condition is double the first is of an host where the happy lot of the Saincts is declared from the Captaine the Lambe standing upon mount Sion Likewise from the souldiers both defined and also selected ver 1 furthermore from the ioy of the Spirit expressed by a newe song ver 2.3 and the holines wherewith they are endued ver 5. And this multitude of the Saincts is that seed of the woman scatered here and there in the world whith whom the Dragon made warre after that the woman in flying into the wildernes disappeared chap. 12.13 The second condition is of fighting wherby they goe forth into the army wher some ar Emissaries who the breaking in being made do skirmish with Antichrist and first by the word which is done three manner of waies by three Angels following one an other in order The first of which doth cast upon the earth a generall light of the Ghospell ver 6.7 The second foresheweth the ruine of Babylon ver 8. The third dispoiled the Beast of his coverings and setteth him in the open light by threatning a terrible iudgement against them who setting light by the judgement doe neverthelesse cleave unto him ver 9.10.11 But when as the weake are apaled at the afflictions and torments which they are coÌ„strained to undergoe while they returne to the trueth a double consolation is added one of Iohn ver 12. The other of a voice sent from heaven whereby the former is confirmed ver 13. And so the first coping is performed by the word The second skirmishing is by deed which is also double The Harvest and Vintage unto the harvest the servant is furnished with an instrument ver 14. with a commaundement ver 15. and goeth about the worke ver 16. Vnto the grape gathering the Angel cometh forth prepared and in a readinesse ver 17. received the commaundement from an other Angel ver 18. and dispatched the businesse ver 19.20 Scholions Then I looked and behold there was a Lambe standing This Prophecy beginneth at that time wherein the Dragon being cast into the earth drove away the woman into the wildernes chap. 12.13 c. where more fully the condition of the Church lying hid is declared in regard of the clearer knowledge of the seventh trumpet as hath ben observed at the beginning of the 12. chap. The eleventh chapter toucheth the state of former thinges as it were in one word spending all the rest of the Prophecy in the sufferings of two witnesses as the chiefe members but here more largely is unfolded in what state the affaires of the whole body wer in the meane time both as touching the safety and also in respect of the fortitude of some by whose coÌ„duct a ioyfull victory is begun Iohn therefore repeating the matter from thence saith that he sawe a Lambe standing on Mount Sion Which Lambe is Christ the Sonne of God as is manifest from his correlative in this verse his Fathers name He playeth the Lambe all this time patiently sufferring the Dragon and the Beast neither punishing them with that severity that both he was able and also they had deserved And yet notwithstanding he lyeth not downe carelesse neglecting the safety of his people but standeth in readinesse to defend them covering under his winges the woman and her scattered seed that they should receive no hurt from the enemies Mount Sion on which the Lambe standeth as on a tower or high hill is the Church it selfe which standeth firmly like Mount Sion against all the force of adversaries Before it was the Temple and the holy Altar but a small covert to hide in chap. 11.1 Afterward a wildernes and desert because it had noe cleere outward face on earth chap. 12.6.14 Now it is called Mount Sion because it persisteth invincible in the middes of these teÌ„pestuous stormes A notable confort against either the paucitie or deformity ¶ And with him an hundred fourty and foure thousande This bande of men is the same which was before of the sealed chap. 7.4 Aretas thinketh it to be an other because the article having relation thereto is wanting But it is wonte to be omitted in things very well knowen as the woman in Iohn J knowe that the Messias shall come which is called Christ chap. 4.25 and many the like Verily these beside the concurrence of the number have also a name written in their foreheads but what is this else then to be sealed further more they sing also a song which no man could learne but they ver 3. Therefore they are chosen out of the whole company of them that perish upon whom alone while those troubles of the Church continued Christ bestowed the wholesome knowledg of himselfe Wherefore in all things they are those sealed ones togither with the measured temple and the womaÌ„ slying into the wildernes to be referred unto that time of the seaventh chapter From hence then see with how great a traine the woman was in the wildernes and how great a company of Saincts were in the temple with the two Prophets chap. 11.1.2 Although it be very small if it be compared with that which possessed the holy city and the court But as before time there were unknowen to the world seaven thousand men whiâ—h never bowed their knee to Baal so of late in these last ruines of the Church there were an hundred and foure and fourtie thousand Saincts in Mount Sion who when the rest of the whole world ran after the Dragon and the Beast were conversant alwayes together with the Lambe never departing from his side ¶ Having his Fathers name Aretas the Complut edition and another to the same ende read thus having his name and his fathers name so also the old Latine translation Which reading as being more expresse seeing wee are by Christ adopted to be sonnes so many copies agreeing I thought is rather to be followed As touching the chiefe point of the matter there is no difference yet one is more significant then the other But from hence there is light to illustrate that in the 7. chap. ver 3. where mention is made of sealing but no shewing what manner of maâ—ke was imprinted from this place wee learne that there was writteÌ„ in their foreheads that God by Christ was their Father For iust cause is this made the badge of the Saincts wherby most of all they are discerned from the wicked of the world whose maÌ„ner is as wee see in the Papists blaspheming the sacred trueth to condemne of arrogancy the filial confidence But thou must observe that there was not any sensible marking or if that were granted that yet it was not the signe of the Crosse but his Fathers name written in their foreheads 2 And J heard a voice from Heaven from Mount Sion where the Lambe stood with this multitude from the Temple to wit from the Church The same thing is signifyed by divers names In this Mountaine onely they did bend themselves with all their power to praise God
which he so marvelously defendeth against so many enterprises of the adversaries But the Papists eyes cannot peirce this smoke wherfore theâ— weary themselves in vayn fighting against God But because smoke signifieth also wrath the Temple filled with smoke teacheth that God testifieth his presence with manifest arguments of his indignation against the enemies whom now he wil vexe with continual torments which out of the Temple and Church of God shal dayly fal upon their heads ¶ And no man was able to enter into the Temple This sheweth the condition of the rest what it should be in the mean time while these plagues crushed down the enemies To weet they should remayn without the Temple not able to enter in for smoke as Moses could not enter into the Tabernacle of the congregation whiles the cloud was upon it Evod. 40.35 Alike therfore in some sorte shal be the condition of the Church when it is restored as it was when it lay hidd As long as the Temple was shutt the saincts pitched their camp in mount Sion the Lamb being their Captayn no man could learn the song which they sang chap. 14.3 It belonged to a few elect into whose number none of the rest of the world could joyne himselfe Even so when the Temple is opened although the Church be much more noble and conspicuous yet shal not al betake them selves unto the bosome therof until the seven plagues be fulfilled Which is first to be understood of the Iewes whose ful caling shal not be until the vials be poured out Ful I say because during the plagues ther shal be some beginning but not an absolute perfection before they be altogither past For Rome drives theÌ„ from entring in which when it shal be taken away then the Iewes and other nations many al impediments being removed shal flow even with strift unto the Church and shal thenceforth continue the faithful nourissons of the same For we see that al ar not by this smoke quite shut out of the Temple Seven Angels come out from thence which should not come forth but to execute their office wherupon the rest of the Saincts abide therein This smoke therfore hindred not al the elect of the Gentils from entring in but the Iewes and ful number of the Gentiles onely CHAP. 16. AND I heard a great voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels Goeye and powr out the seven vials of the wrath of God upon the earth 2 And the first Angel went and powred out his vial upon the earth ther came a noysom greevous soar upon the men which had the mark of the Beast and which worshiped his Image 3 And the second Angel powred out his vial upon the sea and it became as the blood of a dead-man and every living sowl died in the sea 4 And the third Angel powred out his vial upon the rivers and upon the fountayns of waters and they became blood 5 And I heard the Angel of the waters saying Iust art thou O Lord which art and which wa st and which shalt be because thou hast judged these things 6 For they shed the blood of the Saincts and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy 7 And I heard an other Angel from the altar saying even-so Lord God almighty true and just ar thy judgments 8 And the fourth Angel powred out his vial on the Sun and it was given unto him to torment men with heat by fyre 9 And men boyled-hott with great heat blasphemed the name of God which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory 10 And the fift Angel powred out his vial upon the throne of the Beast his kingdome became dark and they gnawed their tongues for payn 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven for their paynes and for their soars and repented not of their works 12 And the sixt Angel powred out his vial upon the great river to weet Euphrates the water therof was dryed up that the way of the Kings that come froÌ„ the East might be prepared 13 And I saw three unclean Spirits like froggs coming out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet 14 For they are the spirits of Divils working signes which goe unto the Kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battel of that great day of God almighty 15 Behold J come as a theef Blessed is he that watched and keepeth his garmeÌ„ts least he walk naked and men see his shame 16 And he gathered them togither into a place called in Hebrew Armagedon 17 And the seventh Angel powred out his vial upon the ayre and ther came a great voice out of the Temple of heauen from the throne saying It is doon 18 And ther were noises and lightnings and thonders and ther was a great earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth even so great an earth-quake 19 And the great city was rent into three parts and the city of the Gentiles fell and that great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the cup of the wine of the feircenes of his wrath 20 And every I le fled away and the mountayns wer not found 21 And a great hayl as of talent weight fel out of heaven upon men and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hayl for the plague therof was exceeding great The Analysis HITHERTO hath been the common type now foloweth the special execution distinct with the parts therof in this chapter and then more at large continued in the rest folowing The execution is commanded ver 1. then the parts ar set down both the common the effect of the work and the event and the particular seven distinct vials according to the maÌ„ner of the former periods for those seven notable plagues wherwith the enemies are to be smitten The first of them is powred out upon the earth ver 2. The second upon the Sea ver 3. The third upon the rivers ver 4. whose secondary event is a twofold testimony first of the Angel of the waters ver 5. 6. secondly of the Angel from the altar ver 7. The fourth is powred upon the Sun ver 8.9 The sixt upon Euphrates of which ther is also a twofold event first the drying up of the waters ver 12. secondly a preparation to warr wherof ther be three princes authors and as many Ministers froggs ver 13.14 Then a warning given to the elect ver 15. and the gathering of the enemies into the place Armagedon ver 16 The seventh is powred out upon the ayre whos 's first event is a ful end ver 17. the second noyses lâ—ghtnings eartquake Also the destruction of the enemies ver 19.20 of cities of nations and of men in the beginning of the 21. ver and a hayl of talent weight causing
lustification and the syncerity of the whole faith for the garment as wee have shewed in other place is the imputed righteousnes of Christ The Sunne noteth the light of the Scriptures Therefore the cloathing of the Sunne is such a confidence in the righteousnes of Christ alone as the scriptures teach Which is a most comely ornament of the first Church which the opinion of our strength had noe whit yet darkened In other places of the Scriptures this cloathing is of white and pure linen But the glory of any later time doe not attaine unto this most excellent glory of the Sunne The MOONE under her feete This is commonly and ordinarily referred unto the despised and troden under foote vanity of worldly things which are as variable and changeable as the MOONE In which respect the Woman hath noe greater regard of such earthly things then of that which commonly men doe trample and treade upon with the soles of their feete But from the former things wee have learned that the Moone doth signify the light of truth and doctrine borrowed from the Scriptures which now being put under her feete may shewe that all the steppes of this Church are directed and disposed according to the onely rule of the one of these For it is not inough to shine rounde about with the Sunne unlesse the steppes be set in the way of Godlines As therefore the cloathing of the Sunne is the doctrine of faith so the Moone under the feete is the doctrine of manners which are either publike or private They comprehende the whole manner of worshipping God and revoking of those that erre which is called Discipline commonly These private are seen in the common life of every one Great was the glory then of the woman before whom the heavenly light of trueth went in all thinges whether publikely or privately I take rather this latter applying because it is more fit to abide in the signification once received albeit I would not have utterly reiected the former interpretation as being godly and learned The crowne of twelve starres on the head signifyeth the shining administers of the doctrine the twelve Apostles by whose preaching the Church was founded and also the Apostolicall men who receiving the word from them that sawe the things don their selves preserved the Church chast and undefiled But it is to be observed that the womaÌ„ doth carry the starres in an other manner then Christ hee being Lord of all carried them as it were servants in his hande chap. 2.16 shee beareth them as her chiefe ornament on the crowne of her head Such then is the particular explication Which descriptioÌ„ howe well it agreeth to that church noe man can be ignorant of who hath ben even but meanly acquainted with the History She was most glorious by the cloathing of the righteousnes of faith in retayning faithfully the doctrine which shee had received from Christ the Apostles Evangelists and other Apostolike men Neither was shee yet defyled with the uncleanesse of humane invention but in the whole worship discipline life manners shee had the Moone under her feete following the sacred trueth as her North-starre in all thinges there was one forme of governing in all Churches the very same which is taught in the Actes of the Apostles and their other writings Or if any maÌ„ will referre the Moone to the vanity of wordly things how free was shee from ambition and desire of honours How greatly did shee abhorre the coveting of riches and contention for dignity How syncere is the History of that time in Eusebius The Bishops are reckened by name excellent for their manners and doctrine their conflicts labours and sufferings are declared but as yet the proude names of honours and dignities were unknowne to the world the burning mountaine was not yet cast into the Sea neither had Satan brought in arrogancie and pride but the Pastors used singular modestie being very carefull for the good estate of their flocke not heaping riches and Lordly titles for pompe One Paulus Samosatenê° is called Magnifique Lord and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a forerunner of Antichrist garded with a great company of men servants whereof some went before some followed after see the Synodicall Epistle in Eusebe booke 7. chap. 30. But when this insolency was hated of all the rest then the time nowe drewe neare when this vaine glorious Bishop rose up in which the womaÌ„ hid her selfe I am not ignoraÌ„t but that pride had sprung up in some other sorts but the Spirit describeth the womaa by those markes which were yet evident not by those which grewe up about the ende of that florishing estate and secretly Such was this Church such ought every one to be but of which sorte none hath ben since that time For wee shall finde those that followed not cloathed with the Sunne but with the night not treading under foote the Moone but the earth neither having the shining starres on her head but golden ornaments ¶ A Crowne of starres This crowne of starres is wonderfull Among mortall men Gold is wont to be appointed for this thing But to what ende should she have Gold on her head under whose feete did lie whatsoever is pretious in this world The glory therefore hereof is the integrity of the Ministers noe mortall dignity The faithfulnesse of these is the glory of the Church which is in a mourning estate when these loose their light 2 And being great with childe shee cried travailing in birth The fourth property her traveiling with childe having in the wombe as Mat. 1.18 Aretas the common translation have shee cryeth being in labour with childe pained to bring foorth that is in bringing foorth or that shee might bring foorth by a syntaxe not unlike to that wherby wee saz faire to see valliant to fight The Church had exceeding great paine for along time as it were of a woman travailing with childe And shee desired in all her prayers to be freed at length from that most afflicted condition wherein she was under the Heathenish most cruell Emperours Which thing she knew that she should obtaine if sometime at length shee could bring forth one who should rule the common wealth and have the chiefe menaging of things For the woman was not barren before this time but happie for issue in very great number but one sonne was yet wanting who might be able to defende her from the iniuries of the enemies whom while shee is in labour with and prepareth a defender shee sufferred most sharpe paines before she could obtaine that which she desired 3 And another wonder appeareth So is the description of the woman the rest of her condition is made apparant from the description of the enemy to wit the Dragon both from the things inherent in this verse and also froÌ„ the effects in the verse following Those first are his red colour hornes heads crownes before all which is set the place in which the Dragon appeared to wit in
hearers sterility of godlines and a gnawing of their bowels then a quenching of their thirst or yeelding of any other fruict The Devill being berest of power to hurt the Saincts did nowe vexe these with all manner of stormes as we have read that it came to passe in the East under Constantine Constantius Valens Iulianus and the rest In part wee have already shewed before what sturres the Devill made among the BISHOPS But it belongeth not to my purpose to prosecute the thing more at large Let him which pleaseth looke into the History and he shall behold wonderfull Tragedies Surely noe Godly man can without great griefe runne over those contentions discords reproches false accusations wherewith they raged one against another Neither doe I doubt but whosoever shall reade their actions will freely confesse these men to have ben moved by the furies of hell they troubled and confounded all things with so mad affection But these were but flea bitings in comparison of the calamities of the West I let passe the civill warres of Constantine and Constans brethren of the new risen tyraÌ„ts Magnetius and Vetranior and others such light evils how great desolation I pray you came from the Barbarians Goths Vandals and the rest of the uncleane persons and at length from the LoÌ„gobards All countries were spoiled in a miserable manner and Italy once the Ladie of countries above the rest With how lamentable songs did Gregorie the great and other writers bewaile the calamities of those times The plague of the Saracens succeeded this which troubled the world with most grievous afflictions for many ages To which if any shall ioyne the monsters of superstitions and errours which followed afterward swarmes of religious men apparitions of Spirits and familiar communing with Devils lying signes monstrous miracles many other things of that kinde it shall not peradventure be hard to define who are those inhabitans of the earth and sea against whom the Devill in this his banishement raged so furiously Especially if any shall cast his eyes upoÌ„ Rome and shall see that the most high Popes who doe boast theÌ„selves to be Christs Vicars all from Sylvester the second to Gregory the seventh about sixteene in number were most wicked Magitians But we have spokeÌ„ sufficiently of this perturbatioÌ„ of things which the Devill brought in being expelled from heaven in chap. 8. and 9. This short denuntiation of calamities is that Prophecy of the trumpets Moreover also that is to be declared more at large in those things which follow in this chapter which is here touched but in a word ¶ As who knoweth that he hath but a little time The Greeke worde signifyeth often fitnes of time which peradventure may better serve to the purpose in this place for there was yet much time which at length after a thousand yeeres should be small chap. 20.3 a short time Where the Spirit seemeth purposely to have used a word for difference sake which noteth more properly a distance of time But the Devill had now but a small oportunity being thrust downe into that prison which before time belonged to his dominion Envy rather delighteth to poure out her poison upon the Saincts then for noe necessity to tormeÌ„t men who are already inough addicted and made subiect to him he would spare this labour gladly and would make triall of it rather in them whoÌ„ he is grieved to have beÌ„ pulled out of his iawes Furthermore the word knowing may be an argument to prove this thing the future moments of times are without doubt hidden from the Devill Especially the last day of all which also the Sonne knewe not But he could not but knowe his present oportunitie This therefore seemeth to be the cause of his fury that being cast out of heaven now he must needes bring forth his rage against his owne citizens when he desired rather to hurt the elect whom he could not touch being driven out from their company which large field of his furie being taken from him he thought that which remained to be but small 13 When therefore the Dragon saw that he was throwne Hitherto the things done in heaven where the sixt seale endeth Nowe follow the subtill workings of the Dragon cast forth into the earth belonging to the same time of the trumpet And first he beginneth a persecution against the woman which brought forth the male childe Which persecution taketh place when the one part sufferreth violence and wrong and is not able to defend it selfe against the iniustice of the enemy But what like thing was to be feared of the woman seing the Devill was now throwne from heaven Can there come any evill from the earth belowe unto heaven But this heaven is not separated from the earth by the distance of places but by the holines of faith maÌ„ners Yâ—t neverthelesse from whence sufferreth she persecution as it were destitute of a defender who lately brought forth a man childe and had Michaell for her most puissant maintainer Surely from hence because the Emperours chiefe care was to expell the open enemies which thing at length having attained they cared not much for other things neither considered they at least so diligently as was meete that the Dragon had many other wayes to hurt which they unawares made more easy by their meanes so farre of was it that they set themselves valiantly against his enterprises From hence therefore the Dragon first sowed privie bitternes of mindes among the Bishops which having sprung up togither with Constantine before the trumpets began to sounde caused a sorowfull perceiving of the future trouble as we have noted at the eight chapter ver 2. For this sparcle grewe in short time to a flame but most of all after they began to contende about the essence of the Sonne In all which debates the trueth was alwayes in worse case But the rage of persecution waxed most fierce when Constance Julian Valens exercised tyranny against the Orthodoxe in an hostile manner Certes Constance Valens differreth nothing from the most cruell tyraÌ„ts except in name onely They were counted Christian Princes but under that name they carryed the cruelty af the Ethnicks Therefore the Dragon graunted noe truce but being expelled from heaven vexed the woman foorthwith by other meanes This persecution is that which wee spake of in the exposition of the first second third trumpet in chap. 8. But see how profitable this repetition is which giveth knowledge of an other coÌ„ioyned cause of those truÌ„pets There we learned that they in the iust iudgement of God were inflicted upon the world because it embraced not the truth with that faith holines and love that was meete and therefore the coales of the altar thrown into the earth raised up that burning flame from hence wee are taught what was the instrument to wit the Dragon himselfe who did cast men headlong into that madnes that by their meanes hee might scourge the woman 14 But to the woman were
is more or lesse of a thousande two hundred yeeres from Iohn the Apostle unto the yeere 1300. Where also the Centuries doe ende being set forth under this last trumpet of which wee said that this repetition is a type ¶ And he stood on the Sea sande A passing over to the Beast Aretas the Complutent edition and all the Greeke copies doe so reade as our translation and I stood the common translation hath and he stood but falsly For he attributeth it to the Devill who even now went his way to make warre with the rest of the Saincts and for madnes was not able to stand still in any place Neither is there any other intent of standing on the sande then that the rising up of the Beast might be seen which concerneth nothing the Dragon Therefore the wordes are to be referred unto Iohn in which there is a transition unto the enemy set in the place of him that is dead to the contemplating of whose originall Iohn saith that he was set in a most convenient place In which he declareth that it doth appertaine to them onely to beholde the Beast rising up who after they have escaped the Sea of false doctrine are set at least on the shore or banke of the truth howsoever it may be that the mooving of the waves and the ebbing of the Sea casteth upon them also many brinish errours because of nighnesse as after they that doe get victory of the BEAST are said to stand at the GLASSIE SEA as wee may see in the fifteenth Chapter and second verse For that these things doe pertaine and are to be refferred to the event may be gathered from the like place in the seventeenth Chapter and at the third verse where IOHN is carried into the Wildernesse for to beholde the damnation of the WHORE For what need were there to change the place unlesse the remooving had a Mystery Here therefore some godly men are to be viewed to whom being set as it were on the shore of the Trueth the originall of the SEA BEAST should be certenly knowne and that also at that time in which the Devill went for to make warre against the seed of the woman For neither is this place attributed rashly to this transition Which wee see to have ben performed in them of Maidenburg who having attained at length to settle the soles of their feete on the dry grouÌ„d after they had swomme out of the Papisticall Sea manifested to the whole world in their Centuries such a beginning growing and ripenes of this Beast as is here described of Iohn Which doubtlesse many learned men also before painted out in lively colours but all their labour was bestowed about one or two parts none made a perfit image before the seventh trumpet which procured us these Centuries To this ende tendeth the transition how correspondent the event is the application of every severall thing will make plaine CHAPTER 13. THEN I saw a Beast rising out of the Sea which had seven heads and tenne hornes and upon his hornes ten crownes set and upon his heads was set a name of blasphemy 2 And the Beast which I saw was like a Leopard and his feete as the feete of a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion and the Dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wonded to death but his deadly wound was healed and all the earth wondred and followed the Beast 4 And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power to the Beast and they worshipped the Beast sâ—ying Who is like unto the Beast who shall be able to warre with him 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great thinges and blasphemies and power was given unto him to doe two and fourtie moneths 6 Therefore he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his Tabernacle and them that dewell in heaven 7 And it was given to him to make warre with the Saincts to overcome them and power was given unto him over everie kinred and tongue and nation 8 Therefore all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the booke of life of that Lambe which waâ— slaine from the beginning of the world 9 If any man have an eare let him heare 10 If any leade into captivity he shall goe into captivity if any kill with a sword he must be killed by a sword here is the patience and faith of the Saincts 11 Afterward I beheld an other Beast comming up out of the earth having two hornes like the Lambe but he spake like the Dragon 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the former Beast before him and he causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the Beast whose deadly wounde was healed 13 And he doeth great wonders so that he maketh fire to come downe from heaven on the earth in the sight of men 14 And he deceaveth them that dwell on the earth for the signes which were permitted to him to doe in the sight of the Beast saying to them that dwell on the Earth that they should make the image of the Beast which was wonded by the worde but did live againe 15 And it was permitted to him to give a Spirit to the Image of the Beast so that the image of the Beast should speake and should cause that as many as would not worship the image of the Beast should be killed 16 And he maketh all both small and great rich and poore free and bound to receive a marke in their right hand or in their foreheads 17 And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the marke or the name of the Beast or the number of his name 18 Here is wisdome Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast For it is the number of a man and his number is sixe hundreth threescore and sixe Analysis THVS farre hath ben the battell with the Dragon the combate with the Beast followeth which is double the first and the second The description of the first is from the beginning of the chapter to the 11. verse And first from the causes that he arose out of the Sea then also from his integrall parts his hornes heads and their decking ver 1. his whole forme feet and mouth ver 2. Furthermore from his authority wherby he doth excell which is threefolde at the first received from the Dragon a while after diminished afterward recovered againe his wonde being healed which is more amplifyed then that first as declare both the honour which the worshippers give to him ver 4. the power both to blaspheme and also to make warre ver 5.6.7 Last of all the largenesse of his Empire ver 7.8 All which things ar concluded with a pleasant shutting up of the matter for a greater heede taking and consolation ver 9.10 Such is the first Beast The second
falsly bragged of wherein the Bishop of Rome glorieth almost in every word and which the auncient holy men Tertullian Cyprian and the rest knowing not for what impiety they prepared a way extolled with excessive praises But then chiefly the Sea was visible and the rising out of water might appeare to mens eyes wheÌ„ the Nicene Fathers cast the burning mountaine into the Sea as hath ben said in the 8. chap. ver 8. that is when they confirmed by their Decree that whatsoever preeminence there was should be given to Rome over the neighbour Bishops For the Sea noteth togither with the Doctrine the Clergie whose office is to take paine in ministring the Doctrine Those holy men were farre from bringing in the Tyranny which was after stablished yet they unwares gave a notable increase to it by this their constitution Before the Nicene Councill every one lived to himselfe and little regard was had to the Church of Rome as Aeneas Silvius confesseth This then especially was the rising of the Beast not that he began not to rise up before but because now first he could be seen and marked of men ¶ Which had seven heads Such was his rising His integrall partes are first his Heads which are as many and the same which the Dragon had in ch 12.3 For there is the same seate dignitie of them both For these heads are Hilles and Kings as in chap. 17.9 17 He hath also ten hornes as the Dragon and ten crownes set on his hornes Which ten crownes are ten Kings chap. 17.11 Yet neverthelesse differing in two sorts from the hornes of the Dragon First in the crownes with which these are adorned as which doe note out Kings not to be subject to the Empire of an other man but who should have a free and supreme menaging of things The Hornes of the Dragon had no such adorning but this honour did belong onely to the heads as in chap. 12.3 Whence commeth the difference Because the Heathen Emperours placed the seat of the Empyre at Rome whereof they are the seaven heads establishing her the Empresse and Queene of all And therefore the crownes being taken away from all other Kings and Provinces they have imposed them upon the seven heads or hills of this But nowe there should be an other face of things Antichrist at length shewing himselfe For the maiesty of the Empire should not remaine at Rome but should have her seate in some other country for which cause the crownes which before did belong to the heads now for a newe respect are tranferred to the hornes Secondly they differ in time For the hornes of the Beast were not yet bred when John wrote chap. 17.12 The hornes of the Dragon even before Iohn was borne were lifted up on high spread with many branches as wee have seen in chap. 12.3 Therefore although they agree in nuÌ„ber yet they are not the same in all things neither should one doe well if he should apply to the head of that things that belong to this But finally what are these hornes All things being diligently coÌ„sidered I thinke that they were the ten first Christian Emperours Of counting whom there may be a double way one of every severall by himselfe and of them onely in whose power was either the universall Empire or that of the West Into which Catalogue doe come Constantine the Great Constantine Coâ—stans Constantine his sonnes IVLIANVS Iovianus Valentinianus Gratianus Valentinianus the second Theodosius And so there is a great conseÌ„t of the things done and of the Prophecy For while these ten did raigne the Beast was defended excellently his dignity much increased Which at length being taken away the hornes being as it were broken for a time the succeeding Emperours were not able to maintaine the same authority of the Romish Beast which those predecessours had gotteÌ„ Honorius the soÌ„ne of that Theodosius sufferred Rome to be taken and spoiled of the Gothes And although for the space of two yeeres it was beseeged by Alaricus he abiding at RaveÌ„na either was not able or durst not succour it the streÌ„gth of the Hornes was so much abated VVhere was his Fathers valiantnesse which killed and put to flight enemies in so great numbers even in the furthest boundes of Rome But neither from the East was there now any aide but the hornes being as it were broken wherby the former Emperours removed so farre of the Barbarous people the Beast with his Rome was a pray to the most contemptible nations But there seemeth to be a more full accord and in every part more agreable from a conjoyned reckening of the Emperours both of the west and of the East after the usuall manner of all the Chronicle writers Thus they are numbred 1 Constantine the Great 2 Constantine Constans Constantius his sonnes 3 Iulianus 4 Iovinianus 5 Valentianus and Valens 6 Gratianus Valentinianus the second and Theodosius the first 7 Theodosius the first with Arcadius and Honorius his sonnes 8 Archadius and Honorius alone 9 Honorius and Theodosius the second 10 Theodosius the second and Valentinian the third Concerning whom there shal be a more large declaration in the 17. chap. 12. ver In the meane time let no man trouble us with words out of season and cry out that it is a thing haynous wicked and unheard that I make those first Christian VVorthies the Hornes of Antichrist Shall he now at length become a member and maintainer of Antichrist who of late came forth with the Seale of the living God who stood at the Altar with the Golden censer who was the man childe of the Church and that Michaell who drove the DragoÌ„ out of Heaven But that the malitious detractour may holde his peace it is one thing advisedly and of set purpose to doe a thing an other unwittingly and through ignorance Constantine advanced the state of Christians to his power neither was it in his minde to further Antichrist even the least that might be but rather wholly to stop up all the passage against him yet neverthelesse by adorning advauncing defending the Bishop of Rome he made a more ready way for him ignorantly and contrary to his meaning Is this any strange thing that a man not knowing what he cherished in his bosome should lend him his help VVere not his first beginnings hidden even from the most sharpsighted Certenly seeing most holy men have offended some time most grievously and that deliberately it shall not I thinke be strange that both he and other men have uÌ„warres bestowed their labour ill I desire not to detract the least that may be from any most excellent men that deserved well But I am not mine owne but the Spirits Interpreter who bendeth the whole description of the hornes to this point as it shall appeare in his places I will follow him gladly who can finde out to whom they may agree more fitly I seeke the trueth and not slaundering But I doubt not but whosoever shall view
the glory of Christ in destroying this Kingdome As touching the wordes And maketh all that he may give them a marke c. It is a short kinde of speaking but very significant all one as if he should say he bringeth all into that case that they willingly receive the marke from his hande Wherefore in the translation I thought that I was not to departe from the very wordes ¶ That he may give them a marke in their hande c. Montanus that they may give them markes so Aretas As though the Beast should compell men to imprint the markes in theÌ„selves but to make this sense good it should be written that they may give themselves Yet Aretas maketh no other sealer then the Beast But after he hath shewed who are to be marked now he declareth in what parte to wit either in the right hande or in the foreheads In the right hand to the ende that they should fight valiantly for the Beast to their power For the marke is not to be received in the left hande but in the right hande being the stronger and more ready member In which manner are marked Emperours Kings and all Magistrates furthermore the whole Clergie also the universall troupe of religious men Professours in Schooles Canonists Lawyers c. All these are souldiours set in the rereward of the bande garding the Captaine and the principall champions of the Beast The marke is set in the foreheads that all may see playnely to whom obedieÌ„ce is due In which part all the rest of the common sorte beareth the marke For although they be not of so great streÌ„gth as the former to defend the Beast yet it is needfull that they confesse him openly to whose tuition they belong VVherefore the marke in the right hande is a bond of nigher familiarity both because defence is some greater thing then a bare professioÌ„ and also because it goeth before it in order and honour Although the order is changed in the chapter following in the 9. verse but as it seemeth to aggravate the thing as wee shall see there 17 And that no man might buy c. The force of this marke is that it may be a passeport for entercourse of marchandise among meÌ„ How great losse then must they needs suffer who because they shall want this privie token may have to doe or make any bargaine with no maÌ„ VVhich thing is ratified expresly in the Decrees That no man ought even to speake to these meÌ„ to whom the Pope is an enemy Caus 11. q. 3. Yf an enemy And againe Distin q. 3. Gratian That obedience is due from all men to the chiefe Pope that none may have any fellowship with him to whom he shall be an enemy for his actes neither shall he be able to remaine in the Church who forsâ—keth his chaire To confirme which things a forged Epistle of Clemens is alleaged Neither must wee here tarry till one be excommunicated but if that Clemens be an enemy to any for his naughty acts doe not you expect that he should say unto you c. That is his beckes are to be observed that without warning wee turne away our selves froÌ„ them with whom wee are able to conjecture that the Holy Fathâ—r is angry VVhat more plaine prohibitioÌ„ can there be to bargaine with them which wante the marke The practise of this time confirmeth the same but more evidently the former times when the whole earth wondred at the Beast for then he that wanted the marke had no leave to exercise marchandise with any man ¶ Save he that had the marke or the name c A distribution of the marke into three kindes the marke being put for all as it commeth to passe in divisions the name of the Beast and the number of his name The marke is the first and principall token proper to his defenders and such as are familiar with him as it seemeth consisting partly in ordaining the Clergie men in whom is imprinted an indelebile marke of their perpetuall Romish bondage the divine providence so governing their tongues that they should note the strength of their forged sacrament in those wordes by which the marke of the Beast might be plainely seene of all meÌ„ Partly in the othe wherby the chiefe Emperours Kinges the other Magistrates and every condition of men of something a superiour degree is bound to the humble service of the Romish Pope So Otto the first in the yeere 942. sware to Pope Iohn the XII That he would exalte to his power the holy Church of Rome and Iohn the Râ—â—tour thereof Distinct 63. chap. To thee Lord. More fully in the booke of Pontificall wherein expresse words the Emperour promiseth freely undâ—rtâ—kâ—th and warranteth and sweareth before God and blessed Peter that he from henceforth would be the Protector Proctour and defendour of the chiefe Pope and the holy Church of Rome c. Clement booke 2. Title Of the Othe The Name is the proper naming of the Beast given to the rest of the people as a name derived from the Fathers or Ancestours to whom the othe and ceremonies of ordaining did lesse coÌ„pete For the marke eyther of the othe or ordination and such rites is not printed in all the people for these belonge to the Clergie Great States and others who execute a publike office but there is an other easier and readier way wherby the multitude may professe themselves to be among the proper goods of the same Lord to wit so taking upon them his name as in olde time servants did that even as the Prince himselfe is called Catholike Prelate Pope so they Catholikes Bishopists Papists Of olde some of these names were common but at length the Pope chalenged them to himselfe neither will he have any other to be Catholikes now save those that are of his heard And although these names doe flow to all his subiects withot difference yet the common sorte are knowne by this badge onely the other being marked with a peculiar marke beside But what need is there nowe of a third note The two former containe the whole company of vile persons of this Kingdome There is an other kinde of men somewhat further removed from the Empire of the Beast then that which even nowe I spake of VVhich unlesse it will be marked at least with the number of his name must knowe that they are restrained from the use of any kinde of marchandise with the subjects of this Beast But these seeme to be the Grecians who unlesse they would take upon them the number of this name should be esteemed banished men from this Empire and all the emoluments which might be gotten in the same The Number of his name is the very same that a name expressed by a number or that I may so say a name of number VVhich seeing it shal be made manifest to be Latinus from those thinges which shal be spoken on the next verse the trueth of this Prophecy is wonderfully well knowne
feete divided As long as these reigned the Beast risen up of late flourished much indeede and grievously afflicted when they were gone when as ther was no horne for a long space that was able to keepe away remove the enemies from their neckes Although all the hornes were not certēly of an equall strength but the two last were weaker Rome being twice taken under Honorius Alaricus and Arnulphus being Captaines and neverthelesse the Head of the Beast not yet deadly wounded when as the overthrow was more ignominious then dammageable Pompon Laet. on Honorius being repaired by and by againe when the horne began to exercise his and Honorius to be stirred up the Gothes being expelled out of Italy and Attalus their King triumphed over Rome and then after his right hand cut off by the commaundement of Honorius caryed in to Lipara Sabel En. 8. book 1. Doubtlesse Constantius Aetius employed their endevour valiantly afterward nobly delivered the maiestie of the Empire from all barbarousnes howsoever the chiefe rulers Honorius and Valentinianus were slouthfull cowardous But after these tow last hornes were fallen how many how great calamities were accumulated daily when ther was no aide either from the West or East part that could represse thrust away the malepertnes of the enemies running furiously upon him Therefore by the want of his hornes he came into that state that men thought he had perished and was not as the second part of his time doth manifest ver 8. Therefore are they tenne for iust cause in which nūber is contained the defending of the Beast which afterward failed for a time assoone as that number was ended This is that one houre for which the Beast received power and not he alone but those tenne Hornes together with him which togither also fell downe when as there was afterward no strong or manlie thing in the West for a long time which was able to resist the fiercenes of the enemies For the rest that followed Avitus Maioranus Severianus Anthemius Rethimer Olymbrius Glicerius Nepos Orestes Augustulus to wit the last of the Emperours were of no lesse continuance force power then they ar at this day of no fame scarce known either from the speach of men or by Histories Fourthly the time of the Kingdome not yet received was the time when Iohn lived and when this Revelation was made The Heathen Emperours yet kept the stage to wit the very Dragon while in the meane time the woman not yet strong enough or in time not yet readie to bring foorth her childe endured grievous paine in travelling as in chapter twelve ver 2. c. For howsoever in some ages next after Iohn there were some men a little more enclined toward Christians yet the Dragō forthwith devoured al the new hope lying in wait most vigilantly for the woman travailing with childe until the ful time to bring foorth a valiant issue should come Fiftly the time of receiving power is the same houre with the Beast For wee have shewed that the terme also of beginning is included in the space of cōtinuing But seeing this is a large houre in what moment of it was this power givē Truely in that wherin the Lambe cast downe from the Empire Diocletiā and Maximinian chap. 6.15 for we shal finde that the Beast did appeare at this time as it is made apparant from the elect then sealed chap. 7. From the burning mountaine cast into the Sea a very little after chap. 8. From the Church going into the inner Temple while the wicked have sway in the court chap. 11. From the space of fourty two moneths all which she lay hid in the Temple and wildernes chap. 11.3 12.6 From the same time of the power given to the Beast from the Throne which he received as a gift from the Dragon chap. 13.25 But chiefly from the next succession made to the sixt head to weet the Heathen Emperours ver 10. of this chapter The common terme of all those dependeth from the Dragon his driving out of heaven when after so wonderful a manner the Emperours resigned their authority For what other cause is there why the Church then should be in so afflicted state but for that the Beast was risen up Therfore the woman trembling more for feare of him then of the Dragon brought forth and together fled that is after she had procreated the Christian Emperours among whom Constantine obtaineth the first and chiefe place hating the ambitious and fraudulent Popes introducing shadowes and images of godlines instead of a solid and expresse paterne more then professed enemies shee hidde her selfe in the darke straight way chap. 12.6 Therfore these alone are those hornes to whō onely all these properties agree most fitly The Kings that arose after the dissipation of the Empire began not together with the Beast as we have given him a rising like as other men every where in the yeere 606. but almost two hundred yeere before For the Suevians Alanes Goths Vandals possessed Spaine when Honorius reigned The Vandals also held Afrike the Goths Burgonians Francons obtained France the English men Britannie the Hunnes Pannonia and others chalenged for their owne other countries These Kings flourished the Beast in the meane season being almost consumed with a most grievous woūd Neither received they power for an houre as the true hornes but by succession of their heires the which dignity being once gotten they hold it cōstantly even unto this very day the glory I say of the Kingdomes never decayed howsoever the families peradventure were often changed Finally neither succeeded they next the sixt head but they have the Popes and Christian Emperours placed between and in the midds By the same arguments all things fall down which are brought by Ribera the Iesuite cōcerning the tenne hornes Revel 12. num 11. as may be evident to him that weigheth the thing on both sides that I may not spend time in refuting his toies If any obiect that some of those Emperours were godly holy let him againe take this answer to himselfe that the good Princes knew not what monster they nourished even as very many learned men who had no lesse care to set foorth the Beast by their writings then they to defend him by weapons From whence it is no marvaile though both strove to their power to adorne him whose counterfait shew had a certen maiestie but his filthines yet was more hidde then that it could be seen openly Neither is it needful that al the hornes should be togither more then the heads which succeeded one after an other And the Beast himselfe is a rew of Popes as wee have shewed which a long order of succession cōcludeth not any one person limiteth Yet these first Emperours are so the hornes that togither they containe the whole order following but therefore before the rest elected as it were by name both because the traveile of these should be famous and the first in