a newe violent souÌ„d came suddenly upon them as it is in thunder at which men quake no longer then their eares are filled with the noise The voice of Harpers belongeth evidently to the trueth restored immediately before the woman went out of the wildernesse Confessions being made of the Churches everie where the Augustane that of Strasburge of Basile of the Swisers of Saxonie most sweetly consenting all to one trueth Therefore this threefold voice generally setteth before our eyes the whole course of the doctrine from the first lurking of the Church through all that long raigne of Antichrist From which wee see how every latter Prophecy is more cleere theÌ„ the former First the assembly of the faithfull was shewed by the sealing ch 7. Afterward by the covering place in the Temple chap. 11. Thirdly by the flight into the wildernesse chap. 12. Now more fully in this manner that wee have heard and shal be more evident in the particular exposition 3 And which did singe as it were a new song and doe sing by the defect of the article and which did sing for and singing A new song is the praysing of God by Iesus Christ through whom the elect are made children It is called new not because men now first began to be and to be counted the sonnes of God but because in the true Christian Church this grace is communicated to farre moe then in any place else before the coÌ„municating of the Redeemer and confirmed by more plentifull arguments In which manner wee are said to have received the Spirit of adoption Rom. 8.14 not because wee first have received it but because more plentifully then before this time Or there is a double song ever since the first beginning of things an olde and an dewe The first praised God because wee were made sonnes by creation as Adam before his fall the second extolleth God with praises for that wee are made children by redemption This is a new song because it is latter although all the elect have used the same from the beginning It is sunge before the Throne the Beasts and the Elders because chiefly this praysing is done in the publike assembly of the faithfull although this assembly was in the wildernesse and not perceived of the world Or it is sunge before the Throne because whosoever professeth this faith in trueth he belongeth to the assembly of the elect although the difficultie of the times sufferred not publike congregations to be gathered in which they might acknowledge the same thing freely ¶ And no man could learne that Songe Through all the space that the Church lay hid chap. 12.6 For now the multitude of the faithfull was certen definite and that might easily be numbred they being picked out from every Tribe which should sing this new song above in chap. 7 For as once God separated the twelve tribes of Israelites to be his people froÌ„ the rest of the whole world neither could any stranger ioyne himselfe unto that company untill the partition wall was broken downe so nowe hath God disjoined the false worshippers from his by the strong walles of the courts of which these are thrust up into the inward temple as into a certen straight and narrow prison they in the meane time reioycing in their outward and larger court chap. 11.2 VVo could not or at least would not conceive what the Saincts did sing within but with a certaine bastard melodie made a great noise praising God for their adoption but made partly by Christ partly by their owne streÌ„gth shewing by this thicke Sibolâ—th of what kinde they are Iudges 12.6 There should be theÌ„ a very small nuÌ„ber in respect of the other multitude of them that did sing this song for a certaine time Yet after Antichrist should beginne to decrease by little and little the number of the faithfull should increase daylie in so much that at length it could not be numbred chap. 7.9 In this wise is the joy of the Spirit their holines is described in the other words and first that they are bought from the earth that is delivered of God from the false and counterfait Church as it were out of the middes of a burning fire to wit by the woonted signification of the word earth 4 These are they which are not