with Beliall With Satan saith the Syriack Belly sig Carnall pleasures and all lawfull honest pleasures of life being inordinately loued Phil. 3 19. Whose belly is their God So are all pleasures when men too much loue them and with immoderate affections follow after them as if all their felicity were placed in enioying of them Beneuolence sig Good will or readinesse of will to helpe such as we may helpe 2. Cor. 9 5. And come as of beneuolence not of niggardnesse 2 The guift or Almes which comes of beneuolence and is freely bestowed 2. cor 9 5. To finish your beneuolence appointed before 3 All Coâ—ugall or Marriage duties but especially bed-company betweene man and wife for iust ends in chast and sober manner 1. Cor. 7 3. Let the husband giue vnto the wife due beneuolence c. Better sig Lesse vnconuenient 1. Cor. 7 28. Better to marry then to burne 2 More conuenient 1. Cor 7 38. Hee that giueth not his Uirgin in marriage doth better 3 More good and profitable Phil 1 23. Hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is much better B. I. Binding on earth sig A solemne denounciation of Iudgement by the Minister against impenitent sinners according to the word of God which is as a binding him in the fetters of his sinnes Mat 16 19. Whatsoeuer thou shalt bind on earth shal be bound in heauen And Mat 18 18. Papistes by binding vnderstand not onely censures of the Church but corporall paines and corrections the inflicting whereof belongs not to Ministers but to Magistrates Rom 13 3. Binding the broken sig The whole cure or healing of sorrowfull sinners both by forgiunesse of the guiltinesse and mortifying their corruption Esay 61 1. He hath sent me to binde vp the broken-hearted in Lu. 4 18. it is called The healing of the broken harted Byshop or Byshops sig pro Any that hath the charge to ouer-see and prouide things necessary A Surueiour 2 A spirituall ouer-seer or one that hath charge and ouer-sight of soules by the worde to instruct and rule them 1. Tim 3 1. If any man desire the office of a Byshop he desires a worthy worke Sée Actes 20 28. the inspection into and charge ouer the flocke for Doctrine and manners dooth by Gods commandement belong to a Byshop whereof the Greeke name Episcopos doth admonish vs. 3 Pastors Teachers Elders euen whosoeuer had in the primitiue Church any Ecclesiastical power either for Doctrine or regiment of the Church Phil 1 1. To the Byshoppes and Deacons of Phillippi 4 Christ Iesus who because he hath chiefe care charge and ouer-sight of the Church for feeding and ruling it and he only hath vpon him the charge of sauing soules by his Mediation is therefore by an excellency called the Byshop of our Soules 1. Pet 2. vers last Ye are returned to the Byshop of your soules B. L. Blacknesse sig Afflictions or Persecutions which diminish the outward beauty and glory of the Church Cant 1 4. I am blacke ô Daughters of Ierusalem Sâ—e Blacknesse in Canticles Blasphemy sig pro An hurtfull word or any euill speech 2 Euery reproachfull word tending to the hurt and disgrace of any other mans name and credite Titus 3 2. Speake euill of no man In the Originall it is Blaspheme no man Likewise in 1. Pet 4 4. Therefore speake they euill of you This is blaspheming of men Mark 3 2. And blasphemies where-with they blaspheme 3 A word vttered vnto the reproch of God of his Religion of his Word Ordinances Creatures or Workes Rom 2 24. For the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles through you Tim 6 1. Examples of this kinde of blasphemy we haue in Acts 14 11 and 25 19. where Festus called Gods Religion Superstition 2. Kinges 18 35. This is the blaspheming of God 4 A malicious reproachfull word vttered against the knowne truth of the Gospell This knowledge of the Gospell because it is had by the effectuall enlightning of the spirit therefore the sin of one who maliciously reproacheth this truth once knowne is named blasphemy against the Spirit that is not against the person but against the work of the spirite in man illuminating his soule to see the truth of Saluation This is Blaspheming agaynst the Spirit A more ample description of the sinne against the Holy-ghost for help of weake tempted Christians Blasphemy against the spirit it is a Sinne not in deeds and actions but in a reproachful word Mark 3 30 vttered not out of feare nor other infirmitie as Peter did and sicke and franticke personnes may do but out of a malicious hatefull heart 1. Cor 16 22. and Heb 10 26. Not by one that is ignorant of Christ as Paule was being a blinde Pharisie but by one enlightned through the Holy-Ghost with the knowledge of the Gospel Heb 6. 4. Not of rashnes but of set purpose to despite Christ his known Doctrine and workes Heb 10 29 Being accompanyed with an vniuersal defection or falling away from the whole truth of God Heb 6 6 Also with a generall pollution and filthinesse of life Mat 12 45. 2. Pet 2 20 Finally being vnremissible because such as commit this sin cannot repent Mat 12 32. Heb 6 6. How are the Papists out of the way touching this point in that they wil haue this Blasphemy to haue six parts or signes whereof the chiefe is finall impenitency which doo accompanie euery sin in the wicked Sée their note on Math. 12 45. To Blesse sig To giue thankes or to praise God in a solemne manner Mat 26 26. And when he had blessed that is when he had giuen thankes as it is in Luke 22 19. 1. Cor 11 24. And in al places where the Saints are said to blesse God there it is meant of their Thankesgiuing and of speaking well of God The Papistes by blessing vnderstand not a solemne blessing by giuing thankes to GOD to the consecrating or preparing the Creatures to an holye action but an operatiue blessing of the bread making it to bee the body of Christ substantially and corporally Sée the Annot. on Math. 26 26. 2 To wish and pray for good thinges to others Gen 48 20. Iacob blessed the sonnes of Ioseph Such was the Priests blessing the people in the Law and parents blessing their children euen their good Prayers to God for their welfare 3 To encrease that which is little and to make it much as when God is sayde to haue blessed the Widdow of Sarepta her Oyle Meale in her Cruse 2. Kings 17 16. And when Christ blessed the fiue Loaues and two Fishes in the Gospell This blessing was operatiue indeede and wrought a sencible multiplication of the Loaues and Fishes so was there not a sencible mutation of the Bread and Wine into the body and bloode of Christ by that blessing Mat 26. 4 To giue good things vnto vs and to doo vs good in prospering our affayres and labors Psalme 67 1. God be mercifull vnto
which is called a Man because it assumed and tooke the shape of a man Reuel 21 17. By the measure of man that is of the Angell This same is vnderstood of the Ministers of the Gospel which do nothing in their seruice after their owne pleasure but as Angels of God in all thinges doe respect the will of God 2 The Minister of the word which is Gods Messenger sent to declare his will to some Church ouer which he is set by the holy Ghost Reuel 2 1. Unto the Angell of the Church of Ephesus write 3 The Lord Iesus Christ our King and Sauiour who maketh intercession for the Saintes with God the Father offering vp their Prayers as the Calues and Sacrifices of their lippes Reu. 8 3. Then another Angell came By the mediation of this Angell the Church is kept safe amiddest great dangers and receiueth many heauenly gifts Some by this other Angell vnderstand a certaine man after the vse of Scripture to wit Constantine the Great Other take the word properly for a created Spirit Formost is the most receiued exposition Seauen Angels sig So many created Spirits as Seruants Ministers of God being alwayes in readines which is meant by standing before God to execute his heauie Iudgements vpon the wicked namely Anti-christ and his members Reuel 8 3. I saw seauen Angelles which stood before God These Angels whether good or bad it appeares not by the Text. foure Angels sig Foure vncleane Spirits or Diuels of Hell as appeareth by this that the plagues which these foure Angels must execute are spirituall tending to the destruction of sules such as Diuels do execute Re. 7 1. I saw four Angels stand vpon the 4. corners of the earth These foure Angels were foure Wicked Spirits 1. of Contention 2. of Ambition 3. of Heresie 4. of Warre Also in Chap. 9. verse 14. By foure Angels is meant the foure chiefe Heades or Authours of the Turkish Gouernment ruled by Diuels Another Angell sig Christ Iesus who is another differing from the common Angels not onely in number but in Essence Office and operation exceeding al Angels being an eternall Angell or word of God Mediatour of the Couenant Reu. 7 2. I saw another Angell come vp from the East So is another Angell taken Cap. 8 3. and 10 1. but others do vnderstand that other Angell Cap. 7 1. of Constantine the Great who came out of the East parts and succeeded Dioclesian in the Empire Howbeit sithence it is Christ alone who hath the Seale to set vpon all the elect therefore the former signification is to be receiued in mine opinion 2 A created spirit throughly furnished with power and with slight of glory as ensigne of Power deputed and appointed to this seruice of ruinating Babylon Reu. 18 6. I saw another Angell This is to be noted through this Booke that the Angels both holy and vncleane Spirites according to the Nature of the work to be done are the adminsters and Executioners of Gods decree and counsell both for safety of his true flocke and for the ouer-throw of the false Antichristian Church and Turkish conuenticles assembled against Christ. 3 The Ministers of the truth which liued in the succeeding age whereof Iohn Husse and Hieromne of Prage were cheeâ—e mightily striuing against the Primacy of the Pope Reuel 14 8. And there followed another Angell an Angell standing in the Sunne sig An heauenly Spirit Minister and Proclaimer euen in the Sunne that is openly and in the sight of all as Proclamations are wont to bee made by one standing in some high place where he may bee heard of a glorious Conquest and victory which Christ and his Church should haue and get ouer the Beast and the false Prophet his strong enemies Reuel 19. 17. And I saw an Angell stand in the Sunne Yet some Diuines interpret this of some particular man which should be a member of some particular Church brightly shining aboue other Churches in purity of heauenly doctrin light of the holy truth By comparison with Reu. 12 1. this rare Man should arise out of the Westerne Church to call Christians of the West vnto battaile or rather to take the spoile of the Beast and the false Prophet being subdued in Warre The former exposition is of Interpretors more commonly receiued yet both may stand together for Christ the Authour and giuer of the victory ouer the Antichristian Army and his Instrument whosoeuer are not contrary Another Beast sig The Ecclesiasticall Dominion and Kingdome at Rome exercised with tyrannous and beastly fury fiercenesse It succeeded the politique power of the Emperours beeing now to be found resident in the corporation of the Pope and his false Prophets and forgerers of false doctrine This Dominion and power Ecclesiasticall though it bee the same with the former politique power of Emperours in nature and constitution both being bloudy and beastly yet it is called another Beast because this power had another Originall and beginning For the former Beast with seauen heads came out of the Sea this other Beast came vp out of the Earth that is his authority was encreased and raised vp euen aboue Lay-men not exempting the Emperour himselfe which became vnderling and Vassall to the Pope hauing before great authoritie ouer the Cleargy alone This happened in the time of Gregory the second Hence it is that the Monarchy and Dominion of the Pope was both the seauenth head of the former Beast described in the beginning of the thirteenth Chapter And also a Beast of himselfe euen in respect of the double power which this second Beast did challenge that is the highest power ciuill ouer all Emperors and Kings Also the highest power spirituall ouer the Faith ouer the consciences and Soules of all men Reue. 13 17. And I behold another Beast comming vp out of the Earth c. It is vsual in Scripture by Beasts to vnderstand Kingdomes and Dominions ruled in a beastly fashion As in Daniell often and in the Reuelation A. P. Apples desired or lusted sig The fruites desired and lusted after by a Sinecdoche of the part for the whole When it is saide heere these are departed it signifieth eyther that their desired and longed for Haruest of all ripe and delicate fruites was perished so as they had not their wonted abilitie or else their wanton lust after such fruits about which they spare no cost to procure them was now extinct and quenched which causeth the friendes of Rome to mourne Reue. 18 14. And the Apples which thy Soule lusted after are departed from thee A. R. Armageddon sig The Mountaine of Megiddo where Iosiah was slaine 2 Chron. 35 22. as some think or the destruction of an Army as others thinke or as others thinke a cutting downe subtilly or the town Megiddo mentioned Iudges 5 19. Where Debora and Baruch with a smal number ouerthrew Sisera Certain it is that by this name is signified the place of that vnrecouerable destruction giuen to
the tyranical enemies there of being extinct which delighted to glut themselues with the blood of the Saintes and godly Kinges set vp to gouerne his people in his waies Reuel 12 10. Now is come the Kingdome of our God not to receiue a kingdome sig To want and to bee without that Regall and princely power which enableth men to rule ouer kingdomes and people Reuel 17 12. Which yet haue not receiued the Kingdome Kingdomes of this world are Christs sig Heathenish Kings conuerted to Christ who after a sort maketh his royall Maiesty visible in such godly kings framing their harts so as to cause them to cast down their Crowns and Scepters at Christs feete and both in themselues and their subiects to study chiefely how to promote his glory Thus Christ raigned by Constantine the Great and other godly Emperors of old time and of late by sundry worthy and religious Princes in Germany England Scotland Poland and Denmarke Reue. 11 15. The Kingdomes of this world are our Lords and his Christs who shall raigne for euermore L. A. Lake of fire burning sig THE extreame tormentes of Hell called before the second death also destruction Chapt. 17 8. To be cast into this Lake is to be adiudged to most grieuous damnation and paine there by an vnrecouerable sentence This shall be done as a most iust reward to Antichristian doctrine and tyranny which shall be most seuerely punnished without any hope of recouery eyther for the Papacy it selfe or the men which embraced it and fought so fiercely for it For out of Hell no redemption Reuel 19 20. These both were cast aliue into a Lake of fire burning c. Lambe sig Christ and his Church humble meane and meeke as a Lambe Reuel 17 14. They shall fight against the Lambe Lambs mariage supper sig The participation and fellowship with Christ in his heauenly ioyes and blisse when the Church his Spouse shall be fully blessed Reuel 19 9. Called to the supper of the marriage of the Lamb. Some vnderstand this to belong to the time of the calling of the Iewes which shall be afore Christ his comming to Iudgement in which calling they shall not refuse vpon vaine excuses as at first Math. 22. But at the first hearing through the most effectuall grace of Christ they shall very readily obey the doctrine of Faith wherein they shall ioyntly delight themselues as men which sit together at a great Supper which beeing in the Euening and end of the day dooth signifie that this calling of the Iewes shall be in the Euening and end of the World as a forerunner and representation of the great Supper which the Church and Christ shall haue together in Heauen This Exposition is not rashly to be reiected L. E. to lead into Captiuity sig To expell or driue out of ones Country and to make them bond-men and slaues Reuel 13 10. If any Lead into Captiuity Leaues of the Trée sig The most certaine hope which the faithfull haue by Christ of the glory to come which as a fruit followes after a Christian hope as fruit in the season dooth accompany and follow leaues and flowers Reuel 22 2. And the Leaues of the Trees healed the Gentiles Some vnderstand this of the graces and merits of Christ fully enioyed not in hope onely in heauen Where seeing there shal be no difference betweene Iew and Gentile nor any sores to bee healed therefore the former signification is better Length as large as the breadth sig The durable continuance of the Church of Christ meant by length Also the comely beautie and form which it shall shew meant by the breadth the one being as large as the other signifies a wonderfull proportion in the durance and comlinesse of the Church Reu. 21 16. The Length was as large as the breadth Leopard sig pro A certaine beast which some call the Cat of the Mount others a Libbard very full of spottes diuersly coloured also exceeding swift subtile and fierce beeing most furiously enraged against men so as if it see but the picture of a man on a Table or Paper it will most fiercely run against it to teare it Lastly it is of such a sweete sauour as allureth all other beastes vnto it by which meanes they are caught and deuoured 2 The Romish Byshop with his assistants his Popish Cleargy euen that Antichrist consisting of that corporation which very fitly is likened to a Leopard whose spots represent the horrible filthinesse which sticketh in that Romish Beast so fast as there is no more hope they will change then that a Leopard will forsake his spots Also that Romish Rabble be most hatefull to true Christian men not being able to endure the Image of such being adorers of all other Images They are swift to mischiefe vsing not more celerity in effecting cruelty then they do subtilty in contriuing it entising many thousands into their snares by a kind of venerable Maiesty and counterfeit piety Finally they bee rauenous as Beares proud stout and intollerably insolent and sauage with all as Lyons hauing to be short al such immanities and deformities in them alone as Dan. 7 4 5 6. Vnder seuerall Beasts seuerally applyed to those three great Monarchies to wit Assyrians or Chaldees Persians or Medes and Greekes Reu 1 2. This Beast was like a Leopard his Feete like a Beare and his mouth was like the Mouth of a Lyon Whereas some Interpretors vnderstand this Leopard of the Romaine Empire ciuill or become Christian but tainted with corrupt errour it dooth not so well agree as to that Antichrist to the corporation of the Papacy whereof the Byshop of Rome is head and cheefe who hath exercised and doth practise cruelties of all sorts wanting no kinde of spirituall nor bodily spots and filthinesse L. I. Lies sig Errour in doctrine Haeresies dissimulation in Religion and counterfeit manners Reuel 22 15. And such as loue and make Lies Liars sig Hypocrites dissemblers and all which delight in error and false doctrine Reuel 21 8. And Liars Light of a Candle sig The very least commodity of this life as a Candle lighted in the night which the poorest will not be without So great shall be the fall of that Cittie wherein the least good thing shall be wanting and cannot be had Reu. 18 23. And the Light of a Candle shall shine no more in it to lighten the earth with his glory sig To illuminate mens mindes by the brightnesse of the pure word of God expelling darknesse of ignorance and damnable Haeresies which had long couered the face of the World Reuel 18 1. And he lightned the Earth with his glory Lightnings sig The terrible and vnauoydable punnishments which God from Heauen shall send vppon the persecutours of his Church Reuel 4 5. Out of that Throne came Lightnings linnen pure and bright sig Angelicall purity by the alone imputation of Christ his holinesse to the Saints who be al Priests to God all now entring into Gods
aliue and not slaine by the former Calamities mentioned in verses 16 17 18 19. Reuel 9 20. And the Remnant of Men. Also Reuel 19 21. The Remnant were slaine with the sword Remnant of hir seede sig The rest of the saithfull which beeing scattered abroad by the iniquity of the time cannot publickly assemble to worship God but priuately as they can do exercise piety Reuel 12 17. And made war with the Remnant of her seed to Repent sig To be truly touched with godly greefe for sins to turne vnto God to do his will Reue. 9 20. And they repented not of the workes of their handes Also Reuel 16 9. They Repented not to giue him glorie that is howsoeuer they made a shew of Repentance whilst God scourged them yet they did not leaue their sinne and amend their liues Rest of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sig Such as for the 1000. yeares wherein Satan lay bound were drowned in ignorance superstition being fallen deadly asleepe in their sinnes Reuel 20 5. The Rest of the dead shall not liue againe till the thousand yeares be finished no Rest. sig Eternall Torment without any the least intermission or hope of any ease and mittigation Reu. 14 11. And they shall haue no Rest day nor night first Resurrection sig The conuersion of many from errours to the truth of the gospel more brightly shining forth by the regeneration of the Spirit Reuel 20 5 6. Which hath part of the first Resurrection Reuelation sig The vncouering of something which is hid as remoouing a Vaile or Curtaine which hindereth our eye-sight This is the proper signification 2 A manifestation and discouery of Diuine thinges secret in respect of men for the common good of the Church Reuel 1 1 The Reuelation of Iesus Christ. This Title of Reuelation being giuen to this Booke of Iohn and to the whole gospel of God Math. 11 25. teacheth vs that the search and vnderstanding of them doth as farre exceed all mortall wit as the knowledge of thinges to come till they be opened or things till they be couered or darke Riddles till they be declared to Reuenge sig To take punishment at last vpon the great whore the Romish Church which had so long with impurity vexed the Saints to whom this shoulde bee a great matter and occasion of ioy Reuel 18 20. Reioyce for God hath punished her to bee Reuenged on her for your sake to Reward sig To returne and repay ertreame ignomy paine or vexation vnto the Antichristian crew Popish Babylonish rout in lieu and recompence of all that vexation and iniury which either by entisement to their sinnes or by inflicting torment vpon such as refused to submit to them they had most wickedly offered to the Saints Reuel 18 6. Reward her as she hath Rewarded you It is worth our noting that this charge is giuen to such as before were bidde come out of Babylon verse 4. euen to such as had beene the Cittizens of Rome members of the Papacy that they should be the Ministers of this punishment reuenge being likely to do that more thorowly through the fresh remembrance of their late oppressions What may we think of them who are so fauourable and indulgent to this Citty that great Whore as to winke at her sinnes not to execute sharpe wrath against them not to thinke of ruining but to attempt the reforming of that desperate Strumpet R. I. Rich. sig One who indeed is endued with spirituall store and plenty of heauenly things Reuel 2 9. I knowe thy pouertie but thou art Rich. This riches is in two things First in assurance of forgiuenesse of sinnes reconciliation with God and eternall life 2 Cor. 8 9. Secondly in hauing grace to do Good-workes 1 Tim. 6 18. 2 One presuming of aboundance of spirituall graces which in truth they haue not at all or not in such measure as they suppose Reuel 3 17. Thou saist I am Rich. This was a presumption in the heart of Laodiceans of spirituall riches vpon occasion of their great earthly wealth wherein they did ouer-flow Right foote See Put his Right foote before past Right hand sig The powerful regiment and gouernment which Christ hath exerciseth in matters of the Church to hold the Stars in this his hand signifies to giue the Ministers of the word protection and defence while they be faithfull Reuel 1 16. And hee had in his Right hand seauen Starres 2 Confirmation strength and comfort of mind and body comming to Iohn being cast downe from the power of Christ. Reuel 1 17. And he laid his Right hand vpon me Right in the tree of life sig Portion part fruite and fruition of and in Christ Iesus who as a Tree of life in Paradise shal satisfie all the faithfull with his fulnesse of guifts and most excellent beauty Reuel 22 14. That their Right might be in the Tree of life Righteous sig One made righteous by imputation of Christ his Iustice and endeuouring to approoue himselfe to be so to himselfe and other by leading constantly a righteous life Reuel 22 12. He that is Righteous let him be righteous still Righteousnesse of the Saints sig The washing away of sinnes by the bloude of Christ with the imputation of his perfect obedience to be our Righteousnesse whereof seeing we giue declaration to the world by such good-works as come from the Spirite of sanctification as wee haue an inwarde Testimony of it before God by Faith therefore it is in the Plurall number saide Righteousnesse or Iustifications of the Saints Reu. 19 8. For the fine Linnen is the Righteousnesse of the Saints See Reuel 7 13. These places euidently shew that the Iustification of the elect is not from within themselues but sticketh without in that externall garment Christ Iesus whom they put on by faith whereof their Good-workes be fruits to iudge righteously sig To gouerne in Righteousnesse when God frameth his owne to a rightnesse in all their life as it is written Ps. 96 10 13. wherunto this Text alludeth Reuel 19 11. And hee iudgeth Righteously to Rise out of the Sea sig To take beginning out of the tempestuous and troublesome estate of the Nations out of which as it were out of a Sea did spring at the first the Roman Empire which stories proue to haue grown from the diuisions of kingdomes Reuel 13 1. I saw a beast arise out of the Sea Note that out of the sea of corrupt Doctrine and the Cleargy which at that time taught it did spring the other beast the Romish Bishop and his Hierarchie which for cruelty and violence is likened to a Beast as the Romaine Heathenish Empire for like respect is compared to a beast Riuers and fountaines sig The Doctrine of Gods word which are the Riuers whence we are to draw spiritual waters for our soule to drink of or the Ministers of the doctrine from whom as Fountains and Riuers the doctrine should flow to others Reuel 8 10. And it fell into the