the superstitions inchantments magical devilish arts which have been spread by Bishops Monkes among the common sort of Christians Nor of their fornications The fourth is their fornications adulteries all manner of filthinesse wherein the Clergie lived under their impure unmaried estate Nor of their thefts The fift is their thefts sacrilege rapine not so much committed by civil as ecclesiastical persons who by pious deceits that is most foule impostures and pretence of religion devour widowes houses exhaust the treasuries of Princes and great men draw into their hands by hook and crook this worldly wealth These were the sinnes for which the Lord by Saracens and Turkes punished them of the East to the end that their bretheren of the West guilty of the same sinnes might take warning by their example repent But what followed They repented not He foreshewes by the spirit and reproveth not to speak of them in the East still remaining in their filthinesse the obstinacy of the Papists who openly pollute themselves with the like idolatrie mâ—rthers sorceries fornications thefts even unto this day insomuch that whosoever opposeth and reproveth these things in them is accounted an haereticke and enemy of the Church Their idolatrie is manifest for in all their temples highwayes The idolatrie of Papists porches and corner of streets they set up idols the workes of mens hands images of God of Christ Marie and the Saintes before which whoever will not fall downe and religiously worship is accounted an haeretick condemned to the fire They cannot abide to have them termed idols but images set up in and by them to worship God Christ and the Saintes But in truth herein they worship the devill for God will not be worshipped by images Now whatsoever is externally worshipped in a religious way is an idol and all idol worship is don not unto God but unto the devill indeed the description here of idolaters doth plainly convince them for doe they not serve idols of gold silver stone c. which can neither hear see nor walk an egg is not more like unto an egg then the idols of Papists and of the heathens resemble each other And touching their murthers we need goe no farther then to consider the innumerable companie of Martyrs put to death by them As for sorceries and all magicall arts to whome may these things be applied but to the Papists for in the reformed Churches now of a long time the impostures of the devill and magicians are rooted out For fornication adulterie pollutions sodomy they are beyond measure committed by the Popish clergy for howsoever marriage is honourable among all men yet to them it is not permitted But sodomie hath publickly been disputed for yea commended in rime by Iohannis de Casa Archbishop of Benevent what multitudes of whores and strumpets are there at Rome how great is the gaine which thence comes unto the Pope It appeares by records that by them his treasurie hath of late been augmented fourty thousand ducats To be short who is ignorant of the thefts rapines and simonie of the Romanists or who is able possiblie to describe them Their taxes and annales which are in print doe openlie shew the same so that the Papists are altogether guilty of the same evils for which they of the East were destroyed what remaines then but that a like punishment will surely befall them Thus in the conclusion of this Chapter wee are taught First what was the cause of the great calamities befalling the Eastern world and how the greater part of the Romane Empire was brought under the Turkish yoake namely their idolatrie and much other wickednesse going along with it for as the idolatrie of the Balaamites and of Jeroboam the sonne of Nebat caused the overthrow of the two powerfull kingdomes of Israel and Iudah by the Assyrians Chaldaeans So it is manifest that idolatrie other sinnes thereon depending have occasioned the destruction of whole Empires and many mighty kingdomes and provinces of the Christian world as Aegypt Palaestina Damascena Syria Asia Cyprus Thracia Armenia Mysia and part of Hungarie So that it is not come to passe by chance that the Tuâ—kes have and still doe afflict Christians but the Lord in his just judgement useth as a strong rod in his hand to punish their impiety Secondly what is the end of the calamities inflicted not as if God would destroy the Church but rather to provoke both the idolaters thus punished and others also guilty of the same sinnes unto repentance For the Lord desidereth not the death of a sinner but that he repent live Thirdly The Papists draw the Turkes armies on Christians here we are plainly taught who they are that hitherto have and still doe draw the Turkes upon the neckes of Christians to wit the worshippers of idols of gold silver wood and stones But who be they are they Iaponians Canibals or Brasilians I affirme no For howsoever it be granted as these say that these are worshippers of devils yet not they but ours are threatned to be punished by the Turck Tattarian forces but it may be demanded Are not they of the reformed religion worshippers of idols I answere no but rather they have quite banished the same shanning all manner of idolatrie as the pest But your temples oye Papists your Cells Altars and Highwayes abound with images of gold silver wood stone there is no corner but ye may se one or other-beeing prostrated before the image of Marie Peter or Paul thus mutters holie Marie 5. Peter S. Paul pray for mee have mercie on me save me c. Will yee deny that you have not been the cause that the Turkes for these sixteen yeeres have wasted the borders of the Christian world what madnesse is this that ye should stirre up Christian Princes to conquer the Turke having drawen him on your neckes by your idolatrie and made him invincible unto this day It is time therefore that at length yee seriously thinke of these things repent of your sorceries thefts fornication before the revenging hand of God destroy both you and the rest of the Christian world for these your abominations Fourthly we are taught that probablie the rest of the Christian world shall suffer the like judgement because the Papists are so farre from repenting of their idols and other wickednesse as on the contrarie they strongly maintaine the same and whosoever opposeth them therein they condemne as heretickes persecute them with fire and sword what remaineth therefore but that the same armies who by Gods commandement have killed the third part of Christians for their wickednesse should at length also come into these parts to kill the rest for the like evils For it is a constant rule that they that commit like evills are worthy of like punishment So that without doubt the horrible idolatrie of Papists will in short time draw the Turkish armes on the rest of the Christian
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose height was sixty cubits and breadth six cubits proclaiming Dan. 3.4 The Babylonish Image that all should fall down and worship the golden image whosoever falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same houre be cast into the midst of the burning fierie furnace This was that Babylonish idolatry maintained by a furnace of fire in imitation whereof Antichrist hath set up a Golden Image to the Beast that is to his own wicked inventions commanding that all who will not worship the same shall be burnt in a furnace of fire By these two latter waies therefore far more effectuall then the former he universally seduceth the earth But both these waies seem to require a more full exposition That they should make an image to the Beast Both Alcasar and Ribera acknowledge that by an Enallage or change of number one image is put for many The Image of the beast what it is though they apply it to a different sence The holy Ghost calleth the whole Papisticall worship of images or Antichristian idolatry the image of the Beast That they should make to wit the inhabitants of the earth In the construction there is no ambiguity The Beast himself maketh not the image for he being covetous will not be at the cost but he saith to them that dwell on the earth that they should make it that is he teacheth and commandeth the nations in the honour of God and of the holy Trinity to make and set up in all consecrated places and temples the images of Christ crucified of Mary the mother of God the Queen of heaven of Peter the Prince of Apostles and of all the Saints in heaven Images I say of wood stone brasse gold and silver neither may they be set up naked and without attire but must be adorned and clothed in silke and purple have waxe-candles and lights set before them men must humbly and devoutly make requests and prayers unto them yea and contribute unto their worship yearely revenues for the salvation of soules This commandement the world being delighted with Babies and desirous of a glorious worship to the eye at length obeyed sparing no cost and hence the Papacie doth so much abound with Palaces temples consecrate places full of pictures altars waxe-candles lights purifying vessels c. as being a kingdome of images 15. He gives life to the beast makes it to speake and to be worshiped And he had power to give life to the Beast Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And it was given him to give life c. The first effect of his power he puts life into the Beasts image makes it to speake and to be worshipped upon paine of death It was given him by whom by the Dragon that is Satan the inventour and architect of all idolatry God permitting the same yea also in his most righteous judgement sending them that dwell on the earth strong delusion that they should beleeve a lie because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved Now it is very apparent unto all how in the Papacy the Image is made to live speak weep laugh and do other actions of the living through the fraud and devillish cunning of Monkes And hence followeth that mighty running after this and that Mary Crucifixes Peter c. Hence are al the pilgrimages wonders canonizations sacrifices for the dead and vows in so much as none of the inhabitants of the earth whither of the simple or wiser sort but have thought it necessary for the salvation of soules The Beasts image excelleth that of Nebuchadnezzar to offer bequeath and give unto this Image whatsoever they possessed Furthermore the Image of the Beast hath this as proper to it and above that of the Babylonish for we read not that Nebuchadnezzar made the same to live or speak In this great wonderment therefore Antichrists image was to excell the other that he might more prevalently seduce otherwise in idolatry and madnesse they are alike as it followeth And to cause that whosoever Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and should make to wit the image which speaketh for the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are both governed by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 image and this is the common reading But the sence sheweth that not the image but the Beast caused them that would not worship to be slaine therefore the Kings Bible seems more rightly to read it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and causeth or maketh that is the Beast doth it However it comes all to one purpose whither the Beast himself Dan. 3.6 or the Image by the Beast cause all that will not worship to be slaine the which we plainly see is taken out of Daniel Whosoever falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same houre be cast into the burning fierie furnace Thus the Beast besides his doctrine miracles and worship of Images addes outward force that so whosoever will not submit by the former may notwithstanding be compelled to worship through feare of punishments For such a spirituall madnesse possesseth idolaters that with fire and sword they punish the contempt of their idols hence idol-Idol-worship is in Gr. called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were a mad and befotted worshipping of Idols Now let us see whither the like hath not been hitherto practised in the Papacy This setting up of Images first did rend the East from the West with many tragicall tumults and uproares And afterward was the utter overthrow thereof by the Turkes For Constantine that furious Pope by sedition thrust Philippicus Emperour of the East out of his government because he prohibited the Image of the Beast to be worshipped also he caused John the Emperours Generall to be slaine at Ravenna Gregory II. deposed Leo the Emperour for the same cause commanding them of Ravenna to put to death Paulus the Emperours chiefe officer He also put out the eyes of Peter Governour of Rome and by that means made himself Lord thereof Behold the power of the Beasts image of which if any be desirous to know further let him read the Book of Martyrs Or let him go to Rome or Spain and see whither all men are not constrained to bow the knee and adore the Image of the Beast Babylons Law is universall Whosoever will not fall downe and worship the Image Let him the same houre as an heretick be cast into the fierie furnace 16. Impression of a Character The difference between Character and Charagma And he causeth all The sixt effect of his power he imprints a Marke in the right hand or in the forehead with a priviledge to buy and sell Marke Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Character as most render it A Character represents the expresse image of the Archetype or first pattern as for example a child being like his father in countenance is said to be the
justly question whither it were greater blindnesse in the Jews not to beleeve in Christ then for these to deny the Pope of Rome to be Antichrist Wherefore I shall seeme to have performed my function sufficiently not if I discusse all the obscurities of mysteries so irresutably that all do applaude mee but if so farre as God hath enabled me by the helpe of my Method laid down I shall congruously perspicuously and without deceit according to scope and experience explicate both the other Aenigmaes of this Prophesie and especially that part which containes the amplification and Catastrophe of the Combats of the Church and properly respects these last times Now by doing hereof if I have not kindled a Torch to take off the darkenesse with which it seemes to be covered yet verily I have laboured and if I be not deceived have lighted a Candle by the light and guidance whereof as by Ariadne her threed other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Godly Divines shall after me dive more deeply into these hidden mysteries and more neerly point at that Son of perdition sitting in the Temple of God as god and exalting himselfe above all that is worshipped shewing himselfe that hee is God And they shall say This is he O Romanist beware of him AMEN THE APPARITIONS AND PERSONS MAKING UP THIS PROPHETICAL DRAMA REVEALED IN SEVEN VISIONS In Vision I. Chapters 1.2.3 IOHN THE EVANGELIST Actor and interlocutor throughout Christ in a glorious form walking amongst the seven Candlestickes The authour of the Revelation and maker of the prologue In Vision II. Chapt. 4.5.6.7 The majesty of God sitting on the throne The first Chore of the foure and twenty Elders The 2. Chore of the foure Beasts The Book sealed with seven Seales in the hand of the sitter on the throne A strong Angell desiring the booke to be opened The Lambe as it were slaine opening the booke The 3. Chore of Angels The 4. Chore of all creatures A white horse with his Rider comming forth out of the first Seale A red horse and his Rider out of the second Seale A blacke horse and his Rider out of the third Seale A pale horse with death on him hell following him out of the fourth Seale The soules of the Martyrs under the Altar in the fift Seale A great Earth-quake out of the sixt Seale Four Angels holding the foure winds that they should not blow An Angell from the East with the Seale of God The multitude of Sealed ones and Martyrs In Vision III. Chapt. 8.9.10.11 Seven Angels with seven trumpets out of the seventh Seale An Angell with a golden censer at the Altar An Angell sounding the first trumpet An Angell sounding the second trumpet An Angell sounding the third trumpet An Angell sounding the fourth trumpet An Angell sounding the fift trumpet Locusts comming up out of the bottomlesse pit into the earth An Angell sounding the sixt trumpet Four Angels bound and loosed at Euphrates A strong Angell cloathed with a cloud and having a Book in his hand Iohn eating up the Booke and measuring the temple with a reed The two witnesses prophesying The Beast out of the pit killing the witnesses An Earth-quake overthrowing a tenth part of Babylon An Angell sounding the seventh trumpet The first Chore of the foure and twenty Elders In Vision IV. Chapt. 12.13.14 A woman clothed with the Sunne bringing forth a Man-child flying into the Wildernesse The son of the woman taken up into Heaven The red Dragon persecuting the woman Michael fighting for the woman against the Dragon The fift uneertaine Chore. The seven-headed Beast ascending out of the sea The two-horned Beast ascending out of the earth The Image of the Sea-beast A company of Sealed-ones standing with the Lambe on the Mountaine A sixt Chore of Harpers An Angell flying with the everlasting Gospell An Angell publishing the ruine of Babylon An Angell denouncing punishments to the worshippers of the Beast Christ on the cloud with a sharpe sickle An Angell proclaiming the last harvest and vintage In Vision V. Chapt. 15.16 The seven Angels with seven Vials The sixt Chore of Harpers upon the sea of Glasse An Angell pouring forth the 1. Viall on the Earth An Angell pouring forth the 2. Viall on the Sea An Angell pouring forth the 3. Viall on the Rivers and Fountaines An Angell pouring forth the 4. Viall on the Sunne An Angell pouring forth the 5. Viall on the throne of the Beast An Angell pouring forth the 6. Viall on Euphrates Three unclean Spirits like frogs out of the mouth of the Beast c. An Angell pouring forth the 7. Viall into the aire The rupture of Babylon by an Earth-quake In Vision VI. Chapt. 17.18.19 The whore riding on the seven-headed Beast The seven-headed Beast with his description The ten Kings waging war with the Lamb afterward burning the whore An Angell publishing the fall of Babylon An uncertain voyce calling the Godly out of Babylon Kings Merchants Sea-men bewailing the ruine of Babylon An Angell casting a milstone into the sea A fift uncertaine Chore. The first Chore of the 24. Elders and the second Chore of the 4. Beasts Iohn intending to worship the angell Christ with an heavenly armie rushing upon the Beast and the Kings of the Earth An Angell standing in the sun calling the birds unto the prey The judgement of the Beast False-Prophet Kings of the earth and worshippers of the Beast In Vision VII Chapt. 20.21.22 An Angell with the key of the bottomlesse Pit and a great Chayne The old serpent bound a thousand yeers The martyrs and conquerours of the beast reigning with Christ a thousand yeeres Satan let loose seducing the Nations and raising Gog and Magog against the Holy Citie The casting of Satan into the Lake of fire The raising of the dead and the last judgement The new Ierusalem coming down from Heaven the Bride of the Lambe God in the throne publishing the judgement Iohn seeing all these things and intending to worship the angell The Conclusion the Lord Iesus putting an end to the Drama A TABLE OF THE Principall QUESTIONS which are expounded in this COMMENTARIE In the Preface 1. OF the Authour of the Revelation Page 5. 2. Of the Canonicall authority of the Revelation Page 8. 3. Of the obscurity of the Book what it is and whence with the remedies thereof Page 9. 4. Of the Interpreters of the Revelation both Ancient and Modern and of the manner of interpreting observed by them Page 11. 5. Of the dignity time profit and scope of this Prophesie Page 13. 6. Of the argument of the Book Page 16. 7. Of the Partition of the Revelation Page 19. 8. Of the form of the Revelation ibid. 9. Of the generall Method of the Revelation Page 20. 10. Of the speciall Method of the Revelation Page 26. 11. Of the manner of interpretation observed by Pareus Page 27. In Chapter I. 12. Of the word Apocalyps Pag. 3. 13. A disputation about the words from him which is which was and
sufficient for the attaining of spirituall riches And this kind of faith we willinglie graunt to Ribera who here cavils against us Christ therefore mentioneth their pride as another cause for which he will spue them out as appeareth by the causal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because thou sayest that is proudlie boastest therefore I will spue thee out my mouth And knowest not that thou art wretched Here he refuteth their vanity and foolishnes by a contrarie judgement of them For as it is a vaine and foolish thing for a beggar to boast of the riches which he hath not even so is it for men to be lifted up with any confidence of spiritual riches before God seeing in this respect they are altogether destitute And though we may abound in outward goods yet to glorie therin is vanity for they are transitory perish in their use And knowest not Here he sheweth that ignorance is the cause of the pride of hypocrites indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 know thy self is a verie hard lesson And therfore there is no better remedie to beat downe our pride then to examine and know our selves That thou art wretched He sheweth us in five epithites what hypocrites are yea what all of us are by nature Wretched Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The natural miserie of all men that is oppressed with calamitie and sicknesse such a thing is hypocrisie and pride before God And miserable Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deprived of mercie without which men must perish for ever And poore Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is as destitute of righteousnesse true holines before God as the poore beggar which hath not any thing to supply his necessity And blinde Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is one ignorant of his miserable state and condition hypocrites ordinarily are sharpe sighted in wordly matters yea many times they have a large knowledge of divine mysteries not withstanding touching the knowledge of themselves they are as blinde as beetles And naked Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wanting Christ the wedding garment For hypocrites though they be partakers of the Sacraments yet beeing destitute of true faith put not on the Lord Iesus Thus Christ in reproving of these men stirres us up to the knowledge of our owne miserie and the seeking after of Gods mercie for knowledge is the first steppe to salvation 18 J counsell thee to buy of me Gold In the fourth place he prescribeth to such as are desirous of salvation remedies against their evils In which he metaphorically describeth faith and true repentance with the fruit thereof The first is to buy Gold this remedy is opposed to three evils But what can a begger buy without mony with a price indeed not any thing but according to the manner of beggars onely by intreaty prayer to God alluding undoubtedly unto the prophesie of Isay Isai 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters he that hath no money come ye buy eat yea come buy wine milke without mony without price Wherfore doe ye spend mony for that which is no bread Where the Lord teacheth us first that the means necessary to salvation are attained by free grace Secondly he reproveth their hypocrisie who thinke to obtaine it by the merit of workes Lastly the Simonie both of the old Pharisees and new Romanists who sell heaven for mony also their foolishnes who bestow gold on such trash is here condemned But on the contrarie he commandeth them to buy Gold tryed in the fire by which some understand the word of God Psa 12 7. 119.127 1 Pet. 1.7 purer then silver tryed seven times in a fornace to be desired above gold yea above most fine gold Others understand it of faith by which onely we are made partakers of all heavenly blessings The which being tryed by the fire of afflictions is much more precious then gold that perisheth Both these interpretations are sound For Christ sends hypocrites to the law the Gospell by which we come to know our owne misery want which causeth contrition uncovers the maske of hypocrisie stirres up earnest desire for grace workes in us confidence in the mercie of God And by faith the forgivenesse of our sins righteousnes sanctification eternal salvation is obtained through Christ Iesus Buy of me A worthy sentence Christ is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or merchant who alone dealeth in the heavenlie merchandise of our salvation offering the same unto us in the Gospel not for a price or in regard of workes sake but freely to be obtained by faith prayer Here is that Monopolie of Christ our lord without which there is no salvation They therfore who look to be saved by saintes shall misse of their expectation and so shal all who give credit to the indulgences of Antichrist setting heaven to sale for mony XXIV Argu. of Chr. deity This therfore is a XXIV argument proving the Godhead of Christ For that which is here ascribed to Christ is by the prophet attributed to Iehovah God That thou mayest be made rich They who posses much gold are accounted rich in the world now it is not gold but faith by which we posses Christ with all his treasure that makes us rich in Gods account And white raâ—â—ent This is opposed as a remedie to the fift evill having bought gold of Christ we must also buy white raiment For he saith that we are both poore and naked and therfore as we stand in need of gold to supply our poverty so likewise raiment to cover our nakednes What is meant by raiment appeares by the effects namely the covering of our filthie nakednes that is the deformitie and guilt of sinne the which cannot be covered by any righteousnes or merit of our own Isai 64.6 Because all our righteousnes is as filthie cloutes in the sight of God Now Christ with his righteousnes is this white and impolluted garment which is put on by faith and in a speciall manner received of the faithfull in the sacraments Thus we see that to buy white raiments is by faith to seek for appropriate unto our soules righteousnes and salvation in and through the alone merit of Christ It is called white because it is purified in the blood of Christ that immaculate and undefiled lambe for whitenes doth denote puritie And he seems to allude to the manner of the Romanes called candidati who seeking for any office or dignity in the common wealth Vide Cicer. pro Mur. came clothed in white apparel to the place of election by their garments testifying the integrity which becommeth magistrates The white garments spoken of in v. 5. denote our being made partakers of heavenly glorie but not so in this place for the former place hath respect to the reward of victory after this life but here he speakes of white raiment with which we must be cloathed in this life that so we
inquisitours all men to worship the first Beast But thou wilt say how is this Beast said to cause the inhabitants of the earth to do that thing now He causeth all to worship the first Beast which they did before and that of their own accord The reason hereof is intimated in the following words Whose former wound was healed that is howsoever the Beasts authority began not a little to be lessened by that wound Neverthelesse by the unwearied endeavours of this Beast which here the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 causeth or doth signifies together by his subtilty eloquence and violence it was effected that all men remained constant in adoring the Apostolicall sea But who are these worshippers The earth and the inhabitants thereof Now who and what these are see v. 8. We need not to envie this worship of the Beast seeing that not the salvation of the Elect but only of reprobates shal be in jeoperdy thereby But are al in the Papacy reprobates damned God forbid for even in the midst of Babylon God hath his people Rev. 18. v. 4. The spirit therefore speaketh this onely of those who persevere to worship the Beast and do not renounce his blasphemies 13. And doth great wonders Another effect of his power are Great signes or wonders He doth great wonders by which he shall perswade and induce the inhabitants of the earth to worship the Beast For as the devill is Gods Ape so is Antichrist Christs as God and Christ therefore confirmed the doctrine of Moses the Prophets and Apostles by many wonders and miracles so Satan shall establish the Beasts great words and Antichrist his great power by wonderfull signes Signes that is miracles or workes either really or in appearance surpassing the strength of nature Great that is wonderfull and terrible These he shall both do himself as also cause his agents to do the like as Bellarmin well observes Not onely Antichrist saith he Lib 3. de P. R c 15. but also his ministers shall do wonders The same thing Christ foretold us Mat. 24. vers 24. There shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders in so much as if it were possible they shall seduce the very elect Now what signes they are the Apostle tells us 2 Thes 2.9 What Antichrists miracles are with all the causes thereof Whose comming is after the effectuall working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders and with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish c. The efficient cause is Satans efficatious working The materiall the prodigious events beyond nature The formall the deceits and subtill illusions of the devill by which the sences of men are bewitched The small How they differ from true miracles his lies and deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse that the world may be seduced And indeed in all these causes false miracles differ from the true which are works truely surpassing the order and strength of nature and are done by the power of God to the manifesting of his omnipotency and confirmation of doctrine divinely revealed such the Lord sometimes wrought by the Prophets under the Law Yet not by all nor at all times lest they might have been little regarded or else that the world should depend upon them In the New Testament also Christ and his Apostles with many other of the faithfull wrought great miracles for the confirmation of the Gospell of Christ De vera relig c. 5. de util cred lib. 6. in 1 Cor. 2. Hom. 6. ca. 49. in mat But these as Augustine and Chrysostome in many places witnesse ceased in the third age after Christ And therefore Austin admonisheth that we are not rashly to beleeve miracles because Christ foretold such things of deceivers and bids us to beware of them Whereby we see how soundly the Jesuites quit themselves and their Pope from the impostures of Antichristianisine in glorying of the many signes and wonders that every where are to be seen in the Papacy Not perceiving in the mean time that in this very thing they discover Antichrist seeing the Scriptures do make great wonders and miracles to be the proper marks of him So that he maketh fire come down he rehearseth one of the great signes of the Beast namely that he makes fire to fall down from heaven in the sight of men Antichrists miracles according to the Iesuites The Iesuites reckon up three miracles of Antichrist One is that he shall feine himself to be dead and rise againe But in ver 3. we have shewed how this fable is without all probability The second that he shall bring down fire from heaven The third that he shall put life into the image of the Beast and cause it to speak 1 King 13 38. 2 King 1.10 of this we shall treat on vers 15. The second he shall do by a certaine imitation of Elias who by fire from heaven consumed the sacrifice and also devoured the Captaines with their fifties to shew that he was a man of God To which it is probable the spirit here alludeth for Antichrist will be accounted a man of God But it seems rather to allude to that wicked action of Satan who with fire from heaven consumed the sheep and servants of Job For whatsoever he doth Iob. 1 16 he shal do by the effectuall working of Satan unto the destruction of men Now hence it followeth saith Bellarmin that the Pope is not Antichrist for neither any Pope himselfe or any of his ministers did ever make fire to come down from heaven The consequence is not good for it is apparent the species or one great wonder is put for the whole genus But the species being denied the genus is not denied As therefore it will not follow that none of Christs Disciples were true Apostles Mat. 17.20 because none of them removed mountaines according to the letter of the text the which notwithstanding Christ promised unto his Disciples for it was enough that they did other great miracles so neither doth it follow that the Pope is not Antichrist although he hath not according to the letter brought down fire from heaven For it is enough that many Popes of which Bellarmin boasteth have been renowned for working great signes and wonders and that the whole Papacy is full of miracles to wit false and lying ones such as the holy Ghost here and in 2 Thes 2. do ascribe to Antichrist and of which Christ himself forewarned us Mat. 24.24 beleeve them not Now the spirit rather attributes this species of wonders unto him then any other as respecting the manner of speech then common to the Hebrews and still is to this day for the Iews say If a man cause fire to descend from heaven for if any one with a heavenly miracle would prove himself to be a man of God and deny the Law of Moses let him be accursed Vestigat pag. 701. Because
no miracles can verifie false and blasphemous doctrines Adde to this that Alcasar the Iesuite contrary to the common opinion acknowledgeth that a litterall sence doth not at all agree with the stile of this aenigmaticall sentence which undoubtedly is most true although he brings in a most idle glosse taken not from the Scriptures but out of the conception of his own braine Antichrist therefore by an allusion unto the litteral history of the Scripture causeth fire divers waies to descend from heaven In the likenesse of fire rushing from heaven the Apostles received the holy Ghost How the Pope causeth fire to descend from heaven so Antichrist boasteth that he by power given him from above doth confer the grace of the holy Ghost in consecration confirmation confession and absolution to wit by a great and miraculous working In the likenesse of lightning the devill made fire to descend from heaven and devoured the sheep and servants of Job And doth not the Pope boast that he fulminates against Emperours Kings and Princes by his excommunications for so Gregory VII said that the Emperour Henry IV. whom he excommunicated was stroken with lightning And therefore in excommunicating the Pope casteth down burning torches or firebrands from on high that even hence we might understand that it is he who causeth this dreadfull fire to descend from heaven by which the sheep and servants of Job are devoured to wit by a marveilous wonder In that it is added In the sight of men it signifies that he gaines authority to himselfe and his deceitfull working by striking great amazement feare and delusion in the hearts of men For he bewitcheth the eyes and mindes of the people and so terrifies the conscience with his signes and lightnings as that the simpler sort are held in false devotion and the more prudent in feare and obedience 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by those miracles Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the miracles Seducing by his signes and it seems to be put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by or by means of those miracles as Chap. 4.11 12.11 This is the third effect of his power he drives wretched men from Christ to Antichrist from the truth to a lie and from the path of salvation to the way of destruction For to seduce is properly to bring out of the right way and lead into errour It is a metaphor taken from travellers ignorant of the right way for so Antichrist seduceth the inhabitants of the earth that is earthly minded men ignorant of God and of their salvation to wit as casting all care of religion upon their spirituall fathers and hence being bewitched and terrified with the signes and lightnings of the Beast they devoutly swear obedience unto his lies For as by true signes being the seales of true doctrine the Elect are helped and moved to believe that it is divine For God who is true and the authour of miracles gives no testimony save to the truth so the lying miracles of the Beast are the seales of his lying doctrine which earthly men embrace for true because of his miracles thinking that they are divine signes and so his doctrine also But thus thinking they are deceived and seduced What therefore are our workers of miracles but seducers And in this sence it is truely said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for or because of the signes as being the formall cause of his imposture Now they work their signes in the sight of the Beast that is by the Popes authority because the miracles of these deceivers must of necessity be Canonized by the Pope that they may be authentick to the faith that is to the seducement of men Saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make Observe how often the holy Ghost doth reiterate the dwellers on the earth The image of the beast lest the faithfull should be offended with the multitude and readinesse of them that follow the Beast against Christ And this is the fourth effect of his power he commands the inhabitants of the earth to make an Image to the Beast which was wounded by the sword and did live With which cohereth the first that he gave life to the Image of the Beast and also that the Beasts image should speake and cause that whosoever would not worship the image of the Beast should be slaine Ribera in c. 13.32 For these two verses agree together by which indeed most interpreters amongst the Papists will have the third miracle of the Beast to be described viz. that he should perswade men to make an Image to Antichrist and worship him in their temples Lib. 3. de P. R. c. 15. to which image he would give life and speech c. Whence againe it followeth saith Bellarmin that the Pope is not Antichrist because none of them have made an Image to speake c. But first this fable touching Antichrists image placed in temples speaking and to be worshipped Alcasar refutoth Bellarmine Aleasar himselfe refuteth and expounds it of heathenish idols which they imagined by an heavenly miracle should receive and give answers This opinion is far more tollerable although not agreeable unto the text which openly speaketh not of Satans delusions among the Gentiles already past but of the future impostures of Antichrist sitting in the temple of God Secondly to let passe the fable do not the images in the Papacy speak and hath not the Pope caused and commanded them to be worshipped on paine of death Such of ours who understand the former Beast of the old Romane Empire interpret this Image of the Beast sometime wounded and again healed of the Romane Empire re-established by the Pope Which they think was done when Steven II. and Leo III. transferred the decayed Empire of the West on Charles the Great and as it were repaired the same The which was no more then a certaine image or rather a shadow of the old Empire comming short both in the majestie largenesse and power thereof But we have before shewed that the former Beast denotes not the Romane Empire but Antichrist Neither doe the circumstances of the text agree to it The Pope say they made the image of the Romane Empire But the second Beast or the Pope made not the image of the former but the inhabitāts of the earth did it by the commandement of the Beast That also which is added touching the worshipping of the image doth little agree For as much as none of the Germane Emperours commanded either themselves or their Empire to be worshipped on paine of death The participle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saying referred to that which goes before makes the sence cleare to wit that to the two former waies of power and seducing being his false doctrine and great miracles now are added two more to wit worshipping of Images and outward violence And the spirit doth plainely allude to Daniels History where the King set up a golden image Hebr.
to fill drinke to the poore So that to drinke out of the mixt cup for so the words may be translated is to drinke out of a cup filled with the wine of Gods wrath and this wine is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not allaied with water to denote its strength and efficacy to make drunke Brightman understands this pure wine said to be mixt of divers kindes of wines mingled together which mixture saith he doth much sooner beget drunkennesse The sense is all one Of his indignation and anger The Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies furie or great indignation and is more then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anger The words seeme to be taken out of Psal 75.9 A cup is in Jehovahs hand and the wine is red it is full of mixture And Ier. 25.15 Take the wine-cup of his furie at my hand and cause all the nations to whom I send thee to drinke it This Cup of his anger the Lord in the following Chapter divides into seven vials the which being full of his wrath he will powre forth on the Antichristian idolaters six of them in this life but the last in the end of the world Therefore he threatneth temporall and eternall punishments The temporall he expoundeth specially in Chap. 16. here the eternall are more clearly described And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone This is a declaration and an amplification of their punishment He shall drinke of the wine of wrath that is he shall be tormented for as he drunke the wine of pleasure so likewise he shall drinke the wine of torment and that eternally He addes the matter of the torment With fire and brimstone Brimstone is soon set on fire burnes strongly is not easily extinguished and causeth a filthy smoak and deadly stinke Fire is nourished by brimstone it devoures and destroyes combustible things the burning therof is intollerable torment to the body Not as if there were materiall fire or brimstone in hell but the grievousnesse of the torment is hereby noted It seemes to be an allusion unto Psal 11.6 Vpon the wicked he shall raine snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest shall be the portion of their cup. This is expounded in Chap. 19.20 where the Beast and they that worship him are to be cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone This is the torment of hell Luk. 16.24 Isai 66.24 Mark 9.43 Luk. 3.17 in which the glutton being to this day crieth Father Abraham have mercy upon me for I am tormented in this flame The Scripture doth not finde words as it were sufficiently to expresse the unspeakable torments of the wicked Isaiah saith The worme of transgressours shall not die neither shall their fire be quenched and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh Christ Math. 8.12 calls it utter darknesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth 5.22 hell fire 25.41 everlasting and unquenchable fire Paul saith Rom. 2.9 2 Thes 1.8 Tribulation and anguish shall be on every soule that doth evill and againe The Lord will take vengeance in flaming fire on them that obey not the Gospell IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY ANGELS AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LAMBE The Lambe shall be the Iudge of the ungodly who despised him and as much as in them lay exposed him to be torne by the Beast The Angels are added to the Lambe as sumners by whose ministery all men shall be gathered from the foure corners of the earth and presented before the tribunall seat of Christ to be judged The word therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before which is attributed as well to the Angels as to the Lambe signifies that the Angels shall not onely be beholders of the torments of the wicked but also executioners of the same So the Apostle They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord 2 Thes 1.9 and from the glory of his power Holy to distinguish them from evill angels concerning whom Paul saith Know ye not that we shall judge the Angels 1 Cor. 6.3 11. And the smoke of their torment He further amplifies the torments of the wicked if happily the kings and inhabitants of the earth might be restrained from worshipping the Beast by the horrour of cruell torments The smoake of their torment by an hebraisme he calleth it a tormenting smoak Or by a metonymia of the signe the fire tormenting them But I rather approve the former because he had before spoken of their torment by fire Now what is more bitter then to be tormented broyled and stifled with smoak Before in Chap. 9. the smoak of the bottomlesse pit did denote in a sence somewhat different the darknesse of doctrine brought into the Church by the Pope of Rome through the operation of Satan And this belongs to the matter of the infernall torment What smoak is whether it be in hell not that there is a reall smoak in hell for properly smoak is an exhalation or fume arising out of a materiall fire which is not in hell otherwise the smoak must cease when the matter is wholly consumed but the Scripture doth metaphorically shadow out the grievousnesse of the torments in hell from things known unto us and very hurtfull as calling the same smoake fire brimstone the worme c. Ascended for ever and ever Smoak by its lightnesse ascends upward and so the smoak of eternall fire shall ascend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into ages of ages that is for ever and ever for it is an unquenchable fire Isai 66.24 Hence we see that the torments of the wicked in hell shall be everlasting and without end Before in Chap. 8.4 The prayers of the Saints are called a smoak ascending up before God by a more noble metaphor That smoake was sweet and pleasing to God as being the smoake of incense But this here is stinking and pestilent unto the wicked as being the smoak of brimstome The verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to ascend argues that the place and fire of hell is beneath but where it is they shall feele who too curiously seek it And they have no rest day nor night He signifies their continuall torments without any intermission they shall not now and then have rest but shall be perpetually tormented Thus hitherto the Glutton cryeth in hell without intermission I am tormented in this flame For as hell fire shall not be extinguished no not for a moment so the wicked shall not have so much as a moments respite from torment but in this unquenchable fire they shall be like incorruptible firebrands never to be consumed O most miserable men whom the cogitation and perhaps horrour also of so great tormenrs hath not hitherto moved to repent and forsake the worship of the Beast Before Chap. 4.8 this same phrase is applyed to the foure Beasts And they rest not day and night saying holy holy holy Lord God Almighty And to the sealed in their foreheads Chap.
manner the destruction of Rome is aggravared Now these things because of the similitude are here applied out of the Ancient Prophets See Isa 24.8 and Jerem. 7.34 and Ezech. 26.13 In the former the desolation of Iudea in the latter that of Tyrus is set foorth under the like Figures Because thy Merchants are the great men of the Earth He concludes with repeating the causes of this horrible judgement that the Romanists might not complaine of overmuch rigour In the Analysis we shewed the causes to be three 1. Riot 2. Witchcraft 3. Slaughter of the Saints Their riot is noted in one most evident signe onely because her Merchants are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The great men of the Earth as if he should say not minding their condition and originall they cary themselves as Princes usurping authoritie over all men Who now will say that these are ordinarie Traders what if one or two Merchants come to be Princes what is that to all these As therefore their wares were allegoricall So these are Allegoricall-Merchants Spirituall-Prelates Ecclesiasticall-Princes Cardinals Palriarchs Archbishops Bishops c. as before we shew'd At first the seven Deacons of Rome were Cardinals severallie placed through the Citie to preach and administer holy things But now there are sixtie eight purpled Fathers being as they say the chiefe Senate of the whole world who according to their instruction may not stand up though a Prince or a King salute them or give them the way and chiefe seat at Banquets What therfore can be more arrogant then the pride of these Merchants For by thy sorceries This cause hath bin often declared He cals the Idolatrie false doctrines ungodlie and superstitious traditions by which Antichrist hath seduced the Christian world Witchcraft both in regard of like efficacie because as with Charming-cups they infatuate worldly men and draw the souse to destruction because also Magicke is alwayes joyned with Idolatrie as we find in speciall among the Idolatrous Papists 24. And in her was found the blood of the Prophets The crueltie of both old and new Rome against the Godlie is here noted but chiefly of the new who under pretence of the Catholicke Religion hath for these thousand yeers shed as much Christian blood if not more then the old Pyrants in the first three hundred yeeres Is found in thee Because the greater part of Martyrs are slain at Rome And of all that were slaine upon the Earth Because also the Martyrs that suffered in other Kingdomes and Provinces were slaine by the authoritie of the Romish Strumpet And therefore all that blood shall be justly avenged on her The same was before said Chap. 16. ver 6. For they have shed the blood of Saints and thou hast given them blood to drinke Of which see more on the place The Coherence Argument Parts and Analysis of CHAPTER XIX THe third and last part of the Sixt Vision touching the Iudgement of the great Whore and the Beast that is of Rome and Antichrist remaineth to be treated of The destruction and burning of the City to bee executed by the Ten Kings once the Vassals of the Romane Antichrist but afterward converted to Christ the Angell had revealed to John in Cap. XVII and described the same by a Propheticall Hypotyposis in Chapter XVIII But seeing the whole Papacy shall not utterly perish at the sacking and burning of Rome Antichrists Seat in Italy but that the Pope shall find entertainment either in Spaine or otherwhere and shall persevere to oppose Christ and persecute the Gospell unto the end therefore in this XIX Chapter is revealed the destruction also of the Pope himselfe and of the whole Papacy The Chapter is full of manifold doctrines and consists of a most artificious structure Therefore the Reader may conceive the Argument Parts and I ogicall resolution to bee thus The company of Saints rejoyce over the judgement of Babylon their deliverance from his Tyranny and the Wedding of the Lambe at hand By and by is described a type of Christs comming to judgement and casting of the Beast and all his followers into the Lake of fire The parts therefore seem to be two The Saints rejoycing and Antichrists judgement Iohns errour about worshipping the Angell being brought in by a Parenthesis But we may more fitly cast the same into three Heads or Branches 1. WHat Iohn heard in the first nine Verses Aften these things I heard II. What he did ver 10. And I fell downe c. III. What at length he saw from verse 11. And I saw unto the end Touching the first Hee heard a two-fold voyce of gladneâ— and praysings The first celebrate the righteous judgements of God in the five first Verses The other triumph because of the wedding of the Lambe in the four following Verses In the former rejoycing is noted 1. Who they were A twofold Chore or Company first a great multitude leading or beginning the Triumph-Song in three Verses The second viz. the twenty foure Elders and foure Beasts Isinging after them verse 4. â—â—1 Where they were In Heaven verse 1. Both Companies therefore denote the Church Triumphant The Hyinne of the first Chore consisteth of three Parts 1. A Proposition God is to be praised Halelujah saivation c. ver 1.2 The Confirmation from the justnesse First in the Thesis because Gods judgements are true and righteous Secondly in a double Hypothesis or application because in righteousnesse he hath judged the whore and avenged their blood ver 2.3 The conclusion iterating the praises of God ver 3. Touching the other Company is noted 1. Their gesture And they fell downe 2. Their Religion and worshipped 3. Their assent or concluding the Song with AMEN ver 4. c. In the Latter rejoycing is noted First the provoking cause and of this 1. What it was A voyce proceeding out of the Throne 2. What it commanded viz. to praise the Lord 3. Who are commanded All the servants of God in generall verse 5. Secondly the effect of the cause is annexed viz. The rejoycing it selfe in which is noted 1. Who the Rejoycers were A great multitude whose voyce is aggravated by the similitude of the noise of waters and thunders ver 6. This multitude are the Servants and Feaâ—ers of God that is the Vniversall Church of Saints in Heaven and Earth 2. A Gratulatorie Hyinne consisting of two Parts In the first they blesse God with praises of Hallelujah adding a reason For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth that is hath vindicated his Kingdome from the blasphemies of Antichrist verse 6. Secondly they stirre up themselves to joyfullnesse and to praise the Lord Let us rejoyce with a reason from the joyfull circumstance of time for the marriage of the Lambe is come The which they commend 1. from the presence of the Bride or wife she hath made herselfe ready c. ver 7. 2. From her ornament and pure attire ver 8. And to her was granted 3. From the saving effect or blessednesse of
SAINTS or of the Beloved-City I answer The occasion of the warre is distinguished from the warre it selfe The occasion indeed of the Holy Warre begun by the Christians is in this Prophesie silently passed over and touching this it is true what is objected but false of the warre following thereupon For it cannot be denyed that the Easterne People being first provoked by the Christians have by Satans impulsion compassed about the Campe of the Saints above these five hundred yeeres not ceasing to trouble the same unto this day Secondly it is objected That the Gogish warre shall not begin till the end of the thousand fatall yeeers But these thousand yeers are not as yet begun Answer The former is true the latter is false for as we have shewed in the foregoing consideration those thousand yeers are expired long agoe Thirdly they object That this Gogish warre shall continue but a little while because in ver 3. Satan shall be let loose but for a short season I Answer It s a fallacie figurae dictionis as it is termed for the time of Satans loosing is called a short or little season not that it shall be but for few yeers for so great a warre cannot be undertaken and finished in a little time but in respect of the thousand yeeres then which it shall be shorter because God for the Elects sake will shorten those dayes of which see more ver 3. Wherefore the Gogish warre as undoubtedly it seems is not indeed that very same Holy Warre raised in Syria by Hildebrand and Turbanus Romish Pontifes but the TVRKISH WARRE against Christendome which arose a while after out of the other and continueth unto this day The Catastrophe or issue whereof now followeth The Third Part of the CHAPTER Declaring the issue of the Gogish war the wonderfull slaughter of the adversaries and the casting of the devill himselfe into the Lake of Fire With a Type of the last Iudgement 9. And fire came downe from God out of Heaven and devoured them 10. And the devill that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 11. And I saw a great white Throne and him that sate on it from whose face the Earth and the Heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Bookes were opened and another was opened which is the booke of Life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the bookes according to their workes 13. And the Sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their workes 14. And death and hell were cast into the Lake of fire This is the Second Death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the Booke of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire THE COMMENTARY AND fire came downe Here begins the last Act. The event of the Gogish Warre shall bee joyned with the last Iudgement at Christs comming the which is set forth by a most evident Type First specially briefly shewing what was done to Gog and Magog with their Army and what to the devill in this and the following vers Afterward generally what unto all in the last Iudgement unto the end of the Chapter The Gogish Army was at length consumed by fire It is an allusion unto the Oracle of Ezechiel 38.22 against Gog of old I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood and I will raine upon him and upon his hands an overflowing raine and great hailestones fire and brimstone So here against the new Gog Fire came downe from God out of Heaven and devoured them by which Phrase the Scripture usually sets forth the wonderfull and horrible Iudgements of God upon the Adversaries by which at length the wicked are so suddenly destroyed and the Church delivered out of distresse and oppression as the Victory cannot be ascribed but to the Divine Power as in Psal 11.6 Vpon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest shall be the portion of their cup. This serves greatly to comfort the Church for although our sinnes doe too too much fight against us this Oracle notwithstanding sheweth Gods benignity to bee so great as wee may undoubtedly believe that the Turkish power shall sooner bee overthrowne by the most powerfull hand of God from Heaven then that the Church of Christ should be extinguished by the same There are some who thinke that this kinde of destruction by fire from Heaven shall litterally be accomplished upon the Adversaries But I rest in the allusion mentioned for as God himselfe overthrew the enemies from Heaven when as the strength of the Iewish people was nothing to resist the Asian Tyrants so when the power of Christians shall be no way able to chase away or overthrow the Gogish Armies of the East God will suddenly as it were reach out his arme from Heaven to fight for the Church and extinguish the adversaries if not before yet certainly at the brightnesse of Christs coming to Iudgement for untill then this Gogish war as likewise that other of Antichrist shall continue This fire therefore comming from Heaven and devouring the adversaries what shall it be but that sharpe sword proceeding out of the mouth of Christ the Iudge and killing all the wicked Chap. 19.15.21 that is that flame of fire 2. Thes 18. Lib. 20. de in which the Lord Jesus shall bee revealed from Heaven to take vengeance on them that know not God 10. And the devill that deceived them AVGVSTINE confesseth that in this description are certaine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is C. D. c. 14 some things are before repeated that were done after Among these the first seemes to be that the Enemies being devoured with fire from Heaven by and by the devill also is said to be cast into the Lake of fire For it seemeth that this shall not be till the last Iudgement be past which followeth after This verse therefore by a certaine Anticipation cohereth with ver 14. where Iohn saw Death and Hell to be cast into the Lake of fire Now he joyneth the casting of the devill next with the slaughter of the wicked aversaries to teach us that the devill shall not goe free for seducing the Nations and raising Gog and Magog to battle against the Church but at last bee punished for his great malice together with other adversaries See also 1. Cor. 15.24.25.26 By the devill wee cannot with reason understand any other then that wicked Spirit himselfe for he is the same here who verse 2. is called the Dragon the old Serpent and Satan But the Emperour of the Turks whom BRIGHTMAN here understandeth by the devill belongs in my Iudgement unto the Gogish army devoured with fire
VI. excommunicated Ludovick IV. 130. The Colour of the Beast and the woman is one 411. Purple colour proper to the Romane court ibid. Communion of the Saints in heaven with us on earth 122. Comfort of the faithfull under Antichrist 121. Of the Saints under the Altar 106. Of the professours and Martyrs 355. Conquerers are such as keep faith and a good conscience 52. Consent of Interpreters about the last judgement 358. Condition of the Godly under Antichrist 134. 135. Constant profession of the truth the cause of Johns banishment 17. The Constestation or protestation in the last chapter of the Revelation belongs to the whole body of the Scripture 596. Conversion of the Iewes described 67 conversion of the adversaries is the worke of grace ibid. Conversion of many unto the faith 245. Conversion why commanded and attributed to us 82. Council of constance caused wickleffe to be digged out of his graue and burnt 241. Condemned Iohn Husse and Iâ—rome of Prague to the fire 226. 241. Former councils for the most part condemned by the latter 273. Corporal resurrections in scripture 518. Corrupters of the trueth shal be grievouslie punished 50. Court within to be cast forth 214. Coveteousnesse in bishops abominable the root of all evill 33. Crowne crowne of life 41. promised not of merit but grace 42. It signifies life and eternal glory 72. A greater degree shall be given to such as have converted many 71. Crownes of gold why worne by the saints 90. Crown of life and righteousnesse ibid. Proposed unto all the faithfull 250. The crowne of Christ 108. Crowns of gold an ensigne of royall majesty 360. How far the crown may be taken from the elect and how it can not be taken 72. Cubit common and royall of what greatnesse 562. Cup of Gods wrath 352. Cyprians excellent simile declaring the word of God to be the onely rule of faith 57. D. THe Darkning of the sun 127. Death compared in scripture to sleep 56. Christs death a full satisfactorie price for sin 103. Death of the martyrs is Christ victorie 108. The first death why so called 519. 557. Death of the soule 519. The second death eternall 528. The dead shall all rise together 518. 519. To die in Christ 355. Dead faith uncapable to obtaine spirituall riches 77. Demonstration against Alcasars dream 481. The Description and nature of Locusts 175. Description of the new Ierusalem whither it agree to the church militant 549. The Desert or wildernesse is Rome and the Papacie 408. Description of the beast 290. denoteing the old Romane Empire 291. 292. Description of the heavenly Ierusalem 560. c. Description of the last Iudgement 488. Description of Gods maiesty and glory on the throne 87. Determination whither repugnant to the will 446. Dignitie proceeds not alwayes from vertue 59. Difficultie about the thousands years 506. Difference of a gemme and a pearl 566. Dionysius Alexandrinus refuted 18. Distribution of the second vision 84. The Dragon Beast and false Prophet authours of the Ambassage of the unclean spirits 394. Drying up of Euphrates 390. diverse opinions about it 391. Dutie of the Church and her officers to notorious sectaries 44. E. EArth Sea trees what they signifie 139. Earth swallowing down the flood of the Dragon 279. Earth-quakes proper and figurative 126. 127. A great earth-quake at the opening of the sixt seal 244. an earth-quake shaking the papacie after the councill of constance 245. Easterne people girded up their long garments in travelling 24. Eberhardus Salisburgensis invectives against the Pope 318. Effect of the word of God 207. Of the Gospel in the latter times 370. Egyptian Idolatry darkenesse and bondage 234. 235. The Elder comforting Iohn 99. The Emerauld a most pleasant gemme 87. 565. The End of Gods punishment 50. The Eight king not like unto the other 429. 430. Eniedinus the Samosatenian refuted 17. 21. 26 27. 28. 39. 50. 51. 437. 587. Who shall Enter into the Caelestial city 571. Ephesus the head citie of Ionia 21. Epiphanius refutes the Alogians 47. Epiphanius corrected touching Iohn 19. The Eternall Gospell cannot be suppressed 339. the Eternall Gospell of the Monster Cyrillus 340. Events contingent in themselves how changed 4. Event of the Gogish war 536 c. The Evils accompaning this life shall be no more in the life to come 553. Euphrates a great river 187. The Eyes of IEHOVAH signifie Angels 90. The eyes of the Lamb his all seeing providence â—00 Eye-salve what it is â—9â— Ezechiels Prophesie of the measuring of the Spirituall Temple 212. His and Iohns Prophesie of Gog and Magog 535. F. FAlse distinctions of worship 484. 485 The Fable of Enoch and Elias refuted 226. the Fable of Antichrists foure yeares reigne refuted 231. 240. Fable of Maries assumption 256. The False Prophet 394. He and the two horned Beasts are the same 495. Famine thirst and heat what they note by a Synecdoche 149. Famine of Samaria 114. Mysticall famine when proclaimed ibid. The Fathers why they termed not the Pope Antichrist 167. The Father how he judgeth no man 7. 8. The Feare and amazement of the Churches adversaries 244. The fearing of Antichrist hath troubled the whole world The First Vision not universall 361. 362. it belongs unto the last times ibid. Its scope and use of comfort ibid. Free-will not simply denied but in respect of spirituall good 68. Diverse interpretations of the same 444. 445. Figs signifie carnall Bishops 129. Figure of he city just four-square 562. Finall punishment of the wicked 131. Fine linnen how clothing both for the Bride and the Whore 482. how it is righteousnesse ibid. Fire proceeding out of the mouth of the witnesses 228. The fire on which the Angel had power 362. Fiery eyes signifie heroicall motions 24. Fire from heaven consuming Gog and Magog 539. First death 42. 519. Why so called ibid. First resurrection is not corporall but spirituall 518. It is opposed unto the first death 519. It s profitablenesse and necessitie 526. Objections about the same cleared 518. 520. First trumpet answereth to the first seale 158. What is meant by the hayle fire and blood that fell at the sounding thereof ibid. First viall chieflie poured out upon Germanie 380. Fight of the woman when it began and how long it dured 277. Floud of waters what it is 277. Foxe his opinion about it 278. Forme or shape of the beasts diverse and why 92. Forgetfullnesse and memory how said to be in God 460. Foundation of the Church how but one and twelve 561. 562. Fountaines what they denote in the Revelation 163. the fountaines of Waters are to be reckoned among the chief works of God 342. The fountain of true joy is in the Lord 480. The Four Beasts whither they type out the four Evangelists 91. They represent the Apostolicall Church 92. Why they are full of eyes ibid. The Four and twenty Elders are the first Chore 89. The Four periods of the Church of the Gospel 365. The Four Angels
mount Sion in Jerusalem shal be deliverance Andreas Caesariensis wel observeth on this place that the crosse and calamities under Antichrist seem to be foretold unto the Church to no other end but that the godly beeing praeadmonished long be forehand might be confirmed in the very time of these trials by Antichrist his ministers for evils foreseen and premeditated on are lesse offensive when they come upon us Thus we have heard whence these prodigious sights are taken what they signifie and wherefore they are foretold Now let us consider them one by one they are seven in number three whereof shall come to passe in the earth viz. The earthquake the trembling of the mountains and the removall of the Ilands Four shall happen in heaven viz. The darkning of the Sun the changing of the Moon into blood the fall of stars and the convolution of heavens The first is a great earthquake This is made by the winds getting into the hollow parts of the earth and violently breaking forth Hereupon the earth shaketh houses towers townes and cities are throwne downe to the ground all things are gashlie to behold Even so Antichrist puft up with base pride lead by an evill spirit hath shaken the Christian world overthrowen the ancient order and discipline of Christ by changing the forme thereof into his Ecclesiasticall Monarchie the which tooke its beginning from the time of Pope Sylvester I. For no sooner were the Romish Bishops by Constantine and the following Emperours raysed up with outward dignitie and riches but they hereupon swelling with ambition forthwith began to domineere and lord it over their brethren as the histories of Sozimus Zaelestinus Leo and others testifie notwithstanding this their great arrogancie was at first a little kept under as by the authoritie of Emperours so by the canon lawes as also the opposition of other Bishops as may be seen by the Acts of the sixt council of Carthage where the Pope of Rome assuming the name of universall unto his chaire by authority as he falsly affirmed of the Nicean council he was convicted of falshood and for that time repressed But after Gregorie this spirit of pride violentlie burst forth in Sabinian his successour and after him in Boniface III. who was as we said before openlie by Phocas declared universal Bishop that is Antichrist was now lifted up on his throne Then began all the bowels of the earth that is of the Christian world to be horribly shaken For now the whole clergie is brought under the yoke of the Pope who at length imposed the law of abstinence from marriage upon them Now the doctrine of the Church both concerning the worship of God as also the faith and free grace of Christ is so corrupted as nothing almost remained sound but the bare name Now the mountaines viz. Emperours Kings and Princes if at any time they displease the Pope are sore shaken yea troden under feet by their buls and excommunications Now the Ilands also that is whole nations escape not as we shall hear by and by It would bee tedious to repeat all the disturbances and grievous calamities which this Romane Antichrist hath brought and yet daily deviseth both against Church and common wealth By this earthquake Steeven the 11. through Pipin wroung the principallity of Ravenna with all Italie out of the hands of the Graecian Emperours from whom also Leo III. with the aid of Charles drew away the whole Empire of the West to settle it as some of them boast among the Germaines We need not insist upon histories seeing our owne daily experience doth sufficiently set forth the meaning of this commotion The Sun became black as sack cloth of hair This is the second wonder Christ the Sun of righteousnes shal be horriblie eclipsed that is the doctrine touching his offices and benefits darkned and utterlie defaced We heard before how the Church lost her whitnesse and became black in regard of the manie foule heresies of that time yet something still remained pure in her by reason of some sound teachers who firmlie maintained the truth of Christ But under Antichrist even the Sun is made black as sackcloth of hair that is most black and hurtfull Not that Christ in himself can so be made but because Antichrist by his profession both teacheth and maketh such a Christ It is thought that the haire of sackcloth here spoken of What this sackcloth of hair is is made of the black hair of goats or horses whereof in former time they made mourning garments as may be gathered from many places of scripture these garments did prick the flesh much paine those that ware them Hence the hypocriticall Monkes as Carthusians Cappuzins and other Antichristian frogs who glorie of perfection weare such garments for the beating down of their flesh but indeed hereby as by a true badge they testifie that they live under the darknesse of the Sun here spoken of But say they Christ the Sun of righteousnes is not darkned unto us How the Sun is obsctired in popery For the Pope professeth Christ to be God and man against all hereticks I answer If he should openly cast off the name of Christ then he could not have brought the Christian Church under his bondage neither suppresse the truth as now he doth But his comming as the Apostle witnesseth 2 Thess 2.10 is with all deceiveablenes of unrighteousnes in them that perish So that by the cunning pretence of Christian profession he hath fraudulentlie overthrowne the Church yea herein he hath mainly opposed Christ in that he was looked upon to be a preacher of his name Contra Auxentium lib. 2. cont legis advers cap. 12. as Hilarie and Austin write concerning him The profession of Christs person and of the trinitie was indeed the maske under which he deceived the Church for otherwise Christians would have shunned him as the devill But of what use I pray you is Christ without his offices benefits the which in popery are troden under foot what profiteth it to beleeve that the Turk is the Emperour of the East from whom unlesse it be by thy own deceit thou canst not exspect eyther good to thy self or others Yea say they Papists beleeve not on Christ as the onely mediatour we also professe Christ to be the mediatour redeemer and onely saviour by beleeving in whose merits we must be saved But we have often shewed that this their profession is nothing but as black sackcloth if they would but see it for if indeed they did beleeve Christ to be the onelie mediatour they would not then have made to themselvs so many thousands of mediatours as they have don For doe they not cry to S. Marie to S. Peter to S. Nicolas c. to pray for them If they did beleeve to be saved by the merits of Christ alone then they would not have forged the merits of saintes neither their owne works of Iustification or
of supererogation or a purgatorie fire and so ascribe salvation which is obtained by Christ alone unto their owne inventions Thus therefore the Sun in Popery is made black as sackcloth of hair The Apostolical doctrine of faith and salvation by them is darkned and changed into Philosophical precepts Christs sacraments are darkned and turned into a stage-playing Pompe or shew The invocation and worship of God is darkned and turned into adoration of idols and of the creature To be short the Church it self is darkned scarslie retaining any thing of Christianity except the bare name Now the black sackcloth of hair doth signify the humane traditions their hetheanish and Iewish ceremonies mingled with Christianisme of which Augustine complaines Epist 119 19.20 that even in his time the Church began to be more burdened with them then the Israelites were with theirs to be short it signifies the decrees and canons of Synods and Popes by which the Church was turned into a secular kingdom the presbyteny into a civil court and their temples into very brothel houses And the moon became as blood The third wōder followeth by the moon is meant the Church as Cant. 6.9 Fair as the moon Rev. 12.1 The Sun is Christ as we shewed before Now what marveile is it if the Moon be turned into blood when the Sun is darkned In Eclypses the Moon appears black and reddish and sometimes of a bloodie colour having in it selfe but little light But as the Moon doth receive its light from the Sun so all light puritie righteousnes and salvation or whatever else the Church enjoyes shee receiveth it all from Christ the Sun of righteousnes The sence therefore is that the Church shall be turned into blood by the commotion of Antichrist The like phrase the Lord useth in Joel 2.31 But whence comes this blood into the Moon I answer by the cruel tyrannie of Antichrist making the Church red with the blood both of the nations and of the Saintes For this blood was powred on her partly by wars and partlie by martyrdoms For the Pope not beeing content to usurp the title of Peter the prince of the Apostles under that pretence to terrify the world with his spirituall lightnings he hath also drawn out the temporall sword against Emperours kings princes and Christian nations filling all places with bloodie warres As we may see in the extravagant of Boniface VIII touching superiority and obedience where it is expressely said that the Church hath two swords the spirituall and civill and it is further added that the spirituall is excercised by the Church the materiall by the hand of kings and souldiers according to the pleasure and patience of priests If this be true then what are kings and souldiers but the Popes vassals And is not then that blood certainlie shed by the Pope which is spilt at his pleasure and command by kings and their souldiers And is it not the Pope that causeth the Moon to become blood but in this also there is deceit and fallacie for the Romish Bishops have not onelie used the civill sword in the hands of princes but also in their own having these many yeeres together turned the Moon into blood by the many cruell warrs occasioned and made by them Beneven de Rambal lib Augustali Benevenutus de Rambaldis a noted historian thus writeth concerning Boniface the eight above two hundred and thirtie yeares agoe that Albertus Duke of Austria beeing by the Electors chosen king of the Romanes desired of Boniface that famous Pope the blessing and coronation to whom this loftie tyrant answered that he was unworthie of the Empire because he had traiterouslie killed his Lord Adolph in warre and having the crowne on his owne head and a sword girt to his loines he said I AM CAESAR Julius II. the predecessor of Leo a better souldier then a priest beeing borne rather for Mars then for Christ going forth with an army as Wicelius witnesseth in the yeere 1513 against the king of Navarre threw Peters Key into Tyber saying If the Key of Peter cannot let the sword of Paul prevaile Of which Mantuan thus singeth Ense potens gemino cujus vestigia adorant Caesar aurato vestits murice reges Great Caesar with victorious kings Who golden crownes doe wear They doe adore his footsteps who the double sword doth bear To be short the most cruel wars which continually have been and at this day are among Christian princes to the shedding of exceeding much blood in France the Nederlands Livonia Poland Muscovia Hungarie have alwayes been raysed fomented by the Popes buls and armies by this meanes ever since the death of Priscillian they have continnallie murdered the saints and made the Moon red with their blood For Priscillian beeing declared an heretick by the Pope although Sulpitius Severus describing his sect doth not charge him with any hereticall doctrines contrarie to the analogie of faith but onely for unlawfull conventicles was by the instigation of Ithacius Bishop of Triers put to death about the yeere of Christ 380 contrarie to the mind of Martine Thuronensis a Maximo the Emperour the murderer of Valentinian the yonger From that time forward the Bishops went on to have the like punishment inflicted on all such as were condemned by them of haeresie And at length the Popes adjudged to death as hereticks all that opposed their tyrannie and idolatrie under which pretence what a multitude of Christians have been most cruellie murdered the bookes of martyrs testifie yea whosoever reads those histories shall see clearely enough that by their meanes the Moon was wholle turned into blood The massacre at Paris committed on Bartholomewes day in the yeere 1572 is yet fresh in memorie at what time within the space of eight dayes there were more then a hundred thousand by the means of Gregorie XIII most barbarously put to death in France making all the streets rivers and prisons in the land red with the blood of martyrs Thus I doubt not but we understand what is meant by this change of the Moon into blood touching which also I will rehearse a verie memorable example in the end of this booke 13. And the starres of heaven fell unto the earth The fourth wonder is taken out of Isai 34.4 and Mar. 13.25 We have heard what the stars doe signifie and wherfore they are so called Rev. 1.20 the seven stars are the seven Angels or Bishops of the Churches And Rev. 12.1 The woman or Church hath twelve stars on her crowne signifying the pastors and teachers of the Churches These stars which fell are apostates who forsooke Christ for fear of Antichrists cruell persecution they are I say principall Bishops and teachers who by embracing the kingdom of Antichrist fall from heaven unto the earth among whom the Bishop of Rome was chiefe and with him all others who acknowledged him for their head They fell unto the earth by forsaking their pastoral charge of preaching the word and