walk to all Gods Commandments though they attain not to perfection therein holinesse becometh Gods house for ever Psal. 93.5 and is a good character of a childe of God 2. We may understand it in opposition to the antichristian Church who during this time spend their devotions in obedience to traditions and commandments of men whereby as Christ saith of the Pharisees they did make void the Commandments of God By this we may see that vows fastings peregrinations adoration of crosses and the like though never so many with never so much devotion and seeming piety will never prove one to be of the seed of the true Church whereas the simple sincere practice of clear commanded duties will sufficiently evidence the same The second character is and they have the testimonie of Iesus Christ that is they are not only legall in their practice but the Mediator in all His Offices is acknowledged by them this also is to be understood first simply that they bear testimonie to Christ by believing in Him as it is 1 Ioh. 5 and have His approbation in the same 2. It is also to be understood in opposition to the corrupt multitude who in effect denie Christ to be come in the flesh by their Meats Purgatory resting upon good Works and the like of these whereby they give not their testimonie to Christ nor have it in the profession that is proper and suitable to true Professors nor will be found therein approven as having the same before God in a word they are such as have respect both to Law and Gospel giving each of them their own due This was fulfilled when the devil set himself by the bringing forth of Antichrist to publick view to make havock of the Church the history whereof followeth in the next Chapter more particularly Concerning the unity of the Catholick visible Church THis Woman being the Church and frequently mentioned we may consider her a little and we will see that there is a Catholick visible Church in the dayes of the Gospel also That the Church is here intended is certain that it is the Church visible in this and in the former Chapter is also undeniable it is her purity and defection that is described it is she that fleeth it is she that hath prophets it is she that is more or lesse visible it is she that is persecuted by the Dragon and by Antichrist it is she that is set on by the floud of error it is she that travelieth and bringeth forth seed that will lay down their lives for the testimonie of Christ the whole scope and strain runneth on this to set forth the state and condition of the visible Church as we gather from this and the close of the former Chapter That this Church is one we may make it out in these three considerations 1. The Jewish Church and the Gospel-church materially and in essentiall things are one it is that same stock from which they were broken off into which the Gentile Gospel-church was ingrafted it is that root sap and fatnesse which we now partake of that they fell from as Rom. 11. Yea when the Iews came to be grafted in again the stock and Church is the same it is to their old Church-state that they are again restored If then the Jewish Church-state and the Gentiles be one yea the Jewish Church-state before their fall and after their recovery be essentially the same on this ground Then the Kingdoms or Nations becoming the Lords doth take in the Iews re-ingrafting who now have had the vail long on their faces and the Temple shut upon them for then that Temple shall be opened and materially they shall be entered to the substance of their ancient Priviledges and Covenant although the administration thereof be changed This is here clear for this woman vers 1. is grafted in the Jewish stock Rom. 11. and becometh Christs Bride and continueth so to the end the same woman This consideration doth shew how warrantably we may make use of the experiences of these ancient Believers plead their generall and essentiall priviledges to us and ours and build on the morall grounds of their policie and the administration of this Covenant and Ordinances amongst them seing we are one Church with the same essentiall Covenant and Priviledges although some things ceremoniall were adjoyned to them 2. The Gospel-church before Antichrist during his reign and what followeth is still one Church this followeth on the former and is clear in that instance of the Iews who are to be ingrafted in that same root that the believing Gentiles succeeded unto before Antichrist arose so the Temple is the same when it is shut Chap. 11. vers 1. and some few closed up in it with the Temple that is open vers 19. out of which many do come Chap. 15. The woman also that travaileth vers 1 2. and bringeth forth and fleeth to the wildernesse is still the same woman Spouse to Christ and Mother to His seed during that time and also after the expiring of these dayes This consideration sheweth the continuance of the Church and Ordinances and how that series is not interrupted by Antichrists sitting down in the Temple 2 Thess. 2. but it continueth to be the Church notwithstanding and after his removall is to be acknowledged for the same Church that it was before he did set himself down therein 3. There is an unity amongst all Professors in all parts of the world that live in the same time they all are of this one Church and there is one integral Catholick Church that is made up of them all for 1. there is in all the world but one Heaven and Kingdom of Heaven that is the visible Church as there is on Earth or World distinct from it and it cannot be said there are two there is but one Temple as there is but one Ark that in darknesse all are shut up in and which when liberty cometh is but that same Temple opened and is still one though it be enlarged to receive moe And as all Professors in a Nation become one nationall Church as hath been said so all professing Nations do become one Catholick Church by the same grounds proportionably followed for now they become His not only severally but conjunctly and these have their nationall unity as being parts of that whole with a subserviencie thereunto There is in all the world but one Woman when she travaileth there is an unity and conjunction for delivery as there was common hazard and so all Professors and Churches did joyn in Prayers Judicatures c. for this end There is but one Spouse to Christ the visible Church therefore is it either not Christs Spouse nor married to Him or there must be a Catholick visible Church which is married to Him by the same Gospel-band every where for to say that Christ had many Spouses would sound monstruously and not answer the analogie of that onenesse that is between Christ and His own Church
prophesie Chap. 12. where this bloudinesse is set out by the red Dragons waiting to devour the man childe new brought forth 4. The event and Christs prediction Mat. 10.34 35. and Luk. 12.51 c. that He came not to send peace but a sword and to kindle a fire already almost begun confirm it and we cannot more warrantably expound these sad things which follow and accompany the Gospel of any particular event than of that which agreeth with His plain Word by which Word also we may be helped to understand what taking peace from the earth is to wit confusions and troubles that come on the Church after the manifestation of the Gospel The meaning then of this type as a prophesie in short is to foretell that that Church which should at first shine by the spreading light of the Gospel and should be captivated unto Jesus Christ by His triumphing in His Ordinances throughout the world that Church should be suddenly set upon by persecuters and a bloudy and a terrible-like dispensation should immediatly follow the conquest of the Gospel so that in no part of the world the Professors thereof should have externall peace but being hated of all men should be betrayed killed massacred and cruelly and universally put to death in so far that the former dispensations to the Church should seem quite to be altered in their outward face and she changed from her former whitenesse to a bloudy colour in respect of her many sufferings The preparation here to this type is the same as under the former to wit a voice saying Come and see whereby all are again and again stirred up by all the Ministers of Christ whatever be their qualifications to consider the opened seals Only it differeth in these two 1. That this is the second beast formerly described Chap. 4.7 2. That though he speaketh the same thing yet doth he it in a different manner as a Calf or Oxe differeth in their sound from a Lion The reason why the second beast so qualified as a Calf is made use of to invite to come and see the events of this seal is because that beast being most famous for patient enduring and hard labouring suiteth best with such a suffering condition of the Church and so sad news as were to be revealed by this type and also because it representeth best the qualifications of a Ministrie fit for such a dispensation and so also setteth forth Gods wisdom most in fitting men for and trysting them with such a sad condition of His Church It is therefore to good purpose observed at the opening of each seal whether it be the first second or third beast that calleth for they are not ranked by guesse but purposly to point out a suitablnesse and conformity between such an event or condition of the Church and the persons made use of in reference thereunto according as they are represented by the saids beasts and as this exposition agreeth with the scope of the prophesie so with the type and with the word of explication that is added 1. It agreeth with the type for it is said There went out another horse that was red and there was given unto his rider a sword c. This red horse signifieth a bloudy dispensation for which cause the Dragon Chap. 12. in the prophesie contemporary to this is called red and the beast that was drunk with the bloud of the Saints is described as scarlet-coloured for that same cause to wit their bloudy effects upon the Church The Sword also which was given him importeth persecution as Matth. 10.34 Luke 12.49 I came not to send peace but a sword Also Rom. 8.35 Who shall separate us from the love of God Shall tribulation or persecution or sword c. The meaning then of this type we clearly take to be the same persecution signified by the red Dragon Chap. 12. which persecution immediately followed and waited upon the Church flourishing by the Gospel which was typified by the woman cloathed with the Sun c. even as this doth follow upon the conquest of the white horse The word of explication also which is added doth confirm this it is said Power was given him to take peace from the earth Wherein we have 1. his earrand to wit to take peace from the earth and put all in confusion 2. The mean or weapon suitable to that end to wit a Sword signifying the marring of that peace by persecution 3. It is marked in both that that power and that great sword was given him to signifie Gods soveraignity over pesecuters and his absolute ordering of persecutions even the most cruel which is signified by a great Sword and most confused which is signified by killing one another Yet in all the Commission is particularly given by God none can move it till He give power yea all the weapons are furnished by Him which is a great proof of His Soveraignity and contributeth much to the comforting of Gods People under such trials There is one objection against this exposition necessarily to be removed for clearing this and other passages of this prophesie That is say some This Commission is expresse to take peace from the earth But through this prophesie the Church is ordinarily understood by Heaven and these that are without by the Earth For answer We say 1. It is true by the Earth often is understood the unconverted world yet it is not alwayes so even in this prophesie as is clear by these places Chap. 3.10 The men on the earth which are to be tried are members of the Church otherwise it had been no peculiar priviledge to Philadelphia to have been exempted from it so Chap. 7.1 Chap. 12.9 Chap. 13.14 Chap. 14.16 c. where the exposition of the several places will make this clear For as sometimes the Church is distinguished from the World and in that respect called Heaven so sometimes the Church Militant is distinguished from that which is Triumphant in Heaven and in that respect it is called the Earth and that is especially when its trials or sufferings are spoken of which reach only to that part which is on earth 2. We answer That by Earth is understood the visible Church here Militant which is so called 1. Because it seemeth this prophesie relateth to that of Christs Matth. 10.34 and therefore is expressed almost in the same words 2. By persecution of the Church peace may be said to be taken from the earth because by it all the earth is so put through other it having so many troubles divisions treacheries and tumults c. going alongst with it 3. Because it pointeth here at the outward and earthly peace which by persecution could only be taken from them and that it reacheth not to marre their spiritual and eternal peace according to Christs word Ioh. 16. last vers In the world ye shall have tribulation but in me ye shall have peace 4. The Church may be called the Earth here because it is
most ordinarily obnoxious to the hurt of winds and therefore are mentioned here The earth lyeth open to winds being plagued by earthquakes overthrowing of houses spoiling of corns fruits c. the sea being so liquid and unstable is subject to tossings and risings whereby shipwrack and other inconveniences follow 3. Trees are more subject than other things because of their height which maketh them the more obnoxious unto and the lesse able to bear with the impetuous force of the stormie winds whereby some are rent others are over-blown c. The scope is to shew that as the wind seaseth on these things as the proper object of its hurt so Errour hath its own object upon which the hurt thereof will be no lesse effectuall More particularly by Earth c. here cannot be understood these without the Church errour not being a plague wherewith such are scourged but we must understand Professors of the visible Church because the event which followeth by the trumpets is made good on them and therefore this earth is not distinguished from the visible Church by any externall profession but from the invisible Church in respect of secret Election as from what precedeth is clear That these three earth sea and trees are mentioned together as the objects hurt by this storm may be done in allusion to three sorts of Professors over whom errour especially prevaileth 1. The earthly-minded professour who supposeth gain to be Godlinesse lyeth open to this storm when set upon by a tentation to errour which is backed with worldly wealth ease credit preferment c. Of such the Scripture in many places speaketh who upon that account have been ensnared with this bate Phil. 3.19 2 Pet. 2.15 Iud. 11. And upon this account it is that 1 Tim. 6.10 the love of money is called the root of all evil which while some covet after they have erred from the faith 2. By sea may be signified unsettled light professours who like Reuben are unstable like water and fixed in nothing therefore are they Iude 13. called raging waves of the sea and wandring stars and clouds that are carried with a tempest 2 Pet. 2.17 a light professour is an easie prey to Errour 3. By trees may be understood professours who in respect of profession gifts of knowledge utterance c. may be said to be high above others and no lesse high in their own conceit being by knowledge puft up though in respect of true fruits exceeding barren for if these that are reall Christians be compared to trees indeed bearing fruit which sort of Christians Chap. 9.4 are exempted from this judgement Christians who are but in profession so yet much in their own conceit may be called trees as they are by Iude vers 12. and 2 Pet. 2. they are called presumptuous as high above others in their own conceit which sort of professours are as obnoxious to Errour as any other The sum of this Verse is No sooner was the Church freed from open persecution but the devil stirreth up Errours of all sorts and that with great violence whereby in Gods righteous judgement many secure earthly-minded unstable and proud conceity professours were to be carried away yet were they for a time restrained by Gods power till c. From which Observe 1. That Errour and Heresie waiteth upon the Churches outward prosperous condition and no sooner is she freed from open persecution but as soon the devil waiteth on to sow these tares Chapter 12. when the childe is delivered from persecution the devil the serpent speweth out a flood after her it was so in Constantin's time unto which this relateth The Church was scarcely landed from that sea of persecution when the Heresie of Arius and other divisions set vehemently upon the Church as we will see in opening of the trumpets It was so in the time of the Gospels breaking forth again in Germany floods of Anabaptists Libertines Antinomians c. followed it and somewhat of it hath been made out in our own experience in this Island The devil who is a murderer and and a liar from the beginning waiteth all opportunities to destroy if so he may gain by Errour what he could not attain by violence Beside men usually then becoming more secure and falling asleep he hath the fairer occasion to sow his tares which he doth not neglect 2. Errour and Heresie is one of these plagues whereof God maketh use in His Justice to punish the ingrate world who have had the Gospel in peace and have abused it Therefore when delusion cometh in its greatest height as 2 Thess. 2.10 or a false prophet cometh to speak lies in the name of the Lord Deut. 13.1 3. They are both said to be sent of Him as a just reward of rejecting the truth 3. The abounding of Errour is a sore plague and therefore Toleration which we conceive to be no other thing upon the matter but the letting loose of these winds must be a sad stroak to many professours by this they are tossed snared and made drunk with a fill of their own wayes and many carried headlong to the ruine of their souls By this the best things of the Church to wit its truth purity unity c. are blasted Have not Arianisme Pelagianism Popery and other Errours wronged the Church more than many years Famine Wars and Pestilence and destroyed moe souls than these have done bodies It is a wonder the world should think so light of so heavy a plague 4. When Errour cometh as judgement it cometh exceedingly fitted and strengthned for carrying on its point There is a deluge or flood of them together therefore it is called strong delusion and a spirit of errour 2 Thess. 2.11 because as it hath from God a Commission and cannot be quiet till that be executed more than the bloudy sword can be Ezek. 21. so it is armed suitably for that end sometimes with variety of Errours sometimes with the number of followers sometimes with countenance from great ones of the world and temporall advantages sometimes with eminency of gifts in the Authors and Abettors thereof these or such like going alongst with the tentation make it set on the more strongly and with the greater difficulty to be resisted 5. There are some Errours that are inconsistent together and opposite one to another wherewith yet in Gods secret justice the devil may be permitted to assault and trouble the Church the Lord thereby aimeth the more to further the triall of the sincere and discovery of the counterfeit the devil thereby aimeth to undo all by prevailing against them upon one side or another that if one errour do not take he may essay about to find out that which is suitable to their humour and to set on them where he shall find them weakest At least by these diversities of Errours he maketh the truth the more disputable unto the men of the world In the Primitive times some denied Christ to be true Man as Apollinaris others
Secondly In our addresses to God Faith would be exercised on Jesus Christ even in respect to this part of His Office that is that as there is a resting by Faith on Christs satisfaction for attaining of pardon or what else is needfull so there ought to be a resting on Christ as intercessor for the obtaining of what we are petitioning for before the Throne This putteth the obtaining of what we seek off our selves and giveth the credit and glory thereof unto Him Thirdly Faith would not only respect Christ simply as an intercessor but as an intercessor who is man in our nature who hath experience of infirmities and tender humane sympathie towards us The neglect of this maketh Christ look like a stranger and maketh the soul anxious even in its addresses to Him Fourthly Upon this consideration there ought to be accesse with holy boldnesse the heart exulting in its approach to God that it hath such a new and living way as the vail of his flesh to approach to God by It is often not only spoken of but commended in the Scripture especially in the Epistle to the Hebrews upon this ground as Chap. 4. verse last and 10. vers 19 c. Were this considered it would banish the drouping heartlesse approaches that Believers make to God through Christ as if they were coming to stranger whereas they approach to a brother to a brother really and sunsibly touched with their infirmities and affected with them as any brother on earth is with the infirmities of another Fifthly The heart would keep confidence on this account as to the event however it be for the time can it be but well with one with whom Christ so sympathizeth and ought not they then to comfort themselves in the hope of an outgate Paul triumpheth upon this consideration Rom. 8. that though there should be persecution nakednesse sword c. yet they should not hurt him nor separate him from the love of God in Christ Jesus but that over all he should be a conquerour yea more than a conquerour This were well becoming a Believer in straits and were suitable to this ground of strong consolation and this confidence is to be humbly extended unto all sorts of things which may mar the Believers consolation here Sixthly It is even requisite to have the exercise of Spiritual senses for the right improving of this consolation so that Believers would carry upon themselves a little copie of that sympathie that is in Jesus Christ and have still upon their spirits an impression of the reality thereof that by meditating thereon in lying down rising up or walking c. the heart may be refreshed and that excellent box of ointment may cast a savour neither can it be that poor believing sinners should without unspeakable refreshment and consolation conceive Christ Jesus the blessed Mediator to have such thoughts of them such care of them in their straits such a touch of an fellow feeling with them in their infirmities as that a reproach upon them a crosse or strait a hazard to sin or an actuall fall doth touch and affect Him as the fall or strait of the child doth affect a tender mother and that we may with as great boldnesse approach to Him and have as con̄fident expectation of a hearing with Him as children may to their most dearly loving mother who can think of these things and not be affected and were Believers more in the thoughts of these there would certainly be more comfort Seventhly This would be to the Believer the last refuge and whatever come it is never to be loused or reteired from but when all looketh dark about He is here to anchour and on this intercession and sympathie to cast himself and that not without hope that He who is a compassionate high Priest will give proof thereof and even in the same particular In a word this consolation might be improven against want and private straits against publick difficulties for He sympathizeth with His Church and every member of it it is most fresh in straits because then His bowels are awake most stirred and warmed and it is a fortresse against the terror of death seing He died and therefore hath the fresher sympathie in that choke It were even good believers were acknowledging themselves defective in this and would endeavour the amending of it wherein there is hopes that this compassionate high Priest would further them and furnish them with other sort of helps and directions To Him be praise for ever LECTURE II. Vers. 5. And the Angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it into the earth and there were voices and thundrings and lightnings and an earthquake 6. And the seven Angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound 7. The first Angel sounded and there followed hail and fire mingled with bloud and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of trees was burnt up and all green grasse was burnt up IN the beginning of this Chapter we find our Lord Jesus taking off the suspension and restraint and making way for the breaking loose of that Judgement which in the former Chapter He had restrained Our Lord Jesus Christ the great Angel of the Covenant hath a double end in these three Verses to wit the 3 4 and 5. 1. To provide for His people and to make them and their prayers acceptable to God as the best guard against the coming storm and this is past in the former two Verses to wit the 3. and the 4. 2. To give the word and signe for the Angels to sound the alarm that these Judgements restrained by the four Angels Chap. 7. might fall on this is performed in this fifth Verse wherein are two things 1. The signe given 2. The effects 1. The signe is that he filleth the censer with fire of the altar and casteth it into the earth whereby both the signe is given as if he had now done that for which he had inhibited them to hurt the earth till it was performed Chap. 7. and the nature of that Judgement pointed at in three things 1. In the object of it it is cast into the earth by the earth we understand the visible Church here or that part of the earth where the visible Church sojourneth called Mat. 13. the field or world because as the world containeth all creatures so it containeth all professours good and bad It is the same earth the winds were not to blow upon Chap. 7.1 now they are let loose and it is such a Earth as hath trees grasse and green herbs growing in it some whereof do wither and are hurt and carried away with this storm some are still lively and keeped safe under Gods seal from it as Chap. 9.4 whereby it is clear that by trees are meaned men sealed and unsealed which are no where but in the visible Church and this is to be remembered in application of the trumpets afterward 2. The signe
mountain taketh fire and becometh low in its grandour and spirituall weight and credit and all are infected with this to be more about outward pomp than inward power about earthly thingâ— more than spirituall This is the second trumpet 3. The devil having prevailed this much by Church-men setteth on next to poison fountains and rivers which men drink of and live upon Doctrines were somewhat clear before and fundamentals were not easily overthrown while government and unity were in force Now he poisoneth sound Doctrine in the mouths of Ministers and free-will Justification by good works and externall holinesse merit dispensations pennances purgatory sacraments opus operatum especially traditions are brought in whereby the wholesome Word was corrupted in many places of the world and its native purity lost and instruments were made use of in this who once seemed to shine in the Church as Pelagius Origen c. This is the third trumpet 4. In the fourth trumpet the light is further obscured and the beauty of pure Doctrine in the Church darkened the Scripture is vailed and keeped up ignorance fostered tradition is brought in place of Scripture will-worship and ceremonies for the practice of holy duties c. whereby the glorious light of the Gospel and of the Church was darkened and grew dim making way for Antichrists rising though it encreased much more under him yet even then men were more taken up with Monkishnesse and these toyes than with things which were more profitable out of which darknesse Antichrist at last start up and took it on him in the fifth trumpet whereupon followeth Mahomet in the sixth as his and the worlds scourge untill the vials make a turn and this height of Antichrist be brought down even as he rose which series of the vials begineth with the seventh trumpet This series agreeth well with the types and also with the truth of the event in the matter of fact as afterward succeeded and so the Church is wasted blasted and way made for Antichrist by thâ—se first four and therefore there can be no unwarrantablenesse in speaking thus of them It agreeth also well with the scope in shewing Antichrists rise by these steps Only take that advertisement which we gave on the seals That though there be an order in the rise of these things one after another yet neither would we be peremptory in timeing it or ascribing it to particular events nor yet think that one endeth or goeth away when the other cometh nay they continue together and do compleat the Churches darkening as it was with the dispensations under the seals the first continued till the last but had order in its rising so here And though something of the latter trumpets might be working even as soon as the former and no doubt the fifth began to work soon yet the trumpet looketh at such a thing in a height or its discovery and so the second was working under the first but did not break out till the first was some length proceeded We come now particularly to the Angels sounding The first foundeth in this seventh Verse Where we are to consider beside the sounding these three things 1. The judgement threatned or the signe of it fire and hail mingled with bloud a very great storm 2. It s object the earth 3. The effect the third part of trees and all green grasse was burnt up it is like it alludeth to one of the plagues of Egypt whereby much desolation was wrought here it signifieth a spirituall storm called hail partly because of its cold blasting and terrible nature especially in these Countreys it being the great cause of barrennesse and unfruitfulnesse then partly because of the hurtfulnesse of it so it signifieth that which heresie in generall floweth from and carrieth with it to wit coldnesse in practice of Religion towards God and affection towards others making men cold within and barren and unfruitfull without but this hail is more than an ordinary blast and storm coming impetuously though not lasting long 2. There is fire in terrible tempests they were mixed and this signifieth the rent of unity in practice and affection by contention and passion as the former the defacing of Doctrine by some terrible Errour So Luk. 12.42 I came to send fire on the earth and Iames 3. it is said the tongue is set on fire and kindleth others This fire of division is a companion of heresie and heresies do often more hurt to the Church by their contentions and schisms than by their Doctrins it being the kindling of this fire that in the judgement of many denominateth one an Heretick which he would not be by his simple adhering to an Errour if nothing were of this As also it is observable that hail which is cold hath fire with it like Ephraim Hos. 7.8 who was like an unturned cake hot beneath and cold affections above these go together much zeal in an erroneous opinion and heat for that which is ever accompanied with coldnesse in more fundamentall things the colder men be in the one the hoter are they in the other as the Pharisees were for their own traditions zealous but in Gods commands indifferent 3. It is mingled with bloud which holdeth out the bloudy nature of heresie and of this meaned here which we think rather to be understood of their putting faithfull opposers to suffering for withstanding their Doctrine than their suffering for it this also is a fruit of the fiery spirit that when words prevail not and their falshood is discovered they run to open violence and their is no cruelty like this of Hereticks 2. The object of this judgement is the earth And 3. the effects are the burning up a third part of trees and all green grasse 1. By earth we understand 1. either indefinitely the visible Church which is set upon and defaced in its most clear and plain truths Chap. 7.1 Or 2. more especially the foundations of it such truths as are most solidly to be believed without which the visible Church cannot stand as that concerning the Person Natures and Offices of the Son of God as the earth in the Pagan world Chap. 6. and in the Antichristian world Chap. 16. may and doth signifie their foundations and what seemed most strong in them and essentiall to them when their foundations were shaken they must fall so here the right confession of Christ and pure Doctrine of Faith in Him is called the foundation or rock on which the Church is builded Mat. 16. Or Thirdly it may shew the spreading of this plague or sore over the very face of the Church in respect of its extent there being no part of the earth free of it 3. The burning up of trees and all green grasse holdeth forth 1. The dreadfull effects of this judgement on eminent professours some for gifts and knowledge some it may be for grace and withall some eminent for place and authority called trees as taler and stronger than others and upon all
consideration described From all which considerations we may gather 1. That each of these trumpets doth not contain the story of an equal time or number of years for the matter contained in any of the last three trumpets will be found to be of longer continuance than all the first four which added to the greatnesse of the matter contained in them may be the reason why they are differenced from the former four as the greater woes 2. It appeareth also that by the fifth and sixth trumpets we are to understand different evils and enemies and so they cannot both be applicable either to Antichrist only or Mahumetans only 3. We may gather also that this Kingdom and Army with the furniture wherewith they are provided and the effects which follow upon their tyranny are not properly to be understood of externall battels and bodily evils but figuratively as representing some great spirituall hurt on the Church and her Ordinances These expressions they are like horses and had breast-plates as it were breast-plates c. whereby they are expresly differenced from the trumpet following wherein expressions that are properly to be understood are used and do intimate this 4. Supposing which afterward from Chap. 11.13 and 17. will be more clear that the Roman Hierarchy complexly taken is the Kingdom of Antichrist and that the deluding of the world by them is the very delusion prophesied of 2 Thess. 2. It will necessarily follow that this Romish Antichristian Kingdom whereby the visible Church hath been long brought in bondage is the very same set forth by this trumpet To come more particularly to the description of this Kingdom for a Kingdom it is as it is set down in the words in its rise and growth we will find it many wayes insisted upon 1. A Star falleth from heaven and becometh earthly upon that again followeth corruption of Doctrine whereupon doth arise a rable of superstitious Church-men whose work is to propagate and support the dominion of their King as his care is to strengthen and increase them there being such mutuall concernment in the standing or falling of each to other Vers. 1. The first particular described is the fountain and great instrument of all this spirituall plague that is I saw a Star fall from heaven unto the earth That by Star is meaned some person the words after do clear To him that is to the Star was given c. That it must be some Church-officer is also clear from Chap. 1.20 from our Lord Jesus His own exposition and considering what power this Star hath in the world it must hold forth some eminent Church-officer By Heaven is understood here as frequently in this Book the visible Church which is the Heaven wherein Christ hath placed Apostles Pastors and Teachers as Stars to give light because the Church is furnished with heavenly priviledges heavenly light of Doctrine and ought to be of heavenly conversation in respect of the rest of the world By Earth is understood earthlinesse or the rest of the world as contradistinguished from the Church which the opposition cleareth and thus Earth signifieth worldly designs worldly grandour corrupt doctrine liker to that of Heathens than that of Christ carnalnesse in conversation and such like for this Earth is something contradistinguished from and opposed to the Heaven formerly mentioned To fall here from heaven unto earth signifieth a declining from the one to the other And so in sum the meaning of this part of the Verse will be I foresaw the defection of some eminent Church-officer who once had pláce in the visible Church from Christian simplicity purity and holinesse in Doctrine and Conversation to a Religion and way of living by superstitions Idolatries and external pomp becoming rather the men of the world and liker their way than a Minister of Christ. By this phrase also I saw a Star fall c. is implied 1. Not only a declining and defection but such a declining as maketh him that was before a Star in Heaven to cease from being considered in that relation and afterward to be accounted as but eminent amongst the men of the world because of their worldly earthly-like Religion and Worship Upon which ground the followers of this Antichristian Kingdom are called Gentiles Chap. 11.2 2. This phrase importeth a visible and palpable step of this defection the Star is not now falling as was in the former Chapter but it is fallen And I saw it fallen saith Iohn implying an observablnesse in it 3. It importeth that after the fall of this Star and defection of this eminent Church-officer he continued still in the account of a Star among the men of the world he is called a Star even after his fall though indeed and in Iohn's account he be but a fallen Star and earthly as having indeed forfeited his former Church-relation The second thing described is the power given unto this fallen Star And to him Was given the keys of the bottomlesse pit Keys signifie in Scripture Authority and Power By the bottomlesse pit is meaned Hell as is unquestionable Chap. 1.18 Christ is said to have the keys of Hell and Death that doth signifie His supream Authority Chap. 13.2 4. the devil is said to have power and to give it to the beast because in Gods secret Wisdom and Justice the execution of His judgements in part is committed to the devil and he is imployed as supream head of the wicked therein and for that cause is said to have a throne and is permitted to rule over the children of disobedience here this Star partaketh of this Authority not as Christ hath it for now being fallen from Heaven he hath lost relation to Him nor in that same degree as the Devil doth but as deputy and leiv-tennant to Him who in Gods secret Justice furnisheth him with this power as from Chap. 13. 2 4. is clear In a word while he was in Heaven he exerced Christs Authority and in that respect had the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven Now being fallen he continueth to exercise Authority and to retain a key but of a quite contrary nature to wit of the bottomlesse pit and to serve another master to wit the devil as the exercise of his Authority tending now to the advancement of ignorance darknesse superstition and Idolatry in the Church and being assisted with the power of Hell for that end for as Christs Ministers are said to have keys from Him and when they warrantably exerce them it is the opening of Heaven So promovers of heresie being Ministers of Satan 2 Cor. 11. though they think it not of whom Antichrist is the chief he hath the key of the pit that is an Authority not allowed by Christ nor from above and the opening of the pit with the key is the putting of that assumed power in execution such is spreading of corrupt Doctrine called therefore doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4.1 and authorizing men to propagate these without Christs call who are
most probable some extraordinary instinct and impulse of the Spirit constraining the Preachers and Professors of the Gospel now to a publick separation from Rome more than formerly was 3. And they heard it whereby is shown that though God had given many commands of separating from Antichrist and of coming out of Babel in the former ages yet were they not heard nor understood even by many Godly then living in that fellowship and burdened with their superstitions but now God giveth these revived witnesses at the beginning of Reformation to heat and distinctly to understand His mind in this particular and it doth imply also that though many saw their practice yet was not their call cleared to all possibly alluding to that of Paul Acts 9. where though many saw a glimpse of the light about him yet he only heard the voice that spake to him 4. The great thing in the call is the duty called-for Come up hither that is to Heaven as the words following do clear That the term from which is the antichristian Church and World and the low condition that Christs Servants had by her means is evident The term to which to wit Heaven we conceive is not properly to be understood of the glorious seat of the blessed but of a glorious visible Church-state upon earth it being ordinary especially in this Book to set forth the visible Church under this name and so the meaning is they shall not continue in their former sackcloth-condition but God shall erect a visible Church distinct from Antichrist which shall be as to the purity and beauty of Ordinances and to freedom from Antichrists tyrannie and persecution in comparison of what formerly the Saints were obnoxious unto like an ascending to Heaven That thus it must be understood beside what was said at the entry appeareth 1. It is a Heaven in opposition to the world formerly mentioned which was that of Antichrist 2. It is an happinesse opposit to their former low estate now when they are revived they are not permitted to live within the precincts of Antichrists dominion and under his tyrannie as before but are called up from without his reach 3. It is the same Heaven mentioned under the seventh trumpet vers 19. that is where the Temple Ark and Covenant is and their ascending is the opening of that Temple c. 4. It is such a Heaven as that Chap. 12. that Satan is cast down from as that the Man-child is taken up into vers 5. and 8. and such an Heaven as the everlasting Gospel is preached into Chap. 14.6 and that after the beasts begun ruine but all these are to be understood of a visible Church-state Therefore this must be so also especially considering that these witnesses are called Stars they are now fixed to shine in this Heaven of a visible Church-state as put on a candlestick that they may give light to the world more than formerly they were in capacity to do Their obedience followeth they ascend up to Heaven c. meaning their taking on them that publick owning of the Gospel which they were called to and the certainty of the effect following the former call such a condition followed indeed as they were called to 2. The manner of their ascending was in a cloud that is gloriously and safely as the Lord is said to be clothed with a cloud their glory and safety is by divine Power it is like with allusion to Christs ascension Acts 1. both these Resurrections being by one Power It is said also to be in a cloud because though it were discernable to onlookers yet was it mysterious and dark to them who could not discern through the many reproaches and imputations put upon the first Reformers the beauty of the work in their hand and the glory of Gods dispensation to His Church in them 3. It is marked that their enemies beheld them they saw them dead they saw them raised to their feet and now they behold them ascending which sheweth still a visible and remarkable change in the steps and progresse of His Church and the reality and greatnesse of it which could not be marred by their opposers though they beheld it which certainly would provoke their enimity and increase their envy the more They are called their enemies not for any particular wrong these witnesses had done to them but for the work in their hands these witnesses should still have enemies retaining their enimity yet were restrained from marring their exaltation which sheweth that the reviving of the Gospel and down-bringing of Antichrist will be by degrees In short these two verses say that the Gospel shall again flourish and the witnesses thereof shall be placed in a honourable condition suitable to their profession in despight of all their opposers In the 13. vers this glorious condition of the witnesses is set out by four glorious concomitants going alongst with it or consequents following upon it 1. And the same hour was there a great earth-quake By earth-quake Chap. 6.12 and vers 19. of this same Chapter is understood great and sudden temporall mutations By this we understand the great commotions which usually accompanie Reformation whereby Kingdoms are put in an uproar Satan and his instruments wakening up enimity against the Gospel and the Lord powerfully carrying on His design maketh the earth as it were to shake till He accomplish it This did really fall out and it may well be thought to be the fulfilling of this prophesie in Germanie France Holland England Scotland c. when at first the witnesses were brought to a visible Church-state separated from Rome The second effect following upon the former is a tenth part of the city fell It hath no name here and therefore must be understood to relate to that called the great city vers 8. that is the city having dominion over the Kings of the earth Chap. 17. vers 18. that is Rome to be taken not strictly in respect of that particular Town but more largely in respect of its Empire and Dominion as was formerly said It is said a tenth part of this Dominion falleth because by this publick preaching of the Gospel and the witnesses separating of themselves from her a great and considerable part of that Dominion is diminished and brought down or as Chap. 14. by that expression Babylon is fallen is fallen is set forth not the destruction of a City alone but the ruine of Antichrists Kingdom so here by the fall of a part of that City we are to understand the begun ruine and destruction of that Kingdom which was to accompanie the reviving of light in the world as is said and was actually fulfilled in the withdrawing of England Scotland Denmark Sweden and a great part of Germanie France Helvetia Polland Low Countries c. from their former dependance upon the beast The third effect following on this is a great number of men even seven thousand men were slain In the Original it is Names of men pointing at
being exactly conform as was clear in the 8. Chap. doth confirm this The Serpent is said to cast this floud out of his mouth which importeth 1. that the originall of all error is from the devil the father of lies And what kind of waters can these be that proceed out of such a mouth this is to make men loath all declinings from Truth for the devil hath as it were disgorged himself by sending abroad such a thing 2. It importeth a suddennesse in the rise and a vehemencie in the driving on of such errors that he did not only spew these out of his mouth but he did cast them with a kind of violence and force Lastly It sheweth also his malice that throweth such flouds after a fleeing woman This agreeth well also according to the former application under the first four trumpets unto the primitive errors which indeed were like a floud and were most violently carried on to the great hurt of the Church This letteth us see how impetuous error will be for a time and what height in the justice of God it may come unto 3. It is said to be casten after the woman which doth not only import his lavelling it at her and his seeking thereby to infect the Ordinances and the Mother that bringeth forth and the true Spouse of Jesus Christ for the rest of the world he doth not much value them But also it doth import 1. That the woman was moving And 2. that he took the advantage of her moving as it were to carrie her the more easily away before she could settle this is clear from the fourth thing which is his design to wit that he might cause her to be carried away with the floud It is not said that he might drown her with the floud but that with such errors he might drive her from Truth and stedfastnesse therein and carry her away in that floud with the rest of the unstable world and so in a word that he might undo her that she should be no Woman and no Church We conceive the event to be answerable in these two 1. The Church by temporall pomp and grandour and multiplying of ceremonies and such like did begin the flight of the true Church and did someway by that declining obscure her 2. When spirits were grown somewhat carnall and had fallen from their former simplicity then the devil took advantage to raise up abominable errors and did drive them on impetuously intending thereby to destroy all and involve the few that keep their garments clean in these abominations which two are clear in story as hath been formerly said In the 16. vers we have the remedy and covert provided against this storm whereby the devils design is disappointed it is said And the earth helped the woman and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the floud which the Dragon cast out of his mouth In the generall this seemeth hard to be expounded or applied yet we must follow the simple scope and strain of the allegorie which is this that as the devil casteth out errors like flouds to carrie away the Church as proper flouds of water do carrie things before them so the Lord doth provide means to drain and drie up these flouds of errors as effectually as the earths opening of its mouth will soon dry up a floud And it being somewhat certain what the flouds are it will be safest to look to the means which in the event were made use of for the restraining of these abominations The verse hath two things 1. The mean or instrument of the womans help and the earth helped the woman 2. There is the manner how the earth administereth this help she openeth her mouth and swalloweth up the floud which the Serpent had cast out of his mouth By earth here we cannot understand the world as contradistinguished from the visible Church because there is no way conceivable of their helping the woman against errors Neither in the event will any thing of that be found Truth for these Goths and Vandals that invaded the Empire did altogether befriend the Arians and were enemies to the pure Church We must then by earth understand the visible Church at that time which was declining from the simplicity of the Gospel and becoming earthly in her services and administrations as we heard Chap. 7. she is called the earth which the wind was to blow upon That it must be so understood here to wit of the declining visible Church as contradistinguished from the pure Members therein these things will clear 1. Because it must necessarily be understood of the visible Church and yet it is expresly contradistinguished from the woman and her seed that comprehendeth the pure Members Therefore by earth here must be understood that part of the visible Church which was declining fast from its purity 2. There is no way of applying of the earths opening its mouth and drinking up of that floud but to understand it of that declining Church as is said 3. The event also will clear it as somewhat was said Chap. 8. and what we may now hint will further evidence Lastly There is no other thing will suit the allegorie as the application will make appear If it be asked how the visible Church can be called the earth during the first four trumpets Answ. 1. We must not have respect only to the first four trumpets but to the whole period of all the six and therefore as the woman is contradistinguished from the visible Church and said to be hid for the space of 1260. dayes because her low condition came to a height in that time though for a time she wanted not liberty even so in opposition to that the declining part of the visible Church during that time is called earth because in that period her earthlinesse came to a height although for a time it was but advancing And upon this ground Antichrist and his followers are said to tread the outter Court Chap. 11.2 3. during all that whole period though for a considerable time he came not to a height And this answer must be admitted otherwise there is no agreeing of these prophesies which speak of the whole period as at its height when notwithstanding they have many degrees to passe before they come to that â— That visible Church may be called the earth because of its earthly pomp and grandour having great titles contests for precedencie ample temporall governments in her officers and such like whereby she looked more earthly-like in her carriage and proceedings than the first primitive Church which appeared clothed with the Sun and in a heavenly frame in the beginning of the Chapter 3. She may be called the earth that helped the woman because of the countenance that oftentimes she had of civil Magistrates and the concurrence that was between the then visible Church and the Magistrates at that time for the suppressing of errors 4. It may be said the earth helped the woman because
of the generall concurrence of multitudes of all Nations within the visible Church which being compared with the few single ones might be called by this name It is here to be adverted that when we speak of the earths concurring to help the woman during that time that it is not to be suppoâ—ed that many of the good Emperours and ancient Fathers are to be accounted of this declining Church as it is contradistinguished from the woman for though they be distinguished yet they are not separated in place but as hath often been said they might be in one Councel and yet fall under this contradistinction Beside the visible Church at that time is not denominated from any honest persons that were in her but from her generall â—endencie to earthlinesse in worship during this period as is said Also we will find this necessity of distinguishing many of the womans seed that lived under Antichrist from being a part of his Church even in the darkest time The second thing in the verse is the manner how this part of the visible Church helpeth the true Church The earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the floud which the Dragon cast out of his mouth By earth we understand as is said the declining part of the visible Church which in end became antichristian And among other reasons why she is called the earth here we conceive this is one because that declining Church was to preserve the Truth in reference to these four primitive errors even in its most earthly temper and in its lowest degree of declining by which the Doctrine of the God-head and of the Person of our blessed Lord Jesus hath been preserved for the benefit of the womans seed even amongst their corrupt Writers Also this exposition of earth will answer the allegory well for as the earths drinking up of flouds is the ordinary way whereby they are â—â—swaged So the visible Church her opening of her mouth that is by serious exhortations in preachings disputes in writings determinations in Synods and Councels and such like is the ordinary and approven mean of restraining error and preserving Truth It is said The earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the floud which the Dragon câ—â—â—â—ut of his mouth This swallowing doth not imply any affection and love to that floud foâ—â—he doth not kindlily drink it But it importeth 1. an indignation at it 2. a haste and speediness in concurring for drying up the same 3. a ridding of marches in some full and eminent manner for the vindicating of these Truths In the former verse the devil is called the Serpent because he was carrying his design closely here he is called the Dragon because his design cometh to be discovered It is not said that the earth did swallow up the floud which the Dragon did cast after the woman but simply the floud that he cast out of his mouth the reason of this is because the earth that is the declining Church when indeed materially she was helping the woman the pure Church yet had she no discerning of that distinction but was only provoked with indignation against these abominable errors though as to the event the Lord made good help to His true Church out of the same Now to consider the application of this in the event we will find it fully agreeable to this prophesie 1. When the devil raised up four grosse abominable errors immediately after the Churches obtaining of peace there was a generall concurrance of the plurality of the visible Church and Officers thereof for discovering confuting and condemning the same and censuring the abettors thereof thus they are the first heresie to wit that of Arius which denied the eternity of the Godhead of the Son was condemned by the first famous Councel at Nice during the reign of Constantine the great and by his concurrence The second error of the Macedonians who denied the personality of the holy Ghost was condemned by the second generall Councel which was the first at Constantinople this was convocated by Theodosius the great The third error of Nestorius who divided Christs Natures and asserted him to have two Persons as well as two Natures was condemned by the third famous generall Councell at Ephesus under Theodosius the second A fourth principall fundamentall error was that of Eutyches who on the contrary of Nestorius did confound the Natures of Christ and assert Him to have but one Nature as he is but one Person this was under Martianus the Emperour Now considering that in the event there is such a generall concurrence of the whole Church even when there were failings and a decay in many things this may well look like the earths drying up of the floud and be a part of the fulfilling of this prophesie especially if we consider in the second place that these Truths were not only maintained during the first four trumpets while the Church was not altogether out of sight for the last error is cast out after the woman as well as the first which importeth her to have had some visibility all that time but in her most declining times she hath keeped these Truths concerning the Godhead of the Son the personality of the holy Ghost the personall natures of our blessed Lord Jesus were still keeped pure in the time of the greatest darknesse of Popery In Gods providence the antichristian Church being constrained to acknowledge these four generall Councels and these particular Truths maintained in them in opposition to the former errors yea laying aside their curiosity many of their corrupt Schoolmen have done well to this purpose wherefore here we would advert 1. That their keeping pure these fundamentall Truths in that Church is a thing especially designed of God and cometh to passe by His providence and being foretold as to Him it could not be otherwise 2. We may advert and gather here that the antichristian Church is not in every fundamentall point of Christianity to be corrupt for in particular it is prophesied of her that she shall keep these Doctrines pure and not receive the floud of the first impetuous errors for the earth here is that same earth upon which the wind bloweth Chap. 7. and hurteth with Antichrists delusions and the same earth or world which in the Chapter following is said to worship the beast 3. We may enquire after the reasons why the Lord thinketh good to make use of that Church for preserving of these Truths First One reason is clear in the Text that thereby the woman that is the pure Church not only during the first four trumpets when things were not altogether corrupt as was said but also under the fifth and sixth might be fed and these most necessary and fundamentall Truths might be preserved for that end and for preventing her being overmastered or ensnared by these errors for it is like had not these Truths been generally acknowledged as determined by the Church many moe even of the Elect had been in hazard by the subtilty
wit that this way is involved with many fundamentall inconsistencies with the Truth and way of the Gospel and so cannot be a possible way of attaining Salvation for it maketh men to count many sins not to be sins and so never to repent of them the sins that it discovereth it leadeth them not to the right satisfaction which only can be accepted for them to wit Christs Righteousnesse but to their own inherent holinesse and good works yea even this they corrupt and what they account saving Grace as Faith Repentance Humility and such like are nothing lesse than such indeed before God If it be again further asked what then are we to esteem of such as lived under Popery if all of them be excluded from the obtaining of salvation We answer with a fourfold distinction 1. We would distinguish these who might live under Popery and yet be keeped from the infection thereof and no way belong to that body from the native members thereof of such we have spoken Chap. 11. and 12. to such the Lord speaketh Chap. 18. Come out of Babylon my people such were rather captives under her tyrannie than subjects of her Kingdom of these there is no question but as the Lord sealed them for Him self Chap. 7. so did He alwayes singularly own them and accept of them 2. We may distinguish Papists in these that are antichristian worshippers and others who are superstitious and in some things are erroneous We call them antichristian who receive the beasts mark and number and give him worship in more than an humane manner ascribing to him a certain divinity infallibility universall supremacy and such like antichristian attributes and who 2. receive his doctrine in the complex contrivance thereof which is his number and 3. who joyn in his worship wherein it is antichristian as praying to Saints worshipping of Images adoration of the Masse and such like These in the former assertion we have excluded Again we call them superstitious Papists who might not altogether have keeped a distance from that Church in every thing but many wayes have been tainted with their superstitions yet so as to be keeped from an antichristian conjunction with that society or union therewith in things that are plainly antichristian but might be testifying against such by some sincere zeal and pure light Thus 1. we suppose that many did give some reverence to the Popes who yet did utterly abhor their grosse usurpations and blasphemies his assuming to himself what was proper to God and Jesus Christ and detest the base flatteries of others that ascribed these to him as to be supream head of all and that both in Civil and Ecclesiasticall things to be infallible to be countable to none to authorize traditions and such like and might only give him some reverence either from humane policie and Ecclesiastick constitutions such as was given to Archbishops Patriarchs c. or they might esteem him though erroneously and ignorantly to be a Church-officer for medling with things incumbent to Church-officers to meddle in without any opinion of his illimited or absolute power even as men might err in accounting Bishops Archbishops Patriarchs c. of divine Authority although they might disclaim antichristian tyrannous usurpation and practices in them and seek only to have that power subservient to edification 2. Further in fundamentall doctrines they may be pure although not altogether without errors even as were many of the Fathers 3. In worship they might joyn many superstitious rites as Crosses Altars Bowings c. yet abstain from worshiping of Saints and Idols and from accounting the Masse a propitiatory sacrifice although they might joyn in the Eucharist and such like Of such sort were Gersom Bernard and some others in the midst of Popish darknesse who were not altogether free of these superstitions yet still did check the Popish pride and usurpation and bound their authority and preserved the doctrine of remission of sins through faith in Christs Righteousnesse pure and pressed holinesse in some spirituall manner even in the midst of many superstitions that abounded and whereof they were not altogether free We suppose these last are no wayes to be classed with the former but might have had accesse to Gods mercy through Christ Jesus Because 1. although they had errors yet were they not such as were inconsistent with sincerity and the nature of the administration of Grace And 2. because they keeped the way of attaining pardon through Christ Jesus clear which being followed by them in their practice as no doubt it was by many might through Gods gracious dealing with them make them acceptable before Him so that their failings being of infirmity and not of malice might not be imputed to them but they accepted as penitents being sincerely affected with what they conceived to dishonour God although they did not discern every thing that was sin against Him Dist. 3. We would distinguish Papists living so and dying so from such as though living so might yet by Gods Grace have repentance conferred upon them at their death This hath been found by experience that many who have been tenacious of the doctrines and superstitions of Popery in their life have been yet at their death brought to abhor them and to betake them to the Righteousnesse of Christ alone for their Justification These where that Repentance and Faith were true as no question often it was are no wayes to be excluded or accounted worshippers of the beast 4. Distinguish times some thing might through Gods Grace be more dispensed with in these times of more universall darknesse than afterward in the breaking out of light and in Gods erecting a Standart for His Truth in the earth and bringing forth a visible Church-state for His People to joyn in which formerly was not hence communion in Church-fellowship with the Church of Rome is much more dangerous now than formerly which will appear upon these considerations 1. Because the Lord doth more peremptorily now threaten her and her followers and addeth more severe certifications to the same as we may see in this place now this is proclaimed If any man worship the beast c. the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God And again Chap. 18.4 2. Their stay now is more unexcusable because the Lord hath opened a door of freedom and they refuse it even as the peoples stay in Babylon while the captivity lasted was not imputed to them yet staying after the proclaimed liberty was detested and having with it ingratitude against their Redeemer and despising of their Redemption offered and a willing submission to that bondage contrary to the warnings and advertisements given them and Gods call to abandon the same 3. After this also things in the doctrine and worship of the Church of Rome became more deadly for Babylon refused to be cured and in the Lords righteous judgement it came to passe that their doctrines became more corrupt that thereby He might punish
be more taken up with the one than the other yet that peace is best applied to the world and it may be this event of Gog is even unexpected to the Church The devils improving this liberty for he is not long quiet afterward is set down ver 8. And it is 1. set down generally he shall go out that is with more vehement onsets and temptations to deceive the nations that is to bring them against Christ and His Church as if they might prevail over them or as if there were some advantage to be gotten by bearing them down or by some such thing to engage them to battell against the Saints wherein is the greatest beguil of the world These Nations are said to be in the four quarters of the earth 1. for their number 2. for the universality of this uproar and rage that shall be on all hands and from all quarters raised up against the Church who shall be as a City besieged by them More particularly they are described whom he deceiveth Gog and Magog By some Gog is expounded secret from the Hebrew GAG tectum Magog open from the Hebrew word MIGAG Ã tecto and so taketh-in secret and open enemies of which I shall say nothing Only it cannot be applyed to the Pope or Turk these being enemies to arise after the thousand years expire who have a conjunct interest in fighting against the Church and that upon an Ecclesiastick account which the Turks professe not their power withall most probably being before this broken It seemeth respect is had 1. to Magog whose posterity is spoken of Gen. 10.3 of whom as Iosephus cap. 6.7 Ant. Iud. and others with him write that the Scythae are come and by these are meaned barbarous nations at a distance brought upon the Church while she hath peace in her self for their encompassing seemeth to hold forth an external force and violence from without 2. It relateth and alludeth especially to that Gog and Magog in Ezek. 38.39 where as the hurt the Jews got after their peace and return from Babylon was by these and as that stir was bitter but short by Autiochus and the last before Christs first coming So in allusion to that these are the Churches last enemies setting upon her after her deliverance from mystical Babylons tyranny So these last enemies that trouble the Churches peace after her restoring from spirituall Babylon before Christs second coming are called Gog and Magog even as there is an allusion in the names and titles that all the enemies of the Church of the Gospel get unto the names of the Churches enemies under the Law for both had three great and especial enemies 1. of old Egypt who oppressed the Church of the Jews in her infancy in allusion to that the heathen Emperour the Churches fifth enemy Chap. 12. is called a dragon as Pharoah was Psal. 74. and Ezek. 27. See Chap. 12. 2. Their next great oppressing enemy was Babylon that led them and kept them long time captive answerable to this Antichrists captivity is frequently compared to Babylons in this Book The third enemy the Jews had after they had gotten a little peace at home was the Lagidae and Seleucidae especially under Antiochus Epiphanes These by Ezekiel chap. 38 and 39. are called Gog and Magog Answerable to this are these enemies here called so partly because they follow the peace and outgate the Church hath after her delivery from mysticall Babylon partly as being of the like nature cruel violent c. yet soon restrained so that they never come to vent and execute their malice against the Church as former enemies did partly because they go immediatly before Christs second coming as these did as the last enemies before His first coming And this we think the safest reason of these names Gog and Magog without enquiring for any further mysterie in them More particularly the end of his gathering them is set down to battel he mindeth it against the Church but God turneth the battel against them I take it not for one singular battel but to war against to oppresse and persecute the Church openly and avowedly Lastly their number is expressed to be exceeding great even as the sand of the sea alluding to some places where that expression is used Iudg. 7.12 2 Sam. 17.11 Whereby it appeareth 1. what number of wicked are in the world even in the Churches best time 2. That if they were not restrained the Church in her best estate would be little in comparison of them 3. That they want but a loosing and soon are stirred as afterward followeth The successe followeth in two steps vers 9. First he prevailed so with them that they went up on the breadth of the earth Not only used he endeavours but many were engaged and almost the face of the earth was covered with them they were so many 2. They come so far without resistance that they compasse the camp of the Saints about and the beloved City By the camp of the Saints and the beloved City are meaned one thing to wit the visible Church It is called Chap. 11. ver 2. the holy City Then here a Camp and a City to shew it was not so to be trod on but encompassed the strait is not so great now as then Chap. 11. only before it was in freedom now it is beset as a besieged City round about She is called the Camp of the Saints 1. In allusion to Israels marching in the wildernesse to shew that the visible Church is on her way and march like an Army 2. In allusion to wars wherein the weaker keeped themselves within fortified Camps and the enemies encompassing is as setting on them as it were in their fortifications when they have all the field at their command And this suiteth with the scope here where the Church is brought to that strait as a little Army intrenched are when a greater lyeth down round about them as Isa. 1. vers 8. They are called the beloved City 1. In allusion to Ierusalem which was so called the Saints being a spirituall City and Incorporation in a Church-estate to God 2. To shew their strait also that not only in the fields was the Camp besieged which was a great strait but at home their chief City as it was in Hezekiah's time when no other place almost but Ierusalem was free and it besieged also 4. The event followeth ver 9. shewing what came of this 1. A temporall overthrow on the devils instruments fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them It alludeth to that terrible destruction of Sodom Gen. 19. or to that delivery of Ierusalem which God wrought by sending an Angel from heaven to destroy Sennacherib's Army Isa. 37. when Ierusalem was straitly besieged but especially to that of Gog and Magog Ezek. 38. and 39. whom God is said to destroy from heaven with fire as it is expressed in the Prophets words It is upon the matter all one with that of hailstones
Therefore it setteth out no peculiar state of the militant Church and so by consequence none at all Although it should be said as some do that this will not prove that these promises are not to be fulfilled on earth but only that then all Saints that ever lived shall partake of them and therefore an Author of late maketh use of this Scripture to prove the resurrection of all the Saints before the day of judgment unto an happy condition upon earth for saith he This here spoken of is to be fulfilled on earth but this belongeth to all overcomers to eat of the tree of life c. Therefore all overcomers must be raised and brought to the earth to partake of it This I say will rather confirm our argument than elude it For 1. that consequence of his goeth upon the supposition that this belongeth to the Church on earth which we deny These who assert otherwise would look that they strengthen not such a consequent 2. Seing these happinesses are promised to all overcomers are they not verified to them at all times and can any think that souls immediately after death and victory were not brought unto this City or made partakers of the tree of life is that promise suspended till Christs second coming when this Church-state shall be set up on earth Yea on the contrary doth not this strongly conclude against it this tree of life groweth in Paradise but Paradise is heaven to which the thief on the crosse was brought that same very night he died Luk. 23 and is he not then a partaker of the fruit of that tree If then that was Paradise to which the thief was admitted at Christs suffering then the Paradise in which the tree of life groweth can be no particular state of the Church on earth but heaven is that Paradise where the tree of life groweth Compare Chap. 22.2 with Chap. 2.7 Again there is no promise Chap. 2. and 3. made to the overcomers but are generally such as are fulfilled to the overcomer after death and when these that here are given are for that same scope and some of them intermixed in the same places It will be hard so to difference them as that they did not partake of these formerly mentioned untill these thousand years did begin for this Paradise was in the thiefs time Paul's time 2 Corinth 12.4 Therefore ought not to be restricted to this It may also not be without weight to consider that this being the last thing described in this prophesie upon the back of the Churches temporall difficulties and also agreeing in it self well to heaven that it is more suitably applied to it than to any other condition this being the great result of all the Churches former trials and it is more comfortable to have the narration of her estate at the description of her eternall happinesse than at any other period whatsoever shewing that Gods care of His people shall continue till they be in heaven and so concludes because their condition is eternall Although I mind not to insist on the objections but to leave them to the opening of the words following and their series Yet considering that some do alleage many things for the contrary opinion I shall say two words in reference to two sorts of them 1. Learned Mede goeth about to contemporate this state of the Church here with the seventh trumpet Chap. 11. or as he speaketh with that intervall which is to be betwixt the beasts destruction and the end of the world But 1. There is a twofold mistake in the very rise of this Synchronisme 1. that it supposeth the seventh trumpet to presuppose the utter abolition of the beast and so only to contemporate with the seventh vial of this was spoken Chap. 11. last ver and 20. Lect. 4. The second mistake is that it supposeth this new state of the Church to succeed immediately upon the beasts overthrow which it doth not till the Dragon be taken and casten where the beast was before him as in the former series Chap. 20. appeareth Again beside this the grounds upon which he buildeth this Synchronisme will not sustain it 1. Note this that the Bride here is the same with Chap. 19.6 7 c. because she getteth the same name therefore is this contemporary with that for though it may be the same Church yet will it not follow that it is the same Church so considered and at the same time because it getteth the same name certainly Christs Church at any time on earth is His Bride and so is she at the day of Judgement Eph. 5.27 c. Yet it will not follow that where she getteth these names she is still to be taken as militant more than we might argue that Church Chap. 21. is the triumphant Bride Therefore so is that Chap. 19.7 The same will answer the second argument also which faith this is called the holy city but Chap. 20. ver 8. the holy city is compasâ—ed after the thousand years Therefore this holy city was before that time This will prove indeed that there was a Church then or that the Church now glorified did at such a time suffer and was encompassed for there is still but one Bride one Catholick Church and Family in heaven and earth Eph. 3. but it will not prove that the Church as here considered was put to suffering yea there seemeth to be expresse difference this is not only Ierusalem or the holy city that is the Bride but it is new Ierusalem to distinguish it from what it was formerly such a city as cannot be compassed therefore are its gates never shut such a city as no enemy can molest or no dog can approach unto and that not for a thousand years only but for ever all which are certainly to oppose it to the Churches militant condition formerly exprest The other two grounds which he addeth are suspected by himself Neither can any think that because Chap. 16.17 it is said it is done which words are again repeated Chap. 21.5 6. therefore they belong to one time it is rather thus Chap. 16.17 It is said to be done because near the consummating that seventh vial bringing with it the end Chap. 21.6 because actually consummated His last presumption because its one of the Angels of the vials that sheweth it to Iohn can conclude nothing except we say that God could not make use of an Angel to shew to Iohn His Church triumphant as well as militant and if this be conclusive it may plead to have it contemporary with one of the vials as well as this for no particular vial is mentioned yea it is like all this prophesie being shown to Iohn by one Angel Chap. 1. it might therefore plead for a contemporarinesse amongst all the parts of it but himself doth not lay weight on it A second word is to such as think it belongeth to the Christian Church after the Iews conversion because of the expressions that are made use of
the Trumpets The second showeth the good outgate that the Church should have after that storm from ver 9. to the end and this giveth a hint of the Vials The Lord Christ having thus provided against these evils by this consolation Chap. 7. and having first interposed by His intercession in the beginning of this Chap. 8. Then He giveth order to the Angels to sound their Trumpets These do contain the second principal Prophesie and belong to the second period of the Church to wit from the Churches begun peace after heathenish persecution till Antichrist come up by his steps to his height This is contained in the 8 9 10 and 11. Chapters The first Angel foretelleth the rising of a violent heresie to wit Arianism whereby the beauty of the Church was exceedingly defaced The second foretelleth the great pride and contention that was to follow among Church-men which should be no little stirring to many and make way for the working of the mysterie of iniquity The third forwarneth of the corrupting of the principal doctrines and fountain-truths of Grace and the Gospel The fourth holdeth forth the more general decay of piety purity and simplicity in the Church in the age before Antichrists revealing though not yet at its height and when warning is given of three greater woes than any of these the eighth Chapter is closed In Chap. 9. two of the last great woes are set down the first or fifth Trumpet describeth Antichrists Kingdom and by the description thereof and names given to him the evil that cometh thereby to the Church is expressed The second great wo or sixth Trumpet setteth out Gods severe judging of a great part of the Christian world for that defection by letting loose the Turks upon it which with great Armies destroyed many and overcame a greaâ— part of the Empire yet these that were spared did not repent nor forsake their idolatry and superstitions for all that but Popery grew in its corruption even as the Turks grew in their Dominion In Chap. 10. and 11. because these were sad evils whereby the Church was brought low and were to be of longer continuance than any of the former lesser woes therefore before the seventh Angel sound the Lord setteth down a twofold consolation Chap. 10. and till ver 15. of the 11. where the seventh soundeth meeting with two objections first men might think shall enemies then get their will and the Church be thus still obscured when the seventh Trumpet cometh what will come of her the Lord by an oath Chap. 10. assureth His People that it shall not be so but that the Church shall be revived and that that seventh Trumpet shall bring judgement on her enemies and quite turn the chase And because it might be yet further doubted if there were a Church during that time till the seventh did sound it is shown Chap. 11. that there should be a Church and some Ministers still adhering to the former principles of the Gospel whom all enemies no not the beast Antichrist should be able to overcome till they should be at the close of their testimony and God have others to take it off their hand Then the seventh Angel soundeth when their testimony is finished and a very great and most glorious change is wrought which is generally hinted at here but more fully expressed by the Vials which are the third principal or typical Prophesie of this Book and contain the last period of the militant Churches condition to wit Antichrists decay and her enlargement after she hath been at her lowest and he at his height a little view of it is given here before the seven Vials be explained because he is to interpose the explication of what was past in the three Chapters following But before he set down the vials upon the blowing of the seventh trumpet as he had set down the trumpets on the back of the seven seals the first explicatory prophesie is interjected Chap. 12 13 and 14. and that in a different stile This serveth to clear the two principall prophesies past and maketh way exceedingly for understanding what was coming and in this the same troubles and state of the Church formerly prophesied of are here again touched in thir several steps of her difficulties with their respective outgates 1. The Churches wrestling with heathen persecution that was described by the seals is set out by the similitude of a travelling woman pursued by a red Dragon her outgate is under the expression of delivery when her birth is exalted vers 5. of Chap. 12. which war is more fully prosecuted with its outgate to vers 13. by this the devil is dethroned from the publick authority he had in the world while Emperours were heathen and authority is now on the Churches side The second step is the Churches troubles that followed on the back of that outgate it is hinted ver 6. that she fled or began to flee to shew the connexion of this decay with the former liberty but is prosecuted from ver 13. where the devils device to drown her by spewing out of his mouth a floud of filthy errours after her is marked whenas by violence or authority he could not master her the outgate from this is vers 16. the Lord provideth a way to drain these errours that they should not drown her the earth that is the then declining visible Church that continued still visible called earth because of her declining from that heavenly simplicity she appeared in vers 4. under heathen persecution becoming now earthly-like in pomp and so distinguished from these that keeped their former purity did still keep the Doctrine of the God-head of the Father Son and Spirit pure so that the pure Church now fleeing as it were hath these cruel blasts kept off her and so diverted from her as the earths drinking-in of rain suffereth not the flouds to encrease This is contemporary with the first four trumpets or lesser woes Chap. 8. When this doth not the devils businesse ver 17. he goeth to his last refuge of stirring up Antichrist and bringing of him to his height which is the first great wo Chap. 9. And because this is the great design to hold him forth and thereby to make way for clearing what was spoken Chap. 11. and what followeth to the end Therefore Chap. 13. he more fully insisteth in describing this enemy 1. in his nature by a double type of two several beasts the first showing what really he should be and what the Church should suffer by him the second shewing how he should attain to that height and by what means he should prosecute his designs upon the world and against the Saints And then when he hath described his nature rise reign practices continuance and manner of proceeding c. he cometh to shew the outgate Chap. 14. which contemporareth with the last part of Chap. 11. and is again insisted on by the vials Having put-by this explication and
with the woman her self 537 538 E WHat is meant by the Saints reigning upon earth 292 By Earth is understood the visible militant Church and not alwayes the unconverted world 345 346 Who are to be understood by the Earth and them that dwell therein 558 What is the proper and immediate effect of Christs purchase to the Redeemed 307 What we are to understand by the twenty four Elders spoken of Chap. 4. 273 What the Elders question and Iohn's reply and the Elders answer do import Chap. 7.13 14. where that innumerable multitude are described 398 399 Civil and morall men may be great enemies to the Church and Religion 354 Why these Epistles are directed to the Church-guides or Angels see Angel Wherein all the Epistles agree and direction how to make use of them 66 67 If any truely Godly may be led away into Errour 166 That Satan aimeth mainly to seduce Christs servants unto Errour and why 167 That it is a great aggravation of Errour when Christs servants are seduced thereby and why ibid. 168 That repentance for Errour is very rare and why ibid. Some Errours inconsistent together and opposit one to another wherewith the Church may be at once assaulted 383 384 F FAith necessary to Justification vid. Justification Different opinions about the way of Faiths concurring thereto 236 Some considerations and distinctions laid down for clearing the way how Faith concurreth 237 Faith only the condition of Justification 238 A double peculiarity of Faith beyond any other grace in the point of Justification one of being the condition of the Covenant which floweth from the Lords extrinsick appointment another of being an instrumental cause which floweth from its intrinsick aptitude 240 That Faith doth peculiarly concur in the point of Justification and that Works do not concur therewith cleared and proven 240 241 The main act of saving Faith 306 Whether Faith and other saving graces be the fruit of Christs purchase 308 They who are sound in the Faith will be exceeding tenacious of their testimony 363 Marks of that fear which we should shun 45 How Christ's feet are like unto fine brasse vide Brasse How Christ's eyes are said to be as a flame of fire 38 There is a fire coming from the Altar which hath terrible effects 416 Of the change made by fire at the great day 756 What we are to understand by those fountains and rivers mentioned chap. 8. ver 10. 427 428 The fountain of life what 762 G A Gift for the Ministery what it is and what it includeth 199 200 What we are to understand by the sea of glasse and what by standing thereupon 274 275 602 603 Glory is the compleat outgate of Believers trials 393 That there is but one God and three distinct persons in the Godhead where of the expressions used in this mysterie 5 6 7 8 Whether God intended the salvation of all men conditionally in giving Christ to die 300 How can the glorified behold God since He is invisible and whether they all alike enjoy Him 773 774 How great a God He is whom we worship 397 There is nothing which can be a ground of praise but it is in God ibid. Gods people in their difficulties would strengthen themselves in the faith of future glory 400 What enemies we are to understand by Gog and Magog 737 Why is the Church compared to Gold since there is so much corruption in it 51 52 The Gospel at its first coming amongst a people ordinarily prevaileth most and why 342 343 A flourishing state of the Gospel is not long free of errors and offences following it 354 355 Church government opposed by Satan and the reason thereof 82 83 84 That there is a Government in the Church distinct and independent from Civil-government proven and objections answered 85 to 89 That it is not arbitrary for the Church to confederate for governing the Church but that which de jure ought to be done 90 Absurdities wherewith a Church government distinct from the Civil is loaded answered 93 94 Wherein the power of this government consisteth and who is the proper subject thereof handled both negatively and positively 97 98 99 How little reason men have to be jealous of this government 100 101 102 103 Concerning the nature and difference of common and saving grace 120 How a man should try the sincerity of his grace 123 Baxter's opinion about the difference betwixt common and saving grace related which doth not really differ so far from the common opinion as at first it would seem to do 125 126 Two distinctions laid down to clear the difference between common and saving grace and wherein the difference lyeth 127 That the habit of saving grace in the renewed doth dâ—ffer from any thing which can be in the unrenewed 129 130 That there is a difference also between the acts of a gracious man and acts of any other proven by instances and arguments 131 to 139 The trial of grace by its kind is safest and that which discovereth hypocrisie best this is Christs way the contrary is attended with inconveniences 133 134 Grace is a necessary qualification for a Minister and in what respects which is much to be regarded both in peoples calling him and in Presbyteries admitting him neither is it impossible to take trial herein and what length may be attained and aimed at in this trial which doth not infer but overturn the rigid way of trying Church-members 202 to 209 The grace of our Lord Jesus is that which a gracious man wisheth to himself and others as that which is comprehensive of all happinesse 781 782 H IT is not indifferent for persons to hear whom they will and the evils that attend it 64 When new errors may be esteemed old heresie 155 Heresie and error wait ordinarily upon the Churches outwardly prosperous condition 383 Heresie and error one of the greatest plagues whereby God in His holy justice punisheth those who receive not the truth in love ibid. Heresie and error a terrible judgement and what the nature of it is 422 The heresies of the Arians Macedonians Nestorians c. when and how suppressed 536 537 Who they are whom Hereticks seek mainly to seduce 166 What an excellent condition it is to be in Heaven 394 Some beginning of Heaven here and wherein it consisteth 402 How we are to understand the passing away of the Heaven and the Earth and what this new Heaven is 753 754 Whether the Heavens and Earth which now are be substantially changed ibid. Some things premitted to the glorious description of Heaven 757 Heavens happinesse set forth and described 759 760 A more particular amplification of Heavens happinesse 761 to 772 Where Hell is and whether any materiall fire be there 739 No coming to Heaven without holinesse 763 764 How we are to understand the number of ten horns 648 The type of the white horse explained 340 341 The type of the red horse 344 345 To what time these persecutions relate
creep with his wiles which follows after for his spewing out heresies after the woman and his reigning as it were by his lieutenant saith he was not cast out of the Church simplie but in respect of what he was formerly after this he is necessitated to take a more indirect under-hand way 4. The Dragon is described by some properties expressed in his names 1. That old Serpent for subtilty a Serpent Gen. 3. yea old as not having begun to deceive then but now of great experience in that trade he is an old deceiver 2. Devil a calumniator tearing folks with reproaches and slanders whereof that time was full thus he slandereth Christians before others 3. Satan that is an adversary or accuser this looketh mainly to him as an accuser and traducer of the Godly before Gods bar and justice as he did Iob Chap. 1. This expresseth his serpentine nature who is in himself deceitfull and the miserable effect of it to them who trust him as our first parents did they are deceived Thus is the devil described as a Serpent to tempt and beguile the world a devil to slander and pierce through innocents with calumnies and Satan to traduce men to God and God to men Zech. 3. all agree well to him Again his angels were cast out with him wo to them that stand and fall with the devil In a word his speciall instruments idolatrous Priests and cruell Heathen persecuters all they are cast down together as he wanteth the supream honour in Civil and Ecclesiastick dignity so as he formerly enjoyed it so do they want their inferiour dignities and places when wicked great men are cast down many under-instruments ruine with them The allusion is as we said to Satans casting from Heaven that keeped not his first habitation Iudâ— 6. and to Lucifer Isa. 14. holding forth that now by this victory not only the great agent the devil the supream commander but his under-officers were also pinched and brought low The Song followeth in a congratulatory way expressing the same thing in plain terms without figures 1. The victory is laid down vers 10. 2. The mean or way whereby they attained it or their weapons vers 11. 3. The use or effects of it both to heaven and earth This delivery is so notable that it is and shall be the ground of a Song in the Church whereby both the greatnesse of it and the certainty of it is expressed and the Churches duty also the former events are two wayes expressed the first vers 5. The childes exalting is expounded to be the coming of Salvation that is deliverance from that persecuted condition which they had been so long praying for 2. Strength that is the evidencing of Gods strength in bringing the Church through and giving her who was weak strength to bring forth 3. The Kingdom of our God as Chap. 11.15 It is the magnifying of His Kingdom and declaring Him to be King which though really it was alway yet was it not so known in the world before 4. The power of His Christ that is His taking to Himself power and reigning as Chap. 11.15.17 which is called Chap. 6. The day of His wrath Christ who in the worlds eyes was thought little of and weak before this now His power kytheth and enemies are made to say He is a great God as was cleared on Chap. 6. ult The second effect of the devils casting to the earth from Heaven is expressed in that he is cast down that is dethroned put from the visible Kingdom and Authority which he had when the worlds authority countenanced him Now these are upon the Lords side and the Kingdom is His when this accuser whereof formerly we spoke vers 9. who uncessantly pursued the Godly is put quite out of respect be what he was in and Christianity brought in request Psal. 22.28 These words being plain and the scope being to resume the former delivery in a ground of praise there is a clear key here to open all this vision for what was casting from heaven is here casting down or degrading This 11. vers holdeth forth the weapons 1. Faith in Christs bloud whereby all these accusations were repelled as with a shield Eph. 6. and seing He died who can lay any thing to their charge Rom. 8.34 They are saved before God through His righteousnesse that is the ground of their victory He is called the Lamb in reference to the Sacrifices and so it pointeth out this to be the effect of His own offering up of Himself all the Saints victories flow from this 2. The word of their testimonie is their stedfast adherance to their profession and their confession of that Truth as Chap. 6.9 called Rom. 10. confâ—ssion unto righteousnesse with the mouth which testimonie in despight of torments exceâ—dingly defeateth the devil A clear and full testimonie is an excellent ornament to Christianity and giveth a special charge and defeat to the devil What a testimonie is we shew in the fifth seal Chap. 6. which is contemporary with this this is not only really to be found within but in appearance and profession to be so also before men The third weapon is suffering They loved not their lives that is when a testimonie was called for they cared not for their life as Paul said Acts 21. It was not dear to them and they were not swayed with the consideration of suffering This may appear 1. by their joyfull suffering of the most cruell death 2. By their refusing deliverance at the most seeming easie rate as was marked before Chap. 6. 5. seal so that as it is in Plinius secundus they thought it needlesse to seek to punish these who more willingly offered themselves and more chearfully suffered than any could pursue them The last part of the Song vers 12. hath two things in it poetically setting out 1. The happy condition of the Godly who are called dwellers in heaven because their conversation is there 2. The miserable condition of earthly-minded Professors or these who were without the Church the one might rejoyce for they had a present delivery the other hath a wo coming to them or a lamentation or alace pronounced for them because this succeeding triall would destroy moe souls than the other did bodies from two reasons 1. The devil was come down to them having no hopes of successe against the stedfast seed he was now to take another way that would prevail against many rottâ—n Professors or being driven from the Authority of the Empire he would rage more amongst and against other heathenish people both within and without the Empire 2. He hath great wrath though his power was broken yet his enimity was no whit abated but rather irritated and stirred up and the reason is added because he saw his kingdom in the world wherein for a long time he had keeped preheminence was begun to fall which would by this party be brought to nought He took this for an alarm of his finall ruine and
answer what we say but must more satisfyingly answer what one of them opposeth to another which can never be done untill they agree with us in the conclusion We have been the longer in this because it is indeed the great scope of this Prophesie to make this whore discernable and it is their great work to disguise her so that she be not discerned And this Chapter is acknowledged by all to be the main seat of this Controversie and the chief key yea as some call it the Castle of this Prophesie Arx Apocalypseos the opening and taking-in whereof doth both confirm what is past and make way for what is coming LECTURE I. Chap. XVIII Vers. 1. ANd after things I saw another Angel come down from heaven having great power and the earth was lightened with his glory 2. And he cryed mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies 4. And I heard another voice from heaven saying Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow give her for she saith in her heart I sit a queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her BY the vials Chap. 16. a generall view was given of the destruction of Antichrists kingdom especially by the last three Chap. 17. vers 1. the Angel proposeth a more particular exposition of that judgement in an explicatory vision and for the greater clearnesse he 1. describeth that kingdom which is the object of these plagues under the title of a Whore and Babylon pointing her so out as it is evident to be Rome in the latter times 2. He describeth Antichrist the head under the appearance of a beast which supporteth that whore 3. He doth thereafter point out the principall seat of that dominion 4. He giveth a little generall hint at her destruction all these were Chap. 17. He proceedeth now to explain more fully that destruction 1. of the whore Babylon or Rome in this 18. Chap. 2. of the beast or head Chap. 19. This Chapter belongeth to the explicating of the fifth vial as appeareth 1. That vial is on the seat or throne of the beast this describeth Babylons destruction which in Chap. 17. we heard to be the beasts seat and throne They therefore describe the judgement of the same thing to wit Rome and if Rome were not Antichrists seat but to be destroyed by him Why then would Antichrist and his followers so lament and regrate her ruine 2. The destruction here described of Rome or Antichrists kingdom is not that of the last vial for that hath nothing here in time behind it and cometh after the battell of Armageddon where the beast that surviveth the destruction of his seat is taken as is clear vial 6. But this destruction is such as after it both many of Romes friends especially Kings who under the sixth vial will adhere to the beast lament that destruction and many of the Saints do rejoyce over it and its irrecoverable ruine yes such a destruction as preceedeth the Iews calling and the battell of Armageddon which is in the sixth vial as is clear from Chap. 19. which followeth Therefore the great destruction of Rome here insisted on must be the very same Chap. 16. under the fifth vial which being the most remarkable step of the overthrow of that kingdom which the other two vials do perfect thereafter is the more largely insisted on This destruction of Rome being stiled Babylon is set out in expressions borrowed from the Prophets concerning the destruction of old Babylon whereby its ruine is set down in the certainty greatnesse terriblnesse justice and irrecoverablenesse thereof And that by the voices of three severall Angels if the second be an Angel one after another The first speaketh unto vers 4. the second from vers 4. to vers 21. the third unto the end and for confirmation addeth a sign In the first the denouncer is described vers 1. 2. His manner of denouncing vers 2. 3. The denounciation is set down The denouncer is another Angel than spoke to Iohn Chap. 17. God hath many waiting on Him and maketh use of them at his pleasure 2. He is a mighty Angel all angels are mighty yet there are degrees some more excelling in strength than others there are Angels and Archangels but of how many orders we will not determine The Schoolmen in this as in all other unrevealed mysteries do confidently define that there are three hierarchies and nine orders every hierarchie comprehending three orders The first hath Seraphims Cherubims Thrones the second Dominations Mights or Virtuses Powers in the third they place Principalities Archangels Angels this they presume to have from Dionisius Pseud-areopagita who saith de Eccl. Hierar lib. 7. cap. 7. that he had this by tradition from his master Hierotheus 3. As He is great in power so He excelleth in glory the earth was lightened c. as all these ministring spirits do and it is like had some visible manifesting of His glory in this work The makeing use of such instruments sheweth 1. that God thinketh it a great work for mighty Angels are imployed in such as the Archangel in raising the dead 2. That it will effectually be done that instrument will effect it 3. That it is Gods work and not mens to perfect this judgement therefore ought He to be trusted with it and depended on in it 4. It is said of the Angel he came down from heaven it telleth heaven is the mansion of these glorious Spirits Zech. 3. 5,7 they stand by as attendants and it is a priviledge to be admitted amongst them though their motion be swift yet do they at Gods order go from one end of the earth to another changing their place yet keeping their glory and counting it no losse to do their Master service The coming down sheweth not only a readinesse in the Angel to do what is committed to him but the approaching of the ruine he denounceth and a greater clearnesse in the thing denounced when he cometh near to do it Ver. 2. It is said he cryed with a mighty
have need of Christs bloud to make them white 401 Fleeing to Christ for refuge the best way to escape trouble ibid. Christs Intercession vid. Intercession Christs sympathy with Believers see Sympathy Christs marriage with the Church considered in a threefold respect 691 692 Of Christs personall reign upon earth and the different opinions about it 710 711 Christs personall reign upon earth refuted with the absurdities that follow thereupon 714 715 These who reign with Christ on earth are living Saints and neither Martyrs nor Saints departed 716 718 The word Church three wayes taken in Scripture why the Revelation is sent to particular Churches why to the Churches of Asia and why they are termed seven 20 21 How Churches use to be un-churched 76 Why the Church of Ephesus is particularly threatned with this ibid. How un-churching is a punishment to the Minister 77 If there can be any particular Church without some sincere professours 218 The sad condition of the Church before Constantine's time and the flourishing state thereof which did immediately follow upon his Government 374 375 376 What time and state of the Church these winds and that sealing spoken of chap. 7. do relate to 381 The flourishing state of the Church is one of the greatest evidences of Gods glory in the world and one of the greatest grounds of praise 397 The Church of Rome plagued under the sixth trumpet and yet she repenteth not but continueth in her idolatry murthers c. 450 451 The Church of Rome justly charged with these 451 452 Whether the Church of Rome be guilty of idolatry 454 455 c. The Church of Rome proven to be an idolatrous Church from her practice and Doctrine 456 457 To what state of the Church is the measuring of the Temple of God and of the altar of them that worship therein to be referred 476 The Church more generally and more particularly considered 477 Upon this that there was a true Church under Antichrists tyranny it will neither follow that the Church of Rome was or is the true Church nor that we have our ordination from it 510 511 A Nationall Church doth well suit with the time of Antichrists fall and the Gospels flourishing the objections to the contrary are answered 511 512 513 514 What is sufficient for constituting a person a member of a true Church or how true Churches are to be constitute 516 517 518 The Churches first war with the Dragon a description of the parties with a narrative of the successe 521 522 523 The series of the Churches condition between her open sufferings under the Dragon and heathen persecuters and the manifest appearing of the Beast or Antichrist 529 530 The devil's design against the Church the means he useth to prosecute his designe the Churches safety and preservation 530 531 The occasion of this new war against the Church and how it differeth from the persecution raised against the man-child 530 The end of the Churches fleeing from the face of the Serpent and what is to be understood thereby with the time to which it is applicable 531 532 533 That there is a Catholick visible Church in the dayes of the Gospel and some considerations for making out the unity thereof 538 539 â—hat the Catholick Church is the first Church and fountain from which all particular Churches do â—low'â— and some objections to the contrary answered 540 541 Church of Rome vid. Rome What sort of separation is called-for from the Church of Rome 680 The songs which are in heaven for the enlargement of the Church the parts of the song the grounds thereof the party who exhorteth to sing and the persons who are exhorted 689 690 We are not to understand any state of the Church militant by the new heaven and the new earth which Iohn saw but the happinesse of the Church triumphant with some objections to the contrary answered 748 749 750 751 752 The comfortlesse grounds laid down in Popery for easeing a troubled conscience 446 Conditionall Redemption See Redemption The Lords tendernesse of the consolation of His people and whence their discouragement ariseth 469 The way of Gods Covenanting with a sinner laid down 234 Severall sorts of Covenants 237 The condition of a Covenant is taken either more largely or more strictly ibid. A difference betwixt these priviledges of a Covenant which flow from it as such and these which are only conditionally promised to the parties thus related ibid. Faith and works in what respect the condition of the Covenant and in what not 238 The Covenant of Grace like a Marriage Covenant or like free Adoption and not like that bâ—twixt Master and Servant ib. Covenanting preceedeth Justification 239 What we are to understand by the cry of the souls under the altar 364 D THat the first Day of the week is understood of the Lords Day and why it is so called proven 28 29 That this Day is of Dâ—vine institution provâ—n and objections to the contrary answered 30 31 That it is lawfull to call it Sunday and why ibid. How this Day is to be sanctified ibid. Why Christ is called the first begotten from the dead 5 Spirituall deadnesse twofold 177 That totall deadnesse may consist with a good name from others and a good conceit of a mans self ibid. Christs death was not only to confirm His Doctrine or give a copy of obedience or purchase to Himself a power to forgive sins but it was truely and properly a satisfaction 280 Who these dead were who lived not again till the thousand years were expired and how they are said to live again then 732 733 How hell the sea and grave give up their dead 747 What power the devil hath over men held forth in the extent of it from Scripture Severall conclusions also for clearing it 149 150 By what means the devil useth to prevail in tempting and how little weight is to be laid on his testimony 150 151 Whether the devil was not cast into hells fire fiâ—st when he fell 738 What it is to die in the Lord. 596 The difference betwixt a morall specifick dâ—fference and a physical cleared 141 Severall conclusions touching Discipline and the exercise of it laid down 99. Why Iohn was called the Divine 2 The nature and usefulnesse of pure Doctrine with the evil of error especially when it infecteth these who are Ministers in the Church or men of great gifts and blamelesse lives 430 The principles of the Popiâ—h Doctrine do most natively lead to anxiety and the reasons thereof 439 440 What is meant by Christs setting an open door before a Minister how he may know it and what way he should make use of it 191 192 196 197 The Dragon who pursueth the woman with a description of him his properties and effects which followed upon his being cast down from heaven to earth 522 527 528 What is meant by the Dragons making war with the seed of the woman and why is it not said that he made war