away the daily Sacrifice and tread down the Sanctuary v. 13 14. about Ann. 167. before the Nativity of Christ and the residue must come after and thus would not expire till about Ann. 2133. But I conclude that those 2300 Days did begin and end with Antiochus I would not absolutely determine that the Conversion of the Jews will be before the Fall of Rome but offer some Reasons for it This seemeth plain that the Jews will not return to their own Land or be called till the Resurrection of the Witnesses For as the time times and half and 1260 Days so the three Days and half of the Witnesses lying dead are all of them times of the Gentiles Rev. 11. 2 3 9. and it is expresly said Luk. 21. 24. They shall fall by the edge of the Sword and shall be led away Captive into all Nations and Jerusalem shall be trodden down How long until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled And they are not fulfilled till the Death of the Witnesses is over seeing the Gentiles hold them under their death If the Tenth part that falleth at the Witnesses rising or ascending should not be Rome but another of the Ten Horns as some would have it then seeing there is but one blow more after that Triumph Rev. 19. 1 2 c. Why may not Rome be the Babylon that cometh into Remembrance at the Seventh Vial let the Event determine I do not pretend to immediate Revelation or such a Spirit of Prediction for the foretelling things to come but only compare Scripture with Scripture I did compose this Ann. 1665. and see no Cause yet for Variation in the Substance only now I have much abbreviated it with a few Alterations and a little Addition especially as to the Number of the Beast and this Review â—ath added much to my Confirmation and Satisfaction in these things The Day of the Lord is near let us exercise Faith in Prayer that if Jesus Christ should come at Midnight yet we may be always found watching THE CONTENTS Chap. I. OF the general Scope of the Revelation and Enemies of the Church Pag. 1 Chap. II. Of the Ten-horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1. Not the Pope p. 8 Chap. III. Of the Two-horned Beast the Pope Rev. 13. 11 p. 21 Chap. IV. Of the Little Horn p. 37 Chap. V. Of the first rising of the Ten-horned Beast p. 39 Chap. VI. Of the Epocha of the Mystical Numbers 42 Months and 1260 Days p. 50 Chap. VII Of what ensueth the End of the 1260 Days Of the Witnesses Death and Resurrection p. 68 Chap. VIII Of the Seven Vials that they are not all under the Seventh Trumpet p. 91 Chap. IX Of the Vials and how many are already poured out p. 98 A Conclusion of what was unaccomplished Anno 1680. p. 127 An Appendix Shewing I. That Pagan Rome was not the First Beast nor Mystical Babylon Rev. 17. p. 145 II. That the 1000 Years did not begin at Constantine the Great p. 155 III. That the Restoration and Conversion of the Jews and Ten Tribes is still to be Expected p. 156 THE Revelation unvailed c. CHAP. I. Of the general scope of the Revelation and the Enemies of the Church especially the Dragon IT is a singular demonstration of the Love of Christ to his Church that he hath vouchsafed the Book of the Revelation which affordeth not only useful Moral Observations but â—ropheticâ—â— Conclusions of the great Events from 〈◊〉 days of John until the end of all things Rev. 1. v 1 3. It is called a Prophecy of what was shortly to come to pass and that until the general Resurrection Rev. 20. v. 10 11 12. when â—esus shall sit on his great white Throne and the dead small and great shall be judged according to their works Here is a Prediction of the state and condition of actions and passions doings and sufferings both of the Church and People of God and also of their Enemies during that whole time And note there are 1. Seven Seals Rev. 6. six of which lasted during the time of Pagan Emperours till after Anno 300. See Mr. Mede And the seventh delivered it self into 2. Seven Trumpets Rev. 8. and 9. Some of which began to sound Judgment against the Roman Empire before Ann. 400. 3. Seven Vials or lâ—â—t Plagues Rev. 15. and 16. and all other dispensations are for time reducible to some of these That the Roman State or Empire is the chief boundary of all these matters is evident seeing the description undeniably agreeth to that and â—o no â—o other Place or State in the World for Rome was that great City Rev. 17. v. 18 which was built upon seven Hills or Mountains v. 9. and had seven heads seven several supream Governments v. 10 five of which were fallen in the days of John viz. 1. Kings 2. Consulâ— 3. Tribunes 4. Decem-viâ—i 5. Dictators and it 's said one is viz. 6. Caesars or Emperours And another was yet to come viz. 7. Popes And in that Territory were the ten Horns or Kings viz. that after received power as Kings which in the days of John they had not The principal Enemies here described are four 1. A Dragon Rev. 12. 3. 2. A ten-horned Beast Rev. 13. 1. 3. A two-horned Beast Rev. 13. 11. â— A Whore Rev. 17. Seven Heads and ten Horns the Dragon had and so the Beast crowned and upon the Beast the Whoâ—e rideth Rev. 17. 7. and therefore all of them belong to the Roman Empire The Church till after Ann. 300. is deciphered by a Woman clothed with the Sun Rev. 12. 1. and then the red Dragon was her grand Enemy v. 3. Afterward she is described under the notion of two Witnesses Rev. 11. and of 144000 sealed ones Rev. 7. and 14. 1. and then her great Enemies were the first and second Beast and the Whore Rev. 13 and 17. The grand Opposite to the true Church is the Whore of Mystical Babylon which therefore must be the corrupt Church of Rome Rev. c. 17. v. 1 to 6. For who else can these Characters agree to Who else did sit upon many Waters with whom the Kings of the Earth committed Spiritual Fornication Is the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth and drunk with the Blood of the Saints Who else hath sate upon the Scarlet-coloured Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns Yea it is expresly said v. 18. The Woman 〈◊〉 the great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth which could not in the days of John be asserted of any other in the World but only the City of Rome and so the Romish Church is here intended For the right understanding or clearing of these Prophetical Mysteries I shall lay down divers Rules with the proof of the 〈◊〉 Rule 1. That the Dragon notifieth Pagan Rome persecuting or such as are not professedly Christian As a Key to a considerable part of thâ— Prophecy I take Dragon throughout the Revelation for Satan 〈◊〉 iâ—
and by Paganish Power or not Christian It cannot be the Devil himself for the description here of his seven Heads and ten Horns Rev. 12. 3. We have otherwise expounded of Instruments of Satan Rev. 17. 9 10. as Ezek. 29 3. Jer. 51. v. 34. and it aptly agreeth to Heathen Rome when there were seven Crowns Emblems of Majesty Supream Power and Soveraignty and these upon the heads Satan acted like a Dragon by fierce and cruel Persecutions against the Church under Ethnick Emperors before Ann. 300. and not long after the Man-child Christ not personally considered but mystically in his Church and Gospel-administrations was brought forth by his Captain General Constatine the Great notwithstanding all Pagan attempts to destroy him or hinder turning from Paganism to Christianity And several acts or works of the Dragon or Paganish Powers are mentioned As 1. A Dragon War with Michael i. e. with Jesus Christ whilst the Empire was Pagan Rev. 12. v. 7. And there was War in Heaven Michael and his Angels and the Dragon and his Angels This War is before the rising of the Beast and before the 1260 days begin as appeareth in that he had but seven Crowns and these upon the Heads v. 3. whereas upon the Beast are ten Crowns and these upon the Horns Rev. 13. 1. and in that in this War the Dragon is overcome and cast out or down so as his place is no more found in Heaven Rev. 12. 7 8. whereas had he been then turned Beast he would have been a Conqueror Rev. 13. 7 It was given to him to make War with the Saints and to overcome them and should after have had the same place in Heaven as before It is therefore a War that casteth the Dragon down from his Imperial Throne and Headship not from his acting in Horns of the Beast that is intended It ushereth in a great Triumph for the erecting or seting up at present another Kingdom Rev. 12. 10. Now is come Salvation and Strength and the Kingdom of our God and the Power of his Christ for the accuser of our Brethren is cast down Whereas such a Triumph is inconsistent with the Sackcloth Wilderness-state of the 1260 days and cannot be during the Reign of the Beast or till those days are ended and the sounding of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11. 15. This War and Triumph is before the Woe to the Inhabiters of the Earth and Sea Rev. 12. v. 12. i. e. probably before the first second Trumpets which fall upon the Earth and Sea Rev. 8. v. 7 8. and so before the 7th Seal v. 1 2. and before the safe sealing Rev. 7. v. 2 3. Therefore this Dragon-War was that between Constantine the Great and the Pagans wherein he had a glorious Victory over Maxentius Maximinianus and Lictâ—ius and this admirably agreeth with or answereth to the sixth Seal Rev. 6 12. to the end And the rather because the Dragon was enraged at his being cast down Rev. 12. 12. knowing that he had but a short time for but one Pagan more viz. Julian was ever advanced to the enjoyment of the Imperial Throne and he ruled but two or three years some say less a very short time Neither doth the mentioning a flying into the Wilderness 1260 days before this War v. 6 7. argue that the War is after For often things are inserted by way of anticipation and that mentioned in a former place which was done after as divers matters Rev. 11. are not in time before those Rev. 12. and here is a special reason for it in the Case in hand For having asserted that the Dragon watched to destroy the Man-child and yet he was brought forth and was caught up to God and to his Throne i. e. had safety power eminent exaltation and yet the Woman flieth into the Wilderness for so long a time v. 4 5 6. A Question ariseth How all this cometh to pass and how after such advancemeâ—â— she cometh into the Wilderness He answereth by declaring that there is a War wherein Michael overcometh the Dragon and so the Woman the Church hath advancement but the Dragon being enraged raiseth a Persecution and driveth the Woman into the Wilderness v. 13 14. and so she was not there before and it is into her place i. e. into the place which God had prepared for her no necessity of its implying that she had been in that place before And let it be observed what the provocation was to that Persecution 〈◊〉 13. And when the Dragon saw that he was cast unto the Earth he persecuted the Woman that brought sorth the Man-child Which argueth that this casting down the Dragon from his Imperial Seat and the bringing forth the Man-child by Constantine were fresh in memory and not many hundred years before as they must be if this War were towards the end of the 1260 days as some would have it And seeing this War was before the rising of the Beast and seeing the going into the Wilderness which next ensued Michael's Victory over the Dragon is that going into the Wilderness for a time times and half v. 7 1â— 14. Hence that going into the Wilderness for 1260 days is the going into the Wilderness for a time times and half a time or these are the same measure of time 2. A Dragon or Pagan Persecution after the Empire became a Beast driving the Church into the Wilderness Rev. 12. v. 13. When the Dragon saw that he was cast to the Earth he persecured the Woman The Dragon now persecuted the Church not by a Headship which he was already cast down from but in the form of Crowned Horns of the Beast divers of which at first were Paganish as the Goths Vandals c. And let it be observed that they then did not give their Power to the second Beast the Pope who was not then up by way of professed subjection either to him or to the Christian Religion 3. A Dragon flood cast out after the Woman the Church Rev. 12. 15. A multitude of Pagans as well as Errors which were dried up that She was not drowned thereby 4. A New Dragon War raised upon this against a Remnant of the purest Worshippers Rev. 12. 17. I shall it to Consideration whether this was at the next Persecution by the Horns after the Woman was in the Wilderness and the Flood was over or by the Sarracens and Turks who over-run the Eastern Churches and raised Persecutions there and although they own God yet it is in so carnal a way as they deny him by their Religion and not so much as professing Christianity may be deemed Paganish though not professedly Pagans Thus we see the work of the Dragon against the Church both before the 1260 days and in that time 5. A Dragon Combination as one Partner at the Battle of Armageddon Rev. 16. 13. Where Dragon I think is especially Turkish Power and Infidels and so is distinguished from the Beast and false Prophet and the
issue as to the Dragon is Rev. 20. That he is bound 1000 Years i e. restrained from former Persecutions and at last is utterly destroyed v. 10. CHAP. II. Of the Ten Horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1. IT is impossible to regulate our Knowledge in these Prophetical Matters or our ensuing Practice without rectified Apprehensions in what state the Roman Empire must be considered when it became a Beast I cannot concur with an eminent Writer in thinking the first â—east Rev. 13. 1. to be the Roman Catholick Visible Church For I cannot find that the claim of Universal Churchship was first before the claim of Universal Supremacy or Headship to make a second Beast Nor do the other Characters v. 3. 5 7. agree to that If that were the first Beast then who is the Whore that rideth upon the Beast Rev. 17. 3 7. Surely that is the pretended Roman Catholick Church and so that cannot be the Beast that is ridden upon Nor is the Church one of the eight Kings or seven Heads v. 11. and so cannot be the first Beast Nor is this first Beast Rome as under Pagan Emperours For then it had but seven Crowns and these upon the Heads Rev. 12. 3. Whereas this first Beast hath Ten Crowns and these upon the Horns Rev. 13. â— Because the Ten Horns assumed a Supremacy and Soveraignty which Crowns are Emblems of to themselves And this Beast is the Dragons Successor v. 2. and received a deadly wound in one of his Heads v. 3. Whereas although â—aganism was wounded by Constâ—â—â—â—ne the Great yet the sixth Head of Emperours was not wounded much less unto Death during the Dragon or Pagan State it was 〈…〉 this Beast nor wounded until the 〈…〉 were upon the Horns nor did Pagan Emperours continue forty two Months as this Beast doth Rev. 13. 5. Nor is the Pope the first Beast I am perswaded that the accounting him so hath caused divers mistakes in the matters of the Revelation as seeking the Eâ—ocha of the Prophetical days in him which should be found in another as this first Beast I grant that the Pope is the second two Horned Beast Rev. 13. 11 12. and Antichristian but I humbly conceive that there was a first Antichristian persecuting Beast up above two hundred years before the second Beast arose and so before the Pope became the two horned Beast and seventh Head Take my Notion under this Rule Rule 2. That the first ten horned Crowned Beast is a Civil State of the Roman Empire as broken or divided into ten persecuting Kingdoms For 1. The first Beast is distinct from the two horned Beast or these are two distinct Beasts and not barely a double Power Temporal and Ecclesiastical of the same Beast Here are many Notes of Distinction They have a different manner of rising One out of the Sea Rev. 13. 1. the Other out of the Earth v. 11. the former is wounded in one of his Heads v. 3. the latter is another Beast v. 1. 11 14. they are differing in Shape the first hath ten Horns Crowned v. 1. the second hath two Horns v. 11. Nay the second Beast exerciseth all the Power of the first Beast and that before him i. e. before the first Beast and therefore they are distinct yet some part of the time exist together i. e. the second Beast is up before the first is down else it could not be before him And hence it cannot be the same Beast considered as wounded as the first Beast and as healed as the second Beast For how could the second Beast as healed exercise the Power of the first Beast before him as wounded Seeing the wounded State as well as that before the wound is past when the healing time cometh and so it could not be before him if after the second Beast were up the first were not up also How can one act before another if both be not up together as distinct each from other even still in some respects And hence it is evident that it cannot be limited only to a double Power of the same Beast seeing whatsoever Power the first Beast hath the same the second hath also and so the first is in some degree subjected to the second if the first Beast did exercise Temporal Power then so did the second also for the second exerciseth not only some but all the Power of the first Beast v. 12. From all which it is evident that they are two distinct Beasts and that therefore the first Beast cannot be the Pope or seventh Head For there are but seven Heads in all Rev. 13. 1. Chap 17. 3 9. And if the Pope be the first Beast and seventh Head how can another distinct Beast come after and exercise all the Power of the first without making eight Heads And who should that second Beast be after Popes or seventh Head if the Pope be the first Beast 2. He to whom the Dragon resigned or gave his Power Throne and great Authority about the time of Crowning the Horns he is the first Beast Rev. 13. 1. Vpon his Horns ten Crowns And v. 2. The Dragon gave him his Power and his Seat and great Authority Now the Pope had not from the Dragon i. e. from Pagan Rome his Throne Power or Military Forces nor great Authority he had the same Seat before and at Crowning the Horns and therefore the Pope is not the first Beast but the Crowned Horns who had these as Alaricus 3. That which was Head of the Roman Empire after the rising of the first Beast received a deadly wound which afterward was healed Rev. 13. 1 2 3. I saw one of his i. e. of the Beasts Heads wounded as it were unto Death It was then one of the first Beasts Heads that was wounded and so in his time after he was up And therefore the Pope cannot be the first Beast or the seventh Head then for the Head of â—opes as it was not up so early as the Crowning of the Horns so did not receive a deadly wound he was rather in a rising than a falling posture thence forward But there was a manifest wound in the sixth Head of Emperours by Alaricus about Ann. 410. and others afterwards till about Ann. 475. in Augustulus that wound was so great that there were no Emperours in the West or at Rome till Charles the Great about Ann. 800. when the wound was after a sort healed again yet it had not the extent of the former Empire The manner and occasion take thus Alaricus took Rome and set up a Mock Emperour that he might bring the Majesty of the Imperial Scepter into Contempt and Derision he proclaimed Emperour One whose Name was Attalus and the same day they carried him up and down the Streets in the habit of an Emperour and the next day they made him serve as a Slave It 's said to be occasioned thus Alaricus having over-run many places sent Messengers to Honorius declaring that if Lands were granted to him and
his to dwell in he would cease spoiling of the Country Honorius not knowing how to recover France and Spain from the Suevians Vandals c. giveth Alaricus Power to go into France confirmed this Grant with an Oath Alaricus steering his Course towards France Stiâ—ico against the Covenant followeth him and made a great slaughter Alaricus not the least suspecting it before Hereupon the Goths snatching up their Arms and Alaricus exasperated by this injury and violation of Covenant turned back into Italy wasâ—ing with Fire and Sword and at last Rome it self was taken by him Socrat. 1. 7. c. 10. Cent. 5. c. 16. Funccâ—â—â— And whereas some grant that the sixth Head of Emperours was wounded and would have the Popes obtaining Headship to be the healing I confess I understand not how a wound in one Head should be healed by the rising up of another I think the wound is never healed unless the same Head that was wounded recovereth again But this is a granting the thing for it is not a Head of the Dragon but a Head of the Beast that is wounded Rev. 13. 3. One of his Heads and therefore if it be the sixth Head of Emperours that is wounded then that first Beast is not the Roman State under the seventh Head but under the sixth Head of Emperours 4. The first Beast is the Whore-ridden Beast Rev. 17. 3. I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast v. 4. 5. Rev. 13. 1. Now the Pope is rather carried by the Whore than the Beast that carrieth her and therefore this Beast is not the Pope Nor is the Turk this first Beast for this Whore doth not ride upon the Turk nor is Constantinople the City which in the days of John reigned over the Kings of the Earth nor did the Turk arise the same hour with the Crowning of the Horns as Rev. 17. 12. but hundreds of years after yet I deny not that the Turk may belong to the Beast after he obtained some Territories belonging to the Horns of the Beast It is therefore a Civil State of the Roman Empire 5. The Beast is both an eighth King and of the seven Heads Rev. 13. 1. And Rev. 17. 3 11. The Beast that was and is not even he is the eighth and 〈◊〉 the seven There were but six when the 〈◊〉 did arise and the wound was of the sixth 〈◊〉 as I have proved and so must the eiâ—â—th be some distinct new kind of Government and if the 〈◊〉 Beast Rev. 13. 1. were Popes and the sevâ—â—th Head at his first rising then the Beast could not be the eighth and of the seven For I ask what distinct kind of Government or State of the Empire came after Popes to make an eighth King If it be said the Christian Emperours before the rising of the Beast I add that it was the same State of Government under Pagan and Christian Emperours though the qualifications and Actions of Governours were different both were Emperours And seeing after the sixth Head of Emperours two Beasts so different each from other are mentioned Rev. 13. 1 11. It is to me a wonder that men should not seek a way how the other six might by these two Beasts be made up eight Kings Thus the first Beast Rev. 13. 1. hath Ten Crowns upon the Horns or Kingly Government there which made a different sort of Government from the other six and so may be deemed a seventh King or sort of Government or an eighth if we will count it after Popes who maketh another as 2 Pet. 2. 5. God saved Noah the eighth Person the meaning is that there were seven saved besides Noah he was not the last of them in order but did make up that number So Rev. 17. 11. The Beast is the eighth that is there are seven besides seven others and so with him there are eight The Beast is the eighth in number not necessarily that he is eighth or last in order Hence he aâ—deth and of the seven he doth not say he is the seventh so warily doth the Apostle speak here It is said of this Beast it was is not and yet is Rev. 17. 8 11. was in its Ten Horns crowned before the deadly Wound is not in respect of perfect Headship when wounded for the Head is said to be wounded as it were unto death Rev. 13. 3. and yet is when the Wound was healed Rev. 13. 3. 6. The Pope obtained not any Civil Supremacy over the Empire till hundreds of years after the Horns were crowned and so after the first Beast was â—â— therefore the first Beast Rev. 13. 1. is not the Pope or seventh Head For the crowning of the Horns or their receiving Power as Kings is the same hour or the first hour with the Beast Rev. 17. 12. All the former Heads were Civil Heads as Kings Consuls c. and therefore so must the seventh be also And indeed how is it possible that Popes should be reckoned a Head of the Roman State or Civil Monarchy or succeed and come in the place and stead of the sixth Head of Emperors which was a Civil Head until they obtain a Civil Supremacy as Emperors and others had â—hocas his constituting Boniface the third Universal Bishop Anno 606. is evidence enough that the Bishop of Rome had not then obtained a Civil Supremacy but was under the Head of Emperors still seeing he was beholden to them even for his Ecclesiastical Supremacy and yet the first Ten Horned Crowned Beast was up long before this Indeed there is evidence that a long time after the crowning of the Horns yet Emperors were the Supream Head and the Popes of Rome subordinate or subject to them Bonifacius writing to Honorius saith God hath given you the Regiment of worldly things and the Priesthood to me Even the Councils for spiritual matters were called by the command of Emperors many years after as Phil. Morney Knight in his Mystery of Iniquity hath largely proved And claiming Supremacy or aspiring after Civil Headship is no obtaining it any more than John Bishop of Constantinople his claiming and assuming the Title of Universal Bishop about Anno 590. did make him Ecclesiastical Head over the Bishop of Rome in that day The Temporal Supremacy of the Pope cannot be proved until a long time after and so he could not be the first Beast And to say that his Ecclesiastical Power made him the first Beast and his Temporal the second is to invert the Order of Rev. 13. 17. which ascribeth that to him as a second Beast 7. All the other Characters of the first Beast agree to the Civil State of the Empire with ten Horns crowned persecuting and so the complex body of them or as headed by Emperours make that Beast Rev. 13. v. 3 4. When the Wound was healed then all the World wondred after the Beast Charles was called the Great because then he was so much admired And they worshipped the Beast To worship him is eidem
subjici i. e. by civil subjection to him noted by worship Gen. 27. 7. and 37. 7. and 49. 8. Isa 45. 14. Saying Who is like unto the Beast who is able to make War with him So early they admired the Horns of the Beast as the Goths and Vandals and their great Power and others as Attila King of the Hunns who after the death of Ecius grew so mighty that he overthrew the Imperial General and Army took many Cities and was held for the most powerful Prince in the World and was so much feared that Martianus the Emperor sent to sue for Peace and sent him Presents See Imper. Histor and v. 5 6 7. made War with the Saints Obj. 1. It 's a mark of Perdition to worship the first Beast Rev. 13. 8. but it is not so to yield civil subjection to Civil Power A. 1. It is not made a mark of Perdition The Text doth not shew the danger of worshipping the Beast but describes him by the multitude of Reprobates that are admirers of him See Brightman Civil subjection may lawfully be yielded to the Civil Power of those who are over-much honoured by many who shall perish 2. If a corrupt Religious Worship must be intended which is not proved yet this agreeth to the first as a Civil Persecuting Beast For it is a Scarlet-coloured Beast i. e. a cruel Persecutor Rev. 17. 3. warreth with the Saints Rev. 13. 7. a blasphemer of God v. 6. And divers of the Ten Horns in their first rising were such being either Pagans or in Pagan Worship or Arrians blaspheming his Name and Tabernacle i. e. Jesus Christ and latter-ward it was a Whore-ridden Beast Rev. 17. 7. And to magnifie him in these corruptions or in that wherein he is a Beast is pernicious yea compliance with him in Persecution is an evident token of Perdition Phil. 1. v. 28 29. And thus it may be a mark of Perdition though the Pope be not the first Beast Obj. 2. There is but one Beast mentioned Rev. 17. 8. which is the interpretation of Rev. 13. A. Beast is a name common both to the first and second and so Rev. 17. may notifie the whole Beast-state in distinction from Dragon-state Rev. 12. they are sufficiently diversified Rev. 13. and need not be so again in Rev. 17. When compared each with other they are two Beasts differenced from each other by many notes of distinction but when differenced from Dragon both agree in the common name of Beast As the Roman Monarchy from first to last is called a fourth Beast Dan. 7. v. 3 19 23. yet that will not deny Dragon and Beast to be distinct each from other part of its time But their being two is implied Rev. 17. v. 10 11. There is another and an eighth which agrees with the word King in gender and there cannot be an eighth King i. e. different Government if there were not two Beasts In short Beast without distinction may be taken promiscuously either for the first or second Beast as the matter enforceth but it noteth most commonly the first Beast or whole Roman State after it ceased to be under Dragon i. e. after Pagan Headship ended and may be understood either of its after Headship or the complex body of the crowned Horns comprizing the Roman Territory or Provinces in East and West the same that the Dragon had before But Beast when with distinction is usually taken for the first Beast Thus when Beast and false Prophet are distinguished the false Prophet is he that worketh Miracles Rev. 19. v. 20. which is the second Beast Rev. 13. v. 14. and therefore the Beast distinguished from him must be the first Ten-horned Beast So when Beast and Image are distinguished Rev. 14 9 11. and 15. 2. and 16. 2. and 19. 20. and 20. 4. The first with Ten Horns crowned is intended by Beast for it is an Image of him that received a Wound by a Sword and did live Rev. 13. 14. which was the first Beast v. 1 3. not the second It is the second Beast which had power to give life to the Image of the Beast and work Miracles and that in his sight v. 15 and so he cannot be the Beast it self whose Image is animated and hath life given to it and in whose sight those Miracles are wrought but the first Also when Beast and Woman are distinguished as Rev. 17. there Beast signifieth the first Beast at least till the rising of the seventh Head and this in so many of the Horns as were ridden by the Whore of Babylon after she arose v. 3. So when Beast and Dragon are distinguished Rev. 13. 1. and 16. 13. there Beast noteth the first Beast or so many of the Horns as were professedly Christian and were ridden by the Whore and Dragon noteth such as were not professedly Christian for we must note that all the Horns of the Beast were not of the same Spirit or Religion About the time of their first crowning some were Dragonish Pagans Rev. 12. v. 13 14. Others professedly Christian and corrupt some Arrians as Goths Vandals c. and towards the latter end of the Beasts Dominion some Horns or Provinces are Dragonish not professedly Christian Rev. 16. 13. The Turk has part of the Territory of the first Beast Rev. 13. 1. others are Popishly affected By all which it appeareth that there is no necessity that the Pope should be the first Beast And although herein I differ from other Interpreters yet I am more for them than against them the matter being rightly stated especially seeing hereby I extricate them out of many difficulties where they are at a loss for a ground in their fixing the Epocha of the Prophetical days on the Pope which I hereby prove should be taken from another Beast viz. The first Civil Ten-horned crowned persecuting Beast CHAP. III. Of the Two-Horned Beast the Pope Rev. 13. 11 Rule 3. THAT the Two-Horned Beast is the Horn of Ecclesiastical Power is a false Prophet by his second Horn of Temporal Supremacy became the seventh Head of the Roman Empire This appeareth for all the Characters of this second Beast agree to the Pope and to none else As 1. He arose out of the Earth Rev. 13. 11. not from Heaven but from below from Satan and carnal earthly men and means Not out of the Sea or Confluence of People and Nations as the other v. 1. but had a mean Original from a poor Bishop at last ascended to this dignity 2. He hath Two Horns like a Lamb. Horns denote Power Rev. 17. 12. Dan. 8. 5. So the Pope usurpeth a twofold Power Temporal and Spiritual The first Horn of Ecclesiastical Power arose in the time of Phocas Anno 606. who made Boniface the Third Universal Bishop This was a new Institution and not only a Declaration for Statuit he ordained Hic i. e. Phocas sedem Romanae Apostolicae Ecclesiae caput esse omnium Ecclesiarum quia Ecclesia Constantinopolitana
most corrupt in those days â—b lib. 28. c. 8. Yea they over-ran those parts even to the Suburbs of Constantinople and besieged that but at last were repulsed Sccrat lib. 4. c. 31. and others 2. When the Body of the Roman Empire was changed from its Ancient form of Provinces into the form and shape of Crowned Horns then the Beast was up For it 's said in the days of John Rev. 17. 17. They have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour or the first hour with the Beast The rising then of the Beast and the crowning of the Horns are about the same time This Beast is differenced thus from the Dragon that he the Beast hath his Crowns Emblems of Soveraignty upon his Horns Rev. 13. 1. and from the two Horned Beast that he hath more than two even Ten and upon his Horns Ten Crowns Not that they must all be up first so as the rising of the tenth Horn should give the first date to the Beast For they are all Horns of the Beast and therefore speak a Beast up for them to grow upon and they receive Power as Kings One hour with the Beast Rev. 17. v. 12. Not the Beast one hour with them intimating the Beast to be first in order rather than otherwise But as the Dragon is said to have seven Heads Rev. 12. 3. When as the seventh Head of Popes was not up till Dragon Pagan Power was down so as well may this be called a Ten Horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1. Before all the ten were Crowned because there were to be so many principal ones and ten may not be taken precisely neither more nor fewer but indefinitely for many as Numb 14. 22. Job 19. 3. Gen. 31. 7. Now before Ann. 400. diverse Horns were Crowned see an Elaborate book Entituled Antichrists Excidium which proveth the riseing of the Kingdom of the Alemanes Ann. 356. the Ostrogoths Ann. 377. the Visogoths Ann. 378. the Hunns Ann. 378. and others even ten about Ann. 410. Therefore then the Beast was up 3. When the Dragon gave unto Crowned Horns in the Roman Empire his Power Throne and great Authority then the Beast was up For it is the Beast he gave these to Rev. 13. 2. the Dragon gave him i. e. the Beast his power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strength or force distinguished from authority and so it is outward strength or military power his Throne i. e. the City of Rome or a Government there and great Authority so as to become a lawful ruler within the Roman Empire Now all this was given before or soon after Ann. 400. For Crowned Horns had power such military power as they did wage War with the Emperours as the Goths and others and after the death of Valens they over-run Thracia and spread themselves even to the Suburbs of Constantinople and besieged that Am. Marcell l. 31. c. 14. 15 16 17. Alaricus King of the Goths occupyeth Thracia Graecia Athens Corinth and other Cities c. Returneth to Italy Calvis Ann 395. The Hunns destroyed Armenia and other Countries of the East Socrat. l. 6. c. 1. By Armenia brake into Asia and besieged Antioch Calvis Ann. 395. Gainas with an Army of Goths over-ran the Eastern Empire and Constantinople was in great danger Socrat. l. â— c. 6. Gildo usurped Africa Magd. Cent. 5. C. 16. And his Throne the City of Rome was given to crowned Horns for Alaricus King of the Goths took it about Ann. 410. It is true this was a little after Ann. 400. But it proveth the Beast to be up before having such great power as aforesaid It is true Alaricus then did not keep Rome long but then he took possession of the Throne And it is not said the Beast kept the Throne but that the Dragon gave it to him and afterward also Gensericus King of the Vandals sacked Rome And after the Goths reigned over Italy about 70 years Yea Crowned Horns obtained in the Roman Empire great Authority for before Ann. 400. Valentinian the Emperour made a league with Macrianus King of the Alemanes and ratified it by â—ath about Ann. 374. Am. Marcell lib. 30. c. 4. Afterwards Valens granted some Countries in Thracia to the King of the Goths about Ann. 376. and so he became a crowned Horn. ib. lib. 31. c. 4. Socrat. Diacon and consider whether this was not the birth-day of the Beast this being the first crowned Horn that received not only Power but Authority in the Roman Empire I might mention other Leagues as between the Emperour Honorius and the Goths and so with Theodosius and others All this argueth that the Beast was up before Ann. 400. 4. When the deadly wound was given to one of the Heads then the Beast was up For it was a Head of the Ten-Horned Beast that was wounded as it were unto death Rev. 13. v. 1 2. And so the Beast must then exist and be up to receive the wound Now this deadly wound was made when Alaricus sacked Rome and perfected at Augustulus Indeed this act was after Ann. 400. but it presupposeth the Beast to be up and so we may reckon that he did rise before Ann. 400. And here note 1. It is not the Pope but this ten Horned Beast who in respect of his first State is said to continue a short space Rev. 17. 10. For it is not said the seventh Head but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 another i. e. another of the eight Kings with whom the word agreeth not another Head There were eight Kings and but seven Heads this was another King or State of Government when the Empire was so broken and changed from its antient form and shape of Provinces into crowned Horns and this was but a short time before it was wounded even unto death Whereas the seventh Head the Pope hath continued a longer time than any of the other Heads if compared with them And further to confirm this he immediately addeth the different States of the first Beast v. 11. was and is not and yet is as before v. 9. and so was is before wounding this short space is not is when wounded yet is is after healed 2. If the first Beast be the man of sin 2 Thes 2. 6 7. Then the lett which hindred not meerly his rising but his revelation must be imperial power which was removed by the aforementioned breakings and woundings of it But if it be the second Beast then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is their Imperial Authority and it was removed when Popes over-topped and assumed power over Emperours as Hildebrand and others Rule 6. That the Eastern parts belong to the first Ten-Horned Beast as well as the Western This is denyed by some but seeing it conduceth to the clearing up of truths and some material points I shall give these grounds of it 1. The same Dominion which the Dragon i. e. Pagan Emperours had the same the Beast hath Compare Rev. 12. 2. and 13. v. 2.
He is Successor to the Dragon with the same number of Seven Heads and Ten Horns all the Constitutive parts And seeing undenyably the Dragon had the Eastern Empire as well as the West so must the Beast have the whole territory also 2. There were Crowned Horns in the Eastern parts as is undeniable and this differenceth the Beast from the Dragon compare Rev. 12. 3. and 13. 1. and 17. v. 3 12. That Crowned Horns over-ran the Eastern Empire and endangered Constantinople is before proved and these acted in persecution the work of the Beast 3. The East and West made but one undivided Empire till after Horns of the Beast were up in Valens time though Valentinian was associated with him yet the Empire was one till divided between Arcadius and Honorius and diverse Horns up Yea when the Woman fleeth into the Wilderness Rev. 12. it is upon the two Wings of the Eagle the East and West Roman Empire It will be hard to assert that there might have been a Roman Empire distinct from the Beast at the same time 4. The irruption of the Turks into the Eastern parts or sixth Trumpet Rev. 9. 14 15. should not have had the Beast as the proper subject thereof if the Eastern parts had not belonged to the Beast where this Tragedy was principally acted Whereas the Lord expected the Beasts Repentance of his Idolatry and Persecution as the issue thereof v. 20 21. 5. How could the act of an Eastern Emperour Phocas make Boniface 3 Vniversal Bishop if the Eastern Empire did not belong to the first or second Beast or both for both have the same Power Rev. 13. 12. as to extent 6. The seventh head of Popes did extend their Power into the Eastern parts witness not only Victor the Bishop of Rome his Excommunicating all Asia about the observation of Easter Socrat lib. 5. c. 21. Greek 27. but also from that which is called the Holy War chiefly raised by the Pope and from his Excommunicating the Grecians upon the account of the differences between them and the Latin Church about Anselms time and the Greek Church and the Latin Church were in some mean agreement under subjection to the See of Rome until the time of Pope Gregory IX Ann. 1230. saith Fox Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 244 365. and then were dissevered from them But it is objected against the Grecian Empire belonging to the Beast as followeth Obj. 1. The Greek Empire was up long before the deadly wound out of which the seventh head with ten horns arose and so that cannot be of the Ten. Answ This laboureth with or is built upon a double mistake viz. that this Beast cannot be up before the deadly wound whereas it was the Beast that was wounded Rev. 13. 3. and so must be up before to receive the Wound Another mistake is that the seventh Head did arise at the same time with the ten Horns which I deny see Rule 3. Obj. 2. The Ten Kings receive power the same hour with the Beast but the Greek Empire arose near 100 years before and so is none of the Ten. Ans When the Roman Empire in its other parts changed its antient form and was divided into Crowned Horns then the same hour the Grecian Empire was changed from what it was before now it had a new distinct Soveraignty of its own without dependence on the rest of the Empire as formerly and so thence might be deemed one of the ten Horns especially seeing some of those Horns made such Incursions into the Eastern parts as is before discovered If the Alemanes arose Ann. 356. why might not another be up a little sooner Some of them received power as Kings the same hour with the Beast and that is enough Rev. 17. 16. Obj. 3. The Greek Empire often withstood the Pope of Rome and so did not give his power to the Beast Rev. 17. 12. Answ This first Beast I proved is not the Pope but a Civil persecuting Beast and the Eastern Empire had its share in the Work of Persecution as Anastasius and others Yea the Greek Churches we heard did for some time give their power to the Pope of Rome And further in the time of the Lutheran Reformation many Churches were planted in Germany England Scotland France Flanders Denmark Switzerland Poland Hungary so that diverse of the Western Princes and Kingdoms withstood the Pope of Rome yet that will not prove that they never were of the ten Horns the like may be said of the Grecian Empire And further as the ten Horns are said to hate the Whore and Burn her with Fire Rev. 17. 12. when onely some of them do it not all for there are others who committed Fornication with her that lament her burning Rev. 18 9. which seemeth to intimate that those who destroy her had not lately committed Fornication with her However it argueth there is no necessity that every Horn should give power always to the Beast and the Greek Empire may be of that number which also answereth the next objection Obj. 4. If the Greek Empire were among the Ten Horns then it must last 1260 years Whereas it came into the hands of the Turks before it had been up such a time Answ No necessity that there should be precisely Ten Horns neither more nor fewer and that every one of these should last 1260 years either in the same place Rule or Religion as at first It is sufficient that the Body of them or some continue so long in the work of the Beast persecution The Goths ruled a long time in Italy and then were expelled thence yet that is one of the Ten Horns still at first some of the Horns were Pagans others Arians others since Popish others became Protestants fell off from Rome did not continue 1260. Some of the Horns at last must be of another Spirit so opposite as to hate and destroy the Whore Rev. 17. 12. In short the whole Roman Dominion as of old in East and West make the boundary of the Ten Horns and so the Grecians make one Horn though the Greek Empire be at an end yet those that are or rule there make the Horn. The conclusion then is that the quondam Eastern Empire or Eastern parts belong to the Ten Horns some of them may be found there and so those three Horns Dan. 7. 8. might be there and persecutions there may make the Epocha of the 1260 days and some Eastern Powers though not under the notion of a Grecian Empire as before may hate the Whore and Burn her with fire Rev. 17. 16. or have a hand in her destruction CHAP. VI. Of the Epocha of the Mystical Numbers Rule 7. THat the 42 months the time times and half and 1260 days did in all probability begin before Ann. 400. Here I must premise or take three things for granted 1. That those various numbers are the same measure of time diversely computed they begin and end together for as the Witnesses Prophecying
Wilderness and so the 1260 days did begin a little before Now this Flood of Barbarians was either at the Attempt of Eugenius and Arbogastes or else at Rhadagaisus or both which Actions I shall here add and judge whether they do not aptly answer to all that is said of this Flood It must be remembred that about this time the Contest was afresh about Pagan Worship which Constantine had thrown down and saith Calvis An. 384. Gentiles petunt restitui Romae cultum Ethnicum Ambrosius resistit obtinet And An. 394. he saith Eugenius cum suis claustra Alpinm contra Theodosium munit minitaturque Christianae religioni exitium si victor rediret the like say others It is apparent then that the very design of Eugenius was against Christianity and to restore Paganism in the Roman Empire and having Usurped the Supremacy in the West Parts of the World Theodosius the Civil Emperour after spending the Night in Prayer to God waged War with him and though the Enemy were so many that it seemed impossible to encounter them yet there arose so violent a Wind and Tempest as the like never had been seen by any Man then living which without annoyance to the Emperour's People did turn the Darts of Eugenius Souldiers to light in their own side that Theodosius obtained a compleat Victory See Socrat. Oros Funccius And thus this Dragon Flood cast out purposely to drown the Woman the Church was swallowed up not by Ecclesiastical Councils but through Divine Concurrence by the Earthly Civil or Military Power of Theodosius Also Rhadagaisus with Two hundred Thousand â—oths for the Restoration of Ethnick worship came into Italy over-ran Thracia Illyricum Noricum c. with Fire and Sword made great Devastations the Romans affrighted hereat called in the help of Vldinus and Sarus Earthly Pagan Men with an Army of Hunns and Goths and partly by Hunger partly otherwise that so great a Multitude was destroyed few escaped Cent. 5. c. 3 16. Diacon Funcc Calvis An. 406. And if this be the Dragons Floud then the Woman must be in the Wilderness An. 406. and so the 1260 days began before 6. The 1260 days must begin upon a Persecution raised by the revengeful overthrown Dragon in the form of a Beast by which the Woman the Church was driven into a VVilderness Condition This Persecution thus limited I take to be the clearest firmest and most Signal Character of all for the discovering when the 1260 days and 42 Months must begin and yet not insisted on by Writers I suppose from their Mistake thinking the first Beast to be the Pope and so making an Apostacy of his to be the Epocha whereas he is the second Beast and there is another first Beast which those 42 Months and Prophetical Days are to begin with and that at a Persecution as all the Three Chapters where those Days and Months are mentioned do clearly evidence as Rev. 11. v. 2 3. the holy City shall they i. e the Gentiles tread under foot 42 Months That treading down importeth Subjection great Sufferings by Enemies insulting over them with contempt and also the Witnesses being in Sack-cloth speaketh the like So Rev. 12. 6. The Woman fleeth into the Wilderness 1260 days It is an allusion to the flight of the Israelites from an enraged Enemy persecuting Pharaoh with such a flight which importeth Tribulation Mat. 24. 20 21. do the 1260 days begin and therefore with Persecution and expresly v. 13 14. he persecuted the Woman and this is mentioned as the very Cause of her fleeing into the Wilderness v. 14. for a time times and half a time i. e. for 1260 days What can be more plain than that these days do begin with or by a Persecution The third place is Rev. 13. 5. Power was given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to do another Version hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make War 42 Months and the warring with the Saints is expresly mentioned with the same word v. 7. And note it is not every Persecution that doth make the Epocha it is not any till Dragon i. e. Pagan headship was cast down and so not any of the Ten Persecutions not any till after Julian but after the first Beast with crowned Horns was up v. 1 2. which was many Years before the sixth Head of Emperours went down Yea it is a Persecution raised in way of revenge for the Dragon i. e. Pagan overthrow Rev. 12. 13. he i. e. the Dragon when he saw he was cast unto the earth he persecuted the Woman It was then a fresh Persecution upon that Provocation his casting down And note it is not every Warlike Irruption as that of Alaricus which maketh the Epocha but a Persecution and such as driveth the Woman into a Wilderness-condition v. 6 13 14. which noteth not a change of Place so much as of State answerable to that of the Israelites in the Wilderness It mporteth a solitary afflicted yet safe condition full of Wants Dangers Trials Temptations and yet having Divine Protections Provisions and Preservations And hence none need be stumbled at the seeming or real Godliness either of some Emperours or Popes after the Beast was up For if the Head of Emperours did not persecute yet if some of the Crowned Horns did though others did not yet it may be deemed a Persecution of the Beast Often an action of a part is reckoned to the whole as Achan's to Israel Josh 7. 1 11. So 1 King 14. 22. Am. 2. 5. Rev. 17. 16. compared with Rev. 18. 9. So whether Head or Horns some of them persecute the Church into the Wilderness and this giveth the first Date to the 1260 days The great Question then here is When did that Persecution begin by the Dragon in form of a Beast with Crowned Horns out of revenge for his Overthrow whereby the Church was driven into a Wilderness-Condition For at such a Persecution or at the Churches being fully in the Wilderness thereby we must begin the 42 Months and 1260 Days And upon a diligent Search into History it is to admiration that the Event should so aptly agree to fix the Epocha before Ann. 400. For such Persecutions there were about that time by the Head of Emperours and by Crowned Horns as Goths Vandals Hunns they destroyed the Churches and were feared every where It must be remembred that Theodosius the First caused the Pagan Temples to be destroyed which Constantine shut up Tripart Hist. lib. 9. c. 33. Calvis An. 395. and Dragon-worship being decreed to be plucked up by the Roots this occasioned the fleeing of many into the Wilderness by their Persecutions both in East and West See Magdeburg Cent. 5. c. 3. take their and others words 1. The Church in the West was grievously smitten because of Publick Tumults as saith Sozomen for very many barbarous Nations rushing chiefly into the Roman Regions have vehemently afflicted the Churches as Jerom maketh a great Complaint of the thing How many
personal appearance of Christ in the Clouds but I cannot say that it will be by the personal presence and continuance or reigning of Christ on Earth Now will Ezekiel's City and Temple be erected Ezek. 40. to the End of that Book the glory of which will be that the Name of it from that day shall be Jehovah Shammah the Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. This is the time of finishing the Mystery of God in the seventh Trumpet Rev. 10. 7. and 11. 15 c. Here will begin the State of the New Jerusalem which cometh down out of Heaven Rev. 21 1 2. and is not by our going up to Heaven Here will be such a new face of things as if there were a New Heaven and a New Earth Rev. 21. 1. and great Changes for the better in the Civil and Ecclesiastical State great Purity of Administrations and Ordinances and a glorious Divine Presence v. 3. Zeph. 3. 9. Zech. 14. 20 21. Then there shall be given to Christ as Dan 7. 14. 22 27. Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him and his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that shall not be destroyed An Appendix ALL aforegoing except in two lines I had written long since but some of late have affirmed Pagan Rome to be the first and second Beast and the Subject of the Seals Trumpets and Vials yea to be the Whore of Babylon which falling they say the 1000 Years began Also they deny the Conversion of the Jews If these things be true then much aforesaid were false so as this necessitateth a considering those Matters Q. 1. Whether Pagan Rome was the first and second Beast and the Whore or Mystical Babylon Rev. 13. and Rev. 18 A. Negatively it was not For 1. There is a Dragon-state of the Roman Empire which falleth at the rising of the first Beast for the Dragon giveth the first Beast his Power Throne and great Authority Rev. 13. 2. and so the Beast is the Dragon's Successor and doth not get up until the Dragon be cast down from his Imperial Throne and Dignity Rev. 12. 9 13. Hence it is impossible that Pagan Rome should be both Beast and Dragon Neither was there any State before Pagan Rome to make the Dragon-state seeing it was Pagan from the first 2. Rome whilst Dragon had a vastly different form and shape from what it had under the first Beast In its Dragon-state it had only seven Crowns and these not upon the Horns but upon the Heads Rev. 12. 3. but at the rising of the first Beast there were Ten Crowns and these upon the Horns Rev. 13. 1. for the Goths Vandals c. obtained a Soveraignty setting up in the Empire for themselves whereas in the days of John they had not received Power as Kings Rev. 17. 12. all then though some were named Kings Mat. 2. 1 3. Luk. 1. 5. Act. 26. 2 7 27. being under the headship of and in subjection to Emperours but were to be Crowned about the same time when the Roman Empire turned Beast were not so crowned under Pagan Rome therefore that was not the first Beast 3. After crowning the Horns one of the Heads of the first Beast was wounded as unto death and healed again Rev. 13. 3. This cannot be proved of Pagan Rome and so that is not the first Beast 4. The first Beast had Power to continue or make War 42 Months Rev. 13. 5. if they were literal Months Pagan Rome was Idolatrous and persecuting the Church much longer even Hundreds of Years If they be taken for Months of Years then Pagan Rome did not continue half so long and so cannot be that first Beast 5. It doth not appear that the ten horns after Crowning did hate Pagan Rome and burn it with fire Rev. 17. 12 16. and so that was not the first Beast Nor was it the Whore of Babylon for Rev. 18. speaketh not merely of the destruction of some Corruptions as of Paganism but of an utter desolation of a City it self Compare it with Jer. 25. 9 10 11 12. so that if it had been Rome Pagan it would not have left that as a City after Paganism for the Papacy to reign in 6 The Reasons urged for Pagan Rome being the first Beast and the Whore of Babylon are not cogent but easily answered for they are mostly built upon that common Mistake viz. That else Rome Papal must be the first Beast whereas I have proved that first Beast to be a civil persecuting state of Rome distinct from and up long even Hundreds of Years before the second Beast which is Papal did arise in his first Horn of Ecclesiastical Power about Ann. 606. and so most of the Reasons are enervated or evaded at once Hence the Pope is not the 7th 8th Head or King It is usual for King to signifie not a particular Person but a Species of Government or a Race of many Successively Dan. 7. 17. and 8. 21. and 11. 5 9 11 13 15 c. And so Rev. 17. 10. cannot intend particular persons for Five Pagan persecuting Emperours were not fallen in the days of John and there were more to come than would make up the 7 or 8 for there were Ten Persecutions therefore it must be Five Species of Government that then were fallen If the short space v. 10. be not meant of the state of the first Beast before the 7th Head of Popes did arise but of it then it may intend the Pope from the time of his becoming the 7th Head by obtaining Civil Supremacy over-topping Emperours and then his continuance may be but a short space comparatively with the whole time of Emperours Obj 1. It is Idolatrous persecuting Power that the Text describeth and none persecuted but Emperours A. Not only the Emperours but the Beast by Crowned horns also persecuted However it is not said that all the seven Heads did persecute but that state did it which hath these And often that is ascribed to many which is acted not by all but by some or a few of them as Rev. 17. 16. compared with Rev. 18. 9. Obj. 2. Evince that the six Pagan Governments were Heads of Papal Rome A. In describing one Roman Monarchy which hath various Dynasties no Necessity that all which is affirmed of it should be verified under one of them Daniel's 4th Beast comprehendeth all its various states mentioned in the Revelation under both Dragon and Beast state So the six Pagan Governments were Heads of the Empire which now is Papal but all the six not in being when Papal Obj 3. As to the seven sorts of Government Kings Conâ—â—ls Decemvirs c. Evince that six were Suprean Powers at Rome before Popes A. Trecentesimo alâ—ero quam Condita Roma er at iterum mutatâ— forma Civitatis ab Consulibus ad Decemviros quemadmodum ab Regibus ante ad Consules vener at translato imperio T.
Matrons how many Godly Virgins and comely and noble Bodies were Mocking-stocks to those Beasts he speaketh of barbarous Nations The Bishops taken and divers Orders of the Clergy slain c. Ubique lucuts ubique gemitus plurima mortis imago In these People the chief were the Goths and Vandals whereof seeing part were Strangers to Christianity and given to the Superstition of the Gentiles taking some occasion they did not only extreamly persecute Christians but also endeavoured utterly to abolish them but part although in Profession they were numbred among Christians yet because they were Infected with the Poison of Arius they also did no less sharply oftentimes afflict the Church There is every where a meeting of Pagans there are heard Roarings and Blasphemies against the Christian Faith Complaints of the Neglect of the Religion of their Forefathers therefore so great Evils hung over them because omitting the Ancient Rites of sacrificing and rejecting their Father's Gods many imbraced Christ Immediately therefore leaving all things they consult of reiterating their Sacrifices of repairing of Altars and restoring wholly all the Idolatry of the Ancients and devise to abolish Christianity every where Paul Diacon Oros About the same time the Churches also of France sustained great Persecutions for the Vandals over-running destroying France overturned many both Cities and Churches and made many famous godly Men Martyrs c. See also Jerom Epist ad Geront Also the Churches in Spain experienced their Calamities and Afflictions for the Vandals about 16. Honor. occupied Spain and when some of them were Arians and others Gentiles Catholicos more suo afflixerunt c. See more Cent. 5. c. 3. And now Judge whether the Woman was not in Sackcloth and the holy City trodden and persecuted by a revengeful Dragon turned into a Beast with Crowned Horns at that Day and so whether the 42 Months and 1260 Days were not begun 2. The Church also in the East Empire under Arcadius sustained like Persecution about the very same time Cent. 5. c. 3. Gainus a Barbarous Cruel and Military Man of the Nation of the Scythians troubled the Church before An. 400. being by Profession an Arian desired one Temple of the Emperour within the Walls Chrysostom told the Emperour it must not be to Blasphemers Gainus did get an Army he going by Thracia destroyed all as he went Constantinople was in eminent danger A little after Chrysostom saw the most corrupt state and dissolute Discipline of the Churches and began the Correction of these things he was deposed and twice banished and at last died in Banishment presently after he was gone out of the City there was a great Fire which they laid to the Charge of Chrysostom's Followers they take and Imprison many some were carried to Chalcedon Prison and neighbouring places and others carried beyond Sea to divers Islands being first vexed with divers Torments others fled The Governour because a Pagan and out of Hatred of that Religion took great Pleasure in the Misery of Christians many had great Tortures and were tormented unto Death and not only in the City but in other places was Trouble The Friends of Chrysostom could not communicate with his Enemies and therefore a great Persecution was raised against the Churches of God by the instinct of Atticus and there was a Law made for their Banishment lb. Cent. 5. c. 3. out of Sozom. Nicephor And since there hath been a Continuation of the Persecution of the Beast by its Heads or Crowned Horns As The cruel Vandals passing out of Spain into Africk under Genserick their Captain an Arian about An. 427. as Calvis or 430 as others being one of the Crowned Horns raised a sore Persecution against the Christians they wasted and destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword but especially raged against the Churches the Bishops and Ministers they destroyed with many kinds of Torments When he had taken Carthage all the Ministers were thrust into weather-broken Ships and so banished all in the Province were despoiled of all their Substance and turned out of their Churches After Genserick his Son Hunnerick succeeded who also used Tortures and became a great Persecuter he banished into the Wilderness of Bishops Ministers Deacons and other Members of Christ 4976. By an Edict in one day he caused all Christian Churches throughout Africk to be shut up giving to the Arians all the Goods and Churches of the Orthodox and some of them were told that they should be banished into the Wilderness He also sent abroad through all Africk his cruel Tormentors so that no Place no House remained free from Lamentation Screeching and Out-cryes These things and many more are written by Victor Bishop of Utica who lived at the same time and was himself a Sufferer under this Persecution And it is remarkable that the Suffering is once and again expressed by being in the Wilderness which is the very Notion it is under Rev. 12. 6. 14. as if it were literally to be fulfilled Attila King of the Hunns when he wasted both Empires did also not a little trouble the Church 9000 Virgins were made Martyrs and many others Cent. 5. c. 3. So Anastasius Emperour about Ann. 492. raised great Persecutions See Cent. 6. c. 3. It were almost endless to mention the After-Persecutions under Emperours and Crowned Horns But whether any Acts of either aforementioned or some other Acts did give the first Date to the 1260 days I must leave to others to judge I am comfortably perswaded that these days of their Sack-cloth state are come to their Period and end some Years since As a small Act Ishmael's Mocking might be the Epocha of the 400 Years Gen. 15. 13. so some less obvious Act possibly might begin these Prophetical Days CHAP. VII Of what Ensueth after the 1260 Days are at an End IT is confidently concluded by many Writers that exactly and immediately after the Perioding of the 42 Months and 1260 Days there is an end of the Dominion of the Beast and of the Sufferings of the Saints whereas I am confident they are mistaken in both another Event was to be expected It 's true then the Witnesses come out of their Sackcloth-state but soon after they pass into a worse state as will appear under the next Rule Rule 8. That after the Expiration of the 1260 Days and finishing of the Testimony there is a Witness-killing War the Death and Resurrection of the Witnesses and a great Commotion before the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet This appeareth For It 's clear that Daniel's little Horn continueth after the time times and half Dan. 7. 25 26. the Judgment shall sit and they shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it to the End Therefore his losing his Dominion and his Destruction will be by a Consumption after those times which are the same with 1260 Days are ended Yea he is prevalent thinketh to change Times and Laws How long v. 21 22. until the ancient of days came
THE Revelation Unvailed OR An Essay towards the Discovering I. When many Scripture Prophesies had their Accomplishment and turned into History II. What are now Fulfilling III. What rest still to be Fulfilled with a guess at the time of them WITH An APPENDIX PROVING That Pagan Rome was not Babylon Rev. 17. and that the Jews shall be Converted Dan. 12. 4. Many shall run to and fro and Knowledge shall be increased By SAMVEL PETTO Minister of the Gospel at Sudbury in Suffolk London Printed for John Harris at the Harrow in the Poultry MDCXCIII THE PREFACE IT is a Duty of high Concernment unto Christians to be searching the Scriptures Joh. 5. 39. one part as well as another all being given by Divine Inspiration and profitable to high and glorious Ends. The last Prophetical Book would never have obtained the Name and Title of Revelation if an understanding of the Mind and Will of God therein had been unattainable Nor would there ever have been such a precious Promise in the Front of it Rev. 1. 3. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophesie if it had been un-intelligible Who should share in this Blessedness if none could arrive at the Knowledge of what they Read Neither should any take Discouragement for this search because some have been mistaken in their Computations of time for they may as well reject the Study of other Scriptures on that account seeing many Wise and Learned Men have been grosly mistaken about great Matters of Eaith or Doctrines of the Gospel Indeed the Enquiry is the more necessary that at last the Truth may be found out I am not peremptory in fixing the time but offer different Epocha's with the Grounds and let these or the Event determine which is the Truth And besides the Mystical Numbers there are other Signs of the times as the sleepiness of Virgins may speak that the coming of the Bridegroom is not far off Mat. 25. 1 c. and some Events may discover what are next to follow as some former Seals open'd tell us what were yet to come and some Trumpets sounding tell us which are next to sound Also know that there are other Matters besides the times yet to come to be enquired after even what is already past that we may discern what an answerableness there have been in Events in the several Ages to what is contained in the Prophesies which is indeed the great Scope and Design of this Discourse to give a discovery of Here we may see how Prophesies have been turned into History And there is enough in this to recompence all the labour of any serious Observer and Enquirer and to fill him abundantly with Admiration Here is Matter not only knowable but of great importance to be known for receivers of the Mark of the Beast in the forehead or hand openly or secretly are severely threatned Rev. 14. 9 10. They shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without mixture and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone for ever A Discovery of the Enemies of the Church I accounted necessary else what followed would not have been Established I confidently conclude the Pope to be the second Two-horned Beast Rev. 13. 11. who is the Giver of this Mark and so the least Compliance with him as such is very perilous and desperately dangerous That Mark may not only be what I have particularly mentioned but may extend to some other Act or Badge Tessera Sign of Token which he giveth of their belonging to him As to the First Beast Rev. 13. 1. I think him not to be the Pope or Seventh Head but another persecuting Beast as I have evinced Herein I confess I differ from other Interpreters yet I account it the Truth and this may be a salvo for their supposed mistakes about the Mystical Numbers some of them might be righter in their Computations as to the End than themselves were aware of two things which I have proved being considered 1. That the Epocha of the 42 Months and 1260 Days is to be fetched from a Persecution of the first Ten-horned Crowned Beast Rev. 13. 1 5. Not from the Pope nor from any Apostacy of his or other Romish Corruptions some of which were too early to begin those Days with 2 Thess 2. 7. and others too late if they were to Commence from the very first Moment of time when Rome lost the Essentials of a true Church and turned into the Whore of Babylon 2. That the 42 Months and 1260 Days are not expressive of the whole time either of the Beasts continuance or Dominion It is a great mistake to think that immediately after the expiration of those Days the Beast must be destroyed or the Churches Trouble come to its End It 's true the Sackcloth or Wilderness-state then ended but after that the Witnesses having finished their Testimony there a is Witness-killing War and the Death-state of the Witnesses and their Resurrection ensueth before the reign of the Beast cometh to an end Rev. 11. v. 7. to 15. As to the 2300 Days Dan. 8. 14. I think they are not Prophetical Days i. e. Years but Natural Days not only because expressed by Evenings and Mornings v. 26. but because they are limited and confined to the little Horn which groweth on the Hee-goat v. 8. which is declared to be the King of Grecia v. 21. And so that Little-horn was Antiochus Epiphanes who did grow out thence as v. 9. in the latter time not of the World but of the Four Kingdoms which sprang from the Grecians or which that was split into as v. 23. And this Antiochus did take away the daily Sacrifice and cast down the Sanctuary v. 11 12. And it being asked How long it should be till that was cleansed v. 13. The aforesaid days are given as the Answer v. 14. And sutably was the Event according to Josephus and the Maccabees which may be esteemed as other humane Histories though not as Scripture For from Antiochus first Persecution in his own person in the 143 Year of the Greeks to his Death in the 149 Tear is about that time 1 Maccab. 1. 20 21. and 1 Macc. 6. 16. Or from Menelaus who intended to Revolt to the Religion of the Greeks and had a License from Antiochus to Erect a place in Jerusalem in the 142 Year to the time of cleansing the Sanctuary in the 148 Year is about 2300 Days Joseph lib. 12. c. 6. 1 Maccab. 4. 41 43 52. In vain therefore do many perplex themselves seeking the expiration of these 2300 Days in the times of the New Testament And if they were so many Years yet they could not begin before the Vision it self which hath its first Date at the Ram Dan. 8. 3. noting the Kings of Media and Persia v. 20. and the first Year of Cyrus was about 528 Years before Christ nor indeed could they Commence before that little Horn Antiochus did take
primam se omnium Ecclesiarum scribebat P. W. Diacon P. de Gest Longobard l. 4. c. 37. If Justinian a little before decreed that the Pope of Rome should be the first of Priests to keep footing at Rome or because of Old Rome was the Imperial Seat yet not as Peter's Successor for the same Justinian pronounced by Law the Church of Constantinople the Head of all the holy Churches And John Bishop of Constantinople assuming the name of Vniversal Bishop about Ann. 590. Gregory Bishop of Rome so disclaimed this Title as he concluded the time of Antichrist to be at hand because John usurped it L. Dupless Histor of Pap. Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7. It being the Controversie of that day he obtained not that first Horn till the time of Phocas As to the second Horn of Temporal Supremacy he obtained not that so early Indeed Celestinus Bishop of Rome about Ann. 424. began to aspire after it passing the bounds of his Priestly Order presumed to challenge unto himself Secular Power and Authority Saith Socrat. Hist l. 7. c. 11. He saith the same of the Bishop of Alexandria ib. l. 7. c. 7. But after Anno 500. Anastasius sent this Answer to Pope Horsmida Imperatoris proprium esse Imperare non imperata Pontificis accipere Cent. 6. Magd. c. 7. And after the Popes of Rome had Confirmation from the Emperors Cent. 7. Magd. c. 7. Et suit ipsa Vrbs Roma non in Pontificum sed Imperatorum potestate dominio ib. Under Justinian by Narses turning out the Goths both Italy and Rome were annexed to the Eastern Empire His Temporal Power and Headship must have its first date either from the Donation of Rome to him which of old was the Imperial Seat or from his obtaining Superiority either over the Head of Emperors or over some of the Ten Horns Now about Ann. 725. the City of Rome came under the Power of the Pope Leo the Emperor forbidding the use of Images in Churches Pope Gregory forbad the Tribute of Italy and Rome Removit Roman Italiam necnon omnia reip quam Ecclesiastica jura in Hesperiis ab obedientia Leonis Imperii sub ipso constituti Romam cum tota Italia ab illius Imperio recedere faciens Paul Diacon Anast l. 21. Saith Platina Leonem tertium Imperatorem Constantinopolitanum Imperio simul communione fidelium privat quiae Sanctas Imagines è Sacris adibus abrasisset Which sufficiently evidenceth that the pretended Donation of Constantine the Great was but a fiction they belonging to the Eastern Empire till now they were usurped by the Pope who made himself Prince of Rome And afterward Pope Zechary deposing Childerick set up Pipinus the French King who in requital compelled Aistulphus King of the Lumbards to restore all the Towns and Lands which he had taken and by his Donation bestowed on him the Exarchate or Princedom of Ravenna and Pentapolis and a very large Dominion and Possession which afterwards were confirmed by others with Additions as by Charles the Great Anno 800. All which argue that now the Pope was become not only a Temporal Prince by the Dukedom of Rome but by getting power over some of the Crowned Horns and opposing and over-topping Emperours so as without their consent by degrees they had their elections and swelled in their power till at last they disannulled the Inauguration placing and displacing Emperours at their pleasure This appeared most manifestly in Hildebrand or Gregory the Seventh Ann. 1073. who not only Excommunicated Henry the Emperour but deposed him and gave away his Kingdom to Rodolphus Duke of Suevia And now Emperours had their confirmation from Popes whereas of old the Popes had confirmation from the Emperours Whether this were the first of his being Regnant as some assert or the time of his being Triumphant in the Temporal Power I leave it to others to judge 3. He spake as a Dragon so did Hildebrand and other Popes not only in their Excommunications and Depositions but also in those they call Hildebrands Dictates or Canons and Decrees as That no Book may be accounted Canonical without his Authority That he ought to be judged of none Vid. Onuphr in vita Greg. 7. 4. He exerciseth all the Power of the first Beast before him and causeth the Earth to worship the first Beast Rev. 13. 12. This the Pope doth by letting none be Emperours without his confirmation deposing Emperours and sending the Imperial Crown to others as Rodolphus setting up persecuting Emperours at his pleasure and causing the Earth to obey their decrees by influencing the Horns to persecute As Pope Martin perceiving the Gospel prevailed in Bohemia stirred up the Emperour and German Princes to making War against the Bohemians and thus exercised the power of the first persecuting Beast and caused Earthly men to worship him 5. He doth Wonders so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven and deceiveth the Earth with his Miracles Rev. 13. v. 13. 14. So the Pope as a false Prophet pretendeth to Miracles One saith that the garments of Hildebrand or Gregory after his death wrought Miracles Cardinal Benno who lived at the same time saith of Hildebrand that when he list he would shake his Skirts and fire would come out like sparks and by such Miracles he abused the eyes of simple People and therefore when the Devil could not persecute publickly Jesus Christ by Painims he disposed himself fraudulently to destroy his name by this false Monk under the shew and colour of Religion Estate of the Church p. 298. Benno in vit Hildebrandi Vsher Graviss Quaest Hist Explic. Also to incourage Rodolph in War against the true Emperour Henry which he had deposed Hildebrand foretold that the false King whom he interpreted to be Henry should die the same year before the Feast of St. Peter But Rodolph lost his life before the day and Henry lived after and so Hildebrand not only by false Miracles but by foretelling what did not come to pass was proved to be a false prophet Deut. 18. 20 21 22. Rev. 19. 20. Matth. Paris Onuphr B. Vsher Graviss Quaest Histor Explic 6. He saith to them that dwell on the Earth that he would or they should make an Image to the Beast Rev. 13. v. 8. 14 What this Image is it is a great question It must be an Image not of the second but of the first Beast that was Wounded v. 14. and so it is not the first Beast it self and the rather because the Beast and Image are made distinct Rev. 14. 9. but a representation or resemblance of him yet such as the false Miracles were to win Credit and Honour to this Image v. 14. saying that they should make an Image which in making is to when once made of the Beast v. 15. or that he had made it and he urgeth worshipping of it upon pain of death v. 15. This is not Image worship for Images are dead things but this is living
nothing else but the Kingdom of Babylon and the power of the strong hunter Nimroth when they Burnt Luthers works he burnt the Bishop of Romes Law and the Decree then lately published openly Ib. l. 2. So Calvin Melancthon Zwinglius and many others as well as Luther scorched men with Fire as Rev. 16. 8. and this is a sure Direction when this Vial was poured out viz. when men by their Preachings Writings Disputations c. denounced Fire and Brimstone and the greatest Torments against such Worshippers and so it is explained Rev. 14. v. 9 10 11. If any worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his fore-head i. e. openly or in his hand i. e. secretly v. 10. The same shall drink the Wine of the Wrath of God poured out without mixture and shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone which was clearly fulfilled in Luther and Calvins time How many Countreys and Kingdoms by such Preaching fell off from Rome and took up Reformation as desiring to preserve themselves from that Fire which therefore scorched the Papal party After a Disputation Religion was Reformed not only at Bernes but also proclaimed by Magistrates in sundry places thereabouts Masses Altars Images abolished in all places They wrote the day and year wherein they forsook the Popish Religion upon a Pillar in Golden Letters that it might be an everlasting memorial to their Posterity Likewise they of Geneva did imitate them of Bernes wherefore the Bishop and Clergy forsook the City in anger Then the Reformers began to be called Protestants of whom there were seven Princes The Protestants made a League that if any did stand in danger for Religion one might help another Ib. li. 6. Another symptom of its being then poured out is the great following persecutions raised by the Bestians being incensed by the torment of this fire as Rev. 14. 12. Here is the Patience of the Saints i. e. here at this time is the tryal of their patience that even death it self shall be desireable v. 14. Blessed are the dead answerable to which in the fourth Vial it is said Rev. 16. 9. men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God and repented not All which was manifestly accomplished for after Luther and Calvin and others had proclaimed fire against the worshippers of the Beast they repented not witness the Council of Trent wherein they sought to establish their Abominations and then followed the great and sore Persecutions in most Kingdoms of the Beast in the West as France Spain Germany Bohemia England all which give evidence that then the fourth Vial was poured out 5. The fifth Vial is poured out upon the Throne of the Beast Rev. 16. 10. and the effect is his Kingdom is full of Darkness and they have anguish and indignation gnawed their Tongues Throne either is the Government of the Beast his Soveraignty and Authority as Psal 89. 36 37. Psal 122. 5. and if it be taken thus then this Vial might be poured when the Popes Supremacy was cast off by Protestant Princes as Hen. VIII Edw. VI. Q. Eliz. Duke of Saxony Brandenburgh and when Popish Orders and Branches of that Government were rejected The German Princes told the Popes Ambassadors they acknowledged not his authority in such matters and Q. Elizabeth would not suffer them to come into the Land Sympson of the Church p. 408. Or the Throne of the Beast most properly is the chief place of his residence wherein he appeareth in his highest Majesty and Glory And this Vial was poured out upon Germany or the German Empire since Ann. 1600. especially by Gustavus Adolphus I know many think the City of Rome to be the Throne of the Beast which this Vial falleth upon but the City of Rome is the Woman Rev. 17. 18. or whore of Babylon which sitteth upon the Beast v. 3. and so cannot be the Throne which the Beast sitteth upon And the more improbable is it that Rome should be this Throne for when a Vial cometh upon that it is with an utter destruction Rev. 18. and so it is by the sixth Vial whereas the fifth Vial doth not destroy but darken the Kingdom of the Beast It will be hard or impossible to prove that the Throne of the Two-horned Beast the Pope is intended here and if it be of the Ten-Horned Beast then although the Throne of the Dragon was given into his possession yet he made it not as his Throne For when the Beast was very young the Emperour did not take up his residence at Rome but at Ravenna Sigon de Reg. Ital. 1. speaking of Ravenna saith Postremo Honorius eam sibi atque Occidentis Imperio sedem urbe Rom. relicta constituit quod institutum Successores quoque illius tam Imperatores Rom quam Reges Gotthorum custodierunt That as Honorius was enthroned not at Rome but at Ravenna so other Emperours till Augustulus Ann. 475. and then there were no Emperours in the West or at Rome till Carol. Magn. Ann. 800. Neither have the Emperours ever since to this day made the City of Rome their Seat or Throne but Germany and there are seven Electoral Heads and Ten Horns or Provinces in the West as the Beast Let the Throne then upon which this fifth Vial falleth be Germany especially seeing the event doth admirably answer there to all that is said of this fifth Vial. For the Case was thus as it 's said Some Seeds of Division being sown by the proscribing and forcing Donawerdt on the occasion of a Tumult at a Procession there and mastering Gulick the German Protestants received the Alarm and assembled at Hall and the Catholicks at Wirtsburgh This quickly did fly like Wild-fire filled all Germany and involved all Europe in a prodigious War some compare it with that of Zisca and the Bohemians I shall give some short account of it out of J. Parival History of the Iron Age and shall refer to the Book it self for a larger and fuller discovery of it He speaketh much in favour of the Papists but declareth himself in this manner I abhor to begin the Discourse of the longest and most cruel War that ever was in Christendom and which drew more Blood more altered the Christian Faith and caused more ruine and desolation than all that ever were in Europe ib li. 3. c. 1. And Ann. 1630. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden invited by the Germans incited by France England Venice the United Provinces as also by his own peculiar interests entered Germany with an Army was sure of his Allies and of the inclination of all the Protestants whose Cause and Religion he came to defend King Gustave takes Francfort beats the Imperialists cleansed Pomerania Ambassadours of the Princes Imperial Towns and Protestants States treated an Alliance with King Gustave These sparkles encompassed all Germany with a Fire which lasted till the year 1649. ib. cap. 17 18 19 20. Gustave worsted Tilly before the Fort of Werbern being joined